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Match review Monday: Denied at the death… again!
37 Plays1 month ago
The guys reflect on further Fulham frustration as they look back on the 1-1 draw with Everton.
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Transcript
Introduction and Recent Performance
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome back to another edition of the Daily Fulham Podcast, your home of all things Fulham. Today
Match Review: Fulham vs. Everton
00:00:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
is our Match Review Monday episode and we are looking back on that 1-1 draw at Goodison Park. My name is Gavin Ruffle and I'm joined today by Jack Kelly. Jack, it was a game that Fulham dominated in large chunks. They looked pretty comfortable but they succumbed to a last-minute goal with a striker that doesn't score goals netting against them. It feels like we've seen this film before somewhere.
00:00:39
Jack Kelly
Yeah, it's ah it's the away version of West Ham earlier in the season. um Complete frustration from fans, myself, um the whole team, manager, um for looked in control, more in control of the game than against Nottingham Forest when they're in the same situation. And yet somehow came out with just the one point. I think it's it's always going to be,
00:01:07
Jack Kelly
go to some park you're always going to come under some sort of wave of pressure and I think we just completely switched off in the final moments of the game. um Again, i haven't I need to watch back those individual six minutes, but I think we can manage that game much better in terms of running down the clock. um Even within that six minutes, Beetho had a header on target, and you know we were trying to let O'Hearl onto the ball for as long as he possibly could without getting booked. And
Points Lost from Winning Positions
00:01:32
Jack Kelly
even then, they put Michael Keene up front, and and then he got an extra body in the box, and it and it really causes some issues, but just
00:01:40
Jack Kelly
Super frustrated. I watched the the the highlights back on the way home and just, yeah, feeling really good with this one, actually.
00:01:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is the third successive game where Fulham have taken the lead but failed to win. They dropped 10 points from winning positions this season which is the joint most along with Ipswich. Is this becoming a bit of a problem now?
00:01:59
Jack Kelly
Hugely, I think, I think now this season has been about okay well Fulham have done really well the last two seasons they've come up and they've established themselves back as a Premier League team now what the question was this season okay are they going to just be a mid-table Premier League team or they're going to actually start pushing for for those European places and the performances are that of of a team that are really trying to push, but the results are undermining those performances and those laps in concentration and those drop points are going to be what stops us from going from a 12th place, 11th place, 10th place team to the 8th and the 7th. I think it's obviously and it is an ambitious thing to um to want at this current stage, but I think it's realistic with the players that we're getting in, with the manager that we have.
00:02:46
Jack Kelly
um
Impact of Stats on Player Performance
00:02:47
Jack Kelly
And yeah, just massive, massive frustration that we can't get over the line in these sort of games.
00:02:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think that players are out on the pitch are aware of those sort of stats and the fact that they haven't been able to keep hold of the lead and they drop points from winning positions? Do you think that creates an extra nervousness?
00:03:04
Jack Kelly
I don't necessarily think so, I just think that it's it's just game state and basically what happens is when you're defending a lead, you're always going to sit a little bit deeper, you're always going to invite a little bit more pressure, especially away from home where, yeah you know what the Goodison fans are like. I mean, I was there saying,
00:03:20
Jack Kelly
every single time they weren't passing the ball quick enough or they weren't pressing or they weren't playing the right pass they were getting on the backs and you can feel that in the ground and they just want the ball lump forward just get the ball forward and that's basically what they did and and we had to defend our box we didn't defend our box well enough in that one situation apart from that i thought the the performance was fantastic I thought the performance overall was really, really good. one of ah but If we'd have gone away to an Everton team and picked up three points and been on 14 points, people would look at the table going, wow, Fulham are really something this season. And
Team Strategy and Selection Debates
00:03:54
Jack Kelly
yet again, like you know these draws to West Ham to Everton have completely undermined on the work we've done in the 90 minutes, which is so frustrating. and
00:04:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
So let's come on to the game itself. It was just the one change which was enforced due to Joachim Anderson's red card last week. So Isid the Op came in to replace him as we would have all expected. We said on our preview show, I was wondering if maybe it was time for Reece Nelson to get a start, possibly player will be on the right right side instead of a Dharma, but he opted to stay loyal to the players that have done pretty well this season. He's normally one of those managers, he's reluctant to make changes. is Are you ah you surprised or is that how you would expect them to line up?
