News:

Use a VPN to stream games Safely and Securely 🔒
A Virtual Private Network can also allow you to
watch games Not being broadcast in the UK For
more Information and how to Sign Up go to
https://go.nordvpn.net/SH4FE

Main Menu


Friday Fulham Stuff (05/08/11)...

Started by WhiteJC, August 05, 2011, 07:06:56 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

WhiteJC

 
Johnson steers Fulham through
by DAN on AUGUST 4, 2011

When Martin Jol took over earlier this summer, all the early talk was about him adding a striker to supply the goals that had holding the Premier League's draw specialists back over the last couple of years. Bemusement followed when, a few games into his reign, Jol insisted he was happy with his forward options. Perhaps the answer was right under his nose all along. Andy Johnson has more than his fair share of knockers, perhaps influenced by the talk of a £10m transfer fee, but the pint-sized striker continues to prove them all wrong. He's rekindled his potent partnership with Bobby Zamora during Jol's brief reign and his predatory instincts were the difference between success and failure against a spirited RNK Split side this evening.

His goal, which arrived just as the Craven Cottage faithful were fretting that a fine first-half display wouldn't deliver the lead it merited, was about as atypical of the man as one could possibly be. A near-post flick from a corner can't have featured regularly in the Johnson repertoire throughout his career, but a clever run saw him shake off the attentions his marker and guide a clever header into the far corner. Until then, Fulham had carried plenty of threat but failed to seriously test Andrija Vukovi? in the Split goal.

Damien Duff, who seems to be relishing this European campaign, came closest during a bright opening. With barely a minute and half on the clock, Duff shot wide from a clever Danny Murphy free-kick. Seconds later, he found himself into another shooting position, but failed to get a clean connection with the goal in sight. Clint Dempsey, restored to the starting line-up having returned to training this week after his Gold Cup exertions with the United States, almost doubled Fulham's lead nine minutes after Johnson's opener. The opportunity owed much to Johnson's persistence – as the former Everton forward hassled a defender into a mistake on the by-line – and cut the ball back for Dempsey, whose drive from the edge of the box curled just wide of the far post.

The first half finished with a concerted spell of Fulham pressure. Johnson saw a goalbound effort blocked by a defender and Murphy, released by a lovely searching pass from Zamora, was foiled by a sprawling save from Vukovi?.

Split, obviously energised by a rousing half time team-talk, emerged with a much more adventurous mindset. They abandoned their diagonal long-ball approach and took the game to Fulham in the second half, but were still largely restricted to long-range efforts. A dipping free-kick from Ante Vitaic had Mark Schwarzer scrambling anxiously across his line, but it flew narrowly wide. The visitors saw a lot more of the ball, but just as they were looking to impose themselves on the contest, Johnson nudged it out of their reach.

He had worked the channels tirelessly throughout the evening and one lung-busting run proved too much for Split to handle. Johnson surged away from two defenders and inside the penalty area, the danger inducing a reckless lunge from the otherwise excellent Velimir Vidic, and sending Johnson crashing to the turf. The referee had a quick look at his assistant and awarded the penalty, which Murphy duly dispatched.

Split still carried a threat and almost grabbed a crucial away goal immediately afterwards. A dangerous free-kick was stabbed goalwards by Goran Milovic and the ball bounced to safety off the underside of the crossbar, while Schwarzer was forced to save splendidly twice: first a low, tumbling stop from substitute Romano Obilinovi? and then a terrific tip-over from Ante Erceg's dipping drive.

Fulham finished proceedings on the front foot. Substitute Pajtim Kasami almost capped another promising cameo with a goal, but his pacey free-kick just didn't dip enough to find the top corner. Johnson thought he had crowned his night with a second, sprinting clear of the Split defence and rounding the goalkeeper to roll the ball home, but a late offside flag abruptly ended the celebrations. Johnson might have received a yellow card for his trouble, but he had already made his mark.

