Thursday Fulham Stuff (06/05/10)

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http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/football-ealing/fulham-fc-ealing/2010/05/06/duff-joins-zamora-as-doubt-for-fulham-s-europa-league-final-82029-26386963/
Duff joins Zamora as doubt for Fulham's Europa League final

DAMIEN Duff has joined Bobby Zamora in a fitness battle ahead of Fulham's Europa league final next week after picking up a recurrence of a calf injury.

The Irishman was taken off at half-time during the Whites 1-0 defeat to Stoke on Wednesday night, with Roy Hodgson waiting to hear the extent of the damage.

Duff's injury provides new concerns for the Fulham boss, who's already sweating on the fitness of Zamora ahead of the clash with Atletico Madrid in seven days time.

"He took a kick a while ago" Hodgson said. "We think it might be cramping up one of his muscles, we hope it's not too serious.

"They don't think it's a muscle tear or anything like that. We'll have to wait and see how he recovers on Friday."

Duff is almost certain to join Zamora in missing Sunday's trip to Arsenal, with Hodgson set to rest his stars in their final Premier League game of the season.

"He's [Zamora] not making vast progress, so it could be touch and go," added Hodgson.

"Obviously the priority is the cup final, there's no question about that.

"If there is any player that the medical department think needs a rest, then we won't take risk with them."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.teamtalk.com/fulham/6136102/Cottagers-boss-faces-injury-worries
Cottagers boss faces injury worries

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is facing a potential injury crisis for next week's Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.

Damien Duff was withdrawn at half-time during Wednesday night's shock 1-0 defeat to Stoke with a leg muscle injury.

The Cottagers will monitor the influential winger over the next few days while Hodgson revealed Bobby Zamora, who was left out of tonight's squad due to an Achilles injury, is "touch and go" to make the final in Hamburg.

"Duff was taken off at half time because he took a kick a while ago and we think one of his muscles was cramping up," said Hodgson.

"That was a blow of course. We hope it's not too serious.

"I hope he'll be fit for the final. There's a week to go now. The medical staff don't think it's a muscle tear or anything like that.

"They think that it's something to do with a kick he took a while ago which is switching off the muscle.

"Bobby stands a chance of making it but he's not making vast amounts of progress on a daily basis so it could be touch and go."

Fulham suffered only their fifth league home defeat of the season thanks to Matthew Etherington's 82nd-minute strike.

The Stoke winger's goal came after Ricardo Fuller's cross skimmed off substitute Tuncay to fall in front of the former West Ham player, who beat Mark Schwarzer off the woodwork from 15 yards.

Hodgson criticised referee Peter Walton after he allowed the goal to stand despite replays showing the cross flicked off Tuncay's arm.

"It's very disappointing to lose, especially seeing as the evidence showed it was handball which deflected the ball over for the goal," he continued.

"When you consider the few chances we conceded it was very harsh to lose 1-0.

"It was an easy night for the referee. He didn't have much to do but it's the big decisions that count.

"We'll have to accept it though, that's the way things go. I'm sure it was a genuine error.

"The Stoke player admitted to Aaron Hughes it was handball apparently but we'll pick ourselves up for next week now."

Hodgson admitted next week's tie, the club's biggest in their 131-year history, could have affected his side's below-par performance in what was their last home game of the season.

"We haven't changed anything in terms of preparation but that's not to say that it won't be in their minds," Hodgson continued.

"I'm sure with some of the challenges that were flying around that they might be thinking about injuries."

The win capped an eventful fortnight for Tony Pulis, who has seen his side bounce back from a 7-0 hammering at Chelsea with a draw at Everton and tonight's win at Craven Cottage.

"Roy picked his best side tonight but we showed great resilience and spirit," said the Stoke boss.

"I think it's been a great response from the players.

"We got beaten 7-0 at Chelsea two games ago and we have played a top team in Everton midweek and we have won here tonight.

"We have had two clean sheets now so that shows our spirit of togetherness."

The win puts the Potters on 47 points ahead of their final game of the season against Manchester United.

The points total is two more than they achieved in the whole of last season, which was their first in the Barclays Premier League.

"We're only the second club to have beaten their points tally in their second season so so much for second-season syndrome," said Pulis.

