Friends of Fulham

 
Magath open to taking up role with Rangers

Felix Magath is open to a role in a restructured management team at Rangers amid talk of his possible appointment as technical director.

Magath - sacked by Fulham in September last year - has been touted as a technical director at Rangers ever since he purchased shares in the Scottish second division outfit in January.

The 61-year-old, who proxied his stake to the Rangers Supporters Trust ahead of Thursday's general meeting, refused to rule out taking up a role in Glasgow.

"I would not rule it out," Magath told the Daily Mail.

"I don't know. At the moment I am fine. I follow things at Rangers closely. We have to wait for Friday then we will see what is happening.

"I am keeping in touch with things, for sure. I am interested in the situation at Rangers because I have bought shares, so of course I have an interest.

"But I'm not involved as such. I have an interest, but I am not there. I am just waiting for the result of the vote on Friday like other people."



Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/magath-open-rangers-role#2TxQ7ZDgqPihagr2.99 (http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/magath-open-rangers-role#2TxQ7ZDgqPihagr2.99)

 
Former Manchester United midfielder tips Fulham to stay up

Tunnicliffe believes Whites are a safe bet following improved performances

(http://i4.getwestlondon.co.uk/incoming/article8775547.ece/alternates/s615/4566596.jpg)
Confident: Ryan Tunnicliffe believes Fulham will stay up
His footballing talents once won his dad a £10,000 wager, and now Ryan Tunnicliffe has another red hot tip – Fulham are staying up.

The Manchester-born midfielder is best known for a £100 bet placed by his dad in 1983, when Ryan was nine, that he would one day play for the Man United first team.

When Tunnicliffe came on for the first of only two substitute appearances for United, in a Carling Cup win over Newcastle in September 2012, his dad won his money back 100 times over.

Following loan spells with Peterborough, Barnsley and Ipswich, the 22 year old joined Fulham a year ago, but was soon shipped out on loan again to Wigan following Rene Meulensteen's sacking.

(http://i4.getwestlondon.co.uk/incoming/article8775548.ece/alternates/s615/4030894.jpg)
In the money: Tunnicliffe earns his dad a windfall by making his Man United debut
He started this season with a further loan spell at Blackburn but was recalled by Fulham in January and has since become an almost permanent fixture of Kit Symons' side, featuring in 13 of the last 14 games.

He said: "I think we will stay up. The performances have been good lately, and we were unlucky not to get even a point tonight (in the 1-0 defeat at Watford).

"Look at how we performed on Saturday (Fulham beat title-chasing Derby 2-0). If we go out and play without fear like that every week, we will get the breaks we didn't get tonight.

"There is definitely a confidence amongst the boys and a feeling that we will be okay. We are a young squad, but guys like me are learning all the time off the older players.

"It was obviously good to hear that Millwall lost too, which keeps the gap between us, but we have to just concentrate on our own games and not worry about what others are doing."

A father is always going to be the biggest supporter of any son of his, but has Mick Tunnicliffe even more of a fan since his son's United cameo landed him a whopping windfall? Not a bit of it, inssists Ryan.

He added: "As far as I'm concerned, I've not repaid my dad enough for all the time and petrol money he spent taking me around to matched when I was a kid."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-manchester-united-midfielder-tips-8775600? (http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-manchester-united-midfielder-tips-8775600?)

 
New Keeper for Boro


Vanarama Conference South club Farnborough....

....have signed young goalkeeper Magnus Norman on loan from Sky Bet Championship side Fulham for the remainder of the season.

Norman, who turned 18 in January, has been with the Cottagers since the age of nine and has always been a prominent goalkeeper in his age group.

His brother Felix is also in Fulham`s academy.

Initially part of the Coombe School programme, he has filled out physically as he went about a successful pre-season campaign. 

He made a dozen appearances in all competitions for Fulham's under-18s last season and in October he signed his first professional contract, tying him to Craven Cottage until June 2016.


http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=14704 (http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=14704)

 
McCormack: No Fear

Ross McCormack is backing the Whites to respond to the Watford defeat with victory against Bournemouth on Friday night (7.45pm).

"I am confident ahead of Bournemouth," he told fulhamfc.com. "We've got to be.

"Regardless of how good they are, we know and we've shown that we can beat anyone. With Derby, and even against Watford – that's two of the best teams in the league that we've more than matched.

"It will be tough, but we are at home and Scott [Parker] will probably be back fit, which will give us something extra in midfield as well.

"There's no fear in this squad. We know we can go and beat Bournemouth. It's just a case of doing it."

In a match where statistically the Whites had the upper hand in terms of possession and shots on goal, McCormack was frustrated at not managing to get one of his five efforts into the back of the net on Tuesday night.

"It's frustrating, yeah. I think we deserved at least a point," the striker said. "We had a few good chances. They've made a couple of saves from me. I probably should have scored one, maybe two.

"We just didn't take our chances, or I didn't take my chances. But I now feel like I am playing and getting in positions that will hurt defenders."

Tickets for Friday's meeting with Bournemouth at the Cottage are available for fans to purchase on General Sale, priced from £10 juniors and £25 adults. What's more, Season Ticket Holders can purchase two additional tickets for just £10!*


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/05/ross-mccormack? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/05/ross-mccormack?)

 
Spurs' Dele Alli, Fulham's George Williams, Dean Lewington out, David Martin to face fitness test

MK Dons are missing key players heading into Saturday's vital game against Preston North End this Saturday.

David Martin will undergo a fitness test on Friday afternoon to see if he will be able to start the game against the Lilywhites as he still fights to recover from a leg injury.

"I was in with him today (Thursday) and we're going to have to make a decision with him as late as we possibly can on Friday," said Robinson.

"I don't want to say yes or no because I don't want to play any games.

"There will be a fitness test on Friday."

George Williams is also a major doubt after limping off in the 2-1 Chesterfield defeat, and he is having a scan today to find out whether he is fit.

"George Williams has gone for a scan and we'll have the result of that later on today," Robinson said.

"It was a really innocuous coming-together so we're just waiting to find out what that is."

That coupled with continuing injuries for Dele Alli, Dean Bowditch and Mark Randall doesn't make for good reading, while Dean Lewington is suspended for the game after his late sending-off against Chesterfield.

Joe Walsh has just been signed for exactly the purpose of replacing the likes of Lewington should he get injured, but Robinson isn't sure whether he's fit enough for the game yet, so Lee Hodson could come in at left back.

"I don't think he (Joe Walsh) is fit enough to play yet.

"We are putting him into a severe testing programme and we need to make sure where he's at before we make a decision over whether he plays or not, but he'll definitely be in the squad.

"He gives us some solidarity in that position but Lee is equally as good as most.

"He's a full Northern Ireland international so we're quite fortunate in that position."



Read more: http://www.mkweb.co.uk/Spurs-Dele-Alli-Fulham-s-George-Williams-Dean/story-26124729-detail/story.html?#ixzz3TWv1G38Z (http://www.mkweb.co.uk/Spurs-Dele-Alli-Fulham-s-George-Williams-Dean/story-26124729-detail/story.html?#ixzz3TWv1G38Z)
Follow us: @YourMKWeb on Twitter | mymkweb on Facebook

 
Howe faith in Bournemouth

Bournemouth head to Fulham on Friday night with manager Eddie Howe insisting their promotion bid is back on track.

The Cherries climbed back up to fourth in the Sky Bet Championship with their first victory in six games, beating Wolves 2-1 at the Goldsands Stadium on Tuesday night.

"It gave everyone a boost," Howe told BBC Radio Solent.

"All the question marks, doubt and negativity, from our perspective, were never there.

"It doesn't mean it goes away because you have to prove yourselves every week, but it proves there's nothing wrong with this team. This group is very strong and it's up to us what we achieve.

"That inner self-belief is so important. We have to know how good we are.

"We have proved that because we wouldn't be where we are if we weren't a very good team."

Bournemouth's visit to Craven Cottage will be the culmination of six tough days for Fulham, who beat then-leaders Derby last Saturday before narrowly going down to another promotion-chasing side, Watford, in midweek.

A play-off push under boss Kit Symons has failed to materialise this season and the Cottagers are just two places above the relegation zone, albeit eight points clear of third-bottom Millwall.

"The performances have been decent of late certainly, so we haven't quite got the points tally I would like from those but we're very much a work in progress I think," said Symons.

"That's quite evident and plain to see and there's still a lot of hard work to be done, but I'm quite happy with how the team's progressing and it's all going in the right direction."

Skipper Scott Parker, who ran the midfield against the Rams, missed the trip to Vicarage Road but is set to return against the Cherries.

"He was exhausted after Saturday's heroics and he got a whack on his knee as well," added Symons.

