Showing posts with label Danny Murphy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Danny Murphy. Show all posts

Fulham - Juventus

Fulham are two goals down (1-3) after the first game. Positive for them is scored away goal, but also not so bad and competitive display. They have good home record in Premier, but also in European competitions (9 wins, 4 draws). Many of those European games weren’t against the clubs of Juve’s calibre, but Cottagers have already beaten there Man Utd and Liverpool in Premier. However, boss Hodgson will be without his rock in the midfield and key player in my opinion, Danny Murphy, who is suspended. As well as Jonathan Greening. Andy Johnson and John Pantsil are injured, David Elm ill and Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka are both ineligible. It’s a total of 7 players who are usually in contention for the first team, but the true is Fulham used to play without most of them and only blow for them, beside Murphy, is doubtful appearance of key defender Brede Hangeland who will have a late fitness test.

 

Juve have two goals lead from the first game, possess more quality and much more experience playing in Europe. But, there’re also few facts that don’t go in their favor. First, they’re not so happy on English soil, 2 wins, 4 draws and 11 defeats so far (though most of them were played in Champions League). Then, their injury worries look more serious than hosts’. Gigi Buffon is injured, his replacement Manninger too. That gives Zaccheroni two choices. Old Chimenti (conceded 3 at Sunday vs. Siena at home 3-3) or youngster Pinsogliois. Also, block in front will be without key defender Chiellini and two more in back line, Legrottaglie and Caceres! This makes from a defensive attitude very risky approach.

 

Cottagers really believe (most important for this bet) they can progress. Smaller pitch gives the advantage to their aggression and decreases Italians’ technical superiority. Result from the first match won’t allow home side to give up, while on the other side Juve won’t defend 0-0. Also, Del Piero and Trezeguet can score at anytime. I see goals on both sides and see over 2.5 as a logic conclusion.

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Man.Utd. - Fulham

United are in a great shape, as they have a single defeat (away to Everton, 1-3) in last eleven games and have a point less than Londoners. With a win today would occupy a top again. This game comes after smashing AC and squad looks full of confidence. Rio and Vidic again play together and number of conceding goals should be significantly reduced, while Rooney plays in a life shape. Ferguson is a motivation expert and I don’t expect any relaxation today, especially because the visitors are a decent side. Michael Carrick returns to the squad after serving the suspension and probably will replace Scholes who has played twice in five days. Manchester United have won each of their last five home games against Fulham.

 

Fulham have been noticing a big improvement under Hodgson. Not so long ago they were fighting to avoid relegation, while these days play in Europe and are a decent Premier League side. But their home record is much better than on the road. They have just one away win (at the opening day vs. Pompey, 1-0) and have noticed a total of just nine points in 14 games. They also come in today’s game after Europe. The difference is they actually don’t have too much (any) experience playing in Europe and I think they’ll have more problems to focus on Premier again. And all in the club think they made a good result against Juve and have a chance for progress. Re-match is at next Thursday and will be hard not to think on that. Also, Hodgson have a limited number players in the squad, key players have played almost all games in 2010 and start to feel fatigue. I won’t be surprised if he even decide (following Mick McCarthy’ invention) to rest his best players for Juve and give up from today’s game before it even started. Clint Dempsey returns to the squad after the recovering from the knee injury, while Danny Murphy has a slight groin problem. Fulham have not scored in 365 minutes of away league football

 

At this stage of season, it’s very hard to expect any of the leading sides will lose the points. United have a special motive as they were defeated in the first game vs. Fulham (Carrick played a centre-back, 1-3). They’re in a great shape, won’t lack in motivation, home record is impressive and I expect a win with few goals margin. Bet is -2 asian handicap.

