Friday Fulham Stuff (23/09/11)...

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Simon Bird's Premier League previews and predictions (Week 6)

West Brom v Fulham, 15:00

Light relief perhaps for one of these hapless outfits? Two wins between then in ten games so far shows why they occupy the relegation zone.

Hard to know who will come out on top. And hard for the neutral to care.

Prediction: 0-0



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Premier-League-predictions-by-Simon-Bird-Manchester-City-v-Everton-Arsenal-v-Bolton-Liverpool-v-Wolves-Chelsea-v-Swansea-Stoke-v-Manchester-United-Newcastle-v-Blackburn-West-Brom-v-Fulham-Wigan-v-Tottenham-QPR-v-Aston-Villa-Norwich-v-Sunderland-article802973.html#ixzz1YmPLdsLP
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The Knowledge

Brede Hangeland knows exactly what to expect this Saturday when Fulham travel to the Hawthorns to face Roy Hodgson's West Bromwich Albion.

Having played under the former Fulham Manager for two and a half seasons, Hangeland is more than familiar with Hodgson's methods.

"We can expect to play a team very similar to ourselves a couple of years back," Hangeland explained to fulhamfc.com. "We all know they're going to be hard to beat, they'll work really hard and be well organised. So, as always in the Premier League, we expect a tough game but we need points as well so we'll be looking to put on a good performance and hopefully win.

"I suppose Hodgson will know our team as well as we will know his style, so I don't think any one side will have an advantage in that respect. But it should be an exciting game and even though it's been a while since he left, we haven't changed that much, so it should be a good game."

Despite putting in a number of positive performances in the Barclays Premier League this season, Fulham are still in search of their first three-point haul but Hangeland is confident that the performances will soon translate into points.

"I'm disappointed with the number of points we have, but I think some of our performances have been good and we probably should have had a few more points," he explained. "But, first and foremost, we're looking to get more points on the board. I seem to remember that we had a lot of draws last year but it worked out well in the end so let's hope it works out like that again.

"This season has been much the same as a couple of years ago when we played in the Europa League. We have some experience in dealing with the fixtures and the Manager mixed the team up quite a bit on Wednesday against Chelsea and the boys all played really well.

"We have a lot of players who can do a good job and lots of competition for places, which is probably necessary with the number of games we're playing. So it's really good to see that players have come in and proved already that they can do a good job."




Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/September/HangelandWestBromPreview.aspx#ixzz1YmzQ9Eim

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West Brom vs Fulham: Hodgson in for difficult time against former club
The Baggies head into this game following a 3-0 hammering against Swansea

Things aren't quite going to plan for Roy Hodgson and his West Bromwich Albion side this season.

After a brilliant end to last term, the Baggies looked set to kick on this year and establish themselves as a solid mid-table Premier League team.

However, after five games West Brom sit bottom of the Premier League and, following their mid-week Carling Cup exit against Everton, the visit of Fulham looks like being another tricky encounter for Hodgson...

Match odds

West Brom head into this game as 13/10 favourites, but it promises to be a tight and tense affair.

Both sides are stuck on three points after five games and are mired in the relegation zone.

West Brom have lost their two home games this term, while Fulham have lost their two matches on the road.

With the Cottagers drawing all of their previous four games after 90 minutes, backing another draw at 23/10 looks well worth a punt.

However, Martin Jol's men were excellent in their second-half comeback against Manchester City last weekend and may be worth backing at 21/10 to get their first win of the season.

Match odds

Fulham have not kept a clean sheet in the league since their opening game against Aston Villa, while West Brom have also kept just one clean sheet this term.

Both games between these sides last season yielded three goals and, with two leaky defences lining up this Saturday, backing over 2.5 goals at 11/10 is well worth considering.



http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/premier-league/west-brom-vs-fulham-hodgson-in-for-difficult-time-against-former-club_077709.html

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Let's get back on track - Brunt

Chris Brunt has warned his West Brom team-mates they need to 'get back on track' against Fulham or risk getting 'left behind'.


