Saturday Fulham Stuff (29/09/12)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol rules out moves for ex-Man City & Man Utd star and former Villa man

Martin Jol admits he is hoping to strengthen Fulham's midfield with free agents but has ruled out moves for Owen Hargreaves and former Bolton and Aston Villa star Nigel Reo-Coker.

With Mahamadou Diarra's knee problem likely to keep him out for another four weeks and new signing Giorgos Karagounis still working towards match fitness, Jol's side are light in midfield.

Jol says he hopes to bring in a mystery foreign player next week and has rejected links with Englishmen Hargreaves and Reo-Coker.

"We're trying to do something in the next couple of days but not with Nigel Reo-Coker or Owen Hargreaves," he said.

"It will be a central midfielder from abroad and we will have to test him to see if he's fit and then we will talk to him.

"I'm confident of having the deal sorted next week."



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/jol_rules_out_moves_for_ex_man_city_man_utd_star_and_former_villa_man_1_1535331?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov to miss Manchester City clash

Dimitar Berbatov has been ruled out of Fulham's Premier League fixture against Manchester City.

The £5m summer signing sustained an injury during training with what was the final shot of practice. The hip/upper thigh problem will keep the Bulgarian striker out of action for the next two weeks.

It is a massive blow for the Cottagers who entertain the champions at Craven Cottage this Saturday. Since joining from Manchester United, Berbatov has been in scintillating form, scoring twice on his home debut and helping Fulham to their first away win of the season over Wigan last weekend.

"I was very pleased [with his impact] because we were worried because we lost our quality in midfield and that was probably our biggest quality," Fulham manager Martin Jol said today, referring to the departures of Clint Dempsey and Mousa Dembele to Tottenham.

"We had one that scored the goals and one that was good on the ball and then he came and he almost filled two positions in one.

"He was a number nine but he played in a number 10 role so for us it was quite good that he was there, but he is injured now and can't play tomorrow so that is a big disappointing thing. He will be out for the next two weeks.

"Berbatov looked good in the training session as usual and then the final shot [of the session] he felt something and he had to go in and stop training.

"It appears he has not got a tear but a problem with his hip, upper thigh so we couldn't take the risk to involve him tomorrow."

Mladen Petric, another of Fulham's summer signing, will likely come in to partner Hugo Rodellega in attack.



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-striker-dimitar-berbatov-to-miss-manchester-city-clash-8190098.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Match Odds

Martin Jol's Team will certainly upset the odds this weekend if they claim all three points against Manchester City, but the Club's official betting partner, Bet Butler, has some interesting odds for Fulham fans feeling confident of a home win.

Fulham to win the match 2-1 is rated at 17/1, whilst a high-scoring 3-2 victory for the Whites is available at 42/1.

Fans looking for an outside bet might consider Brede Hangeland heading home from a set piece first at 41/1.

Supporters looking for a more conservative bet could bank on a repeat of last season's 2-2 home draw, which is available at 15/1 with Bet Butler.

Supporters wishing to place a bet can visit the Club's official betting partner, Bet Butler, for all the latest match odds.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/28/bet-butler-odds?

[WhiteJC]

 
Injury Blow For Berbatov
by LRCN on SEPTEMBER 28, 2012


Berbatov has registered two goals and an assist in his two appearances

In today's pre-match press conference, Fulham manager Martin Jol announced the unfortunate news that star striker Dimitar Berbatov is set to be out for the next two weeks – including tomorrow's big game against League champions Manchester City. On the injury Jol said:

In his session he was looking good, as usual, and then his final shot he felt something and he had to go in and stop training. It appears he had – not a tear – but a sort of problem with his hip and upper thigh so we couldn't take the risk to involve him against City.

It was not all bad news, as Diarra's injury only means a further four week absence – far less time than was initially feared – as well as the resumption to training of Dejegah, Richardson and Frei; the latter is expected to feature right away.

LRCN



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/09/injury-blow-for-berbatov/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Close To Signing 'Foreign Midfielder'
by LRCN on SEPTEMBER 28, 2012


Martin Jol is interested in adding further to his midfield options

After the addition of experienced Greek international Karagounis, signed on a free transfer just two weeks ago, Martin Jol is set to sign another out-of-contract midfielder from abroad. Although coy with his answer, Jol was specific enough to rule out two Englishmen Fulham have been heavily linked with recently:

We're trying to do something in the next couple of days but not with Nigel Reo-Coker or Owen Hargreaves. It will be a central midfielder from abroad and we will have to test him to see if he's fit and then we will talk to him. I'm confident of having the deal sorted next week.

