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Tuesday Fulham Stuff (09.03.10)

Started by White Noise, March 08, 2010, 09:32:36 PM

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White Noise

http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7503854

Villa v Fulham FA Youth Cup Live Audio On AVFC

Just a little plug for the official site FA Youth Cup live audio commentary for Villa's quarter final against Fulham. (Kick-off 7pm)

Details: Click Here

Tony McAndrew has praised the character shown by Villa's youngsters during this season's FA Youth Cup run - and has called for a similar effort in tonight's quarter-final tie against Fulham.

White Noise

http://www.clubcall.com/aston-villa/villa-eye-spurs-ace-1034979.html

Villa eye Spurs ace

Aston Villa, 11:07, March 9, 2010

Aston Villa have joined the queue of clubs who are keeping tabs on Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara.

O'Hara seems surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane after being loaned out to Portsmouth this season and a permanent move away from Spurs looks to be on the cards this summer.

The midfielder has impressed while on loan at Fratton Park this season but with Pompey seemingly heading for administration and the Championship, he will not be there for long.

O'Hara wants to move on from Spurs in search of regular football and may not be too keen to swap one bench for another so Villa boss Martin O'Neill may have some persuading to do.

Sunderland, Bolton and Wigan are also said to be keen on the player.

White Noise

Youth Cup Preview


Tuesday 9th March 2010


Fulham FC News

Academy Director Huw Jennings looks towards tonight's FA Youth Cup Quarter-Final when the U18s take on Aston Villa at Cottage...

Like everyone else associated with the Academy I am very much looking forward to Tuesday evening's game and the prospect of watching the team take to the pitch at Craven Cottage – which will be a first.

It's an important moment of their development and this really is a fantastic chance for them. Equally important is that the players show what they are capable of. It goes without saying that we want to win, but we also want to see the players use this experience as a way to show their true potential which, in turn, will hopefully produce the desired result.

The FA Youth Cup is a unique competition and one that Academies all over the country take very, very seriously. It's a terrific opportunity for the boys and that is where it sits with us.

The Club hasn't had a run in the cup like this for a while, having gone out in the Third Round last year. It's been a good run and they have played very well and worked extremely hard to get to this point. It has given the Academy a nice momentum.

You can see how much it means to the squad as well and it's very rare to witness that kind of euphoria in your working life. They will remember this experience for the rest of their football careers.

We are very positive about the match itself also, but we know that we are coming up against a good team in Aston Villa – one that have an excellent record in youth competitions. They have a proven track record when it comes to producing good players and developing good teams, and this one is no different.

So it will be a strong test for us but, make no mistake, we go into this game in confident mood and we know that if we play at our best then we are a match for anybody.

When I joined the Club as Academy Director some 18 months ago I set a series of short and long-term targets. It was certainly one of the short-term hopes to improve the quality of our performances and doing that in the FA Youth Cup has been a vital stage of that process.

What I would add as well, is that if we are to attract the best young players to Fulham we need a strong group and environment in which those players can develop. The better we are as a group, the better the individuals can become.

It's certainly an exciting time to be part of the Academy and I hope that this will put us on the map in terms of the quality of work that we do here. The support has been fantastic and people have genuinely been interested in our progression. They have identified what we are doing at the Club and it's a great experience for us all.

Come and support the Young Whites:

Fulham U18s v Aston Villa U18s / E.ON FA Youth Cup Quarter-Final

Craven Cottage (KO 7pm)

Adults: £4
Concessions & Juniors: £1
(pay on the turnstile)


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/YouthCupCountdown.aspx#ixzz0hgWXjA64


White Noise

http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/default.aspx?Tab=2&Page=6&Article=1821

Club Focus - Fulham - A very Italian preview


By Matt Domm


For the neutral - for whom Craven Cottage even has a section allocated - hoping to see an exciting FA Cup tie with sparkling displays from any number of on-form strikers, Saturday's match with Tottenham just did not deliver.

Looking more closely, it was less about under performing front men as it was fine defending throughout by both sides. The way the game played out certainly suited Roy Hodgson more than his opposite number as, despite Spurs seeing a fair bit of the ball, Mark Schwarzer was only really troubled on two occasions. The back four, along with Dickson Etuhu, and wingers Damien Duff and Simon Davies, defended doggedly - Duff making himself especially useful by doubling up on the threatening Gareth Bale. It is this mindset which makes Fulham such a tough side to break down, particularly at home, and has frequently been the key this season to levelling the playing field when the Whites face more illustrious opposition - which by looking at the talent available to either side, Spurs arguably are. There was nothing to choose between Tottenham - armed with the currently prolific Roman Pavlyuchenko and Peter Crouch fresh from two international goals - and Fulham at the weekend, which has been the case on several occasions this season when, on paper, outsiders would expect the Cottagers to perhaps be under pressure.