The Baggies skipper is well aware that they currently occupy bottom spot in the Premier League after picking up just three points from their opening five games.

And, following two defeats this week - 3-0 at Swansea in the league and 2-1 after extra-time against Everton in the Carling Cup - Brunt has called on Albion's players to get some points on the board quickly to avoid being cut adrift in the relegation places.

Brunt told the Birmingham Mail: "Getting our first win at Norwich and then having such a sloppy performance at Swansea dented the confidence a bit. It's important to get back on track.

"We put in a good performance on Wednesday and got knocked out which is disappointing but it's up to us to get the ball rolling.

"The Premier League is unforgiving, we can't get left behind."

On the game, Brunt said: "We know what Fulham are all about, the pass the ball well and spent big in the transfer window before the end.

"We're confident at home we can give anyone a game and in the two home games this season we've shown that.

"But we've got nothing from them so it's important we get the ball rolling, especially at home."

He added: "It'll be two teams looking for points and Fulham have had a lot of games this season with the Europa League.

"The gaffer knows all about Fulham and I'm sure they know all about him.

"I'm sure it'll be an interesting one but I'm confident we've got enough to cause them problems and we showed on Wednesday, for long spells, we can defend well and if we do that in the league games we'll be fine."



http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2011/09/23/Lets-get-back-on-track---Brunt/gnid-110140/?

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Win Fulham v QPR tickets!

A pair of tickets for the Craven Cottage clash up for grabs!

EA SPORT, the Official Sports Technology Partner of the Premier League, has teamed up with the Fulham Chronicle to offer one lucky reader a pair of tickets to your team's next Barclays Premier League Match on Sunday, October 2. The winner will also receive a copy of FIFA 12*.

EA SPORTS is the proud sponsor of the Premier League Player Performance Index. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index is the Barclay Premier League's official statistical index of all 20 Barclays Premier League teams.

The EA SPORTS Team of the Week will be available at www.premierleague.com after each round of the Barclays Premier League. The team will be based on ratings from the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

To stand a chance of winning simply answer the following question:

Where is the game taking place?

To enter, visit our Facebook page, Fulham FC News, click 'like' and post your answer underneath the question.

Closing date for entries is midday Monday.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/09/23/win-fulham-v-qpr-tickets-82029-29475369/?#ixzz1Yn0CckDu

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Brunt hoping Baggies can kick-start season with first home win against Fulham

West Brom captain Chris Brunt has told his team-mates it is time to start turning performances into results.

The Baggies head into Saturday's match with Fulham bottom of the Barclays Premier League table having claimed three points from their five games.

Those came courtesy of a win at Norwich, but they are yet to claim even a draw at home.


Spot on: Chris Brunt scored against Everton but West Brom were beaten

Fulham sit two places above them in the table, despite being the only team in the league yet to win, so Brunt knows it will be an important outing for his side.

'I don't think it's a 'need to win' game but we need to get some points,' he told the club's official website.

'Getting our first win at Norwich and then having such a sloppy performance at Swansea dented the confidence a bit.
'It's important to get back on track.'

It was a familiar story on Wednesday when the Baggies - albeit with a much-changed side - went to Everton in the Carling Cup.

Despite playing well in patches and leading for much of the second half, they conceded a late equaliser and lost to Phil Neville's extra-time wonder goal.

'We put in a good performance on Wednesday and got knocked out of the cup which is disappointing, but it's up to us to get the ball rolling,' said Brunt.

'We're confident at home we can give anyone a game and in the two home games this season we've shown that.
'But we've got nothing from them so it's important we get the ball rolling, especially at home.'

West Brom have played seven games in league and cup this season, five of them away, so Saturday represents a good opportunity for them to open their account for the season at the Hawthorns.

They will have plenty of inside information on their opponents, with manager Roy Hodgson having been in charge of Fulham until last summer, when he left for an ill-fated spell in charge of Liverpool.

And they will come up against a side who have not had time to pause for breath this term having already played 15 matches thanks to an early start to their Europa League campaign.

The most recent of those 15 came on Wednesday when they suffered a demoralising loss on penalties to Chelsea in the Carling Cup.


