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Is there still magic in the F.A Cup? Its been a question asked by many a football pundit in recent times and the competition certainly does seem to be declining in importance for many of the top teams who would rather see a European trophy gleam from their trophy cabinets. However, for fans of lower league clubs its certainly still an exciting prospect. Its certainly got the Posh fans excited. Over 4,000 tickets have been sold ahead of the game by Peterborough United ensuring that an electric atmosphere, at least from the away end, should be expected.The OppositionFulhams start to the season has been disappointing to say the least. Mark Hughes hasnt managed to maintain the remarkable form the club had under Roy Hodgson last season, when the London based club reached the Europa League final and finished in a mid-table position. This season has mainly been spent at the wrong end of the table with the club nervously looking over their shoulder The Cottagers are currently only two points off the bottom of the Premier League.Hughes teams stuttering start has hardly been helped by injury problems, however. Bobby Zamora, Fulhams top goalscorer last season, has been ruled out Tomas Hertl Jersey for a considerable amount of time after suffering a broken leg at the hands, or rather feet, of Wolves tough-tackling central midfielder Karl Henry. Mou sa Dembele, after making a blistering start to his career in England, also suffered a sizable injury meaning that Fulham have struggled for goals only 22 in 21 games have been scored.Tactical TalkFulham have tended to line-up Logan Couture Jersey in a 4-4-1-1/4-4-2 formation this season. With a main striker supported by a second striker just behind. The first choice central midfield pairing of Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu is one to be reckoned with. Murphy is an excellent pa ser whilst Etuhu is a tough tackling midfielder who breaks up opponents attacks. Both will play relatively deep-lying roles which means that the starting full-backs are expected to get forward on regular occasions as well as help out the defence; in Fulhams last match John Pantsil made 35% of his pa ses inside the oppositions half. Posh have favoured an attacking 4-4-2 approach throughout this season which has seen Peterborough United concede and score a large number of goals. Both Tomlin and Boyd, the two wide midfielders, are intent on getting forward to support the two strikers and it leaves Posh particularly exposed as neither McCann or Clayton, in central midfield, are defensive minded in their approach. Johnson has also favoured a narrow approach with both wingers looking to cut inside which, although out-numbering opposition defenders at times, can further emphasise Poshs vulnerability to the counter attack.Key PlayersFulham: Simon Davies The former Posh midfielder is likely to have more motivation than many within the Fulham squad for this F.A Cup tie. Ahead of the game Davies was quoted as saying I used to travel there every weekend from Wales to play and then obviously from the age of 16 I moved up and had a great time under Barry Fry. He gave me my chance in football and Ill always be indebted to him and Peterborough for giving me my chance. The central midfielder has enjoyed a fantastic career since leaving London Road and even though he is reaching the end of his time in profe sional football at the age of 31 he is still very talented and a threat. His recent goal against West Brom, although Scott Carson should have done better, highlighted this fact. Posh will have to be at their best to deal with Davies who is wonderfully gifted in po se sion and he is bound to receive a good reception from the away support which may just spur him on further.Peterborough: Joe Marc-Edouard Vlasic Jersey Lewis Its never easy being a goalkeeper for Peterborough United. You are certainly expected to earn your money. In-front of an unstable defence Lewis has been required to make save after save, not only in this campaign but in Poshs season in the Championship too, but he has relished the challenge and developed as a keeper because of it. It now looks as if Lewis will leave London Road for bigger things, if not in January than at the end of the season. No Posh fan can begrudge him a move either; it is time for him to test himself at a higher standard of football. The tall shot-stopper is likely to be called into action at regular intervals in this game with Fulham whooffer a potent attacking threat. He will have to be at the top of his game to keep the hosts out and Posh will rely Joe Thornton Jersey on him if they are to have any chance of pulling off an upset.Team NewsFulham: The hosts are likely to field a weakened side for the game with the Premier League the main priority. As already stated Bobby Zamora is a long-term absentee and youngster Matthew Briggs is also unavailable due to injury. Mark Schawarzer is away on International duty with Australia in the Asia Cup, which starts soon, which means that David Stockdale is the likely starter in the Fulham goal.Peterborough: The away side have made two new loan signings from Premier League clubs in the week and both are set to head straight into the first team set-up for the game. Either Jonathon Obika, from Spurs, or Kieran Agard, from Everton, will belikely to be start up-front as Posh looked to fill the void left by influential striker Aaron McLean after he joined Hull City. Peterborough are also boosted by the news that Adam Clayton has been granted permi sion from Leeds to play in the cup.ConclusionIt is hard to look past a Fulham victory in this game but this is the F.A Cup and Posh will be hopeful for an upset, it is certainly not off the cards. The Premier League side are likely to be distracted by Premier League campaign whilst for Posh this is a big game. If the away support can produce an electric atmosphere it may also Paul Martin Jersey feel like a home game for the visitors as Fulhams fans have not, understandably, brought tickets in their ma ses. If anything Poshs main aim will be to stay competitive; whilst the score-line remains tight they are still in with a chance. For the visiting support many will also have flashbacks to an away game, in this round, last season where Peterborough slumped to a 4-0 defeat to Tottenham despite being backed by a large number of supporters. Hopefully itll be different this time.Up The Posh. |
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發表於 2023-3-10 14:48:30
