Sunday Fulham Stuff (13.06.10)

[White Noise]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-manager-exclusive-Fulham-owner-Mohamed-Al-Fayed-says-Roy-Hodgson-will-turn-down-Anfield-approach-article462095.html

Al Fayed: Hodgson will turn down Liverpool - Exclusive

Published 23:00 12/06/10

By Paul Smith


The battle for Roy Hodgson's services is about to hot up.

Liverpool are on the brink of making an official approach for the Fulham boss.

Although it is unlikely ­Fulham owner ­Mohamed Al Fayed would try to stand in ­Hodgson's way if the Reds come calling, the Craven Cottage supremo is ­confident that his manager is likely to ­reject a move to Anfield.

Al Fayed said: "I don't think he'll leave me. I'm sure he'll have lots of approaches from other clubs, but I give him anything he wants to reach results and we have a very good ­relationship."

Despite increasing ­speculation that Hodgson is ­Liverpool's No.1 ­target, no official ­approach has yet been made.

In fact, at the recent ­Premier League ­summer AGM there was no formal or informal discussions about Hodgson by the two clubs.

Under the terms of ­Hodgson's ­rolling one-year contract, Liverpool will only be ­required to find around £2million in compensation to secure his signature.

But a senior Fulham source said last night: "Roy's his own man and if an ­approach was forthcoming I'm sure he will sit down and evaluate the situation. He is very private and keeps his own ­counsel, so you can never second guess what he's going to do.

"However, the ­indications are it would take something ­extraordinary to convince him to leave Fulham and I'm not sure given all the ­documented financial ­problems at Liverpool he'd see that as ideal move.

"Roy has an incredibly good relationship with the owner as well.

"Given that he is pressing ahead with player recruitment for the new season, I'm not sure that is an indication he is planning to leave."

[White Noise]

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/world_cup/845089/SCHWARZERS-WARNING-FOR-GERMANY.html


SCHWARZER'S WARNING FOR GERMANY



By Greg Gobere, 12/06/2010

MARK SCHWARZER has pledged to make Germany suffer if they make the mistake of taking Australia lightly.

The Socceroos narrowly missed out on a quarter-final place in Germany 2006, losing 1-0 to eventual winners Italy. They made it to their third World Cup this year at a canter.


But Fulham keeper Schwarzer said: "I think it's taken us to get to get to a World Cup in Germany, and to perform the way we did, to receive the recognition we probably deserved.


"We now need to build on it. We've done part of that by qualifying for South Africa, but the job is not finished.


"Germany are regarded as one of the great nations in world football. They have been highly successful in every tournament they've played in and it will be extremely tough.


"But the battling spirit has always been there with us.


"We're in the top 25 teams in the world rankings, and we want to stay there. We've got the desire.


"You've got to have confidence in your own ability and we have that.

"It's something we've never really lacked. We've got the desire, we've got the determination. It's all about us making sure we are 100 percent fit and ready to go come the first game."

[White Noise]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2010/06/13/roy-hodgson-to-open-talks-with-liverpool-102039-22329122/

Roy Hodgson to open talks with Liverpool


Jun 13 2010

by David Kidd, The People


Add a commentRecommend ROY HODGSON is ready to open talks about ­becoming the next Liverpool manager this week – and Fulham chiefs fear he is on his way to Anfield.

Liverpool managing ­director Christian Purslow has received a glowing recommendation about Hodgson from former Anfield boss Gerard Houllier. And Fulham have now put ­transfer and contract talks on hold until his future is sorted, as they believe their hugely successful boss is on his way to Merseyside.

Kop legend Kenny Dalglish has now withdrawn his interest in ­taking over as manager. And Liverpool are poised to make an official approach, opening the door for talks to start in the next few days. Agents working on deals to bring ­players to Fulham, and those ­hoping to renegotiate existing contracts, have been told they must wait until Hodgson has spoken to Liverpool.

Fulham chairman ­Mohamed Al Fayed will not make it easy for ­Hodgson to leave, ­offering him a major pay rise and transfer budget.

But Liverpool are ready to move after Purslow staged a ­series of ­consultations. Former Anfield chief Houllier, who ­managed the club ­between 1998-2004, is one of several high-profile football figures to have been consulted by Purslow in the pursuit of a new boss to ­succeed Rafa Benitez.

Purslow has spoken to ­several senior UEFA ­figures, ­including Houllier and ex-Scotland boss Andy Roxburgh, about Hodgson's credentials. And both Houllier and Roxburgh recommended Hodgson as the ideal ­candidate to succeed Benitez.

The clear sign Hodgson will be formally offered the chance to manage Liverpool in the coming days follows a ­decision by Dalglish to step away from pursuing the job.

