Friends of Fulham

http://www.uefa.com/under21/matches/season=2011/round=2000006/match=2000082/report/index.html


Italy keep Wales in their sights


Published: Wednesday 3 March 2010, 20.48CET


Italy 2-0 Hungary


The hosts moved to within three points of qualifying Group 3 leaders Wales thanks to goals from Stefano Okaka Chuka and Luca Marrone in Rieti.

The hosts moved to within three points of qualifying Group 3 leaders Wales thanks to goals from Stefano Okaka Chuka and Luca Marrone in Rieti.
Read moreGoals from Stefano Okaka Chuka and Luca Marrone earned Italy a victory against Hungary which lifted the Azzurrini above their opponents into second place in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 3.

Okaka opened the scoring in the 25th minute in Rieti, controlling a long ball from Giuseppe Bellusci, dribbling past two defenders and finding the corner with a low, right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area. Having been set up by Fabio Borini for an effort on goal moments before Pierluigi Casiraghi's team went ahead, Ezequiel Schelotto returned the favour to the the dark side FC striker five minutes after the break with a cross which Borini directed narrowly over.

The traffic was one way with Lorenzo De Silvestri the next to threaten, the defender shooting wide after being teed up by Mario Balotelli. However, Italy − who started the evening in fourth − did get their second nine minutes from time when the visitors' defence failed to clear a low cross by De Silvestri from the right and Marrone fired in a powerful left-footed shot from the edge of the box.

http://www.givemefootball.com/league-one/fulham-loanee-extends-pirates-stay

Fulham loanee extends Pirates stay

Bristol Rovers - Wayne Brown extends loan stint by another hour


By GMF Editor  March 04, 2010


Bristol Rovers have extended the loan of Wayne Brown by a further month.

The Fulham loanee has impressed during his initial stint with the Pirates but is still working on his fitness as he battles back from an ankle injury and is unlikely to be fit enough for this weekend's clash at Swindon.

Manager Paul Trollope is also set to hold talks with Doncaster over the future of on-loan striker Paul Heffernan.

http://www.spursodyssey.com/0910/prevpackfac6.html

Spurs Odyssey FA Cup 6th Round Preview - Fulham v Spurs - 06.03.10 


The following is our record against Fulham in the FA and Football League Cups. The details are:


FA Cup   Round   Venue   Result  Scorer(s)
1908-09    2       H      1-0    R. Steel
1983-84    3       A      0-0
          3R       H      2-0    Archibald, Roberts
1997-98    3       H      3-1    Clemence, Calderwood + o.g
2006-07    5       A      4-0    Keane(2), Berbatov(2)

FL Cup
1981-82    4       H      1-0    Hazard
1999-2000  4       A      1-3    Iversen
2001-2002  4       A      2-1    Rebrov, Davies

"Craven" a Cup win !

Spurs first met Fulham in a major cup competition in our first season as a Football League side, when both teams were in Division Two. Spurs would be promoted as runners-up at the end of that season, whilst Fulham finished mid-table. I have seen conflicting records of the result of this game, but the best I can offer is a solitary goal win by Spurs, with our scorer being Robert Steel. There was also a Daniel Steel in our side then. A little team called Woolwich Arsenal were beaten in the same round by Millwall. Spurs had beaten Manchestser City in the preceding round, but we were knocked out by Burnley in the Third Round, after a replay.

It was to take 75 years before we next played Fulham in the FA Cup. In January, 1984, after a 0-0 draw at Craven Cottage, Spurs finished the job with a 2-0 win, with goals from Steve Archibald, and Graham Roberts. It was to be a magical year for Spurs in the UEFA Cup, but Norwich knocked us out in the next round of that year's FA Cup. That little team I mentioned above had knocked us out of the Milk Cup in the preceding November. Fulham were a Division Two side in the 83-84 season. Malcolm MacDonald (who had once played for that little team) was the Fulham manager.

In January 1998, Spurs were fighting relegation and Jurgen Klinsmann had not arrived for his second spell as a Tottenham player. Fulham were gradually working their way back up the league after flaunting with demotion to non-league status earlier in the nineties. Klinsmann played, but didn't score, as Spurs ran out 3-1 winners with Clemence and Calderwood scoring for Spurs, along with a Maik Taylor own goal. Neil Smith briefly got Fulham back in the game to make it 2-1, but it was minutes later when the score was made 3-1 thanks to the "Cottagers'" goalkeeper. Spurs were to be rather ignominiously knocked out in the next round by Barnsley. Although Ginola scored in a 3-1 defeat, it was a year later that he scored a wonderful goal at Barnsley in an FA Cup quarter-final victory.

After a bad start, February 2007 heralded an upturn in Spurs' fortunes and indeed skills. They had started the month in mid-table but worked their way up to a last day fifth place and European qualification through their league placing for the second year running. We had seen off Cardiff and Southend in the earlier rounds, before producing four classy goals and a truly great win in the fifth round at Craven Cottage. Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov both scored two. This was match 41 in a 59 game season for Spurs, and whilst we nearly produced a miracle result in Match 46 at Stamford Bridge, we were undone in the replay at The Lane. In that first game we had been 3-1 up at half-time, despite playing little more than 36 hours earlier in Portugal against Braga.

Former Spur Simon Davies, who now plays for Fulham, was one of our scorers when we beat Fulham at Craven Cottage in November 2001. Sergei Rebrov scored the other Spurs goal in a game where I had the privilege to sit close to Ricky Villa.

Fulham sit comfortably in 9th position in the Premier League and have made great progress to the last 16 of the Europa Leaue where they will play the once mighty Juventus. Fulham are currently unbeaten in 8 games since they lost 2-0 in successive games to Spurs, then Aston Villa. We are Fulham's first Premier League opponents in the FA Cup this year. They have beaten Swindon, Accrington Stanley and Notts County to reach this year's quarter-final. They will be aiming for further progress in the competition they have never won. The best they achieved was to lose to West Ham in the 1975 final. Fulham included former Spurs Captain Alan Mullery and former England and West Ham captain Bobby Moore in their side.

Bobby Zamora made quite a recovery from an injury scare after Fulham's last game in Europe, and played most of last week's draw at Sunderland. He has had an excellent season and is a thorn in any side, even if he does not score, as he shields and holds the ball so well. Fulham will certainly be missing Andy Johnson, who has only played in 8 league games anyway this season, and Clint Dempsey is also missing for at least another three weeks.

Spurs have more than their usual problems, and the team might almost pick itself. Gareth Bale went off with a knee injury on Wednesday night, but is said to be okay, but Tom Huddlestone is definitely out after his ankle injury sustained last week. Jermaine Jenas is having an operation on his groin, and Harry Redknapp has little in the way of experienced midfielders. If fit, Bale might play in front of Ekotto on the left, with Modric moving inside and Kranjcar playing on the right of midfield. Peter Crouch increased his goal-scoring record for England this week, but whether that will be enough for him to win back a starting position is another question. Crouch has now scored 20 goals in 37 England games.

Both teams would no doubt prefer to finish this tie at the first attempt, fearing fixture congestion and the risk of more injuries if they draw. However, I think that a draw is the most likely result this Saturday tea-time, and will predict a 1-1.

http://hammyend.com/?p=5812

A glimmer of hope?


by Dan on March 4, 2010

Here's something to perk Fulham fans up ahead of the weekend. From OptaJoe:

3 – Tottenham have lost three consecutive FA Cup quarter final ties, two of these coming against London clubs. Ominous.

A good omen?

http://www.woodandvale.co.uk/woodandvale/sport/story.aspx?brand=NorthLondon24&category=Sportspurs&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=sport&itemid=WeED03+Mar+2010+18%3A07%3A54%3A577

Fulham v Spurs: Can Cottagers avoid hitting the wall?

[email protected]


04 March 2010

FA CUP QUARTER-FINAL PREVIEW BY BEN PEARCE

Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur


ROY'S BOYS... Roy Hodgson admits he is amazed that his side continue to battle on three fronts after 44 games since July. 
Saturday, 5.20pm

FULHAM fans continue to pinch themselves as they enjoy arguably the most successful season in the club's history.

Despite qualifying for the inaugural Europa League last season with a best-ever seventh-placed finish, few fans expected to be fighting on three fronts in March - and they weren't the only ones.

"The chairman made it very clear: give it [Europe] your best shot but for Christ's sake don't let it impact on the Premier League," said Roy Hodgson earlier in the season.

Survival was still the fundamental priority as Fulham kicked off their season in July. But, 44 games later, there is all to play for at the business end of the season.

Fulham are virtually safe with 38 points already in the bag, allowing them to focus on their striking progress in both the FA Cup and Europe - having sensationally eliminated holders Shakhtar Donetsk and progressed into the last 16 last week.

The Cottagers' stellar season is all the more remarkable because they are missing key first-team players.

Andrew Johnson has made just 13 appearances this campaign, Clint Dempsey is out with a cruciate knee injury and Hodgson is also missing both of his first-choice full-backs. John Pantsil has a knee injury while ex-Spurs left-back Paul Konchesky is racing to be fit after an ankle problem.

"We don't have the kind of squad where we can make wholesale changes," said Hodgson. "We know what our best team is and we try to get it on the field. I keep expecting the players to hit the wall after all the games we've played this season but they keep proving me wrong."

Spurs hope that Fulham finally flag this weekend, but the Cottagers' staggering stamina shows no signs of expiring - they played eight games in February, and were unbeaten.

In fact, Hodgson's side are now enjoying their longest break for six weeks, and they will fancy their chances of extending their FA Cup adventure beyond this weekend.

Spurs were lucky to escape Fulham with a goalless draw on Boxing Day, when Heurelho Gomes was the man of the match.

The Cottagers have one of the best four home defences in the top flight, having conceded nine times in 14 games - the same as Spurs.

Hodgson's side have also matched Tottenham's points total at home, taking 29 Premier League points from a possible 42, and beating Liverpool (3-1) and Manchester United (3-0) along the way.

Fulham's stellar season is largely due to veteran Aussie goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and towering centre-back Brede Hangeland, but Bobby Zamora has suddenly seized the mantle at the other end of the field.

The ex-Spurs forward recently scored in four consecutive games, taking his total tally to 15 in all competitions.

Ham&High Sport verdict: Dickson Etuhu will allow Danny Murphy the freedom to dictate the game, while Zoltan Gera will play in behind Zamora.

Hodgson's side are very well organised and, with a makeshift midfield, Spurs will struggle to break through.

This looks like a repeat of the Boxing Day stalemate - a tight, cagey affair with neither side overexposing themselves. The defences and keepers are likely to come out on top again, setting up another replay at the Lane."

Prediction: 0-0

http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/punching-the-clock-or-the-case-of-the-unwanted-footballer/

Punching the clock: or the case of the unwanted footballer


Filed under: General — weltmeisterclaude @ 5:54 pm

I read this today with interest.

It begs the question:  what does Andranik do all day?

We know Roy plays a lot of  11 v 11 in training.  Is Andranik part of the second XI in that setup?     Or does he have to train with Fred Stoor and anyone else not "in Roy's plans"?    In his recent book, "A week in December", Sebastian Faulks speaks of (fictional) reserve players training with the youth team.  Faulks spoke to Hodgson to research this book.  Perhaps that is the answer.

Either way, it must be a demoralising and humiliating experience.   If I turned up to work every day knowing that nobody was going to give me anything important to do, knowing that those in authority would rather I just go away, well, I'd do exactly that.     The writing must have been on the wall for our man for some time; why not go and play in Sweden or the US or New Zealand for a bit?     Curious.

http://fulhampatsfan.blogspot.com/2010/03/christopher-buchtmann-is-he-player-to.html

Christopher Buchtmann: Is he a player to watch in the future for Fulham?

I was reading the article on Fulhamfc.com entitled " Reserves 2 - 0 Stoke" and the first name that jumped out at me was Christopher Buchtmann. He was making his debut with the reserves. Not only did he score a goal in the match, but based on the article he was very involved in the match for the Fulham Reserves.

According to the article, Reserves 2 - 0 Stoke, stated "Another making his first start for the Whites was midfielder Christopher Buchtmann, a January transfer window signing from Liverpool, and a player that impressed from the off driving forward with conviction and endeavour with display that bodes well for the future." The article has other information on the game and Buchtmann's play. If you are interested please check out the article.

Buchtmann as mentioned prior came to Fulham at the very end of the January transfer window from Liverpool for 100,000 pounds. According to his bio on Fulhamfc.com, he is on an 18th month contract that will have him with Fulham until June 2011. The German born player will be turning 18 at the end of April. Also, according to his bio he was named among UEFA's top 10 stars of the future in May 2009.

I remember reading about Buchtmann when the deal happened. His signing seemed to "fly under the radar ". This probably happened because the Chris Smalling transfer to Manchester United was around the same time. I was not happy that Fulham were accepting a transfer with such a promising player like Chris Smalling at first. It looks like to me Fulham might have been able to pick up a player that has the potential to be a "hot prospect " as well.

