When we talk about fruitless away trips as Fulham fans, our mind often turns to Everton because – as proved a couple of weeks ago – it is now eight years in the Premier League and eight defeats at Goodison Park. But, looking through the statistics this week ahead of our game at Liverpool on Saturday, it should be noted that our record on the other side of Stanley Park is almost as abysmal. Our only Premier League point at Anfield came win Edwin van der Sar saved a Steven Gerrard penalty in a dire 0-0 draw a few years back and we haven’t come close to replicating even that result in recent years.
Of course, the smart money will be on Liverpool extending our grim record even further with a win on Saturday. It is often remarked that Liverpool’s title challenge looks good around Christmas time only to fade by February as their rivals form an orderly queue at the top of the table, but it has to be said that this season looks like it could be different. Rafa Benitez had made some smart additions to his squad and the team certainly has started in title-winning mode, thrashing opponents as well as grinding out the important narrow wins when they haven’t been playing well.
There is stronger depth to the Liverpool now than in previous seasons and, it is conceivable that they could line-up when talisman Steven Gerrard (who was missing for England last night) and centre-forward Fernando Torres, who scored for Spain but is still lacking match sharpness, and still expect to beat us handsomely. That might be because the likes of Robbie Keane and Albert Riera have settled in so seamlessly at Anfield but also because our away performances so far this season have followed the usual Fulham tradition of being rather meek.
So, how do we approach the game? The Lawrie Sanchez method of last year – where we sat deep and let Liverpool come onto us – was deeply uninspiring and, while it nearly worked, was also obviously flawed. Liverpool scored two late goals to win the game but without a true holding midfielder (we lined up with Steven Davis and Danny Murphy in midfield) or someone to hold the ball up front, we struggled to break up play and then keep hold of the ball once we did have it in our possession. There is a temptation to almost man the barricades if you will at Anfield, but I would suggest that we now have better players than Sanchez had at his disposal and carry more of a goal threat so it would be foolish for Hodgson to try and play for a point.
With that in mind, I would be seriously tempted to stick with the same side that beat Spurs last weekend. The defence has looked pretty sturdy: instead, we have, to date, the third best defensive record in the league (which is pretty unbelievable given some of the defending that dogged the last campaign). Much of the credit must go to the goalkeeper and his two centre backs – Hangeland and Hughes seem to have really worked to form a fine partnership and all three will have to be at their very best to keep the likes of Torres, Kuyt, Babel and Keane quiet on Saturday.
I would fancy that, barring any injuries, the midfield should pick itself. Clint Dempsey’s fine display against Tottenham showed just what he can offer with an array of tricks and powerful shooting from the right – his influence could be just what we need to worry Liverpool. Bullard should return from international duty alongside Murphy, who will want to prove a point to his former employers, and Simon Davies can fill in on the left again if he shakes off the ankle problem that prevented him from representing Wales in midweek. With Zamora and Johnson up front and in good form, we could even dream of troubling the scorers at Anfield – but the likelihood is of a long journey home with nothing to show for our endeavour. I can’t afford to make the trip up to Merseyside this weekend so hopefully one of our guest reporters will do the job of capturing the atmosphere for us.
MY FULHAM XI (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Pantsil, Konchesky, Hughes, Hangeland; Murphy, Bullard, Dempsey, Davies; Zamora, Johnson. Subs: Zuberbuhler, Baird, Andreasen, Gray, Gera, Kallio, Nevland.
You do highlight the interesting dilemma of what to do when you play a top four side.
Under Coleman and Sanchez, we seemed to adopt a safety first approach – trying to hang onto results (particularly away from home) and either getting thrashed – like the 4-0 and 5-1 results against Liverpool – or losing gallantly at the last.
I’d love to see us go for at it Liverpool. If we defend for 90 minutes it is unlikely that we’ll get anything. By taking the game to Liverpool we give our creative midfield a chance to make some chances for Zamora and AJ. Far better to be bold and come away having given Liverpool a game rather sit back and try to hold onto a result.
