Fulham v Brighton

Fulham host Brighton this Saturday at 1000 EST on Peacock. This match is sandwiched between two other away matches over a nine day period for Brighton - an FA Cup loss at Wolves on Wednesday and a Europa League match in Rome next Thursday. Based entirely on my perusing of recent results, Brighton have been up and down. So this one seems pretty hard to predict. Will we get the Brighton side that thrashed Crystal Palace 4-1 or the side that lost 0-4 to Luton?

Fulham are in a decent run of form - only one loss in their last five. Though the two draws they had could (should) have been wins. I’ve not heard any fitness updates but hope Willian is on the mend. I know for certain that the midfield will once again be missing Palhinha, but after last weekend’s performance, I’m less concerned about that as I have been in the past.

 

I found this hard to believe, but Fulham has back to back wins only once this season! It was those 5-0 victories against Forest and West Ham. I think Fulham has a good shot of doing it again vs. Brighton, but I think another draw is more likely. Palhinha's absence will probably be more apparent in this match than against Manchester United. Lots of people were singing Reed's praises in the last match, but I thought he was the weakest link in the midfield and I'd rather see Cairney get the start.

 

Fulham were well on the way to another 5-0 victory but couldn’t convert on a few golden opportunities. 3-0 is still sweet though. The team did very well defensively and played quick and direct when obtaining possession. Muniz was once again a beast. And now Fulham have only lost one of their last six league matches. This is fun.

 

That was a great win, but a bit of an odd match. How did it feel like Fulham dominated that match but only had 29% possession? Fulham was efficient with their possession, but at the same time wasteful. It should have been 3-0 much earlier. I guess that is just what happens when Fulham plays Brighton.

Muniz, once again, outstanding! He does all the work to create the chance for Wilson on the first goal and then just a perfect run onto Wilson's lovely cross. He totally bossed Brighton's back line until he finally ran out of gas.

How nice is it to be able to pull talent like Willian, Broja, and Traore off the bench late in the match? When healthy, Fulham has some great options to take advantage of a weary team pushing for late goals. Another fun match to watch, I hope it lasts for a little while longer than the December "run".

 

Another great morning. @MicahMan summed up my thoughts. How do you have so little possession but dominate? Can't wrap my head around. Not complaining, just can't understand it.

 

I'm really impressed with how Silva adjusted our style to foil Brighton. We're not usually a 30% possession team, but that was the right approach today. We really should have scored a few more. Now, since we're Fulham, I am worried about the game against Wolves that we should, on paper, win more easily than ManU or Brighton. If we win, we go up above them.

 

Agreed with what others have posted. It was a bit risky for Silva to set up so defensively, but considering Brighton had to rotate so many players, it would be have been riskier to take the game to Brighton and potentially expose ourselves. Basically, let them make the mistakes.

The wrinkle was, whereas last week versus United it was to stay compact and hit on the counter through the middle, today it was to force a turnover (or let them make a mistake) out wide and then break through the wings.

Also I think a Muniz personalized kit is in order?

 

Fantastic football on consecutive weeks (it's great to sit back and say 'Fulham should've scored more' in already impressive wins). And timmyg, do it...might be the first one ordered this side of the Atlantic. COYW
EA SPORTS Player shortlist for February....
Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham)
P4 W2 D1 L1 G4 A0
The 22-year-old Brazilian scored four goals in only 329 minutes of action, netting in three of four matches to help Fulham win twice and draw once, stepping up in the absence of injured striker Raul Jimenez.