Fulham at Sheffield United

Short turnaround week in the schedule. Sheff U are second in the table, just 2 points behind Wolves. Is it time to make some changes just to try to shake things up? Although he's having a very good season, I'd be tempted to replace Button with Betts. No particular reason, just shake things up and send a message. And I'd start De la Torre. His impact on the game Saturday was immediate and noticeable. I'd also start Edun. Sit Sessegnon? I think you have to. Make him your first sub, but he needs a jolt to get going, maybe. We're still at the point where it's less about what they do and more about what we do. Gotta start winning soon, or the season's lost.

 

They also have one of my favorite "feel good" players in forward James Hanson. He spent the majority of his career with Bradford City after being let go from Huddersfield's youth academy at 15 for being "too small." Began his senior career with semi-pro Eccleshill United and Guiseley, working in a grocery store to make ends meet. Returned to Bradford City in 2009, spending the next 6-1/2 seasons with them before moving to Sheffield U last January. He and the Bantams had a remarkable run in 2013, knocking out Wigan, Arsenal and Villa from the Prem on their way to the league cup final at Wembley, where they lost 5-nil to Swansea. Four months later, they returned to Wembley to beat Northampton Town 3-nil to earn promotion to League 1. Hanson scored several critical goals during those runs, the most important being against Villa in the cup and Burton Albion in the playoffs, along with one of the three at Wembley. Doesn't appear he's played at all this season so, at 30, he may be looking for another team or ready to hang up his boots. Right now, if I'm Fulham, I might take a chance on him.

 

I'm all for some changes, but I would be hesitant to make them wholesale. From the bit of what I saw from the Derby match, I liked most of Joka's decisions. Kamara was (to me) surprisingly vibrant - making a number of quality runs off the ball and had a couple of nice feeds for his teammates. Start him over Fonte. Edun was solid in his debut; as was de la Torre in replacing Edun. I like Sess up top, since Odoi is a much better option at fullback. We should have a bit more stability at CDM with McDonald (and perhaps then Sess won't be fielding Button's outlets in such a vulnerable area).

Speaking of Button (cue broken record), I think it's time for a change. We have had two clean sheets in the Championship this season (2-0 victory at Ipswich on Aug 26 and a 0-0 draw at Leeds on Aug 15) and neither of them have been in the last three months. I cringed multiple times when Button distributed the ball on Saturday. If he wasn't just flinging out a 50/50 ball, he was passing it to someone in a tight area. Our outfield players were almost always immediately under pressure.

The good news for tomorrow is that we're away and we've played better away for the past two seasons. I think we can get a result, but wouldn't be surprised with a defeat.

 

Second in the table? Time for a Fulhamish 3 points.

 

Some changes in the lineup:

Button
Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Odoi
McDonald, Norwood, Cairney
Ojo, Ayite, Sessegnon

Subs: Bettinelli, Edun, Johansen, de la Torre, Kebano, Fonte, Kamara

I'm not sure, but it looks like Sessegnon is getting pushed up top. Ojo makes a return and McDonald is back after his suspension.

 

Button out! The first three goals allowed were far too weak.

Sessegnon was a one man wrecking crew today. And welcome back Ojo.

 

In one game we scored more goals that we did in all of October. Also more than we did in all of August. We did that all with just 9 shots (7 on target). Compare that to the match against Bristol City when we took 21 shots, had 2 on target, and scored 0 goals. Oh, and we won with just 45% possession. This was not a typical Fulham match in any way - and that is okay with me. It would be nice if this is the new Fulham offensive style and this Ojo/Sessegnon pairing can keep scoring goals.

 

Highlights via Sheffield United:


I'd also like to point out that in this match Fulham scored 1/4 of all the goals scored against Sheffield United this season. What a weird night.

 

Defense was horrible, offense was spectacular. But we won. At this point, that's all that really matters. That, and we scored some bloody GOALS! Still trying to figure out how Ryan Sessegnon ended up at left back. He's clearly a striker. Not a midfielder. Not a winger. Not a defender. If we ever see him at left back again, ever, somebody needs to get fired and committed to a mental evaluation.