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Remember Diomansy Kamara? The Senegalese international has missed most of the 2008-2009 season after rupturing ligaments in his knee over the summer and has bided his time on the bench the last few weeks since getting match fit. His patience paid off as Kamara scored a brace and earned a penalty which lead to Fulham's third in an important 3-1 romp over Aston Villa on Saturday at Craven Cottage to push Fulham into seventh place with only two matches remaining in the season.
Kamara's fine performance is yet another example of a player stepping up in a big situation for Roy Hodgson's team. All season long players like Clint Dempsey, Andy Johnson, Danny Murphy, Erik Nevland, Dickson Etuhu, Brede Hangeland and many others have stepped up in match after match to put the Cottagers on the brink of European football.
What is somewhat overshadowed by Fulham's push for Europe is the fact that Fulham has a great opportunity to finish the season above 9th place which would give the Cottagers their best ever Premier League finish. The 2003-2004 team finished 9th on the season. That team started the season flying and despite a shaky second half was able to complete the season in 9th. This year's team has been consistent all season long. Very few losing streaks, some wins on the road and fine form at Craven Cottage has put Fulham in a big position with two weeks to play.
Fulham's final two matches will not be easy though. On Saturday the Cottagers travel up to St James Park to take on relegation threatened Newcastle. Pending the Magpies result with Middlesbrough on Monday there is a possibility that Fulham could relegate Alan Shearer's team with a win on Saturday in front of what would be 50,000 mourning Geordies. Winning against a team such as Newcastle who have their back against the wall will be tall feat but this Fulham team has shown throughout the season with they can win under any circumstance at any given time. As we Fulham supporters know weird things happen when a team is facing relegation. Let's just hope that Newcastle do not suddenly find their form and come good next Saturday against the Cottagers.
The final match of the season is at home against Everton. While Everton are a tough team, the Cottagers might be facing an under strength squad as David Moyes' team have already qualified for the Europa Cup and will be preparing for the FA Cup final the following Saturday against Chelsea.
Regardless of who Everton put on the pitch in that final match you can be sure that Fulham will be up to the challenge and understand what is at stake for the club. If Fulham needs a win to earn that 7th spot, I feel confident that this team can get the three points it needs to qualify for Europe.
At present time Fulham are two points ahead of West Ham and Tottenham and three points ahead of Manchester City. Fulham also have a better goal differential than all but West Ham. With Manchester City and Tottenham playing one another next weekend and West Ham at Everton, a lot of positive things could happen for the Cottagers if they can take care of business against Newcastle.
In the final weekend Fulham play Everton while Tottenham have a tall task against Liverpool. Manchester City plays host to Bolton while West Ham host Middlesbrough. I do not expect Tottenham to defeat Liverpool and with Middlesbrough in a relegation battle anything is possible when they go to Upton Park to take on the Hammers. I do expect Manchester City to defeat Bolton though.
Last year at this time Fulham pulled off "The Great Escape". This season could be dubbed "The Improbable Ascent". So one might be asking what the chances are of Fulham actually pulling this feat off and qualifying for Europe. In looking at the aforemention fixtures and noting Fulham's consistent performances all season long, I would say there is a better than 50% chance of the Cottagers getting that 7th place finish and qualifying for the Europa Cup. A neutral would likely say the same thing.
However, writing about it is not going to get it done. Fulham need to back up my words with performances on the pitch. That all starts Saturday at Newcastle. For one reason or another I have never been too fond of Newcastle. It would put a smile on my face seeing the Cottagers relegate the Magpies and Alan Shearer.
So what are your thoughts on the Fulham's chances in the last two matches? Are you like me and think we have a pretty good chance to qualify for the Europa Cup? I would like to hear your thoughts. Post your comments.
Comments
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Posted by Jeff Chan on 05/11/2009
Newcastle well deserves to be relegated.
It supports a Director of Football over its Manager, whereby the D of F makes some final crucial decisions but does not have to be responsible for such decisions. Instead, the Manager, having no say in the decisions, will be held responsible for such decisions when the results turn sour.
A club with such illogical managing system should have been relegated to the lowest division long ago. The other clubs should also take the ridiculous Newcastle system as a good lesson.
The relegation of Newcastle, if it really happens, is beneficial to the League as a whole.
