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Monday Fulham Stuff (15.03.10)

Started by White Noise, March 14, 2010, 08:31:45 PM

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White Noise

It's Gunner be tough for us

By NEIL CUSTIS

Published: Today

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ALEX FERGUSON believes Arsenal will be a bigger challenge to their title aspirations than Chelsea.

And he has ordered his players to win every game from now until the end of the season to beat them.

Manchester United leapfrogged both of their main challengers yesterday to take top spot with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford.

Now Ferguson wants to ensure they keep their foot on the pedal as he fears it is the Gunners who could deny them a record 19th title.

The United boss said: "Every game is vital now. At the moment it is looking like the tightest Premier League we have had.

"We are back in the lead but Chelsea have a game in hand.

"It's also going to be a hard-fought tussle with Arsenal coming strongly now... and I have a suspicion they might yet mount the biggest challenge.

"To a certain extent the title is in our hands because Chelsea have to come to Old Trafford and naturally that will be a massive match. But, as I say, I am wary of Arsenal if they don't suffer too many more injuries to key players."

United are two points ahead of both Arsenal and Chelsea.

The Gunners beat Hull on Saturday with a dramatic injury-time winner while Chelsea overpowered West Ham 4-1.

Now Fergie says United must keep winning to make sure they become the first club to lift four titles in a row.

Ferguson added: "I have set us a title target - win every game between now and the end of the season! Obviously it's a big ask but that's what we must aim for if we are to achieve our objective of winning the championship again.

"We are in a good run of form in the Premier League but our rivals are going well, too, and it's as well for everyone to understand that's what it could take to come out top.

"That's the expectation and there is no hiding from it."

United had a setback when they lost their sixth league game this season at Everton last month. But they have bounced back with five straight wins, including the defeat of AC Milan, scoring 13 goals in the process and conceding one. Ferguson said: "Consistency is the name of the game now and if I am honest we have had more off-days than I would like.

"The Everton game was a let-down, though I have got to say that three days later we were back to normal for a cracking win against West Ham."

Ferguson believes he has the squad to make it a treble year with the Carling Cup already in the bag and a quarter-final place in the Champions League booked.

He said: "I have built a squad that should enable us to compete on all fronts and I am not going to prioritise except to say that it is essential we strain every sinew to win the league.

"We have, of course, lost Michael Owen, who damaged a hamstring in the Carling Cup final, and we don't have Anderson, who is now back home in Brazil for a cruciate ligament operation that will rule him out for the rest of the season.

"There are one or two other worries, too, but we still have enough men to cope. And any player who perhaps worried earlier in the season that he was not getting enough pitch time in the first team will perhaps now find the answer to his problem."

United won yesterday with a superb second-half performance.

The first half was goalless but Wayne Rooney scored within 30 seconds of the restart before adding a second with Dimitar Berbatov getting the third.

Ferguson admitted: "We had to work hard for that.

"Fulham made us work hard and made us chase about a bit.

"It was hard to get the ball off them. They have clever players with good composure and experience.

"They made it difficult for us. We had to try and increase the pace a bit, hurry them up a bit and make the game a bit quicker.

"The most important thing was our start to the second half. When you get a start like that it puts the other team on the back foot. We were more confident after that.

"I had just got to my seat when we scored. It was a good time. There was only 30 seconds gone in the second half, so it was a terrific opening for us."

Star man Wayne Rooney is spearheading United's march with 24 goals in 22 games.

He has 32 in total but is playing down the chase for Ronaldo's goal total of 42.

He said: "If I am being honest, getting to 42 goals wouldn't mean a lot to me.

"It is not something I have looked at. But, obviously, it is nice to score goals."

Rooney added: "In the first half we started slowly. Fulham were well organised and got men behind the ball.

"Our play was not good enough to break them down. We knew we had to increase the tempo in the second half.

"We had to dig out a result. We knew Fulham would find it difficult to come here and play on a big pitch after playing on Thursday night.

"They were well organised but we knew there might be spaces after half-time. Thankfully, that is how it went.

"The timing of our first goal gave us a massive boost. It lifted us as a team. Fulham seemed a bit deflated after that.

"It gave us the opportunity to control the game and attack them a bit more. It paid off for us.

"We are capable. We are confident and playing well at the minute.

"We had a job to do and thankfully we have done it."

It was a disappointing day for Fulham manager Roy Hodgson.

He fears the weight of games right now is showing on his team after they lost 3-1 to Juventus in Turin on Thursday.

Hodgson said: "At 0-0 you have that bit of extra energy but when we went 1-0 down it was a bit harder.

"We were beaten by the better team but 3-0 is a bit harsh because I thought we made them work."