"That's a fantastic achievement for everyone at the club."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/hodgson-hopeful-of-duff-recovery-2166751.html
Hodgson hopeful of Duff recovery

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson hopes the injury which Damien Duff sustained during Wednesday night's 1-0 defeat to Stoke will not rule him out of next week's Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.

Duff hobbled off at half-time during the Barclays Premier League defeat with a leg muscle injury. The winger has been an integral part of the Cottagers' European campaign, which has seen them brush aside the likes of Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk and Wolfsburg to reach Wednesday's final in Hamburg.

"Duff was taken off at half time because he took a kick a while ago and we think one of his muscles was cramping up," said Hodgson. "That was a blow of course. We hope it's not too serious. I hope he'll be fit for the final."

The Republic of Ireland midfielder did emerge after the final whistle to take part in a lap of appreciation for the Fulham fans following the club's last home game of the season.

He will now be monitored by the club's medical staff, who are already working overtime to make sure that top goalscorer Bobby Zamora is fit for Wednesday's final.

Hodgson added: "There's a week to go now. The medical staff don't think it's a muscle tear or anything like that. They think that it's something to do with a kick he took a while ago which is switching off the muscle."

Zamora's physical presence was sorely missed by Fulham's attack on Wednesday night as Hodgson's team slid to their fifth home defeat of the season with a sub-par performance.

The former Spurs striker has scored 19 times this season, including eight in Fulham's European campaign.

Hodgson revealed that the 29-year-old is struggling to overcome the Achilles injury which has kept him out of the Cottagers' last two matches.

Hodgson said: "Bobby stands a chance of making it but he's not making vast amounts of progress on a daily basis so it could be touch and go."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/824775-simon-kjaer-joins-hangeland-and-cahill-on-arsenal-transfer-hitlist
Simon Kjaer on Arsenal transfer hitlist, joining Fulham's Brede Hangeland and Bolton's Gary Cahill
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants to sign another centre-back this summer – with Palermo's Simon Kjaer top of his hitlist.

The Gunners boss has yet to resolve contract issues with defenders William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre and Sol Campbell.

And Wenger is eager to add to his defensive options but admits pulling off another coup like last summer's purchase of Belgium centre-half Thomas Vermaelen will not be easy.

'It is not any more as it was 15 or 20 years ago. It is more about shrewd buying now in taking a gamble than in discovering somebody,' he admitted.


Kjaer, 21, is valued at £11million by his Italian club Palermo and the Dane is among a number of defenders who have been linked with Arsenal, including Bolton's Gary Cahill and Fulham's Brede Hangelaand.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7684438/Fulhams-Damien-Duff-injury-concern-for-Europa-League-final-against-Atletico-Madrid.html
Fulham's Damien Duff injury concern for Europa League final against Atletico Madrid
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson hopes the injury which Damien Duff picked up during Wednesday night's defeat against Stoke will not rule him out of next week's Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.

Duff hobbled off at half-time during the Premier League defeat with a leg muscle injury.

The winger has been an integral part of Fulham's European campaign, which has seen them brush aside the likes of Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk and Wolfsburg to reach Wednesday's final in Hamburg.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder did emerge after the final whistle to take part in a lap of appreciation for the Fulham fans following the club's last home game of the season.

He will now be monitored by the club's medical staff, who are already working overtime to make sure that top goalscorer Bobby Zamora is fit for Wednesday's final.

"Duff was taken off at half time because he took a kick a while ago and we think one of his muscles was cramping up," said Hodgson.

"That was a blow of course. We hope it's not too serious.

"I hope he'll be fit for the final. There's a week to go now. The medical staff don't think it's a muscle tear or anything like that.

"They think that it's something to do with a kick he took a while ago which is switching off the muscle."

Zamora's physical presence was sorely missed by Fulham's attack last night as Hodgson's team slid to their fifth home defeat of the season with a sub-par performance.

The former Spurs striker has scored 19 times this season, including eight in Fulham's European campaign.

Hodgson revealed that the 29 year-old is struggling to overcome the Achilles injury which has kept him out of Fulham's last two matches.

Hodgson said: "Bobby stands a chance of making it but he's not making vast amounts of progress on a daily basis so it could be touch and go."

