Fulham away to Twente

Going up against an in-form Twente on Thurs. in Holland. Will the managers for both sides roll out their regular starting XI's? Twente has a 3 pt lead and a +3 in GD over Fulham, so a win is a must to have a chance to win the group on the final matchday at home.

 

A win is a must to top the group. 2nd place will also see Fulham through, but a class opponent would be lurking.

COYW

 

According to soccernet; Dempsey (thigh), Bairdinho (personal reasons), Sidwell (hernia), and Ruiz (cup tied) not making the trip.

 

Is there anywhere to listen to live audio of the match? I'm actually home and unoccupied when Fulham's playing (for a change, I've seen a lot of matches on DVR this season) and I know Gentleman Jim doesn't do Europa League matches. I'm going to put up the Soccernet Gamecast, but it's not nearly the same...

Also, I just saw the lineups, apparently we're in a 4-3-3 formation with Zamora, Johnson and Dembele upfront (according to Soccernet anyway)- it's also nice that both Hughes and Davies are fit again.

~ Steve

EDIT: The live audio on UEFA's site is free if you register. So there's that, not quite the enthusiasm of GJ, but I'll deal.

 

Steve- You can also connect to the BBC via the offal.

 

I'd have rather seen guys like Zamora and Murphy get a rest in this one. To me, keeping them fresh in the Prem trumps winning the group since we're going through anyway.

Whole lot of midfield passing in this one so far. And Duff has left early due to injury.

 

At the half, BBC has possession at 50/50 but it hasn't felt that way. Fulham have 0 shots, 0 corners, and it feels like we're playing a very disciplined defense and looking to steal it on the counter.

 

Well, that was disappointing. From the commentary I heard, both sides had a few good chances they didn't put away- but the announcer got pretty excited about two Johnson chances that he put wide. He got sent off at the end for a pretty pointless second yellow. I suppose I can't heap too much anger on the guy, he at least created chances and his 5 Europa League goals have gotten us where we are, but still...

The good news- if we beat Odense at the Cottage we're through, if Wisla draws against Twente and we don't lose by 8 goals we're through, if Wisla loses we're through. The only scenarios where we don't go through are if we lose and Wisla draws or wins or if we draw and Wisla wins. I'd put good money on us going through.

~ Steve

Edit: Also, I guess I just imagined that Davies was on the bench for this one. It'd be nice to see him back, especially if Duff's injury is serious.

 

Sorry Heather, didn't check the chatroom earlier.

Can't speak for the first 55 minutes, but watched the rest and thought for sure it was going to end 0-0. Riise would have easily intercepted that ball near midfield, but slips and Bejhani takes off down the middle (where was Etuhu all night??) and sets up the winner in the 89th. Thoughts of the 35 minutes I did see;

Krei; has pace to burn and wasn't afraid to run at them.

AJ; not sure at all about the second yellow in stoppage, worked hard, but should of done better on that chance around the 60th.

BZ; He doesn't get his scoring boots back on soon and we are in for a lot of frustration. He is incredibly streaky and that Everton miss is still lingering. He was a non-factor except for that clever free kick where his beautiful flick from Murphy barely missed. When strikers are hot, that one goes in. Right now he is ice cold.

 

When was the last time Fulham scored via their own player? I can't recall...and that's sad.

 

I had to look it up. It appears it was a month ago (Sidwell) against Wisla....discouraging.