http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2915/europa-league/2011/05/23/2500275/fulham-midfielder-steve-sidwell-hopeful-of-european-chance (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2915/europa-league/2011/05/23/2500275/fulham-midfielder-steve-sidwell-hopeful-of-european-chance)
European chance
Although the Englishman wants to play in Europe he is all too aware of the danger of burnout which could affect the players towards the end of the season
By Mark Fordham
23 May 2011 20:10:00
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Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell is looking forward to the thought of European football next season as the club waits for the decision on whether they have qualified through the Fair Play League.
Sidwell signed from Aston Villa in January and played a large role in the club's good second half of the season.
He has experienced European football previously with Aston Villa and Chelsea and the Englishman is keen to get another chance.
He told reporters: "It tests yourself, playing in Europe at any stage of your career is a highlight.
"I have been fortunate enough to taste Champions League football when I was at Chelsea. It was a great experience.
"I also played the Europa League at Villa, it's a good competition and with the achievements that Fulham made here last season, I am sure we will want to go far in it again."
Although Fulham would get to play in Europe they would enter the competition at the first qualifying stage and as such their season would start much earlier than everyone else. Sidwell is aware that burn out could be an issue later in the season.
He added: "Coming back early doesn't help because the demands of a Premier League game itself are very tough, let alone a Premier League season.
"There is no hiding the fact that the Premier League is the hardest league in the world - to go into that you need a fit squad, you need a big squad. Then to add the Europa League, it does take a toll on the squad itself.
"There is the chance of burning out towards the end of the season, but whatever the outcome is we are professional enough to take it in our stride and give our best in every game."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/23/harry-redknapp-tottenham-hotspur-europa-league (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/23/harry-redknapp-tottenham-hotspur-europa-league)
Harry Redknapp to play Tottenham Hotspur youth in Europa League
• Fulham to join Spurs, Stoke and Birmingham by Fair Play table
• Blackpool set to miss out because of Ian Holloway's conduct
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David Hytner
guardian.co.uk, Monday 23 May 2011 22.31 BST
Article history
Alex McLeish's Birmingham City and Harry Redknapp's Spurs have both qualified for next season's Europa League. Photograph: Neil Tingle/Sportsphoto
Harry Redknapp has suggested he will use his "younger players" in next season's Europa League as he reinforced the impression that he may come to consider the competition as an unwanted distraction. The Tottenham Hotspur manager, though, together with his players, can be mightily relieved that they qualified via Premier League position and not the Fair Play table, which grants a place in the tournament's first qualifying round and means the new season will begin on 30 June.
The place will almost certainly go to Fulham who, in the last published Fair Play table on 30 April, were joint-second with Tottenham, behind the leaders Chelsea. Manchester United were fourth and Blackpool fifth. Chelsea and United have qualified for the Champions League.
Much has been made of Fulham's sudden spate of cards – they collected 12 yellows and one red in their three matches this month – and the conspiracy theorists have said the team have been trying to kick their way out of the early start to next season. But cards represent only 25% of the Fair Play equation – the other criteria are positive play, respect towards opponents and the referee, and the behaviour of club officials – and, with Fulham comfortably ahead of Blackpool in the last standings, it is unlikely that a season's accumulated numbers would be undermined by three games.
The Blackpool manager, Ian Holloway, whose team collected five yellow cards in their three matches this month, has tended to score badly on his behaviour towards officials. The final Fair Play table will be released on Thursday or Friday, after delegates' reports have been submitted and independently verified.
Tottenham, who beat Liverpool to fifth in the Premier League, will enter the Europa League at the play-off round, together with Birmingham City, the Carling Cup winners. The two-legged ties will be played on 18 and 25 August. Stoke City, the FA Cup runners-up, will enter at the previous round, the third qualifying round, which will be played on 28 July and 4 August while the dates for the first qualifying round are 30 June and 7 July.
"It was so important to avoid qualifying via the Fair Play," Redknapp said. "I said to the lads before the game [against Birmingham on Sunday], 'The one thing we don't want is the Fair Play ... we've got to win because we don't want to be going into that.' You'd be back playing in June so we'd be back training in two weeks if we were in that, which is ridiculous. It kills your Premier League season for a start. It's the last thing you could ever want if you're looking to have a push again next year."
Redknapp has described the Europa League as "one of those competitions that teams get in and then they try to get out of ... you look at the English teams and they all seem to play the reserve teams in it."
Tottenham could play up to 17 ties in the competition. "It's tough," Redknapp said. "We'll look at it and maybe it gives us a chance to play some of the younger players in that. The Premier League is going to be all important to us next year."
The defender Michael Dawson said: "We are massively relieved as the last thing that any player or member of staff wanted was to start the season on 30 June. We knew we would be in it [via Fair Play] so we knew we had to finish fifth."
Fulham stand to play up to 23 ties in next season's Europa League but the manager, Mark Hughes, has welcomed the prospect. The club, under his predecessor, Roy Hodgson, reached the final of the competition last year, having qualified through Premier League position and entered at the third qualifying round, which they started on 30 July 2009. "It would be nice to get there," Hughes said, "because qualifying for Europe on top of finishing eighth in the league would cap an excellent season for us."
Redknapp expects the midfielder Jamie O'Hara to turn his loan move to Wolverhampton Wanderers into a permanent transfer now that the club has avoided relegation into the Championship. "I think that is part of the deal," Redknapp said. "If they stayed up, they had an agreement to buy him. I don't know for how much."
http://www.fanfeedr.com/soccer/2011/05/23/bobby-zamora-is-buzzing-after-making-fabio-capellos-england-squa (http://www.fanfeedr.com/soccer/2011/05/23/bobby-zamora-is-buzzing-after-making-fabio-capellos-england-squa)
Zamora ze merrier for Fabio
By CHARLIE WYETT
Published: Today
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BOBBY ZAMORA is 'buzzing' to be in Fabio Capello's England squad for the Euro qualifier with Switzerland on June 4.
The Fulham striker was celebrating his first call-up since five months out with a broken leg.
After making his debut against Hungary last August, Zamora is named in a 26-man squad - with striker Wayne Rooney missing the Wembley clash through suspension.
Zamora, 30, who returned to action in February, said: "It's been a really difficult season.
"I'm delighted to be playing for Fulham again and now included in an England squad. I'm buzzing.
"It's been the toughest time of my career but I had to stay positive and it's great news the England manager has faith in me."
Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand also returns to an England squad for the first time in 2011.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3596812/Bobby-Zamora-is-buzzing-after-making-Fabio-Capellos-England-squad.html#ixzz1NDnmDDL6 (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3596812/Bobby-Zamora-is-buzzing-after-making-Fabio-Capellos-England-squad.html#ixzz1NDnmDDL6)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/23/fabio-capello-david-stockdale-england-switzerland? (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/23/fabio-capello-david-stockdale-england-switzerland?)
Fabio Capello plucks David Stockdale off Fulham's bench for England
• Ben Foster's absence restricts goalkeeping options
• Andy Carroll not fit enough but Jack Wilshere in squad
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2011/5/23/1306173659894/David-Stockdale-007.jpg)
Fulham's reserve goalkeeper David Stockdale has been named in the England squad.
Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA
England's difficulty with goalkeepers has driven the manager, Fabio Capello, to name David Stockdale, a substitute for Fulham, in the party for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley on 4 June. Joe Hart will start, with Scott Carson as back-up, but in the long term the manager has not ruled out recalling Birmingham City's Ben Foster, who has stood down from England duty at present, or Robert Green, the West Ham United player who has reservations about it.
It is not only goalkeepers who are uneasy. Jack Wilshere, at his own request and at the urging of the Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, has been spared duty for England at the European Under‑21 Championship in Denmark this summer. Instead, the 19-year-old will, at most, have just a part to play against Switzerland. He has made 31 starts for his club in the Premier League alone this season.
Andy Carroll, the Liverpool forward, has been left out. Knee problems have hindered him and he has been confined to two appearances since the middle of last month. It is too late for surprise or risk-taking by Capello. In early summer the aim for England is simply to complete their work for the season with a win.
The manager has therefore shown no real appetite for experiment. Kyle Walker, the uncapped right-back, has been included but he would probably have featured in the friendly with Ghana in March had he been fit. The 20-year-old, who went on loan to Aston Villa from Tottenham Hotspur in January, occupies a position for which the competition for places is not particularly intense.
Liverpool's Glen Johnson started against Ghana and the right-back is likely to start against Switzerland. There can be little interest in experimentation from Capello when his team leads Group G only on goal difference ahead of Montenegro. With nine goals from their four matches to date England's firepower has been significant.
In September, Switzerland themselves were defeated 3-1 in Basle. Wayne Rooney, who scored the opener then, is suspended for the return, so Bobby Zamora, whose England debut came as a substitute against Hungary at the start of the season, is one of the forwards in the party, along with Peter Crouch, Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe. Zamora scored for Fulham against Arsenal on Sunday and must have convinced Capello even if his club manager, Mark Hughes, doubts whether he has completely recovered from a broken leg.
All the same, it has not been Capello's purpose to take risks. The Tottenham centre-half Michael Dawson has been passed over despite there being 26 players in the squad. That reflects Rio Ferdinand's availability. The Manchester United centre-half had not been fit to play for England since turning out against France in the November friendly. His Old Trafford colleague Michael Carrick has also been recalled.
