Saturday Fulham Stuff (24.04.10)

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http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/04/23/hamburg-0-0-fulham/

Hamburg 0-0 Fulham: two similar sides

April 23, 2010

A very lifeless game contested by two sides seemingly happy to take the 0-0; both played similar 4-4-2 shapes and consequently no player enjoyed any time or space on the ball.

Hamburg set out in a 4-4-2 shape with Jonathan Pitroipa and Pitor Trochowski playing as ‘inverted’ wingers, David Jarolim playing as the holding player with Ze Roberto the more creative midfielder. Jose Guerrero dropped off Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Fulham’s shape was almost identical. They too played inverted wingers – Damien Duff and Simon Davies, and had a similar midfield partnership – Dickson Etuhu as the destroyer, Danny Murphy as the passer. Bobby Zamora was the targetman, with Zolan Gera generally very close to him.

The consequence of both sides playing wrong-footed wingers was a very narrow active playing area - both sides set out their 4-4-2 with an emphasis on getting the ball into wide areas, but when it got there, all four wingers were intent on coming inside into the congested centre, rather than having the confidence to beat their full-back on the outside and swing a cross in. To add to this, neither set of full-backs provided much of an attacking threat - Paul Konchesky and Chris Baird because their instruction was to stay at home, Guy Demel and Dennis Aogo because neither are particularly competent on the ball.

Fulham’s wide midfielders played a mainly defensive role, sitting in front of their full-backs and forming two banks of four. It was difficult for them to provide much of an attacking threat as they were generally picking the ball up 70 yards from goal.

Fulham’s main route of attack, therefore, was to knock long balls to Bobby Zamora, who would compete with the centre-backs and lay it back to Zoltan Gera. This approach worked well on 13 minutes, when a long ball was met by a nonchalant Zamora flick, but Gera’s effort was deflected wide. Zamora struggled to recreate this scenario throughout, partly through the good work of the Hambug centre-backs, but also because he was plainly not 100% fit.

With the centre-backs concentrating on Zamora, and with Zoltan Gera playing essentially as a forward, Fulham actually looked equally dangerous when they hit long-ish balls into feet for Gera, but it was him and a half-fit Zamora against four defenders, and the reality is that Fulham didn’t produce a shot on target in the entire game. Clint Dempsey came on for Zamora in the second half and played slightly deeper and helped Fulham press higher up the pitch, but offered relatively little in the way of creativity.

Fulham defended excellently throughout – Konchesky and Baird played extremely narrow – especially Baird, as he looked to prevent Pitroipa getting in at the far post with diagonal runs. Their clean sheet, however, was as much to do with Hamburg’s toothlessness as it was Fulham’s positional excellence. The home side constantly had Fulham pegged back on the edge of their own area, and yet never really forced the issue – maybe fearing the Fulham counter-attack. Most of Hambug’s shots came from long-distance efforts when Fulham’s central midfielders were dragged slightly too deep – they never looked to pass their way through Fulham (although this can be partly attributed to Fulham’s narrowness).

Frankly, the game was not remotely interesting, although it sets up an intriguing second leg.

[Tktd]

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/04/23/hamburg-0-0-fulham/

Hamburg 0-0 Fulham: two similar sides

April 23, 2010

A very lifeless game contested by two sides seemingly happy to take the 0-0; both played similar 4-4-2 shapes and consequently no player enjoyed any time or space on the ball.

Hamburg set out in a 4-4-2 shape with Jonathan Pitroipa and Pitor Trochowski playing as ‘inverted’ wingers, David Jarolim playing as the holding player with Ze Roberto the more creative midfielder. Jose Guerrero dropped off Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Fulham’s shape was almost identical. They too played inverted wingers – Damien Duff and Simon Davies, and had a similar midfield partnership – Dickson Etuhu as the destroyer, Danny Murphy as the passer. Bobby Zamora was the targetman, with Zolan Gera generally very close to him.

