Saturday Fulham Stuff (30.10.10)

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/9141123.stm


Roque Santa Cruz set to leave Man City in January   


Santa Cruz has scored only four goals for City in 23 matches


Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says Roque Santa Cruz is free to leave the club in January, while Fulham have already expressed an interest.

The 29-year-old Paraguayan striker, who arrived from Blackburn in 2009, has played only once this season.

"I hope for him that he can go to play for another team, because he deserves this," said Mancini.

Meanwhile, Fulham boss Mark Hughes said: "I'm interested in players of the quality of Roque."

Hughes, who worked with Santa Cruz both at City and Blackburn, failed in an attempt to sign him on loan during the summer.

"My interest in him before was there for everybody to see," said Hughes, who was replaced by Mancini at Eastlands last December.

"Whether we pursue that in January is open to debate. I'm not aware that he's available. That might change.

"This time in the transfer window we want to target players quite early so that we are ready to flick the switch when the window opens."

Santa Cruz scored 23 goals in 57 matches for Blackburn before joining City last summer.

However, injuries and stiff competition for places have hampered his progress and he has scored only four goals in 23 appearances for the club.

Mancini added: "Roque is a fantastic man and a good player, but he knows the situation here.

"I am very sorry for him because he deserves to play every game, because he works very well. But it is difficult at the moment."

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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6475215,00.html


Hughes admires Roque quality

Boss would be interested in signing quality player in January


Last updated: 29th October 2010 
 

Fulham boss Mark Hughes admits he would be interested in landing a player of Roque Santa Cruz's quality in the January transfer window.

Hughes has signed the Paraguay international twice before, bringing him to Ewood Park while Blackburn manager and then securing his services for Manchester City.

But Santa Cruz has been told by new City boss Roberto Mancini he can leave Eastlands in January after making just one appearance this term and Hughes, who failed in an attempt to sign the Paraguayan on loan during the summer, admits he would again be interested.

He said: "I'm interested in players of the quality of Roque. My interest in him before was there for everybody to see.

"Whether we pursue that in January is open to debate. I'm not aware that he's available. That might change. But I don't like discussing players by name before we've actually signed him.

"This time in the transfer window we want to target players quite early so that we are ready to flick the switch when the window opens."

Playing well
Fulham currently sit in 16th place in the top flight but Hughes believes his side, who face Wigan on Saturday, have been playing well this term, apart from the 2-1 defeat at West Brom last time.

"We struggled against West Brom last weekend because of the injuries but prior to that we were unbeaten until two games ago," Hughes said.

"We acquitted ourselves very well in the Tottenham game (a 2-1 loss). I was unhappy with a couple of decisions that went against us.

"Overall, I've been delighted with our performances, if you take the West Brom game out of it. We need to pick up three points tomorrow and our home form is good, so the expectation is we have a good chance.

"Four out of our next six games are at home and we anticipate we'll pick up points in those games. Irrespective of who the opposition is, we'll give them a good game at home.

"Away from home our form isn't great and we're trying to change that. What kind of season we have will depend on our form on the road."


Johnson available
Andy Johnson will continue his comeback from a combination of shoulder, knee and hip injuries against the Latics, although he is unlikely to start.

"Andy's available for selection. He did very well against West Brom but we don't want to rush him," Hughes added.

"It's important for Andy to know in his own mind that he's fit and well, but he's done everything we've asked of him.

"He played another game behind closed doors on Tuesday but he's probably not ready for 90 minutes. We must filter him back into the group as carefully as we can."

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http://www.sportingpreview.com/matches/10110732.php


FULHAM v WIGAN

EARLY TEAM NEWS


SportingPreview.com: 29 October 2010

Fulham boss Mark Hughes is hoping that midfielders Danny Murphy and Simon Davies will both return make returns for the match against Wigan.

Murphy and Davies both missed last weekend's 2-1 defeat at West Brom with an abductor strain and ankle unjury respectively.

Dickson Etuhu and Damien Duff remain sidelined, but could return within the next fortnight.

