Monday Fulham Stuff (03/12/12)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 0 Spurs 3
   
Are we entering a worrying period here at Craven Cottage?

After starting the season so well, we`re now in a position whereby wins are proving hard to get and we`re slipping down the table, fast.

Yesterday, against Tottenham, we started well enough and the first half was fairly even but the second half saw Spurs romp to victory with some clinical finishing.

But back to that first half; Spurs, with both Dembele and Dempsey in the starting eleven, could have taken an early lead when then the latter fired narrowly wide, on the turn.

Berbatov, showing his class, set up Frei but the talented youngster saw his shot clear the cross bar. Spurs were forced to make a change just past the half hour mark when Dawson limped off, with Gallas coming on, before Bale incurred the wrath of the home crowd with a dive, for which he received a yellow card.

The clearest chance of the half fell to Fulham when Riise scampered down the left and his cross saw Petric force a fine save out of Lloris.

Half Time - Fulham 0 Spurs 0

Any hopes Fulham had of getting their noses in front were ended in the 55th minute when .Sandro put Spurs ahead with a shot from all of thirty yards that swerved at the last minute to deceive Schwarzer in the Fulham goal.

Spurs then lost a second player when Bale limped off with what looked like a hamstring problem. But with 72 minutes gone the visitors put the game out of our reach when they doubled their lead when Jermain Defoe scored. The goal coming after Sigurdsson, on for Bale, beat two men before picking out Defoe in the middle who coolly finished off the move.

Five minutes later it was game, set and match when Defoe got his second of the game latching on to a defence splitting ball from Demspey to finish with clinical precision.

Not the best of afternoons I`d say!



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=301587#ixzz2DxYu4I3i

[WhiteJC]

 
Derby Whizz-Kid on the Radar
   
Speculation, in the Sunday press, has Fulham jousting with Arsenal for a promising Derby youngster.

Martin Jol is more than keen to beat Arsenal to the signing of the promising Derby player Will Hughes

Hughes made his debut for Derby at 17 years of age and s already in the plans of Stuart Pearce`s U21 team.

The report goes on to suggest that a bid, in the region, of £4 million could be enough to persuade Derby to sell.

We`ll keep a close eye on this one.



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=301589#ixzz2DxZ9yFTp

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol calm despite Fulham struggles
Martin Jol is refusing to panic despite Fulham's 3-0 defeat against Tottenham condemning the Cottagers to their worst run of the season.

The Cottagers have not won in their last seven games and have failed to score in their last three.

Dimitar Berbatov showed occasional flashes of brilliance on Saturday, but the team lacked the cutting edge provided to them by Clint Dempsey and Mousa Dembele last term.

Jol, however, is refusing to panic, however, and is sure his team will improve when Brede Hangeland and Bryan Ruiz return from suspension and injury respectively.

"We're still only three points away from 20 and there are still three games to go before we've even reached the halfway point of the league program," Jol said.

"Our target is always - like 10 or 12 other teams - to get to 40 points, so I'm not worried.

"Hangeland is coming back, Bryan Ruiz is coming back, so hopefully if everyone is on the board we can try to get back on the winning track."



http://www.football365.com/fulham/8303162/Jol-calm-despite-Fulham-struggles?

[WhiteJC]

 
Whites Host Seasiders

Fulham have been drawn at home to Blackpool in the Third Round of the FA Cup with Budweiser.

The Seasiders, who currently sit 12th in the npower Championship, will visit Craven Cottage on the 5th or 6th of January 2013.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/december/02/facupdraw?

[WhiteJC]

 
Seasiders Face Tricky Cup Test
Blackpool have be drawn away to Fulham in the Third Round of The FA Cup.

The game will take place at Craven Cottage on the weekend of 5/6 January 2013.

The last time the sides met in the competition was in January 1957 when The Seasiders ran out 6-2 winners at Bloomfield Road.



http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk//news/article/fa-cup-draw-fulham-away-521240.aspx?pageView=full

[WhiteJC]

 
Martin Jol is refusing to panic despite Fulham's 3-0 defeat against Tottenham

Fulham boss Martin Jol is refusing to panic despite his side's 3-0 defeat against Tottenham, condemning the Cottagers to their worst run of the season.

The west Londoners have not won in their last seven games and have failed to score in their last three.

Dimitar Berbatov was their one bright spark on Saturday, but the team lacked creativity and cutting edge provided to them by Clint Dempsey and Mousa Dembele last term.

Dutchman Jol is remaining calm, however, and is sure his side will improve when Brede Hangelandand Bryan Ruiz return from suspension and injury respectively.