England squad Carson (West Bromwich), Hart (Man City), Stockdale (Fulham); Baines (Everton), Cahill (Bolton), Cole (Chelsea), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Jagielka (Everton), G Johnson (Liverpool), Lescott (Man City), Terry (Chelsea), Walker (Tottenham); Barry (Man City), Carrick (Man Utd), Downing (Aston Villa), A Johnson (Man City), Lampard (Chelsea), Milner (Man City), Parker (West Ham), Walcott, Wilshere (both Arsenal), A Young; Bent (both Aston Villa), Crouch, Defoe (both Tottenham), Zamora (Fulham).
http://english.aljazeera.net//sport/football/2011/05/2011523181914958700.html? (http://english.aljazeera.net//sport/football/2011/05/2011523181914958700.html?)
Zamora returns to England squad
With Rooney suspended and Carrol injured, Bobby Zamora has been named in the England squad to face Switzerland in June
Fulham's Bobby Zamora was named in the England squad on Monday for next month's Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland for the first time since breaking his leg last August.
Coach Fabio Capello named Zamora because Liverpool's Andy Carroll is injured and Wayne Rooney is suspended for the Group G match at Wembley on June 4th.
Zamora made his debut for England as a second half substitute in a friendly against Hungary last August, but a month later broke his leg in a Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers and did not play again until recovering in February.
His goal against Arsenal in Sunday's 2-2 draw on the final day of the Premier League season was his fourth in 11 matches since his return to action.
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand also returns in a 26-man squad with Capello having to call up Fulham reserve keeper David Stockdale alongside Scott Carson as back-up goalies after Ben Foster and Robert Green stated they did not wish to be involved.
With all five teams in the group having played four matches, England lead the standings with 10 points on goal difference from Montenegro, followed by Switzerland (4), Bulgaria (4) and Wales (0).
Pearce omits Wilshere
Jack Wilshere was also named in the senior England squad following the news that he will not be travelling to Denmark for the European under-21 Championship.
Arsenal midfielder Wilshere and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll were both omitted from the under-21 squad by manager Stuart Pearce on Monday.
The potential inclusion of both players, who have already established themselves in Fabio Capello's senior squad, had been controversial.
Carroll, who became the most expensive English player in January, has suffered with injuries during the second half of the season, while Wilshere has started more than 40 games for his club this season.
"Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere will not be part of the under-21 squad which travels to Denmark. Andy has been ruled out through injury," Pearce said in a statement on the Football Association website.
"I spoke to Jack last week and he explained that while he told me in March that he wanted to be part of the squad, he now feels he is not in the best condition to take part in the finals."
"That is based on the number of games he has played for Arsenal this season, sports science data which Jack was presented with last week and concerns he has for his fitness looking ahead to next season."
Wilshere has been an almost ever-present for Arsenal this season and club manager Arsene Wenger said last week England would be gambling with his health by calling him up for the June 11-25 tournament.
"Jack has always expressed his enjoyment at being involved with the under-21 squad, and while I am disappointed not to have him with us for the finals I've accepted the situation," Pearce added.
England squad for 2012 Euro qualifier:
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Scott Carson (West Bromwich Albion), David Stockdale (Fulham)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Bolton Wanderers), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Stewart Downing (Aston Villa), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Scott Parker (West Ham United), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
Forwards: Darren Bent (Aston Villa), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Bobby Zamora (Fulham)
http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2011/5/23/2185972/gera-gives-the-cottage-an-unwelcome-send-off? (http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2011/5/23/2185972/gera-gives-the-cottage-an-unwelcome-send-off?)
Gera gives the Cottage an unwelcome send off
There was only one possible outcome on Sunday afternoon that could have equated the 2010/11 season as 'Fulhamish'. Losing 10-0 wouldn't have done it, moonwalking to celebrate wouldn't have done it. Only shooting ourselves in the foot with a farcical sending off would have allowed for the ultimate in anti-climaxes.
Mohammed Al Fayed, surely, will be the first to ring out the conspiracy theories. 'Mark Hughes hates planes' could be one of them, although, the more plausible yet still ludicrous suggestion that Zoltan Gera, the recipient of the red card, wanted to depart with a vengeance can be more widely anticipated.
Discipline aside, there couldn't have been a better way to round off the campaign than with a draw, which was indeed the result as Fulham hosted Arsenal.
Steve Sidwell opened the scoring for Fulham in a first half which showed a consistent sway in dominance. If one thing was undeviating, though, it was the manner of both side's play, with Wenger's fine passing team being matched with similar panache from the home side.
Schwarzer, facing his apparent potential suitors, wasn't left celebrating for long, however. He couldn't stop a calm finish from the eloquent Robin Van Persie, who has hit his best form in one of the lowest periods in Arsenal's recent history.
And the North London side's recent history was about to get no better as Bobby Zamora showed why Fabio Capello has kept the faith in him with a 57-minute header. Jonathan Greening provided the cross and the England striker had the most simple of jobs at hand.
The game then began to ebb and flow and as Hughes tried to steady the ship with a flurry of substitutes, little did he know that his changes would have a contrasting effect.
That Gera only took 3 minutes to inflict an indecent lunge on Arsenal's Vermaelen perhaps provided some justification to his leaving the club, with the Hungarian palpably being out of favour with manager, Hughes.
Perhaps Zolly, though, a fans favourite, would have preferred a better send off than to traipse back to the dressing room; tail between legs. That same image seemed, in the last 15 or so minutes, to epitomise the whole side as Theo Walcott drilled home a late equaliser that would have no effect on either team's league standing as both Man City and Everton had finished the season on a high.
While it didn't quite carry the same attention or drama as the other Premier League fixtures, a respectable draw against a top four side will have gone a long way to representing what has been a successful first season for Mark Hughes as Fulham boss.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2915/europa-league/2011/05/23/2500275/fulham-midfielder-steve-sidwell-hopeful-of-european-chance? (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2915/europa-league/2011/05/23/2500275/fulham-midfielder-steve-sidwell-hopeful-of-european-chance?)
Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell hopeful of European chance
Although the Englishman wants to play in Europe he is all too aware of the danger of burnout which could affect the players towards the end of the season
Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell is looking forward to the thought of European football next season as the club waits for the decision on whether they have qualified through the Fair Play League.
Sidwell signed from Aston Villa in January and played a large role in the club's good second half of the season.
He has experienced European football previously with Aston Villa and Chelsea and the Englishman is keen to get another chance.
He told reporters: "It tests yourself, playing in Europe at any stage of your career is a highlight.
"I have been fortunate enough to taste Champions League football when I was at Chelsea. It was a great experience.
"I also played the Europa League at Villa, it's a good competition and with the achievements that Fulham made here last season, I am sure we will want to go far in it again."
Although Fulham would get to play in Europe they would enter the competition at the first qualifying stage and as such their season would start much earlier than everyone else. Sidwell is aware that burn out could be an issue later in the season.
He added: "Coming back early doesn't help because the demands of a Premier League game itself are very tough, let alone a Premier League season.
"There is no hiding the fact that the Premier League is the hardest league in the world - to go into that you need a fit squad, you need a big squad. Then to add the Europa League, it does take a toll on the squad itself.
"There is the chance of burning out towards the end of the season, but whatever the outcome is we are professional enough to take it in our stride and give our best in every game."
http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1439805.html?cid=rssfeed&att= (http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1439805.html?cid=rssfeed&att=)
Howard, Dempsey lead Gold Cup hunt
Bob Bradley has named his 23-man USA squad for next month's CONCACAF Gold Cup, selecting a full-strength team led by European-based goalkeeper Tim Howard, Fulham top scorer Clint Dempsey and LA Galaxy playmaker Landon Donovan.
The tournament, which sends one team from the North, Central American and Caribbean zone to the next FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil in 2013, will begin on 5 June and run through to 25 June across 13 venues in the United States. The hosts will begin their Group C account against northern neighbours Canada in their opener, with later tests against Guadeloupe and Panama.
We have a very experienced group, and we know that in a tournament like this all 23 players will need to contribute in order for us to be successful.
USA coach Bob Bradley
"We have said since the start of the new cycle that winning the Gold Cup this year is a top priority, and that was our focus as we built this roster," said Bradley of his squad, which also includes New York Red Bulls starlet Juan Agudelo, former prodigy Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore. "We have a very experienced group, and we know that in a tournament like this all 23 players will need to contribute in order for us to be successful."
Three members of Bradley's squad are just coming off impressive seasons abroad. Dempsey set the single-season record for an American in the English Premier League with 12 goals and broke club side Fulham's mark for career goals in the Premier League (33). Holding midfielder Maurice Edu helped Rangers to a domestic double, the Glasgow side capturing their third-straight Scottish Premier League crown as well as the Scottish FA Cup. Oguchi Onyewu, on loan to FC Twente, was part of the Dutch FA Cup-winning squad.
The Americans have won four CONCACAF Gold Cups, second only to five-time champions Mexico, who humiliated the Stars and Stripes 5-0 in New York in the final of the last instalment in 2009. Bradley will take the same squad to Boston to meet up with world champions Spain on 4 June in a warm-up friendly.
USA squad:
Goalkeepers: Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Jonathan Bornstein (UANL Tigres), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Eric Lichaj (Leeds), Oguchi Onyewu (FC Twente), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
Midfielders: Freddy Adu (Rizespor), Michael Bradley (Aston Villa), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (New England Revolution), Jermaine Jones (Blackburn Rovers), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
Forwards: Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (Bursaspor), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/8531873/Fulham-striker-Bobby-Zamora-in-club-versus-country-row-following-selection-for-England-squad-to-face-Switzerland.html? (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/8531873/Fulham-striker-Bobby-Zamora-in-club-versus-country-row-following-selection-for-England-squad-to-face-Switzerland.html?)