"But, that said, I would expect him to be fully fit for Friday night, touch wood."


http://www.sportinglife.com/football/championship/news/article/360/9745121/-? (http://www.sportinglife.com/football/championship/news/article/360/9745121/-?)

 
Al Fayed's Parisian jewel The Ritz reflects facets of high society

The Parisian dream of César Ritz, born in 1850 and a shepherd's son from the Swiss Alps who gave the world some of its most renowned hotels, was to create something to which he could proudly attach his name.

Later this year, after a three-year closure, the first of his Ritz hotels, in the French capital's sophisticated Place Vendôme, will reopen to show off the results of an "unparallelled restoration" estimated to cost in the region of €200 million (Dh811.3m).

The reopening was originally scheduled for summer 2014, but in March last year the deadline was pushed back to early 2015.

The hotel first opened in 1898, an occasion at which César Ritz commented: "It's a small house to which I am proud to see my name attached."

It will still bear Ritz's name but ownership passed from the founder's family to the Egyptian businessman Mohamed Al Fayed in 1979, placing him decades ahead of the recent wave of luxury hotel acquisitions by Middle Eastern individuals or institutions.

The Ritz boasts an supremely glamorous past in which the names of Coco Chanel, Cole Porter, Ingrid Bergman and renowned American writers from Ernest Hemingway to Scott Fitzgerald take starring roles.

Hemingway once wrote to a friend: "When I dream of afterlife in heaven, the action always takes place in the Paris Ritz."

For the Italian actress Sophia Loren, it was simply "the most romantic hotel in the world".

On a more sombre note, it was from the Ritz that Princess Diana and Mr Fayed's son, Dodi, were driven to their deaths in a car crash beneath the Pont de l'Alma in 1997.

On its own less than modest self-assessment, the Ritz has always been "the epitome of elegance and the understated luxury of French art de vivre ... a gathering place for the greats of this world, royalty, artists and writers".

But for some latterday guests, the charm has faded in recent years, perhaps not surprisingly given that the last renovations were completed 28 years ago.

Comments at the Tripadvisor.com website immediately before closure included much praise, but also reservations about what the French call rapport qualité prix – value for, in this case, a lot of money.

"The rooms are very nice – loved the bathrooms – but they are looking tired," one visitor from Singapore wrote.

"I can understand why they are doing the renovations. When you are paying over US$1,000 a night for a room you would expect things to be top of the line."

The Ritz says such concerns are being addressed as the renovations will show once it reopens.

"To preserve its heritage," the hotel's website says, "the Ritz Paris is benefiting from an unparallelled restoration, not to begin a second life but to continue its legend."

The challenge of bringing a historic grand hotel into the 21st century has been met with "newly created spaces, high-tech comfort and a renewed commitment to classic roots".

A new tunnel will allow publicity-shy guests to enter discreetly from the garage. A retractable roof will "transform the winter garden into a leafy year-round patio". And the Ritz says guests will be offered a spa "entirely rethought in a contemporary spirit".

Paris high society, and affluent visitors to the City of Romance, may eagerly await the autumn reopening.

But one question remains. Does Mr Fayed have the stamina to lead his reborn Ritz into its new era?

Having sold his London store, Harrods, to Qatar Holdings in 2010, and the capital-based Fulham Football Club to the US-Pakistani billionaire, Shahid Khan, in 2013, he can expect renewed speculation that, at 86, it may be time to sell his Parisian jewel, too.


http://www.thenational.ae/business/travel-tourism/al-fayeds-parisian-jewel-the-ritz-reflects-facets-of-high-society? (http://www.thenational.ae/business/travel-tourism/al-fayeds-parisian-jewel-the-ritz-reflects-facets-of-high-society?)

 
Roberts must be patient – Symons

Fulham manager Kit Symons has told highly-rated teenager Patrick Roberts he still has a lot to learn before he is ready for regular first-team football.

The 18-year-old, who has been linked with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal, has played 18 times in the Championship this season, mostly in late substitute appearances.

Symons confirmed Roberts would not be in the squad for Friday's Championship game against Bournemouth and instead would play for the club's Under-21s against Manchester City on Saturday.

The Whites boss said: "Pat's still only just 18. He's a very young player who is still developing and still learning his trade.

"It's important that if he's not going to be in my squad that he gets some game time and continues his development.

"He's a special talent but we've already spoken about how the Championship is a tough, unforgiving league and he'll have to be patient.

"He will have to learn and develop. We're a great club for young players to do that learning and developing, so he's in a good place."

One player who will be in the squad to face promotion-chasing Bournemouth is captain Scott Parker, who missed Tuesday's defeat at Watford with a knee injury.

Defenders Tim Hoogland and Fernando Amorebieta are both in contention for their first starts in four months.


http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/roberts-must-be-patient-symons? (http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/roberts-must-be-patient-symons?)

 
U21s' City Trip

Fulham Under-21s take on Manchester City on Friday afternoon in the Barclays U21 Premier League (3pm).

The game sees the Whites make their first visit to the new £200m Etihad Campus, City's new Football Academy.

The two sides are separated by just one point in the table, with Peter Grant's side looking to leapfrog a number of clubs and move above their opponents into seventh with a win.

Fulham come into the game on the back of a defeat at home to Leicester City last Saturday, a game that saw Patrick Roberts find the back of the net, and he is set to feature again on Friday.

Our opponents find themselves in a sticky spell having lost their last three league games. However, they did stop the rot last time out, progressing on penalties against Schalke in the U19 UEFA Youth League.

In the return fixture back in October at Motspur Park, the Citizens ran out 2-0 winners, inflicting the first defeat of the season on Fulham. Sinan Bytyqi and Brandon Barker scored that day for Patrick Vieira's side.

The Whites will be hoping for similar fortunes to their last trip to Manchester, where they beat United 2-1 in early February.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/05/u21s-city-trip? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/05/u21s-city-trip?)

 
Disabled supporters information: Fulham v AFC Bournemouth

There are nine wheelchair bays available for away supporters at Craven Cottage.
These are situated on a raised platform within the away seating area.

Fulham offer away headsets, with no deposit required. They are allocated on a first come first serve basis and can be reserved by contacting Fulham's disabled liaison officer on the below details.

There are disabled parking spaces available for away supporters at Craven Cottage. These need to be reserved by contacting Fulham's disabled liaison officer.

The disabled liaison officer can be contacted by calling Nicola Walworth on 0208 336 7477.


Read more at http://www.afcb.co.uk/news/article/disabled-supporters-information-fulham-v-afc-bournemouth-2316426.aspx#rAdYGa0gzM5i4cdy.99 (http://www.afcb.co.uk/news/article/disabled-supporters-information-fulham-v-afc-bournemouth-2316426.aspx#rAdYGa0gzM5i4cdy.99)

 
Parker penned in for Fulham return

Skipper Scott Parker is poised to return to the Fulham squad for the visit of Bournemouth.

The former England international was rested for the 1-0 midweek defeat at Watford having suffered a slight knock to his knee against Derby on Saturday.

Fellow midfielder Lasse Vigen Christensen looks set to miss out again, however, having sustained a hamstring injury against the Rams.

Fit-again full-backs Tim Hoogland (hernia) and Fernando Amorebieta (knee) should be involved again after they were named on the bench at Vicarage Road alongside striker Hugo Rodallega, who could return to the starting line-up after shaking off a leg injury.

A first win in five games means Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is unlikely to make changes.

Matt Richie returned to the side in the 2-1 win over Wolves and is likely to keep his place in the side, although Ryan Fraser is an alternative on the bench.

Winger Marc Pugh experienced no after-effects to a knee injury suffered last weekend before being substituted, but Dan Gosling and Eunan O'Kane remain sidelined.

One player who will be missing for the Cherries is defender Miles Addison who has joined Blackpool on loan after struggling for game time at Dean Court.


http://www.espnfc.co.uk/english-league-championship/match/414344/fulham-afc-bournemouth/preview? (http://www.espnfc.co.uk/english-league-championship/match/414344/fulham-afc-bournemouth/preview?)

 
Howe issues pre-Fulham rally cry

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe says his players must maintain their belief as they look for another promotion-boosting win at Fulham.

The Cherries go to Craven Cottage for the Friday evening clash sitting just three points behind leaders Middlesbrough in the Championship.

Tuesday's 2-1 win over Wolves put an end to Bournemouth's five-game sequence without a win and now Howe wants his side to maintain their form against Fulham as they aim to secure automatic promotion.

"It gave everyone a boost," Howe said about the victory over Kenny Jackett's men.

"All the question marks, doubt and negativity, from our perspective, were never there. "It doesn't mean it goes away because you have to prove yourselves every week, but it proves there's nothing wrong with this team. This group is very strong and it's up to us what we achieve.

