[Terrier1987cas]

Town travel to Fulham for the first time in almost exactly 14 years this weekend, as we look to bounce back from the 3-2 defeat at Derby midweek. The last time we played at Craven Cottage was 4th November 2000 when goals from Louis Saha, Bjarne Goldbaek and Steve Finnan saw the hosts ease to a 3-0 win, with Scott Sellars sent off for us. The gulf between the two clubs was arguably much greater back then, as Fulham went on to secure promotion to the Premier League with over 100 points, while we were doomed to League 1 thanks to a last minute David Hopkin handball and subsequent Dougie Freedman goal for Crystal Palace at Stockport.

This season however the gap is much lesser. Nobody would argue the fact that Fulham are a bigger club than Huddersfield, but they currently find themselves below us in the league and in a relegation battle, not the promotion push expected of them before the season started. Witch doctor Martin Jol has been sacked, and Kit Symons is the man who replaced him, and a slight turnaround in their fortunes has already started. Whereas we lost at Derby last time out, Fulham pulled back from two behind to earn a draw at home to Lee Clarks Blackpool - I know, a Lee Clark team throwing away a two goal lead!  

Prior to defeat at the iPro on Tuesday night Chris Powell had overseen a remarkable turnaround since his disappointing first few games in charge which culminated in a humiliating defeat against Leeds. That defeat, and in particular the weak manner in which we threw in the white flag, seems a long time ago now as the loss on Tuesday was our first in eight games. Mark Hudson has taken over the captaincy and despite still showing moments of madness (see Derbys goals) our defence is much improved, while Conor Coady and Jacob Butterfield have been inspired signings. Holt and Wells for me are hot or cold, but the 2 standout performers under Powell so far have been wingers Sean Scannell and Harry Bunn, in particular away from home.

We're a team set up to play on the break - solid at the back with a decent midfield 3 when all fit (Hogg is another player who looks re-born under Powell), and two pacey wingers who can really hurt teams. The potential was clear to see in some early season performances under Mark Lillis (Cardiff and in particular Reading were good displays) but we've kicked on again under Powell. Fulham are nothing to fear despite names such as Scott Parker and Brian Ruiz, and we should be looking to go there for all three points to put more space between us and the chasing pack at the bottom end of the table.

If everyone's fit my team would be (433):

Smithies
Smith
Hudson
Lynch
Robinson
Coady
Hogg
Butterfield
Scannell
Bunn
Holt

My prediction for the weekend is a 2-0 away win. Derby were outstanding on Tuesday but are a class above Fulham who we should be able to compete with, and cause them damage, in particular through Scannell and Bunn.