Sunday Fulham Stuff (10.10.10)

[White Noise]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/football-hotline/2010/10/09/sven-goran-eriksson-targets-fulham-s-john-pantsil-as-one-of-his-first-signings-at-leicester-102039-22622170/


Sven Goran Eriksson targets Fulham's John Pantsil as one of his first signings at Leicester


Oct 9 2010 by Hotline, The People


LEICESTER are lining up a cheeky bid for John Pantsil in January.

The Ghanaian right back, 29, is out of favour with Fulham boss Mark Hughes and new Foxes' chief Sven Goran Eriksson is ready to swoop.

'Sparky' will sell for around £2million.

[White Noise]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2010/10/10/glyn-hodges-joins-mark-hughes-backroom-staff-at-craven-cottage-102039-22622212/

Glyn Hodges joins Mark Hughes' backroom staff at Craven Cottage


Oct 10 2010 By Dean Jones, The People


MARK HUGHES has added another old face to his Fulham backroom team by bringing in Glyn Hodges.

The former Welsh international worked with Sparky as reserve team boss at Blackburn and Manchester City, and joins Eddie Niedzwiecki, Mark Bowen and Kevin Hitchcock in making the switch to Craven Cottage.

The latest addition to Hughes' coaching staff seems likely to leave Ray Lewington in limbo.

He helped mastermind Fulham's path to the Europa League final last season, and was guaranteed a position under the new set-up when Roy Hodgson left.

But he did not travel with the team to West Ham last week and will be left wondering where he fits in.

[White Noise]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2010/10/10/wolves-michael-mancienne-denies-his-side-are-a-team-of-mindless-thugs-102039-22622114/

Michael Mancienne denies Danny Murphy's claim that Wolves are a team of mindless thugs


Oct 10 2010 By David Kidd, The People

MICHAEL MANCIENNE has launched a staunch defence of Wolves boss Mick McCarthy and insisted: "He doesn't send us out to kick players".

Fulham skipper Danny Murphy sparked debate by accusing McCarthy, Stoke manager Tony Pulis and Blackburn's Sam Allardyce of pumping up players to commit 'ridiculous' and 'brainless' tackles.

But England Under-21 star Mancienne, in his third season on loan at Wolves from Chelsea, insists McCarthy's men are being unfairly labelled as thugs.

Skipper Karl Henry has been at the centre of controversy after being sent off for an X-rated foul on Wigan's Jordi Gomez, breaking the ankle of Fulham's Bobby Zamora and making heavy challenges on Newcastle's Joey Barton.

But asked whether McCarthy pumps up his players too much, Mancienne said: "No, I don't think that's true at all.

"Joey Barton was never targeted in the Newcastle game, nothing was said like that. Karl Henry likes to put his foot in and that's what he was doing. No one was targeted at all.

"We have a lot of this talk around us but we do play football at Wolves.

"Karl Henry has been dug out a little bit but sometimes it isn't always his fault. It was a bad challenge against Wigan but the challenge that broke Bobby Zamora's ankle wasn't.

"It is hard to shrug off this image once you are labelled with it. People will always think we just turn up and kick everyone. It doesn't affect our frame of mind. We go into every game with the same mindset.

"Mick would never encourage us not to tackle and be committed. You have to psych yourself up for every game. You have to want it but you have to be calm at the same time. You can be over-psyched but it's important to be calm and we have that in our team."

Mancienne, undoubtedly a cultured ball-player, operated at right-back for England Under-21s in their European Championship play-off first-leg victory over Romania on Friday – but is in a holding midfield role for Wolves.

He knows his versatility might not help him follow Under-21 team-mate Jack Wilshere into the senior England side. He said: "I got in one senior squad once against Germany but I didn't play. It was disappointing. I've just got to keep on working hard for my club and then if I'm playing well I'll get my opportunities.

"I've played in so many positions but I'm really enjoying holding midfield. I'd rather have versatility in my game and be able to play wherever I'm needed.

"Mick McCarthy has played me at centre-back, holding mid, centre midfielder and at right-back so as long as I can get in the team I'm happy.

"It gives us confidence when we see a player like Jack Wilshere move up to the senior England team because it shows the gaffer is interested in pushing us through."

England take a 2-1 lead to Romania for Tuesday's return leg with a place in next summer's finals at stake.

And Mancienne, 22, said: "The European Championship is massive for us.

"It will be hugely disappointing if we don't get there but I'm confident we will and that we'll definitely make an impact.''

[White Noise]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2010/10/10/danny-murphy-everyone-loves-kenny-dalglish-but-roy-hodgson-will-sort-it-out-at-liverpool-102039-22622222/


Danny Murphy: 'Everyone loves Kenny Dalglish but Roy Hodgson will sort it out at Liverpool'


Oct 10 2010 By Tom Hopkinson, The People

DANNY MURPHY has urged Liverpool fans to give Roy Hodgson time to get things right...because Kenny Dalglish is yesterday's man.

Sections of the Kop have already lost patience with Hodgson after a dismal start to the season which sees the Reds knee-deep in relegation territory.

And there were chants for Liverpool legend Dalglish, who canvassed for the job in the summer when Rafa Benitez left for Inter Milan, to replace Hodgson following the dreadful 2-1 defeat by Blackpool at Anfield last weekend.

But ex-Anfield star and lifelong ­Liverpool supporter Murphy, who knows both Hodgson and Dalglish well, believes the return of King Kenny would be a backward step.

Fulham ace Murphy, speaking at this week's Leaders In Football ­conference, said: "It's inevitable ­people want to revert to Kenny. It's King Kenny, isn't it? I grew up loving the man, everyone loves him.

"He's a great guy and he has been a top manager, but he has been out of the game for a long time.

"The Liverpool team has quality in it and the simple fact is if you panic now and, God forbid, get rid of Roy and bring someone else in, the ­problems are still there."

Murphy points to the fact Hodgson turned Fulham from a side fighting for Premier League survival to Europa League finalists before leaving for Liverpool in the summer.

