Offal - Riise aiming for first team spot

[Lighthouse]

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With the Whites preparing for a challenging encounter against Manchester United at Craven Cottage on Saturday, Fulham's Bjorn Helge Riise has set his sights on a First Team spot this season.

The Norwegian international has been enjoying the training sessions put on by new manager Mark Hughes and is hoping to build on his impressive performances in the UEFA Europa League last season in his push for a place in the starting eleven.

"I love the training sessions, the first impressions are very good; they suit my style. I'm used to that from Norway so for me it's pretty good," Riise told fulhamfc.com.

"Everybody wants to play every game but from my point of view I hope I'm going to get more chances to prove myself. Hopefully I can do well in training and if I get the possibility to play for the First Team I have to take it.

"We still play the same formation but we have more freedom attacking-wise, the Manager wants us to get more tempo offensively – that also suits me very well. We have Simon Davies, Damien Duff who can do things so I think the team is going to adapt very well."

Fulham kicked-off their Barclays Premier League campaign at the Reebok Stadium last weekend, recording a creditable draw and Riise was certainly pleased with what he saw from his team-mates.

"It was a tough game, but we knew it was going to be like that," Riise said looking back on the match. "Bolton is always a tough team to play against, they're very physical but I think we did really well. We tried to play football and fought when we needed to but it was a good point – it's a good start.

"Manchester United is always going to be a tough game but this is what we play football for – to meet the best teams and play the top games. Hopefully we're going to improve, play better football and, of course, we always play well at home so it's not going to be easy for them."

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/August/RiiseFIrstTeamChances.aspx#ixzz0wsbSRmOQ
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[SmithyFFC]

I seen no reason why Riise couldn't become a regular in the first team. He has a great cross on him and could be deadly and set pieces. This may suit the style Hughes wants to use.

[Bilet]

One of his major weaknesses is his pace. He just seem to struggle at PL-level. No doubt he brings some good crosses, but I can't see him establishing himself as a regular this year, even though Mark Hughes surely would be fond of his workethics.

[Lighthouse]

Problem with all the fringe players is they need more time and games to establish themselves. We had the games last season but Roy stuck mainly to the tried and tested. I hope Riise can break in but the doubts remain about consistancy.

Welcome Bilet. Hope this is the first of many.

[HatterDon]

I'm struggling hard to remember his "impressive" performances in the Europa League last season. Just seemed to me to be a step slow and a bit inaccurate on the cross. He should definitely be behind Duff and Davies in the winger order.

And led me add a South Texas "howdy" to Mr. Lighthouse's welcome, Mr./Ms. Bilet.  :54:

[finnster01]

This is the same chap who said to the papers that Duff was crap and he should be ahead of him.

Talk is cheap, time for Mummy's Boy Jr to stop running his mouth and deliver the goods on the field instead.

[SmithyFFC]

This is the same chap who said to the papers that Duff was crap and he should be ahead of him.

Talk is cheap, time for Mummy's Boy Jr to stop running his mouth and deliver the goods on the field instead.

To be fair to the lad his first team chances have been pretty limited.

Don't forget though, our european adventure would have finished early had it not been for 2 great crosses in Basel.  :dft012:

[Nick the Swede]

One of his major weaknesses is his pace. He just seem to struggle at PL-level. No doubt he brings some good crosses, but I can't see him establishing himself as a regular this year, even though Mark Hughes surely would be fond of his workethics.

O.o Hey Eirik, welcome to the board my fellow Scandinavian  :003:

Sidenote: please give me a shout if you see me online!

[White Noise]

Welcome aboard Bilet, good to have you on here.

I was watching lots of You Tube vids of Moussa Dembele with one of my sons last night and we were laughing at just how quick and skillful he looks.I can't see Riise getting in ahead of this lad. They are somewhat different players but potentially are both competing for a birth on the left unless Hughes goes for a more conventional use of his wide men than RH. Dembele looks full of surprises while Riise has a more workmanlike game.