By Will Wood Last updated: 1st August 2008
Zamora: Motivated
We'll work on him becoming the player he was before last season. We're getting a man who is very motivated to show he is a top-class Premier League player.
Roy Hodgson
Quotes of the week
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson believes Bobby Zamora will prove his doubters wrong after watching his new signing score a spectacular goal against Celtic.
The 27-year old, who scored his side's second goal as they secured a 3-1 friendly win over the Scottish champions, has struggled during his spell in the Premier League thus far, failing to fulfil his potential at both Tottenham Hotspur and then West Ham United.
In a deal costing the club £6.3million, Hodgson brought the former England under 21 international to Craven Cottage along with John Pantsil, and The Cottagers' manager is confident that it will be a case of money well spent.
"He (Zamora) had a difficult time last season and needs a new start. He needs to put last season totally behind him," Hodgson said.
"We'll work on him becoming the player he was before last season. We're getting a man who is very motivated to show he is a top-class Premier League player.
"He did enough in his first 45 minutes today to suggest we'll get some good use out of him."
Despite having brought Zamora, Zoltan Gera, David Stockdale and Mark Schwarzer to West London, Hodgson admits he may venture back into the transfer market before the Premier League season begins in August.
"There won't be many more signings but we haven't ruled out bringing in a couple more in key positions to help us out," he added.
"We've done quite a few things already and I'm very pleased with what we've done.
"We're looking at another striker and flirting with the idea of a defensive midfield player.
"We may also need some cover at centre-back because we're fairly light in that area. If we resolve those three situations we will have a strong squad."
One player who may be leaving Craven Cottage is Northern Ireland midfielder Steve Davis, who spent the second half of last season on-loan at Rangers.
While Hodgson is willing to let the 23-year old leave the club, the former Udinese and Finland manager is adamant that his side will not be held to ransom as they look to recoup much of the £4 million he cost.
"The last I heard Rangers reiterated their initial offer which was refused by the club," he concluded.
"Steve's loan turned out to be exceptionally good for Rangers and Steve himself.
"He enjoyed his time up there and was a regular starter. He fears it won't be easy to break into our midfield, which is fairly stable.
"But players have values. We paid a lot of money for him and think he's a very good player. I'm perfectly happy to work with him and keep him at Fulham.
"Of course if he's going to leave us it will have to be because we've received the correct offer. The lad is worth the sort of transfer money we're asking."
Hull 11/8, Fulham 13/8, Draw 11/5| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 23rd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Liverpool vs Middlesbrough |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs Everton |
| 17:30 | Fulham vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 24th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Wigan vs Chelsea |
| 16:00 | Man City vs West Ham |
| Monday 25th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Portsmouth vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 30th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs West Brom |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Hull vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Blackburn |
| 17:30 | Arsenal vs Newcastle |
| Sunday 31st August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Chelsea vs Tottenham |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Man City |
| 16:00 | Aston Villa vs Liverpool |
| Saturday 13th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Liverpool vs Man Utd |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 17th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 4 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Aston Villa 4 - 2 Man City | |
| Man Utd 1 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 16th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 1 - 0 West Brom | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Wigan | |
| Everton 2 - 3 Blackburn | |
| Hull 2 - 1 Fulham | |
| Sunderland 0 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Bolton 3 - 1 Stoke | |
| Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Sunday 11th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 1 - 1 Bolton | |
| Tottenham 0 - 2 Liverpool | |
| Birmingham 4 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Sunderland 0 - 1 Arsenal | |
| West Ham 2 - 2 Aston Villa | |
| Portsmouth 0 - 1 Fulham | |
| Derby 0 - 4 Reading | |
| Wigan 0 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Everton 3 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Middlesbrough 8 - 1 Man City | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 1 | 3 |
| 3 | Bolton Wanderers | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | Blackburn Rovers | 1 | 3 |
| 5 | Hull City | 1 | 3 |
| 6 | Middlesbrough | 1 | 3 |
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