Team v Leicester

Mesca is performing for the U21s tonight but not Chris David, who Jol rates highly. Could David be in the squad for Tuesday?

Jol has perfect excuses to ’rest’ a couple of “stars”; Berbatov to ensure he’s fit for Man United and Bryan because he’s been playing with a bad back.

He may also choose to give Parker a game off since he admitted in the latest Fultime magazine that Scotty was playing too many matches and only played in the Everton game “because I needed him and that’s probably why he injured his calf in the next game against Cardiff .. which was quite a blow to take him off after less than 10 minutes.”

And indeed, you would think that this would be an ideal time to give players like Boateng, Zverotic and Hugo match practice - Dejagah even! Hughes could also benefit from more game time.

And, Taraabt for his skill?? (Jol says in Fultime that he is the most talented player around - after Suarez - when he’s fit!!). Kara for his enthusiasm?? Kaca for his pace??

However, that would mean wholesale changes and yet again, Jol abandoning the system that he has in mind (well I think it might … ??) There will be changes but Jol’s credibility is still on the line and I don’t believe he will take too many risks. So the starting line-up is unlikely to differ dramatically :


……………Stekelenburg………
..Riether….Hughes…Amorebieta…Richardson..
…………..Sidwell……….Kara..
…..Bryan………Kasami……Kaca…
……………….Bent………

 

I like your initial optimism Cottager and then having to end up with the same team!!

Looks like a likely team.

 

Not unless he's aged about 12 years overnight he won't be.

 

Line up could be

……………Stockdale………
..Riether….Hughes…Amorebieta…Richardson..
………..Sidwell……….Karagounis..
…...Kasami….David.…....Kacaniklic…
……………….Bent………


Don't think Jol will risk Stekelenberg, Berbatov, Parker or Ruiz.
Depending on if Taarabt is not injured or unfit he might come in before David.

 

You could well be correct SuperBri. Jol has been talking to the local paper, again - and I take it back Taarabt is not only second to Suarez, he is as good as Maradona:


"Martin Jol reckons Adel Taarabt is Fulham’s version of Argentine legend Diego Maradona. The mercurial Moroccan has endured a frustrating start to his career at Craven Cottage since his loan switch from QPR, making just two league starts. Taarabt has failed to even make the bench in recent weeks, but is back to fitness and in line to return to the squad for tomorrow night’s Capital One Cup clash at Leicester City.

The playmaker’s former boss Neil Warnock claimed last week that Taarabt’s time in England is up because no other manager can handle him. But Fulham chief Jol reckons the 24-year-old is only getting started, and likened him to Argentine ace Maradona.

“Taarabt is a Maradona type of talent,” said the Dutchman. “He’s a one off. You only see three or four players in Europe like him. He’s one of the most gifted players you will ever see on the pitch, but he has to be a team player as well. If things are not coming off people could say he’s not a team player and that his time is over. But he’s still young, so if his time is over we’ve got a real problem."

Taarabt has scored just once in seven games for Fulham after being frozen out at Loftus Road. And the former Lens youngster has been doing double sessions in a bid to play catch up after missing most of pre-season.

Jol added: “He will probably be fit and can play against Leicester and from there we can go and make steps.”

Source: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/taarabt-fulhams-maradona-says-jol-6250174

 

Jol isn't about to drop Berbatov, and I don't think we've got realistic striking alternatives to Berba and Bent until the transfer window opens. All our other options are either too young (would you throw Dembele in yet? I don't think I would) or not good enough (Rodallega, despite Bandit's support for him on another thread). That being the case, the 3-5-2 that we tried in the second half at Southampton might be our best chance of making the players we've got work. While we still weren't up to much in the second half, we were better than the first, I thought. My reading of that second half was that we had the right formation but with the wrong players in key positions.

With Hangeland still injured, the back three picks itself - Hughes, Senderos and Amorebieta. I'd put Hangeland in for Senderos when he's fit. The fact that Hughes and Amorebieta have both played as full back on their respective sides makes them ideal for a back three.

I'd put Boateng in, probably for Sidwell, but Parker and Sidwell weren't the problem in the second half, so they can do a job in this system. Either Ruiz or Kasami can sit in the hole behind the two strikers. I know this won't be popular but I'd go for Ruiz, although I wouldn't be upset to see Kasami there. Either one could be effective in that role. I wouldn't find a place for either of them on the wings, which is the position we went wrong in on Saturday. We need proper wingers rather than players who are likely to drift inside all the time. Pace and width will stretch the opposition and create space for Kasami/Ruiz, Berba and Bent. It's a shame that Jol seems intend on sending Mesca on loan, as this could be a great chance for him and Kaca. If not him, then Dejagah would probably be a better choice than the non-wingers who have been taking the shirts in recent weeks.

It means some players being dropped despite not doing much wrong. As I've said when I talked about the formation a few weeks ago, there's no place for the excellent Reither, and if we go with Ruiz it's hard on Kasami after recent performances (though not after Saturday, he was no better than the rest, albeit having played like others out of his ideal position). Richardson shocked me with how poor he was on Saturday when we were in posession, so I don't think would have any cause for complaint if Kaca came in for him.

So, here's my suggested line up:

Stekelenburg

Hughes Senderos Amorebieta

Mesca Boateng Ruiz Parker Kacaniklic

Berbatov Bent

 

Captain, interesting to see if Jol will follow-up on the second half 'experiment' at Southampton of playing only 3 at the back. As we know he tinkered around with that system at the beginning of last season (breaking the double H partnership much to the chagrin of many). Whatever, he needs to do something to bolster the midfield.


PS Small point - Mesca was playing for the U21s last night and subbed. He hasn’t shown much in that team this season to be honest and I doubt if, at the moment anyway, he’s the pacy front man we’re hoping for in the first team.

 

Either way he's got to do something or he's gone. I can't believe I just said that.

 

Well, for anyone who wanted to see Rodders given a run out, you're in luck. The team is:

Stekelenburg; Zverotic, Hughes, Senderos, Riise; Duff, Karagounis, Boateng, Kacaniklic; Taarabt; Rodallega.

Not sure who is on the bench - maybe a couple of those youngsters, but probably not.

 

Chris David on the bench, alongside a certain Mr. Dejagah. Hopefully Dejagah comes on for Duff and David for Taarabt at some point.

 

Get in there rodders

 

Lo and Behold.

 

Luck is not with us tonight... Gifted two goals...

 

Oh dear. 2 defensive cock ups. Still we will have to take it to them now. Disappointing.

 

Here we go! 2 goalsx in 2 minutes. FFS!

 

To be fair, we gifted you your goal.

It's pretty much game over now. We only ever get 2-1 wins. This would be our 9th of the season.

 

Bearing in mind we only have about 3 shots a game you may well be in with a shout there andy !! From the commentary I have been listening to you lot seem to have had more possession. Let's hope for a thrilling second half, 4 - 5 away win !!!!

 

3-2.. Hugo

 

3-1
3-2 Rodders!

C O Y W !!!!

 

I literally know nothing.