We really need to win this game. So how do you go about beating Fulham? Having played 12 away games, W1 D5 L6 F7 A17 Thet have won only once on their travels ( 2-0 away to Wigan), scoring only 7 in the process. This is a game for the taking. Anything but a win, and I'm afraid we won't avoid the drop. Fulham like to set themselves up as 4-1-4-1 Kelly Hughes Haangeland Riise Murphy Duff Dembele Dempsey Ruiz Podrebnyak going forward, which reverts to a 4-5-1 without the ball. They usually play a containing game and maintain a rigid back four, without the full-backs pushing on. They like to try and counter-attack when the play breaks down on the edge of their box. When the play breaks down they try to attack in numbers, exploiting the player out of position, Trying to get the ball out wide and spreading the defence. This was the making of our downfall at Craven Cottage. We played Luke Young at left back and when he was out of position Andrew Johnson raided that wing getting the ball into crucial areas quickly, resulting in a haemorrhage of goals. That is why we must play Cerny Young Onouha Ferdinand Hill Diakite SWP Mackie Barton Taarabt Zamora Ball retention in this game is crucial. When we lose it we need to be there straight away to win it back! This is where our goals will come. We will need to win the second ball and counter- counter attack. Simples. This was Arsenal's downfall, we are at home. We must be confident, assertive and our 12th man must play his part ...come on URsssss!
We must keep our shape and discipline. Hill is a dedicated left back. Traore and Taiwo are not. They are a nice luxury when we have a comfort zone. From now on in, we need square pegs in square holes. That's why Sparky wouldn' let Hill go out on loan, hence Warnocks mistake. If Hill wasn't loaned to Florist back in October, and Young played right back instead of left back, the outcome of that game would not of been 6-0. That single culmination of events ( Loaning out Hill, Traore getting sent-off v Villa ) was the start of our downfall. I don't trust Traore or Taiwo. If Hill had played v Blackburn we would not have been losing 0-3 at half-time. T'n'T are liabilities. They'd be OK when we're established, but not just now. We need good solid pro's.
Good analysis, makes a lot of sense to me (though as my lads will tell you, I am not a great tactician). However, if we do draw or lose, it is not quite curtains yet. It depends on how the others around us get on. I also think we may turn one of the bigger teams over at home, possibly the Gunners. Stevenage showed that even the form team in the league can be held to a draw on a bad / good day.
As far as this game goes, their is also the "mental" aspect of the game to consider. What I mean by that is will Fulham turn up expecting to put another 6 past us, or will MH have got the whole side looking at that 6 nil drubbing again and using it as a motivational tool to get the team psyched up to get revenge. personally, I've got this as a Rangers win...but then Im biased!!
I think we should try and blitz it from the start. This means putting our paciest players in and flying at them from all areas of the pitch. If we worry too much about the defensive side then we'll allow them time to get comfortable and that's when it really will be difficult to break them down. I just don't want us to end up regretting not giving it a bit more of a go and looking inept because we're too concerned about their shape and what they're doing.
Difficult match. Win is a must and that could bring too much pressure on us. Fulham trashed us last time and it can help them feel very certain and confident. They can also be much more patient than us because a draw will do them just fine. So longer the match stays 0-0 situation it suit just fine to them. So we have to score first to survive.......Hope sparky has done some magic in portugal.
Kenny young Ferdinand Onohua taiwo swp barton diatke Taraabt Mackie zamora this is the team i think Hughes will play. If i was an opposition manager and saw hill in the starting line up i would emphasise my attack down the right flank. he is too slow, poor distribution and guaranteed a card! No other team in the premier league would play hill.
Got to go for the win.. Kenny Young Onuoha Ferdinand Taiwo Taarabt Barton Diakite Traore Zamora Mackie
Cerny Onuoha Hall Gabbidon Taiwo Barton Taarabt Diakite Traore Zamora Mackie for me assuming MH sticks with his 4 4 2. But I'd prefer 4 2 3 1 with Cerny Onuoha Hall Gabbidon Taiwo Barton Diakite Mackie Taarabt Traore Zamora if these are fit!
Ah, I was dreading the de-briefing by our tactical gurus bob & col. I think I got away quite lightly. Cheers gents.
