Team v Derby

No press conference or internal video today from Kit ahead of tomorrow’s match. Wonder if that’s because of meetings about the manager’s (and other) positions?

Whatever, the game is a difficult one for Kit. He obviously wants to win - great boost to his credentials getting to the quarter finals - but the League must be a priority. Suspect a few players will be rested; Hugo (although his injury against Charlton seems not to be serious), Parker and LVC (he’s got the stamina but two games a week for someone so young will take it’s toll) being the most likely candidates.

Also will he give fringe players like Hutchinson, Voser, Zverotic and Eisfeld game time. Wouldn’t class Smith as ‘fringe’ or Williams or Roberts, but they could also benefit with more match time. And what about David?

Think he’ll stick with a strong back four and mix the rest up among the young and more experienced. So I’d suggest he’ll start with:


……………….Bettinelli…………………
..Zverotic…Bodurov…Burn…..Stafylidis….
…………Hoogland…Hyndman….
….Williams……………..McCormack…
……….Woodrow….Smith…

 

I actually have no idea what way he'll set the team up. Surely McCormack will get a rest some time soon? Staf has played an awful lot of games too so maybe he should get a rest. I'd like to see some fringe players get a run out. Derby are likely to rotate a lot of players given their defeat at the weekend. We need fresh legs. I know the lads got the weekend off so hopefully that will mean we're that bit sharper than Derby. This is not a prediction for the team tomorrow night, just what I'd like to see.

------------------Bettinelli-----------------
Zverotic-----Bodurov--Burn---Kavanagh
----------------Hoogland------------------
---Eisfeld---------------------Hyndman--
-----------------David--------------------
---------Woodrow----Williams-----------

 

Good point about the lads having the weekend off FI. And just on that, I didn't mention Ruiz in my post but he's had a long weekend in Milan (no conspiracy theory) so kind of assumed he was not in the running for tomorrow.

 

I would guess he might rest some of McCormack, Parker, Rodallega, Ruiz, Christensen.
Best if he keeps the Center-half partnership as neither Burgess or Hutchinson have been that impressive.
May be try out different full-backs. Put Hoogland into DM.
Then put in last years U21(18) midfield and attack see how they do.
And have the seniors on the bench.
Looks like David isn't going to get game time, bit strange, but I guess every manager has their favourites.

------------------Bettinelli-----------------
Zverotic-----Bodurov---Burn---Kavanagh-------
----------------Hoogland------------------
--------Roberts--Hyndman--Williams------
---------Woodrow----Dembele-----------

 

Dont get me wrong, im loving the fact that Fulham are winning again. What worries me still is that we always have a poor half of the game. Theres not the consistancy over 90 minutes. Against Charlton we did ride our luck a bit but did also defend well. Running after the ball is more tiring than keeping the ball and I just dont get why we can't keep the ball for longer periods of the game.

Anyway, I like the look of SBM's team. Would love to progess to quarters.

COYW.

 

Smith should get a run as probably more composed than Dembele at the moment...

Other than that SBM's team gets my node too...

 

Here's a League Cup stat for everyone.

The last 17 cup games at the Cottage have averaged 4.5 goals a game!
So I think that it'll be Fulham 3 - Derby 1.5

 

Matt Smith won't be playing tonight, he's just tweeted "Good luck to the boys tonight" which obviously means he's not in the squad. Surely that means Cauley starts.

 

Wow a few surprises here:

Király; Zverotić, Hutchinson, Arthurworrey, Kavanagh; Hoogland; Hyndman, Williams; Roberts, Ruiz (c), Dembélé.

 

Unpredictable personified.

 

What a brave line up. Getting hyndman on the ball is essential, he can dictate the game. Secondly he is used to playing along side Williams, Roberts and dembele. Ruiz could knit them together. Defensively it is an interesting line up. So pleased for Stephen Arturworrey. I sat in front of his family once a few years back at a youth game and they were so proud of him, they must be beaming tonight.

 

Found a stream if anyone is interested: http://firstrowir.eu/watch/293653/1/watch-fulham-fc-vs-derby-county.html

 

Dembele, 1-0.

 

Dembele, 2-0.

Is it his birthday? Derby keep gifting him goals!

 

Handball Hoogland, 2-1, Derby penalty.

Not sure what Hoogland was doing there. Frustrating end to a good half with a young team. Expect a little better from the experienced lads like Hoogland though.

 

Stupidity from Hoogland, why would you handle that? Impressive first half otherwise, some very good link up play between Ruiz and the youngsters. Zverotic is poor. Lots of energy from our attacking players with Williams and Roberts swapping wings.

 

Come on Kit - at least 10 mins late for subs - Parker and McCormaCK should have been on

 

Now 5-2 to Derby. Absolute implosion, which is exposing somewhat my main fear with Kit - he waits too long to adapt when the opposition change things up.

I really just hope this doesn't get (more) embarrassing.

 

Williams and Roberts Off ???

 

Ffs. What a crsp 20 minutes of football. It's like the opposition suss where the weakness is and then go for it. And boy do we hand it to them on a plate.