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Monday Fulham Stuff (12/09/11)...

Started by WhiteJC, September 12, 2011, 06:44:07 AM

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WhiteJC

 
Reserves In Action

Fulham's Reserve Team are back in action on Monday night (Barclays Premier Reserve League) when they face Manchester United at Altringham FC (KO 7pm).

Billy McKinlay's side will go into tonight's contest full of confidence after two consecutive victories over Everton and Bolton Wanderers, with the Reserves netting nine goals in 180 minutes of football.

Development Squad player Marcello Trotta was the star of the show last time out against Bolton, scoring five goals in a 7-0 victory.

A match report and reaction from Reserve Team Manager will appear online shortly after the final whistle.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/September/ReservesFaceUnited.aspx?#ixzz1XkxHPT5G

WhiteJC

 
Martin Jol's Fulham the Oldest Side in the Premier League


Danny Murphy—a lot to ask of a 34 year-old
Scott Heavey/Getty Images


Fulham claims to be the oldest club in London.

On Sunday, they fielded one of the oldest teams in the history of the Premier League.

The average age of the players in their starting line-up to play Blackburn Rovers was a little over 30. They gave the Blackburn team an average of four years per player.

Just three of Fulham's team members were below 30 years of age.

Compare that with their opponents, and the reverse is true. Just three of the Blackburn Rovers  team were over 30.

Successful sides manage to blend a mixture of youth and experience, but Fulham boss Martin Jol may need to re-balance his team, especially in view of the way they have faded in the later stages of games this season.

The 1-1 draw against Blackburn was a case in point. They just failed to show enough zip and sparkle to make the most of their possession.

The poor second-half performance at Wolves, ending in a 2-0 defeat, was another.

Lack of youth is a particular problem for Fulham, in view of the number of competitive matches they have played so far this season. Twice as many as some of their opponents.

The Europa League started on the last day of June for the Cottagers. Not much of a summer's break for 34-year-old captain Danny Murphy and his veteran colleagues.

The Blackburn fixture was Fulham's 12th of the season. It was Blackburn's fifth.

In between weekend Premier League games, Fulham has to play Dutch side Twente in the Europa League this week, followed by a Carling Cup fixture against Chelsea the following week.

The international break should have given some club players a bit of a rest in September. Not so for Fulham. They have six competitive fixtures to fulfil this month.

Martin Jol will be relieved that the Carling Cup game against Chelsea must be decided on the night.  The very thought of a replay might be too much for some of his senior players.




http://bleacherreport.com/articles/845568-martin-jols-fulham-the-oldest-side-in-the-premier-league?

WhiteJC

 
Taking Shape

Stephen Kelly is confident Fulham will soon be claiming the victories they deserve after his Team came away with a share of the spoils against Blackburn on Sunday despite a dominant second half performance by Martin Jol's side.

"Overall we were disappointed that we didn't come away with all three points on Sunday, especially considering the amount of possession we had in the second half," Kelly told fulhamfc.com.

"We coped well with them [Blackburn Rovers] defensively, but as I said, we're just disappointed that we didn't get the win. We're starting to gel and you could see in the second half against Blackburn the pressure we put them under - we were really going for it.

"We've have a couple of tough away games and two draws at home is not like us because we usually turn those into wins so it's been a bit disappointing.

"I think in the games we've played at home we've had the majority of chances and possession but not come away with the wins. It'll come and it's early in the season."

Despite starting the game on the bench, Kelly replaced Aaron Hughes at right back early on and delivered another confident performance on Sunday that came on the back of a successful international break with the Republic of Ireland.

"As a defender it's not that often you get the chance to come on from the bench but you always have to be ready," Kelly explained. "I got the opportunity to come on and show what I can do on the back of a good result with Ireland earlier in the week.

"I was very happy with my performance. It was a good, solid performance and we were able to nullify their threat in the second half."

Fulham will get another chance to claim a home win on Thursday night when the UEFA Europa League Group action kick-offs against FC Twente at Craven Cottage. Kelly is well aware of the tough task facing Fulham but believes recent signings will help the Club successfully manage their European and domestic campaigns.

"We've got a lot of games coming up and the Manager's brought in players that can play in different positions and adapt. Bryan [Ruiz] can play on the wing, up front or off the front man in an attacking midfield position.

"The new singings give us more options so that when we need to change things we can. In the games we have (Europa League and Premier League] that is something we're going to have to do to make sure our Premier League form remains strong.

