Bobby Zamora says he’s delighted with Fulham’s excellent season as they chase a European spot with two games to go.
The former Brighton, Tottenham and West Ham striker believes that nobody expected Roy Hodgson’s side to do as well as they have in the Premier League this season, especially after only avoiding the drop on the final day of last term.
Zamora told Sky Sports News:
I think we have sort of been written off at the start of the season and every game we have gone into, we have never really been favourites.
But that is good, it has suited us, and I doubt we are really favourites for the next two games either. It is something for us to channel our energies and hopefully we can continue to do well and get that place in Europe.
It would be fantastic but we know we have two very difficult games and the teams that are just behind us are capable of winning as well.
Bobby’s got a point. I wouldn’t quite go as far as saying there’s a siege mentality down at the Cottage these days, but Roy’s quietly organised his side so that everybody’s playing to their strengths. It’s easy to overlook how well we’ve done this season – and I still read people criticising our away record. But we’ve won at two places where plenty of teams fail to pick up anything – Bolton and Manchester City – and have secured eight more draws. Our away points haul is the highest it’s been since 2003-04.
I’m sure Bobby would like to finish the season on a high by scoring the goals that carry us into Europe. He’s taken some fearful stick from some fans this season, but to me there’s no doubt that he’s been a big part of Hodgson’s successful strategy. Mind you, the way Nevland and Kamara combined to such great effect against Villa he’ll have a job getting back in the team for Saturday.
I thought the headline was ironic until I actually read the quotes from Bobby. While he’s right about us proving some of the pundits wrong (I hope footballers don’t spend too much time listening to clueless ex-footballers anyway), if he had any sense he’d keep his head down at the moment. Poor season from him, poor goal return. No amount of work rate or hold up play can compensate for that.
I’m not sure Bobby would disagree with Luke’s comments. Indeed, I recall an interview earlier in the season where he was forthright in insisting that he has to be scoring more goals.
I like the way this article comments on the togetherness of the squad. The boys might not do the huddle before the games but the strong team spirit is clear. Look at the emotions at the final whistle again against Villa. Hangeland was absolutely delighted and Pantsil was mobbing his team-mates before setting off on his lap of the stadium.
All credit to Roy for a remarkable season.