Chance gone: Fulham were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Chelsea

'It is two teams looking for points and Fulham have had a lot of games this season with the Europa League,' said Brunt.
'It's going to be a tight game I'm sure.

'The gaffer knows all about Fulham and I'm sure they know all about him.

'I'm sure it'll be an interesting one but I'm confident we've got enough to cause them problems and we showed on Wednesday, for long spells, we can defend well, and if we do that in the league games we'll be fine.'

Defender Gabriel Tamas remains suspended following his red card against Norwich, but Shane Long could return having missed the Everton game because of an illness.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2041017/Chris-Brunt-hopes-West-Brom-kick-start-season.html#ixzz1Yn0W8zF5

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Martin Jol backs Bryan Ruiz to shine at Fulham

Fulham manager Martin Jol insists Bryan Ruiz will come good in time.

The 26-year-old £10million deadline-day signing from FC Twente has yet to find the net for the Cottagers.

And although he impressed in the Carling Cup tie at Chelsea in midweek, it was his spot-kick which hit the bar as Fulham exited the competition on a penalty shoot-out.

Despite the setback, which came shortly after he was hauled off at half-time on his debut at home to Blackburn, Ruiz claimed he "felt really good" after the game at Stamford Bridge.

Jol insists there is no point in trying to rush things with any player new to the hustle and bustle of the Barclays Premier League.

"When he signed I said 'give him three weeks' which was of course a joke. I feel 50% of the foreigners will not do well, it is very difficult when you come to this country. There is a group of players who need a couple of months, or even a year," Jol said.

"Bryan Ruiz is a quality player - don't forget Moussa Dembele needed seven or eight months to be the player he is now."

Jol added: "Of course I have to be patient with him and so do the fans - you have to have the same attitude with all the foreigners.

"We have got four good offensive players and Bryan can get all the time in the world if everybody is fine [fit].

"It is not about Ruiz, it is about the team.

"If you look at all the good teams, they have six or eight offensive players.

"In a year's time, it is important for me that you can look at his statistics, his productivity and then you will see Bryan Ruiz will be up there with our best players."

Fulham head into tomorrow's match at West Brom boosted by last weekend's battling draw with Manchester City, where they had trailed 2-0 just moments into the second half.

However, Jol's side have yet to record a league win, with two defeats from five.

The Cottagers are third from bottom, while West Brom prop everyone else up, with three points but an inferior goal difference.

Jol, however, is not concerned by the table at this point.

"I feel that we should have won our home games," added the Dutchman.

"We had two points - two draws - instead of six points, but you play for the results and you need the results in the Premier League.

"If you don't get them, you have to battle and fight for better results, so we have try to do that at West Brom."

Midfielder Steve Sidwell is under no illusions as to just how tough the top flight has now become.

"As the years go by and the Premier League gets stronger, three points is harder to come by - there are no gifts in this league so we have to work hard to get every point," he told the club's official website, www.fulhamfc.com.

"The Hawthorns is always a tough place to go, and with them being at the bottom of the table their crowd's going to be right behind them and getting their players motivated.

"But that's an incentive for us to go there, quieten the home fans down a bit, to try and stamp our authority on the game."




http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/martin-jol-backs-bryan-ruiz-to-shine-at-fulham-2359789.html?

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West Brom v Fulham Preview

After the dramatic comeback last week, against Manchester, and the heartache of crashing out of the Carling Cup against Chelsea (on penalties), Martin Jol will be hoping that the side can carve out a win in the Premier League when they travel to the Hawthorns to take on a West Bromwich Albion side managed by our old friend, Roy Hodgson.

Vital Quotes:
With Roy Hodgson`s association with Fulham, there`s every prospect that West Brom will have a game plan to nullify us.

Chris Brunt, part of Hodgson`s team, has given the media few thoughts on the forthcoming fixture, commenting,

"We know what Fulham are all about, the pass the ball well and spent big in the transfer window before the end."

"We're confident at home we can give anyone a game and in the two home games this season we've shown that."