Fulham striker Bobby Zamora in club-versus-country row following selection for England squad to face Switzerland
Bobby Zamora has been placed at the centre of a new club-versus-country dispute after being recalled to the England senior squad against the wishes of Fulham manager Mark Hughes.
(http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01903/Bobby-Zamora_1903326c.jpg)
Tight fisted: Mark Hughes relcutant to let Bobby Zamora feature for England after injury
Photo: GETTY IMAGES
With Wayne Rooney suspended and Andy Carroll injured, Zamora was named yesterday alongside Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch as one of England's four strikers for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland on June 4. Hughes, though, has warned that Zamora is still not fully fit after breaking his leg last September.
"I don't think he is ready for any games," said Hughes. "He is compromised with the restriction he has after about an hour's play. He needs a full pre-season and once the Premier League starts again I would imagine he would be very much in the England manager's mind."
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Fulham are expected to qualify for the Europa League through the 'fair-play' table. If so, Hughes will resume pre-season training on June 13 ahead of a first qualifying match on June 30.
That would be just nine days after the Switzerland match, meaning that, if Zamora does play for England, he could miss the start of Fulham's season.
Zamora has played 11 times for Fulham since returning from his broken leg in February, but has completed only one full game and lasted just 70 minutes of the 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday.
David Stockdale, Zamora's Fulham team-mate and the club's substitute goalkeeper, was also called up after both Ben Foster and Robert Green made themselves unavailable. Joe Hart is clearly established as the first choice goalkeeper, while West Bromwich Albion's Scott Carson now has the chance to stake his claim as understudy.
Rio Ferdinand has been named in the squad for the first time since John Terry was restored to the England captaincy and there is also a recall for Michael Carrick. Aaron Lennon and Matt Jarvis are dropped while Arsenal's Theo Walcott returns. Carroll was also yesterday omitted from the under-21 squad for the European Championship next month.
England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce has named full England internationals Micah Richards, Kieran Gibbs, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck in his squad.
http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2011/05/per_ardua_ad_astra.php? (http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2011/05/per_ardua_ad_astra.php?)
Per Ardua ad Astra
Posted by Phil Mison
Ten months ago we began our blog affair dear reader, sharing a common allegiance to Fulham FC and looking to spread the word. My aim from the outset was simply to serve up the most authoritative, lively and readable Premiership blog on the Soccernet site.
For an archived record of Fulham's 10th successive season in the Premier League, this campaign has been a wonderful journey for me personally. At the end of it I have a collective body of work to reflect upon that sums up the ecstatic highs and morbid lows of being madly, irrationately and passionately wedded to this great little football club down by the river.
Shankly knew. It really is so much more than just a game. I'm no sentimentalist or believer in the hereafter, but in this, a first full season without my Dad - he died on the eve of the Juventus home tie - often I found myself looking skywards after a Fulham goal hoping he was looking down on the Cottage. That side of the ground has barely changed from the time he first took me along in the 1950's. The last thing left to us after decreptitude takes hold are memories. Most of my fondest will come from time watching Fulham.
Our title above encapsulates a season, that till late spring was balanced on a knife edge. Not 30 minutes into game four of a 38 match season, and with three goals in his previous two games, Bobby Zamora had his ankle shattered by a lunging Karl Henry tackle. Our reborn centre forward would have gone to the World Cup that summer but for an achilles problem that required surgery, having pushed himself through the pain barrier on a needs must basis for the Europa League cause. A season lost advancing his international credentials for BZ ,and when the new manager opened the cupboards at Motspur, Elm, Okaka and Nevland had gone, and little AJ was still holding his knee. We were up against it...
Strangely, the questions being posed from the first blogs of last July still apply now. Who should be keeping goal, do we have a problem at full-back, has Murphy much more to give, surely we need cover up front?
'Where next for the Europa League runners-up' was the title for my very first piece. Now all we have to ask is where next for the side finishing 8th? 7th is our all time best finish thanks to Roy two years ago. Improving on that is going to require a seismic shift in how Fulham operates. The wage structure would have to go through the roof. Is it going to happen on gates of 25,000? Doing an 'Arry and breaking into the top four...Fulham in the Champions League???
The one thing Mark above all got right when coming down was stability in our playing style. Apart from a belated and long overdue improvement in away form, where Roy was indeed overcautious, the side that gave Arsenal such a scare Sunday was still playing very much in the style of Hodgson. It was almost 4-5-1 at times with BZ roaming out to the flanks to stretch the centre backs. Sadly, I remain of the conclusion AJ is no longer the man to profit from the spaces. He's lost a vital yard of zip and ability to take on the last man - you saw that many times Sunday - and there's no gunpowder in the boots anymore. No goal at home from AJ all season...and he's the top earner?
As to Zollie's three minute cameo...what was going on there? It almost gives credence to the conspiracy theory that Mark has sent the side out to scupper the Fair Play route back into Europe. Surely not?
On which note, I shall be back later in the week once UEFA have determined our fate. After that we can draw a line under the season, discuss the new away shirt, your hopes for next season, new signings wishlist, season high and lows, and where we're all going on our hols.
In the meantime, big shout out to Stockers and Zamo for making the England squad - and thanks for contributing to the Number One blog in the Prem!
Twitter @fulhamphil / PS I did forecast Blackpool and B'ham for the drop - did ya notice?
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/gudjohnsens-boys-schooled-at-the-nou-camp-2288197.html? (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/gudjohnsens-boys-schooled-at-the-nou-camp-2288197.html?)
Gudjohnsen's boys schooled at the Nou Camp
Icelander's sons are learning game at famous Barça academy, and are showing signs they could be as good as dad. Sam Wallace reports
Since leaving Barcelona in 2009, Eidur Gudjohnsen has led a nomadic football life playing for Monaco, Tottenham (on loan), Stoke City and now Fulham on loan again – separated for the first time in his career from his three sons, who live in Barcelona.
Being apart from Sveinn, 13, Andri, nine, and five-year-old Daniel, as well as his wife Ragnhildur, has been the toughest part of it for Eidur but the consolation is that his two eldest sons are getting arguably the best football education in the world. Both are part of the Barcelona academy where these two little Icelanders are being honed to follow in their father's footsteps.
Eidur, 32, grew up outside his native Iceland, spending seven years in Belgium where his father Arnor played for Anderlecht before Eidur went on to join the PSV Eindhoven academy in Holland. When he left Barcelona for Monaco in 2009 the plan was for his family to join him eventually in the south of France but his spell at the French club got off to a poor start and looked like it might be short-lived so they decided to stay put.
As a result he has had to follow his son's progress with telephone calls and dashes back to Spain whenever days off allow it. Sveinn, a left-winger, is in the Barcelona academy proper, the talent hothouse which produced so many of the current Barcelona team as well as manager Pep Guardiola.
"The set-up is semi-professional," Eidur says. "He turns up for training with his washbag and they get their kit provided. They have to be there 45 minutes before training three times a week and they play every weekend. They have a squad of 22 players and they rotate through. Everyone has their position and they play in a league against boys one year older because, as a team, they are very good. The club want them always to be up against top opposition.
"Andri [a centre-midfielder] is at the Barcelona school, which is open to younger kids to train. They have to have a level of talent to train there and if they don't, the coaches will politely say, 'This might not be for your son'.
"Andri comes home every month with the equivalent of a school report. It has a list of categories: 'Control – left foot; control – right foot; his vision; his attitude; his punctuality; his respect towards team-mates; his respect towards coaches'. There is a list of 50 things that he is marked on – 'below average, average, good, very good' etc. He is nine!
"There are two coaches and I don't know how many kids and they all get a report card. They play every Saturday whether it is against other teams or among themselves. They play in a Barcelona kit, seven-a-side. It is at this school that you see what Barcelona football club is about. They teach them in training at a very young age to control the ball and look around, everyone in their position, the ball played into feet."
As for five-year-old Daniel, his father says: "He loves football but he only wants to start playing when he can train with Barcelona!" The club have hinted strongly that Andri will also be taken into the academy which means both have a chance of following their father and wearing the famous shirt at the Nou Camp. The boys have both said that if they make it as professionals then, like their father and grandfather, they want to represent Iceland.
Eidur famously made his debut for Iceland in 1996 as a 17-year-old substitute coming on for his father Arnor, then 34, although a subsequent injury for Eidur meant they never played at the same time. Eidur says that his grandfather, a fisherman in the northern part of Iceland, might also have made it as a professional footballer had he been given the opportunity.
"They might not become footballers but the oldest one at least seems to be very determined," Eidur says of his sons. "I don't really mind as long as they know right from wrong and respect people around them. Then I'll be the proudest dad in the world."
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/socceroos/news/1057861/Socceroos-stalwarts-out-of-action? (http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/socceroos/news/1057861/Socceroos-stalwarts-out-of-action?)
Socceroos stalwarts out of action
The absence of Mark Schwarzer, Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell and David Carney in Australia's squad for next month's New Zealand and Serbia internationals opens the door for a number of fringe players.
National team coach Holger Osieck named a 23-man squad for the Kiwi game at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday 5 June and the Serb clash at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 7 June with the big-name quartet missing out due to various reasons.
Schwarzer requires groin surgery, Cahill is still nursing his way back to full fitness after a foot problem, Kewell is not 100% and was allowed time to get back to his best while Carney is recovering from shoulder surgery.
