Monday Fulham Stuff (04.04.11)

[White Noise]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/apr/03/fulham-blackpool-premier-league?INTCMP=SRCH


Bobby Zamora double sinks Blackpool and lifts Fulham towards safety


Comments (16) Guardian report

Fulham 3 Zamora 23, Zamora 28, Etuhu 72

Blackpool 0 

Nick Szczepanik

guardian.co.uk, Sunday 3 April 2011 16.18 BST


Fulham's Bobby Zamora celebrates after scoring his second goal against Blackpool at Craven Cottage. Photograph: Alastair Grant/AP

The unveiling of a statue of Michael ­Jackson at Craven Cottage was followed by an entertaining match, though sadly not a thriller. Fulham won too easily and things are looking bad for Blackpool.

The statue drew a mixed reaction from supporters. Some questioned its relevance to Fulham Football Club. Others felt that it bore as much resemblance to Jackson as Blackpool's rearguard does to a Premier League defence.

Mohamed Al Fayed, the Fulham chairman who was a friend of the late King of Pop, commissioned the statue. He was ­unrepentant. "If people don't understand and believe in things I believe in, they can go to Chelsea," he said.
Ian Holloway, Blackpool's manager, was enthusiastic. "He was the greatest ­musician of my era," he said. "On the pitch he was magnificent. Not so sure about off the pitch."

On the Craven Cottage pitch Bobby Zamora scored twice on his first start since breaking a leg and damaging ankle ligaments on 11 September and Dickson Etuhu added a third as Fulham, ­who were relegation possibles at Christmas, edged into the top half of the Premier League. Their manager, Mark Hughes, said: "We've been talking about being a top-10 side all season and have never wavered from that view."

Blackpool are a point above the bottom three. The comfort with which Fulham won the 100th match between the clubs suggested that the 101st might not take place for a while and Holloway was concerned that his team had not shown their customary devil-may-care approach after Zamora's first-half goals.

"I saw body language that I haven't seen and they've got to get their heads up," said Holloway. "We got promoted on the strength that we didn't care about someone scoring against us, we'd go and score ourselves. At this level, if you feel sorry for yourself, you're on a hiding."

Blackpool were ridiculously open, allowing Fulham to do more or less as
they pleased. They could have taken the lead in the 15th minute, when Zamora and the impressive Moussa ­Dembélé set up Damien Duff, whose low shot was bound for the bottom corner until ­Richard Kingson touched it on to the foot of the far post.

Having stood and admired most of ­Fulham's work, Blackpool were even more obliging in the 23rd minute when their striker James Beattie inadvertently produced the pass of the match, ­sending Zamora clear of a surprised defence to charge into the penalty area and beat ­Kingson high at his near post.
Five minutes later Duff was fouled on the right, having appeared to be ­offside earlier in the move. Duff swung the free‑kick in with his left foot and Zamora outjumped Craig Cathcart to glance a header past Kingson.

"I thought this was the perfect game for him and we couldn't have asked for a better impact," Hughes said. "He showed qualities we have lacked."

Blackpool stuck to their attacking style and nearly scored before the break when Brett Ormerod's header beat Mark Schwarzer, only for Chris Baird to head clear. Beattie hit a shot against the ­woodwork in the second half but Fulham sealed their victory in the 72nd minute when Etuhu tapped in Brede Hangeland's mis‑hit shot after Clint Dempsey's header had hit the upright.

"Fulham were so incisive and decisive when they had their chances and that was the difference," Holloway said. "I shall be cracking the whip when I get back home. I've told them all to go away and watch how we got promoted last year, the goals we've scored this season. You need to remain totally ­positive. We could have five defeats and two ­victories and still stay up. If we do that, it will be a fantastic ­achievement, better than last year."

[White Noise]

http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/fulham-3-0-blackpool/



Fulham 3-0 Blackpool

Filed under: Match reports — rich @ 3:31 pm

All a bit FA Cup third round.  Fulham jogged to a 3-0 win against a desperately ordinary Blackpool side, and this really should ensure that we're safe from relegation.

Which is more than can be said for our opponents.  Just like Hull before them, a surprising start to the season has been followed by a 'told you so' collapse, and on this form it's hard to imagine them staying up.  Their famed open, attacking play was sort of evident, in that they kept the ball quite well on occasion, but Mark Schwarzer really had little to do aside from the odd scare (notably when he was beaten legitimately in a Shilton v Maradona style no mans land contest, only for Chris Baird to coolly nod off the line running towards the goal).

The much hyped Charlie Adam was outclassed by Danny Murphy while the match was still a contest, and while the set piece delivery was impressive, the long cross-field passes were less damaging than they might have been, perhaps because everyone in the ground knew what he was going to do.

Fulham, as is often the way against poor opponents, looked strong.  The defence dealt with everything thrown at them with ease, Murphy and Etuhu controlled the middle of the pitch (Etuhu was far too strong for his opponents) and Duff, Dembele and Dempsey all worked well around the returning Zamora.

