Sunday Fulham Stuff (21.02.10)

[TheDaddy]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/tm_method=full%26objectID=22058535%26siteID=93463-name_page.html


Shore fire hit with Harry


SPURS IN NICKY SWOOP


Alan Nixon; Dave Kidd; Steve Bates; Tom Hopkinson; Alan Oliver; Pete Jenson; Steve Goodman


Harry Redknapp is ready to give Nicky Shorey an escape route from his Aston Villa nightmare.

The former England left-back has been in superb form since joining Fulham on loan three weeks ago.

But Tottenham boss Redknapp, who also made enquiries about Shorey in January, is more likely to land the Villa misfit permanently.


Redknapp is a long-term admirer of Shorey and almost signed the player from Reading during his Portsmouth days.


He wanted Shorey to fill in for injured Benoit Assou-Ekotto and is expected to revive his interest in the summer.


Villa boss Martin O'Neill went cold on him soon after a £4million move to Villa Park in 2008 - and he spent the first half of this season on loan at Nottingham Forest. Shorey, 29, expects to be sold in the summer and has also attracted interest from West Ham, the club he supported as a boy.


Fulham sneaked in to sign him on transfer deadine day and Roy Hodgson's men have yet to concede a goal in four games with Shorey in the team.


And now Shorey could make a late dash to be included in Fabio Capello's England squad.


Thanks He said: "The move all happened really quickly. I really loved my time at Forest and was looking forward to going back when this move came out of nowhere.


"It's all thanks to Forest for giving me games otherwise I would still be at Villa kicking my heels.


"I've played for England before and I really enjoyed it but I'll leave that for other people to talk about."

     Re: If you could do anything you wanted to a Prem player...
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2010, 02:14:01 pm » Quote Modify Remove 

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Kick Harry Rednapp in the bollocks
1. Seems to mention  players who Roys interested in far to often ! result them going to turds.
2.Like to see if a swift one to the nut sack may iron out the wrinkly Barstard that or readjust his wonky eye.

NUDGE NUDGE WINK WINK the dodgy tommy tucker !   

[White Noise]

http://hammyend.com/?p=5497

How to beat Birmingham


by Dan on February 21, 2010

On a rainy day in the Midlands, Fulham slumped to a disappointing defeat at Birmingham earlier in the season. One slick passing move from the Blues sealed the game and Lee Bowyer was at the sharp end of it. Bowyer, who seems to specialise in scoring against clubs from the capital this season, will need to be watched very carefully this afternoon.

We lost the reverse fixture in central midfield as we allowed the former West Ham midfielder and Barry Ferguson too much time and space to dictate the game. The chalkboards don't show the same level of passing as from Fulham's midfield pairing, for example, but their work rate and tackling was very impressive.


by Guardian Chalkboards

The Whites will need to shut them down in order to earn the right to play their usual pretty football. Dickson Etuhu has to step up from a disappointing performance on Thursday.

[White Noise]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Bobby-Zamora-is-best-in-the-business-says-Simon-Davies-article330321.html

Bobby Zamora is best in the business, says Simon Davies


Published 22:45 20/02/10


By Julian Bennetts


Bobby Zamora is the best target-man in the Premier League and should go to the World Cup this summer, according to his Fulham team-mate Simon Davies.

In-form striker Zamora took his goal tally for the season to 14 with a stunning drive against Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday.

He will be looking to repeat the trick against fellow England hopeful Joe Hart as Roy Hodgson's side host Birmingham today.

Former Brighton, West Ham and Tottenham forward Zamora came under fire for scoring just four goals last season, but Davies reckons the 29-year-old has proved his critics wrong and could be in Fabio Capello's England plans.


"Bobby is on fire and if he keeps doing what he's doing then there isn't any better [striker] like him in the country," said Davies.

"Everyone last year was talking about Emile Heskey and what he brings to the England team, and it was the same with Bobby for us last year with his work-rate and bringing the midfielders into the game.

"Last year you could see what he brought to the team, but maybe only by playing with him could you appreciate that.

"The fans obviously look at and judge strikers by goals, and last year he didn't get his fair share. Maybe he did get a little bit down.

"It might have been frustrating but it's finished now, and this season he shoots all the time and they're going in.

"When you don't have somebody like that you really miss him, and this year he's added goals to it and he's looking a top player.

"There are other things you look for in a striker than goals."

Fit again Davies keeps his place in midfield ­today and Nicky Shorey returns after being cup-tied in midweek.

[White Noise]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-loan-star-Nicky-Shorey-dreaming-of-shock-World-Cup-call-up-article329781.html

Shorey dreaming of shock World Cup call-up


Published 05:00 21/02/10

By Julian Bennetts


Nicky Shorey admits he's amazed to be back in the Premier League - and the full-back hasn't given up hope of a shock World Cup call-up.

Shorey, who never settled at Aston Villa, was rescued by Fulham boss Roy Hodgson, who took him on loan until the end of the season.

