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Sunday Fulham Stuff 08.08.10

Started by os5889, August 08, 2010, 11:04:56 AM

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os5889

Fulham 5-1 Werder Bremen: Sunday Mirror match report

Mark Hughes backed Bobby Zamora to become "one of the Premier League's best" after watching him terrorise Werder Bremen.

With Fabio Capello's England squad announcement looming, Zamora showed great timing to score Fulham's first and tee up Zoltan Gera – who grabbed a 12-minute hat-trick – for Fulham's third goal.

Zamora's exploits were also witnessed by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, at Craven Cottage to view Mesut Ozil, who starred for Germany in the World Cup.

Hughes said: "You can see the quality Bobby has. He has the ability to be one of the best players in the Premier League."
 
In torrential rain, Fulham looked uncomfortable against Werder's stikers Hugo Almeida and Chelsea reject Claudio Pizarro, who scored on 13 minutes.

Pizarro met Petri Pasanen's pinpoint left-wing cross to beat Mark Schwarzer in the Fulham goal with an agile volley.

After a disappointing first half Fulham were level within eight minutes of the restart.

Zamora latched on to Clint Dempsey's flicked through-ball to easily beat Wiese in the Bremen goal.

From then on, the stage belonged to substitute Zoltan Gera, the Hungarian smashed in a 25-yard thunderbolt past Wiese on 65 minutes, before he noddedZamora's angled ball home from eight yards for his second just minutes later.

His hat-trick was complete on 76 minutes, as Wiese rushed out of his goal to meet the rampaging Zamora, but succeeded only in clearing straight to Gera who hit the ball into an empty net from 35 yards.

The rout was completed for Fulham by sub Eddie Johnson who prodded home late on.


Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-5-1-Werder-Bremen-Sunday-Mirror-match-report-Zoltan-Gera-hits-a-hat-trick-as-Fulham-warm-up-for-Premier-League-season-article547163.html#ixzz0w0c2cTbT

os5889

http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/article591833.ece/Dikgacoi-bullish-on-Fulham-future

Dikgacoi bullish on Fulham future

Bafana Bafana star Kagisho Dikgacoi is confident that the arrival of Mark Hughes will not negatively affect his future with Fulham.

Hughes has replaced Roy Hodgson, who has moved to Liverpool to fill the void left by Rafael Benitez.

The exit of Hodgson, who signed Dikgacoi from Golden Arrows a year ago, has cast doubt on Dikgacoi's future.

But the South African - whose debut was marred by a red card - remains bullish about his prospects.

"Hughes does not know much about us. He started with the team on Monday. I have a responsibility to work hard. I came here to work and become a better player, no matter who the coach is."

The Bafana anchorman had an injury-ravaged maiden season and was restricted to 12 appearances, a tally that might hamper his chances under a new gaffer.

"The past season was not one of my best and I am disappointed about that. I was expecting to play as many games as possible," he said.

"I got a red card in my first match. During the course of the season I had an ankle injury that kept me out for seven weeks. I was starting to be a regular until I went out again. I just have to forget about it. There is a new manager and I am starting a new chapter under him."

The fact that Hughes has experience working with South Africans at Blackburn Rovers might stand Dikgacoi in good stead. Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena and Benni McCarthy played under Hughes during their time at Ewood Park.

Their names cropped up during a training-ground chat between the former Manchester City coach and the midfield strongman.

"He asked me about Aaron and Benni and wanted to know if we keep in touch," Dikgacoi said. "I am not looking for favours. I don't want him to judge me on how my fellow South Africans performed under him. But it encourages me that he understands the mind-set of a South African player.

"It was not a long chat and he did not say much. He spoke to the whole team, explaining that his aim was to improve us in aspects he felt we could do better. His area of concern is for us to be more offensive after winning the ball."

Though admitting that he was sad to see Hodgson go, Dikgacoi is not pining for the manager.

"He is the person who brought me here and that will always connect us. He sent e-mails to all the guys, saying he was sad to leave the team. He thanked us for making him what he is now and for reaching the final of the Europa League.

"Having said that, I am not the coach's boy. I have to make sure that I convince the new manager. I am not scared. If he does not like me, I will have to take it like a sportsman."

Capped 34 times for Bafana, Dikgacoi is in his second and final season with Fulham.

"There is an option to extend for a third year and I don't see why it won't happen if I play as many games as possible."

He will be among the walking wounded when he heads home tomorrow for the Bafana versus Ghana game at Soccer City on Wednesday.

"I tore an abductor muscle on the right leg. The doctor said I will be out for two weeks."

He is confident Bafana will have the measure of Ghana in what will be Pitso Mosimane's first match since succeeding Carlos Alberto Parreira as coach last month.

"I like the fact that they are bringing the big guns. It does not matter for us. The bigger, the better. It is a big occasion for South Africa as well, because we will be going out there to impress our new coach," he said.

Dikgacoi expressed his satisfaction at Safa's decision to promote Mosimane to the hot seat and called on his compatriots to treat him with the same respect they accorded Parreira.

"It is not a surprise; he has been with the team a long time. It was good that Safa selected him. There must not be this thing of undermining him because he is young and not foreign. We must respond when he calls us up.

"South Africa must not beg players. If someone does not want to come to the national team, we have to leave them alone. When the big tournaments come, they should be left out. You either want to be part of the national team or not."

os5889

Manchester United won't make the top four and Wayne Rooney's aura of invincibility will be shattered for good
By Piers Morgan

WAYNE ROONEY will score 10 fewer goals than last season. The reason? Premier League defenders will have watched his dismal displays in the World Cup and suddenly realised he is not as unstoppable as they thought.

As we've seen with Tiger Woods in golf, once the aura of invicibility is shattered, it's shattered. My further prediction is that Rooney will be found gurgling in a gutter with Amy Winehouse, singing 'Rehab' at the top of his voice, as a furious Coleen clubs him with a £10,000 diamond-studded Gucci handbag.

Meanwhile, I've a sneaking feeling Dimitar Berbatov will finally show his class, and outperform Rooney. He's just too good to be as mediocre as he was last season.

Here are the rest of my predictions for the coming season:

MANCHESTER UNITED will miss a top-four position for the first time in decades. Putting aside my usual detestation of all things United, I actually believe this.

Based on current squads, I think Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are stronger. And United clearly have serious financial restraints.

What I don't understand is why Sir Alex is so keen to support publicly the tightfisted owners who have wrecked his winning streak.
 
MARK HUGHES will return to 'Sparky' form at Fulham, but that will only be because of all the Viagra Mohamed Fayed slips him.
Fayed always has a few blue pills in his pocket. I actually saw him hand one to Arsene Wenger before an Arsenal game, telling him: 'This will help your team get it up later.'

He was right, we won 3-0.

THE young players of the year, both domestically and internationally, will be the two Jacks - Rodwell and Wilshere. Brilliant prospects with the steely determination to match their talent.

TITLE WINNERS? Alas, I can't look further than Chelsea. Again. They have the biggest and best squad, and a team who have tasted a lot of success in recent years.

In Carlo Ancelotti, they also have a world-class manager who knows how to win trophies.
REAL MADRID will win the Champions League.

Jose Mourinho may be an unbelievably irritating, bumptious, cocky egotist (and, goodness me, I'm always SO put off by such characters ...) but he's a winner.

And judging by the way he's already shipped out creaking old showboaters like Raul and Guti, he's eagerly ripping through the problems that have held Madrid back for the last few years.

Cristiano Ronaldo AND The Special One? A dream team.

TOTTENHAM will have another very good season, but will tragically fall out of the top four on the very last day of the season after Jermain Defoe misses a penalty in the 93rd minute.

I will try to restrain my acute distress at this bitter disappointment for my north London friends.

FABIO CAPELLO will resign or be sacked before next May.

It's ridiculous he's still in the job given our shocking debacle in South Africa, and I see no prospect of anything improving as long as he remains manager.

The players don't play for him, simple as that. Harry Redknapp is the man for the job, and I'm going to keep saying it until he gets it.
(The appointment would have the dual benefit of getting him out of Spurs, too, where his rehabilitation of a once gloriously useless shower is beginning to really annoy me.)

ASHLEY COLE will become the most hated man in Spain if he goes there. Why? Because he's always the most hated man in whatever country he plays in.

ROBERT GREEN is destined to be the most booed player in the Premier League.

It will be a tough call because most of the England squad can expect some fearful hammer this season - and quite rightly, too - but Green's calamitous clanger in that first World Cup game set the tone for our national misery.

