Friends of Fulham

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6443142,00.html? (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6443142,00.html?)
Dembele targeting return
Striker eyes return to action after resuming training

Fulham striker Moussa Dembele is closing in on a return to action after resuming training with the Cottagers.

The £5million summer signing has been on the sidelines since being carried off in the 2-0 Carling Cup defeat to Stoke on 21st September.

Andy Wilkinson's injury-time tackle on the Belgium forward was branded by Fulham boss Mark Hughes as 'absolutely ridiculous' and it was initially feared that he had broken his leg.

But scans revealed only minor ankle ligament damage and Dembele feels he may soon return to action after taking part in a number of training sessions recently.

No pain

He told the club's official website: "Now it's alright, I've already trained three times with the group and I've had no pain, just if I shoot really hard, then I have a little bit.

"But I think in the following days that will disappear. I'm happy that the injury wasn't that serious."

Before his injury, Dembele had put in some good performances for the Cottagers and he is looking forward to his return, believing he can learn more from playing in the Premier League without changing his whole game.

He added: "When I came here everybody was really nice and they made it much easier for me to come into the team.

High quality
"It's been perfect and the team also has a high quality of football. They are all players who have played in the Premier League for a long time so it's normal to expect that they are high quality players.

"It's also good for me because I can become a better footballer through training with good players.

"I like English football very much, the stadiums and supporters are nice and the game is very fast.

"It's also hard but I like it very much. I'm really happy that I came to the Premier League.

"I don't feel like I have to change my game here. I will learn a few more things because it's more physical here but I don't think that I have had to change my whole game."

http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2010/10/13/1748690/the-return-of-dembele-to-action-might-not-be-far-away? (http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2010/10/13/1748690/the-return-of-dembele-to-action-might-not-be-far-away?)
The Return Of Dembele To Action Might Not Be Far Away

Fulham this season have been hit with a few injuries. However, there might be some good news regarding the recovery of one of Fulham's strikers. According to Fulhamfc.com, Moussa Dembele has been participating in training sessions lately with the club.

The story also mentions that Dembele believes he could be coming back to play in the near future.  Below is a quote from Moussa Dembele that comes from the Fulhamfc.com article.

'Now it's alright, I've already trained three times with the group and I've had no pain, just if I shoot really hard, then I have a little bit,' Dembele said. 'But I think in the following days that will disappear. I'm happy that the injury wasn't that serious.'

The fact that Dembele is already in training again with Fulham has to be considered good news. However, there has been nothing reported lately on exactly when Dembele will return. I will be following this story and have an update when more information is available.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/October/DaviesBackinAction.aspx? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/October/DaviesBackinAction.aspx?)
Back in Action

Despite many of Fulham's international players away representing their countries recently, training has continued as normal at Motspur Park, albeit in smaller numbers, as Saturday's match against Tottenham draws closer.

Simon Davies, who recently called time on his international career, spoke to fulhamfc.com about his eagerness to return to competitive action following the international break.

"We've still been training very hard as the Manger's really keen to keep people as fit as possible," Davies explained. "We had a nice weekend off but we came back and everyone's getting ready for Tottenham, which we know is going to be a tough game.

"It's been quite a small group that we've been working with every day. The sessions have been intensive – you definitely get your work in. It's been good, but it's a long time to go without a game so it'll be good when everyone's back. For the lads that are here it's about getting your head down and training as hard as you can."

Spurs are currently sitting two points above Fulham in the Barclays Premier League table so a win for the Whites would see Fulham leapfrog their North London rivals on Saturday.

"They've got some great individual players, as they always have had, but they're really playing as a team now," Davies told fulhamfc.com. "That's why they're doing so well in the league and in the Champions League. It's going to be a tough game but we've done all right against them over the last few years. The Cottage is a difficult place to come to and hopefully we can keep our home form going.

"We've got some quite creative players in midfield and with the way the Manager like the full-backs to be attacking, when we've clicked into gear, like the first-half at West Ham, I think we played some really good football. We look a really dangerous team and it's been a shame that we haven't gone on and won a couple more games."

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/October/DaviesBackinAction.aspx?#ixzz12JOtimS9 (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/October/DaviesBackinAction.aspx?#ixzz12JOtimS9)

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216801 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216801)
Fulham - Another Old Boy on the Move!
It`s a habit that refuses to die that of monitoring how former Fulham players are progressing with their careers.

The latest to catch our eye is a goal scorer who set records at international level, for Northern Ireland, but who has seen his club career stutter!

David Healy, who left Fulham after not quite making the grade, is currently languishing as a mere squad member at Sunderland.

But salvation could be at hand with Gus Poyet, doing a decent job at Brighton and Hove Albion; is looking to take the Irish striker on loan to the League One club!