The Cottagers lost their first six games under Hodgson before his methods really began to kick in.

He added: "The way Roy wants his team to play and the type of tactics and discipline he wants don't ­happen overnight.

"The bad times at Liverpool have not just come, they've been trophyless for a couple of years now."

Murphy believes the rot set in at Anfield long before Hodgson arrived.

"The squad diminished in the last couple of years under Rafa Benitez," he said. "It's not as if Roy has come in and all of a sudden they've gone bad.

"There was the loss of Javier Mascherano in the summer and Xabi Alonso before that. Players of that calibre haven't really been replaced.

"Fernando Torres has not been fully fit and has not performed to his best.

"So my overwhelming feeling is, yes, it's disappointing, yes, Liverpool should be doing better, but don't panic.

"I know Roy, I know his desire to succeed, I know the characters they still have in that team, and I know they'll be okay.

"Roy's not the type of man to walk away from it. He's a fighter and he believes in what he does and his track record ­suggests what he does is right.

"It's only a ­minority of the fans calling for his head and there's a real ­discontent issue there with the ­ownership problems anyway.

"Liverpool is a huge and wonderful club and the spotlight is always on them so when things don't go so well, it's going to be exaggerated.

"I'm not saying there aren't ­problems, but a win at Everton next weekend and all of a sudden they're mid-table, they've just beaten Everton and everyone's a bit ­happier. That's if they win."

Murphy revealed that a recent chat with Hodgson made it clear the ­veteran gaffer knew the size of the task he was in for at Anfield.

"I spoke to him recently when I was up there for Jamie Carragher's ­testimonial and he knows it's a big job," Murphy went on.

"He knows it's a big task but it was always going to be for whoever took that job over.

"The debate about new owners will lead to speculation that they want this manager or that manager, but let's flip that and say it might settle everyone down and give everyone a calm ­platform to go and play football.

"I'm passionate about Liverpool, and I'm desperate to see them succeed.

"They're going through a ­transitional period so give Roy time and see where they are at Christmas."

[White Noise]

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/football/1073149/VILLA-RISK-LOSING-FRIEDEL.html


VILLA RISK LOSING FRIEDEL


American keeper already has offers



By Dan King


ASTON VILLA risk losing record-breaking goalkeeper Brad Friedel for nothing.

And if the American does not sign a new deal before January he could again become a key figure in Arsenal's search for a new keeper.


Friedel is 39, but has now extended his run of consecutive Premier League appearances to 235 and believes he has at least one more top-flight season left in him.


With his current deal due to run out at the end of the season, Friedel can sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club in January and already has an offer from the US.


And although the former Blackburn and Liverpool man is understood to be happy at Villa, a number of clubs would be keen to take advantage of any uncertainty about his future.


Friedel admitted during the summer that he was interested in a move to Fulham. The London club wanted him as a replacement for Mark Schwarzer if they had been able to agree a deal with Arsenal.


The Gunners were so keen that they offered Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski as replacements for Friedel at Villa.


But the shock departure of Martin O'Neill from Villa Park and Arsenal's failure to meet Fulham's asking price for Schwarzer stopped the merry-go-round.


Arsenal's prime target is Liverpool's Pepe Reina and Schalke star Manuel Neuer is also on their radar. Arsenal put in a late bid to sign German World Cup goalkeeper Neuer but ran out of time to agree a deal before the close of the transfer window.


Schwarzer said last week he would welcome an opportunity to move to a Champions League club in the transfer window.


And Fulham, managed by his former boss at Blackburn, Mark Hughes, would not be the only club interested in signing Friedel.

[White Noise]

Murphy: Dalglish is NOT the answer for Kop

Published 23:00 09/10/10


By Paul Smith


Kenny Dalglish is yesterday's man and Liverpool fans should show patience with Roy Hodgson and reap the long-term rewards.

That's the view of Danny Murphy, the former Liverpool midfielder and a lifelong Anfield fan.

Kop fans called for Dalglish's return last Sunday as Liverpool's horrific start to the campaign continued with a 2-1 home defeat to Blackpool which leaves them third from bottom of the Premier League.

But Murphy, who played for Hodgson at Fulham, is adamant.

He said: "My view hasn't changed. Liverpool should keep faith with Roy because they will benefit in the long-term.

"Of course it's inevitable people want to revert to Kenny - it's King Kenny, isn't it?

"I grew up loving the man and everyone loves Kenny. He's a great guy and he has been a top manager, but he has been out of the game a very long time and football has radically changed.

"I worked with Roy for a long time. I know it's not really comparable in many ways - Liverpool and Fulham - because the pressure's completely different.

"But when he came to Fulham, we didn't win for six games. Now I'm not suggesting that's the way to start but the way he wants his team to play and the type of tactics and discipline he wants his team to have don't happen overnight. It's as simple as that.

"So if you throw into that a squad of players which isn't what it was three or four years ago, the loss of Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso before he came, players of that calibre haven't really been replaced by players of that quality.

"Also taking into consideration the main striker Fernando Torres has not been fully fit and has not performed to his best it has been a very difficult start.

"I accept some of the results have not been acceptable but all I'm saying is the situation is not dire."

Murphy went on: "The league table is separated by three to five points from third from bottom to fourth, so there's a long way to go.

"Supporters should stay patient, the team has quality in it and the simple fact is if you panic now and, God forbid, got rid of Roy and brought someone else in, the problems are still there.

"Besides he's not that type of man to walk away. He's a fighter and he believes in what he does and his track record suggests what he does is right.

"Let's put things into perspective It's only a minority of the fans calling for Roy's head - it's not all of them - and there's a discontent issue there with the ownership problems anyway.

"Liverpool being such a huge and wonderful club, the spotlight is always on them and when it doesn't go well it's going to be exaggerated to a degree.

"I'm not saying there aren't problems but a win at Everton at the weekend and all of a sudden they're mid-table, they've just beaten Everton and everyone's a bit happier.

"I spoke to Roy recently and he knows it's a big task but it was always going to be for whoever took that job over.

