News:

Use a VPN to stream games Safely and Securely 🔒
A Virtual Private Network can also allow you to
watch games Not being broadcast in the UK For
more Information and how to Sign Up go to
https://go.nordvpn.net/SH4FE

Main Menu


Friday Fulham Stuff (14/10/11)...

Started by WhiteJC, October 14, 2011, 07:38:33 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

WhiteJC

 
Hughes returns for Cottagers

Fulham can welcome back Aaron Hughes for tomorrow's clash at Stoke but will be missing several other first-team regulars.

The defender has recovered from a groin injury and is available for selection, although manager Martin Jol will not be able to call upon Philippe Senderos and Bryan Ruiz.

The former is out for at least a week with a thigh injury, while Ruiz faces the same amount of time on the sidelines with a knee complaint. Kerim Frei (ankle) is also out.

Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Hughes, Hangeland, Baird, J Riise, Kelly, Briggs, Sidwell, Duff, Kasami, Murphy, Dempsey, Dembele, Zamora, Etheridge, Briggs, Grygera, Gecov, Sa, Johnson.



Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/hughes-returns-for-cottagers-524396.html#ixzz1al0Of3nE

WhiteJC

 
Stoke v FULHAM: Hughes returns but Jol without Senderos and Ruiz

Fulham can welcome back Aaron Hughes for Saturday's clash at Stoke but will be missing several other first-team regulars.

The defender has recovered from a groin injury and is available for selection, although manager Martin Jol will not be able to call upon Philippe Senderos and Bryan Ruiz.


A week away: Ruiz (left) will miss out at Stoke

The former is out for at least a week with a thigh injury, while Ruiz faces the same amount of time on the sidelines with a knee complaint.

Kerim Frei (ankle) is also out.

Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Hughes, Hangeland, Baird, J Riise, Kelly, Briggs, Sidwell, Duff, Kasami, Murphy, Dempsey, Dembele, Zamora, Etheridge, Briggs, Grygera, Gecov, Sa, Johnson.




Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2049064/Stoke-v-FULHAM-Aaron-Hughes-returns-Martin-Jol-Philippe-Senderos-Bryan-Ruiz.html#ixzz1al0iC3Sv

WhiteJC

 
Stoke    v    Fulham

By Steve Bower
BBC Match of the Day commentator
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Britannia Stadium Date: Saturday, 15 October Kick-off: 1500 BST Coverage: Watch highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles


TEAM NEWS
Stoke winger Matthew Etherington will have a sugar injection in his back in the hope of being fit to face Fulham.

Kenwyne Jones, Jermaine Pennant and Marc Wilson are all struggling with injury and Glenn Whelan could be rested after midweek international duty.

Fulham's Aaron Hughes returns from a groin injury but Philippe Senderos is out with a thigh problem.

Kerim Frei is nursing an ankle complaint so won't feature, while Bryan Ruiz is ruled out with a knee injury.

MATCH PREVIEW
The Britannia Stadium has long been a difficult venue for all visiting teams but everything about Stoke City seems to have gone up another level this season.

The determination to build on last season's success is there for all to see, and Tony Pulis recruited better than most in the last transfer window. After three years of comfortable consolidation, you can feel the real desire to push on and raise the level of expectation.

Pulis is learning how to juggle the demands of Premier League and European competition, and feels he now has a squad with enough depth and quality to compete on both fronts - although he is looking for a return to winning ways in this match.

In contrast, Fulham head north on the back of their first win of the season after the emphatic 6-0 victory over QPR which equalled their biggest ever victory in the Premier League.

Like their opponents, they are combining the rigours of domestic and European life, and incredibly this is already their 19th competitive match of the season.

The biggest result of them all for Martin Jol, though, was the three points last time out and the way they got them which was a timely boost for the Fulham manager. In particular, Andy Johnson, who was the hat-trick hero against QPR, has been a key figure in recent weeks with his pace, movement and goalscoring touch.

Now they look for some consistency and much-needed form away from Craven Cottage - but having seen Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool all fail to win at the Britannia Stadium already this season, they know they'll have to reach the heights of a fortnight ago once again to achieve any kind of result.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

Fulham did the double over Stoke last season, winning 2-0 home and away. However, Stoke did beat Fulham in the Carling Cup third round, also by a 2-0 scoreline.
Stoke's biggest victory over Fulham is 6-1 in the first-ever meeting between the sides, in December 1907. Fulham's biggest win over Stoke is also 6-1, achieved in August 1958.
Stoke

Stoke have scored just four Premier League goals this season, fewer than any other team. They had scored twice as many at this stage last season, although were only one point and one place better off then.
They are unbeaten at home in this season's Premier League, having beaten Liverpool and held both Chelsea and Manchester United.
Stoke's Europa League campaign means this is their 15th competitive fixture of the season.
Ricardo Fuller has scored 49 goals for Stoke.
According to Opta, the ball is in play just 61% of the time during matches involving Stoke, the lowest proportion in the Premier League.
Fulham

Fulham are one of seven clubs yet to win away from home in this season's Premier League.
Martin Jol's side scored just four goals in their first six league matches - before putting six past QPR last time out, equalling their biggest win in the Premier League. It was their first league win of the season.
Fulham have been even busier than Stoke this season - this will be their 19th competitive match of the campaign.
Damien Duff needs to score to reach 50 career Premier League goals.
Fulham's only red card of last season came when referee Martin Atkinson sent off Zoltan Gera in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal on the final day of the campaign. Atkinson has sent off four players in his seven matches this season, including Everton's Jack Rodwell a fortnight ago, a red card that was later rescinded.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15226162.stm?


