Tuesday Fulham Stuff (18/09/12)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Sidwell Reflects
   
The shake up of the squad, this past summer, has presented some players with the opportunity to burst back into the first team.

One such player is Steve Sidwell who has taken advantage of the departures of Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu to claim a starting berth, something that looked unlikely last season.

The former Arsenal, Reading, Chelsea and Aston Villa player looks to have finally settled into a role he feels comfortable with.

On Saturday, as West Brom were swept aside, Sidwell had the perfect view of how Dimitar Berbatov performed and has spoken about the impact the Bulgarian has had on the club, enthusing,

"When a player like that comes into your club you have to raise your game to that level. If that can happen it can only push us in one direction."

"He`s a great addition to the squad, just what we needed after losing Clint Dempsey and Mousa Dembele."

And when pushed for a comment on Martin Jol`s claim that he could be our best ever front player, he coyly replied,

"It`s a big statement."

"If he carries on playing the way he did, he`s got every chance of fulfilling it."

"He showed his class - that calmness on the ball. His awareness."

"He knows a player`s runs, knows when to shoot, and he knows how to score penalties obviously."

"He`s always calm and collected and brings the best out of everybody."

It looks increasingly as if the £4 million spent is money



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=293614#ixzz26mybs6om

[WhiteJC]

 
Sidwell Reflects
   
The shake up of the squad, this past summer, has presented some players with the opportunity to burst back into the first team.

One such player is Steve Sidwell who has taken advantage of the departures of Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu to claim a starting berth, something that looked unlikely last season.

The former Arsenal, Reading, Chelsea and Aston Villa player looks to have finally settled into a role he feels comfortable with.

On Saturday, as West Brom were swept aside, Sidwell had the perfect view of how Dimitar Berbatov performed and has spoken about the impact the Bulgarian has had on the club, enthusing,

"When a player like that comes into your club you have to raise your game to that level. If that can happen it can only push us in one direction."

"He`s a great addition to the squad, just what we needed after losing Clint Dempsey and Mousa Dembele."

And when pushed for a comment on Martin Jol`s claim that he could be our best ever front player, he coyly replied,

"It`s a big statement."

"If he carries on playing the way he did, he`s got every chance of fulfilling it."

"He showed his class - that calmness on the ball. His awareness."

"He knows a player`s runs, knows when to shoot, and he knows how to score penalties obviously."

"He`s always calm and collected and brings the best out of everybody."

It looks increasingly as if the £4 million spent is money


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=293614#ixzz26mybs6om

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol rules out loan exits
Fulham boss keeping hold of fringe men to provide back-up

Martin Jol says he has received enquiries about some of his Fulham players but he does not want to let anyone leave on loan at the current time.

The likes of Matthew Briggs, Pajtim Kasami and Marcello Trotta have been linked with temporary moves elsewhere as they are not first-team regulars at Craven Cottage.

However, Jol insists that he needs to keep hold of all his fringe players to provide back-up, having missed out on some of his targets on deadline day.

"We've had some enquiries but at the moment I need all of these players," he told the FulhamChronicle.

"Trotta's making big steps and I can't let him go. There were quite a few clubs, even abroad, that wanted to get him on loan but I would like to keep them all.

"They're always knocking on the door. You saw what happened in the transfer window so other players will get opportunities now.

"Hopefully everything will be fine with John Arne Riise. He was injured two weeks ago and Briggs came in against Man United and did well. They will stay here for the next period."


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/8086986?

[WhiteJC]

 
FFC U21s 0-0 Middlesbrough

Fulham Under-21s secured their first point of the new campaign on Monday evening but will be disappointed not to claim all three points after a dominant display against Middlesbrough.

The Whites had much the better of the play and were a constant threat with chances falling to Marcello Trotta, Alex Smith and Pajtim Kasami, but Kit Symons' boys couldn't quite find the back of the net.

"It was a very good defensive display," Kit said after the game. "We dominated possession but just lacked that little bit of care in the final third. We're disappointed we didn't win it really with the amount of possession and chances we had. I don't think Stocko had to make a save in the whole game.

"We're pleased to get a point and a clean sheet but slightly disappointed as it's a game we feel we should have won. If we'd have that little bit of extra care then we would have had the three points.

"The actual team shape was very, very good. We were getting bodies forward in advanced areas but it was just our decision making in those high areas."

