Friday Fulham Stuff 06/08/2010

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http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/06082010/63/bullard-absent-tigers.html

Bullard absent for Tigers
Fri, 06 Aug 08:49:05 2010

Hull will begin life in the npower Championship without Jimmy Bullard as Swansea visit the KC Stadium.
Bullard has been jettisoned since the Tigers` relegation from the Premier League, with the club eager to move the midfielder out.
Manager Nigel Pearson has confirmed the former Fulham man will not be included in the squad.
Summer recruit James Harper is ruled out with a broken metatarsal and Craig Fagan's groin problem means he will play no part.
Defender Andy Dawson is fit for selection after shrugging off a knock sustained in City's final pre-season outing against Dundee United last week.
Nolberto Solano is in line to make his debut at right-back for the Tigers, who have no other injury worries to report.

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http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/keane-is-eyeing-the-tottenham-exit-door-trapattoni-2286575.html

Keane is eyeing the Tottenham exit door -- Trapattoni

ROBBIE Keane could leave Tottenham Hotspur before the beginning of the Premier League season, with Giovanni Trapattoni yesterday revealing that the Ireland striker is considering his future at White Hart Lane.

The Ireland manager also hinted that Keane's absence from Spurs' friendly victory over Benfica on Tuesday night was not due a knee injury, but instead down to his precarious situation at the north London club.

Speculation has been growing over the Tallaght man's future in recent days after he was left out of Harry Redknapp's squad for the trip to Portugal, having won Player of the Tournament at a pre-season event in the USA in July.

Spurs announced that the 30-year-old was struggling with a mystery knee injury, but Trapattoni yesterday suggested that Keane has not been seriously injured and is instead mulling over his options.

"Robbie is not injured, at the moment he is looking at his position in Tottenham. I think we have the news that it is not an injury," said the Italian yesterday at the FAI's announcement of a sponsorship deal with '3'.

Ireland's record goalscorer has -- not for the first time in his career -- featured regularly in the transfer gossip pages throughout the summer.

Newcastle United -- who are yet to make any big-name signings ahead of their return to the top flight -- have been touted as possible suitors, as have Fulham, who are now expected to delve into the transfer market, having secured Mark Hughes as Roy Hodgson's successor.

Aston Villa have also been linked with Keane, but their transfer activity is still hinging on the potential sale of midfielder James Milner to Manchester City.

disastrous

Trapattoni is unsure whether a move away from Tottenham would be the best thing for Keane, but believes the Dubliner's disastrous move to Liverpool in 2008 will stand to him as he considers his future.

"I don't know (if a move is the best thing for him) but Robbie is not young. (Two years ago) he tried moving to Liverpool -- Celtic was different as it was a loan.

"He has the Liverpool experience and now he can decide better," said the Italian.

"At this moment, the manager needs to decide, 'I will sell him, not loan him'.

"It's important also that (Keane) decides whether to go or to stay and try to play (for Tottenham)."

Spurs boss Redknapp has recently insisted that Keane could play a big part in his plans for the coming season, despite loaning the former Leeds United and Inter Milan striker to Celtic for the second half of the last campaign.

"His situation is that he is still a very good player," said the Spurs manager after Keane produced another star performance at the New York Challenge tournament in the USA last month.

"He is one of our better players. I cannot say for certain that he will stay because who knows what can happen in football, but at the moment I see him as part of our team.

"There is every chance he could start the season, but if it does not work out, he will be one of the first ones to come and tell me he needs to play somewhere."

But, with the partnership of English interntionals Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch's taking preference as Redknapp's favoured attacking option last season, it is unlikely that Keane would be willing to stay at this stage of his career if he can't be guaranteed first-team football.

Despite a successful loan spell at Celtic last season, Redknapp also recently ruled out the possibility of sending Keane out on loan for a second time, with reports suggesting that Spurs would be willing to listen to offers of around £5m for the Irish skipper. "I wouldn't think that's a possibility no, because we paid good money for him and to loan him out again, it wouldn't be a goer," said Redknapp.