"That inner self-belief is so important. We have to know how good we are. We have proved that because we wouldn't be where we are if we weren't a very good team."

With Howe's comments in mind, punters may decide to use their free bet to back the Cherries to make it two wins on the bounce.



Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/bournemouth/howe-issues-pre-fulham-rally-cry-1761304.html? (https://www.clubcall.com/bournemouth/howe-issues-pre-fulham-rally-cry-1761304.html?)

 
Fulham v Bournemouth


SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Friday, 5 March Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Coverage: Watch highlights on The Football League Show; updates on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website

Fulham captain Scott Parker is available for the visit of Bournemouth after being rested for Tuesday's defeat at Watford.

Midfielder Lasse Vigen Christensen (hamstring) is set to miss out, but one of fit-again duo Tim Hoogland or Fernando Amorebieta could start.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is likely to name an unchanged starting XI after Tuesday's win against Wolves.

Dan Gosling and Eunan O'Kane remain sidelined for the Cherries.

Bournemouth moved up to fourth in the Championship with that victory over Wolves - their first win in six matches.

"It gave everyone a boost," Howe told BBC Radio Solent. "All the question marks, doubt and negativity - from our perspective they were never there.

"It doesn't mean it goes away because you have to prove yourselves every week, but it proves there's nothing wrong with this team. This group is very strong and it's up to us what we achieve."

Fulham beat then-leaders Derby on Saturday but the loss to Watford left them 20th in the table.

"The performances have been decent of late, so we haven't quite got the points tally I would like from those, but we're very much a work in progress," said Cottagers boss Kit Symons.

"That's quite evident and there's still a lot of hard work to be done, but I'm quite happy with how the team's progressing and it's all going in the right direction."

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Bournemouth won the earlier meeting this season 2-0 at the Goldsands Stadium on Boxing Day.

Bournemouth are unbeaten in the last five meetings, winning three. Fulham's last win was 3-1 away in the old Division Two in January 1994.

Bournemouth are unbeaten in the last four meetings at Craven Cottage, winning two. Fulham's last win at home was 2-0 in the old Division Three in April 1992.

Fulham
Fulham have won only one of their last 10 games in all competitions. Their only win since mid-January was 2-0 against Derby at home in the Championship on Saturday.
Fulham have lost only one of their last five home games in the Championship. Their only league defeat at Craven Cottage in 2015 was 2-1 against Ipswich on 14 February.

Bournemouth
Bournemouth won 2-1 against Wolves at home on Tuesday - their first win in six games.
Bournemouth have won only one of their last five away games in all competitions. Their only win on the road since mid-January was 3-1 at Wigan in the Championship on 7 February.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31654572 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31654572)

 
London To Amsterdam

Join Fulham FC and Fulham FC Foundation staff members and be part of our team riding into Europe in this year's London to Amsterdam Challenge in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.

The 145-mile event, which starts on Friday 12th June, includes a half-time pit-stop at Colchester United before sailing from Harwich at the end of day one.

The second day (Saturday 13th June) will take in the picturesque surroundings along the pristine pathways of the Netherlands before completing the cycle challenge by arriving at the Amsterdam ArenA, home of current Dutch champions and winners of 33 Dutch league titles, Ajax.

Fulham fans are encouraged to join and help raise funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer UK. The deadline for signing up is looming fast and applications will need to be submitted by Monday 16 March 2015.

Prostate cancer kills one man every hour in the UK, and in 2014 riders from more than 50 clubs helped raise more than £200,000. This year, we want to do even better so why not get involved with your friends and have a great time whilst helping an excellent cause.

In the below video, four members of the Fulham team (Danielle Richards, Darren Preston, Ben Haworth and Steve Riley) look ahead to the challenge.

London to Amsterdam Challenge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh1muuPAGY4#ws)


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/05/london-to-amsterdam? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/05/london-to-amsterdam?)

 
Kit's Bournemouth Preview

Kit Symons believes his team have the strength to beat anyone in the Sky Bet Championship and is hoping that the quality they showed at home against Derby County and away to Watford will give the Whites confidence when they host Bournemouth under the floodlights at Craven Cottage on Friday evening (7.45pm).


"We can play well against anyone," Symons said in the press conference ahead of the Bournemouth game. "Derby and Watford were two very good performances. Obviously Derby was a positive result for us. Watford, we lost the game but in my opinion should have got something out of it. I felt we were equally as good as them on the day.

"That gives us confidence going into this game against Bournemouth. I'm not surprised they're still up there fighting for automatic promotion. They're a good side. I'm really looking forward to it."

Boosting the squad will be the return to fitness of Scott Parker and the availability of Matt Smith following his three-month loan period at Bristol City where he scored 13 goals.

"He was excellent for us against Derby, Scott," said Symons. "We are far from a one man team but he was certainly inspirational against Derby. He led the way for the team.

"Matt Smith featured on Tuesday. He gave us a different dimension, a different option up front. I'd expect Matt to be featuring between now and the end of the season, certainly."


Currently sitting in 20th place in the Championship with 39 points, Symons says the focus is on bettering the Whites' league position over the next few months.

"Our position that we are in in the league doesn't look great," said Kit. "I am very conscious that the priority is to make sure we stay in the division but also I really want to push on up the league as well, and a couple of wins can do that."

Alan Curbishley has joined Kit Symons' backroom team until the end of the season, bringing his experience in the Championship and beyond, as the Whites look to build and improve.

"I am delighted. Alan is someone who I know reasonably well. And I know him by reputation extremely well," said Symons. "He's been around a long time with a wealth of experience.

"That's the one thing that myself and my staff, who have been fantastic I've got to say, haven't got at that level. He's got that experience in abundance. I'll be certainly tapping into him trying to get as much knowledge and use his experience as much as possible.

"I want to be as good as I can be and want the staff to be as good as they can be and I want the football club to do as well as it can. And Alan Curbishley coming in will help that."

In addition, Fulham fans recently came out top in a recent YouGov poll monitoring how London clubs' fans are perceived. It was a win which did not surprise the Whites Manager in the slightest.

"On Tuesday night away at Watford I thought they were absolutely brilliant," said Symons. "Real good support for the team, getting behind us from the first whistle to the last whistle.

"We feel very lucky to have such good supporters at this football club who get behind the team and do things in the right way."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/05/kits-bournemouth-preview? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/05/kits-bournemouth-preview?)

 
Fulham v Bournemouth preview

Skipper Scott Parker is poised to return to the Fulham squad for the visit of Bournemouth.

The former England international was rested for the 1-0 midweek defeat at Watford having suffered a slight knock to his knee against Derby on Saturday.

Fellow midfielder Lasse Vigen Christensen looks set to miss out again, however, having sustained a hamstring injury against the Rams.

Fit-again full-backs Tim Hoogland (hernia) and Fernando Amorebieta (knee) should be involved again after they were named on the bench at Vicarage Road alongside striker Hugo Rodallega, who could return to the starting line-up after shaking off a leg injury.

A first win in five games means Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is unlikely to make changes.

Matt Richie returned to the side in the 2-1 win over Wolves and is likely to keep his place in the side, although Ryan Fraser is an alternative on the bench.

Winger Marc Pugh experienced no after-effects to a knee injury suffered last weekend before being substituted, but Dan Gosling and Eunan O'Kane remain sidelined.

One player who will be missing for the Cherries is defender Miles Addison, who has joined Blackpool on loan after struggling for game time at Dean Court.


http://www.teamtalk.com/match/preview/978/9745446/-? (http://www.teamtalk.com/match/preview/978/9745446/-?)

 
Brentford Griffins beat Fulham 5-0 to record third straight league win

Youth Alliance side complete comprehensive victory over local rivals
Brentford Griffins swept aside Fulham (Merton) 5-0 in their latest Football Conference Youth Alliance London/South East fixture on Wednesday.
The Griffins, one of two Academy sides formed following a partnership between Brentford's Category Two Academy and West Thames College, proved far too strong for their West London rivals.
Two goals from Abdul Oues, an own goal, and strikes from Terence Vancooten and Ibrahim Lukalay secured The Griffins fifth win in six matches.
The win also meant that The Griffins have put 13 goals without reply past Fulham (Merton) this campaign.
It was The Griffins sixth clean sheet in 12 matches this season and Dan Wright's side have conceded just nine goals all season.
The three points take The Griffins to within five points of the top three with a number of games in hand on all the sides above them.
Next up for The Griffins is a home match against Woking Whites on Monday March 16th.
The Brentford Bees were left frustrated as they had a second straight match postponed in the Home Counties/South West Division.
The Bees match at home to Oxford City fell foul of the conditions meaning it is now a month since they have played a competitive fixture.
They remain seventh in the table but are just two points off fourth place and will hope to close that gap when they host Southampton (Sparsholt) at Osterley Sports Club this coming Wednesday.