Zamora scored first.  James Beattie put him through with a nightmare of a pass that wrongfooted his entire team.  Zamora sped off impressively, then crashed a drive high past Richard Kingson in the Blackpool goal.  It was a fine finish.

Zamora scored again soon after, heading home from a right-wing free-kick.  That was about that for the game, and Blackpool saw a lot of possession as Fulham played a little safer, but as we often find ourselves saying, there's no sense in starting playing at 2-0 down.

Fulham sealed it with a third, Dempsey rising high to head Murphy's free-kick against a post, Hangeland retrieving, Etuhu converting.  Easy, but a nice reward for a good performance.  Etuhu has now scored twice against Blackpool this season.

It doesn't get much more comfortable. Everyone did their bit, and nobody felt the urge to celebrate their goal with a moonwalk, so all is well on this fine spring afternoon.  Happy Mother's Day.

[White Noise]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6850843,00.html


Mishaps infuriate Holloway

Players only have themselves to blame, suggests Blackpool boss


By Jamie Casey   Last updated: 3rd April 2011   


Blackpool boss Ian Holloway blamed 'unforgivable' individual errors for their timid defeat to Fulham on Sunday.

The Tangerines went down 3-0 at Craven Cottage as clinical Fulham converted half of their shots on target via a Bobby Zamora brace and a Dickson Etuhu strike.

In contrast, Blackpool mustered up just two efforts on target, but it was their defensive mishaps which left Holloway fuming after an error-prone display.

Striker James Beattie handed Zamora a gift with a misplaced back-pass for the opener, while Craig Cathcart was easily outmuscled in the air for the Fulham man's second.

And Blackpool had chances to clear before Etuhu thumped in the third and Holloway believes there was only ever going to be one outcome from his team's display.

"It's bitterly disappointing from our point of view. I thought the first goal summed it up," a frustrated Holloway told Sky Sports News.

"Bobby Zamora got a couple of goals that were so easy for him and unforgivable from us.

"If anybody gets a free-kick and they dink it in our box, it looks like they might score.

"That's not my team, they shouldn't be doing that and, unfortunately, if you come to this place like that, you're going to lose."

Blackpool are now in a precarious position, just one point and one place above the relegation zone, having now lost 16 Premier League games in their debut campaign.

[White Noise]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/7944165/Fulham-3-Blackpool-0-match-report.html


Fulham 3 Blackpool 0: match report

Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Fulham v Blackpool at Craven Cottage on Sunday April 3, kick-off 13:30 GMT.
      

FULHAM 3 - 0 BLACKPOOL

By John Ley 3:36PM BST 03 Apr 2011

Bobby Zamora was back to his best on Sunday with the goals that sent Fulham into the top half of the Premier League and condemned Blackpool to a nervous final seven games.

Zamora was given his first start since September when the striker broke his leg against Wolves, and responded with both first-half goals.

And Dickson Etuhu's late goal condemned Blackpool to a defeat that leaves them just one place and one point clear of the relegation zone.

Zamora claimed the opening goal in the 23rd minute with a superbly struck shot following a 40 yard run.

Zamora collected a poor pass from Blackpool's James Beattie from within the Fulham half and raced, head down, towards goal before dispatching a marvellous right footed drive into the roof of the net.

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It was Zamora's first goal from open play since August, when he netted at Blackpool, but his second since returning from the serious injury.

Earlier, Blackpool had survived when Zamora and Mousa Dembele combined for Damien Duff, whose slide-rule shot was pushed onto the the foot of the left post by goalkeeper Richard Kingson.

And then Kingson was fortunate to gather an effort he spilled after failing to hold a Chris Baird effort.

The goal highlighted Fulham's early dominance and, just five minutes later, Zamora added a second.

Duff won a free-kick on the right and took it, floating the ball perfectly for Zamora to beat Craig Cathcart to deliver a powerful header beyond Kingson.

Before the end of the first-half Blackpool almost replied when Brett Oremord rose high to beat Mark Schwarzer to the ball but as it rolled towards goal Chris Baird raced back to clear from the line.

And then David Vaughan saw a shot deflected just wide as the visitors attempted to make amends for a poor start.

In the early stages of the second half Fulham resumed control with Dembele's shot deflected for a corner, before Kingson saved well from Clint Dempsey.

And in the 72nd minute, Fulham extended their advantage when Brede Hangeland set up Dickson Etuhu for a simple side-foot tap in.

Blackpool had a late chance to reply but after Charlie Adam's shot was parried by Mark Schwarzer, Gary Taylor-Fletcher sent the rebound wide.

[White Noise]

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3371700,00.html


Flawless Fulham punish Pool


Cottagers rise to top half of the table with thrilling performance


Last updated: 3rd April 2011
   




Man of the match: It's difficult to look beyond Bobby Zamora, who was clinical in front of goal and was excellent with his back to goal throughout.

Goal of the match: Zamora showed a surprising amount of pace before thumping past Richard Kingson for an emphatic opening goal.

Save of the match: It had no bearing on the outcome in the end, but Kingson produced an excellent stop to deny Duff when the sides were still deadlocked.