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Posted by Trevor on 05/11/2009
I love the fulham are playing this year. As an American it's great to see Clint Dempsey in company have been in great form this season. Here's hoping they finish of the season and get a Europa league spot. They could certainly use the added profit to improve the team even more.
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Posted by atrain on 05/11/2009
Fulham well deserve a place in Europe their brand of football is entertaining and considering what Hodgson's team has managed to accomplish with a small squad and limited budget, it is even more commendable.
It makes a nice change to see fans grateful for the opportunity to qualify for Europe, as opposed to the perpetual whining coming from some fans of the top four when their team wins nothing.
Fulham fans can hold their heads high for sticking with their team through the bad and now enjoying the good. I doff my chapeau to you.
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Posted by trevor gordon on 05/11/2009
all season long i've admired roy hodson's fulham.to be honest,when he first got the job like many i thought the modern game had passed him by.but i was wrong.on paper fulham look like a below average football team.the fulham boss is a great example of what a coach is supposed to do.he brings out the best in what he has.to make a player play better.growing up in england,there's one thing i found was missing ,and that was good coaching.maybe that's why we have an italian coaching our national team.so-called coaches like bryan robson,tony adam's,gareth southgate,kevin keegan,all were great player's,but were given job's based on their playing career's.who was the last english coach to win a premier league title?it's been a long time since it happened.english football needs to have good long look at its self.as for the premiership being the best in the world,it is the best.but if you take out the overseas players like ronoldo,drogba,torres,fabergas,etc...the league would be very mediocre.t.
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Posted by thenearpost on 05/11/2009
So beating Newcastle, one of the worst teams in the Prem, will be a "tall feat." While at home against Everton, one of the best and a full 7 points up on Fulham, FFC will be "up to the challenge" and you "feel confident." Do you see what's wrong with this attitude? It's backwards.
The Cottagers should go to Newcastle full of pride and expecting a victory. Play with precision and attitude, not assuming a win, but expecting only the best from each other. Go out to win 3-1. Alternatively, they should play carefully against Everton, avoid mistakes and play surgically. Go for the 1-0 victory.
Why do the English have such a defeatist attitude? Maybe that's why you almost lost two world wars.
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Posted by Tom Wille on 05/11/2009
It is not backwards. In the middle of the season it might make more sense to think Fulham will go up to St. James Park and defeat Newcastle yet struggle with an always good Everton team. But, with Newcastle facing relegation and Everton gearing up for an FA Cup final, I think the Newcastle match is going to be harder for the Cottagers to win.
On top of that, despite Fulham's great success this season, they are still not that great on the road. Thus, going on the road and dealing with a team that like Fulham last season, is up against it, weird things can happen. I expect the Newcastle match to be a very interesting one. Don't think Fulham is going to just show up at Newcastle and win. It will be a battle.
On paper, you are right that Everton is the better team, but sometimes you have to dig a little deeper to determine which match will be the toughest. In my opinion, it is Newcastle.
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Posted by Dave Lewis Auckland NZ on 05/11/2009
Take the Americans with a pinch of salt Tom! They won both wars for us and now they're getting us to conquer Europe!! lol.
Newcastle away with them in such a pityful state will be so hard! But Manager of the year Hodgson will fire them up nicely. I think we can sneek it! Rejoice, My tummy has taken the past 12 months to recover from the great escape!
Nice one Tom, always enjoy your column, Keep it up!
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Posted by Tom Wille on 05/11/2009
For what it's worth....I am American.
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Posted by David O on 05/11/2009
while i cant honestly say im a fulham fan, i believe their performance as well as the work that roy hodgson has done has merited them a europa league place. Im goin for them or west ham. btw im a man united fan
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Posted by darryl on 05/11/2009
Tom
Fulham is down by 2 to Man City on goal differential. They are well clear of the Tots and Hammers if it comes to that. Four points should do it because that would close out Man City and force the others to score goals like they have not all year.
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Posted by Andrew Brawley on 05/11/2009
So it was just the Americans who won the war for us, nothing to do with the Russians winning? Americans cant play football and never will especially when you call it SOCCER! I respect your goalkeepers, but your best player is Landon Donovan who couldnt cut it in the 4th best league in Europe. Let the people who know what they are talking about make the good points
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Posted by Chuck on 05/11/2009
Not to pick too fine a point but Fulham's goal differential isn't better than City's.