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Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 Fulham (agg 2 - 3)

Fulham produced a backs-to-the-wall display to seal a famous Europa League win against Uefa Cup holders Shakhtar.
The Ukrainian side dominated before Brede Hangeland headed in Damien Duff's free-kick with Fulham's first chance. 
Jadson swept home an equaliser from 12 yards after great work from Douglas Costa on the right-hand side. 
Danny Murphy was sent off for kicking out at Darijo Srna late on but Fulham held on to set up a mouth-watering last-16 clash against Juventus. 
It was a resilient, if not pretty, performance from Roy Hodgson's men against the side who won the competition last season in its previous guise as the Uefa Cup. 
But the hardy Fulham fans who travelled to near-freezing Donetsk will care little about the manner of a triumph that should be classed among the finest in the club's history.
Shakhtar had not played since the first leg, because of the Ukrainian league's winter break, but showed no signs of rustiness as they began the game in electric fashion. 
With five Brazilians in the hosts' team, the South American influence was plain to see from the slick one-touch passing that left Fulham chasing shadows from the first whistle.
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Thursday's gossip column


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants Patrick Viera to return to the Gunners - four years after the 33-year-old Inter Milan midfielder left for Juventus. And Wenger is willing to match Tottenham's offer, which is believed to be a one-year deal with big bonuses.(Various) 
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is keen to add more English players to his squad and is preparing a £12m bid for Wigan midfielder Lee Cattermole (on photo) and will offer Hull £5.5m for defender Michael Turner.(Daily Mail) 
However, any deal for Cattermole and Turner is dependent on the sale of Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid but the clubs are close to a £30m deal for the 27-year-old.(Daily Mail) 
Liverpool have given Real 48 hours to complete Alonso's signing with the Spanish giants set to make an improved bid of between £28m and £30m.(The Times) 
Aston Villa are monitoring forward Robbie Keane's situation at Tottenham after the arrival of fellow striker Peter Crouch. (Daily Mail) 
West Ham and England defender Matthew Upson is also a target for Villa and they are poised to make a £12m bid for the 28-year-old. (Daily Mirror) 
Villa manager Martin O'Neill wants to pair Upson with Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin and is ready to offer £4.5m for the 30-year-old. (Daily Mirror)
Tottenham striker Darren Bent is attracting interest from Aston Villa, but Sunderland remain favourites to sign the 25-year-old for about £15m. (The Independent) 
Inter Milan could revive their interest in Chelsea midfielder Deco, with Barcelona winger Alexander Hleb - who was due to arrive at the San Siro on loan - set to sign for his former club Stuttgart. (Daily Mail) 
Middlesbrough defender Robert Huth could be set for a return to the Premier League with Fulham prepared to pay £2m for the 24-year-old. (Daily Mirror) 
Newcastle have accepted a £9m bid from Wolfsburg for 24-year-old striker Obafemi Martins. (The Times) 
Everton are interested in signing 18-year-old Stockport defender Josh Thompson. (The Sun) 
Portsmouth had hoped to sign Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic but the 21-year-old's club Hadjuk Split are not happy with the £5.5m fee being spread over three years.(Various) 
Celtic are interested in signing Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon for £2m. (Daily Mirror) 
Sheffield United want goalkeeper Nicky Weaver to replace Paddy Kenny, who faces a two-year ban after failing a drugs test. (The Sun) 
QPR, Leicester and Crystal Palace are all vying to sign 24-year-old striker Leroy Lita who is available on a free transfer after leaving Reading. (Daily Express) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Kevin Keegan could be in line for yet another return to Newcastle as manager - if a Dubai tycoon succeeds with a £100m takeover of the club.(The Sun) 
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he failed to get the best out of Dimitar Berbatov last season and has warned their Premier League rivals that there is more to come from the Bulgarian striker. (Daily Express) 
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard says winning the Premier League title is more important than the Champions League for the west London club. (Daily Star) 
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill believe the Midlands club need to sign five new players before the start of the season. (Daily Star) 
Chelsea have moved to secure midfielder Joe Cole and defender Ashley Cole on long-term contracts, while strikers Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka are also set to sign new deals. (Daily Mirror)

AND FINALLY

Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy has revealed the club have turned to the Pilates fitness system in their preparations for the new season.(The Sun)
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Tuesday's gossip column