FULHAM (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Hughes, J.A. Riise, Senderos, Hangeland; Etuhu, Murphy, Duff (Kasami 89), Dempsey (Briggs 81); Zamora (Dembele 76), Johnson. Subs (not used): Somogyi, Kelly, Baird, Gecov.

BOOKED: Johnson, Murphy, Briggs.

GOALS: Johnson (18), Murphy (pen 57).

RNK SPLIT (5-2-3): Vukovic; Marcic, Budisa, Vidic, Krizanac, Milovic; Simic, Vitaic (Rasic 74); Cop (Jordan 83), Erceg, Baraban (Obilinovi? 61). Subs (not used): Zagorac, Radnic, Galovic, Barisic.

BOOKED: Baraban, Vidic, Marcic, Rasic.

REFEREE: Duarte Gomes (Portugal).

ATTENDANCE: 17,067



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/08/johnson-steers-fulham-through/?

WhiteJC

 
Jol salutes 'sharp' AJ
by DAN on AUGUST 4, 2011

Martin Jol praised a 'sharp' display from Andy Johnson, who scored one and made another, as Fulham saw off RNK Split to reach the Europa League play-off round at Craven Cottage tonight.

The Fulham dismissed talk of a move to West Ham, insisting that Johnson was a big part of his plans for the forthcoming season, and hailed the forward's lively performance.

Sharp and in good form – that is the way I always saw him when I was working in England. He is a very good player, lively and he can play the ball too.

He can also do something in an individual way like he did with (winning) the penalty kick so I can't ask for more. If he stays fit then he is a great player for us.

It's always the same, there's always interest in five or six players. Maybe you don't know about that but now you do you start talking about it. People will always talk because we have got good players

Jol conceded that Fulham's preparations for the new season have not been ideal. The Fulham boss pondered whether he would have been able to fit in a few more pre-season friendlies without the Europa League qualifiers, but hopes his side will be ready to take on Aston Villa on August 13.

We could organise another game for next Tuesday but I think that's a bad idea. We have played six games now. Maybe you would prefer to play eight or nine games in the pre-season as some other players didn't play a lot so that is probably a disadvantage, but I am satisfied with the results because we got through to the next round.

But I cannot be satisfied with the preparation because we only played on a Thursday and you can't just focus on these matches the whole time. You have to work on conditioning as well so it's not easy.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/08/jol-salutes-sharp-aj/?

WhiteJC

 
Fulham 2 - 0 RNK Split: Cottagers finish the job

FULHAM secured safe passage to the Europa League play-off stage after overcoming plucky RNK Split at Craven Cottage.
The west Londoners endured a frustrating night in Croatia last week as they struggled to a goalless draw in the third qualifying round first leg but managed to see off the Reds on home soil.

Andrew Johnson's header proved the only goal of a first half in which the hosts dominated, before skipper Danny Murphy put the tie beyond doubt from the spot in a challenging second half.

Goran Milovic, Ante Vitaic and Roman Oblinovic all came close to pulling one back for the visitors in the second period, although Fulham's defence remained resolute to the delight of the vast majority the 17,087 crowd.

It did not take long for the home side's pressure to pay dividend as Johnson lost his marker to head home Duff's inswinging corner in the 19th minute.

Split looked notably disheartened after falling behind and losing a couple of calls to Jol's side, who continued to pen the visitors in their own half.

After the break, Split looked rejuvenated but a rash challenge by Velimir Vidic ended the tie. The Bosnian defender scythed down Johnson as he cut into the box and skipper Murphy tucked away the resulting penalty in the 57th minute.



http://sport.scotsman.com/football/Fulham-2--0-RNK.6813226.jp?


WhiteJC

 
Fulham boss snubs West Ham's interest in Andy Johnson

MARTIN Jol has shrugged off suggestions that Andy Johnson is set to join West Ham.

The 30-year-old striker, who is in the final year of his contract at Craven Cottage, has been linked with a £2million move to Upton Park but Fulham boss Jol insists speculation is normal in the run up to the start of the new season.

"It's always the same, there are so many players of course there is always interest," said Jol.

"The five or six you that you don't know about it then you know about it and start talking about one player, but of course there's always interest because we've got good players."

