http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/dempsey-wins-award-top-american-export? (http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/dempsey-wins-award-top-american-export?)
Dempsey wins award for top American export
Fulham ace raises bar in 2010 and nets magical goal vs. Juventus
The editorial staff at MLSsoccer.com is looking back over the year with our "Best of 2010" awards, running Dec. 13 through Jan. 2. Each day we'll hand out an award from a variety of categories culled from the storylines of Major League Soccer and the North American soccer scene.
Former New England Revolution and current Fulham star Clint Dempsey ran away with the Export of the Year, recognizing the American who made the biggest waves outside the United States.
Around the time America's all-time greatest export, Brian McBride, was mulling retirement, countryman Clint Dempsey was ensuring his name would remain as legendary at Craven Cottage as McBride's.
Former Fulham captain McBride may have a stadium bar named after him, but Dempsey etched his name deep into the memories of Fulham fans when he helped lead the Cottagers to the Europa League final earlier this year.
It was Dempsey's audacious chipped goal against Italian giants Juventus that completed an unlikely comeback and thrust Fulham into the quarterfinals of the competition. British newspaper The Guardian said the effort "might become the most famous goal in Fulham history." Ergo, Dempsey's legend was secured.
But that goal was simply the highlight of yet another memorable year for the forward — even though, early on, 2010 looked to be a lost cause.
Days after being named among the top 11 EPL players by Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport, Dempsey damaged his ACL on Jan. 17. The injury threatened to derail his season and even put his World Cup aspirations into doubt.
However, he was back on the pitch for the final minute of the first leg of Fulham's round-of-16 match against Juventus on March 11, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Despite the injury, Dempsey finished the 2009-2010 season with seven goals in all competitions, and the Texan-born 28-year-old has tallied five in this campaign. In fact, his improved play this year has led to speculation about his future, linking him with a winter move to everyone from Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen.
But it's not necessarily the goals that have earned Dempsey MLSsoccer.com's Export of the Year nod — it's his durability, his tenacity, his toughness and his ability to bring the drama when needed.
Simply put, Dempsey has demonstrated all those traits American sports fans hold dear.
Second Place: Stuart Holden
Just like Dempsey, Holden's entire year — including his World Cup dreams — looked to be shelved after Holland's Nigel de Jong broke the American's leg in an international friendly on March 3.
Getty Images
Just days before, Holden had impressed in his full league debut, and his EPL future looked promising. However, following the injury, many assumed he would have to move on from Bolton after his short-term contract expired in the summer.
Instead, Wanderers offered the former Dynamo midfielder a new contract only days after the injury and he has done plenty to repay that faith by becoming one of EPL's most valuable players.
Third Place: Hérculez Gómez
Gómez seemingly appeared out of nowhere in 2010 to secure a place on Bob Bradley's World Cup team. The former Kansas City striker tallied 10 goals for Mexican side Puebla in the last Clausura to become the first American to win or tie for a scoring title in a foreign league.
Perhaps more impressive, though, is that the quintessential role player achieved this feat despite starting the majority of the season on the bench.
His early year heroics also earned him a higher profile move to perennial contenders Pachuca and an appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup in December.
Honorable Mentions: Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Steve Cherundolo, Michael Bradley, Carlos Bocanegra, Jose Francisco Torres.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/dec/27/aaron-hughes-fulham-mark-hughes? (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/dec/27/aaron-hughes-fulham-mark-hughes?)
Aaron Hughes calls for unity and cool heads at Fulham
• Mark Hughes under fire after defeat by West Ham
• 'Not time to point the finger,' says defender
Aaron Hughes has warned against the danger of rifts developing in the Fulham dressing room as the club took stock of their parlous predicament and looked to fight their way out of trouble at Stoke City tomorrow.
The central defender opened the scoring in the home game against West Ham United on Boxing Day and he might have hoped that the headlines would be about his first goal since August 2004 and how it inspired the team to victory.
Instead Fulham's lack of cutting edge up front was exacerbated by unusual defensive deficiencies as West Ham battled back to win 3-1 and drag their rivals into the Premier League's bottom three. The Craven Cottage crowd, who have seen their team fail to win in eight matches, turned on the manager, Mark Hughes, to call for his dismissal but his namesake in the starting XI called for unity and cool heads.
"The most important thing for us is that we don't start pointing the finger and saying we're not scoring goals at one end and conceding them at the other and start picking holes in our team," Aaron Hughes said. "We must stick together and keep going because for the vast majority of that first half against West Ham we were playing well.
"We haven't gone from being a good side to not a good side overnight. There are things we can work on but there are a lot of good things in the squad we've got to hold on to and keep building on."
This Fulham team is almost identical to the one that enjoyed such a memorable season last time out under Roy Hodgson, when they reached the Europa League final and finished in mid-table comfort in the Premier League. Hughes, who was appointed in July, has attempted to impose his own more expansive style yet the transition has not been smooth.
"I fundamentally believe that we are very close to being a very good team," the manager said. "Historically, because of the work we do with the players and the way we train, my teams always finish stronger in the second half of the season and I have no reason to doubt that will be the case for Fulham in 2011."
After Stoke Fulham travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday before hosting West Bromwich Albion next Tuesday. "We're disappointed but the confidence hasn't drained out of the side," Aaron Hughes said. "We still believe in each other and still know we can put a lot of things right.
