Saturday Fulham Stuff (14.05.11)

[White Noise]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3579716/Hughes-Europa-venture-for-Fulham-would-be-not-Fair.html

Europa venture would be not Fair

By JAMES CLARKE


Published: Today


MARK HUGHES reckons it will be a pain if Fulham qualify for the Europa League through the Fair Play table.
They are currently second behind Chelsea who have already qualified for Europe through their Premier League position.

But if they continue their good behaviour against Birmingham tomorrow - and Arsenal in the last game of the season - they will join the first qualifying round of European football's second competition.

That will mean their season will kick off at the end of June.

Cottagers boss Hughes said: "I think it feels like a chore because of where we are this season - it's been a long one.

"You feel there's a point close to the end of the season where you are looking for a break so that you can come back refreshed.

"There's a real concern that maybe that will not be available to us if we come back at an earlier date."

Tottenham are their closest rivals for the spot now that fifth place in the league is slipping away from them.

The Fair Play ranking is based on a UEFA points system.

Teams are judged on the amount of cards they receive, for positive play and respect shown towards opponents and the officials.

Hughes added: "It's positive that you're in Europe.

"But you don't get that key time that you need to recover."



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3579716/Hughes-Europa-venture-for-Fulham-would-be-not-Fair.html#ixzz1MJ9EgJ9k

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http://tribalfootball.com/articles/hughes-looking-further-his-fulham-squad-1630651


Hughes looking to further his Fulham squad


13.05.11 | Andrew Slevison


Fulham boss Mark Hughes is remaining realistic that clubs in a similar position to his can only go so far.

With limited finances restricting the quality and size of his squad, Hughes has to work with a lot less than those clubs in the top echelon.

The Welshman knows that targeting a top-half finish is something the Cottagers can do but wants to further the club as much as he can during his tenure at Craven Cottage.

"We want to finish in that top 10 if we can and then we will be able to look back on the season and ahead to next season with real confidence," he said.

"We've got the basis of a good team. I am very clear in how far we can go as a club, it's fair to say there is a glass ceiling for clubs in a similar position, but that does not mean it's not challenging."

As for the slight chance of qualifying for the Europa League through the fair play rule, Hughes says the London club should look forward to the extra obligation if it comes their way.

"If we get in we will try to progress as far as we can," he added.

"It's not a case of dreading it, we should embrace it, but it just makes it difficult early on. You could argue that both sides balance themselves out."