"The bad times at Liverpool have not just come, they've been trophyless for a couple of years now.

"The squad has diminished in the last couple years under Rafa as well. It's not just that Roy has come in and all of a sudden they've gone bad.

"My overwhelming feeling is, yes, it's disappointing and Liverpool should be doing better, but don't panic. I know Roy, I know his desire to succeed, I know the characters they still have in that team and I know they'll be okay."



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Kenny-Dalglish-is-not-the-answer-to-Liverpool-s-prayers-according-to-Danny-Murphy-who-believes-the-Reds-should-stick-with-Roy-Hodgson-article597969.html#ixzz11u1baIh

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216430
Fulham - Danny Upsets the Apple-Cart!
Yesterday, Danny Murphy had his say on the physical side of our game.

Danny, quite rightly, inferred that the physical challenges made by some players are the direct result of some managers charging up their players before kick-off.

Danny also called for an independent panel to view suspicious challenges, on a Monday, and offer retrospective punishment.

But Danny`s words don`t appear to have gone down well in some quarters.

On person who has stepped forward and offered an alternative view is Dave Bassett, the manager of the Wimbledon side who were renowned for tough tactics.

Basset had this to say,

"Danny is entitled to an opinion - I just don`t happen to agree because I know the managers concerned."

"Yes they will ask their players to go out there pumped up because that is better than having them comatosed."

"But knowing Sam, Tony and Mick, they would never tell their teams to go out and kick anybody."

"They`ll say 'Get some challenges in and let them know we`re about` because when the opposition have the ball you are allowed to tackle them."

But did we expect Dave Bassett to say anything else about fellow managers?

Another to step forward in the wake of Danny`s comments is the Stoke defender, Ryan Shawcross, who has remarked,

"I`m sure the likes of Henry and De Jong don`t go out to injure players on purpose."

"It`s part and parcel of football. They are tough-tackling ventral midfielders whose game is based on making tackles, winning the ball and giving it to the ball-players."

You have to accept that when the ball and players are moving so fast, people are going to mis-time tackles. That is when injuries can happen."

I wonder if Aaron Ramsey shares that view.

Lastly, in those we`ve picked up on who don`t agree with Danny is the Stoke chairman, Peter Coates, who has added his tuppence worth by adding,

"I`m surprised by his comments. He himself is a very competitive player."

Did Coates forget to add the word FAIR do you reckon!

Enough said on that subject we think!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216430#ixzz11wSVFUw2

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216432
Fulham - Gera on the Scoresheet!
Enticed back to the national fold by a change of manager, Zoltan Gera looks to be enjoying life back in the Hungarian side.

Last night, Hungary were hosts to San Marino and in front of a what might be described as a disappointing crowd of 7,000 won 8-0.

Any hopes Zoltan might have had of getting on the score sheet looked to be fading but in true captain`s style he got the eighth goal in the ninetieth minute!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216432#ixzz11wSjCDsf

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6435685,00.html?
Zamora recovery on track
Cottagers striker making positive progress in rehabilitation

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora is pleased with the way his rehabilitation from a broken leg is progressing.

The England international sustained the injury during a Premier League meeting with Wolves in September.

He required surgery to help aid his recovery, with it initially expected that he would be sidelined for up to four months.

It may take Zamora slightly longer than that to recover full fitness and force his way back into the fold, but he is confident that he will be back for the final stages of the 2010/11 campaign.

The 29-year-old frontman is confident that everything is going to plan so far and admits that he cannot wait to make a return to action in the New Year.

"It's going well, I am starting to get a bit bored now," Zamora told Sky Sports.

"It's going well and I am aiming for February/March time. Fingers crossed, if everything goes well, I will be back playing again then."

[WhiteJC]

http://roversreturn.net/2010/10/09/what-is-football/?
WHAT IS FOOTBALL?


Danny Murphy is the latest in a long line of people to slag off Rovers', and Sam Allardyce's, in your face, hoofball, anti-footall, rough and ready, dirty style of play.

We're an easy target, as the majority of British media will lap it up. "Danny Murphy joins long line of football ambassadors to slam Rovers tactics". What a p****.

Firstly, I'll deal with Murphy. As Lancashire Telegraph sports editor Paul Plunkett correctly points out on Twitter, Mark Hughes, Danny Murphy's current manager at Fulham, had a far dirtier team at when he was in charge at Ewood than Big Sam. Murphy doesn't seem to understand the difference between 'dirty' and 'physical'.

Take a look at the Premier League Fair Play League, Rovers are currently eighth. Above Murphy's Fulham. Granted, Murhpy's other targets, Wolves and Stoke, occupy 16th and 20th, but why bring us into it?

His implication that the tactics of managers dictate their side's nasty play, which in turn leads to injuries to opposition players, is another myth. No bad tackle under the stewardship of Sam Allardyce has resulted in a broken leg, or ankle, or whatever else (that I can remember – correct me if I'm wrong).

Lastly, aside from the question, "who is Danny Murphy to comment on the tactics of managers who have been in the game far longer than the gobby little Scouser himself?", the Fulham midfielder himself received six yellow cards and a red last season.

Anyway, he's not the first to hit out at our style, and that of other sides who resort to a more physical game when they can't compete with the money men.

What I want to know is, who decided that the free-flowing, passing, keep it on the floor, Arsenal-esque style of football is what football is supposed to be?

Fair enough, it may be nicer to watch, but who decided football is meant to be nice to watch?

Blackburn Rovers Football Club is, by definition, a football club. FOOTBALL club. Therefore, whatever style of football its manager tells its players to play, is football. Not  "anti-football" and not "hoofball" but football.

Just because it does not conform to a style of play decided by some purist who was born in Exeter but supports Liverpool, or a Torquay resident that supports Chelsea, doesn't mean it isn't football.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216438
Fulham - Zamora Out Longer Than Expected!
It looks like being a long road back for Bobby Zamora.

Our top goal scorer last season was expected to be out until at least January 2011, well now that forecast appears to be a little off the mark.