"Last season's gone. We know what we can do and what we are good at. We know what got us success over the past couple of years, so we've just got to keep working hard and not let the belief and confidence go because, if that goes, then we really are in trouble. We've still got a lot of togetherness and confidence in the dressing room that we can turn it round."
http://www.stoke.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchprere.asp?a=225894 (http://www.stoke.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchprere.asp?a=225894)
Stoke vs Fulham preview
The Potters will be full of confidence after yesterday's convincing victory over Lancashire's chicken farmers in stark contrast to our first visitors of the Christmas break. Fulham lost to bottom placed West Ham at Craven Cottage to pile on the pressure for the London club as they also entered the relegation zone.
Vital Quotes:
TP was in a typically wary mood when he said on the SCFC official site: 'Fulham have drawn a lot of games, but that shows they are a hard side to beat. We may have beaten them in the Carling Cup earlier this season, but that result will count for nothing and we know that will have to be at our best to beat them again.'
He added: 'We have had a good run recently, but we cannot afford to lose our focus for one single second in this the most competitive league in the world.'
Stoke City Team News:
Matty Etherington and Jon Walters both picked up knocks on Sunday but it's hoped that they'll both be fit. With three games in six days, it's likely that he'll ring the changes where it's feasible so that could offer possibilities for Ric Fuller or even Tuncay to start if necessary.
Player to watch: Robert Huth
Huth was a key player on Sunday so he (along with Shawcross) needs to be careful to avoid that dreaded fifth yellow card until the busy Christmas period is over.
Fulham Team News:
Bobby Zamora is injured and Dembele another likely to miss out after picking up an ankle injury, but Hughes may decide on a reshuffle as they strive to climb out of the relegation zone.
Player to watch: Clint Dempsey
Their most potent weapon with five league goals was subbed on Sunday to howls of disbelief from the home fans. Expect him to be fully refreshed and ready for action.
Match Facts & Stats
Ref Watch:
Kevin Friend
Match Prediction:
The form book confidently predicts a Stoke victory after we won both encounters with the Cottagers last season and we've already seen them off this season with the 2-0 win in the Carling Cup. But we all know what that means...
Read more: http://www.stoke.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchprere.asp?a=225894#ixzz19OLEy3mw (http://www.stoke.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchprere.asp?a=225894#ixzz19OLEy3mw)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8227210/Fulham-manager-Mark-Hughes-warned-he-has-just-three-games-left-to-save-job-at-Craven-Cottage.html? (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8227210/Fulham-manager-Mark-Hughes-warned-he-has-just-three-games-left-to-save-job-at-Craven-Cottage.html?)
Fulham manager Mark Hughes warned he has just three games left to save job at Craven Cottage
Mark Hughes faces a battle to save his job following Fulham's failure to win in eight games. It is understood the former Wales manager will be given three games to produce a victory after the club dropped into the relegation zone on Boxing Day and fans began calling for his head.
Fulham visit Stoke City on Tuesday then Tottenham on Saturday before hosting West Bromwich Albion next Tuesday. Given that Fulham have not won away in the Premier League for 16 months, the visit of Albion takes on greater significance.
Mohamed Fayed, the Fulham chairman and owner, watched Sunday's 3-1 defeat by relegation rivals West Ham on television and is understood to have been satisfied with the team's first-half performance.
Fulham have taken just four points from a possible 24 and are in the bottom three for the first time since the 2007-08 season, when Fayed sacked Lawrie Sanchez in December following a 1-0 home defeat that dropped the team into the bottom three.
Roy Hodgson was appointed and steered the club to safety thanks to a last-day win at Portsmouth. Hodgson led Fulham to seventh in his first full season and last term took them to the Europa League final before departing for Liverpool.
Hughes's reign has been hampered by a succession of injuries. Andrew Johnson has only just returned from a lengthy absence, while Philippe Senderos injured an Achilles before he had a chance to make his debut, after signing from Arsenal, and is out until early February.
Hughes has been denied the services of Bobby Zamora, who broke a leg against Wolves in September and is not expected back for another six to eight weeks. With Moussa Dembele also missing, Fulham have lacked firepower. Hughes admitted after the West Ham defeat that he needed a striker in the January window.
The Welshman faces a busy January and his targets include Manchester City's out-of-favour Paraguayan forward Roque Santa Cruz, whom Hughes has signed twice. He has also been linked with Papiss Cisse, the Senegalese striker who plays for German club Freiburg. Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland is also on the wanted list.
When Hughes arrived in the summer he signed only a two-year contract so a pay-off would not be huge were Fulham to end his tenure. There would be the problem, though, of finding a replacement.
In the summer former Spurs manager Martin Jol held talks with Fulham, but he decided to remain at Ajax. However, he is available after resigning from the Dutch club earlier this month.
It is understood, though, that he would again reject any approach. Sam Allardyce, sacked recently by Blackburn, is also available, as is former Villa manager Martin O'Neill.
Fayed would prefer to keep faith with Hughes and the players believe he is the right man for the job.
Aaron Hughes, who scored for Fulham on Sunday, called for unity ahead of the forthcoming games.
The Northern Irishman said: "There's still a lot of games in the next two weeks in quick succession where if we can get a win and a bit of momentum going then we can turn things around pretty quick.
"Stoke is a difficult place to go but we have to look ahead and get some points on the board so we don't get stuck down in the relegation zone and don't let other teams drift away from us.
"The most important thing for us is that we don't start pointing the finger. We haven't gone from being a good side to not a good side overnight.
"We're disappointed with the situation we find ourselves in but the confidence hasn't drained out of the side, we still believe in each other and still know we can put a lot of things right."