Johnson was in impressive form as Fulham eased past RNK Split on Thursday night, getting himself on the scoresheet before winning his side a penalty.

And Jol believes the former Everton hitman can become a vital part of his plans for the coming campaign - provided he remains injury-free.

"That is the way I always saw him when I was working in England," Jol said after the 2-0 victory.

"I have always thought he was a very good player and very lively. If he stays fit he is a terrific player for us."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/08/05/fulham-boss-snubs-west-ham-s-interest-in-andy-johnson-82029-29181720/?#ixzz1U8ObUEST

WhiteJC

 
Jol to give Fulham players a real grilling

FULHAM boss Martin Jol has revealed he is organising a BBQ this weekend to build team morale.

The new Premier League season is just eight days away and the Dutchman is keen to gather his troops together before the big kick-off against Aston Villa.

And while admitting he would ideally like to whisk the Whites players off to the sun-drenched Middle East, Jol believes a simple get-together on home soil would be equally beneficial.

He said: "I'd love to send them to Dubai or something but it's impossible - they have to play international matches.

"But we've got a good break this weekend with all the players on Saturday, a nice BBQ, so that will be the only break we have.

"Of course, sometimes you have a nice dinner with the players and their wives. I won't be cooking, my wife will be!"




Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/08/05/jol-to-give-fulham-players-a-real-grilling-82029-29181723/?#ixzz1U8OqW183

WhiteJC

 
Former Liverpool frontman tipped for the top

MARTIN Jol has hailed the finishing prowess of Lauri Dalla Valle and believes the striker has a bright future at Craven Cottage.

Jol promoted Dalla Valle the first-team squad after being impressed with the raw talent shown by the youngster in training,

And after handing him his debut in the Europa League win against NSI Runavik last month, the Whites manager is expecting big things from the 19-year-old in the future.

"He's a great finisher and he is always at the end of crosses," Jol said. "He is a second striker and he can play on his own as well so he is a very good talent."

When asked if he believed the former Liverpool striker could feature in the forthcoming Premier League campaign, Jol responded: "I think so."

However it remains unlikely that Dalla Valle will be gracing England's top flight in Fulham colours, with Jol keen to secure the Finnish frontman a loan move for next season.

"He is a young player and it would be good for him to play," said Jol.

"Now it is serious business and I've got my players up front so especially for Lauri it would be good to go somewhere on loan, develop himself, then come back to us as an improved player."

Dalla Valle spent a successful spell at Bournemouth last season, scoring two goals in five starts for the League One outfit.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/08/05/former-liverpool-frontman-tipped-for-the-top-82029-29181743/?#ixzz1U8PCJLni


WhiteJC

 
ANDY JOHNSON GIVES JOL HEAD START

ANDY JOHNSON was the star as he headed Fulham into the Europa League play-off round.

Johnson nodded home after 19 minutes before Danny Murphy sealed the win with a spot-kick just after the restart.

Boss Martin Jol had last season's star man Clint Dempsey back after he had been given an extended break following international duty with America.

And the home side looked in a hurry to put the tie to bed, Damien Duff firing wide twice in the opening two minutes. But the visitors' giant defensive trio of Velimir Vidic, Goran Milovic and Ivica Krizanac soon got into the game and Fulham struggled to trouble the Croatian side's goal.

Then Johnson broke the deadlock out of nowhere, leaping to head home Duff's corner with keeper Andrija Vukovic hopelessly out of position.

Duje Cop should have levelled for RNK three minutes later, but he blasted over from 15 yards.

Dempsey could have made it two on 27 minutes after he rounded two defenders only to shoot wide.

Then Ante Vitaic went close at the start of the second half with a free-kick from just outside the area, following Brede Hangeland's lunge on Ivan Baraban.

But Vidic hacked down Johnson on 55 minutes and Murphy made no mistake from the penalty spot, sending keeper Vukovic the wrong way.

Milovic was unlucky on the hour when his header from Ante Erceg's free-kick hit the underside of the crossbar but bounced out.

