ARTICLE: Mee ruled out of Fulham clash

[ClaretTony]

Out through protocols but Pieters not serious, neither is Vydra, both touch and go, Wood could be ready and Taylor is back.

See link
https://www.uptheclarets.com/mee-ruled- ... lham-clash

[jtv]

Will Mee be available for WBA?

[PaintYorkClaretnBlue]

That’s fair enough, his health is more important. He will be back for West Brom as the protocol is six days.

[ClaretTony]

Will Mee be available for WBA?

It's six days in a professional sport environment so unless he suffers any sort of adverse reaction then he'll be fine. Strangely, it was Palace last time we had this with Nick Pope when he made that save at the end in the home game. He was fine at the time but then suffered after the game which led to him missing the Man City game.

[Longsider]

Taylor back is good.

[ClaretTony]

Taylor back is good.

It' becoming one in one out recently with the injuries but then you look at other clubs and it is similar at all of them. The managers will tell you that there was a major lack of preparation because of the shortened close season.

[ElectroClaret]

Can't be helped, good thing, really.
And yes, good news about the other chaps, particularly Charlie.

We'll cope.
UTC.

[bfcmartin]

If Taylor is back I'd be tempted to play Pieters as the left sided centre half

[CharlieinNewMexico]

If Taylor is back I'd be tempted to play Pieters as the left sided centre half

Always thought he could transition into that position in his career now but cant see SD doing it now

[Andreshotboots]

Chris Wood at centre half anybody?

[FCBurnley]

Mee will be a huge loss against a very much improved Fulham

[Tribesmen]

Kev will be fine don't worry

[claretblue]

you do know what 'touch + go' actually means

this kind of statement is only to keep opposition guessing

...sadly they're not going to feature!

[Bosscat]

Always thought he could transition into that position in his career now but cant see SD doing it now

Its a position Charlie (Left CH) used to play early in his career at Leeds too

[fidelcastro]

Chris Wood at centre half anybody?

No.

[tiger76]

Time for Kev Long to step up, that's what he's in the squad for after all, and let's keep it in perspective we're playing Fulham not Man City, so he and we will be fine stop panicking.

[boatshed bill]

Time for Kev Long to step up, that's what he's in the squad for after all, and let's keep it in perspective we're playing Fulham not Man City, so he and we will be fine stop panicking.

Not panicking, but this puts so much pressure on Tarkowski.
With Mee alongside he can concentrate on his main asset which is winning (often attacking) the ball. unfortunately his main job is diluted by the fact that that is KL's best asset too, regardless of whether he is as good as JT at it or not.

[gsyclaret]

I said after the cup tie, Long is ok with another experienced centre back along side him, he will be fine.

[boatshed bill]

I said after the cup tie, Long is ok with another experienced centre back along side him, he will be fine.

I sincerely hope so,

[Marty Dobson]

The problem I see with Tarks and Long is that It involves 2 changes. Tarks is moved into Bens position and Long comes in to fill Tarks spot on the right. This reduces Tarks effectiveness and unbalances the defence. Why not leave Tarks on the right and put Longy straight into Bens place as a more effective Tarks will lift the whole side.

[IWOODLOVETT]

The problem is that with Mee missing the balance of the defence is seriously disrupted. Tarks is uncomfortable playing as a lefty as we have seen previously both with us and when he played there for England.

The Mee/Tarks combination works so well because they both provide efficient cover on their respective sides. By moving Tarks we will weaken both sides and I’m especially worried that a Long/Lowton unit won’t cope with Lookman and there will also be problems on the other side if both Pieters and Taylor don’t make it.

I’m with Bill here that if Taylor does recover, and Pieters also makes it, we should play both against Fulham. I see Pieters as the most natural replacement for Mee. He is naturally left footed, vastly experienced and understands the left-sided defensive role. His presence on the left would release the Taylor/McNeil attacking threat - similarly Tarks in his usual position on the right releases the (new found) Lowton/Gudmundsson threat on the right.

A much more balanced team - essential against a team that will throw everything at us from the first whistle.

[BFCmaj]

I said this on another thread, Long plays well with Pope behind him organising the defence.

[Cubanclaret]

I have full confidence in Long as a reserve centre half. He’s kept plenty clean sheets before, notably in an excellent performance at WBA and his best game of the season was at Fulham.

[Spijed]

Long played alongside Tarkowski when we recently beat Fulham 3-0 in the FA cup.

[jojomk1]

Chris Wood at centre half anybody?

Less chance of him being caught offside

[ClaretLoup]

Long played alongside Tarkowski when we recently beat Fulham 3-0 in the FA cup.

You forgot to mention that he scored as well.

[COBBLE]

Whatever the result tomorrow this might be the best thing for the rest of the season. Not surprisingly Ben seems to get injured towards the end of season, so a short break for him might keep him going longer and fitter.

[nil_desperandum]

If Taylor is back I'd be tempted to play Pieters as the left sided centre half

My view is that for a big man Pieter's main weakness is in the air, so I don't think he would fit in there.
It will be Long, (unfortunately because it disrupts Tarkowski's game as well as he has to swap sides), but I would imagine that in an emergency Dyche would favour Taylor as a left-sided centre back ahead of Pieters.

[HandforthClaret]

Pieters has injured his groin

[ecc]

Major blow but those are the rules and, as said above, the lad's health - and he's well placed to know the absolute importance of health -must come first.

Keven Long will be given the chance to show he can do better than against Bournemouth and he'll - God willing - have Tarky alongside.

[ŽižkovClaret]

Some very questionable comments from FPL obsessed bellends on twitter. Perspective isnt for everyone it seems

[Walkerpool]

This could be a massive miss let's hope he's back soon.

[RalphCoatesComb]

Just the concussion protocols (apparently). He'll be back for West Brom

[Wellsy1882]

Taylor in though

[Walkerpool]

Taylor in though

Yeah that's great news

[Grumps]

This could be a massive miss let's hope he's back soon.

Massive shock......

[Goody1975]

Massive shock......

Yes, hit me like a sledgehammer when I saw the team news.

[wilks_bfc]

Not sure how they kept that out the news until now tbh

[Walkerpool]

I thought it wasn't a concussion sub.