Crunch games
Stoke City (away, Tuesday)
Fulham last won an away game in August 2009, they have just five points from a possible 24 on the road and have not won at Stoke in the top flight since 1967.
Tottenham Hostpur (away, Saturday)
Fulham have won only once at White Hart Lane in the Premier League, in 2003, and, when the teams met at Craven Cottage in October, they lost 2-1.
West Bromwich Albion (home, Tues, Jan 4)
The good news for Fulham is that Albion have lost on each of their four Premier League visits to Craven Cottage, conceding 12 goals and scoring once in the process.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/169342/Aaron-Hughes-Forget-those-Fulhams-Euro-glory-nights/? (http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/169342/Aaron-Hughes-Forget-those-Fulhams-Euro-glory-nights/?)
AARON HUGHES: FORGET THOSE FULHAMS EURO GLORY NIGHTS
FULHAM defender Aaron Hughes has ordered his struggling team-mates to emerge from the shadow of former boss Roy Hodgson.
The Cottagers slumped into the relegation zone on Boxing Day after their disappointing 3-1 home defeat against fellow strugglers West Ham.
Fulham have won just two Premier League games all season – a run that has left manager Mark Hughes fighting for his job.
This season's slump is a far cry from the joy of the previous campaign as Hodgson led the west Londonders to the Europa League final and a comfortable mid-table finish.
And central-defender Hughes has called on his under-performing side to banish the memory of last season's success and concentrate on dragging Fulham out of relegation trouble.
He said: "Last season is gone – we know what we can do and what we are good at.
"We know what got us success over the past couple of years so we've just got to keep working hard and not let the belief and confidence go because if it does then we really are in trouble.
"We've still got a lot of togetherness and confidence in the dressing room that we can turn it round.
"We haven't gone from being a good side to a bad side overnight. There are things we can work on but there are a lot of good things in the squad we've got to hold on to."
Furious Fulham fans were calling for manager Hughes' head after the defeat against the Hammers on Sunday.
His namesake – Northern Ireland defender Hughes – has played down the fans' reaction to the defeat – but admits their winless run of eight games is worrying.
Hughes, who scored his first goal for Fulham against West Ham, said: "The reaction was nothing new. It's not unique at this club.
"It happens at any club at any time when things aren't going well.
"The fans voice their opinions, which they are entitled to do. But this is not a blip.
"We're disappointed with the situation we find ourselves in.
"But the confidence hasn't drained out of the side. We still believe in each other and still know we can put a lot of things right."
Fulham hope to end 2010 on a high today when they visit Stoke – but with the Cottagers struggling in front of goal in the absence of Bobby Zamora and Moussa Dembele, Hughes knows getting something from the Britannia will be easier said than done.
He added: "The most important thing for us is that we don't start pointing the finger and saying we're not scoring goals at one end and conceding at the other and start picking holes in our team.
"We have got to stick together and keep going because for the vast majority of the first half against West Ham we were playing well.
"Stoke is a difficult place to go but it always is for anyone and it'll be no different for us on Tuesday.
"We've got to lift ourselves up and put the West Ham defeat behind us and get some points on the board so we don't get stuck down in the relegation zone."battle to beat the drop: Aaron in a rallying call as Sears begs to join East End fight
http://articles.squarefootball.net/squarefootball/2010/12/stoke-city-v-fulham-.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Squarefootball+%28Squarefootball%29 (http://articles.squarefootball.net/squarefootball/2010/12/stoke-city-v-fulham-.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Squarefootball+%28Squarefootball%29)
Stoke City v Fulham: Potters look to expose frail Fulham
Stoke start the game in eighth after a series of good results; whereas Fulham have slumped to eighteenth
Stoke enter this game on the back of four wins and two draws in the last seven games, scoring 13 goals in that time - so Stoke will expect another couple of goals in this game. Matthew Etherington is a doubt and his set pieces and goal threat have been instrumental in Stoke's rise. In the the last five Stoke games Etherington has scored three goals, and Robert Huth has also bagged three goals in November and December - benefiting from excellent free-kick delivery from Etherington. If the winger is absent Stoke will need to find inspiration elsewhere.
Fulham have managed to win just two games this season, a total exceeded by every other top flight club. Obviously this is relegation form, even if the exceptionally high number of draws is keeping Fulham competitive. In mitigation the early season injuries to Bobby Zamora, Andrew Johnson and Damien Duff have pushed too much responsibility onto Clint Dempsey. So the return of Duff and Johnson, with Zamora being a few weeks away seems likely to improve Fulham's goalscoring record from below a goal a game. Once the key forwards are restored to match fitness there should be enough quality in the squad to win games like this - but is this game too soon for Duff and Johnson?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1342040/Stoke-join-growing-queue-Southampton-whizkid-Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain.html? (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1342040/Stoke-join-growing-queue-Southampton-whizkid-Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain.html?)
Stoke join growing queue for Southampton whizkid Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Tony Pulis wants to bring Southampton teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Stoke City — 25 years after his father, Mark Chamberlain, played there.
Chelsea have been firm favourites for the 17-year-old, while Arsenal, Fulham and Liverpool have also been linked.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1342040/Stoke-join-growing-queue-Southampton-whizkid-Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain.html#ixzz19OMyBZzQ (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1342040/Stoke-join-growing-queue-Southampton-whizkid-Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain.html#ixzz19OMyBZzQ)
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/169341/Tony-Pulis-in-blast-at-boos-for-Mark-Hughes/? (http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/169341/Tony-Pulis-in-blast-at-boos-for-Mark-Hughes/?)
