Something in the Making: Lam Matteo

[Matt10]

Agbonlahor has landed
Johnson Peoples (Fulham FC Editor), 10.25.2012

The news spread fast when England's very own, Gabriel Agbonlahor accepted the proposed contract from Fulham's management, sealing the deal for the striker to play the 2012 season with the Cottagers.

"This has been a long time coming," Agbonlahor addressed the Fulham faithful, "I'm here to do my best and to lead Fulham to success!"

Fairly straight forward. The news occured so fast, that the re-signing of American forward, Lam Matteo. Matteo, who's request for the #20 kit was rejected, scored 6 goals for the club after joining from Hull City during the 2011 January transfer window.

"I think this is brilliant," said Matteo on the signing of Agbonlahor, "The management is starting to put good use of the funds for players such as his caliber. Things can only shine brighter for us this coming season."

Agbonlahor scored a team high 18 goals for Aston Villa last year, but the team's inability to merit a palce higher than 10th became a frustration for the England international.

"Yeah, they played good football - it just wasn't the type I liked," stated Agbonlahor about his old club, "I'm still was blessed to be part of them - but my time is now with Fulham football club - noone else."

With the addition of Agbonlahor, the question arising is who will he be paired up with this coming year - will it be the unproven American, Lam Matteo, or the graceful scoring machine that is Kamara? Or is there someone else Roy Hodgson has in mind?

We sit and wait.

[Matt10]

TRANSFERS
--------------------------------
Liverpool FC - MF Modric (Tottenham)

Portsmouth - SS El Zhar, GK Niemi

Middlesbrough - CB Mosquera, CB Naldo

Blackburn - MF Ballack (Chelsea)

Aston Villa - MF Beckham (Middlesbrough)

Everton - SB Ashley Cole (Chelsea)

Hull City - CB Cannavaro (Real Madrid)

Stoke City - CB Wheater (Middlesbrough)

Tottenham - MF Reo Coker (West Ham)

Chelsea - GK Green (West Ham)

West Ham - MF Cigarini (Atalanta) GK Fabianski (Arsenal)

West Brom - CF Ching (Houston Dynamo), MF Pires (Villareal), MF Makoun (OLyon)

Fulham - CF Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)

Man United - GK Gomes (Tottenham)

Newcastle United - MF Fabregas (Arsenal)

Wigan Athletic - CB Richards (Man City)

[Matt10]

Morrison and company celebrate their third goal, but Matteo would answer back late with two goals of his own in a losing effort.
West Brom 3-2 Fulham
Matteo's two goals too late for Cottagers revival in season opener
-Johnson Peoples, August, 2012
--------------------------------------------------
'40 Zinha, '68 Bednar, '81 Morrison,
'85-'88 Matteo

Standings: Fulham (0-0-1, 0 pts - 18th)
Next Match: vs West Ham (0-0-1 0 pts -14th)
---------------------------------------------------
Lose some, gain form. The new season started off on the right foot for Matteo in terms of form - but I'm sure he would have chosen the victory for Fulham any day. There was eyebrows raised as to why there was no sign of Gabriel Agbonlahor suiting up for the match - is everything okay between him and Hodgson? Matteo sure could use a better partner up front.

[Matt10]

FULHAM v WEST HAM UNITED

[Matt10]

Agbonlahor celebrates as he sees his tap in go in; while Lam Matteo continues to score goals.
Fulham 5-2 West Ham United
Agbonlahor scores on debut, helps Cottagers embarrass West Ham
-Johnson Peoples, August, 2012
--------------------------------------------------
'1 Agbonlahor, '6 Lazaros, '20 Matteo, '45 Leijer, '53 Giovinco
'12 Bellamy, '69 Ashton

Standings: Fulham (1-0-1, 3 pts - 7th)
Next Match: vs Blackburn (Premiership Cup, 1st leg)
---------------------------------------------------
Deadly Duo. Everyone questioned who would be Agbonlahor's partner up front - Roy Hodgson didn't hesitate and placed Lam Matteo alongside the England forward - and never looked back. Agbon's goal was scored as a result of Matteo's diving header that was saved, but deflected to him for an easy tap in. Another solid performance by our boy here, classy goal - starting to get into position a lot better now, and he is finishing. Next up is the Premiership Cup away to Blackburn.