Stories being brandished around infer that Bobby will not be back until at least late February or early March next year with the striker remarking to the media, about his recovery,

'It's going well, I am starting to get a bit bored now,'

'It's going well and I am aiming for February/March time. Fingers crossed, if everything goes well, I will be back playing again then.'

That, I`m afraid to say, appears to be light years away!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216438#ixzz11wTZDc00

[WhiteJC]

http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2010/10/9/1740183/thoughts-on-the-boston-red-sox-owners-buying-liverpool-opinion?
Thoughts On The Boston Red Sox Owners Buying Liverpool - Opinion

I have been following the situation with Liverpool very closely since Fulham's former manager Roy Hodgson became the Liverpool manager. Even though I am a Fulham fan I was concerned about the ownership situation at Anfield. I would like the EPL to continue to be the best league in the world. I think Liverpool being very competitive is good for the league and football in general. The current owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have done so much damage to this historic club. To move it back forward I believe Liverpool have found the right owners to get them back on top.

The Boston Red Sox ownership group had their bid accepted by the Liverpool Board. However, they are being taken to court by the current owners to stop the takeover. Hopefully this will be resolved next week, and Liverpool will have new ownership.   



I wanted to share my thoughts on the potential new owners of Liverpool. I am a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox living in the Greater Boston area. In my opinion, the Red Sox ownership are definitely the right group to move Liverpool back to where they belong. I had written this summer that I hoped Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots would buy Liverpool. I can tell you that the Red Sox owners are on the same level.

I have several reasons why I feel this way. But, before I give you my reasons I want to explain how the current Red Sox owners were thought of when they took over.

I think many Red Sox fans were very skeptical of John Henry and his partners. This group was not from Boston, and I think that bothered many fans. I feel Bostonians wanted owners that knew the history and the passion of the club. It didn't take long for the ownership to win over fans. They decided to redevelop Fenway Park and modernize it. They also started to spend money on better players for the team. The Red Sox also upgraded their farm system which is similar to the academy system in England. The most important element that Henry brought to the Red Sox was winning championships. They transformed this organization to one of the greatest franchises in American sports.   

Now, I understand why Liverpool fans would be skeptical of more American owners. These owners are the polar opposite of Hicks and Gillett. I will try below to take away your fears of the Red Sox owners. Like I mentioned I have several reasons why I think they will be tremendous owners of Liverpool.

First, I believe their reasons for taking over Liverpool are very different then your current owners. John Henry and his ownership group I believe are in it for the long haul. I don't think they are coming to Liverpool looking to make a fast buck. I think they are there to restore the history of the club and bring titles to Anfield. This group is all about winning.

With the Boston Red Sox , John Henry and his partners have given all of New England something they have waited to see for 86 years. Under Henry's ownership the Boston Red Sox have won the World Series twice, and also gotten to the American League Championship Series two times as well. The team is always competitive, and in the hunt for a championship. The ownership again is all about winning.

Second, I think they will embrace the history of the club and make sure that wherever they play is a first rate facility. John Henry decided to upgrade and redevelop Fenway Park. I happen to believe more fans wanted Fenway Park to be upgraded rather than have a brand new stadium. The Red Sox owners looked at both scenarios and chose the one that made the best sense.

In regards to Liverpool I think they will look at both scenarios. They will either redevelop Anfield or build a new stadium. Either way I believe Liverpool fans will have a first class facility. The Red Sox owners will spend a tremendous amount of money to upgrade where you see Liverpool play.

Third, the owners certainly know how to delegate and surround themselves with the best people in sports. I believe they will have people who know the game of football in very important positions.

Fourth, I believe they will spend money to bring in the best talent for the club. Their track record speaks for itself with the Red Sox. This group is not afraid to spend money. I believe Hodgson will be given the funds to bring in the players he wants.

Fifth, they will make sure that Liverpool continue to have an excellent academy. Henry's group are strong believers of a combination of acquiring players and homegrown talent. I am confident that Liverpool will continue to develop their own players.

Sixth, they also have the money to get Liverpool back to the top and keep it there. This group is not just about John Henry. He has very wealthy partners that have invested in this ownership. He is just the principal owner. I don't believe money will be a problem at all.

Also, they are fantastic businessmen. With the Red Sox they have found new revenue streams that I believe are funded right back into the team to keep it competitive. They also are unbelievable at marketing and sponsorship deals.

Like I said from the beginning I certainly know why a fan of Liverpool would be skeptical. I am here to tell you that they are not Hicks and Gillett. Everything that John Henry set to due with the Red Sox has come true. He wanted the Red Sox to win titles, compete every year for a championship, and upgrade the fan experience at Fenway Park. All of that has happened here in his time as owner.

There is no doubt in my mind that if Red Sox ownership take over Liverpool, the 20 year drought of not winning the League will change shortly. In fact, I am predicting that within 2 years, Liverpool will win the title. I already made this prediction over the summer because of Roy Hodgson. Now, with the Red Sox owners possibly taking over I feel even stronger that the Barclays English Premier League title will be in the hands of Liverpool in the 2010-2011 season.

[WhiteJC]

http://hammyend.com/index.php/2010/10/marks-midfield/?
Mark's Midfield
by LORK on OCTOBER 9, 2010

Our midfield is an interesting proposition this year. Under Roy we played with two inverted wingers and two sitting central midfielders, whereas Hughes gives the centre mids more freedom to go forward, and we've seen Duff and Davies play on their more 'natural' sides (they played so well last season though that it's hard to tell where they're more effective now, but Duff and Davies have played almost all their career on the left and right respectively). There's been alot of focus on our lack of options upfront, but in midfield that certainly isn't the case, we have 10 or so competing for those four positions. Let's start with the first choice.

Danny Murphy – Originally an attacking midfielder he's moved further back as he's gotten older, he was never blessed with pace but you can be as fit as you want, you will deteriorate physically over time so we see many players naturally turn from attackers to midfielders to defensive players. This certainly applies to Murphy as we see from him this season, very very rarely does he break forward, playing a hybrid of playmaker and defensive midfielder. He doesn't hit too many long passes so I don't think you can compare him with, say, Scholes, but he keeps the ball moving and is key to our attacking play.

