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Roy Hodgson admires Aleksandar Mitrovic

6 years ago
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Roy Hodgson is looking forward to a ‘contrast of styles’ in the Championship play-off final.

The Crystal Palace boss thinks Fulham v Aston Villa is the right final, as it brings together the clubs that ended up third and fourth in the league table.

As for contest on an individual basis, John Terry up against Aleksandar Mitrovic is a stand out one.

Watching Mitrovic in the play-off semi-final win over Derby, Roy Hodgson thought the Newcastle loan striker ‘produced the best display of target play I have seen for a long while.’

Hodgson even giving him the ultimate accolade, declaring ‘a bit like Alan Shearer really.’

The Palace boss was at Craven Cottage when the two teams last met in February, that time Aleksandar Mitrovic gave John Terry a very tough 90 minutes, with Fulham running out 2-0 winners.

A Fulham victory could be key to Mitrovic’ immediate future as well.

The Cottagers have made clear they want to keep the Serbian but only Premier League football would give them any chance of a permanent deal.

So an interesting contest for all kinds of reasons, with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Fulham carrying all our best wishes against Steve Bruce and Villa.

Roy Hodgson:

“I think it [Championship play-off final] will be a fantastic contest.

“It is nice that it is the third and fourth team trying to get that one place, rather than a fifth or sixth-placed team.

“There is something in me that rails against seeing a team in sixth place getting promoted, when the team in third doesn’t.

“As for the excitement, I understand that and I think it will be an interesting contrast of styles.

“I was at that game at Craven Cottage when they met in the league and Aston Villa won’t be easy to break down.

“But they will certainly have their work cut out dealing with the style of play from Fulham, not least the pace with which they attack coming from the wings with Ryan Sessegnon and Ryan Fredericks, that takes some dealing with.

“Fulham also have Mitrovic, who probably produced the best display of target play I have seen for a long while the other night.

“He used his body well to hold the ball up and either turn the defender, or bring others into the play, a bit like Alan Shearer really.”

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