Sunday Fulham Stuff (06/01/13)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham stars Richardson, Karagounis and Riise visit St Helier and Epsom patients


Courtney Merrett with (l-r) Karagounis, Richardson and Baird

A football mad young hospital patient was thrilled to get a visit from three Fulham FC players - but she still didn't take off her Crystal Palace shirt.

Premiership stars including former England player Kieran Richardson paid a special visit to St Mary's Hospital for Children at St Helier Hospital in Cheam to visit patients admitted over the Christmas period and give them presents they bought themselves.

Courtney Merrett was in hospital for cystic fibrosis treatment when Richardson, Greek midfielder Giorgos Karagounis and Ireland defender Chris Baird popped in bearing gifts on Tuesday, December 18.


Despite the stars all playing for Fulham, they were still happy to pose for pictures while the youngster was wearing her Crystal Palace shirt.

Courtney's mum Mandy Merrett said: "Courtney is absolutely football mad, and all through her time in hospital, she's been desperate to get out and have a game. The visit from Fulham FC really brightened her day – it was a really lovely thing to do."

Patients at Epsom Hospital also got a visit from Premiership stars with Fulham's Champions League winner Jon Arne Riise and Irish defender Stephen Kelly dropping by with gifts.

Full back Riise said: "I have three children myself and it is always heartbreaking when you see small children who are sick and in hospital. When you can put something back into the community like this it is good. When you see the little children smile and the look in their eyes, it makes me feel humble.

Carolyn Croucher, clinical director of women and children's services at St Helier Hospital, said: "On behalf of our patients, their families and the staff at the Queen Mary's and Epsom hospitals, we would like to say a big thank you to Fulham Football Club.

"Their visit showed commitment to the local community and a great generosity. The players gave up their time and money to buy and deliver these gifts and we are all very grateful."



http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/10141949._/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham join £6m chase to sign Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland
Martin Jol is ready to enter the £6 million chase for Birmingham's England international goalkeeper Jack Butland.


In demand: Jack Butland is wanted by Fulham and Southampton Photo: ACTION IMAGES

Fulham are the latest Premier League club to register their interest in Butland and have made a firm enquiry for the 19 year-old this week.

Southampton have also been in informal discussions with Birmingham over the past few days and are expected to make another attempt to sign Butland, after their £6m bid was rejected in the summer.

Birmingham are facing the prospect of selling Butland this month to avoid going into administration and are aware that interest could push the asking price up further. The Championship club could accept a £6m down payment with further add-ons.

But Fulham are now set to join the scramble and are targeting the teenager as a long-term replacement for Mark Schwarzer, who is out of contract this summer. Fulham are expected to step up their interest in the next few days.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton are also admirers of Butland, who is seen as a genuine challenger to Joe Hart as England's No. 1 goalkeeper.

Butland made his England debut last year against Italy and also appeared for Team GB at the Olympics.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/9782133/Fulham-join-6m-chase-to-sign-Birmingham-goalkeeper-Jack-Butland.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Transfer Focus: Fulham's key targets to strengthen

A mixed first half to the campaign has seen Fulham left on the brink of falling into a relegation dogfight despite a strong start. As a result, Martin Jol might look to enter the transfer market to refresh his side.

Where the team needs to strengthen

It was always going to be tricky to replace Mousa Dembele and Clint Dempsey, and Fulham look short of creativity and power in their midfield. They might also need to invest in their defence, with Brede Hangeland still yet to sign a new deal at Craven Cottage.


Top targets

Martin Jol has said that it will be difficult to bring in high quality players in January, and that he will need to be creative in assessing out of favour players at other sides. With that in mind, loan moves for midfielders Tom Huddlestone and Jordan Henderson have been mooted in the press, with the former enjoying perhaps the best spell of his career under Jol at Tottenham Hotspur. Fulham have already confirmed the signing of midfielder Chris David from FC Twente. Whilst you wouldn't think a striker is a priority, Fulham have also been linked with Darren Bent, who has struggled for playing time under Paul Lambert at Aston Villa. Jol could also dip into the Championship to add to his midfield ranks with Derby's wonderkid Will Hughes and Nottingham Forest's Lewis McGugan both apparently on Fulham's radar. Fulham might also rekindle their summer interested in midfield anchorman Derek Boateng, who is out of favour at Ukrainian side Dnipro. Goalkeeper Sinat Bolat is already at Fulham, with Jol looking to decide whether to sign the player on a free in the summer after undertaking injury rehabilitation at the club. Wolfsburg defender Alexander Madlung, who has been capped by Germany but is currently unhappy at his club, is apparently close to agreeing a switch to London. Fulham are also reportedly close to signing Molde defender Vegard Forren, who has previously been linked with a host of Premiership clubs.

Likely outgoings

There is increasing speculation that Brede Hangeland could leave the club, with QPR reportedly interested in the towering centre back who's contract expires in the summer. One of Mark Schwarzer or David Stockdale could be leaving if Fulham do sign a new keeper.

Budget

Fulham are unlikely to have a huge amount of money available, and will focus on cheap moves for players struggling at their clubs as a result. Perhaps £5-8 million will be handed to Jol to turn the season around.

Predictions

Fulham might be one of the busier sides this January, with many of the moves they have been linked with looking eminently achievable. Midfield reinforcements are a must, and Jol looks set to gamble on some out of favour players from across Europe.



http://hereisthecity.com/2013/01/04/nh-transfer-focus-where-fulham-need-to-strengthen/?

[WhiteJC]

 
DR Congo captain Tresor Mputu ready for English move


Tresor Mputu: Ready for a move to England

DR Congo captain Tresor Mputu says he is ready to move to England, claiming previous interest from Tottenham and Blackburn.

The 27-year-old TP Mazembe striker claims to have been wanted at Spurs and Rovers earlier in his career, but opted against a transfer in order to continue his development at home.

He is now ready to play in England and is reportedly being tracked by Tottenham, Arsenal and Fulham.
He said: "I have been invited by Tottenham before with Harry Redknapp, and also Blackburn when Paul Ince was in charge, but it did not materialise because I was not ready to come to England. Now I am ready."

Mputu, who is thought to be valued at around £1m, was banned for a year in 2010 for harassing a referee during a Cecafa Club Cup match.

He is currently preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations, which take place in South Africa from January 19th to February 10th.



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8381352?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham set to beat Liverpool in race to sign Championship star

Fulham are the latest club to join the pursuit of young English goalkeeper Jack Butland, and if rumours are to be believed could beat Liverpool and Southampton to the signature of the 19 year-old wonderkid.

Butland is a youth product of Birmingham and after a loan spell with League Two side Cheltenham Town, the young stopper has cemented his first place team. His exploits earned him a call-up to the national side last year and he also played a key role with Team GB at the 2012 Olympics. Butland is widely touted to replace Joe Hart as the England No.1 in a few years time.

However, Birmingham are threatened with the prospect of going into administration and the Championship club are willing to sell their star stopper for £6 million, according to the Telegraph. Martin Jol is prepared to shell out the big bucks as he looks to replace first choice keeper Mark Schwarzer, whose contract with the Cottagers expires in the summer.

Meanwhile Pepe Reina's form continues to be a problem for the Reds, Liverpool could find themselves short of options between the posts with second choice Brad Jones failing to impress. With interest in Butland rising at Manchester United and Everton as well, Liverpool look set to lose out on the promising talent despite their need for more quality between the sticks.



http://footylatest.com/fulham-set-to-beat-liverpool-in-race-to-sign-championship-star/38590?

[WhiteJC]

 
Karagounis cracker rescues Fulham from FA Cup defeat by Blackpool

Fulham 1 Blackpool 1

Veteran midfielder Giorgos Karagounis saved Fulham's FA Cup blushes with his first goal for the club as they fought back to earn a replay against Blackpool.

