Stockdale keeps options open
David Stockdale is ready for Fulham's big games against Chelsea and Man Utd, but won't rule out a return to Ipswich in the New Year.
Stockdale has been summoned back to Craven Cottage ahead of Fulham's game at home to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday because of Mark Schwarzer's injury.
And, after making 18 appearances during his time with the Championship club, the keeper is ready to step into the breach - although he may be back at Portman Road if the Australian returns after six weeks on the sidelines.
"There may be a chance of me coming back," Stockdale told Ipswich's official website. "That's not really up to me and at the moment I just want to concentrate on getting back and doing my best for Fulham.
"If the chance came for me to come back and it suited all parties then it is definitely something I'd look into though.
"Fulham have got some big games coming up - especially Man Utd and Chelsea - so I want to do well and show people what I've learned at Ipswich and show what I've been doing in games and training, working along some great coaches such as Malcolm Webster.
"I just want to thank everyone at Ipswich for giving me this chance and I really have learned a lot from the experience.
"It would have been nice to have stayed and tried to have got the club into the Premier League, but I've got to concentrate on doing my best for Fulham now."
http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2011/12/15/Keeper-keeps-options-open-/gnid-121909/? (http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2011/12/15/Keeper-keeps-options-open-/gnid-121909/?)
Davies: Fulham are a work in progress under Jol
Gordon Davies joined Hawksbee and Quinn after Fulham's Europa League exit and said Martin Jol is fighting an uphill battle with fans at the moment but he expects the Dutchman to come good.
http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/hawksbee-and-jacobs/blog/2011-12-15/davies-fulham-are-work-progress-under-jol? (http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/hawksbee-and-jacobs/blog/2011-12-15/davies-fulham-are-work-progress-under-jol?)
HANGELAND: EFFORT CAME TO NOTHING
Brede Hangeland was left feeling like Fulham's Europa League exertions were "all for nothing" after they crashed out of the competition on Wednesday night.
The Cottagers started the 14th European match of their mammoth season knowing victory over Group K's bottom side would secure a place in the final 32.
But Fulham squandered victory three minutes into stoppage time as substitute Djiby Fall headed home, with the 2-2 draw resulting in Wisla Krakow finishing second instead.
"It's really hard to take," Hangeland told the club's official website, www.fulhamfc.com (http://www.fulhamfc.com).
"We didn't play a good game, but we had by far the better chances and I can't believe we drew.
"To go out like that with the last kick of the ball is very, very frustrating and hard to take.
"I've been thinking about the fact that we started on the 23rd of June and it feels like that was all for nothing at the moment, so it's very, very disappointing."
The Cottagers were the only side this season to have made it all the way from the first qualifying round to the group stage.
The tough schedule has seen Martin Jol's side struggle in the Premier League as they attempt to balance a busy schedule.
Asked whether Fulham's exit could have a positive impact on their league form, Hangeland retorted: "It's not a time for anything positive.
"But it's over and done with and we need to focus on the league and the FA Cup when it gets going."
The west Londoners' safe passage to the knockout stages seemed all-but secured at the interval after two goals in four first-half minutes.
Excellent work down the left flank by Kerim Frei resulted in a low cross to Bobby Zamora, whose lay-off was finished by Clint Dempsey.
Four minutes later Mousa Dembele wriggled free and found Frei with a through ball, which the 18-year-old nonchalantly popped through Stefan Wessels' legs.
However, Fulham capitulated in the second period as Hans Henrik Andreasen's low free-kick and Fall's last-gasp header saw them drop out of the competition.
Next up for the west Londoners is a home clash with Bolton on Saturday, before Manchester United come to SW6 on Wednesday.
"The games are coming thick and fast so we just need to keep going," Hangeland added.
"Sometimes when you have a big disappointment it's good to have a game coming up a few days later to put things right, so I'm sure we'll be up for it.
"I think we'd be up for that game regardless of what happened [against Odense], but it will be nice to get back into action as soon as possible after this massive disappointment."
Fulham players made a swift exit from Craven Cottage after Wednesday's last-gasp disappointment.
Odense, by comparison, were visibly elated with the result, especially Fall after scoring with the final move of the match.
"I am sorry for them but it is football," Fall said.
"I know it is very hard for them but we were able to do something great and we are happy with the game we played.
"You just have to believe. When I came off the bench, all I thought about was the goal.
"We know this team is very good, it is strong but we always believed.
"I was thinking that before I came on and I am happy."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/12/15/SOCCER_Fulham_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=soccer&BID=165 (http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/12/15/SOCCER_Fulham_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=soccer&BID=165)
Chairboys look to keep Trotta
Wycombe hope to keep on-loan striker Marcello Trotta at Adams Park for another month.
Italian Trotta has scored in both of the games he has played in after joining Wanderers on a month-long deal from Fulham.
His stay expires after the League One fixture at Carlisle on Saturday and boss Gary Waddock hopes to sort something out before his side host Exeter on Boxing Day.
"We are talking to Fulham after the game. He's done well in the period of time he's been here. We'll see what Fulham have to say," Waddock said.
http://www.teamtalk.com/fulham/7378918/Chairboys-look-to-keep-Trotta? (http://www.teamtalk.com/fulham/7378918/Chairboys-look-to-keep-Trotta?)
Is Damien Duff the victim of a vicious Twitter sabotage?
For any Irish fans out there who assumed they were following the Twitter account of Damien Duff, we've some disappointing news for y'all.
It seems that the account that supposedly belonged to one of the best players ever to put on a green shirt, @Duffer16, is in fact a fake.
Suspicions over the legitimacy of the account were raised earlier today when the Fulham Communications Director Sarah Brookes tweeted the following message.
