Tuesday Fulham Stuff (14/12/10)...

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1338179/West-Ham-Everton-Fulham-ready-pounce-Martin-Stranzl-demands-Spartak-Moscow-exit.html?

West Ham, Everton and Fulham ready to pounce after Martin Stranzl demands Spartak Moscow exit

Martin Stranzl has put West Ham, Everton and Fulham on alert after telling Spartak Moscow he wants to quit the club.

The former Austria centre half has fallen out of favour with Valery Karpin over the last six months as the Spartak coach has struggled to shuffle his foreign players to meet Russian Premier League rules.

The 30-year-old attracted interest from England last year but was persuaded to stay in Moscow. However, he has now asked to be released from his contract a year early.

If Spartak agree, Rapid Vienna have already registered an interest, while both Glasgow giants Rangers and Celtic have previously sounded out the 6ft 3in defender.

While a return to Austria has not been ruled out, Stranzl knows it could be the last chance of fulfilling an ambition to play in England.

Spartak have good relations with West Ham following Radoslav Kovac's move to Upton Park last year and Avram Grant could certainly do with help to plug a defence that has conceded 30 goals in 17 Barclays Premier League games this season.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1338179/West-Ham-Everton-Fulham-ready-pounce-Martin-Stranzl-demands-Spartak-Moscow-exit.html#ixzz183pvWFgQ

[WhiteJC]

http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/richs-premier-league-review-part-1/?

Rich's Premier League review, Part 1
Filed under: General — rich

Arsenal P16 W10 D2 L4 F34 A 18 Pos 1st, GD 2nd

Strange to see a team with 4 defeats topping the league in December, but such is the world, eh?  Arsenal seem to be very much "for real" – with Nasri playing so well, Fabregas to return and Chamakh so effective you have to assume that Arsenal will keep on rolling.  But it is Arsenal, so I fear they're likely to be a sort of footballing Cher Lloyd:  better than everyone else but liable to end up disappointingly fourth.

Man City P17 W9 D5 L3 F24 A13 Pos 2nd GD 4th

I've just heard someone on Slate talking about Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" as a story about parenthood.   I'm not sure about that, but just as McCarthy's main man must pilot an innocent and vulnerable child through a post-apocalyptic hell (to what, though?), so must Roberto Mancini somehow keep his head while others are losing theirs, stick with the plan and hope that he doesn't get eaten along the way.  If he can just keep going, well, maybe...

I've been a fan of Mancini's from the outset and I think he's going about things absolutely correctly: get the defence set, build from there.  It's all starting to click, and as Silva settles in and Johnson gets more time on the pitch things can surely only get better.  The Tevez issue is the big concern:  if he stays I reckon they'll win it all.

Man United P15 W8 D7 L0 F35 A16 Pos 3rd GD 3rd

Like X-Factor winner Matt Cardle, of no obvious quality but somehow there or thereabouts.  And as Cardle demonstrated, if you're there or thereabouts when it matters, strange things can happen.  I suppose the bigger question is whether Fergie's dynasty is on its way out.  I think it is.

Chelsea P17 W9 D4 L4 F31 A12 Pos 4th GD 1st

I did some work with a major investment house in London last year.  The MD there was an absolute tool. In one long, painful meeting he undermined everything we did with an arrogant stupidity that rankled and exasperated all involved.  We'd (we were me and my boss, nice people who have never had a problem getting along with people at work) never experienced anything like it.  He has since left the investment house, I have learned (by "mutual consent").  Spurred on by boredom and bitterness I looked back on his career via google and it's (as expected) a simple tale of privilege:  Daddy v high up in city, son gets job at Daddy's firm, Daddy gets vvv high up in city, son gets slightly better job, and on we go from there.   What does it all mean?  Is this success?   This man is richer than I or any of my family will ever be for several generations, but, well, nah.

In many ways it's nice to see Chelsea whimper away so gently, never really having achieved what they  expected to achieve.   Will they come again?  Undoubtably.   Will they be any more likeable?  No.

Spurs P17 W7 D6 L4 F25 A22 Pos 5th GD 6th

Getting lots of good press but overrated I think.  If Spurs were an X-Factor contestant they'd be One Direction.  They might very well blast their way into the Champions League Final, but I just don't like them, collectively, individually, or conceptually. So it's a no from me, Simon.

Bolton P17 W6 D8 L3 F30 A24 Pos 6th GD 5th

Goal difference suggests they're legit, and the football they play is certainly pleasing.  Owen Coyle looks like a good manager and a good man (I read that he took pay cuts to get regular football five times in his career; that's the spirit) and I'm hopeful his team can keep this up.  They've achieved all this with Zat Knight in the side, too, which works with my theory that Zat was never half as bad as people liked to make out.

The North West has far too many teams in the Premiership, but Bolton have emerged from the grey to become a credit to the league.

Sunderland P17 W5 D9 L3 F20 A18 Pos 7th GD 8th

Everything we ought to be really, a young, dynamic side that's been set up to defend well and supplemented with some exciting attacking talent.  It's not quite paying off yet but Steve Bruce seems to be doing everything right, and this looks like a side that should be knocking around the giddy heights of the 8-10 slots for years to come!  Woooo Premiership.

Newcastle P17 W6 D4 L7 F27 A26 Pos 8th GD 7th

Alan Pardew, eh?  I was thinking about this, and in his shoes I'm not sure I could have taken the job.  It's the sort of naked opportunism that people in football shrug off as 'part of the game' but which doesn't quite feel right.  But Pardew would very reasonably argue that he should never have been sacked by Southampton, so it's swings and roundabouts, dog eat dog, and so on.  I'd still have said "thanks, but no thanks" though.

Anyway, he has inherited a group of not especially likeable players who are doing a good job in adversity and therefore being a bit more likeable as a result.   What does *this* tell us?  Confusing.

Liverpool P17 W6 D4 L7 F21 A22 Pos 9th GD 10th

This one's to be left well alone I think.  Liverpool FC: a riddle, wrapped in an enigma, and propped up in front of its Sky Sports box from the comfort of its Home Counties lounge with a strange sense of entitlement.  Liverpool fans would do well to consider the Japanese idea of Wabi Sabi, that beauty lies in broken things, in imperfection:  is out and out achievement all it's cracked up to be?  Is all this really about success?  If you win everything (or something), then what?  You have to win again and again and again or get really angry about things?   Nah.     Don't get angry with Roy; fall in love with a twig or a puddle.

Blackpool P16 W6 D4 L6 F24 A29 Pos 10th GD 11th

Blackpool are the life we sometimes wish we could lead but don't have the guts to try: the George Hayduke, the Raoul Duke, the Sebastian Dangerfield.   Did you realise that Blackpool have already won four times away this season?  How often did we wonder what might happen if Roy had let the players off the lead on our travels last year?   Blackpool are giving it the long handle, and if they go down (as they might) they'll have enjoyed themselves, and if they don't, well, superb achievement all involved.   There's something very refreshing about all this, and not in a patronising way at all.  It's like Cameroon 1990 without the violence.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/48048/EXCLUSIVE_Premier_League_trio_monitoring_Safari_says_agent.aspx

EXCLUSIVE: Premier League trio monitoring Safari, says agent

Martin Dahlin, the agent of Basel and Sweden star Behrang Safari, has confirmed that his client has attracted interest from Premier League clubs Liverpool, Everton and Fulham.

Dahlin scored four goals for Sweden at the 1994 World Cup in USA and later joined current Reds boss Roy Hodgson at Blackburn Rovers after a brief stint at Italian giants Roma.

Speaking exclusively to Sport.co.uk, Dahlin enthused about Safari's potential, describing him as a versatile left-sided player who, at the age of 25, already has international and Champions League experience.

He said: "Behrang Safari, has been doing very well and was recently linked with Liverpool, Fulham and Everton.

"He is a 25 year-old left-back and left-winger who has been playing in the Champions League with Basel and has already got 17 caps for Sweden.

"I have high hopes for him."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/48059/Fulham_boss_targets_striker.aspx?

Fulham boss targets striker

Mark Hughes has revealed that he would like to bring in a striker during the January window to help his injury-hit Fulham attack.

The Cottagers boss is well aware that his forward line is the area of concern within the squad as they have managed just 16 goals in 17 Premier League games so far this season.

