Critics inspire Argyle keeper
Thursday, March 25, 2010, 07:00
6 readers have commented on this story.
ON-LOAN goalkeeper David Stockdale has revealed he was 'spurred on' by criticism of his performances for Plymouth Argyle.
Stockdale, 24, was outstanding for the Pilgrims when they lost 2-1 away to Scunthorpe United on Saturday.
And he also made a series of excellent saves in the second half of the 2-0 win at Ipswich Town on Tuesday.
Yet those two displays came after some less than convincing outings for Argyle, which had many fans clamouring for club captain Romain Larrieu to return between the posts.
The victory over Ipswich saw Stockdale keep only his second clean sheet in 14 appearances for Argyle.
And it boosted the Pilgrims' prospects of escaping relegation from the Championship.
Stockdale said: "It has been a great learning experience for me. I came here to do a job, and that's to keep us in the league."
The loan signing from Fulham had been aware of the discontent among supporters over his performances.
But he has responded in the best way possible by proving his capabilities in the last two matches, and rewarding the confidence shown in him by Argyle head coach Paul Mariner.
Stockdale said: "People say things to you, and you read things. The fans are entitled to express their opinions.
"But I just wanted to show them what I could do, and why I came here. Long may it continue."
When asked whether he had been hurt by the criticism, Stockdale said: "I was spurred on.
"Paul Mariner had the faith in me and he told me, 'We know what you can do'. I had shown that in a few of the games before.
"Yes, I had a dip in form. Everybody does. It's how you come back from that."
Stockdale's display against Ipswich was all the more impressive because he had been suffering from food poisoning.
The Argyle squad had stayed at the plush Five Lakes Hotel in Maldon, Essex for three nights before the fixture at Portman Road.
It was where England were based when they played Croatia in a friendly at Ipswich's home ground in 2003.
Stockdale thought the Argyle players had benefited from staying away, rather than returning to Plymouth after the defeat by against Scunthorpe.
But he revealed: "I got food poisoning on Sunday and I missed training on Monday, so it wasn't so good for me.
"It was only me that ate the prawn sandwiches! It was coming out at both ends."
The Argyle squad returned to their hotel after beating Ipswich, and then caught a return flight to Plymouth from Cambridge yesterday.
Stockdale said: "It's not ideal because the lads don't want to be away from their families.
"But fair play to the gaffer and John. They rallied the lads (after the defeat against Scunthorpe) and kept us going."
On-loan West Ham United defender Bondz N'Gala made his debut for Argyle in the victory over Ipswich.
The 20-year-old played at centre-back alongside Reda Johnson, because of a hip injury to Kari Arnason, and Stockdale was impressed with the way he slotted into the side.
"It's hard for a 20-year-old lad coming into the team, but he's from West Ham so he's going to be good," he said.
Stockdale did not have a single shot to save in the first half against Ipswich, but was much busier after the break as the home side upped their tempo.
The pick of his stops came when he pushed away a free-kick from Blues' substitute Grant Leadbitter for a corner, diving full length to his left.
Stockdale recalled: "The gaffer and (assistant head coach) John (Carver) told me at half-time, 'You are going to be called into action, do what you can'.
"You just keep your head, but I would rather have had nothing to do and we won 2-0 because it was a bit tense."
He added: "The lads didn't actually look at the other scores when we came off. They were that happy with the performance we put in."
Argyle had beaten West Country rivals Bristol City 3-2 at Home Park before making the trip to Scunthorpe.
Stockdale said: "We have got six points out of three games and if you had offered that to us before those matches I think we would have snapped your hand off. We are on a roll."
Argyle now have back-to-back home games against Ian Holloway's Blackpool on Saturday, and Barnsley next Tuesday.
The Pilgrims won 3-1 away to Barnsley as recently as February 13, but lost 2-0 at Blackpool in October.
Stockdale said: "Blackpool will not be easy, but I'm sure the lads can do it. We beat Barnsley up at their place so, hopefully, that will give us a bit of confidence."
Read more: http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/sport/CRITICS-INSPIRE-ARGYLE-KEEPER/article-1944279-detail/article.html#ixzz0jGEePx4l (http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/sport/CRITICS-INSPIRE-ARGYLE-KEEPER/article-1944279-detail/article.html#ixzz0jGEePx4l)
Milsom to Join TPS Turku
Thursday 25th March 2010
Fulham FC News
Fulham Academy graduate Robert Milsom will join Finnish side TPS Turku on loan from 19 April 2010 to 30 August 2010.
Speaking to fulhamfc.com, Milsom was looking ahead to the move:
"I'm really happy to be joining TPS on loan and I'm looking forward to playing as many games as possible," he said. "I've heard positive things from Wayne Brown about his experience and spoke to him regularly whilst he was playing in Finland last season. He did really well and I hope I can too."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/MilsomtoJoinTPSTurku.aspx#ixzz0jGFKXAZN (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/MilsomtoJoinTPSTurku.aspx#ixzz0jGFKXAZN)
Hull City v Fulham tickets
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 27 March
Kick-Off 15:00
This is an all-ticket game.
On-sale dates
*
General Sale Tuesday, 9th March
Prices
*
Adults - £32.50
*
Over 60s / 16-22 year-olds - £20
*
Under 16s - £17
Travel
Coaches depart from Motspur Park at 7:30am, Craven Cottage 8:00am.
Coach travel price
*
Season Ticket Holders - Adults £20 ; Juniors £10
*
Non Season Ticket Holders – Adults £25 ; Juniors £18
To book coach tickets, call 0870 442 1234 option 3.
How to Buy tickets
* by phone on 0870 442 1234 (option 3) Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; non-match day Sat 10am-12pm
* in person from the Ticket Office: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; non-match day Sat 10am-12pm
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/HullCityvFulham.aspx#ixzz0jGFezOuw (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/HullCityvFulham.aspx#ixzz0jGFezOuw)
Fulham v Wolfsburg
WolfsburgUEFA Europa League
Thursday 1 April
Kick-Off 20:05
On-sale dates
*
Season Ticket Holders Now on sale (6 tickets per person)
*
Fulham Club Members Now on sale (6 tickets per person)
*
General Sale Now on sale (6 tickets per person - Putney End only)
Buy tickets now|
How to Buy Tickets
* buy tickets online - 7 days a week, 24 hrs a day. Save on booking fees by booking online*
* by phone on 0870 442 1234 (option 1) - 7 days a week, 24 hrs a day
* in person from the Ticket Office: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; non-match day Sat 10am-12pm
* by fax 0207 384 4810 (download printable form )
* by postal application to FFC Ticket Office, Stevenage Road, Fulham, SW6 6HH enclosing a stamped addressed envelope (download printable form )
* Seatwave - the official fan-to-fan ticket exchange
* Thomas Cook - match breaks for all Fulham FC home games
* Lower booking fees compared to telephone booking
Prices
CottageMap0910Europa
Area Adult Conc Junior
Riverside/Haynes (excludes A/AL) £40 £25 £20
Hammersmith/Putney and Haynes A & AL* £30 £20 £1
*Family Area of A & AL to be sold from FFC Ticket Office only.
