Hughes calls for strong finish

Fulham manager Mark Hughes is determined to finish the Premier League season strongly, as his team prepare to face Liverpool on Monday.

Despite being ninth in the Premier League table and securing their safety, Hughes has called upon his players to try to win their three remaining league games in order to bring in the club’s biggest ever points haul in the top flight.

“If we get maximum points out of every game we have left then I think that’s the highest total ever that a Fulham team has reached in the Premier League,” Hughes said.

“So that’s a challenge for us and that’s something that we’ll use as a motivation going into these last three games.”

The West London club had been on the brink of relegation until a string of better results against Wolves, Bolton, and Sunderland moved them into the top half of the table.

“It was difficult at the beginning of the season but, as we come to the climax of it, we’ve been really pleased with what we’ve been able to produce,” Hughes said.

Fulham will be boosted by the return of top goal scorer Clint Dempsey, as the USA midfielder looks to have overcome a hamstring injury in time to face Liverpool.

“He (Dempsey) was a bit stiff in his hamstrings on the Friday prior to the Sunderland game, so there was no point in risking him,” Hughes said.

“I took the view to leave him behind and he’s benefited from that and he should be okay.”

Meanwhile winger Damien Duff is set to miss out the rest of the season, as he has undergone an operation on his Achilles. Zoltan Gera (ankle) is also set to miss Monday’s game at Craven Cottage.

Hughes added: “Damien Duff has had an operation on his Achilles; the view is that there will probably be a six-week recovery, and then he’ll be fit and well for next season.”

“Zoltan Gera went over on his ankle on Thursday, so he’s still on the treatment table.”

Hughes remains wary of the threat of the newly acquired Liverpool strike force of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez leading the line for the Merseyside club.

“Right through the history of football there have been great partnerships and there are always examples of where one player triggers off the good, positive parts of another player,” he said.

“And there are signs that there’s the possibility Carroll and Suarez will continue in the same vein and be a very strong partnership for Liverpool for years to come.”

Thu 5 May, 2011

Hughes calls for strong finish

Fulham manager Mark Hughes is determined to finish the Premier League season strongly, as his team prepare to face Liverpool on Monday.

Despite being ninth in the Premier League table and securing their safety, Hughes has called upon his players to try to win their three remaining league games in order to bring in the club’s biggest ever points haul in the top flight.

“If we get maximum points out of every game we have left then I think that’s the highest total ever that a Fulham team has reached in the Premier League,” Hughes said.

“So that’s a challenge for us and that’s something that we’ll use as a motivation going into these last three games.”

The West London club had been on the brink of relegation until a string of better results against Wolves, Bolton, and Sunderland moved them into the top half of the table.

“It was difficult at the beginning of the season but, as we come to the climax of it, we’ve been really pleased with what we’ve been able to produce,” Hughes said.

Fulham will be boosted by the return of top goal scorer Clint Dempsey, as the USA midfielder looks to have overcome a hamstring injury in time to face Liverpool.

“He (Dempsey) was a bit stiff in his hamstrings on the Friday prior to the Sunderland game, so there was no point in risking him,” Hughes said.

“I took the view to leave him behind and he’s benefited from that and he should be okay.”

Meanwhile winger Damien Duff is set to miss out the rest of the season, as he has undergone an operation on his Achilles. Zoltan Gera (ankle) is also set to miss Monday’s game at Craven Cottage.

Hughes added: “Damien Duff has had an operation on his Achilles; the view is that there will probably be a six-week recovery, and then he’ll be fit and well for next season.”

“Zoltan Gera went over on his ankle on Thursday, so he’s still on the treatment table.”

Hughes remains wary of the threat of the newly acquired Liverpool strike force of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez leading the line for the Merseyside club.

“Right through the history of football there have been great partnerships and there are always examples of where one player triggers off the good, positive parts of another player,” he said.

“And there are signs that there’s the possibility Carroll and Suarez will continue in the same vein and be a very strong partnership for Liverpool for years to come.”

Thu 5 May, 2011

Comment on Friendly preview: Nations Cup kicks off, Netherlands pick strong squad by Busani

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Giggs predicts strong showing from Liverpool

Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs will not be taking Liverpool lightly ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster FA Cup clash.

Liverpool have struggled in all competitions this season and are 12th on the Premier League table, just four points above the relegation zone.

But the Welsh winger believes that in a one-off cup tie, Liverpool’s form is irrelevant.

“First and foremost, form goes out the window when you play in the FA Cup,” Giggs said.

“Liverpool will probably see it as a break from the League, a break from the pressures of their league form at the moment and their chance to get their season back on track.”

“You take no notice of how teams are doing, whether it’s a derby or your biggest rivals, form goes out the window. It’s a one-off game like I say, one bad decision or bit of luck and you’re out of the Cup.”

“They’ve got world class players, Gerrard, Torres, Pepe Reina in their team – all world-class players so when you’re up against a team with players like that then you don’t take any team lightly.”

