Ipswich 1-3 Fulham
Tuesday 2nd February 2010
Fulham FC
Goals from Reece Jones, Aaron Pierre and Marcello Trotta helped Fulham on their way to the Quarter Finals of the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday evening.
An evenly-matched first-half finished goalless but the Whites were stung into action in the second-half after Ipswich took the lead from the penalty spot.
Alex Smith got the Whites back in the game soon after and Fulham then took the lead when Aaron Pierre fired home from a well-delivered corner. Marcello Trotta rounded off the scoring with a penalty late in the game.
Looking back on Tuesday evening's match, Academy Manager Gary Brazil was pleased with the win.
"We started a lot stronger in the first 20 minutes of the game before Ipswich came back into it and caused us some problem," he said. "That mainly came about through us not maintaining possession and losing the ball in bad areas.
"At half-time we knew the boys could play a great deal better, we told them to work hard, retain the ball better and stop Ipswich having so much time. They were putting the ball forward into good areas for both of their strikers, who were always a bit of a threat.
"We probably needed to go a goal down to get ourselves in gear and really go for them. The response from the boys is something we've come to expect. Sometimes when we lack a little bit of quality, they make up for it with really big hearts and the desire to keep going.
"We were worth the win, we can play a lot better but I'm very pleased for the boys. It's lovely that they've made the Quarter Final. We know that there are much better performances in them and we're going to have to play better to get through the next round.
"It will be nice for the boys to play at the Cottage. The Cup run has been a marvellous experience for the lads anyway. That edge where you've got to win to stay in the tournament brings more out of certain players and you learn a lot more about them as individuals and collectively.
"As a collective group, they have a strong desire to win which is a lovely attribute to have. The perfectionist in me wants them to play better but I can't fault them for their effort and endeavour. It's really good for this Club and Academy that we're in the Quarter Finals."
The Whites will now face Aston Villa or Millwall at Craven Cottage in the next round with the tie to be played by Saturday, 13th February.
Fulham : Bettinelli, Marquez-Sanchez, Kamau, Jones, Toure, Pierre, Marsh-Brown, Smith, Trotta, Peniket (Quinn 75), Harris
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/IpswichYouthvFulhamYouth.aspx#ixzz0eRm4L7gq (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/IpswichYouthvFulhamYouth.aspx#ixzz0eRm4L7gq)
http://hammyend.com/?p=5131
Fulham to face Notts County in round five
by Dan on February 2, 2010
Sven-Goran Eriksson will be at Craven Cottage for the FA Cup fifth round after Notts County caused a major shock with a 2-0 win at Premier League Wigan Athletic in their fourth round replay tonight.
Defender Stephen Hunt put the League Two side in front on 75 minutes and an own goal from Gary Caldwell just three minutes later ensured that Wigan would progress no further in this year's competition.
Notts County will face Fulham in the fifth round on Sunday 14 February, with the game kicking off at 3pm.
http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2010/02/02/numb3rs/?
Numb3rs
Filed under: General — weltmeisterclaude @ 8:10 pm
Okaka gets 9, Shorey gets 7. Best squad number allocation for new players ever? I was always disappointed when Seol took the number 7, having grown up watching Kenny Dalglish use that particular number to devastating effect. Shorey's okay in 7, in a Steve Coppell type way. True, he's not a right winger, but the 7 gives him a cultured sheen, and I am hopeful it will lead to some lovely dangerous crossing. Give a man 33 and he'll play like a 33. Give him 7 and he's got to get his sh1t together. (not that this aided Seol particularly, but then he should always have been a 37 or something).
The number nine is even more important, and it's nice that Okaka gets to use this one straight off. Go forth and score, young man, it seems to be saying.
Roy says that both will be playing tomorrow night, which will be fun.
My team: MS/SK-BH-AH-NS/BHR-DM-CB-DD/SO-BZ
With poor old Kagiso Dikgacoi (#34) having to wait it all out again. Zoltan Gera is injured, as is Simon Davies. Pity, as both are good players.
Quote from: White Noise on February 02, 2010, 10:18:59 PM
Ipswich 1-3 Fulham
Tuesday 2nd February 2010
Fulham secured their place in the Quarter Finals of the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday evening with a fine win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
The Whites will now face Aston Villa or Millwall at home in the next round with the tie to be played by Saturday, 13th February.
Report to follow...
Fulham : Bettinelli, Marquez-Sanchez, Kamau, Jones, Toure, Pierre, Marsh-Brown, Smith, Trotta, Peniket, Harris
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/IpswichYouthvFulhamYouth.aspx?
no wonder we won we had 13 players
Back to back trips to the Cottage on the 13/14th February...that'll be a first.
Fulham for the cups!!
FA Youth Cup Photo Special
Tuesday 2nd February 2010
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/FAYouthCupPhotoSpecial.aspx#ixzz0eRmlKBFm (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/FAYouthCupPhotoSpecial.aspx#ixzz0eRmlKBFm)
Andy Johnson's troublesome knee could see Fulham striker out for the season
By Laura Williamson
Last updated at 12:45 AM on 03rd February 2010
Comments (0)
Andy Johnson could miss the rest of the season if specialists decide the striker needs surgery on his knee.
But Fulham boss Roy Hodgson heard the news only after allowing Diomansy Kamara to join Celtic on loan, a move he would not have sanctioned if he had known the seriousness of the injury.
Johnson, 28, will have an exploratory operation this week and Hodgson said: 'If they find the problem is major, Andy would need an operation that would keep him out for the rest of the season. If we're lucky it's something wrong with the cartilage or something like that, then he might be back earlier.
'One of the reasons we let Diomansy go was because we didn't think the problem with Andy was anywhere near as grave.
'If you said to me, "Would I like him (Kamara) back here?" then I would, but it's too late.'
