QPR (H)- OUR BIGGEST RIVALRY?

Fulham hate QPR, and QPR hate Fulham. At least that is how it seems. Many whites fans see QPR as our biggest rivals, but for me it will always be the blue scum from down the Fulham Road. No matter, because at this rate FFC will not be playing the "neanderthals" for quite some time, so Rangers will have to do for now. This Saturday sees us host QPR for a lunch time kick off, and a chance to extend our excellent, recent record against them, not to mention getting back to winning ways. We shouldn't get carried away by thinking that the Jimmy Floyd allegations may affect them, because it probably won't. Hasselbank hasn't repeated his success with Burton, and QPR will also, like us, be thinking that they are underachieving this season. 

A much needed point at Forest, coupled with a promising performance, means that maybe we are on our way back towards our early season form. Slavisa seemed happy with the performance and Scotty Parker will, I am certain, be encouraging the lads to continue and progress. A visit by QPR should mean a terrific atmosphere, and we, the fans must be behind the team for the whole 90 minutes. It is too easy to look at the two excellent results against them last season, and to simply expect more of the same. QPR are no mugs, and with the likes of Washington, Bidwell, Onuoha, and Polter, they can cause us problems. Just like most of our strikers, Connor Washington is yet to get off the mark this season, but he is a proven goalscorer and will need watching closely. The Whites need to get at them early and start on the front foot. I still think that the way we play means we need an early goal in any game, because our possession football means we can draw teams on. Our style of play is much better suited to us if we are in the lead, rather than if we are chasing a game or trying to get a late winner where we leave ourselves open to a counterattack. McDonald is still missing, and Tunners had a good game against Forest and should continue alongside Parker. The excellent Tomas Kalas is also likely to be missing and we may see the return of Madl in place of Ream. Ayite and Fredericks are also missing, with the only slight doubt over Malone. It is getting more difficult to second guess Slavisa, but I expect us to line up something like this- Button- Odoi, Madl, Sigurdsson, Sessegnon- Parker, Tunnicliffe- Cairney, Aluko, Kebano or Piazon- Martin. 

Match prediction- Instead of some of the more cagey affairs we have witnessed lately, i would expect a much more open game, simply because of both sets of fans' enthusiasm. Hopefully, this will be the game where Martin finally gets off the mark, but I personally can see Aluko finding the net. Score- FFC 3 QPR 1.

Key player- Aluko

Let's beat these mugs and get our home form going.
IN SLAVISA WE TRUST.
COYWs

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NO EXCUSES- FFC 0 vs BCFC 4

The day had all started so well, met a couple of old mates and a feeling of optimism about the game. I could sit here and write a long story of the game, but it would be a waste of time. The simple truth is that we were thrashed. The first half was promising with no real end product and once City had scored we were always chasing the game. The second half looked like we were taking the game to them, but after 10 minutes we faded into obscurity. 2-0 to City and it was all over. And when we went down to ten men, I couldn't fault the fans who started to leave in their droves. That is all there is worth saying about this performance, so let's rate the players.

Button- Had a solid enough game, although he mucked about with the ball too much, always looking for the short pass rather than just "getting rid".

Odoi- Looked good going forward , but was too often left exposed by the lack of midfield cover on the right wing.

Madl- Probably his worst game since signing last season, and looked out of position without Kalas by his side.

Sigurdsson- An average enough game, but still settling in.

Sessegnon- I don't know if the paper talk is getting to him, but has stopped taking players on, and found himself in no man's land too often when we gave the ball away. Maybe time to rest, and protect, him, as Malone has a much more mature footballing brain.

Parker- Not his best game. Dwelt on the ball too much in dangerous positions, and was lucky not to see a second yellow when he was clearly getting frustrated.

McDonald- Had a solid enough game, and was unlucky to get a straight red.

Cairney- Another anonymous game. Too often looked for the short easy pass, when earlier in the season he would have been looking to drive towards the opposition box.