TONY PULIS IN BLAST AT BOOS FOR MARK HUGHES
TONY Pulis has told Fulham not to panic just yet despite their woeful form.
Boss Mark Hughes was booed at the end of their Boxing Day loss to West Ham and the Cottagers visit the Britannia Stadium today low on confidence and in the bottom three.
But Pulis believes it is far too early for anyone to start panicking in west London.
He said: "There are 20 games to go. There is the second half of the season to go yet.
"You can have a good first half and struggle in the second half.
"Or you can have a struggle in the first half and then push through so they still have enough time to finish in the top 10 or 12.
"The important thing is to venture into every game with the idea you have three points to play for.
"You can go into a run of six or seven games without winning, then go on a little run and finish half way up the table.
"That is what the Premier League is all about.
"The important thing is to keep it all steady when all around is starting to panic. That is my philosophy."
Stoke were the better side against Blackburn on Boxing Day as they emerged with a 2-0 win that shot them up to eighth in the table.
They now have successive home games against Hughes' side and Everton but Pulis knows Fulham will come out fighting today.
He added: "There is another massive game for us now against Fulham, and they will be desperate to get things back on track after their defeat against West Ham.
"I have said it before, but they are a very good team with very good players.
"They are fighting for their lives at the moment but they have quality all the way through their squad to start climbing the table."
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fayed-unmoved-as-fulham-fans-round-on-underfire-hughes-2170440.html? (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fayed-unmoved-as-fulham-fans-round-on-underfire-hughes-2170440.html?)
Fayed unmoved as Fulham fans round on under-fire Hughes
The Fulham manager Mark Hughes has been given no assurances from owner Mohamed al-Fayed about the security of his job.
Hughes's side dropped into the relegation zone with the 3-1 home defeat to West Ham United on Boxing Day that ended with some fans chanting "Hughes out". Fayed was not at the ground to witness Hughes's humiliation, which also included a chorus of "You don't know what you're doing" at his decision to replace Clint Dempsey with Eddie Johnson early in the second half, but the former Harrods owner did watch the game on TV.
Club sources say Fayed was relatively satisfied with the performance, if not the result, and is expecting to see great improvements in the team's next three games, which are away games at Stoke today and Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Day, and West Bromwich Albion at home on 4 January.
If Fulham do not win one of those three games, then Fayed may have to reconsider the position of Hughes, who was brought in as Roy Hodgson's replacement in the summer. The situation is considered to be very different to that of three years ago, when Lawrie Sanchez was sacked in December when Fulham slipped into the relegation places.
It is much tighter at the bottom of the Premier League this season, so a couple of wins will quickly improve the situation, while Hughes also retains the support of the dressing room. However the slide from a team that contested the Europa League final in May is an alarming one, with just four points won from their last eight Premier League games.
Hughes, who was sacked by Manchester City last December, is six months into a two-year contract, which means it would not cost the earth to terminate the agreement, although he did bring with him three assistants Mark Bowen, Eddie Niedzwiecki and Kevin Hitchcock, who would also have to be paid off.
The available alternatives should he be dismissed include the former Tottenham Hotspur manager Martin Jol, who turned down the Fulham job in the summer preferring to stay with Ajax, and Sam Allardyce, who was sacked by Blackburn Rover recently and is keen for a swift return to a Premier League job.
Fulham will press ahead with their recruitment plans in January regardless of who is in charge. The club are considering moves for the Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz from Manchester City and the Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland, while they are also very interested in Dembe Cisse, a 25-year-old striker from Senegal who has scored 21 goals in 31 appearances for German side Freiburg.
Hughes's assistant Bowen said yesterday the Fulham manager is not bitter about the reception he received from the fans. "Mark has broad shoulders. You take stick as a player, and it's the same as a manager. It's the other part of the game and you accept that."
The dressing room also came out in support of the manager. The defender Aaron Hughes said: "The most important thing for us is that we don't start pointing the finger and saying we're not scoring goals at one end and conceding at the other and start picking holes in our team.
"The most important thing is we stick together. The confidence hasn't drained out of the side, we still believe in each other and still know we can put a lot of things right," he continued. "We know what got us success over the past couple of years so we've just got to keep working hard and not let the belief and confidence go because if that goes then we really are in trouble. We've still got a lot of togetherness and confidence in the dressing room that we can turn it around."
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/219770/Mark-Hughes-under-pressure-with-Jol-now-lurking-on-sidelines? (http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/219770/Mark-Hughes-under-pressure-with-Jol-now-lurking-on-sidelines?)
MARK HUGHES UNDER PRESSURE WITH JOL NOW LURKING ON SIDELINES
MARK HUGHES is fighting to save his job at Fulham under the shadow of the club's first-choice summer target Martin Jol.
Dutchman Jol, 54, was offered the post in July but Fulham were forced to turn to Hughes when Jol chose to stay at Ajax.
Former Tottenham manager Jol quit Ajax at the start of this month, however, and Fulham have been made aware he would be interested in the job if it became available again. And he still owns a house near London.
Hughes is under pressure after Fulham's defeat by West Ham dropped them into the relegation zone and they face crucial clashes against Stoke tonight and then Spurs.
The board said ahead of the Hammers match that Hughes would be given time but that game had been viewed as a home banker. Now there are fears owner Mohamed Al Fayed could hit the panic button.