The consequence of both sides playing wrong-footed wingers was a very narrow active playing area - both sides set out their 4-4-2 with an emphasis on getting the ball into wide areas, but when it got there, all four wingers were intent on coming inside into the congested centre, rather than having the confidence to beat their full-back on the outside and swing a cross in. To add to this, neither set of full-backs provided much of an attacking threat - Paul Konchesky and Chris Baird because their instruction was to stay at home, Guy Demel and Dennis Aogo because neither are particularly competent on the ball.

Fulham’s wide midfielders played a mainly defensive role, sitting in front of their full-backs and forming two banks of four. It was difficult for them to provide much of an attacking threat as they were generally picking the ball up 70 yards from goal.

Fulham’s main route of attack, therefore, was to knock long balls to Bobby Zamora, who would compete with the centre-backs and lay it back to Zoltan Gera. This approach worked well on 13 minutes, when a long ball was met by a nonchalant Zamora flick, but Gera’s effort was deflected wide. Zamora struggled to recreate this scenario throughout, partly through the good work of the Hambug centre-backs, but also because he was plainly not 100% fit.

With the centre-backs concentrating on Zamora, and with Zoltan Gera playing essentially as a forward, Fulham actually looked equally dangerous when they hit long-ish balls into feet for Gera, but it was him and a half-fit Zamora against four defenders, and the reality is that Fulham didn’t produce a shot on target in the entire game. Clint Dempsey came on for Zamora in the second half and played slightly deeper and helped Fulham press higher up the pitch, but offered relatively little in the way of creativity.

Fulham defended excellently throughout – Konchesky and Baird played extremely narrow – especially Baird, as he looked to prevent Pitroipa getting in at the far post with diagonal runs. Their clean sheet, however, was as much to do with Hamburg’s toothlessness as it was Fulham’s positional excellence. The home side constantly had Fulham pegged back on the edge of their own area, and yet never really forced the issue – maybe fearing the Fulham counter-attack. Most of Hambug’s shots came from long-distance efforts when Fulham’s central midfielders were dragged slightly too deep – they never looked to pass their way through Fulham (although this can be partly attributed to Fulham’s narrowness).

Frankly, the game was not remotely interesting, although it sets up an intriguing second leg.

And my names jimmy bullsht and I'm reporting for 2zonalmarking.net" I think that says it all really.

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http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=eng/news/newsid=1476989.html

Smalling sparkle catches United's eye


Published: Saturday 24 April 2010


Just two years after leaving non-league football, 20-year-old defender Chris Smalling is now ready to show his worth at Manchester United FC after rising to prominence with Fulham FC.


Name: Chris Smalling
Club: Fulham FC
Debut: 24/05/09 v Everton (Premier League)
Position: centre-back
Nationality: English
Date of birth: 22/11/89

"Sir Alex Ferguson doesn't make mistakes when it comes to identifying a young player," says Fulham FC manager Roy Hodgson. As a man who has won 11 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two UEFA Champions Leagues, Sir Alex's judgement is indeed widely accepted to be shrewder than most. So, when the Manchester United FC boss signs a player with just a handful of top-flight appearances under his belt, the football fraternity sits up and takes notice.

Former Maidstone United FC defender Chris Smalling only made his Fulham debut on the final day of last season and has added just nine league games to his CV this term. He has featured a further four times in the Cottagers' run to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals and played once in both the League Cup and FA Cup.

Such a scarcity of playing time has not deterred the powers that be, however. England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce handed Smalling his international debut in August, while United swooped in January to seal his move to Old Trafford this summer. Languid, poised and pacy, there is evidence aplenty to suggest Smalling can cope with such a rapid move from the shadows to the spotlight.

Breakthrough game:

PFC CSKA Sofia 1-1 Fulham

17/09/09 UEFA Europa League

With just one Premier League substitute appearance to his name, Smalling had very much stayed under the radar. Hodgson, though, had no reservations in throwing the player into his starting lineup for the first group game of Fulham's European campaign. Smalling never seemed out of place and has not looked back since.

He says:

""Maidstone helped in terms of growing up and handling the rough and tumble of the game. "Most of the players I met had dropped out of the [professional] game. Knowing the other side of football makes me focused. I've seen where I could end up if I don't make the most of my opportunities."

"No doubt there'll be pressure [at United] but when you get to the higher levels of the game pressure is something you have to face. I'm just getting it younger than some. Hopefully by training and playing with those players [at United] I'll learn how to handle it."

They say:

"We've signed Smalling because he's a player of outstanding potential. We recognise and identify players in that mould and we act. He has terrific height, good balance, he's quick, and at 20 years of age he has done exceptionally well for such a short period in the professional game. "I don't see anything other than an outstanding prospect"."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson

""We've known we had a diamond in our midst, it didn't take long for me to realise in training that he had something special". Sir Alex Ferguson doesn't make mistakes when he identifies a young player. He pays a lot of money for that player because in years to come he realises it will look very cheap."

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson

"Roy Hodgson speaks very highly of him and when Roy speaks that highly of someone, then you know they are a serious player. He has been outstanding. I like what I see. He doesn't mind mixing it. He's a good stature for a centre-half. He just needs to learn the game now, and the only way you do that is by playing matches. It's the only thing he's short of."

England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce

"He's a good boy, he takes advice. Mentally he is very strong. He's also the kind of boy who doesn't like defeat at all, and when he starts training, the way he trains is the way he plays his games, which is good. He does the training, he doesn't joke, he comes into training on time, he does well. After training you see him in the gym doing extra work. It's just the beginning. I think he has got a great future. He is going to be unstoppable, he is going to be one of the best centre-backs in the world very soon."

Fulham defender John Pantsil talking to UEFA.com in February

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http://www.sportingpreview.com/matches/09105046.php


EVERTON v FULHAM


ROBBO'S BIG MATCH STATS


Sporting Preview, 24 Apr 2010


Head To Head

This will be the 51st all-time meeting between these two clubs. Of the previous 50 encounters Everton have won 21, Fulham have won 18 and there have been 18 draws.

Everton have never lost a home league game against Fulham.

The Toffees have won all eight of their Premier League clashes with Fulham at Goodison Park.

Fulham have not picked up a league point at Goodison Park since they fought out a 0-0 draw on 5 September 1959.

Everton

Everton are unbeaten in eight Premier League outings (Won 4, Drawn 4).

The Toffees have lost just two of their last 21 top-flight matches.

David Moyes's men are looking to extend their unbeaten home league run to 11 games. They have won seven of the previous 10.

Fulham

Fulham have won just one of their last seven Premier League matches. They have failed to score in five of those games.

The Cottagers have gone 16 away league games without a win (Lost 9, Drawn 7).

Roy Hodgson's men have accumulated four more points this season than they had at this stage last term.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Everton

Saha: 15 goals

Fulham

Zamora: 19 goals

MOST RECENT CLASH

Fulham 2-1 Everton (13 September 2009)

ROBBO'S PREDICTION

Everton 2-0 Fulham

[White Noise]

http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2010/4/24/1441303/10-things-i-think-about-fulham


10 Things I Think About Fulham Football Club This Week April 24th

Tiny by Russ Goldman on Apr 24, 2010 4:49 PM BST Comment 0 comments


Every week I like to write about subjects that are on my mind regarding Fulham Football Club. This was an interesting week for the team.  Fulham tied Wolverhampton 0 - 0 at Craven Cottage last Sunday. They also tied  Hamburg 0 - 0 in Germany in the Europa League Semifinals. This upcoming week will be very interesting. Fulham play Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday. Then, on Thursday the team plays Hamburg in the second leg of the Semifinals of the Europa League at Craven Cottage. I certainly have several things on my mind regarding Fulham. Below are my "10 Things I Think About Fulham Football Club This Week April 24th."

1. I think Kevin Doyle would be a great transfer target for Fulham.  I  believe last summer there were rumors of him being a summer target.  After watching the game last Sunday I was impressed by him as a striker. I would love if Fulham really went after him this summer. He would look great playing for the Cottagers.

2. I think I have gained a great amount of respect for Wolverhampton.  Going into the match I thought this was a game that Fulham should win at home. This was a pretty even game on Sunday. Wolverhampton were tough to breakdown. They weren't flashy, but got the job done. Wolverhampton might be in the Premier League for awhile.