WhiteJC

 
Warnock admits to Fulham lesson

QPR boss Neil Warnock admits his side were taught a 'good lesson' by Fulham in their 6-0 drubbing last time out.


Warnock is looking for his side to bounce back in style against Blackburn once the Premier League kicks back into action this weekend but he won't forget the nature of their defeat to Fulham.

"I think it was a wake up call for us. We are going to get a few drubbings this season, but we need the back four to be injury free," he said.

"We have done well when we have had a steady back four, but it was decimated against Fulham.

"Traore was suspended so Luke Young had to go left back, Fitz Hall has been playing with a hamstring injury. Everything went wrong.

"It was like we were blase because we had done so well in the previous matches. We just thought it was going to be straight forward. It was bad enough to lose a goal after a few seconds, but we lost our discipline then.

"It was a good lesson."



http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2011/10/14/Boss-admits-to-Fulham-lesson/gnid-113198/?

WhiteJC

 
Fulham look at Swede

No, Martin Jol is not looking at changing the players diets. Instead, he is looking at yet another new player to compliment his already fresh bunch.

Fulham, according to eatsleepsport, are rivalling Southampton in the race to secure the signature of Swedish right back, Mikael Lustig. The 24 year-old is set to be leaving Rosenborg in the January transfer window after his contract expires at the end of the year, and Jol is being claimed to have sent scouts to watch him in Sweden's 3-2 win over the Netherlands.

Zdenek Grygera has settled well into his right back role at the Cottage but manager Jol is said to want a full back with an eye to long-term security, as opposed to Grygera's one year deal.



http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2011/10/14/2489616/fulham-look-at-swede?

WhiteJC

 
Arthurworrey signs for Fulham



An England schoolboy international footballer has been handed a dream shot at life in the top flight after signing scholarship terms with Premier League outfit Fulham's Academy set-up.

Former Coombe Boys' School pupil Stephen Arthurworrey played for the England U17 team while he was in Year 11 and is now hoping to become a full-time professional player.

The 16-year-old also managed to achieve four As and three Bs in his GCSE exams this summer, despite his intensive training schedule.

Coombe Boys' School formed a partnership with the football academy four years ago and there are now 31 players at the school across Years seven to 11.

Deputy Head and liaison for the programme, Chris Fidler admitted Arthurworrey has not only been handed the chance of a lifetime, but also has the education to back it up.

He said: "I have absolutely no doubt of the benefit of the Fulham partnership.

"The school has seen dramatic improvements on the football field, and pupils in the programme have achieved excellent academic results."




http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/football/9306724.Arthurworrey_signs_for_Fulham/?


WhiteJC

 
Win Fulham v Everton tickets!

A pair of tickets to next Sunday's Craven Cottage clash up for grabs

EA SPORT, the Official Sports Technology Partner of the Premier League, has teamed up with the Fulham Chronicle to offer one lucky reader a pair of tickets to your team's next Barclays Premier League Match on Sunday, October 2. The winner will also receive a copy of FIFA 12*.

EA SPORTS is the proud sponsor of the Premier League Player Performance Index. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index is the Barclay Premier League's official statistical index of all 20 Barclays Premier League teams.

The EA SPORTS Team of the Week will be available at www.premierleague.com after each round of the Barclays Premier League. The team will be based on ratings from the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

To stand a chance of winning simply answer the following question:

Who is Everton's manager?

To enter, visit our Facebook page, Fulham FC News, click 'like' and post your answer underneath the question.

Closing date for entries is midday Monday.

*EA SPORTS FIFA 12 is out on Friday 30th September available for Xbox 360 and PS3.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/10/14/win-fulham-v-everton-tickets-82029-29595913/?#ixzz1al2JoE3G

WhiteJC

 
Bobby Zamora & Andy Johnson could play up front together for England at Euro 2012 - Mark Bright assesses Fabio Capello's options without Wayne Rooney
The forward-turned-TV pundit runs the rule over the players available to the Italian in the absence of the Manchester United star - and picks a few left-field choices

EXCLUSIVE
By James Daly

Wayne Rooney's three-game ban on the back of his red card against Montenegro throws up some pressing questions for England manager Fabio Capello, not least who is going to lead the line in the opening group games in next summer's Euro 2012 tournament?


And while Capello is likely to run the rule over the likes of Danny Welbeck and Liverpool's Andy Carroll, there are options at less fashionable clubs, says former Crystal Palace striker turned pundit Mark Bright, who admitted he was surprised that Rooney lashed out.

"The way Rooney has been playing this season has been fantastic so I was a little bit surprised," Bright said, at the launch of the Barclays Aspiring Football Writer competition. "It's just a reaction.

"He's so important for England of course, he's such a talented player but he's not the be all and end all. Let's hope it's only one game but because it's for violence it could of course be three games."

With Rooney to learn his fate on how many games he will miss, Goal.com asked Bright for his views on the options facing Capello during the United forward's absence, and when he returns to the fold.

Bright on Capello's options...

   Darren Bent

When you're playing away from home he is always the man to score. I don't know why he doesn't quite perform at home, but he away he seems more relaxed on the road and if he gets an opportunity he hits the back of the net.

   Danny Welbeck

Going to Sunderland has been fantastic for him, he's come back and he's a more confident person. He and Rooney work well with each other week in and week out for United. Their understanding is formidable for United and can be formidable for England.

   Peter Crouch

Crouch is always an option with his height. He's enjoying his time at Stoke, he's scored a few goals. He could play well alongside a little man like Andy Johnson and he has always scored goals for England.

   Jermain Defoe

He had a bad year last year, a really bad year for him, but with Defoe you can always say he's a finisher. I'd always have Defoe in and around the England squad because he can come off the bench and you never know.

   Daniel Sturridge

He has grown and grown and grown. Something about going to Bolton has been a springboard and now he is showing his ability; his ability to hold up the ball, to go past people. He's confident, he's cocky and scoring goals in the Champions League will add to his repertoire.

   Andy Carroll

It's not been a great start for him at Liverpool but when Gerrard gets back maybe he'll have a little bit more quality around him. He needs a little bit of nurturing but I do like him and I think he is difficult to play against.

   Andy Johnson & Bobby Zamora

I think Zamora's in the best form of his life and Johnson has had a horrible time out with injuries but has come back and just looks back to his best. Getting him involved again would give Capello a few different options in terms of a bit more pace up front someone who is direct as well. Why not try these two?

   Steven Gerrard

Gerrard is getting back fit now and I think if Capello wants to go for the lone striker I think play Wayne Rooney up there [when back] and play Gerrard off him. They have an understanding. Gerrard still has it! He is such a quality player.

   DJ Campbell

What you need to do as a player is put your cards on the table. DJ Campbell did well last year for Blackpool and he's doing well at QPR. If you are scoring week in, week out you deserve a crack at it, but I don't think DJ Campbell is the answer.




http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3284/euro-2012/2011/10/14/2708438/bobby-zamora-andy-johnson-could-play-up-front-together-for?

WhiteJC

 
EPL preview: Stoke v Fulham

Fulham are aiming for five consecutive clean sheets in all competitions when they travel to Stoke City on Saturday.

Martin Jol's men earned their first Premier League win of the season in their 6-0 thrashing of promoted Queens Park Rangers - but it was their fourth shutout with Australian shot-stopper Mark Schwarzer in goal.

Statistically, Stoke are the least attacking side in the Premier League, firing just 17 shots on target in seven games this season, meaning Schwarzer may have few worries at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke's attacking prowess has been boosted by the acquisition of tall striker Peter Crouch, who has fired home two goals in his past three matches.

Crouch has a scoring history against the Cottagers too, with three goals in his past five starts against the Londoners, suggesting the former Liverpool and Tottenham man may be the one to botch Fulham's clean streak.

A man who will be hoping Fulham preserve their run of no goals conceded is right-back Stephen Kelly, who believes he can hold his spot in the XI despite Chris Baird, Aaron Hughes and Zdenek Grygera all capable of filling the role.

"There's an opportunity at right-back and I've proven I'm in contention with my last couple of performances," the 28-year-old Irishman said.

"Over the last month or so I've really stepped up a gear. I've proven to the manager I'm capable of playing in the big games, like against Chelsea and Manchester City."

"I offer something a bit different to the others. My attributes are strong; I'm probably a bit more athletic and offer an attacking option as well."

"There's a few of us fighting for the position and it's difficult, but you can only go on your last performance."

In selection news, Stoke winger Matthew Etherington is hopeful of fronting up for the Potters after having a sugar injection in his back to help him recover from a hamstring complaint.

Striker Kenwyne Jones should return from a hamstring injury to partner Crouch up front.

Fulham's Hughes is unlikely to be fit after the Northern Ireland international missed the chance to their final Euro 2012 qualifier in midweek due to a groin injury.



http://www.sportal.co.in/football-news-display/preview-stoke-v-fulham-142467


WhiteJC

 
Kasami pays for Fulham Christmas party

MARTIN Jol has no plans to scrap Fulham's fines system - because the cash goes towards their Christmas knees-up.

Pajtim Kasami has unwittingly contributed to the coffers after he was disciplined by his boss for missing a penalty against Chelsea last month as Orlando Sa was the designated taker.

Jol scoffed at rumours the move has caused unrest in the camp, and insists all the cash will go back into the pot for the players to enjoy.

He said: "I spoke to Kasami and he agreed he was wrong.

"If you've got a disciplined team and I tell someone to take the free-kicks, for example, a 19-year-old boy shouldn't take the ball off him. It's okay if he scores, but I still would've talked to him.

"Danny Murphy's my penalty taker and Bobby [Zamora] can take a penalty. I don't think in the next game somebody else should take the ball. That's undisciplined.

"If someone is late for dinner before an away match, I think it's undisciplined and I don't want that either.

"At the start of the season I spoke about it [a fines system], and the money's coming back to us for dinner and drinks."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/10/14/kasami-pays-for-fulham-christmas-party-82029-29596274/?#ixzz1al6BGxsg

WhiteJC

 
Fulham Scene Setter

AN INTERNATIONAL break wasn't perhaps as welcome as you might expect for a team which had just played its eighteenth game so early in the season... not when you have just hit the opposition for six to record your first Premier League win.

