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Former Fulham and Tottenham Boss Martin Jol in Talks Over Greece Job

Former Fulham and Tottenham manager Martin Jol is in talks with the Greek Football Association about taking over as the country's new coach.

Incumbent Fernando Santos is leaving his role as Greece coach following this summer's World Cup and the hunt is on for the Portuguese's replacement.

According to the Algemeen Dagblad, Jol has flown to Athens for talks with the Greek FA, although financial concerns are threatening to scupper any deal.

Jol is thought to want a minimum salary of €1m, while the Greek FA is reluctant to go above €700,000.

Jol however is not the only man in the frame to become the new Greece coach.

Italian Marco Tardelli, mooted in some quarters as the Greeks' preferred choice, is in the picture.

Other contenders include Jose Antonio Camacho and current Eintracht Frankfurt coach Armin Veh.


Read more at http://www.insidefutbol.com/2014/04/10/former-fulham-and-tottenham-boss-martin-jol-in-talks-over-greece-job/135394/#4RrkylG3dQpRXvVi.99 (http://www.insidefutbol.com/2014/04/10/former-fulham-and-tottenham-boss-martin-jol-in-talks-over-greece-job/135394/#4RrkylG3dQpRXvVi.99)

 
Third Shirts Now Half Price!

The Great Save! offers get better and better, and this week Fulham fans can buy their Third Shirt for half price!

Now just £24.99 (was £49.99), this limited offer won't be around for long so make sure you don't miss out.

Shop now to take advantage of this fantastic offer, available direct on 0843 208 1223, online, or come and see us at the Stadium Store.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/april/10/third-shirts-now-half-price? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/april/10/third-shirts-now-half-price?)

 
Wigan try to send loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe back to Fulham but told 'we don't want him'
Despite being rooted to the foot of the Premier League Fulham don't want Ryan Tunnicliffe back as Wigan attempt to wash hands of player

(http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02878/tunnicliffe_2878253b.jpg)
In happier times: Ryan Tunnicliffe joined Wigan in February but now Uwe Rosler wants to send him back to Fulham

Uwe Rosler is sending Ryan Tunnicliffe back to Fulham in a ruthless move ahead of Saturday's FA Cup semi-final.

Rosler, the Wigan Athletic manager, has ran out of patience with the former Manchester United trainee and terminated his loan spell early, with the midfielder now facing an uncertain future.

Tunnicliffe was signed on loan from Fulham in February without making an appearance under new manager Felix Magath and has struggled to impress Rosler.

The 21 year-old reacted furiously to his substitution in the 1-1 draw at Bolton last month and Rosler has also been frustrated by his attitude in training.

Wigan contacted Fulham on Wednesday to scrap the deal but the Premier League strugglers have told Tunnicliffe he is not welcome back until next week, as they prepare for Saturday's crucial game against Norwich.

Rene Meulensteen, Magath's predecessor, signed Tunnicliffe from United on deadline day but he only made two appearances before being loaned out to Wigan.

Magath is understood to have already told Tunnicliffe he can leave Craven Cottage at the end of the season.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/wigan-athletic/10757309/Wigan-try-to-send-loanee-Ryan-Tunnicliffe-back-to-Fulham-but-told-we-dont-want-him.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/wigan-athletic/10757309/Wigan-try-to-send-loanee-Ryan-Tunnicliffe-back-to-Fulham-but-told-we-dont-want-him.html)

 
Wanted by Dortmund?
   
Are we missing something here?

Or perhaps it is because we`ve seen so little of him that we`ve yet been able to form an opinion!

Anyway, cutting to the chase, it appears that our record signing, Kostas Mitroglou, has admirers.

Our record signing who has only made two appearances for us is said to be wanted by Borussia Dortmund.

The Bundesliga side see Mitroglou as the perfect replacement for the Bayern Munich bound Robert Lewandowski

I`ll leave you to form your own opinion on this one, I`m uncommitted seeing as I`d prefer to see what Mitroglou has to offer rather than simply judge him on those two appearances he`s made so far!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=355666#ixzz2yVanu81U (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=355666#ixzz2yVanu81U)

 
Felix Magath: 'We must beat Norwich City'

Fulham manager Felix Magath has admitted that Saturday's home clash against Norwich City is a must-win game for the Whites if they are to maintain their chance of surviving in the Premier League.

Magath said that last week's 2-1 win away to Aston Villa was vital to give the players the belief that they needed, but it must be followed up with another three points at Craven Cottage.

"Last week we needed a win and fortunately we got it," he said in his pre-match press conference. "It helps a lot. It's an important win.

"We need a win against Norwich. For us, it doesn't matter who the opponent is. All the games are important now. Norwich will have fighting spirit now they've changed their manager, it won't be an easy game.

"[Changing their manager] was for them a chance to change something and I think it was a decision that could be good, but maybe it was too late."

Magath's side moved up to 18th in the Premier League with their win at Villa Park.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/relegation-battle/news/magath-we-must-beat-norwich_149123.html (http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/relegation-battle/news/magath-we-must-beat-norwich_149123.html)

 
Darren Bent's 'personal issues' have limited Fulham chances - Felix Magath

FULHAM manager Felix Magath says personal issues have prevented Darren Bent getting more opportunities for the Cottagers since he took over.

(http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/465157857-469653.jpg)
Darren Bent has had personal issues recently[GETTY]

Bent started against Chelsea but has been disappointed with his playing time under the German.

But Magath claims he has responsibilities to his whole squad, not just Bent, as he seeks to keep Fulham in the Premier League.

He said: "I have used him. He played from the beginning against Chelsea.

"If I come here as a new manager I have to take care of all the players, not only Darren Bent, and I have to give everybody a chance to show the fans, the club and me how good they are.

(http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/secondary/146505.jpg)
Felix Magath says everybody wants to start for Fulham [GETTY]

"Everybody has got their chance but unfortunately for Darren in the last weeks there were some personal issues.

"I gave other players a chance and I think Darren will get another chance soon."

Asked whether Bent had expressed dissatisfaction with the situation Magath said: "Everybody wants to play. Everybody tells me yeah he wants to play.

"So I'm only looking at training sessions and I have to choose after the training sessions who was good and who has convinced me in the session and I decide who to play."

Bent has trained this week and could return against Norwich on Saturday.


http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/469653/Darren-Bent-s-personal-issues-have-limited-Fulham-chances-Felix-Magath (http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/469653/Darren-Bent-s-personal-issues-have-limited-Fulham-chances-Felix-Magath)

 
Fulham keen on laid-back defender

Fulham are among a number of Premier League and Championship clubs interested in Rotherham United's teenage defender Danny Rowe.

The 18-year-old centre back has been a revelation since moving to Wycombe Wanderers in the last couple of hours of the emergency loan window last month. Rowe is very highly-rated at Rotherham and made his debut for the Millers in October in the Football League Trophy. He spent a brief stint at non-league Stalybridge Celtic before being snapped up by Wycombe and thrown in at the deep end. Rowe admitted he was still learning his teammates names when he started their League Two match against Scunthorpe and kept the division's top scorer Sam Winnall quiet. Wycome kept a clean sheet again in Rowe's second start and he looks set to keep his place despite the return of the more experienced Leon Johnson this weekend. Rowe told the Bucks Free Press: "I'm trying to get as many games as I can and learn from league football. I haven't had many games under my belt so it will be beneficial to me in the long run. It's a good move for me." "I'm quite laid back - maybe too laid back sometimes. I try to pass the ball out from the back - I used to be a midfielder three or four years ago so I've got good technical ability." Liverpool, Everton, Southampton and Fulham are among the clubs keeping close tabs on Rowe, with a view to snapping him up before he has chance to take a first-team spot with Rotherham.



Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/fulham-keen-on-laid-back-defender-1721012.html? (http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/fulham-keen-on-laid-back-defender-1721012.html?)

 
Felix Magath: Fulham a new team after rousing Aston Villa win... and we WILL beat the drop

FELIX MAGATH is confident that Fulham will escape relegation after a rousing victory at Aston Villa last weekend.

A late header from Hugo Rodallega secured a crucial three points for the Cottagers but Magath believes the boost to the teams' spirits could be even more important  in the run in.

He said: "At the moment we have only important games and so last week we needed a win to hold on and fortunately we got it.

"We conceded an equaliser and we had to fight back and that was new last Saturday.

"I am convinced that we have now done most of the work to have the right fighting spirit for the rest of the games."

Indeed, Magath claims that Fulham are now like a new side following the rousing win.

He added: "It helps a lot. In feeling the atmosphere you notice that the players this week are free, they are laughing.

"I think it was an important win in the fight against relegation. We need another win in our next game and we will try against Norwich.

"For us it was very important to change the atmosphere and players if they have no success they are not confident. Instead they are thinking only of themselves and they are not free to look out for their teammates.

"That is what I think has changed now and you see at the training sessions now it is another team from before.

"They are playing very well and they have fun playing, they are not afraid to make mistakes and that is how we have to play.

"That's why I'm convinced we can stay in the league.  The whole club now believes following the win at Aston Villa.

"I think we need to win on Saturday and that will be fine and then we will see."


http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/469657/Felix-Magath-Fulham-a-new-team-after-rousing-Aston-Villa-win-and-we-WILL-beat-the-drop (http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/469657/Felix-Magath-Fulham-a-new-team-after-rousing-Aston-Villa-win-and-we-WILL-beat-the-drop)

 
TEAM NEWS: Mitroglou out for Fulham but Bent and Parker set to return against Norwich

FULHAM will be without Kostas Mitroglou for the trip to Norwich on Saturday but the Greek striker could return to face Tottenham next weekend.

Felix Magath confirmed that Mitroglou was back in training but lacked the match fitness to take on the Canaries on Saturday.

He said: "He is improving but he will not join us this weekend but I hope for next week.

"At the moment he doesn't [have the match fitness] so he has to convince me in the training sessions. I'll have to wait and see how he's doing in the training sessions and decide from there."

However, the Cottagers could have both Darren Bent and Scott Parker back in the side with Magath confirming both were available this weekend.

There will be no place for Moussa Dembele however, after the young French striker flew out to America with the youth team after helping the club advance to the final of the FA Youth Cup earlier this week.

Fulham have no other fresh injury concerns.


http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/469661/TEAM-NEWS-Mitroglou-out-for-Fulham-but-Bent-and-Parker-set-to-return-against-Norwich (http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/469661/TEAM-NEWS-Mitroglou-out-for-Fulham-but-Bent-and-Parker-set-to-return-against-Norwich)

 
Hat-trick hero Dembele will not feature but Magath is convinced Fulham will stay up

He might have scored a hat-trick to fire Fulham's youngsters to the FA Youth Cup Final, but Moussa Dembele won't be playing any part for the senior side this weekend.

The 17-year-old fired three goals, including a last minute winner, for Fulham to beat Reading and set up a tie with the winner of Arsenal and Chelsea, who play tonight.

'Our youth team has gone to America and Moussa joined them. He doesn't belong to the [first-team squad],' said Fulham boss Felix Magath.

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/04/10/article-2601571-1CEA711700000578-167_634x377.jpg)
Hat-trick hero: Fulham youth team star Moussa Dembele has travelled to America with the youngsters
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/04/10/article-2601571-1CDB213600000578-582_634x430.jpg)
Belief: Fulham boss Felix Magath is convinced his team will stay in the Premier League

After the morale-boosting win against Aston Villa the German is convinced his team can stay in the division.

Magath added: 'They're not afraid to make mistakes and that's how we have to play and why I'm convinced we will stay in the Premier League.

'The whole club now believes after the win against Aston Villa. I think we need to win on Saturday and then we will see.'

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/04/10/article-2601571-0711C50B00000514-621_634x403.jpg)
No plans: Kostas Mitroglou (centre) will not play any part either

Another striker not currently in Magath's first-team plans is January signing Kostas Mitroglou.

'He is improving but he will not join us this week. I hope for next week,' added Magath.

'At the moment [he will not play again this season], but he has to convince me in the training sessions so I have to wait and then I will decide.'

Fulham have a huge game against manager-less Norwich at the weekend. After sacking Chris Hughton on Sunday night, Neil Adams will take charge for the Canaries.

'At the moment we have only important games. We needed a win last week and fortunately we got it,' added Magath.

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/04/10/article-2601571-1CDC597500000578-515_634x423.jpg)
Winner: Kieran Richardson's goal gave Fulham renewed hope in the relegation battle

'It helps a lot - the feeling, the atmosphere, you feel it this week. The players are free, laughing and so I think it was an important win to go on in fighting against relegation. We need another win in the next game and we will try against Norwich.

'We fought back and that was new, so I'm convinced we have done most of it to have the right fighting spirit for the rest of the games.'

The Canaries are looking in a perilous position at the bottom of the League, though a victory could see them rocket out of danger, depending on other results.

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/04/10/article-2601571-1CE822C100000578-712_634x425.jpg)
New man: Neil Adams will take charge of Norwich City after the sacking of Chris Hughton

Magath said: 'For us it doesn't matter who is he opponent because we have only important games now, but Norwich have a very bad schedule.

'They have very, very difficult games ahead. They will fight for 90 minutes.

'You can never say what's happened in another club, but they took a manager who knows everything in the club, so it was for them a chance to change something and I think it was a decision, maybe, that will be good for them. Maybe it was a little bit too late.'



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2601571/Hat-trick-hero-Moussa-Dembele-not-feature-Magath-convinced-Fulham-stay-up.html#ixzz2yVdR9vLi (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2601571/Hat-trick-hero-Moussa-Dembele-not-feature-Magath-convinced-Fulham-stay-up.html#ixzz2yVdR9vLi)
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Magath's Norwich Preview

Felix Magath was a happy man last Saturday as he watched his Fulham side secure a massive three points against Aston Villa.

The victory means that another win this weekend against Norwich City at the Cottage will move the Whites to within two points of the Canaries, with four matches left to play.

"At the moment we only have important games so last week we needed a win," Magath said in Thursday's press conference. "Fortunately we got it, and it helps a lot with the atmosphere.

"You feel, this week, the players are free. They are laughing and so I think it was an important win as we go on fighting against relegation, and so we need another win in our next game and so we will try to do that on Saturday against Norwich."

In some fixtures this season, Fulham have enjoyed plenty of superiority in the opening 45 minutes, but failed to match that intensity after the restart.

At Villa Park, though, the Whites were vastly improved following the break – something that Magath was very pleased to witness.

"I was very glad that we changed this," he said. "We had a better second half than the first half. Even when they got the equaliser we fought back, and that was new last Saturday. So I'm convinced that we now have the right fighting spirit for the rest of the games."

