Saturday Fulham Stuff (27/10/12)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Reading v Fulham: Squad sheets

Jason Roberts' refusal to wear a Kick It Out T-shirt on another day of action for the anti-racism group will grab the attention ahead of this match but Reading's focus is squarely on securing their first Premier League win of the season. Brian McDermott has spoken confidently about his team's chances of climbing out of the relegation zone but he is likely to be concerned about the threat posed by Fulham, the division's fourth highest scorers. Pavel Pogrebnyak, facing his old side, could be a key figure for Reading. Sachin Nakrani

Venue Madejski Stadium, Saturday 3pm

Tickets £32-34 (0844 249 1871)

Last season n/a

Referee Mike Jones

This season's matches 5 Y20, R0, 4.00 cards per game

Odds Reading 17-9 Fulham 8-5 Draw 18-7


Reading v Fulham: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light.
Photograph: Graphic

Reading

Subs from Federici, Taylor, Morrison, Gunter, Pearce, Hunt, McCleary, Tabb, Church, Robson-Kanu, Harte, Roberts

Doubtful Hunt (heel)

Injured Karacan (knee, 3 Nov)

Suspended None

Form guide LDDLLL

Disciplinary record Y8 R0

Leading scorers Hunt, Pogrebnyak 2

Fulham

Subs from Somogyi, Stockdale, Kelly, Senderos, Kasami, Karagounis, Ruiz, Richardson, Diarra, Kacaniklic, Na Banga, Trotta, Smith, Dejagah

Doubtful Ruiz (groin)

Injured Davies (hip, Jan), Frei (groin, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide WDLWWL

Disciplinary record Y5 R0

Leading scorers Duff, Petric 3

Match pointers

• Alex McCarthy has averaged a save every 21.4 minutes, making him the busiest keeper in the Premier League

• Fulham have the best shooting accuracy (58% on target) of any top-flight side

• Reading have committed the fewest fouls in the division (62) this season – Fulham have the second lowest tally (66) but have played a game more

• Chris Baird has averaged five interceptions per 90 minutes played, the most frequent rate of any top-flight player

• Reading are one of only two sides yet to keep a clean sheet this season, the other being Southampton


http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/oct/26/reading-fulham-squad-sheets?

[WhiteJC]

 
Reading v Fulham: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Reading and Fulham at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday Oct 27 2012, kick-off 15:00 BST.

Saturday, October 27
Reading v Fulham
Madejski Stadium
Kick-off: 15.00 BST
TV: Highlights BBC ONE Match of the Day

Reading (possible, 4-4-1-1): Federici; Cummins, Mariappa, Gorkss, Shorey; Kébé, Guthrie, Leigertwood, McAnuff; Le Fondre, Pogrebnyak.
Out: Karacan (knee).
Test: Hunt (heel).

Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise; Rodallega, Sidwell, Baird, Richardson; Petric, Berbatov.
Out: Davies (hip).

Referee: Mike Jones. Matches 5, R0 Y20.

Team News
Reading forward Noel Hunt could make his comeback from a heel injury against Fulham.

Royals manager Brian McDermott, meanwhile, must decide whether to stick with Alex McCarthy or recall Adam Federici in goal.

Midfielder Jem Karacan is absent with a knee injury.

Fulham winger Damien Duff is available for tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash at Reading after recovering from an illness.

Midfielder Simon Davies is still sidelined with a hip problem and misses out.

Otherwise boss Martin Jol has a fully fit squad to select from.

Match Notes
Reading are still foraging for their first Premier League win of the season and host a Fulham team who will want to show Pavel Pogrebnyak what he has missed out on.

Pogrebnyak chose to join Reading instead of Fulham in the summer but his new team are struggling while the London club are looking sharp. Fulham will move into the top four, on Saturday evening at least, if they win and West Ham do not.
Betting: Home 17-10, Away 6-4, Draw 11-5.

Stat of the game: Reading have failed to win in their last four league games at the Madejski Stadium.

Arindam Rej's prediction: Reading 1 Fulham 1


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9635297/Reading-v-Fulham-match-preview.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Madejski Memories
by LYDIA on OCTOBER 26, 2012

Does anyone remember our last Premier League game at the Madejski stadium? I'd imagine that most Fulham fans will because it was the match that started an amazing run of three games won away from home that helped us beat the drop by the skin of our teeth. The end to the 2007/08 season was one that I will never forget because of the drama, stress and, finally, victory of it all.



