The middle of the line

Couldn’t be bothered to post about the Xmas-New Year games, so this is just a summary:

Fulham 0-0 Spurs (26/12/2009)

A tough London Derby for Boxing Day, and neither team seemed to be operating at top speed. However, both teams did create good chances to score, and this is more a reflection of the quality of both teams’ defence than of an inability to convert. A point I’d have taken before the game

Chelsea 2-1 Fulham (28/12/2009)

As in many recent games, Fulham took the lead early, and then let the opposition come back. This time it led to the hosts winning, which is hopefully a wake-up call to the players. Mind you, it did take cunning changes from Ancelotti to get Chelsea playing in a way that released Drogba, and the Whites were searching for a late equaliser to the end. The big negative from this game was not the result, but the injury to Pantsil, which may see him out for the rest of the season.

Fulham 1-0 Swindon Town (02/01/2010)

A solid start to the New Year, with a comfortable win in the FA Cup Third Round (even though only one goal was scored, the game was played at a canter and Swindon presented little danger). The draw for Round 4 sees Fulham playing away, either at Accrington Stanley (“Oo are dey?”) or the less attractive prospect of Gillingham.

Pantsil would be unavailable for a while anyway, at the African Nations Cup where Digkacoi and Etuhu will hopefully be maintaining their form. Senegal didn’t qualify for the competition, so Kamara will be in the UK. The next couple of months are likely to decide how the season turns out, as the weather and injuries take their toll. It’s unlikely that Hodgson will make any major purchases in the January window, but he does have an eye on quite a few players apparently, and we could see further strengthening of the squad.