Gera geared up for Spurs clash
Fulham midfielder Zoltan Gera has warned Tottenham he is relishing
another chance to shine on the big stage after last week's heroics
against Juventus.
Gera scored twice against Serie A giants Juve in the Europa
League but considers the FA Cup quarter-final replay, with a place
at Wembley at stake, just as important.
"This is a big occasion for the players, fans and the club,"
he said. "It will be an important night for us all, and hopefully I
can play my part. I am pleased with my season so far, but there is
always more that you can do.
"I have managed to score some important goals, and I would
like to do so again. It's always nice to score, but of course, when
it has a greater importance for the team that is great.
"But it's not just about one player, this is a team and we
all have the same hopes for Wednesday - we all want to go through."
Getting to Wembley would be the latest chapter of success
under Roy Hodgson, who has taken the club into Europe after being
relegation candidates under Lawrie Sanchez.
"It has been a long while since Fulham last ran out at
Wembley," Gera added. "So to be part of a team that achieves that
for the club would be very special.
"And it's a special place to play, one of the best. I have
been lucky enough to play there twice before, but I would love to
go back and this time with Fulham."
Hodgson's men are looking to bounce back from defeat against
Manchester City at the weekend. They will make a late check on
Brede Hangeland, who missed the City game with a chest problem.
"The result on Sunday was disappointing, we all know that,
especially after the game against Juventus," Gera said. "But we
made it very difficult for ourselves because we just didn't start
the game very well.
"But we have to forget about that game now, and we have the
perfect match to bounce back in this week when we face Tottenham in
the quarter-final of the FA Cup.
"We are facing a very good side, and one that has a lot of
top players. We know this will be a difficult game, as the first
one proved. There wasn't a lot between the two teams that
afternoon, and I think it will probably be the same again.
"We have faced them three times already this season, so we
know what they are all about. We're yet to beat them though, having
drawn twice and lost one.
"So hopefully we can change that this week. It could be a
matter of whichever team makes the most of the opportunities that
they are given."
Chris Smalling's last trip to White Hart Lane came on the day
it was confirmed he would join Manchester United next season.
"We'd love to reach the semi-final of the FA Cup, that really
would make this season another one to remember," the youngster
said. "We've had quite a few games lately but the focus now falls
solely on Spurs. And it's one that we're relishing."