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Friday Fulham Stuff (31/12/10)...

Started by WhiteJC, December 31, 2010, 07:54:24 AM

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WhiteJC

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6625538,00.html?

Dembele boost for Fulham
Zamora also stepping up recovery from broken leg

Fulham boss Mark Hughes is hoping Moussa Dembele will be fit for next week's game with West Bromwich Albion.

Dembele has been sidelined since the middle of November with an ankle injury and has not featured during Fulham's Christmas programme.

The Belgian striker is unlikely to return for the New Year's Day derby at Tottenham Hotspur,but could be in contention for the visit of West Brom next midweek.

"We've have some good news on Moussa Dembele," Hughes told the club's official website. "He looks better than he has done for a number of weeks so we're hopeful.

"He may not be ready for the weekend but we're hopeful for the West Brom game next Tuesday."

Personality

Hughes also confirmed that Bobby Zamora,who has been out since September with a broken leg, is ready to take the next step in his recovery process.

He added: "Bobby is stepping up his training. We hope to involve him in warm-ups at some point next week. That's the next part of his rehab and his progress is going well.

"We're going to keep him in and around the group now. Along with his ability as a player his personality has been missed.

"It will be the end of January or the start of February before he is available for selection. The sooner we get him back the better."

WhiteJC

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1342875/Aston-Villa-Fulham-lead-chase-wantaway-Blackburn-defender-Chris-Samba.html?

Aston Villa and Fulham lead chase for wantaway Blackburn defender Chris Samba

Aston Villa are competing with Fulham for Blackburn defender Chris Samba and Cluj's giant striker Lacina Traore.

Samba, 25, is seen by manager Gerard Houllier as someone who can give greater physical presence to his squad and that would be enhanced further by 6ft 8ins tall Traore, 20, who is ready to move to England in a £3m deal.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1342875/Aston-Villa-Fulham-lead-chase-wantaway-Blackburn-defender-Chris-Samba.html#ixzz19fxVIuv6

WhiteJC

http://www.afrikansoccer.com/2010/12/paintsil-talks-up-steady-fulham-progress/?

Paintsil talks up steady Fulham progress

Defender John Paintsil says there's great spirit inside the Fulham camp after their victory at Stoke City.

The Ghana international has managed to crawl his way back into first team action in recent games for the Cottagers after a shaky start under manager Mark Hughes.

The win over Stoke on Tuesday- Fulham's first away win this season represents the steady rise of confidence within the London-club just as the right-back reiterated.

"It was really important to get that away win against Stoke," Pantsil told the club's official website.

"That has lifted the spirit because Stoke are a really tough side to beat. They're big boys and they're tough.

.
"It was a good atmosphere afterwards driving back to London. We didn't even think about the long journey back, we were just happy with the victory.

"We were very professional on Tuesday and fought hard whilst playing good football. To play Stoke and beat them at the Britannia, you have to be stronger than them. If not they will beat you and frustrate you.

"We were tactically disciplined on the pitch and everyone did really well. When we do our jobs the team game takes care of itself. What we have to do now is continue that form on Saturday against Spurs."


WhiteJC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/football_focus/9327504.stm

Lawro's prediction


Tottenham v Fulham
Going by their last couple of games, Tottenham will definitely win if they have a man sent off!

Seriously, though, teams are coming to White Hart Lane and trying to stifle Spurs by man-marking their danger men. It is those sort of tactics that Liverpool are having such problems dealing with but the north Londoners have got such rich attacking talent that they are a lot more difficult to stop.

The other thing about Tottenham is that manager Harry Redknapp can always change their approach using his bench too. I still believe they have got the best attacking options in the Premier League because of the players they can start with, or bring on.

Fulham scored twice to beat Stoke this week, which was a good win, but I still do not think they pose enough of a threat up front at the moment.

Prediction: 2-0

WhiteJC

http://salutsunderland.com/2010/12/house-of-the-rising-sunderland-fan-who-also-likes-fulham/?

