Fulham at Brentford

Fulham makes the short trip up the Thames to visit Brentford who are currently just two points behind us. Brentford looked like they were headed for a win over QPR last week taking a 2-0 lead into injury time. Unfortunately for them they gave up goals in the 93rd and 94th minutes to only come away with a draw.

Brentford has been hot or cold this season. They started out with 4 points in their first eight matches and didn't get their first win until late September. Then they went on a run of 9 matches without a loss. After the international break they've struggled and haven't won yet.

Ream and McDonald are expected to return, but Ayite is not. I'd really like to see Sessegnon back up front and Button on the bench, but I think only one of those things will happen.

Given that Brentford are just as bad as us at home (must be bad water in the river) I think we win this one.

 

I think we win this one too. We've figured out how to play at Griffin, and I think the lads will be up for it. It's time for a Tom Cairney breakout. He seems to be 100% finally, but he hasn't been lighting the lamp like he's capable of so far this season. As much as I like Betts, I don't think Button has done anything to warrant being replaced. Still, wouldn't bother me in the least if that happened. I just think we play better with Marcus in there, for whatever reasons. And yes, Ryan belongs up front (duh). I find all this latest scuttlebutt about him replacing Danny Rose at left back for Spuds amusing. Kid's a damn striker. Period. I think we'll see him back where he belongs. And there's no denying the fact that we have been better on the road...much better. A comfortable, stand clearing rout would be nice.

 

The dreaded red card...ugh

 

Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but we haven’t started Sess up front since his hat trick at Sheffield United, correct?

 

Highlights from Brentford:


Odoi's second foul was just stupid and totally deserved.

You are correct, but that is because with Ream out Odoi has been assigned to CB rather than LB. I've wondered why Djalo or Madl aren't brought in to replace Ream, leaving Odoi to the left and Sessegnon up front. Madl hasn't even made the bench recently. With Odoi out on suspension we probably won't see Sessegnon up front even if Ream returns this week for Birmingham City. Ream has played LB on occasion, but with Jokanovic seemingly lacking in confidence in any other CB options I don't see that happening. Who would have thought Ream might be the key to our goal scoring success?

 

If Cairney's ball goes in, might have been a different match.