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Friday Fulham Stuff (05.03.10)

Started by White Noise, March 04, 2010, 08:27:47 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

White Noise

http://timesonline.typepad.com/fanzine_fanzone/2010/02/reading-brian-mcdermott-is-the-new-roy-hodgson.html


Reading: Brian McDermott is the new Roy Hodgson



Brian McDermott has to be manager of the month, surely? Bringing Reading out of the relegation zone with grit and passion and now a quarter-final place in the FA Cup. Our cup performances have started to breed a positive spirit with the fans but McDermott has had a big role to play as well. Much less a personality than Brendan Rodgers was, McDermott exudes a quiet confidence that is clearly paying dividends and his history with the club and players seems to be making a difference too.

When Rodgers left I wanted Darren Ferguson, believing he had the nous, fight and experience that would help us out of the relegation zone. However, McDermott seems to being doing what Roy Hodgson did for Fulham in the 2007/08 season. He, like McDermott, brought a calmness to the club and got the players to play themselves out of trouble (unfortunately in Hodgson's case to the detriment of Reading) - long may it continue for the blue and white hoops.

Other things to be pleased about – the atmosphere at the games has improve markedly. As McDermott commented after the 2-1 home win against Plymouth, "the crowd stayed with us" when they drew level and that has been a welcome thing to be sure. Don't get me wrong, a wavering or quiet crowd can be put down to many legitimate things – frustration at the way we played, a perceived inability to take good chances - but when the crowd is behind the team and has confidence that we can and will score – it clearly affects the players.

Earlier this season, I said that a long cup run was needed to give fans and players hope for the season - I hope this will continue to be proved right.

Meanwhile, I have often thought about what the (as I have called it) "Reading Way" actually means in terms how we should perceive ourselves and through that how our ambition should manifest itself. It seems that our last three managers offer contrasting definitions.

Coppell, Rodgers and McDermott all had ambition but it was their personalities that made the manifestation of that ambition differ.

Coppell was successful by being understated, considered and deadpan – his teams often reflected that with a professional and workmanlike approach.

Rodgers' approach was different. He was bullish and combative, honest in that Mourinho-influenced way that sought to make players take responsibility directly but in doing so sapped them of belief and instilled a worry about failure rather than aspiration for success.

As for McDermott, well of course it's probably too early to make any concrete judgements but based on recent performances, he seems to be a manager that enjoys preparing players to go out and do their best and then let them take the accolades as he deflects the criticisms.

Always positive, his style seems to be one of getting individuals to enjoy playing and being part of a team. I sincerely hope it continues. I for one, like any Reading fan, am relishing the Aston Villa game and the potential to march up the Championship table. Confidence all round is returning.

White Noise

Harry hoping for Jerm recovery

FLYING RETURN ... Jenas could make stunning recovery


By ANDREW DILLON

Published: Today

HARRY REDKNAPP is hoping Jermaine Jenas will be back in action just TWO WEEKS after his groin surgery.

The Tottenham midfielder had an op in Germany on Wednesday to repair a hernia.

Spurs boss Redknapp has been hit by an injury crisis which could wreck his bid for a top-four finish.

They take on Fulham in an FA Cup quarter-final tomorrow, missing Jenas, Tom Huddlestone and David Bentley from midfield, while defender Ledley King is out with a thigh strain.

Redknapp said: "Jermaine has had the op and we believe it all went well.

"Michael Owen was back within 10 days when he had a similar problem so who knows? We certainly need Jermaine around. We are desperately short of bodies."



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2879079/Harry-hoping-for-Jerm-recovery.html#ixzz0hHaLEJU6

White Noise

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/sport/Bristol-Rovers-boss-Trollope-hopes-break-away-hoodoo-Swindon/article-1886441-detail/article.html


The only absentee will be on-loan Fulham midfielder Wayne Brown (ankle), but he has had his stint with the Pirates extended.
"Wayne has been done and we are in talks with the other loan players and their clubs about extending the rest of them," said Trollope.


White Noise

http://www.bettingpress.com/category/Football/Fulham-v-Tottenham-FA-Cup-Tips-201003050031/


Fulham v Tottenham FA Cup Tips

Betting Press Staff - 5 Mar 2010


•Only two goals have been scored in the last three games between Fulham and Tottenham.

•The last FA Cup meeting between these London sides saw Tottenham win 4-0 at Craven Cottage in 2007, with both Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov netting braces.

•These sides have been drawn together four times in the FA Cup, with Tottenham progressing on all four occasions.

•The FA Cup defeat in 2007 is the only time Fulham have lost to Spurs at home in their last nine meetings at the Cottage.

•This is the second consecutive season that Fulham have reached the FA Cup quarter finals; losing 4-0 at home to Manchester United in their last-eight match last term.

•Spurs have lost three consecutive FA Cup quarter final ties, two of these coming against London clubs.

White Noise

http://www.bettingpress.com/category/Football/Totesport-will-refund-money-if-Fulham-draw-0-0-with-Tottenham-Hotspur-201003050054/

Totesport will refund money if Fulham draw 0-0 with Tottenham Hotspur


Betting Press Staff - 5 Mar 2010


Totesport are giving punters the opportunity to win their money back over a number of games this weekend in their Correct Score Money Back special.

In the Fulham FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC game, if the game ends in 0-0 then Totesport will refund any bets made via the correct score market.

