Thursday Fulham Stuff (04/08/11)

[WhiteJC]

 
Finishing the Job

RNK Split certainly impressed many with the way they performed against Fulham in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League qualifier in Split but, speaking at the pre-match press conference, Fulham Manager Martin Jol is hopeful that his side will be able to finish the job at Craven Cottage on Thursday.

"They [Split] played in a different way - probably like Arsenal 25 years ago with three centre backs, two wingbacks and three strikers and that was different," said Jol as he reflected on the encounter last week in Split.

"The game was a bit of a problem because we couldn't press them with the two [strikers] because they always had a spare man all the time and in midfield they did the same. So we try to cope with that now, take the initiative more and we'll give them hopefully the same problem we got when we played them. I still think 0-0 was ok in the away match but now we have to finish it."

Ivan Katalinic, the RNK Split manager, was hopeful of a result at the Cottage, "It was a surprise result," he said after last week's draw. "I think my team can score at Craven Cottage because they now have belief."

The stakes will certainly be high on Thursday evening but Jol is relishing seeing his side facing stern opposition.

"It's not only good for me but for the team to play at a different level, a competitive level and that will be the case in the Premier League all the time," Jol explained.

"The other games [against Runavik and Crusaders] were ok but the level was not good enough to say before the game that we have to compete."

Fulham will be boosted by the return to availability of Mousa Dembele and Clint Dempsey, however Steve Sidwell will be missing through suspension whilst Simon Davies only re-joined full training this week.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/August/JolRNKPreview.aspx?#ixzz1U2Sbm9Yo

[WhiteJC]

 
Bobby Zamora to play with cast to face RNK Split tonight

Bobby Zamora is fit to start Fulham's Europa League third qualifying round second leg against RNK Split tomorrow despite breaking his hand.

The striker suffered a fracture in last week's goalless first leg and will wear a cast for the next few weeks.

Steve Sidwell is suspended, and Simon Davies (knee) remains sidelined, but Mousa Dembele and Clint Dempsey return to the squad after missing the trip to Croatia.

Fulham have had a bid for Cameron Jerome, the Birmingham striker, rejected by the Championship club, Martin Jol, the manager, has confirmed.

Jol said he did not think the Premier League club would increase their offer, understood to be around £3 million (Dh18m).

"We made a bid we thought was realistic," said Jol. The manager said that Zamora's injury was one of the reasons they made a bid for Jerome.

Jerome, 24, was on Stoke City's radar earlier this summer when they made a double bid for him and the centre-back Scott Dann, which was also rebuffed.

Birmingham's hierarchy are believed to be willing to consider selling Jerome, but only if their valuation is met.

That could force the hand of Tony Pulis, the Stoke manager, and other Premier League sides, including Bolton Wanderers, reported to be interested in the pacey frontman.

Jol has Zamora, Andrew Johnson, Dembele and the midfielder-turned-forward Dempsey at his disposal in attack, and is keen to add to his ranks.

Jerome is one of several players at St Andrew's whose futures remain up in the air ahead of the August 31 transfer deadline.

Dann, Liam Ridgewell and Nikola Zigic have also been linked with moves away from Birmingham, who are working under tough financial constraints following May's relegation.


Craig Gardner, Roger Johnson and Barry Ferguson have already been sold, and Ben Foster has been loaned to neighbours West Bromwich Albion on a season-long loan while the likes of Sebastian Larsson, Lee Bowyer and Kevin Phillips were all released.

Jerome could possibly be the next to join that list should Birmingham's valuation be matched.

The former England Under 21 international has scored 41 goals in 201 appearances during his five years in Birmingham.



http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/bobby-zamora-to-play-with-cast-to-face-rnk-split-tonight?

[WhiteJC]

 
West Ham poised to move for £2m Fulham striker Johnson

West Ham are to offer Fulham £2million for Andy Johnson.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce wants two strikers with John Carew also on his list.

He will make a firm offer for the 30-year-old on Thursday. Johnson has one year left on his Craven Cottage contract.

