Tougher opposition, so Felix will probably put the big guns out. Three of those that haven't featured in the trip so far are; Steckelenburg, Stockdale and Amorebietta. Steck is likely to be on his way and I don't know what to make of Amore - is he actually in Scotland? In any event I'd expect Shaun Hutchinson to get the main CB spot in front of his 'old' fans. The starting line-up I reckon will be: .........................Stockdale.................. ......Voser............Hutchinson.............Stafylidis...... ..Hoogland..............Parker.....................David... ............McCormack....................Kaca.... ............................Hugo..............
Think I read somewhere that Amorebieta had a minor knock and stayed at Motspur park for treatment so didn't travel, not sure about Stockdale??? I actually know a good friend of Stocky and will try to get some info! It may be me at the end of a long day Cottager but think that's only ten players missed a centre half possibly???
Yikes, thanks Cookie. It was actually a centre forward I missed - playing 3-5-2 .........................Stockdale................ .. ......Voser............Hutchinson.............Stafylidis...... ..Hoogland..............Parker.................... .David... ............McCormack....................Kaca.... ....................Woodrow........Hugo..............
Yeah I too would see Voser more as the wing back and Hoogland as Right Centre Back. Also I think Stafylidis is more of a wing back so I think he'll play LWB and Burn at LCB. I think our strongest available team at the moment is: ---------------Stockdale-------------- ---Hoogland----Hutch------Burn------- Voser----------Parker--------Stafylidis --------David--------Tunnicliffe------- -------Woodrow-----McCormack------ I'd be very happy seeing this line up starting against Ipswich on the opening day. I still think Amorebieta would start ahead of Burn at LCB as he provides better cover if Stafylidis gets caught up the pitch and it's between Burn and Hutch for the central position. I like the idea of our 3 centre midfielders consisting of a defensive minded player (Parker is doing that job at thge minute), a box-to-box midfielder (Tunnicliffe) and a creative sort (David). I'm not sure how McCormack prefers to operate, with or without a strike partner so I'd like to see how he'd get on along side Cauley against Motherwell.
I take it all back rosc - Cameron Burgess not only starting but also scoring. And, goodness a left back who did what Riise couldn't in all his time at the Club!! Motherwell 0 Fulham 2 (Friendly)[/I Here’s the Club report: Starting XI: Bettinelli; Voser, Burgess, Hutchinson, Stafylidis; Christensen, Parker, David, Roberts; McCormack, Dembele The Whites started with intent; their positive attacking football causing the hosts problems from the off. Lasse Vigen Christensen threaded a wonderful pass through to Kay Voser who saw a low strike blocked, while David tested the Motherwell goal from distance. David and Christensen combined moments later, with the latter freeing Patrick Roberts in the left channel. The youngster’s cross was cleared by Keith Lasley. The home side pushed Fulham back for a spell, and Roberts was needed to show a more defensive side to his game when snuffing out a dangerous cross from Iain Vigurs. However, the Whites responded positively with Voser finding space and showing good footwork to get beyond two Motherwell defenders. With a corner won, David delivered a teasing ball from the right with Cameron Burgess powering in a header on 19 minutes. As Magath’s charges sought a second, David fired over from a free-kick on the edge of the box, while Voser moved Dan Twardzik into a decent low save. With Christensen also driving the ball over the target, Dembélé then snuck in to collect an angled pass from David. The Frenchman’s first touch was superb, however, Simon Ramsden did just enough to put the striker out of stride. Motherwell did create chances to level, with Bob McHugh moving Marcus Bettinelli into a good stop and John Sutton shooting over. Hutchinson also made a superb block to keep Well at bay. As the half came to a close, Roberts did well to create some space in the box before getting a shot away. The winger then set McCormack up, the striker drawing a save from Twardzik. Fulham made four changes at the break with Tim Hoogland and Emerson Hyndman replacing Parker and Christensen in the middle of midfield. Hugo Rodallega came on for Dembélé, with strike partner McCormack taking the Captain’s armband from Parker. In goal, Bettinelli made way for Jesse Joronen . Hyndman’s impact was immediate, the American finding the run of Kostas Stafylidis. The Greek left-back unleashed a powerful strike from distance, with the Motherwell keeper spilling the shot and seeing the ball roll across the line. A slalom run from Roberts freed McCormack on the edge of the box, but the Scotland international saw his effort blocked. Roberts then lifted an inviting pass into the path of George Williams, but the Welshman just couldn’t get the ball under his control. Motherwell went close to halving Fulham’s lead when Steven Hammell crossed for Vigurs, Well’s no.11 volleyed at goal with Joronen doing well to get down to cover the shot on 73 minutes. With 10 minutes remaining Hutchinson was given a standing ovation when he made way for Dan Burn, the youngster had been a commanding presence at the heart of the Fulham defence. Moments later, McCormack went close to a third for the Whites, Twardzik saved well from his 25-yard strike. The Motherwell stopper then made a fine block to keep out George Williams in the closing minutes.
Am I the only one who watched the goals and thought how nice it was for a Fulham player to whip in a dangerous flat corner which beat the first man. I know the header was good and is what people will remember but if you want to score from set pieces the delivery is everything. I can't remember the last time I saw a dangerous corner whipped in by a Fulham man???
You're right Cookie, it must be the first since Simon Davies went. And worth noting that the Stafylidis goal was with his 'weak' foot. Here's a clip of the goals from Sky - which is mostly an interview with Felix, but none the worse for that. [video=youtube;SaWT9RaL6SE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SaWT9RaL6SE[/video] PS McCormack looks as though he needs to shed a few pounds.
In case anybody was wondering why we haven't seen David Stockdale so far, he tweeted that he "has a little strain". Being terribly unkind, I think he may also have a few extra pounds to shed.
