Friday Fulham Stuff (10/06/11)...

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Fulham boss Martin Jol will swoop for Tottenham's Robbie Keane - report
Dutch manager reportedly looking to unwanted Spurs forward and may be ready to make him his first signing at Craven Cottage, unless wage demands are an obstacle

is way to Fulham, according to The Sun.

The new Cottagers manager Martin Jol is reportedly keen to link up again with the 30-year-old, having enjoyed some success together during Jol's time at Spurs.

Keane has endured a frustrating spell over the last few years, ever since his ill-fated move to Liverpool in the summer of 2008. After returning to White Hart Lane six months later, he fell down the pecking order and made loan moves to both Celtic and West Ham to try to revive his career.

And if reports are to be believed then he may finally get that opportunity at Craven Cottage, with Jol looking to build on the foundations laid by outgoing gaffer Mark Hughes.

It is rumoured that Spurs would accept a cut-price £4 (€4.5) million deal to take Keane off their hands, but the bigger problem may be the striker's wages, which are in excess of £70,000 (almost €80,000) per week.

Despite his woes at club level, Keane remains a force on the international stage, becoming the first Republic of Ireland player to score more than 50 goals for his country with a brace against Macedonia in a Euro 2012 qualifier.

Currently Giovanni Trapattoni's captain, Keane has moved up to twelfth in the all-time international goalscoring charts, level with Turkey's Hakan Sukur and France's Thierry Henry.



http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2011/06/09/2525031/fulham-boss-martin-jol-will-swoop-for-tottenhams-robbie?

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Is Robbie Keane what we need?
by DAN on JUNE 9, 2011

One of my first reactions on hearing that Martin Jol would be taking over – after, the excitement of a new manager – was a sense of wonder at what might be ahead of us in the transfer market. For several summers, our transfer activity has been measured more by who we've kept, rather than who we signed. With European football seemingly enough to retain what largely seems like a loyal squad, most Fulham fans have been busy second guessing Jol's first move.

The speculation that Jol might return to his former clubs began almost as soon as the appointment was announced. The usual names, who have followed him from club-to-club – Atouba and El Hamoaudi – were trotted out and I was all surprised at how long it took the media to link Robbie Keane to a move to the Cottage. It's duly happened and, earlier this afternoon, Sky Sports News were going big on the idea of an imminent transfer.

Now, everyone knows that Fulham are in the market for at least one striker. And nobody can doubt that Keane has been predatory in the Premier League. Toss into the mix that he thrived under Jol at White Hart Lane and you might be thinking that this seems like a good deal for Fulham. I'm not so sure. Keane has struggled for starts at Spurs in recent years and looked a shadow of his former self on loan at West Ham towards the end of their relegation battle. Speaking to a Hammer at the weekend, I was struck by how down he was on the Irish international's performance levels. There was little of the almost trademark spark or certainty in front of goal.

Keane, even though he is only 30 and still bangs them in for the Republic of Ireland, seems to be past his peak. If Jol wants a natural partner for Bobby Zamora, the answer is closer than he might think. There may be question marks against Andy Johnson's goal return since he moved to the Cottage, but there's no doubting his commitment. Johnson finished the season impressively and deserves the right to prove himself. I'm concerned that Keane, who after all scored three league goals last season, would prove a retrograde step and that we should be considering younger alternatives.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/06/is-robbie-keane-what-we-need/?

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Price tag may delay Dikgacoi's departure
by DAN on JUNE 9, 2011

It's no surprise that Fulham have told Kagisho Dikgacoi that he is free to leave Craven Cottage.

Fulham have plenty of competition for his place in midfield and he's not had a look in for the best part of two years. The signing of Steve Sidwell provided a real challenge for Dickson Etuhu to prove his worth and effectively shut the door on the South African international. We've never really seen what KG can do and that has to be frustrating for a man who was so keen for a shot at Premier League football, he went on a full-scale PR offensive to persuade Roy Hodgson he was worth a go. His debut began promisingly enough, but ended in disaster after he was sent off retaliating against Scott Parker. His appearances since have been fleeting – a couple of brief substitutes' appearances that suggested he had impressive distribution and no mean determination – but not enough to convince.

Dikgacoi had a successful loan spell with Crystal Palace at the tail end of the season and the Eagles are keen for him to return to Selhurst Park. The problem, however, as Dikgacoi's agent explains, is likely to be Fulham's valuation:

He [Dikgacoi] has one year on his contract which makes life difficult. If you are a free agent, it is fairly simple to move on, but when a fee is involved, with the European market so deflated at the moment, it becomes a whole lot more complicated as clubs simply don't have money to spend. Many are looking for free agents or loan moves.