And in a frantic finale Mark Schwarzer pulled off a one-handed save to keep out Predrag Simic before Marko Jordan's header flew over.



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/204626/Andy-Johnson-gives-Jol-head-start/?

WhiteJC

 
Jol plays down Johnson fears

MARTIN Jol has shrugged off suggestions that Andy Johnson is set to join West Ham.

The 30-year-old striker, who is in the final year of his contract at Craven Cottage, has been linked with a £2million move to Upton Park but Fulham boss Jol insists speculation is normal in the run up to the start of the new season.

"It's always the same, there are so many players of course there is always interest," said Jol.

"The five or six you that you don't know about it then you know about it and start talking about one player, but of course there's always interest because we've got good players."

Johnson was in impressive form as Fulham eased past RNK Split on Thursday night, getting himself on the scoresheet before winning his side a penalty.

And Jol believes the former Everton hitman can become a vital part of his plans for the coming campaign - provided he remains injury-free.

"That is the way I always saw him when I was working in England," Jol said after the 2-0 victory.

"I have always thought he was a very good player and very lively. If he stays fit he is a terrific player for us."



http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2011/08/05/jol-plays-down-johnson-fears-64767-29181721/?

WhiteJC

 
Prem trio target Pedro Leon

EVERTON, Aston Villa and Fulham have all contacted Real Madrid about taking Pedro Leon, 24, on loan.

Former Spanish Under-21 midfielder Leon wants a switch to England after falling out with boss Jose Mourinho at Real.



http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3734169/Prem-trio-target-Pedro-Leon.html


WhiteJC

 
JOL: EUROPE HURTING PREM PREPARATION

Fulham manager Martin Jol admits the Cottagers' Europa League commitments have meant that preparations for the new Barclays Premier League campaign have been far than ideal.

On Thursday night the west Londoners secured safe passage to the play-off stages after overcoming plucky RNK Split 2-0 at Craven Cottage.

Fulham endured a frustrating night in Croatia last week as they struggled to a goalless draw in the third qualifying round first leg but managed to see off the Reds on home soil as Andrew Johnson scored a header and Danny Murphy netted a penalty.

Jol's side have now played home and away ties with Faroese minnows NSI Runavik, Crusaders of Northern Ireland and Split, which the Dutchman admits is not the best preparation.

"We could organise another game for next Tuesday but I think that's a bad idea," he said after the match.

"We have played six games now. Maybe you would prefer to play eight or nine games in the pre-season as some other players didn't play a lot so that is probably a disadvantage, but I am satisfied with the results because we got through to the next round.

"But I cannot be satisfied with the preparation because we only played on a Thursday and you can't just focus on these matches the whole time.

"You have to work on conditioning as well so it's not easy."

First up in the league for Jol and his troops is Aston Villa at the Cottage, where former Birmingham striker Johnson will likely play a part for the home side.

Johnson has looked impressive in the Europa League and Jol believes the 30-year-old has finally put his injury problems behind him.

"Sharp and in good form - that is the way I always saw him when I was working in England," he said.

"He is a very good player, lively and he can play the ball too.

"He can also do something in an individual way like he did with (winning) the penalty kick so I can't ask for more.

"If he stays fit then he is a great player for us."

Reports emanated that West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was lining up a £2million bid for the striker, whose contract runs out at the end of the season.

When asked about the Hammers' interest, Jol retorted: "It's always the same, there's always interest in five or six players.

"Maybe you don't know about that but now you do you start talking about it.

"People will always talk because we have got good players."



http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/08/05/SOCCER_Fulham_Jol.html

WhiteJC

 
Jol says lack of preparation for Aston Villa game could hurt Fulham

WHites boss concerned that some players have not played as much as they should have

Fulham manager Martin Jol is concerned that his side's commitments in Europe will hamper their preparation for their Premier League campaign.

The west Londoners beat RNK Split 2-0 in the Europe League third qualifying round last night where in previous rounds they have beaten Faroese side NSI Runavik and Crusaders of Northern Ireland.