00:04:31
Jack Kelly
I actually, you know, as as the week went on, you know, you discuss it as fans and go, this is what we should do to prevent certain things from happening. and And because of the performance against Villa, I felt we needed more protection in front of the back four. But actually, you know, upon reflection, Sanderberger did very, very well yesterday, much better than he did against Villa. And that was fairly encouraging. But, you know, you look at the lineup, you go, yeah, fair play, he's just going to stick with the same team. I think changing things too much just affects continuity and actually so far full of a by and large performed very very well this season. um So I wasn't too surprised, I did think that maybe there was an opportunity where we could change the midfield around maybe bring out Pereira but then you lose a lot of creativeness on the ball with Smithrow or Pereira. Marco's a, and this is a compliment, he's a stubborn manager, he won't change things unless it's absolutely necessary like like a a red card in the Alki Madison.
00:05:23
Jack Kelly
And I thought Iso Diop did really well as well coming in. and I tweeted that earlier today. I thought that he should be highlighted for that because I think people get a little bit nervous when they see Diop's name on the team sheet. Compare that to a play like Anderson. They build up in such a different way. they're on the They're on the ball capabilities are so different as well. But I thought Diop was really, really good alongside Bassey as well. um So yeah, didn't really have any surprises at the team. um And that's just due to the fact that Marco has so much faith in in the 11 that he but he often puts out.
00:05:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's
First Half Analysis and Tactics
00:05:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
come on to the first half action. Are you a little bit surprised the way Everton came out in their approach? I mean, they they like to sit off, don't they? um But they came into this game in form, having been unbeaten in the last four games, only conceded two goals. But there seemed to be, I don't know, a lot of errors at the back and there was that nervousness. As you mentioned, the Goodison Park crowd, if they they're not getting the ball forward quickly enough, they they're on to them, aren't they? that's what That's what they expect to see. and um Yeah for the first 20-25 minutes they were a bit all over the place really but Fulham probably not able to capitalise on that.
00:06:26
Jack Kelly
Yeah, I think it was frustrating. Like we couldn't, we had control of the game, but we couldn't quite create those chances in the final third. And every time, every time Everton got the ball, it was very, very disjointed. Calvert-Lewin was finding himself too isolated up front. And in the small chances that Everton did get Fulham were able to sort of defend their box and and actually, you know, clear the ball and set up their own attacks. I found it really interesting how in possession it would be Tete dropping in as as the third centre back and then basically pushing Adama all the way up to the right and then basically you'd always have two left hand side wingers in Robinson in the Wobi and they'd both be extremely high. Robinson would stick
00:07:07
Jack Kelly
to hike the pitch and then a Wobi would come inside and suddenly you've got a Wobi, Smithrow and Pereira all occupying that space um in the final, well towards the final third with Jimenez up front with Berger sitting so it was a good system on the ball and but The chances we created, there was a couple of really good balls into the box we couldn't quite get at the end of. Raul Jimenez had like a a volley that was on target. Adama save and Aaron Smith wrote a volley though, but Fulham should have led by half time. And then of course, Everton score and and it gets disallowed from VAR. But overall, Fulham had the element of control, but was surprised with the lack of press from Everton, actually.
00:07:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely absolutely free full and we're definitely in control of that game, even though they didn't manage to get that opening goal. In
Offensive Strategy and Key Players
00:07:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
the first half, Everton's best moment came from, Idrisa Gay wasn't a long shot from about 25 yards and Calvert-Lune was offside.