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Prem Chief Shock Move

PREMIER LEAGUE boss Dave Richards is trying to stop his battle with Fulham from going to court.
Football's most powerful man yesterday wrote to all 20 top-flight chairmen in a bid to head off Fulham's legal campaign over Peter Crouch's controversial move from Portsmouth to Spurs.
Fulham have served a petition in the Companies Court claiming Richards helped broker a deal which saw Crouch join Spurs last summer for £2million LESS then they offered.
Fulham are also unhappy at the nature of an independent inquiry which exonerated Richards of any wrong-doing.
But Richards wants to stop the battle going to court and wrote to the club chairmen: "As you are aware, the rules of every football body... provide for the principle that issues be resolved within the game rather than with the involvement of the courts.
"Fulham signed the Premier League Chairmen's Charter as recently as June of this year.
"It commits football matters to be resolved 'without recourse to the law'."
Fulham refuse to accept the findings of an initial inquiry into the matter which was conducted by Peter McCormick - a lawyer with close ties to the Premier League.
In fact, Sir Dave writes on the lawyer's website: "The personal and total commitment of Peter McCormick and his team is a wonderful ally to have on your side."
Fulham say they were prepared to pay debt-ridden Pompey £11m for Crouch last summer. But he joined Spurs for £9m.
Fulham claim Richards influenced the deal and they lodged a complaint at the end of last summer's transfer window.
The findings did not emerge until March this year when Premier League chairman Richards was cleared by McCormick.
Richards added in his letter: "Fulham's allegations were the subject of an independent legal enquiry... which exonerated me. I strongly deny any inappropriate behaviour on my part."


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3084048/Prem-chief-Dave-Richards-in-shock-move.html#ixzz0voQZ6PN7

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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/430400-the-top-ten-underachievers-of-world-football#page/8

The Top 10 Underachievers of World Football

No. 4 Stan Collymore

Another English striker who makes the list is fellow underachiever Robbie Fowler's one-time strike parter Stan Collymore.

"Stan the Man" had everything a world class striker could need: strength, speed, positioning, and an ability to score from any angle with either foot. He became well-known in England after beating an entire defense before looping a shot in from outside the box while playing for Nottingham Forest. It was just one of the 41 goals he scored for them in 65 games. Collymore's consistency and potential sealed a then-record transfer to Liverpool in 1995.

Collymore's best years continued at Liverpool, where he formed a fearsome partnership with Fowler and kept up his habit of scoring remarkable goals at a high frequency.

But it was also during his time at Anfield that Collymore began to display signs of his severe mental fragility. He alienated himself from teammates and coaches and became outcast from the "Spice Boys" group that existed at the club.

It got to the point where his own teammates stopped celebrating when he scored, and the Liverpool brass decided he had become a distraction and sold him to Aston Villa after just two seasons.

Thus began the nomadic final years of Collymore's career, when he played for Villa, Fulham, Leicester City, Bradford City, and Oviedo from 1997-2001. He only scored 14 total goals during that time, a period which was interrupted by tabloid scandals and his own treatment for Clinical Depression.

Collymore had long since ceased giving England managers reasons to pick him, and failed to add to the three caps he had earned by 1997. He had once shown signs of becoming a key player for his country, but instead retired at the age of 30 after a largely unfulfilled career

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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/430400-the-top-ten-underachievers-of-world-football#page/8

The Top 10 Underachievers of World Football

No. 1 George Best

It says all you need to know that a player who won the English title (twice), European Cup, and European Player of the Year is still football's biggest underachiever. George Best's talent could have won him so much more.

Best rocketed to superstardom as a 17-year-old for Manchester United and blazed his own trail in British football as a flair player. He remains one of the most elegant dribblers the world has ever seen, and fearlessly rode challenges with great balance in a time of brutal tackling.

Dubbed "The Fifth Beatle," Best peaked at the young age of 22, winning the European Cup and Balon D'or in 1968. His crowd-pleasing ways and rock star lifestyle made him one of football's first superstars. There was no one at that time to advise him on how to handle the height of fame he achieved. Best began enjoying his booze and women at the expense of his football career.

He continued carrying a United team that was going through transition, scoring over 20 goals for three straight seasons and lighting up Old Trafford with his magic. But the games and goals dried up in 1972, with George scoring just eight times in his final two seasons at United. He then, incredibly, walked away from the game in 1974 at the age of 27.

Best returned of course, making appearances for various British and American teams, but he never again reached the god-like level of his youth. Serious problems with alcoholism dogged him for the rest of his days.

Despite his problems and the fact that he never appeared at a World Cup, George Best is still recognized as one of the game's greatest ever players. Just imagine how much he could have achieved if he had been more

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http://betting.betfair.com/football/premiership/premier-league-betting-mark-hughes-is-not-the-right-man-fo-050810.html

Premier League Betting: Mark Hughes is not the right man for Fulham

Paul Moon is unconvinced by the appointment of Hughes at Craven Cottage. Is he right? Has Al-Fayed got it wrong? Or will the Welshman take the Cottagers to heights that Hodgson couldn't reach?

"The barometer of success at Fulham is easily measured and that is to maintain their upper-middle status in the Premier League or more specifically to finish anywhere between eighth and 12th. To achieve this they need either a manager with access to foreign academies or a clever wheeler-dealer – they have neither."

In the wake of the failure to prise Martin Jol from Ajax, Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed has erred in appointing Mark Hughes. Understandably enough, word is that Hughes is champing at the bit to get back into the game and by joining Fulham there wouldn't be such a hefty pressure to achieve instantly. This analysis is wide of the mark. Hughes's profile is incompatible with the needs of the club. His selection looks every bit a square peg in a round hole whilst the job itself looks like a poisoned chalice.

Hughes talks about 'building on what's been achieved at this seriously ambitious club.' This season's budget is less than £20m and top scorer Bobby Zamora scored just eight league goals last season. The rhetoric and nonsense continues with him talking of 'relishing the chance to work with a more hands-on approach.' He would never have worked before within these types of restraints. In the short term at least this chapter is likely to jeopardise his standing within the game. Had he showed patience a club with more potential would have become available in the coming months.

Fulham (founded 1879) have never won a major honour. More recently their small power base (capacity 25,700) highlights a major budgeting concern while their academy does not possess the infrastructure or illumination to attract the brightest talents. A chairman with limited football knowledge compounds these negative impacts. In short, it is extremely difficult and almost impossible to take a club of this dimension forward from where they are now.

The barometer of success at Fulham is easily measured and that is to maintain their upper-middle status in the Premier League or more specifically to finish anywhere between eighth and 12th. To achieve this they need either a manager with access to foreign academies or a clever wheeler-dealer - they have neither.

As a manager Hughes has his detractors and it is difficult to gauge exactly what he has achieved so far. Under his tenure Wales came close to qualifying for the European Championships in 2004 but looking at those results closely there was no evidence of sparkle or astuteness and the consensus was that he did moderately well.

Likewise at Blackburn, in the four years he spent there he made them solid, uncompromising and hard to beat without going onto the next level. His team did finish in the top half of the table in the last three seasons. Whilst at Ewood Park he made a couple of decent signings that latterly generated real profit for the club and he probably got the most out of the players he had to work with.

Clearly he underachieved at Eastlands. It was true that the Manchester City players let him down but his record of just 36 wins and 25 loses in 77 games was a poor return given his resources. He did not buy wisely and did not prove that he could work with top class players. His last selection decisions involved dropping Robinho, Nigel de Jong and Emmanuel Adebayor, three players he signed for more than £70m. During his 18-month reign City spent close to £200m so it was inevitable that he was ruthlessly despatched by Sheikh Mansour. The muted silence of the home fans both corroborated and acknowledged this decision.

Domestically it's likely he will lose veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to Arsenal and it is doubtful he can be replaced. Konchesky's head has been turned with the attracted interest from Liverpool and should the crazy signing of the disreputable Craig Bellamy materialise it would create more problems than it solves.

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http://www.footballfancast.com/2010/08/football-blogs/top-ten-premier-league-players-that-fail-to-get-credit-they-deserve

Ten Premier League players who either go under the radar or don't get the credit they deserve.

Clint Dempsey, Fulham Starting to get the recognition he has deserved for the last few seasons but still much better than people realise. Has performed well when playing wide, as well us up front and capable of scoring spectacular goals, as anyone who saw his Europa League performances will testify. As important to his country as to his club, and not short of self-confidence. Hailing from a Texan trailer park, Dempsey has been a good performer since signing for Fulham in 2007, but has excelled when playing off Bobby Zamora.

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http://blogs.bettor.com/Hughes-Zamora-for-England-a20440

Hughes: Zamora for England

New Fulham manager Mark Hughes says Bobby Zamora is in good shape ahead of the Premier League season and deserves a chance to play for England.
Zamora is one of the names that Fabio Capello said he was looking at before England went to the World Cup in South Africa. He was named in a team of the future for England despite the fact he is now 29 years of age.
Hughes has said that he is happy to have inherited a very good squad at Fulham and Zamora is likely to start in attack for the club when the Premier League gets under way shortly.
Zamora does have a high number of attributes that would give him a chance of doing well in an England shirt. However, England's poor showing at the World Cup now means there is a chance for many other players to break in to the side.
Player attributes
Zamora is a typically English centre forward in the respect that he is physically intimidating and strong. This allows him to hold off the challenges coming in from different defenders, he can keep the ball and then play it back to the midfield or out wide.
He is a very good header of the ball and this makes him deadly from set pieces. It's important for strikers to be good in the air because it provides an extra angle to their game and allows them extra chances to score during important games.
He does not appear to be egotistical, which would make him important in the England side. He did not sulk when he realised he was not going to the World Cup, he just got his head down and continued to work hard.
Hughes said: "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. He had a great season. What Bobby needs to do is obviously build on that and become a consistent scorer for seasons to come."
Other players
The problem for Zamora's England chances is that a number of other players will now see a chance to break into the England set-up. Darren Bent was the highest scoring English player in the Premier League last season for Sunderland and he will be higher up the pecking order.
There is also Carlton Cole at West Ham United who is a very exciting player to watch. He has been in the fringes of the England squad before and is a very similar player to Zamora. It's not going to be an easy task for the Fulham front man.
Hughes added: "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."
Betting advice
Zamora will be zoned in on Fulham and won't be thinking about playing for England just yet. He has to produce the goods for his club before Capello gives him a chance at international level.
This means he is likely to start the season by running around like a mad man. Have a punt on him to score in Fulham's first, second or third game because he will want to get off of the mark early on. Also have a bet on him to be top scorer at the West London club by the end of the season because he's one of the most important players that Fulham have.