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2892300/Alex-Ferguson-reckons-Arsenal-are-Man-Uniteds-biggest-title-threat.html#ixzz0iEexHo23

White Noise

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/126423/Alex-Ferguson-still-has-fire-power-as-United-prove-they-re-second-to-none/

ALEX FERGUSON STILL HAS FIRE POWER AS UNITED PROVE THEY'RE SECOND TO NONE

15th March 2010

By Kevin Francis

Manchester United 3 Fulham 0

It's now more than two decades old, but that ­famous Fergie hairdryer is still in mint condition!

The proof was there for all to see at Old Trafford yesterday when Manchester United broke the deadlock just 20 seconds after emerging from a half-time managerial rant.

Sir Alex Ferguson was clearly not best pleased with a succession of missed scoring opportunities against Fulham.

And the manager, now in his 24th year at the club, got his way ­immediately, with red-hot hitman Wayne Rooney scoring straight from the kick-off.

Another Rooney goal – his 32nd of an incredible season – plus one from Dimitar Berbatov ­hammered home just how Fergie can inspire his troops.

This morning they sit proudly back on top of the Premier League, enjoying a two-point lead over ­rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.

Rooney set the ball rolling when he supplied Nani with the ball and then collected a return pass as United raced upfield in the opening minute of the second half.

He then calmly stroked it in from 12 yards with his right foot. It was United's 24th goal in their last six home league games and was definitely overdue in a match they completely dominated.

An 84th-minute ­second for Rooney came when Berbatov, who had a cracking game, slipped ­between Chris Baird and Nicky Shorey.

He slid the ball into ­Rooney, who had the ­simplest of jobs to stroke it home coolly.

In the final minute ­Berbatov headed in the third from a centre by ­substitute Ji-Sung Park, leaving United and their fans very happy indeed.

At times, it was almost a case of 'fire at will' as ­United relentlessly kept up the pressure on Fulham.

The Cottagers had lost only one of their last six league games, but they were always the poorer team and were lucky to be all-square at the ­interval.

The home side had come close to ­taking the lead ­after seven minutes following a left-wing run from Nani.

His centre into the six-yard box was met by ­Berbatov, but, slightly off balance, he headed over the bar. It was a similar story in the 25th minute when ­following another ­penetrative cross from Nani, ­Berbatov unluckily sent ­another header just over.

Mark Schwarzer, voted Player of the Month for ­February, had to be at his brilliant best in the 30th minute to deny Rooney.

His fiercely struck right-foot shot from another ­Berbatov pass was punched out by the keeper, who dived brilliantly to his right.

Rooney and his team-mates protested strongly when the England striker's goal-bound shot hit the arm of Stephen Kelly.

But referee Michael Jones brushed aside the penalty claims, indicating it was not an intentional move by the defender.

United had a succession of goalscoring attempts in the second half, with one of the best coming from ­midfielder Darren Fletcher in the 83rd minute.

His rising left-foot shot was brilliantly punched away by Schwarzer, who dived well to his left.

Not surprisingly, with United in such typically ­attacking mode, chances were few and far between for their visitors from the capital.

Their first effort came ­after 12 minutes when a ­rising shot from Clint Dempsey from 22 yards flew over the bar. One of their best chances came in the 38th minute when Danny Murphy's upfield punt found Bobby Zamora on the edge of the box.

Zamora tried to lob the ball over keeper Edwin van der Sar, but it dropped ­agonizingly behind the wrong side of the bar.

United's reargued was in competent form, with ­Nemanja Vidic illustrating their strength with one particularly good block on Zamora in the 73rd minute.

However, the threat posed by Fulham was not ­particularly great on a day that United claimed the points with a far from ­flattering display.


White Noise

Trotta Called-Up

Monday 15th March 2010

Fulham FC News

Fulham Academy striker Marcello Trotta has been called up to the Italy Under-19 squad for their international friendly against Germany on Wednesday 17th March 2010 in Sacile.


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/TrottaCalled-Up.aspx#ixzz0iGGBHNJz


White Noise

Fair Play Update

Monday 15th March 2010


Fulham FC News


The latest Barclays Premier League Fair Play tables have been released. The tables are compiled from marks awarded by The Premier League Match Delegates.

Fulham's fans have moved up from third to first in the Behaviour of the Public Fair play table. Meanwhile the Team remains third in the Fair Play league.

