Friends of Fulham

 
Brede Hangeland admits Fulham are getting desperate


Brede Hangeland admits time is running out for Fulham in their bid to avoid relegation.

The club are bottom of the Premier League and four points from safety with just nine games to go as they prepare to host Newcastle tomorrow.

Captain Hangeland  said: "We can do it but we are well aware that time is running out and we need to start picking up wins. We are desperate for points and this is a home match we need to win.

"You never know how many points you need to survive but we need better form than we have shown, everyone knows that.

"We look no further than tomorrow for hopefully a win that will kick off the rest of our season."

Hangeland was part of the Fulham team that looked doomed six years ago — they spent the first four months of 2008 in 19th place — before Roy Hodgson guided them to safety on the final day of the season.

"We were more or less relegated five games before the end of the season and we managed to stay up," said Hangeland.

"It just proves that you should never give up. It has been done before and it can be done again.

"I try to explain to everyone what we did and it is crucial to keep believing."


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/brede-hangeland-admits-fulham-are-getting-desperate-9192601.html (http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/brede-hangeland-admits-fulham-are-getting-desperate-9192601.html)

 
Silence On Injuries Hints At The Chaos At Newcastle United

It all got a bit bizarre yesterday as Alan Pardew carried out his various filmed pre-Fulham press conference duties, only for straight afterwards the club to announce via Twitter the 'Breaking News' that both Loic Remy and Mathieu Debuchy were knackered and would miss the trip to Fulham.

Debuchy was said to have a groin injury while Remy had a problem with his calf, both players said to be going to miss the home matches with Palace and Everton as a minimum, along with Fulham.

The club have made a big show this week of relaunching their Twitter account under a different name and trying to use it in a slightly different way, plus giving fans more 'value' through the service. By waiting until after the manager's filmed press conference duties so that via Twitter was the first fans heard the news, has created a but of a bizarre situation.

I have seen various Pre-Fulham Press Conference video footage, including the near ten minutes or so piece that I PAY £45 to the club to have access to via their second rate TV channel, and absolutely no mention of the injuries and therefore no discussion by the manager as to how they would be dealt with.

We all know by now what little regard Mike Ashley has for the media but the fact is that it also impacts on all of us who rely on the various newspapers and tv stations to keep us updated, especially NUFC TV that I give the club £45 for to give me unique access blah blah blah.

It tells you also how stage managed the filmed  press conferences must be, with the questions agreed in advance of going on camera.

So in order to promote the club Twitter service it meant Alan Pardew wasn't asked on film about the selection conundrum posed by missing both Debuchy and especially Remy, injuries that the manager must clearly have known about when being filmed talking about Fulham.

Watching the interviews on the club's tv channel before each match, nearly every single time he is asked about what the injury situation is in advance of the game, yet bizarrely that question isn't put to him this time when there is 'breaking injury news' released straight after his press conference.

In terms of how uncoordinated the club is, they have this cloak and dagger announcement of the injuries but then nothing is done about how they are then promoting the matches both Remy and Debuchy will miss. If you go on the club website then everything relating to the promotion of our next home match against Palace, and trying to flog tickets, has Remy's face all over it.

Yes great giving a better Twitter service to the fans, but you can't just do that in isolation, and as for it then meaning the manager can't talk about the injury situation until the club gets its Twitter exclusive – well that is just an own goal.



http://www.themag.co.uk/the-mag-articles/silence-injuries-hints-chaos-newcastle-united-mathieu-debuchy-loic-remy-alan-pardew/? (http://www.themag.co.uk/the-mag-articles/silence-injuries-hints-chaos-newcastle-united-mathieu-debuchy-loic-remy-alan-pardew/?)

 
Darren Bent: 'Fulham still have belief'

Fulham's on-loan striker Darren Bent has insisted that the players have not given up in their battle against the drop, despite being rock-bottom with just nine games left to play.

Bent said that the players have been working hard in training to put right the defensive problems, and a win against Newcastle United on Saturday would be a huge step towards escaping.

"Football is all about different experiences and how you react to them, I maintain that," Bent told the club's official website. "The mood in the dressing room is good. Obviously we're concerned and don't want to be in the position we find ourselves in, but we share the belief that we'll stay up. You have to.

"We've had a good week of training, working on a few things that we needed to put right, and we'll go out against Newcastle in good shape - we'll be raring to go. You can go deep into tactics and game plans, but at the end of the day, it's the three points that are important and it doesn't matter how we get them."

Bent is on loan until the end of the season from Aston Villa.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/relegation-battle/news/bent-fulham-still-have-belief_144168.html (http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/relegation-battle/news/bent-fulham-still-have-belief_144168.html)

 
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/73559000/jpg/_73559422_fulham-newcastle.jpg)
Fulham v Newcastle

I feel a bit sorry for Fulham manager Felix Magath. He has been brought in to try to keep them up, and is trying to improve his players' fitness, but he does not know the Premier League.

His track record in Germany suggests he will pick up some points, but I am not sure whether it will be enough.

I am not really sure of what to expect from the Cottagers on Saturday but I don't think Newcastle will just roll over without their manager Alan Pardew, who is serving a stadium ban for his headbutt on Hull's David Meyler.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1
Ricky and Simon's prediction: With Pardew's stadium ban, maybe he can phone the players at half-time and tell them to score more goals. 0-1


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26546426 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26546426)

 
Never Give Up

Brede Hangeland insists Fulham will 'never give up' in their fight for Barclays Premier League survival.

The Whites Captain leads his team out against Newcastle United at the Cottage on Saturday (3pm) as Fulham go in search of three precious points in their quest to maintain their top-flight status.

"Every match is really a cup final for us given the situation we're in," he said. "We're desperate for points as you can see in the league table and this is a home match we need to win.

"We've put ourselves in a very difficult situation. The pressure is definitely on and we have to try to deal with that and do everything we can to win the match.

"You can't go gung-ho and have every player attacking because this is the Premier League and the opposition can score goals. The balance between defending and attacking needs to be right and we know we have to go on a good run if we want to play in the Premier League next season."

The Whites are currently four points adrift of safety but, with nine games remaining, Hangeland believes all is not lost.

"You never know how many points you need to survive but we need better form than we've shown lately - everyone knows that," said Hangeland. "It would be really nice to start off with a win on Saturday.

"As long as it's mathematically possible, we can do it. We're well aware that time is running out and we need to start picking up wins so the home games are crucial. We look no further than Saturday for hopefully that win that is going kick off the rest of our season."

Fulham's current plight evokes memories of the Club's famous 'Great Escape' in 2007/08. Back then the Whites were actually one point worse off with nine games remaining but survived on the final day of the season.

"We were more or less relegated five games before the end of the season and we managed to stay up," stated Hangeland. "It just proves that you should never give up in a situation like this. It's been done before and it can be done again and it's something we're looking to replicate.

"It was the best feeling in my football career when we managed to stay up that year and I wouldn't mind trying to do that again."

He added: "I've been here for a long time and I'm probably the longest-serving player now. That connection grows stronger with every season. I try as best as I can to explain to everyone what we did and it's crucial to keep believing and work really hard as a group and use every training session and matches to go to the next level as individuals and as a team.

"We're putting in more of a physical shift on the training pitch which will hopefully prepare us to win the games."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/14/never-give-up? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/14/never-give-up?)

 
Felix Magath accuses Fulham of complacency in relegation fight


Felix Magath believes his Fulham players have been complacent over their Premier League survival chances.

The Cottagers, who host Newcastle on Saturday, are four points from safety with just nine games remaining.

Magath, who is Fulham's third boss this season, said: "The whole season they haven't realised that they are at the bottom of the table.

"Now they realise it's a relegation fight. It's an extraordinary situation. We have to stick together and fight."

Magath is yet to win a match as Fulham manager, having drawn 1-1 with relegation-threatened West Brom in his opening game and then lost the following two fixtures 3-1 against Chelsea and Cardiff.

The German stated that Fulham would avoid the drop when he took over and targeted six wins from their remaining 12 games at that time.

However, on Friday he questioned whether his players have the right attributes for the fight.

"At the beginning of the season nobody thought about a relegation fight," he said.

"The team was not built for a fight against relegation. We have to work with the players, to talk with them.

"The players tell me 'oh, we have 12 games left [after Magath's appointment], we have an easy schedule, we are able to manage this'.

"I think they were tempted by the situation that they are too secure. They don't say they are quite relaxed, but they say 'oh, we have 12 games, games are not so difficult'."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26588388 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26588388)

 
Fulham v Newcastle United: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Fulham and Newcastle United at Craven Cottage on Saturday March 15, 2014, kick-off 15.00 (GMT)

Saturday, March 15, 2014
Fulham v Newcastle United
Craven Cottage
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT.
TV: Highlights, BBC ONE Match of the Day.

Fulham (Possible, 4-4-2): Stekelenburg; Riether, Heitinga, Hangeland, Richardson; Dejagah, Sidwell, Holtby, Kacaniklic; Mitroglu, Bent.
Out: Briggs (hernia), Duff (hernia), Amorebieta, Karagounis (both muscle), Parker (knee).
Test: Dejagah (groin).

Newcastle (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Krul; Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Williamson, Dummett; Anita, Tioté; Sissoko, De Jong, Gouffran; Cissé.
Out: Debuchy (groin), Obertan, R Taylor (both knee), Rémy (calf), Ben Arfa (family illness).
Tests: Elliot, Santon (both knee).

Referee: Howard Webb. Matches: 23, R2 Y68.

Betting: Home 9-5, Away 7-5, Draw 5-2.