Hughes has been missing star striker Bobby Zamora due to a broken leg picked up earlier in the campaign, while Andrew Johnson and Moussa Dembele have also been missing for spells due to respective injury problems.

Therefore, as draw specialists Fulham look to add to their two league wins this season and pull away from near the relegation places, Hughes feels a new striker could be they key if the club can afford to do business next month.

"We are missing a Bobby Zamora type and he will not be back until the end of January or start of February if everything goes to plan," said Hughes following the 0-0 draw against Sunderland on Saturday.

"So if there's someone we can bring in to help us, we will look at it.

"But more often than not strikers cost a lot of money at Premier League level, so we will have to see."

[WhiteJC]

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

Building from the Back

Despite creating a number of goal scoring chances in the second-half of Saturday's Barclays Premier League encounter against Sunderland, Fulham were unable to breach a determined Black Cats' defence.

Andrew Johnson, Clint Dempsey, Zoltan Gera and Dickson Etuhu all went close to breaking the deadlock as Fulham upped the attacking tempo in the second-half. Unfortunately, Steve Bruce's men were able to survive those scares to grab a share of the points.

Looking back on a frustrating afternoon, Fulham defender Aaron Hughes summed up the encounter.

"It just didn't drop for us," he said. "We could easily have walked off with all three points, and then it wouldn't have been such a big issue.

"There were a couple of times it wouldn't fall for us in the box. Sunderland has a little spell at the end of the first-half but apart from that they didn't have an awful lot. We were quite pleased with that considering their strike force has been doing really well recently. So to come away with the clean sheet was a big bonus for us.

"We would liked to have turned some of our draws into wins, I think that's maybe why we're in a less attractive position than what we'd hoped for.

"But at the same there are a lot of positives we can take from the game. And if we keep building on what we've done over the last couple of games, I'm sure it'll turn for us home and away."

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/December/AaronHughesSunderlandReaction.aspx?#ixzz183raK5V4

[WhiteJC]

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/football-league/3684/2/burley-speroni-signing-proves-palace-are?

Burley: Speroni signing proves Palace are on the up

Julian Speroni's Premier League snub shows Crystal Palace are moving in the right direction, according to George Burley.

The Argentinean goalkeeper, a fan's favourite at the club, ended speculation over his future last week when he signed a new and improved three-and-a-half year deal at Selhurst Park.

Speroni was linked with a move to Fulham and claimed at the end of the summer transfer window that he was desperate to play in the Premier League but he's committed his immediate future to Palace.

Burley said: "It's obviously tremendous news to have Julian sign a new contract at the club.

"He's such a great character and an asset to the club. We're moving in the right direction with this - when I came here in the summer I only had 10 players.

"It's a slow process but we are building something here."

[WhiteJC]

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

Coach of the Year

Ladies and FDFC Youth Co-ordinator Roanna Simmons won the Deaf Sports Personality of the Year Coach of the Year award at the inaugural Deaf Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2010, which was recently hosted at Wembley Stadium.



Roanna was recognised at the awards for being the first deaf Women to gain the FA Level 3 UEFA B Coaching Licence, and also for the part that she played in FDFC Ladies success in winning an amazing treble last year.



Fulham DFC Ladies missed out on the team of the year award, losing to the Deaflympics gold medal winning tennis mixed doubles pair Anthony Sinclair and Catherine Graham.

FDFC Chairman Nick Beese said:



"Big congratulations must go to Roanna Simmons on winning the Coach of the Year Award, she has done everyone at the Fulham Deaf Football Club very proud with her success and immense passion for coaching.

"We are blessed to have Roanna working with us both with the ladies squad and last year with the youth squad, as with being first deaf Women to gain the FA Level 3 UEFA B Coaching Licence she is an inspiration to many deaf footballers men and women. It is also great to see that the hard work Roanna and Ladies Manager Ryan Pendley have put into the ladies squad, making deaf football history by winning the treble has been recognised nationally."

Everyone at Fulham DFC had an amazing night at the awards, where many others got recognised for their success or behind the scenes work.

The winner of the Deaf Sports Personality Award 2010 went to badminton player Rajeev Bagga. The lifetime achievement award went to Great Britain Deaf Football legend Chris Gwynn.
Thanks to the Deaf Sports Personality of the Year committee for making the awards happen, everyone at Fulham DFC looks forwards to the next event!



