MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

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Sutekh
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MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by Sutekh » 11 May 2017 08:36



So, soon after the unanticipated success of a season watching the (false) third best team in the Championship comes the small matter of the play offs and a double header with Fulham Football Club.

Fulham are being lauded in every quarter it seems as the team everyone wants to go up. Suits me fine, alleviate some of the pressure from an obviously very poor Reading side that struggled badly and should only have just avoided relegation. At least that what it seems a lot of the media and pundits would have you believe. And as for the betting companies….

As ever Reading will do this by going “under the radar”. They will hide in the dark shadows and lurk unconvincingly in various corners of the pitch to let Fulham sparkle and shine brightly before administering a swift kick in the ears and disappearing off to Wembley.

Let’s also not forget that Reading don’t do play-offs by half, they either give a brilliant account of themselves and crash in the semis or make the final and get kicked in the teeth after deserving so much more

Sadly Fulham have a full strength squad available. But then so do Reading with only Callum Harriott totally out of contention.

Referee

Lately of the PL group of referees, Warwickshire’s Stuart Attwell will be keeping everything in line



Previously

19 Aug 14 > Reading 1-2 Huddersfield Town
29 Nov 13 > Nottingham Forest 2-3 Reading
25 Feb 12 > Middlesbrough 0-2 Reading
20 Sep 08 > Watford 2-2 Reading
10 Aug 08 > Nottingham Forest 0-0 Reading

Historically

Not much has changed since the last visit to Fulham which was a long long time ago. Well for a team that actually turned up that is.

Basically recent form at the Cottage is horrendous. In the last 135 minutes of football played there Reading have scored 1 and let in 9 which works out at a rate of a goal being conceded roughly every 15 minutes.

So at least there isn’t a lot to live up to and a good deal that needs to be put right.

In the 20 league games played there Reading have lost 50% and won just 25%. If you look at just cup games there have been 4 previous trips there and there has been one win for Reading and a draw (in the League Cup) and a draw and defeat in the FA Cup so on that basis alone it’s anyone’s game.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by Mr Optimist » 11 May 2017 09:19

Ruh oh... Wasn't that Watford game in 2008 the ghost goal one?

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by Sutekh » 13 May 2017 16:08

Subs : Jaakkola, McCleary, Mendes, Berg, Beerens, Popa, Ilori

Reading XI : Habsi, Gunter, McShane, Moore, Blackett, Obita, Evans, Grabban, Williams, Kermorgant, Swift
Last edited by Sutekh on 13 May 2017 16:25, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by Melton Royal » 13 May 2017 16:24

From Twatter
Reading starting XI vs Fulham: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Obita, McShane (c), Moore, Blackett, Evans, Williams, Swift, Grabban, Kermorgant.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by Sutekh » 13 May 2017 16:25

Kelly misses out due to illness


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by Hound » 13 May 2017 16:25

Yeah that, but Swift for McCleary

Feel Kelly is a big loss, hope e is 100% for Tuesday

Still good side otherwise (i.e. What I would have chosen pretty much)

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by TBM » 13 May 2017 16:26

TEAM NEWS | Here’s how the Royals line up this evening for the first leg of the play-offs…

Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Obita, McShane (c), Moore, Blackett, Evans, Williams, Swift, Grabban, Kermorgant.
Subs: Jaakkola, Van den Berg, Beerens, Mendes, McCleary, Ilori, Popa.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by Sutekh » 13 May 2017 16:31

Seems fairly narrow though so think it's a case of safety first and having to be be patient....

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by Hound » 13 May 2017 16:34

Sutekh Seems fairly narrow though so think it's a case of safety first and having to be be patient....


Yep, prob way to go. Just hope the FBs don't get isolated


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by alfie9 » 13 May 2017 16:38

That's a great line-up. Sad that Kelly is out but I would rather have Evans in that defensive role anyway. Hopefully he'll be fresh for Tuesday

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by TBM » 13 May 2017 16:52

Fcuk. Suddenly got nervous

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by Royal Rother » 13 May 2017 17:00

Lots of width on the bench...

Can see this being a very turgid watch.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by Ian Royal » 13 May 2017 17:05

So I assume it'll shape up like this.

..........................Al-Habsi
............Moore, McShane, Blackett
Gunter................Evans...................Obita
...................Williams...Swift
...............Grabban...Kermorgant

Which I like. Shame no Kelly. Not far from our best XI that.


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by Baker's Dozen » 13 May 2017 17:23

I can't make my mind up as to how this game will go…

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by Melton Royal » 13 May 2017 17:27

Buckle Up & lets go for this roller-coaster ride

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by Baker's Dozen » 13 May 2017 17:33

Grabban needs to sort out that beard. It deserves a card on it's own

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by Ian Royal » 13 May 2017 17:35

Anyone got any links? The ones I found have gone down. :cry:

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by 10539.4 Miles Away » 13 May 2017 17:36

Fulham look more nervous than us at the moment

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by BR0B0T » 13 May 2017 17:37

Ian Royal Anyone got any links? The ones I found have gone down. :cry:


http://cricfree.sc/watch/live/fulham-vs ... -streaming

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Fulham (a) sponsored by a Saturday night up the big smoke

by Melton Royal » 13 May 2017 17:37

It's a No from me - and all the pubs in Melton are showing the Arse game :(

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