"Obviously we are at the stage of the season with the European-based players that's very difficult, after a long and very intense season," Osieck said.
"It's great to be able to bring some of these others guys in there. Hopefully they will meet our expectations."
With Schwarzer unavailable, Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici, Borussia Dortmund's Mitch Langerak and Denmark-based Nathan Coe will all be hoping to impress.
Lucas Neill will captain the side, defender/midfielder Rhys Williams is back the groin injury that ruled him out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Fortuna Düsseldorf bound Robbie Kruse retains his place, Melbourne Victory's Archie Thompson and Brisbane Roar skipper Matt McKay represent the A-League with James Troisi, Dario Vidosic and Michael Zullo back in the fold.
Osieck indicated striker Thompson had been on his radar for a long time.
"He was in contention for the Asian Cup in Qatar but then he got his injury," he said.
"We all know his quality. He is a very useful player and it's good to have him."
Socceroos squad
Name - Club, Country, A-International matches (goals)
Alex BROSQUE - Shimizu S-Pulse, Japan 5 (0)
Nathan COE (gk) - Sonderjysk Elitesport, Denmark 1 (0)
Brett EMERTON - Blackburn Rovers, England 84 (17)
Adam FEDERICI (gk) - Reading FC, England 3 (0)
Brett HOLMAN - AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands 46 (6)
Mile JEDINAK - Genclerbirligi SK, Turkey 25 (2)
Josh KENNEDY - Nagoya Grampus, Japan 23 (7)
Neil KILKENNY - Leeds United FC, England 7 (0)
Robbie KRUSE - Melbourne Victory, Australia 5 (1)
Mitchell LANGERAK (gk) - Borussia Dortmund, Germany
Jonathan McKAIN - Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia 14 (0)
Matthew McKAY - Brisbane Roar, Australia 14 (0)
Mark MILLIGAN - JEF United, Japan 10 (1)
Lucas NEILL - Galatasaray SK, Turkey 71 (0)
Sasa OGNENOVSKI - Seongham Ilwha Chunma, Korea Republic 9 (1)
Matthew SPIRANOVIC - Urawa Red Diamonds, Japan 5 (0)
Archie THOMPSON - Melbourne Victory, Australia 33 (21)
James TROISI - Kayserispor Kulubu, Turkey 3 (0)
Carl VALERI - U.S. Sassuolo Calcio, Italy 36 (1)
Dario VIDOSIC - DSC Arminia Bielefeld, Germany 12 (1)
Rhys WILLIAMS - Middlesbrough FC, England 3 (0)
Luke WILKSHIRE - FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia 57 (4)
Michael ZULLO - FC Utrecht, Netherlands 2 (0)
http://arsenal-mania.com/articles/3110285/Five-conclusions-from-Fulham-2-2-Arsenal.html? (http://arsenal-mania.com/articles/3110285/Five-conclusions-from-Fulham-2-2-Arsenal.html?)
Five conclusions from Fulham 2-2 Arsenal
1. Arsenal enjoy attacking in the "4-4-2"
Is this a sign of things to come? Many fans have demanded a move to a two-striker formation and with the way Arsenal dominated possession, particularly the first half, you could see why. Some of these players came through playing in the 4-4-2 and the quick, one-touch passes leading up to first goal displayed a bit of the spontaneous explosiveness that had gone missing recently. Arsenal's play was more direct than usual, more focused on getting the ball quickly to the flanks and that created more angles. Marouanne Chamakh was an able focal point and led the attack well however this was a system heavily dependent on pushing resources forward as wide players started more deeper (as opposed to the 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 where they are used as wide-forwards).
The draw certainly wasn't the best case for Arsenal reverting back to the formation but there were enough signs to show it can be a viable Plan B, if ever there was a need for one.
2. Robin van Persie hasn't been backed up by his team-mates
It's a phenomenal record - or at least if you discount the goalscoring feats of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Yet even that doesn't take away from the astonishing return Robin van Persie has produced for Arsenal this season. His goal against Fulham was his 22nd in all competitions, 21 of those coming after January and 18 of them in the Premiership. His 9 in successive away games is a league record and before they had played their final game of the season, van Persie had scored the same amount as the whole Blackburn team this year.
However, reading over his figures leaves an irrevocable feeling of "what could have been?" Had the Dutchman been fit for the whole season, maybe Arsenal may have ended the campaign with at least one trophy. Certainly, him hobbling off in the Carling Cup final is seemingly symbolic of his luck. But the biggest frustration is that his goals have meant little to achieving Arsenal's outcome. When it mattered, Arsenal as a unit, wilted and if anything the reliance on van Persie has been to great.
There's an argument that van Persie has actually been Arsenal's problem; that his style doesn't suit the overall approach of The Gunners but that assertion doesn't hold up very strongly when you consider Arsenal was at their best from mid-December to late February. And van Persie was crucial to them. The truth is, Arsenal have regressed as a unit since then; their fluency has waned, confidence has all been sapped and the boundless energy they displayed in the middle part of the season, non-existent. When Arsenal beat Wigan 2-0 in the Carling Cup in December, Arséne Wenger said he was unlikely to play van Persie and Chamakh together again. That changed against Fulham and although there were some promising signs and a decent understanding, both players look best suited to a lone forward role.
3. Defensive efficiency still eludes Arsenal
The 4-4-2, if anything, was brought in from an attacking standpoint and the meagre hope to add some freshness to the last game of the season. Defensively, Arsenal have been in tatters recently that any sort of improvement was welcome. Which is a shame really because, in the aforementioned period between mid-December and late February, Arsenal were brilliant. They pressed effectively and at a high-tempo, moved together and most crucially, were compact. Against Fulham and using a formation which possesses dynamics which are different, Arsenal were unable to get as compact as they would have wished.
Pressing in a 4-4-2 means the wide-players start deeper as opposed to the 4-3-3 where they play as forwards and that places great demands on the two central midfielders to help retain a structure. This was particularly important on transitions and it's notable that Fulham's two goals came from mini-breaks. The Gunners couldn't get back as efficiently as they would have preferred and as displayed by the second goal, ultimately had too many back.
Attack initially proved to be Arsenal's best form of defence as their possession forced Fulham back but such a style is dependent on pressure to be sustained and with some effectiveness too.
4. Jack Wilshere deserves a breather
The England midfielder has been fantastic in his breakthrough season in the first-team but as Wenger had first envisaged it was perhaps 15-20 games too many for Wilshere. Here, he kept the ball well but lacked the assurance of Alex Song although Abou Diaby was fairly composed. The double-pivot had been key to Arsenal's good form in mid-season but it depends on a high work-rate and the team remaining compact. Arsenal have been lethargic for a while and Wilshere looks like he needs a breather more than any. He deserves it.
5. Emmanuel Eboue has his merits
He may divide fans but one regret may be not utilising the squad to its most potential. That's understandable given Wenger will have wanted to settle on a winning formula but Eboue has been underused. Whether as a full-back in home matches against "lesser" sides or as an auxiliary right-winger, every team needs a utility man. At Craven Cottage, he was used a left-back and did well. With Gaël Clichy reportedly leaving for Inter Milan and Kieran Gibbs still developing, Eboue could be a key player next season.
http://life.hereisthecity.com/2011/05/24/fabio-capello-plucks-david-stockdale-off-fulhams-bench-for-engla/? (http://life.hereisthecity.com/2011/05/24/fabio-capello-plucks-david-stockdale-off-fulhams-bench-for-engla/?)
Fabio Capello Plucks David Stockdale Off Fulham's Bench For England
England's difficulty with goalkeepers has driven the manager, Fabio Capello, to name David Stockdale, a substitute for Fulham, in the party for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley on 4 June. Joe Hart will start, with Scott Carson as back-up, but in the long term the manager has not ruled out recalling Birmingham City's Ben Foster, who has stood down from England duty at present, or Robert Green, the West Ham United player who has reservations about it.
It is not only goalkeepers who are uneasy. Jack Wilshere, at his own request and at the urging of the Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, has been spared duty for England at the European Under‑21 Championship in Denmark this summer. Instead, the 19-year-old will, at most, have just a part to play against Switzerland. He has made 31 starts for his club in the Premier League alone this season.
Andy Carroll, the Liverpool forward, has been left out. Knee problems have hindered him and he has been confined to two appearances since the middle of last month. It is too late for surprise or risk-taking by Capello. In early summer the aim for England is simply to complete their work for the season with a win.
The manager has therefore shown no real appetite for experiment. Kyle Walker, the uncapped right-back, has been included but he would probably have featured in the friendly with Ghana in March had he been fit. The 20-year-old, who went on loan to Aston Villa from Tottenham Hotspur in January, occupies a position for which the competition for places is not particularly intense.
Liverpool's Glen Johnson started against Ghana and the right-back is likely to start against Switzerland. There can be little interest in experimentation from Capello when his team leads Group G only on goal difference ahead of Montenegro. With nine goals from their four matches to date England's firepower has been significant.
In September, Switzerland themselves were defeated 3-1 in Basle. Wayne Rooney, who scored the opener then, is suspended for the return, so Bobby Zamora, whose England debut came as a substitute against Hungary at the start of the season, is one of the forwards in the party, along with Peter Crouch, Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe. Zamora scored for Fulham against Arsenal on Sunday and must have convinced Capello even if his club manager, Mark Hughes, doubts whether he has completely recovered from a broken leg.
