A lot of talk about subs used recently, do we have 14 players that can be trusted to not be a liability at this level? This is what I'd go with on Saturday; Collins Hondermarck Helik Andersen Kitching Wolfe Gomes Styles Bassi Quina Morris Subs: Walton, Halme, Brittain, Vita, Benson, Odour, Marsh So, out of the squad: Moon, Cole and Palmer replaced by Hondermarck, Halme and Marsh Back to the system that we had previously, with Hondermack replacing Williams as a third centre / right back, and Styles pushed back up to the right hand side, and moving to RWB if needed. Can't just sit back and hope to frustrate Fulham, they'll just cut through us. But if there was an option to play in Quina's place that can offer a bit more protection to the left back, like Styles does on the other side, I wouldn't be entirely against that. Maybe Vita, which would also give us a genuine attacking option off the bench if needed.
With the likes of Woodrow, Iseka, Williams and even Victor out our bench looked weak as piss last night. I wouldn't have brought any of them on.
Agree with that to a point but not sure Vita deserves to be dropped. You might be onto something with idea of playing Hondermarck in the role JW was carrying out so well before his injury though. Still won’t happen and I also have a nasty feeling Poya will try to contain Fulham like he did Swansea.
I am expecting changes in the starting 11 and on the bench to back up his words. Wofle and Cole were both shocking subs and shouldn't be sure of even a place on the bench against Fulham.
You would drop Vita really? last night wasnt his best game not helped by being switched to the right for some bizarre reason second half , but he has been one of our better players in recent games. Id like us to try Hondermark as he cant be worse than Brittain - though maybe not against Fulham, I fear if he plays and we get hammered that will be the last we see of him this season
We've been much better at containing teams lately compared to the start of the season. I think any team that tries to go toe to toe with Fulham gets torn apart. I'd be setting up to ensure crosses don't come in to the box as easily as they did at Craven Cottage, and I'd want the midfield packed to try and press their intricate passing and pick up on any balls after they're played in to Mitrovic. That doesn't mean you're sitting deep, and we've got enough legs in the squad to be able to counter, it just means you're boxing clever with what you've got. It's essentially bottom vs. top pretty much. Anything other than a defeat is a bonus. Based on the above dropping Vita would be criminal. Arguably our most consistent performer of the last 4/5 games and definitely doesn't deserve to not be in the Starting XI. Another one that appears to be fairly versatile as well with tenacity to boot. No idea whether playing Hondermarck is a smart move. Can he do a better job of closing down a man than Brittain? Does he have the energy of Williams? We've not seen enough of him to make that call, but whatever system we play I'd want full backs/wing backs who don't give their wingers an inch. Probably Vita and Styles on that basis with a back three of Madds, Helik and Kitching.
Who knows what could happen? We could get a draw with a backs to the wall last ditch defending type performance , Or we could capitulate and our goal difference could end up something like Posh’s. 85 goal difference between Fulham + 59 to ours - 26 . Could define our rest of season whichever way it goes imo .
The only reason I didn't put Vita at left back was because that side will be targetted, and I could see him struggling against Wilson, like he struggled against Boro. But I certainly wouldn't be against picking him.
Not sure I would want him up against Wilson, with Quina as the wider midfielder ahead of him, if we do play a back 4. If we play a back 3 and wing backs, I'd pick the same three as last night with Vita and Styles at wing back. But that seems to be the formation he picks when he wants to sit back. Which if we do, they'll just cut through us. As for Hondermarck, if we're training him up to be a defender / full back, then we've been training him to be Williams' understoody. But it's a good point about whether it's the right game to bring him in for though
For what its worth I would go with Collins Mads Helik Kitching Styles Gomes Wolfe Quina Vita Bassi Morris But I doubt it will be that
Right now none of us (including Poya) has any idea what team, let alone formation Conway's going to pick!
I think you're all over investing too much effort on a game that we will lose. Quite comfortably. Fulham are streets ahead of this Barnsley side including subs.
That’s been the problem all season,no strength in depth,poor recruitment and everything that went with it in the summer is now biting us well and truly on the arse.
