Got back yesterday evening after trekking around New Zealand for the last month; without any internet for the greater part of the time, so a tad out of touch apart from picking up on our results. And a bit of a mixed bag they’ve been. Nonetheless very much looking forward to tomorrow’s game - maybe it’s the jet lag or simply the pull of the FA Cup! I see from Kit’s press conference today that Ruiz is fit again and LVC may also have recovered in time to play (I’ve caught up enough to understand that he was sorely missed against Brighton). Also Kit says he will “ play a strong team with one or two changes”. I suspect LVC won’t be risked and obviously neither Kaca or Tunnicliffe are yet eligible. Also I wonder about the merit of playing Ruiz or Fofana (both of whom might not be with us much longer). Accepting I haven’t seen anything of our last four games, I’d start with - ……………..Bettinelli………….. ..Grimmer..Bodurov..Hutchinson…Stafylidis.. …………Parker…Kavanagh… …Roberts………………….McCormack… ……………Hugo…Woodrow…. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bryan and/or Fofana in there.
Apparently LVC wasn't risked against Brighton due to a tight hamstring and is likely to given an extra week off to fully recover so won't be involved. Tunnicliffe is unable to play and I expect the same goes for Kacanicklic. I would like to see Voser given a game I know he had an absolute Shocker on his debut against Reading and hasn't played since but if we wrote off any player after one shocker we wouldn't have a team, he has won championships in Switzerland regularly played champions league football and did the double over Chelsea last season I can't believe he is a terrible player and needs to be looked at. ---------------------------------- Betts----------------------------------- Voser---------- Bodurov--------------- Burn------- Kavanagh ------------- Fofana---------- Hyndman--------- Parker---------- ------------ Roberts------------------------------ McCormack----- ------------------------------ Woodrow-------------------------------
I'd like to see a full strength team put out but I think it will be a FulhamXI ……………..Kiraly………….. ..Voser....Bodurov....Hutchinson…Kavanagh.. …………Fofana……Hyndman.. …Williams........................Roberts………………….… ……………Dembele…Woodrow….
Wolves may be keeping it simple as usual. Still it''s better than the consistent fouling we've had from them on past visits. COYW!
Couldn't be bothered to get over to the Cottage today... Disappointed from the last 2 games and also not excited any more. Kit's approach to the games is simply monotonous, without imagination and distinct lack of courage. This game was a perfect opportunity to try something different and give a chance to some players. Nope, the same narrow formation with Woodrow in place of Ruiz. According to the commentary once again played with long balls to Hugo or Woodrow, suited to the Wolves defenders. In any case, I hope he get some funds to bring a couple of quality players in to help the team. Also use some wingers to get some crosses in. Wouldn't mind seeing Hugo off and more opportunities for McC and the youngsters to play up front. COYW
Can we take the clean sheet as a positive?? By the sounds of things it'll be a game that's easily forgotten, not much action in it or talking points. Still in the cup I suppose but think we could be doing without these replays.
That says it all Fab. The first half was probably the worst game of football I’ve watched ... ever. Neither team showed any fight or initiative. Don’t know why Kit risked Christensen; although Kavanagh when he came on for him was arguably our best player. The second was a tad better but only in fits and starts - I think we managed one shot on target. Don’t know why Kit substituted Woodrow and bringing on Dembele to replace him was hardly likely to change our shape. Not that we had any shape throughout the game - far too narrow; too many inevitable long balls. Add to that McCormack spending his time around the half way line and our attack was powder puff. Don’t know if it’s lack of confidence or ability but nobody was capable (or had the mind set) to hold the ball or beat an opponent going forward or prepared to run at the opposition defence. Fofana was the exception in the second half when he did attack their penalty box a number of times. But even then there was little chance of an end result. Still, as you say, at least we’re in the hat for the fourth round.
Wasn't a pretty game to watch, Redknapp and O'Neill must be wishing they had chosen another way to spend a Saturday afternoon - hopefully Harry was there for pleasure and not on a scouting trip. I don't understand what Kit is trying to do sometimes, the selection and formation today was strange, were we playing a diamond in midfield? Christensen seemed to be on the right wing and McCormack playing in an advanced position behind the strikers - none of whom looked any good today. Roda can manage a bicycle kicks but can't win anything in the air with his head, but yet we keep playing it long to him?! Dembele was a waste of a substitute and every day looks more and more like a young Eddie Johnson. Given we have a good range of wingers I don't understand why we play with no width. When Christensen went off Kavanagh came on and seemed to be playing left wing and dm at different times. Why not being Roberts on? They have exactly the same physique. Kava did have a good game though and hopefully expunged any lingering memories he might have of our league game v wolves earlier in the season. I'm not convinced kit has much up his sleeve when things are going wrong or when we are trying to defend a lead. Hopefully he will get some support in bringing in new players and getting rid of the wasters.