Johnson is also still on the radar of West Brom boss Roy Hodgson who will enter the bidding if he cannot persuade Baggies' chairman Jeremy Peace to spend £8m on Shane Long.




Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2022185/West-Ham-poised-2m-Fulham-striker-Andy-Johnson.html#ixzz1U2TDc1cn

[WhiteJC]

 
Wife charged after pro soccer player's car rammed at Palm Coast hotel

PALM COAST -- The wife of Eddie Johnson -- a former Flagler Palm Coast High School soccer star who was on the preliminary U.S. roster for last year's World Cup -- was accused of ramming a Jeep Cherokee into Johnson's rental car after seeing him at a hotel with a woman, according to a deputy's report.

Janelle Johnson, 25, of Palm Coast, was charged with felony criminal mischief and felony child abuse because the couple's 5-year-old daughter was in the vehicle with her at the time, according to a report from the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.

Janelle Johnson was released from the Flagler County jail after posting $3,000 bail.

Eddie Johnson, 27, who was born in Bunnell, played for the U.S.A in the 2006 World Cup. Johnson, who gave deputies a Palm Coast address, also played with Major League Soccer teams in Dallas and Kansas City from 2001 to 2008. He also competed in the prestigious English Premier League, where he played with Fulham and later Cardiff City from 2008- '09, and Preston North End. He also played in Greece.

A man who answered a phone call Wednesday from The News-Journal at first said he was Johnson but then said it was the wrong number and declined to comment.

Here's what happened according to a report from the Sheriff's Office, which was called about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday to the Hampton Inn near State Road 100 and Interstate 95 in Palm Coast:

Janelle Johnson received a call from a friend that her husband was at the Hampton Inn. She drove there early on Tuesday with their child in her white Jeep Cherokee.

Janelle Johnson said she spotted her husband's rented red Chevy Camaro parked at the rear of the hotel. She tried to call him but he did not answer his phone. Janelle Johnson told deputies she saw her husband walking with a woman and "became upset."

Eddie Johnson said he was in an upstairs room at the Hampton Inn when his wife rammed the rented Camaro.

Deputies said Janelle's daughter's eyes "were red and she appeared to have been crying."



http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/flagler/2011/08/04/wife-charged-after-pro-soccer-players-car-rammed-at-palm-coast-hotel.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Cottagers wait on striker bid

Fulham are awaiting the outcome their attempt to buy at least one unnamed striker after Birmingham rejected their £3million offer for Cameron Jerome.

Cottagers boss Martin Jol on Wednesday revealed he had hedged his bets when moving for Jerome by identifying an alternative centre-forward to act as understudy to Bobby Zamora. An injury scare suffered by Zamora prompted Jol to act to bolster his squad, with the former breaking his hand a week ago.

"If there is a problem with Bobby, I have to create another formation," said Jol, revealing his failure to land Jerome had not spelt the end of his search.

"Of course, there are always players. Even abroad, there are one or two players we had a look at. We made a bid as well.

"If they accept it then we've got a new player. But if they don't, we go on like it is."

Jol admitted Zamora's injury record was a concern but denied his game time would need to be managed in the same way as Tottenham defender Ledley King

"Bobby's probably injured occasionally," said former Spurs boss Jol.

"Ledley King was different. Ledley King was out for seven months when I was there in the second year. That was a structural problem. With Bobby, it's not a big problem."

Zamora is a former White Hart Lane team-mate of King and has been linked with a return there in a swap deal with Peter Crouch.

Jol rubbished this, adding: "I would be silly to look for somebody else for him as a back-up player and then sell him."

Press Association



http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/cottagers-wait-on-striker-bid-2839405.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol determined to sign striker
Fulham manager Martin Jol has no intention of ending his search for a striker after failing in his bid to land Birmingham's Cameron Jerome.

Bobby Zamora broke his hand a week ago and, although the 29-year-old is fit to play, the incident was a wake-up call for Jol, who knows how badly Fulham struggled in the striker's absence with a broken leg last season.