The Scot's change of heart about resurrecting his managerial career back at Anfield has cleared the way for Hodgson to take over from Benitez, who has joined Inter Milan.

Houllier, who won a UEFA Cup, Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups during his Anfield reign, was quick to give him his seal of ­approval with the Fulham chief highly regarded amongst UEFA's elite group of coaches and their technical committee.

The Fulham boss, 62, is seen as a safe pair of hands and an experienced man who can ­restore the stability and dignity the club have lost, particularly in the last two years.

Liverpool are in no great rush to make the appointment as their pre-season plans have been put in place by No.2 Sammy Lee, who is staying despite Benitez's exit.

Their non-World Cup stars are due back for training around July 5 in readiness for their Europa League qualifier at the end of next month.

[White Noise]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2010/06/13/celtic-to-tempt-zamora-if-hodgson-leaves-fulham-102039-22329124/

Celtic to tempt Zamora if Hodgson leaves Fulham


Jun 13 2010


by Dean Jones, The People


Add a commentRecommend CELTIC will try their luck with a bid to sign Bobby Zamora – if Roy Hodgson leaves Fulham.

New Celtic boss Neil Lennon wants at least two top British players on board for the start of the season.

Tottenham's Robbie Keane, Manchester City forward Craig Bellamy and former England star Sol Campbell are all key targets.

But striker Zamora is a man the Scots have in their sights if they fail to lure either Keane or Bellamy north of the border.

Zamora is rated at £7million by Fulham – but the club will not let him leave while Hodgson is in charge.

The experienced boss has revived Zamora's career over the past 12 months by handing him a central role in Fulham's incredible season, which saw them reach the Europa League final.

Fear

The former West Ham and Spurs man scored 19 goals – and only missed out on Fabio Capello's provisional England squad because of an unfortunate Achilles problem.

But with a move to Liverpool as Rafael Benitez's successor being mooted for Hodgson, Celtic are hopeful they will be able to turn their attention to acquiring Zamora later in the transfer window.

Celtic considered a move for Zamora in 2007 under Gordon Strachan. He ended up staying at Upton Park, but this time Birmingham and Aston Villa are also in the hunt.

Fears that Zamora would not make a switch away from London were eased last year, as the forward was on the verge of joining Hull.

Preston defender Sean St Ledger is also on Lennon's radar at Celtic.

Fulham boosted their squad last week with the signing of defender Philippe Senderos from Arsenal.

They also fancy Dieumerci Mbokani from Standard Liege to strengthen their front line, but are worried by his £8m price tag.

[White Noise]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2010/06/13/mark-schwarzer-reveals-he-used-to-cheer-on-germany-102039-22329102/

Mark Schwarzer reveals he used to cheer on Germany


Jun 13 2010


by David Kidd, The People


Add a commentRecommend MARK SCHWARZER used to get up in the middle of the night to roar Germany on to a succession of World Cup finals.

But today Fulham's Aussie keeper will be desperate to stop the Germans as he faces his parents' homeland in a Group D opener in Durban.

Schwarzer, who is still a target for Arsenal, was born to German mother Doris and father Hans-Joachim in Sydney.

And he was an ardent supporter of the West German national team, which reached the World Cup final in 1982, 1986 and 1990 – meaning his first goalkeeping hero was the villainous Harald Schumacher, famous for almost decapitating France's Patrick Battiston in the 1982 semi-final.

The time difference in Australia meant plenty of crazy alarm calls for the young Schwarzer.

Schwarzer said: "Both of my parents are German, though now Australian citizens. My parents always spoke German to us and we answered them in English. We learned German from them and they learned English from us.

"My dad was always a football fan – Stuttgart were his team – and as a kid we used to get up in the middle of the night to watch West Germany play in World Cups. They got to the final in 1982 and 1986 and won it in 1990.

"I used to cheer on players like Jurgen Klinsmann, Lothar Matthaus and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. They were great players, with great self-belief, who never knew when they were beaten.

"It wasn't until 2006, when I myself was involved, that Australia made it to a World Cup so for me it was always Germany I supported.

"My wife is Australian and we have two kids born in England, though we have indoctrinated them from a very early age that they are Australian, not English!"

Schwarzer has enjoyed a successful two-year spell at Fulham, including the amazing march to last month's Europa League Final where Roy Hodgson's men were pipped by Atletico Madrid in extra-time.

But the 37-year-old has admitted that his future will largely depend on whether boss Hodgson stays at the club – the Craven Cottage chief is ready to quit for Liverpool – leaving the door open for Arsene Wenger to bid for the keeper.

