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General Category => Archive => Daily Fulham Stuff => Topic started by: White Noise on February 10, 2010, 10:32:04 PM

Title: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 10, 2010, 10:32:04 PM
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson delighted with comfortable win - video interview

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/8507384.stm


Fulham manager Roy Hodgson says his side were good value for their 3-0 win against Burnley.
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 10, 2010, 10:35:46 PM
David Elm video interview -

http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,26691,16426,00.html
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 10, 2010, 10:39:14 PM
http://hammyend.com/?p=5345

How far we've come


by Dan on February 10, 2010

Last night was a first-class Fulham performance. The Whites could have below par or taken Burnley for granted but they showed character to get through some sticky early moments before establishing an unassailable advantage.

Chris Baird continues to have a magnificent season. At the moment, you expect him to come out with a Superman cape on – because he seems to be able to do anything. Strong in the challenge, aware of what's around him and his positioning and good in the air, Baird's been exemplary in central defence and outstanding in midfield. He looked terrific at right back last night and seems so controlled on the ball, gone is the stagefright of that horrible Sanchez season.

Nicky Shorey looks like a really promising attacking outlet on the other flank too. Both of the full backs provided goals last night and that was one of the interesting things about just how Fulham have progressed under Roy Hodgson. Chris Coleman's last game was a lamentable defeat by Manchester City and the distribution from the full back positions was woeful that day:


by Guardian Chalkboards

Now, I'm not blaming Rosenior or Volz for that. Both were decent players who had regressed badly under Coleman's coaching and the tactics he employed left defenders too often without an out ball.

Contrast this with Baird and Shorey on Tuesday night:


by Guardian Chalkboards

That's a striking difference.
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 10, 2010, 10:41:44 PM
http://hammyend.com/?p=5338



Ecstatic Elm



by Dan on February 10, 2010

David Elm was delighted to score his first Fulham goal on only his second league start and hopes that it will be the first of many.

The tall Swede followed up Bobby Zamora's first half shot and the goal was a fitting reward for a bright display from the striker, who seems to have formed a good understanding with Zamora.

It was a really nice feeling scoring my first goal and I hope I can experience the same feeling again soon. It's always good as a striker to score.

We knew it would be a tough game because there are no easy teams in the Premier League but we got a really nice start and played very well in the first-half.

I didn't know the manager before I came to Fulham but I knew he was a great coach because I'd heard so many good things about him. It wasn't a hard decision for me to come to Fulham.

It took four or five months just to settle down and adjust to the tempo and the pace of the play. It was hard in the beginning but you just have to work as hard as you can and do your best. Now it's starting to feel like I can do something here. We have many good players at Fulham and it's going to be tough but I just have to keep on working as hard as I can.

And here's a bit more reaction from David's blog, which is fast becoming a riveting read:
I managed to poke in a goal yesterday. A nice feeling. A rebound that rolled out in front of me, and I had time to think about which foot I would shoot with. Eh, who am I trying to fool? I had time to think about this, I don't miss and I wasn't going to choose my right I can barely stand on the leg.

It felt as early as the warm up that everything would be fine. My body responded to everything I did, there was power, strength, and it was a wonderful feeling. A few nerves, as the start of the game gave way to inspiration and desire.

But what I am most pleased with, after the fact that the team took three very important points, is that I managed to play ninety minutes. Although I was very tired at the end, and mostly ran around and treading water
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 10, 2010, 10:42:45 PM
http://hammyend.com/?p=5340

David wants to deliver at Fulham



by Dan on February 10, 2010

Plenty of reaction to David Elm's impact at Fulham in the Swedish press, who are already speculating that the towering forward has plenty of suitors should we fail to take up an option of offering him a new two-year deal.

His agent said:

Clubs from across Europe have called, but Fulham have got the option to keep him for another two years. He is enjoying himself at the club and feels that he has got Hodgson's confidence.

The man himself seems very happy:

It was good fun. Everything went well. I am really enjoying myself now.

It has been difficult coming from Sweden to the Premier League. There is a big difference in the tempo of the game here and it is more aggressive but I have been patient and I took my chance when I got it against Burnley.

Fulham told me before I joined that I was an interesting player and it would be exciting to see if I could make the step. I knew it was going to be tough but I never had any second thoughts. I love it here. The dream scenario is that I can get a lot of time playing here.
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 10, 2010, 10:45:41 PM
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=187824



Fulham - Marvellous Murphy



Not so long ago I published an article highlighting Danny Murphy's weak spots and the need for a younger more fruitful player to take his role. In general, I'd say people agreed, yet, over the past week, in my eyes, he's been nothing short of amazing.

Against Portsmouth and Burnley in particular he looked to be 'at his best', which, at his age is the most you could ask for. He, for once, looked threatening and his distribution was top-notch.

One thing I've known Murphy holds over most midfielders of his style, is his sheer dogged spirit. He never gives up; If he loses the ball, he'll win it back and he certainly isn't afraid to run from one end of the pitch to the other or stick his foot in for the odd rough tackle.

It's that side of his game that would set him apart from any foreigner we could bring in to replace him. Obviously, plenty of central midfielders have brute force and a reasonable amount of determination, but not many can mix that with the range of passing and attacking contributions Danny can bring us.

His goal really capped off his week as well. It was a cool, calm and collective finish any striker would have been proud of (especially Okaka!)

So this is the time I apologise to Murphy, if he is at all reading this, and congratulate him on what has been a good week for the club as a whole and for him, with some fighting performances on the pitch.

All that aside though, the question does still remain if he's got it in him to sustain these performances week in week out. I certainly hope his recent poor performances were merely a blip and this last week or so is more of a sign of what to expect from him.
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 10, 2010, 10:47:49 PM
http://fulhampatsfan.blogspot.com/2010/02/david-elm-breaks-through-with-first.html?

David Elm breaks through with first goal in Fulham victory



David Elm was the last summer transfer to be added for Fulham for the season. He is 6ft. and 3 inches tall. He looks tall and a little lanky up front. I remember reading more about his brother Rasmus Elm as a very good prospect for Fulham. Rasmus is 21 and ended up going to AZ in the Netherlands.

I had been waiting for months to see Elm get a shot with the first team at Fulham. My thought was if Roy Hogdson signed him at some point he needed to play at Craven Cottage. In the F A Cup against Accrington Stanley I watched him play. I thought he might have a decent first touch as he made some nice passes. I knew I needed to see how he would react in the Premier League.

In Fulham's loss to Aston Villa I thought David Elm showed good effort and hustle. He almost scored his first goal against Aston Villa, but he was offsides when he shot the ball into the net. The Aston Villa game was a horrible loss for Fulham. The team looked out of sorts, but Elm seemed to be one of the only bright spots.

Move forward to last night at Craven Cottage against Burnley. David Elm in the 23rd minute headed a pass to Danny Murphy who scored the first goal of the game. It did look like he was offsides but he was not flagged for it. Next, later in the first half Bobby Zamora's shot was deflected off of the goalkeeper. David Elm was right there to kick and score his first goal in the Premier League.

I think time is needed until the end of the season to make a complete judgement on David Elm. His contract is up with Fulham this summer. According to Sky Sports there is an option for both sides to agree on a 2 year extension. We should have all the answers we need by May.

Posted by Fulham-Pats Fan at 1:46 PM
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 10, 2010, 10:49:51 PM
http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/football/5000274.Hodgson__Fulham_will_give_Notts_County_respect/?

Hodgson: Fulham will give Notts County respect



5:08pm Wednesday 10th February 2010

By Simon Fitzjohn »


Roy Hodgson vows Fulham will take Sunday's FA Cup clash with Notts County seriously after revealing he would gladly trade Europa League glory in exchange for seeing off the League Two side.

Due to cup commitments the Cottagers will play at least eight games in the month of February, including a trip to Ukraine for their clash with Shaktar Donetsk.

And the Fulham boss insists it is a case of prioritising.

