shefcanary 2,466 Posted December 31, 2011 starting 11 Ruddy, Martin, Johnson, Morison, Whitbread, Surman, Pilkington, Hoolahan (C), Fox, Naughton, Ayala5 - 4 - 1? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shefcanary 2,466 Posted December 31, 2011 Still can''t get my head round this one. Can Ayala play left back? Otherwise Pilks / Surman are the only other options and that would make 6 at the back. Have I woken with a new year hangover already? Drury must have not recovered from Tuesday then? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nuff Said 5,178 Posted December 31, 2011 I''m a fan of Tierney, but thought Drury should keep his place after the Spurs game - he was excellent - so to see neither in the team is worrying. Here''s hoping Ayala steps up to take his chance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shefcanary 2,466 Posted December 31, 2011 Snorefolk speculating Drury must not be fit. They are as confused as me as to who will play Left back - thinking Martin or Naughton will be with Whitbread and Ayala centre half pairing - not convinced with that tbh but at least Fulham don''t have a winger good enough to scare either stand in LB. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smooth 114 Posted December 31, 2011 Well if that is the defensive set up, then fair play. Maybe one of Martin or Naughton will swap sides? I think the best thing is the midfield is shaken up a little, very interesting team selection. This is a game we need to win, so I am happy that we have changed our system from the last few outings where we have not picked up all the points we should have. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jack Barak 46 Posted December 31, 2011 KN or RM at left back? Anyone take a point from this one before kick off or will we disappointed with anything less than 3? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shefcanary 2,466 Posted December 31, 2011 With the big 3 strikers out of the Fulham line up certainly 3 was my thought, and first clean sheet. Not so convinced now - Lambo being defensive to start with before unleashing the Holt on the hour? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
a1canary 0 Posted December 31, 2011 You have to think we need a win from this to avoid losing momentum, but they have a strong side. Their defence alone is very experienced and Ruiz has looked handy, as you''d expect of a £10m striker. Just hope their off field probs, away form and our home advantage see us through. Good to see Pilkington in the side but I think Holt is unlucky to lose his place after Moro''s no show v Spurs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howson is now! 0 Posted December 31, 2011 Could be Martin and Ayala in the middle with Whitbread at LB. He is left footed and played at left back for the youth team at Liverpool whilst coming through the ranks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YankeeCanary 0 Posted December 31, 2011 This is going to be one tough game I suspect. We don''t have anyone of the calibre of Danny Murphy to boss the midfield and, I suspect, a lot of the game will be played there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smooth 114 Posted December 31, 2011 I think this is a must win and we need to go into this game with that mentality, we have started slow in a number of games recently this one however we cannot afford that. They could be tough opposition and have begun performing, but we need to step up. I have no problem with bringing on Holt later in the game, but we need to come out of the blocks firing. We do not need to go to Loftus Road thinking we need a win there, otherwise it will be the end of jan. and time will begin to slip away. Awin there owuld be great, I certainly think it is probable (I also think we need another away win asap) but a point at Loftus Road would be good. I do feel we need to step up and show that we are going to get those points early rather than battle through till the end of the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shefcanary 2,466 Posted December 31, 2011 YC - could therefore a 3-5-1-1 be on the cards then to flood midfield? Not long to find out now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whoareyou? 0 Posted December 31, 2011 Could be Naughton plays RM and Whitbread LB? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aggy 766 Posted December 31, 2011 Would appear, according to the official site to be Naughton at left back, Martin at right back, Ayala Whitbread in the middle and then the 5 in midfield. Fairly happy with that - I assume Drury isn''t fit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jack Barak 46 Posted December 31, 2011 Good finish but oh dear...take that point now? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Making Plans 940 Posted December 31, 2011 This could get embarrasing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Time to go Delia 0 Posted December 31, 2011 Defence nowhere near good enough , could be 2 already . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ginja 26 Posted December 31, 2011 [quote user="Prem1"]Defence nowhere near good enough , could be 2 already .[/quote]Spot on, defense is still a pile of sh*t...Can''t see us staying up, only hope is that our attack improves, going the same way as Blackpool... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lambo 0 Posted December 31, 2011 We''re so poor defensively it hurts.C''mon lads, today is must win! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Making Plans 940 Posted December 31, 2011 Good spell but need a goal Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manbearpig 0 Posted December 31, 2011 Its so pathetic its laughable! People have a go at Merson for saying we won''t keep a clean sheet all season well in all honesty he is probably right! We look ok going forward but we never make the right ball its frustrating! Supporting Norwich should come with a health warning! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jack Barak 46 Posted December 31, 2011 The defense is poor at the minute but it is makeshift - we have a right back at left back, have a centre half playing only his second Prem game who is also coming back from three months out, he is partnered by a centre half who has just had three months out. A Little perspective would help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Making Plans 940 Posted December 31, 2011 Is Pilkington actually on the pitch? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ginja 26 Posted December 31, 2011 [quote user="Sir Humphrey Appleby"]The defense is poor at the minute but it is makeshift - we have a right back at left back, have a centre half playing only his second Prem game who is also coming back from three months out, he is partnered by a centre half who has just had three months out. A Little perspective would help.[/quote]The defense has been poor all season, today is no excuse Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jack Barak 46 Posted December 31, 2011 [quote user="Notts Canary"][quote user="Sir Humphrey Appleby"]The defense is poor at the minute but it is makeshift - we have a right back at left back, have a centre half playing only his second Prem game who is also coming back from three months out, he is partnered by a centre half who has just had three months out. A Little perspective would help.[/quote]The defense has been poor all season, today is no excuse[/quote]Not an excuse, perspective - if ot has been poor all season you couldn''t have expected it to be better today in light of the circumstances. Also, the defense needs some help from those in front of them, we should not just rely on the back five players - defending is a team event. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ginja 26 Posted December 31, 2011 Offside for the fourth time... I''m guessing this will be a re-occuring theme for the afternoon...Lucky not to be 2 or 3 down to be honest... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smooth 114 Posted December 31, 2011 Did you see Ruiz ghost past Fox at the half way line, great save from Ruddy as Fox just trundled back. His passing is good, but his fitness, drive and gritty ability is not always there. There players are so quick, making our guys look very sluggish Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ginja 26 Posted December 31, 2011 [quote user="Sir Humphrey Appleby"][quote user="Notts Canary"][quote user="Sir Humphrey Appleby"]The defense is poor at the minute but it is makeshift - we have a right back at left back, have a centre half playing only his second Prem game who is also coming back from three months out, he is partnered by a centre half who has just had three months out. A Little perspective would help.[/quote]The defense has been poor all season, today is no excuse[/quote]Not an excuse, perspective - if ot has been poor all season you couldn''t have expected it to be better today in light of the circumstances. Also, the defense needs some help from those in front of them, we should not just rely on the back five players - defending is a team event.[/quote]To be fair that''s a good point, usually the strong point for us is our holding midfield and attacking play, making up for our poor defense, without it we look a very poor side. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Making Plans 940 Posted December 31, 2011 We''re making Fulham look better than Spurs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Time to go Delia 0 Posted December 31, 2011 We do not seem to carry much attacking threat either , all huff and puff and not much else. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites