Fulham - v - Leeds United ***EFL 3rd Round***Matchday Thread***

[WTF11]

"If they are good enough they are old enough", Except when it comes to penalties?
The first 5 penalties were all taken by regular seniors and the only ones not to take a penalty were Meslier, Shackleton and Cresswell, clearly the young lads wanted to take a pen and put their hands up to do so, that shows maturity and confidence. What was Bielsa to say sorry your too young to take a penalty.

Why criticise those that missed or who decided who takes them? Anyone can miss a penalty regardless of how long they are on the pitch or how old they are, a similar debate came up after the Euro's final and regardless of age those 3 that missed are professional footballers and paid handsomely to do so

My issue, which clearly escapes the likes of you and Ozwhites, isn't about being good enough to play in the 1st team, I have commented frequently about the need to plan for their inclusion in 1st team games rather than do so when injury or suspension forces the clubs hand. I disagree, strongly, with those players being placed in a position of absolute criticality, with less than the time it takes Starbucks to make a latte having been spent on the 1st team playing field.

You comment from the favourable position of a supporter who supports the team that won, and did so because as you say, the young lads who came on at the sudden death stage held their nerve and performed much more creditably than their senior counterparts in the arguably less pressure part of the penalty competition, and the goalkeeper was up to the task of not only saving the opposition kick, but as a result taking us into the next round.

Consider what would have happened if either had missed (irrespective of whether they were willing to take the penalty in the first place) . We would all be understanding, the comments that the players received would be universally supportive, despite the fact that yet again we would have failed to reach the next round (moreso than any other club), the players would be appreciative of all the kind comments and solid, unwavering support they would get from fans near and far? What f00king universe do you occupy if you think that would be anywhere NEAR the truth? And the club apparently thought it worth taking the risk that we would have the same kind of fallout as the England players did.

I don't give a flying f00k if you think I'm trying to pick an argument, I know I'm not and never in a million years would I have asked (or accepted a volunteering effort from) two young lads who have shown courage and capability but who the club has seen little or no use for as yet, to take sudden death penalties in a cup competition this club has an undeniably woeful track record in.

End of for me, no further contribution on this subject and no reply to any replies, f00k it.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Just back from the game.

Phillips found the game very easy at CB and looked after Cresswell.

Cresswell was immense and got better as the game went on. Reads the game well, always showing for the ball and good with it and distributing. He will be at CB for years for us. Coped with all the physicality of Fulham all game.

Rodrigo played well once Robert’s went off and looked the best player on the pitch.

JG moved well and ran well, great pressing but we kept hitting high balls to him for some reason.

Dallas not at the races today and Shackleton played better in mid than RB

[LUFC76Cor]

Just back from the game.

Phillips found the game very easy at CB and looked after Cresswell.

Cresswell was immense and got better as the game went on. Reads the game well, always showing for the ball and good with it and distributing. He will be at CB for years for us. Coped with all the physicality of Fulham all game.

Rodrigo played well once Robert’s went off and looked the best player on the pitch.

JG moved well and ran well, great pressing but we kept hitting high balls to him for some reason.

Dallas not at the races today and Shackleton played better in mid than RB

Agree with all the above, Rodrigo started to control the game once Roberts went off and started to look the player we hoped he'd be, Dallas should have been replaced early in the game, had a few knocks and looked off the pace and think it was risky leaving him on considering all the injuries we have of late, I thought Shackleton played well in both positions , Thought Cresswell had a great game and and can pass well with both feet and brings the ball out well, McKinstry did well also, doesn't dwell on the ball and seems to know exactly what he's going to do when he receives it , much better from James tonight, Firpo was all over the place at times and seems to think he's a foward more than a defender but it's another game under his belt, glad to see Forshaw get some game time and he did ok.

[george_kaplan]

Just back from the game.

Phillips found the game very easy at CB and looked after Cresswell.

Cresswell was immense and got better as the game went on. Reads the game well, always showing for the ball and good with it and distributing. He will be at CB for years for us. Coped with all the physicality of Fulham all game.

Rodrigo played well once Robert’s went off and looked the best player on the pitch.

JG moved well and ran well, great pressing but we kept hitting high balls to him for some reason.