Karagounis, a former European champion with Greece, volleyed in a late equaliser to avoid a cup upset at Craven Cottage after Ludovic Sylvestre had put the Championship side in front.

Blackpool should have gone ahead in the 12th minute when the home defence allowed Chris Basham space to turn and tee up Thomas Ince, but his left-foot effort straight at David Stockdale and deflected over.

Stockdale's opposite number Matt Gilks was called into action soon afterwards, leaping to his right to push away a curling free-kick from Bryan Ruiz as Fulham began to put the visitors' back line under pressure.

But the home side squandered a number of decent openings, with Ruiz's close-range attempt deflected behind and Ashkan Dejagah, Steve Sidwell and Alexander Kacaniklic all off target.

It was Stockdale who was the busier of the two keepers as the first half drifted to a close, stretching to push away another Ince effort and diving to deny Kevin Phillips.

Fulham's frustration grew after the break and Martin Jol soon brought on Hugo Rodallega to join Dimitar Berbatov up front, but the new-look front line had little chance to make an impact before the Seasiders snatched the lead.

Nathan Delfouneso skipped down the left flank and cut the ball back for Sylvestre, who stabbed it low beyond Stockdale from the edge of the box.

The Whites responded with a flurry of attacks but, apart from a Rodallega header that was deflected behind, they looked unlikely to conjure up an equaliser.

Ince could have sealed their fate, firing wide after another lively run from Delfouneso and then dispatching a cross-cum-shot inches wide of the far post.

But Karagounis handed his side a lifeline 10 minutes from time after Blackpool half-cleared Ruiz's corner, collecting the loose ball to send a dipping volley beyond Gilks into the far corner.

Fulham flooded the visitors' half in the closing stages and they could have snatched the tie when substitute Kerim Frei's cross picked out the head of Ruiz, but the crossbar came to Blackpool's rescue.

The sides will meet again at Bloomfield Road in 10 days' time to decide who progresses to the fourth round.

Fulham: Stockdale; Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Briggs (Frei 72); Dejagah (Rodallega 54), Karagounis, Sidwell, Kacaniklic (Richardson 70); Berbatov, Ruiz.



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/karagounis_cracker_rescues_fulham_from_fa_cup_defeat_by_blackpool_1_1783464

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 1 Blackpool 1: Karagounis' cracker spares Jol's blushes

Tom Ince proved on Saturday why he is a Liverpool transfer target by helping Blackpool to earn a cup replay against Fulham as manager Michael Appleton pledged to hold on to his young starlet as long as possible.

The 20-year-old is reportedly keen to accelerate a move to Merseyside but Appleton said interest from Liverpool had stalled after a bid was rejected.


Cracker: Fulham's Giorgos Karagounis equalises with long-range effort



'They made an offer two weeks ago,' said Appleton, 'We said "you'll have to do better if you want to secure the services of Tom" and haven't received anything since. I would like to keep Tom until the end of the season. Why would any manager want to get rid of his best players?'

Ince looked comfortable against Premier League opposition, with Martin Jol fielding a full strength side.

The youthful enthusiasm and bountiful skill which has seen him net 13 Championship goals this season was obvious.

His work rate was admirable, too, as he tracked back to help out in defence. Blackpool's breakthrough goal went the way of Frenchman Ludovic Sylvestre and they were only denied an outright victory by a showstopper strike from Giorgios Karagounis.

Ince should have done better when Blackpool's best first-half chance fell to him after 11 minutes.


Rock and roll: Blackpool's Ludovic Sylvestre celebrates scoring the opening goal


Chris Basham teed him up inside the area, but he was denied by a superb fingertip save from David Stockdale.

Ince forced another Stockdale save on the half-hour and the Championship side probably had more clear-cut chances in the first half.

Fulham's best chance fell to Iranian Ashkan Dejagah, who only had to hit the target from eight yards to convert a pinpoint cross from Alexander Kacaniklic.

It was a different story in the second half, with the home side inspired by a pep talk by Jol.