The atmosphere amongst the fans on Saturday was one of pure glee, and it's a feeling that has reverberated throughout the Club and the players – an effect that Magath felt was absolutely crucial.

"For us it was very important to change the atmosphere because players, if they have no success, are not confident," he explained. "That is what has changed now, and in the training sessions you see it is a different team than it was before.

"They are playing very well and they have fun when they play and they are not afraid of making mistakes. That is the way we have to play, so we are in a good way and that's why I am convinced that we will stay in the league. I think the whole Club now believes after the win in Aston Villa that we will stay in the league."


Norwich arrive in South-West London on Saturday under the stewardship of a new manager – club hero Neil Adams – following Chris Hughton's dismissal.

The decision surprised many in the game considering there are just five matches left for the Canaries to get themselves out of trouble, and Magath admitted the move could go either way for them.

He stated: "You never can say what's happened in another club so I don't know what's going on in Norwich but they've taken a manager who knows everything about the club.

"I think for them it's a chance to change something at the end of the season and I think it's a decision that's maybe very good for them, [but] maybe it's a little bit too late."

There is extra pressure on the Norfolk outfit to leave the capital with three points on Saturday as their remaining games thereafter pits them against three of the Barclays Premier League's current top four, in addition to Manchester United.

"Norwich have a very bad schedule and they have very, very difficult games ahead," Magath admitted. "They've changed the manager now so that will give them a new energy so we have to be careful as they will fight for 90 minutes, and it will not be an easy game for us."

The Fulham boss also took time to praise our Under-18s' efforts earlier in the week as their 3-2 win over Reading secured a 5-4 aggregate success, earning them a place in the FA Youth Cup Final against either Arsenal or Chelsea.

Magath was in attendance at Craven Cottage on Monday and, after watching an excellent game of football, stated that some of the youngsters on display can take inspiration from their teammates Patrick Roberts and Moussa Dembélé who have both featured under the German in recent weeks.

"I was there and I crossed my fingers and I was very glad for the performance of the youth team," he said. "Now we have a London final so one London team will be the champion and we hope it is Fulham.

"I always take care of the young players and it's, for me, normal to use young players. I'm convinced they realise I'm not afraid to take young players and so they will see that and it will help them to improve."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/april/10/magaths-norwich-preview? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/april/10/magaths-norwich-preview?)

 
Train With The First Team!

2014/15 Season Tickets are now on sale, with loyalty prices starting from just £299 adults and £99 juniors!

We're offering those who are amongst the first to sign up for their Season Ticket the chance to win great prizes.

The latest incredible prize is exclusively for the most loyal Junior Whites: Buy your Junior Season Ticket before midday on Friday 11th April and go into the draw to win one of 10 places to train with the First Team on the Cottage turf after Open Training. Those drawn will take part in a once-in-a-lifetime 30-minute skills drills session with their First Team heroes, alongside fellow Junior Season Ticket Holders and Members.

The lucky winners will be contacted by the Club on Friday afternoon.

Sign up for your 2014/15 Season Ticket today!


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/april/10/train-with-the-first-team? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/april/10/train-with-the-first-team?)

 
Snodgrass ready for survival battle

Robert Snodgrass is ready to go to war for Norwich on Saturday as his side aim to preserve their Barclays Premier League status.

Norwich reacted to last Saturday's loss to fellow strugglers West Brom by sacking Chris Hughton and replacing him with youth team coach Neil Adams, who takes charge of his first game at Fulham.

The Canaries are five points clear of the drop zone, and Fulham, with five games remaining, and a win at Craven Cottage could be decisive.

The importance of Saturday's fixture is not lost on Snodgrass.

"It is a battle of who wants it most," the Scotland winger said.

"Who wants to keep their club in the Premier League. I'm relishing it, I can't wait.

"It's now or never to try to get a result. It doesn't come any bigger than this.

"They'll come out all guns blazing. I don't care what way the game is (played), just give every single thing you've got.

"It's time for characters, leaders, everything you've possibly got.

"It's a time for heroes. I want to be that person. I want to be the person that keeps Norwich in the Premier League.

"I want to be part of that. I don't want to be part of a side that gets relegated."

Snodgrass gave a similarly rousing and passionate speech last month, with nine games to go, ahead of the loss at Southampton.

"There's so many times we've spoken and not put it into action," Snodgrass added.

"I hear too much about what other teams can do. We've got players in this team who can hurt teams.

"We've shown it on a few occasions and it's up to us now to try to get those men scoring goals, creating chances and hopefully the new gaffer can do it."

Norwich have just two away wins all season and are bidding to end a six-match losing streak on the road with a first win over Fulham since March 1986.

With a daunting final four matches against Liverpool at home, Manchester United away, Chelsea away and Arsenal at home, pressure is piled on the Fulham fixture.

Snodgrass, who maintains Norwich can beat anyone, added: "People speak about five cup finals. We'll approach every single game believing we can win the game and it's our cup final.

"There's no hiding place. Let's go and have a go."

Adams knows the club intimately and the players must swiftly embrace the new man, according to Snodgrass.

"We will move forward and we're fully behind the new manager as a team," Snodgrass added.

"The new manager's come in, he's got his ideas, buy into it fast, roll your sleeves up and let's have a go."

Hughton released a statement, through the League Managers' Association, on Wednesday insisting he could keep Norwich in the top-flight and the timing of his departure was questioned.

The Norwich players learned of the sackings of Hughton and his assistants Colin Calderwood and Paul Trollope by text message on Saturday and are now looking only forward.

"We can't affect that," Snodgrass added.

"As players you get told last. Then it's a case of there's a new person in charge, on you go.

"From a players' point a view, you shouldn't be giving any more or any less.

"You should be giving your all every single day. It doesn't matter who's in charge.

"Hopefully we can get the new manager off to a winning start on Saturday.

"He's got Norwich in his blood. He knows exactly what it means to the fans and that's what we should all think about, what it means to this city.

"What it means for this club staying in the Premier League and for us, as players, as well.

"Some of us might never get that chance again to play there (in the Premier League)."


http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/snodgrass-ready-for-survival-battle-30174648.html (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/snodgrass-ready-for-survival-battle-30174648.html)

 
The FourFourTwo Preview: Fulham vs Norwich

Premier League | Craven Cottage | Sat 12 Apr | 3:07pm

Billed as
SIX POINTER!

The lowdown

Liverpool and Manchester City's Sunday lunchtime summit meeting at Anfield may be the fixture setting most tongues wagging, but this basement battle is arguably the pivotal game in this season's relegation scrap. Fulham and Norwich are not only separated by five points, but also 'the dreaded dotted line' that marks the border between Relegationsville and Safety City.

A win for the Cottagers would shorten the gap to two points. With Norwich still to play Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in their final four matches, survival would seem a very real prospect for the Londoners.

Fulham's run-in – Tottenham, Hull, Stoke and Crystal Palace – is far more favourable. Having looked dead in the water a month ago, Felix Magath's side are now suddenly very much alive and kicking. Should the German drag his new team to safety, his appointment will be seen as a masterstroke. It may have taken a few weeks for him to get his ideas across, but Magath seems to have Fulham playing with the kind of confidence and fight that was missing for much of the first eight months of the season.

It may be with that kind of turnaround in mind that Norwich opted to make a managerial change of their own this week, replacing Chris Hughton with Neil Adams – former Canaries midfielder, under-18 coach and radio pundit. Clearly this isn't the time for Alan Partridge gags (believe us, we wish it was).

