Fulham v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[PeterWithesShin]

2-2 (Bent, Zog) but can easily see us losing this one, worries me they are up to match speed already. Would much prefer to not be having to play them this early.

[SteveN]

A draw at the best and I would lay good money that Johnson scores.

[cdbearsfan]

At the risk of sounding like a raving mentallist, I'd consider playing Heskey left wing with N'Zogbia wide right. Leave Albrighton on the bench so we can bring him on near the end to run at tired legs. Heskey's extra height could come in useful when we are defending set pieces. Both Villa and McLeish's Small Heath failed miserably to contain Hangeland from corners/free kicks last season. Plus Heskey has played well in the pre-season games I've seen (although admittedly I've only seen two).

[KRS]

Why all the suggestions for playing Zoggy on the right and Hesky/Gabby on the left? Surely it makes sense to play them down the wings on their strongest foot. I know they can cut inside but wingers work better if going down the line to whip in a decent cross for Bent to thrive on.

[villa `cross the mersey]

With the likes of Gabby and Heskey in the squad its all a bit meh .....

Happy with a draw to be honest

The real fun is the night before ... taking jnr on a Jack the Ripper Tour around Whitechapel followed by a Ruby Murray on Brick Lane.

Dad`s and Lad`s weekends are back !!!!!!

[cdbearsfan]

Why all the suggestions for playing Zoggy on the right and Hesky/Gabby on the left? Surely it makes sense to play them down the wings on their strongest foot. I know they can cut inside but wingers work better if going down the line to whip in a decent cross for Bent to thrive on.

I don't rate Gabby on either wing and wouldn't play him there. Heskey is never going to race down the wing and ping a cross in for bent. Better to have him on the left where he can hold the ball up, cut in to feed Bent and generally make a nuisance of himself. Whenever he's played wing in his career it's been on the left I think.

[russon]

2-1 to Fulham. They've had a few competitive matches already while we've been squad tinkering in friendlies.

[PONGO49]

i'm going all out here 4-0 win, bent, zoggy, heskey, collins

[Clampy]

With the likes of Gabby and Heskey in the squad its all a bit meh .....

Happy with a draw to be honest

The real fun is the night before ... taking jnr on a Jack the Ripper Tour around Whitechapel followed by a Ruby Murray on Brick Lane.

Dad`s and Lad`s weekends are back !!!!!!

Whitechapel is an absolute shit hole.

Enjoy the weekend though.

[JUAN PABLO]

Fulham 0 Villa 2 

          Nzog
          Bent

[Lobsterboy]

My heart says a 3-0 win for the Villa but my head says we'll scrape a draw against opponents who will be match fit from their Europa League adventures

I'll join the ever growing band of 1-1 voters with Hangeland for them and Collins for us

[The Left Side]

2-1 Fulham for me sadly

[Chipsticks]

An exciting 2-2 draw that neither turns the anti-McCleish, nor provides the rest of us with too much confidence and excitement.

Collins and Bent to score for us, Hangeland and Andy Johnson for them.

[KRS]

Why all the suggestions for playing Zoggy on the right and Hesky/Gabby on the left? Surely it makes sense to play them down the wings on their strongest foot. I know they can cut inside but wingers work better if going down the line to whip in a decent cross for Bent to thrive on.

I don't rate Gabby on either wing and wouldn't play him there. Heskey is never going to race down the wing and ping a cross in for bent. Better to have him on the left where he can hold the ball up, cut in to feed Bent and generally make a nuisance of himself. Whenever he's played wing in his career it's been on the left I think.

Not exactly a justification for playing either them on the left then, and all I've seen Heskey do on the wing is slow play down so much because he cant do anything with the ball and allows their defence to get back into position. Zoggy has got a great left foot so always an opportunity to have a shot from the right once he's cut inside, but think he'd be best utilised down the left wing. Surely it makes sense to play to Zoggys strengths rather than Heskey or Gabbys weaknesses.

[eamonn]

Interesting, I expected a lot more predictions of Fulham wins. No one has even gone for them winning by more than one goal. They'll be more fit and fluid than us given their short summer break and the crowd will be well behind Muttley and his men.

I think we'll have a decent start to the season, once this game is over.

3-1 to Michael Jackson's favourite after-life team.