Saturday Fulham Stuff (14.08.10)

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/13/shay-given-craig-bellamy-mark-hughes

Fulham plan Manchester City raid for Craig Bellamy and Shay Given

• Hughes confident he can 'bring the best' out in Bellamy

• Given deal would allow Fulham to send Scwarzer to Arsenal


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Daniel Taylor guardian.co.uk, Friday 13 August 2010 23.26 BST


Mark Hughes is trying to sign Craig Bellamy on loan from Manchester City, insisting he would "bring the best" out of the striker at Fulham, and is monitoring the goalkeeper Shay Given's position at Eastlands with a view to allowing Mark Schwarzer to join Arsenal.

Fulham have contacted City about Roque Santa Cruz and Hughes intends to step up his efforts to arrange a loan deal for Bellamy now that City's manager, Roberto Mancini, has confirmed the Wales captain will not play for him this season.

Hughes will try to raid his former club for Given if, as expected, the Republic of Ireland international loses his place to Joe Hart when City play Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow. Whether City would be willing to let him go remains to be seen but, if so, that would enable Schwarzer to join Arsenal, who are keen to bring in the Australian to take over from Manuel Almunia. Arsenal have also been linked with Given but Arsène Wenger denied today any truth to that.

As for Bellamy, Hughes had previously cast doubt about it being workable – the 31-year-old earns £95,000 a week – but will recommend to Fulham's board that they make him the highest paid player at the club. "He was one of the top players in the Premier League last season and if we're in the position where we can conclude a deal then, yes, we would be very interested," Hughes said. "It seems Manchester City won't use him at Premier League level so from Craig's point of view it is very important that he makes the right decision for his career."

Bellamy has had a public fallout with Mancini, accusing the Italian of not speaking to him for six months. "I can pick only 25 players, it is up to me to make the choice and I have chosen other players," Mancini responded. "I'm the manager and I make the choice. After that, he [Bellamy] can talk about everything but it's not important to me because what he says is false. I work with the players every day and I speak with the players every day."

Hughes refused to condemn Bellamy's criticism of Mancini, saying: "He is a very honest guy and if someone asks him a question he doesn't very often duck questions. I think it is quite refreshing. If he thinks people are wasting his time, he can react."

The Belgium international striker Moussa Dembélé was at Craven Cottage for a medical before a £5m switch from the Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

[White Noise]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/13/craig-bellamy-mark-hughes-fulham

Mark Hughes says he can bring best out of Craig Bellamy

• Fulham manager wants to lure striker to Craven Cottage

• Bellamy will not make City's 25-man Premier League squad
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Rob Calladine

guardian.co.uk, Friday 13 August 2010 22.05 BST


Mark Hughes will step up his interest in Craig Bellamy, insisting he would "bring the best" out of the striker at Fulham after Bellamy's falling out with the Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini.

Bellamy's future at City was thrown into doubt when the forward expressed his anger at being frozen out by Mancini, who excluded him from his initial 25-man Europa League squad. Mancini confirmed today that Bellamy would not make his 25-man Premier League squad either. Celtic have expressed an interest but Hughes is confident he can convince the 31-year-old Welshman his future should lie in the Premier League.

The Fulham manager has worked with the temperamental player on three previous occasions – at Wales, Blackburn and, before Hughes was replaced by Mancini, at City – and has often succeeded in drawing the best out of him. Hughes offered the observation that Bellamy becomes more difficult to handle when he has lost faith in his manager's methods.

Hughes had previously cast doubt on a move for Bellamy on financial grounds but is now hopeful City will be eager to offload a player who cost £14m in January 2009.

"He was one of the top players in the Premier League last season and if we're in the position where we can conclude a deal for Craig Bellamy then, yes, we would be very interested," Hughes said. "It seems that Manchester City won't use him at Premier League level so from Craig's point of view it is very important that he makes the right decision for his career."

Hughes refused to condemn Bellamy's criticism of Mancini, and said: "He is a very honest guy and if someone asks him a question he doesn't very often duck questions. I think it is quite refreshing, to be perfectly honest.