00:08:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have you seen the offside? um I know you're at the game, have you seen it since? Because it was very margin, there was one angle, the initial angle they showed, I thought, oh, he's actually onside here. But it was only when you saw the second angle that he was just margin the offside.
00:08:09
Jack Kelly
yeah i think they had the the wrong frame i think it wasn't from when he actually took the shot and and actually the people around me and the press folks were going oh that's on and i was like oh god we're gonna be one little down here and then they look at it and we've got away with one there. I think there was some nice play around the box, Gaye got the space. I think it's one of those where you know it comes with the bar, it's a rebound, he's quick as to react, obviously he's offside, but there was there' not much to blame defensively for that for that situation. Apart from that, um there was a header on target as well in the first half, which Leno saved.
00:08:44
Jack Kelly
apart from Everton were poor. and And again, it was another poor performance from Everton at home where they don't bring the game to the opposition. They allow the opposition to control the game. And that's what we did for large, large belts of the game. And we had a lot of the ball. I think we could have created more with what we had in terms of possession, but the chances we did create were good chances.
00:09:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, certainly for the first 30 minutes just watching the game on TV, it was pretty low quality. And then that shot from Everton, the disallow goal, it seemed to spring them into a life a bit.
00:09:12
Jack Kelly
Yeah.
00:09:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
There are a couple of corners in quick succession after that full of mad chances. um As you mentioned, I think Smith row over the bar, Adama shot at the goalkeeper. it will be a shot over the bar, maybe just lacking that bit of composure. But I think overall, Silva would have been happy with the balance of the play and the the way the team were playing. It was just being able to convert the Chancellor for Raul Jimenez was leading on really well. We've seen a player there that's grown in confidence. And I think when he first came into the team, kept returning to the team, displacing Moniz, we we We were scoring goals but maybe he wasn't adding so much off the ball and linking the play but I think that's really really progressing well. What you've seen in evidence in the last couple of games is is the work rates there and he is being able to knit things together even if he isn't scoring goals.
00:09:58
Jack Kelly
Oh absolutely, because you look at Mičević and that was the strong point of Mičević was his all-round play and actually with Muniz and Jimenez that was lacking at times but game by game we're seeing more of a mature all-round performance from Raoul Jimenez like you say linking the play holding the ball up bringing us others bringing others into play and because Fulham relies so much on their wide men to create chances, it's vital that Jimenez gets that first touch, drops it off and then can run into the box and I think he did that really, really well. um Obviously, Muniz on the bench knocking on the door, and but for now, Jimenez is going to keep his place, I think. and Even when he doesn't score, he performs at a very high level and that's incredibly encouraging.
00:10:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you think the message from Silva to his players would have been at half time?
00:10:44
Jack Kelly
I think move the ball a bit quicker. I felt that Fulham in times of possession were just a little bit slow. Just get out a little bit, play the play the more direct passes into into the the half spaces, try and break the lines a little bit. I think Pereira should be getting the ball in the half turn. I think that Smith-Roe then eventually, of course, did get the ball in the half turn and created what was a magic assist for a wavy.
00:11:03
Jack Kelly
i think yeah just I think Adama Traore had a lot of space down the right hand side, but actually couldn't get in behind. And actually, I think they did quite a good job of nullifying his threats as well. and I think it was just to play the ball a bit quicker, get Robinson on the outside. Tessa was getting high up the pitch as well. I thought it was um thought it was an encouraging sort of start to the second half and Funn was sort of plugging away and eventually got the goal, which was fantastic.
00:11:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
We will speak a bit more in depth about the second half in just a moment. Before we do that, let and allow me to tell you all about our sponsor, Zencaster. Here at Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencaster came out the clear winner with 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those M's and R's It's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently. If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencaster.
00:12:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was noticeable ah that when Jordan Pickford was getting get in the ball, the the the game plan was pretty pretty clear and simple, just lumping upfield, wasn't it? and Which is, I guess, the Everton tactic. They do lead the way for long balls this season. But Fulham did manage to go in front around the hour mark. Great
Key Plays and Player Fitness
00:12:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
piece of play from Emil Smithrow, who was anon largely anonymous against Aston Villa, wasn't he? enough And I thought in the first half, he had some disappointing touches. and
00:12:29
Jack Kelly
Yeah.