Hodgson's side are at home to Portsmouth tonight, with loan signings Nicky Shorey, from Aston Villa, and Roma striker Stefano Okaka hoping to make their Fulham debuts.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1248114/Andy-Johnsons-troublesome-knee-Fulham-striker-season.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0eRnItK2x (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1248114/Andy-Johnsons-troublesome-knee-Fulham-striker-season.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0eRnItK2x)
Wigan 0 Notts County 2: Sven Goran Eriksson's in heaven as Magpies fly through
By Chris Wheeler
Last updated at 11:34 PM on 02nd February 2010
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Notts County may face extinction, but the only club from League Two still in the FA Cup celebrated last night after stunning Wigan to book a fifth-round trip to Fulham.
Cash-strapped County, who face a winding-up order at the end of the month as they search for new investment, had not reached this stage for 18 years, but two goals in three minutes upset the Premier League side.
Director of football Sven Goran Eriksson said: 'It's fantastic, a wonderful night. But all the credit goes to the manager.'
Caretaker boss Dave Kevan deserves a pat on the back, but so does goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who made a string of fine saves.
That enabled Stephen Hunt to put Notts ahead in the 75th minute as he rose unmarked to meet Ben Davies' corner and score with a downward header.
Wigan's hopes were killed off three minutes later when new signing Gary Caldwell turned Davies' low cross into his own net.
Kevan, who may not even be in charge for the Fulham trip, said: 'We were very disciplined and, when Wigan did break through us, Kasper was there to make some fantastic saves.
'To see our supporters celebrating the victory makes everyone very proud. It's a memorable night for us all.'
Schmeichel produced two great saves to deny Jason Scotland, including after 11 minutes when the Dane came out to block from the striker, who raced clear on to Jordi Gomez's pass.
Scott Sinclair's effort at an empty net clipped the post after Schmeichel collided with his own defender. But Vladimir Stojkovic was busy at the other end, keeping out Lee Hughes, Davies and Neal Bishop.
Wigan have not reached the fifth round in 23 years, and manager Roberto Martinez said: 'It's a huge disappointment. We allowed ourselves to become frustrated with the performance. You expect them to get bodies behind the ball, but we still created enough chances.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1248064/Wigan-0-Notts-County-2-Sven-Goran-Erikssons-heaven-Magpies-fly-through.html#ixzz0eRnvndDm (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1248064/Wigan-0-Notts-County-2-Sven-Goran-Erikssons-heaven-Magpies-fly-through.html#ixzz0eRnvndDm)
FULHAM v Portsmouth: Zoltan Gera joins Cottagers casualty list with knee injury
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 4:16 PM on 02nd February 2010
Comments (0)
Zoltan Gera is the latest Fulham player to suffer an injury ahead of the Barclays Premier League clash with Portsmouth.
Gera has joined a long list of players in the treatment room after suffering a knock to his knee in training.
Andy Johnson is still struggling with his knee injury while Paul Konchesky (foot), Simon Davies (ankle), Clint Dempsey and John Pantsil (both knee ligaments) are all out.
Loan signings Nicky Shorey and Roma striker Stefano Okaka are both poised for their Fulham debuts.
Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Hangeland, Shorey, Baird, Hughes, Stoor, Kelly, Duff, Murphy, Nevland, Zuberbuhler, Greening, Riise, Dikgacoi, Smalling, Elm, Zamora, Okaka.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1248008/FULHAM-v-Portsmouth-Zoltan-Gera-joins-Cottagers-casualty-list-knee-injury.html#ixzz0eRobPGF3 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1248008/FULHAM-v-Portsmouth-Zoltan-Gera-joins-Cottagers-casualty-list-knee-injury.html#ixzz0eRobPGF3)
Stephen Hughes header leaves toothless Wigan down and out
FA Cup Fourth Round replay
Wigan Athletic 0
Notts County 2 Hunt 75, Caldwell (og) 78
Paul Wilson at the DW Stadium
guardian.co.uk,
Tuesday 2 February 2010 22.08 GMT
Notts County are in fairytale land, though Wigan are in such dire form at the moment it is debatable whether beating them counts as a shock. Shocker, more like. This was such a terrible game on such a terrible pitch it was almost a mercy when two late goals allowed League Two County to dump Premier League opponents out of the Cup. It would have been harsh on the sparse crowd that turned up to have to sit through extra-time as well, particularly as the home side could have played until midnight without scoring.
County could hardly believe their luck at still being in the game as it entered its final 15 minutes, much less scoring two goals in three minutes to make light of a difference of 59 league places. Wigan had come back from two goals down in the first game but there was never any chance of that here, and had Roberto Martínez taken such a toothless attack to Fulham in the fifth round the Latics' Cup run would most likely have come to an end anyway.
Small wonder the Wigan manager has invested in Victor Moses, who was cup-tied for this replay. The former Crystal Palace striker cannot start work soon enough for the home fans, and Martínez will now be desperate for some fairly immediate improvement as well. Wigan dominated the entire second half without ever making their pressure count, then fell victim to two classic counters from a County side that had hardly ventured beyond halfway since the interval.
When Lee Hughes brought a sharp save from Vladimir Stojkovic just before departing on 73 minutes, it was just about County's only serious attack of the second half. Two minutes later they were in the lead, Stephen Hunt having nodded in at the far post following a corner from the excellent Ben Davies, and three minutes after that they were in the fifth round, another cross from Davies having been turned over his own line by Gary Caldwell.
"I thought we were very disciplined tonight," County's caretaker manager, Dave Kevan, said. "We contained Wigan very well and when they did break through Kasper Schmeichel was there with some fantastic saves. To see our supporters celebrating made everyone very proud, we've got a great group of players here."
Martínez, beginning to look haunted, must wish he could say the same. "We didn't take our chances, but we need to focus on the Premier League anyway," he said, after watching his team of internationals fail to beat bottom division opponents.
