Wednesday Fulham Stuff (09/05/12)...

[WhiteJC]

 
All Things Must Pass


© Getty Images

And if all things must pass, even a pyramid won't last. A lyric from a hugely under-rated act of the 80's for you to work out. Fulham Football Club is a force for change and progress. We should not fear it.

There's no denying it was hard going watching the squad's lap of honour after Sunday's win. Nothing to complain about from the afternoon's entertainment with a 10th home win achieved in fine style. All three goals dazzled but as Jol said afterwards with a dash more luck in front of goal Fulham could and should have won by a comfortable margin. Finishing top ten is now guaranteed, and we can approach the final weekend's trip to WHL with real confidence of picking up more points. To end the season 7th and with a new points high from our EPL season would reflect on an excellent run since Christmas. The bittersweet side of Sunday came when studying faces on the lap of honour to try and second guess who might not be wearing Fulham white next August. Every fan at the ground will have harboured such thoughts.

For the past 11 months, yes it's been a long season, all credit to the manager for getting his style across finally, and to the players too for raising their game. We sensed there was real quality in the team, but how frustrating was it to wait six games for that first win, fold at places like Wolves and Blackburn, and even as late as March turn in a woeful performance at a floundering Villa. Not to mention our excruciating exits from all three cup competitions.

It is no exaggeration to suggest we could be very close to a Champions League spot next season. Extrapolating our results from the 37 games to date you can make a convincing case for saying we should be 11 points better off and sitting above Chelsea. Think back. Three points tossed away after Bobby misses an open goal in the final minute v Everton. Two more dropped to a 94th minute header at Norwich that could so easily have been prevented. Two given up late on to WBA on Feb 1st, a point squandered at Villa with the last kick after Mark's fumble, denied a point at United by inept refereeing in not giving the penalty, likewise Chelsea denying us a win with the 'penalty that never was.'

This is no hard luck story. Add in the number of times we've hit wood and even a neutral would admit we aint had too much luck along the way. And how do Fulham play the game? No player red carded all league season, and Gera the only man to see red in 100 odd games. Never mind our final league position, we should be invited into the Europa League as a badge of honour, just as past champions are invited back to the Masters. Consider this. When was the last time you spotted an unsavoury story concerning a Fulham player or employee? No night club rucks, no drink driving, philandering with bimbos, racial slurs, daft comments to the tabloids. Crikey, nobody likes a saint, but we sound pretty much like the model professional football club. No wonder we are consistently overlooked by the media and MOTD. We are almost boring...

Forgive me for blowing my own trumpet, but you all saw my take on Hodgson's appointment. I'd even gone out on a limb a week before the announcement urging the FA to make a brave decision. And I'll be damned, they did. Plenty of writers and bloggers have since played catch up and come round to appreciating the plus points of life without 'Arry at international level. So here's another test for the nation's scribes. When they all stop slavering over Mancini's Citeh and having served up a ton of hyperbole on the Champions League final, who before we get into the Euros might find space to file a considered piece on al Fayed's journey with Fulham and the progress of our 'little' club? Don't hold your breath...With any well run organisation, the tone is set from the man at the top. I bet there's not a journo from the West End to Wapping who would ever have forecast how much MaF has kept in the background since 1997, considering his previous taste for gathering headlines and publicity.

And as Blackburn, and probably Bolton, head back to the 2nd tier, Fulham are looking only to go higher. So back to my theme. Quite frankly, our number 23 walked the turf with head down as if he'd dropped his wedding ring during the course of the match. I know Deuce can be a pretty laconic character and he's no heart-on-the sleeve sissy - even Jol described him thus - but to me that was a man closing the chapter on five fantastic years of great memories down by the Thames. THANK YOU for every minute you bust a gut for the cause. Now tell your agent to give me that call and let's write the book. Goal number 50 was another beauty and fittingly no man has now made more appearances for the Whites in the Premier League I believe.

As for our other goalscorer. Well, Moussa himself admitted he should have had a hat-trick. His talent is immense, were he to add some clinical finishing to his game he would indeed be the complete footballer. A Cottage version of Lionel Messi. But then of course, he wouldn't be hanging around at Fulham. Will he stay or will he go? Younger than Clint, he might be persuaded to give us another season. The bottom line with every single member of the set up is that money talks, and in the modern era all power sits with the players. And in light of the terms of employment pre-Bosman, who can argue with that.

The sour note for supporters of course in all this, is that our heroes literally just slip away in the night. Rarely is there the closure you get from a veteran signing off at the end of a fabulous career a la Shearer. I remember sitting with John Colllins at Motspur after he hung up his boots. We were at a table in the canteen there as the players final wage packets of the season came round. Once pocketed, John quietly took his leave, shook a few hands and drifted away into the car park for the last time. Eerily strange, no big send off, and when I asked John what he planned to do next, he just shrugged and shuffled off the stage.

Personally, if Clint goes chasing his Champions League dream, I hope it is outside the UK. It will be very hard to see him back at Craven Cottage in an opposition shirt. No point in dwelling on it till it happens. Let the travelling support Sunday lead our appreciation and here's hoping Dempsey hasn't quite finished with his goalscoring exploits for FFC just yet. A win over Spuds...now that really would put the icing on the cake of a run in to remember.

As Jol dodged the question Sunday when asked about the future of the double D's, "I prefer not to dwell on the negatives right now after this win," I am of a mind to think the die may be cast. But as all things must pass, an incontrovertible truth of human existence, I am excited by what the summer holds and who Fulham have on the radar for next season. Remember Jol's task to reduce the age of the squad and bring 'sexy football' to SW6 still has a way to go...and as we know from the new away kit, the future is BLACK, WHITE and now ORANGE!

More news before the Spurs game, and then we can all go and have a lie down. Thanks for following this blog over the past two years. It has been a lot of fun. COYW!!!

Twitter@fulhamphil



http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2012/05/all_things_must_pass.php?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol set for double winger swoop

Fulham are reportedly set to raid Dutch side Heerenveen for wingers Luciano Narsingh and Oussama Assaidi this summer.

Cottagers boss Martin Jol has been keeping tabs on both players, who have been plying their trade in his homeland this past season, and invited them to London on Monday, along with their agent Mino Raiola, to view the club's training facilities and discuss a deal.

Jol is now looking to agree personal terms with 21-year-old Narsingh, who has been named in the Netherlands' preliminary squad for Euro 2012, and 23-year-old Morocco international, Assaidi, with a view to wrapping up a double swoop.

Heerenveen have confirmed that they gave both players permission to travel to England for talks with Fulham, despite them both having a year remaining on their respective current deals.

"We have given Mino Raiola and the players the space to talk," Heerenveen technical director Johan Hansma told De Telegraaf.

"Narsingh and Assaidi had to have a good feeling with a club. It doesn't make any sense if we reach an agreement with a club and the players won't want to go there. To succeed in a transfer there are three sides needed."

Meanwhile, FC Twente's chairman Joop Munsterman has scotched reports that he has given Fulham permission to speak to star man Nacer Chadli.

Munsterman told Voetbal International: "I have become a little bit nervous of Evrard. He always drops a couple of names of clubs, but they never contact us. We aren't talking with any club right now."



http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/jol-set-for-double-winger-swoop-1426808.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
“Those Two Dutch Guys” On Jol’s Radar

What is Martin Jol trying to do to us writers? First Pavel Pogrebnywhyme and now Luciano Narsicanttakeitanymore and Oussama Assaijustkillmenow.

No wonder everyone’s calling them “The Dutch Duo” or “The two Dutch guys.”  I think I’ll go with Heerenveen 1 and Heerenveen 2.  Even that’s a pain.  At least we didn’t get their former Heerenveen teammates Balazs Dzsudzsak or Anzhi Makhachkala.  I might have cried.

In all seriousness, looks like Martin Jol is looking to replace Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey, which is prudent on his part.  These seem to be more than just rumors, since their Eredivisie club Heerenveen has already confirmed they’re in London touring Fulham’s grounds, and their agent Mino Raiola said they’re beginning preliminary discussions.  That could simply be their agent trying to drum up quick interest, but seems to me if they are indeed at Craven Cottage and Motspur Park, this may be much more than rumors.

The rumored transfer fee is around £10 million for both together (package deal!) and word is that’s pretty reasonable for two kids who have performed incredibly well.

Here’s a brief overview of each potential new Cottager:

Luciano Narsingh: (Heerenveen 1)



Narsingh is a 21 year old Dutch international who has already been named in Holland’s 36-man preliminary Euro 2012 squad. Primarily a right winger, Narsingh is an assist machine, something that Fulham could absolutely make use of, especially if Dembele and/or Dempsey are headed out.  In 34 league matches this season in the Eredivisie, Narsingh has 8 goals and a whopping 22 assists, which leads the entire Eredivisie.  Also in 5 league cup matches he’s got 4 goals and 4 assists.  His assist totals are no doubt helped by Heerenveen holding the league’s scoring leader Bas Dost, who’s banged in 32 goals this season, but that relationship is no doubt symbiotic, and the fact that Narsingh is part of a team feeding Dost’s goal tally is sure to add to his value.

In fact, despite having the highest minutes total on the Eredivisie leaderboard, he’s still ON the leaderboard (9th to be exact) in minutes per point (a point consisting of a goal or an assist, I went all NHL on you) with a point every 96.77 minutes.  That means he’s producing something just about every match, and playing a LOT.  If you look at his match total (33) and his minutes total (2906), and do the math, he’s playing an average of 88 minutes a match.  Now that’s work rate and durability for you, especially for a 21 year old.  It also means he’s too valuable to the club to take off the pitch.  Looks like this kid would be a heck of an addition.

Narsingh is a product of the Ajax youth academy and has stated a few times he’d like to play for them eventually.

Oussama Assaidi: (Heerenveen 2)



A natural left winger, Assaidi is a dual citizen, with Dutch and Moroccan citizenship and eligibility, but turned down the chance to be on the Dutch squad to play for the Moroccan team last February.  The 23 year old landed at Heerenveen in 2009 for the 09/10 season after they purchased him from the AZ Alkmaar youth ranks, and got the chance to not only help the club in the Eredivisie, but also appeared in the Europa League that year.  He’s played in 22 matches this season, striking 10 goals and assisting in 7 others.

He plays a little more back than Heerenveen 1, which reduces his goal and assist numbers (ala Moussa Dembele) but his value is still high, as we’ve seen with Dembele, who has little to show for in terms of goal numbers, but is still a hot commodity.

Both these young men are most valuable for their crossing ability, something that to be honest Fulham lacks quite a bit.  Most of their attacks develop through the middle, and although Damien Duff is a valuable man to have on the flanks, he isn’t as sharp as he used to be, and is definitely on the decline.  Aside from him, the best crossers on the club are probably full-backs.

Replacing Dempsey and/or Dembele is clearly on Martin Jol’s mind, and he’s going to the place he knows best to do it, his homeland.



http://fulhamsfinest.com/2012/05/08/those-two-dutch-guys-on-jols-radar/?

[WhiteJC]

 
U18s face Blackburn in Academy final on Saturday
by DAN on MAY 9, 2012



The club have confirmed that the Premier Academy Under 18 League Final between Fulham and Blackburn Rovers will take place at Craven Cottage this Saturday, kicking off at 2pm.

The Whites, who won the Group A title for the second successive season, booked their place in this year’s final with a 2-1 win over Leicester City at Motspur Park last weekend. Kit Symons’ side now face Rovers, who beat Newcastle 2-0 in the other semi-final on Saturday.

Fulham’s youngsters will looking to end another excellent campaign in style and we’d encourage those of you in need of your football fix to head down to the Cottage on Saturday. Tickets are priced at £3 for adults and £1 for concessions (those aged under 16 and over 65).



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/05/u18s-face-blackburn-in-academy-final-on-saturday/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Record In Sight

Stephen Kelly is hoping to break Fulham's record points tally in the Barclays Premier League against Spurs on Sunday in the final match of the 2011/12 campaign.

Last weekend's victory over Sunderland at Craven Cottage moved Fulham just a point shy of their record haul of 53 points (2008-09 season) and Kelly is now looking forward to what he predicts will be a highly competitive match at White Hart Lane this weekend. 

“I was delighted with the result against Sunderland on Sunday and it was a nice way to end the season at Craven Cottage," said Kelly. "You always want to give the fans a win in the last home game of the season.

“It was a good performance and I thought we looked very comfortable in the first half and passed the ball really well. They made a few changes which changed the game a little bit in the second half but I still thought we were comfortable and we defended well.

“Hopefully we can get a few more points on Sunday at White Hart Lane and break the Club’s record points tally in the Premier League.

“We want to end the season in style and it’s going to be a very competitive game against Spurs on Sunday, because they’re trying to get in the Champions League and we’re trying to break our record points tally."



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/May/KellySpursPreview.aspx?#ixzz1uNnbk01r

[WhiteJC]

 
Who and how, against Fulham?

In recent months, every game is a must win, but as we reach the final game of the season, it will be all or nothing against Fulham.

