Friday Fulham Stuff (30/01/15)...

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Blackburn Rovers sweating on fitness of top-scorer Rudy Gestede - but captain Grant Hanley has recovered

BLACKBURN Rovers are sweating on the fitness of in-demand top-scorer Rudy Gestede for Saturday's Championship match at home to Fulham.

The 13-goal striker, who has been the subject of a failed £3.5m from Crystal Palace, hobbled off in the 2-0 defeat at Derby County on Tuesday night.

Rovers boss Gary Bowyer said afterwards that he hoped Gestede had suffered nothing worse than a dead leg.

But there is a fear that the Benin international, who lasted only 21 minutes after replacing Tom Cairney, has suffered a thigh strain.

And if it is a serious one it would rule him out of the clash with the Cottagers and potentially end any chance of Palace returning with a bigger offer.

Midfielder Cairney is also rated as doubtful after injuring his groin at the iPro Stadium.

But captain Grant Hanley, who was the third Rovers player to be forced off against Derby, will be fit to face Fulham.

The centre-back was brought back into the side on Tuesday at the expense of Shane Duffy who dropped to the bench in spite of his man-of-the-match performance in the FA Cup win over Swansea City.

Bowyer revealed it was always his intention to restore his skipper to the starting line-up to combat the threat of Rams top-scorer Chris Martin.

Hanley helped keep his Scotland international team-mate quiet but slack defending from a throw-in and a counter-attack led to substitute Darren Bent scoring twice after coming on.

Bowyer said: "It was always the plan to bring Grant back in because we knew Martin doesn't like playing against Grant.

"We knew that Grant would be a match for him and more and he proved that.

"A lot of their play goes through Martin and it was all nice for us and all comfortable for us, so for us to get done from a long throw and then from our own set-play is not acceptable."

Bowyer admitted after the match that he had never been more 'angry and frustrated'.

And when asked if he is concerned by his side's poor form he said: "Of course I am, I'm not stupid.

"We have to make sure we work even harder on the training pitch, if that's possible, and get a response from them.

"We're going through a run which is not normal for us, it's a new experience for us.

"But we've got to take strength from last season. We lost three on the trot and then went on an unbelievable run to the end of the season."

Bowyer insisted that there was still time to turn Rovers' faltering campaign around.

But he warned any players not showing the 'bravery' and 'character' required would be jettisoned.

Bowyer said: "There's still time. If you win three on the trot in this league you're back in it and that's the message we've said.

"We've got to show some real bravery and some real character.

"The ones who want to be part of it you'll see them be part of it and the ones that don't you'll see them duck out and they won't be with us."

Rovers' league trip to Cardiff City, meanwhile, has been rearranged for Tuesday, February 17 (7.45pm) after their FA Cup fifth-round tie at home to Stoke City was confirmed for Saturday, February 14 (3pm).

Stoke striker Jonathan Walters is expecting a tough encounter.

Walters, who started his career at Ewood Park but was later suspended for what Rovers described as a 'breach of club discipline', said: "It will be a tricky tie. They are a Premier League team. It's a Premier League set-up, they have a Premier League training ground, academy and stadium and they have very passionate fans so it will be a good game."


http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/11756025._/?ref=mac

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Bristol City striker Matt Smith out to make amends for FA Cup exit

Bristol City's Matt Smith intends taking out his FA Cup frustration on Gillingham in tonight's Johnstone's Paint Trophy southern area final second leg tie at Ashton Gate.

Sunday's 1-0 fourth round exit at the hands of Premier League West Ham United still rankles with Smith and his team-mates, who their performance warranted at least a replay.

But City are still campaigning on two fronts and victory over two legs against Gillingham will see the Robins book a place in the Wembley final against Walsall on March 22.

"To be honest, a few of the lads are a little bit frustrated by what happened in the game on Sunday," revealed loan signing Smith, who saw two headers cleared off the goal-line.



Read more: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristol-City-striker-Matt-Smith-make-amends-FA/story-25936347-detail/story.html?#ixzz3QEavNkl9
Follow us: @BristolPost on Twitter | bristolpost on Facebook

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Sunderland supporters' coach to Fulham cup replay

SUNDERLAND AFC Supporters Association are running a coach to Fulham for Tuesday's FA Cup fourth round replay, leaving at noon with various pick-up points.