Part of me agrees with you Tony.
I don’t remember the last time we really went at a ‘big four’ side and tried to get a result – we sort of went in front by accident against Arsenal at home this season. Perhaps Man Utd at the Cottage a couple of years ago when Ronaldo scored that or wonder goal or the night we beat Arsenal 2-1.
But I wonder if Roy’s just too conservative a coach to go hell for leather. With the quality in Liverpool’s side it would be almost suicidal to bomb forward with an all-out attack mentality and with the tightness of the league at the moment a heavy defeat could cause us to slip a long way down the table.
What’s interesting is that Roy has got us organised in such a way that although we’ve got four ball players across the middle they all work exceptionally hard for the team. Something tells me they are going to have to on Saturday.
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there Dan. The congested nature of the league table means you can’t be too reckless in games like this.
Best for us for us to try and sit tight and nick it on the break if we can.
But isn’t it that sort of defensive mindset that’s made us such a soft touch away from home for the last few years?
Tony – that’s just the way you characterise it.
Perhaps we did play for draws under Coleman towards the end with one up front but we had some excellent results with plenty of attacking football towards the end of last season when Hodgson was in charge.
Dan – I’ll be at Anfield on Saturday. Getting the early train up and would be happy to write something once the inevitable hangover subsides.
Surely this debate about our strategy that has erupted in the comments is a little bit of inside baseball as the Americans would say?
As such we can only deal with the facts. Our defence when we went to Anfield last season was Baird, Stefanovic, Hughes and Bocanegra. Now it will be Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes and Konchesky. There’s no doubt that our defence is much stronger now (witness the goals conceded stats so far) so that should bring us confidence.
With the number of creative players we’ve got in midfield – as Dan points out above – there’s no danger of us trying to shut up shop completely. I’d back Bullard, Murphy, Davies and Demspey (if that is how Roy starts) to make a few chances and I have to say I feel a lot more confident going to Liverpool with a front line of AJ and Zamora than Kuqi and Healy.
I think that’s about right Pete.
The big difference for me this season is that we’ve improved at both ends of the pitch. Was reading a Liverpool forum a little while ago to see what they thought of us and the game tomorrow and some of them were saying that our defence isn’t up to much and that they should put a bucketload of goals past us. They might do so, but perhaps they should take a look at the stats.
I feel much better with Hangeland at the heart of the defence and up front you’ve got AJ/Zamora who seem to be linking up well.
Jack – I’d be delighted if you could write something. It was a shame you couldn’t meet up with the Swedes last weekend – would have been good to see you. Enjoy the weekend mate.
Don’t get me wrong guys I’d love us to get something this weekend but we’ve never won at Liverpool and only got two draws in the league. I can’t see us keeping a clean sheet given the quality Liverpool have up front so we are going to have to score. We might as well go for it!
Where’s everyone watching the game then?
I like your gung-ho attitude Tony. It makes me wonder whether you are really Ossie Ardiles in disguise.
As for watching the game, I’ll probably have to make do with Match of the Day tomorrow evening unless there’s a stream I can catch. Can’t afford to get up to Liverpool at the moment.
Good news (I think) – Gerrard has been ruled out for tomorrow’s game:
https://hammyend.com/?p=256
Quite lively in the comments today.
I’d ask Roy for go the same team but not sit back and actively look to frighten Liverpool with our pace. With Dempsey out wide and Davies, we can pose problems with the full backs and hopefully get some crosses in that Johnson and Zamora might be able to profit from.
If you are going to watching from your computer/radio tomorrow Dan, how about putting a thread up so that us exiles or those who aren’t going to the game can comment as they are watching/listening?
Just a thought. It might make for quite good fun.
Sorry Scott – Didn’t see your comment until this afternoon.
It might be a good idea, but I’m just not sure this site would generate enough traffic during a game to get a lively discussion going. If other people think it might work, then we can give it a try for the Villa game next weekend.