Hair-raiser: Isaiah Osbourne (left) of Blackpool challenges Bryan Ruiz (right) of Fulham


Tussle: Kevin Phillips (L) of Blackpool and Steve Sidwell (R) of Fulham challenge for the ball

'I told them they had to have the urgency to do something up front, we had 65 per cent of the possession we just needed to finish it off,' said the Dutchman.

Blackpool started the second half negatively, but the breakthrough went the way of the visitors on the hour mark, against the run of play.

Nathan Delfouneso broke forward before pulling the ball back for Sylvestre, whose shot bobbled past Stockdale into the bottom left-hand corner.


Too hot to handle: Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks fails to save Karagounis' shot


Ful on: Karagounis celebrates his strike

A rescue of sorts was administered by 35-year-old Karagounis, who controlled the ball superbly with his right foot before directing a crisp, curling volley over the head of Matt Gilks to secure a replay at Bloomfield Road.

'He's a character and although he was probably knackered, he scored the goal out of nothing and that is what you get with George,' said Jol.

Karagounis will need to be ready for battle at Blackpool on Tuesday week because it is an unforgiving place to visit in the depths of winter.

It is an excursion Jol tried his best to avoid, but Fulham simply failed to capitalise on their dominance.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2257544/Fulham-1-Blackpool-1-match-report-Karagounis-cracker-spares-Jols-blushes.html#ixzz2HBX5a6wq
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[WhiteJC]

 
Rhodes to Wembley? Karagounis grabs Fulham last-gasp Cup draw with Blackpool

Greek star's screamer cancels out a shock goal by Ludovic Sylvestre and crushes the Championship side's hopes of a giant-killing


Acropolis wow! Karagounis saved Fulham - and they then could have won it
Ian Walton

Tournament specialist Giorgos Karagounis marked his FA Cup debut with an unforgettable late equaliser – which spared Fulham's embarrassment.

Almost nine years ago, the Greece ­international ­inspired his nation to glory at Euro 2004.

This was not quite as ­monumental, but his late screamer kept ­Martin Jol's side in the FA Cup draw.

Although they stopped their worrying winter slump with a win at West Brom on New Year's Day, Fulham's season looked set for ­another downward turn when ­Ludovic Sylvestre gave Blackpool the lead.

But Karagounis ended the chances of an upset with his 80th-minute howitzer, which sets up a Bloomfield replay.

Jol said: "We needed a bit of luck and a bit of quality. When you have Giorgos, it helps.

"He's been in the team over the last three games and I told him maybe he could play 60 minutes – but I had to leave him on because I had made all my subs.

"He's not only a legend in his own country, but he's a warrior for us. Out of nothing he scored today but you can watch on Youtube, he's done it eight or nine times."

In the matchday programme, ­Karagounis hinted that the west London club might be able to cause a shock by going all the way – just like Greece did in Portugal.


Roller-coaster ride: Ludovic Sylvestre laps up the Blackpool fans' love
Getty

And it looked like they would sail through after ­dominating the first-half.

But Jol's side were wasteful with Alex Kacaniklic, Ashkan Dejagah and Bryan Ruiz all squandering decent chances before the break.

Michael Appleton's side, still in the hunt for promotion from the Championship, emerged from the break with a point to prove.

And it was Fulham who were forced to defend as their two wingers Nathan ­Delfouneso and Thomas Ince began to combine with Kevin Phillips in attack. Sylvestre, meanwhile, had been largely absent until he fired the ­visitors ahead.

It looked like the chance had gone when Delfouneso dallied on the ball allowing the Fulham defence to ­regroup. But he pulled a low cross back to Sylvestre, who crashed a classy first-time strike into David Stockdale's bottom ­corner from 18 yards.

It almost got worse for ­Fulham when Ince almost met Neil Eardley's shanked effort, but, five minutes later, the hosts levelled.

Ruiz's corner looked to have been cleared by the visitors, but only as far as Karagounis, who sent a fierce dipping into the top corner.

