Thursday Fulham Stuff (15/12/11)...

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Soccer: Schwarzer out with spinal injury

Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was ruled out for up to six weeks today with a spinal injury.

The 39-year-old Australia international landed awkwardly on his neck after collecting a cross in the second half of Sunday's 2-0 loss at Swansea in the Premier League.

Fulham said Schwarzer has "sustained a compression injury to his thoracic spine'' and isn't expected back until the end of January.

"I'm devastated to be out for 4-6 weeks,'' Schwarzer wrote on Twitter. "After speaking to the specialist, it was very clear I needed a rest.''

Schwarzer could miss as many as seven league matches for Fulham, which is 14th in the 20-team standings and only three points above the relegation zone.

David Stockdale, who has been included in recent England squads despite his lack of Premier League experience, has been recalled from his loan spell at second-tier League Championship club Ipswich and will replace Schwarzer.

Fulham also has Philippines international Neil Etheridge in its squad as goalkeeping cover.


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/soccer-football/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=10773358

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Spurs to Raid Local Rivals for £8m Striker

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is reportedly keen on securing a deal for Fulham's Bobby Zamora, after failing to negotiate the Englishman's transfer in the summer.


According to www.thisislondon.co.uk, Redknapp views Zamora as the ideal backup option for Emmanuel Adebayor, who has been in scintillating form since joining from Manchester City on loan.

Whilst Adebayor has settled into life at White Hart Lane with consummate ease, the towering forward has seen his future at the club cast into doubt because of financial constraints. Whilst on loan, City supplement a percentage of Adebayor's wages, whilst Spurs have not been required to pay any money up front for his services.

Zamora supposedly had a bust-up with current manager Martin Jol, although both parties and the club have denied the allegations. Nevertheless, Zamora saw himself dropped for Saturday's fixture against Swansea, and Redknapp believes he will be able to convince both player and club to make a move happen in January.

Roman Pavlyuchenko and Giovani dos Santos both look destined for the White Hart Lane exit, leaving a void that could be filled by Zamora's towering presence. The switch to North London could help Zamora in his pursuit of a starting berth under Fabio Capello for England, in the same manner Scott Parker saw his international fortunes turn.

With Fulham interested in defender Vedran Corluka, a potential swap deal should not be ruled out, but the Croatian is said to prefer a move to Serie A giants Roma. Similarly, Pavlyuchenko is keen on a return to his native Russia with Lokomotiv Moscow, whilst Giovani dos Santos looks likely to be joining Sevilla.

If Spurs are successful with their pursuit of Fulham's key forward, it would mark the return of Zamora to a club he joined back in 2003, with an unsuccessful spell at White Hart Lane ending after just 16 appearances.



http://www.sportsvibe.co.uk/news/football/spurs-to-raid-local-rivals-for-8m-striker-14256/?

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Cottagers crash out
Last-gasp winner sees Fulham's European dream end

Fulham conceded a last-gasp goal to Odense in the Europa League to miss out on a place in the round of 32 after drawing 2-2.

The Cottagers needed to better Wisla Krakow's result against group winners FC Twente and a 2-1 success for the Poles meant Martin Jol'sside needed all three points.

Fulham opened the scoring with 27 minutes played when Bobby Zamora laid off Kerim Frei's cross for Clint Dempsey to drill home with aplomb.

The home fans did not have to wait long for a second as Mousa Dembele's through-ball was expertly converted by youngster Frei.

Odense set up a nervy final third to the contest at Craven Cottage when Henrik Andreasen curled home a delightful free-kick on 64 minutes.

With the last play of the match Odense knocked Fulham out when Baye Djiby Fall headed home past debutant 'keeper Neil Etheridge deep into injury time.

The match started edgily as Fulham's much-changed side looked to gel and their Danish counterparts struggled to maintain possession.

The first chance of the night came in the 10th minute when Chris Baird forced former Everton goalkeeper Stefan Wessels into action with a 22-yard drive.

Press

Fulham continued to press after the midfielder's effort and, after fluffing a few chances, came close to breaking the deadlock through Brede Hangeland.

The Norway international connected with Frei's whipped corner and directed a header goalwards, but Bashkim Kadrii cleared off the line and Dempsey blazed over the rebound.

Zamora - whose relationship with manager Jol dominated the pre-match build-up - looked increasingly dangerous as the first period wore on.

Having been thwarted in a one-on-one with Wessels, Dempsey latched onto the striker's flicked header but saw his goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Espen Ruud.

Dempsey was not to be denied for long, though, as the Texan midfielder broke the deadlock in the 27th minute. Frei burst down the left flank and fired in a low cross that Zamora laid off for Dempsey to fire home.

Fulham doubled their advantage four minutes later when Dembele played in Frei, who slotted through Wessels' legs from close range.

Kelly came close with a shot from an acute angle as the half-time break approached, before Zamora fired into the side-netting.

Foothold
Dembele twice came close within three minutes of the restart as Fulham looked to begin the second period in the same vein, although Odense were beginning to get a foothold in the match.

Etheridge was forced into a fine save to thwart a low Ruud shot, before the Danish side almost capitalised on a melee in the box.

Odense's increased pressure saw them pull one back in the 64th minute when Andreasen found a gap in the wall and fired home a 20-yard free-kick.