Read more at http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/brentford-fulham-football-conference-youth-alliance-2316688.aspx#QISw1FC4hwTDh7sD.99 (http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/brentford-fulham-football-conference-youth-alliance-2316688.aspx#QISw1FC4hwTDh7sD.99)

 
Alan Curbishley joins Fulham's coaching team for the remainder of the season
Alan Curbishley spent time as Fulham's director of football last season
The former Charlton manager was sacked when Felix Magath joined
But Curbishley has returned to the club for the rest of the season
Curbishley will join manager Kit Symons' backroom staff

Former Charlton and West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has joined Fulham's coaching team until the end of the season.

Curbishley has been brought in to help out manager Kit Symons in the remaining 11 matches in the Championship this season.

Curbishley spent a short spell at Fulham as director of football last season – but was sacked when Felix Magath was appointed manager.

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/03/05/1A51550E00000578-0-Former_Charlton_manager_Alan_Curbishley_has_joined_Fulham_s_coac-a-7_1425579320367.jpg)
Former Charlton manager Alan Curbishley has joined Fulham's coaching team until the end of the season

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/03/05/264B358F00000578-0-image-a-5_1425579298029.jpg)
Curbishley has been brought in to help out manager Kit Symons in the remaining 11 matches

Now Symons has added Curbishley to his backroom team, and the Fulham manager said: 'I am delighted. Alan is someone who I know reasonably well. And I know him by reputation extremely well. He's been around a long time with a wealth of experience.

'That's the one thing that myself and my staff, who have been fantastic I've got to say, haven't got at that level. He's got that experience in abundance. I' ll be certainly tapping into him trying to get as much knowledge and use his experience as much as possible.

'I want to be as good as I can be and want the staff to be as good as they can be and I want the football club to do as well as it can. And Alan Curbishley coming in will help that.'

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/03/05/265813B100000578-0-image-a-3_1425579280653.jpg)
Ryan Tuncliffe in action during Fulham's recent 1-0 Championship defeat by Watford

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/03/05/1B967E1100000578-0-image-a-6_1425579300561.jpg)
Curbishley and Ray Wilkins when they were technical director and assistant manager last season


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2981545/Alan-Curbishley-joins-Fulham-s-coaching-team-remainder-season.html#ixzz3TXcc1cuN (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2981545/Alan-Curbishley-joins-Fulham-s-coaching-team-remainder-season.html#ixzz3TXcc1cuN)
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AFC Bournemouth: Trip to Craven Cottage will evoke fond memories for Cherries supporters

CHERRIES will be looking to return to the Championship summit tomorrow at a venue which holds fond memories for the club's supporters.

Craven Cottage has been a happy hunting ground for the Dorset outfit – with promotion to the second flight for the first time secured on the banks of the Thames in 1987.

More than 4,000 travelling fans headed to west London to see Harry Redknapp's men triumph 3-1 against the Cottagers almost 27 years ago.

Cherries were buoyed by Gerry Peyton's penalty save from Peter Scott before Fulham took the lead after a cross from Jeff Hopkins had deflected in off John 'Willo' Williams.

However, the visitors hit back almost immediately when Trevor Aylott netted from the spot after Carl Richards had been fouled by Paul Parker.

And Aylott fired them in front following a Richard Cooke cross nine minutes from time before on-loan Leicester man Tony Sealy's 25-yard stunner sealed promotion.

Although Fulham remained unbeaten at home by Cherries during their days in Division Three (South) before the war, the tables have turned in more recent times.

Cherries have won three and drawn four of eight league encounters at the Cottage with the last meeting ending in stalemate in August 1998 when Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall, Steve Fletcher and Richard Hughes started for the visitors.

Fulham, managed by Kevin Keegan, ended the campaign as runaway winners of Division Two, while Mel Machin's Cherries missed out on a place in the play-offs after drawing 0-0 with Wrexham on the final day of the season.

The previous year – which was Mohamed Al-Fayed's first season as owner – Steve Robinson netted for Cherries in a 1-0 win at the Cottage to inflict only Fulham's second home defeat in 17 games. The game saw Eddie Howe come off the bench in the 88th minute and play up front for the first and only time in his career.

Adrian Pennock and Steve Fletcher were on target in a 2-0 victory in October 1993, while Fulham's 2-0 victory at Craven Cottage in April 1992 was one of Harry Redknapp's final games in charge of Cherries.

Since losing 2-0 at Dean Court on Boxing Day, Fulham have managed three wins in the Championship and beat Wolves on penalties in the FA Cup before bowing out to Sunderland.

Victory over high-flying Derby at Craven Cottage five days ago was their only league win in eight with Fulham going down 1-0 at Watford on Tuesday.

Bottom of the table after collecting a solitary point from their first eight games, Felix Magath was eventually replaced by Kit Symons at the end of October with Fulham currently eight points above the drop zone.

Symons, whose full first name is Christopher, and Howe were on opposite sides the last time the teams met at Craven Cottage with both starring for their respective defences in a 0-0 draw in August 1998.


http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/11837807._/? (http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/11837807._/?)

 
Farnborough sign Magnus Norman on loan from Fulham


Farnborough Football Club are pleased to announce the signing of goalkeeper Magnus Norman on loan from Fulham until the end of the season.

Magnus, who turned 18 in January, joins from the Sky Bet Championship Club until the end of the season.

Other loan goalkeeper Marek Rodák returns to Craven Cottage. We thank Marek for his time with the Club.

On joining, Magnus exclusively told www.farnboroughfc.co.uk (http://www.farnboroughfc.co.uk): "I'm very happy to be signing, I think it's gonna be a great experience for me.

He added: "My goal is to help keep Farnborough in the Conference South for this season, it will be my first senior games so I hope to gain a lot of experience!"


Magnus made 12 appearances in all competitions for Fulham's Under-18s in the 2013/14 season.

On October 1st 2014, Magnus signed his first professional contract, tying him to the Club until 30th June 2016.

You can follow Magnus on Twitter @MagnusNormanGK1


http://www.farnboroughfc.co.uk/2015/03/farnborough-sign-magnus-norman-on-loan-from-fulham/ (http://www.farnboroughfc.co.uk/2015/03/farnborough-sign-magnus-norman-on-loan-from-fulham/)

 
Norman Joins Farnborough

The Club can confirm that goalkeeper Magnus Norman has joined Farnborough on a two-month youth loan deal.

Marek Rodák had been on loan at the Vanarama South Conference side, but he has now returned to Fulham.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/05/norman-joins-farnborough? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/05/norman-joins-farnborough?)

 
FULHAM LINE UP V BOURNEMOUTH – ANOTHER HOME WIN FOR THIS XI?


Fulham will be looking for a second consecutive home Championship win as they host Bournemouth on Friday evening.

Kit Symons has named a similar XI over the last few games although there could well be changes to the team with the manager indicating that Tim Hoogland and Fernando Amorebieta could be involved in the starting line up.

However, this side did win 2-0 against a high flying Derby side in their last home game and will be hoping for a similar performance this week.

Our chosen XI have played together four times this season and also have a fair amount of Championship experience, appearing in over 720 games with 110 goals scored and 67 conceded during that period.

Despite a couple of poor results recently, the Whites have been finding the net on home turf and will be looking to do so again on Friday afternoon.

Ross McCormack is the highest scorer in the last 20 Championship games for Fulham with seven of his strikes coming over the period.

Bryan Ruiz and Cauley Woodrow have been playing with their teammate up front over the last few games with four and three of their respective five-goal tally's coming in the league this term.

Lasse Vigen Christensen (5), Scott Parker (3) and Shaun Hutchinson (2) have also contributed this season and could also find the net this week.

Although they face a strong Bournemouth side, it's hard to chose just one of these players to be a dead set bet with any looking good for a flutter on Friday evening.



http://www.kickoff.co.uk/41343/fulham-line-up-v-bournemouth-another-home-win-for-this-xi/? (http://www.kickoff.co.uk/41343/fulham-line-up-v-bournemouth-another-home-win-for-this-xi/?)

 
Fulham's Kit Symons: we must get off our backsides to return to Premier League

Fulham sit just above the Championship drop zone but their manager insists with the right rebuilding, they could challenge for promotion next season

here have been bigger and more scandalous falls from grace in English football but Fulham's recent descent has still been remarkable. So emphatically has the club dropped that it is easy to forget the Cottagers were a Premier League stalwart for over a decade until last season's fiasco of a campaign concluded with relegation.

While their standing of only two spots above the Championship relegation zone before Friday night's visit of promotion-chasing Bournemouth suggests Fulham are bouncing back about as convincingly as Alan Partridge did, their manager, Kit Symons, believes the club is on the up and could return to the big time. "The table just doesn't look nice at the moment," he says. "We need to get off our backsides and do it."

