Match Threads Spurs vs Fulham - Match Thread - Day 16

[Bulletspur]

SPURS 1-1 FULHAM
Kane, Cavaleiro​

Spurs: Lloris (c), Aurier, Sanchez, Dier, Reguilon, Hojbjerg, Winks (Lamela), Sissoko, Ndombele (Vinicius), Son, Kane.
Subs: Hart, Doherty, Alderweireld, Davies, Dele, Bale, Lucas.

Fulham: Areola, Tete, Andersen (c), Decordova-Reid, Loftus-Cheek, Adarabioyo, Cavaleiro, Reed, Anguissa, Robinson, Aina.
Subs: Rodak, Bryan, Kongolo, Hector, Ream, Onomah, Kebano, Lookman, Kamara.

Official Site Match Centre
10 changes for us from the weekend's FA Cup win at non-league Marine, with only Moussa Sissoko retaining his place in the starting XI.

REFEREE: ------- Paul Tierney ???????

TEAM FORM: -- Spurs WDWWW ------ Fulham DDDDW ---------- (All Competitons)

We face London rivals Fulham in a rescheduled fixture on Wednesday evening, aiming to keep our positive momentum going. Our clash with Aston Villa on the same day was called off due to a coronavirus outbreak in our opponents' camp, but Fulham have stepped in to play a game that was originally intended to take place two weeks ago.

In what is perhaps a sign of things to come in the second half of the season, the Premier League acted swiftly to ensure that we had a game to play on Wednesday after opponents Villa were forced to withdraw. It may be far from ideal preparation for both managers, but Jose will be grateful that we at least have a game to play and a chance to make it four wins in a row.

We have won our last three without conceding in three different competitions, a run that has seen us reach the final of the EFL Cup, the fourth round of the FA Cup and climb up to fourth in the Premier League. All focus now is on the top flight, with us still very much in title contention thanks to a return of 29 points from 16 matches. That is largely thanks to teams around us also dropping points, having gone four without a league victory prior to our 3-0 win over Leeds United last time out in the competition. We followed that up with cup wins over Brentford and Marine - Vinicius scoring a hat-trick in the second of those games in what was a straightforward 5-0 victory against the eighth-tier side.

Fulham were also victorious in their FA Cup third-round tie, albeit after being pushed all the way by West London rivals Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road. The contest finished goalless in normal time, but substitutes Bobby Decordova-Reid and Neeskens Kebano netted in extra time to seal a place in the next round.
Fulham are now unbeaten in five in all competitions, although the other four games in that sequence finished in draws, the most recent being a stalemate with Southampton. That leaves Fulham in the relegation zone, but they have two games in hand to play on Brighton and Hove Albion directly above them and a three-point margin to gap. Having made his side far tougher to beat over the past month, the next step for Parker is to start putting some victories on the board.

We are likely to be without Lo Celso for the rest of the month, while Hojbjerg is also carrying an injury sustained in the win over Brentford. He has been one of our most consistent performers this term and Mourinho is expected to risk him for this visit of Fulham. There is a question mark over who partners Hojbjerg, with Sissoko and Winks the most likely candidates to slot in. He rested the vast majority of our key men for the clash with Marine, so the likes of Kane and Son will be raring to go on Wednesday.

As for Fulham, they have no known injury or suspension problems, which is a real rarity for any top-flight clubs in the current climate. Parker is therefore spoiled for choice, though he is likely to revert back to something close to the same XI that started against Southampton on Boxing Day. The two-and-a-half-week break between league games should work in the visitors' favour, with the likes of Lookman and Lemina fully rested.

Banner courtesy of @chrissivad

 

[Escher]

They also moved Fulham's game against Chelsea from Friday to Saturday.

Pretty unfair on Fulham to have this decided so late in the day - they should at least have been notified that it was a real possibility last week.

They would probably have put up quite a strong challenge to Chelsea and Man Utd (both games at home) with a week's rest and playing Friday and Wednesday. Now they have to play 3 games against Spurs, Chelsea and Man Utd in 8 days (Wed, Sat, Wed).

Chelsea will be happy with a full week's rest too before the Fulham game.

Fulham will probably expend all their effort in our game and then roll over exhausted vs Chelsea and Man Utd

 

[Bulletspur]

They also moved Fulham's game against Chelsea from Friday to Saturday.

Pretty unfair on Fulham to have this decided so late in the day - they should at least have been notified that it was a real possibility last week.

They would probably have put up quite a strong challenge to Chelsea and Man Utd (both games at home) with a week's rest and playing Friday and Wednesday. Now they have to play 3 games against Spurs, Chelsea and Man Utd in 8 days (Wed, Sat, Wed).

Chelsea will be happy with a full week's rest too before the Fulham game.

Fulham will probably expend all their effort in our game and then roll over exhausted vs Chelsea and Man Utd

I disagree.

1) The EPL only became aware of us cancelling against Aston Villa over the weekend so they could not have given them (Fulham) advance warning last week.

2) Pretty unfair on us when Fulham cancelled very late on us that week

3) With us pretty much in every competition, we have too many games within days, so the EPL was sensible for once to let us play the rescheduled Fulham game, a week which was now free.

