Friday Fulham Stuff (04.02.11)

[WhiteJC]

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/50033/Makoun_making_the_right_impression_says_Houllier.aspx?

Makoun making the right impression, says Houllier

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has praised the midweek performance of new boy Jean Makoun as the Cameroonian midfielder prepares to make his Villa Park bow against Fulham tomorrow.

The 27 year-old brought in from Lyon last month for a fee believed to be in the region of £4m as Houllier sought to rescue Villa's hugely disappointing season thus far by splashing out in the January transfer window.

Makoun received rave reviews for his impressive performance in the 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford on Tuesday night and Houllier has challenged him to keep the momentum going with another sterling showing tomorrow afternoon.

He told the club's official website: "He brought some fluency in the game, the passing and the movement was good," said Houllier.

"He always picks the right pass, often it is a forward pass. I think he played well.

"Don't forget for Darren Bent it was his third game and for Jean it was practically his first game because he was injured against Wigan.

"Remember? In the first minute and he walked around more than anything else. I took him off because he couldn't accelerate and up the pace.

"But his passing ability and his range of passing was still good even against Wigan. It was even better against Manchester United.

"He made an impact now he's got to keep going with that and keep that momentum," he added.

"When you first come you've got a bit of adrenaline with it being your first game, maybe it will drop and then come back.

"He speaks a bit of English so he has been taken in well by the other players and on the pitch they like to give him the ball."

[WhiteJC]

http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2011/02/first_prem_win_at_villa_possib.php?

First Prem win at Villa Possible?

Both sides briefly sat in the bottom three midwinter. After an injection of fresh blood, both now go chasing a win and mid-table respectabilty. Two sides on the up and a good game in prospect.

Not an easy one to call on current form. Villa were undone last time out at Old Trafford - no disgrace in that. Fulham finally learnt how to 'win ugly' as Danny called it to see off a weakened Newcastle. Again we go to one of our least favourite venues, no wins here in nine attempts since being promoted. 3 draws and 6 defeats is the unenviable record.

Strange to explain that. Villa have generally performed better than us over the past decade, without ever threatening to evolve into a real force. Villa Park is a great venue for football and neither the crowd nor size of the stadium should be intimidating. Plus you do by and large with the Villans get a chance to play football. Could this be the season we finally get lucky? Villa have not won back to back at home since August and concede a lot of goals late on.

Here's the key. It's a battle of the centre backs. Hangeland must shackle the over-priced but always dangerous Darren Bent, Fulham's nippy front men have to exploit the weak link I think Richard Dunne represents - the veteran will not relish being run at and forced to turn on what will be his 400th league start. Friedel, at 39, must also be made to work, so plenty of shots from midfield please. The ideal opportunity here for Sidwell to show the fans what they missed out on.

Having Bent lead the line - 13 goals this seaon so far - ups the ante considerably when compared to the likes of Carew and Heskey. Serviced by two genuine wingers in Downing and Young, from the wings comes the Villa threat. This may well see our inverted wide men forced deeper than they would like to support Paintsil and Baird. If we can get on the ball enough and play to our strengths I see us carving our opponents open down the middle, so we need big performances from AJ and Moussa up front. After glowing praise from Mark this week don't be at all suprised to see Kakuta on after half-time. As for our starting line-up, it will be same again I'm sure. Etuhu's hamstring needs extra time to heal, but the bench is packed with experience and options, more so if Eidur comes into consideration.

Nice easy train ride north from London so at least a 1,000 plus fans will be following the Whites to what could well be our 2nd away win of the season, and first league win on this ground since 1973 - when Nixon was battling impeachment and Slade ruled the UK charts...Yikes!

Your blogger is strumming tonight in London (alongside the Bayou Brothers from the USA) otherwise I would be at the Cottage cheering Kit Symons kids on to further Youth Cup glory against Watford. I went to the last round and it was excellent! Kick off 7pm. Go if you can.

Here's to another good performance at Villa Park. Let's show we can do it on the road too. COYW! Twitter@fulhamphil

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/02/04/john-pantsil-s-fulham-future-in-the-balance-64767-28114905/?

John Pantsil's Fulham future in the balance

FULHAM will wait until the end of the season before deciding whether to offer John Pantsil a new deal.

The Ghanaian told the your favourite local paper this week that the club had not opened talks about extending his contract, which expires at the end of the season.

And boss Mark Hughes revealed he will run the risk of losing the former West Ham full-back by waiting until the summer before deciding on his futrue.