Team News
Winger Ashkan Dejagah faces a fitness test to determine if he can play for Fulham in Saturday's Premier League home clash with Newcastle after picking up an injury in last week's loss at Cardiff.

Midfielder Georgios Karagounis is out with a muscle strain suffered in south Wales, joining Scott Parker in the treatment room.

Parker could be back next week, but Damien Duff is out for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, absent Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has been dealt a major blow ahead of this game.

Pardew has a stadium ban after head-butting David Meyler and will set his team out in advance.

Leading scorer Loïc Rémy is likely to miss the next three games with a calf problem, and he will be joined on the sidelines by full-back Mathieu Debuchy, who has a groin problem and will sit out at least the same period.

Central defender Fabricio Coloccini returns after a family bereavement, but keeper Rob Elliot and full-back Davide Santon (both knee) remain doubts and midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa will not be included because of a family illness.

Match Notes
Fulham followers may find it barely believable but their side have been in even deeper relegation trouble before.

Back in 2008 they actually had one point less, with nine matches remaining, but under the direction of Roy Hodgson, escaped on the final day.

With current incumbent Felix Magath having gleaned one point from nine, Fulham's predicament is approaching terminal and even though Newcastle will be without banned manager Alan Pardew, their 4-1 spree at Hull last time out is an ominous omen.

Stat of the game: Newcastle have lost on their last four league visits to Craven Cottage.

Ben Findon's prediction: Fulham 1 Newcastle United 2



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10684929/Fulham-v-Newcastle-United-match-preview.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10684929/Fulham-v-Newcastle-United-match-preview.html)

 
Scott Parker v Cheick Tiote: Head-to-head analysis ahead of the clash between Fulham and Newcastle United


Check out all the vital statistics concerning the two sides' players ahead of this weekend's Premier League meeting at Craven Cottage

Ahead of this weekend's Premier League meeting, between Fulham and Newcastle United, see how the sides' players Scott Parker and Cheick Tiote compare.

Data and graphic provided by whoscored.com


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/scott-parker-v-cheick-tiote-headtohead-analysis-ahead-of-the-clash-between-fulham-and-newcastle-united-9192842.html (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/scott-parker-v-cheick-tiote-headtohead-analysis-ahead-of-the-clash-between-fulham-and-newcastle-united-9192842.html)

 
Fulham v Newcastle

(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/73418000/jpg/_73418129_73418128.jpg)

By Jonathan Pearce
BBC Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Saturday, 15 March

EAM NEWS

Fulham winger Ashkan Dejagah faces a fitness test after being forced off against Cardiff last week.

Giorgios Karagounis is out with a muscle problem, while Scott Parker remains sidelined by a knee injury.

Newcastle, already without suspended manager Alan Pardew, will also be missing injured pair Loic Remy and Mathieu Debuchy for the next few weeks.

Fabricio Coloccini returns after a family bereavement, but Hatem Ben Arfa has been given compassionate leave.

MATCH PREVIEW

Fulham look doomed. Their bungled season has been hopelessly managed. Deserving supporters of one of the most charming clubs in the land have been left to flounder towards the reef of relegation by a series of disastrous decisions by those at the helm.

Incredibly though, the Cottagers have escaped from straits more dire than these.

The bottom-of-the-table club are actually a point better off after 29 games than under Roy Hodgson in 2008, when they earned 16 points from the last nine matches to stay up on goal difference.

Manager Felix Magath is stoically hopeful: "We need to win all five home games. I think that could be enough."

Those remaining five home games are winnable though: Newcastle, Everton, Norwich, Hull and Palace. But do they deserve to stay up?

Previous owner Mohamed al Fayed would never have allowed this mess. Martin Jol should have gone last summer as soon as rumours began about Gus Poyet going to Fulham. Jol never seemed to have the dressing room behind him after that.

He'd also packed the side with too many luxury players and made poor signings in Amorebieta, Rodallega and Zverotic.

The Rene Meulensteen episode was bizarre. Now Felix Magath has arrived with a different, intensely disciplined style. At this late juncture, his methods seem untimely. I can't see the players relishing harsh training in March.

Nonetheless, this game is winnable on paper. Newcastle have lost four in a row at the Cottage and go there without Alan Pardew because of his stadium ban and top scorer Loic Remy because of injury.

Pardew deserved his suspension, but some of the lynch-mob calls for his head have bordered on senseless hysteria.

I have known the man for more than 25 years. He is passionate, driven and very good company. He is also a generous benefactor to charities away from football. He is fully aware that he now needs to show more generosity of spirit and less fire on the touchline.
There'll no more chances.

Earlier this season when there were calls for his sacking after four defeats on the spin, his players responded with a fine win in London - 3-1 at West Ham. I can see them repeating that.

Fulham may cling to memories of the 2008 escape. I can only see Championship football ahead for them.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Fulham have won four successive home matches against Newcastle, and six of the last seven.

There have been five goals scored in the 85th minute or later in their last five Premier League meetings.

Fulham
Fulham are without a win in their last nine league games (D2, L7).
They have lost 20 of their first 29 top-flight matches in a season for the first time in the club's history.
The Whites have the worst home record in the Premier League, earning just three wins and 10 points from 14 matches.
They have conceded 65 league goals this season - 15 more than the next-worst side, Cardiff. Thirty nine of those goals have come in the last 14 matches.
Fulham have used 36 different players in the league this season. Only Middlesbrough (37 in 2005-06) have used more in an entire Premier League campaign.

Newcastle United
Newcastle have won successive league games for the first time this calendar year. They last won three in a row as part of an eventual four-match winning streak in November.
The Magpies have lost 10 of the 11 league games in which they have been behind this season. The exception was the 5-1 home win over Stoke on Boxing Day.
Their last 61 league goals have been scored by non-English players. James Perch was the last Englishman to score in the 4-3 defeat at Manchester United on Boxing Day 2012.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26493211 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26493211)

 
Under-18 Preview

Our Under-18s are back in action on Saturday (11am) when they host Southampton at Motspur Park.

On the back of two straight wins, Fulham enter the game at the top of the Barclays Under-18 Premier League as Steve Wigley's side continue to mount another successful title charge.

Last Friday they saw off Chelsea at the Blues' Cobham training centre, with Dean O'Halloran, Patrick Roberts and Aaron Redford (pictured) on target in a commanding 3-0 victory.

Fulham and Southampton have already met this term, with the two teams playing out a 1-1 draw on the South Coast last December. Sam Gallagher, who has featured for the Saints' first team, opened the scoring before a late penalty from George Williams rescued a point.

Southampton start the match in sixth place, having won 10 and drawn six of their 24 fixtures so far. Last weekend, the Saints were held to a 3-3 draw against Leicester City, with Ryan Seagar (2) and Dan Demkiv scoring the goals.

The draw came on the back of a 5-0 thumping of Aston Villa, with Seagar, Jake Hesketh, Will Wood (2) and Niall Mason all netting.

Overseen by former Saints defender Jason Dodd, Southampton's success at academy level is well documented with a number of graduates promoted to first-team duty. The current crop of hopefuls include Seagar, Hesketh, Matt Targett and Josh Sims.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/14/u18-v-soton? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/14/u18-v-soton?)

 
Player To Watch This Weekend: Lewis Holtby (Fulham)

Those who saw Lewis Holtby's post-game interview after Fulham's defeat to Cardiff last weekend will have already taken the German to their hearts. Frustrated, disappointed, and close to tears, Holtby may well be an on-loan player but his commitment to his temporary club's cause is an example some of the full-time employees would do well to follow.

Following the disaster in South-Wales, Fulham return to Craven Cottage to face Newcastle tomorrow, who themselves are in the midst of an altogether different sort of crisis. Mathieu Debuchy will be missing for the visitors, as well the hugely influential Loic Remy, and Alan Pardew begins his stadium ban for....well...being Alan Pardew.

If Felix Magath needed a win last weekend, then he really, really needs one this time – the games are running out, the fixture list isn't kind, and this is a Newcastle team who have, in effect, nothing to play for. West Brom and Cardiff will both likely lose, and Sunderland and Crystal Palace are playing each other – this is an opportunity to reclaim ground which can't be passed-up.

Holtby is not a player – not yet, anyway – who can put a side on his back and drag them up the table, but he has the kind of enthusiasm and spirit which is both infectious and vital to a team in Fulham's predicament. Couple that with his vision and technique, and you suspect that he will be integral to everything that his side do well this weekend.

A special human-being, and a special player who has all the tools to unlock the visitors tomorrow.


http://thepremierleagueowl.com/player-to-watch-this-weekend-lewis-holtby-fulham/ (http://thepremierleagueowl.com/player-to-watch-this-weekend-lewis-holtby-fulham/)

 
Fulham squad 'not used' to relegation fight, Magath claims

Fulham's players are ill-suited to a relegation fight according to manager Felix Magath.

The Whites are bottom of the league and have only picked up one point in the German's three matches in charge.

They are in a position where they almost have to win against Newcastle on Saturday and Magath is hopeful that they are up for the battle.

"The players are not used to a relegation fight," he said. "They are players, particularly if they came from teams that were in another situation [challenging at the top of the table] so the players have got to get used to it so they are not quite sure how to do it."

John Heitinga said that it would take a 'miracle' for Fulham to stay up, but the manager disagrees with that assessment.

"I don't agree that we need a miracle to stay up," he added. "We need 100 per cent willingness.

"Then I'm convinced we can win a few games in the last nine and I don't rely on miracles and luck. I prefer to work for it and it should work."

