I experienced the full effect of the Fulham Corporate Hospitality last night, and I must say that it was thoroughly enjoyable. Apart from the result, obviously, I had a really good evening. Greeted by a lovely blonde lady on arrival at the ground at 5:30, my wife and I were escorted to the George Cohen suite where we were introduced to Mr Cohen and his charming wife Daphne. Champagne & canapes aplenty as we chatted to George about 1966, his property business and life as a World Cup winner. Alan Mullery then arrived, not looking in the best of health, and I spent 20 minutes reminiscing with him about his time as Charlton manager. He had fond memories of Mike Gliksten as Chairman!!
This was followed by a 4 course a la carte meal, more champagne, plenty of wine (red or white) and much jovial banter. At 5 to 8 we all trooped out to our seats in the Diectors' Box. These seats were not only padded but allowed you plenty of leg room. Leg room, now that's something you don't get in the lower north stand at the Valley.
My seat was directly in front of Richard Murray, and fair credit to the guy he shook my hand and said hello even though he didn't know me from Adam. I found it fascinating sitting so close to Mr Murray and hearing everything that he said during the game. He was just like one of us: "Come on Reidy", "Well played Hughsey", "Close him down!!", "Shoot!!!!", "Goal!!!!!!". He got most agitated when Diawara went down with cramp in the 2nd half: "Stay down Diawara, your legs have gone, get off the pitch now".
I was surrounded by Fulham fans who, over our HT cheese, biscuits & more wine, were all saying that we were far too good to be bottom of the table and were very complimentary about our first half performance. I now understand why it takes the posh seats so long to fill up again at the start of the 2nd half; it was very pleasant in the lounge at half time being pampered, fed and watered (well, wined anyway).
Needless to say, it all went badly wrong not long after. My post match thoughts, after watching the re-run on Sky+ are as follows:
Despite spending £11m in the summer, we have one of the worst ever Charlton Premiership squads. I say this for three good reasons: 1. We have no creative central midfield players at all. Claus Jensen reminded us how valuable these players are last night. Faye is a good defensive midfielder but does not create anything. Who knows what, if anything, Pousso will bring if he ever gets fit. 2. We have no options at all up front. JFH's legs have gone and I'm not sure that Marcus Bent ever had any. Darren Bent is our only Premiership quality striker and that is very scary. 3. We have a totally unsettled back four and Dowie still doesn't seem to know how best to use the options he has.
Although we played well at times last night, we are always going to lose games like that unless we can address these three problems, and quickly. I fear that our spell in the Premiership is drawing rapidly to a close and that comparisons with Everton's poor start last season are not valid because Everton had a strong squad who were just misfiring.
I also have growing doubts over Dowie's tactical nous. How long did it take him to change things after Jensen came on and Fulham changed to 4-5-1? Too long, because Fulham suddenly had an extra man in midfield which won them the game straight away.
I hope that I am being unduly pessimistic, but I do fear the worst.
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Comments
"Well played Hughsey"
Oh no...it filters from the top down, he'll be in the team until he's 70!!