Perhaps in an attempt to go unrecognised or to see whether the Samson effect works in reverse, Jason Scotland has ditched his topknot in favour of a close crop, so he now looks like Titus Bramble playing up front. Unfortunately, he still finishes like a centre-half. When Jordi Gómez played him in with a perfectly weighted through ball. Scotland only had the goalkeeper to beat but, possibly mindful of missing the target completely in similar situations against Everton on Saturday, he shot almost apologetically straight at Schmeichel, who deserved credit for closing him down quickly.
"That first chance was critical, because if we score there it changes the whole game completely," Martínez said. "But we can't score the first goal, and then we get frustrated."
Wigan opened the second half with a better move than they had managed in the previous 45 minutes, with Paul Scharner picking out Gómez with a lofted crossfield pass, though when the ball came in Scotland was unable to summon enough power for his header to beat Schmeichel. Bramble took his eye off the ball for a moment and almost left Hughes a clear run behind him before Martínez beefed his side up a little with the introduction of Charles N'Zogbia and James McCarthy.
Though N'Zogbia's arrival did energise Wigan they still lacked a cutting edge and only two long shots from Gómez bothered Schmeichel. It was the story of their night. By the end, with Hugo Rodallega sent on far too late to change anything, Wigan were lucky not to concede a third when Luke Rodgers shot just too high.
Dude, you deserve a raise for getting up as early as you do to get this stuff posted so when everyone wakes up, the Fulham news is spoon fed to you.
Quote from: RidgeRider on February 03, 2010, 05:31:11 AM
Dude, you deserve a raise for getting up as early as you do to get this stuff posted so when everyone wakes up, the Fulham news is spoon fed to you.
Cheers fella. I am sure when Roy gets his Knighthood he will give me a mention! ;)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/feb/03/crystal-palace-wages
Guilfoyle retains the option to loan players out this month to reduce the wage bill. Warnock denounced the clubs who had offered paltry sums for many of his players as "vultures". Wolves bid for the full-back Nathaniel Clyne, Southampton made an offer for Neil Danns, and Warnock claimed Chelsea and Fulham made approaches to secure some of Palace's academy prospects.
"Yesterday was a long day for me," said Warnock. "Everybody knows that Clyne almost went yesterday and I was disappointed with the offer we accepted. But the money we would have got for him, we'll get from a cup run anyway. You can't blame Wolves. But it's a disgrace, really. I think Fulham offered £30,000 for three of our best academy players. And I think we're bigger than Fulham, aren't we? I've had to bite my tongue, which is not easy. But it's my job to get the best out of what I've got."
Those comments followed on from the manager's programme notes, in which he had written: "Some of the offers we had were quite disgusting. We had Fulham and Chelsea trying to sign some of our younger players ... Pathetic offers for such promising players."
http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-boss-hodgson-we-must-stop-rot-against-portsmouth-617981
Fulham boss Hodgson: We must stop rot against Portsmouth
03.02.10 | tribalfootball.com
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is aiming to "stop the rot" against Portsmouth.
Fulham are looking to end an unwelcome run of five straight Premier League defeats against the division's bottom club.
Hodgson said: "We have to stop the rot by winning but we know it will not be easy. Portsmouth are a better team than their league position shows and we saw that when they played Manchester City on Sunday.
"You don't stop the rot by talking about it, you do it by playing and winning. We need that win.
"We have not been playing that badly, but we have made mistakes and we have been punished by those mistakes and at the other end we have not scored enough goals. That is what we have been guilty of, because in terms of football play over the 90 minutes, we have not been that bad at all.
"The morale and spirit is good but confidence takes a hit when you are not winning. We have to accept that situation because we want to win and we need to win."
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/grant-hits-out-at-owners-false-promises-1887503.html
Grant hits out at owner's false promises
Pompey manager angry after Al-Faraj goes back on his word to buy four players
By Mark Fleming
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Avram Grant, the Portsmouth manager, yesterday launched a bitter attack on the club's owner Ali al-Faraj and accused him of breaking promises made when Grant took over two months ago.
Grant said he had been told he would be able to buy four players during the January window when he was appointed manager in November after Paul Hart had been sacked. Instead he has seen defender Younes Kaboul and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic sold behind his back to pay bills. What is more, the Premier League has siphoned off £2m from those sales to cover money owed to Chelsea and Watford.
The only players to join were former Arsenal striker Quincy Owusu-Abeyie on loan from Spartak Moscow, and Jamie O'Hara on loan from Tottenham. Grant is also hoping to recruit former Spurs defender Ricardo Rocha, who is a free agent after being released by Standard Liege.
Grant considered resigning over the transfers last week but has stayed in the job because he recognises his departure would only make things worse. The club, who play Fulham at Craven Cottage tonight, have debts of £60m, have not paid their players this month, and face a winding-up order from HM Revenue and Customs a week today. Pompey yesterday failed to meet a deadline to repay £9m owed to former owner Sacha Gaydamak.
Grant said: "I'm not a quitter and I'm not afraid of problems. But I'm very, very disappointed with the situation off the pitch and that people cannot do what they promised me.
"When I came to the team, I knew the situation was not good with the football side, but they promised me everything was good with the financial side and that we would bring four players more. We needed to bring in players so that the squad could be good, especially as we had a lot of injuries in the team. There was a lot of pressure on a very short squad and we didn't have time to let players who were coming back from injury ease their way back into the squad. We've had injuries, as we thought we would have, and instead of bringing in two players, we sold two players."
Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie admitted last week he and Grant felt like quitting over the decision to sell Kaboul and Begovic. In press conferences Grant has always maintained that Portsmouth can still avoid relegation, despite being five points adrift at the foot of the Premier League table. But yesterday he was far more pessimistic.
Grant said: "I will not speak about this [whether Portsmouth can survive]. I said from the beginning that if we followed our programme, we finished December five points behind the team just outside the relegation zone, and we brought in four players, we would stay in the League. Now I can promise that we will do everything to win every game we play, but we will not think about the end of the season."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_5913762,00.html
Blackwell saw Spurs right-back Kyle Walker recalled from his loan at the last minute on deadline day, while Fulham left-back Toni Kallio was not registered in time to feature and Craig Morgan then limped off with an injury.
