Johnson Expects Fulham Changes

Friday, September 23rd 2016

Lee Johnson expects his opposite number to make several changes to the Fulham team that faced City in Wednesday’s EFL Cup third round tie.

City travel to Craven Cottage tomorrow (3pm) for the second time in just four days and the head coach isn’t underestimating the task his players will face when they come up against a Fulham side who have lost just once in the league this campaign.

“They are an exceptional quality for the division,” Johnson told Bristol City Player HD.

“They have experienced players, a nice blend of height and pace - they tick all the boxes and have quality everywhere.

“I know they can comfortably put out a different eleven (to the team that played in Wednesday’s EFL Cup). The side that played against Wigan will probably be close, but we can make changes if we decide to.

“It will be a really tough game but we seem to be in half-decent form every time we go to Fulham and I believe our strengths can catch their weaknesses.”

Commenting on the 2,600 supporters heading to the capital, Johnson said: “All the fans that went last season (to Fulham) will have it close in the memory and want to enjoy themselves again. The challenge to the players is to ensure those fans do enjoy the game.

“It’s an important game but given the spirit we have in the group, given the backing of the fans, if the players turn up on the day we have a decent chance of picking up three points.”

Johnson confirmed Korey Smith will not travel to Fulham with the rest of the squad due to a recent injection, but expressed his satisfaction with the remaining squad’s fitness.

“Korey Smith won’t travel. He has had an injection to settle down a little bit of fluid he had,” said the 35-year-old.

“He’s not too far away and we have arranged a behind-closed-doors friendly on Wednesday and hopefully he will play in that.

“Joe Bryan had the dead glute but he has had three or four days now so hopefully he will be ok. Hordur Magnuson had a nasty stamp on his toe but there is no break. If he can deal with a bit of pain he should be alright.

“There’s always bumps and bruises, that’s the nature of the game. But generally we will be going (to Fulham) pretty fit and healthy with a decent size squad.”

The match is pay on the day for away supporters.