(http://www.joe.ie/uploads/story/18664/sbrooks-crop.jpg)
She then posted messages to @Duffer16 and another account which was said to be belonging to the Irish international, @DAMIENDOFFICIAL, telling them to "stop posing as Damien Duff" as "he does not have a Twitter account". She later tweeted Sky pundit Chris Kamara in an attempt to get the word out to the Twitterverse and the BBC's Phil McNulty was amongst those who passed on the message.
The whole situation got a bit murky for a while when @Duffer16 made a counter claim against Sarah Brookes, tweeting:
(http://www.joe.ie/uploads/story/18664/cats-crop.jpg)
Although @Duffer16 was not listed as an official Twitter account, there had been nothing in the previous tweets on the account to suggest that he might be an impostor.
Tweets that he sent out to his 6,500+ followers included his take on last night's Europa Cup exit to Odense: "Gutted isn't the word! Should have never let a lead like that slip, no excuses!" and what he thought of Ireland's draw for the Euros a couple of weeks back: "Spain- World and European champions, Croatia- great players, great manager, Italy- ageing side but always do well in major tournaments!"
However, if there was any doubts, the matter was resolved beyond all conclusion with @Duffer16's next tweet, which read:
(http://www.joe.ie/uploads/story/18664/cats-crop1.jpg)
To be honest, we were always a bit skeptical. This, after all, is a man so fond of the cot that he once said that sleeping was his favourite hobby and we could never imagine that he would become an advocate of the social networking site to the extent that, for example, the extremely annoying Rio Ferdinand is.
Nah, our Duffer is not one for shooting his mouth off and as long as he continues to do his talking on the pitch, we'll all be happy.
http://www.joe.ie/football/football-news/is-damien-duff-the-victim-of-a-vicious-twitter-sabotage-0018664-1? (http://www.joe.ie/football/football-news/is-damien-duff-the-victim-of-a-vicious-twitter-sabotage-0018664-1?)
Fulham's Europa effort 'all for nothing' says Brede Hangeland
(http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/article6277408.ece/ALTERNATES/w380/fulham.jpg)
Brede Hangeland was left feeling like Fulham's Europa League exertions were "all for nothing" after they crashed out of the competition last night.
The Cottagers started the 14th European match of their mammoth season knowing victory over Group K's bottom side would secure a place in the final 32.
But Fulham squandered victory three minutes into stoppage time as substitute Djiby Fall headed home, with the 2-2 draw resulting in Wisla Krakow finishing second instead.
"It's really hard to take," Hangeland told the club's official website, www.fulhamfc.com (http://www.fulhamfc.com).
"We didn't play a good game, but we had by far the better chances and I can't believe we drew.
"To go out like that with the last kick of the ball is very, very frustrating and hard to take.
"I've been thinking about the fact that we started on the 23rd of June and it feels like that was all for nothing at the moment, so it's very, very disappointing."
The Cottagers were the only side this season to have made it all the way from the first qualifying round to the group stage.
The tough schedule has seen Martin Jol's side struggle in the Premier League as they attempt to balance a busy schedule.
Asked whether Fulham's exit could have a positive impact on their league form, Hangeland retorted: "It's not a time for anything positive.
"But it's over and done with and we need to focus on the league and the FA Cup when it gets going."
The west Londoners' safe passage to the knockout stages seemed all-but secured at the interval after two goals in four first-half minutes.
Excellent work down the left flank by Kerim Frei resulted in a low cross to Bobby Zamora, whose lay-off was finished by Clint Dempsey.
Four minutes later Mousa Dembele wriggled free and found Frei with a through ball, which the 18-year-old nonchalantly popped through Stefan Wessels' legs.
However, Fulham capitulated in the second period as Hans Henrik Andreasen's low free-kick and Fall's last-gasp header saw them drop out of the competition.
Next up for the west Londoners is a home clash with Bolton on Saturday, before Manchester United come to SW6 on Wednesday.
"The games are coming thick and fast so we just need to keep going," Hangeland added.
"Sometimes when you have a big disappointment it's good to have a game coming up a few days later to put things right, so I'm sure we'll be up for it.
"I think we'd be up for that game regardless of what happened [against Odense], but it will be nice to get back into action as soon as possible after this massive disappointment."
Fulham players made a swift exit from Craven Cottage after yesterday's last-gasp disappointment.
Odense, by comparison, were visibly elated with the result, especially Fall after scoring with the final move of the match.
"I am sorry for them but it is football," Fall said.
"I know it is very hard for them but we were able to do something great and we are happy with the game we played.
"You just have to believe. When I came off the bench, all I thought about was the goal.
"We know this team is very good, it is strong but we always believed.
"I was thinking that before I came on and I am happy."
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/fulhams-europa-effort-all-for-nothing-says-brede-hangeland-6277446.html? (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/fulhams-europa-effort-all-for-nothing-says-brede-hangeland-6277446.html?)
Jol: Europa League exit won't affect Fulham's January transfer plans
MARTIN Jol is convinced Wednesday's shock elimination from the Europa League will not herald the departure of key players.
The Fulham boss has now lost the bargaining chip of European competition when it comes to negotiating new contracts with existing players or potential new signings in January.
But he is confident it will not be an issue.
"Sometimes they use the Champions League as a sort of excuse for the top players, but I don't think it will affect us," said Jol, whose team was dumped out by a last-minute goal against Odense.
"If that was the case, all these clubs who are not in the top six would have a problem.
"The Premier League is attractive enough to any player, so it's nothing to do with Europe."
The Fulham boss is also convinced the blessing in disguise will be better form in the league, now the players do not face such a heavy workload and will be travelling less.
"It's awful to go out of the competition in the way we did and I think it's a big blow, but every disadvantage has got an advantage," he said.
"Hopefully we will gain something from the fact that we don't have to play these Thursday matches [in the Europa League].
