Monday Fulham Stuff (30/08/10)...

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http://www.epltalk.com/roy-hodgsons-change-of-heart-leads-to-imminent-signing-of-paul-konchesky-23675?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EPLTalk+%28EPL+Talk%29
Roy Hodgson's Change Of Heart Leads to Imminent Signing of Paul Konchesky

This summer I have followed Roy Hodgson's journey to Liverpool. Hodgson's move to Anfield has taught me some valuable lessons. First, every individual should do what is best for themselves and what is in their heart. Second, a manager has the right to change his mind. Roy Hodgson introduced me to the reality of being a manager in the Premier league.

Shortly after Fulham lost in the Final of the Europa League, the talk began regarding Hodgson possibly leaving Fulham for Liverpool. Hodgson took Fulham from the brink of relegation just a few years ago to the Final of the Europa League. When Liverpool came knocking on his door he had a decision to make. Should he stay at Fulham or go to Liverpool?

Fulham would be a comfortable situation for Hodgson if he stayed. He had a team that was pretty much the same club that went to Europe last season. If he went to Liverpool, it would be a new challenge, and a chance to rebuild a giant club in football.

In the end his move to Liverpool was the right decision for himself. Fulham fans can be disappointed, but would you want someone as your manager who wants to be someplace else? Hodgson followed his heart to Anfield. He wanted to be the manager of Liverpool.

Hodgson also taught me the lesson that a manager has a right to change his mind. At Hodgson's press conference in being introduced as Liverpool manager, he was asked if he would be pursuing Fulham players to bring to Anfield. Hodgson stated he would not raid his former club. Hodgson was sincere and I bought this statement.

The harsh reality of football is that a manager has to do what is best for his club. Liverpool are in the process of signing Fulham left back Paul Konchesky who is reportedly at Anfield for a medical. If Konchesky does become a Liverpool player than Hodgson would have taken away a player from his former club. He would be raiding Fulham.

What I have learned is that a person has the right to change his mind. Hodgson is doing what he thinks is best for his club. It is up to Fulham to either reject the advances, or get the best deal for Konchesky. If a deal is made, and it is fair then both clubs can benefit.

Roy Hodgson has taught me some valuable lessons this summer. I think Hodgson made the right decision for himself in leaving Fulham. I also learned that a manager has the right to change their mind when they are trying to better their club. As a Fulham fan it is tough to deal with, but it is the reality of the football world we live in.

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http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/08/29/liverpool-complete-4m-deal-to-sign-fulham-left-back-paul-konchesky/?
Liverpool Complete £4m Deal to Sign Fulham Left Back Paul Konchesky

Anfield secure deal to bring Craven Cottage man to resolve full back issues.

Fulham defender Paul Konchesky is on the verge of a move to Liverpool after being spotted at Anfield today.

Sky Sports 1 showed the Englishman on Merseyside ahead of this afternoon's Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion.

Reds manager Roy Hodgson is keen on signing a left-back, and appears to have returned to his old club to bring in a familiar face.

Previous reports have put the transfer fee for the 29-year-old at £4 million, with Mexican international Carlos Salcido signed from PSV Eindhoven to fill the vacant left-back position. (Goal.com)

By all accounts this deal is done and the presence of the Fulham full back at Anfield is evidence that Mark Hughes has agreed a deal to allow the defender leave for Merseyside for a fee of around £4m, which is a pretty good deal for the west London side as the 29 year old would have been available on a free next summer.

Hodgson has been desperate to clinch the signing of a new left back with Emiliano Insua still likely to leave the club and Fabio Aurelio out with injury. The experienced Konchesky will give Liverpool an experienced attack minded left back option to balance the similar style Glen Johnson on the right.

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http://www.stoke.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=211313
It's Fulham in the Carling Cup
Stoke City have drawn Fulham in the third round of the Carling Cup.

The Potters saw off Shrewsbury Town in midweek to earn another home draw against The Cottagers. The date for the match at the Brit is not yet fixed, but will take place during the week commencing 20th September which means that Stoke fans will be able to see three home games within ten days with Aston Villa visiting for the televised encounter on Monday 13th September and the Hammers arriving on Saturday 18th September.


Read more: http://www.stoke.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=211313#ixzz0y4WSJamV

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http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=211322
Fulham - Could Given Be A Red-Herring?
With many suspecting that Mark Hughes is pursuing Shay Given to allow Mark Schwarzer to get his dream move to Arsenal, could Mark actually be chasing another keeper?

