For the final game of the season it was almost like old times at Craven Cottage with Marek Rodak in goal and 2,000 fans present to chant their appreciation of Tim Ream and others and their disapproval of the referee Chris Kavanagh.
And of course, Marek was soon arguing with Kavanagh. It has been great to have Alphonse Areola in goal this season – but Marek is itching to reclaim his place.
Sadly, the enthusiasm of the spectators could not shake Fulham out of their abysmal home form. Corners and freekicks were routinely squandered while Newcastle sat back, allowing their hosts to keep the ball and waiting for the breakaway. Our best hope was on the left, where Ademola Lookman and Ivan Cavaleiro both tried their luck without alarming Martin Dubravka.
Fulham’s top scorer of the season was Bobby DeCordova with five goals. By comparison. Joe Willock, on loan to Newcastle from the Gunners, had found the net in each of his previous six games. Anxious to equal Alan Shearing’s club record, he saw his opportunity in the 22nd minute and motored from well within his own half surrounded by a phalanx of Whites. Eventually Ream and Tosin did attempt a block but the ball rebounded to Willock, who effortlessly placed it past Rodak.
The goal was enough to ensure victory. In the second half Ivan Cavaleiro missed an easy chance when Newcastle lost concentration, and Fabio Carvalho subsequently came close, but in the entire match not a single Fulham player managed a shot on target.
Late in the game the Geordies came back to life. Howard Gayle squandered a simple chance, then Matt Ritchie tumbled in the area after brushing past Kenny Tete. Fabian Schar calmly doubled Newcastle’s lead.
Final third
Arsene Wenger and others believed that there should be daylight between an attacker and a defender for the former to be judged offside. Modern football would also gain from a re-think of the penalty/direct free kick. Would Ritchie lose his balance at the merest touch when walking along the street? Penalties should be reserved for players who illegally spoil a goal-scoring opportunity.
So ended Fulham’s grim season. At the start of March, I wrote: “Scott Parker has assembled a squad of talented and committed players … but they do let themselves down in their opponents’ penalty area.”
After that Fulham secured a historic win at Liverpool, which gave genuine reasons for hope – but the rest of the season proved to be a write-off, while Newcastle (our supposed target) finished 12th. Fulham’s talent achieved little and the players’ commitment seemed to be measured by the number of fouls committed.
It is only too easy to see where they failed. The home record condemns them – only two wins (both against clubs heading for relegation) and nine goals from nineteen matches. Whatever his merits Scott Parker did not learn from his predecessors who persisted in Plan A, hoping that it would pay off eventually. So, we’re back in the Championship again.
Share your secrets with Fulham’s shot-shy players
I recently mentioned the Whites’ 1971 promotion celebration and included photos of some players including Steve Earle (pictured here).
Steve was an expert striker but no diplomat.
By May Day of that year Fulham had topped the Third Division for 24 weeks and just needed a home win over Preston to become Champions. Steve Earle was dismissive: “Preston are not worthy of promotion. We shall play an exhibition match against and show them up for what they are.”
You can guess the outcome. Fulham toiled for 90 minutes against nine defenders – but the only goal came from Preston’s Ricky Heppolette. The Northerners had won the Championship.
Eleven years later, Fulham again hosted Preston in a vital Third Division match. Gordon Davies (Fulham’s greatest ever marksman) knew that his brace of goals would ensure promotion, so he seized the opportunity of making one of them as spectacular as possible.
My photo seems to indicate that he succeeded, but he later admitted that he had miskicked and was relieved to see the ball deceive the keeper and roll across the line.
Come back, Gordon, and share your secrets with Fulham’s shot-shy players.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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