The fare is £35. Bookings to Ray on 0191 5670067 or e-mail [email protected]


http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/sunderland-afc/sunderland-supporters-coach-to-fulham-cup-replay-1-7077187

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Replay Tickets

Tickets for Fulham's FA Cup Fourth Round Replay tie with Sunderland on Tuesday 3rd February, 7.45pm are now available to purchase on General Sale.

Season Ticket Holder's seats have now been released to General Sale and tickets are available to purchase in all areas of the ground for just £15 adults, £5 concessions and £5 juniors.

As Craven Cottage welcomes Barclays Premier League opposition, back Kit Symons' boys in the FA Cup next Tuesday evening!


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/january/29/sunderland-on-general-sale?

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Arthurworrey's Extension

The Club can confirm that centre-back Stephen Arthurworrey has had his loan spell at Sky Bet League One outfit Yeovil Town extended until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old has made 16 appearances to date for the Glovers, including their valiant defeat by Manchester United in the FA Cup.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/january/29/arthurworreys-extension?

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Sunderland need more attacking formations, Gus

Tony Gillan's VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

IT WAS as if, having secured the services of a renowned centre-forward, Sunderland were forced to use ever more imaginative ways to fail to score.

Scoring is their most obvious problem this season. Playing in an even more negative manner was not an extensively endorsed solution, but they gave it a whirl.

In theory, the formation against Fulham was more attacking.

The idea is that there are only three defenders, with the full-backs becoming attackers so that Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher will have more ammunition than you could shake a stick at.

Alas, even the most dedicated stick shaker will be disappointed.

The reality is that the full-backs, wing-backs or whatever they're called, did not surprise anyone by instantly mutating into marauding wingers. They did not attack any more than they would have done under the usual system. When they did attack, they did so in isolation.

So much for theory. In theory this column could be nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, but don't bother betting on it (We promise. Editor).

Patrick van Aanholt and Billy Jones are full-backs; by trade and by nature. So Sunderland were really playing five defenders, plus a defensive midfielder in Liam Bridcutt. Jack Rodwell was also playing (too) deep.

Before the game had even begun, we knew that the best we could hope for was another limp over the line, like the one against Leeds in the previous round.

Systems and formations are a subject of endless debate for football people like you and me.

But the system or formation is nowhere near as important as the quality of the players. So playing five defenders like that meant, in effect, that Emanuele Giaccherini was left on the bench in favour of Sebastián Coates.

It could be argued that the system had almost worked at White Hart Lane the previous week. But while caution is advised when playing away from home to the Premier League's sixth placed team, what could be said in favour of employing it in a home game against a side in the bottom half of the Championship?

Fulham also rested three of their better players (including Ross McCormack who had scored a hat-trick three days earlier), while their captain was injured.

We struggle to see any justification for that system and selection. What was worse than failing to score against lowly Fulham, was that we knew as soon as we saw the team sheet that it would be a struggle. We also correctly assumed that it would be boring.

The same system was used in successive games last season against Liverpool, West Ham and Tottenham. Sunderland lost the lot. They then reverted to a system that was eminently more sensible and embarked upon what unimaginative people called The Great Escape.

So why has this nonsense returned? It just doesn't work!

Hardly less fathomable have been Sunderland's substitutions.

I do not wish to be unkind, but introducing Will Buckley instead of either Giaccherini, Ricky Álvarez or Jordi Gómez was something of a head scratcher.

Saturday was yet another occasion when a third substitution was never made and this happens far too often. What difference might the introduction of a third sub (take your pick) against Fulham, Tottenham, West Ham, Leicester or Everton have made, if only by replacing a tired player?

We will never know. What we do know is that none of those games were won – but could have been.

A few boos were heard at full-time on Saturday. Booing your own team never improves matters, but I can fully understand it. That said, Sunderland supporters have been remarkably patient, especially when we consider that their team has only won one home league game this season.

This makes certain post-match comments made by the manager rather regrettable. The supporters are aware of the difference between passing the ball forward and "kick and rush."

