Probably near enough to Saturday to begin another selection discussion. Here goes: 4-5-1 Green Fabio-Nelsen-Hill-Traore Dyer-Faurlin-Adel-Mbia-Hoilett Mackie Adel playing more in the 'hole'.
---------Green---------- Fabio--Nelsen-Hill--Traore -----Faurlin--Mbia------- Diakite--Granero----Adel ---------Mackie---------
Lucky ol Adel! -----------------------Cesar-------------------- Bosingwa--------Nelsen-------Hill----------Traore -----------------------M'bia-------------------- ------------Granero--------------Faurlin-------- ----------------------Diakite-------------------- -----------------Cisse---------Adel------------- Bench: Mackie, Hoillett, SWP, Derry, Fabio, Onouha, Green
I notice everyone is starting Green, yes he had a decent last game but.. Saves.... goals conceded Cesar 43 17 Robert Green 13 12 Green saves 50% of shots while Cesar saves ~75%
--------------------Cesar------------------ Fabio---------Nelsen-----Hill---------Traore ------------M'Bia------Faurlin/Diakite------- Mackie------------Taarabt-----------Hoilett -----------------Cisse---------------------
Difficult one about Green, Cesar probably better keeper, but just thought he kept us in it vs. Wigan. The reason I opted for starting Mackie alone up-front is (though I'm prepared to be corrected on this point)that Cisse seems to have scored the majority of his goals in the second half (Villa away the exception?) - sounds perfect for an impact substitute.
I think I would bring Cesar in and also start Cisse following his goal...a goal breeds confidence and more goals imo, something we are desperate for...Mackie would probably still start for me, but not as the lone striker.... Spot on - I would opt for Diakite and bring Faurlin on for some game time second half.
I really like that team line-up and shape. If Faurlin is fit would like him to start with Diakite on the bench.
I like the look of that one. I'd probably go with Green but I'm not bovered. Whilst Cisse has been depressingly bad, he is good at running onto a ball and with this shape, Taarabt could thread a few through to him. Is Diakite injured? If so young Faurlin could slip in there no bother.
That would be the reason for playing Adel centrally and further forward, plus Cisse needs support from all 3 midfielders behind him. Still.....although most on here seem to agree with this team, I bet Harry doesn't!
I would have thought these two would click on the field with their high skill levels. Unfortunately it hasn't happened. It doesn't help when Cisse is constantly berating the lad.
Sounds about right but I'd go with Diakite over Faurlin personally. I can see M'bia and Diakite forming a strong partnership in the middle given more game time, and we need Diakite to disrupt the Fulham midfield. Bring him off for Ale sometime in the second half, provided he hasn't been sent off by then.
Id go the other way round, Faurlin is the safer option and we should only swap them if we need a goal.
