SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Some Fulham fans on social media have been dissecting Scott Parker’s decision to substitute Josh Maja at half-time against Leeds.
The striker was taken off and replaced by Aleksandar Mitrovic at half-time, but unfortunately for the Whites, this switch didn’t pay off with the Serbian nonce again drawing a blank.
Parker confirmed after the game that the substitution was tactical rather than forced.
“In terms of the first half, I didn’t feel we got control in the way I wanted us to. I felt Mitrovic was that guy who could give us that platform up-top and get runners off him,”
To be fair to Parker, we can see the logic, Mitrovic is a better hold-up player, and his two league goals this season did come against Leeds in the reverse fixture at Elland Road.
However, in this game, it didn’t look like a switch was necessary. Maja was getting into good positions, and if it weren’t for a fantastic save from Illan Meslier, the Bordeaux loanee would have scored.
Fulham fans don’t think the switch was a good one, and here’s what they’ve been saying on social media…
The Maja/Mitrovic change at half time was a really bad one, it left us with absolutely nothing to go to later in the game. If you’re going to bring him on it has to be 4-4-2. Unfortunately as great as he was in the second tier for us, he’s not mobile enough in this league #FFC
— Stephen Gutteridge (@Steve6utteridge) March 19, 2021
Couldn’t hold our shape or play our game tonight
Anguissa uncomfortable at No.10, Mitro for Maja didn’t give us anything, Lookman misfired, Reed subsitution baffling, Lemina off colour, Anderson & Tosin looked ragged, plus Robinson struggled
Hopefully a wake up call 🤞#FFC
— Matt Shrimpton (@MattyShrimpton) March 19, 2021
Mitrovic for Maja was tactical and didn’t work, in part because Mitrovic is in miserable form.
I thought Tete should have come on for Robinson, not Aina, but fine.
But the one that made no sense unless there was an injury issue was RLC for Reed rather than Lemina or Anguissa.
— Andy Glockner (@AndyGlockner) March 20, 2021
Have we even had a shot on target this half. Maja and mitrovic should have been on the pitch at the same time Parker!!
— MarkH (@MarkHillaFFC) March 19, 2021
I am looking for the wisdom in Scott Parker taking off Josh Maja in prefence for Mitrovic; I just can’t find it! @FulhamFC#FULLEE
— Dr kelvin Amata (@KelvinAmata) March 19, 2021
I love Mitro with all my heart but he doesn’t suit our style of play. We lost any sort of edge we had when Maja was taken off
— Fulham Home Runs ⚾️ (@FulhamH20) March 19, 2021
