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Daily Fulham- Crossover with Nottingham Forest
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Gavin is joined by Stuart from the Daily Forest podcast to get an insight into all things Nottingham Forest ahead of the weekend's clash.
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Transcript
Introduction and Premier League Excitement
00:00:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
What's up, everybody? Welcome back to the Daily Fulham Podcast. My name is Gavin Ruffell. And this weekend, the Premier League takes center stage again after a little break with the FA Cup action. This weekend, Fulham hosts Notting Forest. So it's that time of week where two podcasts become one. So joining me from the Daily Notting Forest podcast, we have Stuart. Stuart, how are you doing today?
00:00:29
Stuart
Yeah, well all good to Gavin.
Nottingham Forest's Recent Challenges
00:00:31
Stuart
Thanks for thanks for having me and yeah looking forward to getting back to the Premier League after a ah scare. we can We can call that on Tuesday night for Forrest in the f FA Cup.
00:00:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was a scare, so both of these sides came through just about against League One opposition, much changed sides. I don't know, Fulham made 10 changes, not on Forrest, I think. Was it 10 or 11, something like that?
00:00:50
Stuart
but attention
00:00:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
The the big hit that's came on towards the end, the likes of Gibbs-White and Chris Wall, what did you make of that display then against Exeter? Because they they did make heavy weather of it, didn't they?
00:01:00
Stuart
Yeah I mean the general feeling and mood amongst the forestlands on social media is this is that the good old days of struggling to beat the likes of Exeter on non-cold Tuesday nights. So yeah I mean I guess we can go into when we come into previewing the Fulham game specifically in terms of which of those 10 changes we expect to be reverse back to our a league form but yeah it was just a ah ah show that if we are to be good looking for European football next season and yeah we I think we should at least get some form of European football right now it just shows that perhaps those second string players now aren't necessarily of the required standard to become a second string player's for a european tie in the midweek so
00:01:43
Stuart
it probably showed a lack of depth and maybe I know it's so don't panic too much maybe a decision not to sign anyone in the transfer window might come back to biters but again more in that later
00:01:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
How do you think Nuno sees the FA Cup in terms of priority?
FA Cup Opportunities for Fulham and Nottingham Forest
00:02:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I feel like the FA Cup represents an opportunity for a lot of clubs this season because there's a lot of the big hit that's currently out. I think for the likes of Fulham and Bournemouth and Brighton and Nottingham Forest,
00:02:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
there's potentially an opportunity to lift some silverware which they haven't done in a long time while Fulham haven't ever lifted major silverware. So do you think Nuno, now that they're in the last 16, they've got a home tie against ah Ipswich, he'll draw more of a focus on that and start to play as his best players?
00:02:30
Stuart
I mean, it's really interesting to be honest. guy The short answer is we don't really know what Nuno's priorities are for for the FA Cup because in the first two matches this season. So Luton, the day after they sacked Rob Edwards, then exited it this midweek, have been team two on paper, being far, far weaker than Forrest have for um even the Forrest Econstring.
00:02:58
Stuart
yeah that ipswi game is yeah but no disrespect to Luton or Exeter. It's our first test in the FA Cup and I think the team selection there will really give us a hint on what he really sees of the f FA Cup.
Team Priorities and Transfer Strategies
00:03:13
Stuart
If it's again 10-11 changes against a Ipswich team who will run us close at the city ground earlier in the season then then I think that would show that you know doesn't really care about the cup of but if the um big hitters do start in the start against Ipswich then it'll be our clue that ah again that maybe he does CC Wayne with silverware because there's a again back to back to Fulham I think probably if Fulham, will be Fulham's best chance to get into Europe this season would be to buy winning the FA Cup whereas Forrest because the Champions League is so tantalisingly close it's ah it's a possibility I just don't
00:03:51
Stuart
i think we'd be more likely to rest player because we wouldn want to miss out on the Champions League, which would bring a, I know we don't always like talking about money, but that would bring a transformative amount of money, a Champions League qualification. Yes, unfortunately, if when Ipswich comes around in the Cup, as a couple of players with knocks, I think we would prioritise the league, whereas Fulham should be prioritising the FA Cup, would be the way I'd say it.