It was like Steve Harmison's first ball in the 2006-07 Ashes series in Australia that shot through to second slip. A signal of discontent.
And I'm afraid Green will, therefore, have to cop it big time. The good news for him is that the last person to occupy this 'Most Loathed
England Player' position was David Beckham after he got sent off against Argentina in 1998. And he went on to make £100million as a Hollywood clotheshorse.

So, just be patient, Greeny lad. And those Calvin Klein billboards in Times Square will all be yours.

ANDERSON and Michael Schumacher will have a car crash.

The former will emerge from the wreckage unscathed, saying: 'The car lost control at a curve and I hit a wall.'
The latter will say: 'It was an inadvertent error.'

The video replay will show Schumacher deliberately ramming Anderson into the wall.

DAVID BECKHAM will sign for Gillingham, declaring: 'It's always been my dream club.'

Coincidentally, they're also the ONLY club who wanted him. He will then spend much of the season on the bench, shouting and screaming at his team-mates to play better.

SOL CAMPBELL, depressed by the poor reaction from Newcastle fans, will start binge-eating in the Bigg Market every night until he eventually reaches the size of Mr Creosote in the Meaning of Life, and simply explodes.

Fortunately, he does this during a game against Arsenal, splattering his guts all over Steve Harper just as Walcott shoots.

FREDDIE FLINTOFF will be appointed official Inspiration Coach for the England football team.

His first team talk will involve him picking up each player by the scruff of his waxed neck and saying: 'Right, you pampered, overpaid, underworked, whining little prima donna, let's try a bit of pride in our country today, shall we?'

BLACKPOOL will be relegated, some time around January 5. Closely followed by West Brom on January 12.
I'm as certain of this as I was that Eva Mendes would flirt with me on American TV last week (she took about three seconds to make her move).

As for Newcastle, the third promoted team, I hope and pray they stay up.

I love the Toon Army, and their devotion deserves so much better than they've had to suffer.

MICK McCARTHY will be fired as manager of Wolves, and issue a statement saying: 'This was never about my ego. It was about doing what's best for Mick McCarthy. But hey, enough about Mick McCarthy, let's talk about Mick McCarthy.'

LIVERPOOL will have a very good season under Roy Hodgson.
Judging by what he did with Fulham's fairly average squad, imagine what he's going to do with the likes of Gerrard and Torres.

Looking up: Liverpool have a good chance with Fernando Torres in their team

And if you think you've seen profligate spending from the Arabs at Manchester City, wait until the Chinese get going at Anfield if they succeed in buying the club.

From what I saw in Shanghai recently, they are the richest of the rich, and hate being anything but No 1 in any business venture. And for those lucky Kop fans, the quality of prawn balls at half-time is going to take a massive turn for the better.

ARSENE WENGER will end his trophy drought. I know, I know, I'm biased. But I have been very impressed with the boss's close season activity.

How he thwarted Barcelona and persuaded Fabregas to stay is beyond me, but to his credit, he has done it. And this will be a hugely significant non-transfer for Arsenal.

He's also chucked out some dead wood at the back - Gallas, Campbell, Silvestre - and signed a superb defender in Laurent Koscielny to partner Vermaelen.

Arsenal open day: Cesc Fabregas (R) and Robin Van Persie warm up under the watchful eye of Arsene Wenger.
Up front, I like the look of Marouane Chamakh, who is tall, strong, fast, skilful, good in the air, a lethal finisher, and looks like Ronaldo's slightly prettier younger brother.
All we need now is a good goalkeeper, and another central defender as back-up, and I'm feeling excited again for the first time in a few years at the Emirates.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1301176/Piers-Morgan-Manchester-United-wont-make-Wayne-Rooneys-aura-shattered.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0w0cVdDV1


os5889

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/08/08/arsenal-look-to-42m-premier-league-quartet-to-resolve-crisis-wenger-wants-one-more-defender/

Arsenal Look to £42m Premier League Quartet to Resolve Crisis: Wenger Wants One More Defender

Emirates boss urgently looks for defensive solution.

Arsene Wenger is urgently looking into completing a deal for one of four Premier League targets before the transfer window slams shut leaving them with something of a threadbare defence. The Arsenal boss will look to put in a significant bid for one of the following Quartet: Fulham giant Brede Hangeland, Bolton's England hopeful Gary Cahill, Manchester City youngster Micah Richards and veteran West Ham man Matthew Upson.

