Tuesday Fulham Stuff (31/08/10)...

[WhiteJC]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/7972518/Liverpool-rebuffed-by-Fulham-over-Bobby-Zamora-interest.html?
Liverpool rebuffed by Fulham over Bobby Zamora interest
Fulham have strongly rejected an inquiry by Liverpool about their striker Bobby Zamora.

During Liverpool's negotiations to sign Paul Konchesky, the possibility of securing Zamora was also raised with the Fulham hierarchy.

Both players worked with Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson at Craven Cottage and he is a great admirer of Zamora as well as Konchesky who has been desperate to move to Anfield.

Fulham are adamant that Zamora, who would be in the England squad but for injury, is not for sale. The 29 year-old has undergone a dramatic turnaround in his career after almost being sold to Hull City last summer.

Liverpool are also considering a bid for West Ham's Carlton Cole with Hodgson determined to add a powerful striker to his squad before the transfer window closes today.

An offer is yet to be made for Cole and there will be serious concerns, given his fitness record, as to whether he can adequately pass a medical. Its also unclear whether West Ham would be willing to sell at this late stage.

Everton last night rejected a 'derisory' offer from Tottenham for midfielder Steven Pienaar following Harry Redknapp's attempt to seal a deadline day deal for the South Africa international.

With Pienaar in the final year of his contract at Goodison Park, Spurs are understood to have offered in the region of £2 million for the 28 year-old. But Everton swiftly rejected the offer and will attempt to resist any further bids for the former Ajax midfielder ahead of today's transfer deadline.

Pienaar, who has also been linked with Manchester United since the end of last season, has rejected the offer of a new deal on Merseyside and Everton face the prospect of losing the player as a free agent at the end of the season.

Having failed with Pienaar, Spurs may make a last ditch attempt to sign Scott Parker, from West Ham, with Robbie Keane offered as the bait.

They have already had a £8 million bid rejected, but with Parker yet to commit to a new contract, they believe they could lure the England midfielder to North London.

Spurs have, however, been frustrated in their attempt to sign Brazil striker Luis Fabiano after he signed a contract extension at Sevilla.

Chairman Daniel Levy made contact with Sevilla last week over a deal, but Fabiano yesterday agreed to remain at Sevilla until 2013.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.itv.com/sport/football/news/duff-out-of-armenia-game-72623/?
Duff out of Armenia game

Damien Duff has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's European Championship qualifier in Armenia on Friday through injury.

The 31-year-old Fulham winger has withdrawn because of a calf problem picked up during Saturday's 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw at Fulham.

Duff, who has 84 senior international caps, will be assessed by his club and could yet join up with the squad for the home clash with Andorra next Tuesday evening.

He joins Blackburn midfielder Keith Andrews, who has a groin injury, on the sidelines for the start of the Republic's qualifying campaign.

[WhiteJC]

http://hammyend.com/index.php/2010/08/no-call-up-for-zamora-and-stockdale/?
No call-up for Zamora and Stockdale
by TOR on AUGUST 30, 2010

As was feared, last night two familiar names were left off the England squad sheets for the forthcoming European qualifiers. Dan reported over the weekend, it was likely that the injuries sustained by Bobby Zamora, called up earlier this month for the friendly against Hungary, and David Stockdale at Blackpool on Saturday would force Capello to name alternatives. And indeed he did.

Patrick Barclay, in his column in The Times today (behind the paywall I'm afraid), suggests that Bobby's injury is a big blow to the England squad and praises his recent form;

The Fulham centre forward has been in such consistently marvellous form for so long that it hardly seemed to matter that he was 29. To me, Zamora looked the key to an invigorated England, one that might start to rebuild confidence damaged by a dismal World Cup with vibrant performances in the opening qualifying matches for the European Championship against Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday and Switzerland in Basle tomorrow week.

Bobby's been quite unlucky with injuries holding him back from making a real impact internationally, first the Achilles injury reportedly preventing him from joining the squad in South Africa over the summer, and now a thigh strain, but hopefully he'll get the chance to pull on the white shirt again and show how far he's come. It certainly doesn't sound too serious an injury and there's no indication that he'll not be able to join his Fulham colleagues when Craven Cottage hosts Wolverhampton Wanderers in two weeks' time. At least the international break affords Zamora an extra week to overcome this setback.

