Fulham v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Darth Villa]

I'd like Bannan to start in place of Ireland, him and Mark seem to have a good understanding of each others game and may create more chances than we've seen of late. Like Pedro says our foward players are going to have to bring therer striking boots!

I'm trying not to expect much more than a draw so not to ruin the day out, but I have a sneaky feeling we'll do them.

0-1 Albrighton with a screaming volley.

[Bosco81]

I reckon he might go for:
Friedel
Young Collins Dunne Warnock
Clark
Albrighton Reo-Coker Bannan Downing
A Young

Playing Ash on his own as a central striker is a dreadful idea, it will just invite presure on us as we won't be able to hold the ball up.

Carew or Delfouneso in for Clark and we'll beat them.

Playing Bannan against Fulham might be a good idea, as they like to play a bit of football themselves.

[pedro25]

Bosco I disagree that Fonz is any better at holding the ball up than A Young, Carew, Heskey and Gabby are but I think Fonz would play the lone strikers role pretty similarly to A Young given their comparable sizes, styles, strengths etc.

[luke25]

0-1 (Heskey)

0-1 (Downing)

[Bosco81]

Nathan is more used to playing with his back to goal than Young certainly is, I don't think we'd see the best of Young playing as a central striker.

[Ads]

I'd play Ash in behind Carew or potentially give 4-4-2 a go, with the Fonz playing off him. Either way, we need to ensure that we get somebody mobile around him in support. You never know, this could be the 1 in 10 game where Carew goes mental and looks like a footballer.

[pedro25]

I think Dutch Villa's team is the only way to get all our form players in the team, and leave the out of form guys like Sidwell, Carew and Ireland on the bench.  We don't have to worry like last week about pitting the young boys into a derby either, Fulham are a good passing side and Bannan, Albrighton etc should fluorish in such a match.  I'm not a huge fan of Delfouneso from what I've seen so far but he should certainly get 20/30 mins towards the end to impress, and Ireland too probably.

[Ads]

Maybe a traditional 4-3-3 rather than the 4-4-1-1 we’ve been playing? Clacker screening the back four, NRC and Ireland central with Downing and Ash providing width around Carew.

[TheSandman]

I'd like to see Bannan get a go... Maybe in for Sidwell though that is a bit unfair on Albrighton.

[Ads]

I think Albrighton is a good impact player, but gets tired later on. I think its easier to bring him on than change the shape in taking him off.

[richard moore]

I reckon he might go for:
Friedel
Young Collins Dunne Warnock
Clark
Albrighton Reo-Coker Bannan Downing
A Young

Playing Ash on his own as a central striker is a dreadful idea, it will just invite presure on us as we won't be able to hold the ball up.

Carew or Delfouneso in for Clark and we'll beat them.

Playing Bannan against Fulham might be a good idea, as they like to play a bit of football themselves.

You mean Carew can hold the ball up? That's a new one on me I have to say...

[LeeS]

You mean Carew can hold the ball up? That's a new one on me I have to say...

Carew can do pretty much anything he wants when he's in the mood. Unfortunately that isnt too often.

[Lambert and Payne]

Scrappy 1-0 for me, Downing
Well i hope so anyway, slightly pessasmistic (if thats how you spell it) right now

[gervilla]

Big John needs to get his finger out for this one.
1-1 ( Carew)

[Karlos96]

2-0 Fulham