Possibly not quite how Healy would have imagined his career to have panned out!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216801#ixzz12JPBfhWa (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216801#ixzz12JPBfhWa)

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216809 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216809)
Fulham - AJ Edges Closer to Return!
With Bobby Zamora sidelined there is a certain expectation about the return to the fold of Andrew Johnson.

The forward, who has been troubled by injury in recent times, is yet to start this season but his comeback doesn`t seem too far away.

It`s been confirmed that Johnson is back in training and that it`s only a matter of time before he makes Mark Hughes first team squad.

Watching his progression, in training, has been Simon Davies who also had to endure a long recovery road after picking up a foot injury last season.

Speaking about AJ`s progress, Davies had this to say on the official site,

'He's looking sharp."

'I've been talking to AJ a lot because I was out for a long time last season and he was asking me, 'did you feel this tired when you came back?'

'When you first come back in, the adrenalin gets you back training and then you realise how hard that is every day. Then come the games, you can train as much as you want but you need the games, whether they're reserve or First Team games, to get the minutes under your belt and get your confidence back."

'You build up and get your strength and stamina back from that. The main thing is that his knee isn't giving him a problem so if we can get him back fit and firing he'll be like a new signing"

He certainly will and if we can get a front three of Bobby Zamora, Andrew Johnson and Moussa Dembele all fit together, we`ll be awesome going forward!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216809#ixzz12JPQjywz (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216809#ixzz12JPQjywz)

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216808 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216808)
Good News on Fulham`s Dembele!
It seems a long time since Fulham participated in domestic action thanks to the horrors of international football.

But whilst we`ve all been bored stiff something encouraging has been taking place behind the scenes at Craven Cottage.

Having lost Bobby Zamora for what seems like an eternity and with Andrew Johnson not quite being fit yet, we could soon be welcoming back Moussa Dembele.

Dembele, injured in a horrific tackle at Stoke, has resumed training and had the following to say to the official site about his injury status,

'Now it's alright, I've already trained three times with the group and I've had no pain, just if I shoot really hard, then I have a little bit."

'But I think in the following days that will disappear. I'm happy that the injury wasn't that serious.'

Perhaps not this weekend against Spurs but the following weekend may be the time for Dembele to come back into the fold.

We could certainly do with him!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216808#ixzz12JPeUDBJ (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216808#ixzz12JPeUDBJ)

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/843922-aaron-hughes-fulham-can-qualify-for-europe? (http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/843922-aaron-hughes-fulham-can-qualify-for-europe?)
Fulham's Aaron Hughes eyeing European qualification
Aaron Hughes says Fulham can again qualify for Europe this season – but admits they have to secure their Premier League safety first.

The Cottagers – losing Europa League finalists under Roy Hodgson last season – head into Saturday's derby with Tottenham unbeaten and sitting tenth in the Premier League table.

But, having drawn six of their opening seven games under new boss Mark Hughes this term, the Northern Ireland skipper – who played in the embarrassing 1-1 Euro 2012 draw away to the Faroe Islands on Tuesday – accepts the big priority is to stay in the top flight.

'It would be great if we could do that but first we must secure our Premier League status. The sooner we get to safety the better,' he said.

And Hughes expects new Belgian striker Moussa Dembele to take some of the goalscoring responsibility off last year's top marksman Bobby Zamora, who is out with a broken leg.

'Moussa has adapted to English football quickly,' Hughes added. 'It's a shame for Bobby but Andy Johnson is coming back [from injury] and we have options with Eddie Johnson and Clint Dempsey, who can play up front.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1320251/THE-MIDLANDER-Murphy-jibe-break-Wolves-boss-McCarthy.html? (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1320251/THE-MIDLANDER-Murphy-jibe-break-Wolves-boss-McCarthy.html?)
Murphy jibe could be a break for under-fire Wolves boss McCarthy

Mick McCarthy probably wouldn't see it as such. But Danny Murphy might well have done him a favour. 

The Fulham midfielder's comments about McCarthy, Tony Pulis and Sam Allardyce pumping up their players so much that the lines between fair and illegal become blurred has fanned the flames of a fire that refuses to be extinguished.

Ever since Karl Henry zeroed in on Joey Barton during the fixture against Newcastle at the end of August, problems have followed.

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/10/13/article-0-0B71B7F4000005DC-280_634x434.jpg)
Up in the air: Henry sent Gomez flying and it was initially feared the Wigan man might have broken his leg

Next up there was Bobby Zamora's broken leg. Now there is the fall-out from Henry's poorly-conceived lunge at Jordi Gomez. 

Former Liverpool man Murphy said there was nothing wrong with Henry's challenge on Zamora on the day of the offence itself. 

Yet three weeks later, the Black Country club finds itself lumped in with the other two poor unfortunates of the Barclays Premier League in Murphy's eyes. 

Never mind the fact that Wolves themselves have been the victims of a broken leg this season. 

