[NSC] If Fulham go down

[timbha]

I can see a few surprises with a few bench players playing all 3, and Lallana, Welbeck, Gross and of course Dunk and Maupay not featuring (except Dunk in final match). Ali J, Issy, Allister, Tau, Zeqiri, the two Poles, Alzate and Connolly could all get lots of minutes - in the shop window

Will he protect Bissouma ?

 

[half time scores]

Let's give West Ham & City a game and thrash Arsenal

Bravo, that's the spirit.

 

[Reddleman]

I don’t think there will be anywhere near the number of changes people seem to want. Two reasons:

1. Every position is worth £2m. We could be throwing away £4/6m which Tony would not want with the pandemic financial hit
2. It won’t do our confidence any good to lose the last four games of the season. Conversely imagine the high if we could get something off city or win at the Emirates. Sets us up for next season.

 

[*Gullsworth*]

Would love to see Caicedo get some time.

Me too, also Zeqiri obviously for the suspended Maupay. Moder should get more minutes. Would like to see Tau given at least a half and if not injured would like to see (imho) the best prospect........old whatisname the forgotten man wwho played quite well against Man City?

 

[forumwayseagull]

I don’t think there will be anywhere near the number of changes people seem to want. Two reasons:

1. Every position is worth £2m. We could be throwing away £4/6m which Tony would not want with the pandemic financial hit
2. It won’t do our confidence any good to lose the last four games of the season. Conversely imagine the high if we could get something off city or win at the Emirates. Sets us up for next season.

Very true, but lets face it, we all know where the weakness of the squad lies, so why not give a few a go? I think this season has shown that we have quality but lack a clinical edge. The likes of Connolly aren't going to be our main players next season so Id like to see Zequiri given a go and maybe Tau. All it will show is what they can/cant do with a little bit of freedom.
However, one thing we cant do is kid ourselves that this squad set up is acceptable to move on into next season.

lots of decisions to be made in coming days/weeks

 

[Reddleman]

Very true, but lets face it, we all know where the weakness of the squad lies, so why not give a few a go? I think this season has shown that we have quality but lack a clinical edge. The likes of Connolly aren't going to be our main players next season so Id like to see Zequiri given a go and maybe Tau. All it will show is what they can/cant do with a little bit of freedom.
However, one thing we cant do is kid ourselves that this squad set up is acceptable to move on into next season.

lots of decisions to be made in coming days/weeks

Totally agree with giving a couple of the unused forwards a go as with Maupay suspended we have a perfect opportunity. I expect Mac Alister to get some more game time but beyond that. I wholesale changes.

 

[Rogero]

Moran may have a game.

 

[nickjhs]

Its completely in his character so not only should he try some of the younger players, he will. I am glad Maupay has forced himself out, just wish is was for two games not one. Also will be a good challenge for the defence not to have Dunk to rely on for clever saves, rather than just booting it and hoping for the best, they will have to be far more inventive.

 

[Danny Wilson Said]

Now that the Championship season is finished, can Ostigard play?

 

[AZ Gull]

Now that the Championship season is finished, can Ostigard play?

No.

 

[dadams2k11]

I don’t think there will be anywhere near the number of changes people seem to want. Two reasons:

1. Every position is worth £2m. We could be throwing away £4/6m which Tony would not want with the pandemic financial hit
2. It won’t do our confidence any good to lose the last four games of the season. Conversely imagine the high if we could get something off city or win at the Emirates. Sets us up for next season.

I agree.

We are going to want to finish as strong as possible. There will be some changes obviously, but only forced changes.

 

[nickjhs]

I don’t think there will be anywhere near the number of changes people seem to want.

I dont want wholesale changes, apart form anything else it would be an insult to the players who have done so well this season. But with Maupay out by his own behaviour it is a great chance to play with the forwards. As to Lallana we need him in the side more than ever now we don't have Dunk to run things, if he is fit I would definitely give him the armband, and we need Welbeck for obvious reasons. But yeah it might be good to see Ali Mac and Ali J try and step up.

 

[jackalbion]

We could give that fella who sits in the north with Big Philly on his shirt a go at CB at this point for all I care.

