Sunday Fulham Stuff (12/12/10)...

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3283686,00.html?

Another stalemate for Fulham
Dire draw at the Cottage once more as Sunderland hold out

Fulham staged yet another stalemate at Craven Cottage as their shyness in front of goal continued with a 0-0 draw against Sunderland.

It was the Cottagers' 10th draw of the Premier League campaign and the game produced few chances, particularly in a dire first half.

Andrew Johnson's introduction for the second half gave the hosts a greater threat and it was he who came closest to breaking the deadlock.

Dickson Etuhu had a header cleared off the line while substitute Boudewijn Zendendragged narrowly wide for the Black Cats.

The last five meetings between these two sides have now produced just two goals, therefore a classic was never likely to be on the cards.

Hovering above the relegation zone, Fulhamlooked short on confidence and desperately need a win to kick-start their climb up the table.

The match started at a brisk pace with a swinging arm from Lee Cattermole on John Pantsil provoking a furious response from home fans.

Dempsey tested Simon Mignolet with a looping volley before defender Anton Ferdinand limped off in the 10th minute, replaced by Ahmed Elmohamady.

Nedum Onuoha headed a corner over from an awkward angle but it was only a half chance.

Fulham were suffering from conceding possession far too easily in the final third, with the hosts clearly struggling to hold up play without the injured Bobby Zamora.

They finally burst into life in the 27th minute when Zoltan Gera sent Diomansy Kamara into space only for the Senegal striker's final ball to be cleared by the impressive John Mensah.

Scramble

Brede Hangeland produced a timely block on a cross, but the free ball sparked a penalty area scramble that was eventually cleared to safety.

The half was short on quality but Sunderland attacked with more conviction, Phil Bardsley setting up a half chance for Bent who failed to keep his header on target after leaping high to outjump Hangeland.

Pantsil then got his body in the way to block an attempt by Bent, who on this occasion was teed up by Henderson.

Johnson replaced Kamara for the second half, an admission by manager Mark Hughes that Fulham desperately needed some inspiration.

The Cottagers' next raid came not through Johnson but Dempsey, whose chip towards the top-right corner was plucked from the air by Mignolet.

Fulham were attacking the second half with far greater vigour and they nearly crept ahead in the 56th minute, but Dempsey just failed to reach Carlos Salcido's brilliant cross.

It then took a cleared header from Bardsley, the last line of defence, to prevent the home side from taking the lead through Etuhu's goalbound effort.

All of Fulham's best moments were being provided by Dempsey, who saw another delicate shot stopped by the arm of Onuoha just outside the area.

Excellent
Mignolet produced an excellent save after Johnson had pulled the trigger from point-blank range, but the Cottagers were almost hit on the break.

Sunderland rushed upfield with only Pantsil defending against four players but Bent's crucial ball to Asamoah Gyan was terribly misplaced.

Johnson teed up Dempsey but this time Cattermole made the crucial block.

Kieran Richardson then tugged on Dempsey's shirt to concede a free-kick on the edge of the area, but Gera's delivery was tame.

Zenden sent a low drive narrowly wide of the right post from 30 yards and was then felled by a clearance from Pantsil.

The Dutchman fell awkwardly and required attention and oxygen to recover his bearings, only to be fully involved in Sunderland's attacking threat late on.

Bent was flagged offside after being slipped through one on one with Mark Schwarzer, steering wide in any case which summed up a dull match.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premiership/bore-draw-at-craven-cottage-15027571.html?

Bore draw at Craven Cottage

Sunderland climbed one place to sixth in the Barclays Premier League after drawing 0-0 with Fulham in a low-quality contest at Craven Cottage.
Neither side could complain with the outcome, although Fulham will be frustrated that a series of second-half chances were foiled by some resolute defending.

At one point in the second half Sunderland had a four-on-one overlap and a goal appeared certain, but an abysmal pass from Darren Bent ruined the moment.

The match started at a brisk pace with a swinging arm from Lee Cattermole on John Pantsil provoking a furious response from home fans.

Fulham were suffering from conceding possession far too easily in the final third, though both sides were struggling to build any rhythm amid a frantic opening 20 minutes.

The home defence dealt with a dangerous ball by Jordan Henderson, crowding out Bent and Danny Welbeck. Fulham finally burst into life in the 27th minute when Zoltan Gera sent Diomansy Kamara into space only for the Senegal striker's final ball to be cleared by John Mensah.

Andrew Johnson replaced Kamara for the second half, an admission by manager Mark Hughes that Fulham desperately needed some inspiration.

Fulham did begin the second half with more energy and nearly went ahead in the 56th minute when Clint Dempsey just failed to reach Carlos Salcido's brilliant cross.

It then took a cleared header from Phil Bardsley, the last line of defence, to prevent the home side from taking the lead through Dickson Etuhu's goalbound effort.

Simon Mignolet produced an excellent save after Johnson had pulled the trigger from point-blank range, but the Cottagers were almost hit on the break. Sunderland rushed upfield with only Pantsil defending against four players only for Bent to fluff his crucial ball to Asamoah Gyan.



Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premiership/bore-draw-at-craven-cottage-15027571.html?#ixzz17sf6grJE

[WhiteJC]

http://www.soccerway.com/news/2010/December/11/mignolet-saves-sunderland/?

Mignolet saves Sunderland

LONDON (AFP) - A fine second-half performance from Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet earned his side a point at struggling Fulham in their Premier League clash here on Saturday as the match ended in a 0-0 draw.

The draw kept Fulham - last season's surprise Europa League finalists - just out of the relegation zone on goal difference while Sunderland remain sixth in the table.

While the result means Mark Hughes has never lost to a club managed by former Manchester United team-mate Steve Bruce he will be more concerned that his side has won just once now in 13 Premier League matches.

Neither 'keeper had any opportunity to prove their worth in the first-half but Sunderland manager Bruce showed he was going for all three points by sending on record signing Asamoah Gyan, who is recovering from a toe injury, to partner fellow Darren Bent up front.

Perversely this move seemed to galvanise the hosts - who had been booed off at half-time by an increasingly disgruntled home support - as American veteran Clint Dempsey went close to marking his 100th appearance for the club with a goal.

Dempsey, leading scorer this term with six goals, five of those in the Premier League, forced Mignolet into a superb save whilst he forced another save from the alert guardian shortly afterwards.

Mignolet, though, was thankful to Chris Bardsley as the defender produced a brilliant goalline clearance with his head after Dickson Etuhu's header had beaten the 'keeper.

Mignolet, though, earned his spurs again when he pulled off a brilliant stop from former England striker Andy Johnson as the hosts piled on the pressure and Sunderland found very little in response to lift the siege of their goal.

[WhiteJC]

http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2010/12/sparkys_flat_battery.php?

Sparky's Flat Battery

The suffering continues down by the Thames as more ground is lost after another fruitless and frustrating performance from Fulham - just four points taken from the last 21.

I tend not to post soon after matches. There's little point in writing a match report when you can access on-line the efforts of every scribe present. Blogs are for that additional passion and invective the traditional newshound does not deal in. I am therefore opening this thread now as a conduit for those twitching to unload their feelings on our current position.

What really goes on behind closed doors during the week is something all professional clubs go to extreme lengths to keep quiet. While you may cultivate players as a journo, betray a confidence - especially something that can be traced back to a specific source - and you'll be frozen out in a blink. Therefore we fans sift the clues for the truth through a series of chinese whispers and those who have 'mates working at the club.'

But when managers go in front of the media we of course have a record of their thoughts. Our current manager has yet to admit he's concerned by our drop in form, blames our lack of results on player injuries, but taking the biscuit was this quote in today's 'Daily Express.'

"We will always create chances – that's a given with this group of players. But it's about taking them. "We have goals in this side but it's about making sure we convert them when they present themselves".

In fact, in the first 45 today, which had plenty of endeavour but absolutely no craft or flair, the team did not create one genuine chance inside the box. We saw a speculative lob from Dempsey early on and a feeble bobble at the keeper from Salcido - both from range.

We stepped it up in the 2nd half against a patched up Sunderland. Frenetic as it was, how often was their second string keeper seriously tested? Once, in a scramble from a corner. We saw more goal threat against Juventus on one night than we've seen in a month of sterile football,

Did you hear what was being sung from the seats Mr Hughes? I rest my case. Make no mistake, this is now a relegation team. And I see no evidence of any tactical strategy to change what's wrong. How Eric Nevland would have come in useful in the past few weeks...

Fulham fans, it's your turn. There's only one thing that scares me more than our league position. An out of work Ray Wilkins watching from the stands today...dear God, please no!

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6567672,00.html?

Hughes hails Sunderland heroics
Creditable defensive display leaves Hughes frustrated

Fulham manager Mark Hughes hailed the defensive display of Sunderland at Craven Cottage as the visitors dug out a goalless draw on Saturday.

After a dreadful first half, Andrew Johnson'sintroduction breathed life into the game and on another day Fulham may well have taken all three points.

Chances were few and far between for Sunderland and they had a fantastic display from defensive duo John Mensah and Nedum Onuoha to thank for keeping the hosts at bay.

"I thought the amount of possession we had in the second half and the number of chances we had, in terms of blocked shots and opportunities, we were good value for three points," Hughestold Sky Sports.