For now, Schwarzer is focused on Australia's attempts to emulate their 2006 achievement of reaching the World Cup knock-out phase.

He said: "People say we over-achieved at the last World Cup but we are confident that we can do it again."

If they succeed, the Aussies could meet England in the second round – and an early date with a 'German' keeper in a penalty shoot-out is the last thing Fabio Capello's men will want.

Aussie midfielder Brett Emerton, on the other hand, can't wait for such a clash.

Emerton, who has just been ­transfer-listed by Blackburn, admits the motivation of facing Capello's men is spurring him on.

He believes England are still rattled by a shock defeat to the boys from Down Under back in 2003.

He said: "A game against England would be a great spectacle for the Australian public and for the English – they're still a bit upset about when we won 3-1 a few years ago.

"All the Aussie boys would love the opportunity to play them once again.

"We would go into the game as the underdogs, but it would be a fantastic spectacle.

"I would love that to happen."

[White Noise]

http://www.espnstar.com/football/world-cup/news/detail/item453438/Ghana-vs-Serbia-Preview/

Ghana vs Serbia Preview


Ghana and Serbia kick off their World Cup campaigns with their Group D opener in Pretoria on Sunday.

In a tough looking group, with Germany and Australia making up the rest of the pool, both sides will be keen to get off to a winning start at the Loftus Versefeld Stadium.

This is Ghana's second World Cup finals following their debut in Germany four years ago, while for Serbia it is the first finals as a single nation.

Ghana are coached by Serbian boss Milovan Rajevic, but he insists there will be no divided loyalties on Sunday.

Ghana lost their most influential player prior to the finals when Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien was ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.

Inter Milan star Sulley Muntari has handed Ghana a boost after recovering from a thigh problem which forced him to miss his side's final warm-up game.

Stephen Appiah will captain the Black Stars, while Fulham defender John Pantsil will start in defence.

Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng could start in midfield after pledging his international allegiance to the Africans ahead of Germany.

Serbia expect Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic to be fit after illness ruled him out of the recent friendlies against Poland and Cameroon.

Serbia coach Radomir Antic has no other injury worries to contend with as they look to get off to a flying start in South Africa.

Birmingham new boy Nikola Zigic is expected to lead the attack, while highly-rated duo Milos Krasic and Milan Jovanovic will provide the ammunition from the wings.

[White Noise]

Roy Hodgson: Give me the Liverpool job before I go to the World Cup

By Joe Bernstein


Last updated at 2:21 AM on 13th June 2010


Roy Hodgson will head out to the World Cup this week still waiting to hear whether he is going to be offered one of the biggest jobs in English football and become Liverpool boss.

The Fulham manager has made it clear to the Anfield hierarchy that he wants his future sorted out before he begins a stint as a pundit in South Africa.

Hodgson, who took Fulham to the Europa League final last season, feared he was being kept in reserve as Liverpool failed to attract a world-renowned coach such as Louis van Gaal, Guus Hiddink or Marcello Lippi.

But with a growing bandwagon of support for Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool have realised they must move quickly to stop themselves being pressurised into appointing the Scot.

They plan talks with 62-year-old Hodgson in the next 48 hours, while Aston Villa's Martin O'Neill could also be sounded out. Hodgson is due to fly to South Africa on Wednesday to work as a World Cup pundit for the BBC and Fulham hope Liverpool's hesitation will let them hang on to a manager who has turned them from relegation candidates to European finalists in less than three years.

A friend said: 'Why would Roy want to undertake a massive rebuilding job at Liverpool when they might lose Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano?

'Bill Shankly was only 42 when he went into Anfield - Roy's 20 years older than that. He is comfortable living in the south and has been active in arranging all of the club's pre-season friendlies.'

The key to Hodgson's future may depend on whether he believes he is the undisputed No1 choice at Anfield. Taking charge of one of Europe's traditional giants is an undoubted temptation for the current Manager of the Year. But he knows Liverpool are turning to him because other stellar names are not prepared to take up the challenge while the club are not in the Champions League.

To complicate matters, many fans want to see Dalglish in charge and past players have been queuing up to support his claims, to the irritation of some powerbrokers at the club.

Fulham would not be able to demand massive compensation for Hodgson, who signed a rolling one-year contract in March. But they hope the turmoil at Anfield will persuade him to have second thoughts.

Liverpool have been put up for sale by owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, and a £350million debt is likely to curb spending unless key players are sold.

Former boss Rafa Benitez, now at Inter Milan, hopes to take advantage by swooping for Mascherano, Dirk Kuyt and Serbia midfielder Milan Jovanovic, who signed an agreement to join Liverpool from Standard Liege.