"I am sure we would bring the best out of him if he came here. Craig as a professional is an outstanding guy – one of the best I have worked with. Alongside that, he is a very demanding character. If he thinks people are wasting his time, he can react. The way I work, every training session has a meaning and there is a reason and structure behind it."

Hughes has revealed Mark Schwarzer could leave the club after submitting a written transfer request but said the goalkeeper will only be allowed to join Arsenal if they increase their £2m bid. The Australian, who could miss the trip to Bolton with a stiff back, is keen for the chance to play in the Champions League.

Hughes said: "If Arsenal come back with an increased offer we will talk. But they have not come back to us. My understanding is that Mark has made a transfer request. Mark sees it as a great opportunity but any deal we do has to be good for Fulham."

The Belgium international striker Moussa Dembélé was at Craven Cottage today for a medical before a £5m switch from the Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/13/squad-sheets-bolton-wanderers-fulham

Squad sheets: Bolton Wanderers v Fulham   

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guardian.co.uk, Friday 13 August 2010 18.37

With Martin Petrov on one wing for Bolton and Lee Chung-yong on the other there should be some genuinely entertaining football played at the Reebok this season – though with Manchester United, Arsenal and Aston Villa to play in September, the visitors could do with picking up early points. The new manager Mark Hughes has made it clear he is prepared to take Fulham in another, more pragmatic, direction to improve on a record of one league win away from home last season. Reports suggest some players are finding it hard to accept. Richard Rae

Venue Reebok Stadium, Saturday 3pm

Tickets £20-28 (0844 871 2932)

Last season Bolton 0 Fulham 0

Referee S Attwell

Last season's matches 15 Y58, R2, 4.00 cards per game

Odds Bolton 13-10 Fulham 5-2 Draw 12-5



Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic Bolton
Subs from Bogdan, Gardner, Ricketts, Klasnic, Cohen, Taylor, M Davies, Samuel, Shittu, A O'Brien, Riga, Davis, Blake, Alonso

Doubtful None

Injured McCann (ankle, 21 Aug), J O'Brien (knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide n/a

Disciplinary record (last season) Y75 R5

Leading scorer (last season) Taylor 8

Fulham
Subs from Stockdale, Zuberbühler, Kelly, Baird, Stoor, Riise, Dempsey, Milson, Greening, Dikgacoi, E Johnson, Elm

Doubtful Duff (knee), Etuhu (virus), Konchesky (ankle), Schwarzer (back)

Injured A Johnson (knee, Sep), Senderos (achilles, Feb), Kamara (foot, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide n/a

Disciplinary record (last season) Y46 R1

Leading scorer (last season) Zamora 8

Match pointers
• Bolton have drawn only one of their 11 opening day fixtures in the Premier League


• On the four occasions Fulham have failed to score away at Bolton in the top flight they have secured a draw


• Bolton recouped four points from losing positions last term, fewer than any other team


• Fulham scored a higher proportion of their goals from outside the box (23%) than any other side in the last season


• Kevin Davies has conceded the most fouls in six of the last seven Premier League seasons and his total of 121 in 2009-10 was his highest ever

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/13/bob-bradley-has-not-resigned-usa


Bob Bradley has not resigned from USA job, says national federation

• US Soccer Federation denies reports Bradley has quit post

• Manager had been linked with Aston Villa vacancy

   (4)Tweet this (10)Reuters

guardian.co.uk, Friday 13 August 2010 16.56


The US Soccer Federation intends to continue discussions with the national team coach Bob Bradley amid reports linking him with the vacancy at Aston Villa.

Bradley's contract with the USA national team runs out at the end of December and the coach said before Tuesday's 2-0 friendly defeat to Brazil that talks with the federation had been put on hold until after that game.

A spokesman for the federation denied reports today that Bradley had quit in order to take up the position Martin O'Neill had vacated at Villa.

"The reports that Bob Bradley has resigned are not true," said Neil Buethe, the federation's senior manager of communications. "US Soccer officials plan to continue discussions with Bob in the near future."

Prior to the Brazil game, Bradley said he would love the challenge of coaching in Europe but also said leading USA towards the 2014 World Cup would be a challenge.