Karagounis is still awaiting his Fulham debut but following his run-out for the U21s in the week is expected to play a role against Manchester City tomorrow. Jol also signed Mahamadou Diarra in February following his release from Monaco.

LRCN


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/09/fulham-close-to-signing-foreign-midfielder/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham handed Diarra injury boost


Mahamadou Diarra

FULHAM boss Martin Jol has been handed an injury boost after Mahamadou Diarra's knee injury wasn't as bad as feared.

The Mali midfielder suffered a knee problem on international duty which could've ruled him out for up to six months if it proved he had suffered cruciate damage.

However, Diarra went under the knife to get to the root of the problem which showed he hadn't sustained a serious injury.

Jol said: "Diarra had a minor operation so he will be out for the next four weeks at least.

"They removed a little piece of bone from his knee. They had a look but there was not a lot of damage.

"If there was damage to his cruciate or ligaments he could've been out for longer.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2012/09/28/82029-31925716/?#ixzz27pvNKSP8

[WhiteJC]

 
Berbatov blow for Fulham ahead of Manchester City clash

Fulham v Manchester City

DIMITAR Berbatov has been ruled out for two weeks after getting crocked in training ahead of tomorrow's clash with Manchester City.

The Fulham frontman pulled up in a session on Thursday with a hip/thigh problem that will rule him out of the visit of the champions and next weekend's trip to Southampton.

"Unfortunately Dimitar is injured now and can't play on Saturday so that is the disappointing thing," said Jol.

"In his session he was looking good, as usual, and then his final shot he felt something and he had to go in and stop training.

"It appears he had – not a tear – but a sort of problem with his hip and upper thigh so we couldn't take the risk to involve him against City."

Ashkan Dejagah, Kieran Richardson and Philippe Senderos are back in full training but unlikely to be involved, while Mahamadou Diarra (knee) faces a month on the sidelines.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2012/09/28/82029-31927176/?#ixzz27pvbYAY6

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham v Manchester City: squad sheets

Manchester City's has been a stodgy start to the season, their unbeaten league record rather deceptive with too many draws and far too many goals shipped en route. Roberto Mancini's side arrive at Craven Cottage, where they dropped their first points last term, without a clean sheet and feeling vulnerable. Fulham have won this fixture only once since these teams met in the third tier back in 1998, but they have rallied in recent weeks. Dimitar Berbatov's absence is a considerable blow, but both their home games have been won emphatically. They can test City's fragile form. Dominic Fifield

Venue Craven Cottage, Saturday 3pm

Tickets Sold out

Last season Fulham 2 Man City 2

Referee M Halsey

This season's matches 2 Y4, R2, 3.00 cards per game

Odds Fulham 10-3 Man City 5-6 Draw 13-5


Probable starters in bold, contenders in light
Photograph: Graphic

Fulham

Subs from Stockdale, Etheridge, Somogyi, Smith, Kelly, Ruiz, Briggs, Kasami, Richardson, Dejagah, Senderos, Rodallega, Trotta

Doubtful Dejagah, Richardson, Senderos (all match fitness)

Injured Berbatov (thigh, 21 Oct), Diarra (knee, Nov), Frei (pelvis, unknown), Davies (hip, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide WWLLWL

Disciplinary record Y4 R0

Leading scorer Duff 3


Man City

Subs from Pantilimon, Nielsen, Lescott, Milner, Garcia, Kolarov, K Touré, Razak, Sinclair, Tchuimeni-Nimely, Dzeko

Doubtful None

Injured Tevez (match fitness, 3 Oct), Maicon (foot, 6 Oct), Richards (ankle, 21 Oct), Guidetti (leg, 21 Oct), Rodwell (groin, 6 Oct)

Suspended None

Form guide DDWDWW

Disciplinary record Y5 R0

Leading scorer Tevez 3

Match pointers

• Fulham have won none of the last six Premier League games against Man City

• Man City have allowed their opponents fewest shots in the division this season (15)

• Fulham boast the best shot accuracy in the top flight, hitting the target with 68% of them, and have also mustered the most shots on target (41)

• Fulham v Man City is the most-played Premier League fixture (20 games) that has not featured a red card

• Damien Duff has already scored more Premier League goals this season (3) than he managed in 2011-12 (2)



http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/sep/28/fulham-manchester-city-squad-sheets?

[WhiteJC]

 
Man City need more than luck to get a win against Fulham

Manchester City face a really tough trip to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham, and the draw looks worth a wager at 3.75 withBetfred.