Kadrii came close to drawing level moments later, leading Jol to bring on Damien Duff for Dempsey in a bid to alter the match.

The change did not have the desired effect, though, as Fulham continued to look lethargic and struggled to quell the waves of Odense attacks.

Jol's side looked uncharacteristically shaky in defence and lacked creativity in attack, leading to a nervy final 10 minutes.

Aaron Hughes headed over and Marcel Gecov shot wide as Fulham looked to put the game out of sight, before substitute Fall headed home three minutes into stoppage time at the end of a sweeping move to put Fulham out of Europe.



http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,,11065_3447416,00.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fall's OB equaliser brings down Fulham

Fulham FC 2-2 Odense BK
Djiby Fall headed in with the last touch of the game to end Fulham's campaign as Wisła Kraków snatched second place in Group K.

Fulham FC were set for the UEFA Europa League round of 32 when Djiby Fall's last-gasp header for eliminated Odense BK ended the 2010 finalists' campaign.

Teenager Kerim Frei had made one for Clint Dempsey before scoring his first senior goal to put Fulham in control at the break. But Hans Henrik Andreasen pulled one back midway through the second half and Fall's leveller allowed Wisła Kraków to snatch Group K second place with a 2-1 defeat of FC Twente.

Home goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was ruled out with a spinal injury hours before kick-off, giving Neil Etheridge a club debut in a much-changed lineup and Fulham took time to settle. Once they did, Chris Baird forced a diving save from Stefan Wessels while Bernard Mendy made a superb tackle to deny Bobby Zamora.

Now Fulham were rampant and Brede Hangeland rose to meet a corner which Wessels and Bashkim Kadrii combined to stop. With Wisła ahead, Fulham needed a goal themselves and got one on 27 minutes, Frei sprinting down the left and crossing low, Zamora touching back and Dempsey rolling a low shot past Wessels. Four minutes later it was 2-0 as Frei turned in Moussa Dembélé's centre after another flowing move.

Espen Ruud made Etheridge work early in the second half with an angled shot but the goalkeeper was caught out on 64 minutes by a low Andreasen free-kick into the bottom corner. Suddenly OB sensed a chance and there was real tension to Fulham's play as they retreated into their own half.

However, they were holding on and might have scored themselves before Ruud broke down the right and put in a cross for substitute Fall to head the equaliser, the very last touch of both OB and Fulham's campaign.



http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2012/matches/round=2000272/match=2007405/postmatch/report/index.html?rss=1669359+Fall%27s+OB+equaliser+brings+down+Fulham

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Djiby Fall gives Odense draw and puts Fulham out of Europa League

Fulham's continental odyssey is over. A Europa League campaign that began in June against NSI Runavik of the Faroe Islands ended after Djiby Fall, a late substitute for the Danish side Odense, headed home Espen Ruud's cross with the game's last touch.

Wisla Krakow's victory against FC Twente confirmed that Fulham do not join Manchester United, Manchester City and Stoke City in Friday's draw for the knockout stages.

Martin Jol blamed inexperience in a side that showed seven changes from Saturday's defeat at Swansea City and which included the 18-year-old Kerim Frei and Marcel Gecov, 23, who was making only a fourth appearance. The manager also picked out the mistake of Orlando Sá, a replacement, for not retaining possession just before Fall's finish.

Jol denied any regret that he had not selected a more hardened personnel. "We were fine in the first half and I was really pleased with them. Gecov did well and Frei did well – Frei is a big talent. Don't forget that Danny Murphy couldn't play [due to injury] and that Steve Sidwell wasn't fit," he said, before stating that at least his resources will be less drained for the attrition of the Premier League. "It is awful to go out of the competition the way we did but hopefully we gain something from the fact that we don't have to play Thursday matches."

Regarding Fall's winner, Jol said: "It was the last cross of the match. It's very disappointing. Odense scored a [first] goal from a free-kick when our wall wasn't in the right position. We couldn't get forward and play with the intensity which we did in the first half. We dropped off and tried to protect our lead but we couldn't keep control. Being 2-0 up, with everything going well, to give two goals away is very disappointing."

As a senior domestic debut, an 11th-hour call-up for a vital European game presented a test for Neil Etheridge. Fulham's goalkeeper has 28 caps for the Philippines but he had never stepped out for a professional club before, until a late check on Mark Schwarzer's back injury, suffered against Swansea, showed that the Australian is out for six weeks.

Etheridge's opening touch was a confident dribble, although he nearly lost possession near his goal. He and Fulham escaped. That was as scary as proceedings got for Jol's side as they dominated the first 45 minutes and should have scored more than the two goals with which they ended the half.

Bobby Zamora, restored to the starting lineup following the latest disagreement with Jol in what is an ongoing dispute, made a nuisance of himself from a Stephen Kelly ball from the right before Clint Dempsey failed to finish beyond Stefan Wessels. Dempsey also tried an embarrassingly mishit shot from distance and, with Moussa Dembélé forcing Wessels into a sharp save, a Fulham opener appeared to be coming.

It was Dempsey who made the breakthrough. Frei, operating on the left for Fulham, found Zamora in the area. The forward's touch was a neat lay-off to the American, who blazed home with his left boot.