Bradley confirmed this week that he had contact with another Premier League team, Fulham, through an intermediary, when their manager's position had been vacant last month.

[White Noise]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6310898,00.html

Schwarzer request confirmed


Hughes admits keeper is looking to leave



Last updated: 13th August 2010   

Fulham manager Mark Hughes has confirmed that keeper Mark Schwarzer has handed in a transfer request at Craven Cottage.

The experienced Australian shot-stopper has been tracked by Arsenal this summer, a club who saw a bid in May rejected by Fulham.

Hughes is not looking to cash in on the ex-Middlesbrough keeper and says any further bids from Arsenal would not be welcomed.

The ex-Manchester City manager says that unless The Gunners come back with any fresh offers then the 37-year-old is staying in West London.

"My understanding is that he has handed in a transfer request," said Hughes. "He has indicated that he would like the opportunity to leave.

"Obviously we haven't encouraged Arsenal to come back to the table because they haven't been back since May.

Conversations
"If they do come back and talk to me or my chief executive, then further conversations will be had but at the moment there is no point because we are not talking to anybody because they have not come back to us."

Hughes warned Schwarzer that he would not necessarily be guaranteed first-team football at Arsenal and that the grass is not always greener elsewhere.

"Sometimes it is not always greener on the other side," Hughes said.

"I understand that at certain times of their careers players feel that when an opportunity presents itself, they feel they have to consider it very carefully.

"I think that is the case with Mark so I fully understand where he is coming from in that respect."

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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11672_6310490,00.html

Coyle hails Cottagers


Bolton boss tips Hughes for success


Last updated: 13th August 2010   

Owen Coyle has backed Mark Hughes to be successful at Fulham but hopes his Bolton side can 'hit the ground running' against the Cottagers on Saturday.

The two sides meet at the Reebok Stadium on the opening day of the Premier League season this Saturday, with Hughes taking the Fulham reins in a competitive match for the first time following his recent appointment.

Hughes has only had a couple of weeks to prepare his new team for action but Coyle is predicting another positive campaign for Fulham after achieving great success under Roy Hodgson in recent years.

"You have a terrific manager first and foremost in the shape of Mark Hughes," said Coyle.

"There is no doubt that he will mould that team the way he wants, but he will also recognise that he has inherited some very good players from Roy.

"So when you put the combination together, Fulham will show everyone this season again that they are a quality side."

Terrific
Fulham defied the odds to reach the final of the Europa League last season and Coyle, who guided Burnley to the Carling Cup semi-finals and promotion to the Premier League in 2008/09, believes the accomplishment was inspirational.

"What it shows you is that if you have the belief and a group of players who are prepared to work - and sometimes the bounce of the ball goes your way - then it can be achievable," Coyle said.

"I've been fortunate enough to be involved in some dressing rooms like that myself - we did it at Burnley where we played 61 games that season with something like 16 players because we were embargoed and couldn't sign a player from January onwards.

"Fulham had a terrific season and I think all clubs in that area would look at Fulham and think 'they are a similar-sized club to ourselves - that is achievable'.

"It is, but you need the belief and the quality to back it up."


Improve
Coyle lifted Bolton to safety after taking charge midway through last term and is looking to make progress this season, starting with a win against Fulham.

"We finished 14th last year having been in the bottom three when I came in and what we have to look to do is improve on that," he stated.

"We accept how difficult that will be because the Premier League is very unforgiving with the quality you play against.

"But it is a season we are looking forward to, we are optimistic and we want to hit the ground running."

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Squad Numbers 2010/11

Friday 13th August 2010


Fulham FC News


The First Team squad numbers for the 2010/11 season have been announced:

1 MARK SCHWARZER
2 STEPHEN KELLY
3 PAUL KONCHESKY
4 JOHN PANTSIL
5 BREDE HANGELAND
6 CHRIS BAIRD
8 ANDREW JOHNSON
11 ZOLTAN GERA
12 DAVID STOCKDALE
13 DANNY MURPHY
14 PHILIPPE SENDEROS
15 DIOMANSY KAMARA
16 DAMIEN DUFF
17 BJORN RIISE
18 AARON HUGHES
19 PASCAL ZUBERBUHLER
20 DICKSON ETUHU
21 EDDIE JOHNSON
22 FREDRIK STOOR
23 CLINT DEMPSEY
25 BOBBY ZAMORA
26 KAGISHO DIKGACOI
27 JONATHAN GREENING
29 SIMON DAVIES
35 DAVID ELM 
.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/August/SquadNumbers201011.aspx#ixzz0wWw0TmiP

