No news or press conference from the Club today. However, Kit has said he’ll put out a ‘strong team’. I’d read that as no change at the back - to give them more time together and always assuming Jack Grimmer is still not available. And the boys from the bench on Saturday coming in in midfield and up front. …………………Lonergan…………… …Richards…Hutchinson…Burn….Voser… …………Matilla…………Hyndman………. …LVC…………………………….Kaca……… ……………...McCormack…….. …………………Woodrow……….
Pretty much agree with that team though would like to see a dembele given 90 minutes maybe ahead of McCormack. A quick note on Dembele, I'm really disappointed about the whole timing of these events, he obviously is disappointed and playing a lot last season and has decided not to sign a new contract, but from the outside Inagree with the club that he didn't look ready last season but now this pre season he looks stronger and quicker at at last ready for men's football, I honestly think he would have got a lot of playing time this season but if he's not going to sign then I think we need to buy somebody which means Dembele won't play a lot.
I think I'd take 'a strong team' to mean few changes anywhere. Assuming that no one has regained fitness, I'd keep Smith and Mc Cormack up front, and at least three of the four who started in midfield. This is the time to be working on partnerships, building understanding and getting some momentum. I would like Hyndman to get a good run-out though.
I wouldn't read too much into Kit claiming he'll put out a strong team. Managers have to believe that any team they put out is strong (or has to be seen to). I think Bettinelli comes in for Lonergan. Even if Lonergan is seen as number 1 it's common practice to rotate goalkeepers for cup games. It looked like Dan Burn picked up a few knocks during the Cardiff game so I think Bodurov or preferably Burgess come in for him. Kaca will probably come in for Pringle and either Cauley or Dembele for Smith.
In talking to the local paper Kit seems to be giving out mixed messages about his team selection for tonight - "Sometimes you change a team, but it will be one I think that can go out and do a job for us," he said. "The league is the priority and getting promotion and cup runs are an added bonus, but you still take each game on its merits. Symons had sympathy with a previous Championship manager who claimed the Capital Cup was a chore rather than a challenge, and also believed going out in the first round was no bad thing if you can't make it to the final. The philosophy being a three or four round run still drains energy, with no great financial return at the end of it. "I can see where that manager's coming from, but for us we've got to go out and win every game," Symons said. Think FI is probably correct about swoppping the goalie, so Marcus is likely to play. Otherwise I’ll stick with my original team prediction - although I believe there may be a slight doubt about Dan Burn, who took a few knocks on Saturday.
Wonder how H&D are feeling about that? Won't help any movement on contracts I'd suspect. Horrible bad luck for Jack Grimmer - hope the injury isn't as bad as it sounded. Good also to see Matilla getting a chance and while perhaps a tad cautious, reports suggest he's definitely a step up from Tunnicliffe. Going by Gentleman Jim, the lads deserved to win without being anything other than ordinary. So, a banana skin avoided (unlike some) and a clean sheet, which should boost the confidence levels for Saturday. Significant following as well. Good on them; even if they were "only there for the sunset" and the rainbow. please log in to view this image
Good win away from home on a night where Championship clubs were falling left right and centre, considering we lost our first four games last season a win and a draw from two away games can't be sniffed at, disappointed Dembele and Hyndman didn't see any action though
Not the best game but we dug in and battled against a lively Wycombe team, won and kept a clean sheet. O'Hara again was our best player trying to get some football played on the floor. Woodrow unfortunately did not have a good game, just didn't pose any threat. It was a typical cup tie and not the best game to make a longterm view about him but he will have to do better next time he gets a chance. Voser, Kaca, Pringle and Hutchinson did play ok. Grimmer was tackled from behind and was stretchered off. It was a really poor tackle and there were a few in he game. Grimmer tried to stand afterwards but could not and the stretcher was called. Decent Fulham support, perhaps two thousand plus. Last year we may have struggled in a game like this but we stuck at it and unlike many of our fellow Championship sides got the away win and are into the next round.
Did Kacaniklic play well enough to stake a claim to start against Brighton? Much as I like LVC, it doesn't sound like he's hitting top form, and it may be that Kacaniklic is a better fit for a wide role.
I didn't think LVC was a wide player. I wish Kit would put players in their natural position. I realise sometimes it's difficult. But he's the box to box type of player that did really well for the first half of last season before getting injured.
Yes he did play wide right and I thought he did ok. Width is something we have lacked in recent times. Good old Duff was a great wide player and was in the mix everywhere. With Smith playing we do need to make the most of his height with crosses so I'm pleased we trying to do something about it. The defence was a bit shaky and I do hope Dunk is on his way. They had few shots however on target and we're certainly better at corners. As I said before we need to see how we get on with better teams and yesterday was played at frantic cup tie pace.
The Fulham Fanszine report KS said he was pleased with our full back defenders. "Is this guy for real"
Would love to see Dunk from Brighton & Bidwell the Brentford full back who can play on either flank. On paper we would have a strong team. unless it was cocked up by our coaching staff