I felt a bit more positive about it than some of you, by the sound of things. I think we improved during the course of the first half, and had some good play in the second. Both teams managed 15 or 16 shots (admittedly, mostly off target) so I don't see how it can be described as dull. I was impressed with Kavanagh, and agree with Cottager that Christiansen shouldn't have been risked. I thought Parker and McCormack had good games too in midfield. And there's the problem. We made lots of chances, including a handful of very good ones, but they all fell to the wrong players. If half of the shots Woodrow and Fofana took had fallen to McCormack, we'd have won by three or more goals. Why didn't they fall to him? Because he was busy doing a passable Danny Murphy impression in the centre of midfield. I said to my boys before the game that the bench looked weak if we had any injuries in midfield, and that I would have liked to see Hyndman as an option. If we could have sent him on for Woodrow rather than Dembele and allowed Ross to push up, maybe it would have been a different result. Defensively I was impressed with all of the back four, particularly Grimmer and Hutchinson. Bettinelli looks increasingly dependable. All in all, it was a much better performance than at Bournemouth, albeit a frustrating one. As others have said, we need more width, and some of Kit's substitutions are debatable (I was sure we'd see Williams or Roberts on for Fofana in the last 15 minutes or so, but they both stayed put despite Kit having one more change available to him. Did anyone else notice that Ruiz didn't come out with the other subs to warm up at half-time? At the time I thought it might mean he was going to come on, but perhaps he's already got one foot out of the door. In which case, what was he doing in the match day squad? I've supported him in the past, but I was disappointed by that.
Just looked at Silkship's post again. If Martin O'Neill was there today, Sean Kavanagh won't have done himself any harm with his performance.
A Lack Luster game, with very few exciting incidents. Positives: for 90% of the game the back 4 played well, only a few mistakes. Negatives: No real cutting edge up front, only real chances late in game. MOTM: Kavanagh Bugbare: stop our throw-ins going to opposition!!!
I agree it wasn't as bad as the first posts but it was not good. I read news reports that it was an entertaining nil / nil. That I think is a bit generous. It was a deserved draw but only because Wolves were just as bad as us. We have absolute no plan B and plan A is just so narrow, cautious and slow. We are relying on Hugo and it is not working at the moment. I think its time to have try McCormack leading the attack - if it worked for Leeds last year it has got to be an option. (I note Smith scored again today !) Today was a carbon copy of the Brighton and Bournemouth game in which we have scored a total of nil and had very few shots on target - surely we've got to try something different. On a a positive, our defence is better - good partnership forming.
I would love to have McCormack playing further forward, he was far too deep at times, but there is insufficient creativity from midfield. It was a pity about LVC, but at least he went off straight away, so hopefully no harm done. Fofana was a weak link for me, he had chances, but there were a number of occasions when he was not proactive to make space or run into it. Cauley worked hard but was not decisive enough; but then again we are also limited with Patrick Roberts and Moussa Dembele - These 4 players need more experience - we should be playing only one of them. At least with Hugo, there is always the chance of a goal, but less so with Ross playing so deep. It was not as negative as some have posted, and I still disagree with the few booing at the end - yes we are disappointed at not winning, but it's not warranted. On the plus side, the back 4 are solidifiying, with a special word for the improving Jack Grimmer. Bettenelli is also a much improved player; which does given confidence from the back. We also have Kaca back, giving us another option for the league match at Cardiff next week, and the transfer window will allow Kit to work on the balance of the squad (Thanks again Felix - Grrr!) I would have been more decisive with 20 minutes to go, taking off both Fofana and Cauley, but I assume that Kit was concerned about aleady having used a sub early for LVC. Need to work on Plan B. Kit summed it up with the lack of quality going forward. 14 shots but only one on target. Kenny Jackett is probably thinking the same given poor Leon Clarke and Bakery Sako, 5 on target from 16. We are in the 4th Round pot, but I'm not sure we'll win the replay, without some changes. COYW!!!!!!
One thing I thought about yesterday is the late substitute or lack of sub, could Kit put Burn up front for the last 10-15 to put some Ariel threat up front with McCormack or another feeding off him, bit like Crouch. That's why the Smith loan puzzles me, as people say there's no real tactical changes happening even when subs are made.
Hadn't noticed that Captain - well spotted. My son and I did debate during the second half bringing him on for Hugo, which would have allowed McCormack to play further forward. Bit of a mystery really. please log in to view this image Happier times !?
According to the BBC website it's Tuesday 13th January Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/fa-cup/fixtures And, our number in tomorrow's 4th round draw is - 22