Newcastle will be missing manager Alan Pardew from the sidelines as he starts a stadium ban for his headbutt on Hull's David Meyler.

And Magath believes that the Magpies will be weaker without their manager on the side.

"Sure, every team has its manager," he added. "Normally – it's not usual and it could be a chance for us. You have to take the chance."

Fulham will be without Damien Duff, Giorgos Karagounis and Scott Parker while Ashkan Dejagah requires a fitness test. William Kvist is fit to play.


http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_squad_not_used_to_relegation_fight_magath_claims_1_3434562 (http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_squad_not_used_to_relegation_fight_magath_claims_1_3434562)

 
Felix Magath: Fulham "don't need a miracle"

Fulham manager Felix Magath has denied that Fulham need a "miracle" to escape the drop this season, despite being rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table with just nine games to play.

The Whites host Newcastle United on Saturday and the German admitted that taking the three points is a chance that Fulham simply have to take.

"We don't need a miracle, we need 100% willingness," Magath said in his pre-match press conference.

"I'm convinced that we can win games. I don't rely on miracles or luck. We have a chance to beat Newcastle tomorrow and we have to take that chance."

A win on Saturday would still see Fulham remain bottom of the league.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/relegation-battle/news/magath-fulham-dont-need-a-miracle_144194.html (http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/relegation-battle/news/magath-fulham-dont-need-a-miracle_144194.html)

Fulham vs Newcastle United – matchday preview

Newcastle travel to Craven Cottage on Saturday aiming to make it three wins on the spin since November.

Alan Pardew will be vacant from the stadium as he begins his seven match ban and a further blow for caretaker boss John Carver as Loic Remy (Calf) and Mathieu Debuchy (Groin) will both miss the match and are expected to miss the following games against Crystal Palace and Everton.

Club captain Fabricio Coloccini who had a family bereavement does return to the side after missing the victory last week over Hull City.

Hatem Ben Arfa is a doubt and Carver will be hoping to use the Frenchman tomorrow as Ben Arfa has scored in his last three meetings against 'The Whites'

Felix Magath has yet to taste victory since taking over from Rene Meulensteen and the Fulham boss is without several key players.

Midfielder Ashkan Dejagah is a doubt with a knock he picked up during the defeat to Cardiff City meanwhile midfielder Scott Parker has a knee problem.

William Kvist could struggle to shake off a hamstring problem and looks likely that former Newcastle midfielder Damien Duff will miss the remainder of the season. The good news for Magath is Fernando Amorebieta is in line for a return to the line up following a muscle injury.

The London side are currently bottom of the league and four points adrift of West Brom who are 17th and have lost 14 of their 18 home games this season, They do however have the advantage over their opponents winning four out the last five meetings.

Newcastle meanwhile will want to not only gain ground on Everton and Manchester United but also start a getaway from Southampton who are creeping up behind Pardew's men on 42 points.


http://www.nufcfans.co.uk/2014/03/fulham-vs-newcastle-united-matchday-preview/? (http://www.nufcfans.co.uk/2014/03/fulham-vs-newcastle-united-matchday-preview/?)

 
Why Fulham can stay up if they beat Newcastle United this weekend

If Fulham beat Newcastle United on Saturday, will the belief return to Craven Cottage?

Or is the despair that is encircling the club and its fans so vast that, no matter the result, relegation will still be a mere inevitability?

You'd like to hope for the former but the reality is that most fans are resigned to the worst possible fate and no resurrection will change that.

But the fact is, defeating Newcastle, and playing with a smattering of cohesion along the way, would change the whole dynamic of our season, even though it would still leave us bottom.

We would be on 24 points, some distance short of escaping the drop zone. Our goal difference would still be embarrassing, a depressing reflection on a year's worth of defensive ineptitude.

But we would have won a match. Felix Magath would get his tenure started, the players would be reinvigorated, the confidence, across some of this depleted squad at least, would return.


Our opponents are a top 10 side, brimming with individual quality, while the lack of a manager on the sidelines on Saturday isn't going to effect the proceedings in the slightest.

Yet, you'd like to think that, with very little for Newcastle to play for, our commitment will outweigh theirs.

And – though it is a particularly bold claim – perhaps the defeat at Cardiff City has eased the pressure a little on us. There is less expectancy now and you get the sense that many of our current group of players work better in such an environment.

We need to get things absolutely right on the day, however. Magath needs to blend the creativity that has gone missing under his tutorship with a defensive solidity that has been absent for even longer.

It's no mean feat, but it's certainly possible.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/14/why-fulham-can-stay-up-if-they-beat-newcastle-united-this-weekend-4574226/? (http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/14/why-fulham-can-stay-up-if-they-beat-newcastle-united-this-weekend-4574226/?)

 
Magath's Newcastle Preview

Hard work and a willing attitude is what it will take for Fulham to avoid relegation from the Barclays Premier League, according to Whites boss Felix Magath.

Last week's defeat to Cardiff City left his side rooted to the bottom of the table but, when asked if a miracle would be needed to survive, Magath stated: "I don't agree. We don't need a miracle, we need 100 per cent willingness. I'm convinced that we can win a few games in the last nine. I don't rely on miracles or luck, I prefer to work at it.

"We are all hopeful that we win games. The most important thing is to win one game [to start with] to give the team and the players more confidence. We didn't take the chance, three times [against West Bromwich Albion, Chelsea or Cardiff], so we now have to take the chance in the home game against Newcastle.

"For us, it would have been important to have a win last week to give confidence. We are all disappointed because against Cardiff, the team which is close to us, it would help us but a win is all we need.

"Now we have five home games left so I think it is possible to win the home games and we can take a win from the away games too."

Magath took many by surprise when he handed 19-year-old Cauley Woodrow a debut in South Wales, but the Fulham boss explained that team changes are inevitable when results are not going our way.

"When things have not worked so well, you have to change something," he said. "If things go well you don't need to change but now we have no results so we have to change things.

"I'm manager for all the players the Club has given me so I have to give everybody his chance. Darren Bent had his chances, as well as the other strikers. Why shouldn't I give Cauley Woodrow a chance? If we don't do so well I'll give other players a chance to show how good they are."

Newcastle United arrive at Craven Cottage on Saturday but Fulham will be without former Magpies midfielder Scott Parker for the game, although Magath is confident he will be available for our trip to Manchester City.

"Scott Parker is injured and will not join us but William Kvist is able to play," he confirmed. "It was a problem for us that Parker is injured but I think next week he will come back to the team and for the next game he will be ready.

"Giorgos Karagounis had a muscle problem since last Saturday at Cardiff. And Ashkan Dejagah also has a problem from last Saturday. Ashkan will have a test on Friday and maybe he can join us, but Karagounis will be out of the squad for Saturday."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/14/magaths-newcastle-preview? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/14/magaths-newcastle-preview?)

 
Magath hopes to take chance
Felix Magath hopes Fulham can capitalise on the absence of banned Newcastle boss Alan Pardew in Saturday's Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.

Felix Magath hopes Fulham can capitalise on the absence of banned Newcastle boss Alan Pardew in Saturday's Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.

The Cottagers are four points adrift of safety with nine matches to play, beginning at home to the Magpies, who are without Pardew for the first of seven matches due to his ban for headbutting Hull midfielder David Meyler.

"Every team has his manager beside normally, so it's not usual. It could be a chance for us. (But) always you have to take the chance," Magath said.

"Everybody makes mistakes. He was punished. That's it."

Magath has called on his players to wake up to their predicament at the bottom of the table and seize their chance against Newcastle.

"The most important thing is to win one game to give the players and the team more confidence," said Magath, who has one point from his three matches in charge.

"We didn't take the chance three times. Now we have to take the chance tomorrow in the home game against Newcastle.

"We've got the chance to take three points. If we can realise that I think we have a good chance (of survival)."

Magath targeted six wins from 12 games on his appointment, but is still chasing his first.

He believes results at Craven Cottage will be key, with the Magpies, Everton, Norwich, Hull and Crystal Palace still to come, and thinks six wins is still achievable.

He added: "Now we have five home games left. I think it is possible to win the home games and take a win from the away games, too."

Winger Ashkan Dejagah faces a fitness test to determine if he can play after picking up an injury in last week's loss at Cardiff.

Midfielder Georgios Karagounis is out with a muscle strain suffered in south Wales, joining Scott Parker (knee) in the treatment room.

Parker could be back next week but Damien Duff (knee) is out for the rest of the season.

Pardew will set his team out in advance but leading scorer Loic Remy is likely to miss the next three games with a calf problem, and he will be joined on the sidelines by full-back Mathieu Debuchy, who has a groin problem and will sit out at least the same period.

Central defender Fabricio Coloccini returns after a family bereavement, but keeper Rob Elliot and full-back Davide Santon (both knee) remain doubts and midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa will not be included because of a family illness.

Newcastle skipper Coloccini insists Pardew has the full support of his players as he prepares for his enforced exile.

The 52-year-old boss will begin this three-match stadium ban and will subsequently spend four matches watching from the stands as part of his punishment for headbutting Meyler.

Pardew has also been fined a total of £160,000 and left in little doubt that his behaviour at the KC Stadium, where his side won 4-1, was unacceptable.

However, while the contrite Newcastle manager readies himself to deal with the consequences of his actions, Coloccini has confirmed that he has the backing of the dressing room.

The 32-year-old Argentina international said: "Of course we are behind him. He's the manager and he is like our team-mate. The players and the club support him.

"He knows what he did. It's finished. All of us can do something wrong.

"After these seven games, he is going to have the chance to show to everyone it was a mistake, and no more than that."