Aluko- One of only two players who can take any credit from this game. Always looking to get towards the box, and was by far the MOM.

Kebano- Like Aluko, can be satisfied with his performance, but too often found himself covering for Sessegnon.

Martin- Largely inconsequential, and clearly finds it difficult as a lone striker.

Subs-

Smith- Did OK, but no point in him being fed high balls if he hasn't got a close striker to look for.

Jozabed- Has obvious quality, but is a luxury player who can't play a central midfield role in the rough and tumble of the Championship. Would mush prefer to see him playing as a "high number ten", or a "false 9".

Johansen- A total disaster. Kept giving the ball away, ad his passing was woeful. Nothing more to be said about his "zero points" performance.

Overall a very disappointing result, but the pub was good afterwards.

We need to put things right on Tuesday, or we will have an even bigger disappointment next Saturday lunch time.

IN SLAVISA WE TRUST

COYWs

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© Nic Smith

MORE IMPORTANT MATTERS- BRISTOL C.(H)

Either our fans have very short memories or they are very fickle. On Wednesday evening their were boos at the final whistle. I accept that fans have every right to voice their opinions, but to boo the team doesn't help the squad or the manager. The EFL cup is not important, I repeat "NOT IMPORTANT". If you ask any of those boo boys "A win in the cup, or a win in the league?", they will take the three points all day long. The excellent Piazon was a debutante, and three others were youngsters. City's side was much stronger, although not all regulars, but still more of a first choice eleven. Fulham have lost once in the league, and now it is time to get back to winning ways. Slavisa will be urging the team to forget about Wednesday night, and we, as fans, should also do that and get behind the boys again.

The teams- Slavisa is without Ayite, Fredericks and Kalas, and Kalas must be seen as the biggest loss. Madl should come back to partner Sigurdsson in a back four with Odoi and Sessegnon the two full backs. I also expect to see Parker partner McDonald in front of the back four, with Kebano, Cairney and possibly Aluko further forward. Aluko is the only doubt, as although cleared as fit, only Slavisa knows if he is ready to be risked fully. Smith or Martin, should be the choice up front, as Cauley missed his chance to impress on Wednesday. But, the gaffer has promised changes and he may just surprise us with the inclusion of Jozabed or Piazon. City seem to be undecided on who starts in goal, so it could be one of three, with Lukic maybe getting the nod. Their back four looked a little one paced on Wednesday and new signing Magnusson is a doubt. Fulham need to get at the back four by players like Kebano and Sess running at them, as the big lump who played on Wednesday looked vulnerabke on the deck with the ball at his feet. Their midfield is hardly packed with household names, but Lee Tomlin should be the man to watch. Up front Tammy Abraham, the loanee from the "little club down the road", is classy and for a big lad has good ball control. Overall, City may line up 4-3-3 switching to a 4-5-1, but their midfield looks more set up for defence than attack.

The tactics- Don't be surprised to see our usual style of play with plenty of possession, although if the gaffer has done his homework, expect Kebano, Odoi and Sess to run at their defenders a little more. City's game plan on Wednesday seemed to be to hit long, diagonal balls out wide to the wings with the hope of their two wide players firing in crosses to the loan forward. I expect much of the same on Saturday, and I would expect Johnson to ask his team to be a little more cautious. Much will depend on if Sessegnon and Odoi can decide when it is safe to bomb forward whilst being aware of the City tactic of long balls to the wings. Odoi will need to read the game most as Cairney is not naturally atuned to covering for an attacking full back. An early FFC goal should open them up more, but if City score first, they will be difficult to break down and big Matty Smith maybe the answer.

Prediction- Fulham to win this 2-0.

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WHAT'S YOUR PRIORITY?

I will be at the Cottage, tonight, to watch our lads, and to hopefully watch a good performance. I should, also, point out that the EFL cup means very little to me, as i would rather see us racking up the points in the league. 