[Matt10]

Just incredible. Simply no words to describe how incredible this feeling is to see Matteo score a hat-trick. His first ever at that. Man, dreams are coming true and I think Matteo is really on his way for a national team call up soon. Up next is a match against Stoke City in the league.

[Matt10]

Don't stop this train. In the words of John Mayer (or his father rather if you pay attention) , "Don't stop this train..." - why? Because Lam Matteo is now the leader in scoring for the team and 3rd overall in the league. The man is scoring at will now and his stock is surely rising every week. I can just feel Mr. Bradley reaching for the phone... The Gunners are up next, and they'll be gunning for Matteo's ankles surely.

[Matt10]

Injured, but not bad - stamina?We have to wonder if Matteo is going to be able to keep this trend up. First off, a lousy 5.5 is harsh rating - but it's to be considered. What wasn't mentioned in the article was that he played a role in the first goal, by stealing the ball from Senderos - passed to Gio, then gio to Kamara...there. Physio has said no more than a couple of days with a 'tweaked' hamstring. Yes, I know a hamstring injury can be long term anytime - but a 'tweak' could just be cramps, you never know. Hopefully he'll be okay by the next cup tie - Tottenham game results are already in, to be posted soon.




SIMMED RESULT (Round 5)
Fulham 3-0 Tottenham
Zamora makes a bid for first team football with two goals
-Johnson Peoples, September, 2012
---------------------------------------------------
'28-'67 Zamora, '85 Gera


Standings: Fulham (4-0-1, 12 pts - 2nd)
Next Match: v Blackburn (2nd Leg, Premiership Cup)
---------------------------------------------------
SIMMED RESULT (Premiership Cup)
Fulham 5-2 Blackburn
Cottagers win leg series 10-7, advance to face Manchester City
-Johnson Peoples, October, 2012
---------------------------------------------------
Next Match: v Middlesbrough (Barclays Premier League Round 6)
---------------------------------------------------

Good to go. Lam Matteo's hamstring injury was healed a while ago, but for safety purposes, he was required to sit out a couple of matches for rehabilitation. He is currently being placed on the subs bench - Eddie Johnson will be starting in his place it seems.

[Matt10]

Most Impressive. Even though his teammates were on another planet today - Lam Matteo was selected as Most Impressive Player of the match. He did well to combine with several of his teammates and had several solid shots - saved equally well by their keeper, Turnbull. After his brief stint the past couple of weeks, Matteo is back in the starting lineup to face off against next opponents, bottom of the table, Sunderland.

[Matt10]

Lam Matteo was fouled in the box, setting up Lazaros for the opening goal. Wallace scoress his match leading goal in the second half.
Fulham FC 1-4 Sunderland
Bottom tablers Sunderland surprise, and embarras, Cottagers
-Johnson Peoples, October 2012
--------------------------------------------------

'18 Lazaros (PK)
'44 Bardsley, '63 Wallace, '87 Andy Reid (FK), '89 Chopra

---------------------------------------------------

Losing form: Not many shots, could have been his teammates - but Matteo is starting to go down hill a bit. Hopefully he and Fulham can get out of this rut they are in and start to get back on the right track against Wigan Athletic next week.



Next Match

at


(2-1-4, 7 Pts - 13th)

Wigan Athletic (4-4-1-1): Isaksson, Bramble, Micah Richards, Bonnart, Tremoulinas, Coutadeur, Palacios, De Ridder, Kilbane, Schweinsteiger, Heskey

[Matt10]

Kamara scores from an easy spot - Schweinsteiger is mauled by his fellow teammate after equalising.
Fulham FC 1-1 Sunderland
A much needed point for both sides
-Johnson Peoples, November 2012
--------------------------------------------------

'29 Schweinsteiger
'27 Kamara

---------------------------------------------------

Up and Down: Matteo's up and down season continues as he failed to score for the 3rd match in a row since coming back from hamstring injury. I think he has some more goals left in this early season - but I would rather not wait for the end of the season to find out.