Hodgson said: "If I could sacrifice the two Europa League games to progress in the FA Cup and move further up the Premier League I would do that.

"The FA Cup is very important to us.

"It would be great to reach the quarter-finals for two years in a row and we have a real opportunity to achieve something.

"Obviously we know it will not be easy but if we perform like we have been in the last three games we are a match for anybody."

Hodgson was talking after Tuesday's encouraging 3-0 win over Burnley at Craven Cottage, a win secured thanks to strikes from Danny Murphy, David Elm and Bobby Zamora.

And the Fulham boss was delighted to see his side make it seven points from nine, and their third successive clean sheet.

Hodgson added: "We made it comfortable due to the quality of our performance.

"We pressurised them right from the start and were good value for the win.

"I cannot speak highly enough about this group of players.

"We have battled injuries and had some really difficult fixtures, but the players have consistently over-achieved and done more than I could reasonably ask of them."

Fulham's next three matches: Feb 14 Notts County (h), 18 Shaktar Donetsk (EL, h), 21 Birmingham City (a)
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 10, 2010, 10:52:46 PM
http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/

Cottagers Seem to Be Back on Track......Random Thoughts


Posted by Tom Wille 9 hours, 40 minutes ago



Fulham Football Club looked to be in crisis mode at the end of January. Not only did the Cottagers lose four straight league matches, but they were also dealing with an assortment of injuries that would test the team's depth during one of the busiest and most important times of the year. Little was expected of Roy Hodgson's club entering February and perhaps that is how he likes it as Fulham has responded well with two wins and a draw in their last three matches. The most recent, a 3-0 drubbing of Burnley at Craven Cottage put the Cottagers back into 9th place on 34 points.


Fulham definitely seems to be back on the right track after playing extremely poor in January. While the two wins and draw came against weaker opponents in the aforementioned Burnley, Portsmouth and Bolton, the fact remains that Fulham did what was needed to get positive results at a critical time when the team could have packed up the tent and mailed it in as other clubs have done in years past.

This team is resilient and after some patchy play in defense, the staple of this team, the Cottagers have found some form and played much better at the back. Brede Hangeland looks to be healthy once again and Aaron Hughes is as solid as ever. Mark Schwarzer is back on his game and the addition of Nicky Shorey in the back has been a nice addition to a team that has been without John Pantsil and Paul Konchesky of late. The club did a nice job identifying Shorey as a player that could step right in and help the team and the former Reading man has done just that. He has and will continue to be a nice piece of the Fulham puzzle as the season progresses.

Up front and in the midfield, there was no doubt that players would have to step up in the absense of Clint Dempsey and Andy Johnson who are both out for quite some time with injuries. One player that has taken advantage of his opportunity is striker David Elm. The lanky 27-year-old Swedish striker might not be the quickest or have the best touch, but he is creating problems for opposing defenses. On Tuesday, Elm recorded his first goal in league play for the Cottagers and played a key role in assisting Danny Murphy in the opening goal of the match.

Elm, like Peter Crouch, is tall and looks a bit awkward out on the pitch. However, he can hold the ball up and can get into scoring positions. I am not sure he will be the long term solution for the Cottagers offense, but his height alone makes for defenses to have to know where he is at all times and he poses a threat on set pieces as well. He is not as good as Peter Crouch, but he plays similar to him. He is a change of pace attacker that can compliment Bobby Zamora, Stefano Okaka and others well for the Cottagers.

I am pleased with the direction the team is headed after hitting a bump in the road during January. However, the rest of February will be a busy month for the Cottagers. Not only do the Cottagers have a fifth round FA Cup home tie with Notts County, but they also return to the Europa League for a home and home tie with defending champions Shakhtar Donetsk as well as league matches against Birmingham City and Sunderland. Three competitions and a possible six matches over the next 18 days is a lot for any team.

It has been a few weeks since I last wrote in my blog. I apologize for this as my wife was sick and then my child was sick which kept me from writing and keeping this blog current. For those of you with children, I am sure you understand. Anyways, I have some random thoughts I wanted to share you with you regarding Fulham.

- Stephen Kelly is not a Premier League player. He has been lackluster in the back for the Cottagers and the sooner he is not playing regular first team football, the better things will be for Fulham.

- Losing John Pantsil for the season has been possibly the biggest loss of the season injury wise. He played with energy and was a vocal leader in the back for the club. The aforementioned Stephen Kelly is nowhere near as good as Pantsil. My hope is that when Paul Konchesky returns to full fitness that Nicky Shorey will play in the right back role, Konchesky will play on the left and Kelly will no longer be needed. It's tough to watch him out there.

- I was pleased with Fulham's deals during the January transfer window. Both Stefano Okaka and Nicky Shorey will make solid contributions for this team. Seeing as both players joined on loan, the Cottagers did not break the bank for them.

- Could this be the year Fulham makes a serious run in the FA Cup? It's been since 1975 the last time Fulham made it to Wembley and the FA Cup final. With big dogs Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool out of the competition and Fulham facing lowly Notts County on Sunday in the fifth round, there is a distinct chance the Cottagers will advance to the Final eight. I guess it all depends on the draw going forward, but if the ping pong balls bounce the right way and the Cottagers can avoid Chelsea, I would say they have as good a chance as any other remaining team to make it Wembley. Exciting times ahead for the Cottagers in the FA Cup if they can get past Notts County.

- I am not really disappointed in the loss of Andy Johnson through injury. I have waited the better part of a year and a half for Johnson to do something productive on a consistent basis and my wish has remain unfulfilled. Rather than see him being unproductive on the pitch I would rather him get fully healthy and be ready for next season. I also think this gives others like David Elm and Stefano Okaka the opportunity to step in and show the manager and the supporters that one, the other, or both can score goals consistently for the club.

- I like Dickson Etuhu. He may not score a lot of goals and may not do anything flashy but he simply gets the job done. He is a strong, physical presence in the middle of the park that can go toe to toe with opposing players. His presence on the pitch will not allow the Cottagers to get run over physically in midfield. I hope he can continue to improve and play a role for Fulham.

That's all for now. Let me know what you think about David Elm, Dickson Etuhu and the team in general? Do you think the struggles in January are a thing of the past? Can Fulham make it to Wembley and the FA Cup final for the first time since 1975? Have your say. I would love to hear from you.
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 10, 2010, 10:53:58 PM
http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/next-day/?

Next day



Filed under: General — weltmeisterclaude @ 1:38 pm

Just as playing against a good team highlights any weaknesses, playing against a bad team emphasises strengths. So last night we saw several encouraging signs:

Dickson Etuhu, as discussed last night, seems to make Murphy play better. Hard to assess whether this was just the Burnley factor or the two of them working brilliantly as a combination, but something clicked. Murphy must have spent more time in the attacking third than he has in all other games combined this season. His goal, well taken, was a reaction to a nice Elm knockdown, but how often do we see him make those runs? Hardly at all. It wasn't just then though, he got in the box all game. Etuhu, for his part, was swaggering about the place. He looked leaner than I remember him, and moved quickly, passed accurately, and got stuck in to an amusing degree (the yellow card slowed him down on this front).

David Elm, says Roy Hodgson, has been a pleasant surprise. Indeed. Dan highlighted this the other day with some chalkboard work, but he seems a lot more involved in buildup play than most forwards. He doesn't look a natural footballer in the way that Shorey does, but he's effective enough, and has a nice portfolio of skills. You'd say that he's a 6/7 out of 10 in enough areas to be a useful squad player: good enough in the air to win high balls, alright at holding the ball up, tidy enough to pass the ball around, seems to have decent instincts in the area (he's effectively scored twice now in not much time on the pitch), and will work for the team. No 'wow' factor, but solid. Compare this with Nevland, who is a deadly finisher but has a poor first touch and is not a good passer. Not wishing to kick a man when he's down or anything, but it's an interesting contrast, I think.