The Cottagers have not been able to play any friendlies and will have no opportunity to do so before they face Aston Villa at Craven Cottage on August 13 and the boss admits that some players have not had as many minutes as they normally would have in pre-season.

"We could organise another game for next Tuesday but I think that's a bad idea," Jol said.

"We have played six games now. Maybe you would prefer to play eight or nine games in the pre-season as some other players didn't play a lot so that is probably a disadvantage, but I am satisfied with the results because we got through to the next round.

"But I cannot be satisfied with the preparation because we only played on a Thursday and you can't just focus on these matches the whole time.

"You have to work on conditioning as well so it's not easy."

The draw for the Europa League play-off takes place today and we will let you know Fulham's opponents as soon as the draw is announced.



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/jol_says_lack_of_preparation_for_aston_villa_game_could_hurt_fulham_1_985185?

WhiteJC


Johnson, who is staying, praised

After scoring the opening goal in Fulham's 2-0 win over RNK Split Andy Johnson was praised by Martin Jol.

An injury plagued time has seen Johnson miss a lot of football over the past two seasons although during the clubs Europa League qualification campaign the 30-year-old has already equalled his goal tally, of 3, from last season.

Jol has been encouraged by his form and if he can stay fit he knows he will be a main figure for the club this season: 'sharp and in good form - that is the way I always saw him when I was working in England.

'He is a very good player, lively and he can play the ball too.

'He can also do something in an individual way like he did with (winning) the penalty kick so I can't ask for more. If he stays fit then he is a great player for us.'

With just a year left on his contract Fulham risk losing the striker on a free at the end of the season and reports were saying that West Ham have offered £2m for him.

Jol has dismissed this rumour though and has said that this kind of talk about 'good players' is nothing unusual: 'it's always the same, there's always interest in five or six players.

'Maybe you don't know about that but now you do you start talking about it. People will always talk because we have got good players.'

Does this mean that Johnson is definitely staying at The Cottage then?



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=249656#ixzz1U8rZmQX9


WhiteJC

 
FUNNY PICTURE: FULHAM PLAYERS REACT TO EUROPA LEAGUE QUALIFICATION
Joy unconfined at Craven Cottage


That's the magic of the Europa League!

Fulham's 2-0 win over RNK Split puts them through to the Europa League play-off round, a mere 16 games from glory, having already played six matches in the competition starting on 30 June 2011.

The final will be held on 9 May 2012, nearly a year after the Cottagers kicked off against NSI Runavik of the Faroe Islands.

*That's actually Austria's under-20 side reacting to defeat at the under-20 World Cup above, but you get the picture!



http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/big-picture/2011-08-05/funny-picture-fulham-players-react-europa-league-qualification?

WhiteJC

 
Jol: Europe hits Premier League preparation
Fulham manager Martin Jol says preparations for the new Barclays Premier League campaign have been far from ideal.

The Cottagers' Europa League commitments have meant that they have been unable to enjoy a conventional build-up to the new season.

On Thursday night the west Londoners secured safe passage to the play-off stages after overcoming plucky RNK Split 2-0 at Craven Cottage.


Fulham endured a frustrating night in Croatia last week as they struggled to a goalless draw in the third qualifying round first leg but managed to see off the Reds on home soil as Andrew Johnson scored a header and Danny Murphy netted a penalty.
Jol's side have now played home and away ties with Faroese minnows NSI Runavik, Crusaders of Northern Ireland and Split, which the Dutchman admits is not the best preparation.

BAD IDEA
"We could organise another game for next Tuesday but I think that's a bad idea," he said after the match.

"We have played six games now. Maybe you would prefer to play eight or nine games in the pre-season as some other players didn't play a lot so that is probably a disadvantage, but I am satisfied with the results because we got through to the next round.

"But I cannot be satisfied with the preparation because we only played on a Thursday and you can't just focus on these matches the whole time.

"You have to work on conditioning as well so it's not easy."

First up in the league for Jol and his troops is Aston Villa at the Cottage, where former Birmingham City striker Johnson will likely play a part for the home side.

