Rehman: Happy to be back
Latest News
Rehman Happy To Be Back
By Tim Dudding
Zesh Rehman was back in training with the Seagulls this morning at Falmer, and admitted he was "happy to be back."
The Fulham midfielder spent a month on loan with the Albion earlier in the season, but was recalled once the spell had elapsed after the Premiership club suffered a minor injury crisis.
Speaking in an exclusive interview for Seagulls World, Rehman revealed, "It's definitely good to be back. I only found out a couple of days ago, but as soon as I found out that I could come back, I snapped it up straight away!"
Rehman, who scored twice during his first loan spell, is in line to go straight back into the first team for Saturday's clash with Bristol City, although he's not taking anything for granted.
"I'm looking forward to playing again," he admitted. "I've missed playing for the Albion to be honest. I'm not expecting to start tomorrow, but if I get on I'll try and do well."
However, Albion boss Mark McGhee is clearly pleased to have his options increased by Rehman's return.
McGhee said, "We wanted Zesh to stay when he went back to Fulham a few weeks ago, but they've allowed him to come back, so we're grateful for that. We know what he can do, and now we've got to get the best out of him."
Rehman's new loan spell is initially for a further month, although there is a possibility that it could be extended, should all parties involved be happy with the situation.
Source: www.seagulls.co.uk 14/11/03
Zesh Joins Gulls
Fri 14th Nov 2003
Zesh Rehman has re-joined Second Division side
Brighton...
 |
The midfielder had
a successful initial loan period with the Seagulls and signed on for another
month with Mark McGhee's men on Friday.
Speaking to Fulham Today, Reserve Team Manager Paul Nevin was pleased that
Rehman has been given another opportunity at Brighton.
"Playing in the Second Division tests players like Zesh in different ways," he
said. "We've sent him out to experience the physical element and get a taste of
the real word. Playing in front of crowds, with points at stake places a whole
different set of pressure on players.
"He's taken on that responsibility well; he looks the part and has thrived on
playing in that environment.
"Zesh is technically so good that he can play in a number of positions. We feel
that he's most suited to the central midfield because he can receive the ball
from the back, his touch is immaculate and he can play some really good forward
passes."
Source: www.fulhamfc.com 14/11/03
Rehman: I Want To Stay
By Andrew Heryet
On-loan midfielder Zesh Rehman confirmed after the Grimsby match that he would
like to extend his loan spell at Brighton.
Albion have won all three
matches since Rehman arrived, and, having scored twice, it is no surprise that
the 19-year-old is really enjoying his time on the south coast.
 |
“Things couldn’t have gone any better really,” he
enthused. “Three games, three wins. That’s nine points and
top of the league so I can’t complain!
“I know that I’m
definitely here until the end of the month and it will
possibly be extended for another month if it’s still going
well. I’m enjoying it very much but whatever Fulham decide is
what I have to do because I’m contracted to them.
“To
score two goals in three games is like a dream come true and
the support here has been super.”
Rehman opened
the scoring against Grimsby after an incisive pass from Leon
Knight, and the modest midfielder was quick to praise his
provider. “Leon Knight cut it back and I just carried on
my run into the box and side footed it. Luckily it went
in!
"Leon’s quality - what can you say? He’s
laid a goal on for me and scored two for himself – he’s
different class.”
Despite being signed by Steve
Coppell, Rehman revealed he is not concerned by his departure.
“I’ve had a word with Bob Booker,” he
said.
“He told me that I’m very much part of the
team and that he wants me to stay. He’s made me feel like I’m
part of everything so I’m very happy with that.”
Source: www.seagulls.co.uk 12/10/03
Zesh scores again
Sun 12th Oct 2003
Another game, another goal. Midfielder Zesh Rehman
continues his excellent form at Brighton...
On loan midfielder Zesh Rehman was again on the score sheet for Brighton at the
weekend, as he netted the opening goal of the Seagulls' 3-0 victory over
Grimsby.
Rehman, who also scored on his Brighton debut, has been receiving positive
reviews on the south coast.
"To score two goals in three games is like a dream come true and the support
here has been super," said the Academy graduate.
"Leon Knight cut it back and I just carried on my run into the box and side
footed it. Luckily it went in.
"I know that I'm definitely here until the end of the month and it will possibly
be extended for another month if it's still going well.
"I'm enjoying it very much but whatever Fulham decide is what I have to do."
Source: www.fulhamfc.com 12/10/03
Zesh on the mark
Tue 30th Sep 2003
Rehman kicks off his loan at Brighton with a superb
goal...
Zesh Rehman made a scoring start to his month-long loan spell at Second Division
side Brighton on Tuesday evening.
The Seagulls won at Rushden & Diamonds and Rehman capped off the scoring with a
fine curled effort which left the home goalkeeper with no chance.
Source: www.fulhamfc.com 30/9/03
Rehman joins Brighton
Mon 29th Sep 2003
Young defender joins the Seagulls on loan...
Ross Flitney's loan with deal with Second Division Brighton has been extended by
a further month. Meanwhile Flitney's team mate, Zesh Rehman, has also joined the
Seagulls on a month's loan.
Source: www.fulhamfc.com 29/9/03
Torquay 1-4 Fulham
Sat 12th Jul 2003
Whites get of to a winning start with goals from
Buari, Saha and Sava...
 |
Chris Coleman started the
new season on a winning note as he watched his Fulham side defeat pre-season
opponents Torquay United 4-1 at Plainmoor.
Coleman elected to pick two very different sides for each half with only Academy
graduate Daniel Stratford starting both halves.
Fulham opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through highly-rated Academy winger
Malik Buari.
Having received the ball wide on the right hand side, Buari launched a
cross-field ball which deceived Gulls 'keeper Van Heusden and sailed into the
far corner of the net - the goal was vividly reminiscent of Ronaldinho's World
Cup effort which caught out David Seaman. There could well be some debate as to
whether his strike was intentional or not, but Buari was clearly delighted to
have notched his first senior goal for the Club.
Almost immediately from the restart though, Torquay launched an attack which
culminated in the dubious awarding of a penalty. Fortunately for Fulham, van der
Sar guessed correctly and saved with a low dive to his right.
The heat was clearly beginning to take its toll on the players as many of the
first half's exchanges were scrappy, with neither side managing to string
together a significant number of passes. However, the Gulls managed to score the
equalising goal on 32 minutes after Fulham's defence failed to deal with a cross
from the left hand side which was headed in past van der Sar.
Fulham continued to probe for the remainder of the half but good build up play
often resulted in a wasted final pass.
Coleman made ten changes to the side in the second half, giving another Academy
player, Zesh Rehman, his first taste of first team football. The Whites began
looking far stronger in the second period.
Fulham re-took the lead on through a well-worked piece of finishing from Facundo
Sava following a flowing attacking move down the left wing involving Luis Boa
Morte. The Whites were evidently showing more of a cutting edge in the second
half as they maintained a comfortable grip on possession whilst the defence,
consisting of Stratford, Knight, Goma and Harley gave Maik Taylor very little to
do in between the sticks.
Louis Saha lengthened Fulham's lead on 66 minutes after he applied the decisive
finish to a Rehman cross. Indeed it was the Academy debutant who was catching
all the attention with an accomplished performance alongside Sean Davis.
Having previously impressed for the reserves in the central midfield position,
Rehman carried his reserve form across to the first team with a very promising
display. Indeed, Fulham's third of the afternoon came from a piece of play that
is rapidly beginning to typify his midfield style - having swiped the ball from
a Torquay throw-in, he played a neat one-two before planting a cross on the
forehead of Saha.
Saha then completed the scoring in the 76th minute after Rehman played a tidy
pass to Inamoto, who in turn, crossed the ball for the Frenchman to slam another
well-placed header home.
Speaking after the match, Manager Chris Coleman said:
"It was a good workout. The temperature made it a tricky game and the ball was
sticking a lot but we improved at the match went on. I was especially pleased
with the link-up play we were producing in the second half."
First Half Fulham:
Van der Sar, Stratford, Hudson, Djetou, Green, Buari, Legwinski, Clark,
Malbranque, Hayles, Hammond
Second Half Fulham:
Taylor, Stratford, Knight, Goma, Harley, Inamoto, Davis, Rehman, Boa Morte, Sava,
Saha
Attendance 1896
Source: www.fulhamfc.com 12/7/03
Zesh for life
Midway through last
season Fulham's reserve team was flying high under the stewardship of Assistant
Manager Steve Kean. Playing with a healthy mixture of youth and experience,
Kean's sides demonstrated an effective and attractive style of football which
helped keep them at the top of the table for most of the season.
With experienced players like John Collins and Bjarne Goldbaek forming the
backbone of the side for much of the campaign, players introduced into the side
from the Academy system were often accompanied by an experienced hand on the
pitch. The result was the younger players made a quicker than normal adaptation
to the pace of reserve team football.
Zesh Rehman, the England youth international, a central defender by trade, made
some of his early reserve team appearances in the rightback position - which he
filled with much aplomb.
His return to the second string last season saw Kean move Rehman into the centre
of midfield, where he was a revelation. Unfortunately his spell in the team was
cut short when he fractured his fifth metatarsal in the away match against
Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow.
That injury ruled him out for the rest of the season and as a result his close
season was largely spent at Motspur Park, putting himself through a
rehabilitation programme.
"It was very frustrating," said Rehman speaking to Fulham Today just before the
squad returned to full training. "I was playing well then out of nowhere I got
injured - but that's part of the game. I've got to bounce back for next season.
"I was running along when I felt a crack on the side of my foot. The next day I
had an x-ray and found out that it was a stress fracture. I received a challenge
later on during the game but I don't know if that made it worse.
"Initially they thought that I would be back within two to three months, but
because it's the bone on the outside the foot you have to wait until it's one
hundred percent solid. I've got the hard part out of the way, being on crutches
and wearing the airboot. I'm now hoping to be fit for the new season."
Whilst his team-mates were on their holidays Rehman was reporting to Motspur
Park every day at 9am to continue his rehab.
"To be honest I didn't mind coming in, I was just enjoying being able to run
again. Me and Tom Davis were coming in and doing our fitness training together
and getting a bit of a head start.
"We'd arrive in the morning, go to the gym, do some bike and balance work
followed by some running and strength work. There was always someone from the
medical team available so there was no problem getting treatment."
With the players reporting back for training, Zesh was looking ahead to the
forthcoming season and hoping for a better campaign than last. Whilst there was
not doubt that his performances were very promising last year, his injury
somewhat took the gloss off his breakthrough .
Looking back a year, Zesh commented, "My main aims were to fully establish
myself in the Under-19s then look to get a place in the reserves. After around
ten games at under-19 level I moved up to the reserve team - so I was very happy
with that.
"Some of the players in the reserves had first team experience; it was a bit
more physical and it much quicker so you don't have as much time to make
decisions. I was playing in defence for the under-19s but I played at centre
back, rightback and central midfield for the reserves. My natural position is in
the centre of defence but I don't mind playing in the other positions if I'm
helping out the team.
"I just want to get back to full fitness and we'll see what happens from there.
There's only a certain amount that I can do, the rest is out of my hands.
"Steve Kean's worked with us for three years so he knows about every player at
Academy level. But that doesn't mean that we'll be able to walk into the team,
we've still got to be able to do the business on the pitch."
Source: www.fulhamfc.com, 1/7/03