Matthew Etherington's 82nd-minute strike puts Stoke on 47 points - two more than the total they amassed during their last campaign.

"We're only the second club to have beaten their points tally in their second season so so much for second-season syndrome," said Stoke manager Tony Pulis.

"That's a fantastic achievement for everyone at the club."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.whydelilah.co.uk/news/06_May_2010/Potters+get+a+helping+hand+on+way+to+beating+Fulham.html
Potters get a helping hand on way to beating Fulham

STOKE'S winner at Fulham enjoyed a helping hand from Tuncay and should never have been allowed.

That was the honest verdict of match-winner Matthew Etherington after revealing Tuncay's post-match confessional in the Stoke dressing room.

But such revelations were drowned out in the changing room as manager Tony Pulis cracked open the bubbly to celebrate beating last season's haul of 45 points.

"The manager is absolutely chuffed to bits – I've never seen him so happy." said Etherington. "It's the most pleased he's been all season.

"He's over the moon and says we're only the second team in 15 years to beat our points total in the second season in the Premier League.

"Apart from Chelsea, which was one of the worst footballing days of my life, we've done well this season.

"I never felt so bad after a game of football and it was with me for days after."

Etherington struck in the 83rd minute at Craven Cottage to secure a fourth away win of the season and a third in the capital.

"It came to me lovely," Etherington recalled. "Tunny says it came off his hand, so we've had a bit of luck there.

"It came quick and I thought 'hit it'. I caught it sweetly and it's gone in off the post.

"It's been a great week for me and I have to thank the fans and the players for those awards," added City's player-of-the-year. "But as we've seen here, it's not about individuals, it's about the team.

"Obviously I'm delighted to get the winner but I thought it was a good, solid performance. We were back to our best after Chelsea.

"I thought our defence was immense, so strong and physical. We knew they would pass it around, and the manager drilled us right to keep play condensed."

Meanwhile, Etherington repeated his desire to sign a new contract extension, despite recent talks stalling between player and club.

"I'm not asking for the world, I just want to be on a par level with the top earners at the club," he said, "but for some reason, they (the club) don't want to do that.

"But I want to stay. The fans are so passionate they make you want to play for them.

"I know players always say that, but I really do mean it."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6136274,00.html
Prem trio eye Cameroon ace
Red Bull ace in English link


Blackburn, Fulham and Wolves are battling it out for Cameroon star Somen Tchoyi, skysports.com understands.

Tchoyi has caught the eye of a number of clubs after impressing with Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.

The 27-year-old has established himself as one of Salzburg's key performers and the club are keen to tie him down to a new long-term contract as he just one-year to run on his current deal.

Tchoyi has shown he has got an eye for goal from midfield and his speed and athleticism make him an attractive proposition to a number of teams.

Premier League trio Blackburn, Fulham and Wolves are understood to have scouted Tchoyi on several occasions this season and are ready to firm up their interest with moves in the summer.

Tchoyi is expected to feature for Cameroon at this summer's World Cup finals and if he impresses his valuation and suitors could increase.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/21225.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
Hodgson admits Zamora & Duff concerns ahead of final

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has admitted that Damien Duff and Bobby Zamora are injury doubts for the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid on May 13.

Zamora missed the Cottagers' match on Wednesday evening - a 1-0 defeat to Stoke City - as he continues to be troubled by a long-standing Achilles complaint.

Duff started the Stoke fixture, but he was withdrawn at half-time after suffering a recurrence of a calf complaint.

Both players have played integral roles in Fulham's progress to the European final, while Zamora's 19 goals this season have led to calls for him to be included in England's World Cup squad.

However, Hodgson has revealed that the striker is far from certain to feature in the Hamburg showpiece. "Bobby stands a chance, but he's not making vast progress on a daily basis," he said.

"He's touch and go. Damien's been suffering from a slight problem for a while. He took a kick a while ago and it might be cramping up one of his muscles.

"We don't think it's a muscle tear - the kick he took is somehow switching the muscle off - but we'll see how his recovery goes with a week before the final."

Neither player is expected to be risked for Fulham's final game of the season, at Arsenal on Sunday. Should the visitors claim three points at The Emirates, Tottenham Hotspur would claim third place - and a guaranteed spot in next season's Champions League Group Stage - if they defeat Burnley at Turf Moor.