It is a strange role, for a ball player to be the deepest midfielder when we have the ball, but if he ventures up then his lack of pace threatens our midfield shape when we lose it, and when you're 33 you're never going to be able to maintain running from box to box. He uses his very astute footballing brain to rely on getting the ball back too, although shoulder to shoulder he's not going to win out too often. Still a very good, and underrated player.

He makes the odd glaring mistake but consider how many times he touches the ball a game, it's inevitable, so to critisise him for losing the ball too often is unfair. I think, however, this is the last season he'll have to be first choice at Fulham and with his contract running out in 2011 it will be interesting to see what happens. You can see already that he can get heavy legged towards the end of games (and quite often actually he's subbed in the last 10 minutes) and as I mention, his lack of pace and strength is a fairly big drawback, but you won't find many more intelligent players than Danny, nor are there too many influential players in the Fulham team, so for now I'm happy with him.

Dickson Etuhu – Etuhu's a strange one. He can be really impressive one moment and do something really stupid the next. Mind you, I like him. With Hughes playing natural wide players instead of inverted ones there's more space in the middle of the pitch which we can expose. As I've mentioned before, Murphy doesn't make many forward runs but Etuhu's been given a new lease of life as an all action box to box midfielder, compared to the ball winner he was under Roy.

Physically he is a specimen, so you can see Mark Hughes' reasoning and he does seem to be relishing it. He was my September player of the month and scored his second league goal for us against Blackpool with just one of those forward runs. He's a good tackler too, although I don't think he throws his weight around enough which might be ironic considering the whole dirty tackle debate we've been involved with lately, but when you are the size of Etuhu you really should be exploiting it more. He made one superb tackle against West ham but didn't make another one in the game and you have to ask yourself why.

He's also not a great passer of the ball. Whether it's down to lack of technique or not being able to see the right pass (a fair few times you'll see him pass a simple ball to the opposition, very frustrating) I dunno, I suspect it's a combination of the both. Infact, in general his technique is quite poor which means that short quick passing around opposition boxes breaks down if he's the centre of it, but in the role he's playing this season he hasn't done too badly. Undoubtedly though him and Murphy are our first choice central midfielders and they compliment each other well. I don't think either of their positions is under too much threat.

Damien Duff – Duff is another player whose career was revived under Roy, I never predicted he's be as good for us as he was last season. He's quick, agile, two footed, clever, good on the ball, although not quite as brilliant as he was for Chelsea and he's not as quick as he was. This season however he's been in pretty poor form, I don't think he's playing as well as he could do. He is a very good player no doubt about it but he hasn't quite clicked so far and personally I'd play Dempsey on the left over him. He's another Fulham player the wrong side of 30 but he's still got another couple of years in him.

Simon Davies – Signed a three year contract earlier this season which was a suprise to me considering the injury problems he had last season. Very intelligent player and capable technically too. He's not too quick though which is an obvious drawback to a wide man, nor does he have many tricks in his locker, which is why I prefer him on the left because then he doesn't rely on going round the outside of a man and crossing from the by line. He seems to keep himself fit though and he works bloody hard, on the ball he's capable of a good cross and his movement off it is really good which is why I like him. If he can keep himself injury free I'm sure he'll stay in the team for another couple of years.

So that's our first choice midfield quartet, so who's challenging them? On the wings which is very intereting to look at, Gera, Dempsey, Riise, Davies and Duff who are all similarly talented players. Tough for Hughes then...

Clint Dempsey – Really good player. Strong, technically gifted, puts himself about. One of our best, I think, with Hangeland, Zamora, Dembele and Schwarzer. It's funny though, he's been here 2 and a half years yet still no one knows where his best position is. Upfront? Second striker? Left or right wing? Well, when he nailed down a position under Roy it was on the left (with Davies on the right) and I'd agree with that. Upfront he has too little space to do what he wants to do, and he flops down alot up there anyway. He's too attack minded to be a central midielder, and his qualities aren't in pace or crossing (although he's not bad at either), so on the left is where he should play. Not only that but when he comes in to the middle it frees up space for Salcido to go around the outside, so they'll compliment each other well.

Dempsey's all round play is generally pretty good, although his passing could be improved. When he cuts on on that right foot and he has space in the channels he doesn't find the killer ball well enough. He also has an annoying habit of shooting from long distances when in reality he hasn't scored too many from outside the box. Amkar Perm, Juventus, Stoke, all nice goals but the vast majority are from less than 18 yards, he's fairly clinical when he finds himself in the box. His strength in the air is another reason why he'd benefit playing out wide because he can dangerously attack the far post when crosses come into the box. It's a shame he's missing a burst of acceleration because with that he'd be absolute class, already he's pretty tricky but the lack of burst over 10 yards means that he can't use a trick to get the ball past the opposition.

Zoltan Gera – Last year's man of the season, pretty fortunately in my opinion because I thought Bobby was absolute class but few can argue with his form in the Europe. He relished in that second forward role last season, and that is his best position no doubt, but he, like Clint (and Dembele but almost no chance he'll play on the wing with Zamora out), is also competing for a place on the wing. In his first season Gera wasn't very impressive, he showed glimpses of what made Benfica and Galatasary equally interested in we were, but never showed it and lost his place to Dempsey. However, the game which turned around the Fulham fan's opinions was at home against Arsenal, where he was exceptional on the right wing. He's suprised Hughes too, after his great hat trick against Werder Bremen Hughes admitted he didn't realise how good Gera was.

Gera's similar to Dempsey in many ways, although perhaps with a better touch, less dynamism, less flair and with less pace. However, unlike Dempsey he seems very uncomfortable on the left (which is where he played before he first got dropped), which is strange. He's good in the air, intelligent , hard worker, very adept technically so if given freedom to roam from the wing and into the pockets of space in the channels he can be pretty dangerous. Unlike Dempsey he's a good passer and he can find through balls much better, so give him time on the ball and he'll hurt you. Thing is I don't know how he's going to hold down a place so I won't be suprised to see him go, maybe even in January. Forgive me if I'm wrong but I think  his contract runs out on 2011, so let's see what happens. Like what happened with Nevland, it'll be a shame to see him go but you wouldn't blame him.