00:04:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I definitely agree with you there and it's crazy to think that Not In Forest at this stage, they're the highest ranked club left in the competition. I just want to come back to something you touched upon there, maybe the lack of squad depth and Not In Forest, they weren't busy in the transfer window, there were a lot of clubs that ah had very quiet windows, unlike Not In Forest, what we've seen in the past, but is that what you've what you would have expected in then then?
00:04:33
Stuart
um No, I mean, of course, for us to have this reputation, which isn't an unfair reputation of um signing lots and lots of players. So although our recruitment in in the summer was measured, there at least was still five or six signings who came in. So, yeah, I think it was a surprise there were no no new first team signings. um And yeah, so again, we completely get that. The team spirit at the club is it's very good. And with um the club, if they do qualify for Europe, we'll be in a stronger position for long-term acquisitions in the summer. But no, I think with yeah the team and the further injuries we suffered on on Tuesday, do show that maybe possibly not signing a player might might have been a mistake.
00:05:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think then, because of the success they've enjoyed in the season so far, Nuno thinks that possibly any new additions might upset the Apple Car and he's just happy to stick with that squad of players that have had that that spirit you talked about, which is seeing them third in the league, that if they brought in someone from the outside, it might just have a a detrimental effect?
Striker Situation and Chris Wood's Role
00:05:44
Stuart
Yeah, I think so. I mean, we look at the the striker position so throughout all season. of course chris wood has hit hit seventeen
00:05:52
Stuart
Thio Aouni has been left as largely as a substitute. The only game they started together, weirdly, was that the home game against Fulham back in September. But yeah, we've already seen in Tuesday, Thio Aouni came off with a broken nose and because, I'm not sure exactly what the rules are, but because when he came off, he was a concussion substitute. I think that means you're not allowed to play for 10 days after being a concussion substitute, something like that. But either way, he's not going to be in the match day squad against fham this weekend which means suddenly we don't have a striker on the bench now so our options in January would have been to sign a big big name striker who would compete with Chris Wood for the starting spot I agree that wouldn't have been the best decision because then he instantly said to Chris Wood thank you for 17 goals now you're on the bench for this expensive new guide so it's it's a good thing we didn't sign a big money person the striker who would have upset the apple cart but I think to go in second half of the season with just two strikers
00:06:52
Stuart
now were already down to just one. yeah If there had been a a young hungry striker or maybe a more experienced option, we'd be happy to know that they're coming in to be a ah squad option and not a starter. I would have liked someone like that to have to have come in, but it didn't happen. Let's hope that Chris Wood stays fit in the tyre while he is not out for two, along with his broken nose.
00:07:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you talk about Chris Wood there, he's having an amazing season and since he joined on Forest's goal records, it's fantastic. I think it's something like 31 goals in 55 games. Even if you look at his time in the Premier League at Burnley, I think he scored double-figured Premier League goals for four seasons in a row and that's ah in a Burnley team that probably don't create the chances of some of the teams higher up in the league. So what is it do you think that makes him an effective and almost underrated Premier League striker?
00:07:39
Stuart
Yeah, so it's a it's the way the t team is set up. So even in Burnley, he's partnered with that Ashley Barnes, players like that. Even Chris Wood, he was not the big man in that front too. He was the player.
00:07:59
Stuart
maybe forget or don't realise that he was actually the creative around one of those strikes front to even dropping deep into almost like a 10 role in sometimes. So I think what Nuno has done is he's recognised Chris Wood. Yes, he's a big aerial threat, but he's better at linking to play and dropping deep than a lot of people might realise. And they're the relationship he has with, in particular, he was white and Alanga who assist many of his combination is the most goal-to-assist combination in the year and a half they've been at the club together. I think it's just a mixture of knowing how to use him, knowing his strengths and building
00:08:39
Stuart
are the creators in our team
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Chris Wood has just recently put pen to paper on a
Young Talent and Future Transfers
00:08:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
new contract. One of the player who's done the same is Murillo. Murillo is a player I've liked ever since he's joined the club. I'm sure not in Forest fans feel the same. He's got a good the partnership with the fence there along with Melankovic, who's probably been one of the signings of the season. If I'm giving you a crystal ball now, I know he's put pen to paper. I think it's till 2029, isn't it? um Where do you see him being in five years time? I know for not in Forest fans, they want to see him at the club. Obviously competing in the Champions League season after season. What do you think his ceiling is?