Fulham: 13. Stockdale, 2. Grimmer, 5. Burn, 6. Grygera, 17. Briggs, 11. Banya, 8. Kasami, 4. Christensen, 7. Smith, 10. Altman (15. Donegan, 45 mins), 39. Trotta

Subs (not used): 12. Oberschmidt, 14. Musa, 15. Donegan, 16. Islamovic, 17. Minkwitz

Middlesbrough: 1. Ripley, 2. Bennett, 3. Sirrell, 4. Dolan, 5. Burgess, 6. Jackson, 7. Brobbel, 8. Oliver, 9. Wyke, 10. Kneeshaw, 11. Edwards

Subs: 21. Montgomery, 12. Pilatos, 14. Waters, 15. Okosieme, 16. Fowler


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/17/ffc-u21s-middlesbrough?

[mr-ska]

Fulham winger rocked by injury KO

FULHAM youngster Buomesca Tue Na Banga has been dealt a massive blow after he was ruled out for at least six months with a cruciate ligament injury.

The 18-year-old burst onto the scene during pre-season and boss Martin Jol had hoped the former Chelsea winger could force his way into his first-team plans at Craven Cottage.

However, Mesca, who has been troubled by knee problems in the past, has been rocked by the news that he will be sidelined until March at the earliest.

Jol confirmed: "He has a big injury, a cruciate ligament problem, so he will be out for six months."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2012/09/18/fulham-winger-rocked-by-injury-ko-82029-31838256/#ixzz26o2TeiIl

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham FC Community Clubs

The Club was delighted to be able to invite five new Fulham FC Community Clubs to Craven Cottage for Saturday's 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Selected by Fulham and Surrey FA, each of these five clubs will receive a number of fantastic benefits across the 2012/13 season.

Each Club had previously been heavily involved in Fulham's annual Junior Club Day, which is an opportunity for Surrey FA Charter Standard Clubs to access discounted tickets. Last year, over 800 junior players, managers and parents took up a special offer on tickets to our home match versus Wigan Athletic.

As a Fulham FC Community Club, the selected teams will now have the chance to send coaches to our Motspur Park Training Ground, where they will be able to observe Academy training sessions. Whilst there, they will also have the chance to quiz Academy coaches on their training methods. The coaches and managers will then be able to apply the knowledge they have learnt to their own sessions.

The Clubs also supplied the ball boys and ball girls for the match against West Brom on Saturday, and will have the opportunity to do so again at this season's Junior Club Day.

In recognition of this partnership, former Fulham defender and now Academy under-21 coach Kit Symons, along with former Whites Captain Luis Boa Morte, presented Club delegates with plaques before Saturday's match, to be displayed in their clubhouses.

If you would like to hear more about Fulham FC Community Clubs or Junior Club Day, please email [email protected] with the subject line "Junior Club Day".

From left to right: Kit Symons, Eddie Robson (Horsley), Mike Lovitt (Epsom and Ewell Colts), Beccy Hobson (Guildford Saints), Lorraine Walton (Goldsworth Park Rangers), Graeme Ingham (Walton Casuals), Alex Prior (Surrey FA), Luis Boa Morte.


The Club was delighted to be able to invite five new Fulham FC Community Clubs to Craven Cottage for Saturday's 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Selected by Fulham and Surrey FA, each of these five clubs will receive a number of fantastic benefits across the 2012/13 season.

Each Club had previously been heavily involved in Fulham's annual Junior Club Day, which is an opportunity for Surrey FA Charter Standard Clubs to access discounted tickets. Last year, over 800 junior players, managers and parents took up a special offer on tickets to our home match versus Wigan Athletic.

As a Fulham FC Community Club, the selected teams will now have the chance to send coaches to our Motspur Park Training Ground, where they will be able to observe Academy training sessions. Whilst there, they will also have the chance to quiz Academy coaches on their training methods. The coaches and managers will then be able to apply the knowledge they have learnt to their own sessions.

The Clubs also supplied the ball boys and ball girls for the match against West Brom on Saturday, and will have the opportunity to do so again at this season's Junior Club Day.

In recognition of this partnership, former Fulham defender and now Academy under-21 coach Kit Symons, along with former Whites Captain Luis Boa Morte, presented Club delegates with plaques before Saturday's match, to be displayed in their clubhouses.

If you would like to hear more about Fulham FC Community Clubs or Junior Club Day, please email [email protected] with the subject line "Junior Club Day".



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/18/fulham-fc-community-clubs?

[WhiteJC]

 
Shooting Star Chase Partnership

Fulham Football Club is pleased to announce that Shooting Star CHASE, children's hospice service, will be its nominated charity for the 2012-13 season.

The partnership, managed by Fulham FC Foundation, will aim to raise vital funds to support Shooting Star CHASE's hospice at home service, which provides expert care to families with a life limited child or teenager in their own homes, as well as funds to support Fulham FC Foundation whose mission is to build better lives through sport across social issues, disabilities and employability.

Shooting Star CHASE is the local children's hospice service, supporting local families with a child or teenager not expected to reach their 19th birthday.  The charity currently helps over 600 families within 38 boroughs in West London, Surrey and West Sussex. By providing expert care at two children's hospices, Christopher's (Guildford) and Shooting Star House (Hampton, Middlesex); families can receive the essential support they need.

