The Gaffer confirmed in his press conference today that Cairney, Ream and Kebano are all out. Floyd Ayite has got to be very doubtful also having only had an hour's playing time in last weekend's friendly. As for City, what can you say? Their performances speak for themselves, although Kevin Du Bruyne being out does seem to be having a a wee negative effect. The International break hasn't been kind to them either; Sterling hurt his back, Danilo got an ankle knock and Bernardo Silva a groin strain. Potentially important for us though is that Sergio "Kun" Agüero played for Argentino in the early hours of this morning and will only now be making his way back to HQ. For us, the first dilemma is who partners Mawson at CB? The left feet issue seems to have been recognised by Jokanovic last game out when he played Odoi as the right sided CB. Le Marchand does appear to have that little bit more composure however ... and height .. which is presumably why he played LB against Brighton. That said , not sure has the pace or sharpness at LB and he's gone to sleep at least twice costing us goals. Bryan back in for me. Midfield shouldn't be a question mark. But ... if we're going to get anything out of this game we'll need to press the City players and the energy of Johansen and his performances (on the right) for Norway therefore brings him into contention. And who would change our front three starting line up? Possibly, just possibly the style City play could just suit young Sessegnon .... so, going out on a bit of a limb - ..............................Bettinelli........... .Fosu-Mensah...Odoi..Mawson....Bryan.. .............................McDonald... ............Johansen...............Seri..... ......Schurrle..........Mitrovic.....Sessegnon...
I'd hope for that back 4, with a little worry about Odoi staying on the pitch for the 90 so we finish with 11 players. Not sure on Johansen and Sessegnon starting, but would like to see them in for this game too. I think most Fulham fans will be hoping we show we can give the Likes of Man City a game. Wouldn't like to see our GD given a bashing. Think I read that Stuart Attwell is the Ref, could have been worse. They will be testing VAR in a studio on all 3pm kickoffs but it will not be used in the games. I wonder if the results will be leaked after the games ?
It's going to be a tough game but there is probably worse times to be playing them. It's going to be interesting if we are going to give it a go which I am sure we are going to. All I'm hoping is for a good show and a bit of luck.
I'll second that, and feel confident we won't let ourselves down. Not sure I should have said that now...............
It is indeed Stuart Attwell that we have. Pity VAR won't be used - remember his 'ghost goal' for Reading against Watford a few years ago? Attwell did our final game of last season at Birmingham, which ended that run of 23. Hardly a bruising encounter yet he kept himself in business by booking 5 players; Kamara, Odoi and McDonald for us. His previous one was the play off against Reading the season before. Now that was a different kettle of fish. he booked 4 (Malone and McDonald from our lot) and sent of one of theirs. Frankly he lost the plot. The powers that be have used him sparingly in the Premiership so far - he's only done two matches. Attwell came out with a vengeance though and booked 14 in those two games !!!
Nervous start didn't help. Managed to watch most of the second half and okay it was 3-0 by then, but take it as a general reflection of the game. Our shape was good and we tried hard to play football. However, we couldn't live with the pace and movement off the ball of City and quite simply were beaten by a superbly confident side. [Wouldn't read too much into this, since he was up front on his lonesome all the time I watched, but Mitrovic's body language way before the end wasn't brilliant.]
Very risky game plan today which on the positive side the players may learn from. In some ways I'm a bit critical of the game plan but then again over the years I've watched Fulham in the premier league I've been frustrated that we've not given the top teams a better go and "parked the bus" . At this stage of the season it was worth a go and I fully support Jokanovic with his tactics It could have been a six or seven had Man City taken their chances and that really would have been moral downer. I don't think anyone expected anything today so not downhearted. Mitrovic hardly got a sniff so I'm not suprised his body language was not great.
As long as Jokanovic learns from his mistakes in selection & tactics. Over the seasons we have seen he can be really stubborn, for instance insisting on playing Sessegnon at Left back even though that's not his best position and we have Bryan. He seemed to want to play our more attacking Wing backs rather than our more defensive minded WB and we had our centre backs exposed to quick counters and being stretched covering for the full backs. Losing goals early in both halves didn't help, but in games like this you need all your players in top form, but there were a few who didn't step up.
