Fulham hosts Bournemouth on Saturday with kickoff at 10am EDT on USA Network.
If Fulham want to get into Europe, they probably have to win their three remaining matches. I just don't see that happening, so as with last week, all I really want it is a good showing. Bournemouth haven't lost since January 3 against Arsenal. It seems too much of an ask for Fulham to break that run despite Fulham's pretty good home form.
Fulham will have some interesting lineup choices to make starting with left back. Robinson has been terrible and Sessegnon will be unavailable. Does Silva do something radical like playing Bassey or Castagne as LB? Then there is Andersen who has frankly been both bullied and out paced in recent weeks, should Diop be giving a go? Hopefully Tete will be available to provide some additional options for the rest of the defense.
I won't be surprised if this ends up being Wilson's last start for Fulham too. If Fulham doesn't get 3 points and Europe is out of the question, then Silva might decide to let Bobb get the start in the last two games since Wilson will be moving on. If this is getting near the end of Wilson's time with Fulham I hope he can bag at least one more for us to cheer for.
Edit after the team update...
- Kevin might be available!
- Tete should be available
- Berge and Raul might not be recovered from the illness
- Confirmed that Sessegnon and Iwobi are still out
What an appropriate way for Fulham's hopes for Europe to flitter away. Fulham are growing into the game, get a man advantage, and have a great opportunity for three points to then blow it with a stupid decision. I thought the red card for Andersen was soft, but that was a terrible choice on his part to give the opportunity to balance out the earlier Bournemouth red. Now I really wish Diop had been given the start. With Anderson done for the season, Diop will get a chance to make the case that he should pair with Bassey next season.
Given how Bobb showed more attacking threat than Wilson, I wonder how much more we'll see of Harry. He was amazing the for long stretches of this season, but sadly it seems like he'll exit with a whimper.
On the plus side for US fans Robinson and Adams looked good, so now we can start thinking about the World Cup since this season is pretty much done.
I just looked at the stats and apparently I have a glass half empty view because I thought it was dire. Aside from shots on target (which is pretty meaningful), Fulham appears to have posted the better line. That said, I was constantly frustrated with the on-field product. I love Cairney and he’s very good and calming when Fulham need to maintain possession and hold a lead. But that was not what Fulham needed in the second half of this match, and Cairney didn’t seem to change his approach.
I suppose the potential silver lining around Wilson is that his recent form has perhaps reduced his market?
I know I will, but I almost don’t want to watch the final two matches. Much more frustration to come.
P.S. I forgot to mention this after the Aston Villa match, but I really like the all white kit.
I know I will, but I almost don’t want to watch the final two matches. Much more frustration to come.
It is kind of funny, but I'm looking forward to the remaining two matches more than the previous two. The pressure is off at this point, the disappointment has already been delivered. What I'd like to see is a preview of what Fulham might look like next season, mostly on the wings. Should Fulham sign Chukwueze on a permanent deal? To answer that he and Bobb should have all the opportunities on the right wing in the next two matches since I don't think Fulham can hang onto Wilson.