Fulham vs West Ham United | EPL | Match Thread | 14.9.2024

[stubbo-admin]

Match Centre:

Odds:
West Ham: 2/1
Draw: 27/10
Fulham: 29/20

Pre-Match Press Conference: https://www.youtube.com/live/zzgJ7yA0mH ... eGEpV1b7F3


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Pre-Match Preview: 




Live Watch-along:   https://www.youtube.com/live/9ut6YBsQ8sI


Live Streams: https://vipboxs.net/match/soccer/fulham ... d/12436941
(With all live streams be mindful they can carry viruses etc.  Don't click on any ads and use a VPN).

COYI

[Massive Attack]

Eventually, he will play a 4-3-3 that looks something like this...

Areola 

Wan Bissaka 
Todibo 
Kilman 
Emerson 

Álvarez/Guido
Paqueta
Soler

Somerville 
Bowen
Kudus

Injuries permitting, that's the typical line-up I expect him to select more often than not. Maybe Fullkrug can eventually settle in and click up front with Kudus playing instead of Summeville but if not this feels the most likely outcome. And it would be Alvarez instead of Guido if I had to choose just one of them to play more regularly.

I'm also patient for us to get there rather than expect it straight away as it's unrealsitic to expect it already for a number of reasons to just chuck the lot in. We don't know who's looking the most match fit or standing out (or looking dogshit) in Training, or acclimatising to a whole new way of life and culture I.e. the new 18yo Brazilian. There's so many variables for Lopetegui to consider, he will need time to assess it and in a fair way so he doesn't alienate the old guard that could well be very useful further down the line when called upon I.e. Ings. 

We've lost to both Man City and Villa who are both flying at the moment, continuing on from where they left off last season in settled sides and regimented ways. And we've won against Palace, Bournemouth and drawn in the other London Derby away in all comps.

I don't understand the worry at this extremely early stage of a new season for everyone at the Club, unless people were genuinely expecting Lopetegui to instantly flick a switch to make the Club pre-conditioned  in the Jurrasic period when he walked through the door to suddenly into the 21st century of free flowing Football with all the right pieces in place. It was never going to happen and it will take time to change all that. He's a decent manager, not a miracle worker. 
 

[zico]

What's more annoying is how Duran has started the season,  if we didn't spunk on the German and the missing Brazilian kid we easily afford Duran and he wanted to come. Might turn out to be a massive regret.

Agree, with Watkins there I doubt he would be a starter at Villa.  Was it his demands or attitude that warned us off?  Who knows.  What I can't understand at the club is that with Antonio at his best it worked so why not get someone in with the same attributes, but we ended up with totally different players in Haller, Scamacca and Ings.  Maybe it's worth turning Kudus into a striker?  Yes you may lose his dribbling skills from deeper but he is rapid, strong, holds up the ball well  and could easily have the pace to run in behind.  Plus it solves the problem that we have on both him and Bowen being better on the right.  Kudus just doesn't look comfortable on the left and as well as he tries Bowen just doesn't seem quite strong enough as a lone striker. 

[Come On You Irons]

The harsh reality is that while we looked to have bought pretty well, we came up short which was no surprise as the squad left by Moyes was in a very poor state.  And not all transfers work out.  We still need 2 younger, strong central striker options ( 2 players each position ) , a better back up option for Wan Bissaka amd Emerson at right and left back and perhaps another quicker, ball winning, strong central midfielder?  

I still don't agree we look to have bought well. As fans we knew we needed a new left back, a new right back (possibly 2), 2 new CBs (assuming Zouma and Aguerd were going) a commanding midfielder, a left winger and 2 young, fast centre forwards.

We got one right back, no left back, one CB who isn't being played, no midfielder capable of commanding a game, a left winger who isn't getting much game time, a German Danny Ings and a THIRD right winger who isn't even in the matchday squad. I mean, fancy spending £20m+ to buy an untried teenager who plays in the same position as your two best players?

We are the only club that repeatedly spends £100m and looks the fucking same 

 

Good to see that others are finally waking up to what I said all summer. The transfer window was a disaster as we didn't address the gaping holes in the squad. The signing of Fulkrug for £27 million is an absolute piss take.

I tink many fans got hoodwinked by the number of signings and the money spent but didn't criticially analyse the quality of signings. Chelsea have sgown in recent times that spending a fortunate doesn't guarantee success.

'Guru Tim' and 'loser Lop' are frauds in my opinion.

Relegation battle ahead.

[cholo]

What's more annoying is how Duran has started the season,  if we didn't spunk on the German and the missing Brazilian kid we easily afford Duran and he wanted to come. Might turn out to be a massive regret.

