Sunday Fulham Stuff (31/08/14)...

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Fulham 1-1 Cardiff: Kenwyne Jones piles more pressure on Felix Magath by cancelling out Tim Hoogland's opener
Cardiff's Kenwyne Jones scored his fourth goal of the season
Fulham are still looking for their first league win of the campaign
Felix Magath has come under criticism for his side's poor form

Felix Magath claims he is the only man to lead Fulham back to the Premier League, despite seeing his winless start in the Championship extend to five games.

The German manager was met with cries of 'out, out, out' at the final whistle as Kenywne Jones levelled for Cardiff after Tim Hoogland had given Fulham the lead in the first half.


Close encounter: Fulham and Cardiff played out a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage

Equaliser: Kenwyne Jones celebrates with Cardiff team-mate Fabio da Silva after levelling the scoring

Under pressure: Felix Magath will be hoping his side improves after the international break

But Magath, whose side are second from bottom, remained defiant and still believes he is the right man for Fulham.

'It is a difficult situation and I understand the fans who are afraid,' Magath said. 'Last season we were relegated and this season we are towards the bottom. I am not glad about it, but we have made changes and it was necessary for the club.

'I have a lot of young players in the team and I know that is a problem and I live with this problem.

'But don't just look at the results, look at what I have done for the club. I have taken six players out of the academy.

'I am trying to bring the players from the academy to the Premier League, I am the right man to do it. No one else. I am not the Special One, I am the only one.'

Fulham put in their best performance of the season in the opening 45 minutes and took the lead midway through the first half.


Battling for possession: Fulham goalscorer Tim Hoogland tries to win the ball back from Mats Daehli

Big-money signing Ross McCormack combined with Scott Parker and crossed for Hoogland, whose glancing header flew past David Marshall. Fulham were in the ascendancy after the goal and had two good chances to extend their lead from free kicks through Dutch midfielder Chris David — but he over-hit both of them.

Magath added: 'It was a very good first half, it was the best performance of the season. I was disappointed not to score more goals. We played well and had chances. But it happens all the time, you can be playing well but if you not scoring then you concede a goal then they sat back and made it very difficult.'

Fulham were made to pay for their missed chances early in the second half when Jones fired Cardiff level.


All smiles: Managers Magath (left) and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (right) shake hands at the final whistle

Peter Wittingham launched a long ball to Jones, who played a neat one-two with Mats Daehli before beating the offside trap and firing past Marcus Bettinelli.

Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was pleased with his side's second-half performance and believed they deserved to leave London with a point.

'We had to move quicker and bring more enthusiasm in our play and move the ball faster,' said the Cardiff manager, whose side sit ninth in the table.

'Fulham played well in the first half and deserved to be in front, but I felt we earned our point in the second half.'



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2738516/Fulham-1-1-Cardiff-Kenwyne-Jones-piles-pressure-Felix-Magath-cancelling-Tim-Hoogland-s-opener.html#ixzz3BxKnt4I4
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Wait for win goes on for Fulham

Fulham's wait for a first Sky Bet Championship win continued on Saturday as Cardiff secured a point to keep the pressure on controversial manager Felix Magath.

Life has proved tough for the west Londoners as they attempt to adapt to the second tier after 13 years of Premier League football.

It had looked like a first win of the season could be on the cards when Tim Hoogland capped an impressive first-half display by nodding Fulham ahead, only for Kenwyne Jones to secure a rejuvenated Cardiff a 1-1 draw, putting Magath's position under further scrutiny.

On the eve of the game former chairman Mohamed Al Fayed had ratcheted up the pressure by labelling the German boss an "odd man", while also taking a swipe at "absent landlord" Shahid Khan.

The Fulham owner has so far stuck with Magath, despite four successive league defeats, and may well point at their first-half performance for the reason behind that backing, with Hoogland' header giving the hosts a deserved lead.

However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were much improved after the break and earned a deserved point as Jones fired home to the Craven Cottage faithful's audible frustration.

This was a match the Whites came into boosted by a timely 1-0 win in the Capital One Cup at neighbours Brentford, a display in which Marcus Bettinelli and Dan Burn impressed enough to earn their first league starts of the campaign.

Scott Parker was replaced at halfway through Tuesday's win at Griffin Park and overcame a knock to start on Saturday, firing inches wide from 20 yards just three minutes into the game.