"We're still only three points away from 20 and there are still three games to go before we've even reached the halfway point of the league program," Jol said.

"Our target is always - like 10 or 12 other teams - to get to 40 points, so I'm not worried.

"Hangeland is coming back, Bryan Ruiz is coming back, so hopefully if everyone is on the board we can try to get back on the winning track."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/8303476?

[WhiteJC]

 
Advent Offer Day Three

Day three of Fulham's 25 Days of Christmas gives fans the chance to save!
Spend £40 or more and take advantage of FREE UK Standard Delivery! Offer valid for online orders until 11.50pm Monday 3rd December.

Choose from a great selection of gift ideas including the travel sponsor polo which is back by popular demand, the Whites Replica Kit and many more.

Offer ends at midnight tonight, shop online now and save!



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/december/03/day-3-advent-offer?

[WhiteJC]

 
Win Premier League tickets to see Fulham v Newcastle
Alan Pardew's Magpies travel to Craven Cottage on the back of a stuttering domestic campaign - and you could be there to watch all the action unfold by answering a simple question

Goal.com has teamed up with Barclays, title sponsor of the Premier League, to offer one lucky reader the opportunity to win a pair of tickets to Fulham v Newcastle on Monday December 10.

To be in with a chance of winning the tickets, simply send your answer to the following question along with your name, address and telephone number to [email protected].

Which one of the following players have played for both Newcastle and Fulham?

A) Brede Hangeland

B) Tim Krul

C) Damien Duff

The competition will close at 09:00GMT on Wednesday, December 5, and winners will be announced later in the day, but don't worry if you're not successful - you can always win a pair of tickets by visiting your nearest Barclays ATM and requesting a receipt or by going online to www.barclaysticketoffice.com – you don't even have to be a Barclays customer.

Match tickets are up for grabs EVERY 90 minutes, every day, throughout the 2012-13 season.

Further information and terms and conditions are available from www.barclaysticketoffice.com.



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2894/goalcompetition/2012/12/03/3573383/-?

[WhiteJC]

 
Loan Round-Up

David Stockdale enjoyed a first win as a Hull City player on Saturday as he helped his loan side to an impressive 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The visitors took the lead through Robert Koren's penalty, although Forest equalised just before half-time with a spot-kick of their own, taken by Billy Sharp. Paul McShane restored the Tigers' lead on 69 minutes and they needed a succession of saves by Stockdale in time added on to ensure they held on for the three points.

Alex Smith made his Leyton Orient debut as the West London side secured safe passge to the Third Round of the FA Cup with Budweiser when they defeated Alfreton Town 4-2.

Smith played 87 minutes of the cup tie as braces from Dean Cox and David Mooney sent the O's through, with Paul Clayton and Ben Tomlinson replying for the non-league side.

The FA Cup dream ended for Crewe Alexandra, though, as they were dumped out by Burton Albion in a 1-0 defeat at Gresty Road.

Calvin Zola's early goal proved vital, although the home side could consider themselves unfortunate after hitting the woodwork three times, while on-loan Fulham man Lauri Dalla Valle – who played 90 minutes – came within inches of equalising when he headed just wide.

Marcus Bettinelli played the entirety of Dartford's 3-2 defeat by Tamworth.

The Darts took the lead through Semi Ajayi but they were reduced to 10 men in the second half when Tom Bonner was dismissed for handball on the line, with Scott Barrow levelling from the subsequent penalty.

Danny Harris restored Dartford's lead but another Barrow penalty and a late goal from former England international Lee Hendrie secured victory for Tamworth.

Finally, Jesse Joronen was in goal as Maidenhead United lost 1-0 to league leaders Salisbury City.

Brian Dutton headed past Joronen eight minutes into the second period, although the Finnish keeper had made a couple of good stops earlier in the game to keep things goalless.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/december/03/loan-round-up?

[WhiteJC]

 
Emerson In Action

After coming on as a late substitute in the United States U17s' 4-4 draw with Brazil, Emerson Hyndman was given a starting berth for their next game against Turkey on Friday.

The midfielder showed some nice touches in the centre of the pitch before his withdrawal just after the hour mark as the States went on to win 4-1.

And he was in action again two days later when he came on after 70 minutes of their 4-3 defeat by Portugal in front of 4,500 people at the Premier Sports Campus in Florida.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/december/03/emerson-in-action?

[WhiteJC]

 
Aaron's Assessment

Aaron Hughes was in disbelief at full-time on Saturday as Fulham went down 3-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage.

After an even opening 45 minutes, Spurs were clinical in the second period and left SW6 with a flattering scoreline to their name.

