Thursday Fulham Stuff (28/10/10)

[WhiteJC]

http://www.cardiff.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=218741

Bothroyd Linked To Fulham & Liverpool
Cardiff City's free scoring striker Jay Bothroyd will inevitably be linked with all manner of clubs given his superlative start to the season in which he has combined his all-round creative and classy play of last season, with a ruthless goalscoring edge and determination to track back.

Bothoryd contributes all over the pitch, and has rightly won plaudits from all corners given his calibre and brilliant form. Manager Dave Jones even suggested that Fabio Capello ought to be considering him for England.

Transfer rumours are now beginning to serface regarding a move away for the striekr, who cost a paltry £300k from Wolves. The clubs being linked presently are Premiership duo Liverpool and Fulham - according to metro.co.uk.

I can certainly see Bothroyd as a success in the Premiership, if he finds a manager who can emulate Dave Jones and consistently get the best out of a talented, yet laid-back individual. As a partner for Fernando Torres, he would be a good foil and the pace, touch and ability between them would br frightening. I honestly believe he has far more to his game than the likes of Heskey, Crouch, Pavlyuchenko etc.

Hopefully, Bothroyd will get his chance in the Premiership next season - with the Bluebirds.


Read more: http://www.cardiff.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=218741#ixzz13dKOJvIM

[WhiteJC]

http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2010/10/27/1777369/cottagers-daily-rumor-mill-could-fulham-and-liverpool-both-be?

Cottagers Daily Rumor Mill: Could Fulham And Liverpool Both Be Monitoring Jay Bothroyd?

Here is the latest transfer speculation involving Fulham. According to Metro.co.uk, Fulham and Liverpool could be keeping close tabs on Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd.

Bothroyd is a 28 years old and is 6ft. 3 inches tall. In 11 games so far for Cardiff City he has scored 9 goals. In fact he started the season scoring 6 goals in 6 games in all competitions. I don't think anyone should be surprised that Fulham and Liverpool could have interest in this player. I will be following this speculation, and will have updates when more information is available. 

[WhiteJC]

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/football/8478723.Fulham_stars_help_out_local_kids/?

Fulham stars help out local kids

Fulham Football Club players Jonathan Greening and Zoltan Gera made a surprise visit to young people from Hammersmith and Fulham after training on Monday. The 40 young students were taking part in the Positive Attitude for Young People (PAYP) scheme at the Henry Compton School in Fulham during the half-term week.

PAYP is a Hammersmith & Fulham borough project which provides young people with positive activities during school holidays. These young people have been recommended by their school to try to assist pupils in reaching a satisfactory level with their tuition.

Funded by the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Youth Commissioning Department and delivered by the FFC Foundation, this innovative scheme has added value to the Foundation's existing education programmes which includes the highly successful Enterprise project, launched last year.

During the Monday session and throughout the week long scheme, pupils will work on a variety of exercises taken from Enterprise modules helping to improve their business, literacy and numeracy skills using football as a medium to learn. Sessions will focus on what is a business, objectives and roles, customers, products and services, advertising, customer service and complaints.

Zoltan and Jonathan were happy to lend their support during the afternoon as part of the Fulham Football Club Foundation's commitment in helping to build better lives through sport by offering opportunities for life-long learning through innovative pathways which is precisely what PAYP aims to do.

Fulham FC's Ambassador for Education, Jonathan Greening, said: "It's fantastic to see the Club, through its Fulham FC Foundation, offering opportunities like PAYP during the school holidays. The groundwork for providing a learning environment is readily available and I have been encouraged to see that many of the local young people have been using their time here wisely, have taken ownership and become more responsible for their education which will certainly be beneficial to them when they return to school."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=218751

Fulham - Barnes Coming Good!
I`ve always been noted for not having a good memory when it comes to placing things on a time line.

But I can clearly remember a time when we had a certain Giles Barnes on loan from Derby County.

Barnes had been a promising teenager, a teenager tipped to make a big impression in the game, sadly, his developing years were beset by injuries and whilst on loan at Fulham, despite his perseverance, a contract was not forthcoming.