Steve Sidwell's challenge on Adlene Guedioura towards the end of a hotly-contested derby with Villa was overshadowed by Emile Heskey's late winner and the fact that the prognosis was not given on the day. 

Yet we hear not one word of condemnation from the Molineux camp of the tackle by Sidwell - a man undoubtedly trying to make a point in front of new boss Gerard Houllier - just an acceptance that these things happen.

However, the argument over whether Wolves are/are not an overly-physical side is rendered less significant due to Henry's absence for the next three matches. And particularly, the one against West Ham this week.

McCarthy will be without arguably his most influential player ahead of a game in which they could do with winning ahead of a run of four or five matches that may see the club propping up the remainder of the league by the end of it.

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/10/13/article-0-0B249E4F000005DC-609_634x531.jpg)
Murphy's law: Fulham midfielder has criticising the physical style of some teams

the dark side, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal lie in wait after the visit of the Eastenders and Molineux could end up boasting an atmosphere of doom and gloom to rival Walford by mid-November. 

Moreover, McCarthy desperately needs to find a goal threat from other areas of the pitch. The news that Stephen Hunt is making a return from his broken foot is promising. 

That said, he has played just 45 minutes' football in seven months following his run-out with the reserves on Tuesday night. Although he may be on the bench against the Hammers it would be a brave move to throw him back into the fray so quickly. 

McCarthy also has to sort out the best way of harnessing a combination from the following: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Steven Fletcher and Kevin Doyle. 

A large lump of his summer transfer budget went on securing Fletcher's services. 

As Stan Collymore famously said after Liverpool boss Roy Evans had spent £8.5m on him some 15 years ago: 'What's the point of paying that much money for someone if you are not going to use them in their best position?' 

Wolves remained in the Barclays Premier League last season having scored the fewest goals in the division and the equal lowest number of victories in front of their own fans - five. 

McCarthy moved to address that with Fletcher's acquisition. But time is moving on and we don't really seem to be much closer to an answer as to the best combination.

Yes, Doyle did well on his own last season and hasn't really found happiness alongside anyone else yet at Molineux, for all his graft. 

Ebanks-Blake's fantastic finish against Newcastle shows that yes, he too can find the net at this level, but that he also needs the likes of Jarvis and Hunt to load the gun.

Further evidence for that can be gauged from the forward's hat-trick against Norwich City at Molineux during the promotion season. Each one of his goals had its' root in Jarvis assists.

Fletcher, to me, has looked the most likely to flourish at this level. If that's the case, then sorry Kevin, but you may have to do some of the donkey-work for your Scottish pal to take the glory. 

It's an interesting discussion-point for the rest of us. McCarthy needs to get it right. There is huge pressure on his shoulders. The re-development of Molineux will only get the green light if it is likely that Premier League status is secure next season.

Past 'Midlander' columns have always backed McCarthy and chief executive Jez Moxey because, first and foremost, I believe in them as people.

McCarthy has improved Wolves as a club year-on-year since he was appointed. Moxey's column in Wolves' match-day programme and the fans' parliament, shows he is prepared to listen and make improvements where possible. They are not always qualities present in chief executives of football clubs, believe me.
 
But with Wolves having taken the plunge by announcing the upgrade, the stakes have never been higher.
 
Which is why now I return to the point I made at the top of the piece.
 
McCarthy may be able to foster a siege mentality in the club thanks to Murphy's public utterances.

Yes, Henry's challenge on Gomez was ill-advised. But there may just be the feeling that enough is now enough inside the Molineux dressing-room. 

That the club is just a bit fed-up with being a convenient kicking-post for football's ills. 

Murphy himself might be minded to remember the treatment meted out to Danny Mills a few years ago when he celebrated a goal in Lee Naylor's face at the Riverside. Ooh, dear me, they didn't forget that in a hurry in the South Bank, did they? But that's a point that will doubtless be made on April 23, 2011.
 
Until then, Wolves' boss needs the support of the old gold and black family. Particularly this Saturday.

A wounded animal can still fight. I expect McCarthy will have his players in the appropriate frame of mind to take on West Ham this weekend.

Irrespective of what Danny Murphy thinks.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1320251/THE-MIDLANDER-Murphy-jibe-break-Wolves-boss-McCarthy.html?#ixzz12JQWzrjC (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1320251/THE-MIDLANDER-Murphy-jibe-break-Wolves-boss-McCarthy.html?#ixzz12JQWzrjC)

http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-midfielder-davies-happy-international-break-over-1179551? (http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-midfielder-davies-happy-international-break-over-1179551?)
Fulham midfielder Davies happy international break over

Fulham midfielder Simon Davies is happy to see the international week conclude.

Davies, who recently called time on his Wales career, spoke to fulhamfc.com about his eagerness to return to competitive action following the international break.

"We've still been training very hard as the Manger's really keen to keep people as fit as possible," Davies explained. "We had a nice weekend off but we came back and everyone's getting ready for Tottenham, which we know is going to be a tough game.

