Fulham v Birmingham City

Just one look at the table and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize how big of a match this is. The first 5 teams in the standings have separated themselves with 31 & 30 points each, and sitting in that coveted final playoff spot is Birmingham with 25. The Blues aren't in good form and have gone scoreless in their last 3 matches, but are arguably the best away team in the league this year (4 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss w/a +5 GD). Biggest concern for me is can we sustain our energy level for 90 minutes? The team has traveled over a 1000 miles this week to and from Bristol and Burnley. Kit really needs to be sharp with his subs (not a strength in his tenure). Expect a gritty match and 1 goal might be enough to earn the 3 points and put ourselves right in the mix in the Top 10.

 

Except in this case, I would add, play well for the full match instead of one half, as has been our wont lately.

 

Or, we could start leaking goals again with a right back playing out of position.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/november/06/team-news

 

Maybe Bodurov at RB? Who else do we have? I'd guess we'll go back to a 4-4-2 without a true right wing back option.

 

We just recalled this kid after Richard's injury. Might as well use him.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34651814

 

Stearman was on the right in the 3-5-2 wasn't he? That worked well.

 

Totally forgot about Donnelly. He looked decent in preseason so that would make sense.

 

Fulham are crap and Kit needs to go.

 

Certainly needed to do much better at home against an opponent closer to, or even below, our talent level. Our lack of consistency is beyond astonishing and I don't understand it. The break will increase the volume of the sack Kit shouters, but I think we still need to display some patience. Another managerial change will set us even further back on our odyssey back to the PL, and we're not in imminent relegation danger...yet. If we resume playing like this after this international hiatus, then it might be time to consider a change, but only under the most dire of circumstances. We're not there yet.

 

We have 5 wins from 16. I'd submit it's a bit more than just "some days" that don't go our way.

I didn't listen to the match, but 3 goals conceded in the first 30 minutes, I'm guessing we showed up at the ball & let our dance partner lead...again.

 

I know. Yelling Kit out every match gets boring. He should go because we are too passive & reactive under his leadership & we aren't very well organized.

I made a list several years ago of who we should get, first to replace A-Jol, then Rene, then Magath...and it hasn't really changed. Nigel Pearson was at the top of that list & is available, so that's who I'd take. He comes with some baggage, but his teams are well organized & play good football. Some would say he'll do something stupid & we'll be forced to can him, but we replace managers less than every 2 years anyway, so big deal. At least there's a chance he'd get us promoted before he loses the plot. Or maybe he's learned from his mistakes.