Fulham at Cardiff City

This year there is one thing you don't want to do if you are the second place team in the Championship - and that is play host to Fulham.

Ipswich was in second place and lost to Fulham at home. Since then Ipswich has lost the magic from their amazing start and now sit just 3 points in front of us in 10th place.

Sheffield United was in second place and lost to Fulham at home. Since then they've sunk to being outside the playoff spots based on goal differential.

Second place Cardiff City now faces Fulham on Boxing Day and they'll be looking to not make the same mistake. Unlike Ipswich and Sheffield United, Cardiff will be fully aware of the headaches Fulham can cause since the the draw we had with them back in September when they were in first place broke their chain of five wins to open the season.

Cardiff hasn't lost at home all season and only has three draws there. Plus they are coming off of an embarrassing 2-0 loss to lowly Bolton on Saturday and they haven't had back-t0-back losses yet.

We've gotten through half the season in mediocre fashion. Even our recent wins were less than convincing. What would help now is to once again win against a top team on their grounds. Everyone needs a reminder of what we are capable of doing to get the second half of the season off to a good start.

 

'Fulhamish' works both ways. 3 points on the road to the 2nd place team that's 9-0-2 in league play would be Fulhamish indeed. COYW!!

 

Here's to Fulhamish!

 

Apparently all we needed was Ayite. What a spark he’s provided since he’s returned. Now if we can get a healthy Piazon back in form, I may be able to cancel a striker from my Christmas wish list.

 

Having Sessegnon back up top didn't hurt either. We are clearly our most threatening with both of them playing forward. In two matches with Sessegnon/Ayite/Ojo forward we've scored 9 times.


After the Barnsley match I almost commented about how often Ream was up front. There were a number of times where he was inside the Barnsley six yard box and closer to the ball than any other Fulham player. I didn't know if this was part of a plan (if so, that seems like a bizarre plan) or just a lack of attacking initiative from our other players, but there he was again way up front and this time he put it away.

 

Highlights via Cardiff City: