Bobby Zamora has a knack of proving people wrong. Fulham fans first, and tonight the centre forward is hopeful of silencing the doubters who believe his side’s European adventure is all but over.
Fulham host Juventus in the second leg of the Europa League last 16 tonight with the Cottagers trailing 3-1 after the first leg.
“I've silenced the one or two people who have aimed abuse at me this season,” said Zamora, who has also stated that he fancies his chances against World Cup winning centre-half Fabio Cannavaro tonight.
“He doesn’t want to be running in the channels,” added Zamora. “He’s a bit older now — he wants to fight, he wants to pull and push you, so I’ll try and make him run and make him turn.”
If Zamora is successful in his quest to defy Cannavaro then third-choice Juventus goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio awaits him between the sticks as Juve are without Gianluca Buffon and Alex Manninger for the match.
Fulham meanwhile, have injury concerns regarding Brede Hangeland (knee) and are missing Danny Murphy and Jonathan Greening through suspension. John Pantsil (knee), David Elm (illness) and long-term absentee Andy Johnson (knee) are also unavailable for the home side.
Clint Dempsey will partner Zamora in attack as Roy Hodgson will be looking for an early goal. And Dempsey should be confident on latching onto one or seven through balls this evening according to his strike partner’s comments.
“Last year I set up seven players with one-on-one’s with the keeper, a lot of people don’t see that.”
Good job you’re not counting Bobby?
Obviously unbeknown to Zamora, the jury is still out on the former Brighton striker.
I’m not sure whether Zamora’s comments represent a man full of confidence in his own ability – or he’s just one of those people who carries a mirror around in his back pocket – just to remind himself on the hour how great he really is. Probably a bit of both.
What is clear is that Zamora has evolved from a failed young talent to Premier League centre forward – who is one of the first players on the Fulham team sheet. But the talk of a late push for the World Cup squad is ludicrous; his best hope for an inclusion lies not on his performances, but to the fitness of the five or six forwards in front of him in the pecking order.
Zamora certainly talks the talk; let’s see if he can walk the walk at the top level tonight.
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