Review of the News: Fulham and Sunderland
Hughes perplexed by Fulham's form
The Cottagers boss is at a loss to explain why his team has been unable to turn draws into wins this season. Fulham have lost five games so far this season; exactly the same number of games as fellow London side Arsenal. The Gunners
are however second in the standings, while the Cottager are outside the drop zone on goal difference alone.
That just goes to highlight the importance of taking maximum points, something Mark Hughes and his men have achieved only twice in 17 matches. Their remaining 10 matches have all been draws, but many of these results have left
the former Manchester City and Blackburn manager scratching his head.
Mark Hughes told reporters, "I don't know where it's come from. It's never happened to me in my career before, and it's not as if we're setting up negatively or trying to get people behind the ball, and taking what we can out of
games. We've tried to be positive in every game we've played, and I think that is too our credit. I think we've improved in that respect."
Fulham drew their last match against Sunderland at Craven Cottage. Mark Hughes and his men play their next match against city rivals West Ham United at home.
Steve Bruce hoping to secure permanent deal for Welbeck
Black Cats manager Steve Bruce is hoping his mentor and former manager Sir Alex Ferguson will hand him a birthday present, by allowing Manchester United’s striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Danny-Welbeck-c10233, to complete a permanent move to
Stadium of Light.
Steve Bruce and Sir Alex Ferguson both share the same birthday - 1 January - and the Black Cats manager is keeping his fingers crossed that Sir Alex may grant him his wish and allow him to sign the young Englishman permanently.
Welbeck joined Sunderland on a season loan from Manchester United this season. The young English striker has impressed a lot with the Black Cats, and was also the only goal scorer in Sunderland’s latest one goal win over Bolton
Wanderers. The 20-year-old’s impressive form this season has helped Sunderland fight for the European places in the league.
The Black Cats manager, who confessed Welbeck’s form was making it more difficult for him to clinch a deal said, "I always knew that was going to be a problem (making a deal for Welbeck) anyway, deep down, but you never know. He's
(Welbeck) a fantastic talent, isn't he? You can see that and he has benefited from playing regularly. The good thing about him is he has got an infectious enthusiasm about him. He wants to play and train and he has been terrific. Manchester United have got
a very good player on their hands."
Sunderland play their next match against Sir Alex Ferguson’s unbeaten Manchester United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
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