Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Forecast Thursday: Red-letter Day or Mission Impossible?
38 Plays10 days ago
Attention turns to Liverpool as Gavin casts an eye over the league leaders before identifying what Fulham will need to do to get an unlikely result.
Zencastr- Built for quality- Designed for growth
A new era for creation is here.
The only complete audio + video platform to get best-in-class recording, intuitive editing, Al-powered growth features, and top-tier tools all in one place.
Get started for free!
We highly recommend it!
Global Sports Podcast Network- Creating the world's first network of 30-minute daily podcasts for the world's biggest sporting export, the English Premier League.
For advertising and sponsorship details or to learn more about the scale and demographics of our audience- email Ken Davies, VP Business & Development at:
www.globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
Copyright] 2024| Global Sports Podcast Network] All Rights Reserved
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Match Preview
00:00:07
Speaker
sports podcast network work Hello and welcome back to the Daily Fulham Podcast. This is your home of all things Fulham and today is Forecast Thursday where we will start the build-up and look ahead to the daunting task of Fulham going to Anfield to take on the league leaders. My name is Gavin Ruffle so let's crack on with it. As I said there, Fulham travel to Liverpool this weekend with the unenviable task of trying to breach this Liverpool team who are absolutely flying at this moment in time. Possibly the most difficult task in European football at the minute is trying to go to Anfield to secure a result.
Fulham's Recent Form and Mentality
00:00:44
Speaker
but Fulham can be heartened by the form they have shown in recent weeks. One defeat in the last seven games before and after the last international break. Ironically enough the one defeat
00:00:57
Speaker
coming to Wolves at home which was on paper probably the easiest fixture and away from home they've been pretty solid as well only two defeats both in Manchester. Do you come into a game like this with nothing to lose and see it as a bit of a free hit? Some might, some might but I always think that is a bit of a defeatist mentality. I never like saying nothing to lose in sport. I prefer the phrase everything to gain and Fulham fans will be heartened by some of their performances against the bigger teams away at Manchester City despite not coming away with any points.
Performance Against Top Teams
00:01:36
Speaker
Going to Spurs, a big stadium, they are a big team despite some of the last couple of results and getting a point there being the better side and also against Arsenal. What we saw there was a very different performance from the two away games where
00:01:52
Speaker
backs were against the wall they had to be tough and dogged and probably wasn't the attacking display Marco Silva would have set out his team to show. I'm sure there would have been a little frustration not with the result but just with when they got the ball in that game they weren't able to truly show what they were capable of doing and so they showed a different side of themselves there and they managed to grind out a result and you look at the last two getting two games at home with four points against Brighton and Arsenal two games where they've had less of the ball less chances So they've been efficient in those two games, which just shows that even if they're not at their best from an attacking standpoint, they are capable of going out there and getting results in this league, which is all important because you're not going to be at your best every game. It's impossible to do so, but you just need to have that clinical edge and Fulham R score in every game. When they were presented with the chance against Arsenal, they were able to take it. So yeah, coming into this game, you always have a hope. Fulham fans are under no illusions of the task at hand. You're going going away to Anfield.
00:02:52
Speaker
and how they're playing how they're performing but, Liverpool fans will also be astute enough a aware that if they're not at it, then a team like for them are capable on the day of doing something that can upset the apple cart.
Historic Fulham vs. Liverpool Matches
00:03:05
Speaker
If we look at the fixtures last season, these two teams actually played each other four times and the game at Anfield will serve warning to Liverpool because that was one of the games of the season. The 4-3 ended up to Liverpool and the goals in that game were absolutely superb. It's as if Liverpool were having their own goal of the month competition in that one game alone.
00:03:25
Speaker
Fulham going 3-2 up late in the game thanks to a Bobby Deccadova read header and then it often happens at Anfield. It happened in the Carabao Cup meeting as well. When Liverpool get that one goal they seem to have a head of steam and they almost suck the ball in the net and there's nothing you can seem to do to to stop it to control it. Trent Alexander-Arnold popping up with a an injury time winner so that would have been a gut-wrenching the manner of that defeat losing it so late on but to be a part of such a game would have been encouraging for Fulham fans and in the two Carabao Cup meetings they were very tight affairs again Fulham taking the lead at Anfield going down to and two goals in quick succession and the game at Craven Cottage finished finished the draw and most of the meetings in recent times there's not been much in it if Liverpool have won it's just been by the odd goal
00:04:11
Speaker
apart from the game at Craven Cottage in the league last season which you don't want to read too much into really because Liverpool at that stage was still going for the title, Fulham probably on the beach ah metaphorically speaking but Fulham will go into this game with belief just ah based on what they've done, or how they've performed against some of the bigger teams In recent times, as I've said before, there's no inferiority complex.
