Monday Fulham Stuff (13/08/12)...

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Fulham linked with Taylor
   
Fulham are the latest club rumoured to be showing an interest in Peterborough United forward Paul Taylor.



The 24-year-old is on the transfer list at London Road after failing to agree terms on a new contract in April.

Posh rejected a bid recently for the forward from an unnamed club as the bid was less than Posh value the player at. Posh boss Darren Ferguson stressed last week that Taylor would not depart on the cheap. Speaking about last weeks bid, Ferguson said: 'We've had a bid for Paul, but nowhere near what we require,'

'It's not near our valuation so we'll wait and see what happens.'

Could this be an increased offer from the same club or are Fulham now showing their hand in the lead up to the start of the season next weekend?

Should Taylor move on, Posh would need to bring in a replacement for the forward who scored 12 goals in his first full League campaign.



Read more: http://www.peterborough.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=289739#ixzz23PNp0pEj

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Grygera's getting back to full fitness
by DAN on AUGUST 12, 2012


Czech defender hoping to prove his fitness by end of August

Perhaps the most pleasing part of my afternoon in the Craven Cottage sunshine yesterday was meeting Zden?k Grygera.

The Czech defender has shown tremendous courage and professionalism in recovering so swiftly from his horrible anterior cruciate knee injury sustained during the defeat by Tottenham last November that so cruelly cut short an impressive start to his Fulham career. Gygera, who has undergone two operations on his injured knee, has made brief substitute appearances during the club's pre-season campaign and, at half-time during the first team's final friendly against Charlton, he told me that he was hoping to build on that with 45 minutes at Walton Casuals this afternoon.

At 32, a serious injury – as well as the setbacks he has suffered since after two visits to see Dr. Richard Steadman – might have persuased some players to hang up their boots. Not Gygera, who willing chatted and signed autographs yesterday, and is eager to return to the first team picture after his promising introduction into Martin Jol's side last season. A matter of days after concluding a deal to arrive from Juventus late in the transfer window, Grygera made an assured debut at home to FC Twente in the Europa League and then was a commanding presence having been switched to the centre of defence for the League Cup clash at Stamford Bridge.

It is no coincidence that Fulham kept four clean sheets in his seven appearances before that anguished scream on the stroke of half time in front of the Riverside Stand and I certainly hope the experienced defender is pushing for a place in the first team squad sooner rather than later. His longevity in the game – and a stellar international record that includes representing the Czech Republic at three major tournament – as well as Gygera's cool confidence on the ball make him a really valuable asset.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/08/grygeras-getting-back-to-full-fitness/?

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Everton Poised for Dempsey Swoop

Fulham's Clint Dempsey has emerged as David Moyes' top transfer target – with the manager ready to swoop once Jack Rodwell's proposed move to Manchester City is completed.

The funds from the sale of the 21-year-old England international will provide Moyes with the opportunity to strengthen his squad, and the Fulham midfield man has long been admired by the Everton manager. Dempsey's agent has already held talks with the Goodison Park club.

The Everton boss is also hot on the trail of Manchester City winger Adam Johnson, but it is believed that wages may prove to be a stumbling block that would mean Moyes switches his attention to Blackpool's Matty Phillips and Tom Ince.



http://followeverton.com/2012/08/12/everton-poised-for-dempsey-swoop/?

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Liverpool Make New Player Swap Offer for £10m Fulham Attacker Clint Dempsey

Rodgers will use Adam as bait in new bid to bring Fulham's £10m Dempsey to Liverpool

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is prepared to jettison Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam in order to sign Fulham's Clint Dempsey.

Rodgers sees the 26-year-old as surplus to requirements at Anfield following the arrival of Joe Allen from Swansea City on Friday and the impressive form of Jonjo Shelvey.

Rodgers and the club's American owners want USA striker Dempsey but have been unable to agree a deal with Fulham, who value him at £10million.

SOURCE: Daily Mail

Given that we are entering the final couple of weeks of the transfer window it would seem that a player swap offer could be just what Martin Jol would be willing to accept for American international Clint Dempsey. The Fulham boss may not have time to negotiate deals to bring in further additions if he were to sell the Texan and therefore the offer of Charlie Adam could be a 'goer'.

