Sunday Fulham Stuff (02/01/11)...

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_6629629,00.html?

Cottagers eye Morison
Fulham in for Welsh striker

Fulham are lining up a move for Millwall striker Steve Morison, skysports.com understands.

The 27-year-old has been strongly linked with a move in January after an impressive start to the new season.

Wales international Morison has already scored 11 goals this term, following on from the 23 he scored last season.

Lions chief Kenny Jackett has already said that he does not want to sell, but now with Premier League interest they could find it hard to resist.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes is seeking reinforcements and is now believed to have highlighted his fellow countryman.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=226532

Spurs 1 Fulham 0
Any dreams we had of getting a second consecutive away day victory, after such a long drought, were killed off by a solitary Spurs goal at White Hart Lane this afternoon.

In a game that never really set the world alight, it was the latest media darling boy, Gareth Bale that was the difference between the two sides.

Mark Hughes stuck with the eleven that started at Stoke City, on Boxing Day, and after a slow start to the game it was Spurs that had the first real half chance.

Awarded a free kick, Van der Vaart delivered a ball that struck Murphy, Spurs appealed for a penalty but closer inspection revealed it never hit Murphy`s arm.

Although Fulham were coping with Spurs, it was a little disappointing that the first thirty minutes didn`t produce a shot on target for either side. In fact the first shot on target produced a fine save from Schwarzer when Assou-Ekottu tried his luck from all of thirty-five yards out.

Just as Fulham thought they`d reach half-time unscathed Spurs took the lead. Forty-two minutes had been played when a Van der Vaart free kick saw Bale deflect the ball with his head with the ball going in off the underside of the bar.

Spurs could have scored a second just before the half time whistle went when a Modric through ball to Bale saw the keeper save with his legs.

Half Time - Spurs 1 Fulham 0

Fulham emerged for the second half knowing they had to push forward more to grab an equaliser but they also knew they risked being caught on the counter-attack by a lightning fast Spurs side.

An early opportunity saw Baird deliver a long ball to Duff but the Irishman couldn`t keep his shot down. Murphy then dragged a free kick wide before Johnson almost got his first goal of the season.

The forward, recently back from injury, saw a close range shot palmed away by Gomes and hacked away by Dawson before a lurking Dempsey could pounce.

Pushing forward Fulham were always susceptible to the counter-attack and Bale wasted an opportunity to put the game beyond us by shooting over with his less favoured right-foot.

Lennon, leading a counter-attack blazed over before Modirc and Jenas shot wide and Crouch saw an effort saved.

Back in the drop zone, we need a win against West Brom to restore hope that we will not be dragged into a relegation battle!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=226532#ixzz19rlS7o00

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6629658,00.html?

Hughes - We deserved something
Cottagers boss happy with White Hart Lane showing

Mark Hughes felt Fulham deserved something from their defeat at Tottenham while he has confirmed he may strengthen in January.

The Cottagers gave a lively display at White Hart Lane on New Year's Day, but were unable to reply after Gareth Bale opened the scoring.

Spurs were feeling the effects of the festive schedule and were far from their best, although that was mainly down to Fulham's performance.

Hughes was pleased with his side's performance with his only disappointment being that they were unable to take anything from the contest.

Dominated

"We dominated. That's the story of the game," Hughes told Sky Sports. "We seem to be going over old ground in recent weeks.

"It was a similar story today. I thought in the first half we had good shape and were really positive. Spurs created very little.

"Second half we had to come out and be positive and brave. We were up against a top team. We had to take the game to them and that's what we did.

"In the end they were quite happy to get people behind the ball. They have the personnel to hit you on the break.

"I'm pleased with what we've produced today on the back of a fantastic performance at Stoke, although today we didn't get any points."

Hopeful
Hughes is hopeful long-term injury victim Moussa Dembele will be able to feature in Tuesday's Premier League clash against West Brom.
He also confirmed that if a player of the right quality becomes available this month he will splash the clash, although he stressed nothing is imminent.

"We're hopeful that he'll play a part on Tuesday," he added on Dembele. "He might be an option on the bench. If not he'll play in the cup against Peterborough.

"I think there's discussions that are taking place," he continued on the possibility of bringing fresh faces in the transfer window.