00:09:12
Stuart
yeah I mean he in in five years time um yes to answer your question very literally I see him at the at the 2030 World Cup i'm not followers own in football enough to say whether he'll be a a starter or just in in the twenty six i'm not sure exactly how odd their other central defenders will be then but i can certainly see based on his
00:09:40
Stuart
ill to having started almost every single league game since since he came. He certainly will be a very very successful player, he will go on to have a long career in Europe. um now Unfortunately this is modern football, he he won't decide a new deal without a release clause because that's just how how things go. So without knowing the details of it I think he will have one more year at Forest i think in and the assumption we qualify for some sort of European competition, he'll be there for one more year. We talked about 2030 World Cup, then if he doesn't quite make the 2026 Brazil World Cup squad, I think he will leave next summer after three years at Forest in terms of a trajectory. Whenever he has a weekend off, he goes to Paris, he just takes the Eurostar to Paris.
00:10:29
Stuart
yeah well um whether that means is already looking at where he's going to live when he joins p sg who who knows but yeah i mean going to take a lot of money for it we've got we've weather storm of the PSR issues. I think based on how much you'll take to take him out of the club, again at least 60 million if not many more. My mum and I had my punches, he'll join PSG summer 2026.
00:10:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Interesting, very interesting.
Podcast Sponsorship and Features
00:11:01
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We'll continue this discussion about all things for us shortly, but before we do that, let me tell you a little bit about our sponsors. Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencaster came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and r's, it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:11:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show in the show description to learn more about Zencaster. Whilst, Stuart, I've got to be completely honest with you. I think when I was doing my predictions at the start of the season, that I may have had nothing for
Nottingham Forest's Surprising Season
00:11:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
us to go down. If I didn't have them to go down, they were certainly somewhere near the bottom. Why? I thought they would be in the mix for relegation. There's 14 games left to go. Your third's in the table.
00:11:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would it almost be a disappointment now to miss out on the Champions League? Or if you had the consolation of Europa League, Conference League, would that still be deemed a success given the start you've made?
00:11:57
Stuart
Yes, it's a very very loaded question. I mean, when we did our pre-season predictions of the four of us and on our part, I think three of us said 14th and the fourth one Mark said maybe Conference League. So at the start of the season, Conference League would have been an unbelievable achievement. So um even though I do fly over. A few times a season and I am based in Germany. So for me to be able to see Forex playing up somewhere in a i can drive to overland somewhere like Brussels or Amsterdam or here in Germany would have been a dream even even in the conference league so yeah I mean but I mean said I do now think we will we should now get the Champions League again the squad depth is is now like the nagging down at at the back of the mind but yeah ultimately there will almost certainly be be five Champions League places available to English clubs so for Forest to
00:12:54
Stuart
for us to drop to sixth or lower from this position after 24 games, we're now, again it's a missed opportunity, it wouldn't be a failure, it wouldn't be a lack of expectation, because again the expectation was comfortably 14th, so to get European Legal Conference League would be still, for fans, we'd absolutely love it, but it would then, there would still be the nagging doubt, maybe this was our year to get the Champions League, because yeah next year we are in the oer league you'd have to assume look at Brighton, I look at even going further back to Fulham, the year you made the Europa League final, you weren't also challenging for the Champions League in the league that year.
00:13:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:13:31
Stuart
So if Boris were in the Europa League, then that probably means, yeah, we will have missed our chance to break into that Champions League top five, because the biggest, that's the Man United, City and Spurs won't be as poor next season as you'd think.
00:13:47
Stuart
here its It's now or never for the Champions League, which is why who hopefully we are going to take that opportunity
00:13:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think there's a greater sense of belief given the last two fixtures have been very contrasting? The 5-0 defeat a form of where they probably would have been out some outside noise where people would be thinking, ah, this is where they they stumble now, the bubbles burst, they'll foot drop down the table now. And then you react in the most emphatic fashion, beating a decent side in Brighton at 7-0. So that, got I guess, shows the character for the players to come back from such a heavy defeat and inflict one of their own just a week later.
