[Archived] News Article -> Fulham Preview

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[caption id=attachment_201" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Image courtesy of Nick Sarebi][/caption] Adam Quirk of Born Blue and White Blog (http://bornblueandwhite.tumblr.com/) has kindly done a preview of the Fulham game which he has allowed BRFCS to use:

The speculation has been slowly accumulating. With Blackburn Rovers still searching for their first point of the season after 3 unsuccessful matches, could Steve Kean, who has been described as “unsackable†by owners Venky’s during his brief tenure as manager, be possibly in danger of losing his job if Rovers slip to a fourth successive defeat at Craven Cottage?

Steve Kean has never been the most popular of figures around Ewood Park, and with threats of protests, a reduced number of season tickets and a constant barrage of articles undermining Kean and the less than convincing job that he is doing as manager, rumours are gathering pace that Venky’s are starting to sit up and take note, with one newspaper even suggesting that a shortlist of potential replacements has been discussed. Kean has attempted to continue with a positive mindset despite the calls for his head, however his record doesn’t lie and if he remains in the hot-seat, Venky’s could very well own a Championship outfit if they are not careful at the end of the season.

Ironically there were rumours that the main sources of authority within Venky’s had met prior to Rovers’ last visit to Fulham, with hints escalating from the media that Steve Kean could very well seal his fate with a loss. Rovers went on to lose 3-2 after a dubious last minute penalty converted by Bobby Zamora, however an apparent change of heart left Kean in a job and Rovers in a final day survival scrap, which they managed to overcome. But would they be so lucky again?

Meanwhile at the Cottage, Martin Jol has taken over from former-Rover Mark Hughes; however they have also failed to convince this season with only 1 point from 3 games. However the Dutchman can point to the fact that Fulham have had a back-log of fixtures due to excursions in the Europa League before the Premier League campaign had began, meaning that their pre-season schedule was compromised, and they have had to play many more competitive matches already this season than any of their rivals. Jol is an experienced and knowledgeable manager with a healthy reputation across Europe, and he encourages entertaining football, as was apparent during his time across the capital at Tottenham Hotspur.

Both squads were added to on a frantic transfer day, and both Kean and Jol will have to make do with the squads currently at their disposals after a busy and rewarding summer. Kean has claimed that only now should he be judged following the last day captures of Yakubu, Scott Dann and Jordan Slew. Yakubu joined for a fee of approximately £1.5m from Everton and is the result of a summer long search for a striker, and while it may be far from the most exciting name around, if fit the Nigerian has proven that he can score goals at Premier League level, and he will share the burden with fellow summer signing David Goodwilie. Scott Dann seems to be a rather shrewd piece of business, joining Rovers from Birmingham for around £6m after a summer which saw the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool linked with the highly-rated defender, whilst Jordan Slew was a last moment capture from Sheffield United and is seen as one for the future.

At Fulham Martin Jol managed to secure the much sought after services of Bryan Ruiz from FC Twente for a fee believed to have topped £10million. The Costa Rican attacker joins with a glowing reputation following his goal-scoring exploits in the Eredivisie, however he joins what is undoubtedly a much more challenging league and Ruiz will be hoping to make an impression more a-like to Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Luis Suarez, rather than flops such as Mateja Kezman and Afonso Alves. Fulham also snapped up former Juventus defender Zdenek Grygera and Porto striker Orlando Sa, giving Martin Jol more options which will be welcomed during a busy season with European commitments.

A memorable confrontation between the two sides took place in April 2004, when Rovers managed to sneak a 7 goal thriller at Fulham’s then adopted stadium of Loftus Road. Rovers were amidst a relegation battle and were desperate for the three points, and looked to have put themselves in the perfect position when Andy Cole lashed home the opener. However Fulham managed to overturn Cole’s effort with a brace from Collins John, meaning that Fulham went into the half time interval holding a 2-1 lead. Within 6 minutes of the second half, Rovers had managed to pull the contest back in their favour in what was a dramatic clash between the two teams; a Jonathan Douglas shot and a ferocious Lorenzo Amoruso free-kick meant that Rovers lead 3-2. However the lead didn’t last long, something which was typical of the match as a whole as Luis Boa Morte ran through before slotting past Brad Friedel. The winner arrived 15 minutes from full time, Jon Stead hitting an effort under Edwin Van Der Sar and ensuring that Rovers would earn 3 valuable points in what turned out to be a successful battle against relegation.

Looking forward and it is difficult to envisage a thrilling encounter in front of the Sky Cameras, with both sides lacking in confidence following their less than impressive starts to the season. Both sides may well attempt to play a more attractive brand of football, and it may take a piece of magic from someone like Bryan Ruiz or Junior Hoilett to win the game for their respective side. Fulham are usually organized at Craven Cottage, however Rovers can boast defenders such as Chris Samba and Scott Dann, meaning that it could take one piece of inspiration or a goal from a set-piece to win the game and kick start one team’s season.

Key Player (Fulham): Clint Dempsey – Dempsey has often proved to be a pain in the side of Rovers in the past, with the American being known to chip in with a goal against them over the years. A winger who is comfortable on the ball or in the air, Dempsey has proved the scourge of Rovers in the past and it would be no surprise if he ended up on the score-sheet on Sunday.

Key Player (Blackburn): Scott Dann – A player with a growing reputation, Rovers’ new signing will need to strike up an instant understanding with Chris Samba if Rovers are to come away with anything on Sunday. A colossus in both boxes, he should easily fit in at Rovers in what is arguably one of the best central defensive pairings outside of the top 4.

Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Rovers – With both sides low on confidence, a cagey draw is feasible, with neither side having the nous required to snatch all 3 points.

 

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