He said: "There are a number of players this year that are in the last year of their contracts and we're working our way through him.

"I've spoken to John on a number of occasions. He needs to play well between now and the end of the season and I'm sure we'll have the conversation then."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/02/04/john-pantsil-s-fulham-future-in-the-balance-64767-28114905/?#ixzz1D0KtBzzd

[WhiteJC]

http://www.clicklancashire.com/sport/blackburn-rovers-fc/128965-blackburn-rovers-and-fulham-fc-wait-on-anderlecht-midfielder-contract-decision.html?

Blackburn Rovers and Fulham FC wait on Anderlecht midfielder contract decision

Blackburn Rovers are reportedly watching developments over Mbark Boussoufa's contract talks at Anderlecht.

Boussoufa is expected to make a decision this week about a new Anderlecht contract and it is unclear whether he will continue with the Belgian outfit.

The midfielder has been linked with a return to England, where the likes of Rovers and Fulham are keen to secure his services.

Anderlecht chief Herman Van Holsbeeck confirmed: "We are ready to give Boussoufa a contract for four or five years, but he has yet to decide whether he wants to stay.

"Mbark has promised that he will give us his decision within one week."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/football-ealing/fulham-fc-ealing/2011/02/04/eidur-gudjohnsen-has-a-point-to-prove-at-fulham-82029-28115233/?

Eidur Gudjohnsen has a point to prove at Fulham

EIDUR Gudjohnsen has a point to prove at Fulham, according to his new boss.

Mark Hughes reckons the January loan signing from Stoke is out to show the Potters what they're missing after just five substitute appearances at the Britannia.

He could make his debut for the Whites at Aston Villa tomorrow after travelling with the squad to Birmingham.

"He wants to get his career back on track," said the Fulham boss.

"He's got a point to prove – there's a lot of people who question where his career is at at the moment and he wants to put that right.

"He's come to a club that will help him with the way we prepare and play. He's looking forward to it."

Hughes admitted last month that he may resist the temptation to bring in another striker after Mousa Dembele and Andy Johnson's return to action, while Bobby Zamora is back in full training.

But the departures of Eddie Johnson and David Elm meant he still wanted to bolster his squad with more firepower.

He added: "Given the pedigree that he has of winning trophies it was an easy decision."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.football365.co.za/story/0,22162,14287_6722536,00.html?

Bradley all set for debut

Aston Villa's on-loan midfielder Michael Bradley is set to make his first appearance against Fulham on Saturday.

Villa boss Gérard Houllier has been handed a boost ahead of the game with Stewart Downing overcoming a shin injury.

However, defender Luke Young has been ruled out of the tie as he is set to undergo surgery on a knee injury. Fabian Delph (knee) will also play no part in the game.

Meanwhile, Stephen Warnock and Habib Beye could also miss out after falling out with Houllier.

For Fulham, Dickson Etuhu remains sidelined after he suffered another setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Bobby Zamora (broken leg) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles) and Matt Briggs (calf) remain long-term injuries.

New recruit Eidur Gudjohnsen could make his first start for the club.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/loan-ace-looks-gud-for-villa-bow-1160674.html?

Loan ace looks Gud for Villa bow

Loan striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is available for Fulham's trip to Aston Villa, but Dickson Etuhu has suffered a setback in his recovery.

Cottagers chief Mark Hughes swooped to sign Icelandic international Gudjohnsen on loan from Premier League rivals Stoke until the end of the season. And he could start the former Chelsea and Barcelona hitman on the bench at Villa Park as the Londoners bid to follow up the midweek home win against Newcastle with another three points.

Hughes has no new injury problems, but he has been hit by the news Nigerian international midfielder Etuhu is facing three more weeks on the sidelines after a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury he suffered at Stoke last month.

Matthew Briggs is available again after recovering from an ankle injury, but Bobby Zamora and Philippe Senderos stay sidelined, despite recently returning to full training from long-term broken leg and Achilles problems respectively.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2011/02/04/stewart-downing-eyes-new-villa-run/?

Stewart Downing eyes new Villa run

Stewart Downing wants Villa to put the defeat to Manchester United behind them and recapture the form they showed throughout the majority of January.

The claret and blues recent good form came to an abrupt end at Old Trafford with a 3-1 against the Premier League leaders earlier in midweek.

But they now face a series of winnable games against Fulham, Blackpool and Blackburn over the next month and the Villa winger wants Gerard Houllier's men to cash in.

He said: "We've been on a good run and now we have to put another one together starting with tomorrow's home game against Fulham.

