Wednesday Fulham Stuff 04.08.10

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http://www.onenewspage.com/news/Sports/20100804/13699711/Mohamed-Al-Fayed-has-dig-at-new-Liverpool.htm

Mohamed Al Fayed has dig at new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson
Reported by guardian.co.uk on Wednesday, 4 August 2010 (7 hours ago)

• 'I forgive him but he took advantage and left us'
• 'Sure he is going to get Liverpool going downhill'


Mohamed Al Fayed was in a jovial mood at Mark Hughes's first press conference as Fulham manager, but he could not resist a dig at Roy..

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http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=224225

Big Sam closing in on first signing


Andranik Teymourian is hopeful he can become Blackburn Rovers’ first summer signing as he waits for talks with boss Sam Allardyce.

The Iranian midfielder has already undergone a medical at Brockhall and the club are now waiting to hear back about possible ‘work permit complications’ before continuing talks with Teymourian.

Teymourian’s representatives are confident obtaining a work permit will not be an issue though and are hopeful a deal can be finalized “very soon”.

Rovers arrived back home from the Sydney Festival of Football yesterday morning and manager Allardyce is expected at Brockhall this morning, although his players won’t report back for duty until Thursday.

He is expected to discuss Teymourian’s situation with the board and, if paperwork issues are sorted, he could be ready to sign a short term deal at Ewood Park.

The 27-year-old is desperate for a Premier League lifeline after spending the last couple of seasons on the sidelines at Fulham.

He did previously impress though during a spell under Allardyce at Bolton Wanderers and is keen to renew his working relationship with the Rovers boss, having spent a week on trial at Rovers earlier this summer.

Sources close to the player, said: “We are hopeful something can be sorted very soon. He has had his medical and has had his work permit tests.”

Meanwhile Blackburn Rovers have denied reports linking them with a move for Portsmouth’s Nigerian international John Utaka as they continue to wait for news on their main striking target.

The club are expected to hear in the next couple of days whether a bid has been accepted for the unnamed target but Utaka is not their man .

Utaka’s representative Monique Van Vossem, said: “We had heard there might be some interest from Blackburn but nothing definite at the moment. There have certainly been no negotiations.

“There are come clubs interested but no one team has yet made their interest official. He will leave Portsmouth for sure though.”

Jason Roberts’ Blackburn Rovers future continues to be shrouded in uncertainty though, as Allardyce looks to bolster his firepower options, but there has been official interest for the striker to date.

The Lancashire Telegraph also understand Georgian international Zurab Khizanishvili is keen to remain in England after turning down a move to an unnamed Turkish outfit.

Khizanishvili is unlikely to feature at Ewood Park much this campaign but, with one season left on his contract, is hopeful he will attract interest closer to home. (Source: Lancashiretelegraph)

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http://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/liverpool-fc/1210115-liverpool-fc-planning-move-for-australia-international-stopper.html

Liverpool FC planning move for Australia international stopper
by Richard Buxton. Published Wed 04 Aug 2010 00:47, Last updated: 2010-08-04
 
Liverpool are lining up a move for Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Jones as an understudy to Pepe Reina.

Roy Hodgson is believed to be a long-standing fan of the Australia international and planned a swoop for him prior to leaving Fulham last month.

Jones is the latest stopper to be linked with a move to Anfield as Hodgson looks to boost the club's home-grown quota to meet new regulations being implemented by the Premier League for the forthcoming campaign.

The 28-year-old qualifies as a home-grown player after joining Boro in 1999, aged 17, and is keen on joining Liverpool, who have made an official inquiry about his availability.

However the resistence of Gordon Strachan has proved to be a stumbling block for the Kop boss.

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Hull chief Russell Bartlett denies cash-strapped Tigers are on verge of administration

Hull owner Russell Bartlett has denied claims the club is heading for administration due to money owed on transfers. Speculation is rife that the Tigers could be forced into administration within the next 48 hours.
Club officials are holding talks with the Premier League after it emerged parachute payments of £9m due to the Tigers this week could be witheld and given to those clubs still owed cash by the relegated outfit instead.