Spurs will of course be disappointed not to have 3rd place in their own hands, and for all the moans and groans from everyone, they really should have rolled over a very average Villa on Sunday and taken advantage of Arsenal`s dropping two points against Norwich. Will they slip up again at WBA in what will be Roy Hodgson`s final game in charge, but effectively they are playing for pride and perhaps the respectability of securing a top ten finish, which will be seen as a positive for the club.

Everton will see a season finishing above Liverpool as a major plus and they will achieve it if they beat Newcastle and better Liverpool`s result at Swansea. Of course Everton getting anything against Newcastle should so Spurs and Arsenal a favour and though in truth their form remains a little too inconsistent, they are not a side you want to face if you need a win and are probably feeling the nerves.

The reality for Spurs is that they have to win and worry about the others later. They have to expect Arsenal and Newcastle to get 3 points, but will know that if they match that they will secure at least 4th place and CL football, unless Chelsea beat Bayern Munich on the 19th. The question is, how and who would you pick to do a job on Fulham?

Of course the biggest issue is who does Harry play at left back and based on that we perhaps then have to consider the shape of the side. Drop Gareth Bale into s defensive role and you will probably see the team revert to a 4-3-3, with Parker playing alongside of Sandro and Modric in the middle, but will that again lose the team width or can we see Walker and Bale suddenly having total freedom to bomb up and down, safe in the knowledge of having two combative midfielders to cover their backsides?

Could we see Harry take a chance on playing a natural central player there, with perhaps William Gallas playing there or even Jake Livermore moving to an unaccustomed position? If that were the case, would we actually be better to play a natural full back such as Adam Smith, who may prefer the right, but has played at LB often and might also retain a solidity in the centre of defence in keeping what is currently our best CD pairing of Kaboul and Gallas.

Harry could always stick with the same 4-4-1-1 formation that he has played for the last three games and simply drop Bale back and ask Modric to play wide, or even go 4-4-2 and use VdV and Lennon wide and Adebayor and Defoe/Saha in a twin attack, but perhaps the only think we do know is that he will be expected to pick a side to win and ideally get a goal or two early to settle what is sure to be a nervous side, with everything to play for against a team that is in decent form, who know they cannot drop below their current 9th place, but if results go their way, they could finish in a very creditable 7th place, above Liverpool and Everton.

Fulham will feel pretty confident of getting something from this game. with five wins in the last seven games, and Martin Jol certainly wanting to prove a point, and gain three, whatever he might say, it will certainly a a tough game to have to secure a win. I suppose I would take this fixture over a trip to Goodison Park, but only just...



Read more: http://www.spurs.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7512112#ixzz1uNnoxv00

[WhiteJC]

 
Craven Cottage to host Academy League final

Rovers' under 18s may be in FA Youth Cup final action this evening, but they also have the Academy League national final to look forward to this Saturday.

Terry McPhillips' side have two games left this season and both are finals, tonight's match against Chelsea at Ewood Park, following by the league final against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday at 2pm.

Following their successful league campaign in which the under 18s won their group, they progressed to the final courtesy of Saturday's 2-0 win over Newcastle United in the play-offs. Whilst this Saturday's opponents reached the final courtesy of a 2-1 win over Leicester City.

Supporters who wish to go to the match can pay on the gate, prices are £3 for Adults and £1 Concessions.



http://www.rovers.co.uk/page/AcademyNews/0,,10303~2764634,00.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Reserves squad for Fulham clash

ALBION have named a 16-man squad for this afternoon's behind-closed-doors Barclays Premier Reserve League clash with Fulham at the club's training ground (ko 2pm).

Keeper Marton Fulop and central-defender Craig Dawson (pictured) are included in David Oldfield's party, with Paul Downing, Sam Mantom, Scott Allan and Lateef Elford-Alliyu possible starters after returning from loan spells.

Fourth-placed Albion need to beat the Cottagers in their final game of the season to claim a third-place finish in the Southern Division.

The Baggies are unable to catch second-place Arsenal or champions Villa, but are guaranteed fourth spot regardless of this afternoon's result.