Ross McCormack curled wide a first-time effort shortly afterwards, while a mis-hit Fabio drive was the best the visitors could muster, given Kostas Stafylidis had coolly denied Jones a goal-scoring opportunity.

Fulham were well on top, though, and were rewarded for their best performance of the season in the 22nd minute. Parker played the ball wide to McCormack on the left, with the forward's cross glanced across the goalkeeper by Hoogland.

McCormack hit a post direct from a corner five minutes later and Emerson Hyndman powered wide as the hosts upped the ante, with the impressive Chris David twice wasting free-kicks from decent positions.

Summer signing McCormack saw a shot deflected wide after a mazy run early in the second half before David Marshall denied Parker and then watched Cauley Woodrow scoop over.

The hosts were made to rue those missed chances in the 55th minute when Jones shrugged off his man to win a header and collected the return ball from Mats Daelhi to slot home.

The equaliser appeared to rattle Fulham and put the fans on edge, with their frustration going up a notch when McCormack had penalty claims for a tug by Sean Morrison waved away.

The B£11million striker and former England midfielder Parker were leading the charge, although play became stretched as they desperately searched for a winner.

Marshall had to scramble across his goal to turn away a deflected Hoogland effort that looked like it could be sneaking in, with the final whistle met by boos from pockets of Fulham fans.


http://www.espnfc.co.uk/english-league-championship/story/2012386/wait-for-win-goes-on-for-fulham?

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Next up Blackburn

Next up at the Cottage for Fulham is the arrival of Blackburn Rovers on Saturday 20th September (3pm).

Tickets for the match are on General Sale, with prices starting from £25 for adults and £10 for juniors.

Rovers were last at the Cottage in 2011 when the two sides drew 1-1. Fulham have lost just once in the past seven encounters against the Lancashire outfit.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/august/30/next-up-blackburn?

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Fulham 1 Cardiff City 1: Magath's men finally off the mark but winless Cottagers remain in bottom three


Craven improvement: Fulham impressed but still chase illusive first win

Fulham's wait for a first Sky Bet Championship win continued on Saturday as Cardiff secured a point to keep the pressure on controversial manager Felix Magath.

Life has proved tough for the west Londoners as they attempt to adapt to the second tier after 13 years of Premier League football.

It had looked like a first win of the season could be on the cards when Tim Hoogland capped an impressive first-half display by nodding Fulham ahead, only for Kenwyne Jones to secure a rejuvenated Cardiff a 1-1 draw, putting Magath's position under further scrutiny.

On the eve of the game former chairman Mohamed Al Fayed had ratcheted up the pressure by labelling the German boss an "odd man", while also taking a swipe at "absent landlord" Shahid Khan.

The Fulham owner has so far stuck with Magath, despite four successive league defeats, and may well point at their first-half performance for the reason behind that backing, with Hoogland' header giving the hosts a deserved lead.

However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were much improved after the break and earned a deserved point as Jones fired home to the Craven Cottage faithful's audible frustration.

This was a match the Whites came into boosted by a timely 1-0 win in the Capital One Cup at neighbours Brentford, a display in which Marcus Bettinelli and Dan Burn impressed enough to earn their first league starts of the campaign.

Scott Parker was replaced at halfway through Tuesday's win at Griffin Park and overcame a knock to start on Saturday, firing inches wide from 20 yards just three minutes into the game.

Ross McCormack curled wide a first-time effort shortly afterwards, while a mis-hit Fabio drive was the best the visitors could muster, given Kostas Stafylidis had coolly denied Jones a goal-scoring opportunity.

Fulham were well on top, though, and were rewarded for their best performance of the season in the 22nd minute. Parker played the ball wide to McCormack on the left, with the forward's cross glanced across the goalkeeper by Hoogland.

McCormack hit a post direct from a corner five minutes later and Emerson Hyndman powered wide as the hosts upped the ante, with the impressive Chris David twice wasting free-kicks from decent positions.

Summer signing McCormack saw a shot deflected wide after a mazy run early in the second half before David Marshall denied Parker and then watched Cauley Woodrow scoop over.

The hosts were made to rue those missed chances in the 55th minute when Jones shrugged off his man to win a header and collected the return ball from Mats Daelhi to slot home.

