Tuesday Fulham Stuff (31/08/11)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Grygera Signs

Fulham Football Club is delighted to confirm the free transfer signing of defender Zdenek Grygera on a one-year deal with an option for a further year.

The 31-year-old spent four seasons at Juventus and has the versatility to play in a number of defensive positions.

Grygera represented the Czech Republic at the 2004 and 2008 European Championships and at the World Cup finals in Germany in 2006. He made 52 appearances for his country between 2001 and 2008.

Grygera made his first senior appearance for FK Svit Zlin in 1997 having progressed through the Czech side's youth team. He moved to Petra Drnovice in 1998 before making the move to Sparta Prague in 2000.

He signed for Ajax in 2003 and made 78 appearances scoring 8 times for the Amsterdam club before signing for Juventus in 2007.

Grygera came on as a substitute at Craven Cottage in March 2010, during Fulham's memorable 4-1 Europa League win against Juventus.

Following his move to Craven Cottage, Grygera said:

"I am delighted to have completed my transfer to Fulham Football Club today. It has always been an ambition for me to play in the Premier League and I am looking forward to an exciting new chapter in my career with Fulham."




Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/August/GrygeraSigns.aspx?#ixzz1Wcxgczij

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham to beat Tottenham to signing of £11m FC Twente forward
Fulham confirm the signing of defender Zdenek Grygera with Bryan Ruiz expected to follow



Fulham manager Martin Jol is about to make his mark on the club with the signing of FC Twente's Bryan Ruiz.

The Costa Rican had a £13.75m release clause written into his contract but Fulham and Twente have agreed on a fee of £10.6m and earlier in the month Ruiz had suggested that Fulham was a club he was very interested in joining.

"Fulham is a serious option for me," said Ruiz. "Fulham already contacted my agent. If Fulham does become serious, we will definitely talk."

That was a couple of weeks ago and having agreed a fee yesterday evening, Fulham can be confident of competing the deal today.

Ruiz will become the seventh signing for Fulham in this summer transfer window but will be the first marquee signing and the Costa Rican international becomes Fulham's most expensive signing since Andy Johnson in 2008.

It's a big move from Jol who will have endeared himself to the Fulham faithful with this signing, and the fact that Tottenham Hotspur were also interested in the Twente player will be a big boost to the confidence at Craven Cottage.

Ruiz made a huge mark on the Eredivisie two seasons ago when he scored 24 goals in 34 appearances, including a 10-match goalscoring streak as Twente lifted the league title.

He became a fans favourite at the start of last season when he declined a move to a number of Europe's top clubs but was hit by injuries, scoring nine goals in 24 matches.

Jol is chasing a European finish this season and also wants to see the club go far in the Europa League.

Primarily played as a winger, Ruiz's ability to chip in with goals will be a huge benefit to a Fulham side that can boast just three strikers in Bobby Zamora, Andy Johnson and Mouassa Dembele.

With Clint Dempsey's future at Craven Cottage unsure, Jol has moved quickly to bring in another attacking signing and Ruiz is a very exciting transfer for Fulham.



http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/premier-league/fulham-to-beat-tottenham-to-signing-of-11m-fc-twente-forward_074957.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham sign Juventus defender Zdenek Grygera


Fulham have completed the signing of Juventus defender Zdenek Grygera on a one-year deal.

The 31-year-old has been with the Turin giants for the past four seasons and has now penned a deal with the Cottagers, with an option for a further year.

He moves on a free transfer after his contract with Juventus was terminated by mutual consent yesterday.

Grygera faced Fulham in March 2010 when he come off the bench during Fulham's 4-1 Europa League win against Juventus at Craven Cottage, which he is excited to now call home.

"I am delighted to have completed my transfer to Fulham Football Club today," he told the club's official website, www.fulhamfc.com.

"It has always been an ambition for me to play in the Premier League and I am looking forward to an exciting new chapter in my career with Fulham."

Grygera began his career with Czech side FK Svit Zlin in 1997, before moving to Petra Drnovice and Sparta Prague.

The defender, who has made 52 appearances for his country, joined Ajax in 2003 and then Serie A outfit Juventus in 2007.




http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-sign-juventus-defender-zdenek-grygera-2346952.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham seal Grygera deal
Czech defender looking forward to playing in the Premier League

Fulham have wrapped up the signing of Czech Republic defender Zdenek Grygera on an initial one-year contract.