And the distinguished opponents keep coming. Having seen off a superb Shakhtar Donetsk side in the last round of the Europa League, the reward - a trip to the historic city of Turin - has already come around, the Round of 16 match kicking off on Thursday evening. Again, Fulham's latest European opponents boast some marvellous talent in their side, but Hodgson will be eyeing this cup tie as an opportunity to once again beat the Italians at their own game. Renowned for being a league which focuses on cautious, possession football, Serie A is where Hodgson's nous for steadying clubs and turning them into successful, well-oiled machines first became apparent 15 years ago. He guided a struggling Inter Milan side into the UEFA Cup places, before finishing third in the league and reaching the final of Europe in his first and only full season. His achievements at Fulham eclipse even what he managed in Italy, and he returns on Thursday intent on reminding those on the peninsula of what he accomplished, and how - with grit, teamwork, and neat passing football. A draw would go down as an upset, but should the attacking section of the team play better than it did against Spurs, a win is by no means out of the question.

Unfortunately, Jonathan Greening is not as adept at carving open defences as Danny Murphy, so while the defensive aspect of Hodgson's tactic worked as well as could be hoped at the weekend, the other important feature, unlocking the opposition to create chances, was absent. In the Europa League particularly, this creative spark has combined with lethal finishing, so Fulham need not fear anyone, and nor will they be so roundly written off as they were prior to the humbling of the Ukranian side. The FA Cup game turned into a perfect dress rehearsal for how Fulham will most likely play against Juventus, with the only downside to this defensive outlook being that the Old Lady will be more aware than most teams left in the competition of how to engage efficient, sturdy opposition. The Whites, however, can take comfort from how they performed in both fixtures against Roma, particularly in the match at the Stadio Olimpico where they outplayed the side from the capital until the harsh sending off of Erik Nevland decided the outcome. The Romans are currently eight points better off in the league than Juve, so Fulham will know from previous experience they are in with a good shout of the quarter-finals.

Even if at times throughout his managerial career Hodgson has faced criticism for a lack of goalscoring threat from teams under his tutelage, in football, and especially two-legged knockout competitions such as this phase of the Europa League. In the Delle Alpi, a stadium filled with footballing history, not losing will be the Whites' priority. For, if that happens, at Craven Cottage by the Thames, Fulham on their day are capable of beating near enough anyone.

White Noise

http://www.betting-directory.com/football/09032010/fulham-v-juventus-betting-has-italians-favourites-for-europa-league-first-leg.php

Fulham v Juventus Betting Has Italians Favourites For Europa League First Leg

Having dumped reigning UEFA Cup champions Shakhtar Donetsk out of the competition in the last round, a confident Fulham will travel to Italy to take on Juventus in this round of 16 First Leg tie, knowing that they have the ability to win through into the Quarter Finals. The match will be screened live by ITV this Thursday 11 March at 20.05.

The Bookmakers however do not rate their chances too highly to win this first leg in Italy, bet 365 for example, quote the Italian side as 1/2 odds on favourites to win this match, with Fulham given a very tempting price of 6/1 and the draw being a 3/1 option.

Fulham boss, Roy Hodgson, will have noted that Juventus, while being reasonably strong at home in European matches are not too hot over the two legs, losing all four of their two legged ties against English sides since winning the 1985 European Cup. In their last 17 games at home against English sides however, they have only lost three, winning ten and drawing four.

2010 Europa League Betting News

In this year's tournament, Juventus have only managed a single win at home with four draws and a defeat, whereas Fulham can claim two wins away from home as well as two draws and have only failed to score once in their last 13 European away ties. It is statistics such as these which should give Fulham, their fans and punters plenty of heart.

Free £200 in Europa League Bets From Bet365.

Based on these stats, we think that Fulham are capable of getting at least a draw, but almost as importantly, they should be capable of scoring a goal. We would however back a 2-1 Juventus win, with odds of 13/2 from Bet 365 but at the same time, would support Fulham to qualify from the two leg tie and back the betting odds of them doing so of 9/4.

