Not seen a thread for this and do feel as though it's just a fixture to get out of the way before we move on to cup game on Sunday. Fulham, if they fail to win, will be relegated and haven't won an away game all season. You just know what's going to happen. I know there will be changes but I hope we don't make too many as this is a big game still. The fight for 7th and the possibility of Europe has really tightened up with just one or two points separating 5 teams. Play virtually a full team and win 3-1 Make bundles of changes and lose 1-2
I've got to say, this game worries me a little, for a number of reasons. Fulham HAVE TO win or else they are relegated. We have an eye on Sunday's Wembley match. Fulham have lost 8 on the spin. These runs usually end when teams play us. Gracia is bound to rotate and may play more squad players. Capoue is one booking away from a two match ban, so I doubt he will be risked. Fulham do have a lot of decent players. On a one-off match they could easily click and Mitrovic looks like he may be available after missing out on the weekend. It would be a horrible game to lose, after such a disappointing result on Saturday, which did not match the performance. We cannot afford to lose this one or else I think it could well be curtains for our chase for 7th spot.
Presume Gray and Success will start up front and the midfield will change . Have we relegated anyone before ?
Fulham may "have to win" or they are relegated, but they must already know that they are relegated regardless of what they do tomorrow. I would suggest some changes, rest some key players, but not the whole first choice 11 and have enough on the bench to come on. We must win if we're to keep up the chase for 7th, which should override a bunch of no hopers clinging onto hope for another week through an improbably win. Horntes 7-0 Fulham
If Capoue were to be booked would he be banned for the SF? If so he should definitely be rested to make sure he is available for the SF. Who else should be rested against Fulham , what do you think?
Fulham are awful. Pick 11 blokes out of the crowd to play and give the whole first team squad the night off ahead of Sunday's SF
Fulham are not thinking "if we can only win this and the following 5 matches, and Cardiff don't get a single point for the rest of the season, we can do this! They are thinking "please let this be over".
Chalobar if he's fit enough should play as he won't on Sunday. I'd also give Penerererererererdererer a run out, at least for the first half. Gray to start. Not sure If I'd rest Foster. Depends on whether Gomes is playing in the cup. Capoue & Deeney & Delefeu on the bench chuck them on as and when required if it looks like we're not getting the points. We do need the points here. We have few games left which are winnable and it'll put us back in 7th.
In previous seasons this is the sort of daft scenario where we'd lose 1-0. Not this season though, 3 ******* nil us.
Exactly. Mathematically possible does not equal remotely plausible. It's simply not going to happen. They'll probably start playing well once relegation is confirmed, since at that point the pressure is basically off and they will all be playing for contracts. I don't expect them to put up much fight tomorrow. The Sword of Damocles is hanging over them in no uncertain terms.
Wild guesses. -----Gomes --Navarro (because Femenia is needed for Saturday and no Janmaat), Kabasele, Cathcart, Masina (with Holebas getting a few minutes late on) -- Doucoure, Quina, Hughes -- Success, Gray, ???? (no idea what he'll do here. Deeney, Capoue, Pereyra and Deulofeu should be rested, but Sema?, Penaranda? Probably give another regular a run out and look to substitute)
Dahlberg, Navarro Prodl Britos Masina Chalobah Quina Pereira Penaranda Success Sema That’s Sunday’s line up. For Fulham, I’d pick the same team we played on Saturday.
As we saw against Newcastle - you can rest anybody apart from Doucoure. Without him we are ****. So for gods sake don't drop Doucoure.
Well, Prodl hasn't kicked a ball in anger all year I don't think, Chalobah and Penaranda have similarly gone missing and Pereira plays for Atlanta United 2 (presumably the rough equivalent of League 1).
Must win game if we are serious about a 7th place finish against a team of relegation certs (no, not that one). 1-2 (Deeney - Masina og, Sema og)
Funnily enough a solo run from the edge of his own box, leaving the last 2 defenders for dead before rounding the keeper. Then rips off his shirt.
This guy sounds mustard. Built in replacement for Deulofeu. (And also a much easier name to pronounce.)
Strongest 11 please We have a good chance of getting 7th place, best of the rest, and europa league We have a slim chance of turning over citeh at wembley should we get to the final
Full strength. Because let’s be honest, professional footballers at this level should be able to play Saturday-Tuesday-Sunday when the last game is a huge one. (Anyone close to suspension can sit out obviously) It was okay to rotate against City given the remote possibility of a positive result. But we should be winning against Fulham and the team would be picked to ensure that happens. Thoughts about the FA Cup game should only happen once the final whistle goes. Wouldn’t be against Chalobah or Penaranda on the bench however as a sign of belief in them.
Personally I feel the typical "we''ll get three points at Watford" stigma has long gone from this team. Yes we generally lose against the big six but we do play well against them overall, it's just a bit of luck and confidence in front of goal that deludes us (that or a dodgy ref/lino call). Typically, we haven't lost to anyone outside of the top six since Leicester away. We were poo that day and deserved to lose but since then it's been going along nicely and one of the main reasons we are where we are - with a chance of 7th and an F.A Cup Semi or even a final to go. I am sure Gracia will drill it home pre match about the importance of Sunday but also that this game is vital to pick up a win. Slither, and Leicester got decent results and sit above us, so this is our chance to move back above them and hopefully Manure can do us a favour and beat Wolves also. What changes he makes may or may not impact which eleven starts at Wembley. Almost all players in the squad would love to take part at some point, so I am thinking anyone who plays tomorrow night are going to give it 110%. I agree about not resting Decoure' - he is one of our best finishers at good moves. I would also start Gray - he's in a purple patch and if he was to score tomorrow Javi might have a forward dilemma on his hands. Why not go with Pendz and Gray tomorrow? I would love to see Pendz get a decent run out - and Fulham are no push over's either, so its not going to be an easy win. They will fight for everything tomorrow night so we need to be up to the task. I still think we should and will have too much for them. Watford 3 Fulham 1 (Penz 1, 90, Deeney 54) (Sema(OG)3)
Some of them certainly. Some of the ones who are historically fragile and/or older just can't be the form needed. Femenia, Janmaat (moot), Pereyra, Holebas and possibly Capoue, Deleofeu and Deeney fall into this category for me. Some of them need to play, but if they all go 90, I fear we will lack a lot of sharpness against Wolves.