"But, in fairness to Sunderland, I thought they defended really well and they were really strong and determined when they had to get bodies in front of the ball and that frustrated us.

"At the moment, things just aren't dropping in the box for us but it's only a matter of time before we start getting more points on the board."

Johnson

Johnson's Fulham career has been dogged by injuries but, after replacing the ineffective Diomansy Kamara, he rejuvenated the team and the home crowd.

Asked if the former England international should have been involved from the start, Hughes admits he must be cautious when it comes to Johnson's fitness.

He said: "We're trying to be careful with Andy, he's been out for a long time and obviously we've got a situation where we're missing key personnel in attacking areas.

"But we don't want to put too much onus on Andy too soon because we don't want him to break down again, so we'll introduce him quietly.

"His movement and desire was there for everybody to see, so that's a positive for us."

The result was the Cottagers' 10th league draw of the campaign and they remain one place above the relegation zone, but Hughes insists they are better than the table suggests.

"The guys are frustrated because obviously, performance wise, we're better than our league position but at the end of the day you've got to put points on the board.

"There's a lot of games coming up and things can change very, very quickly."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/December/HughesSunderlandReaction.aspx?

Hughes' Sunderland Reaction

Fulham and Sunderland fought out a goalless draw at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon. In a tight affair, the Whites grew stronger as the game went on and certainly had the better of the second-half.

Speaking after the match, Mark Hughes gave his post-match reaction.

"We're lacking a bit of luck. We had a number of chances, in the second-half especially," said Hughes.

"Sunderland defended really well today, got their bodies on the line for goalbound shots and cleared things off the line.

"On another day those things go in for you. The possession we had should have been illustrated by goals.

"If we'd got that opening goal we had the capacity to go on and win the game comfortably.

"There are a lot of teams down at the bottom. It just takes one win.

"We're scrambling to get that win that will settle everyone down. There was initially some anxiety in our play.

"In the second-half I thought we took the game to them and deserved to win."



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/December/HughesSunderlandReaction.aspx?#ixzz17sgVddfg

[WhiteJC]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/12/11/2256623/mark-hughes-bad-luck-in-front-of-goal-is-costing-fulham?

Mark Hughes: Nervous Fulham are in bad need of a victory soon
Manager praises Sunderland's defence after stalemate

Fulham manager Mark Hughes believes all his side needs is a bit of luck, after seeing them stutter to their tenth draw of the season, after a goalless stalemate with Sunderland at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

In an evenly contested first half, with only two shots on target, it was Sunderland who created the best chance but Darren Bent managed to head wide from a cross by Phil Bardsley.

However, in the second half, Fulham almost secured the three points when Andy Johnson saw his shot from a Clint Dempsey corner, brilliantly saved by Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignlet.

Indeed, it is chances like that which make Hughes believe that all Fulham need is a break to lift themselves up the table.

"I think we are missing a little bit of luck," Hughes told reporters after the game.

"I think we had a number of chances, especially in the second half,  but Sunderland defended well today, got bodies on the line of goalbound shots and cleared things off the line.

"On another day these things go in for you and then the possession that we had in that second half could have been but obviously we were frustrated by goals, and unfortunately we didnt get that opening goal. If we did I think we would have had the capacity to go on and win the game comfortably.

"At the moment we are just not getting the run of the ball in the box."

Fulham are still sitting in 17th place in the league after drawing blanks at home, but Hughes believes it will only take one win to lift them up the table.

"I think there is a lot of teams down there and I have said it only takes one win," he continued.

"We are all scrambling to get that win that will settle everyone down. I think there was a little bit of anxiety, especially in the first half but second half I think we took the game to Sunderland deserved to win it.

"You are going to get that but all in all it's difficult at the moment as we missed personnel and people that we would like to be available and an option for us but that is where we are at the moment, so we make the best of it.

"But in terms of attitude and belief you saw that in the second half and we just need a break."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/12/11/sunderland-add-more-stalemate-woe-for-anxious-fulham-64767-27809754/?

Sunderland add more stalemate woe for anxious Fulham

FULHAM kept up their worrying addiction to draws with another stalemate at the Cottage that will do nothing for their anxiety to start clawing their way from the danger zone.

It was their 10th draw in 17 games – which equals the Premier League record - and five have come at home, where they need to start picking up wins.

It might have been even worse for the Whites – sub Bolo Zenden fired narrowly wide and Darren Bent missed a glorious chance towards the end.

Bent was particularly wasteful of a perfect through ball from Zenden – touching it past the onrushing Mark Schwarzer but wide of the post.