With David Stockdale in such impressive form could Mark be secretly looking at bringing a new number two to Craven Cottage?

One Sunday tabloid certainly thinks so suggesting that Hughes is chasing the Reading keeper, Adam Federici.

Federici like Schwarzer an Australian is out of contract with Reading and has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.

Something to ponder over perhaps!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=211322#ixzz0y4Wh9kPY

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http://www.clubcall.com/blackpool/boss-thrilled-with-strikers-debut-1092868.html?
Boss thrilled with striker's debut

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway has praised new striker Luke Varney after he scored a glorious goal on his debut in a 2-2 draw with Fulham.

Varney, signed on a season-long loan deal from Derby on Friday, put his side ahead in a 2-2 draw against Fulham which was their first ever Premier League match at a revamped Bloomfield Road.

Holloway said: "Luke has got pace and his game suits the way I want to play. It looked like he had been with us all his life.
"If you realise he has just walked into the building, how hard is my job? It is not easy. Players go here and there. They carry their kitbags. Sometimes it suits them, sometimes it doesn't.

"Hopefully he will have a wonderful relationship with us and keep doing what he did today.

"That goal I am absolutely delighted with. It was some of the best football any team of mine has ever produced. Then we lose the ball easily and they equalise, so we have some harsh lessons to learn."

Bobby Zamora had given Fulham the lead with a firm header before going off with a thigh injury. Blackpool levelled through a John Pantsil own goal before Varney's moment of magic put the home side on course for all three points.

However, they were forced to settle for just one as Dickson Etuhu converted for the Cottagers with three minutes remaining.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8944785.stm?
Liverpool close in on Fulham defender Paul Konchesky

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson says he expects to sign Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky "in the next couple of days".

Reports suggest Konchesky, 29, would move to Anfield with Liverpool's reserve striker Lauri Dalla Valle going to Craven Cottage as part of the deal.

"There are one or two minor details that need to be sorted," said Hodgson after Sunday's 1-0 win over West Brom.

Hodgson added that he hoped to make another acquisition before the transfer window closed at 1800 BST on Tuesday.

But the 63-year-old Reds boss moved to cool speculation that it would be PSV Eindhoven forward Ola Toivenen he would be signing.

"If we can I'd like to bring in one more player and that would be excellent," added Hodgson.

"We are short [in the striking department] so we don't need to disguise the fact that it would be nice to get a striker but they are very hard to come by.

"If the right man comes along I know that the club are prepared to act but I don't want to act on the wrong man and just add another body to the club.

"It would have to be someone who could really play alongside Fernando [Torres] and, in my opinion, improve us as a team.
"I like Ola Toivonen but he's not the right type of player that we are looking for at the moment."

Konchesky, who watched from the stands as Liverpool registered their first league win of the season, moved to Fulham in July 2007 from West Ham on a four-year deal.

He has two England caps and made his international debut in 2003.

The Barking-born player was a West Ham academy trainee before leaving to join Charlton, and went on to make 169 appearances for the Addicks.

In 2005, West Ham bought Konchesky back in a deal worth £1.5m and he made 62 appearances for the east London side.

On Friday, Hodgson's former club Fulham completed the signing of Mexico international left-back Carlos Salcido from PSV.

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http://www.portvale-mad.co.uk/rprt/mtch/premier_lesson_for_vale_in_carling_cup_553000/index.shtml
Premier lesson for Vale in Carling Cup
by Rover Reporter
Fulham 6 Port Vale 0
Former Fulham boss Adams has a tough return to Craven Cottage

Vale were taken apart in the pouring rain by Premier League Fulham, who'd only made three changes from the side that had got a draw from Manchester United.

One addition was left back Matthew Briggs making his debut. On 10 minutes, he crossed for Zoltan Gera to head Fulham's opening goal.

New signing Moussa Dembele, also on his debut, fired home the second.

In the 36th minute Bobby Zamora scored from a tight angle for 3-0, and Gera hit the 4th from 20 yards in injury time before the break.

Zamora got his second from a free kick on 66 minutes, and 4 minutes later substitute Clint Dempsey hit a long range sixth goal.

But Vale kept going to the end, searching for a goal, whilst Stuart Tomlinson kept the score down at the other end.