Therefore, it is very pleasing to see Giles making an impact in the Carling Cup last night. Currently starring for West Bromwich Albion, Barnes influence was such that he was, by one leading tabloid, voted the man-of-the-match.

Not a strictly Fulham related item but one that might be of interest to you anyway!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=218751#ixzz13dLI0ORC

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=218750

Fulham - A Third Time Signing!
The news that Roque Santa Cruz has expressed his dissatisfaction at being only a bit part player, at Manchester City, could have repercussions for Fulham supporters.

After Mark Hughes was appointed the manager of Fulham Football Club, back in the summer, it was widely rumoured that he`d be looking towards the north-west, and a former club of his, to bolster our front line by bringing the Paraguayan to Craven Cottage.

A move never materialised back then but following the announcement by Roque, the rumour-mill is, once again, alive with the suggestion that Hughes will be re-united with the player he first brought to this country, from Bayern Munich, when he was the manager of Blackburn.

Probably even more so with Bobby Zamora currently side-lined until February at the earliest!

Keep an eye on this one, it could have legs!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=218750#ixzz13dLaaO3Q

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=218776

Fulham - So Far So Okay
Given the last two years or so, we, as Fulham fans, have a right to feel slightly aggrieved at where we stand in the Premier League table at the moment.

While we're far from relegation fodder, 16th place is not what I would call 'sitting pretty', especially when you take into account that our goal difference is all that saves us from entering the dreaded bottom three.

It's too early to moan, you may say, and frankly, you're probably spot on. However, a good start is imperative to a good season, and a good start is something we haven't had the pleasure of viewing at Fulham in 2010.

I'm not just talking results though. In fact, nine points is a decent return from nine games which have included Champions League Tottenham and Manchester United.

I am in fact talking more about luck. That mythical and frustrating, yet often praised superstition that seemingly favours everybody at some point. Everybody but us.

Al Fayed clearly didn't invest too wisely in luck during the Summer break, and should have perhaps cashed in on the likes of David Elm and Fredrik Stoor in order to fund some good fortune for the Cottagers.

Instead we're likely to exit October at the wrong end of the table, without a capable striker and with a defence that never looked quite-so-weary under the now forgotten Roy Hodgson.

Nevertheless, is it all doom and gloom?

Well, I'd like to think not, but, one thing is for certain; it's not Mark Hughes' fault.

The season started brightly enough and we were one of only two unbeaten sides in the Premier League as we entered our 8th game of the campaign. I for one was happy to brag about that fact.

However, two defeats later and suddenly every other Fulham fan I meet is hitting the panic button.

Yes, we haven't had the perfect start, but it's outright stupid to call for the head of Mark Hughes when in reality, a large part of our misfortune is out of his control.

Bobby Zamora's injury, for example, was a shock to all of us. He's a great player and I don't think it's a particularly big weakness to say we do rely on him, as when push comes to shove, he can win us games and there's no-one else around like him.

Then you mix in some outrageous refereeing decisions along with some more injuries to boot, and you have yourself a deeply difficult situation to oversee; even for the coolest and most experienced head.

With that in mind, rather than being my normal, pessimistic self, I shall look forward with confidence, almost arrogance, as we head into a weekend of high importance with Wigan at home.

In recent seasons, we haven't looked nearly-as-threatening as we do now, disregarding our lack of potency in front of goal.

Our away support is, without a doubt, bulking up and it's become more of an expectancy than a shock that we outsing the home gathering on occasion.

The Fulham back-line may look less stable than it did under 'Mr Defence' Roy Hodgson, but, it's made up of similar components and will be back on task before we know it.

As for results? They will see to themselves.

Fortune is said to favour the brave, and regardless of manager, we are a brave football team.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=218776#ixzz13dLqhBtK

[WhiteJC]

http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/the-bench/?

The bench
Filed under: General — rich
How good is good enough?

We keep reading how Jonathan Greening, Eddie Johnson and Stephen Kelly are 'not good enough'.   (At various times almost everyone in the squad has not been good enough, so there's no need for these players to take it personally).