"In the second half, our best players were probably almost worn out or tired. It's probably the 30th game for a few.
"But it's not an excuse because we are a team who can [normally] defend a lead, and we are used to that."
http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2011/12/15/jol-europa-league-exit-won-t-affect-fulham-s-january-transfer-plans-82029-29960901/? (http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2011/12/15/jol-europa-league-exit-won-t-affect-fulham-s-january-transfer-plans-82029-29960901/?)
Body Language Poser?
Watching the re-run of the game last night, after I finally dragged myself home, it was interesting to hear what the studio pundits had to say about Bobby Zamora.
Zamora, who has featured heavily in the tabloid press this week as an apparent fall-out with Martin Jol gathers momentum, didn`t have the best of games.
At half time both Pat Nevin and Stan Collymore felt that his body language wasn`t right and that recent events had affected him.
Now, I`m keeping my thoughts to myself but I`d love to know if you think Nevin and Collymore gauged matters right or was it just one of those nights forwards have when nothing goes right for them?
Here at Vital Fulham we`d appreciate your take on the matter!
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=265783#ixzz1ggUJYClh (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=265783#ixzz1ggUJYClh)
Welcome Back Stockdale
With Mark Schwarzer sidelined for anything up to six weeks, with a spinal injury, Fulham have recalled David Stockdale.
Stockdale, who had been on loan at Ipswich Town, returned to Craven Cottage yesterday and was present in the crowd as we slipped out of the Europa League last night.
The keeper, who is on the fringe of an England cap, will step straight back into the fray when we play Bolton this weekend.
Welcome back David.
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=265782#ixzz1ggUfrQdq (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=265782#ixzz1ggUfrQdq)
FA Cup or Bust?
After last nights shock exit from the Europa League, at the hands of Odense, our season is now starting to resemble all those others of recent years.
We`re honest enough to accept that we`re not going to win the Premier League, our Europa League hopes crashed and burned last night and our Carling Cup dreams went under at nearby Stamford Bridge.
Therefore, if this season is to be any different from all those others, apart form the one not too long ago when we flirted with Europa League glory in Hamburg, then the FA Cup take son a whole new meaning.
We play Charlton Athletic, at Craven Cottage, and I sincerely hope we give this marvelous competition the respect it deserves and go for glory, or is that too much to hope for?
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=265784#ixzz1ggV062oR (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=265784#ixzz1ggV062oR)
Jol`s Bitter Pill
Defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for Martin Jol last night.
Before kick-off the money was on Fulham to qualify for the last thirty-two of the competition but events conspired to throw us on the scrapheap.
Speaking after the cruel last gasp goal that decided our fate, it wasn`t hard to detect the disappointment in Jol`s voice when he commented,
"We were 2-1 up and then 30 seconds from the end we did not have the cleverness or experience to keep it in their half."
"We are very disappointed. Normally you have a few minutes to repair but we couldn`t. It was over."
"It is a big blow. But there were positive things in the first half. We put them under more pressure than in the second."
We did but it seemed to me that we let a lethargy set in after the break and Odense were allowed to get back on top of the game.
Continuing, Jol spoke about that last gasp goal clearly laying the blame at the feet of Orland Sa, when he added,
"It was when Sa had the ball on the break, 25 seconds from the end. Instead of going where the space was and keeping the ball there, he went for goal. He lost it, they had the break and we conceded a goal."
Now I`m not sure if those remarks should have remained behind the sanctuary the dressing room door gives but Jol did have one comment to offer that will please those who are fed up of having Sunday`s ruined, when he remarked,
"It was awful to go out as we did but, hopefully, we will gain something from the fact that we no longer have to play these Thursday matches."
A minor compensation though compared to the glory Europe can offer!
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=265785#ixzz1ggVJoISQ (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=265785#ixzz1ggVJoISQ)
Bolton Next Up(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/CravenCottage/CottageFlag.jpg)
It's back to Barclays Premier League action on Saturday afternoon when Bolton are the visitors to Craven Cottage.
We have enjoyed some good results against the Trotters in recent years and last season gained a comfortable 3-0 win, with Clint Dempsey twice on target before Brede Hangeland's 65th minute goal secured the points.
The result bought a measure of revenge as, two months earlier, Bolton had won an FA Cup Fifth Round tie at the Cottage, a solitary Ivan Klasnic goal settling the tie in favour of the northerners who were eventually dumped out of the competition in the Semi-Finals when they lost 5-0 to Stoke.
Having enjoyed a successful period midway through the last decade when they twice qualified for the UEFA Cup, Bolton have finished in the lower half of the table in recent seasons, finishing in 14th for the past two years. Currently in charge at the Reebok is Owen Coyle who replaced Gary Megson midway through the 2009/10 campaign.
This term, Wanderers started with an emphatic 4-0 win at QPR, but a narrow defeat at home to Manchester City the following week heralded a run of six straight losses, during which time they twice conceded five goals at the Reebok against Manchester United and Chelsea. A vital win at Wigan failed to prompt an immediate turnaround and was followed by two further defeats, before the Trotters exacted revenge for their FA Cup humiliation by beating Stoke 5-0 at the Reebok.
Entrenched at the bottom end of the table, Coyle's side will be desperate for a result from this and other crucial festive games against Blackburn and Wolves.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/December/BoltonNextUp.aspx?#ixzz1ggVl6MSl (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/December/BoltonNextUp.aspx?#ixzz1ggVl6MSl)
Hangeland dejected with EL exit
Fulham centre-back reflects on draw with Odense
(http://img.skysports.com/11/10/660x350/BredeHangeland_2660301.jpg)
Brede Hangeland: Fulham defender dejected at Europa League exit
Fulham defender Brede Hangeland admits that his side's exit from the Europa League is "hard to take".
