The Tanner Report: Birmingham 3 Fulham 1
Over the 50 years I have supported Fulham the one thing I could rely on is that Fulham would let you down: 2 cup finals, 1983 – when we missed out on promotion at the final game at Derby – whom we now face in the play-offs and now, when a win at Birmingham would have been sufficient we did not turn up and the home side ran out easy victors presenting the automatic position to Cardiff.
It’s an odd system when over a season you finish 1 point above Derby but have no benefit nor advantage for that. Indeed Fulham will be deflated and have a key injury to Matt Targett whilst Derby have the momentum. Add to that the fact Fulham have never won a play off game, in the first half we are vulnerable to a high pressing game to disrupt our rhythm and our 23 unbeaten run has ended, and we have much to fear. Talking to Ivan post-match, he recalled 3 seasons ago Brighton finishing 15 points above Sheffield Wednesday and lost to them in the play-off match. It did not cheer me.