"If we see something that will significantly improve us and by that I mean someone who will come straight into the first team

"There's nothing forthcoming at the moment."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/01/01/johnson-close-but-fulham-go-second-bottom-82029-27918887/?

Johnson close but Fulham go second bottom

Spurs 1-0 Fulham

  MAYBE Fulham should have stuck with the green shirts that saw them end their woeful away record at Stoke on Tuesday.

But the Whites were surely green with envy at the way Gareth Bale has gone from 'ungainly' – as described by boss Mark Hughes earlier this week – to a powerhouse for the north London side.

One Welshman had to suffer another's 42nd minute header as Bale deftly nodded in Rafael van der Vaart's free-kick for the game's only goal.

But it might have been different had Michael Dawson not saved Andy Johnson's (pic) effort as the ball rolled towards the goal line.

The Tottenham man did well to clear the chance midway through the second half with Clint Dempsey threatening – but unable to get to the ball first.

The close-run thing prompted Fulham's best spell of the game after a first-half in which John Pantsil was booked and Spurs sensed a chance to move up to fourth in the Premiership.

Green gave way to red shirts after the west Londoners broke the hoodoo of a first away win in 27 games at Stoke and plotted a first London three-points on the road in 34 attempts.

Dempsey and Dickson Etuhu boosted hopes of ridding themselves of a second unwanted record – but will have to look back to their solitary 2003 success for an only victory at White Hart Lane in 62 years.

Worse still, Bale's 11th of the season pushed Hughes' side into the bottom two – only a point ahead of basement side Wolves.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/01/01/johnson-close-but-fulham-go-second-bottom-82029-27918887/?#ixzz19rmGJFUA

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/January/HughesSpursReaction.aspx?

Full Of Praise

Mark Hughes is confident his Team will climb back up the Barclays Premier League table if they continue to produce the same high levels of performance they delivered against Stoke and Spurs this week.

Hughes was understandably disappointed with Saturday's result against Spurs but Fulham's Manager was keen to draw on the positive aspects of Fulham's play and praise his players after another spirited display.

"We're disappointed we didn't get anything out of the game today," Hughes told fulhamfc.com on Saturday night. "We feel at the moment that in the last six or seven games we've been the best team but we've only picked up one win.

"We played against an in-form side today - they are absolutely flying at the moment and we made life very difficult for them. They were hanging on at the end and we've got to take the positives from the game.

"We had a great win against Stoke on Tuesday and we built on that today. We just need a break – we had one kicked off the line today. Sometimes you just need that bit of luck that can change a game.

"Goals always change games and unfortunately for us when we were in total command during the first half they scored on the one occasion they really bothered us during the first half. We needed to be really positive in the second half and come out and give it a real go.

"I was delighted with the way we approached it and we showed no fear. We were brave and we committed players forwarded despite their counter attacking ability. We're disappointed we haven't got anything out of the game.

"I've been really pleased with the last few performances and we all feel our position at the moment is totally false given the way we've performed. We're in the bottom three but we'll play lesser teams than we did today and if we perform like we did today we'll overcome those teams."

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/January/HughesSpursReaction.aspx?#ixzz19rmZ4D9w

[WhiteJC]

http://sport.virginmedia.com/football/article/2011/01/01/hughes_poor_finishing_cost_us?

Hughes: Poor finishing cost us
Fulham manager Mark Hughes lamented his side's finishing following their 1-0 defeat to Spurs.

Gareth Bale grabbed the only goal of the game when he reacted brilliantly to flick Rafael van der Vaart's free-kick strike past a wrong-footed Mark Schwarzer three minutes before half-time.

Although Michael Dawson had to clear off his own line, Fulham were, once again, made to pay for a lack of cutting edge in the absence of injured striker Bobby Zamora as the pressure they piled on Spurs came to nothing in the second half.

Hughes said: "In the last six or seven games, I think we've been arguably the best team in all those games and we've only picked up one win.

"Once again, we've come here, we've come to the in-form side, a team that's absolutely flying at the moment, and we've made it really difficult for them, and they're hanging on at the end.

"We had one kicked off the line, a few scrambles. You just need that little modicum of luck that enables games to change and obviously goals always change games."

[WhiteJC]

http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/jamies-report-tottenham-1-fulham-0/?

