Fulham vs. Bristol City - Carabao Cup 2nd Round

Fulham start their Carabao Cup campaign at Craven Cottage against Bristol City. The match kicks off at 2:35pm EDT on Paramount Plus. (I used to be a Paramount Plus subscriber, but for "financial reasons" I cancelled it as they did with popular programming I sometimes enjoyed)

Bristol City currently sit 9th in the Championship table and haven't yet lost this season. However, their three opponents in the Championship include Sheffield United who have lost all their matches so far and Derby who's only point this season came against Bristol City. In that match against Derby over the weekend they lost their starting striker with an ankle injury. Bristol may also decide to stay focused on their Championship campaign rather than sending out their strongest squad. All that to say that Fulham should have a winnable matchup on Wednesday since I expect a rotated, but strong lineup.

The last time Fulham faced Bristol City there were seven goals - in the first half!! It included a hat trick from Mitrovic. Fulham went into halftime up 5-2 but that was after they were down 0-1 and then 1-2 early in the first half. The match only had one more goal to finish at 6-2. A similar shootout would be fun on Wednesday, but all I really want is a win with no injuries.

 

COYW!!!

 

The highlights:


That seemed like the definition of a comfortable win. Get an early 2 goal lead and coast to the finish. Bristol City had zero shots on goal and they got their closest look in injury time when the ball went off the post. That's the way to handle things! Meanwhile, Manchester United... oof

Fulham get to host League Two Cambridge in the next round of the cup.

 

Took care of business, unlike Manure. They even made the US mainstream sports highlights…for the wrong reasons.

 

I got the same impression when watching the highlights. A comfortable win.

For the bigger picture, given that the matchday squad was no different from the first two prem matches, signings need to be made. There is not enough depth - though I am curious as to why none of the U-21 squad was called in. I really expected for Godo at least to be named to the bench. Another squad observation is that it seems Pereira’s days are numbered. He was an unused substitute for Brighton but not in the squad for either of the last two matches (maybe he’s injured, but I don’t recall seeing anything about it).

 

Not only on US mainstream sports - it was on NPR's headlines at the top of the hour as I drove home from work!

@astroevan good point about the squad depth and need for signings. That is certainly needed, but it is nice that Fulham's "B" team still looks pretty good. So Fulham has quality subs, it's just that the depth isn't very deep. Also, everything I've read indicates that Pereira's absence is because he's headed for the exit as you said.