The equaliser appeared to rattle Fulham and put the fans on edge, with their frustration going up a notch when McCormack had penalty claims for a tug by Sean Morrison waved away.

The £11million striker and former England midfielder Parker were leading the charge, although play became stretched as they desperately searched for a winner.

Marshall had to scramble across his goal to turn away a deflected Hoogland effort that looked like it could be sneaking in, with the final whistle met by boos from pockets of Fulham fans.



http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-1-cardiff-city-1-magaths-men-finally-off-the-mark-but-winless-cottagers-remain-in-bottom-three-9701407.html

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Magath booed again as Fulham frustrated by Cardiff

Ross McCormack in action for Fulham against Cardiff (Photo by Harry Engels/Getty Images)

Fulham's wait for a first Sky Bet Championship win continued on Saturday as Cardiff secured a point to keep the pressure on controversial manager Felix Magath.

Life has proved tough for the west Londoners as they attempt to adapt to the second tier after 13 years of Premier League football.

It had looked like a first win of the season could be on the cards when Tim Hoogland capped an impressive first-half display by nodding Fulham ahead, only for Kenwyne Jones to secure a rejuvenated Cardiff a 1-1 draw, putting Magath's position under further scrutiny.

On the eve of the game former chairman Mohamed Al Fayed had ratcheted up the pressure by labelling the German boss an "odd man", while also taking a swipe at "absent landlord" Shahid Khan.

The Fulham owner has so far stuck with Magath, despite four successive league defeats, and may well point at their first-half performance for the reason behind that backing, with Hoogland' header giving the hosts a deserved lead.

However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were much improved after the break and earned a deserved point as Jones fired home to the Craven Cottage faithful's audible frustration.

This was a match the Whites came into boosted by a timely 1-0 win in the Capital One Cup at neighbours Brentford, a display in which Marcus Bettinelli and Dan Burn impressed enough to earn their first league starts of the campaign.

Scott Parker was replaced at halfway through Tuesday's win at Griffin Park and overcame a knock to start on Saturday, firing inches wide from 20 yards just three minutes into the game.

Ross McCormack curled wide a first-time effort shortly afterwards, while a mis-hit Fabio drive was the best the visitors could muster, given Kostas Stafylidis had coolly denied Jones a goal-scoring opportunity.

Fulham were well on top, though, and were rewarded for their best performance of the season in the 22nd minute. Parker played the ball wide to McCormack on the left, with the forward's cross glanced across the goalkeeper by Hoogland.

McCormack hit a post direct from a corner five minutes later and Emerson Hyndman powered wide as the hosts upped the ante, with the impressive Chris David twice wasting free-kicks from decent positions.

Summer signing McCormack saw a shot deflected wide after a mazy run early in the second half before David Marshall denied Parker and then watched Cauley Woodrow scoop over.

The hosts were made to rue those missed chances in the 55th minute when Jones shrugged off his man to win a header and collected the return ball from Mats Daelhi to slot home.

The equaliser appeared to rattle Fulham and put the fans on edge, with their frustration going up a notch when McCormack had penalty claims for a tug by Sean Morrison waved away.

The £11million striker and former England midfielder Parker were leading the charge, although play became stretched as they desperately searched for a winner.

Marshall had to scramble across his goal to turn away a deflected Hoogland effort that looked like it could be sneaking in, with the final whistle met by boos from pockets of Fulham fans.


http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/magath_booed_again_as_fulham_frustrated_by_cardiff_1_3750879

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REPORT: FULHAM 1-1 CITY

Bluebirds end August with a point in West London

Snapshot

Cardiff City shared the spoils at Craven Cottage on Saturday, drawing 1-1 against Fulham.

The hosts dominated the first 45 minutes and were deservedly ahead at the break when Tim Hoogland glanced home Ross McCormack's dangerous cross.

City levelled after 55 minutes as Kenwyne Jones slotted in his fourth of the season following some good work fromMats Møller Dæhli. Neither side were able to find a winner in an end-to-end final half hour though, as Cardiff returned to South Wales with a hard earned point.