What is expected of them, though?    By means of comparison, here are the substitutes benches of some of our rivals this weekend:

Fulham Substitutes
No.     NAME         POS
8    Andrew Johnson    (SUB)
12    David Stockdale    (SUB)
4    John Pantsil    (SUB)
21    Eddie Johnson    (SUB)
26    Kagisho Dikgacoi(SUB)
32    Rafik Halliche    (SUB)
17    Bjorn Riise    (SUB)

Blackburn Rovers Substitutes
No.     NAME         POS
13    Mark Bunn    (SUB)
21    Benjani Mwaruwar(SUB)
39    Pascal Chimbonda(SUB)
11    Vince Grella    (SUB)
23    David Hoilett    (SUB)
41    Mame Biram Diouf(SUB)
33    Josh Morris    (SUB)

Birmingham Substitutes
No.     NAME         POS
4    Lee Bowyer    (SUB)
9    Kevin Phillips    (SUB)
1    Maik Taylor    (SUB)
14    Matt Derbyshire    (SUB)
28    Martin Jiránek    (SUB)
17    Michel        (SUB)
3    David Murphy    (SUB)

Sunderland Substitutes
No.     NAME         POS
7    Boudewijn Zenden(SUB)
1    Craig Gordon    (SUB)
29    Anton Ferdinand    (SUB)
33    Asamoah Gyan    (SUB)
16    Cristian Riveros(SUB)
12    John Mensah    (SUB)
14    Paulo Da Silva    (SUB)

West Ham United Substitutes
No.     NAME         POS
13    Luis Boa Morte    (SUB)
17    Benedict McCarth(SUB)
3    Tal Ben-Haim    (SUB)
23    Herita Ilunga    (SUB)
20    Julien Faubert    (SUB)
12    Pablo Barrera    (SUB)
29    Marek Stech    (SUB)

Sunderland are a bit stronger than the rest, but really, is our bench any worse than the rest? (we might consider that this is our bench when half the team is injured, too)  If not, have we any grounds for complaining when players who would ordinarily be subs are pressed into full-time action?    We could have a bench of Stockdale, Baird, Dikgacoi, Greening, Gera, Dempsey, A Johnson if everyone was fit.   Would that be good enough as a subs' bench?   If some of those players are promoted owing to injuries to the first team, and lesser players take their place, is that not acceptable?     How good a team can we expect to put out with so many injuries?

"a man like you has to provide himself his own misery"
- randy academic David Kepesh, in Philip Roth's "The Dying Animal"

[WhiteJC]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-News-Fulham-manager-Mark-Hughes-wants-to-be-reunited-with-Manchester-City-s-Roque-Santa-Cruz-article614617.html

Sparky wants third reunion with Santa Cruz

Roque Santa Cruz is wanted by Fulham after admitting he wants to quit Manchester City.

Fed-up Santa Cruz, 29, is determined to leave in January after becoming frustrated at a lack of first team opportunities at Eastlands.

That has led to an enquiry from Fulham boss Mark Hughes who managed him at Blackburn and also signed him for City in a £17.5m deal in June 2009.

Hughes rates Santa Cruz highly but may have a job in persuading City to allow him to join another Premier League club either on loan or in a cut price move.

Santa Cruz, who this week claimed he is not being given a chance by Roberto Mancini no matter what he does in training, has also set his heart on a move to Spain.

The Paraguayan World Cup star is a target for Espanyol after the Spanish club tried to sign him last summer.

Real Mallorca and Getafe are also likely to be interested and City may now offload as they struggle to keep all of their big names and huge signings happy.

They are overloaded with strikers with Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jo all on big money.

City want to cut their losses and Santa Cruz's outburst that Tevez is also homesick is unlikely to have done him any favours with the club's management.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-News-Fulham-manager-Mark-Hughes-wants-to-be-reunited-with-Manchester-City-s-Roque-Santa-Cruz-article614617.html#ixzz13dMqdlwQ
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[WhiteJC]

http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/copying-barcelona/?

Copying Barcelona
Filed under: Analysis — rich
Jonathan Wilson hits the nail on the head.

