Source: Daily_Mail
Fulham playmaker Gera backs on-fire Zamora for England call-up
[LNB]In form: Bobby Zamora[LNB]Zoltan Gera has urged England coach Fabio Capello to consider playing BobbyZamora alongside Wayne Rooney. [LNB]Zamora once again demonstrated he is among the Barclays Premier League's mostin-form strikers when he fired Fulham's last-minute winner against Birminghamyesterday.[LNB]Supporters chanted 'Bobby for England' and, while Capello had departed by thetime Zamora scored, he may already have seen enough to be convinced by the29-year-old. [LNB]The calls for Zamora's selection by England - who face Egypt on March 3 - werenot taken seriously when they started in December but now he is viewed as agenuine possibility for the World Cup. [LNB]Only three months ago he was being taunted by a small section of his own fansbut his record of 15 goals in 32 starts has silenced his critics. [LNB]And Gera, his current strike partner at Craven Cottage, believes it is time forhim to be tested at international level. [LNB]'Fabio Capello would have been impressed with him,' he said. [LNB]'I think Mr Capello wants to find a player to make a good partnership withRooney. In my mind I can imagine Bobby playing with Rooney because he is not just agood target player, he can score goals and run behind the defenders. [LNB]'He is a top striker. He scored another goal yesterday and he has beenfantastic this season. You can see that, week in, week out, he plays very well. [LNB]'In a good way, he is selfish; sometimes a striker needs to be a bit selfishto score goals.' [LNB] Impressive: Gera and Simon Davies congratulate Damien Duff after his goal against Birmingham[LNB]Gera's role in the victory against Birmingham was considered crucial by Fulhamboss Roy Hodgson.The Hungarian has been asked to play alongside Zamora after Andy Johnson wasruled out for the rest for the season through injury and has been in good formhimself. [LNB]'I'm happy if we're winning. I do my best for the team. The manager wants meto play just behind Bobby and I'm happy there,' said Gera. [LNB]'I had a few chances in the game. I like to play in the middle with Bobby. He is a good player because he can hold the ball and I feel I'm moredangerous in the middle than out wide. [LNB]'It's easy to understand players like Damien Duff, Bobby Zamora, Danny Murphyand Simon Davies. It's good to play with these kind of players, I know how they want to playand they are easy to read. [LNB] Good times: Gera is enjoying life at Craven Cottage[LNB]'I like to run for the team. As far as I can, I want to run. But, if I don'thave too many touches, it's a shame. But if my running is important and I'm doing lots for the team, then I'mhappy.' [LNB]Their last couple of results aside, Birmingham have defied all expectationsthis season, but manager Alex McLeish is wary of over-ambition. [LNB]'The bottom line is people's expectations get too high, including the media,the fans and even directors at times,' he said. [LNB]'But we are well ahead of schedule. I would have thought we were looking to beon 37 points in April, not February.' [LNB] Fulham 2 Birmingham 1: Capello's misses Zamora's big World Cup hintAl Fayed forced to apologise after Shakhtar were refused entry to HarrodsFULHAM FC
