Friday Fulham Stuff (27/05/11)...

[WhiteJC]

http://cottagers.blogspot.com/2011/05/other-half-ful-2-2-ars.html?

Craven Cottagers
Following the 2007/8, 2008/9, 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons at Craven Cottage - recounted by season ticket holders who aren't actually Fulham fans.

The other half - FUL 2 - 2 ARS

Andy has asked me to guest-write the blog for the last game of the season. I have no idea why, because he knows just as well as me that literally minutes after a match has finished I can't recall any details of what I've just watched. I'm exactly the same with films. I can enjoy them immensely, but the finer plot points – and even some of the key moments – escape my memory just as soon as it's over.

And so it's true of football – five days on from Fulham v Arsenal, I couldn't actually describe to you any of the action, not even the goals. In fact I can remember more of Samir Nasri's goals in the original fixture back at the Emirates which I was also at in December.

Talking of Samir Nasri – I do remember thinking what a fashion faux pas his orange boots with red socks were. I know you'll be thinking that's such a 'girl' thing to say – but I'm really not that sort of girl usually – it's just what stuck in my mind.

Part of the reason I don't remember many of the key moments – i.e. the goals - is that, at eight months pregnant, I couldn't be doing with jumping up and down from my seat every two minutes to see what was going on. Even when I do stand up I can't see very much as I'm somewhat of a shortarse.

I just about recall Bobby Zamora's headed goal – mostly because I'm a Brighton fan, and as one of our former players I still like to see him doing well – especially after the tricky season he's had with his broken leg.

And one of my favourite things to happen at the Cottage capped off what's likely to be the last time I'm there for a league match... the ball got walloped over the Riverside Stand – and I just love the animation on the normally staid scoreboard depicting the 'ball' floating along the river. Small things....

I guess the one thing riding on this match for Fulham fans was whether or not they'd clinch the Europa League qualifying round spot through the fair play league. Which is why everyone was left reeling and asking: "Just what was Zoltan Gera thinking?" when he went in with his two-footed tackle on Thomas Vermaelen. Fulham's FIRST red card of the season (until that point the only Premier League side not to have been given one).

I think most people thought Fulham had just gifted the spot to Blackpool – but in fact, it was yesterday announced that Fulham WILL be going on a European tour next season, after clinching the place ahead of the Tangerines by just 0.01 points.

That means less than a month off for the players, who'll be back for training ahead of that first qualifying match on June 30th!

[WhiteJC]

34 Days?
Gate-crashing the Europa League, courtesy of the Fair Play League, was always going to mean that the so-called summer break would be shortened.

In fact, it`s being reported that the summer break will now be a mere 34 days for Fulham with the opening fixtures for the Europa League taking part on June 30th and July 7th.

Now thirty-four days might not be as long as most clubs will get off but perhaps we should point out it`s more than most of us get off in a year!

So come on Fulham just get on with it!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=242982#ixzz1NYgY3FJY

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_6954839,00.html?

Zamora targets European run
Fulham striker ready for early start next season

Bobby Zamora has admitted it will be awkward to start next season early after gaining entry to the Europa League, but insists Fulham will be determined to make the most of the opportunity.

The Cottagers will be involved in continental competition after it was confirmed on Thursday they had been awarded the Premier League's Fair Play spot.

They must start their campaign in the first qualifying round at the end of June, meaning Mark Hughes will have to reassemble his squad for pre-season training in just a few weeks.

Zamora recognises that a balance will have to be struck to ensure Fulham do not burn themselves out too quickly next season but are still able to acquit themselves well in Europe.

Having reached the final of the Europa League in 2009/10 under Roy Hodgson, the striker says Fulham would love to enjoy another long run in the tournament.

"It is early. I suppose we will be treating some of the games as pre-season games but obviously they are competitive and we want to win," Zamora told Sky Sports News.

"It is hard to get your head around those first couple of weeks but we will be trying our best.

"We had a great cup run last year and we relished it, loved it, and we would love to achieve half of what we did last year.

"We are going to go and enjoy it and do as well as we can."

England delight

Zamora has not been able to start his summer break yet after being called up to the England squad for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland on 4th June.

But he is thrilled to be involved with the Three Lions after what he describes as an 'up and down' season.

"It has been a funny season for myself," he said. "I started off really well and then I got injured, but I managed to finish well and scored a couple of goals, and I'm obviously delighted to be called back into the England squad."