Four minutes later Frei had his first goal for the club. A mistake by Bernard Mendy, once of Hull City and Bolton Wanderers, allowed Dembélé to collect on the right and his reverse pass was smartly finished.

As Jol said, after the break Fulham dozed and stepped off the gas. Ruud outstripped Matthew Briggs in the left-back position and forced Etheridge into a save. Rasmus Falk took the corner to Chris Sorensen, who turned the ball into the area. After it pinballed around, Fulham scrambled away, but not convincingly.

Now came the free-kick from Hans Henrik Andreasen after the hour that made the closing stages of the match jittery for Fulham – he beat Etheridge to his left after Dempsey, who was in the wall, might have stuck a boot out to stop the shot.

As Fulham dropped deeper, on came Eric Djemba-Djemba, the former Manchester United midfielder, and he played a part in the buildup to Fall's equaliser that sent Fulham's fans into a cold and miserable night



http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/dec/14/djibi-fall-fulham-odense?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Ffootball%2Frss+%28Football%29

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Fulham 2 Odense 2: Cottagers' Europa dream shattered in final second

Fulham began their campaign during Wimbledon fortnight but couldn't quite make it to Christmas as they were dumped out of the Europa League in dramatic style.

Odense substitute Djiby Fall struck with a header in the third minute of stoppage time to deny Martin Jol's side a place in the last 32 as Wisla Krakow beat FC Twente in the other Group K game.

It was a cruel way to end a journey that still managed to take in 14 matches, but it was also a very difficult night for a goalkeeper playing his first senior game for Fulham.


Heads you lose: Fall nods home the equaliser to send Fulham out of the Europa League

Philippines No 1 Neil Etheridge, 21, made his debut in place of Mark Schwarzer, who is expected to miss at least six weeks with a spinal injury.

But, with England squad member David Stockdale already recalled from his loan spell at Ipswich Town, Etheridge's run in the first team looks unlikely to be extended to Saturday's Barclays Premier League visit of Bolton.

The goalkeeper was not, of course, solely responsible for Fulham's collapse after goals from Clint Dempsey and Kerim Frei had given them what seemed a comfortable 2-0 half-time lead. But his inexperience did not help and he looked devastated at the whistle.

The Fulham wall was poorly constructed for Hans Henrik Andreasen's 64th-minute free-kick, but the young keeper had little chance with Fall's equaliser after the substitute nipped in front of Aaron Hughes to convert Espen Ruud's cross and stun Craven Cottage.
As the hosts' manager Martin Jol admitted, his side simply did not have 'enough cleverness or experience to keep the ball in their half '.



Dejected: The players can't believe their luck as the referee calls time



Wary of Bolton's visit and with two of Fulham's senior players - captain Danny Murphy and Schwarzer - sidelined through injury, Jol made six changes from last Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Swansea and paid the price.

They started brightly but failed to close out the game, allowing Odense one more attack after Frei opted to indulge in a bit of showboating in the box rather than run the ball into the corner.

Jol said: 'It was six seconds before the end and, instead of keeping it, we wanted to score. Then we conceded a goal from a break and that was disappointing, as was the first.

'It's a big blow but there's always a disadvantage and an advantage. Hopefully there will be benefits in other competitions.'

With Fulham just three points above the relegation zone in the Premier League, last night's defeat may prove a nice early Christmas present for Jol. But the dramatic manner of his side's exit and the despondency in the dressing room will take a few days to forget.



Cruise control: Fulham looked to be heading through after Dempsey had fired them into an early lead



The manager had marched stonyfaced across the pitch at half-time, but everything had looked to be going well for Fulham, albeit against a limited Danish side with nothing left to play for.

Bobby Zamora, who was dropped at the weekend after Jol questioned his commitment in training, had started the match and set up Dempsey's 27th-minute opener.

'We love you Bobby' sang a lone voice in the crowd midway through the first half, but it was sometimes difficult to tell if the fondness was reciprocated by a player now attracting considerable interest from Sunderland, QPR and Aston Villa. Then again, it always is.

Zamora linked up well with Dempsey early on and created the American's goal with typical selflessness. Frei made a surging run down the left and Zamora laid off the 18-year-old's cross to Dempsey, whose right-foot shot found the bottom left-hand corner for his seventh goal of the season.


Double your money: The Cottagers looked home and hosed after Frei slotted home



Frei then doubled Fulham's lead four minutes later with his first goal for the club. Moussa Dembele dispossessed former Bolton and Hull City defender Bernard Mendy and fed the Switzerland Under 21 midfielder, who stroked a right-foot finish under the goalkeeper's legs.

Right back Kelly nearly made it 3-0 just before the break with a fierce right-foot shot from a clever Zamora back heel. Dembele twice tested goalkeeper Stefan Wessels early in the second half, but Fulham seemed unnecessarily panicked by Andreasen's surprise 64th-minute goal after Chris Baird gave away a free kick for a challenge on Rasmus Falk.

The midfielder appeared to move the ball before he struck it but the English side's wall was still poor and he was able to curve his shot around Dempsey and find the bottom right-hand corner.


Stunner: Andreasen's strike started a remarkable comeback for the Danish side

Fulham were then instructed to try to keep the ball, with Baird opting to pass an attacking freekick back into his own half, but it was a tactic they failed to execute.

Six seconds from the final whistle the Danish side's breakaway goal - the last touch of the game - denied Jol's men a place in the knockout round.


