Something in the Making: Lam Matteo

[Matt10]

Fulham 3-1 West Brom
An all around good showing to axe losing streak
-Johnson Peoples, February, 2012
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'2 Bullard, '72 Lazaros, '75 Healy
'31 Ishmael Miller

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Put him in, Coach! Trying to figure out why Lam didn't play in this one. Could be a good thing for the club, or not? I spoke to him this week and said he felt great - said he saw my article and really started to train more on his speed. Maybe things will get worse they get better though, Newcastle up next.

[kyhadley]

I think this applies here too:

hey, uh, Matt...

[Matt10]

Lol - shush you!

[Matt10]

Defeating Newcastle United will surely spark more offensive showings by Giovinico and Matteo.
Fulham 4-1 Newcastle United
Starting to light it up
-Johnson Peoples, February, 2012
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'43-'54 Giovinco, '55 Matteo, '69 Teymourian
'51 Vincken

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That's what I'm talking about! His first goal for Fulham came in the 55-th minute after a well placed ball by Lazaros went over the top of the heads of the Newcastle defense. Matteo collected the ball, and somehow managed an outside the right foot shot that blasted past a helpless Shay Given.

In addition to the first goal for the club. He received the highest match rating in his career, a 7.5!



[media]http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g133/MLarnitt/?action=view&current=ds001.flv[/media]

[kyhadley]

the vid don't work no good

edit: thats better....nice

[Matt10]

the vid don't work no good

fixed it you sloot

[Matt10]

Rosicky found the back of the net twice - not as he would like though. Lam Matteo could be injured for quite a while with a possible ligament tear.
Blackburn 2-2 Fulham
Rosicky plays role of hero-villain
-Johnson Peoples, March, 2012
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'48 Ritgers, '66 Rosicky
'52 Konchesky, '84 Rosicky (Own goal)

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Go Figure. Right when the league was starting to see what Lam Matteo was made of, he goes off and gets injured. He still managed a decent showing before being pulled off to the sidelines. Despite his plea to keep playing, he head coach pulled him out. So how long will Fulham be without Matteo's services? Physio has stated no more than 5 weeks, as the tear was not a tear, it was a strain. Thank God.

[Matt10]

Fulham 4-2 Stoke City
Stoke no match for high flying Giovonico
-Johnson Peoples, March, 2012
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'32-'52 Giovonico, '83 Healy, '89 Kamara
'51-'59 Kitson

Standings: Fulham (10-4-11, 34 pts - 12th)
Next Match: v Portsmouth (H)
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Win win. A win win situation occured in today's game. For one, midfielder, Giovonico is starting to become a force to be reckoned with - he lead the team with two fantastic goals. For second, Lam Matteo has been given the go ahead to practice this week in Fulham's big match against 8th place Portsmouth.

[kyhadley]

woops

yes, I know Matt.... ;)

[Matt10]

yes, I know Matt.... ;)

shush you...you saw nothing!

[Matt10]

Giovinco's hat-trick was the first for any Fulham player this year. Lam Matteo crumbles to the ground after Sol Campbell's tackle.
Fulham 5-3 Portsmouth
Gio the Hero continues scoring streak in win - Matteo injured again
-Johnson Peoples, April, 2012
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'16-'26-'41 Giovinco, '19 Lazaros, '88 Leijer
'11 Kranjcar, '62-'76 Campbell

Standings: Fulham (11-4-11, 34 pts - 12th)
Next Match: v Everton (A)
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Winning at a price - really? Lam Matteo's career with Fulham is starting to look like a bad golf game. While he is training to become a better player, as soon as he has one part figured out - another part of his game falters. This time it was his injury. Maybe the physio will be highly criticized for letting him play this early, thankfully the injury is only going to last one week, which means he will miss the match against Everton next week.

[Matt10]

Everton 3-1 Fulham
Eddie Johnson notches lone goal in defeat to Everton
-Johnson Peoples, April, 2012
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'23 Cahill, '55 Saha, '84 Arteta
'21 Johnson

Standings: Fulham (11-4-12, 34 pts - 14th)
Next Match: v Manchester City (H)
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Tough loss, can Matteo make it up. Lam Matteo makes his comeback next week against Manchester City - the physio has absolutely confirmed that his injury is "all better now".

[Matt10]

Martin Petrov scored a brilliant free-kick goal, but Giovinco and Fulham were too much.
Fulham 3-1 Manchester City
Quick passing Cottagers surpass City
-Johnson Peoples, April, 2012
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'1 Painstil, '26 Giovinco, '43 Lazaros
'24 M.Petrov

Standings: Fulham (12-4-12, 40 pts - 11th)
Next Match: v Liverpool (A)
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Not shining brightly. Matteo had his fair share of time on the pitch today, coming on for a lackluster Eddie Johnson (again), but when Matteo had his chances - he wouldn't capitalize on them. Two shots, 1 saved by Schmeichel and the other just over the cross bar. Still looking okay, but I think Fulham will pressure him into more goals soon enough - I'm still praying this doesn't become another Anderlecht gig. He's gotta at least do something decent next week at Anfield (Liverpool) to be considered in the offseason.

[Matt10]

Liverpool strikers, Fernando Terres and Kuyt never miss.
Liverpool 4-3 Fulham
Almost a Miracle comeback
-Johnson Peoples, April, 2012
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'13Torres, '14-'61 Kuyt, '58 Skrtel
'60 Johnson, '66 Hangeland, '83 Lazaros

Standings: Fulham (12-4-13, 40 pts - 12th)
Next Match: v Hull City (H)
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So close, and not so far. Continuing his streak of not scoring goals, Lam Matteo did seem to threaten the Liverpool goal on occasion - almost a step faster with the ball. However, it was his shooting accuracy and power that has seemed to hurt as of late. Something to note as well, while he is faster now - he still seems very hesitant on making his moves, which has resulted in some blown chances. Next week, he and the Cottagers will be looking to gain some of their confidence back against Matteo's old side, Hull City.

[Matt10]

Bobby Zamora opened things up - Matteo scores the match winner.
Fulham 2-1 Hull City
American striker puts Cottagers past Tigers
-Johnson Peoples, April, 2012
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'22 Zamora, '81 Matteo
'67 Spinesi

Standings: Fulham (13-4-13, 40 pts - 12th)
Next Match: v Chelsea (A)
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Means so much. Matteo has been urging himself to keep positive - and today's match against his former team was the payoff in the sweetest ways. Within minutes after striking the ball against the post from 30-yards out, Matteo found the back of the net in a scramble in the box. The ball would eventually find his feet and cooly placed the ball above the Hull City keeper for the match winner. The much needed victory places Fulham back in 11th place, with 3rd place Chelsea up next at Stamford Bridge. Although he played well, he still hasn't been put on the starting lineup just yet.