Friends of Fulham

 
Bent reveals why he chose Fulham over Crystal Palace

Darren Bent admits he decided to join Fulham over Crystal Palace because he wanted to be reunited with Martin Jol.

The Aston Villa striker penned a season-long loan deal with the Cottagers this morning having been strongly linked with London rivals Palace.

Eagles boss Ian Holloway was dismayed to see Bent opt for Fulham, but the 29-year-old says he couldn't resist the opportunity to link up with his old Tottenham boss Jol.

"It was a difficult day yesterday with the medical and so much speculation," he told Fulham's official website.

"There is no hiding the fact that Crystal Palace were interested in me. I respect Ian Holloway and it's a fantastic football club.

"But for me at this moment in time, knowing Martin [Jol], Fulham was the only place I really wanted to go.

"After having one conversation with Martin I knew it was where I wanted to be.

"He signed me when I was a Tottenham. I didn't get to play with him that much because he left the club so it's nice to be back here now.

"He has shown faith to come and get me and hopefully I can repay that with good performances through the season."



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/bent_reveals_why_he_chose_fulham_over_crystal_palace_1_2340659 (http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/bent_reveals_why_he_chose_fulham_over_crystal_palace_1_2340659)

 
BENT SEALS FULHAM SWITCH

ASTON VILLA LOAN ENGLAND STRIKER DARREN BENT TO FULHAM FOR A SEASON
England striker Darren Bent has joined Fulham on loan from Aston Villa until the end of the season.

Bent, aged 29, links up with his former Tottenham Hotspur manager Martin Jol at Craven Cottage, and the Dutchman is delighted to have secured the services of the forward.

Jol said: "Darren Bent is a striker I have always admired. He has shown in the Barclays Premier League that he is composed and clinical in front of goal but, even if he is not scoring, he is involved in some good link-up play, creating opportunities for his team-mates.

"I'm delighted that he has joined us, he gives us pace up front and I am confident that he will add to our goals scored tally this season."

Through his Twitter page, Bent said on Friday: "Delighted to be joining Fulham and really excited about getting started. It's an exciting new challenge for me and one that I'm relishing."

Bent, who has scored four goals in 13 internationals, will be hoping to force his way back into the England squad after last appearing for the Three Lions against Sweden in November 2011.



Read more at http://www.thefa.com/england/News/2013/bent-seals-fulham-switch?#a4Wq1f9pRh5qMbMB.99 (http://www.thefa.com/england/News/2013/bent-seals-fulham-switch?#a4Wq1f9pRh5qMbMB.99)

 
PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW – SUNDERLAND V FULHAM

(http://www.kickoff.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Sunderland-Fulham.jpg)

When you consider how badly the Cottagers have struggled on their Premier League travels down the years, their record of two wins, five draws and two defeats from nine trips to Sunderland actually starts to look quite impressive. Despite their decent results on Wearside, however, we make Fulham the underdogs (31%) against a new-look Black Cats team.

Paolo Di Canio has been busy reshaping his squad over the summer, with current Italian international Emanuele Giaccherini and former Hull striker Jozy Altidore the most high-profile arrivals. This influx of players makes it hard to gauge exactly what to expect, but five draws from eight home fixtures suggests that another one is a distinct possibility (27%).

That said, under 2.5 goals (55%) is definitely the bet to go for here. This has been the case in five consecutive Sunderland matches at the Stadium of Light, as well as in four of the previous five Fulham away games. Ironically enough, it was a 2-2 draw in this fixture last season that preceded the current run of low-scoring encounters in this part of the North East.


Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals (55%) @ 87/100 with Betfair



http://www.kickoff.co.uk/6318/premier-league-preview-sunderland-v-fulham/? (http://www.kickoff.co.uk/6318/premier-league-preview-sunderland-v-fulham/?)

 
Double boost for Cottagers
Fulham have signed Darren Bent on a season-long loan from Aston Villa and agreed a new two-year deal with Sascha Riether.

Fulham have signed Darren Bent on a season-long loan from Aston Villa and agreed a new two-year deal with Sascha Riether, the club's player of the year last season.

Manager Martin Jol stole in ahead of Crystal Palace to land Bent, who was Villa's record signing when he joined from Sunderland for £18million in January 2011 but has since fallen behind Christian Benteke in the pecking order.

Jol admitted last season that he missed out on the chance to recruit Belgian international Benteke and he was clearly not prepared to make the same mistake with Bent.

Palace manager Ian Holloway revealed this week he thought Bent was en route to Selhurst Park when Fulham stepped in to seal the deal.

"Darren Bent is a striker I have always admired," said Jol, who signed the England international for Tottenham from Charlton in 2007.

"He has shown in the Barclays Premier League that he is composed and clinical in front of goal but, even if he is not scoring, he is involved in some good link-up play, creating opportunities for his team-mates.

"I'm delighted that he has joined us, he gives us pace up front and I am confident that he will add to our goals scored tally this season."

Bent found his opportunities limited last season and scored just six times in 23 appearances for Villa, but his career record is a goal every other game.

The 29-year-old is one of seven summer signings made by Jol, including Riether whose loan move from from Cologne was made permanent two months ago.

The German defender has now signed a new two-year deal, with the option of a third season.

"I'm happy to have got the deal done," Riether told the club's official website.

"I like it here - I love Fulham, I love the fans, I love the club and I'm happy that we could close this deal now.

"It's the start of the season and we are well prepared so I'm looking forward to the future."


http://sport.bt.com/sportfootball/football/double-boost-for-cottagers-S11363825551020? (http://sport.bt.com/sportfootball/football/double-boost-for-cottagers-S11363825551020?)

 
Kacaniklic doubtful for opener

Alexander Kacaniklic is a doubt for the big kick off at Sunderland because of a hamstring injury, but Darren Bent is ready to start.

Bent, who left the Stadium of Light in acrimonious circumstances two-and-a-half years ago, is available for his Fulham debut after joining on loan from Aston Villa. Goalkeeper David Stockdale is struggling with a thumb problem, but new signing Maarten Stekelenburg is the club's number one choice in the position. Adel Taarabt, a loan signing from QPR, is short of match fitness but will be included in the squad.



Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/kacaniklic-doubtful-for-opener-1617690.html? (http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/kacaniklic-doubtful-for-opener-1617690.html?)

 
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
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Sunderland v Fulham

Sunderland have signed 10 players but not many of them have any Premier League experience and it is difficult to know exactly what to expect from the Black Cats on Saturday, or over the coming season.

I doubt very much that Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio knows his best team at this stage and the only thing we can say for sure is that we will see more of his touchline antics over the next few months, that is a given.

Fulham have a new American owner in Shahid Khan and they have made some decent signings over the summer. It looks like Martin Jol is about to take Darren Bent from Aston Villa and he has already signed Adel Taarabt from QPR and Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg from Roma.

I would back them to have another solid season under Jol, starting with a point at the Stadium of Light.

Sudeikis says: "Sunderland is going to beat them, just because of Kiefer and Donald Sunderland. And it will be 24-0 because of Kiefer Sutherland, I mean Sunderland."

Lawro's prediction: 1-1


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23667286 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23667286)

 
Burton Ticket Update

Tickets for our Second Round Capital One Cup tie away to Burton Albion on Tuesday 27th August will go on sale to Season Ticket Holders with 300+ loyalty points from 2pm on Monday 19th August.

Remaining Season Ticket Holders will be able to purchase from Tuesday, with any leftover tickets available for Members and on General Sale on Wednesday.

Visit the match centre for a full breakdown of prices and on-sale times and dates.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/august/16/burton-ticket-update? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/august/16/burton-ticket-update?)

 
Why Fulham are Set to Surprise in 2013-14

While many of you would probably have expected to me say Sunderland, Southampton or West Ham as the next most likely club to surprise this season, I have to give full respect to Fulham and the smart work that Martin Jol continues to do in the transfer market.

The manager released a healthy dose of players at the end of the season and over the summer seeing a vast majority of the over 30 group let go. Many of them including Simon Davies, Mladen Petric, Chris Baird and Mahamadou Diarra did not have a full season's worth of playing time combined.

With the addition of Maarten Stekelenburg from AS Roma the club looks to have moved for another Dutch keeper in the mold of Edwin Van der Sar when he was a major part of Fulham's success before moving to Manchester United.

Securing Sascha Reither for only £1.3 million sees the Cottagers retain their top rated defender from 2012-13 on the cheap while the loan signing of Adel Taarabt from QPR provides some much underrated flair to the midfield support of Dimitar Berbatov.

Taarabt was the top rated player for Queens Park Rangers last season and his 76 chances created may have only ended in four assists and five goals, but with a poacher like Berbatov to support he is likely to have a much more important season at Craven Cottage.

Having tasted the frustration of relegation he will also be more even more determined this year to prove he has what it takes to make it in the top flight. His abilities were seen squandered many times at QPR while Martin Jol is likely to use him as the driving force of his midfield attack.

Additionally the news that Darren Bent has arrived this afternoon also sends another potential chill up the spine of any club that knows all to well the sting of an upset. Although he never rose to the heights of success at Aston Villa that he did in terms of prolific goal scoring at Sunderland and somewhat at Tottenham, Bent has something to prove.

The 29-year-old scored 36 goals in 63 appearances for the Black Cats and has scored 25 in 63 for Villa over two and a half years of injury plagued and non-selection frustration at Villa Park. Seeing him join the ranks of Dimitar Berbatov could see them be a fierce attacking force. Add in the ability of on loan signing Taarabt and Bryan Ruiz's ability to pick out a pass and it gets more interesting for the Cottagers top-half hopes.

Much like Norwich the Cottagers were an upper mid-table middle of the road club, but a shrewd summer of business could potentially see the West London club break the top eight and jump into the middle of the upper portion of the table and with a likely injection of transfer funds from new ownership in January, there could be big things on the horizon for Fulham.