City are generally 1.83 chances and that would look a gift under normal circumstances.

However the defending champions have so far not looked at their best this season, and Roberto Mancini's men have shipped 14 goals in seven games so far leading to the Italian admitting that "the defenders don't work well at this moment".

That has to be a worry given that Fulham are looking for a third straight win in the league and are the joint-top scorers in the top flight with 12 goals alongside Manchester United, and in my book makes City well worth opposing at odds-on.

However, Fulham have won none of the last six Premier League games against City (W0 D3 L3), and just one of the last 10 Premier League home games against the Citizens.

That suggest that they may well struggle to bag all three points, but I do think they are capable of sharing the spoils.
What I am expecting is plenty of goals, and this sets up two potentially decent punts in my eyes.

In the last 17 meetings between these two, there has been on just one occasion when both have failed to score so the 1.73 on offer with Betfred and Boylesports about both netting an outstanding bet.

Over 2.5 goals also makes plenty of appeal at 1.8 with Boylesports, and I am going to take a punt on 2-2 at a price of 15 with Betfred.



Read more at http://soccerlens.com/fulham-manchester-city/36206/?#ILuh0cQaVSopMcdf.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss Martin Jol set to sign free agent midfielder after Mahamadou Diarra injury

Fulham boss Martin Jol has confirmed he is set to sign a midfielder after the injury to Mahamadou Diarra.

Although the Mali international will now be out for just a month, Jol wants to give himself more cover.

The Cottagers had been linked with free agents Owen Hargreaves and Nigel Reo-Coker but Jol has revealed he plans to sign a defensive midfielder from overseas.

"We are trying to do something in the next couple of days but not with the players you mentioned," he said.

"It will be a central midfielder. We have to go abroad and we have to test him to see if he is 100 per cent fit and we will talk to him. We hope to get it done next week."

Fulham had expected Diarra to be out for most of the season after injuring his left knee but surgery has shown the problem is not as bad as first feared.

"Diarra had a minor operation but he will still be out for the next four weeks at least," Jol added.

"They removed a few little pieces of bone from his knee but that was it, so that was pleasing.

"There was not a lot of damage so they had a look in his knee and that was it.

"The first option was to have a look and hope it was not that bad and it wasn't.

"If there would have been more damage with his cruciate or his ligaments then he could have been out for more."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/8118314?

[WhiteJC]

 
City desperate to win

MANCHESTER — Manchester City visit Fulham on Saturday desperate to end a run of four games without a win and rediscover the defensive qualities that helped them win the Premier League title last season.
Roberto Mancini's team have conceded 16 goals in their opening eight league and cup games this term and visit in-form Fulham at Craven Cottage in the midst of a run that has seen them secure league draws against Stoke and Arsenal while recording defeats in cup competitions against Real Madrid and Aston Villa.

In the league, the champions are undefeated but a lack of clean sheets has seen them win just two of their five Premier League games to date. By contrast, when City completed their fifth league game 12 months ago — coincidentally a 2-2 draw at Fulham — they had won four and drawn one.

"If you want to win the Premier League, you have to be able to keep clean sheets," said City defender Kolo Toure. "We haven't been able to do that as a team and we need to work on that with the manager, definitely."

The opening to City's campaign has also featured numerous changes to personnel, tactics and formations by Mancini as he has attempted to find a winning formula, although Toure insisted the lack of continuity has had no ill effect on the side.

"We leave the manager to make his decision," said Toure. "He is the boss and he does what he thinks is best for the team. We are professional players and we just need to adapt to what he is doing."

Maicon, used in the league just once since joining City on transfer deadline day, may be called up at Craven Cottage after struggling for fitness and form since his £3 million transfer from Inter Milan.

And the Brazilian offered a fascinating insight into Mancini, for whom he played in Italy.

"All winning coaches are the same. If Alex (Ferguson) has the hairdryer, Roberto has the same," he said.

"All winning managers are the same and they show this passion to the players because really want to win. Roberto is no different.

"The manager doesn't like conceding goals and he's very passionate about that and he's already working on that. We will do even more work and our focus is on improving that and improving the team's results as soon as possible."

Italian boss Mancini must also decide whether to hand a third league start of the season to controversial forward Mario Balotelli, with whom he was seen to exchange words at the end of last week's home draw with Arsenal amid reports the player was unhappy with his limited use as a substitute.