00:12:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
just You started wondering but what's what was kind of happening to him to after the international break, but it was a great piece of play. He plays the ball inside to a world B and I thought he'd made the wrong decision because Traore was in a lot of space. He was an easy ball over to them on the right side. and see He jinked inside and then despite Everton defenders seemingly in front of him, crowding him out, he managed to get the shot away and put it in the bottom corner, a real real piece of quality there.
00:12:56
Jack Kelly
I think that that is actually quite key in this goal with the fact that in Fulham's build-up we do a lot of passing and there's a lot of an extra pass as well when actually you do have runners like Awobi, like Smith Row like Prairie who can take a man on and it finally got to a stage where Awobi was in a decent position like you say Dom was and usually you just play the pass but he thought no no I'm gonna go for it and and jig my way past a couple and And then he put it in the back of the net. I thought it was an outstanding finish just on Smith row, like literally like five, 10 minutes before that full amount of corner where we've played it short. Smith row then touched and lost the ball. I mean, such a wasted opportunity. And that was like the third or fourth time where Smith rose first touch and let him down. And I think everyone, I mean, I would imagine in the way and people are getting super frustrated with Smith row. Um, and that's sort of the lack of quality he's bringing to the game.
00:13:46
Jack Kelly
And then suddenly it's almost like he might have heard that and used it as inspiration because, I mean, that, when you think of a Millsmith Row, when i when we signed a Millsmith Row, the type of play, the type of play you'd expect to see from him would be exactly what he just produced yesterday. Jinking run, in and out, you know, taking on a man.
00:14:06
Jack Kelly
progressing up the pitch, playing the pass, he might have even made the, he would have continued making that run to try and receive the ball back inside the box, and but Owabe took it on from there and and then scored. I thought that's probably the best goal we've scored so far this season in terms of quality on the pitch and a really good finish as well from Owabe.
00:14:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
just ah sticking with Smith Rowlett. Do you feel there are still one or two doubts on him fitness wise because he's still yet to complete a 90 minutes at the club?
00:14:35
Jack Kelly
Yeah, I think that's that's fair enough. I think he had quite a disrupted pre-season where he went away with Arsenal, he then had to come back, sign for Fulham, then go straight up to Portugal when he e played a few minutes out there. But because he hasn't had a load of minutes in the last season or or so, it's about building up that fitness. And you know, we're already into now mid-October and you would be thinking he will complete a 90 minutes soon. But also,
00:14:58
Jack Kelly
the way the game was playing, the the the way the game was was panning out, you did need someone with Harrison Reeve defensive abilities to to be on the pitch. So actually, that was probably the reason.
00:15:09
Jack Kelly
ah follow will You know, if someone were tuning up, then maybe you would have seen out the 90, but then again, like you rest him up for the for next week's game. I think we're protecting Smith Rowe because we don't want him to get injured because he's one of our most key players. And actually, um you know, a game like Brentford next week, wherere we're going to need him for sure. And I think he'll only get better and he'll get his 90 minutes at at some point.
00:15:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
But
Defensive Concerns and Fan Anxiety
00:15:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
with the goal, if any team was looking like they were going to get, if there was going to be another goal in the game, it looked like Fulham. I know Reece Nelson came on again. He looked bright. Do you think he's really, really close to getting a start now?