* Junior - under 16
* Consessions: Young Person - under 21
* Concessions: Senior - over 65
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/FulhamvWolfsburg.aspx#ixzz0jGG2qfFU (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/FulhamvWolfsburg.aspx#ixzz0jGG2qfFU)
Boat RaceThis year's Boat Race takes place on Saturday 3rd April.
Varsityboatrace
Craven Cottage has become a popular location from which to watch the annual University Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge.
Last year saw over 2,000 people take advantage of the great views, entertainment and first class hospitality from our delightful Riverside Terrace.
You can enjoy the wonderful atmosphere at Craven Cottage this year for just £10. Your Terrace Ticket will entitle you to a drink and hot food option. With a brass band and superb views of the race, Craven Cottage is the only place to be on Saturday 3rd April!
Book Terrace Tickets online|
To further enhance your boat race experience, why not enjoy the day in style with one of our below hospitality packages?
Haynes Lounge
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Pimms reception
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Two-course buffet (main and dessert)
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Unlimited tea and coffee throughout the day
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Full cash bar facility
Price: £45.00 (+VAT) per person
LG Lounge
*
Pimms reception
*
Two-course buffet (main and dessert)
*
Unlimited tea and coffee throughout the day
*
Full cash bar facility
Price: £45.00 (+VAT) per person
Executive Suite
*
Private suite for up to 10 guests
*
Pimms reception
*
Two-course buffet (main and dessert)
*
Unlimited tea and coffee throughout the day
*
Full cash bar facility
Price: £550 (+VAT) per 10 guests
Executive Suite
*
Private suite for up to 10 guests
*
Pimms reception
*
Three-course meal
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Half of bottle of wine and water per guest
*
Unlimited tea and coffee throughout the day
*
Full cash bar facility
Price: £750 (+VAT) per 10 guests
Please note that hospitality can not be booked online. This years Varsity football match will not take place at Craven Cottage.
For more information about this year's event, visit www.theboatrace.org (http://www.theboatrace.org), register your interest below or e-mail
[email protected].
If you have any questions or need advice, call 020 8336 7555 or drop us a line
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Hospitality/SpecialOffersAndEvents/BoatRace.aspx#ixzz0jGGQgdxm (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Hospitality/SpecialOffersAndEvents/BoatRace.aspx#ixzz0jGGQgdxm)
Wolfsburg v Fulham tickets
WolfsburgUEFA Europa League
Thursday 8 April
Kick-Off 20:05 BST - 21:05 CET
Tickets and Travel
The Club is pleased to announce it has secured an allocation of 2,400 tickets for the away leg of the Europa League Quarter-Final against Wolfsburg.
On Sale Dates
*
Season Ticket Holders - Wed 24 March, 9am (1 ticket)
*
Members - Fri 26 March, 9am (1 ticket)
*
Purchase History - Mon 29 March, 9am (1 ticket; Phone bookings only)
Buy tickets now|
Ticket Prices
*
£20 (including booking fee)
Please note Season Ticket Holder / Member making the booking must be the named traveller, tickets can not be allocated to third parties. In accordance with UEFA Europa League regulations, you must pre-register your details| prior to making a booking.
How to Buy Tickets
*
buy tickets online - 7 days a week, 24 hrs a day.
*
by phone 0870 442 1234 opt 3: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; non-match day Sat 10am-12pm
*
in person from the Ticket Office: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; non-match day Sat 10am-12pm
Official travel to see Wolfsburg v Fulham
We are pleased to announce that the Official Fulham Flyer Trip to Germany is now on sale to Season Ticket Holders and Club Members.
From £399pp and includes:
* Chartered flight from Gatwick to Hannover departing on the morning of Wednesday April 7th.
* Coach transfer from the airport to the 4* Grand Maritim, Hannover.
* Overnight accommodation at the 4* Grand Maritim
* Coach transfer from Hannover to the Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg
* Match kick-off 21:05
* Transfer from the stadium back to Hannover Airport after the final whistle
* Chartered flight returning after the game, arriving back into Gatwick in the early hours of Friday morning.
* Fulham stewards and TMG trip escorts throughout
* All taxes, fees and ATOL bonding
* Your match ticket
You will be required to input your Season Ticket Number or Club Membership Number as well as date of birth at the time of booking.
Book your package today|
PLEASE NOTE, THE DAY TRIP PACKAGE HAS NOW SOLD OUT
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/WolfsburgvFulham.aspx#ixzz0jGGlml0y (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/WolfsburgvFulham.aspx#ixzz0jGGlml0y)
http://hammyend.com/?p=6131
Hoesen set to join HJK on loan
by Dan on March 25, 2010
The word is that Fulham's promising Dutch striker Danny Hoesen, who has been impressive for the youth team and the reserves this season, is about to join HJK Helsinki on loan.
Hoesen scored for the second string against Chelsea on Tuesday night and a spell of first-team football on the continent might aid his development. More on this when we get it.
http://fulham.theoffside.com/player-news/loaner-updates.html
Loaner Updates
By: timmyg | March 25th, 2010
Forgot to mention this a few weeks back but Wesley Foderingham joined south east London side Bromley FC of the Blue Square South on March 12 on loan until April 24. On March 13 he started and played 90 minutes in The Raven's 2-0 win over Worcester City. On March 20 he started and played 90 minutes in Bromley's 1-0 loss at Dover Athletic.
Today Robert Milsom joined TPS Turku on loan starting on April 19 until August 30. TPS Turku is the same club Wayne Brown spent last summer at and subsequently was deified.
Several other loaners were in action this past week but I'll include them on the Monday edition per usual.
http://community.footballpools.com/blog/2010/03/25/alan-hansens-premier-league-preview-hull-v-fulham/
Alan Hansen's Premier League Preview: Hull v Fulham
Alan HansenIain Dowie takes charge of his first Hull match at the KC Stadium, a week after his new team threw away a 2-1 lead at Fratton Park with just minutes remaining to lose 3-2. If Iain didn't realise the size of the task he has taken on, he certainly does now after that heart-breaking defeat against Portsmouth. Next up is a clash with a Fulham team that has defied the odds once again this season under Roy Hodgson.
Iain DowieThe Cottagers may well be the victims of their own success after playing a huge amount of games in league and cup this season. Roy hasn't got the biggest of squads at his disposal so the gruelling nature of their fixture list may take its toll on the players. FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Tottenham will have left the players down after looking so comfortable in the first-half at White Hart Lane. Fulham's fitness levels and hunger will certainly be put to the test at the KC Stadium as Iain will be sure to have his players pumped up knowing that his team needs to win their home games to stand any chance of survival.
The KC Stadium is not an easy ground for visiting teams to win at which has been proven by the Tigers form this season. Only two teams have won their since mid-September and those were title contenders Manchester United and Arsenal. Neither of those teams had comfortable rides at Hull with the Gunners needing a rather fortunate late goal to win despite the Tigers being reduced to ten men. Two defeats in eleven home games suggests Hull can pick up a positive result against Fulham. They've drawn quite a few of those games against the likes of Blackburn, Wolves, West Ham, Portsmouth and most notably Chelsea. However, they've also beaten some good teams in this run including Stoke, Everton and Man City. For me, they have an excellent chance this weekend.
Fulham are in a very comfortable position in the league, are not the best travellers and have already played six games this month compared to Hull's three. If the Tigers can play a high-tempo game, they may get some joy as their forwards are all a physical handful and won't give the Cottagers defence an easy ride. Jozy Altidore, Amr Zaki and Jan Venegoor of Hesselink are all big, strong players and their ability to compete gives Hull the opportunity to pressurise away sides at the KC Stadium and to push their backline higher up the pitch which in turn condenses the play. If the Tigers can force Fulham on the back foot then they have an opportunity to pick up an all-important 3 points this weekend.
Fulham have gained plenty of plaudits for their exploits under Roy Hodgson but their away form domestically is hardly impressive. They've won once this season and that came on the opening weekend of the season at Fratton Park. Since then the Cottagers have lost 8 and drawn 6 of their fourteen away league trips. They've also struggled for goals, which is perfectly illustrated by their failure to score in their last five Premier League games on the road.
Despite the Tigers being on a 5-match losing run, I am putting my neck out and backing Hull to pick up a home win on this weekend's Premier 10. With an estimated £30,000 jackpot to be won this weekend, who will you back?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/7519950/Debate-Whos-the-Manager-of-the-Year.html
Debate: Who's the Manager of the Year?
Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes or Roy Hodgson, who is your Manager of the Year?
Published: 11:31AM GMT 25 Mar 2010
Comments 21 | Comment on this article
Wayne Rooney appears a racing certainty to be named Player of the Year, but the managerial award is considerably less straightforward.
With the Premier League season now approaching its home straight, there are a number of outstanding candidates for Manager of the Year.
Starting at the top of the table, a 19th title for Sir Alex Ferguson would be a phenomenal achievement considering the obstacles he has overcome – the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tévez, horrendous defensive injuries and a civil war between Manchester United fans and the club's owners.
Arsène Wenger also deserves huge credit for re-establishing Arsenal as genuine title contenders while playing outstanding football on a limited budget.
What about Roy Hodgson, who has taken Fulham fans on an unforgettable journey into Europe, defeating Juventus and becoming everyone's second favourite team?
With Tottenham favourites to finish fourth and reach the FA Cup final, should Harry Redknapp's achievements be acknowledged?
Or does your vote go to David Moyes, who has shepherded Everton from an early-season injury crisis to the brink of European qualification, beating Manchester United and Chelsea along the way?
http://www.lfconline.com/news/tmnw/fulham_game_confirmed_510164/index.shtml
Fulham game confirmed
By Al Campbell
Thursday, 25th March 2010
Liverpool's game with Fulham is definitely on Sunday, April 11th.
The home game with Roy Hodgson's side is a 3pm kick off on Sunday, April 11th because of the Grand National at Aintree the day before. This game could have been moved if Fulham were involved in the FA Cup semi-final, but their quarter-final defeat to Spurs last night means the game goes ahead as planned.
The final game of the season, away at Hull, is a 4pm kick off on Sunday, May 9th in line with all other Premiership fixtures.
WN, are you feeling better? I hope you are.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/165277/Jimmy-Bullard-issues-apology-for-fight-with-Nicky-Barmby
JIMMY BULLARD ISSUES APOLOGY FOR FIGHT WITH NICKY BARMBY
Friday March 26,2010
By Matthew Dunn
JIMMY Bullard has issued a belated apology for his fight with Nicky Barmby earlier this month that upset the Women's Institute and heralded the departure of Phil Brown as manager of Hull City.
Midfielder Bullard spoke of his "embarrassment" at the altercation with his team-mate at the foot of the Humber Bridge as the players congregated for a post-training warm-down and has said the one positive of the whole affair is that it has made him look at himself more closely as the fight for survival hots up.
"A few things were said, as there always is and then we've ended up having a roll around, me and Nick," said Bullard.
"To be honest, it's probably got a few things out in the open when maybe we might have held back. I'd rather he said what he was thinking and the same goes for me.
"All right, it went over the top and I owe my apologies to the ladies that were there and I suppose anger took over. I hold my hands up, it shouldn't have happened.
"But me and Nick are fine. We had it sorted that Monday. The manager pulled us in and said, 'You two had better shake hands or there'll be consequences'.
"We shook hands because we wanted to, we had a quiet word with each other and said it was silly. It was all put out in the open. Being down at the bottom of the league doesn't help, we don't like losing and we're going to take it out on each other at times.
"Me and Nick took it out on each other but we're fine and we'll get on with it.
"It was all about frustration but, when things are said and it comes to that, of course you look at yourselves in the mirror and ask yourself what you can change."
Bullard responded with a goal against Arsenal in the game that weekend but, at the end of such a turbulent week, Hull's injury-time defeat by the Gunners forced chairman Adam Pearson to put Brown on gardening leave.
A mortified Bullard said: "The incident probably didn't help but I hope to God the reason he went wasn't because of us. It got blown out of proportion. People were talking about right hooks being thrown. The fight is done now but I've not been able to step on that pitch a lot, nowhere near enough for me. There's a big part of me that wants to show people up here what I can do. I don't want to be seen as a peg-leg."
Nine games in over a year since his £5million transfer has done little to dissuade people of that but, at this crucial stage of the season, Bullard knows he has the chance to change people's minds for good.
"I owe the club and the fans," he said. "I want to be remembered for what I achieve on the football pitch."
That process continues with tomorrow's game against Fulham – a club which knows how influential Bullard can be in the fight for survival. Another injury-ravaged season in 2007-2008 saw Bullard on the sidelines until January and, when he finally made his first start of the campaign, it was for a club languishing second from bottom and five points from safety.
However, his inspirational play in the heart of the team was credited with turning performances around and a Fulham side being already consigned to the Championship with 15 points from 23 games ended up securing its safety with 21 more points from the final 15 matches.