Fulham lie sixth, a place ahead of City on goal difference after an impressive start with Dimitar Berbatov, signed on transfer deadline day from Manchester United, the stand-out performer in the back-to-back victories over West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic coming into this game.

Berbatov has struck up a promising understanding with Hugo Rodallega who scored his first goal for the Cottagers at Wigan and the pair will expect to test Mancini's side.

"Berbatov is a fantastic striker, he's been one of the best for many years now," Rodallega said. "It's a pleasure to play alongside him, and I think we work well together. He doesn't just score goals, but he creates them too.



http://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/inside_sport.asp?xfile=/data/football/2012/September/football_September113.xml&section=football&col=

[WhiteJC]

 
Five ways Fulham can beat Manchester City

Not many people will give Fulham a chance of picking up a result this weekend against Manchester City. This is despite the fact Fulham are ahead of Roberto Mancini's side on the Premier League table and go into the game after back-to-back wins. Here are five ways that Fulham can beat Manchester City.

A Compact Defence

Other than the 3-0 away defeat to West Ham United and the 3-2 away defeat to Manchester United, Fulham have not leaked more than one goal in a game this season. Fulham have to keep a compact defence if they are going to deal with Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and the rest. The way they do this is by staying narrow when City have the ball in midfield and stay tight when City have the ball out wide so they can move together as a unit to soak up the pressure.


The Midfield Battle

The midfield battle is very important and Fulham have to make their presence known. Steve Sidwell has a big job to do in terms of getting stuck in. It's worth him and one or two other Fulham players giving away a couple of fouls and risking a yellow card just to make City aware that it's going to be very difficult for them to move the ball fluently in the middle of the pitch. If Fulham don't make things scrappy then City are just going to create multiple chances until they score.

A Lethal Attack

Fulham need to be lethal and ruthless in attack. They may only get one or two brilliant chances to score in the entire match due to the dominance that City are likely to have in terms of possession. Mladen Petric and Hugo Rodallega are both very good finishers in and around the penalty area. With Berbatov injured it gives Petric a chance to come back into the team and stake a claim, and the man who was so impressive in pre-season will have a point to prove.

Brede Hangeland v Sergio Aguero

Last season and the season before saw Brede Hangeland produce some of his finest form in a Fulham shirt. There were rumours that Manchester United were trying to sign him and he needs to get back to his best if Fulham are going to win this match. Hangeland needs to be all over Aguero like a rash so that every time the ball is fed into the Argentine striker, he is met with an immense physical threat from the huge defender.

Play Wider

Manchester City will be happy to play the match narrow because they have the players to compete for the ball in the middle. Fulham need to utilise the wide areas and get Damien Duff on the ball regularly. City have looked vulnerable down the flanks this season. Scott Sinclair played in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal but he was easily contained as he was the only serious wide threat. If Fulham can force City into a narrow formation then they will have plenty of space to exploit.



http://hereisthecity.com/2012/09/28/ld-how-fulham-can-beat-manchester-city/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham strike force ready to down Man City

Fulham manager Martin Jol will be confident of his options up front as his team prepares to host reigning champions Manchester City.

Jol has signed three strikers during the European summer transfer window and all three, Mladen Petric, Hugo Rodallega and Dimitar Berbatov, have scored for Fulham this season.

Rodallega struck the opening goal for Fulham in their 2-1 win away to Wigan last week after being set up by Berbatov.

A flowing move down the right culminated in the ball arriving at Berbatov's feet and the Bulgarian crossed to the six-yard box, where Rodallega leapt highest to thump a header into the net.

Fulham are joint top-scorers in the English Premier League with 12 goals from five games, matched only by second-placed Manchester United.

The London-based club have won both their home games this season without conceding a goal and considering Manchester City's defence has looked quite shaky in the league so far, Jol will have belief Fulham can snatch a win on Sunday.

The reigning champions showed their defensive frailties in the League Cup on Tuesday as they were knocked out 4-2 by Aston Villa and although captain Vincent Kompany should return against Fulham to strengthen the back four, City remain suspect in defence. Manchester City have not kept a clean sheet in any competition this season and have conceded two goals per game on average.

Sunday's clash pits sixth-placed Fulham against seventh-placed Manchester City and a victory could see Jol's side move into second if Manchester United lose to Tottenham and other results go the London club's way this weekend.

While attack looks good for Fulham, midfield is a problem area for Jol as Mahamadou Diarra, Simon Davies and Kieran Richardson are all out injured, prompting the Dutch manager to reportedly look at former Bolton midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker as a possible free signing.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini could have Samir Nasri back in action for the trip to London after the French midfielder missed his club's past two games with a hamstring injury.

