Friday Fulham Stuff (15/06/12)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham sign teen dream Williams

Fulham have confirmed the signing of teenage striker George Williams from MK Dons.
The 16-year-old, capped by Wales Under-17s, has already broken into the MK Dons first team, becoming the club's youngest ever goalscorer in the FA Cup last season. Williams will join up with the Cottagers' Academy as a first-year scholar for the 2012/13 campaign after an undisclosed compensation package was agreed.

MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman said on the club's official website: "We are very disappointed that George has chosen not to take up his scholarship or the offer of a professional contract with MK Dons and has instead decided his future is best served with Fulham. Everyone at the club wishes him well in the future."



Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premiership/fulham-sign-teen-dream-williams-16172431.html#ixzz1xpVGt7Au

[WhiteJC]

 
Johnson Latest

All that banter that was forthcoming relating to Fulham doing their utmost to keep Andrew Johnson at Craven Cottage seems a long way off.

It would seem that the negotiations came to nothing and Johnson, who cost us a fortune from Everton, has been allowed to walk away after his contract ran down.

Although AJ has been troubled by injury in recent season`s we`d imagine that he`d have no trouble in getting a deal and already talk of a move to Loftus Road has been resurrected with Mark Hughes keen to add AJ to his list of strikers.

We`ll keep you abreast of any developments.



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=284698#ixzz1xpVX5Hva

[WhiteJC]

 
QPR tick all the boxes for departing Fulham striker

Transfer News: QPR are set to sign Andy Johnson

QPR are closing in on the signing of striker Andy Johnson.

Johnson is a free agent having departed Fulham, and Rs boss Mark Hughes is keen on his signature.

Johnson, who is also attracting interest from West Ham United, played under Hughes at Craven Cottage, and favours a move to Loftus Road.

A source close to Johnson told London24.com: "QPR tick all the boxes for Andy. He sees them as an ambitious club and he had a good working relationship with Mark Hughes at Fulham."



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/qpr_tick_all_the_boxes_for_departing_fulham_striker_1_1411215?

[WhiteJC]

 
Euro Crush: Ludovic Obraniak

All EURO 2012 we're going to post players that we've fallen in love with and think could actually fit in with Fulham next season. Today's installment is Poland's Ludovic Obraniak

If we are to assume we're losing Clint Dempsey, and maybe even Danny Murphy this summer, then Poland's Ludovic Obraniak might just be the perfect replacement either if not both.

What's been fascinating to watch with Obraniak is his ability to seamlessly transition from playing behind the forwards (against Greece), in the center (first half versus Russia), on the wing (second half versus Russia),  and anywhere else in between. Obrianiak simply wouldn't miss a beat in Fulham's fluid offense.

Although we'll never forget that Polazo from Jakub Błaszczykowski on Tuesday, Bobby McMahon of Forbes said Obraniak should get a share of the plaudits:

The goal from Blaszczykowski will be remembered for a long long time but the pass from Obraniak was timed and weighted beautifully. There is no doubt either that Obraniak is priming the attacking pump for Poland – 5 chances created by him against Greece and another 8 against Russia.

Just look at the video below for proof of the great through ball (and note how the Russian announcer voice drops when the goal goes in).

Additionally, against Russia he completed 77%of his passes (37/48). Against, Greece, he was 80%, (32/40). Not amazing, but not too shabby.



Obraniak had an interesting season in 2011-12. Never quite finding a starting XI spot for defending champions Lille for the past two seasons, he moved to midtable Bordeuax in January. When he faced his former club just a month later, he scored two goals, including the winner in injury time. Bordeaux would win their final 6 games and lose only three times in the final 17 matches, with Ludovic rotating between LM, CM, RM, and FW.

Could a summer move be in the cards? Probably not. His club situation seems settled and he is 27.

But oh I sure hope so.



http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/euro-crush-ludovic-obraniak/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Scout's Honour
by CHRIS GILBERTSON on JUNE 14, 2012

Without any concrete first team transfer news coming in or out of Fulham at the moment, speculation becomes flight of fancy and rumour spreads like wildfire. It is the time of year when we all dream of being better, spending big and making a splash.

This year, it's even worse. With Euro 2012 in full swing, we all become scouts, and solid transfer dealings seem to take a step back until the tournament comes towards its close. Quite right, too. If we are in talks with the star player on the hypothetical semi-finalists, why on earth would they want to talk to us now? Let alone take the famous Fulham medical.

For you and me though, it's all good fun. It's far rosier to assume the club's early summer transfer passivity is due to a target's involvement in a tournament under the eyes of the world, than the fact that the player is exorcising his demons at a beachfront bar in Marbella.

The truth of the matter, or so I hope, is that Fulham have already identified, scouted and re-scouted our key summer targets, regardless of their current whereabouts. This is, of course, not the case with every target, some of whom become available at the last minute, but the value of scouting cannot be ignored.

