Thursday Fulham Stuff (25/08/11)

[WhiteJC]

 
Martin Jol going for goals despite healthy lead



Fulham manager Martin Jol says his
side will not sit back to protect a three-goal lead in tonight's second leg of their Europa League play-off against Dnipro in Ukraine.

While Jol is set to restore centre-backs Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes in front of keeper Mark Schwarzer after his preferred defensive line-up was exposed in Sunday's defeat at Wolves, he will stick to his attacking principles in a bid to reach tomorrow's group stage draw.

Striker Bobby Zamora did not travel after failing to recover from the ankle injury which kept him out of the game at Molineux but Jol said: "When we've got the ball our intention will be to score.

"Bobby's not available so we have to find a solution. Last week Clint Dempsey scored two goals, so it's not all about Bobby. Mousa Dembele came on against Wolves and did well, so hopefully he can have a big say."

Jol's decision to play Hughes at right-back, with Philippe Senderos partnering Hangeland, left Fulham exposed against Wolves. Tonight, Stephen Kelly, impressive against Dnipro in the 3-0 win at Craven Cottage seven days ago, is likely to start on the right, with Senderos moving to the bench.




http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23981254-martin-jol-going-for-goals-despite-healthy-lead.do?

[WhiteJC]

 
Up next: Dnipro (a)
by DAN on AUGUST 25, 2011

Given that Fulham have a comfortable three-goal lead from the first leg, it would have been very easy to Martin Jol to ring the changes, blood a few youngsters and sit on the aggregate advantage. He might have been contemplating something like that prior to Sunday's trip to Molineux. After Fulham's meek capitulation to Wolves, however, there will be a desire to produce a performance and a result that will lift confident levels ahead of another tricky trip to Newcastle.

The Fulham manager has been fairly vocal in setting targets for his side ahead of this game. Jol wants his side to be adventurous, so has seemingly eschewed the defensive approach against a Ukrainian side, who looked technically gifted at Craven Cottage last week and possess a strong home record. Juande Ramos hasn't given up on presiding over a second leg revival to rival Fulham's comeback against Juventus a couple of years ago and Jol's successor at Tottenham is certainly under pressure at Dnipro. In their attempt to overhaul the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kiev, Dnipro have spent around £30m on new arrivals during the last two transfer windows. Though he denies that he fears for his job, Ramos has endured a difficult start to the domestic campaign. After a disappointing goalless draw at Vorskla on Sunday, Dnipro are now ninth in the table, having only mustered two wins from their seven fixtures so far.

Ramos has insisted that his side will go in search of an early goal that would enliven a tie that looks beyond them. Having said that, the Ukrainians certainly did look dangerous in the closing quarter of the first leg – and will probably shift to some more attacking tactics, perhaps jettisoning Derek Boateng, who played as a holding midfielder at the Cottage. Jol has recognised that this may give Fulham an opportunity on the break to score an away goal that would seal a place in Friday's draw for the group stages. The Whites has been in free-scoring European form, having notched 15 games in their seven games so far.

Jol's team selection, with that trip to St. James' Park, on the horizon will be interesting. With the new manager still looking for their first league win, there must be a temptation to rest a few key players with the tie so firmly in Fulham's control. Chris Baird has travelled with the squad for this trip although if Stephen Kelly is again preferred at right-back, it could be another sign that Baird's Fulham career could be coming to a close. You would expect Matthew Briggs, called up to Stuart Pearce's England under-21 squad yesterday after some impressive early-season outings, to get another run in place of John Arne Riise on the other side of the defence. Briggs seems to have inherited some of Riise's adventure and his mazy dribble into the Dnipro box set up Aaron Hughes for the opening goal last week.

Steve Sidwell could replace Dickson Etuhu in central midfield, whilst Pajtim Kasami might be line for another outing out wide. The young Swiss midfielder impressed in an advanced role in the first leg, delivering a lovely cross for Clint Dempsey's fine second-half header, but struggled to impose himself on Wolves at the weekend and was substituted at half-time. I'd like to see something of Marcel Gecov, the Czech midfielder who was so impressive during the summer's under-21 European Championships but has so far had to watch from the bench at his new club, although Jol might be worried about fielding such an inexperienced midfield.

