Fulham V. Bolton

With a long stretch of tough matches coming up after this one, it seems that this would be the opportune time to come up with our first away win. The boys should be well rested after their trip to Abu Dhabi...no I'm not kidding.

Papa is back but with Elliot playing the way he has, I'm not fully convinced that he should go straight into the side. None-the-less, here's my line up.

Niemi

Volz -- Boca -- Goma -- Putney

Radz -- Steed -- Papa -- Boa

HH -- McBride

Now does anyone else think that Boa really needs to step it up?? The man has been solid most of this season but really hasn't been taking his skill to the next level.

COYW's

 

That is an understatement Mike. Boa has been non-existent in the last month or two of the season. It has been a wonder we have played as well as we have without Boa doing much of anything. It used to be if Boa and Steed played horribly, we had no chance. That has changed now, but it would be nice to add another dimension offensively if Boa started playing better. He has it in him, he just has to dig down and find it.

In Fulham trying to find their first road win, their captain will need to play an integral part in getting the all-important three points on Sunday. Bolton is going to sit back and play defensive football. However, if Fulham can get forward on the wings and get some good crosses in from Bridge, Volz, Boa and Radz, it will give McBride and Helguson a number of opportunities to score. If this happens, I like our chances.

 

Bolton match comments
I was watching Bolton on the tele last week, quick strikers, good D we had better keep our D alert and keep those crosses working- GO YOU WHITES!!

 

Hasn't Boa had the flu? Not an excuse, since if he's not match fit, he shouldn't be playing. But without him, who do we have instead? When he was injured last season, it seemed that no one could play the left side. If he's still not well/100%, I'd put Radz over there (I don't think I ever thought I'd be saying that!). This is one we can win, and we usually do fairly well against them, so we do need the three points.

That being said, is there anyone in NYC interested in meeting up to watch the match? I know I will actually be free on Sunday (woo hoo!), but will not listen before it's shown on FSC.

:3d footy:

 

If people called me Cookie:

1. I'd shoot myself.

2. I'd play:

Volz -- Boca -- Goma -- Putney
-- Bouba --
--Steed -- Boa --
-- Radz --
-- BMcB -- HH --

I like this cuz I made it up... Radz is a striker by trade, so the closer the middle of the net he is the better... the defense on the two strikers here is uncanny... we should take even more of a offensive risk since we can move Bouba back and still let him take rips from the outside.

Don't argue this one... I'm a footie genius.

 

I aint touching this... except to say Elliot has his attributes, too. Yeah, I'm as surprised as anyone else.

If you were cookie, assume you'd pick the team BEFORE shooting yourself, then?

 

I am so happy with our lineup now. Think about our earlier games, Crossley in goal, Zig-Zag in the back, Niclas Jensen on left, Radz as striker etc. Just plain terrible. Our lineup now is miles ahead of where it was then.

In other news, we continue to get no respect. On the team news preview on soccernet.com, they say we have plenty of attacking options, including Stern John! Can somebody tell the football world that Stern John is in Coventry! I don't know how many times I have heard people make that mistake. And I still remember the Arsenal game, when Claus Jensen scored, the announcer said "that's 1-nil for Charlton". Makes me so angry.

 

Your dead on Petty.

 

I won't...I hope they use your line-up and play the diamond midfield. :3d footy:

 

Word from Fulham is that Cookie is starting Elliot and Bouba will be on the bench.

Brown is still injured and will start full training next week so look for the side to be unchanged from match where we put the smack down on West Brom.

COYW's

 

I'd be up for meeting up for the ga

 

NYC Meet-up

McCormack's? (365 Third Ave. to the uninitiated) Sounds good, as I need to get out of the house! I checked the website and they should be showing the match.

Anyone else?

:banana: :3d footy: :banana:

 

RE: NYC Meet-up

Sorry, no trip for me...living so far away can only justify me making the trip in for the 'live' matches...next time though, first round is on me.

 

RE: NYC Meet-up

Niemi got hurt in the pre-game warm up...not a good sign and I hope the injury isn't serious!

 

Helguson with a powerful Header for the lead!!! 1-0.

 

Well, that was that. We had our chances to either extend our lead or level after Bolton went up 2-1.

Their second goal more came down ot our 'soft' defense than it did Bolton show skill...unfortunate really that it we let it happen. I would've been happy with a point but nothing you can do. The boys will be dissapointed after this one but what else is new for us on the road.

Up Fulham...COYW's.

 

This match was a tale of two completely different halves. Fulham was dominant in the first half and unfortunately, the late first half goal from Bolton changed everything. The second half saw Fulham have little to no possesion and they completely lost their way in the midfield.

Fulham did not play terribly, but as Mike mentioned their defense let them down.

Where was Niemi? I had no idea he was going to be missing. Anyone know?

 

Very disappointing. They played SO VERY, VERY well in the first half, then fell apart after the tying goal. There were moments in the send half--arguably, even though Bolton controlled the play in the second half, we had more very good scoring chances (or at least as many). I can't remember a game where we came so close so often and did not get goals (the ball off the crossbar, the scrum in front of the net in about the 80th minute, the missed kick by them in front of the net in the second half).

On the other hand, if they play this well in all of their March matches, they will get some points.

 

Re: RE: Fulham V. Bolton

Niemi got hurt during the pre-match warm up and was unable to play. Tony Warner stepped in and luckily he didn't get hurt because we did not have any keepers on the bench.

I have heard nothing on him as of yet but WATCH THIS SPACE!

I finally watched this match on television and we definitely had the ability to win this match (then again, when don't we have the ability eh?!) We were not only unlucky, but Boltons two goals were soft. The first being a fluke after Warner made a superb save and the second should've been shut down by Zat to begin with.

We played well, so thats a positive but dissapointing to come away with 0 points.

COYW's

 

RE: Re: RE: Fulham V. Bolton

Fulham has now gone 14 matches in a row unbeaten on the road in league play. The team seems to be playing well on the road, but not well enough to win.

What does everyone see as the main problem(s) with playing on the road this season? Perhaps a change in formation and tactics is in order? I am not one who thinks that will help. I hope Fulham continues to attack and give their all every match.

What does Fulham need to do to get that first road win?