GOOD FORM
Johnson has looked impressive in the Europa League and Jol believes the 30-year-old has finally put his injury problems behind him.

"Sharp and in good form - that is the way I always saw him when I was working in England," he said.

"He is a very good player, lively and he can play the ball too.

"He can also do something in an individual way like he did with (winning) the penalty kick so I can't ask for more.

"If he stays fit then he is a great player for us."



http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~2410765,00.html?

WhiteJC

 
Fulham to Learn Opponents

Fulham will learn their next UEFA Europa League qualification opponents this lunchtime when the draw from the Play-Off stage takes place at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

Fulham have been placed in draw Group 4. The teams were divided into seven groups for the draw – four of ten teams and three of 12. Within the seven groups an equal number of sides are seeded and unseeded in accordance with the club rankings established at the beginning of the season.

A ball will be taken from each of the bowls containing seeded and unseeded teams, and placed in a large empty bowl in the middle where they will be shuffled. The first club drawn will play its first match at home and sides from the same association cannot be drawn against each other.

The fixtures will be contested over two legs on 18 and 25 August with the winners qualifying for the group stage proper, which gets under way on 15 September.


Group 4
Seeded Unseeded
Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR)   FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (UKR)
Rangers FC (SCO)   PFC CSKA Sofia (BUL)
Fulham FC (ENG)   FC Nordsjælland (DEN)
FC Steaua Bucureşti (ROU)   NK Maribor (SVN)
FC Lokomotiv Moskva (RUS)   FC Spartak Trnava (SVK)



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/August/FulhamtoLearnOpponents.aspx?#ixzz1U8t9t86J


WhiteJC

 
Fulham's Premier League preparations hampered by Europa League distraction says manager Martin Jol
Fulham manager Martin Jol admits that preparations for the new Premier League campaign have been far from ideal given his side's Europa League commitments.


Lots to do: Martin Jol's Fulham side will kick off thier Premier League season against Aston Villa 
Photo: GETTY IMAGES


Last night the west London side secured safe passage to the play-off stages after overcoming plucky RNK Split 2-0 at Craven Cottage.

Fulham endured a frustrating night last week as they struggled to a goalless draw in the third qualifying round first leg but managed to see off the Croation outfit on home soil as Andrew Johnson scored a header and Danny Murphy scored a penalty.

Jol's side have now played home and away ties with Faroese minnows NSI Runavik, Crusaders of Northern Ireland and Split, which the Dutchman admits is not the best preparation.

''We could organise another game for next Tuesday but I think that's a bad idea,'' he said after the match.

''We have played six games now. Maybe you would prefer to play eight or nine games in the pre-season as some other players didn't play a lot so that is probably a disadvantage, but I am satisfied with the results because we got through to the next round.

''But I cannot be satisfied with the preparation because we only played on a Thursday and you can't just focus on these matches the whole time.

''You have to work on conditioning as well so it's not easy.''

First up in the league for Jol and his troops is Aston Villa at the Cottage, where former Birmingham striker Johnson will likely play a part for the home side.

Johnson has looked impressive in the Europa League and Jol believes the 30-year-old has finally put his injury problems behind him.

''Sharp and in good form - that is the way I always saw him when I was working in England,'' he said.

''He is a very good player, lively and he can play the ball too.

''He can also do something in an individual way like he did with (winning) the penalty kick so I can't ask for more.
''If he stays fit then he is a great player for us.''

Reports emanated yesterday that West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was lining up a £2million bid for the striker, whose contract runs out at the end of the season.

When asked about the Hammers' interest, Jol retorted: ''It's always the same, there's always interest in five or six players.

''Maybe you don't know about that but now you do you start talking about it.''People will always talk because we have got good players.''



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8683295/Fulhams-Premier-League-preparations-hampered-by-Europa-League-distraction-says-manager-Martin-Jol.html?

WhiteJC

 
Cottage boss bemoans Euro impact

Martin Jol is 'satisfied' Fulham have progressed in the Europa League, but feels it has been detrimental to their Premier League plans.