Zamora was phenomenal. When he plays like this few defenders can stop him. The trick is to get bodies around him to take advantage, and we more or less achieved this. Damian

Duff was too good for Burnley. Even when things were messy Duff was playing well. He get go left and right, can cross or shoot, and was a menace and a half to a sub-par Burnley defence. He is now, I think, our best player.

The defence, with Baird and Shorey on the flanks and Etuhu standing guard, looked phenomenal. Schwarzer really had very little to worry about. Nicky Shorey could not have played better in his first two home games. At this rate Konch is going to be very worried about his place. Shorey seems to be a natural attacking left-back: the step up from fielding Baird or Kelly out of position to Shorey is enormous.

Finally, nice to see Simon Davies back. He had a quietish game, but he's a definite plus when he's fit and we'll need him in the weeks ahead.
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 10, 2010, 10:58:24 PM
http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20100210&content_id=8050868&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

Former and future teammates in Chicago? Chicago forward Brian McBride remains on the lookout for a new running mate or two in the attacking third after Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Chris Rolfe departed during the close season. The Fire's response to those departures may include one of McBride's former teammates from his time at English Premier League club Fulham.

Former Dutch international striker Collins John joined Chicago on trial last week as he attempts to resurrect a once-promising career that included a pair of caps for his country and 11 Premier League goals for the London-based club during the 2005-06 season.

John struggled to replicate that impact in subsequent seasons after battling injuries and poor form, fell out of the side and failed to impress in a trio of loan stints to Leicester City and Watford in the English Championship and NEC Nijmegen in his homeland. After leaving Fulham when his contract expired at the end of 2008-2009 campaign, John plumped for an ill-fated move to Belgian side KSV Roeselare that ended when the two parties terminated their relationship in December.

Despite John's meanderings over the past few years, McBride backed the 24-year-old forward, a fellow January transfer window signing for the Cottagers back in 2004, to recapture his past form, earn a deal and add to the Fire's attacking options.

"He's a very good player," McBride told the Fire website. "He's powerful, he's strong and he's quick. He likes to score goals and you need that sort of attribute, especially because it's good to have a teammate like that. It'll be good to see him out there with the guys and hopefully we'll be able to get him going again."
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 10, 2010, 11:04:49 PM
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23804288-portsmouth-may-be-just-the-first-of-the-chickens-coming-home-to-roost.do

Portsmouth may be just the first of the chickens coming home to roost


Chris Blackhurst



10.02.10



At the Fulham game against Burnley last night, the chat among the fans around me was of Portsmouth's financial troubles. If the club went into administration, how many points would be deducted? If it was wound-up, how would that affect league positions?

It was all about how Pompey's misfortunes would affect our team — whether Fulham would be better or worse off as a result. Not once did anyone raise the wider issue of football's lack of sustainability.

Knowing football, there will be some even today who will accuse HMRC and the accountants and lawyers dealing with Portsmouth of somehow behaving unfairly. As with reactions to decisions taken by the referee, the game's ability to view itself through a myopic lens is often distorting and astonishing.

Clubs have been bought on the back of mountains of debt that need servicing; players have been acquired for ludicrous fees that must be paid; their contracts and those of the other staff require honouring. TV revenues have gone some way to alleviating the burden as have ticket prices and merchandising. But it's not enough: football's blinkered headlong rush has brought it to the point of bankruptcy.

Attempts by the glib money men to justify the numbers in terms of marketing clout and widening global reach have had little positive benefit. Yes, people in Asia are familiar with Manchester United and Liverpool but they also happen to be two clubs with the greatest burdens of all.

The clubs have become locked in a spiral of venality — aided and abetted by equally greedy and spineless authorities — in which they've grown ever more bloated without ever thinking that one day they may be made accountable and the bubble in which they've been operating these past few years may burst.

Which is why, increasingly, the noise you hear in the directors' boxes isn't that of hands clapping but of clucking. Portsmouth is merely one of many, as football's chickens come home to roost.
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 10, 2010, 11:07:36 PM
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-s-David-Elm-admits-Nobody-at-Craven-Cottage-knew-who-I-was-when-I-signed-article319759.html


Fulham's Elm admits: Nobody knew who I was when I signed


Published 22:30 10/02/10


By Mile Walters


Fulham's Mr Nobody David Elm celebrated his first goal for the club by revealing: "None of the players knew who I was when I signed."

Swedish striker Elm, 27, opened his account at Craven Cottage by scoring one goal and making another in the 3-0 win against Burnley on Tuesday night - and he was glad to throw off his cloak of anonymity.

Elm said: "It's always nice for a striker to score his first goal for a new club. It has taken me five months to settle down and get used to the pace of English football, but now I'm starting to feel I can do something here.

"When I joined, none of the other players knew who I was. It was hard because I was no-one, but I have worked hard to help the team and show I belong here.


"I don't know if I'm a big name in Sweden, but I have won the league there with Kalmar FF, although I think my two brothers Viktor and Rasmus are more famous than me."
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 07:25:56 AM
http://fulham.theoffside.com/team-news/burnley-home.html?

Burnley Home

By: timmyg | February 10th, 2010


NONE SHALL PASS!

Okay, maybe a bit dramatic. But boy oh boy was our defense good yesterday. If a team's offense cannot make a pass or attempt a shot inside the box, then they're not going to score.

Which happened yesterday.



(http://fulham.theoffside.com/files/2010/02/Picture-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 07:29:07 AM
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/121754/Fulham-David-Elm-on-root-to-the-top-/?

FULHAM: DAVID ELM ON ROOT TO THE TOP


11th February 2010

By Sami Mokbel

DAVID ELM hopes he will no longer be a Fulham nobody after breaking his goalscoring duck.

But the forward insists he isn't quite ready to replicate team-mate Chris Smalling's meteoric rise.

The Swedish striker hit his first goal for the club in Tuesday's routine 3-0 win at home to Burnley.

Elm joined from Kalmar FF in a £500,000 move in the summer, but has made just two Premier League starts since the switch.

The 27-year-old may have been forced to wait for his first-team chance, but Elm is now out to make a name for himself.

He said: "When I joined, none of the other players knew who I was. It was hard because I was no-one.

"I don't know if I would say I'm a big name in Sweden, but I have won the league there and I think they know my name because of my two brothers (AZ Alkmaar striker Rasmus and Heerenveen utility man Viktor).

"It has taken four or five months to settle down and get used to the pace of play here, but now I'm starting to feel I can do something.

"It was a really nice feeling to score my first goal in the Premier League and I hope I can feel it again.

"I don't think I'll be doing a Chris Smalling and join Manchester United, but I will try to do well."
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 07:30:33 AM
http://www.clarets-mad.co.uk/feat/ed12/i_could_see_one_or_two_heads_dropped_early_in_the_game_494175/index.shtml


I could see one or two heads dropped early in the game



Feature by Tony Scholes


Updated Wednesday, 10th February 2010

Burnley fell to a 3-0 defeat at Fulham and whilst Brian Laws was set to get to the bottom of the poor away record, home boss Roy Hodgson was enthusing about his team's performance.

Fulham, who played so well at Burnley back in December, have had a difficult run of late but now look to be coming out of it with seven points from the last three games. Hodgson said after the game: "It's been a very good week and it was nice to crown it in a positive way.

"I thought we worked well from the first to the last minute and we were good value for our victory.

"With this game coming after a few where were forced to ride our luck from time to time, it was nice to win in a very convincing manner. Getting Simon Davies and Bobby Zamora back was really important and both of them did very well to last as long as they did.

"It was nice to be able to substitute them fairly early on as well and not push them to the limit.

"I thought the victory lay in the hard work and the quality of our defending. We gave them very little time and space to play and we used the ball wisely.

"We got everything right tonight - the defending and attacking - and on a night like that, we would have been a tough nut to crack for any team."