It does seem odd that the Norfolk club would wait until this stage of the season to roll the dice in such a fashion. They've basically gambled their Premier League existence on a 'new manager bounce' taking effect in this match. If it does, and Norwich considerably up their performance levels from their recent back-to-back defeats to Swansea and West Brom, then it will have been well worth it. If Adams doesn't make the desired impact at the first time of asking, then Norwich could be well and truly scuppered.

Team news
Fulham defender Johnny Heitinga will undergo a fitness test after picking up a knock at Aston Villa. The Cottagers will likely be without Dan Burn (muscle twang), Damien Duff (knee knock) and Kostas Mitroglou (missing person). Leroy Fer is Norwich's most notable absentee, with a hamstring strain picked up in last month's defeat at Villa sidelining the Dutchman.

Player to watch: Alexander Tettey (Norwich)
Norwich's form in recent weeks may not have been particularly impressive, but the form of Norwegian midfielder Tettey has at least been a positive. The 28-year-old not only scored a howitzer in the win over Sunderland, but also completed 50 passes – largely neat and tidy in the middle third – as the Canaries dominated possession and took a stranglehold on the game.

In the defeat to West Brom, Tettey's passing was far more expansive, with the Canaries spending much of the game chasing an equaliser. This meant his pass-completion rate dipped as he looked to play in team-mates in the attacking third. He also made 3 successful tackles and 2 take-ons, as he looked to drive his team on.

Adams will need Tettey to be at his best if Norwich are to see off a Fulham side with several tidy midfielders.

(http://images.cdn.fourfourtwo.com/sites/fourfourtwo.com/files/styles/inline-image/public/tettey-sz.png?itok=eRzXLbsK)

The managers
It should come as no surprise that the Norwich board turned to Adams to fill the void left by Hughton. Speaking after the Canaries' FA Youth Cup win over Chelsea last May, majority shareholder Delia Smith lavished praise on the then youth team coach.

"He was always one of my favourite players," Smith said. "He was the best penalty taker, the best pundit when he retired and now he's the best manager – he is wonderful."

She'll no doubt be hoping Adams has the recipe for succ... [stop it].

Facts and figures
Fulham are unbeaten in their 5 meetings with Norwich since 2011/12, winning both matches at home.
Both teams have scored in 13 of Fulham's last 14 home games against bottom-half teams.
Norwich have won 0 of their 13 trips to bottom-six teams since the start of last season but they have managed to get 7 draws.
11 of Norwich's 13 trips to bottom-six teams since the start of last season have had fewer than 3 goals.
Fulham have drawn the first half in 10 of their last 14 home games.

FourFourTwo prediction
Fulham are on the up, Norwich are on a downer. 2-1 to the Cottagers.



Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-preview-fulham-vs-norwich#UHi7jaUKt7DcdiXP.99 (http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-preview-fulham-vs-norwich#UHi7jaUKt7DcdiXP.99)

"The Cottagers will likely be without Dan Burn (muscle twang), Damien Duff (knee knock) and Kostas Mitroglou (missing person). "

I like that re Mitroglu....and what is a muscle twang??      049:gif 049:gif 049:gif 049:gif

 
Norwich star ready for war in relegation play-off against Fulham

Robert Snodgrass is ready to go to war for Norwich on Saturday as his side aim to preserve their Premier League status.

Norwich reacted to last Saturday's loss to fellow strugglers West Brom by sacking Chris Hughton and replacing him with youth team coach Neil Adams, who takes charge of his first game at Fulham.

The Canaries are five points clear of the drop zone, and Fulham, with five games remaining, and a win at Craven Cottage could be decisive.

The importance of Saturday's fixture is not lost Snodgrass.

"It is a battle of who wants it most," the Scotland winger said.

"Who wants to keep their club in the Premier League. I'm relishing it, I can't wait.

"It's now or never to try to get a result. It doesn't come any bigger than this.

"They'll come out all guns blazing. I don't care what way the game is (played), just give every single thing you've got.

"It's time for characters, leaders, everything you've possibly got.

"It's a time for heroes. I want to be that person. I want to be the person that keeps Norwich in the Premier League.

"I want to be part of that. I don't want to be part of a side that gets relegated."

Snodgrass gave a similarly rousing and passionate speech last month, with nine games to go, ahead of the loss at Southampton.

"There's so many times we've spoken and not put it into action," Snodgrass added.

"I hear too much about what other teams can do. We've got players in this team who can hurt teams.

"We've shown it on a few occasions and it's up to us now to try to get those men scoring goals, creating chances and hopefully the new gaffer can do it."

Norwich have just two away wins all season and are bidding to end a six-match losing streak on the road with a first win over Fulham since March 1986.

With a daunting final four matches against Liverpool at home, Manchester United away, Chelsea away and Arsenal at home, pressure is piled on the Fulham fixture.

Snodgrass, who maintains Norwich can beat anyone, added: "People speak about five cup finals. We'll approach every single game believing we can win the game and it's our cup final.

"There's no hiding place. Let's go and have a go."

Adams knows the club intimately and the players must swiftly embrace the new man, according to Snodgrass.

"We will move forward and we're fully behind the new manager as a team," Snodgrass added.

"The new manager's come in, he's got his ideas, buy into it fast, roll your sleeves up and lets have a go."

Hughton released a statement, through the League Managers' Association, on Wednesday insisting he could keep Norwich in the top-flight and the timing of his departure was questioned.

The Norwich players learned of the sackings of Hughton and his assistants Colin Calderwood and Paul Trollope by text message on Saturday and are now looking only forward.

"We can't affect that," Snodgrass added.

"As players you get told last. Then it's a case of there's a new person in charge, on you go.

"From a players' point a view, you shouldn't be giving any more or any less.

"You should be giving your all every single day. It doesn't matter who's in charge.

"Hopefully we can get the new manager off to a winning start on Saturday.

"He's got Norwich in his blood. He knows exactly what it means to the fans and that's what we should all think about, what it means to this city.

"What it means for this club staying in the Premier League and for us, as players, as well.

"Some of us might never get that chance again to play there (in the Premier League)."



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/norwich_star_ready_for_war_in_relegation_play_off_against_fulham_1_3543358?usurv=skip (http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/norwich_star_ready_for_war_in_relegation_play_off_against_fulham_1_3543358?usurv=skip)

 
Norwich City v Fulham not a relegation decider, says Adams

Norwich City's new boss Neil Adams believes Premier League survival does not rest on Saturday's trip to Fulham.

The Canaries are five points and one place above Fulham, who occupy the final spot in the relegation zone.

"I don't think it is a decider. People will say 'he's got to say that'," Adams told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"It's a massive game and if we win it, we do ourselves no harm at all. But it isn't a must-win because there are four more games."

Those four games after this weekend are a home fixture against league leaders Liverpool, trips to David Moyes's Manchester United and second-placed Chelsea, and finally the visit of Champions League-chasing Arsenal.

"We know what those other four are, they're against four of the best teams in Europe," said 48-year-old Adams.

"We're capable of beating teams. We won't turn up anywhere expecting to get beat."

Adams, a former midfielder who played more than 200 times for Norwich, was promoted from youth team manager following the sacking of Chris Hughton on Sunday.

A victory against Fulham in his first game in charge would take the Carrow Road side to 35 points and potentially 13th place, if results go their way.

But Craven Cottage has become a desperate place for Canaries supporters, with Norwich's last win there coming in 1986.

