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Daily Fulham- Fulham fire as Forest fall
60 Plays1 month ago
Gavin recaps all the key moments from Fulham's triumph over Nottingham Forest on an entertaining afternoon at Craven Cottage.
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Transcript
Fulham's Winning Streak and Lineup Changes
00:00:05
Speaker
sports podcast network Welcome back everybody to the Daily Fulham Podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. The only place to bring you daily content on every Premier League side as well as women's football. My name is Gavin Ruffle and I wish you all a happy Monday and that's exactly what it is for you Fulham fans after another win their third on the spin.
00:00:29
Speaker
As always on a Monday, I'm here to relive it all, so let's waste no time and get stuck in, shall we? And coming into this game, you would have expected Marco Silva to ring the changes after that that's successful outing in the FA Cup, and ring the changes is exactly what he did. He reverted back to his regular Premier League side, and that was the side that came away from St James's Park.
00:00:51
Speaker
with all three points so 10 changes from the FA Cup win against Wigan. Forrest, less of a recovery for them as they played in midweek going all the way to penalties at Exeter and they reverted back to their side that was also successful in the last league outing as they put seven past Brighton.
Match Strategy and Early Game Performance
00:01:10
Speaker
Key bit of team news for them was that Callum Hudson had died he's been out with a little niggle recently he was fit enough not to start but he took his place on the bench and I guess going into this game it was difficult to know what to expect because based on the game earlier in the season where Fulham came out 1-0 victors at the city ground you may have expected something similar something a bit cagey
00:01:33
Speaker
We know how Nottingham Forest like to play, they like to counter attack. They're very good at squaring the first goal and that suits them, brings out the opposition, encourages them to attack. They have the pace and ability in their team to hurt the opposition when that is the case. I was expecting something a little bit similar, not quite the same. I thought it would be a bit more open than the game earlier on in the season. But until the game plays out, you're never really quite sure, are you?
00:01:59
Speaker
So on to the action then and there were no early chances not in the first five or ten minutes but it had a bright feel to the game both sides were knocking it about quite nicely and there was space for so many attackers on the pitch so already it looked a more lively game than the one earlier in the season and the problem Fulham have had in their home games recently as they've often Started them pretty slow home form has been an issue and they've made slow starts in those games The atmosphere at times has been a little bit tepid and that's kind of the way they've played on the pitch so a home win here was certainly what the doctor would have ordered after a long longish spell without one and
00:02:39
Speaker
Nottingham Forest did have the first chance of the game. It falls to Nico Williams, former Fulham player, one of two former Fulham players, Forrest had in their ranks, along with the other wing-back, Ola Ina, Nottingham Forest continuing to play that five at the back that worked so well for them in the last league game. So Nico Williams does have the first opportunity for Nottingham Forest. The ball's fizzed around at pace and it comes over to Nico Williams, who's playing on the left side,
00:03:08
Speaker
he shifts it onto his favoured right foot inside the box but he fires it just wide so that's an early warning for Fulham and then he's immediately involved again but this time up the other end as Adama triori takes him on managed to get a cross in just before the ball runs out of play Jimenez rises it's a really good leap from him it's a difficult header as he has to generate all the pace on the ball but he puts it just past the post some of the Fulham fans thought they'd have gone in wasn't to be And Fulham were starting to get on top after that little moment. As you probably would expect, they started to dominate the ball, starting to enjoy the lion's share of possession. Not in a forest success this season hasn't been built upon. Seeing a lot of the ball, but what they've been effective at doing is making the most of the ball they have. They ranked lowest in the whole league for possession, so that pattern was starting to emerge here and Fulham were knocking the ball about.
00:04:02
Speaker
really crisply, looking really sharp. And that sharpness, that fizz they had about them, it resulted in a goal.
Key Goals and Missed Opportunities
00:04:10
Speaker
Traore, who had already caused problems for Nico Williams, prior to this, this time he commits Nico Williams and he goes on his other side, he goes on his left foot, gets across into the back post. Emile Smithrow makes a good run, ball floats over Marato's head, and he has the simplest of tasks to nod it in from close range.
00:04:30
Speaker
Another headed goal for Emile Smith-Rowe. Good for the Croydon de Bruyne to get on the score sheet again after a little bit of criticism in recent times. But a Dalmatri deserves a huge amount of credit for the ball he delivers on a sixpence and Emile Smith-Rowe, right place at the right time, puts Fulham in front. From the neutral perspective it probably makes the game a little bit more interesting then and you wonder what forest they're going to do in terms of the game plan because we know how affected they have been when they have scored the first goal. So, conceding the first goal here, we'd ask another question of them. Fulham were full of life, full of running and let's not forget the majority of players on that pitch. They've had a two-week break, haven't they? So you would hope they'd be feeling fresh and it certainly seemed that way.
