Thursday Fulham Stuff 05.08.10

[os5889]

Brown out to emulate Fulham

Thursday, August 05, 2010 - 08:54 AM

Skipper Scott Brown wants Celtic to bounce back from last night's Champions League disappointment and go on a Fulham-style run in the Europa League.

The Hoops beat Braga 2-1 at home in the second leg of their third qualifying round clash but lost 4-2 on aggregate and will be now in the draw for Europe's second-tier competition.

Brown insists there is no reason why Celtic cannot emulate the efforts of the Cottagers last season, when they reached the Europa League final before losing to Atletico Madrid.

"We just need to go on a run and see how far we can go," the Scotland midfielder told the Scottish Sun.

"We've also got to keep the home record as good as possible.

"When you see Fulham getting all the way to the final like that it can inspire you. And look at Rangers two years before that.

"Anything can happen and that's what we're looking to do now."

Brown rejected the idea that the Champions League qualifiers came too soon for Neil Lennon's side, which is still in the throes of refurbishment.

He said: "I don't think the ties came too early for us. We just didn't do ourselves justice out in Braga.

"But we came back here and we were hoping to get an early goal. Unfortunately it happened the other way around.

"The Europa League is a consolation. But we wanted to play Champions League football, especially for the fans, and this club deserves to be in it every season.

"I don't think the Europa League is a more realistic level for us.

"We showed that we can beat Braga and at home I think we can beat anybody on our day.

"We've shown that in the past and we'll show it in the future as well."


Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/brown-out-to-emulate-fulham-468081.html#ixzz0vigye2cc

[os5889]

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/football/CITY-PULLED-JAMES-COUP/article-2493646-detail/article.html

Steve Lansdown reveals how Bristol City pulled off David James Coup
STEVE Lansdown has revealed how he formulated the audacious plan to make England goalkeeper David James a Bristol City player.

City's chairman had just returned from a month-long holiday in South Africa and was catching up with the sports news in the newspapers when the idea came to him.

He saw that James had become a free agent after parting company with relegated Portsmouth and thought 'why not?'

Speaking exclusively to the Post, the millionaire businessman, who now lives as a tax exile in Guernsey, said: "I was reading the papers on my return and noticed that Portsmouth had withdrawn their offer of a new contract to David James.


"It looked as though he was going to become a free agent and, although I knew Premier League clubs would be interested, I wondered if we might have a chance.

"The more I thought about it, the more I thought it might be worth a try. After all, we had nothing to lose. There was something in the back of my mind which made me think he might just fancy the challenge.

"And I liked the idea that his last game was for England against Germany in the last 16 of the World Cup finals and that his next could be for Bristol City against Millwall in the Championship.

"I contacted Colin Sexstone (chief executive) and sold the idea to him and he passed it on to Steve Coppell (manager). They both liked the idea and things went from there."

Sexstone contacted James' agent with an offer and the rest, as they say, is history. Although Celtic and Fulham were interested and James was already considering an offer from Sunderland, his meeting with Lansdown in Guernsey last week proved the deciding factor in persuading him to become the highest-profile signing in City's history.

Lansdown revealed: "It quickly became apparent that he was a true football person and not interested in money. That was when I knew we might be able to do a deal.

"David had lots of questions for me and, at times, it felt as though he was interviewing me rather than the other way round. He wanted to know the club was well run and that we weren't going to go up to the Premier League, go bust and then tumble all the way down again.

"He wanted to know how ambitious we were and I told him about the plans for the new stadium. He already knew that Steve Coppell was here and that helped."

Although the capture of such a high-profile figure – James will become the first current senior international to play for City since John Atyeo 40 years ago – was widely acclaimed as the transfer coup of the summer, Lansdown was not altogether surprised. He said: "Having met with David and had a long and very productive conversation with him, I began to understand what makes him tick. He told me it was about time a West Country club made it to the Premier League.

"But it wasn't all about location and being near to his home in Exeter. I spoke to him about coming to a club like Bristol City and making a real difference and he seemed to like the idea of that.

"He could have stayed in the Premier League and earned more money, but he was taken by the challenge of joining a club that is still trying to get there."

James will become the highest-paid player in City's history, but Lansdown dismissed the suggestion a disparity in wages might cause unrest in the dressing room. He said: "Because it is David James and because of what he has done in the game, I don't see that being a problem.

"So long as he performs – and we did sign him first and foremost because he is a very good goalkeeper – we can only win from a deal like this. Having David James on board will help raise our profile and he will also be a fantastic influence in the dressing room.

"Of course, he is going to be on more money, but these differences are going to occur increasingly as we build a team to take us to the next level."

[os5889]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7927320/Fabio-Capello-likely-to-end-David-Jamess-England-career-as-Hungary-friendly-looms.html

Arsenal youngsters Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs are also likely to face Hungary on Wednesday. Club-mate Theo Walcott, controversially omitted from Capello's final World Cup squad, could be given a call-up too along with Manchester City's Adam Johnson. There is a strong chance that striker Bobby Zamora will be rewarded for an outstanding season with Fulham.

