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Saturday Fulham Stuff (02/10/10)...

Started by WhiteJC, October 02, 2010, 08:39:00 AM

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WhiteJC

http://hammyend.com/index.php/2010/10/up-next-west-ham-united-a/?
Up next: West Ham United (a)
by DAN on OCTOBER 1, 2010

West Ham might sit second bottom in the table, but make no mistake about it this will be far from a cakewalk for Fulham. Anyone heading down to the Boleyn Ground in a serene state of confidence might be advised to check into a doctor's surgery or call NHS Direct. Setting aside Fulham's ridiculously wretched away record, the Hammers have rediscovered a sense of belief over the past couple of weeks that suggests that have the character to pull away from the wrong end of the table after a poor start to the season.

There can be no doubting the quality at the disposal of Avram Grant, who like a succession of West Ham managers before him has had to temper expectations, largely because he's been unable to pick a settled side from one week to the next. That problem can be neatly summed up in two words: Kieron Dyer. When Dyer burst onto the scene with Ipswicvh and then Newcastle, many revelled at the discovery of a hungry, exciting, English-born teenage midfielder. Not only has Dyer failed to make the most of his outrageous ability, but injuries have wrecked his chances of even enjoying an international career. Managers have become accustomed to having to leave him out of their thoughts and Grant could be without him again this weekend. Dyer's latest comeback has been interrupted by a stomach complaint.

There is a sense of optimism eminating from Upton Park at the moment that belies West Ham's lowly league postion. The Hammers showed plenty of fight in a gritty 1-1 draw at Stoke that Grant missed due to Yom Kippur, but they brushed aside Sunderland in the Carling Cup on his return and recorded a priceless derby win over Tottenham last week to lift themselves off the foot of the table. That success over Spurs was their first in four years and Grant will be hoping it will provide the perfect springboard for another three points against Fulham tomorrow afternoon.

The siege mentality at Upton Park was best illustrated by a defiant Rob Green at the final whistle last weekend. After the barbs he's taken from opposition fans and the football commentariat over past five months or so, few could blame him for pointing a finger in the direction of the press box. Green won't be particularly pleased to be crossing paths with Clint Dempsey on Saturday, though – and you can be sure the American, likely to be deployed in a makeshift striking role once again, won't need a second invitation to try the sort of speculative shot that so embarassed the England goalkeeper in South Africa.

Matthew Upson, who himself has been a little off-colour since a disappointing summer with England, reckoned that the win over Tottenham was the best his side had acquitted themselves in more than two seasons. Upson could have a host of new partners alongside him in front of Green as West Ham have doubts abvout the fitness of Herita Illunga, New Zealand international Winston Reid and American Jonathan Spector. They'll hope to profit from a fairly strong home record against Fulham, who have recorded just one league win at Upton Park since their return to the top flight, although they were close to doubling that total last season.

Mark Hughes will be hoping to preserve his side's uinbeaten record, which is now the last in the Premier League. He will have to shuffle his pack once again as Stephen Kelly tore a calf muscle in the goalless draw with Everton last Saturday. Chris Baird is expected to replace the Republic of Ireland international at right-back as former West Ham defender John Pantsil has endured a torrid start to this campaign after his World Cup exploits. Andy Johnson came through a behind-closed-doors reserve friendly with Chelsea in the week, but is not expected to make the trip across the capital. In the absence of the injured Bobby Zamora and Moussa Dembele, Dempsey is likely to be supported by Zoltan Gera in attack. The Fulham bench will once again be strengthened by the inclusion of Diomansy Kamara, who made a long-awaited return from injury last weekend.

MY FULHAM XI (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Baird, Salcido, Hughes, Hangeland; Etuhu, Murphy, Duff, Davies; Gera; Dempsey. Subs: Stockdale, Halliche, Pantsil, Greening, Riise, Kamara, E. Johnson.

WhiteJC

http://fulham.theoffside.com/team-news/lawro-predicts-us-to-lose-again.html?
Lawro predicts us to lose, again
By: timmyg

But that's not the bigger story here. It's his completely inane explanation as to why we'll lose.

Fulham, meanwhile, still look a solid proposition away from home but the goals and guile up front is still missing.