FAIR PLAY LEAGUE

Position     Played  R/Y  P/P  R/O  R/R  B/O  Pts  Score  Avge 
1  Arsenal   28  240  234  171  171  153  969  242.3  8.65 
2  Tottenham Hotspur   28  229  233  166  168  150  946  236.5  8.45 
3  Fulham   28  244  208  166  171  155  944  236  8.43 
4  Manchester United   28  234  223  163  166  155  941  235.3  8.4 
5  Chelsea   28  230  231  163  166  149  939  234.8  8.38 
6  Burnley   27  225  207  161  167  143  903  225.8  8.36 
7  Manchester City   27  231  211  153  160  133  888  222  8.22 
8  Aston Villa   26  212  202  148  151  141  854  213.5  8.21 
9  Wigan Athletic   27  223  200  153  159  144  879  219.8  8.14 
10  West Ham United   27  217  204  152  156  146  875  218.8  8.1 
11  Everton   27  217  203  156  161  133  870  217.5  8.06 
12  Wolves   27  210  206  152  157  143  868  217  8.04 
13  Liverpool   28  220  217  159  161  137  894  223.5  7.98 
14  Blackburn Rovers   28  230  193  155  160  149  887  221.8  7.92 
15  Stoke City   27  208  195  150  159  138  850  212.5  7.87 
16  Bolton Wanderers   27  213  191  150  157  137  848  212  7.85 
17  Birmingham City   27  218  199  147  150  130  844  211  7.82 
18  Portsmouth   27  201  184  147  153  144  829  207.3  7.68 
19  Hull City   27  210  184  149  154  128  825  206.3  7.64 
20  Sunderland   27  198  189  145  154  137  823  205.8  7.62 



Key:

R/Y = Red & Yellow Cards - Maximum 10 pts per Match
(Red 3 pts, Yellow 1 pt)
P/P = Positive Play - Maximum 10 pts per Match
R/O = Respect Towards Opponent - Maximum 7 pts per Match
R/R = Respect Towards Referee - Maximum 7 pts per Match
B/O = Behaviour of Officials - Maximum 6 pts per Match 
BEHAVIOUR OF THE PUBLIC FAIR PLAY LEAGUE

Position     Played  Pts  Avge 
1  Fulham   28  234  8.36 
2  Burnley   27  225  8.33 
3  Sunderland   27  221  8.19 
4  Liverpool   28  229  8.18 
5  West Ham United   27  219  8.11 
6  Wigan Athletic   27  219  8.11 
7  Manchester City   27  218  8.07 
8  Wolves   27  216  8 
9  Arsenal   28  223  7.96 
10  Tottenham Hotspur   28  222  7.93 
11  Chelsea   28  221  7.89 
12  Manchester United   28  219  7.82 
13  Stoke City   27  211  7.82 
14  Aston Villa   26  203  7.81 
15  Blackburn Rovers   28  218  7.79 
16  Birmingham City   27  210  7.78 
17  Everton   27  209  7.74 
18  Bolton Wanderers   27  207  7.67 
19  Hull City   27  198  7.33 
20  Portsmouth   27  198  7.33 



Matches up to and including Sunday 28th February 2010.

Prize money of £30,000 is awarded to the club finishing the Season at the top of the Fair Play League, with £20,000 going to the club whose supporters are deemed to be the best behaved.


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/FairPlayUpdate.aspx#ixzz0iGGu0j5X

White Noise

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6028697,00.html

Juve in keeper crisis


39-year-old Chimenti expected to stand-in against Fulham


By Jamie Casey   Last updated: 15th March 2010   


Juventus have been dealt a major blow with the news that stand-in keeper Alex Manninger will be out for up to three weeks.

The Austrian has been deputising for first choice Gianluigi Buffon, currently out with a thigh injury, but has now suffered a similar injury to the Italy international.

Veteran third choice keeper Antonio Chimenti, 39, stood in for Juve's 3-3 draw with Siena on Sunday, before tests on Manninger's injury on Monday revealed a muscle strain.

The former Arsenal keeper will be out of action for a minimum of two weeks and is definitely out of Thursday's Europa League meeting with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Italian giants hold a 3-1 lead from the first leg in Turin and Chimenti is expected to start once again with 19-year-old rookie Carlo Pinsoglio set to provide extra cover.

Meanwhile, Uruguay international defender Jose Martin Caceres has developed an abdominal injury and will return to parent club Barcelona for treatment.

White Noise

http://www.football.virginmedia.com/page/Football/Championship/Headlines/0,,12555~1994772,00.html

Brown back with Fulham

15 Mar 2010


Bristol Rovers loan midfielder Wayne Brown has been recalled by parent club Fulham.

Brown initally joined the Pirates on a one-month deal but saw his stay extended after suffering an injury that interrupted his run in Paul Trollope's side.

The 21-year-old came on as a substitute in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Tranmere in his first game back from an ankle problem, however Fulham have decided they want him to return to Craven Cottage.