Liverpool's Current Form and Management
00:04:36
Speaker
They know they have the players. Well, Marco Silva knows he has the players and he has the game plan that if they can produce that on the day, then maybe, maybe maybe just maybe they can get a result. Of course, when you're going to Anfield, you need a bit of luck. You need your goalkeeper to play well, you need your defence to play well, because they're going to be asked so many questions. So yeah, going into it, not expecting a lot, but there's always a hope.
00:05:01
Speaker
More on Liverpool shortly, but first a few words about our sponsors. Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencaster came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and r's, it's super easy to start the podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently. If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencaster.
00:05:30
Speaker
Liverpool are top of the league. by four points with a game in hand. Having had that game, the movie side derby against Everton postponed due to Storm Darragh. And they actually, despite not playing, they had a pretty good weekend. Chelsea did win away at Spurs, but Manchester City dropping points again. I mean, that's put them so far behind Manchester City now. They're just not looking that same team they have in seasons gone by. But they'll also be thankful for Fulham, who were able to stop Arsenal in their tracks.
00:06:01
Speaker
by getting that 1-1 at home to them and they're also flying in Europe having secured another away victory in Girona keeping a clean sheet there six out of six just the one one goal conceded so the start they've made has been probably has been probably beyond any anyone's wildest expectations Champions League top of that table, Premier League top of that table and then Carabao Cup, which of course they won last season, and they're into the quarterfinals now with a tie against Southampton. The slot is able to rotate aside in the Carabao Cup whilst still picking up a strong enough team that they can secure progression and they'll they'll have every chance again of keeping hold of that trophy.
00:06:43
Speaker
And let's just talk about Arnie Slott and it's been such a seamless transition after coming in, after the Jurgen Klopp. Jurgen Klopp, who's this godlike figure to Liverpool fans, was there for for a long time and the announcement video when it came out last season, I'm sure many Liverpool fans would have been scared and worried and having that trepidation feeling because you're going into an unknown, all you've known for the last sort of decade is Jurgen Klopp and the figurehead of Klopp. Only winning the one league title, but always there and thereabouts compete for trophies, winning the Champions League as well, another domestic cup competition. So on a slot coming in from the Dutch league, we've seen it with Eric Tenharg, a guy who's managed in the Netherlands, not quite working out necessarily as far as the league's concerned in England. Obviously, Tenharg will say that he has won a couple of cups in the meantime.
00:07:30
Speaker
But it's just been a seamless transition. I don't quite like what some pundits have said. I've heard some things were saying he hasn't had to do anything because the groundwork was laid in place by Jurgen Klopp, which is a total discredit to what he's gone and done there, which is basically saying any random bloke off the street could have taken over from Jurgen Klopp and done what he's done. Get a team to the top of the Premier League, at the stage top of the Champions League. I mean, if only it was easy as that. David Moyes didn't find it easy after c Sir Alex Ferguson, did he?
00:08:00
Speaker
The best thing Arnislott has done at this stage is no one's talking about Jurgen Klopp. Of course he's going to be forever adored by Liverpool fans, but you know if if they were struggling at this stage, and i think I think even Liverpool fans would have accepted a little bit of struggle. They would have come to the realisation honest enough to admit to themselves that yeah it may take a little time for a new manager to bed in and have his own ideas and get his hands on things intrinsically. but It has been a seamless transition and he has improved some players, likes of Ryan Gravenberg, who's having a terrific season at Liverpool last season. People probably would have been thinking, is she you know is he a bit of a squad player or is he ah is he really the guy that's going to nail down that place in in midfield there? and he's been that He's been absolutely brilliant, nominated for player of the month, certainly on one occasion, one occasion might have even been two, but he's been a real standout player in a group of standout Liverpool players. and
00:08:56
Speaker
They've navigated some tough fixtures, haven't they, in recent times, which is the beauty of playing in a lot of competitions. You're going to play tough games Saturday, Sunday, midweek. And they played the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa, by Levacuz and Real Madrid, Manchester City, all over the course of the last month and a half. And they've come through those games with flying colours, only dropping the points points in the league at Arsenal, as far as those games are concerned.
00:09:21
Speaker
um but you take you would take that one you go into go into aon getting a point ah drawing the last game against newcastle and then only that blip at home to nottingham forest at home they've been impregnable winning every other game aside from that six out of seven having just conceded the three goals doesn't make for a great read and does it and one play we we have to focus on is Mohammed Saleh and he just continues to seemingly get better and better with A's there's no stopping him there's no drop off and this season is he's been as good as he ever has been and there's all this talk about contract situations and
00:09:57
Speaker
Whether he stays at Liverpool beyond this season, only time will tell as far as that's concerned.
Player Focus: Mohamed Salah
00:10:04
Speaker
If you're a Liverpool fan, you want to hang on to him as long as you possibly can because, as I said, he doesn't seem to be letting up, does he? But if he does eventually go, whether it's the Saudi Arabia or someone else, I think you've got to just give him your blessing and wish him all the best because he's been a fantastic service for that football club and he would rank highly in terms of Premier League greats he's nudging himself up that list isn't he as far as goal scoring records are concerned and it'll probably have his eyes on if he can stay at Liverpool for another season maybe getting himself into the 200 goal.
00:10:39
Speaker
200 goal club that's well within his sights and them also contributed to goals as well. i mean were We're talking about a player playing out wide here generally so to get all those goals not from a main centre forward position where you compare them to most of the other guys in that list with probably the exception of Frank Lampard is a testament to the player he he has been for Liverpool and what he continues to do.
00:11:01
Speaker
He's one player that Liverpool will have to keep fit. They will have to rotate in games. There's there's no question about that. Even in the Champions League now, it looks like they've secured their progression to the next stage. So in the next couple of games in the Champions League, they'll probably ah rotate their side a bit. And it's important to probably wrap Mohamed Salah in Cotton Wall for the Premier League games, the blood and thunder of that. and I guess that's always the question, isn't it? If you do have injuries, it's it's the question of ah of any side, not just applicable to Liverpool, any of the other title contenders, if you had an injury to this player, to that player, how it would affect your season. And if Mohammed Salah was injured for a significant period of time, they don't have a replacement. Also, they have good, ah good attacking options that can interchange. They have, they have Yotta, who's out at at the minute. Darwin Nunes, who's a bit hit or miss, supplying to the ridiculous,
00:11:53
Speaker
Cody Gappo, I think, is is someone that improved the season and, honestly, we're seeing the best of him. Luis Diaz, who I've always liked as a player, ah but Mohamed Salah is the big one, and and of course Van Dijk at the back, as in everyone, if something bad were to happen to Van Dijk, then that would just give a boost.
00:12:09
Speaker
give a lift to the the title rivals, but at the moment, whilst they're fit and healthy, Liverpool can enjoy the good times with them and not have to worry about what would happen in in worst case scenario.
Liverpool's Resilience and Title Aspirations
00:12:21
Speaker
So at the minute, yeah, absolutely. They're leading the way in the Premier League. they I wouldn't say red hot favourites because I don't think we're far enough into the season with the full point lead.
00:12:30
Speaker
albeit having a game in hand to say they are red hot favourites, it would be how they react after a couple of disappointing results back to back. What they showed with the game against Nottingham Forest where they lost at home which would have been a surprise to everyone when they reacted to that and then the results were what they were ah prior to that game and now they're just coming off the draw against Newcastle not playing against Everton but Chelsea were the only team able to take advantage of that to close the gap so and We'll see how they react to adversity which is always the sign of a title winning team if you can bounce back from defeat negative performances.
00:13:08
Speaker
I will soon round things off by looking at a potential 11 and giving my thoughts on the game itself, but I must first point you in the direction of GSPN. The Global Sports Podcast Network is changing the face of football podcasts. With dedicated daily content for every Premier League team, women's football, fantasy football and a daily Premier League wrap-up broadcast in five different languages, it's your one-stop shop for your daily football fix. Fine, GSPN wherever you find your usual podcasts.
