Thursday Fulham Stuff (09/06/11)

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's man on a mission

When Fulham play Liverpool in the Premier League next season, all eyes will be on the directors' box. There we will be able to watch Damien Comolli turn a bright crimson colour with embarrassment the moment he spots who is in the opposition dug out. Or at least we will be able to if the bloke has any sense of shame.

Comolli, you will remember, was the director of football who, when in charge of Tottenham, fired Martin Jol. This despite the Dutchman leading the club to a top-five finish twice in four years, taking them to numerous cup quarter- and semi-finals, getting the best out of Robbie Keane and generally returning the club to playing the kind of flowing football with which it should be associated.

According to Comolli, who delivered one of the most feeble press conference performances in living memory in defence of his decision the following day, Jol had taken the club about as far as he was going to do. What was needed now was someone who might advance it to the next level. And the man Comolli had identified as being so much more likely to take the club forward than the Dutchman? Step forward Juande Ramos.

No wonder Comolli was soon heading out of the club, and subsequently to Liverpool, where he has continued to demonstrate his shrewd way with the world football market by negotiating to spend £20 million on Jordan Henderson.

Jol took his grievance at his dismissal off to Germany with Hamburg, and later to Holland where he performed admirably as Ajax coach. But he always had a sense of unfinished business. He always wanted to come back to England. So when the opportunity came to take over from Mark Hughes at Fulham he sniffed an opportunity. And what a coup it is for the chairman Mohamed Al Fayed: there can be no employee more motivated than a manager scorned.

Indeed, the debacle of Lawrie Sanchez aside, Al Fayed has proven himself pretty adept at choosing a manager. Jean Tigana, Kevin Keegan, Mark Hughes and Roy Hodgson: it is not a bad roll of honour. A lot better, for instance, than Comolli's hit rate (and before any Liverpool fans scream the place down, Kenny Dalglish was not his idea, apparently).

It is not what you expect of the comical Harrods owner, the man lampooned by Private Eye as the Old Fugger, the misty-eyed star fancier who demonstrated his absence of personal taste by erecting a monstrous waxwork of Michael Jackson outside Craven Cottage and then telling any Fulham fan who didn't like it to go and support Chelsea.

When it comes to making the right managerial appointment, however, he seems to know what he is doing.

He probably didn't expect Hughes to go. The problem he faced there was that Hughes has what is known in Hollywood as FU money. He has enough cash in the bank not to be beholden to any employer.

Owning half of Cheshire, the Duke of Prestbury, as he is known locally, was largely steering Fulham as a hobby. He could afford to walk away and look for other opportunities whenever the urge took him. He knew he would be in a better position to negotiate for the bigger jobs around were he a free agent. That was why he was unwilling to sign a longer contract with Al Fayed in the first place.

But the moment he went, Al Fayed acted quickly and sensibly to stem any sense of the kind of drift and indecision that seems to be infecting the club down the road.

Whatever Comolli might believe, Jol is a proper football manager, adept in both the training ground and the dressing room, a pragmatic and rational advocate of good football, who knows his way around the international market. Plus, and this is by no means his least useful trait, he has a countenance scary enough to command instant respect.

More to the point, he is a man on a mission. You bet he can hardly wait for the fixtures to be published for next season, ready to circle on his calendar in green ink Fulham's encounters with Spurs and Liverpool.



http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/jim-white/article/31976/

[WhiteJC]

 
MARTIN JOL IS ...HANNIBAL SMITH

Martin Jol is back in the Premier League after rejecting offers from around Europe and now he is looking to assemble his own Fulham dream team.

The Dutch manager wants to bring in his old assistant, Chris Hughton in as his new number 2 after being sacked as Newcastle boss last season. Jol has also got his sights on players from his old club, Tottenham as he aims to prepare bids for Robbie Keane and Jermaine Jenas.

Chris Hughton made a massive impact when in charge of Newcastle after gaining promotion straight back to the Premier League and Fulham now want to bring that knowledge to their backroom staff. It is unlikely that the former Newcastle manager would want to go back to working under another manager as he has managerial ambitions of his, recently being linked with the vacant Cardiff City post.

The board at Craven Cottage are hoping his close friendship with the former Ajax boss will entice him to the assistant manager position.

It is not only backroom staff the new Fulham boss is looking to shake up, he is also keen to freshen up the squad in preparation for their Europa League campaign. The West London side have been short in terms of squad numbers in the past few seasons and the new manager knows this is an issue they need to address, with Robbie Keane and Jermaine Jenas being the main targets.

Rumours of Moussa Dembele posibly still yet moving the other way, after reported interest from Redknapp in the player could open the door for the two players to move to Craven Cottage. Jol is known to be an admirer of Dembele however and will resist any attempts by Tottenham to pinch his Belgian.

Robbie Keane suffered a disappointing season last year after being shipped out on loan to West Ham but has shown on the international stage he is still top quality. He became the first player to score 50 goals for Ireland and even the first to do so in Britain. His high wage demands could be a problem in the deal but the desire for first team football could sway the Irishman to make a pay cut.

Jermaine Jenas has also been branded surplus to requirements and will be allowed to leave for Fulham this summer. Some reports have even suggested that Jol could be in for defensive recruitment despite their stability at the back, as he eyes Jonathan Woodgate and Alan Hutton.

With another Europa League campaign for Fulham fans to look forward to, this could be the start of more exciting times at Craven Cottage.



http://www.footballtransfertavern.com/2011/06/premiership/martin-jol-is-hannibal-smith?

[WhiteJC]

 
Spurs eye £10m player-plus-cash deal for top striker target
Fulham - Moussa Dembele could yet make a summer switch to Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur have failed in a £10million bid to poach highly rated striker Moussa Dembele from Fulham reports the London Metro.

The move mirrors a deadline day attempt to lure the 23-year-old Belgian international to White Hart Lane in the January transfer window after an impressive first half to the season at Craven Cottage following Dembele's £5million transfer from AZ Alkmaar.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is keen to strengthen his attacking options this summer, with reports linking a number of Tottenham's current strikers with moves away from North London this summer.

Looking to mount a renewed push for a top-four finish and thus securing qualification for the Champions League again next season, Tottenham may return with a player-plus-cash deal for Dembele that includes Robbie Keane heading in the opposite direction.

Keane is rumoured to be keen to link up again with newly-appointed Fulham boss Martin Jol, having worked under the Dutch master during his time in the White Hart Lane hotseat.

Dembele is used to being the subject of a Barclays Premier League transfer battle having courted the attention of both Birmingham City and Fulham last summer after a series of impressive performances in Holland.

Jol's first task upon his arrival at Craven Cottage will be to convince the club's key players to commit their respective futures to the Cottagers, in an attempt to build on the West Londoners 8th placed finish in the league this term, they will also embark on a Europa League adventure next campaign after qualifying through the UEFA Fair Play league.

Redknapp meanwhile, will continue to put pressure on Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to provide the necessary cash to land three 'top quality' signings ahead of the new season, with Brazilian starlet Leandro Damiao, Football Writer's Player of the Year Scott Parker, and Dembele heading the list of White Hart Lane targets.



http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/spurs-eye-10m-player-plus-cash-deal-for-top-strike?

[WhiteJC]

 
"Clint Dempsey wants some respect"
Filed under: General — timmyg 
With a headline like that, what year is this again?

Regardless of having proved himself invaluable time and again, Dempsey was initially relegated to reserve status by all four managers that he's played under at Fulham...This time [under Hughes], Dempsey came off the bench in three of the team's first four Premier League games before again becoming a regular the rest of the way.

That's not true. He came off the bench on the season opener at Bolton when Hughes played the same 4-2-3-1 lineup that worked well for us in Europe, and then away at Blackpool two matches later mainly because Dembele had more than a few days with the team and Hughes wanted to pair him with Zamora up top in a 4-4-2. After that he started every match. At no point did Hughes not rate Dempsey. Just ask Zoltan Gera.

I experienced that connection with Stevie Nicol and Bob Bradley. They believe in me, and they know I'll run through a brick wall for them, and I do miss that. I haven't felt that way in Europe; I haven't felt that connection with a manager that when the chips are down and you're going into battle that I'm a guy they look to try to make things happen.

Yikes. I really can't tell if Clint is talking nonsense or has a point.

The time for Dempsey is ripe for him to make the jump to a bigger club. Such a move seems natural now — Liverpool was allegedly interested — but has never come close to materializing.

