Monday Fulham Stuff (22/03/10)

[White Noise]

http://www.volzy.com/diary.php

22nd March 2010

Well, what a historic night at the Cottage last Thursday. Thanks to my friend, The Rev (Gary Piper -Fulham's Chaplain),  I was able to witness it in person and it was just fantastic. I'd played another reserve game for QPR in the afternoon (I got through the full 90 feeling sharp and without any problems in a 3-1 win over a formerly unbeaten Crystal Palace) and combined with the London afternoon traffic meant, it meant I was still outside the ground when Juve scored. But my presence obviously settled everyone down and the boys turned it round in magnificent style. By the time it got to  2-1 I really felt it was all there for the taking but hats off to Clint - what a great goal to win a game like that with. That will no doubt become the stuff of legend and rightly so!

 So, two good scorelines on Thursday and now Fulham are looking  forward to some German opposition, which I was really hoping for. Wolfsburg were last season's Bundesliga champions and have some very good players but at this stage in the competition any game will be a tough one. But beating Donetsk and Juventus will have given the boys immense belief and confidence and they know they won't need to fear anyone.

 I went to the Princes Trust "Celebrate Success" Awards a couple of weeks ago. It acknowledges the work of everyone involved in the charity, along with the terrific stories of teenagers who've turned their lives around and in doing so have turned around the lives of many others.  One of the things about being a professional sportsman is that you have to drink a lot to keep hydrated. And that means you have to pee a lot so you always have to clock where the toilets are. On one of my many toilet runs I bumped into my former team mate Andy Cole - or should I say Andrew as he is now known! Amazing who you can run into when you're having a wee - not literally of course... 

Another little tale. A good friend of mine planned an 11-a-side game of football in the park for his 40th - his team against his mate's team so high stakes involved. We all turned up, the sun was out, and within three minutes of kick off, the birthday boy made a fantastic run and scored a goal that even Bergkamp would have been proud of! Never thought he had it in the locker if I'm honest. And with a bit of help from a German midfield maestro pulling the strings in the centre of the park , we won on penalties (what do you expect with a German on your team?!). It was a fantastic day and once again, happy birthday John. Can't wait for the rematch at your 50th!

 I got down to the Stereophonics concert at the O2 a week or so ago, too. I got the tickets as a birthday present. It's the third time I've been to see them but as always it was a great show with lots of songs from the new album which I'm really liking. 

More soon...

[White Noise]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/danny-murphy/article/4250/

Surprised at Hull upheaval




Thu Mar 18 01:25PM

 
I was surprised by Hull's decision to change their manager this week, especially by the timing with nine or 10 games to go.

It will be very difficult for Iain Dowie to come in and change things dramatically.

I think Phil Brown has been a victim of his own success in some ways - when you take a team from the Championship to the Premier League then you do make it difficult for yourself because you are suddenly in the best league in the world and you are not going to win as many games as you did.

If a manager has a lot of success early on, there is a risk that expectations will get too high, when the reality is that keeping Hull in the Premier League is a tremendous achievement.

Compared to the start they had last season this season wasn't the same. Brown was always starting on the back foot and of course there have been some changes as well in the hierarchy of the club.

It has not been running smoothly, and being down there near relegation is pressure for any manager.

Dowie will have a tough task to have an impact in such a short space of time. New ideas on the training pitch and around the club don't have time to develop so I was surprised by what happened.

Looking at the relegation battle, Portsmouth are obviously as good as down with their extra nine-point penalty, but it would have been difficult for them anyway.

Burnley are going to struggle. They were having a great run at home at the beginning of the season but they've lost that now and aren't picking up points on the road either. Their home games are vital now but I don't see them keeping enough keep sheets.

To join them, there are three or four teams fighting it out. If I were a betting man I would go for Hull, because I think the change in manager could be detrimental. I think it is a bad idea to change manager at this stage.

Newcastle did that last year and went down, and it is ironic that Dowie, who was Alan Shearer's assistant at St James' Park, has found himself thrown into another tough situation.

[White Noise]

http://hammyend.com/?p=6105

City sustain fourth place push

by Dan on March 22, 2010

This was all a little bit after the Lord Mayor’s show. Fulham, looking leggy from their European exploits on Thursday, never really recovered from giving away a couple of soft first-half goals and, despite a belated fightback, it was Manchester City who strolled to three points in the Sunday sunshine.

