Saturday Fulham Stuff (27/08/11)...

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Newcastle United v Fulham: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Newcastle United and Fulham at St James's Park on Sunday Aug 28 2011, kick-off 13.00 BST.

Sunday, August 28
Newcastle United v Fulham
St James' Park
Kick-off: 13.00 BST
TV: Highlights BBC1, MOTD2

Betting: Home Evens, Away 12-5, Draw 21-5
Referee: Kevin Friend (Matches: 2, R0 Y8)

Newcastle, LWDDDW, (Probable, 4-4-2) Krul; Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini, R Taylor; Obertan, Tiote, Cabaye, Guiterrez; Ba, Shola Ameobi.
Out: Ben Arfa (ankle), Guthrie (groin), Williamson (foot), Harper (knee). Test: Shola Ameobi (hip).

Team news: Joey Barton is unlikely to be included in the Newcastle squad for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham as he considers his future.

The 28 year-old has this week undergone a medical at QPR, but is yet to agree to join the promoted club, and manager Alan Pardew does not believe he would be in the right frame of mind to play.

Central defender Mike Williamson is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury in last night's 2-1 Carling Cup victory at Scunthorpe, while keeper Steve Harper will miss out with a knee problem and striker Shola Ameobi could be limited by a hip injury.

Fulham, WLWDDL, (Probable, 4-4-2): Schwarzer; Hughes, Hangeland, Senderos, Briggs; Kasami, Murphy, Etuhu, Duff; Johnson, Dempsey.
Out: B Riise (hamstring), Davies (knee), Kamara (back). Test: J Riise (leg), Zamora (ankle).

Stat: If Newcastle keep a third clean sheet it would represent their best defensive start for 50 years.

Match notes: Newcastle hope to name Dutch international Erik Pieters on the bench presuming his move from PSV goes through in time. Fulham lost 1-0 on a gruelling Europa League away trip to face Dnipro in the Ukraine on Thursday.

Although qualifying for the group stage on aggregate Martin Jol saw John Arne Riise pick up a long term injury with England Under-21 international Matthew Briggs set to deputise.

Luke Edwards' prediction: 2-1.




http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/8721958/Newcastle-United-v-Fulham-match-preview.html

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Davies suffers injury blow

Fulham have revealed that Simon Davies faces up to five months on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury.

The Cottagers winger returned to training earlier this month, having missed the first two games of the Premier League season - from which Fulham have picked up just one point.

Davies, a key player since joining from Everton in 2007, was expected to be back in action soon but it now appears his injury was worse than first thought.

Punters eyeing a free bet will note that the latest medical checks suggest he could sidelined until the new year, with boss Martin jol describing the injury as a "techincal thing".

Fulham were dealt another injury setback this week, when summer signing John Arne Riise was carried off with a leg injury in the Europa League clash with Dnipro.

Jol's men will go in search of their first league win of the season on Sunday, when the Cottagers face Newcastle at St James' Park.



http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2011/08/26/Cottagers-dealt-major-blow/gnid-106508/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Cottagers dealt major blow

Fulham have revealed that Simon Davies faces up to five months on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury.

The Cottagers winger returned to training earlier this month, having missed the first two games of the Premier League season - from which Fulham have picked up just one point.

Davies, a key player since joining from Everton in 2007, was expected to be back in action soon but it now appears his injury was worse than first thought.

Punters eyeing a free bet will note that the latest medical checks suggest he could sidelined until the new year, with boss Martin jol describing the injury as a "techincal thing".

Fulham were dealt another injury setback this week, when summer signing John Arne Riise was carried off with a leg injury in the Europa League clash with Dnipro.

