Well, they (they being football fans all over the world) will always say that they’d take a point from an away game if it were offered the day before. This game was no different, even though, when looking back, Fulham might bring back some poor memories; I’ve seen a couple of wins and a couple of draws there over the years.

As the snow melted in the frozen North East, we made cracking time to the capital – less the City that never sleeps, more the City that lies awake at night staring at the ceiling – and were strolling towards the White Hoss just gone noon. Despite the Aussie barman’s protestations that the price rise was down to VAT (hasn’t happened yet, son) and the fact that he’d been off a couple of days, we managed to meet up with just about every SAFC fan we could have hoped to – Tom Lynn, South Hetton Cricket club in search of a drinkable pint, the Rutland/Essex branch, Mick and Gerard, Monsieur Salut, the Wolverhampton Wanderer, and the rest of the detached Durham branch – and supped our way along the impressive row of handpumps. We declined the offer of Gressingham Duck or seared red stag fillet and nicked a few chips to keep us going. A repeat of the Chelsea performance was discussed, and would have been welcome, but all of the above are long enough in the tooth to know that would probably not happen.

So Brucie decided to spice things up a bit with a start for Meyler

Mignolet
Onouah Ferdy Mensah McBardsley
Hendo Rico Meyler Catts
Welbeck Bent

So Fulham hadn’t won in six, and we hadn’t lost on our last two trips to London. A game we should have been trying our utmost to win, or a game we should have been trying our utmost not to lose? Fulham came at us in the first half, and almost every time they attacked, there was a big bloke called Mensah in the way. Head, foot, chest, whatever, big John showed why he’s so highly regarded as a defender. He was superb. Young Meyler didn’t look like a man who’d spent the last six months in rehab, and Henderson again benefitted from the space he won himself wide on the right. Bardsley found himself on the wrong end of one of the few contentious decisions made by Prem new boy Mr Swarbrick on 21, and then found himself with a new oppo as Ferdy limped off to be replaced by Elmo. Are modern footballers made out of lolly sticks or what? I could lie in the middle of the A19 for a week and pick up fewer injuries than a Sunderland centre half. Charlie Hurley must be shaking his head in disbelief. As it turned out, Elmo had a fine game as Onouah switched to partner Mensah and we pushed forward but sort of ground to a halt near the edge of the box, never quite getting the shot away. Bardsley and Rico combined well to get the ball in for Bent, but under pressure he headed wide at the back post on 36. Hendo broke down the right only to see his cross deflected out, then Mensah took a bit of a clatter right on half time, but lived to defend another day.

More of the same in the second half as the Lads attacked the end filled with the travelling supporters. Meyler made way for Gyan when we’d been expecting Zenden, and he produced his usual bag of tricks. Hendo’s break ended with Rico firing well over the top, then we had to produce some desperate defending and clear off the line twice as old boy Etuhu scared the daylights out of Ming. Thankfully, he was subbed soon after, and we brought on Zenden for Welbeck and the Dutchman’s cool head showed what he might have contributed with an earlier introduction. It also showed what happens when it comes into sharp contact with a football travelling at speed, as the poor bugger was sparked out with a clearance full in the face. He recovered to shoot wide just after Bards had wasted a free kick by blasting over, and then to find Bent who poked wide but was flagged offside anyway. Five minutes were added as Craig Russell was discovered amongst the travelling fans, and the ball went from one end to the other as both sides sought a positive outcome to the day’s events. Not to be, but as I said at the top of the page, I’d rarely be disappointed with a point from London. Unbeaten in three this season isn’t a bad return, and it keeps us in line for a Europa Cup place (oh Jeez, why did I say that?)

There was little between the sides over the 90 minutes, and had Benty been right on his game or had Zenden been introduced earlier – or even started – there would have been a different, positive, outcome. I managed to say as much when surprisingly interviewed by Winkball.com (I kid you not), so if you’re desperate to see my retro scarf, obviously the reason they targeted me, try googling them. Ming did nowt wrong between the sticks despite looking a wee bit nervous at times, and the central midfield of Catts and Meleyr showed plenty of endeavour. Welbeck was buzzing around behind Bent as he’s supposed to do, and Gyan was his usual unpredictable self when he came on. Man of the Match, though, has to be Mensah for his impression of a proper centre half, stopping everything with anything he could think to throw in front of the ball. He’ll need more of the same next week against Davies and Elmander.

Keep the faith

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