Al Fayed, though, knows it would be expensive to dispense with Hughes and his backroom staff of Mark Bowen, Eddie Niedzwiecki, Kevin Hitchcock and Glyn Hodges.
Hughes's namesake, central defender Aaron, has urged his team-mates to show some dressing-room unity.
"The important thing is we stick together and keep going because for the vast majority of that first half against West Ham we were playing well," he said.
"We have not gone from being a good side overnight. There are things we can work on but there's a lot of good things, too."
Supporters voiced their anger as Clint Dempsey was taken off against the Hammers, although assistant boss Bowen defended that change.
Bowen said Dempsey, despite appearing to be dismayed, was suffering from a dead leg and will be checked before facing Stoke.
"He was not moving well on it and it was a decision Mark made," said Bowen. "He tried to protect the player."
There were calls for boss Hughes to go after the West Ham match, although centre-back Hughes says there is still belief among the players.
He said: "It happens at any club at any time when things are not going well.
"We are disappointed with the situation but the confidence has not drained. We still believe in each other."
Bowen says that the manager is big enough to take the criticism. He said: "Mark is OK. When things are not going well, you have to accept the criticism. Mark fully accepts that and is used to it.
"He has very broad shoulders and there is a togetherness in the dressing room.
"The players have proved over the last two seasons that there is a magnificent team spirit here. We know the task and we are all focused on it."
Stoke manager Tony Pulis, who will be trying to pile the pressure on, says Fulham must not panic despite their woeful form. "There are still 20 matches to go," he said. "You can have a good first half and struggle second half, or you can have a struggle in the first half and then push through. So they still have enough time to finish in the top 10.
"You can get into a sequence of six or seven games without winning, but then go on a little run and finish halfway up the table."
Read more: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/219770/Mark-Hughes-under-pressure-with-Jol-now-lurking-on-sidelinesMark-Hughes-under-pressure-with-Jol-now-lurking-on-sidelines#ixzz19OO3TYQI (http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/219770/Mark-Hughes-under-pressure-with-Jol-now-lurking-on-sidelinesMark-Hughes-under-pressure-with-Jol-now-lurking-on-sidelines#ixzz19OO3TYQI)
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Liverpool-to-battle-Fulham-over-young-Crystal-Palace-hotshot-Wilfried-Zaha-article658317.html (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Liverpool-to-battle-Fulham-over-young-Crystal-Palace-hotshot-Wilfried-Zaha-article658317.html)
Kop to battle with Fulham over young Palace hotshot
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is ready to battle with old club Fulham for Crystal Palace's exciting young striker Wilfried Zaha.
Kop chief Hodgson wants to take the young Eagle as part of the club's long-term planning - with Kenny Dalglish also involved in the recruitment of top talent for the future.
Zaha has been a hit for Palace since making his breakthrough this season and Liverpool want to snap him up after landing other prospects like Jonjo Shelvey and Raheem Sterling this year.
Hodgson's spies have been checking on Zaha, who will ironically face his team in the FA Cup, while other calls have been made to register their interest.
However Hodgson's old employers at Fulham are also on the hunt for Zaha, who may be sold by George Burley's club if they need to raise funds to bring in new faces to beat the drop.
Palace would want around £2 million for Ivory Coast-born starlet Zaha, who is still just 18. But in their ideal world he would be left with them for the season.
Hodgson will be given cash for new recruits who will stand the test of time at Merseyside - and may be there beyond his period in charge.
And the fact that there is growing interest - with Fulham also prepared to splash out now - means that Zaha may be one of the surprise movers in the window.
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Liverpool-to-battle-Fulham-over-young-Crystal-Palace-hotshot-Wilfried-Zaha-article658317.html#ixzz19OU5WCm4 (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Liverpool-to-battle-Fulham-over-young-Crystal-Palace-hotshot-Wilfried-Zaha-article658317.html#ixzz19OU5WCm4)
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http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=225942 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=225942)
Hughes Urges Fulham Unity!
That defeat on Boxing Day wasn`t supposed to happen!
Boxing Day was supposed to, against West Ham, provide those three banker points before we headed off on for two hard away matches, at Stoke and Spurs.
But we lost big time and now, to prevent our club getting truly sucked into a monumental relegation battle, we just have to break our away hoodoo and get something out of those two difficult games, starting with Stoke today.
Speaking about the trip to the Britannia Stadium, Aaron Hughes, who scored his first goal for six year son Boxing Day, has come across with two very valid points when he remarked to the media,
"Stoke is a difficult place to go but we have to get some points on the board so we don`t get stuck in the relegation zone."
"The most important thing for the club right now is that we don`t start pointing fingers at each other and picking holes in our team. We have to stick together and keep believing in ourselves."
True! Stoke is a hard place to go and yes, unity has to be maintained otherwise self implosion is a risk with consequences too awful to consider!
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=225942#ixzz19PCWeeXe (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=225942#ixzz19PCWeeXe)
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=225944 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=225944)
Fulham - Don`t Do It!
It`s horrid to see the Daily Mirror rocking the boat down by the River Thames!
The tabloid carries a back page article that infers Mark Hughes has three games to save his job otherwise he`ll be ditched.
If so, it`ll be a tragic move for two reasons if Fulham do dispense with his services.
Firstly, has Mark really had enough time to shape his side and secondly would we be in danger of lightning striking twice?
The reason I say that is because Hughes was a late replacement for Hodgson with the board actively hoping Martin Jol was coming.