Bjorn Helge-Riise – Probably our most natural wide player of the lot. He has a brilliant cross on him, he gets about the pitch alot and he's a hard worker but other than that he doesn't have too much quality really. Typical of a Scandinavian he's physically pretty decent, not too quick or strong but quick and strong enough. I don't think he's as good as the other 4 players we have competing for places, although he does have something which the others don't in that he can play the central midfield role quite well so maybe he can compete with Etuhu for the box to box man. However, I think he's a bit too headless chicken for it. I really wouldn't be suprised to see him leave which would be a shame because I actually like him and I'm sure he'd be a good asset for a team in the lower half of the league, but with the quality infront of him he has almost no chance of getting a game.

In the middle of the pitch we perhaps aren't quite so blessed, with Dikagcoi and Greening competing with Murphy and Etuhu

Jonathan Greening – What a strange player. Appears to do nothing but does it well. I really don't understand him. He's not great on the ball, he's not a good tackler, but he's still a decent player. I doubt that makes sense but that's the only way I can really describe him. He is, to his credit, another hard working clever player but he seems to have not too much quality, maybe he appreciates this and so keeps things simple and affecting the game that way. Definately competing with Murphy for a place instead of Etuhu because he's not too quick or strong, although he is versatile, being able to play as a playmaker, slightly deeper or on the right or left, where he played against Basel and Portsmouth last season.

Kagisho Digakcoi – 'KG' is a potentially exciting player. We plucked him for a million or two from the South African league, and at 24 he's probably a late bloomer, but every time I've seen him he's impressed me. He's strong, although not too quick or tall, but also really good on the ball, suprisingly good actually considering the level of football he'd been playing before, and strikes me as a natural Danny Murphy replacement. He has the best of both worlds because if he plays deep like Danny does then he'll have more time to make those long passes (and his ball for Shabalala's goal against Mexico still stands in the memory, what a fantastic pass that was) but unlike him KG is athletic enough to impose himself on other players. Definately one to watch out for, so far every time he's threatened to make a mark on the first time he's got himself sent off or got injured which means this season is key to what he does in the future.

Chris Baird – Baird has proven himself in a number of roles with us since overcoming his shakey start. At right back, centre half or in the middle of the pitch, he's proven to be a very adept utility player. Even at left back he's done a job, I remember him coming on against Arsenal a couple of years ago with 10 minutes to go replacing Kallio to play his part in a memorable win. After injuries he won a place in the middle of the pitch, although he's most comfortable as a centre back he applied himself very well in this position.

For a defender Baird's suprisingly comfortable on the ball with a decent range of passing, and of course being a defender means that he's a good tackler, positionally adept, strong and disciplined. So, like Dikagcoi, he could be effective in the role that Murphy does right now. The reason why I wouldn't play him there ahead of those two, although it is tight between him and KG because of the experience of the two players, is because of his first touch and his vision aren't great and he's pretty slow. However, a player doesn't play in two cup finals if he's two bob and he certainly has done well for us when given a chance. Really pleased to have such a versatile player on our books.

Note: forgot Baird the first time round, edited him in, apologies Chris!

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1319250/Hodgson-job-line-admits-Liverpool-chairman-Broughton.html?
Hodgson job is on the line, admits Liverpool chairman Broughton

Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton has revealed that manager Roy Hodgson is not guaranteed to keep his job if the deal to sell the club to New England Sports Ventures is approved this week.

Broughton has confirmed there is an exit clause in Hodgson's contract, thought to involve compensation of a year's salary, if new owners want to appoint their own man.

'Roy knew when he signed from Fulham that we were in the process of finding new owners,' said Broughton.

'It was not a surprise to him. He was fully reconciled with the possibility there would be an ownership change and the risk involved with that.

'But when he signed up, Roy was confident that he was capable of doing the job at Liverpool. With that in mind, provisions were made in Roy's contract to relate specifically to any change in ownership.'

Hodgson was appointed at Liverpool only in June, but he has endured a wretched start to the season, gaining just one victory and six points in seven games as well as being knocked out of the Carling Cup by Northampton at Anfield.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1319250/Hodgson-job-line-admits-Liverpool-chairman-Broughton.html?#ixzz11wUoC0JW

[WhiteJC]

http://blogs.hereisthecity.com/2010/10/10/tackling_is_still_nowhere_as_hard_as_in_the_bad_old_days/?
Tackling is still nowhere as hard as in the bad old days


Most people think Danny Murphy would make a decent manager when he hangs up his boots, yet the events of the last week suggest he might also consider a future in football administration. The Fulham midfielder already talks more sense than Michel d'Hooghe, chairman of Fifa's medical committee, who sees sinister forces at play when he should be watching a football match and seems to believe the police should round up the suspects.


"Some players come on to the field simply to provoke injuries in other persons," D'Hooghe told the BBC. "I have two eyes, I can see what happens. Some acts are really criminal."

This seems to be missing the point by a million miles. If acts of outright criminality on a football pitch were that easy to spot referees would have no problem identifying them and dealing with the culprits. Bans of more than a year would be in force by now and the police and the courts would already be heavily involved, as clubs sought redress for wanton damage to their most expensive assets.

We all have two eyes and we all know that football is not really like that, not even at Blackburn or Wolves. Murphy's charge of brainlessness was much closer to the truth. The Fulham captain argued reasonably and sensibly that managers should take more responsibility for the teams they send out, with specific regard to the ones who try to stop the opposition at all costs by being first to every ball with no thought for the consequences. "I don't believe players are going out to break legs but there has to be some logic and intelligence involved," Murphy said. "The pace with which some players go into tackles now is ridiculous."