Jamie's report: Tottenham 1 Fulham 0
Filed under: Match reports — rich 
Jamie R was at White Hart Lane today:

No luck at White Hart Lane and another frustrating afternoon for Mark Hughes' toiling troops. Perhaps you could say this was an encouraging performance – we kept one of the league's in-form teams impressively in check and on another day could easily have sneaked a better result. On the other hand, Spurs beat us almost without turning up and created far better openings on the odd occasion that they strung a move together than we managed over an entire 90 minutes of careful, considered, neat possession.

The first half was the most stymied as we passed the ball with relentless lack of threat, eventually lumping it from defence to Johnson's meagre 5-foot-something frame up front. Spurs dealt with it in their sleep, and then went 1-0 up when Gareth Bale's head deflected a Van Der Vaart free kick past a flat-footed Schwarzer.

The second half was better and we had our best and only real chance when Johnson found himself half a yard clear of Spurs' backline and struck a decent effort across Gomes. The goalkeeper saved well, and Dawson cleared just before Dempsey was able to bundle in the rebound.

Simon Davies on current form is painful to watch, his first instinct always to turn away from his opponent when in possession, protecting the ball, then inevitably sending it sideways or backwards. Indeed, only Dickson Etuhu of our midfield is still showing signs of the Hughes 'tweak' we saw at the beginning of the season: breaking into the box on a number of occasions, getting big tackles in and generally having a storming performance – his best in weeks.

Everyone else has either been told by Hughes to stick to what they're used to, upon his realisation that they're not physically up to a more direct, dynamic approach, or they've just reverted naturally to the old Hodgson style. It's made us better again defensively but without Zamora we offer nothing going forward unless Chris Baird decides he's going to have the game of his life.

The upside was that the effort was clear for all to see and at the final whistle some of the players looked genuinely gutted. Hughes has them playing for him. He now needs to find some help from somewhere in January.

[WhiteJC]

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8191160

Cahill, Schwarzer leave clubs in trouble

Australia's Asian Cup campaign can't end quickly enough for Everton and Fulham, who are fighting for survival at the bottom of the English Premier League.

Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer are vital to their respective clubs' chances and their forced absence this month will only make the drop zone fight a tougher ask.

Both Everton (13th place) and Fulham (18th) are involved in a scrap for Premier League survival and their prospects weren't improved on Saturday with Cahill and Schwarzer missing opportunities to depart England on a bright note before jetting out to the Asian Cup in Qatar.

For one of the rare occasions this season, Cahill was off target as a wasteful Everton lost 2-0 at Stoke.

Cahill missed a golden heading opportunity from an acute angle and his frustration showed as he clutched his hands to his face as the shot went wide.

Schwarzer's Fulham remain in the drop zone following a 1-0 defeat against in-form Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Despite the result, Schwarzer had a solid game, making a number of fine saves against Spurs.

Everton boss David Moyes has been vocal in his anguish over losing Cahill's services for up to a month in the Arab state.

The Australian has been the Toffees' main man, scoring nine goals this season but Moyes says the reality is Everton must get on with the job.

"We've known that for as long as the calendar's been in place this season that we're going to lose Cahill," said Moyes.

"So he'll leave now but we're just thankful that we got him for a couple of games.

"The Australian manager has been great and left him with us for a few games so we're pleased about that.

"We'd like to (bring in players) if we can. I thought Louis Saha played really well up front today but we'd like to add in one or two departments if we can do."

Fulham boss Mark Hughes was lamenting the likelihood that the Socceroos would perform far better than Australia's cricket team had recently.

If the green and gold's reach the final to be played on January 29, Schwarzer will miss four Premier League fixtures and possibly two FA Cup ties.

Hughes has all but given up hope he will get the Aussie keeper back earlier, given the Socceroos' relatively easy draw at the tournament.

"How long he'll be away is dependant on how successful they are," said the Cottagers manager.

"Ideally, they'll get knocked out in the group stage. But I've looked at the strength of the group that they're in and that's not going to happen, unfortunately.

"They're going to be in the latter stages of the competition so you're looking at three to four weeks."

Meanwhile, Brett Everton is another Aussie to be leaving England on a sour note, with his Blackburn losing 3-0 at Sunderland.

Australia will warm up with a friendly against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday and start their Asian Cup campaign against India on Monday week before facing the Korea Republic on January 14 and Bahrain on January 18.

