Fulham at Millwall - EFL Cup

Fulham are back at the Den for the third round of the EFL Cup. The last visit to the Den back in April was an enjoyable 3-0 thrashing of Millwall that included probably the best shot that McDonald has ever had (certainly better than the one he bounced in off of his behind). The win put Fulham into 2nd place briefly, but Cardiff had two games in hand and you know the rest.

The win was against a Millwall side that was playing some of their best football. They had gone on a win streak of their own and briefly laid claim to a playoff spot. This season has seen Millwall's fortunes turn and they now sit in the relegation zone with just one point from their last five. In the second round of the EFL Cup Millwall needed two goals from their "B" squad in the last 10 minutes to come from behind and defeat League One's cellar dwellers - Plymouth.

If Jokanovic approaches this match like he did in round 2, we'll likely see everyone who's a potential starter who didn't get a start on Saturday. The name we'll be most interested to see is Tim Ream - will he be fit enough to make any kind of appearance?

Fulham has made it to the fourth round of the EFL Cup only 2 times in the last 13 years bowing out to Bristol Rovers last year and Bristol City the year prior. Fulham should be able to field a strong team against a struggling Millwall squad, and since the opponent isn't from Bristol, I have to like our chances.

 

I would think we would see Tim at some point. Don't necessarily think he should start, but most hour mark subs aren't defenders, so we'll see what Slav comes up with. Could even see him out on the left or as a defensive mid. It'll be interesting to see if Milwall press us high or let us work out of the back, at least up to the halfway line. Kind of hoping they go for the forechecking strategy. We need the practice.

 

Not only do we get to see Tim Ream in action again, but we also get to see a different 3-4-3 formation. I didn't look anything up, but I don't think Fulham's record is very good when going away from the 4-3-3. There are also a few more youngsters on the squad compared to when we played in Round 2 of the EFL Cup.

The starting XI:
Rico
S. Sessegnon, Ream, LeMarchand
Christie, McDonald, Anguissa, Bryan
De La Torre, Kamara, Ayite

Subs: Fabri, Odoi, Chambers, O'Riley, Cisse, Elliot, Mitrovic

 

COYW! And a very, very young debut for a White today.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/sep/25/millwall-fulham-carabao-cup-match-report

It was a moment to further age the hard-bitten souls in attendance. In the 81st minute of this Carabao Cup tie, Slavisa Jokanovic sent on Harvey Elliott for his professional debut. The Fulham winger was 15 years and 174 days old.

The Surrey schoolboy became the youngest player to appear for Fulhamwhile it is also believed that he became the most youthful player in this competition’s history. Records are a little hazy because of data protection laws.
What is more, Elliott had some nice touches, showcasing his balance and low centre of gravity, although the most spectacular interlude of a one-sided occasion had come a little earlier.

Cyrus Christie does not score too many but he unfurled a classic to open his Fulham account, as his club made light work of Millwall. The wing-back, who joined from Middlesbrough in January, collected the ball on the right before cutting inside and curling a left-footed beauty from 25 yards into the far corner to close out a 3-1 win.

Neil Harris, the Millwall manager, made eight changes to his struggling Championship team for this match, advertising where his priorities lay, and they were well beaten.

Fulham were into their stride at the outset and they went ahead with a smartly taken goal. Luca de la Torre, revelling in the free role behind the strikers, worked the ball out left and Joe Bryan was able to advance into space inside the area. The wing-back took a touch before lashing low into the far corner.

Slavisa Jokanovic made 10 changes to his Fulham team while he also switched to a back three system but there was cohesion from his stand‑ins. They manipulated the ball with an impressive slickness and, for long spells, Millwall chased shadows.

The Fulham support packed the top tier of the away enclosure and their first-half supremacy was so pronounced that they could ask their goalkeeper, Sergio Rico, for a wave and he could oblige. There was a pantomime bad guy interlude from Alexandar Mitrovic midway through the first half when the substitute came out to warm up and he cupped his ears to the Millwall fans. It drew the desired reaction and Mitrovic loved it.

Fulham ought to have been further in front by half-time, as Millwall laboured to make any inroads or, indeed, get close to their opponents. De la Torre had two glorious chances only to be denied by Ben Amos; Kevin McDonald fizzed wide from distance and Tim Ream had a shot blocked after a corner. Millwall were booed off at the interval.
Harris had to do something and he reshuffled to 3-5-2 for the second half. It seemed as though he had also delivered a rocket because his players showed a bit more intensity upon the restart. They were soon further behind when De la Torre got the goal he had threatened. Floyd Ayité’s low cross was precise; De la Torre took a touch and fired home.

Millwall fashioned a lifeline when Tom Elliott rose to force home Shane Ferguson’s corner and, briefly, the hosts hinted at the unlikeliest of comebacks. But Christie’s blast ensured that the established order was restored.

 

https://www.yoursoccerdose.com/2018/09/25/millwall-vs-fulham-highlights/

 

I hope Dave Sarachan is watching.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...lham-boss-slavisa-jokanovic-selection-dilemma

 

Highlights via Millwall: