Thursday Fulham Stuff (06/03/14)...

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Worst Premier League performers so far

WhoScored's Alistair Tweedale looks at some of the worst performers in the Premier League and comes up with a select XI for the top flight.

There is little in the way of competition for Luis Suarez in the race for the Premier League's player of the season award, but at the other end of the spectrum, the gong for the worst performing player of the current campaign is up for grabs. Few can identify those that stand out for the wrong reasons quite like WhoScored.com, so here is their Premier League Worst XI of the season so far, considering only players to have made at least 10 starts.

Norwich's main failing last season was in front of goal; only Stoke and relegated QPR scored fewer Premier League goals than them and their strikeforce of Grant Holt, Kei Kamara, Simeon Jackson, Steve Morison, Harry Kane and Luciano Becchio combined to net just 11 goals. Holt scored eight of those but even he was clearly not of the standard that the Canaries needed to become anything like a top half team. All of those mentioned bar Becchio left the club in the summer and investment in the striker department was duly delivered with Gary Hooper, Johan Elmander and Ricky van Wolfswinkel brought in, but all three have been decidedly awful since joining.

Hooper's five goals are only just enough to keep him out of the team (average rating of 6.44), while Elmander only misses out due to the fact that a few other strikers have managed to be worse than him. One of those is Van Wolfswinkel, who is the worst Premier League player in WhoScored's rankings. The goal he scored on debut against Everton was something of a false alarm; it was his second shot in English football, but he has failed to score with any of his last 23 attempts. In fact, he has only hit the target 3 times in the last seven months, in which time he has been on the pitch for nearly 16 hours. A shot on target every 5 hours 15 minutes of action since scoring your only goal of the season is hardly the return Van Wolfswinkel or Chris Hughton will have been hoping for.

Partnering him up front is Danny Graham, who was supposed to solve Hull's own goalscoring problems in the Championship, but he managed only one goal in 18 appearances before being shipped down a league to Middlesbrough (where he is, incidentally, yet to score). He doesn't score enough goals and makes an average of just 11.3 passes per game, so also does not contribute enough in other aspects. Statistically calculated weaknesses of aerial duels, passing, finishing and 'defensive contribution' speak volumes about whether Graham actually has sufficient quality in any part of his game to play at the top level. His average rating of 6.23 is the second worst in the Premier League this season.

The wide midfield positions are taken up by Fulham's Alexander Kacaniklic and West Ham's Matt Jarvis. The latter won a call up for England only three years ago but the thought of him going on the plane to Brazil this summer is simply absurd, given his performances over the past two seasons. This season, he has been largely ineffective, scoring just once and picking up 3 assists in 20 starts and five substitute appearances. He generally attempts crosses without trying to beat his man first, and that hasn't proved effective, with the Hammers' wideman finding a teammate with only 18 of his 109 cross attempts (excluding corners). Incredibly, Jarvis has given the ball away with 39.7% of his touches this season. Kacaniklic hasn't fared much better, with his most noteworthy act all season coming when he scored a consolation with his side three-goals down at home to Manchester United.

Quite what Kagisho Dikgacoi provides for Crystal Palace, on top of a lot of running, is beyond the best of us. No goals or assists from 21 shots and key passes hints that he should be a combative, ball-winning central midfielder, but with 1.6 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game, he doesn't even rank in the top 10 for either statistic at Crystal Palace. In fact, there are 22 Premier League central midfielders who fare better than him, and this is meant to be the area in which he contributes most.

Kim Bo-Kyung played a huge part in getting Cardiff into the Premier League, but the step up seems it might have been too great for him. Creation isn't his forte, yet to register a single assist so far this season, and he isn't good in the air, with three aerial duels won from 35 contests. His 18 accurate passes per game is down there with the lowest amongst central midfielders in the league and he does not win possession enough. Kim would be a prime candidate for the 2013/14 Premier League's 'jack of all trades, master of none' award.

Cardiff teammate Declan John came into the starting team midway through the season but hasn't done much to convince fans that he is deserving of the spot, having obtained status as the Premier League's worst full-back (average rating 6.32). Naturally cautious given his tender years, John provides extremely little attacking threat (four accurate crosses in 14 appearances), and has only made 13 tackles and seven interceptions. Worryingly for Cardiff, their only other natural left-back, Andrew Taylor, has been the second worst in the whole Premier League.

Ondrej Celustka has been almost as bad since signing for Sunderland last summer; he has started 14 Premier League games but only been on the winning side twice, and it is no coincidence that the Black Cats have scored only seven times with him on the pitch, with the Czech making only 2 key passes in 19 appearances.

Centre-backs Marc Wilson and Alex Bruce make up the defence, with the latter's 1.9 aerial duels won per game no fewer than the 65th-highest of Premier League central defenders. Wilson ranks only four places above him in this regard, while both also come up at the wrong end of the rankings when looking at the number of times they are dribbled past.

In goal, Keiren Westwood completes the XI, and his stats only serve to reinforce the view that Vito Mannone has been Sunderland's best signing in recent times. Westwood's pass success rate (37%) is the worst of all players with at least 1 start in the Premier League this season, while his save success rate (60.4%) is down there at the wrong end of the top flight's stoppers. Mannone's (79.4%), in comparison, is the best in the league.

All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings.


http://www.teamtalk.com/blog/16129/9196596/-?

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Parker: Result Is Vital

Scott Parker believes the match at Cardiff is our biggest of the season and returning to SW6 with points is vital.

Parker: Result Is Vital


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/05/parker-preview?

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Fulham's clash with Cardiff is Cottagers' last chance saloon for shot at safety


Fulham's players celebrate an own goal by Liverpool's Kolo Toure (Picture: AP)
At the end of every weekend I, in a rather matter-of-fact, frustrated manner, write-off Fulham's chances of surviving relegation from the Premier League.

Then, as the working week draws to a close and the weekend fixture comes into focus, I regain a level of unwarranted belief that this will be the week we will get the win that will turn our disastrous season around.

Last week's game against Chelsea however, showed, to the disdain of the faithful, that Felix Magath doesn't own a magic wand and that, at best, we can only expect minimal improvements from the team.

Our performance was lackadaisical to say the least – we showed an unfamiliarly slow Chelsea side too much respect, and we failed to take the game to them assertively.

Second half was, in some ways, much the same – we still offered nothing in the final third – but as an added bonus for Chelsea, who showed improvement after the break, our defence lost assertion too.

Next week's fixture against Cardiff City is therefore, rather unceremoniously, the unofficial cup final of the relegation battle, that will see the loser all but relegated.

It's a game that both teams, you'd like to think, will put absolutely everything in to, and it's one that, if we win, could make my tiny amount of unwarranted belief that little bit more justified.

It's Fulham's last chance to show real intent, and a vital three points that both teams will reflect on one way or another, come the end of the season.



http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/04/fulhams-clash-with-cardiff-is-cottagers-last-chance-saloon-for-shot-at-safety-4414897/?

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Norwich 0-2 Fulham

Watch the goals as the young Whites continued their strong Barclays U18 Premier League form with victory at Norwich.

Norwich 0-2 Fulham, Barclays U18 Premier League

An Aaron Redford strike and an Emerson Hyndman penalty earned Fulham's Under-18s a 2-0 win at Norwich City on Saturday.

On a cold afternoon at Norwich's Colney training centre, Fulham made a bright start. Jordan Evans had the ball in the net early on but saw his effort ruled out for offside.

George Williams then forced the Norwich keeper into a save with a 20-yard drive, before Fulham went in front in the 41st minute. The Whites broke quickly and a sublime pass from Hyndman found Redford who fired home a fine left-footed finish.

The second half continued in much the same vein, with Fulham dominating proceedings. However, they failed to create any clear openings until after the hour mark when a couple of good chances went the way of the Whites. Hyndman saw a free-kick well saved, before Williams burst clear in the 70th minute but elected to square the ball and saw his attempted pass miss the advancing Evans.

Fulham's pressure finally told, though, and they were awarded a penalty in the 79th minute when Norwich failed to clear a corner and Josh Smile fed Noe Baba who was tripped in the area. Hyndman stepped up to confidently score from the spot to make sure of the points.

Fulham: Norman, Sheckleford, Donnelly, Baba, Edun, Sambou, Smile, Williams (Elworthy 70), Hyndman, Evans, Redford (Leacock-McLeod 60).


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/05/norwich-u18s-video?

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Inside The Cardiff City Stadium

Ahead of Saturday's "six pointer" at Cardiff City, Bluebirds fan George Prior gives us an insight on his team.

Like Fulham, it's fair to say it's been an eventful season for Cardiff. What have you made of your campaign so far?

It's been a bumpy ride, with some highs and lows along the way, but the current league position of 19th pretty much sums the season up. Regardless of all the off-field problems that have dominated the headlines, our main problem has been an inability to score goals. Whilst we've had some great days against Manchester City and Manchester United, it's the draws and losses to the teams around us that have come back to haunt us.


What have you made of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in his short time at the club?

Filling the shoes of Malky Mackay was never going to be easy but I think OGS is finding the Barclays Premier League a bigger step up from managing Molde in Norway than he anticipated. He's struggled to settle on his favourite starting XI and the lack of goals will clearly be a worry to a striker of his calibre who was prolific in his time at Old Trafford. 


How have your January transfer window signings fared?

The January window is always a difficult one to get right and it's been a baptism of fire for most of the signings that have come in - especially with a few tough games to start them off. There's a lot of raw ability in the players we've signed, especially Fabio and Wilfried Zaha, but they still need time to develop their game to suit the demands of the Premier League. Kenwyne Jones started with a goal, but he's struggled for form since then.


Do you believe Cardiff can survive?

We've got to keep believing. It's not looking good, but it's not over yet. We're still in touching distance of the other teams, and will keep battling until the end.


It's a proper "six pointer" on Saturday. What sort of game do you anticipate?

The Cardiff City Stadium will be a cauldron of noise on Saturday. Every player on the pitch will know that they're playing for their Premier League future so I'd expect the tackles to be flying in and there to be plenty of goals.

Which Cardiff players have stood out for you this season?

Gary Medel is a class act – he's comfortable on the ball and doesn't miss a tackle. He won't be short of offers if he impresses at the World Cup in the summer. Another player that's impressed me is Declan John. As a young prospect, he's earned his spot in the team and adds a dynamic option at left-back.


Which Fulham players will you be most wary of?

You'd expect the Fulham players to be giving their all for Felix Magath, but Steve Sidwell has stood out all season.



Can you recommend a good place for the Fulham fans to grab a pint before the game?

The City Arms by the Millennium Stadium has some great beer on tap and it's only a 15-minute walk from the ground.



Finally, what's your score prediction for the match?

With two leaky defences up against each other I'm going to say a 3-2 home win. Pure box office.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/05/inside-the-cardiff-city-stadium?

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Spring Fultime Out Now!

The spring edition of the official Fulham FC magazine, Fultime, is out now!

Just some of the exclusives from a jam-packed 84 pages are:

Scott Parker on his eventful football journey
Kieran Richardson discusses his career to date
Alan Mullery recalls his spells as Whites skipper
Clint Dempsey answers your questions
John Dempsey on his time with both SW6 clubs
Les Strong looks back on his short-lived stint at Rochdale
Luis Boa Morte on the five games that mean the most to him
And Sean Davis picks his Fulham Dream XI
We also profile new Manager Felix Magath, continue our countdown on the 100 Men Who Shaped FFC, take a look and a listen at Fulham-related music releases and recall the 1996/97 season. There's plenty more too - including the chance to win a Fulham home shirt signed by members of the First Team squad.

