The Prophet

I thought following the relegation season people would realise a defense is only as good as the midfield protecting it. Today we gave away possession cheaply and didn't look hungry enough to track the runners.

Now I'm not on my phone I'll give my two pennies worth on what was an eventful game: First half we were comfortable. We started with a few long balls, but when we eventually settled down we dominated possession and looked by far the more positive side. It was dull for periods but overall we came out on top, I was expecting more of the same the second half... The penalty decision was woeful, it was outside the box, it was a dive, say what you want but was to come was not down to a refereeing decision. Blackburn aside we've struggled against the 4-3-3 formation all season, this was compounded today by the lack of a natural defensive midfielder. Jol was smart, he stuck Zamora up top with Johnson and Ruiz either side, he then had Dempsey at the head of a three man midfield allowing him to drift into the box behind the forwards. Nine times out of ten Tiote would of dropped deep to pick him up but due to his absence he was left unmarked. While I lay most of the blame with the players for what was a shambolic twenty minutes Pardew has to take blame too. Dempsey was constantly dropping off, we had a couple of warnings before the onslaught where it was evident an extra midfielder was required, but Pardew did nothing. Gosling hasn't set the world alight thus far but a simple instruction to track Dempsey would have been sufficient. A few other moans too. Krul's kicking has been woeful all season, it was found out in heinous fashion today. Not only did it present Fulham with possession time and time again, he was directly at fault for the forth goal. As well as this the offcials were woeful, both penalty decision were clearly wrong. The first was outside the box, and I called Johnson's dive in real time, he blatantly went down well before contact. Given results went our way today, the damage isn't too bad. There are lessons that need to be learnt though, particualrly against a three man midfield where we've struggled time and time again this season.

Shocking collapse in a game we were in complete control of until an awful refing decision. Thought Jol got it spot on in the second half. He went to 4-3-3 leaving Dempsey deep, we had no natural defensive mid to pick him up. Need to write this off and move on.

I think Douglas is a better shout for a pre-contract deal.

Really?

Pathetic from Messi.

Can't help but be impressed by the work rate of Sanchez.

Such a horrible bastard.

I've got three players out this week so it seems a good a time as any to play my wildcard, question is do I sacrafice some of my awesome midfield to bring Van Persie in.

Depends who we bring in, but at the moment: Smith, Lovenkrands, Ranger, Xisco.

Were fine mate, Krul is regarded as homegrown, 2 Taylors, Best, Shola, Simmo, Gosling, Elliot, thats the 8 you need, then you have Harper, Guthrie, Williamson. As long as we have 8 we are fine.

I must admit I'd love us to sign two natural wingers of the Valencia ilk to supply the front men.

How many homegrown/English players needed in the squad according to FA guidelines? More specifically will we have enough to scrape through?

He's done pretty well for his first few months over here. It's obvious he has genune quality, he just needs a regular start and time.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/212/511032213_65f7cd9f12_o.gif

Certain members of the forum was on edge while waiting for Santon to be confirmed too, if I remember rightly.

THE PROPHET johnson38204780423-78342-789324 fore told of this! http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/511032227_5fc26b2906_o.gif

It is possible the club are informing English sources it's rubbish to keep it under wraps. More likely that it is rubbish like.

There were rumours doing the rounds that they'd reform as AFC Darlington and play at Darlington RAs ground. Speaking of which the latter went third in Division Two of the Northern League in front of a record crowd at the weekend.

His hold up play was decent, his movement was absolutely criminal. No gaol threat what so ever.

If QPR want to stay up they seriously need to consider investing in a new forward. Depite Ray claiming he has 'a lethal left foot' I'm confident it won't be enough to keep them in the league.

Yeah Lee it is a problem is you don't win games. Cutting insight.

Ben Arfa gave one away where it clipped the post on its way out, SWP hit the top of the bar, the early shot by Helgusson I was referring about the first twenty minutes, but aye a better forward than Bothroyd probably would of punished us.

What's Taylor doing there man?

Forgot about that, pretty woeful from Krul.