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http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/sport/Port-Vale-Adams-keeping-mum-promotion-ambitions/article-2482796-detail/article.html

Port Vale: Adams keeping mum on his promotion ambitions

Vale's bid to secure a League Two play-off place went right down to the wire last term.

But a final-day 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury ultimately condemned them to a 10th-placed finish – three places and four points adrift of the play-off spots.

So just how will Vale make that final advance to land a top-seven place this season?

"We need to win more games," said Adams, with more than a hint of sarcasm.

After a little chuckle, he added: "What we've got to do is retain our spirit and belief, whether we win, lose or draw.

"We've got to be more ruthless in front of goal and we must take our chances when we're in a position to see teams off.

"Last season, we were winning games but dropped points by conceding late goals.

"That happened because we weren't ruthless enough and didn't finish teams off when we had the chance."

Adams was referring to games such as the draws at home to Accrington and away at Dagenham and Rotherham, when Vale conceded at the death. Adams' morale-boosting first season in charge has undoubtedly sent expectations soaring ahead of the new campaign.

After all, just 12 months ago the Vale were licking their wounds after suffering the humiliation of finishing 18th in the basement division.

But while Adams faces up to the challenge of managing heightened expectations, he is refusing to publicly set a promotion target.

"Nobody expected us to do anything last season – it was supposed to be a year of consolidation," he added.

"That's what we achieved but because we finished so well, and even got into the play-off zone with two games remaining, everybody is expecting massive things from us this year. We have to learn to live with that, and it will be up to me to manage the players correctly and make sure we do things in the right way.

"Of course, if we finish ninth it will be an improvement – but if we keep everybody fit we'll be competitive."

Adams has also strengthened his squad since last season's "so near, but so far" finish.

Forward Sean Rigg has turned his loan move from Bristol Rovers into a permanent switch, while goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson has been enticed from non-league outfit Barrow.

Striker Justin Richards has also come in after netting 15 goals for Vale's League Two rivals Cheltenham Town last season.

Adams has also taken a couple of gambles.

Nantwich Town defender Ritchie Sutton has been offered six-month deal to see if he can resurrect a professional career that seemed over when he was released by Crewe three years ago.

More intriguing is the similar deal accepted by Chester-born Gary Roberts, the talented midfielder previously axed by Crewe, Yeovil and Rotherham because of serious off-field problems.

With Vale's youthful 21-man squad boasting an average age of around 23, Adams believes there is still plenty of scope for improving his team. And he knows what he's talking about after managing Leicester City in the Premier League, following successful promotion campaigns with Fulham and Brighton.

"We've got a fairly small squad but we've got a bit more quality than last season, plus we've got good competition for places in all areas," he explained.

"What we don't need is three or four injuries and a couple of suspensions, because that will severely test the depth of the squad.

"There is plenty of room for improvement in this squad and the players have already learned from what they achieved last season.

"But my plan of action from day one was to make the team more competitive so clubs couldn't tickle our bellies any more.

"I've taken over clubs at difficult times, but it was still amazing to see the lack of confidence within the Vale squad when I arrived last summer. I'd never seen a group with such low self-esteem and the important thing was to rebuild their confidence.

"Now, they've got confidence in themselves and a belief in each other – and that's a massive plus in our favour."

This season, Vale will be reacquainted with Wycombe, Gillingham, Southend and Stockport County, who all drop down from League One in May. They will also come across promoted non-league sides Stevenage Borough, who they beat in last season's FA Cup, and Oxford United.

"History often shows that the teams who come down from League One are strong, so they will be fancied by the bookies this season," said Adams.

"Rotherham have had a little turnaround in players and they will also be there or thereabouts.

"Then there are teams like Morecambe who finished fourth last year, and I expect those teams to be up there as well.

"But if we retain our spirit and belief, and if we are also a bit more ruthless in front of goal, then we should be pretty competitive in this league."

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/aug/06/fulham-premier-league-preview

Premier League preview No9: Fulham
With much the same squad as last season, and without the distractions of the Europa League, Fulham should be aiming for the top half of the table

Guardian writers' prediciton: 9th (NB: this is not necessarily Paul's prediction, but the average of our writers' tips)

Last season's position: 12th

Odds to win the league: 750-1

"Some managers like to downplay expectations so that they can pat themselves on the back when they 'overachieve' – I've never operated like that. Wherever I've been I've always raised expectations because players and supporters have to know that the club can achieve things."

