I guess the back four picks itself but loads of potential and interesting combinations elsewhere. So far it seems that everyone on International duty is fine, although Ruiz sat out his matches. Frei is supposedly over his injury but hasn't been in full training. Kaca should be over his little bout of sickness. This is such an important match confidence wise and I suspect Jol will play safe - he won't for instance, throw Kara in at the deep end - .............. Schwarzer..... ..Riether..Hughes..Hangeland..Riise .Duff....Diarra....Richardson...Kaca .........Berbatov....Petric.. The other option is Hugo for Kaca and go 4-3-3.
The interview you posted on the other thread, Cottager, suggests that you're right to say Karagounis won't start against West Brom. If that's the case, then I'd expect your line up to be right. That said, I got it wrong every single time I speculated on a line-up last season, so it'll be Duff at left-back, Reither up front and little Keiran Richardson in goal more than likely.
Nice video, Cottager. Thanks for that. In our earlier discussion we completely left Ruiz out! Assuming he's fit, I think he'll play. The only problem is, I'm not sure where. Frankly, I'm not sure of anything now.
The latest news on his website is not very encouraging - http://www.bryanruizcr.com/es/ I understand his explanation why he wanted to be with his International team mates but the travelling can't have helped recovery from a thigh/muscle injury. While there is some FIFA ruling to avoid fake withdrawals, his case seems to be pretty clear cut, so didn't the Club have a say in the matter ? Maybe he has a contract clause which allows him to have first call ? Anyway, reading his blog he's at best 50/50 for Saturday.
Zoltan Gera says he's fit for the match and raring to go, if selected - http://www.wba.co.uk//news/article/gera-eager-for-cottage-comeback-365500.aspx As said in the other thread he's sure to get a great reception. Interestingly the Club feature another popular ec-Fulham Baggie on their website, Nicky Shorey - http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/13/shoreys-view
Obviously, I'm pleased that Zolly is fit to play and I trust that he'll get a good reception if selected. Pity I can't go. C O Y W
Those Cottage Chickens must know the team line-up. Goerge Co-hen has gone with the bookies and predicts a ... DRAW http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/14/chicks-predict-west-brom
Same lineup as what Cottage58 suggested. No way this ends in a draw - 3-0 Fulham, but credit to WBA for their good start on the season.
Time to dust off my usual from last season... I'll be happy with a draw and a good performance (although a win isn't beyond the realms of possiblity).
Shock horror - Diarra is out injured. As is Richardson and Ruiz is indeed only 50/50. Here is Jol's comments from his Press conference today - http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/14/jols-west-brom-preview In a slightly more detailed interview with Sarah Brookes, Jol reviews the last week and our chances tomorrow - http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/14/manager-preview Looks like Baird and Sidwell in CM with Kara possibly on the bench.
Can't see why Jol doesn't introduce one of the young players such as Mesca, Minkwitz or Donegan. See if a first team place can spark them into great things. Diarra will be a big miss, losing him changes the system Jol can play. Sounds like Petric might be struggling to make it.
With Kasami set to leave on loan also. What an absolute joke. I agree about throwing one of the youngsters in. We did it with Frei and Kaca, and it worked with them.
Perhaps, Bandit, but perhaps not. The thing about throwing youngsters in is that it depends on the youngster, the timing, and who they've got around them to help them out. It's no good throwing Minkwitz or Donavon into a midfield that is struggling to find its rhythm if they aren't ready - it could set back their development rather than bring it on. I'm not saying they shouldn't play - I don't see the youth and reserve games and have no idea whether or not they're ready - simply that it's more complex than 'chuck in the youngsters'. At most clubs, youngsters do best when they are able to come into the side for a short run then have time out of the side to process what they've learned, rather than instantly becoming a fixture. That pattern is what happened to Frei, really. That said, I bet someone will throw an exception back at me (like Robbie Fowler or Michael Owen at Liverpool - there, did it myself) to disprove my argument.
