Hodgson in Zamora for England tip
FULHAM manager Roy Hodgson tipped Bobby Zamora for a shock World Cup call-up after the forward hit back at his critics by downing Sunderland.
Zamora, who has come under fire for his meagre strike rate, appeared to gesture at his own fans after nodding home in the seventh minute.
It was only the former West Ham player’s 10th goal in 60 appearances for the Cottagers, but was enough to lift them above the Black Cats and into eighth in the Premier League.
And Hodgson is such a fan of the 28-year-old that he believes he could do Emile Heskey’s target man job for England.
“Heskey is a very powerful player, a very willing player and a hard working player. Bobby is more technical,” said the former Switzerland boss.
“You could make a case for one or two more unusual selections, like Tottenham defender Ledley King. If you perpetuated that, you might come up with an argument for someone like a Bobby Zamora, the type of player who we don’t have too many like in the Premier League.”
Hodgson said Zamora had been affected by supporters posting negative comments on the internet, adding: “Maybe he reads too many of these blogs that people write in to.”
Zamora’s early header, from a John Pantsil cross, gave the home side a deserved lead, but Sunderland recovered after the break. Kenwyne Jones forced a good save from Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer while Darren Bent and Boudewijn Zenden also went close. But the visitors could not avoid a fifth away league defeat already this season, in stark contrast to their impressive home form.
Manager Steve Bruce said: “I don’t remember a side this Jekyll and Hyde. It’s pretty alarming.”