Chronological Report

Ole Gunnar Solskjær made ten changes from the side that safely secured City's passage into the third round of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday with midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi maintaining his position and starting his first Sky Bet Championship match for Cardiff City. Federico Macheda took up a spot on the bench for this match following his debut double in midweek. The hosts picked up their first win of the season at Brentford in the League Cup on Tuesday.

Home captain Scott Parker had the first real shot at goal in this match after three minutes. The swashbuckling midfielder drove forward with the ball before trying his luck with a right footed strike from twenty-yards that drifted just wide of David Marshall's right hand post. Former Bluebirds striker Ross McCormack was next to attempt to test his fellow Scotland International Marshall but the forward failed to hit the target with a curling effort from just inside the penalty area.

A lively start to the match saw both teams threaten in the opening 15 minutes. Fulham fullback Konstantinos Stafylidis showed a calm head when threatened by Anthony Pilkington's through ball, clearing under pressure from imposing City forward Kenwyne Jones.

Felix Magath's side continued to look dangerous and they took the lead in this match after 22 minutes. The City defence initially charged Ross McCormack's corner down with Scott Parker immediately finding the former City forward again. McCormack's second cross found defender Tim Hoogland who glanced his header past Marshall to give the home team a one goal advantage.

GOAL: FULHAM 1-0 CARDIFF CITY (Hoogland, 22 minutes)

The Cottagers continued to threat, and almost scored an incredible second goal after 27 minutes. Ross McCormack's set pieces were continuing to cause problems, with the forward almost hitting the back of the net with a corner kick, Cardiff keeper Marshall pushing the ball to safety much to the relief of the watching 3,000 Bluebirds fans.

Cardiff top-scorer Kenwyne Jones had his first sight of goal after 45 minutes, but the Trinidad and Tobago forward dragged his shot just wide of goal as Ole's team went in a goal behind at the break against a rejuvenated Fulham side.

HALF TIME: FULHAM 1-0 CARDIFF CITY

Ole's side could easily have been two goals behind after 52 minutes as Fulham captain Parker ran through on goal. The midfielder's left footed strike was well saved by Marshall, with young forward Cauley Woodrow striking the rebound well over the crossbar. This good opportunity was punished three minutes later as Cardiff equalised, a little against the run of play.

Trinidad & Tobago striker Kenwyne Jones scored three goals in the first two games of the season and added a fourth goal of the campaign after 59 minutes. Creative midfielder MatsDæhli found the target-man in space in the opposition penalty box with a delicate pass, with Jones slotting the ball under Bettenelli to level the match before the hour mark.

GOAL: FULHAM 1-1 CARDIFF CITY (Kenwyne Jones, 55 mins)

Substitution, Cardiff City: Kagisho Dikgacoi replaced by Joe Ralls (59 minutes)

Substitutions, Fulham: Cauley Woodrow replaced by Adil Chihi (59 minutes)

City shot stopper Marshall continued to be a thorn in the side of lively Cottagers forward McCormack. The former Cardiff forward alongside Parker controlled the flow of possession for his team but despite his best efforts couldn't find a way past Marshall. Ole GunnarSolskjær introduced forward Federico Macheda for the final twenty minutes at Craven Cottage hoping the former Manchester United man could recreate the impressive goal-scoring touch he has shown in midweek against Port Vale.

Substitution, Cardiff City: Adam Le Fondre replaced by Federico Macheda (70 minutes)

Substitutions, Fulham: Chris David replaced byMoussa Dembélé(75 minutes)

The Fulham players were incensed with ten minutes to play as referee James Adcock pulled the game back as they looked to break with Peter Whittingham taking the impact of the ball to the face from McCormack.

Substitution, Cardiff City:Mats Møller Dæhlireplaced by Magnus Wolff Wikrem (82 minutes)
Substitutions, Fulham: Scott Parker replaced by Thomas Eisfeld (82 minutes)

Marshall frustrated the home attack throughout the day and even got involved in the defensive aspect, dispossessingMoussa Dembélé near the corner flag as the forward tried to break clear.

Joe Ralls impressed once more when captaining the young Welsh Capital side to victory at Port Vale on Tuesday, scoring a superb goal in the process. The young midfielder's thirty-yard shot was well held by Marcus Bettinelli with three minutes left to play at Craven Cottage.

