Category: team selection

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Team against Cardiff 20/10

Over on the forum we’ve been discussing who would be in our team to play against Cardiff…

whitejc

team against Cardiff

subs: Betts, Odoi, Bryan(if fit), Mawson, KMac, AK47, Vietto, 

we obviously need to do something at the back and with Fosu out for a while we have to stick with Christie, I don’t think he was as bad against Arsenal as some have made out.

Betts has had his chance but 8 goals in 2 games just isn’t good enough, so I think its time for Rico to be given a go, otherwise why did we bring him in?

milo

team against Cardiff

If Anguissa struggles with pace of game like at the weekend then MacDonald comes on around 60 minutes. 

 

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http://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?topic=67819.0

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Team against Arsenal 07/10

over on the forum we’ve been discussing who will play against Everton

milo

team against Arsenal

whitejc

Team against Arsenal

subs: Rico, Mawson, KMac, Cisse, AK47, Vietto

if Cairney isn’t fit enough for the full 90 minutes then swap him for KMac later in the game, but I’d start Tom. Ryan’s pace and guile will give the Arse something to worry about, he’s better the further upfield he plays

come over to the forum and join in the discussion…
http://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?topic=67702.0

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Team against Millwall 25/09

over on the forum we’ve been discussing who will play against Millwall in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday…

whitejc

do we want a cup run? as fans I suspect we do, Slaviša may want to concentrate on the league however we all know that winning games brings confidence.

So will we go ‘full strength’ against a Millwall team who are having a tough time in the Championship but will be looking for revenge against last seasons result, or play the ‘2nd string’ or even give some of the youngsters a game?

I think it’ll be mainly the 2nd string players unless Tom and Tim are fit enough and need to gain some ‘match fitness’, so assuming those two aren’t quite ready here’s my selection…

Team against Millwall

I’m assuming that Kebano is fit enough to play

 

come over to the forum and give us your team…
http://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?topic=67623.0

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Team against Watford 22/09

over on the forum we’ve been discussing who should be in the team against Watford, here are a couple…

whitejc

Fulham v Watford

subs: Rico, Fosu-Mensah, Chambers, StefJo, AK47, Vietto

until Ream is fit I think that the CBs will be Mawson and either MLM, Chambers or Odoi
when Tom is back, I think Saturday will be too soon?, then either Anguissa or KMac will make way
Sess didn’t disgrace himself against City but we all know he’s better playing up front

Lighthouse

Christie is the better player going forward. His final ball is poor but at least he dies get into the positions to cross. Would still play Odoi and Mawson in the middle with Bryan coming in on the left.

Midfield Seri and Zamb will start. Cairney I think will still be out which leaves Mac or Johanson. I don’t go along with the constant criticism of Johanson not being Prem Quality. He was awful against City but then that is hardly a fair comparison on one game.

Front three name themselves.

grandad

Team for Watford

I don´t think Cairney or Ream will feature. If Cairney is fit then he comes in for Zambo.

milo

team against Watford

Mawson will need practice at RCB as Ream is now likely to return next week in his usual LCB role. Then it’s either Odoi or MLM at LCB in the interim. MLM is the more natural LCB and has looked most comfortable playing in that position this season. Just as long as he keeps an eye on those passes out from the back!

In midfield I choose to give Johansen another run out. His form in League Cup and in Internationals earned him a call up last week but City away can hardly be the acid test for his season.

Sessegnon was one of the few to turn up last week and has earned a re-call in his favoured position. However, if we are lacking an attacking threat then I would have a low threshold to bring on Kamara at or around 60 minutes.

Watford have been in good form this season but we have to be competing with these teams if we are to survive this year (and more).

come and join in the debate over on the forum…
http://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?topic=67529.0

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Team against Man City 15/09

Over on the forum we’ve been discussing which team we’d choose to play against Man City this weekend, here are a couple of team selections…

whitejc

team against Man City

I think Betts hasn’t done anything that would cause him to be dropped, I know thats not a ‘ringing endorsement’ but I’m not sure there’s a lot of difference between all 3 goalies?

There’s been no word on Ream so I have to assume he’s still not fit, he needs to get game time ASAP as we need a consistent back 4.

I’ve selected KMac as Tom will still be out? Seri one of the first names on the team sheet and Anguissa has shown so really good touches

I’d put Ryan on from the start, Vietto hasn’t done much wrong (apart from giving away that pen) but I believe this game is one that Ryan can really shine. Mitro is the first name on the team sheet and Schurrle has shown  glimpses of how good he was/can be.

milo

team against Man City

Sessegnon to switch with Schurrle and provide cover for weaker flank depending on how City attack.

Notable inclusions:
Fosu-Mensah gets one more chance to keep his place after losing his man on a number of important occasions last weekend. Le Marchand however does lose his for giving the ball away for two goals in two subsequent weeks. Both Odoi and MLM seem to take up good positions and make intelligent interceptions, but are prone to errors that get punished at this level. The decision to play Odoi instead came down to the fact he hasn’t made one yet this season.

In midfield, Johansen fresh from two goals for Norway midweek and an assist against Exeter previously comes in to provide some box to box counter attacking threat. 

In attack, Sessegnon’s defending and his reputation (ie bizarrely as a fast paced winger hugging the touch lines) will be useful to peg back City’s full back on that side. Kamara to come on as we tire around 70 minutes. 

 

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http://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?topic=67472.0

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Team against Brighton 01/09

Over on the forum we’ve been discussing which team we’d choose to play against Burnley this weekend, here are a few team selections…

whitejc

Brighton v Fulhamsubs: Fabri, Odoi, Christie, Vietto, Stef Jo, KMac, AK47

We’ve now got an impressive squad with at least two players fighting for each starting place so I think Slav will rotate the team for most games in the early part of the season, once everyone has fully ‘clicked’ we may see less ’tinkering’ especially at the back where partnerships are invaluable, think of Aaron & Brede, “the Thames Barrier” they were far better together than apart!

Its very difficult to argue that anyone who played against Burnley should be dropped however I think for ‘tactical’ reasons that Chambers will get the nod over Odoi even though he had a good game last Sunday.
I also think that Anguissa will start as I don’t think Brighton are as ‘physical’ as Burnley.
For me Ryan gets the start ahead of Vietto, who had a really impressive game but I think our ‘boy wonder’  will show the premiership why he’s so highly regarded.

milo

Brighton v Fulham

Bettinelli now has the shirt to lose and despite one or two wayward long balls he did nothing wrong against Burnley. He did not stand a chance with either goal in my opinion. 

I think both full backs need upgrading if we are to really make the most of our style. Both Fosu-Mensah and Bryan are capable defenders and can make up the numbers while we are on the attack. However neither can bring what Fredericks brought last year and take it past the last defender and really make chances from nothing when we are struggling.

I felt Odoi was quite comfortable at the weekend. I actually thought he did as well as he could for the first goal and was rather unlucky. He continued to contribute to building the attack. I think Mawson will replace him long term so hopefully Odoi can avoid any massive clangers until then like at times last season. 

Up front Kamara replaces Vietto who for me was largely ineffective against Burnley despite popular opinion and had quite a few loose balls and touches. Burnley’s tired legs after 70 minutes flattered him. Kamara in the meantime got another brace midweek to add to his promotion-winning form last season and remains my hot tip to breakthrough this season.

 

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http://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?topic=67256.0

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Team against Burnley 26/08

Over on the forum we’ve been discussing which team we’d choose to play against Burnley this weekend, here are a few team selections…

whitejc

team against Burnleysubs: Rico, Fosu-Mensah, Chambers, McDonald, Johansen, Schurrle, Vietto
I thought Fabri did OK against Spurs so I think he’ll get the start
Christie & Ream(if fit) for Fosu-Mensah & Chambers
the midfield looked good, a bit harsh on KMac but you don’t pay £20-£30 million and leave Anguissa on the bench especially after his good performance against Spurs
I’d revert Sees back to the left side and keep AK on the right, Mitre must be the first name on the team sheet

