Fulham-Brentford Derby

Friday (espn+) showdown w/our neighbors. They’ve been explosive, but not impervious to some bad losses. Perfect time to put some space between us and the pack trailing and some footsteps in the ears of the two clubs up top. However, it’s going to take a huge effort from the team and the supporters.

 

Fulham really needs to make a positive showing in this matchup after a pretty disappointing display against Brentford in December (Bristol City and Brentford were the bookends on Fulham's three game skid). Brentford won 1-0, but it should have been an even worse defeat for Fulham. It was a classic poor performance this season for Fulham. There were a couple of instances where Fulham lost the ball playing up from the back. Fulham also had most of the possession but did very little with it. Brentford had three shots bounce off the post and had 7 shots on target (the three off the post not included in that) to Fulham's 2.

Prior to their 5-0 shellacking of Huddersfield on Saturday, Brentford hadn't won in five matches with 4 draws and a loss (to Luton!). Despite that dip in form Brentford still come to Craven Cottage with the top scoring offense (thanks to the previously mentioned 5 goals last week) and the second fewest goals allowed. On the plus side for Fulham, no team has earned more points at home in the Championship. As Joe said Fulham needs the team and the home fans to put in a good performance in this game to get three points. As of now, fans will still be allowed at the match although I still wouldn't be surprised if things end up being played in front of empty stands.

 

There well may be more at stake than usual in this derby (if it’s played). With the Coronavirus pandemic causing havoc with life as we know it almost everywhere else, there’s more than a fair chance that this could be our last fixture this season. And if that happens, it’s also likely that whoever finishes third will also be automatically promoted. It is imperative that we stay at least third for however much longer we end up playing. I’m sure everyone at the club realizes this and is preparing accordingly.

 

@jumpkutz I hadn't thought of that at all, but you could very well be right. I just saw the FSU basketball (basketball!) team win the ACC so anything is possible!

For now this game is going on as planned: http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/march/12/coronavirus-latest-information-and-advice

 

All EFL matches, including all Championship matches, have been suspended until April 3rd at the earliest.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/march/13/club-statement

All Premier League matches have been postponed as well:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51867989

 

Does anyone know if there is a precedence for this happening?

 

I need to research more, but I don't think there's any English precedence for leagues being suspended so late into the season. Play was abandoned in September 1939 and mini regional leagues were set up. League was cancelled in 1915 before the 15-16 season started. I'm sure there's an example on the continent of this happening.

I'm honestly stunned there's nothing in the EPL or EFL bylaws about this type of "act of god" scenario when >75% of the season has been completed. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, but, still.

 

People rarely plan for the unthinkable. Death and the every day we think about. War, natural disasters and other such calamities are not in most planning guides.

 

Just wanted to bump this thread up to the top of the forum since it was started over three months ago!

Nine matches to go - four of them against the other teams in the top 5 with Fulham. That is a challenge and an opportunity. It clearly is tough opposition, but it also gives Fulham the chance to close the six point gap to 2nd place with a couple of "6-pointers". It all starts Saturday against 4th place Brentford.

 

COYW. 1-0 good guys Saturday. Oh, and Leeds loses

 

Match preview from another website. COYW
https://www.thestatszone.com/footba...fulham-vs-brentford-preview-prediction-998526

THE FACTS

When does Fulham vs Brentford kick off? Saturday 20th June, 2020 – 12:30 (UK)

Where is Fulham vs Brentford being played? Craven Cottage

THE TEAM NEWS

FULHAM

• Fulham sit third in the SkyBet Championship table, six points away from second placed West Brom going into the resumption of fixtures.
• They were unbeaten in their last four Championship matches before the season was suspended, including winning their last two games at Craven Cottage.
• Manager Scott Parker has not revealed any injury worries ahead of the match, with the break allowing him to recoup many of his injuried players.

BRENTFORD

• Brentford are rooted in the SkyBet Championship playoffs in fourth place, just four points behind Fulham.
• They picked up a 2-3 win over Arsenal in a behind closed doors friendly at the Emirates Stadium leading up to this fixture.
• Midfielder Sergi Canos is a doubt for this match, as he looks to make his comeback from a serious injury, however Pontus Jansson should be fit to play.

THE PREDICTION

The SkyBet Championship season returns to action with a London derby as third takes on fourth at Craven Cottage. Realistically, Fulham look like the only side who can stop the two automatic promotion places from going to Leeds and West Brom. They cannot afford to slip up in their first fixture back, but with home advantage and all their players seemingly back available, the Whites should pick up a narrow win over their local rivals.

 

Re-upped ESPN+ and streaming this morning. Quality is damn good. Maybe because everyone is still asleep.

 

Answer: Not a coincidence. When he came on I said "oh no". On both goals I think Arter pulled up expecting an offside call that just gave Brentford the space they needed.

I was surprised when the announcer said that DeCordova-Reid had five goals because I can only remember all of his missed opportunities! I feel like he's had more go off the woodwork than in the net and he added another to that total today. Seems like he's been unlucky and I wish it would break.

Fulham also made a number of chances for Mitrovic, but he couldn't head the ball far enough away from the keeper. I thought at first that he was onside for the goal that was called back, but there was no touch as it came through and was a good call.

I think Harrison Reed had his best game of the season out there. Hopefully the knock that took him off early is nothing serious.

The fake crowd noise needs to remove 90% of "When the Whites Come Marching In" and add in some appropriately timed "REEEAAAAMMMMM" cheers.

If not for Arter, I think Fulham deserved a draw today - but that still wouldn't have been good enough to push for automatic promotion. Playoffs look like a near certainty, so Fulham needs to play well in these other matches against top teams to have confidence in the post-season.

 

Beyond disappointing. We’ve clearly been working on getting the ball out from the back under pressure. We’re just as clearly not able or equipped to do it.
I thought our energy was good, but they outshot us and generated the better chances. Mitro was just unlucky on the header that their keeper saved, just too close, although credit to him for a fine reflex effort.
I’m beginning to think Scott Parker is not ready to manage at this level. Inconsistent performances plus the same mistakes over and over without effective adjustments are the telltale signs of an unseasoned manager. We’re still in good shape for the playoffs, but we don’t figure to last very long with outings like this.

 

True, the goals did come right after Arter’s introduction but Fulham’s left side was open for business all day. It seemed to me that Bryan and Kebano, then Cavaleiro were not communicating or perhaps not having the awareness as to where the other one was.

Hector has been a great addition but I’m overly worried that the defense is still sorely lacking for a club seeking promotion. If they do earn promotion, shoring up the defense is a must. I don’t want to see a remake of the 2018-2019 season.

 

If you showed me on a map where Mitrovic had his headers I would say 'I bet he had at least two goals.'

Overall we looked disorganized on the attack. I thought Joe Bryan who I normally adore looked lost out there. That was the worst game i can remember him playing. This was a very frustrating early morning.