No it's not. Sorry, I love Clint, but I don't see where he could go and fit in as well as he does here. Manchester United have enough players like him, he's not sexy enough for Chelsea Roman Abramovich nor Manchester City; doesn't fit Wengers' mold (and would probably be too expensive anyway); Liverpool could work but it would be a serious struggle to get in front on Rodriguez, Gerrard, Meireles, Kuyt, and whoever else they sign this summer; Everton and Spurs are what's left but, in all honesty, how much of an upgrade would they be? (Like switching a Honda for a Saab. Sure, it's a better car, but might as well get the BMW, no?) And besides Germany, where in the continent could he go?

He walks off. Fans stop him to sign more autographs, and he poses with more children. Then he slips into a room to have lunch and prepare with the one team that truly loves and appreciates him.

Um, WHAT?!?



http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/clint-dempsey-wants-some-respect/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer hails appointment of Martin Jol: The Dutch are renowned for their coaching ability
The Australian international admits he is looking forward to working alongside the Dutch manager at Craven Cottage, and expects a full recovery from his groin operation

Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has hailed the arrival of Martin Jol following the resignation of former boss Mark Hughes and is expecting great things at Craven Cottage next season.

The Australian international believes the new manager was definitely the right choice, as the club prepares for Europa League qualification in just three weeks' time.

Speaking to the Australian Morning Herald, Schwarzer stated: "Martin Jol is a very well respected and successful manager. His last job was at Ajax, prior to that he was at Hamburg and before that he was at Tottenham. They are some very big clubs he has been involved in."

"The Dutch are renowned for their coaching ability and I am looking forward to working with him.

"I think the club was very conscious of the position we were in last season when two weeks before the first game we still didn't have a new manager."

In a separate interview given to Fulham's official website, Schwarzer moved to quash any rumours of retirement and expressed his desire to get back to full fitness after undergoing a groin operation in October.

"At this moment in time I feel great and I am working as hard as ever," he said. "As long as my performances remain good enough to play at this level I will continue to play."

"I work very hard because the older you get, it does get more difficult and you have to adjust yourself with age - the way you live your life, the way you eat and the way you train.

"There's even the potential, if I play enough games next season, for an option for another year and I have got my sights set on that and helping Australia qualify for the 2014 World Cup."



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/08/2523735/fulham-goalkeeper-mark-schwarzer-hails-appointment-of-martin-jol-?

[WhiteJC]

 
Martin Jol will clear the air with Fulham skipper Danny Murphy after snub at Spurs

New Fulham manager Martin Jol is planning peace talks with skipper Danny Murphy.

Jol signed the midfielder when he was Tottenham manager in 2006 but Murphy made just seven league starts in 18 months before being sold to Fulham.

Now Jol wants to make sure there is no ill-feeling between them before the club's pre-season campaign, which starts on June 23.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2001143/Martin-Jol-clear-air-Fulham-skipper-Danny-Murphy-snub-Spurs.html#ixzz1Ol3ylbuh

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss targets Europa run
Dutchman eager to build squad to withstand early start

New Fulham boss Martin Jol admits he must act quickly to prepare a squad capable of competing on all fronts next season.

The Cottagers are set for an arduous campaign as they begin Europa League qualifiers in just three weeks' time.

Should they progress to the latter stages then it could impact on Fulham's Premier League ambitions.

Jol will use some of the club's younger players at the start of their European campaign but the former Ajax coach is determined to ultimately put together a group that can take the strain of any cup runs.

"It would be ridiculous to say that I am not happy with being in the Europa League," he told the club's official website.

Hinder

"Let's not forget, though, that can hinder you in the season - the last time Fulham were in the Europa League (2009/10) they were 12th in the table.

"But it is my hope that we can build a squad that is strong enough to compete in all of these competitions.

"We have got over 30 players, we'll start with the younger pros as well - we've got a big group.

"Not everybody will be back, but hopefully most of the people will be back and there won't be a lot of difference to playing a game after six days of training or three.

"It is a bit early, 30th June, so we have to work around it with good planning."

Jol has already been linked with a £10million move for Espanyol striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo.