So, it seems like he'll be on his way, if not immediately. Farewell, KG. We never really knew you.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/06/price-tag-may-delay-dikgacois-departure/?

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A JOLLY GOOD FIGHT FOR NEWCASTLE'S KEVIN NOLAN

MARTIN JOL wants to make Newcastle skipper Kevin Nolan his first signing as Fulham boss.

But he faces stiff competition from another newly-appointed manager. West Ham's Sam Allardyce is ready to try again in a bid to be reunited with his former Bolton midfielder.

The relegated Hammers failed earlier this week with a £3m bid for Nolan, who has rejected a new contract at St James's Park.

Big Sam will tempt Newcastle by trying to set up a swap deal involving Carlton Cole, well aware the club that sacked him just over three years ago want to bring in at least one forward.

But Fulham's Premier League status makes the Cottagers favourites to land Nolan if Newcastle do decide to sell their captain.

Jol has already spoken to his close pal and possible future No.2 Chris Hughton, who gave Nolan a glowing reference.

The Liverpool-born star is settled on Tyneside and was hoping to end his career there. However, he has been dismayed by Newcastle's reluctance to offer him the kind of deal he believes he deserves.

The 28 year old captained the team to promotion two seasons ago, then scored 12 goals in their first campaign back in the top flight.

He has two years left on his contract but like Joey Barton, who had a contract offer withdrawn by the Toon board, he feels the club now want to sell him while he still has a transfer value.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is concentrating on the continental market, where players are cheaper and command lower wages.

French international Yohan Cabaye, 25, flies in to complete his move today. However, the midfielder is unlikely to be joined by Lille team-mate Gervinho, who would prefer a move to Arsenal.



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/195276/A-Jolly-good-fight-for-Newcastle-s-Kevin-Nolan/?

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Running the rule
by DAN on JUNE 9, 2011

Rich ran a very interesting experiment over at CCN earlier today. I wanted to respond to his survey asking about our squad but a hundred people beat me to it, which is a testament to his site's deserved popularity. Anyway, the results were fairly conclusive and threw up the same sort of questions that Martin Jol must be mulling over in his mind:

At what point do I replace Schwarzer with Stockdale? If it's not now, how much football should I give the younger man?
What to do about the left back conundrum?
What's my first-choice midfield?
Where do Dembele and Dempsey play?
There are no easy answers – or we'd all be football managers. I'd advocate a fairly high diet of first-team football for Stockdale for the simple reason that he's going to replace Schwarzer at some point in the near future and needs to be ready. The left-back question really centres around Matthew Briggs. If he's the long-term answer, the solution is to slowly introduce him to the Premier League (rather than throwing him in at the deep end, as Mark Hughes did/had to do). If he's not, then a foray into the market is needed quickly.

The midfield questions really concern the wide men. I'd be fairly sure that Jol would consider Sidwell and Murphy the first choice for the central positions, however harsh that might seem on Dickson Etuhu. Damien Duff had a mixed season last year: moments of absolute brilliance contrasted with injury frustrations. Bearing in mind that Clint Dempsey's coming off a far more hectic summer schedule than any of our other first-teamers, it's by no means certain that either them (with Duff still recovery from injury) will be 100 per cent right by August.

Much comes down to shape, too. For the most part, Fulham have operated a fairly rigid 4-4-2 over the last couple of seasons. A change of shape could get the best out of Dembele, who seems to enjoy roaming behind a central striker, and Dempsey, but might leave us markedly more open at the back. I've already offered some thoughts on Moussa's role going forward, but of course the picture may change if Jol invests substantially in new faces over the summer.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/06/running-the-rule/?

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Jol wants to land Nolan
by DAN on JUNE 9, 2011

The Daily Star splashes on Kevin Nolan, who seems to be leaving St. James' Park this summer, and links the Newcastle captain with a move to Fulham or West Ham.

Given the comparative strength of our midfield as it stands, this one seems like a strange signing but Nolan's qualities are obvious. He's a goalscorer from midfield and a good passer who isn't afraid to stick his foot in. A replacement for Danny Murphy is clearly required at some stage, although this isn't the one that jumps out initially. Nolan is dismayed by Newcastle's reluctance to enter into serious contract negotiations and the Star seem fairly confident that Jol is keen to make a move for the former Bolton midfielder. The paper reports that the new Fulham boss has sounded out Chris Hughton, who managed Nolan at Newcastle, and received a glowing report.

West Ham are also keen to tempt Nolan into helping them out of the Championship, something he did with Newcastle two years ago, by reuniting him with former manager Sam Allardyce. The Hammers failed with a £3m bid last week but are reportedly ready to return with a player-plus-cash offer, possibly utilising Carlton Cole as a make-weight.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/06/jol-wants-to-land-nolan/?