00:13:36
Speaker
Again, I mention it briefly if you listened to the last podcast, but we are on the lookout for more podcasters or budding podcasters to join the Daily Fulham team. If this is something that may interest you, then don't hesitate to get in touch. If you want to reach out, then you can find us on Twitter at GSPM Fulham or Instagram at GSPM Daily Fulham.
Fulham's Defensive Challenges
00:13:57
Speaker
Fulham will be forced into at least one change for this game as Calvin Bassey is out with a suspension having picked up a fifth yellow card in that draw against Arsenal and that could be a real blow for Fulham as they go into this game in all likelihood without their two first choice centre house. It's difficult enough going to Anfield isn't it at the best of times when you've got a fully fit healthy squad everyone available to choose from and going to Anfield without your first choice centre house is yeah makes makes life all that much worse despite that Diop has been in fine form had a fantastic game against Arsenal so any doubts you had about him I think have ah been dispelled now and you're confident that he can put in a good performance but it probably opens the door now for Jorge Cuenca who we've seen bits and pieces of coming off the bench playing in the Carabao Cup but this is a baptism of fire isn't it making your first Premier League start
00:14:56
Speaker
away at Anfield, away at the relentless beasts that are Liverpool right now. So good luck to him. I mean, I hope if things don't go to plan, people aren't too critical of him because starting your first game, yeah, I mean, this is no easy introduction, is it? So he's going to be posing a lot of problems. We'll learn a lot more about Jorge Cuenca after this game.
Tactical Analysis for Anfield
00:15:20
Speaker
Tactics, how are they going to set up? As I said briefly,
00:15:24
Speaker
I think Marco Silva, whilst he would have been happy with the point against Arsenal, he would have been a little bit disappointed with some of the attacking output. They weren't able to match the levels going forward that they produced against Manchester City and Spurs. And that's credit to Arsenal as well because they didn't allow them so much time on the ball and space in forward areas as those two teams did. Adama Troyer, I was critical of him in that game and just because what he was trying to do If he had received the ball in space and attempted his runs and just been blocked or doubled up on him, that sort of thing, I wouldn't have minded so much because he was he was playing to his strengths. What he was trying to do, it was like Usain Bolt doing shot putt. And Adama Traore probably would be good at shot putt, seeing the size of him. but
00:16:13
Speaker
What I mean by that is he's known for his direct style of play, getting on the ball and scaring full backs to death. And what he was trying to do was trying to be just too precise. And when he had the ball to feed, he tried to get rid of it as soon as possible to to try and pass it to other players when it wasn't the best options, particularly in that game where Fulham didn't have so much of the ball. and Any the attack was going to be important for Fulham to be efficient, that efficiency they needed because they they weren't seeing so much of the ball. and I was just disappointed in that regard and you look at this game arguably this is set up perfectly again for him if you look to employ him in that role similar to what you did at the Etty had if he plays over on the left because when we saw the team sheets for the game against Arsenal we would have predicted him to just start on the right and it would be to be on the left but no it was actually it would be on the right dropping into a back five when Fulham were on the the defensive so if you look at it like that this would be a good game for Troyer to start on the left going against Alexander-Arnold. Alexander-Arnold some of the things he can do on the ball
00:17:14
Speaker
Right backs aren't supposed to do that. His Ranger passing is the best of any fullback I've ever seen and and he and his crossing as well. and Set pieces we saw that against Fulham last season a couple of times. What you don't want Alexander-Arnold to do is ah make an impression going forward and allowing to to spray the ball around. and You want to give him something to think about defensively because defensively he isn't isn't the best right back.
