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

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham v Swansea City: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Fulham and Swansea City at Craven Cottage on Saturday Dec 29 2012, kick-off 15:00 GMT.


Ruiz returns: Fulham's Bryan Ruiz is set to face Swansea after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Photo: PA

Fulham v Swansea City
Craven Cottage
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT
TV: Highlights BBC ONE Match of the Day.

Fulham (Possible, 4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Riether, Hangeland, Hughes, Riise; Dejagah, Baird, Ridwell, Ruiz; Berbatov, Rodallega.
Out: Etheridge (leg), Davies (hip).
Tests: Diarra (knee), Petric (leg).

Swansea (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Vorm; Rangel, Chico, Williams, Davies; Ki, Britton; Dyer, Moore, Routledge; Graham.
Out: Situ (Achilles), Michu, Taylor (both ankle).

Referee: Andre Marriner. Matches 10, R0, Y38.

Team News
Fulham's Bryan Ruiz has been passed fit to start against Swansea.

The Costa Rica international made his return from a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw with Southampton, playing the entire second half on Boxing Day.

Mahamadou Diarra and Mladen Petric are doubts to face Swansea, while Damien Duff could miss out again.

Meanwhile, top scorer Michu will miss Swansea's trip to Fulham due to the ankle injury he suffered in the Boxing Day draw at Reading.

The 13-goal Spaniard has not recovered in time to face the Cottagers, with Danny Graham, Itay Shechter and Luke Moore all competing to start up front in his place.

Winger Pablo Hernandez and full-back Angel Rangel are set to return from thigh and ankle problems respectively after missing the opening part of the festive period.

Match Notes
Fulham's run of only one win in 11 means they are one point worse off than at this stage last year, but they usually pick up in the New Year, and Martin Jol is actively seeking reinforcements.

Swansea beat them twice last season, winning 3-0 at Craven Cottage, although goalscorers Gylffi Sigurdsson and Joe Allen have since departed.

Michael Laudrup's men have not won for four league games, but have only lost two of the past ten.

Betting: Home 6-5, Away 12-5, Draw 11-5.

Stat of the game: Swansea are the only team who have not scored or conceded a penalty this season.

Gerry Cox's prediction: Fulham 1 Swansea City 0.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9758962/Fulham-v-Swansea-City-match-preview.html

[WhiteJC]

 
WBA Tickets Update

Tickets for Fulham's trip to West Bromwich Albion on New Year's Day (12.45pm) will not be available from The Hawthorns on the day of the game.

Fans wishing to attend the clash with the Baggies are therefore urged to purchase their seats in advance. Tickets will still be available in person from the Ticket Office until 4pm on Monday.

For ticket prices and travel details, head here.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/december/28/wba-tickets-update?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham game sold out

Home clash with the Cottagers sold out in all home sections

ALBION'S New Year's Day clash with Fulham (ko 12.45pm) is sold out in all home sections.

The remaining handful of seats were snapped up this morning.



http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/fulham-game-sold-out-2-563614.aspx?

[WhiteJC]

 
PREVIEW: Fulham v Swans

. . . all the build-up to festive fixture at Craven Cottage


The Swans will be looking to add yet more precious Barclays Premier League points today as they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage (3pm).
Michael Laudrup's side reached the halfway stage of the campaign with 25 points on the board thanks to a clean sheet and draw picked up at Reading on Boxing Day.
Now they head to a Fulham side which is looking for only a second win in 12 games under Martin Jol, despite making a fine start to the season which included three wins from their opening five games.
Fulham were held 1-1 by Southampton at Craven Cottage on Wednesday, a point that saw them remain in 14th spot and six points ahead of third-bottom Fulham.
In last season's encounters, the Swans claimed the double over the Cottagers – winning 2-0 at the Liberty last December before arguably the performance of the campaign in a 3-0 victory last March.
The Swans are without the Barclays Premier League joint-top scorer Michu as he picked up an ankle injury against Reading, but Spanish duo Angel Rangel and club-record signing Pablo Hernandez are available again after missing the last few games.
Bryan Ruiz is expected to be available for the hosts despite being replaced at half-time of the draw with Southampton following a hamstring problem.
Mahamadou Diarra, Mladen Petric and Damien Duff, however, are all rated doubtful.

What they said
Swans boss Michael Laudrup:"They have quality. They started very well but in the last few months they have only won once in 11 – but there are five draws in there.
"They want to play, and they let you play as well. We have to take advantage of that.
"Berbatov has a lot of quality. If he is having a good day then they will be very difficult to beat. If he is not having a good day then you have possibilities."
Fulham boss Martin Jol:"It's a very talented team, they've got a very good coach – a playing coach – and they can play in the same sort of line-up all the time. All these teams playing with the same sides all the time, they pick up the points and we've had to change it around all the time and that didn't help.
"Normally, you will see Swansea playing in your half, trying to be dominant and trying to take the initiative."

