Fulham Vs Newcastle United - Championship Match Thread

Welcome to the season opener, where Fulham play host to Newcastle United. Rafa Benitez and his troops will be hoping to get off with a positive start to the campaign in an effort to build early momentum and live up to the tag of being favorites to go back up to the Premier League as Championship Champions.

This squad has seen significant change this summer, with much more change to come - so although a strong start would be great, realistically it will take a few weeks and maybe even months before the side is firing on all cylinders. There is no doubt we have the best manager on board since Sir Bobby Robson and he has made a big committment to the Geordie faithful by agreeing to stay on in the face of relegation. Lets continue to show him the same support we gave him at the end of last season, regardless of how the next couple of months go.

Fulham:
27 Button, 26 Kalas, 4 Odoi, 15 Madl, 3 Malone, 6 McDonald, 19 Tunnicliffe, 10 Cairney, 24 Aluko, 11 Ayité, 9 Smith, Substitutes: 5 Stearman, 8 Parker, 13 Ream, 16 Woodrow, 21 Christensen, 37 Edun, 41 Joronen.

Newcastle United:
28 Sels, 22 Janmaat, 6 Lascelles, 5 Hanley, 3 Dummett, 8 Anita, 14 Hayden, 4 Colback, 11 Ritchie, 17 Pérez, 9 Gayle, Substitutes: 12 Shelvey, 16 Aarons, 18 Mbemba, 26 Darlow, 27 Gámez, 32 Armstrong, 42 Sterry.

Interesting see new boys Grant Hanley and Mats Selz given the nod over Chancel Mbemba and Karl Darlow. A first game as Newcastle United Captain for Jamaal Lascelles and great to see youngsters Sterry and Armstrong in the match day squad. Also of note is Daryl Janmaat in the match day squad. This puts the rumoured move away form the club to bed.

HWTL.