Fulham at Bournemouth

Fulham will travel to Bournemouth and attempt to do two things they have not done all season:

1. Win on the road
2. Win two games back to back

Having accomplished neither of those with four games remaining is a sure sign of a horrible season. Only one other team hasn't done those two things and Huddersfield at least has a road win. Getting the business done would be a big step for Scott Parker toward a permanent appointment.

Fulham is coming off of as an inspiring win as you could ask for after ensuring relegation and Bournemouth haven't won at home since beating Chelsea 4-0 back in January, so you'll be excused for entertaining the possibility of earning three points.

Fosu-Mensah is out for the rest of the season and has returned to Manchester United for knee surgery. Mawson remains unfit to play.

For the traveling fans at least they can look forward to a lovely day on the coast regardless of the outcome.

 

Oh right, the season isn’t over yet.

COYW!

 

This isn’t preseason?

 

No Cairney today - according to a source on Twitter (take with a grain of salt) he's not playing today because he might become a dad! I'll accept that excuse. Otherwise, here's the starting XI:

Rico (still not sure why we aren't giving Fabri a shot)
Odoi, Chambers, Ream, Le Marchand, Bryan
Anguissa, Seri
Babel, Mitrovic, Sessegnon

Subs: Fabri, Nordtveit (I forgot he was still on the team!), Christie, Kebano, Schurrle, Elliott (the talented 16 year old with the worst man-bun ever), Ayite

 

PARKER IN!!!!!!

 

And 2 straight clean sheets! Who’d of thunk it!

 

By golly it’s a winning streak!

 

13 Points - that's how many points Fulham lost from a winning position under Ranieri's management. Five times Fulham had a 1-0 lead and lost it, only earning draws twice. Where would we be with 13 more points? Still in danger only two points head of Brighton who would have a game in hand, but still with a shot.

Fulham under Parker has now had two times where they had a 1-0 lead and got 3 points from both. Ranieri only accomplished that once, versus Huddersfield. We'll have to see if the trend holds over the remaining matches, but I'm starting to wonder what might have been.

I have to give credit to Rico today. Last week Fulham won despite his goalkeeping, today Fulham won because of his goalkeeping. Bournemouth had a number of dangerous opportunities that Rico single handedly (sometimes literally with one hand!) snuffed out.

The first half was shaky for both sides, but Bryan and Sessegnon both looked great in the second half galloping down the wings and causing trouble for Bournemouth's defense. It's a shame that neither was rewarded with an assist or goal, but it was fun to watch.

 

Was thinking the same thing gentlemen. From your lips to my mind.