Friday Fulham Stuff (04/04/12)...

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FFC Retail Voucher

£10 Gift Voucher to spend in store*

The Club is delighted to pass on another great retail offer to all Fulham fans ahead of the final home match of the 2011/12 season against Sunderland this coming Sunday (KO 2pm).

For a limited time only, you can download a free £10 Gift Voucher* to spend in store with any purchase totalling £50 or more. So why not take advantage of this great offer and purchase those FFC items you've always wanted this weekend.

The voucher is available to download until Tuesday 8 May - so make sure you don't miss out on this fantastic deal! Keep checking both online and instore to make sure you don't miss any of the great end of season offers available.

Download now

* Voucher will only be available to download from fulhamfc.com between Friday 4 May and 9am Tuesday 8 May and can only be spent in the Stadium or the Fulham Road store with any purchase of £50 or more. Valid Tuesday 8 May - Thursday 31 May.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/May/Downloadyour10Voucher.aspx?#ixzz1tupcGIsQ

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Fulham v SUNDERLAND: O'Shea and Bendtner set to shake off foot injuries

Sunderland defender John O'Shea and striker Nicklas Bendtner are fighting to be fit for Sunday's Barclays Premier League trip to Fulham.

Both men picked up foot injuries in training this week, but manager Martin O'Neill is hopeful they will make the game at Craven Cottage.


Centre of attention: Nicklas Bendtner will hope to retain his starting role

Midfielder Craig Gardner is available after serving a one-match ban and defender Titus Bramble (achilles) is back in training but short of fitness, but full-back Kieran Richardson and midfielder Sebastian Larsson (both hernia surgery) are out for the remainder of the season.

Provisional squad: Mignolet, Gordon, Bardsley, Bridge, Turner, O'Shea, Kilgallon, Kyrgiakos, Lynch, McClean, Vaughan, Cattermole, Gardner, Meyler, Colback, Sessegnon, Bendtner, Ji, Campbell.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2139456/Fulham-v-SUNDERLAND-John-OShea-Nicklas-Bendtner-set-shake-foot-injuries.html

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Weekend Travel Notice

The Club would like to make supporters aware of travel disruptions across the tube and rail network this weekend ahead of Sunday's match against Sunderland at Craven Cottage.

Supporters are advised to check their routes to SW6 in advance and allow plenty of time to reach Craven Cottage. Sunday's match will kick-off at 2pm.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/May/WeekendTravelNotice.aspx?#ixzz1tuqD8XMV

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Fulham v Stoke


By Steve Bower
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Sunday, 6 May

TEAM NEWS

Fulham are hopeful Martin Jol will be back in the dugout after a chest infection caused him to miss the games against Everton and Liverpool.

Striker Andy Johnson is again ruled out with a thigh problem.

Sunderland's John O'Shea and striker Nicklas Bendtner are major doubts after they both picked up foot injuries in training this week.

Midfielder Craig Gardner is available after serving a one-match ban, but Titus Bramble is not yet fully fit.

MATCH PREVIEW

After the starts to the season that both these clubs endured, it's a testament to their efforts that they are not concerned with the remarkable relegation permutations at the bottom.

This will be Fulham's 53rd game of a season that began back at the end of June in qualifying for the Europa League.

That was a far from ideal scenario, particularly with a new manager in charge - and questions were already being asked when they failed to win any of their opening six games.

Martin Jol has since put his stamp on the team and whatever happens in the last two games, he will be satisfied with his first campaign in charge. Indeed, they are one of the form teams in the league recently, taking 13 points from their last 15, and are fresh from their first-ever top-flight win on Merseyside in the week.

Fulham have already matched last season's points tally under Mark Hughes, and if they could manage to win this one and beat Spurs on the final day, they would record their highest-ever points tally in the Premier League.

After just two wins from their first 13 matches, a comfortable mid-table finish for Sunderland looked a distant prospect.

But the upturn in form since the arrival of Martin O'Neill, who has lost just six of his 22 matches in charge, means that the picture looks a lot more positive as are thoughts looking ahead to next season.

Sunderland have only won twice in their last 12 matches but prior to that it was an incredible run of five wins in six that settled everyone's nerves on Wearside.

They are being guided by a manager who is used to looking up - O'Neill has only ever finished in the bottom half of the table once in his eight seasons in the Premier League, and he would see a top 10 finish now as a pleasing achievement.

And they certainly won't be allowed to take their eye off the ball with Manchester United visiting the Stadium of Light on the final day of the season.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Four of the last seven meetings between these two sides have been 0-0 draws, including at the Stadium of Light earlier this season.

Sunderland have not scored in any of the last five meetings between the teams - and have only scored one goal in the last seven meetings.