Jordon Mutch's last minute wonder goal sealed victory for Cardiff in this fixture last season but it was almost the hosts who won all three points when Hoogland's shot from distance deflected off Anthony Pilkington with the lopping effort falling just wide of goal. Sean Morrison had the last chance to seal a victory, but he couldn't get a clean connection on Whittingham's corner as this competitive match ended level.

FULL TIME: FULHAM 1-1 CARDIFF CITY

Fulham:Bettinelli, Hoogland, Stafylidis, Bodurov, Parker (Eisfeld, 82), Voser, Woodrow, (Chihi, 59) Hyndman, David (Dembélé, 75), Burn, McCormack. Subs not used:Király, Hutchinson, Roberts, Williams.

Cardiff City:Marshall, Brayford, Fábio, Connolly, Morrison, Whittingham, Dikgacoi (Ralls, 59), Pilkington, Dæhli (Eikrem, 82), Le Fondre (Macheda, 70), Jones. Subs not used: Moore, Cala, Adeyemi, Guerra.

Referee:James Adcock

Attendance:17,508



Read more at http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/article/report-fulham-awaychamp-1885706.aspx#CJgZsbQ40sEueLh0.99

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Fulham claim much-needed point after dominating against Cardiff City


Fulham's Tim Hoogland, right, scored the opening goal against Cardiff in the Championship at Craven Cottage. Photograph: Steven Paston/Action Images

Fulham's search for a first league win of the season goes on but here was evidence that, contrary to what Mohamed Al Fayed thinks, Felix Magath does know what he is doing. The hosts were impressive against a side also reeling from Premier League relegation and, having taken the lead, looked set for three points. A draw means Fulham are at least off the mark and off the bottom of the Championship.

The manager, compared to Felix the Cat by Fayed, Fulham's former owner, last week in an exchange of words that was as bizarre as it was heated, deserves credit. Under pressure after they had lost their opening four fixtures, he clearly had them focused on the job in hand. Buoyed, no doubt, by their midweek victory over Brentford in the Capital One Cup, Fulham struck through Tim Hoogland's 22nd-minute header and continued to press forward even after Kenwyne Jones secured an equaliser out of nowhere in the second half.

This was by no means a perfect display by the hosts who, as Magath conceded, ultimately paid for their failure to take a host of first-half chances. But there was much to admire in the fluidity and purpose of their attacking during the early stages and desire to regain and retain possession throughout, with no one in white impressing more than Scott Parker. Deployed as the most advanced central midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation, the Fulham captain combined his usual tireless work with clever link-up play until his substitution on 82 minutes. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Cardiff manager, described the 33-year-old as a "fantastic footballer" and on this evidence he will prove fundamental to Fulham's hopes of climbing from 23rd, having swapped places with Blackpool following their defeat at Millwall.

For Magath the hope is that Fulham will build on this display after the international break and that the club's supporters, a smattering of whom booed at the final whistle, remain patient. "I can understand the fans are afraid – last year we were relegated and at the beginning of this season we are at bottom, but it was necessary for the club to start again," he said. "There are now many young players in the team and I ask people to not only look at the results but at what I am trying to do as a whole."
 
Cardiff are also going through much change and it says much about the tumultuous nature of relegation that only three players who started when these sides met here in the Premier League 11 months ago also did so on Saturday. One of them was Parker and, having had the game's first effort on goal with a long-range drive, he played a part in the breakthrough, directing a first-time pass out to Ross McCormack whose cross was then glanced in by Hoogland for the German's second goal for Fulham since joining from Schalke in the summer.

Fulham continued to pour forward, combining crisp passing with clever movement, and McCormack, the former Cardiff player and a striker under scrutiny having scored once since his £11m arrival from Leeds, was also impressing from a wide-left role. He tested David Marshall shortly after the break. At that stage, it looked a matter of time before Fulham scored again. But then Jones struck on 55 minutes after combining neatly with Mats Daehli.

The contest evened out somewhat after that but the home team kept going and could have won it in stoppage time had Thomas Eisfeld shown more conviction with a close-range header.

"The response in the second half was pleasing," said Solsjkaer. "We've now played five games and only had one defeat, which isn't bad."

Fulham would have loved a start like that. There is at least hope now for better to come.


http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/30/fulham-cardiff-city-championship-football?