Norwich have conceded 16 goals in their last four visits to the West London side, including a final-day 6-0 thumping that saw them relegated to the Championship in 2005.

Adams was there that day, working as a summariser for BBC Radio Norfolk.

"What's happened has happened. The 6-0 was a horrible day. But it's history.

"Yes, things do tend to have trends. But we have different players and different staff. It's just the same ground against the same team.

"People will look at the stats but I won't let that affect me."

Canaries' Cottage catastrophes
Fulham 3-0 Norwich (Jan 2014, FA Cup replay)
Fulham 5-0 Norwich (Aug 2012, PL)
Fulham 2-1 Norwich (Mar 2012, PL)
Fulham 6-0 Norwich (May 2005, PL - last-day match that relegated Norwich)
Norwich's last win over Fulham was in March 1986, a 2-1 win at the Cottage


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26986951 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26986951)

 
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/74152000/jpg/_74152574_fulham-norwich.jpg)
Fulham v Norwich

I am perplexed by Norwich sacking Chris Hughton and bringing in somebody with absolutely no experience to replace him.

Neil Adams has done a fantastic job with the Canaries youth team but managing young players is completely different to managing in the Premier League, even before you consider that they are in a relegation fight and have got a really tough run-in to the season.

Adams will bring in a fresh outlook and the change might lift the players but it is asking a lot for him to make a winning start, bearing in mind only Cardiff have a worse away record than Norwich in the Premier League this season.

He is unproven and in charge for only a few games - and his appointment might end up doing Fulham a huge favour.

The Cottagers are at home, and also had a really good victory at Aston Villa last week. I am backing them to win again on Saturday, and really they have to - because their best chance of staying up would be at the expense of the Canaries.

Win this and they narrow the gap on Norwich, and to safety, to two points. They would be back in touch but, if they lose it, they would probably be doomed.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
George's prediction: Fulham should get the result they need. 1-0


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26969505 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26969505)

 
Fulham boss wants to take Aston Villa momentum into crucial Norwich clash

Fulham manager Felix Magath is hoping the extra spring in the step of his players during training can translate into a second straight Premier League win at home to Norwich.

Having struggled to keep their heads above water all season, a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa last weekend moved the Whites up to 18th in the table and five points behind Saturday's visitors.

It was only Magath's second league win since he became Fulham's third manager of the season following the 1-0 success over Newcastle on March 15 and the former Bayern Munich boss wants to see that result matched against the Canaries, who will be under the stewardship of Neil Adams for the first time.

"It helps us a lot - this feeling and the atmosphere," he said.

"You feel it this week, the players are free, laughing and so I think it was an important win to go on in fighting against relegation. We need another win in the next game and we will try against Norwich.

"They are not afraid to make mistakes and that is how we have to play and why I'm convinced we will stay in the league. The whole club now believes after the win at Aston Villa."

For Adams, the game at Craven Cottage will be seen as a crucial fixture if he is to keep the Canaries afloat with their last four games coming against Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Fulham's run-in is less daunting but Magath feels that every game between now and the end of the season is pivotal to his side's survival bid while suggesting Norwich may have left it too late to replace Chris Hughton in their own fight against the drop.

"For us it doesn't matter who is the opponent because we have only important games now," he said.

"Norwich have a very bad schedule, they have very, very difficult games ahead. They have changed their manager now and this will give them new energy so we will have to be careful.

"You can never say what has happened at another club but they took a manager who knows everything about the club - it is a chance to change something and I think it was a good decision. Maybe it was just a little bit too late."

Former Ipswich striker Darren Bent, currently on loan at Fulham from Villa, will be hoping to start against Norwich having scored in the FA Cup third-round replay victory against the Norfolk club in January.

The England international has not featured on a regular basis under Magath as the German looks to give every player in his squad an opportunity to impress.

He said: "If I come here as a new manager I have to take care of all the players, not only of Darren Bent.

"I have to give everyone a chance to show the fans, the club and me how good he is and I think everybody has had their chance. He will get another chance. Everybody wants to play, if I ask the players everyone tells me they want to play.

"I'm only regarding the training sessions and I have to choose after training who was good and who has convinced me and then I decide who is playing. He is fit this weekend."

Bent will battle it out with Villa Park match-winner Hugo Rodallega and youngster Cauley Woodrow to lead the line on Saturday, with club-record signing Kostas Mitroglou once again ruled out with injury.

The Greece international has made only two appearances since moving to Craven Cottage from Olympiacos in January but Magath did confirm he hopes to have the 26-year-old available for the short trip to Tottenham in a fortnight.


http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_boss_wants_to_take_aston_villa_momentum_into_crucial_norwich_clash_1_3543361 (http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_boss_wants_to_take_aston_villa_momentum_into_crucial_norwich_clash_1_3543361)

 
Kostas Mitroglou's fitness struggle remains a worry for Fulham
• Manager Felix Magath not impressed with Greece striker
• 'Maybe he will help us by scoring in the last game'

The uncertainty surrounding Kostas Mitroglou's fitness shows no sign of clearing up, with Felix Magath admitting that Fulham's £12m striker is not ready to play any part in Saturday's crucial home match against Norwich City and that he is not training with the first-team squad.

Magath has taken a hard line with Mitroglou over his conditioning before and, although Fulham's German manager stopped short of criticising the decision to sign him, he has been unimpressed with the Greece international. Mitroglou, who arrived at Fulham from Olympiakos before Magath replaced René Meulensteen, has made only one start and one substitute appearance for his new side and has not featured since 8 March.

"He is here and has his own programme but he is not training with us," Magath said. "We hope next week. You never know – you can't say it is a mistake [to sign him] because it is not easy to build up a team in the winter time.

"During the season if you want to improve your team with new players, you don't have much choice. There won't be many players you can get. You have to see the long term. If you take a player like Mitroglou you are not thinking only for weeks. So it is not a mistake – he is a very good striker who has not only scored in his national league but also in the Champions League."

Fulham are 18th after last weekend's 2-1 win at Aston Villa and will go two points behind Norwich if they beat them at Craven Cottage, yet Mitroglou, who has scored 21 goals for club and country this season, will not be required. "Maybe he will help us by scoring in the last game," Magath said. "That would be good enough if we stayed in the league."

Magath is not concerned about the prospect of Mitroglou leaving if Fulham are relegated. "We have a contract with him so I don't worry about that," he said. "You have to ask him. I would like to be manager in the Premier League but if we are not successful then I go into the Championship."


http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/10/kostas-mitroglou-fitness-fulham (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/10/kostas-mitroglou-fitness-fulham)

 
Relegation stakes high at Fulham

The stakes are sky-high at Craven Cottage on Saturday when Fulham host Norwich in a game that is sure to have a major bearing on who is eventually relegated from the Premier League.

Fulham are currently unwanted holders of the third and final relegation place, but a victory over fourth from bottom Norwich would bring them to within two points of their opponents, who appear to have the toughest final four games of any of the clubs currently in fear of the drop.

Norwich must play Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal after their Fulham assignment, and their anxiety was apparent following last week's home loss to West Bromwich Albion when they sacked manager Chris Hughton.

Youth coach Neil Adams was drafted as interim boss for the rest of the campaign and Felix Magath, who is the third manager Fulham have tried this season following the dismissals of Martin Jol and Rene Meulensteen, admitted he was wary of a backlash from the visitors.

"They have changed manager now and that will give them new energy, so we have to be careful," Magath said.

Fulham will go into the game with added confidence following a rare away win last weekend, a 2-1 success at Aston Villa.

