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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: LVBPTS on April 16, 2018, 10:01:41 AM

Title: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: LVBPTS on April 16, 2018, 10:01:41 AM
....by my reckoning, im predicting either Millwall or Preston to finish 6th...not sure who i would prefer to play out of them but leaning more towards the less physical Millwall and look to play them off the park...anyone else want to make a prediction?
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: hovewhite on April 16, 2018, 11:10:54 AM
Don't want to think about it!
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Andy S on April 16, 2018, 12:09:17 PM
The play offs were and always will be a lottery. We were the best team going in to the playoffs last time but lost it in the first leg when Reading did a number on us. Huddersfield the weakest team were promoted on Penalties. However they did finish third. so no complaints
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Woolly Mammoth on April 16, 2018, 12:11:17 PM
I am hoping desperately that the play offs will not be necessary.
However, in the likelihood that they could be. I am not really bothered who we meet, why should I be.
If we are good enough we will beat whoever stands in our way.
If we do not, I expect there will be a post mortem.
Nevertheless, no point in worrying about worrying, there are three more matches to play yet, more twists and turns.
Relax and enjoy the spectacle of the play offs, if that's what it comes to.
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Riversider on April 16, 2018, 02:10:29 PM
Vital that we win 2 of our last 3 games to grab 3rd spot, in an ideal world we need Villa to play Boro in the play offs , and us to play whoever finishes 6th, very very important that we avoid either Bruce or Pulis over two legs as I wouldn't rate our chances at all,
I hate the play offs and I'm deflated by the prospect of going in to them and having a long season extended further, I've only ever missed one play off game (Grimsby away) and in truth we've been pretty **it in every play off game that I've seen,
The Play Offs are all about peaking at the right time and for my money we "peaked" in February with those two games against Wolves and Villa, performance wise we haven't hit those heights since , in both those games it was all about winning from Jokanovic ever since the QPR game it's been about defending what we've got with some bizarre defensive substitutions,  for my money we look a different side when we play in a positive manner for 90 minutes, acting defensively sends out a weak message to the opposition and invites them on to us as has been demonstrated a lot recently,
Jokanovic needs to get a positive mind set back on for these potentially 6 further games, you won't win at Wembley (If we get there) with a negative mindset,  we would have to be positive from the first minute to the last that's the attitude that got us to this position in the first place.
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Carborundum on April 16, 2018, 02:33:04 PM
Whilst we can't get Cardiff in the play off semi finals (I.e.in the unlikely event Villa overtake us both), there are no less than eight clubs we could get.  Goodness only knows how it will all shake out.  Brentford would be interesting, probably a bit of a long shot though.  Villa would be good, but for that to happen they have to lose all their games and Derby win all theirs. 

All on the premise we don't get automatic promotion.  We still might.
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: hovewhite on April 16, 2018, 02:40:10 PM
I hate playoff games,I do think that we have peaked, players look leggy ,nervous.
Against pulis and Bruce would not want there teams in the s/f as over 2legs they could beat us playing a reading type game
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: BedsFFC on April 16, 2018, 02:56:31 PM
I am not convinced about this leggy tiredness thing.

Early in the season, people were saying we didn't look fit.

We have a certain arrogance about us. We are very good at what we are good at. Teams that play to beat us, usually lose. Teams that play to stop us and don't mind drawing, usually don't make us look so good. The ones we really need to worry about are the ones that get the mix perfectly right.

I would say Boro away, qpr home and brentford home and away (there is surely more) nearly got the mix perfect. I'm going to take a guess that after these performances, some people said we looked a bit panicky and tired.