And the hosts almost nicked it through Ruiz, but his 87th-minute header came back off the bar.

A relieved Appleton said: "They had a good result against West Brom so they had their tails up.

"I asked the players to enjoy defending today. I think they did that very well. It took a fantastic goal to get them back into the game."



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fulham-1-1-blackpool-match-report-1519770?

[WhiteJC]

 
Manager Reaction

Martin Jol admitted that while he was disappointed not to see off the challenge of Blackpool at the first time of asking, he was pleased to at least remain in the competition.

The Whites needed a late Giorgos Karagounis goal to equalise against the Tangerines in the Third Round of the FA Cup with Budweiser, and our Manager was left ruing the lack of a cutting edge at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon.

"We were frustrated because we had so much of the play but couldn't get the ball into the net," he said. "So that was the frustration and, of course, you get more frustrated after they've scored so to score nine minutes before the end was a relief.

"We had to grind out a result and I feel it was a good game for the crowd but if we are a little more productive then we could have scored three or four goals. If you cannot score a goal and it is not your day then you have to be happy with a Replay."

The Dutchman named a strong starting XI for the visit of the Seasiders – a sign of Jol's intent with regard to the Cup.

"We played the same team again today so everybody realises that we're taking things seriously," he explained. "I wanted that to be a signal to the Team and a signal to the fans.

"There were a lot of changes with other teams and different clubs but we didn't change it. We did well against West Bromwich Albion, we did well against Swansea City, so I thought I'd play the same team today.

"I can't blame the players, they did everything they could do. It's [the Replay] just another game for us so we have to go there and if we do what we did against West Brom then it shouldn't be a big problem.

"But, of course, with the players they've [Blackpool] got, they will be better at home so it will be a big task for us."

The Whites trailed in the tie for 20 minutes before a fantastic Karagounis strike – his first for the Club – brought his side level.

"He's been in the Team for the last three games and I told him that he could maybe play 60 minutes today because he's played the other games, but I had to leave him on," Jol said of his number 14.

"He's not only a legend in his country, but he's a warrior for us. He wants to win and he wants to play for the Team and he's very good for us. I was very happy when he came here and he showed why today, and that is what you need.

"Out of nothing he scored but, if you look at videos on the internet, he's probably done that eight or nine times before, and he's capable of doing that.

"That is something that we probably lack a bit; to have shots from midfield or to score out of nothing, and that is something that we lacked over the last couple of months."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/january/05/manager-reaction?

[WhiteJC]

 
January Fixtures

The Whites have two home games in the Barclays Premier League this month and all the ticket information you need can be found below:

Fulham v Wigan Athletic - Kids for a Quid
Martin Jol's Whites go up against Wigan on Saturday 12th January (3pm). Under-16s can experience Premier League football from just £1, while adult tickets are also available from £30. Don't forget, £1 tickets rise to £5 on matchday so be sure to buy yours in advance.

Fulham Members can also save £5 on up to two tickets if they purchase before midday on Wednesday 9th January.

Find out more and buy online today.

Fulham v West Ham United - Wednesday 30th January (8pm)
The Whites and the Hammers meet at the Cottage under the floodlights this month and tickets are currently available to buy on General Sale (maximum six per person).

Prices start from £40 for adults and £20 for juniors and are available to buy online today.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/january/05/january-fixtures?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham FA Cup hero should have been substituted earlier, admits Jol

Fulham manager Martin Jol has revealed that he originally intended to take Saturday's goal hero Giorgos Karagounis off after just an hour against Blackpool.

The Greek midfielder kept the Cottagers in the FA Cup with a superb late volley at Craven Cottage to cancel out Ludovic Sylvestre's opener for Blackpool and force a replay.

But the 35-year-old, who netted his first Fulham goal since joining the club in September, was only still on the field because Jol had already used up all three substitutions in a desperate bid to find an equaliser.

"He was in the team for the last three games and I told him maybe he'd play 60 minutes because he'd played the other games, but in the end I had to leave him on," Jol explained.