But the ex-Tottenham boss could face a battle to keep American forward Clint Dempsey, while out-of-contract midfielder Zoltan Gera has indicated he would be open to a return to former club West Brom.



http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6971600,00.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Premier League at a loss despite record £2.2bn revenue

The Premier League enjoyed record revenues in 2009-10 but also suffered record losses. It remains the world's most lucrative division, according to the latest annual report into football finance by accountants Deloitte.

Here City correspondent ROB DAVIES analyses the facts behind the figures.

England's elite league boasted record revenues of £2.2billion in 2009-10, leaving Germany's Bundesliga trailing a distant second by more than £700million. Unfortunately, that is only half the story - Premier League clubs also made record losses of £445m due to another huge rise in wages.

According to Deloitte, the clubs spent £1.4bn on salaries in 2009-10, up five per cent on the previous year, and there is no sign of a slowdown. A record 68 per cent of money coming into the clubs goes straight into the players' wallets.

Chelsea splashed out £174m on wages, while Manchester City (£133m) overtook Manchester United (£132m). But the trio also lost more money than the rest of the division put together, with combined losses of £307m before tax.

All that may be about to change
UEFA's financial fair play rules start coming into force this month, aimed at controlling the spiralling wages and transfer spending that leaves smaller clubs struggling to compete.

The rules are laid out in a 85-page handbook, but essentially clubs must break even, with income matching or exceeding expenditure. The idea is to stop billionaire owners like Chelsea's Roman Abramovich from picking up the tab if the club make huge losses.

Investment in facilities and youth development will not be counted as expenditure, largely because UEFA see these as positive for the game.

Furthermore, club owners will be allowed to cover £40m of losses over the first three years and £27m in the next few years to phase the new rules in gradually.

But the big spenders still  have work to do
For the 2009-10 season, every Premier League club lost money except Arsenal and the promoted clubs, Burnley, Wolves and Birmingham. That means  free-spending clubs such as Manchester City and Chelsea will have to chase ever more lucrative sponsorships or face reining in wages and transfer spending.

That is one of the reasons behind huge transfers such as the £50m move of Fernando Torres from Liverpool to Chelsea. The London club were trying to get their spending done before the rules take effect.

But critics say that, without the ability to call on super-wealthy benefactors, clubs will instead squeeze more money out of their fans.

Will it be fair?
Spending power will be determined by turnover and the world's top 20 earning clubs show little signs of budging from their perch.
Real Madrid sit at the top, followed by European champions Barcelona and beaten finalists Manchester United. Seven of the top 20 are English clubs.

Financial fair play or not, money will continue to talk louder in football than even the most furious dressing-room rant.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2001068/Premier-League-loss-despite-record-2-2bn-revenue.html#ixzz1Ol4nWeHP

[WhiteJC]

 
Away Kit Launches

The New Fulham Away Kit is Out Now
The brand new 2011/12 Away Kit from Kappa is now available for fans to buy online or at the Stadium or Fulham Road retail stores. Many fans have decided to pre-order the brand new Away shirt in order to be entered into the amazing prize draw to win a never-to-be-repeated branded Fulham FC SEAT Ibiza Copa.

The lucky winner of the car will be announced very soon so keep an eye out as you could be driving off in a brand new SEAT Ibiza Copa.

Drop by either retail store and pick up the new all black away kit, or visit our online store and order instantly.

You can now save 10% on this brand new kit online today!
Your Fulham Season Ticket offers a variety of additional benefits. From today through to 30th June 2012, 11/12 Season Ticket holders are entitled to a 10% discount on a variety of Fulham products including the new, all black Away Kit.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/June/Awaykitlaunch.aspx?#ixzz1Ol5M1LfV

[WhiteJC]

 
Offside - 9 June

Mark Schwarzer produced the feel good story of the week, amid a tide of bad headlines for football around the world.
Warning

Please note: this blog is reserved for people with a sense of humour. Those unlucky enough not to have one, are kindly requested to move over.

Schwarzer gives of his time

Sydney Grammar School at Edgcliffe, Wednesday afternoon. My son and his classmate are ignoring their parents, who are gathered at the school to pick them up, rushing towards the school's football pitch. Why? Mark Schwarzer is shooting a commercial. It was really a pleasure, among so many bad football stories, to see the national team goalkeeper signing autographs for nearly an hour, smiling and exchanging views with his young admirers. Maybe that's why he has written a number of children books with great success. One boy, an Arsenal supporter, was heard to say "You should have gone to Arsenal". Schwarzer replied: "I wish they had let me".

