Right i said i would do a more in depth review so here goes.
Burgoyne - Looked nervous in the first half but seemed to settle in the second but needs to command his box more which will come with experience. Had no chance with the goal and as most have seen he made a great double save at 3-1.
Iorfa - Seems to either not trust Batth or still thinks he's playing centre back at various points in the game. Gave Fulham acres of room down their left because he was tucked in so often and then got caught under the ball for Ayite's first goal. Was better second half when we just attacked but inconsistent at the moment with one half decent game and then one poor game.
Batth - Still never good enough and never will be, countless times he just gives the opposition the ball back when a pass to a team mate is no but he just doesn't look. Dived in stupidly on Martin to give the free kick away for Cairney's wonder goal. Did well a few times second half to be fair to him when he and Hause were left exposed.
Hause - He started really well and he's so much better in the air than Batth. Won numerous battles with Martin who then decided to move over to Batth. Scored with a back post header which the keeper really should have saved but got us of to a good start. Got sloppier on the ball as the game went on but mopped up well in the second half when at times he and Batth were left as the last 2 defenders.
Doherty - He really can't defend but despite all of his flaws he is actually really good going forward when he plays like he did in the second half. He had a shot cleared off the line, scored one and then played a fantastic ball through for Cavaleiro. Honestly believe he could play central midfield and be a much better player.
Saiss - Like a one man midfield again in the first half as Coady and Edwards ran around chasing McDonald, Johansen and Cairney's shadows. Calm on the ball and looked to pass the ball and get us to control it but didn't have any help. Not many fans agreed with taking him off as Coady was very poor but we got a point after it so can't really complain too much.
Coady - He's just not very good. I get that he runs around a lot but he does it aimlessly and closes down far too often when there is no need and leaves so much space behind him. Struggles to control the football well enough to do what he wants to do a lot of the time also. Really shouldn't be in the side and lost Johansen for their first goal.
Edwards - Was anonymous in the first half as Fulham controlled the game and passed the ball around us with ease a lot of the time but did come into the game more after half time. Was still very poor on the ball and 3 or 4 times had chances to play Dicko, Costa and Cav in but his technique let him down. However after all that he came up with the 4th goal that really should have won us the game with an excellent finish so at least he does contribute.
Costa - Didn't have his best game but he is a threat and can always cause problems. So often he is available and makes a good run but we don't look forward early enough and so it's wasted. Worked hard tracking back today though and just has to play.
Cavaleiro - Could tell he was on it from the start as he won the ball back several times and worked really hard for his side although if you ask Tim II then he was at fault for Fulham's first 2 goals as Fredericks crossed both balls. Should have scored in the first half but more than made up for it in the second half with a fantastic finish and also put in a few excellent crosses. I genuinely believe he is our best player and could play in the Premier League quite easily with better players around him.
Dicko - Worked really hard but the quality is just not there anymore. Should have scored with the chance at 1-0 no matter how tough any one says it was, a striker at this level should bag from there. He needs to find that sharpness back quickly or i'm not sure he ever will as he just seems reactive at the minute and that leaves him a yard behind where he was before his injury and that's the difference. Probably got 2 assists though as his 2 fluffed effots led to Doherty's and Edwards' goals.
Subs
Bodvarsson - He did ok but nothing more than that, he did give more of a presence upfront and that gave others more room. Think it was him that got beat at the back post for the equaliser at the end.
Price and Teix - Didn't have that long to make an impact but both tried hard, Teix put in a couple of good corners and Price did make one excellent tackle.
It was a crazy game to be honest and at 3-1 i thought we had no chance but then at 4-3 we really should have held on but it just summed up the team, squad and lack of real quality off and on the ball to concede like we did in stoppage time. The lack of quality in midfield really told in the first half as Fulham's midfield 3 played around us with ease at times but we got back in to the game by playing high tempo attacking football and getting the ball to Costa and Cavaleiro with the 2 full backs supporting. That way of playing isn't sustainable and would leave us far too open so i'm still waiting for Lambert to stamp an way of playing still and move away from just pure effort to that with quality (not playing Coady etc)
