The Tanner Report; Fulham 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1
For the third weekend Fulham emulated the Brighten result – and the performance was not much different. After two inspiring wins over Huddersfield and Brentford, once again our home form was unreliable and Sheffield Wednesday deserved their draw. They came with a plan to frustrate Fulham by pressing and harrying us all over the pitch, crowding out our midfield stars Tom Cairney and Sono Aluko and to niggle and time waste. They were much helped by an early lead when Forestieri rifled home after a clever passing interchange. They then deployed all their men behind the ball. Not only were Fulham frustrated but fans too. It’s a time when both have to be patient. Instead of keeping possession and controlling the game, passing and possession became increasingly wayward and shots the more speculative. With 5 minutes to go Scott Malone popped up in the penalty area to score the equaliser. Fulham’s best player was Scott Parker who came on as sub and whose measured passing and cool experienced head is precisely what was needed. I was surprised with one forward on all game – Chris Martin- coach Slavisa Jokatonic did not introduce another striker in Matt Smith. Fans tend to be disparaging of the 6’3” forward, one of my mates refers to him as lumbering cart horse, but every game he has a clear opportunity and as often as not a goal.
I took Bob Tickler’s godson Jamie to the game. So far in his previous 2 games he had yet to celebrate a Fulham goal and we lost both times. With another goalless defeat on the cards he uttered miserably “I bring everybody bad luck” and with that Malone equalised. The sensation of leaping around in celebration was a novel but enjoyable one. It is difficult to see how much at the age of 8 he appreciates. I tried to explain basic tactics but he seemed happier to take in the more the emotions that were running high on and off the pitch. 5 minutes injury time produced an all-out assault on the Wednesday box but it was typical of their performance that one promising move ended in an air shot.
Next we go to Brighton where we were thrashed 5-0 last season. According to Ivan we might be able to expose Bong the left back who struggles against a dribbler. As the away side we will have more space as Brighton will play to frustrate as Wednesday did. However they are on a 11-match unbeaten run and always a force before their own fans. A draw will suit us nicely. We then play one of the form teams Reading at home and Brighton again in the New Year. By then the league should be clearer. Early pacemakers like Huddersfield and Norwich have fallen away and I expect Bristol City to do the same. Villa will soon be in the play-off berths and if we can improve our home form so should we.