Obviously, the two big issues will be who should play as lead striker and who will replace Danny in midfield assuming he's injured.
One thing for certain is that Swansea dominate play and rarely lose at home so we will most likely being chasing them about. For me the best team (obviously sticking with 4-2-3-1) to deal with this is:
----------------Schwarzer------------------
Kelly-------Senderos---Hangeland----------Riise
-----------Baird---------Etuhu---------------
Ruiz-------------Dembele--------------Dempsey
-----------------Johnson--------------------
Hopefully Baird will have overcome his personal issues to play, if not Baird, we will have to play Gecov. I think Baird is the best option at centre midfield in replacement for Danny though because he's got a good footballing brain and he's got great distribution . Obviously, we will lose the passing of Danny so it's up to Ruiz step up and become the main playmaker but he's already shown us he's an expansive passing range. Dempsey and Dembele will be interchanging like they do in games and Johnson will just run his heart out as usual. Ruiz and Dempsey/Dembele will need to work hard to track back as there main attacking outlets are Sinclair and Dyer. This is a perfect game for Etuhu because we won't have the ball.
"This is a perfect game for Etuhu because we won't have the ball."
I thought we had a cease fire in operation on Etuhu baiting?
Quote from: MJG on December 07, 2011, 11:44:00 AM
"This is a perfect game for Etuhu because we won't have the ball."
I thought we had a cease fire in operation on Etuhu baiting?
I am not baiting Etuhu. Etuhu is key in these games because we're often chasing the ball rather than dominating the play and he's proved to be very good at this, particularly in last few games. Etuhu is key in games against big sides at home and when we're playing away but when we're at home and dictating the play, he's not the best option.
Play Briggs and not Riise. Dyer will leave Riise standing on the halfway line.
Quote from: Matt on December 07, 2011, 11:56:49 AM
Play Briggs and not Riise. Dyer will leave Riise standing on the halfway line.
Can't see Jol dropping Riise though.
If you want Ruiz to be a 'main playmaker' having him on the right wing is probably not the best position for him to do so. Swapping him and Dembele may be more effective as Ruiz's big passing range will be a great link for midfield to attack.
Just a thought.
Quote from: ClarksOriginal on December 07, 2011, 12:04:55 PM
If you want Ruiz to be a 'main playmaker' having him on the right wing is probably not the best position for him to do so. Swapping him and Dembele may be more effective as Ruiz's big passing range will be a great link for midfield to attack.
Just a thought.
He did play there against Chelsea and played some great balls into Sa. It looks as though Jol prefers Dembele and Dempsey interchanging in that position though. Right wing is Ruiz's natural position and I think he benefits out there because he gets more and time and space out there compared to playing in the hole. He has been saying that he's still adapting to the pace and intensity of the Premier League so the right hand side is good for him at the moment.
I'd be very happy with that team. Although I'd prefer to give Sá a run out rather than AJ.
Schwarzer
Baird- Hughes!-Hangeland-Briggs
Démbéle - Gecov- Etuhu- Dempsey
A.Johnson - Orlando Sa
Think we'll need Bobby at his best to get something from Swansea. Johnson won't hold the ball up half as well as Zamora if you ask me.
I think we may find we are back in the territory we were in Bobby's first season where many could not see the point pf him but we always played better when he was in the side. Jol clearly rates him as one of the best of his type in the division and he was scoring goals and getting assists earlier in the season. It may also be that the players like having him on the pitch and play better because of it.
I still feel Zamora is not fully fit and is trying to play through it.
I think Sidwell could be back for this game. Jol had expected him back earlier and he has been in training so I would expect at leest a sub appearance.
Quote from: Jack Fulham on December 07, 2011, 12:00:01 PM
Quote from: Matt on December 07, 2011, 11:56:49 AM
Play Briggs and not Riise. Dyer will leave Riise standing on the halfway line.
Can't see Jol dropping Riise though.
I'm HatterDon, and I agree with both these statements.
Dyer is their most dangerous threat.
from what i have seen from Vorm he is a good goalkeeper so we will need something a little special to get past him. we have the talent to do it, but our goal scoring record lately is not so good. i think Ruiz scores a goal this weekend.
Quote from: horse1031 on December 07, 2011, 04:28:08 PM
from what i have seen from Vorm he is a good goalkeeper so we will need something a little special to get past him. we have the talent to do it, but our goal scoring record lately is not so good. i think Ruiz scores a goal this weekend.
Vorm has been brilliant this season, one of the buys of the season, and definitely a bargain (esp when compared to De Gea), whatever price he cost. Opening game he conceded 4 to Man City but most other keepers in the league would have conceded double that with the pourous defence in front of him that day
Quote from: White Noise on December 07, 2011, 03:31:12 PM
I think we may find we are back in the territory we were in Bobby's first season where many could not see the point pf him but we always played better when he was in the side. Jol clearly rates him as one of the best of his type in the division and he was scoring goals and getting assists earlier in the season. It may also be that the players like having him on the pitch and play better because of it.
I still feel Zamora is not fully fit and is trying to play through it.
