HarryFromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Tuesday night’s game at Craven Cottage by delving into their forums.

“When there’s room for optimism, take it while you can”, “We have been turning the corner at a leisurely pace. We now are beginning to look savvy and more confident of where we are going”, “Have a little belief until it’s impossible to make the play-offs. Each game will be more enjoyable.”

“A nice five-point gap between us and those below us.” Fulham are level on points with Town and only behind on the slenderest of goal difference margins. Morale is high among Cottagers having won two and drawn one of their last three fixtures which included a good 4-2 win away to Cardiff.

“What we have lacked for most of this season is a properly balanced team”, “We struggle to beat the poor teams yet score a wheelbarrow-load against those above us”, “The team has to perform in less glamorous dour matches against opponents such as Ipswich, when we will not be the underdogs.”

“We are now rebuilding our confidence. Things are looking good and the injury list has cleared so we are all experiencing the feel-good factor just now and enjoying it. However, this season we have also been awful at times and on the verge of goal droughts. I just hope we have seen the back of that.”

“We are all long-standing Fulham supporters here, constantly expecting that a good thing will go off the rails”, “The top half of the table is fairly compact and we are only at the halfway mark”, “Slavisa and the team have hopefully stumbled upon something that works, and not a moment too soon.”

Slavisa Jokanovic

“Slavisa makes mistakes and is stubborn with his selections but his Plan A creates beautiful football and good results when it works. We witnessed what it can do it in the second half of last season. We enjoy watching his football far more than an uncreative, hard-to-beat and very disciplined team.”

Slavisa Jokanovic

The 49-year-old former Watford boss took charge at Craven Cottage in December 2015 and led the West Londoners to last season’s play-offs. Fans hope he will now have more of a say over signings following the dismissal last month of Craig Kline, the data specialist who had controlled transfers.

“Slavisa’s teams get results, so just give him the players he wants in January. If you back him he will deliver”, “We have a fantastic manager who knows the game and wants to play it stylishly”, “When he has had a balanced squad and few injuries we have performed well and picked up the points.”

“Part of me thinks he will bring stability and build his own team. The other part of me remembers his bizarre team selections, game management and substitutions coming after the horse has bolted. He also keeps playing square pegs in round holes and makes some questionable tactical decisions.”

Cottagers blamed his use of a false-nine formation for recent defeats at Sunderland and Brentford, but he was praised for two first-half substitutions at Hull on Saturday with the side 2-0 down. They sparked a Fulham comeback “from a game which was nearly dead”, eventually retrieving a 2-2 draw.

The Rediscovered 4-1-2-3 Formation

“The 4-1-2-3 shape has to be here to stay. No getting cute and complicated Slavisa, just stick with it and change personnel as needed. It’s that simple and it’s beyond me why we ever moved away from it”, “We are a side that play out from the back and stretch teams with swift passing and movement.”

Although not yet playing with the high tempo of last season’s play-off run, Fulham have returned to the shape which worked successfully last season. Their slick passing game is built around a balanced midfield trio with Tom Cairney orchestrating play, while wingers and full-backs stretch defences.

“We never learn.” Fans have lamented the side’s inconsistency this season and felt that it has flattered to deceive. The team has been seen as too wasteful up front and lacking physicality at both ends of the pitch. “We need to adopt a more aggressive attitude and a mentality made of steel.”

“It’s great to see that Ryan Sessegnon is starting now in a forward position.” Cottagers were happy to the left-sided protégé on the wing with the same starting XI (above) announced for their last two games. Jokanovic has continued to work with a back-four and midfield three in recent games.

“Our defence is comparatively too lightweight and fragile to guarantee keeping a clean sheet or defend a one-goal lead”, “Neither of our keepers are good enough for this level”, “We need a big, strong commanding leader with height and strength at the back who can marshal a defence.”

The lack of a bigger centre-half as an alternative to regular starters Tomas Kalas and Tim Ream is an ongoing concern. “It’s clear that Slavisa wants his centre-backs to be able to play with the ball. He has improved their ball-playing ability but has it been at the cost of their defensive quality?”

“The three amigos are back and all playing in the right positions”, “Our engine room of Tom Cairney, Kevin McDonald and Stefan Johansen are powered up again.” The absence of Cairney with a serious knee injury and Johansen due to a groin strain had hampered the team’s creativity.