So said Mark Hughes this week upon being unveiled as Fulham manager and audaciously announcing that he expected his team to finish in... the top half of the table. That's not exactly shooting for the stars when you consider that he has inherited pretty much the same side that came seventh two seasons ago and would likely have finished around that spot again last term, rather than 12th, had their thin squad not been sapped by Europa League exertions.

Yet, on the other hand, it is a bold target, since attaining it will require managing as well as Roy Hodgson did. Then again, the players could make that relatively easy – they are an assiduous bunch who enjoy the way they've been playing over the last couple of years so will be quite happy to continue in the same vein. But will Hughes let them? Certainly you imagine he will stick with the current, admirably solid defensive unit given how difficult he found forming one at Manchester City. Mark Schwarzer may yet be lured away from that by Arsenal but, though he proved to be a superb signing for free, he has not been so phenomenal as to be irreplaceable, especially given the generous transfer funds that Mohamed Al Fayed has agreed to make available to the new manager. Fulham will seek to build on the progress made during the last two years and creep slightly closer, perhaps, to fulfilling the seemingly preposterous ambition that he declared he had for them when he took over in 1997 – becoming "the Manchester United of the south".

Those transfer funds will not, of course, be as extravagant as the ones that, you feel, became a bit of a burden to Hughes at City. It is more likely the manager will reactivate the contacts that put him on to the likes of Christopher Samba, Ryan Nelson and Benni McCarthy when he was at Blackburn. That could only be a good thing for Fulham, who, despite their generally accomplished displays over the last two years, do have scope for improvement and not only in terms of the depth of cover (notably for the centre-backs and Danny Murphy).

They could certainly, as Hughes has already highlighted, do with bolstering their strikeforce. Top scorer Bobby Zamora, for all his fine play, only struck eight goals in the league last season and Fulham failed to find the net in 16 of their 38 matches, the second worst rate in the league. Andy Johnson could, in theory, overcome the injuries that have sabotaged his career over the last three years and regain his best form but the manager is unlikely to count on that happening and will surely bring in at least one other striker. Craig Bellamy would fit right into this team, provided he first deigned to squeeze into its unCity wage structure. Mind you, if he does move to Fulham, as has been suggested, it might be as an upgrade on Simon Davies rather than as a pure striker. Either way, chances are Hughes will also seek a Roque Santa Cruz-style big man, someone to get on the end of the crosses that Hughes, in one of his tweaks to the team, will likely insist Fulham deliver with even greater regularity. Fulham only scored four goals from headers in last season's Premier League – fewer than everyone but Birmingham – and you fancy their new manager will strive to push that figure up.

As he tries to embellish that figure and also plunder more away wins, it will be interesting to see how he uses Clint Dempsey and/or Zoltan Gera, neither of whom are classic Hughes centre-forwards nor conventional wingers. But they have been integral both to Fulham's solidity over the last two years – because they diligently drop back into midfield if required when the opposition have the ball – and to the attractiveness of the side, since having one or other of them flitting between the lines encouraged the interplay with the likes of Murphy, Damien Duff and so on. It might be a shame if Hughes turned Fulham into a more straightforward 4-4-2. But it might work.

On another note, what probably wouldn't work would be ordering the likes of Murphy, Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes to become, let's say, more robust in the challenge. Fulham may have incurred fewer cards than anyone else and conceded the joint-lowest number of penalties in the league last season but they were anything but pushovers under Hodgson. They pressed, harried and tackled intelligently. There is no need to get them barking and biting like the Blackburn side that finished bottom of the league's disciplinary table in all four seasons that Hughes was in charge, and to try to do so would probably be to antagonise some of the more cerebral players.

Hughes is smart himself. Hopefully smart enough to respect what his highly experienced predecessor left him and, given funds superior to what Hodgson had, build on that handy foundation. Tenth place is the very least Fulham should attain this season.

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http://www.cradlebay.co.uk/index.php/2010/08/06/aston-villa-transfer-news-and-rumours-friday-6-august/

Shorey Set To Join West Brom
Nicky Shorey is set to join West Bromwich Albion from Aston Villa in a £1.5 million deal. The 29-year-old defender was put on the transfer list by Martin O'Neill earlier this summer and is willing to take a cut in his £33,000 a week wages to revive his career.
Shorey has made just 33 appearances for Villa since signing from Reading in 2008 and spent much of last season out on loan, first at Notts Forest and then at Fulham.
He was tipped to make the move to Craven Cottage permanent but the deal was abandoned after Roy Hodgson left for Liverpool.

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Albion draw up bargain Nicky Shorey shift

Albion were today poised to end Nicky Shorey's Villa nightmare and hope to tie up a deal in the next 48 hours.