To surmise, I don't care about another team's position or predicament, because they do not care about us.

 

[TheHoddleWaddle]

Have to fancy a win here. Fulham are much improved from the start of the season and play some.good football, but I can't see them being too hard to overcome.

That said, the uncertainty of the season, the ever increasing chopping and changing of games is bound to have an impact on the psyche of players across the leagues. So nothing would surprise me.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

I’m morally, ethically, and spiritually very at ease with the pros and cons for Fulham. This was the best solution for all parties and Fulham stepped up to contribute to that. So well done to them but also I’m not feeling bad for them.

 

[spurs mental]

You'd think that the preparation we did before the game(when it was postponed) will stand us in good stead. Not a whole lot should have changed from that.

 

[allatsea]

Bloody good job fans are not allowed into games at the moment with all these last minute changes.

 

[mightyspur]

Bloody good job fans are not allowed into games at the moment with all these last minute changes.

The lack of fans is the only reason they can be so flexible.

 

[hughy]

Just win.

Honestly think we'll beat Sheff U at a canter at the weekend, this one is a far trickier game IMO. Get the win and things are looking rather rosy.

 

[Cavehillspur]

Just win.

Honestly think we'll beat Sheff U at a canter at the weekend, this one is a far trickier game IMO. Get the win and things are looking rather rosy.

Im more worried Sheffield United will get their first league win at the weekend lol

Edit : Ah i see they're home to Toon tonight hopefully they'll save us the trouble

 

[Serpico]

Every game is a worry for me in this unpredictable season. We should beat Fulham but must never take it for granted because thats when defeat happens. We play well, no errors and take our chances we will win-simple. Piss about, too many passes, Kane getting caught in possession and so on, struggle big time. Fulham got a draw at home against Liverpool so they can't be all that bad.

 

[PLTuck]

Think it's a bit rich of Scott to be angry at the short notice, but I guess he's only doing what he should be doing in trying to protect his club.

I hope this is on amazon as it was meant to be originally. 2 live games on TV in one week. Haven't had that luxury since forever it seems!

 

[cliff jones]

Play to our potential and take our chances we win. Fck Parkers moaning- scandalous my arse. Goes around, comes around.

Coys

 

[14/04/91]

They also moved Fulham's game against Chelsea from Friday to Saturday.

Pretty unfair on Fulham to have this decided so late in the day - they should at least have been notified that it was a real possibility last week.

They would probably have put up quite a strong challenge to Chelsea and Man Utd (both games at home) with a week's rest and playing Friday and Wednesday. Now they have to play 3 games against Spurs, Chelsea and Man Utd in 8 days (Wed, Sat, Wed).

Chelsea will be happy with a full week's rest too before the Fulham game.

Fulham will probably expend all their effort in our game and then roll over exhausted vs Chelsea and Man Utd

This happened on Saturday, according to Parker himself. So it's not as harsh as it seems.

 

[tommo84]

As Scott Parker has said that it’s easier to prepare for a game which is then cancelled rather than be required to prepare for a game at short notice, I would have thought it sensible for Fulham to start preparing for this game once they were informed it was a possibility - which Parker has said happened on Saturday. So talk of only 48 hours notice is a bit misleading. If Fulham concluded that the game was unlikely to be switched despite being given notice on Saturday, and despite having experienced their own outbreak only 2 weeks ago, then that’s their error.

I have a small amount of sympathy for Fulham - but only a very small amount.

 

[newbie]

I disagree.

1) The EPL only became aware of us cancelling against Aston Villa over the weekend so they could not have given them (Fulham) advance warning last week.

2) Pretty unfair on us when Fulham cancelled very late on us that week

3) With us pretty much in every competition, we have too many games within days, so the EPL was sensible for once to let us play the rescheduled Fulham game, a week which was now free.

To surmise, I don't care about another team's position or predicament, because they do not care about us.

Agree, i think if Jose had not kicked up they would not have swapped the games around.

 

[JCRD]

I want 7 (SEVEN) goals for us.

 

[SpursTillIDie1882]

Play to our potential and take our chances we win. Fck Parkers moaning- scandalous my arse. Goes around, comes around.

Coys

Exactly, they didnt mind screwing us 2 hours before the game.... Also they played Sat we played sunday so they have an extra day off and as it was said they knew about this on sunday of the potential rearrangements. Alos i hope PL also saw the complete unfair Scheduling nightmare we would have had near the end of the season with 2 games and the tirade and massive hissy fit Jose would give them (deservedly too)!! ... Has anyone seen Scouses games schedule recently FA/PL really are defo giving huge favoritism to them, theyll say not purposely but im not so sure

 

[SpursTillIDie1882]

I want 7 (SEVEN) goals for us.

Im happy with a guaranteed 3 points... 3 ricochets then off the post hitting Harrys arse and getting over the line! 3 points is imperative right now

 

[mil1lion]

Bloody good job fans are not allowed into games at the moment with all these last minute changes.

It's all related to the same thing though. No fans because of covid, games rescheduled because of covid.