'But we've got nothing from them so it's important we get the ball rolling, especially at home.'

"It'll be two teams looking for points and Fulham have had a lot of games this season with the Europa League."

'The gaffer knows all about Fulham and I'm sure they know all about him."

'I'm sure it'll be an interesting one but I'm confident we've got enough to cause them problems and we showed on Wednesday, for long spells, we can defend well and if we do that in the league games we'll be fine.'

Mind you, with our away record I reckon most teams would fancy their chances against us on their own patch!

Time to put that right methinks!

West Brom Team News:
Roy Hodgson will be acutely aware of the abilities and limitations of several of the Fulham squad he once managed. Always the tactician we can expect Roy to tailor his side to nullify some of our attributes.

Wets Brom will be without the services of their defender, Gabriel Tamas, who is suspended but are hopeful that their summer signing, Shane Long, will have shaken off a flu bug to play.

Player to watch: Zoltan Gera
After returning home, we have to ask the question has Zoltan actually played for the Baggies since leaving us? If his injury concerns are keeping him out then perhaps he`ll not add his name to the remarkable list of players that grows by the weekend of those who score against former teams. In hindsight, perhaps I should have selected Peter Odemwingie as the player to watch! Now he could be trouble.

Fulham Team News:
Having made eight changes for the short trip to Stamford Bridge for that ill-fated Carling Cup tie, Martin Jol will revert back to a more familiar starting eleven against West Bromwich Albion.

Some familiar faces who were rested or who came on as substitutes are likely to start. We fully expect the likes of Danny Murphy, Brede Hangeland, Damien Duff and Clint Dempsey to feature whilst Bobby Zamora, who came off the bench on Wednesday evening, is also likely to start.

Aaron Hughes, who missed the Manchester City game through injury, could come back into consideration to bolster our defence preferably alongside Brede, although Martin Jol seems to prefer Senderos for that role.

One player unlikely to start is Bryan Ruiz. The Costa Rican looked shattered after his to hour stint on Wednesday and his gradual introduction to life in the Premier League could continue with another stint on the bench.

Also on the injury list, and not available for contention are Dickson Etuhu and BH Riise.

Player to watch: Bobby Zamora
Having expressed a desire to get back into the England squad, Bobby will be acutely aware that he needs to get back on the score-sheet on a regular basis. Is there a better time or place to start than The Hawthorns this Saturday?

Match Facts & Stats
In fixtures between these two sides, the home side has had the edge in recent years. In fact the last away side to win this fixture was Fulham back in December 2000, with us winning 3-0.

As far as meetings go between the two sides, there have been a total of 76 meetings with West Brom winning 36 to the 25 that we`ve won.

Match Prediction:
People have seen Shergar and lord Lucan more often than they`ve witnessed away wins by Fulham, in the Premier League, in recent times, but you have to remain optimistic, otherwise you might as well throw in the towel altogether. In fact, without trying to sound rude, West Brom is exactly the place we should be looking at going to and taking the three points on offer.

Although they are a competent outfit they are nothing to fear and although we`d hate to offend Gentleman Roy Hodgson, we reckon Saturday will be one of those occasions when we do register one of those elusive away wins. 2-1 to Fulham!

Next Fixtures:
It`s a return to Europa League action with a trip to Denmark, to play Odense BK. This is followed by a visit from near-neighbours, Queens Park Rangers, in the Premier League next weekend.




Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchprere.asp?a=256618#ixzz1Yn1NwVvJ

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Murphy hails Hodgson ahead of Fulham's trip to West Brom



Fulham captain Danny Murphy hopes his side's inside knowledge of Roy Hodgson will be enough to plot his downfall when West Brom host the Cottagers on Saturday.

Hodgson guided Fulham through the most successful period of their history during his two-and-a-half years in charge, culminating in their run to the 2010 Europa League Final.

And Hodgson will face his former side for the first time with both in the relegation zone after taking three points from their first five games.

Murphy says it's vital Hodgson's knowledge isn't lost to the game - while hoping Fulham can prosper at the Hawthorns.