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/December/CoachoftheYear.aspx?#ixzz183sG9Tb0

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6575184,00.html?

Murphy bemoans Fulham form
Cottagers' season beginning to sound like a 'stuck record'

Danny Murphy has admitted that draws and a winless streak are making Fulham's season a frustrating one.

A 0-0 draw with Sunderland at Craven Cottage on Saturday was the 10th league draw of the season for Fulham, more than any other team.

The goalless encounter also extended what has now become an unwanted winless streak to seven games.

Club captain Murphy has admitted the team's results this term make for grim reading, especially with the Cottagers hovering above the drop zone on mere goal difference.

Frustrated

"We're very frustrated and it's becoming a familiar story," Murphy told the club's official website.

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

"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."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/850309-landon-donovan-could-opt-for-fulham-loan-transfer-over-everton-return?

Landon Donovan 'could opt for Fulham loan transfer over Everton return'
Los Angeles Galaxy striker Landon Donovan looks set for a return to the Premier League next month through a short-term loan deal - but he could be persuaded to join Fulham instead of Everton, it has emerged.

The American international spent two-and-a-half months at Goodison Park last season, scoring twice in an impressive 13-game spell between January and early March.

Speculation has been rife that Donovan, 28, will return to England again for a loan spell that coincides with the close season in the MLS.

However, recent rumours that Everton will take him back have been replaced by talk that goal-shy Fulham - who have drawn ten of their 17 league games so far in the current campaign - will also make a bid.

Cottagers manager Mark Hughes said after Saturday's goalless home draw with Sunderland that he would be targetting a forward in January.

He said: 'We are missing a Bobby Zamora type and he will not be back until the end of January or start of February if everything goes to plan.

'So if there's someone we can bring in to help us, we will look at it.

'But more often than not strikers cost a lot of money at Premier League level, so we will have to see.'

While Donovan does not represent a traditional target man, he showed at the World Cup with crucial strikes against Slovenia, Algeria and Ghana that he is capable of providing a cutting edge - something Fulham have lacked this season.

The presence of American international team-mate Clint Dempsey at Craven Cottage may also provide a draw for Donovan.
However, Moyes has hinted he won't give up on the forward without a fight.

'We know we need a striker,' he said.

'But the sort of money it will cost... it is probably a reality that we will have to look at bringing in a loan player, that it will be the loan market we will need to look at to provide some sort of solution.'


Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/850309-landon-donovan-could-opt-for-fulham-loan-transfer-over-everton-return#ixzz183snfJDA

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=224590

Fulham - Missing Zamora!
This season is starting to look a real struggle, possibly something that was noticed by the Craven Cottage crowd on Saturday as we played out yet another draw.

With chants of 'Bobby Zamora` filling the air, Mark Hughes couldn`t help but mention our stricken striker when addressing the media afterwards when he commented,

"There`s a little bit of frustration but I think they were isolated shouts."

"We are missing a Bobby Zamora type and he will not be back until the end of January or start of February if everything goes to plan."

"So if there`s someone we can bring in to help us, we will look at it."

"But more often than not strikers cost a lot of money at Premier League level, so we will have to see."

Matters are not really helped by having Mousa Dembele side-lined as well are they!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=224590#ixzz183t84T9P

[WhiteJC]

http://fulham.theoffside.com/team-news/opportunity-available.html?

Opportunity Available
By: timmyg

I've moved on to other pastures, so if anyone is interested in blogging for this site please check out our Bloggers Application at http://www.theoffside.com/bloggers .

Thanks for everything one and all!

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamsw6.com/default.asp?section=info&page=evchristmas006.htm

All welcome to Fulham FC tonight

A starry line-up including Simon Davies, Zoltan Gera, Dickson Etuhu, Mousa Dembele and Andrew Johnson will be joining fans at Craven Cottage tonight, Tuesday December 14 for the annual Christmas at the Cottage event.

The club is promising an evening full of festive cheer, with the players meeting and greeting supporters in the home dressing room. Visitors will also have exclusive access to the tunnel area and Cottage forecourt.

There will be complimentary mulled wine and mince pies, some festive entertainment from the Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society and appearances from the club's Academy scholars and mascot Billy the Badger.