Whilst on the one hand, Fulham have had the opportunity to rest weary legs and recharge the batteries over the past fortnight, they would probably have preferred an immediate chance to build upon such an emphatic victory over Queen's Park Rangers.

In contrast to their relatively comfortable progress through to the Group Stage of the Europa League, Martin Jol's side had experienced a frustrating start in the Premier League until newly-promoted Rangers made the short trip to Craven Cottage.

After a number of performances which promised so much, but delivered only scant reward, Fulham took all that frustration out on Neil Warnock's side in stunning fashion as Andy Johnson's coolly-taken hat-trick spearheaded their charge to a 6-0 victory.

They were fast becoming draw specialists with five in succession and three of them in the Premier League before a double from Johnson ended that sequence by securing a Europa League win over Odense just days before he went one better against Rangers.

Fulham certainly showed no signs of a European hangover two weeks ago, but then no club is better equipped to deal with the demands of Premier League and Europa League football, having coped admirably with it in the most successful season in their history.

In that instance, they reached the 2009-10 Europa League Final before eventually losing narrowly to Athletico Madrid in what was their 19th game in the competition which had seen them cover many thousands of miles to get all the way to the Hamburg showpiece.

Having qualified as one of the Fair Play entrants this season, they would play another four matches if they were to make it all the way to the 2011-12 Final in Bucharest and there is every reason to believe that they can enjoy another successful campaign, especially after taking four points from their first two matches against FC Twente and Odense in Group K.

But Fulham will also want to maintain their recent record of top ten finishes in the Premier League which has seen them achieve that feat twice in the past three seasons, so building upon the victory over Queen's Park Rangers will be an important objective.

They can draw further encouragement from the fact that they are unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions and gained a lot of heart from coming back from two goals down to draw with title challengers Manchester City in the early stages of that run.


FULHAM FACT-FILE
Name: Fulham
Nickname: The Cottagers / The Whites
Stadium: Craven Cottage
Capacity: 25,700
Chairman: Mohamed Al-Fayed
Manager: Martin Jol
2010/11: Premier League 8th

* Fulham's average attendance of 25,734 at Craven Cottage last season is the highest since the stadium was renovated in to an all seater in 1997.
* Johnny Haynes is the Club's all time record appearance maker featuring in 658 games, whilst he sits second in the goal scoring charts having hit the back of the net 158 times, 20 less that record holder Gordon Davies.
* Out of the current playing squad American international Clint Dempsey is the highest appearance maker and goalscorer (144 appearances, 33 goals).


FOR HE'S A 'JOL'LY GOOD FELLOW
MARTIN JOL would be forgiven for feeling that he has a point to prove... after being handed the opportunity to return to English football almost four years down the road from his rather abrupt and unwarranted departure from Tottenham Hotspur.

The 55-year-old Dutchman was appointed as Fulham's new manager in the summer when Mark Hughes decided to step down from the position and it provided him with an exciting new challenge in a managerial career that has spanned some 20 years.

Jol, who had previously had spells in England with West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City as a player, spent three years at White Hart Lane during which the club appeared to be making good progress after the ill-fated reign of Jacques Santini.

But although Spurs reached the semi-finals of the League Cup, the quarter finals of the FA Cup and UEFA Cup and had qualified for Europe again by finishing fifth in the table in 2006-07, speculation began to mount about the arrival of Juande Ramos at the start of the following campaign and it resulted in Jol's eventual departure in October.

He returned to management with Hamburg the following season where he enjoyed similar success to his final season at Spurs by steering them to fifth place in the Bundesliga while they also reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup and German Cup.

The opportunity to move on to Dutch giants Ajax was simply too good to resist and he achieved considerable success in his first season by lifting the Dutch Cup, while they were just pipped to the title by Steve McClaren's FC Twente despite the fact that they won their final 14 League games and conceded only four goals in all their home games.

When Ajax failed to push on in the following season, Jol decided to step down from the post with the Amsterdam-based club lying fourth in the table.



TEAM NEWS
TONY PULIS has revealed that he will make a last minute decision on up to four possible starters ahead of Saturday's encounter against Martin Jol's side.

The City boss admits the quartet of Matthew Etherington, Jermaine Pennant, Kenwyne Jones and Marc Wilson are all still nursing minor niggles, but is hoping they could all play a part in the game.

Etherington has been having sugar injections in his back in hope of being deemed fit in time to feature, whilst Pennant aggrevated a knee injury against Swansea two weeks ago.

Wilson (hamstring) is expected to be fit, but the game may come a little too early for Jones, who only returned to full training on Thursday after picking up a hamstring injury against Spurs last month.

Danny Higginbotham and Mamady Sidibe, who both made returns from long term injuries in recent weeks, aren't expected to be included in the matchday squad.

The visitors are hoping Northern Ireland defender Aaron Hughes recovers from a groin strain in time to retain his spot in the backline, especially with Swiss star Phillipe Senderos being ruled out with a thigh injury.

£10m summer signing Bryan Ruiz is sidelined with a knee problem whilst Kerim Frei will also be absent after picking up a knock on his ankle in the 6-0 win against QPR.