[os5889]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-boss-hughes-admits-striker-signing-priority-zamora-needs-support-1023411

Fulham boss Hughes admits striker signing priority: Zamora needs support

New Fulham boss Mark Hughes has admitted signing a strike partner, or understudy, for Bobby Zamora is his top priority.

Unlike the riches he had at his disposal at City, Hughes will be working with a tight budget.

He is keen on bringing through young players during his time in charge but is also expecting to be given some money to spend.

"The Premier League is an expensive league," he said.

"You have to invest in your playing staff.

"You have to sometimes be creative and make things happen to improve the quality if you can't just go out and blow people out of the market, which we obviously can't."

[os5889]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/sidwell-miss-out-villa-fulham-switch-1022721

Sidwell to miss out on Villa to Fulham switch

Steve Sidwell looks set to miss out on a switch from Aston Villa to Fulham.

New Fulham manager Mark Hughes has decided not to sign the former Reading and Chelsea midfielder after a £2million deal was agreed upon when Roy Hodgson was in charge at Craven Cottage.

The 27-year old only had to pass a medical before signing the deal but Hughes has slighted the move and Sidwell will now remain at Villa where he is likely to struggle for regular first team football.

[os5889]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/villa%E2%80%99s-young-verge-fulham-deal-1022731

Villa's Young on verge of Fulham deal

Aston Villa defender Luke Young is on the verge of becoming a Fulham player according to reports.

Mirror Football suggests that the 31-year old will be brought in by new Cottagers boss Mark Hughes with the Welshman set to sanction the deal.

Young was linked with Liverpool just a few weeks ago but Fulham swiftly came in for him and now their managerial situation is sorted, a deal is very close.

Young will compete with John Pantsil for the right-back position but has an extra string to his bow with his ability to switch to left-back.

[os5889]

http://blogs.bettor.com/Hughes-will-take-time-over-transfers-a20249

Hughes will take time over transfers

New Fulham manager Mark Hughes says he will not rush in making signings at his new football club.

Hughes was officially unveiled as the club's new manager yesterday and has been very fast to crush expectations that he will make big money signings early on in his managerial reign at the club.

Hughes has been promised the funds to make the right signings that will take the club up to the next level. However, he says it will take time to find the right players who are available and can have an impact on the team.

There are a few areas of the Fulham team that need improving and Hughes will have to work hard to fill these gaps. There are those who reasonably argue that the more time Hughes takes to sign players means the more time other clubs also have to sign them.
Areas to improve

The big areas that need improvement in the Fulham side are in the midfield. They need a very good winger who is able to get forward and supply balls in for the strikers. It's also important that this winger can score goals as well.

Zoltan Gera is one such player at the club who can do this but he does not possess the quality to have a huge effect on games consistently. Hughes would be well advised to find someone with a great deal of pace who can play on either side of the pitch.

Another area that can be improved is the central midfield position. Fulham do have quality there with Danny Murphy and Simon Davies but they lack a player who will do the ugly things in order to win the ball back.

Hughes said: "Ideally, we would've liked to have been in place before the pre-season schedule was undertaken. We've got two weeks before the start of the season and we've still got another two weeks after that of the window to negotiate as well, so there's still plenty of time. The last two years, I thought maybe they'd been punching above their weight and maybe that's a consequence of the good work that had gone on beforehand."

The dangers of waiting

The dangers of waiting before launching in to bids to sign players are quite obvious. The new boss may already have one or two players in mind that he wants to sign but the time he spends waiting before acting is time that other clubs can be using to approach the player.

This means that Fulham may lose out on the extra quality they need and will be forced to go into the loan market where they may not be able to sign someone who matches the vision that Hughes has for the club.

He added: "The Premier League is a very expensive league and you do need resources; you need funds to keep energising the team to enable it to continue. If you don't add quality to a club and a group of players then you will stand still and people will overtake you. Maybe that was the reassurance that I needed when I had the discussions with Alistair (Mackintosh, chief executive)."

Betting advice

Fulham stand a good chance of making the top eight by the end of the season but don't back them to do much more. They have a good new manager who was highly under rated and under valued at Manchester City who should help the team to move forward.
Hughes will try and get Fulham to present a more attacking threat and this means they are likely to score more goals in the Premier League this season.

[os5889]

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/147713/Mark-Hughes-backs-Fulham-s-Bobby-Zamora-for-England-cap/

MARK HUGHES BACKS FULHAM'S BOBBY ZAMORA FOR ENGLAND CAP

FULHAM boss Mark Hughes has vowed to help Bobby Zamora break into the England side as quickly as possible.

Zamora, 29, enjoyed the best season of his career last term and was in line for a call-up to Fabio Capello's provisional World Cup squad.

An Achilles injury ended any hopes he had of forcing his way on to the plane for South Africa, but the retirement of Emile Heskey has opened up one of England's striking spots for next week's friendly against Hungary.