House of the Rising Sunderland fan (who also likes Fulham)



Another slice of Salut! Sunderland nostalgia with apologies to those for whom it is all a bit familiar, Many years ago, when I was writing about Sunderland celebrity supporters for Down South, branch magazine of the London & Southern England SAFSA, the chance arose to interview Alan Price. I had discovered that despite his later association with Fulham, and what I assumed were the Mag allegiances of the Animals, Alan had grown up a devoted SAFC fan. His reminiscences were repeated here a few years ago but are worth repeating because the Salut! Sunderland audience these days far exceeds the combined readerships of Wear Down South and this site in earlier days ...
First published during the bad though not quite disastrous 2001-2002 campaign (the 19-point disaster was a season later)
Good though the Animals were as a Sixties band, I had always assumed they were a bunch of Mags.
"Oh Lord," comes the thundering response from Alan Price at the very thought. "Please don't let me be misunderstood.
And so Wear Down South found itself listening to the story of a Sunderland supporter, if no longer through and through (more of that later) then at least of impeccable origins.
It was an interview that took me to the suburban London house of the man responsible for one of the two most familiar organ solos – I'd put it alongside Procol Harum's Whiter Shade of Pale, but please feel free to tell me I've got it wrong – in British pop.
Meet Alan Price.
Let's start with a warning. Readers of a sensitive disposition, if they wish to avoid the offensive material that follows, are advised to avert their eyes.
Those made of sterner stuff should put themselves in the place of one Michael Ackerman, from the German town of Wuppertal.
Back in the early 1990s, Michael, a devoted Alan Price fan, was racking his brains for something to mark his hero's 50th birthday. Aware of the North East's passion for football, he hit on the brilliant idea of buying him shares in his favourite club.
So Alan, Jarrow lad and lifelong Sunderland supporter, became the bemused owner of a small stake in .. Newcastle United.
"I was too embarrassed to tell him," said Alan when he invited Wear Down South to his home in a quiet corner of south west London.
To this day, the Price household receives a steady supply of corporate junk, all the umwanted bumph from St James' Park that would make most of us reach for those nosepegs worn by the French before they could bring themselves to vote for Chirac and keep the fascist Le Pen out of the Elysée in 2002.
In fact, despite the Animals' Tyneside origins, only the late Chas Chandler was a true Mag. The other three had little or no interest in football.
Quick-witted and chatty, Alan looked a lot younger than your average rock dinosaur (he was pushing 60 when we met and will be 69 in April). He is probably better read than most of them, too, even though he also has an appealing hint of the sort of ordinariness many of his contemporaries shared but tried very hard to shed.
When I found his home, he was chewing on a modest TV dinner before the kick-off of a televised Newcastle vs Fulham game. So was Alan, like me, grudgingly hoping for a home win to keep Fulham in the relegation battle?
Not a bit of it. I was in the company of someone who not only developed a fondness for Fulham after moving south, but even joined its pre-Fayed board for a time.
Sunderland were his first love, lodged at the centre of his affections since he was taken to Roker Park as a lad of five. So as we sat in front of his television, he shared my concerns about the prospect of our demotion that season. But he also wanted Fulham to stay up, and was rooting for them as they defied Newcastle to grab a draw.
Born in Fatfield in April 1942, Alan Price has done a lot more than enjoy one outstanding showbiz career. In truth, he has moved seamlessly from one to another and then another.
A year off school with jaundice helped along his natural musical gifts. Largely self-taught, he became adept on piano, organ, guitar and bass.

