http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/football/8486835.Hughes__Fulham_must_push_on/? (http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/football/8486835.Hughes__Fulham_must_push_on/?)
Hughes: Fulham must push on
Mark Hughes has urged his Fulham side to build on Saturday's defeat of Wigan as they look to establish themselves in the upper reaches of the Premier League table.
The 2-0 win over the Latics, thanks to a Clint Dempsey brace, surged the Cottagers up to ninth.
And, with clashes with Aston Villa and Chelsea up next, Hughes is looking for some consistency.
He said: "It is no good having performances like this in isolation.
"You have to build on it and take it forward.
"We are getting to the point now where the table begins to even itself out and take shape.
"We feel that we are a top-ten side this year because of the quality we have in the squad, but we have to prove it on the pitch."
Dempsey's double ended a six-match winless run for the Londoners, and took the American's season tally to five.
And boss Hughes was delighted with the fare provided at the weekend.
He added: "In the first half I thought we were absolutely outstanding.
"Some of our approach play was excellent.
"There was a real intent in what we were doing and we did not let Wigan gain any sort of foothold in the game.
"This was a result waiting to happen in many ways.
"We have played well this year but not got the points on the board that we deserve, so it is nice to put that right and be able to look forward."
Fulham's next three matches: Nov 6 Aston Villa (h), 10 Chelsea (a), 13 Newcastle (a)
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6480594,00.html? (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6480594,00.html?)
'Bionic' Johnson glad to be back
Striker impressed with manager Hughes as comeback continues
Injury-plagued Fulham forward Andy Johnson feels like a 'bionic striker' after spending 14 months battling for fitness.
The 29-year-old has previously confessed to more than a year of mental torment suffered in battling back from shoulder, groin and knee injuries.
But Johnson came off the bench for the last 10 minutes in Saturday's 2-0 win against Wigan as he made his second appearance of the season.
And the former Birmingham, Crystal Palace,and Everton striker now admits that he feels almost robotic after his successive rehabilitation programmes.
Johnson said in The Sun: "That's how I feel, like a bionic striker. It's like a London bus, you wait hours for one and then they all come along together - that's how my injuries have been.
"I've had an unlucky 14 months."
Fantastic
Fulham have undergone a change of management during Johnson's time on the sidelines, with Mark Hughes succeeding Roy Hodgson, and he is impressed with his new boss.
Johnson said of Hughes: "I didn't see much of him over the summer with my injuries and then the first part of the season I was in the gym.
"Any player who gets a new boss is eager to prove what they can do and the manager has put me on in the last two games.
"He has been fantastic. He told me to take my time and not to rush back.
"And his training routines have been brilliant, too. He has really helped me get fit quicker because of the intensity of the training.
"Hopefully, in four weeks' time you will see me super match fit ... back to how I was."
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/LuckyProgrammeNumber.aspx? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/LuckyProgrammeNumber.aspx?)
Lucky Programme NumberThe Lucky Programme Number drawn at Saturday's fixture against Wiagn was 00007.
If that corresponds with the number printed on the back of your copy then you are the lucky winner of a fantastic prize. Please send a photograph or scan as proof, along with your name and address to:
[email protected].
Be sure to pick up a copy of the matchday programme at every Fulham home match to be in with a chance of winning more great prizes.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/LuckyProgrammeNumber.aspx?#ixzz146cNPfke (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/LuckyProgrammeNumber.aspx?#ixzz146cNPfke)
http://tribalfootball.com/fulham-comeback-king-aj-i-feel-bionic-striker-1218381? (http://tribalfootball.com/fulham-comeback-king-aj-i-feel-bionic-striker-1218381?)
Fulham comeback king AJ: I feel like the bionic striker
Andy Johnson was happy to make his comeback for Fulham in victory over Wigan Athletic.
AJ Mark II came on for a second-half cameo and it was as if the hard-running frontman had never been away.
Johnson has been reduced to bystander for the past 14 months with injuries that virtually ran from head to toe - shoulder at the top, groin in the middle and knee heading towards the bottom.
He revealed: "That's how I feel, like a bionic striker. It's like a London bus, you wait hours for one and then they all come along together - that's how my injuries have been.
"I've had an unlucky 14 months."
But Johnson admits his biggest problems have been in his head as he hit rock bottom trying to recover. He added: "It's been a really hard time. I'm not going to lie, I have been down for a long, long time.
"Mentally, it is so hard - I just hope I never experience it again during the rest of my career.
"The reward for getting through it all was the reaction of the fans at Fulham when I came on. You could see how much I was buzzing out there.
"My family, everyone at Fulham and the fans kept me going."
http://tribalfootball.com/johnson-fulham-players-enjoying-hughes-style-1218371? (http://tribalfootball.com/johnson-fulham-players-enjoying-hughes-style-1218371?)
Johnson: Fulham players enjoying Hughes style
Andy Johnson says Fulham's players are enjoying working for manager Mark Hughes.
During Johnson's recovery, Roy Hodgson went to Liverpool and Mark Hughes was drafted in without seeing Johnson play in a Fulham shirt.
AJ said: "I didn't see much of him over the summer with my injuries and then the first part of the season I was in the gym.
"Any player who gets a new boss is eager to prove what they can do and the manager has put me on in the last two games.
"He has been fantastic. He told me to take my time and not to rush back.
"And his training routines have been brilliant, too. He has really helped me get fit quicker because of the intensity of the training.
"Hopefully, in four weeks' time you will see me super match fit ... back to how I was."
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/DaviesWiganReaction.aspx? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/DaviesWiganReaction.aspx?)
More to Come(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Players/davies/general2.jpg)
Fulham midfielder Simon Davies has praised the manner of Saturday's victory over Wigan Athletic.
The Whites recorded a valuable three points in a comfortable 2-0 win – a performance that impressed onlookers as a result of Fulham's attacking intent and ability to get forward.
Talking exclusively to fulhamfc.com, Davies said: "We played some fantastic football and deserved the win without a doubt. We created chances, made them work and at times really stretched them. We dominated from start to finish.
"It was important we did that because, of course, having lost our last two games we needed to get a win under our belts. The result was the main thing, but the performance on top of that was a big bonus."
At times this season Fulham's performances have perhaps deserved more, but their new dynamic direction paid off with Mousa Dembele and Clint Dempsey leading the line with poise and skill, while down the flanks the Whites opened Wigan up at will.
"This is the type of football that the Manager wants," said Davies. "From the off we played with a high tempo and got bodies forward. We can impose ourselves on games at Craven Cottage and on Saturday that was very much the case.
"This performance was probably the blueprint for how we want to be playing in the future. It was a positive display and hopefully we can build on that. Obviously the aim now is to transform that kind of form when we play away from the Cottage and if we can add four or five victories on the road then we'll have every chance of having a successful season."
Davies also praised the return of Andrew Johnson, with the returning striker replacing the midfielder in the 81st minute.
"I made way for AJ and it just great to see him back out on the pitch again," he said. "He made a return the weekend before, and this was another step in his return to competitive action.
"He was very lively and put himself about – that's what he's all about as we know. It's a big boost for us and I'm sure as he gets that match fitness back then he'll be ready to play an important role for the team because he's a top player."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/DaviesWiganReaction.aspx?#ixzz146dGtdqc (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/DaviesWiganReaction.aspx?#ixzz146dGtdqc)
http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/brian-mcbride-gets-the-lego-treatment/? (http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/brian-mcbride-gets-the-lego-treatment/?)
Brian McBride gets the Lego treatment
Filed under: General — timmyg
It may be comparing apples and oranges, but I think the Columbus Crew may have just one-upped Fulham in honoring Brian McBride. How? This:
(http://cravencottagenewsround.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/lego.jpg?w=360&h=602)
Mamma mia!
Brooks Peck from DirtyTackle says this monstrosity statue resembles Max Headroom more than McGod, but I think it's more Bill S. Preston Esq. from the Bill & Ted series. Either way it is both awesome and terrifying.
On a tangential-but-still-terrifying note, this site had 666 views yesterday. What was yesterday? Halloween.
(photo via Columbus Crew's twitter feed)
http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/football-league/2247/6/peterborough-and-brighton-both-chasing-fulham-midfielder? (http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/football-league/2247/6/peterborough-and-brighton-both-chasing-fulham-midfielder?)
Peterborough and Brighton both chasing Fulham midfielder
Cultured Fulham midfielder Rob Milsom is wanted on loan by League One high-flyers Brighton and Peterborough.
Milsom, 23, was considered one of the most promising graduates of Fulham's Academy in recent years and made his debut against Manchester United in February 2009.
But disaster struck a week later when he ruptured his cruciate knee ligament in a reserve game against Arsenal.
In February, he returned to the fold after 12 months on the sidelines and was handed a chance to prove his worth by then-manager Roy Hodgson in the form of a new one-year deal .
But new boss Mark Hughes did not include Milsom in his 25-man squad this season and talkSPORT understands the midfielder is open to a temporary switch to ensure first-team football.
Before his injury, Milsom had been on loan at Southend and Brentford and he spent last summer playing for Finnish side TPS Turku in order to regain full match fitness.
And now Brighton and Peterborough are interested in bringing him in to aid their promotion bids.
http://sport.virginmedia.com/football/article/2010/11/01/davies_hails_johnson_return? (http://sport.virginmedia.com/football/article/2010/11/01/davies_hails_johnson_return?)
Davies hails Johnson return
Simon Davies has hailed the return to fitness of Fulham team-mate Andy Johnson.
Johnson continued his comeback from a nine-month injury lay-off in Saturday's 2-0 Barclays Premier League win over Wigan, replacing Davies in the 81st minute.
"I made way for AJ and it`s just great to see him back out on the pitch again," midfielder Davies told the club's official website.
"He made a return the weekend before, and this was another step in his return to competitive action.
"He was very lively and put himself about - that's what he's all about as we know.
"It's a big boost for us and I'm sure as he gets that match fitness back then he'll be ready to play an important role for the team because he's a top player."
http://hammyend.com/index.php/2010/11/gatesys-weekend-roundup-3/? (http://hammyend.com/index.php/2010/11/gatesys-weekend-roundup-3/?)
Gatesy's Weekend Roundup
by GATESY on NOVEMBER 1, 2010
A win for the whites saw us jump up an impressive eight places on Saturday evening. A nice cross from both left and right backs helped Dempsey bag a brace and stop a poor run of form we've found ourselves in. With Bairdy getting a deserved run in the first team and Salcido looking more and more dangerous on the left, we were fully in control of the game. And with the return of Murphy and Davies in midfield, if it were not for some sloppy finishing, it could have been won by a much wider margin. Most surprisingly, this was Wigan's first defeat on the road this season.
Now I don't want to take credit for picking up the three points (I do) but my blog on Thursday may have reminded my friend Jon into carrying out all of his lucky superstitions. I'm not saying it's all down to me that we won, but, y'know...
Man City succumbed to a shock defeat against Wolves, who clocked up their first win since the beginning of the season. Though the big winner was the spectators who got to see Adebayor and Kompany have a little spat over not a lot.
After throwing everything at Robert Greens goal for 88 minutes, Arsenal managed to beat West Ham 1-0 through a Song goal. This result continued the run for the 35th match in a row that a team managed by Avram Grant has been in the relegation places.
Chelsea came from behind to beat Blackburn at their gaff. Ivanovic heading home the winner. Big Sam was philosophical and it's the sign of a big man who knows when to accept you've been beaten by a better team:
"Of course, the golden chance came for us to go to 2-1 and we missed that and then within a space of a few minutes they get the winner. That's the cruelty of the Premier League, and that's why they are on top and why we are struggling at the bottom"
After a shaky start Everton are now unbeaten in five league games, Yakubu's strike was enough to see off the Potters at Goodison.
A bit of sweet creamy justice was dished out in the evening game on Saturday. Spuds, the team which keep on giving, gave us yet another excuse to laugh in their direction with candidate for 'Comedy Goal of The Season'.
Our 'Arry said:
"I've always thought Mark Clattenburg was a good referee – and he is a good referee – but he made a mess of the situation."
"When I got up Alex said, 'I don't know what happened, do you know?', and I said, 'Yeah, it was a handball'. He hadn't seen it."
"There was no whistle but everyone saw him handle it. It's a free-kick but he hasn't given anything,
He also said,
"I don't go around blaming referees. If we get beaten I blame myself and the players, I don't blame refs"
Control + C, Control + V. And wait...
Wasn't Sunday a day of contrasts? As I believe is journalistic code there must be at least one Halloween reference in all pieces written this weekend, so: The second City derby turned out to be a horror show of tedium. I've watched many boring things (I used to watch our away games on teletext) but the scoreless draw in the midlands will take some beating. A decent defencive performence from the blues and Emile Heskey's inability to score saw this match finish level.
Villa visit the Cottage next Saturday with Houllier not a massive fan of Ireland at present.
"Ireland needs to work harder. He played against Chelsea and did well, he played against Sunderland and was not good enough to me – simple as that. If you say 'he is a good player but he doesn't defend, he doesn't run back, he loses too many balls in crucial areas', then that is difficult.
Still, when young Stephen decorates his house like this you think his form of the football pitch must be the least of his worries...
And with the midlands side having gone 344 minutes since hitting the back of the net they wont have the firepower of Agbonlahor for their trip south:
"I don't think he will be in the plans for Fulham. After Fulham, who knows?"
While up in the North East it was hells a poppin' at 'the other' St James' Park. Nine yellow cards, a red one and six goals in the Tyne-Wear derby. Bramble off on his return to Newcastle, Nolan got to do his weird chicken goal celebration three times (the first time a hat trick has been scored in this fixture since Beardo did it 25 years ago) and a twitter apology to their fans from Darren Bent helped banish paper talk of Chris Hughton being sacked. Well, for a week or so I'd imagine.
While opposite number Bruce, a born and bred Geordie, sounded well and truly down in the dumps post match:
"But I'm not going to try and make excuses; we were well and truly beaten. But we have to take it on the chin and take our medicine."
"It will be the most difficult 24, 48 hours to take, but we have to recover as a group and come out fighting against Stoke next weekend.
While at the Reebok, if you saw the reaction of the fans after the goal was scored you may have wrongly assumed Liverpool had just won the Champions League. Nope, they'd just scored a last gasp winner against Bolton. Although Bolton gaffer Owen Coyle is yet another person upset at the officials:
"I am loathe to sit here and moan about decisions...They say they are supposed to even themselves out. If that is the case we are probably due about 20 decisions between now and Christmas."
One person I always wonder how they spend their days in the BBC Sport office on days Spurs aren't playing is Garth Crooks. Obviously so busy he had to assemble his Premier League team of the weekend last night, before 10% of the leagues teams have played. Now, while you can tell it's a European football week when Blackpool V Baggies is Monday Night Football on Sky, it may be fair to at lease give them a chance to achieve the ultimate level of praise from the former Spud.
There was a strong Fulham feel to his team of the week though, with Bairdy, Salcido and Dempsey in the team, with former white Zat 'Bambi on Ice' Knight also getting the call. Well done boys!
And as mentioned above, tonight its Blackpool V Baggies. One person not looking forward to it is Di Mateo. He's not too keen of having to come in on his day off:
"Monday is my day off usually. It's my day off to take my wife for lunch and then in the evening watch some television.
While Tangerines boss and fella everybody (except me) seems to love, Ian Holloway, appears to be only a heart beat away from asking the Italian out to the cinema and a bite to eat at Frankie & Bennys after the game:
"I think he (Di Matteo) and (assistant) Eddie (Newton) are fantastic. They look like you want to play for them yourself,
"He's (Di Matteo) a great fellow. I didn't really know him until the game up here last year and probably spent nearly 20 minutes talking to him, absolutely top man.
He went on:
"He's got a very calm way about him and I think he's going to do very well.
"He's enjoyed his football career and....I'm delighted for him.
And finally, a big get well soon to the broadcasting legend Danny Baker who has recently announced that he has been diagnosed with cancer. Here's a speedy recovery and your return to the radio, which is already less for the Candyman's absence.
http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/46139/Hughes_I_dont_like_harking_back_to_the_City_situation_but.aspx? (http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/46139/Hughes_I_dont_like_harking_back_to_the_City_situation_but.aspx?)
Hughes: I don't like harking back to the City situation but...
Fulham boss Mark Hughes believes the tight-budget afforded to him by Mohamed Al-Fayed has allowed him to rediscover a side of management he was perhaps denied at Manchester City.
Hughes suggests his record of unearthing talent at relatively low costs has been forgotten due to his tenure at Eastlands, but the West London club's acquisitions this season intimate the former Blackburn Rovers manager has not lost his eye for a bargain.
The Craven Cottage supremo appears to have unearthed two superb signings in Carlos Salcido and Moussa Dembele, both of whom cost a combined £6.6million, and Hughes suggests the nature of his work at Eastlands dictated that he couldn't take the time to sound out a potential value for money deal.
The Fulham manager told the Daily Mail: "I enjoy that part and maybe that was forgotten at my last club (Manchester City).
"People just assumed I cherry-picked players and spent lots of money, which I did! But I had a track record prior to that of picking decent players and I'll back my judgment on that time and time again.
"I don't like harking back to the City situation because it's got nothing to do with me, but at that time they wanted to run very quickly. So we had to get numbers in and maybe the numbers were too many too soon.
"When you've got time you can use your judgment, use your contacts and find good players.
Hughes believes the reason Paul Konchesky was allowed to leave the club during the summer, was because he had already earmarked a replacement capable of maintaining, or arguably bettering, Fulham in the shape of Salcido.
Hughes continued: "We had a situation with Konchesky that presented itself as soon as I walked in the door,
"We tried to resist the attention of Liverpool and we did for a few weeks. But we realised we should look at the options and see if we could get someone in who wouldn't weaken us.
"If I'd felt Konchesky leaving would weaken us, I wouldn't have allowed it to happen.
"With Carlos (Salcido), having seen him play, the level he's played at and the experience he has, it wasn't a risk letting Konchesky leave.
"Now you're seeing a player who really enjoys the Premier League."
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219463 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219463)
Fulham - Konchesky Who?
With John Pantsil, cult hero extraordinaire, currently out of the favoured starting eleven, a new cult hero is fast emerging, our Mexican full back Carlos Salcido.
Salcido is rapidly showing that he`s much more than a cultured defender and can offer us an offensive edge.
On Saturday, our first goal came courtesy of a sublime cross from him, converted by Clint Dempsey and Salcido could have boasted two assists if the finishing hadn`t have been a touch faulty on another occasion.
When Paul Konchesky was sold to Liverpool, to rejoin Roy Hodgson, there were doubts expressed about us having an adequate replacement but Mark Hughes never had any doubt about filling the vacancy, explaining post match,
"If I felt Konchesky leaving us I wouldn`t have allowed it to happen."
"But I felt with Carlos it was not a risk allowing Konchesky to leave. Now you`re seeing a player who really enjoys the Premier League."
And an early candidate for our Player of the Year perhaps!
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219463#ixzz146fTVFRs (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219463#ixzz146fTVFRs)
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219462 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219462)
Fulham - AJ`s Views!
As far as second forty-five minutes go, those played out on Saturday, against Wigan, were pretty dull and that`s being kind.
Well that is until Andrew Johnson was introduced as a substitute with around ten minutes to go.
Johnson got a wonderful reception and his introduction certainly brightened matters up.
Talking to the media as he continues his march towards full match fitness, Johnson spoke about a variety of things, but first the welcome the supporters gave him,
"I`d like to say a big thank you to the fans. They have been absolutely fantastic. To come back to a set of fans like that is truly amazing. It sent a shiver down my spine when I came on in front of them."
You`re most welcome Andrew.
Continuing, Johnson went on to describe life under Hughes and the need to impress a boss, Mark Hughes, who he didn`t have much involvement with whilst he went through his rehabilitation programme this summer, commenting,
"I didn`t see much of him over the summer with my injuries and then the first part of the season I was in the gym."
"Any player who gets a new boss is eager to prove what they can do and the manager has put me on in the last two games."
"He has been fantastic. He told me to take my time and not to rush back."
"And his training routines have been brilliant too. He has really helped me get fit quicker because of the intensity of the training."
"Hopefully in four weeks` time you will see me super match fit - back to how I was."
It`s interesting how so many players have expressed the fact that training is so different under Hughes than it was with Roy Hodgson, it`d be interesting to see how those under Roy at Liverpool view matters.
Upon being introduced, Johnson thought he should have had two penalties, commenting about one,
"Chris Baird got to the by-line and pulled the ball back for me."
"Thomas came in and caught me from behind without touching the ball. I felt it was a penalty."
A sentiment shared by several around me.
Lastly Andrew spoke to the media hacks about the style of football Hughes wants to see the team play, remarking,
"The manager has put massive emphasis on how we play. He wants us to press high, get in people`s faces. He wants us to stop other teams pressing us."
"We did that and when we got the ball we were relaxed and played some great stuff. Some of our football was fantastic."
It was but it should, perhaps, be re-iterated that the opposition on Saturday were very poor!
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219462#ixzz146fkrgS8 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219462#ixzz146fkrgS8)
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219461 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219461)
Fulham - Hughes on Spotting Talent!
The signing of Moussa Dembele raised a few eyebrows.
Having been in charge at Manchester City, prior to joining us, many pundits suspected that Mark Hughes would be only able to pursue the expensive end of the market, obviously neglecting that Mark was pretty damn good at wheeling and dealing with the lesser known players during his time at Blackburn Rovers.
Dembele didn`t exactly cost a fortune but he is a great talent and a talent that can be nurtured considering he`s still relatively young.
After the one-sided victory over Wigan Athletic, on Saturday, Mark enthused about dabbling in the transfer market and putting his reputation on the line rather than buying a so-called superstar, remarking,
"I enjoy the part of spotting a player`s potential."
"Maybe it was forgotten I could do that when I was at City as people thought I could cherry pick players, spending a lot of money."
"But prior to that, at Blackburn, I had a record of picking good players. I back my judgment."
To back that judgment up we could also mention a certain Carlos Salcido but that`s another story!
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219461#ixzz146g2MxXf (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219461#ixzz146g2MxXf)
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/ThirdKitlaunch.aspx? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/ThirdKitlaunch.aspx?)
Third Kit LaunchFans will have the opportunity to check out the new Third Kit in store from Saturday 6th November when the Whites face Aston Villa at Craven Cottage, kick-off 3pm. So come down to either of the Fulham retail stores and pick up this unique Fulham shirt from Saturday!
Prior to the purchase of the Club by chairman Mohamed Al Fayed back in 1997, fans could never have dreamed of a consecutive decade in the top-flight, but those dreams have come reality.
This is a piece of Fulham history so don't miss out on your chance to own this once in a lifetime Third shirt. Celebrate the Chairman's commitment to the Club and this landmark occasion, with the 2010/11 Fulham Third shirt.
Buy your brand new third kit today!
Store Details
Fulham Road Club Store
959-961 Fulham Road
London
SW6 5HY
Opening Times:
Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 3pm
Stadium Store
Stevenage Road
London
SW6 6HH
Opening Times:
Monday - Saturday 9am - 6pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/HeadlineImages-big/Retail/third.jpg)
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/ThirdKitlaunch.aspx?#ixzz146gLBgLr (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/ThirdKitlaunch.aspx?#ixzz146gLBgLr)
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219490 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219490)
Fulham - Monday`s Interesting Fact!
An interesting fact for a Monday evening!
With the three points safely bagged against Wigan Athletic, it was generally accepted that the second half lacked the sparkle of the first half and that it was a little stale.
Therefore, it might interest you to know that we seem to be establishing a pattern whereby we only score in the first half.
Apparently our last FIVE League goals have all been scored in the first half!
Strange!
And the next player to score in the second half, in a Premier League game for Fulham, will be?
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219490#ixzz146gcXvTw (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219490#ixzz146gcXvTw)
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219492 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219492)
Fulham - It`s Out Soon!
For all those who think the new third kit is the bee`s knees, we have some news for you.
Although the majority seem to think the Harrod`s Green kit ranks up their with the worst designs ever, it is available in the club shop from this Saturday when Aston Villa are the visitors to Craven Cottage.
I wonder what the sales figures will be like!
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219492#ixzz146grrjjy (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=219492#ixzz146grrjjy)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1325679/30m-Dani-Alves-quit-Barcelona-Manchester-City.html? (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1325679/30m-Dani-Alves-quit-Barcelona-Manchester-City.html?)
Dani Alves could leave Barcelona for Manchester City: Catalan giants fear £30m raid
Barcelona are bracing themselves for a £30million bid from Manchester City for Brazilian defender Dani Alves.
City have long been linked with the dynamic right-back and made tentative inquiries in the summer yet the 27-year-old looked ready to sign a new contract at the Camp Nou.
However, that deal has not been signed and Barcelona insiders fear that is because Alves believes he can get a much better deal with City - especially after seeing former teammate Yaya Toure strike a deal worth £220,000 a week.
Barcelona, who are £430m in debt, thought they had pushed the boat out by offering Alves £160,000 a week but it is understood to be heavily based on bonuses. He has stalled on signing and now Barca expect a £30m offer to come in January for a player who has just 18 months left on his contract.
Last week, amid reports Barca had given Alves a December 31 deadline by which to sign, his agent Joaquin Macanas said: 'Dani is one of the best defenders in the world and the big clubs desire his services. We only ask that Barca value him in reality for his work and development during these years.'
Meanwhile, Besiktas are the latest club to rekindle interest in City striker Roque Santa Cruz. City manager Roberto Mancini confirmed last week that the Paraguay international will be allowed to leave in January and Fulham, Getafe and Sevilla have expressed interest.
Leicester are also keen to explore the chance of a loan deal - but that deal is unlikely.
The Turks want Santa Cruz, 29, in January and would hand him the same wages plus a key role in their bid to win a place in next season's Champions League but Fulham remain strong candidates.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1325679/30m-Dani-Alves-quit-Barcelona-Manchester-City.html?#ixzz146hVNv6zCity.html?#ixzz146hQLEcC (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1325679/30m-Dani-Alves-quit-Barcelona-Manchester-City.html?#ixzz146hVNv6zCity.html?#ixzz146hQLEcC)
DICKSON Etuhu is in line to return for next week's west London derby with Chelsea.
The Fulham midfielder has been sidelined since the draw against West Ham at the beginning of last month with an ankle injury.
But the Nigerian has been using an oxygen chamber in a bid to speed up his recovery from the ankle ligament damage he suffered.
And boss Mark Hughes is hopeful Etuhu will be back in time for next Wednesday's crunch clash at Stamford Bridge.
Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/11/02/fulham-midfielder-set-to-return-for-chelsea-clash-82029-27580347/#ixzz146vQs5Kc (http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/11/02/fulham-midfielder-set-to-return-for-chelsea-clash-82029-27580347/#ixzz146vQs5Kc)
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/AJWiganReaction.aspx (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/AJWiganReaction.aspx)
AJ's Thanks(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Players/AJohnson/General1.jpg)
Saturday's well-deserved victory over Wigan at Craven Cottage was made all the more positive after Andrew Johnson's late appearance as a substitute. The striker who has endured a lengthy period out on the sidelines continued his return to full match fitness with an energetic showing in the closing stages of the game.
"It's been such a long time, I'm just delighted to get some game time," Johnson said after the game. "I had 30 minutes last week and another 15 minutes this week but it wasn't really about me, it was about the team. We got a great result and it was an important three points for us.
"I'd like to say thank you so much to the fans. I thought they were absolutely fantastic; to come back to a set of fans like that is amazing. It sent a shiver down my spine and I just need to get match fit now and give them back what they gave me.
"The fans have been fantastic, I've had some great letters sent to me. It's been a tough time, I'm not going to lie, I was down for a long time but you see the rewards when you come back out and see the fans.
"I was out from the middle of January so it's been nearly ten months, I was also out for three months before that with a groin problem, so it's pretty much been a 13 month lay-off. It's been very frustrating and hard but I've got a great family around me, a great set of lads and the medical staff here kept me on my toes and working hard.
"I've been injury free pretty much most of my career. Any injuries I had I sorted out in the off-season. I've been very lucky throughout my career and never missed anything more than three months when I was 17."
Plenty has changed at the Club since Johnson last played a full 90 minutes, with a new Manager, new style of play and new players. And as AJ explained, he's enjoying every moment of training and playing in a new environment.
"I wasn't really around too much when we changed manager because it was over the summer," he said. "I didn't really see the manager for the first part of the season because I spent so much time in the gym. But of course, any player who gets a new boss is eager to prove what they can do. He's put me on in games and all I can do is keep working hard.
"He's been absolutely fantastic, he's not rushed me one bit, he said, 'take your time, the last thing we want is you to come back and have a setback.' He's been very understanding and mindful of the fact that I can't rush it because I rushed my last two injuries.
"The training has been brilliant, it's really helped me get fit quicker because the intensity's been upped a lot. I just look forward to every day, training and getting fitter. Hopefully in three or four week's time you'll see me fully match fit and back to how I was.
"We'd had some great additions to the squad. I think Mousa has been absolutely fantastic and obviously Zoltan Gera, who played a massive part last year, has been fantastic as well. Carlos is a top class left-back, he isn't scared of getting forward and when he gets there he puts in a great ball.
"The Manager's put a massive emphasis on how he wants us to play. He wants us to press high, get in people's faces and stop other teams from pressing and I think we showed that in the first-half on Saturday.
"We didn't give them a minute to play football, but when we got the ball we were relaxed and played some great stuff – probably some of the best football I've seen since I've been at the Club. We killed the game off in the second-half, settled down and didn't let them get back into the game.
"It was a massive win for us. I wouldn't say we've been playing badly; we've just had a little bit of bad luck with injuries, offside decisions and stuff like that. So it was massive for us to get three points and get us back on the winning streak."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/AJWiganReaction.aspx#ixzz147kCCHqY (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/AJWiganReaction.aspx#ixzz147kCCHqY)
http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/midfielder-in-fitness-race-1113867.html (http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/midfielder-in-fitness-race-1113867.html)
Midfielder in fitness race
Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu is in a race against time to be fit for the west London derby against Chelsea next week.
An ankle injury picked up in the draw with West Ham at the start of October has kept the Nigerian out of the side but it is now hoped he will be back in time for the clash at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday.
Etuhu has been using an oxygen chamber to try and speed up his recovery from the ligament damage he suffered and Mark Hughes is keeping his fingers crossed that he will be okay for the clash at Stamford Bridge.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-captain-Danny-Murphy-s-comments-an-insult-to-Stoke-s-Tony-Pulis-Wolves-Mick-McCarthy-and-Blackburn-s-Sam-Allardyce-says-Manchester-United-boss-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-article619227.html (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-captain-Danny-Murphy-s-comments-an-insult-to-Stoke-s-Tony-Pulis-Wolves-Mick-McCarthy-and-Blackburn-s-Sam-Allardyce-says-Manchester-United-boss-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-article619227.html)
Murphy's comments "an insult" to Pulis, McCarthy and Allardyce, says Sir Alex
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has defended fellow bosses Tony Pulis and Mick McCarthy against the charge that their teams are too aggressive.
Fulham's Danny Murphy made the claim last month, causing a storm of protest from the men concerned, which also included Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce.
As someone whose own Manchester United team has successfully overcome Stoke and Wolves - who visit Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday - over the past 10 days, Ferguson is uniquely placed to assess the two sides and the Scot does not feel Pulis and McCarthy are guilty of any crime beyond wanting the best for their team.
"It is an insult to the managers of the teams, because you couldn't get two more honest guys than Tony Pulis and Mick McCarthy," he told Inside United.
"Their job is to get their players committed and motivated. There is nothing wrong with that.
"I know more about Tony Pulis' team because they have been in the league longer. They have always been honest.
"Mick was an aggressive player himself and his teams play in a similar way but you don't get punished for that. You can't say they are any different from any team that's come out of the Championship to survive in the Premier League.
"Sometimes it takes years to get to the next level of play and maintain that higher standard."
Known for his own aggressive style during his playing days in Scotland, Ferguson does not believe current standards come close to comparing with what he was used to.
"The players are babies now," he said.
"In my day you had to hit someone with a hatchet before a referee booked you. It's a different game now."
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-captain-Danny-Murphy-s-comments-an-insult-to-Stoke-s-Tony-Pulis-Wolves-Mick-McCarthy-and-Blackburn-s-Sam-Allardyce-says-Manchester-United-boss-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-article619227.html#ixzz1481h7RwY (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-captain-Danny-Murphy-s-comments-an-insult-to-Stoke-s-Tony-Pulis-Wolves-Mick-McCarthy-and-Blackburn-s-Sam-Allardyce-says-Manchester-United-boss-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-article619227.html#ixzz1481h7RwY)
Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here
http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/chalkboards-without-the-chalkboards/ (http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/chalkboards-without-the-chalkboards/)
Chalkboards without the chalkboards
Filed under: Analysis — rich
The chalkboard images are on the laptop at home, but a few things seemed to stand out against Wigan.
Partnerships – this was something Roy brought up in his UEFA coaching videos, but all over the field you have partnerships, pairs of players who will be linking up together in various areas. On Saturday we had some terrific partnerships.
Dempsey and Dembele didn't pass the ball to each other all that much, but both were extremely hard to pin down. If you look at the chalkboards both were operating all over the opponents' half to the point where they were both almost in 'false 9 roles'. Their interaction with the midfield was superb.
The engine room of Murphy and Greening must have driven Wigan's midfield to distraction. These two were imperious, towering over the game. Both saw a lot of the ball, both used it well and quickly. It'll be different with different opponents, but let's not forget that Wigan were unbeaten away before they came to us. Dempsey and Salcido got the plaudits, and thoroughly deserved this, but you win games in the middle of the pitch and Murphy and Greening dominated here.
Down the right Chris Baird's chalkboard looks like that of two players: he was an army on the wing. (I have some suspicions here – the Guardian has almost twice as many Baird passes as the Telegraph, and Baird and Gera do look somewhat alike – but the general partnership point holds: Baird and Gera were an absolute menace to Wigan.)
Gera was in his element. The difference between European Gera and League Gera was sizeable last season, potentially because European refs are stricter and European teams less aggressive. There were no yellow cards on Saturday, I don't think, and Wigan certainly let our boys play. This suited Gera, who ran riot in the advanced wide midfield role. Like Dempsey and Dembele, he was all over the place in attack (in a good way) – very hard to pick up.
I flagged up Carlos Salcido's crossing after the season's first home game. As I recall, out of nowhere he ran onto the ball and blasted in a couple of deadly crosses first time. The excellence of those crosses shocked me; you just don't see that sort of delivery in the game today. Well since then he's laid on a goal for Dempsey at Blackburn, and another on Saturday. What a cross it was. It's been said that Dempsey had an easy header, but this oversimplifies things; Clint made it look easy with glorious technique.
Working with Salcido on what was effectively our 'weak side' (in that we went down there a lot less) was Simon Davies. There was a moment in the second half that was classic Davies: the ball looped towards him on the left flank, and Davies, facing the wrong way, angled himself backwards and redirected the ball first time towards Dempsey (I think). It was a really sharp pass, and it was intercepted, but the sort of ball that defences can't set themselves for. He's technically brilliant isn't he? With him and Murphy in the side, and Dembele ahead of them, we have three wonderful ballplayers working together. When it clicks like it did on Saturday they're a real handful.
http://sport.virginmedia.com/football/article/2010/11/02/johnson_praises_amazing_fans? (http://sport.virginmedia.com/football/article/2010/11/02/johnson_praises_amazing_fans?)
Johnson praises "amazing" fans
Fit-again Fulham striker Andrew Johnson has revealed how his Craven Cottage comeback sent a shiver down his spine following his injury-plagued year.
Saturday saw Johnson make his first home appearance since January, the 29-year-old coming off the bench for the final nine minutes of his side's Barclays Premier League win over Wigan.
Johnson had been sidelined with a serious knee injury, something he picked up shortly after returning from almost three months out with a groin problem.
"To come back to a set of fans like that is amazing," he said. "It sent a shiver down my spine and I just need to get match fit now and give them back what they gave me.
"It's been a tough time, I'm not going to lie. I was down for a long time but you see the rewards when you come back out and see the fans."
http://sport.virginmedia.com/football/article/2010/11/02/johnson_grateful_over_hughes_patience? (http://sport.virginmedia.com/football/article/2010/11/02/johnson_grateful_over_hughes_patience?)
Johnson grateful over Hughes patience
Andy Johnson has thanked Fulham manager Mark Hughes for not rushing him back from his nine-month injury lay-off.
Saturday's Barclays Premier League win against Wigan was Johnson's second substitute appearance since recovering from a serious knee problem.
The striker said of Hughes, who succeeded Roy Hodgson in the summer: "He's been absolutely fantastic; he's not rushed me one bit.
"He said, 'Take your time; the last thing we want is you to come back and have a setback'.
"He's been very understanding and mindful of the fact that I can't rush it because I rushed my last two injuries."
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/KickzSuccess.aspx? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/KickzSuccess.aspx?)
Kickz Success
Kickz is a nationwide initiative in which projects are placed into areas in the country where high levels of crime and anti-social behaviour take place. Currently Fulham FC Foundation deliver 7 projects, these are run in the London boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham which has 1 project, and Merton, Lambeth and Kingston upon Thames which each have 2.
In the period running from 1st December 2009 to 1st September 2010 the Kickz programmes have engaged with 1027 different young people with a total of 27,878 contact hours with Fulham FC coaches. A total of 807 sessions have been delivered with the split of male attendees at 755 and female at 272.
Workshops are also delivered as part of the programme and have ranged in topic from employability skills to sexual health awareness, with 678 young people attending in the last 10 months. 16 different accredited courses have also been delivered, including FA level 1's and BTEC courses.
Of the 16 courses, 404 young people achieved a qualification. This represents 65% of young people who have attended Kickz have taken part in an outcome based workshop, and 40% of all Kickz participants have received an accredited outcome.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/KickzSuccess.aspx?#ixzz148B9s4t9 (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/KickzSuccess.aspx?#ixzz148B9s4t9)
http://www.teamtalk.com/fulham/6482336/Johnson-grateful-for-Hughes-patience? (http://www.teamtalk.com/fulham/6482336/Johnson-grateful-for-Hughes-patience?)
Johnson grateful for Hughes patience
Andy Johnson has thanked Fulham manager Mark Hughes for not rushing him back from his nine-month injury lay-off.
Saturday's Premier League win against Wigan was Johnson's second substitute appearance since recovering from a serious knee problem.
The striker said of Hughes, who succeeded Roy Hodgson in the summer: "He's been absolutely fantastic; he's not rushed me one bit.
"He said, 'Take your time; the last thing we want is you to come back and have a setback'.
"He's been very understanding and mindful of the fact that I can't rush it because I rushed my last two injuries."
Johnson added: "To come back to a set of fans like that is amazing.
"It sent a shiver down my spine and I just need to get match fit now and give them back what they gave me.
"It's been a tough time, I'm not going to lie. I was down for a long time but you see the rewards when you come back out and see the fans."
Quote from: WhiteJC on November 02, 2010, 12:43:12 PM
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-captain-Danny-Murphy-s-comments-an-insult-to-Stoke-s-Tony-Pulis-Wolves-Mick-McCarthy-and-Blackburn-s-Sam-Allardyce-says-Manchester-United-boss-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-article619227.html (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-captain-Danny-Murphy-s-comments-an-insult-to-Stoke-s-Tony-Pulis-Wolves-Mick-McCarthy-and-Blackburn-s-Sam-Allardyce-says-Manchester-United-boss-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-article619227.html)
Murphy's comments "an insult" to Pulis, McCarthy and Allardyce, says Sir Alex
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has defended fellow bosses Tony Pulis and Mick McCarthy against the charge that their teams are too aggressive.
This goes back to October BLOODY 6. Does it take this long to get
The Sun up to Manchester? [okay, unintentional pun there]. Or perhaps he's just now read the LMA directive that all bosses have to trash that guy from Fulham who has the temerity to speak the most obvious truth in English football.
What the hell is red nose trying to prove by stirring this up again now? And how exactly does one go about instulting Pubis, McCarthy, and Allardyce? I mean, their very presence in the PRem is an insult.
You done pissed off the hatter now, Sir Alex! :airfix:
Aw, crap, that's not the right one. :035:
They're so hard to tell apart.