00:14:20
Stuart
Yeah, but again, but we don't don't want know make two big reactions after each game but we have had another almost setback in in the cup mid mid weekgainst exeter so yeah i'm not saying we're going to be a bit full of us sevenvan now but equally it's again it's a bit of up-down below of Brawnworth the High, Brighton, Logan's Exeter so yeah again that's why this Fulham game is certainly going to be quite interesting a lot of intrigue to it and yet it's of course you've lost five games in the Premier League this season, four of them we're playing those teams all in a row so yourselves Newcastle, Arsenal and Man City so if we can get
00:15:01
Stuart
at least get revenge on two of those four teams to have beaten us and get maybe six points out of 12 from these four games. And that would really really show that we we mean business by that point, there'll be just 10 games left in the season. As we get through this patch of playing the four teams who we've lost to still in in that top, top three, top four, then we should really be booking our trips.
Strategies for Promoted Teams in the Premier League
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
This question is kind of relevant to both teams because there's some parallels there because they both got promoted the same season along with Bournemouth and we've seen how well those three sides have done this season but in the last couple of seasons we've seen the teams that have gone up from the championship go straight back down. You look at the bottom three now, they're the teams that went the went up last season. What do you think it needs then for, what do you think it takes for a team to go up and survive because it seems like it's proving more and more difficult to season on season?
00:15:53
Stuart
Yeah, so if you look at the the three three of us, Forest Fullham and Bournemouth, of course, Forest were the only non-parachute payment teams that you guys had been down just for one year at that point. You were bouncing straight back up and Bournemouth had been down just for two seasons. They're still in with their parachute payments. So yeah, Forest are the only, unless it's which do it this year, which...
00:16:12
Stuart
It might do, for us as the only non-parachute payment team to have stayed up since Leeds did it and Leeds went down in their third season and Forrest are not going to go down in our third season. So yeah, to be honest, what our method was was to spend a lot.
00:16:29
Stuart
um on experience and get the experience and to keep you up and then invest in the youth to help you thrive. So by experience, we're talking about players who were there in our first season, Serge Orier, Kaylon Navas, Sheku Koate, Willy Bolly, who's still there, who plays less often now. I think it was that experience that helped us across the line in that first season. Even look at Big Switch, some of their big money buys, Liam Dalap, Omari Hutchinson, a few other players like that are younger, they don't want to kind of play as
00:17:06
Stuart
we've signed in the second and third seasons but maybe it's which if they do go down it's because they didn't have a surgery or a K-Lorn MS to help them survive at all costs in the year one and then you start playing better football years two and three.
00:17:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's it's a balancing act, isn't it? It's quite difficult because it's what approach do you take? Do you spend a lot of money on maybe proven experienced players? And then, I know not for us got hit with the points deduction last season, but if you were going to get hit but with a points deduction, it was probably last season because the three relegated teams were three of the poorest relegated teams we've seen in in this division. But do you think that's what it takes then? having just You need to have a goal, basically.
Ambitions Between Premier League and Championship
00:17:44
Stuart
um Yeah, I think otherwise what's the what's the point almost? um So I mean, I know that some some fans of clubs like and I've heard Middlebury fans say in particular, they prefer the championship to the Premier League because ah recent Premier League years experiences have been so unenjoyable. But I don't understand those who say they'd rather finish eighth in the championship every year than try and scrap for 17 from the Premier League.
00:18:15
Stuart
is better than eighth of the championship um because it's it's higher and in the pyramid, and no one who's finishing eighth in the championship does it without the aim of thinking, let's finish top two in the championship next year. So, yeah, I think, yeah, of course, whether I would like to see salary caps, I would like to see rules saying you have to have a certain number of homegrown players in in your squad. I mean, of course, but that is not gonna happen anytime soon. and Unfortunately, so yeah, whilst those rules aren't in place, having a go is what what what you need to do.
00:18:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if we further compare and contrast, I think for them from that promotion winning campaign, they still have quite a few players at the club, the likes of Anthony Robinson and Kenny Tay, Harrison Reed, Tom Kenny, Rodrigo Moniz. If you compare that to far as correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Ryan Yates is the sole survivor from that promotion winning campaign.
Ryan Yates: Development and Leadership
00:19:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
So what do you think Steve Cooper and then Nuno subsequently have seen in him, which is meant that he's the sole survivor from that side?
