Friday Fulham Stuff (20/04/12)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Keen to Sign Arsenal Reject

Fulham are believed to be interested in signing former Arsenal midfielder Jay Emmanuel-Thomas in the summer as manager Martin Jol looks to strengthen his squad.
 
The West London side have improved in the second half of the season after a difficult start to life for Jol who was trying to juggle his small squad between league and Europa League duty.
 
Jol is keen to add players in the summer and the Daily Mirror believes they will look at trying to sign Ipswich midfielder Emmanuel-Thomas after he impressed this season for the Tractor Boys.
 
The 21-year-old came through the Arsenal youth system and and did make one appearance in the Premier League, but he was mainly used in cup competitions and was a crucial member of the FA Youth Cup winning side in 2009.
 
Emmanuel-Thomas was eventually deemed not good enough by Arsenal and was sold to Ipswich for £1.5million, but he has shown signs of the talent that saw him represent England at youth level.
 
The attacking midfielder has made 41 appearances in the league this season, scoring six goals and also providing three assists.
 
The paper believes that Ipswich want to double their money and will ask for at least £3million for the player who scored in the clubs last game against Birmingham on Tuesday.



http://www.sportsvibe.co.uk/news/football/fulham-keen-to-sign-arsenal-reject-16116/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Brevett: Tie down Pogrebnyak

Former Fulham defender Rufus Brevett has urged White's boss Martin Jol to make stellar striker, Pavel Pogrebnyak, a permanent acquisition.

As it stands, the Russian forward is on loan at Craven Cottage but a move on a longer-term basis has been mooted after an impressive start for the former VFB Stuttgart man.

He scored five goals in his opening three games for the club and only injury has held him back since. This good form has drawn attention from other sides, most notably Aston Villa. As such, most are keen to see him make his deal a permanent one and Rufus Brevett sees the situation no differently.

"I'm sure the way he has come in there and done so well that they'll want to tie him up straight away," said the former Fulham left back. "The problem is that he has come in and done so well and there is going to be other teams now that have been alerted to the fact that he could be available."

"I'm sure he's enjoyed his time at Fulham because they play decent football, they're playing to his strengths and he's scoring goals so I'm sure if they can get a deal sorted he'd be happy to sign for Fulham."


http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2012/4/19/2959716/brevett-tie-down-pogrebnyak?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol targetting Ipswich man

Martin Jol is said to be following the progress of Ipswich Town player Jay Emmanuel-Thomas with the intention of moving for the former Arsenal player over the summer.

Emmanuel-Thomas has impressed in Suffolk with his versatility - proving well adept at playing up front and on the wing - but his inconsistency over the course of a season has been worrying to manager Paul Jewell and fans alike.

The first half of his season didn't go quite as planned but his form has peaked of late with the former Wenger prodigee bagging his seventh goal of the season against Birmingham City on Tuesday night.

Speaking of his forward, Jewell said:"We have got to work on his fitness in the summer because he's dropping off at the end of the games.

"But it's his first full season of football and he'll be a better player for it next year. He's going to be a player, there is a lot more to come from him."


http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2012/4/19/2959737/jol-targetting-ipswich-man?

[WhiteJC]

 
Roma add to long list of possible Dempsey destinations

Italian giants Roma are the latest side to have supposedly expressed an interest in Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey.

According to The Sun, Roma were interested in the American international over last summer but a move never materialised. This time, however, the Romans are prepared to test Fulham's resolve and are willing to fight head-to-head with Arsenal for Dempsey's signature.

Many clubs have been linked with the Texan-born player, but the most prominent destination so far has proved to be Arsenal, with scouts at the North London club giving their manager Arsene Wenger rave reviews . Roma, though, are looking to take the initiative and will make an offer of around £7 million, something chairman Mohammed Al Fayed will have to ponder, with Dempsey's deal set to run out in 14 months time.



http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2012/4/19/2959765/roma-add-to-long-list-of-possible-dempsey-destinations?

[WhiteJC]

 
Barclays Ticket Office

Fulham has teamed up with Barclays to host the Barclays Ticket Office in Bishops Park before kick off for our match against Wigan this Saturday 21st April (KO 3pm).

Come down to Bishops Park between 12pm-3pm to step into the booth and try to catch as many blue tickets as you can in 30 seconds. The supporter who catches the most tickets will win a Fulham VIP match day experience*.

Besides the Barclays Ticket Office, there are also a number of other fan activities in Bishops Park including a FREE 30 minute Skills School Session for young fans.

