Fulham are back on the road — a first trip to the Hill Dickenson awaits, marking a return to Merseyside for Marco Silva. With Fulham winning just twice on the road since March, a win in Liverpool would be a statement in pushing Fulham up the table. Here’s how Marco’s merry men mount more pressure on David Moyes:
### How Everton’s Play Style Can Be Exploited:
The summer additions of Kieran Dewsbury Hall and Jack Grealish revolutionised how David Moyes sets up his Everton side.
A move away from direct football to final third triangles and 1v1 isolation against opposing defenders now makeup the cogs of Moyes’ attacking blueprint.
Interchangable triangles involving Grealish and Dewsbury Hall
While more exciting for the once Goodison faithful, teams seemed to have worked out the Blues’ reliance in forcing the ball into their two marquee summer signings — Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish. Everton’s central creativity push has limited the Toffee’s movement in the final third.
With Illiman Ndiaye allowed a free-roam like role, as the only real runner from in and around the penalty box, Grealish and Dewsbury Hall have been drowned out centrally through a lack of plan B from Moyes’ men. This caused Jack Grealish to come under for fire for his performances in recent weeks.
A need for solidity in the middle of the park — to stop Everton’s lone creative threat — should see Fulham’s deployment of Alex Iwobi in the eight be put on hold. Don’t allow summer signings, or Iliman N’diaye, the space or the 1v1 isolation opportunities to work their magic. Funnel play out wide and force balls into the — lets just say — lacklustre duo of Barry and Beto.
**_Central solidity is the key: pack numbers centrally._** Kevin and Wilson need to muck in centrally, Iwobi must drop in too. Berge and Lukic must stay resolute.
Exploiting Everton’s Defensive Frailties
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Sessegnon and Kevin isolating and overloading Jake O’Brien
A once-solid Everton backline has been dismantled. Conceding seven goals in the last four goals, Nathan Patterson’s absence has been very much felt, with Jake O’brien — a 6’6 feet centre-half — forced to deputise at right-back.
O’Brien can’t cope with tricky, quick wingers. His stature and high centre of gravity forces the Irishmen to allow space to his opposite number, to make up for his slow turn of pace out the blocks. Do you like the sound of that, Kev?
**_Isolate O’Brien out wide._** Get an overload on that Fulham left side, with Sessegnon wrapping round on that overlap that has proved so lethal in recent weeks, and make it a nightmare day for the former Lyon man. That’s where Fulham will find our joy.
Team News: Fulham Near Full Fitness
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Fulham are on the cusp of full fitness. The returning Muniz, Chukwueze, Wilson, and Smith Rowe continue their upward trajectory towards full fitness, while Antonne Robinson proves to be the last man standing (or lying) on the Motspur Park treatment table, with Marco Silva still unable to give a timeline for Jedi’s return. Worrying times for the American — recurring knee issues can dent careers!
Iliman N’diaye looks a game time decision after David Moyes said, ‘’he’s trained today (Friday), so hopefully everything’s okay’’.
Nathan Patterson, and Jarred Brainthwaite both remain out.
Fulham’s XI
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What I’d start at the Hill Dickenson
Cuenca comes in for an out of form Calvin Bassey, while Sasa Lukic comes back the lineup to partner Sander Berge, as Fulham look to build steel in the middle of the park.
Kevin maintains his place, but Josh King will find himself very unlucky to lose his spot in the 10 to Alex Iwobi, with the Nigerian offering transitional support on both sides of possession.
Samuel Chukwueze awaits his first league start despite a terrific cameo last week. Come 60 minutes though, expect to see Sammy C running down to wing. Harry Wilson keeps his place on the right.
Rodrigo Muniz regains a starting role, with the heavy workload Raul Jimenez’s legs have undertaken clearly taking its tole in recent weeks. A purple patch from Rodrigo would change the course of London Original’s season. Can it start at the Hill Dickenson?
Everton Away: A Litmus Test
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One win in a run of eight games that included fixtures against Wolves and West Ham should hardly strike fear into the Whites’ hearts. With murmurings of discontent around David Moyes’ position growing, a third Fulham away win since late February may well bring the Goodison boo birds crosstown to dockside.
This Everton fixture will prove a litmus test to where Fulham really are. Wolves was a game that Fulham were massive favourites in, and it turned out to be devoid of much contest past the half hour mark. How much value can you take away from that performance?
Saturday’s fixture is an opportunity to see how we weigh up against fellow mid-table opposition.
Can we finally win away? Can we begin to put a run together, with winnable games coming up? Can we separate ourselves from the drop zone? All will be revealed come Saturday 5pm.
I’ll see you at Arkles. You Whites!