Fulham v. Derby

Fulham hosts Derby on Saturday. Yes, they are fourth in the league and a strong team, but they only have 2 points in their last five games compared to our four. In fact, they haven't won since they played us on Boxing Day. They've also played three matches since we played our last match. This is a great opportunity for us to get three points - so I expect us to lose by something like 0-4.

We'll all be eager to see the lineup on Saturday. How many of the new players will get a starting role? What kind of formation will be used? If I had to pick, I'd say Labyad and Ince will start but I have no idea what kind of arrangement we'll see. Hopefully it is a winning formation.

 

I'd say Madl will start as well. Clearly these are players that Joka signed off on, so he'll want them out there. Regardless, we need a win badly (duh).

 

(disclaimer for our Southern Californians - it's not personal, it's business)

I never liked the L.A. Rams, I didn't like the St. Louis Rams and the Derby Co. Rams can...well...lose. Ram-itis. I do respect all of those clubs, though. E.D. and Youngblood, to the greatest show on turf, to Bryan Clough (my Derby knowledge is poor).

Well, now back to the lecture at hand - Derby is on paper a much better club than Fulham. That said, I also hope the newbies are thrown out there to make a difference, or just try. Not enough "trying" in my book, but that's to be expected with a new manager who is maybe feeling things out.

COYW

 

On Bein Sports 4 according to this: http://www.beinsports.com/us/tv-guide

Likely means we'll be able to stream it at least.

 

The lads are going to win 1-0.

 

The lineup:
Lonergan
Richards, Burn, Amorebieta, Garbutt
Cairney, Ince, O'Hara, Christensen
McCormack, Dembele

Bench, Lewis, Fredericks, Parker, Smith, Labyad, Kacaniklic, Ream

McCormack and Dembele still play for us?! I thought they were supposed to be gone during the transfer window!

Amorebieta returns, wow. I'm still a bit shocked.

 

So, Love Bite not only beats out Madl, he's bloody STARTING? And where's Stearman? Must have been an interesting week at Motspur. Oh well, if it works....

 

Highlights from the Offal:

http://www.fulhamfc.com/first-team/2015_2016/league/home/derby-county/derby-county-match-action

Looked like both Ross & Moose II had opportunities to bring the ball across but went alone instead. Andy with 2 nice saves, but in the end another frustrating 1 point. That said Joka will have this team on a good run of results very soon. Even though 3 of the next 4 are away; QPR, Blackburn, Leeds (w/reeling Charlton mixed in), I'm optimistically going to say 7 or even 8 points from these upcoming fixtures;

 

Was able to watch the whole game as well. Thought we were probably the better team, but it was a tight match. I thought we looked more organzed defensively, and Ince gave us more muscle in midfield. On the other end, we just aren't creating as many chances as we were earlier in the season. I suppose it's somewhat of a trade-off.

 

Agree with Joe on the Ross-Moussa chances shown in the highlights. Seemed like selfish play on both parts. And Keough really should have planted that free kick for them in the back of the net. Lonners came out to double fist punch it, but Keough beat him to it, cleanly. But back to our strikers. They sure looked like a couple of mercenaries looking to add to their transfer value come summer. And that's bad news.

 

Certainly hope so. The variable may be one's interpretation of "in front of goal."

 

I saw the 90 in 30 on Bein and once again, looked OK and a draw against a club that sits in the playoff spot is solid, but a win is needed soon.

COYW