Away to Aston Villa

The Villians will likely be in the hunt for a playoff spot the whole season. So far they've won 3 and drawn 3 at Villa Park. Would love to give them their first home loss, but I'd take a point and press on.

 

We've played better on the road this season. I'll be disappointed with less than 3 points, especially if Cairney's a go. But even if he's not, given our away form, this is a winnable match. We owned the automatically promoted clubs last season. That's no small feat. It's time to rediscover that swagger and get closer to the form we displayed a year ago.

 

This will be a tough match. Villa have only lost once in their last 9 league matches. That one loss was just this past Saturday at table topping Wolves, so they'll probably be a bit angry about that and looking to right the ship.

Joka says that everyone aside from Ojo and Piazon are training, though Fredericks is doubtful and your guess is as good as mine regarding Cairney. I will again petition for Soares at left back with Sessegnon on the wing in front of him.

I think we're looking at another draw here.

 

The video Micah posted on the PNE thread was very cool. The person who put that together does a fantastic job giving the viewer a matchday experience. Favorite parts (aside from the Fulham goal reactions) were outside prematch where the burgers looked huge (somebody does however needs to seek help for their mustard addiction ), and people viewing the model for the new proposed Riverside Stand and their reaction to it. Couldn't help but think of this scene:

 

The starting XI:
Button
Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Sessegnon
McDonald, Johansen
Norwood, Ayite, Fonte
Kamara

Subs: Bettinelli, Odoi, Soares, Cisse, Cairney, Kebano, Mollo

So the doubtful Fredericks gets the start along with Kamara while sadly Cairney still only makes it to the bench. Soares makes his first appearance in a lineup. Norwood gets to start despite what I would consider a very shaky performance against PNE. Hoping for better today.

 

10 minutes of highlights from Aston Villa:

 

We're still susceptible to high pressure. Too many bad giveaways in midfield or deeper. The need for a striker has never been more evident.

 

Today's Fun Fact: after 13 league matches, Fulham has the same record this year as last year 4-6-3

We are just about as bad at home this year at 1-4-1, while last year's home record was 2-2-3. We've done better on BOTH goals scored and goals against this year. This season we've scored 17 while last year we had scored 16. This season we've given up 14 while last seas we'd given up 17.

We are a point further off the leaders this season vs last season - 11 points vs 10 points behind the top spot and 3 points vs 2 points behind the playoff spot.

My conclusion: No reason to panic - yet. One thing that would help is getting Cairney and a couple other guys back to 100% health. Over the winter transfer window I wouldn't mind seeing some of those Dwight Gale rumors come true too. I still think we're better with Bettinelli in goal and I'd rather make that change now instead of April.

 

I think young Mr. O'Donovan pretty much nails it here. But you're correct MM. Let's hope things take off from here.

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulhams-end-season-form-masked-13796738

 

It really bothers me that the team maintains 68% possession but only manages 2 shots on target. This is not a new development either, there have been similar stat lines numerous times in recent history. It's troubling that only a few of the 531 accurate passes actually find a player in a position to put the ball in the net (or at least on target).