If you consider yourself a FIFA 12 or Tiger Woods enthusiast you can also have a go at competing against your friends and family in the EA Sports Dugout.

*Winner will be contacted week commencing Monday 23rd April.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/April/BarclaysTicketBooth.aspx?#ixzz1sYOn4xjW

[WhiteJC]

 
FULHAM’S CLINT DEMPSEY TO ROMA?

British tabloid newspaper The Sun ran a story today suggesting the Roma will make Fulham’s American striker Clint Dempsey one of their main transfer targets in the summer.

The Texan has been a star performer for Martin Jol’s West London side in the Premiership this season and has notched 16 league goals.

At 29 years of age, Dempsey may well be on the look out to secure one big transfer to one of the big European sides. He currently has one season left to run on his contract and has not committed to signing a new one at Fulham.

Jol will move heaven and earth to keep hold of his star player but Roma are rumoured to be willing to pay up to £7 million to secure his signature and with only a season left before he can leave for free Fulham owner Mohammed Al-Fayed might find that offer too good to turn down.

Dempsey signed for Fulham in 2007 after beginning his career in the MLS with New England Revolution.  He plays mainly as a striker these days but has played on the wing as well as a deep-lying forward and central midfielder.

Thomas Di Benedetto & James Palotto would no doubt be happy about splashing the cash on one of their fellow countrymen and were he not coming up to his final contracted season with Fulham the fee for his services would probably be nearer £15 million.

It is believed that coach Luis Enrique will get a decent transfer fund again this summer and getting Dempsey in could be one of his shrewdest moves.

Donnie’s View
This is a rumour I like the sound of.  Living in England I see Clint Dempsey’s performances often and he is a top drawer striker playing in an average team.

He is by no means a goal machine and I would not expect him to get much more than 12-15 league season but he has a lot of other qualities that make him, potentially, a great signing for the Giallorossi. Versality is a key factor as is his toughness, both physically and mentally and he has a knack of being in the right place at the right time to score crucial goals.

His natural position, as this season shows, is up front and he could prove to be an invaluable member of the squad should the moneymen want to snap him up.

I’m crossing my fingers for this one.  I like him a lot and think it would be a clever signing but they will have to act quickly as higher profile clubs have also been sniffing around and Dempsey has given no preference on where he would like to end up.


http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2012/04/fulhams-clint-dempsey-to-roma/?

[WhiteJC]

 
SEAT Partnership

Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce that SEAT has extended its sponsorship for a further year and will be Fulham FC’s Official Car Partner for the 2012/13 campaign.

The deal was announced at Craven Cottage during yesterday evening’s Business Club event attended by 70 sponsors and corporate clients of the Club. The Business Club provides a framework for Fulham supporters in business to come together on a social and informal basis.

SEAT signed an initial two-year deal in November 2010, shortly after the Club reached the inaugural UEFA Europa League Final, a European football cup competition also sponsored by SEAT.

The deal will see SEAT continue to supply the Club with a number of vehicles for business use.

During the past two seasons, Fulham and SEAT have actively promoted the partnership, most notably this season, which involved the launch of SEAT’s Ibiza Copa in conjunction with the Club’s 2010/11 away strip.

Fulham supporters were given the opportunity to enter a competition to win a customised Fulham FC SEAT Ibiza Copa. The eventual winner was presented with the car by Fulham Goalkeeper David Stockdale.

Managing Director of SEAT UK, Peter Wyhinny, said:

“We have experienced some great results over the last two years of the partnership with Fulham, but we are still not at the top of consumers’ shopping lists.

“Being associated with other successful brands such as Fulham helps us to become front of mind for potential customers. We want to grow our awareness and business presence and collect more people who are going to consider SEAT.

“And the culture of Fulham is something that appeals to us to help us achieve this. There is a feeling of intimacy that you don’t get with other clubs and that provides great synergy with us as a brand – there’s a really elegant way in which our partnership comes together.”

Jonathan Gregory, Fulham Football Club Commercial Director, endorses the sentiment:

“We have a set of values at the football club, one of which is service excellence, which we endeavour to deliver throughout the business.

“The fact that service excellence is as important to SEAT is what makes this such a great partnership for us, and long may it continue.”


From left to right: Fulham FC Commercial Director – Jonathan Gregory, Managing Director of SEAT UK – Peter Wyhinny & Fulham FC Manager – Martin Jol.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/April/SEATPartnership.aspx?#ixzz1sYPSkujU

[WhiteJC]

 
Dempsey Bid Imminent?

We`ve always feared that Clint Dempsey might be snapped up by a bigger club.

Ever since he starred for the USA in the Confederations Cup, in South Africa, his profile has been high.

This season his goal-scoring feats have, once again, attracted attention and with Clint having a mere fourteen months left on his contract before he becomes a free agent, there are fears that he could bid farewell to Craven Cottage.

Even more so when it`s being reported in the morning tabloid press that the Italian giants of AS Roma are looking at paying something in the region of £7 million to acquire his services.

We can only wait and watch!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=279948#ixzz1sYPo2Bzz

[WhiteJC]

 
Schwarzer eyes strong finish
Keeper rallies team-mates for last five games


Mark Schwarzer: Keeper hoping for a strong end to the campaign

Mark Schwarzer insists there will be no let-up in the Fulham camp before the end of the season.

The Cottagers have little left to play for as they are all but mathematically out of the running for the European places and in no danger of being dragged into the relegation scrap.

But goalkeeper Schwarzer insists the players remain focused on finishing as high as possible in the table, although given their remaining fixtures they may have their work cut out.

"With five games to go we know that we still want to finish as high as possible. There's a lot of points still to be gathered," Schwarzer told the club's official website.

"It's going to be a really tough run-in to the end of the season. We've got some very tough games coming up against teams that are still fighting for survival and teams that are still trying to secure European places.

"We're in a great position that we don't have to worry about the bottom part of the table. For us it is about finishing in the top ten."


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7685430/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Preview: Fulham vs Wigan Athletic

What a past seven days it has been for Wigan Athletic.we have beaten both Manchester United and Arsenal in the space of a week, and could have gotten something against Chelsea. If we had beaten the blues, then we would probably be safe now.

As it is, we sit ahead of the pack; or second depending on how you look at it. And now face four teams we should beat, us being Wigan probably means we will now lose all four games and go down, don't put that past us.

Yet to show we really are playing well and going against the odds, we will have to beat Fulham away. Something we have yet to do since joining the Premier League, and personally I don't see us doing just yet. But then I didn't see us beating United and Arsenal.



Wigan could go into the game with everyone fit and ready to play. Both Hugo Rodallega and Shaun Maloney are likely to take late fitness tests, but if I was Roberto I stick with what I have and bring them onto the bench. Neither player is worth knocking back, and they will be helpful to have come into it with the last two games in mind.

That said it means that Jordi Gomez will have to retain is starting place. Now I am not a big fan of Mr Gomez, as you may or may not have guessed. He is slow lazy and looks like he can't be bothered. But he has somehow managed to play well on the few occasions we have needed him to this season. A goal an a assist against Arsenal don't lie. Keep it up Jordi!

So with our unorthodox system (3-4-3 or 5-4-2 depending on where you go), I am surprised that people are only picking up on it now as we have been playing like this for a while just not backing it up with goals. Anyway what I was saying with out system we should find the good going against Fulham.

They like to use their wingers and full backs to run at defences and then cut inside and open teams up. Yet when they will run into two wide men each side, followed by three playing in the center. They may struggle. If we can hold it tight at the back like we did against Arsenal, then hit with pace from Victor Moses and Franco Di Santo, then we will cause them a real threat.

The problem we have to watch out for though, is Clint Dempsey. The American winger/striker has scored 16 goals this season and made four assists. He has been playing out of his skin, working hard and playing quick interchanging football either cutting in from out wide or as the lone front-man. Which is where he is likely to be on Saturday.

If we can cut of his supply line and leave him isolated, then we will give ourselves a chance to win this game.

Keep going lads, and lets keep the faith!



http://www.pieeatersfootie.com/2012/4/19/2960648/preview-fulham-vs-wigan-athletic?

[bizarrebaz]

So that's how Wigan beat Arsenal and united. The sneaky old 5-4-2 system. Watch out for the extra man Fulham!

[WhiteJC]

 
Report: AS Roma to make $11 million offer for Clint Dempsey

Italy's AS Roma has joined the Clint Dempsey sweepstakes, according to a British tabloid, The Sun.

Roma, a Serie A club, is preparing to offer more than $11 million for Dempsey, whose contract with the English Premier League team Fulham expires in the summer of 2013.

If Fulham's attempt to re-sign Dempsey isn't successful, it either will sell his rights following the conclusion of the current season or risk losing him as a free agent after 2012-13 season.

Roma is owned by a consortium led by Boston-based investor Thomas DiBenedetto and has been in the market for an American player. When DiBenedetto took over last year, he told MLSSoccer.com that the club is “obviously scouting players everywhere and we are obviously interested in the American products, both in MLS and abroad.”

Dempsey has remained coy about his future, expressing both a desire to play in the UEFA Champions League and his appreciation for his quality of life in West London.

He is enjoying a career year, scoring 22 goals in all competitions for the Cottagers. Fulham, however, is far from a Champions League berth.

Dempsey is a key member of the U.S. national team and was a star in MLS with the New England Revolution.

Many believe Dempsey, 29, might be ready to take his chances with a bigger club. He already has been linked to London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

“I am talking with (Fulham), but we'll just have to see what happens in the summer,” Dempsey said two weeks ago. "I want to focus on my football and that other stuff can take care of itself after the season."

Roma is in fifth place in Serie A at 15-12-5. The top three clubs in Italy will play in next season's Champions League.



Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/story/2012-04-19/as-roma-clint-dempsey-reportedly-ready-to-make-clint-dempsey-offer?#ixzz1sZwJZSpA

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham vs. Wigan Athletic: In-form Latics visit bogey team

here are no two ways about it — Fulham are a pain in the neck. The last time we beat them was in 2006. They signed Clint Dempsey the following year, and he has feasted on us since. It’s not a case of outplaying or outclassing us, it’s just that no matter the manager from Hodgson to Hughes to Jol, their keeper always has a man-of-the-match performance, and their striker — usually the Texan — can’t miss.



Present circumstances promise for this to be quite an interesting iteration. Wigan are in dreamland, having produced their best every Premier League displays to earn wins over Liverpool, Stoke, Manchester United and Arsenal in their last five games. Fulham meanwhile, are about where you would expect them to be, playing well at home, dropping points on the road, but doing it with a pleasant continental style Martin Jol has brought to Craven Cottage. While classy Costa Rican striker Bryan Ruiz is out with a broken metatarsal and both Andrew Johnson and Pavel Pogrebnyak are doubtful with injuries, Clint Dempsey is enjoying his best ever season with 21 goals to his name and will likely start up front. Which could be trouble.

Hugo Rodallega and Shaun Maloney should be fit to make their comebacks, which should prove timely boosts given the exhausting fixture list Latics have just come through against the traditional top four and the most physical side in the league, Stoke City. Roberto said last year that one of the keys to the club’s survival run was their youth and endurance when the going got tough. The midfield engines of the Jimmy Macs and attacking outlets Victor Moses and Franco Di Santo have certainly provided evidence to that claim.

One would expect Roberto to name an unchanged lineup after the away day heroics at the Emirates. If he does, a bench involving people like Mo Diame, Shaun Maloney, Ronnie Stam, Ben Watson and Hugo Rodallega must surely go down as the strongest in the club’s history. Albert Crusat would be there too if he hadn’t suffered an injury in training before the Arsenal match.

But it’s a difficult one to call, this one. The amazing results against United and Arsenal have eased the pressure on this game, and although the players and manager are all saying the right things about maintaining the same level of intensity, it is hard to imagine that being possible against Fulham, away. But our Wigan heroes have done nothing if not earn the benefit of the doubt from us, their supporters. Long may this glorious form continue.


http://blogs.soccernet.com/wiganathletic/archives/2012/04/fulham_vs_wigan_athletic_infor.php

[WhiteJC]

 
Hughes keen to tempt Fulham skipper Murphy to QPR with coaching role

Mark Hughes will tempt Danny Murphy with a ready made coaching job to entice him to Queens Park Rangers this summer.

The Fulham midfielder is out if contract in the summer and is yet to sign a new deal as talks have stalled.

And Hughes is ready to pounce on the contract impasse by launching a free transfer move at the end of the season.


Cross the divide: Mark Hughes wants Danny Murphy at QPR
 
The pair worked together at Craven Cottage last season and Hughes is keen to rekindle the relationship.

And the QPR chief will offer the 35-year-old a place on his coaching team at the end of his playing days in an attempt to nail the move.

It is understood Murphy will only consider a move to QPR if they avoid relegation into the Championship.

Should Murphy move to Loftus Road he would follow Bobby Zamora - who left Fulham in January - in crossing the west London divide.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2132283/Danny-Murphy-offered-coaching-role-QPR.html#ixzz1sZx6RTKb

[WhiteJC]

 
Behind Enemy Lines: Wigan Athletic (h)
by WILL on APRIL 20, 2012

In a new HammyEnd feature,  I will be interviewing an opposition fan ahead of Fulham’s next game. In our first edition, I have interviewed Liam O’Connor (@wiganontour) who follows Wigan up and down the land. Here is his view from Behind Enemy Lines.