By 16, he was playing skiffle and blues around the North East's clubs. The groups had names like the Pagans, the Kontours and the Black Diamonds and it was in such bands that Alan played at different times with all four of his future fellow Animals.
In 1961, he formed the Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo which, within a year, had brought together the Animals' original line-up: Alan and Chas, plus Eric Burdon, Hilton Valentine and John Steel. They decided on the name change (against Alan's will) after moving to the Smoke in 1964.
With Burdon's earthy vocals and Alan's great organ work, the Animals swept to No 1 on both sides of the Atlantic with one of the era's most memorable singles.
House of the Rising Sun helped establish them as the North East band to rival, if not the Beatles or the Stones, certainly the Who or Moody Blues. And more hits followed, among them Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood and I'm Crying.
But Alan became disillusioned. Exhaustion and a fear of flying were the official reasons for his departure in 1965. Beyond that, he was also suffering from wounded pride.
He felt his massive musical contribution had been taken for granted and, having accepted the band's vote to change its name, was bitterly upset when the others declined to extend the democratic process to a whipround to replace his prized Wurlitzer electric piano, stolen 10 days after he bought it.
For all Eric Burdon's charisma, and the sizeable cult following he went on to win, it was Alan who was to become easily the more successful solo artist after the break-up. I Put A Spell On You, Simon Smith And His Amazing Dancing Bear, Jarrow Song, The Trimdon Grange Explosion ... the full discography might need a Wear Down South series all of its own.
Along the way, there was a partnership with Georgie Fame, the source of some of Alan's happiest professional memories. Then came film soundtracks, musicals, a spot of acting – "they sent me to Stratford-on-Avon to try to get rid of my accent" – and, long ago, an Animals reunion.
"That was 1983," Alan told me. "I haven't seen Eric since."
It begs the obvious question. Do they really hate each other?
Alan is vague, but the answer is hardly a conclusive No. "Eric got publicity for a certain amount of time by slagging me off. But that's just how it was. No one wants to hear you are best buddies."
Alan's point is that the five Animals were "really just ships in the night", musicians who came together because they were the best around, not because they were mates. Now, they – the survivors, that is – are just "different people living different lives".
And where has SAFC slotted into this busy life? These days, he relies on TV and newspapers, or the radio when he's heading for a matchday gig.
"I have no particular desire to go to the Stadium of Light," he admitted. "I'm a Roker Park man."
He couldn't have asked for a finer introduction to the old place. It was 64 years ago when, taken by his father with his older brother, John, he made his Roker debut at a game that saw our bright new £10,000 signing, Ronnie Turnbull, score all four goals in a tonking of Portsmouth.
Tragedy struck the Price household a few months later. Alan's father, a chargehand at British Oxygen, was killed in a works accident when a cylinder blew up as he carried it to safety during an emergency.
"My dad died a hero," Alan said simply.

The family moved to Jarrow, where Alan went to grammar school. He attended games throughout his boyhood and teens, and remembers Len Shackleton's tricks, the Bank of England team and, among individual matches, a four-goal comeback against Chelsea in 1955. This was some feat; Fulham's other small club had won the championship only the previous season.
"I used to go by train, get off at Seaburn and buy liquorice root at the chemist on my way to the ground," he said.
He loved the Roker Roar and the huge crowds. He remembers with less pleasure the historic relegation, our first from the top flight, in 1958.
The rot had set in, he thinks, with the illegal payments scandal that led in 1957 to a damning Football League
Commission report and sanctions (later overturned, but the damage was done). "I'm sure it was happening everywhere," Alan said. "But it was Sunderland who paid the price.
"I screamed when we went down. We hadn't won the league since 1936, the cup since 1937, but we had never played out of the top division and it was the one thing you'd been able to hang on to."
Since leaving the North East, Alan has seen only occasional Sunderland games. He flew back from working in Los Angeles for the 1973 FA Cup Final. To most people, it was a fairytale, but Alan had predicted the outcome. On TV with Jack Charlton, he'd said we would win 1-0 while Jackie insisted that we had no chance.
That night, at the West End victory banquet, Shack and Jackie Milburn danced (with their wives, not each other; Shack would surely not have invited a Mag on to the floor) as Alan sang his heart out for the Lads.
Later, he rang his brother. John, sadly no longer with us, who had watched the game nervously at home. "You know," he told Alan, "my behind was nipping the buttons off the sofa." Hands up those WDS readers who practised their own button-nipping technique as they read that.
After Alan's biggest solo hit, Jarrow Song, the telly people took him back to make a documentary about his roots. At Shack's home, then on the seafront at Roker, he was taken up to the loft.
"He opened a chest and tossed an England shirt at me, saying 'do you want one of these? They never did me any good'."
Shack later recommended Alan to Ernie Clay, then Fulham's chairman. "He came up at a match and said 'Len tells me you like football. Would you like to be a director?'.
"I had asked about the possibility of joining the Sunderland board, and was told that it would cost £100,000 as they owned the freehold of Roker Park. I joined the Fulham board for a third of that. I wasn't rich enough for Sunderland, but was poor enough for Fulham."
That spell in the boardroom changed Alan's outlook. He had never been one for tribal rivalries. He recalls schooldays when the boys were equally split between red and whites and black and whites "with the odd Berwick Rangers fan in between", and is happy when NUFC and Boro are there as well as us in the top flight.
"I still get excited about football, and think of Sunderland as the team of my family. But I'm not as obsessive as I used to be. Once you get inside a club as I did, you become not blasé or cynical but more intelligent about your emotions."