Midfielder Scott Parker is fit again and Darren Bent is also available after missing last week's game.

Kostas Mitroglou,who has played just two games, is not yet ready, however.

For their part, Norwich know that victory will open up a sizeable points cushion, although they have not beaten Fulham in any competition since 1986.

Adams may be able to bring midfielder Leroy Fer back into the squad, with the Dutchman having been missing since March with a hamstring problem.

The fitness of centre-backs Joseph Yobo and Ryan Bennett is being monitored.


https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/soccer/a/22552504/?

 
Fulham keeper not willing to tempt fate ahead of Norwich City clash

Whites have have already done a league and cup double over Norwich this season, but Stockdale is taking nothing for granted

Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale doesn't believe in omens.

The Whites remain in the Premier League relegation zone this week despite claiming a dramatic win at Aston Villa on Saturday to drag themselves off the foot of the table.

Five games remain in their bid to stage a great escape and they face Norwich City this weekend in a real six-pointer as they look to close the five-point gap to the Canaries.

It's a high-pressure game, however the signs all point to three points for Stockdale and his team-mates at Craven Cottage.

Norwich are a club in turmoil, having sacked boss Chris Hughton this week after a poor run of results and replaced him with youth coach Neil Adams.

And Fulham have already beaten City at home and away this season having won at Carrow Road on Boxing Day and knocked them out of the FA Cup a month later.

But despite recent history being on their side, Stockdale is not one to favour the form book and says the Whites will have to do it all themselves if they are to clip the Canaries' wings.

"I don't like saying things like that," came the response from Stockdale when asked if he thought the omens were good for the visit of Norwich.

"We've beaten them so we know can do it so if we play like that, and like how we played against Villa and against Everton, then we will do fine. It's a hope game so if the fans can get up again [like they did at Villa] then we'll have a good chance."

Thousands of Fulham fans made the trip to Villa Park at the weekend to witness a stunning victory, creating a great noise in the away section.

It did not go unnoticed by the Whites players and Stockdale would love more of the same from the fans at the Cottage this weekend.

"I think they [the fans] were maybe the difference," Stockdale said of the Villa triumph. "They were driving us forward and there was no booing or anything and considering we were the bottom club, all the credit goes to them today.

"All of the lads and the staff showed how much they appreciate that. I'm enjoying playing and I'd like to keep a few more clean sheets, but as long as we keep winning I don't really care."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-keeper-not-willing-tempt-6933247? (http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-keeper-not-willing-tempt-6933247?)

 
Why Fulham can avoid Premier League relegation

As turbulent seasons go, this has perhaps been one of the worst for Fulham FC.

Three managers, 38 players and one of the more nightmarish relegation dogfights, full to the brim with gutless performances, has-been footballers and kamikaze transfer dealings.

And yet, here we are, five games to go, hope intact. Many other things have been shattered along the way, including the belief that this club is well run, intelligent and geared towards self-sustainability, but the hope still remains.

Felix Magath has overseen a dramatic upturn in form for Fulham (Picture: Getty Images)

In fact, it's more than that now. There is a genuine feeling around the club that our fate rests in our own hands. At any other point in the season, that would be no good thing.

Yet, now at least, with form and momentum on our side, retaining our Premier League status is more than a mere pipe dream now. It is a plausible reality.

Felix Magath should perhaps take the most credit for that. He has done what he is renowned for – entering a dishevelled club and turning them around in a particularly short amount of time.

Bringing him in and letting Rene Meulensteen go was no long term plan, it was purely temporary. At least, though, he has restored confidence to an otherwise deflated team, added a little shape to an otherwise porous defence and brought spirit to an otherwise despondent group of individuals.

That's all was ever needed, in truth. I've said it all along – in terms of talent, this is no poor squad. There are gaping holes, naturally, but player by player the Fulham first team can match many across the bottom half of the table.

They just needed guidance from a level-headed manager with experience and wisdom. Magath is that man, and with each and every passing game he is proving that beyond any reasonable doubt.

There are other reasons to be positive too. Lewis Holtby, for one, has been nothing short of superb since joining on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in January.

His creativity is his most endearing trait but, beyond that, he appears to have a true affinity with the club. He tackles hard, runs with sheer, boundless enthusiasm and, above all, wants to win for the good of the club.

It is genuinely rare you find a player of that ilk these days.

And then, of course, there is our run-in, probably the most favourable of all the relegation candidates. I suspect that Norwich City, for example, would gladly swap places with us right now, even though they are five points ahead.

It all paints an astonishingly upbeat picture for our survival hopes. For so long we have been, justifiably, written off, but now it seems public perception is changing for the better.

There is a reason for that and it is because taking such great strides under our new German gaffer.

With our own destiny all-but in our own hands, the great escape (mark three) is most certainly on.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/04/11/why-fulham-can-avoid-premier-league-relegation-4693992/? (http://metro.co.uk/2014/04/11/why-fulham-can-avoid-premier-league-relegation-4693992/?)

 
Holtby hopes for Tottenham return and praises 'exceptional' Van Gaal

The midfielder says he wants to fulfil his White Hart Lane contract but is currently focused on trying to help Fulham escape relegation from the Premier League

Lewis Holtby says he is hopeful of returning to Tottenham and seeing out his contract when his loan spell with Fulham ends this summer.

The midfielder moved to Craven Cottage in the January transfer window on a short-term deal after struggling to establish himself under Tim Sherwood.

Holtby has gone on to become a key figure for the Cottagers, making 10 appearances and scoring once, but says he is not currently thinking about his future.

"There is little sense in talking about other clubs since I have a long-term contract at Tottenham," he told Goal.

"The status quo is that I will go back to Spurs after the summer holidays. I can't tell you what is going to happen until then. My agent takes care of everything and as far as I know his mobile is always turned on.

"I loved playing for Tottenham and I would like to fulfil my contract there. But at first it is important to avoid relegation with Fulham.

"Alone because of these unbelievable fans. I would be a shame if such a great club would not play in the top league.

"I will only think about stuff when the time comes to think about it."

Goal understands Sherwood will be replaced as manager at White Hart Lane at the end of the season with Louis van Gaal favourite to take over, and Holtby is an admirer of the Dutchman.

"There is always lots of talk," he added. "Louis van Gaal is an exceptional coach, you can't deny that.

"He led big teams to big success. I don't know whether he will be the new coach and of course it is not for me to decide. I don't want to think about it now."


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2014/04/11/4744476/-? (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2014/04/11/4744476/-?)

 
Brede: As Big As It Gets

Brede Hangeland admits that Fulham's season could well hinge on Saturday's fixture with Norwich City.

Last weekend's memorable win at Aston Villa moved Fulham to within five points of the Canaries and Hangeland is fully aware of the importance a victory at the Cottage over City would have. He believes games don't come much bigger.

"It's as big a game as you can get in the Premier League," Hangeland told the official website. "It's a key game for our season and it will more or less decide how things go. So we're preparing really well for the game and after last weekend we're confident we can come good.

"Norwich have had a change of manager for the game but we can't do much about what they do or don't do. We're focused on ourselves, we've had a good week of training so far and we're looking forward to it."

There's nothing quite like a late winner to lift spirits and Hugo Rodallega's 86th-minute strike at Villa Park sent the travelling 3,000 fans wild and galvanised everyone connected with the Club.