Jol's men will go in search of their first league win of the season on Sunday, when the Cottagers face Newcastle at St James' Park.



http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/cottagers-dealt-major-blow-1270584.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Squad sheets: Newcastle United v Fulham

When Martin Jol resigned as Ajax manager on the day, last December, that Newcastle sacked Chris Hughton, the easy assumption was that the Dutchman was Tyneside bound. Not for the first time, two and two failed to quite add up and instead, Alan Pardew moved north-east leaving Jol, eventually, to join Fulham. While Pardew trusts Fulham will be tired by their long Europa League trip to Ukrainian side Dnipro on Thursday night, his strikers will have to find a way beyond Aaron Hughes, Jol's former Newcastle centre-half. The promising Haris Vuckic and Sammy Ameobi will be hoping to make Pardew's side. Louise Taylor

Venue St James' Park, Sunday 1pm

Tickets Sold out

Last season Newcastle 0 Fulham 0

Referee Kevin Friend

This season's matches 2 Y8, R0, 4.00 cards per game

Odds Newcastle 11-10 Fulham 3-1 Draw 12-5


Newcastle United v Fulham: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light.
Photograph: Graphic

Newcastle United

Subs from Soderberg, Ferguson, Ba, Gosling, Abeid, Vuckic, Best, Perch, Lovenkrands, Sammy Ameobi, Guthrie

Doubtful Shola Ameobi (hip)

Injured Harper (knee, 12 Sep), Ben Arfa (ankle, Oct), Williamson (ankle, Oct)

Suspended None

Form guide WD

Disciplinary record Y6 R0

Leading scorer R Taylor1

Fulham

Subs from Etheridge, Somogyi, Kelly, Sidwell, Baird, Kasami, Gecov, Frei, Kacaniklic, Dembélé, Halliche

Doubtful Zamora (ankle)

Injured BH Riise (hamstring, 11 Sep), Davies (knee, Nov), Kamara (back, unknown), JA Riise (leg, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide LD

Disciplinary record Y4 R0

Leading scorer n/a

Match pointers

• Newcastle have failed to score in their last three Premier League matches against Fulham

• 64% of the goals Fulham have conceded since the start of last season have come in their first half of matches

• Newcastle have the lowest passing accuracy (67%) of any side in the top flight so far this season

• If Fulham lose it will be their 100th all-time away defeat in the Premier League

• Steven Taylor has made more defensive blocks (six) than any other player in the top flight in 2011-12




http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/26/squad-sheets-newcastle-united-fulham?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Ffootball%2Frss+%28Football%29

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EPL Debate: Who Do You Want for Your Squad, Clint Dempsey or Dirk Kuyt?


LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Clint Dempsey of Fulham fights for the ball with Dirk Kuyt of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage on May 9, 2011 in London, England.
(Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

The Premier League is opening up its 2011-2012 season with quite a bang. Both Manchester City and Manchester United have dominated in their first two matches, making a major statement. Sergio Aguero had an incredible debut, and many are placing him in the elite class of Premier League stars.

Many are also debating what kind of impact Clint Dempsey will make in his first season after being named Fulham player of the season. Dempsey had a breakout year in 2010-2011, scoring 12 goals for Fulham.

Clint Dempsey has had a solid career, but now at 28 is in the prime of his career, needing to take his game to the next level if he wants to move to a championship contender after his contract expires in 2013. Dempsey had been vital to the US National Team, being a tremendous scorer in international competition. 

Dempsey, an attacking midfielder who also plays on the wing and can take the striker position, is very valuable to the Fulham club who is at best mediocre without him.

On the other hand, Dirk Kuyt is 31 years old, a veteran for Liverpool FC with one more season under his belt than Dempsey. Kuyt is also a midfielder, a standout for the 2010 World Cup runner up Holland squad and a very hard worker.

Kuyt is a great ball-handler, very skillful in working the ball downfield and has a knack for scoring. Kuyt had 13 goals for Liverpool last season, and has averaged just about 10 goals a season for the last five years.

The two men have similarities on the pitch, but bring different strengths to the game. Who would you prefer to be manning the middle of your squad?