One change will be enforced. Bobby Zamora's ankle knocked that forced him out of the Wolves game has ruled him out of the second leg and the England striker, so integral to Fulham's game plan over the past two years or so, is now battling to be fit for Newcastle on Sunday. Moussa Dembele looked lively in his second-half showing and should get a start tonight up front.

MY FULHAM XI (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Baird, Briggs, Hughes, Hangeland; Sidwell, Murphy, Duff, Kasami; Dempsey; Dembele. Subs: Etheridge, Kelly, Senderos, Gecov, Etuhu, Frei, Johnson.




http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/08/up-next-dnipro-a/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Honigstein: 'Cisse will be a fantastic buy for Fulham'

talkSPORT's German correspondent Rafael Honigstein discusses Hamburg's latest raid on Chelsea and says Freiburg striker Papiss Demba Cisse would be a great buy for Fulham.



http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/hawksbee-and-jacobs/blog/2011-08-25/honigstein-cisse-will-be-fantastic-buy-fulham?

[WhiteJC]

 
Newcastle United V Fulham – Match Preview

Two teams who have had very contrasting starts to the season meet at St James' Park in Sunday's lunchtime kick-off.

Newcastle have picked up four points from their opening two games whilst Fulham have only managed one under new boss Martin Jol. The Geordies will be full of confidence going into this game after last week's Tyne Wear derby win over fierce rivals Sunderland. Even the imminent departure of Joey Barton to QPR won't dampen the feel good factor that is currently flowing through Tyneside after that result. Alan Pardew's side have surprised many with their performances thus far although Shola Ameobi and Demba Ba will need to start scoring goals. Dan Gosling could make his first Premier League start for the club in place of Barton whilst summer signing Sylvain Marveaux is also pushing for a start after recovering from injury. Pardew is likely to name the same side that started against the Black Cats with match winner Ryan Taylor continuing to fill in at left back.

Fulham on the other hand were shocking in last week's defeat away to Wolves and need to turn in a performance this weekend to finally kick start their season. Jol's side should have no problem scoring goals with Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson up front but they have yet to hit the net this season. They'll need be at the top of their game to get past a Newcastle defence that hasn't conceded a goal in the league so far. Clint Dempsey will be key to achieving this and could be deployed on the right side to take on Ryan Taylor who Jol will certainly see as a weak link in the Magpies rear-guard.

With the Toon Army still smarting from their win against Sunderland they will be certainly be the favourites for this one. However they must be wary of a Fulham side who are desperate to get their campaign off and running.

Key Players

Jonas Gutierrez

Newcastle United
Left Midfield
Full profile & stats »
Jonas Gutierrez – Performs key defensive duties and will be key to easing the pressure on Taylor with Jol likely to target the stand in left-back.
Clint Dempsey

Fulham
Center Midfield
Full profile & stats »
Clint Dempsey – The American is a real attacking threat down either flank and will be given the instruction to get at Taylor down right wing.
Verdict 2-1



http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/08/football-news/newcastle-united-v-fulham-match-preview?

[WhiteJC]

 
Young Lion

Fulham defender Matthew Briggs has been named in England's U21 squad ahead of a forthcoming qualification game against Azerbaijan and a friendly against Israel as England bid to qualify for the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Finals in Israel.

Stuart Pearce has named 12 new players to his strong 27-man squad. England will face Azerbaijan in their opening Group 8 encounter at Watford on Thursday 1st September before playing Israel in a friendly at Barnsley on Monday 5th September.

England U21 Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ben Amos (Manchester United), Jack Butland (Birmingham City), Declan Rudd (Norwich City).

Defenders: Nathan Baker (Aston Villa), Joe Bennett (Middlesbrough), Matthew Briggs (Fulham), Steven Caulker (Swansea City, loan from Tottenham), Craig Dawson (West Bromwich Albion), John Flanagan (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Martin Kelly (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur), Andre Wisdom (Liverpool).

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Dan Gosling (Newcastle United), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Emmanuel Frimpong (Arsenal), Henri Lansbury (Arsenal), Josh McEachran (Chelsea), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Jonjo Shelvey (Liverpool).

Forwards: Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa), Marvin Sordell (Watford), Martyn Waghorn (Leicester City), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United), Connor Wickham (Sunderland).



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/August/BriggsU21CallUp.aspx?#ixzz1W3fr4zmM

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's Cisse bid rejected
by DAN on AUGUST 25, 2011

Fulham's offer for Freiburg striker Papiss Demba Cisse has been rejected, according to reports in Germany.