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Fulham v Port Vale

Carling Cup


Wednesday 25 August


Kick-Off 20:00

 

On-sale dates
Season Ticket Holders on sale
Season Ticket Holders' seats will be held until 5pm on Tuesday 17th August.
General Sale  Tuesday, 17th August
Loyalty points: 6 (more info)| 

Buy tickets now| 

How to Buy Tickets
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Prices
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Adults £10
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5,000+ tickets (including match day)

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Under 16s £5
.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/PortValeHome.aspx#ixzz0wWwGKCqm

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Reaping the Reward

Friday 13th August 2010


Fulham FC News


Bobby Zamora's first full England appearance during the week was warmly greeted by Fulham Manager Mark Hughes.

Zamora came on as a second-half substitute against Hungary and came close to marking his first cap with an audacious strike from distance, which forced a fine save from Gabor Kiraly.

The Fulham front man didn't look out of place on the international scene and his performance certainly impressed Hughes.

"I thought he did great and it was a boost for everybody not least Bobby himself," said the Fulham Manager. "So we're all pleased for him - it's great that he's getting recognition. Over the years he's maybe been a little maligned because of what he's been able to produce, but I think this is reward for the hard work he put in last year.

"He's a guy that enjoys his football. He's gregarious, he likes being around people and he's great around the place, so it's good when you see guys like that who, at times in their career have struggled a bit, getting the chance to make their stamp on the world of football, and he's certainly been able to do that now."
.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/August/HughesZamoraEngland.aspx#ixzz0wWwSX9Db

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The Big Kick-Off

Friday 13th August 2010


Fulham FC News


The Barclays Premier League season kicks-off on Saturday and Fulham make the trip to the Reebok Stadium to face Bolton Wanderers.

Speaking to members of the press on Friday, Fulham Manager Mark Hughes was looking forward to the start of the new campaign.

"We're looking forward to it - it's a big challenge," Hughes said. "We've got probably higher expectations than in recent years because of last year's success so we have to work with those. But we've had a good start so far.

"I've been really impressed with the quality of the players and the quality of the support staff here as well, so we're set fair in terms of the environment that is here – there's no excuses really, so with the right start to the new season I'm sure we'll do very well.

"Europe was a great distraction last year, but without it this year the consequence is that our working week won't be as disrupted as much as it possibly was last year on occasions to the detriment of our Premier League form. So the work we're able to do in the build up to Premier League games will be more consistent.

"We were 12th in the Premier League last year so obviously we want to better that. We feel, given the squad we have, and hopefully with some additions, we're more than capable of exceeding that."

Owen Coyle's side will certainly pose a stern challenge to Hughes' men but the Fulham boss is confident that the positive work carried out on the training field will yield results on the pitch.

"I think we're ready. We've worked well in the little time we've been together but we're working from a good base anyway," Hughes explained. "The players have little things that they do automatically as a team because the vast majority have been together for a length of time, so the continuity is there.

"This week has been very difficult to negotiate though because some of the guys have been away. It's so important before the first game that you have the opportunity to put the finishing touches to your side, but unfortunately we haven't had that this week, so we'll have to wait and see how we react. Obviously we're going to Bolton who are a side that will ask questions of us and we have to make sure we have the answers."
.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/August/HughesBoltonPreview.aspx#ixzz0wWwg97i4

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Fulham manager Mark Hughes says he hopes to tie up a deal for AZ Alkmaar's Moussa Dembele and that the Belgian international striker is set for a medical at Craven Cottage, as well as confirming his interest in Manchester City's Craig Bellamy.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8912502.stm

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Former team mate out bring Zamora back down to earth


Published 23:00 13/08/10

By Alan Nixon



Zat Knight will come face-to-face with the other half of a football trivia quiz today when he takes on England new boy Bobby Zamora.