Dempsey is a tremendous athlete and has electrifying moments, but sometimes fails to impact the game. Dempsey has been known to become invisible in big moments, and has been criticized for not wanting to move to a contending club.
Kuyt is fantastic is utilizing all the players around him, but has not been the goal scorer most believed he would be after putting up jaw dropping numbers for Feyenoord Rotterdam. Kuyt does not had the breakaway speed that many other true scorers possess, and is not a force in the air unlike many other Dutch footballers in the Premier League.
With EPL Fantasy Futbol becoming bigger, I want to hear who people who entrust their midfield to, either Clint Dempsey or Dirk Kuyt?




http://bleacherreport.com/articles/821752-epl-debate-clint-dempsey-vs-dirk-kuyt-who-do-you-want-for-your-squad?

[WhiteJC]

 
THE MIKE NORMAN COLUMN
NEWCASTLE v FULHAM

Newcastle 2.18 v Fulham 3.9; The Draw 3.4 (playing Sunday)

It may be typical circus-like shenanigans off the pitch at Newcastle but on the pitch they've made a fine start to the season, holding Arsenal on the first day of the season and then beating bitter rivals Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

In fact, Alan Pardew's men are yet to concede a goal.

Fulham meanwhile are struggling to find the net, especially away from home - they recorded blanks at Dnipro on Thursday, at Wolves in the Premier League, and at RNK Split the game before that. They also failed to score at home to Aston Villa on the first weekend of the season.

On the very brief form we've witnessed this term then it's reasonable to suggest that Newcastle are worth a small punt here, but when you consider some Opta stats it makes for very interesting reading. The Magpies have failed to score a single goal against Fulham in the last three games they've played, two of those being at St James Park. And the Cottagers have a fine record at Newcastle's home, winning 50% of their last six games and losing just the one.

Opta also show that Newcastle have recorded five draws from their last eight league games so it appears a low-scoring draw is crying out to be backed here. The 0-0 option in the Correct Score market is available to back at 11.0, whilst 1-1 can be backed at 7.4. Under 1.5 Goals also makes some appeal and be backed at 3.2 if you agree.

Recommended Bets

Best Bet: Back Both teams to Score @ 1.92 in West Brom v Stoke
Back The Draw @ 3.4 in Wigan v QPR
Dutch 0-0 @ 10.0, 0-1 @ 11.0, and 1-1 @ 7.4 in Wigan v QPR
Back 0-0 Correct Score @ 11.0 in Newcastle v Fulham
Back Under 1.5 Goals @ 3.2 in Newcastle v Fulham
Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.18 in West Brom v Stoke



http://sportingpreview.com/columns2012/11120309.php?

[WhiteJC]

 
We're On the Road to Romania

Despatches from the Eastern Front were patchy. In truth there wasn't much to report, and the media had already made their mind up that Fulham were unlikely to make the night's headlines.

With every other British club in Europa League action, the focus was elsewhere. Probably just as well, as the Whites rode their luck, protected the three goal cushion from the first leg, and passed somewhat unimpressively into the group phase of the Europa League for the second time in three seasons.

The camp will see it as job done over Dnipro, by far the most skilful outfit we have faced so far. But it required more or less the first team squad to get us through, so a few tired legs may be making their way up to St.James' Park for Sunday's league encounter. Progress at a price, as we also face being without JA Riise for a while – still waiting for details on his leg injury as I write.

That Jol should consider not one player from the fringes worthy of first team action speaks volumes for the urgency in strengthening the squad before August 31st. It is apparent to every supporter that without the talismanic Bobby Zamora, fit and in form, as the focal point of our attack, we currently are a very average side. This message we must surely hope has hit home with both manager and board.

About the only positive to be drawn from another disjointed and limp performance in the Ukraine, was the selection of Bairdinho at full-back and the restoration of the Hughes-Hangeland partnership. I now hope Matty Briggs grabs his big chance with both hands and settles into the left-back slot for the coming fixtures. In the week he was honoured with a call up to the U-19 England squad, I certainly don't consider him a weak link across the back four.

