Wednesday Fulham Stuff(26/09/12)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Midfielder target interest revived

Martin Jol is set to revive Fulham's interest in Atletico Madrid midfielder Raul Garcia when the January transfer window opens.

Jol is desperate to strengthen his midfield after a spate of injuries and looks set to go back in for the 26-year-old when the transfer window opens again in the New Year.

Everton, Liverpool and Newcastle were also keen on the Spaniard but they have other priorities now and may leave the way open for Jol to get his man.

Fulham were scared off by Atletico's £7million asking price and tried to get a loan deal done at the last minute.

Jol is considering an emergency move for currently unattached former Bolton midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker while the club have been offered two other free agent midfielders - ex-England international Owen Hargreaves and former Aston Villa and West Ham man Thomas Hizlsperger.



http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/midfielder-target-interest-revived-1474812.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Senderos makes Fulham comeback

PHILIPPE Senderos made his long-awaited return from injury in Fulham's development squad's victory against Manchester City on Monday.

The Swiss centre-back has missed the start of the season with a foot problem, but returned to full training a couple of weeks ago.

And Senderos came through the first 45 minutes of the 1-0 win at Motspur Park before being replaced by youngster Dan Burn.

Meanwhile, Zdenek Grygera played the full game as he continues his recovery from a knee injury, while David Stockdale, Pajtim Kasami and Marcello Trotta also featured.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2012/09/25/82029-31904941/?#ixzz27Xn0bgz8

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham striker Rodallega explains muted celebrations after sinking Wigan Athletic

Fulham striker Hugo Rodallega has revealed why he did not celebrate his goal against Wigan Athletic.

His strike for the Cottagers condemned his old club to a home defeat.

Rodallega said: "I did not celebrate my goal because I have too much respect for Wigan and their fans.

"My life here over the last three years was unbelievable. I had an amazing time and I've got such good memories of things like scoring the winner at Stoke on the last day.

"I couldn't celebrate having been through all those great things with them. It was great when they applauded me back, unusual and unbelievable.

"It was also good for my team-mates to congratulate me. They told me I can now relax and enjoy myself now I've scored."


Read more at http://www.clicklancashire.com/sport/wigan-athletic-fc/1213354-fulham-striker-rodallega-explains-muted-celebrations-after-sinking-wigan-athletic.html?#2rLmrGHpH01eG9iK.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Hoping To Make Saturday A City Hattrick Following Youth Success
by LRCN on SEPTEMBER 25, 2012


Kasami scored the winner as the Fulham U21s defeated their Man City counterparts
Fulham will approach the huge Saturday kick-off against Premier League champions Manchester City hoping to match the efforts of their U21 and U18 counterparts after two wins over the weekend.

The U18s won on Saturday thanks to a 3-2 victory with goals from Woodrow, Della Verde and Tankovic, a scoreline which flattered the high profile visitors who scored twice through 14-year old sensation Aaron Nemane. You can watch U18 highlights here.

The U21 side was stronger than their opponents, featuring the experience of Karagounis, Stockdale, Grygera and Senderos, the latter two continuing their rehabilitation from injury (the over-21 quotient is 3 outfield players and a goalkeeper). Kasami scored the only goal in a much tighter game, a tap in which hopefully will breed more confidence in the talented youngster.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/09/fulham-hoping-to-make-saturday-a-city-hattrick-following-youth-success/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham U18s 3 – 2 Manchester City U18s
by LRCN on SEPTEMBER 25, 2012


Woodrow opened the scoring in a five-goal thriller
A great article from Elgreenio on Friends Of Fulham about our U18 victory over Man City on Saturday. Well worth a read.