Some at Anfield prefer Hodgson to Dalglish, seeing him as the safe pair of hands needed to bring stability after a turbulent year. But others are concerned that Hodgson's only experience at such a big club came more than a decade ago with Inter Milan.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1286154/Roy-Hodgson-Give-Liverpool-job-I-World-Cup.html#ixzz0qi8jHidT

[White Noise]

Arsene Wenger the £30m spender!

Arsenal boss to splash the cash with Everton's Phil Jagielka and Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer top of agenda


By Rob Draper Chief Football Writer


Last updated at 2:22 AM on 13th June 2010

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, criticised by fans after his young side failed to win a trophy since 2005, is to splash out £30million on building a squad to end the drought.

Wenger will make the club's biggest impact on the summer transfer market for more than a decade, with Everton defender Phil Jagielka the latest target, along with Chelsea's England midfielder Joe Cole, Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and Lorient defender Laurent Koscielny.

Wenger is finally ready to make major signings after almost 10 years of being constrained by the club's move to the Emirates Stadium.

And Everton centre-half Jagielka, controversially left out of Fabio Capello's 30-man preparation squad for the World Cup finals, is the latest player to be targeted by the Frenchman, although Everton manager David Moyes will fight to keep the 27-year-old defender at Goodison Park.

But Arsenal now appear to be confident of adding Cole and Schwarzer to the squad after the World Cup finals, even though negotiations with Cole's representatives have yet to reach a conclusion.

Fulham have rejected an initial inquiry for Schwarzer, but the Australian goalkeeper has only one year left on his contract at Craven Cottage and, at the age of 37, he will want to seize his last chance to play Champions League football.

Arsenal remain in talks for centre-half Koscielny but, with William Gallas out of contract and leaving the club, they are committed to signing another experienced Premier League defender.

Jagielka is their first choice and Wenger has been cleared to spend, with around £30m at his disposal plus any more he receives if Cesc Fabregas leaves for Barcelona.

Arsenal have rarely been major players in the summer transfer market since committing to building the Emirates Stadium 10 years ago, a project completed in 2006 at the cost of £380m.
But the club made £45.5m profit last year, making them one of the few in the Premier League to enjoy a substantial return.

Their financial outlook is much brighter than Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, with more profits expected this year as stadium debts fall.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1286187/Arsene-Wenger-30m-spender-Arsenal-boss-splash-cash.html#ixzz0qi9XL29f

[White Noise]

Calamity! Robert Green faces England axe after his howler hands Americans a draw

By Bob Cass in Rustenburg


Last updated at 12:39 AM on 13th June 2010


Robert Green's World Cup looks as though it is over after his calamitous mistake cost England victory in a disappointing draw with the United States on Saturday night.

Green let a low shot from Fulham's Clint Dempsey slip through his fingers in the 40th minute to cancel out Steven Gerrard's early opener - and an angry Fabio Capello is poised to wield the axe.

The West Ham goalkeeper apologised for the king-sized blunder which cost his country a winning World Cup start. 'It was my mistake and I'm responsible for it,' said a red-faced Green.

But the damage has been done and his howler means either David James or Joe Hart is set to wear the gloves in England's must-win showdown with Algeria in Cape Town on Friday.

Gerrard and former captain John Terry gave Green their backing last night but Capello said: 'We have time to decide and time to speak with him and then we will decide.

'When I decided Green would be the keeper, he had played the last game very well and the performance was good. He made one mistake but in the second half he made also a good save.

This is the problem with being a keeper. We have to accept the mistakes of the keeper in football, just like we have to accept the mistakes of the referees or the forwards.'

Green's place in the starting XI against the US had been in doubt right until kick-off. Not one of Green, James or Hart had made a watertight case for selection and fans feared the last line of defence was going to be the Achilles heel.

And after Green added his name to a growing list of calamity keepers, it looks like those fears were not misplaced.

Green said: 'I don't want to make any excuses about the ball. It might have moved, I don't know.

'But it was my mistake and I'm responsible. I've made errors before and I've been big enough to get over them and I will this one.

'I'm man enough to admit what went wrong and now it's time to move on.

'Of course I want the opportunity to put it right in the next game against Algeria. You have to be strong and I know I have the character to bounce back.'

Gerrard later called Green's error 'a freak' while Terry said: 'These things happen. But Greeny is OK. He's a big lad and we are a tight bunch and we'll stick together.'

Tim Howard, the America keeper who pulled off a handful of excellent stops, sympathised with his opposite number.

He said: 'We've all made mistakes and I know Robert has the character to get over it. Obviously, I was pleased with the equaliser but clearly there are mixed emotions about this.

'You don't like to see anybody suffer the way he did.'

