Fulham at Sheffield United

This match is tomorrow and is showing an 11am east coast start (time change offsets must still be in effect) on Peacock.

I haven’t kept up over the international break but this should be a win, right?

 

Exactly! But that's why this feels like it could be "banana peel" time rather than "dancing banana" time. Fulham has exactly ONE convincing away win this season (against Manchester United). The other away win against Everton felt fortunate. The poor away form could be partly due to having not played four of the bottom six teams away matches yet, but even with that consideration, Fulham have still stunk away from Craven Cottage.

Fulham should still win this one since the team is in good form, the players are healthy, and Sheffield is not good.

One thing to keep an eye on is the 13th minute. The Sheffield United fans may show appreciation for Tim Ream for the care he showed Chris Basham after he suffered that horrible leg break back in October. If it happens, that would be super classy from the United fans who haven't had a lot to cheer for this season.

 

What the bloody hell?????

 

Fess up time. I turned it off when the supposed 4th goal went in. Stunned to see the comeback but, still, Sheffield United? Guaranteed to be relegated? Not good enough.

 

I had a different experience Jump. That comeback was thrilling to watch, so while the first 80 minutes were so frustrating, the last 15 were a thrill!

My wife came into the room and saw my forlorn face right after Sheffield's "fourth" goal and she immediately left knowing I was in foul mood. That was a pretty low point. I was wondering how Fulham could struggle against a clearly inferior side. Fulham's offense works best when they are on a counter with the defense stretched, but that just didn't happen in the first half with Sheffield so defensive. Plus Fulham was a bit unlucky with Muniz hitting the goal posts twice. Iwobi and Lukic were not playing at the same high level we have seen recently either.

I thought Silva made the right call using all five substitutes because the guys who gave up three were clearly shell-shocked and couldn't manage a comeback. After that disallowed goal (which I had to view on the replay to fully understand) I felt like Cairney just decided he was going to drag Fulham back into this game. He suddenly unlocked the Sheffield defense and put them back on their heals. I'd give him MotM despite playing for just 30 minutes.

And then that finish from Muniz! I was in the process of saying "What the hell?!" in reaction to Traore's cross (I still think it was a terrible delivery) but before I could finish that thought, Muniz magic had put it in the back of the net. Eight-for-eight alone makes it a good day for me. The perfect ending would have been for Cairney to have buried that last shot into the net, but still an amazing game to watch

 

I also stuck it out and am glad I did. I should be much more disappointed than I am but I was entertained and Fulham didn’t lose when it looked almost certain they would.

After recently praising the defense, I was sorely disappointed today. It’s almost as if Sheffield United lulled them to sleep in the first half. Thankfully Tosin was correct in his offside call, because if the call wasn’t made, I’d be quite pissed that he put more effort into raising his arm than attempting to clear the ball.

Muniz with the goal of the year. Hands down. That was fantastic.

 

We’ve praised Marco for his development of Rodrigo Muniz, but have to give this kid all the credit he deserves. Comes to England and the culture shock off the pitch has to be overwhelming for a 20 year old. However, he hung in there and he’s being rewarded for the hard work he has put in. @astroevan is right, Goal of the Year for sure.

 

I thought Tosin had a real stinker. The right side of our defense was softer than usual. Whatever the problem was, he needs to address it.

The last few minutes were fun.

 

When the other mid-table team from SW6 gets a draw at Sheffield, it makes Fulham's result from last weekend a little easier to take.