There was no doubt the club seemed to be doing that when Symons first took charge this season. The former Fulham player and academy coach replaced Felix Magath in mid-September after the eccentric German followed on from last season's demotion by mustering only one win in Fulham's first eight matches. They promptly won five of nine during Symons's caretaker reign, a run that led to the 43-year-old being appointed on a full-time basis in October. However, results have deteriorated since then and Fulham went into last Saturday's match against Derby County on a worse winless streak than the one under Magath earlier in the campaign.

With discontent simmering among some sections of the crowd, the club's owner, the American businessman Shahid Khan, felt it necessary to make a public declaration of support for Symons. "We've become a more cohesive club, on and off the pitch, since Kit was promoted to manager," said Khan. "I'm confident we'll finish the season safe, sound and strong." Fulham duly beat Derby to record their first win in nine matches and though they then lost 1-0 to Watford on Tuesday, Symons feels they are righting themselves after their downturn.

"I certainly galvanised things when I first took over," he says. "I got everyone together, which was very important. The results went very well initially and then sort of plateaued and now we're having a tough spell but I think overall things have gone in the right sort of direction. Building takes time ... If I'm given enough, with the people I've got around me, we'll do well at this club for sure."

Symons inherited a mishmash of players that reflected the confusion of the previous year, when three different managers recruited and tweaked tactics without any clear plan emerging. Symons has had to make sense of a squad consisting of veterans of questionable worth, journeymen of no fixed prowess and youngsters with plenty of promise but little battle-hardness.

Some supporters had suggested that relegation might at least have offered the advantage of giving the club's talented young players a chance to replace over-rated senior pros, but it has become clear that most are not yet ready to lead a successful promotion campaign. The teenage forwards Patrick Roberts and Moussa Dembélé made their debuts while the club was still in the Premier League but have rarely started this season and have not yet looked ready for a regular starting place ahead of Ross McCormack, Hugo Rodallega or Bryan Ruiz, who has performed well since his proposed January transfer to Levante fell through.

The only one of the club's youngsters to establish himself as a regular starter this season is 20-year-old Lasse Vigen Christensen, who has shown unusual maturity and power in midfield, often alongside Scott Parker, who remains, according to Symons, an "inspirational" figure at the club. Kostas Stafylidis, a 21-year-old on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, has become a fixture at left-back in a defence marshalled by the 28-year-old Bulgarian Nikolay Bodurov. A formula has been found.

"We were so young when I first took over and had so little experience that I had to try and get the experienced players in and find a system that suited them," explains Symons. "That certainly worked initially and then we played fairly narrow at times and teams were finding out about that and exposed us a little bit in wide areas. But we've adjusted how we play and our defensive shape. It's taken a lot of work on the training field and a lot of video analysis with the players but they've taken it on board and now, in the last two games, defensively our shape is now looking a lot more solid and stronger."

Fulham are accused of overplaying and being too cautious, with fans baying for the team to attack more during Tuesday's defeat at Watford. Some supporters are frustrated that Matt Smith, the 6ft 6in striker, has made only one start since returning from his loan stint at Bristol City in January. Symons says the directness that Smith offers is an option that will be used throughout the rest of the season and maintains the side is generally getting things right going forward.

"One of the other things we had to address was that we had a lot possession but were not getting enough shots or crosses," he says of this season's rebuilding. "But we had more shots and crosses and possession than Watford so we're creating chances, playing good football and defending pretty well overall so those are big improvements. But ultimately it needs to be linked to getting the three points."

The rebuilding is far from finished. However, Symons says that if he is allowed to pursue it over the summer, Fulham could challenge for promotion next season. "That's not unrealistic at all, that's what our aim would be," he says. "This group have come a long way and have improved a lot. There will be comings and goings in the summer without a shadow of a doubt. It's going to be an ongoing rebuilding process and looking to the future."


http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/mar/05/kit-symons-fulham-championship-premier-league? (http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/mar/05/kit-symons-fulham-championship-premier-league?)

 
AFC Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe: Different viewpoint can work in our favour in Championship promotion race

EDDIE Howe is hoping Cherries' journey into uncharted territory could give them the edge as the race for the Premier League heads towards a thrilling climax.

Boss Howe has this season piloted Cherries to the upper reaches of the Championship where they are battling for promotion with a host of established clubs.

Howe's men tonight face Fulham in a Sky Sports-televised clash knowing victory at Craven Cottage would take them back to the top of the table (7.45pm).

Asked whether he felt a lack of experience in his squad was a concern heading into the run-in, Howe replied: "Experience doesn't win you games and, if it was based on that, we wouldn't be where we are.

"I think sometimes the fact you are different, you have a different viewpoint and come from a different place can be your strength.

"Nobody expected us to be in this position. We haven't been here before so, in some senses, that fear, if there is any, might not apply to us. We can play with freedom and enjoy these big-pressure games. We can enjoy the big occasions because it isn't every day we go to Fulham in the position we are in.

"Going to Craven Cottage will be a really good occasion for us and our supporters. A few years ago, they were competing in major cup competitions in Europe.

"They are a very good side and have some very good players from their time in the Premier League so it is a big task for us. But, the bigger the task, hopefully, the more we can rise to it."

Asked whether the prospect of going top was added motivation, Howe said: "I don't think we need any more incentive. When you consider what is at stake for us and all the other teams fighting for those positions, going top at this stage would be nice but it wouldn't mean anything more than that.

"The bigger picture for us is that with so few games to go, you don't want to be left with any regrets and it is a case of trying to do everything you can to pick up points.

"It is almost like the league starts again because it is so tight and we have to try to get consecutive wins because they are so important at this stage.

"You are aware of the table but I don't look at the fixtures and see what other teams are doing. It is all about our fixtures and making sure we try to maximise our performance and only affect what we can control."


http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/11837775._/? (http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/11837775._/?)

 
Rival Lines: players not solely to blame for Fulham's league position
Rival Lines
Match Preview
Fulham v AFCB
Blogger Interview: Cottagers Confidential

Last weekend I managed to fly some questions over the Atlantic to Andrew Beck at Fulham Blog Cottagers Confidential to ask him what he thought of Fulham's sudden improvement and what he thought about the job that Kit Symons is doing at the Cottage and whether Fulham's players have fully embraced the Championship?

CC: It was a great win against Derby and a big help to AFCB, but is it annoying that the team has not played to that standard all season?

FBCC: It has been a frustrating season for Fulham supporters. But in reality it's been a frustrating couple of years. On 1 April 2013 Fulham had 39 points with eight matches left to play. They had a chance to finish strong and in the top 10. Instead, they only managed four points in their last eight matches. Then they continued that form into 2013-14. That malaise continued under Magath to start this year. With only one point in their first seven matches this year, it was always going to be a challenge to salvage the year. The number one goal in my opinion, once Kit Symons was appointed, was to finish mid-table and then worry about next year. There was an outside shot at the play-offs, but even that was unlikely.

CC: You play Wigan, Rotherham and Blackpool in April so that could be your season just there I suppose?

FBCC: It could, but I don't think it will. Fulham are eight points clear of the relegation spots. They're closer to 10th than they are to twenty second. Plus, I think Fulham are simply better than a lot of the teams around them. I truly believe Fulham are better than Birmingham City, Leeds United, Reading, and Bolton. I find it hard to believe that three of the five teams below Fulham will pass them without any of those other teams falling below them as well.

CC: I am guessing that you won't need to get too many points in your last two fixtures against promotion chasing Middlesbrough and Norwich - could you do AFCB a favour in those games?

FBCC: Well Middlesbrough is at home and Fulham do have quite a history of breaking the hearts of Norwich fans, so stranger things have happened. However, it could end up with those games having no meaning left for Fulham. Counting on a team with nothing to play for to do you favors can be dangerous.

CC: Looking at how well Brentford are doing do you get the feeling that Fulham's players are not giving enough to the cause this season and that they have not really embraced the Championship?

FBCC: I don't think you can put too much on the players. Felix Magath was horrible in his first seven games and almost every player he brought in has failed or already departed. At times Fulham have started a midfield with every player 22 or younger. There's a good base to build on, but the team needs some strengthening which has simply not happened in the last two windows.

CC: Does Kit Symons ever come out and say anything other than Fulham played really well but are just not getting the results that the team deserves - what's been going wrong of late? (I asked this pre-Derby result)

FBCC: Kit's actually less positive than recent managers. If you think he was positive you should have heard the things coming out of the mouth of Martin Jol and Rene Mulensteen. Symons actually called out the players last week, which I took as a positive sign. Fulham's recent struggles can be chalked up to a combination of bad luck, injuries catching up with them, and a squad that's talents don't really work together in a logical formation on the pitch.

