Fulham vs. Crystal Palace match thread

[ASCPFC]

Its good we have options. We can change the team and formation and not stuck in Glasball mode. Looks like a central 3 with Pino floating behing Eddie.

Fair enough, sounds reasonable. However, I could say we've got three up top who barely ever score or assist.

 

[silvertop]

I keep hearing Sage likes a high forward press so presumably Pino and Kamada are in for that reason. Both suited to it better than other options as their best qualities are energy and breaking up play. I imagine the same for Nketiah as a more mobile forward. He’s certainly not there for his hold up and link play. Suggests we could see Sarr up top if he ever sorts himself out.

That does raise questions as to why we’ve signed players who manifestly don’t fit the high press model. I’m looking at Guessand and McNeil in particular and the fact they don’t even make the bench.

I suspect McNeil was the only way we could get that other boner off the wage bill.

Guessand gets a wage and challenges the defence in training. He also models the kit. Exactly what he planned when he started out in football.

 

[PatrickA]

I keep hearing Sage likes a high forward press so presumably Pino and Kamada are in for that reason. Both suited to it better than other options as their best qualities are energy and breaking up play. I imagine the same for Nketiah as a more mobile forward. He’s certainly not there for his hold up and link play. Suggests we could see Sarr up top if he ever sorts himself out.

That does raise questions as to why we’ve signed players who manifestly don’t fit the high press model. I’m looking at Guessand and McNeil in particular and the fact they don’t even make the bench.

A agree on your second paragraph.
Today looks like the first time we are seeing a Sage lineup with him putting his own stamp on things.
It will rely on the wing backs providing width and the midfielders breaking forward frequently.
I like the idea of it, if well executed.
Interesting that the newcomers ( who can't have properly trained).are on the bench.

 

[OneStevePerrin]

the subs look almost as strong as the first eleven that has to be a good thing

Or perhaps the first 11 isn’t as strong as the last couple of seasons making the bench look stronger :-(

 

[Xong Kudu]

We still haven’t sorted a major weakness from last season namely delivering good quality crosses from the left flank. Mitchell is a lovely lad but can’t cross for toffee. I was hoping that would have been fixed. Same mistakes reoccurring..

 

[Lanzo-Ad]

Every time i see Nketiah getting the nod my heart sinks but then I think “no John…he’ll do it this week”. I’m therefore giving him another chance today but no doubt he’ll keep hitting it straight at the keeper. Never ever glances up to place it. That’s his problem.

I don't think he has played as a CF, for at least 3 years, hope he does well,

 

[Eaglecoops]

FotMob are showing a 3-4-2-1 with Kamada and Pino playing behind Nketiah.

Proof will be in how they perform. The good thing about a strong bench is that the starting 11 and the front 3 in particular can run themselves into the ground in the knowledge we have fresh legs to come on and do the same thing.

 

[edskan]

It's great that we have all these options, as long as the players are delivering. Was hoping to see Osorio start, but I'm still quite excited to see how Sage is implementing his style/system.

 

[ASCPFC]

We still haven’t sorted a major weakness from last season namely delivering good quality crosses from the left flank. Mitchell is a lovely lad but can’t cross for toffee. I was hoping that would have been fixed. Same mistakes reoccurring..

Yes, funny that McNeil's strentgh is that. Yet we don't use him like that. Let's resign ourselves to thinking we obviously don't want to cross. Not like Pino, Nketiah and Kamada are going to get on the end of one or compete in the air anyway.
I think we should forget about crossing judging by the team.

 

[pssguy]

Do Villa have a recall option on Guessand ?
I could see him being recalled and loaned / sold elsewhere - ie. Saudi, if allowed.

Not made the Europe squad and now not in the match day squad for league.

He could fall even further if Mateta and Sarr come back.

Villa clearly don't want him either so that is a long shot. Odd decision to take him on again, TBH, after his underwhelming performance last season. Loans are best left to the end of the window and we are well-stocked in that area with JSR/Esse/Franca all loaned out
If Sage wants an uptempo team, McNeil is probably not a good fit. However, does suggest Gozo may have made a good impression in training

 

[DenTyler]

I like this. I like giving Eddie a chance up front. Hopes are on Timber to give the middle some legs and threat. Could be good.

 

[JHB]

It’s a pretty damning indictment of JSL and Guessand that Nketiah starts above them. A player who has never scored more than 5 goals in a league season

 

[pieceofcake]

I don't know if I've missed something,but where is Franca?

 

[JHB]

I don't know if I've missed something,but where is Franca?

On loan in Portugal

 

[Eaglecoops]

It’s a pretty damning indictment of JSL and Guessand that Nketiah starts above them. A player who has never scored more than 5 goals in a league season

If Sage is all about dynamism then he is going to be looking for players who can run and chase, not sure either Guessand or JSL have ever had that in their locker.

I am still concerned about where goals are going to come from but we live in hope.

 

[rikz]

I don't know if I've missed something,but where is Franca?

Pretty sure his gone back out on loan

 

[ASCPFC]

I don't know if I've missed something,but where is Franca?

I know, our best player in pre season but that obviously doesn't matter.

 

[pieceofcake]

On loan in Portugal

Thanks.I missed that.

 

[Frenchaigle]

Looking at Fulham line up , why on earth did we not sign Palacios ?

 

[JHB]

If Sage is all about dynamism then he is going to be looking for players who can run and chase, not sure either Guessand or JSL have ever had that in their locker.

I am still concerned about where goals are going to come from but we live in hope.

Yes definitely in for his mobility.

Like you I wonder where goals will come from