Fulham v Spurs
Draw 0-0  (7/1)

Totesport's Terms & Conditions

1.     We'll refund losing Correct Score bets if the match ends at the nominated score - extra time does not count.
2.     Applies to losing Correct Score bets placed by phone, online or text only.
3.     Singles and multiples are included in the offer.
4.     Applies to bets placed before kick-off only – offer does not apply to in-play bets
5.     Free bets are not included in the offer.
6.     Maximum refund is £1000 per customer.
7.     Totesport rules apply.
8.     Totesport reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time.


White Noise

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/argyle/Stockdale-set-spot-Argyle-line/article-1887896-detail/article.html

Stockdale set to keep spot in Argyle line-up


Friday, March 05, 2010, 07:00

ARGYLE head coach Paul Mariner is retaining faith in on-loan Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale.
The 24-year-old will continue between the posts for the Pilgrims when they play Preston North End at Home Park tomorrow.
That is despite the costly blunder he made in the 4-3 defeat by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane last Saturday.
Mariner will not be recalling club captain Romain Larrieu to replace Stockdale against Preston.
Argyle were trailing Sheffield United 3-2, having trailed by three goals at one stage, when Stockdale gifted the Blades a fourth goal in the 82nd minute.
He threw the ball down, inside his own penalty area, without realising Sheffield United striker Richard Cresswell was behind him.
Cresswell then darted past a startled Stockdale and rolled the ball into the empty net.
That capped a poor overall performance from Stockdale but, crucially, Mariner has not lost confidence in him.
Mariner said: "David is a resilient boy and mentally he's very tough.
"He apologised to the lads after the game (against Sheffield United), but it was just one of those things. It was a once-in-a-lifetime error.
"(Argyle assistant head coach) John Carver told us a great story about Shay Given, from when they were both at Newcastle United.
"He said the exact same thing happened to Shay Given and look where he is now. He's one of the top three or four keepers in the Premier League.
"So, sometimes you grow and learn from errors, and I'm sure David will and become a better keeper."
Mariner spoke to Stockdale by phone on Sunday, before leaving for a flying visit to America, and had words of reassurance for the loanee.
"I told him he had helped us out a number of times by making crucial saves," said the Pilgrims' boss.
"You can't dwell on things like that. I don't think there will be any changes in the goalkeeping spot."
Larrieu had started 27 successive matches for Argyle this season until Stockdale was signed from Fulham, initially for one month, in January.
Stockdale made his debut in a 1-0 home win against Derby County, and has since played a further seven times.
Larrieu, 33, whose contract with Argyle ends this summer, played for the reserves in their 2-0 'home' win against Forest Green Rovers at Tiverton Town FC on Tuesday.
But he was substituted at half-time, as a precaution, because of a thigh strain.
Larrieu was replaced by second-year apprentice Ollie Chenoweth for the rest of the Totesport.com Combination clash.
Meanwhile, striker Joe Mason and winger Yannick Bolasie staked strong claims to start for Argyle against Preston after shining as half-time substitutes in the defeat by Sheffield United.
Mason was sent on for Rory Fallon, while Bolasie took over from Craig Noone, and both players scored their first goals for the Pilgrims.
Noone struggled against Sheffield United, but he was outstanding in the 1-1 draw with Leicester City at Home Park the previous weekend, when he scored Argyle's equalising goal.
So Noone will probably be preferred to Bolasie.
Mason, 18, has been away at a training camp with the Republic of Ireland under-19s training camp at Bisham Abbey, Buckinghamshire, for much of this week.
But the Pilgrims' prospect was back at Home Park when Argyle held their training session yesterday afternoon.
Mariner said: "Joe has been on international duty so we will assess how he is. There is no doubt he came on (against Sheffield United) and did very well indeed, as did Yala (Bolasie).
"Yala is a strong, direct player, and actually did a great job on both sides of the ball, which we needed at the time.
"For both subs to come on and score is quite something."


White Noise

http://hammyend.com/?p=5810

Up next: Tottenham Hotspur (h)


by Dan on March 5, 2010

Bit of a debate as I had a chat with a couple of Fulham fans yesterday morning. Which of our next two games is the bigger? Obviously, an FA Cup quarter final against Tottenham is pretty big, especially with the chance of an exceedingly rare trip to Wembley dangled right in front of us on Saturday night? But everyone seems to be looking forward to Thursday night in Turin, when 'little old Fulham' (copyright ITV4) take on the mighty Juventus in the last sixteen of the Europa League.

Roy Hodgson has said he's now going to be targeting the Cups, particularly after another hard-earned point at Sunderland took Fulham closer to Premier League safety. Even though the Whites reached the FA Cup quarter finals last year and generally don't have too bad a record in the competition since returning to the top flight, an excursion to the latter stages of the world's oldest club Cup still seems exhilirating. Of course, everybody will be avoid to avoid the stage fright that seemed to afflict Fulham at this stage last season: fading alarmingly after a bright start to be humbled 4-0 by Manchester United.

I was surprised to read earlier of Tottenham's poor recent record at Craven Cottage. Their last nine visits have brought only one win, although that was a real thumping at a similar stage of the FA Cup. You do get the sense that these Spurs are something of a different proposition to the teams managed by Jacques Santini, Martin Jol or Juande Ramos. Harry Redknapp has set Tottenham on course to be more consistent challengers for a Champions' League spot than any of his predecessors whilst still playing the kind of pretty football that the White Hart Lane punters demand.