[WhiteJC]

http://cottagers.blogspot.com/2011/01/cutting-edge-tot-1-1-ful.html?

Craven Cottagers
Following the 2007/8, 2008/9, 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons at Craven Cottage - recounted by season ticket holders who aren't actually Fulham fans.

Cutting Edge - TOT 1 - 0 FUL

It was another decent performance from Fulham against a Spurs side that spent most of the match in third gear, but a lack of cutting edge does not mean you are unlucky - it means you can't score. Spurs have incisiveness all over the pitch and it showed. When the team finally decided to wake up, which was about 30 minutes in, Spurs pressured until they got their goal (in essence an opportunistic deflection from a harsh free-kick) but the writing was on the wall.

Spurs' two wingers, Bale and Lennon, were very dangerous when they were given the right service, but fortunately for Fulham that didn't happen too often. Unfortunately it happened enough, with Bale's instinctive flicked header putting the ball in the opposite side of the goal to a leaden footed Schwarzer.

It was harsh on the team wearing the Middlesbrough kit, who had been quite comfortable and at times quasi-dangerous in the first half. But for all Fulham's possession and tidy passing, there was no real goal threat.

Part of the problem was that Fulham, appeared to be second to every loose ball - considering the attacking unit currently appears to be set up to capitalise on random headers and flicks from long punts forward this was a bit of a surprise. Maybe it was the youthful nature of the Spurs' players compared to the ageing Fulham team that allowed them to react more quickly to loose balls, or maybe it was a heightened level of anticipation that the better players have, but t seemed that whenever the Fulham players made a loose touch they lost the ball, but when Spurs slightly miscontrolled they were able to retain possession.

This all sounds a bit down - Fulham did play well. We actually saw what Hughes was talking about when he said Etuhu could make a difference up front - this was Dickson's most positive game for a long time and if he had belief in his left foot he might have scored (or at least have a shot) from the best passing move of the first half. Given the quality of their immediate opposition, both Paintsil and Baird did okay at full back. I even heard a muted rendition of 'We've got Bairdinho' from the away fans). Murphy pulled strings in the middle; Duff and Johnson made some good runs. However there were very few shots on goal.

I saw a report somewhere that suggested that Fulham were playing on the counter attack, which was total cobblers in my opinion. Fulham just aren't quick enough to play on the counter attack, both in body and mind. The loss of Johnson's searing pace doesn't help, but the forwards never seem to be in a big rush to press forward, giving time for enough defenders to get back. And once they had more weight in numbers, the Spurs centre halves dealt with almost everything thrown at them, even if there were some desperate blocks to equally desperate long range shots towards the end.

This was my first trip to White Hart Lane and I quite liked the stadium - it has some character. However the home crowd were really, really quiet. The Fulham fans weren't much better, in fairness, but they were better. I was a bit disappointed if I'm honest - I've been very impressed with Spurs' away support both at the Cottage and at Wembley, but this seemed to be a different demographic completely. Maybe it was because it was New Year's Day, maybe it was because 'the Lane' has had more prestigious visitors this season in the Champions League than little old Fulham, but the crowd was as flat as the game.

While Fulham might be in the relegation zone at the moment things are tight enough down there not to be overly worried, but it's a big game at home on Tuesday night. Both the team and the manager need a win that will take them out of the drop zone, but to do that Fulham need some goals. It's been a month since a Fulham striker has scored and this is something that Hughes desperately needs to address if he is to maintain his reputation as a good manager.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/01/02/2286259/tottenham-lead-fulham-in-race-to-sign-christopher-samba-from?

Tottenham lead Fulham in race to sign Christopher Samba from Blackburn Rovers – report

Tottenham Hotspur have moved ahead of Fulham in the race for Blackburn Rovers' Congolese defender Christopher Samba, according to The Mirror.

The big centre-back criticised the club over the sacking of Sam Allardyce and is yet to play under new manager, Steve Kean, due to fitness problems.

Kean, however, is desperate to hold on to his star defender and has promised to continue with Samba as captain, should he decide to commit his future to the club.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is known to be in the market for a defender following injuries to key defenders and the ongoing fitness concerns of both Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King.

Samba would probably also be attracted by the prospect of Champions League football, and is available to play in the knockout stages of the competition.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes has also shown interest in the player, whom he signed for Rovers from Hertha Berlin whilst in charge at Ewood Park.