The irony of it all was that, in a lively opening, Fulham conceded just after they had looked certain to take the lead. Zoltan Gera guided an effort past Shay Given but any celebrations proved premature as Kolo Toure arrived from nowhere to clear the ball from underneath his own crossbar. The home fans were still getting their breath back when Craig Bellamy burst down the City right to conclude a quick counter-attack and saw his shot deflect off Aaron Hughes and onto the near post. Mark Schwarzer could only push the loose ball away and Roque Santa Cruz rolled in the opening goal from three yards out.

City, happy to play possession football with a midfield five until opportunities to move quickly upfield presented themselves, struck with precision with nine minutes to go in the first half. Bellamy, playing more as a winger than a centre forward, was integral again. His clever run down the left drew Aaron Hughes out of central defence to try and meet the danger, but Bellamy’s cross found Carlos Tevez in the centre. The Argentinian, full of artful touches all afternoon, controlled the ball brilliantly, skipped around Chris Smalling, and slotted home the second.

Fulham huffed and puffed but found little reward. Even with Joleon Lescott, who was injured in the warm-up, City’s defence contained Bobby Zamora very effectively and the home side were largely limited to hopeful shots from distance. Dickson Etuhu and Patrick Vieira fought an entertaining battle in central midifeld, one which the Nigerian arguably won, but Roy Hodgson’s side had too much to do to claw back such a deficit.

Indeed, City might have extended their lead long before Fulham found some much-needed urgency after Danny Murphy’s penalty had halved the arrears. The eye-catching Adam Johnson almost delivered a goal to match his stunning equaliser at Sunderland last week but his powerful right-footed drive flicked off the far post and wide with Schwarzer well beaten. Another effort from the edge of the box drifted just past the post, whilst both Santa Cruz and Bellamy passed up good chances to put the game beyond Fulham’s reach.

Such prolifigacy looked as though it might cost Roberto Mancini’s side as Fulham finally poured forward in such of an equaliser. The penalty, awarded by the assistant referee for handball against Gareth Barry, did seem harsh, but Murphy sent Shay Given, making his 500th Premier League appearance, the wrong way from the spot. Substitute Stefano Okaka missed a glorious chance to grab a point late on after Bjorn Helge Riise had squeezed a lovely through ball between the City defenders and, in injury-time, both referee and assistant declined to award a second penalty, despite Vincent Kompany’s handball looking a lot more punishable than Barry’s.

Hodgson’s team selection and relaxed attitude afterwards – even if he was critical of Fulham’s defending – showed just how this season has exceeded his expectations. By resting Brede Hangeland and removing Bobby Zamora and Zoltan Gera well before the end, Hodgson made clear that his priority was Wednesday’s FA Cup quarter-final replay at Tottenham. Fulham started their European odyssey with a second-string side and now Hodgson’s resting players in the league.

FULHAM (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Baird (Riise 80), Konchesky, Hughes, Hangeland; Etuhu, Murphy, Duff, Davies; Gera (Okaka 55); Zamora (Dempsey 52). Subs (not used): Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Shorey, Greening.

GOAL: Murphy (pen 75).

MANCHESTER CITY (4-4-2): Given; Zabaleta, Garrido, Kompany, Toure; Barry, Vieira, Bellamy (Onuoha 90), A. Johnson (Wright-Phillips 84); Santa Cruz (de Jong 79), Tevez. Subs (not used): Taylor, Richards, Sylvinho, Ireland.

GOALS: Santa Cruz (7), Tevez (36).

REFEREE: Lee Probert (Gloucestershire).

ATTENDANCE: 25,359

[White Noise]

http://fulham.theoffside.com/team-news/loaner-report-32210.html


Loaner Report 3/22/10


By: timmyg | March 22nd, 2010
 
Eddie Johnson started, played 90 minutes and scored a GOAL in Aris Thessaloniki’s 1-1 draw vs. Panionios GSS on Sunday. Here is a video of his goal:

Panionios - Aris, 0-1 Johnson

Diomansy Kamara did not dress in Celtic’s 3-0 win over St. Johnstone on Saturday.

David Stockdale started, played 90 minutes and registered 8 saves in Plymouth Argyle’s 2-1 loss at Scunthorpe United on Saturday. He started and played 90 minutes in the Pilgrims’ 3-2 win over Bristol City last Tuesday. His loan deal was extended until the end of April.

