Riise in amazing pop at Fulham teammate Duff

Fulham midfielder Bjorn Helge Riise is determined to establish himself at Craven Cottage.

"I know that I have the qualities, and will work hard to play myself into the team," Riise told Norwegian newspaper Avisenes Nyhetsbyra.

"There are many players with a good name and good merits in the positions that I am fighting for and they also get away easier with the little mistakes that I do. That's just the way it is."

Riise could not resist a swipe at his teammates, suggesting that certain players are making the team by name only, in particular new signing Damien Duff.

"I don't think they've done all that good," he added. "But like I said, they have a good reputation and come from bigger clubs than me.

"I came from little Lillestrom in Norway, but players like Damien Duff have a name and status after playing for clubs like Newcastle and Chelsea and is ahead of me.

"I will be happy to show them different the times I will be given the chance.

"I believe I have better qualities and strengths as a player than he does. He has the speed and the experience, and a good shot.

"But he is not that much faster than I am, and I have a better technique, a better touch and deliver better passes than he does. And I can be used in different roles."

ASKL!

6 Sep 09, 11:49

sour grapes.

omgukilledkenny

9 Sep 09, 12:23

RIISE DENIES FULHAM CRITICISM

Bjorn Helge Riise claims he has been misunderstood following reported criticism of his Fulham team-mates.

The Norwegian midfielder, who moved to Craven Cottage over the summer, was quoted as saying that some players were making the side ahead of him because they have bigger reputations.

Riise also said he had a 'better technique, better touch and could deliver better passes' than fellow winger Damien Duff.

The interview was held with Norwegian newspaper Avisenes Nyhetsbyra and Riise insists the message he meant to get across was lost in translation when reported back in England.

Clarifying his remarks, Riise told VG Nett: "I just want to say that I have never complained about a player in any of the clubs that I have played in.

"If I chose to promote my own advantages and my confidence, it is always interpreted as if I am talking negatively about my team-mates. That is wrong.

"I have spoken to the manager and Damien Duff and everyone at Fulham. They told me it is cool, that this is nothing.

"(Roy) Hodgson told me not to lose any sleep because of this."

Riise's older brother, Roma defender John Arne, backed up the story after sitting in on the initial interview.

"He was misinterpreted and misunderstood, and it is written in a different manner than it was spoken," said the former Liverpool man.

"That's the way they are. They can take something small and twist it into something big."

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