What a week in store for Fulham.
A make or break European game in Basle on Wednesday night is followed up by Man Utd's trip to Craven Cottage on Saturday.
The Europa League adventure would have been extended already but for incompetent refereeing in the 2 games against Roma, and Fulham are in danger of dropping out of Europe with one of the highest points tally of all eliminated teams.
Unlike the Champions League there are no prizes for finishing 3rd in the group, and unless Fulham pick up the 3 points in Switzerland it is back to a diet of domestic action.
Whilst the media scoff at the Europa League, the quality of teams involved in the competition mean that the Round of 32 will throw up some mouthwatering ties.
Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Valencia amongst others would all test Fulham's unbeaten home record in Europe and extend the enjoyment for Fulham fans.
Roy Hodgson is making cautious noises in his interviews, apparently prioritising the Premier League over Europe. Anyone reading his quotes will be expecting a much weakened team especially with suspensions stretching the squad.
But make no mistake, Hodgson wants to qualify from this group and will field an 11 that he thinks can get the win required. Trying to second guess Hodgson is not easy, but i'll see how many of the starting 11 I can predict below.
The fact that we need a win and we are down to our barebones up front means more service for Bobby Zamora. The big man has been in great form recently, adding goals to his impressive link up play. In his days at West Ham, Zamora tended to score in streaks and he has now started to get on a roll for Fulham - another strike on Wednesday could be crucial.
AJ may feature as a sub, so Zoltan Gera will continue as a support striker.
Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu are short of games and could be re-united in the centre of midfield whilst Riise and Duff/Dempsey will make up the rest of the midfield.
At the back Kelly will deputise for the suspended Konchesky, and Smalling may continue his big match development alongside either Hughes or Hangeland. Paintsil and Schwarzer will complete the 11.
Predicted line up:
Schwarzer, Pantsil, Kelly, Hangeland, Smalling, Riise, Dempsey, Murphy, Etuhu, Gera, Zamora.
Basle are a decent side and very strong at home, but if Hodgson picks a line up similar to my prediction Fulham have every chance of prolonging their European dream.
Leave your Fulham team predictions in the comments section to see who can get the closest to Roy Hodgson's team selection
Monday, 14 December 2009
Sunday, 6 December 2009
Zamora for England
The Zamora for England campaign which has been in full swing here at footballpundit.com for a few weeks has started to gather momentum.
A couple of weeks ago I was being laughed out of my office when I bigged up Zamora's chances of going to the World Cup.
It is now openly discussed on MOTD2 and even Roy Hodgson has joined the gang.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/8398402.stm
Zamora has upped his game massively this season, and the goals are beginning to dribble in, 4 now in the League (Heskey has 1).
If Bobby can maintain this level of performance and nick a few more goals it is not out of the question that he could make the World Cup squad.
A couple of weeks ago I was being laughed out of my office when I bigged up Zamora's chances of going to the World Cup.
It is now openly discussed on MOTD2 and even Roy Hodgson has joined the gang.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/8398402.stm
Zamora has upped his game massively this season, and the goals are beginning to dribble in, 4 now in the League (Heskey has 1).
If Bobby can maintain this level of performance and nick a few more goals it is not out of the question that he could make the World Cup squad.
Fulham Watch
Pride of place this week goes to the evergreen Barry Hayles.
Barry was credited with 2 goals in Cheltenham's 2-2 home draw with Northampton, although the first was a certain own goal.
Hayles came to Craven Cottage in 1998 and scored 44 league goals in a 6 year spell.
He came with a great goalscoring record (34 goals in 66 games for Bristol Rovers) and Kevin Keegan splashed out £2m to give the free scoring forward a chance at the big time.
The late developing Hayles had only played in the Football League for 13 months when
he made his big money move and early in his Fulhm career it showed - despite glimpses of quality and the odd goal he often looked out of place.
It seemed that Jean Tigana's arrival could signal the end for Hayles, but the Frenchman sold Geoff Horsfield and Hayles blossomed under a professional coaching set up.
He scored the first goal of the Tigana era coming off the bench to break the deadlock against a stubborn Crewe defence.
17 more League goals followed, including a Boxing Day hatrick against Watford.
Hayles had made it to the top flight, from non league to lining up at Old Trafford in just 4 years.
It didn't take him long to open his Premier League account, the second game of the season, under the lights at Craven Cottage, Hayles scored the opening goal in a 2-0 win against Sunderland.
Other highlights included 2 goals at Spurs in a rare away win and a great bust up with Everton.