“Johansen and Cairney pairing up has been the missing link”, “The midfield had a torrid time with injuries and enforced changes and the lack of fitness to key players has hit their form”, “We had the best midfield trio by a country mile last year but they are getting their best fitness and form back.”

Fulham’s wide pace continues to be a major threat. Ryan Fredericks and Ryan Sessegnon can both attack from deep. Wingers Neeskens Kebano, Sheyi Ojo and Floyd Ayite stretch defences with their pace and technical ability and they are supported by Cairney’s ability to thread dangerous passes.

“Our lack of goal punch at times this season has been down to our misfiring midfield, poor final balls and poor finishing”, “We really have to shoot better.” Cottagers were very impressed with the side’s sharp finishing in their Boxing Day 4-2 win at Cardiff but want to see this happen more consistently.

“We create chances and just need finishing lessons”, “We have lacked size up front, we miss a solid powerful forward to stretch defences.” Aboubakar Kamara was impressive in Fulham’s comeback against Hull on Saturday leading the line and many hope he can provide a missing presence in attack.

Playing with a False Number Nine

“A stupid, stupid decision”, “Removing the overcomplicated and easy-to-defend false number nine strategy has put us back on track”, “This really hurts Slavisa’s credibility and sticking pins in players’ names to select the team doesn’t work. He can make a silk purse into a right pig’s ear at times.”

Jokanovic switched midfielder Johansen into a more advanced role in a move which contributed to recent poor displays against Sunderland, Birmingham and Brentford. “Not only was Johansen not suited to the role, he was off form and carrying an injury. It was a mad tactic playing him there.”

Hull 2 — 2 Fulham

“All over, we salvaged a point. It was a great fightback, well done lads”, “Hull were dominating our midfield with purpose. We put ourselves under needless pressure and looked lightweight in the important areas of the pitch”, “Let’s be happy with the point after the disaster of a first half.”

“Fast goals for Hull in four minutes, dear oh dear, we have been pathetic in the first half.” Hull took control of the game and went into a deserved lead when Jarrod Bowen and Nouha Dicko scored on 32 and 36 minutes. This prompted Jokanovic to bring on make two substitutions in the 40th minute.

The addition of Neeskens Kebano and Aboubakar Kamara injected energy and urgency, and Fulham pulled a goal back from the penalty spot on 48 after Kamara was fouled by Hull’s Michael Hector. Third substitute Lucas Piazon set up Kamara’s 85th minute equaliser with Sessegnon now at full-back.

“A brilliant comeback. We looked dead and buried after 30 minutes, we were open to the simple ball again”, “Slavisa’s changes were superb. By the end we had Hull on their heels, they were just hoofing it up and we were playing quality, sexy football”, “Kamara scores, but what an utterly superb move.”

Cardiff 2 — 4 Fulham

“Fantastic Fulham, fantastic win”, “Brilliant, the old Fulham are back”, “Cardiff had conceded only five at home until today. Now it’s almost double that”, “Our finishing was clinical with nine shots on goal and six on target”, “Cardiff were unbeaten at home until they played us. Dare we dream?”

Tim Ream headed the visitors on front on 12 minutes but the goals rained in after the break when Floyd Ayite doubled Fulham’s advantage on 56 only for Kenneth Zohore to reply a minute later with “an incredible strike”. Sessegnon slotted home Fulham’s third on 78 to restore a two-goal cushion.

Callum Paterson headed a second for the Bluebirds in stoppage time before Stefan Johansen sealed victory with a terrific run and chip on 97 minutes. “We could have held on and put five on defenders, letting Cardiff hoof it at us, but we stayed in formation, kept possession and started counterattacks.”

Fulham 2 — 1 Barnsley

“Three massive points and a decent start to Christmas”, “That was more of a struggle than it should have been, but I will take three points over a pretty performance”, “A big victory, Barnsley weren’t that great but we needed to rebound after losing at Sunderland and we did. That’s all that matters.”

“I hope that was our poor half.” After a lacklustre first period, Fulham went ahead when Floyd Ayite struck home a powerful low shot on 54 minutes. Tom Bradshaw headed the visitors level on 68, but Sheyi Ojo scored the winner four minutes later with what many thought may have been a cross.

The starting line-up (above) marked a return to the shape and the midfield which brought Fulham so much success last season and it included Aboubakar Kamara leading the line. Many Cottagers would be pleased to see his strength and goalscoring featuring from the kick-off in Tuesday night’s game.