But Mancini's side will face a tough task at Fulham as the home side have scored eight goals in two games on their own turf in the EPL.



http://www.punchng.com/sports/fulham-strike-force-ready-to-down-man-city/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol looking to add steel in midfield at Fulham after Diarra ruled out for a month

Martin Jol plans to shore up Fulham's midfield with a player from his days at Hamburg.

The Whites lost a number key midfielders this summer, with Mousa Dembele, Clint Dempsey and Danny Murphy the headline departures.

Giorgos Karagounis and Kieran Richardson have been brought in to bolster numbers but, with Mahamadou Diarra out injured for at least a month, Jol plans to bring in a defensive midfielder.


In the market: Martin Jol is looking to sign a player from his tenure as Hamburg manager

The Dutchman rejected talk it could be Owen Hargreaves or Nigel Reo-Coker, revealing instead it would be a player from abroad - and one he managed during the season the spent in charge at Hamburg.

'It will be a holding player because I had Chris Baird there last week and I needed him elsewhere because Senderos is still injured,' Jol said.

'Something happened to [Brede] Hangeland so I had to play Chris at the back and we struggled in midfield so I need a real number four.

'It's not a mystery player, the only thing is we haven't spoken to him yet.

'I don't want to mention his name because if I mention his name, maybe another club will jump on him and I don't want to take that risk.

'As it looks now, we tested him and he looked fine and it will be a number four who played abroad, who played for me in Hamburg.'

One player who fits this bill is French-born Senegalese midfielder Mickael Tavares, who played under him at hamburg, but Jol would not name the transfer target.

Jol will face several other players from his Bundesliga days on Saturday when Fulham take on Manchester City.


Out: Mahamadou Diarra has been ruled out for at least a month


Out: Mahamadou Diarra has been ruled out for at least a month

The Dutchman managed Vincent Kompany for one game at HSV before the defender left for England, while he saw Edin Dzeko's destructive goal-scoring form at Wolfsburg first hand.

The Bosnia international scored 22 goals as the the Wolves won the 2008-09 Bundesliga title and, while he has found it harder to net in the Premier League, Jol knows he has the class to succeed.

'I can remember Wolfsburg being champions and it was because of him,' he said. "He was the top scorer in Germany and that is not easy.

'But he played with quite a few good players up front if you compare Wolfsburg then with the team now. It is a big difference.


Champions: Manchester City were on their way to London via train on Friday


He'll succeed: Jol believes Manchester City's Edin Dzeko has the class to triumph in the Premier League

'They had Grafite, for example, who was a very good player. They had [Zvjezdan] Misimovic, they played in a certain system - the golden triangle with Dzeko.

'I think it is only a matter of time. If you play Dzeko every week then you will see he is a quality player.

'But of course you have got [Carlos] Tevez, [Sergio] Aguero, [Mario] Balotelli so they've got world-class players.'



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2210285/Martin-Jol-looking-add-steel-midfield.html#ixzz27pyB7Hzr
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[WhiteJC]

 
We wouldn't risk Berbatov: Jol

Martin Jol is delighted by the way Dimitar Berbatov has started life at Fulham - but will have to do without the striker when Manchester City come to Craven Cottage tomorrow.

The Bulgarian represents a coup for the Whites, who saw off competition from Serie A giants Juventus and Fiorentina to sign him on transfer-deadline day.

Berbatov has shone in his first two-and-a-half appearances for Fulham and netted twice as they saw off West Brom 3-0 in their last home game.

The 31-year-old was set for another starring role against Roberto Mancini's City tomorrow but will miss the match - and the next two weeks - through injury.

"I was very pleased [with his impact] because we were worried because we lost our quality in midfield and that was probably our biggest quality," Fulham manager Jol said, referring to the recent departures of Clint Dempsey and Mousa Dembele.

"We had one that scored the goals and one that was good on the ball and then he came and he almost filled two positions in one.

"He was a number nine but he played in a number 10 role so for us it was quite good that he was there, but he is injured now and can't play tomorrow so that is a big disappointing thing. He will be out for the next two weeks.

"Berbatov looked good in the training session as usual and then the final shot [of the session] he felt something and he had to go in and stop training.

"It appears he has not got a tear but a problem with his hip, upper thigh so we couldn't take the risk to involve him tomorrow."

Berbatov will not be the only player to miss tomorrow's game, with Kieran Richardson, Ashkan Dejagah and Philippe Senderos all not quite ready to feature after injury.