"It will be a little bit strange to come up against Roy as we spent so much time with him," said Murphy. "It will be nice to see him, though. I have great memories of Roy and his time with us, though on match day we will be looking to put one over on him.

"And I think we'll have an idea of how they're going to play. They will be well organised, work hard and have a good shape. I am just glad he is still in the game - he is a man of wisdom."



http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/1130/95/murphy-hails-hodgson-ahead-fulhams-trip-west-brom?

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West Bromwich Albion v Fulham: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between West Bromwich Albion and Fulham at The Hawthorns on Saturday Sep 24 2011, kick-off 15.00 BST.

Saturday September 24th
West Bromwich Albion v Fulham
The Hawthorns
Kick-off: 15.00 BST
TV: Highlights BBC ONE MOTD

WBA (Probable, 4-4-2): Foster; Reid, Olsson, Dawson, Shorey; Morrison, Scharner, Mulumbu, Thomas; Long, Odemwingie. Tests: Gera (ankle), Long (illness).
Suspended: Tamas.
Fulham (Probable, 4-4-2): Schwarzer; Kelly, Baird, Hangeland, J Riise; Duff, Murphy, Sidwell, Dempsey; Zamora, Ruiz.
Out: Davies (knee), B Riise (hamstring), Etuhu (thigh).
Test: Hughes (knee), Johnson (ankle).
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Matches 3, R0 Y12).



Team News
West Bromwich Albion manager Roy Hodgson will revert to his first-choice side against Fulham.

Hodgson made nine changes for the Carling Cup defeat at Everton, with only Jonas Olsson and Peter Odemwingie surviving, but most of those should return.

Defender Gabriel Tamas remains suspended following his red card against Norwich, but striker Shane Long could return after illness ruled him out of Wednesday's game.

Fulham could have defender Aaron Hughes back from a knee injury for the trip to West Brom.

Forward Andrew Johnson is also close to being in contention, but midfielder Dickson Etuhu and defender Bjorn Helge Riise remain sidelined.

Brede Hangeland, Damien Duff, Clint Dempsey and captain Danny Murphy are all set to feature after being rested for the midweek Carling Cup penalty shoot-out defeat at Chelsea.

Match notes
Roy Hodgson faces one of his former clubs desperate to arrest a run of four defeats out of five that sees Albion at the foot of the Premier League.

Fulham are not much better, sitting in the relegation zone with the same three points but with a superior goal difference.

Both teams went out of the Carling Cup after being taken to extra-time and though both made changes, they will be keen to guard against fatigue.

Stat of the game: Albion have gone 43 games since they last drew 0-0 in a Premier League game.

Betting: Home 23-20, Away 21-10, Draw 2-1.

John Ley's prediction: WBA 0 Fulham 0



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/8781623/West-Bromwich-Albion-v-Fulham-match-preview.html

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Sidwell salutes strength and depth
Fulham - Steve Sidwell looks ahead to a six-pointer at the Hawthorns



Steve Sidwell is confident that Fulham have the strength and depth in their squad to ensure that their UEFA Europa League exploits do not have a negative effect on their domestic campaign.

The 28-year-old midfielder was speaking after the Cottagers' Carling Cup penalty exit at the hands of west London rivals Chelsea, and insisted that despite the defeat, there was plenty for the players to be pleased about.

"We made a few changes to the team but I thought the boys did terrific," said Sidwell. "Throughout the whole 90 minutes we had more than enough chances to win the game, it was a great match with end-to-end stuff.

"Obviously we were disappointed to go out on penalties and not win it during the game considering we had eleven men against ten for the majority. But I think the performance from the lads in general lifted the camp.

"If we had gone there and performed badly and lost, that would have been much worse. But we're still disappointed to have gone out because this was a competition that we could have gone far in.



http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/sidwell-salutes-strength-and-depth?

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West Brom boss set to face former employers Fulham

Roy Hodgson comes up against his former club for the first time as West Brom manager when his side welcome Fulham to the Hawthorns on Saturday.

