Burtons last 6 games have brought 3 loses, 2 draws and 1 impressive 3-0 win away to Sheffield Wednesday.
However, Burton currently sit 3rd from bottom on the Championship, 2pts off bottom place Sunderland.
After our 'smash & grab' win away to Middlesbrough on Saturday, and now only 1pt off the playoffs, what do Fulham have to do to grab all 3pts here?
As always, this type of game is a potential banana skin for Fulham, but, what does Slav have to do, what Team will he put out, will he risk playing Tom Cairney, what will the score be?
Please discuss.
Buy Jackson Irvine off them before Saturday and there buggered
Whoops he's with Hull City...... that's good then
Quote from: Friendsoffulham on January 15, 2018, 09:25:54 PM
Burtons last 5 games have brought 3 loses, 2 draws and 1 impressive 3-0 win away to Sheffield Wednesday.
However, Burton currently sit 3rd from bottom on the Championship, 2pts off bottom place Sunderland.
After our 'smash & grab' win away to Middlesbrough on Saturday, and now only 1pt off the playoffs, what do Fulham have to do to grab all 3pts here?
As always, this type of game is a potential banana skin for Fulham, but, what does Slav have to do, what Team will he put out, will he risk playing Tom Cairney, what will the score be?
Please discuss.
Last 5 games, 3 losses, 2 draws and an impressive win, isn't that 6 games (lol)? We will all have to hold a bible and pray hard with a large stiff drink on stand by when things are on a knife edge, don't buy any bananas as you say they can be dangerous especially for Fulham supporters. The team Slav will put out will depend on what happens in the t/fr market the next few days and whether he feels he has a future at Fulham, that I can't answer! He shouldn't even consider playing TC!!! We should be good enough to beat Burton whatever team is picked without TC. Score prediction is 3-1 to us!!
Seriously, we didn't get either of our fullbacks beyond theirs on Saturday. If we start to get down the flanks can see nothing but woe for Burton.
Match Fred with Neeskens down the right.
Odoi and Sess on the left and leave the CB duties to Ream and Kalas. TC on the bench again. Ojo on the bench too.
Can see TC on the bench and a victory sat it may be tight.
The last thing we need is any complacency....or first come to that.... :doh:
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I'm sure Slav and the players will approach this game with a professional attitude.
This is exactly the type of game where we can come a cropper, at home laying a team desperate for points, who will probably have 10 men behind the ball, and try to hit us on he break.
It would be good if TC is fit, we need his passes to unlock a massed defence, but I fear he won't be fit. Norwood is a good replacement though.
Quote from: Twig on January 15, 2018, 10:13:46 PM
Odoi and Sess on the left and leave the CB duties to Ream and Kalas. TC on the bench again. Ojo on the bench too.
How I wish we could clone Mr Odoi. I have the utmost regard for him in spite of the occasional lapses of sensibility he incorporates to his game. He was exceptional on Saturday when needed either in central defence or covering on the left. One thing that was very encouraging on Saturday was how we still had bags of energy left in the final twenty minutes of the game and that may be the key for us. Play Odoi in defence first half and keep a clean sheet, then switch to Kalas and release Ryan Sessegnon second half. If we can plunder a goal or two first half even better. Ojo to bench and play Kebano from the start.
Start with Odoi at LB (he is easily good enough) and Kalas at CB (as is he) - push Sessegnon further up - which is his real strength (defending is not yet up to required level IMO) - and when we get chances, we have to take them otherwise this is a potential banana-skin as Burton will surely work their socks off, and I suspect will be hard to break down without the creativity of Cearney.
I hope I am wrong and that we run out comfortable 5-0 winners! COYW!
I just checked the form tables and was surprised to see that Burton's away form is second only to Derby in the last 4 matches and 4th in the last 8 matches. The are terrible at home, worst team by far in the last 8 matches but their away form is actually very good. Certainly a lot better than I suspected. They have won their last three (league) matches away!
I'm actually relieved to see this. I can't see them getting a fourth win away. Let's give them a long overdue thrashing!
What yet another rest for TC, soon we will be saying he is not match fit.
AK, Kebano and Sess up front to start with, Ojo too inconsistent in my opinion!
Quote from: filham on January 16, 2018, 10:36:38 AM
What yet another rest for TC, soon we will be saying he is not match fit.
Did you not know he has a bit of a knee problem that seems to be reoccurring recently, I am sure you do, rest him as often as possible to give time to recover, have him on bench and only bring on if necessary.
Normally I'd be posting with the normal "we will lose 2-1 or 1-0 and it'll be a flat, disappointing game where we never get going".
However I actually sense the opposite. I think it could be 3-0 or 4-0. I literally have no idea how we are where we are given how poorly we've played this season but I have no doubt we will be in the playoffs come the end.
We definitely can't be complacent about this game. Don't forget Burton have already beaten us once this season (2-1 at their ground back in September), and that was during a bad spell when they were being walloped by the likes of Leeds and Aston Villa.
