Yes it is a very poor Norwich side, but it was also a poor Sunderland side and we look much more solid at the back and confident attacking. Dejagah, Kaca and Kasami have been great and Bent has stretched their defence. I do not see how they could do any worse than the team against Sunderland. How has Rene been playing Senderos over Burn?
Burn has only been here for three matches and has played two of them.
Of course Burn wasn't chosen for the Sunderland game, but I wouldn't have put him out with anyone except Hangeland for fear of exactly what happened in the Sunderland game and what that might've done to the young lad's confidence. Since Hangeland wasn't available, I believe not starting Burn in that match was the proper decision.
Having said that, I believe there's a fair chance that, Hangeland aside, Burn is the best capable CB that we have at the club. But if Rene doesn't believe that, then Burn has to go back out on loan. Far better for him to amass minutes at Birmingham than it is sitting the bench for us. Something tells me that if we don't get another CB in January, then Burn will make our first team roster next season.
I think Burn deserves his chance in Prem - we have two games left before loan window closes, if he struggles against Arse is that enough to kill his confidence? The next cup game against Sheff Utd is up next and he deserves that
Fully agree about Burn not playing against Sunderland but now that Hangeland is back I would love to see him given a run. Would love us to sign a decent CB that is under the age of 30 this window and have Burn as backup. Richardson looked good tonight but I still think we need a new LB. Do this and the defense should become a lot more solid.
I find it funny that some people on this board said that Hangeland shouldnt walk rigth back into the team. 090.gif
We looked so much more mobile tonight- should be same team against Arse with Berba in for Bent and Parker in for Karag, wouldn't change anything else. Sadly I think he will start Dempsey and we need pace against the Arse, for defending if nothing else
Playing with Hangers Burn is ready for the prem. There are 2 games for him before the end of the window. He should be given a chance in the league. Please Rene don´t play Berbatov. We are so different without him slowing up everything. It will be very different against Arsenal but replacing Kara with Parker is the only change I would make.
Great night tonight, set off from seeing the starting back four. That'd be my choice for the rest of the season if we don't get another left back. Only change I'd make is Parker for Karagounis, possibly Berba for Bent. Also great to see the three subs, who although only got ten minutes max, but gave the team a bit of energy. Dembele looked more lively than Bent did all game.
The Norwich side was poor. Don't fool yourselves. But yes, Dejagah, Kaca, Kasami, Karagounis, Sidwell should all keep their places. Bent did good too, but someone like Taarabt or Berbs will help keep the ball, in the rare chances you get it moving forward
The Burn situation is a bit more complex. I'd like to see him against a stronger side. Hangeland should be back immediately. he needed this game and did well for the most part
Richardson was only good, because they didn't attack the flanks.
All in all, good confidence shot for those on the pitch, but no, I don't think this is the optimal side to face Arsenal
I would keep the overall structure and give Burn a go, I prefer Richardson over Retreating Riise but agree Tarabt or Berba instead of Bent and Parker will start over Karagounis as he just played 83 mins
Against Arsenal:
Stek
Reither Hangeland Burn Riise
Parker Sidwell
Kara
Dejagah Richardson
Bent
Quote from: YoungsBitter on January 14, 2014, 09:44:12 PM
We looked so much more mobile tonight- should be same team against Arse with Berba in for Bent and Parker in for Karag, wouldn't change anything else. Sadly I think he will start Dempsey and we need pace against the Arse, for defending if nothing else
The reason we were more mobile tonight was because we did not play Parker :022:
Agreed but I would put Parker in place of Sidwell.... and Riise in place of Richardson. Other then that I would go with the team tonight.
Quote from: ToodlesMcToot on January 14, 2014, 09:55:55 PM
Against Arsenal:
Stek
Reither Hangeland Burn Riise
Parker Sidwell
Kara
Dejagah Richardson
Bent
Kara played all game tonight so he cannot play plus sadly he will ripped to shreds by Arsenal midfield, my call would be to let Kasami lead the triangle and Taraabt up top, like against Man City. I like Richardson in left mid but Riise will get killed by Oxelade Ch, Ozil or Gragny so he is our best option and thats a weak one at left back. Kaca worked hard on his defensive duties tonight so maybe he gets the start. Please not Dempsey tho.
nonsense, the difference today were the wingers. Against Sunderland, we did not play with Dejagah and Kaca, and that showed. Berba played great at the Emirates last season. Rather play the same team with Berba on top for Bent.
