http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/football-ealing/fulham-fc-ealing/2011/02/10/fulham-s-sidwell-gears-up-for-chelsea-clash-64767-28151052/ (http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/football-ealing/fulham-fc-ealing/2011/02/10/fulham-s-sidwell-gears-up-for-chelsea-clash-64767-28151052/)
Fulham's Sidwell gears up for Chelsea clash
Feb 10 2011
By Jacob Murtagh
(http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/ealinggazette/feb2011/9/7/steve-sidwell-image-1-817116134.jpg)
STEVE Sidwell insists he has got nothing to prove to former club Chelsea on Monday - but is more concerned about showing his worth to new boss Mark Hughes instead.
The midfielder spent a trophyless season at Stamford Bridge in 2007/8, making just seven league starts, before being shipped out to Aston Villa for £5million.
But his move to Villa Park did not work out either, prompting a switch to Craven Cottage in January.
The 28-year-old penned a short-term deal with the Whites until the end of the season, although there is an option to extend it until 2014.
He said: "I don't feel I've got anything to prove. It's one of those things in life where if it works out at a club then great, if it doesn't you just get your head down and move on.
"It didn't work out at Chelsea but I'm at Fulham now, and all I'm concerned about is putting in a performance for the fans and manager.
"Every training session and game is a trial for me. I've got to prove my worth to the manager and wait for discussions at the end of the season."
http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2011/02/bearing_the_battle_scars.php
Bearing the Battle Scars
Posted by Phil Mison 7 hours, 48 minutes ago
A very special dinner was held last month in the Riverside. Reviewing our two goals at Villa Park from Saturday my thoughts turned back to that evening's guest of honour.
Long standing Fulham fans will have no trouble remembering Jimmy Conway from his playing days at the Cottage. He was in the 1975 Cup Final side. More of you might recall reading programme notes or an update on Jimmy's current circumstances from bulletins at the club website last year.
In 2010, having been alerted to events, I started researching Jimmy's story for a future documentary. Early last year at the age of 64, and now resident in Portland Oregon, Jimmy was diagnosed with early symptoms of trauma induced dementia. "I suspect it began in his 50s," wife Noeleen says. "The declines were there. They are so subtle. I'd noticed some things, but you kind of brush them off. And then something else pops up."
In the USA Jimmy and Noeleen built a whole new life for themselves and the family. Jimmy played for the Timberwolves in the NASL after his career in England came to an end. He's had two spells coaching the side as well as fulfilling 28 years as director for overall coaching throughout the state and universities of Oregon.
Timbers head coach and general manager Gavin Wilkinson says, "He has done more for the development of football in the state of Oregon than people will ever truly realize." Even wife Noeleen turned to coaching girls teams at the local high schools. Friends in Portland are glowing in their praise of Jimmy's unstinting work to spread the word in the American north west. "He came alive on the pitch with kids, it was magic - there's only very few like him," says his former boss of the Oregon programme.
Once news of Jimmy's affliction broke, the folk of Portland got busy. The state of Oregon organized four testimonial events for Jimmy over the summer of 2010, such is his standing in the American North West. Selfless Jimmy insisted all monies raised went to the Alzheimer's Association of Oregon. It was the same at Fulham. "The club offered me a testimonial but I turned it down. I reckoned the fans had been putting their hands in their pockets all those years to see me play. That was enough."
(http://d.yimg.com/i/ng/sp/empics/20110105/02/414126080-05012011022016.jpg)
John and Jimmy at the Cottage for the WBA game
© Press Assoc
In January Jimmy and Noeleen were over and attended the West Brom win as guests of the club. The following night the club pulled out all the stops with a dinner and auction that raised £10,000. David Hamilton and Les Strong played host, George Cohen gave generously of his time, while half a dozen of Jimmy's colleagues from the '75 Cup run turned up in support. Noeleen requested we not interview her husband on camera, he was finding it all a bit overwhelming, but told me, "We've reconnected with people we haven't talked to in 30 years. It has been mind-blowing, it really has. Very humbling. It is like somebody wrapping a great big warm blanket around you. It feels so good."
You can support Jimmy and Noeleen, keep in touch with his progress and direct messages to them at: http://www.jimmyconway.com (http://www.jimmyconway.com). News on our documentary for Jim later in the year. For the record here's his record with the Whites:
In 1966, he transferred to Fulham from Bohemians in Ireland.
A midfielder or winger, he spent ten years at Craven Cottage, scoring 67 times in 314 League games before a £30,000 fee brought him to Manchester City in August 1976. He was a member of the Fulham side that reached the 1975 FA Cup Final. He played with his brother John at Fulham and joined the Timberwolves in 1981
Which brings me back to our goals from Saturday. Neither AJ nor Clint showed a shred of hesitation when putting their heads into the firing line of flailing boots and Friedel's punch. All in the cause. Remember that next time one of your favourite players mistimes a 10 yard pass. At the top the game is tough and the toll on bodies over time can be cruel. Then suddenly one May morning in your early 30's it all ends - at a stroke. I recall being with John Collins the day he retired, he had no idea what he was going to do with the rest of his life.
If the fates are looking down maybe, just maybe, this will be the year we finally lift the FA Cup. Let's do it for Jimmy.
Twitter@fulhamphil
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/7944049/Fulham-v-Chelsea-match-preview.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/7944049/Fulham-v-Chelsea-match-preview.html)
Fulham v Chelsea: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage on Monday Feb 14 2011, kick off 20.00 GMT.
PREVIEW
FULHAMVCHELSEA Monday, February 14 20:00
Premier League
Craven Cottage
6:00AM GMT 11 Feb 2011
Monday, February 14
Fulham v Chelsea
Craven Cottage
Kick-off: 20.00 GMT
TV: Live Sky Sports 1.
Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Baird; Duff, Murphy, Sidwell, Dempsey; A Johnson, Dembele.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Lampard, Mikel, Essien; Anelka, Torres, Drogba.
Referee: Mike Dean. Matches: 20. R2 Y75.
Tale of the game
Chelsea have a good recent record against their closest neighbours; in their last nine meetings, Chelsea are unbeaten, winning six and drawing three.
Fulham last beat Chelsea in March 2006 when Luis Boa Morte scored the game's only goal and William Gallas was sent off, at Craven Cottage, in March 2006.
Earlier this season, at Stamford Bridge, Michael Essien was both the hero and the villain.
The midfielder scored what proved to be the winner but failed to finish the game after receiving a red card in the final minute.
Fulham defender John Pantsil is only the second player in Premier League history to score three own goals in a single season, after Southampton's Anders Jakobsson in the 2004-05 campaign.
At Craven Cottage, Fulham have beaten Chelsea just five times in 31 league games. The visitors have won 19.
Fulham's Bobby Zamora returned in a midweek reserve game, against Brighton, after breaking his leg in September, but is probably a week or two from a first-team return.
But Dickson Etuhu (hamstring), Philippe Senderos (Achilles) and Matthew Briggs (calf) remain absent.
Chelsea, following the 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, could consider giving a start to David Luiz, a late substitute on Sunday.
But manager Carlo Ancelotti should keep faith with Fernando Torres alongside Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba.