"It's been quite a small group that we've been working with every day. The sessions have been intensive – you definitely get your work in. It's been good, but it's a long time to go without a game so it'll be good when everyone's back. For the lads that are here it's about getting your head down and training as hard as you can."

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/September/Winaninvitetoopentraining.aspx (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/September/Winaninvitetoopentraining.aspx)
Watch The Team Train!

If you want to be in with a chance of winning our exclusive prize to the Team's open training session at Motspur Park on Monday 25th October, then enter the competition below for your chance to win one of six pairs of tickets up for grabs.

This is a rare opportunity to visit the Club's Training Ground and watch Mark Hughes' squad being put through their paces.

The competition is limited to all Junior Season Ticket holders and Junior Members. If you're not currently a Junior Member or Junior Season Ticket holder you can still sign up today and be in with a chance of winning!

Simply answer the question below:

How tall is Brede Hangeland?

Please send your answer to:

[email protected]

Entries will also need to include:

Name and client number

The name of the accompanying adult (parent/guardian)

Postal address and if possible email/telephone number

The competition will be running until Monday 18th October and all winners will be notified the following day. A formal invitation will then be sent out to the named parent or guardian for completion, to be returned to us prior to the event.





Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/September/Winaninvitetoopentraining.aspx#ixzz12JRxLNGq (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/September/Winaninvitetoopentraining.aspx#ixzz12JRxLNGq)

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/13102010/58/premier-league-match-facts-fulham-v-tottenham.html (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/13102010/58/premier-league-match-facts-fulham-v-tottenham.html)
Premier League - Match facts: Fulham v Tottenham

Facts and figures for the Premier League game between Fulham v Tottenham at Craven Cottage.

Mark Hughes has drawn 14 of his last 18 matches as a Premier League manager.

Spurs have scored 99 goals away from home in Premier League London derbies.

Spurs have only won one of their nine Premier League away games against Fulham and none of the last eight.

Fulham have failed to score in the last three Premier League games against Spurs.

Five of the last eight matches between Spurs and Fulham have ended as draws, three of them goalless.

Fulham have failed to score in four of their last five matches against Spurs in all competitions.

Four of the last five meetings in all competitions at Craven Cottage have ended as draws.

Tottenham have conceded exactly one goal in each of their last six Premier League matches

Fulham have posted the best crossing accuracy in the Premier League this season, completing 27% of their centres.

Fulham have made more defensive clearances (328) than any other team so far this season.

http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/10/14/no-international-return-for-fulham-star-82029-27468092/? (http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/10/14/no-international-return-for-fulham-star-82029-27468092/?)
No international return for Fulham star

SIMON Davies is adamant there will be no return to international football despite the clamour for him to pull on a Wales shirt again.

His country's qualification hopes for the 2012 European Championships look slim following back-to-back defeats this week.

But the Fulham flyer insists there'll be no u-turn.

He said: "I spoke to (then manager) John Toshack in the summer about retiring.

"I'd only played half-a-game for him in 15 months through injuries anyway – and I didn't want to let him down any more.

"Also, having signed the new contract for Fulham – I owe it to them to look after myself when there are international breaks and give more to the club."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/10/14/no-international-return-for-fulham-star-82029-27468092/?#ixzz12JiGcA8q (http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/10/14/no-international-return-for-fulham-star-82029-27468092/?#ixzz12JiGcA8q)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/9075048.stm? (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/9075048.stm?)
Dario Gradi backs Danny Murphy tackle criticism

Crewe Alexandra manager Dario Gradi has backed his former player Danny Murphy's condemnation of irresponsible tackling.

Fulham's Murphy, once a star graduate of Gradi's academy, inflamed passions with last week's public criticism of several Premier League managers.

But Gradi points out: "You don't play good football if you're hot headed.

"I'm happy to see people make tackles. I'm just not happy for people to risk injury getting tackled," the veteran boss told BBC Radio Stoke.

Fulham captain Murphy, now 33, started his career at Gresty Road before being signed by Liverpool for £3m in the summer of 1997.

And he then went back to Crewe for a three-month loan under Gradi in 1999.

Murphy has not forgotten the philosophy on the game taught him by Gradi, later honed by two and a half years under Roy Hodgson at Fulham, and paid tribute to both his former bosses.

"Danny mentions Roy Hodgson and myself in that context that we didn't wind players up," said Gradi, who also makes the point that over-aggressive tackling puts the perpetrator at just as much risk as the player being tackled.

And he points to two examples from the dozens of players who have passed though his hands since he took charge at Gresty Road in 1983.

"Nicky Maynard used to go into those sliding tackles and ended up breaking his own leg," recalls Gradi.

"And in my early days, Bob Scott used to go into hair-raising tackles on the halfway line.

