Saturday Fulham Stuff (22/09/12)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol admits key role in Berba deal
Fulham boss says he 'maybe' convinced striker to sign


Dimitar Berbatov: Already 'biggest' player at Fulham

Martin Jol admits he did play a major part in Dimitar Berbatov's decision to join Fulham.

The Dutchman signed the Bulgarian for the second time in his career when he landed him from Manchester United on deadline day.

But he already had experience of working with Berbatov, having snapped him up in 2006 when he was manager of Tottenham.

"He had other options at that time and he still made that decision to come to us, to me, to Tottenham," Jol said.

"So I think that is the sort of relationship I've got with him because there was probably even a bigger club then coming in for him and he still wanted to come to Spurs.

"But we shouldn't stretch our imagination and I think Berbatov could have gone to Italy. He was on the fringe of going to an Italian club.

"Then I spoke to him and maybe that convinced him. If he plays well like he did the other day, there will always be a good relationship."

Big

Jol admits that despite only just joining the club, Berbatov is the 'biggest' player in the squad.

"The big difference for him is that he knows, if he is fit, then he will play a lot of games," said Jol.

"He's an important part of our set-up, of course. He's probably our biggest player.

"At Man United, which of course is a bigger club, it was maybe different in the last year or so, but don't forget that Dimitar was the top scorer wherever he played.

"In Germany for Leverkusen, he was top scorer. He did the same at Spurs. He was ahead of all the other players, like Robbie Keane, (Jermain) Defoe.

"Then he went to Man United. He was their top scorer and, of course, they trusted him over there because he was their top scorer.

"If you sign someone, you trust him. Otherwise, you'd better leave it.

"So I think all these managers who signed him, they trusted him. I don't see any difference."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8097896/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham continue Hangeland talks
Norwegian yet to finalise new deal


Brede Hangeland: In talks over new deal

Fulham boss Martin Jol says the club will continue talking to Brede Hangeland over a new deal.

The 31-year-old Norwegian stopper is out of contract at the end of the season, but a new deal does not appear close.

His agent stated in August that they were not near to a deal and Jol admits that nothing appears on the brink of conclusion with Hangeland - who has excelled since joining in 2008.

"That will take a bit longer because we don't talk to him every day but there will be another appointment as we try to keep him here for the long term," he told the Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle.

"If that is not possible then we will try to keep him for the next two years."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8097941/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Spurs enter race for Fulham target



Tottenham have joined Fulham in the race to sign Dieumerci Mbokani, according to the player's representative.

However, Serie A champions Juventus are currently the front-runners for the Anderlecht man's signature.

talkSPORT revealed on Thursday that Mbokani, the DR Congo international, is receptive to a move to Turin, and his agent Fabio Baglio believes he could be on the move to Italy - although he also feels that Tottenham could be an option for the 26-year-old.

Speaking to Italian news site Violanews.com, he said: "Of all the clubs, Juventus is the most practical option. It is not a new thing, because they have already followed Dieu when he played for Standard Liege.

"There have been contacts between Anderlecht and Juventus and last week I was in Turin. A sale in January? You never know.

"There are many candidates, like Fiorentina, who are building a new team, and in England Tottenham are the most attractive option."

Fulham were thought to have attempted to lure Mbokani to Craven Cottage last year, but Anderlecht were unwilling to sanction his sale.



Read more at http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/120921/spurs-enter-race-fulham-target-181484?#qJGXVjqY8jrCRcAP.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Midfielder Shock
   
International football may have robbed us of one of our midfield stars.

Reports suggest that Mahamadou Diarra could be facing a spell on the sidelines, a spell that could see him miss a large, if not, all of the season.

The thirty-one year old Mali international appears to have picked up a knee injury in the recent international with Botwana with Martin Jol commenting,

"There`s a piece of cartilage floating so we have to operate. That can be three of four weeks."

"But if there is damage to his cruciate it will take four, five months."

The injury could force Jol to look for another signing although having to stay within the restrictions operating in a closed transfer window would bring with Jol further adding,

"We are still looking. Maybe there is another Diarra in the market because sometimes you can do something outside the transfer window."

With Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu having left Craven Cottage, our midfield resources are looking a little light!



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=294067#ixzz27AvyCmEn

[WhiteJC]

 
Wigan v Fulham Preview
   
It`s back on the road this weekend as Fulham travel to the DW Stadium to take on a Wigan side managed by Roberto Martinez. Most Fulham supporters will be viewing this as a fixture we should take three points from but then again our form on the road isn`t much to write home about and hasn`t been for several seasons!

Vital Quotes:
Going into the game it looks as if Martin Jol could be forced to look for an out of contract replacement for the injured Diarra with the Mali international looking at a long spell on the sidelines with Jol remarking,

"There`s a piece of cartilage floating so we have to operate. That can be three of four weeks."

"But if there is damage to his cruciate it will take four, five months."

Let`s hope that`s the only piece of bad news we`re going to have to contend with this weekend.

Wigan Team News:
Roberto Martinez is in the fortunate position of only having one injury concern to worry about, that of Antolin Alcaraz who missed the last game with a groin problem.

Player to watch: Aruna Kone
An Ivorian striker who is looking to fill the slot vacated by Hugo Rodallega moving to Craven Cottage.

Fulham Team News:
Martin Jol has several players who will not be available for this fixture. Mahamadou Diarra is set for a long spell on the side-lines with a knee injury whilst our summer signing Kieran Richardson is also out, along with Kasim Frei.

Phillipe Senderos is fit again but match fitness is something that will keep him out of contention this time around.

Player to watch: Dimitar Berbatov
Those that make the trip to the DW Stadium will be hoping that the Bulgarian will be taking his shooting boots and treating us to a performance of similar quality to that of last week.

Match Facts & Stats
Fulham have the upper hand in recent meetings winning 5 and drawing 6 of the last 11 fixtures.

Last season was a rare success on the road for Fulham at the DW Stadium with the team winning 2-0 thereby ending a run of five draws on the trot against Wigan on their patch.

Ref Watch:
Our match officials are L. Probert (referee), D. Cann (assistant), M. Wilkes (assistant) and P. Down (fourth official)

Match Prediction:
Our poor form on the road has to improve somewhere, but will that be at Wigan? I`d like to hope so but Wigan are a much improved outfit in recent times and I`d, if I were to be honest, be grateful for a point.

Next Fixtures:
Next time out, in the Premier League, we take on Manchester City, at Craven Cottage.



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchprere.asp?a=294068#ixzz27AwBjrCG

[WhiteJC]

 
Wigan vs Fulham - Match preview and team news

On the face of it, a clash between a side that has failed to win at home this season against a side that has lost both their matches on the road so far does not promise much in terms of entertainment. However, Wigan v Fulham promises to be a game full of attacking, exciting football with both teams committed to cavalier styles under Roberto Martinez and Martin Jol respectively.



Wigan have shown signs of promising form thus far, with a victory at Southampton and a good performance up until half time at Old Trafford before Manchester United found their stride in the second half. However, Martinez and their fans will know that if Wigan are to avoid getting sucked into their yearly date with a relegation battle then they must achieve more victories at the DW Stadium and against a Fulham side who are notoriously poor travellers, Saturday afternoon's game presents a good opportunity.

Wigan are set to be unchanged from their defeat at Old Trafford last week, with defender Antolin Alcaraz, who missed that game with a groin injury picked on international duty with Paraguay their only injury worry.

Fulham will have been pleased to have got back to winning ways last week after a wobble that saw them defeated twice in the league, exit the Capital One Cap at the hands of lower league opposition and deal with the losses of Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey.

However, new signing Dimitar Berbatov began to repay manager Martin Jol's faith in him by scoring twice in the Cottagers' 3-0 win over West Brom last week and he is set to continue up front. Elsewhere, Fulham welcome back Bryan Ruiz and Mladen Petric who both missed the victory over the Baggies. However, this week Jol has been hit by the news that midfield Mahamdou Diarra could miss the majority of the season with a knee injury and he knows Kieran Richardson, Kerim Frei and Phillipe Senderos on the treatment table.



http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_1_16802_wigan-vs-fulham-match-preview-and-team-news.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Wigan Athletic v Fulham: Squad sheets

Wigan, with four points from four games, will be pleased to be back at the DW Stadium after a 4-0 savaging at Old Trafford. They hope to have Antolín Alcaraz resuming defensive duties alongside Gary Caldwell and Iván Ramis, with Emmerson Boyce dropping to the bench. After two classy goals on his home debut, Dimitar Berbatov will lead the line once more for Fulham. In support of him, Hugo Rodallega will hope for a chance to face his former club but Mladen Petric and Bryan Ruiz are back in contention after overcoming niggles. Midfielder Mahamadou Diarra could be out for the season depending on the severity of his knee injury. Sean Cole

Venue DW Stadium, Saturday 3pm

Tickets £20-22 (0871 66 33 552)

Last season Wigan 0 Fulham 2

Referee Lee Probert

This season's matches 2 Y9, R0, 4.50 cards per game

Odds Wigan 6-4 Fulham 15-8 Draw 7-5


Wigan Athletic v Fulham: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light.
Illustration: Graphic

Wigan

Subs from Pollitt, Miyaichi, Crusat, Watson, McManaman, Jones, Boselli, Fyvie, Stam, López, Kiernan, Gómez

Doubtful Alcaraz (groin)

Injured None

Suspended None

Form guide LDWL

Disciplinary record Y5 R0

Leading scorer Di Santo 2

Fulham

Subs from Etheridge, Somogyi, Stockdale, Kasami, Ruiz, Karagounis, Briggs, Davies, Rodallega, Dejagah, Na Banga, Trotta

Doubtful Davies (hip), Dejagah (match fitness)

Injured Frei (pelvis, 29 Sep), Richardson (hip, 29 Sep), Senderos (ankle, 7 Oct), Diarra (knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide WLLW

Disciplinary record Y1 R0

Leading scorers Berbatov, Duff, Petric, Sidwell 2

Match pointers

• Wigan have failed to win any of their past 11 league games with Fulham, drawing six times and losing five

• Hugo Rodallega has scored just two goals in his last 23 appearances in the top flight

• Wigan have scored only eight times from a total of 14 Premier League meetings with Fulham, and never more than once in a single game

• Fulham have not drawn an away league game in 2012, winning three and losing eight

• Since the start of last season, Wigan have conceded more penalties (11) than any other side in the division



http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/sep/21/wigan-athletic-fulham-squad-sheets?

[WhiteJC]

 
Odds On Berbatov

Fulham face Wigan Athletic on Saturday afternoon and Fulham's official betting partner, Bet Butler, is offering a comprehensive range of odds ahead of the game.

After scoring a brace on his home debut for Fulham last weekend, Dimitar Berbatov is amongst the favourites to notch the opening goal of the game on Saturday, with Bet Butler offering odds of 7/1 for the Bulgarian forward to strike first against the Latics.

After claiming all three points at the DW Stadium last October, Bet Butler has placed odds of 17/1 on Fulham achieving another 2-0 win against Roberto Martinez' side in the North West this season.

A Fulham win is rated at 9/4, whilst a draw is listed at 12/5.  Find out all the latest odds from Fulham's official betting partner ahead of Saturday's game by visiting Bet Butler.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/21/bet-butler?

[WhiteJC]

 
WIGAN V FULHAM: TOP 10 PREMATCH FACTS

Wigan were resoundingly beaten 4-0 by a clinical Manchester Utd last time out. Although there can be little doubt about who was the better side on the day, there was plenty for Roberto Martinez's side to take away from the match as they initially stifled Utd in the opening phases and actually spurned several chances themselves with Ivan Ramis and Arouna Kone coming close in the first half

- Gary Caldwell is the highest ranked defender on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for fouls this season with 8. Only Manchester Utd's Michael Carrick covered more ground than James McArthur last weekend who ran for a solid 6.24 miles for Roberto Martinez's side.

- Despite conceding four goals against Man Utd, defensively speaking, Wigan have been relatively impressive at the back this season according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. They have two players in the top five for tackle's won, with James McCarthy and Ivan Ramis recording 13 successful challenges each.

-Although he and his defensive colleagues were unable to stop the goals flying in against Man Utd, Maynor Figueroa still managed to be the paciest player on the pitch after he was clocked at 20.67mph.

- Ramis has been consistently achieving good things at the back for Wigan this season. His 87% tackle success rate from 15 challenges and 26 interceptions mark him out amongst the Wigan back four.

- Dimitar Berbatov's home debut will be etched in the memory of many Fulham supporters as two fine goals from the Bulgarian front man ensured victory for Martin Jol's side. Steve Sidwell wrapped up a comprehensive 3-0 win over West Brom with a late goal, with Alex Kacaniklic also impressing down the flank.

- Kacaniklic certainly put in the yards against West Brom after he ran for 5.7 miles, with only Steve Sidwell ahead of him in the distance stakes for Fulham.

- At 33 years of age, midfielder Damien Duff continues to be a key part of the Fulham midfield. He's successfully completed 104 passes the opponent's half this season, more than any other member of the Fulham squad.

- Martin Jol will have been pleased with the performance of Sascha Riether last weekend. The German's 9 crosses was more than any other Premier League player in the last round.

- Mahamadou Diarra has become a central part of Fulham's midfield following his arrival from Monaco. He's received the ball 259 times this season, more than any other Fulham player.



Read more at http://www.footballtransfertavern.com/2012/09/premiership/wigan-v-fulham-top-10-prematch-facts-2?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TransferTavern+%28The+Transfer+Tavern+Home+Page%29#irLOvDoABEah4Ztb.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Perfect opportunity to end the blues - Wigan (a) preview

And so the quest does continue. That infamous and special breed - the first away victory. Last time out, it came at Wigan Athletic, with a drab, tepid display rewarded with two goals and a clean sheet. I think most would take that again, given our last away outing was a particularly damning 3-0 defeat at West Ham United.

If form is anything to go by, you would expect this encounter to fall somewhere between that 3-0 defeat and our 5-0 opening day win against Norwich City - it will be both adventurous but, probably, at moments, frustrating. This is because, it seems, no matter who the opposition, there is some sort of mental block in the Fulham works that restricts aptitude outside of SW6.



Wigan, though, who we meet on Saturday, present a good opportunity for Martin Jol. They play a distinct brand of attacking football that, while being pleasant to watch, by no means ensures defensive solidity. Such problems have led to many relegation concerns over the past few seasons but, to the Latics' credit - and to Roberto Martinez too - they have avoided demotion with displays of doggedness and, in the same breath, attractive play.

Jol will be keen to exploit the frailties that have become evident but the home side have a had a respectable start to the campaign. They're 14th in the table with 4 points, having defeated Southampton and drawing with Stoke City. Their last outing, however, left a more sour taste after being trounced 4-0 by Manchester United.

Fulham travel as a slightly more upbeat party after putting an end to a run of three consecutive competitive defeat in all competitions. Dimitar Berbatov was hugely influential as Steve Clarke's West Bromwich Albion were beaten 3-0.

As mentioned, goals from Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele gave Fulham a 2-0 win in the same fixture last season, while, in the Craven Cottage tie, Pavel Pogrebnyak and Philippe Senderos helped Fulham to a 2-1 victory.

Antolin Alcaraz is the only fitness concern for Roberto Martinez, as the defender is carrying a groin injury.

Bryan Ruiz and Mladen Petric will gratefully return to the fray, with Jol set to make a decision on whether to start with Wigan old boy Hugo Rodallega or to revert back to the pre-injury eleven that included Ruiz in the role behind the striker. Mahamadou Diarra, still to hear on the severity of his knee complaint, will miss out and so to will Kieran Richardson, Kerim Frei and Philippe Senderos.

Potential line-up:





http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2012/9/21/3369100/perfect-opportunity-to-end-the-blues-wigan-a-preview?

[WhiteJC]

 
HUGO RODALLEGA IS FREE TO RETURN TO WIGAN

WIGAN manager Roberto Martinez welcomes contract rebel Hugo Rodallega back to the DW Stadium for the first time since the striker quit for Fulham on a free in the summer.

Like Mohamed Diame – who joined West Ham on a free – Colombian forward Rodallega, 27, ran down his contract to leave the Latics on a Bosman.

Martinez said: "Hugo made his mind up a long time ago that he wanted to respect his contract but then move on. He needed a new challenge. Momo Diame was in a similar position. After a while you need a fresh challenge."

Fulham manager Martin Jol said he had not expected Mousa Dembele to join Tottenham but backed Dimitar Berbatov to stick around for a while.

Jol said: "Dembele left three days before the transfer window closed so that is why we got Dimitar.

"I don't think Dimitar will leave us in the next six months."


http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/347546?

[WhiteJC]

 
FULHAM BOSS MARTIN JOL'S COTT FAITH IN DIMITAR BERBATOV

FULHAM boss Martin Jol shrugged off the loss of his two top stars and insisted: Dimitar Berbatov is here to stay.

Jol admits he was devastated to lose Mousa Dembele to Tottenham despite the Belgian hinting he might stay at Craven Cottage for another season.

Fulham also sold influential striker Clint Dempsey to Spurs on deadline day.

Berbatov scored twice on his home debut in last Saturday's 3-0 win over West Brom after signing from Manchester United.

And Jol now believes the Bulgarian can make up for the exit of the big two.