The traditional printed version of Fultime is sent to all our Season Ticket Holders for free, while the digital edition – with added video content – now goes to our Members.

For non-Season Ticket Holders and non-Members, Fultime is also available to buy instore or online for £3.50. It can also be downloaded as an App. Priced £2.49, the App is available via Apple's Newsstand or Pocketmags.

For just £30, Digital Members get a host of benefits, including the thrice-yearly Fultime. Click the button below for full details.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/05/spring-fultime-out-now?

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Groundsman Greg swaps Reading FC for Fulham

Saturday's 1-1 draw with Yeovil Town was Greg Bolton's last as head groundsman at Madejski Stadium


Groundsman Greg Bolton has left Reading after 12 years to take a job at Fulham.
There are not many Royals fans who will have had better views of the club's recent successes than groundsman Greg Bolton.

Having started work at the club as an apprentice in 2001, the Reading fanatic progressed through the ranks to take the top job at Madejski Stadium two years ago.

It's a role which has given him a close-up view of several memorable moments, although there is one he says which particularly sticks in the memory.

"It was Graeme's Murty's penalty against QPR in 2006," he said.

"When they all bundled Kingsley it was all happening in front of us."

But despite enjoying so many special memories during his time working for the club he loves, Bolton has decided to move on to pastures new.

On Saturday he used his pitchfork for the last time at Madejski Stadium before making a move to Fulham, following the same path his predecessor at Reading, Bruce Elliott, took in 2011.

Bolton starts his new position as head groundsman at Craven Cottage on Monday.

"When you've been somewhere all your adult life that's all you know," he said.

"Going from that to something different is always going to be a big change, but it's one I'm looking forward to.

"It's a fresh start. One that will reinvigorate my desire to be as good as I can be."

Bolton added: "I've had a great time with Reading. I'm a fan of the club and started watching them in 1993.

"Ever since the move to the Mad Stad I had a season ticket so when I was given an apprenticeship it was a dream job.

"It's certainly been very exciting but the time is right to try something new."



http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/groundsman-greg-swaps-reading-fc-6774326?

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Parker ready to win ugly in crucial Cardiff clash

Fulham star says it's points not performance that matter in 'biggest game of the season'


Up for the fight: Fulham midfielder Scott Parker
Scott Parker insists Fulham will settle for winning ugly in Saturday's crucial relegation six-pointer with Cardiff.

The rock-bottom Cottagers are four points adrift of safety with just 10 games remaining heading into the clash in South Wales.

And Parker says it's points not performances that matter at the business end of the campaign.

He said: "When you get to this point in the season and you've got two teams at the bottom fighting for your lives it's not going to be a classic.


Must win: Parker admits Fulham must take points from Saturday's basement battle
"It's going to be one full of energy and desire. I'm not sure how much quality there will be. The most important thing is winning.

"They will have the same mindset and will be looking to do the same. We'll give it our best shot.

"It's the biggest game of the season for us. We need to come out of it with some points."

Parker has seen two managerial changes at Craven Cottage this season after Martin Jol and Rene Meulensteen were both given the boot.


New man in charge: Felix Magath
And he admits they are still adapting to Felix Magath's methods as he bids to steer the club to safety.

Parker added: "When a new manager comes in it takes some time to get used to what they want from you, their philosophy and how they want to play.

"We're still going through an adaption phase but it's gone down really well. We're trying everything we can to pull ourselves out of the situation we're in."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/parker-ready-win-ugly-crucial-6774526?

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Stoke 0-0 Fulham

Watch the chances as both sides came close to breaking the deadlock but the Whites and Stoke ended in a stalemate.

Stoke 0-0 Fulham, Barclays U21 Premier League

Fulham's Under-21s were held to a 0-0 draw away to Stoke City on Friday afternoon.

