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. 
Please submit your comments below where I will moderate and post the best comments.

IN SLAVISA WE TRUST
COYWs

© Nic Smith

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