HEAD-TO-HEAD
League: Won 24 Drew 15 Lost 27
FA Cup: Won 0 Drew 0 Lost 1
League Cup: Won 2 Drew 0 Lost 1
Total: Won 26 Drew 15 Lost 29

The last six encounters...

Premier League (22/01/11) Fulham 2-0 Stoke
Premier League (28/12/10) Stoke 0-2 Fulham
Carling Cup(21/09/10) Stoke 2-0 Fulham
Premier League (05/05/10) Fulham 0-1 Stoke
Premier League (05/01/10) Stoke 3-2 Fulham
Premier League (25/04/09) Fulham 1-0 Stoke


FROM THE HORSES MOUTH
TONY PULIS

"Fulham are a very good side, and people mustn't forget that. Some people may get a little complacent and think that having done well against Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea here that we can turn up expecting to beat Fulham, but there is no way we will get the win with that mentality. They are a very, very good side, who finished 8th in the Premier League last season. They beat us home and away, so we know we are going to have to be at our absolute maximum if we are to get anything from the game."


BACK TO TRADITION...
FOOTBALL matches used to kick off regularly at 3pm, we're led to believe, before the demands of Premier League and Europa League football, plus the scheduling from television companies ensured fixtures take place at all sorts of times on any given date.

Saturday's 3pm kick off with Fulham is only our second of the season, with the only other one coming back in mid September where Jon Walters' first half penalty was enough to secure all three points in an entertaining affair against Liverpool.

Following the rescheduling of our forthcoming home game with Tottenham Hotspur to Sunday at 4pm, the Potters will now have had just five tradition kick off times throughout the first half of the season up until the December 28th clash against Wigan.

That's not to say that we're complaining, however, as we've already had the benefit of being broadcast to the watching millions, both online and on live televisions six times already this season.

With the quintet of upcoming home games against Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa also set to be on the box, the Club will then have seen eleven matches broadcast during the first half of the campaign.


'FUL' STEAM AHEAD
IN terms of fixtures Fulham have certainly not had it any easier than the Potters this season, having like ourselves been involved in the Europa League Qualifying campaign before the Premier League season had even started.

In fact there inclusion in the first and second qualifying rounds means they have undertaken four addition games to Stoke's 14, meaning they have already taken to the field on 18 occasions this season.

They do have more recent experience in dealing with the competition though, having reached the Final just two years ago.


HAPPY ANNIVERSARY... WILKO
THIS weekend marks the tenth anniversary of Stone born defender Andy Wilkinson making his competitive Potters debut.

'Wilko' came off the bench to replace Clive Clarke in a 3-2 defeat against Blackpool in the Auto Windscreens Shield, a club that would ironically go on to aid his development as he spent a period of time on loan at Bloomfield Road.

He has made a total of 132 appearances in the red and white stripes, plus further ones on loan at Telford United, Partick Thistle, Shrewsbury Town and Blackpool to give him a total of 174.

His solitary professional came whilst on loan at Partick, in the 1-1 draw at Clyde in 2004.


THE MAN IN CHARGE

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistants: R Pollock & M Mullarkey
4th Official: S Attwell


BETTING NEWS
ALL odds shown are the most recent with official Club betting partner Bet365 - For the most up to date odds click HERE

Stoke to win - 6/5
Draw - 11/5
Fulham to win - 6/2



http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/MatchPreview/0,,10310~2481854,00.html?

WhiteJC

 
Nonsensical hindsight: In his mind this match is all about Nicklas Bendtner

he international break is bittersweet.

On the one hand, it gives me a break from my standard Thursday night spent banging my head on my desk until something to say about our London clubs falls out of my brain.

On the other hand, watching England play football makes me want to cry.

This means that the Premier League returns on Saturday, I'm feeling entirely neutral. Whatever the case, here's what my brain produced last night.

Stoke vs Fulham

Andy Johnson's hat trick last weekend reminded all of us that a) he's still a half-decent striker and b) he looks like a bald David Beckham.

In fact, if AJ continues in this vein of form people might soon be referring to the ex-England captain as a 'hairy Andy Johnson'.

You'll notice I used the word 'might'.

My reservations are threefold. Firstly, women are very protective of David Beckham's good looks, and would never admit to this particular lookalike for fear of being accused of fancying Andy Johnson. Secondly, a 'hairy Andy Johnson' musters up images of Tom Cruise's character in Tropic Thunder, which makes me laugh and shudder at the same time.

Finally, Andy Johnson will have to continue in this vein of form. Which he obviously won't. This leads handily into my prediction of a Stoke win, which is necessary given that the previous four paragraphs have largely consisted of lookalike-related waffle.

Verdict: 3-1



http://www.london24.com/sport/chelsea/nonsensical_hindsight_in_his_mind_this_match_is_all_about_nicklas_bendtner_1_1090677?


WhiteJC

 
PULIS WARY OF FULHAM STRIKEFORCE

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has warned his defenders they will be coming up against one of the best strike partnerships in the Barclays Premier League when Fulham visit the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson have scored a combined 14 goals in all competitions so far this season, with the latter hitting in hat-trick in the 6-0 hammering of west London rivals QPR last time out.