Wigan could have defender Steve Gohouri available to play in Saturday's match.

Gohouri has missed three games with a calf problem but may be fit to return to action at Craven Cottage.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez will assess Gary Caldwell after the captain played 90 minutes against Swansea in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, his first Wigan appearance since undergoing double hip surgery over the summer.

Tom Cleverley comes back into the squad having been ineligible for that game, while Emmerson Boyce and James McCarthy remain sidelined.

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

Wigan Squad: Kirkland, Al Habsi, G Caldwell, Gohouri, Stam, Figueroa, Alcaraz, N'Zogbia, Watson, Diame, Moses, Cleverley, Rodallega, Di Santo, Boselli, Gomez, S Caldwell, Golobart, McArthur, Thomas.

[White Noise]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/oct/29/squad-sheets-fulham-wigan-athletic


Squad sheets: Fulham v Wigan Athletic

guardian.co.uk, Friday 29 October 2010 19.00 BST Article history


Tube station closures mean fans will be heading to Craven Cottage via distant Hammersmith, and it's likely that no one will have a spring in their step – the last 10 meetings between these sides have produced 14 goals. Fulham have won once in the league all season, while Wigan's current form can be spun either way – four games without defeat (their best since February 2009) or, for those with glasses half empty, one win in six. "It's that point of the season when the performances are more important than results," said Roberto Martínez. Still, a victory would no doubt be welcome. John Ashdown

Venue Craven Cottage, Saturday 3pm

Tickets Sold out

Last season Fulham 2 Wigan 1

Referee M Atkinson

This season's matches 7 Y23, R3, 3.71 cards per game

Odds Fulham 10-11 Wigan 7-2 Draw 5-2



Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic Fulham
Subs from Stockdale, Pantsil, Gera, Kamara, Riise, E Johnson, Dikgacoi, Greening, Elm, Halliche, Dalla Valle

Doubtful Davies (ankle), Kelly (calf), Murphy (groin)

Injured Stoor (groin, 6 Nov), Duff (calf, 13 Nov), Etuhu (ankle, 13 Nov), Senderos (calf, Jan), Zamora (broken leg, Feb)

Suspended None

Form guide LLDDDW

Disciplinary record Y13 R0

Leading scorers Dembélé, Dempsey 2

Wigan
Subs from Kirkland, Moses, Cleverley, G Caldwell, Boselli, Gohouri, McArthur, Watson, Golobart, McManaman, Mustoe

Doubtful G Caldwell (hip), Gohouri (calf)

Injured Boyce (hamstring, 6 Nov), Pollitt (elbow, Dec), McCarthy (ankle, Jan)

Suspended None

Form guide DDWDLD

Disciplinary record Y14 R0

Leading scorer Rodallega 3

Match pointers

• Fulham are unbeaten in their last seven top-flight meetings with Wigan, although five of these have been drawn


• Wigan have made 130 touches in the opposition penalty box this season, the lowest amount in the division


• Fulham have won three of their last 20 league games (against West Ham, Wigan and Wolves)


• Hugo Rodallega has had more shots on target (25) than any other player


• Fulham's four home games have produced 52 corners at an average of 13 per match

[White Noise]

http://www.sportingpreview.com/matches/10110744.php


FULHAM v WIGAN

BIG MATCH STATS AND FACTS


SportingPreview.com: 29 October 2010


There has only been a total of 14 goals in 10 Premier League meetings between Fulham and Wigan.

• Fulham are unbeaten in their last seven league games against Wigan, though five of the games have been draws.

• The Whites have kept only two clean sheets in their last 13 Premier League games.

• Fulham are unbeaten in their last seven league games against Wigan, although five of the games have been draws.

• Wigan have not won in their last three Premier League visits to Fulham, losing the last two.

• Fulham's last three goals have come in the first 33 minutes of games.

• Fulham's four home games this season have seen a total of 52 corners, an average of 13 per game.

• Wigan games have averaged only 8.2 corners per game this season, fewer than any other side.