Capello has another selection headache after Ledley King was ruled out of the Algeria game with a groin injury.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1286206/Calamity-Robert-Green-faces-England-axe-howler-hands-Americans-draw.html#ixzz0qiA6HsCh

[White Noise]

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/139614/WORLD-CUP-2010-Boob-makes-Clint-s-day/


WORLD CUP 2010: BOOB MAKES CLINT'S DAY


13th June 2010

THE USA'S goal hero Clint Dempsey showed no sympathy for blunder ­keeper Robert Green after his howler gifted the Yanks a precious World Cup point.

Fulham star Dempsey's apparently harmless 30-yard left-foot shot went straight at Green – but the ball bounced off his right glove and trickled over the line for an equaliser.

"It's one of those that you see and people say, 'How come that never happens to me'," Dempsey said.

"Finally, it's a goal that probably the keeper should have made a save on. But they all count the same when they go in."


England captain Steven Gerrard had given ­England the lead in the fourth minute, charging into the area and shooting with the outside of his right foot past Tim Howard for his 17th ­international goal.




But the Americans had a lot of the ball in the first half and certainly were not ­overawed by the quality of their opponents.




And after the match, USA manager Bob Bradley (right) was delighted to have taken a point.




He said: "Our first game was about ­getting ­something.




"But though we went behind early, I thought the response was good."




"I think after the goal we started to put some plays together and built up ­confidence." Dempsey became only the second ­American to score in two World Cups. He also scored in the 2006 tournament and added: "At least we got a


point, that's the positive but we've got to go out and win these next two games."




Meanwhile, Green received some sympathy from US goalkeeper Howard, whose string of saves helped his team get a point.




"I feel terrible for him," the Everton stopper said. "He's got broad shoulders. He'll bounce back."

And another former World Cup fall-guy who ­believes Green deserves continued support is Chris Waddle.




The Geordie wideman, who missed a penalty shoot-out kick against West Germany in the 1990 World Cup semi-final in Turin said: "The English people will probably bang on about this for the next six weeks and probably the next six years.




"But it's history, we need to move on."




Waddle is equally certain that a decent World Cup is still well within England's grasp as long as Capello changes the 4-4-2 formation that failed.

The ex-Newcastle and Marseille ace said: "I looked at the team and it seemed exciting with all the right players in the right places.

"Unfortunately, it did not work and just did not happen for England.

"The shape was all wrong. You can't play with two central midfielders and two wingers at this level.

"Gerrard and Frank Lampard could not cope with four USA players in ­midfield. But we got a point. It's not the end of the world."

[White Noise]

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/139616/WORLD-CUP-2010-Australia-s-reuptation-on-the-line/

WORLD CUP 2010 : AUSTRALIA'S REUPTATION ON THE LINE


13th June 2010 

Mark Schwarzer reckons Australia's reputation as an emerging football nation is on the line at the World Cup.

The Aussies stunned everybody four years ago in Germany by making it to the knockout stages, losing to eventual winners Italy in the round of 16.

Australia face Germany tonight – and Fulham keeper Schwarzer, 37, says nothing less than a repeat in South Africa will do.

The Aussie No.1 said: "Reaching the last World Cup and the way we then performed there helped us get the recognition we probably deserved.

"But you are only rated as good as your last performances.

"We can't live on our success in Germany – we have to build upon it.

"We have done part of that job by qualifying for South Africa but it is by no means finished.

"In fact, it is only just beginning. We are ranked among the world's top 25 countries and have to make sure that we are still in there after the finals."

[White Noise]

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/139603/Gerard-Houllier-says-Hodgson-should-get-Liverpool-job/


GERARD HOULLIER SAYS HODGSON SHOULD GET LIVERPOOL JOB


 
13th June 2010

By Paul Hetherington

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has told his old club that Roy Hodgson should succeed Rafa Benitez.

Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow has talked with many influential figures with Anfield connections in his search for a new boss.

And Houllier is understood to be the latest to recommend the experienced Hodgson, 62.

The Fulham boss is now emerging as the favourite for the job.

Club ambassador and former manager Kenny Dalglish is said to have cooled his interest in stepping into the Anfield hot seat again.

The Liverpool legend is more likely to continue in his current capacity at the club.

But Dalglish is being backed to take over by former Reds boss Roy Evans.

Evans said: "Kenny has been the leader before so maybe we need him again – but it depends if Kenny really wants it."

[White Noise]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/blog/_/name/worldcup2010Blog?cc=5739&ver=global

Fast facts on the U.S.-England game


Saturday, June 12, 2010 Jun 125:55PM ET

Posted by Paul Carr and ESPN Stats & Information


England 1, United States 1


• U.S. takes a point from seeded England and is now 1-0-1 vs England at the World Cup, 2-7-1 overall.