So, what should our priority be? And, what does Slavisa think of a cup run in this minor competition? Fulham fans want to win every game, and rightly so, but would we take a win tonight or 3 points on Saturday, against the same opposition? I am fairly certain that Newcastle's 2-0 win over Wolves last night, was only scant consolation for the league defeat by the same opposition, and by the same score, on Saturday. The big prize, that is the Premier League, makes the EFL cup an inconvenience for teams in the top two divisions until the quarter finals and beyond. Most teams will be playing reserve or academy players in these early stages, which can make it a bit of a lottery.
The question is, how do Fulham approach this game? With promising youngsters such as Adeniran, De La Torre and Edun, coupled with some relatively new signings, surely it is time to give the first team regulars a little time to relax before a packed few fixtures. We have a strong squad although we could probably do with one or two more experienced players to augment the ranks. Players like Johansen, Piazon, Jozabed etc. are still finding their feet, and no matter how much they practice our system on the training ground, actually trying it in competitive football is the best way to understand how Slavisa wants the whole squad to play. In the Championship, teams need to use the squad, and the fluidity of being able to put in players who understand the system is of paramount importance. 
Tonight we can expect some of the new signings, and one or two youngsters to come in with, possibly, the less used regulars like Tunnicliffe and Woodrow getting a run. If we lose then we can easily bemoan what could be seen as experimentation, or saving our favoured players for bigger tests ahead. The simple truth is, that Slavisa wants a good league position, and these distractions are the perfect place to blend the rest of the squad into the system.
Ask a Newcastle fan which result they would take from the two Wolves games and we know how they will answer. It would be nice to win, both, tonight and Saturday, but, given the choice, I would take a win on Saturday above any result tonight. Whatever happens tonight, we will cheer the lads on, and then come back on Saturday, to watch the Whites get a much needed league win.

Prediction- FFC win after extra time.

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© Nic Smith

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TIME TO CALM DOWN AFTER WIGAN AWAY

Reading social media, you would think that we had started as badly as when Magath was in charge. Ironically, I am writing this on social media. Social media gives us all a chance to vent our opinions, and in any way we want. "Oh, the beauty of the anonymity (and safety) of sitting at home behind a computer screen". Too often we rush in without thinking, angry and disappointed at the failure of our beloved Whites to register another win. We were flying before the international break and people spoke of promotion, or a play off spot. Two poor home results and we were off to Wigan. Surely we could beat them, a team with 5 straight league defeats.

The game itself was a non-event, bereft of goal mouth action and very few chances. Kebano went close and Martin probably should have hit the target on at least two occasions. Wigan weren't much better, although MOM Gomez and Grigg caused a few problems. Maybe, it was a case of Wigan wanting to end their dismal run, and FFC being a little more cautious. Whatever the reasons for neither side being able to find a breakthrough, these coming weeks sees the games coming fast and furious and there will be topsy-turvy results all over the place. 
It is clear from the words of Slavisa, and the view from the stands, that we aren't creating enough in the final third. That is a problem that needs to be addressed. Tom Cairney is on a bad run of form, and with his quality it cannot go on forever. It doesn't help that he is not naturally disposed to covering for an attacking full back like Odoi. Cairney is much more effective in the centre, but he is also not a "false 9". Last season we played two up front, which often left us light in midfield. It is clear that Slavisa likes a 5 in midfield, which will leave Smith/Martin or Woodrow alone up front. As an "armchair coach", I could suggest that we need to play a "false 9" (Aluko when fit), which would mean effectively playing 4-4-1-1 when in possession. But, whatever our problems in the creative department, we should have faith that Slavisa is already working on it. 
What we have to do, as faithful fans, is to understand that we are still a new team, a team that will take time to gel, and that means not being disappointed when we only draw 0-0 at Wigan. There is nothing wrong in being disappointed, but we are not helping the team by going all Frazer-like and ranting "We're doomed" after any set back. Last season, we would have bit anybody's hand off if they had offered us P8W3D4L1, so where's the panic? If we are all honest, none of us would have expected the play offs at the start of the season. We are a team still being built and a long journey does not come without a few trips along the way. Our form is not good at the moment, but we have still only lost once. Last week QPR lost 0-6 to the Geordies, and yesterday the Geordies were hot favourites to beat Wolves, yet they lost 0-2. We have a great defence in Kalas, Madl and Sigurdsson, and the goals will come. We need to be patient and get behind the boys, instead of stamping our little feet on social media, just because we didn't get the result we expected.