Fulham
Fulham have won four of their last six Premier League games.
Fulham have profited from a league-high five own goals this season, including against Liverpool last Tuesday.
With two matches of this season remaining, Fulham already have as many points as they did at the end of last season (49). Two wins would see them set their highest-ever points tally in the Premier League. Their previous best was 53 points in the 2008-09 season, when they finished 7th, their highest-ever position.
This will be Martin Jol's 150th Premier League match as a manager.

Sunderland
Sunderland have drawn five of their last six Premier League matches.
The Black Cats have failed to win any of their last six away league games (D3, L3).
Three of Sunderland's last five Premier League matches have ended 0-0.
Niklas Bendtner has netted five of Sunderland's last 10 league goals but he has never scored against Fulham.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17885305?

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Fulham vs. Sunderland: Clint's Cottage Climax?

Clint Dempsey.  One of the most well-liked players on the club.  One of the most coveted players on the club.  And someone who quite possibly could be playing his final match at Craven Cottage in home white.  It's a sad reality that I haven't exactly wrapped my head around just yet.  As an American, Clint's a major – not the only, but a big – reason why I began to support Fulham.  To think that he could be moving on is heartbreaking to be honest.  But I know that Clint will always be a Cottager.  Always.  If he goes, I'll support him wherever he chooses.  I'm a Clint Dempsey fan for life.

So now that we've gotten that out of the way and cast a horribly depressing shroud over this preview post, we might as well get into the nitty gritty of the standalone match.

State of Fulham:

The Cottagers just came off one of the most roller-coaster trips to Merseyside ever, getting thrashed by Everton at Goodison Park, then turning around and winning for the first time all-time at Anfield against Liverpool.  The Reds played horrible and the Toffes played exceptional, so they've seen the spectrum.

The Cottagers are just four points away from their highest Premier League point total ever (53 in the 08/09 season).  It's been a season of change and a season of future promise for the club that deserves to be capped with a strong finish.  However, these games really don't have a lot of meaning, and I would love to see some youngsters get some playing time.  Martin Jol recently said he wants to get younger but he also isn't going to hand the team to undeserving youth, so here's the perfect time to give Alex Kacaniklic, Kerim Frei, Pajtim Kasami, David Stockdale, etc the chance to prove they belong.

Craven Cottage is a fortress, and a 9-5-4 record at home this season with a +9 goal differential shows how they've taken advantage of most opportunities at home.  This should play into the match as well.

State of Sunderland:

In 11th place with 45 points, the Black Cats have an equally dismal road record this season as Fulham at 4-5-9 with a -9 goal differential (which oddly enough happens to be the EXACT opposite of Fulham's home record stated above. Statistical anomaly alert!) and coming to a place like the Cottage should prove to be anything but easy.  They played Fulham at the Stadium of Light earlier this season to a horribly boring 0-0 draw.

Speaking of horribly boring draws, Sunderland has drawn in 5 of their last 6 matches, including 3 0-0 draws. YAWN.  The only non-draw during that span was a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Everton (where have we heard that befo........ohhhhhhh....)

They could have a mass exodus during this transfer window, which is just as similarly important to them as it is to Fulham.  Nicklas Bendtner could be moving on (although he did say a return to Arsenal is pretty unlikely).  Stephane Sessegnon has been linked with PSG and Arsenal and could be on his way out, with it rumored he's not happy in the Sunderland area of England.  Asamoah Gyan, on loan to UAE side Al Ain who just won the Pro League title with Gyan's help, has made it look like he's going to stay there.  Youngster Ryan Noble, on loan to Hartlepool United, has said he might want to stay there. Unfortunately on this note, Martin O'Neill was told he has to sell before he buys, so that could pose some problems replacing these exits.

Prediction:

This seems like a pretty easy fixture, given both Sunderland's poor away and recent form.  However, Fulham never make the easy ones look easy, do they? I'm going to go out and say 2-1 to Fulham, but 3-1 could be likely as well.  Then again, don't be surprised with a draw, seeing as the Black Cats sure do love their draws.  You have a prediction?

Final note:

I would like to ask all those going to the match a massive favor.  Because I won't be there, I have to garner support on the interwebs.  Please, for the love of god, cheer Dempsey as loud as you can every time he gets the ball.  I don't care if every Fulham fans leave without a voice.  That's how it should be.  If he does in fact leave, I want his last time at the Cottage in a home white to be one of the most memorable days of his life.  Make his REALLY rethink leaving, if he's leaning that way.  And if he's leaning towards staying, remind him what staying would mean to us fans.

Folks, you have to realize, if Clint Dempsey decides to stay with Fulham, it means we've turned a corner.  It means we've become a desirable club where the positives outweigh the lack of Champions League football.  It means we have some of the best fans in the league – which we do – but we need to show it.  Please, cheer your lungs out for the man.  He's given more to this club than we could ask for, and let's make him know we appreciate it.