"I was a bit surprised myself by that performance, but we had mitigating circumstances," said Blackwell.
"Yesterday we had a back four lined up of Kyle Walker, Nyron Nosworthy, Chris Morgan and Toni Kallio which looked as good as anything out there and I've ended up with nothing like that on the pitch at the end of the game.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/feb/02/alexandre-gaydamak-portsmouth-administration
Alexandre Gaydamak's patience saves Portsmouth from administration• Former owner could have called in debts yesterday
Jamie Jackson and David Conn
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 2 February 2010 23.00 GMT
Alexandre Gaydamak will not force Portsmouth into administration even though the club missed last Sunday's deadline to pay their former owner a £9.5m instalment on the £30m he claims he is owed. Gaydamak is keeping a watching brief and will decide future plans as the position at Fratton Park develops.
His decision will be welcome relief to Portsmouth's owner, Ali al-Faraj, and the club's hierarchy, after Avram Grant admitted that since taking over as manager in late November he had experienced "the most emotionally and mentally difficult period of my life".
The Israeli considered resigning over the weekend but decided, for now at least, to stay. However, another key figure at the club, the executive director, Mark Jacob, is considering his position after the £3.25m sale of Asmir Begovic to Stoke City went through without his approval.
One option open to Gaydamak had been to call in the defaulted payment immediately once Sunday's midnight deadline passed. That, though, would almost certainly have forced Portsmouth into administration.
For a fourth time this season the club is late paying its players – staff were told today that they would be paid by the end of the day or Wednesday at the latest. Portsmouth also owe Balram Chainrai, the Hong Kong businessman, at least £17m and on 10 February face a Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs winding-up petition in the high court.
Gaydamak could choose to join the petition but he has described himself as a soft creditor who has no wish to increase Portsmouth's difficulties. The club is appealing against the high court's decision to throw out their challenge to the petition, with the hearing scheduled before 10 February.
Portsmouth have sold Begovic, to Stoke, and Younes Kaboul, to Tottenham for £5m, as part of the battle to stabilise their finances. Club sources confirmed that the deals were negotiated by Daniel Azougy, an Israeli former lawyer and convicted fraudster who is working on the finances at Fratton Park.
Jacob is understood to have been convinced Portsmouth should have secured more for Begovic, the 22-year-old goalkeeper who had been keeping David James out of the first team. Jacob would not sign the deal off and the paperwork is understood to have been ultimately authorised by the chief executive, Peter Storrie, although he has complained about being sidelined at the club.
Grant is also angry over the club's winter transfer dealings, saying the club had broken promises made to him when he agreed to become manager. "The players that are here are doing their best, but I am not happy with the other situation. When I came to the club I knew the situation was not good on the football side but they told me everything was OK financially," he said, referring to Faraj and his advisers, who include Azougy.
Grant, who takes his team to Fulham tomorrow evening, added: "I was told we could bring in four players more in January and all the squad would stay – this is why I came to the club. So we thought to take the next step to stay in the league would be to make some signings but that has not happened." He is also "very disappointed" the Premier League lifted Portsmouth's transfer embargo only three days before the window shut and restricted him to loans and free signings. "I'm not a quitter and I'm not afraid of problems," he added. "But I am disappointed with what people promised me."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7012888.ece
Sven-Göran Eriksson rewarded by Notts County's stunning upset
Wigan Athletic 0 Notts County 2
Even Sven-Göran Eriksson was on his feet in excitement. Notts County, a week after surviving a winding-up order, with a transfer embargo still in place as they chase promotion from Coca-Cola League Two under the caretaker management of Dave Kevan, deservedly beat Wigan Athletic, their Barclays Premier League opponents, to reach the last 16 of the FA Cup for the first time since 1992.
The former England head coach, County's director of football, was celebrating from on high at the DW Stadium on Tuesday night as his loyalty for remaining at Meadow Lane amid the sequence of crises this season was rewarded by an audacious display, with Ben Davies, creator of both late goals, and Kasper Schmeichel, their stand-out performers.
"It's a wonderful night for the club," Eriksson said. "But all the credit must go to the manager." Peter Schmeichel, the County goalkeeper's father, sat behind Eriksson in the directors' box as 700 fans from Nottinghamshire celebrated their pinch-me moments. Having beaten one top-flight side County will travel to Fulham a week on Sunday.
"It was a fantastic night for everyone involved," Kevan said. "The lads were very disciplined and when they did break through, Kasper was there to make some great saves. It makes us all very proud. I'm just here, keeping things going, and if the investment comes in, I'm pretty sure there'll be a new manager."
Kevan stepped into the breach when Hans Backe resigned in December. Even without being able to bring in any new players, Kevan, with Eriksson's support, has steadied the ship and led the team back to within reach of the automatic promotion places.
Undefeated throughout Kevan's two spells as caretaker manager in this tumultuous season, County had been 2-0 up in the initial tie at Meadow Lane. Since then, Blenheim 1862, County's parent company, has been to the High Court and saved from a £324,206 winding-up petition from Revenue & Customs by the eleventh-hour intervention of the latest mystery backers, who have until February 24 to show the colour of their money.
Vladimir Stojkovic, the Wigan goalkeeper, had to parry Lee Hughes's powerful blast and then shovel the ball behind when the talented Davies followed up. From the ensuing corner, Scott Sinclair cleared off the line from Neal Bishop.
"We've got more fans than you," sang the travelling hordes, mocking Wigan for their dearth of either history or support. However, early in the second period, Wigan remembered their present status as Jason Scotland's header required a brilliant diving save from Schmeichel.
County rode the storm, before, incredibly, scoring twice. Luke Rodgers, the substitute, won a corner in the 75th minute that Davies dispatched for Stephen Hunt to head in. Then, three minutes later, as Wigan left space at the back, Davies sent over a superb centre that Stojkovic failed to claim and Gary Caldwell inadvertently turned into his own net.