If you look at this and analyze it, Fulham accepted a "rumored" 8 million pound transfer fee for Chris Smalling who is 20 years old. They brought in Christopher Buchtmann from Liverpool on a transfer fee of 100,000 pounds who is 18. To me this sounds like a good trade off for Fulham if the young German born player turns out to succeed eventually on the first team.

The big question to me is how did Fulham get this player for such a small fee? According to an article on goal.com entitled " German Starlet Christopher Buchtmann Leaves Liverpool for Fulham" it hints to what the reasons might be. The article by Mick Maguire states, "Buchtmann was widely regarded as the most promising prospect in Liverpool's youth ranks, and it is being speculated that attitude problems may be the reason for the sudden exit."

Whatever the reason Buchtmann was able to come to Fulham doesn't matter anymore. All that matters is how he progresses at Fulham. This is one player I will be following and checking his status with the club. It might only be one reserve game, but it sound like to me Christopher Buchtmann is player to watch in the future for Fulham.

Posted by Fulham-Pats Fan at 8:54 AM 

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1177369.html?cid=rssfeed&att=


Americans assess Dutch defeat


(FIFA.com) Thursday 4 March 2010


Using his Europe-based players for the first time since the FIFA Confederations Cup and the close South Africa 2010 qualifying, USA coach Bob Bradley watched his men slump 2-1 to the Dutch in Amsterdam on Wednesday evening. The friendly was always going to be a tricky contest for the American coach, without influential centre-back Oguchi Onyewu, attacking midfielder Clint Dempsey and striker Charlie Davies – all to serious injuries – and still shuffling his pack in defence, midfield and attack.

"It was a good test for us and I think overall we played well," said Bradley after his side conceded a Dirk Kuyt penalty five minutes before the interval and another deflected goal, from substitute Klass Jan Huntelaar in the 73rd minute, before captain Carlos Bocanegra reduced the arrears with a brave header in the dying moments. "The collective effort was pretty solid. There were moments where it needed to be sharper, quicker and better and we still need to raise the bar. Late in the game it was nice to see a good push. We had the ability to move the ball forward get people running off it and we created some good opportunities."

We had some moments in the first half that were OK but I don't think we put enough pressure on them.USA creator Landon Donovan
A win on the road in Amsterdam against the Dutch, world powers and the first European side to qualify for next year's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, was always going to be a big ask for the injury-hit Americans. Even though his side's performance was creditable, Bradley will not be pleased with yet another injury suffered. Stuart Holden, himself filling in for the injured Dempsey, is expected to be out for at least six weeks after suffering a leg fracture under a heavy tackle from Manchester City's Nigel de Jong.

It was also a difficult day for left-back Jonathan Bornstein, who conceded the first-half spot-kick after a silly foul on the outstanding Wesley Sneijder and had the ball bobble off his backside and trickle into the goal for the second. Bundesliga-based Steve Cherundolo, however, is set to return soon from injury and will give the coach options in defence. In midfield, the coach will be bolstered by a return to form for DaMarcus Beasley. The Rangers man had been out of favour for some time, but put in a good shift after coming on for Holden.

"You were able to see his mobility and a little bit of his quickness," Bradley said of Beasley, who was relegated to the bench after a poor showing at the start of last year's Confederations Cup, in which the USA eventually reached the final. "He had the confidence of being a threat and put defenders on their heels. Those are good things and hopefully they can be built upon," added the wide man, whose free-kick set up the late consolation goal for Bocanegra.

Landon Donovan, who has been wowing the Goodison faithful since the start of his loan deal at English Premier League outfit Everton, had precious few touches on the ball and was largely unable to stamp his authority on the proceedings. "I thought we did OK," said the all-time USA top goalscorer. "We had some moments in the first half that were OK but I don't think we put enough pressure on them. You always know that when you come here and play them that they're going to have a lot of the ball and you hope that at some key moments you make some plays going forward. It took us too long in the second half before we made some real plays."

Late impact
Jozy Altidore, who partnered Robbie Findley and Eddie Johnson, both candidates to take over for the injured Charlie Davies should he not return in time for the finals, had a chance near the end to draw level. "The subs made a great impact," he said. "They did what they were supposed to do. Alejandro Bedoya, DaMarcus Beasley, Clarence Goodsen, Maurice Edu, they all came on and did what they had to do. They impacted the game big time and we almost equalised."

In all, Bradley has reason to be positive. Having had ample opportunity to evaluate his domestic and European-based players, the coach is planning to name his squad for South Africa 2010 well ahead of the FIFA deadline in early June. "We have a little more time where we're sizing up form and assessing injuries but certainly there is a nucleus of guys. There are players who have played big roles throughout qualifying and players who continue to be in the picture for us. There are always going to be tough decisions. As a staff we're committed to seeing as many games as we can and we have a lot of work to do to make sure we can make all the decisions that give us the best chance [in South Africa]."

The Americans next play Czech Republic in Connecticut on 25 May before concluding their South Africa 2010 tune-ups against the Turkey four days later in Philadelphia. In South Africa, they open on 12 June against England in Rustenburg and follow up with games against Algeria and Slovenia.

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/harrys-style-council-040310.html

Harry's style council


04 March 2010


Harry Redknapp says our style of play will always matter most to him.

The manager was delighted with the football produced in the first half of Sunday's win against Everton.

We led 2-0 at the break after Roman Pavlyuchenko's opener and a wonderful strike from Luka Modric following approach play with his Croatian compatriots Vedran Corluka and Niko Kranjcar.

Many saw it as one our best halves of football of the season, not least taking the quality of opponents into account.

Everton hit back in the second half and we had to show the other side to our character to hold on for a vital 2-1 victory that moved us back into fourth in the Premier League.

We now turn our attention back to the FA Cup and a quarter-final tie at Fulham on Saturday - the winners go to Wembley for the semi-finals.

"We've got to keep going," said Harry. "We're up there and it's a great position to be in.

"The most important thing is the way we play and the way we played in the first half against Everton, the football we played, the way we passed the ball, the way we moved the ball, our movement off the ball, it was fantastic.

"I enjoy that and I enjoy managing a team that plays like that. That will always been important to me.


"Whatever happens, we've had a real go, especially when you look at where we were last season and the points we've got so far this season. It's been fantastic."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/mar/04/jermaine-jenas-tottenham-groin-surgery

Tottenham's Jermaine Jenas has groin surgery but will be back soon

• Midfielder has been carrying the problem for some weeks

• He had operation in Germany after the advice of a specialist
   
David Hytner guardian.co.uk, Thursday 4 March 2010 20.53 GMT 



Jermaine Jenas has undergone groin surgery in Germany but the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder intends to return to full training within two weeks, with a view to a speedy comeback for the first team.

Tom Huddlestone, however, has had his hopes of a swift return from his ankle ligament problem dashed. Jenas's fellow midfielder hoped to be back in training in two weeks' time, following the injury he suffered against Everton last Sunday but he has learned that he must wait that long simply for another MRI scan to see how the injury is healing. It appears that his fears of a four- or five-week lay-off at least are set to be realised.

The Spurs manager, Harry Redknapp, is without the winger Aaron Lennon for six weeks because of groin trouble. With David Bentley a major selection doubt for Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Fulham, also with a groin injury, Redknapp must improvise in midfield.

He could use Younes Kaboul, the January signing from Portsmouth, as a defensive midfielder, alongside Wilson Palacios who, with nine bookings, is one away from a two-match ban. Redknapp's other options involve pushing Gareth Bale from left-back to left midfield and moving Luka Modric inside from the flank or using Eidur Gudjohnsen, another January acquisition, in midfield.

Jenas has carried his groin problem for some weeks – he last played in the defeat at Wolves on 10 February – and he was encouraged to seek expert opinion. The specialist in Germany decided he needed to operate but is happy at how the procedure went and Jenas has now targeted a quick return, although it may be delayed as he catches up on match fitness.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/mar/04/premier-league-champions-league-play-off


Premier League rejects idea of a fourth-place play-off

• Proposal fails despite earning support of a majority of clubs


• Big four clubs joined by five others to secure 11-9 split


Owen Gibson guardian.co.uk, Thursday 4 March 2010 20.40 GMT Article history



Premier League clubs today rejected a proposal to introduce an end-of-season play-off for the fourth Champions League place, amid concerns about fixture congestion and the integrity of the competition.

At today's meeting of all its 20 clubs, the Premier League presented a detailed breakdown of how the concept might work. It had first been raised by the clubs at an earlier meeting to discuss possible improvements to the competition.

It is understood that the idea was narrowly rejected, with 11 clubs voting in favour and nine against. To carry the plan, at least 14 clubs needed to vote in favour.

The proposal, as revealed by the Guardian last month, would have seen the teams finishing between fourth and seventh playing one another at the end of the season to decide on the money-spinning fourth Champions League place. The idea is believed to have had strong backing among many clubs outside the top four, believing that it could help break the "virtuous circle" that they have enjoyed by regularly qualifying for the lucrative competition.

The same four clubs – Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea – have filled the top four positions in five of the past six seasons. Only Everton, in 2005, have broken their stranglehold. The other 16 clubs fear that the gulf between the so-called "big four" and the rest could grow even wider now Champions League TV revenues have increased by a further 30%. However, five of those clubs, believed to include Birmingham and Fulham, joined the traditional top four in voting against the proposal.

The Premier League's chief executive, Richard Scudamore, said there was "not enough support" for the idea. "The main topic of discussion was the Champions League play-off for that fourth qualifying place," he said. "We gave a lot of discussion, a lot of detail, a lot of data. But there was not enough support to take the idea forward, so we won't be discussing that proposal any further."

While the Premier League's analysis of the idea presented the pros and cons in a neutral manner, some senior figures were believed to hold reservations about its practicality. Uefa had said the decision was entirely one for the Premier League but the extra fixtures at the end of the season would have caused disquiet at the Football Association due to their potential effect on the England squad and the FA Cup final.

After the proposals leaked, players and managers raised concerns that their effort over 38 League games could be rendered meaningless by a further knock-out competition. "While it might be quite exciting, we play 38 Premier League games and that is where you should be judged," said Everton's manager, David Moyes. "Say it is Tottenham who finish fourth after an unbelievable season and they get beaten by a team who finish seventh, having worked so hard?"

Hughes chases Fulham's Wembley dream

By Stuart McKinley


Friday, 5 March 2010


Aaron Hughes sat out Northern Ireland's trip to Albania this week. 'Lucky him' many of those who trekked to Tirana might say after the dismal 1-0 defeat.

Under normal circumstances the international captain would have been there leading his troops into battle and putting club football to the back of his mind for a few days.

This is no normal season for Hughes and his Fulham team-mates though.

Performing solidly and consistently in the Premier League and still harbouring hopes of emulating last season's highest ever league finish of seventh, there is also a chase for silverware down at Craven Cottage — and on two separate fronts, one at home and another abroad.

Massive dates away to two of the biggest names Europe has to offer in the shape of trips to Juventus in the Europa League and Manchester United in the Premier League are looming large on the horizon over the next 10 days.

While footballers traditionally trot out the old 'one game at a time' cliche, it definitely is the next game that is the most important for Hughes as he would gladly take victory over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow afternoon, with Wembley two steps away and the FA Cup having much more of a shine to the Cookstown-man than triumphing in Europe.

Hughes has been to Wembley when Newcastle United made it to back-to-back finals in the late 1990s, but he failed to make the bench on either occasion.

"For us to even talk about winning either of them is a massive thing," said the 30-year-old, who has captained Northern Ireland for eight years.

"I'd rather win the FA Cup because it's a domestic competition and as a kid growing up it's the one you think about.

"The FA Cup still has that something special, especially now it's back at Wembley. It's a massive day.

"That said, if we could progress in the Europa League I wouldn't say no."

Hughes' Fulham and Northern Ireland team-mate Chris Baird has never played at Wembley either, but he did impress in the 2003 FA Cup final in

Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, when he was named Southampton's Man of the Match in their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, despite it being only his second start for the club.

He has forced his way into the Fulham team on a regular basis this season and he has his sights on a glorious end to the campaign.

"It shows how far the club's come," said Baird.

"To finish seventh last season and qualify for Europe was absolutely fantastic.

"Now that we're in the quarter-final of the FA Cup and in the last 16 in the Europa League it shows what a good side we really are. We don't want it to end, we want to keep going and see how far we can go."

Fulham's improvement over the last couple of seasons has been built on the firm foundation of Hughes' central defensive solid partnership with Norwegian captain Brede Hangeland.

Hangeland has attracted attention from clubs across Europe, but it seems it's a partnership that works rather than individuals standing out.

"Brede has everything you could want a central defender to have," said Hughes.

"He's 6ft 5 and his aerial capabilities are fantastic, but for such a big lad he's comfortable with the ball at his feet, he can see a pass and play it.

"We've formed a good partnership and you can see why he had interest from other clubs."



Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premiership/hughes-chases-fulhams-wembley-dream-14709073.html#ixzz0hHS7d8sd (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premiership/hughes-chases-fulhams-wembley-dream-14709073.html#ixzz0hHS7d8sd)

http://hammyend.com/?p=5823

Lawro predicts a draw


by Dan on March 4, 2010

Mystic Mark reckons it'll be all square at the Cottage on Saturday:

Fuham have had a good February and done very well in the Europa League and they're very hard to crack at home.

Tottenham have got lots of injuries in midfield, and although it's great for Harry Redknapp that Roman Pavlyuchenko has found such good form, you wonder where the Russian was months ago.

I'm always a bit worried about someone who just turns up like that, he didn't start a lot of games away from home, which tells a story. And it'll be interesting to see how he does without those injured midfielders to supply him. I tip Spurs to leave town with a draw – well, go back across town, anyway.

Probably just the result both teams don't want. Spurs will want to avoid any fixture congestion as they chase a Champions' League place and Fulham won't fancy a trip to the Lane with their poor domestic away record.

Oh, and by the way Lawro, what constitutes a great February? Going through the whole month unbeaten and dumping the UEFA Cup holders out of Europe not good enough for you, is it?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7049790.ece

Premier League chairmen reject idea of play-off for Champions League place


Oliver Kay,Football Correspondent

The campaign to introduce Premier League play-offs to settle issues of Champions League qualification was defeated yesterday, with upwardly mobile clubs such as Birmingham City and Fulham among those who found themselves voting to protect the status quo.

A group of clubs — including Sunderland, Wigan Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers — led a motion to have the top flight's fourth Champions League place contested in play-offs between the teams finishing fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh in the table. That motion was discussed at yesterday's meeting in London, with a view to exploring the proposal further, but the idea did not get the required backing of a two-thirds majority, with sources saying that the vote was "pretty much 50-50".

The outcome was welcomed by the chairmen and chief executives of the established "big four" clubs, who have occupied the top four places in each of the past four seasons and had been reluctant to see a "lottery" applied to the final qualification spot for Europe's top club competition.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of yesterday's meeting was that clubs such as Birmingham and Fulham, who respectively occupy eighth and ninth positions in the table, were opposed to the possibility of widening the competition for a Champions League place. However, sources at the meeting indicated that both clubs had made clear that they were voting on the basis of practicality and, above all, sporting integrity, rather than self-interest.

The sporting integrity argument was put forward strongly by Liverpool, whose managing director, Christian Purslow, spoke volubly on the matter. Although the Merseyside club are in danger this season of finishing outside the top four for the first time since 2005, Purslow argued that, far from intensifying competition, a play-off system may lead clubs to "settle" for a top-seven finish while conserving energies for the play-offs.

Practicalities were also questioned amid concerns that such a system could not be worked into an already congested domestic programme.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7050434.ece

Davies aims to strike first

Simon Davies has said scoring the first goal will be decisive for Fulham in their FA Cup quarter-final tie against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The midfield player, who is one of four former Spurs players in Roy Hodgson's side with additional incentive to win, said that the players were on a high after reaching the last 16 of the Europa Cup.

"We are a tough act to play against at home, so if we can get an early lead, we will be very tough to break down," he said. "We are pretty confident that we can beat them. The reality check is that two-and-a-half years ago we were staring relegation in the face. What a turnaround."

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=19&art_id=vn20100305074447871C517907&set_id=


"This is a huge opportunity for these boys to face a different kind of football. We have a chance to build the foundation of our team, because we cannot expect the players from overseas (for the World Cup). I think we have five of them injured.

"I do not know how long they will be out - two months, one month, six weeks. We are sending our doctor out there to find out what is going on."

Parreira was referring to injuries to the likes of Fulham midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi and West Ham United striker Benni McCarthy, long-term injury casualties at their clubs.

FULHAM v SPURS (FA Cup, Saturday 5.20pm)

Tough one to call. For the good of my old friends Aaron Hughes and Chris Baird, I'd like to see Fulham make it to the semi-finals, but I'm not convinced Roy Hodgson's men will overcome Tottenham. I reckon it may take a replay to decide what promises to be a compelling clash.

Beacom Prediction: 2-2

PADDY POWER ODDS: Fulham 19/10 Draw 23/10 Spurs 7/5


Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/steven-beacom/steven-beacoms-premier-league-predictions-14709057.html?r=RSS#ixzz0hHWCNARD (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/steven-beacom/steven-beacoms-premier-league-predictions-14709057.html?r=RSS#ixzz0hHWCNARD)

http://newsfromrussia.com/sports/soccer/04-03-2010/112486-after_guus_hiddink-0

Guus Hiddink did not need to prove himself before he came to Russia. His success as a coach is enviable: With PSV Eindhoven , he won the Dutch First Division Championship six times, (1986/87, 1987/88, 1988/89 2002/03, 2004/05 and 2005/06), the UEFA Champions League in 1987/88 and the Dutch Cup three times (1987/88, 1988/89 and 1989/90). To this he added the World Clubs Title with Real Madrid in 1998 and the English FA Cup with Chelsea in 2008/9.

As a national team coach, he took Holland and South Korea to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, respectively, in 1998 and 2002 and in 2006, guaranteed Australia their first presence in a World Cup final stage in 32 years.

After Hiddink who is next? The internal figure may be Kurban Berdyev who took FC Rubin Kazan to two successive championships in the Russian Premier League. Certain limited experience in Europe was a positive but the international career is limited. The external one may be the British Roy Hodgson. His pedigree is enviable: In club football, he has managed Viking FK, Malmo FF, Internazionale, Blackburn Rovers, Grasshoppers, FC Copenhagem, Udinese and is currently at Fulham FC. As national team manager, he took Switzerland to the 1994 World Cup Finals and the Euro 1996 Finals.

Having worked in UEFA and FIFA technical groups and being multi-lingual, Roy Hodgson has international experience which may prove irresistible to Russia.

Time will tell. But now that Hiddink has closed the door, who else?

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY

PRAVDA.Ru

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Sport/Football/5535755-147/story.csp

London derby in the FA Cup

The pick of the sixth round of the FA Cup tomorrow is definitely the London derby between deadly at home Fulham and Champions League spot chasing Tottenham. Roy Hogson coached Fulham currently lie in the 9th place on the Premiership, and already drew 0-0 with Tottenham this season, and they are still very much in the Europa competition, where bigger teams than them have faltered. For Fulham, which will be hosting their northern neighbour, their home form has been this season's weapon.

The Cottagers recently came from behind to beat Birmingham at home, and also knocked out the reigning Europa Cup champions Shaktar Donetsk via a 2-1 win in London, and 1-1 away draw. And recently, the English league champions suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat in their hands, a result that will not be far from their FA Cup opponent's mind.

For Tottenham, all eyes will be on in-form but dissatisfied Russian, Roman Pavlychenko, who have upstaged Jamain Defoe as the main threat upfront. Priority for Tottenham might probably lie somewhere else; winning a Champions League spot, and despite their recent run of wins their only hope of winning anything this season remains the FA Cup. Whether they can escape from Craven Cottage unharmed will be answered tomorrow evening, or maybe another day, if they force a replay by playing a draw.

http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2010/03/crouch-is-more-important-to-england-than-rooney.html

For me, he'd done enough long ago. I've been banging on about Crouch's quality for such a while that it must seem like I'm running his Facebook fan club. But to me, England blend so much better when he's there. It's often the way - a big centre forward who may not be amazingly gifted lifts the performance of the team as a whole.

Look at how much better Fulham are when Bobby Zamora plays, though he's not a great striker, just a good one. Think Stephane Guivarc'h for France at the 1998 World Cup - not very talented, or even that effective, it seemed, but an integral part of the World Cup-winning side. The Czech Republic were outstanding when Jan Koller, the giant striker, was in his prime; since he declined and retired, they've struggled hugely.

From my own experience, Ireland were a better team when Niall Quinn was up front instead of me. Quinny offered more than I could. I was a Heskey-type striker, strong and good in the air but limited, while Quinny had the aerial presence but more of an all-around game as well. Ireland functioned better as a whole when he was in the line-up. Even Italy, the world champions, see the value of a tall striker - Luca Toni - though he's often used as a lone battering-ram.

England's advantage is that Crouch needn't operate up front on his own, he can form a partnership with Rooney, one of the most in-form and talented forwards in the world. His inclusion, not just in the squad but the starting XI, is a no-brainer.

http://timesonline.typepad.com/fanzine_fanzone/2010/02/reading-brian-mcdermott-is-the-new-roy-hodgson.html


Reading: Brian McDermott is the new Roy Hodgson


Brian McDermott has to be manager of the month, surely? Bringing Reading out of the relegation zone with grit and passion and now a quarter-final place in the FA Cup. Our cup performances have started to breed a positive spirit with the fans but McDermott has had a big role to play as well. Much less a personality than Brendan Rodgers was, McDermott exudes a quiet confidence that is clearly paying dividends and his history with the club and players seems to be making a difference too.

When Rodgers left I wanted Darren Ferguson, believing he had the nous, fight and experience that would help us out of the relegation zone. However, McDermott seems to being doing what Roy Hodgson did for Fulham in the 2007/08 season. He, like McDermott, brought a calmness to the club and got the players to play themselves out of trouble (unfortunately in Hodgson's case to the detriment of Reading) - long may it continue for the blue and white hoops.

Other things to be pleased about – the atmosphere at the games has improve markedly. As McDermott commented after the 2-1 home win against Plymouth, "the crowd stayed with us" when they drew level and that has been a welcome thing to be sure. Don't get me wrong, a wavering or quiet crowd can be put down to many legitimate things – frustration at the way we played, a perceived inability to take good chances - but when the crowd is behind the team and has confidence that we can and will score – it clearly affects the players.

Earlier this season, I said that a long cup run was needed to give fans and players hope for the season - I hope this will continue to be proved right.

Meanwhile, I have often thought about what the (as I have called it) "Reading Way" actually means in terms how we should perceive ourselves and through that how our ambition should manifest itself. It seems that our last three managers offer contrasting definitions.

Coppell, Rodgers and McDermott all had ambition but it was their personalities that made the manifestation of that ambition differ.

Coppell was successful by being understated, considered and deadpan – his teams often reflected that with a professional and workmanlike approach.

Rodgers' approach was different. He was bullish and combative, honest in that Mourinho-influenced way that sought to make players take responsibility directly but in doing so sapped them of belief and instilled a worry about failure rather than aspiration for success.

As for McDermott, well of course it's probably too early to make any concrete judgements but based on recent performances, he seems to be a manager that enjoys preparing players to go out and do their best and then let them take the accolades as he deflects the criticisms.

Always positive, his style seems to be one of getting individuals to enjoy playing and being part of a team. I sincerely hope it continues. I for one, like any Reading fan, am relishing the Aston Villa game and the potential to march up the Championship table. Confidence all round is returning.

Harry hoping for Jerm recovery

FLYING RETURN ... Jenas could make stunning recovery


By ANDREW DILLON

Published: Today

HARRY REDKNAPP is hoping Jermaine Jenas will be back in action just TWO WEEKS after his groin surgery.

The Tottenham midfielder had an op in Germany on Wednesday to repair a hernia.

Spurs boss Redknapp has been hit by an injury crisis which could wreck his bid for a top-four finish.

They take on Fulham in an FA Cup quarter-final tomorrow, missing Jenas, Tom Huddlestone and David Bentley from midfield, while defender Ledley King is out with a thigh strain.

Redknapp said: "Jermaine has had the op and we believe it all went well.

"Michael Owen was back within 10 days when he had a similar problem so who knows? We certainly need Jermaine around. We are desperately short of bodies."



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2879079/Harry-hoping-for-Jerm-recovery.html#ixzz0hHaLEJU6 (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2879079/Harry-hoping-for-Jerm-recovery.html#ixzz0hHaLEJU6)

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/sport/Bristol-Rovers-boss-Trollope-hopes-break-away-hoodoo-Swindon/article-1886441-detail/article.html


The only absentee will be on-loan Fulham midfielder Wayne Brown (ankle), but he has had his stint with the Pirates extended.
"Wayne has been done and we are in talks with the other loan players and their clubs about extending the rest of them," said Trollope.

http://www.bettingpress.com/category/Football/Fulham-v-Tottenham-FA-Cup-Tips-201003050031/


Fulham v Tottenham FA Cup Tips

Betting Press Staff - 5 Mar 2010


•Only two goals have been scored in the last three games between Fulham and Tottenham.

•The last FA Cup meeting between these London sides saw Tottenham win 4-0 at Craven Cottage in 2007, with both Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov netting braces.

•These sides have been drawn together four times in the FA Cup, with Tottenham progressing on all four occasions.

•The FA Cup defeat in 2007 is the only time Fulham have lost to Spurs at home in their last nine meetings at the Cottage.

•This is the second consecutive season that Fulham have reached the FA Cup quarter finals; losing 4-0 at home to Manchester United in their last-eight match last term.

