Fulham vs Hull City

The Tigers come calling at the Cottage on a Wednesday night. They've been up and down, mostly down. Thrashed Friday evening at Pride Park by Derby County. Although they're right below us in the table, this should be a W. I'd feel a lot better if we were healthier, but, even shorthanded, we should be able to beat this side at home.

 

It it time to figure out how to turn a draw into three points.

 

Kebano "might" be back, in what capacity, who knows? Everybody else who has been out is still out, including Cairney. I'm just wondering how serious his knee problem is. Not a lot of information about it so far. Knees can be very problematic. Waiting to see if surgery is needed? That would mean a considerably longer time out, depending on what's wrong. Even arthroscopic procedures mean a minimum of weeks, probably at least a month, best case scenario. Anything more invasive, we're looking at multiple months to a year...or longer. I'm puzzled why there is not more information about his prognosis. The lack of information is not normally an indication of optimism. It's usually the opposite. I sincerely hope I'm wrong. But the journalist in me says what Luke Skywalker used to say: "I've got a really bad feeling about this."

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-injury-update-ahead-hull-13600976

 

Most teams played last night. Apparently our draw with Cardiff took away their mojo because they lost 3-0 to Preston. This allow Leeds to take over the top spot. Getting 3 points in tonight's match moves the winner up only a spot or two but puts them within 2 points of the playoff group.

We will hopefully see the return of Rui Fonte too in addition to Kebano.

Hull is this year's 2015/16 Fulham - you don't want to miss a game because there is usually a lot of scoring. They have conceded (12) and scored (12) the second most goals in the league. I think we'll see a Championship opponent come away with a first half goal for the first time this season, but we'll still finally get a home win.

 

The Whiner Warnock did hit on something that we've overlooked, and that besides some injury issues our playoff hangover is lingering. We had the team and form to get promoted, and after it didn't happen it takes a psychological toll. This is a good time to get the 3 points and start putting the disappointment behind us.

 

Ah the joys of staring at the work computer mid-morning and all of a sudden remembering that it's match day!

This one has come up so fast that I haven't really looked at any analysis. That being said, we should win but a draw is not unlikely. I would be rather disappointed with a loss as I think we have good enough depth to overcome these injuries.

Side note: when is Bettinelli going to get his due with a start?

 

I should have listened to you @jumpkutz rather than the British press - no Fonte in the lineup (but Ojo is back):

Button
Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Sessegnon
McDonald, Johansen
Norwood, Ojo, Ayite
Kebano

Subs: Bettinelli, Djalo, Odoi, Cisse, Graham, Mollo, Kamara

 

With us allowing less than a goal per match, it's probably Button's job to lose at this point...so unfortunately, my guess is that it will take a blowout loss to change things up, like last year.

 

CMON, lets keep it rolling!
Burton's let in a ton of goals, lets geaux!

 

I'm glad we got the win at home, but it's still nervewrecking watching a Fulham match in stoppage time with a one goal lead. If Ayite and Sess can focus on finishing, maybe we can make a serious run for promotion. Goal differential is something that is going to be key moving forward. COYW!!!! Great Win!

 

I'll gladly take it. The key things from just these few highlights for me are these: Fredericks crosses are improving, bit by bit. Even though Floyd whiffed on the one Johansen scored on, it was well flighted, perfectly weighted. Last year, that was not as often the case. Speaking of Johansen, he finally got off the schneid with a prototypical Johansen goal. We really need to get him rolling. One of the many unsung heroes of last season, scored a lot of important goals and wreaked havoc in the opponents' midfield, often times on their side of the pitch. Hope this jump starts his season. He's been relatively quiet until now. Finally, getting Ojo and Kebano back was huge, and it showed. Ojo's got pace as well, and he blew by the defender on the play that led to Ayite's goal. Big props to Ayite, who showed some decent skill in the way he opened up his body to flick Ojo's cross, with considerable pace, into the Hull goal. Lots to like besides the fact we coughed up a lead (again), but it just feels like we're turning the corner a little bit. I hope. In this league, though, you never know. But I feel better. I hope y'all do, too. I'll gladly take it. Onward to Burton Albion!