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© Nic Smith

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WIGAN (A)- BACK TO WINNING WAYS?

Two home games, and for many, two disappointing results. But. let us not forget, that we are Fulham. After 3 or 4 abysmal seasons, we are starting to show promise. Birmingham are a good, well organized side, and Burton wanted nothing more than a point. When you win 3 of your first 5 games, then teams are going to notice, and show some much deserved respect to our boys. Slavisa will be working hard with the team to experiment on ways to break down sides at the Cottage. It seems that, this season, home wins are going to be much more difficult to achieve, because of this new found respect. We should also remember that we have made some impressive signings, which will not have gone unnoticed by our rivals. If we can score early goals, at home, we will find it much easier to win from leading, rather than looking for a goal after teams have "shut up shop". All of this suggests that we can become formidable away from home. Whereas, the less fancied sides will defend at the cottage, at home those sides will have the expectation of the crowd, meaning that they will have to come at us, allowing space for us to exploit. We have the quality and pace to take advantage of more adventurous teams who may not have the same class as we have. So, on to Wigan, and a chance to get back to winning ways.

The opposition-
This writer was stunned to see the bookies rating the Latics highly, pre-season. Looking at the Wigan squad, there are some good players, players with Championship experience, but nothing to suggest they would finish above mid-table. Adam Le Fondre is, probably, their biggest name signing, and like FFC their new players will take time to settle in. The DW is a strange place, packed for Rugby League, but I do not expect much of a crowd on Saturday. Whether this affects their home performances with a half empty stadium, we can only guess. However, Gary Caldwell is a highly rated young coach, and he will get them pumped up after 4 straight league defeats. We can expect Wigan to show us respect, but in reality they have nothing to lose by taking the game to us. Bogdan is a solid enough keeper, but I don't know much about their defenders, so that may be an area with little experience at this level. Perkins, Byrne and Jordi Gomez, are the more familiar names in their midfield, with Gomez the one who can cause us problems. Upfront, Le Fondre and Will Grigg are the two better known names and they certainly have goals in them if they are given the right service. Grigg has already banged in 5 goals, this term, and with two assists, we will have to watch him carefully. It is also worth remembering that the Latics have only lost by the odd goal in each of their league defeats. 

The Whites-
With Ayite and Aluko ruled out of this game, Slavisa has his first problem-solving exercise to deal with. I would expect to see Malone return for the impressive Sessegnon. Slavisa has already stated his need to protect Ryan, and the experience of Malone will probably be the way to go, despite the fans wanting to see as much of Sess as possible. Does the boss stick with Sigurdsson or does he bring back, the again available, Madl? If he asked Tomas Kalas, I would think that he would choose Madl because of their mutual understanding. Kalas will have to show hos top form to shackle Grigg. Midfield is where the problem solving will need to be done. Can Parker put in another 90 minute shift, so soon after Tuesday? Will Johansen be given a run, or does he still need time to settle in? I, would, imagine that McDonald is a shoe in, with Tunnicliffe and LVC, likely to make the bench at the least. However, he decides to play the two holding midfielders, the three attacking midfielders will be crucial in this game. Cairney, will be joined by, possibly Kebano and Jozabed. Piazon is a possibility, but Jozabed has been with us longer, and should get the nod. For me, Kebano, has looked impressive, and should start on the left. Up front, I would expect Martin to start, and he may just be more effective with the extra space he gets in an away game. Saying all of that, Slavisa may just surprise us all with one or two of his selections, but I would expect the starting line up to look something like this- Button. Odoi, Madl, Kalas, Malone. Johansen, McDonald. Cairney, Jozabed, Kebano. Martin. 