Up front: City still owe Fulham money for the sale of Bullard
But Bartlett is hopeful no such action will be taken and insists there is no immediate crisis at the KC Stadium.
Bartlett said: 'I can categorically state that administration is simply not on the agenda. "We are well down the line in our plans to restructure the finances of the club and we are very close to meeting our targets.'
The Tigers still owe money to Stoke and Fulham for the sale of Ibrahima Sonko, Seyi Olofinjana and Jimmy Bullard.
There is also a suggestion from the Premier League that transfer fees owed to clubs abroad may also be deducted from the parachute payment.
The £2.7m transfer of Kamel Ghilas from La Liga outfit Celta Vigo is one deal where money remains outstanding along with Jozy Altidore's loan move from Villareal and Steven Mouyokolo's £2.5m switch from Boulogne in France.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1300094/Hull-chief-Russell-Bartlett-denies-Tigers-verge-administration.html#ixzz0vcikh6QV

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Fayed - Roy Will Take Kop Down

FULHAM owner Mohamed Fayed last night claimed Roy Hodgson will take Liverpool 'downhill'.
The Craven Cottage chief also labelled him a 'bugger' for joining the Reds. Fayed, 77, said: "Roy disappointed the fans and the players.
"I'm sure he'll take Liverpool downhill. He was just a bugger. I did everything to help him. But that's his character, he can't help it.
"After we put him where he is now, he took advantage but good luck to him.
"We gave him all the support, we believed in him and he let us down. I forgive him, anyhow."
Fayed made his comments as Mark Hughes was officially unveiled as Fulham's new boss.
The Egyptian added: "Mark's much better than the previous one. He knows what he's doing.
"We have a nice guy now. Don't mention Roy Hodgson any more.
"Fulham's a wonderful club and I'm sure Mark will do a great job.
"The players will like him - he's going to win us the championship."


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3080672/Fayed-Roy-will-take-Kop-down.html#ixzz0vcj2ZyTT

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Luke Young On Way To Fulham? + Other Transfer Talk

A little birdie just told me that Luke Young may well be on his way for talks concerning a move to Fulham. Now I can't hang my hat on this rumour and I do like to be clear on 'itk' stuff but seems there could be some substance to this. I hope, if he hasn't a chance of getting back into the Villa team, that he does get sorted, I don't think he ever let us down and will no doubt get a good reception from the Villa faithful if he returns with another club.


Read more: http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7505136#ixzz0ve9RG13Y

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http://www.clicklancashire.com/sport/blackburn-rovers-fc/127767-iranian-midfielder-poised-to-join-blackburn-rovers.html

Iranian midfielder poised to join Blackburn Rovers

Former Bolton Wanderers and Fulham FC midfielder Andranik Teymourian is ready to sign for Blackburn Rovers.

The Lancashire Telegraph claims the Iranian midfielder has already undergone a medical.

The move now seems to hang on whether Teymourian can obtain a work permit and it is understood that no further talks will be held until this issue is resolved.

Teymourian’s representatives are confident obtaining a work permit will not be an issue though and are hopeful a deal can be finalised “very soon”.

Sources close to the player, said: “We are hopeful something can be sorted very soon.

“He has had his medical and has had his work permit tests.”

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http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/08/04/hughes-refuses-to-panic-over-new-signings-64767-26995886/

Hughes refuses to panic over new signings

MARK Hughes insists he's still got enough time to land his transfer targets.

Fulham have signed just Philippe Senderos since the season ended almost three months ago.

However, with the big Premier League kick-off against Bolton less just 10 days away, Hughes is refusing to press the panic button as he bids to make his mark in SW6.

He said: "Ideally, I would've been in place before pre-season but that wasn't possible.

"But we've still got two weeks until the start of the season and another two weeks left of the window after that."

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http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/fulham/37720/mark-hughes-better-than-bugger-roy-hodgson-al-fayeds-pathetic-rant.html

Mark Hughes Better Than ‘Bugger’ Roy Hodgson – Al Fayed’s Pathetic Rant

By Ollie Irish

Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed has attacked Roy Hodgson for walking out on the Cottagers to join Liverpool.

Al Fayed said: “We gave him [Hodgson] all the support, we believed in him and he let us down. It’s no problem because Mark [Hughes, the new Fulham manager] is much better. He’s better looking too.

“Roy disappointed the fans, he disappointed the players, he was just a bugger.

