30/07/10 23:48 BST
  Bet Now Prem Odds Championship Transfers Free Bet Fantasy Betting Odds Competitions
 
FULHAM NEWS
Picture Roy Hodgson - looking to Wembley.

OUR TIME HAS COME - HODGSON

By Duncan Bech, Press Association Sport

Tottenham 5/4 Fulham 2/1 Draw 12/5
Click here to follow us on Twitter!
Click here for our special Transfer Centre!
Click here for more football headlines!

Roy Hodgson has challenged his Fulham players to seize the moment and book their trip to Wembley.

Fulham face rivals Tottenham in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at Craven Cottage on Saturday in what will be the club's biggest match of the season to date.

Victory over Spurs would secure a first visit to Wembley since 1975 when they lost to West Ham in the final of the same competition and continue a season in which they continue to defy all expectations.

Having done the hard work in getting within touching distance of a place in the last four, Hodgson believes it is now time for Fulham to deliver at the critical stage

"It would be great on a personal note to lead a team out in the semi-final at Wembley," said the Fulham manager.

"But more importantly it would be great for the club. These are the type of goals you set yourself at the start of the season.

"When you get this close you realise you'll never have a better opportunity to get across the line.

"Our players know this is a great opportunity. We worked hard for it, it's been handed to us and now we need to do what's necessary to bring home the bacon.

"You know you'll have to knock a very good team out if you're to reach the semi-finals and our moment has now come.

"The scenario is set - it's a London derby between two teams who play good football."

Fulham are entering a pivotal week of their season with Spurs kicking off a hectic schedule of five fixtures in 16 days.

On Thursday they travel to Turin where they meet Juventus in the last 16 of the Europa League before finishing the week with a trip to champions Manchester United.

The following Thursday they host Juventus in the home leg of their European tie and then host Manchester City three days later.

"This is a big month and it's amazing that the games come back to back," said Hodgson.

"First we have Tottenham, who are fourth in the Premier League, and having a great season in the quarter-final. Then a last 16 game in Turin.

"It just makes me realise more and more what a fantastic job the players have done for this club.

"The players aren't satisfied at having got this far. They want to take a step further. The question is if we're good enough.

"It would be a tremendous achievement if we could do something this month and get something from either of the fixtures against Tottenham or Juventus.

"It would give us reason to be proud and would make the club's history books."

Fulham contain four former Spurs players - Danny Murphy, Bobby Zamora, Simon Davies and Stephen Kelly - but Hodgson insists reaching Wembley will be sufficient motivation for them tomorrow.

"If we are lucky enough we have a trip to Wembley for the first time in 35 years. That's all the motivation we need," he said.

"We don't feel we have a point to prove because some of our players will be up against their old club."

Murphy, the club captain, will undergo a fitness test on his groin strain tomorrow morning while Paul Konchesky could start at left-back after recovering from his ankle injury.

(reopens) Hodgson beamed with pride after being named Barclays manager of the month for February - the second time he won the award this season.

Fulham, who also saw goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer named player of the month, completed February with three victories and two draws from five matches.

"I'm absolutely delighted. It's a great achievement to win a manager of the month award twice in one season," he said.

"I realise it's not me personally that's being rewarded - it's the team. The team has done so well.

"They did well in October when I received the award and now the team has done, if anything, even better in the month of February.

"Mark becoming the first Fulham player to receive the player of the month award since Louis Saha is also a fantastic effort."

E-mail this article E-mail Article Print this article Print-Friendly Subscribe to sportinglife RSS feed Subscribe to RSS Feed
Digg this story post this story to del.icio.us - social bookmarking site Post to del.icio.us Facebook

  Latest Football Stories
 GRENOBLE AND LE MANS BOW OUT
 EAGLES DRAW AT BRENTFORD
 MYHILL MAKES WEST BROM MOVE
 NARROW WIN FOR WOLVES
 MACKIE ON FORM FOR RANGERS

----------------------------------------------------------------
Part of 365 Media Group

Sports News & Entertainment
Sporting Life | TEAMtalk | Sportal | Football365 | Cricket365
Golf365 | Fixtures365 | Extreme365 | Planet F1 | Planet Rugby | Sky Sports | Football365 ZA

Betting & Gaming
Betting Zone | WSOP |Sky Bet | Poker | Online Casino | Online Bingo | Oddschecker | Casino Checker | Poker Checker | Bingo Checker | Free Bets | Open Golf Betting

Mobile, Fun & Games
Free Online Games | Fantasy Football | Fantasy F1
----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2010 365 Media Group Ltd, All Rights Reserved.
Email Your Comments - Advertise With Us - About/Contact Us
Terms & Conditions - Privacy Notice - RSS


Fulham DVD Shop
Fulham's Official 2007/8 Season Review DVD Is Out Now. Click Here To Order
Fantasy Football
Click Here Now To Play For Free And Win Up To £10,000
Fulham
News
Fixtures
Results
Match Reports
2009-10 Match Reports
2008-09 Match Reports
2007-08 Match Reports
2006-07 Match Reports
2005-06 Match Reports
2004-05 Match Reports
2003-04 Match Reports
2002-03 Match Reports
2001-02 Match Reports
2000-01 Match Reports
1999-00 Match Reports
1998-99 Match Reports
Stats
Factfile
Football Live
Latest Scores
Vidiprinter
Teams
Match Reports
Reaction
Live Tables