Goalkeepers and Defenders

“Marcus Bettinelli kept us in the Cardiff and Hull games with incredible saves at crucial moments.” The 25-year-old youth product “makes top-drawer saves and his positioning and handling are solid enough”, “He is not the sweeper-keeper who Slava needs to pass the ball quickly and switch play.”

Marcus Bettinelli

“Isn’t Bettinelli’s distribution fantastic? Some of those passes to the unused substitutes are sublime. Oh, and another to whoever was unmarked in Row Z of the Johnny Haynes Stand, lovely stuff”, “His kicking is atrocious, but he must be under instruction with those stupid sideline lobbed clearances.”

“I would rather be talking about Bettinelli’s poor kicking than David Button letting in goals under his body.” The 28-year-old former Brentford keeper was dropped after a poor recent display against his former club. “Button’s distribution puts the defence under pressure. I don’t think they trust him.”

“Ryan Fredericks had a fantastic match at Cardiff. The were unable to handle his pace and he was getting seamlessly into the attack.” The 25-year-old right-back played on loan for Boro in 2014/15 from parent club Spurs and the previous season scored a cross-shot against the Blues when on loan at Millwall. “Ryan’s speed is amazing and he is so lethal as an extra attacking options.”

Ryan Fredericks v Joe Bennett (Cardiff City)

“Fredericks is okay but his pace is his only asset and he’s not using it wisely enough. I wish he could pick a better cross more often”, “I notice how our attacks completely die when he gets the ball. It’s always a decision for him to take the man on or pass it backwards. Rarely does he cross it in early.”

“Marielo Djalo rings alarm bells.” The 24-year-old centre-half joined this summer from Spanish side Lugo. “He is quite a unit but by the look of things is big for nothing. He seems afraid to head the ball and lets it drop at times”, “He’s very clumsy and uncomfortable and gets drawn out of position.”

“We under-appreciate Tomas Kalas and are worse defensively when he doesn’t play.” The 24-year-old centre-back is on loan for a second season from Chelsea. “He’s composed on the ball but he can be troubled by physical opposition forwards. He reads the game well and he doesn’t shirk tackles.”

“Kalas splits opinion and I suspect this is because he’s seen as not tall enough, but he jumps well and puts pressure on giants to stop them getting headers in”, “He’s surprisingly quick and seldom loses a foot race”, “He is not at Tim Ream’s level now and they are also not a great defensive partnership.”

“Tim Ream has been in fine form lately.” The 30-year-old ex-Bolton man “is solid at the back, has a good touch on the ball, is decisive and wins a lot of duels. He maintains his composure and keeps it simple when the situation asks for it. He’s not your typical centre-back but we’re not a typical team.”

“Ream is comfortable playing on the left side of a back pair and he uses the ball effectively”, “He’s not a loud commanding defender and plays with blinkers on, doing his own job but failing to support his partner”, “He’s comfortable on the ball and makes good clearances, headers and interceptions.”

“Denis Odoi adds a lot to the side. Almost every time he gets the ball, he does something that makes me feel I’m being entertained.” The 29-year-old one-time Anderlecht man “can play anywhere along the backline, but he is right-footed and is led able to attack out wide when playing on our left flank.”

“In the last two matches you have seen how the traffic floods down our left side when Odoi is there. He drifts out of position and is too narrow”, “He takes liberties on the ball and his decision making is not smart”, “He does not carry the attacking threat of Sessegnon up against sides parking the bus.”

Ryan Sessegnon

“Ryan has unbelievable anticipation, touch and dynamism.” The highly-rated left-sided 17-year-old youth product “is not the finished product yet. Our existing wingers are better in tight areas”, “He is an average left-back but a top-class attacker. He’s better at attacking space rather than defenders.”

Ryan Sessegnon

“Sessegnon will continue to switch between defensive and attacking roles. He is better in the front three against strong teams as they allow him to exploit his pace and ability on the counter. Against weaker teams who defend deep and hit us on the break, we use his pace and mobility in defence.”

Central Midfielders

“Oliver Norwood was brought in to shore up the midfield.” The 26-year-old is on a season-long loan from Brighton. “He is clearly Tom Cairney’s understudy so that we can keep the same formation and tactics. He isn’t as incisive or dynamic as Cairney but spreads the ball well and creates good moves.”

“Norwood is a tidy squad player who gets found out when opponents really press him”, “Some of his sloppy, misplaced passes have put us under real pressure and nearly cost us goals”, “He is unable to deal with pressing. He lacks strength so panics and flicks the ball. He very often costs us possession.”