Toni Kallio did not dress in Sheffield United’s 13-0 win over Blackpool last Tuesday and in the Blades’ 1-1 draw with Doncaster on Saturday due to an ankle injury. He will miss another 5 weeks because of the injury.

Matthew Saunders started, played 80 minutes and registered an assist in Lincoln City’s 1-1 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge last Tuesday. Saunders did not dress in the Imps’ 3-2 win at Torquay due to an injury. He loan was at Lincoln City was extended until season’s end.

[White Noise]

http://fulham.theoffside.com/team-news/fulham-1-2-citizens.html

Fulham 1-2 Citizens

By: timmyg | March 22nd, 2010


 
Must admit I completely missed this match due to a volunteer event, but I did manage to catch the MOTD2 highlights and, well, meh.

As I’ve mentioned ad nauseam, the League campaign is basically over. Sure, there are still eight games left to play and we could potentially move up or down in the table, but where we are is about where we will be come May 9.

This league match was sandwiched into between the cup competitions that will prove/are proving to be this season’s saving grace. (or is that term too strong?)

City, I mean Mancini, needed to win this one considering their hunt for 4th place. Conversely Roy didn’t want any injuries or suspensions, which showed through the team selection (no Hangeland or Shorey; Baird at RB, Smalling at CB and Dempsey a second-half substitute). Although City quickly raced out to a 2-0 lead, the guardian’s chalkboards tell a different tale:

Either City sat back for a majority of the match or Fulham really dominated possession. Just looking at the chalkboard alone makes me a little upset we didn’t manage at least a point. Also, our defence appeared to do well on this but the highlights I saw showed a different tale. Can I get a witness?

One big positive about this match was we did not concede a single goal in the second half yet again. If we were to exclude to United game at Old Trafford, where 3 goals were conceded in the second half, Fulham have not allowed a second-half goal in the league since January 26 against Spurs.

[White Noise]

Roman Pavlyuchenko vows to shake off injury in time for Spurs against Portsmouth

By Ashley Gray Last updated at 2:42 PM on 22nd March 2010


Roman Pavlyuchenko has eased Tottenham Hotspur's injury crisis by declaring he will be fit for Saturday's Premier League visit of Portsmouth.

The in-form striker was forced off after 36 minutes of Spurs' 2-1 win at Stoke and feared he had torn his left hamstring.

The 28-year-old was given an injection after the match and scans later showed there was no serious damage, though Wednesday's FA Cup quarter-final replay against Fulham will come too soon for a player who has scored eight goals in his last seven appearances.
'At first there was suspicion of a tear and I was terribly upset because I've just started to play and could be out for a couple of weeks,' said Pavlyuchenko. 'But on Sunday I visited specialists, fearing the worst, but thank God this was not confirmed.

'In fact, I had a muscle spasm, after which you just have to rest for two or three days to avoid anything worse.

'The club doctor confirmed that if everything is normal I will return to training on Tuesday.

'I will miss the FA Cup game on Wednesday, but I should be ready for Portsmouth.'

White Hart Lane boss Harry Redknapp has 16 players injured or out on loan and is having to make do without top scorer Jermain Defoe.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1259808/Roman-Pavlyuchenko-vows-shake-injury-time-Spurs-Portsmouth.html#ixzz0iv9KfgOG

[White Noise]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/22032010/63/mariner-salutes-stockdale.html

Mariner salutes Stockdale

Mon, 22 Mar 15:14:33 2010


Plymouth head coach Paul Mariner has sung the praises of on-loan Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale as they prepare for the Championship clash at Ipswich.

Stockdale, 24, has agreed to extend his loan spell at Plymouth into a third month and was the outstanding performer in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at relegation rivals Scunthorpe.

Mariner said: "We have supreme faith in David and he is going to be a very good goalkeeper.

"He was left exposed three or four times at Scunthorpe because we were pushing forward and he made some tremendous point-blank saves."

[White Noise]

http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2010/3/22/1384742/analysis-of-my-5-keys-to-victory

Analysis of "My 5 Keys to Victory for Fulham Against Manchester City"


 by Fulhampatsfan on Mar 22, 2010 2:41 PM GMT  0 comments

I always like to go back and look at how my "keys" to each match actually turned out. Manchester City ended up winning the match 2 - 1 against Fulham at Craven Cottage. This article is in response to my preview of the Manchester City match for Fulham. Below is my analysis of "my 5 keys to victory for Fulham against Manchester City."