After a sticky start, Hayles establshed himself as a Fulham favourite and it is great to see him still knocking then in for Cheltenham.
Oh and Jimmy Bullard hurt his other knee. Good Luck Jim.
Barry was credited with 2 goals in Cheltenham's 2-2 home draw with Northampton, although the first was a certain own goal.
Hayles came to Craven Cottage in 1998 and scored 44 league goals in a 6 year spell.
He came with a great goalscoring record (34 goals in 66 games for Bristol Rovers) and Kevin Keegan splashed out £2m to give the free scoring forward a chance at the big time.
The late developing Hayles had only played in the Football League for 13 months when
he made his big money move and early in his Fulhm career it showed - despite glimpses of quality and the odd goal he often looked out of place.
It seemed that Jean Tigana's arrival could signal the end for Hayles, but the Frenchman sold Geoff Horsfield and Hayles blossomed under a professional coaching set up.
He scored the first goal of the Tigana era coming off the bench to break the deadlock against a stubborn Crewe defence.
17 more League goals followed, including a Boxing Day hatrick against Watford.
Hayles had made it to the top flight, from non league to lining up at Old Trafford in just 4 years.
It didn't take him long to open his Premier League account, the second game of the season, under the lights at Craven Cottage, Hayles scored the opening goal in a 2-0 win against Sunderland.
Other highlights included 2 goals at Spurs in a rare away win and a great bust up with Everton.
After a sticky start, Hayles establshed himself as a Fulham favourite and it is great to see him still knocking then in for Cheltenham.
Oh and Jimmy Bullard hurt his other knee. Good Luck Jim.
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Fulham Watch
A very quiet weekend for Fulham connections. Only 1 senior goal that I can find..
Jimmy Bullard made the headlines once again,more for his goal celebration than his goal from the penalty spot.
The parody of Phil Brown was a good effort and comfirms Bullard as the media's favourite son.
The hype around Bullard which Roy Hodgson found so distatseful is already rearing it's head at Hull, with Stephen Hunt protesting in the week that the Tigers are not a one man team.
Elsewhere, Marcus Hahnemann made his Wolves debut and conceded within 3 minutes to a delightful chip from the rejunevated Lee Bowyer.
Fredrik Stoor was on the end of a 2 footed lunge from Shane Long which resulted in a red card for the Reading forward.
On the managerial front the less than popular Mark Cooper secured his first point as Peterboro boss in a 2-2 draw with Middlesboro.
Michael Timlin, who made a couple of cup appearances for Fulham will get the chance to impress his ex-employees in the FA Cup 3rd round as Fulham were paired with Swindon.
Jimmy Bullard made the headlines once again,more for his goal celebration than his goal from the penalty spot.
The parody of Phil Brown was a good effort and comfirms Bullard as the media's favourite son.
The hype around Bullard which Roy Hodgson found so distatseful is already rearing it's head at Hull, with Stephen Hunt protesting in the week that the Tigers are not a one man team.
Elsewhere, Marcus Hahnemann made his Wolves debut and conceded within 3 minutes to a delightful chip from the rejunevated Lee Bowyer.
Fredrik Stoor was on the end of a 2 footed lunge from Shane Long which resulted in a red card for the Reading forward.
On the managerial front the less than popular Mark Cooper secured his first point as Peterboro boss in a 2-2 draw with Middlesboro.
Michael Timlin, who made a couple of cup appearances for Fulham will get the chance to impress his ex-employees in the FA Cup 3rd round as Fulham were paired with Swindon.
Fulham miss chance to go 7th.
Who said this was a home banker?
Ok, I hold my hands up. Deep down I thought this would be a comfortable win. I tried to dress things up in my match preview..
"Any long standing Fulham fans will immediately start to worry when terms like 'Home Banker' are being bandied about.
Hull last season and Derby before that were both Home Bankers that went wrong and despite the massive strides made under Roy Hodgson, Fulham can still throw in the odd quirky result"
But deep down,for one of the few times in my Fulham supporting career (30 years long) I actually went into the 1-1 draw with Bolton brimming with confidence.
Luckily I don't get paid until Monday, otherwise Christmas would have been a miserable place in the Pundit's Household.
Bolton came, and did what they do best. They scrapped & kicked and scored the opening goal against the run of play with a moment of class from Klasnic.
A worrying trend is now emerging, Fulham have conceded the first goal 10 times in 14 games this season and have one of the worst 1st half records in the league.
Thankfully, Damian Duff's deflected strike which may be taken off him by the dubious goals panel, secured a point in a game Fulham would have lost in seasons gone by.