Hughes, subsequently, had no time to raid the transfer market. Therefore, if the Mirror is correct and Hughes has three games to go, wouldn`t his replacement be lumbered with the same problem with the transfer window already open and with very little knowledge of what the ills of the current set-up are?
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=225944#ixzz19PCkiR3P (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=225944#ixzz19PCkiR3P)
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=225943 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=225943)
Fulham - Sweet Words from Opposition Boss!
Tony Pulis is a well respected manager.
In a short space of time he`s transformed Stoke City into a side that could edge towards a Europa League place this season.
He`s also acutely aware of the pressures Mark Hughes is operating under and ahead of our clash this afternoon, has some kind words to say about our club, commenting in the media,
"They are fighting for their lives down there but there are still twenty games to go yet."
"To me, Fulham still have enough time to finish in the top 10 or 12."
"You can go on a run of six or seven games without winning and then go on a little run and finish half way up the table."
I bet he`ll be mortified if that little run starts this afternoon though!
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=225943#ixzz19PCxkYka (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=225943#ixzz19PCxkYka)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9322717.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9322717.stm)
Lawro's prediction
(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/50591000/gif/_50591243_stokecity_fulham.gif)
Stoke v Fulham
Stoke had an excellent result on Boxing Day whereas Fulham are a little bit on skid row.
I think Fulham will be very lightweight against a heavyweight Stoke team.
It's a bad period for Fulham at the moment - Andy Johnson has no confidence so Moussa Dembele might start - and until they get some goals in the team I think they will continue to struggle.
Prediction: 2-0
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9306533.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9306533.stm)
BBC: Stoke v Fulham
TEAM NEWS
Stoke will assess the fitness of winger Matthew Etherington, who limped off at Blackburn with a sore ankle.
Striker Jon Walters hurt his left shoulder at Ewood Park but is confident he will be available.
Fulham boss Mark Hughes could opt to make changes following the Whites' disappointing display against West Ham.
However, Hughes' attacking options are limited, with Moussa Dembele likely to miss out with an ankle injury and Bobby Zamora sidelined until mid-February.
MATCH PREVIEW
Humbled by the Hammers on Boxing Day, defeat at Stoke would really send disgruntled Fulham fans potty. The Whites dropped into the relegation zone after gifting West Ham their first away league win for 16 months, prompting some supporters to turn on manager Mark Hughes.
Hughes' decision to substitute top scorer Clint Dempsey after 53 minutes infuriated the Craven Cottage faithful, some of whom chanted "you don't know what you're doing".
With key target man Bobby Zamora still out with a broken leg, Dempsey is one of the few Fulham players who offers a goal threat. His replacement, Damien Duff, made little impact against the Hammers, while Andrew Johnson lasted the 90 minutes despite looking out of sorts.
Hughes' fellow Welshman Tony Pulis enjoyed contrasting fortunes on Boxing Day, with his Stoke side outplaying Blackburn to move up to eighth in the table. Since suffering four straight defeats in the autumn, the Potters have lost only one of seven games, claiming 14 points from a possible 21.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Stoke have won their last three games against Fulham, including a 2-0 victory in the third round of the League Cup this season.
• Fulham's last top-flight win at Stoke was a 1-0 victory in November 1967.
Stoke
• The last time the Potters lost back-to-back home games in the Premier League was in September 2009, when Chelsea and then Manchester United claimed maximum points at the Britannia Stadium.
• They have lost six of their last 15 home league games (twice to Tottenham, plus Arsenal, Bolton, Manchester United and Blackpool).
• Stoke have scored 19 of their 23 league goals in the second half. That is 83% - the highest figure in the top flight.
Fulham
• They have failed to win their last 26 away games in the top flight. Their last victory on the road was 1-0 at Portsmouth on the opening day of the 2009/10 season.
• The Whites have won only one of their previous 14 league games.
• Mark Hughes has drawn 18 of his last 29 games as a Premier League manager.
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Stoke (W2-0 v Blackburn, a): Begovic, Huth, Shawcross, Collins, Wilkinson, Pennant (Fuller 84), Whitehead, Delap, Etherington (Whelan 74), Jones (Wilson 89), Walters. Subs not used: Sorensen, Higginbotham, Gudjohnsen, Tuncay.
Fulham (L1-3 v West Ham, h): Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Salcido, Dempsey (Duff 53), Murphy, Etuhu (Eddie Johnson 53), Davies, Gera, Andrew Johnson. Subs not used: Stockdale, Baird, Kamara, Greening, Halliche.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1342167/Craving-Cottage-Diego-Maradona-linked-Fulham-pressure-Mark-Hughes-increases.html? (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1342167/Craving-Cottage-Diego-Maradona-linked-Fulham-pressure-Mark-Hughes-increases.html?)
Craving Cottage: Diego Maradona linked with Fulham as pressure on Mark Hughes increases
Diego Maradona has already tested out the comfort of the Craven Cottage directors' box - but could English football's No 1 villain soon be sitting in the Fulham hot seat?
Reports in Italy claim the Argentina legend is set to replace underfire Mark Hughes at the west London club after an appalling run of just one win in their last 14 Barclays Premier League games.
Maradona was a surprise visitor for Fulham's 4-1 crushing by Manchester City in November and has made no secret of his desire to get much closer to the action in England.
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/12/28/article-1342167-0C491B25000005DC-446_468x300.jpg)
I want a job! Diego Maradona has been linked to numerous managerial positions
since leading Argentina at the World Cup
His cheating left hand - not to mention a less-than-impressive managerial record - maybe a barrier to him landing a post, but he said in October: 'Of course I would like to manage in the Premier League.