Clint Dempsey (pictured) was easily Fulham's most likely source of a goal, with his intelligent and energetic promptings forcing Sunderland defenders into a few desperate blocks. But even he could not conjure a goal for the home side.

The best chance came from a set piece on 69 minutes – Simon Davies' corner to the far post was nodded back into the six yard box by Zoltan Gera for Andrew Johnson, who turned sharply on his left foot, but fired the ball against the legs of keeper Simon Mignolet.

Johnson came on for an ineffective Diomansy Kamara at the start of the second half, but still does yet not look his old self. Too many runs were into the channels and devoid of menace. He clearly misses Bobby Zamora's ability to bring the best out of him.

Mark Hughes did eventually succumb to the need for a second striker when he brought on Eddie Johnson with 20 minutes to go, but it made little difference.

In the quest for small mercies, fans were at least treated to a modicum of entertainment in the second half after a dire first 45 that had many of them booing in derision as the players left the field.

But there is undoubtedly a little apprehension in the air that needs to be dispelled as quickly as possible.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/12/11/sunderland-add-more-stalemate-woe-for-anxious-fulham-64767-27809754/?#ixzz17sh9M8WR

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/December/AndrewJohnsonSunderlandReaction.aspx?

Mental Strength

Andrew Johnson was one of a number of Fulham players denied a goal on Saturday as Sunderland rode their luck to hold on to a draw at Craven Cottage, despite a very positive second-half attacking display from the Whites.

Mark Hughes' side recovered from a scrappy first-half to become the dominant force after the break, but a combination of brave Black Cats defending and good fortune left the home side frustrated and wondering what might have been.

"I don't think we're playing badly, we're just not getting the rub of the green at the moment, you know?" Assessed Johnson, whose half-time introduction appeared to be a contributing factor to his team's second-half offensive.

"Clint had a shot blocked, I swivelled and hit one which the 'keeper dived the wrong way and saved with his knee – little things like that. It's just not falling for us at the moment, but you know how football is, it can change just like that. In the next game someone might hit one which comes off someone else and go in.

"We're not quite getting the luck at the minute and people are maybe getting a bit edgy, but we've got enough characters to get out of the situation we're in.

"We're playing very well, as that second-half showed. We made more chances – I think we had 13 shots – so it's just a case of that first one dropping in and then I'm sure the floodgates will open."

Attacking the Hammersmith End, AJ and his fellow Whites forwards were spurred on by much encouragement from the Fulham faithful, and the striker underlined the part supporters can play in helping the team turn their fortunes around.

"I'd just like to ask the fans to stick with us," he requested. "I appreciate it's probably hard for them to take at the moment, because we finished seventh and then got to the Europa League Final, and now we're in the position we are.

"But it's a false position, and we're a strong group of players – the same group who achieved those successes - so we're going to keep our heads up and keep going."

And with the busy Christmas fixture schedule just ahead, Johnson says that he and his team-mates are viewing the run of quick fire fixtures as the ideal opportunity to put a difficult patch behind them and start climbing the table.

"When you're not getting the rub of the green and you find yourself at the bottom of the table you want to play as many games as possible," he outlined. "The more games you can play, the quicker you can turn things around.

"But like I say, we've got a strong group of players and we will be fine."

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/December/AndrewJohnsonSunderlandReaction.aspx?#ixzz17shUV1di

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/12/11/aaron-hughes-insists-fulham-glass-is-half-full-64767-27809796/?

Aaron Hughes insists Fulham glass is half full

AARON Hughes insists there is no panic in the ranks after yet another draw that keeps Fulham hovering worryingly above the Premier League's trap-door.

The Whites defender (pictured) insists they are doing OK and will soon turn the corner.

"Today was one of those days when it just didn't drop for us in the box. We could easily have walked off today with all three points," said the upbeat defender after Saturday's 0-0 draw with Sunderland at Craven Cottage.

"We're not feeling sorry for ourselves and we're not beating ourselves up either. We're just trying to keep the middle ground and build on the good things that we're doing and make sure we cut out the errors that have maybe cost us.

"We would have liked to turn some of those draws into wins and that's maybe why we're in a less attractive position than we'd hope for.

"But there are positives we can take again today and if we keep going the way we're going and keep building on what we've done in the last couple of games, then I'm sure it will turn for us home and away."

Hughes added: "To come away with a clean sheet is a big bonus for us. They [Sunderland] had a few chances in the last 15 minutes of the first half and again at the end of the game, but apart from that they didn't have an awful lot today.

"We were quite pleased with that considering their strike force has been doing really well lately."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/12/11/aaron-hughes-insists-fulham-glass-is-half-full-64767-27809796/?#ixzz17shlkcD2

[WhiteJC]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/12/11/2256641/steve-bruce-admits-people-would-have-enjoyed-christmas?