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The best way forward is to ditch the scrap

Perhaps the most gratifying part of John Pantisl's game, his laps of honour, will prove to be his final send off to a Fulham side for whom he has worked so hard, and to the fans to whom he has been so warmly welcomed, loved and cherished.

The Ghanaian's technical skills may well have left much to be desired, but there's little doubt in anyone's mind that he provided a form of entertainment that few else in the game could ever have paralleled.

Still, even the most charming and the most charismatic of workmen cannot cut it without the technicalities of their craft. No policeman can make up for an assertive deficiency with astounding wit, no paramedic can outweigh a lack of knowledge with astute one-liners.

It just makes it abhorrently clear that, whilst the times may have been fun and while the memories shall be sweet, there's always a time to part, and parting becomes significantly easier when you're aware of significant flaws in someone's ability.

The same can be said of Martin Jol's other select choice of sub-standard squad players set to leave the Cottage: Diomansy Kamara, Eddie Johnson, Matthew Saunders and Kagisho Dikgacoi help form a substantial but intelligible list. Of course, the sale of any player should be seen as a reason to mourn, except in exceptional circumstances, but given our resources, such steps are necessary to bring this club to the next level and to help the new manager succeed.

John Pantsil will always, regardless of his abundant talent at placing the ball in the incorrect net, take a fond place in my rather cold heart. His sheer work rate, on occasion, could counteract his defective talent. However, even his blatant willingness to give his all didn't come out to play under Hughes' tutorship and it painted a picture that would suggest only Hodgson's guidance would allow him to flourish. It could be a short sighted perspective to take, but analysing the evidence, Mark Hughes had every right to drop him from the team. And it's not as if Chris Baird did a bad job in covering him.

Diomansy Kamara has always had skill, class and a rewarding knack for hitting the target. His goals have been crucial over the years, but they provide the only prominent reason for keeping hold of the former Portsmouth man. As the years have rolled away, the likes of Andy Johnson, Bobby Zamora and Moussa Dembele have stepped in ahead of him, and even though the striker is still in his heyday, it would almost be inhumane to keep ahold of him, only to let him peer upon the higher echelons from the bench with ever mounting envy.

Eddie Johnson can be spoken of in the same light as Kamara, but without the previous accolades and certainly without the important goals. Perhaps the American's greatest moment was a 49-minute strike in a friendly against Brentford, which sent the Fulham faithful into raptures as well as providing the perfect opportunity to mock their local rivals. The 27-year-old may well offer those perfectly timed moments of ironic humour, but such traits can rarely be considered a positive. Potential has always been there, but it's never been allowed to flourish and it probably never will while he plies his trade on the banks of the Thames.

And, while Kagisho Dikgacoi has always proven himself to be a man of sheer pride and determination, his inferior experience and monotonous complaints have come to be a drag over recent months. It became clear, ever since a red card in his first Fulham game, that he was destined for mediocrity. Maybe not even that. Yet, that shouldn't stop Al Fayed from maximising his sell-on potential, as his innate ability is clear for all to see. All that needs to be done is to prove that he can put his talent into practice on the field of play; something he has never done at Premier League level.

With the aforementioned gone, not only will funds become available, but space will be provided. That we are consistently labelled a small club can be considered quite wide of the mark, as the depth to our squad is really quite appeasing. Not many other sides can boast a second choice goalkeeper that makes the England squad, or a £12 million rotational striker. That's why the lower ranked areas of our team need to be shipped out, as it makes room for the new, and most importantly, makes room for the young.

The likes of Danny Hoesen and Marcello Trotta have been knocking on the metaphorical first team door for what is becoming years now, but why give them a chance when you have experience in the form of Kamara or Johnson? Finally, with a minimal but effective clear-out, these players of exuberant energy, palpable flair and youthful drive can be offered their deserved opportunity and they can show us what they're made of.

No doubt, they're made of much more than those in the shallow levels of our first team.

Martin Jol, then, despite his first move being a seemingly negative one, could well be onto something. Before long, the Ducthman could be one move off of check-mate, or even better, the top six.




http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2011/6/9/2216194/the-best-way-forward-is-to-ditch-the-scrap?

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England's David Stockdale
by LORK on JUNE 10, 2011

The squad that's been built over the last 3 seasons or so by Roy and Hughes poses a number of difficult questions for our new manager. Who plays with Bobby (although that may be solved if we get El Hamdaoui)? Etuhu or Sidwell? Who plays on the flanks? Among others. But probably the most interesting and difficult selection headache is who we choose in goal. On the one hand we have Mark Schwarzer, seasoned pro and still going strong at 38, and on the other David Stockdale who's barely had a run in the first team but still shows plenty of promise. So who does Jol go with?