This season: Chelsea 1 Fulham 0
Last season: Fulham 0 Chelsea 2, Chelsea 2 Fulham 1.
Stat of the game: In the last 10 league meetings between these West London rivals, Chelsea have had three players sent off.
Betting tip: West London pride at stake and Fulham stronger than before. But Chelsea have a good record at the Cottage so try Torres to get the first goal at 7-2.
Managerial Sack Race -
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1355602/West-Ham-consider-Premier-League-gamble-Avram-Grant--THE-FIRING-LINE.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1355602/West-Ham-consider-Premier-League-gamble-Avram-Grant--THE-FIRING-LINE.html)
http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/02/football-news/premier-league-preview-fulham-v-chelsea (http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/02/football-news/premier-league-preview-fulham-v-chelsea)
Premier League preview: Fulham v Chelsea
Date: 10th February 2011 at 5:07 pm |
Written by FFC News Desk
Two teams struggling for consistency meet in the west London derby when Chelsea travel the short distance to Fulham on Monday.
Defending champions Chelsea have lost one, drawn one and won one of their last three English Premier League matches, with their last outing ending in a 1-0 defeat at home to Liverpool.
While they are no longer embroiled in their worst run of form for over a decade – a sorry record of just two wins in 11 matches between November and January – they are a hefty 10 points behind league leaders Manchester United and cannot afford to drop more points if they are to have any chance of retaining the title.
Owner Roman Abramovich recognised the need for reinforcements at Stamford Bridge and made funds available for the purchase of Fernando Torres from Liverpool for a British-transfer record 50 million pounds, as well as Brazil centre-back David Luiz from Benfica.
With countryman Alex in doubt due to a knee injury, Luiz may make his first Chelsea start at Craven Cottage.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is also without Yury Zirhkov, who is suffering from a calf injury and Yossi Benayoun, who is recovering from an Achilles injury.
Fulham's patchy form is similar to that of Chelsea.
Mark Hughes' side have also lost one, drawn one and won one in their last three league outings. Their most recent match ended in a 2-2 draw away to Aston Villa.
They did dispatch Tottenham 4-0 in the FA Cup fourth round on January 30, but have struggled to reproduce that kind of display in the Premier League.
The hosts will be without midfielder Dickson Etuhu and Bobby Zamora, who is nearing a return from the broken leg sustained against Wolverhampton Wanderers in September.
Chelsea won the first meeting between the two teams 1-0 back in November, when a Michael Essien strike in the 30th minute proved to be the winner at Stamford Bridge.
Captain's Impact
Thursday 10th February 2011
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Players/murphy/MurphyNews.jpg)
Fulham captain Danny Murphy will lead his Team out against local rivals Chelsea on Monday night (KO 8pm)| hoping to record a sixth successive victory at the Cottage.
Murphy has more than played his part in Fulham's bright start to 2011 and Manager Mark Hughes praised the outstanding form the midfielder has produced over the course of the 2010/11 season.
"In terms of performing consistently well for the Team, I think Danny has performed as well as anyone in that regard," Hughes told fulhamfc.com. "He's always hit a level that has an impact on the game and we've benefitted from that.
"I'm sure when the season comes to a close Danny can be proud of what he's achieved this year, in terms of his consistency."
Hughes believes Murphy's attitude towards fitness, in terms of preparation and recovery, will lead to an extended career in the top flight for the former England international, who recently put pen-to-paper on a new deal to stay at Fulham until at least the summer of 2012.
"He's a fit guy and looks after himself, which is really important," said Hughes. "As you get older you understand your body more than you possibly did as a young player. You know what you can do and what you can't do.
"Danny has that knowledge of what he needs to do, in terms of preparation and recovery, and I'm sure that will add to the longevity of his career."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/HughesOnMurphy.aspx#ixzz1DdGFIN3k (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/HughesOnMurphy.aspx#ixzz1DdGFIN3k)
http://cottagers.blogspot.com/2011/02/this-still-makes-me-laugh.html (http://cottagers.blogspot.com/2011/02/this-still-makes-me-laugh.html)
This still makes me laugh
(http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00673/terry1_673098c.jpg)
I happened to attend the England v USA friendly at Wembley a couple of days after the Champions League Final in Moscow. In this game Terry did score, with a header. Afterwards he was quoted in the press as saying he was a 'big man for the big games'.
No John. A big game was the Champions League Final, not an end of season friendly against America. And a big man would have scored the winning penalty rather than messing about making sure their captain's armband was on straight before falling over and shanking their kick onto the post.
I can't make it to the game on Valentine's Day but I would love it if you made an arse out of yourself again.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3405313/Roy-Hodgson-will-be-named-West-Brom-boss-next-week.html (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3405313/Roy-Hodgson-will-be-named-West-Brom-boss-next-week.html)
Exclusive
Roy's in the Bagg for hotseat
By DEAN SCOGGINS
Published: Today
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ROY HODGSON will be confirmed as West Brom's new boss next week.
The former Liverpool manager is the man the Baggies believe will win the battle to keep them in the Premier League.
Chris Hughton, axed by Newcastle in December, had been hotly tipped to replace Roberto Di Matteo.
But chairman Jeremy Peace has opted for Hodgson because of his success at Fulham.
Struggling Albion - out of the drop zone only on goal difference - face a relegation six-pointer against rock-bottom West Ham at The Hawthorns tomorrow, but caretaker boss Michael Appleton is expected to be in charge for that match.
It is a remarkably swift return to management for Hodgson, 63. He was sacked by Liverpool on January 8 as he struggled to keep them in contention for the Champions League places.
Kop supremo John W Henry was forced to take drastic action after dressing-room and terrace confidence collapsed.
Di Matteo was sacked on Sunday after almost two years in charge. Hodgson will be the Baggies' NINTH boss since 2000.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/feb/11/what-defines-great-managers?INTCMP=SRCH (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/feb/11/what-defines-great-managers?INTCMP=SRCH)
What defines the great managers? Total control of a club
The great autocrats dominate those parts of the club where people outside their reach might cock it up for them
Comments (31)
Paul Hayward The Guardian, Friday 11 February 2011
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2011/2/10/1297364691289/Chelsea-v-Liverpool---Pre-007.jpg)
Kenny Dalglish points the direction in which he is leading Liverpool. Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
One of the arguments thrown at Kenny Dalglish before his managerial rebirth was that the game was bound to have passed him by, as if 10 years out of the dugout had rendered a 59-year-old with a gilded CV intellectually incapable of keeping up with change.
After a quartet of league wins and four clean sheets, Dalglish is so embedded in his old/new job that Liverpool's social media communications routinely refer to him as King Kenny. Decrepitude isn't as virulent as we think. His Majesty sold Fernando Torres to Chelsea for £50m and then outthought El Niño's new employers on the pitch with the help of a coach – Steve Clarke – who was formerly the chief defensive organiser for Roman Abramovich's mob.
Football's Labour Exchange is an autograph hunter's paradise. Chris Hughton left the throng to talk to West Bromwich Albion but Martin O'Neill, Roy Hodgson, Steve McClaren and Sam Allardyce still stand in line. This glut of highly qualified unemployed bosses directs our attention to the question: "How do you define a good manager. What does he have to do?"
