Fulham v. Middlesbrough EFL Cup

Fulham hosts Middlesbrough in the EFL cup on Wednesday night.

Last season we drew (0-0) and lost (0-2) to Middlesbrough on their way to automatic promotion to the Premier League. This season Middlesbrough has drawn with Stoke in a match they probably should have won and defeated Sunderland 2-1. About half their players were with them last year in the Championship.

I suspect we'll see a similar line-up to our Leyton Orient match with the main goal this week being a win vs. Blackburn on Saturday.

Guzan started for Middlesbrough on Sunday with Valdez being injured. I imagine even if Valdez is feeling better there is a good chance we'll see Guzan.

The real question is will we see Jokanovic strip off his clothes after the match to protest the lack of signings like a Mongolian wrestling coach : http://www.espn.com/olympics/wrestl...-coaches-strip-clothing-protest-official-call

 

On one hand, I hope we do see a line-up similar to the Leyton Orient match. Considering we've already had five matches this month and still another three days after this one, we need to rest some of the first choice guys.

On the other hand, I hope to see a strong line-up that is more than capable of winning this match and making a Cup run. During the last couple of years, I didn't mind an early Cup exit since the team was pretty much a shit show. I feel like we've stabilized a bit this season which promotes my interest in a Cup run.

 

The starting lineup looks more like Leyton Orient than Cardiff

Joronen
Grimmer, Stearman, Ream, Malone
Tunnicliffe, Adeniran, Christensen, Jozabed, Edun
Woodrow

Subs: Bettinelli, Kalas, Kavanagh, Sessegnon, McDonald, de la Torre, Smith

 

Good to see Betts fit enough for the bench. Still wondering what his future is for starting ahead of Button.

 

Happy with a draw here, even if lucky!

 

They are in extra time and LVG just scored.

 

<dancing banana>

 

.....and we host Bristol City in round three.

 

LVC!!!!

 

Highlights have been posted, but not on YouTube: http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/august/25/match-action-boro

On the first goal, GJ confused Christensen for Woodrow. It was Christensen to made the great touch pass to Tunnicliffe, but Woodrow was the one who went into the net. Based on the video I think that Woodrow should have gotten credit for that goal.

Scott Malone was on fire last night and has done well all season. We certainly got the better end of the trade with Jazz Richards. I'm not even sure if he's the guy Jokanovic expected to be a regular starter at left back since he may have wanted Odoi to play in that spot, but I'm glad he's playing for us. That's been one of our weaker spots for years and now we might suddenly have three good options there (Malone, Odoi, and Sessegnon)

Make sure you watch Edun's turn too. That was pretty sweet.

 

well, i'm clearly the loser here. I stopped following because I thought it would just end in a draw and then play a return game. Even more excited now though!