Brendan Rodgers has already started to put his stamp on the Liverpool squad he inherited with veterans Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez and Craig Bellamy leaving the club and Alberto Aquilani bringing an end to his nightmare spell at Anfield. Thus far the former Swansea City boss has targeted young talents and has bagged Fabio Borini and Joe Allen but now turns to a more experienced performer.

Clint Dempsey had a very effective season last term, netting 23 goals in all competitions, and with just a year to run on his current contract Fulham may well have to consider making something from his sale to avoid losing the attacker for nothing in a year's time.

Fulham have offloaded a couple of midfield talents so the offer of attack minded Scottish international Charlie Adam may just be what Jol is after. Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu have both joined Blackburn Rovers and the 26 year old former Blackpool man could offer a goal threat and creativity to the Craven Cottage side's midfield.

Liverpool's American owners would probably far prefer funding moves for Dempsey with the use of existing players as opposed to having to fork out more sums having backed former boss Kenny Dalglish to the hilt only to see the club move further away from securing that all important Champions League berth.



http://www.caughtoffside.com/2012/08/12/liverpool-make-new-player-swap-offer-for-10m-fulham-attacker-clint-dempsey/?

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Fulham turn to Bolton flop Ngog after pursuit of £8m Celtic star Hooper runs cold

Fulham are lining up a £3million offer for Bolton striker David Ngog as a bid for Celtic's £8m-rated Gary Hooper has stalled.

Ngog, 23, who only moved to the Reebok Stadium from Liverpool a year ago, has been the subject of interest from St Etienne.

Fulham also like Peterborough striker Paul Taylor as they prepare to lose Clint Dempsey and fear late offers for Moussa Dembele.


Leaving so soon? David Ngog is wanted by Fulham after a poor year at Bolton


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2187428/Fulham-turn-attention-David-Ngog.html#ixzz23PPIfD8u

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Ex-Bolton Wanderers midfielder Reo-Coker rejects Fulham offer

According to reports former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has turned down an offer from Fulham.

The Mirror claims Reo-Coker may turn his back on the Premier League to play in Italy.

The 28-year-old is a free agent after activating a contract clause allowing him to quit Wanderers this summer following their relegation to the Championship.

Londoner Reo-Coker has had talks with Fulham, but was not impressed by their terms, and also been linked with German clubs Hamburg and Wolfsburg.


Read more at http://www.clicklancashire.com/sport/bolton-wanderers-fc/1213169-ex-bolton-wanderers-midfielder-reo-coker-rejects-fulham-offer.html?#k0ayaR8rTYHECfFx.99

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Dempsey, Bocanegra, Cherundolo to miss US exhibition at Mexico on Wednesday

CHICAGO — Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra and Steve Cherundolo are among the veterans omitted from the U.S. roster for Wednesday night's exhibition game at Mexico, while defenders Steven Beitashour and Matt Besler could make their national team debuts.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/dempsey-bocanegra-cherundolo-to-miss-us-exhibition-at-mexico-on-wednesday/2012/08/12/cdb77334-e4ba-11e1-9739-eef99c5fb285_story.html

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Exclusive: Fulham duo close to agreeing new deals


Brede Hangeland
FULHAM boss Martin Jol hopes to tie down Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes to new deals in the next month.

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The defensive duo have been instrumental in transforming the club into an established top-10 side in the past few years, but are both in the final 12 months of their contracts at Craven Cottage.

However, the Whites have opened talks with the pair about extending their stays in SW6.

And Jol hopes they will join Stephen Kelly and Alex Kacaniklic in committing their long-term futures to Fulham.

"We're talking to Brede and Aaron Hughes as well to give them an extension," he told the Chronicle.

"Hopefully they will sign it in the next month or so. They've been brilliant for us."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2012/08/13/exclusive-fulham-duo-close-to-agreeing-new-deals-82029-31610765/#ixzz23PpjTd7V

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Fulham unable to land Celtic and Bolton frontmen – reports

Fulham have reportedly had bids for Celtic striker Gary Hooper and Bolton's David Ngog rejected.

The Sun pick up on Fulham's apparent plan to table a £3m bid for Ngog, which the Daily Mail say is being launched because the Whites' attempt to sign Hooper has stalled.

But the Daily Mirror say an approach for Ngog has already been rejected by Bolton and Fulham may return with a bigger offer.