The first thing Jol will have to determine is who's the better goalie. If he decides it's Stockdale then, barring a big dip in form, he will get the shirt, Schwarzer won't be too happy and he will be sold in August/January. However, the most likely judgement and most interesting case isit's Schwarzer, despite showing a bit of regression since he first joined us 3 seasons ago. That's not unexpected, as all players will inevitably decline as they get older, even those as proffessional as Schwarzer is. It's an unfortunate inevitability that not before long he will not be at a level good enough for us, but despite that he still remains one of the top 10 keepers in the league at worst and still displays his qualities, even down to the last day in which he made one incredible save from a Kieren Gibbs header. Stockdale undoutably shows promise and will be a good goalie in the future, in fact he has shown that he is capable of performing well in the league already and if Schwarzer is injured for a long stretch or leaves I would have no qualms with Stockdale getting in the team, but in the short term I think we will still go with Schwarzer. This is a pretty short term gain since in all likelihood he'll be gone in a season or two, whereas Stockdale could probably play for another decade, but considering the risks and minimal margin for error  in the league the most logical option would be to stick with Schwarzer for the time being. That being said, Jol could decide to go with Stockdale regardless with the view that a regular first team place will accelerate his development to the extent that before long he will be at the level of Schwarzer, and any drop in quality is not significant enough to impact our level of play to any great extent, but as I said I think he will go with the 'safer' option.

If Jol does decide to go with Schwarzer then another issue arises of how we will keep Stockdale at the club. We could just sell him but it makes much more sense in both financial and footballing terms to keep him here to take over when Schwarzer's Fulham days are over. In his time here he's been patient in waiting for his chance, but he knows that the balance of power between him and the club is shifting more and more in his favour as his reputation grows and while Stockdale will carry affection and loyalty to the club there's only so many times you can tell a player deemed worthy of an England squad number 'your time will come soon enough' before they get frustrated enough to look for another club. The simplest and best solution would be to play Stockdale exclusively in the cup competitions. With the demands of the Europa League (14 games before christmas assuming we qualify for the group stages!) and hopefully a decent run in either of the cups plus the odd Premier League game when Schwarzer isn't fit or unavaible he could be pushing 20+ appearances for the season which should be just enough to convince Stockdale that his future is definately here rather than at another club. Another solution would be to loan him out to one of the lower clubs, like Swansea perhaps who were keen on loaning him last season and have yet to secure their current number one Dorus De Vries to a new contract or Wigan if they fail to get Al Habsi. This way we get the best of both worlds, with Stockdale getting experience but still tied down the club. However it'd also mean we would need to buy another keeper to cover Schwarzer.

So, from the few glimpses we've seen Stockdale clearly has the talent to be a Fulham goalkeeper, opinion backed up by Capello who has given him three call ups despite a lack of first team action. As long as he remains patient and the club give him just enough to be happy then I think we can look forward to having a quality keeper at the club for a good few years yet. Otherwise, finding a replacement for Schwarzer will be a more difficult task then it already is.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/06/englands-david-stockdale/?

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Jol looks Keane on a reunion

MARTIN JOL wants to rescue Robbie Keane from Tottenham.

Jol is targeting more firepower after taking over as Fulham manager on Tuesday.

Keane, 30, was one of the Dutchman's favourites during his time at White Hart Lane.

And Jol knows Spurs plan to flog the striker.

The Republic of Ireland skipper, who passed 50 goals for his country last Saturday, is desperate for a starting place at a Premier League club. He has been frustrated at being unable to force his way into Harry Redknapp's plans in the last two seasons.

Keane had spells on loan at Celtic and West Ham to get some playing time.

The stumbling blocks for the Cottagers will be Keane's wages, which are more than £70,000 a week, and the fee Spurs want.

Chairman Daniel Levy will probably accept £4million to get the hotshot off the books.

Jol could also halt Zoltan Gera's planned move back to West Brom.

The midfielder, 32, is a free agent but Gera's agent Vladan Filipovic said: "Jol likes his style.

"Until Gera signs his new contract, anything could happen - he may stay at Fulham."

Full-back John Pantsil, 29, has been told to lower his wage demands by Leicester after leaving Craven Cottage.

The Foxes are also set to offer Diomansy Kamara, 30, a contract following the striker's release from Fulham.


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3626541/Fulham-boss-Martin-Jol-wants-to-rescue-Robbie-Keane-from-Tottenham.html#ixzz1OqygaBoA

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Schwarzer planning to do a Van der Sar

Mark Schwarzer wants to impress new Fulham boss Martin Jol and earn himself a new contract at Craven Cottage.

