Fulham (H) | Tue 03-Jan | 19:45 KO - Pre-match Thread

[Ric Flair]

12 minutes ago, funkyrobot said:

No width

I know, it's the midfield diamond which we've used in the past and done well at times. Barnes seems way off it and until Maddison is back we've absolutely nobody who seemingly can fit on the right in a 4-3-3 and play well. Vardy seems non existent up top on his own now so the only solution is try 2 up front until Maddison and Daka are back.

[westernpark]

6 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

I know, it's the midfield diamond which we've used in the past and done well at times. Barnes seems way off it and until Maddison is back we've absolutely nobody who seemingly can fit on the right in a 4-3-3 and play well. Vardy seems non existent up top on his own now so the only solution is try 2 up front until Maddison and Daka are back.

I remember being excited by it, December 2019 against Villa. But can’t remember it being used much after Rodgers pulled the plug at half time vs Norwich next game, when he dragged Iheanacho.

[Ric Flair]

2 minutes ago, westernpark said:

I remember being excited by it, December 2019 against Villa. But can’t remember it being used much after Rodgers pulled the plug at half time vs Norwich next game, when he dragged Iheanacho.

The other times I remember it were last season, played it for the 1st half of the Liverpool QF Cup game, the Liverpool home game in the PL a week later (although we changed to 4-3-3 and Lookman scored the winner) and Watford FA Cup game. All those performances I absolutely loved.

[FoxyJim1987]

12 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

I know, it's the midfield diamond which we've used in the past and done well at times. Barnes seems way off it and until Maddison is back we've absolutely nobody who seemingly can fit on the right in a 4-3-3 and play well. Vardy seems non existent up top on his own now so the only solution is try 2 up front until Maddison and Daka are back.

Sign Adama Traore and watch us fly.

[Claridge]

13 hours ago, dnewty said:

That’s what I’d go for but there’s no chance he drops Barnes.

 

or Ward

Thank god there is no chance he drops Barnes. 

[westernpark]

23 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

The other times I remember it were last season, played it for the 1st half of the Liverpool QF Cup game, the Liverpool home game in the PL a week later (although we changed to 4-3-3 and Lookman scored the winner) and Watford FA Cup game. All those performances I absolutely loved.

I’m too soured by that QF to remember that! But yes you’re right about Watford, that game is weirdly one of my favourite over the last few years. 

[FoxyJim1987]

28 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

The other times I remember it were last season, played it for the 1st half of the Liverpool QF Cup game, the Liverpool home game in the PL a week later (although we changed to 4-3-3 and Lookman scored the winner) and Watford FA Cup game. All those performances I absolutely loved.

Problem is Maddison was fit and firing in those games. KDH runs all day and I love him but he's no creator or scorer like Madders. I do think Kelechi just behind Vards should be explored again though.

[Finnegan]

46 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Barnes seems way off it

 

One of the worst performances I can remember from him at Anfield. Looked like he'd been on the source all day and had smashed a mixed grill ten minutes before kick off. 

 

They looked so shit at the back and "man of the match" ( ) TAA was absolutely nowhere to be seen every time Harvey got the ball. Genuinely think we'd have gotten at least a point, if not more, if he'd been on his best form and instead of MOTM Alexander Arnold would have been given the hook early. 

[Chiltern Fox]

2 tix together now available on resale platform.

 

Block a1. 30 each.

[Bazly]

Averaging 1 point per game going into the doggo end of the season then we have to get at least 1 point from this match to remain doggo.

[StanSP]

Ward

 

Castagne - Amartey - Faes - Thomas

 

Ndidi

 

Tielemans - KDH

 

Perez

 

Iheanacho - Vardy

 

This is presuming Daka is injured. I can't see it happening as Rodgers loves using KDH as the second striker to do a lot of chasing off the ball, but when we do have the ball, and only have one striker, they just get so isolated and restricts our play. Having two strikers at least gives us different options and takes the load off of Vardy. 

 

No width apart from the full-backs (mainly Castagne), but Barnes needs to dropped to show he can't be too complacent and needs to earn his place. Can always be used as our best option off the bench.

 

If Barnes does play, I can see Vardy being the lone striker, Perez playing the inverted RW role, and having a midfield three of Ndidi/Tielemans/KDH.

 

Back 4 picks itself regardless as there aren't many better options...

[Corky]

What do we reckon the actual crowd will be? Tuesday night early in the New Year, out of form, train strike.

 

No more than 27k.

[Hitesh]

26 minutes ago, Corky said:

What do we reckon the actual crowd will be? Tuesday night early in the New Year, out of form, train strike.

 

No more than 27k.

Hard to tell as they'll count all tickets sold rather than who actually turns up. Can't see Fulham bring many so I reckon the actual will be about 27k but suspect they'll call it around 29-30k

[Hales]

Daka, Madders, Praet all still out?

[st albans fox]

8 minutes ago, Hales said:

Daka, Madders, Praet all still out?

Yes 

[SemperEadem]

This one feels big.

[Harpenden Fox]

6 minutes ago, SemperEadem said:

This one feels big.

Wrong thread

[gw_leics772]

On 01/01/2023 at 11:59, Matt_Lcfc said:

Daka was definitely the favourite from the three. Some might disagree with this, but I genuinely think that he is by far the least dangerous, he is just so easy to defend against.

 

I get that Vardy isn’t the future, but Daka just isn’t that guy (from what I’ve seen).
 

You are probably right, I think that Daka being injured will benefit us in the sense that it will force Rodgers to play Vardy / Kel.

I agree with all of the above, but just think Daka is being played wrong.

He is not a lone striker and iheanacho not getting a game just stinks.

 

I believe its because he loves Barnes, but Barnes is not good enough to be our great hope for goals. Much rather have nacho and either of vardy or daka but Brendan is just blind to this for some inexplicable reason. Also imagine that with maddison behind the 2.

 

I get it that he has his ideals, and maybe with the fictitious right winger we've been teased with for years.... but right now he needs to make the best use of the squad he's got.

 

I'm surprised at myself how quickly I've got pissedoff with BR again because that last turnaround was looking like the Great Escape year.

 

Edit: missed your last sentence, (and it looks like we agree on that as well) but my rant still stands.

Edited 3 January 2023 by gw_leics772

[Dahnsouff]

Can we swap Vestergaard with Pahlinha Scooby Doo style on Tuesday?

[SystonFox]

7 hours ago, FoxyJim1987 said:

Problem is Maddison was fit and firing in those games. KDH runs all day and I love him but he's no creator or scorer like Madders. I do think Kelechi just behind Vards should be explored again though.

BARNES Looked shit scared of trying to take anyone on. The one against Tiago in the first half is unforgivable. Could’ve skinned him. Could’ve slotted in KDH. Froze and did neither

[daddylonglegs]

Fulham are very well coached & can see mitrovic having a field day against us. Having said that I think we’ll get something from the game… 

[Guest Col city fan]

I’ve changed my mind. I think we’ll win 2-1

Vardy and Barnes for us, Mitrovic for them 

[Dahnsouff]

This place will be a barrel of fun tomorrow if we don’t win

[Corky]

Just now, Dahnsouff said:

This place will be a barrel of fun tomorrow if we don’t win

And even if we do

[Dahnsouff]

Just now, Corky said:

And even if we do

Aye, sure you are right