Vieri's week from hell

Christian Vieri had a week he would rather forget. First, he was accused of involvement in Italy's latest betting scandal (more about that later). His lawyer intervened promptly, the allegation was rejected and even the prosecuting magistrate said that the former international had nothing to do with the scam. But that was not all. Vieri was attending a party in Milan when a well known photographer called Fabrizio Corona walked in. This Corona has already been in jail and was involved in an alleged blackmail of Italian football players and TV starlets. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Corona started provoking Vieri and the former player grabbed him by the neck before the two were separated by security guards.

Ryan Giggs better that we ever thought

Ryan Giggs has won accolades all over the world for his football ability. But on the subject of stamina it looks as if we all under-rated him. It has emerged that for no less than a couple of years Giggs has performed ever so well on the field of play, and at the same time "entertained", for want of a better word, no less than three women. That includes (how considerate) his wife, his brother's wife (talk about keeping it in the family) and a third woman. After the good times, Giggs may now have to pay dearly for his misbehaviour. Reebok and adidas are about to cancel their lucrative contracts with the Welsh 'ahem' player.

Spanish Exodus

For all its reputation as one of Europe' best leagues, possibly second only to the English Premier League, Spain's Primera Liga may face an exodus of some of its best players. Footballers rumoured to be on the move include Dani Osvaldo, Sergio Aguero, Kaka, Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Forlan, Andres Guardado, David De Gea, Karim Benzema, Giuseppe Rossi, David Trezeguet and Bojan Krkic. The latter might be going to Udinese in partial exchange for Alexis Sanchez. De Gea is likely to be Manchester United's next goalkeeper, Diego Forlan is Turkey-bound, Sergio Aguero is wanted by Juventus, Inter, Milan and a number of English clubs. Kaka may go to Inter in exchange for Maicon and truckloads of money.

Italian mud

Italian football is being covered in mud yet again. Just when you would have thought that it could not sink any lower, a new betting scandal has emerged. No less than thirty matches have been fixed in lower divisions, but now it appears more than likely that some Serie A matches have also been affected. Last season Napoli ended the first half of its home match against Parma leading 1-0. Yet the Camorra (the local version of Mafia) placed huge bets on Parma winning the game during the interval. Yes, you've guessed it: Parma won the game 3-2. There are pictures of one Camorra boss watching the match from behind one of the goals. Among the people involved is Beppe Signori, former Italy, Lazio and Bologna striker. The names of Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi and Christian Vieri have also been mentioned, but the chief prosecutor has denied any involvement on their part. The consequences are likely to be no less than a devastating tsunami for Italian football.

Wish granted

Good news and bad news for some followers of this blog. Yes, in answer to your "suggestions" I am going back to Italy. The bad news is that not only will the blog continue but also that I bought a return ticket.



http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/tony-palumbo/blog/1060179/Offside-9-June?

[WhiteJC]

 
Gold Cup 2011: US Fans Missing out on Superb Talent of Clint Dempsey

Clint Dempsey is Not-So US Secret Weapon in 2011 Gold Cup

In some very sad news, the glut of sports fans in this fine country are missing out on a very talented player. Smack dab in the middle of the NBA and NHL Finals is the Gold Cup competition.

Soccer is as relevant to Americans as sensible eating. So I understand the half empty Ford Field for the US opener against Canada.

But in a sports nation that demands heroes and great stories, there is none better than Clint Dempsey. This coming from a guy that once despised the sport.

Sometime a few years back, my eyes opened and the beautiful game appeared, not that you need fresh eyes to appreciate a marvel such as Dempsey.

He commands the field like a general, exuding confidence among oppositional pressure. He netted a late goal deep into the net.

He almost had a second one on the day when he barely missed connecting on a scorpion kick. The mere attempt was marvelous to watch. In mid-air, Dempsey saw the chance and kicked his leg back in trained instinctual artistry.

The little boy that grew up in a trailer park in Nacogdoches,Texas is the toast of his English Fulham side. His antics are the stuff of legend.

It is a sad note that many of the domestic sports fans are missing the boat on him. This is one athlete that makes you want to see more. I am glad to call myself a soccer fan because of stars like him.