Final final note:

It's my birthday for this fixture, so let's get a win for that too


http://fulhamsfinest.com/2012/05/04/fulham-vs-sunderland/?

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Lawro's prediction

Fulham v Sunderland (1400 BST)

For Fulham to beat Liverpool at Anfield in midweek was a fantastic result for them and, although their manager Martin Jol might miss this game with a chest infection, they will want to sign off at home for the season with a win.

The wins have dried up for Sunderland in the last few weeks, but they are still ultra-competitive and they will have a big say in the outcome of the title race when they play Manchester United at the Stadium of Light on the final day of the season.

Sunderland's form was always going to taper off after their great run when Martin O'Neill took charge in December. I think he will still be pleased with how well he got them playing for a while.

Prediction: 2-1


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17927580

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Fulham v Sunderland: don't expect thrills at Craven Cottage
A fourth draw in five meeting seems to be on the cards as mid-table sides clash



Only the Premier League's top six have a better home record than Fulham this season, which could encourage some punters to back them to beat Sunderland at 5/6 on Sunday.

Sunderland appeared relegation threatened until Martin O'Neill took charge in December, but now sit comfortably in mid-table, but may be best avoiding with nothing to play for at 3/1.

The draw appears the best call at 5/2, with Fulham having played out stalemates in five home matches this term, whilst the Black Cats have cancelled out their opposition in the same amount of away games.

A 0-0 scoreline has resulted in three of the past four meetings of these teams too, so punters could be inclined to invest in another goalless draw at 10/1.

However, either side have sharpened their attacking edge since last meeting, so it could prove a better bet to back them both to score in this match, which is a 4/5 hope.

Alternatively, punters may wish to invest in the possibility of a score draw occurring, which is an attractive 10/3 shot.

Clint Dempsey has had a sparkling season at Craven Cottage, notching 22 times across all competitions, and the powerful American is 5/1 favourite to score first on Sunday.

For the visitors, Nicklas Bendtner is aiming to win a permanent Stadium of Light contract, so will hope to justify 7/1 odds about him netting the opener to aid his chances.

It is worth noting that having drawn their last three games, travelling Sunderland went into half-time level in each of these fixtures, so the 5/1 odds for the teams to be drawing at half-time and full-time will appeal to many.

Each team have gone into the break level in the majority of their fixtures this season too, lending further weight to the claim that that 5/1 price should not be ignored.


http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/premier-league/fulham-vs-sunderland-craven-cottage-stalemate-looks-likely_104466.html

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Sunderland star aims for top 10 finish ahead of Fulham trip

FRAIZER Campbell insists Sunderland's hopes of a top 10 finish remain alive despite their failure to beat three of the bottom six.

The Black Cats head to Craven Cottage on Sunday a point adrift of 10th placed West Brom and four shy of ninth placed Fulham.

Successive draws against Wolves, Aston Villa and Bolton have hampered Sunderland's hopes of a second successive finish in the top half of the Premier League table.

And with Fulham suffering just four home defeats all season and Sunderland facing title-challenging Manchester United on the final day of the season, Martin O'Neill's men may come to regret their inability to take maximum points from last month's meetings with the top flight's strugglers.

But Campbell, expected to continue on the right-hand side of midfield on Sunday, says the top 10 remains a realistic goal, even though Fulham's win at Liverpool on Tuesday night gave has given Martin Jol's men some breathing space from the bottom half.

Campbell told SportMail: "To be fair, I think we've played well in the last couple of games, but a few mistakes have cost us.

"I don't think the chance has gone to get a top 10 place because it's still very tight.

"One win gets you right up there, particularly if results go for you.

"Fulham will be on a high after getting a 1-0 win at Liverpool the other night.

"We always knew it would be difficult going down there with their home record, but now it is doubly so.

"It will be tough for us, but we want to finish the season well."

Campbell is one of a five-man former Manchester United contingent, who will inevitably come under scrutiny next week before the title race concludes.

But the 24-year-old has shrugged off the focus which will come on him, along with John O'Shea, Wes Brown, Phil Bardsley and Kieran Richardson, prior to the final day.

"We could still be going for eighth by then and they will be hoping that the title has not been decided," added Campbell.

"They might have to score a few against us too if goal difference comes into it.

"There's a lot of ex-Man U players here and I'm sure a lot will be made of that.

"But we're at Sunderland now so that doesn't come into it."



http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-star-aims-for-top-10-finish-ahead-of-fulham-trip-1-4515560

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Life-Saver Appeal

Fulham FC is helping the British Heart Foundation (BHF) fill football stadiums with more life-savers, capable of helping someone who has had a cardiac arrest.

Following Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba's collapse, the nation's heart charity is launching a new appeal, supported by the Premier League and its clubs, asking for help to train more people in emergency life support skills, including CPR.

It costs the charity around £5 to train someone with the skills to save a life.

The Life-saver appeal, also supported by Sky Sports, will be launched at the 10 stadiums hosting this weekend's Barclays Premier League matches, including Craven Cottage. The BHF is urging fans of the beautiful game to text 'CPR' to 70030 and donate £5 to create another life-saver.

Louise Parkes, Director of Fundraising at the British Heart Foundation, said: "The collapse of Fabrice Muamba has shown just how important it is for more people to know how to use CPR to help someone who's had a cardiac arrest.

"We want every seat in Craven Cottage to be filled by someone who knows how to help in a medical emergency. That vision could become a reality because it costs just £5 to equip someone with the skills to save a life.

"The best result we can hope for this weekend is scores of generous donations from fans which will help us continue our life-saving work."

The BHF teaches simple skills that save lives, including assessing an unconscious patient, performing CPR, dealing with choking and serious bleeding, and helping some that may be having a heart attack.
The Life-saver appeal will be promoted in the match day programme, on advertising boards and on a giant on-pitch flag before Fulham's match with Sunderland this Sunday.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/May/FFCSupportsBHF.aspx?#ixzz1tuslbzCq

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Rumour Mill: Dempsey? Really?

Liverpool are keeping tabs on Fulham forward Clint Dempsey, according to the ever-reliable Daily Mail...

From the rag:

The American has had a stunning season at Craven Cottage, scoring 22 goals in all competitions.

And Liverpool lead a host of clubs desperate to snap-up the 29-year-old.


http://www.lfconline.com/feat/ed11/rumour_mill_dempsey_really_743111/index.shtml?

[WhiteJC]

 
Danny Murphy: Leading From The Middle
by CHRIS GILBERTSON on MAY 4, 2012

Back in his Liverpool days, a friend of mine's grandfather used to put £10 on Danny Murphy to score first for every Anfield home game. Why? Because with Murphy there was always a chance.

Making 249 appearances, there was a time when Murphy looked like a one-club man at Liverpool. Originally a product of the Dario Gradi production line at Crewe, and despite going on to become Manchester United tormentor in chief while at Anfield, Danny eventually found his way south. First Charlton, then Tottenham and finally Fulham. For Mr Reliable, he's played for a surprisingly large number of teams.

Ironically enough, it was under Martin Jol at Spurs that Danny became a forgotten man. The victim of a transfer policy at White Hart Lane that ensured as many midfielders as possible were signed, Lawrie Sanchez brought Murphy to Craven Cottage in August 2007. I can still remember him being introduced next to Seol Ki-Hyeon and Shefki Kuqi on the Craven Cottage pitch during one particular half time.

Football can be a fickle game, and the relative successes of those three deadline-day signings say it all. Two are confined to the history books, as mere passing specks on the radar of Fulham's history, while Murphy has gone on to become a Fulham Hall of Famer.

Trailing his Anfield days by only 36 games, by continuing on at The Cottage into next season, there is a good chance Danny would play more times for Fulham than he did for Liverpool, and that would be quite something.

Since arriving at Fulham, Murphy has been at the very core of what has, in hindsight, been a complete upward transformation in the clubs fortunes. From his midfield play, that is the beating heart of the team on the field, to his stoic and poised leadership off it. Danny has come to embody what it means to be Fulham.

Although having not yet lifted a trophy with Fulham, Danny has always led from the front. Over the last five seasons, some of the most memorable moments in club history have involved our beloved skipper.

It started with the great escape. "Who put the ball in the Portsmouth net? Danny Murphy". It will be a moment that lives on in the memory of all Fulham fans. Twenty-three minutes from relegation to the abyss of the championship, when up popped Murphy, all 5 feet 9 inches of him, to score that header. Since then, while we've gone from strength to strength, the three relegated teams that day, Derby, Birmingham and Reading have all had varying fortunes but non were in the top division this season.


Danny heads in "that" goal against Portsmouth
That Portsmouth goal is just one of 27 scored whilst in Fulham colours. Many of them have, of course, been from the penalty spot. Ask a man in the street what Danny does best, and the answer will often involve penalties. Perhaps, if he'd won more than the woefully low nine England caps he has, our national team might have actually won a penalty shoot out once in a while.

Talking of our national team. The national press's topic du jour is appointment of former Whites boss Roy Hodgson to the England post. Although club policy prevents players from commenting, Roy's hiring is likely a prospect welcomed by Murphy. The thinking man's manager for the thinking man's player perhaps?