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Felix Magath responds to angry Fulham fans after Cardiff draw

Felix Magath insists he remains the right man for the Fulham job, despite Saturday's draw with Cardiff extending their wait for a first Sky Bet Championship win.

The divisive German can certainly blame others for the west Londoners' relegation from the Premier League, but there is little protection when it comes to their miserable start to life in the second tier.

The midweek Capital One Cup win at Brentford offered a glimpse of light after four successive league defeats, although they were unable to follow that up as they were held to a 1-1 with Cardiff.

Fulham deservedly took a first-half lead through Tim Hoogland, only for Kenwyne Jones to level with the Craven Cottage faithful audibly frustrated.

Magath was jeered before and after the match by sections of the crowd, yet he remains confident of turning things around at Fulham.

"It is a difficult situation, I can understand the fans who are afraid about the situation," he said.

"Last year we came down and now at the beginning we are down again near the bottom, so I can understand the fear of fans.

"Yeah, I am not happy about this but we have a new situation, we had to make a cut. It was necessary for this club to start again from the beginning and that is what I've done.

"I know I have a lot of young players and I know that is a problem. I have known that before and I live with this problem.

"But, please, I ask you to look at the situation, look not only at the results, look at what I have done for the club. It is not for me, it is hear for Fulham that I have taken six players out of the academy.

"Who from the former Fulham academy players plays for England? Or who was the last to have played for England? Please ask 1/8the fans 3/8.

"Then please ask them which player from Fulham is playing in the Premier League? Please ask them.

"If you answer, then you can ask me 'what do you do?' I try to bring the players from the academy into the Premier League and that is a long way.

"I am ready to do it and I am the right man for this. No-one else, I am the only one. Not the special one, I'm the only one."

Magath believes his side showed a lot of promise in the first half at Craven Cottage, while Cardiff counterpart Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will leave proud of his team's display after the break.

"I am very pleased with the boys in the second half," the Norwegian said. "They were a completely different side to what was there in the first half.

"I think we were on the front foot, winning first and second ball, moving our feet quicker, moving the ball quicker.

"The only little thing there is getting more efforts on goal, but in the second half I was very pleased with it.

"It wasn't any tactical things we had to do 1/8at half-time 3/8, we just needed to get more enthusiasm in our player, move it forward."


http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/felix_magath_responds_to_angry_fulham_fans_after_cardiff_draw_1_3750924

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Manager Reaction

Felix Magath praised his side's fine first-half display but believed the lack of a second goal cost Fulham all three points in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Cardiff City.

The Whites dominated the opening 45 minutes but only had a Tim Hoogland header to show for their troubles.

Cardiff then levelled just after the break against the run of play through Kenwyne Jones and held on for a draw as Fulham registered their first point of the season.

"It was a very good first half today," said Magath. "It was our best performance this season and I was disappointed for the team that they didn't make more goals than one. We played very well and had chances to make more goals. It happens all the time, you play well but don't score and then you often concede a goal and that's what happened to us.

"It was very early in the second half they scored and after that Cardiff stepped back and defended very well. We weren't as good in the second as the first but it was because we conceded an early goal. It was a little bit unlucky.

"But the Championship season is very long and maybe at the end the point will be important but it's a pity after playing so well in the first half."

After four straight league losses, Fulham turned in a much-improved display against the Bluebirds and Magath continued: "We showed everybody that we are developing and our forward play is improving. I thought we controlled the game against a very good team who are one of the favourites for the Championship.

"We had a tough beginning. Ipswich Town away was not an easy game. Then a derby against Millwall was a game we had to win. We then had a promoted team like Wolverhampton Wanderers which was another difficult game. They were as good as Derby County who are one of the better teams. I am not happy we have only one point but I'm sure we're on the right way. I have no doubt we can get promotion at the end of the season."

With the transfer window closing on Monday, Magath confirmed he was hoping to bring one or two new faces into his new-look squad.

"Such a big change is never easy," he said. "It is not my first job building a new team. This is a difficult situation and I can understand some fans are afraid. Last season we were relegated and now at the beginning we are down at the bottom. I can understand their fear and I'm not glad about this but it was necessary for this Club to start again from the beginning and that is what I've done.

"I have a lot of young players in my team but I ask you to look at the situation, look at the results and what I've done for the Club. I've taken six players out of the Academy. I'm the right man for this, no-one else. Not the special one, the only one."