The stopper, who was a target for Arsenal in the January transfer window, turns 39 in October but says he is still feeling fit.

And he adds that he is delighted Fulham have acted quickly to find a replacement for Mark Hughes.

He said: "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.

"As long as I continue to enjoy playing, fit and well then I will continue. There's even the potential, if I play enough games next season, for an option for another year.

"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.

"Martin Jol is a very well respected and successful manager. It is definitely a positive move to have it all sorted out now."



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-news-Mark-Schwarzer-targets-new-deal-allow-him-play-into-40s-like-Edwin-van-der-Sar-article746013.html#ixzz1OqzCzftA
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FC set to take Liverpool midfielder back to London

Fulham are preparing a £5m bid for Liverpool's Joe Cole after the attacking midfielder failed to settle in Anfield with numerous injuries and a lack of first team action under both Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish.

It had been believed that Cole may stay for at least one more season at the club to see how things went however a return to London with Fulham and Martin Jol at the helm could be the answer in resurrecting his career.

The former Chelsea midfielder made an interesting 20 appearances last season scoring 2 goals and although many of those were as a substitute, he has not made the sort of impact Liverpool will have hoped and the club are expected to listen to offers for the 29 year old.

Martin Jol has suggested he will be looking to add one or two quality players to the side and it looks as though he wishes to boost the attacking options in the Premiership and also the Europa League for which Fulham qualified via the Fair Play League. Cole will not only provide more threatening options in the midfield or down the left but his European experience gained whilst at Chelsea could make the difference between a quick UEFA exit or a decent run in the competition.



http://footybunker.com/fulham-fc-set-liverpool-midfielder-london/4180

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Rangers back in for Fulham frontman

QPR are set to play a trump card by offering £3million Andy Johnson a chance to renew his Premiership career in west London – providing he moves up the road.

The Fulham striker has shot up the pecking order on boss Neil Warnock's list after attempts to sign Danny Graham or Steve Morison bit the dust this week.

Chronicle sport has learned Warnock is furious funds to sign the last two arrived only after they went to Swansea and Norwich instead – both promoted behind the Championship winners.

But the manager's frustration will be eased if he lures the former England striker away from Craven Cottage after a fitful last campaign.


Johnson made a belated entry following injury – only to be dropped as Bobby Zamora, Mousa Dembele and later Eidur Gudjohnsen battled for striker roles.

Former Fulham boss Roy Hodgson at West Brom is a rival for the 30-year-old's signature – but Rangers are aware the forward would prefer to stay in London rather than uproot his family to the midlands.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/london-qpr/2011/06/10/rangers-back-in-for-fulham-frontman-82029-28851855/?#ixzz1Or1K3HZd

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Fulham boss faces backroom staff dilemma

THE first shock for new Fulham boss Martin Jol is that he will be forced to work with Mark Hughes' backroom team whether he likes it or not.

The Dutchman wanted to add former right-hand man Chris Hughton to his coaching roster but after a whirlwind week where Hughes resigned and Jol was appointed four days later - as predicted by Chronicle Sport - the former Tottenham manager is going to have to find work for two new faces as well as Mark Bowen, Glyn Hodges and Eddie Niedzwiecki.

None of Hughes' trusted trio has followed their man out of the door after he left citing Fulham's lack of ambition as the reason for quitting a year after succeeding Roy Hodgson.

Fulham are duty bound to honour all three coaches' contracts - but Jol has been allowed to bring in Michael Lindeman as head coach along with brother Cornelius 'Cock' Jol as assistant, with keeper coach Kevin Hitchcock and stalwart Ray Lewington also expected to keep their roles.


It may be Hughes gets another job sooner rather than later, and sends for his stalwarts.

But by then, Hughton may be in another role as Cardiff's new manager, ironically leaving Martin Jol light on support.

A source close to Hughton said: "He'd rather be a number one than someone's assistant even if it was Jol's, despite how well they got on at Tottenham."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/06/10/fulham-boss-faces-backroom-staff-dilemma-82029-28851879/?#ixzz1Or1ZLuiP

[White Noise]

Fulham boss faces backroom staff dilemma


By Paul Warburton


Jun 10 2011


THE first shock for new Fulham boss Martin Jol is that he will be forced to work with Mark Hughes' backroom team whether he likes it or not.

The Dutchman wanted to add former right-hand man Chris Hughton to his coaching roster but after a whirlwind week where Hughes resigned and Jol was appointed four days later - as predicted by Chronicle Sport - the former Tottenham manager is going to have to find work for two new faces as well as Mark Bowen, Glyn Hodges and Eddie Niedzwiecki.

