In today's press conference the Boss said Marcus Bettinell is progressing as expected and Alfie Mawson is doing fine but not yet ready for the first team. Of the 'regulars' Tim Fosu-Mensah is struggling with whatever he did to whatever against Everton and Floyd Ayite is still uncertain. Bournemouth are probably the most unpredictable team in the League this season and strangely it's their home form that been letting them down. They'll be buoyant after thumping Brighton 5-0 last weekend but wouldn't read too much into that given their general record. They have a few injuries but none that will really impact on the main squad selection. Expect them to line up 4-4-1-1. Wilson is of course back and he'll always be a threat in front of goal, although a positive with Ernie Howe's side is that goals can come from anywhere - with the likes of Fraser and King regularly chipping in. Young Brooks will also be a danger, especially if we give him the space to 'ghost' around as we did in the game at the Cottage. They are a tad vulnerable in keeper Boruc though - harking back to poor home form - and we need to put pressure on him. For us can only see two debates. Right Back, where Fosu-Mensah and Christie are both suspect [for the life of me do not understand TF-M even being considered.] Marlon Fossey has taken over that spot for the U23s but it may just be too early in his return from injury. The other position is Centre Back, where playing the two left footers Le Marchand and Ream together is far from ideal However, we need Chambers in midfield and loanee Nordtveit appears to be well out of favour. So ... ...............................Rico............... ..Christie...Le Marchand...Ream...Bryan.. ................Chambers...Anguissa.... ............................Cairney.... ........Sessegnon....Mitrovic....Babel....
Fears allayed Cottager, FM has now returned to Man U following an operation on his knee, following injury against Everton. Knee ligament damage which is bad for whoever gets this, but not too sad to see him leave at last. I think we all would wish him the best of luck and a full recovery.
Tomorrow it's the return of David Coote. please log in to view this image As a rookie in the Premiership he's still being used very sparingly. Prior to tomorrow he's only had one game since he ref'd our defeat at Leicester at the beginning of March. So this will be his 11th game and our fourth time of seeing him. Not a lot to more to say about the Bristol Rovers supporter than said in the earlier threads. For the record in his 10 games so far, he dished out 29 yellows and zero reds. PS the bestest lino in the League, Sian Massey-Ellis, will be helping him get thing right.
The locals are bullish about this one, though one friend of mine seemed to think they had a good chance of signing Sess from us in the summer, so that probably says something about his judgement! Personally, I'm looking forward to it and - as ever - optimistic. I liked what I saw of Nordtveit, but if he's definitely not wanting to stay on for the Championship, perhaps we're better to go with someone who might be around next season.
No Cairney. Seri takes his place. All in a good cause though - Tom is with his partner as their first baby is due at an time. And Denis the Menace comes in at right back
One nil ....... next! We played well today, everyone did us proud including the fans who I heard on the stream (don't tell) from start to finish, having a party! All very Fulhamish. COYW's, onwards and upwards.
The job has to be Parkers now, if he even wants it of course. The signs were already there even in the losses to the big teams that he had brought a bit of fight back and there was a different attitude in the team but now he has a couple of wins under his belt, and possibly more to come, he has to get a chance next season. These last few weeks just make you think what if......
Just back from a great afternoon out, despite it taking some 4 hours to get there. We rode out the first 20 mins of pressure from Bournemouth and then had a good go ourselves. Party atmosphere in the crowd with inflatables and tropical shirts the order of the day. Joe Bryan I thought had one of his best matches along with Frank, Sess and Chambers. Can't believe 2 clean sheets and 2 wins on the trot. All too late but I enjoyed the game much more than the last time I was there when we lost 5-nil.
Sounds like I had an easier journey than you, COYW - a ten minute stroll from front door to turnstile. I agree with everything you said: a great day out and a great game, with a brilliant atmosphere in the away section from start to finish. I'd add Le Marchand, Sess and Rico to the list of outstanding performers, though in fairness nobody had a bad game for us. Ayite looked brigh when he came on, albeit with the advantage of being fresh against tired defenders on a very hot day. Babel impressed me again; if there's any way he can be persuaded to stay on in the Championship, he could be a huge part of next season. Interesting to see Sess on the right, possibly because Bournemouth have all of their proper left backs out injured at the moment. Great as well to see Mitro on MOTD describing the Fulham fans as the best fans in the world - maybe, just maybe, he might be willing to stay on. Another plus, given the uncertainty of big name departures over the summer, we were excellent and created lots of chances in spite of Cairney's absence. So, a second win on the bounce, a first away win at last, no share of the 'fewest clean sheets' record and bragging rights for my boys when they go back to school on Tuesday. That'll do nicely.
Great win - so good to see the team showing what they can really do. It looks like we might decide who is relegated - if we beat Cardiff next weekend then they probably will - if we loose then Brighton might go down instead.!! Let's send Warnock back to where he belongs