The rest of our formation needs serious work. We must pray BZ is passed fit for Newcastle, otherwise for the third game running we will pack little punch up front. It's never been the Fulham way among fans to hound a player from the club or heap really vile abuse from the stands. But the Dnipro game must surely have sounded the death knell regarding AJ's future in the first team. Jol's post-match comment that 'he was expecting a lot more from Andy,' suggests the light may have dawned.

As to what Dembele's future role in the team is, I'm perplexed. He never looks quite the part to me when it comes to the final third. He shows no predatory instincts as a finisher, yet has the ability to waltz round players at will. We greet him onto the pitch and chant his name as if he were Santa, only to find no presents in his sack. Can Fulham conjure some end product from him perhaps with better players drafted in? You tell me where he should play, I sure as hell don't know.

Now to the nitty gritty. Games are won and lost in midfield. To paraphrase the BBC, 'how do you solve a problem like Murphy?' If only it were as simple as a phone vote we could all put our hands up for the man we think should be our next leader on the pitch. OK, we couldn't break the bank for Adams, but we had a two year window to make a real play for O'Hara. Surely he would have taken us over Portsmouth and Wolves. Parker's getting his wished for move to Spurs, so if Gecov and Kasami are the future, blood them now with Sidwell as the ball winner and Clint in a deeper role.

Whichever way Jol plays it, either with the current roster or through the transfer market, Roy's side has just about come to the end of its golden era. We need an overhaul in the months to come, and a minimum of three fresh faces I suggest before the Blackburn game (our first real chance of a win). If we are to continue in the same vein until the New Year, relying only on Zamora to fire the furnace, we will be asking for trouble. Alongside Riise we also now must do without Simon Davies for a lengthy period. Who's next on the treatment table I wonder, because injuries are inevitable.

We'll draw a veil over our last two ineffectual performances. Let's instead look forward to games from a very winnable Group K in the Europa League against Odense, Wizla Krakow and Twente Enschede (ironically). All three away trips are relatively easy destinations for the travelling fans and while these sides need respecting, we should manage to qualify.

As for the little matter of wresting three points from Newcastle on Sunday, it really does all hinge on Bobby's ankle. We should know by Saturday. With him we can get a result, without, we might as well not bother getting on the bus.

My concluding paragraph is all conjecture. Make of it what you will. Around any club there are punters and posters who will tell you they have 'inside knowledge' of what's really going on behind the scenes. The first rule of football that everything stays in the dressing-room is by and large adhered to. That's why football sound bytes are always so utterly banal. 'Arsene, after a difficult week you must be very pleased with this win over Udinese.' The cretin with the mike deserves a four word answer to this. "What do you think?" Players move around so much these days they learn to keep their mouths shut until well after their playing days before their biography perhaps tells you what they really got up to around town with Craig Bellamy. This week there's been the odd poster on FFC forums suggesting the mood inside our camp is not as it should be. Body language on the pitch, the lack of urgency and calling out to colleagues has been cited as signs of an inner malaise, triggered by disagreements over how Jol wants the team to play. That our Dutch import is trying to change things too quickly, and not always for the best. We are unlikely to learn of any substance to this until hitting the bottom three and seeing Jol grab his coat...I fervently pray it's not the case. But...you never know.
Hope the side bounce back Sunday – win, lose or draw, we'll still be Fulham till we die! COYW!!! Twitter@fulhamphil



http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2011/08/were_on_the_road_to_romania.php?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol eyes raid on former club Twente as Fulham lodge £8m Chadli bid

Fulham have upped their bid for FC Twente forward Nacer Chadli to £8m.

Manager Martin Jol had a £4m offer rejected last week. But he has gone back in with a new bid to try and secure the highly-rated Belgium before the transfer window shuts.


Highly-rated: FC Twente forward Nacer Chadli




Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2030614/Fulham-make-8m-bid-Nacer-Chadli.html#ixzz1WCxZMdLa

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Newcastle vs Fulham: Tough times await the Toon
Expect Fulham to shut out Newcastle as Martin Jol searches for first league win



The Premier League hasn't helped Fulham this weekend as the London club prepare for what will already be their 11th game this season.