00:19:11
Stuart
Yeah, I mean, just to go ah slightly further back, I mean, even look at Brentford, I think Brian and Bueno and play at your and Vissa were there in the championship five or so years ago. So I think the reason why we have so a few survivors, because our promotion was was so unexpected, done with a lot of lone players and those whose contracts had run out at the end of the season. But still, if you which have picked i mean Ryan Gates, a lot of loan spells, including at Knox County in League 2, and no one watching Knox County in League 2 at the time would say, oh, yeah, that forest loanee, he's going to catch in forest to win in Cananfield. But what they would would have seen or what they what they would agree with is um yeah his his world to win and his ability to can just consistently take.
00:19:59
Stuart
challenges in his stride and continually improve, continually learn. And yeah, he'll also be bit of a bit of a a nuisance, bit of a menace on the pitch as well. A lot of opposition fans don't like him. In Ryan Yates, he isn't captaining Forrest at Anfield because he's good around the dressing room. He is good around the dressing room, but you don't pick players in your 11 if all they are is good around the dressing room. So he's just shown he can meet any challenge he's he's come up against with Danilo and Sangare.
00:20:27
Stuart
back from their long-term injuries now. Yates is again fifth or sixth choice. Central midfield well was was unused sub against Brighton but I wouldn't be surprised if at the end of the season he's forced his way back into the starting 11 again because that's what we've seen from him so many times.
00:20:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Interesting. In the final part, we will look ahead further to the game by giving some team news what we might expect to happen from the game. But before we do that, let me just point you in the direction of GSPN.
00:20:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
The Global Sports Podcast Network is changing the face of football podcasts. With dedicated daily content for every Premier League team, women's football, fantasy football, and a daily Premier League rapid broadcast in five different languages, it's your one-stop shop for your daily football fix. Find GSPN wherever you find your usual podcast.
Impact of Fulham's Historic Win Over Nottingham Forest
00:21:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, this fixture last season resulted in a resounding full-on 5-0 thrash, and I think Steve Cooper was sacked a couple of weeks after that. What are your memories from that night?
00:21:26
Stuart
um yeah so specifically i was because it was mid-December or so wasn't it so i was out for that out of a christmas christmas event and i came home at half time um so yeah i just remember receiving all that whenever i check my phone while still out goal goal goal i think i get should i sit down and watch the second half and yeah it was a bad decision to to do so even though um i think eventually i was with the first half it was still no nothing nothing to see in the second half, memorable of course for the backing that Cooper still got from the fans but I think that was in a thanks for everything we know this is is the end of the road type thing I don't think that the Cooper chants in that game against Fulham were begging Maranakis to keep him as they had been at crucial points in the season before ah they're certainly in the way of thanks for everything so yeah I think because
00:22:20
Stuart
It was at the end of Koopa, he got two more games, but that was only because they were finding his replacement in the background. They weren't giving him another chance. He was essentially his own caretaker manager until he was out and Nuno came in. So because it was so era, it was the end of an era. I don't really look back on it and saying, wow, Fulham are great or Forrest are poor. I don't think there's any resemblance to what we'll see on on the weekend, for example. In that game, Ibrahim Sangare, the big signing of that summer, played terribly, came off, forgives what had been dropped for that game even, but for the game this weekend, after his performance against Exeter, I think Sangare will be the only survivor from the Exeter team starting.
00:23:06
Stuart
But if you'd asked a lot of fans after that Fulham game, last year people would think I'll get get ready as soon as possible, this guy is no good. So yeah, I don't think we can draw any conclusions purely due to um the fact that it was clearly the end of Steve Cooper's time time here. Unless and unless maybe everyone, maybe there was something you saw in Fulham, then it can replicate any particular tactics that you think caught forest out
00:23:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it was just, it was a funny little time looking back because Fulham won the next game, 5-0
Current Strategy and Defensive Strengths
00:23:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
against West Ham as well. So all of a sudden they turned into the best team in the world out of nowhere and then went back to the normal way after that.
00:23:39
Stuart
first
00:23:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But so just want to look at the here and now, obviously things are going a lot better for Nott and Forest. And one start I've picked there, which is, kind of mind-boggling really is how Forrest seems so intent. Well, they night obviously intent because every team wants to score the first goal, but they've scored the first goal in 19 of the 24 games of the season. Why do you think they've been so successful in doing that?