• But Wigan's only previous trip to London this season saw their game at White Hart Lane produce a season-high 23 corners.

• Fulham have won only three of their last 20 Premier League fixtures.

• And Mark Hughes has also won only three of his last 20 Premier League matches as manager of Manchester City and Fulham.

• Fulham have kept only two clean sheets in their last 13 league games.

• Wigan are unbeaten in their last four league matches, their best run since February 2009.

• The Latics won on their only previous visit to London this season (1-0 at Tottenham in August).

• They have managed just seven league goals this season, the lowest return in the league along with West Ham.

[White Noise]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6475546,00.html


Martinez hails Hughes

Wigan boss full of praise for Fulham counterpart


Last updated: 29th October 2010
   

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has given Mark Hughes full credit for his work with Fulham since taking over from Roy Hodgson.

Former boss Hodgson guided Fulham from the brink of relegation to a record-high seventh place in the Premier League in the space of a season-and-a-half after taking over at Craven Cottage in December 2007.

The Cottagers then reached the Europa League final in May this year before Hodgson's defection to Liverpool.

Martinez, whose side travels to Fulham on Saturday, believes Hodgson was a tough act to follow but Hughes is putting his own stamp on the team.

He said: "I think that was probably the hardest job to take in Fulham's history if you look at the achievements Roy Hodgson had domestically and in European competition.

"But they have changed the way they play slightly and they have bought one or two players who have given them a different dimension.

"You just feel that Fulham will take the success of the previous two or three seasons and will use that to take the team to a different level. That is full credit to Mark Hughes."

Fulham beat Wigan 2-1 at Craven Cottage in April and Martinez is anticipating another tough task on Saturday, although the Latics have not been beaten on the road this term.

Difficult
The Wigan boss, Martinez, whose side have sacrificed leads at Newcastle and at home to Bolton in their last two league games, said: "It is going to be difficult - I remember last season's game and I felt for the first half we played really well and we went 1-0 up.

"But then all of a sudden, you see the strength of Fulham playing at home. They are very strong at set-plays, they know their ground really well and they take advantage of that.

"They are one of those sides who just really enjoy playing at home and that is going to be difficult.

"But when we have been away from home this season we have been really strong and compact and we've been able to hurt the opposition.

"We feel we have dropped four points in the last two games and when you get that feeling, you just can't wait to get on the pitch."

Wigan are unbeaten in six games in all competitions and go into the match lying in 15th position - one place above Fulham - but they are only two points away from Sunderland in seventh spot.


Very pleased
Martinez added: "It is not the time to be looking at the table, but I am very pleased with the level of performance that we have been showing.

"I think it is very early to try to see where you are in the table, because one or two points could make a difference of six or seven spots and it is not that realistic.

"But I am very pleased with the work ethic, the togetherness we are showing and that understanding and the partnerships the players are developing on the pitch.

"Slowly we are seeing that the competition we have in the squad is allowing us to compete in every game and we need to carry on with those standards and then see where the table reflects where we are around January or February."

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[White Noise]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=292900&cc=5739


Fulham hopeful on injured duo


Team Stat Comparison 
Fulham  Wigan Athletic 
Matches Played  9  9 
Table Position  16  15 
Points  9  10 
Goal Difference  -1  -9 
Goals for *  1.3  1.0 
Goals against *  1.3  0.7 
Last 5  L-L-D-D-D  D-D-W-D-L 
Last 5 home  L-D-W-D  D-W-L-D-L 
Last 5 away  L-D-D-D-D  D-D-W 
*  Goals per match - home matches for home club and away matches for away club 
·  Club Stats:  Fulham  |  Wigan Athletic 

Competition Stats 
   Fulham  Wigan Athletic 
Goals  Clint Dempsey 2  Hugo Rodallega 3 
Reds   
Yellows  Brede Hangeland 2  Steve Gohouri 4 
·   Club Squads : Fulham | Wigan Athletic 



