Fulham v Middlesbrough

2 wins, 2 draws, and a loss in February. Things are looking up. Hopefully we finish the month strong with Middlesbrough coming to the cottage on Saturday. Boro are unbeaten in their last four (1 win, 3 draws). Should be a good test for the Whites. I'm hoping for another draw. Or maybe we can surprise them early and put them on their heels.

Who fills LoveBite's shoes?

 

If we stay in a 5-3-2 my guess is Ream. If we go 4-4-2 I couldn't even guess.

 

Think of Boro as our twin club from the north. Founded approximately the same time in the 1870's. Both have a family feel as a club. Neither have huge stadiums, Boro's does hold 8K more for the time being. Boro won the League Cup once (2004) , FFC won the Intertoto Cup (2002) once, and the only other trophies are for lower division titles. Both teams had a decade plus run in the Premier League before being relegated. Both reached the UEFA Cup renamed Europa League Final in the past 10 years, both losing to Spanish sides, with a certain great Aussie Goalkeeper aka Mark Schwarzer between the pipes. As for the match this weekend Middlesbrough will be bringing the energy that Fulham will have to match. We wreaked their season last year at the Cottage (you know they've been reminded all week) by knocking them out of an automatic promotion place and they ended up losing in the playoff final. Boro currently sits 3rd, but only 2 points out of first. In Fulham's favor, Joka has the lads pointed in the proper direction, and while I'm thinking a 1-2 defeat, it wouldn't be all that surprising if a draw or a Fulhamish victory happens.

 

Sounds like Stearman http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/february/26/team-news

 

Let's remind ourselves by watching the highlights again from that crazy match!

 

No Ream, in fact, no CB's on the bench that I can tell. Hyndman, but no Smith? Interesting. Very interesting.

 

Guess we're counting on Cairney to score again. That starting XI doesn't have much of an attacking edge.

 

Stearman should just keep on walking.....

 

http://thefootballcouch.com/fulham-vs-middlesbrough-highlights/