The pair will be looking to continue that impressive form, especially with a possible place in England's Euro 2012 team up for grabs following UEFA's decision to hand Wayne Rooney a three-match ban for his red card in Montenegro.

"Johnson and Zamora are as good as anything in the Premier League on their day," Pulis said.

"Zamora is a very, very good player, a very good hold-up player and he can score goals as well. Johnson is bright, clever and very quick, he's always scored goals. It's going to be a tough game for us."

Pulis admitted he was a particular admirer of Zamora, who is definitely on England manager Fabio Capello's radar after having being included in the squad for the Montenegro game.

Johnson has been out of the international picture since 2007 following a succession of injury setbacks.

"I knew Bob when he started off, at Brighton, Bristol Rovers," the Potters chief added. "I've seen Bobby come through his career and it was lovely to see him get selected the other week for England as well."

Zamora's and Johnson's goals have helped Martin Jol's side recover from a slow start to the season and they are unbeaten since August, including games against Manchester City and Chelsea.

"I don't think you should forget they finished eighth last year in the Premier League," Pulis said.

"The year before they got to a European final, a major European final, so they're no mugs.

"They've got some very good players. Last year they did the double over us, they're a good side and we and certainly won't be underestimating them.

"They were a very good side under Roy (Hodgson, who led them to the Europa League final in 2010), and they finished eighth last year under Mark (Hughes) so Martin's picked up a decent club.

"They've got a system of playing that suits their team and have got a very experienced group of players.

"They haven't changed the players very much, it's 90% the same players and it's going to be a really tough game."

Pulis is waiting to see whether winger Matthew Etherington is fit after having a sugar injection in his back in a bid to cure a hamstring problem.

Kenwyne Jones, Jermaine Pennant and Marc Wilson are also doubtful, while Wilson Palacios, Ricardo Fuller and Danny Higginbotham are definitely out.



http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/10/14/SOCCER_Stoke_Nightlead.html

WhiteJC

 
The Statto - Fulham

THE Statto brings you all of the facts and stats surrounding Saturday's hotly anticipated Barclays Premier League encounter between the Potters and Fulham at the Britannia Stadium...

* Tony Pulis' side are unbeaten at home in seven games in all competitions this season. They have beaten Liverpool, Spurs, Hajduk Split, FC thun and Besiktas, whilst drawing with both Manchester United and Chelsea.

* Fulham did the double over Stoke last season, winning 2-0 home and away. However, Stoke did beat Fulham in the Carling Cup third round, also by a 2-0 scoreline.

* Stoke's biggest victory over Fulham is 6-1 in the first-ever meeting between the sides, in December 1907. Fulham's biggest win over Stoke is also 6-1, achieved in August 1958.

* Fulham are one of seven clubs yet to win away from home in this season's Premier League.

* The Potters have scored just four Premier League goals this season, fewer than any other team. They had scored twice as many at this stage last season, although were only one point and one place better off then.

* Martin Jol's side scored just four goals in their first six league matches - before putting six past QPR last time out, equalling their biggest win in the Premier League. It was their first league win of the season.

* Stoke's Europa League campaign means this is their 15th competitive fixture of the season. However, Fulham have been even busier having competed in four addition Europa League Qualifiers. This will be their 19th competitive match of the campaign.

* Ricardo Fuller has scored 49 goals for Stoke but is unlikely to reach half a century until at least next month having missed the start of the season through injury. Fulham's Damien Duff could net his 50th strike though if he features in the game.

* According to Opta, the ball is in play just 61% of the time during matches involving Stoke, the lowest proportion in the Premier League.

* Fulham's only red card of last season came when referee Martin Atkinson sent off Zoltan Gera in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal on the final day of the campaign. Atkinson has sent off four players in his seven matches this season, including Everton's Jack Rodwell a fortnight ago, a red card that was later rescinded.

* Stone born defender Andy Wilkinson will reach ten years as a professional at the Britannia Stadium this weekend, after making his bow against Blackpool in October 2001.

* Fulham's Clint Dempsey has scored three goals in his last four games against Stoke, whilst team-mate Bobby Zamora has scored four times in his last five league matches.

* Peter Crouch though has scored three goals in his last five games against Fulham, whilst he will be looking to hit the back of the net in his fourth successive game at the Britannia Stadium. The England ace scored against both Manchester United and Besiktas, whilst he fired home from the spot in the Carling Cup penalty shoot-out victory against former Club Tottenham.

* Seventy five per cent of the goals Stoke have conceded this term have been in the first half - the highest proportion in the division.

* Martin Jol's last 17 matches in the Premier League - 10 with Tottenham Hotspur in 2007-08 and seven this term with Fulham - have resulted in seven defeats, eight draws and just two wins.



http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2481878,00.html?

WhiteJC

 
Hughes fit for Potters trip

Fulham welcome back Aaron Hughes for the clash at Stoke this weekend but will be missing several other first-team regulars.

The defender has recovered from a groin injury and is available for selection, although manager Martin Jol will not be able to call upon Philippe Senderos and Bryan Ruiz.

Senderos is out for at least a week with a thigh injury while Ruiz faces the same amount of time on the sidelines with a knee complaint. Kerim Frei (ankle) is also out.


http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/hughes-fit-for-potters-trip-1309887.html?


