Sunday Fulham Stuff (24/06/12)...

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FA reach agreement with Fulham for Ray Lewington to join England full-time
Roy Hodgson's trusted assistant looks set to link up with the Three Lions on a permanent basis after joining from the west Londoners initially for Euro 2012


Getty Images

EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey

The Football Association has reached an agreement with Fulham for Ray Lewington to join the England coaching staff full-time, Goal.com can reveal.

The governing body will pay off Lewington's rolling contract with the Premier League club to bring to an end his seven-year spell in west London.

Sources have told Goal.com that negotiations are now complete and Lewington should be shortly confirmed as the third permanent member of the backroom team.

The FA announced on May 4 that Lewington had been appointed Roy Hodgson's No.2 for Euro 2012 on a short-term contract 24 hours after Goal.com revealed that the governing body had made an official approach to Fulham.

Hodgson was always keen for his right-hand man during his three-year spell as Fulham manager to join him on a full-time basis.

However, the FA had to tread carefully because of the sensibilities involved in Lewington being employed by a Premier League club.

There was not the same concern with Gary Neville, who signed a four-year contract to be part of Hodgson's coaching team last month, although the former Manchester United player will continue his punditry duties with Sky Sports.

Lewington has coached at almost every level during two lengthy periods on the Fulham coaching staff and is currently the club's Head of Coaching, with particular emphasis on developing young players.

He re-joined Fulham in 2005 after spells as manager at Watford and Brentford but feels the opportunity to work for the national team is too good to turn down.



http://www.goal.com/en/news/596/exclusive/2012/06/23/3194525/fa-reach-agreement-with-fulham-for-ray-lewington-to-join-england-?

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Danny Murphy has medical as Blackburn Rovers close in

Former England international Danny Murphy was last night closing in on sealing a move to Blackburn Rovers.

The 35-year-old midfielder was understood to be having a medical last night with Rovers hopeful a deal could be wrapped up imminently.

The free transfer capture of Murphy would be a big coup for the Championship new boys as they look to earn an instant Premier League return.

Murphy did attract interest from Premier League Queens Park Rangers, while Fulham were also attempting to convince the former Liverpool man to stay at Craven Cottage for another season.


But the offer of a two-year deal and lucrative pay packet may have convinced Murphy that Ewood Park is the right place for him.

Murphy's signature would give Rovers a boost in their bid to persuade other players there is a brighter future at the troubled East Lancashire outfit.

Newcastle striker Leon Best is understood to be mulling over a £2m move to Rovers after being told he had no future at St James Park.

Moves for Murphy and Bet are the clearest sign that Anuradha Desai is giving under-fire boss Steve Kean a decent budget to strengthen his squad.

Rovers are also looking to bring in a Premier League midfielder on loan to provide extra energy in the centre of the park.

Junior Hoilett and Yakubu are still expected to quit Ewood this summer, while Steven Nzonzi, Martin Olsson, Mauro Formica, Gael Givet Paul Robinson and Scott Dan will take some convincing to stay.

Murphy, who won nine full England caps, was born in Chester and started out as a trainee at Crewe Alexandra.

Many top flight clubs had their eye on Murphy before his eventual move to Liverpool.

Before he left, he helped Crewe get to the second flight of English football for the first time since the war as Crewe finished third in Division Two, before going on to defeat Brentford 1-0 at Wembley in the play-offs.

After seven years at Anfield Murphy moved to then-top flight Charlton Athletic before heading to Tottenham Hotspur and then across London to Craven Cottage in 2007.



http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/9778882.Danny_Murphy_has_medical_as_Blackburn_Rovers_close_in/?

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Murphy set for Rovers medical
Midfielder's Fulham contract to expire at the end of June


Danny Murphy: Expected to undergo a medical with Blackburn over the weekend

Sky Sports sources understand that Danny Murphy is set to undergo a medical with Blackburn on Saturday as his Fulham contract draws towards an end.

Murphy has been at Craven Cottage since August 2007 and as club captain he was an integral member of Martin Jol's squad last season.

Jol has previously insisted that he would like to keep the former England international, but he will be a free agent at the end of the month and it now looks as though he could be set to embark on a new challenge with Blackburn.

The 35-year-old has been identified as a transfer target by the Lancashire club as Steve Kean plots an immediate return to the Premier League following their relegation last season.

It is thought that Murphy will have a medical this weekend and could then tie up a move to Ewood Park during the transfer window.

If the deal is finalised it would be a major coup for Rovers and Murphy would bring with him a wealth of experience, having previously played for Crewe, Liverpool, Charlton and Tottenham.



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7837246/?

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Fulham will miss him: Twitter reacts to Murphy's Rovers move
Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy is on the verge of agreeing a move to Blackburn, prompting a flurry of activity on Twitter

Danny Murphy is reportedly close to completing a deal which will see the Fulham captain move to Championship side Blackburn Rovers when the midfielder's contract expires at Craven Cottage later this month.

The 35-year-old scored 28 goals in 198 appearances for the Cottagers, featuring in their 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final in 2010.

Here is a selection of the best Tweets on Murphy's imminent departure from Fulham.

A bemused Kieran Barwick ‏(@Kieran_Barwick) cannot fathom why Danny Murphy would go to Blackburn: "Danny Murphy deserves better than Blackburn. He was a world-class player at Liverpool, and was still really good at Fulham! Great player!"

But Trevor Holland ‏(@TrevorHolland7) fails to see what all the fuss is about: "What's the big deal about Danny Murphy? He is getting old and the Championship would suit him more, he doesn't want to sit on the bench?"

Meanwhile, Murphy may have to win the Blackburn supporters, according to Robert Kostur ‏(@killjoybobert): "Danny Murphy to Blackburn?! The same Blackburn he slagged off calling them 'dirty' and 'playing non-football'?! He's SO full of rubbish!"

Mick Isherwood ‏(@rovertish87) is excited about the potential signing: "Danny Murphy is an excellent signing, plenty of experience and class. Something we need in our midfield."

From a Fulham perspective, Clare Ruby ‏(@clareffcfairy) pays tribute to their former captain: "Danny Murphy will be truly missed! This is a sad day for Fulham."

Thomas McIlroy (‏@thomasmcilroy) agrees: "I'm gutted to see Danny Murphy leaving. We will miss him so much, he could still control games and was so influential in the Fulham team."

But Fil Baxter ‏(@Baxterfront) can see Martin Jol's long-term vision for Fulham: "Danny Murphy had go some day. He left as a Fulham hero. I honestly believe Martin Jol has a really good plan in place. #ffc"

However, Nils Sigurdsson ‏(@Geiiiir) cannot understand why Murphy would choose Blackburn: " I can't believe Danny Murphy is going to Blackburn – wish he went somewhere where they put three passes on the ground in a row."

Tom Thornhill ‏(@tomssthornhill) reckons Murphy is still good enough for the English top flight: "Danny Murphy joining Blackburn? What a shocker, surely a Premier League club would have taken him? Imagine he'll get the captaincy there."

It's a sentiment echoed by Dan Mawson ‏(@themawson): "Why is Danny Murphy going to Blackburn? He is still a Premier League player. He could offer a lot to a newly promoted team."

Wigan supporter James England ‏(@JamesEngland11) would like to have seen Roberto Martinez make a move for the midfielder: "Why aren't Wigan going for Danny Murphy? I give up. We're just going to sign loads of players that no-one has heard of! #WAFC"

Sunderland fan Jamie Wright (‏@jamiewright246) would have welcomed Murphy at the Stadium of Light: "If Danny Murphy is available on a free I'd have him at #SAFC without a doubt."

Murphy's popularity extends to Southampton supporters too, Josh Reynolds (‏@ReynoldsJ6): "I am really disappointed to see that Danny Murphy might be off to Blackburn, would have loved to have seen him at #saintsfc!"


http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2012/06/fulham-will-miss-him-twitter-danny-murphy-blackburn-rovers-fulham/?

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QPR and Werder Bremen join the race to sign Fulham target Buttner

We have been linked with Alexander Buttner from Vitesse for some time now and allegedly had talks earlier this week to try and seal a deal.

Reports now coming out from Holland are now saying that QPR have also held talks and Werder Bremen are interested. Apparently Vitesse value the player higher than the EU 2 million we have offered.

