2009/10 Season Preview - Fulham
2008/09 - Roy Hodgson lead his troops to a stunning 7th place finish last season, qualifying for the newly formed Europa League in the process. All of this was done on a tight budget as the former Finland boss worked miracles in his first full season in west London. Hodgson built himself an experienced, hard working and fortunately injury-free little squad, which formed the base of their highly successful campaign, culminating in qualification into Europe for the first time since 2002. Fulham’s superb defence was one of the main reasons behind their success with the defence shipping just 34 goals all campaign - only the top three could boast a better rearguard record.
2009/10 – Fulham’s problem this coming season is that the overachievement and success of last season is going to be difficult for them to sustain, let alone better, especially considering the type of money some of their rivals have at their disposure and compared to that of Hodgson’s transfer kitty. Fulham fans will have to be realistic this season with the club’s already small squad ready to be stretched to its limit as the club ventures into Europe for the first time in seven years. A run in the Europa Cup would surely impact their domestic season so Hodgson’s know-how and experience will certainly be tested as he tries to solve this difficult balancing act.
Transfer campaign – Transfer activity around Craven Cottage has been largely quiet so far this summer with just Birmingham full back Stephen Kelly and Norwegian midfielder Bjorn Helge Riise the only new arrivals. Noises coming out of west London seem to suggest there is some money available, with Hodgson’s pursuit of England striker Peter Crouch signalling cash is there to spend, although that transfer hung on Bobby Zamora’s move to Hull - both deals have now collapsed. Reports suggest South African ace Kagiso Dikgacio is on the verge of signing for the Whites but Hodgson’s mind will also be on keeping his star performers such as Brede Hangeland and Clint Dempsey who are continuously linked to moves elsewhere.
Players in
Stephen Kelly - undisclosed from Birmingham City
Bjorn Helge Riise – undisclosed from Lillestrom
Players out
Collins John – free transfer to Roeselare
Moritz Volz – released
First XI
1 Schwarzer
4 Pantsil – 5 Hangeland- 18 Hughes – 3 Konchesky
25 Davies – 13 Murphy – 20 Etuhu – 23 Dempsey
8 Johnson – 9 Zamora
The Manager – Hodgson is one of the league’s most respected and experienced managers. He is one of the few English managers who have tried and succeeded abroad, but his time at Fulham will surely go down as his finest achievement. Their miraculous final day escape when Hodgson took charge of the second half of the 2007/08 season immediately endeared him to the Craven Cottage faithful and after last term’s excellent campaign, Hodgson finds himself as one of the most valued managers in the country. His authenticity, generosity in defeat, manner and honesty in which his team plays has seen Fulham become one of the most likeable sides in England. Hodgson is a shrewd and clever operator and with his superb motivational skills and ability to work on a tight budget - it seems he and Fulham make for a perfect match.
Mr Reliable – The irrepressible Danny Murphy has been a Premier League star for over a decade now and his experience in the middle of the park has been so important to Fulham for the past few seasons. He scored the goal which kept the club in the league back in 2008 - infamously just before he was to be substituted - and his performances throughout last season were vital in the club’s success. Murphy is his side’s go-to man. Most of their play goes through their midfield maestro man and his passing expertise, vision and consistency has seen him become essential to Fulham’s play.
Creative player – Simon Davies has blossomed into the quality player he had promised to be when at Tottenham before injury had threatened to scupper his bright talent. Since joining the Cottagers in 2007, Davies has been a revelation, and after being voted Player of the Season in his first year in west London, the former Everton man has gone on to improve even further with his crossing ability and technical attributes a threat to any side. Davies’ set-piece deliveries are a constant source of threat for Fulham along with his superb play from wide areas making him a striker’s dream, with his excellent accuracy and vision.
Youth prospect – Nineteen year old defender Chris Smalling has been tipped to make an impression this season after impressing for both Fulham’s youth side and the England U20 team last year. A 15 minute cameo in the last game of the season against Everton was the Cottage’s first glimpse of the youngster and it was immediately clear the youngster has the athleticism to cope at the top level along with a superb tenacity and hunger. Under two years ago, Smalling was playing for Isthmian Premier League side, Maidstone United, while just last month he was lining up alongside a team full of fully-fledged internationals in a pre-season friendly in South Africa. The transformation has been drastic and if the youngster carries on improving at his current rate, he’ll definitely be one for the future.
The Fixtures – Much of Fulham’s domestic campaign may well depend on their Europa League success. With European fixtures, it’s helpful if an away trip onto the continent isn’t followed by an away trip domestically. However, their play-off second leg will fall on the Thursday before a trip to Villa Park while four of their potential Europa League dates are followed by trips away from the Cottage just days later. Their opening six fixtures, which are always so vital in determining so many seasons, sees Fulham travel to Fratton Park and the Molineux, both winnable match-ups - even with the Cottagers sketchy away results in recent years. However, a trip to Villa Park and the welcoming of Chelsea and Everton to the Cottage means Hodgson’s troops will have to be at their sharpest if they are to get out of the traps quickly.
Home grown players – Just six of Fulham’s 26 man squad are English although a further four are British. Hodgson’s experience in countries such as Sweden, Norway, Italy and Finland has seen him unafraid to dip into less attractive markets, like Scandinavia. Hodgson’s worldwide knowledge is bettered by very few, and it is clear the former Inter boss is comfortable when leaving these shores in search for talent and try his hand at some bargain buys, and in some cases, gambles. However, English managers do tend to like to buy home-grown players, although with the rate for an English player at an all time high, Fulham’s tighter finances may be forced abroad.
Prediction – It’s difficult to see Fulham improving on last season’s performance but the aim of a top half finish along with a decent run in Europe is a realistic target. The Cottagers have installed a fantastic work ethic and togetherness in the squad, and it is clear a major factor in their success last term was the fact their line-up was largely unchanged throughout the season. Eight players recorded over 30 starting appearances while the back four missed just four games between them. This consistent spine throughout the side was a major plus point and indeed a bit lucky in many ways, as their small squad was largely untested. With the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa - all near rivals of Fulham - splashing some major cash this summer, it is difficult to visage the Cottagers toppling any of these three again next campaign. But with a strong nucleus, belief and one of the soundest defences in the country, Hodgson and his men may well prove to be the surprise package again this coming season. Position – 9th
2009/10 Season previews
Arsenal
Aston Villa
Birmingham City
Blackburn Rovers
Burnley
Chelsea
Everton
Fulham
Hull City
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