Murphy has an uncanny knack of popping up when you really need him as well. Be it a goal or an assist, a pass or a tackle, there is always some way in which he makes a difference. As Danny is rarely flashy, these moments of quality often fly well under the radar.

The tremendously important winner against Basel at home in the Europa League is a perfect example. A stodgy game that we needed to win, Murphy won us the game with a delightful 20 yard shot. Yet, in the panoply of memories from the Europa League, you'd struggle to pick this one out of a crowd.


Our captain led us into battle both home and abroad
The Europa League was the scene of the game that Murphy himself describes as his favourite for Fulham. The atmosphere of the Europa League Semi Final second-leg against Hamburg at Craven Cottage narrowly allows it to edge out the aforementioned Portsmouth game. Aware of its significance, the game's place in history was not lost on our skipper. Of course, playing the sumptuous assist for Simon Davies' stunning equaliser probably doesn't tarnish any memories, either.

It is often forgotten that Murphy had, like the rest of us, to watch the Juventus game from the stands. The ignominious sending off away at Shakthar Donetsk, when he kicked out at Darijo Srna, gave Murphy the rarest of suspensions. At the end of the day though, it was he who led us out that fateful night in Hamburg, in the Europa League Final, and there's not a Fulham fan alive that would have had it any other way.

Domestically, it was in our two famous victories against Manchester United during Roy Hodgson's reign that we saw Murphy's true colours, scoring in both games to continue his role as Sir Alex Ferguson's nemesis. It is testament to both his commitment to Fulham, and his enduring fondness for Liverpool, that his wife Joanna, darling of the Fulham twitterati, is still not sure which club the couple's children will grow up to support (although word is they are both Fulham fans at the moment!).

Besides Danny's highlight reel ability, the role he performs on the field is incredibly team first. For example, he always mans the post whilst defending corners. Is Danny's role always glamorous? No. Is it necessary? Yes.

There is also this move that I swear he's patented, a sort of dummy turn, where he lets the ball run past him, only to then turn his entire body 180 degrees and then continue running. It works every time, and perhaps, it should now be known as the Murphy Turn.

There is a quote from Barcelona midfield Xavi Hernandez, "football is for the smart guys, not just the big guys who can run all day". While Xavi is perhaps the best exponent of the role of the creative metronome in the centre of midfield, Murphy cannot be far behind. There is something almost mythical about those players who can seemingly collect the ball and distribute it simultaneously whilst managing to always look for that decisive killer pass.


At 35, the fire still burns.
Off the field, it is his ability to articulate that has led many people, in and around the game, to suggest that Murphy has a future career ahead of him as either a pundit or a manager. Already used as a guest on various live broadcasts, Danny would be a welcome addition to our TV screens on a regular basis. I hope that there might be a better use for the brain and feet of our skipper once his playing days are over.

For his part, Danny wants to play for as long as he possibly can before then going into coaching, ideally at Fulham. From the fans' perspective, this is great to hear and I sincerely wish that this career plan comes to fruition. Football is a game that is nearly impossible to predict, but one day, Danny Murphy – Fulham Manager, has a nice ring to it.

In 2010, Murphy used a platform at the Leaders in Football conference to criticise certain clubs and managers for over-zealous and aggressive tactics. He did so in an intelligent and insightful manner. Almost every Fulham fan was proud to call him our skipper that day.

The pressing issue at the moment is whether or not an agreement on a new contract will be forthcoming. At 35, Danny is no spring chicken, but in this case, age is but a number. The team's performance level is still dictated by Murphy, and I'm hopeful that his playing career at Fulham will justly continue.

Just look at what happens when Danny's not there. The man in control of the centre of midfield can make or break a team, and a good one is hard to find. Sir Alex Ferguson bringing back Paul Scholes to the Manchester United team at age 38 is a perfect example.

Whether or not Danny signs a new contract, either way, I'd love to know before this coming Sunday. We host Sunderland in our final home game of the season and we would all love to give Danny the standing ovation he deserves.

COYW

A big thank you to Danny and Joanna Murphy for contributing to the article. Please follow Joanna on twitter @joannataylormum


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/05/danny-murphy-leading-from-the-middle/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Preview: Fulham vs. Sunderland

SUNDERLAND HEAD to west London this Sunday to take on the continually impressive Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Cottagers sit ninth at present after a 1-0 win over Liverpool on Tuesday at Anfield.

A Martin Skrtel own-goal was enough to hand the Whites their first ever victory at Anfield, the perfect present for boss Martin Jol who has been unable to take charge of his side`s last two games following illness.