Pardew will give his team-talk at the hotel before handing over the reins to assistant John Carver as the players board the bus for Craven Cottage, and will be helpless from that point on.

But he has faith in Carver, who worked under Sir Bobby Robson at St James' Park and led the club to a 3-0 Barclays Premier League victory over Blackburn as caretaker manager in September 2004.

And the players share that trust.

Coloccini said: "He's an experienced man. He was here for the best years when Sir Bobby Robson was here.

"It's nothing new for him. He has all of our help."


http://sport.bt.com/sportfootball/football/englishfootball/barclayspremierleague/barclayspremierleaguenews/magath-hopes-to-take-chance-S11363884599857? (http://sport.bt.com/sportfootball/football/englishfootball/barclayspremierleague/barclayspremierleaguenews/magath-hopes-to-take-chance-S11363884599857?)

 
Newcastle Tickets Sold Out

Tickets for Saturday's match against Newcastle United are now sold out! Supporters are advised to check other options, such as our Official Ticket Marketplace partner viagogo.


Hospitality still available

An extremely limited number of Matchday Hospitality packages are still available to purchase, with prices starting from just £125 (+VAT) per person.

To book your package, buy online today.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/14/newcastle-sold-out? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/14/newcastle-sold-out?)

 
Magath craves Cottage industry to take advantage of Newcastle in Pardew's absence

Felix Magath hopes Fulham can capitalise on the absence of banned Newcastle boss Alan Pardew in Saturday's Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.

The Cottagers are four points adrift of safety with nine matches to play, beginning at home to the Magpies, who are without Pardew for the first of seven matches due to his ban for head-butting Hull midfielder David Meyler.

'Every team has his manager beside normally, so it's not usual. It could be a chance for us. (But) always you have to take the chance,' Magath said.

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/03/14/article-2581177-1C3171EA00000578-319_634x435.jpg)
Training day: Felix Magath (L) has challenged Fulham to take advantage of Alan Pardew's enforced absence
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/03/14/article-2581177-1C21421600000578-142_634x435.jpg)
Still waiting: Magath is yet to win a Premier League game since taking over at Craven Cottage
'Everybody makes mistakes. He was punished. That's it.'
Magath has called on his players to wake up to their predicament at the bottom of the table and seize their chance against Newcastle.

'The most important thing is to win one game to give the players and the team more confidence," said Magath, who has one point from his three matches in charge.

'We didn't take the chance three times. Now we have to take the chance tomorrow in the home game against Newcastle.

'We've got the chance to take three points. If we can realise that I think we have a good chance (of survival).'

Magath targeted six wins from 12 games on his appointment, but is still chasing his first.

He believes results at Craven Cottage will be key, with the Magpies, Everton, Norwich, Hull and Crystal Palace and thinks six wins is still achievable.

He added: 'Now we have five home games left. I think it is possible to win the home games and take a win from the away games too.'

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/03/14/article-2581177-1C21B56000000578-293_634x435.jpg)
Squeaky bum time! Fulham are four points off safety after losing to Cardiff in their last game
Magath disagreed with defender Johnny Heitinga's assessment that Fulham need a 'miracle' to survive, but says the players are not accustomed to their lowly position.

'I am convinced that we can win a few games in the last nine and I don't rely on miracles or luck, I prefer to work,' Magath said.

'The players are not used to a relegation fight. They are players who came from teams which were in another situation.

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/03/14/article-2581177-1C21C03B00000578-41_634x435.jpg)
Top boyo! Steven Caulker wheels away after scoring against Fulham in a relegation six-pointer
'The players don't get used to it, so at the moment they are not quite sure how to do it.'

On-loan Aston Villa striker Darren Bent was overlooked in favour of under-21 forward Cauley Woodrow at Cardiff.

Magath added: 'I'm manager for all the players. I have to give everybody his chance.

'Darren Bent had his chances, as well as the other strikers. Why shouldn't I give Cauley Woodrow another chance?

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/03/14/article-2581177-1C21981100000578-597_634x435.jpg)
Reputations count for nothing! Darren Bent was overlooked for youngster Cauley Woodrow against Cardiff
'If we do not so well I will give other players a chance to show how good they are.'

Winger Ashkan Dejagah faces a fitness test to determine if he can play against Newcastle, but midfielder Giorgos Karagounis is out with a muscle strain suffered in south Wales, joining Scott Parker (knee) in the treatment room. Parker could be back for next week's match at Manchester City.

Magath added: 'I think he will come back to the team for the next game.'



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2581177/Felix-Magath-urges-Fulham-advantage-Newcastle-Alan-Pardews-enforced-absence.html#ixzz2w0yLSFWK (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2581177/Felix-Magath-urges-Fulham-advantage-Newcastle-Alan-Pardews-enforced-absence.html#ixzz2w0yLSFWK)
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FULHAM BOSS' JOB HINGES ON NEWCASTLE TIE?

PROBABLE LINEUPS:
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg, Riether, Heitinga, Hangeland, Riise, Sidwell, Karagounis, Dejagah Richardson, Holtby, Mitroglou

The rock bottom Premier League side will need nothing short of a miracle to survive the drop.  Form is also not on their side, having collected only two points from a possible 27 in their last nine games. Head coach Felix Magath is however still optimistic of avoiding relegation, hammering his team with defensive drills during the week.  Hangeland will continue to partner Heitinga in center back while Kostas Mitroglou should get the nod over Darren Bent to lead the Cottagers' attack.

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Krul, Debuchy, Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Santon, Anita, Tioté, Sissoko, de Jong, Gouffran, Remy

A inspired Moussa Sissoko performance earned Newcastle an emphatic 4-1 away win over Hull City and Alan Pardew's men will be hoping for a similar performance.  Pardew himself, however, will serve a seven game ban for his 'headbutt' on Hull's David Meyler. Yanga-Mbiwa deputized for the injured Fabricio Coloccini last time out but Steven Taylor could very well partner Mike Williamson at the heart of defence against the Cottagers. Loic Remy is a doubt but should be fit for the journey to London.

WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING...
In 2012 Fulham ended a run of 7 games without win against Newcastle. Let's do it again this Saturday with Steve & Hugo! #coyw FFC 2-1 NUFC

— Ernie Klutz (@ErnieKlutz) March 12, 2014



Pardew starts his stadium ban this Saturday v Fulham at Craven Cottage. Fulham praying the ban extends to the whole Newcastle squad.

— Andrew Liu (@AndrewLiu5) March 12, 2014



Well thats the Sunday papers sorted. 'Fulham fail to beat Newcastle who have no manager in the stadium'

— MJG (@1966MJG) March 11, 2014


ANTASY FOOTBALL DANGER MAN
heitinga

Felix Magath has been putting his side through defensive drills all week and if he wants to start his climb out of the bottom it must begin now.  With Loic Remy possibly out injured, we're backing John Heitinga – who also has a goal and an assist in his last two games – to lead his back-line to a Craven Cottage shutout.

STATS TO GET YOU HEAD AROUND...
Fulham vs. Newcastle United: An Alternative Preview

Fulham have won the last four Barclays Premier League home games against Newcastle.

Hatem Ben Arfa has scored in each of his three Barclays Premier League appearances against the Whites.

Fulham have used 36 different players in the Premier League this season; six more than any other side.

There have been five goals in the 85th minute or later in the last five Premier League games between Fulham and Newcastle.

There have been four penalties (all scored) in the last five Premier League meetings between Fulham and Newcastle at Craven Cottage.

Fulham have lost 14 of their last 18 Premier League home matches (W3 D1 L14).

Fulham have scored nine goals from corners this season, more than any other side.

Newcastle are the only Premier League team for whom an Englishman hasn't scored this season.

Newcastle United have won four of their last five Premier League games in London.

Cheik Tiote will be looking to avoid being booked in three or more successive Premier League games for the fifth time.



http://www.footballfancast.com/match/695193? (http://www.footballfancast.com/match/695193?)

 
The FourFourTwo Preview: Fulham vs Newcastle

Premier League | Craven Cottage | Sat 15 Mar | 3pm

Billed as
The match Alan Pardew definitely won't be at this weekend.

The lowdown
Oh boy, where to start. To call the last few weeks of Fulham and Newcastle's respective seasons eventful would be an understatement.

The headline moment was, of course, Newcastle manager Pardew noggin-nudging Hull midfielder David Meyler during his team's previous Premier League match, but there has been madness at Fulham too, with the previously sane west London club rattling through managers like most clubs rattle through unpaid social media interns.

Pardew has this week been handed a record seven-game ban –consisting of a three-game stadium ban, then a four-game touchline ban. In the possible confusion, Fulham's latest manager Felix Magath will be aiming for his first Premier League win – if he doesn't get it, his team could be well and truly jiggered.

Last weekend's defeat at Cardiff leaves the Cottagers four points adrift of safety (effectively five, given their woeful goal difference), and although that may not sound too huge a gap, they face Manchester City and Everton in the following two matches. Picking up points this time around are an absolute must.

Despite Pardew's absence, this still may not be a good time to face Newcastle. After a nightmare run that saw them lose 3-0 to Sunderland and Chelsea and 4-0 to Tottenham, the Magpies enter this match on the back of successive wins – 1-0 over Aston Villa and 4-1 at Hull. That win at the KC Stadium saw the Toon soak up the pressure and hit their hosts on the break, and with the likes of Loic Remy and Moussa Sissoko bringing pace and power, they'll be well equipped to do the same again this weekend.

Team news
Fulham are likely to be without defender Fernando Amorebieta (muscle injury) and midfielders Scott Parker (knee), Damien Duff (duff knee) and William Kvist (knee). Ashkan Dejagah will face a fitness test.