"I used to say to him, 'you've won the ball, given a throw-in away. Was it really worth risking your limbs for that?'

"It's not a question of not tackling. It's certainly not worth risking getting sent off."

Gradi also indicated that the fans had a role to play in keeping tackling sensible.

"One of our supporters says to me every week, have you got them going Dario?

"I always say 'No, I hope not, I'm trying to keep them calm'," he said.

http://arsenal-mania.com/articles/3109309/Danny-Murphy.html? (http://arsenal-mania.com/articles/3109309/Danny-Murphy.html?)
Danny Murphy
Written by Lewis Wright on Thursday, October 14, 2010

Danny Murphy has found out this week what it must be like to be manager of Arsenal. In joining Arsène Wenger in calling for players to think about their tackling, rather than just stamping any body part that moves, he too has been vilified by the press.

One old player after another has been wheeled out to say how the argument is rubbish. Players were loads tougher in the good old days; they'd be on the treadmill after 3 days with a pint in one hand and a cigar in the other. They've told us non stop how defenders like Ron Chopper Harris and Jonny brick in your face Jones would think nothing of severing your spine with a hunting knife they keep in their sock.

However, the strongest hatred was reserved for when Murphy suggested that managers have anything to do with the thought processes of a player.

"The fact is that the managers are sending the players out so pumped up that inevitably there are going to be problems."

For this, Murphy was singled out by the League Manager's Association, who stated, "professional football managers certainly do not incite their players to go out and cause injury to fellow professionals."

They've been backed up in their claims by a long list of players, many of whom have said their manager's have no say about how the team lines up; the bones of Eduardo, Diaby and Ramsey beg to differ.

Arsenal don't play football they way they do by accident. It has taken a manager's vision and hours upon hours of the manager's voice on the training pitch. Just in the same way Wenger's sides will always pass teams into submission, Mourinho's teams will grind their way through steel to victory, so the teams of Allardyce and Pulis must surely take some responsibility for Ramsey losing 9 months of his career, and Mark Schwarzer wondering how he ended up playing a rugby match with El Hadji Diouf.

It's not just managers who must take responsibility for the actions of their players, but they do have a part to play. And what a part they must play if the situation is to get any better.

The next generation of footballers will learn from the current, and at the moment they will see Rooney, Crouch et al behaving as they wish with no concept of consequences. Sleep with a hooker? No problem, sell a story and get some sympathy. Shatter a leg, no worries, the gaffer will tell everybody I'm not that kind of guy.

The problem with what Murphy and Wenger say is not that it's complaining, but that it's right and it makes for an uncomfortable truth for a game that can't seem to take responsibility for its actions at any level. How many more legs have to be snapped before the rest of football takes notice?

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216845 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216845)
Fulham - Getting Ready for Spurs!
I have to acknowledge that it was weird seeing Wales take to the field of play without Simon Davies.

Having taken the decision to retire from international football, I think it`ll take me a little longer to accept that he`ll not be playing for Wales again.

But, not being involved with international football has given Simon the chance to prepare with his fellow professionals, at Fulham, for the forthcoming critical fixture against Tottenham, this weekend.

Ahead of the game, Simon has spoken about these very preparations, remarking,

"We`ve still been training very hard as the Manager`s really keen to keep people as fit as possible."

"We had a nice weekend off but we came back and everyone`s getting ready for Tottenham, which we know is going to be a tough game."

"It`s been quite a small group that we`ve been working with every day. The sessions have been intensive - you definitely get your work in. It`s been good, but it`s a long time to go without a game so it`ll be good when everyone`s back."

"For the lads that are here it`s about getting your head down and training as hard as you can."

A weekend off! Just what is the world of football coming to, there was none of that in my day!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216845#ixzz12K4VFSk7 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216845#ixzz12K4VFSk7)

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216846 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216846)
Fulham - Murphy Has Your Support!
With everyman and his brother (except Dario Gradi) siding against Danny Murphy on his views relating to managers inciting players, it`s good to see that he has your support.

Our poll asked the simple question as to whether you sided with Danny with reference to his comments or against.

A huge 91% totally agreed with Danny`s comments whilst a meagre 9% couldn`t make their mind up with absolutely nobody suggesting Danny was in the wrong - magic stuff!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216846#ixzz12K4xGXuk (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=216846#ixzz12K4xGXuk)

http://www.spurs.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7506056 (http://www.spurs.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7506056)
(from vital spurs)
Who and how to play Fulham.
At last we near normality and return to the comfort of domestic football.

Perhaps not the easiest place to travel, as Fulham are a good mixture of silk and steel and always offer good competition and an ability to beat the very best, but this is of course a game we cannot afford to lose particularly after defeats against Wigan and West Ham, which makes this seemingly tougher game, all the more vital.