Fulham Under 18′s overcame their first real test this morning, narrowly beating astrong Man City team to maintain their 100% record this season.
The home side welcomed back Emerson Hyndman who had to settle for the bench after a rampaging performance at Middlesbrough last week. Oberschmidt continued in goal behind a back four of Donnelly, Passley, Arthurworrey and Jordan Evans who continues to keep Tom Richards out of the lineup. George Williams continued his Fulham life on the left wing, with young Patrick Roberts starting on the opposite side before he joins up with the England under 16′s for their victory shield outing against Northern Ireland this Thursday (be sure to tune in to Sky Sports 2 to check that out). In the centre it was a balancing act, as Solomon Sambou would offer the holding role to Lyle Della-Verde's marauding forward penetration. Captain Cauley Woodrow and Muamar Tankovic would continue up top after superb performances last week and the continued absence of Moussa Dembele.


A subdued start burst into life after Pat Roberts drove at the opposition left back and forced a free kick, which was delightfully curled into the box for Woodrow to meet with a strong header and force a great save from Lawlor in the City goal. It wasn't long before Roberts was playing a part in the attack, releasing a ball through to Woodrow who just didnt quite go direct enough and had to settle with a strike from a tight angle which Lawlor was more than equal to. It wasn't long before we saw the repeated diagonal balls from both Passley and Arthurworrey cause danger, Passley first up to find Williams who controlled well and slid inside for Tankovic to swivel neatly and curl a shot just wide of the far post.

The opening goal of the game came down the lively right hand side, where Roberts seemingly set the defender up to fail. For the first time he ducked outside of his man to reach the byline and fire across the 6 yard box, with Woodrow doing very well to adjust quickly and tame the cross into the back of the net. Fulham 1-0 Man City.

Passley again fired a familiar diagonal ball to the marauding Jordan Evans to cross for Woodrow. His turn in the box gave space for him to smash the bar with his weaker left foot. Not long after this, and some dangerous moves down either flank for the away team they were dealt a blow, when a long clearance from Oberschmidt was contested fairly by Woodrow and City skipper Swan, only for Swan to land awkwardly and have to be replaced by Murray.

By this point Fulham were starting to get going and had a few crosses down the left as well as the now familiar mazy dribbles down the right hand side from Roberts, but Man City's good pressing wasn't allowing the home side the complete domination they had seen last week against Middlesbrough, Della-Verde in particular getting caught on the ball a couple of times in dangerous positions.

The City pressing almost paid dividends when Passley was put under pressure allowing City possession, he did well to recover and block one attempt on the edge of the box, only for it to drop to not one, but two City players on the 6 yard line with only the keeper to beat. A miscued finish left the ball to trickle into the German keepers' arms.

Fulham responded again down the right with Roberts who found Woodrow to unleash another left footed shot just over the bar this time. Tankovic was to fire across the box in the next couple of minutes after good work down the opposite side. These two half chances were followed by what was some questionable decision making by the away team. It was Josh Passley who slipped and forced a weak ball back to Oberschmidt, the keeper being decisive to come and clear only for his clearance to ricochet off the City striker into the path of a City player some 30 yards out with the goal gaping. Instead of the obvious long range attempt he chose to slide it wide to the striker but just overhit the ball and allowed Fulham to recover.

Oberschmidt was called into action again after a City corner dropped to them on the edge of the box, only for the shot to be met by a strong keepers' hand and be pushed away from danger.

There was just about time for Williams to drive into the box before half time, beating a couple of players but in the end only forcing the corner.

Half Time : Fulham 1 Man City 0

Fulham made a half time change, Hyndman coming on for Passley, with Sambou slotting into central defence and Hyndman recomencing his partnership with Della-Verde in central midfield.

The opening moments of the 2nd half bought half chances for either team, Evans crossing only for the City keeper to withdraw his hand and allow Tankovic an unexpected chance. Unfortunately he couldnt adjust quick enough and the attempt was put over. Straight down the other end for City as Bytiqi's cruyff pass found Barker who slid the ball through Sambou's legs to go through on goal, but opting to cut back to beat another man instead of taking on the shot with only the keeper to beat.

