It's a huge call for Ralph. I don't envy him. On the one hand I'm eager for us to revert to a back four (partly because we need to create so many chances in order to score, partly because we don't have a solid attacking option to play RWB). But on the other hand I immediately break into a sweat at the thought of West Ham away last season, in Hughes' first game. He too tried to be more bold and only play two CBs. And West Ham duly tore us apart. Hughes never again that season us out onto the field without three CBs. And thanks largely to Swansea (not to mention to Stoke), such a safety-first approach just, just got us over the line. That said, Fulham at home is not West Ham away. Nor is it Everton away, Leicester away, Swansea away or even Bmouth at home.
The important thing against the top teams, basically, is protecting the goal difference. At the moment it is equal to an extra point should we get on the same number as Cardiff. If we are going to be beaten by Utd and Spurs 2-0 will be okay.
Absolutely. There's no way that it can be compared to Swansea away last season, because that really was a winner takes all match. But it probably can be compared to Bmouth at home last season. Anything other than three points leaves a staring right down the barrel.
Fulham can actually score goals, which they have proven on quite a few occasions. Their issues this season are completely down to their inability to defend. Even with them gifting us chances I can't see us scoring loads so would rather try and be solid at the back and win 2-1 than play a back 4 and risk conceding a fair few against a decent attacking side. Fulham have to win as well otherwise they are basically down, they will be going all out to out score us as they know they can't defend. It is a very hard game to call, the only thing I would be pretty confident on is there will be a fair few goals
Not too fussed about the result as wasnt expecting anything. More gutted about obafemi as we need him (strange to have to pin hopes on a kid whose barely played)
Now that, I can somewhat agree with. I find it shameful that we've allowed our squad to become so weak, that I can consider Maya as a first XI player. There's no way I think he's a good enough at PL level, but compared to our others he has to start in my book (whether as a two or a three). Someone needs to play with Bednarek!
I must have missed when everyone started giving loads of encouragement to Redmond and he became good again as the fans are the reason why players are good or bad. There has always been a reasonable amount of good will given to players I think, you said yourself that Stephens looked a solid PL defender in the Puel days, which is almost 2 years ago now. Forster was never particularly good and the injuries ruined him, Stephens was never very good and Redmond is a confidence player who needed support from a manager who wasn't playing a negative style. I'm sure the fans do play a part but to think they are the main reason behind a player being good/bad is ridiculous
The squad has regressed, but Maya has improved. He is a more then capable Premier League CB for anyone outside of the Top 8.
An argument which can wait until the summer, I would suggest - assuming we're still in the PL then, that is. Right now the only question is whether he is good enough to get into our first XI. And he absolutely is.
Ouch. Could have been worse, didn't expect much better. _______________________________________ On to the cup final.
I don't think that Jack has been that bad recently and has added a bit to our attacking play but today he had a complete mare and looked like his confidence was completely shot. Will be suprised if he starts again for a while. Better second half today but losing Obafemi again is a big blow.
Not really. I want a win, and We should be beating Fulham, but if we draw and Cardiff lose we go back above them. From now until the end it is just about out pointing Cardiff.