Grygera revealed earlier this month that he was closing on a move to Craven Cottage after falling out of favour at Juventus.

He had the remaining year of his contract at Juve cancelled earlier this week and he has now joined Fulham on a free transfer.

The 31-year-old also has the option of a further 12 months with Martin Jol's side and is looking forward to playing in the Premier League.

Delighted

"I am delighted to have completed my transfer to Fulham Football Club today," Grygera told the club's official website.

"It has always been an ambition for me to play in the Premier League and I am looking forward to an exciting new chapter in my career with Fulham."

Grygera was in the Juve team famously beaten 4-1 at Craven Cottage in 2010 and he also played against Manchester City in the Europa League last season.

He began his career with Czech side FK Svit Zlin in 1997, before moving to Petra Drnovice and Sparta Prague.
The defender, who has made 52 appearances for his country, joined Ajax in 2003 and then Serie A outfit Juventus in 2007.



http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_7140701,00.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jerome Chase Fails

Having expressed an interest in the Birmingham City striker, Cameron Jerome, we`re able to report that he will not be signing for Fulham.

It transpires that Stoke City have beaten us to the punch and that Jerome will be playing for the Potteries side from now on, instead of at Craven Cottage.

Another one bites the dust on transfer deadline day!



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=253493#ixzz1WdBvpuRX

[WhiteJC]

 
Not Our Clint?

The declaration from Clint Dempsey that he wants to play Champions League football makes today a very fraught day.

With Arsene Wenger looking to make mass-signings, after his team was humbled up at Old Trafford on Sunday, there is a distinct possibility that he may cast an envious eye towards Craven Cottage with the view of making an offer for Dempsey.

If that were to be the case then things would need to move remarkably quickly but isn`t that always the case on transfer deadline day!

Keep those fingers crossed that Dempsey isn`t snaffled by a side participating in the Champions League, it would do our season untold damage!



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=253494#ixzz1WdC62Oop

[WhiteJC]

 
Marseille Turn Fulham Down!

One reported target Fulham have missed out on is Andre Pierre Gignac.

BBC Sport reported this morning that the Olympic Marseille president, Jose Anigo, stated that the player would not be leaving the club.



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=253497#ixzz1WdCSOV3k

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Coup?

Who`d have thought it?

Little old Fulham shoving aside Tottenham Hotspur to entice Bryan Ruiz to London!

Twente FC, of Holland, have confirmed that Ruiz has flown to London for talks with Fulham and the suggestion is that a fee of £10 million has been agreed between the two clubs.

If the medical is successful and personal details can be agreed then we may just have pulled off a transfer coup!




Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=253496#ixzz1WdCh8KDw

[WhiteJC]

 
A Touch Too Much!

Has one transfer rumour been quelled by the fee wanted?

The grapevine had Fulham and Newcastle linked with a move for the Freiburg marksman, Papiss Demba Cisse.

But, that same grapevine is now also suggesting that the German club wants a massive £13 million for the player.

Something tells me that is out of our league especially with his agent Guido Nicolai telling the media his client was staying at Freiburg as`

"Nobody was prepared to pay the sum - that was the only problem."

Like we said, out of our financial league!



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=253498#ixzz1WdCtlO9R

[WhiteJC]

 
The Johnson Dilemma?

Not that long ago there was the inference being banded about that Andrew Johnson was going to be offered a contract extension.

But, as is often the case as the transfer window approaches closure, names get banded about with relation to a move that normally wouldn`t.

Now normally I`d just dismiss the speculation doing the rounds that is linking Andrew Johnson with a move to Leicester City, but, as I type, I have to admit to being a little skeptical as to whether Leicester City, under the stewardship of Sven Goran Eriksson, might just have the financial muscle to make an offer their Craven Cottage hierarchy might find difficult to refuse.

So far a figure of £4 million is doing the rounds, if Leicester City were to increase that it could be an interesting situation.

I guess come 23:00 hours tonight, this little dilemma will have been answered one way or anther!