Having failed to win the race for Everton centre back Phil Jagielka and German international Per Mertesacker the Emirates manager will now look to use his ample financial resources to complete the signing of at least one more defender to make up for the loss of experienced trio Sol Campbell, William Gallas and Mikel Silvestre.

Bolton appear to value Cahill in the region of a somewhat unrealistic £24m and Mark Hughes will fight tooth and nail to keep Norwegian international Brede Hangeland at Craven Cottage but Wenger will know that if they show interest in either then they could both have their head turned by the chance of a move to a bigger club and a shot at Champions League football, something that neither player have experienced before.

A third, and less likely option, is a move to bring back a former Gunner in the shape of Matthew Upson. The West Ham man did show signs of interest in a move to Manchester City last summer but was persuaded to stay at the east London side who then barely scrapped clear of the relegation zone.

Whilst Wenger doesn't usually look to bring in players over 30 he may well feel that the need to bring in another defensive option, and a reliable and experienced one like Upson, may make such a move worthwhile.

The final and perhaps most appealing target would be Manchester City's adaptable defender Micah Richards. Still just 22 the Eastlands man is by no means a first team regular but has ample experience in the top flight having notched up over 150 starts for City, however Roberto Mancini may well be keen to trim his squad and therefore could consider a sizeable bid for the England international.

With less than a week until the new season and after conceding five goals in their latest friendly in Poland Wenger knows he must do something fast to help prevent his leaky defence from costing them any hope of significant silverware this season.

os5889

Bobby Zamora Called-Up

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora has been handed an England call-up ahead of the friendly against Hungary on Wednesday 11th August.

Fabio Capello included the Fulham man in his 23-man squad as he prepares his team for the UEFA European Championship 2012 qualification campaign which starts in September.

The forward enjoyed a fine 2009/10 season which saw his goals help fire Fulham to the final of the UEFA Europa League and secure a comfortable mid-table finish in the Barclays Premier League.

Fulham Manager Mark Hughes was clearly pleased to see Zamora named in the squad.

"We're delighted for Bobby," he said. "What Bobby's got to do is build on last year. If he has a similar season this year, we will benefit and obviously England will benefit.

"You can see the qualities he has - I thought he was excellent today. He's a good player and he needs to kick on and be one of the main players in the Premier League. If he has an opportunity and gets the shirt it's all about grasping that opportunity and not allowing the progress that he's made to waver and wane."


England squad in full:

Ben Foster (Birmingham), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers)

Wes Brown (Manchester United), Gary Cahill (Bolton Wanderers), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), John Terry (Chelsea)

Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Aston Villa), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Darren Bent (Sunderland), Carlton Cole (West Ham United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Bobby Zamora (Fulham) 

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/August/BobbyZamoraCalled-Up.aspx#ixzz0w0ef38n8

os5889

Hughes Happy with Display

Speaking after Fulham's impressive 5-1 victory over Bundesliga side Werder Bremen at Craven Cottage on Saturday, Fulham Manager Mark Hughes spoke of his satisfaction at the performance.

"I thought we were excellent in the second-half," said the Fulham Manager. "In the first-half we possibly showed them a little too much respect in terms of allowing them too much space in which to operate.

"They're a good side and have talented players, so if you allow talented players time and space, at times they will create things.

"Zoltan had an immediate impact when he came on the pitch with some excellent finishes – in the end we were very comfortable winners.

"It was a good performance in the second-half and fitness wise, we looked very strong. Lots of guys have come back in good shape and have built on the fitness levels they had last year."

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/August/WerderBremenReaction.aspx#ixzz0w0ev5dxo


os5889

Ready for Action

Fulham sent out an empathic statement to the rest of the Premier League on Saturday with a 5-1 mauling of German Champions League contenders Werder Bremen in Mark Hughes' first match in charge as Manager.

And with just seven days until the start of the new Barclays Premier League season, Aaron Hughes modestly described the result as, "A nice little confidence builder."

"It's something to build upon and use to go forward," he considered. "But today and next Saturday are two very different games, which I'm sure everybody understands. Today it was nice to try a few things that we've been working on this week in training and use it as a boost to morale. Obviously, we're still reaching full fitness, but all in all, a result like this against a team like Werder Bremen is very good to take into next week."

It wasn't all plain sailing though. The Whites trailed at half-time having been edged out by their illustrious opponents in the first-half. However, Mark Hughes demonstrated exactly why he is the right man for the job, sending out his side after the break with renewed vigour, which certainly had the desired effect.