"It will be a tough game because they have signed a couple if players – including Steve Sidwell from us – and they have a good team with some good players.

"It is another home game with our fans behind us and hopefully we can get a win out of it. The Fulham game is massive for us and a win would set us up for another run.

"I don't want to jinx us but we have what could be considered a good run of games coming up so hopefully we can put a run together and get some points up.

"We had a tough fixture list over Christmas so it has been nice to get a couple of wins but we need to carry on and get back up that table where we belong."

The England international is also keen for the Villa players to learn from their meeting with Fulham at Craven Cottage earlier in the season.

Marc Albrighton gave Villa a half-time lead which they held until late into injury time when Brede Hangeland equalised.

He said: "I think we owe Fulham a little bit as away from home we had them dead and buried and they equalised in the last minute. Hopefully this time we will have learned our lesson and put it to bed and win.

"Football is a funny game – they are looking for their first away win and we don't want to be the team that gives it to them.

"We perhaps need to defend a bit better as a team and not give away sloppy goals but, hopefully, we can improve that and get a result on Saturday.

"Nothing is better than winning games and we're disappointed but just have to get back on that run again now."

Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu will miss the game after suffering a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury, but new loan signing Eidur Gudjohnsen could figure for the first time.



Read more: http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2011/02/04/stewart-downing-eyes-new-villa-run/#ixzz1D0ObAyxO

[WhiteJC]

http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7507511

Mystic Mug / Lawro Face Off v Fulham

Mystic Mug says this weekend will see Villa and win well. He was going to say 1-0 but after polishing his balls, he now says 3-1 to the mighty claret and blue.

Lawro has told news.bbc.co.uk/sport1 that Villa will win 2-1 adding:

'I don't foresee any future problems for either of these two sides this season. Fulham have started to score and have got nearly all their players fit. They still have their trump card to bring back in Bobby Zamora too. I'm going to go for Villa to come out on top in this one. The feel-good factor is back at Villa Park and they have got plenty of potential match-winners in their side."

Read more: http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7507511#ixzz1D0P1CYus

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/02/04/aston-villa-v-fulham-preview-darren-bent-hunting-goals-points/?

Aston Villa v Fulham Preview: Darren Bent Hunting Goals, Points - and Caps

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier believes a "good side" does not lose two games in succession - so he is about to discover whether he leads a team worth of the label.

Bolstered by some imaginative and bold spending in the transfer window, Villa put together a five-game undefeated run which was predictably ended against Manchester United.

And the French manager wants to see an immediate reaction to the 3-1 setback at Old Trafford to put some more daylight between Villa and the relegation issue.

Several of his Villa players will be hoping to make a last ditch attempt to squeeze into Fabio Capello's plans for the friendly with Denmark after the England coach watched their encounter with the Premier League leaders.

Ashley Young, Stewart Downing and new £24 million striker Darren Bent, who scored his second goal in three matches since his arrival from Sunderland will all be hoping for the call from the Italian.

Fulham manager Mark Hughes has suffered similar supporter problems to those experienced by Houllier a few weeks ago, with Craven Cottage fans less than convinced he was the man to replace Roy Hodgson.

Many of the Fulham regulars would have gladly taken Hodgson back after his torrid time at Anfield was terminated, but they may not be so keen now.

Like Villa, Fulham spent a short amount of time in the relegation places, but an impressive run of results in January has taken them clear of trouble for the time being.

Hughes's side are bristling with confidence after their emphatic FA Cup win over Tottenham which they followed up with victory over Newcastle United to make it 13 points from their last seven league games.

Key Match-Up: Darren Bent v Brede Hangeland: After the frenzied transfer activity in the final day of the January window, Bent looks reasonably priced just a couple of weeks after Houllier was criticised for paying way over the odds. He has adapted to life at Villa Park superbly and underlined his standing as one of the most dangerous English strikers in the Premier League.

He wants to take that onto the international stage too and Hangeland will have to be at his very best to prevent more goals catching the eye of Capello's scouts. The Fulham defender has been in impressive form himself recently, contributing to successive clean sheets which will have pleased Hughes and he is someone Villa will have to keep a close watch on when they are defending set pieces.

Form Guide: Villa have never lost at home to Fulham in the Premier League. The last time Fulham won a league fixture at Villa Park was almost 40 years ago.

Odds: Aston Villa 5/6, Fulham 11/4, Draw 11/5

ASTON VILLA:
Following his move from Sunderland, Bent believes he is now in a far more fashionable place at Villa Park to regularly catch the eye of Capello and realise his international ambitions.