The news for Stockdale doesn't sound quite so good with The Guardian reporting that he could be out for two months after damaging his ankle ligaments on Saturday;

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.

So not only does he miss out on his first cap, but Stockdale misses the opportunity to continue proving himself worthy of a regular first team spot. Stockdale shouldn't be too concerned about his international debut – he's still young and Capello has few goalkeeping options, so a future call-up could well be a reality. The question is whether he'll continue to be a regular on the pitch, rather than on the bench, once he recovers from his injury. With rumours about Shay Given coming to the Cottage on loan, in order to allow Schwarzer his longed-for move across London, and Mark Hughes having already set about managing Stockdale's expectations, the likelihood seems quite remote.

For now, the England squad is without its "lucky" Fulham contingent but it says a lot that the media is even considering our players for international recognition, not least that perhaps the domination of the Big Four may well be nearing its end. Long may it continue.

[WhiteJC]

http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2010/08/30/fulham-review-reprints/?
Fulham Review reprints
Filed under: General — weltmeisterclaude @ 4:33 pm
Due to popular demand, I've reprinted the latest Fulham Review.   I got a good deal from the printer so it's still £5 a go.

www.godsfoot.com tobuy.

If in doubt, please do get one!  You know it makes sense.   Easily the biggest and best version yet.   If you haven't got one, why not?

That's me being an aggressive salesman.   (previous editions are also available – if you want to combine postage drop me an email and we'll sort something out).

Will be selling them on Stevenage Road before the Wolves game, up by the club shop/Hammersmith End gates.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/man-city's-given-turns-down-fulham-scuppering-schwarzer's-shift-arsenal-1081371?
Man City's Given turns down Fulham, scuppering Schwarzer's shift to Arsenal

Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given has reportedly turned down a move to Fulham, essentially breaking down Mark Schwarzer's dream move to Arsenal.

The ongoing keeper saga may have finally come to a close after The Guardian suggested that 34-year old Republic of Ireland international Given, who has been demoted to number two at Eastlands, has decided to stay with City and compete with youngster Joe Hart for a starting spot in Roberto Mancini's team.

Schwarzer was apparently close to becoming a Gunners player but needed Given to become his replacement at Craven Cottage and after that did not transpire, it seems as though he will remain a Cottagers player.

The 37-year old Australian international has not been a part of the first three Premier League squads deployed by Mark Hughes so far this season but was named in Hoglger Osieck's Socceroos list for upcoming friendlies with Switzerland and Poland.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/monaco's-gudjohnsen-set-turn-down-stoke-fulham-1081401?
Monaco's Gudjohnsen set to turn down Stoke for Fulham

Monaco striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is set to sign a season-long loan with Fulham after turning down Stoke City.

The 31-year old Iceland international is almost certain to land at Craven Cottage according to Mirror Football after snubbing the Potters who were confident of getting a deal done.

Last season, Gudjohnsen turned down a loan move to West Ham United at the last minute to join Tottenham, and it seems as though a similar situation has occurred here.

The Cottagers are willing to pay about £2million of the former Chelsea and Barcelona man's salary at Monaco which should see the French club agree to a loan deal.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1307533/Fulham-battle-sign-Manchester-City-misfit-Roque-Santa-Cruz-Real-Madrid-midfielder-Royston-Drenthe.html?
Fulham in battle to sign Manchester City misfit Roque Santa Cruz and Real Madrid midfielder Royston Drenthe

Fulham face a race against time to seal deals for Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz and Real Madrid's Royston Drenthe.

Santa Cruz will snub a loan move to Lazio if Fulham can get the paperwork finished quickly, while Drenthe is keen to escape the Bernabeu where he is not wanted.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1307533/Fulham-battle-sign-Manchester-City-misfit-Roque-Santa-Cruz-Real-Madrid-midfielder-Royston-Drenthe.html?#ixzz0yAJ3kWQk

[WhiteJC]

http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/08/31/2096085/fulham-goalkeeper-mark-schwarzer-still-hopeful-of-arsenal?
Fulham Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer Still 'Hopeful' Of Arsenal Move
Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is still "hopeful" of playing with Arsenal...

Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is still "hopeful" of making a move across London to ply his trade with Arsenal.

The Gunners have been widely expected to bring in a replacement for firs-choice shot-stopper Manuel Almunia, as neither Lukasz Fabianski nor Vito Mannone has been able to step up to snatch the No 1 spot from the former Celta Vigo 'keeper.