• U.S. has advanced from the Group Stage each of the 3 previous times after earning at least a point in the opener.

• Clint Dempsey equalized in the 40th minute when England keeper Robert Green flubbed his long shot. It was the 19th career goal for Dempsey, who was the only American to score at the 2006 World Cup and is the 2nd American to score in 2 World Cups, joining former Fulham teammate Brian McBride. Dempsey is the 6th American with multiple World Cup goals. Dempsey was also the last American to score against England, in a 2005 friendly.

• U.S. improves to 0-15-3 when allowing the 1st goal at the World Cup.

• It's the 2nd straight opener in which the U.S. has allowed an early goal; in 2006, Czech Republic's Jan Koller scored in the 5th minute and the Czechs won 3-0.

• Steven Gerrard opened the scoring with his 3rd career World Cup goal and 17th goal overall in the 4th minute. It's the 3rd-fastest goal in England World Cup history, and it matches the 2nd-fastest goal allowed by USA at the World Cup.

• England is 4-1-4 in its last 9 openers, while the U.S. is 2-5-2 in its 9 openers.

• Wayne Rooney didn't touch the ball in the 1st 17 minutes and didn't touch it in the box in the 1st 70 minutes.

• England pounced early with a Steven Gerrard goal four minutes in, but couldn't use its superior passing in the second half to put one past United States goalkeeper Tim Howard, who was named Man of the Match.

• England's passing attack in the second half was much more active and disciplined than that of the United States, completing 198 of 242 passes (81.8 percent) compared to 90 of 145 (62.2 percent) for the Americans.

• The United States' passing accuracy was 66.8 percent, its second-lowest total since the stat was first tracked in 1966. The only time the Americans posted a lower number was when they completed 66.4 percent of their passes in a 1-1 draw against South Korea in 2002. Since 1966, only seven teams have won a match with a passing accuracy lower than 67 percent (7-10-20 in these instances).

• Tim Howard's seven saves were the most by a U.S. keeper making a World Cup debut since Tony Meola had nine in a 5-1 loss to Czechoslovakia in the 1990 World Cup.

• From Opta Sports Data: Robert Green made four errors leading to goals in the 2009-10 Premier League season -- more than any other player. Green plays his club football with West Ham United.

[White Noise]

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/139583/Kenny-Dalgish-keep-to-replace-Rafa/

KENNY DALGISH KEEN TO REPLACE RAFA


13th June 2010

KENNY DALGLISH is keen to replace Rafa Benitez but, amazingly, the Anfield suits are against King Kenny ascending to the Anfield throne again.

The hot favourite for the hot seat is Fulham boss Roy ­Hodgson – three years older than Dalglish, 59, and currently ­flavour of the month after ­taking the Cottagers to the final of the Europa League.

I'm not knocking Hodgson, much travelled and much ­respected in football – but what Liverpool need now is Dalglish.

They are out of the Champions League and their fans are in open warfare with the dollar-chasing Yank dodgepots, who have burdened the club with millions of debt and now want to scuttle away with a huge ­profit.

And Benitez's sacking after that unacceptable seventh place finish in the Premier League has sparked speculation that star players like Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano and skipper Steven Gerrard might abandon ship.

All the turmoil means that no top coach, with respect to ­Hodgson, would touch the ­Anfield job with a barge pole.

That's why Dalglish – a ­Liverpool legend as a player and manager – must step up from his academy role and take charge until new owners take over.

He's adored by the fans, ­respected by players and other bosses and is also one of only five coaches to have won the Premier League.

Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow has the job of finding a new boss and says there are four key qualities he is looking for: experience, ­established reputation, stability and success in Europe.

Dalglish ticks every box. There's only one proviso – don't let him bring John Barnes back on any account!

[WhiteJC]

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/06/13/arsenal-line-up-30m-quartet-in-bid-to-end-silverware-drought-wenger-readies-move-for-premier-league-trio-and-koscienly/?
Arsenal Line Up £30m Quartet In Bid to End Silverware Drought: Wenger Readies Move for Premier League Trio and Koscienly

Emirates boss ready to splash the cash for Stamford Bridge contract rebel, Goodison Park defender, Craven Cottage veteran and unknown Ligue 1 defender.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, criticised by fans after his young side failed to win a trophy since 2005, is to splash out £30million on building a squad to end the drought.

Wenger will make the club's biggest impact on the summer transfer market for more than a decade, with Everton defender Phil Jagielka the latest target, along with Chelsea's England midfielder Joe Cole, Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and Lorient defender Laurent Koscielny.

