Friday Fulham Stuff (12/11/10)...

[WhiteJC]

http://www.teamtalk.com/newcastle-united/6501733/Newcastle-v-Fulham-preview?

Newcastle v Fulham preview

Team news for Saturday's Premier League clash between Newcastle and Fulham at St James' Park.

Fulham have no fresh injury concerns for the trip to the North-East.

Mexican defender Carlos Salcido remains sidelined for more than a fortnight with ankle ligament damage.

The Cottagers will also be missing defender Chris Baird (thigh) but he could return for next weekend's match against Manchester City.

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton will miss out as he begins his three-match ban.

The 28-year-old accepted his suspension after admitting a Football Association charge of violent conduct.

Manager Chris Hughton has been dealt a further blow by the absence of Ryan Taylor, who would have been one of the candidates to replace Barton, with an ankle injury.

Shola Ameobi will undergo a late fitness test of the hamstring he damaged during the midweek defeat by Blackburn, while James Perch will hope to shake off an ankle problem and Leon Best (also ankle) is back in training.

Steve Harper (shoulder), Hatem Ben Arfa (double leg fracture) and Dan Gosling (knee) remain on the casualty list.

Newcastle (from): Krul, Soderberg, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, S. Taylor, Campbell, Kadar, Smith, Tiote, Routledge, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Tavernier, Donaldson, Nolan, Carroll, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Ranger, Xisco.

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

[WhiteJC]

http://www.footymad.net/storytext.asp?article=322099

PREVIEW: NEWCASTLE V FULHAM

Newcastle United will be out to avoid a second successive home defeat when they take on Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Magpies crashed to a disappointing 2-1 loss at the hands of Blackburn Rovers as former manager Sam Allardyce returned to St James' Park to haunt his one-time employers.

That setback now sees the Tynesiders sit in fifth place, four points behind Manchester City in fourth following their Championship promotion in May.

Another Andy Carroll goal proved to be one positive from the defeat and calls for his inclusion in Fabio Capello's England side for next week's friendly against France are growing stronger.

He headed home a fine equaliser after Morten Gamst Pedersen fired home, but Jason Roberts' clincher late in the day stole his thunder.

Manager Chris Hughton will have read his players the riot act and they must look to respond against the Cottagers this weekend if they are to keep up their lofty position in the standings.

Fulham fell to a narrow 1-0 loss at Chelsea in the week as a solitary Michael Essien header proved to be the difference between the capital rivals.

Head coach Mark Hughes may well have enjoyed his team's performance at Stamford Bridge and, with Clint Dempsey, Danny Murphy and Mousa Dembele impressing, the visitors should travel north in high hopes.

Newcastle will be without midfielder Joey Barton after TV replays caught him striking Gamst Pedersen in the chest on Wednesday.

The offence wasn't picked up by the match officials but the Football Association took retrospective action and dished out a three-match suspension.

Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg), Steve Harper (collar bone) and Dan Gosling (cruciate ligament) are out while ankle victims Shola Ameobi and James Perch face fitness battles ahead of the game.

Fulham Academy prospect Matthew Briggs made his first Premier League start at Chelsea in place of Carlos Salcido (ankle) and he could continue to deputise.

Chris Baird (thigh), Bobby Zamora (broken ankle) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles) remain on the sidelines.

The last Premier League clash between the sides came at the end of the 2008/09 campaign and it proved to have a major bearing as Newcastle's fight to avoid the drop took a turn for the worse.

Diomansy Kamara's first-half effort was enough as the Londoners departed with a 1-0 victory in Newcastle's final home test of a tumultuous campaign at the end of April.

Another 1-0 loss at Aston Villa the following weekend saw the Toon Army suffer relegation heartache.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/46696/Barton-less_Magpies_aim_to_sink_Cottagers.aspx?

Barton-less Magpies aim to sink Cottagers

Newcastle United will be out to avoid a second successive home defeat when they take on Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Magpies crashed to a disappointing 2-1 loss at the hands of Blackburn Rovers as former manager Sam Allardyce returned to St James' Park to haunt his one-time employers.

That setback now sees the Tynesiders sit in fifth place, four points behind Manchester City in fourth following their Championship promotion in May.

Another Andy Carroll goal proved to be one positive from the defeat and calls for his inclusion in Fabio Capello's England side for next week's friendly against France are growing stronger.

He headed home a fine equaliser after Morten Gamst Pedersen fired home, but Jason Roberts' clincher late in the day stole his thunder.
Manager Chris Hughton will have read his players the riot act and they must look to respond against the Cottagers this weekend if they are to keep up their lofty position in the standings.