Roberts floated in and out of the second half, his first forray of the second half leaving Della-Verde to cross for Woodrow, who's spectacular volley was met well by the City keeper.
Not long after that the home sides lead was doubled. George Williams showing that intensity withouth possession that summarised City's first half play to win the ball high up field and cut back for Della-Verde. The midfielders loose touch set the perfect run up for his own shot, somewhat of a howitzer as he cut across the ball releasing a curling effort into the top corner, perfectly moving away from the keeper who stood no chance from the 25 yard smash. Fulham 2-0 Man City.

The pace really slowed after this, Fulham perhaps believing the game was won, and City reeling somewhat after their high work rate out of possession in the first half. Their reaction was to bring on spritely Nemane for Hutton.

The ref wasn't helping the flow of the game though, a couple of times deciding not to play advantage when Tankovic was in good positions on both occasions. Though one free kick was fired low by Della-Verde, confident after his previous successful long-range attempt, only for the keeper to pull off a decent save.

It didn't take long for the City sub to put his stamp on the game, with City breaking at pace from a Fulham corner and Byrne finding Nemane who was able to cut across Evans in his drive into the box, and place his shot high into the corner of the net. Fulham 2-1 Man City.

Bytiqi was inches away from latching onto a through ball seconds later, with Oberschmidt quick off his line again to avert the danger, with Wigley raging on the sidelines at the Fulham backline to get tight to their men.

Wigley's raging sparked something, great work from Woodrow to salvage a really poor ball from Williams. The winger redeemed himself when Woodrow found him and the subsequent drive into the box, after beating a couple of defenders allowed Tankovic to steal in and fire low in the opposite direction, wrong-footing the keeper who just got a hand to it but couldn't stop the Swede's neat strike. Fulham 3-1 Man City.

Roberts, who had just drifited out of the game was soon after replaced by O'Halloran, who lost the ball early on and allowed City to break, Sambou on hand to cynically foul the breaking City forward. The resulting free kick was ballooned over everyone and out for a goal kick. Della-Verde down the other end showed how it's done, finding Woodrow who could only glance just wide after the referee again decided against playing advantage.

Man City set up a nervy ending to the game, with Arthurworrey passing straight to a City player to release the right winger who had lost Jordan Evans, the Welshman still adjusting to his new left back role and maybe not yet as defensively switched on to the danger. The resulting drive down the line and cross was met by Nemane's head at the far past for his second, this time having switched to the left for his goal. Fulham 3-2 Man City.

It was Donnelly taking one for the team next time out, Della-Verde caught on the ball again forcing the Irish right back to abruptly halt the City attack with a strong challenge as the home side were struggling to retain possession and City finding their second wind to set up a nervy ending to the match for the home side.

Some late probing was just about seen out, with City working the ball across the field well but struggling to find that killer pass to carve out an equaliser. The referee's final whistle a welcome relief for the home side, who maintained their 100% record this season and overcame their strongest opposition yet. In reality, neither team really got going on the day but Fulham would feel the win was deserved as they carved out plenty of chances with City lacking a final ball or that bit of craft to truly unlock a strong defence, albeit they managed to take some advantage of Passley, who was dominant and composed, leaving the field at half time.

Full Time : Fulham 3 Man City 2.

Fulham : Oberschmidt; Donnelly, Passley (Hyndman), Arthurworrey, Evans; Roberts (O'Halloran), Della-Verde, Sambou, Tankovic, Woodrow. Subs not used : Norman, Richards, O'Reilly

Man City : Lawlor; Tattum, El-Fuitori, Swan (Murray), Smith-Brown; Horsefield, Byrne, Hutton (Nemane), McHale; Bytiqi, Barker. Subs not used : Jones, O'Brien


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/09/fulham-u18s-3-2-manchester-city-u18s/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Wigan 1 – 2 Fulham ~ Player Ratings
by LRCN on SEPTEMBER 25, 2012


Duff's goal was much deserved, on a personal and team level
Fulham win away in September! It must be our earliest away win in four years, but it's always a relief to get that monkey off our back so quickly. It was a fair result too – but only just, as Wigan had much of the play.