The former Hamburg, Ajax and Spurs boss has improved the Cottagers once again after a good showing last year under Mark Hughes. A run which has seen his side win seven from their last 12 games has powered Fulham up the Premier League to the point seventh-placed Everton and a potential Europa League spot might not be a million miles off despite a three-point gap.

With just four home defeats this season from 18 games, Fulham will be a tricky proposition for Martin O`Neill`s tired side.

Two men have been critical to Fulham`s impressive post-January showing, Pavel Pogrebnyak, on-loan from Stuttgart and star man, Clint Dempsey.

American Dempsey has scored an incredible 22 league and cup goals in 44 appearances for the Whites. An even more impressive 16 of those goals have come in the Premier League - a feat which has left Fulham struggling to keep hold of the former New England Revolution playmaker.

The versatile 29 year-old`s form this season has seen him become the highest-scoring American in Premier League history with 49 goals in 156 league starts for the west London outfit. Dempsey is out of contract at Craven Cottage next summer, and as he approaches 30, you wouldn`t be surprised to see the Texan schemer make the step up to a bigger side.

Loanee Pogrebnyak has been in equally inspired form this season. Having signed on loan in January from the Bundlesliga outfit, the big Russian has netted six goals in just 10 starts for his temporary side. Three of those came against Wolves in a 5-0 humping of the Black Country side earlier this year.

Despite a slightly disappointing spell with Stuttgart, Pogrebnyak`s overall career strike rate makes enviable reading with 66 league goals in just 132 starts.

Should the Moscow-born forward finish his loan spell as impressively as it`s started, a permanent move come the summer beckons.

It`s not all about goal-scorers for Jol`s side though, giant centre-half Brede Hangeland is a rock at the heart of the White`s defence. Now 30, the former FC Copenhagen and Viking centre-half has been a regular fixture at back, usually partnered by Northern Ireland international, Aaron Hughes.

At 6`4" and 14 stone, the Norwegian centre-back made 53 appearances in all competitions for the Cottagers this season, helping him to break the 150 league starts mark for the club he was brought to by new England boss Roy Hodgson.

Jol will be without Zdenik Grygera (knee) and Bryan Ruiz (metatarsal) whilst Steve Sidwell and Andy Johnson are doubts.

O`Neill will be without the services of Sebastian Larsson and Kieran Richardson (both groin), whilst Titus Bramble, Wes Brown and Connor Wickham are doubts.

Likely line-ups:

Fulham: Schwarzer; Kelly, Hangeland, Hughes, Riise; Duff, Dempsey, Murhpy (c), Kacaniklic; Dembele; Pogrebnyak.

Sunderland: Gordon; Bardsley, Turner, Kilgallon, O`Shea; Sessegon, Colback, Cattermole (c), McClean; Campbell; Bendtner.



Read more: http://www.sunderland.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=281534#ixzz1tuw0nsxF

[WhiteJC]

 
Guess the Score at Fulham: would only a mug try?

We must live in hope that the Lads have all got their hols sorted, tickets filed away into a safe drawer and lasses purring at the thought of Dubai or Denbigh. Then they can concentrate on winning ... it would be a nice feeling for us, albeit one they've hardly accustomed us to of late ...


... for the last-but-one time this season, Monsieur Salut is prepared to buy yet another mug for the non-mug who gets the score right. Guess the Score moves for Sunday only to Craven Cottage.

Usual rules: be the first to post the correct score, which we sincerely hope will contain a second number that is larger than the first (easy change of text from last week; let's hope it works this time), and a Martin O'Neill "Team of all Talents" mug will be sent to you. The slogan is a little ambitious but continues "work in progress".

If a Fulham guess wins – entries close at kickoff time – the mug's design will be changed accordingly, if M Salut's online editing skills prove up to it.



http://salutsunderland.com/2012/05/fulham-guess-the-score-would-only-a-mug-try/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol Targets Fantastic 50

Martin Jol will make a welcome return to the dugout on Sunday after overcoming a chest infection and Fulham's Manager is hoping his Team can build on Tuesday's historic win at Anfield and pass the 50 point mark.

"I'm feeling much better but it took longer [to recover] than I thought," Jol explained to the press on Friday afternoon. "I had an infection on my chest and I wasn't allowed to travel because it was contagious, but I feel better now.

"On Tuesday night I had my computer and television so I had two screens to watch the match and kept in touch with the staff and players. We had to celebrate at home instead of in the stadium!

"We want to end the season in the top ten and hopefully, because we do well at home, we can get the 50 points we want this weekend. I think we're in a fantastic position to get even more points on the board.

"If we can get six points from our last two games we would finish on 55 points. This season we've played in Europe so to finish with 50 points or more would be fantastic."

