The Tanner Report: Fulham 0 Stoke1
Fulham were unlucky not to get a draw against Stoke in the Capital Cup. It’s a competition too far and Mark Hughes of Stoke selection reflects many team’s attitude to it by playing the also rans. One was our old boy Steve Sidwell. When you hear or read the play sheet the opposing fans say “I did not know he went there”.
In extra time a lob from Christensen went just wide and defender Dan Burn, who nearly scored against Sheffield Wednesday in the dying minutes too struck the bar. In midfield Tunniclffe and Pringle looked lively and Mattila protected the back four well which might account for just the single goal conceded. It was a defensive improvement from Saturday when Wednesday looked like scoring from very set play. I still do not think enough has been done to address our defensive frailties. Much of the transfer window was spent trying to lure Lewis Dunk to the Cottage but according to Ivan Brighton were never going to sell him to a Championship side.
Kit Symons needs a win against QPR. We have a good record, winning six our of the last seven including a thumping 6-0 but they have Charlie Austin arguably the best forward in the division. Winning the local bragging rights will lift the fans but losing may leave Fulham too many points adrift. We do not look well organised enough to be challengers but games come thick and fast, and the Stoke game did illustrate that we have depth in the squad. Scott Parker, Matt Smith, Tom Cairney can expect to reclaim their places when fit and as I say some of the replacements last night certainly did not let us down.