Okay, I'll admit we're missing "guile" up front. But it's not by choice, Lawro. Three of our five strikers are out injured for the foreseeable future, and another made his first team appearance since January. And rounding out our striking quintet, i.e. our only fit one, is Eddie Johnson.

It's all well and good being hard to break down – and you don't want to lose that – but

Holy crap. Way to go Lawro, using a "yes, but" statement when complimenting our strengths. Essentially Lawro is saying it's all well and good being solid defensively, BUT... we still suck. Or, It's all well and good being UNDEFEATED into OCTOBER BUT... who cares we're Fulham.

sooner or later Mark Hughes will have to add something up front, probably through purchases rather than a change in tactics.

Right, because we have a choice on the matter right now. You know, clubs can just buy and sell players whenever they feel like. It's not like there's been a transfer window for the past 8 years or so. Oh no. It's all up to Mark Hughes to go out (best do it soon!) and buy players right now instead of being forced to wait until January.

Lest we forget, Lawro had us relegated last season when we finished 12th. So far this season we're 18th in his books.

WhiteJC

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/oct/01/squad-sheets-west-ham-fulham?
Squad sheets: West Ham United v Fulham

Few would blame Clint Dempsey for a speculative shot on goal at some point tomorrow, with the Fulham forward no doubt keen to reprise the moment in June when he turned Rob Green into a laughing stock. The West Ham goalkeeper was outstanding in last week's win over Tottenham Hotspur, and has already been tipped by his manager Avram Grant for an England recall. That may be every bit as premature as the view that after three fine results West Ham are out of trouble. Fulham, unbeaten but with only one win, could be deadly if they find a goalscorer. James Callow

Venue Upton Park, tomorrow 3pm Tickets £36-£51 (0871 222 2700) Last season West Ham 2 Fulham 2 Referee A Marriner

This season's matches 5 Y24, R1, 5.00 cards per game

Odds West Ham 11-8 Fulham 23-10 Draw 23-10


Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic

West Ham

Subs from Stech, Tomkins, Ilunga, Kovac, Faubert, Cole, Dyer, Ben Haim, Reid, Spector

Doubtful Dyer (illness), Reid, Spector, Ilunga (all leg)

Injured Hitzlsperger (thigh, 16 Oct), Behrami (knee, 16 Oct), Hines (knee, Dec), Collison (knee, Nov), Kurucz (knee, May)

Suspended None

Form guide WDLLLL

Disciplinary record Y12 R0

Leading scorer Parker 2

Fulham

Subs from Stockdale, Pantsil, Baird, Halliche, Stoor, Riise, E Johnson, Greening, Dikgacoi, Kamara

Doubtful None

Injured A Johnson (knee, 16 Oct), Dembélé (ankle, 23 Oct), Senderos (achilles, Feb), Zamora (leg, Feb), Stoor (groin, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide DDWDDD

Disciplinary record Y11 R0

Leading scorer Dembélé 2

Match pointers

• Fulham have won only two of the 14 Premier League meetings with West Ham, their first and last

• West Ham have conceded five headed goals, the most in the division this season

• Fulham are one of only two unbeaten teams left in the Premier League this season

• Victor Obinna has had more shots in the top flight without scoring than any other player in the division, 13

• Fulham are only the second team in Premier League history (after Ipswich in 1992-93) to draw five of their first six games



WhiteJC

http://www.sportingpreview.com/matches/10110497.php?
WEST HAM v FULHAM
BIG MATCH STATS AND FACTS


Fulham have only won two of the 14 Premier League meetings with West Ham, their first and last.

• Carlton Cole has scored in each of his last four Premier League matches against Fulham.

• All four of West Ham's goals this season have come from set pieces.

• Fulham have only won two of their 14 Premier League meetings with West Ham: their first, in 2001, and their last, back in May.

• The Cottagers last won at Upton Park in the league in 2001. In six subsequent visits they have drawn three and lost three.

• This is the 85th meeting between the sides. West Ham have won 36, Fulham 29 and there have been 19 draws.

• Victor Obinna has had more shots in the Premier League without scoring than any other player in the division, 13.