Hughes is excited about working with Zamora and hopes to see him gain senior international recognition soon.

"Let's hope so – it's down to Bobby," said Hughes.

"We'll give him every chance to show what he can do. If he plays well for Fulham, then he may get recognition at international level."

Zamora scored 19 times for the Cottagers last season and Hughes has challenged him to better that tally this time round.

The former Manchester City boss said: "He had a great season.

"What Bobby needs to do is obviously build on that and become a consistent scorer for seasons to come.

"That's the demand that we will place on him.

"It can't be that you just have one stand-out season and you don't build on it.

"That wouldn't be acceptable for any player.

"Certainly, from our point of view, we will drive players on to achieve what they're capable of.

"Bobby is a player who can achieve as much as he wants."

[os5889]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/08/05/2056447/fulham-boss-mark-hughes-hoping-to-help-bobby-zamora-earn-an

Fulham boss Mark Hughes hoping to help Bobby Zamora earn an England call-up

Welshman believes Englishman must improve on impressive season...

Fulham manager Mark Hughes is keen to help launch Bobby Zamora's international career with England.

The 29-year-old enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career last year and was widely tipped to be called up to Three Lions manager Fabio Capello's provisional World Cup team. However, an unfortunate Achilles injury ultimately took Zamora out of consideration to make the trip to South Africa.

Hughes, who has replaced new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson as the Cottagers' manager, is excited to work with Zamora this season and hopes to help him kick-start his international career.

"Let's hope so - it's down to Bobby," Hughes told Sky Sports.

"We'll give him every opportunity to show what he can do. If he plays well for Fulham  then he may get recognition at international level."

Zamora hit an impressive 19 goals for Fulham last season, but Hughes has challenged the Englishman to perform even better this term.

"He had a great season," Hughes acknowledged.

"What Bobby needs to do is obviously build on that and become a consistent scorer for seasons to come. That's the demand that we will place on him.

"It can't be that you just have one standout season and you don't build on it. That wouldn't be acceptable for any player.

"Certainly, from our point of view, we will drive players on to achieve what they're capable of.

"Bobby is a player who can achieve as much as he wants."

[os5889]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/429986-analyzing-the-us-mnt-roster-to-face-brazil

Analyzing The US MNT Roster to Face Brazil
By Matt Bick (Featured Columnist) on August 4, 2010

Today, Bob Bradley announced his call-ups for the August 10 match against Brazil at the New Meadowlands.

There are some interesting things that can be gleaned from the inclusions and the exclusions.

First, the inclusions.

We can only really begin here with the fact that the long-awaited debut of German-turned-Yank Jermaine Jones is at hand.

Jones' switch of allegiances from the German national team to the United States was seen as a big move, considering his potential to add serious muscle to the team.

An established starter with his club team, the Bundesliga's Schalke 04, Jones is seen as one of the best central defensive mids in the game.

His brand of physicality combined with just a bit of guile (see his goal in the preseason for his club that was reminiscent of Clint Dempsey's tally against England's Robert Green) should allow Michael Bradley to get forward in the attack with greater frequency.

This is a critical point to the US squad moving forward.

When Bradley was up in the attack in South Africa, he demonstrated a newfound and incredibly valuable ability to hold the ball while waiting for the attack to organize.  When forward, Bradley was able to get notch the equalizer against Slovenia.

Jones is a player who the Yank faithful have had a strong desire to see ever since his switch became official.

He is known in the Bundesliga as—for lack of a better term—a destroyer.  His tackles are fierce but normally clean, and he reads the game quite well, putting himself in excellent positions on the pitch to break up threatening plays.

In short, Jones' presence allows for Bradley to worry less about covering the back line and frees him to work more closely with his forwards.

Jones provides a critical link between the defense and midfield that the US has been looking for to complete their counterattacking system.

Sacha Kljestan also makes his first appearance in quite a while for the national team.  Kljestan has had a very up-and-down career for his country.  He made a somewhat quiet move across the Atlantic to Anderlecht of the Belgian First Division.

Since then, in European competition, he has notched one goal and one assist.  Kljestan has clearly earned his way back into contention in an American central midfield that is quickly becoming crowded.

The other midfielder to watch during this match will be Benny Feilhaber.

In South Africa, the Brazilian-born American attacking midfielder came off the bench several times and provided great energy, partially sparking the fast and furious comeback win against Slovenia. 

Although Feilhaber is by no means a lock to start, he should be in line for at least 45 minutes.

It will be very interesting to see if the creativity that he displayed in South Africa in more limited minutes can be sustained for longer stretches—this could go some distance in predicting Feilhaber's role with the MNT moving forward.

Of course, the likes of Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Michael Bradley, and Carlos Bocanegra will also be on hand against La Selecao as well as regular members of the MNT.

While their performances should of course be watched, there really isn't much that we can learn just from their presence alone.

