Its A Disgrace!

[White Noise]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/darren-lewis/Why-neutrals-should-support-Fulham-s-Europa-League-charge-rather-than-snipe-about-the-weakened-side-they-put-out-against-Everton-The-Darren-Lewis-column-article407247.html

Why neutrals should support Fulham's euro charge rather than snipe about weakened sides


By Darren Lewis

Published 13:15 27/04/10


The lack of neutral support for Fulham's bid to reach the Europa League final is not only surprising, it's a disgrace.

Roy Hodgson's men have done magnificently this season. You all know the calibre of sides they have beaten – Roma, Juventus, holders Shakhtar Donetsk.

They have been on the go in the competition since July last year. Clocked up 19,000 travelling around the world and still managed to make a decent fist of it in the FA Cup, reaching the quarter-finals, and the League.

They did magnificently to hold their nerve in Hamburg last week to get a semi-final, first leg draw.

Now all they need to do it repeat the giant-killing heroics at Craven Cottage that have seen them claim a number of scalps – including Manchester United – at home this season.

And yet they put in their team-sheet at Everton last Sunday and people start moaning about the fact that they have made nine changes.

Er, what do they expect? It's the game between the two most important matches in the club's 131-year history.

Do they really expect Roy Hodgson to flog the living daylights out of his players by fielding an unchanged side?

It's ridiculous and a lack of respect for what Fulham are trying to do.

Liverpool fielded some of the players that had featured in their Europa League first-leg tie against Atletico Madrid but Rafa Benitez had no choice. European football is expected, no, demanded, on Merseyside every season and so he HAS to push for the three points at every possible opportunity.

In addition, despite the deficiencies in Liverpool's squad preventing them from challenging for the title or the Champions League, games against Burnley these days are more like a light workout than a full-throttle hammering.

It was different for Fulham against a tough-to-beat Everton side who – despite all of the Cottagers' changes – only managed to see off Hodgson's men courtesy of a late, late controversial penalty.

I for one hope Fulham go on to reach the Final. They deserve every bit of credit going for they have achieved already.

[Airfix]

It IS a disgrace.  When did we beat Roma?

[OtterFFC]

 :045:  My god someone with a little common sense.

[Jimpav]

It IS a disgrace.  When did we beat Roma?

I think I missed that one as well mate. Saw something similar in the Metro - one of the few occasions where they have dedicated more than two column inches to us!

[GoldCoastWhite]

Thank you Mr Lewis !  :047:  :045:

[Tom]

I read the title and that you were talking about that floppy hair, tosser muppet.

[epsomraver]

First good thing Lewis has ever written about Fulham, Token black on the mirror team, poor reporter,  never forgive him for his article about the crumbling  cottage with the stinking toilets, all he ever does at games is text his girlfriend, never watches the game,  disappears into the press room then copies other reporters text, as you can tell I now him well and despise him as a reporter, rant over

[The Equalizer]

There seems to be a growing number of small furry animals on here. Is there a Richard Gere Fan Club in the making?