[WhiteJC]

http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2010/05/so-who-is-your-manager-of-the-year-now.html
So who is your Premier League manager of the year now?

Last week, we asked you if Fulham's improbable odyssey to the Europa Cup Final had made Roy Hodgson the obvious choice for manager of the year.

However, last night Harry Redknapp reminded us all that he deserves genuine recognition for the way he has resurrected Tottenham Hotspur as he led them to the Champions League for the first time in their history - arguably the more significant achievement.

The 63-year-old arrived at White Hart Lane in late October 2008 to pick up the pieces after Juande Ramos's disastrous tenure, with the team anchored firmly to the foot of the Premier League. But last night's 1-0 victory over Manchester City ensured there will be an English manager in next season's Champions League, at the head of an English team.

But do Redknapp's achievements mean the 63-year-old is the standout candidate for manager of the year? Redknapp, like his Fulham counterpart Hodgson, has proved age is no barrier to success in modern football, but it would be unfair to view this as a two-horse race.

Mick McCarthy has kept Wolves in the Premier League despite virtually every pundit predicting a swift return to the Championship for his team, while Tony Pulis has marshalled limited resources to make Stoke City one of the hardest teams to beat in the top flight.

Avram Grant must also be on the shortlist, after hauling Portsmouth to the FA Cup Final, while Carlo Ancelotti has led Chelsea to the verge of a League and FA Cup double with a minimum of fuss.

And that's not to forget one Sir Alex Ferguson, who has overcome the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo to take Manchester United to the brink of fourth successive title.

[WhiteJC]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=782567&sec=england&cc=5739
Fulham denied request to move Arsenal game

The Premier League has rejected Fulham's request to play their final fixture against Arsenal on Saturday.

Fulham take on Atletico Madrid in Hamburg on Wednesday in the Europa League final, and the club had requested that the game be brought forwards to allow greater preparation time ahead of the match.

The French League had allowed Lyon the weekend off ahead of their Champions League semi-final match against Bayern Munich this season, but the Premier League insists all the final fixtures must be played simultaneously and has ruled out the possibility the game could be moved.

Arsenal need to win the game to be sure of third place after Tottenham's victory at Manchester City on Wednesday.

The decision raises the possibility that Fulham could turn to their youth players. Middlesbrough famously fielded a first XI of players born in the local area ahead of their 2006 UEFA Cup final against Sevilla.

Fulham were cleared of fielding a weakened team in late March when they were beaten 2-0 at Hull. West Ham had complained on the grounds that Wolves were handed a suspended fine earlier in the season for changing all their outfield players for the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_6136354,00.html
Fulham plea rejected by PL
Premier League insist Arsenal game stays on Sunday

Fulham's bid to have their final game of the season at Arsenal moved forward one day has been rejected by the Premier League.

The Cottagers were keen to give themselves additional time to prepare for Wednesday's Europa League final showdown with Atletico Madrid in Hamburg.

Roy Hodgson's side booked their place in the continental showpiece after a thrilling run which has seen them overcome Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Hamburg.

But their European exertions have taken their toll on Hodgson's squad, who lost their final home match of the season against Stoke City on Wednesday night.

Integrity
The Cottagers were keen to have their trip across London to Emirates Stadium on Sunday brought forward 24 hours so they could have an extra day of rest before the biggest game in the club's history.

But the Premier League have turned down their request to protect the integrity of the competition and as they did not want to upset the travel plans of supporters.

Arsenal could still lose out on third place in the table if they slip up against the Cottagers with bitter North London rivals Tottenham, who travel to Burnley, waiting to pounce and secure an immediate place in the UEFA Champions League group phase.

A statement from the Premier League read: "Given it was the final day of the season, when we always play all our matches at the same time for reasons of integrity, and being mindful of the travel plans supporters will have made, the board felt it wasn't appropriate to move the Arsenal-Fulham match."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/football/Stoke-City-Potters-helping-hand-way-beating-Fulham/article-2124016-detail/article.html
Stoke City: Potters get a helping hand on way to beating Fulham

STOKE'S winner at Fulham enjoyed a helping hand from Tuncay and should never have been allowed.