Read more at http://swol.co/why-fulham-are-set-to-surprise-in-201314/29535?#z5kXl6YZizz3TXLD.99 (http://swol.co/why-fulham-are-set-to-surprise-in-201314/29535?#z5kXl6YZizz3TXLD.99)

 
Sunderland v Fulham: squad sheets

Darren Bent, newly arrived at Fulham on loan from Aston Villa, is available to feature but the striker may not recognise his one former club. Paolo Di Canio, Sunderland's manager, says he has presided over a "complete revolution" this summer. Embracing much enhanced discipline and fitness it is intended to have given the team a "new identity" courtesy of more attractive football, played from the back and 10 new summer signings. Louise Taylor

Kick-off Saturday 3pm

Venue Stadium of Light

Last season Sunderland 2 Fulham 2

Referee N Swarbrick

Last season G18 Y61, R0, 3.4 cards per game

Odds H 5-4 A 12-5 D 12-5

(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2013/8/16/1376670508009/Sunderland-v-Fulham-001.jpg)
Sunderland v Fulham: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light.
Illustration: Graphic

Sunderland

Subs from Mannone, Diakité, Cuéllar, Ba, Karlsson, Wickham, Mandron, Ji, Egan, Laing, Knott, Lynch, Mitchell

Doubtful None

Injured Brown (knee, 24 Aug), Fletcher (ankle, 31 Aug), Cattermole (fitness, Sep), Bardsley (foot, Oct)

Suspended Gardner (last of three), Vaughan (one match)

Form guide (last season) LDDLWW

Disciplinary record Y62 R3

Leading scorer Fletcher 11

Fulham

Subs from Etheridge, Stockdale, Riise, Briggs, Hughes, Senderos, Kasami, Kacaniklic, Frei, Karagounis, Rodallega, Trotta, Dejagah, Bent

Doubtful Kacaniklic (hamstring), Stockdale (thumb)

Injured None

Suspended None

Form guide (last season) WLLLLL

Disciplinary record Y48 R3

Leading scorer Berbatov 15



http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/16/sunderland-fulham-squad-sheets (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/16/sunderland-fulham-squad-sheets)

 
Premier League Preview – Fulham

Last season: The Cottagers had a mediocre season as they finished in 12th place, just one point ahead of Stoke.

Martin Jol's team only managed to win 11 out of 38 games and lost an astonishing 17, with nine of them being at Craven Cottage. This shows that the home advantage didn't work very well for the Whites as they also just won seven matches in their own stadium. The away games were not very different as they lost half of them and won only four.

Furthermore, Fulham managed to score just 50 goals in total and conceded 60, which proves to be a very problematic figure for the 2010 Europa League runners up who also managed just four clean sheets. The club though did manage to win both legs against West Brom and one away match against Spurs but also lost both games to Liverpool, Man City and Man Utd.

Transfer Ins:

Maarten Stekelenburg (Roma)

Sascha Riether (Cologne)

Fernando Amorebieta (Athletic Club)

Derek Boateng (Dnipro)

Transfer Outs:

Mark Schwarzer (Chelsea)

Simon Davies

Mladen Petric

Corey Gameiro (Sydney)

Chris Baird

Csaba Somogyi

Alex Smith (Swindon Town)

Mahamadou Diarra

Richard Peniket (Tamworth)

Player to watch: One would assume that the Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov will, for one more season, steal the show at Fulham. The Bulgaria international is no stranger to high positions in the goal scorers' list as he finished on 7th place with 15 goals along with Southampton's Ricky Lambert and Chelsea's Frank Lampard and Demba Ba.

This is a player that has plenty of experience in the Premier League as he was extremely vital for Spurs, during his time at White Hart Lane, as well as Manchester United, during his time at Old Trafford.

The 33-year-old made 33 appearances for the Whites and had three assists. He will be expected to score the tough goals for his team and also hold a leading role this season at Craven Cottage. He could be the player that, thanks to his goal-scoring abilities, could change Fulham's image and push them to higher positions in the league. The right-footed forward will need help from his team though to get the job done.

Player needing to improve: Hugo Rodallega was signed from Wigan last year and made 112 appearances with the Latics and netted 24 goals. However, in Fulham he played 27 games but scored only 3 goals for the Whites. This year can be a huge opportunity for the Colombian to improve as Berbatov could need some help up front and the team might need to fight harder to avoid the danger zone.

Prediction: The numbers of last season certainly don't look promising for Fulham however the owner Shahid Khan looks to be trying to create some improvement for the team. For example the signing of Holland international goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg from Roma can be very important for Jol as the team had a problem with maintaining clean sheets.

Nevertheless, the Cottagers need to improve their game in order to hit the higher places and cause damage to the big clubs that finished on the first seven places last season. They need to make the most out of the home games as well as reducing the losing ratio.

But for now, FFC can't see Fulham going to Europe the season after this one and can still see them somewhere around the middle just like last year.

Our prediction: 13th place.



http://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/fulham/premier-league-preview-fulham? (http://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/fulham/premier-league-preview-fulham?)

 
Barry Hayles column: Saha was my favourite striking partner

I was shocked to hear the news that my former team mate Louis Saha has decided to retire.

Louis I wish you a happy retirement. You were my favourite striking partner. You had it all. You were good in the air, had two quick feet and most important of all an eye for goal.

It was such a shame that a terrific player like you picked up, so many injuries later on in your career. Your hamstrings unfortunately held you back. However, the Fulham fans will always remember you as a club legend.

You were a key player for the club scoring 64 goals in 144 games, which is no mean feat.

Fulham bought you for £2.1 million and later sold you on to Manchester United for £12.8 million.

Louis you clearly paid back your transfer fee and left the club in a healthier state than when you arrived.

Enjoy your retirement you have earned it.

A new chapter is set to begin this year at Fulham, as Shahid Khan takes over from Mohamed Al Fayed.

It is testament to what Mr Fayed did for the club that he now felt able to walk away from Craven Cottage.

You're always going to get changes in football - it's inevitable. He took Fulham to the highest point by making them a stable Premier League club.

Mr Khan has now taken over the mantle and let's hope he steers Fulham onto the next level.

My old team travel to Sunderland on the opening day and I'm confident we will get the three points.

However, we must play to our strengths and keep the crowd quiet for the first 20 minutes.

Their manager Paolo Di Canio will have his players fired up from the first to last whistle.

Sunderland have a massive following and their fans will come out in force to cheer on their team.

If we keep the ball and create plenty of chances for both Dimitar Berbatov and Bryan Ruiz then we will win the game.

Sunderland has always been a memorable fixture for me.

I scored my first ever Premier League goal for Fulham against the Black Cats. I remember coming off the bench and scoring in a tight match. We went on to win 2-0. It was a brilliant feeling and I was proud to play a part in Fulham's first win in the Premier League.

Barry Hayles was speaking to Lewis Deakin.



Read more: Fulham Chronicle http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2013/08/16/82029-33737114/?#ixzz2cD2iPJRM (http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2013/08/16/82029-33737114/?#ixzz2cD2iPJRM)

 
Sunderland vs. Fulham: Key Premier League Battles to Watch

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Victor Fraile/Getty Images

The Stadium of Light will see a number of key battles during Sunderland's Premier League opener with Fulham. Both sides have worked extensively across the summer to improve their squads and will be eyeing three points at the first attempt.

Which key battles will define the game? Who will come out on top: Sunderland's Paolo Di Canio or Fulham's Martin Jol? Let's consider exactly that.

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Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Sunderland's Interchanging Attack vs. Fulham's Powerful Defence

Paolo Di Canio has worked diligently to stamp his authority into a struggling Sunderland squad. The team have rarely played free-flowing, attack-minded football across the last few years, but the Italian boss is looking to change that.

Jozy Altidore enters the Premier League season in fine form. His hat-trick during USA's 4-3 comeback win over Bosnia and Herzegovina is the perfect confidence booster ahead of the campaign.

Expect the battling forward to lead the line with Emanuele Giaccherini and Adam Johnson in a front three that possesses real incision. With Stephane Sessegnon sitting behind Altidore, the Black Cats finally have a threat that will make knees tremble.

Fulham's new-look defence has to hit the ground running on opening day. The commanding abilities of Brede Hangeland will be vital to the London club's success in the north of England. Hangeland's relationship with new signing Fernando Amorebieta is crucial. Although John Arne Riise and Sascha Riether are used to the Premier League threat, Amorebieta needs to settle immediately in the Cottagers' back four.

Both Hangeland and Amorebieta are immensely powerful centre-backs. They can suffocate Altidore's space if the American forward doesn't receive immediate support. Giaccherini and Johnson must pull the Fulham defence apart with speedy runs up the pitch and need to deliver an array of balls towards the box.

As a route to Fulham's goal, the central battle is going to be vital.

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Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

Can John O'Shea halt Dimitar Berbatov?

Former Manchester United teammates John O'Shea and Dimitar Berbatov both have key roles to play in this encounter.

Much like the aforementioned Hangeland, O'Shea is Sunderland's dictator at the back. He will shout his men into position, berate any mistakes and ensure Di Canio's tactics are adhered to. Berbatov is Fulham's most likely route to goal, and it's O'Shea who needs to halt him.

This won't be a lively battle.

Unlike relentless energy at the other end, Berbatov is more likely to stroll around the area than blitz through it. O'Shea needs to get in his face, stop the Bulgarian from turning on the ball and bringing others into play. Berbatov is best when he gets time to control, look up and think about his next move. If O'Shea needs to nip at Berbatov's heels and cynically rough him up to get a decent result, Di Canio won't be disappointed.

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Victor Fraile/Getty Images

A Tale of Two New Teams

As estimated by John Ley of The Telegraph, around nine new players could make their competitive debut in this match. Such a dramatic change is likely to make this battle immensely exciting, especially when you consider each of the new talents will be itching to make an impression.

While this result is unlikely to shape either side's season, both Di Canio and Jol should take the opportunity to lay out the foundations for the road ahead. With players such as Cabral and Derek Boating lining up against each other in midfield, transitional play needs to be thoughtful and accurate.

Fitness won't be up to scratch at this stage in the season, so players need to ensure they aren't creating additional work for their teammates.

With so many new signings readying themselves to appear, it's likely we'll witness the birth of an instant hero. Can Di Canio open the season with a morale-boosting win in front of the home crowd, or will Jol spoil his progress?



http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1740394-sunderland-vs-fulham-key-premier-league-battles-to-watch? (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1740394-sunderland-vs-fulham-key-premier-league-battles-to-watch?)

 
Next up: Sunderland (a)
by DAN on AUGUST 16, 2013

(http://sports.ndtv.com/images/stories/sunderland-fulham-300.jpg)

This might have been a fine sporting summer – Andy Murray finally triumphed at Wimbledon, the Lions saw off Australia down under and England retained the Ashes faster than anyone would've anticipated – but there's a special sense of anticipation ahead of the start of a new football season. Fulham begin their 2013/2014 Premier League campaign at Sunderland tomorrow afternoon and, after the announcement of Darren Bent's arrival on loan at lunchtime, there will be a palpable excitement amongst the Fulham fans making their way up to the north east ahead of the big kick-off.

Martin Jol has always been a footballing romantic, who promised to bring his own brand of total football to Fulham after replacing Mark Hughes at Craven Cottage. Some of his selections – and even signings – might have been hard to fathom, but as this excellent article on Football 365 earlier this week attested, Jol has stubbornly refused to retreat towards the conventional method of management. Throughout Fulham's horrible winter slump, which saw the side come far too close for comfort to the scrap for relegation last season, there was a feeling that with Berbatov and Ruiz in the side, there were too many artisans and not enough grafters in the team. Jol might have recruited Derek Boateng to add a bit more grit, but he's also brought in the mercurial Adel Taraabt, who he bought to English football when he was in charge of Tottenham. There can be no doubt that Jol's attacking instincts will always win out. It's a seismic change from the risk-averse years of Roy Hodgson.

