Saint Pete

Yeah, could be a danger from crosses though against this Arsenal defence

Keystone cops at the back again. Going to be tricky for Ralph to resolve that.

I feel even if we scored 5 we would still find a way to lose.

FFS Romeu

Got to assume Lemina has an injury. Otherwise would be pretty bizarre to leave him out.

It’s amazing how whichever of our esteemed centre backs hasn’t played for a couple of games becomes the new hope again, isn’t it? Let’s face facts, they are all awful and a whole army of defensive geniuses couldn’t stop them making the kind of basic individual errors we are seeing week in week out.

I think that could be a bit suicidal to start with. He spoke about priority being to improve the defence so wouldn’t be surprised to see some form of 3-4-3 to start. Something like McCarthy Stephens Vestergaard Bednarek Cedric Hojbjerg Lemina Targett Armstrong Gabbiadini Redmond

In fairness I think we wanted to ship some players out in the summer but in practice it’s hard to do if no one wants them, or at least doesn’t want to pay the wages we have committed to pay them. I like the logic of what Ralph is saying and it’s a good message to the players but making it happen may not be so easy.

Has anything been said about whether he is bringing an assistant yet? Apologies if missed. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

I definitely like that as a principle to set to the players on day 1. In reality, it will be very interesting to see how that plays out. It is often easier to say you want players out than to make it happen in the modern world, eg Forster. He's going to need strong backing from the board to make things happen the way he wants to in January. But really excited by what he is saying. People just might need to be realistic about how quickly he can solve some of our issues! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

That first goal summed up our defending this season perfectly. Early corner when we should be fully switched on. But we allow an easy short corner with absolutely no pressure on Eriksson giving him total freedom to pick someone out. Marking of Kane their biggest threat non existent and no one from our side attacking the ball a couple of yards from our goal. To call it schoolboy defending is insulting to schoolboys. A decent defensive coach should be able to improve things to some extent, at least coming up with a more solid plan for defending set pieces. But my suspicion is a few of our defenders will still continue making basic errors because they just aren't very good and switch off time and again! The other concerning thing is that we continued to allow easy short corners throughout the rest of the first half! To me that shows a lack of leadership on the pitch, no senior players demanding better organisation. If we can sign a real defensive leader in January, someone in the Cahill mould, then we may be OK, but with the current set, I think Ralph has got quite a job to do! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

This is going to be really tough given all the injuries and suspensions. Could get ugly. Real shame about Obafemi’s injury, thought he did well yesterday and his pace and willingness would have been a good outlet for us in this one. Any chance of Ings making it in time?

It says a lot about our failure in recruitment of centre backs if our best options now are genuinely Stephens, Bednarek and Yoshida! But I fear you are correct on this occasion. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Exactly. Fair play to Hughes, this is a brave line up choice. I hope it comes off as will be good to see the youngsters. Not much he can do about Cedric on the left with both left backs out.

Worth pointing out that things went downhill somewhat after that article was written for Sousa at Fiorentina. They finished up 5th in his first season and 8th in his second. Compared with 4 4th placed finishes in a row under previous manager Montella. Reckon he would be something of a gamble particularly given previous failures in this country albeit a fair while ago. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Sounds like genuinely unlucky today. The clean sheet is encouraging at least. Will Hughes stick with that formation and the same centre backs for Man U? I think he should. For those who watched the stream, how did Valery look? And Vestergaard? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

They may try to go with more of a 3-4-3 with the 4 being Valery Hoj Lemina Target? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

He really needs to look at his own part in Fulham's goals and recognise that before criticising anyone else. He may have been exposed because of lack of tracking back by other players, but he is a defender and he needs to defend better than he did in that game. Unfortunately the club saw fit not to sign a senior back up right back in the summer so he probably sees himself as untouchable. I would still leave him out and play a youngster like Valery who will play for the shirt.

Doubt it. They will say they will make a decision after the "pivotal" following fixtures. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Yeah, it was a bouncing ball and he just snatched at it a bit rather than setting himself more to keep it down. Understandable if for such a young player, but as you say he looked lively and I’d like to see how he gets on as a starter if Ings remains out.

From what I have seen I don’t agree Vestergaard is worse. Less mobile I agree, but Hoedt is just an appalling defender, he just doesn’t have the instincts to play the position. His attitude also seems to be poor, always looking to blame others for his own mistakes, not a team player. It’s Hughes’s worst failure in my opinion that he has kept picking him rather than at least exploring other combinations.

Just watched the highlights on the OS. I would say the 2 Obafemi efforts were half chances really. Whereas Gabbiadini has GOT to score that chance in the first half. Really poor from him.

The obvious team selection really. Think the only one you can really disagree with is Austin up front. I would have preferred Obafemi to get at Fulham with pace. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Don't think we can play him in the league because he didn't make our 25 man squad and is too old to count as a youth player. If Ings isn't fit I would give Obafemi a chance and keep Gabbi on the right after his decent showing against Watford. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

But why make it public knowledge through Wilson? We never used to do this. If the intention was to strengthen our hand in some way, it clearly didn't work! More likely to alert other clubs. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk