http://www.britishpathe.com/video/blackpool-v-fulham/query/fulham v blackpool Never done posted a link before so I hope this works. So it's Blackpool up next - what do you think continue with much of the same team that have been leading the revival or give a few other faces a chance. It's a tricky one as we need to keep up this momentum but it would be good to see the likes of Kasami given aother chance.
I'm going to this game. Looking forward to seeing the view from the Haynes Stand, which is something I have never done before (as I am a Hammersmith End resident). I think there is scope for bringing some fringe players in, as we have a very important game coming up against Wigan. However I would want Karagounis and Sidwell to start again as they seem to be building some good chemistry. To be honest we brought in a number of fringe players a few games ago, so changes are not as obvious. Maybe bring Baird in at CB, give Kelly some time at RB and start Frei on the right. Berbatov could be rested, although that should be his choice. Stockdale Kelly - Baird - Hughes/Senderos - Briggs Frei - Sidwell - Karagounis - Kacaniklic Ruiz - Petric/Rodallega
Just out of interest, how much are the tickets for this game? I am going to Villa Park to see them play (or get thumped) by Ipswich - returning a favour for a mate who came to see Fulham earlier this season - tickets at Villa were £10 which i thought was great value.
This one should be okay COYW [video=youtube;0rEc0S6sSA8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rEc0S6sSA8&feature=player_detailpage[/video]
Should players be rested after 4 games in 10 days ? Should fringe/younger players be given a chance ? In my opinion yes and no. The Club is crying out for a cup run so I'd stick with pretty much the team that has performed well in the last two games. To start with at least (lessons to be learned from Benitez 'rotating' players tonight ??). I would rest Berbatov and Dejagah, bringing in two 'oldies' Petric and Duff, who need game time, to replace them. So my starting line-up would be - ............Stockdale..... ..Riether..Hughes..Hangeland..Riise.. ..........Kara......Sidwell.... ..Duff.......Ruiz......Kaca.... ...........Petric.... Footnote 1: if Senderos replaces Hangeland it may mean we don't want Brede cup tied and place a marker about his future. Footnote 2: if we do make the 'rumoured' new signings by Friday (Bolat, Boateng, David) one or more could feature, at least on the bench.
Whether or not Schwarzer is fit, I'd stick with Stockdale for the cup game, even if Jol intends to bring MS back once he's fit again in the league. Other than that, I'd hope we pick as strong a team as possible. After finally turning round our shocking run of form, momentum and morale are more important than giving fringe players/youth a run out. If we buy well in the window, we're one of those teams who could conceivably win the FA Cup. Let's not throw away that chance by taking a Championship side for granted and playing a weakened side. The reason I'd make an exception for Stockdale is that this season really seems like a crossroads for him and his Fulham career. It sounds like he played well at West Brom, if he can build on that with another solid display it might convince Jol that he's the man to eventually replace Schwarzer. If he doesn't, it might make Jol's mind up the other way.
Don't know if the 'Bollock' does FA Cup predictions, so posting in this thread how the Chickens reckon we will do against Blackpool. It is indeed a Fulham win [video=youtube;q1EwQ8lBq-U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=q1EwQ8lBq-U[/video] Training since Tuesday, from what I hear has been a fairly relaxed affair but 'hopefully' Jol will be preparing them (still no clues as to his actual selection) against complacency - Blackpool will be far from a walkover !!
He does do predicitons and he reckons we will win 2 - 0. No real reasoning behind this other than Blackpool have drawn a lot of games since Appleton took over and Fulham had a good win away on New Year's Day.
Jol has confirmed in today's press interview that Petric, Duff, Diarra, Schwarzer, Riise, Kelly are all out for the Blackpool game. That would hint at the same starting line-up as against West Brom.
There's never anything wrong with keeping a winning team, but will he want to risk the likes of Berbatov or Ruiz getting injured with a vital game against Wigan coming up. Could he try out Rodallega and Kacaniklic together with Frei playing attacking midfield. Kara and Sidwell holding with Riether and Briggs attacking down the wing.
Here (accoding to the Club) is what Jol said about the injuries - including confirmation that Diarra will go to the ACON, despite his injury - and his intentions about the side for tomorrow -
I think Jol will play a very similar team to the one which won at West Brom (I smile as I type those last 4 words....) because:- a. Blackpool are a good side and we need to take them seriously b. The injuries as mentioned above (and that's a pretty long list by the way) c. Part of the reason we've been so inconsistent recently is the many changes in the line-up (apparently Riether is only player who has played every PL game) and it seems unhelpful to change it yet again when the 11 who played on tuesday played pretty well together. I think Ruiz and Berba will both play, Ruiz because he needs to keep up his match fitness and Berba because he loves playing football and scoring goals and won't want to be dropped. But we shall see in less than 24 hours time......
Riether has probably been my favourite player this season, aside from Berba. It's been a long while since we've had a consistent and capable right back.
Starting XI: Stockdale; Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Briggs; Dejagah, Karagounis, Sidwell, Kacaniklic; Berbatov, Ruiz A very strong team, should be a good game - COYW!
Gentleman Jim not happy about a supposed handball by Kevin Phillips leading up to their goal. Blackpool sound like they're defending deep and we're struggling to break them down. Rodallega has just come on for Dejagah so hopefully we'll up the tempo now.
