Hodgson hails defensive duo

The Sub-Standard has Roy hailing Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland for their aerial ability, which is a little strange as I can remember the Norwegian looking particularly shaky in the first half, especially against Michael Symes. You don’t play against that many...

Who will fill-in for John Pantsil?

Now that Pantsil’s off to the ACN (and perhaps for longer if his knee injury is worse than feared), who’s going to play at right-back? Whoever it’s going to be has quite a job to live up to: Pantsil was outstanding against Didier Drogba this...

Hughes wants to test Chelsea

Aaron Hughes says Fulham will give it their best shot as they try and extend Chelsea’s poor run of winter form in the west London derby at Stamford Bridge this afternoon. The Northern Ireland international, who could be partnered by Chris Smalling in central...

Smalling admires defensive duo

Funnily enough, Rich and I were talking about Chris Smalling just last night. We wondered aloud whether – given the strength of the Hughes-Hangeland partnership – the youngster would ever get enough first team chances to aid his development. He probably...