Disconsolate: Jol looked angry while strolling off on his own at full-time

MATCH FACTS
Fulham: Etheridge, Kelly, Hangeland, Hughes, Briggs, Frei, Gecov, Baird, Dempsey (Duff 72), Dembele, Zamora (Orlando Sa 89).
Subs not used: Somogyi, John Arne Riise, Kasami, Senderos, Etuhu.
Booked: Gecov.
Goals: Dempsey 27, Frei 31.
Odense BK: Wessels, Ruud, Hoegh, Reginiussen, Mendy (Djemba-Djemba 85), Gislason, Andreasen, Chris Sorensen, Kadrii (Johansson 69), Jensen (Djiby Fall 78), Utaka.
Subs not used: Krog, Schoop, Johansen, Larsen.
Booked: Gislason, Reginiussen.
Goals: Andreasen 64, Djiby Fall 90.
Attendance: 15,757
Referee: Alon Yefet (Israel).


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2074185/Fulham-2-Odense-2-Cottagers-Europa-dream-shattered-final-second.html#ixzz1gajW4OOj

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Horror story for Fulham as Odense usher Euro exit

Fulham 2-2 Odense BK - Europa League

A GOAL in the very last seconds of stoppage time stunned Fulham and ended their dream of prolonging their Europa League ambitions into the knock-out stages.

The last minute header from sub Djiby Fall – who got in behind Aaron Hughes to nod in a deep cross from right full-back Espen Ruud - felt like a dagger to the heart for Martin Jol's men, who appeared to be strolling into the last 32 at half-time, when they were 2-0 up.

But the Whites flirted with disaster after conceding from a soft free-kick with a little under half an hour to go and the nerves set in.

The Whites began the evening needing victory to guarantee safe passage from their group – anything less would leave them at the mercy of events in Krakow and that is exactly what happened, with Wisla beating Twente to claim the second qualifying place.

It looked as if Fulham could hardly have hand-picked more compliant opponents.

First half goals from Clint Dempsey and Kerim Frei (pictured) – the latter's first for the club – seemed to have rendered the rest of the match a mere formality against a poor looking Danish side who had nothing to play for and already doomed to last place in the group.

But a goal for Odense after Chris Baird had given away a set piece just outside the area shifted the landscape.

Jol is bound to cop some flack for his line-up. They were always going to look less than Premier League, given the absence of Danny Murphy and Mark Schwarzer through injury and Andy Johnson through suspension.

Even so, the Fulham boss fielded a raw line-up, even if Bobby Zamora was restored to the ranks after his strange omission at Swansea at the weekend.

The under-strength nature of the team was probably as much down to the memory of the ease with which the Whites had won the first encounter in Denmark as it was an act of faith in his second stringers, but the gamble back-fired big time.

Nothing in the opening half caused Jol to harbour too many regrets about his choices, with Odense looking vulnerable at the slightest hint of danger.

Their skipper Chris Sorensen hardly led by example, sending a careless pass Baird's way early on and being grateful for a rather shaky parry by keeper Stefan Wessels when the Irishman let fly from outside the area.

Wessels was no more convincing when he flapped at a corner that Brede Hangeland headed goalwards and his fingertip touch would not have kept it out – it needed a hook off the line from Bashkim Kadrii to achieve that.

Then it was Dempsey's turn to have a shot cleared off the line, but it was only delaying the inevitable and, on 28 minutes, Dempsey tucked home from the edge of the area after Zamora had laid back a ball played in from the left by Frei.

Three minutes later and Odense gave the ball away again just outside the area and Moussa Dembele played a simple ball through for Frei to slip between the legs of the shaggy-haired Wessels.

The goal brought the youngster a handshake and a pat on the head from Jol, who he sought out after his first special moment. How irrelevant that will feel now.

It should have been a good night to blood Neil Etheridge in goal – Schwarzer's back injury having got the better of him. But the Aussie stopper's understudy will not look back on this game any more fondly than his shell-shocked team-mates.

He was beaten by a free-kick from Hans Henrik Andreasen on 64 minutes – the wall not properly placed – but dealt well with a low shot from Ruud, who wriggled past Matthew Briggs to send a low angled drive towards the far corner.

There was little he could do about the winner, though, and no time for his team-mates to do anything about it either..

Line-up:Etheridge; Kelly, Hughes, Hangeland, Briggs; Frei, Gecov, Baird, Dempsey (Duff 72); Zamora (Sa 89), Dembele. Subs not used: Somogyi, Riise, Kasami, Senderos, Etuhu. Attendance: 15,757


http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2011/12/14/horror-story-for-fulham-as-odense-usher-euro-exit-64767-29954667/?

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Fulham 2 Odense Boldklub 2: match report
Read a full match report of the Europa League game between Fulham and Odense Boldklub at the Craven Cottage on Wednesday Dec 14, 2011.

A pall of disbelief hung over Craven Cottage as Fulham's shocked fans realised that their European adventure had juddered to a thudding halt. At half-time Fulham were winning 2-0, with Wisla Krakow drawing against Twente in a game they needed to win. Just 48 minutes later they were out.

Fulham's players bore the look of holidaymakers at the airport who had just realised their passports were still on the coffee table. How on earth, they seemed to be asking each other, had this happened?