The London club want Brown for their reserve team friendly against Birmingham on Tuesday night.


Fernhurst

Thanks WN, your efforts are always appreciated......... except today!!!!!.... if I read another word about how good that Evertonian scally is I'll scream.  :035:

Seriously..... really appreciate you scouring the media, just to keep us up to date

White Noise

Quote from: Fernhurst on March 15, 2010, 04:09:07 PM
Thanks WN, your efforts are always appreciated......... except today!!!!!.... if I read another word about how good that Evertonian scally is I'll scream.  :035:

Seriously..... really appreciate you scouring the media, just to keep us up to date

Haha. Thanks for the appreciation Fernhurst. You have got to be impressed with the lad though. Now he is doing less defensive work and only light training to conserve his energy for match day Rooney is one of the most compelling players I have ever seen. Have you ever seen hunger like it? Also, I know the commentators always say "he never misses those", but I am not sure how many players would finish with as much certainty and quality as he does. If he can keep this up in South Africa there will be no-one to hold a candle to him.

White Noise

Juventus Travel Advice

Monday 15th March 2010


Fulham FC News

Fulham fans are reminded to leave plenty of time if they are coming to Thursday evening's game against Juventus at Craven Cottage.

With the match kicking-off at 6pm supporters are advised to take into account rush hour congestion and allow for additional travel time.

Tickets for this game have sold out and supporters collecting tickets on the day are reminded that the Craven Cottage Ticket Office will be open from 9am for collections.

To avoid congestion at the turnstiles supporters are kindly asked to enter the stadium and take their seats as early as possible on Thursday evening. 


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/JuventusArriveEarly.aspx#ixzz0iGTlkY1s


White Noise

Special Edition Juventus Matchday Programme

With a place in the quarter-final of the UEFA Europa League up for grabs Thursday evening's visit of Italian giants Juventus is a game not to be missed.

The 27-time Serie A winners and twice European champions may have taken the first leg advantage, but a crucial away goal from Dickson Etuhu sets up an exciting second leg encounter at Craven Cottage.

An electrifying atmosphere is once again expected on the banks of the Thames, with Roy Hodgson's side entering the action unbeaten at home in Europe this season.

The Whites have already seen off Manchester United and Liverpool comfortably here this term, and will be looking to add Juve to that expanding list of big-name conquests.

So as the two teams do battle at our famous old ground, be sure to pick up the one-off Special Edition, perfect-bound Matchday Programme to commemorate what could well be the most famous of nights in our long history.

Packed from cover to cover with all the essential matchday information, the 84-page journal is the essential companion and souvenir for every Fulham fixture.

With its eye catching design and in-depth features, the very special edition includes:  

Exclusive insight from Manager Roy Hodgson.  
Danny Murphy's views on recent action in his Captain's Column.  
An exclusive interview with Fulham number one Mark Schwarzer who insists there is still plenty to play for.  
A Q&A with former Fulham shot-stopper and ex Juve goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar.  
The Guest Column with former Whites goal hero Geoff Horsfield.  
A look back on our memorable last 32 defeat of Shakhtar Donetsk.  
UEFA Europa League round-up and match action from our first leg game with Juventus and FA Cup Sixth Round draw with Tottenham.  
Through The Ranks with Academy starlet Courtney Harris.
A look back at Dickson Etuhu's career in the Scrapbook.
The latest action from the Fulham Academy and unprecedented fan interaction and tonnes of fun for younger fans too.

PLUS: A chance to win a fantastic eye-catching LG Crystal mobile phone in our Lucky Programme Number draw.

The brilliant matchday publication will be on sale in and around the ground from two-hours before kick-off and at half-time around the ground.

The brilliant matchday publication will be on sale in and around the ground from two-hours before kick-off, so don't miss out.

Buy Matchday Programmes online|


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Fanzone/FFCMatchdayProgramme.aspx#ixzz0iGU8JH7i

White Noise

http://hammyend.com/?p=5960

Juve slip up

by Dan on March 15, 2010

From 3-0 up and cruising to a far from satisfactory 3-3 draw against Siena, for whom Marco Materazzi played up front.

Perhaps Fulham have a chance on Thursday ...

White Noise

http://fulham.theoffside.com/mark-schwarzer/loaner-report-31510.html

Loaner Report 3/15/10


By: timmyg | March 15th, 2010

Diomansy Kamara did not dress in Celtic's 3-0 win over Kilmarnock on Saturday due to a hamstring injury.

Eddie Johnson came off the bench in the 87th minute in Aris Thessaloniki's 2-0 win vs. PAOK Salonika on Sunday.

