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Saturday Fulham Stuff... (08/05/10)

Started by WhiteJC, May 08, 2010, 06:32:48 AM

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WhiteJC

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/matches/season=2010/round=2000042/match=2000967/prematch/background/index.html?rss=1484198+Hamburg+showdown+awaits+Atlético+and+Fulham
Hamburg showdown awaits Atlético and Fulham
Searching for their first European trophy since 1962, Club Atlético de Madrid will meet a Fulham FC side in their maiden continental showpiece as Hamburg hosts the inaugural UEFA Europa League final.


The inaugural UEFA Europa League final matches Club Atlético de Madrid, chasing their first European title since the 1961/62 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, against Fulham FC, who will be making their debut in a showpiece game at this level.

Final pedigree
• Atlético have reached the final of a major UEFA club competition on four previous occasions, in addition to beating CA Independiente 2-1 on aggregate in the 1974 European/South American Cup final (actually played in 1975) and losing out to Villarreal CF on penalties after trading 2-0 wins in one of the 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup finals.

• They enjoyed just one triumph in those four finals, which came in the 1961/62 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup when they drew 1-1 with ACF Fiorentina in Glasgow before beating the Italian side 3-0 in a replay at the Neckarstadion in Stuttgart on 5 September 1962.

• Thus, Atlético won their only major European trophy on German soil.

• They then reached the 1962/63 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final, but – in their only previous final meeting with an English side – lost 5-1 to Tottenham Hotspur FC at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam.

• Atlético came within seconds of winning the European Champion Clubs' Cup on 15 May 1974, going 1-0 up after 114 minutes against FC Bayern München at the Heysel stadium in Brussels, with future Spain coach Luis Aragonés the scorer. The Bavarian side nonetheless drew level in the final minute courtesy of Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck's long-range drive.

• They lost the tie on a replay, going down 4-0 at the same stadium two days later. However, since Bayern declined to play, Atlético went on to successfully represent Europe in the European/South American Cup.

• Los Rojiblancos' last final appearance came in the 1985/86 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon, where they lost 3-0 to FC Dynamo Kyiv.

• Overall, their record in six major UEFA showpiece matches reads W1 D2 L3 (not including the European/South American Cup), with the aggregate score in those games 14-6 in favour of their opponents.

• Fulham have never appeared in a major UEFA final, though they were among the winners in the 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup, beating Bologna FC 3-1 at home following a 2-2 draw in Italy. None of the current squad played in those games, while the man in the dugout at the time was Jean Tigana.

• Current Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has been involved in one major European final before, with his FC Internazionale Milano side losing the 1996/97 UEFA Cup showpiece 4-1 on penalties at San Siro after trading 1-0 home wins with FC Schalke 04.

• Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer played for Middlesbrough FC in the final of the 2005/06 UEFA Cup, which his side lost 4-0 to Atlético's Liga rivals Sevilla FC.

• Danny Murphy is the only Fulham player to have won a UEFA Cup final, having been on the victorious side with Liverpool FC in the 2000/01 edition. The Reds beat Spanish side Deportivo Alavés 5-4 thanks to an extra-time golden goal at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund.

• Thus, his only previous UEFA club competition final against a Spanish side in Germany ended in victory.

• José Antonio Reyes is the only Atlético player to have appeared in a major European showpiece, having come on as a substitute in the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League final as Arsenal FC lost 2-1 to FC Barcelona.

Previous meetings
• The two teams will be meeting for the first time in UEFA club competition, and Fulham will be contesting their first encounter against Spanish opposition.

• Following their semi-final success against Liverpool, Atlético have now played 19 games against English clubs, with their record reading W6 D8 L5.

Match background
• The final will be Atlético's 75th UEFA Cup and UEFA Europa League outing and Fulham's 25th. Atlético have disputed 211 UEFA club competition games to Fulham's 32.

• Fulham are on familiar territory as they return to the Hamburg Arena, having drawn 0-0 with Hamburger SV in the first leg of their 2-1 aggregate semi-final success earlier this season. However, in that stalemate they failed to register a single shot on goal.

• Atlético have contested one previous game in Hamburg as well, losing 3-0 to HSV in a 1976/77 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup semi-final decider at the old Volksparkstadion, which stood on the same site as the Hamburg Arena.

• Atlético midfielder Paulo Assunção has fonder memories of the stadium, having featured in a 3-1 triumph for FC Porto away against HSV in the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League group stage.

• Atlético's Czech defender Tomáš Ujfaluši knows the stadium well after turning out for Hamburg from 2001 to 2004; during that spell he helped the club lift the 2002/03 German League Cup.

• Fulham are now unbeaten in their last five European games since a 3-1 loss at Juventus in their round of 16 opener.

• The London side will be competing on German soil for the third successive round after meeting VfL Wolfsburg and HSV in the quarter and semi-finals respectively; they beat the 2008/09 Bundesliga champions 1-0 before drawing 0-0 with Hamburg.

• Prior to this season, their only trip to Germany had ended in a 2-1 loss at Hertha BSC Berlin in the 2002/03 UEFA Cup third round.

• The final will be Fulham's 19th game since they started their UEFA Europa League campaign in the third qualifying round. Their record in 18 European fixtures this season reads W11 D4 L3, with an aggregate score of 30-16 in their favour.

• Wednesday's showpiece will be Atlético's 17th European fixture since their campaign began in the UEFA Champions League play-off round. Their 16 games thus far have given them the tally W4 D8 L4, with an aggregate score of 22-17 for their opponents.

• Atlético have won only two European matches since the start of the UEFA Champions League group stage. They triumphed 2-1 at Galatasaray AŞ to get through the UEFA Europa League round of 32, and then defeated Liverpool 1-0 at home in their semi-final opener.

• Atlético have contested 13 games on German soil, with their record reading W4 D2 L7. In their last competitive trip to Germany, Los Colchoneros lost 1-0 at Schalke in the 2008/09 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.

• One of Fulham's most fondly remembered former managers, Kevin Keegan, was a star at HSV from 1977 to 1980. European Footballer of the Year in 1978 and 1979, he won the 1978/79 German title and was a runner-up in the 1977 UEFA Super Cup and 1979/80 European Champion Clubs' Cup.

Team facts
• This will be Atlético coach Quique Sánchez Flores's seventh encounter with a Premier League side. His record in six fixtures against English opposition in charge of Atlético and, before that, Valencia CF reads W1 D2 L3.

• Quique Flores also came up against Fulham's reserve goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler during his playing career, with his Real Madrid CF side winning 2-0 against the Swiss custodian's Grasshopper-Club in a 1995/96 UEFA Champions League group-stage game.

• Despite his long experience in Europe, Fulham boss Hodgson has only overseen two games against Spanish opponents, with his Neuchâtel Xamax FC side going down 4-1 on aggregate against Real Madrid in the 1991/92 UEFA Cup third round.