Fulham fell to a narrow 1-0 loss at Chelsea in the week as a solitary Michael Essien header proved to be the difference between the capital rivals.

Head coach Mark Hughes may well have enjoyed his team's performance at Stamford Bridge and, with Clint Dempsey, Danny Murphy and Mousa Dembele impressing, the visitors should travel north in high hopes.

Newcastle will be without midfielder Joey Barton after TV replays caught him striking Gamst Pedersen in the chest on Wednesday.

The offence wasn't picked up by the match officials but the Football Association took retrospective action and dished out a three-match suspension.

Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg), Steve Harper (collar bone) and Dan Gosling (cruciate ligament) are out while ankle victims Shola Ameobi and James Perch face fitness battles ahead of the game.

Fulham Academy prospect Matthew Briggs made his first Premier League start at Chelsea in place of Carlos Salcido (ankle) and he could continue to deputise.

Chris Baird (thigh), Bobby Zamora (broken ankle) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles) remain on the sidelines.

The last Premier League clash between the sides came at the end of the 2008/09 campaign and it proved to have a major bearing as Newcastle's fight to avoid the drop took a turn for the worse.

Diomansy Kamara's first-half effort was enough as the Londoners departed with a 1-0 victory in Newcastle's final home test of a tumultuous campaign at the end of April.

Another 1-0 loss at Aston Villa the following weekend saw the Toon Army suffer relegation heartache.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/847033-brede-hangeland-to-spark-liverpool-and-juventus-battle

Brede Hangeland 'to spark Liverpool and Juventus January transfer battle'
Fulham should be ready to stave off interest from Juventus and Liverpool in top-rated defender Brede Hangeland when the transfer window re-opens, according to reports in Italy.

The 29-year-old Norway international has impressed since joining the Cottagers in 2008 - when he was signed by current Reds boss Roy Hodgson.

And the latest speculation from Serie A suggests Juve are to test Fulham's resolve to keep their key man in January, with Liverpool expected to be close behind if a bidding war develops.

Hangeland committed his future to the west Londoners until 2013 with a new contract recently.

But with Hodgson eyeing new recruits to bolster his new side's defensive line, Hangeland seems the perfect fit.

It seems the Reds' new owners will need to stump up a fee in the region of £6million if they hope to compete with Juve, who have been monitoring Hangeland for some time and are expected to make an official approach at that level.

According to the Italian media, AC Milan are also interested and may emerge as a rival to Liverpool and Juventus when the race begins in January.


Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/847033-brede-hangeland-to-spark-liverpool-and-juventus-battle#ixzz154BLwcSc

[WhiteJC]

http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/stoppers-still-missing-for-cottagers-1118440.html?

Stoppers still missing for Cottagers

Fulham are still without defensive duo Carlos Salcido and Chris Baird for the trip to Newcastle, but Mark Hughes has no new problems.

Mexican defender Salcido is sidelined for around a month after he suffered ankle ligament damage during last weekend's 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, while Baird is still missing due to a thigh injury.

While Baird could be back for next weekend's match against Manchester City, the trip to St James' Park will come too soon.

Meanwhile former Fulham and Newcastle star Alain Goma claims Cottagers boss Hughes has found the perfect central defensive partnership in Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland.

Goma told the club's website: "I know Aaron Hughes because we played together at Newcastle - I could see that he was very serious and professional about his football and you need these qualities at the top level.

"He's a top man, when I played with him he was quite young but you could see that he had a great future in front of him. Aaron has played everywhere in defence, he's quick, he's good in the air and he can read the game which is what you need when playing centre-half.

"I saw Brede Hangeland playing a few times and the most important thing is both players compliment each other.

"Week-in, week-out they play together so they've built up this partnership - which is something that's so important for centre-halves."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/double-defensive-woe-for-hughes-1118440.html?

Double defensive woe for Hughes

Fulham are still without defensive duo Carlos Salcido and Chris Baird for the trip to Newcastle, but Mark Hughes has no new problems.
Mexican defender Salcido is sidelined for around a month after he suffered ankle ligament damage during last weekend's 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, while Baird is still missing due to a thigh injury.

While Baird could be back for next weekend's match against Manchester City, the trip to St James' Park will come too soon.

Meanwhile former Fulham and Newcastle star Alain Goma claims Cottagers boss Hughes has found the perfect central defensive partnership in Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland.