Fulham host Sunderland at Craven Cottage on Sunday (KO 2pm) in their final  home match of the 2011/12 season and tickets are now on General Sale.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/May/JolTargetsFiftyPoints.aspx?#ixzz1tuwZqcyd

[WhiteJC]

 
No Liverpool approach for Dempsey - Jol

MARTIN Jol insists Liverpool haven't made an approach for Fulham star Clint Dempsey.

Reds co-owner Tony Werner this week admitted he was a big fan of the American, who has smashed 22 goals in all competitions.

Dempsey still has a year to run on his contract at Craven Cottage, and the club have already offered him fresh terms on a new long-term deal.

And Whites boss Jol insists there's been no contact from the Anfield club.

He said: "We talked to him and hopefully he will sign the contract to keep him here for the next three years.

"If not, then he's still our player because there's not one club who has made an approach for him.

"Of course, it's nice that people are positive about him. I'm very positive about a lot of Liverpool players but that doesn't mean I can afford to buy them."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2012/05/04/no-liverpool-approach-for-dempsey-jol-64767-30902325/?#ixzz1tuwtM9uO

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham close to striker deal

FULHAM hope to wrap up the permanent signing of Pavel Pogrebnyak in the next seven days.

The Russian striker has been a big hit at Craven Cottage since joining on a short-term deal from Stuttgart in January, scoring six goals in 10 games for the Whites.

Aston Villa have also been linked with Pog, but Fulham boss Martin Jol has revealed he is close to agreeing a two-year deal with the frontman.

He said: "We are talking to him and hopefully we can get an agreement with him in the next week or so."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2012/05/04/fulham-close-to-striker-deal-82029-30902568/?#ixzz1tuxAv165

[WhiteJC]

 
Preview: A Close Encounter At The Cottage For SAFC?

Ey up you, it's time we started to preview the Fulham game, the final away day of the season. Feels quite sad that. From a purely selfish view, like, writing about it and that, I'm quite happy we're nearly at the end of it all, however from a fans perspective, I just want more and more football!

Anyway, here's our Fulham preview. We've got the team news (or at least we think) plus we've got some tunes, some betting tips, a classic game relived plus a whole lot more for you. Come and get involved, you might like it...



Sunderland Team News

A surprise change in goal last week saw Craig Gordon return to the starting lineup ahead of Simon Mignolet. That said, Mignolet is the no.1 at the club whether fans like it or not, and he's probably going to return this weekend.

In front of Mignolet there could be more changes. Matt Kilgallon was withdrawn against Bolton Wanderers after getting bummed all day by Kevin Davies. Time's running out for Wayne Bridge to prove he's worth keeping around, so we might give him another run out at left-back, with Phil Bardsley returning to right back. That would leave John O'Shea to partner Michael Turner in the middle.

In midfield we're looking at a potential change too. O'Neill welcomes back Craig Gardner from suspension, and he could slot in on the right hand side of midfield. Jack Colback, James McClean and Lee Cattermole are almost the first names on the team sheet so expect them to all start, but the right poses intriguing possibilities. Gardner could play of course, we could persist with Fraizer Campbell despite a mediocore outing against Bolton, or start with the man who replaced him, Ahmed Elmohamady. I'm betting on the latter option.

In attack it's going to have to be Nicklas Bendtner and Stephane Sessegnon again. That won't change unless O'Neill knows for sure that Bendtner isn't here next season, or he fails to recover from a minor knock this week.

Fulham Team News

Fulham, like us, aren't really going too much further in the league than their current position, and may choose to chop and change the lineup in preparation for next season. I think that may have been the plan prior to Tuesday anyway, before they beat Liverpool at Anfield 1-0, and now may opt to stick with a winning lineup.

This will see the dependable Mark Schwarzer continue in goal, with a back four of Stephen Kelly, Aaron Hughes, Brede Hangeland and John Arne Riise in front of the Australian. Philippe Senderos sat out the Anfield trip through injury, and is likely to return to the bench for this one.

In midfield, look for Danny Murphy to anchor the side, with Moussa Dembele, Dammian Duff and Clint Dempsey running wild behind the impressive Pavel Pogrebnyak. One change I envisage is Alex Kacaniklic being replaced form the start by Kerim Frei, as he was at Anfield on the hour.

Long term injury victims for the Cottagers include Zdenek Grygera, Bryan Ruiz and Steve Sidwell, all of whom won't get be in action this weekend.

Predicted Lineups

SAFC: Mignolet; Bardsley, Turner, O'Shea, Bridge; Elmohamady, Colback, Cattermole, McClean; Bendtner, Sessegnon.

FFC: Schwarzer; Kelly, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise; Duff, Dembele, Murphy, Frei; Dempsey; Pogrebnyak.