Turning point: Had Blackpool taken advantage of intense pressure on Fulham at the end of the first half, they may well have got something out of the game.

Talking points: Blackpool are now just one point above the drop zone, will they go down? Are Fulham still in the relegation fight themselves?


Bobby Zamora scored a brace as Fulham moved into the top half of the Premier League courtesy of a 3-0 win over Blackpool.

The Cottagers were ahead on 23 minutes as Zamora took advantage of a misplaced James Beattie pass, showing great pace and composure in breaking the deadlock.

And the England international had his second just five minutes later as he glanced in a Damien Duff free-kick after Stephen Crainey had fouled on the flank.

Blackpool had large spells of possession, but failed to create much in the final third with Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer barely troubled throughout.

The Cottagers then put the game beyond doubt as Dickson Etuhu fired home from close range on 72 minutes after a pull-back from Brede Hangeland.

After a surprisingly strong first half to their debut Premier League campaign, Blackpool now sit just one point above safety in a crowded relegation scrap.

Unveiling
Prior to the game, Mohamed Al Fayed unveiled the much-discussed statue of pop icon Michael Jackson, who was a close friend of the Fulham chairman before his death in 2009.

Heading into the 100th league meeting between the pair, the hosts were boosted by Zamora's recovery from illness and Steve Sidwell's return to the squad after a knee injury.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway made two changes to the side that drew 2-2 at Blackburn a fortnight ago, with Beattie and Brett Ormerod replacing Luke Varney and Jason Puncheon in the starting line-up.

It was the home side who controlled the opening proceedings, with Moussa Dembele regularly testing Alex Baptiste down the left and skipper Danny Murphy seeing a low drive blocked.

Charlie Adam blazed over Blackpool's first chance in the ninth minute, although his 35-yard effort never looked like it would add to his nine-goal haul this season.

Despite the midfielder's shot, it was Fulham who were looking the most dangerous and hit the post in the 16th minute.

Carlos Salcido's left-wing cross was headed back by Zamora to Dembele, whose superb lay-off was met by an equally well-struck shot by Duff that goalkeeper Richard Kingson did well to tip onto the woodwork.

Fulham again came close to breaking the deadlock five minutes later but Kingson was on hand to block another drilled shot, this time the impressive Chris Baird was the man denied.

However, the Ghana international could do nothing to prevent Zamora's smashed drive in the 23rd minute as he latched onto Beattie's poor back-pass and ran clear before thumping home.

Fulham continued to threaten and Zamora netted his second of the afternoon five minutes later.

The England international out-leaped Craig Cathcart in the six-yard box to nod in Duff's whipped free-kick, to the delight of the home faithful.

However, the crowd's exuberance was tempered somewhat in the play that followed as the visitors began to get a foothold in the game and started to open up the Fulham defence.


Penalty appeal

After thwarting the visitors, Fulham's calls for a 38th-minute penalty were waved away by referee Stuart Attwell, who deemed Stephen Crainey's slide on Duff hard but fair.

The pace of the game began to drop as half-time approached, but Blackpool came desperately close to reducing the deficit just before the break.

Ormerod beat Mark Schwarzer to Baptiste's long ball, but his goal-bound header was cleared off the line by former Southampton team-mate Baird.

The game livened up in the 57th minute, with Dembele's neat touch and turn followed up by a 20-yard drive that Cathcart did well to block.

Beattie came close to atoning for his earlier error, but his powerful shot clattered off the post.

The former England international was soon replaced as Holloway made wholesale changes in a bid to change the game.

Off came Beattie, Ormerod and Elliot Grandin to be replaced by Sergey Kornilenko, Varney and Puncheon.

And Holloway's move almost paid immediate dividends as Puncheon found space to test Schwarzer with a powerful 20-yard drive.

However, Fulham soon wrapped up the victory with their third of the afternoon through Etuhu.

Murphy's free-kick was thumped off the post by Clint Dempsey and the rebound was fired across goal by Brede Hangeland for Etuhu to net.

Having earlier taken off Zamora, the goal allowed manager Hughes to replace Murphy with Sidwell - making his first appearance since February.

Duff also soon departed to be replaced by Simon Davies, before Aaron Hughes and substitute Kornilenko clashed heads on the halfway line.

While the players received treatment, fans were treated to a Jackson tribute by a fan in the stands in what proved to be the last notable entertainment of the match.



Fulham
Team Statistics
Blackpool

3 Goals
0

2 1st Half Goals
0

6 Shots on Target
2

4 Shots off Target
5

9 Blocked Shots
7

4 Corners
7

16 Fouls
6

3 Offsides
3

2 Yellow Cards
1

0 Red Cards
0

75.2 Passing Success
85.9

24 Tackles
23

70.8 Tackles Success
69.6

34.3 Possession
65.7

56.6 Territorial Advantage
43.4

[White Noise]

A Massive Win

Sunday 3rd April 2011



Dickson Etuhu praised the manner of Sunday's win as the Whites moved up to 10th place in the Barclays Premier League table.