• Having scored the winner in Fulham's semi-final, Zoltán Gera will look to be the first Hungarian player to star in a major European showpiece since FC Videoton lost to Real Madrid in the 1984/85 UEFA Cup final. Krisztián Lisztes was an unused substitute for VfB Stuttgart in the 1997/98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final, while Ákos Buzsáky contested one game – not the final – for the Porto side that went on to lift the 2002/03 UEFA Cup.

• If he plays, Fulham's Clint Dempsey will become the first player from the United States to feature in a major European final, though Californian-born goalkeeper Jovan Kirovski did make a brief appearance for BV Borussia Dortmund in their 2-0 European/South American Cup win against EC Cruzeiro in 1997.

• No members of the Fulham squad have played league football in Spain, but two members of the Atlético selection boast Premier League experience: José Antonio Reyes and Diego Forlán.

• Reyes played for Arsenal from 2004 to 2006, moving on loan to Real Madrid before joining Atlético in 2007. During his time in London, he featured in four games against Fulham, winning all of them and scoring twice.

• Forlán represented Manchester United FC from 2002 until his move to Villarreal in 2004; he then signed for Atlético in 2007. He appeared in three games against Fulham, two of those ending in draws and the other producing a 3-1 home defeat in which he struck United's goal.

• Werder Bremen's Claudio Pizarro and SL Benfica's Óscar Cardozo look set to end the season as the UEFA Europa League's joint top scorers with nine goals each.

• Fulham's top marksmen, Bobby Zamora and Gera, have registered six apiece, while Atlético's most dangerous UEFA Europa League scorer is Forlán with four goals.

• Sergio Agüero has also scored four goals for Atlético in Europe this term (not including qualifying), plundering two in the UEFA Champions League and two in the UEFA Europa League.

• Zamora has committed more fouls (43) than any other player in the UEFA Europa League this season, while he and Panathinaikos FC's Djibril Cissé have been ruled offside 27 times, putting them joint top of that particular list in the competition.

• Gera is second only to Zamora in terms of fouls committed (27), but he has also been fouled 26 times – the fifth-highest total in the competition.

• Atlético only entered the UEFA Europa League in the round of 32, but Reyes has been fouled 29 times since then, leaving him third in the most-fouled list behind Hamburg's David Jarolím (31) and Panathinaikos's Giorgos Karagounis (33).

• Raúl García, Assunção, Simão, Forlán and José Manuel Jurado have featured in all eight of Atlético's matches since the start of the UEFA Europa League knockout phase.

• Goalkeeper Schwarzer has contested every minute of Fulham's campaign since the start of the group stage. Zamora and Gera have appeared in all 13 of those games but their total playing time – 972 and 1,156 minutes respectively – falls short of Schwarzer's 1,170 minutes.

Penalties
• Atlético have lost all three of their UEFA club competition penalty shoot-outs to date; 7-6 at home to Derby County FC in the 1974/75 UEFA Cup, 3-1 at Fiorentina in the 1989/90 UEFA Cup and 3-1 at home against Villarreal in a 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup final.

• Fulham have never been involved in a European penalty shoot-out.

Final lowdown
• This is the first UEFA Europa League final and the first one-off UEFA club competition final to be staged at the Hamburg Arena.

• The Volksparkstadion – predecessor to the Hamburg Arena – hosted three matches at the 1974 World Cup, culminating in a Group A decider, the only meeting between hosts the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic, which the latter won 1-0 thanks to a 77th-minute goal from Jürgen Sparwasser.

• Prior to this UEFA Europa League final, the Hamburg Arena's last major event – barring HSV games – was the 2006 World Cup. Five matches from that tournament were held at the stadium, culminating in eventual winners Italy's 3-0 quarter-final success against Ukraine.

• The first games of the 2009/10 UEFA Europa League first qualifying round took place on 2 July 2009.

• The first goal of the group stage was struck by Genoa CFC's Alberto Zapater, four minutes into their meeting with SK Slavia Praha on 17 September 2009.

• 544 goals have been registered since the start of the group stage – an average of 2.67 per game.

• English clubs won six editions of the UEFA Cup, the new competition's predecessor, while there were five Spanish winners.

• English and Spanish teams met in two UEFA Cup finals with differing results:
2000/01: Liverpool FC 5-4 Deportivo Alavés (aet)
2005/06: Sevilla FC 4-0 Middlesbrough FC

• There have been three European Champion Clubs' Cup/UEFA Champions League finals between Liga and Premier League sides with the following outcomes:
1980/81: Liverpool FC 1-0 Real Madrid CF
2005/06: FC Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal FC
2008/09: FC Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United FC

• There were also five UEFA Cup Winners' Cup finals between teams from the countries, with the English outfits winning three to Spain's two:
1962/63: Tottenham Hotspur FC 5-1 Club Atlético de Madrid
1970/71: Chelsea FC 1-1, 2-1 Real Madrid CF (tie settled on a replay)
1979/80: Valencia CF 0-0 Arsenal FC (Valencia won 5-4 on penalties)
1990/91: Manchester United FC 2-1 FC Barcelona
1994/95: Real Zaragoza 2-1 Arsenal FC

• In total, the ten major UEFA club competition finals between sides from the two nations have produced five wins apiece.

• Hodgson will look to become the first English manager to win a major European final since the late Sir Bobby Robson – who started his playing and managerial careers at Fulham – led Barcelona to a 1-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain FC in the 1996/97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final.

• Howard Kendall is the last English coach to have won a major European final with an English team, when he led Everton to the 1984/85 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

WhiteJC

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/07/fulham-bobby-zamora-europa-league
Fulham hopeful Bobby Zamora will be fit for Europa League final
• Monday decisive in striker's fitness race, says Roy Hodgson
• Damien Duff expected to be fit after work in altitude chamber

Roy Hodgson is hopeful that both Bobby Zamora, who has an achilles problem, and Damien Duff, whose leg injury has been treated in an oxygen chamber, will be fit for Wednesday's Europa League final against Atlético Madrid in Hamburg.

Zamora, who has scored 19 times this season including eight in Europe, required an injection to start the second leg of the Europa League semi-final nine days ago.

"Bobby continues to make progress," Hodgson said. "But it's not that progress where one day he's injured and two days later he feels good. I think Monday's going to be an important day to see if the improvement is such that we can consider him for the match on Wednesday. But neither [he nor Duff] will take part in the game against Arsenal [on Sunday]."

Regarding Duff, Hodgson added: "Damien had an MRI yesterday and we're pretty convinced there's no serious muscle damage. We don't think it's one of those which should keep him out. He's having treatment: he's in the altitude chamber today and tomorrow, which increases the chances of recovery.

