Tall order won't faze hardy Brede

13 April 2012

If Brede Hangeland needed any reminding of the size of the task he faces keeping tabs on Emmanuel Adebayor tomorrow, the Fulham defender had only to listen to manager Roy Hodgson recalling Arsenal's last visit to Craven Cottage.

On 19 January, 10 days before Hangeland made his debut at Bolton, Adebayor was granted the freedom of Fulham's penalty area to head two easy goals in the first 38 minutes before Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners.

Back then Hodgson was still assessing his struggling squad after replacing Lawrie Sanchez as Fulham manager, yet the memory of that capitulation lingers on.

He said: "Our ability to defend from crosses the last time we played Arsenal was very poor.

"As a result, we were punished for it with two quite simple headed Adebayor goals.

"If we don't want to concede against a player like Adebayor, we'll have to defend better positionally, we have to block crosses better, we'll have to double up on the guy who is trying to cross the ball and then we'll have to challenge for any headers that might happen."

Hangeland, the Norwegian beanpole at 6ft 5ins tall, is the centre-half charged with blocking a Gunners' attack that will be anxious to celebrate Arsene Wenger's 450th League match in charge.

Hodgson said: "The signing of Hangeland was important for us because of his height and because of his quality."

Important? It was a £2.5million masterstroke on the part of Hodgson who had previously managed Hangeland when the two men were at Norwegian club FK Viking in 2005.

In that first game at Bolton, Hangeland was voted man of the match and his looming presence in the second half of the season was a principle reason why Fulham escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth.

"For the most part I was happy with my performances," he said. "But playing in the Premier League was a big transition for me. It is probably the toughest league in the world."

What helped Hangeland adjust to the demands here was the defensive partnership he formed with Northern Ireland international Aaron Hughes.

Hangeland, who at the age of 27 captained his country for the first time in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland, said: "By the end of the season, Aaron and I had developed a good understanding. We both work hard and if we continue to be paired together I'm sure we can improve."

If Hughes stands to Hangeland's right in Fulham's back four, then to his left is Paul Konchesky whose late clanger gifted a winner to Hull City on their season's opener.

Like Hodgson, Hangeland refused to come down hard on the left-back, who is usually one of Fulham's most reliable performers. He said: "There is no point in pointing fingers at Paul. We all know what it is like to make mistakes and you can't do anything except get on with the game and do your best. And we know we have a big test against Arsenal. "They are a great side, not only with the crosses but with their whole attacking. It will be vital for us to defend well as a team."

It does not look good for Fulham since they have lost more games (12) and dropped more points (38) to Arsenal than to any other club in the Premier League.

Regarding the set-back at Hull, Hodgson said: "Everyone realises we didn't do ourselves full justice. We'll learn from it and be better going into the Arsenal game, though it's going to be a tough ask to get a result."

With Steve Davis departed for Glasgow Rangers - David Healy also left for Sunderland yesterday - Hodgson confirmed he is now looking for a "tall, strong, defensive midfield player". But that doesn't mean Jimmy Bullard may be on his way after failing to land an extension to his contract.

Hodgson added: "Jimmy has told me he's happy to get his head down and stay."

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Tall order won't faze hardy Brede

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