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We’ve reached the eve of the FA Cup’s third round and as is the case every season, I dream of a long cup run. You can’t get to Wembley unless you take out your first opponent and for Fulham, that first opponent is League One’s Peterborough United.
It’s been awhile since the two clubs have met on the pitch (1990-1991, “Old” Division 3) and you may want to sit down Fulhamaniacs…”The Posh” own a 6-3-2 record in all competitions against us. However there is good news, we did bounce Peterborough out of the FA Cup the only time the two clubs met in the competition (1958-1959) in the third round. Now that I’m finished throwing useless stats at you, let’s talk about tomorrow’s battle.
Now I’m not going to pretend to be an expert when it comes Peterborough. I haven’t seen them play this season and you want to know why? I watch soccer on TV. So I refuse to “fake it” like some bloggers do and pretend I can talk Posh tactics and what not. All I know is, they are sitting on 33 points and are currently 7th in the table, just outside of the final playoff spot. That’s it really. Oh wait, I do know one more thing, just like any club who resides below the Premiership, The Posh are licking their chops and ready to scalp a big boy. And that’s what worries me and what should worry you as well.
Mark Hughes has sent some mixed signals since Tuesday regarding his starting XI for the cup tie. One minute he’s claiming he’ll rest many of his starters and then in the next interview, he claims only “a few” changes will be made. Perhaps he doesn’t want to reveal all his cards and that’s fine, but if he were to ask me (he won’t), I would suggest putting out the strongest team possible in order to avoid embarrassment.
We’ve won two of our last three league matches and have climbed out of the relegation zone (for now). I feel it’s very important for morale that we continue to win, losing or drawing at home will do little to keep the momentum going. So with that in mind, here is my starting XI:
GK: Stockdale
Defenders: Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Baird
Midfielders: Riise, Murphy, Greening, Duff
Forwards: Gera, Kamara
So, what do you think? I believe Etuhu could use some time on the bench, Davies deserves a break, Dempsey always appears to be tired even when he’s not and hell, Gera may as well play up front because nobody else can. Rumor is Dembele will get another week to recover and Andy Johnson is still recovering from a minor hamstring tear (big shock). So I believe I put out the strongest team possible while still giving rest to a couple who I feel could use it. If you’re feeling extra nervous, then make Davies and Dempsey available on the bench, but I think you’ll agree that the team I put out should defeat Peterborough.
So, I suppose I should wrap this lame preview up by throwing out a prediction. I feel Peterborough will keep things close for about 60 minutes and will then gas out. Gera is due to score a goal, so I’ll give him two.
Fulham-2
Posh-0
From what I can tell, there will be no television coverage anywhere in the world, so don’t bother searching for illegal Eastern European online feeds. Simply visit FulhamFC.com and listen to Gentleman Jim’s call of the match.
COYW!!!
Category: FA Cup, Mark Hughes, Team News
Tags: FA Cup, Mark Hughes, Team NewsTweet « Sidwell Cottage Bound? | Home | Comments | Add your comment mitch | January 7th, 2011 at 11:25 pm
I wouldnt mind seeing, well hearing in this case, Dembele getting some time in the 2nd half so he can get some full speed action.
Jason Gatties | January 7th, 2011 at 11:37 pm I agree Mitch, but something in the back of my mind keeps telling me that Hughes will not start Dembele today. It wouldn’t shock me to see him come off the bench though to get a few minutes in. Guess we’ll see.
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