Martinez Vs Fulham.

[davek]

In the past I'd have looked at their midfield and thought: 'we'll get mugged here'. Barry's presence calms those thoughts down. He needs more than the lightweight Osman in there with him though. I'd be astounded if Martinez looked at who Fulham have in centre-mid and thinks he's appropriate to what's required. We need two battlers in there - and that'll be that with our superiority elsewhere.

 

[Sozzled]

In the past I'd have looked at their midfield and thought: 'we'll get mugged here'. Barry's presence calms those thoughts down. He needs more than the lightweight Osman in there with him though. I'd be astounded if Martinez looked at who Fulham have in centre-mid and thinks he's appropriate to what's required. We need two battlers in there - and that'll be that with our superiority elsewhere.

Parker will be too busy marking Barkley, Sidwell loves scoring against us but isn't all that.

 

[BirkenheadBlue]

along with getting dicked away at United et al, thats changed this will change we have a new manager and we will go for the kill [/B]

The Utd away part has certainly changed... but the under performing at weaker teams hasn't been eradicated yet. (Norwich, West Brom, Fulham, Hull, Crystal Palace)

 

[Eggs]

...be interesting who he brings in for McCarthy. They have a combative central midfield and I suspect it will be straight swap with Osman coming on. I am reluctant to make more than one change, but Pienaar looked on top of his game against Arsenal and I wonder if RM is tempted to give him a central role and play Mirallas and Delafou.

 

[davek]

Parker will be too busy marking Barkley, Sidwell loves scoring against us but isn't all that.

I'd be laughing if I was Muelensteen with a pack of three wolves to unleash on Osman.

 

[Sozzled]

I'd be laughing if I was Muelensteen with a pack of three wolves to unleash on Osman.

I think Osman will get the nod because there's nobody really else who fits that role. McCarthy is his own breed, hard to replace.

 

[davek]

I think Osman will get the nod because there's nobody really else who fits that role. McCarthy is his own breed, hard to replace.

Of course. But Osman is about as useful as a chocolate teapot in these situations.

 

[jackyboy]

Won't Parker or Sidwell be tasked with looking after Barkley? Their wide players are nothing to write home about and Berbatov and Bent doesn't scream pressure on the back four. If we score within the first fifteen minutes I think we will score four again.

 

[West]

Sidwell Parker and Karagounis are all battling central midfielders I particually agree with davek we need a strong body alongside barry

 

[Sozzled]

Sidwell Parker and Karagounis are all battling central midfielders I particually agree with davek we need a strong body alongside barry

We haven't got one though. Don't say ****house heitinga.

 

[neil999]

Of course. But Osman is about as useful as a chocolate teapot in these situations.

who then, drop barkley back?

 

[Yeldah]

Sidwell Parker and Karagounis are all battling central midfielders I particually agree with davek we need a strong body alongside barry

Say it quietly...John Stones?

 

[Sozzled]

It's nailed to be Osman coming in for McCarthy. Whether that deeper or swooping with Ross.

 

[davek]

who then, drop barkley back?

Yes. I think we have the creativity ahead of Barkley to drop Mirallas in behind Lukaku. Barry and Barkley will compete well, Barkley can do that and contribute to attack too, and Parker will be more than distracted by Mirallas.

I wouldn't like to think we could give these a foothold in this game. I view with alarm any formation that has Osman in it anyway, but more so in this instance.

 

[mrb85]

It's nailed to be Osman coming in for McCarthy. Whether that deeper or swooping with Ross.

Osman is nailed on. If Fulhams new Found aggression is threatening to win the day I'm sure Martinez will change it. But this is going to be a tough one. pity we didn't meet them when the RS had their game against them.