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=253500#ixzz1WdD51SzI

[WhiteJC]

 
Magpies eye Ruiz raid
Fulham remain favourites for Twente ace

Sky Sports sources understand Newcastle could make a late move to try and hijack Fulham's swoop for Bryan Ruiz.

Fulham have agreed a fee with FC Twente for the Costa Rica international as Martin Jol looks to lure him to Craven Cottage

However, Newcastle are now believed to have entered the race for the highly-rated 26-year-old and have made an enquiry to Twente about a possible move.

Magpies boss Alan Pardew is keen to bring in a new striker before the close of the transfer window to bolster his attacking options and Ruiz is thought to be his top target.

Fulham remain favourites to land Ruiz as they have been in talks with the player for the last 24 hours and they are pushing to get the deal done before the transfer window slams shut at 11pm.



http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11678_7140732,00.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham make £4m bid for Hutton
by DAN on AUGUST 31, 2011



Sky Sports News are reporting that Fulham have made a £4m bid for Alan Hutton.

The Tottenham full-back was rumoured to be joining Aston Villa on transfer deadline day before Fulham's late bid. The Scottish international has made 66 appearances for Spurs signing in a £9m deal from Rangers in January 2008. He spent the second half of last season on loan with Sunderland, where he made eleven league appearances.

Hutton, 26, previously spent eight years at Rangers, making 94 league appearances, and scoring two goals. He has been told he is surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/08/fulham-make-4m-bid-for-hutton/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Reserves 7-0 Bolton Reserves
by LORK on AUGUST 31, 2011

A stunning first half from an impressive Fulham reserve side underlined their league credentials as a woeful Bolton never recovered from an early blitz of goals. The home side were four goals to the good thanks to some clinical finishing and incisive attacking play before twenty minutes were up, adding another two goals before half time and finishing off the rout with a seventh close to full time.

Fulham lined up a 4-4-2, with Harris in an unfamilar right back role and Frei next to Trotta uptop, whereas Bolton went with a 4-3-3 which included Stuart Holden making his first appearance since breaking his leg several months ago. It didn't take long for Fulham to make a breakthrough, Kacaniklic breaking down the left and pulling the ball back to Trotta who in space could control the shot past the Bolton keeper. It promised to be a game full of goals as almost immediately Bolton had a golden chance to get one back. A long ball was sent down the left channel and Josh Passley, an Academy centre half, didn't deal with it properly, allowing striker O'Hallaran to get between him and the ball. After cutting back onto his right foot he struck the ball at goal from 7 yards out but Etheridge made a great save to tip the ball onto the post and out of play.



Bolton would come to rue this opportunity; just a minute or so later Trotta was on the scoresheet again. Donegan under no pressure made a lovely measured clip from the half way line to Trotta who had a clear sight on goal. After chesting the ball down and holding off the pressure from the defender on the back of him he eventually struck the ball past a despairing Lynch with a neat half volley after miskicking his first attempt. The momentum was well and truely with Fulham who attacked incisively and with pace. Bolton were struggling to deal with what was relentless pressure from Fulham bodies who flew forward when they attacked, and Donegan was next on the score sheet, Kacaniklic again driving down the left wing before accurately finding Donegan who had made his way forward, controlled the pass and drove the ball into the net via the crossbar from 18 yards with an excellent finish.

It was threatening to turn into a humilation for Bolton, indeed the man of the moment Trotta didn't need to wait for his hattrick, demonstating his lethal form for the U18s at this level when Frei ran forward on the break, drawing players to him. Trotta showed good awareness to peel out to the right side of the box which was vacated by defenders and he was found by Frei before calmly curling the ball along the ground into the bottom corner of the net. The White's kept flooding forward in pace and numbers, Kacaniklic the next to threaten the back of the net, driving towards goal and striking at Lynch who got his body in the way but still the ball came out to Riise. This time his fierce shot from an angle smacked the post and went wide. Fulham were reminded though that it wasn't always going to be this one way. Holden won a tackle from a deep Fulham midfielder and sent a slide rule pass through for O'Hallaran. The defenders were completely beaten for pace but O'Hallaran took his shot early and put it just past Etheridge's left hand post. Odebayi on the left of Bolton's attacking three also put a dangerous ball in the box, and again a ball over the top found the Fulham defence a bit square but Odebayi barely had time to collect it before Passley made a good tackle to eliminate the threat.