“I did everything for him, to help him. But that’s his character. He can’t help it. I forgive him, anyhow and I’m sure he’s going to take Liverpool downhill.”

Quite how Hodgson disappointed the fans by is a mystery to me. I was under the impression he had just led Fulham to their most spectacular couple of seasons ever? Perhaps it was all a dream.

Al Fayed does neither himself – nor Hughes – any favours with this bitter, spiteful rant. The Egyptian relic should shut the hell up if all he’s capable of is spewing forth bile.

Oh, and Hodgson is clearly a much better manager than Hughes. If anything, it’s Hughes who will take Fulham downhill, while Liverpool stabilise under Uncle Woy.

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http://www.bettingpro.com/category/Football/Germany-keeper-Timo-Hildebrand-keen-on-Premier-League-move-201008040078/

Germany keeper Timo Hildebrand keen on Premier League move

German goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand would welcome a move to England, according to the player’s agent.

The 31-year-old is a free agent following his departure from Hoffenheim at the end of last season, and both Wigan and Fulham are reportedly keen to land the Germany international.

Agent Martin Stopper said: “He is very keen to challenge himself in the English game.

“Hildebrand feels the time is right to play in the Premier League.”

The goalkeeper, capped seven times, began his career with Stuttgart, making over 200 appearances for the Bundesliga side before a failed move to Valencia in 2007.

Hildebrand lasted just 18 months with the Spanish side and, in search of regular first-team football, left to join Hoffenheim.

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http://blog.sport.co.uk/Football/833/Top_Ten_Starlets_that_didnt_deliver_in_England.aspx

Top Ten: Starlets that didn't deliver in England
Liam Britnell

Danny Cadamarteri: The young England hopeful was a product of the Everton youth academy, and made his debut in 1996 against Chelsea. He was born to a mother of Italian descent and a Jamaican father. He went on to make 92 apperances for Everton in six years scoring just eight times. In which time he made three appearances for England U21’s.
After a loan move to Fulham in 1999, Danny was forced to take a hiatus from the beautiful game after he was found guilty for assault, he was subsequently fined £2,000 and told he was to leave Goodison Park. He left the Toffee’s to go to Bradford City where he was for two years, scoring five goals, before a brief stint at Sheffield United and a second spell at Bradford.
Cadamarteri then slipped off the radar as he fell into the lower divisions, playing for Grays Athletic. A few more clubs were still to come, including Leicester City, a loan spell at Doncaster Rovers and Huddersfield Town. Danny Cadamarteri is currently at Dundee Utd, where he has scored 4 times in 21 appearances for the Scottish side.

Giles Barnes: Barnes joined Derby County in 2005 on his 17th birthday, after now Hull City manager Phil Brown was impressed by the youngsters’ trial as a trainee. Giles made his debut later that year coming on as a late sub in defeat to Grimsby Town.
There was a lot of hype surrounding the young Derby midfielder from the off, as he began to establish himself in the side and this led to attention from the Premier League.
Barnes had a decent spell for Derby in the Premier League after they were promoted via the Playoff’s in 2007. He won Derby’s young player of the year for the 2006-07 season, before the injuries started to mount up.
After a unsuccessful loan spell at Fulham, he returned to Derby only to get injured in a pre-season friendly against Stoke. He trained with Birmingham City for a short while before a move to West Bromwich Albion was settled in January of this year.

Ian Selley:  Starting his career at Arsenal as a trainee, he made his debut against Blackburn Rovers in 1992 aged 18. He made around 50 appearances for the Gunners, his most famous coming against Parma in the 1994 European Cup Winners Cup Final, in which he was the youngest player on the field.
Unfortunately for Selley, he broke his leg in 1995, and despite rumours of Arsene Wenger wanting him to play a role in his new squad, he was sold to Fulham in 1997. After just three games for the Cottagers, lightning struck twice as Ian broke his leg and was once again moved along by his employers.
After loan spells from Wimbledon to Southend United, the inevitable lower leagues came calling. He played 97 games for Woking scoring 19, before moves to Lewes, Grays Athletic, Maidstone United, Dorchester Town and currently Havant & Waterlooville.
 