Having got back from the Ukraine on Friday morning, Fulham have had to make the 300-mile trip north from London to Newcastle to play their third league game of the season.

Match Odds

Martin Jol's side are the 13/5 outsiders for the clash at St James Park and there will be plenty of punters banking on the traveling catching up with Fulham this weekend.

Newcastle are the 11/10 favourites to win, but they have managed just the one home victory over Fulham in six attempts, and Fulham have won three of their last four against Newcastle.

Whenever Fulham are involved the draw has to be considered and at 9/4, the bookmakers think a draw is more likely than a Fulham win.

Except there has been just three draws between these two in the 18 Premier League fixtures and Fulham can upset the odds.

Total Goals

Newcastle were poor on Thursday night against Scunthorpe and it took a late screamer from Sammy Ameobi to earn their place in the Carling Cup third round.

Demba Ba once again failed to find the back of the net and Newcastle have just the one goal in the league this season, and just the two in normal time in all competitions – both coming from Ryan Taylor.

Fulham have kept ten clean sheets in their last 15 competitive games and Jol's side look great value at 11/4 to keep a clean sheet and while the 0-0 correct score appeals at 8/1, Fulham look the best bet to register a third 1-0 win over Newcastle in four games at 7/1.

It's hard to foresee more than two goals being scored in this game so back under 2.5 goals at 8/13.




http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/premier-league/newcastle-vs-fulham-tough-times-await-the-toon_074389.html

[WhiteJC]

 
USMNT Roster Analysis for Friendlies Against Costa Rica and Belgium


Clint Dempsey returns to the fold in Jurgen Klinsmann's first full camp at the helm of the USMNT.
Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Jurgen Klinsmann announced his first full-camp squad today.  Convening over the two September friendlies, the roster is full of interesting names.  The following players comprise Klinsmann's roster:

Goalkeepers:  Tim Howard, Bill Hamid

Defenders:  Carlos Bocanegra, Edgar Castillo, Timothy Chandler, Steve Cherundolo, Clarence Goodson, Zach Loyd, Michael Orozco-Fiscal, Heath Pearce, Tim Ream

Midfielders:  Kyle Beckerman, Clint Dempsey, Maurice Edu, Fabian Johnson, Sacha Kljestan, Jeff Larentowicz, Robbie Rogers, Brek Shea, Jose Francisco Torres

Forwards:  Juan Agudelo, Jozy Altidore, Teal Bunbury, Landon Donovan

A fairly strong but intriguing roster to say the least.  We'll begin the analysis with a look at the omissions...

(Writer's note: please visit msp.theamericanoutlaws.com for more analysis of everything United States Soccer)



http://bleacherreport.com/articles/822523-usmnt-roster-analysis-for-friendlies-against-costa-rica-and-belgium?

[WhiteJC]

 
NEWCASTLE UNITED v FULHAM
EARLY TEAM NEWS

Newcastle central defender Mike Williamson is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury in Thursday night's 2-1 Carling Cup victory at Scunthorpe.

Keeper Steve Harper will miss out with a knee problem and striker Shola Ameobi could also miss out due to a hip injury.

Fulham pair Bobby Zamora and John Arne Riise are doubts for the St James' Park clash.

Zamora missed Thursday night's Europa League play-off against Dnipro with an ankle injury and is rated at 50-50 for Sunday.

Riise was forced off with a groin problem in the Dnipro match and has had a scan. Simon Davies could face a further five months out with a knee injury.

Newcastle Squad: Krul, Sodeberg, Simpson, R. Taylor, Ferguson, Coloccini, S. Taylor, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Marveaux, Obertan, Gosling, Smith, Abeid, Ba, Shola Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Best, Vuckic, Sammy Ameobi.

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



http://sportingpreview.com/football2012/11120387.php?

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Jol: Fulham not daunted

Fulham boss Martin Jol insists his side is not daunted by their tough draw in the group stages of the Europa League.

Fulham – who made the final of the competition in 2009/10 where they lost to Atletico Madrid – were drawn in Group K alongside Eredivisie outfit FC Twente, Odense of Denmark and Wisla Krakow of Poland.