Hopefully we'll continue the good run of form we've been showing recently, but I'm not overly confident. These are the kinds of games we often disappoint in!
Quote from: alfie on January 16, 2018, 12:14:45 PM
Quote from: filham on January 16, 2018, 10:36:38 AM
What yet another rest for TC, soon we will be saying he is not match fit.
Did you not know he has a bit of a knee problem that seems to be reoccurring recently, I am sure you do, rest him as often as possible to give time to recover, have him on bench and only bring on if necessary.
He has had the knee problem all season and missed a good amount of playing time already. Is it our intention to play out the remaining nineteen games of the season playing Cairney only against top teams or in the second half of matches when we are losing. This sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.
Quote from: filham on January 16, 2018, 04:44:32 PM
Quote from: alfie on January 16, 2018, 12:14:45 PM
Quote from: filham on January 16, 2018, 10:36:38 AM
What yet another rest for TC, soon we will be saying he is not match fit.
Did you not know he has a bit of a knee problem that seems to be reoccurring recently, I am sure you do, rest him as often as possible to give time to recover, have him on bench and only bring on if necessary.
He has had the knee problem all season and missed a good amount of playing time already. Is it our intention to play out the remaining nineteen games of the season playing Cairney only against top teams or in the second half of matches when we are losing. This sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.
Would you prefer he risks long term injury by playing full games when his knee's clearly not right?
Surely it would be better to rest him completely to make sure he's fully fit when it comes to the crunch games at the end of the season?
Quote from: filham on January 16, 2018, 04:44:32 PM
Quote from: alfie on January 16, 2018, 12:14:45 PM
Quote from: filham on January 16, 2018, 10:36:38 AM
What yet another rest for TC, soon we will be saying he is not match fit.
Did you not know he has a bit of a knee problem that seems to be reoccurring recently, I am sure you do, rest him as often as possible to give time to recover, have him on bench and only bring on if necessary.
He has had the knee problem all season and missed a good amount of playing time already. Is it our intention to play out the remaining nineteen games of the season playing Cairney only against top teams or in the second half of matches when we are losing. This sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.
If Cairney's knee is not right then it must be a risk for him to play in Championship matches at all. Best for use of the knee and treatment to be based purely on medical advice rather than Fulham trying to cherry pick suitable matches.
TCs knee problem is not going away it seems so makes sense to rest it and v Burton if we have the play offs target without TC shouldn't be a problem .as long as the whole team start from the off as man for man we have better players than them.
I went to the defeat at Burton they had a very lucky (non existent) penalty and we should have drawn at least that game.
Nigel Clough has told us what we need to do.
"Our success on the road comes from being solid and not giving anything away. We have found it hard to take that sort of performance into home games. There is an onus on the home side to be more creative."
Burton will be hard to break down and until we do Fulham fans need to not get on the teams back.
Burton at the Cottage is a must win, should win match. Lose this one and it will be clear that we are not worthy of a top six place , win and the chase for a play off place will be underway.
has got 1-1 written all over it !
Quote from: Benny on January 17, 2018, 07:31:36 PM
has got 1-1 written all over it !
So let's hope it's 4-0 and we improve our goal difference.
Let's hope we are not gone for a Burton.
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on January 17, 2018, 10:27:48 PM
Let's hope we are not gone for a Burton.
Well, if that's all you have to contribute, Albion my way
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on January 17, 2018, 10:27:48 PM
Let's hope we are not gone for a Burton.
Didn't know your alias was Elizabeth Taylor?
Quote from: davew on January 18, 2018, 08:39:15 AM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on January 17, 2018, 10:27:48 PM
Let's hope we are not gone for a Burton.
Didn't know your alias was Elizabeth Taylor?
It's the High Street Gents Outfitters actually, Burtons. Made to Measure, as opposed to off the hook suits.
Quote from: Milo on January 16, 2018, 03:55:14 PM
Normally I'd be posting with the normal "we will lose 2-1 or 1-0 and it'll be a flat, disappointing game where we never get going".
However I actually sense the opposite. I think it could be 3-0 or 4-0. I literally have no idea how we are where we are given how poorly we've played this season but I have no doubt we will be in the playoffs come the end.
Then you and I must go to different games because I have seen us play some great stuff.
That's why it's important to try and score early and most certainly first in the match this Saturday, that will open up the game. We cannot afford a slow start or any fannying around for the first 45 mins, and then have to rely on tactical subs and the kitchen sink in the last 20 mins.
The sooner we score, the sooner they will have to change their mindset and move to plan b, and the more chance we have of building on any lead, this is where being ruthless comes into play.
Do not give them hope when there isn't any.
Quote from: Twig on January 18, 2018, 09:38:57 AM
Quote from: Milo on January 16, 2018, 03:55:14 PM
Normally I'd be posting with the normal "we will lose 2-1 or 1-0 and it'll be a flat, disappointing game where we never get going".
