Saturday Fulham Stuff (04.09.10)

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1308829/Jimmy-Bullard-return-Hull-team-Nigel-Pearson-offloads-Kamil-Zayatte-balance-books.html
Jimmy Bullard to return to Hull team as Nigel Pearson offloads Kamil Zayatte to balance books

Hull defender Kamil Zayatte will join Leicester on a season-long loan next week, paving the way for Jimmy Bullard to return to Nigel Pearson's side.

Zayatte is poised to join the Foxes on a season-long deal as the Tigers look to get him off the club's wage bill.
His departure will allow Pearson to recall Bullard to his first team squad.

Bullard has a clause in his contract that will see his £45,000-a-week wages increase after 15 more appearances but Hull will be able to afford that once Zayatte has left the KC Stadium.

England midfielder Bullard has been frozen out this season as the Tigers looked to off-load their record signing and highest earner before the transfer window closed.

Having failed to secure a move away from from the KC Stadium because clubs were unwilling to take a risk on the former Wigan and Fulham star's long term fitness, Bullard faced being frozen out at Hull for the next four months.

Bullard, who remains the club's record signing, has been training with the youth team so far this season as the Tigers refused to pick him so there was no risk of him getting injured and preventing a transfer.

But despite Hull having signed Robert Koren and John Bostock, Pearson has opted to pave the way for Bullard's recall rather than letting him remain in the reserves until the January transfer window opens.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1308829/Jimmy-Bullard-return-Hull-team-Nigel-Pearson-offloads-Kamil-Zayatte-balance-books.html#ixzz0yYT7Aa1k

[White Noise]

http://www.fulham-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/fulham_miss_out_on_bentley_555021/index.shtml


Fulham Miss Out On Bentley

By Kevin Markey Saturday, 4th September 2010


Tottenham winger David Bentley was all set to join Fulham on-loan on Tuesday, it has been revealed.

talkSPORT state that Bentley's proposed loan move to Fulham fell through because Tottenham thought they had missed out on Rafael van der Vaart.

The Cottagers made a late move on deadline day to sign Spurs midfielder Bentley on a season-long loan At the same time, Spurs were frantically negotiating to bring Dutch playmaker van der Vaart to White Hart Lane - first on loan and then on a permanent £8m deal.

[White Noise]

http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/fulham-assistant-boss-takes-the-gmf-hot-seat

Fulham assistant boss takes the GMF hot seat

Mark Bowen is confident he and Mark Hughes will get it right at the Cottage


By Mark Shail  September 02, 2010

Since hanging up his boots in 1999, Mark Bowen has worked alongside his former Welsh teammate Mark Hughes as assistant manager with Wales, Blackburn, Manchester City and most recently Fulham.

As a player, the 46-year-old wore the colours of Spurs, Norwich, West Ham, Charlton, Wigan and Reading as well as winning 41 caps for his country.

Fulham have made a decent start to the campaign, unbeaten in their first three games, and givemefootball logged the thoughts of Bowen as we head into the international break.

YOU MUST BE PLEASED THAT FULHAM MANAGED TO KEEP HOLD OF EXPERIENCED GOALKEEPER MARK SCHWARZER?

Mark spoke to Mark Hughes and we all know there was interest in him but it was only going to be considered if we could get in a goalkeeper of the quality of Mark Schwarzer as a replacement.

They had a lot of discussions and he (Schwarzer) said how he felt so we looked at the market place but, ultimately, it wasn't an option for us in the end.

FULHAM HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF 2-2 DRAWS SO FAR THIS SEASON – INCLUDING ONE AGAINST MANCHESTER UNITED - DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE DROPPED POINTS?

We've had a decent start when you consider the fixtures so far. We have had two away games and got a win against Man City and drawn with United and Blackpool.

In fact, perhaps we should have got more points on the board but we haven't lost a game yet and we feel we are set fair for a good season. You could see against United that we have some good players at this club.

WHAT IS THE LATEST ON STRIKER BOBBY ZAMORA - HAS HE SIGNED A NEW CONTRACT WITH THE CLUB?

What I know is that he is currently in discussions with the club over a possible new deal. It has been ongoing for a few months and obviously way before Mark and I came in.

But my understanding is that we are hopeful that Bobby will agree a long-term contract with the club.

DESPITE FULHAM'S SUCCESSFUL SEASON LAST TERM, THEY ACTUALLY WON JUST ONE GAME AWAY FROM HOME – THAT MUST BE A STAT YOU ARE LOOKING TO IMPROVE?

Mark has touched on it in some of his press conferences already that to push this club even further forward we need to improve the away form.

We've looked solid and hard to beat in our two away games so far, but, at the same time, we have to be stronger and more resolute on the road - coming away with three points some times as opposed to one or none at all.

WALES BEGIN THEIR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATION CAMPAIGN AGAINST MONTENEGRO TOMORROW – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AHEAD OF THAT GAME?

Well, they have to get off to a good start tomorrow night and Montenegro could be the ideal opener for them.

It's going to be difficult but I'm sure John Toshack will be looking to put some points on the board and make a good start to the group.

[White Noise]

Robbie Keane fit for Ireland's Euro qualifier against Andorra

By Sportsmail Reporter


Last updated at 12:56 PM on 4th September 2010


Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane is fit for Tuesday night's Euro 2012 qualifier against Andorra after he suffered no reaction to his knee injury in Armenia.

The 30-year-old striker, who has been struggling with the problem, was substituted shortly after Keith Fahey's winning goal at the Yerevan Republican Stadium.

However, manager Giovanni Trapattoni revealed today that he took him off simply as a precaution.

He said: 'I gave him a little bit of a rest because he had, not an injury, but some pain and I wanted to be cautious about it.'

Meanwhile, Ipswich defender Darren O'Dea was expected to resume training on Saturday after recovering from a sprained knee, while Hull counterpart Paul McShane has rejoined the squad after missing the Armenia game with a hamstring problem.

However, Fulham winger Damien Duff remains sidelined by a calf strain.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1308973/Robbie-Keane-fit-Irelands-Euro-qualifier-Andorra.html#ixzz0yaSGjTj2