Newcastle could be without Davide Santon (knee), Hatem Ben Arfa (knock) and Gabriel Obertan (knee) and will definitely be without Loic Remy (calf) and Mathieu Debuchy (groin) for at least three matches. Fabricio Coloccini is set to return, having been given compassionate leave due to a family bereavement.

Player to watch: Steve Sidwell (Fulham)
One of the few bright spots of Fulham's season has been the form of Sidwell. The former Reading, Chelsea and Aston Villa midfielder has scored seven goals this term – his best tally since the Royals' record-breaking promotion campaign of 2005/06.

But it's not just goalscoring that the carrot-topped scrapper brings to the table – he's a diligent passer, a competitive tackler and an intelligent interceptor. This was all highlighted in the defeat at Cardiff, when he was one of only a couple of Fulham players to emerge with any credit. He completed 51 passes (a game high), 4 tackles (more than any other Fulham player), 3 interceptions (a game high), won 6 aerial duels (a game high), and made 5 clearances (errrrm, only seven fewer than Brede Hangeland...)


The managers
Sadly, this won't be a meeting of the Penfold lookalike and Dangermouth, given Pardew will be watching the match on a dodgy stream from his hotel room (assuming he can't find a more interesting way to spend two hours alone with the internet). Instead, Newcastle's assistant manager John Carver will patrol the visiting technical area. He has previous when it comes to acting as Newcastle's boss, as he was caretaker for one solitary match following the sacking of Bobby Robson in August 2004. Carver's side won that Premier League clash with Blackburn Rovers 3-0.

His record on the touchline since hasn't been quite so good. In eight matches as caretaker of Leeds and Sheffield United, he won just twice, while his win ratio during his 14 months as head coach of Toronto FC was just 30%. Still, he did square up to Callum McManaman at Wigan, so Pardew might not be missed after all.

Facts and figures
Fulham have won their last 4 home matches against Newcastle.

4 of Fulham's 33 home matches since the start of last season have had at least 3 goals.

Fulham have scored in 10 of 11 home games against middle-third teams since 2012/13 but they've lost 7 times, including four 1-2 defeats.

Newcastle have won 7 away games this season – more than both Liverpool and Man City.
8 of Newcastle's last 10 trips to bottom-six teams have had at least 3 goals.

Best Bet: Over 3.5 Goals @ 3.00
More FFT Stats Zone facts • Find the best odds with Bet Butler

FourFourTwo prediction
No headbutts, some goals. Fulham to win 2-1.



Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-preview-fulham-vs-newcastle#3a4R75xBSVzurfsP.99 (http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-preview-fulham-vs-newcastle#3a4R75xBSVzurfsP.99)

 
Holtby could be Fulham's key man as they look to upset Newcastle

Fulham remain bottom of the pile in the Premier League after losing their relegation six-pointer with Cardiff City at the weekend.charlie-mcCann_Aff

Felix Magath's side remain four points adrift of West Brom in 18th and six points off Crystal Palace in 17th.

The Whites are now 10/11 to finish bottom and 1/7 to be relegated to the Championship.

If they are to turn things around then a result against Newcastle is vital on Saturday.

Magpies manager Alan Pardew won't be in the away dugout after receiving a £100,000 fine and seven-game ban by the FA and this could be the break that the Whites have been crying out for.

Fulham are 85/40 underdogs with BetVictor, Newcastle 7/5 and the draw 12/5 and despite Newcastle winning their last two they had previously lost their last three and remain vulnerable.

Lewis Holtby scored away at the Bluebirds last week and looks a good shout at 16/1 to punish the Magpies and score the opener.

Similarly, the 5/1 for the German international to score anytime looks far, far too big – tuck in accordingly.

Chelsea, the new 5/6 favourites for the title after a 4-0 demolition of London rivals Spurs, are 8/15 to continue their great form and beat Aston Villa on Saturday.

They are now unbeaten in 76 games home league games under boss Jose Mourinho, who heads the betting for March's Premier League League Manager of the Month award at 5/2.

Star player Eden Hazard has attracted similar support and has been cut to 6/1 with BetVictor to be the player of the month after yet another vintage performance.

Chelsea can build on their lead at the top when they visit Villa, who are 6/1 to cause the upset with the draw 3/1.

Villa beat Norwich 4-1 a fortnight ago but they often come a cropper against the big boys.

Chelsea should run out ready winners and the 5/4 for them in the half-time/full-time market with BetVictor looks far too big.

They should be able to follow up with Galatasaray's arrival at the Bridge on Tuesday, in the side's Champions League last-16 second leg and we make them 1/6 to qualify for the quarter-finals.

The Blues are 4/11 to win on the night, the Turkish visitors 15/2 and the draw 19/5.

It should be a comfortable victory back on home soil, the 2-0 correct score appealing most at 6/1.

At the time of writing Chelsea are 14/1 for the Champions League and likely to shorten further should they, as predicted, move smoothly into the next round.

For all your weekend odds check out betvictor.com.

Be lucky.

Charlie


http://www.westlondonsport.com/features-comment/football-wls-lewis-holtby-key-fulham-look-upset-alan-pardews-newcastle (http://www.westlondonsport.com/features-comment/football-wls-lewis-holtby-key-fulham-look-upset-alan-pardews-newcastle)

 
Craven Corner: Newcastle is the last chance for Fulham to survive

Our Fulham blogger believes that defeat to Newcastle could mean the end to the Whites' survival hopes.

Fulham welcome Newcastle to the Cottage tomorrow afternoon and we have to realise that this will be a tough game even if they are without Loic Remy & Mathieu Debuchy.

I believe that this is probably our last chance to survive, a win here and results go our way we can still survive and this is possible!

So what can we expect from Newcastle? Well, Pardew won't be on the touchline but they are a strong, powerful team and still possess a lot of pace on the counter - something Fulham have struggled to defend throughout the season.

Moussa Sissoko and Cheick Tiote will be incredibly physical in the middle of the park then Yoann Gouffran & Luuk De Jong will look to turn our central defenders.

But they are missing Remy, their top goal scorer and with Debuchy out we must go all out attack.

I still have my doubts over Felix Magath and his team selections but I think he will stick with the 4-4-2 we saw in the last game but Darren Bent will replace Cauley Woodrow up top.

I think Bent would work much better alongside another striker who can hold the ball up as it would allow him to make them runs behind and finish, something he's always done well in his career.

Kostas Mitroglou would have had another week's worth training so he should be fitter too.

Fernando Amorebieta is rumoured to be in contention too, so I'd like push Kieran Richardson back into left midfield and start Amorebieta at left back. I have grown to like the Venezuelan at left back the more I have seen of him, he's starting to settle and he's our best option as he's not afraid to get stuck in because of his central defender roots.

I think we need to choose an attacking line up and with Pajtim Kasami playing central and alongside Steve Sidwell would be perfect.

I've always felt that Kasami is the guy to play in the role that Mousa Dembele once did for us, he has the same attacking presence, balance yet he isn't afraid to do the defensive work.

Parker would be far too defensive to play in this game and Kvist, I think he's great but I think it's time that Kasami became a central figure and a key part of the midfield.

You will notice that I've left Lewis Holtby out, but I have the feeling that Magath will play him on the right side of midfield on Saturday and that's a position I feel he is wasted in.

Holtby is perfect for the number 10 role in a 4-2-3-1, but as I feel that Magath will stick to 4-4-2 I'd like to see us try Sidwell and Kasami in the middle as Holtby and Kasami could be vulnerable.

I love Holtby though, don't get me wrong, I think he's been sensational and what we've needed but Magath has dropped him before (remember that against Chelsea?).

I prefer the 4-4-1-1/4-2-3-1 setup and it's the formation that suits us the most. Holtby playing just behind Mitroglou would be perfect but I can't see it happening, maybe Magath will prove me wrong!

I'm going to be brave though and predict a 2-0 win for Fulham, Mitroglou and Richardson to score.

This could be the result we've desperately needed and Magath's first win. It's a big ask, and I know that most fans are downhearted after recent performances, but we can still do it. Still believe guys! COYW's!


http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/craven_corner_newcastle_is_the_last_chance_for_fulham_to_survive_1_3435240 (http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/craven_corner_newcastle_is_the_last_chance_for_fulham_to_survive_1_3435240)

 
Magath: I Hate To Lose

Fulham's winless run is giving Manager Felix Magath sleepless nights, as the German eagerly searches for his first three points in the job.

The Whites have gained just one point under Magath, and he admitted it can be difficult to switch off after suffering a disappointing result.

"I always hate to lose so I have problems when we lose like last Saturday," he explained. "The night after I get back I don't get much sleep.

"I always stay awake late after every defeat and think about it. I worry about it. After a match it takes time but I've done the job for a long time so I know how to manage it. For me there are no problems, I can handle this situation. I'm fine and I think it will be fine."

Everyone associated with Fulham is hoping that Magath can enjoy a peaceful night's rest following victory over Newcastle United on Saturday.

It's a match where three points is the minimum target, but the Whites boss insisted that the fight will continue regardless of the result.

"Every manager will tell you the next game will be the most important game," he said. "We have to win the next game and, until now, we have not been able to win a game, so we have to win tomorrow.

"The next game is always the most important game and you always have to win. Sure, we only have nine games and it's better to win tomorrow than to lose but you cannot promise the win, you cannot do that. We have to try and, sure, we'll get the chance to win tomorrow but, if not, it goes on."