"You need a bit of luck and you need a bit of quality and Giorgos gave us that. He's a character, he's a personality and he's not only a legend in his country, he's a warrior for us.

"He wants to win and he wants to play for the team. He scored out of nothing – if you look at YouTube he's probably done it eight or nine times before and that's what he's capable of."

Jol's gamble also meant that Karagounis' central midfield colleague, Steve Sidwell, had to play out the closing minutes with a hamstring strain as the Whites battled for a replay against their Championship opponents.

And the Fulham boss – who named an unchanged line-up from their 2-1 win at West Brom on New Year's Day – conceded that his side will have to produce a much better performance to stay in the competition.

He added: "I think we had about 65 per cent possession and we should have finished this game earlier – there were bad crosses, bad final balls and they defended well.

"We had so much of the play in their box, it was only a matter of picking someone out to score, but we couldn't get the ball in the net. If it's not your day, you have to be happy with a replay.

"The movement wasn't good enough and we have to do better next time - we have to play with a lot more urgency and sharpness up front. If we go there and do what we did at West Brom, it shouldn't be a big problem."



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_fa_cup_hero_should_have_been_substituted_earlier_admits_jol_1_1783508

[WhiteJC]

 
Blackpool manager reveals reason to be confident ahead of Fulham replay

Blackpool boss Michael Appleton admitted he would have taken a replay before kick-off.

Ludovic Sylvestre's goal was cancelled out by Giorgos Karagounis as the under-whelming Whites rescued a replay.

"It was their strongest side, so I am pleased to come away and still be in the hat and have the chance to bring them down to the Bloomfield Road cabbage patch," he said.

"It is as bad a surface I have even seen in the league. I don't think Fulham will be comfortable or enjoy playing there.

"We have to make sure we put on a performance because they are still quality."



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/blackpool_manager_reveals_reason_to_be_confident_ahead_of_fulham_replay_1_1783559#cxrecs_s

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol spells out Fulham's task in Blackpool replay

MARTIN Jol says he will be looking for greater urgency and incisiveness from his team in next week's FA Cup replay against Blackpool.

The Fulham boss was left frustrated by his team's inability to put away a Championship side in Saturday's third round tie, when it needed a late Giorgos Karagounis strike to avoid the embarrassment of defeat.

"The movement wasn't good enough and we have to do better next time – we have to play with a lot more urgency and sharpness up front," Jol said.

"If it's not your day, you have to be happy with a replay. It's just another game and if we go there and do what we did at West Brom , it shouldn't be a big problem, but of course their players will be hungry.

"I think we had about 25 corners and 65 per cent possession. I told my men at half-time, if we don't score, they have the urgency to do something and there's always that possibility.

"We should have finished this game earlier – there were bad crosses, bad final balls and they defended well and in the end we got a replay. We worked hard and we ground out a result.

"It's frustration because we had so much of the play in their box and it was only a matter of picking someone out to score but we couldn't get the ball in the net. It took a long time but after we scored we had three or four situations where we should have scored again."


http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2013/01/05/82029-32551827/?

[Julius Geezer]

We must try and get Butland on board ASAP.

The more speculation surrounding the deal, the more likely a bigger club will gazump us.

I'm sure he would choose us over Southampton, but if Liverpool or Man City move for him, we'll miss out on a future star.

[fulhamben]

We must try and get Butland on board ASAP.

The more speculation surrounding the deal, the more likely a bigger club will gazump us.

I'm sure he would choose us over Southampton, but if Liverpool or Man City move for him, we'll miss out on a future star.

why would a young keeper go to city. hart will be number 1 for a decade

[DiegoFulham]

We must try and get Butland on board ASAP.

The more speculation surrounding the deal, the more likely a bigger club will gazump us.

I'm sure he would choose us over Southampton, but if Liverpool or Man City move for him, we'll miss out on a future star.

why would a young keeper go to city. hart will be number 1 for a decade

for many reasons mostly this £££