Fulham at Burnley

We beat them at the Cottage in August, but only because we out scored them 4-2. Burnley are the proverbial box of chocolates. But has anybody, anywhere, done more with less than Sean Dyche? Again, I’m more interested in our approach. Or, more specifically, whether or not we improve. At this point, I just don’t want to be embarrassed to be a Fulham supporter. I’ve accepted the fact we’re going to be relegated again. I just want to see us compete.

 

As I mentioned in the post about the relegation outlook, if Fulham are going to stay up then they have to win a couple matches on the road. We play three of the five worst teams at home between now and the end of February - Burnley, Crystal Palace, and Southampton. I figure at 2 out of 3 of those match-ups need to be wins if the club is to turn things around.

Burnley has the second worst defense (you know who's the worst) but all three of their home wins have been shut-outs. Getting the first goal will be huge for either team because of the opportunities that will become available as the opposition is forced to stretch things out moving forward.

 

Beat them with a 4-3-3 lineup that included TFM, Vietto, KMac and Seri, all going the full 90. This week is likely to look much different, but let's hope with an equally good result. Fulham dominated possession (64%-36%) and shots on target (12-2).

 

This week will most definitely look different. The question is: different bad, or different good. Joka was still in charge in that one, Betts got his first start and things seemed to be improving. Fool’s gold, as it turned out. They’re notoriously tougher at home, so we’ll have to be better to beat them again.

 

Complicating matters is Fulham haven't won at Turf Moor since like 1951 or something. I dont see us winning this one, sadly. A frustrating draw is a realistic goal.

 

Is it possible not to improve on the Oldham match? That has to have been damn near rock bottom.

 

The result of a match on 1/12/19 shouldn't determine the club's survival...but this one is it, if not painfully, damningly close.
COYW

 

Let's hope these guys can put the shame of the FA Cup behind us and get some points today:

Rico
Odoi, LeMarchand, Ream
Christie, Seri, Chambers, Bryan
Schurrle, Mitrovic, Sessegnon

Subs: Bettinelli, S. Sessegnon, Cisse, Cairney, Kebano, Vietto, Ayite

Despite his struggles, I'd rather see Cairney start than Seri, but I'm glad Sessegnon gets to start.

 

Did not see the first half but did see the replays of the OGs. Second half we pushed like crazy but to no avail. To our detriment, Heaton was en fuego. Starting to think seriously about a trip in the spring so that I can see some premier league action at the Cottage as it does't look like there will be an opportunity to do that for the 19/20 season. This stinks. Praying for a Great Escape at this point.

 

Is there a list of you-gotta-be-kidding-me ways to lose? I'm sure we've checked quite a few of the boxes by now.

 

@sacffc summed it up perfectly, how does other team not get a shot on target for 90 minutes, Fulham is credited with all 3 goals, and walk away with zero points?

 

Buzzard's luck.

 

May 26th seems like an eternity ago now.

 

I think they very epitome of this team is scoring 3 goals, holding the opponents to none, and losing the match.

 

I think the definition of "Fulhamish" needs to be updated to provide a link to this game.

The one positive for me (and I only saw the second half) was it looked like I was seeing the re-emergence of Sheriff Ream at the back.

 

Dude.

 

To be fair, they deserved the goals on the balance of play in the first half. At some point after Schurrle’s sensational opener, we made a U turn. The pressure they put us under that led to the OG’s was pretty intense, but, on another day, yeah, we keep them out. There’s an old saying (cliche’?) that you make your own luck. When you’re losing, that seems pretty hollow.

 

Good news: I get to see all of Fulham’s remaining matches this season.

Bad news: I get to see all of Fulham’s remaining matches this season.

 

16 matches to turn it around. At this point I can’t see it happening.