Jol's summer additions make it quite difficult to predict which eleven players will walk out to face a re-shaped Sunderland at the Stadium of Light tomorrow. Maarten Stekelenburg is certain to make his debut in goal after the departure of Mark Schwarzer, as a thumb injury appears to have ruled David Stockdale out of contention. Stockdale has spoken of his desire to challenge the Dutch international for a starting place, but the former Ajax custodian will be keen to revive his career after a disappointing spell in Serie A and starts the season as Jol's clear number one. Fernando Amorebieta arrives with a real pedigree from La Liga and his height alongside captain Brede Hangeland should ensure Fulham are far less fallible in the air – a deficiency that has proven their undoing so regularly in the past.

Midfield is the intriguing area. If Jol persists with his favoured 4-3-2-1 formation, he'll face some tough decisions. It looks like Steve Sidwell, who has seemingly atoned for his two dismissals that so infuriated Jol at the tail end of last season, will partner Boateng in central midfield. The dynamic between this two busy footballers – neither of whom are averse to putting their foot into a challenge – will be fascinating to watch. In pre-season, Sidwell has become more of the bustling, box-to-box midfielder that we saw in his earlier career, with Boateng assigned to a deeper, more disciplined role in front of the back four. The Ghanaian's arrival will offer more protection for the defence, although should these two start together regularly, Fulham's usual spot towards the top of the Fair Play table might be a thing of the past.

Ahead of the central midfielders, Jol has some decisions to make. Bryan Ruiz has divided opinion during his first two seasons by the Thames. Undoubtedly a gifted footballer, whose technical ability is on a par with anyone at the club, Ruiz's detractors cite his inability to regularly grab a game by the scuff of the neck as the mark of someone who too regularly underperforms. I feel Ruiz gets a raw deal, but Jol's decision to bring in Taarabt on loan is a direct challenge to the Costa Rican, who has previously been the sole contender for the number ten role behind a loan striker. Should he not perform, Ruiz could find himself shunted out to the wings or – worse – benched.

Jol's task will be to find a way of fitting Taraabt, Ruiz, Bent and Dimitar Berbatov into the same side. Berbatov's 15 league goals were priceless last season – they were probably the difference between a lower mid-table finish and relegation to the Championship. Unless Berbatov is to play in the slightly deeper that he fulfilled during his first few games with Fulham, Jol will need to change the system to accommodate his other loan signing alongside the Bulgarian in attack. Whether Bent, who trained with his new team-mates this morning, is fit enough to start against one of his old clubs tomorrow remains to be seen.

Bent will struggle to recognise Sunderland under Paolo Di Canio, though. The Italian has undertaken what he calls 'a complete revolution' of his playing staff, bringing in no fewer than ten new faces as he attempts to build on the momentum of last season's exhilarating climb away from the drop zone. Vito Mannone, who starred in a narrow Arsenal victory at Craven Cottage in September 2009, should make his Sunderland debut in goal whilst the former Juventus winger Emanuele Giaccherini and American striker Jozy Altidore, who will hope to improve on his last Premier League experience with Hull City, should also start. Wes Brown and Steven Fletcher are sidelined through injury, whilst Craig Gardner is suspended.

Fulham have a good recent record at the Stadium of Light. The Whites are unbeaten in their last four visits, but did surrender a two-goal lead to draw at Sunderland back in March, and will look to be much tighter at the back on this occasion. The beginning of Jol's bright new dawn isn't far away – it should be a thoroughly absorbing ride.

MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg; Riether, Richardson, Hangeland, Amorebieta; Sidwell, Boateng; Dejagah, Ruiz, Berbatov; Bent. Subs: Etheridge, Hughes, Briggs, Karagounis, Duff, Taarabt, Rodallega.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2013/08/next-up-sunderland-a/? (http://hammyend.com/index.php/2013/08/next-up-sunderland-a/?)

 
Fulham boss admits finances force him to gamble on QPR loanee

Martin Jol accepts that signing Adel Taarabt is a gamble, but insists the financial constraints at Fulham force him to take risks.

Moroccan forward Taarabt has arrived on loan from QPR with the reputation of being a gifted playmaker capable of moments of genius, but also erratic and inconsistent.

Jol, who signed the 24-year-old when Tottenham manager in 2007, admits Fulham's limited budget means he must be creative in the transfer market, a fact underlined earlier today when Aston Villa striker Darren Bent arrived at Craven Cottage on a season-long loan.

"They say necessity is the mother of invention. I could leave it or I can gamble," Jol said.

"Maybe in six months' time or a year you will say I gambled too much, but believe me sometimes I have to gamble.

"That's what I have to do as we don't spend £5million or £6million on players."

Taarabt will be included in the squad for tomorrow's Barclays Premier League opener at Sunderland, but his lack of match fitness means he is unlikely to start.

Jol believes the African's ability to change matches makes him a useful addition to the squad, even if his roller-coaster form must be addressed.

"There aren't many players with his talent in Europe, but he needs to do it on a consistent basis and he needs confidence," Jol said.

"Adel is settling in. He hasn't played for months and we had to start somewhere. Hopefully he's ready.

"He's certainly a player a club like us could do with in the squad. He gives us that extra dimension.

"Hopefully he can improve and he'll become a player who scores eight, nine or 10 goals and produces more assists. I need goals and creativity up front.

"With Bryan Ruiz, Dimitar Berbatov, Adel and other creative players, if things are not going well people tend to blame them. I will too!

"I need to find the right balance between ball players and work horses."

Jol, meanwhile, has rejected suggestions that the Premier League has slipped behind Germany's Bundesliga and Spain's La Liga as the game's finest domestic competition

"I think the Premier League is even better than before. People talk about Spain and the Bundesliga and of course they are strong," he said.

"But I don't believe there is any league in Europe as strong in terms of spending power and capacity of the clubs.

"It's even stronger now than it was, especially the top five."



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_boss_admits_finances_force_him_to_gamble_on_qpr_loanee_1_2341021 (http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_boss_admits_finances_force_him_to_gamble_on_qpr_loanee_1_2341021)

 
Preview: Sunderland v Fulham – New Signings Mean This Clash Could Be A Belter

Sunderland – Fulham

Date: Saturday 17th August

Venue: The Stadium Of Light

KO: 3pm

Having undergone drastic changes over the past three months, Sunderland finally get a chance to test out their new squad in a competitive atmosphere this weekend as the Black Cats play host to Fulham. Paolo Di Canio has been swift and without remorse in his Stadium of Light revolution, leaving the imagination quite open as to just how the club will fare under the Italian.

The 2013 summer has been one of change for the Cottagers also, who replaced former owner Mohamed Al-Fayed with Shahid Khan, a Pakistani-American businessman. Last season, Sunderland managed to maintain an unbeaten record against their West London opponents, winning 3-1 in the English capital before seeing out a 1-1 draw back in the northeast. With a more talented attack now at his disposal, Di Canio can hope to improve further upon that success, beginning with his Premier League campaign opener.

Team News: Sunderland
There are a number of injury doubts and suspensions for Di Canio to deal with ahead of Sunderland's Premier League opener, although he will be thankful that none of his shiny new signings have been ruled out. Instead Sunderland will be lacking the English workhorses who may well not be in Di Canio's plans anyway – Lee Cattermole and Phil Bardsley are both injured while David Vaughan and Craig Gardner are carrying suspensions from last season. Steven Fletcher will be a miss while Ji Dong-Won's absence will hardly be the cause of sleepless nights for Di Canio.

Team News: Fulham
Martin Jol will be relieved to head into a new season with a clean bill of health. However there are doubts over Alex Kacanikilic who will face a late fitness test.

Recent Form
Pre-season has gone remarkably well for both teams set to compete on Wearside this weekend, although Saturday's hosts would appear to have fared slightly better from their managerial change. Upon his arrival in the northeast, Di Canio made it clear that fitness was one of the main concerns with his new team and in that regard things have certainly improved. Winning four of their five pre-season outings, losing just the one fixture to Manchester City in the final of the Barclays Asia Trophy, things have looked promising for the Black Cats.

Fulham haven't looked shabby either, but have finished their summer preparation looking far weaker than they began. Martin Jol's men won the first three of their friendlies before losing to Werder Bremen, drawing with Real Betis and then losing to Parma at home. The 2012-13 campaign saw Sunderland score the third-lowest goal tally of any Premier League side, closer to that of a side that warranted relegation, whereas Fulham's attacking prowess was actually more deserving of a top half finish. This time around, the hosts have a beefed up an offence ready to right those wrongs, with Fulham the first competitive guinea pigs.



Player to Watch:
Sunderland – Sebastian Larsson
With Emanuele Giaccherini coming onto the Sunderland flanks, Sebastian Larsson has been pushed into a central midfield role this summer, as Di Canio looks to enforce a more technically proficient squad.

So far in pre-season, though, the Swede has looked slightly uncomfortable in his new position, struggling to adapt to life in the engine room. However, having been successful in 63 of his 79 tackling attempts last season, Larsson would appear to have the potential to play here, while his playmaking ability clearly evident in the 39 scoring chances he created for his side. On top of that, Larsson completed 84% of his passes, only 81 of which were long balls, showing that he has a knack for interlinking play.

That being said, Saturday will be the first real test of the set-piece specialist's resolve in that area, as Fulham's Derek Boateng and Steve Sidwell have the potential to majorly upset the Swede in the middle of Sunderland's pitch.

Fulham – Adel Taarabt
The mercurial Moroccan may well have found the perfect home at Craven Cottage. Alongside Berbatov and Bryan Ruiz, Taarabt will have fellow creatives fitting of his ability to feed off of. The result could be beautiful, or it could go wrong in a seismic manner. Perhaps a case of "too many lazy players with a nice touch spoils the broth". It will be interesting to observe, especially with Tarrabt's sulking skills to consider. Taarabt was QPR's best performer last season, with a very good performance score of 1240.



Prediction:
Sunderland's mass of squad changes could end up working well for the club, but will take its time in meshing the side together. That being said, Fulham's fairly similar-looking squad is out of form and coming up against a team that looks far more threatening than it did last term. If Di Canio's pre-season regime works to full effectiveness, Sunderland's fitness should see them control the fixture from the offset, although a strong Fulham forward line will be fearsome on the break.

Sunderland 3-1 Fulham



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Riether Future Doubts Ended
   
Any doubts relating to the Fulham future of Sascha Riether have now been ended.

During the last few weeks there has been the hint of a suggestion that Riether was bound for a Bundesliga return.

However, the 30 year-old German has scotched those rumours by putting pen-to-paper on a deal that ties him to Craven Cottage until 2016.

The defender appears jubilant at the news remarking on the official site,

'I'm happy to have got the deal done. I like it here - I love Fulham, I love the fans, I love the club, and I'm happy that we could close this deal now. It's the start of the season and we are well prepared so I'm looking forward to the future.'

