Monday Fulham Stuff (28/07/14)...

[WhiteJC]

 
How is Fulham's Championship preparation going?

Last season was more than forgettable for Fulham fans. They suffered through two managerial changes, slow-motion football for the first half of the season and ultimately relegation from the Premier League after 13 years of eating at the top table. Felix Magath, who tried but ultimately failed to keep the club in the top flight, has been retained for the promotion push, but how are things looking with just under two weeks until the start of the new season?

1. Squad changes

It is safe to say that this has been a summer of transition for the Whites. The squad is almost unrecognisable from the one that failed so badly last season, and it is likely that there is more of a shake-up to come. No fewer than 15 players, including several of the first-team squad from 2013/14, have been sold or released in what is a typical Magath summer. Few can argue against most of the sales, except perhaps Pajtim Kasami and the release of captain Brede Hangeland.

Fulham manager Felix Magath prior to kick-off against Hull in the Premier League match on April 26, 2014

In their place have come a number of players from Germany or with links to Magath. Tim Hoogland has come in to replace Sascha Riether, John Arne Riise left, with Kostas Stafylidis from Bayer Leverkusen recruited on loan, with the big money signing of the summer so far being Ross McCormack from Leeds United. The signings seem intelligent and experienced and on paper at least should be capable of performing in the second tier.

2. Youth players

As well as the more experienced incomings, Magath has been busy bringing down the overall age of the squad with a few younger signings - such as Shaun Hutchinson from Motherwell and Adam Taggart from Newcastle Jets - as well as phasing in a lot of the club's academy players.

It is clear from the teams selected in the pre-season games so far that Magath has a lot of confidence in the youth players. Where that puts the team in terms of their readiness for the Championship is unclear, but they will have the advantage of hungry, hard-working players.

In the recent friendly against DC United, Moussa Dembele bagged a very intelligent hat-trick and showed some fine link-up play with Chris David. The Dutchman, in particular, has shown a great deal in the friendlies so far to suggest that he could be a key player for the team this season. The futures of the likes of Bryan Ruiz and Kostas Mitroglou are still unknown, so Magath has done the right thing by integrating the players who want to remain at the club.

Moussa Dembele of Fulham during the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Everton at Craven Cottage on March 30, 2014

3. Tactics

Magath has used a number of different lineups in the friendly games so far, so the team to open the season against Ipswich Town is not clear, but he has tried to get the players used to the tactic that he has used a lot in his career so far. Fulham have started frequently with two strikers and a diamond midfield - David at the point and, more recently, Hoogland at the base.

This tactic explains the introduction of the attacking full-backs Stafylidis and Kay Voser, who will provide the width to a more narrow midfield, but early indications are that the players have taken to the system well. Not many goals have gone in so far, and results have been promising, so there is plenty to indicate that this work-in-progress could lead to a strong season.

Training has also been hard, as it so often is with Magath. Within the diamond system, the players will need to cover each other so starting the season with high levels of fitness might lead to Fulham getting out of the blocks quickly. They will need to, certainly, with a very tricky start to life in the Championship. Magath still has work to do on his squad, as it looks a little bare, but the signs are there that the Whites might have a decent chance to push for promotion even with the many changes so far.

Chris David of Fulham battles with Josh Murphy of Norwich during the FA Cup sponsored by Budweiser Third Round match between Norwich City and Fulham at Carrow Road on January 4, 2014

Sports Mole says: It's a tough call with no real indication yet that the new players are of the required standard, but things are going well and at least a playoff spot looks likely.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/feature/how-is-fulhams-championship-preparation_167405.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
He Cannot Wait to Quit!
   
Well if that`s his attitude he can.............................

Apparently, after the haunting fate we suffered last season, a fate that saw Fulham Football Club demoted from the Premier League to the Championship, one of our under-achievers cannot wait to find a new club to foist himself upon.

Apparently our Spanish defender Fernando Amorebieta has had enough of life at Craven Cottage and wants to head back to Spain.

The twenty-nine year-old, not thought to be part of Felix Magath`s plans for next season, is said to be interesting Malaga.

Well if that`s his desire then good riddance is all I`ll mutter!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=364638#ixzz38jSTKW11

[WhiteJC]

 
Hugo Rodallega keen on River Plate move

Fulham striker Hugo Rodallega has admitted that he is keen on a move to Argentine giants River Plate.

Rodallega has one year left on his deal but has been seeking a move away from Fulham following the club's relegation to the Championship.

The Colombian forward joined Fulham in 2012 after three years with Wigan but it seems now that the 29 year-old is keen on a move away from England.

Argentinian giants River Plate are reportedly interested in Rodallega as a replacement for his compatriot Teofilio Gutierrez who has been strongly linked with a move to Europe this summer.