If we are genuinely interested, it would be good for us to conclude a deal sooner rather than later and face another protracted transfer with the potential to lose out on the player.



http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2012/6/23/3112551/qpr-and-werder-bremen-join-the-race-to-sign-buttner?

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Arsenal, Fulham, Manchester United, Spurs & West Ham target set to snub England for move to Lazio

Transfer news: Burak Yilmaz is 80 per cent sure he will be playing in Italy

Fulham and Tottenham target Burak Yilmaz appears set to be snubbing a move to England, in favour of signing for Italian giants Lazio.

Arsenal, Manchester United and West Ham were also interested in the 26-year-old, who scored 32 Super Lig goals last season and is on his way out of Trabzonspor.

"I know that Trabzonspor and Lazio are still talking but I believe the outcome of these talks will be positive," Yilmaz said.

"To this I cannot say the deal is finished but I'm 80 per cent sure that next season I will be playing in Italy. Within days I hope this should be finalised"



http://www.london24.com/sport/arsenal/arsenal_fulham_manchester_united_spurs_west_ham_target_set_to_snub_england_for_move_to_lazio_1_1419827?

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End of an Era: Danny Murphy to Sign With Blackburn Rovers

Call the ambulance, the Fulham lifeblood is bleeding out.

This is without question the most difficult post I have had to do since starting this site.

It's being reported this morning/afternoon that the only thing between the Fulham captain and Ewood Park is a medical which will take place shortly (slash may have already happened).  Murphy, now 35 years old, is a free agent at the end of the month and, like Andrew Johnson and Pavel Pogrebnyak before him, has not been able to come to a new contract agreement with Martin Jol and the Fulham brass.

The move comes as a bit of a shock, considering he had these words to say in April:

I have spoken to the club [Fulham] a couple of times but there's no great urgency with me because I'm happy and they are happy with me. I'd be surprised if it didn't get sorted.

It's a move that tells us a LOT about what Fulham/Martin Jol are thinking, as well as what Danny Murphy ultimately wants, for the sole reason that there's only one possible scenario that makes any sense here.

It tells us the following:

1) Martin Jol wouldn't give Murphy more than a 1-year deal, and Danny wants a 2-year deal for security.
2) Danny Murphy wants to play every game as many minutes as possible, and still thinks his body can handle the beating.  Unfortunately for him, not only Martin Jol, but every other Premier League boss, doesn't agree.  This tells me that as much as I think he's got a bit left in the tank (which I have said multiple times), no other Premier League team thinks he does, and that's telling.  Maybe I'm wrong.
3) What Danny Murphy ultimately wants is to stretch out his career as long as possible to provide for his family, while getting as much playing time as possible.  If this means dropping a league to the Championship, then so be it.
4) Martin Jol is REALLY serious about getting younger that he's even willing to risk allowing the captain, midfield glue, and fan favorite on the club to leave.

It's also a risky move for the following reason: if Blackburn Rovers aren't promoted after this coming season, you can pretty much kiss any chance Danny Murphy has of playing in the Premier League goodbye.  He's not going to get signed by a team at 36 years old coming UP a league unless he somehow bangs in a Dempsey-like goal total from the midfield, which we all know isn't happening.  But obviously that risk is worth it to Murphy to secure consistent playing time.  If he signed with Fulham, he'd be a first-choice midfielder no doubt about it, but Jol clearly thinks he would need ample rest, and Murphy doesn't agree.

This is also a risky move by Martin Jol.  Letting Pogrebnyak and Johnson leave on free transfers is one thing.  Letting Danny Murphy go is a whole other animal.  Now, if the club struggles out of the gate next season, people have something directly to point to when criticizing the manager.  Immediate results are now needed to keep Jol out of the frying pan or fire.  It's just the nature of the beast.  Let a legend walk, and you better damn well know what you're doing or the fan base is going to ignite.  I'm not saying Jol doesn't know what he's doing; he sure has access to a lot more information than we do. But this is a move he cannot afford to get wrong, or it could possibly be one he never recovers from.

One last note, I'm expecting Brede Hangeland to move into the captain's role. That would be the logical choice, as any time Murphy came off for a substitute it was Hangeland who received the armband.