Freiburg have turned down three bids for the Senegalese striker claiming that they were too low to entertain selling the player. The offers are believed to have been from Fulham, Rubin Kazan and a French club, believed to be Paris Saint-Germain. Freiburg are reportedly holding out for a transfer fee of around £12m for Cisse, who has already openly spoken of his hope at being allowed to leave before the transfer window closes.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/08/fulhams-cisse-bid-rejected/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Arsenal and Everton in battle for Freiburg star

Arsenal and Everton are locked in a battle to sign Freiburg striker Papiss Demba Cisse.

Cisse, 26, is rated one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga after scoring 32 goals in the last 18 months.

The Senegal forward is producing the best football of his career and has already scored four goals in just three appearances this season.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is looking to strengthen his forward line following the departure of Samir Nasri and has been impressed with the performances of Cisse.

But he faces stiff competition from Everton who are also looking for a proven goalscorer and want to bring new players in following their shock home defeat against QPR last weekend.

Freiburg are looking for around £13.5m for his signature and Cisse, who has also been linked with Fulham, has opened the door for a move to England after revealing that he would love the chance to play in the Premier League.

Cisse said: "I have a contract with Freiburg but I want to play at the highest level. The Premier League is a big league and I want to leave."



http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/1021/99/arsenal-and-everton-battle-freiburg-star?

[WhiteJC]

 
Pantsil promises beautiful football against Brazil

Ghana defender John Pantsil has predicted that the African nation will teach Brazil a lesson in how to play beautiful football when the two nations meet in a friendly in London next week.

A bullish Pantsil is convinced that Ghana can reproduce the form that saw his country reach the World Cup quarterfinals in South Africa last year when they face the team synonymous with the so-called 'beautiful game'.

The two teams will face each other in a high-profile fixture at Fulham's Craven Cottage on September 5 after a fixture originally due to take place in Watford against Nigeria had to be postponed earlier this month because of the rioting in London, but he is certain that the players will make sure that the game is well worth waiting for.

"I am very excited about taking on Brazil and it should be a great spectacle," Pantsil told Goal.com. "We are playing really well and I am sure that the fans will see two really dynamic sides.

"Ghana will beat Brazil. How? With our commitment. We will play as a team and keep our discipline. We will play our normal game. That means we will play beautiful football but we will follow the coach's instructions very carefully."

The 30-year-old Pantsil is certain that his team will have an extra advantage in the shape of their supporters.

"I am sure that it will be a really good game for both teams and there will be plenty of Ghana fans there to roar us on as well like they did when we played England last season," Pantsil added.

"We are still in really good shape after the World Cup. We are still kicking on and we are top of our group in the African Nations Cup.

"There is still a long way to go until the Nations and there is even longer to go until the next World Cup finals in Brazil but we are feeling good."

Pantsil is now plying his trade in England at Championship side Leicester City after being persuaded to leave Premier League side Fulham by Foxes manager Sven Goran-Eriksson.

"It has been all right at Leicester," Pantsil added. "We are aiming to get back in the Premier League and we are working as hard as we possibly can to make sure that happens."   



http://www.kickoff.com/news/23892/ghana-defender-john-pantsil-promises-beautiful-football-against-brazil.php

[WhiteJC]

 
DNIPRO v FULHAM
BIG MATCH STATS AND FACTS

ulham have faced Ukrainian opposition once before in European competition, beating Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2 on aggregate in the Round of 32 in 2009/10.

Dnipro have faced English opposition twice before in Europe, losing both games 0-3.

The Ukrainians lost at this stage of the competition last season after a 0-1 aggregate defeat to Polish side Lech Poznan.

The away side has failed to score in eight of Fulham's nine games this season in all competitions.

Fulham have already netted 15 goals in the competition this season and have conceded just one.

Only two teams (Aalesund and Dinamo Tbilisi (17)) have scored more goals in the competition this season than the Cottagers (15).



http://www.sportingpreview.com/football2012/11120350.php?

[WhiteJC]

 
An Away Goal Please!

Tonight we`ll find out if a 3-0 first leg lead is sufficient to get us into the Europa League proper.

Dnipro need to get off to a good start tonight if they are to overcome the first leg deficit and to be honest Fulham would need to have a nightmare.

