The Tanner Report: Fulham 2 Sheffield Wednesday 0 (Caraboa Cup)
This match, streamed on the Caraboa website last night, was hardly compelling viewing but instructive in its own way.
In particular the powerful and pacy Antonee Robinson, acquired from Wigan, looked a more than credible alternative for the smaller Joe Bryan who holds the left back position.
Keeper Rodak pulled off some crucial saves.
We acquired on loan Alphonse Areola from PSG who played last Saturday in the 4-3 defeat against Leeds. I can see the logic of on-loan signings: if you go down you are not stuck with an onerous long contract.
However there is the opposite view is that their loyalty to the club cause – as opposed to their own – can be questioned as we saw in the relegation season with Andreas Schuurle.
They also block the pathway of youngsters in the Academy. This has been a productive resource for Fulham – Ryan Sessegnon and Harvey Elliot were sold for over £30m to Spurs and Liverpool.
The bench yesterday was replete with Academy potential.
One surprise for the fans was the appearance of Jean Michel Seri from the bench.
He was an expensive signing from OGC Nice 2 years ago but after a promising start his form declined and he went on loan to Galatasaray.
With skipper Tom Cairney not on the pitch for the last 2 games and a abundance of midfield talent with Zambo Anguissa in top form, his game-time prospects look limited.
As for the match, Fulham got off to a rocky start but we settled and Abou Kamara scored from close range after Anthony Knockaert unselfishly chose to cross, not score.
Bobby Decordova Reid added the second from an excellent cross from Robinson.
The Carabou stream was flat.
They added no stadium noise, all you could hear is the noise from the staff on the sides. With no fans cheering I did not immediately realise that Fulham had scored a second.
I see no reason why the club could not admit 2000 fans socially distanced. This is happening all over Europe.
