In today’s press conference Kit confirmed that the main doubt is Tim Ream who returned from his International exploits with a “niggle”. On better news, he reported that Matt Smith will get a run out for the U21s tomorrow night against Newcastle (Craven Cottage, kick off 7pm for anybody suffering from a lack of live football). From the sound of it Ream is going to be ruled out as, of course, are Husband (ineligible) and Cairney (suspension). In each case, their replacements would appear fairly obvious – Burn, Garbutt and LVC respectively. At the presser, Kit said "They ['Boro] don't concede many goals at all so we'll have to be very creative to break them down. But we've got the players to do that." What he didn’t say however was how good they are at scoring goals and how resolute we will have to be in defending. Despite losing some potentially key players, this is a game crying out for a different system – as we discussed a few threads ago. Won’t happen though! The only real question is whether he’ll play Ryan Fredericks and if so where? Pretty sure he’d want to stick with his favourite Jazz Richards at RB but maybe, just maybe after all the Welsh celebrations he might give him a rest (on the bench at least). Alternatively it could be a toss-up between LVC and Fredericks at right wing back. What I expect we’ll see as the starting line-up is: ………………….Lonergan……… ..Richards…Stearman…Burn…Garbutt…. .………..Tunnicliffe.....O’Hara.. …LVC…………………………Pringle… ……………<McCormack>…. …………..Dembele………
Probably nearly the same line up as above, but as you say Husband is ineligible so may be Fredericks at RB and Richards at LB with Burn in for Ream if need be. Don't think I'd throw Garbutt in just yet. Need to keep it tight at the back, give them few chances, or keep the goal difference resonable, play a counter attacking style as Boro will be looking to stay in touch with Brighton and should press us hard as we allow too many shots on goal. McCormack has a good record against Boro so hopefully will be on target.
I agree that's near enough the team that we will put out. Haven't seen enough of Garbutt, in fact not seen him at all yet in a Fulham shirt, so can't really comment other than it might be a bit early to start him. Boro should be well up for this game with all that is going on in their area, their loss against Reading, the 4-3 game at the Cottage and the sausage boy story. We will need to be top of our game to get a result. You never know with Fulham though. We've still a decent side and I feel the first goal will be important.
Sure you're right COYW, especially after them losing the last game to Reading. However they'll also have some selection problems. Their star up front, David Nugent missed that Reading match with a hamstring problem and has to be iffy. Also in doubt are their 'wide boys', Albert Adomah and Cristhian Stuani. Both have been on long trips with their country over the last week. Adomah was in Washington DC on Wednesday morning after playing for Ghana against Canada, while Stuani played every minute of back-to-back games for Uruguay against Colombia and Bolivia. The second of those was in midweek in Montevideo so he has had a particularly long trek back. Mind you they've still got plenty of attacking options and their home form is pretty awesome. Pity Nando isn't eligible to pretty much guarantee us a penalty.
Good point and could have nicked it at the end. I wonder what the injury was to Lonergan. I just hope it was a precautionary substitution.
The most pleasing thing has got to be keeping a clean sheet. Listening to Gentleman Jim, sounds like every one of the 'boys' got really stuck in (fighting for the manager?) and we nearly, nearly nicked it as COYW says with Ross Mac's curler in the last minute. Only worrying thing is the injury to Andy Lonergan - hamstring I think. Nothing against Joe Lewis, but would just feel more comfortable with Andy on Wednesday against Leeds (who lost today by a late goal v Brighton).
An almost great result, don't think many of us saw this one coming But putting things in prospective we are13 pts off top spot and 5 off bottom. Lets hope we don't blip it by loosing to Bristol.
I suspect most of us would have taken a point from this one beforehand, even if the penalty miss takes some of the shine off it. Onwards and upwards.
I don't think there actually was a penalty, just a weird glitch in the live text feeds for Fulham & the BBC. A clean sheet away from home against a top team is a good result, no question. Just need to back it up now with a home win.
Positive result, but I think if you look at results in this league, a lot of teams so far win games by the odd goal more so than by a 2 or 3 margin. Home games where we have dominated have been few and far between. Our major problem has been defending set peices and letting in late goals. I'm hoping Lonergan recovers soon, as the defence was beginning to get it's confidence back, and apart from the Wolves game Lonergan has been solid..