"We'll do our work and preparation on [FC Twente] this week and I'm sure we'll be picking Bryan's [Ruiz] brain for how they'll attack us.

"They're a good side that won the Dutch championship a few years ago and we're expecting it to be a tough game. It's an opportunity for us to get a good foothold in the group stage early on and get a home win."

Kelly described Sunday's game as a "baptism of fire" for transfer deadline day signing Bryan Ruiz, but the defender is certain the former FC Twente player will prove a major hit for Fulham once he has acclimatised to pace and style of the Premier League.

"The Premier League is a very unique and you don't get the chance to take two or three touches on the ball," Kelly explained. "It's going to be a learning curve for him in the first couple of games and the Manager's given him a taste so now he knows what he needs to do.

"It's difficult – you're going to get challenges flying in because that's what the Premier League is like. He's a talented boy and I'm sure he'll do well for the Club."



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/September/KellyRoversReaction.aspx?#ixzz1Xky7h2Vs


WhiteJC

 
Big month for Fulham duo

The pressure is on Damien Duff and Stephen Kelly to deliver for both club and country.

After dull goalless draws against Slovakia and Russia, the Irish duo returned to club action at the weekend for Fulham, who failed to beat a poor Blackburn side and still await their first Premier League win under manager Martin Jol.

Unlike Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni, Jol does at least send his team out with some attacking intent and there were signs in the first half against Rovers that Fulham have enough about them to move up the table.

But the longer they go without that win, the greater the pressure on the Dutchman's broad shoulders.

Fulham have six more matches before Duff and Kelly depart for international duty again in early October.

They will take on FC Twente and Odense BK in the Europa League and face difficult Premier League fixtures against Manchester City and West Brom as well as local derbies with Chelsea and QPR.

Without a win in four league matches, Jol will be more worried about picking up Premier League points than a European adventure.

And he'll be looking for big performances from Duff and Kelly.

Duff, 32, signed a new contract in August and is heading into the twilight of his career. 

Having undergone surgery on a troublesome Achilles injury towards the end of last season, he will be hoping to stay fit for the entire campaign this time around.

His experience will be vital in the coming weeks and his ability to conjure up a chance out of nothing may be the difference between picking up a win rather than yet another draw.

Trapattoni, like Jol, prefers to use Duff on the right wing rather than his more natural left, and will be praying that at some stage in the next six Fulham fixtures he gets a rest.

The Irish team is set up in a way that means without Duff, their attacking threat would be virtually non-existent. In order to at least claim a play-off spot, a fully fit Duff is a must for them.

Kelly, on the other hand, needs anything but a rest.

The former Tottenham man, who had a successful loan spell with QPR back in 2003, has been in and out of the Fulham side since signing for the club in 2009.

At 28, he really can't afford to be warming the bench at club level if he wants to secure a starting spot in the Irish team and it was somewhat surprising that he didn't leave Fulham during the transfer window in order to secure regular football.

The Dublin-born defender replaced the injured Aaron Hughes after 20 minutes against Blackburn and needs to take this opportunity to nail down the right-back position if, as looks likely, Hughes is set for a spell on the sidelines.

Kelly is a very decent lad, always happy to stop for an interview after Ireland matches and never moans about sitting on the bench for Ireland or Fulham.

But he is clearly a confidence player and not starting week-in, week-out, has hampered his development in the last few years.

He came in for John O'Shea against Russia and performed well against former Chelsea man Yuri Zhirkov.

With Richard Dunne suspended for the Andorra match on 7 October, Kelly is likely to retain his place in Trapattoni's starting XI and potentially get the nod for the final qualifier against Armeniaon 11 October.

It's time for Kelly to show that he isn't just a bit-part player and in the process help ease the burden on both Jol and Trapattoni – two managers whose positions could come under scrutiny if results go against them in the coming weeks.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/features-comment/big-month-for-fulham-duo/

WhiteJC

 
Bryan Ruiz makes slow start to his Fulham career

The last time Fulham imported a striker for an eight figure sum, Steve Marlet, Mohammed Al Fayed sacked and attempted to sue Jean Tigana, the manager responsible for the transfer, claiming he had "grossly overpaid" for the forward in question. Plenty of seemingly high-calibre front men have struggled in the Premier League, so you can forgive Fulham fans for any scepticism that may result from another forward arriving for a fee north of £10m. All eyes then are on Bryan Ruiz after his arrival from the Eredivisie, for a price reported to be £10.6m