00:24:05
Stuart
Yeah, it's a is is it a good good question. um I mean, they they they're very good. This is the short answer. Good good teams tend to score, I mean, not necessarily Amy to score the first goal, but because they've been better than a lot of teams they've played, so that's why they score, and then they're good defensively, so they they don't then concede. um I mean, it's possibly, again, we touched on lack of depth, but we our best option off the bench are are defensive um Based on the Exeter team, I think we will start with three three at the back on on Saturday, but when we've started with with the flat-back four, our best substitute has been Marato, who comes on and closes the game, but then in those handful of games where we haven't taken the lead, we haven't really had the attacking options to come in and change the game. so
00:24:52
Stuart
yeah It's not we are intentionally aiming to score the first goal because everyone who plays football wants to score the first goal. No one has a game plan that involves conceding the first goal. b The only reason why we are strong at it is because we are solid defensively and have informed players like Gibbs Wyatt, Alanga, Hurston and Ryan Wood who can hurt teams.
00:25:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And as you you mentioned earlier, Fulham did win the game at the forest during the season one. They were pretty bland game. Nothing nothing much to speak about around him and his penalty. Who do you see as the threats from the Fulham side then?
00:25:27
Stuart
Yeah, I mean, I think um and we we've definitely been impressed by Emil Smith-Roe this season. um So we've talked about his... in a similar way to Elangora Hudson-Adoy with us. He's someone who never quite established themselves as undroppable at the big big club that they came through at our arsenal. So that can either go two ways. It can be a Jesse Lingard time situation, who who came to us, did nothing, and he's now in South Korea. Or you can rebuild your career. I know he didn't come directly to Fulham, but Alex Awobi is another someone who who finds a level and they're happy to
00:26:05
Stuart
I'm happy to to to build that and to grow and I can see Smith Rowe becoming a future a feature film captain if if he's not already occasionally won the band in games.
00:26:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Interesting.
Upcoming Matches and Player Expectations
00:26:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we know obviously not in the forest made a lot of changes against Exodus. We're not going to see that same side. How similar do you think it will be to the side that beat Brighton 7-0?
00:26:27
Stuart
um So I would say there'll be um well one change from Brighton, which just means, again, ten change from Exeter. So I think Ibrian Sangare will play, instead of Danilo, as the partner in Ellie Anderson in the midfield too. Bjornika Sangare did have a good game against Exeter with with with two assists. um And Danilo's injury was maybe more serious, so he's maybe not yet up to starting 3-3 in a row, and Tsangari should in theory, of course he didn't didn't at Craven Cottage last time, offer a bit more defensive solidity than Danilo in ah in a mid-field too, so yeah I expect that to be one change from Brighton, Tsangari in for Danilo, and therefore 10 changes from Exeter, with only Tsangari keeping his spot.
00:27:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not asking you for a prediction, well, not just yet anyway, but what type of game are you were expecting? Because ah as I said in the game earlier on in the season, it was very tight, weren't many chances, full and just won by a goal tunnel thanks to that penalty. Are you expecting something similar or are you expecting a more expansive open game?
00:27:34
Stuart
i I think it could it could be a bit more expansive. um our Counter-attacking style has got a few teams out away from home. um and yeah Some of those starters, although some of them did get minutes at Exeter, a lot of them have had ah time time in the sun. We had a warm weather training camp here in Dubai, so I think it should be almost continuing where we left off. We aren't going to beat 7-0, but I don't think we're going to sit back and invite pressure reader so and think it could be more more open and then that's a strange game at the city ground. I said before is our only game starting with a front two um and yeah it was still early in the season so we still we can assume Forest Fulham in September was a mid-table clash and both teams would finish maybe mid-table maybe between 11th and 14th coming end of the season but now it's a a bit bit higher up the match today running order it's 9th against 3rd so yeah I think it could be could be a bit more exciting than what we saw in September.
00:28:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think looking back to that game in September, you didn't play Hudson ao or Doya or Alanga, did you? Which is very unusual, but you would expect them to play on the weekend, wouldn't you?