These Bolton openings were few and far between and mainly relied on balls behind the defence, they were struggling to put any real passing moves together and there was still enough going Fulham's way to score twice before the break. The first, with an air of contraversy, started with the impressive Passley, who wondered into midfield with the ball and lofted the ball over Bolton's defence, looking for Kacaniklic. Kacaniklic realised he was offside and left the ball for Trotta to run onto who took advantage of the confusion to find himself free on the right flank. In space he picked out the pass to Kacaniklic who was now in play to struck the ball first time past the keeper, a much deserved goal for a player who had a stormer of the first half. The Bolton defenders weren't happy with the refereeing on that occassion but had no complaint about the sixth and Trotta's fourth of the night. Passley got caught in possession and Bolton threatened to danger Etheridge's goal, but Burn stepped across to intercept well following a heavy touch. Eventually the ball came again to Frei and Fulham broke, their counter attacking game superb all night. Running at the defence he waited to give the ball out to Riise who crossed the ball perfectly into Trotta's path for him to sweep home. 6-0 at half time and to say the game was over is an understatement.



With the game totally wrapped up, you could forgive Fulham for taking the proverbial foot off the gas in the second half, happy enough to sit on their lead and without the incentive to go for much more. It wasn't a suprise then to see the flow of the game become much more even in the second 45. Before kick off, Bolton made two attacking changes, hoping to rescue some pride out of the game. At the same time, Pritchard also came on for Gecov in a like for like change, a planned substituion most likely and the Czech international can be pleased with his first outing in a Fulham shirt with some sharp play.



It was immediately apparent that Bolton were going to be much more effective at stopping Fulham's attacks. Their defence appeared more solid, compared to the sixes and sevens it was in during the first, and their tackling and closing down was much more aggressive. Not much came in the way of solid goal scoring opportunities however, although a hectic scramble in the Bolton box following a corner never fell kindly to a Fulham player before the ball was booted upfield. The visiters finally maintained some attacking pressure of their own. Odebayi showed glimpses of his athleticism in the first half but his pace was apparent as on several occassions he broke down the left into dangerous crossing positions, once striking a fierce shot on goal which Etheridge did well to handle and another capitalising on the hesitancy of Harris to chase a long ball to whip a cross in which flashed across the six yard box. On one ocassion Passley looked beaten for pace after buying a feint from O'Hallaran but made a really good tackle as the striker advanced on goal. The resultant corner was cleared but found its way out to Bolton's left flank again, this time a ball from deep found Eckersley who forced Etheridge into a another good stop. The Fulham keeper had to be sharp again to come out to a Bolton striker through on goal after Donegan missed a tackle to invite the player on. The ball was thread through the defence but the attempt to pull one back was thrawted by the Phillipines international

There was still room for Fulham to push for a seventh. Trotta missed a chance for his fifth of the evening as a ball over the top found Frei in space behind the full back, before beating the defender easily to take him to the byline, unfortunately for the young Italian running in on goal the ball came at him fairly akwardly and on the corner of the six yard box so when he struck it it went a fair distance over. He did manage to find a fifth though close to the final whistle. Pritchard won the ball in midfield and with the right back caught a few yards upfield fed Kacaniklic down the left. A player on fire as much as him would never turn down the opportunity to make it a hattrick of assists and cut the ball back accurately once again for Trotta to cap off a sensational performance by man and team.



FULHAM RESERVES (4-4-2): Etheridge; Harris, Passley, Burn, Smith; B Riise (Brister 61), Donegan, Gecov (Pritchard 45), Kacaniklic; Frei (Peniket 82), Trotta. Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Dean.

GOALS: Trotta (4, 6, 15, 41, 82), Donegan (7), Kacaniklic (25),

BOLTON RESERVES (4-3-3): Lynch; Battersby (Fazlic), Dennis (Odelusi), Eckersley, McQuade; Riley, Blakeman, Holden (Fielding); Vela, Obadeyi, O'Halloran. Subs (not used): McGregor, Proudfoot.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/08/fulham-reserves-7-0-bolton-reserves/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham in talks over signing Andre-Pierre Gignac from Marseille - report
The 25-year-old France international has failed to establish himself at Stade Velodrome and is reportedly in talks over loan move to west London club for the rest of the season

Gignac was an €18million (£15.9m) signing for Marseille last summer from Toulouse, but after criticism of his performances in the south of France and just 12 goals for the club in all competitions, it seems he could be on his way out of Ligue 1.