The alarms blare when a good one is dismissed as useless on the back of a rough experience. This is the rock Hodgson was dashed against when Liverpool turned out to be the wrong job at the wrong time. Anfield regulars are dogged in their recitation of where Hodgson went wrong. Fair enough. But less quantifiable was his inability to command the obedience and loyalty of his players while Dalglish offered an alternative in the background.
Fulham followers with fond memories cried out that Hodgson saved them from near-certain relegation, inspired them to their all-time highest league placing and topped it off with a Europa League final. In many cases – Hodgson at Liverpool, McClaren with England – there is a counterbalancing obligation to consider previous achievement against present failure and not eviscerate a lifetime's work on the basis of the odd blow-out. By the most myopic measure, Fabio Capello is an eternal chump for his mishandling of England at last summer's World Cup. In reality he sports an exemplary club record in Italy and Spain.
McClaren appears particularly doomed to ride a switchback of faint praise and ridicule. At Manchester United he is remembered as a shrewd and innovative coach. At Middlesbrough he won the club's first trophy since the Ark and reached a European final. Towards the end he was spoken of as a passenger with an inflated ego. The best that could be said of his England spell is that he went home dry after the denouement. In Holland he won the league and looked ever so content in all those nice newspaper features. Then he crashed again in Germany.
Revisionism is a permanent state. Denigration clouds our efforts to measure endeavour. Dalglish was meant to have run aground at Newcastle and Celtic. St James' Park is a familiar burial ground. Allardyce undid much of his reputation from the Bolton years by trying to impose an ugly style on a stadium of dreamers. Hughton's sacking was simply a laughable injustice.
To sift achievement properly requires a disentanglement of politics, money, boardroom power, transfer dealings, youth cultivation and finishing positions. In other words the maths are never simple. Were the team higher when the manager left than when he joined? Did he blood young players and help secure a future he would not be around to enjoy? When results dipped, did the owners declare unambiguous support or whisper and gripe to journalists, agents and boardroom guests?
The simplest criterion is: are the players Masochist X brought in superior to the ones he shipped out? But even here no definitive picture can be sketched without factoring in financial constraints, the posturing of chief executives who pretend to be chasing players they know they will never get and the efficiency of the academy and scouting networks. The great autocrats – Shankly, Clough, Ferguson, Wenger – knew the only way to guarantee their own success was to dominate those parts of the club where people outside their reach might cock it up for them.
A tight or megalomaniac owner, an alcoholic chief scout, a bad academy manager: all these were, and remain, catalysts of doom for he who picks the starting XI, which is why the greats sought total command. But annexation is no longer an option for probably 90 of English football's 92 league managers. Their trade has been emasculated. Always, we see directors fretting about how appointments "will go down with the fans". Perception, which flits around, is everything.
Clever people are not swept aside by history. Dalglish proves that. They adapt, they stay on the train. Yet even the king will face another reckoning. Liverpool will be re-established as the fifth or sixth best team in England and then he will be expected to deliver more: the next step, which is conquest.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/02/11/manual_083739.html
GUDJOHNSEN SET TO START
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Gudjohnsen - could start for Fulham.
Eidur Gudjohnsen could make his first Fulham start in the Barclays Premier League match against Chelsea on Monday night.
The Iceland striker made his Cottagers debut as a late substitute in the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa and will be pushing for a spot in the first XI against his former club.
Dickson Etuhu (hamstring) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles) are likely to miss out again, while Bobby Zamora is still two to three weeks away from fitness after recovering from a broken leg.
Teams:
Fulham (from): Schwarzer, Stockdale, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Baird, Briggs, Davies, Riise, Murphy, Sidwell, Duff, Dempsey, Gudjohnsen, Kakuta, Kamara, Gera, Dembele, Salcido, Greening, Johnson, Halliche.
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/city/stokecitynews/Stoke-City/article-3212593-detail/article.html (http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/city/stokecitynews/Stoke-City/article-3212593-detail/article.html)
Stoke City:
By stoke city michael baggaley
STOKE City chairman Peter Coates has defended the departures of Tuncay and Eidur Gudjohnsen, but says Ricardo Fuller wouldn't have been allowed to leave without a replacement being signed up.
City were linked with Birmingham's Cameron Jerome during the recent transfer window, including a possible deadline day swap deal involving Fuller plus cash.
Instead, Jerome will line up against Stoke at St Andrews tomorrow (3pm), while Fuller is hoping to dislodge John Carew or Kenwyne Jones to play.
Coates, pictured below, said City sold Tuncay to Wolfsburg for £4.4m during the transfer window because he wanted to play in Germany and because Tony Pulis couldn't offer him regular first-team football.
Coates, who was speaking at a supporters' club meeting last night, said: "Tuncay wanted to leave and he wanted to go to Germany. He was very anxious to play a lot of games and Tony Pulis didn't feel he was in a position to guarantee that."
Coates said City were right to cut their losses on Gudjohnsen after allowing the former Chelsea and Barcelona striker to join Fulham on loan for the rest of the season five months after signing him from Monaco on a 12-month contract.
Coates said: "We thought he was a good signing, but it didn't work out. We managed to get him another club and he was keen to do that. It worked out well for us because there was a saving to be had."
However, Coates says he is delighted Fuller is still a Stoke player. City received a bid from Sunderland for the Jamaican, but it was well below their valuation.
Coates added: "We wouldn't have let both Tuncay and Ricardo Fuller go unless we were confident we could bring someone in of the right quality. Now hopefully Ricardo will play well for us for the rest of the season.
"I am a huge fan of Ricardo Fuller. We have never had a player like him; a big, strong powerful man who has pace and strength and fantastic control. He is a terrific player."
Coates suggested the club would be more reluctant to sign players from South America after spending an initial £2.65m, rising to a possible £4.85m, on Uruguay international Diego Arismendi, who is now 23. He has yet to play a Premier League game since signing in August 2009 and is on loan at Barnsley.
The chairman added: "You dip your toe in the water. My understanding is that he is very up and down.
"I suppose the jury is out to some extent over how he develops and whether he will be good enough to play in the Premier League."
Coates said the club has yet to commit to extending the Britannia Stadium because it could cost up to £4m to provide an extra 2,500 seats.
He added: "We are hesitating. I would like to do it, but financially it is not attractive."
Coates said he has had no offers for the club, but added: "I have no plans or wish to sell."
CHIEF executive Tony Scholes has confirmed that next season's Adidas home shirts will have the traditional red and white stripes on the front and back. This season's design, with an all red back, was criticised by supporters.
The Big One
Friday 11th February 2011
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Players/davies/DaviesvCole.jpg)
Fulham will have to overcome Chelsea on Valentine's Day to secure a sixth successive home win and Simon Davies is hoping for another memorable performance and result under the Cottage floodlights.
Davies recalled last season's historic evening victories over Hamburg and Juventus at the Cottage and is expecting another electric atmosphere for the SW6 derby on Monday night.