ALBION (from): Allan, Atkinson, Berahino, Brown, D Daniels, Dawson, Downing, Elford-Alliyu, Fulop, Hurst, Lewis, Mantom, Nabi, O'Sullivan, Roofe, Sawyers.



http://www.wba.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~2764539,00.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Heerenveen pair Narsingh and Assaidi close to Fulham move, says agent
Martin Jol is reportedly eager to tie up a deal for the talented Eredevisie duo ahead of next season's Premier League campaign, amid doubts over Clint Dempsey's future

Herenveen pair Luciano Narsingh and Oussama Assaidi are close to sealing moves to Fulham, according to the players’ representative.

he two wingers travelled to London on Monday to take a tour of the Premier League side’s stadium and training facilities.

Mino Raiola, the players’ agent, has admitted that no fee has yet been agreed between the two clubs, but contract negotiations are underway.
"We have given Mino Raiola and the players the space to talk," Heerenveen technical director Johan Hansma told De Telegraaf.

"Narsingh and Assaidi had to have a good feeling with a club. It doesn't make any sense if we reach an agreement with a club and the players won't want to go there. To succeed in a transfer there are three sides needed."

Fulham are bracing themselves for bids for their prized asset Clint Dempsey, and manager Martin Jol has identified the duo as potential replacements if the USA international leaves.

Assaidi and Narsingh both have just one year left on their contracts.



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/05/09/3090704/heerenveen-pair-narsingh-and-assaidi-close-to-fulham-move?

[WhiteJC]

 
Reserves Face WBA

Fulham’s Development Squad play their final match of the 2011/12 season on Wednesday afternoon when they travel to the Midlands to face West Bromwich Albion (KO 2pm).

Should Ray Lewington’s charges conclude their excellent end-of-season form with a seventh match unbeaten, they will secure second place in the Barclays Premier Reserve League South.

Fulham's Reserve side have echoed the form of the First Team when it comes to recent results, having picked up 14 points of a possible 18 from their last six matches - the most recent of which was last week's impressive 3-2 victory over Southern Champions Aston Villa.

Our hosts this afternoon have their own agenda though as victory will see the Baggies leapfrog Fulham into third place in the league.

West Brom have already announced their squad for the game and it includes England under-21 defender Craig Dawson and Hungarian international goalkeeper Marton Fulop, both of whom have enjoyed run outs for the first team this campaign.

Fulham's Starting XI:

Neil Etheridge, Alex Brister, Courtney Harris, Josh Pritchard, Dan Burn, Mahrez Bettache, Ryan Williams, Alex Smith, Marcello Trotta, Tom Donegan, Charles Banya

Subs: Marcus Bettinelli, Buomesca Tue Na Bangna, Rob Maloney, Lasse Vigen Christensen



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/May/ReservesFaceBaggies.aspx?#ixzz1uNp31awt

[WhiteJC]

 
Pog tells Russia to appoint Jol

Pavel Pogrebnyak says Russian football officials should consider Fulham boss Martin Jol when they appoint a new coach after Euro 2012.
Dick Advocaat will quit as Russia coach and has agreed to join PSV Eindhoven after the tournament this summer, leaving a vacancy that Pogrebnyak could be ideal for his club manager Jol.

The 28-year-old ex-VFB Stuttgart striker has blossomed under Jol since he arrived at Fulham in January and believes the appointment of another Dutchman could similarly revive Russia's fortunes at international level.

He said: "I agree with [Andriy] Arshavin, who is backing a foreign coach. For example Spalletti, who won the last two Russian championships with Zenit. Basically, I'm not against Spalletti taking over the [national] team, but I want to see our team coach Martin Jol - my coach at Fulham.

"In principle, I understand why Advocaat is going. He wanted to sign a new contract before the European Championships, and the RFU, in turn, wanted to wait until after the tournament."



http://www.eatsleepsport.com/Fulham/Pog-tells-Russia-to-appoint-Jol-1427053.html?#.T6qAsO2_wds

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol eyes double Dutch swoop

Fulham showed Heerenveen duo Luciano Narsingh and Oussama Assaidi their facilities this week ahead of a planned summer double deal.


The two wingers travelled to London on Monday to take a tour of Craven Cottage and the club's Surrey training ground.

Fulham manager Martin Jol has identified the duo as potential replacements if USA international Clint Dempsey leaves in the summer.

The Cottagers have yet to agree terms with Heerenveen, but the Eredivisie club have given their permission for talks to get underway with the agent involved.

"We have given agent Mino Raiola and the players the space to talk," Heerenveen technical director Johan Hansma told De Telegraaf.

"Narsingh and Assaidi had to have a good feeling with a club. It doesn't make any sense if we reach an agreement with a club and the players won't want to go there. To succeed in a transfer there are three sides needed."