Schwarzer – 8, provided the standout moment of the match from my point of view. With the lead just at a single goal, Wigan the dominant side and Koné bearing down at goal, an equaliser would surely shift the momentum well in the way of the home side. However, Schwarzer judged his charge supremely; any sooner and Koné would have been able to skip around him, any later and Koné would have had enough time to poke it at goal. As it was, Koné was smothered, and we retained our lead. Aside from that Schwarzer had to be sharp on a couple of occasions, and on the whole it was a very accomplished performance.

Hughes – 6, a bit shaky was Hughes despite being fresh from extending his contract. Koné, who was the most impressive Wigan performer on the day, out-muscled him too easily at times. However, when we were under pressure Hughes did enough to prevent Wigan opportunities with good defending.

Hangeland – 7, Wigan's wing backs found a lot of space and so had  many opportunities to cross in the ball. It required Hangeland to monitor the defence well and to dominate the box, two aspects where he was adequate for sure.

Riise – 6, his threat going forward was nullified with the aggressive positions taken by Wigan's wide players (in terms of the wing backs and rotating forward players). Having said that, other than a couple of times in the first half little came down his side, and so you could argue it was a fair trade off. Kacaniklic perhaps struggled because of it though.

Riether – 6, a bit different to Riise. We struggled to defend down his side – Beausejour was a notable threat all game and we were lucky not to concede from one of his attacks – but on the other hand he showed more attacking intent which was useful in relieving pressure when we needed it.

Baird – 6, not the passing masterclass that he perhaps provided last weekend but an assured performance nonetheless. In a game where we didn't have the majority of possession his defensive nous was needed, and he helped keep that possession in front of the back four.

Sidwell – 6, like Baird worked hard to snuff out the attacking threat outside of our box, although had a tendency to find himself out of position on occasion. He offered himself going forward too, notably sending in dangerous cross from deep in the right flank position which should have resulted in a Berbatov goal.

Kacaniklic – 5, a subdued game from the youngster. Not that we should be particularly concerned, they happen, but he never particularly ran at Boyce or had the ball in dangerous situation, and it was noticeable how our attacking intent picked up when Ruiz came on for him.

Duff – 8, another boss performance from the Irishman who in just five games has scored three goals and in doing so has surpassed his goal tally in the league for last season. It was a sweet strike, impossible to have been hit truer, across the keeper into the side netting with his weaker foot for the extra shabaz. He also offered an attacking threat and was capable of exploiting Beausejour's defensive deficiencies, something we perhaps should have one a bit more of seeing as

Berbatov – 8, an undoubted virtuoso on the ball as he conducted the well-rehearsed concerto of Fulham's opening half. It included two delicious balls from out wide in to Rodallega, placed perfectly on his head (the second of which resulted in our opener). Wigan struggled with his use of the ball from deep, his movement and touch too clever, although he was starved of it in the middle third of the game. He will be disappointed not to have scored from 10 yards but Al Habsi smothered him well.


Rodallega opened his Fulham account courtesy of a Berbatov cross
Rodallega – 8, I said to anyone who would listen that Rodallega would score on Saturday and thankfully he didn't make me look like an idiot. It was a great leap and a powerful header, and that in tandem with his pace and strength demonstrate we have a great physical option upfront. His link-up play with Berbatov is promising, and it was from that combination the header was created. He also played a part in the second goal after he was moved out wide left, charging forward and feeding the ball into Ruiz. The aimless ball played in the second half when he was expecting the left back or left winger (instinctively assuming he was a centre forward) demonstrates he's not quite in tune with the team but he looks dangerous and exciting.