Wenger is finally ready to make major signings after almost 10 years of being constrained by the club's move to the Emirates Stadium.

And Everton centre-half Jagielka, controversially left out of Fabio Capello's 30-man preparation squad for the World Cup finals, is the latest player to be targeted by the Frenchman, although Everton manager David Moyes will fight to keep the 27-year-old defender at Goodison Park.

But Arsenal now appear to be confident of adding Cole and Schwarzer to the squad after the World Cup finals, even though negotiations with Cole's representatives have yet to reach a conclusion.

Fulham have rejected an initial inquiry for Schwarzer, but the Australian goalkeeper has only one year left on his contract at Craven Cottage and, at the age of 37, he will want to seize his last chance to play Champions League football.

Arsenal remain in talks for centre-half Koscielny but, with William Gallas out of contract and leaving the club, they are committed to signing another experienced Premier League defender.

Jagielka is their first choice and Wenger has been cleared to spend, with around £30m at his disposal plus any more he receives if Cesc Fabregas leaves for Barcelona. (Daily Mail)

So there you have it. The Daily Mail draws up a list of players that Arsene Wenger may indeed make a move for, but are they all worthy of an Emirates move?

Joe Cole is a player of real talent who perhaps should have played against the United States last night and will surely figure in Fabio Capello's next starting eleven. Injuries set back his Chelsea career and Ancelotti's arrival was the attacking midfielder's Stamford Bridge death knell. There is no doubt though that the former West Ham man could do a good job at the north London club and given that he would cost nothing its a deal Wenger would love to do. Manchester United may well beat the Gunners to the punch though.

Mark Schwarzer has had a great season but he is 37 and even in goalkeeper years that is very nearly over the hill. Perhaps Arsenal only need a solution for one season with the likes of Vito Mannone and Wojciech Szcz?sny coming along nicely. Fulham don't want to sell but if the Australian forces a move I don't see Roy Hodgson being the type of manager to waste his time trying to keep an unhappy player at the club.

Phil Jagielka could be a harder player to snare though. David Moyes has had enough of seeing his top talent leave and will dig his heels in if the north London side does indeed attempt to lure the solid centre back away from Goodison Park. The 27 year old is however in many ways an ideal Gunners signing as Wenger looks to fresh defensive options as Gallas heads for the exit.

This leaves us with the relative unknown Lorient man Laurent Koscielny who represents the kind of player Wenger is known for buying and then making into household names, however such is the urgency of the recovery needed after five long years without a trophy, that Arsene may feel that he is better off spending that bit more to land an established name or two.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.sundaymercury.net/midlands-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2010/06/13/paul-konchesky-ready-to-quit-fulham-with-birmingham-city-in-the-wings-66331-26639252/?
Paul Konchesky ready to quit Fulham with Birmingham City in the wings

ALEX McLeish will press ahead with plans to sign Fulham's Paul Konchesky.

Despite Liam Ridgewell agreeing a new three-year contract, the Blues boss is determined to add the left-back to his team.
Ridgewell was a star turn at left-back last season, keeping out pre-season signing Gregory Vignal as well as Franck Queudrue.

But he has made it clear that he wants to fight for a place at centre-half, his favoured position, next season and McLeish has been a long-time admirer of Konchesky.

Fulham have been trying to tie him down to a new contract as he is about to enter the last year of his present deal.

But Konchesky is believed to have now told Fulham chiefs that he won't re-sign.

Blues have already had one offer of around £1.5 million knocked back.

McLeish has flown out to South Africa to take in some World Cup games and scout for potential new recruits.
But he is on top of the situation and remains in touch with key executive Peter Pannu, who is likely to fire off another bid in light of the new development.

McLeish released both Vignal and Queudrue at the season's end, as well as young full-backs Jared Wilson and Shaun Timmins.

But he still has David Murphy to call on, who spent most of the campaign recovering from a fractured kneecap.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1286244/WORLD-CUP-2010-USAs-Clint-Dempsey-delighted-Robert-Green-gaffe.html?ITO=1490
WORLD CUP 2010: USA's Clint Dempsey 'delighted' by Robert Green's costly England mistake

Clint Dempsey has admitted he could not believe his good fortune in Rustenburg.

The Fulham striker had already been denied a decent chance when Jozy Altidore nicked Landon Donovan's cross away from him as the United States were battling back against England.

But even Dempsey thought his speculative shot five minutes before half-time was not going to cause West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green a problem.

Instead, the hapless Green inexplicably allowed the ball to slip through his fingers and bobble into the net, to England's complete shock and Dempsey's total jubilation.

It earned the USA a 1-1 draw that leaves them well placed to reach the knockout phase.

'When I hit the shot I knew it was going on target and at the last second it moved a little bit,' he said.