 

[HastingsSeagull]

2 or 3 sprinkled in over the course of the 3 games yes. Massive changes no.

Caicedo and Zikiri would seem the most likely and more time for Moder.

 

[US Seagull]

It's a good chance to give a few young and / or less used players a run out and show what they can do. Not a wholesale change, but a couple of less used players (obviously needed with Maupay and Dunk out for the next couple of games anyway) plus some subs. Maybe give Tau and his South African fans a chance to put up or shut up.

We need to put out a decent team against West Ham because they still (probably) have something to play for. City will probably have the title wrapped up by the time we play them. It'll be interesting to see if they wrap their key players in cotton wool and keep them safe until the Champions League final. Arsenal are gonna be well out of having anything to play for by the time we wrap up the season so that might be the best chance to blood a few young players probably off the bench.

 

[Swansman]

It's a good chance to give a few young and / or less used players a run out and show what they can do. Not a wholesale change, but a couple of less used players (obviously needed with Maupay and Dunk out for the next couple of games anyway) plus some subs. Maybe give Tau and his South African fans a chance to put up or shut up.

We need to put out a decent team against West Ham because they still (probably) have something to play for. City will probably have the title wrapped up by the time we play them. It'll be interesting to see if they wrap their key players in cotton wool and keep them safe until the Champions League final. Arsenal are gonna be well out of having anything to play for by the time we wrap up the season so that might be the best chance to blood a few young players probably off the bench.

I hope no minutes are wasted on players considered to have no future at the club so unless the club plans to stick with Tau, which I find a bit unlikely, I'd rather see Zeqiri or Connolly getting those minutes.

City will probably play a bunch of back up players and youngsters but not sure thats an advantage. They will be fully motivated to prove themselves, unlike their best players who might have chilled a bit to be ready for the CL final / Euros.

 

[Simster]

Poor old Fulham fans. Nine goals at home all season, and since they made up 9 points on the pack when they beat Everton away, they have been dreadful.

Imagine if that had been us, and then we spent the next two weeks possibly watching Palace win the Champions League and Portsmouth go up and take our place via the play offs.

That's what their fans face now.

 

[GT49er]

Very true, but lets face it, we all know where the weakness of the squad lies, so why not give a few a go? I think this season has shown that we have quality but lack a clinical edge. The likes of Connolly aren't going to be our main players next season so Id like to see Zequiri given a go and maybe Tau. All it will show is what they can/cant do with a little bit of freedom.
However, one thing we cant do is kid ourselves that this squad set up is acceptable to move on into next season.

Looks to me like you're going to have to accept the unacceptable then. I don't think TB has spent millions (a fair few millions actually) bringing in youngsters like Caicedo, Mac and the Polish lads for them to continue as bit part players - investment in youth and succession policy appears to be the name of the game. If Biss goes, his successor(s) are already at the club and I doubt we'll have many incoming this summer. Certainly the idea that we should get a nice new shiny squad to replace our currently 'unacceptable' one is one that is just not going to happen, I'm sure.
Be good to see these youngsters get a bit of game time at the end of the season now - but not all at once - we still need to put out a strong team. Maybe give both Moder and Caicedo some time alongside Biss in CM.

 

[Mo Gosfield]

I agree.

We are going to want to finish as strong as possible. There will be some changes obviously, but only forced changes.

We all want to finish as strong as possible but the Wolves defeat has left me suspecting that we might have to settle for 17th place. Saints have Palace and Fulham at home next. Toon still have Fulham left and Burnley have Sheff Utd. All those sides will reach/pass 40 points. Not sure we will. We must have a longer look at Tau and Zeqiri, if only to get some idea of where we stand strikerwise. A glimpse of Caicedo will be welcome. More time for Mac. What about Propper. Is he out the plans? Izzy has to play some part as well. All wishful thinking, as I don't think he will change that much.

 

[Bakero]

Me too, also Zeqiri obviously for the suspended Maupay. Moder should get more minutes. Would like to see Tau given at least a half and if not injured would like to see (imho) the best prospect........old whatisname the forgotten man wwho played quite well against Man City?

Khadra? Injured since February and not expected to be fit again this season.