Match Day Thread Fulham v Southampton 26/12/2020 3pm Sky sports

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RSS said:
Diallo in for Romeu is the obvious replacement. But be interesting to see who Ralph goes with for our attacking positions. Who partners Che? And who starts on the wings? We could do with Armstrong playing himself into form again as he offers something none of the rest of our attackers do. Think I'd go Armstrong and Theo, With Che and Tella upfront. Maybe Che and Obafemi, but he seems to have fallen out of favour. I suppose could have Che and Djenepo up top too. Theres no stand out option imo.

At full strength I think we'd win this relatively comfortably. But Romeu and Ings are two of our top performers this season. Fulham also missing their captain and best defender. Could be anything this game, but we need to win it really with tough games coming up.
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The more I think about it I would go 4-4-1-1 with Armstrong behind Adams.
 
McCarthy
KWP- Bednarek- Vestergaard- Bertrand
Djenepo - Diallo - JWP - Tella
Adams-Walcott


I realize that's a pretty unlikely lineup, as Ralph likes to compress space. However, I quite liked the spell against City where Djenepo was playing on the right; KWP already prefers to get narrow, and Djenepo provided a bit of overlap down the flank rather than tucking in behind the strikers as he often does on the left. It was the one stretch of play in the second half where we seemed to be getting City out of their defensive shape, if only temporarily.
 
Schad said:
McCarthy
KWP- Bednarek- Vestergaard- Bertrand
Djenepo - Diallo - JWP - Tella
Adams-Walcott


I realize that's a pretty unlikely lineup, as Ralph likes to compress space. However, I quite liked the spell against City where Djenepo was playing on the right; KWP already prefers to get narrow, and Djenepo provided a bit of overlap down the flank rather than tucking in behind the strikers as he often does on the left. It was the one stretch of play in the second half where we seemed to be getting City out of their defensive shape, if only temporarily.
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That midfield is way, way too inexperienced.

I understand why people are disillusioned with Redmond, but the thing is, even if not on his best form, he knows his role, he knows the calls, the timings, and all of that. The stuff we don't see. Djenepo to me is still massively raw, so can't be putting Tella in the same starting line-up. Huge risk. And Diallo - as good as he might someday be - won't have the experience and leadership that both Tella and Djenepo need around them. He might not even speak English yet.

If we have to put a debutant in (Diallo), I'd put experience around him, Armstrong, JWP, and Redders.
 
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We have a pretty compressed schedule, with 10 matches in 41 days, including some pretty tough ones. The Fulham match seems a good chance for the younger players to lay down a marker, particularly with Redmond/Armstrong being rather underwhelming of late.
 
Schad said:
We have a pretty compressed schedule, with 10 matches in 41 days, including some pretty tough ones. The Fulham match seems a good chance for the younger players to lay down a marker, particularly with Redmond/Armstrong being rather underwhelming of late.
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No, our schedule isn't actually that bad. There are six days between the West Ham and Liverpool games. And twelve days between Liverpool and Leicester. The Shrewsbury cup game can be used for blooding in new signings and youngsters.

Personally I think you should look at what games are most winnable, and focus on winning them. That has to be the way for a club of our stature and expectations. We could easily lose to Fulham with an inexperienced midfield, and then lose to West Ham with our strongest players back. If we lose to Fulham, just wait and see how quickly the fanbase will grumble, and all the hard work of this season will be forgotten. Then the pressure will crank up on the players ahead of a very difficult January.
 
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I tend to see it from the opposite side: namely, that playing badly out of form players simply because they're experienced both reduces the competition for places and goes against our club's ethos, while offering dubious on-field advantages given that, y'know, they've been pretty **** of late. Combined with our preferred high tempo of play and the fact that we'll be playing a game on average every four days for the next six weeks, I don't really see the utility.

All a manner of perspective I suppose.
 