"At the moment the plan and the hope is that he will be able to join in training on Monday."


WhiteJC

http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/duff-out-for-final-league-clash-456797.html
Duff out for final league clash


Republic of Ireland international Damien Duff will miss Fulham's match against Arsenal at the Emirates stadium on Sunday.

Duff has been receiving treatment in an oxygen chamber for the leg injury he received against Hamburg.

Bobby Zamora is still recovering from an Achilles injury and will not be considered.

Manager Roy Hodgson is hopeful both will be fit for the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid in Hamburg on Wednesday.

Hodgson will decide after training tomorrow whether to rest vital first-team players on Sunday in preparation for the biggest match in the club's history.

Team (from): Schwarzer, Pantsil, Okaka, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Nevland, Murphy, Etuhu, Davies, Dempsey, Gera, Zuberbuhler, Baird, Riise, Smalling, Dikgacoi.


Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/duff-out-for-final-league-clash-456797.html#ixzz0nJUVyRie


WhiteJC

http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2010/5/7/1460940/will-the-europa-league-final-be-a
Will the Europa League Final be a " once in a lifetime moment " for Fulham Football Club?

Fulham next Wednesday will play the biggest game in the history of the club. Fulham will travel to Hamburg to face Atletico Madrid in the Europa League Final. Leading up to this game I am starting to hear thoughts on the future of Fulham. Watching the Stoke City match  I was intrigued by the announcer's discussing the Europa League Final for Fulham. They mentioned that this match could be a " once in a lifetime match" for Fulham.  The point I believe they were insinuating is getting to a Final in a major European Competition might never happen again. 

After hearing those thoughts by the announcers I wanted to really think about the statement " once in a lifetime match". Why could this never happen again to Fulham? I think there are a few reasons some experts might feel this way.

If you look at it honestly it comes down to money. In my opinion the amount of money your club has can be a huge factor of where you end up in the EPL. Just take a look at Manchester City.  Did the club's management become geniuses over night?  No, they were able to buy big name players because they have the money to do it. Fulham do  not have the type of money that Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea have.

Fulham do have an owner that has spent money on the team. He has also taken a loss on the club every year since he bought them. These losses are probably coming out of his own pocket. Fulham are very fortunate to have him. Fulham don't have the limitless funds that other big clubs seem to have.

In my opinion it does make it difficult to compete. In the current structure of the EPL, Fulham cannot compete for  a League Title. However, they can be competitive in the league spending wisely and finding the right talent to fit the club.

Fulham have two men right now that in my opinion hold the future of the club in their hands. Roy Hodgson and Mohamed Al - Fayed seem to work great together as manager and owner. Both of them have a huge role in the present status of Fulham Football Club.

If Roy Hodgsons stays for awhile, and Mohamed Al - Fayed continues to own the club the opening statement might not be true. Fulham might be able to make a second chanpter to this great story. Only time will tell if Hodgson stays.

The scary comparison I keep on hearing regarding Fulham is Middlesborough. Middlesborough played in the UEFA Cup Final in the 2005/2006 season. They lost 4 - 0 in this final. Their manager at that time was Steve McClaren.   Shortly after the match he took the England job. Three years later Middlesborough got relegated to the Championship. With the rumors of Roy Hodgson potentially taking the England job someday this comparison could be valid.

For me, I am an optimist. I think if the manager and the owner are still at Fulham in the near future, why couldn't they do this again someday?  It might not happen next year or a couple years from now. But, the way the club is currently structured I wouldn't bet against Fulham.

WhiteJC

http://www.teamtalk.com/arsenal/6139002/Wenger-focused-on-third-place-finish
Wenger focused on third-place finish

Arsene Wenger accepts Europa League finalists Fulham may already have their minds "elsewhere", but insists Arsenal will be fully focused.

Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson has made a habit of utilising his full squad during their fairytale European run, which is set to climax in Hamburg with a clash against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.

Indeed, Fulham had requested their final domestic game be brought forwards by 24 hours to allow them extra recovery time ahead of the biggest match in the history of the west London club, which was rejected by the Premier League to protect the integrity of the competition.

Arsenal have seen their title challenge fade in the last few weeks following successive away defeats at Tottenham and then Wigan, when leading 2-0 with just 10 minutes left, before also losing at Blackburn on Monday.

Indeed, victory for Fulham at Emirates Stadium on Sunday could see arch-rivals Spurs claim third spot and with it automatic entry into the Champions League.

Wenger, though, has called for his own team - likely to start with fit-again Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie - to make sure they end the campaign on a positive note.

"Their focus could be elsewhere, but we are in a situation where we do not want to focus on any weakness from Fulham," said Wenger, speaking to the Arsenal Podcast on the club's official website.

"Let's focus on our performance and make sure we turn up with the right attitude and I believe we will get the point or three points that we need."

Wenger can understand the dilemma now facing Hodgson, who made some nine changes in the game at Everton, which they only lost in stoppage time, ahead of the semi-final second leg.

"I have been in that position before a UEFA Cup Final I played with Monaco. I rotated the team," the Arsenal manager recalled.

"Fulham have played many games and credit to them because they survived [in the Premier League].

"But what is funny, is I had exactly the same situation and you get the injuries when you are nearly over the line."

At one stage it looked as if Arsenal could well be fighting to the very last kick for the championship, only to fail to deliver when it really mattered after going out of the Champions League to Barcelona.

Theo Walcott accepts the Gunners should have already wrapped up third place, and called for the team to take the "next step" as they look to last the distance when the battles start all over again come August.

"We have not won matches we should have and we have not guaranteed third place yet, which is very disappointing," the England World Cup hopeful said.

"We have to guarantee third because it is very important for the club - you don't want to qualify fourth at all.

"We want to end on a high and that is important for the fans too, then everybody can be ready for next season."

Walcott continued to Arsenal TV Online: "When a lot of big teams come to the Emirates, it has not been a fortress at all.

"We have been brushed aside at times and next year we need to go one step further. "

WhiteJC

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/37947/Wenger_He_is_a_good_player_but_we_have_never_been_in_for_him.aspx
Wenger: He is a good player but we have never been in for him

Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger insists he has never tried to sign Fulham FC stalwart Brede Hangeland.

The Fulham FC centre-half is persistently linked with Arsenal FC, most notably last summer and in January, and recently the towering Norwegian was again being muted as potential partner to Thomas Vermaelen with Arsene Wenger reportedly ready to bid for the Craven Cottage defender.

Although Wenger acknowledged the Fulham FC star as a good player, the Frenchman suggested he had never once approached Roy Hodgson with the intention of signing the Craven Cottage hero.

Wenger told Arsenal FC's official website: "I find he is a good player but we have never been in for him."