It was particularly cruel on Kerim Frei, the young Swiss magician, who had lit up the game. For 92½ minutes, this was his finest game in English football. Then he lost the ball in the opposition half, Odense broke with numbers, Espen Ruud produced a brilliant cross from the right wing and Djiby Fall glanced a header past Neil Etheridge to claim a point they had no right to.

"Instead of keeping it in their half like I told them, we conceded a goal from a break," Fulham manager Martin Jol said. "It's about experience. Keep the ball there, and we would have been fine. But we didn't have the experience or the cleverness."

But the clipping of Fulham's winter wings is not without its consolations.

While Stoke plod into the Europa League knockout stages, a world of faraway lands and frostbite, Fulham's players largely have their midweek evenings to themselves from now on.

"It's awful to go out of the competition in the way we did," Jol said, "but maybe we will benefit."

There was huge cause for enthusiasm, too, in the performance of Frei. Just 18, Frei showed a maturity, vision and deftness of touch that marked him out as a future star in the game. His goal, converted with assurance after Moussa Dembélé's lay-off, should have turned Fulham's climb into a cakewalk.

Five minutes earlier Clint Dempsey had given them the lead, curling home Bobby Zamora's lay-off from Frei's cross. Two-nil up at the break, and all thoughts of Krakow had evaporated. The only blot on Fulham's copybook was Zamora, who had barely broken out of a jog all half. But they were dominating, and Etheridge, in the team after a neck injury to Mark Schwarzer that will rule him out for six weeks, had hardly a save to make.

So, what did happen? First Krakow took the lead again, meaning that Fulham needed to maintain their supremacy. Although they cut a more confident team than in the first half, Odense had still produced little to worry their hosts until Hans Henrik Andreasen replaced his free-kick a yard to the right and curled a low delivery around an inattentive wall.

Craven Cottage chewed on its fingernails once more. The tension increased by each passing minute, in excruciating degrees as Odense pushed for an equaliser. Despite creating little of their own, Fulham looked to be keeping their heads.

Until the last 25 seconds. Fulham had the ball in the Odense half. But Orlando Sa decided to take it towards goal, Frei lost possession, and 20 seconds later Fulham had been eliminated. Inexperience? Indiscipline? Fatigue? This was, after all, their 14th game in the competition. The post-mortem can come later. After a night like that, Fulham fans have every right to indulge their grief a little longer.

Match details
Fulham (4-4-2): Etheridge; Kelly, Hangeland, Hughes, Briggs; Frei, Gecov, Baird, Dempsey (Duff 72); Zamora, Dembele.
Subs not used: Somogyi. Riise, Senderos, Kasami, Etuhu, Sa.
Booked: Gecov.

Odense (4-4-2): Wessels; Ruud, Hoegh, Reginiussen, Mendy (Djemba-Djemba 86); Gislason, Andreasen, Sorensen, Kadrii (Johansson 69); Falk (Fall 78), Utaka
Subs not used: Krog, Schoop, Johansen, Larsen.
Booked: Gislason, Reginiussen.

Referee: A Yefet (Israel).


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8957092/Fulham-2-Odense-Boldklub-2-match-report.html

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Jol disappointed by exit
Dutchman nearly lost for words after conceding a last-gasp leveller

Fulham manager Martin Jol was left to express his disappointment after his side crashed out of Europe.

The Cottagers were seconds from progression in the Europa League before conceding deep into injury time to Odense.

Baye Djiby Fall netted with the last touch of the game, a goal that saw Polish side Wisla Krakow progress at the Fulham's expense.

The Dutchman was left to rue allowing one final cross into their penalty area, while he was also unhappy they did not get forward enough.

"It was the last cross of the match, so I'm very, very disappointed," explained Jol.
"They scored a goal from a free-kick and the wall was probably not in the right position.

"We couldn't get forward, we didn't do what we did in the first half. It was totally different."

Fulham scored two quick-fire goals in the first half with strikes from Clint Dempsey and Kerim Frei putting them in command, but they were unable to repeat their performance after the break.

"They dropped deep and they tried to protect the lead, but you have to score a goal and try and get in their half," Jol added.

"We didn't do that enough. To give two goals away is very disappointing."


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7378250/?

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Wisla send Fulham out
Polish side progress following late drama in London

Wisla Krakow claimed a spot in the last 32 of the Europe League in dramatic fashion after beating previously undefeated Group K winners FC Twente and seeing Fulham held by Odense.

Tsvetan Genkov's goal at the start of the second half earned Wisla the win after Twente striker Luuk de Jong's brilliant overhead kick had earlier cancelled out Lukasz Gargula's fine opener for the home side.

However, that victory alone would not have been enough to send Wisla through and it needed an Odense goal with the final touch of the match at Fulham to earn the Polish side second spot.

Fulham, who started the night a point clear of third-placed Wisla, had been leading 2-0 at half-time but Odense's second-half fightback saw the English side dumped out.

Wisla enjoyed a great start against already-qualified Twente when Gargula put them ahead in the 12th minute.

Challenges

The Poland international showed good strength to ride a couple of challenges before rifling in a shot from the edge of the box that swerved past wrong-footed Twente goalkeeper Nick Marsman.

