MAX POINTS
Flpulphlapmlplnpelpwlpblopylpalpdlmplipts: Mlpylpmlpilspslupslpglpivlpelspmlplepalp match rating each week Moore: Old gaffer Pulis can put Boro in big time STEVIE: OLD FIRM DERBY? I COULDN’T GIVE A TOSS
Tony Stenson MAXIME LE MARCHAND is hoping Fulham fans can keep their nerve — or Mrs Le Marchand might give everyone ‘nil points’!
Craven Cottage’s new French defender is convinced that winless Fulham’s massive summer spend of £100million just needs some more time to bear fruit.
In the meantime, his wife Marine – a fierce football fan – won’t be holding back from giving hubby her brutal marks out of 10.
Le Marchand said: “Marine loves the game and is my biggest critic. She always tells me if I can do better.
“She did not watch my first game, but was very positive about my performance last week against Tottenham. I encourage her to talk to me about football.”
And Le Marchand is sure that new-look Fulham have plenty more to say for themselves in the Premier League too.
Suffer
He said: “It has been a baptism of fire, and now we know what is needed to compete. We are all new. We need to gel. That will happen.
“Last week, we saw what Harry Kane and others like him can do. You have to keep an eye on those type of players, or suffer. We need to believe and be patient.”
Le Marchand was part of a £36m deal with Nice that also brought midfielder Jean Michael Seri to Fulham. It nearly wasn’t a double scoop – 28 year-old Le Marchand was also being headhunted for Serie A.
But new Nice manager Patrick Vieira told him he should head to west London instead.
Le Marchand said: “Patrick did not try and convince me to stay with Nice. He knew my situation and that there was a good chance I could leave.
“He encouraged me. When he knew the interest was from Fulham, he said it was a very good club, with a good philosophy of playing the game very well.
“Patrick said he had enjoyed his time in London and England, and spoke highly of his experiences. He gave me guidance on the move.
“It helped that I came with Seri. We both arrived at Nice three years ago together, by coincidence, just like we did here.
“We get on well on the pitch and we understand each other’s game.
“Barcelona wanted him but I am not surprised at all that he has come over. He was always ambitious and wanted to come to a big league and sign for a club where he knew he would be playing regularly.
“Above all, he wants to play. At Fulham the philosophy of playing certainly fits with what Seri likes.”
Le Marchand knows a change of club is never only about football. He added: “I spend a lot
Clive Hetherington WEST BROM manager Darren Moore is backing former boss Tony Pulis to lead Middlesbrough to automatic promotion.
Unbeaten Boro made it four straight Championship wins with Daniel Ayala’s stoppage-time strike in Friday’s 1-0 victory over the Baggies at the Riverside.
And Moore, who worked under Pulis at The Hawthorns, said of Boro: “They’ve got an experienced squad, an excellent manager and they know the division, so they’re going to be up there. There are a lot of twists and turns of time with my family, my wife and daughter Rozenn. They arrive in two weeks. We’ve found a house in Esher, and London is full of lovely parks to walk round.”
And you never know who you might bump into over here.
The Fulham new boy revealed: “My biggest hero is Zinedine Zidane. I met him once — he brushed past me in a room at Le Havre during a charity match between former players of Real Madrid and Le Havre.
“I always admired Mario Balotelli too, while we were both playing at Nice.
Bonkers
“Mario had an image off the pitch of being bonkers. But on the pitch he is very professional. He wants to win and goes about his work the right way with his preparation.
“I think one day he might return to England. Why not? He is one of the great strikers.”
Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic knows defeat against Burnley today will put his new contract talks on hold.
His current deal expires at Christmas.
Jokanovic admitted: “Burnley are fighting like crazy guns. They know each other and never back down.
“It will be tough. A win for us will be a relief.” and bumps in a season and I’m sure Tony will say, ‘it’s three points’ and move on. We’ve got to take the loss. I have a lot of respect for him as a man and what he’s done as a manager.”
Pulis senses an “interesting’’ week as he aims to add to his squad before the loan window closes.
Everton midfielder Mo Besic, back for a second loan spell, made a telling return as a substitute when he set up Ayala’s goal.
Pulis said: “I’m delighted to get Mo in and if we can add one or two players in the next week we can push on.” Scott Mcdermott STEVEN GERRARD says Rangers could LOSE all four Old Firm derbies to Celtic and still win the Scottish Premiership title. As the Ibrox gaffer prepares for the biggest week of his managerial career so far, he’s refusing to think about the first clash with Brendan Rodgers’ side on Sunday. Before that, Gers must negotiate a league game at Motherwell followed by a Europa League play-off second leg against Ufa in Russia on Thursday night. Gerrard (left) knows his team will be pushed to the limit as they look to progress domestically and in Europe.
But he’s convinced that next week’s showdown with the Hoops at Parkhead won’t define Gers’ season.
He said: “I haven’t even thought about the Old Firm game. I’m not obsessed with Celtic.
“I’m obsessed with being successful as the Rangers manager.
“I could lose every Old Firm game I go into – and still win the league. Why should I be obsessed with them? I’m going to focus on my team and being a successful Rangers manager.”