He added: "We have some players who will leave and then I need new players. I'm sure we will sign two or three new players at the beginning of next week and then I can tell you my best team. I think [Kostas] Mitroglou will go but I don't know, I'm not the man who contacts the clubs. I know only a little bit more than you."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/august/30/manager-reaction

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Fulham 1 - 1 Cardiff

Cardiff striker Kenwyne Jones' second-half equaliser at Craven Cottage denied Fulham their first Championship win of the season.

German full-back Tim Hoogland headed in Ross McCormack's corner as the hosts dominated the first half.

But Cardiff hit back when Jones collected Mats Moller Daehli's pass in the area and slotted through Marcus Bettinelli's legs.
Fulham's first point moves them off the bottom, while Cardiff are ninth.

The Bluebirds, who did the double over the Cottagers in the Premier League last season, started brightly, dominating possession early on but creating little in front of goal.

But Fulham looked more likely to break the deadlock and slowly took control.

Former Cardiff striker McCormack looked lively and his quickly taken free-kick on halfway, two minutes in, found Scott Parker in space, but the Fulham skipper could only drive his low shot wide.

Minutes later Fulham midfielder Chris David threaded a pass through to £11m summer signing McCormack, who curled the ball narrowly past the post from the edge of the 18-yard box.

And they secured the lead their play deserved when Parker played the ball wide to McCormack on the left, and the forward's cross was glanced across goalkeeper David Marshall by Hoogland.

Fulham grew in confidence and continued to pile on the pressure, nearly doubling their lead when McCormack's corner hit Cardiff's near post.

Shortly after the break the hosts should have been 2-0 ahead.

Parker's long-range shot was parried by Marshall and the midfielder's pass found Cauley Woodrow inside the area, but the striker could only fire over the bar from the penalty spot.

Felix Magath's side were to rue that miss only moments later as Jones accepted Daehli's pass to fire his fourth goal in four Championship games.

Fulham manager Felix Magath:
"I can understand the fans who are afraid about the situation.
"Last year we came down and now at the beginning we are down again near the bottom, so I can understand the fear of fans.
"I am not happy about this but we have a new situation. It was necessary for this club to start again from the beginning and that is what I've done.
"I know I have a lot of young players and I know that is a problem. I have known that before and I live with this problem.
"I am ready to do it and I am the right man for this. No-one else, I am the only one. Not the special one, I'm the only one."
Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told BBC Radio Wales:
"I think it was a fair result. First half was not the best. It was probably the worst performance we've had this season.
"Second half we upped the tempo both on and off the ball and I was very pleased with the reaction."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28906070

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Fulham 1 Cardiff City 1: Cottagers denied first win of the season by promotion chasing visitors
Read a match report from the SkyBet Championship fixture between Fulham and Cardiff City at Craven Cottage on Saturday Aug 30 2014, kick off 15.00 BST

Fulham were denied what would have been a deserved first victory of the season, but their under-pressure manager Felix Magath was delighted with a performance that he rated their best of the current campaign so far. And afterwards he insisted he was "the only one" who could take the club forward. Tim Hoogland, a German defender who had played for Magath at Schalke '04, had headed Fulham into a deserved first-half lead but striker Kenwyne Jones levelled for the Welshmen after 55 minutes.

The draw gave the Londoners the psychological boost of rising off the foot of the Championship table and although some fans are still against the German, to judge from shouts of "Magath out" after the final whistle, more stood to applaud the team off.
"It's a pity when you play so well in the first half and in the end only have one point," Magath said. "But we showed everybody that we are developing and we controlled the game against Cardiff who are a very good team and one of the favourites for promotion.

"I can understand that the fans are afraid. But I have a lot of young players in the team and I knew this would be a problem. I'm trying to bring Fulham players from the academy into the Premier League. I'm the right man for this, no one else, I'm the only one. Not the Special One, the only one. " Fulham should have had more reward from a dominant first-half performance, in which Ross McCormack on the left and Chris David on the right made life difficult for the visitors. McCormack curled a shot around David Marshall but just wide of the post before his cross was flicked home at the near post by Hoogland in the 22nd minute.

But Emerson Hyndman passed up two chances to shoot from good positions then chanced his arm from a more unrealistic distance, and Marshall saved well from Scott Parker, while Cauley Woodrow scooped a shot over the crossbar.

