I don’t even know if I’ll get to watch this one, as I’m half expecting a text asking me to work tomorrow. At the minute I’m hopeful that I do get to watch it though.
So it’s Brentford away, which hasn’t proved a very good hunting ground for us.
But it doesn’t worry me.
I said recently that there isn’t a single fixture left that worries me.
Yes, we are going to lose more games this season; percentages say so, but any team we face now must realise it’s going to be in for a fight.
Whereas under Gerrard, we looked clueless and quite frankly uninterested (which is criminal, but fully indicative of how bad he was, imo), we now look up for the battle. I don’t need to repeat how McGinn and others look re-invigorated. We’ve all seen it.
So the headline sums up what I’m thinking, perfectly.
Squad news and not much has changed. The usuals, in Boubacar Kamara, Matty Cash, Philippe Coutinho and Leon Bailey are all still out.
Hence we’ll probably play an unchanged side, unless “t’ grand master” has seen something that I haven’t, tactically.
Which is always and easily possible.
Brentford also have no new concerns. Kristoffer Ajer isn’t ready to return, while Pontus Jansson and Keane Lewis-Potter are out for the rest of the season.
Brentford’s stats are interesting.
They’ve beaten us at home in the last four times we’ve played them and the last time we won was 1953. I’d guess we haven’t met them much since then though.
They haven’t won in five and have lost the last three. This would normally have me saying that we’re bound to lose then, as we’ve been the club to face when you’re on your arse, for years.
Not anymore though!
They’ve only lost two games at home this season, which makes the Gtech a bit of a fortress.
But while I would have been asking for a draw in the last few years, I now expect more.
Chris Sutton, has us down for a 2-1 win. It’s the only guess I’ve seen.
And I have to agree with him.
We’ve scored in all 18 games under Emery, which is unequalled elsewhere in the league and I expect that to continue.
I do however, have in the back of mind that we’ve been quite reliant on Ollie Watkins, who has been astounding in scoring 11 in 12 games and contributed to more goals than any player in the league in 2023 (I think. I’m sure I read that last part somewhere).
Am I wrong to ask “what if Ollie doesn’t score?”
I suppose you have to go with what’s happening and not be concerned with “what ifs?”
If we win this, it will be the first time we’ve won six on the trot since February 1990.
I’m not normally keen on stats, but they currently look so good, I can’t resist mentioning them.
And wow, does it make a great change.
2-1 it is then and a continuation of a real buzz.
And if we don’t get a result, you can’t win ’em all, can you?
UTV!
Fulham goal – OFFSIDE!
Bloody sort it out guys!!!!!!!!!
Yea I’ll take the 3 points but what a dull game, dreadful watch.
OK not a vintage performance particularly in the second half but Fulham had one shot all game and that in the first 30 seconds!
Fouls Fulham 18 – Villa 6
Good professional win – that’s what good teams do.
5th – blimey!
My one concern is whether – given our small squad and the high number of games in April – we’re starting to see fatigue impacting on our performances.
We need some of our injured back to give Emery some options.
I’d agree 💯 with that Hitch, they look tired.
Big ask to put in a big performance week in week out.
Fair comment.
Wow! 5TH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think we sound a bit leggy…Especially Buendia. Any chance our injuries will be fit for Utd?
Well done guys!!! Bit hairy though!!!!
I don’t think so Bum Bum.
The club have been very cagey on the injuries and we haven’t seen any of them in OS training pics.
Yeaassss woo hoo another win the lads look a bit tired but we’re up to bloody 5th sooo happy
Second half was disappointing but fortunately Fulham didn’t really offer anything in the final third.
3 points at this stage is all that matters.
We have an extra day recovery over Man Ure for Sunday so let’s hope it’s a really physical game for them against Spuds.
I’m going to screenshot the league table now and print it off at work tomorrow. Happy days. UTMV!
In reality utd are to far ahead to catch and the spuds losing really would be to our advantage but to wave the flag for utd?
go utd go
Painful
An appalling win? Perhaps saving energy for Man Utd is a valid excuse. Only excitement at our end – wondering who would cock it up. Some got close.
We might not have played like Barcelona in their pomp but Fulham went 90 minutes without a shot – given their only shot all game was after 30 seconds!
So you might be right OLL – why over exert ourselves unnecessarily – it was only Fulham after all!
Not sure I’d describe it as appalling – maybe the draw at Brentford was but not today. Efficient, professional although, maybe, a little underwhelming 🙂
5th. I really can’t fathom it! Remarkable. I think the lads will be really relishing Sunday’s match. Especially with Utds injuries and us having a day extra to rest. I can’t wait!!!!
(And still the media largely ignore us…Fine by me. Stay under the radar).
Gonna be following Wed and Thurs matches too…The Utd v Spuds will be interesting. West Ham may well get something against Pool.