The 28-year-old scored Fulham's third in an impressive 3-0 win, with Bobby Zamora starting his first game since early September and scoring two first-half goals.

Before kick-off just two points separated Mark Hughes' side and travelling Blackpool.

"This was a massive win for us, make no mistake about that," Etuhu told fulhamfc.com. "Going into the game there wasn't much between the two teams, but we've come away and opened up a bit of a gap.

"From start to finish we played very well. We knew that they were a good side and one that plays a lot of attacking football. We had a plan and it worked for us - we closed them down quickly, exploited the gaps and took our chances.

"It was good to see Bobby back and doing what he does best, he was fantastic today - he's unplayable when he's like that. Those goals will have done him the world of good."

It was an impressive afternoon for the Nigeria international, but despite capping a positive performance with his third goal of the season he was quick to share the plaudits.

"Football is a team game, and this was very much a team win today," he said. "We defended as one and went forward as one. That's what we do.

"While it's nice to get on the score sheet, as I have said before, I'm not in the team to score goals. The boys did give me a bit of stick though - they reckon Blackpool is the only team that I score against."

The win pushed Fulham back up into the top 10 - a position Etuhu has long targeted.

"I've said for a while now that we have to have ambitions of getting ourselves into the top 10," he said. "Today's win has done much for that, but at the same time it's still very tight and we still have some big teams to play.

"But you can only take one game at a time and we're confident that we can end the season strongly. We've got a strong squad and for me, we're building something very special - and long may that continue."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/April/EtuhuBlackpoolReaction.aspx#ixzz1IX4bR7n0

[White Noise]

Leading Man


Sunday 3rd April 2011



Bobby Zamora looked back to his best on Sunday afternoon as he struck twice in the first-half of Fulham's encounter with Blackpool.

Zamora opened the scoring with a clinical strike after taking advantage of some loose play from Blackpool. The striker made it two moments later with a well-directed header from Damien Duff's free-kick.

Speaking after the game, Danny Murphy was pleased to see Zamora back in such fine form.

"He's clinical," said the Fulham Captain. "Last season he had probably the best season of his career and he's crucial for the way we play.

"I think sometimes we've had good possession and dominated games in the past and not had that cutting edge.

"We've had a lot of injuries this season with strikers, and you saw in the first-half today we ended up with a healthy lead which was much deserved because of clinical finishes, and that's what you get from him.

"The win has calmed us all down a bit, that's for sure. There's still a little bit of work to do, of course, but it gives us a little bit of breathing space.

"There's still a few home games to come and we're fairly confident. We've got everyone fit, and we've got the big man back again, and he's proved his worth today."

Zamora, who had shrugged off the lingering effects of a head cold, looked back on his performance and gave his own assessment.

"I haven't felt the greatest this week but I wanted to play," he said. "I feel a bit shattered but I'm happy with the contribution. I always try and hold the ball up and bring people into play if I can – the goals are a bonus.

"I think the guys have done brilliant to be fair, the work ethic and performances have been there, just the goals haven't come. I think in the last few weeks we've put the ball in the back of the net and got a few important wins."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/April/ZamoraMurphyBlackpoolReaction.aspx#ixzz1IX4yUmQA

[White Noise]

Making an Impact


Sunday 3rd April 2011




Mark Hughes was delighted with Bobby Zamora's contribution on Sunday afternoon as the Fulham striker scored twice in the first-half and set Fulham on their way to a three-goal victory over Blackpool.

"It was blatantly obvious to everybody that for long periods during the season we played well, up to a point," Hughes explained after the game. "We hadn't had the presence up front and the cutting edge because Bobby wasn't around and fit to play.

"Bobby had been under the weather [last week], he just had a head cold and had not been sleeping particularly well. He just wasn't quite as lively during the week as he normally is.

"Normally you hear Bobby before you seem him so he was a little bit quiet but I thought this was the perfect game for him, to be honest.

"I thought that he got over the last hurdle in his head after the injury in terms of starting games and really, in fairness, I couldn't have hoped for a better impact from him.

"Straight from the off he showed qualities that we have missed and lacked for many games this season. For him to come in - the way he is thinking about his game and coming back from a serious injury - it was a perfect day for him.

"The fact that he's back now and is having an impact is great for everyone. It gives myself as a Manager confidence and it give the players confidence when they see him in a Fulham shirt."

The win moved Fulham up to tenth position, giving the Whites further breathing space between the group of teams in the bottom half of the table – but as Hughes explained, he's always set his sights up, not down.

"Leading into this game we've been playing well of late and I'd be more concerned if we weren't playing well and were struggling in games, but that hasn't been the case for a number of months now," he said. "We got players coming back, Bobby has made a huge impact, and we've got other players who are really enjoying their football and are having an impact for us.

