Fulham away to Sheffield Wednesday

This was supposed to be a play-in for the playoffs, but now it seems plenty of players will be rested from both sides. It will be interesting how the hosts play this match. I think it's safe to say the majority of fans for each club would prefer to play Reading or Huddersfield first.

 

I think both sides will play the final match conservatively with the intent of both resting key players and not giving up any tactical inclination for the playoff match.

 

Break out the lawn chairs, blankets, umbrellas and a cooler full of Zima.

 

Judging from the rants in twitterworld, a lot of Whites supporters are trying to ditch their tickets.

 

Pure speculation on my part HD. We are locked into 6th, and I'm sure Wednesday would prefer to stay in 4th and face Huddersfield first. Betts and the back 4 will probably start for continuity, but expecting Johansen to be rested, Cairney to be subbed early, Martin to get in and shake off some rust, and another move or two depending on any players carrying slight knocks. Wednesday I would imagine doing something similar, but just guessing.

 

I agree that anyone with the slightest knock or discomfort will sit this one out, but I'm not sure about resting a bunch of regulars. The concern for injury is always there, but there is also value to maintaining form over a stretch where you've had a normal amount of time (one week) between matches. Putting players in for a playoff match after they've sat idle for 13 days would not be the best plan IMO.

 

Just a friendly reminder everyone, our not-the-last-game-of-the-season starts a Noon London time - 7am Right Coast, 4am Left Coast. You'll be forgiven for sleeping through this one.

 

Slavisa plays to win. The starting XI is pretty strong missing Johansen, Fredericks, and Sessegnon from the "standard" lineup. This probably means a different formation than what we'll use in the playoffs:

Bettinelli
Odoi, Kalas, Ream, Malone
McDonald, Cairney, Aluko, Piazon, Kebano
Martin

Subs: Button, Fredericks, Parker, Sessegnon, Johansen, Ayite, Cyriac

I still wouldn't be surprised to see all of the subs used early.

Meanwhile it appears Wednesday is using only one starter from last week vs Ipswich.

 

Nice to finish with 80 points...Bring on Reading!!!

 

80 points could be the highest point total ever for a 6th place team. At the very least no one has scored more than that in the Premier League era. Leeds' 75 points would have seem them in the playoffs in almost any other season, but not this year!

 

The formality is out of the way without injury. Now for the 1-in-4 chace for promotion.

 

Perfect lineup, perfect strategy, perfect approach and perfect substitutions from the gaffer, given the situation. Isn't it great to have quality guys like Dennis Odoi, Neeskens Kebano and Lucas Piazon step right in and not miss a beat, giving Johansen and, to a lesser extent, Fredericks and Ayite a bit of a blow. In a lot of ways, as Johansen seems to go, so does the Fulham offense. Resting him today may be the best thing for a successful playoff run. And nobody got hurt or sent off.
I gotta say it was a good day.

 

Extended highlights from Wednesday's YouTube channel. Thank you Owls. Fulham, you continue to disappoint me with your private videos.


Nice interception of Kalas' pass by referee Graham Scott on the first goal.

 

Perfect lineup, perfect strategy, perfect approach and perfect substitutions from the gaffer, given the situation. Isn't it great to have quality guys like Dennis Odoi, Neeskens Kebano and Lucas Piazon step right in and not miss a beat, giving Johansen and, to a lesser extent, Fredericks and Ayite a bit of a blow. In a lot of ways, as Johansen seems to go, so does the Fulham offense. Resting him today may be the best thing for a successful playoff run. And nobody got hurt or sent off.
I gotta say it was a good day.

 

Disappoint is an understatement. The opponents' FREE, extended highlights also included the buildup and slow motion replays of the goals and the scoring chances. And they also included the foul on Kebano by Palmer after the sweet through ball by Malone that led to the free kick that resulted in the winning goal. As our current Commander In Chief would tweet, Sad.