The new Cottagers boss successfully guided the Londoners to the play-off stage of the European competition following three two-legged qualifying rounds which started at the end of June.

And, after Fulham followed up last week's 0-0 draw against RNK Split in Croatia with a 2-0 second leg win at Craven Cottage thanks to Andrew Johnson's header and a Danny Murphy penalty, Jol feels the European games have not helped the team prepare as he would like for the new Premier League season which gets underway against Aston Villa on Saturday week.

"We could organise another game for next Tuesday but I think that's a bad idea," he said after the match.

"We have played six games now. Maybe you would prefer to play eight or nine games in the pre-season as some other players didn't play a lot so that is probably a disadvantage, but I am satisfied with the results because we got through to the next round.

"But I cannot be satisfied with the preparation because we only played on a Thursday and you can't just focus on these matches the whole time.

"You have to work on conditioning as well so it's not easy."



http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2011/08/05/Cottage-boss-bemoans-Euro-impact/gnid-103112/?

White Noise


http://sportingblogs.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/%e2%80%9811%e2%80%99-2-did-ukrainian-tv-deal-cost-fulham-second-leg-home-advantage/



'1+1' = 2: Did Ukrainian TV deal cost Fulham second-leg home advantage?


August 5, 2011



Earlier this afternoon the draw for the play-off round for entrance to this year's Europa League proper took place with Fulham being drawn against Ukrainian side Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, with the second leg scheduled to take place at Craven Cottage.

However, shortly afterwards the announcement came that 'UEFA [had] reversed the home and away legs,' with Fulham no longer the beneficiaries of the widely-accepted advantage of having the second-leg at home. Coyly, the London club have offered little further comment, and no explanation is yet to emerge from UEFA, although one assumes an official announcement will cite the move being made either for television reasons or to avoid fixture clashes with other Ukrainian and English teams in the competition.

Interestingly however, it might be of note that Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk are controlled by the Privat Group, an international business group with – for want of a better phrase – many fingers in many pies, and not just Ukrainian ones either (steel, oil, media, food, banking amongst others, across the Ukraine, Russia, the US, Ghana and beyond). It is a far reaching web.

Where this gets interesting however is that the Privat Group is essentially controlled by three men, Henadiy Boholyubov, Oleksiy Martynov, and Ihor Kolomoyskyi, the latter of whom is the most prominent, the wealthiest, and of most interest.

Kolomoyskyi, who just last year was reported to have amassed a personal fortune in excess of $6bn (yes, six billion US dollars!), is reported to now own a significant amount of the Ukrainian television channel 1+1, the free-to-air broadcaster that just yesterday was announced to have been 'awarded the media rights for the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.'

The amount of ownership Kolomoyskyi enjoys, and indeed the price he paid, varies according to different sources, with some saying he paid $100m for 49% of channel 1+1, and others reporting a figure of $300m for the entirety of Central European Media Enterprises Ltd.'s stake in the channel.

Regardless, it remains unavoidable the fact that the man who in a roundabout way co-owns Dnipro and 1+1 has recently agreed to pay UEFA a suitably pleasing amount of money for the right to host the television coverage of European football in the Ukraine, and following the draw for the Europa League play-off matches, has seen UEFA reverse the tie between Dnipro and Fulham so that his side will benefit from the advantage of having the second leg at home.

Furthermore, as of yet none of the other English teams in the draw (Tottenham, Birmingham and Stoke) have had their fixture rearranged, with the same applying to the four other Ukrainian sides in the play-offs – Metalist Kharkiv, Vorskla Poltava, Karpaty Lviv, and Dynamo Kyiv.

Although there is such a thing is innocent coincidence, it does not take a rocket scientist to put two and two (or perhaps that should be 1+1) together here – what stance you take is entirely your choice. Officially, at least, it is likely to be declared that the Fulham-Dnipro tie has been reversed ultimately for television purposes, or to avoid fixture congestion (perfectly viable given the fact Tottenham also have their second leg at home), however it would be foolish to completely disregard the political machinations in the background.

Surely it is at least worth bearing in mind...