Former Fulham manager Micky Adams took it on the chin. A credible end to Vale's away run.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/29/england-euro-2012-fabio-capello?
Fabio Capello forced to fall back on the usual suspects for England
• Terry, Lampard and Zamora out of Euro 2012 qualifiers
• Scott Carson, Matthew Upson and Joleon Lescott recalled


An ankle injury has put paid to David Stockdale's chances of a surprise call-up to the England squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers. Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

The true paucity of options available to Fabio Capello was laid bare last night after the England coach was forced to turn back to the usual suspects after injuries had left his options severely depleted for the national side's first competitive fixtures since the World Cup debacle.

The Italian lost a quartet of players he had hoped to select – Chelsea's John Terry and Frank Lampard and the Fulham pair Bobby Zamora and David Stockdale – to untimely injuries on Saturday and could yet be denied Phil Jagielka and Peter Crouch with ankle and rib problems respectively ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

There are recalls for Scott Carson, Matthew Upson and Joleon Lescott in the 24‑man party, with England's medical staff planning to scrutinise Jagielka's fitness, in particular, when the squad meet at their Hertfordshire base this evening. The Everton centre-half, who was selected for the friendly against Hungary earlier this month, was left with a badly swollen ankle as his club lost 1-0 at Aston Villa yesterday and remains a doubt for the qualifier against Bulgaria on Friday.

Ankle ligament damage has already denied Stockdale his first involvement with the national side – the Fulham goalkeeper fears he could be absent for up to two months having only just broken into the first-team at Craven Cottage – and allowed Carson a return to the fold.

The West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper, capped three times, has not featured since a jittery display as a substitute in the friendly victory in Germany in November 2008 and is included as Rob Green nurses a hip complaint.Joe Hart will remain Capello's first choice.

The inclusion of Adam Johnson, Kieran Gibbs and the uncapped Gary Cahill aside, there is arguably little hint of a bright new era in the England manager's selection. Crouch and Jermain Defoe are both recalled having been omitted from the 2-1 victory over Hungary, with Upson – who endured a torrid time at the World Cup – Shaun Wright-Phillips and Michael Carrick also familiar faces from the summer's toils in South Africa.

The latter has benefited from Tom Huddlestone's surprise omission, the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder being ignored despite a fine start to the season. Jack Wilshere of Arsenal is dropped back to the Under-21s.

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1307284/Eidur-Gudjohnsen-talks-Stoke-loan-Monaco-ex-Chelsea-Tottenham-striker.html?
Eidur Gudjohnsen in talks with Stoke over loan move from Monaco for ex-Chelsea and Tottenham striker

Stoke are in talks to sign Eidur Gudjohnsen from Monaco on loan.

Gudjohnsen, 31, spent the second half of last season on loan at Tottenham after falling down the pecking order at Monaco. He has also held talks with Fulham and Rangers.

Stoke are still interested in Middlesbrough's Gary O'Neil but have rejected a £4.5m bid from Chelsea for goalkeeper Amir Begovic.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1307284/Eidur-Gudjohnsen-talks-Stoke-loan-Monaco-ex-Chelsea-Tottenham-striker.html?#ixzz0y4YfXScg

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1307285/Manchester-City-ponder-bid-Scott-Loach-young-Watford-keepers-England-squad-cameo.html?
Manchester City ponder bid for Scott Loach after young Watford keeper's England squad cameo

Manchester City are considering a deadline-beating bid for Watford's England squad goalkeeper Scott Loach.

Loach, 22, has attracted plenty of Premier League interest since his call into Fabio Capello's squad for the recent friendly with Hungary.

Shay Given remains a Fulham target. The Cottagers are also chasing a late deal for Palermo's former Juventus midfielder Antonio Nocerino. 


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1307285/Manchester-City-ponder-bid-Scott-Loach-young-Watford-keepers-England-squad-cameo.html?#ixzz0y4YyaVkZ

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1307244/Jamie-Redknapps-weekend-watch-Hard-work-pays-Fulham-keeper-David-Stockdale.html?
Jamie Redknapp's weekend watch: Hard work pays for Fulham keeper David Stockdale

HARD WORK PAYS
When I was in training for Soccer Aid this year at Fulham's training ground, there was a young man who was working out there. His name was David Stockdale and he looked as if he was working off some weight.

How that hard work has paid off for him. He's in goal for unbeaten Fulham, taking his chance and now he's in the England squad.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1307244/Jamie-Redknapps-weekend-watch-Hard-work-pays-Fulham-keeper-David-Stockdale.html?#ixzz0y4ZOulZ4

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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premiership/late-fulham-goal-spoils-blackpools-premier-league-party-14928134.html?
Late Fulham goal spoils Blackpool's Premier League party

RBlackpool 2 Fulham 2: Blackpool's four competitive games this season have produced 21 goals.

