The New Season Begins Tonight

Former Liverpool frontman set for Fulham debut - Fulham FC - Sport - Fulham Chronicle

Yes, indeed... there is Premier League action! Well, of a sort. Fulham take on "Faroe Islands part-timers" NSI Runavik tonight in a Europa League qualifier. Let's hear it for the Fair Play rules!

This is Martin Jol's first match in charge of Fulham and he'll be missing Carlos Salcido and Clint Dempsey who just played in the Gold Cup final. Otherwise, it seems much the same as they were at the end of last season with Dembele injured and Zamora likely to be on the bench. Lauri Dalla Valle, a youngster signed from Liverpool, could get a start up top in their absence.

So there you go. Team news in June. The wonder of it all!

Middlesbrough in disguise

Good points from the Early Doors crew:

They are Middlesbrough in disguise
Seriously. What exactly is the difference between Fulham and Middlesbrough, whose run to the 2006 UEFA Cup final inspired little but indifference? Boro's voyage through the knock-out stages was no less remarkable than Fulham's, as they beat Stuttgart and Roma before securing not one but two miracle comebacks - coming from 3-0 down to beat Basel 4-3 and, er, coming from 3-0 down to beat Steaua Bucharest 4-3. Both teams were managed by an Englishman, both teams had a core of British players and both had Mark Schwarzer in goal. Both teams even play by a river, although Boro's Teesside location wedged between industrial estates is arguably less salubrious.

And who can forget Massimo Maccarone's heroics in turning those games?

Hats off to Atletico Madrid, by the way. Like a pre-wonga Manchester City, they have had to exist in the shadow of their city rivals, given little choice but to revel in their reputation for chaos and heroic failure. They deserve a chance to lord it over Real just this once.

And ED can't help but wonder what hometown hero Fernando Torres, who left the Calderon for a chance to win trophies with Liverpool, made of last night's goings-on.

Ouch, baby. Very ouch.