I have to agree. The wingers made the difference
Thought Burn was going back to Birmingham after tonight's game.
Karagounis played 90 minutes, he simply cannot play an hour against Arsenal.
I'd line up with:
----------------Stekelenburg
Riether----Hangeland----Burn----Amorebieta
--------------------Parker
-------------Sidwell----Kasami
Dejagah----------------------------Kacaniklic
-----------------Berbatov
Maarten Stekelenburg showed his class today, his save, from I think it may have been Josh Murphy, was superb in the first few minutes. He also had another couple of good goalkeeping moments but my minds blank at the moment.
Brede Hangeland is such a comforting, calming person to have in the side, I don't think he or Dan Burn lost an aerial battle. Both very similar, but also complimented each other well today. Dan Burn is my man of the match, he was constantly talking, and didn't put a foot wrong barring the odd too many long balls into Bent.
Fernando Amorebieta's best games for Fulham have probably come at left back, he's good on the ball, good in the tackle and his more reserved nature as a full back could suit a game vs. Arsenal more than a Riise or Richardson.
Parker to protect the back four, that's the crucial area in which Arsenal are so lethal, we need to protect the edge of the box superbly otherwise we will just be ripped to absolute pieces. Pajtim Kasami added another dimension to the Riether and Dejagah partnership today, some of the play in that triangle was superb. Steve Sidwell has probably been our player of the season this year; his goal makes him Fulham's top goal scorer in all competitions.
Ashkan Dejagah is the most effective player at the club. He's got such good ball control, a burst of speed and a fantastic weapon for us. Alex Kacaniklic had his bright moments today, his final ball was lacking but he was beginning to look like the Kaca of old.
I was tempted by Adel Taarabt up front; and I still am tempted, but Dimitar Berbatov's natural ability and his quality with the ball gives us the cutting edge.
Quote from: Tooting legend on January 14, 2014, 10:08:29 PM
Agreed but I would put Parker in place of Sidwell.... and Riise in place of Richardson. Other then that I would go with the team tonight.
What a stupid suggestion, drop sidwell!!!!
Quote from: JackyFulham90 on January 14, 2014, 11:07:49 PM
There is no way Bent will start Saturday, I would expect Duff, Dempsey, Berbatov & Parker to return. Do I agree with this? No, but it will happen
I agree with three of those, I'm not so sure Duff will start though.
Quote from: Tooting legend on January 14, 2014, 10:08:29 PM
Agreed but I would put Parker in place of Sidwell.... and Riise in place of Richardson. Other then that I would go with the team tonight.
Even more stupid, drop Richardson for Riise?!? Richardson is the best of a poor bunch, but Riise is the worst of the poor bunch. Just look at Sunderlands 3rd goal for proof.
Quote from: JackyFulham90 on January 14, 2014, 11:07:49 PM
There is no way Bent will start Saturday, I would expect Duff, Dempsey, Berbatov & Parker to return. Do I agree with this? No, but it will happen
sad but very true. I
I find myself getting fustrated with kaca, he never drives and goes past a man, he will often do lots of step overs but very little end product in my opinion.
He got his head up well for the goal but if he could just get a defender to commit as he drives for the box I think he would be far more dangerous
Why would anybody want Berbatov and Duff to ever start another game for Fulham? Arsenal are a quick attacking side. So lets put up front the slowest forward in the league and the slowest winger. Just in case we ever see the ball let's make sure we have no way of keeping it out of danger and we have no get out clause.
Sadly I believe they will return.
what does my name say? play the lads
Quote from: epsomraver on January 14, 2014, 11:12:59 PM
What a stupid suggestion, drop sidwell!!!!
No, we've not anyone to replace him. And yet we ought to have. Relying on a midfield player who scores more goals than he makes decent passes is not the best way to get the points we need.
Quote from: Furby on January 14, 2014, 11:18:11 PM
Quote from: Tooting legend on January 14, 2014, 10:08:29 PM
Agreed but I would put Parker in place of Sidwell.... and Riise in place of Richardson. Other then that I would go with the team tonight.
Even more stupid, drop Richardson for Riise?!? Richardson is the best of a poor bunch, but Riise is the worst of the poor bunch. Just look at Sunderlands 3rd goal for proof.
