Monday Fulham Stuff (25/06/12)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Exodus: Is It Too Much Too Fast?


Martin Jol has told Danny Murphy and others that Fulham won't pony up the money
or years other teams are willing to, allowing them to walk and sign elsewhere

Martin Jol is certainly looking to make his mark on the Fulham squad patrolling Craven Cottage next year during his first full summer transfer window with the club.  His first step is to allow three players, Andy Johnson, Pavel Pogrebnyak, and the captain Danny Murphy to leave.

You could make valid arguments for letting go all three of those players.  AJ was old and injured often, and hadn't contributed much compared to what was expected of him after making a highly-touted move to Fulham.  Pogrebnyak was a force upon entering Craven Cottage, but faded down the stretch as teams figured out how to remove him from a game.  Danny Murphy is 35 years old, and was becoming less and less capable of making it a full 90 minutes.

However, put these three moves together, couple them with the fact that Fulham are still not out of the hot water when it comes to Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele, and this roster needs some serious overhaul this summer.  While there are some very capable youth ranks who could step in and make an impact (most notably I would expect Alex Kacaniklic to see serious playing time in place of Danny Murphy, although he's more of an attacking mid), they're young and untested, and entrusting a youth squad with filling this many holes is very unwise.

I don't doubt that Martin Jol has a plan, but whatever it is, all we the fans have been privy to watch is the exodus that could quite easily become even worse if the Dempsey and Dembele situations worsen.

In addition, the men he's allowing to leave are significant contributors from last year.  Between those three men, Jol is allowing 68 appearances, 12 goals, and 10 assists from just this past season go.  And that doesn't count the possible departure of more production: the 73 appearances, 19 goals, and 10 assists courtesy of Dempsey and Dembele.

And it's not just what he's letting go. It's when they're coming out.  The news broke that these three men were leaving just five days apart. It's a bit of a shock to Fulham fans, who now see their club completely barren at the striker position (Ruiz/Dempsey/Dembele their best goal threats now, none of which are true strikers; best true strikers at the moment are Orlando Sa and Marcello Trotta) as well as without their constant at midfield.

So how are you feeling after the shock? Were these the right decisions? Are you glad they're all gone at once? If anything, it sure does open up some great wage room.



http://fulhamsfinest.com/2012/06/24/fulham-exodus-is-it-too-much-too-fast/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham linked with loan move for West Ham target & Inter Milan striker, Luc Castaignos

The People on Sunday are today linking Fulham with a loan move for 19 year old Inter Milan striker, Luc Castaignos. The 6'2" Dutch striker has been heavily linked with a premanent move to West Ham in recent weeks but The People are saying that he's highly regarding at Inter and they would prefer to loan him for a year rather than sell.

Between 2009 and 2011, Castaignos played 37 times for Feyenord, scoring 15 goals and last season at Inter, he played 6 times and scored once.

He has formerly been linked with Manchester United and recently West Ham, Everton and Liverpool. He seems to have a big future ahead of him but if we were to loan him, I'd prefer an option at the end of the term to secure him on a permanent basis although a loan move were he scored 10+ goals, would still be very welcome.

Below are an example of some of his goals:-

Luc Castaignos - The New Star



http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2012/6/24/3114134/fulham-linked-with-loan-move-for-west-ham-target-inter-milan-striker?

[WhiteJC]

 
So What Do I Know?

Reading between the lines I was pretty sure that Danny Murphy would remain in West London.

The only debate being whether Danny would stay at Craven Cottage or move o Loftus Road.

I`d already discounted a possible move to Ewood Park but how wrong I might have been!

Today the red-top press are insinuating that Danny has decided to move to Blackburn Rovers believing that is the most likely venue whereby he`ll most likely get regular football.

We`ll wait for concrete confirmation from the club before losing too much sleep on this one.



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=285434#ixzz1ylvK6wjT

[WhiteJC]

 
Double Dutch!

Could Martin Jol be trying to persuade a fellow Dutchman to try his luck at Craven Cottage?

Rumours are rife that Martin Jol is keen on luring the Dutch striker Luc Castaignos to London.

Castaignos, a prolific striker during his days at Feyenoord, is still only nineteen but since moving to Inter Milan his form has been patchy.

Whilst Milan are not too keen on selling him, they might be agreeable to a loan spell which would see the youngster spend a season in London.

We`ll wait and see shall we!



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=285438#ixzz1ylvWyXxM

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham ace Murphy signs for Blackburn Rovers

According to reports Blackburn Rovers have landed Fulham captain Danny Murphy.

The Mail on Sunday claims the former Liverpool midfielder has completed his free transfer move from Fulham to Rovers.

It is understood that he turned down a last-minute approach from Queens Park Rangers.

The 35-year-old midfielder has decided to drop down a division after being offered a two-year deal by Rovers, whose 11-year stay in the Premier League came to an end last season.



http://www.clicklancashire.com/sport/blackburn-rovers-fc/1212770-fulham-ace-murphy-signs-for-blackburn-rovers-.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Frenchman in Fulham sights

Fulham and Toulouse want to sign out-of-favour midfielder Clement Chantome from Paris St Germain, according to reports in France.

Fulham boss Martin Jol has followed the 24-year-old Frenchman over the past two seasons when he was a regular in the Parisian's midfield in Ligue 1 and the Europa League.

However, Chantome has fallen out of favour at the club since Carlo Ancelotti took charge in January and made only one start under the Italian last season.

The former PSG youth player does not want to leave the club where he grew up but does not expect to feature much next season if Ancelotti remains in charge.

Ligue 1 rivals Toulouse are also looking to snap up Chantome this summer with reports in the French city today claiming that the club is set to contact PSG about a deal.

Fulham are on the lookout for midfielders as Danny Murphy appears set to move on with Blackburn Rovers now believed to be favourites to sign the 35-year-old former skipper.



http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/frenchman-in-fulham-sights-1440650.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham captain Danny Murphy's departure may be saddening, but perhaps some doors will be opened

As of yet, nothing has been confirmed, but the mere thought of Danny Murphy's imminent departure from South West London not only makes the masses severely worried for Fulham FC, but evokes an emotional response that very few other players could.

And yet, it's not even the natural respect that stems from the leaving of a player of sublime quality. He is quite some craftsman but we are more saddened by this loss because of what he meant to Fulham. Murphy epitomised a passing game that has been prevalent in play at Craven Cottage ever since Roy Hodgson moved to change the fortunes of this humble club in the cold, morbid time of late December 2007.

Our captain, or former captain as it now appears, seemed to change at that time. He changed from a player that had lost his way, somewhat, amongst his shifting career that took him from the highs of Liverpool to the lows of a stint at Charlton Athletic and a less-than-rewarding year at Tottenham Hotspur. More than anything, he seemed to find himself. He played to his strengths and surpassed a standard that you would expect from someone who, it must be said, is past the ripe stage of a footballer's lifespan.



But he wasn't just the embodiment of a pleasing style of play; he was a skipper too. Hodgson, when choosing his long-standing captain in summer 2008, had players of the ilk of Brede Hangeland, Aaron Hughes and Simon Davies all making prominent suggestions that they had the influence to lead this team with more than a symbolic armband. Murphy was chosen, though, as the stand-out option, and while there were murmurs of discontent, it was a widely accepted choice.

Now, though, we see the wisdom in that decision. On the pitch and off of it, he has fulfilled his duty splendidly and led by an example which has fused together his palpable talent with a doggedness you can only seem to find in British thoroughbreds.

That is what we will miss. The ability has the potential to be replaced - with some extensive searching - but his characteristics cannot. This is why Twitter erupted into technological tears at the news of his successful medical at Blackburn Rovers. This is why it's becoming increasingly difficult to picture a Fulham line-up without a Murphy on the team sheet. He only missed three games last season. At 35.

In spite of this, and despite the inclination in English football to look on the pessimistic side of any opening door, there is something we can extract from this quite depressing news that could at least spark something that resembles positivity. It is in the implication of these quick fire sales. How can Martin Jol sanely let Andrew Johnson, Pavel Pogrebnyak and Danny Murphy walk free from Motspur Park without the foresight to have something substantial up his neatly pressed-sleeve?

We can only speculate but to replace someone so instrumental in the recent successes here, there must be money set aside and targets clearly in mind. It seems to signify a hastily-prepared new dawn for the club in which the old is quite literally shed to make room for the new. The new will, according to Jol's self-explained mantra, be younger, fresher and, perhaps importantly, unafraid.

You have to worry, by nature, that the ideology could quite destructively backfire but to do so would be to lose faith in the ability of Jol and the history of success that follows him so closely. He attempted, but ultimately failed, to implement his new desires from the beginning last season but the likes of Matthew Briggs, Marcel Gecov and Pajtim Kasami didn't live up to their esteemed representations. But then you glance at the slender structure of Kerim Frei and you ogle as his feet caress the ball and you begin to believe that the work has already started and the base from which to build is already there.

Moussa Dembele is the player we'd most expect, from within, to fill the cosmic gap that Murphy will leave and few can doubt he has what it takes. While not being similar in style to the former Liverpool midfielder, he is at least extensively talented. Add this to a summer of transfers that we predict will be rather bust and the loss of Murphy becomes just slightly less painful.

It will still hurt and it will still sting but it will not cause lasting damage. Only a systematic failure will do that.




http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2012/6/24/3114467/fulham-captain-danny-murphys-departure-may-be-saddening-but-perhaps-jol-dembele?

