Monday Fulham Stuff (05/09/11)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Dempsey admits big gun interest

Fulham star Clint Dempsey has admitted that Arsenal expressed an interest in signing him during the summer transfer window.

The 28-year-old United States international, who was also thought to be a target of big-spending French outfit Paris St Germain, was one of the players that Gunners' chief Arsene Wenger had identified as he attempted to plug the gap created by the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

However, Wenger eventually snapped up Park Chu-Young, Andre Santos, Per Mertesacker, Yossi Benayoun and Mikel Arteta ahead of last Wednesday evening's 11pm deadline.

Dempsey told Goal.com: "Yes there was interest from clubs, including Arsenal, but nothing materialised."

It is thought that Fulham were asking for up to £10million from Arsenal fior Dempsey's signature which their London rivals were unwilling to meet.

It is not known if Wenger will make a new attempt to sign him when the January window opens.




http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/dempsey-admits-big-gun-interest-1277261.html?#.TmRhz3PHo98

[WhiteJC]

 
Riise ready to return for Norway?
by DAN on SEPTEMBER 5, 2011



John Arne Riise is confident that he will be fit enough to return to action for Norway in their crucial Euro 2012 qualifier against Denmark on Tuesday night, only twelve days after suffering what Martin Jol described as a 'serious' knee injury.

The Fulham left back was expected to be out for some considerable time after limping out of the club's Europa League play-off round second leg defeat in Dnipro and Fulham were so concerned that Norway remained keen to use the former Liverpool defender in their Euro 2012 fixtures that the club sent one of their doctors to assess him. Riise was duly left out of the Norway side that scraped past Iceland on Friday night – a decision that was described by the Norwegian team doctor as 'absolutely correct' but believes he will return to the starting line-up for Tuesday's trip to in Copenhagen.

The match is vital to Norway's chances of reaching their first major finals since 1998 as Egil Olsen's side are level on points with Portugal at the top of a tight Group H. The Norwegians could book a play-off place with a win at the Parken Stadium and Riise is desperate to play his part. He told Norwegian television that he felt comfortable after coming through a strenuous practice session on Saturday:

I completed training today. It felt good. There are two days of training left before the game and much can happen but it looks good. I begin to feel a tingling in my stomach. I imagine that I will play but we will know for sure after the weekend.

Provided he comes through the rest of his international duty unscathed, Riise's early return will be a boost to Fulham who will be looking to improve on their disappointing early-season form when they resume their league campaign at home to Blackburn on Sunday.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/09/riise-ready-to-return-for-norway/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fixture News

Fulham's home matches against Queens Park Rangers and Everton have been moved due to Club's participation in the UEFA Europa League. The revised fixture dates are as follows:

Fulham v QPR 

New Date: Sunday 2nd October, 2011
Kick Off: 3.00pm
Original date: Saturday 1st October / 3pm

Fulham v Everton

New Date: Sunday 23rd October, 2011
Kick Off: 1.30pm
Original Date: Saturday 22nd October / 3pm



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/September/FixtureUpdate.aspx?#ixzz1X63NhhaX

[WhiteJC]

 
Get Down to The Cottage Tonight!

These international breaks are enough to test the patience of a saint!

But, if you`re already bored with the tedious new Simon Cowell show - Red or Black - and fancy getting out of the house tonight, then we have a suggestion.

Craven Cottage pays host to international football tonight with Brazil taking on Ghana.

It may only be a friendly fixture but it`s got to be better than watching Ant and Dec going through the motions!

See you all there!




Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=254153#ixzz1X63ZC1OA

[WhiteJC]

 
Briggs U21 Watch

Following his impressive debut for England's U21 team last week, Matthew Briggs will be hoping for further game time on Monday night when Stuart Pearce's side meet Euro 2013 Final hosts, Israel, in a friendly match.

England's U21 team defeated Azerbaijan 6-0 last Thursday evening in their opening Euro 2013 Qualifying fixture, with Fulham defender Briggs playing the full match to help England record a clean sheet on his debut at left back. Tonight's friendly takes place at Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley (KO 7pm).



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/September/BriggsFriendlyU21.aspx?#ixzz1X63kTm2t

[WhiteJC]

 
Kelly and Duff to start for Ireland in Russia
by DAN on SEPTEMBER 5, 2011
Fulham pair Stephen Kelly and Damien Duff have been named in the Republic of Ireland side for their crucial Euro 2012 showdown with Russia in Moscow tomorrow night.

Kelly replaces John O'Shea who withdraw from the squad yesterday after a medical examination confirmed he will not be able to overcome hip and calf problems to face Russia. The Fulham full-back gets the nod over Kevin Foley having been left out of Friday's disappointing goalless draw at home to Slovakia.