00:05:16
Speaker
Traore was full of confidence by the stage he sizes up Nico Williams again rolls the ball in front of him and then just asks Nico Williams come on then let's have a foot race again he gets a cross in on his right before it goes out of play and again Raul Jimenez is the guy that makes his contact he gets on the end of the cross but heads it straight at Sells And Troyeroy was having an impact on this game, not just going forward, but in terms of his defensive duties as well. Murillo, he went on one of those lung busting runs you often see from him. He drove forward from the edge of his own box, carried it forward into the Fulham half, but who's there to stop him in his tracks? Adama Troyeroy. Murillo didn't want any of that. And Adama Troyeroy was certainly feeling himself at this stage. Fulham nearly made it to now. This is almost a brilliant goal.
00:06:00
Speaker
A Wobi slides it into Lukic, who has his back to goal. He sets it for him and is to hit. He cuts across it with his right foot. It looks like it's sneaking in, angling into the corner, but Sells diverts it behind for a corner. Fulham continues to probe in the first half.
00:06:16
Speaker
The movement's good, the passing is crisp, they continue to ask questions of this Forest back 5, but they need to make the dominance count, don't they? We've seen in many games this season Fulham have had a goal lead, but have struggled to extend it and capitalise on their dominance in games, let teams back in, and then things can go pear-shaped. And this is what happens here, because Forest, out of nothing, out of the blue, they get an equaliser. It's kind of a hopeless punt from Gibbs-White into the penalty area,
00:06:45
Speaker
where Chris Wood is competing against Calvin Bassey and Anthony Robinson. Bassey makes the initial contact but he's not able to clear it so the ball falls to Chris Wood. He shifts it from his right onto his left foot to fashion a shooting opportunity.
00:07:00
Speaker
and wood he's proven this season he doesn't need many chances to score and it's no different here he's shot the flex off bassey and nestles in the bottom left corner it's a blow for fullham as their play up but until that point they probably merited more than a goal lead but if you don't kill off the chances then good teams like not in forest in the form they've shown they can always find the way back into this game and chris wood as i've said this season he showed he doesn't need many opportunities to punish the opposition he does just that another game with fullham have failed to shut the back door and it's back to where we started before the end of the half full and do have a couple of opportunities a couple of opportunities for a woebie there's a rasping volley from about 20 yards that goes over and there's an improvised back heel flick from a low cross by Lukic balls just behind him but he cleverly manages to back heel it but Sells is alert comfortable save there's another him and his effort this time from range Sells again he makes a save
00:07:58
Speaker
does well to palm it behind as the ball just bounces in front of him and that kind of marks the end of the action for the first half a really enjoyable first half not something I would have necessarily expected I thought it would be a little bit cagey and maybe Fulham getting that goal he just opened the game up a little bit but from the first goal Fulham continued to play continue to ask Nott and Forrest questions and It was just a shame they couldn't convert that dominance into more goals. On another day, they could have had three or four goals in that half, but it wasn't to be. And at halftime, going into the dressing room at 1-1, you just got to keep your head up and take confidence from the performance, from that display. Not feel sorry for yourselves and just try and carry it on into the second half. Nuno on the other hand, he would have been delighted to get level at the break, but at the same time, I don't think he could have been too happy with the pattern of the game, the balance of play, the way it was going.
00:08:54
Speaker
And no doubt a half time he would have been pondering what he needs to do for not in a forest to seize the initiative in the game to arrest control because it looked like there was only one team going to win it. But whilst it was 1-1, there was every chance that his team could come away with the three points that would cement their place, their position in the league.
00:09:15
Speaker
And it's easy to say at half time for Marco Silva, just more of the same, keep doing what you're doing, but it really works out like that, does it? Especially when two teams of similar ability are playing against each other, but all in all, I think it was a really encouraging first half and it was one of the best halves of football they played in a long time, certainly at home, because based on recent evidence, that seemed to have been lacking.