This led to a public pursuit of the Cottagers' last line of defence, as Goal.com exclusively revealed that the north London club had offered the Australian a player-coach deal if he were to switch allegiances.

Mark Hughes would be in serious trouble if he were to allow Schwarzer to make a move without finding a replacement, as the ageing 'keeper's understudy, David Stockdale, is sidelined for a few weeks owing to ankle ligament damage.

In the meantime, Manchester City benchwarmer Shay Given has been linked with a move away from Eastlands, with Craven Cottage thought to be his destination.

In light of this, Goal.com also recently revealed exclusively that Given would have to pass a shoulder test at Fulham to ensure that his current injury is not a serious one, prior to a potential move to the Cottage.

Now, the Australian is hoping for the best with regard to the medical that his City counterpart would have to undergo, as a successful completion would act as a trigger his potential move to Arsenal to reach fruition.

"I'm biding my time waiting for things to happen and then I'll be on move - if you see what I mean," Schwarzer said, according to The Mirror.

"I'm hopeful, I'm always hopeful."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.footballtransfertavern.com/2010/08/premiership/arsenal-find-an-unexciting-3m-answer
ARSENAL FIND AN UNEXCITING £3M ANSWER

Arsene Wenger's quest to find a keeper has been one of the ongoing stories of the summer, with faith in their current crop of keepers hitting an all time low.

Mark Schwarzer has been the keeper top of Arsene Wenger's shopping list and with the clock running down on the transfer window the wheels could finally be set in motion for the deal to go through.

The deal's success hinges heavily on Fulham's ability to bring in a new keeper to replace Schwarzer. David Stockdale has done an admirable job in goal for Fulham so far this season, but the news that he has suspected knee ligament damage that could keep him on the sidelines for two months means that a new keeper will be essential for the club.

With Man City seemingly unwilling to sell Shay to any of their direct competitors, Fulham are lining up a loan move for the Irishman. Fulham are prepared give Given the first-team action he so desperately wants following his loss of the No.1 jersey to Joe Hart.

A potential stumbling block is that the loan will only go ahead if it is proved that he is fully recovered from his shoulder injury and Fulham's medical team are understood to have spent the weekend perusing his medical history as a way to ascertain this.

Mark Hughes has conceded that Schwarzer is likely to leave the club and Arsenal are ready to increase their bid for the Australian to £3 million, which is likely to be accepted on the condition that Fulham have sorted out their own goalkeeping problems.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/30/shay-given-stays-manchester-city
Shay Given chooses to stay at Manchester City and fight for No1 place
• Goalkeeper persuaded to take himself off market
• Robinho expected to complete move to Milan

Shay Given has decided to stay at Manchester City, turning down the chance to rejoin his former manager Mark Hughes at Fulham, after being persuaded to remove himself from the market on the eve of the transfer window deadline.

Given had initially reacted to losing his place to Joe Hart by informing City's manager, Roberto Mancini, that he wanted to leave the club. That immediately alerted Fulham, who have been looking for a goalkeeper so they can allow Mark Schwarzer to join Arsenal.

Since then, however, Given has had a series of meetings with Mancini and the club's football administrator, Brian Marwood, and slowly come round to the idea that he should stay in Manchester and try to dislodge Hart. That, in turn, threatens Arsenal's hopes of signing Schwarzer, with Hughes having already gone on record to say he would allow the deal to happen only if he had a replacement lined up.

Given has based his decision on the fact he joined City in the hope that he could win the first trophy of his career and that, by leaving for a smaller club, he could effectively be passing over that chance. He had also worried that he might jeopardise his place in the Republic of Ireland team but the manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, has assured him that is not the case.

City are involved in four competitions and Given was assured the club are taking them all seriously and that, at the very least, there will be opportunities for him to play in the Carling Cup and Europa League Mancini, who described him as being among Europe's five best goalkeepers last season, has made it clear he does not want to lose him.

After spending £126m this summer City will not be heavily involved on the final day of the transfer window, although Robinho is expected to complete his move to Milan almost two years to the day since becoming the most expensive player in English football.

Mino Raiola, an Italian agent acting on a mandate from Milan, arrived in Manchester today to discuss the deal. Raoila has spent the summer negotiating Mario Balotelli's move to City and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's to Milan and will spend tomorrow trying to arrange a fee for Robinho, the asking price being in the region of £18m with potential add-ons.

