saintant

We aren't likely to avoid relegation so I can't see why we aren't having a go at winning this game. If we lose trying what difference does it make - let's go for 3 points rather than protecting one point which'll make little difference to us.

To be fair Downes was unlucky and the club should be appealing that - it was a good tackle and not dangerous.

That's the big positive from that first half. Previously we'd have gifted Fulham at least one goal by now.

zzzzzzzzzzz

Juric on his phone cancelling his work permit application 🙂

He's been very poor.

Zero quality so far.

Fernandes and Dibling not working as the attacking midfielders.

Not so sure. If it's Rusk's gig then I don't feel Juric should or would get involved out of respect but could be wrong.

Surely Rusk picked today's side?

Presume Juric will be watching from the stands and Rusk in the dug-out today as I don't think his work permit/visa was sorted in time?

Welcome Ivan and good luck - you're sure going to need it but all we ask is some decent performances with direction and effort which will get us some pride back. Few of us expect the miracle of avoiding relegation but let's get as many points as we can to give us some confidence going into next season.

Avoiding relegation is a tall order but let's see how many points Juric amasses from his 22 games in charge.

I hoped Big Les would make a huge difference to our midfield but it hasn't happened - not sure if that's down to him lacking ability or being used in the wrong way by RM. Also, I think he's looking to get back to Chelsea asap as his experience on loan to us has not been a good one - again, not sure whose fault that is.

He can't do worse than RM who continually claimed he'd had a great week in training with his brave boys only for them to capitulate when it came to match day - get Ivan in the dug out and hope he can influence the game.

Pretty sure Juric will play Downes with a partner in a double pivot which should ease his work load. Juric's problem will be identifying who the second player in the double pivot will be.

I think Dibling is going to be a great player but we have to accept he's nowhere near the finished article at such a young age. He's got a lot to learn and I'm sure he will do but I'm not convinced he's ready to be the player who a team is built round and when Bally did that with Le Tiss he was already in his mid 20s.

Nice work if you can get it.

Big as ABK is I think if Juric told him he's got to get back out there and start working to show he's worth a place in the team he wouldn't argue 🙂

He clearly is fixated on his teams man-marking opponents rather than zones so he'll have his work cut out drilling this into our players because the one thing we never did under RM was man-mark opponents - another major reason we gifted chances and let in so many goals. If he can coach this aspect teams won't find it quite so easy to stroll through us like the proverbial knife through butter and we should become harder to score against. I think Juric will be in for an eye opener when he studies tapes of our games and sees how much work he's taking on. Let's hope he's up to the task because there are some really bad habits that need to be addressed asap.

With where we are now I'm more interested in the performances rather than the results. I've become conditioned to expecting us to lose so am looking at the bigger picture moving forward and hoping to see us completely change our approach for the better over the coming games under Juric. It'll be interesting to see how he sets us up but clearly it'll take time to shake free of the shackles that held us back under Russball.

No change there then 🙂

If he does he probably won't need a visa.

Looks like Juric will be taking charge for this providing he secures a visa in time.

He's here to try to improve us in many areas and win a few games not get us into the Champions League. Let's at least give him a chance before writing him off.