3. I think Fulham made the best out of the travel situation.  It wasn't ideal for Fulham to travel to Germany by Coach. Fulham seemed to make the best of it. They even got outside and exercised on the motorway during a traffic backup.  It probably was also a chance for them to further bond together.

4. I think Mark Schwarzer was incredible in Germany.  In my opinion, he was the difference in the match. Late in the game he was under serious pressure from Hamburg. He made two finger - tipped saves. He gave Fulham a fighting chance in the second leg.  He has been great all year. Goalkeeper is not an issue for Fulham.

5. I think not getting an away goal in Germany just makes it tougher for Fulham in the Europa League Semifinals.  The second leg would have been easier for Fulham with this away goal. They really could use a shut out from Schwarzer in the second leg. I still like our chances. It just makes the job a little harder.  Fulham still have a good opportunity to move on to the Finals.

Star-divide

6. I think Hamburg should travel by coach to London.  It only seems fair that Hamburg should travel by coach to play Fulham. They should have to deal with the same issues Fulham had in the first leg. It is not going to happen.

7. I think I am fine with resting players for the Everton match.  Bobby Zamora is probably not going to play. If Roy decides to rest five other players he has my support. I have no idea what he is going to do. The Europa League is now the priority. I have faith the Hodgson will do what is best for Fulham.

8. I think Bobby Zamora will play against Hamburg on Thursday. Bobby has been fighting this Achilles injury for awhile now. This is not a new injury. Hopefully with rest he will be ready to go. This is probably the biggest game in his life. I am sure he will do everything in his power to play.

9. I think Fulham need to be aggressive at home against Hamburg.  Fulham are at there best when they are at home. They can't sit back in this match and expect to win. They need to take control of this match and look to score whenever possible.

10. I think Piotr Trochowski not being able to play this Thursday for Hamburg definitely helps Fulham.  He is ineligible for this match because of the last yellow card he received in the first leg. Chris Baird is not available for Fulham becuase of the same situation. However,  Trochowski was very dangerous for Hamburg in the first leg. Fulham can replace Chris Baird and survive. The question is how will Hamburg play without Trochowski? I am not saying he is their most valuable player. I am just saying he is a very good player, and any team would feel some affects of him not being available.

As you can tell I certainly have many things on my mind. I am sure I will have plenty of things to think about next week.

[White Noise]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2891/previews/2010/04/24/1892951/premier-league-preview-everton-fulham

Premier League Preview: Everton - Fulham


Toffees target Europa League as Cottagers eye final in Hamburg


By Jamie Dunn


24 Apr 2010 16:30:00


Kickoff: Sunday 25 April, 15:00 BST
Goodison Park, Everton

After a slow start to their Premier League campaign, Everton turned a corner at the start of 2010 and haven't looked back since. David Moyes' side have arguably been the form side at the turn of the decade, losing just three times in the league all year, claiming the scalps of Chelsea and Manchester United in the process.

Injuries hampered Moyes' squad early on, but that weight has been almost lifted and, as a result of the Toffees' rejuvenated form, coupled with Portsmouth's lack of a UEFA license, the Goodison Park faithful are hopeful of qualification for the Europa League.

Reaching next season's competition would most likely come at the expense of seventh-placed Liverpool and a win over Fulham could reduce the gap between the Merseyside rivals to just two points. Completely derailing the Reds' year would make success all the more sweet.

Fulham are out of the running for European places this season, but their commitments on the continent are far from over. Roy Hodgson's side battled to a goalless draw at the Nordbank Arena in Hamburg and, should they secure a victory at Craven Cottage, the Whites will be returning to Germany for the Europa League final in May.

Hodgson has admitted to having one eye on midweek endeavours in the past and is likely to change the side that played on Thursday in order to rest key personnel. Regardless, Everton should still expect a tough test from a side that has proven to be extremely difficult to break down for long spells of the season.