Gus Poyet said of the fans: "When we are all together it's easier and at the moment, it doesn't look like that."

The fans do their best (and your vocal support could tilt the game on this Saturday – please provide it). But it is difficult to infuse belief and confidence to the pitch from the stands when, because of team selection, despondency has set in before the match has even started; exacerbated when mediocre substitutes are preferred to gifted ones.

Listless footballers and red cards acquired in about the most boneheaded manner imaginable did little for supporter-player bonhomie. Not everything is the manager's fault.

Poyet still has the good will of the majority of the supporters. Whatever the current travails, the club is in a far better condition than it was the day he arrived. He has dug himself out of holes in the past and can do it again.

But he won't do it with THAT formation and the ongoing omission of players with a bit of quality.

By Tuesday evening, Sunderland's season could have been transformed. If there is such a thing as a must-win game at this stage of the season, then Saturday's match with Burnley is it.

Defeat or a draw will see the atmosphere deteriorate rapidly.

Defeat or a draw after using the same misguided tactics and selection will make it – even before 3pm – downright poisonous.

The opposition will love it.

WELL, if that didn't get you into a party mood I don't know what will.

For even more jollity, let us consider the FA Cup and the joy, both potential and realised, that it brings.

The single positive aspect to yet another turgid game four days ago is that Sunderland did not lose. They are still in the competition. As a footy fan, you will no doubt be a dreamer. You will embrace the whimsy of winning a cup.

And why not? Worse teams than Sunderland have won trophies in recent years. In fact they almost managed it themselves last season.

These thoughts do not apply to the Premier League trophy. I said dreamer, not complete fantasist.

The first step to winning a trophy is to take it seriously. This was not the case last season when Sunderland played silly buggers in the quarter-final at Hull.

We understand why Sunderland took that game so lightly. Had they reached the semi, an extremely stupid and unfair UEFA rule would have compelled them to play four games in a week, which could well have relegated them. But I still say they should have gone for it.

No such fixture congestion would be likely to occur this season, so there is no reason not to take the Fulham replay seriously.

Victory at Craven Cottage would see Sunderland at Bradford City of League One in the fifth round. If they actually make the last eight, then at least two of the other seven will be of lower league stock.

In a world where Bradford can score four in their fabulous (and very amusing) win at Chelsea, it would be a mug who presumes that all of this will simply happen in course. But if it all goes right for a change, then Sunderland could be back in the quarter-finals – and one game from Wembley.

This is a delightful thought and not an entirely nebulous one. I suggest you hang on to it until Fulham, Bradford or whoever takes it away from you.

There are those who feel that the cups are a distraction. They are, but a distraction we should be pleased with. Do you think that cup exits over the weekend for Southampton, Chelsea, Manchester City and Swansea have been morale boosters for any of those clubs? I assure you they have not.

Detractors of the FA Cup point out that the total prize money to the winners is £3.4m, which is roughly doubled after gate receipts and television payments. This is hardly significant compared with the £71.7m that Sunderland received last season for finishing 14th in the league.

But that is not the point. At least it shouldn't be.

Retain your inner child and cast out your inner accountant. If you don't allow yourself a little daydream about another day out at Wembley, then you have missed the point of the FA Cup.

In fact you have missed the point of football.

JERMAIN Defoe seems to have a natural gift for PR.

On Friday, he said of his new club: "Even before I signed I knew that it was a special club with special fans.

"You speak to other players that have played for this club and they have always said that it's a special place."

Whether he actually meant any of this is of little concern (although it is worth bearing in mind that he had other options, but chose to play here). It's what people wanted to hear. Bright lad.

Also to his credit is realising something that many a Londoner has failed to understand over the years. The capital is only a three-hour train ride from Sunderland.

By the time he's taken his seat on Grand Central, read the Echo and finished his Cup-a-Soup, he'll almost be back at his mam's place for tea and dunkies.

Sounds great; I think I'll go with him.

But he made another comment that Sunderland supporters may have found quite touching in its naivety.

He said: "I would like to represent my country again.

"It's the best thing in the world, playing for your country, pulling that shirt on. If I'm scoring goals, I'd like to think I'll get the opportunity to do that again."