"The Chelsea game is definitely one us players look forward to - it's the derby so it's always extra special," Davies told fulhamfc.com. "They're [Chelsea] also one of the biggest clubs around, so you always want to do well because if you can beat them it's a fantastic achievement.
"And let's not forget it's also a massive game for the fans. If you can win your derby at home then the fans are always going to remember that. We've gone close over the years, and having been really unlucky at Stamford Bridge earlier on in the season it would be nice to address that.
"I've played in lot of derby games down the years, both the North London one and the Merseyside one. For passion alone, these games are always incredible. The Chelsea game always serves up a great atmosphere as well.
"It's good to be playing them in an evening game too, because we saw how lively the Cottage was last season in those European games. Hopefully we will see that on Monday."
Fulham have started 2011 in impressive form and Davies pinpoints the Team's victory against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium as the victory that set the Team on their way and with key attacking players returning from injury, the Welshman is only looking up the Barclays Premier League table.
"After a mixed start to the season things have really picked up now," said Davies. "As expected the second half of the season has gone really well so far. All those draws really killed our momentum - fortunately we have that now.
"Our confidence probably wasn't as high as it could have been, but that's also something we've got now. We're on a good run and hopefully we can extend that a bit further.
"Since the win at Stoke we've gone from strength-to-strength and we haven't looked back. The return of players from injury has also been a big boost and Andrew Johnson and Mousa Dembele have given us a bit more in the final third. Hopefully we've turned the corner, so let's look up rather than down."
Davies has found himself amongst Fulham's substitutes in recent weeks as Mark Hughes has opted for Damien Duff and Clint Dempsey on the flanks but Davies is taking a professional attitude to his spell on the bench and is sure he will play his part in the weeks and months ahead.
"I've found myself out of the team of late, but it's part and parcel of the game," Davies explained. "I've been very lucky in my time here in that sense, but as long as the team is winning and the Club doing well, then that's the main thing.
"I'm working hard every day in training and making sure that when I am needed that I will be ready. That's all you can do. There's plenty of football to be played, so I'm sure I'll play my part at some point."
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Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/DaviesChelseaPreview.aspx#ixzz1DeikmlmZ (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/DaviesChelseaPreview.aspx#ixzz1DeikmlmZ)
Matchday Programme
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Programme/1011/Chelsea.jpg)
Valentine's Day, the greetings card industry tells us, is a time for romance, and spending quality time with the one you love.
But there's only one place to be this February 14th, and that's at Craven Cottage for the SW6 derby as Fulham host Chelsea in an encounter where you can be sure there'll be no love lost.
Mark Hughes' in-form Whites host a Blues side struggling to maintain their usually high standards, and hoping that new British record signing Fernando Torres can help solve their problems.
If we are to record our first derby win in five years, then what better way to remember the occasion in years to come than with the ultimate matchday memento, the Official Programme?
Buy a copy this Monday and you will also automatically be entered into a draw to win over £100 worth of Jack Wolfskin goodies.
This week's essential Matchday read includes:
An exclusive one-on-one feature interview with new loan signing and former Chelsea ace Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Fulham Manager Mark Hughes' thoughts on recent results.
Danny Murphy looks forward to the unique atmosphere of a derby encounter.
Steve Sidwell discusses how much he is enjoying life at Craven Cottage.
Expert Analysis with former Chelsea goal scorer Mark Stein.
The popular Black & White Eye, covering all things Fulham.
Guest column from TV personality and Fulham fan George Lamb.
Match action from our games against Newcastle and Aston Villa.
Contributions from the Fulham Faithful interaction and loads of fun for younger fans too.
Plus, so much more besides!
The brilliant publication will be on sale in and around the ground from two hours before kick-off and at half-time.
If you miss your copy outside then look out for sellers on the Putney and Hammersmith Terrace, or at half-time from the programme room situated inside the Johnny Haynes Stand by Block E (opposite Turnstile 24).
Buy Matchday Programmes online|
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Fanzone/FFCMatchdayProgramme.aspx#ixzz1DejBcwC5 (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Fanzone/FFCMatchdayProgramme.aspx#ixzz1DejBcwC5)
Design Fulham's Twitter Page Friday 11th February 2011
Design a Twitter background for Fulham FC
The Club is giving all Fulham fans a chance to design a new twitter background for the Club's official twitter page at http://www.twitter.com/fulhamfc (http://www.twitter.com/fulhamfc)| and if yours is chosen you'll get a home, away or third kit of your choice fully personalised!
Using the guide provided|, use your creative skill to come up with the best Fulham related twitter background you can for the Club. To help you along we've put together some of the best high-res images from this season as well as providing fans with our logos; so get downloading| and designing today!
All entries should be emailed to
[email protected]| by Friday 18th February at 5pm and we'll notify the winner by Friday 25th February.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/TwitterBackground.aspx#ixzz1DejWbGN2 (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/TwitterBackground.aspx#ixzz1DejWbGN2)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/feb/11/roy-hodgson-west-brom-manager
Will Roy Hodgson rescue West Brom – and his career?
Lauded at Fulham, vilified at Liverpool, will Roy Hodgson's return to management be a success?
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Clubs/Club_Home/2011/2/11/1297423283084/Roy-Hodgson-007.jpg)
Comments (79)
West Brom fans will hope that Roy Hodgson replicates the job he did at Fulham. Photograph: Alex Morton/Action Images
So little more than a month since he was sacked by Liverpool after enduring a torturous six months at Anfield Roy Hodgson is back in football management with West Bromwich Albion.
On the face of it a club such as the Baggies seem a good fit. They are a similar size to Fulham, whom the 63-year-old took from the verge of relegation to mid-table security and on a European journey that ended in extra-time defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Europa League final, and West Brom fans will be delighted if Hodgson replicates the league placing alone.
Eyebrows were raised when Roberto Di Matteo was sacked last Sunday, but the decision – hasty on the face of it – at least gives Hodgson enough time to stamp his influence and tactics on the squad and perhaps instil some rigidity in the second worst defence in the league.
Hodgson will also need to get Peter Odemwingie firing again. The striker's form was instrumental in the Baggies' rising as high as fourth in the autumn and his goals are largely why West Brom have managed to absorb a run of seven defeats in their previous nine league matches without sinking to the very bottom. They currently reside a place above the relegation zone on 26 points, but have a game in hand and a number of clubs within reach above them.
But questions will be asked of Hodgson's ability to recover from his disastrous time at Liverpool, in which supporters picked holes in his defensive tactics, bizarre dealings with the media, inability to win away from home, and heaped more pressure on to his ageing shoulders than he has likely ever had to incur.
Is he the right man for the Baggies? Or would Chris Hughton, who was the favourite for the job on Thursday, have been a better, more energetic option?
http://thechelseablog.org/2011/02/11/chelsea-look-ahead-to-local-derby/ (http://thechelseablog.org/2011/02/11/chelsea-look-ahead-to-local-derby/)
Chelsea look ahead to local derby
Posted on February 11th, 2011
by thomasrooney
Chelsea will look to put a tumultuous week behind them this weekend as they go up against local rivals Fulham in the West London derby on Monday.