1. Fulham need to stay even or ahead with Manchester City by the end of the first half. I guess you can say I was really right with this key. Fulham were down at the half 2 - 0 to Manchester City. Fulham came out very sluggish and Manchester City came out fast. This lead at the half definitely helped Manchester City dicate the match. I hope the team learned something from their poor start.

2.  What kind of lineup changes will Roy Hogdson have for this match?There were definitely a a few lineup changes that affected the match. Brede Hangeland did not play, and was replaced by Chris Smalling. In my opinion Smalling I thought struggled. Chris Baird was moved back to right back. That was probably the smart move. Danny Murphy did play. Clint Dempsey again came off the bench. Also, Stefano Okaka came into the match in the second half. Okaka I thought was affective and had a very good scoring chance. In the end the lineup changes were to me a minor cause for the loss. The only change that was a negative to me was Smalling for Hangeland.   

3. Fulham need to control the central midfield against Manchester City.Danny Murphy seemed to be fine in the midfield. Gareth Barry and Patrick Viera I thought were good for Manchester City. At times Manchester City did control the game. The midfield definitely played a role in it.

4.  Can Fulham take advantage of the Manchester City defense with Wayne Bridge out? At times they put pressure on the Manchester City defense. They did not put nearly enough pressure overall in the match. Damien Duff played well. He really couldn't get a clear opportunity for himself. Bobby Zamora coming out early in the second half was probably a factor in the lack of opportunities Fulham had. Unfortunately, Fulham did not take advantage of Wayne Bridge being out. 

5. Fulham's defense needs to contain Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy.Fulham did not contain Tevez or Bellamy. They were giving trouble often to the Fulham defense. Santa Cruz was also a big factor in the match. There was sloppy play in the back that led to some chances for Manchester City. Fulham are usually extremely solid in back. This game there seemed to be some lapses.

Looking back at the "keys",  to me #1 and # 5 turned out to be the biggest issues on Sunday. Let's hope Fulham come out stronger on Wednesday, and can control the Tottenham strikers. I am sure those factors will be keys to that match.

[White Noise]

Big Game Hunter


Monday 22nd March 2010

 
Fulham FC News

 
After Sunday’s disappointing defeat to Manchester City at Craven Cottage, Whites midfielder Zoltan Gera has this week’s FA Cup Quarter-Final Replay firmly in his sights.

Having played out a goalless draw with Tottenham little more than two weeks ago, Fulham travel to White Hart Lane on Wednesday determined to secure their first Wembley appearance in 35 years.

Following Thursday’s memorable UEFA Europa League triumph, the Whites were brought back to reality as a result of City’s 2-1 victory, but our Hungarian schemer believes Fulham can bounce back with a bang.

Speaking exclusively to fulhamfc.com he said: “The result on Sunday was disappointing, we all know that, especially after the game against Juventus. But we made it very difficult for ourselves because we just didn’t start the game very well.

“It’s tough to come back from two goals at half-time, and had my chance in the first-half not been cleared off the line, maybe we would have seen a different outcome. That said, we did play better in the second-half and probably should have taken something.

“But we have to forget about that game now, and we have the perfect match to bounce back in this week when we face Tottenham in the Quarter-Final of the FA Cup.

“We are facing a very good side, and one that has a lot of top players. We know this will be a difficult game, as the first one proved. There wasn’t a lot between the two teams that afternoon, and I think it will probably be the same again.

“We have faced them three times already this season, so we know what they are all about. We’re yet to beat them though, having drawn twice and lost one. So hopefully we can change that this week. It could be a matter of whichever team makes the most of the opportunities that they are given.”

And when considering his current form, few would back against the 30-year-old taken his, for Gera has become Fulham’s man for the big occasion scoring against CSKA Sofia, FC Basel, Shakhtar Donetsk and Juventus.

“Well this is a big occasion,” enthuses Zolly. “For the players, fans and the Club. It will be an important night for us all, and hopefully I can play my part. I am pleased with my season so far, but there is always more that you can do.

“I have managed to score some important goals, and I would like to do so again. It’s always nice to score, but of course, when it has a greater importance for the team that is great.

“But it’s not just about one player, this is a team and we all have the same hopes for Wednesday – we all want to go through.”

Reward for Wednesday night’s winners will be a trip to Wembley, if successful it will be the Club’s first visit since they reached the 1975 FA Cup Final.