Stoke made the brighter start at their Clayton Wood training ground and Alex Grant saw a header cleared off the line in the 13th minute after meeting a cross from Joel Taylor.

Fulham had a chance to open the scoring at the other end a few minutes later when Mananga Jonathan Buatu arrived unmarked at the far post but could only send his header wide.

Marek Rodàk was called into action in the 28th minute, saving a close-range effort from Grant after the Stoke man had met a corner at the near post.

Just after the half-hour mark, Lyle Della Verde connected with Buomesca Tué Na Bangna's cross but saw his effort beaten away by Dale Eve, before Stoke again went close moments before the break, with Grant's header from a Charlie Ward corner cleared off the line.

Fulham began the second half well and Eve made a great save to thwart Ange-Freddy Plumain a few minutes in.

Stoke hit back and Rodàk did well to tip a shot from Adam Thomas over the bar. After a lull in the game, Rodàk again came to Fulham's rescue late on, tipping a long-range effort by Grant onto the post before the Whites defence cleared the ball to safety in what proved to be the final moment of note in the match.

Under-21s Manager Kit Symons said: "Stoke were by far the better team in the first half. We were awful quite frankly and they were well on top. They should have been at least a couple of goals up and we were very grateful to Marek who kept us in the game, while Cameron Burgess defended well at left-sided centre-half.

"At half-time I told the boys we were lucky to still be level as we didn't deserve to be and in the second half they really upped it. We were forced to make three subs early into the half but they came on and did very well and the performance was much better.

"But it wasn't our best performance by a long stretch and the overall feeling was of disappointment because we didn't play well. But they stuck at it and the second half was much better. We got a point and a clean sheet so there are always positives and some of the young boys did really well."

Fulham: Rodàk, Brister (Passley 46), Buatu, Burgess, Briggs (Banya 50), Na Bangna, Christensen, Della Verde, Pritchard, Plumain, Dembélé (Williams 50). Subs (not used): Oberschmidt, Islamovic.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/05/stoke-u21s-video?

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Everton Tickets

Tickets for Fulham v Everton on Sunday 30th March are available to buy on General Sale.

Last year in this fixture, a late Steve Sidwell strike earned the Whites a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw, while we also saw off the Toffees 2-1 at Craven Cottage earlier this season in the Capital One Cup.

Prices for the encounter start from £40 for adults and £20 for juniors, with supporters able to purchase up to six tickets each.

Make sure you're at the Cottage to cheer on the boys against Roberto Martinez's side. Buy your tickets online today or by calling 0843 208 1234.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/05/everton-tickets?

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Wigan: Ryan Tunnicliffe targets Championship play-offs

Ryan Tunnicliffe believes Wigan Athletic must quickly consolidate their position in the Championship play-off places after climbing to sixth.

The Latics moved into the top six for first time since August after a 4-1 win at Nottingham Forest.

"Hopefully we can push on now, win a few more and win the game in hand and cement our place in there [top six]," Tunnicliffe told BBC Radio Manchester.

The 21-year-old is on loan until the end of the season at the DW Stadium.

Tunnicliffe came through the youth system at Manchester United, but only made two substitute appearances at Old Trafford and was loaned out to Peterborough, Barnsley and Ipswich.

He moved to Fulham on the final day of the transfer window in January, but after featuring twice in the Premier League against United and Liverpool, manager Rene Meulensteen was replaced by Felix Magath and he was allowed to leave Craven Cottage.

"I've been here all year [in the Championship] with Ipswich so I've only had a month's break out of it and it was easy to get to grips with it," Tunnicliffe added.

"You're going to need everyone in the squad and obviously football is a team game and with people getting knocks everyone will be needed.

"[I was] born in Bury and grew up in Heywood, so it's nice to be back home and only half an hour away."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26450419

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Fulham boss Magath plans to loan out young guns

Craven Cottage chief wants to trim squad size in SW6


Loan ranger? Youngster Lasse Vigen Christensen
Felix Magath plans to loan out Fulham's young guns as he relies on old heads for the club's survival fight.

The German coach has already allowed January signings Ryan Tunnicliffe and Larnell Cole to head out and get regular game time, although he insists the pair have long-term futures at Craven Cottage.

Josh Passley, Lasse Vigen Christensen and Ange-Freddy Plumain were among the academy prospects handed debuts by former boss Rene Meulensteen.

But Magath says the club's crop of talented youngsters need to go out on loan to develop.

He said: "I think that young players must play – they need practice. They need to be involved in game situations, so I prefer to loan them to other clubs."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-boss-magath-plans-loan-6775319?

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Magath aiming to sort loan exits

Felix Magath is set to loan out more of Fulham's young players to hand them some regular first-team action elsewhere.

The new Cottagers boss has already allowed January signings Ryan Tunnicliffe and Larnell Cole to head out on loan with the former joining Wigan and Cole heading to MK Dons. Magath says those two do still have long-term futures at Craven Cottage but he is keen for them to play some lower league football and to experience life in the first team somewhere as they progress. The likes of Josh Passley, Lasse Vigen Christensen and Ange-Freddy Plumain, who have all featured this season under former boss Rene Meulensteen, are now being lined up to go out temporarily with Magath keen for his youngsters to play regularly. He said: "I think that young players must play - they need practice. They need to be involved in game situations, so I prefer to loan them to other clubs."



Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/magath-aiming-to-sort-loan-exits-1715983.html?

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The Craven Corner: Where does Mahamadou Diarra fit in at Fulham?


Fulham's Mahamadou Diarra in action. Picture: Stephen Pond/EMPICS Sport

Our Fulham blogger discusses the potential return of long-term absentee Mahamadou Diarra.

The latest rumour doing the rounds is that Mahamadou Diarra, a player every Fulham fan should know very well, is close to a return to full fitness.

The Mali midfielder has made some impressive appearances for Fulham when he has been fit. Sadly, he suffers from a long-term knee injury and this has meant we have not seen the player for a long time.

Would he get in the starting 11? Yes, for me he would. He's very calm on the ball and I believe he has more to offer than Scott Parker. Diarra has defensive presence but he also can pick out a pass. Partnering Diarra alongside Sidwell would be a great combination. It would allow Sidwell to get forward in a more advanced role where he is better suited.

In an ideal world, I'd hope that we'd see a 4-3-3 back again with Diarra anchoring Sidwell and Lewis Holtby. But I don't think this will happen, as I think manager Felix Magath will stick with a 4-4-1-1 or maybe even introduce a 4-4-2 when Kostas Mitroglou is fully fit.

Just a quick note on Mitroglou, he needs to start against Cardiff. Caulker and Turner are massive defenders and will easily deal with the likes of Hugo Rodallega and Darren Bent. Mitroglou is the only striker currently on the books who could hold defenders off to allow the midfield to run beyond him.

At Cardiff I would like to see both Greeks starting. Mitroglou leading the line with Giorgios Karagounis keeping the midfield ticking over. Giorgos still has a lot to offer and I would partner him with Sidwell from the start. This was clear when he came on against Chelsea. Should one of these players get tired during the Cardiff match, then move Pjatim Kasami into the centre or bring on William Kvist.

Our next game is probably the most important this season. To all the travelling fans, sing your hearts out and hopefully we can leave Wales victorious.

COYW.


http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/the_craven_corner_where_does_mahamadou_diarra_fit_in_at_fulham_1_3398814

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Winning is all that matters when Fulham visit Cardiff says Cottagers midfielder Scott Parker

The Cottagers are in desperate need of points in their relegation battle and can't afford to leave the Cardiff City Stadium with nothing


2013 Getty Images
Charge: Parker says Fulham must get points to start their escape bid
Scott Parker insists Fulham will settle for winning ugly in Saturday's crucial relegation six-pointer with Cardiff.