The Baggies boss enjoyed a successful spell with the Cottagers, guiding the club to a Europa League final berth. Fulham manager Martin Jol should also receive a warm reception from the opposing fans for his time asa West Brom player.

Both sides are locked on three points with just one win each so far this season and they will be desperate for a result here to kick start their respective seasons.

Fulham haven't opened the scoring in any of their Premier League matches so far, but they were fantastic in coming back to draw against Manchester City last Sunday.

They will fancy their chances against West Brom, who have kept just one clean sheet in their last 20 Premier League matches at home.

Fulham defender Aaron Hughes is expected to return from the knee injury that has sidelined him for their past three matches.

Andrew Johnson could also be in contention, but Dickson Etuhu and Bjorn Helge Riise are injured.

West Brom striker Shane Long is doubtful with a flu bug, while Defender Gabriel Tamas is still suspended.



http://www.fanatix.com/news/west-brom-boss-set-to-face-former-employers-fulham-112/

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Roy Hodgson backed for Fulham feat



Roy Hodgson will renew acquaintances with Fulham with his West Brom captain still adamant he can weave his Craven Cottage magic at the Hawthorns.

Hodgson's stunning three-year spell in West London ensures a warm reception from the travelling fans, when his old club visit his new one in the Premier League.

And Baggies skipper Chris Brunt insists a difficult start to Hodgson's first full Albion season has not dented belief that the veteran head coach can make a similar impression with his current side.

Brunt said: "I don't think we're in any doubt we can compete at this level. We've just had a bit of a slow start. We know what we need to be doing and we did the right things at Everton on Wednesday.

"So if we take that into a league game, especially at the Hawthorns, we have got a good chance.

"You can't just say 'it's going to come' until it comes, but we're still doing what the gaffer says.

"We went over a few things from the Swansea game at the weekend, we tried to put it in place on Wednesday night and we did that for the majority of the game.

"One scruffy goal and a good finish beat us on the night."

The dismal defeat in South Wales was the lowest point so far in a season that has yet to take off for the Baggies.

They performed well but lost to Manchester United and Chelsea, handed Stoke victory at the death, scraped a win at Norwich but then flopped at the Liberty Stadium.

But Brunt, who is expected to be restored to team tomorrow after stepping off the bench at half-time against Swansea, insisted poor results to date cannot be used as an excuse for moping.

He said: "I suppose confidence can be hit a little bit, but that's what we are paid for. We're paid to pick ourselves up and get on with it.

"The Premier League is the place where we want to play and our main focus is to stay in the league again. It's the Premier League, it's where everyone wants to be.

"You see great players come in every summer and that's why it's such a good league. If you make a mistake you get punished."

For Hodgson, tomorrow's match will be a reunion with the club he turned around between 2007 and 2010, saving them from relegation before leading them to Premier League stability and a Europa League final.

But Brunt believes, with both clubs in the bottom three with just three points on the board, winning will take precedence over reminiscing.

He said: "It's two teams looking for points and Fulham have had a lot of games already this season with the Europa League.

"It's going to be a tight game, I'm sure. The gaffer knows all about Fulham and I'm sure they know all about him.

"I'm sure it'll be an interesting one but I'm confident we've got enough to cause them problems and we showed on Wednesday, for long spells, we can defend well.

"I don't think it's a 'need-to-win game' but we need to get some points.

"Getting our first win at Norwich and then having such a sloppy performance at Swansea dented the confidence a bit so it's important to get back on track.

"We put in a good performance but got knocked out the Carling Cup, which is disappointing.

"But it's up to us to get the ball rolling. We know what Fulham are all about, they pass the ball well and spent big in the transfer window before the end.

"We're confident at home we can give anyone a game and, in the two home games this season, we've shown that.

"But we've got nothing from them so it's important we get the ball rolling, especially at home.

"The gaffer made changes on Wednesday and gave the young lads a chance to prove what they can do.

"The majority of lads played very well and the gaffer will have a few decisions to make for this one."



Read more: http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/west-bromwich-albion-fc/2011/09/23/roy-hodgson-backed-for-fulham-repeat/#ixzz1YnB2U0dO