It is hard to do justice to the Alan Price story, even in a couple of thousand words. At the time of our interview, he was still performs regularly, 50-plus concerts a year. The hits are included but his band is no jaded nostalgia act.
Back in 2002, soon after our meeting, I missed the London supporters' branch social evening after West Ham away (ruining my hopes of letting the Lads, popping in on their way home from Upton Park, know how much I'd enjoyed watching them being walloped 3-0) and went instead to the South Bank for Alan's superb 60th birthday concert. So good I almost forgot the afternoon horror show.
Herr Ackerman was at the show, too. Needless to say, he hadn't come empty-handed from Germany.
"True to form," said Alan, "now that I'm teetotal, he brought me a bottle of Scotch."
* I have tried to amend any time-sensitive references but bear in mind this was originally written in 2002. When I updated the piece in 2007, there was no fairytale reconversion to report. He still hadn't been lured to the Stadium of Light. Although I suggested to SAFC that Alan should be invited to the Sol and made a fuss of, Niall Quinn pointed out that he had said in the interview he had no particular wish to visit. I still think his arm could be twisted but maybe but we shall never know.


Read more: http://salutsunderland.com/2010/12/house-of-the-rising-sunderland-fan-who-also-likes-fulham/#ixzz19gVI32ED
Join FootballUnited.com for Real Fans & Real News

WhiteJC

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/48005/tottenham-vs-fulham/preview

Tottenham - Fulham Preview: Kaboul joins Defoe on suspensions list ahead of London derby

TEAM NEWS

Tottenham
Younes Kaboul's red card against Newcastle United on Tuesday means he joins Jermain Defoe among Tottenham's suspended players, so Harry Redknapp will either call on Sebastien Bassong or hope William Gallas has overcome an injury in time to play.

Jermaine Jenas may be preferred to Wilson Palacios, while Tom Huddlestone, Jonathan Woodgate and Jamie O'Hara are still short of fitness.

Possible Starting XI: Gomes; Hutton, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Jenas, Modric, Bale; Van der Vaart; Crouch.

Fulham
Chris Baird's double against Stoke could see him retain his place in the side after surprisingly replacing Carlos Salcido on Tuesday.

Bobby Zamora and Moussa Dembele are still out of contention meanwhile, though the Belgian could return against West Brom, meaning Andrew Johnson is likely to continue in attack, with Clint Dempsey playing a supporting role.

Possible Staring XI: Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Baird; Davies, Murphy, Etuhu, Duff; Dempsey; Andrew Johnson.

Top four test

Tottenham are having their top four credentials tested to the limit over a busy festive period, but as the games come thick and fast, Harry Redknapp's side have thus far passed with flying colours, having won two physical games in three days, against Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

Spurs have hit top form at the right time – it is now 10 games in all competitions since Redknapp's men tasted defeat – and it is now vital for the club to carry such a run of results into the New Year if they are to maintain their Champions League charge.

Annual festive meeting

It just wouldn't be the winter months without a meeting between Spurs and Fulham – two of their last six meetings have taken place on Boxing Day, while this fixture last season saw Tottenham run out 2-1 winners in January.

Fulham have fared more disappointingly heading towards the New Year, with their 3-1 defeat at home against fellow strugglers West Ham a low point that saw them condemned to the bottom three of the Premier League.

There were signs of a revival for Mark Hughes on Tuesday though, as his side managed a rare win away from home against Stoke City, courtesy of two extremely rare Chris Baird goals.

The chances of Baird repeating such feats against Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday are slim, but Hughes will be hopeful of getting a result, even if his side has seldom managed to win on the short trip to north London.


WhiteJC

http://www.onlinecasinonews.com/ocnv2_1/article/article.asp?id=27007

Spurs ready to welcome the Cottagers

Tomorrow will see the majority of English Premier League clubs in action and one of the most intriguing match-ups sees a London derby as Tottenham Hotspur welcomes Fulham to White Hart Lane.

Tottenham have not lost a game since November 6 and currently sit comfortably in fifth position with 33 points from 19 games. Harry Redknapp's side has already defeated title hopefuls Arsenal and Liverpool along with holding top teams Chelsea and Manchester City to draws.

SportingBet.com and Bwin.com has Spurs at odds of 6/17 to defeat Fulham tomorrow afternoon while Coral.co.uk is going for 4/11.

The previous meeting between these two sides at Craven Cottage in mid-October saw Tottenham controversially run out the winner by two goals to one and WilliamHill.com, BetFred.com, Bet365.com, Unibet.com, BlueSq.com, ExtraBet.com, SkyBet.com, VictorChandler.com, BoyleSports.com, Bodog.com, 888Sport.com, ToteSport.com and StanJames.com are showing odds of 2/5 on a similar result on Saturday.