Roque Santa Cruz, another big-money signing who has endured a difficult time in Manchester, is giving serious thought to staying at City despite a loan offer from Lazio. The £17m signing from Blackburn Rovers is said to have reservations about leaving England and may reject the chance of playing in Serie A.

[WhiteJC]

Another shock target for Villa is newly-appointed Fulham boss Mark Hughes, who was their original first-choice when Martin O'Neill resigned on 9 August. (The Times)

[WhiteJC]

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpool-football-club/Blackpool-2-Fulham-2-.6503294.jp?
Blackpool 2 Fulham 2 - full match report

LET'S begin by returning to 2006.
Blackpool kicked off their League One campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Brentford (Adrian Forbes' debut – a momentous day, surely you must remember it?), followed by home defeats against Nottingham Forest and Rotherham.

One more loss and it would have been the worst start to a season since 1898.

There were grumbles and gripes among the 4,000 or so home fans still bothering to turn up for games, at a stadium which consisted of an empty open space behind the south goal and had a stand on the east side which was an unroofed embarrassment.

Quite amazing, then, that just four short years later, those bad old days seem a lifetime ago.

What a moment it was on Saturday to see the Tangerines trot out in front of 15,000 supporters at a sparkling four-sided Bloomfield Road for a Premier League game.

I spoke before kick-off to grown men who were filling up as they took in the enormity and significance of the occasion.

"I started supporting this lot in 1979," said one bloke, tattoo on his arm and a tear in his eye.

"I can't believe this day has come. Who'd have thought it? Right, I'm off for a Stella."

This, the first top-flight match on the Fylde since Jimmy Armfield's last game in May 1971, was final confirmation that Blackpool have reawakened from the coma of the last 40 years and are back in the big time.

As if to prove the Seasiders really are again a force, the England manager himself was seated in the director's box.

Granted Fabio Capello had probably come to watch Bobby Zamora rather than Gary Taylor-Fletcher but who cares?

Capello, incidentally, is a fine art enthusiast and has a collection of paintings worth an estimated £17m – almost as much as the FA are paying him over the next 12 months.

Mind you, the bloke earns his corn. He started his day at Blackburn, zoomed to Blackpool and then headed straight to Manchester United.

That's not easy, especially when you're stuck in traffic on the M62 unable to do anything except sit and quaff cold chardonnay in the back of a chauffer-driven limousine. Nightmare.

While unlikely to pick any Seaside stars in his England squad anytime soon, Capello must surely have been impressed at what he witnessed (even though he departed around the hour mark and missed Pool's goals).

For the Tangerines produced some mighty fine football – even hard-to-please Alan Hansen said so – proving they had shrugged off the psychological trauma of the previous week's travails at Arsenal.

It was a performance which suggested that far from being the Premier League misfits every critic in the country is making them out to be, Ian Holloway's side do have a chance of staying up after all.

Fulham are one of the better sides in the division, not the type of team that Pool should really be thinking of beating.

So how encouraging that they more than matched their visitors, and Mark Hughes could have had few complaints had the Seasiders held on three minutes longer and claimed the points.

I think Blackpool will be a tough nut to crack at Bloomfield Road.
Away they may well struggle. The Wigan game, however brilliant, will be a rarity. On the road they'll probably do well to pick up more than ten points.

But on home turf I fancy they will shock many a team, particularly those in the bottom half of the division, and that's where survival can be won.

On Saturday there were many who caught the eye.

The defending of Alex Baptiste, in particular, was top-notch, while Elliot Grandin looked the classiest player on show.

He still needs to prove he has a final product and must be more decisive when going forward, but the lad has superb quality and a wonderful touch on the ball.

If he is coached and developed in the correct way, time may well prove that Holloway has unearthed one of the stars of the season.

Then there's Luke Varney. Only Holloway could pluck a player from a Championship reserve side and turn him into a Premier League star within 24 hours.

By rights Varney should have been sweating about whether he'd make the bench for the Rams home game with QPR at the weekend.

Instead, signed by Pool on a season-long loan. He was starting his first ever game in the top flight and marked it by scoring a delightful goal, as well as forcing the error which led to the Seasiders' opener.

He also had several other efforts, none better than the fourth-minute wallop which Fulham keeper David Stockdale did well to beat away.