Head to head
A 3-0 win at Fulham last March was the Swans' first victory at Craven Cottage for 32 years.
A maximum haul against Fulham last season saw the Swans score five times and keeping a clean sheet on both occasions.

Fulham stats
Only Tottenham Hotspur have kept a clean sheet at Craven Cottage in the league since the Swans won 3-0 there back in match
Fulham have won just once in their last five games at home, and have one victory in their last 11 outings
Three or more goals have been scored in 15 of the 19 Premier League games Fulham have been involved in so far this season

Swans stats
The Swans have collected 11 away points so far this season – eight more than at this stage last campaign
Michu's strike against QPR on the opening day is the only time they have scored in the first half of an away game in the league this season
Michael Laudrup's team are the only top-flight side to have won every game in which they opened the scoring

32Red odds: Fulham 1/1 Swans 13/5 Draw 5/2


http://www.swanseacity.net/news/article/preview-fulham-565665.aspx?&pageView=full#anchored

[WhiteJC]

 
Michu or not, Jol insists Swansea are not a one-man team

Fulham manager Martin Jol is wary of the threat Michu poses but will not be taking Swansea for granted regardless of the Spaniard's availability.

The striker looks unlikely to feature for the Swans in west London today after suffering an ankle injury at Reading on Boxing Day.

The Spaniard has taken the Premier League by storm since his summer arrival, having already scored 13 top-flight goals.

"Michu was a player known by his manager and that always helps," the Fulham boss said.

"It is the same that I had with Mahamadou Diarra or Dimitar Berbatov, which helps because you know for a fact they will do well.

"He knew him and it was probably the same with Chico Flores, the centre-back. He knew him as well.

"That helps but he has scored more goals than before so the Premier League is well suited to Michu.

"Sometimes he plays in the hole as a number 10 or up front, but they have other players that can play in that position.

"If you saw the game against Manchester United, they did ever so well.

"Man United pressed them and I thought they looked quite impressive, but they couldn't score the goals they needed.

"Then Swansea broke them and got the goal so got the result, but normally you will see Swansea playing in your half, trying to be dominant and trying to take the initiative."



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/michu_or_not_jol_insists_swansea_are_not_a_one_man_team_1_1755284

[WhiteJC]

 
FULHAM v SWANSEA CITY: ONCE AGAIN UNTO THE BREACH

Swansea may be without both of the goalscorers from their 3-0 success at Craven Cottage last season, but they still look overpriced at 13/5 to leave Fulham with another three points here.

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Joe Allen were on target back in March as Swansea were the only team to win at Fulham in 2012 heading into this season.

However, Craven Cottage has not remained the same fortress in the current campaign, with Fulham already suffering three defeats.

Meanwhile, with just a single win in their last 11 top-flight games, they are hardly at their best at present and it must be the historical strength of their home form which has resulted in them being made 1/1 favourites.

Swansea have largely been inconsistent of late, but have only lost two of their last six on the road and these were to Manchester City and Tottenham.

What may also be pivotal was that Swansea won both of their league meetings with Fulham last season, keeping clean sheets on each occasion.

They have only conceded one across their last three road trips and so 10/3 may prove decent value that they keep another clean sheet here, with 5/1 the price that they beat Fulham to nil for the third straight meeting.

Swansea's chances are obviously impacted by the expected absence of top-scorer Michu because of an ankle injury, but this ensures extra value in the player markets.

Only Michu has scored more than Wayne Routledge's four goals and he is the one overpriced at 11/1 to open the scoring.

But this may not be until the second half, as Fulham are yet to be behind at the break at home this season conceding just once in these fixtures, while the Swans have netted just one in the opening period across all of their away outings.

Fulham are 4/7 to keep another half-time clean sheet here, with 13/2 the price that the scores are level at the interval with Swansea ahead by the final whistle.


http://www.sportingpreview.com/football2012-3/2012615.php?

[WhiteJC]

 
Redknapp Moves For Fulham ace

Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp is hoping to bring Fulham defender Brede Hangeland to Loftus Road in January according to the Express.

Redknapp is desperate to sure up Rangers' leaky defence that has conceded 33 goals in 19 games and sees them bottom of the Premier League table.

Redknapp has been critical of some of QPR's high earning players this week and bringing a model professional like Hangeland to club would be a sign of intent from the former Spurs and West Ham manager.

Norwegian defender Hangeland is mulling over a contract extension at Craven Cottage as his current deal expires at the end of the season, so a move in January could be beneficial to all parties if he wants to leave.

The 31-year-old has been superb for the Whites since his arrival in 2008 and has turned down moves away from Fulham in the past.

A short trip down the road to QPR could be an option though as they will be able to offer him better wages and a longer contract than Fulham.


http://www.footballfancast.com/football-news/redknapp-moves-for-fulham-ace?