Ah bless. He is evidently more familiar with the relationship between Tottenham Hotspur and England, which decrees that any Spurs player who is good enough and eligible to play for the country will automatically receive squad selection; whereas any Spurs player who is not good enough will automatically receive squad selection anyway.

Perhaps he has not been appraised of the somewhat contrasting situation at Sunderland.

Jermain, you can bash in 30 goals between now and the end of this season. It still won't get you in the England squad.

That's how it works, mate. Sorry to break it to you like that.

LAST week, we had an enjoyable debrief on the latest at the Sports Direct Arena.

We were enjoying the clichéd drivel about a new manager being someone who must "understand what the club and the fans are all about" – as if anyone didn't.

Former player and professional Geordie, Steve Watson, has since chimed in with: "If you are going to be successful at Newcastle, you have to embrace the city and the fans.

"You can't come in and say you are going to sell everybody and do your own thing.

"You just can't do that in Newcastle."

So yet another Tyneside romancer has regurgitated the guff about NUFC being different. The only thing that makes Newcastle different from other clubs is that they somehow think they're different.

As at any other club, the manager can do what he likes if he wins games.

The club has now appointed old oo-jah as coach until the end of the season as a reward for the exciting start he has made.

He makes history as the first person to take charge at a Premier League club before anyone had even heard of him; so you can't say the lad hasn't done well.


http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/sunderland-afc/sunderland-need-more-attacking-formations-gus-1-7074751

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Passley Joins Pompey

The Club can confirm that right-back Josh Passley has joined Portsmouth on a one-month youth loan deal.

Pompey currently sit 18th in Sky Bet League Two, and Passley could make his first appearance for the club in Saturday's trip to table toppers Wycombe Wanderers.

The 20-year-old has already spent time in England's fourth tier this season, as he played seven times on loan at Shrewsbury Town.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/january/29/passley-joins-pompey?

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PASSLEY ARRIVES ON LOAN

Blues swoop for Fulham defender

Pompey have signed defender Josh Passley on a one-month youth loan from Fulham.

The 20-year-old can play at right-back or in the centre and will wear the number 18 shirt during his time at Fratton Park.

Blues boss Andy Awford said: "He's an athletic and very lively player who will improve our squad.

"The coaching staff and I have been to watch Josh on a few occasions this season and we liked what we saw.

"He's already played at this level before and we're grateful to Fulham – and Kit Symons in particular – for letting us borrow him."

Passley has progressed through the ranks at Craven Cottage and appeared in two FA Cup fixtures for the Londoners.

He moved to Shrewsbury on loan in November, helping the League Two side keep five clean sheets in his seven appearances.



Read more at http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/article/portsmouth-sign-defender-josh-passley-on-loan-from-fulham-2231788.aspx#VaOW4dJcpW3WioV4.99

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Inside Ewood Park

Ahead of Fulham's trip to Ewood Park on Saturday, Blackburn Rovers supporter Dan Clough provides some insight into his team.


What's been your take on Blackburn's season so far?

We started reasonably and went on a run that saw us finally break into the Play-Offs. Sadly we are now on a downward spiral in the league and, 11 points from sixth place, we are heading towards a monumental damp squib. I guess it is better than a relegation battle but, having come so close last season, the fans were expecting much more.

Your last two games saw you beat Premier League opposition in the FA Cup before losing to Derby County on Tuesday – what sort of confidence will the team have going into Saturday?

I think any new confidence from the win over Swansea has been wiped by the defeat at Derby. Hopefully they will be in a more defiant mood as anything short of a win on Saturday will not be well received. Our manager claims to have read the players the riot act after our loss at the iPro so hopefully what he said will fire up our lads.

Where do you think Rovers will end up this season?

I had hoped for the top six but that is becoming increasingly unlikely. On current form we would be heading for a relegation battle, but I believe we have enough in us to steer away from any of those troubles and consolidate with a very disappointing mid-table finish.


Which players have particularly impressed you in 2014/15?

Obviously Rudy Gestede has been the star of the show, which means he has become a transfer target for many Premier League clubs. It takes something to overshadow Jordan Rhodes but the Benin international has done just that. Ben Marshall has been excellent as well, providing creative sparks and goals from midfield.

