I agree about Kelly, but I'd still take Senderos ahead of Hughes. I have a feeling Duff will hold his place, too. Then again, I've been wrong just about every time I've tried to predict our starting eleven this season, so what do I know?
It's not rocket science - quote from Hangeland, maybe we'll see an away win at Villa? "Weâre working on the way we play every day in training," he said. "We're trying to play in the most efficient way and be as strong as we can and on Sunday [against Wolves] we certainly did that so maybe we need to try and go away from home and try to play exactly like we do at home."
I still have some doubts about Senderos, though he is winning me over. Also, Aaron hasn't been in top form this season - maybe through not playing consistently? Duffer showed his worth again against Wolves - I think he should keep his place.
I'm really looking forward to this game (although I'm not going, unfortunately). We're going into the game with confidence and momentum, Villa have (probably) done enough not to get dragged into the relegation battle and are missing their best player. I really think this is an away game we can win although I won't be too disappointed with a draw. On team selection, apparently Kelly is injured so we might be back to Hughes and RB and Hangeland and Senderos in the middle. Duff did so well against Wolves that I would be temped to stick with him but Jol will probably paly Ruiz.
Any word on whether Bairdinho is available yet? I'd put him ahead of Hughes. If not, I'd be tempted to try Davies at right back (is he fit? I'm not sure).
Captain, the very latest is that Hughes has injured his calf and is a major doubt for Saturday as well! Therefore, lets hope either Baird or Davies can fill the void or Jol might be calling up one of you guys!
Yes, looks like Aaron is out. However Ruiz is back from illness. http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2012/03/08/fulham-sweat-on-defender-ahead-of-villa-trip-82029-30492630/ Briggs has also returned from his loan stint, although that won't solve the right back problem if Chris is still unavailable.
I can't really comment much on the actual game as I didn't see it, but the lineup today was identical to that of the one that beat Wolves, with the exception of Kelly coming in for Hughes. That sounds, to me, like Jol went out to win the game. The fact our awful away form transcends managers points away from Jol too. Is it really fair to lay the blame solely at his door, given these facts?
I'm not blaming Jol, we have struggled away from home under some fine managers, maybe it's because Craven Cottage is a narrow pitch compared to other teams, I don't know. Having watched the game, maybe Jol did go out for the win, but because Villa came at us very early on, pushing us back continuously maybe he changed tactics and play counter attack because we honestly hardly left our own half in the first 45.
The strange thing this season is that Jol's not sending out defensive sides away from home, but we're just not scoring goals. 8 all season is the worst return in the league - and if you can't score, you're not going to win too many. With trips to Man Utd, Liverpool, Everton, and Spurs to come it's not going to get much better this season. I have much admiration for anyone who goes to all or most of the away games!
The need for a new Right Back is the only thing that can be said about yesterday's game. We didn't want to get drawn in to Villa's physical game, I think that cost us, but Jol has employed that tactic so effectively in the last 3 games.
It is strange that with a line up containing Dembele, Dempsey, Pog, Duff and Murphy we only managed a solitary shot on target all game. I'm going to make a controversial statement here: Ruiz was absolutely atrocious yesterday. As soon as he came on and AJ went off it was like having 10 men. I desperately want him to succeed here (for his hair and teeth if nothing else) but he has shown absolutely no signs of progression whereas Dembele in his first season albeit frustrating he did show us a glimpse of what was to come.
It's a bigger change for Ruiz, one thing is for certain - he won't be able to make it if the fans turn on him. I think it will take a year, if not more. Although he was already in Europe he was in a league which allowed for his style of play. Prem doesn't.
Have you forgotten the games over Xmas when he was superb? I agree though, he's gone off the boil of late.
Yes - I thought it was a strange decision to bring him on in such an obviously physical match against a team as dirty as Villa have become. Some of his "tackling" was pathetic. The defeat was unfortunate and down to lack of resilience/concentration. Riise forced their wideman inside, without following him; Brede had to come out of the line to try to deal with the threat and failed to deal with it. AJ put in a couple of lovely teasing balls from the edge of the box, one of which I was sure the Pog would convert - but hey ho - next week another 5 - 0 will cheer us up They won the first half, we won the second - could have lived with a draw. Overall, disappointed.