~Subs~

Ruiz – 7, he was bright when he came on, and the way he shook off the four Wigan players surrounding him to prod the ball to Duff suggests that he is prepared to be more physical this year. I look forward to seeing Berbatov and Ruiz link up in a more dominant display, but he helped regain some control in our attacking third. He did give the ball away a couple of times quite dangerously.

Briggs – N/A, a late sub to shore up our midfield and offer a better shape than having Rodallega in the left of midfield. He didn't have time to shine particularly but it was nice to see him.

LRCN



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/09/wigan-1-2-fulham-player-ratings/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Former Fulham and Tottenham midfielder Sean Davis forced to retire


Sean Davis: Forced to announce his retirement after failing to recover from a knee injury

Former Fulham and Tottenham midfielder Sean Davis has been forced to retire from football through a knee injury - but is determined to stay in the game.

The 33-year-old joined Bolton in 2009 but sustained two serious knee injuries, which restricted him to just three appearances for the Trotters.

However, the former England Under 21 international is adamant he wants to remain in football, and far from this being the end, he feels it can be a new beginning for him.

"I've made the decision to retire from football but it's been something I've had time to think about and reflect on because of the amount of time I've been injured," he told skysports.com.

"For three years I've been out. I've tried coming back and it's not been quite right, that's something that is hard to take. I'm disappointed but I want to see what else is out there for me, I have to see it as an opportunity to do something else.

"I still want to be in the game and I believe I have a lot to offer, in what capacity, I'm not quite sure yet, but the idea of working with young players appeals to me."

Davis tried to revive his career last season with a short-term move to Bristol City in a final bid to extend his playing days.

Yet, that period only served to confirm his fears that he might have to hang up his boots.

"When I went on-loan to Bristol City, my knee was like a balloon after games," he added.

"After speaking to the experts, they've told me it will never be strong enough to withstand the intensity of games."

It's while talking about Fulham that Davis becomes most enthused. It's the club where he progressed through the ranks and one that he would later make 155 appearances for. He also holds the distinction of being amongst a select group of professionals that have played in all four divisions.

Spells at Spurs and Pompey followed but his affinity with Martin Jol's side remains as strong as ever.

"Fulham have been a big part of my life, I will be going down there to watch a few games and enjoy being a fan again," added Davis

It was under the tutelage of Jean Tigana that the Battersea-born midfielder really blossomed at Craven Cottage, and he now wants to inspire other youngsters from his area to replicate his feats.

"Someone told me recently that since I joined Fulham, no other player from Battersea has made it as a professional footballer from that area," he continued.

"There is so much talent in that area and if that is true, I would like to try and help change that. Growing up there were better players than me around, but maybe they didn't have the support and sadly fell by the wayside.

"I know exactly how to relate to these players and I believe that I could help them fulfil their potential. Working with young players definitely appeals to me and in time is something I will look at."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/8109794?

[WhiteJC]

 
Glovers turn to giant Fulham back Burn

Yeovil Town have raided Fulham to bring young defender Daniel Burn to Huish Park on a youth loan basis.

The 20-year-old centre half stands at 6ft 6in and started at out at Darlington. However, he joined Fulham in the summer of 2011 for a fee reportedly worth £350,000 after only 19 appearances for the Quakers.

Although he is yet to make the breakthrough at Craven Cottage, he is highly regarded and has drawn comparisons to captain Brede Hangeland and Chris Smalling, who joined Manchester United after joining Fulham from Maidstone.

Burn has signed for an initial month and will go straight into the Glovers' squad for Saturday's testing trip to Preston North End.

Gary Johnson's side have lost their last four npower League One matches and defeat this weekend would create unwanted club record. Yeovil have not lost five games in a row since their promotion to the Football League in 2003.

The arrival of Burn also swells the ranks after the Glovers ended the loan spell of Chelsea's young defender/midfielder Rohan Ince.

