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The Playoff's

Discussion in 'Fulham' started by 2whitestripes, Jul 26, 2020.

  1. 2whitestripes

    2whitestripes Well-Known Member

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    None too surprisingly we we didn't quite manage the automatic promotion places but we are still in the hunt for the promotion, with Cardiff home and away this week. On past performance and with our momentum we should pass this test but a draw away is a minimum requirement. It won't be easy and we will need to dig deep, keeping the defensive errors to out of our game and more positivity going forward. We have Reed back after suspension which is a big help, he has played so well since the resumption and long may it continue. I don't know why we haven't taken the option to buy him yet, anyone have a inside story on this?

    If we get past Cardiff, I hope we will face Swansea in the final as we seem to have a problem getting a result against Brentford of late, a bit like Barnsley. A final at Wembley will be so different from forming the White Wall against Villa (they may well return to the Championship by 6pm today).

    I'll not be too devastated if we don't go up to the EPL, it's been good winning games this year. If we do manage it though we need to strengthen, not massively like last time with so many loaner's returning to their clubs, leaving the cupboard pretty bare.

    It is becoming quieter on our board, we need a bit of the White Wall spirit.

    How do you see promotion panning out, are we going up or staying put?
     
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  2. Super Brian McBride

    Super Brian McBride Well-Known Member

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    Cardiff are a bunch of scrappers so we are in for a couple of tough games. I'm looking for us to try and do the same as the Derby playoff, keep the first leg tight and go for it in the second. Problem this time we don't have the home advantage of a crowd to apply the pressure and passion.

    I can see Swansea may be taking a lead in the first leg but an in form Brentford would be capable of turning even 3-0 deficit around, the question is have they cracked under pressure and are Swansea the in form team.

    A lot may depend of the Ref's for the game. We know from previous experience against Reading mistakes could cost us. Do they still have Premier Refs in the playoffs because of Sky TV ? If so some one like the Drama Queen Mike Dean could turn a match and ruin it. Plus there is no VAR, so bound to be some controversy.
     
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  3. Oldsparkey

    Oldsparkey Well-Known Member
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    You'd better believe it pal..........<laugh>

    This all about getting over the line and it may all be about "scrapping" over two legs rather than finesse. There seems to be an assumption that Cardiff can't compete in any other way other than the steriotyped image others project. Fulham play the" right" way and Cardiff try to blag it with brute force - we'll see.

    When we both went up together two seasons back, we did it automatically under Warnock and you made it through the playoffs playing some lovely stuff with Jokanavic. Being up there with the elite for that season was an eye opener for us both.

    We battled away and only went down at the death condemned in part by some very dubious official's decisions in favour of the "big clubs". You tried to play your way through the season and went down early because you weren't good enough playing your own game against better teams at that level.

    It has obviously been a continuation of that style under Parker that has got you where you are right now, and that's fair enough - can't fault it. Now it comes to the crunch though - have you got what it takes to get over the line? I refer to the "scrapping" word. This is not a Championship league game when there always seems to be another one to come to redress a setback - this is knockout stuff and will take a different mindset.

    I'm not knocking your club in any way here guys - great respect for your skills on the pitch, but as often said, there's more than one way to win a football match, and no one way is always right. If you don't mind guys. I won't wish you good luck. <ok>
     
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  4. 2whitestripes

    2whitestripes Well-Known Member

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    OS we have been scrapping and digging out results lately, shutting up shop and seeing games out pretty well. We can make some awful defensive mistakes, but generally we have been solid. We will play our football, there will be no stopping us doing so over 2 x 90min games, it will be interesting.
    I do wish you good luck though.
     
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  5. Oldsparkey

    Oldsparkey Well-Known Member
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    No probs pal - may the "best team" (whatever that means) get to Wembley and beyond. <ok>

    It's being billed in the media as a "clash of styles" in the same way in which we're generally compared to Swansea.

    Whether it's you, us or neither of us going up, whoever makes it of the 4 teams left with a chance will need big changes to stay there.
     
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  6. Fulham COYW

    Fulham COYW Well-Known Member

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    I think back to our playoff game with Reading a few years ago and remember two frustrating games. Reading stopped us playing with niggly fouls, and massive time wasting from the 1st leg. That first goal will be so important.

