Hang on to your hats in the 2whites' household for this one. The Boss confirmed in his press conference today that the two long term injured, Mawson and Bettinelli, were progressing well and could be back before the end of the season !! The only 'regular' player ruled out is Schurrle who is still virused. Scott also announced that Matt Wells has joined his coaching staff from Spurs. Like us Leicester haven't had the best of seasons; for some similar and some different reasons. Like us they have a new manager who lost his first game. Brendan Rogers doesn't have any injury worries, although Vardy did have stitches in his tongue - not to shut him up but because of a bump with the Watford keeper in the game they lost last weekend. Rogers will have spent this week spelling out 'his style of football', which may bring changes but nonetheless will focus on Vardy's strengths (aided by that irritant Maddison). No two games are the same but it's difficult not to see the same starting line-up for us as against the Dark Side. Stability, team spirit, confidence and all that. Kevin Mac is clearly not yet match fit and some doubt he's got the pace for the Premiership. However, the presence he has on the field and the leadership he brings to the team more than justifies his spot. So, another day on the bench for Seri (and Anguissa of course). Personally, I might have a close look at our full backs but doubt if Scott will tinker. ............................Rico.......... ....Odoi.....Nordtveit....Ream...Bryan.. ...............McDonald..Chambers... .......................Cairney.... ....Sessegnon....Mitrovic..Babel.. .
Spot on Cottager. We have already come over the water to Leicester and have both resolved we will lose. Not sure how that works. Hopefully a good score draw, unless FFC can get a grand win of course.
We are both certain of defeat for each of our teams, we are terrible at home this season and you're not great away. However, Fulham should take confidence from the fact that whenever a team has a longstanding record of something not happening, you can always be assured that the record will be broken against Leicester. We are incredibly generous in that regard. First away win incoming. Hopefully, I'm wrong for once. Parker certainly seemed to have a positive influence on the team's performance last weekend, although not gaining a win. We're still awaiting an improved performance with Rogers. I'm sure 2WS and I will enjoy our first competitive PL game regardless.
Tomorrow we have David Coote. please log in to view this image Coote was promoted with us this season and we've seen him at the Cottage twice. Against Leicester in December and that 1-1 draw. Nary a player on either side saw a card. Prior to that it was early doors and the 4-2 victory over Burnley. He booked 3; Schurrle and Bettinelli for us. To be fair, don't recall any real reason to complain about Coote in either game. A talented cricketer at Notts in his youth and still very much a Notts County FC supporter, he is clearly being eased into the Premiership. He has only had 8 games before this one and all have involved lower placed teams. For the record those 8 games have seem him hand out 27 yellows.
It's going to be interesting, two new managers, so tactics wise there's not of a lot of history to look at. Scott Parker has said we'll being going back to a more attacking style, and that should mean we'll actually play players in their proper positions. We still have an Achilles heal on set pieces, I'd guess a line up close to that started the Chelsea game. So I think you got the line up spot on C58. We need to get Mitrovic into the game and break his 'duck' on away goals scored. So we don't need any heroics from Schmeichel. It's about time a keeper had a nightmare against us.
At least one half of the 2whites is happy. Good on ya team Foxy - fast and ruthless. Thought was going to blame Mr Coote for us only getting a point but no, same old same old. Individual errors and a defence that can't defend. That said, and since I've criticised him a fair bit recently only fair to say, Joe Bryan had a decent game.
Results didn't go for you yesterday, including ours. Think you and the udders are gone. The chances are that we'll join you, but we're still in there swinging. Some of your big signings have let you down unfortunately. We didn't have any big signings to let us down. Summarising the season, you guys have underachieved, we have overachieved. Unfortunately, our overachievement may not be enough. Will you have a clear out in the summer? Don't know how some of your signings will fancy the slog of the championship.
It's games like these that players like Cairney and Mitrovic have to step up and show the class they undoubtedly have, but it's not happening. Although it's individual mistakes that have caused us to lose many a game, our marquee players haven't done enough to take the pressure off the back four.