Now for the players notably absent from the roster.

Let's begin with Clint Dempsey, Oguchi Onyewu, Jozy Altidore, and Charlie Davies.

Dempsey, Onyewu, and Davies are likely absent simply due to the fact that they are continuing to fight for their spots with their club teams.  While a friendly against Brazil is certainly a big draw for fans, the match itself has little consequence.

Being pulled away during the thick of the European preseason to play this match would simply have been more detrimental than it was productive for these players.  In the long run, the USSF realizes that players getting regular minutes with top European sides is much more helpful than having them in New York for a friendly.

This is especially true in the case of Oguchi Onyewu, who is battling for regular time with AC Milan.

England based players like Howard and Guzan are already more or less assured of their places on their club teams, so their departures would not cause them to fall out of favor with their managers.

For a player like Clint Dempsey, it is a different case.

He will have to impress a new manager at Fulham.  While his exploits on the field speak for themselves, his absence so close to the start of the Premier League season would likely have put a bad taste in the new manager's mouth.

Focusing just a little more on Davies' exclusion, some may look at this as a vote of no confidence in his health.

That would be a sincere mistake.

He is in the thick of training with his club squad and is consistently participating in the preseason friendlies with Sochaux.

It is of course not a guarantee that he returns to the track of progression that many had anticipated for him, but this is a very positive sign and a process that it may be best not to interrupt, no matter how much it would mean to the fan base.

Next, we look at Jozy Altidore.

His absence might signal several things.

Of course he also has the preseason European training to keep him occupied, but Altidore has been rumored to be switching teams.  Most recently, the striker has been linked with a pair of top clubs in Turkey, including Besiktas and Fenerbahce.

Altidore has also drawn consistent links to the Ajax, one of Europe's most historic sides.

Other than Altidore's impending exit from Villareal, he may simply be gone because of the reasons given for the absences of Dempsey and the like—it's the European preseason, and he is trying to make (insert squad here)'s first team to earn regular minutes.

The former Hull City loanee will likely make his next move quite shortly, as the European season will begin within the next month.

One more interesting omission is Edgar Castillo.

Just about a year ago, the Mexican-American switched allegiances from El Tri to the Yanks.  His first call-up came against Denmark, and he saw some time on the left wing as a second half sub.

Since then, he may as well have become a ghost.

This would have been a perfect opportunity for Castillo to strut his stuff and perhaps earn a shot as the left back going forward for the United States.

It is entirely possible that his Mexican club refused to release him as this upcoming match is not a FIFA sanctioned fixture date, but it appears more likely that Castillo was not chosen by Bradley.

Now that we know the squad, all that's left is to find a great place to watch the US take on one of the top countries on the planet in just a few days

[os5889]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/walcott-and-johnson-set-for-england-squad-recall-2043595.html

Walcott and Johnson set for England squad recall
Capello builds for future with a new-look young side as James makes way for Foster

By Mark Fleming

England manager Fabio Capello is to recall both Adam Johnson and Theo Walcott for next week's friendly against Hungary and may also select the young Arsenal pair of Jack Wilshere and Kieron Gibbs as he seeks to inject fresh life into the side that flopped so badly at the World Cup.

David James will be dropped from the squad, though, and the veteran goalkeeper, who celebrated his 40th birthday last Sunday, looks set to be the highest profile casualty of England's poor showing in South Africa, despite having started three of the four games in the tournament.

Walcott was rather surprisingly omitted from the final 23-man squad for the World Cup after starting both of the two warm-up games against Mexico and Japan. He was reported to have angered Capello with his performances in those matches but will be handed a rapid chance to redeem himself.

Johnson made his England debut in the final minutes of the Mexico game and with a couple of nice touches showed why the England manager had identified him as a rising talent in March.

There may also be places in the squad for Wilshere and Gibbs, although that will depend on how many of Capello's regular players are withdrawn by their clubs over the weekend. Wilshere, Gibbs, Walcott, Johnson and defender Micah Richards were all yesterday left out of the England Under-21 squad to face Uzbekistan in a friendly at Bristol City's Ashton Gate on Tuesday night.

James's place in the squad is to be taken by Ben Foster, who moved from Manchester United to Birmingham City in May for £6m after growing frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities at Old Trafford. Foster, 27, has four England caps and will join Robert Green and Joe Hart in the squad.

James is not the only member of England's World Cup squad who is likely to be omitted against Hungary. Emile Heskey of Aston Villa announced his retirement from international football last month, while Liverpool's Jamie Carragher and his fellow defender Ledley King of Tottenham Hotspur are also set to miss out.

King's Tottenham team-mate Michael Dawson looks certain to step into the squad, while Fulham striker Bobby Zamora, who was in the running for the initial World Cup squad but then succumbed to an Achilles injury, could also be called up.

