Sparky Explains What He Likes About The Moose

[White Noise]

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/10/09/12/SOCCER_Fulham_Hughes.html&TEAMHD=soccer

ONUS NOW ON DEMBELE, ADMITS HUGHES

By Duncan Bech, Press Association Sport


Mark Hughes hopes Fulham match-winner Moussa Dembele will fill the void left by Bobby Zamora's injury-enforced absence.

Zamora has been ruled out for four months after sustaining the break just above his right ankle in the 2-1 victory over Wolves.

The 29-year-old England striker, who has undergone surgery, will face a longer lay-off if further damage to the ankle is discovered.

Fulham overcame his first-half departure to complete a last-gasp comeback victory sealed by Dembele's first Barclays Premier League goals.

The £5million summer signing from AZ Alkmaar has impressed since his arrival at Craven Cottage and now has a crucial role to play.

With Andy Johnson still several weeks from a first-team return following his battle with a knee injury and Zamora out for four months, Dembele has become a key player.

"We hope Moussa can get the goals - there's a big onus on him now that Bobby's gone," said Cottagers boss Hughes.

"But it's a big ask, you can't just hang a hat on Moussa. He'll get good support from the guys around him and that will help him become the success we think he will be.

"The beauty of Moussa is that he can play in a number of positions.

"That's the attraction from my point of view because I like players who have that flexibility."

Dembele fired the equaliser against Wolves with a well directed, if tame, shot and then blasted an injury-time free-kick through the wall for the winner.

Hughes was aware of the 23-year-old when he was Manchester City manager and reacted immediately when he learnt of his availability.

"Moussa is always very positive, everything he does has a positive slant on it. That's the key to the way he plays," he said.

"He can drive the game and is an intelligent footballer.

"I kept track of him because I've always been impressed with him.

"When it was flagged up that he was in the last year of his contract and likely to be sold, we moved quickly."

[Hazey]

Everything I read about Moose I like.  We hear of his top notch work ethic, he speaks about helping others to score and seems very grounded.  Havent seen hime with anything but a grin on his face either.

Just hope we can hold onto him if he keeps this form up!

Looks like a trip to Cult Zeros to get me a MOOSE Face T shirt!

[White Noise]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1311387/Fulham-2-Wolves-1-Bobby-Zamora-hit-bad-tackle-despite-leg-break-insists-Karl-Henry.html?ITO=1490


Over to Moussa

Is new signing Moussa Dembele
the man to score Fulham's goals
this season?

Mark Hughes hopes so, with Bobby Zamora AND fellow striker Andrew
Johnson out.

What does Dembele, who prefers
midfield, think?

'Wherever the manager plays me I will do my best. I can play in that role though it's not my favourite.'

What's his scoring record like?

Well, he managed 10 goals when AZ
Alkmaar won the Dutch League in 2009
and 24 in 118 appearances in four
years at the club.

What did he cost?

Fulham pipped Birmingham City to pay £5million for a player who has 28 Belgium caps.

Hughes first spotted Dembele playing in
Holland a few years ago when he was
checking on another player.
What did Hughes like about him?

'He understands when he can drive the game and other times when he has to drop off and make a new position. He's an intelligent footballer.'

And his strengths?

Quick, strong, useful on the wing or in a more central position and possessing a sweet left foot, as Wolves found out twice on Saturday.