by David Wilson on September 1, 2010
For the first time Premier League teams had to name a 25-man squad for the first half of the EPL season and there was a couple of surprises.
All 20 clubs had to submit a squad of up to 25 players containing no more than 17 players who do not qualify as homegrown. Homegrown players are classed as players who “irrespective of his nationality or age, has been registered with any club affiliated to the Football Association or the Football Association of Wales for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons or 36 months prior to his 21st birthday”. Read more... (1279 words, 1 image, estimated 5:07 mins reading time)
by Damian Cooper on August 22, 2010
Avid followers of the English game will know that Arsenal used to have a reputation for winning games 1-0. Their fans even had a chant that celebrated this fact. This state of affairs pre-dated Wenger though, and yesterday the Arsenal thrashed new boys Blackpool 6-0. And that scoreline has become very popular in the first two weeks of the Premier League season. Today, whilst reading about Chelsea’s second 6-0 win in two games, I witnessed Newcastle United put six goals past Aston Villa. In the Magpies first home game back in the top flight, Andy Carroll netted a hat-trick with his third goal rounding things off in the final minute. Read more... (445 words, 1 image, estimated 1:47 mins reading time)
by David Wilson on July 22, 2010
Fulham’s search for a new manager continues today after Ajax manager Martin Jol decided to stay with the Dutch side.
“‘Ajax let me know they didn’t want me to go. And I don’t think I can bring myself to leave Ajax at this time. I came here last summer to be successful, to build a good team and to have fun. And those three things are what I am interested in achieving next season. It was always my intention to build Ajax further. It is full speed ahead and we all need to roll up our sleeves. That is essential.”
Fulham were left standing at the alter after having agreed personal terms with Jol. Read more... (397 words, 2 images, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)
by David on June 29, 2010
Roy Hodgson will be named Liverpool manager Wednesday after agreeing a two-year deal to replace Rafa Benitez worth around £3million a year.
It has been a month since Benitez has left, but after interviews with Manuel Pellegrini and Didier Deschamps, Liverpool decided that Hodgson was their man.
Hodgson has been brilliant at Fulham and he will need all his experience to navigate through a tough off-season at Anfield. First decision for Hodgson will be what to do with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
Gerrard is a target for Real Madrid while Torres is on both Manchester City’s and Barcelona‘s wish list. If Hodgson can keep both Torres and Gerrard at Anfield next seaons then Liverpool have a chance to compete for a top four position. Read more... (179 words, 2 images, estimated 43 secs reading time)
by David on June 21, 2010
It’s been ten days since Rafa Benitez officially joined Inter Milan and his replacement could set up a couple of managerial changes in the Premier League.
From all accounts Liverpool have decided that Fulham’s Roy Hodgson is the man they want to replace Benitez. Hodgson has done a fantastic job at Fulham and he has to realize that last season was probably as good as it will ever get at Fulham. His star is flying high and this might be his last opportunity to manage a big club. Read more... (400 words, 2 images, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)
by Patton Hunnicutt on May 12, 2010
Fulham has risen to a new level of success by reaching the Europa League final. They’ll play Atletico Madrid today in Hamburg for the trophy and it seems that they may have carved a brand new direction for themselves under the leadership of Roy Hodgson.
Hodgson even has a role model–which is very helpful since so many coaches are SO egotistical:
“To follow a manager like Bobby Robson would be fantastic because as you know, we were friends for many years. He was a great man, a great manager and it would be very nice to think I could follow him.” Read more... (254 words, 2 images, estimated 1:01 mins reading time)
When Fulham and Atletico Madrid walk out onto the pitch in Hamburg on Wednesday for the Europa League Final, it will be a meeting of two unlikely foes. Buy Europa League Final Tickets
Atletico Madrid will be chasing their first European title since the 1961/62 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup while Fulham are in their first European final of any sort.
For Fulham, the final will be there 19th European game this season, one short of the record of 20 set by FC Girondins de Bordeaux in 1995/96. Their record in 18 European games this season reads W11 D4 L3, scoring 30 goals and conceding 16. Read more... (430 words, 2 images, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)
by David on March 19, 2010
Fulham’s reward for their stunning victory over Juventus is a Europa League quarter-final with German side Wolfsburg. The first leg will be played in London on April 1 with the return game at the Volkswagen Arena on April 8.
Roy Hodgson’s side recovered from losing the first leg 3-1 and conceding an early goal in the second leg at Craven Cottage to secure a memorable 5-4 aggregate win against the Italian giants.
Wolfsburg now await in the last eight after the German champions beat Russian outfit Rubin Kazan 3-2 on aggregate in the last 16. Read more... (339 words, 1 image, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)
by David on January 26, 2010
Manchester United have agreed terms with Fulham to sign England Under-21 central defender Chris Smalling, with the 20-year-old set to join Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad during the summer.
“Chris has agreed personal terms with the club and will join for the beginning of the 2010/2011 campaign,” United said in a statement. “He will remain at Fulham until the end of the current season.”
It is amazing that Smallng was playing non-league football for Maidstone just over 18 months ago and this summer he will be heading to Old Trafford.
While Smalling is an England Under-21 central defender, the question arises where will he play at United with Ferdinand, Vidic and Evans all established players ahead of him in the team.
by Patton Hunnicutt on December 27, 2009
photo credit: wonker
Chelsea and ManU have had issues with lesser clubs this season and including Chelsea’s draw of West Ham we also have to include their recent draw to Birmingham. Manchester United has had their own issues (like losing 3-0 to Fulham) but this brings up the great paradox in pro sports: Why do good teams have a hard time with bad teams? Read more... (440 words, 2 images, estimated 1:46 mins reading time)