That was the honest verdict of match-winner Matthew Etherington after revealing Tuncay's post-match confessional in the Stoke dressing room.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.spurs.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7504383
Come on Fulham!!!
Sometimes you should be grateful for what you already have, so in many ways I should be delighted to just get fourth and if it was anyone other than Arsenal, I wouldn`t even be thinking about third, but now...

Let`s be honest, the likelihood of Fulham beating Arsenal is remote. With a match last night and arguably their biggest game the clubs history next week in the Europa Cup final, I half expect them to roll over on Sunday and who could blame them?

They still have the potential to finish a creditable 10th with a win or could drop one place to an unlucky 13th if Sunderland win at Molineux and the £2 (plus) million they stand to win or lose, will be seen as essential money for transfers in the summer, but surely all minds will be on the game against Athletico Madrid. Arsenal on Sunday is a necessary nuisance for Roy Hodgson and he will surely rest a few key players and not give a moment`s thought to the needs of Tottenham.

The icing on the seasons cake would surely be to finish above Arsenal, but the fact that we could finish a mere 2 pts behind them at the end, compared with 21 pts and four places behind last season, will send enough of a chill through every Arsenal fan to satisfy ourselves on a job well done and give us genuine confidence that we can overtake them next season and beyond.

Arsenal have lost four and drawn one of their last five games and in doing so have looked poor in recent weeks. Has the toll of a tough injury hit season meant they are now running on empty and could Fulham`s players see this game as a final chance to secure a starting place for next week`s final? I hope so, though more I am not confident about it.

If a Fulham win is probably out of the question, could a draw be enough to satisfy us? I don`t expect us to score eleven at Turf Moor to overtake Arsenal on goal difference, but just finishing level on points makes us their equal in terms of status and that for me would be enough to give us bragging rights over the summer.

I know I should be happy just to get a CL place, but third means there is no need for a play-off round in August and a potential banana skin, which from a business point of view is a massive bonus, but this is also personal. Arsenal really have nothing to celebrate in finishing even five points above us, should they win and we lose at the weekend, but now I want to be greedy and rub their noses in it and really believe it is our time...




Read more: http://www.spurs.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7504383#ixzz0n8vGCHWu

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/May/FoundationRelease.aspx
Action Zone




This season the Premier League has supplied each top flight team with £20,000 to give to a charity of their choice. This week, with the help of first team players Simon Davies, David Stockdale and Zoltan Gera, the Fulham Football Club Foundation unveiled that Sports Action Zone (SAZ), based in Lambeth, would benefit from the fund, which is donated as part of the Premier League Places for Players initiative.

The Sports Action Zone team works hard to unite new and current partners in the Lambeth community, so that they can develop and coordinate an array of groups, locations and people to participate in physical activities.

The funds, donated by the Premier League and the Fulham Football Club Foundation, will be used to install new floodlights on the new Nike donated 4G pitch, which is based at the Lilian Baylis Community Hub in Lambeth, where earlier this year the Fulham FC Foundation launched their Premier Men's Health programme.

Brian Dickens, Sports Action Zone Director said of the cheque presentation:

"I would like to thank everyone at Fulham Football Club for the fantastic donation of £20,000 towards the addition of Floodlights for the Community football pitch at the Lillian Baylis Community Hub. This contribution will allow our local community to access the pitch and play football all year round, which has been a massive barrier in the past."

Looking ahead, the Fulham FC Foundation hopes to work in partnership with SAZ, Active Communities Network and Nike in developing a Sports for Social Change Programme, which will encourage those from differing backgrounds to become more readily involved in physical activity.




The funding of the site will look to encourage those not yet involved in using the amenities, in more readily doing so. The presentation of the cheque to Brian Dickens, the SAZ Director, will highlight to those in the local area, that the partnerships being formed will be delivering more services that will be of benefit to young people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Steven Day, Chief Executive of the Fulham Football Club Foundation said:

"The Fulham FC Foundation already strives to involve the community in Lambeth in projects that will have a positive influence on their health and social activity. The interaction between our team and SAZ, to create an even more dynamic area (within the Lilian Baylis Community Hub) in which we can focus our hard work, will, I'm sure, give us a more constructive base to work from."

