Fulham @ Sjoke

Actually, they are anything but a joke -- that honor goes to the black-and-white team they stole a point from yesterday with a goal at the dying moments. I've seen them a little this year, and you know what you are getting from them -- an ugly, tough team that will shoot the long balls and try to bludgeon you into submission. I have to say I have a soft spot for teams that play that way, as long as they don't line up against Fulham. Then they can go to hell.

We've had issues with teams that do that this year -- Blackburn (for God's sakes), the home draw v. Sunderland, even Burnley.

They are limited in weapons though, Fuller doesn't scare me, neither does Sidibe, and they lead Stoke in goals scored. Hangman and Hughes should be able to neutralize Delap's long throws, and their attacking mids too. We can and should control the midfield, and we'll see if our front line can stand the hacks they will give them from the Stoke back line.

No predictions because I'm too conscious of a jinx. We need to win a road game sooner rather than later, and this is one that can be had though. I'll defer to the Englishmen on the board about the Brittania, but I saw in an interview that Jay DeMerit gave that this is his least favorite ground in England, so I'll take his word for it.

Come on Fulham!

 

These are all valid points with respect to Stoke's style of play. That said, their lack of quality means that this really should be a win for FFC. This squad (Fulham) is better than last year's that couldn't close a deal against Derby. The defense is much stingier and the strikers up front are, well, strikers.

I expect 3 points against Stoke City and I certainly would think that Roy will expect the same from his team.

 

Livesoccertv.com says delayed coverage on Setanta at 6:45pm Saturday; live coverage TBA (I'm guessing none).

 

You lose a bunch of Americans and the team is a little less desirable for American TV?

Granted we still have Dempsey, but when this squad had 3-4 guys, it was a lot easier to sell for TV.

 

Given the description of Stoke's play, you'd think he'd be better served to wait on putting Gera back in for the Boro match. I think BobbyZ stands up to the hacking and nets in this one and the good guys leave Stoke with a 1-0 victory. COYW!!

FSC seems to be worse across the board to me this year for some reason, but the primary reason being our decreased presence in their scheduling. Agree, it's probably the decrease in Americans at FFC, but more specifically, the absence of McBride.

 

Perhaps Setanta has a Fulham fan in the fold because I feel like I have seen almost every match this season.

 

I understand showing the Top 4, but if I see another Newcastle match I am gonna puke... :?

PS- That "9th" looks nice.
MK

 

Demps did seem to slide a little. To me - he has lost something, and I am expect Roy will sit him again to get him fired up.

I will say this tho - It is cool to see that he gets hammered any time he touches the ball early in each match. Shows me that the opposition fear him enough to knock him around and try to put him off.

The problem is - it seems to work.

As far as the Stoke match - I believe that this must be 3 points.

 

I think we have to get though the first 15 minutes and then pass then to death,get them to run themselve stupid and then put them to the sword(sounds easy when you write it down lol)
A bold 2-nil to the Fulham,and.....................BobZ to score!

I have faith in that back 4 of ours and that big bear of a bloke between the sticks!

 

I have a bad feeling about this match. I think we draw or lose. I hope I am very wrong.

 

the thing is this season is so tight every game is a must win,if drop 6 points before new Year and other games go against us we could be right back in the mix,nothing to panic about just yet but it must be in the back of players minds!

 

Getting 3 points from Stoke (any team below us in the table) is really like gaining 6 points. These are the games we need to make sure we don't lose.

 

Exactly the reason I said it MUST be 3 points. The draw has kept Fulham hovering just above the the bottom 1/4, but one loss against a team around and below will spell "Relegation Battle."

I am happy with the draw against teams above us, and also away from home, but we have to start taking the 3 points at home to be able to keep the table from overtaking us. Fulham is only 2 points clear of 16th, and 5 points clear of the Relegation Zone!

This MUST be 3 points!

 

I couldn't agree more ... they have to take three from this one.
Drawing at Anfield and Villa Park are good results for sure, but we've got to beat teams below us in the table (whether away or at home) if Fulham are going to steer clear of the relegation battle to come.

Given how physical Stoke is I'd like to see Kallio instead of Konch, but doubt that'll happen.

I'll predict a 2-0 victory for the good guys with goals coming from AJ and Demps. AJ's got the pace to beat Stoke's back line and I think that Demps is about due.

COYW!!!

 

That current 9th place standing looks so nice on paper, I don't care what the reality of the situation is (yet).

1-0 Cottagers (Dempsey, 72')

COYW

 

hmm no setanta xtra even? unless we can find a feed looks like a return to GJ.

and as everyone is aware, i'm quite intrigued by this one.

COYW!!!!!!