After his magnificent goal against Shakhtar, and based on his scoring form overall, we always think a small bet on Bobby Zamora to score on the night is a worthwhile proposition; he is 13/5 to do so in this match.

Juventus v Fulham Betting

1/2 Juventus
3/1 Draw
6/1 Fulham

Juventus v Fulham Correct Score Betting

1-0 Juventus win – 5/1
2-0 Juventus win – 5/1
2-1 Juventus win – 13/2
1-1 Draw – 7/1
0-0 Draw – 15/2

All odds provided by bet365

White Noise

http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/default.aspx?Tab=1&Page=6&Article=1833

Club Focus - Tottenham - Gomes the hero at Craven Cottage again


By Andrew Iddon


There are certain grounds that everyone wants to play at. An obvious example is Wembley, which bears enormous historical significance, and the FA Cup semi-finals and final offer the chance to play there for those that progress that far.

For Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, Craven Cottage is proving to be every bit as iconic as the home of football. A disastrous performance at Fulham's home ground in November 2008 proved to be something of a watershed in the Brazilian shot-stopper's career in English football. Harry Redknapp had recently arrived as Spurs manager and had inherited a keeper low on form and confidence, making errors of judgement and technique aplenty. It was after this trip to play the Cottagers that Redknapp confesses his patience was pushed almost past the limit with the ex-PSV Eindhoven custodian. But for the presence of the transfer window, Redknapp might well have been tempted to enter the market immediately for a replacement, but fortunately for Gomes, he was unable to do so. The New Year did herald the arrival of Carlo Cudicini from Chelsea but he was hardly the headline signing that would threaten Gomes's chance of establishing himself in the long term. A period of injury aside, Gomes has featured regularly since his horror show at the Cottage, and it is two games at the same venue in the last three months that best demonstrate why Redknapp will be glad he persevered with his man.

On his first return to Craven Cottage - the goalless Boxing Day draw earlier this season - Gomes began to lay his ghosts to rest with a star showing against a dominant Fulham attack. It was a performance he went on to repeat in Saturday's FA Cup Quarter Final stalemate, with the scoreline not the only essence of déjà vu. Again, the 29-year-old put on a match-saving showing, with the hosts enjoying the best of the second half chances. With his team diminished by injuries to key players, Gomes proved he could be depended on when it mattered most, and Tottenham's hopes of silverware continue with a replay back at White Hart Lane. For Gomes, there may be the hope of a further assault for a trophy if he can keep up this form, with the World Cup getting closer by the day. For the Seleção, Inter Milan star Julio Cesar has the starting spot nailed down, but there are still places on the plane to South Africa up for grabs. Roma keeper Doni was on the bench for the recent friendly across town from the Lane at the Emirates Stadium, and Gremio's Victor and Porto's Helton have also been in the squad more recently than Gomes. That does not mean the Spurs man should lose heart. Playing in the Premier League - and potentially the globally-watched showpiece of the FA Cup Final - will offer him a greater showcase than his rivals enjoy in the Brazilian and Portuguese leagues respectively – especially if Arsenal knock Porto and Helton out of the Champions League tonight. From a horror show in a league game at Fulham in 2008, a place in the squad for one of the World Cup favourites would cap a remarkable 18-month turnaround. Rumours abound linking Tottenham with a variety of goalkeepers, but any new arrival will be backup to the Brazilian, not a replacement.

A replay will have gone down with mixed reactions in North London. Having taken two attempts to get past both Leeds and Bolton already this season, an extra game will not have been desirable for Redknapp, particularly with his squad depleted by injuries. By the same token, the absence of the injured players, particularly in midfield, paints a brighter perspective of achieving a draw. Gareth Bale lost some of his potency stationed out of necessity on the left of midfield, unable to cause the same destruction as when he arrives from a deeper starting position. Jermain Defoe's hamstring problem picked up on international duty in midweek limited his participation to a late substitute appearance. Even if Redknapp was tempted to start with England goalscoring hero Peter Crouch alongside the in-form Roman Pavlyuchenko up front, it is likely Defoe would have been sent on as the cavalry considerably earlier if he had been properly fit. Fulham are well-organised and hard to break down and a draw is a credible result against them when under-strength.

Fulham's involvement against Juventus in the Europa League means the replay will not take place until March 24th, by which time Redknapp will hope to have some of his walking wounded back available to him. He will hope his team's performance will bear greater resemblance to the comfortable 2-0 league win at the Lane in January, but he will be confident that Gomes will not let him down if called upon to play the hero against Fulham once again.