Dallas not at the races today and Shackleton played better in mid than RB

Great for me to hear reports from the fans who were at games, cheers.

At the end of the day we won and penalties to boot, by the look on the players faces they are well pleased, I bet a good dressing room after game with lots of ribbing! Lots of talking points but at last a kickstart (fingers crossed).
Now to the business of our next fixture, another battle for us … great. Cup or not I would much rather go into this next game with a win rather then us being knocked out. Surely the players young and seasoned alike will be on a bit of a high.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Great for me to hear reports from the fans who were at games, cheers.

At the end of the day we won and penalties to boot, by the look on the players faces they are well pleased, I bet a good dressing room after game with lots of ribbing! Lots of talking points but at last a kickstart (fingers crossed).
Now to the business of our next fixture, another battle for us … great. Cup or not I would much rather go into this next game with a win rather then us being knocked out. Surely the players young and seasoned alike will be on a bit of a high.

No worries - strangely for once I felt we would go through on penalties - they had missed some very good chances in normal time. Some excellent pens from us loved the JG have it smash.

Would post some photos but for some reason won’t let me paste them into the thread

Oh forgot to say Phillips also looks very good at CB strolled through the game and showed how good he is.

[Rev72]

Just back from the game.

Phillips found the game very easy at CB and looked after Cresswell.

Cresswell was immense and got better as the game went on. Reads the game well, always showing for the ball and good with it and distributing. He will be at CB for years for us. Coped with all the physicality of Fulham all game.

Rodrigo played well once Robert’s went off and looked the best player on the pitch.

JG moved well and ran well, great pressing but we kept hitting high balls to him for some reason.

Dallas not at the races today and Shackleton played better in mid than RB

Cheers for the info hopey lad.

Good to hear the young lads did well especially Cresswell..think he will be needed in the league sooner rather than later.

What were your opinions on Roberts?...would dearly love him to be a success but sadly I just don't think he has got what it takes even though he does show flashes now and again.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Cheers for the info hopey lad.

Good to hear the young lads did well especially Cresswell..think he will be needed in the league sooner rather than later.

What were your opinions on Roberts?...would dearly love him to be a success but sadly I just don't think he has got what it takes even though he does show flashes now and again.

Hmmmn on Robert’s - whom I have defended an awful lot - last night was his chance to shine and playing up top he just wasn’t good enough with or without the ball. He occasionally swapped with Rodrigo and looked a bit better in midfield but still not good enough against a championship side (albeit a good one) - Rodrigo played noticeably better when he went off.

Not sure if he had an off night but coming around to the conclusion that he won’t improve quickly enough given the lack of depth in the squad and some of the youngsters should leap frog him. If we can get decent money I think we should cash in.

Joffy G looked incredibly good and you could see he was bursting to do well. Has pace and made intelligent runs. Unfortunately, by the time he came on we were hitting too many high long balls which meant he was getting clattered by their 6’3 CB. To be fair JG just got up and came back for more. You just knew from his body language that he was going to nail his penalty - he looks like he belongs at this level.

Mcinstry did okay in his cameo and took his pen very calmly.

Big plus was Cresswell - believe the hype - the kid has everything and I suspect will replace Cooper long term as CB and captain. He was bossing Dallas and Klich around which was good and funny to see.

Joffy G only got about 25 mins but showed enough in that to realise he is already very ready for this level. He got the biggest cheer of the night when he came on.

Summerville did okay without much service and he rides challenges rather than going down. Players were willing to pass him the ball which I think always says a lot.

Shackleton for me looked better in CM than at RB and did well - love his energy.

The fear is we don’t have a schemer/controller in midfield who can dictate and unlock games in the way Siaz and Pablo could. Rodrigo is very good but I think plays better playing off someone like that. Maybe they are waiting on Charlie Allen and Bate to develop more.

Lots of positives and expect to see a lot more of the youngsters.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Was funny being sat in front of the press box.
Chatted to Phil Hay at HT and did a discrete Leeds salute to Dorigo and Bryn Law on the way back to my seat - they both laughed and I think Bryn was doing commentary so may have made him stumble on his words ….