Marsman was the busier of the two custodians early on and needed to be alert to keep out efforts from Rafal Boguski, Tomas Jirsak and Cezary Wilk as Wisla sought a second goal before the interval.

It was Twente who made the next breakthrough, though, as De Jong brought the visitors level with a superb goal in the 39th minute, the number nine acrobatically turning in Denny Landzaat's cross.

That left the teams level at 1-1 at half-time, but Wisla got themselves back in front almost immediately after the restart.

There was less than a minute of the second period gone when Wisla goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko launched a long punt forward which Genkov was allowed to race onto and hold off the challenge of Rasmus Bengtsson before slotting his shot past Marsman.

That proved to be the match-winning strike but it looked like it was not going to be enough to earn Wisla a place in the next phase of the Europe League - until events in London saw a remarkable late turnaround.


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7378266/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol gutted as Fulham's Europa hopes vanish after injury-time stunner

Fulham boss Martin Jol admitted his deep disappointment after his side conceded an equaliser deep into stoppage time against Odense which knocked them out of the Europa League.

The Londoners surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Craven Cottage and slip from second to third place in Group K.

Djiby Fall headed the equaliser for the Danes with the last action of the match after Hans Henrik Andreasen's free-kick had brought them back into the contest.


Get your coat: Jol was dumbfounded by the way the game ended

'It was the last cross of the match, so I'm very, very disappointed,' Jol said.

'They scored a goal from a free-kick and the wall was probably not in the right position.

'We couldn't get forward, we didn't do what we did in the first half, it was totally different.'


Crushed: Fulham players are inconsolable after Fall's strike (below) sent them out


Fulham scored two quickfire goals in the first half with strikes from Clint Dempsey and Kerim Frei putting them in command, but they were unable to repeat that display after the break.

'They dropped deep and they tried to protect the lead, but you have to score a goal and try and get in their half,' Jol added.
'We didn't do that enough. To give two goals away is very disappointing.'


Dane and out: Odense finished bottom of their group


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2074296/Martin-Jol-gutted-Fulham-Europa-League-exit.html#ixzz1gamAda5a

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Martin Jol finds positives in Fulham's Europa League exit

Jol's team slipped out of Europe due to Djiby Fall's late equaliser earning Odense a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage.

"I think it is a big blow but every disadvantage has an advantage," said Jol, whose team led 2-0 at the break and would have gone through with a win.

"There were positive things in the first half, like how much we put them under pressure."

Fulham's Europa League campaign started at the end of June and their draw with the Danish side, which allowed Wisla Krakow to snatch second place in Group K, was their 14th game in the competition.

The hosts had a two-goal lead at half-time thanks to strikes from Clint Dempsey and Kerim Frei.

But Hans Hankin Andreasen's free-kick pulled one back before Fall knocked the Cottagers out with the last kick of the match.

Jol, whose team are only three points above the Premier League relegation zone, was at least satisfied with the performances of several of his younger players.

He added: "We were fine in the first half and I was really pleased with them.

"The youngster Marcel Gecov did well, and Kerim Frei did well so it was good.

FULHAM'S NEXT FIVE GAMES
Bolton, home, 17 December
Man Utd, home, 21 December
Chelsea, away, 26 December
Norwich, away, 31 December
Arsenal, home, 2 January

"Frei is a big talent and don't forget Danny Murphy could not play and Steve Sidwell was not fit.

"Matthew Briggs did a good job like he always has done in European matches for us."

Jol's team, who have managed only three victories in the Premier League this season, face Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in their next five games, and the Dutchman admitted his side are showing signs of tiredness after their long European campaign.

He added: "It is probably the 30th game of the season for a few of them and that is not an excuse because we are a team that can defend a lead.

"We were 2-1 up and then 30 seconds from the end we did not have the cleverness or experience to keep it in their half."



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16191505.stm?

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Jol Disappointed

Martin Jol was bitterly disappointed after a last gasp goal sent Fulham out of the UEFA Europa League.

The Whites looked on course to join Group K winners FC Twente in the hat for Friday's Round of 32 draw, but a stoppage time equaliser from Odense's Djiby Fall, combined with Wisla Krakow's victory over Twente, meant a group stage exit for Fulham.

"It is a big blow," said Jol "The dressing room is very disappointed. Normally you have a few minutes to repair it, but not when they score at the very end. It was disappointing. Maybe it was a little bit a lack of experience, not to keep the ball when you have just 25 seconds to go at home.

"There were positive things in the first-half, like how much we put them under pressure and the players that made the difference, like [Kerim] Frei with a cross and a goal.

"In the second-half our best players were probably almost worn out. They were tired. It is probably the 30th game for a few of them and that is not an excuse because we are a team that can defend a lead.

"We were 2-1 up and then 30 seconds from the end we did not have the cleverness or experience to keep it in their half.

"It was six seconds before the end and, instead of keeping the ball in their half when we had the last break and going to the corners, he wanted [Orlando Sa] to score.

"And then you concede a goal from a break. That was disappointing, as was the first goal."



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/December/JolOdenseReaction.aspx?#ixzz1ganz8FvJ

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Hard to Take

Brede Hangeland was disconsolate on Wednesday evening as he reflected on the 2-2 draw with Odense that resulted in Fulham's exit from the UEFA Europa League.

