Fulham at Derby County

Unfortunately, I see a fourth straight loss here.
When last we left Derby, they were losing a playoff for promotion at Wembley to a miracle goal by one Bobby Zamora (remember him)? Which means they're still pretty good. Which means it'll be a miracle if we compete well enough on the road against another quality Championship opponent to earn a point, much less three.
Personally I'd be happy with some goals (plural). McCormack needs to start earning his fee. A proven goal scorer at this level not scoring is unacceptable. Whatever needs to happen to get him some looks needs to happen.
Derby has a good squad, including Leon Best who, you may remember, scored a brace for Newcastle a few years ago to beat us at the Cottage. He's been a second half sub for them so far this season. Zak Whitbread has started in one of their three matches so far, but has been an unused sub in the others.
COYW!

 

After two consecutive home losses to arguably lesser quality teams, I am with jump in predicting a loss. I just don't see how we will be able to turn it around on the road against one of the promotion favorites. Derby are also coming off of a loss and will be motivated to turn it around.

Your guess is as good as my two year old son's as to who will be named to the squad and who will start. FM mixes it up way more than I would like and this is the middle match of five over a two week stretch so there's bound too be changes.

 

The ghost of Brian Clough came to me and explained, with expletives, that Fulham would defeat Derby this week.

COYW

 

Made me think of this:



Here's hoping Steve McClaren isn't half as charming. By the way, if you haven't seen the movie, do yourself a favor and check it out.

 

I'll be tuning in to hear Jim's broadcast and hang in the chat room this time.

Have to say I've lost a bit of respect for old GJ though. Syncing video to his audio has revealed he isn't just biased, we all knew that, but his bias is almost on the fanboy level and a tad embarrassing. No wonder so many fans think the refs are screwing us. Heather and I were laughing at a few of his claims watching the Wolves "extended highlights".

 

Which is why I think they brought Davis on board.

I will miss the match as I will be imbibing beverages across the fair city of Frederick, Md. Another Sunday Funday replay it is

 

Oh c'mon Heather, get on board the Felix bandwagon. It's pure genius b/c if Magath doesn't know what we're going to do...and the team doesn't know what we're going to do...Derby won't know either.

 

I really don't see the first points of the season coming on the road at Derby. Therefore by the laws of Fulhamish there must be at least a point on offer today.

I'll be partaking in a day of high school soccer viewing so COYW'S & COY Knight's.

 

Fulhamish died 2 years ago. You have to actually win matches for it to exist.

Beating Derby Co away is not Fulhamish.

 

So we roll out with one lineup and formation v Ipswich and play them pretty close. He makes changes to the lineup and formation v Millwall, we get 5 shots in the box and on another day probably get a result. Then he makes radical changes for Wolves, we play easily our worst game of the season, and that's the lineup/formation he decides to stick with, with only one change?

Ok. We'll see how it works.

 

Only saw the first half, but, it seems this may be a breaking point. And yes, there are still 42 games left and we're 2 weeks into the new season. BUT:

• Fans are through with Felix. Histrionics aside, they are starting to have a case.
• After posting unfortunate but respectable totals in prior defeats this season; Fulham showed more Jol-era crap being outshot 23(14) to 10(5). Maybe it was just a bad day at the office against a very good team, but those numbers are totally unacceptable.
• Small sample size, but we're averaging 3 shots on target per game. No wonder we've scored...2 goals (one of which was really an OG). This is also totally unacceptable.
• I really hope to not see Joronen in net for another 6-12 months. No, not just because his team gave up 5 goals today. The fella has as little presence in the box and command of his CBs as I've ever seen. I'd take Tony Warner's 1-2 howlers per game over him. Or Stockdale...oh, wait.
• The active squad, as it stands (ie not including the 3-4 nebulously "frozen out") is mediocre at best. Sorry, but it's true. Yes, there are flashes of brilliance and immense promise here/there but the sum is not positive. Part of this may be due to lack of people management 101 (PUT PEOPLE IN CLEARLY DEFINED ROLES THEY CAN SUCCEED IN), part of it is due to age, part of it is due to several talented players stuck in purgatory for no evident reason.