I've just seen this in the Independent: 'If Fulham's revival in this match was unexpected, Roberto Mancini's explanation for it beggared belief. "We are short of players," said the manager of a club which has spent £300m on them in the last three years. He added: "Fulham were able to make changes after playing in Europe, we were not. We became tired." ' It goes on to say that when this line was put to Martin Jol, he looked bemused then laughed. The full story is here, if anyone wants a peek: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...eft-with-excuses-by-brave-fulham-2356886.html I think he's got a point. How can a club like City, with their limited resources, compete with a financial big-hitters like us? How can they be expected to hold on to a lead when they have to resort to untried subs like England regular Adam Johnson and last seasons Premier League top-scorer Carlos Tevez? Maybe we should have offered them first refusal on Jonathan Greening, Bjorn Helge Riise and Eddie Johnson.
Given that Jol's decided to take the Europa League seriously I think something has to give, and that something has to be the Carling Cup (if that's what it's still called - I can't remember). I've a hunch that Chelsea will send out a strongish side - they're not going to win the Premier League or the Champions League this season, so Villas-Boas will want to pick up some silverware somewhere. Personally, I'd change the entire team from the one that started on Sunday. For some reason we always do badly in this competition - Hughes took it seriously last year and we still lost in the third round. Given we're away at Chelsea, are playing every 3 or 4 days at the moment, and haven't won a league game yet I don't see the point in tiring players out on Wednesday night. Sorry if that sounds a little defeatist, but Saturday's far more important.
CM -that was in the Gruaniad this morning as well! You have to feel for the poor souls don't you. He made exactly the same excuse last season when we drew at their place. Makes yesterday's comeback all the more satisfying
I saw that too. It beggars belief! Poor lambs! I'm with you fulhamish. We have enough of a shadow squad to give a decent account of ourselves against our more illustrious neighbours.
All true. And, again, he should get much more credit than he does for his defensive play. The number of time he tracked back (on both wings) and won the ball back was just as awsome - it's no wonder he was knackered after 85 minutes. No doubt Bobby's goal gave the whole team and the fans a lift. What a great feeling at the end with the majority staying to cheer the team (instead of the rush for the exit in the last two games). It almost felt like a win. Hard to pick MOTM, but Chris Baird just has to top contender.
Hold on, let's not go nuts. We got a creditable draw and coming back from 2 goals down is a worthy achievement but we are now the only club in the division sitting with a zero in the wins column. Next up is an away match, and we hardly ever win them no matter who we are playing so, even though it's only WBA, we will probably still be sitting with 0 wins next Saturday. Then we have QPR - who have already won twice - both away from home. Much as I would love us to do the Hoops they will really fancy their chances against us and be so up for it as to be unreal. Could be very tricky. Then it's Stoke, who are being tipped to be a top 6 side this year (or at least get a top 8 finish) again away. So realistically we could still be on zero wins and 3 or 4 points after we've played 8 games. Just adding a bit of perspective, that's all guys.
It's a massive confidence boost to both the Team and fans, it took us off the bottom of the table. If we had lost the game and played the whole game like we did the 1st half, then we would be so low on confidence. We have a chance now to go into the next 2 Premier games in a positive mood. Jol has a difficult decision to make for the League cup game at the Bridge, whether to keep that team together and hope for another boost, or to change it around so as not to lose the feel good factor for West Brom.
Oh well, the thread managed to stay upbeat for 25 posts. While you have valid points, Fulhaman, the supposition (because that's all it is) that we'll be winless after 8 games doesn't take away from the fact we got an exceptional result, when many of us had written the game off as an inevitable drubbing. There is plenty of reason to be optimistic, and all the teams you listed are very beatable - Stoke were hopeless against Sunderland, for example. We're on the way up, we should enjoy it and get behind the team.
You might be right about Chelsea sending out a strong side, but I'm not so sure. I don't think they are out of the title race by any stretch of the imagination, and I don't think for a minute that anyone at Stamford Bridge thinks they are. As for us, we need to balance the need to build on the feel-good factor of yesterday with the need to rest some legs. I'd rest Duff and Murphy, who have played most games so far and have older legs than most of the team. I'd rest Zamora as well, having him on the bench but hoping not to need him, easing him back after his injury and saving him for the league game on Saturday. The only regulars who have played most of the games that I would keep in are Schwarzer and Hangeland. I'd go for a starting line up something like this: Schwarzer Grygera (could do with another game to keep bedding him in Briggs (not to overload Riise with games as he comes back from injury) Hangeland Baird (who could even emerge as a surprise contender for the job of Brede's first choice partner) Sidwell (has been a bit in and out, but seems to me to be the best choice as regular partner to Danny Murphy) Gecov (we'd all like to see what he can do) or Baird (if Jol goes for someone else at centre back, Bairdinho really deserves to be kept in after the last couple of games) Ruiz (needs games to get used to English football) Kasami (deserves another chance after Sunday, and could be told that he's playing to force his way into contention for a starting spot against West Brom, Odense or both) Dempsey or Dembele (it would be harsh to drop either, and if Kasami and Ruiz are the other two in the attacking midfield, we'd want someone more experienced than Frei) Sa (so we can get an idea of what he's about) or AJ (to see if him leading the line so effectively against Twente was a one-off or proof that he could be a good back-up to Bobby in the Jol masterplan) That would rest a few tired limbs, while also retaining a core of first team quality and enabling the team to build on the excellent second half performance yesterday.