Signed by Steve McClaren for £4m from Gent, the arrival of Ruiz ignited Twente's fortunes as they were crowned champions of Holland for the first time. Ruiz netted 24 times, including a hat-trick in the first five minutes of the second-half of a game against Sparta Rotterdam. Twente finished runners up to Ajax last season but won the KNVB Cup and the Johan Cruyff Schaal, the Dutch equivalent of the Community Shield, twice during Ruiz's spell, in a period of unprecedented achievement. Ruiz, in two very impressive seasons as FC Twente's figurehead, notched 36 goals in 61 appearances,

Despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, who matched Fulham's offer, Ruiz signed a four-year deal at Craven Cottage, claiming that Martin Jol was instrumental in his decision. "I'm really happy to be joining Fulham Football Club and playing under Martin Jol who is a manager I admire from his time managing in Holland for Ajax," said Ruiz. "I chose to come to Fulham because it feels more personal than other clubs I have visited."

Ruiz started Fulham's 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers on Sunday in what turned out to be a cameo performance. The Costa Rican's debut left a lot to be desired, as he struggled to get to grips with the pace and physicality of a typical Premier League contest. Referee Howard Webb appeared unimpressed as Ruiz frequently went to ground when challenged and Jol clearly felt the same way as he did not return for the second-half, replaced by Moussa Dembele at the break.

Ruiz will need to adjust quickly if he is to overcome his English football culture shock and avoid his hefty price tag becoming a burden - he certainly has the ability if he can summon the application. There is also plenty of competition for places at Fulham, with the likes of Bobby Zamora, Andy Johnson, and Dembele all pushing for regular first team football.

Ruiz already has the nicknames "la Comadreja", which translates as "the weasel", which alludes to his close control, also "la escoba" aka "the broom", due to his tall, skinny build and long hair. The hope is that he will not be adding "the new Steve Marlet" to that list.




http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_1_9523_bryan-ruiz-makes-slow-start-to-his-fulham-career.html?

WhiteJC

 
Loaner Report 9/12/11

Oops, missed two weeks worth of the loaner reports including mentioning a few new names added to the list. My apologies, but here's the full run down:

Lauri Dalla Valle and Keanu Marsh-Brown joined Dundee United on loan right before the summer transfer deadline. Rich wrote about Dalla Valle already, but Marsh-Brown joined the Scottish side on August 30. Both deals go until January. Rafik Halliche joined Swansea City on loan on August 31, also until January.

David Stockdale started and made 3 saves in Ipswich Town's 2-0 loss at Blackpool on Saturday. On August 27 he started and made 6 saves in Ipswich's 2-1 win over Leeds.

Carlos Salcido started and played 90 minutes in Tigres' 5-0 win over Pachuca in Saturday. On August 27 he started and played 90 minutes in Tigres' 1-0 at Atlas.

Lauri Dalla Valle started and played 70 minutes in Dundee United's 1-0 loss to Rangers on Saturday. On August 27 he started and played 90 minutes in The Terrors 3-3 draw with St. Johnstone.

Keanu Marsh-Brown did not dress in Dundee United's 1-0 loss to Rangers on Saturday.

Rafik Halliche did not dress in Swansea City's 1-0 loss at Arsenal on Saturday.

Danny Hoesen started, played 90 minutes, and received a yellow card in Fortuna Sittard's 2-2 draw with FC Den Bosch on Friday. I think he also drew a penalty. On August 26 he started and played 63 minutes in Fortuna Sittards' 3-1 loss to Fortuna.



http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/loaner-report-91211/?


WhiteJC

 
Hangeland admits Fulham frustration
Fulham - Brede Hangeland dissapointed not to take three points against Blackburn



Fulham defender Brede Hangeland couldn't hide his disappointment after his side drew 1-1 with Blackburn yesterday.

The Norwegian international was one of the few players to impress in a scrappy match between two of the Barclays Premier League's bottom sides, with neither side yet to record a victory in the division.

Hangeland felt the Cottagers came closest to doing that on Sunday though, and is hoping the team's luck can quickly change for the better.

"I'm extremely disappointed. We dominated completely and should have won. We just lacked a bit of skill and luck," he told SkySports post-match.

"We feel confident here (Craven Cottage) and have had great results here over the years.

"It's too early in the season for us to start looking at the table."

Ruben Rochina had opened the score for the visitors before Bobby Zamora's equaliser, and in-truth it was the hosts who looked more likely to win the game in the later stages.