"In the first-half they started off well and we took a little time to find our tempo," assessed Aaron. "So we came out in the second-half and tried to press them and get on top of them a little more, it worked and we ended up comfortable winners."

Indeed, the squad seem very impressed by their new Manager ever since he took over, with a number of them commenting on positive training methods and tactical adjustments. If we thought the last two years were good, the future, it seems, could be even brighter.

"I think his approach has been good ever since he arrived," explained Aaron. "Obviously we've been doing well these last couple of years so we don't want to change everything, but there are little things that he thinks can introduce to improve the side, a couple of which we tried today, and it seemed to work well.

"So I've been impressed all week with how training has been and what he's been trying to do, so hopefully we can keep moving forward."

One man that was particularly responsible for the turnaround in this game was Zoltan Gera, who was introduced as a substitute early in the second half and proceeded to claim a 12-minute hat-trick, before setting-up the fifth goal. It was a virtuoso performance from the Hungarian and demonstrated exactly why he was voted supporters' player of the year last year.

"Zolly plays that role very well, playing in behind Bobby," said Aaron. "Even in training he's very hard to pick up. Technically he's a very good player so he has everything you need to play in that role. He can see a pass, he can turn well, he's got a good touch, and as we've seen, especially today, he can finish as well.

"Ok, everybody can say it's a friendly, but a hat-trick is a hat-trick no matter when it is, especially against good opposition and in such a short space of time. And he set up Eddie's goal as well! He pretty much came on and did everything in the space of half an hour. His performance today was fantastic and it really just carried on from where he left off last season."

So now, with this impressive result behind them, the team have one week left to prepare for the big kick-off at Bolton Wanderers next Saturday. And after three months off, the Northern Irish centre-back can't wait to get started.

"The pre-season games have been good," he reflected. "Obviously, the most important thing has been about getting our fitness, but we're only a week away now so I think everybody is just waiting to get started and get things going.

"So hopefully we can build on today and get off to a good start next week, which should set us up nicely for another good season."

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/August/HughesReadyforAction.aspx#ixzz0w0f8h8zj

os5889

http://www.sportbox.tv/football/news/story.php?id=316458

Hughes pleased for Zamora

New Fulham manager Mark Hughes has praised striker Bobby Zamora after he secured a first call-up to the England senior squad.

The 29-year-old netted 19 goals for the Cottagers last season, helping the club reach the Europa League final, but missed out on the squad for the World Cup finals, with an injury ending any hope of a call-up for South Africa.

However, Zamora is in the 22-man squad for the Wembley friendly against Hungary on Wednesday evening and Hughes is pleased for his new charge.

He told the club's official website: "We're delighted for Bobby.

"What Bobby's got to do is build on last year. If he has a similar season this year, we will benefit and obviously England will benefit.

"You can see the qualities he has. He's a good player and he needs to kick on and be one of the main players in the Premier League.

"If he has an opportunity and gets the shirt it's all about grasping that opportunity and not allowing the progress that he's made to waver and wane."

os5889

Best Buys: When Footballers Were Cheap...
by: ryandunny

With Aston Villa looking for 30 million pounds for James Milner, Manchester city paying 20+ million for Joleon Lescott and Manchester City paying 25 million pounds for Adebayor in recent few years, it shows that the days of paying 3.6 million pounds for players the quality of Roy Keane and 1.2 million pounds for Eric Cantona are long gone.

Now with the huge vast of money clubs can call upon players values have sky rocketed in recent years, examples 60 million for Kaka and 80 million for Ronaldo.

However some people just love a Bargain.

Here I'll be mentioning a few signings which have cost next to nothing considering how well the players have played for their clubs in recent years.


Mikel Arteta – 2 Million Pounds

After failing to make his way into the team after a 5.2 million pounds move to Real Sociedad, David Moyes saw something in the lad and signed him in January 2005 on loan, after helping Everton qualify for the Champions League he signed permanently for Everton in July 2005 for a fee around 2 million pounds. Since than he has gone on leaps and bounds and made himself an established name in the Premiership, along with making himself a cult hero among the Everton faithful.