00:15:41
Jack Kelly
Yeah, I asked Marco this on Thursday. I basically said, you know, he's been knocking on the door and he said he's close. He said he's close to starting. And actually, you know, that there will be a time soon where Adam might come out and then play as the impact sub. And I think Reece Nelson brings this energy that we very much need it in in the moment to the game where we're trying to take the game away from the opponents. It's unfortunate we didn't get the second goal, but It was definitely a moment where I think he flashed the ball across the face to go, but or he had he had a runner or he had someone, a pass to play, but he he didn't go for that option. But I've got no criticism for for Nelson. I think he and he takes a man on. um It's refreshing to see a lot of wingers don't take their man on anymore. And um he's quick, quick feet, links up well with with the other players. And and it's about a time he'll he'll start a game very, very soon, I'm sure.
00:16:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and this game further highlighted Alex Owobi's versatility, the fact that he started on the left, went out to the right, and then he went through the middle as well later on in the game. Did you always feel comfortable at 1-0? The fact that Everton weren't really causing much of a f threat? Or were you watching as you feel full and really need the second goal?
00:16:51
Jack Kelly
I watched the basically the the final 15 minutes with my head in my hands because i was i was I was like, if we don't score again, this will come back to bite us. And because of recent memory of a game against West Ham, where basically we we were as dominant yesterday than we were against West Ham, I was feeling like, if we don't get this goal, there will be a stage where Everton put parlour on the pressure. You know, Beto comes on, he's a physical presence. You obviously, I mentioned earlier, but Michael Keane going up front. And I think that's something that Everton have obviously done before, because you could hear like, oh, here are people behind me saying, oh, here he goes up front now, Michael Keane.
00:17:27
Jack Kelly
I think Kenny Teste should do much better and in in stopping the cross. And actually the main positive from from the game, if we had to come away with a 1-0 win, obviously winning the game would have been fantastic. But actually the main man we were focusing on and and worried about was Ilimin and Jai. And I think we actually kept him reasonably quiet the whole game. And then he's the one who crosses the ball into the back post where ah but Ashley Young gets the volley across goal. so Yeah, I didn't feel comfortable at all because I just knew there'd be some sort of onslaught. but There wouldn't be... Everton fans would not have accepted losing that game without giving it some sort of fight. And and then obviously they did with six added minutes as well, which was a pain.
00:18:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can I just ask you about Pereira? I know he came off, he was o limping a bit, is there anything in that?
00:18:12
Jack Kelly
I'm not sure. I probably should have asked. but there was There was other questions on my mind at the time. I think that's definitely one for the press conference next week. I think Pereira came off hobbling. didn't look too serious, maybe just precautionary, maybe he was coming off anyway anyway. So I'm not sure.
00:18:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but ah as we touched on, like the West Ham game, a game where Fulham dominated for 90 minutes, they weren't able to have that extra clinical cutting edge to get that second goal to enable a bit more comfort at 1-0 in the Premier League. you're always in the game. It just takes a split second.
00:18:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
did he say after after after the game about the goal? Was he was he disappointed in in in the way his his team maybe i just sat off and just allowed pressure on there? Or how did he feel about it?
00:18:55
Jack Kelly
I think he obviously said that we should defend our box better. We should be more switched on. Um, which is obviously an obvious thing. I would argue that, you know, and we've done this a lot now, we would bring on a fifth, a fifth defender in Jorge Coenco came on yesterday. And I just think that invites pressure. And I remember, you know, you know, managers in the past parkies to do it. Um, you know, so basically kind of, it's just to do it. Ranieri to do it.
00:19:21
Jack Kelly
a lot of managers do it they want to shore it up and they think that because you're playing a five and having an extra defender means you're going to basically defend better which I suppose is also true but then the individuals in the box have got to be switched on you know that ball is again comes in far too easily for me Tete who looked knackered trying to get out to him um but but Silver basically said after the game that The result is unfair and that the better team didn't win. We were clearly the better team and that we should have defended our box better. And I think it's, it's obviously obvious to say that, but he was, he was very emotional after the game, but very, very like downbeat. And I think that was, that was quite hard to watch because um we really deserved the win. I think he wants to get that win at Goodison Park, given he was a former Everton manager as well.
