We get to visit Man City at their place for a 3 o’clock kickoff
Well after a hard fought draw against Arsenal, City away is an even bigger test? is this our toughest game of the season? The cup game against Spurs showed the teams resilience and “grit” winning on a penalty shoot out against a team that “most” of the pundits expected an “easy win” over Fulham, no real surprise about that opinion.
Marco will have a decision to make between Ream and Bassey, I’d go for Bassey however I think Marco will select Tim, its a difficult choice and arguments can be made for either. At the time of writing Palhinha is still a Fulham player, fingers crossed he still will be Saturday morning, but there are strong rumours that Bayern Munich are very, very keen. Wolves are trying to persuade Harrison Reed to join them, I’m not sure what the attraction would be, apart from, presumably, higher wages?
our record against Man City is awful with 1 win, 17 losses and 3 draws
will Castagne be in the squad?, assuming no injuries, departures or “new” players available, my team would be…
COYW’s
Games of Interest…
Friday 1st Luton v West Ham
Saturday 2nd Brentford v Bournemouth Burnley v Spurs Chelsea v Forest Man City v Fulham
Sunday 3rd Palace v Wolves Arsenal v Man Utd
come on over to the forum and join in the conversation… https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0
We welcome Spurs to the Cottage for a 19:45 Carabao Cup game under the lights
Spurs are the highest ranked team(?) in this round so we can be a little unlucky to draw them as apposed to some of the other teams such as Plymouth, Tranmere, Wycombe, Gillingham, Harrogate Town etc. I’m sure that Spurs probably think the same, Premier League teams will always be tougher opposition, having said that, this is the cup and “giant killings” happen every year.
I think this could be an opportunity to play some of the “second team” and younger players to give them some competitive game time.
my team would be…
COYW’s
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We get to travel to Arsenal for a 3 o’clock kick off
Lets forget about the Brentford game, just a really, really “bad day at the office”? as Gentleman Jim said for some reason Brentford appear to have “an Indian sign” over us, apart from the play off game they always appear to have the upper hand? Tim Ream getting sent off was the cherry on top, the red card means that he’s unavailable for this game, at least we’ve got Bassey.
Talking of unavailable, Mitro finally got his move to Saudi, personally I wish him well and thank him for the 5 1/2 seasons, now we have to face life without our talisman.
Last season’s fixture was an unlucky one for us, we really should have come away with something, perhaps we can pull off a surprise this time?
Our recent record against the Gunners is woeful with 2 wins, 11 losses and 5 draws
Will we get to see the shocking pink away kit for the first time?
assuming no more additions, departures or injuries my team would be…
COYW’s
Games of Interest…
Friday 25th Chelsea v Luton
Saturday 26th Bournemouth v Spurs Arsenal v Fulham Brentford v Palace Brighton v West Ham
come on over to the forum and join in the conversation… https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0
Our first home game of the season we face Brentford for a 3 o’clock kick off
Well that was a lucky win against Everton, I didn’t think we played that badly however if Everton had been more clinical then the result could have been very different? Leno was outstanding, easily MotM, what a signing he’s proved to be. I was a little surprised to see Tim Ream in the starting eleven, mainly due to him recovering from the broken arm but also because Bassey has such a good debut against Hoffenheim.
Over on the forum our stats guru Ludlow Richard pointed out… the stats show how difficult it has been for Fulham to win away on the first game of the season in the top flight. We have played 14 away games on the first day of the season in the top flight. WE have won just three of them, all by 1-0: Portsmouth in 2009, Sunderland in 2013 and Everton yesterday. In those 14 away games we have only scored more than 1 goal on two occasions (1965 v Blackpool: we drew; and 2001 v Man Utd: we lost). So what this goes to show is that whatever we thought of yesterday’s win, it was a rare occurrence and the team deserve plaudits for the win.
It was good to see Pereira coming on for a substitute appearance, hopefully Palhinha will be available for the Brentford game. There were photos of Mitro on crutches and with a protective boot on his left foot getting off the train at Euston, hopefully this was as a precaution? I’m still expecting him to go to Saudi, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see, I do hope he doesn’t leave on the last day of the window.
Brentford looked good against Spurs so I think we’ll need to perform at a better level than we did against Everton.
Our record against Brentford is 4 wins, 8 losses and 3 draws.
assuming no new signings, departures or injuries my squad would be…
COYW’s
Games of Interest…
Friday 18th Forest v Sheff Utd
Saturday 19th Fulham v Brentford Spurs v Man Utd
Sunday 20th West Ham v Chelsea
Monday 21st Palace v Arsenal
come on over to the forum and join in the conversation… https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0
We get to kick-off the new season with an away trip to Goodison Park to take on Everton
I’m writing this on Wednesday so “in theory” we could have some new team members, or lost some of the current squad?, however I’m going to assume that the squad is “as is” at least until after the weekend. Callum Hudson-Odoi saga has been ongoing, “rumour” has it that we’re haggling with Chelsea over the fee although “personal terms” have been agreed, it would be good to get him before Saturday. Demarai Gray, is another that appears to be very close, I don’t believe that Everton would release him before we play them this weekend, so perhaps he could sign next week? Fred is another one that has re-emerged, apparently we were put off by the initial asking price, I’m not sure what’s changed but the rumours about him joining Fulham have remerged.