Duff will continue on the wing in Giovanni Trapattoni's side as Ireland look to resurrect their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. Following the draw with Slovakia in Dublin, the Irish are two points adrift of the Russians in second place and are level on points with Slovakia. After the Moscow match on Tuesday, Ireland face a trip to Andorra and a home game against Armenia.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND XI (v RUSSIA): Given (Aston Villa); Kelly (Fulham), Dunne (Aston Villa), O'Dea (Leeds United), Ward (Wolves); Duff (Fulham), Whelan (Stoke City), Andrews (Ipswich Town), McGeady (Spartak Moscow); Keane (LA Galaxy), Doyle (Wolves).



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/09/kelly-and-duff-to-start-for-ireland-in-russia/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Kasami In Action

Fulham's Pajtim Kasami is on international duty on Monday night as Switzerland's U21 team challenge Croatia on home soil.

The Swiss kicked off their Euro 2013 Qualifying campaign (Group 5) against Estonia last week with Kasami playing the full match. Runners up in 2011, the Swiss had to settle for a goalless draw against a determined Estonia side.

Group 5 leaders Spain are playing second placed Georgia this evening so Kasami and company will be hoping to make up some ground with a positive results against Croatia, who failed to pick up any points from their opening qualifying match.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/September/KasamiInAction.aspx?#ixzz1X646Ujhf

[WhiteJC]

 
Was Halliche Move To Swansea Completed In Time?

It's emerged this weekend that there are doubts that Rafik Halliche's loan move from Fulham to Swansea City was completed before the 11pm deadline last Wednesday.

The Swans are waiting today to hear the news of whether or not the young left back is able to join the club from Fulham on loan until January 1st 2012.

According to reports, the problem seems to be with Fulham for not sending the necessary paperwork in time to the Premier League - sending it 20 minutes after the deadline.

Swansea City should find out today whether or not they'll have Halliche in their squad until the New Year.



Read more: http://www.swansea.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=254161#ixzz1X64GwVwR

[WhiteJC]

 
View from the river: Fulham and their three £10million plus men

"It's fair to say the results from the two previous times were mixed at best"

Steve Marlet, Andy Johnson and now Bryan Ruiz. Only three times in the Fulham's history have they paid over £10million for a player and it's fair to say the results from the two previous times were mixed at best.

The first was when Tigana paid £11.5 million to Lyon for Steve Marlet back in 2001. In our first season in the premier league Marlet was signed to lead the attack for a new look Fulham side featuring Van Der Sar, Malbranque and Louis Saha during the time that Mo wanted Fulham to be 'the Man Utd of the south'.

Eleven goals in 54 games was a disaster, Tigana was sacked and Mo even tried to take Tigana to court claiming that he had deliberately overpaid for the striker and taken a cut for himself.

Following Tigana's sacking, Marlet was loaned to Marseille before having his contract cancelled. Spells at Woflsburg and Lorient followed but then he was forced to retire after failing to find a new club despite trials with Ipswich and Chicago Fire.

Fulham's next £10 million plus man was Andrew Johnson, costing (allegedly) £10.5 million from Everton in 2008.

After a promising start (10 league goals in his first season) injuries and loss of form have impacted Johnson's time at the club. Last season saw Johnson only make 13 appearances and find the net 3 times.

This summer has seen serious rumours of a move to West Ham or Leicester and with only one year to run on his contract, Johnson is running out of time to live up his price tag.

Make no mistake, I am looking forward to seeing Ruiz in a Fulham shirt and his record in Holland and Belgium is excellent, but these two examples show that Fulham don't exactly have great pedigree in their marque signings. Here's hoping for third time lucky!



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/view_from_the_river_fulham_and_their_three_10million_plus_men_1_1013371?

[WhiteJC]

 
Bani Yas' approach to loan Halliche snubbed
Bani Yas snub revealed Fulham defender Halliche opts for Swansea as Rodriguez leaves

Dubai: Bani Yas Club's move to loan Fulham's Algerian defender Rafik Halliche has been turned down, it has been revealed.

Halliche who moved to Swansea City on loan until January on transfer deadline day, to provide emergency cover for Alan Tate who broke his leg in a golf buggy accident, had earlier politely declined a move to Abu Dhabi.

A Bani Yas official confirmed to Gulf News on Monday that: "New Uruguayan summer signing Sergio Gonzalo Rodriguez left the club last week. We are looking for someone stronger and better. We are currently assessing our options for a better central defender."

Fulham had refused to loan Halliche out to Bani Yas. The player's agent had apparently told the club he had only recently joined Fulham from Benfica and his client expressed a strong desire to stay in the English Premier League. The agent apologised to Bani Yas and thanked them for their confidence in his potential and their strong desire to sign him.

A Bani Yas source had earlier told Arabic press: "Bani Yas is working at the moment, in coordination with coach Jorvan Vieira, to review the resumes of other central defenders to choose an alternative to Halliche."

An unnamed Brazilian and a Tunisian were identified as potential targets as the club is eager to choose a defender to join training and stabilize the squad as it begins Etisalat Cup duty from September 15.