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City have struck a deal with Arsenal for the £15m signing of defender Kolo Toure, who will double his wages at Eastlands.(Daily Mail) 
Toure's departure from Arsenal to Manchester City is set to spark a defender merry-go-round this summer. Joleon Lescott will also move to Eastlands from Everton, with Tottenham's Alan Hutton and City's Nedum Onuoha replacing him at Goodison Park, while Arsenal are to move for Fulham's Brede Hangeland. (Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City and Bolton are leading the chase for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso (on photo), who is valued at about £15m. (The Sun) 
Real Madrid have said that Liverpool's £30m valuation of midfielder Xabi Alonso is unrealistic. The Spanish club are not willing to pay more than £24m.(Daily Telegraph) 
Burnley are ready to make an improved bid for Sheffield Wednesday striker Marcus Tudgay. (Daily Mirror)
West Ham are struggling to keep defender Lucas Neill at the club after contract talks broke down. Turkish side Galatasaray are favourites to sign the 31-year-old. (The Sun) 
West Ham striker Dean Ashton is wanted by Hull after they failed to sign Bobby Zamora from Fulham.(Daily Express) 
Aston Villa are interested in Blackburn's £6m-rated defender Stephen Warnock.(Daily Mail) 
Arsenal have joined the list of clubs linked with Roma striker Mirko Vucinic. (Daily Telegraph)
Hull are poised to join Everton in the race for Tottenham defender Alan Hutton.(The Sun) 
Portsmouth are closing in on the signing of Hadjuk Split striker Nikola Kalinic as a replacement for Peter Crouch, who has joined Tottenham. (Various)
And Pompey have offered defender Sylvain Distin a new contract to fight off Aston Villa's £3m bid. (Daily Mirror) 
Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy and Portsmouth winger John Utaka are both targets for Stoke.(Daily Mail) 
Wigan have told former boss Steve Bruce, who is now at Sunderland, not to make another bid for midfielder Lee Cattermole.(The Sun) 
Everton manager David Moyes has launched a £7m bid for Alan Hutton after the Scotland defender was deemed surplus to requirements at Tottenham Hotspur. (Daily Record)
Kilmarnock have agreed a contract with freed Rotherham striker Mark Burchill subject to a medical. (Various) 
Plymouth have put in a cash offer to Amiens for Reda Johnson and are likely to beat Aberdeen to the defender's signature. (Daily Record)

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OTHER GOSSIP


Inter Milan's ex-Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho says he wants to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as manager of Manchester United. (Daily Mirror)
Barcelona's former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has denied reports that he told another ex-Gunners favourite, Patrick Vieira, to sign for arch rivals Tottenham, although he did tell Spurs boss Harry Redknapp the Inter Milan midfielder "would be a brilliant signing". However, Henry added: "I am Arsenal through and through. I'd never advise anyone to sign for Tottenham."(The Sun) 
Kilmarnock have withdrawn their offer of a coaching post to retiring midfielder Gary Locke. (The Times)
Dinamo Moscow assistant Alexsandr Smirnov says he learned little about Celtic on Sunday because Tony Mowbray played his reserve side in the 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. (Daily Record) 
Celtic are set to name Lisbon Lion and former captain and manager Billy McNeill as the club's official ambassador. (The Sun)
Scotland manager George Burley has written to Sir Alex Ferguson asking for Darren Fletcher to be rested for Man Utd's Community Shield match against Chelsea ahead of the World Cup qualifier in Norway. (Daily Record) 
Steau Bucharest president Gigi Becali says Motherwell have no chance of beating his team in Thursday's Europa League qualifier. (Daily Record)


AND FINALLY

Chelsea captain John Terry has revealed the level of influence he has at Stamford Bridge in his first interview since rejecting Manchester City's overtures. Terry says he is among a trio of players, along with midfielder Frank Lampard and striker Didier Drogba, who give advice to owner Roman Abramovich.(Various)
Darren Bent really was a last-minute withdrawal from Tottenham's pre-season tour to China as his move to Sunderland gathered pace on Monday night. The striker was strapped in his seat just before take off when the call came that the two clubs were close to agreeing a deal. His bags were retrieved from the hold of the plane before he travelled north to begin talks. (Various)
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