Nobody predicted that Fulham's starting strikeforce last week would consist of Cauley Woodrow and Kostas Mitroglou, and Magath kept the media guessing when he was asked if the pair would start up front again for the visit of the Magpies, insisting: "I don't know. I have to think about it and I will decide on Saturday."

Magath had previously stated that a relegation fight was not the right time to blood youngsters, but asked if he would be prepared to throw them in during the final nine matches, he stated: "Sure. First I give the experienced players a chance but, if it doesn't work, I have to.

"I'm convinced Cauley Woodrow will have a future here and I think in Patrick Roberts we have an extraordinary talent here. They are players for the future."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/15/magath-i-hate-to-lose? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/15/magath-i-hate-to-lose?)

 
Alan Pardew will be allowed to phone his bench at Fulham today

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew may still keep his distance despite the FA giving him to go ahead to contact John Carver

Alan Pardew is allowed to contact his bench at Craven Cottage today despite being banned from the stadium.

The Newcastle United manager admitted this week he wasn't fully aware of all the rules regarding his FA punishment, apart from the fact this afternoon's Premier League match at Fulham is his first of a three-match ban before the four-game touchline ban comes into play.

Pardew claimed he would not attempt to contact John Carver during the match, preferring to keep out of the way altogether.

However, he would be allowed to do just that because the FA admit they couldn't police it.

The ban is about taking the 52-year-old away from the environment where he put himself into trouble in the first place.

Pardew will watch the match at the team's hotel where he will deliver his team talk at noon before the players travel across London to face struggling Fulham.

The temptation to contact anyone on the touchline during the 90 minutes, or at half-time, might prove too much for the manager, even if he is trying to turn over a new leaf and take himself out of the front lone action.

He does, however, have complete faith in Carver, who will be manager for the entirety of the game. Pardew said: "John's naturally vocal in the changing room so that is not going to change.

"I think the change for John will be we can't guarantee what their team will be. So at 2pm that side will come in and John is going to have some tactical calls on their team.

"We can predict their team, we're usually 99 per cent right but there are always one or two players who might come in and surprise you. John will have to make that decision."

Carver can be a fiery character himself, although suggestions he will struggle to control himself are grossly unfair.

Pardew has no fear his right hand man will be able to keep calm no matter what happens on the fied.

Asked if he will have to watch himself, Pardew added: "I think all my team do.

"Some of the reporting about myself and my team was over the top, but having said that we can't say we have been totally innocent, even before this incident, so we need to address our behaviour."

Newcastle would pick up their eighth win on the road in the Premier League if they beat a Fulham side this afternoon who look doomed to the drop.

Pardew is rightly proud of this record.

He said: "It comes from having a good game-plan away from home, having good pace in the team – which we have and which was a real problem for Hull – and sometimes a bit of luck, which we have had in certain away games.

"It's a shame it has not been reflected at home in the same manner because our home form has been patchy and we are looking to improve that even though, after Palace, we have two really tricky games."

Striker Loic Remy gave an interview this week in which he mentioned his desire to play for a top-five club.

Pardew was untroubled by the comments of a player who will be keenly missed this afternoon.

Remy has scored 13 times this season and is likely to get his wish and sign for a Champions League side when his loan deals at Newcastle runs out in the summer.

Pardew added: "I wouldn't expect him to say anything less.

"Of course he comes out of the limelight now, but what he has done for us has been terrific and I can't speak highly enough about him."



http://www.thejournal.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alan-pardew-allowed-phone-bench-6836025? (http://www.thejournal.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alan-pardew-allowed-phone-bench-6836025?)

 
Felix Magath reveals why Fulham are in a relegation dogfight

Over-confidence has put Fulham in a position where they are deemed likely to go down, according to manager Felix Magath.

The Whites have been bottom of the Premier League since a 3-0 defeat to Southampton in early February and the west Londoners are four points adrift of safety with a vastly inferior goal difference with nine games left.

And the German revealed that the 'easy on paper' run-in has given the squad confidence that they can survive.

Fulham have five home games left against Newcastle (today), Everton (March 30), Norwich (April 12), Hull (April 26) and Crystal Palace (May 11)

Their four remaining away games are at Manchester City (March 22), Aston Villa (April 5), Tottenham (April 19) and Stoke (May 3).

And Magath believes that the squad tempted fate by confidently predicting survival.

"In the last days or weeks they tell me they have 12 games left or they have an easy schedule so we are able to manage this," he said.

"I think that was tempting fate by being too secure."

He added: "They always said we have 12 games and games are not so difficult.

"We have to win the next game and we are not able to win the game and we have to win tomorrow."

Magath had targeted six wins from 12 when he took over at Craven Cottage but only has one draw from his first three matches.

While there are six winnable fixtures in those games, the fact that the club would have to double their victory tally, it looks difficult.

Asked whether the players have woken up to the situation they find themselves in, Magath said: "I hope so. The whole season they haven't realised that they are on the bottom of the table.

"It works step by step and nobody at the beginning of the season nobody thought about it. The team was not built for a fight against relegation.

"Sometimes you are sure that you make the right decisions and only have bad luck or injury problems. You don't realise that the situation is serious. It takes a long time."


http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/felix_magath_reveals_why_fulham_are_in_a_relegation_dogfight_1_3435331 (http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/felix_magath_reveals_why_fulham_are_in_a_relegation_dogfight_1_3435331)

 
A Win At Fulham Is Vital To Get Back On Track

After all of the rubbish that has been said and written about our club, and in particular about our manager, since our 4-1 victory away to Hull City, a win at Fulham is essential to get us back on track and focussed again on what is important – the football.

It's difficult to find many reports about the excellent job the lads did at Hull.
Yet we beat a good Premier League side by a significant margin, on their own turf, with an excellent all-round performance that was scintillating at times.

Sadly the reporting immediately after the game, and ever since really, has concentrated on what has laughingly been called a "head butt" by people who've probably never seen a proper one in their lives.

In Fulham we face a side who are bottom of the league with a defence that has leaked 65 goals in 29 games and an attack which has struggled to average more than a goal a game.

Fortunately for Fulham we go into this game without the most potent of our on-loan strikers as QPR's Loic Remy returned from international duty with France carrying an injury.

Striking duties will therefore probably fall to our other on-loan striker Luuk De Jong of Borussia Mönchengladbach, who is in the papers today saying he'd like to get a permanent deal at United.

Better start scoring some goals asap then bonny lad!

Having said that of course, Alan Pardew has shown a tendency lately to pick Papiss Demba Cisse – who does belong to us – ahead of De Jong in the hope he might start scoring goals again.

Presumably this fielding of Cisse is with a view to increasing his saleable value in the summer when our illustrious owner wants more cash.

Remy's fellow french international Mathieu Debuchy, who also does belong to us – at least for now – also came back from international duty hobbling, so a reshuffle of the defence is needed.

As luck would have it though, inspirational skipper Fabricio Coloccini is available again so Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is likely to be moved out to right back.

For Alan Pardew this afternoon's Premier League match at Fulham is his first of a three-match stadium ban before a further four-game touchline ban comes into play.

Not sure how effective these bans are as apparently he'll be watching a live stream in a hotel and will be able to phone his assistant John Carver in the dugout to bark out some wisdom and instructions.

For those of us who thought the media campaign against our manager after the "heed-smooch" with the Hull player was way over the top, that sounds like poetic justice.

Pardew can still run things from afar without running the risk of being publicly pilloried for his every move by the watching media.

We need to win this game. A good performance and a good result here will go a long way to getting us back on track and forcing the media to once again focus on our football.

After all – football is what it's all about, isn't it?


http://www.utd111.co.uk/blog/2014/03/15/a-win-at-fulham-is-vital-to-get-back-on-track/? (http://www.utd111.co.uk/blog/2014/03/15/a-win-at-fulham-is-vital-to-get-back-on-track/?)

 
Doomed? Fulham's best chance of staying up is to accept they are going down

(http://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/1000x71018.jpg?w=650&h=461&crop=1#038;h=710)
Fulham's German midfielder Lewis Holtby celebrates scoring (Picture: Getty Images)
The idea of accepting relegation in order to stay up might be a difficult one to get your head around, but allow me to explain.

The one outstanding factor of this season, that has plagued us week-in-week-out, is the fear of losing. It's seen us concede more goals and capitulate in more second half performances than is deemed physically possible for a team not destined to be relegated.

I've previously mentioned complacency as a major factor in our decline, and I stand by this sentiment, but I also believe that fear, which stems from being complacent and getting caught out unexpectedly, has also had a detrimental effect.

How a team with sought after professionals like Dimitar Berbatov, Brede Hangeland and Marteen Stekelenburg can plummet from such grace defies initial belief, but when you consider the fact that they were blighted by every footballers kryptonite – a lack of confidence – it's perhaps not so shocking.

After starting well with an unfamiliar away win at Sunderland, Fulham began to slowly spiral into the abyss and as confusion surrounding why a team with the aforementioned players were struggling with the basics, doubt and then fear started to creep into and embed itself within the changing room walls.

And the evidence for this is apparent everywhere you look. In Premier League years gone by, Fulham have always relied on their home form to get results, but have picked up more points on the road this year.

The pressure of having to win at the Cottage has proved too much for the confidence-stripped team, and while the rare solace of an away game – like at Old Trafford, where the same expectancy levels aren't present – has brought about better results, they are still too few and far between.

This weekend we face a Newcastle side who have fluctuated in form of late – a great team to be facing in our current circumstance.