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Posted by Bhavin Nathwani on 05/11/2009
After tonights Newcastle win, Alan Shearers will be an extremely difficult team to beat. A good fulham away form would have seen them qualify for Europe a long time ago but its been an excellent season nonetheless. Surpassing the 52 points total achieved in 2003/2004 campaign would surely cement this season as a positive step forward. It has been a brilliant season so far and qualifying for Europa would be the icing on the cake.
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Posted by TCM on 05/12/2009
Fulham is a lousy football team that does not deserve to qualify for Europe. Newcastle shall trash Fulham and secure their top flight status. Hooray the lads!
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Posted by Hugo on 05/12/2009
Forget about the war, that's over and done with, as far as Americans go, Landon couldn't cut it in the Bundesliga, but Clint Dempsey is doing some good work at Fulham. He might not be a star but he is going a fine job in the EPL. The US still does not have the adequate infrastructure to develop top level talent like other countries but it is getting better as time goes on.
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Posted by Don Tan on 05/12/2009
Fulham is on a roll, earning precious points against the big four; with the 2-0 victory over Man Utd epitomizing their ambitions this season. Fulham has never been an exiciting team to watch, often replying on an aging Danny Murphy to produce the goods. However, this season they have shown promise at the back where Brede Hangeland is palying such an important part at the centre of defence. The capture of Mark Schwarzer was brilliant too.
Newcastle on the other hand, has always flattered to deceive. A team with that amount of quality doesn't deserve to be down there mingling with West Brom and Hull. The entire management system in Newcastle is at fault. I say, Newcastle deserve to go down this season and I hope they can rise up from that to evolve into a more efficiently managed team in future.
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Posted by Derrick Lee on 05/12/2009
Fulham is a good team and deserves European Football. The same applies to Newcastle. They're a good time, just a bit unfortunate lately. Fulham and Newcastle both possess the quality to play in the Premier League. That's what keeps the Premier up-to-standard. I'd rather see those teams who do has no strong will and mentality get relegated.
However, i fear that Fulham might not be ready for European Football. Despite consistencies this season, Fulham still needs to strengthen their squad and bringing in new players would mean the team would need time to mould together. If Fulham is ready for European Football, another season would be just fine.
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Posted by Malaysia's NUFC on 05/12/2009
I don't see anyway Fulham can beat Newcastle on the weekend. Shearer finally get the players to play with their heart out and with a mission. I'm sure Fulham still have come to SJP next season.
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Posted by Mike on 05/12/2009
Newcastle deserves to be relegated and fulham does not deserve to be in europe. Effort and gd football does not mean they should represent england, if not arsenal shld be winning the league and not man u
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Posted by kayode ijaleye on 05/12/2009
you are a fool for thinking fulham would beat newcastle at the james. did you watch the game against middlesborough? i guess not, idiot!!!
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Posted by JerryZ on 05/12/2009
With a season this long, the table itself has the only vote on who "deserves" what place in the final standings.
Deserving is about one-offs (did Chelsea deserve their fate vs. Barca) or subjective things like manager of the year. But if Fulham does end up in Europa, Roy Hodgson definitely deserves that award.
This match looks like a draw from here but Newcastle will probably stay up even if they lose it.
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Posted by Brian McBride on 05/12/2009
What has been nice to watch this season is Fulham actually trying to use strikers with some quality. Their default game is so defensive, that by losing the Magic in the Middle, many thought the season was lost. I'm hoping for some good pickups on defense and outer midfield to keep momentum rolling for next year! Europa would be bonus and great for team exposure. I'm expecting four points out of the last two games to seal the deal.
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Posted by Lynton on 05/12/2009
I thought the top 6 qualify for europe....am i wrong....and fulham have 50 points and everton 57....Fulham cannot make it.....
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Posted by Tom Wille on 05/12/2009
Fulham can qualify for the Europa League. England gets seven European spots. Four in the Champions League and Three for the Europa League. Usually the 7th and final spot is designated for the FA Cup winner. However, since both FA Cup finalists, Everton and Chelsea, have already qualified for Europe, the final European spot then goes to the 7th place team in the Premier League table.
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Posted by futurehistory on 05/13/2009
Fulham has an excellent chance to secure the Europa spot. The underlying question is whether Mr. Fayed wants to spend money to enlarge the squad. Redding's owner didn't two years ago and seemed content to slide into the Championship; he didn't want to spend money enlarging his stadium. If Mr. Dodi wants to spend money, he needs another striker, more defensive help and a backup for Danny Murphy. Or possibly, let him play from a Segway. Go Cottagers!