Bullard said: "We always believed we could do it and that's what we need to keep doing here.
"There's still 24 points to play for and there will be a few more changes in the league yet. Teams might think they're safe but they can soon get dragged back into it.
"At Fulham we put a little run together and all of a sudden you're right back in the pack. We've had our bad luck and it's our turn for a little run, that's the way I'm looking at it.
"We do really believe and, even if we were to lose against Fulham, we have to keep believing. Knowing the boys like I do, we know we can do it.
"We've got the players here to be as good as Fulham. Nothing much changed at Fulham from the squad that was down fighting relegation to where they are now. That's how quick it can change."
Quote from: Tom on March 26, 2010, 06:46:19 AM
WN, are you feeling better? I hope you are.
Lot better thanks Tom. More depressed now than anything. :dft012:
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/127989/Battered-Steven-Taylor-in-demand/
BATTERED STEVEN TAYLOR IN DEMAND
26th March 2010
By Ian Murtagh
NEWCASTLE defender Steven Taylor is a target of four Premier League clubs – Aston Villa, Birmingham, Everton and Fulham.
And the signs are he could quit St James's Park after his bust-up with team-mate Andy Carroll left him nursing a broken jaw.
Taylor stayed loyal to the Toon following relegation when he could have moved on – but was bitterly upset when Alan Shearer wasn't handed the manager's job.
He was a mainstay at the back this season until a knee injury cut short his campaign in January.
And he won't play again this term having undergone surgery to have his jaw wired following his training ground brawl with Carroll last Sunday.
Newcastle are due to open contract talks with Taylor, 24, in May as his current deal has just one year left.
But the player is believed to be seriously considering his future in the wake of the recent incident.
And the Geordies would rather cash in on one of their biggest assets rather than risk him leaving on a free transfer next June.
That's alerted a clutch of top-flight clubs who will enter the race to sign the £8m-rated former England Under-21 international.
After talking with his family, Taylor decided not to press charges against Carroll, who lashed out at him in the treatment room at Newcastle's Benton training base after an argument over a girl.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7076652.ece
Chelsea and Liverpool among clubs on credit agency blacklist
Simon Goodley
* 1 Comment
Recommend? (1)
Seventy per cent of Barclays Premier League clubs have had their credit ratings "suspended", an investigation by The Times can reveal.
Reports seen by this newspaper and generated by Riskdisk, a credit checking agency, reveal that 14 of the top-flight sides have been blacklisted, essentially meaning that companies trading with them are advised to withdraw credit terms.
The data — calculated using a range of financial metrics including payment history, court records and information contained on company balance sheets — does not take into account whether a club have a wealthy benefactor or are owned by a cash-rich holding company so the line-up contains some surprising entries.
The clubs with a "suspended" rating are Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Stoke City, Wigan Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Rob McLaughlin, the director of Riskdisk, said: "The ratings do not predict what a wealthy backer may do. They are based on information available from sources such as Companies House and from the courts. There is no assumption made that a shareholder may put more money in."
In addition, clubs including Chelsea and Bolton have County Court Judgments on their records, according to the Riskdisk reports, which will adversely affect their score.
Tottenham Hotspur are not given a rating of any kind because of technical accounting reasons concerning a high level of intangible assets on the club's balance sheet. In this case intangible assets relate to how the club value their players.
While the analysis seen by The Times is proprietary and will differ from ratings agency to agency, the research highlights the creaking finances of many Premier League clubs after the crisis at Portsmouth, who became the first Premier League side to go into administration last month. It also illustrates the different commercial basis on which football is run when compared with the rest of business.
The discovery of the credit blacklist, which applies to clubs' operating rather than holding companies, is mirrored by research by another credit-ratings firm, Experian, which concludes that five Premier League sides are on its "financial critical" list, although the identity of the clubs is unclear. In January the agency blacklisted eight clubs.
Joe Myers, the head of commercial credit at Experian, said: "We do not recommend credit to companies in the maximum risk group."
Many of the blacklisted clubs claimed to be unaware of their ratings and insisted that the score does not affect their day-to-day business operations. Others refused to comment.
When asked about their "suspended" credit rating, Everton said: "That information is commercially sensitive. We simply do not discuss such matters with the media."
Tottenham said: "The club has very good relationships with all its suppliers and business partners, and would certainly never need to provide up-front payments. Equally, Tottenham is very highly rated by financial institutions as a result of its prudent financial management, very strong balance sheet and substantial levels of cash generation. The club takes a conservative view when valuing its intangible assets and therefore the net present value of the playing squad is also substantially understated."
Manchester United and Arsenal are considered "good risks" to whom it is "OK to offer your best terms" in the reports, as are Blackburn Rovers. Sunderland are rated a "normal risk" but suppliers to West Ham United are warned that the club are "a little higher than average risk. Proceed with caution."
Matt Grayson, the head of marketing and communications of Wolves, whose owner, Steve Morgan, has injected £30 million into the club's holding company, said: "We are one of the most financially stable clubs in the Premier League, with a significant amount of cash in hand which sits on our balance sheet."
Clubs with strong parent companies can provide "parental guarantees" to lessen credit risks.
Riskdisk, which was founded 11 years ago and employs more than 100 people, supplies almost 20,000 businesses with monthly credit reports on about 50,000 UK companies.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/americans-get-a-kick-out-of-facing-england-1927938.html
Americans get a kick out of facing England
As the World Cup approaches, the start of the Major League Soccer season has ushered in a crucial year Stateside.
Simon Hart reports
Friday, 26 March 2010
Seventy-nine days before the United States' World Cup showdown with England in Rustenburg, the new Major League Soccer season began last night with not so much a bang as a sigh of relief.
A week ago there had been no guarantee the curtain-raiser between the Seattle Sounders and Philadelphia Union would even take place, given the threat of strike action by the players' union.
That it was averted last Saturday with a new five-year collective bargaining agreement between the MLS and players offered an early cause for celebration for a league that is gradually growing up.
As it enters its 15th season, the MLS now boasts 16 clubs with the addition of the Philadelphia franchise. More than half the teams are now in specific football stadiums, with New York Red Bulls – linked with a move for Thierry Henry – leaving Giants Stadium behind for the impressive 25,189-seat Red Bull Arena. One side in particular provide a notable success story, Seattle Sounders achieving an average home crowd of 30,942 in their first MLS campaign last year when, with Freddie Ljungberg in their ranks, they reached the quarter-finals.
The former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol, now coach at New England Revolution, finds reason for encouragement. The longest-serving coach in the MLS, he is entering his ninth season and says: "It has developed with the quality of players. The one thing that hasn't happened is an out-and-out superstar, but the standard is rising. The guy who is 20 on the roster will probably play now, whereas eight years ago if he played, we were in trouble. Teams couldn't live in the Premier League but they could cope with the Championship."