There's no doubt Tottenham will be a tricky proposition. They disposed of us quite comfortably at the Lane back in January and, with our patchy away record, the last thing the pessismistic Fulham fan will fancy is a replay. Games at the Cottage are generally close, though, and – had it not been for a string of fine saves from the much-mocked Huruelho Gomes – then Hodgson's side would have picked up three points rather than just one on Boxing Day. The key to stopping Spurs will be getting to their creative players in midfield, the likes of Krancjar and Modric, who can kill you if they are allowed too much time and space in which to operate.

Another thing operating in Fulham's favour is the packed nature of the Tottenham treatment room. Things might not be as bad as when a virus struck down the Spurs squad before last weekend's game against Everton but Redknapp will still be missing a few key players. Aaron Lennon, the tricky winger who at last looks like he's found a final ball to match that blistering pace, is expected to be out for the next six weeks or so, and midfield seems to be where most of the problems are. Tom Huddlestone has been ruled out after coming off against the Toffees, whilst Jermaine Jenas has just undergone an operation on his groin, so just who will partner Wilson Palacios, presuming the Honduran is picked as he's a booking away from a suspension, remains to be seen. Redknapp's mood will hardly have been improved by seeing Gareth Bale limp off for Wales on Wednesday night with an ankle problem that was immediately being treated with an icepack. The youngster's absence, considering the manner in which he tore through Fulham earlier this year, would be a real tonic for Hodgson's side.

You wouldn't expect Hodgson to change too much from the side that lined up at Sunderland. The fatigue from Donetsk will be well out of their system and most of that eleven have had a week's worth of rest. There have been no reported injuries picked up by those on international duty and consistency in selection has been something that has helped produce the dizzying success that Fulham have enjoyed over the last couple of seasons. Paul Konchesky completed 70 minutes for the reserves on Tuesday, but it would be a big surprise if the left back replaced the in-form Nicky Shorey come Saturday evening.

Fulham have produced some impressive performances at the Cottage this season. Manchester United, Liverpool and Shakhtar have all been beaten largely by the tempo at which the Whites played. The speed of our football will be key as will the ability of players and fans alike to remain patient. Long-suffering Fulham fans will know that chances like this don't come along too often: it's up to us to take it.

MY FULHAM XI (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Baird, Shorey, Hughes, Hangeland; Etuhu, Murphy, Duff, Davies; Gera; Zamora. Subs: Zuberbuhler, Smalling, Kelly, Greening, Riise, Okaka, Elm.

White Noise

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/tottenham/7370266/Fulham-v-Tottenham-Hotspur-match-preview.html


Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur: match preview


Read a full preview of the FA Cup quarter-final match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Saturday March 06 2009, kick-off 17.20 GMT.

Published: 6:00AM GMT 05 Mar 2010

Craven Cottage, London

Kick-off: 17.20 GMT

TV: ITV1 17.00 GMT, ITV HD 5pm

Tottenham Hotspur have a proud tradition when it comes to the FA Cup, having lifted the famous trophy eight times, whereas Fulham have played in the final just once, back in 1975.

But if Fulham do reach their first semi-final since that run, which saw them beaten 2-0 by West Ham, the chances are they will have some former Spurs players to thank.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has four to choose from in Bobby Zamora, Simon Davies, Danny Murphy and Stephen Kelly.

Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, who will try to shackle the in-form Zamora, was aware the quartet would all be keen to get one over their former club when the tie kicks off at Fulham's Craven Cottage ground on Saturday.

"Simon Davies was at Tottenham when I first came to the club, and 'Murph' was here as well," he said.

"I've played with Bobby at England Under-21 level but not when he was at Tottenham. They're good players and we know they're a good team.

"Bobby's definitely one of the in-form strikers in the Premier League at the moment. Whenever you play against him you know it's going to be a tough. He's certainly on fire at the moment, scoring some good goals."

White Noise

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-v-Tottenham-FA-Cup-preview-Cottagers-transformation-from-relegation-candidates-to-top-flight-stars-is-amazing-says-Simon-Davies-article344849.html

Fulham's transformation from relegation candidates to top-flight stars is amazing, says Simon Davies


Published 08:34 05/03/10

By James Nursey


Simon Davies reckons Fulham's turnaround in fortunes is amazing after being minutes away from relegation just two years ago.

Roy Hodgson's side were seemingly doomed to the drop at Portsmouth in May 2008 before they survived with a 76th-minute winner from Danny Murphy.

But they have since established themselves in the top-flight and are still in both the Europa League and FA Cup.

Midfielder Davies admits Fulham now face a crunch week with Spurs due at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup quarter-finals tomorrow.

And Fulham then visit Juventus in the first leg of the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday after knocking out Shakhtar Donetsk.

Davies,30, said: "The FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday and then Juventus on Thursday - what a week for the club.

"Times have not been like this at Fulham for ages.

"The reality check is that two years ago we were starring relegation to the Championship in the face.

"What was it 15 minutes or so from going down so what a turnaround, everyone is really excited.

"The boys are on a high after Donesk - it was amazing.

"They are one of the best teams I have ever played against, a difficult venue, and they pass the ball around as good as anyone.

"Going through has given us a big lift but it leads us into such an exciting time for the club.

"But Roy is keeping the boys' feet on the ground.

"We know that we have two great opportunities in the cups but it is a normal week for us, normal training, focusing on each game."

Davies played for Spurs from 1999-2005 after joining from Peterborough and ended up at Fulham in January 2007 from Everton.

