Fulham Vs Reading- Opposition View

I asked Fulham fan, Frankie Taylor, a number of questions ahead of tomorrow’s Championship game at Craven Cottage. Here are the answers.

What were your expectations at the start of the season and are you matching them?

Top 6, and I don’t think that’s just me. That was/is the aim of the football club this season, and anything else will likely be deemed a failure. Our consistency is disappointing, highlighted by a fantastic result against QPR being followed by a 3-0 humiliation at home to Wolves. Until we can start to string some wins together, we won’t be where we want and need to be.

What did you think of your summer activity?

I think we did exactly what we needed to in the summer, we gave Kit Symons the tools required to be promoted, and I think you’ll struggle to find any neutral football watcher who believes we don’t have the equipment good enough for top 6. Perhaps we could have done with a proper winger or two, with our flanks currently occupied by central midfielder Tom Cairney and more technical based Ben Pringle. A striker too may have been nice, but Moussa Dembele’s form has been impressive and he’s starting to show the talent we all knew he had when he joined us at 16. We transformed our back four, so I don’t think any Fulham supporter will have been disappointed with our summer activity whatsoever.

Why is kit under so much pressure from fans?

Results have been below par. Frustration has grown from tactical naivety – in particular team shape and dodgy substitutions. Certain players, like Ben Pringle and Ross McCormack are performing a level or two below their quality. Defensively, we don’t seem to have improved as we still hold one of the worse off defensive records in the division. We concede a remarkable amount of late goals, which doesn’t just stem from Kit to be fair, but it’s a pattern we’re yet to stop. Were this our first season down from the Premier League, I think the pressure wouldn’t be as furious, but after an excellent window and a transformed squad – the same problems remain on the pitch.

Who’s been your star man as of yet?

Jamie O’Hara has been our leading light for sure. It’s clear to see he’s got his life back on track and is hungry to reclaim the final years of his career. I remember his time at Tottenham and on-loan at Portsmouth where he was seen as a potential successor to Danny Murphy’s midfield role at Fulham, and after a rollercoaster time since then, he may finally be the deep lying playmaker we’ve been desperate for. Luckily for Reading, he’ll be suspended on Saturday.

What will you starting 11 be tomorrow?

Jamie O’Hara is suspended, Scott Parker is probably still not ready to start matches. So I think it’ll be a 442 of: Joe Lewis, Jazz Richards, Richard Stearman, Tim Ream, Luke Garbutt; Tom Cairney, Lasse Vigen Christensen, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Ben Pringle; Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele.
Would it be mine? Probably not, but with the reliance on a 442, I don’t think we’ve got much choice.

If you could take one Reading player, who would it be?

Nick Blackman’s form has been sensational, who doesn’t want a striker bang on form? I’ve always liked the look of Danny Williams and I think Paul McShane was a wonderful pick on a free. Chris Gunter has been a reliable right back for years now also. I know I haven’t really answered the question, it’d be a pick of those four currently.

Prediction for the match??

It depends which Fulham plays – at the moment, we’ve decided to be complacent, playing like the worser of the two teams. I think it’ll be a 2-1 away win for Reading, and Kit Symons will not be in the dugout at Bristol City the next weekend.

Where will Reading and Fulham finish at the end of the season?

I think Reading will finish in a play off spot. Fulham? I couldn’t even attempt to predict. Hopefully in the play-offs with you, but I think somewhere from 10th-14th.