Steve Bruce admits people would have enjoyed Christmas shopping more than Sunderland's 0-0 draw with Fulham
Stalemate at Craven Cottage was 'agony' to watch

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has praised his young side for taking a point away from home after the Black Cats drew 0-0 at Fulham.

The visitors fielded a team with an average age of 23 and Bruce declared himself pleased with the result, though he did admit that the game was a somewhat turgid affair.

He said: "It was agony from start to finish from both sides I suppose.

"It's one of those games where you all would have liked to go Christmas shopping today but I'm delighted that we have a point considering we had to make changes defensively again.

"When we had four on one and overplayed the pass, that summed up our day really. I couldn't fault the effort and endeavour of them and the great thing is that it's probably the youngest side we have put out in the Premier League and we have applied ourselves in keeping the ball."

Despite being pleased with the performance, Bruce felt that his team could have left West London with all three points, he said: "I think you are always delighted to come away from home with a clean sheet and get a point.

"However I'm disappointed because if we had played anywhere near as good as we are capable of, as we have been doing over the last few weeks then we might have got three. But overall we are quite pleased to take a point away from home in this league."

Sunderland are currently sitting sixth, with Newcastle and Liverpool to play each other and the former Birmingham manager is delighted with the club's form ahead of the congested festive period of fixtures.
He said: "We have only lost three times so we have set ourselves up very nicely for the Christmas period and I'm generally pleased with what we have got and what we have managed to do.

"We are almost sixth in the Premier league so I cannot be displeased with that."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/hughton-looks-on-as-fulham-flounder-coincidence-2158004.html?

Hughton looks on as Fulham flounder. Coincidence?

As recent events have shown, few men are as unpredictable as club owners. Mohamed Al Fayed is far more popular at Fulham than Mike Ashley is at Newcastle but he is not known for his patience either, as several previous managers can testify. That will concern Mark Hughes after his team's winless run extended to 14 matches with this dire goalless draw. It may have been been a coincidence, but newly out-of-work Chris Hughton was watching.

Hughes has had less than six months to fashion his own side, but a team that reached the Uefa Cup final in May has declined alarmingly. The personnel are similar but confidence is low. The poor run dates from the ankle injury to Bobby Zamora in September, which is no coincidence. Fulham have not won since; only goal difference keeps them out of the relegation zone.

That goal difference (-4) in itself tells a tale. Fulham are rarely hammered, they just keep being edged out. With Zamora, some of their nine draws would have turned into wins.

This might well have been one of them. Steve Bruce admitted his Sunderland team played nowhere near their potential but Fulham could not put them away. Hughes tried three strikers and none looked like scoring.

"We just need a break," said Hughes. "We were anxious in the first half but in the second half we took the game to Sunderland and deserved to win it."

The first period was desperate. Clint Dempsey stretched Simon Mignolet with a dipping 25-yard yard shot on seven minutes, but the rest was huffing and puffing. Fulham were booed off at the break. One north-east reporter commented that it was the worst half he'd seen all season, adding "and I've seen a lot of Boro".

Hughes replaced Diomansy Kamara, who is quick but not too visionary, with Andrew Johnson. He worked the channels and held the ball up, giving Fulham a better shape. Half-chances were created but Phil Bardsley cleared Dickson Etuhu's header off the line and Mignolet denied Johnson at close range, and Zoltan Gera's shot was blocked.

Sunderland, who had David Meyler in for his first start since his cruciate ligament injury in May, should have won the game on the break but Darren Bent over-hit his pass to Asamoah Gyan. "I'm delighted with a point but it was one of them games where we all could have gone Christmas shopping," said Bruce. Sadly, he was right.

Substitutes: Fulham: Baird for Salcido (71),E Johnson for Etuhu (72), A Johnson for Kamara (h-t). Sunderland: Al-Muhammadi for Ferdinand (10), Gyan for Meyler (53), Zenden for Welbeck (78).

Bookings: Sunderland: Richardson.

Attendance: 24,462

Referee: Neil Swarbrick

Man of the match: Swarbrick (I'm not joking!)

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/December/Advent12-CocaCola.aspx?

Win with Coca Cola

Win a limited edition Christmas 'Holiday's are coming' remote control truck, courtesy of Coca Cola our Official Soft Drinks Supplier.

In today's great Christmas offer, we are giving you the opportunity to win a limited edition Christmas remote control truck. This item would make a perfect Christmas gift!

Furthermore, the winner will receive a Christmas supply of Coca Cola, all courtesy of Fulham's Official Soft Drinks Supplier, Coca Cola!