The rock-bottom Cottagers are four points adrift of safety with just 10 games remaining heading into the clash in South Wales.

And Parker says it's points not performances that matter at the business end of the campaign.

He said: "When you get to this point in the season and you've got two teams at the bottom fighting for your lives it's not going to be a classic.

"It's going to be one full of energy and desire. I'm not sure how much quality there will be. The most important thing is winning.

"They will have the same mindset and will be looking to do the same. We'll give it our best shot.

"It's the biggest game of the season for us. We need to come out of it with some points."

Parker has seen two managerial changes at Craven Cottage this season after Martin Jol and Rene Meulensteen were both given the boot.

And he admits they are still adapting to Felix Magath's methods as he bids to steer the club to safety.

Parker added: "When a new manager comes in it takes some time to get used to what they want from you, their philosophy and how they want to play.

"We're trying everything we can to pull ourselves out of the situation we're in."



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fulham-news-scott-parker-says-3209699#ixzz2v70EWvNX
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Player Bio: Brede Hangeland

Fulham TV presenter Ivan recently caught up with Club Captain Brede Hangeland, to find out just what makes him tick. Take a look at what our defender had to say, in this first Player Bio video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFNNBBVhHhk


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/05/hangeland-player-bio?

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Port Vale's Jack Grimmer in Scotland under-21 squad


Jack Grimmer is in tonight's Scotland under-21 squad

PORT Vale's on-loan Fulham defender Jack Grimmer is hoping to get a run out for Scotland under-21s when they take on Hungary at Dundee United this evening (7.30pm).

The central defender was called up the squad after building on an impressive reputation in Fulham's under-21 side by starring for the Valiants in League One.

Since joining Vale two months ago the 20-year-old has earned glowing reviews for the Valiants, both playing at right back and in central defence.

The game is Scotland's last friendly match before their UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier against the Netherlands at St Mirren Park on Wednesday May 29, with a play-off place for next summer's finals still on the horizon.



Read more: http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-s-Jack-Grimmer-Scotland-21-squad/story-20767685-detail/story.html#ixzz2v70x9iqW

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Northern Ireland U21 0-2 Italy U21: Rugani And Trotta Give Azzurrini Vital Victory

Two second half goals from Daniele Rugani and Marcello Trotta helped Italy U21s to an essential win over Northern Ireland and keep them in with a shout at qualification for the European U21 Championship.

Italy knew they had to win it, especially given that Serbia would go on to trounce table toppers Belguim, but did not start like a side with that urgency.

Roma's Federico Viviani impressed at the heart of the action, captaining his country on a wet, windy Wednesday afternoon at Mourneview Park in Lurgan. The classic and lazy football cliché it may be, but doing it in such conditions on a poor pitch shows his class.

After a stuttering opening 10 minutes, the Azzurrini began to find their groove and put the Irish three-man defence under a little more pressure but despite their cute use of possession, struggled to create and clear cut chances which both sides were still waiting for at the midway point of the half.

It eventually arrived shortly afterwards through a Carl Winchester volley on the right but it was easily dealt with by Francesco Bardi in the Italian goal. As Danilo Cataldi and Viviani's class in the middle of the park began to show, only a brilliant block denied Viviani from a curling indirect free kick inside the penalty box.

Both Federico Bernardeschi and Salvatore Molina had efforts deflected away from danger in the ensuing moments while Rugani swept up anything with ease at the other end and Liam Donnelly had to put in a match-saving clearing header to deny Gianmario Comi who was lurking behind him.

Three minutes before the break things roared to life for Luigi Di Biagio's men as Viviani brought a superb low stop out of Conor Brennan, Comi narrowly missed out on the rebound then Viviani blasted in another that was blocked before Cristian Battocchio curled one into the side netting. Whirlwind football it was but the Northern Ireland backline survived.