Fulham is a great club with a great ground - their new stand looks like it will be incredible when it is finally finished - Spurs stadium impressive. I just feel a little for the kids that go and support them as the atmosphere is very genteel and not very loud - I guess as a lot of Neutrals or away fans end up in the home stands and it is also in the heart of West London affluence.

[Tichi1]

As I suggested the other day, a morale boosting victory. which included a few under 23's being blooded, and no more injuries would be a great result, apart from Dallas injury I got my wish! TBH don't think Dallas has been anywhere near last seasons best yet this time out, and actully think a break will do him good - and give Shacks a couple of starts - hopefully in midfield as opposed to at right back - I think he has looked very solid and energetic in the midfield roles he has had last couple of games.

Have to say I too give in on Roberts now, just not good enough at this level, threatens to do something but his final ball, Shooting, and decision making is woeful - and he has had plenty of chances to shine but taken none of them.

I was also pleased to see Creswell and Sumerville start, and Gelhardt and McKinstry played a part in the win - including the penalties they took, so how certain people can continue to moan about their being put under undue pressure being blooded as they where is beyond me - Liverpool, Arsenal, City, et al - ALL DO THE EXACT SAME THING - blood the kids in cup competitions to see how they fair before chucking them into the top flight games - They got game time, came through [Creswell especisaly so] with flying colours, and put themselvers into the frame for league game time [As Struijk did last season] and with only Creswell, Shacks and Meslier left to take spot kicks - who else would have taken them?? so complaining that we never play the youth, then complaining when we do about sums a certain poster up - switches his argument to suit the complaint he wants to make.

This weekend if say Bamford, Dallas, Ayling and Llorrente aren't fit, maybe there will be opportunities for Shackleton, Sumerville, Creswell, and maybe Gelhardt - either way, It was a good morale boosting result and cannot really understand anyone complaining, after all - ANYONE can miss a penalty - or indeed a shot - it's not for lack of trying!

Roll on the weekend - see if we can't get something off West Ham this season in front of a packed ER.

[ozleeds]

As I suggested the other day, a morale boosting victory. which included a few under 23's being blooded, and no more injuries would be a great result, apart from Dallas injury I got my wish! TBH don't think Dallas has been anywhere near last seasons best yet this time out, and actully think a break will do him good - and give Shacks a couple of starts - hopefully in midfield as opposed to at right back - I think he has looked very solid and energetic in the midfield roles he has had last couple of games.

Have to say I too give in on Roberts now, just not good enough at this level, threatens to do something but his final ball, Shooting, and decision making is woeful - and he has had plenty of chances to shine but taken none of them.

I was also pleased to see Creswell and Sumerville start, and Gelhardt and McKinstry played a part in the win - including the penalties they took, so how certain people can continue to moan about their being put under undue pressure being blooded as they where is beyond me - Liverpool, Arsenal, City, et al - ALL DO THE EXACT SAME THING - blood the kids in cup competitions to see how they fair before chucking them into the top flight games - They got game time, came through [Creswell especisaly so] with flying colours, and put themselvers into the frame for league game time [As Struijk did last season] and with only Creswell, Shacks and Meslier left to take spot kicks - who else would have taken them?? so complaining that we never play the youth, then complaining when we do about sums a certain poster up - switches his argument to suit the complaint he wants to make.

This weekend if say Bamford, Dallas, Ayling and Llorrente aren't fit, maybe there will be opportunities for Shackleton, Sumerville, Creswell, and maybe Gelhardt - either way, It was a good morale boosting result and cannot really understand anyone complaining, after all - ANYONE can miss a penalty - or indeed a shot - it's not for lack of trying!

Roll on the weekend - see if we can't get something off West Ham this season in front of a packed ER.

You just can't hold it together, can you! Having a dig at someone even though your message was going good and honest moments.
Let me quote you on something that individual has been saying all along since you brought it up. How many f injuries do we have? How many players could have played? How big a squad do we have? Finally who else could he have played? You very well know that if we had a full team those kids would not have seen the light of day just as when it happens with Meslier And Pat.
Get yourself together Lad stop attacking people because you are a better person looking at the most part of that post.
Cheers some flog from ozland.