'It has very good teams, an exceptional level and great players. The only problem is all the teams I like in England have good coaches. If any important job comes along I will accept it.
'Everything is so professional there: the players, the managers, the coaches. The players are surrounded by everything they need. Everything is phenomenal.'
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Hughes, you lose: Fulham fans have turned on Mark Hughes after the club's
miserable run
Hughes's position at Fulham is under increasing threat after a 3-1 defeat by fellow strugglers West Ham on Boxing Day left them just a point off the bottom of the Premier League.
Maradona can barely get through a day without being linked with a job. Visits to Iran, China and Venezuela have seen him tipped for unlikely posts in each of the countries, while Aston Villa and Blackburn have also been mentioned in England.
One job he really wanted was at Boca Juniors, the Buenos Aires club where he forged his reputation as arguably the greatest player the world has ever seen. However, the Argentine side turned him down this month in favour of former national team goalkeeper Julio Cesar Falcioni.
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In a battle: Fulham have won just one of their last 14 league games
Maradona had very little managerial experience before Argentina appointed him as boss in November 2008. The relationship ended acrimoniously when the team were thrashed 4-0 by Germany in the World Cup finals in July and he was dismissed.
It was different when he was a player. Argentina won the 1986 World Cup largely thanks to his genius, but many England supporters will only remember him punching the ball past Peter Shilton in the quarter-final to send Bobby Robson's home.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1342167/Craving-Cottage-Diego-Maradona-linked-Fulham-pressure-Mark-Hughes-increases.html#ixzz19PHB09mI (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1342167/Craving-Cottage-Diego-Maradona-linked-Fulham-pressure-Mark-Hughes-increases.html#ixzz19PHB09mI)
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/12/28/2280134/liverpool-battling-with-fulham-to-sign-crystal-palace? (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/12/28/2280134/liverpool-battling-with-fulham-to-sign-crystal-palace?)
Liverpool battling with Fulham to sign Crystal Palace starlet Wilfried Zaha - report
Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Crystal Palace starlet Wilfried Zaha, believed to be available for around £2 million.
The Daily Mirror claims the Reds have sent scouts to watch the exciting young striker on a number of occasions and believe he has a bright future within the game.
It is believed that Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson will face competition for the striker from his old club Fulham. The Cottagers have found goals hard to come by this season and are keen on investing in some more fire power to help push them away from the relegation zone.
With a recent history blighted by financial troubles, Palace will find it difficult to refuse any substantial offers for their players but may ask to keep the striker for the rest of the season on a loan deal as they bid to avoid the drop themselves.
Eagles manager George Burley has already hinted that he needs to strengthen his squad and the sale of Zaha would give him the funds he badly needs.
Having already signed youngsters Jonjo Shelvey and Raheem Sterling, Hodgson seems to be planning for the future at Anfield and sees Zaha as an ideal target. With Fulham also interested, however, it remains to be seen where the striker will be plying his trade in 2011.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/12/28/2280195/blackburn-fulham-in-pole-position-for-5m-rated-espanyol? (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/12/28/2280195/blackburn-fulham-in-pole-position-for-5m-rated-espanyol?)
Blackburn & Fulham leading race for £5m-rated Espanyol striker Pablo Osvaldo - report
Blackburn and Fulham are reported to be interested in Espanyol's Argentinean-born striker Pablo Osvaldo, although a fee of around £5 million will need to be offered for his services.
talkSPORT reports that the two Premier League sides are keen to add some much needed firepower to their squads in January as they bid to move away from the lower echelons of the table and both see Osvaldo as an ideal target.
The Cottagers have suffered greatly with injuries this campaign as Bobby Zamora, Andy Johnson and Moussa Dembele have all spent considerable time on the sidelines, whilst Rovers' strikers have simply not been firing.
Although born in Argentina, the striker qualifies for Italian citizenship and has represented Italy at under-21 level.
The main stumbling block would appear to be the cost. Osvaldo still has five years left on his contract and it would take a substantial offer to prise him away from the Barcelona club.
Still, with the managers of both English clubs likely to be backed heavily in January, there is a distinct possibility that Osvaldo will be plying his trade in the Premier League in 2011.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6619259,00.html? (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6619259,00.html?)
Hughes - Unrest is expected
Defender confident squad spirit will pull Cottagers through
Aaron Hughes understands the frustration of Fulham's supporters but is confident results will improve.
A sorry season for the Cottagers sees them languishing in the relegation zone heading into a meeting with Stoke on Tuesday, with their Premier League status now hanging in the balance.
The summer departure of Roy Hodgson has hit the club hard, with Mark Hughes unable to repeat the success of his predecessor.
The under-fire coach now sees his neck on the line, with a disgruntled fanbase far from convinced that he is the right man for the job.
Northern Ireland international Hughes feels the fans have every right to air their displeasure, but insists the mood within the camp remains upbeat.
"It's nothing new," he said.
"It's not unique at this club; it happens at any club at any time when things aren't going well - they voice their opinion, which they are entitled to do.
Togetherness
"Last season's gone, we know what we can do and what we are good at. We know what got us success over the past couple of years so we've got to keep working hard and not let the belief and confidence go because if that goes, then we really are in trouble.
"We've still got a lot of togetherness and confidence in the dressing room that we can turn it round and start going the right way."