“What must Kevin McDonald be like to play against? The answer is ‘horrible’ if you are an attacking midfielder.” The 29-year-old ex-Wolves man “rarely puts a foot wrong and grabs games by the scruff of the neck, leading by example”, “An absolute man mountain who physically stands up to teams.”

“McDonald has been an absolute workhorse in front of the back four. It’s hard to think of anything he has done wrong”, “He’s a quietly effective midfielder who puts out fires in front of the back four”, “When a game requires a fight, up Kevin steps to take command with his grit and determination.”

“It makes such a difference having Stefan Johansen playing box-to-box. We are so much better both in attack and defence.” The 26-year-old Norway international and ex-Celtic man “is more dynamic in a deeper role and was so unsuited to a false nine. He scores goals but is not an out-and-out striker.”

“Johansen’s work rate off the ball, and his direct play and goalscoring from midfield are what we need”, “He links play expertly with wingers and strikers”, “He has found his pace again after his groin injury and he has the confidence not to just blast the ball. His chipped goal at Cardiff was great.”

Tom Cairney

“When Cairney isn’t in the team, Fulham are easy to defend against.” The 26-year-old ex-Blackburn man “is the key to our attacking play and changes games when he is on the field”, “He adds that bit of creativity that improves us. He makes space and lays off great through balls that create danger.”

“Cairney is very left-footed, but he dictates play and pulls the strings with his control and poise”, “He makes everyone else look good on the ball as well as himself”, “Cardiff seemed to be under orders to put the boot in with him and Hull were pressurising him immediately as soon as he was on the ball.”

Wingers

“I like Neeskens Kebano. He always puts in a decent shift and deserves to play for 90 minutes.” The 25-year-old one-time Paris St Germain man has featured from the bench lately as he regains fitness from a hamstring injury. “His raw pace is a real asset on the counter-attack, he looks threatening.”

Neeskens Kebano scores the opening goal against Town in August

“Kebano can score goals and is always busy with his quick feet. He has a great turn of pace and good upper body strength, he also has the right attitude.” The DR Congo international “lacks consistency but he is definitely a quicker player than Ayite especially with his bursts of pace over short areas”.

“I haven’t rated Rui Fonte but some of his balls have great vision and accuracy. He has to do it again and more often and has to get into goalscoring positions himself. He has plenty of energy bit his goal ratio is pitiful and we haven’t the time to wet nurse him”, “He looks too lightweight and ineffective.”

“Fonte was an expensive mistake.” The 27-year-old arrived in August from Braga. “He’s a good tidy player technically who has struggled with the pace and physicality of a more competitive league. He is not a lone striker or a winger and looks more suited to a number 10 role finding pockets of space.”

Sheyi Ojo

“Ojo works his socks off, popping up everywhere and running at defenders.” The 20-year-old loanee from Liverpool “must be horrible to play against with his pace and inventiveness”, “He makes errors but he is improving and could become a real match-winner for us by the second half of the season.”

“Sheyi has great determination and tries all sorts of things. I like how direct he is and his position on the right wing is his to lose”, “He needs to improve the timing of his headers to add more power, but he is probably our biggest attacking threat with his anticipation, his passion, his pace and his power.”

Strikers

“Lucas Piazon returning will be like a new January signing.” The 23-year-old Chelsea loanee suffered a fractured dislocation of his right ankle against Leeds in August. He made his first two appearances since this injury coming on as a substitute at Cardiff and Hull. “He deserves credit for fighting back.”

Lucas Piazon

“Did anyone else see the sheer class and calmness that Piazon brings to the pitch? He oozes class and adds a creative dimension that we don’t have otherwise”, “He thinks quickly and can pick a pass in the tightest of situations”, “His quality has been missed, his decision-making is still exceptional.”

“Aboubakar Kamara gave us more penetration at Hull as he stretched the opposition.” The 22-year-old July signing from Amiens has mostly featured from the bench but many believe he can add much needed variety to Fulham’s attack. “He quick, he runs and runs and he’s built like a brick outhouse.”

“Kamara has certainly improved his claim for a starting place”, “He can be a head down merchant but his presence allows us to open up the wings”, “He strikes fear into defenders with his pace and upper body strength. He’s a lively player and is not afraid to shoot”, “In full flight he is ferocious.”