Capello's decision to leave out James, who recently signed a one-year deal with Championship side Bristol City, effectively brings his England career to an end after 13 years. James had recently expressed his hope that he might be able to continue with England despite dropping to the Championship. Last weekend he said: "I'll never retire from England, and hopefully my performances at Bristol City will keep me on the radar."

Capello and his assistant Franco Baldini are to watch six of the top seven teams in England in a whistle-stop tour of the leading clubs this week before the England squad meets up.

Capello is expected to watch Liverpool play FK Rabotnicki at Anfield in the Europa League tonight, and then tomorrow he will travel to Aston Villa to observe their friendly with Valencia. On Saturday Capello and Baldini will watch two games between them, with one heading to White Hart Lane to see Tottenham take on Fiorentina and the other travelling to Eastlands for Manchester City's friendly with Valencia.

The England squad for the Hungary game is announced on Saturday evening. On Sunday Capello will be at Wembley to see Chelsea play Manchester United in the Community Shield.

[os5889]

http://www.soccer365.com/us_news/story_5810000216.php

The Soccer365 Grapevine
2010-08-04 23:53:09
The middle of the week brings a fresh batch of transfer goodies for you all to chew on...


Less-than-trustworthy Greek rag Sentragoal has added Panathinaikos to the crowd around Villarreal striker Jozy Altidore...

Erstwhile Morelia striker Andres Mendoza is on trial with the Columbus Crew...

The Daily Mail claims AC Milan may offer striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in a swap deal for Tottenham's Mexico attacker Giovani dos Santos...

Local daily WAZ says Wolfsburg have tabled an offer for FC Twente's Costa Rica winger Bryan Ruiz...

Meanwhile, Brazilian outlet Final Sports has Monaco and Wolfsburg prowling around Internacional attacker Taison...

Sky Sports Italia claims Schalke and Udines have eyes for Ternana's Chile playmaker Luis Jimenez...

L'Equipe says Inter Milan have bid on Lyon's Brazil left-sider Michel Bastos...

The Mail has Fulham after Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz, while The Mirror claims they want to strike a loan deal for Barcelona midfielder Aliaksandr Hleb...

Hurriyet says Besiktas have turned their strike search to Werder Bremen's Hugo Almeida...

Russian reports say Zenit St. Petersburg may try for Chelsea left-sider Yuri Zhirkov...

Turkish reports have Galatasaray offering Elano and cash to Juventus for Diego...

Stuttgart told Bild that they have agreed to personal terms with targets Andre Ayew of Marseille and Philippe Degen of Liverpool...

Bordeaux have publicly admitted to targeting Nice striker Anthony Modeste...

Spanish daily Sport claims Manchester United are coming hard for Real Madrid midfielder Lassanna Diarra...

Across town, Man City are battling Ajax over erstwhile Barcelona phenom Gai Assulin, now a free agent...

According to Voetbal International, PSV Eindhoven will go after AZ Alkmaar playmaker Maarten Martens if Ibrahim Afellay leaves...

French reports have Paris Saint-Germain spying Hannover 96 defender Karim Haggui...

The Mirror says Blackburn will scoop up Everton forward James Vaughan...

The same tabloid also has Newcastle and Spurs in for Sporting Lisbon striker Yannick Djalo...

RP Online has VVV Venlo chasing Borussia moenchengladbach midfielder Gal Alberman.

[os5889]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/04/everton-brotherhood-cup-goodison

Only one winner as Everton see off the challenge of their namesake
• Everton 2-0 Everton
   
Everton and Everton de Viña del Mar players both pose with the Brotherhood Cup after the final whistle. Photograph: Mike Egerton/Empics Sport
Rarely, if ever, has Goodison Park applauded every opposition shot, save and substitution, but then it has never hosted such a comfortable no-lose contest before. Everton versus Everton – there could be only one winner.

This unique pre-season friendly was an unequivocal triumph for The Ruleteros Society, a group of Evertonians who have forged links with their Chilean counterparts since their formation in 2002 and were instrumental in bringing Everton de Viña del Mar to Goodison Park for the first time in the club's 101-year history. A crowd of 25,934 marked a significant increase on corresponding Goodison friendlies of recent years, including testimonials for legends such as Colin Harvey, with 171 fans making the trek from South America. Fulham brought 162 for the Premier League game here last season.

Former Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford produced a promising home debut, linking well with his team-mates and opening the scoring in the 51st minute when he glanced a cross from fellow summer signing Magaye Gueye into the top corner. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov ensured Everton kept their 100% record in pre-season so far with a volley from Gueye's corner.

Of more significance to manager David Moyes was the return of Marouane Fellaini after six months out with ankle ligament damage. The influential Belgian midfielder was expected to miss the start of the season as he recovers from the injury suffered against Liverpool in February, but appeared for the second half in place of Jack Rodwell. Steven Pienaar, Mikel Arteta and Phil Jagielka – all linked with moves away from Goodison this summer – played, while referee Mark Halsey was given a rousing reception on his return to the game after recovering from throat cancer.