After finally breaking the run without a win on Saturday the Clarets were looking to extend that with a good result at Craven Cottage but it was not to be and Laws said after seeing his side go down 3-0: "After we put in a magnificent performance against West Ham we've not had time to enjoy the moment.

"Fulham have got a great home record and we knew coming here we'd have to have a steely determination about us but I thought the performance wasn't to a standard that we set and what we showed on Saturday.

"However, you have elements within that, that you need to stay in the game. Even though we haven't particularly played well thought the first two goals were offside. You need that fortune on your side where the referee and linesman get it right, but quite clearly the television cameras show they got it wrong.

"They're important decisions for us because we need all the help we can get. If you're not playing well the one thing you have to rely on is making sure the referee and linesman get it right and quite clearly they didn't."

He continued: "We know that we're having a difficult time away from home. We're having to try to change the mindset that's been here all season. Psychologically I think it will start to affect the players because their mindset is an acceptance that this is what's the norm. That's what we have to change.

"I could see one or two heads dropped early in the game. We can't have that, we've got to have players fully focused because we can't carry anybody.

"If anybody's under par that's a difficulty. If you have two or three of them, that's an impossibility. But we've got a terrific opportunity to work with the players over the next three or four days, where we are together.

"I'll get to know them a bit better, we'll hopefully get to the bottom of this and try to find out what we can turn around."
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 07:42:39 AM
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/elm-targets-swedish-cap-after-impressive-start-for-fulham-1895618.html


Elm targets Swedish cap after impressive start for Fulham

Striker desperate to follow his two brothers into the international set-up

By Adrian Curtis


Thursday, 11 February 2010

Striker David Elm is hoping Fulham can help him to emulate his more famous brothers by getting him into the Sweden team. The club's manager Roy Hodgson failed to sign Swedish international Rasmus Elm last summer but decided to take a chance on the midfielder's brother instead.

At £500,000, Elm's signing may turn out to be a real steal after his impressive performance in Fulham's 3-0 win over Burnley at Craven Cottage on Tuesday night. Elm laid on the first goal for captain Danny Murphy with a cushioned header and then scored his first for the club when he slipped the ball beyond Brian Jensen on the half-hour.

The 27-year-old striker was signed from Swedish champions Kalmar FF and although he initially found it hard to adapt to English football, he is now pushing for an extension to his one-year deal. "It has been difficult coming from Sweden to the Premier League," said Elm. "There is a big difference in the tempo of the game here and it is more aggressive but I have been patient and I took my chance when I got it against Burnley.

"Fulham told me before I joined that I was an interesting player and it would be exciting to see if I could make the step. I knew it was going to be tough but I never had any second thoughts. I love it here. The dream scenario is that I can get a lot of time playing here."

Long-term injuries to Andrew Johnson and Clint Dempsey plus the departures of Seol Ki-Hyeon and Diomansy Kamara have allowed Elm to flourish. He is desperate to emulate brothers Rasmus, 21, and Viktor, 24, by playing for Sweden and there is every chance of him achieving that goal after impressing Hodgson.

"At the time David came in, we had quite a lot of forward players but he's moved very quickly up the pecking order and he's shown that he deserves to be there," said Hodgson. "He's probably the least famous of the three brothers. Rasmus was the one who had attracted the most attention, both ourselves and Everton were very keen to sign him. He eventually chose to go to AZ Alkmaar. Viktor was already at Heerenveen and I don't think David was really expecting a foreign club to come in for him.

"I have some contacts in Sweden, everyone spoke very well of him and I must say he's been a bit of a revelation."

Meanwhile, Burnley boss Brian Laws believes the nation are behind his team as they look to end their away-day hoodoo. The club are yet to win away from Turf Moor and in a bid to re-charge their batteries, the Clarets have headed for a three-day break in the sun.

After taking just one point from a possible 39 on their travels, Laws insists the players would be doing their utmost to put an end to the miserable run in the last six away fixtures.

He is hoping they can find the key during their short stint in Portugal. "I think we are getting to a point where the nation will feel sorry for us and want us to get a point," said Laws. "We will be trying ever so hard to put it right and we have a good opportunity now, going to Portugal, to look a little deeper and break down what is triggering these defeats.

"We will get this result somewhere. It may be Aston Villa, it may be Arsenal, but we will keep banging at it and trying to change things. We're not going to give up on our away performances."

He also paid tribute to the Burnley fans who made the long trip to West London and chanted his name throughout the second half. "The one positive we have is the supporters who made the trip," said Laws. "They have seen their team not play particularly well and get beat again, yet their support was unwavering."
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: Lighthouse on February 11, 2010, 10:22:43 AM
Congolese hit man alerts trio after contract termination

Author:  Nigel Brown
Posted on:11 February 2010 - 10:04
Category:Football
Comments: Be the first to comment
 



Congolese forward Shabani Nonda has alerted the Premier League trio of Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, and Hull City after the 32-year-old striker was released from his contract at Galatasaray.

The powerful forward, who has already spent a season on loan at Balckburn Rovers in 2006 netting 7 goals in 26 appearances, has had his contract with the Turkish giants Galatasaray terminated after the player revealed he was looking to seal a move abroad, with the Premier League his ideal destination.

Nonda made a name for himself at Monaco scoring 57 times in 115 games for the club before moving to AS Roma in Serie A. Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is reportedly interested in signing Nonda after losing former Everton striker Andy Johnson for the season, leaving Fulham with Bobby Zamora and Erik Nevland as their only experienced front men.

Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce and Hull City manager Phil Brown are also willing to ignite negotiations. The two former colleagues fought out a tense encounter yesterday evening at Ewood Park which saw Allardyce pinch a 1-0 win. Both managers are keen to bolster their attacking options for the remainder of the season and it is believed Brown and Allardyce are weighing up a move for the former Monaco ace, if the financial package is value for money.

Shabani Nonda's agent John Dario told Skysports.com: "Shabani is free to go anywhere he likes after he left Galatasaray.

"I have heard of interest from English teams, but I have not spoken to any clubs as yet.

"Shabani was very happy at Blackburn and he would come back to England with pleasure
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: Lighthouse on February 11, 2010, 10:30:13 AM
Fulham produced a fine performance at the Cottage on Tuesday evening to secure an important win over Burnley. Following a run of five consecutive league defeats in January and December, the Whites have now claimed seven points from a possible nine in February.

Looking back on the display against Brian Laws' side, Mark Schwarzer was pleased to get back to winning ways.

"In the second-half we looked more at ease," he said.  "I thought Burnley at times were very dangerous. Even at two-nil up just before half-time, we went through a period where we made a couple of silly mistakes and got a bit complacent. 

"We were made aware of that at half-time and made sure that we started the second-half in confident fashion and cut out any minor mistakes that could allow them back into the game.

"It was very important that we got back to winning ways as we'd gone quite a number of games without winning - it wasn't pleasant and we needed to get back on track because before long you start looking over your shoulder at what's going on below.

"The boys fought very hard over the last couple of weeks to get results. Before our last three results, we played some pretty decent football but we always had nothing to show for it, which was probably the most frustrating thing of all.

"Obviously when you're picking up no points from five games, you start to drift down towards the bottom half of the table. That always starts to play on your mind but we were always confident in our ability to grind out a couple of results. We did that against Portsmouth and Bolton and that gave us a platform to build on. The performance against Burnley certainly showed that the confidence is back again.

"The dogged defending and solidity that we've shown over the last 18 months has come back and we deservedly won that game."

The Whites now take a break from league football with games in the FA Cup and UEFA Europa League next on the horizon - starting with the visit of Nott County to Craven Cottage this coming Sunday.

"The way we've been playing, we would liked to have continued playing league games," Schwarzer said. "Saying that, the Cup is an opportunity for us to change focus a little. The FA Cup is a fantastic tournament to be involved in. I've been fortunate over the course of my career to be involved in the latter stages of the Cup quite a number of times. It's the most historic cup competition in the world and the way things have panned out so far means it's going to be a very interesting competition this season.