He is optimistic Fulham can beat his old club due to their impressive home form this season as they have won nine games already in the Premier League this term.

Davies added: "We have a good record against them in recent years at the Cottage.

"We never give anyone an easy ride at home.

"We are pretty confident that we can win as we are very organised at home, that is our strength, and if we can get an early lead, we are very tough to break down.

"We work very hard for each other, we are very organised, we keep a good shape to our team and we work hard defensively.

"But we also have a game that can worry teams.

"When we get it right we are a very good footballing team.

"We have the players that can make them think."


White Noise

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_preview/0,19764,11065_3252858,00.html

Fulham v Tottenham preview


Place in the last four the prize for winners at Craven Cottage


Last updated: 5th March 2010   


London rivals Fulham and Tottenham will fight for the chance to play at Wembley in their FA Cup quarter-final at Craven Cottage.

The Cottagers host Spurs as both sides look to advance to the last four of the competition, with many of the big guns already out.

Chelsea are the only side in the top three still remaining in the tournament, and whoever triumphs on the banks of the Thames on Saturday evening will begin to dream of cup glory.

Spurs have a rich history in the competition having lifted the trophy eight times, although the last time they did so was in 1991.

Fulham, meanwhile, have never won the FA Cup and have only reached the final on one occasion - back in 1975.

But with Roy Hodgson's men extremely difficult to beat at home, the history books may go out of the window when kick-off arrives.

With both sides performing well in the Premier League, the game will provide some time away from Tottenham's bid to finish in the top-four, while Fulham have been heavily involved in another cup competition this term in the form of the Europa League.

Crisis
Spurs are facing a midfield crisis for the short trip across the capital.

Tom Huddlestone and Jermaine Jenas are injured, Jamie O'Hara on loan at Portsmouth and defender Younes Kaboul is cup-tied.

Manager Harry Redknapp has brought back 20-year-old Jake Livermore from a temporary spell at Peterborough as cover.

Fulham will have four former Spurs players in their ranks for the game - Simon Davies, Danny Murphy, Stephen Kelly and Bobby Zamora.

Zamora has been in excellent form this season leading to suggestions that he could be called up to the England squad by Fabio Capello.

The last time these two teams met in the Premier League the game ended in a 2-0 win for Spurs at White Hart Lane, although back in December they played out a goalless stalemate at Craven Cottage.

Fulham v Tottenham 1st Goalscorer: Pavlyuchenko, R. 5/1

White Noise

http://hammyend.com/?p=5815

How to beat Spurs

by Dan on March 5, 2010

Even with an injury-hit side, Tottenham will still be a very stiff test tomorrow. Harry Redknapp has strengthened their defence making them a leaner, meaner outfit. How Michael Dawson hasn't got a shout in an England squad of late is beyond me, especially with John Terry hardly on top form and Matthew Upson looking shakier by the day.

Such defensive solidity means you can't count on chances coming your way at the other end meaning the stakes are that much higher when Spurs are coming forward. They still carry that potent threat going forward and their pretty passing will probably be based around two crucial figures on Saturday. Niko Krancjar has a habit of playing well against Fulham – he scored his first goal in the Premier League for Portsmouth a few years back – but the talisman we'll have to stop is little Luka Modric:



by Guardian Chalkboards

Despite having a clear gameplan at White Hart Lane last week, Everton had little answer to the gifted Croatian. He's a free spirit in much the same way that another talented playmaker – Paul Gascoigne – was a decade ago. Modric drifted infield against Everton but the danger may be more pronounced in our Cup tie should Redknapp decide to shift either Croatian infield as he faces up to injuries striking his favoured central midfielders. What Fulham can't afford is to allow Modric and company to dictate play forcing Danny Murphy backwards.

Fortunately, neither of the forwards who did the damage the last time Tottenham came to town in the FA Cup will be available to Spurs tomorrow. Dimitar Berbatov has long since moved on to Manchester United and Robbie Keane is on loan at Celtic. That doesn't mind Hughes and Hangeland can relax though. Jermain Defoe has scored 22 goals this season, including an impressive five in five in the FA Cup. Peter Crouch grabbed a couple of goals from the bench yesterday to press his World Cup claims and, if that doesn't work, Redknapp's got an in-form Roman Pavlyuchenko to turn to.

Fulham will need to limit the space the front men have to operate in. They've done it before, this season in fact. Hodgson's organised defence effectively nullified the threat from the Tottenham attack in the league game at Craven Cottage. Keane was anonymous and, although Crouch was a bit more successful with his passing, look at just how deep he was forced to play:



by Guardian Chalkboards

Defoe's added some sharper runs to his game since his first shot at international football and is an all-round better player now, but he isn't in the sort of form that saw him terrorise Hull back at the start of the season. It's a big ask to keep all these players quiet, but Hodgson's pulled off many a tactical masterstroke already this year. Keep the faith.

White Noise

http://www.itv.com/sport/football/news/facup/manualstories/facupstatattackallyouneedtoknowaheadofbirminghamvportsmouthfulhamvtottenham2362/default.html

Fulham v Tottenham (Saturday, 5.20pm - Live on ITV1 & ITV.com)

Only two goals have been scored in the last three games between Fulham and Tottenham.

The last FA Cup meeting between these London sides saw Tottenham win 4-0 at Craven Cottage in 2007, with both Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov netting braces.

These sides have been drawn together four times in the FA Cup, with Tottenham progressing on all four occasions.