However, Martin Jol's side were unable to take advantage, leaving the Dutchman frustrated about his side's lack of cutting edge.

"It was frustrating. It was similar to the [goalless draw] against Villa, especially the second half. We deserved three points from that game and today it was probably the same," he said.

"We were a bit sloppy in midfield and everybody was bombing forward (in the first-half). And of course the style of this club is to try and play attractive football and in the second half that certainly happened.

"In the second half I can remember we had eight or nine crosses to the near post. They protected that well, but then we need to come up with good solutions."



http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/hangeland-admits-fulham-frustration?

WhiteJC

 
Fulham's Stephen Kelly: We deserved a win against Blackburn Rovers
The Irish defender came off of the bench in the 1-1 stalemate at Craven Cottage, and he believes the side are gelling well and the draws will soon be converted into wins

Stephen Kelly has claimed that he is disappointed with the fact that Fulham were unable to convert a second half full of dominance into a win against Blackburn Rovers, but believes that the club's fortunes will change soon as the team are beginning to gel.

Kelly did not start the game but came off of the bench to feature in a strong second half in which he felt Fulham should have gone on to secure the club's first Premier League win of the season.

He told fulhamfc.com: "Overall we were disappointed that we didn't come away with all three points on Sunday, especially considering the amount of possession we had in the second half,

"We coped well with them [Blackburn Rovers] defensively, but as I said, we're just disappointed that we didn't get the win. We're starting to gel and you could see in the second half against Blackburn the pressure we put them under - we were really going for it.

"We've have a couple of tough away games and two draws at home is not like us because we usually turn those into wins so it's been a bit disappointing.

"I think in the games we've played at home we've had the majority of chances and possession but not come away with the wins. It'll come and it's early in the season

"As a defender it's not that often you get the chance to come on from the bench but you always have to be ready.

"I got the opportunity to come on and show what I can do on the back of a good result with Ireland earlier in the week.

"I was very happy with my performance. It was a good, solid performance and we were able to nullify their threat in the second half."

Martin Jol will hope his side will have better luck on Thursday as they face FC Twente in their Europa League clash, they will be looking to take advantage of inside information from Brian Ruiz who has only recently signed for Fulham from the Dutch club.

Kelly went on to say: "We've got a lot of games coming up and the manager's brought in players that can play in different positions and adapt. Bryan [Ruiz] can play on the wing, up front or off the front man in an attacking midfield position.

"The new singings give us more options so that when we need to change things we can. In the games we have [Europa League and Premier League] that is something we're going to have to do to make sure our Premier League form remains strong.

"We'll do our work and preparation on [FC Twente] this week and I'm sure we'll be picking Bryan's [Ruiz] brain for how they'll attack us.

"They're a good side that won the Dutch championship a few years ago and we're expecting it to be a tough game. It's an opportunity for us to get a good foothold in the group stage early on and get a home win."

Kelly also moved to praise Ruiz ahead of the clash, and feels he will be a success at Craven Cottage.

"The Premier League is a very unique and you don't get the chance to take two or three touches on the ball," Kelly added.

"It's going to be a learning curve for him in the first couple of games and the manager's given him a taste so now he knows what he needs to do.

"It's difficult – you're going to get challenges flying in because that's what the Premier League is like. He's a talented boy and I'm sure he'll do well for the club."

Martin Jol's side have only managed to win once this season, against Dnipro in the Europa League qualifying stages, only managing two points so far in the Premier League.



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/09/12/2662178/fulhams-stephen-kelly-we-deserved-a-win-against-blackburn?

WhiteJC

 
Kelly - Tough start for Ruiz
Defender confident Costa Rican will settle after tough introduction


Ruiz: Tipped by Kelly to flourish at Fulham after tough debut

Stephen Kelly believes new Fulham team-mate Bryan Ruiz endured a 'baptism of fire' against Blackburn but has backed him to be a hit at Craven Cottage.

Both sides entered Sunday's encounter in West London on the back of dour starts to the Premier League but it was the visitors that took the lead through Ruben Rochina.

Bobby Zamora equalised for Fulham six minutes later but the home side could not turn their pressure into the all-important winner.

Arrival

Much of the talk in the pre-match build-up focused on Costa Rica international Ruiz, who arrived on deadline day from FC Twente in a deal worth £10.6million.

However, the 26-year-old struggled on his Fulham debut and was substituted by manager Martin Jol at half-time, which team-mate Kelly believes was a good move.

