Fulham vs. Dag & Red

Is anyone worried that none of our Yanks will be starters now that we've signed 6 new players and will likely sign a few more?

I think Mac will still get a good amount of time up front but the Healy/Kamara partnership could cut down on his time somewhat.

Boca may be in danger of losing his starting spot, especially if LS is as keen on Zat as he sounded in an interview last week.

Deuce will have some healthy competition but I think he can earn some quality minutes. I hope he can become a regular starter but he'll have to fight for it.

 

Couldn't agree more Don. Opinion is spot on.

I believe out of the three yanks that Boca and McB will feature the most. I am not sure that LS has the faith in Deuce that so many of us have. He is a talent with loads of ability, but LS wouldn't of kept him in the side if he didn't figure into the plans.

Roll on August 11th... roll on.

 

I agree totally. In fact, one thing that struck me when I saw the 1st half XI and the 2nd half X1 is that we have some decent depth. The Americans won't get the playing time they had last year (Boca/BMB), but because they're spotted better, I think they'll actually have better seasons.

 

Not worried. Thought Boca would hardly see any time last season, and he was nearly player of the season. And never reasonably imagined McB being player of the season twice in a row.

No offense to other countries, but Americans have so much to prove, the work rate of those that make it to the Bigs (EPL) just seems more dedicated.

 

Yeah... they might all ride the bench. McBride will probably start out starting. Kamara apparently wants to play off him.

Bocanegra will be off and on I think.

Dempsey is going to find it hard to start because I don't think he fits in a 4-4-2 system. If people are right in saying Lawrie will play a direct style of football, the midfield will be defensive minded first, which would mean Simon Davies will start ahead of Dempsey. That's my take anyway. It'll be interesting to see what ends up happening.

 

IMO, Bullard and Dempsey are Fulham's best options of slotting an attacking midfielder in behind the forwards. Both are creative and get forward well. My only concerns for Deuce is his ability to track back and defend.

Should be a solid side and will have more depth than a fair share of other sides in the prem.

 

agree with everyone!!!! hahaha

seriously though...I look at our squad and I see a team that is depthwise prepared to make a strong run in cup competitions...and able to withstand injuries.

 

Thing is yanks won't be out of favour. End of last season we had no depth and some are quick to dismiss Dempsey, or Boca these days, but in reality, Bullard won't be fit till Nov, and you need Diop, Davis and Dempsey all in the middle. You need Boca and Hughes and please not Knight, all fit and ready. It's good that all will have to fight for the first team, but all are needed as well. Good mix.

 

Think about all the small, nagging injuries we had last year. To me, the greatest thing about this transfer season was the depth Fulham added. If Boca is their third or fourth option CB, that's a good problem to have!

 

agreed nmancini....100%.

 

Deuce will have plenty of playing time before Bullard comes back. McBride will still be a regular. I think LS would want to test out that Healy-Kamara partnership in the Carling Cup, and maybe in less important matches. Probably towards the end of the season. So I think McBride's minutes are safe. But if he starts to slump, LS will defeinitely put out Healy. Bocanegra is like the utility man for Fulham, he's going to be starting some matches, and he's going to be sitting on the bench during some.

 

Keep in mind, also, that McBride is 35 and often tired by the end of matches last season (not a knock on him, he was still great). So I wouldn't be surprised if we saw the Healy-Kamara pairing late in games.

 

yeah...I don't think McBride will be a starter 100% of the time. I think he'll start maybe half of the games, and probably not even that many. I do still think he brings a lot to the table and will be instrumental in long ball tactics if that's indeed what LS uses. Still...with the depth we have now...I think we'll be fine even when he's not in there.