•Spurs have lost three consecutive FA Cup quarter final ties, two of these coming against London clubs.

http://www.bettingpress.com/category/Football/Totesport-will-refund-money-if-Fulham-draw-0-0-with-Tottenham-Hotspur-201003050054/

Totesport will refund money if Fulham draw 0-0 with Tottenham Hotspur


Betting Press Staff - 5 Mar 2010


Totesport are giving punters the opportunity to win their money back over a number of games this weekend in their Correct Score Money Back special.

In the Fulham FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC game, if the game ends in 0-0 then Totesport will refund any bets made via the correct score market.

Fulham v Spurs
Draw 0-0  (7/1)

Totesport's Terms & Conditions

1.     We'll refund losing Correct Score bets if the match ends at the nominated score - extra time does not count.
2.     Applies to losing Correct Score bets placed by phone, online or text only.
3.     Singles and multiples are included in the offer.
4.     Applies to bets placed before kick-off only – offer does not apply to in-play bets
5.     Free bets are not included in the offer.
6.     Maximum refund is £1000 per customer.
7.     Totesport rules apply.
8.     Totesport reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time.

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/argyle/Stockdale-set-spot-Argyle-line/article-1887896-detail/article.html

Stockdale set to keep spot in Argyle line-up


Friday, March 05, 2010, 07:00

ARGYLE head coach Paul Mariner is retaining faith in on-loan Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale.
The 24-year-old will continue between the posts for the Pilgrims when they play Preston North End at Home Park tomorrow.
That is despite the costly blunder he made in the 4-3 defeat by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane last Saturday.
Mariner will not be recalling club captain Romain Larrieu to replace Stockdale against Preston.
Argyle were trailing Sheffield United 3-2, having trailed by three goals at one stage, when Stockdale gifted the Blades a fourth goal in the 82nd minute.
He threw the ball down, inside his own penalty area, without realising Sheffield United striker Richard Cresswell was behind him.
Cresswell then darted past a startled Stockdale and rolled the ball into the empty net.
That capped a poor overall performance from Stockdale but, crucially, Mariner has not lost confidence in him.
Mariner said: "David is a resilient boy and mentally he's very tough.
"He apologised to the lads after the game (against Sheffield United), but it was just one of those things. It was a once-in-a-lifetime error.
"(Argyle assistant head coach) John Carver told us a great story about Shay Given, from when they were both at Newcastle United.
"He said the exact same thing happened to Shay Given and look where he is now. He's one of the top three or four keepers in the Premier League.
"So, sometimes you grow and learn from errors, and I'm sure David will and become a better keeper."
Mariner spoke to Stockdale by phone on Sunday, before leaving for a flying visit to America, and had words of reassurance for the loanee.
"I told him he had helped us out a number of times by making crucial saves," said the Pilgrims' boss.
"You can't dwell on things like that. I don't think there will be any changes in the goalkeeping spot."
Larrieu had started 27 successive matches for Argyle this season until Stockdale was signed from Fulham, initially for one month, in January.
Stockdale made his debut in a 1-0 home win against Derby County, and has since played a further seven times.
Larrieu, 33, whose contract with Argyle ends this summer, played for the reserves in their 2-0 'home' win against Forest Green Rovers at Tiverton Town FC on Tuesday.
But he was substituted at half-time, as a precaution, because of a thigh strain.
Larrieu was replaced by second-year apprentice Ollie Chenoweth for the rest of the Totesport.com Combination clash.
Meanwhile, striker Joe Mason and winger Yannick Bolasie staked strong claims to start for Argyle against Preston after shining as half-time substitutes in the defeat by Sheffield United.
Mason was sent on for Rory Fallon, while Bolasie took over from Craig Noone, and both players scored their first goals for the Pilgrims.
Noone struggled against Sheffield United, but he was outstanding in the 1-1 draw with Leicester City at Home Park the previous weekend, when he scored Argyle's equalising goal.
So Noone will probably be preferred to Bolasie.
Mason, 18, has been away at a training camp with the Republic of Ireland under-19s training camp at Bisham Abbey, Buckinghamshire, for much of this week.
But the Pilgrims' prospect was back at Home Park when Argyle held their training session yesterday afternoon.
Mariner said: "Joe has been on international duty so we will assess how he is. There is no doubt he came on (against Sheffield United) and did very well indeed, as did Yala (Bolasie).
"Yala is a strong, direct player, and actually did a great job on both sides of the ball, which we needed at the time.
"For both subs to come on and score is quite something."

http://hammyend.com/?p=5810

Up next: Tottenham Hotspur (h)


by Dan on March 5, 2010

Bit of a debate as I had a chat with a couple of Fulham fans yesterday morning. Which of our next two games is the bigger? Obviously, an FA Cup quarter final against Tottenham is pretty big, especially with the chance of an exceedingly rare trip to Wembley dangled right in front of us on Saturday night? But everyone seems to be looking forward to Thursday night in Turin, when 'little old Fulham' (copyright ITV4) take on the mighty Juventus in the last sixteen of the Europa League.

Roy Hodgson has said he's now going to be targeting the Cups, particularly after another hard-earned point at Sunderland took Fulham closer to Premier League safety. Even though the Whites reached the FA Cup quarter finals last year and generally don't have too bad a record in the competition since returning to the top flight, an excursion to the latter stages of the world's oldest club Cup still seems exhilirating. Of course, everybody will be avoid to avoid the stage fright that seemed to afflict Fulham at this stage last season: fading alarmingly after a bright start to be humbled 4-0 by Manchester United.

I was surprised to read earlier of Tottenham's poor recent record at Craven Cottage. Their last nine visits have brought only one win, although that was a real thumping at a similar stage of the FA Cup. You do get the sense that these Spurs are something of a different proposition to the teams managed by Jacques Santini, Martin Jol or Juande Ramos. Harry Redknapp has set Tottenham on course to be more consistent challengers for a Champions' League spot than any of his predecessors whilst still playing the kind of pretty football that the White Hart Lane punters demand.

There's no doubt Tottenham will be a tricky proposition. They disposed of us quite comfortably at the Lane back in January and, with our patchy away record, the last thing the pessismistic Fulham fan will fancy is a replay. Games at the Cottage are generally close, though, and – had it not been for a string of fine saves from the much-mocked Huruelho Gomes – then Hodgson's side would have picked up three points rather than just one on Boxing Day. The key to stopping Spurs will be getting to their creative players in midfield, the likes of Krancjar and Modric, who can kill you if they are allowed too much time and space in which to operate.

Another thing operating in Fulham's favour is the packed nature of the Tottenham treatment room. Things might not be as bad as when a virus struck down the Spurs squad before last weekend's game against Everton but Redknapp will still be missing a few key players. Aaron Lennon, the tricky winger who at last looks like he's found a final ball to match that blistering pace, is expected to be out for the next six weeks or so, and midfield seems to be where most of the problems are. Tom Huddlestone has been ruled out after coming off against the Toffees, whilst Jermaine Jenas has just undergone an operation on his groin, so just who will partner Wilson Palacios, presuming the Honduran is picked as he's a booking away from a suspension, remains to be seen. Redknapp's mood will hardly have been improved by seeing Gareth Bale limp off for Wales on Wednesday night with an ankle problem that was immediately being treated with an icepack. The youngster's absence, considering the manner in which he tore through Fulham earlier this year, would be a real tonic for Hodgson's side.

You wouldn't expect Hodgson to change too much from the side that lined up at Sunderland. The fatigue from Donetsk will be well out of their system and most of that eleven have had a week's worth of rest. There have been no reported injuries picked up by those on international duty and consistency in selection has been something that has helped produce the dizzying success that Fulham have enjoyed over the last couple of seasons. Paul Konchesky completed 70 minutes for the reserves on Tuesday, but it would be a big surprise if the left back replaced the in-form Nicky Shorey come Saturday evening.

Fulham have produced some impressive performances at the Cottage this season. Manchester United, Liverpool and Shakhtar have all been beaten largely by the tempo at which the Whites played. The speed of our football will be key as will the ability of players and fans alike to remain patient. Long-suffering Fulham fans will know that chances like this don't come along too often: it's up to us to take it.

MY FULHAM XI (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Baird, Shorey, Hughes, Hangeland; Etuhu, Murphy, Duff, Davies; Gera; Zamora. Subs: Zuberbuhler, Smalling, Kelly, Greening, Riise, Okaka, Elm.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/tottenham/7370266/Fulham-v-Tottenham-Hotspur-match-preview.html


Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur: match preview


Read a full preview of the FA Cup quarter-final match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Saturday March 06 2009, kick-off 17.20 GMT.

Published: 6:00AM GMT 05 Mar 2010

Craven Cottage, London

Kick-off: 17.20 GMT

TV: ITV1 17.00 GMT, ITV HD 5pm

Tottenham Hotspur have a proud tradition when it comes to the FA Cup, having lifted the famous trophy eight times, whereas Fulham have played in the final just once, back in 1975.

But if Fulham do reach their first semi-final since that run, which saw them beaten 2-0 by West Ham, the chances are they will have some former Spurs players to thank.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has four to choose from in Bobby Zamora, Simon Davies, Danny Murphy and Stephen Kelly.

Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, who will try to shackle the in-form Zamora, was aware the quartet would all be keen to get one over their former club when the tie kicks off at Fulham's Craven Cottage ground on Saturday.

"Simon Davies was at Tottenham when I first came to the club, and 'Murph' was here as well," he said.

"I've played with Bobby at England Under-21 level but not when he was at Tottenham. They're good players and we know they're a good team.

"Bobby's definitely one of the in-form strikers in the Premier League at the moment. Whenever you play against him you know it's going to be a tough. He's certainly on fire at the moment, scoring some good goals."

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-v-Tottenham-FA-Cup-preview-Cottagers-transformation-from-relegation-candidates-to-top-flight-stars-is-amazing-says-Simon-Davies-article344849.html

Fulham's transformation from relegation candidates to top-flight stars is amazing, says Simon Davies


Published 08:34 05/03/10

By James Nursey


Simon Davies reckons Fulham's turnaround in fortunes is amazing after being minutes away from relegation just two years ago.

Roy Hodgson's side were seemingly doomed to the drop at Portsmouth in May 2008 before they survived with a 76th-minute winner from Danny Murphy.

But they have since established themselves in the top-flight and are still in both the Europa League and FA Cup.

Midfielder Davies admits Fulham now face a crunch week with Spurs due at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup quarter-finals tomorrow.

And Fulham then visit Juventus in the first leg of the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday after knocking out Shakhtar Donetsk.

Davies,30, said: "The FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday and then Juventus on Thursday - what a week for the club.

"Times have not been like this at Fulham for ages.

"The reality check is that two years ago we were starring relegation to the Championship in the face.

"What was it 15 minutes or so from going down so what a turnaround, everyone is really excited.

"The boys are on a high after Donesk - it was amazing.

"They are one of the best teams I have ever played against, a difficult venue, and they pass the ball around as good as anyone.

"Going through has given us a big lift but it leads us into such an exciting time for the club.

"But Roy is keeping the boys' feet on the ground.

"We know that we have two great opportunities in the cups but it is a normal week for us, normal training, focusing on each game."

Davies played for Spurs from 1999-2005 after joining from Peterborough and ended up at Fulham in January 2007 from Everton.

He is optimistic Fulham can beat his old club due to their impressive home form this season as they have won nine games already in the Premier League this term.

Davies added: "We have a good record against them in recent years at the Cottage.

"We never give anyone an easy ride at home.

"We are pretty confident that we can win as we are very organised at home, that is our strength, and if we can get an early lead, we are very tough to break down.

"We work very hard for each other, we are very organised, we keep a good shape to our team and we work hard defensively.

"But we also have a game that can worry teams.

"When we get it right we are a very good footballing team.

"We have the players that can make them think."

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_preview/0,19764,11065_3252858,00.html

Fulham v Tottenham preview


Place in the last four the prize for winners at Craven Cottage


Last updated: 5th March 2010   


London rivals Fulham and Tottenham will fight for the chance to play at Wembley in their FA Cup quarter-final at Craven Cottage.

The Cottagers host Spurs as both sides look to advance to the last four of the competition, with many of the big guns already out.

Chelsea are the only side in the top three still remaining in the tournament, and whoever triumphs on the banks of the Thames on Saturday evening will begin to dream of cup glory.

Spurs have a rich history in the competition having lifted the trophy eight times, although the last time they did so was in 1991.

Fulham, meanwhile, have never won the FA Cup and have only reached the final on one occasion - back in 1975.

But with Roy Hodgson's men extremely difficult to beat at home, the history books may go out of the window when kick-off arrives.

With both sides performing well in the Premier League, the game will provide some time away from Tottenham's bid to finish in the top-four, while Fulham have been heavily involved in another cup competition this term in the form of the Europa League.

Crisis
Spurs are facing a midfield crisis for the short trip across the capital.

Tom Huddlestone and Jermaine Jenas are injured, Jamie O'Hara on loan at Portsmouth and defender Younes Kaboul is cup-tied.