"We allowed ourselves to get frustrated," Roberto Martínez, the Wigan manager, said. "You know what you're going to get in these kind of games, and when you can't get the first goal, you know you've got a lot to lose. But this is a day for Notts County to celebrate and for us to learn our lessons."
Wigan Athletic (4-2-3-1): V Stojkovic — E Boyce (sub: H Rodallega, 86min), G Caldwell, T Bramble, M Figueroa — P Scharner, M Diamé (sub: J McCarthy, 61) — J Gómez, J Koumas (sub: C N'Zogbia, 61), S Sinclair — J Scotland. Substitutes not used: M Pollitt, A Amaya, H Thomas, B Watson.
Notts County (4-1-4-1): K Schmeichel — J Thompson, M Edwards, S Hunt, J Jackson — J Clapham — C Westcarr (sub: K Hawley, 73), R Ravenhill, N Bishop, B Davies (sub: M Hamshaw, 90) — L Hughes (sub: L Rodgers, 73). Substitutes not used: R Hoult, G Lee, B Fairclough, A Akinbiyi. Booked: Ravenhill.
Referee: K Friend.
Upsetting times
County join other famous giant killers from the bottom division to have knocked out top-flight clubs in the FA Cup
1971 Colchester United 3 Leeds United 2 Two goals from Ray Crawford, a 34-year-old veteran, brought down the first division leaders
1992 Wrexham 2 Arsenal 1 Mickey Thomas, 37, the former Manchester United winger, scored a brilliant free kick before Steve Watkin secured a late winner
2003 Shrewsbury Town 2 Everton 1 Two goals by Nigel Jemson enabled Kevin Ratcliffe, the former Everton captain, to return to the limelight as Shrewsbury manager
Words by Peter Lansley
http://hammyend.com/?p=5123
Roy: Okaka will play against Portsmouth
by Dan on February 2, 2010
Tucked in at the bottom of the Pompey preview on the offal is the confirmation that Stefano Okaka will make his Fulham debut tomorrow night. Nicky Shorey will start at left back too by the sounds of it.
Both of them will play tomorrow. He's [Okaka] a great talent and has potential because he's an Italian U21 international. He hasn't played that many games for the Roma team but he has played some important matches for them and made a very important contribution as a substitute.
He's a strong player and has an eye for goal. He's a determined type of goalscorer and we hope in our current situation, with Andy Johnson out for a further considerable time, he will help us up front to score some goals.
We've been struggling at left back since Paul Konchesky got injured because we've not had that player that can cover on the left hand side. We've not had a natural left footer and we've tried to play right backs there and they've struggled.
Toni Kallio has been injured for a long while and has now been allowed to leave for Shefffield United. The reason I let Toni leave is because we were able to bring in Nicky Shorey who is a very similar player to Paul Konchesky who I am hoping will do a similar great job to the one Paul has done.
http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8750_5913060,00.html
Fulham
* Only Portsmouth have had a longer losing run than Fulham's five-game streak this season.
* The Cottagers' only away win of the season came on the opening day against Portsmouth.
* They have lost their last three games by a 2-0 scoreline.
http://hammyend.com/?p=5121
Gera hopes to only miss 'two games'
by Dan on February 2, 2010
Zoltan Gera hopes the knee injury he suffered in training today should only keep him out for two games.
The Hungarian is definitely out of tomorrow night's home game with Portsmouth but thinks he could be back in contention by Fulham's home game with Burnley and not the fifth round FA Cup tie on February 13 as I'd originally calculated – thanks to Bad Andy for the heads up in the comments.
After I felt the knee go I ended training immediately and returned to the dressing rooms, because I felt there might be a problem. I have injured the ligament before and today I didn't feel as though the pain was as bad as last time.
I hope it is only a strain, but the MRI scan will show what the full problem is. I think I will be out for the next two games. I am very disappointed as I think I have been in good form recently.
I agree, Zoltan.
http://hammyend.com/?p=5110
Roy rues 'worst ever' injury crisis
by Dan on February 2, 2010
Roy Hodgson has described Fulham's mounting injury crisis as the worst he's known in his managerial career.
Midfielder Zoltan Gera is the latest to go down injured, having picked up a knee injury in training, leaving Hodgson's plans for tomorrow night's game against Portsmouth in need of a rethink. Fulham are now missing six first team players, although Hodgson is trying to be upbeat, having brought in Stefano Okaka and Nicky Shorey on loan.
The injury front is very bad. As bad as I have ever experienced in football.
I've got six of our first team out injured and one [Dickson Etuhu] who has not returned yet from the African Nations Cup. To lose seven players from the team which played last year is always going to take some time dealing with.
Fortunately, we have had some players come in on loan – Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka – which has allowed me to plug some gaps. But I am very disappointed. Simon Davies, who I hoped would recover for the game and Zoltan Gera has hurt himself in training. To lose a further two in our current situation – it seems we are now paying for the really good form we had last season with injuries.
Hodgson has urged his players to produce a strong performance against Portsmouth to end a worrying run of five consecutive league losses.
We have to stop the rot by winning but we know it will not be easy. Portsmouth are a better team than their league position shows and we saw that when they played Manchester City on Sunday.
You don't stop the rot by talking about it, you do it by playing and winning. We need that win.
We have not been playing that badly, but we have made mistakes and we have been punished by those mistakes and at the other end we have not scored enough goals. That is what we have been guilty of, because in terms of football play over the 90 minutes, we have not been that bad at all.
The morale and spirit is good but confidence takes a hit when you are not winning. We have to accept that situation because we want to win and we need to win.
Quote from: White Noise on February 03, 2010, 05:36:22 AM
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/feb/03/crystal-palace-wages
Guilfoyle retains the option to loan players out this month to reduce the wage bill. Warnock denounced the clubs who had offered paltry sums for many of his players as "vultures". Wolves bid for the full-back Nathaniel Clyne, Southampton made an offer for Neil Danns, and Warnock claimed the dark side and Fulham made approaches to secure some of Palace's academy prospects.