This is the missing link in our play.  We have Salcido, a lovely attacking full-back.  Kelly is being deployed as an attacking full-back (check out his latest chalkboard for evidence – would Stoor be a better fit in this case?).   We have two 'stay at home' centre-backs.    We use inverted wingers.  We are getting caught out with no cover in the no-man's land between defence and midfield.

As I suggested the other day, we need someone to play the Sergio Busquets role Wilson describes (you must read the article).

Question:  isn't this absolutely ideal for Chris Baird?   Can play CB, CM, good header, knows his limitations, plays unselfishly, can pass.    I am going to harp on about this until it happens.

[White Noise]

First Defence

Brede Hangeland speaks to Premier League World about life at Fulham and his hopes for the 2010/11 Barclays Premier League campaign.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/October/BredeVideoFeature.aspx

[White Noise]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/mick-conroy-proud-be-beginning-fulham-revolution-1210361

Mick Conroy proud to be at beginning of Fulham revolution

28.10.10 | tribalfootball.com


Mick Conroy says Fulham will always be special to him.

The former Cottagers striker was in on the ground floor of Mohamed Al Fayed's revolution.

Conroy, now living in Melbourne, Australia, told tribalfootball.com: "Fulham was a great place to be when I was there.

"Being the first Fulham player in 20 years to score over 20 league goals was very satisfying from a personal point of view but at the end of the day it's a team effort and without the effort of everyone I would not have been able to do that.

"Unfortunately we lost the championship on goal difference although we had a better goal aggregate overall we didn't score as many as the champions Wigan.

"However it was great to be part of a promotion winning team and I think we can all take great satisfaction that our team started the ball rolling for Fulham before Al Fayed came in with his millions.

"We had good solid pros led brilliantly by the captain and Fulham legend Simon 'Morgs' Morgan. It was a team that played together and at the right times socialised together.

"I often feel I left just a bit hastily but at the time you think you are doing the right thing, however I have no regrets.

"To be part of Fulham's history is a great privilege to me and i am sure the rest of that squad. I really enjoyed my time there."

[White Noise]

Welcome FFC Australasian Whites


Thursday 28th October 2010

We are pleased to announce a new addition to the Official International Fulham Members' Clubs and welcome FFC Australasian Whites run by John Gillies, after just ten members met the Club's official entry level status and received the first level of Fulham FC benefits.

In addition to each member receiving the great benefits such as ticketing priority, ticket discounts and an exclusive members' pack, all members in FFC Sweden|, FFC Norway|, FulhamUSA|, Fulham Exiles|, FFC Dutch Members' Club|, FFC Tampere Finland| and FFC Australasian Whites| share the following rewards for becoming official:

• Official status awarded

• Certification of Affiliation

• Details on official club website 

• Signed Kit   

• Monthly Prize Draw 

Start your own Official International Fulham Members' Club

Fans from across the globe can now get closer to the Club they love by setting up their very own Official International Members' Club.| There are some fantastic benefits on offer once all paid members have signed up with the Club through the official registration channel.

There are four levels of International group membership and just 10 paid Fulham Members are required to meet the Club's official entry level status and receive the first level of Fulham FC benefits.

Every International Members' Club will receive benefits whilst every individual paid member will receive exclusive ticketing access, ticketing discounts, a members' pack and more.

Find out more about the Official International Fulham Members' Club| scheme and buy your membership today!
.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/October/WelcomeFFCAustralasianWhites.aspx#ixzz13ej0HVy7

[White Noise]

http://www.football.co.uk/fulham/win_tickets_to_fulham_v_aston_villa_rss1494495.shtml


Win tickets to Fulham v Aston Villa


28 Oct 2010 - 13:21:09

Air Malta, Official European Airline Partner of Fulham FC, is offering two lucky readers the chance to win a pair of home tickets to the Fulham v Aston Villa match on Saturday 6th November 2010, kicking off at 3pm at Craven Cottage.

For those who'd rather swap the cold terraces for some winter sunshine, Malta is the perfect destination for a short break or longer with its year-round sunshine, great value restaurants, vibrant nightlife and 7000 years of history and culture - all this just a short three hour flight away from the UK.