Jol is not short of frontmen, but he has only one target man.

"If there is a problem with Bobby, I have to create another formation," he said, revealing his failure to land Jerome had not spelt the end of his search.

"Of course, there are always players.

"Even abroad, there are one or two players we had a look at. We made a bid as well.

"If they accept it then we've got a new player.

"But if they don't, we go on like it is."

Jol admitted Zamora's injury record was a concern but denied his game time would need to be managed in the same way as Tottenham defender Ledley King

"Bobby's probably injured occasionally," said Jol.

"Ledley King was different. Ledley King was out for seven months when I was there in the second year.

"That was a structural problem.

"With Bobby, it's not a big problem."

Zamora is a former White Hart Lane team-mate of King and has been linked with a return there in a swap deal with Peter Crouch, speculation Jol dismissed.

He said: "I would be silly to look for somebody else for him as a back-up player and then sell him."

Zamora suffered his latest injury in last Thursday's Europa League third qualifying round first leg at RNK Split after someone stood on his hand.

He will wear a cast in Thursady night's second leg at Craven Cottage, which will be Jol's first real test since taking charge, with the tie currently goalless.

"I think it's good for the team to play at a different level, a competitive level," Jol said.

"I still think 0-0 is good in an away match, but now we have to finish it."




http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7079685/?

[WhiteJC]

Trouble and strife



Old friend Eddie Johnson's had a spot of bother.  Never mind that though – I like the caption above: "local soccer pro Eddie Johnson kicks a soccer ball".   Which is a) delightfully descriptive, b) not necessarily correct (he's heading it, isn't he?) and c) just nice anyway.  It would be good if all football photos had such captions.


International soccer player Clint Dempsey shouts while running.


Controversial English football pro Jimmy Bullard increasingly resembles a snooker player down on his luck.


Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer saves floodlight.

I wonder where Eddie's career will take him next. Even a reserve player in the Premier League will have earned relatively serious money, so presumably our man is set for some time. He needs to find himself somewhere where he can score some goals though, eh?

Thanks to El Steve for the link.



http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/08/04/trouble-and-strife/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Andy Johnson, John Carew or David Ngog?
Reports yesterday suggested that West Ham have abandoned the attempt to sign Reading's Shane Long.  Instead, Sam Allardyce's attention seems to have shifted to Fulham's Andy Johnson.  Johnson is in the final year of his contract at Fulham and West Ham have allegedly submitted an initial £2m bid.  However, it has been reported that WBA are also interested in acquiring Johnson, if they cannot manage to strike a deal for Long.  Will Johnson return to the West Midlands (he is a former Birmingham City player?) or can Sam Allardyce persuade him to drop down to the Championship to give West Ham's promotion push the extra cutting edge that it needs?

Other reports have suggested that West Ham retain an interest in landing former Villa centre forward John Carew on a free transfer.  If so, it is currently unclear whether this will mean an exit for Cole or Piquionne?  Within this context, Stoke City are supposedly still interested in striking a deal for Cole, while Sunderland have apparently made an enquiry about Piquionne's availability.  It seems that any real prospect of a deal with Stoke City, for Cole's services, are gone; and I would not be at all surprised if he remains at the club next season.  However, perhaps the club might be tempted to cash in on Piquionne if the transfer fee, offered by Sunderland, was substantial enough?

An intriguing third possibility mooted yesterday in the media, was a £3.5m move for Liverpool striker David Ngog.  Ngog is way down the Liverpool striking pecking order and could be a realistic Hammers target, perhaps in tandem with Andy Johnson?

Sam Allardyce has stated that reinforcing his attack is his number one priority.  He appears to be reasonably happy with the rest of his squad, but needs to boost the strike force.  Are Johnson, Carew and Ngog the right calibre of potential target?  Can they be instrumental in firing West Ham back to the PL?  Or are there better alternatives out there?

