Friends of Fulham

curiousity into who everybody thinks should play furthest up the pitch?

The way things are going I wouldnt have no qualms about giving moussa dembele his full debut after his amazing goal ratio in our younger teams.
Whats your opinion?

Hugo deserves his chance once fit. He played well in the cup and scored two before his unfortunate injury.

We need to stick with Bent.

Goals breed confidence in strikers.

We need to provide him with good service foremost.

Kasami for me, give the man a go...

                          (https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT3U611XdXIGXfjl-oZx10mxhdVXOpHnPA-6K08UPCIrawXg9-0fg)

Don't care how many people think Hugo is below Prem standard and has a poor first touch. We need an energetic player to move up front, do some running and open some spaces. This automatically excludes Bent and Berba.

Would be happy with Bent or Rodallega although Berbatov will be the one who starts upfront

We desperately need to stop the rot and develop a new fighting spirit where every player shows a high work rate.

Rodders , if fit, is the best choice to start. Tempting to try Dembele but he should be introduced gradually. 

Hugo or Ruiz

Quote from: mangoputney on December 03, 2013, 06:46:09 PM
Hugo or Ruiz

Why not both? They've generally played pretty well together when paired up in the past

Hope it's Berba with pacey wingers. You need him to hold the ball as everyone else will be back defending. Hugo will be useless. His first touch is nonexistent. Bent will stay up, so he'll get 5 touches. None in the area..
Come to your senses

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Quote from: Count Berbatov on December 03, 2013, 07:09:36 PM
Hope it's Berba with pacey wingers. You need him to hold the ball as everyone else will be back defending. Hugo will be useless. His first touch is nonexistent. Bent will stay up, so he'll get 5 touches. None in the area..
Come to your senses

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The insistence on a striker to hold up possession was in part what I found slowed Jol's attacking system to a grind in his final period, especially since our midfield's ability to actually retain possession has been null. Wouldn't a striker more capable of getting in behind the defence be a better option until we can successfully construct a midfield capable of playing anything more complex than the counter?

Quote from: Count Berbatov on December 03, 2013, 07:09:36 PM
Hope it's Berba with pacey wingers. You need him to hold the ball as everyone else will be back defending. Hugo will be useless. His first touch is nonexistent. Bent will stay up, so he'll get 5 touches. None in the area..
Come to your senses

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From the count

Which in turn makes me think he'll put the runners and get the players put more effort and desire. Not that Berbatov can't do his part, but I think he'll only get one chance or two and be replaced by someone like Rodallega. Who in fact I like and I think was treated unfairl


Make your mind u?? I personally had hoped Berba had followed Jol out the door, time will tell.

Definitely Hugo. Not the most gifted player but he's strong and fairly quick, gives the defenders little time on the ball and challenge them in the air.

Quote from: epsomraver on December 03, 2013, 07:46:12 PM

Quote from: Count Berbatov on December 03, 2013, 07:09:36 PM
Hope it's Berba with pacey wingers. You need him to hold the ball as everyone else will be back defending. Hugo will be useless. His first touch is nonexistent. Bent will stay up, so he'll get 5 touches. None in the area..
Come to your senses

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From the count

Which in turn makes me think he'll put the runners and get the players put more effort and desire. Not that Berbatov can't do his part, but I think he'll only get one chance or two and be replaced by someone like Rodallega. Who in fact I like and I think was treated unfairl


Make your mind u?? I personally had hoped Berba had followed Jol out the door, time will tell.

What I think will happen and what I hope are different things.
I hope Berba starts. I think it'll be Hugo

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And without turning this into another Berba thread, why would you want a player like Berbatov out when a good manager can make the most use of him. There's so much more he can offer still. Rene isn't exactly friends with Dimi. If he's on the pitch under Rene, he's deserved it

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cannot be Hugo.  Here is the reason.  We got no midfield that can keep possession. As such we rely on long balls. Rodallega gets easily nudged out of a play by defenders as he doesnt have the body to do it.  Can be Bent or Kasami or Berba but not Hugo or even Dembele.

For me it's anyone but Bent. He's washed up.

I've been thinking lately it might be worth a try sticking Ruiz up top on his own with Kasami behind him. See how it goes.

I am too unsure of Bent. I know what Rodallega and Berbatov have to offer. I think Kasami would make a great CF

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Rotate 2 up front from Bent, Rodders & Dembele. To score we must play 4-4-2

Berbatov, obviously.

One of the most talented people going, on his day.

The only trouble his days are few and far between. If Rene can fix things, fit him in, and motivate him, then we need him.

