A heck of dilema. Do we save players because - * Jol said we looked tired against Wigan; * on what will be a horrible pitch at Bloomfield Road we risk (more) injuries for the League match on Saturday against Man City; * a defeat would harm confidence (even more) Or, do we play the best possible line-up because - * weâre not likely to get much at Maine Road anyway; * a 4th round tie against (probably) Man Utd would be worth something like £750k in gate money; * we need to get (some) stability in team selection/format The U21s donât have fixture until next Monday (21st January) so there is scope to bring in some youngsters. However, I believe itâs more important to get a result and players like Duff and Petric need game time. Iâd stick to the main squad players (who are currently fit) BUT rest/save a few - well two in particular. So my starting line--up would be : â¦â¦â¦â¦Schwarzerâ¦â¦â¦ â¦Rietherâ¦Hughesâ¦Senderosâ¦.Richardson⦠â¦â¦â¦â¦Karaâ¦Bairdâ¦â¦ â¦Duffâ¦â¦.Kasamiâ¦â¦Kaca.. â¦â¦â¦â¦Petricâ¦â¦
Not that I'm abandoning any hope of beating Manchester City, but Tuesday night is the more important game. Never mind gate money and TV income, the FA Cup is a competition we've got a chance of winning. Staying in the Premier League is vital too, of course, but our results against the likes of Manchester City aren't the ones we're relying on for that. Pick the best side - which might mean some fresh legs - for Blackpool, then the best available side for Manchester City. I'd keep Berbatov and Ruiz in the starting eleven, but play both of them in their best positions: We get more out of Berbatov when he's the front man rather than the link between midfield and attack, and more from Ruiz when he's the link rather than a conventional central midfielder or on the wing. Is Sidwell available? I'd put him ahead of Baird for this one if he is.
Captain, what ever team we select unless those two decide to play some football and stop loosing the ball in the midfield we are doomed. Simple summary from Sat. Both keep the ball too long with 2-3 players getting on them and no options after...
From my distant perspective, having not managed to get to a game for several weeks, I'll have to take your word on that. I still think that when we have those two in their best positions, with a decent platform in the centre of midfield - the real problem of recent weeks, as far as I can gather - we can give anyone a game. We need Berbatov where he can score goals and Ruiz to pull the strings to open up chances for him. That's the best way of getting the most out of them and the rest of the team, in my opinion.
According to paper reports, Jol is indeed going to rest a number of players, including Berbatov. It also looks as though Sidwell is still injured. "Fulham manager Martin Jol is expected to rest striker Dimitar Berbatov for tomorrow’s FA Cup third round replay at Blackpool. Jol has hinted he will rest several first-team players for the clash at Bloomfield Road given that it comes just three days after the Cottagers’ 1-1 draw against Wigan. Mahamadou Diarra (knee) and Kerim Frei (pelvis) are likely to miss out while Steven Sidwell is a doubt with a hamstring injury." Source: http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_to_rest_key_players_against_blackpool_1_1791975
I know it may seem risky,but i would love us to include a couple of our younger players, My choice would be Tom Donnigan and Cauley Woodrow,at least for 30 min. as it seems possible MJ will be resting some of the squad.
Agreed Ros, if we're going to rest players it would be nice to see some of the academy's finest get a run out. You never know, Kasami might play!
If we are going to experiment I think I'd keep the defense in from the Wigan game .......â¦â¦â¦Schwarzerâ¦â¦â¦... â¦Rietherâ¦Hughesâ¦Hangelandâ¦.Richardson⦠â¦â¦....â¦Minkwitz.....Smith......... â¦â¦â¦.Kasamiâ¦.........â¦Kacaniklic.. â¦â¦â¦â¦Rodallegaâ¦â¦Gameiro.... I'd go for a quick counter attacking style using the youngsters speed.
A new 'Clucker' on the scene at Motspur Park has us down for a win - [video=youtube;hsQQNk3huIk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hsQQNk3huIk[/video] Just a trivia thing, but we have a little recent history in playing lower division teams in 3rd round replays. Eleven years ago to the day we beat Wycombe Wanderers (managed by the eponymous Lawrie Sanchez) 1-0 and five years ago to the day, the match against Bristol Rovers was called off because of bad weather (we lost the re-sheduled game on penalties). For the Wycombe game, Tigana 'rested' star signing Steve Marlet. However being a believer in co-incidence, I reckon tonight's outcome will be one of those two.
So, either we win, we lose, or the game is called off. I'm going out on a limb here, but I think you might be right Cottager! I've been generally confident about tonight, but I'm starting to waver. I hope Jol picks a strong side.
Got it in one Captain. I just can't make up my mind whether to change my moniker to 'Lawro Mark 2' or 'Cop Out'.
I'm pretty sure we won't see any of them starting 58, although it would be a lovely surprise. KASAMI IN!
You're correct again Bandit, although young Grimmer has made the bench. Looks like we're going 4-4-2 Schwarzer, Reither, Hangeland, Senderos, Briggs, Baird, Karagounis, Kaca, Dejagah, Rod, Petric Subs: Stockdale, Riise, Hughes, Grimmer, Richardson, Duff, Kasami You have got to think that Kasami would get SOME game time, wouldn'y you ?
