Team v Birmingham

A chirpy Kit made sure that cakes and doughnuts were provided at today’s press conference. He said that, “galvanising the football club was the first thing I’ve focused on but we now need to results sharpish”. Adding, “while 3 points against Birmingham would be ideal, but I don’t want to say it’s the be all and end all.”

There are no injuries among the players. One thing that he was particularly pleased about was that “ the three amigos (Ruiz, Amorebieta and Rodallega) were happy and staying back in training for extra practice”. Think you can take it that all will be starting on Saturday.

In fact I don’t think we’ll see very many changes at all. Personally not entirely keen if that’s the case - having already voiced my view on other threads about, in particular Stafylidis in at left midfield. I’m also not convinced about Hoogland at right back and believe he’s much more effective for us in the troublesome spot in defensive/central midfield. I’ve got reservations about Bodurov as well.

I’d go -

..Voser…Burn..Amorebieta..Stafylidis..
……………Hoogland……….

However that won’t be Kit’s choice and I suspect the only real change will be Hyndman for Christensen. Meaning his probable starting line-up will be:


……………..Bettinelli…………..
..Hoogland…Bodurov…Burn…Amorebieta..
…Ruiz….Parker….Hyndman…Stafylidis..
………..McCormack…Hugo..



PS The bulk of the press conference was about his training methods, his desire for the job and … a refusal to comment on the rumour that Alan Curbishley was coming back.

 

I was thinking of more of a 4-3-3 with LVC playing a deep CM role behind Parker and Hyndman and Ruiz/McCormack feeding in behind Hugo.

It's the wrong thread but since you brought it up... I would not be opposed to Curbishley as Director of Football if we did go for Kit as manager. Whilst I have misgivings about Curbishley's tactical nous and his willingness to see through a long term project, he would be the right kind of manager to try and save the spirit of Fulham. What he did at Charlton is very much what we need here now and maybe he is just the mentor Kit needs to make the step up from assistant.

 

Completely forgot Matt Smith in my first post and still don't know if he's eligible - see the other thread "Matt Smith Ban".

Surly - you're quite right about Curbishley deservising a separate thread, so have taken lthe liberty of doing that.

 

The questions for me are:

Would Kit drop Stafylidis and replace a left sided midfielder or drop Amore and put Stafy in his place?
Personally I'd drop Amore and put Stafy in his preferred role (round pegs - round hole).
You could then stick Hoogland in the middle in front of Burn. Voser to come in left back (round peg....)
Does he continue with Ruiz?

So here goes:

……………..Bettinelli…………..
..Voser..…Bodurov…Burn…Stafylidis..
…….Parker….Hoogland....Hyndman....
………..McCormack…Ruiz....
.......Hugo......

COYW

 

I'm sad to leave out LVC. I thought he did really well on Tuesday.

 

This story says Matt Smith's available, read into it what you will:

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/spor.../symons-fulham-players-decide-whether-7832934

 

Well, there have been three matches since the sending off, but Smith played in the first round of the League cup for Leeds. That means he was cup-tied and not eligible to play for us against Doncaster even without the suspension. That, in turn, means that the Doncaster game won't count as one of the games he misses through suspension. If his ban was three matches, he's only served two of them and Birmingham should be the final game he's out for.

 

I feel that Smith would replace Rodders who is fitting in pretty well, so I cant see much improvement there

 

That was my reading of it Captain. However all the sources I've searched (Sky, BBC, ESPN ...) and, as I mentioned in that other thread, even our own match day programme, say he is available and in the squad.

The only reasons I can think of are:

that it was a 2 match ban (which I'm pretty certain it wasn't);or
the Football League have different rules from the FA (which while seeming barmy but won't surprise me at all) and the ban relates to the "next 3 games the club plays" - full stop!

Let's hope, if he's selected, that the 'experts' are correct.

 

Starting line up:

---------------Bettinelli----------------
Hoogland--Bodurov--Burn---Amore--
-----Parker-----LVC----Hyndman-----
-----------Ruiz-----McCormack--------
-------------Rodallega------------------

Subs: Kiraly, Kavanagh, Stafylidis, G. Williams, Smith, Woodrow, Roberts

 

Beat me to it FI. Looks like C58 gets his wish (of sorts) and Staf isn't on the wing.

 

Barring possibly Staf instead of Amore I think that's our best available XI. If LVC plays like he did for large parts against Doncaster, that's our best midfield. The three at the top seem to be getting better the more they play with each other so I'm optimistic about this one. My only fear is Amorebieta is a red card waiting to happen.

 

I think Amore is playing because of the relationship and synergy he has with Ruiz and Hugo. Works for me, partnerships are what we need.

 

Possibly, I agree about partnerships but I never would have thought about a partnership between LB, CAM & ST. If it makes for happier players though, it's got to be good.

 

I refer you to Ruiz's goal against Doncaster

But yeah, probably not a regular combo but if the players are happy that can only be good, as you say.

 

Ha, I knew as soon as I typed that it was going to come back at me. Amore has been putting in some tasty crosses of late but his defensive capabilities are what worries me.

 

I feel the need to say it... I nailed the front six in my post a above - don't let me down LVC!

 

Oh yes, guess who is on at the start of the second half - in left midfield !?

 

Hugoooooooooooo!

Come on Fulham!!

 

We're winning away! Frustration waiting for the whistle.....
13 shots, 8 on target

YYYEEEEEEEEEEE - HHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!!!