One of the best signings of the summer I`d say!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=328897#ixzz2cD4gJ3F1 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=328897#ixzz2cD4gJ3F1)

 
Fulham Sign Bent – But Is There Room In The Cottage For Both Him & Berbatov? Transfer Scouting Report

Football can be a game of frustration at times. And while many spectators, myself included, feel little sympathy for those cast out by their clubs because of the lavish lifestyle they live and the stupendous amounts of money they receive, it still sparks irritation when a popular player is left to rust on the bench. Darren Bent is a proven topflight goal-getter, with over 100 goals between Ipswich, Charlton, Tottenham, Sunderland and current club Aston Villa in the Premier League. Despite scoring freely for every side he's played at he has found himself playing second fiddle at the latter. Now, at 29 years of age, Bent's search for playing time has lead him to a season long loan at Fulham.

He played just 16 games last season for the Villains in the league, only six of these being full games, and he still mustered three goals. Paul Lambert's preference for youth saw Christian Benteke lead the line for the large majority of the season – justified by the Belgian's 19 goals.

Bent has made his name by sitting on the shoulder of the opposition defence and exploiting the space behind with his rapid bursts of pace and his coolness in front of goal. He's scored four goals in 13 England appearances but his lack of confidence last season saw his stump up a measly shot accuracy of just 47%.



Sunderland's Player of the Year 2009/10 is arriving into an attack lead by former Manchester United hit-man Dimitar Berbatov, with Hugo Rodallega and Bryan Ruiz all offering their services around the Bulgarian. So with Martin Jol setting up with the lone front man where will Bent fit into the Cottagers' side?

Berbatov has the intelligence and the guile to operate in the space behind the target-man which would allow the England international to run beyond him. Bryan Ruiz is traditionally a deeper attacker, so would presumably take up a role just behind to the right, with Damien Duff on the left.



There are few more predatory in the penalty area than Berbatov - all 15 of his goals last year came from inside the box - and to ensure his form didn't nosedive Jol has to be careful with his tweaks. His nonchalant approach doesn't compliment everyone that he plays with, but if Fulham can get them ticking then fans at Craven Cottage will be in for a treat in the upcoming season.



http://squawka.com/news/2013/08/16/darren-bent-bent-bent/2013081617774? (http://squawka.com/news/2013/08/16/darren-bent-bent-bent/2013081617774?)

 
EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Aston Villa man says the departure of Darren Bent to Fulham is a mistake
FORMER Aston Villa defender Alan Wright believes the departure of Darren Bent could be a huge loss for the club after the striker completed a move to Fulham on a season-long loan today.

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Bent has joined Fulham on a season-long loan deal from Villa

Bent, who only made eight first-team starts under Paul Lambert, was told at the end of last season he was free to leave the club for pastures new.

Wright, who made over 300 appearances for the club, still finds it difficult to understand why Bent was frozen out at Villa Park.

"It is a bit of a myth, Villa were struggling for goals in parts during the season and Darren never really got a look in," he exclusively told the DailyStar.co.uk.

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Wright is unsure why Bent was not given a chance under Paul Lambert last season

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The 29-year-old only scored six times for Villa during the last campaign

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Bent celebrates a goal for Villa against West Brom

"He is going to be a loss because he will always get goals and that is the hardest thing in the game"
Alan Wright

"Darren is always going to get you goals, he has done that throughout his career.

"The fact that when Villa were crying out for goals and he was not involved makes you think something behind the scenes has happened.

"He is going to be a loss, because he will always get goals and that is the hardest thing in the game."

The England international joined Villa, under the management of Gerard Houllier, for a club record £24m from Sunderland two-years ago.

In his first full season the 29-year-old netted 10 times in 25 appearances as the club finished a disappointing 16th in the Premier League.

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Wright believes Lambert must have had his reasons for letting Bent leave the club

And though Wright is not of the same opinion of Lambert, he feels the current Villa manager must have his reasons for letting such a prolific striker leave.

"For me I do not think it is the right thing to do, but obviously Paul's got his reasons," he said.

"If he saw Darren as not part of the squad, then it was time for him to move on."

The future of star man Christian Benteke had also been in doubt during the summer, with Tottenham and Chelsea interested in acquiring the Belgian forward.

However the reassured commitment to the club from the 22-year-old, who signed a new contract last month, has delighted Wright.

"The fact that he has stayed, it can only be good for the club," he said.

"If they had lost him for the season, it would have been another big loss.

"It is great business on Villa's part to keep him contracted and tied up for the next few years."

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Benteke signed a new contract with Villa in the summer despite huge interest in him from Tottenham and Chelsea

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The Belgian scored 23 times in competitions for the club last term

Despite the departure of Bent, the 41-year-old believes his old club's young side can build on the momentum gained towards the end of last season.

Villa won five of their last 10 matches as they escaped relegation to the Championship with youngsters Ashley Westwood, Joe Bennett and Matthew Lowton key to that revival.

"If they get off to a fairly good start you could see them finishing mid-table, maybe just above half-way," he said.

"They are still very inexperienced for the group, but the fact that they have kept hold of Benteke is a massive plus.

"The way they rallied together at the end of last season will put them in good stead. So I think they will be alright, but I do not think it will be a stroll in the park.

"Realistically if they grow on what they achieved, mid-table would be considered quite a successful season for them."


http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/332902/EXCLUSIVE-Ex-Aston-Villa-man-says-the-departure-of-Darren-Bent-to-Fulham-is-a-mistake (http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/332902/EXCLUSIVE-Ex-Aston-Villa-man-says-the-departure-of-Darren-Bent-to-Fulham-is-a-mistake)

 
2013/14 Fulham Season Preview: Apprehension Abound As Fulham Aim for Mediocrity


It's been a while since I've felt this nervous about the Fulham squad.

Actually...come to think of it..no it hasn't.  I felt this way in March and April when Fulham started dropping points after points after points to get themselves sucked into a relegation battle.

With new owner Shahid Khan, Fulham are still same old Fulham – Khan's focus on "sustainable success" is pretty much how Mohamed Al Fayed ran things.  The new Riverside stand is sucking money from the transfer kitty, and it would seem Fulham are about £2 million short of just about all of their transfer targets' valuations, and nobody wants to budge.

Therefore, it's been very difficult to build on a squad that last year was barely good enough for 12th.  In fact, Jol's brought in six new additions, but only two he's  paid a transfer fee for: Sascha Riether (who was part of last season's squad) and Maarten Stekelenburg.

Jol has, thankfully, improved on the squad's depth in the midfield, something that was terribly lacking last season. With Steve Sidwell's mind-boggling consecutive red cards, the midfield both on the creative side and defensive side down the stretch was thin.  Georgios Karagounis's 36-year-old body tired heavily, but there was nobody to cover for him with loanee Eyong Enoh playing alongside.

Now, Derek Boateng and Adel Taarabt will come in to provide added depth, and Sidwell and Karagounis are rested and ready to go.  But that's not even close to enough.  Last year's midfield loan squad of Enoh, Emanuel Frimpong, and Urby Emmanuelson are gone, and these four will not be enough to traverse the grind of an entire season.  Jol needs to add at least one more central midfielder, either on the creative or defensive side, and it needs to happen in this transfer window.  (Footnote: getting Mahamadou Diarra back due to returned fitness doesn't count).

What Jol and Alistair Mackintosh have done so far this transfer window, though, can't be underestimated.  He hasn't grabbed 50984459874 players like Paolo Di Canio, but he's filling holes.  Fernando Amorebieta was massive to grab on a free.  While we do and always shall love Mark Schwarzer, Maarten Stekelenburg looks like an obvious upgrade between the sticks.  Darren Bent will add goals to an otherwise stagnant offense.  Adel Taarabt adds a spark plug to the midfield or wing.  There's still work to be done (LB, CM at the least), but he's making things happen.

Finally, I would like to – as I did on Twitter – express my disappointment at Martin Jol's admission a few days ago of the club's aim of 12th in the table.  I understand that this season's aim is all about survival until next year when the youth squad can start making its way up to the top (more on that later).  But why are we admitting the side's mediocrity to the public? It's disappointing to hear the club not striving for best case scenario.  I don't think there's anyone here that, with a few additions, doesn't believe the best-case scenario for this club is somewhere around 8th place if everyone gels right away and Jol picks the right players at the right times.  Obviously it's more realistic to look around 12th-14th, but why aren't we aiming towards the best we can achieve? It's a shame, and almost feels like Jol's admitting defeat before the season even begins.

Now for the fun part, predictions. I did a rundown of how I thought the league would shape up for ProSoccerTalk here, but things have changed since then.  Southampton's huge grab of Pablo Osvaldo – while ridiculously overpriced – will propel them out of the relegation battle.  I've also been convinced by those on Twitter and elsewhere that Spurs will indeed eclipse Arsenal no matter what happens with Gareth Bale, both due to Spurs' fantastic buys in the market (which are being overshadowed by Bale) and the Gunners' desire to sit and stare at their piles of cash rather than use them.

League winner: Manchester City

Top 4: Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur

Relegation: Sunderland (sorry Jozy, I still love you), Hull City TIGRES *rawrrrrr*, Crystal Palace

Most impressive mid-table side: Swansea City

Most disappointing mid-table side: Stoke City

Fulham's finish: 13 – can obviously be improved as the transfer window goes on, but right now this is a bottom-half side at best)

Fulham's Player of the Year: Dimitar Berbatov – he's the best player on the squad, and while Riether continues to impress, Berbatov is MVP of this side in my opinion.  Without him, we are nothing.

Fulham's surprise player: Alexander Kacaniklic – ok, not a massive surprise, but the kid has come so far, and I think will become an absolutely vital piece of this team alongside Ashkan Dejagah.  The wings for Fulham are one of the bright spots, and they will be charged with overshadowing the lack of creativity in the middle.  Kaca receiving the number 11 is huge, and I'm excited for him to inject both youth and talent into what this club has going forward.

Biggest question mark at Fulham: How will Martin Jol piece together this mish-mash of new players? And more importantly, where does Bryan Ruiz best fit in/does he at all? Darren Bent's addition creates an interesting selection headache for Martin Jol. Does he play Berbatov and Bent up top together with Ruiz behind supporting? It leaves the back of the midfield very exposed.  Does Jol play Berbatov behind Bent and Ruiz on the wing? That removes a winger from the picture, so who of Dejagah/Kacaniklic/Duff/Taarabt gets the axe? Does Jol sit Ruiz? The club has invested a lot – £11 million and a preseason trip to Costa Rica – in the playmaker.  And finally, where does Adel Taarabt come in? Does he start in the midfield? On the wing? On the bench as a super-sub? Nowhere at the moment? Jol has some big decisions to make.