None of Hughes' trusted trio has followed their man out of the door after he left citing Fulham's lack of ambition as the reason for quitting a year after succeeding Roy Hodgson.

Fulham are duty bound to honour all three coaches' contracts - but Jol has been allowed to bring in Michael Lindeman as head coach along with brother Cornelius 'Cock' Jol as assistant, with keeper coach Kevin Hitchcock and stalwart Ray Lewington also expected to keep their roles.

It may be Hughes gets another job sooner rather than later, and sends for his stalwarts.

But by then, Hughton may be in another role as Cardiff's new manager, ironically leaving Martin Jol light on support.

A source close to Hughton said: "He'd rather be a number one than someone's assistant even if it was Jol's, despite how well they got on at Tottenham."


Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/06/10/fulham-boss-faces-backroom-staff-dilemma-82029-28851879/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#ixzz1OrXh7PsS

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Eagles eye Dikgacoi loan deal
by DAN on JUNE 10, 2011

Further to yesterday's post on Kagisho Dikgacoi, The Sun says that Crystal Palace want to take the South African midfielder on loan again – this time for the whole season.

The 26-year-old has been told he is free to move on, but his agent was quoted yesterday as saying that Fulham's valuation may prohibit a permanent move. Dikgacoi enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Selhurst Park last season and Palace assistant manager Lennie Lawrence has confirmed that the club are interesting in re-signing him.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/06/eagles-eye-dikgacoi-loan-deal/?

[WhiteJC]

 
QPR, Fulham and Chelsea fans prepare to battle for derby bragging rights

WHAT separates Hammersmith and Fulham from the cities of Glasgow, Manchester and Liverpool? The answer is footballing prowess. GREG BURNS explains.

MANCHESTER, Glasgow and Liverpool are gigantic footballing cities with giant traditions and trophy cabinets that glisten with their winning mentalities.

Manchester United and Manchester City are battling for glory in the Premier League while the fierce rivalry between Rangers and Celtic regularly spills over in the Scottish Premier League.

And if you come from Liverpool then you are either an Evertonian Bluenose or a Scouser red.

But when the whistle blows on the 2011/12 Premier League season on August 13, H&F will put them all to shame with their three top flight football teams.

QPR's promotion to the Premier League might have been dramatic but it has set up six derbies as they rub shoulders with near neighbours Chelsea and Fulham.

A mere 6.3 square miles in size and with a population that is hovering around 170,000 – it is a remarkable achievement for W12 and SW6.

But who do fans of the three teams see as their main derby rivals?

For Fulham and Chelsea fans, it seems a friendly relationship turned sour when the Whites dared to take on their rich and illustrious neighbours at Stamford Bridge.

David Lloyd, editor of There's Only One F In Fulham fanzine, said: "Because of my vintage I can recall our earlier stint in the top division when, before travelling to away games became the norm, some supporters would watch Fulham at home one week and then Chelsea at the Bridge the next.

"From the Fulham perspective they're the team we'd love to beat. The Blues tend to consider us as an irksome little brother."


Chelsea fan, blogger and Fulham Chronicle freelance reporter Dan Levene, said: "Stamford Bridge was, of course, offered to Fulham before Chelsea were formed. The Whites were pretty happy with Craven Cottage, and the Blues were formed more or less to spite them for not buying the ground.

"These days, most Fulham fans seem to despise Chelsea. They see them as new money arrivistes, full of brag and swagger and a load of arrogance.

"Chelsea fans, meanwhile, seem to quite like Fulham. When they got to the Europa League final last year, I had loads of texts and tweets from Chelsea fans wishing 'the little brother' good luck.
"The one-sided rivalry is reinforced by the record between the clubs. I think Fulham have won the derby about once in 35 years - and never at Stamford Bridge."


QPR last played in the top flight of English football in 1996 when they were relegated and Fulham, two years before Mohamed Al-Fayed bought the club, were languishing in 17th place in Division Three.

Chelsea have finished in the top six of the Premier League in every season since with QPR and Fulham crossing paths again in the old Division One in 2000.

The Whites claimed the bragging rights that season as they won 1-0 at Loftus Road on September 18, 2000 to win the first meeting between the two sides since 1983.

Fulham's rise, under Al-Fayed, continued in 2001 as they were promoted to the Premier League with QPR relegated from Division One.

Fans of the Whites will be no strangers to Loftus Road after ground sharing with QPR between 2002 and 2004 as Craven Cottage was renovated.

David Barton, who runs www.queensparkrangersfc.com, admits it has been hard to watch Fulham flourish in the top-flight and said Chelsea's visit to Loftus Road will be the first fixture they will look out for when they are released next Friday (17/6).

