Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen will use an exciting blend of youth and experience as he tries to triumph over Sheffield United in the Fourth Round of The FA Cup on Tuesday night.
The two sides contested a 1-1 draw at a rain-saturated Bramall Lane in the first tie, forcing the two clubs into a replay.
Fulham v Sheffield United
FA Cup Fourth Round replay
7.45pm, Tuesday 4 February
Craven Cottage
Winners receive £90,000
Live on ITV4
by Wally Downes Jnr
And with Fulham sat bottom of the Premier League and the Blades occupying a spot in the League One relegation zone, both teams are desperate for a win to boost confidence.
Fulham convincingly overcame Norwich after a replay in the Third Round and they will have to do the same against Tuesday's underdogs.
“I keep sticking to the same principles, it is a great Cup competition, which is why we keep playing replays!,” said Meulensteen.
“It is a good opportunity to utilise the squad and blend in a few good young players to give them the experience without losing quality. We will come up with a good blend.
Highlights from the first tie at Bramall Lane.
“We know we will be in a tough run coming up, the players are aware of that but we will take it head-on. We know the areas we need to address, and have been doing that in training.
“We need to be more rigid, but if you look at every game, the trend is that we have played very well in the games.”
Fulham held Southampton to a goal-less first half on Saturday, but capitulated in the second half at Craven Cottage to lose 3-0 and leave themselves at the foot of the table.
Meunlensteen made a handful of exciting signings in the January transfer window but with none of the new faces eligible for Tuesday's match, it will be the familiar names that must get the club back on the right track.
“We looked very comfortable against Southampton in the first half and should have gone in front, but did not and concede first," added the Dutchman.
Sheffield United held Fulham to a 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane
“There is a trend with good and some not so good. We need to make sure we can get those chances converted because going in front makes a hell of a difference.
"It's like putting a jigsaw together. I don't want the result to be the only thing that shines through because there are good things.
"Let's make sure we can become a more defensively strong unit. Look at the first goal on Saturday, we were out of shape. If we're in shape the goal doesn't happen. These are the things we need to get right.”