00:17:43
Speaker
and if Adama Troyeri does receive the ball and is able to run at him, then he can possibly get joy. and It will be interesting to see how Fulham approach this game, whether it's with the same mentality and mindset that they had against Manchester City, but then it's also dictated by how your opponents play isn't it? and maybe with this being a Saturday three o'clock game the atmosphere may be bit a bit flatter Liverpool fans will come into this game expecting their team to win whilst also knowing that Fulham can be a threat on their day it won't generate the same atmosphere as as it would be for a big European night maybe Fulham can play on that defensively Fulham was sound against against Arsenal very very sound obviously you can see them from a corner but
00:18:27
Speaker
we know how good Arsenal are
Adama Traore's Criticism and Tactical Adjustments
00:18:29
Speaker
from corners. I don't think you can expect to be on the back foot for the whole duration of the game and you need that little bit of respite and this is an important game again for Emil Smith-Rowe if he does start. It's funny actually because Fulham fans have been calling for Andreas Pereira to be dropped for a season and a half and after the Arsenal game with Smith-Rowe's performance, so suddenly he's seen those same people clamor for Andreas Pereira to get a start again.
00:18:53
Speaker
It just shows how fickle some people are in it and it's it's almost, you know, with Andreas Pereira being in the team, a constant figure for Marco Silva, it's almost as if Marco Silva knows what he's doing, isn't it? How integral Pereira can be for the team and it's a tough answer. I mean, what what weaknesses did Liverpool have? That's the one I can identify is if someone's got time and the pace, which Adama Traore potentially has, to run Alexander-Arnold, get him running backwards, cause him a problem that way.
00:19:21
Speaker
I think in that respect that these are good games for Darmattroyal, but I was just so put off by his performance against Arsenal that I would just play a Warby over there and and Harry Wilson to play on play on the right and keep it as it was apart from the one in fours change which is Quencher coming in for Calvin Bassey and Anthony Robinson, I mean, he's gone from playing against Bukayo Saka to playing in against Mohamed Salah in the space of a week. I mean, thank you very much. He's playing against the two best right wingers in the league and and he coped tremendously with Bukayo Saka. Bukayo Saka, you're never quite going to keep him quiet. He's always going to keep probing, keep working you.
00:20:02
Speaker
ah We know about his delivery as well from corners and he looked like he got the winner didn't it popping up at the back post just getting in front of Robinson but um Martin Elliott adjudicated offside and going against Mohamed Salah who is the best right winger in the league and At the end of the day, Anthony Robinson could keep him quiet for 89 minutes, but if Mohamed Salah scores in the 90th minute, then he's got he's won that battle, isn't he? and so ah yes It's a tough task, isn't it? Mohamed Salah losing fantastic form as well, isn't it? Seemingly like he's scoring in every game. and ah Anthony Robinson, funny enough, has been rumours with Liverpool in dispatches over the course of the last couple of seasons. so if he If he does have a good game,
00:20:48
Speaker
maybe it'll ah intensify any talk of a ah transfer to Liverpool, but full of fans, you don't want to be talking about Anthony Robertson as ah as a potential transfer to another team. Certainly, as far as this season's concerned, you don't want to be losing him next month, absolutely not.
Match Predictions and Expectations
00:21:02
Speaker
They'll try everything they can to keep hold of him until the end of the season, at least being made captains. There's probably gone some way to doing that as well, to to fend off any interest from other teams looking to secure his services.
00:21:15
Speaker
But so no, it's it's a tough game. is that I always back Fulham to score in games. They've scored in the last 14 Premier League games, which is great. If they can get anything from this game, it it it is a bonus. It is a bonus. You've got to look at it like that. yeah Whilst Nottingham Forest proved they can do it, every other team has got beaten. A lot of them have got blown away. They don't give up much, conceding just the three goals. Fulham are going to have to be at their best.
00:21:46
Speaker
defensively whilst also half having a little bit of luck and when they get opportunities they're gonna have to make the most of them but realistically I don't want to say it but I can't see anything but Liverpool win and I think they might be the team to stop Fulham scoring as well so I'm gonna go for a 2-0 Liverpool win Salah to get on the score sheet for them to maintain their lead at the top of the league for Fulham though even if they do lose, nothing to dwell on. Difficult, full game.
00:22:20
Speaker
Batch playing Spurs, Brighton, Arsenal and Liverpool. They've gone unbeaten in the previous three, this without doubt the toughest task of the four. So you go in with hope, not so much expectation. If we can get half as good a game as we got last season between the two sides at Anfield, then it's one to look forward to. And on that note, that'll do it for today's preview.
00:22:45
Speaker
I will be back next time with our weekly crossover episode with the guys from the daily Liverpool team. Be sure to catch us for that. We'll see you all next time.
00:23:02
Speaker
sports podcast network