David Stockdale started, played 90 minutes and registered 7 saves in Plymouth Argyle's 1-1 draw at Coventry City on Saturday. He started and played 90 minutes in the Pilgrims' 2-0 loss at QPR last Tuesday.

Toni Kallio did not dress in Sheffield United's 1-0 loss to Peterborough United last Tuesday and in the Blades' 1-1 draw with QPR on Saturday.

Wayne Brown came off the bench in the 45th minute in Bristol Rovers' 0-0 draw with Tranmere on Saturday. Fulham have since recalled his loan deal.

Matthew Saunders started, played 90 minutes and scored TWO goals in Lincoln City's 3-1 win over Hereford United on Saturday.


White Noise

http://www.sportsecho.co.uk/lincolncity/Lincoln-City-attempt-extend-Matthew-Saunders-loan/article-1910972-detail/article.html

Lincoln City attempt to extend Matthew Saunders loan



Monday, March 15, 2010,


Lincoln City will attempt to extend Matthew Saunders' loan this week after Chris Sutton hailed the Fulham midfielder's impact on the club's relegation fight.

The playmaker is due to return to the capital after tomorrow's night's clash against Dagenham, but the Imps are set to push for a one-month extension.

Talks were set to begin today with the Premier League outfit and Sutton is hopeful Saunders will remain at Sincil Bank, where he has become a key figure in recent weeks.

The 20-year-old was in irresistible form on Friday when he scored twice in a 3-1 win against Hereford as the Imps moved 10 points clear of the drop zone.

And Sutton admitted Saunders' contribution has been instrumental during the club's League Two relegation dogfight.

"Matty has done very well for us in the two months he has been here," said Sutton.

"Coming to us has aided his development because he's playing games in a competitive league, but in return he has shown what a good player he is.

"We want to keep him because his contribution has been key to us and we are hoping to keep him for one more month.

"We'll be talking to Fulham and I'm hopeful we will receive the all clear because he certainly does make a difference to our team with his footballing brain.

"He does have an immense about of ability and his performance on Friday demonstrated that."

White Noise

Down's Syndrome Tournament Success

Monday 15th March 2010


Fulham FC News

 
The sounds of cheers and applause echoed from Fulham FC's Motspur Park Training Ground on Sunday, 14th March as Down's Syndrome football teams from across London came together to launch Down's Syndrome Awareness Week.

The tournament brought together 60 DSActive players representing the four London-based DSActive teams: Fulham Badgers, QPR Tiger Cubs, Charlton Upbeats and West Ham United DS Team. Unlike traditional tournaments, the main focus was not on winning or losing, but just taking part.

The day commenced at 11am with circuit training focusing on passing, dribbling, hand-eye co-ordination and team development. Each area of focus was led by a different club opening the players up to new skills and techniques as well as different coaching methods.

After an awards ceremony for the younger players and lunch, the players came back to the Training Ground to engage in a tournament. Two matches were played side by side allowing all the players equal opportunities to play in the ten minute matches.

Each team played six matches. The players worked on using the techniques they used in training including 'back heel' and 'trapping the ball' as well as penalty and corner kicks. Goals were scored and goals were blocked. It didn't matter who scored – everyone cheered.

Patricia James from the DSA said "It was fantastic, all of the clubs came together to put on this brilliant tournament. The end result was extraordinary with 60 players coming together to demonstrate what people with Down's Syndrome can achieve – a perfect kick off to Down's Syndrome Awareness Week.

Expanding on the DSActive programme, Patricia continued, "The DSA looks forward to continuing to development its partnerships with the participating clubs and building new DSActive teams throughout the country as we strive to provide every person with Down's Syndrome the same opportunity as yesterday's players."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/DownsSyndromeTournamentReview.aspx#ixzz0iGnnWkRK

White Noise

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23815157-fulham-wont-let-it-slip-away-insists-roy-hodgson.do

Fulham won't let it slip away, insists Roy Hodgson


Graham Chase


15.03.10

Roy Hodgson today called on his threadbare squad to hold their nerve as they enter the most crucial period of their season.

Fulham are low on numbers and facing significant injury problems, which could get worse today when they will discover the full extent of a chest problem sustained by key defender Brede Hangeland at Old Trafford.

His injury comes as Fulham prepare for three big games in seven days, starting with Thursday's Europa League tie against Juventus at Craven Cottage, where Hodgson's side will try to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit.

Fulham then face Champions League hopefuls Manchester City on Sunday and travel to Tottenham for an FA Cup quarter-final replay the following Wednesday.

Hodgson knows the schedule will be a big test for his men and said: "It's going to be very important for us to get through this period now. It's a tough spell with Juventus and the replay against Tottenham before things settle down into a more normal programme of playing once a week.