Nicol sends his charges into action tomorrow against an LA Galaxy side missing David Beckham but featuring the league's poster boy Landon Donovan. He says Donovan's impressive recent loan spell at Everton attracted plenty of attention. "Everybody involved in football watched him. He's gone to England and made a name for himself. It is good for us that a guy in our league goes to the Premier League. It gives us more credibility."
Donovan is part of a United States team playing their sixth successive World Cup in June and who were Confederations Cup runners-up in South Africa last year. But according to Grant Wahl, Sports Illustrated writer and author of The Beckham Experiment, the success of the US team and key players like Donovan, Everton's Tim Howard and Fulham's Clint Dempsey does not automatically equate with a strong domestic league. "The concern is there are fewer US players on the World Cup team coming from MLS than ever before. This year it is probably going to be five or six," he says.
Wahl fears that the MLS has "lost some of the star power it had" with the absence of Beckham, who helped Galaxy average crowds of 28,000 on the road in his first two campaigns, and Mexico international Cuauhtemoc Blanco, a big draw for the Hispanic communities, who has left Chicago Fire.
These factors may not have stopped the Sounders selling 36,000 tickets for every game until August but the picture is less rosy elsewhere. LA Galaxy and FC Toronto were the only other franchises to pass the 20,000-mark in 2009 with the overall average falling slightly to 16,037.
Come the World Cup interest will soar. Wahl says: "ESPN are promoting it far more than ever. Whenever you turn it on, not just during soccer games, they are flogging the World Cup." For the first time the MLS will pause during the tournament's first round and at the league's headquarters there is hope the game's biggest show will have a knock-on effect.
England fans will hope Fabio Capello's side can douse that enthusiasm but Nicol does not rule out an upset. "If they are going to surprise England it is going to be a team effort but that is how the American team plays. The one thing the Americans do have is they have been winning a lot of games, and coming back to either win or draw games. They have got a togetherness."
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1801_6054534,00.html
Volz offered loan deal by Warnock
Former Fulham full-back Moritz Volz has been offered a contract until the end of the season by Queens Park Rangers boss Neil Warnock.
Volz has been without a club since leaving Fulham last summer, but could now finish the season at Loftus Road.
The 27-year-old trained with the Championship side in January and Warnock said: "Moritz has done really well. I've made him an offer, but he has options abroad."
The German also trained with Schalke in January, but he failed to impress sufficiently to earn a contract with the Bundesliga outfit.
Volz spent last season on loan in the Championship with Ipswich Town and spent six years with Fulham after previously playing for Arsenal.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Tottenham-v-Fulham-FA-Cup-analysis-After-losing-their-50th-game-of-the-season-to-Spurs-have-the-Cottages-got-the-legs-for-success-this-year-By-Neil-McLeman-article366689.html
After losing their 50th game of the season to Spurs, have Fulham got the legs for success?
By Neil McLeman in Mirror Football Blog
Published 22:15 24/03/10
The pitches are better and the pictures are no longer in black and white. But Roy Hodgson and his Fulham team, who played their 50th match of their long season last night, are a throwback to a different age of English football.
When players went to the ground on the bus and had a pint in the pub afterwards.
The avuncular 62-year-old, like a character out of an Ealing comedy, is the only man who in the Empire who still refers to "the Arsenal".
But just six days after felling the mighty Juventus, the Spurs had the last laugh in the FA Cup last night.
Like his opposite number Harry Redknapp, Hodgson picks good players in a simple system. He has a big safe goalkeeper, two big centre-backs who can tackle all day and a big old-fashioned centre-forward who can't stop scoring.
If Fabio Capello were to fall under a No 11 bus tomorrow, he would be the logical choice as the next England manager.
But though Fulham face Wolfsburg in the quarter-finals of the Europa League next week, the effort of playing so many matches is taking its toll.
They have now won only one in their last eight games - that miracle against Juventus - and lost four of their last five in all competitions.
After a stretch of nine games umbeaten till recently, Hodgson and his men now need to turn back the clock a few weeks to capture some glory.
Quote from: White Noise on March 26, 2010, 06:49:44 AM
Quote from: Tom on March 26, 2010, 06:46:19 AM
WN, are you feeling better? I hope you are.
Lot better thanks Tom. More depressed now than anything. :dft012:
Glad to hear you are feeling better! I am depressed about that second half too.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8587637.stm
Hull v Fulham
Live text and stats
Content will update automatically
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Premier League
Home Team Score Away Team Time
Hull v Fulham 15:00
HULLFULHAMPossession
Hull 50% Fulham 50% Attempts on target
Hull 0 Fulham 0 Attempts off target
Hull 0 Fulham 0 Corners
Hull 0 Fulham 0 Fouls
Hull 0 Fulham 0
Barclays Premier League
Venue: KC Stadium Date: Saturday, 27 March 2010 Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day
TEAM NEWS
Hull winger Stephen Hunt is hopeful of making his 100th Premier League appearance on Saturday after a five-week absence with a foot injury.
George Boateng returns after suspension and Jozy Altidore has recovered from a hamstring strain, but Andy Dawson is doubtful with a similar problem.
Fulham striker Bobby Zamora could miss out with a stomach bug that forced his substitution at Tottenham in midweek.
Andrew Johnson and John Pantsil remain long-term absentees.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hull
Doubtful: Dawson (hamstring), Hunt (foot)
Injured: Ashbee, Zaki & Zayatte (all knee), Cooper & Gardner (both ankle)
Fulham
Doubtful: Zamora (illness)
Injured: A Johnson & Pantsil (both knee)
MATCH PREVIEW
Football Management Consultant Iain Dowie need look only as far as the opposition dugout for the ideal football manager to consult on avoiding relegation.
There is enough in this squad to keep us up. No doubt about that
Iain Dowie, Hull's Football Management Consultant
Dowie's new club Hull are in a near identical situation to the one that faced Roy Hodgson at Fulham two years ago: second bottom with eight games to go and effectively four points from safety due to an inferior goal difference. Fulham memorably rallied and survived.
Hull have the added luxury of a game in hand on the teams around them, and their next four games are against mid or lower-table opposition.
Nonetheless, Dowie seemingly has much to do to convince Hull's supporters he will prove to be an effective firefighter. Victory in his first home game in charge will go some way to quelling the doubts.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Fulham's only win in their last six league visits to Hull was a 3-0 victory in the fourth tier in October 1996.
606: DEBATE
Have your say on this match
Hull
• Hull are battling to avoid a sixth consecutive league defeat, which would equal their worst run of last season.
• Their only victory in the last 16 league matches was 2-1 at home against Manchester City in February.
• They have conceded 19 of their 64 league goals in the last 15 minutes of matches this season - more than any other club.
• Nick Barmby has scored 99 club career goals.
• Andy Dawson has made 199 league starts for Hull.
Fulham
• Fulham have gone 14 games without a Premier League away win since beating Portsmouth on the opening day of the season.
• It is seven hours and 35 minutes, spanning five games, since they scored an away goal (Clint Dempsey's consolation strike at Stoke on 5 January).
• Fulham have only scored in the first half of one of their last 11 Premier League games.
• Mark Schwarzer is poised to make his 400th Premier League appearance, while Paul Konchesky will make his 300th.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Hull
Hunt: 6 goals (6 league); Geovanni: 5 goals (3 league)
Fulham
Zamora: 17 goals (8 league); Gera: 9 goals (2 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Chris Foy
Assistant referees: Dave Bryan & Bob Pollock
Fourth official: Mark Clattenburg
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Hull (L2-3 v Portsmouth, a): Myhill; Mendy, McShane, Mouyokolo, Dawson (Garcia 70), Folan, Marney, Bullard, Kilbane, Fagan, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Barmby 66). Subs not used: Duke, Geovanni, Cooper, Olofinjana, Cairney.
Fulham (L1-2 v Manchester City, h): Schwarzer; Baird (Riise 80), Hughes, Smalling, Konchesky, Duff, Murphy, Etuhu, Davies, Gera (Okaka 55), Zamora (Dempsey 52). Subs not used: Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Shorey, Greening.
MOST RECENT MEETING
Fulham 2-0 Hull City (19 October 2009)
Fulham scorers: Zamora 43, Kamara 64
Up next: Hull City (a)
by Dan on March 26, 2010
Another great trip up to Hull awaits those amongst our travelling army who aren't counting the pennies with a trip to Wolfsburg on the horizon. Fulham's Europa League quarter final against the German champions might also be on the mind of Roy Hodgson. It's the highlight of our run-in now after that second half collapse at White Hart Lane cruelly ended our FA Cup run on Wednesday night.
With the first leg at the Cottage on Thursday, Hodgson's team selection will be particularly interesting. Only once before this season – against Manchester City last weekend – could you definitively say that Hodgson purposefully left players out of the side for a league game. Brede Hangeland was clearly given as much time as possible to nurse his chest injury and he may miss our game at the KC Stadium which, given the way Chris Smalling looked particularly falliable against City, might be a brave decision.
The boys looked very tired by the end of Wednesday night's contest, which is understandable given the exertions of a season that has now reached 50 games. Whether Hodgson decides to freshen things up in midfield remains to be seen. Clint Dempsey worked miracles when he came off the bench against Juventus but has had to wait for a first team chance as he comes back from that knee injury. The American might be given a run in place of Simon Davies tomorrow afternoon, but much will depend on how Hodgson sees as his first choice for Wolfsburg.
Equally, the central midfield partnership could be freshened up. If Chris Baird doesn't replace Stephen Kelly at right back (and I thought the Northern Ireland international was rather harshly dropped in midweek), he might come into the midfield, which would set up an intriguing meeting with Jimmy Bullard. After their history, will they shake heads? Of course. Might Baird go in a bit strong early on? Probably. Dickson Etuhu had a poor second half against Spurs and Danny Murphy still doesn't look quite right and considering that these were the sort of games you thought Jonathan Greening might be useful for, it may make sense to play him.
Hull will be a difficult proposition at the KC. Their home form kept them afloat last season and Iain Dowie will be targeting home wins to take them towards safety this time around. Fulham fans certainly won't need reminding of City's ability to pick up points. Our best ever season started pretty well at the KC, with an early lead courtesy of Seol Ki-Hyeon well deserved, but Fulham faded badly after Geovanni's screamer and the home side were good value for the three points. Their victory at Craven Cottage, which ultimately helped secure Hull's Premier League status, was more of a smash and grab raid, though Phil Brown's joy at the late winner was obvious.
The Tigers have plenty of players we would do well to keep an eye on. Bullard will be the name on everyone's list, but the success of Hull's survival bid will depend on how well Dowie utilises the creative talent at his disposal. Dean Marney seems to have quietly established himself as a regular member of the midfield, but his industry might dovetail nicely with Geovanni's penchant for the spectacular. Injured Irish international Stephen Hunt, rated 'unlikely' to play a part tomorrow, will be a real loss for the home side. Caleb Folan made a dramatic return to goalscoring form as Dowie came close to a dream start at Portsmouth at the weekend, but the new 'football management consultant' isn't short of options up front.
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is certainly a useful option and shouldn't simply be considered a target man, but for me the big mystery is why Brown failed to use the promising Jozy Altidore more regularly. The young American, on loan from Villareal, was rumoured to be a Fulham target in the summer and plenty of people – including this correspondent – were very excited about the prospect of Altidore making his mark in the Premier League. He hasn't really managed it at Hull, for whatever reason, and it would be entirely Fulhamish if he beat off a hamstring injury to play a starring role on Saturday.
MY FULHAM XI (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Kelly, Shorey, Hughes, Hangeland; Baird, Greening, Duff, Davies; Dempsey; Okaka. Subs: Zuberbuhler, Smalling, Dikgacoi, Murphy, Riise, Gera, Zamora.
http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~2006149,00.html
Box Office Bulletin: Fulham
Posted on: Fri 26 Mar 2010
Wolves are hoping for another sellout following for next month's trip to Fulham after increasing their allocation to 2,900.
Wolves were initially receiving 1,600 tickets for the trip to Craven Cottage on Saturday, April 17, (kick off 3pm), but as a result of demand from supporters have now decided to take up the larger allocation.
Wolves will have to pay Fulham for all tickets whether sold or otherwise, and are therefore hoping supporters will continue their excellent away support this season for what could prove a crucial game.
Boss Mick McCarthy has regularly commented on how the level of away support has proved beneficial to the team this season, and indeed Wolves boast the joint-eighth best away record in the Barclays Premier League.
Another packed following in keeping with the majority of the games so far this season should once again inspire the players as they bid to secure top flight status as the campaign nears its conclusion.
Tickets go on sale from 9am tomorrow (Saturday) to Season Ticket Holders, one ticket per supporter number subject to availability.
Tickets will then go on general sale from 9am on Wednesday, April 7, again one per supporter number.
Away Season Ticket Holders in Scheme A will have tickets reserved until 5pm on Tuesday, April 6, while those in Scheme B will have them automatically processed and posted next week.
Click here for all the pricing details.
The game is Wolves' first visit to Craven Cottage in nine years, since losing 2-0 in a Championship encounter in April, 2001.