Final word: I'm nervous about how this current squad will hold up, but with a few more players for depth (not just anybody *cough* Scott Parker *cough*) we can make it through this year unscathed.  My expectations, as I believe those at Fulham are striving towards, are simply to make it through this season intact, and then start the seemingly never-ending line of incredible talent from the youth squad into the first team. There's a sea of talent at the lower youth levels, and in a season or two we'll really begin to reap the benefits of their success and development.  So until that time comes, let's work towards ensuring our safety in the league, pass Dimi the ball, and COME ON YOU WHITES!



http://fulhamsfinest.com/2013/08/16/201314-fulham-season-preview-apprehension-abound-as-fulham-aim-for-mediocrity/? (http://fulhamsfinest.com/2013/08/16/201314-fulham-season-preview-apprehension-abound-as-fulham-aim-for-mediocrity/?)

 
FFC U21s 1-0 Boro U21s

Alex Brister's sublime strike earned Fulham Under-21s a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League on Friday evening.

Following an even first half, Boro came close after the interval when they hit the woodwork, but Brister's wonderful effort shortly after was worthy of winning any game.

It took six minutes for either side to threaten the goal and the chance went the way of the visitors as Ryan Brobbel beat Jack Grimmer to a clever through ball, only to see Marcus Bettinelli rush out quickly to smother the angle and make a comfortable save.

Two minutes later and Fulham went closer following a corner kick. The set-piece was sent in by Sean Kavanagh and Josh Passley met Lasse Vigen Christensen's nod back with a downward header from close range, only for Luke Coddington to make a fantastic reaction stop.

Some lovely play in the area by Muamer Tankovic on 24 minutes saw him turn his man with ease before cutting the ball back for Tom Richards on the six yard line. The winger got his shot away but the covering Boro defender bravely got in the way of the shot.

That chance seemed to bring the visitors to life as they immediately went up the other end with a quick move that culminated in Luke Williams going through one-on-one, but Bettinelli was there again to make a fine save.

A neat chipped ball over the top from Kavanagh on 28 minutes almost found the run of Vigen Christensen but the Dane couldn't get a foot around it. The vocal home support appealed that the covering defender shepherded it back to his 'keeper with his hand, but the referee was having none of it.

In what was a fragmented game, it wasn't until the 41st minute that another chance was mustered and it was speculative at best as Chris David bent one wide from 35 yards.

Fulham were caught flat footed following a stoppage time corner as three Middlesbrough forwards countered with just Brister back. Thankfully the Whites right-back read the situation maturely and his positioning tempted Brobbel into a difficult shot which he bent over the angle of post and crossbar.

Kit Symons' side started the second period the stronger but the Teesiders went close to breaking the deadlock on 48 minutes when Andrew Halliday wobbled Bettinelli's crossbar with a thumping effort from distance.


But it was the Whites who took the lead through a world class strike from Brister when a long ball over the top found him at a tight angle just inside the penalty area. He allowed time to steady himself before unleashing an incredible first time effort with the outside of his right foot that bent inside and kissed the far post before nestling in the back of the net.

The goal gave the home side confidence and a Brister cross found Marcello Trotta in the box on 57 minutes. The Italian controlled well before hitting a shot on the swivel that Coddington parried to safety.

A minute later and Boro backs were against the walls once more, this time to deflect Trotta's fierce effort from Vigen Christensen's cross over the bar.

With 20 minutes remaining, Andrew Halliday tested Bettinelli once more with a firm shot on the turn, but he found the Fulham stopper to be alert as he claimed the effort with minimal fuss.

The game was becoming quite stretched as Boro tried to turn the screw, and they came within a whisker of finding an equaliser on 83 minutes when substitute Jordan Jones found space in the area before lashing narrowly wide with Bettinelli beaten.

Andrew Halliday was next to try his luck two minutes later but his header from Jonathan Burn's cross sailed well over the bar.

Matthew Dolan sent a free-kick the wrong side of the post for Boro and Fulham sub Dino Islamovic crashed an effort wide in the closing stages, but no further goals were forthcoming as the Whites held on for a solid win.

Fulham: 1. Bettinelli, 2. Brister, 3. Kavanagh, 4. Vigen Christensen, 5. Arthurworrey, 6. Grimmer (C), 7. Passley, 8. David (16. Minkwitz, 77 mins), 9. Trotta (15. Islamovic, 81 mins), 10. Tankovic (14. Woodrow, 62 mins), 11. Richards

Subs: 12. Joronen, 14. Woodrow, 15. Islamovic, 16. Minkwitz, 17. Buatu

Middlesbrough: 1. Coddington, 2. B Halliday, 3. Burn, 4. Jackson (C), 5. Meling, 6. Dolan, 7. Brobbel, 8. Morris (15. Bennet, 84 mins), 9. Williams (16. Jones, 76 mins), 10. Waters (12. Kneeshaw, 62 mins), 11. A Halliday

Subs: 21. Fryer, 12. Kneeshaw, 14. Weledji, 15. Bennet, 16. Jones



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/august/16/ffc-u21s-boro-u21s? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/august/16/ffc-u21s-boro-u21s?)

 
'Tache with the cash' Khan plans revolution at Fulham (and he'll probably win the club's Movember competition, too!)

Derby were champions and Fulham had escaped relegation to the third tier of English football by a  single point in the year Shahid Khan began to experiment with a handlebar moustache.

All of which makes his trademark fashion statement a good few years older than anyone in the Fulham squad and ought to render the club's annual Movember charity 'tache-growing contest redundant.

'I've had it since 1972 and it isn't anything unique to me,' says Khan, but when he bought the Jacksonville Jaguars nearly two years ago fans of the NFL team embraced his image and attended games wearing stick-on comedy moustaches.

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Mo sports a mo: Mohamed Al Fayed (left) presenting new Fulham owner Shahid Khan

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Full of cheer: Khan also owns the Jacksonville Jaguars

'I respected the gesture of friendship,' says the billionaire, 62. 'It's all about how people perceive you. At Jacksonville it became a symbol and I didn't mind that.'

There's a good chance the habit will catch on at Craven Cottage, especially since Mohamed Al Fayed stuck one to his top lip for photographers at the press conference to confirm the club's change of ownership last month.

After 16 years of Al Fayed's loud silk shirts, over-sized scarves and political incorrectness, Fulham are set for a new era, led by an equally charismatic frontman.

'One of the bonuses of professional sport is that everybody knows everything about you,' adds Khan.

'I never quite realised how big the NFL was until I was directly involved and it's the same with the Premier League. Since I've taken over at  Fulham, I've heard from people I have not heard from in years.'

He will not be at the Stadium of Light as Fulham start their campaign on Saturday, but will be at Craven Cottage for the first home game of the season against Arsenal, owned by his friend and NFL adversary Stan Kroenke.

'I know and like him,' says Khan, who was beaten by Kroenke in a £500million tussle to buy the  St Louis Rams in 2010. Khan moved on to buy the Jaguars.

No grudges were held, it seems.

'He exercised his rights, which he was entitled to do,' says Khan. 'I fully respect that and things turned out very well for me when the Jacksonville Jaguars became available.

'We have a great relationship and I would love Arsenal to do well this  season. It will be like the NFL, where you are best friends for 365 days a year minus the three hours when you're playing against their team.'

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Having a laugh: Khan (right) with Fulham manager Martin Jol in Jacksonville during pre-season

Khan describes his Fulham swoop as a 'seize-the-moment' deal.

He had ruminated quietly about the Premier League for some time, but when the chance came he took it, although not before discussions with Kroenke and the Glazers.

'They were bullish about it,' Khan says. 'They told me Fulham was a  special place and that English football was a unique experience. They wished they'd done it earlier.' He knew about the charms of Craven Cottage.

'I went to a number of games and saw Fulham beat Liverpool (in 2007),' says Khan, who was born in Pakistan but moved to Illinois aged 16. He built a fortune  manufacturing car parts, becoming a billionaire and a US citizen.

'Clint Dempsey came off the bench to score the winner at the Hammersmith End, if I remember rightly.'

He does. It was Dempsey's first goal for the club in the penultimate game of the season and effectively saved Fulham from relegation. 'It gave me a great sense of the club,' says Khan. 'I had no idea at the time it would be my destiny to end up as the chairman.'

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Right result: Clint Dempsey celebrates scoring for Fulham against Liverpool at Craven Cottage in 2007 - a game attended by Shahid Khan

Khan completed his £150m takeover last month and was quick to quash fears he would Americanise the club, integrating them with the Jaguars.

'They have different fan bases with different economics and different  drivers,' says Khan. 'You have NFL people at the Jaguars and Premier League football people at Fulham, but there are common areas. The Real Betis game was a great example when two potential corporate partners for both teams were my guests.'

The Jaguars may train at Fulham when in London, although not ahead of the San Francisco 49ers game at Wembley on October 27.

He will also try to take Fulham to play at Jacksonville's EverBank Field as part of next year's pre-season tour.

'Soccer in America is on the runway, ready to take-off,' he says. 'To see  Fulham play in Jacksonville would be awesome.'

Khan has warmed quickly to Fulham manager Martin Jol. 'First impressions were good,' he says. 'He's a strategic thinker and a motivator. He's been around. He knows the sport. I'm not the type to interfere.

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'This is something I learned the hard way, not in sport but in other businesses. You have to find the right people. In auto-parts I started out with one garage and now employ around 17,000 people in 53 locations.

'You can't do this if you haven't got the right people in the right places.'

Khan will abide by the transfer  strategy mapped out by Jol and chief executive Alistair Mackintosh.

'My role has been to support them spiritually and financially,' he said. 'We've already seen some investment in new players, there will be more.'

Khan will press ahead with plans to expand the Riverside Stand. He says: 'The goal is for Craven Cottage to be part of the solution, but we have to get the revenue to invest in the ground and players.

'The Riverside expansion is a key element, with more hospitality and higher revenue seats. My goal is that Fulham will live on as a viable business long after I'm gone.'



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2395853/Shahid-Khan-plans-revolution-Fulham.html#ixzz2cD7rGSwM (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2395853/Shahid-Khan-plans-revolution-Fulham.html#ixzz2cD7rGSwM)
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Bright new dawn for Fulham?

(http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/0816/soc_g_berbatov11_576.jpg)
Boris Streubel/Bongarts/Getty Images
Dimitar Berbatov and Fulham kick off their Premier League campaign at Sunderland.

Our heroes have a long slog north to Sunderland for their opening game, but should reflect as the miles tick by on the team bus that Fulham have not lost in this fixture since 2009. For Fulham's first competitive game under new owner Shahid Khan, the Whites have every chance of taking something from a rebuilt Sunderland side under Paolo Di Canio, especially with recent recruits to the ranks over the past 10 days in Adel Taarabt and, more tellingly, Darren Bent.

Followers of the Black Cats I sourced this week remain shaken by their near-fatal flirtation with relegation last season. There have been false dawns aplenty on Wearside, with the likes of Roy Keane, Steve Bruce and Martin O'Neill all getting things spectacularly wrong, while siphoning off large chunks of owner Ellis Short's largesse in the process.