For your chance to win this great prize, enter our free prize draw below. By entering your details, you agree to allow the Club to contact you by e-mail regarding Club news and offers.

Terms and Conditions:Entry to the prize draw is free, no purchase necessary. All prize draw entries must be received by midnight on 12h December 2010.  Draw to be independently made on 1412/2010. The winner will be notified by 15/12/10. This item is not suitable for children under the age of 3. No cash or prize alternative. Decision of the Club is final. Details of the winners can be obtained by writing to Promoter: Fulham Football Club, Motspur Park Training Ground, New Malden. KT3 6PT, Coca Cola draw. Winners may be required to take part in advertising, including photographs. Staff of Fulham Football Club and their associated companies are excluded.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/December/Advent12-CocaCola.aspx?#ixzz17sj32kWx

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/216958/Fulham-0-Sunderland-0-Dull-Fulham-lacking-in-that-vital-Sparky/?

FULHAM 0 - SUNDERLAND 0: DULL FULHAM LACKING IN THAT VITAL SPARKY

FULHAM are slowly being sucked into the relegation dogfight.

This was their seventh game without a Premier League win and these must be worrying times for manager Mark Hughes.

What makes it worse is Sunderland didn't truly have to raise the stakes to keep them, albeit surprisingly, as Champions League contenders.

They needed to rely on keeper Simon Mignolet to ensure they extended their current run of just two defeats in their last seven, but overall they were not truly pushed.

Fulham simply didn't have the armoury to break down a defence which needed to be re-shuffled after losing Anton Ferdinand after just nine minutes through injury.

Sunderland did enough. No more.

Simple fact is Fulham have got to buy. Their squad is simply not good enough. January will show if Hughes still has the stomach for yet another fight after having his heart ripped apart by Manchester City.

They rely too heavily on the ageing legs of skipper Danny Murphy, who still rarely puts a foot or pass wrong, but at 33 the days when he runs the show are fast moving into the shadow.

Hughes admitted being worried, saying: "We are lacking confidence. On another day we might have done something, but we desperately need to get that win.

"Possibly different personnel is an option but where we are at the moment, we just need a break."

Fulham looked to have had the ball in the net in the 69th minute but somehow Andy Johnson's shot was hacked off the line by Mignolet.

It led to Sunderland racing upfield, four men against one – yet still fluffing the chance. It was that kind of turgid game.

Ex-Chelsea No2 Ray Wilkins was in the stand to watch and he must be grateful at the moment of being out of soccer if this is the kind of fare on offer after Stamford Bridge.

Sunderland fans got so bored they continually sang about the follies of Newcastle owner Mike Ashley.

Fulham didn't have the armoury to break open doors, Sunderland also defended well, but they also had an attacking malaise.

You could not fault Sunderland strikers Darren Bent or Danny Welbeck, just the appalling service offered to them.

Sunderland's midfield lacked creativity, bravery and any player with the ability to lift the game by the scruff of its neck.

Jordan Henderson often made solo sorties but even his final pass lacked accuracy.

Bent turned a 36th-minute header wide from Phil Bardsley's raking cross, but the ball's height always made the task impossible. Clint Dempsey, who seemingly alone is striving to keep Fulham alive, forced Mignolet into a swift save when he launched a 35-yard volley after John Mensah failed to clear in the eighth minute.

He was played wide left by Aaron Hughes and never looked comfortable, but he still was Fulham's best attacking option.

Fulham took the high ground early, pushing ball and passes through midfield but their attack is causing concern. They lack devilment, invention and a player not scared of moving into areas of hurt.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce said: "It was the type of game where we should have all gone Christmas shopping instead.
"We pride ourselves in the fact that we believe we can always do better.

"You're always pleased with a clean sheet but we are disappointed because we are capable of playing better than that. It was one of those days when you just want to move on."

MAN of the MATCH: SIMON MIGNOLET – The agile Sunderland keeper made crucial saves at times when Fulham looked to be gaining the high ground.

FULHAM: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Salcido (Baird (71) Murphy, Etuhu (E Johnson (71), Dempsey; Gera, Davies, Kamara (A Johnson (45).

SUNDERLAND: Mignolet; Onuoha, Mensah, Ferdinand (Elmohamady (9), Bardsley; Meyler (Gyan (53), Cattermole, Henderson, Richardson; Welbeck (Zenden (77), Bent.

Ref: N Swarbrick   Att: 24,462


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[WhiteJC]

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TT's Premier League opinions - Dec 11

Fulham forwards failing to fire:

Fulham and Sunderland fought out a dour goalless draw at Craven Cottage that highlighted only the gaping hole in the hosts forward line left by Bobby Zamora and Moussa Dembele.