Last Five Matches in Competition 
Fulham  Wigan Athletic 
A: West Bromwich Albion 2-1  H: Bolton Wanderers 1-1 
H: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2  A: Newcastle United 2-2 
A: West Ham United 1-1  H: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 
H: Everton 0-0  A: Birmingham 0-0 
A: Blackburn Rovers 1-1  H: Manchester City 0-2 
· Club Results: Fulham | Wigan Athletic 

Next Five Matches in Competition 
Fulham  Wigan Athletic 
30/10  H: Wigan Athletic  30/10  A: Fulham 
6/11  H: Aston Villa  6/11  A: Blackburn Rovers 
10/11  A: Chelsea  10/11  H: Liverpool 
13/11  A: Newcastle United  13/11  H: West Bromwich Albion 
21/11  H: Manchester City  20/11  A: Manchester United 
· Club Fixtures: Fulham | Wigan Athletic 
Updated: October 29, 2010, 4:42 PM BST

Fulham hope midfielders Danny Murphy and Simon Davies will return for the Barclays Premier League clash with Wigan.

Murphy (abductor strain) and Davies (ankle) sat out last weekend's 2-1 defeat at West Brom.

Dickson Etuhu (ankle) and Damien Duff (calf) remain sidelined, but could return within the next two weeks.

Manager Mark Hughes is unconcerned by Fulham's slide down the table as they seek to avoid a third successive defeat against Wigan.

They lie in 16th place, level on points with Liverpool who sit in the relegation zone, and are in danger of squandering their promising start to the season.

"We struggled against West Brom last weekend because of the injuries but prior to that we were unbeaten until two games ago,'' Hughes said.

"We acquitted ourselves very well in the Tottenham game. I was unhappy with a couple of decisions that went against us.

"Overall I've been delighted with our performances, if you take the West Brom game out of it. We need to pick up three points tomorrow and our home form is good, so the expectation is we have a good chance.

"Four out of our next six games are at home and we anticipate we'll pick up points in those games. Irrespective of who the opposition is, we'll give them a good game at home.

"Away from home our form isn't great and we're trying to change that. What kind of season we have will depend on our form on the road.''

Wigan defender Steven Gohouri could be available for the trip to London.

Gohouri has missed three games due to a calf problem but may be fit to return to action at Craven Cottage.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez will assess Gary Caldwell after the captain played 90 minutes against Swansea in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, his first Wigan appearance since undergoing double hip surgery over the summer.

Tom Cleverley comes back into the squad having been ineligible for that game, while Emmerson Boyce (hamstring) and James McCarthy (ankle ligament damage) remain sidelined.

Martinez has praised Hughes for the job he has done since stepping into Roy Hodgson's shoes at Fulham and expects to see the London outfit continue on an upward trend under the Welshman.

Hughes had a tough act to follow when he was appointed manager at Craven Cottage in July, taking over from Hodgson, who arrived in December 2007 and led the club from the brink of relegation to a record-high seventh place in the Barclays Premier League in the space of a season-and-a-half.

Fulham then reached the Europa League final in May this year before Hodgson's defection to Liverpool.

Hughes picked up the baton from there and has overseen one win, six draws and two defeats from nine league fixtures so far this term.

It has been a steady start, but Martinez thinks the Cottagers' prospects look good with Hughes at the helm.

"I think that was probably the hardest job to take in Fulham's history if you look at the achievements Roy Hodgson had domestically and in European competition,'' Martinez said.

"But they have changed the way they play slightly and they have bought one or two players who have given them a different dimension.

"You just feel that Fulham will take the success of the previous two or three seasons and will use that to take the team to a different level. That is full credit to Mark Hughes.''

[White Noise]

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


Villa Seatwave

Friday 29th October 2010


Seatwave Fulham Ticket Exchange Now Open


With Fulham v Aston Villa now sold out, Seatwave, Fulham's Official Ticket Exchange, is now open for this game. If you're a Season Ticket Holder and can't attend this match, you can sell your ticket via Seatwave to another Fulham Season Ticket Holder or Member and you'll even get some money back!

