The limited news available is that of our 7 injured players (the other 2, Senderos and Mesca, are obviously ruled out) only Petric is in the frame Saturday. Early days, but given the way tackles were flying in during Wigan's game v ManU last weekend, I'm not sure I'd risk anybody who might be even a wee bit uncertain. Here a short clip of a very robust moment in that game - https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=X2B-ZUoKf4o However, being brave, I going for this line up - .................Schwarzer........ ..Riether...Hughes..Hangeland.....Riise ............Baird...Diarra... ......Duff......................Kaca.. ...........Berbatov...Hugo.. EDIT: Apologies, it was fine yesterday but the video has subsequently been removed. It was a sequence of 1 minute when there must have been at least 10 tackles from both sides a la 1960 style - great fun but a bit scary with it.
I imagine it'll be Sidwell for Baird, but otherwise that would be the logical team. After the weekend, I think Sidwell is finally starting to 'get' the system. That is definitely a good thing! I'd feel more comfortable with Petric on the bench (whilst he comes back to fitness). A much needed veteran attacking alternative from the bench.
I think I'd prefer Ruiz or Petric to Rodellega (in that order), fitness permitting. I'm torn between Baird and Sidwell to partner Diarra, but other than that I agree.
I'd gone for Hugo for a number of reasons Captain - he should be up for it against his old club; it's an away game, so almost inevitably we'll play deep and his pace should be beneficial; it's likely to be fairly physical. Having both Petric and Ruiz on the bench however, is a rather pleasant thought.
Jol has a nice dilemma if Diarra, Petric and Ruiz are fit. Who plays along side Diarra ? Sidwell scores more goals but is always a step away from a poor tackle and a red card. Baird has more defensive qualities meaning Diarra can get forward. Is it too soon to put Karagounis in ? Who partners Berbatov ? Rodallega needs confidence and playing well and scoring against his old club could give him that. Petric is both a natural scorer and I think will be a great foil if we play two up front in a 442. Ruiz is one of those players that gives you something unexpected, for Twente he played behind the main striker to great effect. So will Jol experiment in away games to give players time to gel. I don't think so against Wigan, think he'll try and keep the same team as against WBA, if injuries allow.
I was forgetting that we signed Rodellega from Wigan. I still think there's more potential from Ruiz and Petric though.
I'd go with the lineup Cottager proposed, including Rodellega. Players often have something to prove against their old mates, plus his pace will help create space for Berbetov.
The Club have confirmed that Petric and Ruiz are fit but the rest (including Diarra) are still out - http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/20/wigan-head-to-head So I'm popping Sidwell back in to instead of Diarra in my line up, with P&R on the bench.
In his (internal) pre-match video interview Jol seems to confirm Sidwell as the one to step up now that Diarra is out for some time. He also says he doen't know where the goals will come from but "hopefully" Kaca and Berbatov will do the job - http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/20/manager-preview
Hello all a the cottage fromthestands in peace just to get the low down on the game at the weekend i do'nt think we have any team worries so we are ready to go in what is to be another blinder of a game so i've just poppet over to see what comments you have about the game and what score are you going for.
Welcome fromthestands! I'm going to go with a score draw. Playing your lot this time last season would've been better, but I think this season you're a different animal and not nearly as woeful (no offence). Should be a good game either way, although we'll be up late on Saturday waiting for highlights on MOTD, no doubt...
As this will be my first trip away this season, I'm hoping for a win, but through injuries and transfers our midfield has lost most of its flair players, so I'm expecting a close game and would take a draw. Both teams like to play football on the ground, so lets hope for a good open game. Fulham need to bring their home form to away games. Watch out for a young player called Kacaniklic on the wing who may cause you problems, as he likes to run at defenders.
We tend not to do well at your place, and our midfield has been decimated by transfers and injuries in the last few weeks so... I'm unreasonably optimistic and fancy us for a 2-0 win.
Well this week our Cottage Chickens have predicted a Wigan win (they live at our Motspur Park training ground Fromthestands) - http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/21/chicks-predict-wigan Which sides up with our old friend Lawro. The BBC however, no doubt recognising his hapless bias, have teamed him up with Mo Farah who confidently predicts a 2-0 Fulham win - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19661629 It would take a brave person go against an Olympiad of that standing and our very own Captain, but I will. Albeit in the same direction - 3-2 to Fulham and whatsmore we will be last on MOTD.
Have a safe and enjoyable trip, SuperBri. Look forward to your comments. Whispers PS: Hope you've forgotten to adjust your Fantasy Team selection before you go
Thanks, hope we come away with a win. Makes the journey home better. I've done the cardinal sin of tinkering with a winning lineup and made two transfers to my Fantasy Team, I'll never learn.
I see the FFC away game wheel barrow is being used again. Super Bri, as you pushing the other 5 to the game? 2-1 Wigan, we are crap away after all.
I have a good feeling about this game. 2-1 Fulham I bought a lucky Fulham mug just after Christmas and found when ever I had a cup of tea with it before the game we seemed to win. I forgot to use it before the West Ham game !
