Some of us never stopped, but it’s a lonely place in the Ream fan club at times! I don’t know how you can hate on a CB with his passing style. Just very unique for an American CB.
I really want to deflect criticism of Ream because of Fulham’s man management during the EPL stint. Obviously, he shoulders a lot of blame as well, but that team was like an awkward first date after so many guys were brought in and they couldn’t defend as a team for their own safety. Literally.
There have been a few Yanks Abroad over the years who excelled in quality second divisions, captaining sides on the cusp of promotion or winning player of the year honors for clubs of that quality, ultimately spending one ill fated season in the top flight starting regularly for a side that was immediately relegated. Gregg Berhalter, Eddie Lewis, and Jay Demerit are the other three players who spring to mind for me there, but people tend to have fonder memories of those who played well for the USMNT in a World Cup. Ream's quietly putting together a professional career that at least matches theirs.
Probably means less as he plays as a defender and it's for a side that was mid-table at best when it was in the Premier League. A lot of far younger guys are in top divisions so it makes sense that's he overlooked.
Starts: 1⃣ change for #FFC, as AK comes in for AK.#FULBRI pic.twitter.com/MV4ZwgikBp— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 7, 2019
Starts: Couple of changes for #FFC as @cyruschristie & @Aboukamara47 are given a start.#PNEFUL pic.twitter.com/nWaTdo6GWS— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 10, 2019
I think Ream is one of the best passing and positional CBs we've ever had, but his athleticism really holds him back. He'll just get burnt or out muscled by really top tier players too often for him to have ever been looked at by top tier clubs. He's a classic example of a player coming close to maximizing his god given ability. I feel for him and all the criticism he gets on these boards. I personally believe that he deserves his starting spot at LB with the NT, although I wouldn't mind seeing Dest at LB and Yedlin or Cannon at RB a bit more. And there's always Fabian Johnson and some of the youngsters as wild cards.
The problem with Tim is that he's dumb like a box of rocks. So when playing against smart forwards, he can get tricked like a schoolboy. Good thing such players are scarce in the very physical Ch'ship.
how would you guys compare Ream to say Bocangera (Boca played for Fulham a decade or so ago back when they were in the PL on a consistent basis)?
Starts: Your Fulham line-up 👊#BREFUL pic.twitter.com/u1rnpJFUsu— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 14, 2019
Another loss and Fulham is barely hanging as #6 (playoff zone) thanks to goal difference. Third loss in a row, too.
Starts: *An amend to our formation this afternoon...#FULLEE pic.twitter.com/ksGGSHEbcC— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 21, 2019
Played the full 90', and Fulham won 2-1 v Leeds, breaking a 3-game losing streak. Fulham currently tied for 4th place, one point out of 3rd, but ... Fulham has 38 points, and 14th place QPR has 32, so it's really tightly bunched in the middle of the table, with little room for error. Brief highlights -
I'm very interested to see what happens come January when Michael Hector can start playing for Fulham. Could see them doing a 3-5-2 incorporating Ream, Hector, and Mawson, but if they stick to how they have been playing it will be interesting to see how they pair it.
Starts in 3-3 draw: 🔢 Here's how we line-up for today's clash with @LutonTown. #LUTFUL pic.twitter.com/nYxh7dcbTI— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 26, 2019
Started and went the distance. Fulham trailed for most of the game, and came from a goal down 3 times to salvage a useful point (at 90' + 4). Fulham is now in a 3-way tie for fourth, at 39 points, with 12 teams in the table ranging from 32-40 points. Only one team of 24 (Middlesbrough) has won two games in a row - none have won the last three in a row - and only one has lost two in a row (Bristol City, at four losses and counting).
The Championship is very unpredictable, but more than because the teams are competitive, it's because most of them follow a rather simple style of soccer: vertical, based on speed, strength, and stamina, and dependent on luck. So a long ball lands nearer your forward than their defender, and you got a goal. And since luck is blind, like in any aleatory procedure, the results keep close to the center of the curve. The result is a league where 10 points separate #4 from #16, but it's still a chore to watch for anyone who can appreciate tactics. WBA and Leeds excepted, but the latter is already showing signs of exhaustion.
Really striking that so many clubs in the division play that brand of football whereas the Premier League is a completely different animal other than the typical relegation bait.
Seems like a fairly recent development as well. The current manager or immediate full-time predecessor at 16 of the 20 current Premier League clubs are/were from outside of the UK/Ireland. Last year that number was 17 out of 20. And that list includes Champions League caliber managers like Ancelotti, Ranieri, Benitez, and Pellegrini at clubs with no serious Champions League ambitions.
Starts: Here it is… Our final starting XI of the decade! UTF! 👊 #FULSTO pic.twitter.com/uTpkr1Ddq0— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 29, 2019