[Manuel]

Mex - Yea, that may well be how it will pan out. IIRC Klopp did that with his array of forwards in recent years, bringing them in and out. yes better quality of course, but the point still stands. Who knows if it will work for us, but agree I don't see one first choice no 9 this season.

[Mex Martillo]

But unfortunately, we don't have great alternatives to Antonio. I think we need to keep mixing around, swapping between Antonio, Fullkrug, Ings and Bowen. Not sure which should start, just keep then fresh through the game?

[cholo]

I'm generously giving lop the benefit of the doubt until the next match.  If he's still playing Soucek alongside Guido and Alverez,  with a fit Paqueta and or Soler in the squad, then the blokes a cսnt, no ifs and buts.

Same with Antonio needs to be replaced, the bloke is struggling right now.

[Percy Dalton]

Didn't see the match yesterday and I can't remember the last time that happened.
Guess what I didn't miss it once I saw the line up.
This cսnt needs to get his arse in gear and start putting the players in their correct positions otherwise we're going to be struggling all season 

[Manuel]

I've always liked Antonio but I think he's being a right prick now continuing with this nonsense globe trotting for Jamaica. Thankfully it's his last season.

[zico]

Zico, Antonio lazy?

 

 

 

Maybe I should have said he "looks" lazy with his touch and recovery efforts when it bounces away from him.  The effort to constantly close down, hold up play, running, power and strength, which were his strengths aren't really there anymore so yes he looks lazy, but yes that's probably down to his age.  Maybe at 34 it's time to call time on his International career to concentrate on the PL.  

[onsideman]

The harsh reality is that while we looked to have bought pretty well, we came up short which was no surprise as the squad left by Moyes was in a very poor state.  And not all transfers work out.  We still need 2 younger, strong central striker options ( 2 players each position ) , a better back up option for Wan Bissaka amd Emerson at right and left back and perhaps another quicker, ball winning, strong central midfielder?  

I still don't agree we look to have bought well. As fans we knew we needed a new left back, a new right back (possibly 2), 2 new CBs (assuming Zouma and Aguerd were going) a commanding midfielder, a left winger and 2 young, fast centre forwards.

We got one right back, no left back, one CB who isn't being played, no midfielder capable of commanding a game, a left winger who isn't getting much game time, a German Danny Ings and a THIRD right winger who isn't even in the matchday squad. I mean, fancy spending £20m+ to buy an untried teenager who plays in the same position as your two best players?

We are the only club that repeatedly spends £100m and looks the fucking same 

[eusebiovic]

Eventually, he will play a 4-3-3 that looks something like this...

Areola 

Wan Bissaka 
Todibo 
Kilman 
Emerson 

Álvarez/Guido
Paqueta
Soler

Somerville 
Bowen
Kudus

[Sir Alf]

The starting selections were baffling. I keep holding onto the hope it was to show the squad that all players get their chance and that Soucek and Antonio, Coufal and even Stavros etc.. had the shirt by virtue of having a pre season before Summerville, Todibo, Soler, Fullkrug rocked up. And it was reported that Todibo and Soler had no kind of pre season.  And it might have been to show he ( Loppy ) did not want a “Moyes Boys” faction of disgruntled players undermining the squad which relies on “all for one, one for all”.  

But its just a hope. The worry is that he was seeing something in Antonio and Soucek’s “attributes” or just that they were more experienced in the Premiership “on paper” because it defies logic and what anyone can see with their eyes. These players are not technically good enough to play in a team that wants to play a passing / possesion game.  Coufal isnt either. They should be in their last season and only stayed due to the sheer scale of changes needed.

They might, as we all seem to agree ( rare ), have a value if we decide to switch tactics and go direct if chasing a game or injuries occur or if we need to implement a low block to protect a lead very late in the game where Soucek does have some  value.

The Chelsea starting selection will be telling. Loppy has started them 2 games he shouldnt of based on their performances. He was probably deceived by a Soucek goal and assist early on but hopefully noted that Soucek losing us possession with dreadful passing ( Villa home and yesterday ) has led us to concede twice in 4 league games.  Antonio is done as a central striker. He had a couple of decent seasons under the Moyes direct system but is simply not good enough technically if you want an outlet up front in a team trying to keep the ball. He’s also 34, slowing down fast and losing that strength he had. A late sub wide would be his only role to test tiring players.  

I watched a few games yesterday. We still lack the passing speed and “snappy” play of most teams.  We need to move the ball quicker, players with quicker feet if we want to create more chances.  

For now, Bowen will need to start centrally and Ings coming on in that role if needs be.  The harsh reality is that while we looked to have bought pretty well, we came up short which was no surprise as the squad left by Moyes was in a very poor state.  And not all transfers work out.  We still need 2 younger, strong central striker options ( 2 players each position ) , a better back up option for Wan Bissaka amd Emerson at right and left back and perhaps another quicker, ball winning, strong central midfielder?  But its early to know on that last one,  lets see how Rodriiguez, Soler, Alvarez and Paqueta in rotation fair as they may prove me wrong  

Loppy has 6 more games before we will really know if he’s progressing as a team in terms of playing style, tactics and results.  4 games in, we look like a team struggling to play a different way with some previous regime players clearly unable to adapt. 

[Mex Martillo]

It was a really weird team selection. I do not understand how Lopetegui thought It could work. We were politely discussing which 2DMs to have and Lopetegui puts all 3 on! All 3 were going forward, it was like we tried to play with the defense and attack so close together that we wouldn't need a midfield. It didn't work, kind of corrected in the 2nd half, but then we're chasing the game, damage limitation, really crap. Ended up with no DM on the pitch, crazy extremes. It's fine to focus on Soucek and Antonio, but it was entire team election that was the problem. Soucek and Antonio, can work in the right team, but not that team and yes we need better.
 

[Lee Trundle]

I'd hoped we'd have moved on from watching Antonio stroll around the pitch, and Soucek avoid the ball by now.

I agree. It's worrying if he's watched us so much previously that this is what he's relying on this season. I wonder how long it will take for the penny to drop.

[Full Rug]

There is absolutely no excuse whatsoever to be starting them, they've both been shit for 2 years. This manager had apparently been watching us last season, which allegedly came across in his interview and a big reason why he won the job, well fuck me, that's even more worrying.

All you really need to know about what is going on, is one of our main tactics is the Antonio long throw. All these tactical innovators awash in the game, young hungry managers with exciting ideas about football, and we've got a geezer who it looks like would love Rory Delap to come out of retirement. Fucking pathetic.

[Fauxstralian]

To be fair he took Antonio & Soucek off at h/t
It’s just whether he has finally realised that playing them is a mistake. Chelsea selection becomes a big deal 

 

[Manuel]

We all know what we should be doing, but the alarming thing is the manager doesn't see it, or if he does he prefers his way? Early days or not his team selections have told us an awful lot about him and his footballing philosophies. If he switches it around and that doesn't work then it could be Moyes all over again where he goes back to 'his way'. In short, he appears to be a bit of a dinosaur.

[Fauxstralian]

I know there was the complication of the international break with Paqueta away & Soler just joined but from now we can’t be picking Soucek & Antonio again
Both should be subs if we are chasing a goal in the last 10 mins
You can’t play Alvarez Rodriquez & Soucek together unless you are D Moyes
Need more (some) creativity in the team and right now Bowen through the middle lets Kudus play on the right & allows Summerville to come in to add some pace 

Also if the Brazilian kid isn’t making the squad why isn’t playing for the u21’s?

[Manuel]

Christmas, lol. What does Santa Claus have to do with football timelines? In football terms 'Christmas' is a million miles away. No way he gets that long if we don't improve and start to look like a fluent outfit. He might not get sacked but there will be a lot disgruntlement from the fan base and the careful what you wish for cunts will be out in force.

A this point I just want to see what we're 'trying' to do.

[chim chim cha boo]

Zico, Antonio lazy?

I know he's entering the autumn years of his career and he's had a couple of stinkers lately, particularly as he's flown half way round the world and back playing for Jamaica then gets shoehorned into the strikers position but lazy? Behave.

[only1billybonds]

Don't fancy us against Chelsea at all. We have yet to start a game where we look like we are looking like the better team. The fact that we have a new manager, new squad buys a bit of time but we really need to improve very quickly. Agree that it really isn't that much different from what we were watching under Moyes and that is a worry. We were supposed to be moving on from dull,safety first football but it seems we are still rooted in this slow almost lazy style of play. I'm prepared to give it til Christmas for things to improve but if we are still in this mode I'll be asking serious questions about where do we want to be as a club.

[Manuel]

I think it's all very worrying, you can put aside team selection to a point because that is very easy to change, but what system/formation is he trying to implement, what are the differences to under Moyes? We have looked way inferior to every side we have played so far and that has to be a worry, and I'm not buying all this ''big changes'' nonsense as an excuse, most of the new players are not starting, Brighton have a lot of new players and new coach and look very good.

Chelsea next week, anyone confident?

[BerlingtonBertie]

Fucking fuming. Had a real opportunity to crack on this season and feel we’ve been sold one with the dago. Underwhelmed with Lop and starting to see why the Juve fans revolted when he was linked to them. Hun Tim has dropped a bollock not signing Duran as all our strikers (bar Bowen) are fucking mongs. Ings  could have celebrated but scowled like a fucking cսnt when he scored- syrup cսnt.
Start with our best players or fuck off paella eating twat. 

[Full Rug]

"Lopetegui fan here"

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