Away (to) the cottagers

 Welcome to the weekend and a lovely away trip to London against Fulham before the first game against the Chavs. Just listening to Soccer AM now and they are saying that Gerrard wasn’t on the coach but that doesn’t surprise me at all. Rafa did say that he was not sure to play and that looks the case.

I can see the boss resting most of the big guns for Tuesday’s game but I really hope that we have enough to get a win today. He might be tempted to play Mascheranoseeing as he hasn’t played since the Arse and then throw Lucas in with him. To summarise here is the team I think he might play:

Reina
Finnan, Carragher, Skrtel, Riise
Pennant, Lucas, Mascherano, Benayoun
Voronin, Crouch.

I can’t see him dropping Reina who for me is the best keeper in the Prem bar none. Finnan should be in with Pennant in front and then play a good midfield partnership. Up front, Rafa seems to like Voronin who did score last week, even if it was put on a plate for him, but still he should have enough for the Fulham defenders. It’s either Crouch or Kuyt but maybe the dutchman needs a well deserved rest. Rafa could surprise us all and play Babel but I think it could be a game for Benayoun. His trickery and ability to open a defense, like last week, could be the difference today.

Over the last few years, the Fulham games seem to all have a poinincey in Rafas reign. In his first season, Rafa got his first league away win of the season at Fulhamcoming from 2-down at half time to win 4-2 - with the legend that was Biscan scoring a cracker. The next season we lost at Fulhambut then went on the marvellous unbeaten run. Later that season, God scored his first goal back with us against the same opposition.

Last season a 4-0 home win kicked us into a bit of form and the game later in the season, the 1-0 defeat, was somewhat controversial. But only in that pillock Neil Warnock’s mind (I was delighted to see Rafa point out yesterday that had Sheff Utd won their last game of the season the Fulham game wouldn’t have mattered). If he had watched the game he would have seen us do everything but score. It was also Insua’s first game - I really like this lad - and he could be challenging for the left-back spot next season (as could Plessis who is tops - like a young Hammann, gets the ball, plays simply and wins the ball back by staying on his feet).

I don’t really know what to think about the game today to be honest. I think that if we win, 4th spot is guarenteed but with 3rd still up for grabs its all to play for. I would love to finish 3rd - and shut the “experts” up - but the Arse are playing Reading today at home and I don’t expect them to lose there. 

Beat Fulham and it’s all to play for in the last three games. If we turn up in the first 10 minutes then I think we will win. Over the last few months we have been taking our chances and that has seen us be much better. If we do the same today we will win but we cannot afford to give away stupid frees around the box like recently. McBride is a real danger from set plays and crosses which is why I think Finnan and Riise will be on to prevent crosses. Bullard from frees is dangerous and thats another reason for no stupid frees.

Overall I think we will win today. We have to win as there is still something to play for. I don’t think Rafa will want more idiots giving out about giving other teams an advantage and the chance of finishing above the Arse (again) is still there. I’m going for a close 2-1 win for us and another victory to set us on the way for Tuesdays monster game.

Tags: Fulham, Liverpool, Premiership