Looks like we're a bit light(er) in midfield this week, so I'm going for: -------------Schwarzer-------------- Reither---Hughes---Hangeland---Riise -------Karagounis----Sidwell--------- ---------Duff----Ruiz----Kaca------- ----------------Berbs--------------- Duffers for Dejagah purely because Ashkan looked knackered last week and Jol may want to keep things fresh. I wouldn't be surprised if Dejagah starts though. Also, anyone know why it's on a Sunday?
If Diarra isn't fit, then you're probably about right. If he is available, I suspect Jol will prefer to Sidwell to Karagounis (only one n, Bidley, just for you!), although It would be nice to see Karagounis get a start sometime. I think Jol will stick with Hangeland and Hughes despite recent lapses, and Kacaniklic deserves another start after coming on to good effect against Arsenal. He also seems to link very well with Berbatov from what I've seen. The biggest question mark, as you suggest, is probably between Duff and Dejagah. Has Jol said anything about why he left Duff out of the eleven last week? If it was just that he thought Damien looked tired, then he'll probably come back in for this one.
Team selection this week is full of 50/50s; Hughes v Senderos, Diarra v fitness, Duff v Dejagah. Added to that is whether Bryan went to Bolivia (despite searching - the game ended 1-1 yesterday our time - I don't know). Sunderland are struggling but their last two visits to London were 0-0 against Arsenal and 1-1 v West Ham, which indicates how they will set themselves up for this one. Their two main threats are going to be Johnson and Fletcher on the break and mainly down our left (an area we have been a bit vulnerable of late). That said, Jol doesn't tend to take the opposition too much into account. Agree with you Bidley that he'll go with Duff, who is after all among our leading scorers, at the start. Subject to Diarra's fitness and Bryan's travel arrangements, I think your other selections are probably correct but ... something tells me otherwise in a couple of positions.
Yeah, Big Mart often throws a curveball with every lineup. Hopefully Diarra is fit and Sidwell keeps in check; if Cattermole plays it could make for an ugly midfield battle. I'm getting nothing from Google in the last 24 hours about Bryan playing for Costa Rica, C58, but I'm not sure what that tells us. Is Senderos fit to play? I think we could see Hugo pop up on the wing instead of Kaca, but I'd be baffled if we did.
Jol has just confirmed - Diarra is Out, Richardson is Out and obviously Baird. It's looking very much like your original selection Bidley - with Bryan still being the unknown. http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/november/16/jol-on-sunderland PS and Tavares has a bump as well, so also Out
Obviously changes are forced on us, but based on his internal video interview Jol was going to make some in any event - http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/november/16/manager-video However (other than that Ruiz will play), I'm none the wiser as to Jol's starting line up. Making a stab at it though, what about this ?? please log in to view this image
I wouldn't be massively happy with that myself, C58. The idea of Reither and Riise possibly being more traditional FBs and supporting H&H is tempting, but leaving Sidders in the middle on his own is a terrifying prospect, particularly as he can't pass forward. Petric is surely more suited to being a focal point than Berbs, so I would swap those. Aside from that, perfect (and sorry if I sound ridiculously dismissive!) As an aside, I like how our RB's name sounds like "Riise" pronounced with a lisp.
Sidwell needs someone alongside him, that's a given. If he was to be holding down the fort solo he would be destroyed. I know it's not Xavi/Iniesta he's going to be up against but still. I'd go with something like this. CM: Sidwell CM: Karagounis CAM: Ruiz RAM: Dejagah LAM: Kaca/Duff CF: Berbatov
I'm comforted by how Jol has noticed we're conceding a lot from set pieces. He makes a big deal about height, which I'm not sure I agree with, but that does allude to new signings in the defensive area.
I guess it is time for Kara to link up with the first team action. He was really good in the Euro's but I have to say that so far he runs and covers the spaces but clearly needs time to get used to the premiership. I hope he gets a chance to start and have some influence on the game. Sunderland are well organised but I think Fletcher was missing from international duty so he may not play. I am going for 3 - 0 to us. COYW
I'm with you frogman. The recently predictably sound Cottage Chickens have however gone for, a Sunderland win - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UqgmqE7gVQ&feature=player_embedded
I agree with you disagreeing Bidley. Our stats for winning 'aerial duels' this year is 58% (second only to Stoke) compared to 50% last year. The problem is at set pieces (as Jol says) and the issue is not height, it's mainly been because of poor positioning and/or not following the ball. That's something which can be remedied in training sessions. I'd raise the question again though, has he got them zonal marking this year ? If so, perhaps that's where the problem lies.
It's got to be hasn't it. Players like H&H don't just become lesser players overnight without a system upheaval. This would be good, in a way, as all that is needed is time on the training pitch, in theory.