"Yesterday was a long day for me," said Warnock. "Everybody knows that Clyne almost went yesterday and I was disappointed with the offer we accepted. But the money we would have got for him, we'll get from a cup run anyway. You can't blame Wolves. But it's a disgrace, really. I think Fulham offered £30,000 for three of our best academy players. And I think we're bigger than Fulham, aren't we? I've had to bite my tongue, which is not easy. But it's my job to get the best out of what I've got."
Those comments followed on from the manager's programme notes, in which he had written: "Some of the offers we had were quite disgusting. We had Fulham and the dark side trying to sign some of our younger players ... Pathetic offers for such promising players."
Nothing new for Colin winker to be spouting his mouth off about other clubs! He is a Dinasaur in the modern world, I don't mind Palace but because of him i really hopwe they go down to Div 1, he has a habit of bad mouthing FFC, remember when we beat Liverpool to stay up and Sheff Utd got relegated? it was eveyones fault but his!
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/homenews/Consortium-hopeful-Notts-takeover/article-1798827-detail/article.html
Consortium hopeful of Notts takeover
Wednesday, February 03, 2010,
THE consortium aiming to take over Notts County hopes a deal can finally be concluded today, one of its members has confirmed.
Speaking late last night, Nottinghamshire businessman Sukhi Ghuman, founder of Octavian Continental – already one of the club's main sponsors – said that talks should be completed today to ensure the future of the League Two club.
Magpies fans will be overjoyed with the news, coming hours after County secured one of this season's big FA Cup upsets with a 2-0 win at Premier League Wigan.
The victory gives Notts a trip to London to face Fulham – another top-flight outfit – in the fifth round, and is a huge boost to the club's balance sheet.
Mr Ghuman said the consortium also includes Anthony Barney, owner and founder of Lifestyle Living Group; Kavita Oberoi, a Derbyshire entrepreneur, and three further investors.
"The deal is now in the hands of lawyers and we hope to get something concluded today," said Mr Ghuman.
"We have been talking since last week and have received excellent assistance from Notts County and from executive chairman Peter Trembling. Peter has been let down time and again but hopefully now we can conclude a deal that can secure the future of the club.
"I can confirm that I am part of a consortium of local entrepreneurs who want to be part of this."
The group's first priority must be to pay off the club's current debts of more than £2m and fend off the threat of a winding-up petition.
The scale of investment is undisclosed at this stage, but it is believed the group hope to persuade Sven-Goran Eriksson to continue his role at Meadow Lane.
The Swede was involved in takeover negotiations, staged at the George Hotel, in Stamford, at the weekend.
Octavian, founded as Octavian Security, is based in Colwick and employs nearly 750 staff.
It recently became Octavian Continental after Mr Ghuman rescued the business from administration.
Kavita Oberoi has also recently taken a stake in Octavian Continental. She runs the successful Oberoi Consulting.
Peter Trembling, Notts' executive chairman, would not confirm any deal. "I am not prepared to comment," he said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/8494961.stm
Fulham's Andrew Johnson to have exploratory surgery
Johnson played 90 minutes for Fulham against Blackburn in January
Fulham striker Andrew Johnson could miss the rest of the season if an exploratory operation finds he needs further knee surgery.
Johnson, 28, has only featured in 13 games for this term because of a dislocated collarbone and groin strain.
And Fulham boss Roy Hodgson, already without injured forwards Clint Dempsey and Zoltan Gera, admitted he may regret loaning Diomansy Kamara to Celtic.
Hodgson said: "Would I like Kamara back here, I would, but it's too late."
Kamara signed a loan deal until the end of the season with the Scottish club on transfer deadline day, before Hodgson knew the severity of Johnson's latest setback.
"One of the reasons why we let Diomansy go was because we didn't think the problem with Andy was anywhere near as grave," said Hodgson, who still has regular strikers Bobby Zamora and Erik Nevland to call on.
"I was concerned that I would not be able to give Diomansy regular games, so when a club of Celtic's stature comes in for him, it is very difficult for me to say 'you have to stay'.
"Of course now I have let him go and have further news about Andy, I might be beginning to regret it, but you can only make decisions at the time."
Fulham's injury list has grown with United States international Dempsey suffering knee ligament damage and Hungarian Gera taking a blow to his knee in training last week.
Hodgson did sign Roma striker Stefano Okaka on loan until the end of the season, however, and the Italy Under-21 international may feature for the first time against Portsmouth on Wednesday night.
Johnson, who joined Fulham from Everton for £10.5m in August 2008, played the full 90 minutes for Fulham in their 2-0 defeat by Blackburn on 17 January, giving Hodgson renewed hope his forward was back for good.
However, his knee injury could end what has been a miserable season injury-wise for the Englishman.
"Andy is shattered. He's devastated. If it's as serious as it could turn out to be, it needs to be put right for the start of next season," stated Hodgson.
"If they find that the problem is as major as it could possibly be, then he would need an operation that would keep him out for the rest of the season.
"If we're lucky and the major operation is not needed, and it's something wrong with the cartilage, then he might be back earlier.
"At the moment we're talking three to four weeks, and the worst-case scenario is the rest of the season and him being fit to join us in pre-season."
Fulham Face Magpies
Wednesday 3rd February 2010
Fulham FC News
Fulham will play Notts County in the 5th Round of the FA Cup on Sunday 14th February (KO 3pm) at the Cottage for a place in the Quarter Finals.
The Magpies stunned Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night, securing their place in the 5th Round with a 2-0 win at the DW Stadium.
Tickets for the Valentine's Day clash at the Cottage are now on General Sale| .
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/FifthRoundConfirmation.aspx#ixzz0eT8FJOSS (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/February/FifthRoundConfirmation.aspx#ixzz0eT8FJOSS)
http://www.skysports.com/football/match_preview/0,19764,11065_3237876,00.html
Fulham v Portsmouth preview
Cottagers out to put another nail in Pompey's coffin
Last updated: 3rd February 2010
PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: 2-1
SKY BET odds: Fulham 4/6, Draw 13/5, Pompey 9/2
One to Watch: Stefano Okaka
Injury-ravaged Fulham will be looking to pile more pressure on troubled Portsmouth on Wednesday night.
