Here's a piece from the Guardian about the good times ahead for our opponents on Saturday. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/23/fulham-bounce-back-learn-from-mistakes I don't know the stats for relegated clubs bouncing back to the Premiership but perhaps there is someone on here who does - my feeling is that it is not too easy to do so. In reading the Guardian article you should remember their season in the Premiership where they were not very good at all. In their 19 away games they won 1, drew 2 and lost 16. In those games they scored 12 goals and conceded 45. I am not saying that Saturday is not going to be hard for us, it will be but let's not be too pessimistic about it - we have always given this lot a game and I am sure we will at the weekend. In the Racing Post today they have this to say about us "Barnsley are favourites to finish last but they may have been underestimated. Key players have departed but Daniel Stendel is a good coach and a smart transfer operator." They have us finishing 20th. I think we will be somewhat higher than that.
It's a popular match against them for international live TV coverage....... https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3336049/barnsley-fulham/ Shouldn't be difficult for anyone not going to Oakwell to be able to watch the game. I looked at their forum and someone a week ago mentioned already selling 1,700 but I can't see any current figure from Fulham. I would hope it's going to be a 14,000 crowd.
Have to say TQO, 5/4 Fulham with Betway (6/5 elsewhere) looks quite tempting! Like you I'm hopeful that we will do okay as the season goes on, but our new defence versus Knockeart, Mitrovich and Cavaliero on Day One looks a tall order to me! Before that there's the small matter of Pinatubo, Too Darn Hot and Stradivarius versus the bookies!
Mawson could still be playing this weekend even though he went off injured last weekend in a friendly......
Just been reading their forum. They're a bit concerned about the centre of defence being a bit weak if Mawson doesn't make it.
Their attack is frightening against our back line that hasn't had time to gel. I think we'll survive this season but 40/1 on Mitrovic to get a hat trick is tempting
You don't mention Sessegnon - isn't he still there? We might well be the only Championship side that has to face him this season.
Theres absolutely no doubt that on paper they are a far superior team, with superior players. If you were a betting person, this is easy as it gets. I do believe a draw would be an excellent result. As long as we learn from this (and all of our games) at this level, we will be ok. I really believe in our coach, however this is a team we are playing too early in our development. I think we will be ok this season, as long as we keep our coach, testing times (again) for our young squad and coach.
Totally agree. Fulham, Cardiff and Huddersfield are all well resourced so they should do OK this season. Don't hold out much hope of a result on Saturday and Sheffield Wednesday away could be difficult for us. To be honest, I'll be more optimistic of our chances of points this month, against Charlton, Luton and Wigan.
Their attack is absolutely terrifying. Their defence was a shambles last season and hopefully still will be this season. Can see it being a high scoring game, just hope it's not all for them.