In first half injury time, came the chance that Italy were waiting for. A Northern Ireland free kick was cleared to half way where Bernardeschi was waiting and he drove onwards at goal, racing unchallenged into the area but rippled his shot against the side netting despite cries from the Italy support believing it had found the inside netting.

Italy started the second half very much on the front foot and after dictating all of the opening play, took the lead 13 minutes after the restart. Viviani, who had threatened with his deliveries for much of the evening, flighted a free kick perfectly on to the head of Rugani who deftly swung his header in off the post.

From his new position on the right, Bernardeschi won possession back for his side and then sent a sweet strike curling for the far corner and was unlucky to see it bend inches past the upright and Comi had a volley on the turn blocked as LDB's charges turned the screw.

Only a last gasp Luke McCullough stop prevented substitute Marcello Trotta from racing through and finishing while a clever corner kick saw Viviani pick up the ball from 25 yards and fizz one narrowly passed the post.

The lively Trotta had another goalbound attempt deflect just wide, story of the Italy evening, before it was he who made the game safe in the final minute of normal time.

Fellow substitute Jacopo Dezi picked him out through a crowd on the left of the area and he effortlessly shimmied inside past the challenge before sidefooting high into the net at the near post past a helpless Brennan.

The victory keeps the Azzurrini in third place in the Group Nine table but they are just one point behind Serbia and Belgium who occupy the top two spots.

Italy U21: Bardi; Sabelli, Romagnoli, Rugani, Murru; Molina (Trotta 55), Viviani (C), Cataldi, Battochio; Comi (Dezi 73), Bernardeschi (De Col 84).



http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2014/03/northern-ireland-u21-0-2-italy-u21-rugani-and-trotta-give-azzurrini-vital-victory/?

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Holtby shares happy snap with girlfriend while watching England at Wembley... but did things turn sour later? (She's Danish!)

Lewis Holtby looked like the cat that got the cream as he sat next to his glamourous girlfriend at Wembley on Wednesday night.

And why not? The Fulham midfielder, who is on loan from Tottenham, was sat next to a beautiful woman watching his father's homeland play at the home of football.

But while their picture showed a happy couple enjoying a night out, things may have turned a little sour later on - for Holtby's girlfriend is Danish.


Happy couple: Lewis Holtby posed for this picture with his Danish girlfriend, Ann Charlotte, at Wembley

Match-winner: Daniel Sturridge (left) celebrates his decisive goal against Denmark on Wednesday

Head boy: Sturridge (left) leaps to nod home the only goal of the game at Wembley
Holtby, 23, turned down the chance to represent England to play for his home country, Germany, but he made his allegiances in this match clear with his Facebook post.

The former Schalke playmaker shared the picture of him in his seat next to Ann Charlotte and said: 'England vs Denmark ! My half vs my Danish mrs half! Enjoy the game guys.'

After the picture was taken Daniel Sturridge went on to score the winning goal for England after 82 minutes of a closely-fought game.


Lucky boy: Fulham midfielder Holtby's girlfriend, Ann Charlotte, poses for a selfie dressed in denim shorts

Night out: Holtby and his better half pictured heading out for a smart dinner date

Thumbs up: Charlotte wears a Germany shirt. Holtby has won three caps for his country
Denmark were indebted to their goalkeeper, Leicester's Kasper Schmeichel, for a string of saves that kept the visitors in the game going into the final 10 minutes.

But the Danes carved out a few chances of their own and only fine goalkeeping from Joe Hart kept Steffen Rasmussen at bay and prevented Ms Charlotte from going home happy.

Hopefully for Holtby she wasn't too upset by her country's defeat though. But if she is then even meeting up with Fulham boss Felix Magath, a notoriously hard taskmaster, after the international break might suddenly seem more appealing than usual...


Defeat: Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (centre) applauds the Denmark fans after the game

Firing blanks: Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner (right) was unable to break down England's defence


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2574334/Lewis-Holtby-shares-happy-snap-girlfriend-watching-England-Wembley.html#ixzz2v9eqkJTF
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