Petric, Kaca and Diarra are still on the injured list. However it looks as though Duff is now okay and Schwarzer has recovered from his neck injury. I suspect Jol will revert to the 'old' guard and try to get something from the game much the same as we did against Chelsea. ...........Schwartzer........ ..Riether..Hughes..Hangeland..Riise.. ...Kara.....Baird...Sidwell.. ............Ruiz... .........Berbatov.....Hugo..
If Duff is fit, I think he'll play (although Jol may prefer to bring him on as a sub to ease him back). I think either Frei or Kaca will play on the left, with either Kara or Baird dropping to the bench along with Rodallega. If Schwarzer was out with injury rather than form, then he'll probably return. I'd quite like to see Stockdale given a chance to make up for his errors and show that he can still do what he did in his first couple of stints standing in for Schwarzer. Unless Jol has already made up his mind that Stockdale can leave, it would make sense to play him in this one to take another look.
Same back 5 for me. Duff - if fit has to start. So i'd bring him in for Dejagah. Jol's always had a problem playing Kaca away from home but think it will him or Frei on other wing The cert Sidwell with who knows, if Kara is fit enough id start him again. Same deal up front with Berba and Ruiz. Petric continues with the sick note tag...anyone who followed Hamburg would say the same thing unfortunately. Gets goals but spends time on the treament table. I fancy us to get a point for some reason.
The definition of Fulhamish would be to fail to beat both Swansea and Southampton at home and then get something at the Hawthorns.
stockdale cost us a point, school boy stuff just pass to brede no pressure, bring back schwarzer, drop the iranian, bring back duff, we cant play sidwell and baird in midfield, maye the greek. our squad lacks any depth, we do miss darra in midfield. to many crocks spoilt our xmas, we need to improve on our last few away games
Similar team with the changes if Richardson on the left instead of Frei who I would move to the right and drop Dejagah... Kara and Sidwell did well.
I'd go for .......Schwarzer........ ..Riether..Hughes..Hangeland..Briggs.. ..Duff...Kara....Sidwell.....Frei.... ...........Ruiz........... .......Berbatov..... If Schwarzer and Duff are fit
I'm with Bandit's team though I bet Riise will come back in. That's not necessarily a problem but so long as i don't see Richardson ! I'm driving up or this one with a few others and I'm cautiously optimistic we can nick a draw. Happy New Year to you all !
And so say all of us. Hopefully Duff will make it - we really could have done with him on Saturday. Top man. We'll all have a cup of good cheer if you bring back that point.
Good luck to you (and us) tomorrow. Hope you bring back a point, or even three (which is more than I got ant Anfield). And give my man Zolly a cheer! C O Y W
So, the same line-up as against Swansea, except Kaca in for Frie. Stockdale, Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Briggs, Kacaniklic, Karagounis, Sidwell, Dejagah, Ruiz, Berbatov At least on paper the team looks balanced. Let's hope they start as they finished on Saturday - high up the pitch and forcing the play.
Not a bad line-up, although would have preferred Duff to Dejagah had he been fit enough. Couldn't possibly play with both Frei and Kaca, absolutely no defensive cover for the full backs. Slightly optimistic we will get at least a point today.
And Kasami on the bench, Bandit. Subs: Etheridge, Senderos, Baird, Kasami, Richardson, Rodallega and Frei Must be a reasonable chance he'll get an outing.
No Riise on the bench either, haven't heard of an injury. However, I think Rodallega and Richardson will be our subs for today.
First Half Well done lads and here is the first premiership goal of 2013 - http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/gif-dimitar-berbatov-scores-the-1st-premier-league-goal-of-2013-v-west-brom/ Playing just right and high, although not sure why Bryan (who is pretty quiet) has gone up front ahead of Berba. Kara having a blinder. Just need to keep their composure and be a tad more positive in front of goal.
1st half: Kept possession very well and scored a quality goal on the counter attack. Probably the worst 45 minutes that WBA have played this season though, and for all our possession, we didn't create all that much. 2nd half: WBA came out of the blocks a different side and probably deservedly got the equaliser through Lukaku who tormented our backline all day long. Biggs turned all too easily by Jones, but Lukaku miles offside to tap in the equaliser. Should have been behind when WBA missed a triple chance (Stockdale save, Gera post, Hughes goal-line clearance) but took advantage through Kacaniklic who scored our winner against the run of play. Didn't have to do much to hold out as Kaca's goal looked to take the wind out of WBA's sails. Ratings. Stockdale 7/10. Didn't do a lot wrong, made a good save from Lukaku in the second half. Couldn't do anything for the goal. Riether 7/10. Anonymous first half but linked better with Dejagah in the second. Defensively sound. Hangeland 5/10. So many heart in the mouth moments from him today. Tormented all day by Lukaku's pace. Hughes 7/10. Better defensively than Brede, but also found it tough against Lukaku. Great defensive clearances though. Briggs 6/10. Should have done better for the goal but a decent game, linked well with Kaca. Dejagah 6/10. Good assist for the goal, but quiet otherwise. Very frustrating player. Gets into good positions but tries to be C. Ronaldo. Karagounis 7/10. Workmanlike performance from the Greek. Very good performance alongside Sidwell, calm and composed. Sidwell 8/10. This guy gets better and better. Workmanlike similar to Karagounis, made some great tackles/interceptions Kacaniklic 7/10. Apart from the goal, I thought he was disappointing. Got into very good positions but wasted good chances Ruiz 7/10. Great assist for the second goal. Links up so well with Berbatov. Pushed off the ball a few times, but no complaints. Berbatov 8/10. Another quality performance from our Talisman. Could have done better with a shot in the second half, but a great goal scored.