Meanwhile, Hulk has admitted he wants to quit Porto for the Premier League, the Mirror suggest.

Porto are said to be holding out for £40m for the Brazilian forward, with Chelsea reported to have had a £30m bid rejected.

"This could be the time for me to move. I would feel comfortable with moving clubs and the English league is one that appeals to me," Hulk is quoted as saying.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/paper-talk/fulham-unable-to-land-celtic-and-bolton-frontmen-reports

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Norwich City's Bradley Johnson warns against early Premier League slip-ups

Bradley Johnson insists Norwich City will be more streetwise this time around ahead of the Premier League curtain raiser at Fulham.

The 25-year-old rejects any notion of second season struggles, but warns the Canaries cannot afford any repeat of their testing start to last season's memorable campaign.

City's early progress was hindered by an alarming penalty concession rate that Johnson attributed to a degree of naivety. The combative midfielder believes Chris Hughton's squad will be a different proposition after their top flight experiences.

"We know what it's about this time," he said. "Last year we didn't know what to expect in the Premier League. At the start of last season we made a lot of mistakes – we gave away five penalties in the first five games and mistakes in this league cost you. It cost us dearly last year.

"We struggled a bit in the first two games but once we got that first win under our belts we kicked on and hopefully we can cut out the mistakes this year and really kick on.

"We've forgotten about last year – we had a great season last year but it's about staying up again. Survival is the main thing but we're not really concentrating on where we finish in this league, as long as we stay in it again. It's where every one of us wants to be – it's the best league in the world and we want to stay here."

Johnson started both City's final two pre-season runouts against Hull and the weekend 2-0 Carrow Road defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach. His personal target is trying to keep the shirt when the real business gets underway at Craven Cottage.

With the summer arrivals of Robert Snodgrass and Jacob Butterfield, Johnson knows competition for midfield slots will be fierce over the course of the campaign.

"I came here last year and there is a lot of competition but it keeps every player on their toes," he said. "You could fill the team with midfielders – I think that's how many we've got but it keeps everyone on their toes and everyone wants the shirt. I'm working my hardest in training to make sure that I get that shirt for Saturday."

Johnson insists playing the likes of European thoroughbreds Ajax, Celtic and finally a slick Borussia outfit over the summer has been excellent preparation for league combat.

The former Leeds man feels City's relative lack of goals should be put in context after shut-outs against MK Dons, Hull and the German Champions League qualifiers.

"We are just getting minutes under our belts ready for the start of the season next week," he said. "Hopefully we can prove the doubters wrong again. We haven't scored a lot of goals but pre-season is just for minutes, it's not about the results. It would be nice to score a few goals but the league starts next week and hopefully they will come then. It was a good work-out for us. We knew they were going to come here and be a good team. They are a very good team, which they proved last year where they finished in their league.

"It's pre-season for us, it's not about the result at the end of the day. It's about getting 90 minutes and making sure that we're ready for that first game of the season."

City's first Premier League opponents, Fulham, also slipped to defeat in their final friendly tune-up with a 2-1 home defeat against London rivals Charlton.

Damien Duff put Martin Jol's men ahead after just five minutes, but the Addicks eased to victory in a behind-closed-doors derby.



http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city-fc/norwich_city_s_bradley_johnson_warns_against_early_premier_league_slip_ups_1_1479628?

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Fulham prepare £3m raid for Wanderers striker Ngog

FULHAM are lining up a £3million bid for Wanderers striker David Ngog.

Martin Jol is looking to land the Frenchman after losing out on Huddersfield Town's Jordan Rhodes and is expected to make a formal approach for the 23-year-old today.

Ngog was linked with a move to St Etienne last month but Owen Coyle said at the time that he would not contemplate a sale.

Wanderers paid Liverpool £4million for Ngog 12 months ago but he managed just four goals in 27 starts in all competitions after struggling with a knee injury for the first half of the campaign.

He has yet to play a full game in pre-season either, with a back problem currently preventing him from training – although Coyle hopes to have him fit for the opening day of the season at Burnley.



http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/wanderersnews/9870272.Fulham_prepare___3m_raid_for_Wanderers_striker_Ngog/?

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Trotta Pens New Deal

Fulham Football Club can announce that young striker Marcello Trotta has signed a contract extension until the summer of 2015.

