Doubt if the Gaffer will be giving a press conference today since he was talking to the local West London paper yesterday. In one of their articles he was reported as saying, “Now I have a bigger squad, so I can make some changes for this game, so I expect this situation will not affect us in the games against Bristol. We are going to have enough time to prepare for the cup game and then the Championship game.” So, we can expect a bit of a shuffle around tomorrow night. And possibly as many as the 10 changes he made for the 'Boro game. I'd love to see the youngsters - Adeniran, Edun and de la Torre - given another go but they all played in a hard game against Stoke at the weekend and I suspect not. One thing is sure though, he'll stick to his favourite 4-2-3-1. The back four will be interesting as in another article the paper has him comparing Sigurdsson and Madl, "They are different players. Michael Madl is not strong or big, but he’s very clever and he defends with anticipation. “igurdsson is an experienced player too. He is stronger and more characteristic of the Championship." "So generally I have two solutions in this position. They are very different, but both with enough quality to help us in the future.” Does that mean he doesn't favour playing them together? Then there is the kind of lost Tim Ream to consider. My hope is that he doesn't opt for Madl and Ream in this game but .... priorities and all that! Without further ado then straight to who Jokanovic is likely to start with: ......................Bettinelli..................... ..Kavanagh..Madl...Ream....Malone... ..............Parker...Tunnicliffe.... ......LVC..........Jozabed....Piazon.. ................Woodrow.... I've gone for Parker as much because we'll need a captain out there and Madl would be the only other reasonable choice. Although he might just rest Scotty and give Stefan Johansen another chance. Sone Aluko was back in training yesterday, according to the photo gallery on the Official site, but pretty certain the Gaffer will want to save him for Saturday.
Wonder if he'll keep Joronen in goal, and keep Adeniran and Edun in, both who played well in other rounds It would be a good game to experiment up front, trying to get a partnership, any combo Smith/Woodrow/Martin ......................Joronen..................... ..........Sigurdsson..Madl...Kalas.. ....LVC...Adeniran...Parker.....Edun... ......................Jozabed...... ................Woodrow....Smith..... C58 lineup is more likely
Yeah, my selection was based on trying to second guess the Gaffer and on the assumption that he would rotate to allow the second stringers game time. However my personal preference is very close to your line-up SuperBri. And you never know ... the West London paper are running another article this morning which more than implies that a number of youngsters from the 'Boro starting line-up will play. The article is actually an interview with Huw Jennings and is quite lengthy so I'll post it as a link - very well worth a read - http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/spor...ws/meet-fulham-academy-starlets-who-11909574?
I would like to see Stephen Humphrys given some game time. 19yrs of age,a speedy centre foward standing aprox 6ft 1in
Definitely a player with terrific prospects, rosc and my 'new' number one fave among the Academy lot. Stevie had a really good time with the main squad in pre-season games but unfortunately is quite a way down the pecking order at present. Even behind Elijah Adebayo in a lot of the U23 games. If he stays patient and continues to improve on reading the game, he'll come good though.
The man in charge tonight is Andy Davies Mr Davies is a bit unique in that he was an ex-player. One of his club's was Gillingham mind you! He was also appointed to that happy band of "Select Group 2 Referees" at the beginning of this season, which means he's a now full time a referee. In celebration he has only handed out 21 yellows and 1 red in his 9 games this season. Last season he managed 127 yellows and 5 reds in 36 matches. We've seen Mr Davies a couple of times. Back in April 2015 at the 1-1 home draw with Rotherham; booking 3 of ours and 1 of theirs. More recently though he ref'd our first EFL Cup game this season when our young lads went to Orient and beat them 3-2. (going to skip over the bookings in that match on the grounds of "Injustice to Adeniran").
Joronen, tunnicliffe, ream, madl, malone, adeniran, johansen, edun, LVC, piazon, woodrow Subs - betts, sessegnon, de la torre, kebano, jozabed, sigurdsson, smith.