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http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-sport/hayesandyeading/2010/08/04/ex-fulham-and-barnet-goalkeeper-ready-for-comeback-at-hayes-113046-26995071/

Ex-Fulham and Barnet goalkeeper ready for comeback at Hayes
Aug 4 2010 By Chris Slavin

NEW number one Lee Harrison has assured Hayes & Yeading fans that he is in great shape to make a comeback at the age of 38.
Manager Garry Haylock's five-month pursuit of the former Barnet favourite finally ended at the weekend when he signed on the dotted line at Church Road for next season.
But Harrison's lack of match practice – his last competitive first-team appearance was for Barnet against Luton on April 18, 2009 – has led Hayes & Yeading fans to question the move.
However, Harrison, who spent his more recent times at Underhill as a goalkeeping coach, has no such concerns.

“I have played behind closed doors matches and kept myself fit,” said the ex-Fulham goalkeeper, whose second spell with the Cottagers came to an end in 1996. “With less than two weeks until the start of the season, I have been getting fitter with every game.
“I have been injury-free and I do not have a problem with starting the season against Bath City. We have some inexperience at the back and they need a voice to help them through, one of the things I am good at is talking to players during the game and I am sure I can benefit them.”
Harrison, who will have a testimonial match for Barnet against Tottenham Hotspur after over 300 league appearances at Underhill, says it was the lure of full-time football at Hayes that attracted him.
“It is important for me to be a part of a full-time set-up after 20 years as a professional,” said Harrison, who will continue coaching at Dagenham & Redbridge. “You are a long-time retired and I would sooner keep playing.
“I like Garry's plans and it excites me to be a part of a club that is going full-time for the first time.”

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http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/new-liverpool-boss-deserves-more-respect-than-that

New Liverpool boss deserves more respect than that
It is wrong to suggest Roy Hodgson ‘took advantage’ of Fulham
By Dave Smith  August 04, 2010

It always annoys me when people take cheap shots at others who they have worked with and praised previously, but have then chosen to move on to further their careers.

One major case in point is that concerning Roy Hodgson and Fulham, whose outspoken owner Mohamed Al Fayed yesterday took an unfair pop at the man who led the Cottagers to the Europa League Final.

Who could blame veteran boss Roy, one of the nicest men in the game, for taking up the invitation to manage Liverpool at this stage of his career?

And who could question the job he did at Craven Cottage? He produced and developed a quality team, leaving Mark Hughes with an excellent squad with which to work.

He also conducted himself with the utmost dignity and respect at all times; both whilst he was in charge and in the aftermath of his departure.

Which is why I was surprised to hear the comments of Mr Al Fayed who, having appointed Hughes as Hodgson’s successor, said of Roy: “He inherited a great team which had fantastic results but unfortunately this guy (Hodgson), after we put him where he is now, he took advantage and left us. But good luck to him, good luck to Liverpool.”

Surely there’s no need for comments like that about one of the most respected managers in the game, especially after all he’s done for Fulham.

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http://www.fansfc.com/story/23286.html

McGregor ready to deliver Fulham snub
11:30 AM 04 August, 2010
Allan McGregor is keen to remain at Rangers Football Club.

Mark Hughes still fears Mark Schwarzer could join Arsenal this summer, which would leave Fulham in the market for a replacement goalkeeper.

Reports suggest the Craven Cottage manager, who was officially unveiled at the club this week, has set his sights on a move for McGregor.

However, The Scotsman claim the Scotland international would turn his back on the Premier League side, as he intends to remain at Ibrox

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http://www.eatsleepsport.com/west-ham-united/defender-hopes-dashed-1083017.html

Defender hopes dashed
Last Updated: Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:37

Mark Hughes has made it clear that he has no intention of selling his top stars and that includes Hammers target Paul Konchesky.
Avram Grant had been keen to add the left back to the Hammers squad but the chances look to be slim after their new boss Hughes said he would not be selling the likes of Konchesky or Mark Schwarzer who has been linked to Arsenal.

Hughes has made it clear he is not going to sell his best players, he said: "There is always interest in quality players and it is not my intention to allow the betters players leave the football club."

"We are in a position where we don't have to sell our better players.

"We want to progress and you want to have the better players, so I suggest the two players you mention will still be Fulham players by the end of the window."