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Posted by Sam Larabee on 05/13/2009
i dont hate newcastle, but come on they beat middlesborough, they suck!, fulham is much better this year, i hope it is a draw b/c i dont want newcastle gone and i want tottenham in europe
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Posted by Leo Dragon on 05/13/2009
I was very sceptical that Roy Hodgson has what it takes for the Premier League, but he has proved me wrong. He's been a managerial nomad in the past, managing teams in so many countries he must fill his passport every year, and I thought that he was way past his prime. A manager that has seems more interested in filling his bank balance (managing the UAE national team for two unsuccessful years) isn't what you imagine to have what it takes to be a success in the Premier League, but he has done am amazing job so far. But watch out, Fulham. His only other spell in the Premier League, with Blackburn, got them into the UEFA Cup in his first season, only for him to be sacked early in the 2nd season as they languished at the bottom of the table.
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Posted by michael on 05/13/2009
forget the yanks and the others, look below the belt. It's the aussie thats got you in this position. Viduka or Schwarzer will decide each others destiny.
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Posted by Ananth on 05/13/2009
History wise, Fulham has been relegated a few times, and have struggled in the lower reaches for long. So guys, let Fulham enjoy their brief stay at the top this season, and for Newcastle, they have been there and done that, and have played Champions League a few times.
They were the team to break into the TOP FOUR during Bobby Robson time, and though the management is screwed now, and Newcastle is relegation-threatened, they always would find a way up to stay in the top flight unlike Fulham.
They only needed a win to boost their morale, and they have done it. With the morale so high, its tough for Fulham to beat the Magpies!
Howay the LADS!! Newcastle will be a Premier League team now, next season, and forever!
Fulham in Europa League? Dream Harder!
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Posted by Mario on 05/13/2009
I guess before the posting of each comment, we must clarify which nation we hail from to reduce the chances of e-bashing. I am from Bulgaria but live in America. Now, to get to the point, in my opinion, Newcastle's victory over Middlesbrough was quite expected. Teams don't get much worse than Southgate's team is at the moment (morale-wise and quality-wise). Sure, Newcastle's morale may now be up, but, even with the quality players they possess, I do not see them surviving this season. They do not have enough heart. West Brom and Hull have shown more heart than Newcastle has this season. In my honest opinion, I think Fulham will be beaten to the final European spot my Tottenham. Fulham has had a great season (finally one during which I was not always reluctant to watch any of their games) and Hodgson has been brilliant but it will be a shame to see the quality of Tottenham miss out on Europe. This is coming from an AC Milan fan as well (I still love the Prem though, best league).
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Posted by kl on 05/13/2009
Let's keep non-football stuff out of this.
I do agree, though, that the match against Newcastle seems to be tougher than against Everton. Newcastle has to fight for their lives, Everton does not. Never underestimate the opponent when their backs are to the wall.
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Posted by Murf on 05/13/2009
Oh come on on people, what fun is the premier league without the dramas happening at newcastle united? Also a great place for the has-beens to still earn like kings!
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Posted by Yankspur on 05/14/2009
You say that Everton have nothing to play for and then say Tottenham have no chance against Liverpool. What will Liverpoole have to play for? Manure will have wrapped up the Prem by then. Besides, Spurs have beaten the Reds twice this season already. I am not saying it is a forgone conclusion but do not count HArry and the Spurs out!
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Posted by Adz on 05/14/2009
A club with deep history and a delusion of grandeur, Newcastle has been slowly-painfully deteriorating since many the past seasons. I think the suffering will end soon, when they are relegated. Hopefully that will be their revival point.
P.S: What's Joey Barton doing there anyway?
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Posted by hanifcd on 05/14/2009
I'm very happy for the Fulham's performance this year. Have a couple of victories against big teams and performing ever so consistently this season yet the sad thing was it's still remains understated and didn't won many pundits opinion. However, we showed that we will be the worthy qualifiers for Europa Cup. Obviously we can be better, for the next season I'm sure that Roy Hodgson will buy new talents for the Cottagers.
COYW!!! Fulham FTW!
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Posted by Travis on 05/14/2009
Piss take is what this article is.
"...but this Fulham team has shown throughout the season with they can win under any circumstance at any given time."