"The one thing we can't do is take Notts County for granted. They're going to come to the Cottage with a lot of confidence having beaten Wigan in the last round. It's going to be a very tough game for us.

"We've come this far in both the FA Cup and Europa League, so why can't we go any further in both competitions? I believe we're good enough to do it but we have to go out there and perform. We can't underestimate any team, regardless of what league they playing in - whether it's Nott County or Shakhtar Donetsk.  We've got our work cut out for us in the next two games."

 



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/SchwarzerCupFocus.aspx#ixzz0fFHuvKbE (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/SchwarzerCupFocus.aspx#ixzz0fFHuvKbE)
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: FatFreddysCat on February 11, 2010, 10:37:16 AM
I must admit i wasn't to pleased to see he'd swap Europa league progress in return for being able to progress against the mighty div 2 Notts County. I still think the Europa is massive for us, and to be honest although i'd definately go to Wembley for a semi final just to say i've seen Fulham play there, i still dont think it's right, I'd rather travel back to Villa Park than Wembley for a semi for the right to play the Final at Wembley. If you win the semi at Wembley the final it's self is a bit of an anti climax , and you'd look silly singing "were going to Wembley". And given the choice i'd rather Hamburg, though i must admit i think Shaktar will knock us out. Wembley for the final only >:(.
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 12:41:20 PM
http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/football/5000274.Hodgson__Fulham_will_give_Notts_County_respect/

Hodgson: Fulham will give Notts County respect


5:08pm Wednesday 10th February 2010

By Simon Fitzjohn »


Roy Hodgson vows Fulham will take Sunday's FA Cup clash with Notts County seriously after revealing he would gladly trade Europa League glory in exchange for seeing off the League Two side.

Due to cup commitments the Cottagers will play at least eight games in the month of February, including a trip to Ukraine for their clash with Shaktar Donetsk.

And the Fulham boss insists it is a case of prioritising.

Hodgson said: "If I could sacrifice the two Europa League games to progress in the FA Cup and move further up the Premier League I would do that.

"The FA Cup is very important to us.

"It would be great to reach the quarter-finals for two years in a row and we have a real opportunity to achieve something.

"Obviously we know it will not be easy but if we perform like we have been in the last three games we are a match for anybody."

Hodgson was talking after Tuesday's encouraging 3-0 win over Burnley at Craven Cottage, a win secured thanks to strikes from Danny Murphy, David Elm and Bobby Zamora.

And the Fulham boss was delighted to see his side make it seven points from nine, and their third successive clean sheet.

Hodgson added: "We made it comfortable due to the quality of our performance.

"We pressurised them right from the start and were good value for the win.

"I cannot speak highly enough about this group of players.

"We have battled injuries and had some really difficult fixtures, but the players have consistently over-achieved and done more than I could reasonably ask of them."

Fulham's next three matches: Feb 14 Notts County (h), 18 Shaktar Donetsk (EL, h), 21 Birmingham City (a)
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 12:43:36 PM
http://hammyend.com/?p=5336

'We got everything right,' says Hodgson


by Dan on February 10, 2010

Roy Hodgson says Fulham were flawless as they dismantled Burnley at Craven Cottage to climb to ninth in the league last night.

The Fulham manager said the key to the result was Fulham's hard work and constant pressing.

I thought the victory lay in the hard work and the quality of our defending. We gave them very little time and space to play and we used the ball wisely.

We got everything right tonight – the defending and attacking – and on a night like that, we would have been a tough nut to crack for any team.

It was really good to see David [Elm] score. He's been a bit of a revelation. At the time he came in we had a lot of strikers, but he has moved up the pecking order and deserves to be where he is.

We will attack the FA Cup. But I'm not going to change by mind about the Europa League. My priority is still the league and the FA Cup.
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 12:45:47 PM
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Clint-Dempsey-set-for-Fulham-return-next-month-as-World-Cup-dream-gets-back-on-track-article319765.html

Clint Dempsey set for Fulham return next month


Published 23:30 10/02/10 By Mirror Football


Clint Dempsey hopes to get his World Cup dream back on track with Fulham next month.

The American international is due to face England in the summer - but feared a knee ligament injury sustained against Blackburn last month would leave him on the sidelines.

The problem is not as bad as first feared though, and Fulham's medical staff are pleased with the way his rehabilitation programme has gone so far.

Manager Roy Hodgson is now hopeful that the forward will be back in full training within four weeks.
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 01:05:29 PM
http://www.cisionwire.com/pitmans-solicitors/press-release--pitmans-acts-for-chris-smalling-in-manchester-united-transfer

Press Release: Pitmans Acts For Chris Smalling In Manchester United Transfer


For immediate release


February 2010

PITMANS ACTS FOR CHRIS SMALLING ON MANCHESTER UNITED TRANSFER

Pitmans SK Sport & Entertainment has acted for professional football player Chris Smalling on his £7million transfer to Manchester United FC from Fulham FC, in what is the biggest deal in this year's January transfer window for premier league football. The transaction was led by Pitmans SK Sport & Entertainment Solicitor, Tina Hardwick.

Manchester United FC have confirmed that Chris Smalling will join the club on a four year contract this summer following a successful medical. Manchester United won the race to land the highly-rated defender after edging out arch-rivals Arsenal who had also been chasing the 20 year old.

The England Under 21s international started his career at Maidstone United in the Ryman Premier League, before joining Fulham in March 2008.

Smalling commented, "Joining Manchester United is an unbelievable opportunity for me, the chance of coming to the biggest club in the world is something I just couldn't turn down. I am excited about working with Sir Alex and the fantastic players in his squad."

Tina Hardwick, Pitmans added:
"I was delighted to be acting for Chris and be involved in one of the largest deals in this years transfer window. Chris is a very talented individual and this is proven when the two top premiership teams both felt he would make an impact on their club. I wish him all the success for this new chapter in his premiership career."
-Ends-
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 01:06:16 PM
Fair Play Update


Thursday 11th February 2010


Fulham FC News


The latest Barclays Premier League Fair Play tables have been released. The tables are compiled from marks awarded by The Premier League Match Delegates.  The Whites have moved up one position to third in both the Fair Play League and the Behaviour of the Public Fair Play League.

FAIR PLAY LEAGUE

Position     Played  R/Y  P/P  R/O  R/R  B/O  Pts  Score  Avge 
1  Arsenal   24  207  202  145  146  131  831  207.8  8.66 
2  Chelsea   23  196  195  135  138  123  787  196.8  8.55 
3  Fulham   23  200  176  138  143  128  785  196.3  8.53 
4  Tottenham Hotspur   24  195  201  143  146  129  814  203.5  8.48 
5  Manchester United   24  200  191  139  142  133  805  201.3  8.39 
6  Burnley   23  192  177  137  142  122  770  192.5  8.37 
7  Manchester City   22  190  175  126  130  107  728  182  8.27 
8  Wigan Athletic   22  186  166  127  130  118  727  181.8  8.26 
9  Aston Villa   23  182  180  130  133  126  751  187.8  8.16 
10  Everton   23  193  172  133  138  113  749  187.3  8.14 
11  Liverpool   24  195  187  138  138  119  777  194.3  8.09 
12  Wolves   23  180  175  130  135  123  743  185.8  8.08 
13  Stoke City   21  168  153  120  127  110  678  169.5  8.07 
14  Blackburn Rovers   24  201  166  136  140  131  774  193.5  8.06 
15  West Ham United   23  181  173  129  132  125  740  185  8.04 
16  Sunderland   22  168  159  121  128  111  687  171.8  7.81 
17  Birmingham City   23  187  168  124  127  110  716  179  7.78 
18  Bolton Wanderers   22  167  158  121  128  110  684  171  7.77 
19  Portsmouth   22  168  150  120  126  120  684  171  7.77 
20  Hull City   23  182  156  127  131  107  703  175.8  7.64 



Key:

R/Y = Red & Yellow Cards - Maximum 10 pts per Match
(Red 3 pts, Yellow 1 pt)
P/P = Positive Play - Maximum 10 pts per Match
R/O = Respect Towards Opponent - Maximum 7 pts per Match
R/R = Respect Towards Referee - Maximum 7 pts per Match
B/O = Behaviour of Officials - Maximum 6 pts per Match 
BEHAVIOUR OF THE PUBLIC FAIR PLAY LEAGUE

Position     Played  Pts  Avge 
1  Burnley   23  194  8.44 
2  Sunderland   22  182  8.27 
3  Fulham   23  189  8.22 
4  Liverpool   24  197  8.21 
5  Manchester City   22  178  8.09 
6  Wigan Athletic   22  177  8.05 
7  Wolves   23  185  8.04 
8  West Ham United   23  185  8.04 
9  Chelsea   23  184  8 
10  Arsenal   24  192  8 
11  Blackburn Rovers   24  189  7.88 
12  Aston Villa   23  181  7.87 
13  Tottenham Hotspur   24  188  7.83 
14  Manchester United   24  188  7.83 
15  Everton   23  179  7.78 
16  Stoke City   21  163  7.76 
17  Birmingham City   23  178  7.74 
18  Bolton Wanderers   22  163  7.41 
19  Portsmouth   22  163  7.41 
20  Hull City   23  170  7.39 



Matches up to and including Sunday 31st January 2010.

Prize money of £30,000 is awarded to the club finishing the Season at the top of the Fair Play League, with £20,000 going to the club whose supporters are deemed to be the best behaved.


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/FairPlayUpdate.aspx#ixzz0fESmJn0D (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/FairPlayUpdate.aspx#ixzz0fESmJn0D)
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 01:07:45 PM
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/FulhamvManCity.aspx

Fulham v Manchester City


Barclays Premier League


Saturday 20th March


Kick-Off 15:00

On-sale dates
Season Ticket Holders   Now on sale (Max 6 tickets)
Fulham Club Members   Now on sale (Max 6 tickets)
General Sale  Now on Sale (Max 6 tickets)
Buy tickets online|

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
Category A+ prices apply to this match
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 01:09:17 PM
http://www.thisisnottscounty.co.uk/news/Notts-star-Clapham-relishing-big-stage/article-1823053-detail/article.html


Notts star Clapham relishing the big stage




Thursday, February 11, 2010, 07:00

JAMIE Clapham is not fazed by Fulham.

And he is confident his team-mates will rise to the big occasion in the fifth round of the FA Cup at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Clapham has played in the Premier League and also on one of the biggest stages in Europe, against Inter Milan in the San Siro in the Uefa Cup when he was at Ipswich Town.

He could come into the Notts County midfield at Fulham, if they play a 4-5-1 formation like they did in their fourth round win against Wigan Athletic.

Clapham admits beating the Latics has given Notts confidence that they can claim a second Premier League scalp.

But he has warned the Cottagers will be a lot harder to beat, even without their £10.5m striker Andrew Johnson, who is sidelined with a knee injury.

He said: "Roy Hodgson is a great manager and Fulham are a different proposition.

"They are going well in the Premier League, they have good players. They have got threats throughout their team.

"A bonus for us is that AJ (Andrew Johnson) is going to be out, he's just had a knee op.

"But I'm sure he will be replaced by a quality striker.

"It will be totally different to Wigan and I think Fulham will play a different shape.

"We'll have to see how we go.

"We obviously want to get promoted and push up the league but it's another chance for everyone to impress against a good team.

"I hope there is a big crowd there because it will make it a proper cup tie.

"I don't know what kind of crowds the rest of the lads have played in front of before but when you play in full stadiums it's great to be out there.

"I've played in the San Siro and at Wembley in play-off finals, in front of almost 80,000, and it's an incredible feeling.

"It's a great achievement for us to get to the fifth round of the Cup.

"It's the furthest I've ever got in my career so these runs don't happen very often.

"We have got to make the most of it, and savour every minute of playing against top teams and in front of big crowds."
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 01:10:36 PM
http://clarkeonenil.co.uk/front-page/sniffer-nose/sniffer-nose-110210-morecambe-fulham-carlisle-united-and-leeds-united-as-a-bonus


The stress of being middling.


This site has previously made known its contempt for the divide in the PL between the small number of rich clubs that can challenge for honours and the half of the division that has to spend the whole season worrying about relegation. Outside of that larger group sits a few clubs that are the middle including Fulham. So I was somewhat surprised to see an interview with Roy Hodgson that showed even at that relatively safe position the stresses are still very real. Hodgson is an excellent coach and what he has done at Craven Cottage demands respect, so why the irritations?

The answer lies in that old problem of expectation. When you quality for the knock-out stages of the Europa League some of your support (and we suspect the board which as we know is really just Al Fayed) want you to go to the next level of qualifying for Europe every season. Hodgson is too wise to not realise that when your playing up to 17 more games than most of your PL rivals the more realistic aim is to stay in the division and again he has already done a sterling job on that. Fulham supporters need to realise that the only route to Europe this season is to win the Europa league and if that happens Hodgson really will have worked a miracle.

It comes to something when the likes of Hodgson feels under pressure, the fans, the media and the rest of football should be appreciating what he brings to the English game.
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 01:11:59 PM
http://soccerlens.com/the-shakhtar-syndrome/40349/#ixzz0f2lCZLQN

The Shakhtar Syndrome

by: Nick Smith

09Feb2010



One year ago, an unusually reckless observer suggested that Shakhtar Donetsk, pride of Ukraine's coal-mining Donbass region, were digging themselves into a hole at a rate which would have had Alexey Stakhanov going weak at the knees. One UEFA Cup triumph, one new stadium which ranks as one of Europe's finest, and a raft of positive headlines from the worldwide sporting press later, and the gig is up. Everything is just fine at Shakhtar.

Or not. Last year I floated the idea that Shakhtar, thanks mainly to the astute backing of Rinat Akhmetov, the richest man in Ukraine, had largely immunized themselves against the difficulties faced by the majority of other football clubs in the country – and were instead, for no obvious reason, apparently set on creating their own unique set of issues.

To their considerable credit, some of these have now been fixed. In particular, the inspirational Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu, in charge since 2004 and the architect of three Ukrainian league titles, was finally offered a new contract towards the end of Shakhtar's successful European campaign after some completely unnecessary dithering by the club's hierarchy, who were rumoured to have been winking in the direction of CSKA Moscow's 47-day-wonder Juande Ramos. Perhaps they caught a bit of coal dust in their eyes.

Even more importantly, Akhmetov and particularly CEO Sergiy Palkin have loosened up considerably in the transfer market. The former had already admitted as far back as late 2007 that the club's 'golden cage' policy, which tied players to lucrative long-term contracts with only a minimal chance of being allowed to move on to bigger things, was in fact proving damaging both to team morale and Shakhtar's prospects of attracting players of a higher level, but only recently has Akhmetov begun to put this insight into action.

In the past twelve months Dmytro Chygrynskiy (the new toast of Barcelona – at least in Cornellà-El Prat), Evhen Seleznyov (whose strangely familiar appearance could lead one to query Palkin's movements in November 1984) and Brazilian striker Brandão (a monster probably hewn from inside a rock somewhere under the Donbass) have all been allowed to leave with minimal fuss.

The choice of players to replace them also tells its own story. Lucescu has explained that raising the number of Brazilian attacking midfielders at the club to six with the signings of Brazil U-20 internationals Alex Teixeira and the much-hyped Douglas Costa – leaving the squad more top-heavy than Victoria Zdrok in a concrete bikini – is a preliminary to departures in the summer, and Costa for one has already voiced his intention to move on to Western Europe within two years. It also seems unlikely that his former club Grêmio would have been at such pains to include a 20% sell-on fee in the deal if they thought that, like Brandão, Costa was being sentenced to seven years in Donetsk.

