Fulham at Nottingham

Fulham travels to face Nottingham Forest Tuesday afternoon. Like us, Forest has managed only two points in September. On Saturday they lost at home from an injury time Sheffield Wednesday goal. So both teams are coming into this match on a downward trajectory. Forest sounds a bit like Fulham of last year with the second most goals scored and goals allowed in the league.

 

I'm hoping for some significant lineup changes if for no other reason than to issue a wakeup call to some underperformers. I'm not smart enough to know who fits that category, but that's the gaffer's job, eh? Chris Martin has been dreadful so far. He's managed to spray two unchallenged, reasonably close headers way outside the posts. The rest of his game? Non-existent. I'd sit him and go with Smith and/or Cauley. Cairney's been MIA lately as well, although GJ seems to think Joka's playing him out of position the last few matches. I don't know about that, but perhaps a rest would do him some good. And Kebano needs to sit for a match. Despite his gifts, we haven't won as much since he arrived. Don't know what the various fitness statuses of the these lads are, but I'd like to see Odoi, Madl, Kalas and Malone start along the back line again. They worked in August, why not October? Is Kalas still hurt? Finally, I'd like to see Bettinelli back in goal for us. Button makes me nervous with his penchant for trying to out-dribble opponents in the penalty box. We may learn more about our manager by how many changes, if any, he makes come tomorrow night. One change is for sure...someone will have to take McDonald's midfield spot after the red.

 

This one has 2-2 written all over it.

 

I agree that change, a shake-up, a slap in the face, etc. is needed at this point. It appears as though Fulham has caught the SF Giants flu - and that's a dreadful, nasty bug to overcome. Lack of goals, lack of goals, lack of goals... I'll give the Whites a shot in this one with some new blood (except if Forest somehow resurrect Brian Clough - then not so much).
COYW

 

I'm starting to feel like Fulham is a striker killer. Aside from McCormack, name another striker that has thrived at Fulham in the last few years. Not Berbatov, not Mitroglou, not Rodallega, not Petric, not Bent....

I'm also starting to wonder about all of Joka's additions. Most of these newcomers are not lighting it up. I'm not sure who to point the finger at, but Joka and the moneyball guy are not gelling to create a winning squad.

On the road with our current form, I'm guessing 0-1 or 1-2. Hopefully, I get surprised.

 

Same here. If you look at our August lineups, especially the ones in the wins against Newcastle, PNE and Blackburn, you see as many holdovers as you do new guys, especially through the middle and up front. The defense, which has been our biggest issue in recent years, featured Joka approved newcomers: Button, Odoi, Madl, Kalas and Malone. Offensively, the holdovers dominated: Smith, Cairney, Tunnicliffe and Christensen, with the notable exceptions of Sone Aluko and Floyd Ayite. Aluko's been great except for finishing, Ayite's been hurt. Could Ayite be the missing link? We were 2-2-1 in games he started, the second draw of which he left injured in the 41st minute. Improbable as it seems, his absence has made a difference. It's seemed as though once Joka got the attacking players he wanted, we've gone flat.

 

A few changes to the starting lineup beyond what is required due to injury or suspension
Button
Odoi, Ream, Sigurdsson, Malone
Parker, Tunnicliffe
Cairney, Piazon, Aluko
Smith

Subs: Bettinelli, Johansen, Madl, Sessegnon, Jozabed, Martin, Adeniran

COYW!!! Bounce that ball off of Smith's huge noggin and into the net!

 

Happy to see the Whites pull back a point on the road. Intermittently listened to the second half with GJ and it sounded as if a couple of Fulham goals were called back for offsides. Too bad because a win would've been nice.
COYW

 

Glad to see us get a point but more glad that we kept them to one goal. Also glad our man Ream get the start and help stem the free fall, at least for the moment. I hate to see underachievers like Bendtner do us in down at this level, though. At least Kasami didn't beat us.

 

Highlights are up. Upon first glance, both teams had incredible chances to score that went begging. Bendtner should have had a hat trick. Wish these Championship venues had better TV coverage, because I'd like to see better angles on the goals we had ruled out for offside. All in all, however, a better performance by our lads, for sure. Still think we're too loose at the back, but Button kept a couple out that should have gone in and sometimes, that's just what you need. Still not sure about his distribution skills, but it looks like Joka's gonna stick with him instead of Bettinelli, whom I prefer. We were a bit lucky, but I'm still encouraged by the result and hope we can make more progress against QPHa Saturday.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/september/28/match-action-nottingham-forest

 

DON'T get me started on the quality of the officiating we've seen since relegation to this league. It was bad enough in the Premiership. If these guys are the best the FA can do, then they need to take a long, hard look at their officiating development programs. Some of these doughboys don't look qualified to call Saturday morning kiddie leagues.