The Whites had to better Wisla Krakow's result against FC Twente to ensure progression and looked set to do so, leading comfortably for more than an hour. However, Djiby Fall's headed goal with just six seconds remaining snatched a draw for the Danes and left Craven Cottage in shock.

"It's really hard to take," admitted a teary-eyed Brede. "We didn't play a good game, but we had by far the better chances and I can't believe we drew.

"To go out like that with the last kick of the ball is very, very frustrating and hard to take.

"I've been thinking about the fact that we started on the 23rd of June and it feels like that was all for nothing at the moment, so it's very, very disappointing."

Fulham had led since the 27th minute, and doubled their advantage through young Kerim Frei four minutes later. With strong displays from the likes of Frei and fellow youngsters Matthew Briggs, Marcel Gecov and Neil Etheridge, it seemed for much of the game that we would be able to reflect on a night of many positives, but the last gasp killer blow completely changed that.

"It's not a time for anything positive," rued Hangeland. "But it's over and done with and we need to focus on the league and the FA Cup when it gets going."

Indeed, with the Whites currently residing 14th in the league table, the festive fixture schedule is extremely important as Martin Jol's side set their sights on entering the New Year in more upbeat fashion. And with Bolton Wanderers visiting the Cottage on Saturday, they will have a chance to bounce back sooner rather than later.

"That's right," agreed the centre-back. "The games are coming thick and fast so we just need to keep going. Sometimes when you have a big disappointment it's good to have a game coming up a few days later to put things right, so I'm sure we'll be up for it.

"I think we'd be up for that game regardless of what happened tonight, but it will be nice to get back into action as soon as possible after this massive disappointment."



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/December/HangelandOdenseReaction.aspx?#ixzz1gaoHAbSd

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Jol says weakened line-up not to blame for Fulham's Europa flop

MARTIN JOL insists he has no regrets over his line-up against Odense, even though his team bowed out of the Europa League.

But at the same time, he admitted Fulham paid a heavy price for their lack of experience in the final seconds, when they allowed the Danes to score a goal on the breakaway which ended the Whites' interest in the competition.

"We were fine in the first half, and I was really pleased with them," Jol said, refusing to admit he fielded too many fringe players.
"Marcel Gecov did well and Kerim Frei did well, so that was good. Frei is a big talent.

"Don't forget that Danny Murphy couldn't play and that Steve Sidwell was not fit, and I don't think that [a weakened team] is the reason we lost.

"It's a little bit about experience. If we had kept the ball in the corner or whatever, we would have been fine.

"It was six seconds before the end. Instead of keeping it in their half or going into the corners, we wanted to score and then you concede a goal from a break. That was disappointing. The first goal as well.

"We didn't have the cleverness or experience to keep it in their half. They had the initiative in the second half, but not a lot of chances and it's awful to go out of the competition in the way we did."

Jol added: "They are very disappointed in the dressing room. Normally you have a few minutes to repair, but we couldn't. It was over."



http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2011/12/14/jol-says-weakened-line-up-not-to-blame-for-fulham-s-europa-flop-64767-29954684/?

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Neck injury puts Schwarzer out for six weeks



Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer says he is devastated to be sidelined for four to six weeks with a neck injury.

Schwarzer has been ruled out of action until late January after consulting a specialist over the injury suffered in a scary goal-mouth tumble onto the back of his neck in his club Fulham's 2-0 English Premier League loss to Swansea last weekend.

The 39-year-old is in no danger of missing Australia's next World Cup qualifier which isn't until February 29, in Melbourne against Saudi Arabia.

But missing so much football for Fulham was a severe blow for both Schwarzer and the club.

"After speaking to the specialist, it was very clear I needed a rest," Schwarzer wrote on Twitter.

"It is certainly family time for the next four weeks, gutted about not being able to play though."

The veteran goalkeeper had been in tremendous form for Fulham.

Fulham manager Martin Jol took immediate action after learning the extent of Schwarzer's injury, recalling keeper David Stockdale from a loan spell with Ipswich.

On Wednesday, Jol handed rookie Neil Etheridge his first-team debut in a 2-2 draw with Odense - a result which eliminated them from the Europa League.

Neither the 21-year-old Etheridge, who is a Filipino international, nor Hungarian goalkeeper Csaba Somogyi, who was on the bench against Odense, have played a Premier League game.



http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/soccer/12360031/neck-injury-puts-schwarzer-out-for-six-weeks/?

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FULHAM 2 ODENSE 2: ANGRY MARTIN JOL LEFT THE FALL GUY

A LAST-GASP goal from Baye Djiby Fall knocked Fulham ouf of the Europa League.

First-half goals from Clint Dempsey and Kerim Frei helped had put Fulham well on the way to the last 32 and put a smile on Martin Jol's face – but it didn't last.

Bobby Zamora had come back in from the cold and was at the heart of the action, playing a part in Dempsey's opener and leading the line in style.

The England striker did not even make Fulham's squad to face Swansea on Saturday and his future in west London remains in doubt.

He played a key role as the Cottagers put Odense to the sword in their bid to reach the knockout stage.

But Odense gave themselves hope when Hans Henrik Andreasen was allowed a clear sight of goal at the end of the Fulham wall and fired in a free-kick afer 64 minutes.

But Fulham kept them at bay and looked to have achieved their goal as the game went into stoppage time.