CC: Steve Bruce dismissed rumours linking him to a takeover in the summer as rubbish journalism, but for the fans is staying up enough for Mr Nice Guy - Kit Symons - to keep his job?

FBCC: I'm not sure it is. However even with the recent poor spell, Kit hasn't been bad as manager. If Fulham had performed as well under Magath as they have under Kit, they'd be sitting in tenth place with an even goal differential. While that's not great, it's hardly a disaster. If he keeps the team up, I expect them to focus in the off season to building the kind of squad that Kit wants to use. Unless you can hire a sure upgrade, I'm not sure it's worth it to make another change.

CC: What do you know of Fulham's billionaire owner Shahid Khan - I am not sure of his history with NFL side Jacksonville Jaguars - do you think he's a patient man?

FBCC: I think he's patient enough. His patience was probably what got the team relegated though. He should have been quicker to cut ties with both Martin Jol and Felix Magath. That being said, he's a businessman who knows how to make money. Fulham has a built in advantage over a lot of clubs just do to its location in London. But the only way to recognize that value is to get back to the Premier League. If Khan were to sell the team while in the Championship, he'd lose most of the money he paid for the club.

CC: Has Marcus Bettinelli looked more reassured since his FA Cup cross handling howler against Sunderland?

FBCC: Marcus has had a great year. He makes a mistake every once in a while, but everyone needs to remember that he's only 22. There's at least five years before he reaches his peak. He's going to make mistakes, but that's the only way he'll learn. It wouldn't shock me to see him get a few England caps as he continues his career.

CC: Bryan Ruiz seems out of favour if he almost went to Levante on loan in January, but are you pleased that he has stayed?

FBCC: Bryan Ruiz is a hard player to talk about. He might be the most talented player in the Championship. But he doesn't really want to play in this division. The problem is that Fulham have not won a match this year without his involvement. That's a double-edged sword though. Ruiz can really only play one position, behind the striker(s) in the centre of the pitch. This has led to the use of a 4-4-2 diamond formation with him at the tip. There are some issues with this formation. Namely, width only comes from the advancing fullbacks. This leaves the club wide open on the counter and has hurt their defense time and time again.

CC: Has Ross McCormack been a disappointment or should the team be based around him like it was at Leeds for him to do better?

FBCC: Ross McCormack has been very good this year. The main issue with him is 100 per cent related to Bryan Ruiz. McCormack is best used as a striker, but doesn't really play well as a lone striker. If you play a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-2-3-1, he needs to be in the withdrawn role. Unfortunately that's the place where you have to put Ruiz. This is why Kit has used the diamond. It allows him to get both players on the pitch. He's experimented at times with a 4-3-3, but McCormack's goal scoring is compromised when he's wide and Ruiz doesn't have the speed to play wide. Many supporters feel like Kit is wedded to the diamond. However, in my opinion, he just doesn't have another option to get both players on the pitch. Kit never used the diamond when he coached the youth squads, so I feel like he's only using it to fit the talent he was given. Which to be fair, he had no role in picking.

CC: How do you think Fulham will set up against AFCB at home?

FBCC: Playing on short rest could be hard for the club. The club are playing a Saturday, Tuesday, Friday series of matches. Lasse Vigen Christensen appeared to injure his hamstring against Derby, and I don't expect him to play either game this week. Hugo Rodallega is also out, but even healthy I don't expect him to start over Woodrow. Scott Parker was completely gassed in the Derby match, so I don't expect him to play Tuesday, leaving him available for Friday. I expect the diamond to prevail with McCormack and Woodrow up top and Ruiz just behind. The midfield three is anyone's guess. But the back four will probably be Jazz Richards, Nikolay Bordurov, Shaun Hutchinson, and Kostas Stafylidis.

However, if I were in charge, I'd probably set the team up in a 4-3-3. The same back four with Parker, Ryan Tunicliffe, and Seko Fofana in the midfield. With Alex Kakaniklic, McCormack, and Woodrow up top.

CC: This game was moved to a Friday night from Saturday for TV coverage but the atmosphere will be pretty special in the Cottage. Have Fulham performed better in evening games?

FBCC: I don't recall Fulham playing any better at night. If anything it's just a frustration for me. I live and work on the West Coast of the United States. That means night games are right in the middle of my work day. I can usually get away with listening to the game, but watching it is almost impossible.

CC: What is your score prediction for the match against AFC Bournemouth?


FBCC: A lot depends on what Kit decides to do in mid-week. A Tuesday match away to Watford is going to be tough. It's quite possible Symons decides to kind of punt on that one and try to earn points at home. If we play as well as we did against Derby, you should be worried. I'm an eternal optimist so I think Fulham have a good chance. I'd guess 2-1 Fulham.

CC: When this season is over what do you think needs to happen to get Fulham back up on its feet and challenging for promotion?

FBCC: Fulham need to settle on a manager early. Whether it's Kit or someone else, a decision needs to be made with in a week of the season ending. The off season needs to be spent identifying new players who will work in the system that the new manager wants to run. The team can't afford to have a third consecutive window that weakens the squad (and depending on how you feel about January of 2014, you might say that it could be four).

CC: Many thanks Andrew for getting through that marathon session of Rival Lines. It is always fascinating to know how fans can explain the kind of season that Fulham have had as they are probably the most unpredictable sides in the league - either magnificent or rather absent from what I am told. It also brings home to us that there is a lot of talent in the Fulham squad and AFCB will have to play particularly well to get anything in this game, but AFCB have to play to our strengths and see where that takes them.


http://afcbchimes.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/rival-lines-players-not-solely-to-blame.html (http://afcbchimes.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/rival-lines-players-not-solely-to-blame.html)

 
Fulham v Bournemouth: Scott Parker sees the benefits as he learns the hard way in the Championship
Midfielder admits he has 'hated' parts of this season but believes his young team are progressing

EXCLUSIVE

This was always going to be a transitional season for Fulham but Scott Parker has seen enough to believe that happier times are around the corner at Craven Cottage.

"You would like to think so," he says. "After the year we've had, with a young squad developing and learning what the Championship is all about, you would like to think we will only improve. It is clear to see the way Fulham are trying to go in terms of young players and with this year under their belt I am sure there is more to come in the future."

Relegation last May ended Fulham's 13-year stay in the Premier League and has given Parker his first proper taste of Championship football.

"There have been times when I have hated it," admits the 34-year-old. "Everyone says how hard the Championship is and you probably do not realise until you are actually playing in it. But there are times when I have enjoyed it."

Fulham host Bournemouth tonight just  two places above the relegation zone albeit with an eight-point cushion to third-from-bottom Millwall.

Parker is under no illusions as to the size of the task at Fulham but is convinced they are progressing under Kit Symons, who replaced Felix Magath last September.

"I was driving home reflecting on our win against Derby last weekend and I think any team in the Championship could have come to Craven Cottage that day and we would have beaten them," says the midfielder. "You think to yourself, 'if only we could have sustained that level all year we would not be in the position we are in'.

"Why have we not been able to do that? That's the million-dollar question. If you spoke to Kit, he would ask the same thing. It is about trying to get consistency and you could probably put that down to us having a young team. When you are a young player, you do not have that consistency to your game. It is very up and down and maybe that has something to do with the way this season has gone.

"It's been very patchy. When I look back on, it has been quite disappointing really. But you'd like to think that with a year under their belt, the younger boys in the squad will benefit next year. It is definitely a process."

Symons received public backing from chairman Shahid Khan before the 2-0 win against the then-leaders Derby, a result that ended a run of eight games without a victory. Khan craves stability and has backed Symons to build a team to compete for a return to the top flight. But does Parker think they will be ready to challenge next season?

"Hopefully, we can," says the Fulham captain. "I certainly think we will be in a better place than we are now. Whether that means bringing in a few new faces, and with the younger lads pushing on more with a year's experience.

"We need to realise how to win games. At times this year, even early on when we had one point from eight matches, there were games when the quality we had was miles better than what we had played against. We have dominated teams but the Championship is a tough league and you have got a know how to win games."

Parker thinks Fulham are beginning to realise it is not just about playing "pretty football" and believes Symons, who worked at the Academy, is the perfect man to nurture the young talent.

"Kit is used to bringing young players through so he knows how to work with them," he says. "He is doing a brilliant job — you have seen that in the way things have turned around.

"In an ideal world we'd love to be in the Premier League and everyone at the club is working to make that happen."

Tickets for tonight's match (7.45pm kick-off), priced from £30 for adults and from £15 for juniors, will be available to purchase from turnstiles at Craven Cottage.