"I've had a look at the table, we're three points off seventh place, so we're looking up, not down."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/April/HughesBlackpoolReaction.aspx#ixzz1IX5MXcN7

[White Noise]

Blackpool Photo Special

Sunday 3rd April 2011

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/April/BlackpoolPhotoSpecial.aspx

[White Noise]

Fulham 3 - 0 Blackpool

The Whites wasted little time in putting Blackpool under pressure with Carlos Salcido and Mousa Dembele enjoying early success down the left flank. The jolt of attacking action from Fulham seemed to take Blackpool out of their early, more patient pace as they struggled to maintain possession in their half.

The visitors eventually reorganised and danger man Charlie Adam fired off a range-finder from long-range which sailed harmlessly over Mark Schwarzer's bar. With Dickson Etuhu breaking up play superbly in the middle of the park, the visitors were unable to build from midfield.

Damien Duff struck the post following a wonderful attacking move from the Whites involving Dembele, Dempsey and Zamora. But Richard Kingston produced a stunning reaction save to divert the ball onto the post.

Kingston was called into action again on 20 minutes when he had to get his body behind a fearsome drive from Chris Baird, who looked determined to find the net from distance.

Just as Blackpool looked to be building up a head of steam, Bobby Zamora gave Fulham the lead with a confident finish on 23 minutes. A loose pass from James Beattie rolled into the path of Zamora some 50 yards out. The striker, accompanied by two Blackpool defenders, raced away toward goal and lashed a powerful right footed shot past Kingston from the edge of the area.

Zamora doubled Fulham's lead five minutes later with a well-placed header from Damien Duff's pinpoint free-kick.

Blackpool appeared undeterred by the score line and proceeded to produce their most positive passage of play – albeit without forcing Mark Schwarzer into action.

Chris Baird came to Fulham's rescue on 41 minutes when his alert defending denied a certain goal for Brett Ormerod. With Mark Schwarzer coming out to punch clear a diagonal ball, Ormerod rose highest and beat the Fulham keeper to the punch, sending a header towards goal. Fortunately, Baird was able to get back in time and put the ball past the post.

The second-half got off to a far more measured start than the first, with both sides looking to maintain their shape. Charlie Adam was once again pulling the strings for Ian Holloway's side in the middle of the park but Fulham were able to successful contain his influence.

Blackpool offered a timely reminder of their attacking threat when James Beattie struck the outside of the post after latching on to a through ball and holding off Carlos Salcido in the area.

Andrew Johnson replaced Zamora on 61 minutes with Zamora seemingly having picked up a knock. The two-goal striker went off to a standing ovation.

Blackpool soon started to frustrate the Whites by maintaining possession well at the back, but without venturing forward with any real commitment. In a bid to get more out of his team, Ian Holloway made a triple substitution on 67 minutes.

Fulham put the game beyond Blackpool's reach on 72 minutes courtesy of a goal from Dickson Etuhu. The midfielder rounded of an impressive performance tapping in Brede Hangeland's driven cross after Clint Dempsey's header struck the post.

Fulham looked to find a fourth and it nearly came on 75 minutes when Clint Dempsey fired wide from close range. Danny Murphy made way for Steve Sidwell and Damien Duff was replaced by Simon Davies as Mark Hughes looked to maintain Fulham's three-goal advantage and run out the clock.

The Seasiders piled on the pressure late on, penning the Whites back in the final minutes. Aaron Hughes left the pitch in extra time after failing to recover from a heavy knock to the head. That saw the Whites finish with ten men as Chris Baird moved into the centre of defence and Simon Davies took up the right-back slot. But despite their numerical disadvantage Fulham held firm right up to the final whistle.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/1011/Premiership/BlackpoolHome.aspx#ixzz1IX6rDhif

[White Noise]

Goal hero Zamora delighted after months of frustration


Video interview -


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/9445435.stm

[White Noise]

Blackpool body language worries manager Ian Holloway


Video interview -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/9445418.stm

[White Noise]

http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/04/04/loaner-report-4311/

Loaner Report 4/3/11

Filed under: General — timmyg @ 12:45 am

Two new loaners to tell you all about since our last report! Diomansy Kamara joined Leicester City on loan until the end of the season, and Jonathan Cosgrove joined Brentford on a Youth Loan until 14 May 2011. (What the hell is a "Youth Loan"?)

Diomansy Kamara started and played 87 minutes in Leicester's 3-3 draw at Boro.

Kagisho Dikgacoi started and played 90 minutes in Crystal Palace's 2-1 win over Barnsley.

Bjorn Helge Riise and Sheffield United take on QPR on Monday, April 4.

Eddie Johnson started and played 58 minutes in Preston's 2-1 win over Swansea City.

Lauri Dalla Valle was an unused sub in Bournemouth's 3-3 draw at Peterborough.

Keanu Marsh-Brown came off the bench in the 61st minute in MK Dons' 1-0 win over Peterborough on March 21. He came off the bench in the 63rd minute in the MK Dons' 3-2 loss at Southampton.