The Dutchman said: "A couple of months ago I read that Dembele said, 'Maybe I owe it to the manager to stay for another year'.

"Then he left three days before the transfer window closed so that is why we got Dimitar. I don't think Dimitar will leave us in the next six months.

"Dembele was my best player on the ball and Dempsey was my top scorer.

"We had to come up with something and we did it against West Brom thanks to Berbatov and we did it two weeks before with Mladen Petric.

"I am very happy that we have that sort of quality up front but in midfield we have lost Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu so that was a big disappointment."

Former Real Madrid man Mahamadou Diarra faces an anxious wait to find out if he will miss most of the season with a knee injury.

That means defender Chris Baird will continue in midfield for today's trip to Wigan.

Jol added: "It's not great to have lost six players including Diarra now.

"But I think we'll just manage."

Croatian hitman Petric and Costa Rican Bryan Ruiz are back in the squad after lay-offs and striker Hugo Rodallega is in contention to face his old club.



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/273431/Fulham-boss-Martin-Jol-s-Cott-faith-in-Dimitar-Berbatov/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Midfield duo ready to fill Fulham void

CHRIS Baird and Steve Sidwell have admitted this season is their best chance of cementing places in Fulham's first team.

The mass exodus in the middle of the park that saw Danny Murphy, Dickson Etuhu, Clint Dempsey and Mousa Dembele depart over the summer left Baird and Sidwell as pair last men standing in Saturday's 3-0 win over West Brom – and both grabbed the opportunity by the scruff of the neck.

Sidwell banged the final nail into Albion's coffin for the 3-0 win, and Baird enjoyed a commanding display in the centre as Whites returned to winning ways.

Waiting in the wings is the injured Kieran Richardson, Mahamadou Diarra and new recruit Giorgos Karagounis – but the combined age of the last two is a hefty 66, and that alone offers plenty of reasons for Baird and Sidders to lick their lips.

"It's my second start this season – and I thought I did all right in the midfield to be fair to myself," said Baird.

"I'm happy here at Fulham, and every opportunity I get I will show the manager I can play in that position – and I don't think I did my chances any harm after this match."

Sidwell likewise reckons he can keep Karagounis and co warming the bench for a little while longer.

"When I came here under Mark Hughes I got thrown straight in and played every game up until my injury," he said.

"My foot was in the door then – and obviously I've got another chance with Clint and Mousa going.

"Now it's down to me to make that count."


http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2012/09/21/82029-31878661/?

[WhiteJC]

 
LAWRO'S PREDICTION


Both of these sides try to play football, but they are both also horribly inconsistent.

Fulham were competitive in defeat against Manchester United but then were rolled over very easily at West Ham.

After how well he played against West Brom last week, it will be interesting to see how Dimitar Berbatov performs away from home too.

Wigan take inconsistency to a different level, however. They are still the most difficult team to predict because their inconsistency comes during games, let alone from match-to-match.

Wigan were thumped by United last weekend but this is a game they really have to look to win, at home and against a mid-table team.

Prediction: 2-1


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19661629

[WhiteJC]

 
Striking Options

Martin Jol welcomes two of his most attacking weapons back to the matchday squad for the trip to Wigan Athletic on Saturday (3pm) as both Bryan Ruiz and Mladen Petric return from injury.

"The biggest problem we had last week is now, hopefully, better," he explained. "Ruiz and Petric are back.

"Against West Bromwich Albion, Dimitar Berbatov showed me that he can play in a different role, behind Hugo Rodallega for example. Necessity is the mother of invention so it was a challenge last week but I think it gave me a few answers. I think we will manage.

"There was a lot of optimism after the game with Chris Baird so hopefully he can maintain that sort of form. He's capable of playing in that position.

"Up front, of course we've got the quality but in midfield we lost five players, plus Mahamadou Diarra now, so we have to work hard and we have to try to do something on the training pitch to prepare well, maybe even better than before.

"We are still looking, maybe there is another Diarra in the market because sometimes you could do something outside of the transfer window."

The Whites go into the game at the DW Stadium still looking for a first away win of the season, and Jol admitted it is an area he is looking to address.

"We know we have to improve on our away form," our Manager said. "We won four times away from home last season so if we can get five or six [away wins] – and that is not a big difference – then we will be in the top seven or the top eight.

"But my team is different now – we have to build again. Hopefully we can do that with the likes of Petric and Berbatov. Hopefully Berbatov can come up with something, and even Steve Sidwell, who didn't score a lot of goals, has scored two goals in the last couple of weeks.

