Thursday Fulham Stuff (21/10/10)

[WhiteJC]

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/45579/Hangeland_explains_away_improvement.aspx

Hangeland explains away improvement

Defender Brede Hangeland believes Fulham's away form has improved due to the more adventurous tactics manager Mark Hughes has brought to the club.

The Cottagers flourished under former manager Roy Hodgson and reached the Europa League Final last season.

However, their Premier League away form was a constant source of bemusement among supporters who witnessed their side win just one of 19 games on the road last term.

Under Hughes they have drawn all four of their league games away from Craven Cottage this season and Hangeland believes he knows the reason why.

He told the club's official website: "We're playing slightly different this year. We're not conceding ground like we did last year and we're trying to press a bit higher up the pitch and get in the opponent's face a little bit more.

"It's given us some good performances away from home and some decent results.

"Now we're hoping for that first away win of the season and it would be nice to get it this weekend."

Speaking about Saturday's trip to an in-form West Bromwich Albion, he added: "They've had some very strong results and like any game in the Premier League these days it's going to be tough for us.

"I'm sure it's going to be a tough game but we'll be up for it."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6458267,00.html?

Brede eyes away success
Cottagers defender hoping for first away victory

Brede Hangeland hopes Fulham can secure their first Premier League success away from home at West Brom.

The Cottagers are not the best travellers, having gone 22 away matches without a three-point haul.

Fulham's last league victory away from home was a 1-0 success at Portsmouth on the opening day of last season.

Hangeland knows West Brom will not be an easy nut to crack having secured impressive results against Arsenal, Manchester Unitedand Tottenham recently.

Tough

"They've had some very strong results and like any game in the Premier League these days it's going to be tough for us," he told the club's official website. "I'm sure it's going to be a tough game but we'll be up for it.

"We're playing slightly different this year, we're not conceding ground like we did last year and we're trying to press a bit higher up the pitch and get in the opponent's face a little bit more.

"It's given us some good performances away from home and some decent results, now we're hoping for that first away win of the season and it would be nice to get it this weekend."

Despite having experienced a frustrating loss to Tottenham last weekend, Hangeland believes that Mark Hughes' side will soon start secure the victories their performances deserve.

Frustrating
"It's always hard to take defeat especially when we felt that we played quite well," he continued. "There was a little bit of discussion regarding Tottenham's second goal and whether it should have been allowed or not.

"We've taken one point from the last two games and we should have had more. I'm not worried as long as we keep putting in good performances.

"Even with quite a few injuries we still matched a really good Tottenham team, so we need to keep doing that and I'm sure the good results will come.

"It just continues to prove what we showed last year, that the squad is strong and people are able to come in and do a job."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/10/21/jonathan-greening-fears-baggies-backlash-82029-27520266/?

Jonathan Greening fears Baggies backlash

JONATHAN Greening admits he could be in for a hostile reception when he returns to former club West Brom on Saturday.

The Fulham midfielder made more than 200 appearances during a five-and-a-half-year spell at the Hawthorns before his switch to SW6 last year.

But he jumped ship following their relegation in 2009, and admitted he could get a hot reception from Baggies fans.

He said: "Some fans will be appreciative of what I did there but maybe some will boo me for leaving when they got relegated.

"There were a few factors why I left: a big club like Fulham wanting me and the chance to work with a coach like Roy Hodgson and play in the Europa League.

"It worked out well because we got to the final, and you can't ask for more than that."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/10/21/jonathan-greening-fears-baggies-backlash-82029-27520266/?#ixzz130O850rm

[WhiteJC]

http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/football-ealing/fulham-fc-ealing/2010/10/21/mark-hughes-offers-john-pantsil-fulham-lifeline-82029-27520602/?

Mark Hughes offers John Pantsil Fulham lifeline

JOHN Pantsil will get a second chance to impress his new boss after the defender's demotion to the bench.

The man who graced Ghana in the World Cup just four months ago finds himself in the cold at Craven Cottage after a string of average performances that started with a horrendous own goal and poor positioning for a second Blackpool strike that saw them steal a point back in August.

A week later he was booked against Wolves – and hauled off at half-time before the Whites went on to win 2-1.

In an emotional outburst, Pantsil waved Fulham fans farewell courtesy of a Facebook message when he was dropped – but Mark Hughes reckons the right-back's time will come again.

The manager said: "There's been a couple of games where John didn't hit the level I know he can – consequently he lost his place.

"He knows there's competition for places, and I won't let standards drop.

"But he's taken it in a good way and working hard – and I'm sure his chance will come again."

[WhiteJC]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/football_focus/9111907.stm



West Brom v Fulham

West Brom are not far from Blackpool in terms of being the side who have surprised the most people since winning promotion. They have been up and down from the Premier League a few times in the last few years but this is the best side they have had in the top flight for a long time.

The Baggies will be full of confidence after their draw at Old Trafford last weekend, even if that was quite fortuitous because of Edwin van der Sar's howler.

Fulham's defeat by Spurs was their first of the season but, with their injuries, you can understand why they are so short of goals. I cannot see them getting anything at The Hawthorns.

Prediction: 2-0