Kalas is obviously out and so it would appear is Ayite with hamstring problems. Quite like to say a few bits about the opposition but in the case of Leeds the only words is ... "Kiwi". For us there are going to be some tired legs after Saturday and recovery time is harder this early in the season. Add to that, whether Button has overcome his knock and the general fitness of Cairney and there are inevitable selection issues. The biggest question though is who takes over at CB from Kalas? Believe Madl is carrying an injury and as for Djalo .. he did pretty well against Wycombe but that's the context and it wasn't even their strongest eleven. The Gaffer clearly didn't fancy bringing him on against Reading and can't see him viewing things any differently tomorrow night, especially against someone like the "Kiwi". So, reckon he'll stick with Odoi and his experience. If Tom is fit, and that has to be a big if, I'd play Norwood instead of Johansen who has been blowing hot and cold, mostly cold, in the first two games. Then there's the lot up front. Kebano or Piazon for Ayite? One fresh, the other obviously buzzing with two goals in two games. I'd go for Piazon simply because he'll give more cover for Sessegnon. And yes, I'd start Kamara. Which makes the likely line up to be: .........................Button(?)............. ....Fredericks...Odoi..Ream..Sessegnon.. .......................McDonald.... ..............Cairney(?)....Norwood... ....Aluko............Kamara......Piazon.... PS if no Cairney, I'd make McDonald captain instead of Aluko.
Cairney has a good record of scoring against Leeds, but I wouldn't risk him if he is not fully recovered. I'm thinking his injury might be an ongoing recurrence if not sorted out properly. I think I'd go Johansen in for Cairney have him and Norwood breaking box to box on the counter attack with McDonald holding in front of the back 4, put Piazon in the middle to break late into the box with Aluko & Kebano on the wing. Again I think Leeds will look to pin us high by attacking our back 4 when they have the ball, and create mistakes, it seems to be the tactic to use if we try to play out from the back.
The man in the middle tonight is Darren Bond. After my naivety was exposed at the weekend with the wee nark Hooper, will stick to facts for Bond. We saw him three times last season. The first was last September in the 1-1 draw away to Forest when he booked 2 of theirs. Then in December when we drew 4-4 with Wolves, again away. He booked 7 that night; Cairney, Fredericks and Malone for us. And the third game was the draw 1-1 at home to Brentford in April this year, with Johansen being booked pretty much with the last kick (literally) of the match. In 40 games last season Bond dished out a modest 117 yellows and a more impressive 6 reds. He's off to a roaring start this year though - in 3 games there have been 11 yellows and 1 red.
Another hard, physical game and we're now looking "hard to beat"; what the Gaffer was asking for many times last season. Okay a draw, but reckon at the end of the season we'll be looking back and counting the last two away games excellent results. And that without 3/4 key players. Mind we are a bit threadbare when you consider our the bench tonight, no disrespect to the youngsters. The situation now not helped by the injury to Lucas Piazon, who apparently went straight to hospital with a suspected break. This time total disrespect to the Leeds fans for booing him.
We have got to get into winning ways soon, otherwise we, will, if there is an improvement later on be playing catch up at the end of the season. A C/F, now seems a must,and lets hope our owners see promotion ahead and not £ signs regarding our best players.
Press release says.... " Fulham’s Lucas Piazon suffered a broken leg in his side’s 0-0 draw at Leeds United on Tuesday. The on-loan Chelsea winger came off after 35 minutes following a fair tackle by Leeds’ Conor Shaughnessy. Whites boss Slavisa Jokanovic confirmed the injury in his post-match press conference". It will be interesting to see a reply of the "fair tackle".
Broken fibula it would seem. Zamora was out 5 months when he suffered the same. Real shame as he has been doing so well recently.
Hi Cottagers, pls feel feel to pop over and comment on last nights game. Would be great to get your opinions http://www.not606.com/threads/the-breakfast-debate.351475/