00:28:42
Stuart
Yeah, I mean we're not quite sure of Hudson-Adoy's fit. he He did miss, became off injured against Southampton, so that was three or four games ago now, then he missed the Bournemouth and Brighton losses and yeah was not in the travelling party for Exeter, again whether he was fit and I don't actually know, so I would expect him and Alango, as I said, to both start. I'm sorry, I was expecting just Alango to start with me, if we're going unchanged from Brighton, it was Alango and Gibson White as the dual 10s behind Chris Wood. So no, Hudson and Dory, because he didn't play against Brighton, if you see it, I think he will be on the bench, but that's because of the switch to the back three.
00:29:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I guess we can't finish the podcast without giving a score prediction.
Match Predictions and Team Approaches
00:29:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
So how did you see the game going?
00:29:30
Stuart
I see i say it being a 2-0 forest actually. I think we'll get our early goal, as we've spoken about before, and then Hudson-Doy fit again, we'll then come on 4 at anger and get go togo a second. So I think it being a nice 2-0 win for forest, it won't be easy for them. We'll offer a lot, but I think it will be will come out the other side, so that's all.
00:29:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're just given my side of things. I am a bit like concerned about this fixture from a full point of view, because I think Forest are the type of teams that can cause them problems. I know Forest in that game earlier in the season, they probably gave Fulham a lot of respect, which was surprising at home. That's why I was surprised in the way Nuno set up without having his wingers. It was pretty narrow, pretty congested in that midfield area. As I said, not much to speak about in terms of the game, in terms of highlights. And Fulham have struggled at home recently. They haven't won a home Premier League game since early December against Brighton.
00:30:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
and they in that time they've struggled, even against Southampton, to break down a team with a low block. and Obviously, not in Forest have got more quality players than Southampton, but they might set up in that way, and I expect for them to dominate possession, to have probably 70% of the possession, probably something that vain. For not in Forest fans, ah ah you know I guess they're used to that in the way, they're they're not necessarily used to dominating the ball, and their success has been built upon counter-attacks and that sort of thing, with the pace of Hudson, the Doi and the Langer. Obviously, we don't know if Hudson and the Doi is going to be available. so I am a bit nervous from that point of view and the fact that they haven't been winning games at home but I'm going to go for a 1-1 draw on this occasion. Any final thoughts before this game then?
00:31:03
Stuart
um No, I mean just from your side, a 1-1 draw, you've seen that as a good result for Fulham. What are your aims for the rest of the area? Are you hoping to crash a conference league spot in the league?
00:31:14
Stuart
Or are you sort of...
00:31:16
Stuart
What's your actual prediction for Fulham for the rest of the season?
00:31:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
aye
00:31:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the difference between these two sides is not in the forest have done particularly well against teams in the bottom half where Fulham and Strow are full of a drawn home games against Ipswich and Southampton. They lost recently against Manchester United and this is probably the worst Manchester United team in Premier League history so it's those results that have cost them whereas the games away from home against the sides up the table, the likes of Liverpool they've gone to, a got a draw at Anfield, they won at Forest, they won at Newcastle, they won at Chelsea,
00:31:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
they've drawn at home to Arsenal so they can seem to get results against those clubs but the size is lower down they seem to struggle against and especially teams where make it difficult for them to break down they they seem to maybe they struggle a little bit. I think realistically gatecrashing the European places via the league is going to prove tricky because they haven't had that sort of momentum throughout the season where they've had like a knot in the fast where they've won five or six games, drunk strung that one of wins consecutively like Beaumouth have done, it's kind of been a bit stop start, it's been win a game, draw a game, draw another game, lose, win, that's that sort of form. So with that, whilst it's good drawing drawing a lot of games, you're not losing, and you're not you know you know you know going up the table dramatically. So I think the best chance of Europe is probably the FA Cup. But look, that just that's not to say it wouldn't be a good season, still finishing in the top half and ah they still got the chance of ah collecting their record points tally in the Premier League, which is
00:32:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
which is something to aim for, which would be a successful season in my books, certainly. But anyway, that'll do it for today's crossover episode. Many thanks to Stuart for joining me from the Daily Forest team. Be sure to catch cut their podcast. Be sure to continue to listen to the Daily Fulham Podcast. That's all for now. We'll catch you all next time.