Ah yes, the chance exactly like the one for which Richardson was caught out in the second minute tonight. Fortunately for him, unlike Stockdale, Stekelenburg didn't let the shot go through his legs.
I pray we can sign a left-back before the weekend.
Parker in for Karagounis and I'd be happy with that as a starting lineup
I think there will be a few disappointed people Saturday.
I think Saturday the team will be
Stekelenburg
Riether Hangeland Amorebieta Riise
Parker Sidwell
Duff Dempsey Richardson
Berbatov
I would also play the team from last night but I reckon that team I just showed will be very close to the team that plays against Arsenal
Quote from: JackyFulham90 on January 15, 2014, 08:28:07 AM
I think there will be a few disappointed people Saturday.
I think Saturday the team will be
Stekelenburg
Riether Hangeland Amorebieta Riise
Parker Sidwell
Duff Dempsey Richardson
Berbatov
I would also play the team from last night but I reckon that team I just showed will be very close to the team that plays against Arsenal
FPT's team above is the one I'd pick but I fear that you may well be right.
This is a major test for me of how much faith to have in Muelensteen. The shape of the team last night was right. There was pace, energy, movement off the ball, no nonsense defending and cover from midfield.
If Burn isn't ready now he never will be - he looks like the real deal to me. If this is the type of team Rene wants then the purported interest in Fletcher and Nani make sense. Wingers and a target man.
Amorbieta may be our best option at left back but in no way will he and/or Senderos cope with Arsenal. Of course we'll probably lose but last night's team will give it a go, try to defend properly and also set Arsenal problems.
Anyone care to make this more interesting?
How about, we all post our predictions. At the end whoever gets the closest to the actual lineup gets to ban one poster of his choice for a period of one week.
Mods?
Quote from: ollienixs on January 14, 2014, 11:52:35 PM
I find myself getting fustrated with kaca,....... if he could just get a defender to commit as he drives for the box I think he would be far more dangerous
Haven't we had a couple of penalties recently when he got a defender to commit as he drives in the box?
And I too would like to see last night's team, with Parker for Karagounis, on Saturday although I'd worry about the lack of pace in central defence.
Dempsey as attacking mid? Might work.
Giroud isn't that fast, but he's big. Who best to defend him?
I
Quote from: FFCAli on January 15, 2014, 10:46:22 AMQuote from: ollienixs on January 14, 2014, 11:52:35 PMI find myself getting fustrated with kaca,....... if he could just get a defender to commit as he drives for the box I think he would be far more dangerous
Haven't we had a couple of penalties recently when he got a defender to commit as he drives in the box?
And I too would like to see last night's team, with Parker for Karagounis, on Saturday although I'd worry about the lack of pace in central defence.
Yes. He has been very good at those. Usually half chances where he gets the most out of.
It usually goes like that. The ball is cleared from a corner or a free kick. Gets to Berba. Kaca lurking somewhere on the side, gets full speed at the CB covering him, knowing Berba 's flick will find him.
If he's lucky, he gets behind the CB, face to face with the goalie. If there's no clear shot, he drops down in front of the closest defender in sight :-)
Watch them do the routine again this weekend
I do not remotely think Burn is ready to face Arsenal... they play too much through the middle and he is not ready to defend that type of intricate quick one touch play... you can't have two towering CBs both with limited foot skill at the back vs Arsenal... Hughes needs to be in there with Hangers...
Also think Dejagah deserves the start... Kaca may stay wide and got lucky a few times with some dribbles staying on his feet but I am not sure he is the best option (still love the kid)... I certainly don't want Berba playing unless he promises to stay up top and actually run a bit...
I'll be shot down I know but ...... I think Senderos could do a good job on Giroud. His best performances (and there have been several good ones) have been against big, traditional centre forwards.
Quote from: JackyFulham90 on January 15, 2014, 08:28:07 AM
I think there will be a few disappointed people Saturday.
I think Saturday the team will be
Stekelenburg
Riether Hangeland Amorebieta Riise
Parker Sidwell
Duff Dempsey Richardson
Berbatov
I would also play the team from last night but I reckon that team I just showed will be very close to the team that plays against Arsenal
Yeah I hope not. Duff should never start another game for us, especially over Dejagah. He has been a great servant but is now well past his best. As many have the said, the key against Norwich was width and pace. There is no need to revert back to a failed system.