Which Fulham players do you expect could cause you problems at the weekend?

Rovers fans have seen firsthand how good Ryan Tunnicliffe can be. And having been on loan with us this season I am sure he will want to get one over on his former colleagues, so we will have to be wary of him if he plays. Obviously strikers Ross McCormack and Hugo Rodallega will need to be monitored and our defence will need to be watchful of them.


Are there any Blackburn-Fulham games from years gone by that stand out in your mind?

I remember a thrilling 4-3 win at Loftus Road about 10 years ago that was live on Sky. It was a real classic encounter that was end to end and anyone could have won on the night. Thankfully we just did enough in the end!

What's the best and worst thing about a trip to Ewood Park?

The best thing is how easy it is to get to by road or rail, and away fans get a good amount of seating and it is a comfortable place to watch football as far as stadiums go. Worst thing, especially in January, is the weather. I guarantee it will be freezing.

Where's a good place for away fans to grab a pint before the game?

The Golden Cup, which is just off the M65 junction four as you head towards the ground, is always away-fan friendly.

What score prediction are you going for?

I am going to say 2-0 to Rovers because I am an eternal optimist ...


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/january/29/inside-ewood-park?

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Burn`s Staying!
   
Not that long ago the transfer gossip inferred that our young centre-back, Dan Burn, might be a target for the Premier League side West Ham United.

With West Ham United set to lose their Kiwi centre-back, Winston Reid, in the summer with the New Zealand international being out of contract, the gossip suggested that the Hammers saw our 22 year-old six feet six inches defender as a possible replacement.

However, it looks as if any move for the striker has been thwarted with it being announced that burn has put pen-to-paper on a new deal that will keep him at Craven Cottage until 2016.

Talking about remaining loyal to the cause and remaining at the Cottage, the defender is quoted as having remarked,

"I stayed here as I believe the club is going in the right direction."

Fair play to the lad and congratulations on the contract.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=386385#ixzz3QEdRRQf2

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Josh Passley: Portsmouth sign Fulham defender on loan

Portsmouth have signed Fulham defender Josh Passley on a one-month youth loan.

The 20-year-old has made two starts for Fulham in the FA Cup, and had a seven-game loan spell at Shrewsbury earlier this season.

"He's an athletic and very lively player who will improve our squad," said Portsmouth boss Andy Awford.

"He's already played at this level before and we're grateful to Fulham, and Kit Symons in particular, for letting us borrow him."

Awford added: "The coaching staff and I have been to watch Josh on a few occasions this season and we liked what we saw."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31043299

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Forward-thinking Passley raring to go

Josh Passley is seeking to add attacking impetus down Pompey's right flank after sealing a loan move.

The right-back today arrived on a one-month loan deal from Fulham.

He will now challenge Adam Webster for the full-back berth in Andy Awford's side's for the trip to Wycombe on Saturday.

Passley had played seven matches for Shrewsbury as right wing-back already this season.

And the 20-year-old is looking forward to the opportunity at Pompey.

He said: 'It all happened very quickly, I had the call last night to come down.

'As a right-back I like to get up and down the wing a lot.

'I enjoyed my time at Shrewsbury and had some games there, now I want to continue at Portsmouth.

'It's the chance for me to play matches and show what I can do.'


http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/forward-thinking-passley-raring-to-go-1-6550202

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Fulham get injury boost ahead of Blackburn clash

Parker back but McCormack is being nursed


Push: Forest's Robert Tesche in action with Fulham's Scott Parker
Fulham welcome back Scott Parker for the visit to Blackburn on Saturday - although the club admit they are 'managing' and Achilles injury sustained by Ross McCormack.

The striker came on as sub against Sunderland in the FA Cup after picking up a knock the previous week, but is inked in for the trip to Ewood Park.

"We did a bit of finishing in training today, and Ross was a bit sore, so we've got to manage it," explained Symons. "But he's very robust is our Rosco, and he wants to play every minute of every game, but we intend to look out for him in the right way."


Tender ankle: McCormack (R)
Parker was a non-starter at Sunderland as he nursed an ankle injury, but the 34-year-old is also on the train to Blackburn.

"Scott's been in full training this week after we rested him on Saturday because his ankle wasn't quite right,"added the gaffer.

"His training was modified on Monday, but he had a good hit, Tuesday, and a good session on Thursday."


New boy: Jazz Richards
Defender Sean Kavanagh has added stitches removed after a knee gash in the third round replay against Wolves, but is two games at least from a return to first-team action, although new right-back Jazz Richards is almost certain to take over from Jack Grimmer, not that Symons was giving much away.

He joked: "At least one name from the starting XI? I can tell you Marcus (Bettinelli) will be in goal."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-injury-boost-ahead-blackburn-8541706?

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Kit's Blackburn Preview

Kit Symons is keen to round off a solid January's work with victory at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon (3pm).

In the six games played to date in the new calendar year, Fulham have tasted defeat just once – away to Cardiff City – to climb to 14th in the Sky Bet Championship standings, and go into the hat for the Fifth Round of the FA Cup.

"The Cardiff one was very disappointing but overall it's been a good month," Symons admitted. "Things are going in the right direction and I'm quite pleased.

"The competition for places now is getting really strong which is great for us all and gives me a few selection headaches which is excellent – that's what you want as a manager."

While Symons has plenty of options with regards to team selection, Blackburn suffered a blow in Tuesday night's defeat by Derby County as three players were taken off injured.

But when asked if it was a good time to play the Lancashire side, the Whites Manager insisted that it will prove to be a trying encounter nonetheless.

"You've got to play them at some time and we're drawn to play them now," he said. "Gary Bowyer is someone I know quite well and he's a real good lad, good manager and he'll put out a team that he would expect to get a result against us. They'll be fired up, they'll be organised and they'll be very competitive.

"They're a typical Championship team really – they've got physical strength and they've got some craft and guile in there as well with some very good footballers. And that's what the Championship is all about – you need to be able to mix it up and you need to be able to do both things."

Rovers were the opposition for Symons' first game as Caretaker Manager at the Club, and 12 points separated the sides after the visitors left Craven Cottage with a 1-0 win back in September.

But fast-forward to the reverse fixture and Fulham will go above their hosts with a win at Ewood Park on Saturday.

"Well that's right," Symons replied when it was put to him how fast a team's fortunes can change. "And the game before I took over was Nottingham Forest away and they were top and we were bottom, and now we're level on points with them so it turns around quickly.

"I say quickly, it's 20 games and it feels like we've been doing it forever, but it's not that long at all really. Fortunes can change dramatically in football over a relatively short period of time and a relatively short number of games. We're certainly going in the right direction now, without a doubt."

Saturday will see Ryan Tunnicliffe return to the club where he spent the first half of the season on loan, but while Symons admitted he may bend the midfielder's ear regarding his former teammates, he insists that they have already done their homework on Bowyer's men.

"I've chatted to Ryan throughout the course of the week," he said. "We've got plenty of scouting reports on Blackburn, we know them well.

"I watched them myself the other week when they played Wolves on the Sunday before we played Wolves in the Cup on the Tuesday. So we know them very well and, like I say, they've got some excellent players.

"We'll be getting a few inside tips off Tunners, for sure, but there'll be no surprises from Blackburn for us."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/january/29/kits-blackburn-preview?

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Preview: Blackburn Rovers vs. Fulham

Delight quickly turned to disappointment as Blackburn Rovers suffered defeat on their return to Championship action earlier this week.

Just a few days after causing a shock by beating Swansea City 3-1 in the FA Cup, Rovers slipped to a 2-0 loss as Darren Bent fired Derby County to victory.

Gary Bowyer will be hopeful that his side can get back to their best this weekend as they welcome Fulham to Ewood Park, but it's not just on-field matter that have been stealing the headlines this week.

As Bowyer looks to keep his squad focused on their Championship form, the Blackburn boss has been forced to accept that both Rudy Gestede and Jordan Rhodes could leave the club before Monday's transfer deadline.

In truth, without the striking duo Blackburn probably wouldn't be sitting in 10th position with an outside chance of reaching the playoffs this season, but a possible promotion bid will receive a huge boost if the club manage to keep hold of them.