[ScalleysDad]

"the base from which to build is already there"
Indeed there does seem to have been an awful lot of investment in the younger players and the development set up and it all looks promising. All we have to do is apply copious amounts of patience................................. theres a group challenge then.

[WhiteJC]

 
QPR 'tried to hijack Murphy's move to Blackburn'

QPR made a late attempt to hijack Danny Murphy's move to Blackburn, according to The Lancashire Telegraph.

It is claimed that Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes sanctioned a last-minute improved offer to the 35-year-old, who is leaving Fulham on a Bosman free transfer.

Rovers' new supremo Shebby Singh is said to have responded in kind to complete the deal.

Murphy is believed to have agreed a two-year contract at Ewood Park.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/features-comment/qpr-tried-to-hijack-murphys-move-to-blackburn/

[WhiteJC]

 
Murphy Departs

The Club can confirm that Danny Murphy will join Blackburn Rovers on a two-year deal following the expiration of his Fulham contract on June 30th.

Murphy made over 200 appearances for the Whites, the majority of which as Captain, and scored 28 goals – including many penalties, owing to his lethal aim from 12 yards.

The central midfielder signed for the Club in the summer of 2007 and made his debut against Wigan Athletic in September when he came on as a late replacement for Simon Davies in a 1-1 draw.

His first goal for Fulham came in the following game when he scored a 75th minute equaliser at the Cottage to secure a valuable point against Manchester City.

Murphy went on to play 35 times for his new Club in the 2007/08 season and was instrumental in helping the Whites retain our Premier League status.

With time running out on the final day of the campaign, Fulham needed a win against Portsmouth to avoid relegation to the Championship. There was less than quarter of an hour remaining when Murphy leapt highest in the area to glance home one of the most important goals of his career as we avoided relegation courtesy of our superior goal difference.

Following Brian McBride's return to America at the end of the campaign, Murphy was awarded the Fulham captaincy and led the Club to three top ten finishes in the last four years.

The season where we failed to finish in the top 10 was arguably our most successful though, when Murphy captained his side to the UEFA Europa League Final in the 2009/10 campaign.

He played 13 times in the competition as we reached only our second ever major Final, scoring a crucial winning goal against Basel at the Cottage in the Group Stages.

Murphy played in every game but one in the following 2010/11 campaign as the Whites finished in eighth position in the Premier League. He then led the Team to an impressive ninth place in our most recent campaign, with goal difference alone keeping us below Liverpool who finished eighth.

Everyone at the Club would like to thank Danny for his invaluable contribution during his five year stay with us, and wish him the very best for the future.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/June/MurphyDeparts.aspx?#ixzz1yoV2ODMc

[WhiteJC]

 
Murphy signs for Blackburn
Two-year deal at Ewood Park for former Fulham skipper


Danny Murphy: Has signed a two-year contract with Championship club Blackburn

Danny Murphy has joined Blackburn on a two-year deal after leaving Fulham on a free transfer.

Murphy was out-of-contract at Craven Cottage, although Fulham boss Martin Jol had expressed a desire to keep his captain at the club.

The 35-year-old is also believed to have attracted late interest from Queens Park Rangers but has opted to drop down to the Championship with newly-relegated Rovers.

The acquisition of the former England midfielder represents something of a coup for much-maligned Blackburn boss Steve Kean as he attempts to rebuild the club following a traumatic Premier League campaign.

Kean told Blackburn's official website: "Being able to bring Danny on board is a massive boost for everyone and I couldn't be more delighted.

"His record is there for all to see. He is a model professional, who has a real hunger to keep playing football and we are thrilled he has decided to commit his future to us. This is a pivotal signing for us."

Murphy has ties in the North West having played for Liverpool from 1997 to 2004.



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7840838/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Reading FC close in on their second major signing.

Monday, June 25, 2012 - Newly promoted premier league side, Reading FC are close to making their second major signing ahead of the start of the new campaign after edging out London based club Fulham to the signature of Russian striker, Pavel Pogrebnyak.

The Royals faced stiff competition from Fulham for the 28-year-old, who is a free agent having come to the end of his contract with Stuttgart.

Pogrebnyak has agreed personal terms and reportedly completed a medical after being lured away from the hands of Fulham with a substantial sign on fee from Reading Rusian owner, Anton Zingarevich.

The Russian hit man who was on loan at Craven Cottage from German side Stuttgart played a stellar role for the cottagers as he scored six goals in 12 appearances and widely expected to make his loan move permanent before Reading hijacked him away..


Pogrebnyak who is set to pocket a lucrative £65,000 per week will become Reading's second signing of the summer following winger Garath McCleary's arrival in May.

Obed Nyakundi (The Kenyan DAILY POST)



http://www.kenyan-post.com/2012/06/reading-fc-close-in-on-their-second.html?