The Cottagers have taken only three points from the last 18 available in the Premier League during a run of results that has seen them slip towards the relegation zone. Today's point leaves them outside the bottom three only on goal difference, and while Mark Hughes' defence will be causing him little concern, the Welshman's blunt attack is surely starting to keep him awake at night.

Diomansy Kamara started in attack, but lasted only until half-time when Andy Johnson was preferred to lead the line against a Sunderland backline already depleted by injury even before Anton Ferdinand limped off early on with a hamstring injury.

Johnson looked the livelier of the two forwards, but both are happier when running in behind defenders and offer little of the kind of link-up play that makes Zamora so good for Fulham. Clint Dempsey has had to adjust his game in the absence of Zamora and while the American still looks a class act in a deeper role, his trademark bursts beyond the front man are noticeably lacking.

Hughes' side are simply too easy to repel. While they had the territorial advantage for long spells today, rarely did Simon Mignolet in the Black Cats' goal look troubled, simply because his defenders denied Kamara or Johnson the space to run in behind.

Dembele's return is not far away but Zamora is not expected back for another three months. If Fulham continue to look as limp in attack as they do now then the England striker could well find himself returning to a relegation battle. (Ian Watson)

[WhiteJC]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2010/12/12/alan-pardew-wants-ray-lewington-as-his-no-2-at-toon-102039-22777669/

Alan Pardew wants Ray Lewington as his No.2 at Toon



NEW Toon boss Alan Pardew wants as his assistant Ray Lewington – the same man sacked Geordie boss Chris Hughton had identified as his ideal No.2.

Hughton, left without a right-hand man when his trusty lieutenant Colin Calderwood moved to Hibs in October, was convinced Toon owner Mike Ashley was ready to rubber-stamp the move for Fulham outcast Lewington just days before he was sacked.

Hughton saw Lewington's arrival as the signal to sign a new deal at St James' Park – but was given the push before the deal was done.

Now Pardew also wants Lewington on board – and Toon chiefs last night made their first contact with the man who helped Roy Hodgson to guide Fulham to the final of the Europa League last season.

Lewington has been demoted to youth development officer at Fulham following the arrival of Mark Hughes and his entourage.

But a switch to the North East is not yet cut and dried for Lewington, who spent 10 years as a player at Fulham.

Joining Hughton through the Tyneside exit door this week was Paul Barron, meaning the club need a new goalkeeping coach – and Pardew thinks he has the ideal man in his sights.

He has turned to Andy Woodman, currently operating at Charlton.

Woodman and Pardew were players together at Crystal Palace and when the new Newcastle boss was in charge at both West Ham and Charlton, Woodman was his goalkeeping coach.

But it's the pursuit of Lewington that will really rub salt in Hughton's wounds.

When Calderwood left, Hughton insisted his new assistant must be an external appointment but the Newcastle top brass said it had to be an internal one.

As a result, reserve team assistant manager Steve Stone sat by Hughton's side in the final days of his Newcastle reign and was in the dugout yesterday.

[WhiteJC]

http://sport.virginmedia.com/football/article/2010/12/11/hughes_well_come_good?

Hughes: We'll come good
Mark Hughes is refusing to panic despite the fact that his Fulham side are hovering a point above the relegation zone.

The Cottagers played out a drab goalless draw with Sunderland at Craven Cottage but Hughes is confident they will turn the corner.

"We're lacking a bit of luck. We had a number of chances, in the second half especially," said Hughes.

"Sunderland defended really well today, got their bodies on the line for goalbound shots and cleared things off the line. On another day those things go in for you. The possession we had should have been illustrated by goals.

"If we'd got that opening goal we had the capacity to go on and win the game comfortably.

"There are a lot of teams down at the bottom. It just takes one win. We're scrambling to get that win that will settle everyone down. There was initially some anxiety in our play. In the second half I thought we took the game to them and deserved to win."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1337716/Fulham-0-Sunderland-0-Mark-Hughes-left-frustrated-bore-draw.html?

Fulham 0 Sunderland 0: Pressure piling on Mark Hughes after another bore draw

Mark Hughes may still have the support of the Fulham faithful but for how long?

Far more importantly, how long is owner Mohamed Fayed prepared to sit on his hands and watch his team, his money and his not inconsiderable pride be ravaged by results?

Fulham have now gone seven matches since their last win in the Premier League and that victory over Wigan is still only their second in a season which is unravelling into Hughes's worst nightmare.


So close: Fulham's Zoltan Gera sees his shot fizz just wide of Simon Mignolet's post

His team were booed off at the end but it was a half-hearted response to this goalless bore.

It should be taken as a warning, though, of what will come if results do not improve.