For those short of a match ticket, the exchange will give Fulham Members & Season Ticket Holders the opportunity to get hold of genuine match tickets safely and securely.

Using the Fulham FC Ticket Exchange couldn't be easier:
1.Log on at www.seatwave.com/fulhamfc and activate your Fulham FC account. You will need your client reference number then simply follow the prompts. 
2.Select the Aston Villa match and list your ticket for sale.
3.Fulham FC Season Ticket Holders and Members can browse the site for your available tickets.
4.If your ticket sells, your season ticket for that match will be deactivated and the buyer will be sent a paper ticket (there's no need to hand over your card).
You will be reimbursed for your ticket directly into your bank account. (Your season ticket cost divided by 19, less a 10% + VAT seller's service charge). If your ticket does not sell you will be notified before the fixture.

For more information on the exchange please visit

http://www.seatwave.com/fulhamfc/ticket-exchange/FAQ|
.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/October/VillaSeatwave.aspx#ixzz13n12rx7F

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Forgotten Fulham striker determined to bounce back after injury hell


Published 23:00 29/10/10


By MirrorFootball



Fulham striker Andy Johnson says the past 12 months have been a career low.

But after last week's return he is now desperate to prove his worth - and has refused to give up on the possibility of landing an England recall.

Johnson, who suffered shoulder, groin and knee problems, said: `I'd never spent such a long period on the sidelines and it was very frustrating. It was something mentally hard that I had to deal with.

`The fans mostly see the glitz and glamour, the nice cars and the nice houses and all the other rubbish, basically, connected with football that appears in the newspapers and magazines.

`This was the other side of the game. For me, it was a very tough.'

`I know I've still got something to prove at Fulham.'

And speaking about his England prospects, he added: `Maybe I have unfinished business there. But we'll have to see.

`The main thing for me at the moment is getting fully fit, ready to start a Premier League game and getting Fulham back up the table.

`I owe that to the fans, to my team-mates and to the chairman, who have all given me so much support while I've been injured. I can't wait to get back and show them the real Andrew Johnson.'

Manager Mark Hughes is refusing to press the panic button at Fulham - and insists the Cottagers are still on course for a top ten finish.

Hughes's side have collected just one win -against Wolves six weeks ago - in their opening nine league games.

But Hughes said: `I don't look at the table at this stage - I'm not overly worried by that.

`The performance levels are good at the moment and it is only a matter of time before we start moving up the table because of the quality we produce.

`People are starting asking when are we going to win a game? We ask that ourselves. There is no better place than at the weekend.'

And he added: `We have potential to be a top ten side - we have shown that in the way we have played but it's early in the season."



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-striker-Andy-Johnson-is-determined-to-bounce-back-after-returning-from-12-months-of-injury-hell-article615997.html#ixzz13n25bEbQ

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[WhiteJC]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-striker-aj-determined-prove-worth-1213651?

Fulham striker AJ determined to prove worth

Fulham striker Andy Johnson is determined to prove his value to fans.

Johnson returned to action last weekend after the striker finally shrugged off shoulder, groin and knee problems.

Johnson said: "I know I've still got something to prove at Fulham. I can't wait to show them the real Andrew Johnson."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6475879,00.html?

Johnson glad to be back
Fulham striker admits it was mentally tough on sidelines

Fulham striker Andy Johnson has admitted it was hard to cope with such a long spell on the sidelines.

Johnson returned to first-team action as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat at West Brom last weekend and will continue his comeback against Wigan on Saturday.

He had been struggling with injuries for about a year and is thrilled to be back involved again.

The 29-year-old concedes that staying positive was difficult during such a long absence.

"I'd never spent such a long period on the sidelines and it was very frustrating," said Johnson.

"It was something mentally hard that I had to deal with.

"The fans mostly see the glitz and the glamour, the nice cars and the nice houses and all the other rubbish connected with football that appears in the newspapers and magazines.

"This was the other side of the game. For me, it was very tough."