Goma told the club's website: "I know Aaron Hughes because we played together at Newcastle - I could see that he was very serious and professional about his football and you need these qualities at the top level.

"He's a top man, when I played with him he was quite young but you could see that he had a great future in front of him. Aaron has played everywhere in defence, he's quick, he's good in the air and he can read the game which is what you need when playing centre-half.

"I saw Brede Hangeland playing a few times and the most important thing is both players compliment each other.

"Week-in, week-out they play together so they've built up this partnership - which is something that's so important for centre-halves."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1329048/NEWCASTLE-v-Fulham-Joey-Barton-suspended-replacement-Ryan-Taylor-out.html?

NEWCASTLE v Fulham: Joey Barton suspended but would be replacement Ryan Taylor is out

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton will miss the Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham as he begins his three-match ban.

The 28-year-old accepted his suspension after last night admitting a Football Association charge of violent conduct.

Manager Chris Hughton has been dealt a further blow by the absence of Ryan Taylor, who would have been one of the candidates to replace Barton, with an ankle injury.

Shola Ameobi will undergo a late fitness test of the hamstring he damaged during the midweek defeat by Blackburn, while James Perch will hope to shake off an ankle problem and Leon Best (also ankle) is back in training.

Steve Harper (shoulder), Hatem Ben Arfa (double leg fracture) and Dan Gosling (knee) remain on the casualty list.

Provisional squad: Krul, Soderberg, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, S. Taylor, Campbell, Kadar, Smith, Tiote, Routledge, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Tavernier, Donaldson, Nolan, Carroll, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Ranger, Xisco.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1329048/NEWCASTLE-v-Fulham-Joey-Barton-suspended-replacement-Ryan-Taylor-out.html#ixzz154DJ796e

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/BriggsIsReady.aspx

Ready for Action

Fulham Manager Mark Hughes has praised Matthew Briggs having seen the young defender make his first Premier League start on Wednesday evening.

The Manager joins a long list of admirers following the 19-year-old's impressive showing at Stamford Bridge, with the England U20 international's performance a positive on the night.

The Whites suffered an SW6 derby defeat, with Michael Essien's powerful header securing victory for the league leaders. However, Academy Graduate Briggs caught the eye with an assured and promising display after coming in for the injured Carlos Salcido.

Speaking to fulhamfc.com, Hughes said: "Matthew Briggs is a young player of great potential and we felt that now is the time for him to push on in terms of his development. And the game against Chelsea will have done much for that.

"Having lost Carlos I could have moved other senior players around, but for me, this was an opportunity to expose Matthew to top-flight football and see what he could do. I have to say that I thought he did very well.

"He has a lot of ability and has all the physical attributes that you look for in a player – ones that lend themselves well to Premier League football."

Having made his Fulham debut in May 2007, replacing Moritz Volz in a 3-1 defeat against Middlesbrough, Briggs became the Premier League's youngest ever player at 16 years and 65 days.

Despite being a regular England youth international, the youngster had to bide his time in making a second appearance for the Club, spending time out on loan at Leyton Orient last season to further his development.

Mark Hughes did give Briggs that chance in the 6-0 Carling Cup victory overf Port Vale in August, a game in which the left-back impressed again with his assurance and composure on the ball.

"The bottom line is, I thought he was ready," said Hughes. "He is training with the First Team on a regular basis and he has always done well in those sessions. We decided to throw him in, and he did well.

"On Wednesday he was up against arguably the best team in the Premier League. Okay, he had good, experienced players around him, and that certainly helped but that should take nothing away from how he played and he should be very proud."

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/BriggsIsReady.aspx#ixzz154Nt91X5

[WhiteJC]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9182099.stm?

BBC: Newcastle    v    Fulham

TEAM NEWS
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton starts a three-match ban after admitting a charge of violent conduct in the midweek loss to Blackburn.

Forward Shola Ameobi faces a fitness test after coming off at half-time in that game with a hamstring injury.

Fulham manager Mark Hughes has no fresh injury concerns and will choose from the same squad that lost at Chelsea.

Matthew Briggs is expected to deputise for injured defender Carlos Salcido again after an impressive first start.

Newcastle
Suspended: Barton (three matches)
Doubtful: Ameobi (hamstring), Best & Perch (both ankle)
Injured: Ben Arfa (leg), Gosling (knee), Harper (shoulder)

Fulham
Injured: Baird (thigh), Salcido (ankle), Senderos (calf), Zamora (leg)

MATCH PREVIEW
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton recently revealed that he has been offering troubled striker Andy Carroll some words of advice because he, like Carroll, has been "a magnet for the wrong headlines."

