Don’t spread the blame- its HR’s call and only his call. There is no way of you knowing what Hoddle is recommending and whether Harry is going along with it. As for team I have no idea as no idea who is fit. Harry stupidly risked Mutch while playing him out of position so lets not be surprised if Sandro is rushed back only to go off injured
Peter - you are absolutely correct. It is Harry's call and his responsibility. It is what he is paid to do. I am currently reading his (Harry's) autobiography and in it he is quite clear of the managers' responsibilities with regards to team selection. The only trouble is that in the book, or at least the part that I have got to, Harry was rather good at this! Perhaps the Midas touch may return this Saturday, where Harry will be welcomed in a similar fashion to Mark Hughes last week at LR.
For me, devils advocate I think we need pace up front for this game and someone who can run around like a loon up top so I'm going for something a like this (assuming no Injuries). ----------------Green---------------- Ned ----- Caulker ---Rio -----Traore ---------Sandros ----Barton--------- --Philips--------Nico----- Hoilett---- ---------------Vargas---------------- Southampton will push high up the pitch so we need to be able to counter this, I would suggest quick passing but for us it has to be pace. Though I can't see Harry not picking more of the new boys if available, ie Fer\Mutch\Isla, too much face for him to lose.
Interesting Jeff, assuming fit any particular reason you would drop Barton ? Or just he doesn't fit in the your formation ?
Yes, it might a big risk playing him or Mutch, bench at most I imagine but probably better for a complete rest
Southampton getting warmed up for our visit beating Arsenal 2-1 away this evening in League Cup play.....whilst on the bright side for Fulham, with 5 min to play they are 2-1 up against Donny and Norwich lost 1-0 at Shrewsbury!
Yep going to be a tough game, Southampton on a high, a point and I'd be Very Happy. I'm not normally negative but can't see us stopping them scoring and can't see us scoring which only leads to one result.
Naturally I hope you are riight but the minute you think its straight forward in the PL you get bitten. Just look at Sundays results.
I'd like to see us formulate a few "stock" routes for scoring goals. Phillips is a weapon if we can get him 1 on 1 with their LB. We should pass the ball around in possession until space opens up on the opponents left flank, then immediately lob/thread a ball through for him to run onto (instruct midfielders to be constantly checking for this space). As soon as he receives the ball 3/4 of our midfielders/front men need to time a sprint into the box for the arrival of his cross. He's the fastest player we've got, and the best crosser; let's use it. That should be our "go to" option currently if we're chasing a game. Hopefully as the team gels there'll be other attacking player combos we get used to utilising. Currently though I can't see any evidence of prearranged plans for achieving anything. As for the lineup: Green Isla(*) Onouha Caulker Yun Henry Fer Phillips Kranjcar Vargas Austin (*give him another chance in this stronger back 4 ) Or Green Onouha Rio Caulker Henry Isla Fer Kranjcar Yun Austin Vargas I'm assuming mutch/barton/sandro are injured
First of all we have to get the ball before we can 'pass the ball around in possession until space opens up'. With confidence as low as it is at the moment I can't see us being able to hold onto the ball for any length of time at St Mary's. They will press us mercilessly from the off when they don't have the ball, and when they do have it.... well. We need a good start, a lucky goal or two, them to have left their shooting boots at the Emirates and a huge dose of luck besides for us to get out of there with anything. And that's me being optimistic.
To be honest against Stoke we didn't have to do any passing for there to be space to exploit. We just never used it. Frequently in the 2nd half there were acres down the wings/around their fullbacks for Phillips/Isla/Traore to run into, but our midfielders wouldn't look up and spot it. We've got players who if they're instructed to go direct, can beat a man at least 1/3 times. Make 20odd runs like Vardy must've done for Leicester Vs Utd, and that's 6/7 good chances for a cross. Obviously Saints are a bit better... But they'll still get stretched at some point, and there'll be opportunities. Play negatively like we did Vs Utd/Spurs though and we'll get hit for 4 again.