The Cottagers will be severely depleted for the Craven Cottage encounter, but need to find a winning formula from those available to them.
Roy Hodgson's side are currently on a run of five straight defeats, with the slump threatening to write off their European ambitions, but have only once before lost six Premier League games on the bounce - in March 2002.
On a more positive note, they have tasted defeat in only one of their last eight top flight fixtures on home soil.
They have also won three and drawn one of their last four Premier League meetings with Pompey.
However, the struggling South Coast outfit have been beaten only once on their last four visits to West London, winning twice.
The odds appear to be stacked against Portsmouth repeating that feat, though, with the club currently six points adrift of safety at the foot of the table.
They were able to negotiate transfer deadline day relatively unscathed, but continue to be hampered by ongoing financial troubles.
Pompey have also claimed only one point from their last six matches on the road, meaning they will arrive in the capital short on confidence.
Team news
Zoltan Gera is the latest Fulham player to suffer an injury and add to Hodgson's mounting woes.
Gera has joined a long list of players in the treatment room after suffering a knock to his knee in training on Tuesday.
Andy Johnson is still struggling with his knee injury while Paul Konchesky (foot), Simon Davies (ankle), Clint Dempsey and John Pantsil (both knee ligaments) are all out.
Loan signings Nicky Shorey and Roma striker Stefano Okaka are both poised for their Fulham debuts.
Portsmouth boss Avram Grant welcomes back African Cup of Nations trio Nadir Belhadj, Hassan Yebda and Aruna Dindane for the crunch midweek contest.
Nigerian striker Kanu is yet to return, while Hermann Hreidarsson (leg), Michael Brown (back), Tommy Smith (groin) and Papa Bouba Diop (hamstring) are all major doubts.
Grant could hand a full debut to new striker Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, while David James looks set to continue in goal following Asmir Begovic's deadline day move to Stoke.
Possible starting XIs
Fulham: Schwarzer, Kelly, Smalling, Hangeland, Shorey, Davies, Murphy, Greening, Duff, Zamora, Okaka.
Portsmouth: James, Finnan, Vanden Borre, Ben-Haim, Belhadj, Boateng, O'Hara, Wilson, Yebda, Dindane, Owusu-Abeyie.
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/Kanu-yet-to-return-from.6037280.jp
Kanu yet to return from Africa Cup of Nations
Published Date: 03 February 2010
Pompey are still waiting for Kanu to report back from Africa Cup of Nations duty.
But they have been boosted by the return of Aruna Dindane, Hassan Yebda and Nadir Belhadj ahead of tonight's trip to Fulham.
All three are back with the club and in contention for the clash at Craven Cottage.
Pompey boss Avram Grant said: 'Dindane is back. So are all the other African players, except Kanu. He's not back yet.'
Meanwhile, Marc Wilson has called for Pompey to find their killer instinct at Craven Cottage.
Pompey passed up a string of chances against Manchester City on Sunday.
The likes of John Utaka and Danny Webber wasted big opportunities to help their team secure a return from the game.
That saw a good performance wasted as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Roberto Mancini's side.
Wilson now wants to see that calibre of display repeated against Roy Hodgson's men.
And the defender warned his team they can't afford to waste their openings in what is developing into a big opportunity, as Fulham's injuries mount up.
Wilson said: 'We have to take the momentum from the Manchester City game into the Fulham match and try to get something.
'We have a massive game coming up against them now.
'It's a chance for us to take three points.
'That's something we could have done against Manchester City if we had taken our chances.
'We created a lot but didn't take them.
'We need to make sure we take the chances we get against Fulham.'
http://football.fanhouse.co.uk/2010/02/03/on-the-bench-wes-foderingham-a-keeper-for-the-future-at-fulham/
On the Bench: Wes Foderingham, a Keeper for the Future at Fulham
03/2/2010 5:11 AM GMT
By John Wardle
John Wardle
Fulham fans are already convinced they have unearthed a future star in goalkeeper Wesley Foderingham.
Praise for the teenager from Shepherd's Bush are not difficult to locate on message boards about the club.
Supporters who have watched Foderingham in the reserves and youth team are in agreement that he is an exciting talent.
One even declared:"Wes could be the best thing to come out of English goalkeeping in years."
And the chances of Foderingham, 19, fulfilling that prophecy can only be enhanced by his level-headed view on the future.
Football is littered with stories of talented teenagers who faded from view because they believed they had made the grade when they signed their first professional contract.
For 6ft 1in tall Foderingham, it is only the first step on a long road towards the Premier League.
He told Fulham's official website:"There's still a lot more I need to work on, but I'm learning and developing all of the time.
"I feel that young players will always be given a chance at this club, and hopefully I can make a name for myself here, but that is going to be tough. I know that."
Fulham coaches have tracked his progress carefully since he joined their Academy at the age of nine nearly a decade ago.
And Foderingham has already impressed men who matter in the English game, earning international call-ups at under-17 level for the World Cup in South Korea and European Championships in Israel.
If it imposes extra pressure on the keeper, he is handing it well. "A lot has been said about me as a player," he says.
"I suppose there has been a fair bit of pressure, but the way I look at it, a person can deal with that pressure one of two ways - they can crumble, or they can thrive on it.
"If people expect a lot from me, I look at that as a positive thing – a sign that I have ability. But it's up to me to reach that required level and perform to my highest capabilities."
Foderingham is now training regularly with the first team and we understand he is thriving on the challenge presented by Bobby Zamora, Andrew Johnson and Erik Nevland.
Current first choice Mark Schwarzer is among those impressed by the approach of a youngster who is agile, commands his area well and has a reputation a shot-stopper.