The ever dependable McBride celebrates after scoring a crucial goal against Reading in 2008
That was a vital, must win game for Fulham but look how different our situation is now! Since the Great Escape, Fulham have just kept on improving. We always used to be a defensive team, not so easy on the eye, not scoring many goals and just about staying up but we have undergone a transformation! The only team to have scored more than us this season is Manchester United and we have a similar 'shots on target' ratio as Barcelona! It's quite unbelievable really and it's really exciting to watch. Only 2 of our current team have survived since that victory, Hughes and Hangeland, and how important have those two players been for Fulham over the past few years? Our defensive record maybe isn't as good as it was under Hodgson but the style of Jols' play will naturally leave of more open at the back.Readingare a decent side, but they haven't started off the season as they would have hoped and haven't won yet in the league. They will be desperate to change this tomorrow against a team who haven't been so handy on the road for years. Our defence will have to be on top form against the willing runners in theReadingside and our attacking players will have to take their chances! We are a much better team than they are but we haven't finished off games as easy as we would have liked in the past month or so with goals conceded late against City, Wigan andSouthampton. The win against Villa last week wasn't our best performance but it'll give the boys some momentum to hopefully guide them through this one. I reckon it'll be an open game with a lot of chances but can see a 2-1 victory for us.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/10/madejski-memories/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's focus

Martin Jol remarks on the Cottagers visit to RG2

Fulham manager Martin Jol is wary of the threat that the Royals will pose on Saturday and believes Reading's current position does not reflect their performances.

Jol's Fulham have enjoyed a fine start to the 2012/13 campaign, but the Dutchman says his side will have work hard in order to leave the Madejski Stadium with anything.

"They've got a few players who can make a difference and they play like a team," said Jol. "I feel that Reading could be higher in the table but they need that little bit of luck.

"It's the same all the time, they need a result so I feel we will need to play well and work hard to get a result there.

"For them it's probably more important than to us as they really need a result to turn the corner."

Former Liverpool left back John Arne Riise echoes Jol's sentiments and feels that the Cottagers will be in for a tough afternoon.

"Any game in the Premier League is tough but especially this one. Reading will be looking at this game thinking 'we need to win this'.

"But we focus on ourselves rather than what Reading do. Last year we didn't win enough away from home - that was our problem and we need to put it right."


http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/martin-jol-449186.aspx?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham In Top 10 Attendance Rate, World Wide Survey Says
by LRCN on OCTOBER 26, 2012

Some interesting figures from a study from Brazilian consulting agency PLURI Consultoria, who analysed attendances from clubs around the world. One of the names that sticks out is Fulham, who, with 98.8%, has the 8th highest stadium occupancy rate in the world. Impressive, and well done to the club and fans for achieving such an impressive figure.

Source: Sports Business Daily

LRCN


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/10/fulham-in-top-10-attendance-rate-world-wide-survey-says/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Win Fulham v Everton tickets!

A pair of tickets to the Craven Cottage clash up for grabs

EA SPORTS™, the Official Sports Technology Partner of the Barclays Premier League, has teamed up with the the Fulham Chronicle to offer one lucky reader a pair of tickets to your team's next Barclays Premier League Match. The winner will also receive a copy of FIFA 13.

EA SPORTS is the proud sponsor of the Barclays Premier League Player Performance Index.

The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index is the Barclays Premier League's official statistical index of all 20 Barclays Premier League teams.

The EA SPORTS Team of the Week will be available at www.premierleague.com after each round of the Barclays Premier League. The team will be based on ratings from the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

To stand a chance of winning, simply answer the following question:

What is Everton's nickname?

Email your answer along with your name, address and daytime contact number to [email protected]

Closing date for entries is midday this Monday (October 29). Normal competition rules apply. 



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2012/10/26/82029-32111073/?#ixzz2AT5Cw4Rq

[BishopsParkFantastic]

I can't see that being the final line up. No Diarra in CM? May see Deja on the right, and Duff on the left? Ruiz always seems to be doubtful or injured - best to protect him by not letting him kick a ball in warm up! Probably correct with no Kaca in the starting line-up (shame).

[fulhamben]

surely we should have enough to win today. i cant see one reading player i would have in our team