All shown today.
Loved Bailey's tackling and commitment, Hudson looked a rock. Varney and Gray looked quality with Bouazza whipping balls in and creating problems. And everyone else did their bit.
The referee inadvertently energised the side and the supporters. You did your bit and that came through loud and clear on the tv.
The question is: Can it be sustained?
Nolly says discuss...
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Bailey is what we have been missing since Parker left.
A bit worrying that Reading were pushing so hard at the end with ten men. Perhaps we need to work on our fitness levels.
Good point, Queenie ....... although if you are down to 10 men and losing with 10 mins to go, you'd want your team to at least have a go and give it everything they've got.
Just like Charlton did at Watford last week.
..............
In victory the danger is that you gloss over and forget the areas that still need work. A great team performance, Bouazza looks everything that we've missed in Jerome Thomas, I presume not being part of Fulham's plans he didn't have much of a pre-season, but he looks class. Sam on the other wing got some early balls in - I think it was his cross that lead to Holand's goal, and he certainly crossed the ball for Varney. Bailey and Holland were dominant in the centre. But, our back four as a unit still don't fill me with much confidence. Two penalties were given away, even if neither was a cast-iron decision, Reading hit the post/bar a couple of times and were given a bit too much time in the box and freedom.The good news is that Hudson looks everything we thought and hoped he'd be, but Fortune looks like the weak link. Moo2 played well, linked with sam and Basey played better as the game went on, and offers good cover at LB.
Can it be sustained? On last year's experience there might not be a team that runs away with the division and I don't see a lot of strong squads out there with strength in depth that could do that. In such situations it's invariably the teams that gel as a unit and graft out the victories that make the difference. After taking a two goal lead, seeing it pulled back and then going on to win should be great for the players confidence nad something to remember. From here we need to get at least one experienced centre-back in to complement Hudson, and of course we need to be lucky with injuries, suspensions and refereeing decisions, but if we can continue to make our luck then I see no reason why we shouldn't be there or thereabouts by the end of the season. There's still a lot of football to be played though...
Just 43 games, BFR - still a lot of football to be played though.
LOL, Len.
The voice of your hero inside your head.
;o)
I reckon he's going to get better and better.
As for weaknesses, well I thought we defended too deep on occasions including when they scored their first. We did get caught a little by Reading but, in fairness they have some very skillful players. Reading liked to play the ball around and were not as physical as some we'll meet this season. I think we've got enough about us to compete though.
I'm going to big up Pards who has been criticised for some of his signings over the last couple of years. Today his signings really came good. Weaver, Moo2, Hudson, Bailey, Bouazza, Gray and Varney were all immense today.
S'right, eh Len?
;o)
And Pards who didn't listen to the advice of some on here, re-signed him!!
I've criticised Holland in the past but I've also praised him when he's deserved it eg Stoke at home last season when he put in those two early tackles.
If Bailey can sustain the form he showed on Saturday Matty may be seen to best advantage. I maintain that he won't be able to consistently do it without someone like Bailey alongside him though.
That's never been his game, although he's been frequently expected to take on that role.
What Holland does best is build a platform for others to play their own game within the context of the team, always covering, directing, picking up the pieces and with the simple neat & tidy ball, starting the next move, bringing others into the game, allowing them to go forward.
Always talking, thinking & reading the game, utterly unselfish, unspectacular and often un-noticed - which is why he's always valued by his team mates and manager.
Now with Bailey alongside him, Matty doesn't have to play that ballwinning role as well as his own - he can just focus on what he does best - with a cool head, pulling the strings for the rest of the team.