Fulham vs. Cardiff

Fulham hosts Cardiff on Saturday. Cardiff is just 4 points behind Derby and the fourth playoff spot, so they will be eager to get three points - especially after they beat Derby just last Saturday. We haven't put together three league wins in a row since... well a very long time - years ago and in a different league and with a totally different set of players. So a positive result will probably be hard to come by.

At least now we are in a position that is less desperate than just a week ago. Looking again at the likely standings over the next 6 games based on the past 6 games, the end of the season would look like this:
17. Blackburn - 52 points
18. Fulham - 52 points
19. Huddersfield - 51 points
20. Bristol City - 51 points
21. Nottingham Forest - 50 points (what's happening at Forest?!)
22. Charlton - 47 points: relegated
23. MK Dons - 42 points: relegated
24. Bolton - 27 points: relegated

What a difference a week makes. Things looked grim before the MK Dons match, but not only have we won two games, many of the teams above us have struggled. Unfortunately we won't be facing the likes of MK Dons and Preston over the next few weeks. Instead we have playoff contenders Cardiff and Ipswich, along with Brighton and Hove who are trying to get automatic promotion. But we have crushed the dreams of MK Dons (staying out of relegation) and Preston (getting to the playoffs) the past two matches, so why not crush a few more dreams as we climb off the bottom of the table?

Cardiff may be without their leading scorer, Pilkington, after an injury last week. It looks like we might not have Cairney after he was injured against Preston. We played Cardiff in the opening game of the season with an unfortunate 1-1 draw after they scored in the 87th minute. A point from this match would be greatly appreciated.

 

From my point of view, we owe these bastards. Counting our last season together in the Prem, we're 0-3-2 against 'em. They AIN'T that much better than us. It's time to start turning this series around. Now's as good a time as any. Cairney's absence is a problem, but we've won two in a row for the first time in seemingly forever, and we're due some breaks. OK, a BUNCH of breaks. No disrespect to Andy Lonergan, but the lads seem more comfortable with Bettinelli between the pipes. I think he's a very, very good young keeper, and we're winning since his return. All that aside, we're due to thump these cretins.

 

Going with a back and forth 2-2 draw.

 

Jokanovic says Cairney is available for today's match but not 100%.

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/spor...ws/fulham-boosted-return-tom-cairney-11158245

 

So Cairney isn't even on the bench. Very tricky Jokanovic. I don't really like this lineup, Stearman on the right again? If we keep getting points though I won't care.

 

@HatterDon I'm sorry you might not ever watch a Fulham match again. Clearly this is working!

Doesn't Emerson know you are supposed to get gifts not GIVE gifts on your birthday! Thanks kid!

March 4, 2012 - the last time we won three games in a row. Do we dare hope for four?

COYW!!!

 

Yankee doodle dandy! Way to go Emerson. That's 2 in a row where we've been outplayed for the most part but have been able to grind out a win. That's very encouraging.

 

Official highlights:

 

Good stuff all around. COYW