Fulham (away) build-up

[breffniboy]

sure werent fulham in a relegation scrap and warnock's cabbage brain imploded cos rafa put out his daughters and missus and a couple of local toddlers? he blamed that on being relegated, rather than being an utter shower of useless fannies all season.

[Jack D Rips]

******* Bennett is the referee by the way

[-V-]

Skrtle scored an own goal last night to top off a great week for him LOL. Think agger played the whole game for Denmark so it will be interesting to see who starts with Carra.

Would not be a massive surprise if Riera is rested and we see 2 of Dossena/Aurelio/Insua down the left wing. The rest pricks itself, Alonso and Lucas in the middle with Kuyt wide right and Gerrard and Torres up top

[vonk]

As long the man who makes us tick is playing, we'll be ok. Step forward Xabi Alonso. Immense this season.

[Matt]

Skrtle scored an own goal last night to top off a great week for him LOL. Think agger played the whole game for Denmark so it will be interesting to see who starts with Carra.

Would not be a massive surprise if Riera is rested and we see 2 of Dossena/Aurelio/Insua down the left wing. The rest pricks itself, Alonso and Lucas in the middle with Kuyt wide right and Gerrard and Torres up top

haha poor Martin, I think Rafa will have him straight back in the side though. Get straight back on the horse after you fall off kind of thing.

I think his Slovakia performances highlight how we're not quite ready to see the Agger-Skrtel partnership taking over yet though. Perhaps that's worth a thread on its own, I might do just that

I'll be happy with the same XI that played against Villa, Lucas in for Masch though and Babel on the bench.

One thing's for sure, we can't give away any pens...

[JohnDoe]

Fulham are a balanced and dangerous team and Johnson/Zamora are a nuisance. They don't have a glaring weakness, we need to play our game and keep the ball.

[PTP]

Another massive game which basically every game is from now on

I just hope, and i'm not having a go or trying to start a kick off here - that rafa doesn't do anything crazy and picks a random team that noone could predict. Get the best players available on the pitch and get at them early doors.

I agree, i doubt mascher will start following his trip up the bolivian mountains so a massive game for lucas - i am hoping torres is starting to get some fitness back and terrorises their defence

Reina

arbeloa
carra
skrtel
aurelio

alonso
lucas

kuyt
gerrard
riera

torres


Just don't let lucas attempt to make any tackles and we should be ok

[Matt]

Another massive game which basically every game is from now on

I just hope, and i'm not having a go or trying to start a kick off here - that rafa doesn't do anything crazy and picks a random team that noone could predict. Get the best players available on the pitch and get at them early doors.

I agree, i doubt mascher will start following his trip up the bolivian mountains so a massive game for lucas - i am hoping torres is starting to get some fitness back and terrorises their defence

Reina

arbeloa
carra
skrtel
aurelio

alonso
lucas

kuyt
gerrard
riera

torres


Just don't let lucas attempt to make any tackles and we should be ok

That'll do for me. I'd happily strangle Rafa if he ****s about with this one.

[BG1973]

i went to see them play city and they were distinctly aveage as were city.

if we perform then the result will take care of itself. Need to start the game firing on all cylinders.

[DannyMan2006]

With Masch suspended for the Chelsea game I could see him starting this one. Though maybe it would be best if he was used as a sub to bring on for one of the starters for Chelsea if we get off to a good start.

[Craig_H]

Mascher might struggle with being sharp for this, after his world cup qualifier in the clouds.

[DannyMan2006]

Mascher might struggle with being sharp for this, after his world cup qualifier in the clouds.

I was thinking that, but with no game midweek he could probably play and then be back in peak condition for next week.

But with the Fulham squad in peak condition Hodgson will probably try and get a fast tempo going as he did against the Mancs so we would have to be aware to that outcome.

First goal vital, as always.

[RedReet]

i went to see them play city and they were distinctly aveage as were city.

if we perform then the result will take care of itself. Need to start the game firing on all cylinders.

Made a similar point in predictions thread. Provided nothing extraordinary happens, it should be a formality. People are getting too carried away with them beating ten men.

Mascher might struggle with being sharp for this, after his world cup qualifier in the clouds.

I’d be just as worried about his psychological state after captaining the Argies for their greatest ever defeat (joint greatest). I love Mascherano, but don't think he should or will play on Saturday.

[Rigadon]

Another massive game which basically every game is from now on

I just hope, and i'm not having a go or trying to start a kick off here - that rafa doesn't do anything crazy and picks a random team that noone could predict. Get the best players available on the pitch and get at them early doors.

I agree, i doubt mascher will start following his trip up the bolivian mountains so a massive game for lucas - i am hoping torres is starting to get some fitness back and terrorises their defence

Reina

arbeloa
carra
skrtel
aurelio

alonso
lucas

kuyt
gerrard
riera

torres


Just don't let lucas attempt to make any tackles and we should be ok

Play our strongest possible side and make changes after 60 minutes, if needed.

[certifiable]

The whole debate about whether the break would help utd..

I just feel like it's bound to have helped, simply because it feels ages ago since they were "in turmoil" and today is the first day I've seen fergie in press, but I don't think he's having to face the music the way he would if they'd had immediate game after fulham one.

He's talking as someone well rested, revitalised etc.

Having said that, if we can get max points, utd drop some in the 2 games this weekend, pressure will be on big time and will continue to be on consistently with no ****ty break to allow them off the hook