Fulham’s league cup journey begins. Every season hopes of a cup run, a Wembley trip, the pinnacle: a trophy, are dreamt up. After 146 years of existence, Fulham remain the biggest club in Britain to not have won a major trophy. I wholeheartedly believe 2025 could be our year, but first, we have to get past Bristol City. Here’s how we do it:
### Analysing Our Opposition
Bristol City’s new boss, Gerhard Struber, will see Fulham as the first Premier League opposition he has faced in his career. The Whites will be an opportunity for the Robins to weigh themselves up against top flight opposition, a chance for the reds to test their metal, after an unbeaten start to the season. Subsequently, I think the Robins will roll out a strong XI.
City raced out the traps with a statement, 4–1, ‘Steel City’ win against Sheffield United on the second tier’s opening day, but since then, Struber’s side have struggled offensively. A 0–0 draw away in East London at Charlton Athletic, and a 1–1 draw at Pride Park, against Derby County followed, but the West Country’s premiere side are creating chances. City have the eighth worst XG differential in the second tier, suggesting creating chances is not the issue, the ‘Cider Army’ simply convert chances into goals.
Whilst the ‘Red Army’ struggle to get the ball in the onion bag, they certainly don’t seem to struggle to keep the ball out of it. City have conceded just twice all term, joint second least in the Championship. No suprise really when you factor in the fact that Gerhard Struber succeeded the defensively famed, Liam Manning, as Bristol boss. The Robins defensive successes just enlargers the potential banana skin that is this league cup second round fixture.
Who is the Robins danger man, you ask? Scott Twine. After an underwhelming big money Burnley move, Scott Twine has found his feet at Ashton Gate, notching up six goal involements from four appearances this campaign. If you want a litmus test on how seriously Bristol City are taking this Fulham fixture, when the lineups are announced, just look: does Scott Twine start? Without Twine, I feel Bristol will really lack attacking potency. With Scott, they could cause Fulham all sorts of issues.
### How Fulham Tactically Outwit The Robins
Gerhard Struber sets his Bristol City side in a defensively sound 5–2–3. A back three is supplemented by two defensively sound wing backs out wide, and a rigid midfield pivot centrally.
It’s no wonder Bristol have withheld their outstanding defensive record, without the ball, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Bristolians with as eight men behind the ball for much of this evening’s cup clash. City will look to get the ball into Scott Twine for a moment of magic, often looking to overload opposition with a right sided overload, courtesy of the offensively dangerous, Ross McCrorie, and Scott Twine. Another thing to look out for is Twine’s free kicks, his opening day set piece strike, tells you all you need to know about the 26 year old’s dead ball ability. Fouling within striking distance of goal should be avoided at all costs.
To counteract City’s right sided attacking persuasion, Antonee Robinson should get his inaugural 25/26 start, the perfect chance to find fitness, Jedi should be tasked with the lone task of shutting down the Robins McCrorie, and Twine tandem. The right side of play will this time take up Fulham’s wide attacking mantle. Here’s how Fulham tactically beat Bristol City in possession:
This game, like last time out, against five at the back opposition, Manchester United, will be won in the midfield. Fulham overloading central areas and exploiting Bristol’s mere two midfielders is the path to the League Cup third round for Marco Silva. It’s a numbers game. I want to see three midfielders up for a midfield battle, ready make use of their numerical advantage up against a tough tackling ‘Cider Army’ pivot.
Harrison Reed should be given his first start of the season. I’d like to see Reed give more minutes if Fulham don’t bring in a number six before the hallowed transfer deadline. That should start tonight. Reed starts in the six.
This should be the breakout game for seeing Sander Berge’s progressive number eight abilities at the Cottage. Reed provides Sander the license to be the number eight he has been at various stops throughout his career, so I want to see Berge as outlet for direct leg balls, supporting Raul Jimenez aerially and arriving late into the box. The midfield overload of City’s midfield duo should not stop there, far from it…
Tom Cairney starts a Fulham game for the 11th consecutive season, as the dictator of tempo, in a quarterback like role, giving Josh King’s legs a well earned rest ahead of Saturday’s cross borough voyage. Harry Wilson and Emile Smith Rowe start after superb cameos last weekend, both are instructed to focus in on inverting centrally, creating a five on two midfield advantage for Marco’s men.
Timothy Castagne will focus on his defensive duties, merging into a back three in possession. Antonee Robinson, on his return, garners all of London’s Original’s width, relying on his ability to get up and down, to still shadow Scott Twine and Ross McCrorie when required.
### Youth Involvement?
Seth Ridgeon gets a special mention. A start, in a game I view as important as this, may come too soon, but I’d love to see some midfield minutes for Seth, replacing Tom Cairney near miniutes 70’.
Aaron Loupalo-Bi should be given a bench berth, he can’t stop scoring for the U21’s, let the tale of Callum Osmond be a warning, give him a first team opportunity.
Jon Esenga may well deputise as left back, for me, he shouldn’t start. Matching up Esenga with Scott Twine is a baptism of fire for the young full back. Like his aforementioned youth teammates, let’s see where we are come an hour in.
### My Lineup
Bernd Leno, Timothy Castagne, Issa Diop, Jorge Cuenca, Antonee Robinson, Harrison Reed, Sander Berge, Tom Cairney, Emile Smith Rowe, Harry WIlson, Raul Jimenez.
### What The League Cup Means For Fulham
I love the league cup. In 23/24 I went to every League Cup game en-route the semi final, last season I was at Birmingham and the catastrophe at Preston. Why? Because every single season in mediocrity, stability, in the Premier League presents Fulham an opportunity to do something magical. A cup run. The FA Cup is often prioritised by sides, as it is the most prestigious domestic trophy on the planet, but the League Cup is maligned by many big sides as a game they would rather do without. Fulham should think of it the complete opposite way.
As crazy as it may sound, for me, the Carabao Cup should be prioritised over league play. Would I of took a lost tonight if it meant a victory against Manchester United, last Sunday? Absolutely not, with Marco Silva at the helm, I have no doubt we’ll pick up enough points irregardless of a one of game. In the cups, you don’t have that luxury, every game counts.
It starts now, be the only side in the country to prioritise the League Cup. Lay out a strong, slightly rotated team, this evening. Apologise to Mr Lecomte, your debut will have to wait. We have a cup run to start. We aren’t taking any risks. Three Silva led Premier League seasons, three cup runs. This year, we go a step further. The road to Wembley, the road to history – it starts here. Make sure of it. Beat Bristol City.