Despite some impressive performances in pre-season, Ince never fully recovered from an ankle injury and returned to Stamford Bridge earlier this week.

Fellow Blue Archange Nkumu has seen his loan spell with Yeovil expire, but Johnson is yet to decide whether to take it into a second month or allow him to return to West London.

The 18-year-old has made only one substitute appearance for Yeovil since arriving from Chelsea.

On the plus side for Yeovil, midfielder Gavin Williams has spoken of his relief at finally getting back to action.

The 32-year-old former Bristol City and Rovers man made his first appearance of the season in last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Sheffield United after a lengthy spell out with a groin problem.

"It's been really frustrating to be honest," he said. "It was an injury that we thought would only take two or three weeks. Every time I came back to try to train, it would sort of go again, so it's really pleasing to be back, especially to get 90 minutes under my belt.

"You ask any footballer who is not playing, especially the lads who have done so well early on and then have had this spell out.

"You want to be out there and helping the club to win games. You can't really explain how frustrating it's been. I've been so miserable, but it's pleasing to finally get a game.

I didn't think that I would have lasted 90 minutes. I felt all right really. It was just in the last 10 minutes really that my legs had gone. But that will come with games."


http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/story-16987757-detail/story.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Loan Duo Delight

Fulham's Marcus Bettinelli kept a clean sheet as Dartford closed the gap on the Blue Square Bet Play-Off pack with a 2-0 win at Braintree Town on Tuesday night.

Tom Bonner opened the scoring, before Bettinelli made a fine save from Brad Quinton to maintain Dartford's lead. Jacob Erskine then doubled the visitors' advantage and sealed the three points when he headed home.

Dartford are next in action on Saturday (3pm) when they host bottom-of-the-table Hyde.

Hyde slipped down to the foot of the table after Fulham's Richard Peniket helped Kidderminster Harriers to a 3-1 win at Cambridge United on Tuesday.

The victory was Kidderminster's first of the season, although Peniket is yet to play in a losing side since joining Harriers on loan, with the Midlands side drawing five games and winning one since the striker's arrival.

Harriers host Macclesfield Town on Saturday (3pm).



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/26/loan-duo-delight?

[WhiteJC]

 
Two Mates for a Fiver

Sunderland visit Craven Cottage on Sunday 18th November (4pm) and there are fantastic ticket offers available for our loyal Season Ticket Holders and Members.
Season Ticket Holders are able to purchase two extra tickets for just £5 each in the Putney End - saving £30 per ticket! Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Ticket Office on 0843 208 1234 (option 1).

That's not all though, our Fulham Members are entitled to a £5 discount on one or two adult tickets in all areas of the ground. These tickets are available online, in person or by calling the Ticket Office on 0843 208 1234 (option 1).

All tickets are subject to availability, terms and conditions apply. Special offers expire 10 days before the match.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/26/two-mates-for-a-fiver?

[WhiteJC]

 
Southampton Back On Sale

The Club has been allocated a further 721 tickets for our game away to Southampton on Sunday 7th October (1.30pm).
Tickets can be purchased in person from the Ticket Office, by phone on 0843 208 1234 option 1, or online at fulhamfc.com.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/26/southampton-back-on-sale?

[WhiteJC]

 
Where have all the Norwegians gone from the Premier League?



Solskjaer, Bakke, Leonhardsen, Flo, Johnsen all a few of the big Norwegian names to have once graced our land but now only Alexander Tettey of Norwich City and Brede Hangeland & John Arne Riise of Fulham remain. Why?

Growing up I always had a secret affinity for the Norwegian national football team. Maybe it had something to do with my Nordic looks or the fact that for a brief period in the mid-90's they were in fact ranked the World's second best team.

The real reason for this attraction to the Norwegian national football team was more than likely due to the amount of talented Norwegian footballers playing in the Premier League week in week out.