"My major concern is that, after having done so well, if we go out of any of the competitions, that will impact upon us. It's going to be very important that that doesn't happen and we won't allow our season, which has been quite fantastic, to slip away.

"Our programme has been very, very hard and maybe I can't expect the players to have the same sharpness a couple of months ago when we weren't playing all of these games.

"We've coped with it better than anyone could have expected us to cope with it given that in January we lost five players. I think we've done remarkably well to keep going as we have done."

Hodgson is anxious for Hangeland to feature in Fulham's key run. The centre-back was injured when colliding with Manchester United's Antonio Valencia in the first half yesterday. He played almost 20 minutes of the second period before admitting defeat and will face further assessment today.

At least Fulham were boosted by the return of Danny Murphy following a groin problem, while Clint Dempsey made his first start as he continues his comeback from two months out with a knee injury. Hodgson was also encouraged by Fulham's first-half performance at Old Trafford when his side contained the champions.

But 30 seconds after the restart, Wayne Rooney put United ahead with a low finish after he was picked out by Nani's cross. The visitors' best chance came when Bobby Zamora broke clear only to be denied by a fine sliding challenge from Nemanja Vidic.

And United doubled their lead when Dimitar Berbatov broke into the area and crossed for Rooney to score his 32nd goal of the season.

Berbatov completed the scoring with a near-post header from Ji-Sung Park's cross as United moved two points clear of Chelsea and Arsenal at the top.

Rooney continues to insist he is not motivated by the prospect of matching Cristiano Ronaldo's haul of 42 goals two seasons ago.

"It is not something I have looked at," said the England striker. "Obviously, it is nice to score goals. I want to score goals in every game and what Cristiano Ronaldo achieved was unbelievable. But I am a different player and a different person. I am not comparing myself to Cristiano."

Despite Rooney's claims, Berbatov feels his team-mate will manage at least 40. The Bulgarian said: "He still has plenty of games left so I wish him luck and we will all help him get over the 40 mark.

"At the moment he is the best in the world. And he is still so young so he has plenty of chances to get even better. I've told him many times to just stay healthy and he can achieve everything."

The former Tottenham striker moved into double figures in the Premier League yesterday and, despite being outshone by Rooney this term, defended his contribution to United.

Berbatov said: "If we win it doesn't matter if I don't score, as long as we are champions at the end of the season. I like making assists as much as I like scoring. I was just as happy making the second goal for Wayne as I was scoring the third myself."

United host Liverpool next Sunday and face Chelsea at Old Trafford on 3 April and Berbatov feels that playing those games at home could prove crucial as Sir Alex Ferguson's side chase a record fourth straight title.

He added: "The title race is tight but I'm convinced we are going to win it. Chelsea and Arsenal are great teams and we have some difficult games ahead. But we have home advantage for those big games so I am optimistic that we will be champions."

He also praised Hodgson's side and said: "I think Fulham, with their possession, made us work hard and chase around a bit. It was hard to get the ball off them. They have experienced players who are comfortable on the ball."


White Noise

http://www.football-italia.net/mar15i.html

Juve squad thin for Fulham

Monday 15 March, 2010


Juventus face the prospect of travelling to Fulham on Thursday without their two best goalkeepers. Injuries have also claimed much of the defence.

Gigi Buffon and Alex Manninger are both out with thigh problems, which forced Alberto Zaccheroni to hand a rare start to Antonio Chimenti on Sunday.

It didn't go well, as Juventus threw away a three-goal lead at home to Siena and were eventually held to a disappointing 3-3 draw.

Tuttosport understands Zaccheroni is unsure whether to persist with Chimenti and may try 19-year-old Carlo Pinsoglio instead.

As for the defence, Nicola Legrottaglie is suspended and has a thigh problem anyway.

Giorgio Chiellini is also unlikely to make it back in time despite a scan ruling out a muscle tear.

Zaccheroni is likely to move Jonathan Zebina into central defence alongside Fabio Cannavaro and put Zdenek Grygera at right-back.

White Noise

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/matches/season=2010/round=2000039/match=2000953/prematch/focus/index.html

Juve wary of Fulham's fortress


Published: Monday 15 March 2010, 11.33CET


Juventus have a 3-1 first-leg advantage and long European pedigree, but they also possess a poor recent record against English sides and are taking nothing for granted as they travel to Fulham FC.


by Richard Aikman


Juventus have a 3-1 first-leg advantage and long European pedigree, but they also possess a poor recent record against English sides and are taking nothing for granted as they travel to Fulham FC.