That happened during a rip-roaring start, when Holloway's men threatened to run rampage.

They were denied a goal when Brett Ormerod's header was chalked out for offside. Correct decision but a crying shame for the move involving David Vaughan, Stephen Crainey and Charlie Adam had been a work of art as good as any Capello owns.

Fulham weathered the early storm well, though, settled and took the lead ten minutes before the break, when Zamora headed in Moussa Dembele's inviting centre.

Ian Evatt fumed about what he saw as a foul in the build- up, though replays were inconclusive.

At half-time, another reminder we were in the Premier League.

Miss Blackpool emerged to conduct the draw in front of the West stand (it was at this point I felt a pang of regret that the press box had been moved to the east side...), while some fans had a race in a couple of giant inflatable balls.

Sprinkler heads, operated by remote control, emerged from the playing surface to fire water on a pitch that had this strange green stuff on it.

And all this while a big screen in the corner played goals from previous matches.

My God, this isn't the Blackpool I know and love. It's like a proper club now ... weird.

Just when the second half appeared to be a stalemate, the Seasider's perseverance and efforts paid off.

With 19 minutes remaining, Grandin fed Varney (in truth his pass was poor, slightly behind his colleague), but the striker's shot was comically turned into his own net by Fulham defender John Pantsil.

Tails up, Pool poured forward and Adam almost scored a blinder, Stockdale pulling off a fine save.

Then a truly terrific goal. A brilliant move the length of the pitch ended with Varney latching on to Ormerod's perfectly weighted throughball and dispatching it first time past Stockdale.

It was a great finish, Varney knowing exactly where the keeper and the target was without so much as a glance up.

Pandemonium inside Bloomfield Road. Pool were on course for victory in their first ever Premier League home game.

Alas the downside of the top flight is that the opposition has the quality to hurt you. Three minutes from time, the excellent Dembele threaded a pass outside Baptiste and Dickson Etuhu finished in style, lifting the ball over Gilks.

A historic day therefore ended on a slightly disappointing note. But don't say that to Ian Holloway for he'll quite rightly bite your head off.

There is nothing whatsoever to be disappointed about at the moment.

Blackpool are well and truly back, and what's more they're playing well, picking up points and already proving people wrong.

It's what they do best and long may it continue.

[Tom]

Another shock target for Villa is newly-appointed Fulham boss Mark Hughes, who was their original first-choice when Martin O'Neill resigned on 9 August. (The Times)

He isn't going anywhere, plus they don't have the money to buy him.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/7972598/Arsenal-make-final-bid-for-Fulham-goalkeeper-Mark-Schwarzer.html?
Arsenal make final bid for Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer
Arsenal have launched a £4 million bid to sign Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, according to reports.

Waiting game: Mark Schwarzer could make last-minute move to Arsenal Photo: REUTERS
Arsenal have already had a £2m bid turned down by Fulham coach Mark Hughes but Arsene Wenger looks set to pursue the Australian today as a replacement for first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone, Arsenal's second and third choice 'keepers, have been unable to overtake Almunia in the pecking order.

However, any move to the Emirates is likely to hinge on Hughes finding a possible replacement after Shay Given, a Fulham target, decided to stay at Manchester City.

"I'm biding my time waiting for things to happen and then I'll be on move - if you see what I mean," Schwarzer told The Mirror.

"I'm hopeful, I'm always hopeful."

Meanwhile, Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will be out of action for several weeks after hurting his left ankle in Saturday's Premier League match against at Blackburn.

The Dutch Football Association says that the forward will miss its European Championship qualifiers against San Marino and Finland because he is likely to be out of action for "at least a few weeks."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_1_4260_club-focus-fulham-â€Â"-konchesky-departure-means-hughes-is-set-for-busy-deadline-day.html?
Club Focus - Fulham – Konchesky departure means Hughes is set for busy deadline day

By Matt Domm
Tuesday 31 August 2010

With the transfer window coming to a close at the end of today, the Fulham final 25 could yet take on a very different shape to the one Mark Hughes currently has to work with. With Paul Konchesky a near-certainty to join Liverpool, and Mark Schwarzer looking increasingly likely to finally move to the Emirates, the loss of two members of the mean Fulham defence of recent years leaves work to be done on the busiest day of the footballing year.

