In his press conference Rene was yet again quiet (astute?) about the possible line-up for Saturday. For all the right reasons he's proving difficult to second guess him, but here goes anyway. Pretty certain Stockdale will retain his spot and hope so, since he'll have a great incentive to put in a performance against Hull. For the rest, I've a sneaking suspicion that Rene will go back to the side that started against Man City (excepting Senderos who is still out) - ...................Stockdale............... ..Riether...Hughes...Amorebietta...Riise... .... Kara....Parker...Sidwell... ..Dejagah..........................Richardson.. ..................Taarabt.......... Hard on Kasami who was terrific against Norwich and seems better when he's involved from the outset rather than coming on as a sub. But Kara has been so influential and I can only believe that he was left out of the Boxing Day game to save him for this one. Berbatov may or may not be fit but quite simply Taarabt deserves to keep his place.
I would be delighted with a point from this game, Four points from two away games that precede two very winnable home games would be very respectable. As long as Palace lose away to Man City a draw against Hull will def take us out of the relegation zone with two homes games up next. I said I wanted a return of 7 points from our four fixtures (two wins, a draw and a defeat) and I thought the defeat would be away to Hull so a point would be a bonus. Having said that I thought Norwich wud be the draw.
A touch worried about this one, we never seem to do well at Hull for some reason. A loss is not a disaster due to 2 very winnable home games against WHU and Sunderland. If we can get something today it would really set it up.
The referee is newbie and West Yorkshire based Mr Madely. He's not been seen in the premiership since the controversial Swansea v Stoke game in November and his only other top game was Hull at home in September (a 1-1 draw with Cardiff). please log in to view this image
Lots of players rested today: Stockdale Zverotic Hughes Amore Riise Sidwell Kara Dejagah Ruiz Kasami Hugo
Stockdale Zverotic Riise Karagounis Hughes Amorebieta Dejagah Sidwell Rodallega Kasami Ruiz Rene is surprising us again... Last chance for Ruiz? Playing in the position that people expect him to play. Come on Fulham
Starting 11: Stockdale; Zverotic, Hughes, Amorebieta, Riise; Dejagah, Sidwell, Karagounis, Kasami; Ruiz; Rodallega. Subs: Bettinelli, Kacaniklic, Richardson, Boateng, Riether, David and Bent. Squad rotation continues.....Some need to show they deserve their places - We need 11 playing to their fullest. C O Y W !!!!!!!
I hear he's one yellow away from a suspension as well, I suspect Rene wants him available for our home games. EDIT: Parker, I'm talking about.
Rotation... Boateng on the bench, and Zverotic can play in midfield if Riether is needed and Kara needs to be subbed after 60 mins. Hugo should do well. Taarabt prob needs a rest. The next two home games are more important. Bent on the bench again?
Interesting thing about that yellow card rule is that it clears after the new year so if he gets booked against West Ham he won't be banned for Sunderland so it makes a lot of sense to leave him out of this one because if he got one in this game he would be out for WHU.
I'm excited about the line up. I really hope Ruiz plays well. Looks to be his favoured position. Good use of squad too. COYW
Lots of dead wood in the team... And more I see Huddlestone being the engine and we are stuck with Ruiz and others is alienating me... 3-0? Give me a break...
I'm so angry, not at losing but the fact that our players have shown no fight or effort!!!!! We lost three games to Spurs, Everton and Man City conceding 10 goals but I didn't mind as we put in the effort The players need to realise that goal difference could matter and we are not going to get out of this mess without working hard I hope Rene has seen who is not up for this fight and kicks them out in January, I cannot tell you how angry I am right now
Cookie I can understand your frustration as I am fuming myself... Don't mind an 1-0 or something but not 5-0...