Mahamadou Diarra is another out of the reckoning for the Cottagers but there has been some good news on his fitness this week.

It had been feared the Malian could be ruled out for the majority of the season but surgery shows an injury to his left knee is not as bad as it was feared.

"Diarra had a minor operation but he will still be out for the next four weeks at least," Jol said.

"They removed a few little pieces of bone from his knee but that was it so that was pleasing.

"There was not a lot of damage so they had a look in his knee and that was it.

"The first option was to have a look and hope it was not that bad and it wasn't.

"If there would have been more damage with his cruciate or his ligaments, then he could have been out for more but it is exactly what we thought it was but it is still four weeks."

Despite good news on the Diarra front, Jol admits he is planning to bring in a free agent this week to bolster his midfield.

Owen Hargreaves and Nigel Reo-Coker are amongst those to have been linked to Fulham but the Dutchman swiftly ruled them out, revealing instead the player he plans to sign is a defensive midfielder from overseas.

"We are trying to do something in the next couple of days but not with the players you mentioned," he said.

"It will be a central midfielder. We have to go abroad and we have to test him to see of if he is 100% fit and we will talk to him. We hope to get it done next week."



http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8540529

[WhiteJC]

 
Full Of Confidence

Fulham Captain Brede Hangeland insists that it's not about the names on the back of our opponents' shirts on Saturday afternoon but about the performances on the pitch.

Roberto Mancini's star-laden Manchester City visit Craven Cottage as the reigning Barclays Premier League champions, but enter the encounter in seventh place – one position below Martin Jol's charges.

"We're five games into the new season, so we can't read too much into that," Brede told the official website. "I'm not someone that looks at things like that really. Some say it's a good time to face City, some say that it's not.

"When you look at their team it's obvious that they have an incredible squad with almost two world-class players in every position of the pitch. It will be a tough game, we know that.

"They have a lot of attacking options, but again, I don't think about that too much. I just concentrate on my own game and making sure that I step on to the pitch and give my best.

"When the match kicks off, it's 11 men versus another 11 – it's a game of football where names on the back of shirts become irrelevant. Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko – they're all very talented players.

"On Saturday it's about our performance, we've been doing well and we're confident. We know that we're a very strong side at the Cottage – especially when everything is going well. We go into the game on the back of some really good results, so in a way, an element of pressure has been lifted. 

"We've shown that we can beat the top sides at home, and in recent seasons there have been some good games between us and City. Hopefully we can make it another memorable day."

The Skipper is now one of the Club's longest-serving players having arrived in SW6 in January 2008. Following a busy summer of arrivals and departures, the 31-year-old has been left suitably impressed by the Team's ability to settle.

"There have been quite a few positives from the campaign so far," added Brede. "But more than anything I'm satisfied by how the squad has gelled despite a number of changes over the summer. Sometimes it can take a little while for a new team to find its feet, as we have seen for ourselves, but this year we've started really well.

"The lads have been working hard in training, everyone is on board and wants to do well. We're trying to improve as individuals and as a team, and as a result, I'm confident that we can push on.

"In previous seasons we have started quite slowly, so hopefully after a positive start, we are seeing signs that we are playing how we should be. New relationships are forming between the new players and those that were already here and as the season progresses and the more we get to know one another I think we will get better and better."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/29/full-of-confidence?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol's Transfer Clue

Martin Jol gave some additional clues as to the identity of the transfer target he hopes to add to his ranks next week at his press conference on Friday afternoon.

Jol said: "It will be a holding player because last week I had this little problem with Chrissy [Baird] in case I needed him [to play centre-back].

"Philippe [Senderos] was still injured last week so if something had happened to [Brede] Hangeland – as he was on the ground with an injury – and I had to play Chrissy at the back then I would have had to fill in that position with someone else. We didn't really have that player so we are looking for a real number four.

"It's not a mystery player, the only thing is that we haven't spoken to him yet. I don't want to mention his name because maybe another club will jump on him so I don't want to take that risk. It will be a number four who played abroad and he played for me actually at Hamburg."

Manchester City arrive at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon looking for a reaction to what is, by their high standards, a slump in form.

A 4-2 defeat in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday by Aston Villa was their latest defeat, but Jol insists that we shouldn't read too much into the midweek result after Roberto Mancini made wholesale changes to his side.