• Fulham are one of only two unbeaten teams left in the Premier League this season.

• Fulham are only the second team in Premier League history (after Ipswich in 1992-93) to draw five of their first six games.

• Fulham have won only three of 41 Premier League London derbies away from home.

• Victor Obinna has had more shots (18) in the Premier League without scoring than any other player this season.

• All four of West Ham's goals this season have come from set pieces.

• Carlton Cole has scored in each of his last four league matches against Fulham.

• If selected, Robert Green will be making his 400th club career appearance.

• Mark Hughes has drawn 13 of his last 17 Premier League games as a manager.

• Fulham are only the second team in Premier League history (after Ipswich in 1992-93) to draw five of their first six games.

• Fulham have won only three of the 41 Premier League London derbies they have played away from home.

• Damien Duff is in line for his 300th appearance in top-flight football.

WhiteJC

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6420736,00.html?
Hughes hails Fulham start
Cottagers manager delighted with consistency

Fulham manager Mark Hughes has applauded his team for their unbeaten start to the season.

Manchester United are the only other side to have avoided defeat in their opening six Premier League fixtures, and Hughes believes the Cottagers deserve a lot of respect.

While Fulham have drawn five matches and only won one, Hughes is happy with the consistency shown by his players.

He is now looking to build on that solid platform in Saturday's away game against improving West Ham.

"I'm very pleased with the start that we have made - we have to be because this is a very competitive league. We go to West Ham unbeaten, and we can take a lot from that," Hughes told the club's official website.

"I think Manchester United are the only other team not to lose a game so far - so we're in very good company in that respect. It's very satisfying.

"I have been very impressed with what I have seen so far and this is a great group of players that are working extremely hard for one another. They understand what myself and the coaches want and we're seeing that when they're out on the field.

"As a result, it has been a decent start, but we want and need to be consistent throughout the whole season and I can see no reason why we can't continue in the same vein.

"We have targets and objectives that we want to hit, and at this moment in time we are on track."

Away form

Fulham's winless away run stretches back to the first game of last season, when a Bobby Zamora goal secured victory at Portsmouth.
And Hughes has made addressing their travel sickness a top priority, saying: "We're trying to turn that around, and it's going to be the key to whether we have a good season or not.

"We have to be better on the road and, having had three difficult away fixtures so far, we are pleased to remain unbeaten, so, of course, we view that as progress.

"We do need a bit of luck perhaps, and all three points on Saturday would go a long way in addressing the problem.

"To be honest, I think we have been very positive away from home and I think that is the way to turn things around - we have to take the initiative and capitalise when we have the momentum.

"Obviously we would like to start winning on our travels and give those fans that are travelling an enjoyable experience. It's been a long time coming and it's about time we put that right."

Difficult
Fulham would appear to have a good chance at Upton Park as the Hammers are languishing in the bottom three, but Hughes is wary of the threat posed by Avram Grant'smen.

He said: "In fairness, they have had a really difficult start, so we shouldn't read too much into the position they find themselves in the table.

"They're on a good run of form now and will take a lot from that victory against Tottenham. It's a difficult match for us. Upton Park is not an easy place to go so we'll have to be on our toes."

WhiteJC

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1316975/Fulham-striker-Dempsey-ready-remind-Hammers-keeper-Green-World-Cup-howler.html?
Fulham striker Dempsey ready to remind Hammers keeper Green about World Cup howler

Mark Hughes expects Clint Dempsey to wind up Robert Green about his World Cup howler when Fulham visit West Ham today.

It will be the first time the pair have faced each other since Green spilled the USA forward's harmless effort over the line and kick-started England's misery in South Africa.


Slip up: Robert Green, right, fails to stop a shot by Clint Dempsey
Fulham manager Hughes believes Dempsey will relish reminding the West Ham keeper about his nightmare in Rustenberg.

'Certain players will have good experiences of going up against opponents, and if you are aware of that then you can mention it and use it as a positive,' Hughes said.

'Would Clint be the sort of player who would mention what happened? Quite possibly, yes.'

Green has had a disappointing start to the season and has not featured in either of Fabio Capello's England squads since the World Cup, though he returned to form in last weekend's win over Tottenham.