"It was a very good first half," Magath said. "We had chances but it always happens that when you play well but don't score a goal that you can concede a goal." Inevitably, Cardiff made Fulham pay in a much-improved second half. After 55 minutes Mats Daehli slipped a pass through to Jones, who rammed his fourth goal of the season through the legs of Marcus Bettinelli. "Kenwyne has been terrific," Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Cardiff manager, said. "We didn't play the ball into him enough. I was pleased with the second half.

Fulham have good players who can move the ball about the pitch although we were disappointed with the goal we conceded."


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/11065968/Fulham-1-Cardiff-City-1.html

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Felix Magath: I'm not the Special One but I'm the Only One to lead Fulham back to the Premier League

Whites boss comes out fighting after being booed by Craven Cottage crowd


Under pressure: Fulham manager Felix Magath shares the touchline with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Felix Magath is adamant he is the ONLY man who can lead Fulham back into the Premier League despite a poor start to the club's Championship campaign.

The German was booed by sections of the crowd before and after Saturday's 1-1 stalemate with Cardiff as the Whites went five games without a win in the second tier.

Fulham were expected to be contenders for immediate promotion back to the top flight this season but results need to improve quickly if they are to challenge at the top of the table.

Magath understands the concerns of the Craven Cottage faithful but has moved to reassure them of his intention to correct the slump.

"It is a difficult situation, I can understand the fans who are afraid about the situation," he said.


Trudging off: Magath has been feeling the heat at Fulham

"Last year we came down and now at the beginning we are down again near the bottom, so I can understand the fear of fans.

"Yeah, I am not happy about this but we have a new situation, we had to make a cut. It was necessary for this club to start again from the beginning and that is what I've done.

"I know I have a lot of young players and I know that is a problem. I have known that before and I live with this problem.

"But, please, I ask you to look at the situation, look not only at the results, look at what I have done for the club. It is not for me, it is here, for Fulham that I have taken six players out of the academy.

"Who from the former Fulham academy players plays for England? Or who was the last to have played for England? Please ask [the fans].

"Then please ask them which player from Fulham is playing in the Premier League? Please ask them.

"If you answer, then you can ask me 'what do you do?' I try to bring the players from the academy into the Premier League and that is a long way.

"I am ready to do it and I am the right man for this. No-one else, I am the only one. Not the special one, I'm the only one."

Kenwyne Jones' second-half strike denied Fulham their first three points of the season today after Tim Hoogland had opened the scoring in an excellent first-half Whites display.

"We had chances to make more goals but it happens all the time that if you are playing very well but not scoring it's often that you concede a goal," he added.

"After that Cardiff stepped back and defended very well. It is a pity when you play so well in the first half and you get only one point.

"But we showed everybody that we are developing. We took control of the game against a very good team and one of the favourites for the Championship."

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/felix-magath-im-not-special-7695384?

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Fulham striker Mitroglou set to re-join Olympiakos


Greece's Kostas Mitroglou stretches during a training session in Athens May 19, 2014. Greece's coach Fernando Santos named his World Cup squad of 23 players on Monday.
CREDIT: REUTERS/YORGOS KARAHALIS

(Reuters) - Greek champions Olympiakos Piraeus are set to re-sign Kostas Mitroglou on loan from English second tier club Fulham after the striker arrived in Athens for talks on Sunday.

An Olympiakos spokesman told Reuters the Piraeus club were scheduled to hold talks with their former player and that an agreement could be completed within 24 hours.

Mitroglou signed for Fulham on the last day of the January transfer window for a reported fee of £12.4 million pounds ($20.6 million) after scoring three hat-tricks at the start of the Greek campaign and firing his country to the World Cup.

But injuries hampered his spell in London and he was rarely used by Fulham coach Felix Magath, starting only one match as the side slumped to relegation from the Premier League in May.

According to reports, Fulham want a £2.5 million loan fee for the 26-year-old.

(1 US dollar = 0.6026 British pound)

(Reporting by Graham Wood. Editing by Patrick Johnston)


http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/31/uk-soccer-greece-olympiakos-mitroglou-idUSKBN0GV07E20140831?rpc=401&feedType=RSS&feedName=sportsNews&rpc=401