White Noise

Adams loving football 500 games on

After more than 500 games, Micky Adams tells BBC Midlands Late Kick Off he has lost none of his love for football league management.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8555073.stm

He's managed eight clubs - Fulham, Swansea, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Leicester, Coventry and now Port Vale.

See a special feature on Micky Adams on the Midlands edition of BBC Late Kick Off on Monday, 8 March on BBC1 at 2335 GMT.

You can also watch Monday's episode of BBC Midlands Late Kick Off at:

White Noise

http://www.imscouting.com/global-news-article/Fulham-look-to-sign-Ukrainian-centre-back-Rakytskyi/6325/

Fulham look to sign Ukrainian centre-back Rakytskyi

March 09, 2010


The 20 year-old impressed during Shakhtar's recent Europa League tie against Fulham and according to Ukrainian sports website Terrikon, Hodgson would be prepared to pay £3 million to bring Rakytskyi to Craven Cottage.

Rakytskyi has only broken into the Shakhtar Donetsk side this season and has already represented the Ukraine national side on four occasions, including a World Cup qualifier against England.

Given that centre-back Chris Smalling will be leaving Fulham for Manchester United over the summer, The West London club may well be in the market for a replacement.  However, should Fulham decide to pursue their interest in Rakytskyi, they may face a problem securing a work permit for the defender.

White Noise

http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/default.aspx?Tab=1&Page=6&Article=1821

Redknapp fears Shakhtar scenario after Fulham draw

Harry Redknapp has warned his Tottenham Hotspur players not to underestimate Fulham's away form after earning an FA Cup sixth round replay after a goalless draw at Craven Cottage.

The Spurs manager pointed to Roy Hodgson's side recent Europa League scalp against Uefa Cup holders Shakhtar Donetsk, who were unable to overturn a 2-1 loss in west London when Fulham held them to a 1-1 draw in the Donetsk return leg last month.

"You come here and you take a draw," Redknapp said after yesterday's tie, which was low on quality and chances. "I'm not disappointed to come here and get a replay.

"You only have to look at their home record, they are solid at Craven Cottage and difficult to beat, so it was important for us not to lose."

But Redknapp added: "They've just knocked Shakhtar Donetsk, the holders, out of Europe and that says a lot about them.

"We've got a big chance now playing at home but I'm sure Shakhtar felt the same when they went home for the second leg in the European game and it didn't work out that way. It will be another tough game but we're still right in there."

Hodgson admitted the advantage now rested with Spurs, however.

"I'm only the more disappointed because it was a home game and the advantage now passes over to Tottenham because they will be at home for the replay," said the Fulham boss.

"We were close at the end but, on the basis of the play, 0-0 was a fair result, although it was anything other than a dull cup tie because of the quality and commitment on show.

"The atmosphere was magnificent. I'm pleased we didn't lose as that would have been a bitter disappointment."

The winner of the replay will play Portsmouth in the semis.


White Noise

Great Times

Tuesday 9th March 2010


Fulham FC News


As one the Club's current longest serving players, Simon Davies clearly appreciate how far Roy Hodgson has taken the Club over the past two years.

With a mouth-watering tie in Turin on Thursday night, Davies is relishing the prospect of a historic few weeks as the Team compete across three fronts in the Barclays Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Europa League.

"Coming from where we were two years ago, just avoiding relegation, if someone would have offered us the run of games we've got coming up, we'd of been jumping up and down," said Davies.

"We've got Juventus, Manchester United, Juventus, Manchester City and then Spurs in the Quarter Final of the FA Cup – it's great times.

"It's game after game and hopefully we can keep this run going because we had a great run in February. It will be a tough month but we've got a lot of experience in the squad and I'm sure the Manager will negotiate the month wisely. We've got a big fixture pile-up now so I'm sure the manager will use the squad."

After defeating last season's UEFA Cup winners in Donetsk, Davies believes his Team have nothing to fear after testing themselves against arguably one of the finest teams in European football.

"I don't think many teams will play football as well as Shakhtar Donetsk did. It was quite unanimous in our dressing room that they were the best side we've ever played against.

"We've got to believe in ourselves because we've had some really good results lately. We'll play our game and remain solid. We know it's going to be a very tough game but we also know we're capable of getting a result.

"We can play better than we did last weekend and hopefully we will do in the next few games."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/DaviesJuvePreview.aspx#ixzz0hga1zfir