Fulham Follows Arsenal's UEFA Cup Bid
Apr 28th, 2007 by 'holic
Ho-hum. A day after being encouraged by the public pronouncement of Danny Fiszman I’m cast into uncertainty again by Peter Hill-Wood’s declaration that he has spoken to Kroenke to arrange a meeting “so that I can hear what he has to say”. A sensible move by the Chairman I’m sure, but I hope it does not signal a softening of attitude towards a leveraged buy-out by anybody.
Enough of takeover talk for now. It’s time to concentrate on the visit of Lawrie Sanchez and Fulham tomorrow. The appointment of the Northern Ireland manager for the final five games of the season was a strange one, and you have to feel for Chris Coleman who had managed to just about keep Fulham afloat despite having to sell his best players.
With Coleman in charge you knew Fulham would come and have a go, which led to some entertaining contests in recent years at Highbury. Sanchez is tasked with keeping Fulham out of the relegation zone and may well adapt a more cautious approach. You know the one, we’ve seen it often this year. Ten men back, nick the opening goal with their only attack, and we have to spend the second half battering at the doors like demented dervishes!
With Queudrue and Pearce unavailable Fulham appear to be handicapped defensively, which balances perfectly with Arsenal’s reduced options in attack due to the loss of Ljungberg and, possibly crucially, Rosicky. Arsene could plump for Aliadiere on the left if he wants to keep the recent formation intact, or he may opt to give Baptista one last chance alongside Adebayor.
A word as well for the Arsenal Ladies who tomorrow will be defending a 1-0 lead from the first leg of their UEFA Cup Final against Umea. Should they succeed they will be the first team from outside Germany and Scandinavia to lift the women’s crown. Good luck to you girls.