SJ. Chandos.



http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2011/08/04/andy-johnson-john-carew-or-david-ngog/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WestHamBlog+%28West+Ham+Till+I+Die%29

[WhiteJC]

 
Frei Called-Up

Kerim Frei has been selected to represent Switzerland's U19s in their game against Sion FC U21s on Wednesday 10th August.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/August/FreiCalled-Up.aspx?#ixzz1U3gOCjF4

[WhiteJC]

 
Farewell, Edwin! Legends of the game turn out in tribute to retired keeper Van der Sar

For a man renowned for his cool head and steady hand, Edwin van der Sar was noticeably emotional as stars from the world of football turned out in tribute to the recently retired goalkeeper.

The Amsterdam Arena, home to Van der Sar's first club, Ajax, was packed with 53,000 adoring fans who were treated to an evening of celebrations in honour of the former Manchester United custodian.


Legend: Football paid tribute to Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in Amsterdam


Family affair: Van der Sar's son Joe, who is on Manchester United's books, featured in an early game

A Dream Team XI featuring the likes of Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Dirk Kuyt, Edgar Davids, Rio Ferdinand and Dennis Bergkamp took the field to play the current Ajax crop, with the Arsenal great getting on the scoresheet along with Louis Saha in a 2-1 win.

Speaking to the crowd afterwards, Van der Sar, who left the field to a standing ovation shortly before the end, said: 'I want to thank everyone in the stadium, thanks for your support down through the years. I will never forget this night.'
Others were quick to praise the 40-year-old.


Who's who: Legends from Dutch football, including cyrrent Ajax boss Frank de Boer and his brother featured


'He is not a normal keeper,' United great Sir Bobby Charlton said. 'The players in front of him always can have the thought: we still have Edwin. He has got so much talent and a strong character. Maybe he is the best goalkeeper United ever had, but we also had Schmeichel. But Van der Sar is unique.'

Goalscorer on the night Bergkamp also hailed his fellow countryman.

'He is a winner,' he said. 'Even in training, he always played 100 per cent. When you deliver in England like he did, you will be received in the arms of the fans.

'I experienced that too. They really, really appreciate you when you are a professional. That's something different than in Holland.'

One of Van der Sar's international managers, Guus Hiddink, added: 'The unique thing about Edwin is that he thinks always simple, it's based on quality and serenity. In the dressing room he corrected something always very smoothly. He was much appreciated by all his colleagues.'


Everyone's invited: The entire Van der Sar family, including daughter Lynn, wife Annemarie and son Joe were in attendance


Everyone's invited: The entire Van der Sar family, including daughter Lynn, wife Annemarie and son Joe were in attendance

And Rio Ferdinand took to social networking site Twitter to pay tribute to the Dutchman.

'Great crowd + great appreciation for a great servant of the game. It was a pleasure to play alongside him. Respect #edwinvandersar,' it read.

Earlier in the evening two teams for which van der Sar played - Ajax, with whom he won the Champions League in 1995, and the Dutch national side that were World Cup semi-finalists in 1998 - played each other.


United we stand: Wayne Rooney led several of Van der Sar's old Manchester team-mates

Patrick Kluivert, Marc Overmars, Frank Rijkaard, Frank de Boer and his brother Ronald, represented Ajax while Bergkamp and Giovanni van Bronckhorst were among the players representing the national side.


Up for the cup: We salute you, Edwin van der Sar

'Ajax fans thank Edwin van der Sar,' a banner draped on the stands read.

Van der Sar won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995 and Manchester United in 2008, four Premier League titles and four Dutch league titles.

The 40-year-old also holds the Premier League record of 1,311 minutes without conceding a goal during the 2010/11 season and a Dutch record for 130 caps.

He started his career at Ajax (1990-1999) before moving on to Juventus (1999-2001), Fulham (2011-2005) and Manchester United (2005-2011), playing his last official match at Wembley on May 28 during the Champions League final loss to Barcelona.

His son Joey, also a goalkeeper, opened the festivities with a training match between Manchester United D1 and Ajax D1.




Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2022262/Edwin-van-der-Sar-testimonial-PICTURE-SPECIAL.html#ixzz1U3goRkyF

[WhiteJC]

 
Four things to expect from the new season: Aston Villa, Fulham, QPR & Blackburn

A couple of weeks ago there was some fairly damning opinions on this site about Villa, and while some of those are still valid, there is at least some reason for optimism.

Ashley Young's departure for Manchester United was six months in the making, so when no obvious plan seemed to exist for replacing him alarm bells were ringing loud and clear. Similarly with Stewart Downing, Villa seemed to be stripping their parts and selling them off for no apparent reason. Charles N'Zogbia's arrival has done a bit to temper fears around the quality in the first team, but as ever with N'Zogbia the fear will always be that good performances will soon lead to him agitating for a move to a bigger club – he's just that kind of personality. Unfortunately for him, his off-the-field persona has sometimes overshadowed quite how good a player he can be – there's no doubt that a forward trident of him, Gabriel Agbonlahor, and Darren Bent is exciting on paper, so let's hope that it produces.

Concerns obviously still exist in midfield, because out of Petrov, Delph, Bannan, Albighton, Makoun and Ireland, there's not a lot that would trouble the 'good' teams in the league. As with N'Zogbia, Stephen Ireland is a very capable player when he's focused, Marc Albrighton is growing into a very solid Premier League performer, and Jean Makoun was once earmarked for big things in the game which he's yet to achieve. These are the 'what ifs' with Villa, and if the stars align then it's not inconceivable that they'll be in the 7th to 9th range come May 2012.

At the back Shay Given has come in to replace Brad Friedel, and that might be more disruptive than anybody imagines. Friedel, despite his age, is an organiser at the back – his shot-stopping and ball-handling are welcome additions to that. He fits a team like Tottenham, because after Heurelho Gomes' season they craved stability over more spectacular ,but unreliable, goalkeeping. Shay Given will rarely make mistakes, that's the good news, but he is more of an outstanding shot-stopper than he is an all-round elite Goalkeeper. He thrived at Newcastle because that was an environment where he was peppered with shots, which plays to his strengths – but at Man City, where the more controlling and authoritarian attributes of goalkeeping were at a premium... not so much. That may very well turn into a 'something of nothing' comment as the season goes on, but it would be a concern, because it's Given's perceived inability to manage a defense that's cost him a move to a very big club in the past.

There's nothing conclusive here obviously, and add in the new manager-factor and it's very hard to predict what kind of season Villa will turn in. There are far more positives than most imagine, the biggest of all being the guarantee of goals through Darren Bent. They'll be hard-working which is good news, but I hope that Alex McLeish doesn't turn Villa into the negative side that Birmingham were – because there's far more talent in this squad, and his best bet would be to take the reigns off and get his wide forwards involved at every possible opportunity. Who knows.

Blackburn will really struggle

What's happening to Blackburn at the moment should be used as a testcase for preventing foreign-owners entering English football without a clear set of objectives.

Venky's management of the club is explored at greater length elsewhere, but the sum of their transfer activity looks very unimpressive. If Christopher Samba does head, as expected, to London, then outside of Junior Hoillet there are not very many positives left in that squad. They're light up-front, they're vulnerable at the back, and they're not particularly imposing or creative in midfield. David Goodwillie may turn into the goalscorer that Rovers need him to be, but you can't gamble on goalscoring records in Scotland – the standard of play outside of the Old Firm is so poor as to render them meaningless. Goodwillie is a good player, but not one that really fits into the mould of 'global brand expansion' that was promised by the Indian owners.

It would also be surprising if Steve Kean was still in a job at Christmas time. For all the upheaval and negative press the club incurred for dismissing Sam Allardyce, his replacement has only really taken the club backwards. The only thing that really protects Kean is that removing him would be a very embarrassing u-turn for the owners, and one that they would want avoid at all costs. But what you can't escape, is that if you have a under-talented squad, then you need a motivating and experienced manager with proven credentials – Blackburn have only the former, so you have to think they're going to struggle. It's a shame, because the fans deserve far better, this is a proud football club and yet the way it's being managed is self-destructive.