The FA Cup defeat in 2007 is the only time Fulham have lost to Spurs at home in their last nine meetings at the Cottage.

This is the second consecutive season that Fulham have reached the FA Cup quarter finals; losing 4-0 at home to Manchester United in their last-eight match last term.

Spurs have lost three consecutive FA Cup quarter final ties, two of these coming against London clubs.


White Noise

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8549532.stm


Fulham    v    Tottenham


Live text and stats


Content will update automatically

Saturday, 6 March 2010

The FA Cup

Home Team Score Away Team Time
Fulham v  Tottenham 17:20

   

FULHAMTOTTENHAMPossession
Fulham 50% Tottenham 50% Attempts on target
Fulham 0 Tottenham 0 Attempts off target
Fulham 0 Tottenham 0 Corners
Fulham 0 Tottenham 0 Fouls
Fulham 0 Tottenham 0
FA Cup sixth round
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Saturday, 6 March Kick-off: 1720 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio and BBC Sport website. Also live on ITV1




TEAM NEWS
Tottenham are without midfielders David Bentley (groin), Jermaine Jenas, who this week had groin surgery, and Tom Huddlestone (ankle ligament damage).

Aaron Lennon is out until next month with groin trouble, Ledley King is unlikely to play and now Jermain Defoe is a doubt with a hamstring concern.

Carlo Cudicini and Jonathan Woodgate are long-term absentees, while Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker are cup-tied.

Tottenham (from): Gomes, Alnwick, Corluka, Assou-Ekotto, Dawson, Bassong, Bale, Kranjcar, Modric, Palacios, Crouch, Gudjohnsen, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe, Rose, Livermore, Dervite, Parrett, Fredericks, Townsend, Kane.


BIG-MATCH FACTS
The tie in context

• Fulham against Tottenham is one of three all-Premier League quarter-finals, and the only derby in the sixth round.

• Tottenham is the most successful club still alive in the FA Cup, having won the competition eight times.

• Both clubs recording 4-0 wins in their last FA Cup outings.


Head-to-head
• Fulham have failed to score in their last three meetings with Tottenham. This season's league clash at Craven Cottage was goalless.

Fulham 0-0 Tottenham (Prem Lge, 26 Dec)

• Spurs prevailed in the reverse fixture a month later.

Tottenham 2-0 Fulham (Prem Lge, 26 Jan)

• Fulham's last victory over the north London club was 2-1 on the banks of the Thames on 15 November 2008.

FA Cup records and best performances

• Tottenham hold a 100% record over the Cottagers in FA Cup ties, having progressed on all four previous occasions they have been drawn together; three at the first time of asking.


The clubs
FULHAM

Current form

• Unbeaten in eight in all competitions (W5, D3).

• Aston Villa were the last club to beat them; 2-0 in the Premier League at Craven Cottage on 30 January.

• Won their last five at the Cottage.

FA Cup form

• Meeting Premier League opposition for the first time in this cup run, having dismissed Swindon, Accrington and Notts County on the way to the last eight.

• Appearing in the quarter-finals for the second year in a row, having been 4-0 victims to Manchester United at this same stage last season.

The Manager

• Roy Hodgson won the Svenska Cup twice as manager of Swedish club Malmo (1986 and 1989), and the Danish Super Cup when at the helm of FC Copenhagen in 2001.

The Players

• Damien Duff and Bobby Zamora are Fulham's joint top scorers in the FA Cup this season, with two goals each.

• Zamora, Simon Davies, Stephen Kelly and Danny Murphy are all former Tottenham players, while Paul Konchesky was on loan at White Hart Lane.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Current form

• Bidding for a fourth successive win in all competitions.

• Failed to win one of the last 10.

FA Cup form

• Beaten Peterborough, Leeds and Bolton in this cup run, with the aid of replays in the last two rounds.

• Appearing in the quarter-finals for the first time in three years.

• The most recent of their 17 semi-final appearances was in 2001, when Arsenal ended their interest.

The Manager

• Harry Redknapp famously led Portsmouth to FA Cup victory in the season before last.

• His only other cup triumph as a manager was with West Ham, when they lifted the Intertoto Cup in 1999.

The Players

• Jermain Defoe is Tottenham's top scorer in this FA Cup run. His five goals includes a hat-trick against Leeds.


Replay date
Wednesday, 24 March 2010 (Kick off: 2000 GMT)


Match officials
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne and Wear)

Assistant referees: Peter Kirkup and Michael Murphy

Fourth official: Kevin Friend

White Noise

http://hammyend.com/?p=5817

TOOFIF 115 out tomorrow


by Dan on March 5, 2010

Just a reminder to you all to get your copy of TOOFIF, the Fulham fanzine, on sale outside the ground tomorrow. It's great value at only £3. You can get to trawl through more rambling from me and there's an interview with former Fulham hero, Nick Cusack, now of the PFA, in this issue.

White Noise

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23812538-hot-shot-bobby-zamora-the-one-who-got-away-for-harry-redknapp.do


Hot-shot Bobby Zamora the one who got away for Harry Redknapp


Tom Collomosse and David Smith


05.03.10



Harry Redknapp always knew that Bobby Zamora would make it as a striker and still rues the day he failed to make the grade at West Ham.

The Tottenham manager was in charge of the Hammers when Zamora, then an apprentice at Upton Park, was released by the club.

Zamora is now one of the Premier League's most in-form strikers and tomorrow he will plot the downfall of Redknapp when his Fulham side face Spurs in an intriguing FA Cup quarter-final at Craven Cottage.

