Fulham @ Basel

You know, thinking about that quote from Roy, I think it's a motivational tactic to fire up the players who are "not what [he considers his] best team." If you say "I'm going to play these second-string players and I think they're good enough to beat Basel" then those players get complacent, but if you say "I'm going to play these second-string players because I've decided I don't care about advancing in this competition" then you're implicitly stating that you don't think the second-string players are good enough to win and advance in the competition, and you fire those players up to prove you wrong.

 

I still don't get why we don't take this competition as serious as the league. This is fucking Europe. We simply act like we don't care. I can handle playing the 2nd string in Sofia, but what the hell are we doing even thinking about doing this in one of the biggest matches in our history? It doesn't make sense.


I think we win and I hope we take the knockout rounds seriously.

 

You bring up a good point but consider this:

1) Two of our leading strikers are injured (AJ and Kamz)
2) Our third striker is suspended (Nevland)
3) Our left back is suspended (Konchesky)
4) Our makeshift middie will be suspended (Baird)
5) Another middie is just coming back from suspension (Greening)
6) Our defensive middie is injured (Etuhu)
7) Our captain is no longer injured, but not match fit (Murphy)
8) The mercurial Welshman is still injured (Davies)

So with all that, it's a little difficult to say "we will play our best team."

But on the flip side, the fact that we're a win away from advancing is astounding.

 

Hold on, why is Baird suspended?

 

He got booked last game, his third yellow (others against Basel and at Roma). Ergo one game suspension.

 

It's VERY non-sensical. Every team in every league busts their ass to move up the table and "qualify for Europe". Then when some of them get there, they (the one's from the Premiership especially) act like it's not a concern or interest of theirs.

I'm telling you, it appears to be part of the English psyche. When faced with the possibility of defeat, they just act like they don't care. Which, if you think about it, is a nifty little defense mechanism. I believe they call that saving face, and the English, from the Queen down, have nearly perfected it.

Exhibit A: Just ask an Englishman who won the Revolutionary War.

 

Huh. Certainly a sign of strange times when I'm upset that Baird will be out. Do we even have enough guys who are A) healthy, B) not suspended, and C) on the squad list for the Europa League to make up a full starting eleven and seven subs?

 

In a cab on my way to heathrow. Expect to see a few othe red, black, and white scarfs there.


It looks like its going to be colder than a well digger's ass tomorrow (at least for this Texan...and I have never tested the well digger theory on coldness, just taken as read).


I will try to take some decent Pics. If any turn out worthy, I will post them when I get back.

Not too worried about who Roy trots out there, they'll get my support regardless. Heard Dempsey and duff may be on the pine.


Freaking amped up for the European tour!!! May it continue after tomorrow.

COYWs!!

 

Sitting in A pub full to the rafters with fulham fans. Singing has already started. A little blue flag up your ass and a little craven cottage by the river at full tilt. Nice!

 

Oh yeah 9 bucks for a pint of the Black stuff. Painful, painful. But all of Switzerland is like that.

 

Damn, coffee is expensive in Switzerland, at least for 9 bucks they give you a pint of it! :roll:

o sullyvan, enjoy the experience, sing your heart out, give us a match report, and take back a W to London.

 

Man, probably the most anticipation and excitement I've felt for a FULHAM Match yet!!!


COOOOOOOOOOOOOOME OOONNNNNN YOOUUUUUUUU WHIIIIIIIIIITESSSSSS!!!!!

 

I know we're on tape delay on GolTV but do any of you satellite subscribers know if the game's being carried live today in the US?

 

Guinness that is! Will do on the report. I imagine there will be close to a couple of thousand fulhan fans there.

On a tram to the match. Sardines!

Coyws!

 

It's 20 degrees and snowing. Great (american) football weather.

Let's make Basle a winter wonderland tonight!

 

COYW's!

 

WE ARE THRU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The DREAM Lives On!!!!


I'm dreaming of a Whites Euuurope....

 

Well that was exciting. 8)