Now Shorey, 28, who also had a loan spell at Nottingham Forest earlier this season, reckons the move has reignited his chances of making a late dash to be included in Fabio Capello's England squad.

He said: "There's nothing worse than not playing. I really loved my time at Forest and was looking forward to going back when this move came out of nowhere.

"I've played for England before and I enjoyed it but I'll leave that for other ­people to talk about. I've two caps and it's great to play for your country."

[White Noise]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-in-wales/2010/02/21/middle-management-91466-25878005/

MIDDLE MANAGEMENT

Feb 21 2010

by Chris Wathan, Wales On Sunday


JOHN TOSHACK is anything but stuck in the middle.

And the Wales boss is prepared to make the most of it next month when the build up to the Euro 2012 campaign starts in earnest.

Tosh has gone from bemoaning about his lack of middle men to admitting he has decisions to make over just who will get the nod come the start of the qualifiers.

For some time the veteran manager has spoken of a preferred midfield quartet of Aaron Ramsey, Jack Collison, Joe Ledley and David Edwards.

Yet the performances of those pushing through underneath have given Toshack options, options that are more than welcome.

He has seen the impact Andy King and Joe Allen have made with their respective Championship clubs, impacts that should not be ignored.

Then there is the patient play-making progress made by Brian Stock at Doncaster Rovers to take into account.

David Vaughan may be an old hat when it comes to the Wales squad, yet he is a player who impressed when given his chance in the last two qualifiers.

And, lest we forget, the Premier League ability of Simon Davies at Fulham that should not – and cannot – be ignored by the national side.

All in all, that's nine different names for Toshack to consider when planning his midfield.

These are options that Wales have not seen in some time, options that, given the injuries and absences that have accompanied his tenure, the former Real Madrid manager quite simply needs.

And ones he intends to utilise come the March 3 friendly with Sweden.

"We've got this game against Sweden at Swansea and it could be that we use it to push some of these younger players through," said Toshack, who will name his squad for the Liberty Stadium clash on Friday. "It could be a good chance for the younger ones to get that little bit more experience because the bigger the squad we've got the better.

"We know what some of these older lads can do but the more we know about the younger ones the better."

Toshack knows his international dates are not ones to be sneezed at; the wily chief needs every minute he can get with his players ahead of the kick-off of his last competitive campaign this autumn.

But given the atrocious injury record under his charge, he is equally aware he cannot rely on a select few to see him through.

Even now, that preferred midfield four have not yet taken to the international field together.

So, despite having his middle-men planned out in his head Toshack needs to know what he has in reserve.

And by doing so, it could change what he thinks is his reserve.

For the Sweden clash he will be without Cardiff star Ledley, still recovering from a long-overdue double hip operation.

And it is unlikely Edwards will be considered, given he is only just starting his comeback from an ankle injury suffered pre-Christmas.

Collison should be okay to make a first international outing since the friendly defeat to Montenegro six months ago.

And Ramsey, increasingly impressive in the growing role he has at Arsenal, will be the one most eyes are on at the Liberty Stadium.

But while Davies' quality needs no proof – even if his fitness might – Toshack can only benefit from the scrap for the shirts amongst the others.

Davies would actually be the obvious replacement for Edwards on the right while Vaughan is the man to step in for Ledley on the left.

The problem – if you can call it one – is that the four central midfielders cannot be pinned down into specific duties just yet because of their age.

Toshack is yet to truly discover where is best to utilise Ramsey, although playing the Arsenal ace up the field and Collison in the holding role seems most likely.

King has been impressive coming on to attacks for play-off pushing Leicester this year while Allen has been equally eye-catching sitting at the base of midfield for Swansea as he has been pulling the strings and playing the passes a la Ramsey.

Yet there could be room for the three of them – as proved by Brian Flynn with the Under 21s in that run that took this county within a whisker of qualification.

And then there is Stock, a player who made a real impact of some maturity on his debut against Russia and is now making his way back from injury.

And if there's a worry about a lack of dig in the position, there is also Brighton skipper Andrew Crofts to bring back into contention, a player with plenty of aptitude and who has shone under the cultured guidance of Gus Poyet.

You could also throw the rejuvenated David Cotterill into the mix – although he is more seen as someone who can add to the forward line by Toshack.

But best of all for Tosh, all are playing right now – the biggest issue of all when it comes to this Wales side.

Quite who plays against Sweden remains to be seen, but it suggests the manager shouldn't close his mind to who can offer what in the middle between now and the start of the Euros this September.

"We've got some time before the qualifiers start and the World Cup has to come and go," he said. "So there is a lot of time for different players to stand up and make a name for themselves.

"But the fact is we need options throughout the squad and the more we have the better we will be."

[White Noise]

Back in Action

Sunday 21st February 2010


Fulham FC News


Fulham produced a fine performance on Thursday evening to record an impressive win over current UEFA Cup holders, Shakhtar Donetsk. The Whites took the lead early on but the side from Ukraine soon took control of the game and put the Whites' under intense pressure for long spells.