Talks between the player and the west London side are believed to be advanced and personal terms are not a problem, though an agreement has yet to be reached between the two clubs, with Marseille wanting Fulham to pay all of Gignac's wages.

The former Toulouse man's departure would pave the way for Marseille to sign another striker to fill the void left by Gignac, with Roma's Marco Borriello and Juventus' Amauri linked with a move last year's Ligue 1 runners-up.



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/08/31/2644748/fulham-in-talks-over-signing-andre-pierre-gignac-from?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham sign Zdenek Grygera from Juventus
Fulham have completed the signing of Juventus defender Zdenek Grygera on a one-year deal.

The 31 year-old has been with the Turin club for the past four seasons and has now signed a contract with Fulham, with an option for a further year.

He moves on a free transfer after his contract with Juventus was terminated by mutual consent yesterday.

Grygera faced Fulham in March 2010 when he come off the bench during the London club's 4-1 Europa League win against Juve at Craven Cottage, which he is excited to now call home.

"I am delighted to have completed my transfer to Fulham Football Club today," he said.

"It has always been an ambition for me to play in the Premier League and I am looking forward to an exciting new chapter in my career with Fulham."

Grygera began his career with Czech side FK Svit Zlin in 1997, before moving to Petra Drnovice and Sparta Prague.

The defender, who has made 52 appearances for his country, joined Ajax in 2003 and then Juventus in 2007.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8733450/Fulham-sign-Zdenek-Grygera-from-Juventus.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham with bid for full-back as they look to hijack Villa's move
Fulham make a late move for Alan Hutton who has been granted leave from training camp

Alan Hutton has been granted leave from Scotland's training camp by the Scottish Football Association as he looks to engineer a move away from Tottenham Hotspur.

It was believed the full-back was heading to Birmingham for talks over a move to Aston Villa but Fulham have entered the race late with a £4m bid for Hutton.

Villa remain the favourites to sign Hutton but the Scottish international has a long journey in which to consider his options and there may be a diversion to London lingering in his mind.

Hutton is already a London resident and with Fulham making some big moves in this transfer window – they are waiting for Bryan Ruiz to say yes and have signed Juventus defender Zdenek Grygera – Hutton has a lot to think about.

Villa have lost Luke Young to Queens Park Rangers and Eric Lichaj is out for four months leaving Alex McLeish short of full-backs, and Hutton would walk straight into the Villa defence.

Fulham's aren't in need of a defender in the same way that Villa are but their move for Hutton suggests Jol wants him in the first team and having fallen out of favour at White Hart Lane, Hutton will be enjoying his current predicament.

The division handicap betting would suggest Villa are set for a stronger season than Fulham and the opening three games of the season would confirm that view.

Villa have taken five points from their opening three games while Fulham have taken just one, but Fulham are 12/1 to win the league with a +36 point handicap and Villa are 20/1 to win the league with a +28 point handicap.

There's likely to be very little separating them come the end of the season so it seems Hutton will settle for the side who can offer the best wage package.



http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/premier-league/fulham-with-bid-for-full-back-as-they-look-to-hijack-villas-move_074990.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham miss out on Boateng
Ghanaian's move to Craven Cottage falls through



Skysports.com understands that Fulham's move for Ghana international Derek Boateng is off.

The Cottagers had identified the midfielder, who currently plies his trade in Ukraine with Dnipro, as a possible transfer target.

Talks were held over a loan deal with a view to a permanent move, but Fulham have been unable to reach an agreement.

Boateng only joined Dnipro earlier this summer when he arrived from Getafe in Spain, and played against Fulham in their recent Europa League tie.

Martin Jol has been busy strengthening his squad before the transfer deadline and on Wednesday completed the signing of Zdenek Grygera from Juventus on an initial one-year contract.

A fee has also been agreed with FC Twente for Costa Rican winger Bryan Ruiz.



http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11681_7140886,00.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Bryan Ruiz: 5 Things to Know About Fulham's New Striker

Fulham have, according to reports, agreed a fee of £10.6million with Dutch club FC Twente for attacker Bryan Ruiz.

