Tuesday Fulham Stuff (30/03/10)

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=193518
Fulham - Hodgson on Smalling`s Education!
Personally I thought the penalty decision awarded against Chris Smalling was a little harsh.

The youngster might have rested an arm over the shoulder of the forward but there wasn`t a great deal of malice involved.

After the fixture, Roy spoke about Chris Smalling and explained how he was always going t be in the limelight once news of his move to Old Trafford became public knowledge, remarking,

"Has he not been signed by United then the criticism would be quite different. But now all eyes are on him."

"He`ll cope with the pressure of playing at Old Trafford. I`m doing Alex a favour, letting him get his mistakes out of the way at Fulham."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=193519
Fulham Give Bullard the Bird!
I`ve always said you either still love him or hate him and the reception he received from the travelling Fulham support on Saturday confirmed that.

It wouldn`t have mattered whether Bullard had scored a hat trick, missed that penalty or given out fivers he was always going to get booed and after the game (Sir) Roy Hodgson thought such behaviour, from the travelling support, was well merited when he added,

"You have to remember that supporters loved Jimmy when he was here - and he refused to sign a new contract."

"He went up to Hull not to better his career but because there was more money on the table."

Precisely Roy, precisely Roy!

[WhiteJC]

http://www.swindon.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=193530
Fulham, Spurs and Toon Track Charlie
The transfer deadline window has closed for the rest of the season so the media needs to fill precious column inches so it was only a matter of time before Charlie Austin would be linked to a bigger club.

Step forward Newcastle United - Sky Sports have reported that Toon assistant manager and Swindon Town legend Colin Calderwood went on a scouting mission to Hartlepool to see Town's find of the season in the action.

Sky Sports added Premiership sides Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham to the list of interested parties.

Charlie Austin signed a 2 and a half year contract extension earlier in the year.

[WhiteJC]

http://fulham.theoffside.com/team-news/signs.html
Signs

There's nothing like driving 8.5 hours by yourself. Nothing at all.

I swear I saw this directional sign today in the rain, but wondered why its shape and content wasn't like the other signs. Perhaps it was a mirage?

Right, so I'm on vacation this week in my native Massachusetts so the blogging will be quite sporadic, if at all. Hopefully Fulham make us all happy on Thursday

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/HughesEuropaPreview.aspx
Hughes Targets European Progress
Monday 29th March 2010

Aaron Hughes is hoping to return to Fulham's starting eleven on Thursday night when the Whites take on Wolfsburg at the Cottage|.

Roy Hodgson's side will be looking to get back to winning ways on Thursday following Saturday's disappointing League defeat at the KC Stadium and preparations are underway on the Training Ground for another historic night at the Cottage.

"Obviously we were disappointed to have lost the game against Hull," said Hughes on Monday afternoon. "But what is done is done; we have to move on, as we have done this season. You have to move on quickly whether you win or lose, because there is always another game around the corner.

"Hopefully I'll be back on Thursday night. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed, and of course, I don't want to be left out. That said, I understand the Manager's reasons for making changes because we have played a lot of games this season. But this is a game that we all want to be involved in - it's another massive night for the Club."

With four days preparation before Thursday night's European clash Hughes is confident that the Whites can advance to the later stages of the UEFA Europa League after defeating the likes of Basel, Shakhtar Donetsk and Juventus on route to the Quarter-Finals.

"We know a fair bit about the opposition, and started our preparation this week. We've been having a look and them, and few things that we could possibly do. By Thursday we'll know pretty much all there is to know about them, and we'll address that accordingly.

"You get to this stage and you do start to think that anything can happen. Obviously it gets tougher the further you go, but we haven't got this far through luck – we're here on merit. We deserve our place in the Quarter-Final and we've made a lot of progress in this competition. It will be tough, but there is no reason why we can't go further.

Hughes has plenty of European experience against German opposition and is certainly not underestimating the threat Wolfsburg will provide as Fulham look to reach the Semi-Finals of the UEFA Europa League.

"I've played against German opposition before in both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup. They will be a tough team, and will come to Craven Cottage with their own intentions of progressing I'm sure. At this stage of the competition, it doesn't really matter where your opponents are from; you know that they are going to be strong. They wouldn't have reached the Quarter-Final if they weren't a good side.

