Hold on a second.. What the hell happened??

[Aaron]

We were on a lengthy run that would have made Lawrie Sanchez' Fulham look like title contenders, there was no belief, every time a Fulham player had the ball they looked like a rabbit in the headlights of an oncoming Russian articulated lorry, we couldn't score or pass or defend...

Then out of the absolute blue, we put in shifts of glory against West Ham and Man U.

In the first 10 seconds of both of those games we never looked like we were going to roll over.. United were SCARED of us in the 2nd half last weekend.. What gives?  We going to keep this up?  How did we have this total change of heart overnight?  Anyone any ideas because I can't work it out.

[Logicalman]

For the last match, our tactics changed and players were allowed to pass it to whom they wanted, compared to recent tactics of everyone having to pass it to that guy with the shirt motto "Keep Calm ....".

Made a whole host of difference being able to play open football again, and let players like Duffy and Ashkan take longer runs at the defence.

[Lighthouse]

Simple - last two matches Jol stopped playing the slow but brilliant Berbatov in front of the slow but brilliant Ruiz. We needed pace at at last he played Rodders with two wingers and in one game Berbatov supporting. Makes much more sense and allows the team some breathing space. It angers me he did not get this before.

[God The Mechanic]

Simple - last two matches Jol stopped playing the slow but brilliant Berbatov in front of the slow but brilliant Ruiz.

Not in the WHam game?

[Frankie-Peter Taylor]

I'm pretty certain that Hugo Rodallega is the key to this change of playing. When we play Ruiz off of Berbatov, both drop so deep (such being their playing style) that we're forced to play in our own half with little pace. Rodallega gives us the option of stretching the opponents defence with both pace and power. Hugo can also link up superbly with Berbatov.

[Lighthouse]

Simple - last two matches Jol stopped playing the slow but brilliant Berbatov in front of the slow but brilliant Ruiz.

Not in the WHam game?

Rodders played up the centre in both the West Ham and Man Utd games. Berbatov played alongside and as support against Spam.

[Humbled]

I'm pretty certain that Hugo Rodallega is the key to this change of playing. When we play Ruiz off of Berbatov, both drop so deep (such being their playing style) that we're forced to play in our own half with little pace. Rodallega gives us the option of stretching the opponents defence with both pace and power. Hugo can also link up superbly with Berbatov.

:plus one:

[Ordar]

As mentioned above, having Hugo stretch the defence adds another dimension to our play, and also creates space for others.

Also Senderos played in our last two games, which had improved performances  086.gif

[God The Mechanic]

Rodders played up the centre in both the West Ham and Man Utd games. Berbatov played alongside and as support against Spam.

Yeah, I think Rodallega playing (well) has made a big difference.  Hopefully these last two games have shown how Berba and Ruiz can play in the same team.

[Humbled]

Rodders played up the centre in both the West Ham and Man Utd games. Berbatov played alongside and as support against Spam.

Yeah, I think Rodallega playing (well) has made a big difference.  Hopefully these last two games have shown how Berba and Ruiz can play in the same team.

only thing is i think we have better options than playing Ruiz out wide.... i would like to have seen Duffer on the right and Urby on the left

[Bassey the warrior]

In case you've all forgotten both Ruiz and Berba started against West Ham and played most of the game and yet we still played really well so that rumour has to be put to bed. Personally I think central defence was key and shockingly Senderos. His excellent distribution allowed us to link defence to midfield and at times to start a quick counter attack with accurate long balls. Rodallega also played a pivotal role, he's led the line superbly.

[God The Mechanic]

only thing is i think we have better options than playing Ruiz out wide.... i would like to have seen Duffer on the right and Urby on the left

I've been more impressed with Duff on the left in the last two games than when he's been on the right for most of this season.  But yeah, there are better options in terms of wingers, but maybe it's worth not having  natural "winger" on one side if it means keeping Ruiz in the team?  I personally feel he adds way more than he takes away, most of the time at least.

[Bassey the warrior]

As mentioned above, having Hugo stretch the defence adds another dimension to our play, and also creates space for others.

Also Senderos played in our last two games, which had improved performances  086.gif

Senderos made two errors in the last two games and both led or  nearly led to goals, Nolan nearly scored and Rooney did. But apart from that he's been excellent. Fair play to the guy, hopefully he can keep up this form.

[Fulham1959]

We were on a lengthy run that would have made Lawrie Sanchez' Fulham look like title contenders, there was no belief, every time a Fulham player had the ball they looked like a rabbit in the headlights of an oncoming Russian articulated lorry, we couldn't score or pass or defend...

Then out of the absolute blue, we put in shifts of glory against West Ham and Man U.

In the first 10 seconds of both of those games we never looked like we were going to roll over.. United were SCARED of us in the 2nd half last weekend.. What gives?  We going to keep this up?  How did we have this total change of heart overnight?  Anyone any ideas because I can't work it out.

Normal service has been resumed, then. 

When I first read this topic, earlier today, I thought it was rather tempting fate.

[zschwartz]

international duty or not, rip riether and dejagah from the side and you have removed the engine of the team. duff and rodallega at least provided some semblance of momentum, however confused and isolated.

[alfie]

As mentioned above, having Hugo stretch the defence adds another dimension to our play, and also creates space for others.

Also Senderos played in our last two games, which had improved performances  086.gif

Senderos made two errors in the last two games and both led or  nearly led to goals, Nolan nearly scored and Rooney did. But apart from that he's been excellent. Fair play to the guy, hopefully he can keep up this form.

I can't believe you have just bagged out Senderos over WHU & Manure, correct me if i am wrong but i thought it was Berbatov that was at fault re Nolan attempt, give the guy a break, at least he wants and tries to play a bit of football.

[ffc73]

Rodders played up the centre in both the West Ham and Man Utd games. Berbatov played alongside and as support against Spam.

Hopefully these last two games have shown how Berba and Ruiz can play in the same team.

0001.gif

only thing is i think we have better options than playing Ruiz out wide....
[/quote]

:plus one:


For me it's Berba or Ruiz in the no.10 position and my preference is for Ruiz with any of Duff, Dejagah, Kaca or Urby out wide