If we assume that there will be injury concerns over Alan Hutton, Aaron Lennon and Roman Pavlyuchenko, on top of those already out, we could see a few more enforced changes from the last outing a home to Aston Villa, but with Inter Milan to follow, we also have to consider whether Ledley King will start on Saturday and be fit for Wednesday and therefore if we have no other CB than Bassong and Hutton isn`t fit, will we again see Tom Huddlestone in defence?

A reasonable gamble would be on our playing a 4-5-1 formation, which for me would make sense on two counts as I assume we will be playing that way in Milan, (even without VDV) and also if Pav isn`t 100%, it is seemingly more sensible to play Van der Vaart or even Niko Kranjcar behind a lone striker than an out of sorts Robbie Keane or a jet lagged Giovani dos Santos.

Looking at Kranjcar, it seems really tough that after two excellent displays and three goals for Croatia, he could be forced back onto the bench at Spurs, but is there a place for him on Saturday? Perhaps with Lennon not being available, he could fill in a role behind the striker alternating with VDV on the right or alternatively could Harry rest BAE, move Bale into defence (of sorts) and play Kranjcar in the middle?

Yet again we have some serious options and would it be a shock to see someone like Bale rested after two tough but outstanding games for Wales or even Luka Modric missing out, with Jenas and Hudd/Palacios/ Sandro in the centre with VDV, Niko and Bentley ahead of them? A bit of a long shot, but Harry would have had time to work with JJ and Bentley in particular and could be spring a surprise and keep our key players fresh for Inter?

Defence is again a serious worry with Gallas, Dawson and Kaboul seemingly close but perhaps not quite ready to return, Ledley King a big risk with Inter in mind and Hutton also missing for Scotland in midweek, we really could be struggling to find a defence, which may well force Harry to play Hudd in the centre alongside Bassong, with Corluka getting another chance to redeem himself at right back.

In attack, is there any other option than Peter Crouch, certainly if Pav isn`t 100%? His 70 minutes for England must have been really frustrating, so perhaps he can feel better by causing problems in his unlikely dream partnership with Rafael van der Vaart. Now I still can`t quite get my head around that one...


Read more: http://www.spurs.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7506056#ixzz12K5NxBGC (http://www.spurs.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7506056#ixzz12K5NxBGC)

http://fulham.theoffside.com/team-news/murphy-makes-sense-lma-does-not.html (http://fulham.theoffside.com/team-news/murphy-makes-sense-lma-does-not.html)
Murphy makes sense, LMA does not
By: timmyg

Even with a plague of boredom settling over the land since this international break began, quite a bit has been going on in Fulhamland. I just had a surgery that laid me low for two weeks and am only now getting to some of it.

The most notable ripple during this break is that Danny Murphy is really smart!

You get managers sending teams out to stop other sides from playing, which is happening more and more," he said. "Stoke, Blackburn and Wolves — you can say they're doing what they can to win the game — but the fact is that the managers are sending the players out so pumped up that inevitably there are going to be problems.

Oh gasp. An accomplished player voicing a reasonable opinion. At a conference he was speaking at. Stating that certain teams play a little too amped up. In a league that touts its physicality. YOU CAN'T FIGHT HERE! THIS IS THE WAR ROOM!
Predictably, the League Managers Association then countered with this piece of drivel:

In closing, it is inappropriate for individuals to direct criticism at certain managers who are honest, professional and continue to achieve success on the field with their clubs. The accomplishments of the managers mentioned should be applauded rather than publicly judged. Professional football managers certainly do not incite their players to go out and cause injury to fellow professionals. Two of the three clubs mentioned have yet to receive a red card in the Barclays Premier League this season.

Oh, lordy. If ever there was a bureaucratic entity that served no purpose other than to issue statements after being upset, it's the LMA. After all, its executive committee members contain such stars as Sam Allardyce (more on him later) and Lawrie Sanchez. Its executive chairman Howard Wilkinson last achieved managerial success over 25-years ago, and is currently overseeing Sheffield Wednesday receive it's third winding-up order next month over unpaid taxes.

Let's break this down.

In closing, it is inappropriate for individuals to direct criticism at certain managers who are honest, professional and continue to achieve success on the field with their clubs.

No, it's not inappropriate. It's perfectly appropriate and within their rights as citizens (unless England has some crazy speech laws) and humans to criticize honest or dishonest, successful or unsuccessful managers. Sure, players may not be anything like us fans, but it's good to know they at least have opinions and are not emotion and thoughtless robots.

Otherwise, we should just build said robots and watch them play each other. Okay, fine, Golden Balls could play too.

The accomplishments of the managers mentioned should be applauded rather than publicly judged.