All the same, it has not been Capello's purpose to take risks. The Tottenham centre-half Michael Dawson has been passed over despite there being 26 players in the squad. That reflects Rio Ferdinand's availability. The Manchester United centre-half had not been fit to play for England since turning out against France in the November friendly. His Old Trafford colleague Michael Carrick has also been recalled.
England squad Carson (West Bromwich), Hart (Man City), Stockdale (Fulham); Baines (Everton), Cahill (Bolton), Cole (Chelsea), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Jagielka (Everton), G Johnson (Liverpool), Lescott (Man City), Terry (Chelsea), Walker (Tottenham); Barry (Man City), Carrick (Man Utd), Downing (Aston Villa), A Johnson (Man City), Lampard (Chelsea), Milner (Man City), Parker (West Ham), Walcott, Wilshere (both Arsenal), A Young; Bent (both Aston Villa), Crouch, Defoe (both Tottenham), Zamora (Fulham).
http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/zamora_wins_capello_call_for_england_1_3408466 (http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/zamora_wins_capello_call_for_england_1_3408466)
Zamora wins Capello call for England
Bobby Zamora was named in an England squad for the first time since August when Fabio Capello announced his party for the Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland at Wembley on June 4.
Zamora, who has come back from a broken leg this season, is selected in a four-man strikeforce. Andy Carroll is ruled out through injury and Wayne Rooney through suspendion and Zamora joins Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch.
Former Blades Phil Jagielka and Kyle Walker are included as is Fulham No 2 goalkeeper David Stockdale who once had a spell on loan with Rotherham United.
England squad v Switzerland: Carson (West Brom), Hart (Man City), Stockdale (Fulham); Baines (Everton), Cahill (Bolton), Cole (Chelsea), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Jagielka (Everton), G Johnson (Liverpool), Lescott (Man City), Terry (Chelsea), Walker (Tottenham); Barry (Man City), Carrick (Man Utd), Downing (Aston Villa), A Johnson (Man City), Lampard (Chelsea), Milner (Man City), Parker (West Ham), Walcott (Arsenal), Wilshere (Arsenal), A Young (Aston Villa); Bent (Aston Villa), Crouch (Tottenham), Defoe (Tottenham), Zamora (Fulham).
http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/back-to-the-future-2/? (http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/back-to-the-future-2/?)
Back to the future
Filed under: General — rich
(http://cravencottagenewsround.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/eve1.jpg?w=600&h=404)
In the latest WSC magazine there's an article suggesting that, for most fans after they get to about 30, all the great goals have already been scored, all the great albums have already been made, and from there it's a case of comparing things unfavourably with when you were younger.
I can see this to a point, and it was with great delight that I was reading about Howard Kendall's mid-80s Everton side this morning. This was the first really good team I can remember, and reading about its accomplishments unlocked some wonderful memories of early football watching (isn't the human brain great like that?).
The first XI:
Neville Southall – a great goalkeeper
Gary Stevens – a solid right back who could attack and defend
Derek Mountfield – a big man at the back who could score goals
Kevin Ratcliffe – a small man at the back who could not score goals
Pat van den Hauwe – a hard man left back
Trevor Steven – goals from midfield, Steven worked really well with Stevens up and down the pitch
Peter Reid – snappy midfielder
Paul Bracewell – like Reid, Bracewell could tackle, but also had a good range of passing
Kevin Sheedy – the man for whom the term 'cultured left foot' was made. Didn't defend much but scored and made lots of goals
Graeme Sharp – big man up front, capable of scoring all sorts of goals
Gary Lineker/Andy Gray – depends which side of the Cup Winners' Cup you go: Lineker the pacy, prolific striker who gave Everton so much fun on the break (NB they never won anything with him in the side); Gray the hard as nails centre-forward who gave Everton two big men up top.
There are some parallels with what Fulham have here. Southall and Schwarzer are of comparable quality, and the centre-back pairing is uncannily similar. In centre-midfield Peter Reid is a really nice comp for Steve Sidwell (stylistically at least) and there are some similarities between Murphy and Bracewell. At a push you can compare Sharp and Zamora, at least in the way both are capable of the spectacular. Back then a straight 4-4-2 might have been more successful than today, but the Steven/Sheedy wide pairing is quite like the Dempsey/Duff combo in output if not style. Chris Baird is not as athletic as I remember Gary Stevens being, but can play at a fair level. Finally it's worth noting that this Everton team was considered a team without stars, a team greater than the sum of its parts. That works too.
The two differences are at left back, where I'd be quite interested in an uncompromising hard man type (the trick here was that the left back needed to be an excellent defender because Sheedy didn't track back; on the other side Steven/Stevens worked much better as a pair). If Carlos Salcido does go back to Mexico, who might we find here to lend some steel and presence to the defence? Wigan's Figueroa is a good player but unlikely to be available, otherwise, let's see what Hughes might scare up.
The other one is at centre-forward, where we can cope but where an international class poacher might add another six points to the team's total fairly easily. But who?
Here are this year's Golden Shoe award people:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 40 x 2 = 80
2. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 31 x 2 = 62
3. Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich) 28 x 2 = 56
Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) 28 x 2 = 56
5. Edinson Cavani (Napoli) 26 x 2 = 52
6. Papiss Cisse (Freiburg) 22 x 2 = 44
Moussa Sow (Lille) 22 x 2 = 44
8. 'Alex' de Souza (Fenerbahce) 28 x 1.5 = 42
Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United) 21 x 2 = 42
Samuel Eto'o (Internazionale) 21 x 2 = 42
Kevin Gameiro (FC Lorient) 21 x 2 = 42
Carlos Tevez (Manchester City) 21 x 2 = 42
13. Sergio Agüero (Atletico Madrid) 20 x 2 = 40
Alessandro Matri (US Cagliari/Juventus) 20 x 2 = 40
Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla FC) 20 x 2 = 40
16. Alexander Frei (FC Basel) 26 x 1.5 = 39
Kenny Miller (Glasgow Rangers/Bursaspor) 26 x 1.5 = 39
18. Marco Di Vaio (AC Bologna) 19 x 2 = 38
19. Garra Dembele (Levski Sofia) 25 x 1.5 = 37.5
Dame N'Doye (FC Kobenhavn) 25 x 1.5 = 37.5
21. Fernando Llorente (Athletic de Bilbao) 18 x 2 = 36
Robin van Persie (Arsenal) 18 x 2 = 36
Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal) 18 x 2 = 36
Roberto Soldado (Valencia) 18 x 2 = 36
David Villa (Barcelona) 18 x 2 = 36
26. Hulk (Givanildo Vieira de Souza) (FC Porto) 23 x 1.5 = 34.5
Bjorn Vleminckx (NEC) 23 x 1.5 = 34.5
28. Youssef El Arabi Caen) 17 x 2 = 34
Darren Bent (Sunderland/Aston Villa) 17 x 2 = 34
Milivoje Novakovic (Cologne) 17 x 2 = 34
Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria/Internazionale) 17 x 2 = 34
32. Dmitri Bulykin (Den Haag) 22 x 1.5 = 33
Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos) 22 x 1.5 = 33
Ivan Perisic (Club Brugge) 22 x 1.5 = 33
35. Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund) 16 x 2 = 32
Theofanis Gekas (Eintracht Frankfurt) 16 x 2 = 32
Srdjan Lakic (Kaiserslautern) 16 x 2 = 32
Lisandro Lopez (Lyon) 16 x 2 = 32
39. Milan Mrdakovic (Apollon Limassol) 21 x 1.5 = 31.5
40. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) 15 x 2 = 30
'Gervinho' Yao Kouassi Gervais (Lille) 15 x 2 = 30
Brown Ideye (Sochaux) 15 x 2 = 30
Mads Junker (Roda Kerkrade) 20 x 1.5 = 30
Peter Odemwingie (West Bromwich Albion) 15 x 2 = 30
Gregory Pujol (Valenciennes) 15 x 2 = 30
Andre Schürrle (Mainz 05) 15 x 2 = 30
Francesco Totti (Roma) 15 x 2 = 30
Jelle Vossen (Genk) 20 x 1.5 = 30
Kevin Gameiro of L'Orient in France stands out there. He scored 21 times this season in Europe's most defensive league (I like this sort of thing as a guide). He has 49 in 107 games there, a good tally, and is described as "a fast, energetic player with good dribbling abilities". Interesting. Otherwise your guess is as good as mine (the availability of Arsenal's Bendtner would echo the Sharp/Gray approach perhaps!), but looking at the squad in this way does make me think "centre forward" and "left back".
http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/7705/9/john-pantsil-leave-fulham (http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/7705/9/john-pantsil-leave-fulham)
John Pantsil to leave Fulham
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John Pantsil will leave Fulham this summer, Mark Hughes has confirmed.
The Ghanaian defender has struggled to break into Hughes' side this season, making just 15 Premier League starts and failing to play for the club since February.
And Hughes admits he will listen to offers for the former West Ham full-back as he looks to revamp his squad.
"The likelihood is that John will leave the club," said Hughes. "We are trying to freshen up the squad.
"The view is that we can look at different things and alternatives, so the likelihood is that John will leave the club."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6949511,00.html? (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6949511,00.html?)
Zamora thrilled by call-up
Cottagers hitman delighted to make Capello's cut
Fulham striker Bobby Zamora says he is 'buzzing' after being called up to the England squad for their Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland.
Zamora could feature in the Wembley clash on June 4th after he was included in Fabio Capello's 26-man party in the absence of suspended Manchester United hitman Wayne Rooney.
The 30-year-old has not played for England since making his debut against Hungary last August, having spent five months on the sidelines with a broken leg.
