We go into Saturday’s game on the back of some encouraging results and performances. Chucho got his first goal for the club and we are chugging along at a point a game, about what we need to stay up.

HOWEVER – in the past, our downfall has been our failure to win the games against the teams around us. Fulham actually are one of the sides who are better than the teams around us and maybe not quite as good as the potential European sides. Having said that, they are unbeaten in the the Premier League since their 1-0 home defeat against Arsenal in September. A 3-1 win at home to Liverpool probably their most notable win. They are 11th at the moment, 3 points ahead of us – but they have played a game less. None the less, with the greatest respect to Fulham – these are the sort of home games we should be looking to gain 3 points.

Evergreen Danny Murphy is one of Fulham’s leading goal scorers, (3), along with Dempsey, Zamora and Kamara. Murphy is one of those players who seem to have found a new lease of life in the later part of his career – and is someone I have always admired. He works and works for the side and creates and scores goals. There is a doubt over Murphy due to a knee injury, however he may play a part. Kamara is also a doubt. However, Simon Davies may be back to play a part after his recent injury.

Their away form isn’t fantastic – but they have scored twice the amount of goals away than we have at home, (8 to our 4). However a positive for us, is that they have conceded 11 goals. They have only picked up 3 points from their last 6 games, however I believe this will be a difficult game. Fulham have earned themselves good results by working hard and not giving up.

I am not aware of any fresh injury worries other than O’Connor’s absence, Fahey and Martin Taylor remain doubtful. I expect pretty much the same side that got a point at Anfield with Chucho and Jerome up front, although Barry Ferguson is available again after suspension and will probably return.

As I will be attending this game, I expect a draw! (Hopefully I’ll be wrong though!)

Kev