WhiteJC

 
AJ Visits The Foundation

After scoring five goals in Fulham's last two fixtures, striker Andrew Johnson visited a Fulham Football Club Foundation volunteering workshop after training on Monday afternoon.

Thirty young adults aged between 16 and 30 from South West London, attended a two-hour football coaching workshop at Fulham FC's Motspur Park training ground.

The participants were all part of the Fulham Football Club Foundation Community Champions Volunteer Programme which aims to give volunteering and training opportunities for people looking to become involved with a Premier League football club.

Volunteers were given an opportunity to meet and ask Fulham FC's volunteering ambassador, Andrew Johnson, questions about his playing career, football coaching and changes in all aspects of the sport over the past 20 years. They also received expert football coaching tuition from some of FFC Foundation's qualified coaches and a certificate of attendance.

Fulham FC Foundation's Volunteering Ambassador, Andrew Johnson said:

"It was great to meet some of the volunteers from Fulham FC Foundation's Community Champions programme. They all showed a passion for football coaching and by volunteering with the FFC Foundation and getting involved in positive work with local projects, will provide them with a great opportunity to develop their skills."

Fulham FC Foundation has been delivering its successful Community Champions programme since 2008. Funded by the Premier League Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Community Fund, the aim of the project is to increase the number of young people involved in sports based volunteering whilst helping to raise the profile of the initiative and highlighting the many available opportunities in volunteering, either within Fulham Football Club or other local organisations.

The club currently has 60 volunteers in this year's Community Champions programme and is looking to recruit a further 100 volunteers. Volunteering posts range from football coaching in the community, social inclusion assignments and office based positions. These placements are all designed to allow volunteers to develop a wide range of skills and provide motivation and guidance on choosing or planning particular career pathways.

Fulham Football Club Foundation is currently inviting local young people to register for the forthcoming Community Champions recruitment drive. For further information, please call: 0870 442 5432 or email: [email protected]



http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/October/AJvisitstheFoundation.aspx?

WhiteJC

 
JOL WOULD SETTLE FOR A POINT

Fulham manager Martin Jol would be pleased to come away from Saturday's trip to Stoke with a goalless draw.

The Cottagers head into the match on the back of their first Barclays Premier League win of the season, having hammered near neighbours QPR 6-0 before the two-week international break.

And while Jol believes the result has raised confidence within the camp, he admits it will be tough to get a result at the Britannia Stadium.

So much so, in fact, that he revealed that sneaking a 0-0 draw would represent a good day at the office for his side.

"We have to play our own game like we did, for example, against Newcastle," he said.

"Then, a couple of weeks ago, I think we had the initiative for most of the game against West Bromwich. It was the same but we couldn't score although I thought we were the better team.

"It was a 0-0 there and I think a 0-0 at Stoke would be a good result. But I still hope that with the confidence we have got we are capable of scoring a couple of goals."

Fulham grabbed a surprise 2-0 win at the Britannia Stadium last season, with Chris Baird grabbing both goals.

Former Tottenham manager Jol has never faced Stoke during his managerial career but knows what to expect in the Potteries.

"There are a few things [that can help break them down]," he said.

"Last year we had a good result there. We defended and scored two goals through Chris Baird.

"It was a very good performance and probably the turning point for Fulham last season.

"But, as everybody knows, Stoke away is a difficult game.

"They have the same problem as we have in Europe. They are very good team with different qualities.

"They have (Peter) Crouch up front now who is a target and an outlet with their throw-ins too.

"They are quite a physical team that can play as well so it is a good team."

Jol admitted that Fulham will have to deal with a barrage of attacks in Staffordshire but does not think he will need to change his side too much.

The Dutchman plumped for an attack-minded philosophy for the resounding 6-0 defeat of QPR, against whom Andrew Johnson netted a hat-trick.

Asked whether he would need to change things for Stoke, he said: "Not with the line-up because I feel the same players could start again if that is my decision, but they will have to defend more than we did at home.

"That is the normal thing and we had to defend against West Bromwich, where he were trying to get initiative.

"Nil-nil would probably be a good result but I feel we have opportunities to score and that is what Fulham did last year."

Fulham will be boosted by the return of defender Aaron Hughes from a groin injury for the trip to the Britannia Stadium, although Jol concedes several first-team players will miss out.

Defender Hughes has recovered from a groin injury and is available for selection, but Philippe Senderos (thigh), Bryan Ruiz (knee) and Kerim Frei (ankle) are all out.



http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/10/14/SOCCER_Fulham_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=soccer&BID=165

WhiteJC

 
Pulis lauds Cottagers strikers
Tony Pulis has warned his Stoke side that Fulham have one of the best strike pairings in the Premier League in Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson.

Zamora and Johnson have scored a combined 14 goals in all competitions so far this season, with the latter hitting in hat-trick in the 6-0 hammering of west London rivals QPR last time out.

The pair will be looking to continue that impressive form, especially with a possible place in England's Euro 2012 team up for grabs following UEFA's decision to hand Wayne Rooney a three-match ban for his red card in Montenegro.

"Johnson and Zamora are as good as anything in the Premier League on their day," Pulis said.

"Zamora is a very, very good player, a very good hold-up player and he can score goals as well. Johnson is bright, clever and very quick, he's always scored goals. It's going to be a tough game for us."