I think Sidwell could be back for this game. Jol had expected him back earlier and he has been in training so I would expect at leest a sub appearance.
Cheers for the news on Sidwell, Sidwell - Etuhu would being an interesting pairing.
As for Bobby, he hasn't been at the races so far this season. His fitness does look an issue because he didn't look very mobile against Liverpool. Bobby is quite fast when he gets going but I don't think I saw him sprint once at Liverpool. Will be interesting to see Jol plays him. I'd personally prefer Sa or Johnson at this current time though because Bobby isn't all there at the moment.
Quote from: twang on December 07, 2011, 12:36:10 PM
I'd be very happy with that team. Although I'd prefer to give Sá a run out rather than AJ.
Agree
Team News: Danny Murphy will face a fitness test on Friday and Manager Martin Jol is hopeful his captain will be fit for Saturday's game against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. Steve Sidwell is unlikely to be 100% fit whilst Damien Duff will return to training next week following his reecnt injury. Chris Baird is unavailable for personal reasons. Simon Davies, who played 70 minutes for the Reserves on Tuesday, could be included in Fulham's travelling party to Wales.
Murphy will not be fully mobile and Sidwell isn't fit. Baird is still unavailable. We really could do worse than actually giving Gecov a run out from the start. Bring on Murphy later if needs be.
Swansea are quick but are vunerable.
everyone is making Swansea sound like Barca, they are below us in the table and conceded 4 against Blackburn last week and are missing their top scorer. Also chat about need something special to beat their keeper etc well I would rather have MS than him.
Quote from: Basil on December 08, 2011, 02:50:33 PM
everyone is making Swansea sound like Barca, they are below us in the table and conceded 4 against Blackburn last week and are missing their top scorer. Also chat about need something special to beat their keeper etc well I would rather have MS than him.
They aren't Barca but they're bloody good at ball retention, they had over 60% at Anfield. Most would rather Schwarzer over Vorm but he's still a bloody good keeper, Holland's second choice I think. Swansea rarely lose at home either but they've struggled to score this season but so have we so let's not underestimate them. Personally, I think it will 0-0.
Shame about Baird, I'll imagine we'll see Gecov and Etuhu.
Quote from: Jack Fulham on December 08, 2011, 04:42:54 PM
Quote from: Basil on December 08, 2011, 02:50:33 PM
everyone is making Swansea sound like Barca, they are below us in the table and conceded 4 against Blackburn last week and are missing their top scorer. Also chat about need something special to beat their keeper etc well I would rather have MS than him.
They aren't Barca but they're bloody good at ball retention, they had over 60% at Anfield. Most would rather Schwarzer over Vorm but he's still a bloody good keeper, Holland's second choice I think. Swansea rarely lose at home either but they've struggled to score this season but so have we so let's not underestimate them. Personally, I think it will 0-0.
Shame about Baird, I'll imagine we'll see Gecov and Etuhu.
If its Gecov & Etuhu who start I would not be surprised to see Tom Donegan on the bench. With all the CM's injured we do not really have anyone else from the current first team players who has played in a CM of 2 for Fulham and if one gets injured then we could have real problems.
Bump as game gets closer 098.gif
Quote from: MJG on December 08, 2011, 04:48:16 PM
Quote from: Jack Fulham on December 08, 2011, 04:42:54 PM
Quote from: Basil on December 08, 2011, 02:50:33 PM
everyone is making Swansea sound like Barca, they are below us in the table and conceded 4 against Blackburn last week and are missing their top scorer. Also chat about need something special to beat their keeper etc well I would rather have MS than him.
They aren't Barca but they're bloody good at ball retention, they had over 60% at Anfield. Most would rather Schwarzer over Vorm but he's still a bloody good keeper, Holland's second choice I think. Swansea rarely lose at home either but they've struggled to score this season but so have we so let's not underestimate them. Personally, I think it will 0-0.
Shame about Baird, I'll imagine we'll see Gecov and Etuhu.
If its Gecov & Etuhu who start I would not be surprised to see Tom Donegan on the bench. With all the CM's injured we do not really have anyone else from the current first team players who has played in a CM of 2 for Fulham and if one gets injured then we could have real problems.
Depends on the fitness of Sidwell and Murphy.
I'm getting worried about Baird now : (
This'll be my first prem match since the opener against Villa and, personally, I'd love to see Digger get 15mins.
I believe he played in the middle for ressies? Can certainly play a pass.
Never gonna happen though.
Good old Guardian - crap as usual -
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2011/12/9/1323448038585/Swansea-City-v-Fulham-001.jpg)
I just want to see Frei play at least 30 minutes in the prem if i'm honest.
MS
SK-PS-BH-JAR
DE-MG
BR-MD-DD
CD
And if Simon Davies is fit we should try to work out a 4-2-1-3 with Davies as the 1 and the three sort of fanning out ahead.
Quote from: richie17 on December 10, 2011, 08:44:54 AM
MS
SK-PS-BH-JAR
DE-MG
BR-MD-DD
CD
And if Simon Davies is fit we should try to work out a 4-2-1-3 with Davies as the 1 and the three sort of fanning out ahead.
Agree with this.
COYW