Redknapp believes the teenager rejected by his former club has matured into a 29-year-old striker good enough to be considered for a call into Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup.

But his immediate concern is that the player whose scintillating form has seen him score 15 goals in 34 starts this season threatens to dash the Cup ambitions of Spurs, who also effectively showed him the door.

When Spurs caretaker manager David Pleat paid West Ham £7million for a disaffected Jermain Defoe in February 2004, Zamora went the other way from White Hart Lane back to Upton Park almost unnoticed.

He had failed to replicate his prolific scoring for Brighton, managing just one goal in 18 appearances in a white shirt. Yet Redknapp argues: "Tottenham let Zamora go too quickly."

The manager added: "He was a terrific schoolboy footballer at West Ham but then he disappeared out of the game.

"I was manager of West Ham at the time and Frank Lampard Snr used to tell me what a good player Zamora was as a kid. But he stopped playing football and West Ham let him go."

On the same day Zamora was released, the powers that be at West Ham decided that a defender by the name of Paul Konchesky was also surplus to requirements.

It is testament to the determination to succeed embodied in both men that they later returned to be team-mates at Upton Park. And both have played vital roles in Fulham's revival under Roy Hodgson.

Redknapp said: "Roy knows how to get the best out of Zamora and this season he is producing the goods. He is a possibility for England's World Cup squad, although if the manager was going to pick him he might have been in the squad to face Egypt.

"This is the best spell of Zamora's career. He seems to thrive on being a big fish, one of the main players. Maybe he wasn't that at Spurs or West Ham."

Not that Redknapp sees Fulham as a one-man band. The way they knocked out Shakhtar Donetsk from the Europa League last month will serve as a warning about the potency of Fulham's threat tomorrow, even though they have won only one of their last nine clashes against Tottenham.

Redknapp said: "Fulham are a tough nut to crack and they got an incredible result against Shakhtar. Roy has done a great job and they have some other good players like Brede Hangeland and Danny Murphy."

There is also Nicky Shorey, with whom Redknapp was linked during the January transfer window before the Aston Villa left-back was snapped up on loan by Hodgson.

Shorey, like Redknapp, is a member of the Zamora fan club. "We used to play against each other in Essex when we were younger," said the former England international, recalling his early teens when he turned out for a youth team called Comet against Zamora's Senrab side that also produced John Terry, Sol Campbell, Defoe and Ledley King.

"I don't think there is a more in-form striker than Bobby. It's a shame he didn't get his chance for England against Egypt but it's not too late for him. If he keeps playing well, it will be impossible to turn a blind eye to him. He's a bit like Peter Crouch. He's good in the air and he's good on the floor."

Ah yes, Crouch. It didn't escape Shorey's notice that both the striker's goals for England on Wednesday were made by passes from Egypt's left flank.

Shorey knows Spurs will seek to serve Crouch, assuming he plays at least some part tomorrow, from the same direction. "It will be tough," he said. "Tottenham are full of good players.

"I might need a step ladder to stop Crouch. He looks like he is enjoying his football and that's when you get the best out of yourself."

Just like Zamora.


White Noise

Fulham v TOTTENHAM: Jermain Defoe a major doubt for Harry Redknapp's injury hit side

By Sportsmail Reporter

Last updated at 1:19 PM on 05th March 2010
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Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has hamstring problems and is a doubt for the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Ledley King (thigh), Tom Huddlestone (groin), Jermaine Jenas (groin), Aaron Lennon (groin) and David Bentley (groin) are already ruled out.
Carlo Cudicini (wrist and pelvis) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) are long-term absentees, while Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker are cup-tied.

Provisional squad: Gomes, Alnwick, Corluka, Assou-Ekotto, Dawson, Bassong, Bale, Kranjcar, Modric, Palacios, Crouch, Gudjohnsen, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe, Rose, Livermore, Dervite, Parrett, Fredericks, Townsend, Kane.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1255724/Fulham-v-TOTTENHAM-Jermain-Defoe-major-doubt-Harry-Redknapps-injury-hit-side.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0hJecQa6g

White Noise

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/mar/05/squad-sheets-fulham-tottenham-hotspur


Squad sheets: Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur  


guardian.co.uk, Friday 5 March 2010 13.26 GMT

This should be one of the better quarter-finals, not least because both clubs have serious intentions of winning the FA Cup. For Fulham, also forging ahead in the Europa League, these successes are another indication of Roy Hodgson's success in raising the team's sights above mere survival in the Premier League.

While a top-four finish is Tottenham's priority Harry Redknapp will be looking to Roman Pavlyuchenko to continue his burst of scoring form to help Spurs over another hurdle. That said, this one is looking like a replay. David Lacey

Venue Craven Cottage, Saturday 5.20pm

Tickets £25-30 (0870 442 1234)

Previous meetings Fulham wins 11 Tottenham wins 34 Draws 25

Referee M Clattenburg

This season's league matches 22 Y64, R5, 3.14 cards per game

Odds Fulham 11-5 Tottenham 6-4 Draw 12-5




Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic Fulham
Subs from Zuberbühler, Smalling, Kelly, Stoor, Teymourian, Riise, Greening, Elm, Dikgacoi, Konchesky, Nevland, Okaka

Doubtful Konchesky (ankle)

Injured Dempsey (knee, Apr), Paintsil (knee, Apr), A Johnson (knee, Aug)