00:20:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I don't know about you. I felt a bit sorry for Kenny, ah not Kenny Teddy, for East City up on the goal, because of own goal last week after coming on with Joachim Anderson getting sense off. He looked a bit shaky in that game. So I had a little bit of concern about him coming to this game, but I thought he did terrifically well. He was ah possibly up there for a man on the match. And it's just unfortunate, isn't it? I mean, the header from Beto, and then he just can't really do anything about it, can he? And then obviously diverts past Leno, he's wrong footed, nothing he can do.
00:20:36
Jack Kelly
Yeah, honestly, it's just so frustrating. If we'd have come away with one nil victory, that would have been more impressive than the Nottingham Forest game because of the way we actually played. And I thought the Forest game, we dropped off massively in moments in that game when we lost control of it at times and were really hanging on. Whereas, okay, we just survived six minutes of pressure from Everton. And that was really that in terms of threats.
00:21:02
Jack Kelly
but and what ah And I think everyone would have come away thinking, yeah, the better team won, even Sean Dyson after the game, but Fulham were the better team. And I think that's obviously a massive frustration for for for Marco Silva. I mean, I keep saying the same things, but um you've got to be more switched on in the box. You've got to be aware of the man at the back post. You got to be covering all areas of the box and the ball comes across and it's ah It's actually a quite a good goal.
00:21:28
Jack Kelly
though To hit it on the volley, to come across goal and have someone on the end of of the header as well, of the cross, to head it in. But it's just, yeah. I'm
Team Performance and Emotional Impact
00:21:38
Jack Kelly
very, very disappointed in the way the game finished and you could probably tell by my mannerisms and my voice.
00:21:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here.
00:21:43
Jack Kelly
I'm um seriously, seriously upset by it.
00:21:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:22:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know Sean Dyche came on Sky after the game and he was very honest. He was honest enough to admit that Everton were very lucky to get a point there. Are you there for the press conference? Was was Marco Silva a so of downbeat character or was he trying to take the positives from the game?
00:22:27
Jack Kelly
No, I think he was completely downbeat, to be fair. um you know you would be What Marco does very well is that you ask him the first question. and How did you think the game went wherever? And he'll give you a very long answer. He'll speak for two minutes addressing the whole game, how he thought it went, and just throughout the whole two minutes of that sort of opening answer.
00:22:50
Jack Kelly
reiterating the fact we we're the better team, should have defended our box better, created some great chances. So he's always trying to encourage the players as well as, um you know, address what went wrong. and But I think, yeah, I mean, like like I said, if we could come away with the 1-0 victory, it would have been seriously, seriously impressive.
00:23:10
Jack Kelly
um I've sort of run out of things to say because it's it's just, honestly, it really frustrates me that in that moment, I'm i'm not really frustrated at any individual. I'm i'm not frustrated at silver for bringing on Cuenca. I'm not frustrated at the players. for but it's just It's just, you know, when you think you've got victory almost sealed and having it taken away from you is just such a gut punch. And um yeah, I don't really have anything more to say about it really.
00:23:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know we've spoken about individual performances and it will be got the man like the match by Sky. um Who stood out for you above anyone else?
00:23:48
Jack Kelly
Yeah, I mean, a Wobi was basically everywhere. I scored the goal and um and actually was really impressive. and But I'm actually going to highlight two players who I thought surprised me in terms of I was nervous about them but but they performed at a very high level and that's Sanderberger much better on the ball today I think yes they had more space on the ball which obviously helped Villa were all over him and actually he couldn't get out and whereas when he had time to sort of bring the ball out play the pass and actually um have a bit more freedom he he he obviously um
00:24:20
Jack Kelly
was much better and it's a de-op like you mentioned earlier as well. Very nervous about him especially on the ball but one most of his duels was very good and alongside Calvin Bassi compliments him very well. I think Anderson will come back in for Brentford and I think that's necessary but um I think de-ops actually on them on them on the whole been very good this season.