The Cottagers needed a victory against Odense at home in Group K on Wednesday to progress to the round of 32, but conceded an injury-time equaliser to draw 2-2.
The result saw Polish side Wisla Krakow finish runners-up in the group, and left Hangeland in disbelief.
"It's really hard to take," the centre-back told Fulham's official website.
"We didn't play a good game, but we had by far the better chances and I can't believe we drew.
"To go out like that with the last kick of the ball is very, very frustrating and hard to take.
"I've been thinking about the fact that we started on the 23rd of June and it feels like that was all for nothing at the moment, so it's very, very disappointing.
"It's not a time for anything positive," added Hangeland.
"But it's over and done with and we need to focus on the league and the FA Cup when it gets going."
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7379499/? (http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7379499/?)
That goal
As noted, I was in the gents under the Johnny Haynes Stand when this went in. Like the players, I thought we'd won. Unlike the players I couldn't hold it any longer.
Nevertheless, I was surprised when I saw the replays. I had expected Orlando Sa to have done something daft. Then a a couple of respected people on twitter were talking about Frei's showboating (Fulham fans still blaming Sa though). Then I saw it and.... not what I expected.
(http://cravencottagenewsround.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/safreihang.png?w=600&h=2914)
http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/that-goal/? (http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/that-goal/?)
Hangeland calls on Fulham to bounce back from Euro shock
Brede Hangeland was left feeling like Fulham's Europa League exertions were 'all for nothing' after they crashed out of the competition.
The Cottagers started the 14th European match of their mammoth season knowing victory over Group K's bottom side would secure a place in the final 32.
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/12/15/article-2074658-0F2DE3F600000578-219_468x317.jpg)
Disappointment: Fulham defender Brede Hangeland (left)
But Fulham squandered victory three minutes into stoppage time as substitute Djiby Fall headed home, with the 2-2 draw on Wednesday resulting in Wisla Krakow finishing second instead.
'It's really hard to take,' Hangeland told the club's official website.
'We didn't play a good game, but we had by far the better chances and I can't believe we drew.
'To go out like that with the last kick of the ball is very, very frustrating and hard to take.
'I've been thinking about the fact that we started on the 23rd of June and it feels like that was all for nothing at the moment, so it's very, very disappointing.'
The Cottagers were the only side this season to have made it all the way from the first qualifying round to the group stage.
The tough schedule has seen Martin Jol's side struggle in the Premier League as they attempt to balance a busy schedule.
Asked whether Fulham's exit could have a positive impact on their league form, Hangeland retorted: 'It's not a time for anything positive.
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/12/15/article-2074658-0F2DE45600000578-385_468x286.jpg)
Crushed: The Fulham players were inconsolable after Fall's late strike sent them out
'But it's over and done with and we need to focus on the league and the FA Cup when it gets going.'
The west Londoners' safe passage to the knockout stages seemed all-but secured at the interval after two goals in four first-half minutes.
Excellent work down the left flank by Kerim Frei resulted in a low cross to Bobby Zamora, whose lay-off was finished by Clint Dempsey.
Four minutes later Mousa Dembele wriggled free and found Frei with a through ball, which the 18-year-old nonchalantly popped through Stefan Wessels' legs.
However, Fulham capitulated in the second period as Hans Henrik Andreasen's low free-kick and Fall's last-gasp header saw them drop out of the competition.
Next up for the west Londoners is a home clash with Bolton on Saturday, before Manchester United come to SW6 on Wednesday.
'The games are coming thick and fast so we just need to keep going,' Hangeland added.
'Sometimes when you have a big disappointment it's good to have a game coming up a few days later to put things right, so I'm sure we'll be up for it.
'I think we'd be up for that game regardless of what happened [against Odense], but it will be nice to get back into action as soon as possible after this massive disappointment.'
Fulham players made a swift exit from Craven Cottage after yesterday's last-gasp disappointment.
Odense, by comparison, were visibly elated with the result, especially Fall after scoring with the final move of the match.
'I am sorry for them but it is football,' Fall said.
'I know it is very hard for them but we were able to do something great and we are happy with the game we played.
'You just have to believe. When I came off the bench, all I thought about was the goal.
'We know this team is very good, it is strong but we always believed.
'I was thinking that before I came on and I am happy.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2074658/Brede-Hangeland-calls-Fulham-bounce-Euro-shock.html#ixzz1ggXJXmou (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2074658/Brede-Hangeland-calls-Fulham-bounce-Euro-shock.html#ixzz1ggXJXmou)
Spurs Chase Zamora
Tottenham are eyeing Fulham striker Bobby Zamora.
The London Evening Standard says it has been reported that the England international has had a bust-up with Martin Jol, something which the Fulham boss denied yesterday.
Zamora was dropped for the defeat to Swansea on Saturday and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp hopes he can convince Fulham to sell the forward when the transfer window re-opens.
The Spurs manager sees Zamora as the perfect back-up to first choice Emmanuel Adebayor and is determined to strengthen his attack as he expects to sell Roman Pavlyuchenko.
http://www.fulham-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/spurs_chase_zamora_717923/index.shtml? (http://www.fulham-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/spurs_chase_zamora_717923/index.shtml?)
Jol desperate to put good spin on Fulham's exit
Martin Jol attempted to put a positive spin on Fulham's prospects after their untimely midweek exit from the Europa League. The Dutch manager is hoping that his players' Premier League form at least will benefit from their disappointing 2-2 draw with Odense, and said: "It is awful to go out of the competition in the way we did but hopefully we will gain something from the fact that we don't have to play these Thursday matches."
The Cottagers crashed out of Europe on Wednesday night after the Odense substitute Djiby Fall levelled the scores deep into stoppage time. Wisla Krakow finished second in Group K as a result and earned the second qualifying slot.
