Tuesday Fulham Stuff (12/07/11)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Schwarzer: We must continue success

Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has said Fulham cannot afford to stand still but must build on their impressive achievements of recent seasons if they are to enjoy future success. Although one of London's smaller top-flight clubs, in terms of ground capacity and tradition, Fulham have twice finished in the Premier League top ten over the past three seasons and also made it to the UEFA Europa League final in 2010.

Schwarzer has been a cornerstone of the Cottagers' team in that time and he told Fulham's website today: "We've just got to keep backing up what we've been doing over the last few years. The last three seasons have been - for Fulham Football Club and a lot of us personally - fantastic. It's possibly been the best three years in a lot of our careers. We need to continue that run.

"We believe that we belong in the top half of the Premier League and we like to think that we can mix it in Europe every couple of seasons. The expectation levels are always higher. When I first came here, the club had just avoided relegation with 15 minutes to spare so anything above that was a bonus.

"To then finish seventh, then have such a great run in Europe and finish eighth last year means the expectations are there. We, as players, acknowledge that and we know that we need to live up to them. So far it's been a great challenge. If you look at the history of the club and how much has been accomplished, particularly in the last three years - it's been outstanding."

Scharwzer also praised the contribution of Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of London's Harrods department store. "The chairman's been 100 per cent supportive and the club wouldn't exist in the position it is now without the support of the chairman," he added. "He's always been there and he's always been rock-solid for the club. He's always looked to progress. In the years that I've been here, I've seen a lot of progression."



http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1473960.html?cid=rssfeed&att=

[WhiteJC]

 
Greening Going?

Could the Fulham career of Jonathan Greening becoming to an end?

Now thirty-two, Greening has slipped to squad player status, filling in when injuries and suspensions deprive Fulham of their normal midfield, but the ex-West Bromwich Albion player could be set for a swansong in the Championship.

Sources are reporting that Steve McClaren is keen to take the player to Nottingham Forest, rekindling a working relationship they had at Middlesbrough.

More importantly, he`s prepared to; reportedly, chuck £600,000 our way for the deal.

Seems like a deal waiting to be done, do you agree?



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=247060#ixzz1RuXDYe7G

[WhiteJC]

 
Stockdale Update!

The future of David Stockdale continues to generate news.

Yesterday it was confirmed that Fulham had turned down a bid, thought to be in the region of £2 million, from Swansea for the young keeper but the insinuation is that Stockdale wants to play regular football to advance his career.

Martin Jol appears to have some sympathy for the player and is quoted as having remarked about the ongoing situation,

"He needs to play every week but I`d prefer the Championship so we have a 24-hour recall clause."

But perhaps a solution is at hand, with one tabloid now pushing the suggestion that Simon Grayson, at Leeds United, is in talks to take Stockdale to Elland Road for the season.



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=247061#ixzz1RuXRuGOB

[WhiteJC]

 
One In and One Out?

Considering the position surrounding David Stockdale and his desire to play more regularly, possibly on a season long loan, has Martin Jol opened such a door with his first signing?

Yesterday it was announced that Jol has offered a years` contract to the out of contract Hungarian stopper, Csaba Somogyi.

Somogyi, 26 and a free agent, reportedly impressed Jol during a trail at Ajax last summer.

A years` contract and a season on loan! See where I`m coming from?



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=247062#ixzz1RuXf11VS