While the visitors will be favourites with most football betting pundits, Fulham will be buoyant after taking four points from their last two days and demolishing Tottenham 4-0 in the FA Cup.
In a week of highs and lows, Carlo Ancelotti's men will hope they can resume normal service after falling to a 1-0 defeat at home against Liverpool.
Most of the focus surrounding the game was on new signing Fernando Torres. Having completed his switch from Liverpool to Chelsea during the January transfer window caused a stir in the Premier League; Harry Redknapp and Arsene Wenger both voiced their concerns about Chelsea's £75 million spending spree and its implications for the rest of the league, especially in view of UEFA's soon-to-be-imposed Financial Fair Play directive.
Ancelotti's more pressing concerns will lay on the pitch however as he looks to reignite a stuttering league campaign.
Having suffered badly over November and December – picking up only one win from nine games – the Italian would have hoped they could recapture their earlier league form and reel in league leaders Manchester United.
Those regularly placing football bets will likely note that their odds to win the Premier League for third time lengthen significantly.
The defeat at Anfield leaves them ten points behind Alex Ferguson's men in the league. In real danger of their attempts to hold on to their league title going under, Chelsea will hope to repeat the trick of overcoming Fulham following a defeat against Liverpool, as they did in November.
The Blues have emerged victorious in their last four meetings between the sides in the Premier League and will be hopeful of their new attacking trio of Nicolas Anelka, Didier Drogba, and Fernando Torres will start to fire having struggled against Liverpool.
Former Chelsea man Mark Hughes will lead his side out at Craven Cottage with a series of injury worries. Main goal threat Bobby Zamora is still missing while centre-back Phillip Senderos looks set to miss the match.
Chelsea have no new injury worries ahead of the game and will hope their star men on International duty such as John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard will return unscathed from England's midweek game against Denmark.
Written by TCB reader Thomas Rooney
http://www.chelseadaft.org/2011/02/whats-your-early-thoughts-on-fulham.html? (http://www.chelseadaft.org/2011/02/whats-your-early-thoughts-on-fulham.html?)
What's your early thoughts on Fulham?
For the second time in recent weeks, we have to wait until Monday night to see Chelsea and this time we are taking on Fulham at the Cottage in our local derby.
Fulham have won their last five games at home and have some important players back from injury. In addition they also have Chelsea old-boy Eidur Gudjohnsen ready to make his first start for the club after joining on loan for the remainder of the season.
For Chelsea, we are wondering what Carlo will do with the side and formation for Monday night. Will he stick with the same formation?, Will David Luiz get a start? Will Ivanovic replace Bosingwa at right back?, Will Malouda and Ramires come into the side? and will Carlo Ancelotti be brave enough to drop certain players after the Liverpool defeat?.
One thing is for sure, going to Fulham is never an easy game and I expect more of the same Monday. Right now, I would bite your hand off for three points which is the most important thing for Chelsea more than anything. It would be nice for Torres to score his first goal and for everyone to put the Liverpool game out of our minds.
So I am asking you the fans (of both sides) what are your expectations of Monday night and state what you believe to be your starting eleven for the game and explain why!.
I am going for: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Essien, Lampard, Ramires, Anelka, Drogba and Torres. Reason why, is I believe Carlo wants this formation to work so will give it another chance. I would stick Essien holding to start with and bring Ramires in next to Lampard. These two can interchange all game. Luiz comes in next to JT and Ivanovic replaces Bosingwa to ensure we are solid.
What do you think?
KTBFFH.
http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/cottagers-veteran-can-carry-on-hughes-1164031.html? (http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/cottagers-veteran-can-carry-on-hughes-1164031.html?)
Cottagers veteran can carry on - Hughes
Mark Hughes is confident that the contract extension veteran Danny Murphy recently signed with Fulham will not be his last.
The Cottagers boss was delighted when 33-year-old former Liverpool midfielder, Murphy, signed a new deal to keep him at Craven Cottage until summer 2012. And Hughes is in no doubt that, because of the former England man's dedication to maintaining his optimum fitness levels, he should be still around looking to stay on beyond 18 months' time.
On Murphy, who joined Fulham in 2007 after a failed switch to Tottenham, Hughes told the club's website: "He's a fit guy and looks after himself, which is really important.
"As you get older you understand your body more than you possibly did as a young player. You know what you can do and what you can't do.
"Danny has that knowledge of what he needs to do, in terms of preparation and recovery, and I'm sure that will add to the longevity of his career."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9391010.stm? (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9391010.stm?)
Fulham v Chelsea
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Monday, 14 February Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on Sky Sports 1 and highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
TEAM NEWS
Fulham's Bobby Zamora scored for the reserves in midweek but is still a few weeks away from making a first-team return from his broken leg.
Gael Kakuta, on loan from Chelsea, is ineligible under Premier League rules.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed £21.3m defender David Luiz will make his first start after coming off the bench against Liverpool.
Ancelotti has also revealed that Portugal defender Jose Bosingwa is a doubt with an unspecified knock.
Fulham
Doubtful: Etuhu (hamstring)
Injured/unavailable: Kakuta (ineligible under loan rules), Senderos (Achilles), Zamora (fitness)
Chelsea
Doubtful: Bosingwa (unspecified)
Injured: Alex (knee), Benayoun (Achilles), Zhirkov (calf)
MATCH PREVIEW
Craven Cottage hosts this Valentine's Day union between west London neighbours Fulham and Chelsea, with the home side eager for a victory that would break Chelsea hearts.
The champions' hopes of retaining their title are hanging by a thread, with last weekend's costly defeat against former club Liverpool leaving Carlo Ancelotti's champions 10 points off leaders Manchester United. With seven defeats already, an eighth here would surely prove terminal to their title hopes.
Fulham are a team in form, unbeaten at home in 2011 and up to 12th in the table after taking 11 points from a possible 18 since the turn of the year. With Bobby Zamora making a goalscoring return in the reserves in midweek following five months out with a broken leg, the feel-good factor is high at Craven Cottage.
This fixture sees several Fulham stars reunited with their ex. Steve Sidwell, Damien Duff and Eidur Gudjohnsen will all be keen to show Chelsea what they are missing, while Fulham boss Mark Hughes was a popular figure during his three years as a player at Stamford Bridge.
Blues fans, however, have a new love in £50m striker Fernando Torres, who will be desperate to make his mark following a disappointing debut against former club Liverpool
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Fulham have beaten Chelsea just once in the last 28 league and cup meetings, spanning 31 years. That solitary success was 1-0 at Craven Cottage in March 2006, when Luis Boa Morte got the only goal.
• Didier Drogba has scored in three of his last four Premier League games against Fulham.
Fulham
• Fulham have won their last three Premier League home matches without conceding a goal.
• The Cottagers have picked up just one point from six London derbies this season.
• They are the only team in the Premier League who have not earned a red card in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea
• The next goal Chelsea score will be their 150th in the Premier League under Carlo Ancelotti.
• The Blues have kept only one clean sheet in their last nine Premier League away games.
