I suspect most fans would now happily rescind the ‘Bellend’ references to Sparky but our erstwhile ex-manager is struggling at the moment and will be extra keen to see his Stoke side notch a win. And while he’ll make changes, they’re likely to strengthen rather than weaken his team; Diouf is back from injury and Affelay from suspension. Hughes has always been one to look closely at what the opposition offers (or not) so the ariel ability of Crouch and Walters could see them play. He is also likely to play that old favourite Steve Sidwell who will have his own point to prove – red card anyone? The bottom line though is that they’ll be up for it and Kit needs to make sure his selection is prepared to match them and for 90 minutes! Yet … he’ll inevitably have one eye on Friday’s derby against QPR. There was no press conference today (he seems to have given up on mid-week ones) but so far as I’m aware there are no new injury concerns. However, Fredericks we know isn’t eligible and I doubt if he’ll risk O’Hara who is on 4 yellows. Between Saturday and this game there will have been little physical training/practice, so most of the planning will have been chalk board (and hopefully video) discussion with the emphasis (again hopefully) on defending. Here’s an example from the Wednesday game – look how many of ours are the wrong side of an opposition player: With few choices to improve the back four, I reckon the only change will be to partner Burn with Stearman. In the middle, as I’ve said O’Hara is likely to sit this one out so, is it possible Scotty Parker will make a return? The alternatives are limited – Matilla? Or … LVC, Tunnicliffe, Kavanagh …? Ahead of whoever plays there? Well Kaca wasn’t even on the bench on Saturday so he’s probably a slam dunk over Pringle (who was again anonymous). But I wouldn’t. Ross McCormack – what can you say other than, ‘give him a rest’. Unless you go for him as loan striker and pack the middle and let’s be honest, whatever the selection we’re still going to very narrow, with little width. The key for this one should be getting the right formation and playing players in position. I’m going for – ……………….Lonergan……………. ..Richards…Stearman…Burn…Husband… …..LVC………Tunnicliffe……Kavanagh.. …Cairney…………………………Pringle.. ……………….Dembele………
I guess Symons will play a weakened team with QPR being on friday, despite saying last round he would play his best teams in the cups. I expect Husband to be cup-tied (as he is only on loan). So Kavanagh could play left back, but I'd go with the Sheffield 2nd half back 4. May be give Mattila a run out, or stick Hyndman in. ……………….Lonergan……………. ..Richards…Stearman…Burn…Ream… Pringle …..LVC………Mattila ……Kacaniklic... ………Woodrow……….Dembele……… I guess Sidwell will play (& Score) in a weakened Stoke side.
Good point about Husband SuperBri. Would worry a tad though with Ream at left back, if his performance for the USA team in their game just over a week ago is anything to go by.
I don't think Stoke will pick a weakened side. They could do with a win to get a bit of momentum going, and Hughes has a history of taking the cups seriously. Plus, I think he'll have a point to prove tonight - he won't want to give the fans who gave him such a hard time any excuse to laugh at him for losing at his old stomping ground. I think it's probably right for us to leave out some first teamers, particularly as McCormack's form at the weekend suggests he could do with a rest before Friday, but if we do I suspect it won't be a great night for us, sadly.
The man in charge tonight is Stuart Attwell He’s never been Sparky’s favourite person. Back in February 2011 when Hughes was our boss and Bolton kicked us, literally, out of the FA Cup he was a tad upset. After the game, with jaw clenched, he fumed: "There were a couple of situations where you think the referee needs to make a positive decision and just waving your arms for an advantage can be a cop-out. In and around the box you don't particularly want advantage. You want free-kicks and set-plays, which we didn't seem to get. In the second half, there were a few decisions we found difficult to understand." Rather strangely Attwell’s last Stoke match was also in the January of that year at the Cottage, when he sent off Ryan Shawcross. Clint Dempsey scored from the resulting penalty. Dempsey got a double in the game and we won 2-0. Attwell’s last game was the Swansea City v Everton one on Saturday. In the 0-0 draw, he booked two players from each side before dismissing Toffees substitute Kevin Mirallas for a dangerous foul in the dying moments.