Jol added: "I think it is a big blow for the club but every disadvantage has an advantage. There were positive things in the first half, like how much we put them under pressure, and the players that made the difference, like [Kerim] Frei with a cross and a goal.
"In the second half our best players were probably almost worn out. They were tired. It is probably the 30th game for a few of them – and that is not an excuse because we are a team that can defend a lead. We were 2-1 up and then 30 seconds from the end we did not have the cleverness or experience to keep it in their half."
The Londoners' safe passage seemed all but secured at the interval after two goals in four first-half minutes through Clint Dempsey and Frei. But Fulham capitulated in the second period as Hans Henrik Andreasen's low free-kick and Fall's last-gasp header saw them drop out of the competition.
"We had so many players in there that wanted to do well," Jol said. "Bairdy [Chris Baird], [Marcel] Gecov, Kerim Frei and even Mousa Dembélé did everything in the first half. At the back, Aaron Hughes got his chance again so they were passionate to do well.
"It was more that we could not pressurise them in the second half and they scored pretty quickly to make it 2-1. And, of course, you are caught in two minds whether to hold back or look for the third one. That is always a problem in football."
Fulham's exit capped a bad day for Jol, who earlier saw goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer ruled out for up to six weeks after suffering a compression injury to his thoracic spine. But while Jol left Craven Cottage deflated, Odense manager Henrik Clausen was a happy man.
"I have to say Fulham looked very sharp in the first half and we had trouble with their deep balls and play down the middle," he said. "But without doing that much different in the second half and scoring through the only two real chances we had, we managed a draw."
Big-spending Paris Saint-Germain also crashed out of the Europa League, a costly exit for the ambitious French club which increases the pressure on coach Antoine Kombouare. PSG grabbed two goals in the last five minutes at Parc des Princes to beat Athletic Bilbao 4-2, but it was all for nothing as Salzburg won 3-2 at Slovan Bratislava to join Bilbao as Group F's qualifiers for the last 32.
"It's very disappointing," said Kombouare. "But when your qualification comes down to one game and your destiny is no longer in your own hands, then things become difficult."
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/jol-desperate-to-put-good-spin-on-fulhams-exit-6277638.html? (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/jol-desperate-to-put-good-spin-on-fulhams-exit-6277638.html?)
MARTIN JOL PLANS A FULHAM CLEAR-OUT
FULHAM face an exodus of senior players next month as Martin Jol tries to stamp his authority on the club.
Starsport understands Jol wants to make a statement in January to stop the dressing-room unrest that threatens to tear the club apart.
He will listen to offers for the likes of Danny Murphy (below), Andy Johnson, Damien Duff and Aaron Hughes.
The four over-30s are unhappy at their treatment by the Dutchman, who has made it clear they are no longer key players.
Jol fears he will not win over the dressing-room until there is a major shake-up and is determined to lower the average age of his squad.
Murphy, 34, and Johnson, 30, are both out of contract next summer, while Hughes, 32, and Duff, 32, have deals which end in 2013.
But while the Fulham boss would also be prepared to sell Bobby Zamora, 30, club chiefs do not want to see their prize asset leave.
The Cottagers are already in talks to sign £6m Ivory Coast striker Lacina Traore from Russian club Kuban Krasnodar.
He scored 15 goals in 27 games for them and has played in the Champions League with Romanian side CFR Cluj.
But the target man's arrival could push England striker Zamora out of the door.
Fulham have also enquired about West Ham midfielder Mark Noble – a direct replacement for Murphy.
Fulham are just three points above the drop zone and crashed out of the Europa League on Wednesday.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/225858/Martin-Jol-plans-a-Fulham-clear-out/? (http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/225858/Martin-Jol-plans-a-Fulham-clear-out/?)
Liverpool beat Manchester United and Fulham to £1m signing of Wycombe Wanderers wonderkid Jordan Ibe
The Reds will welcome the League One club's prodigious attacker to Merseyside next summer after he completes his final year at secondary school, with deal "95 per cent done"
Liverpool have reached an agreement with Wycombe Wanderers to sign teen sensation Jordan Ibe after out-bidding Manchester United and Fulham, Goal.com can disclose.
Liverpool's offer of an initial down payment of £750,000, with the final fee rising to £1 million, has been accepted by the League One club.
Sources have told Goal.com that the deal is "95 per cent done" and will be confirmed by the two clubs shortly.
United and Fulham also made recent bids of around £500,000 for the forward, who turned 16 last week and is rated by coaching experts as the outstanding talent in his age group in the country outside of Derby County prodigy Mason Bennett.
However, the two Premier League clubs have now been told they were trumped by Liverpool and that the teenager will finish his final year of secondary school in south London before moving to Merseyside next summer.
As revealed by Goal.com in October, Ibe had trials at Liverpool and Manchester City earlier this year, when he impressed the coaching staffs of both clubs, but it is understood that the player was concerned about uprooting to the north west of England from his home in Southwark as well as the diminished prospect of first-team football.
Chelsea also tried to prise Ibe from Wycombe and made a concerted attempt to sign him last year but the player rebuffed their interest, as he did with all the attention from his Premier League suitors up until now.
However, Michael Carnegie, who works for the Wycombe academy, has been a key figure in persuading Ibe, his family and mentor Richard Dobson, the Wycombe assistant manager who doubles as the club's head of youth, to accept the opportunity of a move to a glamorous Premier League outfit.
It comes only weeks after Liverpool beat their rivals to the signing of another teenage prodigy, 14-year-old Seyi Ojo from MK Dons.
Ibe made headlines when he became Wycombe's youngest debutant since the club entered the Football League, making his first-team bow in a League Cup clash against Colchester in August aged 15 years and 244 days.