Now Di Canio has barnstormed through the transfer market and returned with 10 new signings. The Italian did just enough to stave off relegation, with two draws and two wins from the last seven games, but it was only by one place. With no management credentials at this level, a turbulent track record and temper to match, and an endless stream of acerbic criticism and ruthless treatment of those he feels have failed him, Di Canio has the potential to cloak Sunderland in QPR's discarded coat of last season.

But these are not our problems, and this is a Fulham blog, so let's get down to it. The fans have had to tough it out over the summer waiting for tangible signs of a long-overdue upswing in club fortunes. Even this week beleaguered Martin Jol was reminding the press how pitiful investment had been for two seasons and that he continually needed to be 'creative' in the market. Last season the side slumped alarmingly in the spring, hardly surprising with the motley collection of loanees and free transfers the club were fielding.

In 2011 Jol signalled his arrival as manager with a £10.6 million outlay for Twente's Bryan Ruiz. Since then it seems any price tag above £5 million puts them out of the game. Yet not it appears with clubs like Swansea, Norwich, West Ham, Southampton, WBA -- even Cardiff.

What's puzzling me, is what has changed at Fulhamć Yes, we sense outgoing chairman Mohammed al-Fayed wished to set a robust balance sheet before prospective new owners, but if you looked at the annual balance sheet of turnover and wages paid, we'd been running a pretty tight ship for years. Throughout the uncertainty of the past few weeks the benefits of hugely increased TV rights money seems to have been forgotten.

We hope a corner has been turned at last with Bent's arrival -- albeit for a season on loan. This is the first time Mr. Khan has been asked to put his money on the table. Jol says he wants three more signings at least. Even Thursday you sensed Fulham were finally moved to action only once Crystal Palace tried to force the issue. Strange to hear the boss refusing to answer questions on Bent in his press conference even while the player was at the club undergoing a medical!

Will Bent be the golden boy Fulham so badly needć 103 goals in the Premiership to date says this man knows how to finish. Sunderland fans will be only too aware of that from his time there. But will he get on the pitch Saturdayć Well, he travels with the squad after one brief training session with his new team-mates. I'm guessing, but I think he may start on the bench. The same goes for Taarabt.

As for more definitive team news, for Fulham, only Alex Kakaniclic is a worry. Nobody returned injured from the international programme, but Kakaniclic has a tight hamstring that's bothered him for a month. He's subject to a late fitness test.

I, for one, hope he plays. In our final match of last season when we turned Swansea over 3-0 at their place, he was outstanding. But the rumour this week inside the club was that Mesca would start, in itself no bad thing for the 20-year-old who lost a season to knee ligament damage and has featured throughout the friendlies. I expect Kieran Richardson, too, to invite a hot reception should he claim the left-back spot ahead of JAR.

Whatever the starting eleven, we need to see more bite from the team and a readiness to get the ball quicker into dangerous areas. I feel Sunderland will make a nervous start. Wes Brown, Phil Bardsley and Stephen Fletcher are absent, Craig Gardner suspended.

One factor I felt that had been lacking for a while was Fulham seemed not to have enough young and hungry players. There's more competition for places now, and the brooding presence of hit-man Bent and the effervescent Taarabt on the bench will perhaps special one things up a bit.

One to watch Sunderland: Jozy Altidore. Returning to the EPL the American striker is on top form.

One to watch Fulham: Dimitar Berbatov. Last season's top scorer remains a class apart from the rest.

Score predictionć Nah, not falling for that one, especially on day one.

COYW!!!

Twitter@fulhamphil



http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/fulham/id/1214?&cc=5739 (http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/fulham/id/1214?&cc=5739)

 
Preview: Sunderland vs. Fulham

Sunderland signed 10 new players this summer
Neither side have lost on Opening Day in the last 4 years
Fulham only secured five points from losing positions last year
"Fulhamerica" visits Jozy Altidore's Sunderland in a U.S. special Saturday. The red-hot 23-year-old striker is set to make his Sunderland debut, his first in the English Premier League since his failed Hull City stint in the 2009/10 season.

Just like in the Stoke City vs. Liverpool matchup, both these clubs finished in relatively disappointing positions. Last year's hot start for Fulham (including a 5-0 defeat of Norwich on Opening Day) fizzled out as they relied heavily on Dimitar Berbatov for goals. The end of the year brought fatigue, which led to them being sucked into the relegation battle before outside help saw them pushed up to 12th place.

Sunderland were very much in the relegation tempest, finishing just above the drop zone in 17th thanks largely to Wigan's league failures down the stretch. Paolo Di Canio, brought in with seven games to go to inject some fighting spirit into the squad and avoid relegation, has signed a whopping 10 new players this summer, including Altidore. Many of them, like Emanuele Giaccherini and Vito Mannone, could not just make appearances Saturday but start as well.

MORE: Game schedule | Match finder

Altidore is on a blistering hot streak this summer in international play for the United States, and Di Canio would love for his new signing to carry that success over to his team as well. Jozy bagged a hat-trick against Bosnia-Herzegovina to spur the United States to a stunning comeback just two days ago, making it five consecutive matches Altidore has scored in for the United States.

On the flip side, Fulham manager Martin Jol will have a selection headache with the brand new addition of former Sunderland striker Darren Bent. With former Golden Boot winner Dimitar Berbatov at the front of last year's attack, Bent's addition presents the question whether Berbatov will move behind the Englishman or alongside him. If Berba moves back as a secondary striker to utilize his distribution abilities, it displaces current secondary striker Bryan Ruiz. Ruiz is capable of playing on the wing, but has lacked conviction from there in his previous Fulham appearances out wide.

Will Altidore continue his goalscoring stampede? Will Berbatov continue his form from last season? You can find out by tuning in live on Saturday at 10:00am ET on NBC Sports Live Extra.

What they're saying

Di Canio on Altidore: "I don't hope he will be a success — I am sure he will be a success. With his characteristics he will score many goals. He can play very well for the team and can score lots of goals. His main part is to score goals and to help the others. He is a modern footballer, like you saw last night. He can make lovely movements and we expect that he will score many goals for us. I don't know a number, but it won't be two obviously."

Altidore on his move to Sunderland: "One of the biggest reasons for the move for me was the chance to train against the best every day. My last club was a great club, and now I need to be challenged more."

Martin Jol on his squad: "We need pace up front. We need goals and if you see our flank players they are very talented, but since Clint Dempsey left we have not scored enough. I think Adel [Taarabt] is capable of scoring goals, Berbatov is, Bryan could be. But what I need is someone who can score more. We are a very good Premier League club and we have some good players, but I want to strengthen the squad."

Prediction

It would seem, with two sides looking to improve on last year's goal tallies, that the new additions would mean a more attacking match. With Paolo Di Canio having brought Sunderland to life and Martin Jol given his side a boost in the transfer window, there very well may be goals in this match. It's hard to imagine Altidore's hot streak not carrying over, so he leads Sunderland to a 2-1 victory over a Fulham side that has always struggled away from home.



http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/16/preview-sunderland-vs-fulham/? (http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/16/preview-sunderland-vs-fulham/?)

 
"2 + 2 = 5″ ProSoccerTalk's exclusive interview with Fulham owner Shahid Khan

Shahid Khan, the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the new top dog at Fulham, is a strict businessman.  At the time of his purchase, he told those in charge at Fulham that they would be free to do their jobs, but if the results weren't there, he wouldn't be merciful and kind.

Khan and his epic mustache joined the likes of Randy Lerner, the Glazer family, and Stan Kroenke as American owners in the Premier League.  While he clearly connects his American heritage with the English game, there's an overwhelming desire to succeed.  The American game is important, but the success of Fulham is now even higher on his list.

It's clear Khan speaks in the language of business, but he has an incredible passion for not just sports but the fan experience.  He can be seen at Jaguars fan events speaking with eager supporters, and is incredibly accessible to the media.  His ability to market is second to none, and he's gotten the fanbase in Jacksonville more excited than ever about their NFL team.

Now he's passing that along to Fulham.  Former owner Mohamed Al Fayed gave everything he had to the club, but he mostly conducted business in private.  Khan respects everything Al Fayed gave to the club, but his approach differs.  The fans are important to him, and it reflects in his actions.

ProSoccerTalk's Kyle Bonn got to chat with Mr. Khan about his new ownership venture, his feelings on the game in the United States and how he believes the two sports teams he owns will coexist.

With Mohamed Al Fayed having such an integral role in bringing Fulham up to the Premier League, is he going to be sticking around the club in an ambassador or honorary role?

SK: "Well the transition is complete, but he's a major part of the history of Fulham.  In all likelihood Fulham wouldn't be around if it wasn't for him, the investment he made, and the love and passion he had.  So he's a real part of the club and he can be around as little or as much as he'd like.  Even for the last several years he was really not around the club, but he'd be welcome around whenever he'd like."

With your ownership of Fulham as well as the Jaguars, do you have an overall plan to cross-promote these teams, and will they be more separate entities or will they coexist strongly?

SK: "They're definitely separate entities, and you don't want to have any confusion about that.  But having said that, we have a number of opportunities to have corporate partners that would like to take part in both.  I had several guests at the Real Betis friendly at Fulham who came over to get a chance to work with or sponsor Fulham and then also be able to do it with the NFL game in London or back in the U.S. with Jacksonville.  So we have a unique space that I think is going to help both teams, but there can't be any confusion – they are on their own.  Both of them we can use a relationship to develop fan bases.  With Jacksonville in London, we had started last year with the Union Jax fan club, and when Fulham happened they picked up several thousand members that day.  Fulham will definitely be playing friendlies starting next year in Jacksonville; it's a very soccer crazy atmosphere so they're delighted to have Fulham coming.  There's opportunity, but both of them have to exist on their own and improve on their own."

There are American owners in the Premier League, but you are one of the most accessible to the public.  Do you think that with your new connection, you're in a position to help spread the excitement of the game of soccer to American sports fans and help grow excitement about the game with those who may not have been previously interested?

SK: "I can only speak for myself, but yes.  We have an opportunity where Fulham and the Jaguars stand on their own, but we also have an opportunity where 2 + 2 = 5.  A unique place where we can offer opportunities at both clubs for the fans because of the relationship."

Soccer has a much larger following in this country than it ever has before, but it still struggles to cement itself in the average American sports fan's household.  Do you think it could compete with sports like baseball in the near future or is that a hard sell?

SK: "I think putting a quantifying number on it to compare to baseball, I think I'm in no position to answer that, but I can tell you that soccer is on the upswing.  I see that from the number of people I've known for years – we never talked about the Premier League or soccer, and now Fulham happens.  In Jacksonville, I talked to people about how they can get Fulham apparel or when is the friendly, so there's a huge amount of interest.  So soccer in the U.S. is definitely on the upswing, and NBC is on the ground floor with broadcasting the games, and we're counting on the fact that what NBC sees in soccer is correct."