Manager Harry Redknapp has brought back 20-year-old Jake Livermore from a temporary spell at Peterborough as cover.

Fulham will have four former Spurs players in their ranks for the game - Simon Davies, Danny Murphy, Stephen Kelly and Bobby Zamora.

Zamora has been in excellent form this season leading to suggestions that he could be called up to the England squad by Fabio Capello.

The last time these two teams met in the Premier League the game ended in a 2-0 win for Spurs at White Hart Lane, although back in December they played out a goalless stalemate at Craven Cottage.

Fulham v Tottenham 1st Goalscorer: Pavlyuchenko, R. 5/1

http://hammyend.com/?p=5815

How to beat Spurs

by Dan on March 5, 2010

Even with an injury-hit side, Tottenham will still be a very stiff test tomorrow. Harry Redknapp has strengthened their defence making them a leaner, meaner outfit. How Michael Dawson hasn't got a shout in an England squad of late is beyond me, especially with John Terry hardly on top form and Matthew Upson looking shakier by the day.

Such defensive solidity means you can't count on chances coming your way at the other end meaning the stakes are that much higher when Spurs are coming forward. They still carry that potent threat going forward and their pretty passing will probably be based around two crucial figures on Saturday. Niko Krancjar has a habit of playing well against Fulham – he scored his first goal in the Premier League for Portsmouth a few years back – but the talisman we'll have to stop is little Luka Modric:

(http://://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0"%20name="chalkboard"%20width="460"%20height="620"%20align="middle"%20id="chalkboard">%3Cbr%20/%3E %20 %20<param%20name="allowScriptAccess"%20value="always"%20/>%3Cbr%20/%3E %20 %20<param%20name="allowNetworking"%20value="all"%20/>%3Cbr%20/%3E %20 %20<param%20name="allowFullScreen"%20value="false"%20/>%3Cbr%20/%3E %20 %20<param%20name="movie"%20value="http://www.guardianchalkboards.com/guardianchalkboards_embed.swf?chalkBoardID=o8xn27WzAJ167F7712W6"/>%3Cbr%20/%3E %20 %20<param%20name="quality"%20value="high"%20/>%3Cbr%20/%3E %20 %20<param%20name="bgcolor"%20value="#FFFFFF"%20/>%3Cbr%20/%3E %20 %20<embed%20src="http://www.guardianchalkboards.com/guardianchalkboards_embed.swf?chalkBoardID=o8xn27WzAJ167F7712W6"%20swLiveConnect="true"%20allowNetworking="all"%20quality="high"%20bgcolor="#FFFFFF"%20width="460"%20height="620"%20name="chalkboard"%20align="middle"%20allowScriptAccess="always"%20allowFullScreen="false"%20type="application/x-shockwave-flash"%20pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"%20/>%3Cbr%20/%3E</object>%3Cbr%20/%3E<font%20size="1">&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a%20href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/chalkboards">Guardian%20Chalkboards</a></font>)

by Guardian Chalkboards

Despite having a clear gameplan at White Hart Lane last week, Everton had little answer to the gifted Croatian. He's a free spirit in much the same way that another talented playmaker – Paul Gascoigne – was a decade ago. Modric drifted infield against Everton but the danger may be more pronounced in our Cup tie should Redknapp decide to shift either Croatian infield as he faces up to injuries striking his favoured central midfielders. What Fulham can't afford is to allow Modric and company to dictate play forcing Danny Murphy backwards.

Fortunately, neither of the forwards who did the damage the last time Tottenham came to town in the FA Cup will be available to Spurs tomorrow. Dimitar Berbatov has long since moved on to Manchester United and Robbie Keane is on loan at Celtic. That doesn't mind Hughes and Hangeland can relax though. Jermain Defoe has scored 22 goals this season, including an impressive five in five in the FA Cup. Peter Crouch grabbed a couple of goals from the bench yesterday to press his World Cup claims and, if that doesn't work, Redknapp's got an in-form Roman Pavlyuchenko to turn to.

Fulham will need to limit the space the front men have to operate in. They've done it before, this season in fact. Hodgson's organised defence effectively nullified the threat from the Tottenham attack in the league game at Craven Cottage. Keane was anonymous and, although Crouch was a bit more successful with his passing, look at just how deep he was forced to play:

(http://://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0"%20name="chalkboard"%20width="460"%20height="620"%20align="middle"%20id="chalkboard">%3Cbr%20/%3E %20 %20<param%20name="allowScriptAccess"%20value="always"%20/>%3Cbr%20/%3E %20 %20<param%20name="allowNetworking"%20value="all"%20/>%3Cbr%20/%3E %20 %20<param%20name="allowFullScreen"%20value="false"%20/>%3Cbr%20/%3E %20 %20<param%20name="movie"%20value="http://www.guardianchalkboards.com/guardianchalkboards_embed.swf?chalkBoardID=6xEh6i06j3O7R76J2255"/>%3Cbr%20/%3E %20 %20<param%20name="quality"%20value="high"%20/>%3Cbr%20/%3E %20 %20<param%20name="bgcolor"%20value="#FFFFFF"%20/>%3Cbr%20/%3E %20 %20<embed%20src="http://www.guardianchalkboards.com/guardianchalkboards_embed.swf?chalkBoardID=6xEh6i06j3O7R76J2255"%20swLiveConnect="true"%20allowNetworking="all"%20quality="high"%20bgcolor="#FFFFFF"%20width="460"%20height="620"%20name="chalkboard"%20align="middle"%20allowScriptAccess="always"%20allowFullScreen="false"%20type="application/x-shockwave-flash"%20pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"%20/>%3Cbr%20/%3E</object>%3Cbr%20/%3E<font%20size="1">&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a%20href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/chalkboards">Guardian%20Chalkboards</a></font>)

by Guardian Chalkboards

Defoe's added some sharper runs to his game since his first shot at international football and is an all-round better player now, but he isn't in the sort of form that saw him terrorise Hull back at the start of the season. It's a big ask to keep all these players quiet, but Hodgson's pulled off many a tactical masterstroke already this year. Keep the faith.

http://www.itv.com/sport/football/news/facup/manualstories/facupstatattackallyouneedtoknowaheadofbirminghamvportsmouthfulhamvtottenham2362/default.html

Fulham v Tottenham (Saturday, 5.20pm - Live on ITV1 & ITV.com)

Only two goals have been scored in the last three games between Fulham and Tottenham.

The last FA Cup meeting between these London sides saw Tottenham win 4-0 at Craven Cottage in 2007, with both Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov netting braces.

These sides have been drawn together four times in the FA Cup, with Tottenham progressing on all four occasions.

The FA Cup defeat in 2007 is the only time Fulham have lost to Spurs at home in their last nine meetings at the Cottage.

This is the second consecutive season that Fulham have reached the FA Cup quarter finals; losing 4-0 at home to Manchester United in their last-eight match last term.

Spurs have lost three consecutive FA Cup quarter final ties, two of these coming against London clubs.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8549532.stm


Fulham    v    Tottenham


Live text and stats


Content will update automatically

Saturday, 6 March 2010

The FA Cup

Home Team Score Away Team Time
Fulham v  Tottenham 17:20

   

FULHAMTOTTENHAMPossession
Fulham 50% Tottenham 50% Attempts on target
Fulham 0 Tottenham 0 Attempts off target
Fulham 0 Tottenham 0 Corners
Fulham 0 Tottenham 0 Fouls
Fulham 0 Tottenham 0
FA Cup sixth round
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Saturday, 6 March Kick-off: 1720 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio and BBC Sport website. Also live on ITV1




TEAM NEWS
Tottenham are without midfielders David Bentley (groin), Jermaine Jenas, who this week had groin surgery, and Tom Huddlestone (ankle ligament damage).

Aaron Lennon is out until next month with groin trouble, Ledley King is unlikely to play and now Jermain Defoe is a doubt with a hamstring concern.

Carlo Cudicini and Jonathan Woodgate are long-term absentees, while Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker are cup-tied.

Tottenham (from): Gomes, Alnwick, Corluka, Assou-Ekotto, Dawson, Bassong, Bale, Kranjcar, Modric, Palacios, Crouch, Gudjohnsen, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe, Rose, Livermore, Dervite, Parrett, Fredericks, Townsend, Kane.


BIG-MATCH FACTS
The tie in context

• Fulham against Tottenham is one of three all-Premier League quarter-finals, and the only derby in the sixth round.

• Tottenham is the most successful club still alive in the FA Cup, having won the competition eight times.

• Both clubs recording 4-0 wins in their last FA Cup outings.


Head-to-head
• Fulham have failed to score in their last three meetings with Tottenham. This season's league clash at Craven Cottage was goalless.

Fulham 0-0 Tottenham (Prem Lge, 26 Dec)

• Spurs prevailed in the reverse fixture a month later.

Tottenham 2-0 Fulham (Prem Lge, 26 Jan)

• Fulham's last victory over the north London club was 2-1 on the banks of the Thames on 15 November 2008.

FA Cup records and best performances

• Tottenham hold a 100% record over the Cottagers in FA Cup ties, having progressed on all four previous occasions they have been drawn together; three at the first time of asking.


The clubs
FULHAM

Current form

• Unbeaten in eight in all competitions (W5, D3).

• Aston Villa were the last club to beat them; 2-0 in the Premier League at Craven Cottage on 30 January.

• Won their last five at the Cottage.

FA Cup form

• Meeting Premier League opposition for the first time in this cup run, having dismissed Swindon, Accrington and Notts County on the way to the last eight.

• Appearing in the quarter-finals for the second year in a row, having been 4-0 victims to Manchester United at this same stage last season.

The Manager

• Roy Hodgson won the Svenska Cup twice as manager of Swedish club Malmo (1986 and 1989), and the Danish Super Cup when at the helm of FC Copenhagen in 2001.

The Players

• Damien Duff and Bobby Zamora are Fulham's joint top scorers in the FA Cup this season, with two goals each.

• Zamora, Simon Davies, Stephen Kelly and Danny Murphy are all former Tottenham players, while Paul Konchesky was on loan at White Hart Lane.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Current form

• Bidding for a fourth successive win in all competitions.

• Failed to win one of the last 10.

FA Cup form

• Beaten Peterborough, Leeds and Bolton in this cup run, with the aid of replays in the last two rounds.

• Appearing in the quarter-finals for the first time in three years.

• The most recent of their 17 semi-final appearances was in 2001, when Arsenal ended their interest.

The Manager

• Harry Redknapp famously led Portsmouth to FA Cup victory in the season before last.

• His only other cup triumph as a manager was with West Ham, when they lifted the Intertoto Cup in 1999.

The Players

• Jermain Defoe is Tottenham's top scorer in this FA Cup run. His five goals includes a hat-trick against Leeds.


Replay date
Wednesday, 24 March 2010 (Kick off: 2000 GMT)


Match officials
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne and Wear)

Assistant referees: Peter Kirkup and Michael Murphy

Fourth official: Kevin Friend

http://hammyend.com/?p=5817

TOOFIF 115 out tomorrow


by Dan on March 5, 2010

Just a reminder to you all to get your copy of TOOFIF, the Fulham fanzine, on sale outside the ground tomorrow. It's great value at only £3. You can get to trawl through more rambling from me and there's an interview with former Fulham hero, Nick Cusack, now of the PFA, in this issue.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23812538-hot-shot-bobby-zamora-the-one-who-got-away-for-harry-redknapp.do


Hot-shot Bobby Zamora the one who got away for Harry Redknapp


Tom Collomosse and David Smith


05.03.10



Harry Redknapp always knew that Bobby Zamora would make it as a striker and still rues the day he failed to make the grade at West Ham.

The Tottenham manager was in charge of the Hammers when Zamora, then an apprentice at Upton Park, was released by the club.

Zamora is now one of the Premier League's most in-form strikers and tomorrow he will plot the downfall of Redknapp when his Fulham side face Spurs in an intriguing FA Cup quarter-final at Craven Cottage.

Redknapp believes the teenager rejected by his former club has matured into a 29-year-old striker good enough to be considered for a call into Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup.

But his immediate concern is that the player whose scintillating form has seen him score 15 goals in 34 starts this season threatens to dash the Cup ambitions of Spurs, who also effectively showed him the door.

When Spurs caretaker manager David Pleat paid West Ham £7million for a disaffected Jermain Defoe in February 2004, Zamora went the other way from White Hart Lane back to Upton Park almost unnoticed.

He had failed to replicate his prolific scoring for Brighton, managing just one goal in 18 appearances in a white shirt. Yet Redknapp argues: "Tottenham let Zamora go too quickly."

The manager added: "He was a terrific schoolboy footballer at West Ham but then he disappeared out of the game.

"I was manager of West Ham at the time and Frank Lampard Snr used to tell me what a good player Zamora was as a kid. But he stopped playing football and West Ham let him go."

On the same day Zamora was released, the powers that be at West Ham decided that a defender by the name of Paul Konchesky was also surplus to requirements.

It is testament to the determination to succeed embodied in both men that they later returned to be team-mates at Upton Park. And both have played vital roles in Fulham's revival under Roy Hodgson.

