Interesting comments on the other thread whether to keep the same formation. Could be wrong but I don’t believe we played a true 3-5-2 until after LVC got injured, although that was so early on it’s hard to say. However, the backing argument people made, that Slavi changes dependent on the opposition does seem to be the case. After Saturday’s game he said, “We do a lot of homework and my obligation is to try and find a weakness in the opposition”. And that’s where his (match) analytics man Alberto Escobar comes in. On the other side of the field of course is the equally canny Paul Lambert, whom many wouldn’t have been averse to have seen replacing Kit. Primarily because he would have concentrated on making us more solid defensively. Which is exactly what he’s done at Blackburn. He sets them up in a 4-3-1-2 formation and for sure we won’t get the time and space afforded us by QPR. Okay they’ve lost Rhodes and replaced him with Graham, who isn’t in the same league goal scoring wise. The poor guy is what, way back, Frank Large was to us – he just can’t put them away. What Graham does bring though is an awful lot more movement than Rhodes ever did and while their results haven’t been brilliant since the turn of the year, I think Lambert has them playing a more fluid style. So, back to us. Personally I doubt if Slavi will change too much – the back five that finished the match can switch comfortably enough from part of a 3-5-2 to a 5-3-1-1. And to be honest mostly he’ll be driven by the lack of choice at (the equivalent) of RB and LB. In his mind however will be the crunch of fixtures caused by re-arranging this match. Good though he was on Saturday, Scotty Parker doesn’t really do mid-weeks. There might also be a wee question in his mind whether to sacrifice Dembele. My gut feeling is he’ll stay with keeping the momentum going and opt for: .....................Lonergan............. ..............Burn...Madl..Amorebietta... ..Fredericks...........................Garbutt.... ...........Ince.......Cairney....O'Hara... ...............Dembele...McCormack..
Apparently Danny Graham playing is dependent on a late fitness test, as is Grant Hanley (one of their key guys). Lambert told the press, “We’ll have to wait to the last minute to see how Grant and Danny are. When people go out of your side who are probably unsung you notice when they are not playing. Grant has been in really good form and in the short time that he’s been here Danny has been excellent.”
Key areas for me are Lonergan, Madl, Burn and Amore, Cairney in the middle and Dembele/McCormack. There's your spine. Not a bad one either.
People forget how many goals Danny Graham scored before he moved into the Premier League - 41 in two seasons with Watford and 30 in two seasons with Carlise before that. He's no Jordan Rhodes, but at this level he's no slouch.
Good point Captain. And as we all know Fulham are quite good at enabling others to their first .. (take your choice of many things). Let's hope he fails that last minute fitness test then.
As you were, except it's Matilla instead of Ince. Probably sound on reflection since he brings more experience and composure. Changes my suggested formation a wee bit as well - .....................Lonergan............. ..............Burn...Madl..Amorebietta... ..Fredericks......Matilla....O'Hara....Garbutt.... ......................Cairney........ .............Dembele.....McCormack. Bench is: Lewis, Richards, Ream, Hyndman, Labyad, Kaca and Smith
Yes....and now Kaca on for Garbutt as Left Winger......hope Garbutt is not too bad........starting to feel like a (more) settled team.
Just got back in and I'm afraid that was an awful display tonight. The players obviously had not recovered from Saturday's game or they did too much celebrating. We were all over the place and the damage could have been a lot worse. Lots of people of people blaming Garbutt but the whole team were to blame tonight. He gave away the penalty and was outplayed by his opponent and subbed on 30 minututes'ish. He did not look happy and went straight down the tunnel. Blackburn wanted the points and pressed and fought for the ball for 90 minutes and we just weren't up for it. Dembele had one good shot saved by the goalie and we had one neat move that came to nothing but that was it, It was cold and a terrible to watch. I've most games since since Slavi has taken over and in others, despite losing I've felt the players have given their all and the performances have been good and improving. Let's hope after some good rest they can put this behind them and put together a good performance and result this Saturday which is now a crucial game.
Hopefully you will go down . I can take the loss to you muppets just as long as you go down !! Hahahaha
Jimbo, my dear boy.......do you realise we are all very posh on this board and take your words with heart felt pain, in fact I've had to have a lay down before responding to your so crule, crule comment. One does wonder though (this is me trying to look ever so slightly at the bright side) that if our team are actually muppets, what are thou? Still onwards and upwards eh old chap, oh, yes......go do one you idiot!
Contrition of some sort I guess, Garbutt went on social media (after getting dogs abuse there) to apologise: Luke Garbutt @luke_garbutt 3h3 hours ago Apologises to fans and my teammates @FulhamFC last night my performance was simply not good enough I will learn from this huge game sat!
There's such a demoralising element of deja vu with Fulham teams in the last couple of years. It won't have gone unnoticed by all that the previous cracking win over QPR was followed by dismal 3-0 defeat to Wolves in the mid-week game following. What I cannot fathom is why this lack of any consistency occurs with manager after manager. As you also said COYW, up till this debacle we at least appeared to be improving game on game under Slavi. My consolation is his response after the game, which unlike the managers before him is devoid of cliches and is as frank as delivered by fans at the match: Heads will roll, as the medicine men said. And the steely eyed Slavi comes over as just the right man to sort out our ills.