He has played 11 matches in total for Wycombe this season and became the club's youngest-ever goalscorer when he was on target on his full debut in late October.
Ibe has built his reputation as a pacy, goalscoring wide attacker but he is expected to eventually mature into an attacking midfielder in the style of Frank Lampard. The 16-year-old has been described by Wycombe manager Gary Waddock as "unbelievable" and a "wonderful talent".
The League One club decided to cash in on the youngster before the new Elite Player Performance Plan comes into effect next season, which will replace the current tribunal system with fixed tariffs for the transfer of homegrown youngsters and will put an end to million pound-plus deals for teenagers.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/12/16/2804009/liverpool-beat-manchester-united-and-fulham-to-1m-signing-of? (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/12/16/2804009/liverpool-beat-manchester-united-and-fulham-to-1m-signing-of?)
Lawro's prediction
(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/57345000/jpg/_57345090_57345089.jpg)
Fulham v Bolton
Fulham went out of the Europa League after conceding a late goal on Wednesday and this is a game they must win in order to drag themselves away from the relegation zone.
They tend to squeeze their opponents when playing at home and if you're not quite at your game, you won't get anything from Craven Cottage.
Bolton, meanwhile, are all over the place and no part of the team is functioning particularly well, leaving manager Owen Coyle under all sorts of pressure.
They've lost so many games this season and it's a results business. Nevertheless, it's easy to sack a manager but you have to be absolutely certain the person you bring in is going to be better.
Prediction: 2-1
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16196823.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16196823.stm)
Up to £20 off fans' Third Shirt(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Retail/thirdshirt.jpg)
Up to £20 off fans' Third Shirt
The 2011/12 Third Shirt is the perfect way to show off your Fulham loyalty and really stand out in the crowd. Today's special offer is up to £20 off this fantastic shirt, making it the perfect Christmas gift.
The shirt displays Fulham's greatest ever player, the one and only Johnny Haynes. This is a shirt that will make you proud when wearing it, making it a highly popular item.
The new 2011/12 Third shirt has the striking gold features, embroidered Ominis to both shoulders, FxPro branding and a small FFC logo to reverse of the collar. A great colour that is sure to make you stand out in the crowd. Make sure you hurry to purchase this exclusive shirt, direct, instore or online, but hurry because the special offer ends Monday 19th December at 9am.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/December/RetailChristmasOffer16.aspx?#ixzz1gh9r6aSs (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/December/RetailChristmasOffer16.aspx?#ixzz1gh9r6aSs)
Fulham v BOLTON: Top scorer Klasnic returns to full fitness for rock bottom Trotters
Bolton striker Ivan Klasnic is fit for Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Fulham after recovering from a knee injury.
Klasnic sustained the problem in the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend, a fixture missed by Wanderers midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, who has been sidelined with a hamstring complaint but could make his comeback at Craven Cottage.
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/12/16/article-0-0F20CB6E00000578-875_468x362.jpg)
Ivan the great: Klasnic (second left) is expected to start at Craven Cottage
Defender David Wheater is unavailable again as he serves the third game of his four-match suspension.
Provisional squad: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Boyata, Cahill, Knight, Eagles, Robinson, Muamba, Petrov, K Davies, Klasnic, Tuncay, Bogdan, M Davies, Pratley, Ngog, Blake, Kakuta, Reo-Coker.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2074951/Fulham-v-BOLTON-Ivan-Klasnic-returns-fitness-rock-Trotters.html#ixzz1ghAJ21m6 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2074951/Fulham-v-BOLTON-Ivan-Klasnic-returns-fitness-rock-Trotters.html#ixzz1ghAJ21m6)
Fulham - Bolton Preview: Cottagers looking to bounce back from Europa League disappointmentThe hosts were eliminated from Europe in the dying seconds in midweek and are looking to get back to winning ways against a side that have a miserable record on their travels
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
FULHAM
Stockdale
Kelly, Hangeland, Baird, Riise
Dembele, Murphy, Gecov, Dempsey
Johnson, Zamora
BOLTON WANDERERS
Jaaskelainen
Boyata, Cahill, Knight, Robinson
Eagles, Reo-Coker, Muamba, M Davies
K Davies, N'Gog
Fulham are forced to replace goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer after the Australian picked up a neck injury that will rule him out for four to six weeks.
The Cottagers have already recalled David Stockdale from his loan spell at Ipswich Town, and Martin Jol will have to choose between Stockdale and his other goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who deputised well in their Europa League draw against Odense.
They should welcome Danny Murphy back to the starting lineup, as the captain revealed in his programme notes on Wednesday that he was hopeful of starting the game following a week of rest. Steve Sidwell may not be back in time, and the young midfielder Marcel Gecov will probably continue to deputise for him.
Owen Coyle has a host of injury problems, with Tyrone Mears, Sam Ricketts, Chung-Yong Lee, and Stuart Holden all out, while Nigel Reo-Coker and Ivan Klasnic are both doubts. Centre-back David Wheater is still serving his suspension for being sent off in the defeat to Everton in November.
DID YOU KNOW?
Of their last 10 games, Fulham have won three, drawn three and lost four. Bolton have won two, but have lost the other eight matches.
Fulham have a goal difference of -2 in the Premier League, which is 14 better than the visitors, who sit on -16 from 15 games.
The Cottagers have not won this season when their opponents have scored first.
Fulham have scored only 16 goals from their 15 games this season.
Ivan Klasnic (pictured right) has scored seven goals this season for Bolton, all of which have been in the league.
Bolton have won every game in which they have scored first.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/60352/fulham-vs-bolton-wanderers/preview (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/60352/fulham-vs-bolton-wanderers/preview)
Fulham v Bolton: Preview
Owen Coyle insists his Bolton team shouldn't be paralysed by fear at Fulham tomorrow.
