On the up: Fulham are a team to be wary of

If you had not noticed there has been a fairly good change of fortune in Fulham's forward progress in the championship since Kit Symons took over from Felix Magath. They now sit comfortably in mid-table and probably have the finances to bring in a couple of quality players in the next transfer window that could even yet see them make a rush for the play-offs.

Recent results have been fairly good for the Cottagers who have beaten Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds, Brighton and Huddersfield in the last month or so and yet where they have struggled is when they have played the top half teams. That might be good news for the Cherries as might Fulham's away from that will have to improve if they are to make a challenge for a play-off place in the second half of the season. Their last two away wins at Leeds and Brighton perhaps indicates that they are improving away from home. Before those late November and early December wins, you have to go back to September when they beat Birmingham.

What is clear to see is that Fulham are still regularly leaking goals. The Leeds game aside it is not often that Fulham keep a clean sheet away from home. If they start getting that right they will climb still higher in the table. AFCB need to beware of a team like this who I am sure will do all they can to raise their performance against when they come to the Goldsands. They have the quality and will be looking for a result against a top six side to really start their own push into the top 10.

If AFCB thought this would be an easy game though Eddie Howe will point them in the direction of Fulham's last result. That was quite a turnaround from the 0-5 defeat that Watford handed out to them earlier in December. A clean sheet and four goals is a result to build confidence and the Cherries will have to try and dent that quickly in the Boxing Day match.

Fulham Away Form
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AFCB Home Form
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Meanwhile, I have been interviewed by Andrew Beck of Cottagers Confidential who wanted Cherry Chimes' opinions before the game on Boxing Day. I'm questioned about the Cherries run of form and whether it really is a team that is taking the Championship by storm or whether AFCB have just had a couple of big wins, and perhaps we are just getting carried away - see Cottagers Confidential.