Right, let's look at Tony Pulis', Sam Allardyce's, and Mick McCarthy's Outstanding Achievements in the Field of Excellence:

Pulis: Division Three Runner Up with Gillingham in 1995-96; Coca-Cola Championship Runner Up with Stoke City in 2008-09

Allardyce: League of Ireland First Division Champions with Limerick F.C. in 1991-92; Football League First Division play-offs Winners with Bolton Wanderers F.C. in 2000-01; Football League Cup Runner Up with Bolton Wanderers F.C. in 2003-04

McCarthy: Football League Championship 2004–05 with Sunderland*; Football League Championship 2008–09 with Wolves. (*It's worth noting that the next season Sunderland would post a then-lowest point totals in EPL history)
Wow. Three titles between each of them. Well love my cock we should be applauding these accolades! Especially for Allardyce winning a title in an amateur league, twenty years ago!

Professional football managers certainly do not incite their players to go out and cause injury to fellow professionals.

Professional football mangers also certainly do not incite their players to go out and draw matches. Or not complete a third of their passes. Or not put fans to sleep. Even though there are vaults of visual evidence to prove otherwise.

Two of the three clubs mentioned have yet to receive a red card in the Barclays Premier League this season.

Well, neither has Nigel de Jong, and he is being slapped with a lawsuit by Marseille for breaking Hatem Ben Arfa's leg.

Nor James Perch, whose 5 yellow cards leads the entire league and accounts for nearly three-fourths of the total matches (7) he's played in .

It is as Holland coach Bert van Marwijk so eloquently put it: "Apparently, there are other standards." This is something we Fulham fans learned during our trek across Europe last season. Stuff that would fly in England doesn't in the rest of the world — sometimes for good and not. Remember Erik Nevland's red card against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico last fall? Exactly.

Thankfully, Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph put out this tweet (albeit before this brouhaha) that I'll peg my hat on:
Back from Leaders in Football conference and a pleasure to listen to Danny Murphy and Phil Neville; both already look manager material

At least his future as a pundit with ITV appears to be on the fritz. Pundits can't have correct opinions, you know.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/1014/coyleo.html? (http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/1014/coyleo.html?)
Coyle says Murphy is wrong about management

Bolton boss Owen Coyle believes Danny Murphy may well change his mind about the influence of managers on dangerous tackling if the Fulham midfielder becomes a coach himself.

Murphy caused a storm last week when he pointed the finger of blame for reckless challenges at the managers of Stoke, Blackburn and Wolves.

Coyle - whose team take on Stoke in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday - has criticised Murphy for singling out individuals and feels the former Liverpool player will have more authority to comment on the matter if he decides to go into management.


'We send our players out to work hard and play well,' Coyle said.

'Danny Murphy is a terrifically talented player and in time, if Danny decides to dip his toe in the water in terms of coaching and management, then I think if you speak to him, he might have a different perspective or angle on it.

'Not having had that experience of being a manager, I think it is a difficult one for him to call. I think what he said - I might be wrong on this, but I'd imagine he'll probably regret some of that.

'Particularly to mention any club or individual was very wrong because you look at all the clubs involved and the managers they have - these people are fantastic at what they do.'

Speaking at the Leaders in Football conference in London about what he described as 'ridiculous' and 'brainless' tackles, Murphy said: 'Your manager dictates what your players do and how you behave.

'You get managers who are sending their teams out to stop other teams playing, which is happening more and more - the Stokes, Blackburns, Wolves.

'They can say it's effective and they have got to win games but the fact is the managers are sending out their players so pumped up there is inevitably going to be problems.'

Coyle was keen to stress the difference between a mis-timed and a reckless challenge and is adamant no manager would instruct their player to injure an opponent.

'If there are teams out there who are tough tacklers, there is nothing wrong with being tough tacklers,' Coyle said.

'What we do have to do as a collective body is try to eradicate the tackles that are made outside the laws of the game. You will have mis-timed tackles because of the pace the game is played at and the frenetic nature of the Premier League, but there is a difference between a mis-timed tackle and a reckless challenge.'

He continued: 'As managers we ask players to go out and give us everything they have got, both in terms of their work-rate off the ball and showing their quality on it.

'But I don't believe for a minute that there is a manager in football - not just in the Premier League - that would send any player out to deliberately hurt an opponent.

'I played until I was 40 and I don't recall any manager of mine giving any sort of instruction even close to that.'

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6444336,00.html? (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6444336,00.html?)
Davies explains Wales snub
Midfielder was against letting down country once again

Fulham midfielder Simon Davies insists he was right to call time on his Wales career despite talk of a summer U-turn.

The 30-year-old retired from international duty in 2008, but spoke to then manager John Toshack about possibly returning for their Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Davies did not want to make himself available again only to continually miss important matches and for history to repeat itself.

The ex-Everton and Spurs player also signed a new deal recently at Craven Cottage and wants to focus all his efforts on repaying the club's commitment to him.

Talks

"I spoke to (then manager) John Toshack in the summer about retiring," he told the FulhamChronicle.

"I'd only played half-a-game for him in 15 months through injuries anyway - and I didn't want to let him down any more.