"The thing is, if you play a different side, like they did against Aston Villa, they didn't play together before so they have to gel together in almost 90 minutes and that's impossible," he explained. "So even if you have all these world-class players together, it's not easy to win all your games but that is probably the idea behind it; to get a squad with two or three players in each position of equal quality. That is what I want but we don't play all these matches unfortunately."

With Dimitar Berbatov ruled out of Saturday's game through injury, Jol is backing Mladen Petric to step up in the Bulgarian's absence.

"Of course you would like to play your strongest team," he said. "I felt a bit for the boy Mladen Petric – he was a big hit in his first game, then Berbatov came and it looked as if Petric wasn't there anymore but he can show against City what he did in the first game against Norwich City."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/september/29/jols-transfer-clue?

[WhiteJC]

 
FULHAM VS MANCHESTER CITY: YOUR TOP 10 MATCHDAY FACTS

Fulham earned a well deserved win against Wigan last time out, with Hugo Rodallega's header against his former club proving to be the difference between the two sides. Along with Damien Duff, who scored the decisive second goal, Dimitar Berbatov again showcased why Martin Jol was so keen to bring him to Craven Cottage.

- Mark Schwarzer has been the busiest goalkeeper in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index so far this season, making 32 saves. Eleven of those came against Wigan in the last game, a joint high for goalkeepers this season.

- Mahamadou Diarra has excelled since arriving at Craven Cottage and his team mates clearly agree. He sits fifth on the EA Sports Player Performance Index for ball receptions with 259.

- Bryan Ruiz is clearly keen to show Martin Jol he should be in his thinking despite the arrival of Dimitar Berbatov and Hugo Rodallega. He is the second highest ranked striker in terms of assists according to the EA Sport Player Performance Index with 2.

- Joleon Lescott's first half header was unfortunately not enough to give Manchester City all three points against Arsenal last weekend as the Gunners battled back to claim a 1-1 draw. A clearly frustrated Roberto Mancini still has plenty of problems to solve if his side are to make a real attempt at defending their title.

- One bright point is the arrival of Spanish midfielder Javi Garcia Fernandez, who put in a performance covering 7.01 miles against Arsenal, enough to enter the top ten for individual distances covered so far this season and to be the most distance covered by a City player so far this season.

- As a team performance, the 64.28 miles covered by City was also the most they've covered in a single game this season.

- Nullifying the ever-present threat of Yaya Toure continues to by crucial to any team's chances of success against the reigning champions. The giant midfielder has racked up an incredible 241 successful passes so far this season.


Read more at http://www.footballtransfertavern.com/2012/09/premiership/fulham-vs-manchester-city-your-top-10-matchday-facts?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TransferTavern+%28The+Transfer+Tavern+Home+Page%29#FJaLX3bwxtyrQDPj.99

[WhiteJC]

 
FULHAM v MANCHESTER CITY: CHAMPIONS STRONG AT THE COTTAGE

Man City will be thankful that their difficult week-and-a-half is scheduled to end at Craven Cottage -they haven't lost here since 2005.

Their bad results culminated in elimination from the Capital One Cup at Aston Villa's hands and they travel to west London in desperate need of a win. The only outcome that will suffice for Roberto Mancini's men can be backed at a very generous 4/5.

City have scored eight times in their past three visits to Fulham, with their Argentinean contingent particularly enjoying themselves.

Sergio Aguero was rested for the cup defeat to Villa with this game in mind and the striker netted twice in last season's 2-2 draw here. Carlos Tevez has bagged three in as many visits here in a City shirt and even Pablo Zabaleta has helped himself to a goal at the Cottage.

Aguero is the 4/1 favourite to break the deadlock in this one with Tevez a close second at 9/2, whereas Zabaleta is a 12/1 shot to add to his five City goals at any point in the clash.

The consummate ease with which City find the back of the net here makes the price of 15/8 that they'll win the game with three or more goals scored a tempting prospect.

Martin Jol's side, however, have made a strong start to the campaign and have been merciless in front of their own fans. The eight goals scored and none conceded in just two outings helps explain City's price, but they are yet to face a side of Premier League champions' calibre.

The draw, at 5/2, is their most realistic hope of a result and is certainly something they would take if it was offered now. The Fulham win or draw with more than three goals scored in the match is a good option for punters looking to get behind the underdog, given that City have netted 17 goals in eight competitive games this term.

It's too difficult to imagine Fulham keeping a clean sheet, in spite of their strong home record and, as history suggests, there is likely to be more than three instances of a keeper picking the ball out of his net here. This interesting alternative bet is available at 3/1.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication's time and date



http://www.sportingpreview.com/football2012/2012908.php?