Whoever joins will be alongside other foreign signings; Fawzi Basheer, Andre Senghor and David Trezeguet, as the league runners-up look for first under the former 2007 Iraq Asian Cup winning coach, Vieira.

Rodriguez joining of Bani Yas is one of the shortest lived tenures of the summer behind Eyeman Henaini and Patrick Alves, who stayed just days at Dubai Club before being ousted by picky Nestor Clausen.



http://gulfnews.com/sport/football/bani-yas-approach-to-loan-halliche-snubbed-1.861666?

[WhiteJC]

 
Pantsil delighted for Cottage return
Fulham - John Pantsil thrilled to return to Craven Cottage

John Pantsil makes his first return to Craven Cottage this week as Ghana take on Brazil in a friendly, and the former Fulham full-back has revealed his love for the west Londoners.

Pantsil joined Leicester City earlier this summer, but had earned cult status during his three-year stay at Fulham, especially duo to his lap of honour following every full-time whistle.

The game against Brazil marks Pantsil's first return to the club, and the 30-year-old is thrilled to bits about making a return.

"It's nice to be here and it's always good to be back among friends. I am looking forward to this game and enjoying the Craven Cottage atmosphere," he said.

"I had a great time here with my teammates and the fans. Three years is a long time, but in the modern game, it is rare to play for just one team or remain with a club for a very long period. I still have strong emotions for Fulham and always want them to succeed.

"I have had plenty of emails and text messages from many friends at Fulham who cannot wait for the game and to see me playing here once again.

"I am so excited and cannot wait for kick-off as Ghana is going to have many honorary fans at the game to cheer us on against Brazil."




http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/pantsil-delighted-for-cottage-return?

[WhiteJC]

 
Half empty

It feels like the season's about to start again.  We had the early season, that time when the players weren't any good and the matches were dull.  Now we have a sort of unspoken season two, in which we have new and exciting players and midweek games against teams we've never seen before. It's like a second life: "okay, sorry about the first few weeks. That wasn't great was it? But now we have an expensive Costa Rican aboard and we're sure this'll do the trick!" as if Bryan Ruiz can single handedly join a new league and instantly inject the whole eleven with extra cohesion, banish the disjointed displays of the late summer and bring in a new dawn of thrillingness.

Part of the transfer window is propaganda, drumming up enthusiasm. Newcastle felt moved to issue a statement to reiterate their ambitions, a weird move that makes sense when you consider the quality they've let go, but which also slightly overlooks the quality of the players they've brought in. Sure the new players are less famous, and arguably less good, but the team is arguably in a better situation than it was before the summer, with only Colocini and Smith remaining among the high earners, and players like Tiote and Cabaye looking like the kind who will positively influence games for some time.

Fulham at one point looked in danger of coming up empty handed (or so we outsiders all thought), which would have been dire and caused many among us to ponder relegation. But it turned out okay, and now we all have hope: Bryan Ruiz and Orlando Sa, completing a new and curious 9-10-11 run with Pajtim Kasami. We must hope they live up to their billings.

The eeyore in me looks at this and thinks "okay, fine, but is this what we needed?". Is Orlando Sa a decent backup for Zamora? He seems to be a bit enigmatic, as yet not established. How did we find him?  Turns out he has the same agent as Papiss Demba Cisse, a very real target, which may be instructive based on what we're learning about the way football works.  He might work or he might not, but he's big and young and so we must be hopeful.  Ruiz himself is raved over by many, although a respected scout on Twitter has his doubts and believes Fulham overpaid considerably. Then there's the matter of need: while there's always room for a star player, it does mean that at least one and probably two of Ruiz, Duff, Dembele and Dempsey won't be playing on any given day. These are four of our best players – is this efficient allocation of resources? Grygera was a really good player but it's not clear why we need him at this point given his age and our squad strengths.

Going into the window we needed depth up front, which we sort of have, and anything after that would be a bonus. The biggest issue the team faces – how to replace Danny Murphy – is still no nearer to being resolved. It will take time to overhaul an ageing squad, and Fulham's grabbing of young talent from all over the country is surely a step in the right direction, but I'm not entirely convinced that the activity we have seen will change too much.  And if that's the case, we could still be in for a long season.





http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/09/05/half-empty/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham blocked Baird loan bids



Fulham rejected deadline day bids from Blackburn and West Brom to take Chris Baird on loan.

The defender has fallen down the pecking order under Martin Jol since Philippe Senderos returned from injury and has started just one Premier League game this season.

The versatile defender, who can play at right or centre-back, signed a new three-year deal last summer under Mark Hughes and is contracted to the west London club until 2013.

The approaches were rebuffed as Fulham are competing in the Europa League as well as domestic competitions and Jol's already thin squad is set to be stretched.




http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/1056/15/fulham-blocked-baird-loan-bids?