Both players were on the bench in the loss to Derby, but they could be recalled as they look to get the better of a Fulham side that are unbeaten in four matches in all competitions.

Fulham head into the weekend just two points behind Blackburn as they jostle for position in mid-table, and they received a boost with the completion of deals off the pitch this week.

Highly-rated centre back Dan Burn signed a new one-year extension with the club, while Jazz Richards could be set for his debut after joining on loan from Swansea.

A goalless draw with Sunderland in the FA Cup should have kept the squad's confidence high a week a go, but Kit Symons is likely to make changes for the return to league action.

Ross McCormack, Hugo Roallega and Burn are among the names who could return to the starting lineup for the Cottagers, who could be in the top half by the end of the weekend.

Blackburn:

Form in Championship: WLDLDL
Form in all competitions: DWLDWL

Possible starting lineup: Steele, Baptiste, Hanley, Kilgallon, Olsson, Marshall, Lowe, Evans, Conway, Rhodes, Gestede

Fulham:

Form in Championship: WLLLWW
Form in all competitions: DLDWWD

Possible starting lineup: Bettinelli, Stafylidis, Burn, Bodurov, Richards, Christensen, Dembele, Tunnicliffe, Fofana, McCormack, Rodallega

Sports Mole says: 1-1


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/blackburn-rovers/preview/preview-blackburn-rovers-vs-fulham_202130.html?

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Emerson Hyndman out until April with a broken collar bone

Goal.com is reporting that the eighteen year old will miss six weeks with the injury.

If you watched any of the CONCACF U-20 World Cup Qualifying tournament, Emerson Hyndman was one of the bright spots for the USA. Once the squad switched to a 4-4-2, Hyndman was given free range to roam and bossed the midfield in most of the matches. Against an overmatched Aruba he looked like the second coming of Zidane.

In the final minutes of the clinching qualification game against El Salvador, he came off with an injury, which is now being reported as a broken collarbone. If this is confirmed, he would expect to miss six weeks and not make his return until April.

Fulham have made moves to solidify their midfield, and his presence might not be missed that much in the short term. Between Ryan Tunnicliffe, Alex Kacaniklic, and Seko Fofana; enough players have been brought in to cover his absence. This also doesn't take into account Tim Hoogland and Lasse Vigen Christensen returning from injury.

However, this is important development time in his career. With his contract expiring in June of 2016, Fulham won't have as much time to evaluate him in game situations before deciding whether to offer him a new contract. It may be my American biases talking, but I'd offer him the contract now. I think he's shown enough in his limited first team time and with the various USA squads to show he's worth it.

Fulham were not required to let him join the USA for this tournament, and took a risk by doing so. Unfortunately those risks came true. Hopefully he'll repay the kindness Fulham have shown to him by signing an extension. He may be too good to stick around for more than another season if Fulham remain in the Championship, but at least this way Fulham would receive compensation if he goes.


http://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2015/1/29/7947623/emerson-hyndman-out-until-april-with-a-broken-collar-bone

[WhiteJC]

 
Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill heaps praise on Matt Smith

Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill has lavished praise on Matt Smith following the Fulham loanee's heroics in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

The striker was on target during his team's 1-1 draw with Gillingham in the second leg of the semi-finals, adding to the four goals he netted in the previous leg of the 5-3 aggregate victory.

"Matt has been brilliant from the time he came in the door. We needed to get him up to speed and he has lost about four kilos since he has been here," Cotterill told reporters.

"He has been an absolute gentleman. He has been brilliant and he is an absolute gem of a lad.

"When he goes back to Fulham he will have a lot of fans at this football club hoping he goes back and has a real good end of the season with them."

Smith is due to return to his parent club before Bristol City play Walsall in the final in March, but Cotterill has promised to do everything in his power to take him to the national stadium.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/bristol-city/news/cotterill-heaps-praise-on-matt-smith_202203.html

[Fernhurst]

 Are you the overnight editor of a national newspaper JC  :49:

Terrific work and a must read for every FoFer at this ungodly hour.

Thanks again

[Fulham1959]

Are you the overnight editor of a national newspaper JC  :49:

Terrific work and a must read for every FoFer at this ungodly hour.

Thanks again

:plus one: