Premier League - Countdown: Fulham

Eurosport - Sat, 08 Aug 09:48:00 2009

Eurosport-Yahoo! begins its countdown to the Premier League season with a look at Roy Hodgson's over-achieving Fulham.

2008-2009 Fulham Roy Hodgson - 0

Manager: Roy Hodgson

Last 10 Seasons in Premier League (1999/2000 to 2008/2009):

-/-/13/14/9/13/12/16/17/7

POSSIBLE STARTING XI:

Mark Schwarzer

John Paintsil - Brede Hangeland - Aaron Hughes - Paul Konchesky

Simon Davies - Danny Murphy - Dickson Etuhu - Clint Dempsey

Bobby Zamora - Andy Johnson

BACK-UPS FROM: David Stockdale, Fredrik Stoor, Matthew Briggs, Chris Baird, Toni Kallio, Stephen Kelly, Bjorn Helge Riise, Zoltan Gera, Andranik Teymourian, Hameur Bouazza, Erik Nevland, Diomansy Kamara, Eddie Johnson

TRANSFERS:

In - Bjorn Helge Riise, Stephen Kelly

Out - Moritz Volz, Collins John, Leon Andreasen

POSITIVES: Hogdson is one of the best English coaches in the game and his commitment to tight defending and passing football has made Fulham difficult to break down and attractive to watch. Keeper Mark Schwarzer won the Whites several matches last season and Brede Hangeland would walk into most back fours. Fulham had the fourth-best defensive record and best disciplinary record last season.

NEGATIVES: A smallish squad and no 20-goal striker could see them struggle to balance the Premier League with Europe. Fulham's wage structure - a result of a small ground and limited support - makes it tough to attract proven goalscorers and retain star players.

VERDICT: It will be hard for Fulham to do as well this season unless they make several big signings and hold on to Hangeland. A top striker would go some way to helping - Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson only scored nine league goals between them last season. 10th.

Eurosport

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  1. Thats Sunderland in 9th spot then?

    From pfy1101, on Mon 10 Aug 2:45PM

  2. fulham must take this free goalkeeper:vladimir­ stojkovic(this goalkeeper played last season at­ getafe),milan purovic(this striker played last season­ at sporting lisbon)

    From besa, on Sun 9 Aug 2:01AM

  3. 1.Manchester utd
    2.Chelsea
    3.Liverpool
    4.Manchester­ City
    5.Arsenal
    6.Everton
    7.Aston­ Villa
    8.Spurs
    9.
    10.West­ Ham
    11.Fulham
    12.Bolton
    13.Wigan
    14.Blackburn
    15.Stoke
    ­ 16.Birmingham
    17.Portsmouth
    18.Hull
    19.Wolves
    20.Burnle­ y

    From Adam, on Sat 8 Aug 10:03PM

  4. Look for Clint Dempsey to net 12-15 goals this season.

    From dansegelin, on Sat 8 Aug 7:48PM

  5. ......Wish Pompey could have got a decent quality­ Manager like Roy Hodgson! Fulham seem to be in a­ similar situation to Pompey re: the small ground size,­ though Pompey's is much better & more­ passionate! Though the protracted takeover is still,­ frustatingly dragging on within Fraton Park.........

    From Tony H, on Sat 8 Aug 3:36PM

  6. I'm with you TerryM. I too have been a Fulham­ supporter for over 50yrs - would not and could not­ desert them! Been the brunt of all the jokes, we've­ heard them all. It's amazing though how many top­ class players have started with us or finished their­ careers with us. We need to be able to keep them in­ the middle!! We may not have the money spinning­ charisma of the boys down the road or the reds but this­ is very much a "family" club. Somethings are­ more important in the geat scheme of life.

    From Binky C, on Sat 8 Aug 12:54PM

  7. Although I agree with what is being said, I believe­ that Fulham, who have a great core of support, although­ an 'unfashionable' club, will still be a team­ to beat. I expect them to remain in the Premier­ although maybe not as good as the 7th place they­ achieved in 2008/9. A supporter since I was 5 years old­ (I am now 78) I never have switched my allegience (as­ many others do) when they were well in the lower­ divisions. Roy has bought new hope to the side and he­ is a good man.
    terryM

    From terama119, on Sat 8 Aug 10:45AM
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