[WhiteJC]

 
Up next: Manchester City (h)
by DAN on SEPTEMBER 29, 2012


Can anyone be this season's Danny Murphy?

Craven Cottage was where Roberto Mancini's Manchester City dropped their first Premier League points on their way to a remarkable league title last season. The traditional ground by the Thames witnessed a collapse that asked the first questions of a defence that seemed impregnable and cast some doubt on Mancini's managerial methods, with City surrending a seemingly safe 2-0 lead, with carelessness of a Campania drunk after he had withdrawn the sizzling David Silva with twenty minutes to play. Fulham profited astonishingly, but they will have to soar to similar heights this afternoon without the two goalscorers that afternoon and the man who has been the catalyst for early season optimism, with Dimitar Berbatov sidelined by an untimely thigh strain.

Mancini's confidence in his charges wasn't dented by their Cottage capitulation – or when City seemed dead and buried behind their Manchester rivals as last season reached its unscriptable denounement – and the Italian has reasserted his belief that his team can retain their title in the run-up to this game. However vulnerable City might appear, without a clean sheet, having shipped six points in their first fifteen, Mancini will demand his side return to their peerless best this afternoon. For all of Fulham's recent success on the blue side of Manchester (relatively speaking), you have to go back to a Friday night thrashing of the Second Division promotion favourites inspired by Dirk Lehmann on an unforgettable Friday evening in August 1998 for Fulham's last home win against City.

Replicating that victory – or even last season's point (which felt like three) – would be difficult enough if Martin Jol had a full strength side to pick from. The fact that he doesn't should really lead to a re-examination of the pre-match preparations down at Motspur Park. Berbatov's thigh injury, sustained towards the end of training on Thursday, means he joins the likes of Mahmadou Diarra and Kerim Frei on the long-term injury list whilst Simon Davies, Kieran Richardson, Ashkan Dejagah and Phillipe Senderos aren't likely to be fit enough to feature. Fulham have made light out of Diarra's absence for two weekends running, with Chris Baird and Steve Sidwell exceptional in the heart of the midfield, but quelling the combined might of Gareth Barry and Yaya Toure is a tough test for world class midfielders. We'll wait to see with interest when Greek veteran Giorgis Karagounis makes his first Fulham appearance.

Berbatov's unavailability also leaves Jol with a dilemma. The Dutchman's instincts – that Hugo Rodallega would 'do something nice' against his old club – were proved right at Wigan, but it was harsh to drop Mladen Petric after the Croatian's blistering start to life in the Premier League. And what about Bryan Ruiz who added both momentum and vitality to Fulham's midfield after his second half introduction at the DW Stadium last weekend? Can you afford to fit both of these special talents into the same side against the champions? It all comes down to how Jol will approach the task at hand. He's proven to be far less risk-averse than Hodgson and Hughes so far – and his adventure has been rewarded with two ridiculously comfortable home wins to date.

Containing a City side that could feature Mario Balotelli, Samir Nasri as well as Silva and the old scourge of Fulham's ambitions, Sergio Aguero, will present the sturdiest test of Jol's defensive foundations. Aguero, outstanding in the Europa League final for Atletico Madrid two years ago, scored twice in this fixture last season and added a penalty in the February snow, will pose a real problem for Brede Hangeland, who has always looked a  against little less assured against fleet-footed forwards. He'll need Aaron Hughes to be at his best and perhaps for the Fulham back four, with Sascha Riether and John Arne Riise tucking in, to be narrower than normal to meet the challenge of City's compact front four.

Joe Hart has had to worry about the fewest shots of any Premier League goalkeeper, with City's miserly back four, masterfully screened by Toure when he isn't let off the leash, allowing their opponents just 15 efforts on goal in their first five fixtures. The key to testing England's outstanding goalkeeper on a more regular basis will be utilising one of Fulham's great strengths: their width. Damien Duff has already scored three Premier League goals, but his contribution must be measured in more than those statistics alone, while the emergence of Alex Kacaniklic has been one of the quiet successes of Jol's time at the helm to date. If they can successfully test two forward-thinking full backs in Gael Clichy and Pablo Zabaleta, it could be quite an afternoon.

MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1): Schwarzer; Riether, J.A. Riise, Hughes, Hangeland; Baird, Sidwell; Duff, Kacaniklic, Ruiz; Petric. Subs: Stockdale, Kelly, Briggs, Karagounis, Kasami, Rodallega, Trotta.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/09/up-next-manchester-city-h-3/?