The somewhat diminished magic of the cup in recent years has re-entered the hearts of Charlton fans with this years’ third round tie away at Craven Cottage. Many are hoping for a thriller and with over 7,000 rocking robins making the short trip to West London, the atmosphere is not likely to be bad. Will you be there?
That’s it, no more puns, I promise. A couple of weeks ago, many fans were looking at this game with the balance of hope and expectation equal yet as the date has drawn closer the hope scale seems to have gained a little bit more clout. Recent draws against Oldham and Walsall and a defeat against Leyton Orient has affirmed our status as a League One club (a good one, but third tier all the same), and coming up against a Premier League team which has just beaten Arsenal will be no easy task. Of course Fulham are likely to rest some of their ‘star’ players such as ex-Addick Danny Murphy and Ruiz, yet players such as old bald eagle Andy ‘Penalty’ Johnson and the exciting prospect of Kerim Frei could both make appearances. Martin Jol’s men are sitting seven points above the relegation zone of the top-flight and are unlikely to be dragged into a battle, and after being dumped out of the Europa League with the last kick of the game they’ll be seeing the FA Cup as the sole chance of success. After all, somebody has to win it so…
With Ben Hamer’s tactical appeal now concluded (and lost), John Sullivan will take his place in between the sticks by the river and the four players in front of him could be slightly rotated. With Chris Solly and Rhoys Wiggins fit as fiddles, I suspect they’ll get the chance to test their skills against a better quality of opposition, whilst the Brentford-rested Matt Taylor may come back into the fold. If a planned centre back rotation policy is in place by Chris Powell, we’ll have to wait and see whether or not Leon Cort or Michael Morrison make way.
Rewarding players with a chance against a Premier League team is all well and good but with One Aim this season, the midfield and attack could see a few changes to keep people fresh for the big game against Sheffield Wednesday the following Saturday. Scott Wagstaff, the unlucky sacrificial lamb at Orient, may get a chance with Green making way, although Powell may want to keep the goalscoring momentum going with the Beckham of League One. Bradley Pritchard’s assured performance against Brentford may see him rewarded with a starting place, although his partner is less sure. Danny Hollands may be due a rest, which may see Johnnie Jackson move in centrally to continue his return to match fitness and subsequently opening the door for Cedric Evina on the left. Kermongant’s heroic recent performances could see his legs rested, resulting in Paul Hayes renewing his early season partnership with BWP who is surely due a goal.
With a bench of seven, there are plenty of opportunities for players to sample the atmosphere and indeed get on the pitch, so slight rotation may be a good option. Of course we want to put on a show for the travelling hoards but an intense Christmas period will have taken its toll. Powell’s line-up on Saturday may show just how much. There’s no reason we can’t get a result if things fall in our favour, and I think they might. 1-2.
Come on you reds!
Comments
A great day out coupled with a 3-1 defeat, who cares though, getting promoted is much more important.
COYR
Against a Premiership team away we should lose ... and possibly will ... but I have a suspicion we will get the first goal and Fulham may wilt a little under the noise of our fans.
Fulham then to go 2-1 up and we get a late goal with Kermit coming on as super-sub.
2-2 and a replay at the Valley where 500 Fulham fans will fill the Jimmy Seed.
2-0 routine defeat to a fulham stiff side
COME ON YOU HADDOCK AND CHIP LOVERS!!!
haddocks 3
moonwalkers 2
MOTM pickled egg: green
the end.
just hope we score first or equalise so the 7,000 can go mental
I'm going with the heart here. Why not? Magic of the cup etc etc.
BWP with the shock opener...Johnson with a dodgy pen that he, of course, 'wins' himself...Yann with a last minute bullet header to send the addicks are back in the velvety ball bag.
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What's the slightly bigger picture? For a decent club and team like Fulham to accept the cup is their only realistic chance of winning anything, and constructing a team to really go for a win? Likely. For Fulham to make loads of changes on the assumption they should be good enough to win? Possible, but I say unlikely.
For Charlton to keep an eye on the 'one aim', mindful of the two Sheffield games coming up, and make considered but necessary changes? My option whatever Fulham do. Or for Charlton to field what CP thinks is his strongest possible side, and see what happens, worrying about the future in the future? Would be nice but risky.
We have nothing to lose in this game, Fulham must win for credibility. We won't lose points, or damage any goal difference whatever the result, so personally I hope whoever plays enjoys their game, as I intend to enjoy the certain win on atmosphere and support that we will get.
I expect something like a two or three goal defeat, but it will be a good day out, and you just never quite know....maybe their keeper will be sent off after five minutes!
After going out of the Europa League, Fulham will be wanting a good cup run, so they won't be putting out a weak team.
Any replay would come in between the 2 Sheffield league matches, and would be an unwelcome distraction. I expect SCP to make the team aware of that.
I'm hoping for a rare cup win, but am expecting to lose. Hopefully not another 3-0 (or worse).
this....would love us to just score (and not a consolation) at our end, so that we can go mental.
full strength side please then they can have a couple of days rest as no midweek game next week.
Is Cort eligible as a loanee to play? Perhaps that was another reason why he was played against Brentford and Taylor rested.
I'd probably give BWP and Kermorgant the week off and rotate in Hayes and Clarke.
Sullivan
Solly--Taylor--Cort--Wiggs
Waggy-Russel-Jackson-Evina
Hayes BWP
IMO
http://cc.fulhamfc.com/forum/topics/the-fa-cup-what-the-hell-is-going-on
Ohh Aah would have a field day with the excuses on there!
Although not surprising if we was Prem I doubt we'd have many more than 7/8/9k at home for a 3rd round game vs a 3rd division team, shame as it'll spoil the atmosphere and probably end up a bit like WBA a few years ago in the 3rd round when they sold out the Jimmy Seed while the rest of the ground was empty