Saturday Fulham Stuff (04/10/14)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka says Fulham will challenge in the Championship this year
AITOR Karanka predicts lowly Fulham will emerge as one of Middlesbrough's biggest promotion rivals this season despite their rocky start.

Having tipped today's opponents for an immediate return to the top flight, no-one was more surprised than the Spaniard to see the Cottagers struggling under Felix Magath.

But in the wake of Magath's departure, Fulham are now showing the form he expected and the Boro chief is wary of their threat at the Riverside today.

"I have the same thoughts on Fulham as I did at the start of the season - that they will be in one of the highest positions in May," said Karanka.

"They have had problems but now they are playing like the squad they are and I expect their improvement to continue."

Boro were unbeaten in September but could only draw at home to Blackpool in midweek, a result Karanka did not see coming after his side pushed Liverpool all the way in the Capital One Cup at Anfield seven days earlier.

And it is their home form that is threatening to undermine Boro's promotion bid.

They have already lost twice on Teesside and there were boos on the final whistle following Tuesday's 1-1 draw.

"We have had a crazy month," he added. "We have the ability to almost beat Liverpool but then drop two points against Blackpool."

"I understand why the fans reacted like they did at the end.

"They were so excited a week ago when we scored four times against Brentford and now they are frustrated.

"I have the same feelings but we have to forget the past and think only of the future.

"We are learning so we don't make the same mistakes again."

After a hectic schedule, Karanka is grateful Boro have a fortnight off before their next fixture.

"It is very important to go into the break in positive mood," he said.

"Most of my players are very, very tired because they have played a lot of games and this period gives them time to rest and recover."


http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/403232/Middlesbrough-boss-Aitor-Karanka-says-Fulham-will-challenge-in-the-Championship-this-year

[WhiteJC]

 
Championship acca: Fulham and Charlton picked for wins
Cottagers have finally arrived and feature alongside Addicks, Bournemouth, Derby and Norwich

Fulham wins have been like London buses this season: you wait ages for one and then ... well you know the rest.

The Cottagers have finally clicked into gear in the Championship and even though they travel to Middlesbrough this weekend the Craven Cottage residents feature as one of the Ladbrokes News five picks from the Championship.

Read on to see why wins for Fulham, Charlton, Bournemouth, Derby and Norwich must be backed at tempting odds of 40/1.

Fulham to beat Middlesbrough @ 3/1

For those who couldn't finish the opening line for themselves, Fulham have now won three games on the bounce in all competitions and have picked the right time to play Boro, who are winless in the three.

Charlton to beat Birmingham @ Evens

The surprise package of the season so far, Charlton are yet to lose in the Championship, winning three and drawing two of their five homes games.

This run looks set to continue against a Blues side that has won just once in eight attempts away from St Andrews.

Bournemouth to beat Bolton @ 6/5

The Cherries may have lost 2-0 to Derby last time out but if they can keep 11 men on the pitch a return to the form that saw 3-0 and 2-0 wins over Cardiff and Wigan respectively should return.

Bolton have lost their last four games in all competitions, including three consecutive Championship outings in which they have failed to score.

Derby to beat Millwall @ 5/6

Derby are unbeaten in nine games, have lost just once in the league and have only been beaten on home soil once in 13 games.

Millwall, on the other hand, are winless in five and will struggle to derail the Rams' promotion push here.

Norwich to beat Rotherham @ 1/2

After losing last time out the Canaries will welcome the prospect of a home tie against a Rotherham side that has won just once in six away days.

Norwich's loss was their first in 17 games at Carrow Road and a return to winning ways is fully expected from this encounter.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.


http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/championship/championship-acca-fulham-charlton-picked-wins_213340.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham: Cottage Industry /Capital Punishment

FULHAM: A week ago this looked like a really good time to play them. Under Hans  Moleman –  Boro's erstwhile "the German" lest we forget –  relegated Fulham were in complete disarray. They couldn't score, couldn't defend, looked disorganised and were reportedly treating injuries with lumps of cheese.

But it seems the players were involved in an unspoken mutiny against the strange ways of the Bundesliga's Neil Warnock and with the boss gone they have relaxed and started playing – and winning games – again. And last years's big Boro target Ross McCormack, an £11m summer signing,  is a thing again. Football Inevitability Drive?

So obviously, it will be a far tougher game now. That said, Boro have now gone six games unbeaten (including the 2-2 draw at Liverpool) and at times during that run have looked a very polished and potent side. If the Boro who played Brentford, Pool and Cardiff turn up – the team that start brightly and at high tempo and play with intensity and hunger then Boro should win and go into the international break on a high. If the other Boro, laboured and limp going forward, turn up it is anyone's game.

Usual format – feel free to make your score predictions and script how the match will unfold here and we can all be amazed by your Mystic Meggery later on. Or laugh at your wayward foaming naivity.

For me, I think Boro will be back close to full strength, will have had their arses kicked (a technical term) and will "bring their A-Game." But Fulham will have good spells. So I'm going for our heroes to win 2-1.



http://untypicalboro.wordpress.com/2014/10/04/fulham-cottage-industry-capital-punishment/?