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Boss backs Cottagers ace to beat critics
Fulham, 11:11, February 4, 2009 ,
Roy Hodgson has hit out at a section of Fulham fans for their recent criticism of goal-shy striker Bobby Zamora.
The Cottagers boss sprung to the defence of the 28-year-old £4.8million summer arrival from West Ham after he was jeered and sarcastically applauded from the Craven Cottage pitch during Saturday's 3-1 win against Portsmouth. And to make matters worse for Zamora, who has only scored one league goal for the club, his replacement Erik Nevland won over the faithful with a vital brace.
However Hodgson has told the boo boys that Zamora's overall play alongside Andrew Johnson merits his place in the starting XI, despite his lack of goals. And he also believes the former Brighton man will eventually start finding the net.
"The fans are very harsh on players sometimes," said Hodgson. "Of course we believe there's more to come from him and Andy Johnson, but we believe they've done a very good job together.
"It's just a question of whether you're prepared to see the team as a team or if you just want to judge an individual on the amount of goals he's scored. On that basis Zamora hasn't done very well.
"If scoring goals is the only criteria then maybe I would run the risk of making myself look a little foolish."