Read moreJuventus travel to Fulham FC on Thursday hoping to end an English jinx that has plagued the Italian side in Europe for over a quarter of a century.

The Bianconeri's last eight trips to England have brought nothing more than a solitary draw and their four most recent meetings with Premier League sides in knockout competition have ended in elimination. Yet having claimed a 3-1 first-leg lead in Turin, Juve are confident they can end their hoodoo by reaching the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.

"Fulham are a nice club; it's a great stadium to play in," said Alex Manninger, though the former Arsenal FC goalkeeper will not be there after picking up a thigh injury on Sunday. "We need to play a controlled game at Craven Cottage because they will certainly go for it. We know they are a good home side, very organised, but we scored some great goals against them. It won't be easy, but we go there with a big advantage."

Juventus were 3-1 up by half-time at the Stadio Olimpico, goals from Nicola Legrottaglie, Jonathan Zebina and David Trezeguet leaving Roy Hodgson's side needing at least victory by two clear goals to reach the last eight. For Juventus then, caution is the watchword. "We are confident of going the distance and we know we can go all the way but we still have a long way to go," said Manninger, whose injury, with Gianluigi Buffon already ruled out, means either Carlo Pinsoglio or Antonio Chimenti could make their UEFA club competition debuts.

La Vecchia Signora will certainly want to defend better than they did against AC Siena on Sunday when they squandered a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Serie A's bottom side. Hasan Salihamidžić is expecting another tough game in west London. "It'll be very hard over there because it's a small ground," said Salihamidžić. "They play with a great tempo at home and we'll have to be very careful. But if we put them under pressure, the sort of pressure we did in the first leg, it will be really hard for them to play well."

Fulham lost 3-0 at Manchester United FC on Sunday and are without a win in five matches, so Bobby Zamora knows his side face an uphill struggle to turn the table on their visitors. "We sussed them out a little bit more [in Turin] in the second half than we did the first half and hopefully we can continue that at Craven Cottage," said the striker. "It's going to be a tough game, we know that, but we've got a good home record. We've beaten Manchester United and Liverpool at home this season and I see no reason why we can't beat Juventus."

White Noise

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/8568017.stm


Sheffield United defender Toni Kallio out for six weeks 

Kallio has made eight appearances for United in two loan spells this term

Sheffield United defender Toni Kallio has been ruled out for six weeks.

The 31-year-old Finn, who is on loan from Fulham, picked up a calf injury against Crystal Palace on 6 March.

Assistant manager Sam Ellis to told BBC Radio Sheffield: "We've been given a time of six weeks, so he's not going to be back fit until the end of April."

United are trying to bring in a defender on loan in time for Tuesday's Blackpool game with Chris Morgan and Kyle Bartley also ruled out.

Morgan is suspended for Tuesday's game and Bartley is suffering with severe food poisoning.

"We're quite short of players. We're going to have to see if we can bring somebody in," added Ellis.


White Noise

http://www.footballfancast.com/football-blogs/easy-sunday-morning-10-noticed-sundays-games?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ffc_Premiership_Blogs+%28FFC_Premiership_Blogs%29

Easy like a Sunday Morning – 10 Things I noticed from Sunday's PL games


Date: 15th March 2010 at 2:45 pm |


1. Payback - Such is the theatrical nature of Football in the post Murdoch-era that Sky Sports always seem to feel the need to find a theme for matches. Struggling with one for the historically uncontroversial encounter between Manchester United and Fulham, they decided the theme of "revenge" was a decent one to go with, after the team with the most unfortunate nickname in football – The Cottagers – beat off the Red Devils in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Revenge was ever present in the build up coverage, as it had been earlier in the week whenever Sky presenters were forced to advertise their upcoming fixtures at the end of other programmes. A montage was compiled, set to James Brown's "The Payback", complete with lots of footage of players looking very angry in slow motion and the words "revenge" and "payback" forcefully thrust in our faces in bold, ominous looking red lettering at sporadic intervals. "They'll want revenge won't they Jamie?" inquired Richard Keys in the studio, helpfully reminding us how dramatic and important this clash was going to be. "Oh certainly" – Jamie Redknapp might of replied if I'd actually been listening. "Is there an element of Revenge about today?" was the first question posed by Geoff Shreeves as he interviewed Sir Alex Ferguson just before kick off, presumably hoping to lend an air of credibility to the arduous work that had gone into pretending there was in the build up. "No not really" was his reply. Oh....oh ok then.

2. Easy like a Sunday morning – United started comfortably, and ended pretty comfortably too. They also enjoyed a thoroughly comfortable middle period in what was, all in all, a very comfortable victory. Fulham somehow hung on for the first half through a combination of Dimitar Berbatov's crippling fear of being a striker and the good old-fashioned tactic of throwing themselves in front of every attempt like demented break-dancers.

