Wednesday Fulham Stuff (01/11/10)...

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6498125,00.html?

Hughes sympathises with Pulis
Fulham boss reckons big teams get rub of the green on occassion

Fulham boss Mark Hughes has intimated that the so-called bigger sides tend to get the benefit of key decisions from referees.

The performances of officials have come under the spotlight of late following comments made by Stoke manager Tony Pulis.

After a string of controversial decisions seemingly going against the Potters, Pulis suggested the worst referees should be relegated from the Premier League.

And Hughes, who takes his side to Chelseaon Wednesday night, said: "Do big clubs get the benefit of decisions?

"As a player at Manchester United I would have said absolutely not. But as a manager going up against the so-called Big Four clubs, I have a different view, possibly.

"There's a natural tendency, it's human nature. Sometimes the consequences of giving a decision against a big side are too much for some referees to take. It's difficult for them.

"There's no way I'm questioning the integrity because it's split-second decisions and it's human nature sometimes that you take the easy option."

Hughes added: "You just want consistency in decisions and most of the season you will get that. But where a decision actually affects the outcome of the result, those are the ones you want the referees to get correct and of late it seems too many of them have been given incorrect.

"I'm not for one minute saying that we get badly treated in terms of refereeing decisions.

"We've had a number that have gone against us but there are a number of clubs aggrieved by decisions that are made against them."

[WhiteJC]

http://thechelseablog.org/2010/11/10/chelsea-vs-fulham-preview-2/?

CHELSEA vs Fulham: Preview

Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date: Wednesday, 10 November
Kick-off: 1945
For the second time this season, we go into a game off the back of a defeat in the Premier League but at least it's a home game against Fulham that gives us the opportunity to put the weekend's game behind us.

We've got a good record against Fulham and a decent record at home so far this season, so let's hope we keep both of those going eh?

MANAGERS' VIEWS
Whatever he says or feels in private about our recent defeat, in public ahead of tonight's game, Ancelotti says "We are still at the top of the table and we know this gap can improve, or go down, but it's important to stay at the top of the table. It's difficult to say whether we have missed Lampard. I don't want to say we missed him. We didn't play well in the first half (against Liverpool). We did in the second half. Now we have to look forward. We can improve our position in these two games, and we hope to do our best in these matches and move on from the defeat against Liverpool. We are in the better position compared to the other teams. Psychologically it can happen to lose a game but we are top of the table and we have to win the next game."

Fulham manager and former Chelsea man Mark Hughes, has a little more to say going into the game, suggesting "You have to be positive. Too many teams go to the likes of Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford and they are beaten before they go on the pitch. That is not the attitude or the mentality that I want from my team. I had a great three years there (at Stamford Bridge). I left Manchester United and everybody would say you were on the way down and that was the end of your career. But I went to the right club and was able to win three trophies in three years. The club had started to move in the right direction. I played a small part in where they are today and I am proud of that.

Chelsea have got a spine of players who have been there a long time and know what it takes to win Premier League games. They can bring from the bench similar quality. They have that strength of character you need to regularly win trophies. They have the mentality when they are not particularly playing well to still have the individual talent to win games.

A draw at Stamford Bridge given our record against Chelsea is a good result but we would like to think we are capable of more. My side never know when they are beaten. They keep going to the end and that's what you want from your players. Chelsea are going to be hurting because of the events of the weekend and they will want to get back on track. That's another thing we are up against. But it is about our performance level."

SQUAD NEWS
For Chelsea, Benayoun (Achilles) remains out and Frank Lampard (hernia) still fails to make his return. Alex (knee) and Anelka (back) are doubtful, whilst Essien (toe) could make it back and Didier Drogba should start despite recently recovering from Malaria.
For Fulham, Baird (thigh), Salcido (ankle), Senderos (calf) and Zamora (leg) all miss out.

TEAMS
CHELSEA (from): Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Cole, Obi, Essien, Ramires, Zhirkov, Drogba, Anelka, Kalou, Malouda, Turnbull, Van Aanholt, McEachran, Borini, Bruma, Ferriera, Sturridge, Kakuta.

FULHAM (from): Schwarzer, Kelly, Hangeland, Hughes, Duff, Davies, Greening, A Johnson, Murphy, Gera, Dembele, Dempsey, Stockdale, Pantsil, Etuhu, E Johnson, Briggs.

LAST SEASON
Chelsea 2-1 Fulham (December 28th 2009)

REFEREE
Martin Atkinson

PREDICTION
On paper, it doesn't look good for Fulham who have won just 4 of their last 22 Premier League games. They've drawn four of their five away games, with seven draws from eleven games in the Premier League so far this season. So, whilst they've struggled to beat us over the years, getting a point wouldn't be out of the question.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_6498269,00.html?

Fulham suffer Salcido blow
Mexican left-back sidelined with ankle problem

Fulham defender Carlos Salcido has been ruled out for up to a month with an ankle injury.

Salcido picked up the problem following a tackle by Ashley Young in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Aston Villa and he had to be taken off in the 69th minute.