At the far end of the spectrum, Betfair.com, BetDaq.com and WBX.com list odds of 21/50 on Tottenham emerging from tomorrow afternoon's contest victorious while punters can get 3/7 at 32RedBet.com and 4/9 with PaddyPower.com.

With 19 points from the same number of games, Fulham sits uncomfortably just inside the relegation zone although the side did record its first away win in the league in 27 attempts on Tuesday after defeating Stoke by two goals to nil.

BetFred.com has Fulham at odds of 11/2 to defeat Tottenham on Saturday followed by ToteSport.com showing 6/1 and Unibet.com, ExtraBet.com, BlueSq.com and 888Sport.com with 13/2.

First-term manager Mark Hughes is under pressure to emulate the success enjoyed by predecessor Roy Hodgson and two victories in a row could go a long way towards silencing the Welshman's critics. Bodog.com, WilliamHill.com, VictorChandler.com, PaddyPower.com, SportingBet.com, SkyBet.com and StanJames.com has the Cottagers at odds of 7/1 to win away from home for the second time this season while bet365.com, WBX.com and Bwin.com list 15/2 before BoyleSports.com, Betfair.com, Coral.co.uk, 32RedBet.com and BetDaq.com with 8/1.

Considering their lowly league position, a draw would be a good result for Fulham and BetFred.com currently shows odds of 3/1 that Saturday's encounter will finish honours-even.

Slightly longer, PaddyPower.com, ExtraBet.com, 888Sport.com, SportingBet.com, BoyleSports.com and BlueSq.com are offering odds of 16/5 on a draw before ToteSport.com, VictorChandler.com and Bodog.com with 10/3 and Unibet.com listing 57/17.

At the far end of the spectrum, bettors can get odds of 7/2 at Bwin.com, bet365.com, WilliamHill.com, StanJames.com, SkyBet.com and Coral.co.uk on tomorrow's match finishing in a tie while 32RedBet.com, WBX.com, BetDaq.com and Betfair.com are going with 37/10.

WhiteJC

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

Be A VIP With Bodog

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Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/December/BodogComp.aspx?#ixzz19gWSSwm3

WhiteJC

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1343009/Tottenham-v-FULHAM-Moussa-Dembele-expected-miss-London-derby.html?

Tottenham v FULHAM: Moussa Dembele expected to miss London derby

Fulham striker Moussa Dembele is likely to miss out on Saturday's Barclays Premier League match at Tottenham as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Dembele has missed the last seven weeks with the knock but Cottagers boss Mark Hughes is confident that the striker will return for the January 4 match against West Brom.

Mark Schwarzer will play his last game before flying out to the Asian Cup with Australia while Fulham will be without long-term absentees Matthew Briggs (calf), Bobby Zamora (leg) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles).

Team (from): Schwarzer, Kelly, Salcido, Hughes, Baird, Hangeland, Halliche, Duff, Dempsey, Murphy, Davies, Gera, Etuhu, A Johnson, E Johnson, Stockdale, Pantsil, Kamara, Greening, Dikgacoi.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1343009/Tottenham-v-FULHAM-Moussa-Dembele-expected-miss-London-derby.html#ixzz19gWjFRDh


WhiteJC

http://www.football365.co.za/story/0,22162,14287_6626063,00.html?

Spurs out for Fulham scalp

Tottenham will look to start 2011 on a high note by reclaiming their spot in the Premier League top four when they host Fulham at White Hart Lane on New Year's Day.

Harry Redknapp's side have enjoyed a prosperous festive period so far, securing a Boxing Day victory at Aston Villa before ousting Newcastle at home in midweek.

Chelsea's home triumph over Bolton on Wednesday saw the Blues dislodge Spurs from their brief stay in fourth place, but the reigning champions are only a point ahead of their London rivals and the tables could easily turn again this weekend.

Spurs will be keen to carry this season's form into the new calendar year, having established themselves as title contenders with just four defeats from their 19 league games played.

It is a different story for lowly Fulham, however, who have a different mission on their hands as they look to break out of the bottom three and pull clear of the drop zone.

Mark Hughes' men have struggled during the first half of the campaign, winning just three of their opening 19 encounters.

But one of those victories came this week when they sprung a surprise 2-0 triumph at Stoke courtesy of an unexpected brace from Chris Baird, and the Cottagers will be buoyed by that result as they head across the capital.