West Ham boss Avram Grant revealed he has not spoken to Green about the prospect of facing Dempsey, preferring instead to talk up his keeper's chances of a return to the England fold.

'For me, he is one of the best in England. But I am not Capello,' Grant said.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1316975/Fulham-striker-Dempsey-ready-remind-Hammers-keeper-Green-World-Cup-howler.html?#ixzz11BZRl7l4


WhiteJC

http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2010/10/01/here-we-go-3/?
Here we go...

OCTOBER 1, 2010 BY RICH

West Ham United:  one of the games of the season for us.  Sold out away allocation, early autumn Saturday afternoon fixture at a proper ground, both teams at crossroads.   What will happen?
Anything might.   Here:

3-3 away draw, 13th January 2007
The noble art of defending took one hell of a battering today.  Fulham and West Ham served up a six goal thriller in East London, the last redemptive hurrah courtesy of Phillippe Christenval, deep into injury time.

1-0 home defeat, 23rd February 2008
Did somebody say something about dreams fading and dying?
A kick in the teeth, in more ways than one. Angled cross into the box, Luis Boa Morte in a position of no danger, but, unpredictable as ever, the old bugger chested the ball forwards towards the six yard box. Niemi was alert to the danger but Solano had seen possibilities too, the two collided and the ball trickled into the Fulham net.
Had Niemi claimed the ball before contact? Had Solano fouled him? Had Solano handled the ball into the net? These questions could not be resolved and the goal was awarded.

2-1 home defeat, 27th September 2008
How quickly good things can turn bad.  In the space of ten first half minutes a straightforward game went belly up, with two goals and a player conceded.  And that was that.

3-1 away defeat, 18th January 2009
Oh well. Long unbeaten runs don't last forever, and today there can be no complaints. We just weren't very good.
This year's success has come from tight defending and opportunist attacking, but today we saw neither. All three concessions were avoidable, and our own goal was an exciting but somewhat flukey screamer from Paul Konchesky. There was no quality today.

2-2 away draw, 4th October 2009
Mad game.  Fulham looked like getting nothing, then three points, then ended up with one.   We saw several versions of Fulham along the way: the tight one; the one that allows goals from set pieces; the one that opens up when it needs to; the one that causes people listening on the radio to throw cushions across the room in frustration.

3-2 home win, 2nd May 2010
A good way to end a good week.  How easy it would have been for the players to take it easy, but there was no sense of this at all.  That we can comfortably disassemble a better-than-its-league-position-suggests West Ham side with half a reserve side out is pretty impressive.

Other highlights in there include Jan Lastuvka's slide of joy (he had let in three though), Eddie Johnson's Fulham debut, Andy Johnson getting sent off, Nobby Solano's assault on Antti Niemi that seemed to signify the end of our Premiership road, Kagisho Dikgacoi's first start and first red card, Brian McBride joining us in the away end, West Ham fans joining us in home areas because we were charging £48 a ticket in the away end but £35 in other areas...
Tremendous.  COYW.

WhiteJC

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/156476/Mark-Hughes-expects-Clint-Demspey-to-remind-Rob-Green-of-his-World-Cup-shocker/?
MARK HUGHES EXPECTS CLINT DEMSPEY TO REMIND ROB GREEN OF HIS WORLD CUP SHOCKER

MARK Hughes expects striker Clint Dempsey to get into Rob Green's face and remind the keeper of his World Cup shocker.

US hitman Dempsey fired in the tame shot that Green somehow allowed to roll into the net during England's opening- match draw in South Africa.

The West Ham keeper was dropped for the rest of the Three Lions' campaign – and hasn't played for England since.

Green will today come face to face with Dempsey for the first time since his blunder when Fulham visit Upton Park.

And Cottagers boss Hughes believes that Dempsey will not pass up on the chance to remind the keeper about his infamous fumble.

Hughes said: "Certain players will have experiences of going up against different opponents. Sometimes they will be good, sometimes not so good.

"So if you're aware of that, you can mention it and use it to your advantage.

"The mental side of the game is important these days and it can be an opportunity to take an advantage sometimes.