Fulham Football Club Foundation is a leading community sport charity that aims to build better lives through sport. They use the power of sport to deliver a variety of inspiring education, health, disability, social inclusion and football programmes in our community.

As the Club's own registered charity, they have played a key role in our community for over 20 years, employing over 100 full-time, part-time and sessional staff based from our Motspur Park office.

Over the course of the partnership, Craven Cottage will be welcoming families from Shooting Star CHASE and Fulham FC Foundation will host a number of fundraising activities to support their work. If you would like to pledge your support for the partnership you can make a donation of £5 on by simply texting FFCF05 £5 to 70070.

Jeremy Payne, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Shooting Star CHASE said:

"Shooting Star CHASE is delighted to have been chosen as the official charity of the Fulham Football Club. Most of us cannot really imagine what the families that use our service are going through but what is absolutely clear is that we couldn't continue to provide that service without this kind of generous support from organisations and ordinary people."

Steven Day, Chief Executive of Fulham Football Club Foundation added:

"Fulham FC is delighted to be partnering with such an outstanding charity as Shooting Star CHASE.  We have already worked closely with Shooting Start CHASE over a number of years and I am delighted to be developing a deeper, formal partnership with them."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/18/shootingstar?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol nears decision on defender's Fulham future



ZDENEK Grygera is closing in on a return to full fitness as Martin Jol prepares to make a decision on his future.

The out-of-contract Czech defender has been trying to prove his fitness to his boss in a bid to earn a new deal as he continues his recovery from a horrific cruciate ligament injury picked up last season.

The 32-year-old wasn't included in the 21-man squad submitted to the Premier League last week, but is still training with the club at Motspur Park.

Grygera played 90 minutes of the recent friendly win against Oman 'A' and came through the full game in last night's clash with Middlesbrough for the U21s.

But Jol wants to wait until the former Juventus full-back is 100 per cent fit again before deciding whether to offer him fresh terms in SW6.

"Grygera is still not match-fit," said the Dutchman. "He played against Oman last week and did well so he's close. We will wait until he's fully-fit to make a decision [on his future]."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2012/09/18/82029-31855596/?#ixzz26phK4t7J

[WhiteJC]

 
Back On Track

John Arne Riise has spoken of his satisfaction at the manner in which Fulham returned to winning ways against West Bromwich Albion at Craven Cottage last weekend.

"It was a good performance," Riise told fulhamfc.com. "After two defeats we needed to get back on track and get three points. West Brom had done well before the game so we knew it would be a tough match but we looked good, we looked sharp and it was a good three points."

Saturday's victory featured a majestic performance from two-goal hero Dimitar Berbatov, a player Riise was evidently delighted to welcome to Craven Cottage.

"For Fulham to have a player like him at the Club is amazing," said Riise. "It just proves that we're working hard to push the Club forward. He came in and scored two goals on his home debut and you can't ask for more than that. He's settling in well and all the boys are pleased to have him in the Team. We'll try and make it as easy for him as possible at his new Club."

Berbatov's first-half brace against West Brom came courtesy of some excellent work from Academy graduate Alex Kačaniklić down the left flank and Riise believes the talented Swedish winger has a bright future ahead of him. 

"Last season, I had Clint in front of me and we had a good relationship," Riise explained. "We're going to miss him but Kaca has come in and we work well together. He works hard, he's young and keen to learn. I like having him in front of me because I know he'll do a lot of good things. It looks good for the rest of the season."

Martin Jol's team will now look to build on last weekend's win with another three points against Wigan on Saturday as Riise steps up his return to full fitness. 

"I haven't trained as much as I wanted," Riise explained. "I was out for about 10 days because of the injury and then I played a game [at West Ham United]. Then I was on international duty, before returning and playing at the weekend. So I'm looking forward to a good week of training before the next game at Wigan.

"They've [Wigan] done well so far. They've got a great manager but they've lost a couple of players such as Victor Moses. We go there to try and win and get three points and it's a game that if we play our best football, we'll be in with a shout."

Should Fulham return from the North West with all three points on Saturday, there is every chance victory will come courtesy of a Riise thunderbolt, as the Norwegian international believes it is only a matter of time before he finds the back of the net.

"It seems like every time I shoot, it gets blocked or the goalkeeper saves it," said Riise. "It's coming but it's more important to work hard. When it comes it will be a relief, though."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/18/riisebackontrack?

[WhiteJC]

 
Family Fun Day at Fulham

Saturday's 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion was our first Kids for a Quid game of the new season, with thousands of junior fans flocking to Craven Cottage to watch another fantastic home victory.