While Hughes will be hoping Tuesday's win will prove the turning point of Fulham's season, they are likely to face a tough test against in-form Tottenham.

The stats are not in the Cottagers favour, having won just one of their last 12 games in all competitions against Spurs, as well as scoring only one goal in their last six Premier League visits to the north Londoners.

However, an apparent chink in Spurs' armour appears to have surfaced over the festive period, with lax discipline leading to them having a man sent off in their last two league games.

Redknapp expressed his irritation after Jermain Defoe saw red at Villa before Younes Kaboul was handed his marching orders against Newcastle, and his side will be desperate to keep all 11 men on the pitch this weekend.

The manager will be without both Defoe and Kaboul for Saturday's clash after the pair were handed three-match bans for their respective red cards.

Kaboul's absence gives Redknapp a selection headache in central defence, with William Gallas unlikely to feature due to a hamstring injury.

Tom Huddlestone is also expected to miss the clash due to an ankle knock, while Jonathan Woodgate and Jamie O'Hara are absentees.

Fulham are likely to be missing Moussa Dembele as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

The striker has missed the last seven weeks with the knock but Hughes expects him to return for the January 4th clash against West Brom.

Mark Schwarzer will play his last game before flying out to the Asian Cup with Australia while Fulham will be without long-term absentees Matthew Briggs (calf), Bobby Zamora (leg) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles).

Possible starting XIs:

Tottenham: Gomes, Hutton, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Jenas, Modric, Bale, Van der Vaart, Crouch.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Baird, Davies, Murphy, Etuhu, Duff, Dempsey, Andrew Johnson.

WhiteJC

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/1231/tottenham_fulham.html?

Tottenham v Fulham

Fulham striker Moussa Dembele is likely to miss out on Saturday's Barclays Premier League match at Tottenham as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Dembele has missed the last seven weeks with the knock but Cottagers boss Mark Hughes is confident that the striker will return for the January 4 match against West Brom.
Mark Schwarzer will play his last game before flying out to the Asian Cup with Australia while Fulham will be without long-term absentees Matthew Briggs (calf), Bobby Zamora (leg) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles).

Fulham team from: Schwarzer, Kelly, Salcido, Hughes, Baird, Hangeland, Halliche, Duff, Dempsey, Murphy, Davies, Gera, Etuhu, A Johnson, E Johnson, Stockdale, Pantsil, Kamara, Greening, Dikgacoi.

WhiteJC

http://articles.squarefootball.net/squarefootball/2010/12/tottenham-hotspur-v-fulham-cottagers-hope-to-avoid-new-year-spanking.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Squarefootball+%28Squarefootball%29

Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham: Cottagers hope to avoid New Year spanking

Spurs have taken maximum points from their festive fixtures and you'd have to be a diehard Fulham fan to bet against them making it nine out of nine on New Year's Day. The visitors have won at White Hart Lane only twice since the end of the Second World War – the last win came in 2003 – and have only scored there once in their past six league clashes. It has home win written all over it but Mark Hughes will be buoyed by his team's display at Stoke in midweek.

Fulham were expected to leave the Britannia empty-handed on Tuesday but they sprung a huge shock by beating the Potters 2-0. That was enough to lift the Cottagers out of the bottom three and buy the under-fire Welshman some crucial time. Unfortunately Wigan's point against the Arsenal in midweek saw them drop back in and they couldn't have faced a worse fixture for the start of 2011 than Spurs as Harry Redknapp's men are on fire just now.

Tottenham have lost only once at home all season while Fulham seek to record back-to-back away wins for the first time in 20 months. This should be comfortable for the hosts. The Panel certainly thinks it will.


WhiteJC

http://www.hamhigh.co.uk:80/premier-league/tottenham-hotspur/tottenham_v_fulham_it_s_another_winter_of_discontent_for_mark_hughes_1_763494?

Tottenham v Fulham: It's another winter of discontent for Mark Hughes

THE TURN of the year is always a nervous time for managers of under-performing clubs as they wait to discover whether they will be allowed to spend their owner's money in January.

Of course, Mark Hughes knows this better than anyone – it was in December last year that he got the boot at Manchester City, just days after a 3-0 defeat at Spurs.

Twelve months on, the 47-year-old has probably endured another difficult Christmas as he attempts to hold onto his current post on the Thames.

A 3-1 home defeat against West Ham on Boxing Day left Fulham in the relegation zone and, although they rallied to secure their first away win of the season at Stoke earlier this week, they are just four points off the bottom at the end of 2010.

