The surprise news (well in some ways) is that Petric is again injured. Equally surprising is that Berba and Richardson are in the squad. The good news is that Riether is definitely back. That is, according to Jol in today’s lunch time press conference. Well If you take him at his word on fitness, the team should pretty much pick itself. Myself I’d drop Bryan and play Urby behind Berba with Kaca on the left and Duff on the right. But that’s not going to happen, so the line-up will probably be: ……………Schwarzer…………. Riether…Senderos..Hangeland….Richardson.. ………Kara…….Enoh…… ..Duff…………………..Urby… ………….Ruiz……….. …………….Berbatov……… However, I still have lingering doubts about how straight Jol is being about the fitness issues
you might be interested in Liverpool fan Wolfy's preview of this game - http://royalsrendezvous.co.uk/topic/9874219/1
In his internal video interview today, jol has a wee dig at Bryan (and our slow build up in general). However clear he's not actually going to go as far as drop him. Richardson is a minor doubt still. [video=youtube;JIl6oO296fM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JIl6oO296fM[/video] PS Well done Jol and the lads for donating wages to tomorrow's charity, Shooting Star CHASE.
"Bryan Ruiz has been highly effective in his link-up play this season. He’s completed 588 passes in the opponent’s half this season, at an average rate of one every 3.9 minutes. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index this is the third best rate of any forward in the Premier League to have broken the 500-pass barrier so don’t be surprised if he registers an assist this weekend" Source: http://www.footyplace.com/news/premier-league/ruiz-and-mariappa-stats-impressive/ The statisticians have obviously been to more games than me!
I've said it many times and I stand by it: Bryan looks very good when we are going forward, but is a liability when we are on the back foot. He is a quality attacking player and is capable of making something out of nothing. The issue with Bryan is that we are a mid-table team. This means there are several teams where we will be on the back foot a lot in a game and many more teams where we will be on the back foot at times. This wasn't such an issue in Holland, but his play when we are on the back foot (holding on to the ball, positioning and speed of attack) is a problem he does not seem to be addressing. That said he should definitely start against teams like Reading, who are shaky defensively.
I have to agree about starting Bryan Ruiz today against Reading. They seem unlikley to to put so much pressure on us; which is when Byran's weaknesses show up. I just hope he takes on a couple of runs into the box and get some shots in. Hopeful for 43 points by 17:00. C O Y W !!!!!!
If Reading were allowed to play with twice the number of player as the opposing side all season, they would be top 10. We must have a better 2nd half, surely!
Likewise. I'm off to the pub for a few. Words just cannot describe how angry that performance made me.
An absolutly pathetic performance,went to the game full of euphoria,after watching the splendid performance of our acadamy side,(who incidently are now champions) The team selection together with certain individuals putting in a below par effort will once again have us finishing, what, in the bottom 6 . We have collected in our squad a considerable amount of dead wood. The close season,some quality buys please, and a dam good clear out.
A pathetic, lackluster performance. Given the bad form lately, and Wigan's good form, I'm starting to feel a bit of panic that Fulham could yet be dragged back into the relegation battle. Ugh.
Despite all the euphoria of Mr Jol about reaching 40 points I never shared. The reason is that we are not clear from relegation. Our performances are far from convincing. Now Jol is stating that we need a couple more points? From where? Against Liverpool? Or Swansea? Tactically wrong choices today. when is he going to drop Ruiz?
Frankly this new 4-2-2 formation clearly does not work. The result is that our back four get dragged all over the place leading to the pitiful performance today A match we should have won, but allowed Reading the level of possession normally expected of the home side Yes, 4-2-2! When we did not have the ball we play as if there was NOBODY protecting the defence!
Dear Fulham FC, Can I have my Player of the Year vote back please. Instead Iâd like to change it to Eric Nevland, who showed more presence on the pitch when he came on during the half time interval than all the others put together. Yours in good faith, BS PS Can you also introduce a new award for the man in the stand who voiced the reminder in the first half, âHoy, Fulham - Youâre playing at Home!!â
Well, that was embarrassing. No urgency, no passion... disgusting. It almost doesn't seem worth pointing out the Berbatov penalty shout before their second (which I've seen multiple times now, and was a definite penalty), which could well have changed the game. We didn't deserve anything with the way we played. Our defending was woeful for their three second half goals; it was a return to our pre-Christmas performances when we played with no central midfield (or so it felt). My other gripe - I am getting thoroughly sick of seeing left footed players on the right wing. We have to look at signing some players in the future who can actually use both feet...
