Fulham FanZoner Matthew Bright is in no doubt that the goals will come to the Cottage, but when?
Fulham FanZoner Matthew Bright has goals on his mind.
£5m a goal! That's a bit too much to pay isn't it?
Unfortunately statistics don't lie and after spending around £15m on two strikers over the summer, we have still only managed to find the net eight times this season, with our summer signings only netting three.
This is the least amount of times for any Premier League team this season, so where are the goals going to come from?
After our 2-0 win over Wigan last week, Andy Johnson broke his duck for Fulham and also reached that milestone of 100 goals (which begs me to ask the question; how long had he been wearing that 100 goals T-shirt under his shirt?).
Surely his confidence should be sky high, but he didn't even turn up against Everton, fair enough he was playing his old team but I thought that should only spur him on even more.
He seems to get in the right positions but is just not finding the net, as he has on so many times in his career, and even though he is partnered alongside Bobby Zamora, who in AJ's words 'is the best striker he has ever played with', they just don't seem to getting those goals.
But, I do believe that it's only a matter of time before AJ and Bobby do what they have promised.
The mix of Bobby's strength and AJ's pace seems to be showing potential and I guarantee that it is only a matter of time until they find that magic touch. If they don't then Clint Dempsey and Erik Nevland are right on their heels ready to take up the scoring responsibilities.
Super subs
Dempsey and Nevland have scored some crucial goals in their Fulham careers. Clint scored our winner against Liverpool in 2006/07 to clinch our Premier League status. Nevland scored two late goals against Reading and Birmingham last season adding to our goal difference which turned out to be our safety net, so no one can say they haven't deserved their chance.
Let's look at the Pompey game. Clint came on with 20 minutes remaining, shortly followed by Nevland 12 minutes later. The two combined to get the equaliser with just two minutes remaining, more proof if needed of what they offer.
How well they played was proved when Nevland was announced 'Fulham FC Man of the Match' on the club website after just eight minutes on the pitch!
Surely that can't be right, he did well when he came on but what about Hangerland or Hughes who so far this season have the fourth best goals conceded record, behind only the top three. Impressive results.
Late changes
But if eight minutes is really enough evidence to get man of the match, then what can he do in 20 minutes or the full 45?
Now, I am not saying that AJ or Bobby should be dropped, because I believe they are top-class strikers, but when they're not scoring and you make changes you need to give players time to prove what they're worth, yet Hodgson seems to make subs as late as possible and I don't believe this is working.
Now this is far from a 'Hodgson out' campaign; the man is a legend for what he achieved last season with our great escape from relegation and to get us out of the 'Dirty Sanchez Era'.
He deserves his place in the dugout and hope he is there for many moons, I am just trying to explain that subs should be given a bit more than a few minutes; if something isn't working then change it earlier.
Anyway on to Sunday and the welcome of Newcastle, and hopefully we can keep that home record going - and if AJ and Bobby could bag a few goals that would be nice. If not, then give Nevland eight minutes!!
COYW!!!!!
