Dempsey and Bullard look like the best two players on Fulham - - Baird looks like the worst. Although, I would think most Fulham games look like this.
It's really unbelievable how Baird continues to be in the lineup, he just got absolutely undressed by Maloney after giving up the ball to him. Deuce and Nevland are showing pretty good understanding for not being together for that long, couple good connections so far. Deuce also is gravitating more to a forward than a right wing role now.
Villa starting to take control in possession... lots of ham ups in communication in the Fulham box. Villa earns a corner but it's cleared and Davies almost sets himself free on a counter. Deuce with a nice job of holding the ball and getting Fulham possession, only for Villa to earn a throw in shortly after. Kind of back and forth right now... not the most exciting game to watch, to put it very lightly, for the neutral. 39th minute.
I just hope they don't get suspicious when a whole lot of Americans suddenly head toward China in late July and August, many with computers in their bags.
Turnover machine Baird gives up the ball on a weak pass to, I think it was Maloney again, unleashing Villa on the counter. Murphy closes down hard and wins the ball back, only to give it away deep with another bad pass... very dangerous cross leads to a mass of bodies on the ground in the Fulham box. Bullard looks really good this game. he's very-very active. I thought Baird started out well but has gone down recently... Murphy's been relatively weak all game... his passes have been pretty poor all match.
Is Baird under the delusion that Maloney's wearing a white shirt? Uncanny how every single one of his passes goes straight to Maloney...
Fulham will be pleased with their first half display, they were the better team... seeing how they come out in the 2nd half will be key. The Good: Bullard Dempsey Maloney The Bad: Konchesky Baird Murphy Reo-Coker (has he done anything?) The Untested: Niemi Carson
wow, Fulham look reborn, and Dempsey is everywhere. Bullard and Dempsey look like carbon copies of one another in the way they play. I think the team will get a big lift if McBride comes on for the last 15 or 20 minutes. Baird providing the link to the Fulham of the first half of the season. Is there nobody to play right back?
Fulham were solid, need to improve on the quality of the final ball. McBride will be on in the second half come 60 minutes. Bullard is class, and Dempsey wants it badly in this one. Baird has run willingly, but his passing needs to improve dramatically.
That was a pretty encouraging half for Fulham. They're definitely not going down without a fight. Hodgson has firmed up the center of defense, and make no mistake about it. That puts Bocanegra firmly on the bench. Staltieri needs to start NOW at right back, because Baird is quite obviously the weak link. Up frant they still look anemic. Fulham are controlling the game, but haven't put the Villa goal in any real danger. It's clear to me that the player Fulham really needed back was Bullard. He's been a significant upgrade in the center of midfield. If Fulham is up down the stretch they'll bring in Boca. If Fulham is down or drawing at the ~60 minute mark I expect our hero McBride to come on. Come on Fulham!!
Re: CD, KK, CB, MCBRIDE: Fulham v. Aston Villa - 2/3 We always tracked his Champions League appearences with FCK, and he was prominently mentioned (even in the title) in the FCK v. Benfica home and away series in the CL last fall. The man was born in Houston-- that makes him American.
IF BH is a 'yank abroad' then Freddy Adu isn't. Anyways, it seems to me that Dempsey looks much better on the wing.
Man I sure am proud to see 25% of the mens US national team with a lower mid table team heading for the CocaCola division next year.. Makes me proud. God do they play awful soccer.
They're both US citizens playing abroad, which looks like a pretty consistent definition, doesn't it?
He was literally breakdancing in the corner while they were trying to start the 2nd half and the ref came over and escorted him off the field.
back and forth to start the half... konchesky throws in his best cross of the game and dempsey rises to meet it with his head, but it sails wide of the goal. carew tries from long range shortly after but mucks it up bad. 54th.