• Branislav Ivanovic will be hoping to celebrate his new contract with his 100th appearance for the club.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Fulham
Dempsey: 10 goals (9 league); Kamara: 5 goals (2 league)
Chelsea
Anelka: 14 goals (6 league);
Drogba & Malouda: 10 goals (9 league);
Kalou: 10 goals (7 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mike Dean
Assistant referees: Mike Mullarkey & Ron Ganfield
Fourth official: Kevin Friend
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Fulham (D2-2 v Aston Villa, a): Schwarzer; Pantsil (Salcido 62), Hughes, Hangeland, Baird, Duff (Davies 67), Murphy, Sidwell, Dempsey, Dembele, A Johnson (Gudjohnsen 90). Subs not used: Stockdale, Gera, Kakuta, Greening.
Chelsea (L0-1 v Liverpool, h): Cech; Bosingwa (Luiz 73), Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Mikel (Malouda 71), Essien, Lampard, Anelka, Torres (Kalou 66), Drogba. Subs not used: Turnbull, Ferreira, McEachran, Sala.
http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/02/football-news/ancelotti-gives-up-on-chelsea-title-dream? (http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/02/football-news/ancelotti-gives-up-on-chelsea-title-dream?)
ANCELOTTI GIVES UP ON CHELSEA TITLE DREAM
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admits his team have very little chance of winning the Premier League title as they prepare to face Fulham on Monday.
The defending champions are rocking after losing to Liverpool last week in Fernando Torres' first match for the club and now Ancelotti is having to reset his targets with Chelsea 10 points behind leaders Manchester United.
"It's difficult to think we can come back to fight for the title, it's better to think game by game," he said.
"We have to reach minimum fourth place. To close the gap is very difficult; we have to be honest about this. But the most important step is to be fourth in the table and fight with the other teams."
Ancelotti admitted he was shocked at the way his side, seemingly back in form, lost to Liverpool last week.
"I think it was a surprise the defeat against Liverpool because I saw in the days before the game that the team trained well with motivation and power," he said.
"But now we have to look forward to Fulham and maintain high our confidence; you have to have confidence when you play above all the Champions League."
"Our aims now are very clear, we have Champions League, we have FA Cup and we have to close the gap. It's difficult to close the gap but we have to reach fourth to keep Chelsea in the Champions League."
New boy David Luiz, signed from Benfica for 21 million pounds, will make his full debut for the Blues in Monday's game at Fulham.
The Brazilian defender has been told he will face Mark Hughes' side as Chelsea bid to recover from their loss to the Reds last week.
"He will start. David Luiz is a very good defender because he has ability and skills to play all the positions in the back four. He can play centre-back, right-back, he hasn't played left-back but he has the ability to play there," Ancelotti said.
"He's Brazilian so he has very good technique. He can help us to build our play better from the back. I think he will be one of the best defenders in the world in the future."
"He's young but he already has fantastic experience because he played in Benfica, he played in the Champions. Sadly he cannot play in the Champions League for us but he can show his quality in the Premier League and FA Cup."
Chelsea expect to go into the match at Craven Cottage with no new injury problems after the international break.
"The players came back yesterday, they don't have a problem. Everything is ok. Just (Jose) Bosingwa has a little problem and we hope to recover him in time. Some players played 90 minutes but we have time to prepare them."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1356006/Fulham-v-CHELSEA-David-Luiz-make-debut-Carlo-Ancelotti-keeping-faith-forwards.html? (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1356006/Fulham-v-CHELSEA-David-Luiz-make-debut-Carlo-Ancelotti-keeping-faith-forwards.html?)
Fulham v CHELSEA: David Luiz to make debut with Carlo Ancelotti keeping faith in three forwards
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed £25million signing David Luiz will be given his first start for the club at Fulham on Monday.
Centre-back Luiz is expected to come in for Jose Bosingwa, who has a knock, with Branislav Ivanovic moving to right-back.
In attack, the Italian looks set to persevere with a front three of £50million former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.
Team (from): Cech, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Terry, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cole, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Ramires, McEachran, Kalou, Malouda, Torres, Anelka, Drogba, Turnbull.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1356006/Fulham-v-CHELSEA-David-Luiz-make-debut-Carlo-Ancelotti-keeping-faith-forwards.html#ixzz1DfEgQZb1 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1356006/Fulham-v-CHELSEA-David-Luiz-make-debut-Carlo-Ancelotti-keeping-faith-forwards.html#ixzz1DfEgQZb1)
http://www.twtd.co.uk/news.php?storyid=17899 (http://www.twtd.co.uk/news.php?storyid=17899)
U18s at Fulham
Town's U18s are in action at Fulham's Motspur Park training ground on Saturday morning (KO 11am). The young Blues will be looking to complete a quick double over the Cottagers having beaten them 3-2 at Playford Road only a fortnight ago.
On that occasion defender Josh Meekings (pictured), Northern Irish U19 international midfielder Cormac Burke and Welsh U17 international striker Jack Simmons were on the scoresheet, and all three are in tomorrow's squad.
Fulham's website warns that "access to U18 and U16 home games is only on production of a valid season ticket or membership card".
U18s: Cody Cropper, Callum Bennett, Joe Whight, Aaron Jones, Josh Meekings, Tom Winter, Elliot Scotcher, Cormac Burke, Josh Carson, Carel Tiofack, Jide Maduako, Conor O'Donnell, Lewis Acott, Byron Lawrence, Jack Simmons.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/11022011/58/premier-league-matchpack-fulham-v-chelsea.html? (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/11022011/58/premier-league-matchpack-fulham-v-chelsea.html?)
Premier League - Matchpack: Fulham v Chelsea
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed £25million signing David Luiz will be given his first start for the club.
Centre-back Luiz is expected to come in for Jose Bosingwa, who has a knock, with Branislav Ivanovic moving to right-back.
In attack, the Italian looks set to persevere with a front three of £50million former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.
Fulham's Eidur Gudjohnsen could make his first start for the Cottagers.
The Iceland striker made his Cottagers debut as a late substitute in the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa and will be pushing for a spot in the first XI against his former club.
Dickson Etuhu (hamstring) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles) are likely to miss out again, while Bobby Zamora is still two to three weeks away from fitness after recovering from a broken leg.
MATCH FACTS
39% of Fulham's goals this season have been headers, the highest percentage in the top flight.
Clint Dempsey has scored four goals in his last six Premier League appearances.
Fulham are the only team in the Premier League who have not earned a red card in the Premier League this season.
Fulham have won their last three Premier League home matches without conceding a goal.
Chelsea have scored four goals in each of their last two Premier League away games.
The Blues have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine Premier League games on the road.
Didier Drogba has scored in three of the last four Premier League games against Fulham
Four of the last five goals Fulham have scored against Chelsea in the Premier League have been netted in the opening 10 minutes of matches.
Drogba has fired in 39 shots on target this season, more than any other player in the Premier League.
Fulham have picked up just one point from six London derbies this season.
ODDS
Fulham 4/1, Draw 13/5, Chelsea 8/11
PA Sport / Opta
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/LucozadeFansFive.aspx? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/LucozadeFansFive.aspx?)