Last season his goals kept us up. This season his lack of goals will take us down. Whilst part of this is down to him, our tactical ineptitude under Jol was the more significant issue.

Berber for me in the right position with the right attitude. I'd prefer Rodders to Bent, like his enthusiasm

I'm hoping that Jols exit may give Berbatov a new lease of life. He was restricted by Jols odd tactics so perhaps he will be able to get more involved.

I'm not sure what Rene is like as a tactician but I imagine that there will be some input from the players.

I would think Rene is a lot like Sir Alex. He loves his wingers. Two in the middle. Open up spaces with the wingers. But you adjust the system to the players available, so could be one up front.

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I'm just confused and I don't know. It will change in January anyway!!!! It's difficult to know how the players will behave with the new management set up, so I reserve judgement. I just hope Rene gets it right!!!!

Jeez, what an impoverished group of "strikers."

I'd go with Hugo. He's not all that talented, but he'll do the work and stretch the defense. Since we got Berbatov up front, defenders don't have to do all that much work to defend us. A little pace and aggression will help a lot.

I'd like to get Woodrow or Trotta back to add a little bit of depth to the strike squad.

Interesting that Bent is our worst choice.... Rodallega has impressed in the cup but he would be my impact sub. I would start with Dembele

Quote from: grandad on December 03, 2013, 09:07:33 PM
Rotate 2 up front from Bent, Rodders & Dembele. To score we must play 4-4-2

Yes one player up front just does not work.

For me the key question isn't who plays up front - because the main problem we have is getting the ball that far up the field in a meaningful way. (Punts don't count.) I'd play Dejagah on the right and drop Ruiz, and give Bent half a game each week and tell him to get into the box any chance he gets. If Briggs gets fit he'd be left-mid because he can get forward and get balls in. Or Kaca could be given another run-out.

Personally I would pick Bent up front, because I don't think he's had a fair crack yet as lone forward in a team that never attacks. Berba is our most skilful forward, but I think the untouchables need to be dropped as part of getting the squad back to reality.

Quote from: The Bronsons on December 04, 2013, 08:07:10 AM
For me the key question isn't who plays up front - because the main problem we have is getting the ball that far up the field in a meaningful way. (Punts don't count.) I'd play Dejagah on the right and drop Ruiz, and give Bent half a game each week and tell him to get into the box any chance he gets. If Briggs gets fit he'd be left-mid because he can get forward and get balls in. Or Kaca could be given another run-out.

Personally I would pick Bent up front, because I don't think he's had a fair crack yet as lone forward in a team that never attacks. Berba is our most skilful forward, but I think the untouchables need to be dropped as part of getting the squad back to reality.

Agree with your basic premise - strikers need service in order to function effectively.

And about Bent - he hasn't had a fair chance, but has still scored two exceptional, crucial Prem goals, and does a lot of unsung running to occupy defenders, though not much good at tackling back, which is a problem with all our strikers.

Berba is obviously our best player, with a proven goalscoring record for us - but can Rene sort out what's wrong with him mentally? If he feels confident in the setup and tactics, might be the key.He does have the ability to save us by scoring goals  frequently, as he did last season - who else can do this? Well, Bent has done in the past - why can't he do it again, given the right service. So we have two proven Prem goalscorers in the side.

Not sure about Hugo in the Prem, though you know you will get wholehearted effort all the time from him. Should he get a run in the team?

I would like to see Dembele given a chance to show what he can do. Maybe he will be our saviour - well, I can dream can't I?

I never thought I'd say this, but how I miss Zamora!

Did I really say that? Must be unwell....

Quote from: Holders on December 04, 2013, 08:40:38 AM
I never thought I'd say this, but how I miss Zamora!

Did I really say that? Must be unwell....

Or the Pog!

The closeness of the vote and the number of people wanting a junior demonstrates how poor we have been in that position.

Quote from: RaySmith on December 04, 2013, 09:05:52 AM

Quote from: Holders on December 04, 2013, 08:40:38 AM
I never thought I'd say this, but how I miss Zamora!

Did I really say that? Must be unwell....

Or the Pog!

Pog is gettable and is exactly what we need.

A big guy who puts himself about, has decent skill and puts away a reasonable percentage of chances.

Quote from: TonyGilroy on December 04, 2013, 12:09:58 PM

Quote from: RaySmith on December 04, 2013, 09:05:52 AM

Quote from: Holders on December 04, 2013, 08:40:38 AM
I never thought I'd say this, but how I miss Zamora!