Suspended None

Form guide (all comps) DDWWWW

Disciplinary record Y47 R5

Leading scorer Zamora 13

Tottenham
Subs from Alnwick, K Walker, Dervite, King, Assou-Ekotto, Rose, Gudjohnsen, Crouch

Doubtful Bale (knee), Bentley (groin), King (knee), Defoe (hamstring)

Injured Jenas (groin, 27 Mar), Huddlestone (ankle, Apr), Lennon (groin, Apr), Cudicini (pelvis/wrists, Aug), Woodgate (groin, Aug)

Suspended None

Unavailable Kaboul (cup-tied)

Form guide (all comps) WWWDLD

Disciplinary record Y50 R1

Leading scorer Defoe 22

Match pointers
• Fulham have lost one of their last nine home meetings with Tottenham in all competitions – 4-0 in the fifth round of the FA Cup in 2007

• Tottenham have lost on the the last three occasions that they made the sixth round of the FA Cup

• Fulham have failed to score in their last three league meetings with Tottenham

• On this day exactly 101 years ago Tottenham beat Fulham 1-0 in the FA Cup at White Hart Lane

• Roy Hodgson won the Swedish Cup twice (1986 and 1989) as manager of Malmo

White Noise

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/matches/season=2010/round=2000039/match=2000945/prematch/background/index.html

Juve hoping to spoil Hodgson return


Published: Friday 26 February 2010, 23.06CET


Roy Hodgson has guided Fulham FC to their best ever European campaign, but he will have to use all his nous to get the better of Juventus as the manager returns to Italy with the London side.


Roy Hodgson has guided Fulham FC to their best ever European campaign, but he will have to use all his nous to get the better of Juventus as the manager returns to Italy with the London side.

Read moreJuventus have not been in the best form at home against English sides in recent years, but will hope their luck can change as Roy Hodgson returns to Italy in the UEFA Europa League round of 16, looking to lead Fulham FC to another new high.

Previous meetings

• This will be the first encounter between the two sides.

• Juventus boast plenty of experience of English opposition, with their record from 36 games reading W14 D8 L14 (W10 D4 L3 at home). They have not won in their last four home fixtures against Premier League sides, recording three draws and a defeat since beating Newcastle United FC 2-0 in the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League group stage.

• Juventus have lost all four of their two-legged knockout ties against English clubs since they overcame Liverpool FC 1-0 in the 1985 European Champion Clubs' Cup final.

• Fulham have contested four matches against Italian clubs, putting together a record that reads W1 D2 L1 (W0 D1 L1 in Italy). Those fixtures comprise a 5-3 aggregate win against Bologna FC (one of Juve coach Alberto Zaccheroni's old clubs) in one of the 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup finals and two games against AS Roma in this season's UEFA Europa League group stage – a 1-1 draw in London and a 2-1 defeat in Rome.

• All seven of Fulham's goals against Italian clubs have been scored by non-British players: four for Junichi Inamoto (Japan) and one each for Sylvain Legwinski (France), Brede Hangeland (Norway) and Diomansy Kamara (Senegal).

Match background
• Juventus have triumphed in just one of their last six European home games, seeing off Maccabi Haifa FC 1-0 in this season's UEFA Champions League group stage, though four of those fixtures ended in draws.

• Fulham have recorded two victories, two draws and two defeats in their six European away games this season. Encouragingly, they have only failed to score once in their 13 European away trips since making their continental debut in 2002.

• In reaching the last 16, Fulham have far eclipsed their previous best season in Europe, when they reached the 2002/03 UEFA Cup third round. Juve, meanwhile, are bidding to make it to their first European quarter-final since losing to Arsenal FC in the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League last eight.

Team facts
• Fulham coach Roy Hodgson faced Juve six times while in Italy coaching FC Internazionale Milano from 1995 to 1997. His record from those four league games and two Coppa Italia ties reads W1 D2 L3 (W1 D0 L2 in Turin).

• Both coaches managed Udinese Calcio for a while: Zaccheroni between 1995 and 1998, and Hodgson from 2001 to 2002.

• Hodgson crossed swords with Juve coach Zaccheroni at both of his Italian clubs. His Inter side played Zaccheroni's Udinese four times, recording three wins and a draw, but Zaccheroni gained revenge of a sort when he was coach of S.S. Lazio, winning 4-1 at Hodgson's Udinese in a 2001/02 Serie A contest.

• Juve coach Zaccheroni has yet to win in five outings against English clubs, with his AC Milan and Inter sides recording three draws and two defeats – including a 5-1 home reverse for Inter against Arsenal in the most recent game, a 2003/04 UEFA Champions League group-stage fixture.

• Hodgson's record in six UEFA club competition games against Italian opponents – with Malmö FF and Fulham – reads W1 D3 L2. That sole victory came against his future employers Inter in the 1989/90 European Cup.

• Juventus boast more European experience than any other side in the round of 16, having disputed 340 matches in UEFA club competition; by contrast, only Russian champions FC Rubin Kazan have played fewer European games than Fulham (26).

• Fulham striker Bobby Zamora has committed 25 fouls since the start of the group stage – more than any other player left in the competition. FC København forward Dame N'Doye has the same total, but his side were eliminated in the round of 32.

• The tie concludes at Craven Cottage on 18 March. The draw for the quarter-finals will be staged the following day.


White Noise

http://www.clubfanzine.com/tottenham_hotspur/v2.showNews.php?id=27602

Fulham v Spurs - Can we patch up the midfield to reach Wembley?