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-v-bournemouth-scott-parker-sees-the-benefits-as-he-learns-the-hard-way-in-the-championship-10088485.html (http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-v-bournemouth-scott-parker-sees-the-benefits-as-he-learns-the-hard-way-in-the-championship-10088485.html)

 
Parker set to return for Fulham against Bournemouth

Hoogland and Amorebieta could also be restored to starting line up

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Back in the fold: Fulham's Scott Parker
Fulham midfielder Scott Parker will be fit and ready to face Bournemouth tonight.

The England man missed Tuesday night's defeat at Watford after putting in a storming display to help the Whites beat Derby three days before.

But he should be back in the starting line up tonight to face brother in law Harry Arter, who plays in the middle for the Cherries.

Fulham boss Kit Symons said: "We expect Scott to be fit on Friday. He had a bit of a knock and was also tired following his heroics last Saturday."

Symons also suggested one or both of Tim Hoogland and Fernando Amorebieta could be involved from the start, while Matt Smith will also be pushing to be involved following an impressive cameo as a late sub at Watford.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/parker-set-return-fulham-against-8783538? (http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/parker-set-return-fulham-against-8783538?)

 
BOURNEMOUTH'S CAPITAL WOES TO PICK UP AT CRAVEN COTTAGE

Cherries have won just one of seven Championship games in London so far

AFC Bournemouth haven't looked back since winning promotion to the Championship, narrowly missing out on a play-off spot last year and still fighting for promotion this time round.

However, despite the Cherries' lofty position trips to London haven't brought fond memories for the south coast side, with just one win in seven attempts.

Eddie Howe's men have lost to Watford, Brentford, Millwall, Charlton and QPR in that time, to take just four points from a possible 21 available in the capital.

And if Bournemouth's promotion dreams are to be realised then this worrying trend will need to be put to bed starting with a trip to Craven Cottage on Friday night.

Fortunately for the Dean Court outfit, the recent game with Wolves saw a return to winning ways and with Fulham losing to Watford Howe will hope to build some momentum for the closing stages of the season.

Bournemouth ended a five-game run without a win when sending Wolves packing 2-1 and after beating Fulham 2-0 in the reverse fixture, Howe will be confident of picking up a result.

The Cherries have now lost just four of their last 15 games on the road in the league and while the Cottagers recently picked up an impressive win over promotion-chasing Derby, that was their only victory in their last 10 attempts.

However, with Bournemouth conceding in six of their last seven games many could be tempted by the Ladbrokes Price Boost that has seen a Cherries win with both teams scoring move from 3/1 to 4/1.

And the man most likely to put Fulham to the sword? On current form it has to be Yann Kermorgant. Callum Wilson may be the club's top scorer this season but the 33-year-old Frenchman is in something of a purple patch, netting five goals in his last seven games including a brace in the win over Wolves last time out.

The former Charlton man can be backed 11/2 to score the opener, something he has done six times so far this season, or 8/5 to add to his tally of 13 at any time.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.


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Fulham have the quality to topple the best
Just the name Fulham football club has me visualising some of the great players of the past like George Best and Tony Currie - showing my age! The team today is not as primed with such top names as it used to be but they have just beaten table toppers Derby County in the last week and have more than enough goal scorers to upset teams in the Championship. Scott Parker played really well in the game against the Rams and Ross McCormack looked back to his very best. They considered themselves unlucky not to get something at Watford in their last match as well.

You do have to wonder what an earth Fulham are doing down in 19th place with a points total of 39 from 35 games? Fulham still have their own destiny very much in their own hands with games against Wigan and Blackpool to come, but they can really move well away from danger with a couple more wins and they'll be out to get those as soon as possible.

They have got injuries and have been missing Hugo Rodallega, but he came back as a sub against Watford and there seems to be a bit of team spirit coming together at Craven Cottage and it is frankly not before time. Lasse Vigen Christensen also went off injured in their match against Derby, so Harry Arter could find himself up against Sean Kavanagh, if Scott Parker does decides he needs some help to keep pace with his brother-in-law for 90 minutes. Matt Smith could also play up front for them alongside Ross McCormack. Kit Symons has some options and Alan Curbishly has joined the backroom staff a Fulham.

The result against Derby was a real coupon buster as the London club was not much fancied against a Derby side that had been knocking teams over for fun. But Fulham's home form is started to look better when you see they beat Nottingham Forest in mid-January and Forest have since been on a great run. Their only home defeat in their last five games was against Ipswich Town. 

Fulham may well still finish mid-table in what will probably be seen as an adjustment season back in the Championship, mainly because they got off to an awful start. They can still have a big say in who goes up with their matches against Derby and AFCB followed in April and May with what could be key matches against Brentford, Middlesbrough and then Norwich on the last day.

Fulham Home Form
WWDLW

AFCB Away Form
WLWLL

You can read what Andrew Beck of Cottagers Confidential had to say about Kim Symons and the season Fulham have had by visiting Rival Lines.

Enjoy the game tonight whether like me you are up at the Cottage or are watching it on TV or listening on radio - a win for the Cherries would put them back on top of the league for at least a few hours. UTCIAD!


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Next Up: Bournemouth

Fulham face their third promotion chasing team on the trot as they host high-flying Bournemouth on Friday night at Craven Cottage in front of the Sky Sports cameras (7.45pm).


The opposition

Despite a 4-0 demolition of Huddersfield Town on the opening day, it was a slow start to the season for the Cherries as they failed to find any consistency in their first 10 games, and following a defeat at Derby County the south coast side found themselves in 15th spot.

It was a win at Bolton Wanderers with 10 men in early October that sparked a terrific run for Eddie Howe's men that would see them go an impressive 14 games unbeaten – form which took them to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table.

That run included hammering Birmingham City 8-0 away from home, and a 6-1 thumping of Blackpool before the Cherries came unstuck at home to Norwich City to end the marvellous run in January.

Bournemouth have had a patchy spell of late, recording just one win in six in February, but they arrive at Craven Cottage on the back of a 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek and are still firmly in the hunt for automatic promotion.

Team news

Bournemouth are likely to be without Dan Gosling who is returning from an ankle problem. Fellow midfielder Eunan O'Kane is still not fit having suffered ankle ligament damage in the game against Watford in January.

Inside the camp

Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter wants his team to get some consistency back into their results as they approach the business end of the season.

The Cherries dropped off the top of the table after going five games without victory prior to Tuesday's win, and Arter is hoping those three points kick-start their season.

"Consistency is the key to any successful team," he told the Bournemouth Echo. "In recent weeks, one minute people have been saying we are out of contention and the next they have been saying we are in it.

"It is so tight and it is impossible to predict how the league is going to finish. If one team was eight or nine points ahead then maybe you could look at it and say there was a good chance they would go up but that is not the case.

"We need to take one game at a time, starting with Fulham and our attention is focused on that. With 11 games to go, we know what we have to do and it is a challenge we are all looking forward to.

"The only way the Wolves result is going to mean anything is if we can go to Fulham and make it two out of two."

Player to watch

Callum Wilson: The pressure was on Callum Wilson when he made the move to Bournemouth from Coventry City last summer for a fee in the region of £3m. However, the 23-year-old has started to repay the fee having scored 15 league goals already this season. Wilson came up through the ranks at his hometown club Coventry and made his league debut in 2010, and a brief loan spell at Tamworth followed. It was the 2013/14 season that Wilson announced himself on the scene, though, as he hit 22 goals in League One, finishing as the division's third top scorer and earning a place in the PFA League One Team of the Year. His form did not go unnoticed and bids from Norwich City and Bournemouth were accepted by Coventry, with the striker deciding to join the Cherries. Wilson has hit the ground running at his new club and his form earnt him a call up to the England Under-21 squad, making his debut against France last November. Wilson is an all-round striker who is deceptively strong and can mix his game up. His pace in behind is a threat and he is willing to run the channels, always on the move pulling defenders out of position. The front man can hold the ball up and link the play well and is deadly in front of goal.

Marathonbet match odds

Fulham: 61/20

Draw: 5/2

Bournemouth: 53/50

Tickets for the game are still available to purchase, priced at £15 for juniors and from £30 for adults.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/06/next-up-bournemouth? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/06/next-up-bournemouth?)

 
Grimmer's New Deal

The Club is delighted to confirm that Jack Grimmer has signed a new two-year contract extension, keeping him at Fulham until the summer of 2017. Have a watch below of the first interview with the Scottish defender since he put pen to paper.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/06/grimmers-new-deal? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/06/grimmers-new-deal?)

 
Luca Aids USA

Fulham youngster Luca de la Torre claimed his third assist in as many games as the U.S. defeated Guatemala 4-1 at the CONCACAF U17 Championships in Honduras on Thursday.

After Josh Perez's hat-trick had put the U.S. into a 3-0 half-time lead, Pierre Da Silva increased their advantage shortly after the break after being set up by De la Torre's driving run and pass. Erick Soto pulled one back for Guatemala in the 65th minute.