—Gabe Zaldivar



http://bleacherreport.com/articles/724594-gold-cup-2011-schedule-results-and-latest-news/entry/93131-gold-cup-2011-us-fans-missing-out-on-superb-talent-of-clint-dempsey?

[WhiteJC]

 
Australia number one Mark Schwarzer impressed by Socceroos goalkeeping stocks
The Fulham goalkeeper may be the undisputed number one in green and gold when fit, but he acknowledges there's some quality shot-stoppers coming through keeping him on his toes

Socceroos veteran Mark Schwarzer says he believes Australia's goalkeeping stocks are bright following the performances of understudies Adam Federici and Nathan Coe in recent friendlies.

Schwarzer, 38, was a rare absentee during Australia's friendlies against New Zealand and Serbia this week due to recent groin operation.

In the Fulham keeper's absence, Coe and Federici both kept clean sheets as Australia recorded a 3-0 win against New Zealand and then a goalless draw against Serbia.

Schwarzer told the Sydney Morning Herald he has no plans to give up the number one shirt but is happy to see the goalkeeping position won't be a problem once he retires.

"I've been watching Adam [Federici] for a little while now and he's obviously doing well in the Championship at Reading, and every opportunity he's had for the national team, he's taken it and he did it again against Serbia,'' said Schwarzer.

''It's tough for a keeper when you're not playing games and you've got someone in front of you because it's game time you need. He'll have to bide his time but he's a talented goalkeeper.

''Nathan [Coe] has impressed me a lot in the 12 months since he's been involved in the national side. He's got a lot of ability, a willingness to learn and get better. He's got a great attitude.

"What is important for him is that he's playing first-team football [with Danish club SønderjyskE].

"Hopefully he'll get noticed and make a move to a bigger club and he can show everyone what he's really capable of.''



http://www.goal.com/en/news/14/asia/2011/06/09/2524230/australia-number-one-mark-schwarzer-impressed-by-socceroos?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol
Filed under: General — rich 
Just wanted to flag up this piece on Jol written by a friendly Spurs blogger.

Martin Jol, the man in charge, guided us to our first top five finish in fifteen years, repeated the feat the next season and was unceremoniously sacked two months into the 2007-08 season.

Is the long and short of it, but needless to say he's well thought of there.

We're going to have to wait and see, aren't we?  I like a lot of the players Jol used at Spurs and wonder which we'll see at Fulham.

Hopefully not Robbie Keane (we need to be going the other way, getting younger players) but someone like Jenas strikes me as a perfect reclamation project.  Players seem to come and go in Redknapp's estimations and there's not always a good reason for it (last year he discovered the concept of a holding midfielder, for instance!).   Jenas is a good player (Mourinho always rated him) who hasn't built on his encouraging start in football.   I'd like to see him at Fulham (although it doesn't help that Redknapp is sniffing around Dembele) as a possible successor to Danny Murphy.  Different kind of player but one who I think would benefit from playing regularly.  Could combine well with Sidwell, too (if they're not too similar).

Afterthoughts:

From the Zonal Marking comments sections, which are half interesting.

From here:

Anything that comes along that is different to that is bound to cause the opposition problems – look at Ajax and their enormous goal difference. It would be fair to say that Jol is an atypical Dutch coach, in that he believes in zonal defending, which lends a team a better shape for counter-attacking.

Which is interesting, and would make sense given his time in England (the context was that a lot of Dutch teams go man-for-man in the midfield still). He did still use the conventional Dutch 4-3-3, albeit with Suarez playing more narrow on the right.

(Elsewhere on the site we have a reminder of when Jol used Aaron Lennon as a 'central winger' against Chelsea, and a couple of posts about how Jol was a big fan of Michael Carrick (he believed that only he and SAF really understood how much Carrick brought to the team, winning the ball, turning defence to attack).   Finally, there are a number of comments from Dutch fans talking about Dutch coaches, and Jol seems quite well thought of.)



http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/jol/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Football transfer gossip (June 9): Aston Villa, Chelsea, Fulham

Published on Thursday 9 June 2011 07:23

Check out latest football transfer gossip around the leagues. Is your favourite player tipped for a move?

