Fulham 0-3 Brentford
Last Saturday, six hours before Fulham kicked off against Brentford, our postman delivered the club's Welcome Pack.
The main ingredient was a giant 64-page report on last season that included a new fixture list for 2023-24, hence the cunning title (P)REVIEW. The booklet was heavy in design and wordplay as well as avoirdupois (weighing about 1lb). Some features I enjoyed – the lovely pink sky over the Cottage – others seemed excessive (two pages devoted to an SW6 logo).
The text was fine and to the point. Like nearly all end of term reports it accentuated the positive as instanced by this description of Dan James, who made little impact last season:
'James was in and out of the side but made some valuable contributions, notably when leading the line at Goodison Park in the absence of the suspended Mitrovic.'
Rightly the Serb gets a lot of attention though it was ironic to read 'Guess who's back – Mitro's back' splashed over two pages on the day that he unsurprisingly signed for Al Hilal.
One final point on the (P)REVIEW: the photo of the matchday crowd is as overwhelmingly male as it would have been a century ago. Yet my section of the Hammersmith End has a much better balance of spectators. How bizarre.
Before Saturday's match the club issued a warning that no-one would be admitted carrying a bag larger than A4 (that rules out the Welcome Pack). Compliant items would be checked on entry and tagged. This led to confusion as spectators got to the front of the queue only to be directed to another line where the tagging operated. I had nothing to declare but I was still frisked.
Three decades ago the police never searched me at away matches, concentrating on the younger fans. Now (perhaps thanks to STOP OIL) we seniors are as suspect as anyone. Don't worry, Mr Editor, I am not introducing politics. Like most people I face both ways on fossil fuel. Yet like other Fulham residents I rejoiced to see the polluting oil works relocated and the Thames side land released for housing and walkways so that people could finally 'live by the river' as the club's free fridge magnet proclaims.
Local rivals
Storm Betty had departed leaving a beautiful Saturday afternoon for the match but Fulham fans were in for a shock. Brentford proved a far tougher opposition than Everton and the Whites' statistically superior possession availed them little.
A game between local rivals may not produce the best football but that can be balanced by greater commitment. Too often the Whites seemed content to keep the ball in their own half even though Bernd Leno and Antonee Robinson had each thwarted a goal-bound effort from Brentford's lively attack. The closest to a Fulham goal came when Ethan Pinnock headed Andreas Pereira's corner against his own woodwork.
It was nearly half-time, and I consoled myself with the thought that our cautious defence had at least avoided any serious blunder. Then Issa Diop mishit a back pass, allowing the alert Yoane Wissa to nip in and score.
The change of ends did produce a little more excitement with Bobby DeCordova-Reid hitting the crossbar though it took a one-handed save by Leno to prevent the visitors from doubling their lead. Tim Ream, already cautioned for an innocuous tackle, fell foul of referee Darren Bond when he nudged Wissa in the area.
After a delay the officials confirmed the penalty and a second yellow for the luckless defender. Bryan Mbuemo scored from the spot. Mr Bond cannot be accused of inconsistency for last season he gave Fulham six yellows in a match where the team had committed just eleven fouls.
The irate Marco Silva sent on Wilian, Calvin Bassey and Joao Paulhinha, which should have improved the attack but failed. Brentford completed Fulham's disastrous afternoon with a well worked goal, Mbueno slotting home Kristoffer Ajer's cross.
It would hard to overstate Mitro's achievements at Fulham especially under Silva's guidance. Now our talisman and matchwinner has departed in order to earn some extra dosh and to 'terrify' Saudi defences. His replacement may be within the club or without but he must be found, and quickly.
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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