Barton believed his bad days were behind him, explaining that "what I have found in later life is that you become more mature." So his three-match ban for punching Blackburn's Mort Gamst Pedersen on Wednesday night really was a big blow in more ways than one.

Newcastle's form has been as unpredictable as their suspended midfielder; they have thrashed Aston Villa 6-0 and Sunderland 5-1 at home but have also been beaten by Blackpool, Stoke and now Blackburn.

On Saturday they face a Fulham side who have not won away in the league since the opening day of last season. Fulham manager Mark Hughes says his side need to forget about their barren run and "express themselves" at St James' Park.

The Fulham supporters facing a 10-hour round trip this weekend will no doubt welcome Hughes' positive thinking. They, like Hughes, are frustrated that their team languish in 15th place despite losing just three times this season.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Fulham did the double over Newcastle in the 2008/09 season when these teams last faced each other.
• Fulham lead the overall head-to-head by 25 wins to 24, with 12 draws.

Newcastle
• Newcastle have scored 15 goals at home - only Chelsea boast more.
• Despite this, Newcastle have won more points away from home (10) than at St James' Park (7) this season.
• The Magpies have failed to keep a clean sheet at St James' Park since beating Aston Villa 6-0 in their opening home fixture.

Fulham
• Fulham have failed to win any of their last 24 away league games. Their last league victory on the road was at Portsmouth on the opening day of last season.
• Mark Hughes has won only four of his last 23 Premier League matches as manager of Manchester City and Fulham.
• Fulham have lost just three matches this season - the same number as Arsenal and Manchester City, who are currently in the top four.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Newcastle
Carroll: 7 goals (7 league); Nolan: 7 goals (7 league)

Fulham
Dempsey: 5 goals (4 league); Dembele: 3 goals (2 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Lee Probert
Assistant referees: Paul Thompson & Glenn Turner
Fourth official: Neil Swarbrick

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Newcastle (L1-2 v Blackburn, h): Krul; Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote (Routledge 88), Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 46). Subs not used: Soderberg, Campbell, Lovenkrands, Smith, S Taylor.
Fulham (L0-1 v Chelsea, a): Schwarzer; Kelly, Hangeland, Hughes, Briggs (Gera 79), Davies, Murphy, Etuhu (A Johnson 61), Duff, Dempsey, Dembele. Subs not used: Stockdale, Pantsil, E Johnson, Dikgacoi, Greening.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/toonfulham_team_news_580984/index.shtml

Toon-Fulham Team News
By Nu Mad
Friday, 12th November 2010
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton will miss out as he begins his three-match ban.
Manager Chris Hughton has been dealt a further blow by the absence of Ryan Taylor, who would have been one of the candidates to replace Barton, with an ankle injury.

Shola Ameobi will undergo a late fitness test of the hamstring he damaged during the midweek defeat by Blackburn, while James Perch will hope to shake off an ankle problem and Leon Best (also ankle) is back in training.

Steve Harper (shoulder), Hatem Ben Arfa (double leg fracture) and Dan Gosling (knee) remain on the casualty list.

NEWCASTLE (from): Krul, Soderberg, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, S. Taylor, Campbell, Kadar, Smith, Tiote, Routledge, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Tavernier, Donaldson, Nolan, Carroll, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Ranger, Xisco.

Fulham have no fresh injury concerns for Saturday's Barclays Premier League game at Newcastle.

Mexican defender Carlos Salcido remains sidelined for more than a fortnight with ankle ligament damage.

The Cottagers will also be missing defender Chris Baird (thigh) but he could return for next weekend's match against Manchester City.

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

[WhiteJC]

http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/football-ealing/fulham-fc-ealing/2010/11/12/duff-prepares-for-newcastle-return-64767-27647743/?

Duff prepares for Newcastle return

MARK Hughes reckons there's more to come from winger Damien Duff ahead of tomorrow's trip to former club Newcastle United.

The Irishman returns to St James' Park for the first time since leaving the North East for Craven Cottage last season as the Whites search for a rare win on the road.

Duff, who is back in the Fulham first-team following a month out with a calf injury, suffered the heartache of relegation with the Geordies in 2010, scoring the own goal which sealed their fate on the final day of the campaign at Aston Villa.

The 31-year-old also missed out on the World Cup with his country, but Fulham boss Hughes is convinced he will come back stronger.