The Lyric Theatre will also be on hand to entertain Juniors with a very special arts workshop in the Cafe at the Cottage.

The Stadium Store is open all day from 9am, closing briefly for event set-up at 5.30pm, then re-opening to the public at 6pm, offering fans the chance to purchase your last minute Christmas gifts and have one of them personally signed by members of the First Team Squad.

The club warn supporters attending the event that there may be some outside queuing and that warm clothing is advised.

Everyone is welcome to join in between 6pm and 8pm and there's no need to book.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/December/Advent14-CottageTours.aspx?

Cottage Tour Offer

Buy one get one free on Cottage Tours today

In today's great Christmas offer, we are giving you a very special gift with our fantastic buy one get one FREE Cottage Tour offer.

Craven Cottage is one of the most charismatic stadiums in the country. The ground has a history stemming back to the late 1700's and there are fascinating facts and stories in every area of the ground.

The tour is your opportunity to go behind the scenes and visit the dressing rooms, dugouts, corporate hospitality areas, press facilities, and even view the scene from the Cottage balcony.


Cottage Tour dates

Saturday 18th December
Saturday 15th January
Saturday 5th February
Saturday 19th March
Saturday 9th April
Saturday 30th April
Saturday 14th May

Today only, you can book two places for just £10.50 Adults or £7.50 Juniors. To take advantage of this great offer, call 020 7384 4777 between 9am - 5:30pm today. Outside of these times, fill out the below form and a member of our Foundation team will contact you to confirm your booking.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/December/Advent14-CottageTours.aspx?#ixzz183uGw3vr

[Tom]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=224590

Fulham - Missing Zamora!
This season is starting to look a real struggle, possibly something that was noticed by the Craven Cottage crowd on Saturday as we played out yet another draw.

With chants of 'Bobby Zamora` filling the air, Mark Hughes couldn`t help but mention our stricken striker when addressing the media afterwards when he commented,

"There`s a little bit of frustration but I think they were isolated shouts."

"We are missing a Bobby Zamora type and he will not be back until the end of January or start of February if everything goes to plan."

"So if there`s someone we can bring in to help us, we will look at it."

"But more often than not strikers cost a lot of money at Premier League level, so we will have to see."

Matters are not really helped by having Mousa Dembele side-lined as well are they!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=224590#ixzz183t84T9P

:tom: No sh!t! Tell us something we don't know captain obvious.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.examiner.co.uk/huddersfield-town-fc/huddersfield-town-news/2010/12/14/blackpool-fulham-west-brom-wolves-leeds-and-leicester-on-scouting-duty-at-huddersfield-town-game-86081-27818556/?

Blackpool, Fulham, West brom, Wolves, Leeds and Leicester on scouting duty at Huddersfield Town game

FORMER Town star Simon Ireland was among the scouts at Saturday's Galpharm clash with Brighton.

He was representing Blackburn, the club who signed him in September 1992, and was among seven from the Premier League.

Arsenal had Kevin Beadell keeping tabs on Benik Afobe, who is back with the Gunners for their FA Youth Cup third-round clash with Darlington at Barnet tonight.

The striker, who came on as a second-half substitute, will rejoin Town ahead of Saturday's League I game at Brentford, who had Derek Bragg on scouting duty.

Blackpool, Fulham, Sunderland, West Brom and Wolves were also there.

Watching from the Championship were Leeds, Leicester, Scunthorpe, Sheffield United and Watford.

Paul Brady was there for tonight's JPT hosts Tranmere and Peter Eustace for Hartlepool, who come to the Galpharm for a League I game on Boxing Day.

Carlisle, Dagenham and Redbridge, Rochdale and Southampton made up the contingent.



Read More http://www.examiner.co.uk/huddersfield-town-fc/huddersfield-town-news/2010/12/14/blackpool-fulham-west-brom-wolves-leeds-and-leicester-on-scouting-duty-at-huddersfield-town-game-86081-27818556/?#ixzz1854FB1SX

[ImperialWhite]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=224590
"So if there`s someone we can bring in to help us, we will look at it."

"But more often than not strikers cost a lot of money at Premier League level, so we will have to see."