The U.S. had already defeated Cuba 5-0 and Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 prior to the Guatemala fixture. The latest win moved them to the top of Group A and one victory away from clinching a place at the U17 World Cup later this year. The U.S. face Honduras on Sunday.

De la Torre said: "We've beaten some huge footballing countries. There's no reason why we can't qualify for this World Cup and even win it."


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Fulham appoint Alan Curbishley in backroom role

Fulham have appointed Alan Curbishley in a backroom role to assist current manager Kit Symons, according to the club's website.

The 57-year-old will work in tandem with Symons as the Whites look to revitalise what has been a disastrous season back in the second tier.

It is seen as a surprise swift return for Curbishley, having previously held a 'technical director' role on the banks of the Thames up until the beginning of last year.

In his press conference before hosting high-flying Bournemouth on Friday night, Symons expressed his delight with the appointment.

He told fulhamfc.com: "I am delighted. Alan is someone who I know reasonably well. And I know him by reputation extremely well.

"He's been around a long time with a wealth of experience.

"That's the one thing that myself and my staff, who have been fantastic I've got to say, haven't got at that level. He's got that experience in abundance. I'll be certainly tapping into him trying to get as much knowledge and use his experience as much as possible.

"I want to be as good as I can be and want the staff to be as good as they can be and I want the football club to do as well as it can. And Alan Curbishley coming in will help that."

The move is likely to cause a mixed reaction amongst fans of the SW6 outfit, with many finding his previous tenure to be a waste of both time and money.

However, a large chunk will be encouraged by the introduction of much needed experience for the former Under-21 manager who has struggled of late.

Following a sixth loss in nine games on Tuesday night at Watford, the Cottagers will be hopeful of getting back to winning ways in front of the Sky cameras on Friday night against Bournemouth.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-appoint-alan-curbishley-in-backroom-role/? (http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-appoint-alan-curbishley-in-backroom-role/?)

 
A Family Affair

It's not an everyday scenario when you come up against your brother-in-law on the football field. But that will be the case if Scott Parker and Harry Arter are selected to start for Fulham and AFC Bournemouth on Friday night.

And Parker, who is married to Arter's sister Carly, will no doubt be out for a bit of revenge. Arter took the bragging rights when the pair met during Bournemouth's 2-0 win over Fulham on Boxing Day, rubbing salt in the wounds by scoring the Cherries' second goal.

"It was quite strange," admits Parker to Friday's official matchday programme. "When I first met Hazza he was a little boy so I wouldn't really have anticipated that I'd ever be playing against him. It was an unusual experience on Boxing Day but it was good."

Like Parker, Arter began his career at Charlton Athletic. As a highly rated midfielder, Arter made his debut at just 16 - the same age Parker was handed his Addicks bow. However, a bad Achilles injury would seriously curtail his progress. Brief loan spells at Staines Town and Welling United would follow and he was released by the Addicks in 2009, dropping into non-League to join Woking.

Eddie Howe and Bournemouth took a chance on him in 2010 and Arter hasn't looked back. The 25-year-old has gone on to make nearly 150 appearances in all competitions for the Cherries.

"We speak all the time, we're very close," said Parker. "I give him advice if he needs it. I like to think I'm that soundboard for him to come and talk to. I'm older than him so I've probably experienced things that he's going through now. Hopefully I can reassure him or tell him how to deal with a certain situation. I'm always there to give him the best support I can."

In Fulham's last game at the Cottage, Parker played a key role in the superb 2-0 win over promotion-chasing Derby County. A combination of his relentless running and a knock earned him a rest for Fulham's trip to Watford on Tuesday night, a game the Whites lost 1-0.

"It was very good against Derby - the way we played as a team, took the game to them and pressed them," mused Parker. "We had a bit of a gameplan and it worked. For some weeks results haven't been coming and some of the performances haven't been great. But on Saturday it all clicked - we had the performance and the result.

"I was driving home afterwards and thinking about the game and there wouldn't be many teams that could have beaten us on Saturday with the way we played. We had intensity to our game and pressed them really well. We looked a threat going forward. But I came away scratching my head thinking if we played like that every week we'd be top of the league. But I suppose that's football and we need to try and get that consistency to our game.

"I know we keep saying it, but we have got a very young squad and you like to think they'll have benefitted from getting a season like this under their belts. Hopefully they'll have gained a bit more knowhow about how to win and they realise what's needed to secure points in this league. At times it's been very disappointing this year but we hope that everyone's learning from it and we can give it a real go next season."

To read the full interview with Parker, get your hands on a copy of the matchday programme against Bournemouth on Frirday.


Other exclusive highlights in the only matchday magazine that matters - which is also available to download digitally from 12pm on Friday - are:

Kit Symons pens his regular programme notes and welcomes a new addition to his backroom team
Patrick Roberts answers your questions via our social media channels
Ex-Bournemouth midfielder Danny Hollands recalls his days at Dean Court
In our regular feature, key figures take a walk back down memory lane to the 1981/82 promotion-winning season
Academy starlet Anthony Dolan is profiled in 'Through The Ranks'
And Les Strong and Gentleman Jim bring fans their latest columns


Priced £3.50, the 84-page publication is available from various sellers on Stevenage Road from two hours before kick-off. Or order it online from ProgrammeMaster.

For just £1.99, the programme is also available as a digital download with added video content from 12pm on Friday, so whether you're at home or away, you need never be without it on your iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, PC or Mac via Apple's Newsstand or Pocketmags.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/06/a-family-affair? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/06/a-family-affair?)

 
Fulham full-back Jack Grimmer signs new contract with club


Fulham defender Jack Grimmer has signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract at Craven Cottage.

The 22-year-old full-back was signed from Aberdeen in 2012.

He has established himself in Fulham's first team since returning from a loan spell at Shrewsbury in November, making 14 appearances in all competitions.

"I'm very delighted. It's something that's been on my mind for a while and I'm very happy to get it signed," Grimmer told Fulham's website.

"I went to Shrewsbury, enjoyed every minute of my time there and then was lucky enough to come back and go right in to the team."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31764433 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31764433)

 
Bottom half bullies Bournemouth great value for more points at Fulham

Many have anticipated the Bournemouth bandwagon shedding its wheels before crossing the finishing line in the Championship promotion race and with just one win in six prior to their trip to Fulham this premonition appeared accurate.

Three points at home to Wolves last time out, however, enabled the Cherries to move within two points of Derby in second and another spearing of the spoils at Fulham this evening will see them climb above the play-off zone.

A price of 19/20 says Eddie Howe's men will prevail at Craven Cottage, with the hosts on offer at 13/5 next to a 5/2-rated draw.

The Cottagers' inconsistencies on the homestead makes a wager on the travelling party well worth their near-even money value, but backing them to do so in a game containing over 2.5 goals at 2/1 is the best way to land a profit.

It's a bet that returns £60 profit if prospective punters invest their £30 free bet for opening an account at bwin.com in the eventuality.

Here's why doing so would be a shrewd move:

Matches involving both parties have comfortably averaged above the goal line in question.

With 3.06 strikes recorded in a typical game involving Bournemouth, it's only Watford who have provided spectators with more net rustles per match in the division.

Tied with the south coast club is Nottingham Forest, then comes Fulham in fourth with a mean of exactly three goals scored every time they take the field.


Of the pair's last 14 at home and away respectively, they have played out nine matches with over 2.5 goals registered.

These figures encompass each of the Cherries' last four on the road across all competitions, while four of the last six Craven Cottage collisions for Fulham have also surpassed the mark.

In a table based on road results against those in the bottom half Bournemouth would be top.

Howe's troops are adept points plunderers against those stationed in the lower reaches.

With seven wins from eight sojourns and a staggering +23 goal difference (which is formed largely down to their watertight rearguard shipping just four), the Cottagers have ample cause for fear ahead of tonight's game.



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AFC Bournemouth will return to top of Sky Bet Championship with win over Fulham tonight

AFC Bournemouth will return to the top of the Championship tonight if they beat Fulham and Craven Cottage.

The Cherries, who won the reverse fixture 2-0 will be looking to build on Tuesday's win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Fulham captain Scott Parker is available for the visit of Bournemouth after being rested for Tuesday's defeat at Watford.

Midfielder Lasse Vigen Christensen (hamstring) is set to miss out, but one of fit-again duo Tim Hoogland or Fernando Amorebieta could start.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is likely to name an unchanged starting XI after Tuesday's win against Wolves.

Dan Gosling and Eunan O'Kane remain sidelined for the Cherries.

Bournemouth moved up to fourth in the Championship with that victory over Wolves - their first win in six matches.

Fulham beat then-leaders Derby on Saturday but the loss to Watford left them 20th in the table.


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