"I do absolutely believe there is more to come and I'm sure he does use some of his recent disappointments to strive for more," Hughes said.

"When you get those disappointments, you have to use them to drive you on or you allow them to be an excuse and you wither away from the challenge.

"He's never done that. He's always stepped up and allowed himself to be counted and that will never change. It's part of his make-up.

"He's a big player here because of the experience that he's had. He's won trophies and he understands what it takes to win Premier League games. He's a good influence on the group and I'm really pleased that he's here because I can tap into that.

"You say things to him that he understands immediately and he'll try and implement them on the pitch."

The appreciative manager added: "I had the pleasure of working alongside Damien at Blackburn Rovers. He was a young boy with great talent and you knew he was going to be a top player and we reaped the benefits.

"He was always going to move on to bigger and better things and that's what he did. He's had a great career and there are still things that he can achieve."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.blogonthetyne.co.uk/2010/11/duff-just-didnt-have-the-stoma.html?

Duff just didn't have the stomach to help save Magpies
By Lee Ryder
Damien Duff will make his return to Newcastle United and probably endure his fair share of boos at St James' Park.

You can count the amount of times that Duff really shone at Newcastle during his three year stay on Tyneside on two hands if you're lucky.

Nobody needs to be told the ability of Duff and what he could do when things were going well.

But I for one, would much rather see what a player has in his locker when the chips are down.

Unfortunately, we didn't see that too often with Duff - in my opinion - and I was at every single game that Duff played whether league, cup or friendly or home or away.

At the start of his career, Duff was happy to do a couple of interviews, but he never appreciated that in Newcastle the fans are hungry for fresh news and views all of the time.

Fair play to him he demonstrated every possible way there is to dodge an interview, he used the "I can't hear you I'm wearing an iPod" method, the "I'm on the phone so can't stop to talk" method (despite the fact there was no signal at grounds such as Liverpool), then there was the time when he tried sprinting down the tunnel after he'd scored the winner for Joe Kinnear's side against Spurs!

As relegation looked more likely, one prankster shouted "exclusive" in a squeaky voice at the club's Benton base as he done a rare official website interview - but it didn't dawn on him!

Ironically in his last ever game for Newcastle I asked Duff if he'd dedicate his goal at West Brom to Sir Bobby Robson in the game between the two sides of the old master, and he did but it was a rare moment where he saw eye to eye with one of the media men.

Too often his moody expressions on the field summed it up for a player that left Newcastle under a cloud.

He probably didn't deserve to score the own goal that sent us down but had we seen a few more performances akin to his Chelsea days in other parts of the season then perhaps he wouldn't have been in that position.

When it came to the crunch and the Magpies were relegated, Duff did hang around - but only because nobody else came in for him.

The infamous dressing room "stay or go" debate amongst players was one of the final acts of Duff's career at Leyton Orient.

He's played 73 minutes before he was hauled off by Chris Hughton after wandering round like he was punch drunk.

Eventually, and after he'd scored what some would deem an important goal at West Brom on the first game of the season, Fulham coughed up the money for Duff.

He couldn't get away quick enough.

In some ways it was one of the best things that could have happened to Newcastle United.

The list of players who quit the club that summer were Habib Beye, Duff, Oba Martins and Seb Bassong - while Michael Owen left on a free transfer along with Mark Viduka as they were never going to take massive pay cuts even if they had been offered new deals.

The players who stayed Alan Smith, Steve Harper, Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Shola Ameobi, Andy Carroll, Jose Enrique, Jonas Gutierrez, Fabricio Coloccini, Danny Guthrie, Steven Taylor and Nicky Butt - may well be part of the squad that took the team down.

But seldom in modern football do you get players who are hungry to put things right.

That lot did, but Duff was happy to jump ship at the first opportunity because unlike the above mentioned players, he didn't have the stomach to go to Barnsley, Scunthorpe or Doncaster - or perhaps his ego wouldn't accept it.

Without the likes of Barton, Nolan, Smith, Carroll and Harper - who knows where Newcastle United would be now.

My guess is it certainly wouldn't be fifth in the Premier League.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/11/12/fulham-winger-damien-duff-gears-up-for-newcastle-united-return-82029-27647675/

Fulham winger Damien Duff gears up for Newcastle United return

MARK Hughes reckons there's more to come from winger Damien Duff ahead of tomorrow's trip to former club Newcastle United.

The Irishman returns to St James' Park for the first time since leaving the North East for Craven Cottage last season as the Whites search for a rare win on the road.