The second-half saw more of an evenly matched battle and a wonder-strike from Bobby Zamora was enough to give Fulham a one-goal lead going into the second leg in Donetsk.

"It was a good win, it was a very difficult game and they're a top side who worked us really well," said Fulham midfielder Simon Davies. "We kept our shape well and defended well as a team. It was a good win overall and it gives us a chance out there."

Having recently returned from injury, Davies has enjoyed getting straight back into the action.

"These are the sort of nights you think about when you're out injured," he explained. "I've been lucky with injury since I've been here, for three years I'd only missed one game through injury. So it's just one of those things you try not to get too down about. We qualified for this competition this year and I missed quite a bit of the group games, it is frustrating but hopefully I'm back for the main part of the season - and it's an exciting run-in we've got.

"In my first two seasons we just avoided relegation and ever since the Manager's come in he's changed the Club around. We're in the last 32 of the Europa League, beating teams like Shakhtar Donetsk who are a top quality side.

"I wouldn't say we're overachieving. If you look at the way we work for each other as a team, the Manager is a great believer in that. If you're going to play for him you've got to put a shift in first and foremost, work to a system and be tight defensively. The Shakhtar game epitomised that, when games are like that you've got to do your work, dig in and hopefully with strikers like Bob and Zoltan, we're going to get the goals when we get the chances."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/DaviesBackinAction.aspx#ixzz0g9uSK4DS

[White Noise]

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/sport/Fulltime-Gillingham-v-Bristol-Rovers/article-1851536-detail/article.html

Rovers were also missing four players through injury in midfielder Chris Lines, striker Jo Kuffour, central defender Danny Coles and on-loan Wayne Brown.

[White Noise]

http://hammyend.com/?p=5499

Birmingham big match facts

by Dan on February 21, 2010

A few statistical insights ahead of today's game against Birmingham:

The Fulham defence is in impressive form at home. Roy Hodgson's team have kept five clean sheets in their last six games at Craven Cottage.

Lee Bowyer obviously feels he's got a point to prove against sides from London after leaving West Ham. Four of his five league goals this term – including the winner against us at St. Andrew's – have been scored against teams from the capital.

This is a complete turnaround from the Sanchez era. Fulham have scored a higher percentage of their goals in the second half (67%) than any other Premier League outfit.

Birmingham's dip in form has been most noticeable away from home. After an unbeaten run spanning five games on the road, the Blues have lost their last two away games without scoring a goal.

Alex McLeish's side have failed to score in three of their last four visits to the Cottage.

They do have an impressive record against Fulham, though. In 11 Premier League meetings, Birmingham have won four and the Whites only two – with five draws. In their last Division One meeting, the Blues beat Jean Tigana's side thanks to a Martin Grainger free-kick.

Fulham have not scored in four of their last six league matches.

The evergreen Kevin Phillips is closing in on the 250th goal of his club career

[White Noise]

Birmingham Programme Preview

Sunday 21st February 2010


Fulham FC News


In form Birmingham City head to Craven Cottage on Sunday with Alex McLeish's side eighth in the table and looking to extend what has been an exciting season for them so far.

But Roy Hodgson's charges will be looking to secure a ninth home Premier League win of the season to cement their own position in the top 10 and continue their recent run of five unbeaten games.

Fans heading to the Cottage for this exciting clash will also have the chance to get their hands on our fantastic matchday programme, which once again contains 84 pages packed full of information, in-depth discussion, exclusive interviews and detailed coverage on your favourite club be you a Fulham regular or visiting Blue.

The essential matchday read, sleek in design and full of innovative features, includes:

Exclusive insight from Manager Roy Hodgson .
Club captain Danny Murphy reflects on the historic victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.
In our feature interview midfield powerhouse Dickson Etuhu discusses a season punctuated by injury and international duty, as well as his hopes for the rest of the campaign. 
A peek inside the opposition's camp with Birmingham City left-back Liam Ridgewell.   
Expert Analysis from former Birmingham City defensive lynchpin Joe Gallagher.
A look back in pictures at some of the past meetings between the two clubs.
Match action from our league win over Burnley , the FA Cup victory against Notts County and the outstanding UEFA Europa League triumph over Shakhtar Donetsk .   
Through the ranks with talented U18 striker Matthew Reece who talks about the fine art of being a striker and his ambitions for the future.
Academy U13 coach and former Fulham player Kevin Betsy tells us why he is happy to be back at the Club, helping shape the next generation of Fulham stars.
Club historian Dennis Turner investigates associations between the two clubs.
Jon Sim  analyses recent media coverage through his Black & White Eye .
Unprecedented fan interaction and tonnes of fun for younger fans too.
Plus, so much more besides!
The brilliant matchday publication will be on sale in and around the ground from two hours before kick-off.


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/BirminghamProgrammePreview.aspx#ixzz0gA5M51ZD