City deserved the win. We were clueless. Too many had off games. Once again the opposition manager sussed what was needed to cancel us out and we didn't have an answer to it. I'm asking for a train ticket refund!
fFr to laxed not only in this game but in the last 4 Message to SLAVI work on some new tactics ,as the ones you have been using are well sussed
Don't agree that we were "clueless" Craving. In the first quarter there were more direct runs from midfield than we've seen all season. And the lead up to our goal was superb, as was the way Piazon adjusted his body to guide the header in. Sure we took our foot of the gas after that. Not sure if it was complacency or trying to be too clever but whatever it was we did let City back into the game. That said we were never really troubled and could easily have gone further ahead. Then the clock on the 'big' screen stopped on 45 minutes and so did we. Johansen was miles away from making a challenge in midfield and everyone behind him stood and watched the Bristol players run through to equalise. That was their first shot ! Not exactly sure when Bristol City made their tactical change - think it could have been midway through the first - but change they did; with 3 at the back and a spare man in the middle. And we became less effective and found less space. But we were still on top and won a penalty. Yes, Fulham won a penalty!! To be honest I've no idea how Woodrow managed it. He completely fluffed whatever he was attempting to do to beat the defender only to find the ball back in front himself and was then tripped. Unfortunately he the double-fluffed his spot kick putting the ball exactly where their keeper told him to. For some reason that miss seemed to take most of the momentum out of our play. And once again the clock on the 'big' screen stopped, this time at 90 minutes and so had our defence, again. Game over. Getting back to your post Craving. I still maintain we were far from "cluless" for the bulk of the game. I will agree however that some of ours were poor - Jorenon's kicking was worse than poor, Ream was so hesitant and Piazon lacked effort. I could add others simply because they made mistakes but that would be so unfair. Just as an example, in the second half Dennis Adeniran's passing was indeed poor; however you could see what he was trying to do and I'd rather applaud the young man for intent than criticise him for poor execution. I'd also agree that the opposition manager sussed the need for a change in tactics and by going to three at the back their extra man in midfield stopped our own midfield runs. Good for him. Jokanovic on the other hand changed nothing. His subs were late on and only like for like. Bad on him. In practice none of that mattered a jot to the eventual outcome. No, the single stroke of tactical genius by the opposition manager was bringing on Tammy Abraham. [He's going to some handful on Saturday.] My final say. It was great to see the Gaffer put his confidence in the youngsters and they were exactly that .. great! Losing a goal at the death knell of each half because a couple of defenders and our goalie switched off is not the end of the world.
Now you've made me feel bad C58. I'm not complaining about some players endeavour. I agree that the youngsters did okay. We missed a penalty but they missed 2 guilt edged chances with Wilbraham clear of any defenders 8 yards out. We went missing. What is the answer?
It's more, "what was the problem?" Craving. And there were three last night - Ream, Malone and Johansen. None of them actually mark a man and/or they simply back off. In other words they are poor defenders.
I'm not sure if it was because it was a cup game and not the league but I quite enjoyed the game, particularly the first half. Was good to see some of the youngsters and players we have not seen for a while - LVC, Ream etc First half our passing was quite good and we were a threat. The goal was great build up and there were a few close encounters from Woodrow. The goal just before the end of the second half was disappointing and woke them up for the second half. I thought on balance we were the better team at that point. We don't do ourselves any favours - the penalty miss, and poor defending second half cost us but the game could have gone the other way with luck on our side (though Bristol were much the better side after the interval) It will be a totally different game on Saturday. I'm pretty happy with the our 1st team defence we just need to be more direct moving forward.
Pleased with the result of course guys, but the real test will be Saturday. Both your manager and ours used the fixture to tinker with the teams. On Saturday it will be back to the 'day job' and your manager will be reminding his players that they have a score to settle - literally! Good luck after this weekend!
Can see a 'dunking' coming up for you guys. But, yeah all the best after the weekend R&W. please log in to view this image