Another spate of broken legs and ankles in recent weeks appears to confirm fears that the game has speeded up too much for its own good, with tacklers flying through the air like missiles before opponents have much of a chance either to control the ball or prepare themselves for the collision. Yet while an increase in athleticism may have made football more dangerous, in terms of criminality or malice aforethought it is nothing to what used to pass without comment just a few decades ago, when reducers and enforcers were the order of the day and Maradona had to wear shin pads back and front to avoid being kicked to a standstill the way Pelé was in 1966.

Phil Neville was born in 1977 but even he can remember a time when tackling was more brutal than it is now. "We don't tackle as hard as we used to," the Everton captain said. "Ten or 15 years ago when I was faced with a tricky left-winger the first thing I had to do was boot him up in the air."

You can't do that any more, and D'Hooghe's theory that players are deliberately seeking to cause injury does not seem to cover the likelihood that such recognisable hatchet men would now find it difficult to play enough games to make a living. Murphy's contention that over-zealousness bordering on recklessness is to blame is better, though even his argument contained a flaw when he suggested that some teams were more to blame than others.

While Blackburn, Stoke and Wolves may have a case to answer, Manchester City do not automatically fall into that category and neither is it easy to imagine Roberto Mancini sending out players who are too "pumped up". Nigel de Jong is fresh from a World Cup final, where admittedly he left some fairly infamous bootprints, and before building the Premier League's latest bone-crusher it might be as well to bear in mind that the Dutch midfielder is 5ft 8in tall and weighs 11st. He used to be known as "Lawnmower" in his Ajax days, so it may have been unduly lenient of Martin Atkinson not to respond with at least a yellow, but the referee saw it once and ostensibly he reached the ball first. It was brainless, though.

Perhaps officials, in addition to all their other duties, should now be instructed to evaluate the intelligence of a challenge before allowing a player to stay on the field. Call it Murphy's Law.

[White Noise]

Football is condoning thuggery at its peril


By Patrick Collins


Last updated at 9:10 PM on 9th October 2010


The old boys are preparing for an exhausting season. Their days will be spent on the motorways, their nights in charmless function rooms.

And there, after chewing the rubber chicken and swilling the house red, they will climb to their feet and tell their lurid lies.
'The day I kicked Bestie ... blood on my studs at Elland Road ... the night I made Nobby cry ... the next time I kicked Bestie.' And so on. There will be descriptions of cheating Spaniards, cowardly Italians and foppish Frenchmen who squealed all the way to the casualty ward.
Horror injury: Manchester City's Nigel De Jong challenges Newcastle's Hatem Ben Arfa
And, inevitably, there will be a dissertation on how football has changed. How 'they' are trying to make it a non-contact sport, how nobody tackles any more, how we must return to the old ways, when men were men, and referees were impotent, and tackles from behind were virtually compulsory.

And when a genius like George Best could be kicked and clattered on a weekly basis by crude and talentless thugs until, too early, he departed the game he had graced and sought his consolation in the bottle.
There is no need to name the people peddling this trash, since we all know who they are. But what should disturb us is the reaction they will receive. Every blood-curdling cliche will be met with a knowing grin.

Every assault, every sleazy account of actual bodily harm will provoke a tremor of approval. For a section of this country's football public truly believes that this is the way the sport ought to go.
Controversial: Kevin Davies says football is at risk of becoming a non-contact sport

So Danny Murphy's warning may well be ignored, yet his words are well chosen. 'The pace in which some players go into tackles is ridiculous,' says the Fulham midfielder.

'I don't believe players are going out to break another player's leg but there has to be some logic and intelligence involved.

'If you are going at someone at a certain pace and you don't get it right, you are going to hurt them. Players need to show a little bit more intelligence, especially the ones who are doing it repeatedly.'

Quite so, and no serious observer could argue with a word of those sentiments. Which brings us to Kevin Davies, the Bolton striker belatedly and curiously enlisted by England, who says: 'With the speed of the game today you are going to be a little bit out in a few tackles.

'I take a lot of hits myself but I don't complain about it. It's a part of the game I enjoy. The physical side is going out of football at the moment.'
Hitting back: Fulham's Danny Murphy (right) says refs must clamp down on rash tackles
It is an interesting contribution from the school of hard knocks. He should try it on Hatem Ben Arfa, of Newcastle, whose season was ended by the grotesquely unpenalised challenge of that nice Nigel de Jong, of Manchester City, last weekend.

Or the uncomplaining Davies might seek the reaction of Wigan's Jordi Gomez, who was flipped like a pancake by a scandalously reckless tackle from Karl Henry, of Wolves.

Actions have consequences; the more violent the action, the more extreme the consequence. The modern game is infinitely faster than the game we watched a generation ago and the players are incomparably stronger.

However, bones are pretty much the same, ligaments have not changed and the impact of thrusting studs upon knees or shins or ankles is as dramatically damaging as it was back in the good old days.

And we have to protect vulnerable players from these cynical and brutal attacks, just as we should have protected artists like Best all those years ago.
Seeing red: Karl Henry of Wolves was sent off for this challenge on Wigan's Jordi Gomez

The people who recognise the direction in which we are heading — people like the Professional Footballers' Association chief executive, Gordon Taylor, with a duty of care to his members — have already warned of the dangers.

Certain managers, most notably Arsene Wenger, of Arsenal, and Roberto Martinez, of Wigan, have risked abuse and derision by registering their objection to the trend.

Others, the usual dim and disreputable suspects, have simply blamed referees for their failure to prevent footballers from behaving like butchers.

We must not overstate our case. We are not contemplating Armageddon, nor even a return to the brutalities of 20, 30, 40 years ago. But we are running the risk of making the game more oafish, more callous and far more hazardous than it needs to be.

It is time that we opted for a more civilised direction. And if that means that the next generation will be denied their diet of rubber-chicken rantings, then so very much the better.

PS....
If justice is done, then England will stage the 2018 World Cup. The bid is excellent and the nation is ready. Yet the courtship must be conducted with care.

Last week, England 2018 published 18 key commitments. They included facilities, stadia, legacy, all that high-minded stuff.

