The Tanner Report: Fulham 3 Ipswich 1

Fulham disposed of a poor Ipswich easily enough but we were not convincing and did not convince the faithful of our play-off credentials. There were some interesting features to the selection and play. Bettinelli, out of favour for the season, came in goal for David Button and Michael Madl for Tim Ream. The Madl/Kalas combo looked like achieving another clean sheet as at Rotherham till a late goal from a set piece. Word has clearly got out that ” Stop Cairney, stop Fulham”. The Fulham skipper was not as influential as before but Stefan Johansen slipped under the Ipswich radar and had an effective game. Fulham midfielders are adept at attacking the box with pace and skillful footwork and Johansen advanced into the box moved the ball to the left by stepping inside to score Fulham’s third. Ayite scored the first and Scott Malone who pops up the box also effectively added the second.

Fulham fans, whose glass is generally half empty, are not confident of the play-offs. Sheffield Wednesday beat Newcastle to hold onto sixth place whilst Norwich whom Fulham play next banged seven past Reading. There are all sorts of variables. Huddersfield for example might be in the play offs when we play them and want to rest players for them: Sheffield Wednesday too might be secure in 5th place at the expense of Reading or Leeds and field a weaker side against us last game. The season reminds me of 1970 -71 when after 2 relegation seasons Bill Dodgin’s side reversed the decline with an attractive side with Les Barrett and Jimmy Conway gave pace on the wings, made a late challenge and finished fourth in a non play off era. This season after 6 consecutive seasons of decline we are playing attractive stuff but the run in of good form is too little too late.

At the Rust we are not shy of linking an excellent piece of reportage and an Ipswich pal with whom I watched the game sent me this excellent link and coverage of the game from the Ipswich point of view. IPSWICH FAN VIEW