To demonstrate that fact you only have to go back in time to France 1998 where the Scandinavian sides World Cup squad was littered with Premier League stars. 11 of the players in that team plied their trade in the Premier League and even Stale Solbaken, Veggard Heggem, Jostein Flo, Havard Flo and Vidar Riseth had or would eventually go on to play on our shores meaning 16 of the 22 had connections to the English game.

So where have all the Norwegians gone?

Two years later the number had decreased slightly at Euro 2000 with just nine Premier League representatives but future Premier League stars such as John Carew and John Arne Riise were in the squad so there was still much English connection going on while Vidar Riseth was playing for Celtic in Scotland.

Now however not only are the numbers playing in the Norwegian squad dwindling but currently there are only three Norwegian's currently playing in England's top-flight; Brede Hangeland and John Arne Riise are joined by Alexander Tettey of Norwich in the surprisingly low tally (interestingly Riise is the only player born in Norway to play in the Premier League as Hangeland and Tettey were born in Texas and Ghana respectively).

At first glance I figured they had perhaps just been moving elsewhere, with an increase in participation in the Netherlands and the Bundesliga but that doesn't seem to be the case as only five Norwegians currently play in Germany and just the three in the Eredivisie.

It could be that Norwegian players have become more expensive as a result of the success of players such as Oyvind Leonhardsen, Tore Andre Flo and Eirik Bakke in England as well as the proximity to our shores no longer being of a huge advantage. In this modern world scouting missions can be done far and wide with the utilisation of African, South American and Eastern European talent now much more widespread, in fact the Norwegian league has seen its fair share of impressive youngsters from Africa especially making the grade, for example John Obi Mikel. Not to mention an ability to bring in players from big countries such as Italy, France and Germany as the Premier League reaches its gigantic stature.

It also brings up a chicken and egg argument; whether Norwegian talent is diminishing or that the lack of involvement of Norwegians in the Premier League has had a knock on effect to the national side; who have not qualified for a major tournament since Euro 2000.

It is a shame though to see a dwindling in the numbers of not just Norwegians but Scandinavians as a whole as so many of them have brought us a lot of joy over the years. At the moment there are just five Swedes and two of each from Denmark, Iceland and Finland joining the Norwegian trio on the list.

So why are less Scandinavians playing in the Premier League? Can you name the ones who are? And who are your favourites from the region to play in the Premier League?




http://hereisthecity.com/2012/09/25/mn-where-have-all-the-norwegians-gone-from-the-premier-league/?

[WhiteJC]

Hat-trick Hope

Under-21 Manager Kit Symons is hoping Fulham can record a third Club victory in just over a week against Manchester City on Saturday.

Symons believes Fulham are more than capable of upsetting the odds at Craven Cottage against the Barclays Premier League Champions and continue the outstanding recent set of results achieved against his former club City by our Under-21 and Under-18 teams.

"It would be nice to win on Saturday because the Under-18s beat Man City 3-2 last Saturday and we beat their Under-21 team on Monday afternoon," explained Symons to fulhamfc.com. "If the First Team can make it a hat-trick on Saturday it would be fantastic!

"They [Manchester City] know they'll be in for a tough test this weekend. We're a very well organised side; we're strong, and tough to beat.

"If we go in 0-0 at half-time, or certainly not behind, then we've got a great chance. The longer the game goes on and we stay in it, our belief will grow.

"Craven Cottage is also a really difficult place to come and play. As much as it's a lovely part of London and a lovely old ground with tremendous character, I don't think teams generally enjoy coming to play us at our home ground."

Symons made more than 100 appearances for both City and the Whites during a highly successful playing career, and Fulham's Under-21 Manager was evidently delighted to see his former club lift the Premier League trophy last season.

"When I first signed for Manchester City people like Niall Quinn were there and then players like Georgi Kinkladze came in – real top footballers. However, there were a lot of players coming and going during my three years and also managers too.