Up came Fall with the vital header in the last move of the game to leave Jol seething.

He had admitted in the build-up he has a club full of unhappy players like Zamora, but it was all smiles again for the Dutchman last night.

Fulham's fate came down to this final group game because they lost in Holland to FC Twente earlier this month.

Andy Johnson got himself sent off for two foolish bookings in that match, depriving Fulham of their top scorer.

Fulham beat Odense 2-0 in Denmark in September with Johnson scoring both of the goals, and he has eight in all in Europe. Zamora was back after missing the trip to Swansea but there were other changes too, with goalkeeper Neil Etheridge making his debut.

The 21-year-old started as Mark Schwarzer was ruled out before kick-off after suffering a spinal injury in Wales and will be out for up to six weeks.

The youngster had a couple of early scares but was largely a spectator in the first half.

Brede Hangeland had an early header cleared off the line.

Dempsey was then denied by another goalline clearance from Espen Ruud after a slip by Tore Reginiussen. But the 2010 finalists made hard work of it until Dempsey finally made the breakthrough in the 27th minute.

Frei pulled the ball back from the byline and Zamora laid it off expertly for the USA striker to smash home.

It was the perfect response from Dempsey, who scored an own goal and missed a penalty in the defeat at Swansea.

His strike was followed by another from Frei, who scored from a Mousa Dembele pass. But Andreasen's freekick and Fall's last-gasp strike sunk them.



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/225701/Fulham-2-Odense-2-Angry-Martin-Jol-left-the-fall-guy/?

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Choke

It's a bit odd to say this considering we're Fulham and we aren't usually in such a position for this to happen, but...

That just might be the biggest choke job I've ever seen by a sports team. Ever.



http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/choke/?

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David Stockdale leaves with words of praise for fans

DEPARTING David Stockdale has today paid a gushing tribute to the Super Blues after his loan deal was abruptly ended.

The popular keeper yesterday returned to Fulham following a spinal injury to Mark Schwarzer – giving Town boss Paul Jewell a selection headache ahead of Saturday's visit of Derby County.

But while excited about the challenge of playing in the Premier League, Stockdale said he would love to see his loan club join him in the seasons to come.

He said: "I loved my time here and I can't speak highly enough of the place. The fans have been brilliant and they've been behind us every game.

"I just want to thank everyone at Ipswich for giving me this chance and I really have learned a lot from the experience. It would have been nice to have stayed and tried to have got the club into the Premier League, but I've got to concentrate on doing my best for Fulham now."

Despite conceding more goals than any other keeper in the Championship so far, Stockdale was largely blameless in the eyes of Blues fans after a string of impressive performances.

And the 25-year-old returned the compliment by praising the level of support he had received, adding: "It's been an up and down season so far but the fans have stuck by us which means a lot and I'd like to thank them. I really hope that sooner rather than later they can be watching their side playing in the Premier League because their support deserves it."

Supporters had no choice but to join Jewell in hoping 39-year-old Schwarzer would stay fit this season after Fulham and Ipswich agreed a 24-hour recall clause when Stockdale signed in July.

It was the only way the Craven Cottage outfit would agree to the loan deal, but Stockdale – currently England's third choice keeper – quickly settled into life in Suffolk, moving his family to the area and helping the club in the community.

And no one took defeat harder than the 25-year-old who would often vent his disappointment at the side's troubles via the social media network Twitter.

Now despite turning his attention to forthcoming Premier League matches against Manchester United, Chelsea and Norwich, Stockdale had a word of encouragement for the men he has left behind.

He explained: "Fulham have got some big games coming up so I want to do well and show people what I've learned at Ipswich and show what I've been doing in games and training, working alongside some great coaches such as Malcolm Webster.

"I know the club are being left in good hands as Wrighty (Richard Wright) and Aaron (Lee-Barrett) are two great keepers."



http://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-town/david_stockdale_leaves_with_words_of_praise_for_fans_1_1154297?

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Philippines goalkeeper Neil Etheridge marks Fulham debut in Europa League clash
Mark Schwarzer's injury provided a valuable opportunity for Neil Etheridge to prove his ability in a first senior appearance for The Cottagers

Philippines international goalkeeper Neil Etheridge became the first-ever Filipino goalkeeper to play in European competition in his historic debut for Fulham in Europa League clash against Danish side Odense BK.

Etheridge was handed the first team duty after Fulham's first choice goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer suffered a neck injury in last weekend's Premier League match against Swansea and is expected to be out for four to six weeks.

The 21-year-old Etheridge started well for The Cottagers in his debut, keeping a clean sheet in the first half sheets as his team took a two-goal lead. However, Fulham settled for a draw and elimination from the competition after conceding a pair of goals to Odense in the second-half.

Since joining Fulham in three years ago, Etheridge has spent the majority of his time on loan to other clubs. Once rumoured to leave, his contract at Craven Cottage was extended until 2013 during the summer and he was promoted to backup goalkeeper after David Stockdale was sent out on loan to Ipswich Town.

Etheridge is also likely to be the first South-East Asian player to feel the atmosphere of Premier League when Fulham host Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.


http://www.goal.com/en/news/14/asia/2011/12/15/2803316/philippines-goalkeeper-neil-etheridge-marks-fulham-debut-in?