Source: Team_Talk
Hodgson targets top-10 finish
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson continues to focus on a top-10 finish despite the upcoming Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.[LNB] The Cottagers head to Hamburg for the showpeice on May 12 but Hodgson wants a high finish in the Premier League before then.[LNB]Fulham defeated West Ham 3-2 at Craven Cottage on Sunday with a strike from Clint Dempsey, an own goal from Carlton Cole and a third from substitute Stefano Okaka.[LNB]West Ham pulled goals back through Cole and substitute Guillermo Franco but they were always second best.[LNB]Fulham now face Stoke at home on Wednesday night before finishing the league campaign with a trip to Arsenal next Sunday.[LNB]And Hodgson is asking his players to go one extra mile in a season that has confounded the critics and made Hodgson a wanted man.[LNB]"Although it is difficult in the immediate aftermath of the semi-final against Hamburg to think of anything else but the meeting with Atletico Madrid that lies ahead, we must complete our domestic season," said Hodgson.[LNB]"It is still a very real objective to finish in the top 10 and I believe it is healthy to retain this target.[LNB]"The remaining matches will play an important part in our mental and physical preparation for the final, so to maintain a winning mentality throughout would certainly be of benefit."[LNB]Striker Bobby Zamora, so much a talisman on their Europa League adventure, missed the game against his old club with an Achilles injury and could even miss out on the final against Madrid.[LNB]"The medical team will need to work hard with him to ensure his fitness for the final," admitted Hodgson.[LNB]Meanwhile captain Danny Murphy labelled their European success a "fairytale" considering Fulham were almost relegated two seasons ago.[LNB]The arrival of Hodgson steadied the ship and they have gone on to eclipse all expectations.[LNB]"When you recall how close we were to relegation a little over two years ago, and compare that to where we are now, it really is fairytale stuff," declared Murphy.[LNB]"We should all be so grateful for the fact that we are the ones living this dream.[LNB]"While some people may question our motivation domestically now, it would be really nice to get a couple of wins to get back into the top half of the table.[LNB]"To do that, at the same time as our long run in the Europa League, would be an even more special achievement."[LNB]West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola's future is still uncertain at Upton Park but he put all the speculation behind him after the game.[LNB]"We get on with it, I don't even want to talk about that too much," said Zola.[LNB]"A lot has been said and we are professional and we do our best for this club.[LNB]"Right now I'm only willing to speak about the game, the rest doesn't matter. It's important that we focus on the last game."[LNB]The Hammers have not won away from home since the opening day in August against Wolves at Molineux.[LNB]A poor second-half spell cost them the chance to end that dismal run against their London rivals.[LNB]"I think in the first half we probably were the better team," Zola added.[LNB]"We had control of the game and made a couple of chances.[LNB]"After that we had an opportunity when Carlton Cole went through and he was given offside when he wasn't, but they came back and scored.[LNB]"It's been a long and exhausting season for us. We tried to give our best and obviously it is just one of those games where you would like to give more."