It has now been revealed that he suffered ligament damage and is facing a spell on the sidelines.

"It was a mistimed tackle on Carlos last weekend but I don't think there was any intention to hurt him," said manager Mark Hughes.
"Obviously Carlos is bearing the consequences of the challenge and unfortunately he has ruptured a ligament on his ankle.

"The likelihood is he will be out for three to four weeks."

Salcido will therefore miss a number of important games for the Cottagers, starting with Wednesday's clash against London rivals Chelsea.

The news of his injury will come as a major blow to Hughes because the Mexican has slotted in well at left-back since arriving from PSV Eindhoven over the summer.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/46576/Time_to_pull_your_finger_out_Dembele_Gera_Kelly.aspx?

Time to pull your finger out: Dembele, Gera, Kelly

been a mixed start to the season for Fulham under Mark Hughes, with draws aplenty and some promising signs despite the lower mid-table position and injuries to key players suffered at Craven Cottage.

As winter descends upon us like some smothering blanket of ice and negativity, join Sport.co.uk in looking at three Fulham players who need to ruddy well pull their finger out (consult our instructive anatomical reports) if the Cottagers are going to have anything to brag about in the near future.

What do you think, Cottagers fans? Which Fulham player's fingers would you like to see forcibly extracted from his posterior? Have your say in the comments section below...

Moussa Dembele – The 23 year-old Belgian forward got the Craven Cottage faithful all excited with a couple of early goals but he has done little to justify his £5m transfer fee since then. Dembele looked like he could take the Premier League by storm with some positive and direct initial performances but of late he has been getting caught in possession, creating a frustration which has bubbled over into giving away some needless free-kicks. He obviously needs to be given time to properly settle but the suddenness with which his performances have dropped off are cause for concern.

Sport.co.uk says: Finger's poking the 1st Lumbar Nerve, causing some complications in going past an opponent and getting shots away.

Zoltan Gera – A hero during Fulham's astonishing march to the Europa League final last season, the Hungarian midfielder's displays of late indicate that he is perhaps just better suited to a more continental game. Gera has proven ability but, as one of the side's senior players, he needs to exert his influence more than he has been of late.

Sport.co.uk says: Finger's massaging the inside of the belly button, threatening an Aliens-style breakout.

Stephen Kelly – What has John Paintsil done wrong to be playing second fiddle to Kelly? The Irish right-back is a game trier but just doesn't look up to the standard to which Hughes' Fulham should be aspiring, especially after the heroics of the last couple of seasons, during which time defensive solidity was of paramount importance.

Sport.co.uk says: Brushing the External Abdominal Oblique Muscle. You heard us.

[WhiteJC]

http://articles.squarefootball.net/squarefootball/2010/11/chelsea-v-fulham-can-hughes-thwart-his-former-employers.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Squarefootball+%28Squarefootball%29

Chelsea v Fulham: Can Hughes thwart his former employers?

The champions were turned over by Liverpool at the weekend but they should get back to winning ways tonight against their west London rivals. Chelsea haven't lost at home in the league for eight months while Fulham haven't won at the Bridge since 1979, 1964 if you're looking for their last top flight win! It all points to a home win.

However, Fulham are a different beast under Mark Hughes. They may not be winning many games but they are not losing too many either. Only Tottenham have managed to get the better of them this season, although that was in controversial circumstances.

Mark Hughes of course played for Chelsea and will no doubt be given a warm reception by the home fans and while he will appreciate that I'm sure he'd much rather leave with all three points under his belt.

Chelsea are yet to concede at home in the league this season but the Cottagers have only failed to breach the Chelsea defence at the Bridge once since they entered the Premier League.

Didier Drogba is expected to feature tonight following his bout of malaria and Carlos Ancelotti also hopes Michael Essien will be declared fit but he has doubts over Nicolas Anelka and Alex while Frank Lampard will definitely miss out.

Fulham will be without Carlos Salcido, after picking up an ankle knock at the weekend against Aston Villa, and Chris Baird, through a thigh problem.

Unsurprisingly, Chelsea are strong favourites here for all three points.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.footylatest.com/mark-hughes-we-are-aiming-to-frustrate-chelsea/17898

Mark Hughes – We are aiming to frustrate Chelsea
The Fulham manager Mark Hughes is aiming to get his players fully focused for tonight's visit to Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea still have a 100% winning record this season, and thinks that if his players play to the best of their ability then Fulham can "frustrate" the Double winners and come away with the points.

Chelsea had an unusual defeat an Anfield this weekend, and Carlo Ancelotti will want to see the team get back to winning ways at Fortress Stamford Bridge, but Hughes outlined the Fulham gameplan yesterday.

Hughes said: "You just ask questions of your players.

"You ask them to play at the top of their capabilities and if you do that then you've got a chance.

"If Chelsea play at the top of their capabilities they have enough to overcome most teams but we're going to go there and be positive and try to get a result."

"It is a very strong ask for us to go to be able to go there given that there is a possibility we will be without our first choice full backs as well.

