Well, certain people were talking about the reptilian super race coming from niburu or some such yesterday. After we all laughed at them, it seems that they might be right. My proof? Clearly downing has been replaced by one of these humanoids. It's too obvious. He has been fantastic. I'm on to you, master creators!
Plus les choses changent et plus elles restent les mêmes! Suarez misses a sitter after another brilliant ball by Downing. Ought to have scored that one.
Suso has been brilliant in midfield, closing down and tidily keeping possession. But that has to be a new lease of life for Downing who has been immaculate, however poor Fulham has been.
Great work by Enrique to set up the Suarez. Great finish to a good game. Fulham were very dire, but we took our chances today, which was good. Up to eighth- heading in the right direction.
Four goals, four different scorers, a clean sheet and three points. I'll take that. Good performances all round and no matter how Fulham was, we made those goals in a manner we've threatened to but frequently failed to do all season long. Lucas was brilliant but so was Suso, especially did the things that I hoped Henderson (for example) would in front of the ball. Anybody else think that Allen has lost something? A bit headless, positionally poor (almost always wrong side of the ball and the man) and giving away silly free kicks. He needs a real break, and I don't just mean from the starting line-up. Now for some consistent results, lads. Now for some consistent wins, lads.
Great way to bounce back after the Villa game. It was pointed out earlier but the difference here is we scored during our opening period of dominance as opposed to last week. Enrique is key. He's our new Mascherano in defense and he's class going forward. If Downing can settle with the role he has now, I'll keep him. He's been poor for the year and a half but things were wacky over that time. First the player he was brought in to serve crosses to didn't play much at the beginning of his move. Then we feel into that black hole where Suarez was suspended and all was bad. Then the management changed and he's just finding his role in that system. I'd hold off on selling him until the summer after his last two performances. Anyways, everything was OK today. There were still about two occasions where our CBs backpedaled instead of stepping up to a player with the ball outside the box, resulting in a long and low shot that Reina looked bad on. Encouraging signs. If we can beat Stoke we'll take a big step towards leaving the "midtable league" and joining the "2nd-6th league."
Who are you? Warren Barton? I thought Fulham were the same as any other team we've played in the first 25 minutes of any other game. The difference, this time, was we scored in the 8th minute to crush their spirit. We actually played better football in the opening 20 minutes vs. Villa. Our defending is still worrying, but we have shown potential in the attack. Btw, how long will teams just be able to hack the shit out of and barge into us before they start getting more yellows for persistent infringement? It's getting ridiculous. Did Fulham even try to defend properly? Btw, Riise looked like a fat boob on the Downing goal. I love John, but that's why we let him go. ...and people think Glen Johnson is bad at defending? Pffft.
Downing did play well today. Good for him. If he ever figures out how to combine with his teammates and play within the team, he'd be a good player for us.
Nothing to argue about tonight. 3 points easily earned. Players and supporters can enjoy Christmas in peace with some joy.