[White Noise]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/zamora-on-song-as-holloways-men-suffer-bad-day-at-cottage-2261453.html


Zamora on song as Holloway's men suffer bad day at Cottage


Fulham 3 Blackpool 0

By Mark Fleming at Craven Cottage


Monday, 4 April 2011


Ian Holloway had one of those days yesterday when nothing goes as planned. The Blackpool manager began his trip to Fulham waiting around for the unveiling of a bizarre statue to Michael Jackson, but decided he couldn't hang about any longer and had marched off by the time Mohamed Al Fayed whipped the cover off his personal tribute to the King of Pop. Holloway then had to watch as a resurgent Bobby Zamora scored twice in his first League start since breaking his leg in September to leave the Tangerines facing a desperate fight to avoid relegation in the final seven games of the season.


Worst of all, for Holloway, was the sight of his team losing heart for the first time this season. The Blackpool manager said: "Their body language was horrible. I have not seen that this season. We've got to get out of that. I shall be cracking the whip when I get home. They have got to realise how well they have done and keep their energy levels up."

Blackpool's form could hardly be worse going into the defining moment of the season. They have one win from their last 11 games, and although they competed for long spells against Fulham, they defended poorly for all three goals, and posed little threat at the other end of the pitch.

The match was played against the strangest of backgrounds. Two hours before kick off Al Fayed appeared to unveil his statue to Jackson, and danced and mimed to Jacko songs as the tacky likeness was unveiled.

It stands 7ft 6in tall, is believed to have cost £100,000, stands on top of a huge granite plinth containing musical engravings, and stares out over the chilly waters of the Thames. Situated in a part of the ground only open on match days, the only creatures likely to pay homage to the pop legend will be pigeons and seagulls.

Reaction to the statue was almost entirely negative, and while some supporters just shrugged their shoulders in relief that no one will actually be able to see it – one supporter said: "He could put up a statue to President Gaddafi for all I care" – others were more opiniated.

Al Fayed's press spokesman Michael Cole had to justify the statue to one season-ticket holder who was uncomfortable that Fulham should be honouring someone who was an alleged paedophile.

Al Fayed was not prepared to listen to supporters' complaints. "If some stupid fans don't understand and appreciate such a gift they can go to hell," he said. "I don't want them to be fans. If they don't understand and don't believe in things I believe in they can go to Chelsea, they can go to anywhere else."

Thankfully the match did not disappoint after such a lively and surreal prelude. Blackpool's desire to keep playing football ensured an open, entertaining spectacle, but the return to fitness and form of Zamora made the difference. Moussa Dembélé went close early in the game, when Blackpool's goalkeeper Richard Kingson palmed his shot against a post.

Zamora however made certain, after receiving a gift from James Beattie on the halfway line. The England striker ran unchallenged into the Blackpool penalty area and delivered a fierce shot that thumped into the roof of the net.

Zamora added his second five minutes later when he rose above Craig Cathcart to head in from Damien Duff's free kick. Dickson Etuhu got on the scoresheet in the second half, finishing from close range after Clint Dempsey's header had hit the post, and Fulham were home and dry, up to 10th. Manager Mark Hughes said: "We've been talking about being a top ten side all season and have never wavered from that view."

Blackpool were much improved in the second half, in which Beattie clipped the outside of the post, but it was too little, too late.

The final word goes to Holloway – who is a huge Michael Jackson fan – and that statue. "I was expecting something in bronze, not covered in paint," he said.

"But I have to say what a fantastic musician. On the pitch, he was magnificent. I am not so sure about off the pitch."

Substitutes: Fulham A Johnson 6 (Zamora, 62), Sidwell (Murphy, 77), Davies (Duff, 81). Blackpool Puncheon 7 (Grandin, 68), Varney 6 (Ormerod, 68), Kornilenko 5 (Beattie, 68).

Booked: Fulham Murphy, Hangeland. Blackpool Adam.

Man of the match Zamora. Match rating 8/10.

Possession Fulham 46% Blackpool 54%.

Attempts on target Fulham 11 Blackpool 7.

Referee S Attwell (Warwickshire)

Attendance 25,692.

[White Noise]

http://www.football-corner.org/2011/04/03/were-a-laughing-stock-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-football/


"We're a laughing stock. It has nothing to do with football."

Posted by Cathal Breathnach on April 3, 2011 | No Comments



Those were the words of an angry Fulham fan after the club's owner, Mohammed Al Fayed, revealed a statue of Michael Jackson outside Craven Cottage.

Mr Al Fayed, pictured here in front of the statue, was a friend of the late Jackson and decided it would be a fitting tribute to the man known as 'The King of Pop.'

The Fulham fans seem to disagree with their owner on this one and the statue, which is fairly shite looking to be fair, has come in for heavy criticism.

"It makes the club look silly. I thought it was an April Fools joke." declared one Fulham fan.

Mr Al Fayed reacted angrily to the fans who have criticised the status by saying: "If some stupid fans don't understand and appreciate such a gift this guy gave to the world they can go to hell."

Al Fayed added: "I don't want them to be fans. If they don't understand and don't believe in things I believe in they can go to Chelsea, they can go to anywhere else."

One word to sum up the whole thing, bizarre.