Ruiz will join Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac, who has joined on loan, at the Craven Cottage club and may be seen as a replacement for Clint Dempsey, who is rumoured to be interesting Paris St. Germain and has also been linked to Arsenal in recent days.

Ruiz is by no means a household name, and Fulham fans may be curious as to just who it is that manager Martin Jol has chosen to splash such a large amount of money on.

With that in mind, I thought I'd put together a short slideshow to introduce the player and give you five facts about him.

I hope you enjoy.



http://bleacherreport.com/articles/829123-bryan-ruiz-5-things-to-know-about-fulhams-new-striker?

[WhiteJC]

 
Worrying start
by MATTIAS on AUGUST 31, 2011

Since I've started to follow Fulham week in and week out we haven't had a good start to a season. I would have been delighted with five points from our opening three games and fully satisfied with three. Now I'm standing here after two poor performances and one decent. To be fair the Europa League qualifiers haven't been too convincing either. The weaker European oppositions could quite easily be overturned though, but the Premier League provides a very different challenge and, as enthusiastic as I am about my impending trips to Odense and Twente, I am worried by our start in the league.

However, there's nothing worse than watching Fulham on a 'laggy' stream on the computer. The fact that it was 90 slow and boring minutes in Ukraine as well didn't help. We had one shot on target and even if new-boy Kasami missed a sitter, Dnipro were much stronger and I could easily have seen another goal from the hosts. Under Hodgson these performances were quite common, with the difference that we rarely conceded, and didn't even give away many chances. Jol needs to rethink, the way we're playing now is just a diffuse mix of Hodgson's passivity and Hughes aggressive style of play. We're not pressing our opposition and forcing them to make errors in the build-up play and we're letting them have too much space and time in our half.

If a defeat in Ukraine wasn't enough, Jol, his players and approximately 500 supporters traveled up north to St James' Park to record a one goal loss for the second time this week. Even if we couldn't complete a late fight back, the players in the weird goldish/skincolourish shirts did at least make an effort worth to be mentioned compared to the previous four displays. If it was Newcastle that were poor or if it was a sign of some light at least I don't know, but I left St James's Park feeling that we did ok, even if ok wasn't enough this time. Matthew Briggs, Fulham's best performer by miles, must have spent several hours at the gym this summer because he's now winning tackles like nobody else, a very welcome skill to add to his fine pace and brilliant technique. I must say that if he continues his fine start to the season, Briggs is someone we will definitely have to fight to hold on to. Not many good, young English left-backs out there, are there?

Finally, some words about the reserves yesterday (see Lork's brilliant report here). Although Bolton were absolutely dreadful, the Fulham team showed pace, finesse and, above all else, clinical finishing. Alex Kacaniklic ran the Bolton back four ragged and often combined with the outstanding Marcelo Trotta, who perhaps had six or seven chances and scored five of them. It's hard to properly evaluate both performances and potential when Bolton were so abject. I liked Tom Donegan though, a fighter and tackler who also can provide a good pass and score goals, as he showed with his sublime strike yesterday. A nice evening at Motspur Park and if the boys continue like this I hope we can see one or two in Jol's first-team squad in the near future.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/08/worrying-start/

[WhiteJC]

 
Newcastle Bid to Steal Marseille Striker Andre-Pierre Gignac from Under Fulham Noses

Sources in France suggest that Newcastle United are making a late bid to derail Fulham's swoop for Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac.

Fulham boss Martin Jol wants the French international at Craven Cottage on a year-long loan deal and Marseille's only stipulation is that the English side must pay Gignac's €300,000 per month salary in full.

Gignac flew to London earlier today, but no contract has yet been signed with Fulham.

Now sources in France have revealed that fellow English Premier League outfit Newcastle United have expressed an interest in Gignac.

Newcastle have recruited a number of French-speaking players over the summer and have been hard at work building an extensive scouting network in the country.

25-year-old Gignac would be an exciting addition for manager Alan Pardew, and the striker's future remains up in the air.



http://www.insidefutbol.com/2011/08/31/newcastle-bid-to-steal-marseille-striker-andre-pierre-gignac-from-under-fulham-noses/48184/?