The Tanner Report: Fulham 3 Wigan 2
Calamitous defensive lapses nearly cost Fulham three points against Wigan and almost certainly if these persist a play-off position. There were three such lapses one of which resulted in the Wigan equaliser. However after losing games which we dominated we contrived to win one where the opposition had the better chances.
This week’s central defensive pairing was Madl and Ream who were last season’s regulars. Our best defender Tomas Kalas was injured but the rugged Sigardsson, who scored for Iceland against England in the Euros acquired this season, is out of favour. Ream in particular was physically bossed about by Wigan’s gangling Omar Bogle. Even before the bizarre equaliser when 2 Fulham defenders and the keeper were in position to deal with a cross which our full back Malone converted for an own goal, there was an equally flawed piece of defending. Ream was on the ball, for some reason best known to himself keeper Button moved away from the goal leaving it undefended and Bogle dispossessed Ream only to miss the opportunity. In the second half Ream was again disposesed by Bogle but this time Button was in position to save.
After a cagey opening it was Fulham who scored first when Oluko’s trademark run to the byeline past several defenders ended in a low cross which Ayite converted. Fulham were well in control but after conceding the own goal Wigan scored another in extra time. In the second half they had only to defend in depth but they still had the chance after the Ream mix up. Fulham equalised with a fine low shot from outside the box from Denis Odoi. It went in the middle of the goal and one wonders if the Wigan keeper Jakob Haugaard who started and was subbed after a collision might have saved it. Truth be told we were happy with a point but in the dying minutes of the game Neeskens Kebano scored the winner.
One player who came in for stick was forward Chris Martin. This is the guy who is on loan to Fulham from Derby for whom, notwithstanding our option to buy, has just signed a three year contract for Derby. Fulham’s last two games are against play off hopefuls Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday. How hard will he try? If we make the play-offs, a situation could arise when he plays for Fulham and if we lose could then switch to Derby. How Fulhamish. He was subbed for new boy Cyriac who is more mobile and quick but less of a target man and aerial threat.
Fulham have some winnable home games ahead against Nottingham Forest, Preston and a crucial 6 pointer v Leeds. To get these points and to hoist us into the play-offs we need far more robust and organised defending.