“It has been a long while since Fulham last ran out at Wembley,” he added. “So to be part of a team that achieves that for the Club would be very special.

“And it’s a special place to play, one of the best. I have been lucky enough to play there twice before, but I would love to go back and this time with Fulham.”


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/GeraFACupPreview.aspx#ixzz0ivLfGamT

[White Noise]

Back In Business

Monday 22nd March 2010

 
Fulham FC News   
 

Highly rated Fulham Academy Graduate Robert Milsom is back in action after a 12 month absence through injury.

Milsom was struck down by a serious knee injury just a week after making his First Team debut at Old Trafford last season but the midfielder is now looking towards making a breakthrough next season after making a full recovery.

“The injury happened during a Reserve Team game against Arsenal,” Milsom explained. “It was unfortunate. I’d just come back off loan from Southend and I thought I was playing really well for the Reserves and in training.

“I was given a chance in the First Team against Manchester United at Old Trafford a week before the injury happened. I’ve been back a few months now and training so hopefully it’s all behind me. It was a long time out but I think I’m over it.

“I’ve played two Reserve matches. In the first I played 75 minutes against Stoke which was a good game to come back in and I played against Birmingham the other night. I’m not fully match fit yet – that’s going to take a while after being out for 12 months but I feel okay."

Milsom was handed a one-year contract extension last week and is determined to repay the faith the Club has shown him during the hard times by making an impact in Roy Hodgson's First Team next season. 

“I was awarded a new one year extension which was nice," said Milsom. "I owe the Club a lot for helping me through my injury and I’m grateful that they offered me another year for me to prove myself and get myself into the First Team.

“He [Roy Hodgson] always gave me encouragement when I was injured and was always asking me how I was. At the moment it’s all about getting games with the Reserves and seeing what happens next season.

“I’m going to play the rest of the season for the Reserves. Of course I’ll be trying to break into the First Team but I’m not expecting massive things. Then I’m going to play in Scandinavia over the summer.

“I’ll get around 15 games and be match fit for the start of the new season. Hopefully it will give me an advantage when we come back for next season because I’ll be match fit. I’ve been out for a long time so I’m happy to go over there.

“I’ve missed so much all I want to do is play football. I don’t need a rest!”


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/MilsomReturns.aspx#ixzz0ivMAcnzI

[White Noise]

http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/03/22/shorey-sets-sights-on-fulham-starting-spot-82029-26086699/

Shorey sets sights on Fulham starting spot


Mar 22 2010


By Jacob Murtagh

 

NICKY Shorey is willing to battle Paul Konchesky for Fulham’s left-back spot in a bid to earn a permanent deal at Craven Cottage.

The Aston Villa loan star has helped the Whites to six clean sheets in eight games while Konch has been sidelined through injury.

But he now faces a fight on his hands to keep the shirt after the former West Ham full-back got the nod for Sunday's defeat against Manchester City.

Shorey moved to SW6 because he was third in the pecking order at Villa Park, where he has a year left on his contract.

And he has made it clear he is not prepared to settle for a place on the bench as he tries to stay at Fulham for good.

He said: "I left Aston Villa to play games, and they [Fulham] had a gap to be filled.

“Obviously, Konch is back now, so we’ll have to wait and see. Hopefully, I’ll get more chances to impress.

“I was behind Stephen Warnock [at Villa], and Martin O’Neill played Luke Young in front of me as well.

“I knew I had a better chance of regular football here. I wasn’t happy being third choice, and that’s why I made the decision to go out on loan.

“I think there have been talks with a view to a permanent deal, but I’ll have to wait and see what happens in the summer."

[White Noise]

Wolfsburg Tickets

Monday 22nd March 2010

Fulham FC News

Fulham v. Wolfsburg Home Leg Ticket Information

Following Thursday evening's famous victory over Juventus at Craven Cottage, Roy Hodgson's European heroes will now take on Wolfsburg in the UEFA Europa League Quarter-Final. The first leg will take place at home on Thursday 1st April (Kick-Off 8:05pm).

Season Ticket Holders have until 9am on Tuesday to purchase their seats, after which they will be released.

Members can buy theirs from Midday on Tuesday 23rd March.

Tickets start from £30 for Adults and from £15 for Juniors.

Buy tickets now|


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/WolfsburgTickets.aspx#ixzz0ivaCtqBS