00:09:37
Speaker
And the Damatroyer was one of the cornerstones of Fulham's success in that half, terrorising Nico Williams and Nuno had to come up with a plan in order to stop him. Because if he continued to have the joy that he did, then Fulham would have a great chance of going on to collect three points. 65% possession, five shots on target, but it was just about being more ruthless, more clinical, and they could get their just desserts. Onto the second half action shortly. Before then,
00:10:08
Speaker
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00:10:35
Speaker
No changes for either side, no changes from either manager at half time. And the second half started in a similar fashion to the first half, where Fulham was seeing more of the ball. Nottingham Forest were kind of feeding on scraps. But after the first five or so minutes, they did start to come into the game a bit more. I predicted 1-1 before the start, but the way the game was panning out, it definitely felt like there was at least another goal in this game. There was another chance for a Darmat try or a It's a cross from the left from Alex Awobi that isn't cleared. Adama attempts a low driven shot into the bottom corner but it's deflected behind for a corner. Soon after that there's a chance for Sasalukic. Awobi sizes up Aina on the left, does a couple of step overs, shifts it to Sasalukic and he sells a forest defender for a dummy. He pulls it onto his left foot and sells, has to make another smart save low down.
00:11:31
Speaker
And from the resulting corner, Fulham get their goal. They go 2-1 in front. It's a Lukic delivery. Jimenez makes a run to the near post. He flicks it on into the path of Calvin Bassey, who's slightly leaning back, but he guides a header beyond Sal's who can do nothing this time. And Fulham's lead is restored. From the not in the forest perspective, you can maybe point fingers at our line. There's a lack of a jump there, but give credit to Calvin Bassey. It's a clever little header because he is slightly off balance.
00:12:00
Speaker
Just guides it back to where it came from and Fulham, their lead is restored. Their deserved lead is restored. And after that, they kept the pressure on. They kept trying to find that decisive third goal. Forrest at this point, they needed to make changes and that's what Nuno did. Hudson and Doy comes off the bench, first appearance in a little while. There's a change of system ah as well. They go to a back four.
00:12:22
Speaker
As soon as Hudson the Doi comes on there is a bit more urgency from Forrest, full of make changes of their own. The Inform, Rodrigo Moniz, three goals in his last two games. He comes on for Raul Jimenez. Not in the forest, big moment in the second half, big moment for Hudson the Doi comes. He receives the ball from Ola Aina. He's on the left side, he tries to curl it on his right foot into the bottom corner. ah doesn't quite manage to do it and hits a shot straight at Leno, which he's gleeful to collect. There's 10-15 minutes left in the game and there would have no doubt been some news, given Fulham's lack of wins at home and the fact that they've been in this position several occasions this season and haven't quite managed to see out the game. Some more subs, Emil Smith-Roe and Luke Itchoff, Reid and Pereira on,
00:13:10
Speaker
Again, just like him, and there's Emil Smith-Rehl and Lukic could be really proud of their afternoon's work. They gave a lot to Fulham's performance. Before the end of the game, there's another chance for Adama Troiore, Pereira, just coming on as sub. He's involved straight away.
00:13:27
Speaker
plays it out wide to Anthony Robinson, he stands a cross up, he comes off Milenkovic, not able to clear, can only guide it straight into the path of Adama Triore who volleys it but doesn't quite make clean enough contact and the busy Sells makes another save. Some final changes for Fulham noteworthy ones as well because Ryan Cessignon comes on but Willian comes on as well as he makes another debut for Fulham who will be in a darmattoria come off to standing ovations. Some more chances for Fulham to kill the game off Longbore from Leno goes over Moniz's head Pereira is able to control and drives forward he pulls it back for Willian and Willian's first touch is to back heal it straight in the path of
00:14:10
Speaker
Rodrigo Muniz who strikes powerfully but Sal saves again. Rebound comes out to Harrison Reed, Sal saves again. Five minutes added on and it's all about staying switched on, keeping the ball, game management and you'll get your three points that you deserve. On the flip side for Forrest have they got one big chance to create to get their equalizer which would be a big point for them and a body blow for Fulham.
00:14:34
Speaker
Well the answer is no, Fulham are able to manage the game comfortably and come out 2-1, Victor's a thoroughly deserved win, a very good performance, a very enjoyable afternoon at the cottage for the Fulham fans.
00:14:48
Speaker
and great to be back to winning ways at home because it's been a little bit too long. There's been some games in there where they haven't given their best, where they've been a bit lackluster. Some of the players certainly benefited from that little rest. They looked revitalised and not in the forest can be thankful that it was only 2-1 because full-on were completely dominant. Deserve three points, onwards and upwards now. Some final thoughts and reflections to come.
