Hodgson aiming for perfection (From Your Local Guardian)

Hodgson aiming for perfection

5:00am Saturday 23rd August 2008 in Football By Simon Fitzjohn

Roy Hodgson has warned his Fulham side that they must cut out the mistakes if they are to trouble Arsenal in their Craven Cottage clash on Saturday.

Hodgson watched in dismay as the Londoners produced an error-laden display in their Premier League opener at Hull last weekend, culminating in Paul Konchesky’s howler gifting Caleb Folan a late winner.

And the Fulham boss is demanding improvement.

Hodgson said: “Our major problem area last week was individual mistakes that cost us dearly.

“There was obviously a calamitous one which cost us the game and others that produced the only chances Hull created.

“At Premiership level mistakes get punished and we were punished heavily.

“Of course no one does it on purpose but it is something we are aware of.

“We have to make certain that Arsenal need to work really hard for any goals that they score.”

One area that did please Hodgson though was his side’s slick passing performance in an encouraging first-half display.

And the veteran manager is urging his side to continue in that vein.

He added: “We have to make sure that our passing functions like it did at the start of the Hull game.

“We have to see if our type of game can test the capacity of teams like Arsenal and not just teams like Hull.”

Hodgson is relishing the chance to pit his wits against Arsene Wenger in the televised showdown.

And he insisted that the disappointing loss at the KC Stadium was already consigned to the history books.

Hodgson added: “It’s great when you get off to a good start to the season as everyone is euphoric, but we are well aware that it is what happens in May that counts.

“It is a highly motivating task to play Arsenal.

“We have home advantage for what it is worth.

“We will be trying to milk that advantage and try to give them as good a game as we can give them.

“As a manager that is all you can ask of your team.”