Wanderers have never won a Premier League game at Craven Cottage and even a victory won't lift Bolton out of the bottom three.
Confidence levels have plummeted drastically in recent weeks and there's real concern Bolton could return to the Championship for the first time in more than a decade.
"I'm putting something into place at this football club, and the chairman and owner know exactly what that is, but we are in a very dangerous area," said Coyle.
"The bottom line is that we can put everything in place to run this club for 20 or 30 years, but you'll still be judged on what happens in the short term in the league.
"Confidence is king, as you know, and a lot of this is letting the players know that you still have the belief in them."
Coyle won't make major changes despite his team's problems and he hopes Ivan Klasnic and Nigel Reo-Coker will have recovered from injury.
Key opponent: Clint Dempsey - Fast on his feet and a great goal scorer
Prediction: Fulham 2 Bolton 1
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/bolton_wanderers/s/1468269_fulham-v-bolton-preview? (http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/bolton_wanderers/s/1468269_fulham-v-bolton-preview?)
Fulham v Bolton
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Saturday, 17 December Kick-off: 1500 GMT Coverage: Watch highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
TEAM NEWS
Fulham have recalled goalkeeper David Stockdale from his loan spell with Ipswich as Mark Schwarzer could be out for six weeks with a spinal injury.
Mousa Dembele, Brede Hangeland and Steve Sidwell are all one booking from triggering a ban.
Bolton striker Ivan Klasnic is fit after recovering from a knee injury sustained last weekend.
Nigel Reo-Coker could return after a hamstring complaint but defender David Wheater is still suspended.
MATCH PREVIEW
Everything seems to be conspiring against Owen Coyle just now. Not only does he have a lengthy list of first-team contenders unavailable through injury, but all the teams around Bolton - yes, even Blackburn - have shown signs of putting up a fight.
Bolton's defeat against Aston Villa, their seventh home loss of the season already, leaves them rock-bottom of the Premier League. If it were not for a resounding and unexpected 5-0 drubbing of Stoke back in November, Coyle might just have beaten Steve Bruce in the top-flight sack race.
This game will be Fulham's 31st of the campaign - they only played 43 in the whole of last season
For two seasons Bolton have played the loan market brilliantly. First Jack Wilshere and then Daniel Sturridge helped Bolton and their own careers in the process. This season's loanees were Gael Kakuta, Tuncay and Dedryk Boyata - none of whom have yet enhanced their reputations.
The next four games could see Coyle sink or swim - after Fulham, it'll be Blackburn, Newcastle and Wolves. Two wins should save him; anything less may not.
I started my season watching Fulham play Runavik in a Europa League qualifier back in June - it feels like an eternity ago to me, and must do to them too. This game at the Cottage will be their 31st of the campaign - they only played 43 in the whole of last season. After going out of the Europa League in midweek, they may be wondering if all the extra effort was worth it.
Martin Jol's side have been inconsistent, maybe as a result of all those games. Some of the new signings are yet to really make a niche for themselves, but Pajtim Kasami, Marcel Gecov, Orlando Sa and academy graduate Kerim Frei have youth on their side. So far, though, £10.5m for Bryan Ruiz looks a little extravagant.
Jol could do with his side having a strong Christmas; with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal to play, Mark Schwarzer injured and Bobby Zamora unsettled, that does not look likely.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Bolton have not won in the league at Fulham since a 4-1 victory in the third tier in November 1992. Since then, they have visited Craven Cottage 12 times in the league without winning.
However, the Trotters have since beaten Fulham twice in cup games at Craven Cottage - including last season, when Ivan Klasnic's goal secured a 1-0 win and a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Three of the last four league meetings between the two sides have ended in draws, two of them goalless.
Fulham
Fulham have scored just 16 goals in 15 league matches this season - and six of those came in one match.
They have conceded 18 league goals - only Liverpool and the two Manchester sides have let in fewer. Only Manchester United and Swansea have kept more clean sheets than Fulham's six.
Fulham have not conceded a penalty in their last 51 Premier League matches - the last time was in the 2-2 home match against Manchester United in August 2010 when Nani missed from the spot. The last penalty scored against the club was by Mikel Arteta for Everton in April 2010.
Each of Fulham's three Premier League victories this season have included a goal from Clint Dempsey. The American also scored twice in the 3-0 win in the corresponding fixture last season.
They have won only two of their eight matches against bottom-half teams this season.
Bolton
Bottom-of-the-table Bolton have lost their last four league games and 12 of their first 15 this season. They have not had a draw in their last 25 league matches - a Premier League record.
The Trotters have won twice as many points away from home than at the Reebok Stadium this season (6:3), despite having played a match less on their travels than at home.
Bolton have scored more league goals (20) than sixth-placed Liverpool (18) this season but have conceded 36, more than any other team in the top flight.
Ivan Klasnic has scored seven Premier League goals this season and is now one goal away from equalling his best-ever tally for a season (eight in 2009-10). The Croat has scored four of the Trotters' last five goals.
Bolton have had five red cards in this season's top flight - more than any other club. Since the Premier League began, only three clubs have had six red cards between the start of the season and the end of the year - Leicester City (1994-95), Wimbledon (1995-96) and West Brom (2010-11).
Kevin Davies is set to make his 300th Premier League appearance for Bolton. He will be the second player to reach this milestone for the club after goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskalainen (375).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16123956.stm? (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16123956.stm?)
Youngsters To Face Fulham
The Peterborough United youth team will host Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup at London Road.
The tie has to be played by 21st January 2012. Posh progressed into the fourth round after beating Blackpool in front of close to 700 supporters. Reaction will follow shortly...
http://www.theposh.com/page/YouthTeamDetail/0,,10427~2549528,00.html? (http://www.theposh.com/page/YouthTeamDetail/0,,10427~2549528,00.html?)