    Playing Cardiff is always a scrappy affair, balls up in the air a lot, long balls and long throws. We have the better team, there is no doubt on that, but the result from these two games are far from inevitable.

    What does encourage me is that we have had goalscorers from all over the team recently, apart from the mad half against Sheffield Wednesday we've been solid at the back and we've got many in the team that have good experience in this situation. If we play at our best we will win this well but I suspect we'll do it the Fulham way.
     
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  7. Cookie-6262

    Cookie-6262 Well-Known Member

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    Nothing easy about the play offs I’m expecting two very tight games decided by a quality Moment or two... and despite the fact Cardiff are very different in style to us they still have players capable of producing those moments.

    Both teams are pretty much full fit
     
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  8. SouthStand

    SouthStand Active Member

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    Come on Fulham, we can’t have the welsh in the EPL!
     
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  9. SouthStand

    SouthStand Active Member

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    He’s an odious little twat is Harris lol
     
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  10. Fabulous Fabio

    Fabulous Fabio Well-Known Member

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    Absolutely controlled that 2nd half, glad to get the deserved 2nd goal for a bit of breathing space. All without Mitro too, even more impressive.

    Bring on the 2nd leg and lets book our place at Wembley again.
     
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  11. Fulham COYW

    Fulham COYW Well-Known Member

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    Good second half and job half done. Thought we went about our business in a professional way and deserved the win. We just need to make sure we don't become complacent. Cardiff have nothing to lose now than go all out on Thursday for a result.

    I was pleased we did so well without Mitro and Artur. The game was probably ideally suited for Artur.

    Cardiff I think just ran out of puff in that second half, Tomlin looked knackered and I wonder if he will start in the second leg. Hoillet was probably their best player but was invisible also in the second half.

    So pleased, momentum continues and building nicely.
     
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  12. 2whitestripes

    2whitestripes Well-Known Member

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    We did ourselves proud tonight.
    We resisted their fight then rose above it with our football, skills in then end give us the advantage, excellent and bloody brilliant.
    <applause><applause><applause>
     
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  13. Cookie-6262

    Cookie-6262 Well-Known Member

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    That second half was the best we have played for sometime probably since the first the first half at Leeds. They say 2-0 is a dangerous score line if Cardiff score first Thursday there backs will be up and will throw the kitchen sink at us but having a lead will allow us to control possession and hopefully take the sting out the game.
    It’s been 10 years since a 0-0 league draw atvCraven Cottage but I would take one Thursday night.
     
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  14. Cookie-6262

    Cookie-6262 Well-Known Member

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    I would like to add that Hectors clearance off the line was a worth a goal in its self and it could have been a totally different game if not for that.
     
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  15. 2whitestripes

    2whitestripes Well-Known Member

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    Absolutely Cookie
     
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  16. LIBERTARIAN

    LIBERTARIAN Well-Known Member

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    Sorry to burst your arrogant, racist, bubble, but there's no such thing/organisation as " the EPL ".
     
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  17. 2whitestripes

    2whitestripes Well-Known Member

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    This, if anything was nationalism, not racist. It was also received as banter not hate.
    Your comments are not welcome so if you have a problem pop onto the Leeds forum, I'm sure they will discuss further.
     
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  18. LIBERTARIAN

    LIBERTARIAN Well-Known Member

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    Thank you for your kind reply. Always good to receive such positivity.

    No difference between " nationalism " and " racism ". The poster was being snidely racist, and I took him to task. I let him off lightly.

    My comment was really aimed at his " EPL " nonsense.

    No need to discuss it further. He got the message, sending you as his emissary.

    You be sure and have a nice day.
     
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  19. Cookie-6262

    Cookie-6262 Well-Known Member

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    So do we play Mitro in the second leg??? Apparently he trained today but I would be tempted to either play him first 45 mins or have him on the bench to bring on.

    I would also give Kamara a start over Knockeart
     
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  20. 2whitestripes

    2whitestripes Well-Known Member

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    I was contemplating the same Cookie. I'd be keeping him on the bench until he is needed. (Mind you if I were managing we'd be in the Isthmian League by now)
    I thought Bobby did well in the first leg, Marshall was often trying to man mark him and Bobby took him out of position, opening up opportunity.
    A good solid performance, avoiding risk is what is needed tomorrow. Keep the ball, keep them running, and we will be fine .................... I'm still nervous!
     
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