love4ffc

team against Burnley*Agree with those who leave the back the same.  Including Fabri even though he is making me more and more nervous.  it’s just too soon to pass judgement on him.
*Bryan remains but Ak goes to the bench as we need someone to offer better cover down the left side. 
*Midfield remain the same from Spurs match but would like to see Sess back on the left and Shurrle on the right up top splitting Mitro. 
*Can understand people wanting to get away from the attack minded 4-3-3 formation but I just can’t see it.  Slav likes and believes in the possession game. If the team is able to gel more then I do believe over time the system will work.  Of course that means the players do need to start making quicker decisions and faster one touch passes, especially in the box.  

Like the idea of seeing some of Vietto.

milo

team against BurnleyI remain unconvinced by Fabri’s decision making coming off the line. For the second week in a row I am picking the consistent, safe goalkeeper who I still tip to get an England cap in the next 1-2 years (provided we play him!).
Le Marchand got a lot of praise for his performance last week. However, as Ream is hopefully now fit and having seen his faultless display in pre season he returns to LCB. MLM on the other hand showed us in the same pre season games that he struggles out of position, so Chambers gets the nod.
I think Christie really embraced the Fulham ethos by getting down the right flank and supporting the strikers. I felt that although his crossing of the ball in dangerous situations could’ve been improved, I do not think he deserved to be dropped last week.
Kamara did not quite hit his stride against Tottenham and the occasion got to him a bit. I think he will settle down and will prove to be one of our main threats. Sessegnon had a typical performance – seemingly out the game for long periods but was involved in the goal scoring move. I do not think Schurrle has done enough to replace him.

 

 

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Team against Spurs 18/08

Over on the forum we’ve been discussing which team we’d choose to play against Spurs at Wembley this weekend, here are a couple of team selections…

WhiteJC

Spurs v Fulham (whitejc)

Although Fabri wasn’t as bad as some have made out, I think that we’ve loaned Rico to give both Betts and Fabri competition so I think he’ll get the nod against Spurs.

Assuming Ream and Bryan are fit I think this will be our regular starting back four until Mawson is fully fit.

The midfield three picks itself.

Harsh on Schurrle as I don’t think he did much wrong against Palace however, I’m going for AK rather than Schurrle as I like him, I think he’s going to get better and better as the season progresses. Sess further upfield is a no-brainer as is Mitro.

Not sure about the subs but I would probably choose

Fabri, Le Marchand, Schurrle, Vietto, Fosu-Mensah, Johansen, Kebano

Milo

Spurs v Fulham (milo)

Notable inclusions:

GK: Bettinelli
With the season well underway, we are forced to make a decision on our keeper after seeing them play for just 1-2 games. I would like to see Rico in the flesh, but until then Bettinelli takes the number 1 spot. Fabri was brought in for better distribution which we have not seen yet, but more worryingly we have seen his poor decision making coming off his line to take crosses, defend free kicks, and in 1 on 1s. I was disappointed by Marcus’s tweet, I think the more sensible approach would have been to let Fabri put the nails in his own coffin.  

LCB: Ream
Hopefully he will be fit. I had read a few reservations about him stepping up to the Premiership on the forum, but having seen the Celta Vigo game he was faultless and will bring a great deal of solidity to our back four. 

LB: Le Marchand
This was based on Bryan being injured. The Le Marchand we saw do well against Palace is not the player we saw in pre-season. That suggests to me that he struggles when out of position (ie not at LCB where Ream will return). That said, we either play MLM or Sess at left back. I do not think our full backs will get chance to go forward as much against Spurs so I have gone for the out-and-out defender. 

RW: Kamara
Controversial. You’ve got to get the Sessegnon balance right – haul him off after one quiet game and you may affect his confidence. He is a level-headed young player though and will not let his head drop. I would much rather he came on with 20 minutes to go and pop up in the right place at the right time as we all know he can. On to Kamara, he is a real handful. Not at all what we all thought we were buying last summer, instead of the nippy striker we have got a battering ram. In the final few games of last season he suddenly developed a great first touch, good close control and passing. I think he will be an important player this season.

 

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