So whilst a point at home represented a missed chance to push up the table, there is only so long that a club of Fulham's size can keep patching up an injury ridden squad.
Greening and Baird in midfield has done incredibly well so far but you can't rely on a makeshift midfield all season. The Murphy - Etuhu partnership that was so effective last year could be back in tandem as early as next week.
And how many other teams could survive the loss of their 3 first choice strikers?
Mid table security..... things could be a lot worse.
Ok, I hold my hands up. Deep down I thought this would be a comfortable win. I tried to dress things up in my match preview..
"Any long standing Fulham fans will immediately start to worry when terms like 'Home Banker' are being bandied about.
Hull last season and Derby before that were both Home Bankers that went wrong and despite the massive strides made under Roy Hodgson, Fulham can still throw in the odd quirky result"
But deep down,for one of the few times in my Fulham supporting career (30 years long) I actually went into the 1-1 draw with Bolton brimming with confidence.
Luckily I don't get paid until Monday, otherwise Christmas would have been a miserable place in the Pundit's Household.
Bolton came, and did what they do best. They scrapped & kicked and scored the opening goal against the run of play with a moment of class from Klasnic.
A worrying trend is now emerging, Fulham have conceded the first goal 10 times in 14 games this season and have one of the worst 1st half records in the league.
Thankfully, Damian Duff's deflected strike which may be taken off him by the dubious goals panel, secured a point in a game Fulham would have lost in seasons gone by.
So whilst a point at home represented a missed chance to push up the table, there is only so long that a club of Fulham's size can keep patching up an injury ridden squad.
Greening and Baird in midfield has done incredibly well so far but you can't rely on a makeshift midfield all season. The Murphy - Etuhu partnership that was so effective last year could be back in tandem as early as next week.
And how many other teams could survive the loss of their 3 first choice strikers?
Mid table security..... things could be a lot worse.
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Fulham v Bolton - Match Preview
If Fulham could hand pick a Premier League home fixture to claim 3 points in, then Bolton Wanderers would be the opponents.
The Trotters have made the trip to Craven Cottage 8 times since both teams secured promotion to the top flight back in 2001, and Fulham have won 7 times with a solitary 1-1 draw.
The bookies quite rightly make Fulham favourites, and with many coupons being printed before the midweek 3-0 win against Blackburn, a price of 5/6 looks far too big.
With history in Fulham's favour and Bolton's poor recent run of form surely this is a home banker?
Any long standing Fulham fans will immediately start to worry when terms like 'Home Banker' are being bandied about.
Hull last season and Derby before that were both Home Bankers that went wrong and despite the massive strides made under Roy Hodgson, Fulham can still throw in the odd quirky result.
The Whites have had their fair share of injuries this season, but unlike the Merseyside pair of Liverpool and Everton they haven't whinged and moaned but just got on with it.
That attitude has paid off as squad players like Chris Baird have come to the fore and can now be reinforced with the likes of Murphy and Johnson who are likely to see action on Saturday.
As one striker comes back in, another - Bobby Zamora - is a major doubt with a groin problem. Zamora, who scored a cracker on his home debut in the corresponding fixture last season is unlikely to be risked with CSKA Sofia and Sunderland around the corner.
So in form Clint Dempsey is likely to deputise up front after his brace against Blackburn.
Bolton were thrashed 5-1 by Villa in their last away game, but have actually picked up more points on their travels than at the Reebok.
They have already picked up maximum points at Portsmouth and Birmingham and under pressure boss Gary Megson will have them well fired up for Saturday.
Megson has changed Bolton's approach this season, slowly dismantling the hoofball culture he inherited from Sam Allardyce for something that actually requires a midfield. Whilst Fulham handled the aerial bombardment from Blackburn well on Wednesday, they will be far more comfortable against Bolton and a more attractive game is likely on Saturday.
Fulham fans will hope that the much derided old boy Zat Knight regains his place in the Bolton back 4.
Betting
With 5/6 generally available, the Football Pundit recommends lumping on Fulham to continue their fine home form.
Predictions
Correct score: 3-1
First Goalscorer: Damian Duff
Key Man Bolton: Kevin Davies
The Trotters have made the trip to Craven Cottage 8 times since both teams secured promotion to the top flight back in 2001, and Fulham have won 7 times with a solitary 1-1 draw.
The bookies quite rightly make Fulham favourites, and with many coupons being printed before the midweek 3-0 win against Blackburn, a price of 5/6 looks far too big.