"But we'll go there and give it our best shot. And you can be sure we'll have a game plan that will frustrate Chelsea and enable us to have chances going the other way."

Fulham proved last season under Roy Hodgson that they can compete with the best when they are on song, and with Mark Hughes tactical acumen they will certainly make it hard for Chelsea to break them down. It could be a very interesting match tonight........

[WhiteJC]

http://www.chelseadaft.org/2010/11/chelsea-v-fulham-now-its-must-win-game.html?

Chelsea v Fulham - Now it's a must win game.

What a difference a bad performance makes doesn't it. Sitting here on Saturday filled with confidence, five points clear at the top of the league and couldn't see Liverpool getting anything out of the game. Chelsea fail to turn up in the first half, Torres strikes twice and we lose the game. Now we are just two points clear, Drogba has Malaria, Lampard is still out, Anelka and Alex are possibly missing tonight and I am wondering if it could get any worse!. Even still, we need a win tonight more than ever.

We need the win to maintain some stability and get our confidence back. We have for some reason been lacking in confidence and not started games very well lately and has been a complete turnaround from the start of the season. Carlo himself has stated ahead of tonight that Chelsea must start stronger and tonight against Fulham is the perfect opportunity.

Fulham will have other ideas and Mark Hughes has already stated that his side will come to the Bridge tonight and will attack Chelsea. Fulham have always been a hard working side and give everything for their manager. Despite missing Zamora I personally believe Dembele is a class act and he needs to be watched tonight.

Its not just Dembele for Fulham of course you need to consider Zoltan Gera, Andy Johnson and Clint Dempsey. Dempsey loves a game against Chelsea and will be eager to score against us once more. Our back four need to be aware and awake to the ariel threat he poses.

This is no easy game tonight, Fulham and there fans will be up for it, despite the ridiculous article I posted about yesterday. Chelsea need to match their hunger and hard work tonight and then play our football.

The news that the coaching staff are waiting on news of Anelka and Alex tonight before the side is named is a blow and I hope they both make it. With Didier starting again tonight its a massive bonus as we really missed him in the first half against Liverpool. The fact that Chelsea have Drogba back and Essien is massive for us tonight and these two could prove to be the difference.

Chelsea fans like me will expect a performance just three days after Anfield. After what we had to endure in that first half any kind of first half performance will be better tonight and have faith in the team that they will come out and play our football. There will be a fair few faces sitting in that dressing room before kick off knowing that they owe us a performance and let's hope they give it to us tonight.

Predicted line up tonight: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry (C), Cole, Essien, Mikel, Zhirkov, Malouda, Drogba, Kalou.

Kick of at Stamford Bridge is 19:45 tonight.

Prediction: Chelsea to win by two.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1328392/Didier-Drogba-plans-goals-galore-Chelsea-striker-battles-malaria.html?ITO=1490

Didier Drogba promises to deliver goals galore after Chelsea striker battles malaria

Brave Didier Drogba is confident he will soon be back in his best goal-scoring form after his long-running illness was diagnosed as malaria.

The Chelsea striker has been in and out of the team in recent weeks because of a fever before doctors told him on Monday that he had been suffering with malaria, thought to have been contracted on international duty with Ivory Coast in September.

Drogba, 32, was put on a 48-hour course of medication on Monday evening to cure the infectious disease with specialists believing it should clear and not return.

Now he aims to feature at Stamford Bridge tonight and get back on the goal trail in the west London derby against Fulham.

'I want to score every game but when you can't, when you're not 100 per cent, it's better to try a way to help your team mates, maybe creating assists, maybe defending a little bit more,' Drogba told Chelsea TV.

'I think I'll get better and start to score again and if that's what people want I think I can do that.'

Drogba started the season with a bang, scoring a hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion on but since then he has managed just two goals from open play.

'When you don't know exactly what it (the illness) is and it's not treated, it can come and go,' he said.

You have some weeks when the fever can be high, that's what I had, but now it will be better.

'Unfortunately we only found out (on Monday) it was malaria but I've had it for a month now. Now we know exactly what it is we can go forward.'

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday the medication Drogba was now taking should completely eradicate the illness inside two days.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1328392/Didier-Drogba-plans-goals-galore-Chelsea-striker-battles-malaria.html?ITO=1490#ixzz14syiLEET

[HatterDon]

Bad news: Salcido is out for a month
Good news: He's suddenly 10 years younger!  :yay:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/9174112.stm?

Fulham's Salcido out for a month

Fulham defender Carlos Salcido is facing a month on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

The 20-year-old Mexico international ruptured a ligament in a tackle by Ashley Young during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

"Carlos is bearing the consequences of the challenge and unfortunately he has ruptured a ligament on his ankle," boss Mark Hughes said.
"The likelihood is he will be out for three to four weeks."

Salcido, who signed from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven on a three-year contract in August, will miss the trip to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea on Wednesday.

"It's disappointing because Carlos has made a huge impact during the short time that he's been with us so to not have him available going into a game against Chelsea is a big loss for us," Hughes added.