Martin Jol will do a great job at Fulham.

Martin Jol is the kind of manager that players love to play for, he's a father figure and a motivator. This is someone, after all, that took Tottenham to the brink of the Champions League with a team containing Paul Stalteri and Jermaine Jenas.

What Fulham can expect, is a return to the way the club performed under Roy Hodgson. You always got the impression that Mark Hughes never really had his heart in the job during his year-long tenure, but you'll get completely the opposite with Jol – he's may not be the most tactically-astute manager, but he'll get the very best out of what's there.

It's not as if the squad is short on talent either; Damien Duff, Bobby Zamora, Clint Dempsey, Moussa Dembele and Brede Hangeland are all very much good enough to be playing in the top half – and John-Arne Riise is a quality addition at left-back despite his age.

Nothing to fear on the River Thames this year, they'll play some attractive football and knock-off some big teams at Craven Cottage – Jol is a perfect fit for a mid-level team that wants to step-up a level.



Adel Taarabt needs to have discipline if QPR are to stay in the Premier League

The phrase 'luxury player' is banded about all too liberally, but Taarabt is the picture underneath the dictionary entry. If you haven't seen him before, he plays ridiculously low-percentage football; he passes when he wants to pass, he takes on defenders when he doesn't need to, and he'll never track back. To be fair to the Moroccan, he's absurdly-talented, and so for Neil Warnock to build his entire team around him is fully-justified. However, the problem with this at Premier League level, is that you can't give the ball-away like you can in the Championship. QPR are very much Taarabt plus ten other Championship-level players, and so surrendering possession will not lead to anything good. What Warnock must achieve is a situation where his playmaker's penchant for the ridiculous is curbed slightly, whilst not sacrificing his level of influence – it's a catch 22, and almost certainly impossible given how unmanageable the Moroccan is.

It's quite a rare situation to have, but QPR's hopes of survival rest almost entirely on Taarabt. He has the capability to be both the player that keeps them in the league, yet is also the one that most threatens their survival. Expect an awful lot of show-boating, probably some August bandwagon-jumping from Match Of The Day, and at least one goal of the month contender.



http://thepremierleagueowl.com/2011/08/04/four-things-to-expect-from-the-new-season-aston-villa-fulham-qpr-blackburn/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Alexander Doni reveals he spoke to Fulham's John Arne Riise about joining Liverpool
Goalkeeper has revealed that he spoke to the former left-back before making up his mind to join the Merseyside club, and now hopes to experience the atmosphere at Anfield

Alexander Doni insists that he could not turn down an opportunity to join Liverpool, after speaking about the club with his former Roma team-mate John Arne Riise.

Riise spent seven years on Merseyside before moving to Roma, and has returned to the Premier League with Fulham this summer.

Now the Brazilian insists that his talks with the Norwegian convinced him that joining the 2005 Champions League winners would be an offer he would not be able to refuse.

"I spoke a lot about Liverpool with John and he told me what a special club it was," Doni said on according to the club's official website.

"He spoke about the supporters, the way Liverpool play and this is a very big challenge for me.

"I couldn't turn down the opportunity to come to the Premier League, especially signing for Liverpool which is a huge club in Europe."

Now the 31-year-old keeper hopes to experience the atmosphere at Anfield first hand, as he said: "I can't wait because I've heard some great things about how fantastic Liverpool supporters are, especially with the way they get behind the team at Anfield."



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/08/04/2604358/alexander-doni-reveals-he-spoke-to-fulhams-john-arne-riise-about-?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham await outcome of mystery striker bid

Fulham were today awaiting the outcome their attempt to buy at least one unnamed striker after Birmingham rejected their £3million offer for Cameron Jerome.