Redknapp said: "Roy knows how to get the best out of Zamora and this season he is producing the goods. He is a possibility for England's World Cup squad, although if the manager was going to pick him he might have been in the squad to face Egypt.

"This is the best spell of Zamora's career. He seems to thrive on being a big fish, one of the main players. Maybe he wasn't that at Spurs or West Ham."

Not that Redknapp sees Fulham as a one-man band. The way they knocked out Shakhtar Donetsk from the Europa League last month will serve as a warning about the potency of Fulham's threat tomorrow, even though they have won only one of their last nine clashes against Tottenham.

Redknapp said: "Fulham are a tough nut to crack and they got an incredible result against Shakhtar. Roy has done a great job and they have some other good players like Brede Hangeland and Danny Murphy."

There is also Nicky Shorey, with whom Redknapp was linked during the January transfer window before the Aston Villa left-back was snapped up on loan by Hodgson.

Shorey, like Redknapp, is a member of the Zamora fan club. "We used to play against each other in Essex when we were younger," said the former England international, recalling his early teens when he turned out for a youth team called Comet against Zamora's Senrab side that also produced John Terry, Sol Campbell, Defoe and Ledley King.

"I don't think there is a more in-form striker than Bobby. It's a shame he didn't get his chance for England against Egypt but it's not too late for him. If he keeps playing well, it will be impossible to turn a blind eye to him. He's a bit like Peter Crouch. He's good in the air and he's good on the floor."

Ah yes, Crouch. It didn't escape Shorey's notice that both the striker's goals for England on Wednesday were made by passes from Egypt's left flank.

Shorey knows Spurs will seek to serve Crouch, assuming he plays at least some part tomorrow, from the same direction. "It will be tough," he said. "Tottenham are full of good players.

"I might need a step ladder to stop Crouch. He looks like he is enjoying his football and that's when you get the best out of yourself."

Just like Zamora.

Fulham v TOTTENHAM: Jermain Defoe a major doubt for Harry Redknapp's injury hit side

By Sportsmail Reporter

Last updated at 1:19 PM on 05th March 2010
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Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has hamstring problems and is a doubt for the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Ledley King (thigh), Tom Huddlestone (groin), Jermaine Jenas (groin), Aaron Lennon (groin) and David Bentley (groin) are already ruled out.
Carlo Cudicini (wrist and pelvis) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) are long-term absentees, while Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker are cup-tied.

Provisional squad: Gomes, Alnwick, Corluka, Assou-Ekotto, Dawson, Bassong, Bale, Kranjcar, Modric, Palacios, Crouch, Gudjohnsen, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe, Rose, Livermore, Dervite, Parrett, Fredericks, Townsend, Kane.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1255724/Fulham-v-TOTTENHAM-Jermain-Defoe-major-doubt-Harry-Redknapps-injury-hit-side.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0hJecQa6g (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1255724/Fulham-v-TOTTENHAM-Jermain-Defoe-major-doubt-Harry-Redknapps-injury-hit-side.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0hJecQa6g)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/mar/05/squad-sheets-fulham-tottenham-hotspur


Squad sheets: Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur  

guardian.co.uk, Friday 5 March 2010 13.26 GMT

This should be one of the better quarter-finals, not least because both clubs have serious intentions of winning the FA Cup. For Fulham, also forging ahead in the Europa League, these successes are another indication of Roy Hodgson's success in raising the team's sights above mere survival in the Premier League.

While a top-four finish is Tottenham's priority Harry Redknapp will be looking to Roman Pavlyuchenko to continue his burst of scoring form to help Spurs over another hurdle. That said, this one is looking like a replay. David Lacey

Venue Craven Cottage, Saturday 5.20pm

Tickets £25-30 (0870 442 1234)

Previous meetings Fulham wins 11 Tottenham wins 34 Draws 25

Referee M Clattenburg

This season's league matches 22 Y64, R5, 3.14 cards per game

Odds Fulham 11-5 Tottenham 6-4 Draw 12-5


(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2010/3/5/1267798290983)

Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic Fulham
Subs from Zuberbühler, Smalling, Kelly, Stoor, Teymourian, Riise, Greening, Elm, Dikgacoi, Konchesky, Nevland, Okaka

Doubtful Konchesky (ankle)

Injured Dempsey (knee, Apr), Paintsil (knee, Apr), A Johnson (knee, Aug)

Suspended None

Form guide (all comps) DDWWWW

Disciplinary record Y47 R5

Leading scorer Zamora 13

Tottenham
Subs from Alnwick, K Walker, Dervite, King, Assou-Ekotto, Rose, Gudjohnsen, Crouch

Doubtful Bale (knee), Bentley (groin), King (knee), Defoe (hamstring)

Injured Jenas (groin, 27 Mar), Huddlestone (ankle, Apr), Lennon (groin, Apr), Cudicini (pelvis/wrists, Aug), Woodgate (groin, Aug)

Suspended None

Unavailable Kaboul (cup-tied)

Form guide (all comps) WWWDLD

Disciplinary record Y50 R1

Leading scorer Defoe 22

Match pointers
• Fulham have lost one of their last nine home meetings with Tottenham in all competitions – 4-0 in the fifth round of the FA Cup in 2007

• Tottenham have lost on the the last three occasions that they made the sixth round of the FA Cup

• Fulham have failed to score in their last three league meetings with Tottenham

• On this day exactly 101 years ago Tottenham beat Fulham 1-0 in the FA Cup at White Hart Lane

• Roy Hodgson won the Swedish Cup twice (1986 and 1989) as manager of Malmo

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/matches/season=2010/round=2000039/match=2000945/prematch/background/index.html

Juve hoping to spoil Hodgson return


Published: Friday 26 February 2010, 23.06CET


Roy Hodgson has guided Fulham FC to their best ever European campaign, but he will have to use all his nous to get the better of Juventus as the manager returns to Italy with the London side.


Roy Hodgson has guided Fulham FC to their best ever European campaign, but he will have to use all his nous to get the better of Juventus as the manager returns to Italy with the London side.

Read moreJuventus have not been in the best form at home against English sides in recent years, but will hope their luck can change as Roy Hodgson returns to Italy in the UEFA Europa League round of 16, looking to lead Fulham FC to another new high.

Previous meetings

• This will be the first encounter between the two sides.

• Juventus boast plenty of experience of English opposition, with their record from 36 games reading W14 D8 L14 (W10 D4 L3 at home). They have not won in their last four home fixtures against Premier League sides, recording three draws and a defeat since beating Newcastle United FC 2-0 in the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League group stage.

• Juventus have lost all four of their two-legged knockout ties against English clubs since they overcame Liverpool FC 1-0 in the 1985 European Champion Clubs' Cup final.

• Fulham have contested four matches against Italian clubs, putting together a record that reads W1 D2 L1 (W0 D1 L1 in Italy). Those fixtures comprise a 5-3 aggregate win against Bologna FC (one of Juve coach Alberto Zaccheroni's old clubs) in one of the 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup finals and two games against AS Roma in this season's UEFA Europa League group stage – a 1-1 draw in London and a 2-1 defeat in Rome.

• All seven of Fulham's goals against Italian clubs have been scored by non-British players: four for Junichi Inamoto (Japan) and one each for Sylvain Legwinski (France), Brede Hangeland (Norway) and Diomansy Kamara (Senegal).

Match background
• Juventus have triumphed in just one of their last six European home games, seeing off Maccabi Haifa FC 1-0 in this season's UEFA Champions League group stage, though four of those fixtures ended in draws.

• Fulham have recorded two victories, two draws and two defeats in their six European away games this season. Encouragingly, they have only failed to score once in their 13 European away trips since making their continental debut in 2002.

• In reaching the last 16, Fulham have far eclipsed their previous best season in Europe, when they reached the 2002/03 UEFA Cup third round. Juve, meanwhile, are bidding to make it to their first European quarter-final since losing to Arsenal FC in the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League last eight.

Team facts
• Fulham coach Roy Hodgson faced Juve six times while in Italy coaching FC Internazionale Milano from 1995 to 1997. His record from those four league games and two Coppa Italia ties reads W1 D2 L3 (W1 D0 L2 in Turin).

• Both coaches managed Udinese Calcio for a while: Zaccheroni between 1995 and 1998, and Hodgson from 2001 to 2002.

• Hodgson crossed swords with Juve coach Zaccheroni at both of his Italian clubs. His Inter side played Zaccheroni's Udinese four times, recording three wins and a draw, but Zaccheroni gained revenge of a sort when he was coach of S.S. Lazio, winning 4-1 at Hodgson's Udinese in a 2001/02 Serie A contest.

• Juve coach Zaccheroni has yet to win in five outings against English clubs, with his AC Milan and Inter sides recording three draws and two defeats – including a 5-1 home reverse for Inter against Arsenal in the most recent game, a 2003/04 UEFA Champions League group-stage fixture.

• Hodgson's record in six UEFA club competition games against Italian opponents – with Malmö FF and Fulham – reads W1 D3 L2. That sole victory came against his future employers Inter in the 1989/90 European Cup.

• Juventus boast more European experience than any other side in the round of 16, having disputed 340 matches in UEFA club competition; by contrast, only Russian champions FC Rubin Kazan have played fewer European games than Fulham (26).

• Fulham striker Bobby Zamora has committed 25 fouls since the start of the group stage – more than any other player left in the competition. FC København forward Dame N'Doye has the same total, but his side were eliminated in the round of 32.

• The tie concludes at Craven Cottage on 18 March. The draw for the quarter-finals will be staged the following day.

http://www.clubfanzine.com/tottenham_hotspur/v2.showNews.php?id=27602

Fulham v Spurs - Can we patch up the midfield to reach Wembley?


Friday 05 Mar 2010 14:05:58 by Editor

Spurs are one step away from an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley as we face Fulham at Craven Cottage. 
0 comments have been left on this story

Spurs Preview – Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur (FA Cup sixth round – 6 March 2010)
Expected line-ups

Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Hangeland, Hughes, Shorey, Greening, Gera, Murphy, Duff, Etuhu, Zamora, Okaka Chuka.

Tottenham: Gomes, Assou-Ekotto, Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, Palacios, Modric, Kranjcar, Bale, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe.

TPC's key battle: Zamora v Dawson

To see the up-to-date injury list for both sides, click here.

Recent meetings

League: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Fulham, 26-01-2010
League: Fulham 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur, 26-12-2009
League: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Fulham, 26-12-2008
League: Fulham 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur, 15-11-2008
League: Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 Fulham, 26-12-2007

Preview

It may not be the final that Spurs have the chance to progress to but a victory at Craven Cottage on Saturday evening gives us a trip to Wembley for the third season running with the semi-finals of the FA Cup again being played at the famous stadium this year. Standing in our way are Roy Hodgson's charges from the banks of the Thames.

Tottenham's two meetings with Fulham this season have not revealed anything new about an opponent that have settled very nicely in the top half of the table again under a wily manager. Fulham are a touch lightweight on the road and suffer from having a small squad when key players are injured. Spurs won 2-0 at a canter at White Hart Lane at the end of January.

At Craven Cottage though it is a different story. A home record of W9 D2 L3 with just nine goals conceded is an identical record to Spurs in the league and they represent a remarkably sturdy outfit on their own turf. Were it not for Heurelho Gomes in that Boxing Day meeting we would have been the tenth league victim on that list and by some margin. Spurs rode their luck that day to prise a draw and a repeat of that would not be the worst scenario here given they have just one league win on their travels.

For that to happen, Spurs have to find a way to deal with the midfield crisis that is threatening to derail our season. Tom Huddlestone limped out of the victory against Everton while Jermain Jenas had surgery this week. David Bentley and Aaron Lennon are both out too to leave gaping holes in a key area. Wilson Palacios, Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar are the only fit regular midfielders and how Spurs find a fourth option could be crucial.

The best option may be to try to translate Gareth Bale's brilliance in the past month into a different position with Benoit Assou-Ekotto coming back in at left-back. Personally, I'd like to see a combative Bale in central midfield but Harry Redknapp is more likely to play Modric in the middle, maybe Kranjcar at a push. Whatever decision he makes, it is vital that Spurs are able to match up physically in the centre of the park.

The absences of Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate barely make team news these days given their regularity on the sidelines and Michael Dawson and Sebastien Bassong will need to be at their best to outmuscle Zamora. With all the injuries in mind, and the fact that our old 'friend' Mark Clattenburg will be the referee, it would be a very notable achievement for Spurs to earn a point and a hat-trick of replays would be worth it should it culminate in another trip to Wembley.

Prediction

Fulham 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6004777,00.html


Hodgson is up for the cup

Cottagers boss vows to give his all in the pursuit of major silverware


By Chris Burton   Last updated: 5th March 2010   



Roy Hodgson has told skysports.com that the FA Cup features prominently on Fulham's list of priorities.

The Cottagers have progressed through to the quarter-final stage of this season's competition, where they are set to face Tottenham Hotspur.

Dreams of a glorious day out at Wembley are now beginning to build on the banks of the Thames, with the club having been starved of success for far too long.

Hodgson admits he will be doing all he can to help Fulham end their barren run and insists he would never seek to undermine the FA Cup by fielding a weakened side.

"We don't take any competition lightly and we will be doing our best," he told skysports.com.

"Of course, though, the answer to the obvious question: Would you rather be out of the Premier League and reach a final of a cup competition? - all of us would say no.

Sacrifice
"Being in the Premier League and being in there year after year has to be the be all and end all for us and we couldn't sacrifice that for any competition.

"But we like to think that because we have good players, and at least at the start of the season we had a big squad, you like to believe that you can compete on all the fronts. Certainly the FA Cup and the Europa League are very high priorities as far as we are concerned."

Fulham have never landed a piece of major silverware, with an FA Cup final defeat to West Ham United in 1975 as close as they have ever come.

This could be the year that their prayers are finally answered, but Hodgson admits there is a long way to go before he can lay claim to being the first manager to guide the Cottagers to cup glory.

"It would be nice to do that, but it's a long way off," he said.

"We have to win a quarter-final, we would have to win a semi-final and then the final - that's three big games against three big teams.

"The dream is still alive because we are still in the competition. We have bought our lottery ticket, we are still in with a chance, but between buying a lottery ticket and winning the jackpot there is a long way to go."


Mistakes

Hodgson has spent a large part of his managerial career coaching abroad, but the FA Cup holds a special place in his heart.

He believes the competition will always retain its 'magic' in the eyes of supporters and feels a number of notable shocks this season prove his point.

"I think there always will be magic," he said.

"It's a knockout competition and we all know that it's all very well being drawn against teams in a league below you, but that isn't to say that you are going to waltz to victory.

"You still have to make sure that you are firing on all cylinders and that you don't make any mistakes and that you take the chances which come your way.

"If that doesn't happen, we have never sheltered from the fact that you can slip to a surprise defeat at the hands of a side you are expected to beat."

FA Cup 09/10 Win Outright: Fulham 12/1

http://www.thepost.ie/breakingnews/sport/eyeyidideyid/


Fitness test for Murphy


05/03/2010 - 15:04:38

Fulham captain Danny Murphy will undergo a fitness test before tomorrow's FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham at Craven Cottage.

Murphy is struggling with a groin strain and could miss out, but left-back Paul Konchesky may feature after making a full recovery from his ankle injury.

Andrew Johnson, Clint Dempsey and John Pantsil remain in the treatment room, all with ankle injuries.

Team (from): Schwarzer, Zuberbuhler, Baird, Kelly, Shorey, Stoor, Konchesky, Hangeland, Hughes, Smalling, Gera, Duff, Murphy, Greening, Davies, Etuhu, Riise, Nevland, Elm, Okaka, Zamora, Marsh-Brown.

http://www.fansfc.com/story/19429.html

Malbranque fighting for Sunderland future

09:00 AM 05 March, 2010


Steed Malbranque is fighting for his Sunderland Football Club future.

The French playmaker has been a hit in England since he first turned up at Fulham in the summer of 2001, when he made the move to London from Lyon.

He spent five seasons at Craven Cottage before making a move to Tottenham Hotspur, where he again impressed before moving to the Black Cats in 2008.

Malbranque, 30, has struggled for form this season, though, and although Steve Bruce's side is often crying out for creativity, the Journal believes the midfielder could be sold in the summer.

http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2010/03/05/atherton_interview_2/

Atherton thinks the ROI on Google AdWords is not as good as it was with the print model, and that Dabs suffered a lot of click fraud when he was there. Click fraud occurs when a business receives a lot of automated clicking on their ads, for the purpose of generating a charge per click without having actual interest in the target of the ad's link. "I'm a big disbeliever they've got click fraud sorted," Atherton says.

Once he'd established Dabs' "perfect" online systems, Atherton considers some of his best decisions to have been in Premier League football sponsorship. "We got the Fulham shirts very cheap for a premiership club." This figure was probably around £1.5m for a two year deal in 2003. Bolton's shirts were unavailable at the time, but Dabs got its name in its Reebok Stadium tunnel, for a bargain figure which increased seven-fold the following season.

At the time BT bought Dabs, rival eBuyer caught up with the business and surpassed it. Atherton believes it ran a sustained "penny under Dabs" strategy to help achieve this. Ebuyer is backed by mega-multimillionaire kitchen magnate Malcolm Healey.

"It was perfectly legal and a very smart tactic. They were determined to get revenue, revenue, revenue and when one of Britain's 20 richest people decides to take on Dabs – they're going to win."

Atherton started Dabs.com in 1990. Highlights under his watch include boosting profits from £500,000 to £5m in one four-year period, and getting sales to £190m. ®

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/05032010/63/injury-doubt-defoe.html


Injury doubt over Defoe


Fri, 05 Mar 13:16:31 2010

       
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has hamstring problems and is a doubt for the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Ledley King (thigh), Tom Huddlestone (groin), Jermaine Jenas (groin), Aaron Lennon (groin) and David Bentley (groin) are already ruled out.

Carlo Cudicini (wrist and pelvis) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) are long-term absentees, while Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker are cup-tied.

http://www.bettingpress.com/category/Football/Fulham-FC-v-Tottenham-Hotspur-FC--FA-Cup-preview-and-betting-tips-2010030500122/

Fulham FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC - FA Cup preview and betting tips


Betting Press Staff - 5 Mar 2010


Craven Cottage set for an enthralling cup tie as Fulham FC entertain Tottenham Hotspur FC.

The last time Spurs travelled across London to Craven Cottage, they left with a nil-nil draw, and then just over a month ago, they beat the Fulham two-nil at White Hart Lane. Harry Redknapp's side enjoy playing Fulham, although 6/4 (Boylesports) that they win on Saturday is far too short, against a side who are unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions.

Fulham have won nine out of fourteen at home in the Premier League this season, and they have an excellent defensive record at Craven Cottage. They are 11/5 (Victor Chandler) to beat Spurs, and if they can stop Jermaine Defoe (6/1, Coral) and Roman Pavlyuchenko (13/2, Bet365) from scoring, then they have a great chance of victory.

Fulham are 11/4 (SkyBet) to keep a clean sheet, and 9/2 (SkyBet) to win to nil on Saturday, and five shut-outs in their last eight matches suggest Roy Hodgson's side are definitely capable of stopping opponents from scoring.

Bobby Zamora is playing the best football of his life at Fulham, and the former Spurs striker will be keen to maintain his excellent scoring record this season with the game's opener (13/2, SkyBet), and a Zamora goal in a one-nil Fulham win (17/2, SkyBet) is a not inconceivable outcome to the game. That double pays a respectable 33/1 with SkyBet.

Recommendation

Win Market – Fulham (11/5, Victor Chandler)

Win to Nil – Fulham (9/2, SkyBet)

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8742_6004662,00.html

Reading's win at Anfield kick-started this season's competition, and they have earned their tie on Sunday lunchtime. But if I worked for E.ON or the FA, then I would be hoping that they advance no further. The presence of Tottenham in the semi-finals would add a deal of interest, but there is at least some romance to Roy Hodgson's Fulham so a Spurs defeat would be no disaster. Villa, though, and Chelsea are the best available ingredients for the last four, and as the best two teams left I hope they contest the final, whatever the attractions of a Pompey return or a rare shot at a trophy for Stoke or Birmingham.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/10/03/05/SOCCER_Tottenham_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=soccer

REDKNAPP ADMITS TO NUMBERS WORRY

By Mike McGrath, Press Association Sport


Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admits he cannot fill his bench with senior players for the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham after Jermain Defoe returned from England duty with a hamstring complaint.

Defoe is rated as 50-50 for the clash at Craven Cottage, with Ledley King already ruled out with a thigh injury and groin problems accounting for Aaron Lennon, David Bentley and Jermaine Jenas, while Tom Huddlestone has damaged ankle ligaments.

"Jermain has had tight hamstrings, run down his legs like sciatica-type pain," Redknapp said. "He felt it after the game at Wembley, he didn't feel very good with it at all.

"He felt his back was tight before the game and he'd been having treatment on the back of his hamstrings here, but they all seem to roll into one. The physios will see if they can work their magic on him."

Redknapp upset the odds against Manchester United in the last eight of the competition two seasons ago and accepts it will require another backs-to-the-wall display to get past Roy Hodgson's men, given his selection problems.

Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker are cup-tied, so Andros Townsend and Jake Livermore have been recalled from loans to help with numbers.

"It's quite easy to pick the team at the moment because I think we've got about 12 fit players," Redknapp said. "We'll have to play people out of position but we've still got 11 very good players."

Jenas underwent an operation in Germany this week, while Huddlestone's foot is in a protective boot and he needs another scan before it is known how long he will be out.

Lennon's injury is also worrying as he has not played since December and a comeback date has not been set, with the winger given the instructions to rest for six weeks.

"It'll take a bit of time," said Redknapp, assessing Lennon's recovery.

Redknapp at least has his available strikers in top form. Roman Pavlyuchenko has scored six in his last four appearances, while Peter Crouch came off the bench for England and scored twice against Egypt on Wednesday.

"When we took him to Portsmouth from QPR, if you'd have said he would play for England people probably would've laughed at you," Redknapp said. "But he's done fantastic. His goal record with England is superb - he's a must now to go to the World Cup and he's bang in the driving seat to have a chance to start.

"He brings something very different and, when he plays, the results have been excellent.

"He could be England's super-sub or super-starter - I think he's capable of both. He'll never let you down and always do the job."

Crouch considers his 2006 FA Cup win with Liverpool as the high point of his club career - and he is desperate for success with Spurs.

He told Sky Sports News: "This club deserves to get to a final. I've been lucky enough to win it, it's a fantastic feeling and hopefully I can do it again with Tottenham.

"We are in the fight for fourth place and that will go to the wire, but we're in the cup as well so it's exciting times."

Redknapp is expecting a tough test against Fulham, adding: "To beat Shakhtar Donetsk over two legs was one of the great performances because they're UEFA Cup holders.

"Fulham are a well-drilled, organised team. Roy gets everything out of them. People like Danny Murphy, Roy's resurrected their careers almost. It'll be a very difficult game."

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/05032010/58/fa-cup-match-facts-fulham-v-spurs.html

FA Cup - Match Facts : Fulham v Spurs


Opta - Fri, 05 Mar 12:24:00 2010

 
Match facts and stats ahead of the Fulham v Tottenham FA Cup sixth round match.


Only two goals have been scored in the last three games between Fulham and Tottenham.

The last FA Cup meeting between these London sides saw Tottenham win 4-0 at Craven Cottage in 2007, with both Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov netting braces.

These sides have been drawn together four times in the FA Cup, with Tottenham progressing on all four occasions.

The FA Cup defeat in 2007 is the only time Fulham have lost to Spurs at home in their last nine meetings at the Cottage.

This is the second consecutive season that Fulham have reached the FA Cup quarter finals; losing 4-0 at home to Manchester United in their last-eight match last term.

Spurs have lost three consecutive FA Cup quarter final ties, two of these coming against London clubs.

Opta

Harry Redknapp confident Tottenham striker Peter Crouch can be super starter or super sub for England

By Laura Williamson


Last updated at 1:59 PM on 05th March 2010


Peter Crouch can be England's 'super starter' in the World Cup, according to  Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp.

The Spurs striker came off the bench to score two goals against Egypt on  Wednesday night but his club manager thinks he is good enough to start for his  country in South Africa.

Redknapp said: 'He could be England's super sub or super starter – I think he's capable of both. He'll score goals whether he starts or comes off the bench. 

Tall order: Club boss Harry Redknapp thinks Peter Crouch can play a vital role for his country in this summer's World Cup.... but he might not start for Spurs this weekend because of the form of Roman Pavlyuchenko (below)

'He's a good all-round player and his goal record with England is superb. He's a must now, to go (to South Africa), and he's bang in the driving seat to have a chance to start, I would imagine.

'It was great to see Crouchy come on and score his goals (on Wednesday night). He took both goals really well and led the line great. You'll always get an honest performance from Crouchy – he's a fantastic person as well.

'He'll never  let you down and always do the job.

'When we took him to Portsmouth to QPR, if you'd have said he would play for England people probably would've laughed at you. But he's done fantastic.'

Yet, despite bagging two goals in England's 3-1 win earlier this week, Crouch may be relegated to the bench for Tottenham's FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham on Saturday, owing to the sparkling recent form of Roman Pavlyuchenko.

First-choice striker Jermain Defoe is, however, rated as 50-50 for the clash at Craven Cottage after aggravating a hamstring strain at Wembley on Wednesday.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1255721/Harry-Redknapp-confident-Tottenham-striker-Peter-Crouch-super-starter-super-sub-England.html#ixzz0hJlVba1q (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1255721/Harry-Redknapp-confident-Tottenham-striker-Peter-Crouch-super-starter-super-sub-England.html#ixzz0hJlVba1q)

http://betting.betfair.com/football/fa-cup/fa-cup-betting-fulham-v-tottenham-050310.html

FA Cup Betting: Fulham v Tottenham

FA Cup  / Jaymes Monte / 05 March 2010 / Leave a comment


Roy Hodgson has given a master class in getting the most from a small squad this season, but for how long can he continue to stretch his players to the limit?
Jaymes Monte analyses an FA Cup game which he hopes will be an entirely different spectacle from that which he witnessed last Sunday...

"With Fulham suffering just three home defeats all season – Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea – it is difficult to justify Spurs being such clear favourites at 2.5. Yet that display against Sunderland is still too fresh in the memory to suggest backing Fulham at 3.2, what if it wasn't a resolute away performance? What if they really are on running on empty? "

I had the displeasure of paying to attend the Sunderland versus Fulham game last week and let me tell you that reports of it being one of the worst games of the season are not exaggerated. The best way of describing the game is to say that it was a team that didn't want to win playing against a team who didn't know how to win. However, we shouldn't denigrate or criticise Fulham, after all this is the cornerstone from which they have built their success under Roy Hodgson - win your home games and anything that you can pick up on your travels is a bonus.

Unfortunately, there is little that can be taken from that game which can be applied to this one. Fulham's defence coped amicably with the strains of having played in Ukraine less than 72 hours earlier, but they were never fully stretched by a lacklustre Sunderland attack. They lacked any potency or intent going forward but that was more a case of not wanting to stretch the game and expose their defence too much. In short; Fulham dictated the pace and style of the game at the Stadium of Light, but this week's FA Cup tie against Tottenham is an entirely different proposition.

The first question to ask is whether Hodgson would welcome another game for his stretched squad in an already hectic season. The answer to that will undoubtedly be yes if that game is an FA Cup semi-final, but if it is a quarter-final replay then he would maybe think twice. On the other hand, if Fulham have aspirations of playing Europa League football again next season then it would have to be suggested that the FA Cup is their only realistic route. Ironically, Tottenham have the squad to cope with a European campaign and whilst securing fourth place in the Premier League will be their primary target they have the resources to do both that and continue on their FA Cup glory trail.

With Fulham suffering just three home defeats all season - Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea - it is difficult to justify Spurs being such clear favourites at 2.5. Yet that display against Sunderland is still too fresh in the memory to suggest backing Fulham at 3.2, what if it wasn't a resolute away performance? What if they really are on running on empty? And if the replay is such an undesirable consequence for the Premier League manager these days, should we really be backing the draw at 3.4? One of them has to come in, but I'll be damned if I know where the value is here.

Perhaps goals are the way forward. Spurs have strikers who are in form in Roman Pavlyuchenko - five goals in just 192 minutes of football - and Peter Crouch - two goals and a man of the match performance for England in midweek - yet one of them could miss out at the expense of Jermain Defoe - 22 goals in all competitions this season - if he is declared fit. Over 2.5 goals is priced at 2.2 and looks like it could be the better value, especially for in-running traders, but you may want a saver on Tottenham to keep a clean sheet at 3.3 because I feel Fulham will need to score for this one to come in.

Harry Redknapp will be hoping that he finds himself in Hodgson's predicament come this time next season and they will certainly be better equipped to cope with it. But for now all the plaudits must go to The Cottagers and their success in keeping a Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League campaign on track simultaneously. They are 14.5 to win the FA Cup and 22.0 to win the Europa League but either or both would surely be a step too far.

http://www.football.virginmedia.com/page/BristolRovers/NewsDetail/0,,12555~1985320,00.html

Trollope keen on duo stay

05 Mar 2010


Bristol Rovers boss Paul Trollope is keen to keep on-loan duo Wayne Brown and Paul Heffernan at the club for as long as possible.

Brown, who is currently nursing an ankle injury, extended his loan from Fulham by a further month this week, while Trollope is also keen to keep Doncaster striker Heffernan, who has revealed his own desire to prolong his spell with the League One club.

Trollope told Press Association Sport: "We believe that Fulham are talking to Wayne about extending his contract. I think they've been pleased with how he's progressed over the last few years.

"He's a player who's a big interest to us, somebody who ticks all our boxes of quality, motivation and his athleticism, so he's one that whatever happens with the situation at Fulham, we'll be looking closer at his situation for next year."

On Heffernan, Trollope added: "He's a player who's made a decent impression and we'll be speaking to Doncaster in the not so distant future about maybe extending it for the remainder of the season. His attributes have been there for all to see and he's done well for us.

"The lad's out of contract in the summer so the situation at Doncaster needs clarifying...But certainly he's a player that's fitted in with how we do things very well and we've got a keen interest in him."

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/tottenham-face-injury-crisis-ahead-of-fulham-tie-1916858.html

Tottenham face injury crisis ahead of Fulham tie


By Mike McGrath, PA


Friday, 5 March 2010


Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admits he cannot fill his bench with senior players for the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham after Jermain Defoe returned from England duty with a hamstring complaint.

Defoe is rated as 50-50 for the clash at Craven Cottage, with Ledley King already ruled out with a thigh injury and groin problems accounting for Aaron Lennon, David Bentley and Jermaine Jenas, while Tom Huddlestone has damaged ankle ligaments.

"Jermain has had tight hamstrings, run down his legs like sciatica-type pain," Redknapp said. "He felt it after the game at Wembley, he didn't feel very good with it at all.

"He felt his back was tight before the game and he'd been having treatment on the back of his hamstrings here, but they all seem to roll into one. The physios will see if they can work their magic on him."

Redknapp upset the odds against Manchester United in the last eight of the competition two seasons ago and accepts it will require another backs-to-the-wall display to get past Roy Hodgson's men, given his selection problems.

Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker are cup-tied, so Andros Townsend and Jake Livermore have been recalled from loans to help with numbers.

"It's quite easy to pick the team at the moment because I think we've got about 12 fit players," Redknapp said. "We'll have to play people out of position but we've still got 11 very good players."

Jenas underwent an operation in Germany this week, while Huddlestone's foot is in a protective boot and he needs another scan before it is known how long he will be out.

Lennon's injury is also worrying as he has not played since December and a comeback date has not been set, with the winger given the instructions to rest for six weeks.

"It'll take a bit of time," said Redknapp, assessing Lennon's recovery.

Redknapp at least has his available strikers in top form. Roman Pavlyuchenko has scored six in his last four appearances, while Peter Crouch came off the bench for England and scored twice against Egypt on Wednesday.

"When we took him to Portsmouth from QPR, if you'd have said he would play for England people probably would've laughed at you," Redknapp said. "But he's done fantastic. His goal record with England is superb - he's a must now to go to the World Cup and he's bang in the driving seat to have a chance to start.

"He brings something very different and, when he plays, the results have been excellent.

"He could be England's super-sub or super-starter - I think he's capable of both. He'll never let you down and always do the job."

Crouch considers his 2006 FA Cup win with Liverpool as the high point of his club career - and he is desperate for success with Spurs.

He told Sky Sports News: "This club deserves to get to a final. I've been lucky enough to win it, it's a fantastic feeling and hopefully I can do it again with Tottenham.

"We are in the fight for fourth place and that will go to the wire, but we're in the cup as well so it's exciting times."

Redknapp is expecting a tough test against Fulham, adding: "To beat Shakhtar Donetsk over two legs was one of the great performances because they're UEFA Cup holders.

"Fulham are a well-drilled, organised team. Roy gets everything out of them. People like Danny Murphy, Roy's resurrected their careers almost. It'll be a very difficult game."

http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFACup/Match%20Centres%2009-10/Sixth%20Round%20Proper/Fulham%20v%20Tottenham/MatchPreviews/dawson-050310.aspx

The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON

EXCLUSIVE: Dawson's double aim



By Marc Isaacs - Friday, 05 March, 2010



Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson admits he would love the chance to lead his side out at Wembley in The FA Cup Semi-Final and says his team are confident they can win the competition this season.

Dawson has been handed the captain's armband following injuries to Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate and is now producing some of the best football of his career.

After beating Bolton in a tricky Fifth Round replay at White Hart Lane, Tottenham now travel across the capital to face Fulham in the Quarter Finals.

Dawson is looking forward to a tough London derby at Craven Cottage and feels his side have enough quality to win The FA Cup for the first time since 1991.

"We are looking forward to it. We are 90 minutes away from Wembley," Dawson exclusively told TheFA.com.

"Let's hope we can achieve another win like we did against Bolton and then we can look forward to a day out at Wembley. 

"We have a lot of work to do before that. We will take it game-by-game and we have to concentrate on the next one coming up.

"When you go to Wembley you want to win The Cup. If we go there in a Semi-Final, we will certainly want to go back there again. It is not just about one day out, it is Cup Final day that you want to be there for, not just the Semi-Finals.  You want to win The Cup, it is as simple as that.

"Every game we go into we believe we can win. This year you look at the teams that have gone out of The Cup, but the teams that are still in will all be thinking the same as us. 

"We went to Fulham on Boxing Day and Craven Cottage is always a tough place to go. We went there a few years ago in The FA Cup and got a good win and hopefully we can do the same this time, but we know it will be a tough game.

"They will have a massive belief that they can go on and win The Cup, so our first aim is to go and win at Fulham which will be a tough game in itself."

Dawson is also relishing the chance to meet up with several former Tottenham players at Craven Cottage. Simon Davies and Danny Murphy both played alongside Dawson at White Hart Lane, while Bobby Zamora also enjoyed a brief spell in north London before making the move to Fulham.

Zamora has hit a rich vein of form for Fulham this season and Dawson knows he could be the dangerman once again.

"Whenever you play against Bobby you know you are going to be in for a tough game.  He is certainly on fire at the moment and scoring some good goals," he added.

"The way he holds the ball up and his goalscoring, you know he is a top player. 

"Simon Davies was here when I first came to Tottenham and Murphy joined us here too.

"I played with Bobby for the Under-21's, but not while I was at Tottenham. They are good players and we know they are a good team so we are looking forward to it.

"You come up against so many good players like him in the Premier League and this will be another good test"

Great Escape Reprints -- another rich, Friday, March 05, 03:34:02pm (83.244.183.135)


Will be ordering these on Sunday probably, so if you'd like one please do put an order in. Ta!


(http://cravencottagenewsround.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/reprintfrontsmall.jpg)


Hi

After much umming and arring I'm going to run a second print run of the now out of print Great Escape Fulham Review.

The trick here is that it's going to be a bit more expensive, as I'm not going to run off 3/400 of them (20/30 more likely). So to cover this I'm going to ask for £10 a copy. Hopefully this doesn't scare too many people off, but it's costing me a lot more to print them. All 06/07 and 08/09 (and 09/10 for that matter, when it's done) remain at the bargain £5 price.

If you'd like to pre-order please go to www.godsfoot.com (http://www.godsfoot.com). When I get a few orders in I'll get them printed up and sent out.

cheers

Rich

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/QFPreview.aspx (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/QFPreview.aspx)
Team News
Friday 5th March 2010

(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Management/hodgson/training1.jpg)


Roy Hodgson revealed that Paul Konchesky is in contention for Saturday's FA Cup clash at the Cottage |whilst captain Danny Murphy will face a fitness test on Saturday morning.

"Paul Konchesky is back in contention for a place in the Team, "said Hodgson during Friday afternoon's press conference. "He's recovered from his January injury.

"Danny Murphy will have a fitness test tomorrow [Saturday] morning and we'll assess whether the injury he picked up when he had to leave the field at Sunderland has fully healed. It will be touch and go.

"Other than that it is the long term injuries of Pantsil, Dempsey, Andrew Johnson and KG Dikgacoi. They are the players that remain out of contention."

No one at Fulham is underestimating the task at hand at the Cottage on Saturday but as Hodgson explained, the players are clearly relishing the opportunity to fight for a place in the Semi-Finals of the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday evening.

"We've been preparing for the game with the players today [Friday] and yesterday, looking into the Tottenham team, and I must say, they've got an enormous array of riches, not least in the attacking area of the field.

"We expect them to be remarkably difficult to play against and expect it to be a very tough game; one worthy of this level of the competition.

"We know what's ahead – if we are lucky enough to win it we've got a trip to Wembley for the first time in 25 years. That in itself is all the motivation we need.

"My Wembley appearances have been extremely limited and it would be great on a personal note to lead the Team out for a Semi-Final at Wembley. More importantly I think it would be great for the Club.

"These are the type of goals you can set yourself at the start of the season and when you get this close to them you realise you're never going to have a better opportunity to cross the line.

"They [the players] deserve the plaudits that come their way but I know they're not satisfied. They want to take it a step further and now it's a question of whether we're good enough.

"Our players on Saturday will be fully aware that this is a great opportunity that has come our way and we've worked for it. Now we've got to do what's necessary to bring home the bacon."



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/QFPreview.aspx#ixzz0hK3u4huY (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/QFPreview.aspx#ixzz0hK3u4huY)