As for players leaving, Tosin “wants” to go to Monaco, not Spurs, I’d imagine that we’d get a better price from Spurs? West Ham, Liverpool, Uncle Tom Cobley and all have been quoted as being interested in Palhinha, West Ham got really upset with our valuation (£90 million) and effectively wanted to swap him for some of last seasons unwanted track suits. Surprisingly Liverpool didn’t sound too put off by the price but his shoulder injury in the Stateside friendly games looks as if any interested has stopped for now? Willian has also been offered the chance to play in Saudi, what puzzles me is why didn’t they “go for him” before he signed for Fulham? Mitro, hmmm, Mitro, I find it hard to believe that Mitro said he’d never play for Fulham again, he has anyway even if it was a sub’ appearance in the pre-season friendly against Hoffenheim. I can believe he wants to earn £20 million a year, who wouldn’t? but would he really want to risk playing for his country and building on the number of goals he’s scored? With both the Willian, Mitro & Palhinha offers it makes a very refreshing change for the club to “stand their ground” and not appear to give in straight away, we may well still loose one or more of these players before the transfer window closes but for now their still our players.
Our two new boys, Raúl and Calvin Bassey, both scored in the Hoffenheim game, I wonder if two new signings have scored for Fulham on their debuts?
Everton struggled for most of last season, appointing Sean Dyche will have his work cut out if they don’t want to battle against relegation for a third season in a row? They’ve also, at tie of writing, only signed two players, Arnaut Danjuma, a forward signed on loan from Villarreal and Ashley Young on a free transfer from Villa.
Our record against Everton isn’t that good, especially at Goodison, we’ve 5 wins, 11 losses and 3 draws, having said that we’ve won the last 2 at their place.
I don’t think that Palhinha, Pereira or Ream will be fit enough to be starters, therefor my team for the season opener (assuming no new players or further departures) would be…
COYW’s
Games of Interest..
Friday 11 Burnley v Man City
Saturday 12 Arsenal v Forest Bournemouth v West Ham Everton v Fulham Sheff Utd v Palace
Sunday 13 Brentford v Spurs Chelsea v Liverpool
come on over to the forum and join in the conversation… https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0
We get to travel to Manchester for our last game of the season to take on Utd at Old Trafford for a 16:30 kickoff
So a draw against Palace was probably a fair result, if Mitro had got his hat-trick it would have been different however, we’ve never beaten Roy and at least we’ve now broken our goals scored Premier League record. It was good to see Mitro get a brace, shame he didn’t get a hat-trick as that would have set him up nicely for the Man Utd game!? Will Mitro get some measure of revenge for what happened at the cup game? perhaps the ridiculously long suspension helped with his ankle knock thats affected most of his season? It was also a shame we couldn’t finish with a win for our last home game, but what a fantastic season its been!, how many “pundits” will be feasting on humble pie following their “nailed on for relegation” predictions before a ball was kicked?
As long as Man Utd don’t lose to Chelsea on Thursday then they will have secured a Champions League spot by the time we play them.
Curent Form: Man Utd – WLLWW Fulham – LLWWD
Our recent record against Man Utd is dire with only 2 wins, 15 losses and 3 draws
For my team I’d keep the same eleven that started against Palace…
COYW’s
Games of Interest…
Sunday 28th Arsenal v Wolves Brentford v Man City Chelsea v Newcastle Palace v Forest Everton v Bournemouth Leeds v Spurs Leicester v West Ham Man Utd v Fulham
come on over to the forum and join in the conversation… https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0
We welcome back Roy Hodgson and his Crystal Palace team for a 3 o’clock Saturday kickoff at the Cottage
Wining at Southampton, for the first time since 1935!, several Premier League records were created during the game, Mitro most goals, most away wins(7), most away points(23), most away goals(23), most wins (15) in a season, equalled highest number of goals scored in a season(52) and most doubles in a season, 5 so far. With both Vinícius and Mitro scoring Marco will have a difficult decision who to start against Palace? Harrison Reed had yet another outstanding game, like many of last seasons players they’ve made the Premier League their home proving many wrong about their capabilities.
Palace had a comfortable win over Bournemouth last time out, Eberechi Eze scored both goals, with Zaha sustaining a hamstring injury in the second half so he’ll probably be unavailable on Saturday?
