After Fulham fashioned a couple of decent results, the little flowers then wilted with four straight defeats. Classic Fulham, including three meek surrenders away from the Cottage. The home loss to West Ham was something of a freak, however, the damage being done in a crazy five-minute spell before half-time when Matthew Etherington miraculously came to life after a strong Paul Konchesky tackle to create one goal and score another. Fulham should take heart, though. They created enough chances to beat the Hammers, even with ten men, and this is another winnable game. Johnson (no goals in four) and Bobby Zamora (one in seven) have yet to justify an outlay upwards of £15m but have hinted at an understanding that should bear fruit soon. Dickson Etuhu may line up against his old club and would add bite to a midfield that can look pretty but lacks muscle. The Wearsiders won the corresponding fixture 3-1 last season, when Fulham looked certainties for the drop. Similar conclusions would be forgivable if the outcome is the same. Jonathan Sim