He said: "It was frustrating at first especially as Fulham's promotion to the top flight came in one of our worst ever seasons when we were relegated to Division Two.


"I think most QPR fans though respect what Fulham fans have gone through over the years and can actually take heart from the way they have progressed into a good Premier League side over the last ten years.

"I think most of us who grew up in the 1980's and early 1990's still consider Chelsea to be our main rivals but I would imagine this is a very one sided rivalry as they left us behind a long time ago.

"Chelsea at home will be the one most look forward to as it's been so long since we played them at Loftus Road."

Mr Lloyd said: "Having stormed the Championship last season Rangers will be keen to do well, I know their fans have been desperate to get back into the top flight, but we'll be looking forward to the derby games with confidence. The six points on offer are every bit as important as any local bragging rights."

"Being the new boys in town, and only a league club since the 60s, Chelsea fans feel much the same about QPR as Fulham fans do about Chelsea," added Mr Levene. "In addition to this, the two club's firms had a few altercations in the 1980s, and passions remain pretty high.

"The nadir in this rivalry for Chelsea was Easter 1986 when, challenging for the league title, they were thumped 6-0 at Loftus Road. QPR fans still see this as one of their greatest ever moments.

"Chelsea fans largely find it amusing these days that QPR are still caught-up with a 25 year old local derby."

It all makes for fascinating viewing next season as the eyes of the footballing world turn their attention to the hotbed of football that is H&F.

We can't wait.

FACT BOXES

DERBY DISTANCE

Chelsea – Fulham: 1.8 miles

Chelsea – QPR: 3.4 miles

Fulham – QPR: 3.1 miles

#Only a short one mile walk across Stanley Park separates Liverpool and Everton while four-and-a-half miles separate Man City and United.

#Rangers and Celtic fans need to travel five miles to the Old Firm derby while Birmingham City's relegation to the Championship mean their 3.7 mile rivalry with Aston Villa will be missing from the Premier League calendar next season.

#You only need to cross the street to walk between SPL Dundee United's Tannadice Park ground and Division One rivals Dundee.

FOOTBALLING LONDON BOROUGHS

Hammersmith & Fulham: Chelsea, Fulham, QPR (Premier League).

Islington: Arsenal (Premier League).

Hounslow: Brentford (League One).

Kingston upon Thames: AFC Wimbledon (League Two).

Croydon: Crystal Palace (Championship).

Southwark/Lewisham: Millwall (Championship).

Greenwich: Charlton Athletic (League One).

Barking & Dagenham: Dagenham & Redbridge (League Two).

Newham: West Ham United (Championship).

Waltham Forest: Leyton Orient (League One).

Haringey: Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League).

Barnet: Barnet (League Two).



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-and-hammersmith-news/local-fulham-and-hammersmith-news/2011/06/06/feature-qpr-fulham-fc-and-chelsea-fc-fans-prepare-to-battle-for-derby-bragging-rights-82029-28829902/#ixzz1Org0V9RG

[WhiteJC]

 
European Experience

Brede, what was the reason behind Fulham's end of season run that saw the Club finish the 2010/11 campaign in eighth place?



We knew it was important for us to keep going and try to finish as high as we could. Obviously, there was a time when we needed points to stay clear of the relegation battle and when that was behind us, we wanted to try and get as high as we could.

I think we've got a good group of players here at Fulham and we knew that if we kept going, some teams would drop off a little bit and if we kept going we would get some good results.

Was the defeat on Boxing Day a bit of a turning point? You could see the reaction of the players in the Sunderland game that followed.

I definitely see that match as a turning point! After that game we have had some really good performances and a lot of good results and we also had players returning from injury.

It was really a season of two halves, where in the first half we didn't do too badly, but we had our problems with injuries and obviously the second half of the season was a different story.

How did you find last season, as a central defender, because obviously the players in front of you had a bit more freedom and perhaps you were not as protected as you once were?

I agree with that. In a way it was more challenging because we used to have the best protection in the Premier League with two defensive midfielders and two wide men who gave us a shield. It was more challenging, but it was a good challenge; you try to improve as a player and I'd like to think that we have done our best and we probably got better at some aspects of the game.

How was last season for you personally, because you were constantly being named as Man of the Match!

The goal for me, every season, is always the same: to try and stay free from injury and to try and help my team as best I can do and in every training session and in every game - I think that I have done that! Obviously, sometimes you perform really well and sometimes not so well but overall I'm happy and I feel that I have made a good contribution.

And you certainly helped out at the other end of the pitch as well!

That's one of the things that I was really happy with last season! I probably scored more goals last season than the three or four before combined so that was really good!