[White Noise]

http://cottagers.blogspot.com/2011/04/al-fayeds-folly-ful-3-0-bpl.html


Al Fayed's Folly - FUL 3 - 0 BPL


I wasn't going to write about the statue. I really wasn't. But it ended up being the most interesting thing of the day. From the pre-match covering mentioning little else, to the official unveiling where Chairman Mo told dissenting supporters to go to hell or Chelsea, to the actual statue being, well, a bit crap, there was far more excitement than what was happening on the pitch.

For a man whose face has so much plastic surgery, the statue has somehow managed to catch his likeness just wrong. It's like the sculptor has fallen into Jacko's very own Uncanny Valley. It's that bad, tacky, cheap that the only thing to do is laugh at it and laugh alongside the other fans. One fan was dressed as the Bo Selecta Michael Jackson and I'm betting it was at him the Hammy End was singing: "Come for the children, you've only come for the children!"

The match itself was massively underwhelming. Fulham played nice enough football to go 2-0 up, but then kind of gave up trying a bit to let Blackpool back into it. Zamora's first was kind of strange - a misplaced pass by Beattie gave Bobby the ball in the Z and he was allowed a clear run at goal, with apparently none of Blackpool's defenders able to catch up, and he smashed it in the goal. No wonder Blackpool are finding themselves in trouble now.

Fulham's man of the match was probably Chris Baird. He made some important headers to clear crosses as well as stooping to head a goalbound header wide (only just mind) after Schwarzer had a rush of blood to the head. Dembele had lots of the ball and went through his repertoire of tracks and turns without ever really looking dangerous, again, but basically the whole attacking unit worked with Bobby Z in the side.

Blackpool fans were pretty quiet up until the last five minutes, when they were brilliant. It's strange that it took them so long to get warmed up. When they did make noise, it was to berate the referee, who had a bit of a strange game at times and probably did favour the home side; not with any key decisions though. The odd free kick here, the odd non-yellow card there - those sort of things that can wind you up cumulatively.

Two minutes after Holloway (who I mistook for Al Fayed on the sidelines more than once) made a triple substitution (when those happen managers are either in total control or totally buggered) Etuhu scored his second against Blackpool this season. Dempsey did really well to connect to a free kick, but his header hit the post, and his cross from the rebound was totally unmissable for Etuhu from three yards out. He did his best though, but put the shot into the roof of the net. In the end it was a routine three points that put Fulham into the top half of the table, although with a tough set of games coming up, they could also prove to be a vital three points come the end of the season.

Posted by Bad Andy at 22:03

[White Noise]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8424664/Beat-it-Fulham-chairman-Mohamed-Fayed-defends-his-Michael-Jackson-statue-at-Craven-Cottage.html


Beat it! Fulham chairman Mohamed Fayed defends his Michael Jackson statue at Craven Cottage

Surely the most surreal statue at a football ground was unveiled on Sunday and Mohamed Fayed, the Fulham chairman responsible for the Michael Jackson memorial, warned fans who did not like it that they could "go to hell" or "go to Chelsea" if they preferred.


Unveiling: Mohammed Fayed has hit out at fans who criticised his decision to erect a tribute to Michael Jackson at Craven Cottage Photo: GETTY IMAGES

By John Ley 12:47PM BST 03 Apr 2011


While Fayed, a close friend of the music legend who died in 2009, danced to the tune of Man in the Mirror next to the statue, there were those who questioned the choice.

Fayed, 78, attempted to sing to the music before dancing with some invited guests, and said: "I think the fans will love it." Responding to suggestions that it was a bad idea, he added: "Why? Fulham fans will love it, if some stupid fans don't appreciate such a gift they can go to hell. If they don't believe in the things I believe in they can go to Chelsea, they can go anywhere."

And the man who has spent £200 million on Fulham, claimed it would become a mecca for Jackson fans, adding: "People will queue to visit it from all over the UK."

Not everybody agreed. David Flood, a Fulham season ticket holder, said: "It's the wrong place for it, but it's his place. It's a novelty for supporters but I don't know whether it's going to last."

As for Fayed's warning, the supporter added: "Hell or Chelsea? I don't know which is worse."

Jackson saw a game at Craven Cottage in 1999 and Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu insisted the tribute was fitting, saying: "It may seem an unusual thing to do but those of us who know and love the chairman are not surprised at all. The tribute fits perfectly for him."

The statue, believed to have cost around £100,000, was originally planned for Harrods but, having sold the store, Fayed decided to erect it at Craven Cottage instead.

It is 7ft 6in tall and made of a special plaster and resin and coated twice with all-weather varnish.

The statue, at the Hammersmith end of Craven Cottage and pointing towards the River Thames, sits on a 2½-half ton granite base bearing the verse and music from the song Man In The Mirror, the era the statue reflects.

[White Noise]

Michael Jackson statue is no thriller for BBC pundits


Video -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/9445621.stm

[White Noise]

FULHAM 3 BLACKPOOL 0: BOBBY ZAMORA IS THE THRILLER FOR FULHAM 

Monday April 4,2011

By Tony Banks

FULHAM 3 -- BLACKPOOL 0


NEVER mind statues of Jacko being erected outside the ground – it is an effigy to Bobby Zamora that Fulham should be thinking of installing.