Duff, who is back in the Fulham first-team following a month out with a calf injury, suffered the heartache of relegation with the Geordies in 2010, scoring the own goal which sealed their fate on the final day of the campaign at Aston Villa.

The 31-year-old also missed out on the World Cup with his country, but Fulham boss Hughes is convinced he will come back stronger.

"I do absolutely believe there is more to come and I'm sure he does use some of his recent disappointments to strive for more," Hughes said.

"When you get those disappointments, you have to use them to drive you on or you allow them to be an excuse and you wither away from the challenge.

"He's never done that. He's always stepped up and allowed himself to be counted and that will never change. It's part of his make-up.

"He's a big player here because of the experience that he's had. He's won trophies and he understands what it takes to win Premier League games. He's a good influence on the group and I'm really pleased that he's here because I can tap into that.

"You say things to him that he understands immediately and he'll try and implement them on the pitch."

The appreciative manager added: "I had the pleasure of working alongside Damien at Blackburn Rovers. He was a young boy with great talent and you knew he was going to be a top player and we reaped the benefits.

"He was always going to move on to bigger and better things and that's what he did. He's had a great career and there are still things that he can achieve."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/11/12/fulham-winger-damien-duff-gears-up-for-newcastle-united-return-82029-27647675/#ixzz1554DjfuA

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamweb.co.uk/news/Premier-League-Preview-13th14th-November-2010.aspx

PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW - 13TH14TH NOVEMBER 2010

15:00 Newcastle vs Fulham
Newcastle United are making a name for themselves as something of a Jekyll & Hyde team. Indeed, the Magpies followed up their impressive scalp of Arsenal with a home loss against Blackburn. It was not the first time that they followed a big result with a stumble.

That said, Chris Hughton's charges still lie fifth, an achievement that should not be overlooked. But the Newcastle boss will be wary there is still a long way to go. His team, who are without Joey Barton through suspension, welcome Fulham to St James' Park. The Cottagers' travelling support have endured much misery on the road. Indeed, Fulham have not won any of their last 24 Premier League away matches.

[Mr Fulham]

This is old sh*te, OZ played Paraguay in early October

And Schwarzer now effectively is 38.

Worrying quotes from Woy, though.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2010/11/12/1809689/my-five-keys-to-victory-for-fulham-against-newcastle?

My Five Keys To Victory For Fulham Against Newcastle

Fulham play on the road this Saturday at Newcastle United. The game takes place at 3PM UK Time and 10 AM EST at St James' Park. The game can be seen on Fox Soccer Channel taped delayed at 5PM EST. in the United States.  

This should be another tough road game for the Cottagers. Newcastle are currently 5th in the table, while Fulham are 15th.

Fulham are coming off a 1-0 loss to Chelsea Wednesday Night. Newcastle also lost their last match which was to Blackburn 2-1 at home.

Newcastle have started very strong this season. Their manager is Chris Hughton who has done a great job getting his side off to an impressive start. A player to watch for Newcastle United has to be Andy Carroll. He has already scored 7 goals, and is a physical presence up front. Fulham will need to contain him if they want to win on the road.

As I do before every game here are " my five keys to victory for Fulham against Newcastle."

1. Fulham need to an exceptional job on  defending set pieces. This key is usually in my five every week because it tends to be a factor in the match. Fulham have been very suspect on defending in these situations especially on the road. If they expect to win, they cannot afford to give up a goal on a set piece.  



2. Danny Murphy need to control the midfield for Fulham. With Joe Barton out of the game for Newcastle, Murphy could have a huge role in this match-up. If Murphy can get the ball up to the strikers with his passing, Fulham could be in good shape against Newcastle.

3. Fulham need to contain Andy Carroll. This player has a bright future in the game. He is a physical threat up front that Fulham are going to have to control. It will be in the hands of Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland to contain Andy Carroll.

4. Mark Schwarzer needs to continue to be sharp. Schwarzer has definitely been tremendous lately in net. He has kept Fulham in games. They will need his usual form if they want to win on Saturday.

5. Moussa Dembele needs to be very active.  Dembele could still be fighting off the injuries he suffered earlier in the season. I have a feeling though he is close to breaking out. For Fulham to win they are going to need him to play a very active role up front.  

A win on the road would be very important to Fulham. They need to show they can win away from Craven Cottage, if they want to head back up the table. This match-up I think is a good opportunity for Fulham to come away with three points.

I am predicting a 2-0 victory for Fulham against Newcastle.