[White Noise]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/premier-league-match-reports/2011/01/02/tottenham-1-0-fulham-gareth-bale-goal-shows-europe-s-great-entertainers-can-still-fluke-it-102039-22820595/

Tottenham 1-0 Fulham: Gareth Bale goal shows Europe's great entertainers can still fluke it

Jan 2 2011 by Dean Jones, The People

GARETH BALE and Rafael van der Vaart have produced ­miracles this season to put Spurs up among Europe's great entertainers.

But they will struggle to convince people the winning goal in this London derby was anything but a fluke.

David Beckham could soon arrive in North London, and even he has never conjured up a match-winning free-kick routine like this one. Dutch ace Van der Vaart smashed a shot goalbound from 25 yards and Bale brilliantly directed the ball back into the opposite corner of the net to stun Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer.

The bizarre winner sent the home side fourth – and if Bale meant it, his superb piece of improvisation should be applauded.

However you look at it, everything these lads touch now turns to gold.

Tottenham's unbeaten run is up to nine games and boss Harry Redknapp must feel like he's won the lottery.

He said: "It's been a good week and you can't ask for more than nine points over the Christmas period.

"It's hard for managers because you can't make eight changes like Arsenal did because everybody asks why you changed the team.

"But then people ask why you didn't rest a few because they looked tired. I stuck with my players here and we clawed a result out of it."

Fulham have not won an away match in London for seven years, and Mark Hughes is suffering as he tries to lead them away from a relegation battle.

They sit third from bottom, and the Welshman said: "We face reality ­because we are in the bottom three.

"We'll play lesser teams than we did today and if we function the same way we did here, we will overcome those teams. Frustration is my overwhelming emotion. In the last six or seven games I can argue we've been the better team. But we've only picked up one win."

Fulham arrived at White Hart Lane having beaten Spurs only once in their past 26 attempts.

But a win over Stoke in midweek gave Hughes' men belief they could cause an upset against the Premier League's flair team. They began the afternoon in the bottom three yet matched their hosts for the opening half-hour by hassling them in the middle of the park.

It was always going to take a bit of inspiration to bring a goal and it was not surprising that Bale provided it.

The way he flicked on Van der Vaart's thunderous free-kick on 42 minutes showed his instinctive class.

The wing wizard has now bagged 11 goals this term and is in contention to be the Player of the Year. He could have had another goal before half-time but Schwarzer thwarted him.

As the scrappy affair continued into the second half, Fulham did eventually carve open chances and can count themselves unlucky not to score.

Damien Duff put a good chance wide and Michael Dawson made a brilliant goal-line clearance to stop Clint Dempsey converting a loose ball after Heurelho Gomes had saved an Andrew Johnson shot.

Dawson could have tied things up but fired over and Aaron Lennon went close with a dazzling run.

Lennon's spot would be under threat if Beckham joins but it may benefit the winger if his rival helps nurture him.

Redknapp certainly believes Becks could make an impact on him. He said: "I think he will be a good influence around the place. He's a great professional, great trainer.

"When I took Teddy Sheringham to Portsmouth I used to tell people to watch him. He takes pride in whatever he does."

Pride is something Fulham boss Hughes is desperate to restore.

Sadly they cannot compete for a player of Beckham's stature, so instead they must find belief from within.

Last term it was plentiful on an incredible Europa League journey.

At this rate the only trip they will be making is one down to the Championship, and Sparky reckons he needs a change in fortune.

He said: "We need a break. Then they whip a ball in from a free-kick. He'll claim he was picking his team-mate out, but I have my doubts!"

[White Noise]

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/football-hotline/2011/01/02/mark-hughes-still-hopes-to-tempt-manchester-city-hitman-roque-santa-cruz-to-join-him-at-fulham-102039-22819960/


Mark Hughes still hopes to tempt Manchester City hitman Roque Santa Cruz to join him at Fulham

Jan 2 2011 by Dean Jones, The People




MARK HUGHES will make a last-ditch bid to tempt Roque Santa Cruz to Fulham – and help save his job.

The 2-0 win at Stoke in ­midweek gave the under-pressure boss extra time to turn things around at Craven Cottage.