Trotta, who made his Fulham debut as a late substitute in our 2-1 FA Cup Fourth Round defeat at Everton last January, scored his first goals for the senior team last month in the pre-season fixture against Lok Leipzig.

The forward had previously spent time on loan at Wycombe Wanderers in League One, scoring eight goals in as many games during his three-month spell.

He also made one appearance for Watford in the Championship, before returning to Craven Cottage and making his Barclays Premier League bow in April's 3-0 win at Bolton Wanderers.

We wish Marcello all the very best for the future with the Club

Marcello Trotta signs a new three-year contract



http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/August/TrottaPensNewDeal.aspx?

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Walton 1-1 FFC U21s

Fulham's Under-21s were held to a 1-1 draw at Walton Casuals on Sunday, with Kit Symons' side coming from behind in what proved a tough encounter for the young Whites.

Bolstered by the inclusion of Zdenek Grygera in defence, the visitors made a bright start with Marcello Trotta and Pajtim Kasami going close early on.

Ryan Williams also tested the home goalkeeper, but both sides went into the interval without registering.

Walton Casuals started well, and on 51 minutes they took the lead with Csaba Somogyi well-beaten.

Fulham responded well however, and when Trotta intercepted a ball just outside of the hosts' box, the Italian striker beat his marker before finishing confidently from close range.

Trotta and Dino Islamovic went close to a second, but in the end the Under-21s were kept at bay. 



Fulham Under-21s: Somogyi; Brister, Grygera (Trialist 45), Burn, Kavangh; Smith (Minkwitz 45), Donegan (Islamovic 60), Williams, Banya (Peniket 75); Kasami; Trotta



http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/August/ffc21svwaltoncasuals.aspx?

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JOHNSON - 'I'M READY TO GO'

Bradley Johnson looks ahead to the new campaign

CITY midfielder Bradley Johnson is determined to hit the ground running once the new Barclays Premier League season gets underway against Fulham on Saturday.

Johnson was part of the side that started the Canaries' final pre-season clash against Borussia Monchengladbach at the weekend – which ended with a 2-0 defeat, but attentions will now turn to the Premier League opener at Craven Cottage.

After a successful first season in the top-flight last time around, Johnson is eager to prove that it wasn't a one-off by picking up where he left off as soon as possible.

He told Canaries Player: "I'm ready to go. I've had a good injury-free pre-season, and hopefully it stays that way. 

"I started well last year. I didn't know what to expect from the Premier League, but I got my head down and worked hard. I'm going to do the same again this year and hopefully I can do enough to be in the starting line-up next week.

"Last season taught me that there are players in this league that can win a game by themselves, and the less mistakes you make, the more chance you have of winning. 

"In our first five games last year we gave away five penalties, and hopefully we can change that. But mistakes will cost you dearly in this league."

Manager Chris Hughton has brought in four new recruits already this summer in the form of Steven Whittaker, Jacob Butterfield, Michael Turner, and Johnson's former Leeds United team-mate Robert Snodgrass.

Along with Johnson, Snodgrass joins another former Leeds captain, Jonny Howson, in the City side – a trio who are very familiar with each other on the pitch.

"Snodgrass is a good player," said Johnson. "I've seen him out on the wing during my time at Leeds. 

"He can beat players, and he pulls a special moment out of the bag every now and again. He gets goals which will help us, and anywhere he plays – either in the hole or on the wing, I think he'll do well for us.

"It's nice to play with the lads, but anyone who steps into the team this year will do the same job. 

"We're all good players and there's a lot of competition in the midfield, so we all want to play.

"Whoever plays in midfield, we'll all work hard for the team and do the best we can."

A change of management seems only to have given Johnson and his team-mates added drive to kick on from the previous campaign and secure yet another season of Premier League football for the Club.

He added: "The Manager has brought his new staff in and it's the same as before - they want us to work hard and get in people's faces. 

"The way we play isn't going to change – we're a bunch of hungry lads and we all want to do the best we possibly can.

"It has been a long and tough pre-season, but we have been working hard to stay in this league once again, and we've got our heads down, had a break, and we'll try to continue what we did last year.

"We had a good season last year, finished in 12th, and we want to kick on again, but the main thing is staying in the league."



http://www.canaries.co.uk//news/article/johnson-im-ready-to-go-308670.aspx?&pageView=full#anchored