Fulham vs West Bromwich(WBA) preview - Hangeland sees few surprises in Baggies

Posted Wednesday, February 01, 2012 by PA

Fulham defender Brede Hangeland knows what to expect when Roy Hodgson's West Brom visit Craven Cottage.

The 30-year-old Norway international moved to west London from Copenhagen in January 2008 to link up with the Cottagers, who were then under the tutorship of Hodgson.

During his time at the helm, he helped transform Fulham from a side battling relegation to one fighting to be in the Premier League top 10 as well as the 2010 Europa League final.

Hodgson eventually left for Liverpool and now West Brom, who Hangeland and his team-mates face them in the Barclays Premier League.

"We know exactly what to expect from West Brom," he told the club's official website, www.fulhamfc.com. "It will be much the same as we played a couple of years ago and we all know how difficult that will be to break down.

"They will be a strong unit and well organised so we're in for a tough game but obviously we would like to keep our home form going and win the game."

On Hodgson's return to Craven Cottage, he added: "He definitely deserves a warm welcome whenever he returns to Craven Cottage.

"I think all the players who were part of that era and certainly the fans will appreciate that [time he had at the club]."

West Brom winger Jerome Thomas and defender Gonzalo Jara-Reyes are major injury doubts.

The duo suffered ankle and abductor muscle injures respectively during the home FA Cup defeat to Norwich at the weekend, while midfielder Paul Scharner is still struggling to overcome an Achilles problem which has troubled him in recent weeks.

Albion skipper Chris Brunt (fractured ankle) and fellow midfielder Zoltan Gera (knee) remain long-term absentees.

Hodgson will be returning to Fulham for the first time since he left the Cottagers in the summer of 2010 to take charge of Liverpool.

He said: "I had a wonderful two and a half years there. It will be an emotional return but we will have to be at our very best to get something out of the game.

"Fulham have had quite a bit of cup success but the main thing about them is people now regard them as a mid to top half of the table team in the Premier League.

"There is now never any suggestion that they will be relegation candidates. The club has gone forward and is an example to ourselves with the stability it has had these last few years."