Well we all know that Mitroglou ‘aint going to be available, Amorebietta is back from his ban and Bent can‘t play because of the loan deal. As for others, in his lunchtime press conference today Felix said Parker is training again, but no other mentions. Guess we’ll need to wait for the internal video to get a more accurate update on the likes of Kara, Dejagah and Burn. Frankly I wouldn’t change a lot from the team that started against Everton. Just a few tweeks. Left back continues to be a problem and while Richardson’s defending is questionable and he’s clearly much more effective as a wing half, I’d play him instead of JAR. Up front, Dembele only lasted 60 minutes for the U18s the other night and anyway I’d start with Woodrow who was finding his feet (if not goals). The area I’m really mostly concerned about is midfield and still maintain that with Sidwell you need three in there. I know Felix prefers his 4-4-2 but I’d go 4-3-3 and - ……………….Stockdale………….. ..Riether….Heitinga…Hangeland…Richardson… ……Kara………Kvist……Sidwell.. ….Holtby……..Woodrow…..Dejagah.. The ponderables are whether Felix; a) brings Amorebietta back and put Heitinga at right back b) might try Diarra Kara instead of Kvist c) put Holtby with Woodrow and bring in Kaca instead of Kara
No team news in fact, so assume all fit (except Kostas, of course). Good that the Club got straight in confirming his commitment. Also the expectation that the players will give the 3000 travelling fans something to shout about. [video=youtube;jsxRt0TzYME]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jsxRt0TzYME[/video]
Not a great insight on his plans but I think C58 has covered all the bases... I think Kara or Diarra alongside Sidwell and Kvist can produce results... Come on You Whites!!!
All as per C58. It would be great to get a win. It's a winnable game for sure but Villa are a good young side, fighting to keep safe themselves, although in reality they will be okay. The issue for me is this. Have we improved since FM has come in? I think definitely yes in most areas. His use of our younger players has been encouraging, at the expense of the more established premiership prima donnas is great and was what we all wanted way back in August. I'm glad he's seen the potential of Fulham as a whole and not just the first team. Everything to gain, nothing to lose on Saturday. COYW
Can't hurt. By the way, When Saturday Comes have asked me to write a preview of our game with Villa for their website. It should be published at some point over the weekend (Friday or Saturday I should think). I'll post a link to it if I get the chance.
Positives and signs of hope (for this season or for the Championship) in spite of the fact that none of us really expects us to get out of trouble. The opening line is 'Hope died a month ago'. I had already drafted the article before I heard that non-story, and there didn't seem to be a natural place to slip it in - I was already very close to my word limit.
Reality kicked in a month ago for me. I still hope we can do it. If sunderland, Palace and West Brom lose their next 2 and we win our next 2 we'll be out of the relegation zone! Here's hoping! Can't wait to have a read. Good on you for doing it but then your are an established author after all.
I can't help it - I'm quite positive about tomorrow. Hope did die after the Cardiff game but every Friday and Saturday, and as the match gets closer, I think "we can do this" With Benteke out Villa will surely find goals hard to come by, and key will be who scores first. We played ok last week with good commitment - do that again in front of the 3000 away support and we are in with a good shout. .. and if one of these youngsters can score tomorrow that would be so good. It's all about confidence. COYW !
Crikey, the Villa forums are really negative. They all think we are going to win. They all need some Fulhamish optimism!
People, We've got 1 x spare Euston to Birmingham train ticket and 1 x spare match ticket available. Can meet us at Euston (if you're quick) or outside ground. Let me know if anyone's interested.
Fulham XI: Stockdale; Riether, Hangeland, Heitinga, Amorebieta; Diarra, Sidwell; Kasami, Holtby, Richardson; Woodrow. Subs: Stekelenburg, Riise, Kvist, Kačaniklić, Rodallega, Dejagah, Roberts.
The man in charge today is Mr Oliver. please log in to view this image Link to pic: http://d.yimg.com/i/ng/sp/empics/20120410/09/1573861845-10042012094601.jpg His claim to fame this year is being in charge of that epic Real Betis away win against Rubin. He’s only ref’d us once so far this season - away to Swansea. However, never forgiven him for bottling it and not awarding a penalty when Carrick tripped Danny Murphy inside the box in the last minute at Old Trafford..
Good to see Diarra back. I'm surprised Dejagah isn't starting after his goal last week. Still, whoever plays we really need to win this one. COYW. As promised, here's my article on the game for WSC. Sadly the sub-ed has taken out both my first and last lines. Hey ho - everyone's a critic. http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/1176...esigned-to-relegation-but-it-s-not-a-disaster
We're looking awfully toothless. We need to take those chances when they come (which Woodrow did not). Results not going our way at the moment.