With history in Fulham's favour and Bolton's poor recent run of form surely this is a home banker?
Any long standing Fulham fans will immediately start to worry when terms like 'Home Banker' are being bandied about.
Hull last season and Derby before that were both Home Bankers that went wrong and despite the massive strides made under Roy Hodgson, Fulham can still throw in the odd quirky result.
The Whites have had their fair share of injuries this season, but unlike the Merseyside pair of Liverpool and Everton they haven't whinged and moaned but just got on with it.
That attitude has paid off as squad players like Chris Baird have come to the fore and can now be reinforced with the likes of Murphy and Johnson who are likely to see action on Saturday.
As one striker comes back in, another - Bobby Zamora - is a major doubt with a groin problem. Zamora, who scored a cracker on his home debut in the corresponding fixture last season is unlikely to be risked with CSKA Sofia and Sunderland around the corner.
So in form Clint Dempsey is likely to deputise up front after his brace against Blackburn.
Bolton were thrashed 5-1 by Villa in their last away game, but have actually picked up more points on their travels than at the Reebok.
They have already picked up maximum points at Portsmouth and Birmingham and under pressure boss Gary Megson will have them well fired up for Saturday.
Megson has changed Bolton's approach this season, slowly dismantling the hoofball culture he inherited from Sam Allardyce for something that actually requires a midfield. Whilst Fulham handled the aerial bombardment from Blackburn well on Wednesday, they will be far more comfortable against Bolton and a more attractive game is likely on Saturday.
Fulham fans will hope that the much derided old boy Zat Knight regains his place in the Bolton back 4.
Betting
With 5/6 generally available, the Football Pundit recommends lumping on Fulham to continue their fine home form.
Predictions
Correct score: 3-1
First Goalscorer: Damian Duff
Key Man Bolton: Kevin Davies
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Fulham enjoy home comforts
They say that the sign of a good team is if they can win when they are not playing well. By that standard, Fulham must be something special.
A woeful 1st half performance was illuminated in the 42nd minute by an incisive counter attack finished in trademark style by Erik Nevland.
Damian Duff re-instated to the starting line up after his Paris heartbreak teased in a delicious throughball with the outside of his left foot for Nevland to power home right footed low and close to the body of Paul Robinson.
Buoyed by their half time advantage, Fulham moved up a gear as they attacked the Hammersmith End in the 2nd half.
Clint Dempsey was pushed up front following an injury to Bobby Zamora and maintained his fine goalscoring form with the all important 2nd goal after 67mins, with Duff once again the provider.
A few nervy moments at 2-0 up were dispelled late on when Dempsey notched his 5th League goal of the season to secure a comfortable 3-0 win to take Fulham up to 10th in the table.
With 2 winnable home games coming up against Bolton and Sunderland and most of our top players returning to fitness things are looking good at Craven Cottage.
Random Thoughts
Clint Dempsey now has 19 Premier League goals for Fulham just one behind Collins John in the all time list. With 5 so far this season that boy Clint Dempsey has outscored both Frank Lampard and Steve Gerrard.
Fulham have recorded 4 home wins so far this season against Everton, Hull, Liverpool and Blackburn. Last season Fulham lost all 4 of the corresponding fixtures at home.
A woeful 1st half performance was illuminated in the 42nd minute by an incisive counter attack finished in trademark style by Erik Nevland.
Damian Duff re-instated to the starting line up after his Paris heartbreak teased in a delicious throughball with the outside of his left foot for Nevland to power home right footed low and close to the body of Paul Robinson.
Buoyed by their half time advantage, Fulham moved up a gear as they attacked the Hammersmith End in the 2nd half.
Clint Dempsey was pushed up front following an injury to Bobby Zamora and maintained his fine goalscoring form with the all important 2nd goal after 67mins, with Duff once again the provider.
A few nervy moments at 2-0 up were dispelled late on when Dempsey notched his 5th League goal of the season to secure a comfortable 3-0 win to take Fulham up to 10th in the table.
With 2 winnable home games coming up against Bolton and Sunderland and most of our top players returning to fitness things are looking good at Craven Cottage.
Random Thoughts
Clint Dempsey now has 19 Premier League goals for Fulham just one behind Collins John in the all time list. With 5 so far this season that boy Clint Dempsey has outscored both Frank Lampard and Steve Gerrard.
Fulham have recorded 4 home wins so far this season against Everton, Hull, Liverpool and Blackburn. Last season Fulham lost all 4 of the corresponding fixtures at home.
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