"Hopefully he can do the same as he did when I started to know him at Reading. He was always likely to score six or seven goals – he was a real box-to-box player. So the goals have to come from other areas as you have to score at least 50 goals to do well in this league."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/22/striking-options?

[WhiteJC]

 
WIGAN v FULHAM: BIG MATCH STATS AND FACTS

Wigan have won none of their last 11 Premier League games against Fulham (W0 D6 L5).

The Latics have only scored eight goals in 14 Premier League meetings with Fulham and never more than once in a game.

Hugo Rodallega scored 24 goals in 112 Premier League appearances for Wigan before signing for Fulham this summer, but netted just two in 23 games last season.

Wigan have lost just one of their last seven Premier League home games (W4 D2 L1).

Fulham haven't drawn a Premier League away game in 2012, winning three and losing eight.

Martin Jol has seen his side score just 14 goals in 21 Premier League away games during his reign.

Fulham have hit the target with 71% of their attempts at goal, a higher percentage than any other team in the top division.

The Whites have fired in more shots on target than any other team in the Premier League (34).

All six of the goals Fulham have conceded have been shipped before half-time.

Since the start of last season, Wigan have conceded more penalties than any other Premier League side (11).



http://www.sportingpreview.com/football2012/2012747.php?

[WhiteJC]

 
Wigan ready for Rodallega return
Wigan will welcome back a familiar face when Fulham head to the DW Stadium for Saturday's Premier League clash.

Striker Hugo Rodallega left the Latics in the summer after refusing to sign a new contract before joining Martin Jol's men in July.

The manner of the Colombian's departure from Wigan means he is likely to be in for a hot reception from the home fans, but Martinez believes Rodallega will go down in history as one of the club's favourite sons.

Rodallega's tally of 24 goals makes him Wigan's all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League, while his winner against Stoke in the final game of the 2010-11 season kept the club in the top flight.

Martinez said: "We know Hugo really well. It's one of those situations where I'm sure when Hugo retires everyone will have incredible memories of his past at Wigan Athletic and I'm sure he'll have a really soft spot for his time at Wigan.

"I think it was a really special relationship. Now he's moved on, he's got a different challenge, we've moved on, and when you play against each other you both fight for your own aims.

"But Hugo's past will always be remembered and I'm sure every fan will have a special moment."

Wigan will look to bounce back from last weekend's 4-0 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford with their first home win of the season.

Fulham traditionally struggle on their travels and have lost both their away games so far this season, narrowly against Manchester United and then disappointingly to West Ham.

Martinez said: "They're very strong at home, arguably the best team in the league playing at home at the moment.

"Away from home they've had a mixture but their game at Old Trafford was a game they finished really strongly and maybe they should have got something out of it.

"They have a really strong group of players that have been there for a long time and they have a really important know how about their football club. And the new players have settled in quickly so I think it's a very well-balanced side.

"Every time we've played Fulham they've always been really difficult games, very close, and they come down to small details, so I expect more of the same on Saturday."

Fulham were impressive winners last weekend, beating in-form West Brom 3-0 with two goals from Dimitar Berbatov, a summer arrival from Manchester United and someone Martinez knows his side will need to be wary of.

"He has tremendous experience and is a player who brings that big-club knowledge into a squad, and that's always important," said the Latics boss. "He looks hungry, he looks fresh and that's always a real threat. We'll have to be very aware of that."

When Fulham last visited the DW Stadium 13 months ago, Wigan were in the middle of a sorry run that saw them lose nine matches in a row.

Their home form looked set to condemn them to relegation, with Martinez's side failing to win a match at the DW Stadium between August and the end of March before a brilliant finish helped them secure a remarkable escape for the second successive season.

The Spaniard is well aware of the need to do better on home soil this time if they are to avoid the same scenario but, after a loss to Chelsea and a draw with Stoke so far, he is not in too much of a hurry.

Martinez said: "The way we finished last season was very strong and we were very consistent over the last third of the season. Of course we need to get wins and positive results but how we're going to get them is more important to me at this stage.

"We really looked forward to coming back to the DW Stadium and we've had two very different games so far. Fulham is going to be something different, too. That's what this league brings you and we need to be ready."

Wigan's only injury doubt is centre-back Antolin Alcaraz, who continues to recover from a groin strain picked up on international duty and will have a late fitness test.



http://www.football365.com/wigan-athletic/8097502/-?