Fulham's Diomansy Kamara fires Roma warning

Foot perfect: Diomansy Kamara grabs Fulham’s second goal last night to secure victory at Craven Cottage

11 April 2012

Diomansy Kamara hopes to have rediscovered his eye for goal just in time for Roma's visit in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Fulham striker scored in the second half against Hull to complete a comfortable win for Roy Hodgson's side to move them up to 12th in the table.

But the big test for the Cottagers now comes on Thursday evening when they face the Italians.

And Kamara, 28, is praying that he proves to be Fulham's lucky mascot having already scored against Roma in his career.

He said: "It's a big game as we are first in the group and we have not lost in the group stages.

"I know Roma as I played against them when I was with Modena in Italy. I scored against them as well.

"I scored against Roma both in the Olympic Stadium in Rome and when Modena were at home.

"It is a good omen. Plus Roma, Basel and CSKA Sofia have all lost in the group so far. Maybe if we win this game it will help us go through to the next round of the competition. That's important for us.

"With 10 points you will finish first or second, so it's important we don't lose against them."

Kamara was on target at Craven Cottage last night but it was his team-mate Bobby Zamora who ran the show for Fulham. The striker (below left), who nearly joined Hull in the summer in a £5million switch, had been criticised for his failure to score in the Premier League this season.

However, he netted in the 43rd minute and set up Kamara's second of the season, much to the delight of the Senegal international.

Kamara added: "It was a big victory as last week against West Ham we deserved to win the game but conceded in the last minute.

"It's always hard to beat Hull and we lost twice against them last season but Bobby did a great job.

"He scored and gave me a great assist. He's really hard to play against as he's a very strong performer. I love to play with him up front.

"We have a lot of competition and as a striker you have to score goals. Andrew Johnson is injured at the moment but he is a big player, too, and Erik Nevland is also a good striker.

"The competition between the strikers means that everyone plays better.I think Fulham play good football and remember, we have played against Arsenal and Chelsea at home, Aston Villa away and that is never easy in the first eight games.

"Twelfth in the table is all right for Fulham. If you finish in that position at the end of the season it's ok for us.

"To finish in the top 10 would be very good but the most important thing is also to do well in Europe and move forward."

Kamara has been forced to settle for a bit-part role in Hodgson's plans so far but the former West Brom and Portsmouth striker claims he is settled in west London.

He said: "I'm happy at Craven Cottage. There was speculation in the summer as some teams wanted me to join them.

"Not so much Newcastle but for teams in France as I've never played in Ligue 1. They were important teams - Bordeaux and Paris St Germain.

"But I spoke with my agent and said I'm happy at Fulham."

While Kamara has assured Fulham of his short-term future, Hodgson has also acted to stop suggestions he is about to walk out of the club and become Sweden's next manager.

Hodgson, who has managed Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and Finland previously, was linked with the vacant post.

However, he said: "The Swedes don't appoint foreign managers. I think the only overseas manager they have ever had was George Raynor just after the war years.

"Since then, they have only gone for Swedes and that means Sven-Goran Eriksson is the favourite but I am quite happy where I am."

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