Fulham v Stoke, Match thread for the Leg-breakers

[HatterDon]

I can't believe there's no match thread for the Stoke City match. Not on live TV, so I'll be making a guest appearance in the chatroom at 0900 South Texas time, while listening to Gentleman Jim's fashion report on the radio over on FulhamTV. Don't ask.

Will we have a striker healthy by then? Will Jol field Pavel Pog without giving him a single practice with the club? Will Jol resign to take over as England manager. Don't know. But here's what I'd like to see:

----------------------------- Stockdale ----------------------------

Kelly ---------- Senderos ----------- Hangeland ---------- Rise

-------------- Etuhu ---------------Murphy -----------------------

---------- Ruiz ------------- Dembele ----------- Deuce --------

------------------------------- Sa ---------------------------------

Now I must go do research for my match preview later today.

-- dang, that thing is addicting!

[DCHeather]

The Hatter's match preview:

http://www.fulhamusa.com/index.php?opti ... &Itemid=57

[jumpkutz]

Glad Huth's out. I hate offensive defenders....unless they play for us, of course!

[SoCalJoe]

I like Stockdale, but I feel a whole lot better w/the big Aussie between the pipes. I would expect Pog to get a 30 minute run out in the second half, but hoping that there is another forward getting some playing time (I think AJ is still dinged, but a Sa or Trotta sighting would be nice). Also hoping that the one true LB we have in the squad actually plays.

[SoCalJoe]

Big shock AJ is still hurt, but one I wasn't expecting is Senderos being out. Which begs the question w/the likes of Couch and Jones (off the bench) who will partner w/Hangs? Hughes looked like he hadn't played in months v Everton so do you throw Bairdinho in there and Riise back at LB? or does Jol go back to the Thames Barrier and hope Stoke doesn't have free headers all afternoon?

Playing golf manana so will be checking the score on my phone and hoping to do a little jig on the course.

[DCHeather]

Ugh. I always have this optimism that Fulham can win all their matches. I know that's not realistic, but it's the fan in me that has this hope that something will go their way. But with Senderos out, Hughes not looking very good in his previous match, and perhaps no true forward until the 75th minute or so...I'm not feeling great about this match. 3 pts. will put my relegation battle fears at bay, so please win this match Fulham!!!

[nevzter]

Lawro's prediction:

Fulham v Stoke

Fulham didn't really turn up at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday evening and Manchester City saw them off far too easily in the snow. As we know, however, the Cottagers are a different proposition at home.

Stoke are not particularly great on the road but I do worry about where Fulham's goals are going to come from and I think the Potters might just nick the points here. I don't think it will be a game for the purists, either.

Prediction: 0-1

I may vomit if Fulham lose this match. But I agree with 'where will the goals come from?'

[jumpkutz]

Even though we're home, the prospect of similar weather, or worse, than we failed to effectively deal with at City gives me considerable pause about our chances to beat Stoke. I've said it before, but SOMEBODY in the forward/striker brigade needs to step up and stay there for the balance of the campaign, starting NOW. As has been pointed out here and elsewhere, as great as he is, Clint is not really a striker. Forcing him to play there out of necessity is inexcusable at this level. It's time for whoever is fit amongst the attackers to START ATTACKING! Some semblance of positive consistency needs to commence at once, especially against a side of equal or lesser talent like Stoke. Gonna be optimistic (ain't that what a true fan is supposed to be?), I'm predicting an overdue blow out, 4-1 Fulham. COYW!

[DCHeather]

I hope we can pull of a rout. Anybody up for the chat room tomorrow, or will everyone be watching the tape delay?

[HatterDon]

I hope we can pull of a rout. Anybody up for the chat room tomorrow, or will everyone be watching the tape delay?

I'll be there, Senator!

[Clevelandmo]

I may say hello in the chat but I'm not sure I can join u for very long. The tape delay is beckoning since I am too stupid to understand Steve Jobs' genius when it comes to getting gentleman Jim on a MAC

[DCHeather]

Yeah, there doesn't seem to be a windows media plug-in anymore for macs...at least the last time I checked. Seems you need a windows operating system to listen to GJ.

[MisterF]

Yeah, there doesn't seem to be a windows media plug-in anymore for macs...at least the last time I checked. Seems you need a windows operating system to listen to GJ.

I'm on a Mac too and have the same issues.


Excited to see how this one turns out. Perfect opportunity for 3 pts especially after the past two matches.

[MisterF]

Dempsey goal
http://deadspin.com/5884267/clint-dempsey-is-still-scoring-goals-and-this-one-was-a-tactical-nuke
(not sure how long this will stay up)

Great win and very much needed 3 pts! QPR and Chelsea losing is icing on the cake too!

Pog looked great in his debut and I'm just hoping his injury wasnt too serious.

[DCHeather]

Thank you Fulham!!! Of course you made it closer than it needed to be, but I'll take the 3 points. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!