Flights from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester cater for passengers from all over the UK and with hot meal, 20kg baggage allowance and in-flight entertainment all included, it's a great way to start your trip in style.


Air Malta (www.airmalta.com) is currently offering return flights from just £99 return including taxes and charges!

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: Approximately how long is the flight time from the UK to Malta?

A: One hour
B: Three hours
C: Ten hours

To enter, e-mail your answer, name, address and telephone number to [email protected].

[WhiteJC]

http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2010/10/28/1779410/fulhams-future-still-very-bright-this-season?

Fulham's Future Still Very Bright This Season

I think it is easy to get too high or low about the club you follow. After a win it is easy to feel that your team can go far this season. After a few losses I can see feeling that your club is going to be in a relegation battle. I try to not ride that wave of emotions after a game. It is very hard, but I am looking at the bigger picture, and I think it is still very bright for Fulham this season.

I saw this interesting article in Fanhouse UK by Ben Hunt. I would highly recommend it. His story seems to be of the opinion that Fulham might be counting a great deal on the return from Andy Johnson to be very productive. His commentary seems to center around that Fulham need Johnson to score goals especially while Bobby Zamora is out. He is sending the message through his article that if Johnson does not produce Fulham could be in trouble.



Now, I respect Mr. Hunt's opinions on Fulham. I actually commented at the bottom of his story. However, I disagree with some of his comments regarding the team. He is painting a picture that Fulham could really be dependent on Johnson being a major contributor this season for Fulham. I don't see Fulham this way, and I will be happy to explain why I see Fulham's future is still very bright.

First, the Fulham I have watched are a true team. I have not seen Fulham dependent on one player to make or break their season. Last season I saw Fulham go through large spells of injuries. They overcame those obstacles and actually thrived.  The versatility of many of the players to play different positions helps the process of overcoming injuries. Chris Baird is the ultimate example of how he can play on defense and in midfield. Clint Dempsey has played up front in the striker position as well as in midfield.

Second, right now with Johnson, I don't think he is looked upon as a saviour. Johnson could be an excellent compliment up front with Moussa Dembele. I do think that Dembele is the man to play the Zamora role while he is gone. When Zamora comes back, I think him and Dembele will make an incredible pairing up front. In the meantime, I feel that anything that Johnson can bring to Fulham would be a great bonus.   

Third, what is hurting Fulham right now is that a number of injuries in the midfield, at the same time have caught up with them. You currently have four starters in midfield out. Danny Murphy in my opinion is the one that hurts the most. He is really the engine in the middle of Fulham who feeds the players up front. Murphy is still a wonderful passer who really sets up the offense for the Cottagers. Chris Baird is doing a nice job filling in, but he is not the passer of Murphy.

These injuries reportedly in the midfield are supposedly not long term. This is a major reason why I see the losses lately for the Cottagers as temporary. They might be 16th right now, but I don't see that position lasting long.

The main reason why I see the future so bright is I can see the change of style being a huge benefit for this club under Hughes. It is just a matter of time before we start seeing more goals and wins. As the teams gets more experience in this system, I feel the results are going to come.

By the time Zamora returns, Fulham could be ready to take it to the next level, and he could be the piece to take them over the top. So I will stick by my prediction from the beginning of the season. I still see Fulham finishing seventh in the league, and hopefully getting back to Europe. Why would you doubt this team now after watching the last two seasons?   

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/10/28/fulham-boss-mark-hughes-plans-january-shopping-spree-82029-27560366/?

Fulham boss Mark Hughes plans January shopping spree

FULHAM boss Mark Hughes has revealed he intends to go on a shopping spree in the January transfer window and add to his squad.

The coach admits he hit the ground running when he joined the Whites at the end of July and was instantly confronted with staving off clubs trying to poach his players while doing last-minute deals for others.

But Hughes reckons he's ahead of the game for the next round of deals – and has already earmarked those he wants for the second-half of the season, with Manchester City duo Shay Given and Roque Santa Cruz top of his wish list.

