Fulham @ Hull

Damn. Finally. After the recent machinations with lineups I hope this starting eleven is going to gel and bring all three points home.

Please, please, please, let me, get what I want...

 

I'm interested to see what formation we roll out this weekend. The 4-5-1 seemed to maximize the team's ability, as I think the best of our depth is in the midfield. Was especially nice to see Hyndman get a run in, and hopefully we can find a way to get going and finish mid table.

 

Was going to say we have next to no chance at Hull where they are a dominating 11-2-1 with a +24 GD. However, had to double check, and this one is at The Cottage. They are still a very competent team away from the KC Stadium, but are a just .500 (5-3-5 with a +2 GD). Honestly thinking that a Fulhamish result and 3 points against the 2nd place team would not be surprise, but worried that we're not starting our best CB combo.

 

Joe, I think you meant to say "no chance in Hull!"

It sounds like we've been slightly improved (despite the results) over the last handful of matches. However, it's results that keep us in the league.

I find it curious to hear Joka talk about the need to bring in some players on loan in order to get us where we need to be. Do we really not have the talent capable of fighting for promotion? Are we really going to bring in better players?

As far as this match goes, I'm not expecting a result. Hull is coming in with 4 straight wins with 3 straight clean sheets (though the clean sheets have all been at home). Like Joe, I don't think we've been starting our best center back pairing and I don't feel like we've truly stabilized the defense yet (we haven't had a clean sheet since Oct 17). Maybe we keep Hull under 3 goals, maybe not.

 

Does Jimmy Bullard still play for that big club, Hull?

 

McCormack is unlikely to play because of illness. While this hurts our chances of winning I kinda want to see what we can do with out him and I'd like to see how Jokanovic handles it. Dembele and Smith up top or something totally different like last week?

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/january/22/jokanovics-hull-preview

 

Please don't tell me Fulham are going to sell Dembele and McCormack - I can put in a good 20 minute shift up top (hey hey!), so I'll get my work permit in order.

COYW

 

Starting 11:
Lonergan
Richards, Ream, Burn, Garbutt
Cairney, O'Hara, Parker, Christensen, Kačaniklić
Dembélé

The snow is too deep for me to see who the subs are. I'll have to shovel down a little more.

EDIT: Found them: Lewis, Hutchinson, Stearman, Fredericks, Smith, Williams, Hyndman

 

Well, I was very happy to be able to watch Fulham on the tube at home. Wish the result was different - the punt and pray tactic after Smith came in almost paid off. And if the free kick was a few more inches toward the post...

Gonna have to earn some points soon, though.

COYW

 

Brain cramped and forget this was televised, so can't speak to what seems like a solid if unrewarded performance. Giving up a pk and/or goal in the final 10 is a kick in the gut.

 

Just finished watching the first half, had a lot of snow to move lol, like the performance so far. Build up play seemed good but couldn't penetrate. Is it me or did O'Hara look unsure whenever the ball touched his feet.

 

Really unfortunate Christensen gave up a penalty shot. There was no guarantee they were going to score on that play although it was certainly threatening. I'm still not sure how that shot by Kaca didn't get in just in front of the net. If we weren't so desperate for points I could almost be satisfied in that loss.

 

Definitely a more positive performance and again it feels like we're heading in the right direction, we're just a few moments away from putting it all together. Really frustrating we couldn't hold out for the point, or maybe even snatch 3 in the latter stages.

 

Good view. Good performance as well.

 

Although the performances are better under our new coach, one thing is worse...the results. Yes, we're playing better. Yes, we're giving up fewer goals. Yes, we're defending better on corners and set pieces. Our possession is up. But our scoring is down. And at the end of the day, we're still losing. Bad teams find ways to lose. Are we that bad? Can we turn it around with this side? I believe we can, but will it be in time to prevent relegation?
LVC was unlucky on the challenge that led to the penalty, for which we can have no complaints. He slipped and fell into the guy in the box. At what point does unlucky just become bad? SJ needs to figure more things out sooner rather than later. We need to adopt the old Raiders mantra...just win, baby. Whatever that looks like. Good performances don't keep you in the league. Wins do.