"It is obviously a tough group," Jol said on Friday.

"Wisla are champions in Poland, I know the manager there, he is Dutch (Robert Maaskant). Twente were obviously runners-up in Holland and went out against Benfica (in the Champions League knockout round)."

"Odense were runners-up in Denmark and went out against Villarreal. It is a tough group."

When quizzed on who was the strongest in the group, Jol named FC Twente, although he feels his side have enough quality to progress into the round of 32 stage.

"Twente are a good, good Dutch team and were champions in 2010," he said.

"Last year Ajax were champions in the last game against them so, as I said, it is a difficult group. They have got a lot of individual quality: (Nikolay) Mihaylov, the goalkeeper, and Douglas is one of the best in Europe I feel."

"But we are from England. We are a Premier League side so we have the quality to make it difficult for all these teams. They will look at it the same way we do. I think we have a good chance to get to the next stage."




http://www.sportal.co.in/football-news-display/jol-fulham-not-daunted-135672

[WhiteJC]

 
Alan Pardew in warning of threat from Fulham

ALAN Pardew has warned his Newcastle United stars not to be mislead by Fulham's indifferent start to the Premier League season and instead anticipate a "very strong" challenge from Martin Jol's men.

The Cottagers started their campaign with a goalless draw against Aston Villa before losing 2-0 at Wolves.

However, they overcome Ukrainian outfit FC Dnipro in the Europa League on Thursday night, and Pardew believes the west London club will prove a substantial test tomorrow.

He said: "From what I have seen, sometimes the results do not reflect the performances.

"Fulham's performances have been very strong and they have very good players. They will have another strong season.

"They are a good defensive unit and they are playing a little bit more expansively under Martin Jol, so that is a little tweak on their style. We are tweaking our style a bit as well.



Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2011/08/27/alan-pardew-in-warning-of-threat-from-fulham-61634-29312320/?#ixzz1WDSKWu2J

[WhiteJC]

 
No divided loyalties for keeper

IPSWICH Town number one David Stockdale has made no secret of the fact that he wants today's opponents Leeds United to achieve promotion at the end of the season.

But the impressive keeper is adamant his beloved Leeds can only finish second in the Championship – and behind the Super Blues.

The 25-year-old, signed on a season-long loan from Premier League Fulham, has quickly impressed everyone with his ability despite Town conceding a horrendous 12 goals in two games.

Today he will be facing a Leeds side on the up and with a large number of his family willing an away victory at Portman Road.

But while it might be a case of divided loyalties for some of the Stockdale family, nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to Ipswich's imposing custodian.

Stockdale said: "I'm a Leeds boy and I always look at them to do well. I remember trying to climb over a fence to see Leeds with one Lee Bowyer there. So it was nice to come to a club like Ipswich and play with him.

"And for me, it is three points for Ipswich and at the end of the season it's Ipswich champions and Leeds second with automatic promotion."

Ironically, Stockdale could have turning out for his boyhood club against the Blues today but it is believed Leeds were unwilling to sanction the 24-release clause that Town boss Paul Jewell reluctantly accepted.

Stockdale admitted: "As soon as it got out about Leeds, Ipswich came in and it was an easy choice. I would have loved to have gone there but it didn't happen. I came to Ipswich and I'm happy with my choice."



http://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-town/no_divided_loyalties_for_keeper_1_1006962?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol remains keen on Chadli

Fulham have been linked with a fresh bid to tempt Dutch outfit FC Twente to part with winger Nacer Chadli.

The 21-year-old Belgium international has already been the subject of one rejected bid from the Cottagers, who have been drawn in the same Europa League group as Twente.

However, it's believed that Fulham boss Martin Jol is desperate to land Chadli and has upped the offer considerably, with the Dutch outfit thought to be holding out for around £8million.

Meanwhile, Jol looks set to be disappointed in his efforts to sign Morocco midfielder Oussama Assaidi from Heerenveen.