Lucozade Fans Five
Lucozade have begun their search for the country's most dedicated Premier League football fans. Working closely with Premier League clubs, they're giving you the opportunity to prove your passion and represent your club by pulling on the shirt at Stamford Bridge. It's not about your skill and footballing talent, just die-hard support and commitment to the club you love.
To enter Lucozade Fans Fives, you'll need to find a few other supporters to make up your team, head over to www.lucozade.com/fansfives (http://www.lucozade.com/fansfives) and be ready to demonstrate your dedication. If your application is successful you'll be invited to take part in a Facebook 'fan-off', in which you'll battle it out to prove once and for all who is the most committed.
If your team emerges victorious you'll be in for an unforgettable experience; a VIP trip to Stamford Bridge to do battle in a 5-a-side tournament against the finest fans of other Premier League clubs. After the game, win or lose, you'll get to experience some of the finest hospitality around and stay in a London hotel.
Think that you and your mates have what it takes to prevail in the ultimate test of commitment to your club? Prove it at www.lucozade.com/fansfives (http://www.lucozade.com/fansfives).
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/LucozadeFansFive.aspx?#ixzz1DfFmlhtv (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/LucozadeFansFive.aspx?#ixzz1DfFmlhtv)
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=231547 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=231547)
Fulham - Double-Digit Dempsey?
Though we certainly have a long way to go, it can be said that most Fulham fans are breathing a sigh of relief with our recent good-form elevating us to 12th in the Premier League table.
This is due to improved tactics from Mark Hughes, a better overall effort from the squad as a whole, but most significantly to a return to health and form of Andrew Johnson and Damien Duff; both of whom have scored in recent weeks.
It's timely productivity from the two veterans, indeed, as Clint Dempsey's nine goals have accounted for a third of our PL goals this season (27 scored by Fulham squad; 1 Scott Carson OG).
Brede Hangeland sits second on the teams in League scoring with three. When one of your central defenders is second on your squad in scoring this late in the season, it is quite revealing.
To say that Dempsey has carried the squad this season is a bit of an overstatement, but you can't dismiss the fact that he has shouldered the goal-scoring load for us.
To most (myself included), this highlights a glaring weakness in the squad, but the return to form of Andrew Johnson and Damien Duff, the signing of Steve Sidwell and Gael Kakuta, and the impending return of Bobby Zamora will hopefully see an overall increase in scoring and a greater contribution from other members of the squad.
Depending on one player for most of your scoring is just asking for trouble; especially this season as parity reigns and more than half the clubs not yet safe from the drop. That being said, as long as we keep winning, who cares from whom the goals come, right?
One more goal will see Dempsey reach double-digits in Premier League scoring. No big deal, right? Well, it is for Fulham. We've not had a double-digit Premier League scorer since Collins John (11) and Brian McBride (10) in the 2005/06 season.
Most of the larger clubs will laugh at us for heralding such a feat, but for us it's significant and worthy of applause. Let's hope Dempsey reaches double-digits on Monday versus Chelsea while helping us claim three-points from our West London rivals for the first time since March 2006.
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=231547#ixzz1DfeqQxRj (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=231547#ixzz1DfeqQxRj)
http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/dans-the-man-and-will-be-for-a-few-more-years? (http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/dans-the-man-and-will-be-for-a-few-more-years?)
Dan's the man – and will be for a few more years
Mark Hughes puts his faith in midfielder veteran Danny Murphy
Fulham boss Mark Hughes believes the contract extension veteran Danny Murphy recently signed will not be his last.
Hughes was delighted when 33-year-old former Liverpool midfielder Murphy signed a new deal to keep him at Craven Cottage until summer 2012.
And the Cottagers' chief is in no doubt that, because of the former England man's dedication and fitness, he should be still around looking to stay on beyond 18 months' time.
On Murphy, who joined Fulham in 2007 after a failed switch to Tottenham, Hughes told the club's website: "He's a fit guy and looks after himself, which is really important.
"As you get older you understand your body more than you possibly did as a young player. You know what you can do and what you can't do.
"Danny has that knowledge of what he needs to do, in terms of preparation and recovery, and I'm sure that will add to the longevity of his career."
http://www.fsf.org.uk/news/Fans-travel-an-average-1,970-miles-a-season.php?id=
Fans travel an average 1,970 miles a season
11th February 2011
Football fans are going the distance in support of their team - and it's an average 1,970 miles a season for domestic games across the Premier League and Football League, according to Virgin Money's Football Fans' Inflation Index.
The most miles a season are clocked up by West Bromwich Albion fans who claim to put in 3,290 miles a season going to league matches - an average of 86 miles for every Premier League game beating the 2,471 miles - or 65 miles a game - clocked up at Manchester City. Across the city Manchester United fans put in 2,238 miles a season or 58 miles a game.
Premier League fans travel an average 1,920 miles a season compared with 1,854 miles a season in the Championship and 2,072 miles a season in Football Leagues 1 and 2. That works out at 52 miles a league game in the Premier League, 45 miles a game in Football Leagues 1 and 2 and 42 miles a game in the Championship.
The research - which showed fans travelled 1,899 miles a season in 2009 and 2,031 miles in 2008 - underlines the expense of attending matches as outlined by Virgin Money's Football Fans' Inflation Index. It shows the average match day cost for fans is now £101.67 after a 4.2% rise in the past three months with the increase being driven by costs outside the clubs' control, including petrol and train tickets.
Virgin Money say football clubs have cut costs – with average ticket prices across all divisions said to be £24.32 while replica shirt costs have dropped to £32.54 - but petrol prices are at near record highs, while rail ticket prices also continue to rise. The average distance travelled by fans doesn't tell the whole story - Virgin's research with the Football Supporters' Federation shows 15% of fans travel more than 4,000 miles a season and a hardcore 4% put in more than 10,000 miles a season.
Grant Bather, spokesman for Virgin Money, said: "Football fans literally do go the extra mile supporting their club and it's good to see that clubs are doing what they can to keep costs down. But travelling to games is a major cost for fans whether it is in a car or on trains. When you add in the travel problems the whole country has suffered in the snow, it's impressive that supporters clock up as many miles a season as they do and that's without counting in any European travel."
Malcolm Clarke, chair of the FSF, commented: "These travel figures show the incredible commitment of match-going fans in supporting their teams - a commitment which is essential not only for the live game but for the television product as well. With both fuel prices and rail fares recently rising to unprecedented levels, it will become even harder for fans to maintain this commitment, and clubs should recognise this in their ticket pricing policies."
PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB - AVERAGE MILES TRAVELLED PER SEASON
West Brom - 3,290 miles
Manchester City - 2,471 miles
Chelsea - 2,416 miles
Liverpool - 2,262 miles
Manchester United - 2,238 miles
Newcastle United - 2,234 miles
Sunderland - 2,161 miles
Wolves - 2,071 miles
Everton - 2,048 miles
Blackpool - 2,021 miles
West Ham United - 1,837 miles
Tottenham Hotspur - 1,722 miles
Arsenal - 1,662 miles
Stoke City - 1,636 miles
Aston Villa - 1,567 miles
Birmingham City - 1,483 miles
Fulham - 1,344 miles
Wigan Athletic - 1,323 miles
Bolton Wanderers - 1,323 miles
Blackburn - Rovers 1,312 miles
The Virgin Money Football Fans' Inflation Index, which measures the match day costs, shows the average price of going to a live game is now a hefty £101.67 compared with £97.50 in August 2010 but still below the high of October 2008 when it hit £106.21. The match day costs include a pint of lager, a match ticket, a replica shirt, and a match programme as well as some travel expenses.