What are you plans over this summer break?

Have you seen how long the holiday is!? I'm looking at the shortest holiday ever! After a season such as this, and obviously next year is going to be the same again, I have to try and relax as much as possible; hopefully I can go somewhere and lie on a beach for a while!



After Fulham's European campaign in 2009/10, do you think that the team has learnt from that and will you benefit from that experience in the UEFA Europa League again this year?

We have some experience playing in Europe. We know that it is a bit different from playing in the Premier League, but we know how to approach it.

I would say that having been a part of that adventure last year we all know where it can end and that should be our motivation for playing well in those games and trying to get as far as we can.

Is it difficult to juggle domestic and European football? What do you need to do in terms of achieving?

It is difficult, but we have done it once before so we know that it is possible. The main thing is to try and stay free from injuries and recover well after games and get ready.

You have to accept that you are going to play a lot of games, but as I said we did it before so there is no reason why we can't do it again!

As much as you guys deserved to get to the UEFA Europa League Final in 2010, to be talking about another European adventure so soon is remarkable. It may be from the Fair Play League, but it is something to be proud of because it is quite an achievement.

Definitely! We all had a fantastic experience last year and we will have a good go and even before getting to the Final there were some fantastic memories. Going away to play teams and going to places you may never go again is a good experience so we will try it again!



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/June/BredeHangelandInterview.aspx?#ixzz1OrgNaMrb

[WhiteJC]

 
Fresh striker snub on cards for Baggies

West Brom would reportedly lose out to Premier League new boys QPR if Fulham give striker Andrew Johnson the green light to leave.
R's boss Neil Warnock has already seen newly-promoted rivals Norwich and Swansea pip him in the transfer market for the likes of strike duo Steve Morison and Danny Graham respectively this week, while Albion chief Hodgson also wanted Graham.

However, it is thought Warnock is now looking to try and entice former England international, Johnson, away from Craven Cottage to spear-head QPR's strike force on their return to the top flight.

Johnson endured a difficult campaign under former Whites boss Mark Hughes last term as injury problems meant he missed the start of the campaign, while Bobby Zamora, Mousa Dembele and later Eidur Gudjohnsen were all ahead of him in the pecking order.

It is not known if new boss Martin Jol rates Johnson highly enough to try and keep him at Fulham, while Hodgson is also said to be interested in taking him to the Hawthorns from his former club. But, if QPR come in for him, then Johnson is thought to prefer a move within London so he does not have to uproot his family again.



http://www.eatsleepsport.com/west-bromwich-albion/fresh-striker-snub-on-cards-for-baggies-1224495.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Manager To Make Double Swoop On Newcastle United And Tottenham Stars
Craven Cottage boss moves for St James' Park and White Hart Lane duo.

Fulham manager Martin Jol has identified his first two signings of the summer: Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane and Newcastle United captain Kevin Nolan.

Jol is targeting more firepower and sees the duo as the answers to his prayers, according to The Sun.

The Dutchman has been given a £15million budget to improve the squad by owner Mohamed Al-Fayed and he may have to part with a sizeable chunk if he is to get his players.

Newcastle recently rejected a £3million bid for Nolan from West Ham United as they are holding for double that amount for their top scorer with 12 goals.

The 28-year-old turned down a new contract offer with the club and Jol hopes he can lure the former Bolton player to London with the chance of top flight football.

Jol worked with Keane when they were at Spurs and believes the Irishman will dovetail brilliantly with Bobby Zamora.

Keane has been frozen out of Tottenham's plans and was sent on-loan to West Ham at the end of last season.

It is believed a bid of around £4million could be enough to persuade Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to sell the 30-year-old, but Keane may have to take a pay cut.

Meanwhile John Pantsil has been allowed to leave Craven Cottage, with Leicester City keen on him, but Jol has not given up hope of persuading Zoltan Gera to stay.



http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/06/10/fulham-manager-to-make-double-swoop-on-newcastle-united-and-tottenham-stars/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Looking Beyond Next Season!
This time last year, all the talk was of Mark Schwarzer going to Arsenal.

As we are all perfectly aware it was a move that didn`t materialise and Mark, if we recall rightly, put pen-to-paper on an extended contract at Craven Cottage.

Having done so, it appears that Mark is now eyeing an extended stay and is quoted in the tabloid press as having remarked,

"I work very hard because the older you get it does get more difficult and you have to adjust with age."

"But there`s even the potential, if I play enough games next season, for an option for another year."

At thirty-eight years of age, Schwarzer clearly isn`t going to be able to gone on for ever but would you bet against him getting the chance to exercise that option?


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=244056#ixzz1Osb9pbDv