[WhiteJC]

 
No Need to Panic!
   
Our recent form, five points from the last thirty available is, to put it mildly, relegation form.

But, as we prepare to greet Swansea this afternoon, Martin Jol isn`t overly worried, instead believing that we`re far too good to be looking down at those clubs below us, remarking to the media,

"It is difficult at the moment but we have players coming back who are strong enough to help us win games."

"If you are not good enough then you have a problem but we`re a team that wants to stick together and work hard."

"It`s not long ago that Danny Murphy had to save Fulham in the last match of the season."

"But we don`t want that - our players are good enough to not be in a position where we are looking down the table."

Let`s hope Jol is right!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=303781#ixzz2GRVhnxPd

[WhiteJC]

 
Ruiz to Turn Things Around!
   
I`d be very surprised if our Costa Rican star, Bryan Ruiz, didn`t play a major part today, against Swansea.

Having recovered from injury, Ruiz came on as a second half substitute in 1-1 draw with Southampton, on Boxing Day. His presence today will, hopefully, get our season back on track.

Talking about turning around a stuttering season, Ruiz had this to say ahead of the fixture with Swansea City, this Saturday,

"At the beginning if the season we were playing really good football but we`re having a tough period now."

"Swansea will be tough. They like to play good football but so do we and if we can get back to our best, we will win."

I sincerely hope so, a return of 5 points from the last 30 available just isn`t good enough!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=303785#ixzz2GRWGHpJn

[WhiteJC]

 
Keep the faith
by DAN on DECEMBER 29, 2012



Ironically, given Dimitar Berbatov's choice of t-shirt on Boxing Day, calmness is in short supply among the Fulham faithful at the moment. Given the hysterical reaction to what was another ultimately disappointing display three days, you could have been forgiven for thinking Martin Jol's side had been trounced by Southampton rather than actually picking up a point. I've long since given up posting on the various Fulham forums and messageboards and, due to a difficult pre-Christmas period of my own, haven't been able to string sentences together here, either but, hours before what has again been billed as 'must-win' game by some sections of support, a sense of perspective is necessary.

There's no denying that Fulham are on a dismal run. The Whites have won just one of their last eleven fixtures and haven't kept a clean sheet since the short journey down the Fulham Road a month ago. The fluid, eye-catching football that set pulses racing in the early weeks of the football has been glimpsed briefly, but is fleeting rather than frequent. Jol's adoption of a more attacking mind-set has left previously reliable defenders, like Brede Hangeland, alarmingly exposed – and injuries have ruptured the spine of what was a strong side. Without high quality understudies, any team will look weaker without Mahmadou Diarra, Damien Duff, Bryan Ruiz and Dimitar Berbatov.

But the problems aren't insurmountable and Fulham's plight is far from terminal. The Whites might have picked up one fewer point than at this stage last season, but there is a six-point gap between their current position and the relegation zone. This isn't a situation reminiscent of when Lawrie Sanchez was sacked just before Christmas five years ago – or, in my view, comparable to when Mark Hughes' team lingered above the drop zone, a little more recently. Jol's side have played some scintillating football this season – think back to that afternoon at Arsenal six weeks ago – and can rediscover their joie de vivre.

Furthermore, managerial changes aren't the way to achieve success. The three changes in management in over the last two seasons have seen a dizzying turnover in players, coaches and philosophies as well as scuppering any realistic chance of using that remarkable run to Hamburg as a springboard. Patience might have left the footballing lexicon of late, but those who exercise it are often rewarded. English football would look a lot different today had Manchester United's board parted ways with Sir Alex Ferguson early in his reign – and, if Martin Jol should be looking anxiously over his shoulder after eighteen months at the Cottage, then it would imply that Roman's Russian roulette wheel brand of stewardship is contagious.

The title of the piece comes from the phrase with which Micky Adams, who started Fulham's climb from the abyss, used to finish his programme notes. It is as apt now as it was in the weeks after a feisty full-back stepped into Ian Branfoot's shoes with the oldest club in London position perilously close to the Football League's trap door. A more recent parallel would be when a lone voice at the back of the Hammersmith End implored his fellow Fulham fans to 'stand up if you believe'  as Hamburg look likely to end that magical European run. I don't need to remind anybody of what followed.

Watching Fulham can be frustrating but we're lucky enough to be watching two real artisans, in Ruiz and Berbatov, in one of the most idyllic settings in the country. Not too long ago, Premier League football didn't look like it was returning to Craven Cottage. When the new league broke away in 1992, the men in white coats would have ferried you away if you suggested it ever would. Jol has brought a classy Costa Rican and a brilliant Bulgarian to Fulham as well accelerating the development of Kerim Frei and Alex Kacaniklic through first-team football. His work's obviously unfinished – so let's keep calm and keep the faith.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2012/12/keep-the-faith/?