Bolton's centre-half was watching Zamora's England debut in midweek and had a smile on his face for several reasons.

Zamora's entrance prompted ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley to ask the question "only two Fulham players have played for England since George Cohen, can you name the other one?"

Knight laughed: "I heard that and I realised 'that's me' but I don't think many other people would know. I phoned a couple of friends to tell them."

The genial giant is also happy for Zamora to win recognition and said: "I got my cap in an end-of-season tour of America, it was such a big thing for me.

"I am over the moon for Bobby, he has done so well for Fulham.

"There was talk before the World Cup then he got injured, but he looked sharp when he came on. I hope it doesn't give him too much of a boost. He will be on a high.

"But I'd rather play against a big guy like him – the smaller ones can get under your feet!

"Bobby is in form and that's the type of test you want. You like to play against the best and he is an England player now."

Knight still has feelings for Fulham, but wants Bolton to copy their heroics. He said: "It's a team I love. I was there nine years.

"But now I'm at Bolton, it's a similar club and we want to get in the top half this season. People talk about Europe, but it's too soon. Ask me again in January."



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Zat-Knight-is-looking-forward-to-bringing-his-old-Fulham-pal-Bobby-Zamora-back-down-to-earth-after-his-England-debut-article554037.html#ixzz0wWxOSr7w

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[White Noise]

Shay Given is axed! Arsenal on alert for goalkeeper as Joe Hart is made Manchester City's No 1

EXCLUSIVE By Matt Lawton

Last updated at 12:01 AM on 14th August 2010


Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Given, 34, admitted this week he would consider his future should City manager Roberto Mancini leave him on the bench for the Barclays Premier League opener at Tottenham this lunchtime.

Given's demotion is sure to be welcomed by England manager Fabio Capello, who has decided 23-year-old Hart will be his first-choice goalkeeper for the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Hart made his first England start in Wednesday's 2-1 triumph over Hungary and Capello will be at White Hart Lane to watch his No 1.
City remain confident they will be able to keep both goalkeepers satisfied and are determined to prevent Given leaving. The development will, however, alert Arsenal and Fulham.

Mancini yesterday backed £22.5million signing Mario Balotelli to become one of the best strikers in the world after the Italy star agreed a five-year deal. As the City manager all but signalled the end of Craig Bellamy's time at Eastlands by branding the Welshman a liar, he described the precociously gifted if petulant Balotelli as one of the signings of the summer
.
Mancini, who hopes to add Aston Villa and England midfielder James Milner to his squad by the middle of next week, worked with the 20-year-old at Inter Milan and said: 'Balo is a young guy with a strong character but he is also a good guy and, most importantly, a fantastic player.

Sign on: Manchester City's new signing Mario Balotelli (L) puts pen to paper with the club's football adminisration officer Brian Marwood
'He is just young and, like all young guys, sometimes his behaviour is different. But it's false to say he is not a good man.
'In England, he could be fantastic. He can improve here. He is changing country, changing his club, and that will be better for him. I don't think he'll have problems.
'He can play on the wing, as a first striker or a second striker, and in one or two years he will be one of the best in the world.'
Mancini was less complimentary about Bellamy, who earlier this week all but secured his passage away from City by declaring Mancini had not spoken to him for six months. 'It's false,' said Mancini.
'I speak with the players every day. And Craig played always last year.
'This is the problem with the new rules. I have to put on the list 25 players. The others who will be out probably must choose another team. Craig is out of the list.'
Nearly done: Mancini is confident of signing Aston Villa midfielder James Milner soon
So is Stephen Ireland, who it is hoped will move to Aston Villa as part of the Milner deal if the situation surrounding his demand for a £2m pay-off can be resolved.
Ireland is demanding the remarkable sum because he believes he is owed £5m under the terms of his contract. At this stage City have offered him nothing.
'I don't know this situation but I don't have £2m for him,' said Mancini, laughing.
'But he played here all his life and he needs to change. I'm sure if he changes his life, his football, he will improve.'
While Mancini said he was 'confident' of luring Milner, former City manager Mark Hughes made the first significant move to sign Bellamy for Fulham.
He said: 'Craig was one of the best players in the Premier League last season and, if we could get into a position where we could conclude a deal, we would be very interested. From Craig's point of view it is very important he makes the right decision for his career. A wrong decision at this point could hurt him.'
End of the road: Craig Bellamy appears to have played his last game for Manchester City
Hughes defended Bellamy against the criticism from Mancini.
'He's a very honest guy and, if someone asks him a question, he won't duck it,' said Hughes.
'It's refreshing. He was telling people what the situation is in his eyes. He might think that coming here is exactly the right thing.
'Craig is an outstanding professional - one of the best I've worked with but also a very demanding character. The time you get a reaction from him is when he thinks the work he's doing won't benefit him or the team, if he thinks people are wasting his time.
'The way I work, every training session has a meaning and structure and there were very few times when Craig could question the work he was doing.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1302910/Shay-Given-axed-Joe-Hart-Manchester-City-No-1--EXCLUSIVE.html#ixzz0wWyo1Ii4