Aston Villa have all but abandoned hope of convincing winger Ashley Young to agree to a contract extension, with a £16m move to Manchester United in the offing.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea have stolen a march on Manchester United in the battle to bring Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder to the Premier League. Stamford Bridge officials are set to hold talks with Inter over a £30m deal, with Sneijder and his wife keener on a move to London than Manchester.

Full story: Metro

The Blues also hope to prise promising Denmark international playmaker Christian Eriksen from Ajax with former manager Guus Hiddink, widely expected to return to Stamford Bridge in some capacity this summer, keen on the 19-year-old.

Full story: talkSPORT

Arsenal are in talks with both Bolton's Gary Cahill and Blackburn's Christopher Samba as manager Arsene Wenger looks to shore up the centre of his side's defence. Samba would cost about £12m while a £15m deal would be enough to prise Cahill from the Reebok.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool are hoping to take advantage of Jeffren's difficulties in ousting more established stars from the Barcelona line-up by signing the 23-year-old forward from the European champions.

Full story: talkSPORT

Sunderland want to extend Danny Wellbeck's loan from Manchester United for another year, but face competition from Everton.

Full story: Metro

Sunderland have moved quickly to replace the Liverpool-bound Jordan Henderson by submitting a bid for three Manchester United players. Black Cats boss Steve Bruce has tabled an offer of more than £12m for defenders Wes Brown and John O'Shea and midfielder Darron Gibson.

Full story: the Times (requires subscription)

New Fulham boss Martin Jol will raid his old side Ajax to supplement the Cottagers' forward line with Morocco international Mounir El Hamdaoui.

Full story: talkSPORT



http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-headlines/football_transfer_gossip_june_9_aston_villa_chelsea_fulham_1_3461716

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol to return to Ajax for first Fulham signing



Martin Jol is set to go back to his old club Ajax for his first Fulham signing as he sets his sights on Mounir El Hamdaoui.

New Craven Cottage manager Jol is overhauling his squad this summer and, with Jonathan Greening on his way to Nottingham Forest - as revealed by talkSPORT - the Dutchman is now focusing on incoming transfers.

El Hamdaoui is close to a move to west London and it will mean a link up with Jol for the third time.

The Morocco international was signed by Jol when he was Tottenham manager, although his time in England was disappointing.

He failed to make a single Premier League appearance for Spurs before moving to Derby on loan and then later on to Ajax, where Jol signed him once again.

But now the Amsterdam club are preparing for life without El Hamdaoui, who is wanted by Jol to freshen up Fulham's attack, with Ajax insiders admitting they face a losing battle to keep him.

Ajax have cleared the way for the striker's departure by approaching FC Groningen for Tim Matavz, a 22-year-old Slovenia international.



http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/8161/3/jol-return-ajax-first-fulham-signing

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Crystal Palace target Dikgacoi can leave Fulham

MARTIN Jol has given Kagisho Dikgacoi the green light to leave Craven Cottage.

The South African midfielder made just one substitute appearance under former boss Mark Hughes and appeared to be on his way out of SW6 this summer.

Dikgacoi spent the end of the season on loan at Crystal Palace, with the Championship club keen to make his move permanent in the close season.

And new Fulham boss Jol has made it plain the 26-year-old is surplus to requirements at the Cottage.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/06/09/crystal-palace-target-dikgacoi-can-leave-fulham-82029-28845512/?#ixzz1OlGuyd1m

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Mark Schwarzer looking forward to linking up with new boss Jol

Veteran Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer believes it was quite a coup to secure Martin Jol as the west London club's new manager.

The 55-year-old former Tottenham boss finally moved into the Craven Cottage hotseat when he replaced Mark Hughes, who resigned last Thursday after just one season at the helm.

Jol came close to taking over from Roy Hodgson 12 months ago, only to see Ajax block the move.

Schwarzer feels Jol, who left the Dutch club in December, was definitely the right choice to take Fulham forwards as they prepare for a Europa League qualifier in just three weeks.

The Australian international told the Sydney Morning Herald: "Martin Jol is a very well respected and successful manager.

"His last job was at Ajax, prior to that he was at Hamburg and before that he was at Tottenham. They are some very big clubs he has been involved in.

"The Dutch are renowned for their coaching ability and I am looking forward to working with him."

