Bocanegra, Dempsey, Keller: Fulham v Tottenham | 09-01-07 | 10 a.m. EDT

Niemi, Bocanegra, Konchesky, Stefanovic, Baird, Smertin, Davies, Davis, Dempsey, Bouazza, Kamara

Subs: Keller, Volz, Healy, John, Omozusi

 

Well, we'll get a look at the new partnership of Bocanegra and Stefanovic in the middle.

So is Dempsey up top, or is Bouazza? Or is it a 4-5-1?

 

Boca with the armband.

 

Boca's wearing the armband apparently.

 

Tottenham to bury them 3-0.

 

Dempsey seems to have a free run in an advanced midfield role.

 

Interesting that Bouazza's return sent Healy to the bench instead of Dempsey. A good sign, perhaps?

 

I think Sanchez wanted the old flooded midfield. See if that works today...

 

Niemi with two terrible handles on a cross, the second of which is bundled over by Kaboul.

 

That was the game plan. Fulham suck when leading early, maybe this is a good sign.

 

anyone know why keller isn't starting?

 

As of 2 minutes ago, no.

 

Fulham are playing a very dangerous offside trap. Berbatov got behind them once, and now Keane nearly does.

 

Berbatov just blazes past Stefanovic and Fulham's high line, and shoots hard past Niemi.

 

If Keller's in goal the game is still 0-0. Great goal by Berbatov but you gotta think Keller would have had that one.

 

Memo:

To: Lawrie Sanchez

Re: Clint Dempsey

Clint is a fine player. But he's not a target forward. Hucking long ball after long ball forward to Clint is not going to work. It's only going to leave him bruised, along with a big fat zero on the scoreboard.

Btw, the long ball game is going to send you the way of Watford...i.e. the Championship. Or get you fired. Whichever comes first.

Thanks

Big Rose

cc: Bob Bradley

 

Stefanovic looked terrible on that. Sanchez has got to wonder 'why did I buy that guy again?'

He's basically a slower version of Bocanegra. When Boca needs a FASTER partner.

 

Boca gets beat by Jenas, Konchesky helps him out and slows Jenas down enough so Boca can recover and win it.

 

Boca recovers to take the ball off Jenas--but it's all Spurs right now.

 

Yikes, Carlos looked bad there, but at least he recovered (with help of Konch).

Dempsey's about the only one that's looked lively, but they are looking at heavy booing at 1/2time.

Carlos looking shaky again in box.

That early goal for Tottenham relieved all the pressure....

Healy will be coming out latest at halftime.

 

Fulham look completely out of sorts.

Tottenham really aren't playing all that well.

 

It's possible Niemi could have kept out the second goal but it was a great finish. There's no way Keller or anyone else would have definitely saved it.

 

keller will be the backup to niemi all season provided niemi is healthy.

 

Relegation stuff from Fulham - very poor all over the field.

Gareth Bale looks a heck of a prospect; too bad he's Welsh!