And Zamora says he is delighted to end what has been a challenging season on a high note.
The striker, who returned to action for the Cottagers in February, said in The Sun: "It's been a really difficult season.
"I'm delighted to be playing for Fulham again and now included in an England squad. I'm buzzing.
"It's been the toughest time of my career but I had to stay positive and it's great news the England manager has faith in me."
Sidwell's Start(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Players/Sidwell/SidwellBobby.jpg)
As Fulham ended the 2010/11 season on a high last weekend, with an eighth place Barclays Premier League finish, Steve Sidwell cast an eye towards next season and continuing his recent goal scoring exploits when the new campaign kicks-off after a well deserved summer break.
"It's obviously nice to get a break but after a while, you just want to get back to football," explained Sidwell. "It's a short career, so you just want to get back, get fit and get ready for the new season.
"It was good to finish the season on a high and a draw against Arsenal is obviously a good point. Obviously I was pleased to score - the goals have been a long time coming, but I've settled down and I'm playing regularly so hopefully the goals will continue into next season."
The only disappointment for Fulham on Sunday was Zoltan Gera's sending off and Sidwell spoke of the collective feeling of support for the Hungarian in the dressing room after the game.
"He [Gera] was just sorry really," said Sidwell. "Obviously, maybe more importantly, he felt that he maybe cost us the game, which of course wasn't the case at all.
"Obviously, in there [the dressing room], it felt like a loss to Zolly. He was just saying sorry, but there was nothing for him to apologise about."
Sidwell has proved to be another shrewd signing by Fulham, and the all-action midfielder has great hopes for the future at the Cottage after being impressed by all aspects of the Club during his first few months in SW6.
"I came to Fulham in January, so before then I kept my eye on Fulham's results, but obviously I wasn't here watching the games themselves," Sidwell told fulhamfc.com.
"What I have seen from January to now is that we have a fantastic squad, a great manager along with the Chairman and the fans, and one that is hopefully all geared up so next year we can go up a step and finish higher than 8th, where we finished this year."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/May/SidwellEndOfSeason.aspx?#ixzz1NGpUeMwi (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/May/SidwellEndOfSeason.aspx?#ixzz1NGpUeMwi)
from the offal:-
Spreading the Word
Tuesday 24th May 2011
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Share Fulham's Under 18s recently visited Mauritius on an ambassadorial trip following their highly successful 2010/11 campaign, that saw Kit Symons' team reach the Academy League Final.
Members of the squad and management team, alongside government and sports representatives from Mauritius, attended a reception hosted by the British High Commissioner, Nick Leake.
The visit saw the U18s take part in two friendlies, against the Mauritius national team and local side, Petite Riviere Noire FC. In addition to their games, the team also ran training sessions for local children.
British High Commissioner Nick Leake said at the reception:
"It's great to have the young Fulham side in Mauritius, having spoken to a few of them tonight, I've been impressed. Too often, I think, young people are portrayed negatively in the press, the guys I see here are dedicated and driven to excel in their sport and as Ambassadors for their club, for football and for the UK.
"The team are also testing their skills against the national and local football teams of Mauritius and running workshops with local children. This is a great start to a busy and exciting period for the sporting partnership between UK and Mauritius over the next 18 months or so, leading up to the London 2012 Olympics next year."
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/CachedImage.axd?ImageName=%2fImages%2fMainNews%2fNewsPages%2fPhotoSpecial%2f1011%2fAcademyMauritius%2fIMG_5934.jpg&ImageWidth=633&ImageHeight=500).
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/CachedImage.axd?ImageName=%2fImages%2fMainNews%2fNewsPages%2fPhotoSpecial%2f1011%2fAcademyMauritius%2fIMG_5911.jpg&ImageWidth=633&ImageHeight=500)
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/May/AcademyMauritiusVisit.aspx#ixzz1NH4CfM87 (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/May/AcademyMauritiusVisit.aspx#ixzz1NH4CfM87)
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6949931,00.html (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6949931,00.html)
Gera unsure over future
Hungarian wants guaranteed playing time at Craven Cottage
By Juha Pal. Last Updated: May 24, 2011 1:34pm
(http://img.skysports.com/10/10/460x238/ZoltanGera_2512600.jpg)
....Zoltan Gera says it is unlikely he will remain at Fulham this summer, but has not completely ruled out the prospect.
The 32-year-old midfielder has seen limited first-team action at Craven Cottage this season, with the majority of his performances coming off the bench.
His frustrating campaign ended on a low note on Sunday when he was dismissed in the 74th minute against Arsenal for a lunging challenge on Thomas Vermaelen after coming on three minutes earlier.
Unlikely
Hungary international Gera says he has talked to manager Mark Hughes over a possible stay with the Cottagers, but insists he is not prepared to play a bit-part for another season.
"I can't rule out that I stay but it's not too likely," Gera told origo.hu. "I want more than this.
"I talked to our manager after our last training session and he said he wanted me to stay.
"I replied by stating my problems - I hardly play, many times I'm not even on the bench and because of this reason I can't concentrate well when I get the chance.
"I said at the moment I don't want to extend my contract but we agreed that we'll talk about it in the future again."
"I can't rule out that I stay but it's not too likely. I want more than this. "
Zoltan Gera
Quotes of the week
Gera's red card against Arsenal could jeopardise Fulham's hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Europa League next season through the Premier League fair-play table.
But the midfielder is adamant his dismissal was not done intentionally as a way of seeking revenge for his lack of playing time.
He added: "I didn't do that tackle in order to take revenge because I only got good things from the club and from the players.
"So I'm very sorry about what happened."
Disappointed
Gera hopes the red card will not discourage any potential suitors that might come knocking over the summer.
He said: "I think this red card did my future a disservice because wherever I sign I'll have to take my suspension with me for the forthcoming season.
"I'm disappointed with myself but I hope it won't affect my future."
Quote from: LBNo11 on May 24, 2011, 02:05:46 PM
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6949931,00.html (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6949931,00.html)
Gera unsure over future
Hungarian wants guaranteed playing time at Craven Cottage
By Juha Pal. Last Updated: May 24, 2011 1:34pm
(http://img.skysports.com/10/10/460x238/ZoltanGera_2512600.jpg)
....Zoltan Gera says it is unlikely he will remain at Fulham this summer, but has not completely ruled out the prospect.
The 32-year-old midfielder has seen limited first-team action at Craven Cottage this season, with the majority of his performances coming off the bench.
His frustrating campaign ended on a low note on Sunday when he was dismissed in the 74th minute against Arsenal for a lunging challenge on Thomas Vermaelen after coming on three minutes earlier.
Unlikely
Hungary international Gera says he has talked to manager Mark Hughes over a possible stay with the Cottagers, but insists he is not prepared to play a bit-part for another season.
"I can't rule out that I stay but it's not too likely," Gera told origo.hu. "I want more than this.
"I talked to our manager after our last training session and he said he wanted me to stay.
"I replied by stating my problems - I hardly play, many times I'm not even on the bench and because of this reason I can't concentrate well when I get the chance.
"I said at the moment I don't want to extend my contract but we agreed that we'll talk about it in the future again."
"I can't rule out that I stay but it's not too likely. I want more than this. "
Zoltan Gera
Quotes of the week
Gera's red card against Arsenal could jeopardise Fulham's hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Europa League next season through the Premier League fair-play table.
But the midfielder is adamant his dismissal was not done intentionally as a way of seeking revenge for his lack of playing time.
He added: "I didn't do that tackle in order to take revenge because I only got good things from the club and from the players.
"So I'm very sorry about what happened."
Disappointed
Gera hopes the red card will not discourage any potential suitors that might come knocking over the summer.
He said: "I think this red card did my future a disservice because wherever I sign I'll have to take my suspension with me for the forthcoming season.
"I'm disappointed with myself but I hope it won't affect my future."
It seems to me that he is already gone
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23953026-season-review-mixed-fortunes-for-fulham.do? (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23953026-season-review-mixed-fortunes-for-fulham.do?)
Season review: Mixed fortunes for Fulham
END OF TERM REPORT
A season of two halves. The toxic mixture of a new manager signed late (Mark Hughes had the benefit of only one pre-campaign friendly after replacing Roy Hodgson), crucial injuries to strikers Bobby Zamora and Mousa Dembele allied to the late comeback of Andrew Johnson, and a penchant for draws, left Fulham wallowing in the relegation zone following a desperate defeat at home to West Ham on Boxing Day.
Hughes looked set for an early departure, only for a first away win at Stoke to ignite a remarkable resurgence. The arrival of Steve Sidwell added bite to midfield, Clint Dempsey became Fulham's overall top scorer, and Zamora returned to his hustling, bustling best. To crown it all, Hughes transformed the Cottage into a fortress with his side suffering only one home League defeat this calendar year. The reward was a highly respectable eighth place in the table.
VERDICT
Good, but a lot was left out on the pitch, especially in the FA Cup. Wembley beckoned following the 4-0 thumping of Spurs but the subsequent home defeat by Bolton was a huge disappointment.
STAR MAN
Brede Hangeland, surely the Premier League's best header? Texan sharp-shooter Clint Dempsey?
No, the accolade goes to the club's always-adaptable, ever-dependable defender Chris Baird.
THE FUTURE
Mark Hughes has yet to bond with the Fulham faithful in the way that Roy Hodgson did. But the Cottage began to rock to that spectacular second half to the season and if Hughes can break into the top six and take the club to another Europa League final they'll be holding a whip-round to replace the statue of Michael Jackson with that of a real, believable Fulham legend. Unreasonable targets? Not if club owner Mohamed Fayed provides the funds for another striker, an understudy to ageing playmaker Danny Murphy, and a left back.