EPL Preview: Fulham v Bolton
Just three points above the relegation zone, Fulham host last-placed Bolton Wanderers as Martin Jol tries to steer the Londoners to safety.
Fulham have often struggled this season in league fixtures following European games, and - after crashing out of the Europa League from a stoppage time goal in their 2-2 draw against Odense - Jol will refocus his side on the English Premier League as they try to take points off sides below them.
Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer's outstanding form has saved Fulham many points this season, but Jol will have to do without his star shot-stopper for the next six weeks after the Australian suffered a neck injury against Swansea last Saturday.
Philippines international Neil Etheridge, 21, was in goal for Wednesday's Europa League tie, while loanee David Stockdale has been recalled from Ipswich to provide further cover.
Steve Sidwell and Danny Murphy are doubtful against Bolton, with both left out of Fulham's Europa League squad. Sidwell is recovering from hernia operation and Murphy still nursing an ankle injury.
Chris Baird returned from injury against Odense and Marcel Gecov is likely to continue covering for Murphy in midfield.
Fulham might have won just once in seven matches in all competitions, but Jol will be pressing for all three points against a Bolton side which has lost four matches in a row.
Owen Coyle's men are six points from Fulham's 14th placing despite having the same number of wins - three.
Bolton have struggled to recapture their impressive form from last season, and a host of injuries to key players has not helped their cause.
Striker Ivan Klasnic is out with a knee injury, while Nigel Reo Coker, Ricardo Gardner and Stuart Holden are others on the casualty list.
But despite their injury toll, Bolton full-back Zat Knight is backing the side to recover some lost points before the end of the year, starting against Fulham on Saturday.
"It's still tight and there are games coming up, but we have to stop saying we can win them and instead we have to go and get something," Knight told Bolton's official website.
"That would give us something to build on and some confidence, but first of all we have to fight. If we are resilient and hard to beat then there is every chance you can win games."
http://www.sportal.co.in/football-news-display/preview-fulham-v-bolton-152394 (http://www.sportal.co.in/football-news-display/preview-fulham-v-bolton-152394)
Fulham vs Bolton: Preview
(http://thepremierleagueowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Screen-Shot-2011-12-16-at-12.35.35.png)
On another day, Clint Dempsey doesn't deflect in the opener at the Liberty Stadium and he scores his penalty – Fulham would then have been four games unbeaten.
Martin Jol's team are the kind of side that you really have to work to unpick, the Liverpool game showed that – and at Craven Cottage they'll always be an awkward opponent.
One certain change for the home side: David Stockdale will start in goal as Mark Schwarzer has been ruled out for six weeks. For the visitors, Nigel Reo-Coker should play a part after recovering from a hamstring injury, and Ivan Klasnic is fit to start. David Wheater is suspended after his red card against Everton.
When you're in the kind of position that Owen Coyle are, you need some luck – you need a favourable refereeing decision, a poor performance from your opposition, or anything else that can jolt a team out of a malaise. Interestingly, Bolton have scored first in only 20% of their games, and that's a statistic that needs to be reversed if they're to get anything from South West London tomorrow.
Given the confusion that seems to exist over Bobby Zamora's squad status, Moussa Dembele has to pinpointed as the key threat in the Fulham side. Dembele is an example of a player that, if he was with a more high-profile club, everyone would rave about him. He's quality – strong, direct, and purposeful. The 'between-the-lines' way in which he plays, will make him very difficult for Bolton to handle – that will require exactly the kind of discipline and concentration that's been lacking from their play.
Home win, you can't look beyond that – Bolton sinking further into the mire.
http://thepremierleagueowl.com/2011/12/16/fulham-vs-bolton-preview/? (http://thepremierleagueowl.com/2011/12/16/fulham-vs-bolton-preview/?)
Fulham vs Bolton: Home side have the edge in must-win clash
Fulham will aim to put Europa League exit behind them and extend Bolton's wretched run
Pressure has started to build on Fulham boss Martin Jol after Fulham's Europa League failure, but it is nothing compared to that being experienced by Owen Coyle.
Fulham are 4/6 to put their European misery behind them with three points at Craven Cottage, and that price looks very good considering visitors Bolton haven't won away from home since the first day of the season.
Coyle's men sit rock-bottom of the Premier League, amidst a dreadful run of form that has seen them amass only nine points from fifteen games so far.
They are 9/2 to add three more points to that haul here, but having shipped an incredible 35 goals in the league so far, it is difficult to see them even achieving a draw, which is priced at 5/2.
Bolton's case has not been helped by injuries, but theirs is a visit that Jol will undoubtedly look on as an opportunity to get his own indifferent side back on track and begin a march up the table.
Unlike their visitors, Fulham's defence is relatively stingy, and with just nine goals conceded at Craven Cottage all season, 11/8 looks a good price for the home side to keep a clean sheet, as does the 7/4 for them to win to nil.
It is 6/4 that the Londoners are leading at both half-time and full-time and 11/4 that they win both halves.
Both markets could be worth paying interest to with Jol eager for his men to put on a show in front of the home crowd to allay any scrutiny he may be coming under.
Bobby Zamora has reportedly had a bust-up with his manager, and with him unlikely to feature from the start, Clint Dempsey looks an obvious pick for first goal scorer at 5/1.
Breade Hangeland is always a set-piece threat though, and represents big value at 20/1 to find the net first on Saturday.
http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/premier-league/fulham-vs-bolton-home-side-have-the-edge-in-must-win-clash_085304.html (http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/premier-league/fulham-vs-bolton-home-side-have-the-edge-in-must-win-clash_085304.html)