Wolves visit to Fulham during the 2003/04 Premier League season came when the Cottagers were ground-sharing at Loftus Road.
http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/striker-doubtful-for-tigers-test-1042755.html
Striker doubtful for Tigers test
Last Updated: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:55
Leading scorer Bobby Zamora faces a fitness test ahead of Fulham's trip to Hull on Saturday.
Zamora gave Fulham the lead at Tottenham on Wednesday night as they went out of the FA Cup but failed to finish the game because of illness and will be tested before the clash at the KC Stadium.
Roy Hodgson's side has gone three Premier League games without a win and have still not won away from home since the opening game of the season at Portsmouth.
But long-term injury casualties Andy Johnson and John Pantsil are still out while Kagisho Dikcagcoi has failed to recover from knee trouble in time.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11714_6055227,00.html
Hull City v Fulham preview
Tigers need three points in Cottagers test
By Danny Wright Last updated: 26th March 2010
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: 1-0
SKY BET odds: Hull 6/4, Draw 12/5, Fulham 7/4
One to Watch: Jimmy Bullard
Hull City face a massive fixture when Fulham visit the KC Stadium on Saturday, with three points desperately needed for Iain Dowie's side to keep in touch with the teams around them.
Dowie's reign as Tigers boss got off to a heart-breaking start when they were defeated by two late goals at Portsmouth last week, throwing away a 2-1 lead to hand the bottom club all three points.
The result - coupled with good returns for rivals Wolves and Wigan - piled the pressure on the Humberside club, although they are only three points shy of 17th placed West Ham, albeit with a much worse goal difference.
Dowie has eight games left to save his new team after succeeding Phil Brown, and victory over Roy Hodgson's men - his first home game in charge - would be a welcome boost after five successive losses.
Fulham suffered disappointment on Wednesday as they were dumped out of the FA Cup by London rivals Tottenham, ending their hopes of chasing silverware on two fronts.
The Cottagers have enjoyed a barnstorming run in the Europa League, reaching the quarter-finals of the competition after seeing off Italian giants Juventus in the last round.
It means Hodgson's men could have one eye on their glamorous date with German champions Wolfsburg on Thursday, although the manager will be keen to improve his side's poor away record.
Fulham have tasted success on the road on just one occasion this season on the opening day at troubled Pompey, and a win would see them close the gap on ninth placed Birmingham to three points with a game in hand.
On the contrary, Hull's home record makes for steady reading, suffering just four losses at the KC Stadium - however Fulham cantered to a 2-0 triumph in the reverse meeting back on October.
Hull news
:
Stephen Hunt remains a doubt for Hull after suffering from a foot injury that has seen miss the last three matches, and Kamil Zayatte, Anthony Gardner and Ian Ashbee (all knee) will take no part.
Captain Andy Dawson (hamstring) was forced off during the defeat to Portsmouth, meaning Kevin Kilbane could deputise at left back.
That means George Boateng could take the armband as he comes back into the fold following a one game ban, although there will be no sign of loan star Amr Zaki, who has a knee injury.
Liam Cooper (ankle) is unlikely to feature, however front man Jozy Altidore (hamstring) returns to tussle with Caleb Folan and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink for a berth up-front.
Fulham news
:
Top-scorer Bobby Zamora should be fit enough to make the first XI, despite being feeling unwell during the second half of the FA Cup loss at Spurs.
The 17-goal front man fell ill during the opening 45 minutes with Hodgson revealing in the aftermath his striker had suffered a stomach problem.
Defender John Pantsil is out with a posterior cruciate ligament injury and he is not expected to be back before April, but Brede Hangeland should continue in defence following a chest problem.
Andrew Johnson is out for the remainder of the season, meanwhile David Elm shrugged off a virus to come on as a substitute in Wednesday's game.
Probable XIs:
Hull: Myhill, Marney, McShane, Mouyokolo, Kilbane, Bullard, Boateng, Fagan, Venegoor of Hesselink, Folan, Mendy.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Hughes, Konchesky, Hangeland, Kelly, Murphy, Davies, Etuhu, Zamora, Duff, Gera.
http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/36083/Tigers_enter_must-win_territory.aspx
Tigers enter must-win territory
Author: Ben Moss
Posted on:26 March 2010 - 10:50 AM
Hull City's Premier League survival hopes could be given a timely boost if they can beat a Fulham side with one eye on their Europa League quarter-final clash against German outfit Wolfsburg.
Iain Dowie lost his first game in charge of the Tigers, at Portsmouth, after being appointed in place of Phil Brown on March 17 and the second from bottom outfit had succumbed in their previous five league fixtures.
They have won just once in their last 16 games and sitting three points from a place outside the relegation places and their brief two-season tenure in the Premier League could be coming to an end.
However, they may take hope from the fact Fulham have lost back-to-back fixtures in the league recently, going down to both Manchester outfits United and City.
They also dropped out of the FA Cup quarter-finals in midweek, losing 3-1 at Tottenham Hotspur and with Premier League survival more than guaranteed, their attention may shift to their fantastic European exploits once again.
Knee victims Kamil Zayatte and Amr Zaki will miss out for the hosts as will ankle duo Stephen Hunt and Anthony Gardner.
Long-term absentee Ian Ashbee (knee) will not return before the season comes to an end but on-loan Villarreal striker Jozy Altidore (hamstring) is pushing for a recall.
Fulham forward David Elm has been laid low with a virus and he could struggle to feature. Andrew Johnson and John Paintsil (both knee) are ruled out.
Hull should cast their eye back to their first Premier League fixture on August 16 2008.
They beat Fulham 2-1 on that day at KC Stadium, making a dream start in the top-flight with Geovanni cancelling out Ki-Hyeon Seol's opener before substitute Caleb Folan's late winner sent the home crowd wild.
Craven Cottage also proved a happy hunting ground last season as Hull grabbed a fortunate 1-0 success, despite being on the backfoot for much of the contest.
Manchester United loanee Manucho scored the winner, ending a run of 11 games without a win and they scraped survival despite not winning any of their final ten fixtures after the narrow success at Craven Cottage.
However, Fulham scored a 2-0 win to gain a little revenge earlier this season as goals in either half from Bobby Zamora and Diomansy Kamara caused the damage.
HULL v Fulham: Stephen Hunt and Andy Dawson set to miss Iain Dowie's first home match
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 10:38 AM on 26th March 2010
Comments (0) Add to My Stories
Key Hull duo Andy Dawson and Stephen Hunt are unlikely to be fit for the crunch clash against Fulham at the KC Stadium.
Stand-in captain Dawson limped off with a hamstring injury during last week's 3-2 defeat at Portsmouth and leading scorer Hunt has been sidelined for more than a month with a foot problem.
