Fulham (H) 3/11 Build-Up Thread #fridaynightlights

[Deutsch Wolf]

I have a suspicion we'll go with exactly the same team as last night. Would be odd to put Bennett in for one game and then take him back out.

Big Alf seemed to do enough to retain his spot, unlucky Romain, maybe don't get booked in the 90th minute next time.

2016/17: D 4-4 (H), W 3-1 (A)
2015/16: W 3-2 (H), W 3-0 (A)
2014/15: W 3-0 (H), W 1-0 (A), D 0-0 (A, FAC), D 3-3 (H, FAC, lost on pens)
2011/12: W 2-0 (H), L 0-5 (A)
2010/11: D 1-1 (H), L 1-2 (A)
2009/10: W 2-1 (H), D 0-0 (A)
2003/4: W 2-1 (H), D 0-0 (A)
2000/1: D 0-0 (H), L 0-2 (A)
1999/0: W 3-0 (H), W 1-0 (A)
1997/8: W 1-0 (A, LC), W 1-0 (H, LC)
1995/6: W 2-0 (H, LC), W 5-1 (A, LC)

 

[Deleted Cyber]

good performance and three points please. No changes in starting 11. Fulham will be smarting after the Bristol match and I expect them to be harder to break down. I dont think they will come to park the bus. Score first and we win. They score first and they have something to hang on too. I think they will score too but we will have to much. 2-1

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

There's no way they can sit in and try to stop us playing. Their midfield is exclusively full of ball players who tackle like Steve Corica. They've got to go toe to toe with us.

They were easily the best footballing team I saw us play last season though they are seriously soft and the goalkeeper is awful.

 

[Langers]

Yeah same XI for me. Alf hasn't let us down when he's played - the shirt is his now, despite Saiss being so impressive so far. It's an excellent dilemma.

Looking forward to this - I'm in the Steve Bull Lower for the first time in about a decade (for nostalgic purposes and to get some photos of the BW to help with the mural I'm doing for my son).

 

[Deleted Cyber]

There's no way they can sit in and try to stop us playing. Their midfield is exclusively full of ball players who tackle like Steve Corica. They've got to go toe to toe with us.

They were easily the best footballing team I saw us play last season though they are seriously soft and the goalkeeper is awful.

Agreed- they have to come and play as its their strength although they cant be gung ho. A win here sets up November nicely with games against teams going through some tough times , Reading Leeds and Bolton ( although you know what category Bolton come under!) Time to push on this month. 3 wins in four would be really really nice.

On a side note I know we give Colin stick but his Cardiff side are top of the form table from 1st Jan to now with 69 points from 38 games. We are 3rd with 62 from 37.

 

[lemonjelly]

Alf may have made a case, but for me the shirt is still the property of Saiss.

Alf will get further chances, Neves is on 4 bookings now I think, so 1 away from an enforced rest.

 

[LG Wolf]

Ruddy; Miranda, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Saiss, Neves, Vinagre; Jota, Bonatini, Cavaleiro

For me that's our strongest team on paper and current form, not fussed in the slightest if Norris, Bennett, Douglas, N'Diaye, Batth, Bright or Costa were to play though.

Incredible options.

 

[Parkins left foot]

Reality is that N'Daiye and Saiss bring different attributes to the team (as do Neves & Price, though having 4 central midfielders who range from more than competent to brilliant is a testament to the recruitment).

Happy to let Nuno decide which combination best deals with the opponent of the day.

The fact is that whoever makes the starting 11 we will still have 7 on the bench with real quality & can't fit players like Ronan into the equation

 

[PuntsWolf]

I’d keep the same team, I like Alfred’s industry whilst still having footballing ability (take note Dave Edwards fans, it’s possible to have both), and taking Bennett out would shatter his confidence and would be very unfair as we’ve been solid every time he’s played and he’s waited patiently. Would also send a message out to the other fringe players that they still have a role to play if they get a look in and apply themselves.

I think we will win this comfortably if we take our chances. They aren’t playing that well and they just aren’t as good as us on paper if we go toe to toe. Plus they have always been fragile at the back which you would hope we can exploit with our options.

 

[b3h]

Agree Re- Bennett, done well and should get another game.

Saiss v Alf is a tough one. Saiss fanboi but also love a bit of Alf. I'll trust Nuno!

Costa really needs to get back on track... Not sure whether bench or start is best.

 

[Siggy]

I agree with most of the above unchanged for me too, Bennett did well and is probably slightly better on the ball than Batth and Boly is just epic.

I like Alf he's the box to box midfielder we have been craving for so long and I think his presence will upset Fulhams passing game.

Should be a good one odds on Leo to get his 10th of the season?

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

 

[b3h]

Hoping Jota grabs a brace. I have money on both as top league scorer but obviously the odds we're way better on Jota!

 

[lemonjelly]

Winning friday would be huge for the squad too imo. Unassailable as top of the league into the international break, which would be lovely. We're at home, so have to be favorites. Players can head off for international duty with smiles on their faces. 35 points from 16 would be a really impressive start to the season.

 

[AndyWolves]

Got tickets to this one but I'm currently in the middle of weapons grade flu so I'll need a late fitness test.

Hopefully we'll break our November championship curse!

 

[Norman Deeley]

Time for someone to get a thumping. Wolves 5-0

 

[FrankMunro-371]

Got tickets to this one but I'm currently in the middle of weapons grade flu so I'll need a late fitness test.

Hopefully we'll break our November championship curse!

We have just got over our bogey team curse, and now the November curse....

By the way we haven't won on Christmas Day for over half a century, now that is some curse...!!!

 

[big mean bunny]

My mate who is a massive Sporting fan, but has lived in this country for about 10 years now, randomly text me today to say that 'Lobos' is Portuguese for Wolves. And he feels that when one of his Countrymen score for us, we should all shout 'Lobos, Lobos, Lobos'. As feels that would be really funny...


Get to it those going to the game.

 

[Carrotdude]

Had no idea about the November thing, have we really not won any of the last 18 championship games in November? What an odd stat.

Selection wise the only possible I see is Cav, Costa or Bright on the right hand side. Personally I’m happy with whoever it is.

 

[Alan]

We went to a 3-5-2 late on in the Norwich match. I'm not saying we will do that or even that we should, but I do wonder if a midfield 3 of N'Diaye, Neves, and Saiss together wouldn't completely dominate Fulham.

Much as I love Nuno and the 3-4-3 we play it does sometimes leave room in central midfield that can be exploited, and I feel Fulham have the players who could exploit that.

 

[Tony Towner]

It's no coincidence that the games we have struggled in are those which have seen the opposition press us and get in our faces, that's not Fulham's game and I don't see anybody in this league out footballing us so I feel confident for this. As the better passer I'd play Saiss on Friday, however from now on I would play N'Diaye against the sides who are obviously going to be more combative though, Bolton being an obvious one this month