(http://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/1000x71519.jpg?w=650&h=464&crop=1#038;h=715)
Fulham's Steve Sidwell reacts after losing against Cardiff City (Picture: Reuters)
With Alan Pardew's assistant John Carver and first team coach Steve Stone taking the place of the banned manager, Newcastle, who have very little to play for in terms of moving upwards or downwards in the table, may be in a slightly more vulnerable state.

If we approach the game the way we have approached every other home game this season – like we have to win it because we've got good players, we're playing at the Cottage and we're in danger of being relegated – then, we'll probably lose it.

But if, however, we approach it with a sense of fearless freedom – like a newly promoted team who have nothing to lose except not taking the opportunity to enjoy playing football in the Premier League to its fullest, then we stand half a chance.

Fear, as aforesaid, has completely blighted us this season, and the only way we are going to stabilise our decline is if we start playing without responsibility.

It's only once the fear of playing in a relegation battle has subsided – by us accepting we're no longer in one – and we introduce a new, positive mind-frame, that we can once again re-enter the dogfight, and potential survive.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/15/doomed-fulhams-best-chance-of-staying-up-is-to-accept-they-are-going-down-4562879/? (http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/15/doomed-fulhams-best-chance-of-staying-up-is-to-accept-they-are-going-down-4562879/?)

 
Goals expected at Craven Cottage

(http://www.footballdirectnews.com/images/news/43252/638x0/goals-expected-at-craven-cottage.jpg)
Fulham and Newcastle have seen just two goalless draws in 69 meetings [Action Images]

Goals are expected at Craven Cottage this afternoon with just two goalless draws between Fulham and Newcastle United in 69 meetings.

The last time the two sides played out a goalless draw was in November 2010 at St James' Park while the over also came on Tyneside in 1979.

It means that, every time Fulham and Newcastle have met in London, goals have been scored and, with the two sides set to do battle for a 70th time when they meet at Craven Cottage, the smart money would be on the strikers to get the better of opposing goalkeepers.

Fulham suffered a 3-1 defeat in a big clash at the bottom of the table to Cardiff City, leaving the Cottagers rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, while Newcastle have got back on track by winning their last two games, but will be without manager Alan Pardew who serves the first of a three-match stadium ban.



http://www.footballdirectnews.com/premier-league-news/43252-goals-expected-at-craven-cottage.php#.UyQ5rlwdObA (http://www.footballdirectnews.com/premier-league-news/43252-goals-expected-at-craven-cottage.php#.UyQ5rlwdObA)

 
FULHAM FANS' THOUGHTS AHEAD OF THE MATCH

I went over to the Friends of Fulham forum and they were a great bunch, although they didn't like the wording of question two. I really should start to change the wording of questions depending on how the side is doing. Anyway here are the questions:

1 – How do you think you'll line up?
2 – How has Fulham's season gone so far? Happy?
3 – Who has been the biggest surprise this season for Fulham? Who has disappointed?
4 – What are your views on the appointment of Felix Magath? Was it right to sack Rene Meulensteen?
5 – Which players do you see being key for both sides?
6 – Where do you think Fulham will finish now?
7 – Where do you think Newcastle will finish now?
8 – Who will finish in the top six? Who will go down?
9 – Scoreline prediction?
10 – If your football club was a vegetable, what vegetable would it be?

Ordar

1 – How do you think you'll line up?
No idea as Felix doesnt seem to have a clue of his best line up, nor of what tactics he should be playing. The team most people want us to play is something like:

———Stekelenburg.......
Reither–Heitinga–Burn–Riise
Dejagah–Kvist–Sidwell–Richardson
————-Holtby———-
———Mitroglou———-

2 – How has Fulham's season gone so far? Happy?
This season has been nothing short of a disaster, which many of us saw coming when Jol wasnt let go in the summer.

3 – Who has been the biggest surprise this season for Fulham? Who has disappointed? Biggest surprise –
Richardson's return to form when played in position. Disappointment – playing staff wise probably Hangeland no longer being able to jump, pass etc. From a club standpoint. Macintosh would be the overwhelming answer

4 – What are your views on the appointment of Felix Magath? Was it right to sack Rene Meulensteen?
Personally I dont think things would be much different had Meulensteen had stayed as we produced some dire performances with him in charge. Magath was a last roll of the dice which just hasnt worked. Baffling team selections and tactics

5 – Which players do you see being key for both sides?
We have no key players. Remy and Ben Arfa are always dangerous

6 – Where do you think Fulham will finish now?
Bottom

7 – Where do you think Newcastle will finish now?
I'll say 8th but I cant say I've looked too much at the top half

8 – Who will finish in the top six? Who will go down?
Top 6 Chelsea, City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs Man U. Bottom 3 Palace Cardiff Fulham

9 – Scoreline prediction?
1-3

10 – If your football club was a vegetable, what vegetable would it be?
A leak....as our defence is just that


FPT

1 – How do you think you'll line up?
Stekelenburg
Riether Heitinga Hangeland Riise
Dejagah Parker Sidwell Richardson
Holtby
Mitroglou

2 – How has Fulham's season gone so far? Happy?
Appallingly. 2 wins for each manager we've had this season.

3 – Who has been the biggest surprise this season for Fulham? Who has disappointed?
Steve Sidwell will win our player of the season, which for me sums up our lack of quality. Dan Burn has also done well. Alex Kacaniklic has been very poor.

4 – What are your views on the appointment of Felix Magath? Was it right to sack Rene Meulensteen?
I don't care any more. I don't like Magath so far, we keep lumping the ball forward, his tactical decisions have been odd. I don't think (like others do) that Rene was just beginning to turn it around, what he was doing was chucking 11 men behind the ball and hoping we can score on the counter.

5 – Which players do you see being key for both sides?
Lewis Holtby for us, Loic Remy for you.

6 – Where do you think Fulham will finish now?
20th.

7 – Where do you think Newcastle will finish now?
Top 8 would be a good season, 8th or 9th I think for you.

8 – Who will finish in the top six? Who will go down?
1. City
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Spurs
6. Everton

18. Cardiff
19. West Brom
20. Fulham

9 – Scoreline prediction?
Fulham 1-2 Newcastle

10 – If your football club was a vegetable, what vegetable would it be?
Spinach.

elgreenio

1 – How do you think you'll line up?
Stek

Riether
Heitinga
Hangeland
Richardson

Dejagah
Sidwell
Parker
Kacaniklic

Holtby

Mitroglou

2 – How has Fulham's season gone so far? Happy?
horrible

3 – Who has been the biggest surprise this season for Fulham? Who has disappointed?
biggest surprise has been Sidwell, thought we would let him go every year but he keeps coming back and showign just how average everyone else in the team is. Sascha Riether has massively disappointed this year.

4 – What are your views on the appointment of Felix Magath? Was it right to sack Rene Meulensteen?
basically just appointed Jol mk.II, without the potential for a big twinings sponsorship. Meulensteen should never have got the job in the first place but i'd be happier with him in charge as he showed a bit of umph.

5 – Which players do you see being key for both sides?
Lewis Holtby if he gets in the game, provides a lot going forward for us. For you, anybody who can head a ball from a corner, probably Coloccini who should bag himself a few.

6 – Where do you think Fulham will finish now?
20th

7 – Where do you think Newcastle will finish now?
in that void between 8th and 15th.

8 – Who will finish in the top six? Who will go down?
the Top 7 minus Spurs. We'll take WBA and Norwich with us.

9 – Scoreline prediction?
Fulham 1-4 Newcastle

10 – If your football club was a vegetable, what vegetable would it be?
Tomato? trying our hardest to be a football club without actually being one

Classic94

1 – How do you think you'll line up?
No idea. I'd like to see: Stekelenberg, Reither, Heitinga, Burn, Riise, Sidwell, Kvist, Dejagah, Holtby, Richardson, Mitroglou

2 – How has Fulham's season gone so far? Happy?
Absolutely abysmal from start to finish.

3 – Who has been the biggest surprise this season for Fulham? Who has disappointed?
Sidwell has been our best player by a country mile. Stekelenburg & Richardson have been good, Parker & Kasami have faded, one or two others have shown glimpses, but the vast majority have been an embarrassment. A special mention to Darren Bent who has been a spectacular flop.

4 – What are your views on the appointment of Felix Magath? Was it right to sack Rene Meulensteen?
Rene was popular but his inexperience told. Magath's appointment was the last throw of the dice and it looks as if we've drawn a blank.

5 – Which players do you see being key for both sides?
Holtby is influential. Remy & Ben Arfa for you.

6 – Where do you think Fulham will finish now?
Bottom. We lack quality everywhere – particularly in defence.

7 – Where do you think Newcastle will finish now?
Top half, maybe 8th.

8 – Who will finish in the top six? Who will go down?
Top 6: Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, Man United.
Bottom 3: Us, Cardiff, West Brom.

9 – Scoreline prediction?
1-3. We'll rally for a while but get blown away as usual.

10 – If your football club was a vegetable, what vegetable would it be?
Looking at our defence, I'd have to go with a leek.

Burt

1 – How do you think you'll line up?
With Stek, Riether, Heitinga, Burn, Riise, Richardson, Sidwell, Kvist, Dejagah, Holtby, the Trog.

2 – How has Fulham's season gone so far? Happy?
Delighted! Our most successful for ages... Seriously, for the last two seasons we have been woeful and we are where we are on merit...

3 – Who has been the biggest surprise this season for Fulham? Who has disappointed?
Biggest surprise has been Sidwell. Disappointments too many to mention, but special mention must go to Berbatov and Bent. Riether has disappointed too, relative to his usual high standards.