00:15:17
Speaker
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Partnership Announcement and Recent Form
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Speaker
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00:15:56
Speaker
Buy an eke. Don't settle for off-the-shelf solutions made for just anybody. Yet what's right for you, right now. Well that win is Fulham's third on the bouncing all competitions. They're certainly having a more successful, more fruitful February than the month of January which was a little bit indifferent. I know after the Manchester United game there was a bit of negativity it seemed. It was all doom and gloom but as is the nature of football, as is the nature of sport, things can change very quickly and now there's a lot of positivity in the camp.
00:16:26
Speaker
an excitement in what the rest of the season can bring also there was a tinge of disappointment given what had happened in the transfer window the lack of activity full and weren't alone in that respect most of the sides were very quiet in the business they did we did see a little bit of action for willian i was a little bit surprised he came on to be honest because i know marco silver has spoken about his fitness maybe not quite being where he wants it to be at this stage you know you'll probably have to work a bit harder in that department if he's certainly to earn a start in the side but the couple of minutes off the bench his little cameo showcased that he hasn't lost any of his skill and his ability maybe he's lost some of his legs I guess we'll find out when he does make a start but his first moment in the game was almost to back heal it into the path of Muniz for a full and third goal so that was a positive that Willian came off the bench making in his second debut there's no doubt he will play a big role going forward
00:17:22
Speaker
Well, I'm up to eight from the league now and I talked them out of qualifying for Europe after the Manchester United game. I kind of wrote them off. So it's a testament to Marco Silva. It's a testament to the players, the reaction that they've shown to win the subsequent free games after that and put themselves in a position now where people will start believing. But and that's the concern now in itself that people will start dreaming and start thinking of what is achieved but what is possible.
00:17:46
Speaker
given the points they're on and given the the fact they're not too far away from some of the teams in front of them, given the fixtures in front of them. I think the next couple of games are against bottom-off teams, so people will automatically start thinking, oh, chants are getting points here, but you can't get ahead of yourself, can you? We know how Fulham have fared against some of the teams in the bottom-off this season.
00:18:04
Speaker
That's back-to-back doubles now and in the last two outings. They've beaten Norton Forest and Newcastle, two very good-sized two teams that are ahead of him in the table. and There's not many teams that are going to do the double over both of those sides. I'm not sure if there's like going to be any other team that's going to do the double over both of those sides. Norton Forest coming into this one certainly i hadn't lost many games this season. They've been a really tough nut to crack, that Bournemouth result aside, so to beat them in the manner that they beat them Fulham fans should take a lot of joy out of that and a lot of joy out of the performance.
Player Performances and Team Praise
00:18:33
Speaker
As a touch upon, their home form has been indifferent to say the least recently, having to go back to early December to find their last victory in the league at Craven Cottage and not just that, some of the performances haven't been so good. But thankfully Fulham were able to get the positive result and they got the positive performance.
00:18:51
Speaker
Even if things had gone awry towards the end of the game and not in farce they got an equaliser, I still think there would have been more positives and negatives to take from the game and a lot of encouragement based on that performance. I thought Adama Traore was superb. I feel like he terrorised Nico Williams, gave him a really torrid afternoon. And that was the Adama Traore we were seeing at the start of the season, who kind of then fizzled out, faded away. He's got his place back in the team due to Harry Wilson's in for unfortunate injury. Reece Nelson's out as well. So it's up to him to make the most of that and capitalise on it. And I feel like this was him back to his brilliant best. We know what he can do. He's got strength. He's got pace.
00:19:30
Speaker
but sometimes the end products lacking decision-making can be questioned but he got that absolutely spot on and assist for the first goal for Emil Smith-Roe absolutely beautiful ball Smith-Roe can't miss and he could have got on a score sheet himself on another day and it's not it's not just that it was the hard work he put in as well not just as far as forward I talked about it there when recapping the game there was a a bit of defensive work in the first half when he stopped Murillo in his track so all round I think it was a really impressive display from Adama Tororo and if he can get back to that early season form then he's going to be a valuable asset in this Fulham team for the rest of the season and and hopefully the same can be said for Emil Smith Rowe who notched another goal.
00:20:12
Speaker
scored recently in the win away to Leicester. It's unusual that he's getting headed goals but he times his run to perfection for the goal and he has the simplest task, the delivery from a down matorre makes the goal but he's jonny on the spot right place at the right time and he's again similar paths they've sort of followed Both of those players started the season well and they just faded a little bit. I know there was a setback with Emil Smith Rowe from his injury but I thought he was bright, he was energetic and was the player we were seeing earlier on in the season. Hopefully that can be the catalyst now for more consistent performances for the rest of the season because there's no doubt in the talent he has. I think we just want to see it more consistently.