Hughes wants to sign FOUR players in the January transfer window – and still top of the list is unsettled Manchester City ­striker Santa Cruz, who has turned down a loan move to Italian side Lazio.

The pair worked together at Blackburn and Fulham believe they can convince him to move.

Ajax's Mounir El Hamdaoui, Eintracht Frankfurt's frontman Theofanis Gekas and Millwall forward Steve Morison are all options.

Hughes is keen on El Hamdaoui and his Dutch club would be willing to take the fee in instalments.

The £8million-rated Moroccan international, 26, is attracting interest from several European clubs. He was at Tottenham in 2005 but never made an ­appearance.

Gekas, 30, has been in superb form in the Bundesliga with 14 goals this season. He has played more than 50 times for Greece, made one ­appearance on loan at Portsmouth in 2009 and would cost the Cottagers about £3.5m.

Fulham scouts have also been impressed by Millwall's Morison, 27, this season.

Hughes knows his job could depend on who he brings in this month.

Creative

He will also try to snap up a midfielder and defender to add strength in depth. But one ­drawback is that two of the four players will probably have to be on loan deals because of a limited transfer kitty.

Stephen Ireland remains on his wish list but his £62,000-a-week Aston Villa contract is a stumbling block.

Hughes said: "When I talk about bringing in players I am looking at it broadly, so that means looking at loan deals as well. It is all about us being creative so that we can get the right players through the door."

Meanwhile, Sven Goran Eriksson is keen to take a couple of other City reserves, Michael Johnson and Ben Mee, to Leicester.

Johnson, 22, suffered a serious knee injury a year ago and only started playing again in October but he's found himself pushed into the shadows by the glut of stars fighting for first-team recognition at Eastlands.

Former City chief Eriksson will face competition from Leeds to sign the midfielder on loan.

Centre-half Mee helped the club to the FA Youth Cup final a couple of years ago, but his first-team chances are slim. Neither player will be eligible to play when the sides meet in the FA Cup next week.

Eriksson also hopes to clinch a £250,000 deal for Hibernian's Ivory Coast centre-half Sol Bamba.

[White Noise]

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/220671/Gareth-Bale-pushes-Mark-Huges-closer-to-sack


GARETH BALE PUSHES MARK HUGES CLOSER TO SACK  



Sunday January 2,2011

By Colin Mafham 

TOTTENHAM Hotspur 1 Fulham 0


SPURS go marching on, but Fulham are now surely hoping Santa is still around in the New Year sales. Santa Cruz, that is.

Manchester City striker Roque is now likely to be manager Mark Hughes top target if the Cottagers' desperate slide towards the bottom of the league is to be halted.

And for that matter to save him from following the other Santa – with the sack!

How Hughes must have cast envious glances in Harry Redknapp's direction yesterday as his Spurs side pinched the points that keep them firmly in the Premier League title hunt, even when they don't play all that well.

What's more, they can even consider bringing David Beckham home on loan as well.

Fulham looked the classier outfit for long periods and, if Dickson Etuhu and Clint Dempsey hadn't snatched at clear chances early on, anything could have happened.

It took Spurs 31 minutes to warm the fingers of Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer and even then it was left-back Benoit Ekotto who provided the threat.

No wonder Redknapp got more animated as half-time loomed.

A New Year's Day rollicking looked increasingly on the cards. Until the 42nd minute, that is.

Andy Johnson gave away a free-kick and, from Rafael van der Vaart's delivery, Gareth Bale popped up with a header that caught Schwarzer going the wrong way.

Bale could have made it two shortly afterwards but this time the keeper saved his shot at the second attempt.

Spurs fans' joy was complete during the break when long-term favourite David Ginola insisted during a pitchside Q and A that their team will finish above Arsenal.

And you knew this just wasn't going to be Fulham's day when Damien Duff wasted another good chance soon after the restart.

They really deserved to be level when Johnson got clear. Heurelho Gomes could only parry his shot but, with Dempsey closing in for the kill, Michael Dawson got there first to clear off the line.

Poor Hughes. If his hair could have got any greyer it surely would have done so after that!

Sparky confirmed last night that a striker is his priority – with Millwall's Steve Morison another target – but bemoaned his luck at leaving White Hart Lane with nothing.

The Welshman said: "It is pretty obvious what we in the market for and there are ongoing discussions for a new striker.

