Felix held his first presss conference at the Cottage today, rather than the usual Motspur Park venue. He reckons that there’s a good atmosphere at the Club but there’s a lot of hard work to do to avoid the drop. Between sips of peppermint tea he said the “past is irrelevant, I only look forward” but then said, “I would like to see this team play the Wolfsburg way”. Asked if he was a “tough guy”, Felix replied, “No, I’m a nice guy. Ask Raul about my work, ask the good players, you’ll get the answer.” On the players he said he knows the three German players, he’d shown an interest in Dempsey, knows Mitroglou, but others as well. One particularly interesting comment Felix made: "We have to concentrate and get together. If you have too many players, you have too much influence. We have too many players here. I have to cut down the number of players in the team" [Thought he was known for having large squads, so watch this space..] He said nothing about player availability for the West Brom game except for Kostas, who he said “is not in the best of shape” and was uncertain. Out on a limb then for the staring line up (he liked playing 4-4-2 at Wolfsburg): …………….Stekelenburg……… …Reither…Heitinga…Burn…..Richardson.. Dejagah….Kvist…Parker …Sidwell…. ………..Holtby….Tankovic…
I reckon Stek; Reither, Heitinga, Hange, Riise; Dejegah, Sidwell, Kvist, Richardson; Holtby, Bent Hopefully Mitro makes an appearance, big gamble to buy club record player who isn't fit with so little time left. Could end up not seeing much of him and taking a loss if we go down.
I can't wait for Saturday if I'm honest. I've not looked forward to a game like this for a long while. He's a man after my my own heart with the 442 C58. 'ask the good players, you'll get the answer' was one of the most telling phrases. He's absolutely right. Being together is critical for the next 12 games. Why no Hangeland out of interest? It seems he had a bit of an outburst with RM about being dropped, although this is media speculation. I like this line up although I wouldn't have Parker and Sidwell in the same team. I'd take Sidwell on current form if I'm honest and he's our top scorer! COYW
Par for the course with the way the club has been run for the last few months. If we ever pay over £10 million for someone it is always an unmitigated disaster. Ruiz, AJ, Marlet all had unhappy times with us for a variety of reasons.
For whatever reason, the Club and/or Felix have decided to dispense with the usual one-to-one internal video interview. Instead they have posted a video of the press conference this lunchtime. It's the full thing, all 21 minutes. The main points Felix makes are probably in the original post but I'd welcome thoughts from others. Regardless of that, it's well worth spending the time to get first impressions of our new boss (nearly said the 'top cat'!). [video=youtube;Ec6bi7rQZ5g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec6bi7rQZ5g&feature=player_embedded[/video]
To be frank, I didn't understand some of his answers, especially around the 8:30 mark. His understanding of English is good but he doesn't have the nuances of our language yet which I doubt will be a problem with the players but doesn't help when dealing with the press.
I can't begin to speculate on a line-up. If we hadn't changed managers, then a team based on the one that performed well against United and Liverpool would make sense, but a new man with new ideas... not a clue. It will be interesting to see if old hands like Hangeland, Parker, etc get a recall. I kind of hope they don't - Burn and Kvist sound like they deserve to stay in. I'm still hoping that the reports about Mitroglou's fitness are a smokescreen and in reality he's fit and raring to go, but if he's not it would be silly to rush him in too soon and risk an injury that could rule him out for the season. I'm rambling. I don't know what he'll do. I just hope he gets us the first of those six wins.
Is it not usually the day before the game the internal video comes out? In any case, Sarah is quite tasty...
Yeah, I think the internal one bit the dust this week becuase this was the meet the press, press conference. Today most of the papers have an article on us. The telegraphs is very good. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...e-six-victories-needed-to-keep-Fulham-up.html
I thought he avoided awkward questions quite well. The press wanted him to start digging a hole and get some juicy sound bites and gossip. He was very clear though in his comments about needing points, needing wins and he reassured everyone that he can do, he has the players to avoid relegation. I like him. Just what we need.
I've Taken My Rose Tinted Glasses Off If we get a point at West Brom I'll be happy. New gaffer, new rules and I think asking him to perform a minor miracle in 5 days is asking a lot. I'm sure FM can do it but I think me thinking he is the Messiah is a tad much! Solum Tempus dic
Bookies have us at 7/2 for the win, 5/2 for the draw - WBA odds on. Got no idea how the game will pan out, can't see us losing heavily - have a small hope we might be able to get the win - front 2 are key.
As Felix said at the press conference, he will decide today who will be in the squad to travel before he picks his eleven tomorrow. At least three ar in doubt - "Kostas Mitroglou (knee) is one of several fitness concerns, with goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg (eye) and defender Fernando Amorebieta (knee) also set to be assessed" Source: http://www.london24.com/sport/fulha...g_record_signing_for_west_brom_trip_1_3345071
Very worried if Stek doesn't make it. I have zero confidence in Stockdale and this is such an important match we really need our top keeper to be between the sticks.
Better in her yoof, Bidley!? please log in to view this image PS Normally the press conference and video for away games on a Thursday; home games on Friday.
Not sure what Magath's lineup will but think he'll stick with the Internationals and not chance youth. If Stekelenberg is still out, it will be a blow. Mitroglou doesn't sound like he will start. Think he might pick Hangeland instead of Burn The subs will be interesting will he put youth in or stick with the likes of Dempsey, Parker, Karagounis, Duff, Mitrogou. Kacaniklic? Kasami? Think his line up might be: â¦â¦â¦â¦â¦.Stockdaleâ¦â¦â¦ â¦Rietherâ¦Heitingaâ¦Hangelandâ¦..Riise Dejagahâ¦.Kvistâ¦â¦Sidwellâ¦.Richardson.. â¦â¦â¦..Holtbyâ¦.Bent....
Feeling nervous, wish I was going. I would love an ugly 1-0 win. 3 points would be great but WBA are a decent side. I'm going 1-1. COYW
It's ridiculous. I've got the excitement/nervousness of a child. Last night I wished it was Saturday - now just 4 and half hours to go. Don't know what side will play or formation - I just so hope we win