However I actually sense the opposite. I think it could be 3-0 or 4-0. I literally have no idea how we are where we are given how poorly we've played this season but I have no doubt we will be in the playoffs come the end.
Then you and I must go to different games because I have seen us play some great stuff.
Of course, at times some great stuff.
Unfortunately pre the past handful of games we have been poor... dragged forward by Johansen who battled on through injury in the first few months and kept us afloat. Players have came back from injury more recently and things have started to pick up. Some fluid football I agree at times but 60% or so of the standards reached last year. Our defending has been consistently average to poor this year again albeit picked up a bit from last year. All in, mildly better defending but roughly two-thirds the attacking output.
To be in touching distance of the playoffs, with the opposition above us bar Middlesbrough not too threatening, is bizarre. If we had played like this last season we wouldn't be in the position we are now. The standard in the Championship this year has been the lowest for a few seasons.
Betts
Fred Kalas Ream Odoi
McDonald Johansen
Piazon
Kebano Kamara Sess
Swap Piazon for Cairney after 60 mins as neither can do 90.
Quote from: Benny on January 17, 2018, 07:31:36 PM
has got 1-1 written all over it !
That will not be good enough, we have to get the three points from this game.
They will obviously park the proverbial. So we need to get amongst them and break them down. An early goal would be priceless but we will probably have to be patient. 1-0 the Whites.
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on January 18, 2018, 09:04:35 AM
Quote from: davew on January 18, 2018, 08:39:15 AM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on January 17, 2018, 10:27:48 PM
Let's hope we are not gone for a Burton.
Didn't know your alias was Elizabeth Taylor?
It's the High Street Gents Outfitters actually, Burtons. Made to Measure, as opposed to off the hook suits.
I thought they went into liquidation when I was 25?
I would love a 5-0 to us as we need to improve our GD. A good one can be worth a point come the end of the season.
Quote from: Milo on January 16, 2018, 03:55:14 PM
Normally I'd be posting with the normal "we will lose 2-1 or 1-0 and it'll be a flat, disappointing game where we never get going".
However I actually sense the opposite. I think it could be 3-0 or 4-0. I literally have no idea how we are where we are given how poorly we've played this season but I have no doubt we will be in the playoffs come the end.
You must be in the running for the most negative poster on here (by your own admissions)! Do you really think we will lose 3-0 or 4-0? (lol)
Quote from: gezkc on January 16, 2018, 05:17:28 PM
Quote from: filham on January 16, 2018, 04:44:32 PM
Quote from: alfie on January 16, 2018, 12:14:45 PM
Quote from: filham on January 16, 2018, 10:36:38 AM
What yet another rest for TC, soon we will be saying he is not match fit.
Did you not know he has a bit of a knee problem that seems to be reoccurring recently, I am sure you do, rest him as often as possible to give time to recover, have him on bench and only bring on if necessary.
He has had the knee problem all season and missed a good amount of playing time already. Is it our intention to play out the remaining nineteen games of the season playing Cairney only against top teams or in the second half of matches when we are losing. This sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.
Would you prefer he risks long term injury by playing full games when his knee's clearly not right?
Surely it would be better to rest him completely to make sure he's fully fit when it comes to the crunch games at the end of the season?
Yes I understand your concerns, but unfortunately there are crunch games every week.
Are our new quality signings already entitled to play against Burton??!
Quote from: davew on January 19, 2018, 08:38:57 PM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on January 18, 2018, 09:04:35 AM
Quote from: davew on January 18, 2018, 08:39:15 AM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on January 17, 2018, 10:27:48 PM
Let's hope we are not gone for a Burton.
Didn't know your alias was Elizabeth Taylor?
It's the High Street Gents Outfitters actually, Burtons. Made to Measure, as opposed to off the hook suits.
I thought they went into liquidation when I was 25?
Apparently they ran out of Tape Measures.
As GJ would say, they are currently being suited up!
Quote from: davew on January 19, 2018, 08:43:04 PM
Quote from: Milo on January 16, 2018, 03:55:14 PM
Normally I'd be posting with the normal "we will lose 2-1 or 1-0 and it'll be a flat, disappointing game where we never get going".
However I actually sense the opposite. I think it could be 3-0 or 4-0. I literally have no idea how we are where we are given how poorly we've played this season but I have no doubt we will be in the playoffs come the end.
You must be in the running for the most negative poster on here (by your own admissions)! Do you really think we will lose 3-0 or 4-0? (lol)
It was actually meant to read 3-0 or 4-0 to us! The "opposite" of a 2-1 loss if you catch my drift. I didn't bother putting "to us" in as hoped you wouldn't think I could see Burton scoring four goals!!
Could see the confusion, my fault!
Anyway, turns out I was right on the big win front so came back to the thread to gloat..
