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Back to basics for the Whites on Saturday. Can we return to winning ways against struggling Everton? Despite the bruises from that midweek trip to Stoke, in the league we remain unbeaten.
A chance to move higher up the table against David Moyes side, who rarely do well at the Cottage although scorelines are usually close. Both home teams won the corresponding fixture last season 2-1, Duff lashing in a belter ten minutes from time at the Cottage as we came from behind. Everton did likewise up at Goodison when we were focusing on the Europa League. Roy made 9 changes and we only lost in very controversial circumstances to a highly debatable penalty in the last minute of stoppage time.
While we're all bemoaning the absence of Zamora and now Dembele - though thankfully only short term with damaged ankle ligaments - let's not forget Everton themselves have been deprived of Saha, Rodwell and Anichebe already this season. Moyes has been left with a lack of firepower up front, with the Toffees yet score an away goal, and Brentford put them out of the Carling Cup this week.
The key to Fulham ending the week on a positive note is all down to Hughes team selection and really getting the players fired up from the off. He's seen enough now hopefully to realise there's simply not enough creativity coming from midfield. I cannot guess who will feature up top, but we need goals. His career to date in the UK suggests Eddie Johnson is not likely to score them, so please end that experiment, along with Kelly at full-back.
I trust Mark has received four days of intense coaching on dealing with high balls into the box, and can we have a return to calm assurance at the back and a clean sheet (not had one in the league since our opener at Bolton). A few more tricks from set plays would not go amiss in light of Murphy's inability to get a shot on target so far.
Can I repeat my outrageous fluke of calling the Stoke game just right? Probably no, but here goes. Everton have lost on 10 of their last 11 trips to the Cottage so Salcido to inspire Fulham to a narrow win with the luck for once going in our favour from the ref. Home penalty anyone?
COYW
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