"It was a baptism of fire, especially when you're coming into a game against Blackburn or someone like Stoke," he said.

"The Premier League is a very different league and you don't get to take two or three touches on the ball, but he is going to learn.

"He's a talented boy, he has come in and I am sure he will play well for us and for the club. It is just going to be a little bit of a learning curve in the first couple of games.

"I think the manager was right in what he did. He gave him a half and a taste of things so for the next few games he knows maybe what he needs to do.

"But it is a difficult one. You know you're going to get challenges flying in and in the Premier League that is what the game is like. That is what it is all about and it takes players time to adjust but I am sure he will."

Ruiz was one of several late signings made by Jol in a bid to bolster his ailing side.

The Cottagers have secured two points from a possible 12 but Kelly believes the signs are promising.

Difficult

"It's not a great [start]," he said. "We've had a couple of difficult away games and we've never been famed for our away form.

"But two draws from home is not really like us. We normally convert those draws into wins and it has been a bit disappointing.

"But it is early on the season. There is a new manager, new staff, new players and we're starting to gel.

"I think it will come and there were glimpses of it there, especially in the second half where we were putting on the pressure and the crowd were really getting behind us."



http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11681_7173104,00.html?


WhiteJC

 
Ruiz Disappoints!

If the game, yesterday, was a disappointment, then the Fulham debut of Bryan Ruiz was something of an anti-climax.

Having cost in excess of £10 million, great things were expected of the Costa Rican. Sadly, despite a few early touches, our recent signing from FC Twente, struggled.

Instead of being a revelation, Ruiz struggled to get involved and appeared to be too easily knocked off the ball.

After the game, Martin Jol was quick to acknowledge that it hadn`t been the best of debuts simply remarking,

"The pace was too quick for him"

Perhaps it may have been a better idea to let Ruiz watch from the bench and give him a twenty minute run out, rather than the cold, sharp shock treatment that might have well had Ruiz questioning just what he`s let himself in for?

Hindsight - a wonderful thing!



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=255111#ixzz1Xl0DiTaa

WhiteJC

 
Hoillet Horror

Yesterday, down by the river, it appeared to be one of those days.

With both sides desperate for a win, the game turned out to be exciting in periods but disappointing overhaul.

Both teams will feel they could have snatched a win, Fulham probably more so as they dominated the majority of the second half.

Unfortunately, the major talking point of the game though will be the incident that occurred in stoppage time when an aerial collision between Mark Schwarzer and Junior Hoillet resulted in the Blackburn player being carried away with his neck in a brace.

As you`d expect, the two managers had differing views on the collision.

Steve Kean, who served with Chris Coleman during his reign as manager, was the more vociferous of the two feeling that Schwarzer should have been red-carded for the incident, remarking,

"When I spoke to Howard (Webb) he said he just felt that even though Junior got the first touch Kelly was coming round."

"But at the time it happened I thought it was going to be a red card."

"If Schwarzer had not gone in for it in the fashion that he did, it could have resulted in a goal."

"So he was going all out to make sure he got contact on something, be it the ball or our man. It was a good professional attempt from each of them to get the ball."

Interesting how his view slightly mellowed as the interview went on.

Martin Jol, on the other hand, had a more even balanced view of the collision, commenting,

"Hoillet is a terrific player and a nice guy and went for the ball, but Mark Schwarzer was clattered as well. It was a 50-50 situation."

Here at Vital Fulham we hope that Hoillet makes a speedy recovery and that the incident is soon forgotten.



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=255110#ixzz1Xl0QpOGh

WhiteJC

 
Ruiz needs time - Jol



Martin Jol feels Bryan Ruiz needs time to adapt to the Premier League but feels he is intelligent enough to be a success in England.


The Dutchman struggled to make an impact in his debut for the Cottagers, as Fulham were held to a 1-1 home draw by Blackburn, leaving Jol's men still seeking their first win of the season.

A lot is expected of the transfer deadline day capture, after building a big reputation in Holland, but Jol has called for patience and believes the winger will come good.

"In football you have to be realistic and you could certainly see in the first half that Bryan has got some quality but the pace is different. For me it was good that he could get used to the pace and the damage was one goal but we scored as well," the Cottagers boss said.

"There are a lot of foreigners who will never cope but he is an intelligent guy, he wants to achieve things with us and he has scored so many goals.

"He needs to adapt and I am sure he will."



http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2011/09/12/New-boy-needs-time---Jol/gnid-108629/?