The Tanner Report: Fulham 0 Brentford 2
I had the privilege of cleaning the windows of my 70s FA Cup run hero John Mitchell.
Twenty years on we watched a game together in the grim early 90s.
“The problem with this side as opposed to ours,” observed Mitch “is there are not enough players on whom you can rely.”
I will spare the blushes of the 1990 side but he was probably referring to his teammates Bobby Moore, John Lacy, Alan Mullery, Alan Slough, Jimmy Conway and Les Barrett.
The next Cottage era featured – showcased might be the better word – George Best and Rodney Marsh, mavericks who brought much entertainment but little success.
As I watched Fulham lose to Brentford yesterday I felt there were too many mavericks and not enough reliables in the selection. We all love a maverick when he scores with a spectacular shot but not when they make little impact.
Added to this Fulham’s best player Harrison Reed was subbed, possibly after cramping, who had been protecting the back four magnificently.
Both fullbacks Joe Bryan, who did not shore up the left flank, and Dennis Odoi who might have diverted the Brentford cross that led to their first goal had disappointing games.
All this despite dominating play with better chances. So it looks more like a play-off as we are now as far ahead of the 7th position as we are behind the 2nd.
I would not be that disappointed if we miss out on promotion as we would still be playing in a three-sided stadium and the relegation last season was such an awful one.
After this game I watched Brighton beat Arsenal in the best game I’ve seen since football returned last week.
Passion and incident were provided by a Neil Maupay (another Brentford star traded-on profitably) challenge on Arsenal keeper Leno which resulted in the latter being stretched off.
Brighton have great spirit, their promotion side was not broken up as quickly as ours, and they avoid mercenary loanees.
After the game I spoke to a jubilant Ivan Conway.
Brighton have now done the double over Arsenal which pleased him as there are many Gunners fans he knows, including the brother of his neighbour at the Amex.
Nonetheless he was disappointed if Fulham should miss out as he was looking forward to the Seagull fixture next season.
