Fulham – Villa; Oh dear, oh dear

It just goes from bad to worse, doesn’t it?
On top of Mings and Buendia being out for the season with serious knee injuries, we now have Kamara, with a similar injury, Konsa with a knee sprain and out for maybe another month and Jhon Duran with a Hamstring injury that will probably keep him out until April.
Now add on Diego Carlos, who has suffered a Hamstring injury in training and will be out for around a month.
What makes things worse, is that Kamara is not expected to return until september or even October, meaning he’ll have missed all the pre-season and take an age to get into proper shape.
All in all, it means we’re now beyond bare bones and likely to see the consequences of not giving the kids enough minutes in the first team.
It’s a fact that many of us have called for Tim Iroegbunam to play, for example, to no avail. Well, now it looks like we have no choice but to play him.

I remember quite a few players getting serious injuries, particularly around this time of year in the seventies and eighties, but it was usually attributed to the state of the pitches, where feet would dig in to the really heavy, muddy going. Nowadays, pitches are often smoother than a baby’s proverbial, meaning things should be vastly better?
Yet they don’t seem to be and I think it can only be due to modern methods of training.

Whatever, the footballing gods are definitely not looking down on us favourably, which is about usual and it all means we could be in for a torrid and massively disappointing end to the season, which begins today in my estimation.
There is a little bit of good news, which is that Pau Torres and Lucas Digne should be good to play.

Fulham manager, Roy Hodgson was taken ill during training and had to be rushed to hospital. I’m sure we all wish him well and a good recovery, but the timing wasn’t very convenient for the club, as rumours suggest he was on the verge of being sacked. That thought will obviously have gone out of the window now.
The question for us is how will that affect the Fulham team? and it tends to be that players often try harder in these sorts of situations.
As though things already didn’t bode well for us.

Fulham’s squad news is that Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi are back from AFCON. Tosin Adarabioyo and Kenny Tete are available again too, but Raul Jimenez remains out, while Harry Wilson (shoulder) and Issa Diop (hamstring) are both doubtful.
It sounds like they’re in a lot better nick than us.

So how do I see this one going?
Poorly, is the simple answer to that.
I’ve commented for a while now that I didn’t think we’re a very good side of late and we’re now seeing the results that back this up.
I think many of us knew at the back of our minds that we wouldn’t be able to sustain our fantastic play of the first half of the season, but doesn’t it hurt to see that thought coming to fruition?

Our poor run of form continues then and I see goals. I’d expect us to get one, but I’d also expect Fulham to get more, with no doubt Jordan Ayew getting one, if he plays.

It has to be a 1-3 loss I reckon.

UTV!

40 Comments

Page 1 of 2 1 2
  1. Third Generation Villian
    Third Generation Villian February 17, 2024 at 11:41 am . Reply

    Roy Hodgson is Crystal Palace boss Badger

  2. Holte
    Holte February 17, 2024 at 11:42 am . Reply

    Are you getting mixed up between Palace and Fulham Badger? 😉

  3. Sidforever
    Sidforever February 17, 2024 at 12:49 pm . Reply

    It’s a Villa win for me! No real substance to back up this statement. Except we are miles better than we were last year for this fixture with the previous manager.

    I hope Tim Iroegbunam plays and has a blinder. With Torres back it will enhance our ability to play out from the back.

    Last week against Utd we had multiple chances to win the game. That was not the performance of a team in disarray. It was one of a team who can score and should win a lot more matches this season.

    I refuse to join the feeling sorry for ourselves squad. Time for players like Rogers, Ireogbunam, Kellyman, O’Reilly and Kessler- Hayden to step up and force their way into the team.

    I expect a win.🏆

  4. Gerry
    Gerry February 17, 2024 at 1:12 pm . Reply

    Good points Sid and I totally agree. We will do better than nick it and 3-1 Villa for me

  5. Gerry
    Gerry February 17, 2024 at 1:16 pm . Reply

    Looks like Liverpool have a long term injury on Jota to contend with. Being able to bring on Mo Salah make a difference though

  6. Holte
    Holte February 17, 2024 at 1:53 pm . Reply

    I think we will see McGinn drop back to cover Kamara with Tielemans further forward. A front 3 of Ramsey, Watkins and Bailey possibly. The other question is will Torres start or is there a reason he hasn’t played yet.
    I predicted 2-0 to Fulham on my Super 6. I wish I could be more optimistic but it feels a case of when it rains it pours!

  7. Badger123
    Badger123 February 17, 2024 at 3:25 pm . Reply

    Watkins, Get in!
    By
    Haha, what was I saying?

  8. Badger123
    Badger123 February 17, 2024 at 3:30 pm . Reply

    Bailey hits the bad. Great effort.

  9. Badger123
    Badger123 February 17, 2024 at 3:36 pm . Reply

    So Mcginn gets booked for a shou!see charge, but Fulham don’t get a free kick?
    Am I alone in thinking that can’t be right?

  10. Badger123
    Badger123 February 17, 2024 at 3:37 pm . Reply

    Shoulder

  11. Badger123
    Badger123 February 17, 2024 at 3:43 pm . Reply

    Moreno heads, but it’s off.

    1. The Ron Saunders Stand
      The Ron Saunders Stand February 17, 2024 at 3:55 pm . Reply

      Tielemans runs like a geriatric

      1. The Ron Saunders Stand
        The Ron Saunders Stand February 17, 2024 at 4:28 pm . Reply

        Sloppy

      2. Bum Bum
        Bum Bum February 17, 2024 at 5:37 pm . Reply

        Bit like Bill then? 😉

  12. Sidforever
    Sidforever February 17, 2024 at 3:58 pm . Reply

    Pau Torres has made the difference that half. Villa always comfortable playing out from the back. A couple of Torres passes earlier in the half were sublime splitting their defence.

    Keep it up Villa

  13. Holte
    Holte February 17, 2024 at 3:59 pm . Reply

    We should be 2-0 up as Tielemans should have scored. I still think Moreno goal should have stood. I don’t understand how they draw the lines. Torres has been great considering it’s his first game back and Lenglet too has looked assured. Let’s hope we don’t get any injuries second half.

  14. Hitchens60
    Hitchens60 February 17, 2024 at 4:28 pm . Reply

    Not able to watch the game today but great news 2-0 with a Watkins double and Wolves beating Spurs at Spurs!

    And as I write Fulham get one back – don’t bottle it now Villa.

  15. Badger123
    Badger123 February 17, 2024 at 4:30 pm . Reply

    Shocking defending from Longlet let’s Fulham back in it. What a joke.
    Blatant pena?th on Watkins just before too.

Post Comment