Friday 05 Mar 2010 14:05:58 by Editor

Spurs are one step away from an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley as we face Fulham at Craven Cottage. 
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Spurs Preview – Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur (FA Cup sixth round – 6 March 2010)
Expected line-ups

Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Hangeland, Hughes, Shorey, Greening, Gera, Murphy, Duff, Etuhu, Zamora, Okaka Chuka.

Tottenham: Gomes, Assou-Ekotto, Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, Palacios, Modric, Kranjcar, Bale, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe.

TPC's key battle: Zamora v Dawson

To see the up-to-date injury list for both sides, click here.

Recent meetings

League: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Fulham, 26-01-2010
League: Fulham 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur, 26-12-2009
League: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Fulham, 26-12-2008
League: Fulham 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur, 15-11-2008
League: Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 Fulham, 26-12-2007

Preview

It may not be the final that Spurs have the chance to progress to but a victory at Craven Cottage on Saturday evening gives us a trip to Wembley for the third season running with the semi-finals of the FA Cup again being played at the famous stadium this year. Standing in our way are Roy Hodgson's charges from the banks of the Thames.

Tottenham's two meetings with Fulham this season have not revealed anything new about an opponent that have settled very nicely in the top half of the table again under a wily manager. Fulham are a touch lightweight on the road and suffer from having a small squad when key players are injured. Spurs won 2-0 at a canter at White Hart Lane at the end of January.

At Craven Cottage though it is a different story. A home record of W9 D2 L3 with just nine goals conceded is an identical record to Spurs in the league and they represent a remarkably sturdy outfit on their own turf. Were it not for Heurelho Gomes in that Boxing Day meeting we would have been the tenth league victim on that list and by some margin. Spurs rode their luck that day to prise a draw and a repeat of that would not be the worst scenario here given they have just one league win on their travels.

For that to happen, Spurs have to find a way to deal with the midfield crisis that is threatening to derail our season. Tom Huddlestone limped out of the victory against Everton while Jermain Jenas had surgery this week. David Bentley and Aaron Lennon are both out too to leave gaping holes in a key area. Wilson Palacios, Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar are the only fit regular midfielders and how Spurs find a fourth option could be crucial.

The best option may be to try to translate Gareth Bale's brilliance in the past month into a different position with Benoit Assou-Ekotto coming back in at left-back. Personally, I'd like to see a combative Bale in central midfield but Harry Redknapp is more likely to play Modric in the middle, maybe Kranjcar at a push. Whatever decision he makes, it is vital that Spurs are able to match up physically in the centre of the park.

The absences of Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate barely make team news these days given their regularity on the sidelines and Michael Dawson and Sebastien Bassong will need to be at their best to outmuscle Zamora. With all the injuries in mind, and the fact that our old 'friend' Mark Clattenburg will be the referee, it would be a very notable achievement for Spurs to earn a point and a hat-trick of replays would be worth it should it culminate in another trip to Wembley.

Prediction

Fulham 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

White Noise

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6004777,00.html


Hodgson is up for the cup

Cottagers boss vows to give his all in the pursuit of major silverware


By Chris Burton   Last updated: 5th March 2010   



Roy Hodgson has told skysports.com that the FA Cup features prominently on Fulham's list of priorities.

The Cottagers have progressed through to the quarter-final stage of this season's competition, where they are set to face Tottenham Hotspur.

Dreams of a glorious day out at Wembley are now beginning to build on the banks of the Thames, with the club having been starved of success for far too long.

Hodgson admits he will be doing all he can to help Fulham end their barren run and insists he would never seek to undermine the FA Cup by fielding a weakened side.

"We don't take any competition lightly and we will be doing our best," he told skysports.com.

"Of course, though, the answer to the obvious question: Would you rather be out of the Premier League and reach a final of a cup competition? - all of us would say no.

Sacrifice
"Being in the Premier League and being in there year after year has to be the be all and end all for us and we couldn't sacrifice that for any competition.

"But we like to think that because we have good players, and at least at the start of the season we had a big squad, you like to believe that you can compete on all the fronts. Certainly the FA Cup and the Europa League are very high priorities as far as we are concerned."

Fulham have never landed a piece of major silverware, with an FA Cup final defeat to West Ham United in 1975 as close as they have ever come.

This could be the year that their prayers are finally answered, but Hodgson admits there is a long way to go before he can lay claim to being the first manager to guide the Cottagers to cup glory.

"It would be nice to do that, but it's a long way off," he said.

"We have to win a quarter-final, we would have to win a semi-final and then the final - that's three big games against three big teams.

"The dream is still alive because we are still in the competition. We have bought our lottery ticket, we are still in with a chance, but between buying a lottery ticket and winning the jackpot there is a long way to go."


Mistakes

Hodgson has spent a large part of his managerial career coaching abroad, but the FA Cup holds a special place in his heart.

He believes the competition will always retain its 'magic' in the eyes of supporters and feels a number of notable shocks this season prove his point.

"I think there always will be magic," he said.

"It's a knockout competition and we all know that it's all very well being drawn against teams in a league below you, but that isn't to say that you are going to waltz to victory.

"You still have to make sure that you are firing on all cylinders and that you don't make any mistakes and that you take the chances which come your way.

"If that doesn't happen, we have never sheltered from the fact that you can slip to a surprise defeat at the hands of a side you are expected to beat."

FA Cup 09/10 Win Outright: Fulham 12/1