[themaclad]

Another trip to London within three weeks to take on Fulham, whose season can only be described as bi polar. They win by plenty and they lose by plenty. Having seen them albeit on television against QPR they looked a highly impressive side however they lost the ;last home game against Birmingham 5-2. They have also won by scoring four at Bristol City and at home to Reading although if memory serves right they were two down in this one.
They have an highly impressive strike force with McCormack and the excellent Dembele with ex Dr Who Matt Smith to add some height if needed. They have height at the back with Dan Burn , add to that some other excellent young players who a couple of seasons ago did well in the FA youth cup. They do lack a manager though since the sacking of Symons, Peter Grant is in charge on a temporary basis.
The mega rich chairmen wishes them to be pushing for the play offs this season, somehow think that is beyond them.
Having lost to the Rovers last week, hopefully we can get a positive result on the banks of the Thames. Wright is suspended, however Clarke returned as sub last week so expect him to slot into the central defensive position. Thought Vermijl was unlucky to be left out after receiving praise from the manager following the QPR draw.
The loan transfer window closes today and there were rumours of Jason Pearce signing from Wigan however there has been no further news on that. Expect the usual mass defence policy and try to sneak a winner on the break tactics that we usually employ away and sometimes at home.
We've sold 1500 tickets so decent support for the team. 10am train for me and a stroll from Hammersmith to the ground, one of the better away trips to a traditional football club with decent fans.

[themaclad]

Another draw on the road and possible another case of what might have been if we had been bolder in the second half, however will settle for a point against a side who five years ago were beating he likes of Juventus. Backed by 1933 fans North End started quickly with Doyle firing in a shot which Lewis palmed away, soon after a cross from the left avoided Browne who was trying to reach it at the back post.
Not to be denied though from a short corner Garner headed home at the back post, apparently it is our first headed goal of the season, Garner with confidence following his two in two fired narrowly wide from 25 yards.Following a slip by O'Hara North End had men over but Doyle woeful effort went wide.
Not that it was all one way Pickford denied Dembele with an excellent finger tip save, McCormack's effort was blocked close range by a defender and an over hit back pass was headed cleared in his own six yard box by Pickford.
On the stroke of half time Doyle should have hit the target however he put his header wide, would prove to be costly.
Fulham came out for the second half more determined and dominated the play, North End rarely got the ball and when they did they wasted it, the home sides had huge shots for penalties, which were not given, from my slightly obscured view could not tell whether they were legitimate although the home fans would say they probably were, mind you there was a possibility that the corner that led to our goal was in fact a goal kick, so the referee was not flavour of the month with the home fans.
As inevitable as night follows day Fulham were going to score, they had had a couple of sighter free kicks around the edge of the area before McCormack rifled in a stunner which even the majestic Pickford could not save, fully expected Fulham to press for the winner but it did not happen as North End re awakened from their slumbers and looked the team most likely, with Johnson causing havoc down the left hand side, Stearman denied Keane with a brave block and then denied May deep into injury time although in being tackled May got injured and was carried off with probably knee ligament damage which will mean a lengthy spell out of the game.
All in all both teams could have won what was an entertaining game but suspect both managers will be more than happy with a point.


Fulham 1 Preston North End 1 Att17362

Fulham caretaker head coach Peter Grant: "I thought the first half was difficult for us, but we made the change at the 11th hour, as you would say.

"It's not about the personnel, it's just about the way we've been training all week. When we put in Scott Parker it told in the first half.

"Even though Preston were always a danger I thought there was only going to be one winner, ourselves.

"Ross McCormack is one of the top goalscorers in the league, we have matchwinners like him. But you have to be able to win a game 1-0."

Preston manager Simon Grayson: "I thought it was a good performance, we were on the front foot from the first whistle, we passed the ball well.

"Justifiably so, we got the goal and we looked like a threat. We limited them to very few opportunities.

"But there are fine margins in the Championship, we needed the second goal, and you saw the reaction of their supporters, booing them off.

"Unfortunately for us, when you get somebody like Ross McCormack who showed every penny that he is worth with his free-kick today."

https://youtu.be/1pOHqR2Bqzg