[WhiteJC]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=763647&sec=england&cc=5739&cc=5739
Hammers prepare complaint against Cottagers
Relegation-threatened West Ham United will lodge a complaint against Fulham for resting some of their best players at Hull City to prepare for their historic Europa League quarter-final with Wolfsburg on Thursday.

Hull City 2-0 Fulham

The Cottagers left top-scorer Bobby Zamora, captain Danny Murphy and Ireland international Damien Duff out of the match-day squad for the defeat at Hull, a result which put greater pressure on the Hammers relegation plight, and might have cost manager Gianfranco Zola his job.

West Ham have now examined the regulations as they contemplate an official complaint against their fellow London club. The Hammers have estimated it will cost them in excess of £40 million in the first year alone if they go down.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson, who has been touted for Manager of the Year and as an English candidate to succeed Fabio Capello, made six changes from the starting team which went out of the FA Cup to Tottenham the previous week and clearly had an eye on the big prize in Europe.

Fielding a weakened side allowed the Tigers to complete a relatively comfortable 2-0 victory at the KC Stadium on Saturday, with goals from Jimmy Bullard and Craig Fagan.

Hodgson was unrepentant in making the decision with the Cottagers comfortably placed in 11th position in the league and with a vital Europa League clash against Wolfsburg five days later as the only prize left for Fulham to mark such a wonderful season.

"If you win the game making changes then you congratulate yourself on the squad system," Hodgson told Fulham's official website. "If the team that gets a chance doesn't win the game then of course people say, 'Had the other players played they'd of won'.

"We played seven matches in 27 days in February. We played eight in 24 days in March and we've got another seven or eight in 25 or 26 days in April. I don't think it's fair for anyone to suggest that we can do that with 11 players."

Formidable at Craven Cottage, the manager can argue that Fulham have been generally woeful on the road this season with just one win and a pitiful 11 goals scored.

Having secured their Premier League survival and knocked out Juventus in the Europa League already, Hodgson has made no secret of the fact that he was concentrating on Thursday's tie.

A West Ham insider told Soccernet: "We are checking the rules."

"Roy Hodgson said on Match of the Day he rested players as they had a lot of games coming up starting with Wolfsburg this week. Hull got very lucky with Fulham fielding a very weak side as they play Wolfsburg on Thursday.

"Let's hope they beat Wolfsburg and stay in the competition and do the same for us when we play them!"

[WhiteJC]

http://hammyend.com/?p=6632
McBride + John = x
by Dan on March 30, 2010


Brian McBride thumps home the winner against Bolton way back when as Collins John watches on

Saturday was deeply disappointing but, almost as soon as the final whistle went at Hull, there was an opportunity to look forward to a bit of nostalgia. Two former Fulham forwards were linking up Stateside on the opening weekend of the new MLS season.

I'm frequently asked – as a regular watcher of both sets of domestic football – how the top flight of American 'soccer' and the English game compare. The only answer I can conclusively give is that they don't. There are two big differences that make an attempt at drawing parallels utterly futile. First, the pace of the game is much quicker in England. That's the same as in a lot of leagues. Second, the standard of defending isn't exactly high in the MLS.

Since he left Fulham after that glorious day in the sunshine at Fratton Park, Brian McBride has been plying his trade at his hometown club, Chicago Fire. Given that Chicago didn't have a MLS 'franchise' when McBride was included in the first draft, this is a rather fitting way to wind down his career. True to form, the former Fulham skipper has had to fight his way back of a couple of serious injuries, but there he was again, leading the line with distinction on Saturday.

Managers must love McBride. You know exactly what you're going to get from him week after after week. Tireless running, determination, a combination of aerial presence and an underrated touch that will ensure defenders know they've been in a game and plenty of guts. The ultimate professional, McBride's a lot better in front of goal that many people give him credit for. Witness the way he struck the post with an astounding bicycle kick from the edge of the box when a defensive clearance deflected towards him. How many other 37 year-old's are that agile?

Collins John is, in many ways, the opposite of McBride. Speaking to a friend of mine over the weekend, we reached the conclusion that the Liberian-born, one-time Dutch international was immensely talented. He had pace and an eye for a goal as well as extraordinary belief in his own ability (that last attribute might have been his undoing). The trouble was his attitude. John had a flying start to his Fulham career, cracking in a few goals after joining as something of a teenage protege from FC Twente in January 2004. The following season, whilst still largely used as a substitute, John scored 13 goals and finished as the club's top scorer.

That's where the problems started. He obviously felt he had made it when he still had to cement a first-team place. While Chris Coleman has been blamed for the abject manner in which many promising players regressed on his watch, plenty of other managers struggled to get anything approaching the best out of CJ. He staggered lazily the pitch, seemingly always interrupted by an offside flag, and his attitude apparently put paid to his Fulham career.

It was such a shame given how good John's start had been but, considering that he didn't impress Charlton on trial and infuriated the coaching staff at NEC Nijmegen whilst on loan at the Dutch side, you couldn't argue with the decision. If there was ever a model professional from whom John could learn, it would be McBride – next to whom he enjoyed his best moments at Fulham. He made a fleetingly debut as a substitute against the Red Bulls but was often the target of hopeful punts downfield as the Fire attempted unsuccesfully to avoid a narrow defeat.

Following the progress of these contrasting forwards over the course of the American season will be intriguing but, if the Fire fans become frustrated by John's ability to acquaint himself with a linesman's flag, don't say I didn't warn you.

[WhiteJC]

http://hammyend.com/?p=6639
Remembering Alec Stock
by Dan on March 30, 2010



Today would have been Alex Stock's birthday. Amongst other things in a distinguished managerial career, Stock masterminded that incredible Fulham run to Wembley in 1975. This brilliant obituary by Brian Glanville shows just how unique Stock was.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/WolfsburgProgrammePreview.aspx
European Nights
Tuesday 30th March 2010




With the historic 4-1 defeat of Juventus still fresh in the minds, VfL Wolfsburg visit Craven Cottage on Thursday evening in the quarter-final of the UEFA Europa League.

It is the furthest Fulham have ever progressed in European competition, so the stakes have never been higher as the team make uncharted steps into the history books.

And supporters can collect their own little slice of history too, with the Special Edition, perfect-bound Matchday Programme commemorating another never-to-be-forgotten night of football.

Packed from cover to cover with all the essential matchday information, and glorious reflection of that great night two weeks ago, the 84-page journal is the essential companion and souvenir for every Fulham fixture.

With its eye catching design and in-depth features, this Thursday's 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's habitual Europa League goal hero Zoltan Gera.
• A Q&A with former Fulham captain and Wolfsburg striker Brian McBride.
• In the Legends' Column, World Cup winner George Cohen shares his views on the Fulham of today.
• All the reaction, tonnes of photos and fans' comments following the demolition of Juventus.
• Get your hands on an eye-catching LG Crystal mobile phone in our Matchday Programme competition.
• Everything you need to know about our opponents VfL Wolfsburg.
• UEFA Europa League round-up and preview of the quarter-final ties.
• Through The Ranks with talented midfielder Rob Milsom.
• A look back at Brede Hangeland's career in Scrapbook.
• Unprecedented fan interaction and tonnes of fun for younger fans too.
• Plus, so much more besides!

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

The programme at the Juventus game sold out in record time, so don't miss out on this priceless piece of Fulham FC memorabilia

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/WolfsburgProgrammePreview.aspx#ixzz0jeldnEQC

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/03/30/on-the-spot-aaron-hughes-82029-26137587/
On the spot: Aaron Hughes



FULHAM defender Aaron Hughes reveals which one of his team-mates he'd least like to face, his life before football and his dreams of becoming a piliot!

First car?

A Rover

First wage?

I got £20 for doing the milk run!

Worst dressed player at the club?

Zoli Gera

Worst taste in music at the club?

Zoli Gera

First CD?

Lighthouse Family

What's the last thing you downloaded for your ipod?

Alicia Keys

Most skilful player at the club?

Clint Dempsey

Favourite female?

Reece Wetherspoon

Biggest joker?

Zoltan Gera

What would you be if you weren't a footballer?

I would've loved to have been a pilot!

[WhiteJC]

http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_1_2169_club-focus-fulham-plenty-to-think-about.html
Club Focus - Fulham - Plenty to think about
By Matt Domm

Some things are just too easy to predict. Jimmy Bullard was always going to score the opener, Fulham were never going to break the away-day curse - even against a side that prior to Saturday had not kept a clean sheet all season - and as much as most Whites fans wanted to see the fringe players given a chance, they were never likely to grab it against a battling-for-their-lives Hull City.

But despite the result being far from unexpected, the manner of the defeat leaves a bitter taste, and the need for far stronger back-up players is evident. Every man who replaced a regular starter on Saturday, ignoring Nicky Shorey at right-back and Clint Dempsey at centre-forward - as they were brought in to play out of position - did nothing to warrant any consideration for future selection and, in fact, only reaffirmed exactly why they are seen as squad players as opposed to the named XI. The reality is that the three who came in to play in their strongest positions - Chris Smalling for Aaron Hughes, Kagisho Dikgacoi for Dickson Etuhu and Bjorn Helge Riise for Damien Duff - were the three worst players on the pitch - Jonathan Greening, had he started, would probably be included too. Unless the replacements for first-team players can fit into the system without too much disruption the whole team will suffer, and Saturday's miserable trip to Hull caused a whole lot of anguish.

Several times this season the weekend's aforementioned villains have done an excellent job of replacing those above them in the pecking order, but Saturday's fixture showed how lack of match sharpness can be a real hindrance. Smalling has had to cover for injuries to Brede Hangeland a handful of times this term and, despite looking a little iffy early on, he has shown more than glimpses of why Manchester United were willing to take such a gamble on him. However, playing alongside the Norwegian against Hull the young centre-back seemed a bag of nerves. He was second to most balls against both Craig Fagan and Jozy Altidore and demonstrated his true age by bringing down the latter for a penalty having let the forward get goal-side. While Riise is not as young as Smalling, he too is inexperienced in such a strong league, and this stood out - only two times did he force his way into a decent crossing position, but on both occasions he prodded the ball out of play for a goal-kick. In the middle, both Dikgacoi and his substitute, Greening, failed impressively to spark any attacking football and reminded all involved with the Whites just how important the captain, Danny Murphy, is.

At least the weekend's result does provide a couple of more positive points. Firstly, it gives Roy Hodgson, and everyone, a clearer idea of exactly where the squad needs to be improved - or purged in some cases - if Fulham are to continue making the progress they have recently. Although he has shown flashes of crossing ability and pace in the Europa League, Riise demonstrated his ineffectiveness as a starter against Hull and Hodgson certainly took notice - hauling the Norwegian off just after half-time, long before the manager's substitutions usually happen (around 70 minutes). Flashes of quality, particularly in a competition that Fulham could well not be in next season, is not nearly good enough, and Hodgson has an army of players who can play on the wing. So while the wings need sluicing rather than strengthening, the same cannot be said for the middle of both the defence and midfield.

Smalling is off soon, which leaves Chris Baird as the only real cover for both Hangeland and Hughes, and Saturday made clear the need for at least one player who can replace either starter without disrupting the understanding between the defence. Easier said than done, but more centre-backs are vital as wrapping up the current partnership in cotton wool is unfortunately not an option. Similarly, there is no creative midfielder to step in for Murphy, whose ageing legs cannot be expected to last a full season without missing any games. Greening is on loan and has not done enough to warrant a permanent deal, so an effective replacement for the captain must be a priority in the summer. In fact, a centre-back and centre-midfielder should already be lined up, or else the gaping hole left by the absences of Hughes, Hangeland or Murphy will provide more free points for relegation-battlers such as Hull.

The second positive? That the majority of the strongest XI have been rested and will be match-fit for Thursday's visit of Wolsburg in the quarter-finals of the Europa League - that is more like it.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=193585
Fulham - Free-Scoring Striker Gossip!
Last season I beat the merry drum on several occasions imploring (Sir) Roy Hodgson to visit the County Ground, Swindon, with a view to making a signing.

The player I had under my microscope was Simon Cox who eventually left the club to join the Roberto Di Matteo revolution up at West Bromwich Albion.

Well, according to our friends over at Vital Swindon, Fulham do have their eyes on a Swindon forward this season, the prolific Charlie Austin.

Apparently, Sky Sports are reporting that promotion bound Newcastle United have sounded Swindon out about the possibility of recruiting the free scoring forward with, naturally, the names of a couple of Premier League teams thrown into the hat, namely, us and Tottenham Hotspur!

Whether anything comes out of this remains to be seen but if (Sir) Roy is looking for a free-scoring player in the lower divisions then heeds our words this time around and take a look at Rickie Lambert, currently at Southampton but formerly of Bristol Rovers, this guy nets in his sleep!

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=193586
Fulham - Hammers Are Miffed!
Now this is a puzzler and I`m not sure it`ll end anywhere but you never know when it comes to those who run our game.Nestling amongst the plethora of articles on the internet, is one that expresses a touch of shock, horror from West Ham United relating to our defeat at the KC Stadium.

West Ham, as you are well aware, are looking relegation bound and they`re a trifle miffed that Roy Hodgson openly admitted he`d played an under-strength side against Hull.

We, as you are all aware, lost and Hull are now level on points with West Ham with one of the two looking straight through the trap door.

The article carries quotes from a West Ham insider, quotes that read,

"We are checking the rules."

"Roy Hodgson said on Match of the Day he rested players as they had a lot of games coming up starting with Wolfsburg this week. Hull got very lucky with Fulham fielding a very weak side as they play Wolfsburg on Thursday."

"Let`s hope they beat Wolfsburg and stay in the competition and do the same for us when we play them!"

Would it be churlish to tell this insider that our second string would beat their first eleven the way they are currently playing?

[WhiteJC]

http://www.burnley.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=193609
Should we complain about Fulham?
Hull City stole a march on both West Ham and Burnley on Saturday in their battle to avoid relegation after beating a weakened Fulham side 2-0 at the KC Stadium. West Ham lost 1-0 at home to Stoke City and of course we all know what happened to the Clarets on Sunday.

Fulham rested key players including captain, Danny Murphy and the influential,Damien Duff. Bobby Zamora was also absent although in this case it was announced he had stomach cramps and couldn't play. Guess you have to take them at their word!

Fulham gaffer, Roy Hodgson also confirmed on Match of the Day that the players were rested because the club had one eye on the Europa League Quarter Final match against Wolfsburg on Thursday night plus had a busy schedule coming up. Aw bless, try playing 61 games in a season like we did in 2008-9 with one of the smallest squad sizes in the Championship!

This may not be on the scale of Wolves fielding a virtual reserve team at Old Trafford but should not the same principle apply? Mick McCarthy picked up a suspended £25,000 fine for his actions hardly a punishment to fit the crime but could Fulham expect the same or worse?

West Ham think they might have grounds to complain.

Vital West Ham state that the internet is rife suggesting the Hammers could be looking to lodge a complaint relating to their West London neighbours, Fulham.

They also quote a West Ham source as follows:

'We are checking the rules.'

'Roy Hodgson said on Match of the Day he rested players as they had a lot of games coming up starting with Wolfsburg this week. Hull got very lucky with Fulham fielding a very weak side as they play Wolfsburg on Thursday.'

'Let`s hope they beat Wolfsburg and stay in the competition and do the same for us when we play them!'

This sort of thing,fielding weakened sides is clearly not within the spirit of the game and also not within the rules as Mick McCarthy found out to his cost.

The problem is though, the punishment handed out is minimal and it seems pointless to complain if there is no chance that the game would be declared null and void and have to be replayed. Fining the club,suspended or otherwise will hardly improve our promotion chances.

However if West Ham do complain, should we not back them up? This sort of behaviour surely has to be stamped out. Clubs are just making a mockery out of the situation. The Premier League Board on fining McCarthy also issued the following statement:

'In coming to this decision the board also wants to put clubs on notice that any future rule breach of this nature would be subject to a disciplinary commission that would have available a full range of sanctions.'

Perhaps it's time to once more test how much guts the PL Board actually have and see whether they would be prepared to come down stronger than they have in the recent past.

I suppose our fate is in our own hands and if we cant beat Pompey, Wolves and Blackburn at home we have little grounds to complain but even so this sort of thing still stinks in my opinion and is yet another case of 'Premier League? You are Having a Laff!'

[WhiteJC]

http://www.goal.com/en/news/166/europa-league/2010/03/30/1855995/fulham-can-beat-wolfsburg-reach-the-semi-finals-of-the
Fulham Can Beat Wolfsburg & Reach The Semi-Finals Of The Europa League - Aaron Hughes
Defender reckons Cottagers have to bounce back...
Fulham defender Aaron Hughes believes that his side can get the better of Wolfsburg over two legs and progress into the semi-finals of the Europa League.

The two sides will lock horns in the first meeting of the double-header at Craven Cottage on Thursday night.

Roy Hodgson's charges sensationally overturned a 3-1 defeat by Juventus in Turin to triumph 4-1 at home and book a place in the quarter-finals of Europe's second tier competition. But the going has been tough since the victory over the Serie A heavyweights, as the Cottagers have crashed to three consecutive domestic defeats after the shock victory.

"Obviously we were disappointed to have lost the game against Hull," Hughes told the club's official website.

"But what is done is done; we have to move on, as we have done this season. You have to move on quickly whether you win or lose, because there is always another game around the corner.

Despite being on the wrong end of results recently, the former Newcastle United defender believes that his side can become one of the last four teams in the competition at the conclusion of the second leg in Germany.

"We know a fair bit about the opposition, and started our preparation this week," said Hughes.

"We've been having a look at them, and a few things that we could possibly do. By Thursday we'll know pretty much all there is to know about them, and we'll address that accordingly.

"You get to this stage and you do start to think that anything can happen. Obviously it gets tougher the further you go, but we haven't got this far through luck – we're here on merit. We deserve our place in the quarter-final and we've made a lot of progress in this competition. It will be tough, but there is no reason why we can't go further."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/football-ealing/fulham-fc-ealing/2010/03/30/fulham-keeper-eyes-europa-league-glory-64767-26138880/
Fulham keeper eyes Europa League glory

FULHAM keeper Mark Schwarzer is desperate to go all the way in the Europa League to erase four years of heartache.

The Australian was a beaten finalist with Middlesbrough under the competition's former guise of the UEFA Cup against Seville in 2006.

But Schwarzer has got another shot at glory when the Whites take on Wolfsburg in the quarter-final first leg at Craven Cottage on Thursday night.

And he insists he won't let the opportunity slip out of his grasp.

He said: "It's always heartbreaking to lose a major final. It was an amazing accomplishment for Middlesbrough.

"We lost 4-0, but I don't think that was a fair reflection of how the match went.

"We were a goal down with 15 minutes left and pushed forward, and they hit us on the break.

"To have the opportunity to play in another final again would be unbelievable.

"The team's hungry to be successful and it's showed in our performances so far. I'd love to go all the way."

[WhiteJC]

http://hammyend.com/?p=6655
It's not just Fulham who struggle away from home
by Dan on March 30, 2010

Interesting stat from Opta:

23.7% – 09-10 has seen the lowest proportion of away wins in Premier League history, no other season has seen a rate lower than 25%. Green.

Points wise we haven't done too badly away from the Cottage this season. Set in a context of more home wins and teams playing much more cautiously, our points tally on the road doesn't seem quite so disastrous (especially when you consider those performances in Sofia, Basel and Donetsk).

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/March/GeraWolfsburgPreview.aspx
Hungry For Wolfsburg



Zoltan Gera was arguably the most unfortunate man on Humberside last Saturday when he had two goal bound efforts cleared off the line at the KC Stadium.

The Hungarian's disappointment was palpable as he discussed last weekend's defeat to Hull before turning his attention towards Thursday night's UEFA Europa League clash against Wolfsburg|.

"I was really disappointed, especially in the first half," said Gera on Tuesday afternoon. "I really wanted to score and had a couple of chances cleared off the line. I want to take my chances when they come my way and score, so it was disappointing.

"The next game is always the most important one but Thursday's match is a big one, not just us, but for the Club and the fans. It's already a big achievement to have reached the last eight of the UEFA Europa League but we're still hungry."

Fulham have been doing their homework on Wolfsburg in preparation for Thursday night's European contest and Gera is hoping for another electric atmosphere inside the Cottage when the players take to the pitch.

"Wolfsburg are a good attacking team that score a lot of goals. We need to be very careful against them because they have some top strikers and attacking midfielders. We need to defend well but they do concede so hopefully we can score some goals. It's very important to keep a clean sheet in these types of games.