"It was a really difficult time for the football club, but maybe that's what has shaped them and helped them become what they are today. Sometimes you have to go through the bad times to appreciate the good.

"When I was at City the club really struggled, but the fans were always fantastic and turned up in their numbers. It was going so badly that it almost became a cult thing to go and watch the team because some of the football dished out at the time wasn't too attractive! They've got brilliant supporters.

"I was delighted they won the league last year, but only because we weren't in the running! I was jumping up and down on the last day of the season when they scored that goal, more for the fans than anything else. There are still a lot of people working for the club that were there when I was there - so I was delighted for them too."

Symons' fortunes soon changed after his move to SW6 in 1998, as promotion successes with Fulham replaced relegation battles at City.

"Both clubs have progressed but the changes at City since I was there have been wholesale," added Symons. "I think they've still kept the closeness with the support base which is massive.

"I went from two relegations in three years with City to come to Fulham and enjoy two promotions in three years. As much as it was a tough time playing up there, I'm delighted to see them doing so well but there are certainly no split allegiances. I want City to do well for the people who work there that are friends of mine and the fans, but it's always Fulham all the way for me."

Fulham can record a third successive Premier League victory this weekend and Symons praised the newly-formed partnership of Steve Sidwell and Chris Baird in central midfield as a key ingredient to the Team's recent winning form.

"Steve and Chris are both top, top professionals and good solid citizens as players," he said. "They're both very reliable and it's not a surprise to me that they've looked so strong together in central midfield.

"Chris Baird's performance against West Bromwich Albion was fantastic. He was pinging the ball around and it was great to watch.That was a really good performance and even before the sending off I thought we were by far and away the better team and worthy of our win."

Symons was also delighted to see Alex Smith, one of his former Academy scholars, introduced in the final stages of the game against West Brom. Despite only being on the pitch for a matter of minutes, Smith certainly made an impact on those present at Craven Cottage.

"Alex did really well when he came on and was really positive in his play," said Symons. "You could hear the crowd urging him on. I spoke to him after the match and he really enjoyed it.

"He didn't look out of place at all. Fair enough, the game was dead and it was right at the end, but it was a great experience for him. He also played very well for the Under-21 team on Monday when we beat Manchester City. He's coming on nicely."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/26/symons-city-preview?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham look to Spaniard to add creative spark to their midfield
Former Osasuna playmaker sounded out as a replacement for their deadline day losses

Fulham are in the market to beef up their midfield after losing creative talents Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey to Tottenham on transfer deadline day.

The Cottagers are priced up at 7/2 to knock over Man City in their next game and have reportedly re-ignited their interest in Spanish under-21 international Raul Garcia, after originally balking at the £7m Atletico Madrid were demanding for his services during the summer.

Martin Jol turned to veteran free-agent Giorgios Karagounis to help inject some class to Fulham's midfield, with the late exits of Dempsey and Dembele leaving them little time to source an apt replacement.

The former Greek captain is, at 35, obviously only regarded as a very short-term solution and, with the funds raised from those two high-profile sales, Jol is likely to be given money to spend when the January window opens.

This could well see him move for the Atletico schemer, who has often found himself on the sidelines at the Vicente Calderon.
Garcia was loaned back to former club Osasuna last season where he played a pivotal role in helping them achieve a seventh-place finish, missing out on European qualification by a single point.

He made 33 appearances last term, netting 11 goals in the process, four more than in the previous four years he spent at Atletico.

Fulham have started their last two league games with Chris Baird and Steve Sidwell in central midfield berths. Their games are more defensively focussed, lacking the ingenuity to pick a killer ball which Garcia possesses, as well as an eye for goal.

He laid on eight goals in addition to the 11 he netted in La Liga last term and his quality will go a long way to filling the voids vacated by Dempsey and Dembele's switch from west to north London.



http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/premier-league/fulham-look-to-spaniard-to-add-creative-spark-to-their-midfield_118767.html