"I thought we deserved to win," said Hangeland. "The fans were incredible before, during and after the game. They really gave us the extra energy we needed. It was a good day all round and hopefully we'll repeat that on Saturday.

"It was a great boost for us. We've worked hard in recent weeks and had some knocks. So it was really nice to get a reward for all that hard work and to prove to ourselves and others that we're a decent team when it clicks."

Rodallega has endured something of a frustrating season. It was clear what the winning goal – his first in the league this season – meant to the Colombian striker who impressed after his introduction at the start of the second half.

"We all know what a good player Hugo is," stated Brede. "He put in a really good performance when he came on and I was delighted for him to score a goal."


Saturday's game with Norwich has been designated as the Club's Official Charity Match in support of Shooting Star Chase – a leading hospice charity caring for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families.

On Wednesday, Hangeland and members of the First Team squad met children from Shooting Star Chase and the skipper smiled: "It's always a nice day for them and it's good for us to see how happy they get if we just spend some time with them.

"It was a lovely day for them to come and watch training. They took some pictures and got some autographs and we gave them some boots and shirts, that sort of thing. It looked like they enjoyed it and we did as well. We're happy to have Shooting Star Chase as our chosen charity."

Tickets are still available to buy for Saturday's game, priced from £35 for adults and £15 for juniors.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/april/11/as-big-as-it-gets? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/april/11/as-big-as-it-gets?)

 
Fulham Host Norwich in Ultimate 'Must Not Lose' Game

FULHAM v NORWICH CITY 15:07; Craven Cottage



The 2-1 win at Villa last Saturday has reinstalled belief among Fulham players and fans that they might just pull off a great escape.  The win, the second under Felix Magath's management, has sprung the Cottagers up two places off the bottom and the defeat for Norwich last weekend means the gap between 17th and 18th remains at five points.

It still looks a big ask with only five games to play, but Fulham were the last team to escape relegation having only acquired 24 points from 32 games – in 2007/08- so they may be able to do the same again.  Failure to beat the Canaries today though would almost certainly be fatal.



Chris Hughton suffered the dismal consequences of failing to manage Norwich to victory over relegation rivals West Brom last Saturday.  The board's decision to sack him and replace him with youth coach Neil Adams with five games remaining could either prove to be a masterstroke or a huge error of judgment and it certainly throws Adams in at the deep end considering the club's fixtures.

This 'must not lose' game at Fulham is followed by dates with Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.  A rare away win in West London would advance their lead over Fulham to a very healthy eight points, but even a draw would not completely relieve them from the stress of relegation concerns, bearing in mind the games left.



What to watch out for: Recent meetings make the home side favourites.  Fulham have lost none of the seven previous encounters between the sides in the Premier League and won five of them.  They've also scored 13 goals in the three games at Craven Cottage.

Possible line-ups:

Fulham – Stockdale; Heitinga, Hangeland, Amorebieta, Richardson, Holtby, Sidwell, Riether, Diarra, Dejagah, Rodallega

Norwich – Ruddy; Martin, Yobo, Bassong, Olsson, Snodgrass, Tettey, Howson, Hoolahan, Elmander, Hooper

Recent form: Fulham – LLWLLW; Norwich – LDLWLL

Prediction: 2-1



http://www.footymatters.com/articles/english-football/premier-league/premier-league-preview/fulham-host-norwich-in-ultimate-must-not-lose-game/? (http://www.footymatters.com/articles/english-football/premier-league/premier-league-preview/fulham-host-norwich-in-ultimate-must-not-lose-game/?)

 
Ready For The Battle

He's played for some of Europe's top clubs, has UEFA Champions League expertise and has lined up for his country in a World Cup Final - now John Heitinga is calling upon that vast experience to keep Fulham in the Barclays Premier League.

"You have to believe we can still do it, I believe we can," stated the man in question in Saturday's matchday programme. "The only thing that matters right now is the Club's survival - we just need to find the way.

"This is the first time I've been involved in a relegation battle, but you have to deal with the same pressures as when you are challenging for trophies.

"Of course, the trophy for us will be staying up in the Premier League. It's a real challenge but it's up to us to play as well as we can between now and the end of the season.

"There's so much to play for right now; the team, the history of the Club and, of course, the fans. We saw them singing and celebrating at the end of the last game at Aston Villa - hopefully there's more of that to come."

To read the full interview with Heitinga, pick up an official matchday programme on Saturday.

Other key content in the only matchday magazine that matters - which is available to download digitally from 9am on Saturday - include: 

A focus on Shooting Star Chase – Saturday's game has been designated as the Club's Official Charity Match in support of the hospice
Shahid Khan on our magnificent win at Aston Villa
Felix Magath's programme notes
Cauley Woodrow takes the Fulham 50 challenge
Zat Knight revisits the 6-0 win over Norwich in May 2005
Former Norwich star Paul McVeigh assesses the Cottage encounter
A Whites fan writes for the publication
And Les Strong is Yesterday's Hero
Priced £3.50, the 84-page publication is available from sellers on Stevenage Road from two hours before kick-off. Fans can also order copies directly from www.programmemaster.com (http://www.programmemaster.com)

The programme is also available as an app with added video content from 9am on Saturday via Apple's Newsstand or Pocketmags for £1.99.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/april/11/prog-plug? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/april/11/prog-plug?)

 
Why Fulham v Norwich is the biggest game in the Premier League this weekend

Forget Liverpool hosting Manchester City for an insight into Premier league superiority, Fulham v Norwich City is this weekend's biggest fixture.

As the season draws to a close, fixtures invariably become increasingly important, and on paper, Fulham's game against Norwich City could well decide both team's fate.

While three points for Fulham won't even be enough to take them above Norwich – or out of the relegation zone for that matter – the game is extremely important for the Canaries.

With remaining fixtures of Liverpool (H), Manchester United (A), Chelsea (A) and Arsenal (H) – good teams all arguably fighting for something (consistency in United's case) – Norwich will want to make the most out of their visit to West London.

Fulham's remaining fixtures of Tottenham (A), Hull City (H), Stoke City (A) and Crystal Palace (H) are, perhaps only on paper however, kinder to the eye.

Writing off Spurs away, and Stoke for that matter, I am hopeful that we can pick up points against Hull and Palace; not because we are better than them, but because, hopefully, they will be safe and playing for very little when we line-up against them.

This game is therefore absolutely massive for both teams; for Fulham to close the gap that Norwich are going to struggle to extend beyond this fixture and for Norwich to create a substantial gap that will prevent Fulham catching.

Looking at the two teams, both are relatively equal. Norwich and Fulham have both produced positive and negative performances – more of the latter – over the course of the season, and have, much to the frustration of their respective fans, flirted with relegation on a worrying number of occasions.

Traditionally however, Fulham have been Norwich's bogey team – a team that ruthlessly sent the Canaries into the Championship a few years ago, after beating them 6-0 at the Cottage.

While many Norwich fans may be lamenting their luck, which has them facing their bogey team in a must-win fixture, I, as a Fulham fan, am not so confident.

Formalities and football go together like oil and water. And Fulham, expecting to pick up three points against a team they would normally pick three points up against is exactly the kind of thing that Fulham, being Fulham, could fail to do.

What's more, if Neil Adams is able to instigate some sort of honeymoon period – that so often occurs when a new manager takes over – our task could become a lot harder.

Another worry for the Whites is the fact that this season's home form hasn't been anything to brag about. In seasons-gone-by winning at the Cottage kept Fulham in the league, but this year playing by the Thames has been somewhat of a mental hindrance.