The latest feast, in which the hosts trailed to Bobby Zamora's third goal of the season before John Pantsil's own goal and a debut strike by the on-loan Luke Varney left Fulham facing yet another away-day failure, was lapped up by more than 15,500 spectators, the venue's biggest crowd since 1977.

The gathering included Fabio Capello, although if the England manager came to assess the form of Zamora and David Stockdale before announcing his squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland, he may have left disappointed. Zamora, who made his international bow against Hungary this month, suffered a thigh injury which his manager, Mark Hughes, said "must make him a doubt". Stockdale, the 24-year-old goalkeeper, went over on an ankle in a challenge with Varney. "He has done really well this season," said Hughes. "It'd be a shame if he gets picked and can't join up."

Holloway, who admitted he was pleased to see Zamora go off, hailed a "fantastic day for the club". The Blackpool manager added: "We've got to pinch ourselves we're at this level, and some of our football today was worthy of it. Our equaliser came from as good a move as I've seen from us. But I need seven or eight more players to have even half a fighting chance."

The game was an entertaining way to mark the official opening of Blackpool's new 5,070-seat East Stand. The rest of the ground, unrecognisable from when Blackpool bade farewell to the old First Division in 1971, was an ocean of tangerine, bouncing and bobbing. Their optimism appeared justified early on, when the pacy Varney showed why Holloway believes a player surplus to Derby's needs in the Championship has the potential to trouble Premier League defenders. He forced a flying save from Stockdale with a fourth-minute volley and gave Pantsil some awkward moments.

Yet Fulham began to play the smarter, more precise football, with Moussa Dembele dropping cleverly into deep positions to demonstrate why Hughes had given the Belgian his first League start ahead of Clint Dempsey. Blackpool needed last-ditch challenges by Craig Cathcart and Alex Baptiste respectively to thwart Dembele and Simon Davies after Zamora set up both chances.

When Fulham probed again down the right there was no such respite. Damien Duff's pass found Dembele racing clear of Stephen Crainey. From the cross, Zamora powered a header past Matthew Gilks. Charlie Adam strove to coax Blackpool back into the contest, and there were intermittent scares for Fulham. Elliot Grandin thought he had equalised only to find Mike Oliver, the Premier League's youngest-ever referee at the age of 25, had harshly penalised Varney for jumping into Stockdale, having correctly disallowed Brett Ormerod's first-half header for offside.

Fulham's fallibility away from Craven Cottage is no mere statistical anomaly, however. They lacked the killer touch to finish off Blackpool, especially after Zamora's departure, and paid a price for wretched defending as the game entered its final 20 minutes. For the first goal, Varney's shot, after he was played in by Grandin, was deflected first by Aaron Hughes and then, for added comic value, sliced into his own net by Pantsil.

Suddenly, Blackpool resembled an irresistible force. Ormerod picked out Varney's run with a perfectly weighted through-ball. A clinical angled finish did the rest. But with three minutes remaining, Dembele glided past two challenges in midfield before stroking a superb pass into the path of the galloping Etuhu, whose measured shot over the onrushing Gilks ensured a just outcome, if an anticlimactic one for Blackpool's supporters.



Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premiership/late-fulham-goal-spoils-blackpools-premier-league-party-14928134.html?#ixzz0y4ZorqNv

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http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-boss-hughes-indicates-schwarzer-departure-1078651?
Fulham boss Hughes indicates Schwarzer departure

Fulham manager Mark Hughes has hinted that goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer may still leave the club prior to the transfer window closing on Tuesday evening.

The Cottagers boss admitted that the Australian veteran was keen to depart Craven Cottage and join Arsenal and although he didn't in as many words say the deal was going ahead, he did indicate that he would allow him to leave if they could find an apt replacement.

"Mark Schwarzer has made it clear that he would like to go to Arsenal so we are trying to look at other options. I'm always interested in quality players and Shay Given is a quality player. Make of that what you will." Hughes said after the 2-2 draw with Blackpool on Saturday.

"But I have said that if we can't get anyone else in, Schwarzer will have to stay."

Manchester City's Shay Given, who has been demoted to number two at Eastlands, has been tipped to land at Fulham which would definitely pave the way for Schwarzer to leave and join Arsenal.

