Fulham v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[danlanza]

I am surprised how confident, almost arrogant, Lambert was towards beating Fulham. He was very dismissive of them as a team.

Unusual.

He probably thinks if Fulham think Bent is the answer they must be shit but perhaps that will only start some off on here.

We will win.

[ciggiesnbeer]

I am surprised how confident, almost arrogant, Lambert was towards beating Fulham. He was very dismissive of them as a team.

Unusual.

Was that in the pre match press conference ?

Yeah, he didnt even dignify them with the usual "aye, tough, tough game it will be" which he trots out every week.

He just dismissed them as the same team that has been losing regardless of manager. I guess I should be happy he is so confident?

[aj2k77]

I need a pick me up after watching the ashes, a 3-1 Villa win should do.

[danlanza]

I am surprised how confident, almost arrogant, Lambert was towards beating Fulham. He was very dismissive of them as a team.

Unusual.

Was that in the pre match press conference ?

Yeah, he didnt even dignify them with the usual "aye, tough, tough game it will be" which he trots out every week.

He just dismissed them as the same team that has been losing regardless of manager. I guess I should be happy he is so confident?

In that case i hope we do not end up losing. Doesn't sound like Lambert, being arrogant. Maybe he has turned into Fergie overnight .

[brontebilly]

extra day should help us a bit, think we would be really struggling to go again today

with vlaar and luna out our options at the back are worrying. I wouldnt be against bringing Hutton in from the cold but cant see Lambert doing that. Without Vlaar and Okore, Lambert is almost certainly going to go with three centre backs. I think that is overkill as Fulham are only likely to play with Berbatov up top and he will drop deep.
Lowton was atrocious when he came in at Southampton there, Herd when he last played there was poor too. Also looks like moving Delph is our only option on the left, dont like moving our best midfielder but the only other options seems to be Bacuna who was terrible there on the left v West Ham.

I suspect Lambert will give Kozak another start ahead of Benteke. Id prefer to bring Benteke back in but no harm to have him for 2 games riding the pine.

Will say the team will be

Guzan
Lowton, Herd, Clark, Baker, Delph
------Kea, Westwood, Bacuna/Sylla
---- Gabby, Kozak

Id prefer
------------Guzan
Lowton, Herd, Baker, Clark
Bacuna, Westwood, Delph, Albrighton
---------Gabby, Benteke--------------

[AVH87]

2-1 Fulham.

Luck on their side and they nick a late winner. Hope I'm wrong.

[Matt Collins]

It is quite a difficult call. Either Lowton or Herd at centre back, alongside Clark and Baker, doesn't inspire much confidence.

I think there's at least an argument for saying that whatever we do, we'll look weak at the back. So why not accept it, play four back there, and try and exploit their defensive weaknesses. Play 4231. But I don't think he'll do that.

So I think he'll plump for Lowton and tell him to pull his finger out. Strength in numbers and all that.

It'd be better to have Delph in midfield  than wing back. I can't really see Tonev as a wingback, or Albrighton. But who knows  . .

[Matt Collins]

Sylla at centre back?

[supertom]

Sylla at centre back?

I think we'll go with a back 4 this time to be honest, so no need for square pegs in round holes. Fulham are really struggling in attack at the moment so I'd be comfortable-ish with Baker and Clark in the middle. I actually think playing a third CB would just confuse matters too much and make it even harder to organise.

[dekko]

I think he'll go

Lowton - Clark - Baker - Bacuna

at the back.  That way the only player who is playing out of position is Bacuna, and he's played there once or twice before anyway.

Expect to see Donacien on the bench

[aj2k77]

We need Delph in midfield, any convoluted defence where we shoe horn 2 players into unfamiliar positions will get torn an arsehole by anyone, including Fulham.

4 4 fucking 2 as Mike Bassett would say.

[Clampy]

It is likely that Fulham will play Berbatov up front on his own which our defence should hopefully handle easily enough, but then we've got to make sure we're not overrun in midfield so it'll be interesting to see what he does. I've a got a feeling Vlaar will be fit anyway.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

Guzan
Lowton, Donacien, Clark, Baker
Bacuna, KEA, Delph, Agbonlahor
Weimann, Benteke

That's the team I'd play if Vlaar and Luna are out.

[Matt Collins]

I would like to think we're good enough to go Lowton -

I think he'll go

Lowton - Clark - Baker - Bacuna

at the back.  That way the only player who is playing out of position is Bacuna, and he's played there once or twice before anyway.

Expect to see Donacien on the bench

It does mean Clark playing right sided centre back though.

But I agree, there's a risk we have too many square pegs in round holes, and it doesn't work defensively or offensively. If we had our front three all firing on all cylinders, I'd go with the four. But I just think that all our success this season has been built on much improved defensive stability.

Of course, if Vlaar's fit it's easy for me. Back four with Baker at left back (though he may play Clark there). But Lambert didn't sound particularly confident of that in the presser.

[Toronto Villa]

I reckon

                    Guzan
Bacuna.  Lowton.  Baker. Clark
                      Sylla
     Westwood. KEA.  Delph
                Gabby. Kozak

Benteket, Steer, Tonev, Albrighton, Weimann, Donacien, Gardner