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Susan said:
No, our schedule isn't actually that bad. There are six days between the West Ham and Liverpool games. And twelve days between Liverpool and Leicester. The Shrewsbury cup game can be used for blooding in new signings and youngsters.

Personally I think you should look at what games are most winnable, and focus on winning them. That has to be the way for a club of our stature and expectations. We could easily lose to Fulham with an inexperienced midfield, and then lose to West Ham with our strongest players back. If we lose to Fulham, just wait and see how quickly the fanbase will grumble, and all the hard work of this season will be forgotten. Then the pressure will crank up on the players ahead of a very difficult January.
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I agree with a lot of this too... so stop it Susan. Let’s find something to ruck about; it’s xmas after all.

I would tweak your approach slightly and play the strongest side available each game, if the players are over a certain physical fitness and not needing a rest, or if Ralph feels a particular player is better suited to a job than another, against a certain opponent.

if a player “needs” a rest because the numbers say that (and these days, the fitness experts at the club will know*), then rest them. If not, pick your best.

* this also includes predicted fatigue as they’ll know that too. The science is incredible these days.
 
Schad said:
I tend to see it from the opposite side: namely, that playing badly out of form players simply because they're experienced both reduces the competition for places and goes against our club's ethos, while offering dubious on-field advantages given that, y'know, they've been pretty **** of late. Combined with our preferred high tempo of play and the fact that we'll be playing a game on average every four days for the next six weeks, I don't really see the utility.

All a manner of perspective I suppose.
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i agree with a lot of that too. Jeez, it’s so difficult to pick a row these days!! <laugh>
 
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McCarthy;
KWP , Bednerak , Vesty , Bertrand ;
Armstrong , JWP , Diallo , Djenepo ;
Walcott , Adams.

Forster, Stephens, Salisu, Smallbone, Redmond, Armstrong, Nlundulu
 
Redmond can’t possibly play as badly as he did when he came on vs City. On that basis, I’d start him for this, let him settle and play himself in.

There’s a few players who haven’t shown their best form yet this season - and yet collectively we’re the best we’ve been for ages. Imagine what’ll happen when everything and everyone clicks; there’s definitely better to come from this squad under this manager.
 
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Archers Road said:
Redmond can’t possibly play as badly as he did when he came on vs City. On that basis, I’d start him for this, let him settle and play himself in.

There’s a few players who haven’t shown their best form yet this season - and yet collectively we’re the best we’ve been for ages. Imagine what’ll happen when everything and everyone clicks; there’s definitely better to come from this squad under this manager.
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I think we’re close to the Max... without player upgrades or different type of players. It will be interesting to see who we look to bring in next, whether Jan or the summer. I’d like us to bring someone in during the next window as a change in dynamic often helps the squad competition but also keeps our opponents guessing.

I am confident that Ralph knows what he needs
 
fatletiss said:
I agree with a lot of this too... so stop it Susan. Let’s find something to ruck about; it’s xmas after all.

I would tweak your approach slightly and play the strongest side available each game, if the players are over a certain physical fitness and not needing a rest, or if Ralph feels a particular player is better suited to a job than another, against a certain opponent.

if a player “needs” a rest because the numbers say that (and these days, the fitness experts at the club will know*), then rest them. If not, pick your best.

* this also includes predicted fatigue as they’ll know that too. The science is incredible these days.
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Okay, here's one for ya: Kylie Minogue is second best to Dannii. There, I said it.

You must log in or register to see images
 
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fatletiss said:
I think we’re close to the Max... without player upgrades or different type of players. It will be interesting to see who we look to bring in next, whether Jan or the summer. I’d like us to bring someone in during the next window as a change in dynamic often helps the squad competition but also keeps our opponents guessing.

I am confident that Ralph knows what he needs
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You think we have money to spend? Recent history seems to suggest otherwise. I’d love it if we backed Ralph in the transfer market, God knows he deserves it; I won’t be holding my breath though. I’m certainly not expecting any upgrades in the form of players with proven PL quality. Happy to be proved wrong though.
 
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