"We have to face the reality that we are in the bottom three and what we need to get out of there.

"Now we will just have to wait and see.

"But we have come here against a team that's flying and they were hanging on at the end.

"It's very frustrating because the only time they really bothered us was when they scored their goal.

"We had one effort kicked off the line and now we just need a little luck – that vital break.

"My players were brave today and we are very disappointed we didn't get anything from this match."

A relieved Redknapp said: "It's been a good week getting nine points from three games.

"I stuck with the players because this was the team that would get a result for us and they clawed one out in the end.

"You are never going to give Fulham a hiding because they are a difficult team to play against.

"They played well today and pressed us for spells but Gallas and Dawson were fantastic at the back."



Read more: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/220671/Gareth-Bale-pushes-Mark-Huges-closer-to-sackGareth-Bale-pushes-Mark-Huges-closer-to-sack#ixzz19sBlTDzR

[White Noise]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/01/02/2286310/fulham-plot-2m-raid-for-out-of-favour-stoke-city-star-eidur


Fulham plot £2m raid for out-of-favour Stoke City star Eidur Gudjohnsen - report

2 Jan 2011 09:40:00



Fulham boss Mark Hughes has targeted out-of-favour Stoke City hitman Eidur Gudjohnson to boost his attacking options at Craven Cottage, according to The News of the World.

The Icelandic forward, also a target for Reading, has failed to impress boss Tony Pulis since his summer transfer from Monaco, and has only made five appearances for the club, all from the bench, without scoring.

Pulis is said to be unhappy at the former Chelsea and Barcelona star's overall fitness levels and would be willing to listen to offers for the striker.

Stoke are currently sitting in the top half of the Premier League and Pulis may feel that he has adequate cover to cope with the possible departure of Gudjohnson.

However, Fulham may have competition for his signature with Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers said to be contemplating a move for the player, according to The Daily Mail, having previously worked with Gudjohnsen during their time together at Chelsea.

[White Noise]

Spurs set to beat Fulham to Samba signing




Published 23:01 01/01/11


By Steve Stammers


Tottenham are set to bid for Blackburn's unsettled central defender ­Christopher Samba.

The 26-year-old asked for a transfer last month after Sam Allardyce was sacked as manager at Ewood Park.

He is now back in the first team frame under new boss Steve Kean – but it is certain he would welcome the chance to move to London and join Spurs's Champions League campaign.

Mark Hughes at Fulham – who signed Samba for a bargain £500,000 from Hertha ­Berlin while he was in charge at Blackburn – is also keen to sign the powerful Congolese international.

But Redknapp would be favourite to get his man.

Although he has six ­central defenders in his squad, there are question marks against the fitness of three of them.

Jonathan Woodgate is only just back in training after 18 months out injured and is set to go on loan to West Ham or Wolves.

Ledley King's ­appearances are limited by a knee ­injury that has plagued him for 10 years and, at 34, ­William Gallas has to pace himself.

That leaves Redknapp with just Michael Dawson, Younes Kaboul and Sebastien Bassong.

Samba is also not ­cup-tied in the ­Champions League.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Tottenham-transfer-news-Spurs-set-to-beat-Fulham-to-signing-of-Blackburn-skipper-Christopher-Samba-article661705.html#ixzz19sDUfqpt

[White Noise]

Tottenham 1-0 Fulham: Sunday Mirror match report

Published 22:55 01/01/11


By Steve Stammers


Tottenham's blind-side run for the Premier League title gathered pace as they moved back into the top four.

Fulham, by contrast, are no longer flirting with relegation – it has become a full-blown affair with only Wolves now keeping them off the bottom.

In game that will hardly be a must-buy for any DVD collectors, it was the result that mattered – especially at the time of the season when the demands on the players are at their most cruel.

Tired legs and tired minds combine to take their toll on the entertainment value. After three games in less than a week in the most demanding and unforgiving league in the world, three points was the only issue. Fulham would have settled for one.

In the end they went to Tottenham – and arguably, deservedly so. Their goal was the subject of debate afterwards with Fulham manager Mark Hughes claiming it was luck rather than judgement that enabled Gareth Bale to head home Rafael van der Vaart's free-kick.

"Van der Vaart will claim he picked him out," said Hughes with more than a hint of suspicion. "I am not sure about that."