O the mighty Fulham Football Club, the same club with 14 points away from home who can win under any circumstance, right? The same club that has participated in 7 0-0 draws away from home...7!!! A point is a point but what in the bloody hell is there to be cheering about when your lot don't even show up for matches? Are Fulham gonna come to SJP and bunker down and force us to break them down? For a team chasing Europe that doesn't sound like much of a plan when facing little ol' Newcastle now does it?
Europe? You're having a laugh.
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Posted by Michael P on 05/14/2009
When you are as close to reaching Europe as Fulham is with the history Fulham has had, any point possible is worth cheering about. As it stands now, Fulham is in the driver's seat, and even just two points might do it.
Of course it is better to go out and win, but we'll take what we can get...
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Posted by up the irons on 05/15/2009
has nobody noticed that there are 3 West Ham rejects in the Fulham team. Like Chelsea and Man U they need to leave us to prosper!!!lol
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Posted by Vusi on 05/15/2009
I hope Newcastle wins, not because I think Fulham does not deserve a place in Europe but because I love Newcastle and don't want them to be relagated regardless of their rather unfortunate managerial problems.
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Posted by Pacer on 05/15/2009
I hate to say it but you cannot blame the Newcastle problems on just the management.they did not make many changes for this season and they are obviously paying for it.their current players are not good enough to stay up.only Christ himself can save them.Go Fulham, help send the magpies down! Maybe that will be a wake-up call for Newcastle and changes will happen.
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Posted by mrenno on 05/15/2009
The Cottagers's improbable ascent is due almost entirely to their tightened defense. In last year's full season they had 38 GS / 60 GA for 36 points; thru 36 games this campaign they have 38 GS / 32 GA [!] for 50 points. Acquisitions such as Schwarzer & Hangeland are a lesson for teams hoping to avoid the relgation scramble next season.
Unfortunately for Fulham, similar progress next campaign (+28 GD) would be not only prohibitively expensive (i.e. strikers better than Zamora needed), but would also likely advance them only 2 places in the table anyway (vs. this campaign's 10-place climb). Grasp the moment while you have it, Cottagers!
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Posted by Ben Smith (Pompey Correspondant) on 05/16/2009
Everton will be a tough one, but the cottagers will do well I think, and they just finished 1-0 at St. James. Congrats Fulham! You definitely deserve European football this season.
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Posted by Jeff Chan on 05/16/2009
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Posted by Ck Wong on 05/18/2009
FUL truely deserve to be in Europe although their team couldn't match those of the European Elite. They fought hard in the EPL and even came out 0-1 in St James which speaks volume on their determination to be in Europe. TOT are great by no means but they are hounded by their disastrous start. EVE is up next and if they win, no one could say they don't deserve to be in Europe.
Pool Fan
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Posted by touch.an.ipod on 05/18/2009
Congrats to Fulham for that great win at Newcastle... Looks like relegation is almost a certainly and I hope for Villa to draw the final nail into United's coffin this Sunday!
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Posted by Kola Kehinde on 05/18/2009
Lets just pray that the last match will take Newcastle out of the bottom three. This club cannot just be relegated, it will be untrue!
Well done Fulham Boys.
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Posted by Kenneth Tang on 05/19/2009
I admire Hodgson a lot! This is not a squad good enough to stay in the upper half of table, needless to say the 7th spot.
With 2 points advantage, Fulham is in very good position, when Spurs will play at Anfield next.
However, do you think they are able to have a go in the Europa Cup next season?
First, Hodgson likes to stick to a stable line-up. It will be too heavy for their best players and you will expect a long injury list next season.
Second, they need more midfield players, who are good enough to play Hodgson's style passing game. Now they have 4 (Davies, Dempsey, Murphy, Gera. Etuhu just tackles. Dacourt retires. Barnes is a loanee. Gray & Milsom not good enough). I suggest taking Scharnar, due to his versatility, his retirement of national team and unstability in Wigan. Some other possible targets I can think are Guthrie, Tuncay, Reo-Coker & Huddlestone. Players from Championship won't come cheap, so they would need a repeat of Hangeland deal around Scandanavia.
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About
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Phil Mison is a lifelong follower of Fulham FC. As a broadcaster, writer and sports producer he has supplied past club videos and numerous articles on FFC. LBC Radio's Fulham correspondent 1988-1993 and Sky Sports’ reporter for the 1996-97 promotion season. Professionally Phil delivers football content to the highest level both overseas and across the UK via TV, radio and mobile.
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