FoF statsman Ludlow Richard, over on the forum, once again provided an interesting stat about playing against teams managed by Roy Hodgson: We have come up against teams managed by Roy on seven occasions: once in the 1981/82 season against Bristol City, twice in the 2011/12 season against WBA, and four times against Crystal Palace in the 2018/19 and 2020/21 seasons. We have not won any of these seven games, drawing four (three of those 0-0) and losing the other three. All three defeats have been against Palace. We have scored two goals in these seven games.
Current Form: Fulham – LLLWW Palace – DLWLW
Our recent record against Palace is very close 2 wins, 3 losses and 3 draws
I’ve decided to try both Mitro and Vinícius in my team as I’m interested to see how they’d work as a partnership…
COYW’s
Games of Interest…
Saturday 20th Spurs v Brentford Bournemouth v Man Utd Fulham v Palace Forest v Arsenal
Sunday 21st West Ham v Leeds Man City v Chelsea
come on over to the forum and join in the conversation… https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0
We get to travel to the south coast to take on Southampton at St Marys for a 3 o’clock kick-off
Beating Leicester equalled the club record of 14 wins for a Premier League season, I convinced we’ll surpass that this season even with only 3 games left. Wasn’t it good to see Tom back to full fitness, that was the best game he’s had for quite some time, and 2 goals, one with his right foot! Leno saved a penalty, hasn’t he been outstanding, Palhinha must be “one of the buys” of the season, Willian continues to turn back the years and Harry is playing as well as he did last season. Vinícius scored another beauty and his play for the “team” has shown that he’s not as bad as some fans would have you believe, lets face it he’s not Mitro, who is?, but he’s played with confidence the last few games, scored a couple of goals and been “in the right place” more often than not.
Mitro’s ban has finished and I imagine that he’ll be the first name on the team sheet even though Vinícius has had some decent performances.
The 4-3 defeat against relegation rivals Forest on Monday all but sealed Southamptons fate. We would confirm Southampton’s relegation with a win, a draw probably still wouldn’t be enough either, so they’ll be fighting for their lives.
Current Form: Southampton – LDLLL Fulham – WLLLW
Our recent record against Southampton is quite poor with 2 wins, 6 losses and 3 draws
With Mitro available having completed his ban my team would be…
COYW’s
Games of Interest…
Saturday 13th Villa v Spurs Chelsea v Forest Palace v Bournemouth Southampton v Fulham
Sunday 14th Brentford v West Ham Arsenal v Brighton
come on over to the forum and join in the conversation… https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0
We welcome Leicester City for a 3 o’clock Monday afternoon kickoff at the Cottage
We played really well against Liverpool but once again we came away empty handed, when are these “iffy” decisions going to even out? “On paper” we’ve not performed well against any of the “top 6”, so far we’ve only gained a point from the opening day draw against Liverpool, and with only Man Utd to play at their place on the last day all the usual pundits will tell you that we’ve not played as well as we have. When you consider that most of the defeats were by the odd goal and more than one of those goals were from dubious penalties! Vinicius had another good game, I’m sure he’ll get another start against Leicester and the Diop Tosin pairing worked really well which is promising for the future.
Leicester will be looking for revenge from the 0-1 game at their place earlier in the season and as their currently out of the relegation zone only on gaol difference they’ll be fighting for every point.
Our recent record against Leicester is very close 2 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw
Current Form: Fulham – WWLLL Leicester – LLWDD
my team would be…
COYW’s
Games of Interest…
Saturday 6th Bournemouth v Chelsea Spurs v Palace Liverpool v Brentford
Sunday 7th Newcastle v Arsenal West Ham v Man Utd
Monday 8th Fulham v Leicester Forest v Southampton
come on over to the forum and join in the conversation… https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0
We’re on our travels again, this time we visit Anfield for the rearranged fixture
Yet another spirited performance with no points for our effort, it would appear that we were wearing the wrong colours as white shirts = “not a penalty” for a couple of clear cut occasions? Loosing both Ream and Pereira, with suspected broken arm and leg respectively, was a blow, both for the game and remainder of the season. Marco said that Tim will be unavailable for the remainder of the season and Pereira will need to be assessed, if he has broken or fractured his leg then he’ll obviously also miss the remaining games. When Tom came on he, once again, showed that he can make a significant difference, Marco has improved Tom’s game although we’ve only seen brief appearances this season, I think he’ll get a couple of starts for the remaining games. Vinicius had probably is best game for us, what a cracking goal he scored, hopefully he can do the same against Liverpool. Another “plus” was how well Diop and Tosin played together, assuming both are fit and stay, this partnership could be our new “Thames Barrier”.
Current Form: Liverpool – DWWWW Fulham – WWLLL
Our record against Liverpool isn’t as good as I thought with 4 wins, 9 losses and 3 draws.
With Willian, Ream, Pereira and Mitro unavailable my team would be…
COYW’s
Games of Interest…
Wednesday 3rd Liverpool v Fulham Man City v West Ham
come on over to the forum and join in the conversation… https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0