Classic Encounter

This week's classic comes from the 1985-86 season, where in what was then known as the Canon League Division Two, we destroyed Fulham 4-2 at Roker Park. Goals coming from Ian Wallace and Shaun Elliott, while Mark Proctor also grabbed a double in a comfortable game which had us 3-0 up at the break.

Get Rich Quick

Time for a quick look down the runners and riders to see who's going to get our money this week. Actually, the only person who will be getting our money this week will be the bookies as most of these bets are best avoided. That said, if we win, which is unlikely, we'll be lording it up for weeks, so prepare yourself...

I'm not predicting anything overly spectacular this week, so a low scoring game seems to be decent enough value at 5/2 for it being under 1.5 goals in total.
If you fancy us to score that solitary goal, a 1-0 win for us at Craven Cottage is priced at a nice looking 17/2.
And if you're looking for a scorer there, I think Stephane Sessegnon is due a goal, and is priced rather highly at 8/1 over on BetFred. I'd be taking that up for the Beninese striker to score first.
Song For Whoever

In this little section we roll out a tune which seems topical to the situation. It could be a great, tub-thumping number or something more sedated. Who knows. Well we know, because we selected it, and this weeks selection is The Clash's "London Calling"... because simply London is calling, for the final time this season at least.

The Clash - London Calling

Prediction

As I said on the podcast, and in other places, I can't see this one being particularly great or exciting for us. This is why I'm looking at a fairly ugly 0-0. Perhaps at best we'll come away with a 1-0 win, but this is very evenly matched game, that could go either way. This is why I'm predicting it will go nowhere but 0-0. Again.



http://www.rokerreport.com/2012/5/4/2983398/fulham-sunderland-team-news-lineups-preview-epl-2012?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham coach given green light for England role

FULHAM won't stand in Ray Lewington's way if England and Roy Hodgson come calling.

So says Whites manager Martin Jol, who has given the green light for the club's youth development chief to hook up with the new Three Lions boss for this summer's European Championships.

However, Jol insists Fulham have received no contact from the FA about Lewington, who worked alongside Hodgson during his time at Craven Cottage.

He said: "We haven't [heard anything]. He worked with Ray before at this club and I can imagine they are a very good combination. It's not unthinkable that he would ask him to do something at the European Championships.

"It would be great for Ray and great for this club as well. It's only a couple of weeks and I think he would love to do it. For us it's not a problem.

"If they get in touch with us we will be positive."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2012/05/04/fulham-coach-given-green-light-for-england-role-82029-30902708/?#ixzz1tuxoooVv

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham midfielder to miss the rest of the season



Fulham v Sunderland
FULHAM boss Martin Jol confirmed Steve Sidwell will miss the rest of the season with a hernia injury.

The midfielder has missed the past two months with the problem, but Jol expects to have the 29-year-old back for the beginning of pre-season.

Meanwhile, Andy Johnson will also miss Sunday's clash with Sunderland with a groin strain, while Simon Davies (hip) joins him on the sidelines.

Bryan Ruiz (foot) and Zdenek Grygera (knee) are long-term absentees.

Jol hopes his Fulham side can break the 50-points barrier with victory against the Black Cats at Craven Cottage in their penultimate game of the campaign.

He said: "We want to stay in the top 10. They did ever so well since Martin O'Neill came there.

"They had great results, maybe not as good over the past month or so, and hopefully we can get to 50 points.

"We are in a fantastic position to get even more points on the board."


http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2012/05/04/fulham-midfielder-to-miss-the-rest-of-the-season-82029-30902804/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Johnson a doubt for Cats' clash

Martin Jol will return to the dugout for Fulham's visit of Sunderland on Sunday but Andrew Johnson remains an injury doubt.

Cottagers' boss, Jol, was absent from the side's respective games on Merseyside at Everton and Liverpool in the past week after being struck down with a chest infection.

However, the Dutch tactician confirmed at his press conference on Friday afternoon that he will be back for the Black Cats match with his main injury doubt surrounding striker, Johnson, who is struggling due to a thigh problem.

And Jol is looking for his players to pick up two wins from their remaining matches and comfortably pass the 50-point mark for the campaign.

Jol said: "I'm feeling much better but it took longer [to recover] than I thought. I had an infection on my chest and I wasn't allowed to travel because it was contagious, but I feel better now.

"On Tuesday night I had my computer and television so I had two screens to watch the match and kept in touch with the staff and players. We had to celebrate at home instead of in the stadium!

"We want to end the season in the top ten and hopefully, because we do well at home, we can get the 50 points we want this weekend. I think we're in a fantastic position to get even more points on the board.

"If we can get six points from our last two games we would finish on 55 points. This season we've played in Europe so to finish with 50 points or more would be fantastic."


http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/johnson-a-doubt-for-cats-clash-1424645.html?