"It's down to the individual and how they can use it in terms of imagery and positive mindsets." And asked if Dempsey would resort to sledging, Hughes added: "We don't advocate that, but it's part and parcel of the game, so you never know."

Hammers boss Avram Grant said he was aware of the potential for Green to be wound up.

He said: "I think that every game there is fitness, the physical and tactical side, but there is also the psychology.

"They are human and, of course, always think about things that happened in the past.

"But you don't take your past into the future, unless you have learnt from it."

WhiteJC

http://cottagers.blogspot.com/2010/10/fulham-0-0-everton.html?
Craven Cottagers
Following the 2007/8, 2008/9, 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons at Craven Cottage - recounted by season ticket holders who aren't actually Fulham fans.

Fulham 0 - 0 Everton
This was not a memorable game. A match with few fit strikers, created few golden chances on goal and only in the dying minutes was a goalkeeper forced to make anything resembling a good save. Fortunately Schwarzer was more than up to the task.

Howard Webb was officiating today and he didn't have a terrible game. In fact since the match seemed to just be a contest in 'how can I convince the ref I've been fouled so we can have a dangerous set-piece' he did pretty well. Of course he still got a lot of things wrong, but when refs are asked to make so many decisions these days from cheating, sly and, well basically, modern players, they will get a number wrong. In the old days the refs only seemingly had to make on average six decisions per match, because the players were trying to play the other team rather than the officials.

At one point though the ref felt it was utterly important that Mark Hughes did not venture outside the manager's 'technical area'. I don't know why that was. The areas at Fulham are remarkably small and I get the feeling that Hughes is a pacer, so I wonder if he'll try and get them extended a bit.

Why the hell are they called technical areas anyway? It's not as if anything technical happens in them. Why not just call them the manager's area? Which bright spark earned kudos for badging them technical? Why not just call them what they really are - invisible cages.

I think there were a couple of eye-openers for Hughesie in this match. I doubt he expected to have one of his decisions quite so roundly booed as he did when he took the energetic Gera off for Eddie Johnson. But it was a strange decision, as was taking off Simon Davies a little later for Dio Kamara. Both Dempsey and Duff were having far less fruitful than the subees, although Demspey looked far more effective when he moved out to a more natural position on the wing.

The only good thing that Duff did during the game was his defensive duties and even they had been subject to an early verbal blast from Danny Murphy after an Everton attack. Personally I thought Murph had one of his poorer games, although Everton's packed midfield and Dickson Etuhu's seeming lack of a clear position did not help him at all. I've heard Everton fans complaining about Fellaini being up front this season had cost them shape, but here he was a very, very effective defensive midfielder and appeared to have more of the ball than anyone. Everton's Seamus Coleman was another impressive performer, especially in the first half.

In fact Everton's pressing game meant that a lot of time Aaron Hughes was Fulham's passing fulcrum, which limited their attacking intent. I'm not sure if I have ever seen Hughes with so much possession in a game before.

It was hard to get much of an impression from this match as to how the season is going to pan out for Fulham. Well apart from the fact that the impressive Salcido is tiny. I thought Nicky Shorey was  small left back, but the Mexican put the nut into diminutive. And that Eddie Johnson is still an enigma.


WhiteJC

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/trio-on-red-alert-as-trap-spoiled-for-choice-132443.html
Trio on Red alert as Trap spoiled for choice

AIDEN MCGEADY flying in Moscow, Damien Duff back for Fulham and Liam Lawrence kicking off anew in Portsmouth – even with Stephen Hunt still on the sidelines at Wolves, Giovanni Trapattoni knows that three into two won't go when it comes to choosing his wing men for next Friday's crunch game against Russia.

But, speaking at the Aviva Stadium yesterday, the manager sent out mixed signals when asked if the availability of McGeady and Duff presented him with a difficult selection decision.

"Why should there be a difficult decision between McGeady and Duff, why?" he retorted. "In the past, we play one left and one right. Maybe we have other options like Liam Lawrence who has played well until now. But, fingers crossed, looking at the next two games, we hope not to have injuries and it will be better to have four players fighting for those two positions."

However, a little later, Trapattoni seemed to suggest it could indeed come down to a straight choice

between the Spartak Moscow and Fulham contenders as he assessed one aspect of the Russian challenge.