Now that we've successfully dissected the move, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on Murphy's Fulham career.


The Captain will no longer be directing the midfield at Craven Cottage.

Murphy signed for Fulham in 2007 after spells with Liverpool, Tottenham, and Carlton Athletic.  He'd been hailed during his time with Liverpool by assistant manager Phil Thompson as the "most tactically aware player that we have" and won the Reds' Player of the Year award in 2002/2003.

His time with Fulham included many ups and downs, but during his spell at Craven Cottege, when he made 210 appearances and scoring 29 goals.  The most defining moment was his header goal against Portsmouth in May 2008 to secure Premier League status for the following season, completing "The Great Escape" that year.

His work rate and ability to direct on the pitch, as well as his leadership abilities off the pitch, have shown an incredibly unique combination perfect for the role of captain, and those qualities will be quite difficult to replace.

No player is above the team or the game, and Fulham F.C. will move on without Danny Murphy.  But it will be a very, very different place, and there no doubt will be a massive void which Martin Jol will have great difficulty finding a viable replacement.  We'll miss Danny greatly, and like I said before, Martin Jol better damn well know what he's doing.  As a fan I'm not angry or upset, but red flags are starting to pop up.  Fulham's loss is Steve Kean's gain.  Good luck to Danny, and we'll miss you.

Fulham fan or not, what are your thoughts on Murphy's departure? Was it time? Or should Jol have given him another year or two?



http://fulhamsfinest.com/2012/06/23/end-of-an-era-danny-murphy-to-sign-with-blackburn-rovers/?

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Danny Murphy: Goodbye and good luck
by DAN on JUNE 23, 2012

Unexpected goodbyes are the hardest ones. When you have to say farewell fairly swiftly, it can be difficult to find the words that truly express how much you'll miss the departing individual. The news this morning that Danny Murphy was heading north to complete a medical at Blackburn Rovers ahead of an prospective free transfer didn't surprise me – as there had been some doubt as to whether Fulham's captain would remain at the club beyond his current contract for much of last season – but the finality of it left this correspondent feeling a little numb.

For all that you try and take the emotion of football, we have an emotional attachment to the teams to we follow. We all have our favourite players, who unfortunately in this era of big money contracts might not be as committed to their clubs as their predecessors were when there was a maximum wage. More than anybody over the past five years, Murphy epitomised Fulham's rapid revitalisation. When he was signed at almost the midnight hour of the August transfer window during Laurie Sanchez's desperate attempt to overhaul a stale squad, people questioned what Fulham might want with a 30 year-old whose best times seemed behind him.

Those nagging doubts persisted for much of a season that seemed destined to spell the end of Fulham's brief return to the top flight, especially during the first four months of Murphy's time at Craven Cottage when Sanchez's direct football bypassed the talents of both his new signing and those of another summer acquisition, Steven Davis, in central midfield. Plenty of Fulham fans suggested that those eye-catching displays for Liverpool and England were a thing of the past – Murphy's 'legs were gone' and that was a luxury a side waging a war against the drop couldn't afford. They couldn't have been more wrong.


Celebrating the equaliser at Eastlands

It might have taken a change of manager – and philosophy – for Murphy's quality to shine but you can't begin to discuss the extraordinary turn of events that carried Fulham from checking out the Championship ground guide to stunning salvation without highlighting his contribution. For a start, Murphy's experience and calmness must have counted just as much behind the scenes as it did on the pitch. Then there were the displays that typified a man who's always refused to concede defeat. He ran the midfield during Fulham's first away win in thirty three games at Reading – an almost improbable result that had us daring to dream – and that pulled the strings during that staggering second half turnaround at Manchester City. Murphy might have missed possibly the most high-pressure penalty of his career, but had the presence of mind to follow-up and place the rebound beyond Joe Hart with the minimum of a fuss. A point was a terrific result, but a simply magnificent pass freed Diomansy Kamara in injury-time, and the Great Escape was on.

