Arriving late for his press confrence today, the Gaffer confirmed that Cairney and Ojo are definitely out. New boss, Aitor Karanka, certainly had quite a shakedown at Forest late on in the transfer window. with 7 coming in and 8 going out. He'll probably stick with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation but who will feature is anybody's guess - we might even get to see Ashkan Dejagah again (for his normal some of the game anyway!). One player, and a real threat, who will undoubtedly be in their side is Kieran Dowell. Sitting high midfield he has a nasty habit of finding space on the edge of the opposition box and has a clutch of goals to his credit this season. Jokanovic might not have the same number of new player quandaries but he has some interesting ones. Of our three new boys, Targett already seems settled in and should start. The other two have had a couple of days training with the squad and for Mitrovic match fitness will be the issue - he hasn't played all that much for Newcastle, partly down to a back injury, and of course had a hectic time travelling on Wednesday. Christie is more a question of where do you play him? So, absolutely sticking my neck out, going for a starting line up of: .......................Bettinelli................ ..Fredericks..Kalas...Ream...Targett.... ......................McDonald.... ......Christie..Johansen..Sessegnon... ...........................Piazon.... .......................Mitrovic.... PS Could see a argument for playing Fonte in and around Mitrovic (and can certainly see that being the future game plan). If that happens tomorrow then Christie drops out and Piazon moves there. Indeed that would be the more logical/stable side; keeping together the majority who have done well of late. PPS Who'd be a manager !?
Jokanovic doesn't usually start new signings for a week or two. I would expect Bettinelli; Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Targett; McDonald, Norwood, Johansen; Piazon, Sessegnon; Fonte. Subs: Button, Odoi, Christie, Kebano, de la Torre (or Cairney), Kamara, Mitrovic.
Like Surlyc I think Jokanovic might go with his selection of the tried and trusted players who have got the results lately and leave the 2 new ones on the bench for impact subs if required. Targett slotted in well, so will Odoi be moved to CB instead of Kalas. For me it's a case of either Fonte or Kamara and Kebano instead of Norwood. Will we be kicking towards the Hammersmith first half, or was that Burton's fault
The man in charge is Tim Robinson, so can see why nobody fancies starting with Mitrovic today. please log in to view this image Yup it's Robinson, with his 9 red cards so far this season and 101 yellows thrown in as a softener. Mind you, the Cottage seems to have a calming effect on him. Only two weeks ago he looked after the 6-0 thumping of Burton and a paltry 2 yellows were produced for fouls by them. Prior to that, back in September, he was here for our 2-1 win over Hull and despite a bagful of fouls by theirs, not a card was shown. Goodness knows what mood he'll be in today but he benefits from a human version of VAR, with none other than James Linington as 4th official !
Action from Sky once more http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/11235450/fulham-2-0-nottingham-forest
Every player out there gave 100% to ensure that result. And as we have come to expect the game's not over till the whistle blows, 'cos that's 18 goals we've scored in the last 15 minutes. The one by Johansen in the 90th minute today typified this, winning the ball just inside their half and taking it to the 6 yard box before calmly passing it home. But ... we don't half jangle the nerves with silly, too casual stuff, at times. Twice in the first half when Forest really should have done better. Similarly twice in the second and huge plaudits to Marcus Bettinelli for this when the score was 1-0: PS Thought Targett looked good especially first half. PPS Loved the way Mitrovic kept applauding his team mates, even when the ball(s) into him were rubbish.
Thought the first half was pretty boring. Fulham controlled possession but not much threat from Forest except when we lost the ball trying to pass out from the back. Sessegnon was like Bambi on ice, he kept slipping over, he must have changed his boots at HT. Piazon had not really been playing that well but his shot was ballistic and flew past Pantillimon. Then after the double save by Bettinelli turned the game as Forest had tried to step up a gear, but for me Johansen ruled the midfield he was everywhere chasing down the Forest players and he deserved his goal.
Know who SuperBri will give it to, and I'd support that. Have to say though that Bettinelli's double save was so significant that he'll probably get it in the poll on the official site.
I thought Norwood had a strong game as well. Honestly no one played badly (Fonte didn't get brought off due to his play, but because Jokanovic wanted to bring Mitrovic into the game), although Ream made three bad errors which could have easily led to goals. Anyway, I'd second the Johansen nomination. It's as if he had something to prove after all the talk about how he is no longer the craziest member of our squad!
On the subject of yesterdays Ref, he is the type of Ref I like to see, who is consistent in his decisions whether good or bad. For instance I thought he might have given the push in the box to Forest in the 2nd half, he didn't then the same happened to Mitrovic and he didn't give that one either. The bookings for both sides were consistent as well. He didn't dramatise his decisions and kept play flowing.
Quick thumbs up for Kalas not only did he have a good game today the one mistake he did make which led to Betts double save he worked his nuts off to get back on the line and got a block in in between the two saves.