Sandro's speculative drive from 35 yards broke the deadlock, before a brace from in-form frontman Jermain Defoe made the game safe for the visitors, and Aaron believes that losing by three goals was harsh on his side.

"I thought first half we did okay, even in the second half," Aaron told fulhamfc.com. "We just conceded three weird goals, I guess.

"It didn't feel like a 3-0 defeat. I stood there looking at the scoreboard and couldn't believe it was 3-0, so it must have just been one of those games. But we've just got to accept it and get on with it now and deal with it, and it's important we don't let our heads drop too much.

"We'll have a look at it and see where we could have improved and what we could have done a little bit better, defensively and attackingly, and we'll go from there.

"When you're at home you want to try and take the game to the opposition and that can sometimes leave you a little bit exposed in midfield and at the back. I thought it was just one of those days where we'll have to write it off and go on and pick things up again."

The defeat was a frustrating end to a week which had already seen us pick up a valuable point at Stamford Bridge, but our centre-back insists it's important we don't dwell on the weekend's disappointment.

"After the great performance and the great point we got in midweek at Chelsea, I think it's important to try and keep level headed about it," he explained. "Everyone was really high and buoyant after Wednesday, so it's important that we don't get too low after the Spurs game.

"We have to try and stay somewhere in the middle and keep going because there's a long way to go and we've got a busy period at Christmas where we can pick up points, so let's just keep going."

After playing three games in eight days, the Whites now have a little more recuperation time before we welcome Newcastle United to the Cottage on Monday 10th December (8pm).

"We've got a little bit of time between now and the next match so we can recharge a little bit and we've got plenty of time for recovery," Aaron said. "We've got a few little niggles and knocks so hopefully it gives them a couple of days to heal and repair and that means we go into the game with Newcastle with as full a squad as we can."




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/december/03/hughes-reaction?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham make dramatic increase in agents' fees

Fulham spent £2,581,208 on payments to agents during the period, October 1 2011 and September 30 2012.

This is a dramatic increase from the £951,245.50 they spent for the period a year before.

The figures put the Whites in mid-table on agents' fees, with Southampton at the bottom on £646,106 and Manchester City on top with £10,537,981.


http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_make_dramatic_increase_in_agents_fees_1_1728787

[WhiteJC]

 
Steve Sidwell calls for right response



Steve Sidwell has called on Fulham to make a positive response after seeing his side fall from sixth to 13th in the table following a run of seven games without a win.

The midfielder put in a shift and a half at home to Tottenham on Saturday but even his hard graft could not prevent a 3-0 defeat which left Fulham with just one point from their past four games.

Sidwell (above) said: "The first half was very even, our gameplan worked. But they were three disappointing goals in the second half. The result was a bit harsh considering the effort and the performance.

"Now we're on a bit of a bad run so we have to start picking up. We have to dust ourselves down and go again next week."

Fulham play Newcastle at Craven Cottage next Monday when Brede Hangeland will return from a three-match ban and Bryan Ruiz should be back from injury.

WORST

PL form - 7 games without a win



http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/steve-sidwell-calls-for-right-response-8375794.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Focus - Tottenham defeat a rude awakening for struggling Cottagers

For the last few weeks, when any football pundit or journalist has mentioned Fulham it has usually involved the following terms: Dimitar Berbatov, good football, attacking, unlucky. Perhaps the 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham will spell out a few home truths for the Cottagers.

Martin Jol's men have now gone seven league games without a victory. Yes, that run of seven may have included games against Everton, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, and so to secure draws against the first three must be applauded. However, on closer inspection, it has to be said that run of seven games has seen the Cottagers flatter to deceive on more than one occasion.

Three points against Reading were thrown away by giving away a last minute equaliser, a draw against Everton was only undeservedly secured with the last kick of the match, while Arsenal missed a last-minute penalty that would have given the Gunners a victory despite Fulham leading 3-2 with only a quarter of the game to play.

However, before the clash with Spurs there still remained the feeling that everything was ticking along quite nicely for Jol's men, particularly with Berbatov pulling the strings up front. The subsequent defeat and particularly the nature of it - a crushing 3-0 scoreline - leaves the Cottagers a disappointing 12th in the table.

While Fulham are hardly likely to enter into relegation trouble, though they will be wary not to let their current five point lead over 18th placed Southampton shrink any further, their current position is hardly one that Martin Jol would have been envisaging for his side after a relatively promising start to the season, aided by the capture of Berbatov from Manchester United.

So what's gone wrong? Injuries have not helped the Dutchman. To be without the services of Mahamadou Diarra, Kieran Richardson, Mladen Petric and particularly Bryan Ruiz hits a squad the size of Fulham's harder than most other clubs. Additionally, the suspension that has sidelined Brede Hangeland for the last three matches has been a huge blow. While the Norwegian may not have been completely at his best this season, the Cottagers' backline lacked leadership at Stoke and particularly against Tottenham.