Newcastle's recent handing-out of an 8-year contract to Chief Scout, Graham Carr, shows a great scout's importance. There isn't a manager or player in the land with an 8-year deal. For clubs like Newcastle and Fulham, who aren't in the category of the mega-rich, but aren't exactly short of pennies, scouting talent, for both youth and first-team alike, can hold the key to success.


Bryan Ruiz challenges Newcastle's Yohan Cabaye

For Newcastle, the signings of Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse amongst others, propelled them up the league table to echelons not usually reached without significant investment into the already-known elite of global talent.

The area in which, in the last few years, Fulham seem to have excelled, is scouting quality youth players. We saw no fewer than six first team debuts from academy products last year, of which only one, Neil Etheridge, was truly home grown. The first team has proven somewhat hit or miss. Few of us imagined the player we were getting when Moussa Dembele put pen to paper two summers ago, while some others have yet failed to set the world alight.

Three managers in three years will do that for you. The club's scouts work of their own accord, compiling recommendations for managers to look at but, undoubtedly, managers also have tremendous say in how the lists get put together. Would Bryan Ruiz have been our top target last summer had Martin Jol, a Dutchman, not been appointed manager? Would Bjorn Helge Riise have arrived from Lillestrom had Roy Hodgson not been in charge?


Marcel Gecov - tournament purchase?

Major international tournaments bring about their own risks for scouts. To what extent is performance on this stage a true reflection of someone's talent? I would, for example, like to know how many times Marcel Gecov was scouted prior to last summer's Under-21 European Championships, where he excelled with the Czech Republic. I personally rate Gecov as a good Premiership prospect, but in starting only three matches last season, the suggestion is that not even Martin Jol is quite sure.

Take the current tournament in Poland and Ukraine. Players of the home nations are emotionally charged, perhaps giving the performances of their lives. Had a scout been at Tuesday's Poland v Russia game for example, they'd be hard pressed not to add a million or two onto Kuba Blaszczykowski's value following the Poland captain's wonder goal.


Kuba - in the Warsaw shop window?

That being said, tournaments are also an opportunity for players to broadcast themselves to a wider audience. For a club like Fulham, having a permanent Ukraine-based scout is probably too much to ask. So players like Dnipro's Yevhen Konoplyanka and Dynamo Kyiv's Andriy Yarmolenko can use these games to reach the wider audience of overseas clubs. The same for Slovan Liberec right back Theodor Gebre Selasse, whose performances for the Czech Republic will likely lengthen his list of suitors.

I hope Martin Jol has his list of targets. Maybe some of them are playing in Poland and Ukraine at the moment, maybe some are currently on a beach, and maybe some of them are taking a tour of Motspur Park as we speak. If the list of names is yet to be completed though, all I hope is that we've really done our homework. We don't have too large a pot of money to spend, so let us please spend it wisely.

COYWs



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/06/scouts-honour/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Johnson close to Cottage exit door

Queens Park Rangers are now the clear favourites to land outgoing Fulham striker Andrew Johnson on a free transfer.

The 31-year-old former England international has been made available for a Bosman free transfer at the end of this month when his current contract at Craven Cottage is due to expire.

And, while Cottagers boss Martin Jol has offered Johnson a new deal on reduced terms to stay put, his agent Anthony McFarlane recently confirmed that the player will be departing.

Johnson, who scored 27 goals in 105 games since joining from Everton in a £10.5million deal four years ago, had been linked with a move to clubs in the United Arab Emirates, West Ham and fellow newly promoted side Reading.

However, it seems that R's boss Mark Hughes will pull off a coup by taking Johnson, who he worked with during his time in charge of Fulham, to Loftus Road this summer.

Johnson is not in a rush, though, and the R's will have to put a package together which at least matches what others have to offer if they are to land him.



http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/johnson-close-to-cottage-exit-door-1437883.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Baird denies Fulham exit rumours



CHRIS Baird wants to stay at Craven Cottage and fight for his place in the Fulham first-team.

The defender has been strongly linked with a move away from the club this summer after he was left out of the Northern Ireland squad for last month's friendly with Holland to 'consider his future', according to national coach Michael O'Neill.

Baird made just 13 Premier League starts last campaign, finding himself behind Zdenek Grygera and Stephen Kelly in the pecking order.

The 30-year-old is entering the final 12 months of his contract at the Cottage and has yet to be offered fresh terms.

West Brom had been strongly linked with the utility man earlier this year before Roy Hodgson quit the Hawthorns to take the England job.

However, Baird wants to stay with the Whites and battle it out for a first-team spot.

A source close to the player said: "Chris only has a year left on his contract but is happy at Fulham.

