I just think it would be better to have Hughes in the centre whatever happens, rather than have him out wide where to be honest I don't think he's comfortable with. Would be interesting to try Davies out wide don't you think?
With Pog fit I agree with Cottager's line up here - I'd like to see Kaka on the left getting balls into the box for the big fella to get on the end of. Another option I'd like to see explored before the end of the season is Frei playing in behind Pog and Dempsey back on the left. I'd always go with Baird at RB over playing Hughes out of position. Hughes always does a job at full-back and is willing, but he usually ends up as a spare man when we're attacking because no one trusts him with the ball in the final third.
I've toyed with the idea of Davies at right back before now, and Riise the Younger too. Both of them are very good crossers of the ball, and BHR has a bustling energy which could add a bit of dynamism to the side if his defensive game is good enough. I agree that Hughes is better in the centre and deserves to keep his place on current form, I just don't share your fear of Senderos in the same role. I don't think either of them would be good at full-back though.
Senderos is a decent enough player, he usually has a decent game for 89 minutes, just in that one minute he does something which gives me the shakes, such as a poor challenge in the area, or a sloppy pass out from the back. It's unfortunate as much like goalkeepers, one mistake for a defender usually results in an opposition goal.
Whilst I would like us to win, obviously, I wouldn't mind in the slightest if Wigan got 3 points. I like Martinez as a manager as he always tries to get his teams to play a nice style of football rather than just lumping it about. Of course, if it should just happen to cut QPR a bit further adrift then that would be a bonus, too. I think we will win, though.
I really can't read this one. It's one of those games that could be absolutely any kind of score - big win either way, narrow win, draw. I haven't a clue (though some of you have been saying that about me for ages, I'm sure!) I'm just glad that we've already got enough points so we don't have to worry about it. A win would be nice though, obviously.
I see another Fulham blow-out in the cards. Bolton was playing well before getting smoked by FFC two weeks ago. Wigan have had some good form of late, but it's hard to score when they can't get possession of the ball. Fulham 3-0.
I also can't see a definite result for this game either, so as usual I'll go for my standard - I'll be happy with a draw and a good performance.
Will the first rest we have really had this season be an advantage or not ? I'm going draw as Wigan are fighting for their lives.
Starting XI: Schwarzer, Hughes, Senderos, Hangeland, J. Riise, Duff, Murphy, Diarra, Dembele, Dempsey, Pogrebnyak Looks like Hughes is on the right, and Diarra gets the nod ahead of Kaca.
Anyone else think that the ref is a Wigan fan or making up for the bad decisions against the so called bigger clubs? I really don't mind if we lose to Wigan as long as QPR lose tonight aswell lol.
A well-deserved win. The Pog, Dempsey and Dembele were great, Riise continues to not be rubbish and Senderos gets the winner to (almost) make up for a lacking performance. Props to Wigan though, they had a good first half and I think they'll stay up. Hopefully QPR will lose.
Great win today and by the sounds of it a strong 2nd half showing. Only slight concern is only one sub bringing on Frei with 9 mins to go. To those (unlike myself) who made it to the cottage today should we be reopening the debate on Jol's conservatism with substitutions or did he make the right tactical decisions by keeping things consistent? Purely on a results basis, he got it right though do you think we could have won by more had he say brought on Frei or AJ around 65/70 mins? Any other thoughts on the game would be appreciated too.
I think mid-way through the second half Frei or Kaca would've been welcomed, but we were continuing to create chances - on another day Pog could've got a hat trick! But I only watched a dodgy stream, so anyone who was at CC would have a 'truer' perspective.
Was a good battle today and Wigan made it hard for us but I think we deserved the win. Need to see that shot again (I think it was Riise ?) as from my seat his shot clearly crossed the line and was a goal. Suppose we will be last again on MOTD. Also met a group of Texans in the pub after the game who had come over for the match (unbelieveable committment) one was a friend of Dempsey and was off to go and see him. I asked him if he could pass a message on from all of us to stay. He said he would ! ( every little helps)
A competant FFC performance today. Wigan did not make it easy for us - I hope they stay up! I have to agree that Demps, DemPele and Pogbrenyak were all good today. Re Subs: My first view is always to say that MJ should sub a little earlier - although that is clouded by my concerns about Diarra's role. I seem to be proved wrong again and have to trust MJ as a professional manager. It's not as if we did not get the chances, including hitting the woodwork twice. C O Y W
I predicted a win by one goal (3-2) so am happy with that. After predicting wins against Bolton and now Wigan and the draw against Chelsea maybe I should apply to the club to become the new mascot? About time Billy was given a break. Did anyone else see Lawro refer to us beating Wigan as a 'scalp'