Team news just in from the Club. Jamie O’Hara is definitely out with a hip injury, as is James Husband, cup tied as SuperBri said. Also in doubt is Tom Cairney. Kit said, “Tom got his foot stamped on in training so I’ll be speaking to the physios to see whether he’s going to be available or not. But, again, if there’s any doubt then he won’t be risked.” Source: http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/september/22/team-news
Just seen the Stoke line-up. Not so much with Stoke picking their best side, then. I'm feeling mildly more optimistic now (only mildly though). As no one else has posted it yet, here's the Fulham line up: Lewis; Richards, Stearman, Burn, Ream; Christianson, Kacanilkic, Matilla, Pringle; McCormack, Woodrow. Subs: Lonergan, Bodorov, Kavanagh, Evans, Tunnicliffe, Hyndman, Dembele.
A good final 20 minutes when we were a tad unlucky not to equalise. Before that it was a lot of huff and puff; mainly because we offered so little up front. My main regret is that we didn’t see Hyndman given more time – he looked very, very good and his insightful passing .. had to be seen to be appreciated. In fairness, Tunnicliffe when he came on (earlier) added a bit of solidity and shape but his passing .. is best forgotten. And having praised the two subs I wouldn’t want to take anything away from the guys who started in midfield; LVC showed some signs of his old self (especially in those last 20 minutes when he was wider on the right) and Matilla was very accomplished, finding space, covering back well and intelligent use of the ball. I have to admit he was a surprise package for me and, although subbed, was my MOTM. As said, we were really weak across the forward line and totally ineffectual in the first half. Things did liven up when Dembele came on for Woodrow and Pringle moved to the left instead of Kaca – indeed he (Pringle) finally got in a couple of decent crosses. The missing link throughout, unfortunately, was again Mc Cormack, who drifted all over the place. All in all it was a decent performance, it just wasn’t incisive enough – even in that last quarter.
Disappointing result but many positives to take away. I thought we played quite well, had Stoke on the ropes quite a few times. Their goal was not lucky but fortunate. It seemed to rebound perfectly in the path of Crouch to tuck away. Apart from the goal there was not much between the sides and it was quite uneventful first half. Second half we gave it a go and came closest with a shot from Burn that hit the crossbar towards the end. As I say there were positives - LVC had a great game, Burn too. Altogether the defence looked better (though they weren't tested too much) McCormack seems to be developing a good partnership with Dembele. He seemed to perk up once Dembele was on the pitch. Mattila also is a good addition and I thought he had a great game. Slow ball upfront was still in evidence and I think this needs working on. We have the quality but we are just too slow to find the killer ball. Too many times from attacking positions with players in space we took the option to pass back. We're out of the cup but it wasn't altogether a bad night.
It took to the 75th minute for the team to realise that they were allowed to attack and didn't have to pass the ball across the pitch without going anywhere. for their goal Stearman seemed to get his studs stuck in the ground as he went to tackle Crouch. Having said that, Mattila played well and was MOTM he had a good debut. On the reverse of that Kacaniklic has become so poor, he might flourish in a less competitive league like Sweden, but he doesn't bring anything to the game, can't/won't tackle, can't cross, he seems to have 1 good game in 10, Pringle got in more crosses than Kaca. McCormacks freekicks were woeful, and I didn't realise Woodrow was on the pitch till he got subbed. Every time Burn is pushed up front it seems to cause panic in the opposition area. So maybe he should be playing up front till Smith is back. But tonight there were only 5 minutes left when Burn went upfront
That's a real shame, Stoke were there for the taking. Highlights for me were mattila, LVC (2nd half) and Hyndman coming in. QPR next. COYW
