With it not having to be an over-nighter, Slavi is obviously saving his press conference for tomorrow. However the Savvy Serb never gives anything away about who is in and who is out in the squad anyway, lest the opposition earwig. So might as well have a go. Didn't really buy into Slavi's explanation that he removed Rohan Ince at half time last weekend, "to change the tactics". You could see the lad was puffing to track back just on the break when Derby scored and I think it was actually a very good piece of man management by Slavi - make the change then rather than 15 minutes or so into the second half when it would have been blatantly obvious that he was being taken off. Ince has now had the extra week to build his energy, get to know his team mates better and I reckon he's a must start. In fact, the only change from the starters last Saturday, would be to sacrifice Dembele for a midfielder. That way we have more strength and threat across the field. And, apart from anything else, would prove we listen to qprted about his speedy gonzales characters. The choice of who to bring in would seem to be between Labyad and Kaca. I'd like to see Zac on the right, where if what we hear is true, his pace would be welcomed but I've then got a dilema - LVC would probably be pushed wide left and he wasn't totally comfortable there against Derby. And I definitely want to see Cairney in central attacking midfield. My instinct, since this is an important match in so many ways, is to stick with players in their natural positions. And I'm going for - .......................Lonergan................. ...Richards....Burn....Amorebietta...Garbutt.. ...................Ince.....O'Hara..... .....LVC............Cairney......Kaca... ......................McCormack.............
I'd like to see us go with Matilla ahead of O Hara and Pringle or Lab over Kaca, I think we've got enough creativity in the front four players to shore up the midfield and when I last saw Matilla he was prone to mistakes but did offer us some solidity and cover and would allow Cairney a bit more freedom.
Slavi has in fact foregone a press conference this week. From stuff the Club have posted apparently Tim Ream is poorly but otherwise they’re all raring to go. Much of the material, including his interview, that the Club have put on the official site is as expected. One point I’d pick up though is that the boss wants his us to tackle more while maintaining their squeaky clean image. He said, “I don’t detect we are strong and aggressive, but we need to be intelligent in this situation and use this to our advantage. Sometimes if you are not clever enough in this situation, it might be against us. This competition is very competitive and physical, and we need to be more clever.” To support that – statistically – the OPTA list has us at the top, or actually the bottom, when it comes to stopping play illegally. The team with the worst foul ratio is Sheffield Wednesday with 403 dodgy stoppages this season, followed by Bolton, Charlton and tomorrow’s lot QPR on 360 – or an average 12 fouls per game. Way down the other end come Fulham on a mere 272 fouls, or an average 9.4 a game, and 32 fewer than next worst, Wolves
Let's hope the Refs have looked at these Opta stats. I'd expect them to change now that Amorebieta is back in the team, Obviously Joka has learnt a lot in his Chelsea days from the likes of John Terry about cheating . George Williams (a Youth) loan to Gillingham!!! of all clubs. Pringle to Ipswich two players I rate as being better than some who get in the team. Are we getting any replacements, or is he making the squad smaller to choose from on purpose. I've come to the conclusion that Joka has already decided who his favourites are (just like most managers) and those who he doesn't rate as fitting his model. I suspect Ince, Labyad and Madl might figure in the line-up or at some stage if they are fit!!!
Another newbie in the middle today, Tim Robinson. please log in to view this image Doubt of Mr Robinson is too bothered about Opta stats SuperBri. He's learning his trade in the time honoured fashion having dished out 107 yellows and 4 reds in 27 games so far this season.
I am shocked .. the team is: Lonergan Fredericks Madl Burn Amorebietta Cairney Parker O'Hara Christensen McCormack Dembele That's the order the Club announced them so presumably some sort of 4-4-2. But Amorebietta at LB? Slavi obviously recognises the grit he brings to the side but he musn't have seen him playing in that position - disaster waiting to happen! And the Parker O'Hara duo in midfield? Old boys and handbags! Guess I'm pleased to see Fredericks in for Richards, hopefully he's not too rusty and doesn't tweak a leg too early. And on the bench: Lewis Richards Garbutt Smith Kaca Hyndman Ince [Still no sign of Zac Labyad ..?]
What a 1st half!!!! The obvious and ONLY question to be asked here is why don't we play like this every week???
and a quick mention on the formation, having the 3 CB's in there has worked a treat so far. Garbutt and Fredericks getting forward a lot supporting the attacks. O'Hara and more so Cairney running the show in midfield
Excellent performance, albeit against a poor QPR. Shows that we have better players than the leaague position. Dan Burn great in defence, although 50:50 on a red card; Lonergan saves when it matters and a midfield that dominated. Ross, Moussa and Tom all deserving their goals. Pity we switched off at the end to concede from the corner. Onwards and upwards. COYW!!
Good game today. Shame we didn't keep a clean sheet. QPR were poor but our good performances in past weeks was finally rewarded with a thumping win. Burn I thought was man of the match winning almost every header against his opponent but it was the team effort that won it. First to ever ball, hassled and controlled the game. It started I thought a scrappy affair but after our first two goals they looked deflated and gave us the ball far too easy. Thoroughly enjoyed the day with a few pints in Hammersmith and had good banter with the QPR fans before the game. (didn't see many afterwards !)
Always nice when you do a double, especially when it's 7-1. From what I hear this says it all about our performance - please log in to view this image And that's only Jamie O'Hara. I mean 'only' in the kindest sense because it illustrates what Slavi has introduced to the party - a hard working team. Which is why the fans were and will remain patient and positive.
7-1 today alone would not have flattered you. As I have stated on out forum ffc are the best team I have seen this season ,bar none. Your league position is a mystery. Good luck and looking forward to playing you next season (kind of).
Sounds like the injury to LVC could be a bad one, same problem he had with his hamstring before. The 3 CBs played really well, Madl had a really good debut, both Garbutt and Fredericks were able to get forward, while Burn backed up either Madl or Amorebieta when needed allowing the 2 fullbacks to get back. Parker had one of his best games for us, and along side O'Hara which was a surprise as normally they are so similar. If only Cairney could get the space that QPR allowed him every game. Although I like the 3-5-2 let's hope that Jokanovic realises that this will only work against certain clubs, and at times he will have to change it to Smith up front and counter attacking. Let's hope they continue the confidence against Blackburn, a team we tend to struggle against away.
Jokanovic's reputation is for varying his tactics according to the opposition, so I'm optimistic that he won't treat 3-5-2 as a one-size-fits-all. I'm optimistic about the rest of the season.
