Fulham at Nottingham Forest

Fulham is right back at it with a trip to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. The match will be available on Peacock at 2:30pm EDT.

Can Fulham get a win away at a team at the bottom of the table? With draws at Burnley and Sheffield United the answer so far is "no" - well unless you want to throw in Everton. Fulham will have another shot at winnable match , on paper at least, with Nottingham Forest. You could argue Forest comes into this match off of a good defensive showing in March. In each of their matches against Liverpool, Brighton, Luton, and Palace they only gave up one goal in each. However they still only managed two points total in March. Forest ended 2023 in great form with wins against Newcastle and Manchester United, but they only have one win so far in 2024.

The big question for Fulham is what the lineup will look like. Newcastle will be coming to town on Saturday and the squad had some issues over the first 83 minutes this past weekend, so changes are likely. If Fulham get a lead, I'd like to see Robinson rested a little - that guy always seems to be running but I'd rather not press our luck!

 

I got jury duty tomorrow, so fingers crossed they dismiss me early.

 

Got my wish. Now Fulham just needs to do their part.

 

Now I wished they picked me for the jury. Geez.

 

You know it’s a bad sign when you walk in and the announcer says ‘Fulham is making 3 changes’ and it’s only the 30 min mark. Marco knew right away that Joao and Sakic wasn’t a great pairing, almost like he wanted to experiment but could see it was a disaster.

 

There’s a reason we struggle at the doormats’ place, but I’ll be damned if I know what it is.

 

Great game plan from Forest:
1) Get the ball
2) Run down Fulham's throat
3) Score

I don't know what kind of defense Fulham was setting up to play with the initial lineup, but it clearly turned out badly. I don't think they gave Nottingham Forest enough respect, they got caught flat footed, and paid for it. I'd like to think this embarrassment will encourage better performances going forward, but like this time last year, I think much of the team realizes there isn't much to play for and the quality really drops off. The best thing I can say about today is that at least the squad played better the rest of the season so that a result like this doesn't matter in the big picture for Fulham.

 

Defending was optional (or closing down was an elective course)...but that strategy is supposed to occur post-40 points, not prior. I can only assume Wilson, Iwobi and Lukic had appointments with their travel agents, hence their early exit. The matches against Forest and Sheffield Utd were stark reminders that this is Fulham....it was heady thinking, but even I held out some hope of a Conference League spot before the club conceded the last six goals. Alas, the sun and sand are calling....
COYW

 

Fulham played like a team comfortably mid-table with nothing really to gain or lose. As @nevzter put it, the defense played it like an all-star game. Palhinha was so invisible, I barely noticed him get subbed off. Forest’s give and go on the third goal looked great but Fulham’s defense - or lack thereof - made it all too easy. Overall though, Forest wanted it more, was very direct in their play, and earned their victory.