"Also, having signed the new contract for Fulham - I owe it to them to look after myself when there are international breaks and give more to the club."

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/10/10/14/SOCCER_Fulham_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=soccer (http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/10/10/14/SOCCER_Fulham_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=soccer)
DAVIES HOPEFUL OF BEATING SPURS

Simon Davies has warned Tottenham that Fulham will be out to prove just what a "dangerous team" they are in Saturday's London derby at a sold-out Craven Cottage.

Mark Hughes' men are unbeaten in the Barclays Premier League this season, but also have managed only one victory from seven matches.

Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage back in August and Davis maintains Harry Redknapp's Champions League hopefuls will be in for similar treatment.

"We look a really dangerous team and it has been a shame that we have not gone on and won a couple more games, but the longer the season goes on, the better I am sure we will become," Davis said on the club's official website.

"Spurs have got some great individual players, as they always have had, but they are really playing as a team now - that is why they are doing so well in the league and in the Champions League.

"It is going to be a tough game, but we have done all right against them over the last few years.

"The Cottage is a difficult place to come to and hopefully we can keep our home form going."

Davies, who will be 31 at the end of the month, has not been away during the international break after recently calling time on his career with Wales.

However, the midfielder revealed the group which stayed behind in west London have been working hard towards this weekend's resumption of domestic action.

"The manger's really keen to keep people as fit as possible," he said.

"We had a nice weekend off, but we came back and everyone's getting ready for Tottenham, which we know is going to be a tough game.

"It's been quite a small group that we've been working with every day. The sessions have been intensive - you definitely get your work in.

"It's been good, but it's a long time to go without a game so it'll be good when everyone's back.

"For the lads that are here it's about getting your head down and training as hard as you can."

Mousa Dembele is hoping to be involved again after an injury lay-off, while former England striker Andy Johnson is also on the comeback trail following an extended rehabilitation.

"He is looking sharp," Davies said.

"I've been talking to AJ a lot because I was out for a long time last season.

"The main thing is that his knee isn't giving him a problem so if we can get him back fit and firing he'll be like a new signing"

Fulham captain Danny Murphy made headlines during the international break when he pointed the finger of blame for reckless challenges at the managers of Stoke, Blackburn and Wolves, claiming "sending out their players so pumped up there is inevitably going to be problems".

It has already drawn criticism from Bolton boss Owen Coyle, but long-serving Crewe manager Dario Gradi believes his former trainee has it about right.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, the 69-year-old said: "You don't play good football if you're hot-headed.

"I am happy to see people make tackles. I am just not happy for people to risk injury getting tackled.

"One of our supporters says to me every week, 'have you got them going Dario?'

"I always say 'No, I hope not, I am trying to keep them calm'."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6444566,00.html? (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6444566,00.html?)
Big Sam fights accusations
Rovers boss unhappy with Murphy's tackling claims

Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce has defended the club's disciplinary record in the wake of Danny Murphy's tackling comments.

The Fulham midfielder alleged that teams such as Blackburn, Stoke and Wolves go out onto the pitch with the sole purpose of rattling the opposition.

Murphy was unhappy with the spate of bad tackles that have blighted the game of late, saying that managers should accept their fair share of the responsibility.

Allardyce was displeased Murphy singled the club out for criticism as it gives the wrong impression of Blackburn, who have one of the league's better disciplinary records this season.

The Rovers boss insists he would never send out a team to intentionally hurt an opposition player and that the disciplinary facts surrounding the club this term speaks for itself.

Allardyce says his players are unhappy that Murphy labelled some of the modern day tackles as 'brainless', stating they are angry about the experienced midfielder's choice of wording.

Unfortunate

"I think it's very unfortunate that I have to sit here and defend myself, the players and Blackburn Rovers football club," he said on Sky Sports News.

"It should be unnecessary that I have to do it, but considering the allegation that was made by Danny, which was totally and utterly wrong, I had to.

"Myself as a manager, this football club and its players in its disciplinary terms since I've been here have improved enormously.

"We've reduced the average booking record. We've reduced the number of sending offs. We are not dirty. We never go out to injure a player. I never send a player out to go and try and injure an opposition player. We're too professional for that.

"We've had to pull up the stats and facts to show you exactly where we lie in terms of our disciplinary record. I think in the league's disciplinary table we're actually fourth. That's how good we are this year.

"Since I've been here it's been the best disciplinary record over the five years at the football club. I think that speaks volumes for what we really are. People like Danny Murphy are giving a perception that isn't true. I hate perception. There's far too much of it in the game. We should stick to the reality.

"The players are very, very angry about what Danny called it. Was it 'brainless' or 'mindless'? I think that's an outrageous statement to make. The players are unhappy about that.

"What we don't want is any backlash from those suggestions because they are unfounded. The backlash is that people's perception out there is that we're dirty side now and we're not, and we never have been."