4 – What are your views on the appointment of Felix Magath? Was it right to sack Rene Meulensteen?
Rene made an initial impact and then as soon as Wilkins and Curbishley arrived it went pear- shaped. We lost the appetite and attacking philiosophy once more, performances suffered and the results continued to be poor. Shame as I think in time Rene will be a good one, and had we had the luxury of a mid table position and time then he may have been given more of a chance. Too early to tell with Felix, but he hasn't set the world on fire yet.

5 – Which players do you see being key for both sides?
The Trog owes us some goals in return for the massive transfer fee and the fact that he has been out of shape. Loic Remy for you guys.

6 – Where do you think Fulham will finish now?
If we beat you, and get a result at Villa, then I think we will stay up. But we haven't shown any form going in to this, or anything to suggest that we will pull this off. And we haven't won two games in a row since dinosaurs roamed the earth. So a loss against you will be a case of the lid being firmly placed on the coffin.

7 – Where do you think Newcastle will finish now?
Top 10...

8 – Who will finish in the top six? Who will go down?
Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs, Utd. In that order.
Us, Cardiff and West Brom to go down.

9 – Scoreline prediction?
1-3.

10 – If your football club was a vegetable, what vegetable would it be?
A rotten, stinking, past-it, hard to enjoy turnip.

Deanothefulhamfan

1 – How do you think you'll line up?
Steklenberg, Reither, Heitinga, Hangeland, Richardson, Dejegah, Parker, Sidwell , Kacanikillic, Holtby, Mitroglou...... this is so far from what I would pick, but is what I can see our manager picking.

2 – How has Fulham's season gone so far? Happy?
I am ashamed and embarrassed to be Fulham supporter this season, both on the field and off the field activities have left our club in a right mess...

3 – Who has been the biggest surprise this season for Fulham? Who has disappointed?
Sidwell has been our best player by a country mile, but my biggest surprise has been Richardson looking half decent when playing on the wing... Hangeland has been awful this season, how he still has a spot in our starting 11 is beyond a joke.

4 – What are your views on the appointment of Felix Magath? Was it right to sack Rene Meulensteen?
Not a fan of Magath in the slightest, when he dropped Holtby against Chelsea I knew we had a bad egg, the sacking of RM was a disgrace, we give him the whole of January to buy his players and then sack him a couple of days later after he get's us playing better football....

5 – Which players do you see being key for both sides?
Holtby is the most creative player we have got, Sissoko will brush parker aside with ease....

6 – Where do you think Fulham will finish now?
We will be bottom by a good few points

7 – Where do you think Newcastle will finish now?
I think you will finish 9th, which I think will be a decent season for you guys

8 – Who will finish in the top six? Who will go down?
Chelsea, City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Utd, Everton....... Cardiff, west brom, Fulham

9 – Scoreline prediction?
2-3 we always score, but concede more....

10 – If your football club was a vegetable, what vegetable would it be?
It has been said before but a leek.... for the obvious reason that our defense can't stop leaking goals...

ffctom_b

1 – How do you think you'll line up?
Stek, Reither, Heitinga, Hangeland, Riise, Dejagah, Sidwell, Karagounis, Richardson, Holtby, Mitroglou

2 – How has Fulham's season gone so far? Happy?
Rubbish from start to finish, no fight, determination or stability, far from happy

3 – Who has been the biggest surprise this season for Fulham? Who has disappointed?
Sidwell scoring goals, Richardson showing glimpses of why he was a Utd, Reither, Hangeland have had poor seasons

4 – What are your views on the appointment of Felix Magath? Was it right to sack Rene Meulensteen?
Last roll of the dice, Rene should never had got the job in first place, we probably would have been better off letting Kit Symons run the first team, at least we might have shown some fight

5 – Which players do you see being key for both sides?
Holtby, Richardson for us, hopefully not a long ball style again and some service for the new guy up front. Remy will be key for you.

6 – Where do you think Fulham will finish now?
16th, I still think we can get out of this mess, but is not going to be easy, but for me there are still 3 sides worse than us.

7 – Where do you think Newcastle will finish now?
Top 10, probably below Southampton

8 – Who will finish in the top six? Who will go down?
Top6 six will be in this order, Chelsea, City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Everton, Spurs
Norwich, Sunderland and Cardiff to go down

9 – Scoreline prediction?
3-2 Fulham, we can't defend so basically me should just go with the attacking mentality of trying to outscore our opponents

10 – If your football club was a vegetable, what vegetable would it be?
You could say leak, but this question is pointless, any vegetable that has been over boiled would suit us as it would be very soft and useless.

Sgt Fulham

1 – How do you think you'll line up?
Put our players' names in a hat and pick them at random. That's how we will line up.

2 – How has Fulham's season gone so far? Happy?
Very happy, yes. I sure do enjoy spending my whole saturday watching us lose and feeling down as a result.

3 – Who has been the biggest surprise this season for Fulham? Who has disappointed?
Surprise has been Sidwell scoring so many. Disappointments from Stekelenburg, Hangeland, Riether, Amorebieta, Boateng...

4 – What are your views on the appointment of Felix Magath? Was it right to sack Rene Meulensteen?
No, its was a stupid mistake. I dislike Magath.

5 – Which players do you see being key for both sides?
Holtby our only decent player, Mitroglou the only chance of scoring if he turns up.

6 – Where do you think Fulham will finish now?
20th if im honest.

7 – Where do you think Newcastle will finish now?
8th or 9th.

8 – Who will finish in the top six? Who will go down?
Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs, Man Utd

9 – Scoreline prediction?
Fulham 1-4 Newcastle.

10 – If your football club was a vegetable, what vegetable would it be?
Beetroot. Off coloured and soft.

mangoputney

1 – How do you think you'll line up?
God knows

2 – How has Fulham's season gone so far? Happy?
Utter toilet, please put us out of our misery

3 – Who has been the biggest surprise this season for Fulham? Who has disappointed?
Sidwell, Burn & Holtby... Disappointment Stekelenburg (must have a sore back / made of glass) Riise (slow, still suffering from his Liverpool hangover) Riether (can't defend / cut off a cross, petulant mistakes), Hangeland (didn't like how he stalled over his contract, couldn't head a queue, sh*t captain, even sh*tter passer of the ball, shadow of his former self, Parker (blowing out of his arse), Rodellega (he was awful at Wigan, fine example of our terrible transfer policy, truly awful striker), Berbatov (poisonous), Dejagah (flatters to deceive most games), Kaca (new zoolander, can't turn left! weak), Bent (prime example of a prem footballer, ridiculous wages for little outlay or return)

4 – What are your views on the appointment of Felix Magath? Was it right to sack Rene Meulensteen?
Didn't think RM would have saved us but liked his policy and felt confident that he would bring a youthful challenge to the Championship
Feel for Magath as you can't polish a turd

5 – Which players do you see being key for both sides?
Holtby our only decent player, Ben Arfa / Remy nailed on too score if they start

6 – Where do you think Fulham will finish now?
20th. Deserved

7 – Where do you think Newcastle will finish now?
8th or 9th.

8 – Who will finish in the top six? Who will go down?
Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs, Man Utd (unfortunately)
Us, Cardiff and West Brom

9 – Scoreline prediction?
Fulham 0 – 3 Newcastle.

10 – If your football club was a vegetable, what vegetable would it be?
Watercress
Pathetic, tasteless, used to be top table fayre

MOR :

1 – How do you think you'll line up?
Felix changes the team from game to game. Must say I don't agree with the majority of his choices.

2 – How has Fulham's season gone so far? Happy?
We're deep in the manure...but I'm as happy as a pig in manure because we get to go to different grounds next season.

3 – Who has been the biggest surprise this season for Fulham? Who has disappointed?
The biggest surprise was the signing of Wilkins & Curbishley (They should never have been employed in the first place). The disappointments have been Jol, Wilkins, Curbishley, Macintosh, the majority of the playing staff, the price of the beer.

4 – What are your views on the appointment of Felix Magath? Was it right to sack Rene Meulensteen?
Magath not for me, wrong to sack Renee.

5 – Which players do you see being key for both sides?
Holtby if Magath picks him. Remy will score but I like Ben Arfa.

6 – Where do you think Fulham will finish now?
Rock bottom where we belong.

7 – Where do you think Newcastle will finish now?
Just below Europa League placing.

8 – Who will finish in the top six? Who will go down?
Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Everton,Spurs, Man Utd. (Not allowed to put the Filth in).
Norwich, Cardiff and us.

9 – Scoreline prediction?
3-1 to Newcastle.

10 – If your football club was a vegetable, what vegetable would it be?
It has to be a leek as we've let in so many goals this season.



http://www.toonforum.co.uk/blog/2014/03/fulham-fans-thoughts-ahead-of-the-match/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fulham-fans-thoughts-ahead-of-the-match (http://www.toonforum.co.uk/blog/2014/03/fulham-fans-thoughts-ahead-of-the-match/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fulham-fans-thoughts-ahead-of-the-match)

 
Flop to be Shipped Out
   
As those clubs in the Football League continue to do business, via something called the emergency loan window, there is the suggestion one of our fringe players could be about to leave Craven Cottage.

With it being a World Cup year, with everyone getting excited about Brazil 2014, it is being intimated that the new Charlton Athletic boss - Jose Riga (who replaced Chris Powell in midweek) could be set to make his first signing, with that player being Derek Boateng.

Apparently, twenty-nine year-old Boateng is desperate to get some first team football to keep alive his chances of appearing in the Ghana midfield at the forthcoming World Cup.

We`ll keep you abreast of any developments.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=352929#ixzz2w1wRVlNA (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=352929#ixzz2w1wRVlNA)