Honestly, if I had the choice of who to play in play offs, it would be Wolves & Villa..

ok, and Burton and Ipswich
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: grandad on April 16, 2018, 03:07:43 PM
Our problem is having to play the same 10 starters for most of our games this year. Only the RW position have we changed starters. Of the 10 starters we do not have any better players than them except to come on as a sub. We do not have quality players to take the places of Targett, Ream, McDonald, Cairney, Sessegnon & Mitrovic to give them a break.
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Woolly Mammoth on April 16, 2018, 03:56:41 PM
All this talk about peaking is vastly exaggerated.
Villa have already peaked haven't they, as have Borough and Bristol City and Sheffield Utd.
Derby County and PNE don't know how to peak, as for Millwall and Brentford, when push comes to shove we will beat them over two legs, one leg or even three legs. We should be no more leggy than anyone else, the adrenaline will take us over the line.
So there you are it's all covered nothing to worry about. Relax and have a beer.
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Riversider on April 16, 2018, 05:23:48 PM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on April 16, 2018, 03:56:41 PM
All this talk about peaking is vastly exaggerated.
Villa have already peaked haven't they, as have Borough and Bristol City and Sheffield Utd.
Derby County and PNE don't know how to peak, as for Millwall and Brentford, when push comes to shove we will beat them over two legs, one leg or even three legs. We should be no more leggy than anyone else, the adrenaline will take us over the line.
So there you are it's all covered nothing to worry about. Relax and have a beer.

Can't agree with your view on Villa I think they are simmering away just in time for the play offs , Kodjia has only just returned for them and is a vital player to their cause, Grealish missed a large part of the season  and is on fire at the moment  and playing out of his skin,
You can almost certainly say that Hutton, Terry, Jedinak and Snodgrass wouldn't freeze at Wembley , then throw in Adomah,  Grabban and El Mohamady and they've got the full package and Tuanzebe is the best opposition player that I've seen this season,
Add in Steve Bruce who has been there, seen it and done it, and not forgetting at least 40,000 vocal supporters (that don't need clappers) and you can start to see why I was pig sick on Saturday when Cardiff won and Brentford scored !
I have no faith in us in the play offs, if anybody can make us strong a case for us as I've just made for Aston Villa please feel free to step forward and make an uplifting case to raise my spirits, our performances have been in decline since the 46th minute of the QPR game it's now vital we get that zest and sparkle back, but how ?

Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Stevieboy on April 16, 2018, 05:39:40 PM
At the end of the day all the playoffs are are 3 games.
3 games against teams we have beaten and quite frankly are better than.
Slav has to get the boys motivated and in the right mindset......I just hope none of the team read this message board.......would be so demotivating!!!
Luckily the playoffs are immaterial as we WILL go up automatically........there's magic at The Cottage....keep believing.....remember the Europa League, every game we were up against it but the real Fulham spirit kept us going.....and will again. COYW.  049:gif 049:gif 049:gif
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Carborundum on April 16, 2018, 05:51:50 PM
Quote from: Riversider on April 16, 2018, 05:23:48 PM
if anybody can make us strong a case for us as I've just made for Aston Villa please feel free to step forward and make an uplifting case to raise my spirits, our performances have been in decline since the 46th minute of the QPR game it's now vital we get that zest and sparkle back, but how ?
We have only conceded one goal since we played QPR.  We beat Aston Villa last time we played them.  We have more points. Some of the players you cite looked rather like liabilities to me. Of the good ones Kodjia's no Mitrovic.  Elmohammady no Sessegnon.  They play a deep defensive line to accommodate an aging egoist who doesn't want to be caught out by pace.  Wembley is a big pitch.  We would be fine.
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Woolly Mammoth on April 16, 2018, 06:01:19 PM
Quote from: Riversider on April 16, 2018, 05:23:48 PM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on April 16, 2018, 03:56:41 PM
All this talk about peaking is vastly exaggerated.
Villa have already peaked haven't they, as have Borough and Bristol City and Sheffield Utd.
Derby County and PNE don't know how to peak, as for Millwall and Brentford, when push comes to shove we will beat them over two legs, one leg or even three legs. We should be no more leggy than anyone else, the adrenaline will take us over the line.
So there you are it's all covered nothing to worry about. Relax and have a beer.

Can't agree with your view on Villa I think they are simmering away just in time for the play offs , Kodjia has only just returned for them and is a vital player to their cause, Grealish missed a large part of the season  and is on fire at the moment  and playing out of his skin,
You can almost certainly say that Hutton, Terry, Jedinak and Snodgrass wouldn't freeze at Wembley , then throw in Adomah,  Grabban and El Mohamady and they've got the full package and Tuanzebe is the best opposition player that I've seen this season,
Add in Steve Bruce who has been there, seen it and done it, and not forgetting at least 40,000 vocal supporters (that don't need clappers) and you can start to see why I was pig sick on Saturday when Cardiff won and Brentford scored !
I have no faith in us in the play offs, if anybody can make us strong a case for us as I've just made for Aston Villa please feel free to step forward and make an uplifting case to raise my spirits, our performances have been in decline since the 46th minute of the QPR game it's now vital we get that zest and sparkle back, but how ?


Quote from: Riversider on April 16, 2018, 05:23:48 PM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on April 16, 2018, 03:56:41 PM
All this talk about peaking is vastly exaggerated.
Villa have already peaked haven't they, as have Borough and Bristol City and Sheffield Utd.
Derby County and PNE don't know how to peak, as for Millwall and Brentford, when push comes to shove we will beat them over two legs, one leg or even three legs. We should be no more leggy than anyone else, the adrenaline will take us over the line.
So there you are it's all covered nothing to worry about. Relax and have a beer.

Can't agree with your view on Villa I think they are simmering away just in time for the play offs , Kodjia has only just returned for them and is a vital player to their cause, Grealish missed a large part of the season  and is on fire at the moment  and playing out of his skin,
You can almost certainly say that Hutton, Terry, Jedinak and Snodgrass wouldn't freeze at Wembley , then throw in Adomah,  Grabban and El Mohamady and they've got the full package and Tuanzebe is the best opposition player that I've seen this season,
Add in Steve Bruce who has been there, seen it and done it, and not forgetting at least 40,000 vocal supporters (that don't need clappers) and you can start to see why I was pig sick on Saturday when Cardiff won and Brentford scored !
I have no faith in us in the play offs, if anybody can make us strong a case for us as I've just made for Aston Villa please feel free to step forward and make an uplifting case to raise my spirits, our performances have been in decline since the 46th minute of the QPR game it's now vital we get that zest and sparkle back, but how ?



You have made me feel depressed again, just as I was recovering from the last minute goal on Saturday evening.
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Nero on April 16, 2018, 06:11:47 PM
we will finish 2nd on goal difference to really wind old Colin up, you heard it here first
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: KJS on April 16, 2018, 06:14:00 PM
Quote from: Stevieboy on April 16, 2018, 05:39:40 PM
At the end of the day all the playoffs are are 3 games.
3 games against teams we have beaten and quite frankly are better than.
Slav has to get the boys motivated and in the right mindset......I just hope none of the team read this message board.......would be so demotivating!!!
Luckily the playoffs are immaterial as we WILL go up automatically........there's magic at The Cottage....keep believing.....remember the Europa League, every game we were up against it but the real Fulham spirit kept us going.....and will again. COYW.  049:gif 049:gif 049:gif

Totally agree Stevieboy as we said during our European run "Keep The Faith"
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: KJS on April 16, 2018, 06:25:42 PM
"I STILL BELIEVE"
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Milo on April 16, 2018, 07:09:47 PM
Villa were pretty shambolic on TV.
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: davew on April 16, 2018, 07:32:57 PM
Quote from: Stevieboy on April 16, 2018, 05:39:40 PM
3 games against teams we have beaten and quite frankly are better than.

When did we beat Brentford, I must have missed that match?
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: KJS on April 16, 2018, 08:01:57 PM
Quote from: davew on April 16, 2018, 07:32:57 PM
Quote from: Stevieboy on April 16, 2018, 05:39:40 PM
3 games against teams we have beaten and quite frankly are better than.

When did we beat Brentford, I must have missed that match?

Bentford aren't in the Play Offs as it stands
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: davew on April 16, 2018, 10:30:22 PM
I know that KJS!!! Stevieboy's comment suggested that whoever we might play in the play offs we have beaten them already, well we haven't beaten Brentford (sadly) and they are still very much in the play offs! Hope that explains my comment m8?
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: davew on April 16, 2018, 10:35:18 PM
Quote from: Riversider on April 16, 2018, 05:23:48 PM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on April 16, 2018, 03:56:41 PM
All this talk about peaking is vastly exaggerated.
Villa have already peaked haven't they, as have Borough and Bristol City and Sheffield Utd.
Derby County and PNE don't know how to peak, as for Millwall and Brentford, when push comes to shove we will beat them over two legs, one leg or even three legs. We should be no more leggy than anyone else, the adrenaline will take us over the line.
So there you are it's all covered nothing to worry about. Relax and have a beer.

Can't agree with your view on Villa I think they are simmering away just in time for the play offs , Kodjia has only just returned for them and is a vital player to their cause, Grealish missed a large part of the season  and is on fire at the moment  and playing out of his skin,
You can almost certainly say that Hutton, Terry, Jedinak and Snodgrass wouldn't freeze at Wembley , then throw in Adomah,  Grabban and El Mohamady and they've got the full package and Tuanzebe is the best opposition player that I've seen this season,
Add in Steve Bruce who has been there, seen it and done it, and not forgetting at least 40,000 vocal supporters (that don't need clappers) and you can start to see why I was pig sick on Saturday when Cardiff won and Brentford scored !
I have no faith in us in the play offs, if anybody can make us strong a case for us as I've just made for Aston Villa please feel free to step forward and make an uplifting case to raise my spirits, our performances have been in decline since the 46th minute of the QPR game it's now vital we get that zest and sparkle back, but how ?


I think you are right, we should just throw in the towel! Your negative comment far exceeds many of my 7.5k + on here, best advice I can provide you with is take up golf and drink Gordons Gin!!
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Riversider on April 17, 2018, 12:00:38 AM
As I said Dave if you can make an equally strong case for us at the moment then the floor is yours.
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Milo on April 17, 2018, 12:08:19 AM
The super computer that seems to be predicting Championship scores rather than, say, curing cancer etc had always backed us to take 2nd with 91 points. So in that regard, nothing has changed!

Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: rogerpbackinMidEastUS on April 17, 2018, 01:14:45 AM
Despite last year, I think we're good enough to beat any team over 2 legs.
The final is the lottery, as are every one-off cup games.

It's a bit like "which Fulham team will turn up"  I'm afraid
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Fulhamfan666 on April 17, 2018, 10:28:23 AM
Anyone know whether 6th against 3rd Will be played first, or 4th against 5th? Need to know so i can ask the day off work.
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Woolly Mammoth on April 17, 2018, 10:39:39 AM
You won't need a day off !
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: toshes mate on April 17, 2018, 10:55:58 AM
Quote from: davew on April 16, 2018, 07:32:57 PM
Quote from: Stevieboy on April 16, 2018, 05:39:40 PM
3 games against teams we have beaten and quite frankly are better than.

When did we beat Brentford, I must have missed that match?
I know you'd like to kid us you are still a sixteen year old all over, but ....  However it does seem like the last time we beat Brentford at the Cottage it was in another, probably parallel, universe.

I prefer Woolly's 'Que Sera', relaxed, and thoughtful outlook.  One game at a time has got us where we are.  The final placings of teams from first down to eleventh have still to be decided in almost 3.500 hours of Championship football.  There are a whole heap of goals, yellow and red cards, justices and injustices, injuries great and small, smiles to be smiled, cheers to be cheered and tears to be shed before we know the final destinations of the teams who have helped make this season a very memorable one for FFC.   
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: filham on April 17, 2018, 11:18:24 AM
Brentford could still finish 6th in the table and we could well finish 3rd, I don't want two re runs of last Saturday's match with more late Brentford goals.
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Marcel_Gecov on April 17, 2018, 11:27:30 AM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on April 16, 2018, 06:01:19 PM
Quote from: Riversider on April 16, 2018, 05:23:48 PM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on April 16, 2018, 03:56:41 PM
All this talk about peaking is vastly exaggerated.
Villa have already peaked haven't they, as have Borough and Bristol City and Sheffield Utd.
Derby County and PNE don't know how to peak, as for Millwall and Brentford, when push comes to shove we will beat them over two legs, one leg or even three legs. We should be no more leggy than anyone else, the adrenaline will take us over the line.
So there you are it's all covered nothing to worry about. Relax and have a beer.

Can't agree with your view on Villa I think they are simmering away just in time for the play offs , Kodjia has only just returned for them and is a vital player to their cause, Grealish missed a large part of the season  and is on fire at the moment  and playing out of his skin,
You can almost certainly say that Hutton, Terry, Jedinak and Snodgrass wouldn't freeze at Wembley , then throw in Adomah,  Grabban and El Mohamady and they've got the full package and Tuanzebe is the best opposition player that I've seen this season,
Add in Steve Bruce who has been there, seen it and done it, and not forgetting at least 40,000 vocal supporters (that don't need clappers) and you can start to see why I was pig sick on Saturday when Cardiff won and Brentford scored !
I have no faith in us in the play offs, if anybody can make us strong a case for us as I've just made for Aston Villa please feel free to step forward and make an uplifting case to raise my spirits, our performances have been in decline since the 46th minute of the QPR game it's now vital we get that zest and sparkle back, but how ?


Quote from: Riversider on April 16, 2018, 05:23:48 PM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on April 16, 2018, 03:56:41 PM
All this talk about peaking is vastly exaggerated.
Villa have already peaked haven't they, as have Borough and Bristol City and Sheffield Utd.
Derby County and PNE don't know how to peak, as for Millwall and Brentford, when push comes to shove we will beat them over two legs, one leg or even three legs. We should be no more leggy than anyone else, the adrenaline will take us over the line.
So there you are it's all covered nothing to worry about. Relax and have a beer.

Can't agree with your view on Villa I think they are simmering away just in time for the play offs , Kodjia has only just returned for them and is a vital player to their cause, Grealish missed a large part of the season  and is on fire at the moment  and playing out of his skin,
You can almost certainly say that Hutton, Terry, Jedinak and Snodgrass wouldn't freeze at Wembley , then throw in Adomah,  Grabban and El Mohamady and they've got the full package and Tuanzebe is the best opposition player that I've seen this season,
Add in Steve Bruce who has been there, seen it and done it, and not forgetting at least 40,000 vocal supporters (that don't need clappers) and you can start to see why I was pig sick on Saturday when Cardiff won and Brentford scored !
I have no faith in us in the play offs, if anybody can make us strong a case for us as I've just made for Aston Villa please feel free to step forward and make an uplifting case to raise my spirits, our performances have been in decline since the 46th minute of the QPR game it's now vital we get that zest and sparkle back, but how ?



You have made me feel depressed again, just as I was recovering from the last minute goal on Saturday evening.

"Grealish missed a large part of the season  and is on fire at the moment"

Quite why I should be worried about a player with stats such as 3 goals in 24 (17 starts) is beyond me. Leicester want to spend 20m on him if Villa aren't promoted. WTF?

"Kodjia has only just returned for them and is a vital player to their cause"

What Mr '1 goal from 13' Kodjia? Terrifying. Could you imagine Villa being scared of Fonte? That's the kind of thing we are suggesting here.
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Woolly Mammoth on April 17, 2018, 01:14:25 PM
Quote from: Marcel_Gecov on April 17, 2018, 11:27:30 AM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on April 16, 2018, 06:01:19 PM
Quote from: Riversider on April 16, 2018, 05:23:48 PM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on April 16, 2018, 03:56:41 PM
All this talk about peaking is vastly exaggerated.
Villa have already peaked haven't they, as have Borough and Bristol City and Sheffield Utd.
Derby County and PNE don't know how to peak, as for Millwall and Brentford, when push comes to shove we will beat them over two legs, one leg or even three legs. We should be no more leggy than anyone else, the adrenaline will take us over the line.
So there you are it's all covered nothing to worry about. Relax and have a beer.