'I saw Green reaching for it but then I saw it go over the line. I was hoping the referee saw it too. Thankfully he did.

'It is one of those goals everyone else seems to get. You watch them and think "Why can I never get a goal like that". Now I have.'

Dempsey conceded England were the better side after the interval.

However, the United States continued to create chances and the 27-year-old claimed that if Altidore had spotted him square to his left when Green made the crucial second-half save that kept England in it, a repeat of that famous victory in 1950 would have been on the cards.

'In the second half we didn't do a good job keeping possession,' he said.

'They had some good opportunities and Tim came up with some big saves.
'But we had two excellent chances as well.
'When Jozy hit the post if he squared it to me or it had got a different bounce we could have scored.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1286244/WORLD-CUP-2010-USAs-Clint-Dempsey-delighted-Robert-Green-gaffe.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0qj6PNNnh

[WhiteJC]

http://www.imscouting.com/global-news-article/Celtic-look-to-tempt-Fulham-striker-Zamora/8278/?
Celtic look to tempt Fulham striker Zamora

New Celtic boss Neil Lennon will look to sign Fulham's star striker Bobby Zamora , if Roy Hodgson leaves Craven Cottage.

Hodgson appears to be favourite to succeed Rafa Benitez at Liverpool, although the Anfield club have yet to make an official offer.  Should Hodgson end up at Liverpool, Celtic manager Lennon believes it will be easier to prize away 29-year-old Zamora.

Hodgson placed great faith in Zamora last season and was rewarded with 19 goals by the striker, who helped Fulham reach the Europa League final.  He was unlucky to miss out on Fabio Capello's provisional England World Cup squad due to injury, but had been widely tipped for selection.

According to The People, Lennon will look to bring two top quality British-based players to Celtic this summer.  Robbie Keane enjoyed a successful loan spell at Celtic last season, while Craig Bellamy has also been linked with a move to the Glasgow giants.

The People speculates that if Zamora does become available, Celtic will face competition from the likes of Aston Villa and Birmingham City for his signature.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6204053,00.html?
Al-Fayed expects Hodgson stay
Cottagers owner confident coach is committed to club

Fulham owner Mohamed Al-Fayed is confident manager Roy Hodgson will still be in charge next season.

The Cottagers coach has seen his profile rocket over recent years, having worked minor miracles on the banks of the Thames.

His exploits in 2009/10 saw him lead Fulhamon a remarkable continental adventure which took them all the way to the Europa League final.

Such success has, unsurprisingly, drawn admiring glances from afar, with Hodgson said to be attracting interest from Premier League giants Liverpool.

The Reds are in the market for a new manager after parting company with Rafa Benitez, who recently brought to an end a six-year spell on Merseyside.

Relationship

Hodgson is believed to be among the frontrunners for the post, with Anfield officials keen to meet with the 62-year-old to talk terms.

However, Al-Fayed believes the former Inter Milan boss is happy at Fulham and fully expects him to shun the advances of Liverpool in favour of sticking with the Cottagers.

Quoted in the Sunday Mirror, he said: "I don't think he'll leave me.

"I'm sure he'll have lots of approaches from other clubs, but I give him anything he wants to reach results and we have a very good relationship."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/13/fulham-al-fayed-roy-hodgson?
Fulham's Mohamed Al Fayed offers Roy Hodgson 'anything he wants' to stay
• 'I don't think he'll leave me' says Fayed
• Fulham's owner expecting Hodgon to receive offers


Roy Hodgson and Mohammed Al Fayed 'have a very good relationship' the Fulham owner says. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed would give Roy Hodgson "anything he wants" to stay at Craven Cottage as the club's manager next season despite speculation linking him with the vacant post at Liverpool.

"I don't think he'll leave me," Fayed said. "I'm sure he'll have lots of approaches from other clubs, but I give him anything he wants to reach results and we have a very good relationship."

Fayed sold Harrods for £1.5bn in May but told the Guardian at the time he remained committed the club. "If you own a football club you have to be really involved and committed," he said. "That is very important and it's the same in any business. When I get to the club my mood is always lifted. I am also a fan. And so I have a tremendous feeling of being committed and helping give pleasure to all the supporters and players."

Hodgson's star has risen dramatically over the past couple of years, first by keeping Fulham in the Premier League and then steering the London club into Europe and, last season, into the Europa League final in a remarkable run.

The Liverpool club may be about to step up their search for Rafael Benítez's successor by opening talks with the 62-year-old before he heads out to South Africa for a stint as a World Cup pundit.

But Fayed, who appointed Hodgson in December 2007, believes Hodgson has no reason to leave the London club.