He said: "Things are being put into place so we can be proactive rather than reactive as we were last time.

"We spent time trying to hang on to Paul Konchesky. But when that didn't happen it was fortunate we had a viable option in Carlos Salcido straight away.

"Mousa Dembele was someone I had admired for a number of seasons – so when it was flagged up he might be available we moved very quickly. Sometimes negotiations can drag on for weeks – and sometimes they take 24 hours."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/10/28/fulham-boss-mark-hughes-plans-january-shopping-spree-82029-27560366/?#ixzz13fVMU1O0

[WhiteJC]

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/45975/Quarterly_Report_Cottagers_drawing_a_blank.aspx?

Quarterly Report: Cottagers drawing a blank

We're a quarter of the way through the Premier League season already, and although the table looks closer than it ever has at this stage (remarkably, Chelsea are the only team not level on points with another team), one can already detect some surprising strengths and some previously unnoticed weaknesses amongst this year's contenders.

Sport.co.uk runs the rule over the 20 teams scrapping for position in the self-styled "greatest league in the world"...
16th place, 9 points. 3.5 / 10

This may seem a harsh assessment of a team who until a fortnight ago were unbeaten in the Premiership, but Mark Hughes' side have consistently underwhelmed this season. Perceived wisdom says that Hughes was unlucky to be sacked as Manchester City manager, but he had drawn eight of the club's previous 11 fixtures when the axe fell on his head.

Given the six draws Fulham have already accumulated this season, it is worth considering that Hughes is still stuck in the ways he picked up while working with more limited players at Blackburn, and is thus too conservative when the match calls for daring and bravery.

Only two of the nine sides Fulham have faced finished last season in the top seven, which suggests that the Cottagers should have picked up more than the one victory they managed at home to Wolves. They face the other five before Christmas, and unless Fulham improve both in attack and defence, they could enter the New Year in low spirits. Star striker Bobby Zamora's injury was most unfortunate, given that no player has scored more than two league goals this term, and with their star striker not scheduled to return to first team action until February at the earliest, Fulham fans will be desperate for Andrew Johnson to return firing on all cylinders.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/October/FansForum.aspx?

Fans Forum

Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce that it will be hosting a Fans Forum at Craven Cottage on Thursday 4th November from 7:00 – 8:30pm.

The main topic of the Forum will be the Craven Cottage matchday experience for families and junior fans. Up for discussion will be a whole range of topics related to the supporter experience, including The Family Area of the Johnny Haynes Stand, ticketing, publications, merchandise, facilities and our matchday entertainment.

The Forum is open to all, but we would be particularly interested to meet with fans who regularly attend matches as part of a family group, or with Junior Whites in their party. Young fans are also welcome to attend the Forum if they wish to take part in the debate!

Please note that due to limited capacity, attendance at this event is by invitation only. If you are interested in getting involved, then please contact the Club via email: [email protected] by 3pm on Monday 1st November.

Please provide both your name and Season Ticket or Club Membership number. We will try to accommodate as many supporters as we can and in the event that places are oversubscribed, invites will be sent out at random to some of the fans who contact us in advance.

We would also invite you to submit any questions or suggestions that you wish to put to the panel in advance. A representative sample of these will then be selected to form the basis of the Forum agenda.

Supporters who are unable to attend can still take part by submitting questions for the panel to [email protected] Please state your name, where you are from, and any question or comment that you wish to be considered.

We look forward to seeing you at what promises to be an enjoyable evening of family fun and debate!

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/October/FansForum.aspx?#ixzz13fYsoz8q

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamweb.co.uk/news/Boa-Morte-jeered-at-West-Ham.aspx

BOA MORTE JEERED AT WEST HAM

West ham manager Avram Grant last night called for West Ham fans to get off former Fulham star Luis Boa Morte's back.

The Portuguese star was jeered then ironically cheered when he was subbed with Hammers 1-0 down in the second half.

Boss Grant said: "Boa worked very hard, he was one of the players who tried to play. But any player can have an off-day and fans have to be patient.

"We have showed this season we are better when the fans get behind the team. I would ask them to get behind Boa.