No matter. It went in, it counted and as Tottenham dragged their tired limbs off the field, they had the added bonus of starting 2011 as they finished 2010 – pushing for honours.

And as long as Luka Modric can stay fit, their dreams of glory at home and abroad remain more than fanciful. The Croatia playmaker illuminated a dismal, dank and rainy afternoon in north London.

When Modric arrived from Dinamo Zagreb in 2008 there were fears that he lacked the physique needed in English football, that he would be overpowered.

Such fears have been spectacularly unfounded. Modric dropped deep and then pushed forward, was caught in possession just once in 90 minutes and was a delight to watch. "He is just a fantastic player," said Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who gave a clue to the pattern of the game when he praised his centre-backs Michael Dawson and William Gallas for their contribution – after Fulham mounted a fierce but fruitless period of pressure in the last 20 minutes.

"They were tremendous," said Redknapp, who celebrated a nine-point haul from the Christmas-New Year programme. "That's all you can hope for and we achieved that target. We clawed a win against a well-organised side who are difficult to beat."

That win came courtesy of Bale's goal in the 42nd minute. Hughes may have doubts about its origins but it was evident that Van der Vaart and Bale were in deep discussion before the kick was taken.

Chat over, Bale accelerated into the Fulham area and the ball from Van der Vaart landed on his team-mate's head with Mark Schwarzer wrong-footed.

If it was planned, it was perfect. If it was a stroke of luck, so be it – but it looked impressive enough.

Bale was foiled by Schwarzer after Van der Vaart put him in the clear and the Welshman shot over the bar from 10 yards from a Vedran Corluka cross 15 minutes from time.

But in terms of possession and pressure, the second half belonged to Fulham and Hughes said: "We needed to be positive and have a go. We were brave.

"We are in a position at the moment that we feel is totally false and if we continue to play like we did today, we will start winning soon."

The nearest Fulham came was in the 63rd minute and it summed up their day.

Andy Johnson's shot from the angle was pushed out by Heurelho Gomes and, as Clint Dempsey closed in, Dawson hacked the ball away a foot from the line.

"What we need at the moment is a modicum of luck," said Hughes, who will be active in the transfer market this month. Sadly, good fortune cannot be bought at any price.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Tottenham-1-0-Fulham-Rafael-van-der-Vaart-and-Gareth-Bale-combine-to-push-Spurs-back-into-the-top-four-Sunday-Mirror-match-report-article662061.html#ixzz19sDwfo3

[White Noise]

Stockdale's Chance


Sunday 2nd January 2011


 

Mark Schwarzer will team up with the Socceroos next week in preparation for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011. The Aussie keeper's absence from League and Cup action with Fullham will hand David Stockdale the opportunity to build on his impressive early season performances.

Stockdale's return to First Team action will come against West Bromwich Albion at the Cottage on Tuesday evening (KO 8pm)| and Manager Mark Hughes has every confidence that the young keeper is ready to impress again over the coming weeks.

"He did really well at the start of the season," Hughes told fulhamfc.com. "Had it not been for his injury he would probably have made the England squad. He made a real impression when he came in and with Mark absent we've got to hope he makes a similar impression.

"He's been training well and he has been aware that this period has been coming up so he's ready for it. When he comes in I have no worries whatsoever that David can make a similar impression.

"He's a good young goalkeeper and at some point in the future he needs to play regularly at First Team level. He made a great start at the beginning of the season and we want that to continue."

Hughes has studied Australia's group in the Asian Cup and expects the Socceroos to reach the final stages of the competition, meaning Stockdale will be backed up by Fulham Academy Graduate Neil Etheridge.

"Mark's absence is dependent on how successful Australia are in the Asia Cup," Hughes explained. "I'm sure they'll reach the latter stages of the competition so we're looking at three to four weeks I would suggest.

"Obviously it's a big loss losing Mark but David did really well when he came in at the beginning of the season and there's no reason why he can't do the same again.

"We've got Neil Etheridge who's been away on international duty and picked up some really good experience, so we're comfortable with the situation and that we have adequate cover."

Tickets for Tuesday night's Barclays Premier League clash against West Brom are now on General Sale. Don't miss Fulham's first home game of 2011!

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Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/December/StockdaleChance.aspx#ixzz19sEQIrzF