Brian Dickens finished: "This is just the first part of an ongoing partnership between the Sport Action Zone and Fulham Football Club, both around the Community Hub, as well as many other projects we are intending to collaborate on in the future."



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/May/FoundationRelease.aspx#ixzz0n9NQ3lZ7

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/May/HamburgTicketCollection.aspx
Hamburg Ticket Collection


Supporters who have purchased their UEFA Europa League Final tickets and requested to collect their tickets from the Ticket Office at Craven Cottage have until 12pm on Friday 7th May. Tickets not collected by noon on Friday will be sent via first class post.

Please note this is only for supporters who have asked to collect their tickets in person.  Fans who did not request to collect their tickets in person will have their tickets sent to them via post



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/May/HamburgTicketCollection.aspx#ixzz0n9NkG7Sm

[WhiteJC]

http://www.sportspromedia.com/notes_and_insights/_a/hamburg_extends_warm_hand_of_welcome_to_fulham_fc_fans/?utm_source=Syndication+Websites&utm_campaign=Syndication+Websites&utm_medium=syndication_websites

Hamburg extends warm hand of welcome to Fulham FC fans

Local authorities in Hamburg have extended a warm welcome to fans of Fulham FC, who will watch their team contest its first ever European final on 12th May.

In the run-up to the final between Fulham FC and the Spanish side, thousands of English fans are expected to celebrate the occasion in the city centre and in Hamburg's Reeperbahn, the city's renowned entertainment district.

The final will be hosted in the Hamburg Arena at the Volkspark, home of Hamburger Sportverein (HSV), whose team was eliminated by Roy Hodgson's Fulham team in the semi-final. For the last ten years, the Uefa five-star stadium has ranked among Europe's most atmospheric football stadiums. During the Fifa World Cup 2006, the stadium was the venue for five matches.

Ever since Germany hosted the World Cup, Hamburg has been recognised as an international hotspot for football fans. Just a few train stops away from the stadium, visitors to the uefa Europa League Final will have the opportunity to explore the Reeperbahn, Europe's largest entertainment district. The Reeperbahn was originally a somewhat shabby red-light district. However, by the 1960s and 1970s it had turned into a stepping stone for popular culture, with the Beatles as the most striking example. Since the 1990s, the Reeperbahn has turned into one of the world's most vibrating and creative entertainment districts. With hundreds of bars, pubs and clubs, some of Europe's best live music venues and a creative community that comes second to none, the Reeperbahn is definitely the place to go to celebrate the outcome of the final.

But also during the day, Hamburg offers a wide range of tourist highlights such as Europe's largest inner-city port and the highly innovative urban development project HafenCity Hamburg with its historic warehouse district Speicherstadt attached to it. Other points of interest include the work in progress on the Elbe Philharmonic Hall – Hamburg's new landmark – as well as the beautiful Alster lake that is located amidst the buzz of the city centre with its countless shopping opportunities. In Hamburg's trendy, up-and-coming neighbourhoods, North European design blends with an almost Mediterranean flair. On the day following the final, the Queen Mary 2, the world's longest cruise liner, will arrive in the port of Hamburg and will be welcomed by hundreds of thousands of onlookers from all over the world.

Hamburg intends to be remembered by Fulham's fans for more than the football.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.footballfancast.com/football-blogs/sir-roy-hodgson
Sir Roy Hodgson

As another Premier League seasons draws to a close this coming Sunday, one man stands out from the masses who ply their trade in the professional game of football.

That one man is Roy Hodgson, yet next Sunday will not be the final game of his season, as due to his excellent management ability, he has bagged another game the following Wednesday

As many of you will be aware this fixture is the first ever Europa League Final to be held in Hamburg as Hodgson's unfancied Fulham take on the Spanish side Atletico Madrid, conquerors of Liverpool.

Hodgson and his team have worked wonders at Craven Cottage since his appointment back in December 2007, this was followed by a final day survival effort to maintain the clubs Premier League status.

Hodgson continued to work his magic with a fantastic 7th place finish last season, thus allowing the Cottagers to go on this magnificent European run. Believe me, as a Middlesbrough fan, it is an unbelievable feeling to experience as well as turning up the noses of the so-called big teams along the way.