The 23-year-old is also a target for French club Paris St Germain, who are armed with cash provided by a summer takeover by a consortium based in Qatar.

PSG have already added a host of new faces to their squad this summer, including Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro, Roma midfielder Jeremy Menez and Juventus schemer Momo Sissoko.

Their star acquisition is Argentina international forward Javier Pastore, who joined from Palermo for a fee in excess of 40million euros.



http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/jol-remains-keen-on-chadli-1270958.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Newcastle v Fulham Preview: Danny Simpson Drama Puts Football in Perspective

PREMIER LEAGUE: ST JAMES' PARK, SUNDAY AUGUST 28, 2011. KICK-OFF 1300 BST

Work this one out. Alan Pardew reckons his side had a tougher assignment at humble Scunthorpe than the one faced by Fulham in the Ukraine this week, the Iron proving more of a hurdle than the old iron curtain, so to speak.

Fresh, if that is he correct term, from their near 3,000 mile round trip to see off Europa League opponents Dnipro, it's unlikely Martin Jol will concur.

"We had it a lot tougher at Scunthorpe than Fulham did again Dnipro," Pardew insisted in the wake of the 2-1 extra-time Carling Cup victory over a side in the lower reaches of League One.

As Newcastle start life without Joey Barton, the manager added: "I've not seen their game, but that's what I'm guessing. You've seen lots of Premier League clubs this week go away in the Carling Cup and struggle."

It's an interesting theory from the Newcastle manager, who hopes to have the Dutch defender Erik Pieters finally on board given the defender's protracted £6.5 million move from PSV Eindhoven moves ever-closer.

Whether the 23-year-old figures is up for debate, bearing in mind the continued free-kick excellence shown by Ryan Taylor, the stand-in left-back whose defending may at times be a little suspect, but whose precision from set-pieces is unquestioned, as two goals in as many matches would suggest.

Maybe Pardew could compromise, by starting Pieters and bringing Taylor on, like they do with special teams in American football, at all attacking set-pieces.

Key Match-Up: Shola Ameobi v Brede Hangeland: Times are changing up front at Newcastle, to such an extent now that any stab at a prospective team has to differentiate between the brothers Shola and Sammy, such has been Ameobi junior's impact this season, highlighted with the teenager's winning goal at Scunthorpe. Time for Ameobi senior to respond to the challenge, although he can expect little change out of the imposing Fulham centre-back.

Form Guide: Despite Scunthorpe's best efforts in managing to achieve what neither Arsenal or Sunderland could - scoring against them - Newcastle remain unbeaten after three games in all competitions. Fulham have a single point and are yet to find the net in their two Premier League matches.

Match Odds: Newcastle 11/10, Fulham 11/4, Draw 12/5

NEWCASTLE:
The life of the average young Premier League footballer would seem to involve nothing more taxing than a comfortable, and well paid, routine of playing matches, training and relaxing with your mates.

Not so for Danny Simpson, who is keeping a daily bedside vigil for his premature baby, alongside the demands of his high-profile day job. The Newcastle defender had his world turned upside down at the end of July when his daughter was born six weeks premature.

Skye-Lorena weighed just three-and-a-half pounds, and remains at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, a goal-kick away from St James' Park, where she is being cared for after her unscheduled entry into the world.

Happily, she is now up to five pounds, and making steady progress. Simpson and his partner Steph hope to have her back home early next month.

It's been an emotional chapter in the 24-year-old's life that's helped keep the fight for Premier League points in perspective. He said: "It was a very difficult time for us when she arrived so early.

"Hopefully we're through the worst of it now. The staff at the RVI have been brilliant."

"Thankfully, she's putting on weight and she's getting stronger all the time. She's doing really well and hopefully will be home with us next week.

"It was the proudest day of my life when she was born, and it's amazing how your mentality changes once you become a parent. It's just completely different to anything you've been used to before."

Newcastle hope to extend their unbeaten start to the season by stretching their three-hour Premier League shut out.

