1. Our mental fortitude
2. Targett's injury - if he's not fit I'd keep Sess forward and rejig the back line. Maybe play Kalas and put Odoi at LB.
3. Derby scored a hatful today and will be confident.
The next match is the most important. The team and the manager must use today's set back as a strength to bounce back and storm Derbys Castle, not shrink into a shell and hide under a blade of grass, otherwise it will all be over very quickly for another year, and we will have nothing to show for it once again.
I do not think we will ever have a better opportunity.
Assuming of course the players and the manager are hurting enough to want to regroup and have the desire the appetite and the hunger to knock Derby over.
Play like pussycats again, and we will be sunk for at least another year.
If we cannot beat Derby over two legs, then we are nowhere near as good as we think we are.
3?.....I've only got one......
Quote from: Statto on May 06, 2018, 07:34:56 PM
Agree
Not sure I can really be bothered to go to the away leg, not feeling at all optimistic
And if we lose at pride park can I see this team replicating one of those juventus-type nights where we come back from the dead? No chance, I will struggle to motivate myself even to go to the home leg
Don't worry, I am sure there are lots of other Fulham fans who will jump at the opportunity to go to both matches to cheer the team on.
My 3 concerns are
Vydra
Vydra
Vydra
Come on we lose 1 game and suddenly the team are awful bottlers that deserve relegation? Go to the playoff games and cheer the boys on. We're well capable of beating Derby and have done so in recent weeks. I'm sure they're disappointed that they're facing us rather than Cardiff or Villa.
Quote from: EastEndWhite on May 06, 2018, 07:40:16 PM
Quote from: Statto on May 06, 2018, 07:34:56 PM
Agree
Not sure I can really be bothered to go to the away leg, not feeling at all optimistic
And if we lose at pride park can I see this team replicating one of those juventus-type nights where we come back from the dead? No chance, I will struggle to motivate myself even to go to the home leg
Don't worry, I am sure there are lots of other Fulham fans who will jump at the opportunity to go to both matches to cheer the team on.
:plus one:
The fallout today has really surprised me. Yes, we're all bitterly disappointed, particularly the players I expect. We've lost one game. Move on & get behind the players again, we all need to show some bottle now.
Show bottle,I'll be opening a few shortly😎
It is not losing today which is the biggest concern, it is the gradual dropping away in April.
One good period - 45 minutes against Milwall.
I listened to Radio London today and they agreed on this point.
Quote from: Statto on May 06, 2018, 07:34:56 PM
Agree
Not sure I can really be bothered to go to the away leg, not feeling at all optimistic
And if we lose at pride park can I see this team replicating one of those juventus-type nights where we come back from the dead? No chance, I will struggle to motivate myself even to go to the home leg
That's the spirit 😩
Quote from: Stoneleigh Loyalist on May 06, 2018, 08:21:04 PM
It is not losing today which is the biggest concern, it is the gradual dropping away in April.
One good period - 45 minutes against Milwall.
I listened to Radio London today and they agreed on this point.
This is true and it has been my concern however, it's now clearer than day to the players. No second chances at this stage. If they can't get fired up and give it there all now in the position we're in, they shouldn't be playing for the club.
I think we'll clme out firing and if we had scraped a draw today but not gone up I'd actually be a lot more worried. I think this is the kick up the arse we needed and also we can finally drop this stupid 22 unbeaten tag and 'oh they have to lose sometime.' Now we can just play our football.
My main concern is that with Sess and Piazon wide, we have little creativity down the flanks. Both technically good players, but at times we are too predictable. We need pace and threat as teams are getting better at countering our strength down the middle. Not just Sunderland, I'm thinking Brentford and QPR as well.
I for one , would absolutely love to be at the game Friday but cant as I have my stag weekend in Bournemouth to attend.I have asked my best men if I can blow it out for the game and we do something in Derby instead but have been told a resounding 'NO' and that I can watch it on Sky instead. I must make sure im not blotto by then ,the game is all that matters to me right now.COYW
Statto,please don't bother we need people to go that are going to get behind the team no matter what setbacks they have to overcome COYW 049:gif
Not only am I going up to Derby, but I shall chat up their women and drink their beer.
Come on Fulham FC get in there.
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on May 06, 2018, 09:37:10 PM
Not only am I going up to Derby, but I shall chat up their women and drink their beer.
Come on Fulham FC get in there.
You might take that back when you see them! ;)
Quote from: JoelH5 on May 06, 2018, 09:45:41 PM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on May 06, 2018, 09:37:10 PM
Not only am I going up to Derby, but I shall chat up their women and drink their beer.
Come on Fulham FC get in there.
You might take that back when you see them! ;)
I never thought of that :doh:
That's the spirit Statto.
We can't afford another slow start in this one, as we have done in the last 5-6 games, or they could blow us away & the tie be over before the home leg - or even half time in the first leg.
They've found a bit of form last few games, which is annoying. This is going to be a tough one.
I can't believe any player can't physic themselves up for the forthcoming fixtures, it now more about strength of character!
If the preparation is correct its a fresh start and no reason why we cant turn on the magic!
That goes for both teams but our relatively comfortable winning run in last season did nothing to affect our play off performances in a positive way!
It's reported Derby have won 4 of their last 16 games &, if I recall correctly, lost & conceded 4 goals at home to Sunderland recently. This semi-final is wide open. Lets hope it's not won by 'gamesmanship' like last season.
COYW
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on May 06, 2018, 09:37:10 PM
Not only am I going up to Derby, but I shall chat up their women and drink their beer.
Come on Fulham FC get in there.
Might be best if you drink first before you chat up their women.....
3 concerns....
My lift turns up
I'm not in a seat that gets rain on it
The M1 closure doesn't delay us too much going home.
No easy games ever,we will need bottle on the pitch,TC must set the example and craft backed up by the team ,the Whole team including the subs.
Also slav has to pick the best eleven!
So BELIEVE on the pitch and off the pitch
BELIEVE!
Hi Guys,
Ram fan here and come in peace.
Really surprised you didn't gain automatic promotion,think the way you've been playing and your fantastic run should have got you over the line.
We have blown hot and cold all season and our expectations at best was to reach the play offs,however having had a decent run before Xmas putting us second.Promotion became a realistic ambition for the fans.
We have a squad full of oldies,experienced heads a squad mixed with signings from four different managers in two years.
Gary Rowett hasn't always played formations or a style we have wanted and has received criticism even when results have gone our way, but we our in the play offs having recently destroyed Cardiff and drawn with Villa. Probably looking as good as we have all season,probably due to Cameron Jerome actually starting to put in a shift rather than just falling on his arse.
As many would want to avoid you in the play offs,your last few games have given us optimism. On our day we can beat anyone in this division,it's just we never quite know what Derby team will turn up,and GR baffles us at times with formations tactics and substitutions which won't make it easy for you guys to prepare against us at our place.
Truly sorry you guys didn't get second and can't wish you any luck ,but let's hope it's a cracking tie.
Should you not go up ,you have the ability to do it next season. Unlike Derby that require a squad overhaul due to ageing players and a mish mash of a squad.Hoping we play offensive football at ours and get you unsettled early on to have any chance of winning over two legs.
Too all of you travelling enjoy the pride park experience but hopefully not the result😊.