"He just wants to play football. If the time comes when he's not involved then he'll have a chat about his situation."

Baird has made almost 150 appearances for Fulham, scoring two goals, since his £3million switch from Southampton five years ago.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2012/06/15/82029-31189731/?#ixzz1xs2mBXil

[WhiteJC]

 
International Round-Up

The Republic of Ireland's European Championship campaign came to a premature end on Thursday evening when they went down by four goals to nil against Spain in Gdansk.

The Irish needed to avoid defeat to remain in the competition but the familiar faces of Fernando Torres (2), David Silva and Cesc Fabregas ensured Damien Duff and Stephen Kelly will not be extending their stay beyond Monday's final group game with Italy.

Duff put in a typically hard working display against the World and European Champions before being replaced by James McClean on 76 minutes.

There was better news for Clint Dempsey who helped the U.S. MNT maintain their unbeaten start to their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign on Tuesday with a 1-1 draw in Guatemala.

Clint opened the scoring with an extremely well taken goal five minutes before half-time when he eluded two defenders with ease just inside the area before showing great composure to slide the ball beyond the 'keeper.

Guatemala caused problems for the U.S. throughout the game though and grabbed a deserved equaliser with just seven minutes remaining through Marco Pappa's free-kick.

Clint was awarded the official Man of the Match accolade and the point was enough to keep the States top of their group, ahead of Jamaica on goal difference.

Mark Schwarzer was also in World Cup qualifying action as Australia and Japan shared the points in a tense 1-1 draw in Queensland on Tuesday.

The Japanese took the lead through Yuzo Kurihara on 64 minutes after the Socceroos' Mark Milligan had been dismissed for two bookable offences.

The home side weren't behind for long though as Luke Wilkshire's penalty on 69 minutes brought Australia level. Both teams pushed for a winner in a game which could prove vital come the end of the campaign but neither goal was to be breached again, although there was still time for Kurihara to see red for Japan.

Mark was his usual reliable self, playing the entire game and making a number of important saves.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/June/InternationalRound-Up.aspx?#ixzz1xs36gRGa

[WhiteJC]

 
My Fulham Story

Every Fulham supporter has a story to tell. How they became a fan, how long they've been a Season Ticket Holder or how they first found Fulham.

Why not think about your Fulham tale and relive some of your memories from Fulham's history?

Either email your entries to [email protected] or post your Fulham story here.

You may even want to send in the picture that marks the event. We look forward to reading about your Fulham tales old or new!

Season Tickets

You can start your Fulham story today by becoming a 2012/13 Season Ticket Holder!

Prices start from just £449 for adults in all stands which is less than £24 per game! Find out more and buy today.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/June/MyFulhamStory.aspx?#ixzz1xs3PBeAo

[WhiteJC]

 
Duff display sees 'devastated' Irish sent packing by masters

In a minute Damien Duff nailed it in a way no Irish player could over 90. "We're devastated," he said. "They're obviously the best international team in the world but I don't think we helped ourselves again there last night. Sloppy."

That, really, is the most galling thing for Ireland as they properly register the reality of becoming the first team to be eliminated from Euro 2012.

Spain may provide the single most difficult challenge in world football — and arguably football history. But Ireland made it far too easy for them.

The tone was set two minutes into the game as Andres Iniesta picked out Xavi just in front of the Irish box.

In the majority of international games they've played since winning this very competition in 2008, Spain have been denied that option as most opposition sides have realised the only way to compete with them is to congest the space. Failing to do that was just one of a number of errors Giovanni Trapattoni made on the night.

There was also the basic sloppiness of a team supposedly built on solidity and the idea that you could play a long ball game with a lone front man as immobile as Robbie Keane.

Keith Andrews, who was by far Ireland's best outfield player on the night, caught the mood when he conceded the team's flaws.

He said: "We have to hold our hands up. Regardless of them, we certainly weren't good enough."

In saying that, though, allowances have to be made for the fact that, once Spain go in front, they're essentially impossible to play against.

"You're chasing shadows for the main," added Andrews. "You're working your socks off. We're trying to get about them but, when you do win the ball back, you're knackered."

Aiden McGeady agreed with those comments of his team-mate. He said: "At times we tried to play football but it is difficult in games like that where you are working so hard to try and get the ball back and, when you do get it, you are almost out of breath and trying to do something with it."

It was an image that encapsulated the game. Andrews, however, had another that encapsulated the occasion.

He said: "When you're losing 3-0 and 4-0 and the only fans you can hear are the Irish, it just sends shivers down your spine.

"Unfortunately, we haven't been able to give them the performances they deserve."

And, ultimately, after all the talk of emulating Greece in 2004, Ireland have only copied Greece in 2008: who went out in the first round.

Duff lamented the lost dreams. "Before the game, we definitely believed we could grind out a result. And I mean that genuinely.