Assaidi, 23, and Narsingh, 21, both have just one year left on their contracts.

Narsingh has also caught the attention of PSV and Ajax, with Heerenveen having rejected a first offer from the Amsterdam giants.



http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2012/05/09/Jol-eyes-double-Dutch-swoop/gnid-141611/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Premier League duo chasing Basel starlet



After impressing in what was a breakout season for the player, Basel playmaker, Fabian Frei, appears to be courting interest from various European parties, two of which are Premier League outfits Liverpool and Fulham.
 
Frei – no relation to Swiss legend Alexander – has been a part of the Basel setup since 2004 when he entered as a youth prospect but it was only in 2011 that the midfielder managed to stake his claim on a regular first team spot.
 
The 23 year-old was farmed out on a two-year loan deal at St.Gallen where he managed to score 13 goals in 64 appearances, leading his parent club to keep him around upon his return.
 
Since then, Frei has emerged as a frequent starter in the Basel line-up, making forty appearances for the Swiss club this campaign, including eight starts in the side’s Champions League tournament.
 
The attacking midfielder has scored nine goals this season and made six assists.
 
Xherdan Shaqiri has already sealed a summer move to Bayern Munich and Granit Xhaka is also looking likely to leave Basel, so with just a year left on his contract with the club, Frei may be tempted into jumping ship, too.
 
Should the 23 year-old leave this summer, Frei – who has made three appearances for the Switzerland national team – would be expected to command an asking price of around £6.5m.
 
With Maxi Rodriguez, Joe Cole and Dirk Kuyt all looking likely candidates for the Anfield exit, attacking reinforcements will surely be needed at Liverpool while Fulham are also set to lose some of their stars.
 
Martin Jol has already conceded that Clint Dempsey may leave the club in July should the right offer come in and Moussa Dembelé is also interesting various European sides.


http://www.squeakybumtime.com/premiership/6008/fulham-liverpool-fabian-frei-playmaker/

[WhiteJC]

 
Hodgson/England/Euro 2012

The big news, which I’ve heretofore ignored as it made my head spin, is Roy Hodgson’s appointment as England manager. Never mind the Redknapp or speech impediment or press idiocy angles, what does this actually mean for England at Euro 2012?

I’m sure I’ve mentioned before how Roy’s early career directly influenced Sven-Göran Eriksson so all things being equal I’d expect something similar here. Sven essentially used Roy methods to become what he was, so let’s have a look at how he did at tournaments:

2002 – quite well, drawing with Sweden, beating the Argies, drawing with Nigeria, beating Denmark easily then losing unfortunately to Brazil.

At Euro 2004 England threw away a good situation against France, then beat Switzerland and Croatia. They lost on pens to Portugal.

At the 2006 World Cup England withdrew into themselves, beating Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago, drawing with Sweden then beating Ecuador in the knockouts. Then Portugal happened again.

In short, we beat the sorts of teams we’d expect to beat, managed the occasional good result (Argentina and Denmark in 2002, Croatia in 2004), but the odd disappointment (we were awful in 2006 and messed up 2004 despite what might have been England’s best opportunity to really kick on).

Hodgson will know what he wants to do and will presumably be able to implement this reasonably effectively. I know we talk about him needing time to get his methods across but he’s been a successful international manager before and can be again. One issue might be the Liverpool factor, in which star players found his approach slightly beneath them, but at this point what are they going to do? It’s one thing sulking in club football; international football is different, especially at tournament level. Hodgson can be firm when he needs to be and I imagine he’ll more or less get what he wants.

And you can see how that might be enough. The group is not soft but not hard, and I imagine we might be able to negotiate France, Sweden and Ukraine (although we might not! The margins are so fine), and then we get to the interesting part.

As Fulham manager Hodgson steered the club past better teams to reach the Europa League final. Sure there was luck along the way, but the success was built on the shape and determination that he’ll surely be aiming for here. So if we do qualify in second and face Spain in the knockouts, well let’s face it, Spain wouldn’t be that happy to be facing a well drilled 4-4-2 would they? It’s exactly the sort of setup that seems to be able to undo Spain/Barca type approaches.  After that, anything’s possible.

So while I am frightened for Roy and will try to avoid newspapers during the tournament, I do think he can be successful. What do you reckon?

And if you are interested in betting on the tournament, England are around 10/1, which seems about right to me. I’ll see if I can find a spare fiver…


http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/hodgsonenglandeuro-2012/