Fulham have a difficult holiday programme with games against Liverpool, West Ham, Stoke and Tottenham in quick succession.

Hughes retains a calm enough exterior and he is adamant that a twist of good fortune will send them on the road to safety.
He said: 'There are lots of good teams down there.

'We are scrambling to settle down and find the results we deserve. We had the attitude and the belief in the second half, which I wanted to see from the players.'

Hughes has entered the sacking season when, even the innocent arrival of axed Chelsea assistant Ray Wilkins in the stands, causes rumours to fly.


Wall boys: Fulham's Zoltan Gera takes aim with a free kick

This was a case of two teams who are hard working and resolute but struggling to find goals.

It is a chronic situation for Fulham, which not even the arrival of Andy Johnson as a second-half substitute was able to turn round.

For Steve Bruce, it was a point earned rather than two lost.

He said: 'When you come home with a point it has been a pretty good day.

'At the same time, the match was one of those where we would have been better going Christmas shopping.

'We have played ourselves into a nice position with three of our next four matches at home.'

In stark contrast to the position his old Manchester United team-mate Hughes finds himself at Craven Cottage.


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Murphy's Assessment

Captain Danny Murphy spoke of the team's frustration on Saturday evening after the visit of Sunderland ended in a goalless draw despite Fulham spending the entire second-half encamped in the visitors' half.

The Whites saw a Dickson Etuhu header cleared off the line and only an instinctive save from Simon Mignolet deny a turn-and-shot from Andy Johnson, amongst countless other goalbound efforts in a rousing display, but at the end of 90 minutes, Murphy and co. were forced to settle for their 10th draw of the season.

"We're very frustrated and it's becoming a familiar story," he reflected ruefully.

"I thought in the first-half we were a little bit nervy, which was understandable because they are the confident side at the moment. But still, we weren't in real trouble and we looked reasonably comfortable defensively. Of course, at home you want to start on the front foot and we didn't quite do that, but we certainly weren't in any danger, and it was positive to go in without conceding for once, and then we thought we could kick on in the second-half.

"This season the trend has been that we've played better in the second-half kicking towards the Hammersmith End and that was the case again. I can barely remember Mark [Schwarzer] having a save to make in the second-half, but unfortunately it wasn't to be."

For, despite enjoying the lion's share of possession and 45 minutes of sustained pressure, much like the visit of Birmingham City a fortnight earlier, Fulham just couldn't find the elusive winning goal.

"People talk about not having the rub of the green, and that's how it feels at the moment," considered the skipper.

"We got the ball in their box a lot and created chances, but they put their bodies on the line, they cleared a couple off the goal-line, and Clint says the guy handballed it when he shot from AJ's pull-back, so little things aren't quite going for us.

"But at the end of the day, it's scoring goals that wins you matches and we haven't been doing that enough. Let's be honest, we've drawn too many.

"Again we're talking about a reasonably good performance and a dominant second-half display, but we haven't come away with the points, so there's a big disappointment in the dressing room. This week in training we'll have to try and take some positives from this and go to Liverpool with confidence."

The trip to Anfield next weekend to face a Reds side now under the stewardship of Roy Hodgson will certainly be a test of the team's credentials, but although results haven't been going for Fulham of late, there have been enough positive signs to suggest a change of fortune is just around the corner. However, our former Liverpool midfielder admits that he and his team-mates would settle for a scrappy win over another hard luck story of a good display without three points at the end.

"The one thing you can say about the past few weeks is that the performances have definitely improved," said Murphy. "We've looked much more comfortable in the games we've played in terms of our football, but the points haven't reflected that.

"So we need to not get too down on ourselves, even though we are as disappointed as the fans, because we don't want to be near the bottom of the League and we need to get away from there as soon as possible. But to do that we're going to need to start winning some games.

"As I said in my programme notes, we're not hiding behind excuses, but hopefully we will get the rub of the green soon.

"As we've just said in the changing rooms, we will play worse than that and win games. Maybe at the moment we don't need a good performance, we just need a win, even if that's with a bad performance.

"So we'll go to Liverpool, we'll fight and we'll try to play like we did in the second-half today and hopefully get something. They have a few injury problems at the moment and we can maybe capitalise on those."

Saturday's trip to Merseyside is the first of five fixtures in 18 days over the festive period, a reputedly crucial time of the season for shaping a club's destiny.

"It will be a tough Christmas with all the games coming thick and fast, but hopefully, by the time the New Year comes we'll have a more positive league position," he stated.

"But I thought, overall, we deserved to win the game. The fans got right behind us – especially in the second half – and we nearly gave them something to go home happy with, but unfortunately it wasn't to be.

"But we'll move on and we'll keep going, because that's what we have to do. There's no other way."

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