Cottagers boss Martin Jol yesterday revealed he had hedged his bets when moving for Jerome by identifying an alternative centre-forward to act as understudy to Bobby Zamora.

An injury scare suffered by Zamora prompted Jol to act to bolster his squad, with the former breaking his hand a week ago.

The 29-year-old is fit to play but the incident was a wake-up call for Jol, who may not have been at Fulham last season but knows all too well how badly they struggled during Zamora's four-month absence with a broken leg.

Jol is hardly short of strikers but he has only one target man.

"If there is a problem with Bobby, I have to create another formation," he said, revealing his failure to land Jerome had not spelt the end of his search.

"Of course, there are always players.

"Even abroad, there are one or two players we had a look at. We made a bid as well.

"If they accept it then we've got a new player.

"But if they don't, we go on like it is."

Jol admitted Zamora's injury record was a concern but denied his game time would need to be managed in the same way as Tottenham defender Ledley King

"Bobby's probably injured occasionally," said former Spurs boss Jol.

"Ledley King was different. Ledley King was out for seven months when I was there in the second year.

"That was a structural problem.

"With Bobby, it's not a big problem."

Zamora is a former White Hart Lane team-mate of King and has been linked with a return there in a swap deal with Peter Crouch.

Jol rubbished this, adding: "I would be silly to look for somebody else for him as a back-up player and then sell him."

Zamora suffered his latest injury in last Thursday's Europa League third qualifying round first leg at RNK Split after someone stood on his hand.

He will wear a cast in tonight's second leg at Craven Cottage, which will be Jol's first real test since taking charge, with the tie currently goalless.

"I think it's good for the team to play at a different level, a competitive level," Jol said.

"I still think 0-0 is good in an away match, but now we have to finish it."

Source: PA



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-await-outcome-of-mystery-striker-bid-2331650.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Reserves Face Casuals

Fulham's Reserves will face Walton Casuals on Tuesday, 9th August 2011 (Kick-off 19:45) at the Waterside Stadium.

Ticket prices to be confirmed.

Address details:

Walton Casuals FC
Waterside Stadium
off Waterside Drive
Walton-on-Thames
Surrey
KT12 2JG



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/August/ReservesFaceCasuals.aspx?#ixzz1U3jmBkpM

[WhiteJC]

 
A Swap?

One leading tabloid is running with an article that could see a striker leaving Craven Cottage and another arriving.

The inference being that Fulham and West Ham could be looking at doing a swap with Andrew Johnson going to Upton Park and Carlton Cole coming to Craven Cottage.

Martin Jol hasn`t exactly poured cold water on the suggestion by giving the media the following comment,

"Cole`s someone who has interested me in the past. We haven`t made a bid for him but it may be harsh to say we are not interested in him."

So, is it a good idea or a bad idea?

Would you prefer Carlton Cole in our squad to Andrew Johnson?



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=249558#ixzz1U3k1EIIC

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham v RNK Split tickets

UEFA Europa League Qualifier
Date: Thursday 4th August
Kick-Off: 7:30pm

Catch the action live at Craven Cottage by purchasing your tickets now for the Whites' UEFA Europa League 3rd Round Qualifier home leg against RNK Split.

Supporters will be able to buy tickets on the gate.

Please note that Season Ticket and Membership cards will be loaded with this fixture on purchasing a seat for this match, you will not receive a paper ticket.

Fans who purchase their tickets after 3pm on Tuesday, 2nd August (the last postage date for tickets) will be expected to collect them from the Ticket Office before noon on the day of the match or after 6pm from the Ticket Collection booths on Stevenage Road.

Buy tickets online

On-sale dates

Season Ticket Holders: Now on sale (unlimited)
General Sale: Now on sale (unlimited)
Loyalty points: 6 (more info)

As you may be aware, UEFA regulations mean that we are required to make special alterations to the ticketing arrangements for all European matches being held at the Cottage. To minimise the impact these alterations have on stadium access & egress, the Club have elected to house visiting supporters in Blocks H - K & HL - KL of the Johnny Haynes Stand. 