FORM GUIDE

Everton

Blackburn 2-3 Everton (Premier League)
Aston Villa 2-2 Everton (Premier League)
Everton 2-2 West Ham (Premier League)
Wolves 0-0 Everton (Premier League)
Man City 0-2 Everton (Premier League)

Fulham

Hamburg 0-0 Fulham (Europa League)
Fulham 0-0 Wolves (Premier League)
Liverpool 0-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Wolfsburg 0-1 Fulham (Europa League)
Fulham 2-1 Wigan (Premier League)

TEAM NEWS

Everton

Moyes has only a handful of injury worries ahead of Sunday's game; John Heitinga [ankle] is forced out, while long-term absentees Marouane Fellaini [foot] and Dan Gosling [knee] are still missing.

Possible Starting XI: Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Bilyaletdinov, Neville, Cahill, Arteta, Pienaar; Saha.

Fulham

Bobby Zamora has aggravated an Achilles injury and is unlikely to be risked ahead of the Europa League second-leg with Hamburg. Andrew Johnson [knee] is out for the season, and Simon Davies [rib] is a doubt, but John Pantsil, who has been out for four months, could make his long-awaited return.

Possible Starting XI: Schwarzer; Pantsil, Smalling, Hughes, Shorey; Duff, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey; Gera; Okaka.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Everton

He may be lucky to be available for selection following a petulant poke to the eye of Blackburn's Morten Gamst Pedersen, but Mikel Arteta has played a central role in Everton's rejuvenation. The midfielder is a cultured player of the highest class who, were it not for the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Xavi, would surely be bound for South Africa this summer.

Fulham

With Bobby Zamora set to miss out due to injury, Stefano Okaka may get another chance to impress at Goodison Park. The young striker is cup-tied for Europa League duty and so is missing the European adventure, but the on-loan forward could endear himself to Fulham fans with a few Premier League goals before returning to Roma.

PREDICTION

Fulham fans haven't seen a goal in over four and a half hours of football. That is likely to change at Goodison Park against an Everton side who have conceded two goals in their last three games, but should edge this encounter.

Everton 2-1 Fulham

[White Noise]

Clint Dempsey: Fulham's season already a success


American attributes season's fortunes down to hard work


By Tim Ward


24 Apr 2010 16:00:00


Clint Dempsey has declared Fulham's season a success no matter what happens over the coming week.

After their marathon trip to Hamburg, Roy Hodgson's men are back on the road again on Sunday when they tackle Everton, who have not given up hope of landing a European berth themselves following confirmation that Portsmouth will not be allowed to enter.

But Fulham could hardly be blamed for looking slightly further ahead to Thursday's semi-final second leg with Hamburg, arguably the biggest game in the club's history.

After a 0-0 draw in the first leg Fulham are fancied to progress to May's final, but even if they do not, having come so far in a competition they began back in July and with mid-table security already established in the Premier League, Dempsey feels his teammates will deserve a pat on the back.

"No matter what happens now we have already had a good season," said the United States international.

"I am not surprised at how well we are doing. We work hard and when you put in work like that it shows."

Danny Murphy has already gone public with Fulham's plan to rest key players at Goodison Park to try to keep some freshness in the team ahead of their date with destiny.

If past history is any guide, Nicky Shorey and Manchester United-bound Chris Smalling will both be involved against the Toffees, along with Stefano Okaka.

Fulham have never won at Everton in the league, a record which looks unlikely to be broken in the circumstances.

Roy Hodgson will be looking for goals after going three matches without finding the net, even if the Fulham boss claims to not be concerned.

"They have not been easy games," he said. "We had a goalless draw at Liverpool, which most people would regard as a positive result, and drawing in Hamburg was pretty creditable as well.

"It was disappointing not to score against Wolves last weekend but maybe our minds were already on the Hamburg game.

"I am not too concerned because we have goals in the team."

Hodgson can only hope that by making changes for such a tough game he is injecting his side with a group of players with something to prove.

Even for a manager of his capabilities though, it seems a pretty hard job given the proximity of the two games and what is at stake.

"We are so close to making the final and you don't get many opportunities to do that," said Dempsey. "It would be great for Fulham but it would also be great for the players who are putting in the work every week.

"We have come this far. We will be doing everything we can to make sure we are there."