[os5889]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-transfer-news-Mark-Hughes-to-snap-up-Aston-Villa-s-Luke-Young-but-has-snubbed-Steve-Sidwell-article545029.html

New Fulham boss Hughes to snap up Luke Young but has snubbed Steve Sidwell
Published 23:00 04/08/10 By James Nursey

New Fulham boss Mark Hughes is willing to sanction the signing of Luke Young from Aston Villa but has snubbed Steve Sidwell.

Hughes' Fulham predecessor Roy Hodgson teed up a £2million deal to sign Villa midfielder Sidwell.

The star, 27, signed from Chelsea in July 2008 for £5m, just needed a medical before moving to Craven Cottage after Villa accepted Fulham's bid.

Now Hughes has decided against signing the former Arsenal trainee and Sidwell faces a battle to get into Villa's side.
 
But Hughes is set to approve another transfer initiated by Hodgson for Villa right-back Young.

Liverpool manager Hodgson also tried to then take Young with him to Anfield but the defender rejected the switch in a bid to move back to London.

Ex-Spurs trainee Young, 31, is expected to compete with John Paintsil for the full-back berth at the Cottage and can also play left-back.

[os5889]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/429919-fulham-premier-league-season-preview

Fulham: Premier League Season Preview
By Andrew Jordan (Featured Columnist) on August 4, 2010

With the Premier League season now rapidly approaching, I have decided to take a look at each of the 20 sides that will be playing at the top level of English football during this upcoming season.

I have decided to actually go in reverse order, with Wolverhampton starting the list off and Arsenal concluding it right before the start of the Premier League season.

In the 12th installment of this series, I will now look at Fulham, who finished 12th in the Premier League last season, but were still able to make it to the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid, where they lost 2-1 in extra time.

Review of Last Year

After getting the final Europa League spot in the 2008-2009 season, Fulham were able to prove that they were more than worth of that berth by being able to continue their way onto the Europa League final, where they lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in extra time.

But despite the Europa League final, Fulham were able to have a solid year in the Premier League by finishing 12th overall, but were not nearly the same side that could beat anyone the season before.

At the end of the season, Roy Hodgson left Craven Cottage for Anfield, with former Manchester City manager Mark Hughes taking over the managerial reigns.

Transfers:

Incoming Players:

Philippe Senderos (Arsenal) and Jonathan Greening (West Bromwich).

Departing Players:

Wayne Brown (Bristol Rovers), Elliot Omozusi (Leyton Orient), Stefan Payne (Gillingham) and Chris Smalling (Manchester United).

Major Questions Going into This Season:

1. How will Mark Hughes do at Fulham?

Mark Hughes is now the new manager of Fulham, and he has promised to help the club improve after last year's 12th place finish.

Hughes should do fine, but will he do well enough to get Fulham back into the Europa League is the real question at this time.

2. What new transfers will be coming in?

Hughes has promised to bring in some new transfers to Craven Cottage such as Craig Bellamy, but the Cottagers will need more than just the Welshman to be great this season.

Right now, Roque Santa Cruz, Robert Green and Alex Hleb have all been linked to Fulham, but it still is unclear who will be playing for Fulham.

3. Will Fulham do better without being in the Europa League this season?

Most likely yes, as Fulham will now be fully focused on succeeding in the Premier League instead of making another incredible run to the Europa League final.

4. Will Bobby Zamora have another great season?

Bobby Zamora was absolutely incredible last season as he scored some incredible goals, but barely missed out on making Fabio Capello's squad for the World Cup at the end of the day.

This year, Zamora's totals will most likely dip, but Fulham should still succeed no matter what.

[os5889]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/04/steve-sidwell-villa-fulham

Mark Hughes puts brakes on Steve Sidwell's move from Villa to Fulham
• New manager at Craven Cottage scuppers the deal
• Player may have to see out his contract at Villa Park

Steve Sidwell is surplus to requirements at Villa Park and is not wanted at Craven Cottage. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Steve Sidwell's hopes of joining Fulham look to have been dashed, leaving the midfielder facing an uncertain future and Aston Villa once again frustrated in their attempts to move on one of their squad players. Sidwell had been lined up to go to Fulham for about £3m had Martin Jol taken over as manager but Mark Hughes's appointment appears to have scuppered the deal.

It is the second time in the space of a week that Villa have come close to selling one of the players deemed surplus to requirements at the club only for the transfer to fall through. Luke Young was on the verge of joining Liverpool after a fee was agreed between the two clubs but the full-back returned to Villa after failing to agree personal terms at Anfield and deciding he did not wish to move north.

Sidwell joined Villa in a £5.5m deal from Chelsea two years ago and unless there is interest from other Premier League clubs between now and the end of the month, it is possible the 27-year-old will see out the final 12-months of his contract and leave on a free transfer the following summer. The former Arsenal trainee has started fewer than a third of Villa's Premier League matches since arriving at the club.

