Mid-Week Away to Southampton

Wednesday/Sunday this week, first up a 70 mile trip to Southampton before hosting the Undead on Sunday. The Saints are currently in 18th (7 points ahead of Fulham) and fighting for survival. Speaking of which, just want 90 minutes of fight, and as Timmy G pointed out a few more second half shots on goal. Let the ramshackle optimism begin!!!

 

(I started a thread for the same match, but Joe beat me by 90 seconds! Moved my post here...) A sure sign that Fulham is doomed is that the match thread barely gets posted in time for the match. Yes there is a game Wednesday versus Southampton, but does it even matter any more? Even a victory will bring very little joy. Except for the late April match vs. Cardiff, this is Fulham's best chance at getting a win for the rest of the season, yet I have trouble imagining 11 men showing up with enough effort or passion to win - what does anyone have to play for except possibly rescue by another club during the summer?

Southampton meanwhile is desperately trying to claw their way out of relegation. I predict an 2-0 win for the men in stripes with maybe a shot on target from Fulham.

 

A win would mean something but it would be a very small something.

 

Based on recent match form, I've decided to watch the first 15-20 minutes. Then I'll turn it off knowing that I witnessed all the energy and excitement that Fulham can muster these days.

 

Despite the fact that they’re one of the four teams we’ve managed to beat this season, I don’t see us beating them at their place. The only question is how much longer will the Khans stick with Ranieri? Unless they come right out and say he’ll be here next season, we should replace him after today. Ain’t no miracles here.

 

Kevin McDonald lives! Ranieri's brilliant. Always get as many Scottsmen as possible when you need to fight for a lost cause.

Rico
Odoi, Nordtveit, Ream, Bryan
Chambers, McDonald, Anguissa
Cairney, Mitrovic, Babel

Subs: Fabri, Christie, Sessegnon, Markovic, Cisse, Ayite, Vietto

 

Honestly think we will finish 20th. Derby’s record of giving up 89 goals in a 20 team Prem is within sight.

 

I do not know what we’re trying to accomplish at the moment. I do know that every second that Ranieri’s in charge is wasted time. If he stays much longer, we’ll end up in League One after next season. Even the most pragmatic manager gets that you can’t play a certain system without the players with the skills to execute it. The stars of today’s show? The traveling support who backed their side vociferously, then called out Tony K. with a pre-made sign. They seemingly teamed with the announcers when CR started making subs, calling him out for pulling Cairney first, something they had suggested might not make sense. The announcers (I don’t remember their names) did their homework, because they succinctly cited Fulham’s issues, background and possible solutions, both matchwise and long term, with stunning accuracy. The match, you say. What about the match? Safe to say Rico shouldn’t have punched out the corner that put it on a tee for their first one. The second, well, let’s just say that’s the type of goal losing teams concede. Our “attack” consisted of passing the ball around (mostly) our half of the pitch looking longingly for a forward opening that seldom materialized. We weren’t out of it at the end, but we might as well have been. No real threat to score to make things interesting. This manager is the wrong fit for this team at this time. The “risk free” appointment has proven otherwise. To deny that is to deny the obvious. Time to move on. This is too painful coming so soon after one of the club’s greatest achievements.
Again, props to the traveling support today. You were the MOTM’s.

 

Today was just terrible. I could critique it, but if you watched the majority of the matches this year then you know what happened. What's the point.

 

Pathetic. I just want this season to end. Now.