The Baggies are in advanced talks with Villa over a cut-price deal, believed to be worth £1.5m, for the out-of-favour England international, who is one of six claret and blue players who have been made available for transfer by Martin O'Neill.

The Hawthorns club are keen to add competition for the left-back slot for which Marek Cech and Joe Mattock vied last season.

And they believe 29-year-old Shorey's extensive Premier League experience with Reading, Villa and Fulham means he fits the bill perfectly.

Mattock began last season's Championship campaign as the preferred option in the position but some poor mid-season displays from the former Leicester man saw Cech restored to the team.

And the Slovakia international ended the season strongly with his solid displays effectively rescuing a Hawthorns career that looked to be in trouble when the club splashed out £1m on Mattock.

Albion also believe the signing of Shorey, who could expect to be handed at least a three-year contract, would provide some longer-term continuity at left-back.

Cech has now entered the final year of his contract and talks to extend the deal have so far not borne fruit.

The former Porto defender appears to be waiting to assess his first-team prospects before making a decision on his future.

Albion insist the signing is unrelated to Mattock's impending sentencing for affray on September 2.

Shorey was a £4.5m signing from Reading two years ago but never appeared to fully convince Villa manager O'Neill.

Within months of his arrival, he had lost his place to right-back Luke Young only to win it back by the end of the campaign.

He has not started a game for Villa since last September and made just three Premier League starts for the claret and blues last term.

He ended last season on loan at Fulham following a temporary spell with the Baggies' Championship promotion rivals Nottingham Forest.

Forest had been keen to make the move permanent this summer but the lure of Premier League football on offer at the Hawthorns, coupled with the Reds' move for Ryan Bertrand yesterday, ended Billy Davies' interest.

Read more: http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2010/08/06/albion-draw-up-bargain-nicky-shorey-shift/#ixzz0vowaxhQS

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I'd be gutted if this happened.....

Get Forlan

The countdown to kick off at White Hart Lane continues and Roberto Mancini bids to reinforce his attack. The hacks in Spain are talking up the signing of Diego Forlan...

There are rumours swirling around SportCity on Family Fun Day where the squad will train at Eastlands before the Manchester public free of charge, that Mario Balotelli's agent is in danger of talking the brilliant young striker out of a deal to play in England over wage demands.

Mundo Deportivo in Spain reports that Mancio and the City hierarchy are growing tired of the pursuit of Super Mario and are considering a move for up front experience in the shape of World Cup sensation and erstwhile rag Diego Forlan.

The shark eyed focus with which he almost single handedly carried Uruguay's campaign in South Africa saw him win the tournaments Golden Ball, such was his impact. Some of his inspirational football lit up many times what was predominantly a dreary tournament in this correspondents eyes.

Footy on the continent has often been bemused that Forlan has never played for the giant likes of Barçelona or Real Madrid. If anything, Atletico have done well to keep him.

Forlan signed on at the swamp in 2002 for £7,500,000 from Independiente in the days when united bossed the transfer market almost unopposed. During his 2.5 years on the Manchester outskirts he made 37 league and cup starts and scored 17 goals, but was considered something of a failure with Taggart contented to almost permanently bench him. What's clear is that he didn't settle in England and he moved on to Spain, becoming a sensation at Villareal and Atletico, where his brace earlier this year secured the Europa League Trophy over Fulham.

Now 31, Forlan is a widely reknowned, experienced campaigner who could compliment City's strike force with a box of tricks that very often delivers the unexpected.

Mancio would do well to steam in and bag Forlan while nobody else is looking, or indeed, can afford to. Atletico, by numerous accounts, could use the cash.

Read more: http://www.manchestercity.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=207757#ixzz0voxvzrNR

[os5889]

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/41822/Fulham_and_Stoke_tipped_to_battle_for_City_striker.aspx

Fulham and Stoke tipped to battle for City striker

Fulham and Stoke City are the favourites to land Manchester City forward Roque Santa Cruz with the Paraguayan forward set to quit the Eastlands club this summer.

The 28-year-old looks certain to leave Eastlands ahead of the new season with Roberto Mancini tipped to leave the experienced former Bayern Munich hitman out of his 25 man Premier League squad list. French champions Marseille are also thought to be interested although Greek giants Olympiakos and Turkish side Fenerbahce are also monitoring the situation surrounding the City star.

New Fulham boss Mark Hughes is said to have the edge in the race to sign the Paraguayan star having rescued the striker from Bayern Munchen when he was Blackburn Rovers manager. The Welshman also spent £17.5 million bringing the forward to the Eastland's stadium last summer, however the former Welsh national manager was relieved of his position in December 2009.

Sports bookmakers have cut the odds on Fulham and Stoke City signing the City striker, with Blackburn Rovers also in the running.