Hughes knows it is important that Fulhammaintain a united front heading forward, with the next few weeks set to make or break their season.
"The most important thing for us is that we don't start pointing the finger and saying we're not scoring goals at one end and conceding at the other and start picking holes in our team," he said.
"The most important thing is that we stick together and keep going.
"We haven't gone from being a good side to not a good side overnight. There's things we can work on but there's a lot of good things in the squad we've got to hold onto and keep building on."
http://www.stokecity-mad.co.uk/feat/edz1/betting_preview__stoke_v_fulham_612788/index.shtml (http://www.stokecity-mad.co.uk/feat/edz1/betting_preview__stoke_v_fulham_612788/index.shtml)
Betting Preview - Stoke v Fulham
The best odds for the Potters home game with the Cottagers
Stoke City will look to earn a second win in three days when they host Fulham in todays big game.
The hosts are favourites at 20/21 with totesport whilst the visitors are outsiders at 15/4 with VictorChandler for the game whilst a draw is available at 12/5 with most bookies.
Stoke will hope to repeat the home win against Fulham earlier this year to rise further up the table. A repeat of that 3-2 home win is available at 40/1 with WilliamHill and SkyBet. All but three of the Potters league wins this season have been by a one goal margin. A 2-1 win, to keep that run going, is available at 9's with StanJames.
Fulham will be hoping to put aside their bad recent form with a win against City and 1-0 would do the visitors just nicely. That score is available at 11's with 32Red. Six of the Potters games this season have ended 2-1 so 35/2 with 32Red for a 2-1 Fulham win could turn out to be a good bet.
Kenwyne Jones is the Potters top scorer and on his day is unplayable and is 7/1 with bwin to open the scoring whilst Ricardo Fuller has two in four and looks set to start up front and is also 7/1 with bwin to score first. In form winger Matthew Etherington has netted thrice in five games and can be backed at 11's, with SkyBet, to break the deadlock.
Fulham are under pressure and ravaged by injuries but Andy Johnson always seems to score against Stoke and is 10's with PaddyPowerto break the deadlock, whilst loudmouth Danny Murphy will be hoping to silence the boo boys and is 16/1 with Coral, Bet365, BlueSQ and PaddyPower to net first.
http://www.sportingpreview.com/matches/10111612.php? (http://www.sportingpreview.com/matches/10111612.php?)
STOKE v FULHAM
BIG MATCH FACTS AND STATS
The Potters have won the last three meetings in all competitions with the Londoners.
• Five of the last seven league meetings between Stoke and Fulham have ended as 1-0 wins.
• Fulham have won none of their last 26 Premier League away games.
• Stoke have won their last three games against Fulham, including a 2-0 victory in the third round of the League Cup this season.
• Fulham's last top-flight win at Stoke was a 1-0 victory in November 1967.
• Blackpool are the only team to prevent Stoke from scoring in the last nine league matches played at the Britannia Stadium.
• Fulham have lost the most points from winning positions this season; 13.
• 83% of the goals Stoke have scored have been netted in the second half, the highest proportion in the top flight.
• 65% of the goals that Fulham have conceded have come in the first half, the highest proportion in the Premier League.
• The last time the Potters lost back-to-back home games in the Premier League was in September 2009, when Chelsea and then Manchester United claimed maximum points at the Britannia Stadium.
• They have lost six of their last 15 home league games (twice to Tottenham, plus Arsenal, Bolton, Manchester United and Blackpool).
• Stoke have scored 19 of their 23 league goals in the second half. That is 83% - the highest figure in the top flight.
• They have failed to win their last 26 away games in the top flight. Their last victory on the road was 1-0 at Portsmouth on the opening day of the 2009/10 season.
• The Whites have won only one of their previous 14 league games.
• Mark Hughes has drawn 18 of his last 29 games as a Premier League manager.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1342180/Manchester-City-misfit-Roque-Santa-Cruz-demands-long-term-Lazio-deal.html? (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1342180/Manchester-City-misfit-Roque-Santa-Cruz-demands-long-term-Lazio-deal.html?)
Roque and a hard place: Santa Cruz demands long-term deal as Lazio only table loan offer
Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz is ready to put his family first by turning down a move to Lazio unless they hand him a long-term deal.
The Paraguay striker has been cleared to leave Eastlands after failing to get a start in the Barclays Premier League this season.
Lazio are keen and are said to be close to an agreement with City on loan till the end of the season - for a £500,000 fee - that could be upgraded to a permanent deal for a further £2.5million.
However, Santa Cruz told a Paraguayan radio station: 'As far as I know, I am not a Lazio player and I will not accept a loan deal for six months.
'I won't accept a loan and everyone who approaches my agent knows this. I can't leave England for six months. It would be hard for me and my family. We are happy in England. Rome is a lovely city, but there is no need for us to move.'
The words are further encouragement for Fulham, who are also keen on the 29-year-old, but question marks over Mark Hughes's future as boss at Craven Cottage could scupper a move.
There has also been interest from Germany, but Santa Cruz has been consistent in saying his preference would be to stay in England, after first arriving at Blackburn from Bayern Munich in 2007.
City signed him for £18m in June 2009 and are set to take a huge financial hit on him.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1342180/Manchester-City-misfit-Roque-Santa-Cruz-demands-long-term-Lazio-deal.html#ixzz19PYgxoNF (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1342180/Manchester-City-misfit-Roque-Santa-Cruz-demands-long-term-Lazio-deal.html#ixzz19PYgxoNF)