Yet the most important pledge was contained in a single, seductive sentence: 'Journey times for FIFA Executive Committee members will be a maximum of 30 minutes from hotel to stadium on match days in London, and a maximum of 20 minutes outside London.'

So vote for England, chaps. You know it makes sense.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1319164/PATRICK-COLLINS-Football-condoning-thuggery-peril.html#ixzz11yIm4qXq

[White Noise]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_6437099,00.html

Schwarzer might still leave


Aussie keeper may yet secure dream move to Gunners


Last updated: 10th October 2010

   
Mark Schwarzer has refused to rule out the possibility of completing a much-touted switch to Arsenal during the January transfer window.

The Fulham goalkeeper was heavily linked with a move to Emirates Stadium over the summer, having made it clear that he wished to join the Gunners.

In the end a deal failed to materialise, with the Cottagers reluctant to part with their first-choice keeper without first finding a replacement.

Arsenal could return in the winter window, though, as Arsene Wenger is still to address his own issues between the sticks.

Schwarzer admits anything is possible, but has hinted that he would welcome the opportunity to test himself at the highest possible level.

Hectic
"Who knows, we will have to wait and see," he told Sky Sports News when asked if he could still end up at Arsenal.

"I'm very happy at Fulham. The supporters have been unbelievable and I've enjoyed every minute.

"It's been a very hectic two months or so and the fans have been great to me. I am enjoying my football again."

Schwarzer added: "I think when you look at the opportunity that was in front of me, I don't think anyone can begrudge me exploring that opportunity.

"The club actually asked me if I was interested in exploring the opportunity, and I was. I'm not getting any younger, unfortunately, and you always want to better yourself."

[White Noise]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6437154,00.html


Holloway - Murphy must say sorry


Blackpool boss thinks Fulham midfielder is 'a bit out of order'


Last updated: 10th October 2010   

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway believes Danny Murphy should apologise for his criticism of Blackburn, Wolves and Stoke.

The Fulham midfielder recently poured scorn on the trio of clubs for an approach to matches which was perceived to be overly physical and violent.

Murphy described some tackles as 'ridiculous' and 'brainless' and said managers had to take responsibility, but Holloway does not agree.

He said in his column in The Independent: "Danny Murphy owes a few apologies. I was shocked to read his comments about Blackburn, Stoke and Wolves being too physical and playing the game the wrong way.

"He said those teams are over-zealous in their tackling and have a win-at-all-costs attitude which should be looked at.

"Danny, you are totally wrong and a bit out of order. Teams play in different ways, that is football."

Holloway added: "I think you have to be really careful when you are someone like Danny Murphy, who is still playing and who has never been a manager, to talk about what managers do.

"If I was one of the managers he was talking about I wouldn't be very happy."

[White Noise]

http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2010/10/the_serendipity_of_soccer.php

The Serendipity of Soccer

Posted by Phil Mison 2 hours, 22 minutes ago


Recall the clouds of uncertainty that rolled over Craven Cottage last summer when our world class manager announced he was quitting. The fortunes of Fulham and Hodgson's new club have gone in opposite directions since.

Six weeks after that night in Hamburg and with the players 10 days from reporting back for pre-season our talismanic manager jumped ship. Nobody could really blame Roy for accepting the Liverpool ticket. Motivated people need challenges, it's not all about money. What an opportunity to put your stamp on one of England's most famous clubs and work with the likes of Gerrard and Torres. A club where you are wrapped in the aura of Anfield...the Kop, 18 league titles and five European Cups.

A club owned by two clueless Yanks, at war with each other, and the rest of the boardroom, A club carrying a debt approaching £300 million, with the clock at the bank ticking ever louder. Plans for a new stadium have been shelved, fans are seething and marching in the streets. A poor record of transfers from the outgoing manager has undermined the team, big spending on new talent proscribed by financial considerations. Only Martin Samuel of the Mail at the time expressed the down side, the rest of the media worked themselves into a lather over Roy's move north.

Fulham's fate was peripheral to the story. The club got on with their pre-season tour of Sweden managerless, before Martin Jol emerged as the preferred successor. Ajax were not amused, nor Fulham after Jol had a change of heart. Barely two weeks before our first game Mark Hughes took up the reins and set about getting to know the players, while frantically scrambling to add some new blood at the tail end of the transfer window.

And now we move into autumn. Fulham remain unbeaten in the league, the addition of Dembele and Salcido appear to date to be rock solid pieces of business, Mark this weekend gives a long interview in Saturday's Mail which will cheer the heart of every Whites fan, while Liverpool...

As events over Liverpool's fate have unfolded this week I resisted the temptation to blog on the subject. I have been too long in this game to gloat at another side's misfortune. Wither Fulham some years down the line should al-Fayed's surviving family decide they want their money back? I am not going to share in the general schadenfreude at Liverpool's predicament or wish ill of Roy. In fact, I'm cheered to see he has a £3 million pound pay-off clause built into his contract should any new owners seeks to dismiss him. Shrewdly done!

The villians in all this are of course Hicks and Gillett. Why Liverpool fans think things will be any better under Red Sox ownership is to my mind misguided. Ownership of a big name club should be seen as a vanity project, not a 'commercial opportunity,' - a bit like Qatar pouring millions into a bid for the 2022 World Cup. Of course, the Premier League must also take its share of the blame, having with great alacrity already decreed NESV to be ' fit and competent' individuals to take ownership of such an iconic club. How the hell do they know? I'd like to see that research document.

Regular readers will know I have previously blogged on the sick child that is football's broken business model. UEFA recognise the very dangerous precedents being set by billionaire distortions of core values in football. The German Bundesliga hosted a conference in 2009 to outline their own fears, and present the German model for efficient, solvent and well run football clubs. Not surpisingly, fat cats from the EPL told them they were wrong!

There is the very real possibility of Liverpool going into administration this coming Friday and being docked 9 points. The battle rages all next week in the courts, but without a resolution come the 15th the loans will be called in.

Will the Glazer family be the next to see their house of cards crushed by the debt mountain?