A cool looking Slavi please log in to view this image told the press at his conference today that Ross McCormack was sick and wouldn’t play tomorrow. He went on, presumably to try and alleviate conspiracy theories, that Ross was a key member of the squad. Ah .. hmm … well! Moving on however, there are no new injury concerns. The big dilemma then is whether Slavi will continue with one up front like last week or revert to two. We know from experience that Dembele flounders if left isolated so the temptation would be to partner him with Smith. Alternatively he could just stick Smith up there on his own and pack people behind him. Which is what I suspect he’ll do. [Pity we're missing the Woodrow option and I’m ignoring in this any conspiracy theories about Dembele also.] Elsewhere Richards has been so shaky that there has to be case for bringing in Fredericks, especially if Slavi wants to play a high game. And, for me, replacing O’Hara with Matilla would bring better balance to the side. So, the starting line-up would be – ……………………….Lonergan……………………. …………….Hutchinson………Burn…………. .Fredericks…….….Matilla………………Garbutt... …..LVC…….Cairney……Hyndman….Kaca… ……………………Smith……….
Like it C58 the old Blitzkrieg midfield Not sure why Slavi prefers Hutchinson to Stearman, or why he keeps Kacaniklic out wide or even in the team. I'd put Dembele in the No10 just behind Smith as a strength and speed combo. I think he will stick with Richards at right back but again not my choice. Slavi says Hull attack down the wings, Kaca will be a liability at defending if he doesn't track back, as in the away game Hull had a really good tactic with their fullback. Their wingers attacked our defense pushing our fullbacks and his cover back to near the byeline they'd fake a cross, their fullback would then arrive late out wide near the edge of the area and receive the ball, first time, cross it into the area for the forwards to attack. I'd like us to use that tactic.
I'm just hoping for something Fulhamish. All this speculation for our players must be having some disruption but I like Slavi, he's got to protect the team from dismantling. I just hope Rigg is working better to bring in suitable replacements if we lose any.
Scrub Sakari Matilla from my original selection - he was playing for the U21s tonight. Probably means Jamie O'Hara keeps his place, so change picture to: ……………………….Lonergan……………………. …………….Hutchinson………Burn…………. .Fredericks…….…..O'Hara…………Garbutt... …..LVC…….Cairney……Hyndman….Kaca… ……………………Smith……….
At 11pm HITC sport printed an article stating that Ross Mc does not want to play for Fulham again. Karanka the Boro manager when questioned, did not want to be drawn into the argument other than saying he would like to secure a goal scoring forward in this transfer window. " Mr M Rigg Fulhams DOF stated when questioned Ross would not be playing in tomorrows match due to suffering a virus "(lying b.....d) why cant he tell the truth for once.
The man in the middle today is the slightly more experienced Paul Tierney. Par for the course type of guy when it comes to dishing out cards; 72 yellows in 24 games so far. However, he has only ever ref'd three of our games - Sheffield Wed (A), Brentford (H) and Sunderland (A) (in FA Cup). We lost them all and in each game he gave a penalty to the other lot - Jazz Richards anyone?
Oh dear, this leaves us with Matt Smith who has been out of favor, assuming Dembele's head is being turned by his agent and interest from elsewhere. I guess a loan for Messi is likely to fall foul of the FFP? Our man Slavi has his work cut out eh.
If only Cairney had a right foot. If only Hyndman had started instead of O'Hara. If only Richards .. well, if only he did .. anything. If only the ref hadn't been so lenient with them in the first half. If only Parker's shot had been inches to the left. If only Mr Tierney hadn't kept his record of giving a penalty against us. Unfortunately 'if onlys' don't get you points and we are still very much among the doo dah. A tighter team performance though, with the lads by and large at least showing good attitude. Take my hat of to Scotty Parker's endeavour and throw it in the air for big Dan Burn who gave his everything. The lack of width and ability to attack down the flanks was so evident however and limited our threat in their last third.
" WE ARE IN A MESS" If only does not mean a thing when you loose, we are sliding down the table heading for div 1. So where does the problem lie. Kahn an absent chairman who appears not to care that much. Mackintosh C E O as an accountant who appears financially inept ,causing us to fall foul of FFP rules . Rigg dissmised from similar rolls due to incompetence. Curbishley his lackey ( what does he actually do ) Previous managers ( excluding the present) for failing to identify and addressing what all the fans new, our abysmal defence. With no disrespect we should be able to hold or surpass the abilities of clubs such as the likes of Norwich, WBA, Bournemouth, Swansea, Watford, CP, and Southampton. " YES WE ARE IN A MESS"
Thought Kacaniklic and Burn stood out along with Ream who's tackling saved us a few times (may be he could play DMidfield) Parker put in a stint but is part of the slow passing problem. Really Dembele up front on his own !!! has Slavi not watched the videos, again in the last 10 mins we started to worry them with Smith winning the free kicks and knocking good accurate balls from O'Hara into path of players. Maybe I'm getting despondent but friends are trying to tell me we are playing better!!! Better then when ? Sorry I haven't seen an improvement from the slow possession that I use to talk about under Symons and the other coaches. Passing the ball across the back 4 and midfield getting nowhere and allowing the opposition to form two backs of 4 in defense before we cross the halfway line. (all I need to do is cut and past this after every game this season). Possession 67% Passing Accuracy 84% against Hull if only it was in the opposition half with an end product.
I watched the game on a stream. Firstly Hull defended very well and usually concede very few, they are as of today top of the league and have the second highest scoring stats in our league. We pressed well all game reducing Hull to little possession and a limited number of shots. We had 67% of the ball albeit mostly across the park but high up the field. The lack of forward movement was restricted by a good Hull defense and perhaps our reluctance to play at risk of loosing the ball. If we have the ball, they cannot score. If we have the ball and opportunity is there for a good forward pass, we may score. We were a bit lightweight in terms of threat to Hull, partly due to Ross being, ill. Smith gave us another option late in the game. We were undone by a poor penalty, we should not have given that away and some inexperience showed in doing so. We certainly deserved a draw and had chances to have scored ourselves. So still not too downhearted, just with our league position. I think we will see better again following 2 weeks of training and perhaps a new face or two. COYW
I thought we did well Saturday. Players gave it everything and we completely controlled the game. I think you have to say Hull defended well and our chances were limited. Yes we should have done more to test their goalie more but there was so many positives from this game. Confidence will grow when we get a win and if we play like we did on Saturday, with McCormack, and a little more direct in the final third we'll crack this. There's been a marked and steady improvement under Slavi. I'm happy how things are going if we can just keep the players and make an addition or two.