Perhaps in light of his side's defensive troubles this season, Martin Jol would be wise to just consider a change in strategy. Yes, everyone may laud his attacking philosophy but in the Premier League, even with the likes of Berbatov and Ruiz up front, defensive shape and solidity will always be just as important as attacking flair.

What will give Jol hope is that as his side prepares to enter into the hectic festive area, the Cottagers will be confident of picking up points in at least four of their next five league clashes. Home matches against Newcastle, Southampton and Swansea will certainly hold no fear while even away clashes at struggling QPR and Liverpool, where Fulham have a good record of late, will not have fans travelling in trepidation.



http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_0_17840_fulham-focus-tottenham-defeat-a-rude-awakening-for-struggling-cottagers.html

[WhiteJC]

 
CLINT ON COTTAGE WIN

Clint Dempsey knows better than most how tough it is to win at Craven Cottage - he felt clinical finishing was the key to Saturday's 3-0 success.

The USA striker spent five years at Fulham before joining us in the summer.

Playing just behind Jermain Defoe in his first match back at the Cottage, Clint was everywhere, running, chasing, pressing Fulham defenders, looking to get on the ball and went close twice in the first half before switching to the left following Gareth Bale's departure on the hour.

He produced his key moment after 77 minutes with a perfectly-timed pass between defenders to release Jermain on goal and JD did the rest to wrap up the points.

"When I played for Fulham we always did well at Craven Cottage and it's a difficult place to get a result," said Clint. "We knew it was going to be tough and that we'd need to defend well and be patient.

"At the same time, we had to be on the front foot and try to take our chances when we made them.

"We were able to open the game up in the second half and it was good to help the team win by getting an assist for Jermain."

Clint was in no doubt where the ball was going to end up after sending Jermain through on goal.

"Jermain's on fire," he added. "I could have played it earlier but I held it to see if I could get more space between the centre-back and right-back, and I was able to thread it through.

"He had a great first touch and he's so clinical in front of goal. It's great to have a player of his quality."

The result made it three wins in the space of six days in the Premier League, lifting us to fourth but level on points with Chelsea and West Brom in third and fifth respectively.

"It's difficult to get results in this league, period," stated Clint. "We were going through a tough spell, but we've responded with three wins in a row. That's great, it lifts us up the table and now it's about pushing on from here."



http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs/News/clint-on-cottage-win-03122012.page?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham to rival Arsenal for Will Hughes?

Fulham manager Martin Jol has reportedly identified Derby County youngster Will Hughes as his main target during the January transfer window.

The 17-year-old has long been linked with Fulham's London rivals Arsenal, whose manager Arsene Wenger is said to have been impressed with the midfielder's performances in the Championship this season.

However, Jol believes that he will able to offer Hughes more senior action and is readying a £4m offer, according to The People.

It has been reported that the Rams would find it difficult to turn down such an offer.

Hughes has made 21 appearances this season, scoring two goals.



http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/transfer-talk/news/fulham-to-rival-arsenal-for-hughes_57699.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Martin Jol plays down talk of Darren Bent or David Beckham joining Fulham

Martin Jol is not ruling out a move for Darren Bent but insists he is already well stocked with strikers, while he says there is no chance of David Beckham joining Fulham.

Speculation is mounting that Bent will leave Aston Villa in the January transfer window after he was again left out of Paul Lambert's side to face Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Jol has been linked with a winter swoop after taking Bent to White Hart Lane when he was manager of Tottenham Hotspur, but insists his main focus for next month is on bringing in another creative player.

"I signed him at Tottenham because if you saw him at Charlton he scored almost one every two games, so I thought he's a quality finisher," Jol said in the Fulham & Hammersmith Chronicle.

"You never know, but we've got three good strikers.

"We've got Hugo Rodallega, Mladen Petric and Dimitar Berbatov. In the hole, we've got (Bryan) Ruiz. Of course we could do with maybe another creative player in that position, then I could leave Berbatov up front all the time."

Beckham is another player whose future is a hot topic, as the midfielder mulls over his next move after deciding to leave Los Angeles Galaxy.

A return to England is one option but Jol insists there is no chance of Fulham joining the race for his signature because he is trying to bring down the average age of the squad.

"We want to try and get a younger team," said the Dutchman.

"On average, we are the oldest team in the Premier League and it would be crazy to get players like David Beckham for Alex Kacaniklic, Kerim Frei and Pajtim Kasami.