Hayles Returns!(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/ExPlayers/BarryHayles/HaylesApplause.jpg)
Barry Hayles returns to Craven Cottage this Sunday when he lines up alongside a host of former Fulham favourites for the London Legends Cup.
Hayles made 206 appearances for Fulham, scored 55 goals and helped the club to two promotions which resulted in Fulham reaching the Premier League in 2001.
He ended his Fulham career when Craven Cottage was being revamped to an all-seater stadium and the club was temporarily residing at Loftus Road. His last appearance at Craven Cottage was the goalless draw against Leicester City in April 2002 and the former Fulham forward is clearly relishing a return and playing in the Legends Cup.
"I'm really looking forward to the games on Sunday," Hayles told fulhamfc.com. "I've been keeping fit and kept my body ticking over. It's great to get back to the Cottage, I've been back to watch a few games but I'm really looking forward to getting back on the pitch.
"I still play non league football for Truro City. We won our division this season and move up to the Conference South."
Hayles is also excited about catching up with some of his former teammates and familiar faces who will be representing Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, as he explained to fulhamfc.com.
"I know most of the players in the Fulham team as I would have played alongside a few of them so it's going to be a great reunion," Hayles explained. "I think we have got a decent outfit turning out and I hope we can do well."
Fulham will need to defeat Chelsea on Sunday to play either Tottenham or Arsenal in the Legends Cup Final and Hayles is hoping to put one over the Club's local rivals after being denied by the Blues in the FA Cup during his time at the Cottage.
"I've never managed to register a victory against Chelsea when I was at Fulham so hopefully we can change that on Sunday," said Hayles. "I remember playing in the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park against them when John Terry scored the only goal of the match.
"I recently played a charity match a few weeks ago with Ken Monkou and we were speaking about the Legends Cup. We played in the same team, I was at the back and he played in midfield. I'm hoping that he will play for Chelsea and I play up front so that I can take the mickey out of him!"
Hayles will line-up alongside Bjarne Goldbaek for Fulham and the striker fondly remembers the match in which they both scored during a 3-0 win against Bolton Wanderers at Craven Cottage just before the end of the 2001-02 campaign.
"I remember that game – when I scored, people thought I should have passed the ball to players in a better scoring position but I decided to steam through and have a go on my own. It's always nice to come back to see the fans as they were brilliant during my time at Fulham."
Despite his own achievements in the game, Hayles admits he will be in awe of one player on Sunday, when he comes face to face with former Tottenham legend Ricky Villa, a player he idolised as a young Spurs fan.
"Ricky Villa was a great player for Tottenham and will always be remembered for that wonderful solo goal against Manchester City in the FA Cup Final.
"He was a fantastic player and had great technical ability. I must admit that I was a massive fan so it would be great to meet him. I'm really buzzing knowing that I might get a chance to play against him."
See Barry Hayles and a whole host of Legends in action on Sunday at the London Legends Cup at Craven Cottage.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/May/HaylesLegendsPreview.aspx?#ixzz1NHsxpqBy (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/May/HaylesLegendsPreview.aspx?#ixzz1NHsxpqBy)
http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/features/2011-05-24/carew-klose-larsson-and-ten-best-free-transfers-available-summer? (http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/features/2011-05-24/carew-klose-larsson-and-ten-best-free-transfers-available-summer?)
CAREW, KLOSE, LARSSON AND TEN OF THE BEST FREE TRANSFERS AVAILABLE THIS SUMMER
Ten players good enough for the Premier League, waiting to be snapped up
With the Premier League season done and dusted attention now turns to strengthening for next season. And who said that involved millions in transfer fees?
Nothing will fill Premier League clubs with joy more than securing the bargain of the season. Here are ten talkSPORT selections, along with the clubs they've been linked to...
MIROSLAV KLOSE
WHO'S INTERESTED: Spurs AND VALENCIA
The only player to score five or more goals in consecutive World Cups and second behind Ronaldo in the tournament's all-time leading scorers, Klose celebrates his 33rd birthday this summer and could yet mark it with a move to Spurs or Valencia. Bayern Munich have reportedly offered the marksman –who netted Germany's opener against England in South Africa 2010 – a one-year extension, but Klose is holding out for another two, which seems unlikely given his record of one goal in 20 league games this year.
JAY BOTHROYD
WHO'S INTERESTED: CELTIC, Everton AND Fulham
The former Arsenal apprentice was released by Cardiff this week after failing to agree new terms, but could have been playing for the Welsh club in the top flight next year had he remained injury free for the whole campaign. His early season form caught Fabio Capello's eye and earned him a first England cap, but it wasn't enough to see Cardiff over the line during the play-offs, alerting the attention of Mark Hughes, David Moyes and Neil Lennon.
Brad Friedel
WHO'S INTERESTED: SPURS, Liverpool AND West Brom
Reports suggest Villa's veteran American stopper, who recently turned 40 and allegedly has financial troubles, will snub new terms in favour of a two-year deal at Liverpool this summer, where he'd be expected to warm the bench if Pepe Reina stays at the club. West Brom are also keen, while Spurs may look to strengthen following high-profile blunders from Heurelho Gomes this year.
Sebastian Larsson
WHO'S INTERESTED: SUNDERLAND, MAN CITY AND Newcastle
The Swedish winger is hot property this summer and the big question is where he'll be next year, not whether he'll be staying at St Andrews, which looks as likely as Gordon Strachan being appointed new Chelsea manager. His agent was granted permission to speak to Newcastle about a move in January but failed to agree terms, while Man City were also keen to snap him up as cover for Adam Johnson, who was injured at the time.
MATTHEW UPSON
WHO'S INTERESTED: NO REPORTED INTEREST AS YET
It's not been the best 12 months for Matthew Upson, whose header against Germany at the World Cup in South Africa was quickly forgotten in the midst of Frank Lampard's phantom strike and the old enemy's thumping 4-1 win. To make matters worse it was followed up with a stinker of a season at West Ham and relegation to the Championship - something he experienced with Birmingham in 2006. Upson's commitment was questioned by Hammers chairman David Sullivan towards the end of the season, but that probably won't stop a top flight club taking a punt on his fitness next year.
David Vaughan
WHO'S INTERESTED: SUNDERLAND
Charlie Adam and DJ Campbell may have been the talk of Blackpool's Premier League debut but Welsh international David Vaughan took home the Players' Player of the Year award this week, and grabbed the attention of Black Cats manager Steve Bruce, who'll attempt to add him to Sunderland's squad in time for next season. Vaughan recently rejected new terms with Blackpool, while chairman Owen Oyston's insistence that players earn half the amount they picked up in the Premier League suggest his days at Bloomfield Road are numbered.
Michael Owen
WHO'S INTERESTED: DERBY
Owen featured in just 11 Premier League games last term; eight fewer than his first year at Old Trafford and perhaps an indication Sir Alex Ferguson will not offer him an extra year at the club. The speedy development of Chicarito has been a huge bonus for United and contributed to keeping the former Liverpool and Real Madrid man's opportunities limited to late substitute appearances. Derby were reported to be interested after offloading high earner Robbie Savage, although Owen will be hoping for more games in the Premier League - even if doubts he can do that without sustaining more injuries rule most clubs out. Maybe we'll see another brochure touting his services?
Eidur Gudjohnsen
WHO'S INTERESTED: FULHAM AND QPR
The Icelandic forward boasts Premier League, La Liga and Champions League medals, so it's no surprise Fulham boss Mark Hughes is eager to extend his stay at Fulham when his Stoke contract runs out. Gudjohnsen also spent time on loan at Spurs last year but never fitted into Stoke's style of play and is said to prefer a permanent move to London next month. Premier League new boys QPR have also expressed an interest but Mark Hughes claims the player would prefer to remain at Craven Cottage, where he's impressed despite not scoring.
VICENTE RODRIGUEZ
WHO'S INTERESTED: EVERTON AND Blackburn
Lauded as one of the world's best players in 2004 when Real Madrid had a bid in excess of £30m for his services turned down, Vicente has struggled with injuries since then, even blaming Valencia's medical staff for his lack of game action. He managed just 17 games in all competitions last season, but David Moyes could see him as an ideal replacement for Steven Pienaar – who left for Spurs in January – while Blackburn also made enquiries at the turn of the year. Any move is likely to be short-term given his injury record.
John Carew
WHO'S INTERESTED: WEST BROM, QPR AND STOKE
This giant forward has ruled out renewing his Villa deal having spoken out on his lack of first team action before joining Stoke on loan in January. A back injury has limited his chances at the Britannia where he hopes to have impressed enough to earn a full-time contract. West Brom, who were desperate to land the striker in the new year, may come calling again while Neil Warnock could see him as the ideal man to lead the line for QPR in their first top flight season in 15 years.
http://www.uefa.com/womenschampionsleague/news/newsid=1634543.html?rss=1634543+Key+moments+on+the+road+to+Fulham (http://www.uefa.com/womenschampionsleague/news/newsid=1634543.html?rss=1634543+Key+moments+on+the+road+to+Fulham)
Key moments on the road to Fulham
Published: Tuesday 24 May 2011, 17.11CET
Thursday's final features the same two clubs as last year but there have been plenty of twists on the way. UEFA.com reviews the shocks, the comebacks and the feats of the season
The second UEFA Women's Champions League final will have a familiar look as 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam meet Olympique Lyonnais at Craven Cottage on Thursday night, just as they did a year ago in Getafe when the German side won on penalties. But there have been plenty of twists and turns on the road to Fulham and UEFA.com picks out the key moments from this season's competition.