Schwarzer added: "I think the club was very conscious of the position we were in last season when two weeks before the first game we still didn't have a new manager.

"It was well documented last season they were after Martin Jol and this time they've got him. It is definitely a positive move to have it all sorted out now. Our pre-season starts on June 23 because we are in the Europa League, so it was vital that we moved quickly on a manager and now he can start planning for the season ahead."

Schwarzer is recovering from a groin operation and turns 39 in October, but has no intentions of hanging up his gloves just yet.

He added on Fulham's official website, www.fulhamfc.com: "At this moment in time I feel great and I am working as hard as ever.

"As long as my performances remain good enough to play at this level I will continue to play. I work very hard because the older you get it does get more difficult and you have to adjust yourself with age - the way you live your life, the way you eat and the way you train.

"As long as I continue to enjoy playing, fit and playing well then I will continue. There's even the potential, if I play enough games next season, for an option for another year and I have got my sights set on that and helping Australia qualify for the 2014 World Cup."

Jol has indicated he will waste little time in building a squad capable of sustaining both a successful domestic and European campaign.

Fulham maintain there has been no bid from Tottenham for striker Mousa Dembele, whom Jol indicated was in any case central to his plans for next season.

While Hungarian midfielder Zoltan Gera could yet extend his stay following a change in management at the Cottage, it appears Ghanaian defender John Pantsil and the likes of Diomansy Kamara, Eddie Johnson and Matthew Saunders will all be allowed to leave as part of squad rebuilding.



http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23958316-mark-schwarzer-looking-forward-to-linking-up-with-new-boss-jol.do?

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Fulham fans: take this quick survey
Filed under: General — rich 
Got five minutes to spare?   Take this quick survey about how you see the squad, where Dempsey and Dembele are best employed, and where you think Fulham will finish the season!

Click here to take the survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R6SJLHD

Thanks!  Results when I've enough responses. Spread the word.




http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/fulham-fans-take-this-quick-survey/?

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Jol has record to help Fulham to another top-half finish
Martin Jol finished no worse than ninth in his three Premier League seasons at Spurs

Martin Jol has never finished worse than ninth in the Premier League and 8/11 seems decent value that he can finish in the top half of the standings again next season in his new role as manager of Fulham.

Jol gained valuable Premier League experience in his three seasons as Tottenham manager, doing a fine job in helping them battle among the European places.

After finishing ninth in his first season when taking over in difficult circumstances from Jacques Santini, Jol then almost led Spurs into the Champions League, narrowly missing out by finishing fifth in the next two seasons.

Fulham will be hoping that the Dutchman can witness similar success at their club and potentially lead them to their best ever Premier League finish.

The Cottagers can now be seen as Premier League regulars, having been a part of the top-flight for the past ten seasons.

Their best result remains seventh, but Jol has been left a solid squad by Mark Hughes, with the current team finishing eighth last season, while also qualifying for the Europa League as a result of their strong showing in the Fair Play League.

It is 10/1 that Fulham win a trophy under Jol next season and there are four chances of doing so, although the best opportunity may lie in the Carling Cup.

However, Fulham have finished in the bottom half of the Premier League table in eight of their ten seasons and it is 1/1 that they do so again under Jol in the next campaign.

Jol may still have some unfinished business with Spurs based on the manner of his exit from White Hart Lane and the best way of putting this right is through results on the pitch.

Fulham are 11/1 to win both of their Premier League fixtures with Tottenham next season under the guidance of Jol.




http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/premier-league/jol-has-record-to-help-fulham-to-another-top-half-finish_065175.html

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Keane set for Cottagers move

Striker Robbie Keane could finally get his move away from Spurs this summer as new Fulham boss Martin Jol is looking to land him.
The Republic of Ireland striker appears to have little future at White Hart Lane and was expected to complete a move to West Ham for around £6m had they not been relegated.

Once they went down that ended that move but former Spurs boss Jol is now ready to be reunited with Keane as he looks to add to Fulham's front line.

The move looks likely to suit all parties as long as a fee can be agreed between the clubs, £4m could be enough, but there may still be a stumbling block over his wages.

Keane is thought to be earning around £70,000 a week at Spurs and that may prove too rich for Fulham.



http://www.eatsleepsport.com/tottenham-hotspur/keane-set-for-cottagers-move-1224105.html?