"I dreamed like everyone else. I dreamed of going the whole way. Obviously, it's not going to pan out."

At the very least, Ireland can have a say in how the group pans out, as they face a desperate Italy in the last game.

No matter what happens in that match, a 2-2 draw between Spain and Croatia will put the Italians out, with Trapattoni possibly finding himself on the opposite side of the situation he experienced with his country in 2004.

"Come Monday," Andrews insisted, "we'll be up for the game."


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/duff-display-sees-devastated-irish-sent-packing-by-masters-7854408.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol: Netherlands Look to Robben to Provide Final Spark

Fulham manager Martin Jol believes Arjen Robben can provide the spark to turn the Netherlands' faltering Euro 2012 campaign around in their final Group B game against Portugal on Sunday.

Bert van Marwijk's side are struggling to qualify for the quarter-finals after consecutive defeats against Denmark and Germany in their opening two games.

They must now beat Portugal on Sunday, hope Germany beat Denmark, and make sure they finish with a better goal difference than Portugal and the Danes, to qualify for the last-16.

Robben has experienced significant despair for club and country in recent years, including defeats in the 2010 World Cup final and in two Champions League finals. However, Jol remains adamant that those experiences will not weigh the winger down and only serve to inspire him to achieve future glory.

"Of course he's had his disappointments, losing in two Champions League finals, the German Cup and the World Cup against Spain," Jol told Yahoo! Sport. "But that was all coincidence; Arjen Robben is a player that will make the difference and has made the difference for Bayern Munich in the past.

"I know as a sportsman he will love to put it all right and show everyone he is one of the best players in Europe."

The Dutch were guilty of wasting a number of chances against Germany and van Marwijk has criticised his team's performance against the 1996 champions.

"We defended moderately and the co-operation between our midfielders and defence was poor," said the Dutch coach.

"[But] we cannot imagine that it is over when we are at this level.

"I thought we played very well in the first 20 minutes and had a few decent chances, but you have to take them against Germany," added van Marwijk.

"In the final minutes we tried to force things but you have to be daring to get the second goal."

Germany are now favourites to win Group B following another impressive performance and their manager Joachim Loew has implored his side to round out the group stages with a win over Denmark in their final game

"The group winner would be important because we can stay in Gdansk and that would probably be to our advantage in the quarter-finals," said Loew.


http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/352622/20120615/jol-netherlands-look-robben-provide-final-spark.htm?

[cottage cheese]

Euro Crush: Ludovic Obraniak

All EURO 2012 we’re going to post players that we’ve fallen in love with and think could actually fit in with Fulham next season. Today’s installment is Poland’s Ludovic Obraniak

If we are to assume we’re losing Clint Dempsey, and maybe even Danny Murphy this summer, then Poland’s Ludovic Obraniak might just be the perfect replacement either if not both.

What’s been fascinating to watch with Obraniak is his ability to seamlessly transition from playing behind the forwards (against Greece), in the center (first half versus Russia), on the wing (second half versus Russia),  and anywhere else in between. Obrianiak simply wouldn’t miss a beat in Fulham’s fluid offense.

Although we’ll never forget that Polazo from Jakub Błaszczykowski on Tuesday, Bobby McMahon of Forbes said Obraniak should get a share of the plaudits:

The goal from Blaszczykowski will be remembered for a long long time but the pass from Obraniak was timed and weighted beautifully. There is no doubt either that Obraniak is priming the attacking pump for Poland – 5 chances created by him against Greece and another 8 against Russia.

Just look at the video below for proof of the great through ball (and note how the Russian announcer voice drops when the goal goes in).

Additionally, against Russia he completed 77%of his passes (37/48). Against, Greece, he was 80%, (32/40). Not amazing, but not too shabby.



Obraniak had an interesting season in 2011-12. Never quite finding a starting XI spot for defending champions Lille for the past two seasons, he moved to midtable Bordeuax in January. When he faced his former club just a month later, he scored two goals, including the winner in injury time. Bordeaux would win their final 6 games and lose only three times in the final 17 matches, with Ludovic rotating between LM, CM, RM, and FW.

Could a summer move be in the cards? Probably not. His club situation seems settled and he is 27.

But oh I sure hope so.



http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/euro-crush-ludovic-obraniak/?

ive seen obraniak play quite a few times. He really is not a player we can think to replace dempsey.
You all forget that the game against Russia was more than just a game. The players are well aware that the history with those communists is torrid and everyone rasied their game for it. 

In general he has been a hit and miss player who does not score as many goals as he should. He is not that popular among the polish fans and he normally gets a game as there really is no one else good enough to play.  Before the Euros reading the local papers his name was one of a few whos place was being questioned. 

Hes not the answer and he will only cause more stress to us the fans with his hit and miss form.