Floyd Ayite

“Floyd is an extremely capable footballer and has performed well for us, especially given that he is a winger being forced into a striker’s role.” The 29-year-old ex-Bastia man “wins the ball in dangerous areas and hounds defences”, “He’s pacy and tricky, and has the ability to hold and protect the ball.”

“Ayite’s movement is very good and he pops up with key goals. He’s a very good technical footballer who is quick and hard-working”, “His clever running off the ball creates openings and it allows other players to find themselves free”, “He’s good on the left wing but he’s not naturally a central striker.”

Cottagers’ Views on ITFC and the Game

“Ipswich are always a difficult side to play against. This will be a very tricky game”, “Yes, this is a six-pointer to see who can stay in touch with the top six. Slavisa will need to have his best thinking cap on to match Mick McCarthy tactically”, “McCarthy will have us well sussed. This will be no picnic.”

“I think we have the beating of Ipswich. Just play our football and hope they haven't figured us out yet”, “Ipswich for the second season running played exactly to our strengths.” Many Cottagers felt that we played into their hands in their comfortable win at Portman Road back in August.

Slavisa Jokanovic and Mick McCarthy

“The aggregate score over the last 270 minutes against Ipswich is 7-1. In all of those minutes, they have shown either naivety or arrogance in their tactics to combat us. They have not pushed high, targeted our full-backs or gone long. They have tried to play us at a passing game and come unstuck.

“I can’t believe it’s only a couple of months since I watched a terrific performance at Ipswich where we destroyed them and could have scored many more. On the train back to Newmarket I chatted to Ipswich fans. They were so full of praise, saying things like we would walk the league and so on.”

“Ipswich gave us more space than other teams have done this season”, “Every club we played have adopted the same tactics that caused us so many problems. Ipswich in total contrast played into our hands and made us look like world-beaters. Here's to another 90 minutes of charity from Mick.”

That said, they are nervous about our attacking threat. “Our centre-backs Kalas and Ream are easily bullied. Ipswich will target them with long balls and set pieces via Joe Garner and Martyn Waghorn, two strikers who have been around the block. I fear we may struggle against these two on Tuesday.”

“Ipswich will be interesting, they come very high and direct at us and we seem to have got better at this recently”, “McCarthy has a giant striker Kieffer Moore who has been on loan at Rotherham and scoring for fun. He might prove a handful for our vertically challenged centre-backs if he’s available.”

“Bialkowski is a brilliant goalkeeper at this level”, “To think Ipswich got him on a free”, “He was great for Ipswich last year, a real shot stopper. How he would handle our short ball game is another thing. McCarthy is more pragmatic than Slavisa and won’t mind if his keeper just hoofs a ball from danger.”

Websites

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@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

HarryfromBath added 14:30 - Jan 1 A Happy New Year everyone, and a quick typo apology - Slavisa is 49 and not 29. I will get Phil to amend this latest attempt to knock decades off opponents' lives!
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Ardentitfc1978 added 14:35 - Jan 1 We need to start winning now or else 6th position would be very very tough indeed. Lets go for it and make the 2nd half season count. Jan windows squad will need reinforcements. COYB !!!
2

Ftnfwest added 14:37 - Jan 1 Fine effort from Fulham to have on average one English player in their side. Championship going the same way as the prem.
3

jas0999 added 15:01 - Jan 1 After just one point from two home games we need to win this. The question is whether we go there, attack and look to win from the off or go there defend, bore be negative and try to nick an undeserved winner on the break. Let's see.
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RRanger added 18:38 - Jan 1 We won't beat Fulham by trying to out play them. I expect a backs to the wall tight defensive display from our lads. I just hope we press them and don't give them the chance to pass us off the pitch. I'll be very happy with a point.
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StowTractorBoy added 20:55 - Jan 1 We need to snuff Cairney out as he is the fulcrum of their play. He absolutely ran the game at Portman Road as he has done on previous occasions against us. Think Fulham will have too much for us but you never know in football. Season is going better than I thought it would at the outset but we get high expectations which I believe are now disappearing. Hope I'm wrong.

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Steve_M added 15:00 - Jan 2 Those fans saying we gave Fuham too much respect are correct in my opinion, surprising really given MM's approach and reputation. We had good chances in each of the last two games and failed to take them. Last Boxing Day was abysmal though, just awfull all round from us. We'll probably allow them too much space again today unless Skuse is back, the injuries in central midfield are really weakening us a the moment.

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