So for me, previous fixtures, stats, form, tactics, managers, players, fans and venue for that matter are all entirely irrelevant in the build up to this game.

Saturday's match is a cup final, which may as well be played at a neutral venue, and arguably the most important fixture of the two clubs' recent Premier League history.

May the best team win.



http://metro.co.uk/2014/04/11/why-fulham-v-norwich-is-the-biggest-game-in-the-premier-league-this-weekend-4695537/? (http://metro.co.uk/2014/04/11/why-fulham-v-norwich-is-the-biggest-game-in-the-premier-league-this-weekend-4695537/?)

 
Magath's Magic Men? Three Players Who Are Key For Fulham's Survival Bid

Sat adrift at the bottom of the table, with a third manager of the season showing little signs of turning around the mess created by the other two and with an ageing squad of has-beens and never-weres, Fulham looked to be most people's certainties for the drop when – exactly a month ago today – they meekly went down to a 3-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Cardiff City.

What a difference a month makes. The Cottagers may well end up lining up in the Championship next season, having given themselves a mountain to climb with their early performances, but are now looking the most likely of the bottom three to survive following wins in two of their last four fixtures.

Victory over Aston Villa built upon a 1-0 win over Newcastle in mid-March and while their last four games have also seen two defeats, albeit against two of the top five, the gap to Norwich City has been closed to five points – a not-insurmountable amount considering the Canaries horrendous run in.

Key to the mini resurgence so far – and, more importantly to keeping it up in the huge match with Norwich City this weekend – has been the form of three key players. We take a look at the stats of three of their top performers of recent weeks.

Lewis Holtby
Not a surprise for our first choice: Lewis Holtby. The Tottenham loanee has embraced the relegation tussle head on and must have left Spurs fans wondering why they let him go.

Over the last four games, Holtby has created ten chances for his team-mates. This is the highest amount of any Fulham player during the period (below) and includes three assists amongst the ten.

Injecting a touch of quality and creative spark into the experience, but plodding, midfield that he was thrust into, Holtby has also gone past his man with the ball on nine occasions over the past four games, from 12 attempts.

Displaying the industry needed for a relegation dogfight, Holtby has also made 13 tackles, three clearances and three interceptions over the past four games.

Ashkan Dejagah
Scorer of two of Fulham's last three Premier League goals, Dejagah has been a key man from the bench in recent weeks. He may not have started any of Fulham's four most recent games, but makes our selection based upon his crucial goals. With top scorer Steve Sidwell on just six goals, it is not difficult to find where one of Fulham's main problems lies and Dejagah's winner against Newcastle and assist as a half-time substitute against Villa could prove crucial come the end of the season.

Despite playing just 98 minutes of the past four games, Dejagah has the fourth highest Squawka Performance Score of any Fulham player in the period, while he also has a 67% shot conversion rate in the same period

Brede Hangeland
Alongside a goalscoring problem, Fulham have also been shipping goals like mad this season – hardly the best combination. No side in Europe's top five leagues has conceded more goals than Fulham, in a pattern that must change if they are to stay up.

Brede Hangeland has been a fixture in Fulham sides of recent years, but has missed much of the season through injury. The club's captain played the first eight games of the season and upon his injury had led the side to back to back wins. However they they lost the next six games in a row, setting the tone for the porous defence that has undermined the rest of their season.

However Hangeland has returned in recent weeks and could be key in steadying the ship. While Magath's side has conceded eight goals in their two games against Man City and Everton, the clean sheet against Newcastle was invaluable and just the one goal was conceded against Villa, although admittedly Villa were complicit through their toothless attack.

In the past four games Hangeland has won 18 headed duels, a success rate of 82%, while has he also won 70% of his tackles and averaged 12 defensive actions per game.



http://www.squawka.com/news/2014/04/11/mini-magath-revival-three-key-players-if-fulham-are-to-stay-up/2014041193978? (http://www.squawka.com/news/2014/04/11/mini-magath-revival-three-key-players-if-fulham-are-to-stay-up/2014041193978?)

 
Jimmy Bullard: I'd love Fulham to copy what we did but I fear it's all over

(http://www.standard.co.uk/incoming/article9253921.ece/ALTERNATES/w620/1104bullarda.jpg)
Magic moment: Jimmy Bullard celebrates Danny Murphy's crucial goal in 2008

Mohamed Fayed promised his players a Harrods hamper of caviar and smoked salmon if they escaped relegation six years ago but Fulham do not need any incentives ahead of tomorrow's game against Norwich.

Lose at Craven Cottage and Fulham may be pushed beyond the point of no return. A win moves them just two points from safety with four games remaining and could lead to another unlikely Premier League escape act.

Back in 2008 Fulham were in a similarly precarious position but Roy Hodgson masterminded a great escape.

Jimmy Bullard was part of that squad so knows that the seemingly impossible is possible — unfortunately he thinks the feat may just be beyond the class of 2014.

"I can't understand what has gone on at Fulham because they had some great players — like Bryan Ruiz, Dimitar Berbatov and Adel Taarabt — and they are at top-class clubs around the world now," he said. "I can't understand why top-quality players like that are not getting a game.

"Three managers in one season is too much as well, the players will not know whether they are coming or going. It has been a bit of a laughing stock. Look at what happened with Ray Wilkins and Alan Curbishley. I would love to see them survive but, honestly, I worry they may not have got enough to stay up."

Bullard hopes he is proved wrong and for that to happen a win against Norwich is crucial.

Fulham are five points from safety and have an inferior goal difference to their rivals but they beat Aston Villa last weekend and belief is growing among a squad who were bottom of the table two weeks ago.

Norwich, just above the drop zone, face Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal in their last four fixtures while Fulham's remaining games after tomorrow are against Tottenham, Hull, Stoke and Crystal Palace.

Six years ago, Fulham had just 24 points from 33 matches — three fewer than they have now — but won four of their final five games and survived on the final day of the season.

It was an incredible turnaround and one that still amazes Bullard.

"If you were a betting man, you would never have bet on us that year," said the former midfielder.

"We were doomed basically. Everyone was saying we were down — the media, the pundits, the bookmakers — and it is difficult to get away from that sometimes.

"It all started away at Manchester City, when we were 2-0 down at half-time and we looked doomed. We brought Diomansy Kamara on, he scored twice and we won 3-2, which was an unbelievable result. It went from there really.

"It does not look good for Fulham at the moment but what we did shows you never know."

Bullard recalls how Fulham were 19th in the Premier League and looked a lost cause when Hodgson replaced Lawrie Sanchez in December of that season. They were six points from safety at this stage before beating Reading, Manchester City and Birmingham to take it to the final game of the season at Portsmouth.

Needing a win at Fratton Park to survive, Danny Murphy scored a 76th-minute header from Bullard's free-kick and Fulham avoided dropping into the Championship.

"We had a great team spirit," said midfielder Bullard. "We were in a dogfight all year but we always had that spirit. We had some good players, too. When you achieve something like that, you feel like you have won something.

"The camera panned to Roy and Ray Lewington after the game at Portsmouth and you see Roy say, 'I can't f*****g believe that!' Even he couldn't believe the position we managed to get ourselves out of."



http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/jimmy-bullard-id-love-fulham-to-copy-what-we-did-but-i-fear-its-all-over-9253859.html (http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/jimmy-bullard-id-love-fulham-to-copy-what-we-did-but-i-fear-its-all-over-9253859.html)