Of course, Murphy's central role in the drama was still to come. We all remember that glancing header that secured safety on a glorious afternoon at Portsmouth. But what made that afternoon all the more poignant was that the man who wasn't supposed to be in the opposition penalty area at an attacking set piece – and was just about to substituted – very nearly didn't make it to Fratton Park at all. Murphy's young daughter had been rushed to hospital with dehydration the day before the game and, being the devoted family man that he is, Murphy waited with his wife and little girl rather than making the journey to the south coast with his team-mates. Fortunately, his daughter was well enough to recover the following day but, not being a father myself, I can only imagine the emotions that must have preceded what was an already tense weekend.


The Fratton Park header that sealed the Great Escape

Once Brian McBride had decided to return with his family to America, Roy Hodgson installed Murphy as the likeable forward's replacement as captain. It proved a masterstroke. During his time at Fulham, Murphy has been a shining ambassador for the football club in the community and with the supporters – and when he hasn't been available, his wife has been more than willing to converse with the fans on Twitter. More than that, the captain has been a mentor to younger players and a quiet, but unmistakable, leader on the field. His partnership with Dickson Etuhu, much criticised when Hodgson grew tired of Jimmy Bullard's antics, blossomed into one of stability and reassurance, providing the platform for Fulham's highest-ever finish in the top flight.

That meant Europe – and we all know what happened next. Murphy made 41 appearances during a marathon season, that began in Lithuania in July when he tucked away a penalty with his customary efficiency and ended with such cruel heartbreak in Hamburg. Murphy missed a fair chunk of the campaign through injury – as well as the momentous win over Juventus through suspension – but made up for it with that majestic pass to free Simon Davies for the vital equaliser in the second leg of the semi-final against Hamburg.


Danny loves scoring against United

I simply can't list all of the magic moments during his five years at the Cottage – he's become such an indelible part of the football club that he seems far longer – because this article would ramble on for too longer. But we'll remember with great affection the way he artfully gave Thomas Kusczak the eyes and sparked a splendid win over Manchester United with an effortless strike from long range a matter of days after the Whites reached the Europa League knockout round in Basle. His two spot-kicks in the FA Cup demolition of Spurs were Murphy's only goals of the following campaign but there were oh, so satisfying. His deflected strike that pegged back a seemingly unassailable Manchester City last September will live long in the memory too.

There's a sadness in that you felt Murphy had more to offer. He's an intelligent thinker about the game, destined to become a coach and probably a manager in time, too. But without the captain there in central midfield, Fulham look a far poorer side. Martin Jol's got a clear brief to reduce the average age of the side and Murphy wants to be a regular starter at this stage in his career. You can't quibble with either position but does seem strange that a player of Murphy's quality should need to drop down a level to secure the status he wants.


Celebrating the equaliser against Man City

Football can't be reduced to mere statistics but Murphy's Fulham record deserves a mention. Since August 2007, he has made 220 appearances for the club and scored 29 goals. It doesn't sound like much, but they'll be very few players who are as consistent as Murphy at the highest level and amass such a record over a relatively short space of time. The speculation has already started about who might fill his shoes. It should cease. Danny Murphy's irreplaceable: both on and off the field. All that remains is thank him for a multitude of memories and move on – as sad it as it will be.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/06/danny-murphy-goodbye-and-good-luck/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Rovers bag Murphy

Rovers have completed their surprise swoop for Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy.

Murphy has signed a two year deal at Ewood Park and becomes the clubs first summer signing after relegation to the Championship.

Despite interest from a few Premier League clubs, including QPR, Murphy has made the move back to the North West which is where he started his career at Crewe.

There is no fee involved in the transfer as Murphy was out of contract at Craven Cottage.

Welcome to Ewood Park Danny.



Read more: http://www.blackburn.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=285407#ixzz1yh6WoFo9

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Murphy joins Blackburn after rejecting chance to remain in Premier League with QPR

Danny Murphy has completed his free transfer move from Fulham to Blackburn after turning down a last-minute approach from Queens Park Rangers.

The 35-year-old midfielder has decided to drop down a division after being offered a two-year deal by Rovers, whose 11-year stay in the Premier League came to an end last season.


Moving on: Danny Murphy has joined Blackburn Rovers after leaving Fulham


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2163788/Danny-Murphy-joins-Blackburn-Rovers.html#ixzz1yh6unuUT