Six months out with a broken leg, Zamora has scored three goals in three games since his comeback, including two yesterday. And he almost did not play because he had been feeling ill. It was, as they say, easier than ABC for him.

Blackpool certainly were not Dangerous and Ian Holloway's side are now in serious trouble.

Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed unveiled his statue of his friend Michael Jackson inside Craven Cottage, celebrating with a creaky moonwalk.

The reception from the fans was less than enthusiastic, but Al Fayed told them where they could go.

"If some stupid fans don't understand and appreciate such a gift they can go to hell," he said. "I don't want them. If they do not understand and don't believe in things I believe in, they can go to Chelsea."

One hand clad in a silver glove, King of Pop Jacko, who visited the Cottage in 1999, now gazes across the River Thames. The wrong way on this evidence.

The fans do not all seem to mind, though. One moonwalked down the steps at the Hammersmith End in a Jacko outfit.

Holloway's side have charmed many during this great adventure but, after one win in 11, they are only one point above the bottom three.

Fulham needed this to kill off any lingering worries about being dragged into the mire.     

Blackpool could have gone above them had they won, but there was never any danger of that. Keeper Richard Kingson pushed Damien Duff's shot on to a post early on. But then James Beattie's horrendous back-pass fell straight into the path of Zamora, who crashed the ball in off the bar.

Five minutes later, Zamora beat his dozing marker to head home from Duff's free-kick.

Mark Hughes said: "You could not ask for a bigger impact. He gives us qualities we have been lacking."

Chris Baird prevented a brief Pool comeback when he cleared Brett Ormerod's header off the line, but Fulham were soon back at it.

Danny Murphy's free-kick saw Clint Dempsey's header come back off a post, Brede Hangeland knocked the ball back in and Dickson Etuhu converted.

Holloway was so alarmed at the defeated look of his side that he ordered them to watch videos of their promotion campaign for morale.

After an exchange with a fan at the end, he said: "The body language was horrible. It's the first time I have seen that and we have to snap out of it. I've told them to look at the videos.

"We never used to care. When we let one in it didn't matter, we'd score more. I will be picking them up because I don't want this fairy tale to end."

Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer 6; Baird 7, Hughes 7, Hangeland 7, Salcido 7; Duff 7 (Davies 81, 6), Murphy 7 (Sidwell 76, 6), Etuhu 7, Dempsey 7; Zamora 8 (Johnson 64, 7), Dembele 7. Booked: Hangeland, Murphy. Goals: Zamora 23, 28, Dickson 72,

Blackpool (4-4-2): Kingson 6; Cathcart 5, Baptiste 6, Evatt 6, Crainey 5; Taylor-Fletcher 6, Vaughan 7, Adam 7, Grandin 5 (Puncheon 68, 5); Beattie 5 (Varney 68, 5), Ormerod 6 (Kornilenko 68, 5). Booked: Adam.

Referee: S Attwell (Warwicks).



Read more: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/238592/Fulham-3-Blackpool-0-Bobby-Zamora-is-the-thriller-for-Fulham/Fulham-3-Blackpool-0-Bobby-Zamora-is-the-thriller-for-Fulham#ixzz1IXAWE5io

[White Noise]

http://fulham.theoffside.com/team-news/fulham-3-0-blackpool.html

Fulham 3-0 Blackpool

By: Sam | April 3rd, 2011


A comfortable win for Fulham and a good return to the starting line-up for Bobby Zamora who scored two goals in quick succession. Dickson Etuhu's second half goal finished the tie, with the result moving Fulham up to 10th in the league and two points from the 40 point mark.

Each goal took full advantage of Blackpool's mistakes and poor defending. James Beattie gifted the ball to Zamora in the middle of the park. Zamora strode into the Blackpool penatly box and struck the ball with his right-foot – the one that had been broken – straight into the net. Five minutes later, Duff won an easy free kick and crossed the ball into the box for an unmarked Zamora to head it in.

Zamora's two goals in five minutes made it seem like there was potential for a high-scoring game. However, the match petered out, with Blackpool making some good movement but with no real threat. Fulham were still very much in control and sealed the deal in the second half when Blackpool didn't defend a free-kick for Etuhu to poke the ball into the net.

Etuhu was also part of a very strong central midfield partnership. Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu did their fair share of defending and made their presence known by some gutsy tackling and good movement. Especially Etuhu who was everywhere on the pitch, winning the ball and passing it well – his goal a merit to his labour.

Although today's win was against a lacklustre Blackpool, the result and manner of the win is a good sign for Fulham. Now looking up rather than down, they continued a strong home form and assure that they can win games without a hugh amount of ordeal. Worrying signs for Blackpool, however, who are 17th and one point from the relegation zone. Although during the match the Blackpook fans didn't seem worried at all as they sang and applauded their team even at three nil down.