Venue : Craven Cottage, Fulham

Date 10th January 2026

3rd round of the FA Cup

Kick off 1500hrs.

Live availability going to the game itself listening to BBC Tees Maddo and Mark Drury I suspect or various links that no doubt forum members will point out!

BBC MOTD highlights Saturday evening

Introduction

Well once again Boro FC their players and supporters will commence  their annual pilgrimage into the fantasy, fairy tale of the FA Cup by massing on throng at Fulham  and provide a massive support at Craven Cottage with nearly 5k attending this 3rd round ritual of hope and escape of the day to day endeavours of the Championship.

Where again we can dream of a giant killing result (if you can call Fulham a giant?) and get a little bit excited!

However as we are all too aware Boro and 3rd round progression do not go well together with Boro losing 5 out of the last 6 third round matches! Huh!

Our hosts reached the QF stage last season and also QF 22/23 season the others going out round 4 so not too much to brag about save theirs is better than ours! 

Last results are Fulham 2-1 Chelsea and of course Boro 4-0 Southampton so both recording recent wins however Fulham Manager got into a spot of bother meaning he can not be on the bench against Boro and has to watch from the stands

Injuries

Already fully aware of our injuries and not too sure if others picked up a knock last time out.

Talking points

Will we be doing ourselves a favour if we go out straight away?

Is there extra time and penalties after 90 minutes or do we get a replay?

We all know that only a select few will win eventually but does the magic still exist?

Are you bothered that it seems to take an age for all of the 3rd games to be played? 

Is the FA Cup a welcome distraction?

Will Hellberg get his strongest 11 on the pitch and  make a real fight of it?

Will Fulham take this seriously and use their best 11 which will include Wilson I guess

A view from Downsouth

Personally I am looking forward to the game because of the uncertainty it can produce, I get fed up going out straight away then having to follow Fulham's next tie to see who we might offaced.

There is a magical feeling with the FA Cup but I guess as you get older you enjoy the tradition of the Cup and all that it brings!

Anyway best of luck to Hellberg and his brave souls, do us proud and remember we will support you for evermore 

Thanks for your posts to come

 

We're in a once in a decade position, so I'd be absolutely gutted to see us pick up any further injuries to key players here. Having a rest when other sides have a R4 or R5 fixture will be an advantage too. Play the U23s. 

10 minutes ago, SouthernSmoggie said:

We're in a once in a decade position, so I'd be absolutely gutted to see us pick up any further injuries to key players here. Having a rest when other sides have a R4 or R5 fixture will be an advantage too. Play the U23s. 

Should we not train for 2 weeks either in case someone gets injured?

 

11 minutes ago, SouthernSmoggie said:

We're in a once in a decade position, so I'd be absolutely gutted to see us pick up any further injuries to key players here. Having a rest when other sides have a R4 or R5 fixture will be an advantage too. Play the U23s. 

Agree 👍 We can’t afford any further injuries. Give the main players a break until the WBA game and play the kids in this one.

Just now, Blanco said:

Agree 👍 We can’t afford any further injuries. Give the main players a break until the WBA game and play the kids in this one.

You mean we might get to see what the fuss is all about regarding Hamilton and Kante

I'd be tempted to play malanda in this just to further help him acclimatise, but take him off strictly on 60mins. 

---------------------brynn-------------------

Patterson-powell-malanda-baptiste-mccormick

--------------kante------mccabe-----------

Silvera---------hamilton----------hansen

--------------------burgzorg------------------

 

Easily beaten but preserve our important players and give the squad players a start. 

Play the U11s and bow out without any injuries. 

Don't care about the FA Cup, play the weakest team allowed and allow our first XI to rest.

1 hour ago, BillyWoofs_shinpad said:

Should we not train for 2 weeks either in case someone gets injured?

 

I'm sure you'll agree that matches are played with a higher degree of intensity and risk taking than training?

7 minutes ago, SouthernSmoggie said:

I'm sure you'll agree that matches are played with a higher degree of intensity and risk taking than training?

True, but we do pick up a lot of injuries on the training pitch.
 

We’ve got a week until our next league match, it’s not like the league cup. I’d put out a decent team, especially as we’ve sold out our allocation of tickets. 
 

If we go through, we could pick up television money in the next round. 

1 hour ago, Neverbefore said:

I'd be tempted to play malanda in this just to further help him acclimatise, but take him off strictly on 60mins. 

---------------------brynn-------------------

Patterson-powell-malanda-baptiste-mccormick

--------------kante------mccabe-----------

Silvera---------hamilton----------hansen

--------------------burgzorg------------------

 

Easily beaten but preserve our important players and give the squad players a start. 

Is that a back 5 or a back 4? 🤣

Just now, BillyWoofs_shinpad said:

True, but we do pick up a lot of injuries on the training pitch.
 

We’ve got a week until our next league match, it’s not like the league cup. I’d put out a decent team, especially as we’ve sold out our allocation of tickets. 
 

If we go through, we could pick up television money in the next round. 

I think weve picked up more in matches this season than in training - think the reverse might have been true last season. I can only really think of strelec that didn't happen in a match or as an immediate reaction to a match (ala fry and lenihan)

yeah the Prize and TV money can accumulate quickly in the FA Cup, even more so once you get past a few rounds after the 3rd

the league cup you get next to nothing even for winning as its a cup made for everyone to have close to equal shares of the competition money, but FA Cup 

I am quite interested to see what Kims attitude is on the selection. I have a feeling there will be a bit of both, some of the first team mixed with some of the fringe where applicable. 

Couldn’t care less about this one. Happy to lose if zero injuries. Treat it as a game to give youngsters experience and fringe players a chance to impress. 

8 minutes ago, Rob said:

yeah the Prize and TV money can accumulate quickly in the FA Cup, even more so once you get past a few rounds after the 3rd

the league cup you get next to nothing even for winning as its a cup made for everyone to have close to equal shares of the competition money, but FA Cup 

I am quite interested to see what Kims attitude is on the selection. I have a feeling there will be a bit of both, some of the first team mixed with some of the fringe where applicable. 

Peanuts compared to automatic promotion which could change the entire trajectory of the club though. 

Obviously it doesn't have to be either/or... But if we're getting top 2, we'll need every fine margin going in our favour.