Can't agree with your view on Villa I think they are simmering away just in time for the play offs , Kodjia has only just returned for them and is a vital player to their cause, Grealish missed a large part of the season  and is on fire at the moment  and playing out of his skin,
You can almost certainly say that Hutton, Terry, Jedinak and Snodgrass wouldn't freeze at Wembley , then throw in Adomah,  Grabban and El Mohamady and they've got the full package and Tuanzebe is the best opposition player that I've seen this season,
Add in Steve Bruce who has been there, seen it and done it, and not forgetting at least 40,000 vocal supporters (that don't need clappers) and you can start to see why I was pig sick on Saturday when Cardiff won and Brentford scored !
I have no faith in us in the play offs, if anybody can make us strong a case for us as I've just made for Aston Villa please feel free to step forward and make an uplifting case to raise my spirits, our performances have been in decline since the 46th minute of the QPR game it's now vital we get that zest and sparkle back, but how ?


Quote from: Riversider on April 16, 2018, 05:23:48 PM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on April 16, 2018, 03:56:41 PM
All this talk about peaking is vastly exaggerated.
Villa have already peaked haven't they, as have Borough and Bristol City and Sheffield Utd.
Derby County and PNE don't know how to peak, as for Millwall and Brentford, when push comes to shove we will beat them over two legs, one leg or even three legs. We should be no more leggy than anyone else, the adrenaline will take us over the line.
So there you are it's all covered nothing to worry about. Relax and have a beer.

Can't agree with your view on Villa I think they are simmering away just in time for the play offs , Kodjia has only just returned for them and is a vital player to their cause, Grealish missed a large part of the season  and is on fire at the moment  and playing out of his skin,
You can almost certainly say that Hutton, Terry, Jedinak and Snodgrass wouldn't freeze at Wembley , then throw in Adomah,  Grabban and El Mohamady and they've got the full package and Tuanzebe is the best opposition player that I've seen this season,
Add in Steve Bruce who has been there, seen it and done it, and not forgetting at least 40,000 vocal supporters (that don't need clappers) and you can start to see why I was pig sick on Saturday when Cardiff won and Brentford scored !
I have no faith in us in the play offs, if anybody can make us strong a case for us as I've just made for Aston Villa please feel free to step forward and make an uplifting case to raise my spirits, our performances have been in decline since the 46th minute of the QPR game it's now vital we get that zest and sparkle back, but how ?



You have made me feel depressed again, just as I was recovering from the last minute goal on Saturday evening.

"Grealish missed a large part of the season  and is on fire at the moment"

Quite why I should be worried about a player with stats such as 3 goals in 24 (17 starts) is beyond me. Leicester want to spend 20m on him if Villa aren't promoted. WTF?

"Kodjia has only just returned for them and is a vital player to their cause"

What Mr '1 goal from 13' Kodjia? Terrifying. Could you imagine Villa being scared of Fonte? That's the kind of thing we are suggesting here.


Hmmm you make some valid points, and then you mentioned Fonte and all my positives turned back to negatives, just like an Eveready Battery.
But can you picture the scenario of Fonte on a one on one with the Villa keeper at Wembley with seconds to go, and with the ease of a Ballet Dancer wrong foots the keeper to send us all into the promised land.
Now that would be written into Fulham Folk Law. ⚽️⚽️
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: davew on April 17, 2018, 01:22:43 PM
Woolly I couldn't imagine that at all, even if I was hallucinating!
Title: Re: Playoff Opposition....
Post by: Milo on April 17, 2018, 03:04:01 PM
Grealish stand out Villa player for me in recent games. He's their equivalent of Johansen but probably in better form.