Hello! Its another Preview blog- and this time we're headed to Ewood Park to face Blackburn. It was this game in September that was Kit's debut as Fulham Manager (in a caretaker capacity), and it as symbolic of (another) new beginning. 33 Points later we're in a much more secure position than we were when we had the reverse fixture in September- and a lot of credit has to go to Kit for this.
This game will be an interesting indicator of how far we've come since the first game under Kit- because despite recent form Blackburn are still a very dangerous team, who'll be disappointed if they aren't in the mix for promotion come May. That said, this game is most definitely winnable- both because of Blackburns' recent "blip" combined with the injury doubts over players such as Gestede and Hanley. It'll also be interesting to see how we balance this game with the Cup Replay on Tuesday- I would hope we're looking at the Sunderland game as the more important of the two, although I don't doubt we could win both if we get the balance right- along with a bit of luck.
Naturally, Bettinelli will continue in goal. He's arguably the first name on the team sheet at this point- of course there are players like Parker, Christensen and McCormack; but Bettinelli is the only viable option we have at Goalkeeper. I'm not sure what Kiraly's contract situation is- but I think he was only signed on a 1 Year Deal, so come next season we should have Joronen as the back-up to Bettinelli; and while I would have hoped Joronen's Loan at Accrington would've been more beneficial, I would hope when he's fit he'll go back out on Loan for the rest of this season to get him some more experience.
The obvious talking point for this game is of course Jazz Richards' level of inclusion for the game today. Similar to Fofana, he'll have come to play; and with him not being eligible for the Replay I think its worked out perfectly with Grimmer starting against Sunderland, and Richards starting against Blackburn tomorrow- and then we'll go from there and Birmingham will be the first game where there'll be a proper debate because we'll have seen how Richards performs in a White (and Grey Striped with Orange Bits) shirt. As per Kit; Amorebieta, Hoogland and Kavanagh are pretty close to returns now- and once all three are fully fit the defence will probably be the most interesting area with regard to selection- and rotation. However, as it stands we don't have those options available and while Richards will most likely be coming in- the other 4 of the Back 5 which has become our foundation should remain the same.
The Midfield as it currently stands is probably the area where the most debate is to be had. There we of course the bad news earlier in the week that Hyndman had done his Collar Bone- and is out for a while. However, with the good news Parker is back and available; we have numerous midfield options available to us. I think two games this close together may be a bit soon for Kacaniklic, as such I'd save him for Sunderland on Tuesday. However this still leaves us with; Tunnicliffe, Christensen, Fofana, Parker, Ruiz and to an extent McCormack to fill four spots. I think Tunnicliffe is an absolute must for the game tomorrow- his workrate will be key to our failure or success in the game tomorrow- and of course by footballing logic Tunnicliffe will most likely score. Bryan should continue in the Starting Eleven tomorrow- in what could possibly be his last game in a Fulham shirt with the approaching Deadline Day. This leaves Parker, Christensen and Fofana to make up three spots. Perhaps unsurprisingly I'd have Christensen and Parker take up the two spots- however if as I suspect Fofana has a clause stipulating he has to start; I'd take out Christensen, because I doubt he's fully fit yet.
Of course McCormack will continue up front, and its his striking partner where the debate has to be had. As I said in my Sunderland Preview I think I was a bit harsh on Hugo in my Forest Review- however he's still far from where he was in November/December. Then we've got Woodrow who's recently played well, and gives us a physicality which Hugo even on his best form doesn't give us. However, I'd have Hugo starting up front tomorrow with McCormack- and I can only assume the fact Hugo and McCormack being benched together against Sunderland means Kit still views these two as our First Choice Partnership.
There are of course the rumours of Chris Wood coming in, and while a Striker wouldn't be top of the agenda- a physical striker such as Wood would definitely be a good signing to make if it were to come off, and as with Woodrow he'd add a dimension to our team that Hugo simply doesn't. However, Wood also has buckets of Championship experience and most definitely knows how to score at this level. But more of that on Deadline Day.
We of course lost to Blackburn in Kit's first game in charge, but it was far from a one-sided game- and on another day we'd have walked out with 1 if not 3 Points; and while a Cup Run as I've repeatedly said should be the priority- if we still want to have any hope of getting into the Top 6 we realistically need to start picking up points against the supposed Promotion Chasers.
Thanks for reading as always, the review will of course be up sometime tomorrow- and then we're headed to Deadline Day; while I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to work this- and it good go down like a lead balloon I think I'm going to have a "Live Blog" which I'll update every hour (and of course if/when a deal happens) with any rumours I've seen (most likely on Twitter) and the likelihood of the rumour coming to fruition, permutations for the team etc. so stay tuned for that on Monday- and lets hope we head into Deadline Day with 3 Points.
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