Qualifying round: Apollon humble Umeå
The Group 3 mini-tournament in Limassol produced perhaps the greatest shock in European women's club football. Two-time UEFA Women's Cup winners Umeå IK, the only team to have reached five European finals, had won their opener 3-0 against ASA Tel-Aviv FC when they took on section hosts Apollon Limassol LFC, seeded fourth. Two goals from Alexandra Iusan and one each by Christiana Solomou and Laura Roxana Rus put Apollon 4-1 up after 47 minutes and that was how it stayed, the Cypriot side then beating ASA Tel-Aviv 3-0 to top the group and leave Umeå stunned. Having never before failing to make the last eight, Umeå will be absent from European competition for only the second time next season. Apollon departed with an honourable 4-2 aggregate round of 32 loss to 2009 finalists Zvezda-2005.
Round of 32: German giants show their hand
It was hardly ideal for tournament debutants Åland United and fellow newcomers CSHVSM to draw holders Potsdam and previous champions FCR 2001 Duisburg respectively in the round of 32, and so it proved. Finland's Åland lost 9-0 at home and 6-0 at Potsdam while CSHVSM of Kazakhstan went down 5-0 and 6-0 to Duisburg, Inka Grings claiming four goals in both legs to set an uncatchable pace as tournament top scorer. The German duo would take some beating, as would Lyon – 10-1 aggregate winners against AZ Alkmaar.
Round of 16 :Arsenal's comeback queens
Arsenal LFC had opened by defeating Serbia's ŽFK Mašinac PZP 12-1 overall but in the round of 16 had a much stiffer test against Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, conquerors of Valur Reykjavík. And so it proved as the 2007 winners fell 2-0 on their trip to Spain and faced, like Umeå, their first pre quarter-final exit. They picked up in the return as they went three goals up just past the hour but with 12 minutes left Adriana scored an away goal and soon after home defender Gilly Flaherty was sent off. There remained one more twist, though, as in added time, substitute Jennifer Beattie won the tie for Arsenal. In the quarter-finals, Arsenal repeated the trick, coming from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Linköpings FC then in Sweden twice equalising to go through on away goals.
Quarter-finals: Experience tells
In that tie, Arsenal had the benefit of nine European campaigns to Linköpings's two. And the more established forces won the other match-ups too. Potsdam were the most emphatic, seeing off France's FCF Juvisy Essonne, newcomers at this stage, 3-0 away and 6-2 at home. Everton, who had impressively knocked out Brøndby IF to earn a maiden quarter-final, found Duisburg a step too far, losing 3-1 at home and 2-1 in Germany. And though Lyon only beat fellow former runners-up Zvezda-2005 1-0 on aggregate, they dominated the entire tie and Lara Dickenmann's brilliant goal an hour into the Stade de Gerland second leg deservedly booked her team's fourth straight semi-final.
Semi-finals: Familiar territory
In 2010, the semi-finals matched Duisburg with Potsdam and Lyon with Umeå. Save for Arsenal replacing the Swedish team, it was virtually the same story as last year, with Duisburg and Lyon again at home in the first legs. To continue the familiar theme, Potsdam won their home return 1-0, though this time their 2-2 draw at Duisburg, rather than a 1-0 reverse, in the first leg meant they did not need penalties to see off their German rivals. For Lyon, Lotta Schelin scored twice in the first 11 minutes of the home first leg watched by 20,123 at Stade de Gerland, a competition record for a game other than a final, and the most to watch a women's match in France. There was no Arsenal comeback in the return as Lyon struck three before the break; Arsenal pulled back two goals but their dream of a final appearance in London was dashed.
Final: Come and find out...
Supporters wishing to attend Thursday's final at 20.00 UK time can purchase tickets now priced at £3 for under-16s and £5 (€5.90) for adults. They can be bought via a portal on Fulham FC's official website or by calling +44 (0)843 208 1234 (option 1) 24 hours a day, seven days a week (no booking fees apply online).
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=242703 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=242703)
What Do You Think?
I`d hazard a guess that Mark Hughes could well be looking to improve the strikers he has available to him next season.
Now that statement isn`t intended as a slight on any of our existing strikers, most notably Moussa Dembele, Andrew Johnson and Bobby Zamora.
But with the futures of Eidur Gudjohnsen and Diomansy Kamara far from settled there may be a case for Hughes to add to his strike-force giving him a quartet of strikers.
The tabloid press are reporting that the Cardiff City hot-shot, Jay Bothroyd, has been released by Cardiff after failing to agree to a new contract.
Now it wasn`t too long ago that Bothroyd was being talked of as being a possible inclusion in the England squad.
So, our midweek teaser to you is - Should Fulham be considering bringing Bothroyd to Craven Cottage to supplement our current playing squad?
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=242703#ixzz1NHtyUsZg (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=242703#ixzz1NHtyUsZg)
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=242704 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=242704)
Two in England Squad!
I reckon it has been a heck of a long time since we`ve had two players in an England squad.
But that`s the case now!
Fabio Capello has named his squad for the forthcoming international fixture with Switzerland and both Bobby Zamora and David Stockdale have been selected.
We`re assuming that Stockdale will be the third goalkeeper and is unlikely to see any action but we`re hopeful that Zamora will get the chance to shine, especially when you consider that Rooney is suspended and that another striking rival, Crouch, is rated as doubtful.
Speaking abut his selection, Bobby has had this to say to the media,
"It`s been a really difficult season."
"I`m delighted to be playing for Fulham again and now in the England squad. I`m buzzing."
"It`s been the toughest time of my career but I had to stay positive and its great news the England manager has faith in me."
June 4th has suddenly taken on a whole new significance!
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=242704#ixzz1NHuCLkHn (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=242704#ixzz1NHuCLkHn)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/23/harry-redknapp-tottenham-hotspur-europa-league (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/23/harry-redknapp-tottenham-hotspur-europa-league)
Harry Redknapp to play Tottenham Hotspur youth in Europa League
• Fulham to join Spurs, Stoke and Birmingham by Fair Play table
• Blackpool set to miss out because of Ian Holloway's conduct
Harry Redknapp has suggested he will use his "younger players" in next season's Europa League as he reinforced the impression that he may come to consider the competition as an unwanted distraction. The Tottenham Hotspur manager, though, together with his players, can be mightily relieved that they qualified via Premier League position and not the Fair Play table, which grants a place in the tournament's first qualifying round and means the new season will begin on 30 June.
The place will almost certainly go to Fulham who, in the last published Fair Play table on 30 April, were joint-second with Tottenham, behind the leaders Chelsea. Manchester United were fourth and Blackpool fifth. Chelsea and United have qualified for the Champions League.
Much has been made of Fulham's sudden spate of cards – they collected 12 yellows and one red in their three matches this month – and the conspiracy theorists have said the team have been trying to kick their way out of the early start to next season. But cards represent only 25% of the Fair Play equation – the other criteria are positive play, respect towards opponents and the referee, and the behaviour of club officials – and, with Fulham comfortably ahead of Blackpool in the last standings, it is unlikely that a season's accumulated numbers would be undermined by three games.
The Blackpool manager, Ian Holloway, whose team collected five yellow cards in their three matches this month, has tended to score badly on his behaviour towards officials. The final Fair Play table will be released on Thursday or Friday, after delegates' reports have been submitted and independently verified.
Tottenham, who beat Liverpool to fifth in the Premier League, will enter the Europa League at the play-off round, together with Birmingham City, the Carling Cup winners. The two-legged ties will be played on 18 and 25 August. Stoke City, the FA Cup runners-up, will enter at the previous round, the third qualifying round, which will be played on 28 July and 4 August while the dates for the first qualifying round are 30 June and 7 July.
"It was so important to avoid qualifying via the Fair Play," Redknapp said. "I said to the lads before the game [against Birmingham on Sunday], 'The one thing we don't want is the Fair Play ... we've got to win because we don't want to be going into that.' You'd be back playing in June so we'd be back training in two weeks if we were in that, which is ridiculous. It kills your Premier League season for a start. It's the last thing you could ever want if you're looking to have a push again next year."
Redknapp has described the Europa League as "one of those competitions that teams get in and then they try to get out of ... you look at the English teams and they all seem to play the reserve teams in it."
Tottenham could play up to 17 ties in the competition. "It's tough," Redknapp said. "We'll look at it and maybe it gives us a chance to play some of the younger players in that. The Premier League is going to be all important to us next year."
The defender Michael Dawson said: "We are massively relieved as the last thing that any player or member of staff wanted was to start the season on 30 June. We knew we would be in it [via Fair Play] so we knew we had to finish fifth."
Fulham stand to play up to 23 ties in next season's Europa League but the manager, Mark Hughes, has welcomed the prospect. The club, under his predecessor, Roy Hodgson, reached the final of the competition last year, having qualified through Premier League position and entered at the third qualifying round, which they started on 30 July 2009. "It would be nice to get there," Hughes said, "because qualifying for Europe on top of finishing eighth in the league would cap an excellent season for us."
Redknapp expects the midfielder Jamie O'Hara to turn his loan move to Wolverhampton Wanderers into a permanent transfer now that the club has avoided relegation into the Championship. "I think that is part of the deal," Redknapp said. "If they stayed up, they had an agreement to buy him. I don't know for how much."