Is this a bluff do you think, so that potential sellers aren't so aware of how painfully desperate we are for a striker, or does he really envisage us not buying one?

Slightly worried by this.

[AlFayedsChequebook]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=224590
"So if there`s someone we can bring in to help us, we will look at it."

"But more often than not strikers cost a lot of money at Premier League level, so we will have to see."

Is this a bluff do you think, so that potential sellers aren't so aware of how painfully desperate we are for a striker, or does he really envisage us not buying one?

Slightly worried by this.

If it is not a bluff, we will get relegated, as simple as that.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1338441/Steven-Gerrards-track-Fulham-clash-reveals-Liverpool-boss-Roy-Hodgson.html?

Steven Gerrard's on track for Fulham clash, reveals Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is hoping Steven Gerrard can train on Tuesday morning with a view to making his comeback against Fulham at the weekend.

The Reds skipper has been absent since injuring a hamstring on November 17 in England's friendly defeat to France.

The game against Fulham was earmarked as a likely date for his return and that remains the case.

However Hodgson insists the midfielder must get some training under his belt beforehand.

'Steven's on track for the weekend,' Hodgson told Liverpoolfc.tv. 'He's worked very hard to get back and Steven and Jamie Carragher are the type who hate not playing.

'Steven has been determined to get back as quickly as possible and the physios are happy with him and he feels quite good.'

Hodgson is adamant he won't take any risks with his star man and insists he will not bring him back unless Gerrard is ready.

'The big question when a player has a hamstring injury or a slight pull is when do you actually say he is totally fit and give him the go-ahead to play?' he said.

'We have to be careful there is no risk of the injury reoccurring and I am in the hands to some extent of the sports science people as to when he can come back.

'I take their word for it and I can't really push the subject because I would be devastated if we brought him back too early, but he still hopes he will be fit to play some part in the game against Fulham and so am I.'

Gerrard will definitely not come into contention for Wednesday night's Europa League clash against FC Utrecht at Anfield.

'We are training on Tuesday, Wednesday is a day off for those who won't be playing against Utrecht and if he is going to start the game against Fulham I definitely want him back training with us on Thursday, that's for sure,' said Gerrard.

'That's the deadline but I am still hopeful he can take some part in our training today.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1338441/Steven-Gerrards-track-Fulham-clash-reveals-Liverpool-boss-Roy-Hodgson.html#ixzz185S1TBOj

[WhiteJC]

http://www.everton.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=224648

Fulham to scupper Donovan move?
Fulham could be set to try and swoop for LA Galaxy skipper Landon Donovan right in front of David Moyes and Everton's noses.

According to several of the British tabloid papers today Mark 'No Spark' Hughes is interested in linking up USA team mates Clint Dempsey and Donovan at Craven Cottage.

'We are missing a Bobby Zamora type and he will not be back until the end of January or start of February if everything goes to plan. So if there`s someone we can bring in to help us, we will look at it.' No spark told the press after Fulham's game at the weekend.

Despite the comments not actually naming Donovan as his target, the Daily Mail at least believes these comments and the rumour are related so here is what else he had to say: 'more often than not strikers cost a lot of money at Premier League level, so we will have to see.`

Considering Donovan's comments in the past about how much he would like a Goodison Park return, personally I think he is a man of his word and if he was to return to the Premier League and we were interested then we would win any race to sign him.

However linking up with Dempsey is probably very tempting for the American.


Read more: http://www.everton.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=224648#ixzz185SOasRK

[WhiteJC]

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/48110/Pardew_set_to_name_assistant.aspx?

Pardew set to name assistant

Alan Pardew hopes to appoint an assistant manager this week, with Ray Lewington tipped to take up the role.

Former Fulham chief Lewington is looking for a new role having been demoted from his position as number two at Craven Cottage when Mark Hughes took charge in the summer.

Ex-Wimbledon player Wally Downes is another to be linked with the post, but he has only recently joined West Ham and looks like to remain at Upton Park.

Current Newcastle coaches Steve Stone and Peter Beardsley have also been mentioned with the job as number two, which has been vacant since Colin Calderwood left to join Hibs in October.

Pardew has brought in a new goalkeeping coach to St James' Park, with Andy Woodman taking the post having worked with the manager at West Ham and Charlton Athletic.