Virgin Money's Football Fans' Index has tracked the cost of football since January 2006 and is aimed at helping supporters keep track of the rises and falls in the costs of supporting their team. The company identified the match day essentials fans buy and keeps tabs on increases and decreases. At the launch of the index in 2006, the so-called "match day basket" cost £77.95. However the most recent analysis puts the cost at £101.67 - a rise of £23.72 since 2006.
The figures are taken from a survey carried out by the FSF between 30th November and 15th December 2010 which questioned 4,150 football fans.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/11/squad-sheets-fulham-chelsea
Squad sheets: Fulham v Chelsea
guardian.co.uk, Friday 11 February 2011 17.46
This time last week, Chelsea were crowing after spending £76.5m to sign David Luiz and Fernando Torres from Benfica and Liverpool respectively. Then came last Sunday's visit of Liverpool, a 1-0 home defeat and a horrendous debut for Torres against his old club – proof, perhaps, that accommodating the Spaniard alongside Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka in the srtating lineup will not be easy for Chelsea's manager. With Fulham enjoying a fine run of form, Ancelotti must discover a solution sooner rather than later. Jacob Steinberg
Venue Craven Cottage, Monday 8pm
Tickets Sold out
Last season Fulham 0 Chelsea 2
Referee Mike Dean
This season's matches 20 Y75, R2, 3.85 cards per game
Odds Fulham 4-1 Chelsea 4-5 Draw 11-1
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2011/2/11/1297446977514/Fulham-v-Chelsea-001.jpg)
Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic
Fulham
Subs from Etheridge, Stockdale, Kelly, Salcido, Riise, Halliche, Greening, Gudjohnsen, Etuhu, Gera, Dikgacoi, Kamara, A Johnsen, Dalla Valle
Doubtful Etuhu (hamstring)
Injured Briggs (hamstring, 20 Feb), Senderos (achilles, 20 Feb), Zamora (match fitness, 27 Feb)
Suspended None
Ineligible Kakuta (terms of loan)
Form guide DWLWDW
Disciplinary record Y30 R0
Leading scorer Dempsey 9
Chelsea
Subs from Hilário, Turnbull, Bruma, David Luiz, Ramires, Mikel, Ferreira, Kalou, Borini, McEachran
Doubtful Bosingwa (unknown)
Injured Alex (knee, 19 Feb), Benayoun (achilles, Apr), Zhirkov (calf, unknown)
Suspended None
Form guide LWWWLD
Disciplinary record Y36 R1
Leading scorers Drogba, Malouda 9
Match pointers
• Fulham have won only one of their past 15 meetings with Chelsea at Craven Cottage in all competitions
• Chelsea have the most woodwork strikes this season (13) while Fulham have the fewest (one)
• Fulham have picked up one point from six London derbies this season
• Chelsea have kept one clean sheet in their past nine Premier League matches away from home
• 39% of Fulham's goals this season have been headers – the highest proportion in the top flight
Ancelotti: Luiz will start against Fulham
Published 17:25 11/02/11
By MirrorFootball
(http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/match-centre/article692529.ece/ALTERNATES/gallery-large/david-luiz-chelsea-cropped)
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed £25million signing David Luiz will be given his first start for the club at Fulham on Monday.
Centre-back Luiz is expected to come in for Jose Bosingwa, who has a knock, with Branislav Ivanovic moving to right-back.
In attack, the Italian looks set to persevere with a front three of £50million former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.
Team (from): Cech, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Terry, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cole, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Ramires, McEachran, Kalou, Malouda, Torres, Anelka, Drogba, Turnbull.
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-Chelsea-team-news-Luiz-to-start-after-Bosingwa-suffers-knock-Torres-Drogba-Anelka-will-play-up-front-again-article695253.html#ixzz1DgGVBUFa (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-Chelsea-team-news-Luiz-to-start-after-Bosingwa-suffers-knock-Torres-Drogba-Anelka-will-play-up-front-again-article695253.html#ixzz1DgGVBUFa)
Gudjohnsen set for Fulham start against Chelsea
Published 17:25 11/02/11
By MirrorFootball
(http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/pictures/article569929.ece/ALTERNATES/gallery-large/Stoke-Eidur-Gudjohnsen+cropped)
Eidur Gudjohnsen could make his first Fulham start in the Barclays Premier League match against Chelsea on Monday.
The Iceland striker made his Cottagers debut as a late substitute in the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa and will be pushing for a spot in the first XI against his former club.
Dickson Etuhu (hamstring) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles) are likely to miss out again, while Bobby Zamora is still two to three weeks away from fitness after recovering from a broken leg.
Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Stockdale, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Baird, Briggs, Davies, Riise, Murphy, Sidwell, Duff, Dempsey, Gudjohnsen, Kakuta, Kamara, Gera, Dembele, Salcido, Greening, Johnson, Halliche.
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-Chelsea-team-news-Gudjohnsen-could-make-first-Fulham-start-against-Chelsea-but-Zamora-Etuhu-Senderos-still-out-article694999.html#ixzz1DgHEBIG4 (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-Chelsea-team-news-Gudjohnsen-could-make-first-Fulham-start-against-Chelsea-but-Zamora-Etuhu-Senderos-still-out-article694999.html#ixzz1DgHEBIG4)
http://www.sportingpreview.com/matches/10112027.php (http://www.sportingpreview.com/matches/10112027.php)
FULHAM v STOKE
BIG MATCH STATS AND FACTS
SportingPreview.com: 11 February 2011
Clint Dempsey has scored four goals in his last six Premier League appearances.
• Fulham are the only team in the Premier League who have not earned a red card in the Premier League this season.
• Fulham have won their last three Premier League home matches without conceding a goal.
• Fulham have beaten Chelsea just once in the last 28 league and cup meetings, spanning 31 years. That solitary success was 1-0 at Craven Cottage in March 2006, when Luis Boa Morte got the only goal.
• Didier Drogba has scored in three of his last four Premier League games against Fulham.
• Chelsea have scored four goals in each of their last two Premier League away games.
• The Blues have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine Premier League games on the road.
• Didier Drogba has scored in three of the last four Premier League games against Fulham.
• Four of the last five goals Fulham have scored against Chelsea in the Premier League have been netted in the opening 10 minutes of matches.
• Fulham have picked up just one point from six London derbies this season.
• Fulham have won their last three Premier League home matches without conceding a goal.
• The Cottagers have picked up just one point from six London derbies this season.
• They are the only team in the Premier League who have not earned a red card in the Premier League this season.
• The next goal Chelsea score will be their 150th in the Premier League under Carlo Ancelotti.
• The Blues have kept only one clean sheet in their last nine Premier League away games.
• Branislav Ivanovic will be hoping to celebrate his new contract with his 100th appearance for the club.
