Roy Hodgson has urged the Fulham boo-boys to stop undermining misfiring striker Bobby Zamora and give him the support neccessary to help prompt a change in the number nine’s fortunes.
Zamora endured a frustrating afternoon during Fulham’s victory over Portsmouth on Saturday and some fans cheered his departure midway through the second half. But Hodgson has asked the Fulham faithful to get behind the former West Ham striker, who has only scored two goals since his summer move to Craven Cottage.
The fans are very harsh on players sometimes. Of course we believe there’s more to come from him and Andy Johnson, but we believe they’ve done a very good job together.
It’s just a question of whether you’re prepared to see the team as a team or if you just want to judge an individual on the amount of goals he’s scored. On that basis Zamora hasn’t done very well. “If scoring goals is the only criteria then maybe I would run the risk of making myself look a little foolish.
He is, of course, right. You can’t measure Bobby’s contribution sorely in terms of the (lack of) goals he’s scored – and a bit more support from some of our fickle fanbase could help him rediscover his poise in front of goal.
That’s fine & I endorse the sentiment – but it shouldn’t preclude the fine Nevland from gaining a starting place. Besides, if Zamora comes on with, say, 20 mins to go – as almost certainly would be the case – the fans will give him a good reception & it may just do him more good than harm. Like the guy – always gives 100% & believe we may see a sudden glut of goals from him.
And how does singing “Bob, Bob, Bobby Zamora” for most of the first half constitute not backing him? I thought we’d been very patient actually.
Reg – Whilst I agree with you that Nevland was excellent on Saturday, I’m not sure he can last for 90 minutes nowadays (Nick has the evidence on this I think). Therefore, the most sensible option seems to be bringing him on in the second half against a tiring defence after Bobby has roughed them up a bit. It would be interesting to see Erik against Wigan but I don’t think Roy will make that drastic a change to his side.
Chopper – Some fans have been very supportive of Bobby and that song was being sung with gusto by soon. Sadly, there were quite a lot of people up near me on Saturday (at the very back of the Hammersmith End) getting on Zamora’s back from very early on. Then there was the inexcusable jeering of him as he was substituted and I think that’s what Roy was getting at.