Speaking about the prospect of a possible season-long loan, agent Jan Van Baal stated this week:

"If he leaves City would certainly want to get back a bit of their investment. He won't go for free.

"I could see a paid-for loan with an automatic option to buy. It's the fashionable solution, but that's for Manchester City to decide.

"There are some leads in the Premier League and abroad. He still has his admirers. I know that Marseille are interested and there have been a few discussions.

"It is an interesting destination. They are in the Champions League and they have a manager who is established. These are important factors. He has the profile for Marseille."

SKY BET ODDS ON ROQUE SANTA CRUZ' NEXT CLUB:

FULHAM – 2/1

STOKE CITY – 7/2

BLACKBURN ROVERS – 8/1

[os5889]

http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/08/06/premier-league-star-lifts-the-lid-on-fulham-boss-mark-hughes-82029-27006505/

Premier League star lifts the lid on Fulham boss Mark Hughes
Aug 6 2010 By Paul Warburton

MARK Hughes is aloof and distant towards his players – but he's absolutely the right man to take Fulham forward.

As the new manager was unveiled this week ending a month-long search for Roy Hodgson's successor, a Premier League star from Sparky's past lifted the lid on what those in a white shirt can expect over the coming weeks.

The player wanted to remain anonymous, but pulled no punches on how the former Manchester City and Blackburn boss operates.

The source said: "To be honest, you never saw him during the week – that was all left to his backroom staff on the training pitch.

"And if you went to see him in his office for a chat about something, Sparky couldn't get you out of the door fast enough.

"He had absolutely no interest in you as a person."

But it appears training under Hughes is intense, purposeful and designed to win matches – and for all his supposed shortcomings as a friendly figure, Hughes's preparation was the best of the player's career.

"You got grief for losing four-a-side matches in training," the source said. "Other managers didn't care.

"But if you didn't track back, and work your socks off – you expected trouble.

"Everybody was that much fitter as a result. And when it came to individual games – each week was designed differently to meet the demands of the weekend's game.

"If it was Arsenal for example, it was all built around counter-attack because everybody knew you weren't going to get the ball off them very much.

"At some clubs it's the same system every week - but not with Hughes. He'll do well at Fulham, I'm sure."

[os5889]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11698_6297590,00.html

Baggies close on Tchoyi

Cameroon ace to sign three-year deal

Skysports.com understands West Brom are closing in on the signing of Cameroon international Somen Tchoyi.

Tchoyi has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time and it appears the Baggies are poised to win the race for his signature.

Fulham, Blackburn and Wolves were all thought to be tracking the left-sided winger, but West Brom have jumped to the head of the queue for his signature with Tchoyi expected to ink a three-year deal with the Premier League newcomers.

Red Bull Salzburg were keen to keep the 27-year-old, but with just one year left on his contract they have decided to cash in on the African.

Hawthorns boss Roberto Di Matteo has been keen to bolster his squad as they prepare for life back in the top flight and sees Tchoyi as a key addition to his plans.

Tchoyi is expected to arrive in England next week to tie up his move to the Midlands club and become the club's fifth new signing of the summer.

[os5889]

http://www.skysports.com/fanzone/blogs/story/0,24015,16924_6297329,00.html

Bee in his bonnet
Scott desperately needs to boost squad, says William

The new football season is almost upon us and I have never been more excited. The excitement is all for the wrong reasons, however, because based on our pre-season displays I can't see us challenging for promotion.

I know the general consensus among fans at the club is "pre-season does not mean anything, just get behind Scotty and the players," but as someone who studies the ins and outs of football so closely, pre-season means a lot.

It is about getting your fitness back and coalescing with the new acquisitions at the club. Brentford don't seem to have done either. The 5-0 loss to Fulham was embarrassing, although you can excuse that because it was our first game.

That was followed up with a 0-0 draw to Toonbridge Angels (I asked myself the same question, who are they?), then a 3-2 defeat to Staines Town.

My cynicism is not purely because of the results but mainly because of the performances. The players looked like they were having more of a holiday than a fitness workout in Portugal.

Reality will soon hit those Brentford players if a repeat of last season's opening fixture is matched, because this league is getting tougher and tougher. With top clubs relegated and arguably stronger teams promoted, how Brentford will fare this season nobody knows.

Reverse effect

Part of me is hoping that my pessimistic attitude in this blog will have a reverse effect on the team and maybe promotion could be achieved. However, if our pre-season signings and performances are anything to go by, then I'll bet my job that we don't go up, even though I don't have one.

Major work still needs to be done to this side. Charlie MacDonald needs help upfront, an attacking central midfielder certainly wouldn't hurt and bringing Richard Lee back to Griffin Park is the worst decision I think Andy Scott has made and one that he will regret.

The decision to bring in such awful players confuses me even more when you realise that he has signed them on long-term contracts.