[Tom]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/13/shay-given-craig-bellamy-mark-hughes

Fulham plan Manchester City raid for Craig Bellamy and Shay Given

• Hughes confident he can 'bring the best' out in Bellamy

• Given deal would allow Fulham to send Scwarzer to Arsenal


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Daniel Taylor guardian.co.uk, Friday 13 August 2010 23.26 BST


Mark Hughes is trying to sign Craig Bellamy on loan from Manchester City, insisting he would "bring the best" out of the striker at Fulham, and is monitoring the goalkeeper Shay Given's position at Eastlands with a view to allowing Mark Schwarzer to join Arsenal.

Fulham have contacted City about Roque Santa Cruz and Hughes intends to step up his efforts to arrange a loan deal for Bellamy now that City's manager, Roberto Mancini, has confirmed the Wales captain will not play for him this season.

Hughes will try to raid his former club for Given if, as expected, the Republic of Ireland international loses his place to Joe Hart when City play Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow. Whether City would be willing to let him go remains to be seen but, if so, that would enable Schwarzer to join Arsenal, who are keen to bring in the Australian to take over from Manuel Almunia. Arsenal have also been linked with Given but Arsène Wenger denied today any truth to that.

As for Bellamy, Hughes had previously cast doubt about it being workable – the 31-year-old earns £95,000 a week – but will recommend to Fulham's board that they make him the highest paid player at the club. "He was one of the top players in the Premier League last season and if we're in the position where we can conclude a deal then, yes, we would be very interested," Hughes said. "It seems Manchester City won't use him at Premier League level so from Craig's point of view it is very important that he makes the right decision for his career."

Bellamy has had a public fallout with Mancini, accusing the Italian of not speaking to him for six months. "I can pick only 25 players, it is up to me to make the choice and I have chosen other players," Mancini responded. "I'm the manager and I make the choice. After that, he [Bellamy] can talk about everything but it's not important to me because what he says is false. I work with the players every day and I speak with the players every day."

Hughes refused to condemn Bellamy's criticism of Mancini, saying: "He is a very honest guy and if someone asks him a question he doesn't very often duck questions. I think it is quite refreshing. If he thinks people are wasting his time, he can react."

The Belgium international striker Moussa Dembélé was at Craven Cottage for a medical before a £5m switch from the Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

Please let this be true. Dear Lord, please make this happen!  :54:

[White Noise]

Coyle dishes out Ful marks


By DAVE WARD

Published: Today

 
OWEN COYLE expects Fulham and Mark Hughes to become a winning combination this season.

New boss Sparky has just a fortnight's preparation under his belt and no new signings going into today's opener at Bolton.

But Trotters chief Coyle said: "Mark is a terrific manager. He will mould that team the way he wants but he will also recognise he inherited some very good players.

"Fulham will show everyone again this season they are a quality side.

"We were 14th last term after being in the bottom three when I came in.

"We have to look to improve on that. We are optimistic and want to hit the ground running."