Konchesky is undoubtedly missed when he doesn't line up on the left. Matthew Briggs performed admirably against Port Vale, but in the league Stephen Kelly still leaves a lot to be desired. As a right footer on the left-hand side of defence, he is immediately at a disadvantage - his attacking threat limited to crosses from his weaker foot that are rarely effective. But even when trying to nullify the opposition, he does not appear to have the same understanding with his three colleagues as Konchesky has managed to drum up over the past two years. His positioning was punished twice by Blackpool at the weekend, mistakes that Konchesky did of course occasionally make himself, but far less frequently. The left-back position now looks to be a weak spot in the Fulham squad, unless Carlos Salcido can hit the ground running.

Coming from a league where players have often struggled to make the step up, Salcido, should Konchesky indeed leave, will be tasked with slotting into a watertight defence and learning the ropes of a high-paced league. With Kelly looking shaky, the Mexican could even be thrust into the starting line-up instead of being eased into action from the bench as new signings usually are. With his performances for Mexico at the World Cup in South Africa, and the immediate success of Hughes' first Fulham signing, Moussa Dembele, there are few reasons why Salcido should not take to the Premier League like a duck to water. But is he an improvement on the ever-reliable Konchesky? The coming months will reveal all in that respect, and having been an excellent performer for PSV Eindhoven the signs look positive. Although Konchesky is decent going forward, Salcido is a recognised attacking full-back, which means Fulham are likely to see more goals, but might see more through their own net because of this.

Without seeing how he takes to his new teammates however, little more can be said, but if the Whites do indeed become more vulnerable at the back, which is not guaranteed as Salcido is also an able defender, then who is between the sticks could prove vital to the season. Hughes has made it clear he will not be letting Schwarzer leave without bringing in a replacement, so the No 1 spot is still very much up in the air. The deal to bring in Shay Given is either on or off, depending which newspaper you read, and talks are supposedly going on with Schwarzer's Australian understudy, Reading's Adam Federici. Few Fulham fans could argue a Given-David Stockdale goalkeeping set-up is not much, if any, worse than the current two, but Federici in for Schwarzer is a deal that would be in danger of weakening the squad - a situation Hughes has publically announced he would not let happen.

The manager has already strengthened two areas of the club that were weaker than others by bringing in Dembele to invigorate the attack from the left or centre and Rafik Halliche to provide genuine back-up for the always excellent Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland. Salcido appears to be in as a replacement rather than to strengthen a previous weak spot, and any goalkeeper who may come in will certainly be an alternative to the current No 1. On the evidence so far, Hughes' transfer dealings have been shrewd to make sure all 11 positions have adequate cover, but he is also using the window to fight any attempts to poach the players he considers to be first teamers.

There are more indispensible members of the team to lose than Konchesky, for all his talents, and Salcido could turn out to be an improvement in that area. Schwarzer's head, however, has been turned since the interest from Arsenal last season, which not a lot can be done about. If he does leave, and Given does not come in to replace him, then arguably the goalkeeping spot will be the only position that is any weaker than last season. And that, for a club like Fulham, is enough to make any transfer window a success.

[WhiteJC]

http://hammyend.com/index.php/2010/08/its-all-kicking-off/?
It's all kicking off!!
by GATESY on AUGUST 31, 2010

Well, as I was promised it's already been a fantastically exciting on Transfer Deadline Day!

According to The Telegraph this morning Liverpool are, not content with taking Konch off our hands, putting in a cheeky bid for our Bobby. And many of the other papers saying Sparkys doing similar to his old club and wants to bring Given and Santa Cruz to SW6. Though The Guardian reports Givens decided he'd prefer to warm the bench and collect his hefty pay packet up at The City of Manchester Stadium instead.

Though according to The Times, Sparky is popping off to Villa some five weeks after becoming Roys replacement at the cottage. Which, if true, would seem quite strange considerin g Hughes stance on Schwarzer not being allowed to move on this summer. Speaking of which, Arsenal have slapped a final bid of £4m down on the table for our 'keeper, but surely that wouldn't go through until we get a stopper in due to Stockdales injury last weekend.

A more odd link, considering our signing of Salcido last week, Sky Sports News HD are reporting we're in the market for Tiene Siaka. A left back currently playing Valenciennes in Spain, he appears well up for a move to England and said "I am a bit nervous but if everything can be put in place, I could fulfil my dream of joining my Ivorian colleagues in England." Though him coming in would give the left back position far more cover than we've had in a long while.

It's all shaping up to be a VERY exciting nine hours!

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6349808,00.html?
Duo to stay with City
Mancini holds successful talks with striker and goalkeeper

Sky Sports News understands that Emmanuel Adebayor and Shay Given will not be leaving Manchester City during the current transfer window.

The pair had been linked with moves away from Eastlands and it had been reported that they were close to switches to rival Premier League clubs.

Speculation had suggested that former Arsenal striker Adebayor was a shock loan target of Tottenham after growing frustrated at his lack of opportunities under City boss Roberto Mancinithis season.

The arrival of Mario Balotelli is thought to have added to the Togolese's rumoured unrest among City's billionaires, who he joined from the Gunners in the July of 2009.

But Sky sources understand that Adebayor will not leave City after talks with Mancini and the striker will now stay to help the club in their ambitions to finish in the top four of the Premier League.

Given was also thought to want to leave after losing his position as No.1 to England international Joe Hart and he was thought to be close to joining former City boss Mark Hughes at Fulham.

But Mancini is again said to have held successful discussions with the Republic of Irelandgoalkeeper and he will not depart City before Tuesday's 6pm transfer deadline.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/7972699/Fulham-close-in-on-loan-deal-for-Monacos-Eidur-Gudjohnsen.html?
Fulham close in on loan deal for Monaco's Eidur Gudjohnsen
Eidur Gudjohnsen is set to join Fulham in a last minute change of mind having been widely expected to sign a year-long loan deal with Stoke.

The Monaco midfielder, who spen the latter part of last season on loan with Tottenham, is understood to have opted to join Mark Hughes at London-based Fulham just hours after Stoke had come close to agreeing terms on a similar 12 month deal.

According to the Mirror, Monaco favoured the Fulham move after the club agreed to make a £2 million contribution towards the Icelandic player's salary.

Meanwhile, Fulham may have a fight on their hands to hold on to their new manager with speculation suggesting Hughes is favourite to replace Martin O'Neill at Aston Villa.

Hughes has only been in charge at Craven Cottage for a month and it is believed the only way a deal between the two clubs would materialise is if Villa were prepared to buy out the 46-year-old's contract.

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http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/08/31/2096386/aston-villa-attempt-to-lure-mark-hughes-away-from-fulham?
Aston Villa Attempt To Lure Mark Hughes Away From Fulham - Report

Aston Villa are preparing a surprise bid for Mark Hughes to become their new manager.

The current Fulham boss is just 33 days into his reign at Craven Cottage and The Times has reported Villa's owner, Randy Lerner, has identified Hughes as his preferred choice to replace Martin O'Neill.

It's uncertain if Hughes would be keen to open talks with the Midlands club or that Fulham chairman, Mohamed Al Fayed, is willing to allow his newly-acquired manager to leave West London.

Lerner has previously said he requires Premier League experience of his prospective manager, which would exclude USA coach Bob Bradley and Dutchman Ronald Koeman from his shortlist.

Hughes signed a two-year deal at Fulham on July 29, and has drawn all three of his Premier League games so far but he has not given any indication that he is unhappy with his new role at Craven Cottage.

Bookmaker William Hill has reduced Hughes' odds from 12-1 to 3-1 favourite after they noticed a trend in high-profile bettors backed Hughes to leave his post at Fulham for Villa Park.

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http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/42944/Sky_Sports_pundit_lauds_superb_Liverpool_capture_.aspx?
Sky Sports pundit lauds "superb" Liverpool capture

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp has praised Roy Hodgson's efforts to sign Fulham defender Paul Konchesky, claiming the Craven Cottage stalwart is a "superb one-on-one defender".

Hodgson worked with the left-sided defender during his tenure with the Cottagers and although Konchesky's pending move to Anfield has underwhelmed many of Liverpool's fans, Redknapp suggests the 29-year-old would be an excellent addition for the club should they successfully complete the deal before the 6pm deadline today.

The former Liverpool captain and regular Sky Sports pundit, told the Daily Mail: "Liverpool fans, who may have been looking for big money signings, might not appreciate the quality of Paul Konchesky.

"But he's a good signing for Roy Hodgson, who knows what he is getting after they worked together at Fulham last season.

"I played with Paul at Spurs and he's a superb one-on-one defender, with quick feet and who loves the showdown between full-back and winger. It's hard to find good left backs. He's one of them.