But stranger things have happened and Stephen Kelly, ahead of the game, has spoken to the media about the challenge ahead, commenting in the media,

"It`s going to be difficult but, if we get a goal over there, then hopefully that would be the tie over."

"I think they gave us a little bit of respect with a man in front of the back four instead of behind a main striker and we took full advantage. This time it will be a different game - they have to come at us from the start."

"But they will be wary of us on the counter-attack and that`s going to be in the back of their minds."

An away goal would certainly put my mind at ease, even more so when you consider our penchant too play woefully away from Craven Cottage!




Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=252649#ixzz1W3h6TSF6

[WhiteJC]

 
A Major Investment?

Are Fulham prepared to spend that sort of money?

It`s a question that I don`t know the answer to but to spend £13 million on one player would be a significant step.

The player in question is the Freiburg forward - Papiss Demba Ciss.

The twenty-six year old Senegalese striker is a hot property after scoring 22 goals in 32 Bundesliga games last season and he seems keen to try his luck on a different stage, commenting about a possible move,

"I really want to try playing at a different level."

"I want to leave, I hope this happens before 31 August."

Three clubs are rumoured to be in the hunt, but like we said earlier, it`s a hell of a lot of money for a club like ours!




Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=252650#ixzz1W3hIbI12

[WhiteJC]

 
U21 Call-Up!

Our congratulations go to Matthew Briggs.

Our young defender, admired by many, has, after a good start to the campaign mainly in the Europa League, has been called up by Stuart Pearce for the England U21 squad that face two games against Azerbaijan and Israel in September.

We wish him well.



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=252651#ixzz1W3hTddth

[WhiteJC]

 
Dembele called up by Belgium
by DAN on AUGUST 25, 2011



Moussa Dembele has been named in the Belgian squad for their European Championship qualifier against Azerbaijan and a subsequent friendly against the United States.

Dembele has recently returned to full training with Fulham after a long-term injury lay-off and has made four appearances for the club this season, the latest being as a substitute at Wolves on Sunday. The 24 year-old is joined in the Belgium squad by new Chelsea signing Romelu Lukaku.

BELGIUM SQUAD – GOALKEEPERS: Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid), Jean-Francois Gillet  (Bologna), Simon Mignolet (Sunderland)

DEFENDERS: Toby Alderweireld (Ajax), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Nicholas Lombaerts (Zenit), Denis Odoi (Anderlecht), Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munchen),  Jelle Van Damme (Standard), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Jan Vertonghen (Ajax).

MIDFIELDERS: Moussa Dembele (Fulham), Marouane Fellaini (Everton), Eden Hazard (Lille), David Hubert (Genk), Dries Mertens (Eindhoven), Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe (Club Brugge), Timmy Simons (Nurnberg), Jelle Vossen (Genk), Axel Witsel (Benfica).

ATTACKERS: Igor de Camargo (Monchengladbach), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea), Marvin Ogunjimi (Genk), Bjorn Vleminckx (Brugge).



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/08/dembele-called-up-by-belgium/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Dnipro    v    Fulham (agg 0 - 3)

Europa League play-off second leg
Venue: Dnipro Arena Date: Thursday 25 August Kick-off: 1930 BST Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live


Fulham will take a 3-0 lead into the second leg after victory at Craven Cottage

Bobby Zamora is a doubt for Fulham's Europa League play-off second leg against Dnipro in Ukraine.

The England striker missed the 2-0 defeat at Wolves at the weekend with an ankle injury and could be sidelined again.

Midfielder Simon Davies (knee) is also unlikely to feature despite returning to training, while Bjorn Helge Riise (hamstring) is out.

Martin Jol's side will travel east with a 3-0 lead from the first leg.

The Cottagers start as strong favourites but defender Stephen Kelly expects Dnipro to attack from the start.

"It's going to be difficult, but if we get a goal over there, then hopefully that would be the tie over," he told the Ealing Gazette.

"I think they gave us a little bit of respect with a man in front of the back four instead of behind a main striker in the first leg and we took full advantage of that.

"They've got it all to do in the second leg so we can imagine them going for it.

"They have to come at us from the start."

Provisional Fulham squad: Schwarzer, Etheridge, Kelly, JA Riise, Hangeland, Baird, Senderos, Hughes, Halliche, Sidwell, Kasami, Murphy, Gecov, Duff, Etuhu, Dempsey, Johnson, Dembele.




http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14569546.stm