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3095199/Owen-Coyle-backs-Mark-Hughes-to-be-a-Fulham-hit.html#ixzz0wYpcn0IC

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Prem guide: Fulham


By ANDREW DILLON

Published: 13 Aug 2010
 
MARK HUGHES is the biggest signing Fulham will make this summer.

That goes to show the restrictions the new boss is up against, having arrived late with little time to make much impact.

Sparky signed a £4million contract, but has a lot to live up to after his predecessor Roy Hodgson gave Fulham two of the best years in their history.

Ambitious speculation linking Hughes with Craig Bellamy, the striker he managed for Manchester City and Wales, is stretching a point.

Even Hughes has been quick to rebuff those suggestions - Bellamy's £80,000-a-week wages would break the bank at Fulham.

But Hughes, who will be without £10m striker Andy Johnson until the end of September at the earliest, urgently needs to beef up his firepower.

Bobby Zamora had his best-ever run last season and has forced his way into the England team, although he managed only eight Premier League goals last time round.

Hughes has refused to duck the challenge. He has declared he will not hide from the tough prospect of trying to improve on Fulham's high benchmarks - a performance that Hodgson has already decreed will never be beaten.

Hughes insists his track record against his peers stands up to scrutiny.

He talks in hushed tones, but says a whisper can be louder than a roar - and that kind of sums up Fulham.

Quietly, they thumped Manchester United and Liverpool in the Premier League last season, 3-0 and 3-1 respectively.

Hughes is young in managerial terms at 46, and positively youthful alongside Hodgson, who was 63 this week.

But Fulham have an old ground, an ageing team and last season sold their best young player, Chris Smalling, to Manchester United, where Sparky made his name.

It will take all of Hughes' energy to soar past the peaks that Hodgson conquered.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3094906/Prem-guide-Fulham.html#ixzz0wYq2xjVg

[White Noise]

http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,12064_6310401,00.html

Managing to survive?


Expectation and results ensure management remains a volatile business


Andy Gray

Posted 13th August 2010 

Ron Atkinson once told me that the only guarantee a football manager has is that he will be sacked.

As we embark on another Premier League season, it's certain that we will lose some more managers along the way over the next nine months. The question is 'how many?'

On the whole there wasn't too much movement in the Premier League last season - certainly in comparison to the Championship and Leagues One and Two.


Look to the future: Hodgson has every chance of working his magic at Anfield
Of the 36 dismissals across the four leagues only five came in the top-flight, while the average tenure of a Premier League manager is 3.46 years, well above the overall average of two even allowing for Sir Alex Ferguson's longevity.

Those figures, provided by the League Managers Association, back up my suspicion that lower league chairmen are quicker to pull the trigger than their Premier League counterparts who are more prepared to let their managers manage.

The players will respond to Hodgson's British style of management; he's very good at communicating with his players and sorting out their problems and I think they'll find him far more amiable than Rafa Benitez ever was. Andy Gray
Quotes of the week


.Nevertheless, the three managers new to the Premier League this season - Chris Hughton, Ian Holloway and Roberto di Matteo - plus those who have joined new clubs, namely Mark Hughes, Avram Grant and Roy Hodgson, will still feel a huge weight of expectation. I wish them all good luck for the season ahead. Some will need it more than others.

Communicating
I've no doubt that Liverpool will improve significantly on last season's seventh-placed finish and push hard for a top-four spot under Hodgson. They don't have much ground to make up.

The players will respond to Hodgson's British style of management; he's very good at communicating with his players and sorting out their problems and I think they'll find him far more amiable than Rafa Benitez ever was.

At times Benitez was almost detached from his players and appeared to manage by numbers whereas Roy has the air of an old-fashioned-style boss, who manages by touch and feel.

Some fans have told me they're worried by the size of Liverpool's squad but I think it's big enough - providing he doesn't get a mass of injuries.

It goes without saying that every manager would like a few million more to spend on players but it doesn't look as if the owners are going to oblige so he'll just have to make do with what he's got. He's just the man to do a spot of housekeeping for a few months and then reassess how things are going.

Bringing Joe Cole to Anfield was a great coup for Roy because it proved early on that he can attract big names to the club - something that would have otherwise worried him. With Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres staying put he has every chance of working his magic again.