There was a theory that, despite his goalscoring for Sunderland, he was overlooked by the Italian because the Stadium of Light did not provide him with the ideal platform for recognition.

Capello certainly has a far more regular seat in the Villa Park director's box and Bent will have impressed with the manner in which he took his goal at Old Trafford.

"There are a number of people who play for England in the Aston Villa squad so I am sure he was there watching them all and the Manchester United players too," said Bent.

"I did quite well on Tuesday and hopefully he was impressed with the bits he saw. If not I'll keep going and doing as well as I can for Aston Villa.

"We can all push together. All work hard together and try and get ourselves all back in the England squad and have a great number of Villa players in the squad.

Bent has been pleased with his early form since his move from Sunderland, but he knows he has to keep impressing if he wants to become an international regular.

"It would be nice to keep up that ratio, but if someone said to me you can score a goal or take three points, I'd take three points all day long.

"The main thing is that Aston Villa as a club keep growing, we keep getting results and keep pushing up the league.

Strategy: Houllier is finally in a situation, for the first time since his arrival, of being able to rotate his squad and not have to rely upon the club's youngsters. He has strength in depth which will be further improved by the availability of Michael Bradley, who has gained international clearance after his move from Borussia Moenchengladbach.

The 23-year-old midfielder will probably have to wait for his debut from the substitutes bench as Houllier looks to Lyon midfielder Jean Makoun to build on his impressive performance against United. Bent is likely to be partnered by Emile Heskey, so that may mean there is no place for Gabriel Agbonlahor in the starting line-up as Ashley Young reverts to his regular role on the left-hand side of midfield.

Injury Update: Luke Young has been to see a specialist about the knee injury which has kept him out since December and Nathan Baker is suspended, but Downing is expected to recover from a shin injury he sustained at Old Trafford.

FULHAM:
Fulham manager Hughes, after putting a string of decent results together, is no longer thinking about a relegation battle this season after being in the bottom three on Boxing Day.

He said: "We're not looking at teams at the bottom to be honest. We're looking at teams above us. That is our focus. I said at the beginning of the season we're a top ten side and nothing has changed my mind so far.

"Villa have possibly had a similar season to ourselves, people didn't expect them to be in this position. But it's a difficult place to go and it will be tough for us.

"They've picked up as well and signing Darren Bent has had a positive impact on them and going there now is possibly not as easy as three or four weeks ago. But we're confident ourselves."

Mark Schwarzer has returned in goal for Hughes, even though David Stockdale performed well while the Australia international was at the Asian Cup.

"Mark is my number one keeper and it was important to get him back," Hughes added. "It's been hard on David Stockdale because he is a young keeper with a great future.

"It was a difficult decision but was the correct one. It's important that we get Mark back and involved, he played a significant part in our victory against Newcastle with his save.

"We're pleased he's back, as he's a big influence on the back four. It's hard on David, he's done nothing wrong, but it was important to get Mark back."

Strategy: Hughes was struggling for firepower earlier in the season but Moussa Dembele's return from injury and Andrew Johnson's decent form means they will probably be paired in attack, with Clint Dempsey providing support from midfield.

Injury Update: Dickson Etuhu has a hamstring injury and misses out. Bobby Zamora and Philippe Senderos are back in full training but are still short on match-fitness. Eidur Gudjohnsen is in the squad.

[WhiteJC]

http://sport.virginmedia.com/football/article/2011/02/04/zamora_must_earn_his_place_hughes?

Zamora must earn his place - Hughes

Fulham manager Mark Hughes insists striker Bobby Zamora can no longer expect to walk straight back into the side when he returns from his broken leg.

Zamora is on the brink of making his comeback from almost five months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery in September.

Fulham struggled badly in his absence towards the end of 2010, with an eight-match winless run ultimately seeing them sucked into the Barclays Premier League drop zone.

But they go into the trip to Aston Villa having won six of their last nine games in all competitions and 12th in the league table.

The return of Zamora's fellow forwards Moussa Dembele and Andy Johnson from injury has revitalised the Cottagers and Hughes insists last season's talisman now has a real fight on to reclaim his place.

"He understands that the squad is evolving now and the squad is getting bigger and stronger," said Hughes, who this week added Eidur Gudjohnsen to his pool of forwards. "Bobby knows he needs to work hard to get back in the side but, given his desire to get back in, that shouldn't faze him at all."