Despite denying interest in the Fulham FC star, Wenger is allegedly on the lookout for a central defender this summer, with William Gallas yet to commit his future to the Gunners.


WhiteJC

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2891/previews/2010/05/07/1913489/premier-league-preview-arsenal-fulham
Premier League Preview: Arsenal - Fulham
Cottagers have other priorities than beating Gunners...

Sunday, 9 May 2010, Kick-off: 16:00 BST
Emirates Stadium, Ashburton Grove, London N5

Occupying three of the top four places in the Premier League (and therefore having three representatives in next season's Champions League), and with teams in both domestic cup finals and another in the Europa League final, London football is looking extremely healthy. Yet the capital's most decorated club, Arsenal, will not look back on the latter stages of the 2009-10 season with a great deal of affection - in contrast to their opponents on the final day, Fulham, who are enjoying arguably the most exciting climax to a campaign in their 131-year history.

So an intriguing scenario presents itself. Arsene Wenger's side conclude their season needing a win to be absolutely certain of hanging on to third place and ensuring their buoyant arch-rivals from up the Seven Sisters Road, Tottenham, don't overtake them at the death.

It is a somewhat undignified end to their programme, imbued with a hint of panic, given that a month ago they still harboured realistic hopes of snatching the title. There is no doubt that Arsenal and their fans are disappointed to be ending another season trophyless, their attractive style of football proving once again to lack the crucial killer instinct.

Meanwhile Roy Hodgson's over-achievers travel across London readying themselves for their first European final, and with the distinction of being the only English club to make it all the way to a European showpiece in this remarkable season.

It is instructive to recall that with 12 matches to go, the popular wisdom was that Arsenal's title chances were enhanced by their having a supposedly 'easier' run-in than either Chelsea or Manchester United. And it is testament to the competitiveness of the Premier League that the Gunners then proceeded to drop eight crucial points to Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers in games they were expected to win.

As well as Fulham's own fans, Spurs will be hoping the Cottagers can administer the final blow to a dismal sequence of Arsenal results on Sunday. The Gunners have won just one of their last eight fixtures in all competitions, and that (at home to Wolves) was just over a month ago - by far their worst run of the season. And they have also won only two of their last seven London derbies at the Emirates Stadium, which hardly augurs well. So Fulham might reasonably think their north London adversaries are there for the taking.

But of course manager-of-the-year candidate Hodgson has other - indeed, bigger - priorities than humbling Arsenal. Atletico Madrid are an altogther more challenging prospect in the context of Fulham's season. And few will begrudge Hodgson if he takes the opportunity to rest a number of key players on Sunday, particularly as the Premier League denied his club's request to bring the game forward by a day to aid their preparations for the European final.

When Fulham hosted Arsenal in September, an inspired performance by goalkeeper Vito Mannone and a strike by Robin van Persie were all that separated the teams, many feeling the away win was achieved against the run of play. Arsenal should be more comfortable on their own turf, never having lost to Fulham at either Emirates or Highbury. In Premier League encounters, Arsenal have won six and drawn two of their eight meetings to date.

The Gunners have also won all seven of their Premier League home fixtures on the final day of the season, while Fulham have kept five clean sheets in their seven most recent last-day fixtures, but haven't won any of their last 29 London derbies away from home.

FORM GUIDE

Arsenal

03 May (Premier League) v Blackburn (A) LOST 1-2
24 Apr (Premier League) v Manhester City (H) DREW 0-0
18 Apr (Premier League) v Wigan (A) LOST 2-3
14 Apr (Premier League) v Tottenham (A) LOST 1-2
06 Apr (Champions League) v Barcelona (A) LOST 1-4
03 Apr (Premier League) v Wolves (H) WON 1-0

Fulham

05 May (Premier League) v Stoke (H) LOST 0-1
02 May (Premier League) v West Ham (H) WON 3-2
29 Apr (Europa League) v Hamburg (H) WON 2-1
25 Apr (Premier League) v Everton (A) LOST 1-2
22 Apr (Europa League) v Hamburg (A) DREW 0-0
17 Apr (Premier League) v Wolves (A) DREW 0-0         

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal

French left-back Gael Clichy is the only possible addition to the Arsenal squad that lost to Blackburn last Monday. Clichy missed that game with an ankle problem, and Tomas Rosicky (ankle), Alex Song (knee) and Nicklas Bendtner (groin) were also sidelined with injuries.

The latter trio are ruled out of Fulham's visit too, but Andrey Arshavin, who returned from injury at Ewood Park as a substitute, should be fit enough to start.

Cesc Fabregas (knee), William Gallas (calf), Thomas Vermaelen (calf), Denilson (groin), Manuel Almunia (wrist) and Aaron Ramsey (leg) are also ruled out.

Last starting XI (v Blackburn): Fabianski; Sagna, Campbell, Silvestre, Traore, Eboue (Eduardo 77), Diaby, Walcott, Nasri, Vela (Arshavin 67), van Persie. Subs not used: Mannone, Djourou, Gibbs, Eastmond, Henderson.

Possible starting XI: Fabianski, Sagna, Campbell, Silvestre, Clichy, Eboue, Nasri, Diaby, Arshavin, Walcott, Van Persie.

Fulham

Roy Hodgson is thought unlikely to risk Bobby Zamora in a game that is not a do-or-die affair for the Cottagers. The in-form striker is still nursing an Achilles injury and the manager will probably try to give him as long as possible to get fit for Wednesday's date in Hamburg.

Winger Damien Duff is also likely to be rested to give his knee problem a little longer to heal.

However, there are no new injury problems in the squad, so long-term absentee Andy Johnson (knee) is the only player who will definitely be sidelined.

Last starting XI (v Stoke): Schwarzer; Pantsil (Okaka 86), Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Duff (Nevland 46), Murphy, Etuhu, Davies, Dempsey, Gera. Subs not used: Zuberbuhler, Baird, Riise, Smalling, Dikgacoi.

Possible starting XI: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Baird, Smalling, Konchesky, Davies, Riise, Dikgacoi, Gera, Nevland, Okaka.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Arsenal

Robin van Persie has scored three goals in his last five matches against Fulham, including the winner at Craven Cottage earlier this season, and the Dutchman scored the opener against Blackburn on Monday - his first goal since returning from a five-month injury absence.

Van Persie now has nine for the season in 19 appearances, and 72 goals overall from 139 starts and 59 substitute appearances in his Arsenal career.

Fulham

Chris Smalling is likely to be making his final Premier League appearance for Fulham on Sunday, having signed for Manchester United in a high-profile deal earlier in the season, on the understanding that he would complete the campaign with the Londoners.

A great future has been predicted for the young defender, who will no doubt like to sign off in style with an impressive performance against the Gunners.