This is an unexpected problem for the Cottagers, who have become a comfortable mid-table side in recent years.

Indeed, just seven months ago the club were celebrating one of the greatest achievements in their history as they contested the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid, only losing in extra-time.

Paul Konchesky departed for Liverpool in the summer but the only other major change in personnel was Roy Hodgson's exit, giving Hughes few excuses for a rapid decline in fortunes.

Having held onto the likes of Mark Schwarzer, Brede Hangeland, Danny Murphy and Bobby Zamora, Fulham were expected to be battling in the top half of the table again this campaign.

The reality has been disappointingly different and the Cottagers have won just three of their top-flight fixtures.

Fulham recently matched a Premier League record by posting 10 draws in their first 17 league games – a theme which was established in Hughes' first game in charge, a goalless draw at Bolton.

The Cottagers have certainly not been awful and, along with Arsenal and Manchester City, they have the best defensive record in the league away from home, having shipped just nine on the road.

However, goals have been a problem, particularly since Zamora has been out of action with a broken leg since September.

Andrew Johnson returned from his own injury nightmare in October, having spent nine months in the treatment room, but he is yet to find the net in 10 appearances since his return, and his last goal came 16 months ago, in August 2009.

These are mitigating circumstances for Hughes, who is understandably anxious to bolster his striking options in January, having relied upon Clint Dempsey for goals so far this season.

The American has done his bit, scoring five in the league, but that is a meagre tally for the leading goalscorer – and when defender Chris Baird scored twice in the 2-0 win at Stoke on Tuesday, he became the joint second leading scorer in the league.

The verdict: Fulham have secured five draws from their nine away days this season and are tough to break down on the road.

Their win at the Britannia Stadium this week will give them confidence as they travel to Tottenham, but the Lilywhites should have the quality to pick up another three points at home.

Prediction: Spurs 2 Fulham 0

WhiteJC

http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/cottagers-ace-to-miss-his-spurs-1141440.html?

Cottagers ace to miss his Spurs


Moussa Dembele will again be missing for Fulham's Craven Cottage clash with Tottenham on New Year's Day due to an ankle injury.

The Belgium international striker has been missing since the middle of November due to the problem, with his absence causing a huge headache for boss Mark Hughes given that fellow hitman Bobby Zamora is also out until around February as he recovers from a broken leg.

And, while Dembele is not ready to line up against Spurs, there is some hope that he will finally return on Tuesday for the game against West Bromwich Albion.

"We've have some good news on Moussa Dembele," Hughes told the club's official website. "He looks better than he has done for a number of weeks so we're hopeful.

"He may not be ready for the weekend but we're hopeful for the West Brom game next Tuesday."

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will play his last game before flying out to the Asian Cup with Australia, while Zamora is joined by other long-term absentees Matthew Briggs and Philippe Senderos due to respective calf and Achilles problems.

WhiteJC

http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/spurs-clash-too-soon-for-dembele-1141440.html?

Spurs clash too soon for Dembele

Moussa Dembele will again be missing for Fulham's Craven Cottage clash with Tottenham on New Year's Day due to an ankle injury.

The Belgium international striker has been missing since the middle of November due to the problem, with his absence causing a huge headache for boss Mark Hughes given that fellow hitman Bobby Zamora is also out until around February as he recovers from a broken leg.

And, while Dembele is not ready to line up against Spurs, there is some hope that he will finally return on Tuesday for the game against West Bromwich Albion.

"We've have some good news on Moussa Dembele," Hughes told the club's official website. "He looks better than he has done for a number of weeks so we're hopeful.

"He may not be ready for the weekend but we're hopeful for the West Brom game next Tuesday."

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will play his last game before flying out to the Asian Cup with Australia, while Zamora is joined by other long-term absentees Matthew Briggs and Philippe Senderos due to respective calf and Achilles problems.


WhiteJC

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=226318

Fulham - Stoor Set to Leave!
It probably comes as no surprise to learn that Fulham and their Swedish full back, Fredrik Stoor, looks set to part company!

Stoor, signed in 2008, hasn`t been the rip-roaring success we`d all hoped he`d be and has yet to start to a Premier League match for Fulham.

His most recent action, last season, saw him go on loan to Derby County.

At the present there are no indications as to where Stoor will be heading but we`d like to wish him well and will cover any possible rumours relating to his future.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=226318#ixzz19hAcpjaM

WhiteJC

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=226319

Fulham - Hughes on Bothroyd Gossip!
Yesterday we ran an article whereby we pointed out that the tabloid press were linking us with the Cardiff striker, Jay Bothroyd.