"If you know the Russian full-back, is Duff or McGeady a better opponent?" he asked. "I have looked ten times at him and I am not 100% on that. I know either could play that role."

What was clear, however, is that McGeady continues to rise in the manager's estimation.

"Before Aiden went to Russia, I said I didn't know if it would be a good opportunity," Trapattoni admitted. "It could have been difficult. But I saw another McGeady, not only watching him for Spartak, but also in the last game for us (against Andorra). He was stronger and he was more confident. And I hope he continues like this with us. He changed his position in the last game, got nearer to the goal. Maybe in Scotland it was different. But in Russia, he is playing differently and that will help us."

Stephen Kelly (calf) and Darren O'Dea (knee) have both been ruled out of the squad due to injury and so Everton's Seamus Coleman gets his first Ireland senior call-up. Keith Treacy and Cillian Sheridan have both been put on standby.

And although Trapattoni will have to keep his fingers crossed between now and next Friday, he was happy to report promising news yesterday on other recent injury worries.

"Richard Dunne told me that he feels very good and he is confident that he will play today (for Aston Villa). If he does, he will be ready. I'm confident that will be the case. I also told him to be careful! That is only a joke. He is important to us. The Russians play two or three strikers in England and it is better for us because Richard knows them very well. I am confident that he will play.

"Keith Andrews has played 24 minutes (for Blackburn Rovers) since the last time we played and he will play again. Also Marco (Tardelli) will see him today, hopefully he will play. Sure, when he will be available, that is another good opportunity. It is better for a manager when it is difficult to choose, better to have too many choices than not to have one at all. I can tell you after the game why I have decided to pick certain players, not before. I choose a player for certain reasons. After a game we can decide whether it is right or whether I made a mistake."

Trapattoni also used the opportunity to confirm his recent verbal skirmish with Darron Gibson was over.

"Gibson told me, 'hey boss, I have no problem'. I tell him, 'no problem, Darron'. Because I treat him like all the other players. That is important. Now all the players understand Giovanni. Famous or not, Giovanni doesn't care. What matters is the moment, the particular game. Andrews is playing again and up to two months ago Andrews and (Glenn) Whelan together were fantastic. I know this. Paul Green and Whelan are also fantastic. And it was fantastic when Keith Fahey comes on and scores (in Armenia) because he understood immediately his position. It is a pity we can only play 11 players but it is not rugby!"

Trapattoni was speaking at the announcement of the fixture list for the inaugural Carling Nations Cup, a friendly tournament involving the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, which will take place in a league format at Aviva Stadium in February and May of next year.

Trapattoni joined fellow managers Nigel Worthington of Northern Ireland and Craig Levein of Scotland in welcoming a tournament which, all agreed, would provide their squads with competitive friendlies, involving minimal travel disruption, as they continue to plot their respective European Championship qualification.

FAI chief executive John Delaney forecast that the Carling Cup could bring as many as 300,000 visitors to Dublin. Tickets will go on sale in November. The Carling Nations Cup will take a break in 2011 but it is hoped to resume the tournament in 2012. In the early planning stages, England declined an offer to take part but John Delaney indicated that, at some future date, the FA would be approached again. "We'd like to have them involved," he said.

The Carling Nations Cup 2011.

Tuesday, Feb 8: Republic of Ireland v Wales
Wednesday, Feb 9: Northern Ireland v Scotland
Monday, May 23: Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland
Tuesday, May 24: Wales v Scotland
Tuesday, May 26: Wales v Northern Ireland
Friday, May 27: Republic of Ireland v Scotland.


This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, October 02, 2010


Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/trio-on-red-alert-as-trap-spoiled-for-choice-132443.html#ixzz11BbpvGZO


WhiteJC

http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2010/10/02/match-preview-west-ham-v-fulham/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WestHamBlog+%28West+Ham+Till+I+Die%29
Match Preview: West Ham v Fulham
After last week's triumph we all feel incredibly optimistic about today, don't we? But let's not underestimate Fulham.