Work
Mark Hughes is another man with experience of managing in the Premier League who is getting used to pastures new, this time at Fulham, but it will be no easy task following Roy.

Since being sacked by Manchester City Sparky has bided his time and waited for the right job to come up and reckons this is the one for him.

It's not an easy challenge that faces him but in Mohammad Al Fayed he does have a chairman that I think backs his managers when he's able to. Sparky will enjoy that type of support.

Mark would love to take the club on from what they achieved last season but he's right to try and keep fans' expectations in check because the European run the Cottagers enjoyed was sensational.

You'd have to think, though, that the success came at a cost as far as their league form was concerned so I can see them improving on last season's 12th-placed finish.

Sparky has got a decent side there that will work very hard for him; he and assistant Mark Bowen will now want to do it their way and get one or two of their own in, though.

Moussa Dembele and Craig Bellamy are two of the names currently in the frame and it wouldn't surprise me to see the former on board very soon.


Understated
I know some are tipping West Ham to struggle this season but I'm going the other way - I can see Avram Grant bringing about a big upturn in the club's fortunes.

For me he's one of the league's unsung managers.

People seem to forget how close he was to winning a sensational double with Chelsea in 2008. He was one penalty away from managing a Champions League-winning team in a year when his team also finished second in the league. That's as close as you can get.

He remains a low-key, understated manager, who doesn't get too excited or let anything bother him too much and that's exactly what the Hammers need after all the upheaval of recent seasons.

He has a good footballing brain and has brought a couple of very good players into the club in the run up to the season.

The most important thing for him, though, was not to lose too many and he's succeeded in that as much as Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole are still at the club. If the same is true come the end of August, last season's 17th-placed finish should be but a distant memory.


Volatile
If the bookies are right, then 17th will seem like the promised land for the Premier League's newest managers.

Chris Hughton has experienced life in the top-flight before as an assistant coach but now we'll find out if he has what it takes to deal with the scrutiny and expectation that comes with managing a massive club at the highest level.

It worries me that he has come up from the Championship with pretty much the same Newcastle team that got relegated from the Premier League.

Likewise, it will be a big ask for Roberto Di Matteo to keep West Brom up. Of the three promoted teams I think they might be the ones to survive to see another season.

The former Chelsea player is sensible and clever enough to realise his side won't be able to play in the same way as they did in the Championship - if they do, they will get opened up and beaten time and again. That's what happened under Tony Mowbray.

But if they can tighten up and sneak the odd goal they may well win enough games to stay afloat.

I can't say the same of Blackpool. It seems incredibly harsh and ridiculous to sit here before the season has even started to say Ian Holloway's side will go straight back down, particularly as its so refreshing to see a new face at the top table.

But that's the nature of the beast we are dealing with. The Premier League is volatile, unforgiving and tough and if you are not good enough you will get found out.

Just ask those managers who bear the scars.

[White Noise]

Bolton v FULHAM: Doubts for Mark Schwarzer, Dickson Etuhu and Paul Konchesky

By Sportsmail Reporter


Last updated at 1:16 PM on 13th August 2010

Fulham manager Mark Hughes has three main injury worries ahead of his first game in charge of the Cottagers at Bolton.

Mark Schwarzer (back), Dickson Etuhu (illness) and Paul Konchesky (ankle) will all have fitness tests the morning before the game at the Reebok Stadium.

The only other absentees from Hughes' squad are long-term injury victims Philippe Senderos (Achilles), Andy Johnson (knee) and Diomansy Kamara (foot).

Team (from): Schwarzer, Stockdale, Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Konchesky, Pantsil, Baird, Hangeland, Hughes, Stoor, Gera, Murphy, Duff, Riise, Etuhu, Dempsey, Milson, Greening, Davies, Dikgacoi, E Johnson, Zamora, Elm.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1302791/Bolton-v-FULHAM-Doubts-Mark-Schwarzer-Dickson-Etuhu-Paul-Konchesky.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0wYtJkbwr

[MrCheviot]

Please let this be true. Dear Lord, please make this happen!  :54:

+1.