Speaking to TyC Sports, Rodallega said: "I am going to help for my transfer to River to be done. I think that the negotiation is not going to be easy, but I would love to have the chance of playing at River,

"I would like a change in my career and River is a very important team that is playing in many competitions this year and the next.

"So it is interesting for what all that could mean for my career.

"I have been in English football for five years so I see that a transfer could be something important for the owners and me."


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/hugo-rodallega-keen-on-river-plate-move/?#

[WhiteJC]

 
Moussa Dembele shines as Fulham down DC United

For Shad Khan, Saturday evening's 'Big Event' at EverBank Field – basically a 3-0 friendly win for Fulham over DC United – was a commercial master-stroke.

More than 52,000 made their way to the home of Jacksonville Jaguars, keen as they were to witness a not-far-gone Premier League team take on one of Major League Soccer's highest flyers.

The Pakistani-born American brought his two, multi-million franchises together under one metaphorical roof – EverBank, technically, doesn't have one – and strengthened a partnership that has raised the American Football profile in London and done much the same the other way.

He also took the chance to unveil the world's largest ever scoreboards, an investment that comes across as both foolhardy yet, unmistakeably, and joyously, ambitious. A bit like Fulham in many ways.

You get the feeling, however, that this occasion didn't didn't quite strike the same pertinence for manager Felix Magath, who fielded yet another youthful team in this somewhat haphazard pre-season of ours.

But while the team shape seemed aslant – Tim Hoogland, for example, featured in defensive midfield – Fulham put on an impressive show against an admittedly-weak DC side.

We dominated proceedings in a way that seemed calculated and premeditated. Nothing special, you may say, but it was a little clinical for an off-season friendly, the way we ate away at our American opponents with some masterful, pacey counter attacks.

And, as though aware his name would quite literally be up in (very large) lights, one Moussa Dembele took his chance to show his worth, firing home a hat trick and wooing his continental hosts.

For months now, we have expected big things from the powerful 18-year-old; a little too much if you ask me. But when you're shown real, genuine talent, like Dembele, then you begin to, subconsciously at least, await his sudden rise to stardom.

It didn't happen last year, and you suspect that this disappointed a few. The Frenchman was offered a smattering of competitive minutes and, in a season of turmoil, it's no surprise he had little effect.

Yet, based on this performance here, we do indeed have a very gifted player on our hands, one that could easily make a difference over this coming season.

It proved to be a signal, and not a particularly subtle one, that Dembele deserves to be in around the first team; one that already possesses six capable strikers.

What mustn't happen, though, is for us to let this performance excessively alter our expectations of a boy that is still three years short of his 21st birthday.

Obviously, we have a talented individual on our hands, and we would do well to retain his services over the coming years. But the more weight we put on his shoulders, the more likely it is to hold him down.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/07/27/moussa-dembele-shines-as-fulham-down-dc-united-4812148/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham tell Besiktas to start bidding at £5 million for Bryan Ruiz

If Besiktas want Bryan Ruiz, they will have to start the bidding at £5 million, according to Fulham.

The Daily Star Sunday reports that the Costa Rican International won't leave the Cottagers if any club aren't willing to bid that amount.

The Championship outfit are able to hold out for the wanted fee as Greek Champions Olympiakos are keen on the 28 year old who made a big impact in Costa Rica's best ever World Cup.

Besiktas president Fikret Orman has confirmed talks have begun between the two sides over the transfer of the World Cup star.

Fulham manager Felix Magath is still unsure whether to keep hold of Ruiz, as the club want to reduce the wage bill after their relegation from the Premier League after 14 years.



http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-tell-besiktas-to-start-bidding-at-5-million-for-ruiz321/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham star on his way for £6 million?

Fulham's World Cup star Bryan Ruiz has attracted interest from many clubs after his superb efforts in Brazil; which saw the underdogs of the tournament reach the quarter finals in which they were unfortunately dumped out on penalties to 3rd place Holland.

Ruiz has a brilliant left foot and really can create opportunities as well as score and finish chances himself. The Costa Rican's quality and composure on the ball and creativity are amongst his best traits and that is why according to turkish-football.com reports that Turkish club Besiktas want Ruiz.

Fulham have slapped a £6,329,031.68p price tag on the player (8 million euro's) which would be a bargain if the Turkish club were to come back for him.

Could Ruiz be well on his way?


http://the72.co.uk/11679/fulham-star-on-his-way-for-6-million/?

[Two Ton Ted]

If Vital Football are going to slag off a player they should at least get his nationality correct.

[HatterDon]

If Vital Football are going to slag off a player they should at least get his nationality correct.

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[Greek]

nitroglou was unfit but is training in Austria... seems he will never achieve full fitness again