PREDICTION

Arsenal have been in the top three of the Premier League since early December, and now need one more point to guarantee automatic qualification for the Champions League group stages (assuming Spurs don't beat Burnley by more than 10) and overtake their points total for last season. But there is a strong sense of anti-climax at the Emirates after the poor results of the last month or so.

Manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he must bolster his squad this summer by bringing in at least a couple of experienced players. But he and his present crop - those who are not sidelined through injury - will be anxious to conclude the season with a home win. In fact they are unbeaten in their last eight home games and have never been beaten at home by Fulham.

The Cottagers will be focused on Wednesday's Europa League final, and their away form in the Premier League is hardly earth-shattering: they have not won an away game in 17 attempts in the league since beating Portsmouth on the opening day of the season. Given that some key players may be rested, another away win seems unlikely.

Arsenal 2-1 Fulham

WhiteJC

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2559/rumours/2010/05/07/1913763/tottenham-hotspur-wont-protest-if-fulham-field-reserve-team
Tottenham Hotspur won't protest if Fulham field reserve team against Arsenal - report

Tottenham Hotspur are 'highly unlikely' to protest if Fulham field a weakened team against Arsenal even if it costs them automatic entry to the Champions League.

Spurs remain in the chase for a top three finish, if they can beat Burnley and Arsenal crash at home to Fulham on Sunday. If Harry Redknapp's team stay in their current fourth spot they face the lottery of un-seeded qualification for next season's competition, where they could line up against Spanish side Sevilla.

According to the Daily Mail, no protest is likely to follow if Roy Hodgson rests a number of his key players with one eye on the Europa League final. Fulham have already had a bid to bring the game forward to Saturday rejected by the Premier League.

Spurs have instead acquiesced to the Cottagers' wish to prepare as they like for their match with Atletico Madrid next Wednesday.

Fulham have already been on the end of one complaint this season, from West Ham United after fielding a weakened team against Hull City in March.

WhiteJC

http://fulham.theoffside.com/team-news/arse-preview.html
Arse preview
By: timmyg | May 7th, 2010

Fitting that I write my first league preview of the season right before the last game? Well, I had to after yesterday's news revealed:

"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."

Right, Premier League. It's all about the supporters and tradition. Because, you know, changing travel plans for a 10-mile journey across London with two days notice is just too much. As the great poet T.S. Eliot once wrote: "A tradition without intelligence is not worth having." How ironic that an Englishman would pen that.

And then there's this wonderful nugget is the ESPNSoccernet story:

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.

Woah now! Wayne Brown? Matty Briggs? Michael Uwezu?!? With that assertion, I'm now taking bets on the starting XI. Here are my picks:

Stockdale
Marsh-Brown–Smalling–Smith–Briggs
Buchtmann–Brown–Andranik–Moscatiello
Uwezu–Okaka

And three points are in the bag without a sweat!

Okay, maybe not. But no way does Roy field a full XI as I'm sure the varsity team is en route to Hamburg already. Which is a shame because Fulham at full strength stack up quite well with Arsenal. How so? Consider this as another example of Roy's impact: Arsenal have scored just once in the past 3 encounters; and they traditionally run riot over us.

Throw into that equation Arsenal's recent collapse. They've won once league game since Easter Vigil, and four times since March began — over the tough, tough opponents of Burnley, Hull, West Ham, and Wolves. And they've kept just three clean sheets in the process. (Granted, our record over that time span isn't much better but there are different expectations for the Big Four. Right?)

And so, we'll probably draw 0-0. As long as we're ahead of Stoke and Blackburn in the final league table, for humanity's sake, I'll be okay with it.

Spurs probably wished we would've played on Saturday because had we both won, then it's straight to the group stages for Tottenham! But now the dream is over. In typical British journalist fashion (which means no quotes or attribution), there's this from yesterday's Daily Mail:

But Spurs, who sealed fourth place by beating Manchester City, are ready to let Hodgson prepare in a way which gives Fulham the best chance of victory over Atletico Madrid in Hamburg, even if it means they must qualify for the group stages of the Champions League next season by competing in the final play-off round.

Great, more proof that league management is a joke. If this is to be taken seriously, Spurs have basically said that they didn't want automatic qualifying anyway. Yet again, way to go EPL


WhiteJC

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7693585/Fulham-v-Atletico-Madrid-Damien-Duff-uses-altitude-chamber-in-bid-for-fitness.html
Fulham v Atletico Madrid: Damien Duff uses altitude chamber in bid for fitness
Damien Duff has been using a special altitude chamber in an attempt to speed up the recovery of his knee and be fit for Wednesday's Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.

Fulham also have significant concerns over the fitness of striker Bobby Zamora, with Monday likely to be telling in deciding whether two of Roy Hodgson's best players will be available for the most important match in the club's history.

Duff had an MRI scan on his knee immediately after Wednesday's 1-0 defeat against Stoke City while Zamora is responding steadily to treatment on his Achilles' tendon after requiring a pain-killing injection to play in the semi-final win against Hamburg.

"If Damien and Bobby are unable to play in the final, it would be a major, major blow because these are two players who have played such a decisive part in us getting to where we are," said Hodgson.

"With Damien we're pretty convinced there's no serious muscle damage. Bobby's progress is slow, but it's moving always in the right direction."

Both players will be rested against Arsenal on Sunday before attempting to rejoin full training on Monday.

Arsenal still need a point to ensure they finish third behind Chelsea and Manchester United. Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, remains wary after four defeats in five matches. "The concern is that we have many, many players out and as well that we just lost the games and without any real logic," he said.

Arsenal effectively need a point, because of their superior goal difference, to secure third place but a defeat would allow Spurs to overtake them.

WhiteJC

http://www.fulham-mad.co.uk/news/prev/fm_preview_arsenal_v_fulham_09_may_2010_524803/index.shtml
FM Preview: Arsenal v Fulham 09 May 2010

The game between Arsenal and Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday, 9th May 2010 at 16:00 takes centre stage for FootyMad's preview analysis.

History of the Arsenal v Fulham fixture

Fulham face a trip to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, looking to break their duck against the hosts. The Cottagers have lost on no less than 20 of the 23 visits.

The most recent encounter between these two sides was just last season, in February 2009, when they played out a goalless draw in a Premier League match.

For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here

Recent encounters between the teams:
2009/2010 Sat 26 Sep Fulham 0 - 1 Arsenal PREM
2008/2009 Sat 28 Feb Arsenal 0 - 0 Fulham PREM
2008/2009 Sat 23 Aug Fulham 1 - 0 Arsenal PREM
2007/2008 Sat 19 Jan Fulham 0 - 3 Arsenal PREM
2007/2008 Sun 12 Aug Arsenal 2 - 1 Fulham PREM
2006/2007 Sun 29 Apr Arsenal 3 - 1 Fulham PREM
2006/2007 Wed 29 Nov Fulham 2 - 1 Arsenal PREM

Recent respective form guides

Arsenal are in decent form at home, having won four and drawn two of their last six games, These high-scoring games have yielded a total of 13 goals for the Gunners, with 3 goals against.

