Official Injury Update from the Club

[mrska]

Official Fulham FC
FFC Injury Update: Left back Carlos Salcido will be out of action for 3-4 weeks after suffering a ruptured ligament against Aston Villa at the Cottage last weekend. Chris Baird has also been ruled out for 10 days with a muscle tear in his thigh. Full story:http://ning.it/aL3b25


John Pantsil should be getting a recall  then????

[The Doctor]

Yep, him and Kelly for the full-back slots tomorrow.  I'd be tempted to give Briggs a start at LB against Newcastle and Birmingham though.

[mrska]

Yep, him and Kelly for the full-back slots tomorrow.  I'd be tempted to give Briggs a start at LB against Newcastle and Birmingham though.

Briggs looked really good against Port Vale..  im suprised he hasn't had further chances since..

[The Doctor]

He got an injury in that game didn't he?  Shame as I thought he did well enough as well, albeit he wasn't given much of a test by Vale defensively.  By all accounts back for the reserves, so would like to think he's in with a shout in Salcido's absence

[mrska]

He got an injury in that game didn't he?  Shame as I thought he did well enough as well, albeit he wasn't given much of a test by Vale defensively.  By all accounts back for the reserves, so would like to think he's in with a shout in Salcido's absence

Yes mate i agree, perhaps hard to tell against Pot Vale,  but he did well and i do love a player willing to run at the opposition.

[The Doctor]

..and my God can he run, judging by the ground he covered to get on the end of that ball to produce the cross for our first (I think it was)

[epsomraver]

We really must bring youngsters through other wise what is the point of the academy?

[NogoodBoyo]

My one criticism of Hodgson was his ageism.  
Nogood "saying give youth a chance, itis" Boyo

[mrska]

We really must bring youngsters through other wise what is the point of the academy?

I agree..  youngsters will also avoid Fulham if they see that Academy players don't get any opportunities in the Full Squad

[Jimpav]

There are players from the full squad though that don't even make it onto the pitch.

We don't have the luxury that United and Arsenal have in terms of being able to field weakened sides in the cups or before European matches.

Every match is of signficance and by fielding a inexperienced player there is always the chance it will cost us 3 points.

Agreed that everyone has to start somewhere but I'm sure we have loaned out reserve team players in the past to lower league sides.

[mrska]

I agree Jim..  Im a little worried that the average age of our first team in up near 29..

I can see what youre saying..  Players like Briggs and the duo we got from Liverpool do need to get opportunies some when..  I don't have the answer sadly..

[TonyGilroy]

Hodgson wasn't shy of playing Smalling.

Kids have to be good enough before they're risked. I've no idea whether our present lot are but Hughes and his staff would be better judges than us.

No young player that we've released in the last 10 years has turned out to be good enough to have a Premier League career.

[FatFreddysCat]

Perhaps Duff or Davies might get a run out at full back,  been done before.

[mrska]

Duff came on for Salcido on Saturday  and did well..  again  running at players...

[Lighthouse]

Clearly the next two games could see us on the wrong end of a  hammering or two or watching heroes come from nowhere to kick start our season. Problem is whoever we have as fullbacks, who are the best players who can cover infront of them. I can only see Davies and Gera covering on the wings - both can come back and defend - Leaving Dembele and Demps to fight for scraps up front. Leaving Pants and Kelly as the only possibles at Full Back with Duff as a sub.

But who knows what magic MH has devised.  :49:

[ImperialWhite]

http://www.fulhamfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/FulhamTV/0,,10415,00.html

Strange that MH doesn't even mention Paintsil in the context of "options" given that our two starting fullbacks are injured. Perhaps Briggs will get a start?

[bigalffc]

It's gotta be Pants on the right, but how about Hughes at LB and Haliche in cb? Kelly doesn't cut it for me.

[Hazey]

Not a bad shout re Hughes to LB and Halliche into CB.

I have to say I don't agree with some people's thoughts that just because it is Chelsea we shouldnt be putting our young players in.

If they are the best available then they are ready.  I think we all agree Briggs could well be a better left back than Kelly?

Looking at the recent history of our trips to Stamford Bridge we come away with next to nothing, so what have we got to lose?  At the least he gets exposure to players from the best team in the competition and with a little luck we amy come away with something.

It's gotta be Pants on the right, but how about Hughes at LB and Haliche in cb? Kelly doesn't cut it for me.

[ImperialWhite]

But would Hughes offer enough going forwards? These days we are dependent upon our fullbacks for any sort of width in attack.