Predictions-
Expect Wigan to start on the front foot, before a cagey midfield game of chess takes over. The Whites should boss possession looking to use the wings and get low balls in to Martin, with Cairney and Jozabed looking to pounce on second ball around the area.
Score- 2-1 to FFC.
Star man- Martin to get off the mark. 

Please remember, this is only my humble opinion. 
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© Nic Smith

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BURTON ALBION REPORT- "EVERY CLOUD"

So, after the disappointment of losing to Brum on Saturday, it was back off to the Cottage. A beautiful hot day, and meet a couple of old mates in the Railway. Didn't help that I had gout in my right foot, when we walked to the match. Or in my case, I hobbled down to the ground. "Time to bounce back" seemed to be the theme of the day, against a Burton side who had started the season reasonably well. It is amazing that our expectations are exaggeratedly high after our impressive start to the season. In the first 10 minutes Burton looked threatening, but that was all it was, as we took control. A 70% possession statistic looks impressive on paper, but we hardly threatened their goal. I, for one, was disappointed that we found it hard to find a way through against a side who were much less defensively sound than the solid looking Brummies on Saturday. The hope at half time was that we would wear them down and an early goal would open them up. But, it didn't work out like that, as Burton scored, what can only be described as a soft goal. The ball was shielded in the area and laid back to an unmarked player who had way too much time to pick his spot past Button. From there on in, the script was obvious with more Whites' possession, and Burton spoiling. Their keeper should have been booked after about 65 minutes as he had only one thing on his mind, wasting time. A ref with more bottle should have shown the yellow card early, but this ref seemed to be more interested in socializing with the Burton players. When Ayite went off injured, it seemed that we would lose again, but Sessegnon popped up in the right place to fire home. A disappointment, yes, but for those fans who moaned constantly "We can't win every game".

Team report-
We, all, must remember that this is a totally new team, with only 1 or 2 players from last season. We are still a work in progress, and the little nuances of each individual player have to be understood by their fellow team mates. For example, if Aluko naturally comes short, or doesn't move towards the ball when picked out, then the passing player needs time to understand how he plays. There are so many complex intricacies to how each player naturally plays, that it will, over time, become second nature to those players around him. But, I repeat, this all takes time. Against Birmingham, and against Burton, we could see passes falling short or being hit too hard. Some of that is down to bad play, and some of that is down to players getting used to each other. One thing to remember, is that we can see the ideas and style of play developing and once it becomes natural, we will start to control games with much more effectiveness. How many Whites' fans would have foreseen us with a record of W3 D3 L1, after 7 games, and how many of us would have taken that before a ball had been kicked? Last night, I though Cairney, although being adequate and moving around a lot, was ineffective. In fact, when he was presented with a clear shot on goal, in the second half, he took an extra touch and lost out. Odoi played well, getting forward, but never really getting to the byline. Martin and Aluko, didn't create enough space up front, with Martin being the worst offender. Sessegnon had a good game, although he kept trying to cut in, rather than hitting the byline, and I didn't see him beat one player. To be honest, in my humble opinion, none of our players played to their true potential, with the exception of the outstanding Kalas. Composed and confident at all times, he was a rock at the back, and was the first player to decide, that if Burton were going to sit in shape, then he should run with the ball. Kalas is Premier league quality, and you can see why Chelsea won't loan him to another Prem. league club. By far and above our best player on the night and has to be MOM.
So, that was it, a feeling of disappointment as we sat in the pub, but in the cold light of day, we have still only lost once in seven.
IN SLAVISA WE TRUST
COYWs.

© Nic Smith