So what was a great end to last year with a win at QPR which put us into fourth place was followed by a pretty farcical start to 2012. To start with Fulham away is never an easy prospect but the manner of our defeat hurt. We can complain about penalties that weren’t given or referees that were conned but at the end of the day we should have put this game to bed in the first half and as a result of wasted opportunities we let Fulham back in the game and paid the price.
We started the game with Cocquelin at left back and Djorou at right back. It would be interesting to know how many back four combinations we have used this season because it must be more than any other season I can remember and we’re just about half way! The rest of the team was as you would expect it. Our first half performance was lively, the game was open but we created the better chances and were by far the more dominant team. Gervinho had a penalty shout which was waved away by the referee when Senderos clipped his leg in the box. It was a stone wall penalty and it occurred to me when watching it that as a team we do not really appeal for any decisions which makes it easier for referees to wave them away. When Gervinho when down, there was no reaction from any of our players and it’s something that I have noticed over quite a few games this season. It’s a bit odd! Some may say that it is quite honourable not to appeal and just take the decision but when it means losing out on decisions like that I’m not soo sure. You can appeal properly without crossing the line but we don’t seem to be appealing at all. It was very similar when RVP went down in the box later on in the game. We had a few opportunities down the wings with Walcott and Gervinho who both look assured dribbling to the penalty area and then completely panicked when inside it. More clinical finishing from both of them would have won us the game comfortably in the first half.
The goal came from a cross from Ramsey which found Koscielny unmarked in front of goal who put it away nicely. He has impressed this season in terms of his attitude and performance and it was nice to see him get on the score sheet. Shortly after we had their goal under siege with what seemed like five shots in the space of thirty seconds which were all saved by Stockdale or hit the post. Half time came at the right time for Fulham and they used it to their full advantage coming out in the second half quicker and with more fight than us. They kept the ball extremely well and in Dembele and Ruiz, had two players who had enough trickery about them to cause our defence some real problems. Our makeshift back four was coming under increasing pressure down the flanks with Djorou in particular starting to struggle. His first tackle was rash and unnecessary and for a player of his experience he really should have known better. Cocquelin was playing out of position and is inexperienced and did not look as out of place as Djourou. Shortly afterwards he pulled down Zamora just outside the box and was given his marching orders. We were down to 10 men and Fulham could smell blood. Squillaci came on in place of Ramsey to bolster the defence although in hindsight it was stronger without him! Sidwell scored from a corner that Sczesney failed to deal with. At this point there was only one team that was going for the win and in thr dying minute of extra time they got it. Squillaci headed a clearance straight back across his own box (suicidal defending) and Zamora finished smartly to make it 2 – 1 to the home side.
Wenger was fuming and it really was a wasted opportunity from the position we were in and the football we were playing in the first half. It is pretty clear that as a squad we are just not good enough. Yesterday was not a good game for RVP, he lost the ball and didn’t see the passes that he normally would, but that is normal. Even he can’t play amazing every single game. It is interesting to note that in the 12 games that RVP has played but has failed to score, we have won only twice. We should have someone on the bench who we are confident can do a job when he is having an off day. For a club like ours to have one good striker is laughable. Whether Henry is a good stop-gap we shall see, but we need a permanent solution and we need it fast. In terms of our defence we are now down to the bare minimum. Jenkinson, Sagna, Vermaelen, Gibbs and Santos out and Djorou suspended. I would say how unlucky we are but I find myself making that excuse every season about certain players or positions. It happens to every team to a certain extent and there is no point blaming luck but ensuring that you have a squad good enough to deal with it. Our additions at the start of the season helped give us a competitive first team, we now need to use January to give us a competitive squad.
Hopefully this is just a blip and we get back to winning ways against Leeds where a certain Frenchmen will lead the line…
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