Manager Iain Dowie, who takes charge of his first home game, will have George Boateng back from suspension while Jozy Altidore has recovered from a hamstring injury but youngster Liam Cooper (ankle) and Amr Zaki (knee) are set to miss out.
Club captain Ian Ashbee (knee) participated in training for the first time this week after almost a year on the sidelines but remains some way away from a first-team return.
Kamil Zayatte (knee) and Anthony Gardner (ankle) are also long-term injury victims. Dowie remains hopeful Gardner will return before the end of the season but admits Zayatte may not.
Provisional squad: Myhill, Duke, Marney, McShane, Mouyokolo, Kilbane, Bullard, Cairney, Garcia, Geovanni, Boateng, Ghilas, Olofinjana, Barmby, Altidore, Fagan, Venegoor of Hesselink, Folan, Mendy.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1260864/HULL-v-Fulham-Stephen-Hunt-Andy-Dawson-set-miss-Iain-Dowies-home-match.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0jHnAmVnA (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1260864/HULL-v-Fulham-Stephen-Hunt-Andy-Dawson-set-miss-Iain-Dowies-home-match.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0jHnAmVnA)
http://betting.betfair.com/international-football/german-football/bundesliga-betting-preview-will-distraction-get-th-260310.html
Mainz 2.94 v Wolfsburg 2.64, the draw 3.4
Many moons ago I played a season of Sunday league football for a team in Nottingham called County Highways. We were useless. In the first 20 minutes of my first match in goal, my left-back sliced a clearance past me into the top corner, I was chipped while trying to organise the wall at a free-kick, and our lumbering centre-back Patch underhit a backpass to set up an easy third.
I was reminded of those traumatic days by Wolfsburg's catastrophic display last weekend, as the champions lost 5-1 at home to rock-bottom Hertha Berlin. Wolfsburg's defenders played like they'd been introduced to each other on the morning of the game, and Hertha couldn't believe their luck.
Caretaker coach Lorenz-Gunther Kostner blamed the defeat on tiredness from the Europa League tie against Rubin Kazan, but frankly that doesn't wash. Wolfsburg's defence has been shambolic all season, and they've now conceded more league goals (51 in 27 matches) than anyone else in the Bundesliga.
While Wolfsburg have dramatically underachieved, Mainz continue to exceed expectations. Thomas Tuchel's men were tipped as relegation-battlers in the summer, but with seven games left they lie ninth in the table. An outstanding home record has been the bedrock of their season - they've won eight out of 13 matches, and lost just once. They will, however, have to find their scoring touch without suspended forward Aristide Bance.
Recommended bet: Mainz are excellent at home, and Wolfsburg's confidence is in tatters. The champions also have next week's Europa League trip to Fulham to consider. Back Mainz to win at 2.94
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/7521148/Hull-City-v-Fulham-match-preview.html
Hull City v Fulham: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Hull City and Fulham at KC Stadium on Saturday March 27 2010, kick-off 15.00 GMT.
By John Ley
Published: 6:00AM GMT 26 Mar 2010
Saturday, March 27
Hull City v Fulham
KC Stadium
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT.
TV: Highlights, BBC1 Match of the Day.
Iain Dowie leads Hull for the first time at the KC Stadium after losing his opening game as manager, at Portsmouth last Saturday. That defeat left Hull in 19th place in the Premier League and they are searching for their first win since mid-February, when they beat Manchester City. George Boateng is available after suspension but Kamil Zayatte, Amr Zaki, Anthony Gardner and Ian Ashbee are out and Jozy Altidore and Stephen Hunt remain doubtful.
Fulham have gone three Premier League games without a win and, on Wednesday, they went tout of the FA Cup when they lost 3-1 at Spurs after Bobby Zamora gave them the lead. But the striker failed to finish the game because of illness and will be tested.
Hull (4-4-2): Myhill; Mendy, Zayatte, Mouyokolo, Dawson; Fagan, Bullard, Marney, Hunt; Vennegoor of Hesselink, Altidore.
Fulham (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Kelly, Hangeland, Hughes, Shorey; Davies, Murphy, Baird, Dempsey; Gera; Zamora.
Referee: Chris Foy. Matches: 23. R2. Y60.
This season: Fulham 2 Hull 0.
Last season: Hull 2 Fulham 1, Fulham 0 Hull 1.
Stat of the game: Fulham striker Bobby Zamora has 17 goals, more than in his previous three seasons combined.
Betting tip: Looks a draw. Try 0-0 at 8-1.
http://hammyend.com/?p=6133
Hoesen's Finnish adventure
by Dan on March 26, 2010
A bit more on Danny Hoesen's switch to HJK Helsinki from the Finnish press.
The article notes that Hoesen joined Fulham with a promising reputation from Fortuna Sittard and, although he has yet to make an appearance for the first team, has been featured regularly in the youth and reserve team sides. The loan will apparently last until the start of August, when he will return to England in preparation for the beginning of our league season.
When I've watched the young Dutchman I've been impressed. When I first saw him he came off the bench to deliver a promising cameo against Chelsea reserves last January. He's a tall-ish striker but wouldn't be limited to just a mere target man as he's got the pace to worry defences in behind. He's gradually adjusted well to English football, making more and more of an impact at reserve team level.
Having started off in the youth team, where he scored plenty of important goals (including one in a comfortable win over their Chelsea counterparts), Hoesen quickly won himself a role in the reserve side. He made a goal for Chris Smalling at Pompey and became a more regular fixture at the tail end of last season as Billy McKinlay rotated his line-up with an eye on those who would be able to make the step up from youth level.
Hoesen had an impressive pre-season and looked promising enough when I saw a youthful Fulham side take on AFC Wimbledon in July. Some observers at that game thought he might have the capability to make it, but that was an exceedingly harsh judgement based on a physical pre-season friendly, with many reserve-team regulars missing due to the imminent start of our Europa League campaign. Danny also showed his versatility in the summer by switching to a midfield role in another friendly at Walton Casuals.
Hoesen had to wait for his chance to impress in the reserves, with his contributions largely restricted to substitute appearances. When he did get a start – at Wolves in November – he made Fulham's opening goal in a 2-0 win with a clever run and shot that gave Eddie Johnson a simple finish to set Fulham on their way to victory. He notched another in an impressive win over Stoke with a deadly finish from close range and scored the first in a 3-0 victory over Birmingham the other week.
Hoesen grabbed the first goal against Chelsea on Tuesday and there's little doubt that his development will be assisted by some regular first-team football. Experience of a different type of game would also be a bonus and, since he will be travelling to Finland at a younger age than either Rob Milsom or Wayne Brown, it will be interesting to see how he adapts to the challenge. Since he's very much one for the future, we hope for good reports on Danny's progress.