00:24:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I would concur with that. And I also think it was important for Sander Berger to have a steady, good game. It's the best we've seen him in a Fulham shirt. I know we had a few appearances in the cup early season and last last week, was it? Well, he he started the game against Man City as well, didn't he? But last week against Aston Villa. Yeah. And the worst thing for him is, for him is if people keep mentioning Sasseleukic and his absence, because then that shows that Berger's probably not performing to to the standards that Marco Silva would want.
00:25:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I think something you said is frustration a lot ah during this cut during this conversation. And it's hard not to feel frustrated just when I when i talk about those those numbers about 10 points dropped from winning positions. Because even if you say you have half of them, you think about the West End performance, the Everton performance, three points worthy performances, and then you know maybe maybe get a point out of Aston Villa. Say if if it's five points dropped instead of 10. it's it's a massive a massive difference. You're up there, you look at Norton Forest, they're having a great season, over-performing and you're sort of in and around there in the table. Now you're mid-table, depending on other results, you might be bottom half and you feel like there's really been some missed opportunities.
00:25:50
Jack Kelly
Mid-table mediocrity is what I craved for years when we were in the championship. And i'm I'm happy that we're in that position. But I would argue that like we should have points from every single game this season. We
Fulham's Potential and Future Prospects
00:26:03
Jack Kelly
should have drawn against United at least. and then We beat Leicester. The point to Ipswich was very much fair enough. Should have beaten West Ham. Should have got something at Man City. and What was the other loss? we I mean, we should have got at least, to but if we just scored the penalty against Villa, the the game goes a different way.
00:26:21
Jack Kelly
Honestly, like we could be in the top four right now if we hadn't dropped those points and no one would would say otherwise. Fulham have actually, with' with okay, with Nottingham Forest and Brentford, Fulham have been one of the most impressive teams in the Premier League so far. um ah But again, it's results like yesterday that completely undermined me making that statement because then they'd people would be like, well, have you dropped so many points?
00:26:50
Jack Kelly
If we hadn't, I mean, yeah if if some butts are gonna drive you crazy, ah they'll send me into an asylum because you start thinking about what what could have been. And I mean, that's the story of being a football fan. You know, you basically, you take things at face value, but you always go, oh, but what, you know, what if England had pushed on after that equalizer from Cole Palmer? We could have been, you know, European champions. What if Diego Forlan, you know, was was called offside or or that hadn't deflected into the back of the net, then Fulham may have brought the game to like to penalties in 2010.
00:27:25
Jack Kelly
the what ifs in life are always going to drive you crazy. And right now they're driving me absolutely insane because, so but then again, you know, we're in a good position. It could be so much worse. You know, wolves had to scramble for a point yesterday. Palace are still still about to win. I mean, these these teams are about to win. They're desperate down there at the moment and we're doing well, but we should be doing better.
00:27:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And
Conclusion and Upcoming Content
00:27:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
up next, they do have a local Derby, West London Derby against Brentford. Do you think that's a perfect pick-me-up fixture now after the disappointment of the weekend's result and the game that certainly, well, they left with a point, but it would have felt like defeat, but the fact that they're playing Brentford now, they're going to be bang up for it.
00:28:02
Jack Kelly
I think we'll be bang up for it, you know, by Sunday eight o'clock. I just think right now Brentford on a massive high, winning 4-3 in the last minute for a goal that... It wasn't fluky as such, but Miroc should have done way better with with that goal. um I think Fulham will be low for the next couple of days. We've got to pick ourselves up. It is a derby. We've got more time to prepare for it now because it it's the Monday night game. and But yeah, nothing would would make up for this better than ah than a win against Brentford at Craven Cottage on on Monday night. That would be fantastic.
00:28:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, there we have it, folks. It was an evening that promised much, looked like it was going to deliver three points, but a late sucker punch meant that Fulham left Goodison Park for the final time with a point. Up next is that West London and Derby, the Monday Night Football next week against Brentford. Be sure to tune in next time for our Tactics Tuesday episode. Thank you to Jack for today. That's all. We'll see you next time.