3. Under pressure - It didn't last long however, and Fulham were undone within a minute of the second half as Wayne Rooney and Nani combined to easily side foot their way through the Fulham defence and put the Champions ahead. From then on the game was entirely played in the Fulham half as United pushed forward with all the vigor of a particularly untesting training game, and Danny Murphy did his best to seethe quietly with anger and occasionally hack down Wayne Rooney.

4. It only takes a minute...er...girl? - Presumably working from the rope a dope book of victory tactics, Fulham almost proved that old adage of one goal never being enough (except when it's enough) when Bobby Zamora somehow found himself clean through on goal only to take too many touches and be cleanly taken out by Nemanja Vidic. Normal service was then resumed as Fulham struggled to keep the ball for longer than 3 passes and the game descended into a war of attrition between the United front 5 and the deep lying Fulham back 10.

5. Golden touch – Eventually it was the Usual suspect who dealt the deathly blow as Rooney grabbed yet another brace to add to his collection, after Berbatov had skilled his was passed two Fulham defenders to tee it up on a plate (yes I know that's a mixed metaphor). Rooney even contrived to scuff the shot, as he had his first, but such is his form at the moment that it could've come off any part of his body and it would still likely have gone in. Ronaldo once scored a goal with his crotch during his infamous 42-goal season and such is the form of his former teammate now that I wouldn't be surprised to see a goal from every extremity fly in before the season's out.

6. Dance of the plum sugar daddy fairies - A far more competitive game then took place at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, as the hosts battered Manchester City in the first half before contriving to be battered even worse themselves in the second, before they all called a truce and settled for a draw. Prokofiev's Dance of the Knights (or Montagues and Capulets) was blasted out of the PA before the game, which struck me as a ridiculously over dramatic gesture worthy of Sky Sports themselves. As it turned out however the game almost lived up to it, and both managers – but mainly Roberto Mancini – will feel more aggrieved than satisfied by the score line.

7. Bent out of shape – Kenwyne Jones put the Mackems ahead with a pure center forwards header, whilst Darren Bent spent the entire first half shooting like he was looking for a beach ball to deflect it in. Jones went off through injury but Sunderland continued to pour forward whilst simultaneously being rubbish when they got there.

8. Holding back the tide – The second half positively exploded into life and we got fights, (well the sort of really tame fights you get in football) people falling over and a goal keeper inspired as Craig Gordon single handedly kept City at bay. Bellamy, Tevez and Santa Cruz were the main culprits, with the latter in particular doing a great impression of someone who didn't really want to score. Most efforts were struck too close to Gordon to give him too much trouble, but it was never the less a dynamic display from the Scot who it was clear it was going to take something truly special to beat.

9. The curse of the commentator – And so it was, as Andy Gray triumphantly declared "that's it, it's definitely gonna be one of those days" after another Gordon save, that Adam Johnson collected the ball from the resulting corner and curled in a millimeter perfect shot in the last minute to rescue a more than deserved point. Picking up the ball on the right angle of the penalty area, he placed a curling left foot shot in the only place it could possibly have gone, even beating the man on the line who, unfortunately, failed miserably at the task of being half an inch taller.

10. New(ish) kid on the block – With all the talk likely to be of Rooney being England's savior this summer, the talk in the pundit's cupboard afterwards was of a possible call up for Johnson. He's looked a great talent whenever he's played for the sky blues and with such an important and eye catching goal, will hopefully get a longer stint in the side to show his quality. He's certainly got it. And with a place up for grabs with Beckham now likely out of the World Cup to concentrate on his scarf wearing abilities, he may just get that as well.

White Noise

http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/football-ealing/fulham-fc-ealing/2010/03/15/fulham-suffer-hangeland-injury-blow-64767-26037047/


Fulham suffer Hangeland injury blow

Mar 15 2010 By Jacob Murtagh


Brede Hangeland

FULHAM are sweating on the fitness of Brede Hangeland after getting crocked in Sunday's defeat at Manchester United.

The giant Norwegian defender was substituted in the second-half at Old Trafford with a chest problem, and had treatment in the dressing room after the game.

And boss Roy Hodgson is desperate not to have another name added to his injury list.

"It's not good at the moment," said Hodgson after the match.

"He has a spasm caused by a blow to the chest. It was doubtful at half-time that he would continue but he gave it a try.

"We hope it's not a major injury but it's affected us today of course because we had to reshuffle after going a goal behind.

"We'll assess the injury tomorrow [Monday] and get a clear picture of what has happened."