It is possible that Sidwell could be required to play a greater role next season should James Milner leave and Martin O'Neill be unable to find a replacement. Scott Parker, who has attracted interest from Villa, looks to be beyond their reach with West Ham reluctant sellers and Tottenham Hotspur competing for his signature.

Milner's future remains unresolved and it is unclear whether he will feature against Valencia tomorrow fridaynight as he continues to recover from a back problem.

[os5889]

http://www.fantasyleague.com/Articles/Football/EnglishPremiership/fulham_preview_1011.aspx

Under Roy Hodgson's tutelage Fulham had a very specific game plan. The now Liverpool boss put together a very balanced team that were hard to beat and surprised everyone by reaching the final of the Europa League.

At the back, the giant Brede Hangeland won most aerial battles, while Northern Ireland international Aaron Hughes swept up behind.

Danny Murphy was the playmaker in the midfield while a grafter such as Chris Baird or Dickson Etuhu put in the hard yards alongside him.

In attack their strategy was all about the Premier League's most improved player, Bobby Zamora.

Playing on his own up front, with either Zoltan Gera or Clint Dempsey in support, Zamora would be the target for both the beginning and end of a Cottagers move.

The ball would be played to Zamora's feet, he'd hold it up, lay it off and then look to get in the box to provide the final touch.

It's never easy to predict how a team will perform under a new manager, but without European distractions, Mark Hughes should enjoy a steady and consistent season at Craven Cottage.

Every manager is on the lookout for a midfielder who can provide a steady stream of goals for his team and Fantasy League managers are no different.

American international Clint Dempsey offers exactly that and even played as a striker at times last season.

Usually found on the wing or behind a central striker, the dynamic Texas born 27-year-old hit the back of the net on seven occasions last term and registered three assists for a total of 27 points.

That may not sound like a massive total, but he missed a large chunk of the season with a knee injury and scored the decisive fourth goal as Fulham staged a remarkable comeback to beat the mighty Juventus.

The goal that beat the Old Lady was much more spectacular, but no more dramatic, than Dempsey's solitary goal from the summer's World Cup.

It was Dempsey's hopeful effort that the hapless Robert Green let slip through his fingers in the USA's 1-1 draw against England.

Shirt
M Schwarzer
Shirt
J Pantsil
Shirt
B Hangeland
Shirt
A Hughes
Shirt
P Konchesky
Shirt
S Davies
Shirt
D Murphy
Shirt
C Dempsey
Shirt
D Etuhu
Shirt
D Duff
Shirt
B Zamora

Top goal scorer 09/10: Bobby Zamora 8

Top assists 09/10: Bobby Zamora 6

Top points scorer 09/10: Bobby Zamora 36

Number of Clean sheets 09/10: 12

Bargain buys: John Pantsil, Aaron Hughes, Zoltan Gera, Simon Davies, Damien Duff, Bobby Zamora.

[os5889]

http://www.cio.co.uk/opinion/veitch/2010/08/05/premier-league-sponsors-in-201011-dominated-by-money-tech-and-gambling-sectors/

Premier League sponsors in 2010/11 dominated by money, tech and gambling sectors

OK, fair enough, no need to shout and make that face. I know that a cursory examination of the Premier League's shirt sponsors for the new season is no dependable panoramic view of the state of the macro economy. But, given that self-elected experts didn't see the very big wave coming, it might be better than nothing. After all, nothing seemed more portentous a guide to the state of banking a couple of years ago than watching Newcastle United wearing Northern Rock's logo (at a time when branches saw snaking queues of worried customers) play West Ham United wearing a covered-up logo (because travel firm XL had gone belly up leaving the Irons' equally hapless Icelandic backers in an even more precarious position).

What's immediately apparent is that banking and financial services companies are still spending big on marketing, especially with the northern and midlands clubs: Villa, Birmingham, Blackpool, Stoke, the Toon, Liverpool and Manchester United all have a financial hook-up of some flavour this year, as well as one southern team, Fulham.

Tech is also very prominent if you'll include dotcoms and sponsors intersecting above to cover Villa, Blackpool, Bolton, Chelsea, Fulham, S*****land, Spurs, West Ham, Wigan and Wolves. That's half the division, and Autonomy's backing at the Lane even sees a welcome return to the top for business software.

Two firms, FxPro and 188 Bet are hedging their bets with double sponsorships and a quarter of the world's richest league's clubs are online gambling concerns (more than a third if you include FxPro, a web-based service for amateur financial traders).

All of which makes traditional businesses such as airlines(Arsenal, Man City), brewers (Everton), paintmakers (Blackburn) and home maintenance firms (West Brom) seem quite quaint.

Those sponsors in full:

Arsenal: They may have flown from the Highbury Library but will The Professor finally be caught spending money from Fly Emirates?

Aston Villa: Doom and gloom seems to prevail but that might be just the way their lugubrious fans talk. With big players on the way out at least the Holte End can play with their own money on the FXPro Financial Services website.