Did I really say that? Must be unwell....

Or the Pog!

Pog is gettable and is exactly what we need.

A big guy who puts himself about, has decent skill and puts away a reasonable percentage of chances.

You are forgetting one key thing my friend. We don't create chances for our strikers...

Would help if the strikers weren't static. Chasing the ball is an option.

Apart from Dembele who is next season´s article none of the others have done the job expected of them, so someone from the window will have to be purchased. Shane Long for me.

Quote from: TonyGilroy on December 04, 2013, 12:15:42 PM

Would help if the strikers weren't static. Chasing the ball is an option.

Gotta disagree with you there. The one saving grace for Bent is that he always is on the last defender ready to run in but the final ball is never delivered to him. He does run from side to side but he just hardly is given a killer pass.

Plus the last few games we have resorted to long ball which again is not Bents strength, I guarantee if we get a player like murphy in Bent and Hugo will be running lines all day long knowing they have a source.

Quote from: cottage cheese on December 04, 2013, 12:50:18 PM

Quote from: TonyGilroy on December 04, 2013, 12:15:42 PM

Would help if the strikers weren't static. Chasing the ball is an option.

Gotta disagree with you there. The one saving grace for Bent is that he always is on the last defender ready to run in but the final ball is never delivered to him. He does run from side to side but he just hardly is given a killer pass.

Plus the last few games we have resorted to long ball which again is not Bents strength, I guarantee if we get a player like murphy in Bent and Hugo will be running lines all day long knowing they have a source.

Bent has had service. He just hasn't been finishing. See Chelsea, Palace and Swansea games for service.

As for Bent working the lines, he simply isn't has effective as he used to be, maybe its fitness or game sharpness or just his age but hes losing his pace which used to be vital to him getting chances.

Maybe im being critical of Bent here but for a player who simply offers goals, he's not being clinical enough. 

Quote from: FFC1987 on December 04, 2013, 12:55:51 PM

Quote from: cottage cheese on December 04, 2013, 12:50:18 PM

Quote from: TonyGilroy on December 04, 2013, 12:15:42 PM

Would help if the strikers weren't static. Chasing the ball is an option.

Gotta disagree with you there. The one saving grace for Bent is that he always is on the last defender ready to run in but the final ball is never delivered to him. He does run from side to side but he just hardly is given a killer pass.

Plus the last few games we have resorted to long ball which again is not Bents strength, I guarantee if we get a player like murphy in Bent and Hugo will be running lines all day long knowing they have a source.

Bent has had service. He just hasn't been finishing. See Chelsea, Palace and Swansea games for service.

As for Bent working the lines, he simply isn't has effective as he used to be, maybe its fitness or game sharpness or just his age but hes losing his pace which used to be vital to him getting chances.

Maybe im being critical of Bent here but for a player who simply offers goals, he's not being clinical enough. 

I think its more game sharpness and the fact he isnt really being used correctly with the long ball tactics recently.

Yes his finishing has been awful but really the whole team has underperformed this entire season (apart from Kasami). I say we should stick with him till Xmas and see if Rene can change the team dynamics and utilise Bent.

Dont forget he is the 3rd highest scorer in the league behind Rooney and Lampard average wise and thats not something you just lose and forget. Its all about confidence and ye maybe fitness but I still think hes the best out of a bad bunch

Pace scares defences. Rodders AND Dembele to stretch defences. The midfield two would then not need to support the forwards so much leaving gaps to be exploited. The wide players could work as a support and drop back when needed. So Riise and Richardson say on the left and Reither and Dejargah on the right.

interesting views I too think there is no clear indication into who is going to play hence the reason i set up the poll. i think playing a flat 442 we will get overrun in midfield i think we would benefit from resigning the pog he is offers something we do not plus the guy is a brute and put in a shift when playing for us at times

Quote from: Holders on December 04, 2013, 08:40:38 AM
I never thought I'd say this, but how I miss Zamora!

Did I really say that? Must be unwell....

Why? We've been missing him since he left. Zamora and AJ are MILES ahead of anyone in our striker corps now, and don't get me started on Nevland.

Why isn't Nigella Lawson on the list ?  :022:

Hugo has experience in dog fights with Wigan! Get him up there? Is he fit now? No team info as of yet

I would love to see Dembele in there at some point but it wont happen. Hugo and Ruiz up top with Kasami behind them and Kacaniklic and Dejagah on the wings and go all out attack on the counter instead of passing it back to our centre backs and slowly building it up. Hugo running into the slots whilst Ruiz stands around looking pretty.