Pulis admitted he was a particular admirer of Zamora, who is definitely on England manager Fabio Capello's radar after having being included in the squad for the Montenegro game.

Johnson has been out of the international picture since 2007 following a succession of injury setbacks.

"I knew Bob when he started off, at Brighton, Bristol Rovers," the Potters chief added. "I've seen Bobby come through his career and it was lovely to see him get selected the other week for England as well."

Zamora's and Johnson's goals have helped Martin Jol's side recover from a slow start to the season and they are unbeaten since August, including games against Manchester City and Chelsea.

"I don't think you should forget they finished eighth last year in the Premier League," Pulis said.

"The year before they got to a European final, a major European final, so they're no mugs.

"They've got some very good players. Last year they did the double over us, they're a good side and we and certainly won't be underestimating them.

"They were a very good side under Roy (Hodgson, who led them to the Europa League final in 2010), and they finished eighth last year under Mark (Hughes) so Martin's picked up a decent club.

"They've got a system of playing that suits their team and have got a very experienced group of players.

"They haven't changed the players very much, it's 90% the same players and it's going to be a really tough game."



http://www.football365.com/fulham/7240963/Pulis-lauds-Cottagers-strikers?


WhiteJC

 
Game preview - Stoke City (a)


A break wasn't really what we needed after humiliating Queens Park Rangers in early October. We were arguably fatigued, what with our current battle on two fronts, but we were clearly in form. Two weeks later, though, and who knows?

Well, what we do know is Pajtim Kasami is funding the boys' Christmas party, Jol is already looking at January signings and Craven Cottage is set to get bigger. Doesn't make a visit to the Britannia any easier to predict, however.



Stoke City have had the chance to undergo a new revolution this year and it's safe to say they have done so. Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios are but two of their illustrious summer signings and it is clear that chairman Peter Coates and manager Tony Pulis have bigger and better things aimed at in their cross-hair.

For all their lavish spending, though, their style of play has only altered marginally. We can still expect a physical battle of the utmost proportion on Saturday afternoon but there'll be a new craft to their play which has undoubtedly made them harder to contain. They currently sit in 8th place and have had a mixed bag of form.

In the league, wins over Liverpool and West Brom have lifted them up the table whilst well oiled European performances have given them 4 points from a possible 6, in what is a very tough Europa League group. Their last outing, though, saw them out-gunned in Wales by a resilient Swansea side. Stoke hit the woodwork twice while Swansea were ironically clinical, getting two goals, after a relatively fruitless start to the campaign.

Fulham, meanwhile, are on a high after defeating local rivals QPR by six goals to nil. For all the outlandishness in the scoreline, it is still fair to say the result reflected the performance as Fulham looked creative and deadly in equal proportions. Two competitive wins out of two should give Fulham an edge, but the international break was not timed quite as astutely as Jol would have hoped.

In the same fixture last season, Chris Baird single handedly got Mark Hughes his first away Premier League victory in his Fulham reign, scoring two well struck goals to give Fulham a 2-0 win. At Craven Cottage, the scoreline was repeated in what was a polished performance by Hughes' men.

Matthew Etherington may return for the hosts, following treatment for a hamstring complaint. Kenwyne Jones may be welcomed back to the line up after a similar problem. Palacios, Fuller and Higginbotham are confirmed non-starters.

For Fulham, Aaron Hughes is given a grateful return to the first team but Bryan Ruiz and Phillipe Senderos cannot take part. Stephen Kelly has also put to bed rumours of a Jol-Zamora bust up which should pave the way for the striker to lead the line on Saturday:

'Bobby's huge for us. He's such an outlet and brings others into the game. A lot of our football is played around him and getting shots off his link-up play.

'I've not seen any bust-up - I think it's just stuff in the press. The manager's keeping things fresh and changing things to keep everyone on their toes.'

Predicted line-up: Schwarzer; Riise, Hangeland, Hughes, Baird; Dempsey, Murphy, Etuhu, Duff; Zamora, Johnson

Score prediction: Stoke 0 - 0 Fulham



http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2011/10/14/2489668/game-preview-stoke-city-a?

WhiteJC

 
Stoke City v Fulham tickets

Barclays Premier League
Saturday 15th October
Kick-Off 15:00

On-sale dates

Season Ticket Holders Now On Sale (Max 6 tickets)
Members Now On Sale  (Max 6 tickets)
General Sale Now On Sale (Max 6 tickets)
Loyalty points: 3 (more info)

Prices

Adults - £25
Over 65s - £19
Under 17s - £15
Under 12s - £12
There is space for 4 Wheelchairs and helpers

Adults - £19
Over 65s - £19
Under 17s - £15
Under 12s - £12

Travel

Coaches depart from Motspur Park at 9:45am – Craven Cottage 10:15am

Coach travel price

Season Ticket Holders - Adults £17; Juniors £12
Non Season Ticket Holders – Adults £22; Juniors £17
To book coach tickets, call 0843 208 1234 option 3.

How to Buy tickets

Tickets are no longer available to buy online (postal deadline)
by phone on 0843 208 1234 (option 3) Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; non-match day Sat 10am-12pm
in person from the Ticket Office: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; non-match day Sat 10am-12pm
Tickets can be purchased at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.
* Lower booking fees compared to telephone booking 



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/StokeCityAway.aspx#ixzz1alOA5qea