"Hopefully we'll play well against Wolfsburg on Thursday night and the fans are a big plus for us at the Cottage and they help us a lot. Hopefully the crowd will produce the same atmosphere as we had against Juventus.

Gera is enjoying a season to remember at the Cottage and admits that after a frustrating campaign for him personally last year, the 2009/10 campaign is proving memorable.

"I'm very happy this season. It's been much better for me than last year, which was frustrating. I'm enjoying myself and it's good to be playing in the Team week-in, week-out. Now I have to make sure I stay in the Team."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.celticfc.net/news/stories/news_300310161432.aspx
kamara: i hope to remain at celtic
Mark Henderson
DIOMANSY KAMARA has hit out at reports in the media which suggested he wanted to leave Celtic.

The Senegalese striker, who joined on loan from Fulham until the end of the season in the January transfer window, had been an impressive performer for the Hoops, before suffering a hamstring injury while on international duty at the start of the month.

And, contrary to the comments from his former agent, Kamara insists still he is still thoroughly enjoying life at Celtic and would like to prolong his stay at the club.

"I read some wrong things in the newspaper when someone called Fabrizio Ferrari was talking in my name," he said. "But he was not talking for me at all.

"Leaving Celtic is not in my plan. This is a massive club that I have a lot of respect for. 

"I started well here and scored some goals. I am still playing with good players in a good team. I have been so impressed with the club and the supporters and I am still enjoying my time here. My only problem has been this injury

"I am sad that Tony Mowbray left as I have a lot of respect for him, but this is football.

"I hope to stay at Celtic as I have been so impressed by this club and I think we can do some good things in the future and I would like to be part of it."

Now Kamara is just eager to get back to full fitness and make a return to action in time for the climax of the season, which includes a Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden on April 10.

"My injury was one month ago and I feel much better now," he said. "I am hoping to come back to training next week for the cup semi-final as this is an important game, so I have this date focused in my mind so I can get fit in time for it.

"So I have been pushing hard to come back although I know I need to be careful with hamstrings as some players come back and then get injured again.  So I have been careful as I need to finish this season well with Celtic."

He added: "This is a big club with big expectations. But I love to play with big expectations on my shoulders and when you see 50-60,000 people at home games and the great away support, it's unbelievable.  So hopefully we can win the cup as well for the supporters." 

[Tom]

http://www.celticfc.net/news/stories/news_300310161432.aspx
kamara: i hope to remain at celtic
Mark Henderson
DIOMANSY KAMARA has hit out at reports in the media which suggested he wanted to leave Celtic.

The Senegalese striker, who joined on loan from Fulham until the end of the season in the January transfer window, had been an impressive performer for the Hoops, before suffering a hamstring injury while on international duty at the start of the month.

And, contrary to the comments from his former agent, Kamara insists still he is still thoroughly enjoying life at Celtic and would like to prolong his stay at the club.

"I read some wrong things in the newspaper when someone called Fabrizio Ferrari was talking in my name," he said. "But he was not talking for me at all.

"Leaving Celtic is not in my plan. This is a massive club that I have a lot of respect for. 

"I started well here and scored some goals. I am still playing with good players in a good team. I have been so impressed with the club and the supporters and I am still enjoying my time here. My only problem has been this injury

"I am sad that Tony Mowbray left as I have a lot of respect for him, but this is football.

"I hope to stay at Celtic as I have been so impressed by this club and I think we can do some good things in the future and I would like to be part of it."

Now Kamara is just eager to get back to full fitness and make a return to action in time for the climax of the season, which includes a Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden on April 10.

"My injury was one month ago and I feel much better now," he said. "I am hoping to come back to training next week for the cup semi-final as this is an important game, so I have this date focused in my mind so I can get fit in time for it.

"So I have been pushing hard to come back although I know I need to be careful with hamstrings as some players come back and then get injured again.  So I have been careful as I need to finish this season well with Celtic."

He added: "This is a big club with big expectations. But I love to play with big expectations on my shoulders and when you see 50-60,000 people at home games and the great away support, it's unbelievable.  So hopefully we can win the cup as well for the supporters." 

I hope Kamara stays at Celtic. We don't want him back.