A great dissertation, Captain. I agree with all point except I'd still be wary about playing Ruiz at Chelsea away. Maybe it's a bit too intense for him at this point? I'd be tempted to keep both Demps and Dembele in and introduce Ruiz shortly after half-time.
You could be right about the intensity factor, Bidley. On the other hand, as Fulhamish points out it is a game that wouldn't hurt us (strategically, if not emotionally) to lose, so why not throw him in and give him some more exposure to what he's got to get used to. I guess Jol and his coaches will have to judge on what they see from him in training this week.
I agree with most everything posted before, particularly Manchini's comments. I laughed when I read them. Concerning Ruiz - seems to me Jol has a couple options in bringing this guy along. Jol can either throw him into the deep end of the pool and see if he swims, or let Ruiz start at the shallow end and slowly get used to the Karl Henry-infested waters of the EPL. If we start him against Chelsea, and he get's a proper spanking, it could affect his confidence and set him back a few weeks. Then again, it could be just the thing he needs since the game's not crucial for Fulham. Decisions like these are why Jol get's paid the big money. Either way, I'd like to see Sa, as well as Grygera and maybe Gecov. Again, I say leave Duff and Sidwell in there have some fun at the expense of their former mates, and let's see what happens. AJ deserves some playing time, too; he was good for us last week against Twente.
I know I should be pleased, and I am pleased. I'm just a pessimist at heart and cannot help thinking "this is all going to go terribly wrong". I do support the team, but quite often watch it through my fingers.
This quote seems to be widely reported, but I think it's a case of not quoting all what was said as I saw what he said. He was actually talking 'about wanting to replace Barry or Toure but we are short of players as De Jong and Hargreaves are injured'. Just shows you how sneaky jurno's are just to twist a story, by quoting part of what was said. Agree with Captain Morgan It would be nice to see the newbies given the chance against Chelsea, along with giving more game time to others. Bit worried about Schwarzer as he seemed to stretch for a cross in the 1st half and started to clutch his ribcage as if he'd pulled something. Might rest him. I'd put Senderos in for Hangeland, as don't think I'd like to risk him. I'd like to see Frei in for Dempsey or on the bench.
What about sticking in Trotta for a while,a big bustling c/f of the old school, not much finesse,but could give some of the Chelski ladyboys some problems
Much as I like Senderos (and I know many disagree with me on this), I don't think we ever look as secure at the back when Hangeland is missing. If this game is purely about squad rotation/rest and not caring about the result, there's a case for resting Brede. If it's about all of the above but also hoping to progress to the next round, I think Hangeland is one of the players who has be kept in. For what it's worth, he plays in a position where the games coming thick and fast shouldn't have as much impact as others. I'd play him. At the start of the season I'd have said the League cup is one to blow off a bit, picking a reserve team and not caring if that meant we went out. But then they went and drew us against our beloved neighbours. I'll be disappointed if Jol goes for a full strength team, but I think we need to walk the line between rotating and remaining fairly strong. With an eye on the games coming up, a decent performance from a half-and-half side will do us a lot more good than seeing the second-string getting thrashed. And surely no one wants to see us risk a thrashing from Chelsea.
Agreed Captain. We want to turn up against the Chavs. The more I think about it, the more I'd like to see Ruiz starting. He'd be an instant hero if he scored!
No way I'd rest Schwarzer - have you seen the young lad warming him up? He drops his fair share. Not a game for him I'd say. Where is Somogyi - or whatever his name is?
There's some news about Wednesday night's lineup from Jol, according to the team website. Out are Johson, Davies, Riise the younger and Halliche, who's loan deal fell apart. But at the same time, Jol suggested he'd be resting people tonight after two hard games against Twente and Man C. This is my guess at the lineup: Schwartzer Grygera Baird Sendros Briggs Kasami Sidwell Gecov Duff Dembele Ruiz subs: Dempsey, Hangeland, Murphy, Riise, Sa, Etuhu