Birmingham City: Brummies are playing it safe with a modest investment policy and the support of F&C Investments.

Blackburn Rovers: Watching Big Sam's boys hoofing it is about as interesting as watching Crown Paints dry.

Blackpool: The Tangerines and their cheeky chappie boss Olly have an appropriately unpretentious sponsor in money management website Wonga.com.

Bolton Wanderers: The club hosting the worst away day in football is punting on 188 Bet.

Chelsea: The new money is coming from all points of the United Nations so it's fair enough that Korean giant Samsung are involved again.

Everton: Always puzzlingly short of a big cash injection, Moyesiside supporters can console themselves with a refreshing drop of Chang Beer.

Fulham: Known for slebs, the river, hedge fund runners, fine dining and discarded £50 notes, the Cottagers are under new management and have a fitting new sponsor in FxPro Financial Services.

Liverpool: The coffers have been empty and speculation about ownership swirls but sponsor Standard Chartered adds a patina of steadiness.

Manchester City: The backing is from airline Etihad: handy for flying in another 200 players.

Manchester United: Recently demonstrating fiscal probity, the Reds will hope Aon is less of a risk than former sponsor AIG.

Newcastle United: Still providing the rest of the league with laughs aplenty, Northern Rock offers a brand to match chairman Mike Ashley-supplied new kit's trim of jester hat, bells and large, pointy boots.

Stoke City: Safe, steady and very, very dull, the Potters are backed by building society Britannia.

Mackems: Often a knocking bet to go down, the Stadium of Light is taking a punt on website Tombola Bingo.

Tottenham Hostpur: With analysis of its content showing a Premier League that is wide open, could Autonomy's endorsement be a shrewd move?

West Bromwich Albion: Noted for fans' hilarity and general boing-boinginess, the Baggies have a sponsor that is useful in an emergency with sensible sponsor in Homeserve.

West Ham United: Chirpy cockneys love a flutter so Sbobet.com represents a good fit. They're big in Asia so it will be interesting to see if the Hammers import players from over there.

Wigan Athletic: Many are staking them for relegation and the club foolishly located between several domestic giants lacks big crowds but is at least supported by 188 Bet.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sporting Bet provides the betting money that cheerful Mick must spend wisely. Odds on Roy Keane assisting him are longish.

[os5889]

http://www.fansfc.com/story/23314.html

Fulham ready to test Redknapp's Crouch resolve
12:00 PM 05 August, 2010
Fulham Football Club are preparing an offer for Peter Crouch.

The England international was a target for the Craven Cottage club before the start of last season, but they were beaten to his signature by Tottenham Hotspur.

Harry Redknapp paid £10million to take the striker from Portsmouth, but despite an impressive campaign at White Hart Lane, he has been linked with a move this summer.

A return to former club Liverpool has been mooted, but new Cottagers boss Mark Hughes is believed to be lining up an offer of £7million for the 29-year-old.

"I think it's fair to say we need more attacking options," said the Welsh coach. "We'll look into that. Everyone knows good quality strikers come at a premium."

Redknapp, though, insisted earlier this week that he had no intention of selling Crouch, when he stated that the player was 'definitely' staying at Spurs.

[os5889]

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/41765/EXCLUSIVE_Spurs_to_enter_Hleb_negotiations_as_Hodgson_joins_chase.aspx

EXCLUSIVE: Spurs to enter Hleb negotiations as Hodgson joins chase

Sport.co.uk understands Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp will enter into negotiations with former Arsenal star Aleksander Hleb in the coming days, while a source close to the deal also confirmed that Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has registered his interest with Barcelona for the Belarusian playmaker.

La Liga side Sevilla are also confirmed in the chase for the player, while Fulham boss Mark Hughes has been linked with a short-term move for the 29-year-old.

The former Arsenal star has endured a miserable spell at Barcelona since leaving the Emirates in the summer of 2008. He spent last season on loan at his former club Stuttgart but is eager for a return to the Premier League.

Harry Redknapp has admitted he wants to add three players to his Tottenham Hotspur squad ahead of the north London club's debut season in the Champions League. Having recently failed with a bid for West Ham United's Scott Parker it now appears that the former Arsenal star is the next name on his list. The White Hart Lane outfit have also been linked with Manchester City pair Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards, as well as Aston Villa's Ashley Young.

Hleb told Sport.co.uk on Monday that he welcomed the interest of Harry Redknapp and Tottenham stating:

"I have a contract with Barcelona and I must respect that, but I heard about the link with Tottenham Hotspur and I think they are a great club. I appreciate their interest and we will see what happens in the future. "

Adding to the words of his client, agent Oliver Mintzlaff confirmed to Sport.co.uk that the interest from Spurs was official:

"The situation with Alex will be sorted in the coming weeks. Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Alex as well as Sevilla. The player has a contract for two more years with Barcelona and the club would have to be willing to sell him, but both of these clubs interest him."

Hleb is expected to leave Barcelona on a pemanent deal rather than a short-term loan move.