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Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/SplitHome.aspx#ixzz1U3kHSnzv

[WhiteJC]

 
Jerome Bid Explained!

It`s something that has been bubbling under for a week or so now!

Already we`ve run three, maybe four, articles on our apparent interest in the Birmingham striker, Cameron Jerome.

Now, on the eve of our Europa League Qualifier with RNK Split, Martin Jol has enlightened us as to why the club has shown some interest.

It appears that it is all down to the possibility of Bobby Zamora getting injured.

Following on from the injury Bobby suffered last season, Jol appears to have been worried by the wrist injury Bobby will be playing with tonight, tying that in with the quest to sign Jerome by remarking,

"If it had been Bobby`s foot, we would`ve had a problem, and that is why we made a bid for this other striker."

"We made a bid we thought was realistic and they rejected it, so that was that."

"He`s good in the air, quick and he would be a good back-up for Bobby."

So with Martin`s last words in that second sentence, are we to assume that any deal is off?



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=249557#ixzz1U3kbWyrQ

[WhiteJC]

 
Dempsey and Dembele available for Fulham


Martin Jol has Clint Demspey and Mousa Dembele available for the second leg of Fulham's Europa League qualifier against RNK Split.
Both players failed to make the journey to Croatia last week when Jol's men were fortunate to escape with a 0-0 draw.

However Steve Sidwell will be forced to sit out tonight's tie at Craven Cottage after he picked up a suspension following his yellow card in the first-leg , his second of the competition.

Looking ahead to the game Jol was confident his side would get through but admitted that RNK surprised him a little with their formation last week.

"They [Split] played in a different way - probably like Arsenal 25 years ago with three centre backs, two wingbacks and three strikers and that was different," he told the club's official website.

"The game was a bit of a problem because we couldn't press them with the two [strikers] because they always had a spare man all the time and in midfield they did the same.

"So we try to cope with that now, take the initiative more and we'll give them hopefully the same problem we got when we played them.

"I still think 0-0 was OK in the away match but now we have to finish it."



http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/dempsey-and-dembele-available-for-fulham-1252341.html?#.TjqSbHPHo98

[WhiteJC]

 
West Ham's England Striker Wanted by London Rivals

Fulham have emerged as potential suitors for West Ham United striker Carlton Cole who is keen to return to the Premier League as soon as possible.

The England international struggled with both injuries and form last season as the Hammers suffered relegation, but the powerful forward still has plenty of admirers.

The 27-year-old had been strongly linked with a move to Stoke but it appears as though interest has cooled and Fulham could now be the club to hand Cole a chance.

New Fulham manager Martin Jol is looking for cover up front and is contemplating pairing Cole with former teammate Bobby Zamora who missed much of last season with a broken leg.

"Carlton Cole's someone who has interested me in the past," Jol told tribalfootball.com. "We haven't made a bid, but it may be a bit harsh to say we're not interested in him."

Cole scored 10 league goals for West Ham in consecutive seasons and made his full international debut for England against Spain in 2009, but last season managed just five Premier League goals.

Despite his difficult spell, Fulham struggled for goals for much of last season and are aware that they may be able to tempt the player to leave by offering regular first team football in the Premiership.



http://www.sportsvibe.co.uk/news/football/west-ham-s-england-striker-wanted-by-london-rivals-9753/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol denies interest in Cole


Fulham manager Martin Jol has dismissed speculation linking him with a move for Carlton Cole.
The Cottagers boss is known to be in the market for a centre-forward as he doesn't want to be in a position similar to Mark Hughes last season when Bobby Zamora missed much of the season.

The 27-year-old England striker is expected to leave West Ham before the end of the transfer window following their relegation, but according to Jol he won't be arriving at Craven Cottage.

"We haven't made a bid for him," he told London 24. "I hope this won't sound harsh, but we are not interested in him at the moment."



http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/jol-denies-interest-in-cole-1252424.html?#.Tjq0ynPHo98