Naturally, with Mark Hughes having worked with the lad whilst both were at Blackburn Rovers together, the tabloid hacks were not going to miss an opportunity to ask Mark about the speculation at his pre-match press conference for the Spurs fixture.

Mark, to his credit, remained coy giving very little away except remarking,

"He has certainly matured a lot from the time I was with him there."

It remains to be seen whether any reported interest is anything other than newspaper gossip!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=226319#ixzz19hAsBDKy

WhiteJC

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=226320

Fulham - Nineteen?
We enter the New Year in a something of a predicament.

We finished 2010 having played 19 games of the current season, amassing 19 points and scoring 19 goals but lurking, in the relegation zone, in 18th place.

All this after an unbeaten start to the season where we drew more games than we should have, it certainly has been a crazy season a point Mark Hughes touched on in the build up to our 20th game of the season - Spurs away.

This is what Sparky had to say,

"I have never known a season like it."

"You look at the league and I think teams up to 11th position, which is 22 points, down to the bottom, are in potential relegation danger."

"From our point of view we would like to think we`ve had our bad run. Maybe other teams haven`t quite hit that spell and that`s ahead of them."

"I`m sure a lot of other clubs, particularly with the results this week, will be looking over their shoulders. It will be a really interesting finish to the season."

Anyone else prepared to settle for mid-table mediocrity at this stage?


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=226320#ixzz19hB5bDpz


WhiteJC

http://www.teamtalk.com/match/preview/978/6626186/Tottenham-v-Fulham-preview?

Tottenham v Fulham preview

Team news for Saturday afternoon's Premier League clash between Tottenham and Fulham at White Hart Lane.

William Gallas is set to make a timely return to the Spurs side for the game against the Cottagers.

The defender, who had been skippering the side, has missed the last three and a half weeks with a hamstring strain and should replace Younes Kaboul, who starts a three-match ban.

Jermain Defoe is also suspended, Robbie Keane (hamstring) is doubtful, Carlo Cudicini is out with a shoulder problem, while Tom Huddlestone (ankle), Ledley King (groin), Jamie O'Hara (back) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) remain sidelined.

Fulham striker Moussa Dembele is likely to miss the game at Spurs as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Dembele has missed the last seven weeks with the knock but Cottagers boss Mark Hughes is confident that the striker will return for the January 4 match against West Brom.

Mark Schwarzer will play his last game before flying out to the Asian Cup with Australia while Fulham will be without long-term absentees Matthew Briggs (calf), Bobby Zamora (leg) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles).

Tottenham (from): Gomes, Pletikosa, Hutton, Corluka, Dawson, Gallas, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Sandro, Palacios, Jenas, Bale, Lennon, Bentley, Modric, Dos Santos, Van der Vaart, Crouch, Pavlyuchenko, Keane.

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

WhiteJC

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/31122010/58/premier-league-matchpack-tottenham-v-fulham.html?

Premier League - Matchpack: Tottenham v Fulham

All the facts, figures and a video preview ahead of Fulham's visit to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham Hotspur.

TEAM NEWS:
Fulham striker Moussa Dembele is likely to miss out on Saturday's match at Tottenham as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury. Mark Schwarzer will play his last game before flying out to the Asian Cup with Australia while Fulham will be without long-term absentees Matthew Briggs (calf), Bobby Zamora (leg) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles).

FACTS:
Fulham have only won one of the last 12 matches in all competitions against Tottenham.

Fulham have scored only one goal in their last six Premier League visits to White Hart Lane.

Fulham have won just three of their 44 Premier League London derbies away from home and none of the last 33.

Roman Pavlyuchenko has scored in his last two appearances against Fulham, once in the league and once in the FA Cup.

Three of Tom Huddlestone's seven Premier League goals have come against Fulham.

Last time out against Newcastle, Spurs kept their first clean sheet since the opening day of the season in the Premier League.

Spurs have had a man sent off in their last two Premier League games, having not had a man dismissed prior to Christmas this season.

In their last match against Stoke, Fulham ended a run of 26 Premier League away matches without a win.

Fulham's last three league goals have all been scored by Northern Irish defenders in the opening 11 minutes of games.

37% of Fulham's Premier League goals this season have been headers, the highest proportion in the competition
Opta / Eurosport