00:20:53
Speaker
Raoul Jimenez, as I said, he came off, replaced by Rodrigo Muniz with 15 minutes to go. and It was a good afternoon, good outing for Raoul Jimenez. I think this healthy competition, this was something Marco Silva spoke about in the press conference leading up to the game. Moniz has come on as a substitute in impact of games, got his start in the FA Cup, scoring two goals, but Jimenez, he's numbers are decent this season. and People will still talk about it when players miss chances about it being a problem position for Fulham and I think you've got to put that to bed now.
00:21:24
Speaker
They have two very good Premier League quality strikers at their disposal and on one day one can start, on another day another can start. There's not much between them but I think he'll be disappointed going off given the chances he had that he wasn't able to get on the score sheet. Maybe that's thats the difference if you look at the strikers on both sides that Chris Wood is having the season of his life. He gets one opportunity and he's able to put the ball in a net, rattle him in as four or five opportunities and it doesn't quite go in for him.
00:21:51
Speaker
but That shouldn't detract from what he gave Fulham in this game. He was a real nuisance for those non-forest defenders and gave them a really uncomfortable afternoon. The other player I think shouldn't be overlooked is Sassa Luca. I thought he was absolutely superb, he was everywhere.
00:22:08
Speaker
Managed to avoid getting that suspension, but if you look at some of his stats in the game, they're absolutely unbelievable. 100% pass completion, six chances created, won possession five times, won four jewels, and three touches in the opposition box. And I think with Sander Bergen next to him, it just gives him that license to roam forward a bit more. We saw him link attacks, join in attacks, and show that he's got that ability in his game, not just to be that sort of defensive shield that keeps things ticking over in midfield.
00:22:37
Speaker
So I thought it was a special performance from him. If you look at Nottingham Forest, they were well beaten. Nuno, he can have no complaints, no excuses. Their best player was Matt Sells. And that says it all really, doesn't it? I think Fulham had 24 shots on goal.
00:22:53
Speaker
almost half of them on target and he had to be alert to keep it down to 2-1. The only disappointment for Fulham is that they only scored two goals because they created enough chances there to score four or five and that wouldn't have flattered them. The fact that it was as close as it is tells you about cells, it tells you about Fulham's finishing.
00:23:11
Speaker
so it was an off day for them apart from that they were well beaten and Fulham were able to nullify their threat Gibbs White struggled to get into the game Alanga they kept him quiet and despite Woods goal that was the only chance he had in the game so it's a setback for them in terms of the Champions League hopes and they've got a little bit of a tricky run now Newcastle, Arsenal and Manchester City so that's a big test for them we'll see what they're made of we'll see where they are after that but to be where they are to be in with a realistic share of Champions League football just shows what they've done this season and the strides they've taken from the last couple of seasons where they've been hovering around relegation and I'll hold my hands up I thought they'd be in and around relegation again so it was an off off day for them comprehensively beaten but they'll dust themselves down and they'll go again for the next one. Marco Silva after the game kind of what you would expect really from him saying it was a well deserved three points
00:24:08
Speaker
Great performance from first minute until last.
Looking Ahead to Crystal Palace Match
00:24:11
Speaker
was happy with how they managed the ball the way they were really well prepared after losing the ball he said they should have scored more goals from the chances they created but thankfully this is not a Marco Silva post-match press conference it's not a Marco Silva post-match interview where he's saying we should have got more we deserved more he's only saying that based on the number of goals they should have scored not the the points it was a well deserved three points for Fulham Emil Smith row he echoed the sentiments of his manager
00:24:39
Speaker
said that he probably hasn't been as consistent as he would have liked in his performance but in his performances but he's working hard to get back up to top form attention for Fulham now turns to Crystal Palace another London Derby a chance for another double after they won the game early on in the season at Sellers part by two goals to nil so to surmise a very good afternoon very good weekend for Fulham up to 8th now and they're suddenly looking up rather than over their shoulder they're looking secure in that top half and who knows what the rest of the season holds not just in the league they're going well in the cup of course as well so there's a lot to look forward to crystal palace is the next game and the build-up will soon start for that so look out for that on the daily fullen podcast but for now that's all we'll see you next time every club
00:25:38
Speaker
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