Fulham have a legacy of an American connection.  Some fans refer to it as "Fulhamerica."  Did this attract you to the club at all and would you consider giving a harder look at American players because of this past?

SK: "I think that's a part of Fulham's history which I think is great, but Fulham has a lot more that made it the perfect club for us at the perfect time for us.  The Premier League is very competitive like the NFL, so you want to get the best players.  They (the American players) were great for Fulham, but moving forward we want to get the best players.  Hopefully some of them are Americans, that would be a great connection."

The style of promotion and relegation is so engrained in the fabric of soccer, except here in America it's somewhat foreign.  Do you think that concept should be applied here to Major League Soccer or other sports in the United States?

SK: "I don't think it would work.  There's something very unique about the concept of promotion and relegation, but in the U.S. it doesn't make sense.  The sport I know, at least from a business standpoint is the NFL.  What makes it unique and exciting year after year is the competitive balance – the draft, a hard salary cap, scheduling, etc – you can't have those with promotion and relegation."

Between the Premier League and the NFL, do you see any similarities between the two, and do you have a favorite?

SK: "They have a lot in common. We're talking about two leagues at the top of their sport.  Obviously very passionate fan bases, large TV or media revenues, so there's obviously a lot in common."

Could you see a Fulham player ever being turned into a kicker for the Jaguars?

SK: *laughing* "You know, that is an interesting idea.  (Jaguars kicker) Josh Scobee was talking to me about it last week.  We talk about it for fun when we have a friendly here next year to try that.  Josh actually used to play soccer with Clint Dempsey, so he shared a lot of similarities.  Moving forward, how you evaluate talent can cross the game.  Nobody really knows how they compare but this would be an interesting way of finding out."

I didn't know Josh played soccer with Clint!

SK: "He told me he gave up his hopes of professional soccer once he played with Clint, he thought he couldn't make it, so he figured he'd better get good at kicking a ball for football."



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Former Manchester City and Fulham target signs for United

PHIL Babb has this week secured the services of a defender once courted by Manchester City and Fulham.

The Hayes & Yeading manager has agreed a loan deal for Stevenage right-back Anthony Furlonge until January 1.

Jack Mills has been operating on the right side of United's defence in pre-season but Babb has bolstered his options ahead of the big kick-off on Saturday against Bromley.

Furlonge has been away on international duty with the Cyprus U21s, playing alongside former United striker Michael Thalassitis, but was due to return to the UK on Wednesday.

Stevenage snapped up the youngster in April 2012 following the expiry of his youth deal at League Two side Southend United.

It was at Southend where he attracted the interest of Roberto Mancini and Roy Hodgson in March 2010, however no Premier League move materialised.

Having come through the ranks at Millwall and Arsenal before moving to Roots Hall, the capture of Furlonge would represent a considerable coup for Babb.



http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-sport/hayesandyeading/2013/08/16/113046-33723821/? (http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-sport/hayesandyeading/2013/08/16/113046-33723821/?)

 
Pardew accuses Bent of taking "safe option"

ALAN PARDEW has accused Darren Bent of taking the "safe option" by turning down Newcastle United in order to join Fulham.

Pardew remains confident of signing another striker before the transfer window closes at the start of next month, despite Newcastle admitting defeat in their pursuit of both Darren Bent and Bafetimbi Gomis.

Bent signed a season-long loan at Fulham yesterday, with a view to making a permanent switch at the end of the campaign, and could make his Cottagers debut in today's opening-day game with his former club, Sunderland, at the Stadium of Light.

Joe Kinnear, who has completed just one signing in his two months as director of football, met Bent's representatives two weeks ago, but Newcastle were unwilling to match Aston Villa's £6m valuation of the England international, or match his wage demands of around £65,000-a-week.

Fulham firmed up their own approach last week, and while Newcastle made a last-minute attempt to scupper the striker's move to Craven Cottage, Bent spurned their advances.

"I think he was close in terms of the deal, but Darren's decided his future lies elsewhere and I wish him all the best," said Pardew. "It was very obvious that I thought he would do well here.

"Obviously you can't have contact with the player, but I know Darren well enough to think we had something which he was going to enjoy.

"But he has opted for Fulham and I think perhaps that is a safer option. Were the Sunderland links a factor? Possibly yes, and maybe the profile of this club as well. It is bigger than Fulham's, that's just a fact."

As well as missing out on Bent, Newcastle have also admitted defeat in their long-running pursuit of Gomis.

Despite agreeing a fee with Lyon for the France international, Newcastle officials have notified their counterparts at the Ligue 1 club that their interest is at an end after a series of financial obstacles prevented the completion of a deal.

Loic Remy is the only senior player to have moved to St James' Park this summer, but the Frenchman will not be involved in Monday's opening game at Manchester City as he has missed the whole of pre-season with a calf problem.

Pardew insists Newcastle are capable of springing a surprise at the Etihad Stadium despite the failure to add to a squad that could only finish 16th last season.

But with Kinnear now assessing new targets, the Magpies manager admits it is imperative that an attacking reinforcement arrives before the start of next month.

"We've been actively pursuing two or three players, and we would still like to get one or two in," said Pardew. "I don't see a lot of late business for us, but I do think we need another striker in.

"I think we've got a strong side, but I still maintain, and stats don't lie, in terms of threat at goal, we need a bit more offensively. Last season, especially after Demba (Ba) left, our goal ratio and shot ratio dropped off and our offensive impact in terms of putting a team on the back foot was affected.

"When you have two strikers of high calibre, teams are very reluctant to step on to you. But they did after Demba left and that was a problem for us. We need to get the team selection right, but we also need options in those areas. We've got Remy, but I still think we need another."

With Remy remaining on Tyneside to build up his match fitness, Papiss Cisse is set to start as a lone striker on Monday night.

Steven Taylor and Jonas Gutierrez will both be involved despite struggling with toe and calf injuries respectively, but Davide Santon is unlikely to feature after damaging his hip during the pre-season programme.

With Massadio Haidara also injured, Pardew does not have an experienced left-back at his disposal. Paul Dummett has made a number of pre-season outings, but given that the 21-year-old is still to make his Premier League debut, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is more likely to start at the Etihad Stadium as Newcastle look to neuter a Manchester City attack that could feature summer signings Jesus Navas, Stevan Jovetic and Alvara Negredo.

"Davide has a problem and I think he's doubtful for the game," said Pardew. "I gave (Mark) Noble, (Alex) Oxlade-Chamberlain and (Jonjo) Shelvey debuts at 16 so I have no problem with age.

"In terms of where he (Dummett) is at and the pre-season he has had, he has put himself in real contention, but Man City away would be a tough call for him having not made his debut for us yet.

"You're either ready or you're not, and throwing into the deep end sometimes works. But up against him would be Navas, who in my opinion is probably the best signing of the summer. He's a little bit special.

"That's something we'll think about, but going forward, I'd expect him to make ten first-team starts this season."


http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/newcastle/read_article/10618707._/? (http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/newcastle/read_article/10618707._/?)

 
Jol: Fitness Is Key

Manager Martin Jol thinks that his Fulham players will prove themselves in the Barclays Premier League once they have reached full fitness.

Jol has seen four new faces arrive at the Cottage this summer - Maarten Stekelenburg, Derek Boateng, Fernando Amorebieta and Adel Taarabt - and when asked if it would be hard to get them to integrate, the Manager was bullish.

"It's a cliché to say that it's hard to get players to play together," he said. "For me, the only priority is to get players fit who haven't played for three months, or didn't train for months.

"You have to get them fit and that is hard. It's not hard to get them to play together because in a couple of months time you will see that they are good. The thing in management is to get your players match fit, then you can start them."

When asked if he believes his squad has a good blend of flair and tenacity, he insisted that he is working hard to ensure that is the case.

"The thing with creative players like [Dimitar] Berbatov, [Bryan] Ruiz, Adel [Taarabt] and others, if things are not going well then people tend to blame them," he said. "That is the balance, and I have to find a good balance between those ballplayers and the workhorses."

Jol was pressed on whether some of Fulham's young players would get a chance to shine in the First Team this season, with the midfield areas full of talent.

"Kerim Frei was injured most of the time last year and was a bit unfortunate, but started to play with the Turkey Under-20s and now they want him for the senior team," Jol said. "I've got Mesca, Kača [Alexander Kačaniklić] and I need goals. Kerim is a young guy who is developing but he needs games and I would love to put him somewhere where he can do that and then we can develop him as we did with Kačaniklić."

Chris David is another who has had plenty of match time in pre-season and Jol thinks he would benefit from more games.

"He's a very talented left-footer," he said. "He looks good, but he needs games. You don't see a lot of young players going straight into the First Team in the English game so you send them out on loan and they get games. My idea with the youngsters is to try to find good clubs for them and develop them. Or, if they are really good, then you can try to start them."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/august/17/jol-fitness-is-key? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/august/17/jol-fitness-is-key?)

 
Richardson Relishing Return

Left-back Kieran Richardson is looking forward to a return to Sunderland on Saturday and the start of the Barclays Premier League season.

Richardson was at the Stadium of Light for five years after leaving Manchester United in 2007 and joined Fulham on transfer deadline day in August 2012. His debut season in SW6 saw him play 15 times, with his appearances restricted by a run of injuries.

"Last season was a bad season for me in terms of injuries," he said. "But I've put a lot of work in over pre-season and hopefully I'll crack on."

Returning to Sunderland this weekend, Richardson is sure that the team are in for a tough challenge, but one he hopes will turn out in favour of the Whites.

"It brings back unbelievable memories," he said. "I had a great time there and it's a great club. Obviously going up there on the first game of the season means it'll be a hard place to go; their fans are magnificent and it's going to be a very hard game for us. But all games are hard in the Premier League and so we'll be hopeful of coming home with all three points.

"It seems a long time ago now. The fans were great to me there, but I'm going there as a Fulham player and will hopefully be going back to upset them."

In 2008, Richardson scored the winner in a Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle United with a stunning free-kick from the edge of the box and had also made headlines when he hit the woodwork three times with the same effort against Fulham the game before.

"It was about 30 yards out, it hit the crossbar and the post twice and I don't know how it didn't go in," he said. "It was against Mark Schwarzer. Then in the second half I got another free-kick and scored, but I think it was Pascal [Chimbonda] who was interfering with the wall and it got ruled out. The next week I went to Newcastle and scored another free-kick which stood, so it didn't really matter to me."

With the versatile defender used in both defence and midfield last season, Manager Martin Jol has opted to play him regularly in the left-back slot during pre-season. Richardson is certainly keen to play and is looking forward to the challenge of being a force at both ends of the pitch.

"Over the summer I've had a good chat with the Manager and this season I'll be playing the majority of games at left-back," he added. "Over the years I've played in a lot of different positions, but I'm confident in that position and if you look at the top left-backs in the world now they are all bombing forward all the time and that's going to be the plan for me at Fulham.