They are certainly no pushovers, even without the injured Bobby Zamora. This will be a very different game to last week and will certainly be less open. For the first time this season I doubt if there will be many changes in team selection. It seems Kieron Dyer is ill with a stomach upset and Valon Behrami is still out with a knee problem. I would hope that Pablo Barrera will get his first full game in place of Dyer. He is such an exciting prospect and has stamped himself on every game he has appeared in so far. He could terrorise the Fulham defence.

Apart from that I expect Cole to remain on the bench and the rest of the team which played against Spurs to be selected.

I'm going up to the game early to have a bite to eat in Ken's cafe with matchday announcer Jeremy Nicholas. If you're there, say hi!


WhiteJC

http://www.sportingpreview.com/matches/10110538.php?
WEST HAM v FULHAM
UPDATED TEAM NEWS


Kieron Dyer could miss West Ham's Premier League clash with Fulham as he has been suffering with diarrhoea ever since last week's win over Tottenham.

Valon Behrami and Thomas Hitzlsperger are out while Hammers boss Avram Grant will give late fitness tests to Winston Reid, Jonathan Spector and Herita Ilunga.

David Stockdale is in contention for Fulham after recovering from an ankle injury.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper was preferred to Mark Schwarzer for the opening four games of the season and will hope to give manager Mark Hughes a selection headache.

The Cottagers remain short in attack, with Moussa Dembele (ankle) and Bobby Zamora (broken leg) sidelined, although Andrew Johnson played in a behind-closed-doors game yesterday and is working his way back to full fitness after eight months out through knee problems.

West Ham Squad: Green, Jacobsen, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Parker, Noble, Piquionne, Boa Morte, Dyer, Cole, Obinna, Kovac, Faubert, Stech, Barrera, Ben Haim, Gabbidon, Da Costa, Reid, Spector.

Fulham Squad: Schwarzer, Kelly, Pantsil, Salcido, Baird, Hangeland, Hughes, Halliche, Gera, Murphy, Duff, Riise, Etuhu, Dempsey, E Johnson, Greening, Davies, Dikgacoi, Kamara, Stockdale.

WhiteJC

http://thegamesgonecrazy.blogspot.com/2010/10/west-ham-v-fulham-if-it-aint-broken.html?
West Ham v Fulham. If it aint broken, don't fix it!

It's not often that we have been able to say that since the appointment of Zola. But after last Saturday's stunningly impressive performance against Spurs, why would anybody choose to fiddle with the team?

Dyer is, of course, broken. That was inevitable. He couldn't even make it through a full half last Saturday and has now cried off because he has the runs! Dyer has the runs! He has barely broken into a run for three years so the irony of him not playing because of the runs is so...well so typically West Ham! I'm surprised that Sullivan hasn't opened up an Ann Summers catalogue and shoved a butt plug up Kieron's arse. "There we go son, no backfiring for 90 minutes guaranteed!"

There is a danger here that it will all blow up in our faces today - and that would be more horrible than being the person tasked with removing that plug from Dyer 's arse after the game. Fulham are the only team in the league who regard West Ham as their bogie side, and even Zola managed a point against them at Upton Park last season - albeit Fulham played the whole of the second half with 10 men! Everything points to a West Ham victory; but when everything points to a West Ham victory, we know what happens, don't we?

Dempsey will be firing grubbers at Green all afternoon and God help Robert "Up Yours Journos" if he lets in another dolly! Mark Hughes will also be using his big men to crowd Green at corners, a tactic that the purist 'Arry rejected in the name of "good football". I worry about Johnson if he starts or comes on. There's a year and more of frustration bursting to get out and we do have a habit of rehabilitating opponents after they have had a bad time.

But those are the dark voices talking. That's what happens to you after you have supported West Ham for more than 40 years - you end up looking at a 99 cone and wondering if the flake bar is a dog turd! We should be focused on our strengths today, we should be encouraging the boys to rip Fulham apart in the same way as we carved open Tottenham. We don't have to worry about Zamora or Konchesky. Paintsil can be exploited. Schwartzer has looked even more unsure than Green in recent weeks. We are a better team, player for player, than Fulham. We have a great record against them. We come into the game with confidence surging. We are at home and the crowd will be really up for the game. Surely, surely...

...but this is West Ham!