The fact that he has never earned a cap for Spain tells more about the quality of the Spanish midfield then it does about Mikel. Having today signed a new five year deal for Everton, to warn off any possible suitors for the gifted Spaniard, it looks like he's going to big player for Everton in years to come. With 30 goals and 37 assists for Everton he is surely one of David Moyes best buys.


Niko Kranjcar – 2.5 Million Pounds

The Croatian play maker made himself a fans favorite down at the south coast team, under the stewardship of Harry Redknapp we saw a player introduced into the premiership who had an eye for a goal, could score free kicks and a player who could pick out a pass. However when Harry Redknapp left for Tottenham he signed a few of his old boys, one of them was Niko and on deadline day he signed for 2.5 million pounds, which Harry Redknapp then had the cheek to say, "Portsmouth got a good deal".

Niko then went on to play 24 leagues games last season scoring 6 goals.


Patrice Evra – 5.5 Million Pounds

After a difficult start to his United career where he made his debut in 3-1 defeat to Manchester City, Patrice has forced the once ever popular Gabriel Heinze out of the club, along with becoming one of the best left-backs the world has to offer, all for 5.5 million pounds nearly half of what Manchester City paid for Wayne Bridge.

Patrice has made himself a fans favorite with consistent displays, with many people liking him to Denis Irwin, he was rewarded with the captains armband in the 2010 Carling cup final against Aston Villa and is one of the leaders in the United camp.


Nemanja Vidic – 7 million pounds

Along with Patrice, SAF also signed a Serbian center back by the name of Nemanja Vidic. Named in the PFA team of the year from 2007 to 2009, also named player of the season for Manchester United in 2009, Nemanja has proved himself as one of the best center-backs in the modern game forming a defense nearly as strong as the Great Wall with Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja has been pivotal to United's success in the last few seasons.

For the fee of 7 million you could buy Nemanja four times for the price of his center back partner Rio Ferdinand. Nemanja also featured in every game in the famous record 14 games without conceding a goal which took place between November 2008 until February 2009. To the joy of every United fan across the country, Vidic silenced all transfer speculation by agreeing a new contract this summer.


Tim Cahill – 1.5 million pounds

Since signing for David's Moyes team Tim Cahill has been a massive player for Everton. Best from coming from midfield to score goals in times of crisis Tim has been used to play as emergency striker and to good effect. One of the most underrated players in the Premier League Tim would be a very great addition to any team in the premiership.


Richard Dunne – 5 Million Pounds

After the huge spending on defenders like Kolo Toure and Jolean Lescott, the Republic of Ireland international decided his services were better suited elsewhere. Martin O' Neill snapped up the defender who went on to make 35 appearances and score 3 goals in the process.

He formed a great partnership at the heart of the Villa defense along with James Collins in a defense which only conceded 39 goals in 38 games in the Premier League last season. A player who won four player of the year awards at Manchester City, how they must wish they kept on to the Irish defender.


Robin Van Persie – 2.5 Million Pounds

Signed as a left winger in 2004 from Feyenoord Arsene Wenger saw him better as a center forward, and boy did he get it right. In the last few season Robin Van Persie has become a big player for both Arsenal and Holland by scoring or creating goals. The talented forward has an eye for the spectacular, and can score from any situation.

However his career at Arsenal has been in and out of the Arsenal team due to injuries, which leaves one to question how good could he be if he had a whole season without injuries? With 73 goals and 36 assists in 197 appearances  Arsenal fans will be hoping this season will be that season.


Shay Given – 5.9 Million Pounds

After his long association with Newcastle, Shay Given wanted a new challenge and was snapped up by Manchester City in January 2009, and after making great saves in his debut against Middlesborough he has gone on to prove he is one of the best keepers in the Premier League if not the world. With this man in between the sticks for City next season then anything is possible.


Roque Santa Cruz – 3.5 Million Pounds

Before he moved to Manchester City to warm the bench, Roque moved from Bayern Munich to Blackburn and proved to be a pivotal player for Blackburn. In his first season he scored 23 goals in 43 games for Blackburn, and was the 4th top scorer in the 07/08 season after forming a great partnership with David Bentley.

However in his next season he was ravaged by injuries and only managed six goals, however Manchester City signed him for a fee of 17.5 million, a profit 14 million, shrewd business indeed.


Damien Duff – 2.5 Million Pounds

After a dismal few seasons at Newcastle, the Duffman made off to Fulham to try relive his glory days. He was back to his best last season helping Fulham reach the Europa League final in May, making 49 appearances and scoring 9 goals the Irish winger has proved a key player for Fulham this season, and will be hoping for repeat performances this season.

