BACKING SLAV. CARDIFF REPORT

So, there I am, sitting on the bus as it reaches the top of Putney High Street, full of hope, after a great start to the season. I expect to see many Taffs, walking around like they own the place, but only one or two seem to be around. Maybe it is the school holidays, or something, but their numbers seem down on last year. But, for us, the Fulham faithful, we have high expectations of a win and 10 pts. on the board after four games. Slavisa has given us new optimism, and his brand of football is exactly what we know and love. A couple of beers later and we are off to the match. If anybody can tell me a better walk to a stadium than through Bishop's Park, "BY THE RIVER", then I challenge them. Still not many mouthy Taffs, maybe the "Soul Crew" are at a festival. 

The game kicks off and it seems very cagey, with Cardiff intent on placing two banks of four, on the edge of the penalty box. There seemed to be lots of Fulham possession without really going anywhere, and a few of the fans around me were getting impatient. Neither keeper was tested at all, until in the last few minutes Sone Aluko went on a mazy, and excellent run, in their box, before slipping the ball to "wonderkid", Sessegnon, to slot home. Nobody could see Cardiff coming back from that as we milled about behind the Hammersmith end, at half time. The second half was a transformation as Cardiff came at us with more ambition. It didn't take long before a cleared cross was expertly hammered past Button for the equalizer. But, questions need to be asked why he wasn't closed down. And it didn't seem long before their winger cut in, on a dribble, before firing another past Button. We can argue that they were two excellent strikes, and on another day, they wouldn't have hit the target, but it is what it is. With big Matty Smith up front we looked much better and we were causing them problems. With the clock ticking down, and after much pressure, Kevin McDonald fired in from the edge of the box, and thereafter Cardiff hung on for the draw they had come for. All in all it was a disappointing day, when we expected to win, but maybe we expected too much after our excellent start to the season. 4 league games unbeaten speaks for itself, and it is good that we score late in the game, and show fighting spirit.

After a couple of more beers, I come home to see that Slavisa has gone public about the recruitment policy, and the interference of Khan's son's best mate Kline. Does Kline coach the team? NO. Does a yank know anything about English football ? NO. Kline's remit seems ti be to look at statistic after statistic. and then decide if Slavisa can have his man. This writer, has never heard such nonsense. Statistics only count when applied to less interactive, and less fluid, sports, like baseball. Football (not soccer), is a totally interactive team game, constantly changing, and statistics are less important than how each player combines, and interacts, with those around him. If Messi only touches the ball twice and scores two goals, is he a bad player? NO. Slavisa knows which players will compliment his team, and footballing philosophy, and he must be given total control over which players pull on the famous white shirt. 

Below is a link to a petition where we can get Slavisa total backing, if Khan is prepared to listen.

IN SLAVISA WE TRUST.
COYWs

© Nic Smith

Our facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/groups/FFC.Ambition/

The petition- https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/back-slavisa-jokanovic?source=facebook-share-button&time=1471780828