In complete contrast to Arsenal, Fulham are having a torrid time on their travels, seeing them win just 1 and draw 2 of the last six. Cottagers have conceded 7 goals in these games, and only hit 3 in reply.

Arsenal's total of 72 points from their 37 games sees them sitting in the playoff places in Barclays Premier League. Fulham see themselves just below half way in the Barclays Premier League, showing a record of 46 points from their 37 games played so far,

For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here

Current form guides: P W D L F A P
Arsenal 6 1 1 4 6 11 4
Fulham 6 2 2 2 6 6 8

FootyMad's prediction ...

FootyMad see this game edging towards a narrow win for the Gunners, as the Cottagers have been none too clever on the road in recent matches. Home win

Sequence statistics:
Arsenal Unbeaten in the last 8 home games.
Not won in the 5 most recent games.

Fulham Not won in previous 3 away matches.
Last drawn game 5 outings ago.


WhiteJC

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/hodgson-says-outstanding-duff-now-better-than-ever-2172367.html
Hodgson says 'outstanding' Duff now better than ever

ROY HODGSON has paid tribute to Damien Duff for taking a cut in his £70,000-a-week salary to move to Fulham and rediscover the form which made him one of the Premier League's top players.

Duff has been outstanding for the London club in their march towards the Europa League final, and Hodgson is relieved that his key man looks to have overcome a leg muscle problem that put his participation in next Wednesday's showdown with Atletico Madrid in doubt. Duff has been spending hours in an oxygen chamber in an effort to speed up the healing process.

The Cottagers boss, who also managed the winger in his formative days at Blackburn, believes he has emerged from a torrid spell at Newcastle to return to his best, suggesting that the 31-year-old is arguably a superior performer than before with the benefit of his experience.

Certainly, the £4m move which brought the Dubliner to Fulham from the north east of England last August now looks like an inspired piece of business.

"Duff is outstanding," said Hodgson. "When the annals of Irish history are written, and there have been some good players over the years, he will be right up there with them. He'd have 100 caps already but for one or two serious injuries.

"He's been the Damien I got to know as a young boy at Blackburn. Several people tried to dissuade me that it was a totally different player I was signing, but I'm pleased to say they were wrong and I've been right. If anything he's a better player today because he was always very clever in his play, but the 10 years of experience has not done him any harm.

"Damien Duff didn't come to Fulham for money, that's for sure. He took a pay cut to come here. If he'd wanted serious money he would have stayed at Newcastle to see his contract out. He came here to play football."

- Daniel McDonnell

Irish Independent



WhiteJC

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/fulham/article7120352.ece
Simon Davies: Fulham's success in Europe based on Roy Hodgson - plain and simple

Fulham may have captured the imagination this season with their barnstorming run to the Europa League final but Simon Davies does not subscribe to the widely held perception that he and his team-mates are up-and-at-'em thrill-seekers. Just the opposite, the Wales midfield player believes.

And as dogs are often said to resemble their owners, Davies believes that Fulham have been built in the mould of their manager, Roy Hodgson. Not so much rampaging their way to the final, in which they meet Atletico Madrid in Hamburg on Wednesday night, but keeping it boringly basic, straight and simple.

"People say that teams reflect their manager and, obviously, we've had a lot of attention recently," Davies said. "Everyone thinks that Fulham must be this great team, really attacking, but we're not. We're really hard working, a well-organised team. We keep our shape.

"When we concede possession, sometimes we are frustrating to play against, and we are good on the break. And that's the way we have been. We are solid. The manager just wants us to be not too exciting, never gung-ho.

"Even if we are losing, he never wants us to go for it and throw a centre half up front. We're just not that sort of team. He thinks that if you play the way we can play over 90 minutes, we should get a result."

West London rivalry with Chelsea is keenly contested. Although those down the road at Stamford Bridge could yet complete the Barclays Premier League and FA Cup Double, Fulham may pip them to European glory - albeit in the second-tier competition rather than the elite Champions League.

Again, though, Fulham humbly respect their place in the food chain. "We have surprised everyone," Davies said. "The farther we have gone, the more interest there has been. But, no, I don't see it as getting one over Chelsea.

"I just don't look at it like that. Chelsea have been doing it for years. We're a bit of a one-trick pony so far and we will never get too far ahead of ourselves. We're a modest team and the manager wants it to stay that way."

There is one last instalment, against Atletico, to add to Fulham's epic 18-match European adventure. Davies has proved influential as the conclusion has neared and scored a vital and spectacular equaliser in the 2-1 victory over Hamburg in the second leg of their semi-final at Craven Cottage. Yet it was a feat that he hardly contemplated possible at the start of campaign that, for Fulham, began in late July.

"I was really struggling and had to go in for a second operation on my left foot," Davies said. "I've still got two screws in there now so it's never been perfect. It was tough at the start of the season and I have never felt pain-free. It's only been these last six weeks that I've actually only just got over it.

"I didn't think I would be playing any part in the season at all, to be honest. Even coming back in February, I was thinking maybe I could get a few games in at the end. But the season has just got bigger and bigger so it's been amazing. I really did fear the season for me might be wiped out. Totally.

"Even when I was back in the team in February, I was really struggling day to day, trying to train. I was just trying to prepare for games but, obviously, it affects your fitness and you can't really get how you want to be. It's hard to get through. You just beat yourself up by it. You get really frustrated. You've just got to try to take a step back and think about where you could be."

WhiteJC

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/teams-and-tactics-for-the-weekend-08052010-1967882.html
Teams and tactics for the weekend: 08/05/2010

Arsenal vs Fulham

Manuel Almunia (wrist) remains a doubt for Arsenal, as does Nicklas Bendtner (groin), Alexandre Song (knee) and Gaël Clichy and Tomas Rosicky (both ankle).


Arsenal require victory – although a point will probably suffice – to secure third position ahead of neighbours Spurs. Bobby Zamora (Achilles) remains out for Fulham as he races to make Wednesday's Europa League final, as does midfielder Damien Duff (knee).

WhiteJC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8665276.stm
Arsenal    v    Fulham

TEAM NEWS
Arsenal defender Gael Clichy could return after a one-match absence with an ankle injury.

Russian forward Andrey Arshavin is fit to start, with Carlos Vela most likely to make way for him.

Fulham are expected to play a weakened team as they prepare for the Europa League final next Wednesday.

Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff will miss out against Arsenal as they continue their treatment for respective Achilles and leg muscle injuries.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arsenal

Doubtful: Almunia (wrist), Clichy & Gibbs (both ankle)

Injured: Bendtner & Denilson (both groin), Djourou & Song (both knee), Fabregas & Ramsey (both broken leg), Gallas & Vermaelen (both calf), Rosicky (ankle)

Fulham

Injured: Duff (leg), A Johnson (knee), Zamora (Achilles)


MATCH PREVIEW
There was a hung parliament when Fulham made their first league visit to Arsenal in 1914, but the result of this fixture has rarely been in doubt over the last century.

We gave everything this year and we will do that again in the last game of the season

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Arsenal have never lost at home to Fulham, which will provide some solace to Gunners fans concerned at the prospect of conceding third place to north London rivals Tottenham.

Arsenal have not been outside of the league's top three since the beginning of December and a point would ensure automatic qualification for the Champions League group stages. It would also eclipse last season's points tally.

Nonetheless, their title chances evaporated in the final weeks of the season, and manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he needs to add a couple of experienced players to his squad this summer.

Fulham's focus is on Wednesday's Europa League final. Their request to play this game 24 hours earlier was turned down by the Premier League, and it seems probable that manager Roy Hodgson will elect to rest several of his key players.


MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• Arsenal have never lost at home to Fulham, winning 19 and drawing three of their 22 league meetings and also triumphing in their only cup tie.

• Fulham's only win in their last six league matches against Arsenal was 1-0 at Craven Cottage in August 2008.


• Arsenal have only won one of their last six league games and picked up a solitary point from the last 12 available.

• However, they are on a six-match unbeaten run at home, winning five and keeping a clean sheet in the last three.

• They have won each of their last six home matches on the final day of the season since losing 3-1 to Tottenham in May 1993.

• Robin van Persie has scored three goals in his last five matches against Fulham, including the winner at Craven Cottage earlier this season.

Fulham

• Fulham have failed to win a Premier League away game in 17 attempts since beating Portsmouth on the opening day of the season.

• If they fail to win on Sunday it will be the third time in the last five years that they have picked up only one away victory all season.

• Erik Nevland scored their first league goal in eight away matches at Everton on 25 April.

• They have scored 12 first-half goals this season - fewer than any other club in the division.


LEADING GOALSCORERS

 
Arsenal

Fabregas: 19 goals (15 league);
Bendtner: 12 goals (6 league)


 
Fulham

Zamora: 19 goals (8 league); Gera: 10 goals (2 league)


MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mike Jones

Assistant referees: Andy Newbold & Phil Sharp

Fourth official: Mick Russell


LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Arsenal (L1-2 v Blackburn, a): Fabianski; Sagna, Campbell, Silvestre, Traore, Eboue (Eduardo 77), Diaby, Walcott, Nasri, Vela (Arshavin 67), van Persie. Subs not used: Mannone, Djourou, Gibbs, Eastmond, Henderson.

Fulham (L0-1 v Stoke, h): Schwarzer; Pantsil (Okaka 86), Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Duff (Nevland 46), Murphy, Etuhu, Davies, Dempsey, Gera. Subs not used: Zuberbuhler, Baird, Riise, Smalling, Dikgacoi.


MOST RECENT MEETING

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal (26 September 2009)

Arsenal scorer: van Persie 52


PERMUTATIONS
Arsenal's highest possible finish: 3rd (£14.4m)

Arsenal's lowest possible finish: 4th (£13.6m)

Fulham's highest possible finish: 9th (£9.6m)

Fulham's lowest possible finish: 13th (£6.4m)




WhiteJC

http://www.guillembalague.com/blog_desp.php?titulo=Ask%20Guillem:%20Hodgson%20Hyped?%20Guti%20Gone?%20&id=445
Ask Guillem: Hodgson Hyped? Guti Gone?

This week, Guillem tackles questions on Fulham and Hodgson; plus the varying futures of Pedro, Guti, Higuain, Mata and Canales...

ROY HODGSON: THE VIEW FROM SPAIN?
Hi Guillem, As a Fulham fan attending the Europa League final, I`d like to know what the consensus is between Atletico fans and players about what they think of the Fulham team and Roy Hodgson? Many teams have underestimated us so far, so is it likely that Atletico will too? And of course, I`d like to know your prediction for the final in Hamburg! Cheers, Andrew Shirra

GUILLEM REPLIES: I`ll be going to the Europa League final as well, Andrew! Little by little people are learning about Fulham and that process will continue as time goes on.

There is plenty of respect out there for Roy Hodgson and the question why he hasn`t taken charge of a bigger club in the last few seasons is a big talking point in the media. How is it that he can do so well with the likes of Switzerland not to mention Inter, yet no-one was willing to take a punt on him. It`s going to be a very difficult game for Atletico, who didn`t play well against Liverpool - they dominated the first hour but the difference was the contrast in experience on the bench. I can see the final going down to extra-time and penalties, in all honesty, after it finishes 1-1 or maybe 2-2 in 90 minutes.

WhiteJC

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=198033
Fulham - Aguero Has His Say
While we've heard plenty of news from our own camp and received plenty of praise from all corners of the English media, little has been mentioned from our Europa League Final opponents, Atletico Madrid.

Gladly, however, their somewhat arguably, 'main-man', Sergio Aguero, has broken the Spaniard's silence and the Argentine certainly wasn't shy in praising our English grit.

The striker took the opportunity to recognise quite how magnificent Roy's achievements have been this year in the Europa League and he was eager to warn his fellow team mates of our skill and ability.

'Fulham are in the final because they have good players who have done a great job.

'We are trying to think of next Wednesday as just another game, but it's a final. English football is very hard, and Fulham are [one of] the toughest teams in the Premier League.

'They will give everything to win, as we will, so we must be concentrated and play well, like in our previous matches.'


It's nice to hear one of the best players currently knocking about being so wary of Fulham and it's a good measurement of just how far we've come this past term.
Worldwide recognition is all but a win away.




Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=198033#ixzz0nKymqsZJ

WhiteJC

http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2010/05/08/eriks-last-game/
Craven Cottage Newsround
Erik's last game
Filed under: General — weltmeisterclaude @ 10:47 am

Wednesday night was Erik Nevland's last game at the Cottage.  I had to run some focus groups so missed it, which I was disappointed about, but hopefully he will get a moment or two on the pitch in Hamburg on Wednesday.  So I can say goodbye properly.

Nevland's been a great player to have around.  I sometimes think that in a parallel universe somewhere we went down in 2008, and in that parallel universe Nevland scored 30 Championship goals and we came back up.   Would've been fun, wouldn't it?   As it was, in the real world, Nevland did his bit in keeping us in the Premier League.

He joined Fulham at a difficult time.  The team was in serious trouble and not showing anything that suggested a revival might be coming.