Read more: http://soccerlens.com/when-footballers-were-cheap/51865/#ixzz0w1JY4MJE


os5889

http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2010/8/8/1611891/bobby-zamora-finally-gets-the

Bobby Zamora Finally Gets The England Call Up He Deserves: Opinion
by Russ Goldman

Bobby Zamora got some great news yesterday. He will be playing for England. Fabio Capello announced his 23 man roster for England's friendly match against Hungary Wednesday at Wembley. Bobby Zamora, along with Arsenal players Jack Wilshire, and Kieran Gibbs have been added to the England squad for the first time according to SPORT.CO.UK.   

Last season Bobby Zamora scored 19 goals in all competitions for Fulham. But, I would argue the 19 goals don't indicate just how dominant a player he was last season for Fulham. He was a physical force up front. His presence also helped fellow players like Zoltan Gera and Clint Dempsey. He also had 10 assists in all competitions. He really was a complete player for Fulham last season.

What I found fascinating was that there seemed to be a debate if Bobby Zamora was worthy enough to be included in the World Cup squad .For me this question was a no brainer. Of course Zamora should should have been a part of the England squad. I think they really could have used him.

Unfortunately, Bobby Zamora injured his Achilles and could not participate in the World Cup even if he was included in the England squad.  Zamora was fighting this injury all the way to the Final of the Europa League. In my opinion, he showed what a team player he is by doing whatever it took to play in the latter stages of the Europa League.

I am a firm believer that you need players to buy into the team concept for your club to succeed. Zamora is that type of player. England needs more players like Zamora who just aren't stars. He is a complete player.

His first season with Fulham,  Zamora scored only four goals with the club. He did get some criticism for his perceived lack of performance in the 2008 - 2009 season. However, Roy Hodgson always seemed to talk about what a great job Zamora was doing even though he wasn't scoring goals. For some reason Zamora just couldn't finish that season.

That all changed in the 2009 - 2010 season for Zamora. Many of his goals were very pivotal for Fulham. For example, against Birmingham he scored on a free kick and Fulham won in dramatic fashion. Against Juventus with Fulham losing at Craven Cottage, Zamora scored a goal that got Fulham going. There were so many situations like that last season when Zamora came through.

But, as I mentioned prior Zamora's play last season was not all about scoring. He also assisted on goals that helped Fulham in victories. I have one that stands out. Again it was against Juventus at Craven Cottage. He made this incredible pass to Simon Davies which led to a dramatic goal by Zoltan Gera.

So as I was watching England play in the World Cup I thought to myself what kind of impact would Bobby Zamora had on those matches? We will never know. But, if you ask me it wouldn't have been a shock to me to see Zamora make a difference.           

I look forward to watching the England match against Hungary. I am hoping to see Bobby Zamora play. Whether he plays or not he deserved the England call up.           

os5889

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/431497-the-way-i-think-the-english-premier-league-will-end#page/13

The Way I Think the English Premier League will end.
By DAN THE MAN (Member) on August 8, 2010

9. Fulham

When Roy Hodgson departed Fulham, I for one thought they might struggle. However they have replaced him with Mark Hughes. This was an excellent decision on Fulham's part and i can see them having a really good year once again this time round

os5889

http://switzerland.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2010/swiss-squad-for-friendly-against-austria.html

Swiss Squad For Friendly Against Austria

This Wednesday, as part of the International friendlies being played, Switzerland will travel to austria to take on our UEFA euro 2008 co-hosts.
Here is the Swiss squad:

Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Marco Woelfli (Young Boys).
Defenders: Stephan Lichtsteiner (Lazio), Francois Affolter (Young Boys), Stephane Grichting (Auxerre), Philippe Senderos (Fulham), Reto Ziegler (Sampdoria).
Midfielders: Valon Behrami (West Ham), Gelson Fernandes (St. Etienne), Gokhan Inler (Udinese), Blerim Dzemaili (Parma), Pirmin Schwegler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen), Valentin Stocker (Basel), Xherdan Shaqiri (Basel), Nassim Ben Khalifa (Wolfsburg).
Forwards: Eren Derdiyok (Bayer Leverkusen), Hakan Yakin (Lucerne), Albert Bunjaku (Nuremberg).