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1307274/Premier-League-Match-Zone-Everything-need-know-Saturdays-action.html?
Premier League Match Zone: Everything you need to know about Saturday's action

Every Monday, Sportsmail will deliver your comprehensive guide to all the top-flight action from Saturday. It's your one-stop shop for all the stats and analysis from our brilliant team of writers.
THE BIG IMAGE

Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale has endured a miserable 48 hours. First he looked on in despair (above) on Saturday as John Pantsil's own goal put his side behind at Blackpool in their 2-2 draw. And then a ankle injury denied him a first England call-up.

Still, he has come a long way from his lowest ebb in 2006 when, amid accusations of being overweight, he left Blue Square Premier club York. 'They told me I was money-grabbing,' explained Stockdale.

'I was on £175 a week and I asked for £200 because I was travelling and wanted expenses. They said I should concentrate more on my football. They lost out.'

   

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1307274/Premier-League-Match-Zone-Everything-need-know-Saturdays-action.html?#ixzz0y4cG4d91

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http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/08/30/2094098/manchester-citys-shay-given-must-pass-shoulder-test-to
Manchester City's Shay Given must pass shoulder test to trigger Fulham move and Mark Schwarzer switch to Arsenal
Gunners wait with improved £2.5m bid for Australian...

EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey | Chief correspondent

Shay Given's shoulder has emerged as the key to resolving the Fulham and Arsenal goalkeeping conondrums, Goal.com UK can reveal.
It is understood that Fulham's medical team have spent the weekend assessing Given's medical history details, particularly his recovery from the dislocated shoulder he sustained at the end of last season.

Fulham are prepared to provide Given with the first-team football that he craves after he lost his No.1 shirt to Joe Hart at Manchester City but will only give the green light to a loan move if there is sufficient evidence that his shoulder is fully recovered.

"Checks have been taking place on Given's medical history," said a source close to the deal.

"The two clubs have spoken about a loan but there is some doubt about whether it will go through. A shoulder injury is a very difficult injury to get over quickly and there is concern that he came back too quickly after surgery."

It is common policy for a loan to be based on information provided by a parent club. For a permanent transfer, a full, two-day medical would be required at Fulham's Motspur Park training ground.

The goalkeeping situation at Craven Cottage has become even more stark following news that David Stockdale has suspected knee ligament damage that could keep him on the sidelines for two months.

Reading keeper Adam Federici has been considered as an alternative to Given, although it is believed that the Australian is regarded as back-up to Stockdale rather than the senior man.

If Fulham solve their keeping problems in the next 48 hours, it will allow Mark Schwarzer to sign for Arsenal.

The Gunners are ready to increase their bid for the Australian to £2.5 million on Monday, which is likely to be accepted by the west Londoners.

"Schwarzer has been told he can only go if Fulham have a replacement," added the source. "He is basically waiting on Given's shoulder."

When Roy Hodgson was Fulham manager, he enquired about the possibility of a player exchange involving Jack Wilshere or Carlos Vela but that was given short shrift by Arsene Wenger.

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/West-Ham-transfer-news-Hard-up-Hammers-drop-price-for-Liverpool-Fulham-and-Birmingham-target-Carlton-Cole-article567923.html
Hard-up Hammers drop price for Liverpool, Fulham and Birmingham target Cole

Hard-up West Ham have dropped their price on England striker Carlton Cole as they look to offload him in a last minute deal.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is keen on Cole while Fulham and Birmingham have also tracked him this summer but West Ham have yet to receive any acceptable offers.

That has prompted West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan to lower the price to below £10m in an attempt to push a sale through.

Hammers boss Avram Grant is desperate to strengthen his squad after three straight defeats in the Premier League has left the club in a desperate situation.

West Ham do not want to sell Scott Parker despite strong interest from Tottenham and Cole would be a better option to help raise funds and give Grant some limited spending power.

Grant already has Frederic Piquionne, 30, and they are now ready to sacrifice Cole to balance the books.

West Ham also fancy Tottenham's Jamie O'Hara to boost their squad but he has been struggling with injury and any move may have to be on loan with a view to a permanent switch.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/West-Ham-transfer-news-Hard-up-Hammers-drop-price-for-Liverpool-Fulham-and-Birmingham-target-Carlton-Cole-article567923.html#ixzz0y4dxhRnx
Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here

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http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/08/30/daniel-agger-welcomes-imminent-arrival-of-paul-konchesky-to-liverpool-fc-100252-27163175/?
Daniel Agger welcomes imminent arrival of Paul Konchesky to Liverpool FC

DANIEL AGGER today welcomed the imminent arrival of Paul Konchesky – even if it means he will face a bigger fight to get in Roy Hodgson's new look Liverpool team.

After watching Liverpool's 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion from the directors box yesterday along with fellow new boy Raul Meireles, Konchesky will complete his £5m move from Fulham today.

Konchesky's arrival will signal the end of Liverpool's summer long search for a left-back and enable Agger, who has been diligently filling that role in the mean time, to return to the centre of defence.

The solid form of Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel, though, means it will be no foregone conclusion that Agger slips straight back in but he is not concerned.

His only concern is for Liverpool to have strength in depth but the Denmark international will continue to play on the flank if Hodgson so desires.

"I've done the job but it's not really my place in the team," said Agger. "The boss knows it and I know it. But as long as the boss wants me to play there, I will do it.

"I won't complain. I will do the job for the team. If he thinks that I am the best man for that role, I will keep doing it.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/67885,sport,football,transfer-talk-mark-schwarzer-heads-for-arsenal-on-manic-monday-hatem-ben-arfa-newcastle?
Mark Schwarzer heads for Arsenal on manic Monday

We're in store for a manic Monday as clubs look to snap up some last-minute bargains before the transfer deadline expires on Tuesday. And one man who's never been averse to a bargain is Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, well known for being tighter than the Chelsea defence.

It looks as though Wenger could at last be about to get his hands on Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer as the Cottagers weigh up Shay Given as a replacement. Wenger has been chasing the 37-year-old Schwarzer for months but Fulham have been playing hard to get, stating there was no way they would sell the Aussie international to their London rivals.

But Fulham boss Mark Hughes seems to be softening his stance, saying after Saturday's draw with Blackpool: "Mark Schwarzer has made it clear that he would like to go to Arsenal so we are trying to look at other options." The fact that Arsenal are alleged to have increased their offer from £2.5m to £3m might also have made Hughes a happier man.

Top of Fulham's options is Given and Hughes didn't deny he would like to see Manchester City's unsettled keeper at Craven Cottage. "I'm always interested in quality players and Shay Given is a quality player. Make of that what you will."

However, the Daily Mirror says that while it's almost certain Schwarzer will indeed sign for Arsenal, his replacement won't be Given but rather another Australian in Reading's Adam Federici. The 24-year-old Federici is out of contract at the end of the season and Reading are understandably keen to cash in on him before he becomes a free agent.


Read more: http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/67885,sport,football,transfer-talk-mark-schwarzer-heads-for-arsenal-on-manic-monday-hatem-ben-arfa-newcastle?#ixzz0y4jfSAaT

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http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/839435-shay-given-set-for-fulham-transfer-as-manchester-city-eye-scott-loach?
Shay Given 'set for Fulham transfer as Manchester City eye Scott Loach'
Shay Given is on the verge of joining Fulham on loan after Manchester City decided to move for Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach, according to a report.

The Irishman is keen to leave Eastlands after losing his first-team place to Joe Hart, but City boss Roberto Mancini had indicated he was reluctant to sell.

However, it now appears that a pair of deals that would suit both Fulham and City are set to take place before the transfer window closes on Tuesday night.

According to the Mirror, City are lining up a bid for England Under-21s goalkeeper Loach, as they believe he would provide competition for Hart for years to come.

The move would allow them to offload Given without having to worry about cover for Hart.

Fulham manager Mark Hughes, who signed Given during his time in charge at City, wants to bring in the 34-year-old to replace Mark Schwarzer.

The Cottagers are hopeful of completing a season-long loan deal for Given in time to allow them to sell Schwarzer, who is a target for Arsenal.

Fulham's need to sign an experienced goalkeeper became more urgent at the weekend when David Stockdale suffered ankle ligament damage in the 2-2 draw at Blackpool.

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http://www.lfconline.com/news/tmnw/konchesky_expected_to_sign_today_553024/index.shtml?
Konchesky expected to sign today
By Al Campbell
Monday, 30th August 2010
Liverpool are expected to complete the signing of Paul Konchesky today.

The Reds are likely to sign the Fulham left-back, with reserve team striker Lauri Dalla Valle going the other way, after Konchesky was spotted in the Director's Box at Anfield watching the West Brom game yesterday.

"I hope so," said Roy Hodgson, when asked if Konchensky's signing would be completed before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.

"One of our young players, a very talented young lad that Fulham have fancied for a long time, is going in the other direction and that's holding it up a little because he has to have a medical.

"I'm sincerely hoping it's just a technical hitch and that Paul will sign in the next couple of days."