I hope Roy and his team of hard-working journeyman, free signings, mis-fits; basically whatever name you want to throw at them, achieve success in the final, but should they fall short like my beloved Middlesbrough did, then this season really have been a success for Fulham.

Roy has had a fantastic career managing many a recognisable club including; Inter Milan, Udinese, Malmo, Zürich and Viking as well as managing at International level, notably with Switzerland and Finland.

Yet his reputation appears tarnished by a mostly unsuccessful spell at Blackburn Rovers, yet this spell shouldn't discredit his reputation but it appeared to have, as he worked abroad for almost 10 years following this spell before another opportunity in England.

He has to be crowned LMA (League Managers' Association) Manager of the Year in the coming weeks and appears to be most peoples preferred choice for the England managers position, should it become vacant in the near future.

I believe he deserves a knighthood for his services to football and for the image he has projected abroad as the English gentleman he certainly is. Many an Englishman clubbing in Magaluf has certainly tried their hardest to tarnish.

As we experience the uncertainty in the current prime ministerial elections, if Roy was to run for this role, I feel sure he would win the vote hands down.

Wouldn't you agree?

His management ability appears simply to apply a system to which his group of players can perform in and as easy as it seems to be, it works with obvious results. He has developed a keen eye for talent, a criticism levelled at him for spotting the talents of Kevin Davies when he signed him for Blackburn.

With this Roy has excellent man-management abilities, able to develop the skills of all players, notable examples in his present Fulham team would be Bobby Zamora and Zoltan Gera, to name but two.

He really is a national treasure.

Good luck to Roy, his Fulham team and all associated with the Cottagers in the Europa League final in Hamburg.

I truly hope you win the trophy and when you do please parade it round London and annoy those obviously jealous neighbours of yours.

Oh and should you see Roy out and about shopping in Richmond upon Thames, say well done from me!

[WhiteJC]

http://www.clicklancashire.com/sport/bolton-wanderers-fc/126956-bolton-wanderers-and-birmingham-city-in-race-for-fulham-fc-full-back-konchesky.html
Bolton Wanderers and Birmingham City in race for Fulham FC full-back

It is reported that Bolton Wanderers are in a tussle with Birmingham City over Fulham FC defender Paul Konchesky.

The 28-year old has just a year left on his contract and it is unclear whether he has a long-term future at Craven Cottage.

It is understood that Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson is interested in making Nicky Shorey's loan deal permanent.

Wanderers' boss Owen Coyle has made it known he is looking to strengthen his squad, as is Birmingham manager Alex McLeish.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/fulhams-early-kick-off-request-rejected
The Premier League have turned down Fulham's request to bring forward their final game of the season against Arsenal to give them extra time to prepare for the Europa League final.

The Cottagers, who play Spanish side Atletico Madrid in Hamburg next Wednesday, made a formal request to have the Emirates Stadium clash moved from Sunday to Saturday in order to aid preparations for the biggest match in their history, but the Premier League have turned the Cottagers down, citing the need for all matches to kick off at the same time in the last round of fixtures.

A statement said: "Given it was the final day of the season, when we always play all our matches at the same time for reasons of integrity, and being mindful of the travel plans supporters will have made, the board felt it wasn't appropriate to move the Arsenal-Fulham match."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6136871,00.html
Fulham ponder Piquionne move
Striker keen on English stay

Skysports.com understands Fulham have made an enquiry for Portsmouth striker Frederic Piquionne.

Piquionne is currently on loan at Portsmouth from Lyon and he will return to the French club after the FA Cup final.

Lyon are likely to sell the 31-year-old in the summer with Piquionne well down the pecking order at Stade Gerland.

A number of Premier League clubs are thought to be weighing up moves for Piquionne, who has impressed during his time at struggling Portsmouth.

Piquionne is Portsmouth's top scorer with 11 goals and he has played a key role in their run to the FA Cup final.

Fulham are thought to be in the market for striking reinforcements this summer as they look to ease the goalscoring burden on Bobby Zamora.

The Craven Cottage outfit are believed to have sounded out Lyon about a deal as they look to steal a march on Premier League rivals Birmingham, Bolton and Wolves.