Before the match, junior supporters were invited to Family Fun Day in Bishops Park. There were a number of free activities taking place for the whole family to enjoy.

EA Sports came down with their EA Sports Dugout, complete with the new FIFA 13 game for young Fulham fans to play. The Fulham Football Club Foundation also ran some free football sessions in two inflatable pitches.

Our face painters made sure all young Fulham fans were able to show their colours with the Fulham crest on each cheek and our talented balloon modeller was also on hand.

Inside the stadium, we've also added two new 3D televisions complete with games consoles to Billy the Badger's Family Zone (Blocks K and KL of the Johnny Haynes Stand) for junior fans to use before the match.

You can even take a photo of yourself alongside your Fulham favourites thanks to our team photo wall which has recently been installed.

Billy the Badger's Family Zone also now features a kiosk with child friendly menu items. There's Mini Rollover Hot Dog's, Mars Ice Creams, Popcorn and Capri Sun drinks, along with food and drinks for parents.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/18/family-fun-day-at-fulham?

[WhiteJC]

 
Berbatov hoping to form strike partnership with Fulham youngster



Dimitar Berbatov has promised he will help Fulham youngster Alex Kacaniklic fulfill his potential at Craven Cottage.

The 21-year-old has been one of the Cottagers' star performers so far this season and set up two goals for the Bulgarian on his home debut, following a summer move from Manchester United, against West Brom on Saturday.

And Berbatov, 31, insists that one of his main aims is to bring the best out of the young Swede and he believes they can form a devastating partnership.

"You can see when a young player wants to show his ability on the pitch," said Berbatov.

"Kacaniklic's fresh and young and he has great ability. For me, it's a good way to teach him some things and he can get even better.

"And not only him but all the players try their best to win every game and this is the most important thing."



Read more at http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/120918/berbatov-hoping-form-strike-partnership-fulham-youngster-181199?#GDJ6QjroAOjcZHUV.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Support Our Number Nine

Thanks to a two-goal contribution towards Fulham's 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, we couldn't have asked for a better home début from summer signing Dimitar Berbatov!

Celebrate his incredible first match at Craven Cottage with your own number nine Home Shirt and choose from long or short sleeves for men, a ladies cut version and our range for children and infants.

Buy your Berbatov Home Shirt online, instore at the Fulham Road or Stadium Stores, or order direct on 0843 208 1223 today!



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/18/berbatov-home-shirt?

[WhiteJC]

 
Having Dimitar Berbatov at Fulham is 'amazing' says John Arne Riise

Fulham's John Arne Riise admits it is "amazing" to have a player like Dimitar Berbatov at Craven Cottage.

The 31-year-old joined from Manchester United late in the transfer window as he reunited with Martin Jol, who managed Tottenham during the Bulgarian's time at the north London club.

Berbatov rejected the likes of Juventus and Fiorentina to move to Craven Cottage, where he netted his first two goals in the 3-0 defeat of West Brom on Saturday.

Riise could not help but be impressed by his new team-mate's performance for the Whites, and believes it bodes well for the future.

"For Fulham to have a player like him at the club is amazing," he told the club's official website, http://www.fulhamfc.com.

"It just proves that we're working hard to push the club forward.

"He came in and scored two goals on his home debut and you can't ask for more than that.

"He's settling in well and all the boys are pleased to have him in the team.

"We'll try and make it as easy for him as possible at his new club."

Both of Berbatov's goals came after good work from Alex Kacaniklic, who has been handed the unenviable task of replacing Clint Dempsey on the left wing following his move to Tottenham.

The 21-year-old has impressed in his performances so far and left-back Riise believes the pair can build a decent relationship.

"Last season, I had Clint in front of me and we had a good relationship," the Norway international said.

"We're going to miss him but Kaca has come in and we work well together.

"He works hard, he's young and keen to learn. I like having him in front of me because I know he'll do a lot of good things.

"It looks good for the rest of the season."

Attention now turns to Saturday's trip to the DW Stadium, where Martin Jol's side will be looking to get their first point of the season away from west London.

The Cottagers suffered league defeats at Manchester United and West Ham, but are hoping for a change of fortunes at Wigan as Riise steps up his return to full fitness.

"I haven't trained as much as I wanted," he said. "I was out for about 10 days because of the injury and then I played a game [at West Ham].

"Then I was on international duty, before returning and playing at the weekend, so I'm looking forward to a good week of training before the next game at Wigan.

"They've [Wigan] done well so far. They've got a great manager but they've lost a couple of players such as Victor Moses.

"We go there to try and win and get three points and it's a game that if we play our best football, we'll be in with a shout."



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/having-dimitar-berbatov-at-fulham-is-amazing-says-john-arne-riise-8153010.html