Roy Hodgson, who knew him from Viking in Norway, said:

'I am delighted to be able to welcome Erik to Fulham. He is a player that I know well and I am confident he will contribute to the squad to assist us in this, and further, campaigns. Erik has great attributes and played an important part in keeping FK Viking in the Norwegian First Division.

"After joining FC Groningen he quickly established himself as a firm favourite both with the fans, and with the management, and it has been no easy task securing his signature at Fulham. However, Erik's desire to play in the Premier League and to find a new challenge has enabled us to bring him to the Club, and it is very pleasing that we have been able to do so.'

Nevland was pleased, too:

"My team didn't want me to go, but I really wanted to take this chance," says Nevland of FC Gronigen, who fought hard to keep their star forward from joining the Whites.

"I had a good relationship with the club for a long time and I felt that this was my opportunity to play in the Premier League, so I tried to tell them that, but they wouldn't listen. But after a week or two they were on the same page, so it worked out well."

"It's going to be a tough job, but with the players we have, I think it's possible."

"Time will tell. Obviously that's what I'm hoping for, but the most important thing is that the team gets itself out of this position, it doesn't matter who scores the goals. If I can contribute to that then it will be good."

He made his debut at home to Aston Villa, but after a hard working 70 minutes was substituted.  He also started at Middlesbrough the next week, lasting 64 minutes in a 1-0 defeat.  Then it was sub work:  a minute in a 3-0 home defeat by United, then nothing in the next five games.  And then the big one:  Reading away.

We were about done at this point, almost certain to go down.  Nevland joined the action in the 83rd minute, the team a goal up and dominating but unable to put the game away.   Curiously the tension was unbearable but also quite jovial, since we all thought we were down anyway.   We'd hit the bar three times, and that memorable "we've hit it three times, we've hit it three tiiiiiimes, that f*cking crossbar, we've hit it three times" song started to grow.  Great stuff.

Then Nevland exchanged passes with Simon Davies, surged goalwards, then with a dead-shot drive made the game safe, drilling the ball across the keeper and into the bottom corner of the net.  That the goal was on the break and finished lethally was an entirely apt introduction to Nevland's goalscoring:  we soon learned that this was very much his thing.  It was strange, too...  nobody else in the side could finish with such certainty.    It was one of those close your eyes clench your fists and say 'thank you' to nobody in particular goals.   It meant something, that goal.

He was on the field for the last 20 minutes against Man City.

Then against Birmingham, again we were a goal up, again the ball found its way over the top, and again Nevland ruthlessly made the game safe.

He was on the field for the last 20 minutes at Portsmouth.

So he had a pretty important part to play in our survival that season.

Next season things settled down and Nevland wasn't so necessary, which is not a sleight on him but a reflection on how we had improved.   He had to wait for late January for another goal, scoring two as a sub in a 3-1 win over Portsmouth.  Again he turned a painfully tight game into three points, a delicious control/turn/finish again showing off his predatorishness.

In April he scored at home to Stoke, a breathtaking counter-attacking goal.   He scored after four minutes at Stamford Bridge the next week.  And played important roles in the wins over Villa and Newcastle (away, where he set up Kamara's winner) in the next two weeks, securing Fulham seventh place and a European place.  And we know where that's lead.

More of the same this season:  a vital goal in our win over Liverpool, a goal against Blackburn to turn around a game we were struggling in, and, by way of a goodbye, a typically alert strike to give us the lead at Everton.

The appearances have been rare and short, the impact has been significant.

Thank you, Erik; it wouldn't have been the same without you.


WhiteJC

http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-boss-hodgson-i-was-right-bring-duff-club-824511
Fulham boss Hodgson: I was right to bring Duff to club
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson believes he has Damien Duff back to his best ever form.

Hodgson admits both Duff and Bobby Zamora remain injury concerns for next week's Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.

Hodgson, who managed a 17-year-old Duff at Ewood Park in 1997, said: "He's been outstanding. He's been the Damien that I got to know as a young boy at Blackburn and have followed ever since.

"Several people tried to persuade me that's no longer the case and he's a totally different player, but I'm pleased to say they were wrong and I was right. If anything, he's a better player today.

"If he and Bobby are unable to play in the final, it would be a major, major blow."

WhiteJC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8669657.stm
Mohammed Al Fayed sells Harrods store to Qatar Holdings
The department store Harrods has been sold for a purchase price of about £1.5bn, the BBC can confirm.

Owner Mohammed Al Fayed has agreed to sell the exclusive west London store to Qatar Holdings.

Ken Costa, who acted as an adviser to the deal, said that Mr Al Fayed was retiring "to spend more time with his children and grandchildren".

A colourful and controversial figure, Mr Al Fayed acquired Harrods in 1985 following a £615m takeover bid.

The deal was signed in the early hours of 8 May, BBC business correspondent Joe Lynam said.

Our reporter added that Mr Al Fayed's motivation for selling was unclear, but the price tag was not inconsiderable in a post-recessionary market.


The BBC understands that Mr Al Fayed will stay on in some capacity but will not be involved in running the company day-to-day.

The sale will include all parts of the Harrods group, including Harrods Estates and a charter aircraft service.

Mr Costa, chairman of asset managers Lazard International, who advised the Al Fayed family trust on the sale, said Qatar Holding had been "specifically chosen" by Mr Al Fayed because he believed it had the "vision and financial capacity" to support the long-term growth of the store.

"In reaching the decision to retire, he wished to ensure that the legacy and traditions that he has built up in Harrods would be continued, and that the team that he has built up would be encouraged to develop the foundations that he has laid," Mr Costa added.

Reports in March had suggested that the Gulf-based investor, which works on behalf of the royal family in the Arab emirate of Qatar, had approached Mr Al Fayed about a possible deal.

However, staff were assured at the time that the store was not for sale.

Repeatedly refused

Mr Al Fayed's UK business interests include the Premiership football club Fulham FC and a recent rich list put his fortune at £650m.

During the 1980s, a battle for control of the store formed part of a long-running feud between Mr Al Fayed and the late businessman Tiny Rowland.

Mr Rowland later accused his business rival of breaking into a safety deposit box stored at Harrods.

Egyptian-born Mr Al Fayed waged a 10-year campaign to prove that Princess Diana and his son Dodi, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997, were murdered in a conspiracy.

Despite living in Britain for decades, the multi-millionaire businessman has repeatedly been refused a UK passport.

After his first passport refusal, Mr Al Fayed revealed he had paid two Conservative ministers - Neil Hamilton and Tim Smith - to ask questions related to his interests, in the House of Commons. Both left the government in disgrace.

He claimed another political scalp in Jonathan Aitken, the cabinet minister who resigned after the Harrods boss revealed he had been staying free at the Ritz in Paris at the same time as Saudi arms dealers.