While Manchester City and Leeds United are strong rivals of the Old Trafford outfit, Giggs admits there is something special about this rivalry.

“I think it’s just the history that’s there between the two teams. The two most successful teams in England,” he said.

“When I was growing up Liverpool were winning everything. Over the last 15-20 years obviously we’ve been winning the majority of Leagues and Cups so there’s that history and rivalry. They’re half an hour away. They’re both great teams with great traditions.”

Giggs says ‘you can’t beat’ the feeling of lifting the FA Cup at Wembley and is hoping his side can reverse last year’s shock third round exit at the hands of Leeds at Old Trafford.

Sat 8 January, 2011

Giggs predicts strong showing from Liverpool

Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs will not be taking Liverpool lightly ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster FA Cup clash.

Liverpool have struggled in all competitions this season and are 12th on the Premier League table, just four points above the relegation zone.

But the Welsh winger believes that in a one-off cup tie, Liverpool’s form is irrelevant.

“First and foremost, form goes out the window when you play in the FA Cup,” Giggs said.

“Liverpool will probably see it as a break from the League, a break from the pressures of their league form at the moment and their chance to get their season back on track.”

“You take no notice of how teams are doing, whether it’s a derby or your biggest rivals, form goes out the window. It’s a one-off game like I say, one bad decision or bit of luck and you’re out of the Cup.”

“They’ve got world class players, Gerrard, Torres, Pepe Reina in their team – all world-class players so when you’re up against a team with players like that then you don’t take any team lightly.”

While Manchester City and Leeds United are strong rivals of the Old Trafford outfit, Giggs admits there is something special about this rivalry.

“I think it’s just the history that’s there between the two teams. The two most successful teams in England,” he said.

“When I was growing up Liverpool were winning everything. Over the last 15-20 years obviously we’ve been winning the majority of Leagues and Cups so there’s that history and rivalry. They’re half an hour away. They’re both great teams with great traditions.”

Giggs says ‘you can’t beat’ the feeling of lifting the FA Cup at Wembley and is hoping his side can reverse last year’s shock third round exit at the hands of Leeds at Old Trafford.

Sat 8 January, 2011

Osieck names strong Socceroos squad

Five Premier League players have been named in Australia’s squad for next month’s Asian Cup in Qatar.

Everton’s Tim Cahill, goalkeepers Mark Schwarzer (Fulham) and Brad Jones (Liverpool), Blackburn’s Brett Emerton and David Carney (Blackpool) have been named in Socceroos coach Holger Osieck’s squad.

The 23-man squad also includes Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill from Galatasaray in Turkey and AFC footballer of the year Sasa Ognevenovski.

The English Championship is also well represented with Leeds United midfielder Neil Kilkenny receiving his first call-up since the World Cup qualifier against China in 2008.

Middlesborough striker Scott McDonald and Hull City midfielder Richard Garcia are also included but Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici has surprisingly been omitted despite a strong showing and a penalty save in Australia’s recent 2-1 friendly victory over Poland in Krakow.

A-League stars Robbie Kruse (Melbourne Victory) and Brisbane Roar skipper Matt McKay were two of four Australian-based players in Osieck’s squad, the others being established Socceroos midfielder Jason Culina and Wellington Phoenix defender Jade North.

The Socceroos will assemble for a pre-tournament training camp in Dubai from Monday January 3, which will include a friendly clash against the United Arab Emirates, ahead of flying to Doha the following Thursday.

The Socceroos’ opening Group C match against India is on Monday, January 10.

Tue 28 December, 2010

Osieck names strong Socceroos squad

Five Premier League players have been named in Australia’s squad for next month’s Asian Cup in Qatar.

Everton’s Tim Cahill, goalkeepers Mark Schwarzer (Fulham) and Brad Jones (Liverpool), Blackburn’s Brett Emerton and David Carney (Blackpool) have been named in Socceroos coach Holger Osieck’s squad.

The 23-man squad also includes Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill from Galatasaray in Turkey and AFC footballer of the year Sasa Ognevenovski.

The English Championship is also well represented with Leeds United midfielder Neil Kilkenny receiving his first call-up since the World Cup qualifier against China in 2008.

Middlesborough striker Scott McDonald and Hull City midfielder Richard Garcia are also included but Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici has surprisingly been omitted despite a strong showing and a penalty save in Australia’s recent 2-1 friendly victory over Poland in Krakow.

A-League stars Robbie Kruse (Melbourne Victory) and Brisbane Roar skipper Matt McKay were two of four Australian-based players in Osieck’s squad, the others being established Socceroos midfielder Jason Culina and Wellington Phoenix defender Jade North.

The Socceroos will assemble for a pre-tournament training camp in Dubai from Monday January 3, which will include a friendly clash against the United Arab Emirates, ahead of flying to Doha the following Thursday.

The Socceroos’ opening Group C match against India is on Monday, January 10.

Tue 28 December, 2010