"As a defender, defending is the most important aspect, but the way the game has evolved these days, it's a full-back's job to get forward and create goals as well as putting pressure on their full-backs too."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/august/17/richardson-relishing-return? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/august/17/richardson-relishing-return?)

 
Opening Day Omens

(http://www.fulhamfc.com/-/media/PlayerActionShots/2012-13/Group%20Shots/PA-14335166.ashx?w=717&h=320)

Fulham's opening day history
Won: 4
Drawn: 4
Lost: 4
Scored: 19
Conceded: 16

The 2013/14 Barclays Premier League campaign gets underway on Saturday, and Fulham fans will be hoping recent history repeats itself as the Whites aim to go a fifth consecutive opening day without defeat.

You will need to stretch all the way back to 16th August 2008 for the last time the Whites lost the first game of the season, when newly promoted Hull City edged a tight 2-1 win at the KC Stadium, despite Seol Ki-Hyeon handing Fulham the lead after just eight minutes.

Since that match, though, Fulham have not conceded a goal in the inaugural match of a new Premier League season, with 2009/10 beginning with a welcome 1-0 win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Bobby Zamora deflected Clint Dempsey's effort into the back of the net to provide an early relief as to when our first away victory would arrive.

In the subsequent two seasons we secured solid goalless draws against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium and Aston Villa at the Cottage, respectively. But last season proved to be our most prolific campaign opener during our time in the Premier League, as we found ourselves top of the table courtesy of a 5-0 battering of Norwich City.


Following our promotion to the Premiership in 2001, the fixture list threw up a daunting yet exciting opener as we found ourselves travelling to Old Trafford to begin life as a top flight side for the first time in 33 years. We put up one hell of a fight, too, twice leading through future Red Devil Louis Saha, only for David Beckham's free-kick and Ruud van Nistelrooy's brace to secure victory for the home side.

Our only other meeting with United on the opening day wasn't quite so hard fought, as Sir Alex Ferguson's charges romped home with a 5-1 victory as Fulham began the 2006/07 campaign with a whimper.

We had home ties to begin both the 2002/03 and 2003/04 seasons, and our temporary residence of Loftus Road proved a lucky charm on each occasion. First, fresh from our UEFA Intertoto Cup exploits, we emphatically saw off Bolton 4-1, despite going down to Michael Ricketts' early penalty. Saha responded with a spot-kick of his own, before his compatriots Sylvain Legwinski and Steve Marlet put the Whites in control before half-time, with Legwinski adding his second and Fulham's fourth late on.

The 16th of August 2003 was Chris Coleman's first match as permanent Manager at the Club, and he got his reign off to the perfect start with a 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough. Marlet, Junichi Inamoto and Saha were all on target – it was the first of 15 goals Saha would score for Fulham that season before his January move to Old Trafford.

Back-to-back opening day draws were secured in 2004/05 and 2005/06 away to Manchester City and at home to Birmingham City, respectively. Collins John cancelled out Robbie Fowler's opener at Eastlands, and Brian McBride's disallowed header was the closest we came to defeating the Midlands side a year later.

The majority of the 2007/08 campaign was one to forget for Fulham fans, but it began well as a David Healy strike less than 60 seconds into his debut kept Lawrie Sanchez's side in front at the Emirates Stadium for 83 minutes. Robin van Persie eventually equalised from the penalty spot, though, to thoroughly disgruntle the travelling fans, before Alexander Hleb struck in stoppage time to ensure the season began with a defeat for the Whites.

Here's hoping our 13th opening match in the top flight proves lucky when the boys face Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/august/17/opening-day-omens? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/august/17/opening-day-omens?)

 
Newcastle United – It Is Always Somebody Else's Fault

Leave aside for one moment whatever you think of Darren Bent as a player and whether he would have been right for Newcastle.

The one thing we do know for sure is that Newcastle have tried to sign him this summer, whether on loan or a permanent deal, and instead he has signed a loan deal for a year at Fulham.

Alan Pardew has said the following to the Northern Echo when he found out Bent had signed for the Cottagers;

"I think he (Kinnear) was close in terms of the deal but Darren has decided his future lies elsewhere.

It was very obvious that I thought he'd do well here.

He has opted for Fulham and I think that's perhaps a safer option. Were the sunderland links a factor? Possibly yes and maybe the profile of this club as well. It is bigger than Fulham's, that is just a fact."

Talk about always pointing the finger elsewhere!

In the Northern Echo article they also mention in passing that Newcastle weren't willing to match Bent's current wages of £65,000 a week or Villa's £6m valuation to buy him.

As I said at the start, ignore for a second whether you personally would want Bent or think he's worth whatever wages and transfer fee.

Pardew/Kinnear/Newcastle supposedly wanted to bring him in.

So Newcastle refuse to match his current wages or the fee Villa want and in no way is it United's fault that the deal didn't happen.

How do you work that one out.

So Darren Bent is now supposedly scared of playing for such a 'big' club as Newcastle?

Well with each passing year we'll be more attractive to Bent and such others because Newcastle's profile is only heading one way with this ridiculous (mis-)management of the club.



http://www.themag.co.uk/the-mag-articles/newcastle-united-it-is-always-somebody-elses-fault/? (http://www.themag.co.uk/the-mag-articles/newcastle-united-it-is-always-somebody-elses-fault/?)

 
Bent Targets Place In England's World Cup Plans After Sealing Fulham Loan

Darren Bent hopes his loan spell at Fulham will help him force his way into Roy Hodgson's squad ahead of the World Cup Finals in Brazil.

The 29-year-old has endured a miserable time at Aston Villa of late, particularly last season when it became apparent he didn't feature in Paul Lambert's plans. With Christian Benteke established as the main striker for the Midlands club and Nicklas Helenius signed as back-up, chances are Bent would have been pushed further down the pecking order this term.

Newcastle United and, in particular, Crystal Palace had shown an interest in signing the forward, but when Martin Jol entered the bidding, there was only ever going to be one outcome. The Dutch coach signed Bent whilst he was in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, and the player is looking forward to a reunion at Craven Cottage.

"It was a frustrating period last season, but I'm here now and glad to be here," he said in the Express and Star. "I just had to have one conversation with Martin and I knew it was where I wanted to be. Crystal Palace were interested and I respect Ian Holloway. But for me at this period and knowing Martin, it was the only place I wanted to go."

Bent will firstly set his sights on regular football for his temporary club, which he hopes will lead to an England recall. Having won the last of his 13 caps in the friendly clash with Spain almost two years ago, he knows he must hit the ground running if he is to earn the attention of Hodgson. However, this is something he believes he is capable of.

"If I'm doing well and Fulham are doing well there's no reason why I can't be there," added Bent, who is available for the first game of the season when the Cottagers face one of his former clubs, Sunderland, at the Stadium of Light.



http://takefootball.com/bent-targets-place-in-englands-world-cup-plans-after-sealing-fulham-loan/? (http://takefootball.com/bent-targets-place-in-englands-world-cup-plans-after-sealing-fulham-loan/?)

 
Martin Jol has his hands full at Fulham
MARTIN JOL insists he is the man to bring the best out of his maverick stars this season.

(http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/58/photos/747000/620x/17747.jpg)
Martin Jol has signed up several temperamental players this season
The Fulham boss snapped up Darren Bent on loan yesterday with the prospect of pairing the forgotten Villa man with the mercurial Dimitar Berbatov.

Throw the temperamental Adel Taarabt into the mix and Jol can expect to have his work cut out.

The Dutchman said: "Sometimes you have to be creative and take them when the situation is bad.

"We won't pay big transfer fees and we have a certain amount in our budget to spend.

"Sometimes you have to gamble.

"At Tottenham I sold Dimitar Berbatov for £30m and took him back for peanuts here. Adel was going to PSG a year ago for a lot of money and now we've picked him.

"That's what I try to do."

(http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/58/photos/748000/17748.jpg)
Darren Bent has been snapped up by Fulham from Aston Villa

Fulham have made seven summer signings but bad boy Taarabt promises to be the biggest gamble of the lot.

He was already on thin ice when he was sent home from QPR's tour last month - the final straw for Harry Redknapp, who dumped him.

Now Jol hopes his new loan star, who is in line for his debut at Sunderland today, can rebuild his troubled career.

He said: "Adel's certainly a player a club like us could do with in the squad.

"He gives us that extra thing and I need goals and creativity up front.

"Hopefully he can improve and he'll become a player who scores eight, nine or 10 goals and produces more assists.

"But there's not a lot of players with his talent in Europe.

"He needs to do it on a consistent basis and he needs confidence."



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/333010/Martin-Jol-has-his-hands-full-at-Fulham (http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/333010/Martin-Jol-has-his-hands-full-at-Fulham)

 
Bargain Bucket Shopping!
   
With the sudden and dramatic arrival of Darren Bent, Martin Jol appears to have used the loan market very well.

Bent joins Taarabt on being a season long loan and hoping to make an impact.

Talking about how Fulham have gone about their business, Jol is quoted in the papers as having remarked,

"Sometimes you have to be creative and take them when the situation is bad."

"We won`t pay big transfer fees and we have a certain amount in our budget to spend. Sometimes you have to gamble."

"At Tottenham I sold Dimitar Berbatov for £30 milion and took him back for peanuts here."

"Adel was going to PSG a year ago for a lot of money and now we`ve picked him. That`s what I try to do."

It`s a philosophy that could be about to pay dividends I think.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=328954#ixzz2cECqWKdp (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=328954#ixzz2cECqWKdp)

 
Martin Jol: 'Fulham can't pay big fees'

Fulham manager Martin Jol has admitted that he will not be able to pay big money for any players in the transfer window.

Jol has brought in a number of loans and low-price players in the window, many of whom the Dutchman believes represent good business.

"Sometimes you have to be creative and take them when the situation is bad," Sky Sports News quotes Jol as saying.

"We won't pay big transfer fees and we have a certain amount in our budget to spend. Sometimes you have to take a gamble.

"At Tottenham I sold Dimitar Berbatov for £30m and took him back for peanuts. Adel Taarabt was going to Paris Saint-Germain a year ago for a lot of money and now we've picked him. That's what I try to do."

Fulham recently wrapped up the loan signing of Darren Bent from Aston Villa.



http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/transfer-talk/news/jol-fulham-cant-pay-big-fees_99097.html (http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/transfer-talk/news/jol-fulham-cant-pay-big-fees_99097.html)

 
#takemethere

(http://www.fulhamfc.com/-/media/Placeholder/Players/Dimitar%20Berbatov/BerbaThird717.ashx?w=717&h=320)

It's an exciting day for Fulham fans as Saturday afternoon's opening fixture of the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League campaign also marks the first wear of our brand new adidas Third Kit, as the boys sport blue against the Black Cats.

The new adidas Third Shirt will be available to buy online, at the Stadium Store, or direct on 0843 208 1223 from Monday 19th August.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/august/17/takemethere? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/august/17/takemethere?)