Fulham 2-1 Leeds Utd - Post Match Debate

[Ellandback1]

Fulham v Leeds Utd
Saturday 22nd April@12:30pm | Craven Cottage


Leeds are looking to recover from heavy back to back defeats as they travel to West London to face an out of sorts Fulham side, desperately trying to cling on to their top half status. Up until last weekend (when they beat Everton 3-1), the Cottagers had lost their previous five outings (in all competitions). In fact, their last victory was over Leeds in the FA Cup at the end of February.

Patrick Bamford faces a race against time to be fit for tomorrow. The 29yo picked up a knock in Leeds 5-1 loss against Crystal Palace a fortnight ago, but has responded well to treatment. It will be interesting to see, if passed fit, whether he, or Rodrigo will lead the line. Bamford's fitness has been up for debate recently, but Gracia certainly prefers him over the Spanish International.

Max Wober is fully fit, and could return to the starting XI at the expense of Pascal Struijk. Liam Cooper too, is overdue a start, having spent the last five games benched. Rasmus Kristensen was preferred over Luke Ayling on Monday. It remains to be seen whether he keeps his place at right back. Gracia has the luxury of choosing between Luis Sinisterra or Wilfred Gnonto on the left wing with Jack Harrison on the opposite wing, with licence to drift inwards. Stuart Dallas and Tyler Adams remain long term casualties.

Fulham will be without their leading scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic, who serves his fourth of an eight-game ban for violent conduct. Neeskens Kebano (Achilles), Layvin Kurzawa (knee), and Daniel James (cannot play against parent team) all miss out.

[pjm2019]

Gracia has just said Bamford AND Wober are both not fit enough for Fulham match. Wober is such a big loss for us.

[1964white]

Gracia has just said Bamford AND Wober are both not fit enough for Fulham match. Wober is such a big loss for us.

Gracia didn't say that in his press conference yesterday, so where has this information come from?

[Chilli D]

Gracia has just said Bamford AND Wober are both not fit enough for Fulham match. Wober is such a big loss for us.

He said no such thing.

[Ellandback1]

This is my team. If Wober is not fit, I'd play Cooper. I was also tempted to play Harrison in a more central role, dropping Roca to the bench, and having Summerville on the right wing.. I think we need two up front. I know Sinisterra likes to play as an inverted winger (inside forward) but I think he should be able to link up with Gnonto, allowing Firpo to concentrate on defending.


---------------Meslier---------------
Ayling-----Koch---Wober---Struijl
---------------McKennie------------
Harrison-------Roca-------Gnonto
--------Rodrigo---Sinisterra-------

[Irish Ian]

Suppose it is hard to expect too much seeing we have shipped 16 goals in 5 league games in London already this season.

Although we have found the net 7 times..

[andrewjohnsmith]

Would be tempted to start Forshaw for some solidity and leadership

Mes
Rasmus - Koch - Wober - Firpo
McKennie - Forshaw - Roca
Harrison - Rodrigo - Sinisterra

[Ackermann]

Gracia has just said Bamford AND Wober are both not fit enough for Fulham match. Wober is such a big loss for us.

SOURCE???

[pjm2019]

SOURCE???

i saw an article on google quoting Gracia but not NOT his pre match comments.

[pjm2019]

He said no such thing.

I saw an article on google yesterday and it quoted Gracia saying both players not fit. It was not his pre match comments.

[pjm2019]

Gracia didn't say that in his press conference yesterday, so where has this information come from?

I agree it was not in his press conference, i read an article on goole quoting Gracia has said earlier both players not fit.

[Ackermann]

I agree it was not in his press conference, i read an article on goole quoting Gracia has said earlier both players not fit.

What article?

[Overman]

What article?

Does it really matter, give the guy a break.

[GreennWhite]

Managers constantly say such and such a player isn't fit then lo and behold they play the next game. I wouldnt read too much into any managers pressers.

[Ackermann]

Does it really matter, give the guy a break.

Well, if a reliable source it would matter big time unless you don`t rate the two players in question.
(The guy knows that I know why he knows why whatever...I`m being an a*shole, sorry.)

We got a break already with Southampton almost beating Arsenal...can see us breaking apart tomorrow, all the more so
if that incognito source was reliable.

[WhiteRose]

Ah the joys of an early kick off, wake up looking forward to the game, already been warned not to let the result spoil the day. God knows why but the hope is still there which makes the losses all the more painful -but surely after home defeat and the FA cup loss we can take something off newly promoted Fulham this season.

[Overman]

Well, if a reliable source it would matter big time unless you don`t rate the two players in question.
(The guy knows that I know why he knows why whatever...I`m being an a*shole, sorry.)

We got a break already with Southampton almost beating Arsenal...can see us breaking apart tomorrow, all the more so
if that incognito source was reliable.

We are a side low on confidence and look mentality fragile. It's quite worrying as it's hard to see where the fight is coming from. There's a lot of expectation placed on Wober at the moment. I am not sure how much of a difference one player is going to make, when collectively we are not functioning as a unit. Either way, to a man, they need to step up today and fight for the club.

[Kennyb41]

If that dickhead Firpo plays like Orta must be insisting, we will get absolutely twatted.

[Carrick Dave]

We are a side low on confidence and look mentality fragile. It's quite worrying as it's hard to see where the fight is coming from. There's a lot of expectation placed on Wober at the moment. I am not sure how much of a difference one player is going to make, when collectively we are not functioning as a unit. Either way, to a man, they need to step up today and fight for the club.

I think this is what we're going to see today.

The players must be hurting, they've been made to look like idiots two games in a row and they are collectively better than that in terms of quality. They all let themselves and the club down at the same time, now is perhaps their last viable opportunity to prove they can actually compete. Fall apart again today and it's hard to see an immediate turnaround to save the season.

I hope arses have been kicked behind the scenes, by senior players if not Javi, and we tan the asses off Fulham. What a difference a result today would make going into the Leicester and Bournemouth games.

[Overman]

I think this is what we're going to see today.

The players must be hurting, they've been made to look like idiots two games in a row and they are collectively better than that in terms of quality. They all let themselves and the club down at the same time, now is perhaps their last viable opportunity to prove they can actually compete. Fall apart again today and it's hard to see an immediate turnaround to save the season.

I hope arses have been kicked behind the scenes, by senior players if not Javi, and we tan the asses off Fulham. What a difference a result today would make going into the Leicester and Bournemouth games.

Indeed Dave, you would think the players are feeling it after the last two humiliations. They need show their mettle and go out and get a result today. It is still in our own hands.