Shakhtar's Paranoia
So problems solved? If only. Unfortunately, Shakhtar Syndrome has entered a new and particularly virulent phase. From reacting to the absence of issues by creating their own, the club has now moved onto imagining them. Put simply, both the club leadership and Lucescu have become ever more convinced of a grand conspiracy against them on the part of the Football Federation of Ukraine (FFU), and although this mindset is not entirely new, recent months have seen Shakhtar's paranoia become increasingly pronounced.

The specific grounds for complaint are these. The club has, in numerous public statements over the past year, alleged that the FFU is running a concerted campaign to stifle Shakhtar's progress on behalf of their principal domestic rivals, Dynamo Kyiv. These statements are almost too numerous to mention, although some notable instances include Lucescu's comments in the run-up to November's match between the sides where he named three referees he felt could not be relied upon to adjucate fairly, and the club press office posting a video compilation on the Shakhtar website of allegedly dubious on-field decisions given to Dynamo.

The supposed motivation for this campaign is found in what should probably be called the Axis of Surkis. The FFU is headed by Grygoriy Surkis, the brother of Dynamo president Ihor Surkis, and the various ploys claimed to be in use include deliberately inconvenient fixture planning, misleading media pronouncements, and attempts to unsettle key employees. Above all, the association is alleged to exert undue influence on referees, who are appointed by an FFU committee.

None of these grievances are particularly convincing. What is claimed to be a general issue with the scheduling of fixtures is in fact a simmering resentment over the two consecutive away trips to Lviv with which Shakhtar opened their title defence last season. The longest domestic trip possible for a side from the south-east and a traditionally tough away venue, Shakhtar picked up just a point in from the games in Lviv and then won just once in their next eight league matches, effectively conceding their crown to Dynamo by Christmas.

However, there is little in the current season's fixture list which immediately suggests anything untoward, and the fact that the club received permission to postpone a league match with Metalurh Zaporizhia to prepare for their European Super Cup match with Barcelona in late August would appear to support this contention.

Unfortunately, the Lviv issue is not the only problem Shakhtar have with the calendar. The club was also critical of the decision by the FFU to clear the league programme for three weeks at the start of November in order to allow the national team to prepare for the World Cup playoff with Greece, instead seeing it as a ruse to give Dynamo a breather before their next game – coincidentally against Shakhtar.

That the Greeks had themselves arranged a similar (although shorter) intermission in their own domestic competition was seemingly lost on all parties, with the controversy subsequently descending into political point-scoring with Akhmetov – not without some justification – criticising the FFU for setting excessive ticket prices for the playoff at the Donbass Arena before offering to buy them all up himself to sell on to supporters at a discount.

The flat rejection by Surkis and the FFU of Akhmetov's proposal or to even reconsider their pricing policy, resulting in a stadium which was less than two-thirds full for Ukraine's most important game in recent years, does not exactly reflect gloriously on the association. Neither does their bizarre decision shortly after the match to offer the national manager's position to none other than Lucescu, who although to all appearances was initially intrigued by the prospect of forming half of Europe's first simultaneous father-son national management arrangement (his son Răzvan is currently coach of Romania), soon turned the offer down.

That the FFU in these and other matters come across as self-serving is indisputable – a sell-out for the Greece game would have raked in around $4.5 million for the association, who had previously been content with $0.3 million from the qualifier against England in Dnipropetrovsk barely a month earlier. The proposal to Lucescu, who was hardly likely to accept, was also a cynical piece of work clearly designed to irritate Akhmetov, who came out of the affair with his public image much enhanced at the expense of the suits in Kyiv. But it is a big step to claim that this politicking is also reflected on the field of play, and that Shakhtar are getting a raw deal from referees as a result of influence from the FFU. The only way to settle the issue is to look at the numbers, rather than the words.

How can referees change games?
How can a referee directly influence a match? There appear to be two main possibilities – the distribution of red and yellow cards, and the awarding of penalties both for and against. If Shakhtar's claims are to hold up, it should be shown that the team is either awarded disproportionally more red and yellow cards, fewer penalties for or more penalties against than the other teams in the division – or preferably all of the above.

One other factor remains to be considered. A necessary corollary of the theory has to be that if Dynamo are to benefit fully from Shakhtar's treatment, they must receive the opposite – in other words disproportionally fewer red and yellow cards, more penalties for or fewer penalties against.

A total of 532 yellow cards have been distributed in the first half of the 2009-2010 Ukrainian Premier League season. Dynamo Kyiv have received 41 of these – the third-highest total in the division. Only Metalurh Zaporizhia (42) and Obolon Kyiv (47) have received more. But interestingly, Dynamo have yet to have a player sent off, despite the high number of yellows. Vorskla Poltava are the only other side to have escaped any dismissals, although they have only picked up 30 bookings and are a generally upstanding side shaped in the image of their manager Mykola Pavlov, a principled fellow who once refused to countenance the club chairman making any new signings until his existing players had been paid outstanding wages.

The most logical way to explain the discrepancy is that the high yellow tally is in fact caused by the absence of sendings-off, and that referees are dishing out yellows to Dynamo where other teams could expect reds. But how significant is this? It has long been accepted – rightly or wrongly – that big teams get big decisions, regardless of country. And whether the yellows are serving as substitutes for reds or not, the fact that the average Ukrainian side has only amassed 1.6 red cards this season would still leave Dynamo with a notably high tally of bookings. One would imagine that a team supposed to have the league's referees in its pockets would be more effective in keeping the former's cards in their own pockets.

The penalty issue is more clear-cut. Dynamo have been awarded five penalties so far this season. Although this is the second-highest total in the league, three other teams have been awarded four and every team has received at least one. Dynamo's numbers are, in other words, not unreasonable for a team playing an attacking style of football in a league where referees are not undisposed to give spot-kicks. Penalties against, on the other hand, are conclusive. Two have been awarded to opposition sides against Dynamo, whereas Chernomorets Odessa have been penalised only once and four teams – or 25% of the division – have yet to concede any at all.

These figures suggest that, on the whole, Dynamo Kyiv are not being unduly favoured by Ukraine's referees. The main question, however, is whether Shakhtar are being discriminated against. The application of the same metrics as above to their games thus far in the 2009-2010 season throws up some fascinating results.

Shakhtar Donetsk have received 26 yellow cards this season – the second-lowest number in the Ukrainian Premier League and only three more than the side with the lowest total, their city rivals Metalurh Donetsk. That Shakhtar are falling victim to the reverse of Dynamo's supposed arrangement by receiving reds where other teams receive yellows can immediately be discounted, as just one player – Olexandr Chyzhov against Zakarpattia Uzhhorod – has been dismissed so far.

The average number of bookings per team in Ukraine this season stands at 33.25. This means that Shakhtar get almost 22% fewer yellow cards than the average Ukrainian team – and almost 37% fewer than Dynamo. This is without any statistically meaningful increase in the number of sendings-off.

An examination of the penalty figures is similarly enlightening. Shakhtar are one of the four teams noted above who have yet to have a penalty awarded against them in league competition this term. However, it becomes a different story in the opposition penalty area, where Shakhtar have so far received seven spot-kicks – more than any other side. Given that the average team in Ukraine has been given 2.7 penalties, Shakhtar are awarded over 2.5 more penalties than the average side. Moreover, in a surely decisive blow to the claims of conspiracy, Shakhtar's settling-in process at the $400 million Donbass Arena was smoothed by five penalties in the first four games at their new home, which included three in the first two matches and one after only 18 minutes of the inaugural tie against Obolon.

It is largely irrelevant whether these specific spot-kicks were deserved or not (in fact, most seem justified on review). The point is that were referees really out to get Shakhtar, they would not be given in any case. That these penalties were awarded at all – and at a rate which considerably outweighs any other team in the league – supports the similarly favourable yellow-red card numbers and leads to only one sensible conclusion.