Scotty, you're a clever man and you have shown that during the years you have been with us, but this season I think you have got it wrong. I think mid-table mediocrity will be an achievement in itself!



Os5889: - Personally made me feel for them a little, dont know bout the rest of you

[Teabag]

http://www.skysports.com/fanzone/blogs/story/0,24015,16924_6297329,00.html

Bee in his bonnet
Scott desperately needs to boost squad, says William

The new football season is almost upon us and I have never been more excited. The excitement is all for the wrong reasons, however, because based on our pre-season displays I can't see us challenging for promotion.

I know the general consensus among fans at the club is "pre-season does not mean anything, just get behind Scotty and the players," but as someone who studies the ins and outs of football so closely, pre-season means a lot.

It is about getting your fitness back and coalescing with the new acquisitions at the club. Brentford don't seem to have done either. The 5-0 loss to Fulham was embarrassing, although you can excuse that because it was our first game.

That was followed up with a 0-0 draw to Toonbridge Angels (I asked myself the same question, who are they?), then a 3-2 defeat to Staines Town.

My cynicism is not purely because of the results but mainly because of the performances. The players looked like they were having more of a holiday than a fitness workout in Portugal.

Reality will soon hit those Brentford players if a repeat of last season's opening fixture is matched, because this league is getting tougher and tougher. With top clubs relegated and arguably stronger teams promoted, how Brentford will fare this season nobody knows.

Reverse effect

Part of me is hoping that my pessimistic attitude in this blog will have a reverse effect on the team and maybe promotion could be achieved. However, if our pre-season signings and performances are anything to go by, then I'll bet my job that we don't go up, even though I don't have one.

Major work still needs to be done to this side. Charlie MacDonald needs help upfront, an attacking central midfielder certainly wouldn't hurt and bringing Richard Lee back to Griffin Park is the worst decision I think Andy Scott has made and one that he will regret.

The decision to bring in such awful players confuses me even more when you realise that he has signed them on long-term contracts.

Scotty, you're a clever man and you have shown that during the years you have been with us, but this season I think you have got it wrong. I think mid-table mediocrity will be an achievement in itself!



Os5889: - Personally made me feel for them a little, dont know bout the rest of you

Errrrr.. nope.

[os5889]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/8317813.Bellamy_to_return_for_Wales/

Davies In Wales Squad to play Luxembourg

CRAIG Bellamy is poised to make his first Wales appearance in 10 months after being named in John Toshack's squad to face Luxembourg next week.

The Manchester City striker has missed Wales' last four outings but was this afternoon included in a 23-man party for the friendly at Llanelli's Parc y Scarlets next Wednesday.

Millwall striker Steve Morison also features for the first time after pledging his allegiance to Wales while Cardiff City's Gwent defender Darcy Blake could also be in line for a first cap.

As revealed in today's Argus, Newport's James Collins has not been named in the squad because of a calf strain.

Wales squad: Brown (Blackburn), Hennessey (Wolves), Myhill (West Brom); Bale (Tottenham), Blake (Cardiff), Eardley (Blackpool), Gunter (Nottingham Forest), Morgan (Preston), Ricketts (Bolton), Williams (Swansea); Crofts (Norwich), Davies (Fulham), Edwards (Wolves), King (Leicester), Ledley (Celtic), Stock (Doncaster), Vaughan (Blackpool); Bellamy (Manchester City), Church (Reading), Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest), Evans (Sheffield United), Morison (Millwall), Vokes (Bristol City).

[os5889]

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/41831/Italian_press_tip_Wenger_to_swoop_soon.aspx

Italian press tip Wenger to swoop soon

According to Italian publication La Repubblica, Arsenal are readying a bid for French international Philippe Mexes. The AS Roma centre-back has been perennially linked with a link-up with Arsene Wenger and now finds his name once again associated with the Gunners as the French tactician scours Europe in search of new defensive recruits.
Valued at £9 million the 28-year-old falls into the same price bracket as Laurent Koscielny who moved to the Emirates from Ligue 1 side Lorient earlier in the summer.
With time running out before the new campaign Arsenal find themselves with only three options at the heart of their defence. While Thomas Vermaelen is nailed on for a starting berth having impressed last term, Swiss international Johan Djourou and the aformentioned Koscielny will battle it out to partner the Belgian. However, having allowed Mikael Silvestre, William Gallas, Sol Campbell and Philippe Senderos to depart the north London side are still lacking squad depth at the back.
Everton's Phil Jagielka, Montpellier's Emir Spahic, Fulham's Brede Hangeland and Bolton's Gary Cahill have all been mentioned as possible recruits although each appears to have been priced out of a move by stubborn club policies.
Mexes would represent an experienced acquisition should he leave the Italian capital having spent six seasons demonstrating his ability in Serie A.