Next Match

at


(2-3-3, 9 Pts - 12th)

Bolton Wanderers (4-5-1): Ramon, O'Brien, Cahill, Steinsson, Clichy, Dzemaili, Diego, Cohen, Diouf, Quaresma, Elmander

Fulham (4-4-2): Petric, Leijer, Hughes, Baird, Konchesky, Steve Davis, Murphy, Bouazza, Giovinco, Lazaros, Lam Matteo

[Matt10]

-Johnson Peoples, November 2012
--------------------------------------------------

'4 Elmander, '19-'78 Diouf, '79 Quaresma, '85 Diego

Standings: Fulham (4-1-4, 13pts -- 10th)

---------------------------------------------------

No Accuracy: Seven shots, yet only one on target? Something isn't right here - I called Matteo up the other day and he agreed with me on a superstitious level about 1. His boots got to go and 2. Shoot for the near post. All his shots that he missed were far post - naturally - but now he needs to mix it up. Let's see if Aston Villa will give way next week.



Next Match

vs


(4-2-3, 14 Pts - 9th)

Aston Villa (4-3-3): S.Taylor, Davies, Thuram, Bovo, Walton, Salifou, Colsa, Barry, Carew, Ashley Young, Delfouneso

Fulham (4-4-2): Riou, Hughes, Hangeland, Volz, Konchesky, Andreasen, Davies, Bouazza, Giovinco, Kamara, Lam Matteo

[Matt10]

-Johnson Peoples, November 2012
--------------------------------------------------
'37-82 Kamara

'1 Walton (PK), '17 Curtis Davies, '25-80 Ashley Young, '45 Delfouneso

Standings: Fulham (4-1-5, 13pts -- 12th)

Form: No wins in the last 5 matches
---------------------------------------------------

Are we seeing Willem II again? You have to wonder if Fulham FC are becoming Matteo's Willem II. Where a team that started just absolutely fantastic - to absolutely pathetic. The defending in tonight's game against Villa was the worst I have seen...ever. They just let them walk all over the pitch with the ball. Matteo didn't help matters with his poor passing and even more poor, his shooting. He's trying to be too precise with his shots - aiming for bottom corners instead of just focusing on getting it on target first. Well, Fulham are going to be without the services of Matteo next week against his old side Hull City, due to yellow card accumulation.



Next Match

vs


(3-0-7, 9 Pts - 16th)

MATCH TO BE SIMMED

[Matt10]

Fulham 4-2 Hull City
Cottagers starting to show sign of life
-Johnson Peoples, June, 2012

Standings: Fulham (5-1-5, 16 pts - 11th)
---------------------------------------------------
Next Match

vs


(7-0-4, 21 Pts - 5th)

Portsmouth (4-4-2): De Sanctis, Campbell, Gunther, Pamarot, Djaka, Mvuemba, Wilson, Lauren, Garcio, Crouch, Ben Sahar

Fulham (4-4-2): Riou, Hughes, Leijer, Baird, Konchesky, Danny Murphy, Steve Davis, Bouazza, Lazaros, Agbonlahor, Lam Matteo

[Matt10]

-Johnson Peoples, November 2012
--------------------------------------------------
'10 Bouazza, '12 Agbonlahor
Caution: Hughes Sent Off: Konchesky


'27 Crouch, '50 Lauren
Caution: Wilson Sent Off:

Standings: Fulham (4-2-5, 14pts -- 12th)

Form: Last three, L-W-T
---------------------------------------------------

Scoring Drought. When you realize you are on a scoring drought - you know it's going to be one of the hardest things to overcome. Lam Matteo needs to try to stop forcing himself upon the defense - it's not working. He needs to be a pest, but he also needs to wait for the chances to come through his teammates - and not try to do everything all at once. He's kind of slipped up lately, hopefully a cup tie will spark some much needed goals.



Next Match

vs


(Premiership Cup, Round 2 - 1st Leg)

Manchester City (4-4-1-1): James, Matthew Mills, Dunne, mills, Ball, Silva, Corluka, Gouffran, Castillo, Elano, Bianchi

Fulham (4-4-2): Riou, Leijer, Hangeland, Painstil, Konchesky, Dempsey, Davies, Giovinco, Lazaros, Healy, Lam Matteo