Shakhtar, contrary to the club's insistence, are at present not being discriminated against by Ukraine's referees. Dynamo, meanwhile, are not receiving anything from the officials that Shakhtar themselves are not also getting in abundance.

Of course, a more extensive analysis covering all the years since the foundation of the Ukrainian league in 1992 would give a clearer picture. As a sample, however, the data seems telling, as it covers the period in which Shakhtar's complaints have been particularly voluble. So why, if there appears to be no conspiracy, are they so convinced that one exists?

Reasons behind the Shakhtar Syndrome
Shakhtar Syndrome arises from a unique conjunction of factors. Firstly, the club has always seen itself in the vanguard of a regional identity clash between the scheming politicians and aesthetes of Kyiv and the honest toilers of the Donbass mines. A need apparently still exists to measure and validate the success that Akhmetov has brought to the side against its equivalent from the capital, rather than simply enjoying it for its own sake, and imagined conspiracies and plots by competitors are a way of reinforcing the achievement and also giving it a positive moral spin.

The combination of this mindset with Lucescu's own psychological peculiarities is a potent one. A marvellous coach with a truly admirable footballing philosophy, the Romanian also drags around an enormous persecution complex which both feeds into and is fed by the atmosphere of suspicion which surrounds him. The result, as should have become all too clear, is a kind of institutional paranoia which is distinctly unbecoming for a club with designs on cementing a place amongst Europe's elite.

All of this is not to say that the Axis of Surkis is not, in fact, ensconced in a bunker under Kyiv plotting Shakhtar's destruction. However, any evidence of this would have to be found somewhere other than refereeing decisions, and Shakhtar would be well advised to avoid attributing to intrigue what can reasonably be attributed to incompetence – which the FFU has in spades. The association has often behaved inappropriately, both towards Shakhtar and other teams, but there is simply no evidence that this is due to anything other than poor management.

Much of what the association does is handled in an inept and amateurish manner (just ask anybody who wanted to see the Greece game), with point-scoring and general machismo highest on the agenda, and as far as Shakhtar are concerned, there is little reason to believe that the FFU would be any more successful in orchestrating a grand conspiracy than they are in arranging anything else.

The ultimate irony in all this is that overall refereeing standards in Ukraine are in fact pretty poor. But it is disingenuous for Shakhtar to continue playing the role of put-upon victim when the numbers just do not add up. Or rather, they add up too well.

Shakhtar's protestations of martyrdom are only confusing the issue and delaying the proper reform for which numerous clubs in the country have been crying out for years. And in truth, they should be above all this.

Despite their nouveau-riche image, Shakhtar boast a proud history and a promising future, have great supporters and a great stadium – and stand not only as a regional, but following their UEFA Cup win, also as a national symbol. Why moan about the ref?
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 03:35:39 PM
http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/sport/Villa-expected-kings-Palace/article-1824199-detail/article.html

and there should be no more cup heroics from Notts County but 888Sport's 6/1 underdogs can nevertheless give a good account of themselves at Fulham, where Partybets price them at 1/2 to bow out of the competition.
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 03:47:58 PM
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11672_5938347,00.html


Davies faces FA investigation


Trotters striker asked to explain Clattenburg comments



Last updated: 11th February 2010   

The Football Association is to investigate comments made by Kevin Davies regarding Mark Clattenburg.

The Bolton striker recently claimed that the Premier League referee had 'something personal' against him.

The experienced frontman made the statement after seeing Clattenburg rule out what would have been a late winner for the Trotters against Fulham on Saturday.

Davies felt he had earned all three points for the hosts in an uninspiring contest with a towering header, but saw his effort ruled out for a debatable push on Brede Hangeland.

He said afterwards: "When I saw who was the referee I didn't expect to get anything off him. Over the years I have never got much from him.

"There was a penalty at Old Trafford last season and he did nothing - but I got a booking.

"Numerous bookings over the years - I don't know, I have always felt there is something personal there.

"Every time he referees us, I don't expect to get anything."

Bolton boss Owen Coyle has admitted that he feels Davies was within his rights to question the match officials at the Reebok Stadium, but the FA has announced that it is looking into the remarks before deciding whether or not to take further action.

An FA spokesman said: "I can confirm we have written to Kevin Davies to ask him for his observations following his media comments."
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 03:49:54 PM
http://www.eatsleepsport.com/portsmouth/striker-release-interests-trio-1021644.html

Striker release interests trio



Last Updated: Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:39

Fulham, Portsmouth and Blackburn are claimed to have an interest in out-of-contract ex-Ewood Park striker Shabani Nonda.


The 32-year-old, who spent a short spell at Blackburn in 2006, was released from his contract at Turkish club Galatasaray and can sign as a free agent outside the transfer window.

Portsmouth are obvious candidates for his services considering the club's current financial plight, although without the ability to move anyone on beforehand, it may not be feasible for him to join right now.

Fulham have been linked as boss Roy Hodgson is set to go into the Europa League knockout stages with only two fit frontmen after the injuries to Andy Johnson and Clint Dempsey.

Stefano Okaka was snapped up on loan from Roma but he is ineligible for that competition having already appeared in the group stages for the Italians.

However, Nonda has also appeared in the competition already for Galatsaray - so he would not be able to feature in the matches against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 03:51:33 PM
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/11022010/58/fa-cup-match-facts-fulham-v-notts-county.html

FA Cup - Match facts: Fulham v Notts County

Opta - Thu, 11 Feb 15:00:00 2010

             
Facts and figures ahead of Sunday's FA Cup fifth round clash between Fulham and Notts County at Craven Cottage.


Notts County have won none of their last seven meetings with Fulham in London.

Fulham have won both of the two FA Cup meetings with Notts County by a 1-0 scoreline but both were away wins for the Whites.

Roy Hodgson's men have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last eight matches at Craven Cottage in all competitions.

In fact, the Whites have lost only one of their last 14 matches on home soil.

The Magpies have scored in all but one of their last 14 away matches since August (all comps).

Defeat at Bournemouth in their last match ended a run of six straight away wins for County in all competitions.

Opta
Title: Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (11.02.10)
Post by: White Noise on February 11, 2010, 03:55:37 PM
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/danny-murphy/article/3499/

Clubs should take Cup seriously


(http://l.yimg.com/i/i/eu/sp/epta22.jpg)


Thu Feb 11 12:40PM

As a club, we are extremely excited about this weekend's FA Cup tie against Notts County. We see the competition as a real opportunity for us, especially with three of the big four teams out.
Understandably, it is a huge game for Notts County who have already put Wigan out, so they certainly have that ability to win the big games, with quality in their side. It will be a cracking fixture and one I can't wait for.

I don't think it is difficult to psyche yourself up for a game even when you are favourites. We can't be sloppy or complacent in what is likely to be a very fast and frenetic game.

I still value the FA Cup as a fantastic competition and, as a squad, Fulham take great pride in doing well in any competition that we are involved in.

I can understand the philosophy of clubs resting players in some competitions, but it is dictated by the club's circumstances so is a hard one to judge. Obviously injuries and the club's involvement in other competitions will impact the personnel decisions made, but it is occasionally strange to see certain clubs resting key players in a competition such as the FA Cup.

The opportunity to reach a cup final at Wembley should be a fantastic motivator, in what would be considered a great achievement at the end of the season. Teams do naturally tend to put a greater emphasis on the league because there are huge financial incentives for staying in the top flight.

The revenue generated by competing in the Premier League provides the foundations for the club's finances for the year ahead.

Personally, I would rather finish 15th in the league and reach a cup final, than come 7th and not have a cup run. I think that with guaranteed Premier League survival, it would be a fantastic achievement to reach a final.

The best memories of my playing career to-date have been playing in cups finals. The atmosphere and occasion always create a brilliant spectacle for both the players and fans and they are always a pleasure to compete in.

Fortunately, we are having a good season and if we could combine a day out at Wembley with a decent final league position then I am sure the management, players and fans would consider the season a real success.