One legged centre-back scores late equaliser: Fulham 1-1 Portsmouth
Today we witnessed sporting heroism from a hobbling Ian Pearce. The burly centre-back sustained a miserable ankle injury while undertaking defensive work in his own six yard box. At first he could not walk for a while, but with time he became able to hop, then stand, then sort of run. He couldn’t leave the field, three substitutes having been already introduced, so it was very much a case of ‘do what you can to help,’ Ian. Well he did that, gamely battling obvious pain before earning a standing ovation and a point with a late equaliser.
Until then it looked as if all Fulham’s efforts were to count for nothing. Again the whites started slowly and were taken aback in the third minute when Niko Kranjcar swung a shot from the edge of the box into the very top corner of Niemi’s net. It was a wonderful strike. From here Portsmouth were content to drop behind the ball, but Fulham, again employing no width, were unable to create much. Radzinski’s high, swirling mishit of a volley was well-saved by James in the Portsmouth goal, Brown drove low to James’ right and was denied by another smart save, and Queudrue’s arrowed shot from distance was also repelled by the Portsmouth ‘keeper. It wasn’t looking like our day.
Coleman made, for him, an early substitution, bringing Routledge on for Diop ten minutes into the second half. The lively winger made a difference straight away, looking sharp, demanding the ball and showing good pace with his runs. He instantly became the focus of all our attacking football and Fulham’s commitment to attack grew, with both Rosenior and Queudrue getting forward at every opportunity. The pair had fair games, Queudrue tackling well but wasting possession too much, Rosenior showing off his pace and getting down the right flank whenever he could. It was an excellent comeback from him after The Wigan Problem.
Chances were rare, even with the introduction of Montella and John up front. Pearce’s injury meant that Davies had to cover at right back, while Rosenior swapped sides and Franck tucked in at centre-half. Portsmouth raided occasionally and Niemi made a couple of fine saves to keep things close. But still nothing, until Smertin, who was excellent throughout, drove into the box. The ball fell to Pearce, whose shot appeared to get a deflection before rolling into the bottom corner for that late, late equaliser.
The year’s first “Coleman Out” chants could be heard today. Premature in my view, as the team was making a decent fist of the game. Certainly we’ve played a lot worse than that this year and won, but people don’t want nervy draws at home to Portsmouth, they want goals, attacking football, and enjoyment. On today’s evidence I’d suggest that we need to get back to a lineup that not only includes but features Wayne Routledge, as the current first choice configuration is too narrow, too uninventive, and isn’t going to surprise anyone. With points being won beneath us we need to pick up wins.
Bouba jumps…
Post scuffle…
The hero returns to his station, a job done
The thing that surprised me about the team which Coleman named was his subs bench: three strikers, a winger and a goalie. Very limiting in what in-game adjustments that you can make with that bench along with a starting midfield which featured three holding mids and one winger. Is Claus that far in the doghouse that he couldn’t even make that bench?
I know that Dempsey’s form and travel schedule probably made him not an option for the squad, but you can’t tell me that it would have made a bit of difference if you had him on the bench rather than Helguson. If you were to use Dempsey, it was probably only for 15-20 mins, tops.
I would have loved three points here as we still have a very tough schedule remaining. With Charlton & West Ham both playing better, it wouldn’t take much for us to get pulled into the relegation fight.
Now, I know that 40 pts has always been the key number for safety, but when you look at the remaining schedule, which games would you say that you expect us to get all three pts? Man City at the Cottage is the only one, but they’re playing much better now so you can’t even say that now. We’ll get nothing from the away matches to Everton, Reading & Arsenal. I can see a draw at home to Blackburn, perhaps we steal a point from Liverpool at home. Then it comes down to Man City at home and Boro on the road to cobble together three points.
With our renewed lack of confidence on the road, I would hate to have to get a result at Boro in the last game of the year just to survive.
George H.
31 Mar 07 at 10:08 pm
I have always been amazed that fans leave before the end of the game. Nobody would walk out of a film before the hero defeats the villian or the girl gets the boy, so why depart for Putney Bridge before Pearce hobbles in the ball? You’ve paid your thirty five quid and suffered for 92 minutes and are filled with doom and suddenly an unlikey hero changes your whole weekend.
Red S
1 Apr 07 at 12:07 pm
I suppose the bench is just a function of his players, particularly Smertin and Davies, who can slot in defensively should the need arise. That being so, one of the forward players can come on and try to make something happen up the field.
I agree, we’re in big trouble, and Man City at home won’t be easy (or interesting I don’t expect). We’re really relying on the teams beneath us being in too big a hole.
weltmeisterclaude
1 Apr 07 at 3:46 pm
I thought we played reasonably well agaisnt a capable Portsmouth side who looked more mobile, especially going forward. However, we posed little threat until Routledge came on and started to run around a bit. Portsmouth could have won if they had not been content to sit on their one-goal lead. I thought it was ironic that Coleman began with a fairly defensive set-up, yet had three forwards on the bench. In any case, the problem is not really the strikers, it`s the lack of inventiveness behind them.
Wing Half
1 Apr 07 at 5:54 pm
BTW, forgot to say “great photos” from the Pompey match.
George H.
1 Apr 07 at 11:52 pm
Ich besichtige deinen Aufstellungsort wieder bald fur sicheres!
scarpe
12 Apr 07 at 10:41 am