Lotus

Had a good game. Got done for Torres' cross but that was nice skill from Torres. When he hit that loose pass to Colo though (Colo was at LW at the time). So stupid, CB out of position - hit risky ball - massively increase their chance of a counter! ! ! ! Otherwise was good to see, had Sturridge in his pocket. Great with the ball too.

Definitely, it's his biggest strength for me, he allows things to happen with no tension at all. Even his debut goal, the relaxation on his face and in the rest of his body is total. And the one from the HBA cut back where he repositioned effortlessly to sweep it in, total calm. It really is a gift. Monster of a striker.

He looked better but not as good as earlier in the season. Still not reading his teamates as well as he used to. Put in a strong performance though. Used his body well.

He is seriously calm when he's going to take a strike. Just so relaxed and focused. Like there's no one else there. Can't teach that.

Why are in a different formation? What did i miss?

think about it. Wormy might be alluding to the fact that posters on here weren't happy with Pardew even when we were winning (includes me at times).

I would think there's something to the Douglas rumours too.

Chelsea will have so many players out for the final. This could well play into our (or spurs) hands. Chelsea's mind will be on that final but i really can't see them winning it.

Unbelievable due to the fact you couldn't get a sheet of paper under him when he 'jumps' for a ball on the pitch...

Unluckily, Wigan, Man City and Chelsea seems to have hit something resembling form.

Haven't seen enough of Marveaux tbh. I was kind of hoping that Vuckic might fit in there, left side of a front 3. Would need to help out defending on that side but no where as much responsibilty as the LM position. Still, guess we'll have to wait and see on both of them!

Imagine Hoilett-Cissé-Ben Arfa. We'd win 10-0 every game. Hoilett looks a lazy bastard when the oppostion's got the ball.

It's upwards from the goal line that seems to be difficult for him....

Playing as the most advanced of the three, I'd fancy Vuckic to bag a goal more so than I would Gosling. Reckon we could be completely over run in midfield.

Not sure he has the engine, positioning or discipline for it.

Fulham XI: Somogyi, Grimmer, A. Smith, Briggs, Burn, Gecov, B. Riise, Davies, Trotta, Kasami, Frei I reckon that Briggs could turn out to be a decent LB, strong and quick, just needs to learn to read the game a little better.

His postioning and timing just seems so natural. Great player in the box and tidy all over the pitch. Love this guy!

QUite an interesting post on RAWK actually: http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=287630.0

Actually think he has decent technique with his head. Times his jumps pretty well too. Not necessarily an essential in a fullback though....

Yeah, apart from crossing, passing more than 10 yards, dribbling and timing his tackles his technique is more than adequate!

One role with possession... One without... I really wonder if they're compatible even with a more able player.

Looking at it, Raylor isn't much cop in the air or in 'ground duels'. Williamson isn't much good at 'successfully headed clearances', less than a third in that dept. Like V.I. says though, be nice to see a definition for that first though!

I agree. I think (and i know you're not firmly in the 'Pardew camp' here) that seems to me like Pardew hasn't got a really in depth understanding of what was bringing the results so he was afraid to try something different. As an alternative, remember Manu doing well but still getting Cronaldo on the pitch to give him minutes even when he was, in those days, a complete show pony. Didn't stop Fergie subbing him on though to get him used to it all and start developing.

Wonder if we ever went over what he was meant to do when we had the ball.