Q: Hi Liam and thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions. Firstly, How long have you supported Wigan for?

A: Hi Will, I’ve supported Wigan for almost 15 years, since I knew what a football was, although the time has flown by.

Q: Wigan have been on fantastic form recently, beating United at home and beating Arsenal away. Do you think that you will be staying up this year?

A: I’m not the most optimistic of fans but fresh from our trip to the Emirates we’ve got to be very hopeful of survival, when people were saying “Wigan have been their before/They know what to do” I wondered whether this would really have an effect, but I genuinely think it could of helped us, where not knowing has hindered other teams.

Q: Who would you like to see come to Wigan in the summer?

A: We’re crying out for the complete front man, we have Sammon/Di Santo who are well capable of playing it, but they have not brought enough goals, and Rodellega will be off in the summer. The rest of the team is very settled at the minute and if we can hold on to them and add that extra goalscoring touch up front we can really push on next season (on the assumption we get over the finish line this time!) I don’t believe we’ll shell out big money for a striker, I think it’s more likely that the loaned out Mauro Boselli will return to play the role next season after spending the latter of this season on loan at his former club.

Q: Roberto Martinez has proven to be a very able and talented manager, beating the likes of Liverpool, United and Arsenal this season with his inventive 3-5-2 formation. Do you think that Wigan can hold onto him during the summer?

A: Firstly I’d argue that the formation is a 3-4-3, rather than the 3-5-2 you have mentioned which gives us the numbers back in defence, but players in the right positions to be able to break at speed on the counter. It’s only a couple of weeks ago that Martinez was under some pressure to get us off the bottom of the league to safety, it just shows you what some high profile wins can do. All of a sudden everyone is united behind the team again, Martinez knows what this club means to the Wigan public and just as importantly himself, he will be three years into a five year plan, he rejected Villa along the way, it’d take a huge job to prize him away and even then I am not convinced he would leave the club he loves.

Q: Fulham’s defence has been very strong as of late, defending well in recent games. Do you think you will pressure us into making mistakes or will you sit back and wait for the right times to attack?

A: The latter, watching recent games under the new 3-4-3 formation we like to soak up pressure and counter at speed, we’re on a huge wave of confidence and we’re hoping that your team might of packed up for their holidays a little early!


Danger man: Former Palace youngster Victor Moses is the one to watch

Q: Who do you think Fulham and Fulham Fans should be watching out for as the danger man from the Wigan side?

A: Without question Victor Moses, if Shaun Maloney is fit then he has to be watched as well, they are the two dangers from either wing. When Victor arrived from Palace he was a bit rough around the edges, as the weeks go on he’s becoming a real asset, on his day he’s up their with the best, I just hope we can hold onto him in the summer!

Q: If you had to pick one Fulham player to join Wigan, who would it be and for what reason?

A: Clint Dempsey, this season he’s been immense, I watched your recent game against Chelsea and he’s probably the most lethal player behind the striker in the division at the moment. Any player with his qualities who can back it up with a huge work ethic would be welcome at Wigan Athletic.

Q: Looking at your current squad, which player has been your stand out player this season and if you had to choose one player that you would think would make an impact at Fulham who would would it be and why?

A: The recent revival has coincided with the introduction of James McArthur, the world seems to look at James McCarthy when they look for one of our bright young talents, but his recent upturn in form has been alongside his namesake. The lad runs his socks of from box to box every game and has talent to match. Al-Habsi, Caldwell, Boyce and Maloney have all been immense, but if I had to pick it would be Jimmy Mac!

Q: Fulham have a very good record against Wigan at home, but Wigan have scored in their past 8 away games, a current Premier League high. What do you think the final score will be in our fixture against you this Saturday?

A: Your average Wigan fan would be very pessimistic when answering this question, however, after recent results we have to be confident, if you offered me a point now I would take it, every point is a point nearer safety, I’m going for a reasonably exciting 2-2!

Will: Thanks for answering the Questions and may the best team win. Good luck on your mission for staying up- I think most Fulham fans have a soft spot for Wigan!

Liam: No problem at all! Best of luck for the rest of the season, although not Saturday!

Fulham play Wigan Athletic tomorrow at Craven Cottage in a 3pm kick off. You can follow me on Twitter (@willpaul25) for more Fulham related news, opinions and rambles.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/04/behind-enemy-lines-wigan/?