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.

IN SLAVISA WE TRUST
COYWs

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