Now we wait to discover how long it will be before Foderingham is ready to prove Schwarzer is a good judge and starts to challenge him for a first-team place.
http://football.fanhouse.co.uk/2010/02/03/james-beattie-faces-tough-time-at-stoke-after-turning-down-trans/
James Beattie Faces Tough Time at Stoke After Turning Down Transfer
03/2/2010 5:21 AM GMT
By John Percy
If you ever needed a reminder of how far removed football is from us mere mortals, James Beattie amply provided it on the final day of the transfer window.
What other industry would see somebody demand a pay rise to move from one job to another, even though he has fallen out with his boss and failed to produce the goods for a number of months?
Beattie is understood to have seen a move to Fulham collapse after he and his 'advisors' asked for a staggering £45,000 a week, virtually a £10,000 a week improvement on his current salary.
This is the same Stoke striker who has only scored twice this season and is persona non grata with his manager Tony Pulis after their now infamous clash in the dressing room at Arsenal in December.
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson, who signed Beattie at former club Blackburn, offered the striker an escape route from the Britannia Stadium and even agreed a fee of about £2m with Stoke.
It would have represented a chance for the 31-year-old to revive his career and earn the chance of regular first team football that he will quite clearly not be given under Pulis.
So how does he reward Hodgson for throwing him a career lifeline? He asks for a substantial increase in wages and Fulham, not surprisingly, pulled the plug hours before the deadline, preventing him from even leaving the Stoke squad to fly to London for a medical.
At a time when the gravy train has come to a shuddering halt in the Premier League, and when clubs are living hand to mouth in the lower divisions, Beattie's avarice is mystifying.
Later that day, during Stoke's televised Premier League meeting with Sunderland, the camera focused on Beattie, sat on the substitute's bench. It is a location he will have to get accustomed to because his chances of playing under Pulis again are remote.
The best he can hope for is a loan move to the Championship when the window opens again next week.
This was a prime case of football once again proving it operates on a drastically different plane to reality.
It promises to be a difficult four months spent kicking his heels at a club where he is no longer wanted - and it appears to have been all his own fault.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/8493387.stm
Ipswich U18s 1-3 Fulham U18s
Ipswich Town's Under-18 side have been knocked out of the FA Youth Cup after a defeat by Fulham in the fifth round at Portman Road.
Town briefly led through a Ronan Murray penalty but Alex Smith and Aaron Pierre scored to give Fulham the lead.
Marcello Trotta scored a late penalty to clinch their quarter-final spot.
Town academy manager Sammy Morgan told BBC Suffolk: "They were a good side. Credit to them, we had four glorious chances that we should have put away."
Fulham will face Aston Villa or Millwall at home in the next round.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/football/teams/s/swansea_city/8495750.stm
Rangel quotes disappoint Jenkins
Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins says he is "disappointed" by comments from defender Angel Rangel regarding a possible move to Fulham.
The Spaniard, 27, claimed he was denied the chance to further his career by joining the Premier League club at the end of the transfer window.
"I'm disappointed to read so many inaccuracies in the quotes from Angel," Jenkins said of the newspaper report.
He says Fulham had only made a loan bid with a possible permanent deal after.
"At no time did Fulham offer any financial deal for our player apart from a loan option with the 'possibility' of a permanent deal at the end of it," Jenkins added.
"I am certainly not prepared to let a regular and quality Championship player with 18 months left on his contract leave the club for virtually nothing.
"As with every footballer at this club, if they don't want to play for Swansea City then they can leave, because it is important we maintain the fantastic spirit and togetherness within the squad that has taken us up to fifth in the Championship.
"But they will not leave until the deal is right for this football club.
"We've worked too hard and come too far as a football club to give players away for nothing to Premier League or other Championship clubs."
Jenkins confirmed at the close of the January transfer window on Monday that the Swans had snubbed a move by the Cottagers for right-back Rangel.
He also revealed Wigan Athletic had a £1m bid rejected for midfielder Leon Britton while Nottingham Forest also failed in their attempts to sign Britton's midfield partner Darren Pratley.
But Rangel, who joined from Spanish side Terrassa in 2007 for a small undisclosed fee and needs one more appearance to trigger an automatic contract extension, told the South Wales Evening Post: "To be honest I am disappointed.
"What I know from my agent is that Fulham made an offer and it was the offer the chairman was asking for.
"But then when everything about the deal was sorted and everything was ready, the chairman did not answer his phone or he turned it off.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_5915948,00.html
Stoor stuck at Fulham
Swede seeking Cottagers exit
By Richard Torgerson Last updated: 3rd February 2010
Fredrik Stoor has vented his frustration at failing to secure a move away from Fulham in January.
The Swede has endured a torrid time at Craven Cottage since arriving in England from Rosenborg in the summer of 2008.
The full-back has consistently failed to hold down regular first-team football, and was shipped out on loan to Derby County for the first half of the 2009/10 campaign.
He is now back with Fulham, but has seen no improvement in his situation despite impressing during his time with the Rams.
Stoor admits he had hoped to seal a move away from Fulham during the winter transfer window, but has been forced to accept another loan switch is now his only viable option.
"There were some clubs interested but things didn't go through," he told Fotbollskanalen.
"Now we are keeping our eyes open for a loan, even though that wasn't what I had hoped for."
Demands
Stoor did have offers on the table during the recent window, but admits none of the propositions put to Fulham or himself were suitable.
He added: "Two things could not be resolved: a club willing to pay the price Fulham were asking, as they don't want to let me leave on a free, and my own demands.
"I can live with a lower salary but it should still be a contract that I am happy with. None of the teams could meet those two things."
Stoor accepts that he may be forced to see out the season at Fulham, with a loan move far from guaranteed, but is hoping a difficult spell on the banks of the Thames will come to an end sooner rather than later.
"There are better and there are worse places I could end up," he said.
"If something comes up which seems promising then I am willing to jump on it.
"If not, I will stay at Fulham until the summer and try to get something sorted then."
