Squeaky bum time

So in order to have any chance of staying up, Fulham need to be unbeaten for the next three games. This is possible. In September Fulham were unbeaten in four league games - however they didn't get a single win during this time. This actually encapsulated a period where Fulham were defeated just once in eight games in the league - the poor 2-0 home defeat against Pompey. However they only won one game in this time. This will not be enough to keep Fulham up.
Two wins and a draw could be enough to overturn things (as long as one of those wins is against Birmingham) although a lot will depend on this game today against Man City. Fulham seem to have been losing a lot of 'must-win' games these days.
Perhaps I should go abroad more often. Two of Fulham's five league wins this season have come while I have been out of the country on holiday. However as both these results were against Reading, perhaps Fulham should just apply to play the Royals more often. Although if Fulham do somehow stay up, it will likely be at the expense of Reading.
Jari Litamen has become symbolic of Fulham's season. He's now out injured because Ricardo Batista kicked a ball that hit him on the head. Although the presence of Chairman Mo means that the club could have always been ridiculed, this has been largely avoided thanks to the other personnel at FFC. However this just makes the team a laughing stock.
Woy Hodgson said: "Jari has been very unfortunate. When I first went to the Finnish FA he was standing next to his sporting director at Malmo who opened a can of coke and the top popped into Jari's eye."
This is why he is being paid £15,000 a week and being described in some quarters as 'one of the worst signings in Premier League history'. The only way he can redeem himself and provide proof that he is worth the money is with winners against the Brum and Pompey

Fulham 1 - 3 Sunderland

Well this was a real gut churner quite frankly. This was the one where I left feeling betrayed. But how dare I, a johnny-latecomer, feel so annoyed and pissed of at a team that isn't even mine. What about the fans who have been going to the Cottage for decades? Have I any right to get indignant on their behalf?
The main problem with this games is that I had half convinced myself that Fulham were staying up. I even had a bet on at 9/2. Those odds have gone up to 15/2 now and with good reason. After this, another spineless, clueless performance, I have no doubt that Fulham are going down.
Roy Hodgson doesn't appear to have made any difference at all. In fact most of the players on the pitch yesterday were signed by his predecessors, so God knows why he went on that acquisition spree in January. He's not even using them.
One one player he is using was a massive cause for this defeat. Brede Hangeland. It's like watching a hulking marionette at centre half. Zat Knight was more effective. Sunderland manager Roy Keane was on the nose when he said that they didn't play well, but scored at the right times. Just before half-time with the first effort on target, 10 minutes after half time with a route one goal which broke Fulham's belief and then a minute after David Healy showcased his talent with a 20 yard curling left footer to nip in the bud any chance of a revival.
I was very angry at them after the game, but it's hard to know who to blame. Most of the players were trying hard, but didn't really know how to change things. The question is, do I continue going next year if they can piss me off this much?

Irritating thing, hope.

Okay, so I've decided to plump for the Fulham game against Sunderland tomorrow, despite the Mighty North End's visit to QPR at the same time. For a moment I was considering going to one match, then haring it across West London for the second half of the other match, then I asked myself what the point was. I'll ask myself again at half-time tomorrow.
There were several reasons for doing this:
1) I knew someone else going to the Cottage.
2) If I didn't go tomorrow then there was just the game against Birmingham left (I'm going on holiday for two weeks, so will miss the 'Pool.
3) Preston are more or less safe from relegation after winning five out of six.
4) Fulham still have that outside chance of staying up.
It's that little bit of hope that just sticks in the gut and twists you around a bit. It's horrible.
But a look at the fixtures remaining and it may be possible. Regardless of the fact that Fulham have only won four this season.
H - Sunderland - They'll have to play well, but Fulham did beat Everton and Villa. I reckon this could be a cracking match.
A - Reading - A key match. If Fulham are to stay up they really need to win this one.
H - Liverpool - A repeat of last year's unlikely victory may be on the cards, especially if Liverpool get passed Arsenal and they rest players at the Cottage again.
A - Man City - Have suffered a real slump in form recently. Fulham need to get something from this game, even if its just a point.
H - Birmingham - Another team struggling to stay in the division. This is when the fighters will need to stand up and be counted. But how many fighters are in the squad?
A - Portsmouth - With Pompey highly likely to be in the FA Cup final, they might rest some key players and those left on the pitch might not give 100% if they want to get to Wembley without getting injured.

Then again, Fulham may not get another point this season. Like I said, it's the hope that gets you. Anyone know when Fulham usually try and renew the season tickets? And will they be as cheap as this year considering there are more matches in the Championship?

• Forgot to mention - At the Man Utd v Liverpool match, the two women sat next to me left 20 minutes before the end! I mean, what's the point?