Simpson remains as focused as ever on the pitch, but admits his priorities have changed off it. He added: "During the games I want to win badly, but straight afterwards I turn into a family man and ring the hospital to make sure everything is okay.

"I've still been able to concentrate on games but now I have a family and a missus to look after and I've had to become very strong and be there for them. It's a very different challenge."

Strategy: Pardew is likely to opt for a five-man midfield with Gabriel Obertan returning to the side, meaning another spot of bench warming for Demba Ba, who has enjoyed a far from fruitful start to life on Tyneside.

Injury Update: Hatem Ben Arfa (ankle) is out until mid-September, and Mike Williamson (foot) joined the casualty list after limping off at Scunthorpe.


FULHAM:
The demands of the season are already taking their toll on Martin Jol's side although that's less surprising given the fact Fulham kicked their first ball in anger on June 30.

The early start has not been without its rewards, however, and the midweek Europa League victory over Dnipro means the Cottagers will once again compete in the group stage of the competition ensuring European football until December at least.

That means another six games have been added to the calendar, adding to the wear and tear on a thin squad that has been further depleted with the loss of Simon Davies for five months with a knee injury.

With that in mind, Jol is anxious to bring in new faces with a forward his priority and the manager has shown an interest in Birmingham's Cameron Jerome and Frieburg's Papiss Dembe Cisse.

"We have to do better. We have to play to our strengths and of course we could say we have got a lot of defensive qualities," the manager told a media briefing..

"The second half against Aston Villa and Wolves showed we are capable of scoring goals. But you have to do the business and score to win games and to give the team confidence.

"It is not only about strikers. Ten players left the club and only four have come in. We only had a small squad last year. We need numbers."

Strategy: Fulham may have lost by the odd goal in Dnipro but they produced another organised performance that has been their hallmark in recent seasons. Questions remain about the wisdom of playing Aaron Hughes at right back but the Irishman will be keen to face his former club.

Injury update: Davies is out until the new year. John Arne Riise and Bobby Zamora are both rated extremely doubtful to make the trip to the north east.



http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/08/27/newcastle-v-fulham-preview-danny-simpson-drama-puts-football-in/?

[WhiteJC]

 
EPL preview: Newcastle v Fulham

Newcastle United will be looking to continue their bright start to the English Premier League season when they host Fulham on Sunday.

Alan Pardew's team are the only one yet to concede this league campaign, with clean sheets against Sunderland and Arsenal.

A Ryan Taylor free-kick was enough to hand them a 1-0 win over arch-rivals Sunderland, while they also edged past Scunthorpe United in the Carling Cup on Thursday.

Pardew will need more out of Nigerian Shola Ameobi up front against Fulham, a team Newcastle have failed to score against in their past three Premier League meetings.

Argentine Jonas Gutierrez has been in good form, while midfielder Joey Barton may not play after Newcastle allowed him to speak with Queens Park Rangers about a potential move.

Barton was transfer-listed earlier this month after criticising owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias for the way they were running the club.

Pardew is still without Steve Harper and French attacker Hatem Ben Arfa because of injury.

Martin Jol's side have made a slow start after initial hopes of again competing for a European spot.

A draw at home to Aston Villa was followed by a loss to Wolverhampton, although they did get past Ukrainian side Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 3-1 on aggregate in the Europa League playoff round.

Fulham's record at St James' Park is decent, winning three of their past six visits there and losing just one.

But they are one of five teams yet to score in the league and Jol will be desperate to get his attacking third - particularly striker Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora - functioning at their peak.

Zamora missed the trip to Ukraine on Thursday due to injury but could be in line for a return, while Jol will be without Bjorn Riise and Simon Davies.

With the creativity of Danny Murphy, Damien Duff and Clint Dempsey in midfield, it is only a matter of time before Fulham get back to their best in attack.

Newcastle are yet to have their defences breached this campaign, but it will be a tough task against what is sure to be a desperate Fulham side.



http://www.sportal.co.in/football-news-display/epl-preview-newcastle-v-fulham-135572