"He's an unbelievable player and he's good to have around, but for us it's a non-starter."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8306566/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham U21s 1-2 Liverpool U21s

Fulham Under-21s lost to a strong Liverpool outfit at a chilly Motspur Park on Monday afternoon.

After Cauley Woodrow had cancelled out Adam Morgan's early opener, the game could have gone either way but it was the visitors who took the spoils when Krisztian Adorjan fired home after Neil Etheridge had spilled Danny Pacheco's effort.

Liverpool took the lead with the first chance of the game with less than four minutes on the clock. A diagonal ball found Morgan in space down the right and the winger cut inside Matthew Briggs before firing beyond Etheridge to give the boys from Merseyside an early advantage.

Fulham responded three minutes later when Pajtim Kasami saw his drive comfortably gathered by Peter Gulacsi after playing a neat one-two with Captain Lasse Vigen Christensen.

Chances were rare and it took a moment of brilliant skill to see one of the goalkeepers tested again when Briggs powered past five red shirts before seeing his right-footed strike smothered by Gulacsi on 19 minutes.

In what was turning out to be a largely uneventful game, we had to wait until the 33rd minute for the next shot, but Morgan's sliced effort ended up nearer the corner flag than the goal, before Charles Banya saw his shot deflect wide at the other end.

The home side drew level with five minutes left of the half through an outrageous Woodrow strike. Alex Brister showed good footwork down the right flank before sending Woodrow in down the channel and, with the angle massively against him, the striker managed to lob Gulacsi at his far post. Cynics may say it was a wayward cross by the man who celebrated his 18th birthday on Sunday, but you can bet Woodrow will be saying he meant it.

And he could have doubled his tally for the afternoon on the stroke of half-time after being found in space by Kasami, only to see Gulacsi beat his fierce shot away.

Fulham started the second period strongly and Mickael Tavares connected with a loose ball in the area within three minutes of the restart but his powerful effort was too close to Liverpool's Hungarian goalkeeper.

The away side responded through a Conor Coady effort but, as was the pattern of the game, the shot was too close to Etheridge who caught comfortably.

The Reds should have retaken the lead on 53 minutes when Michael Ngoo found himself put through one-on-one with Etheridge but the Philippines international made himself big and smothered the shot.

The Fulham stopper couldn't cope as well with the visitors' next effort though as he could only parry Pacheco's shot, with Adorjan poking home the rebound to make it 2-1.

Kit Symons went about switching things round just past the hour mark when he withdrew Vigen Christensen and Banya and replaced them with Josh Pritchard and former Everton man Tom Donegan.

The Merseyside team should have been out of sight on 68 minutes but Morgan dragged his shot wide after Etheridge had spilled another speculative effort from range.

Symons then played his final card as Ronny Minkwitz entered the action as he replaced Brister.

Another confident run by Briggs on 76 minutes saw the full-back wiped out but the referee played advantage as Woodrow took over, but the striker's curling drive landed in the grateful arms of Gulacsi.

A scramble in the area minutes later culminated in a Woodrow overhead kick that flew a yard or so wide – the striker was enjoying a lively game for the Under-21s, with his confidence brimming, although he couldn't add to his tally as the Whites searched for a way back into the match, to no avail.

Fulham: 1. Etheridge, 2. Brister, 3. Briggs, 4. Tavares, 5. Arthurworrey, 6. Grimmer, 7. Vigen Christensen (c), 8. Kasami, 9. Woodrow, 10. Altman, 11. Banya

Subs: 12. Bettinelli, 14. Pritchard, 15. Minkwitz, 16. Donegan, 17. Islamovic

Liverpool: 1. Gulacsi, 2. Flannagan, 3. Robinson, 4. Sokolik, 5. Sama, 6. Coady, 7. Pacheco, 8. Roddan, 9. Ngoo, 10. Adorjan, 11. Morgan

Subs: 12. Pelosi, 13. Ward, 14. Huertas, 15. Teixeira, 16. Smith


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/december/03/u21s-result?

[Bassey the warrior]

Derby Whizz-Kid on the Radar
   
Speculation, in the Sunday press, has Fulham jousting with Arsenal for a promising Derby youngster.

Martin Jol is more than keen to beat Arsenal to the signing of the promising Derby player Will Hughes

Hughes made his debut for Derby at 17 years of age and s already in the plans of Stuart Pearce`s U21 team.

The report goes on to suggest that a bid, in the region, of £4 million could be enough to persuade Derby to sell.

We`ll keep a close eye on this one.



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=301589#ixzz2DxZ9yFTp

I really don't see us spending £4 million on a player not expected to jump into the first team line up. He's highly rated on Football Manager 2013 though.