Tuesday Fulham Stuff (08/01/13)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Derek Boateng closes on move to Fulham after securing a work-permit


Derek Boateng: Closing on move to Fulham

Sky Sports understands that Fulham have secured a work permit for Derek Boateng.

The Cottagers have been on the Ghana star's trail since last summer, as have a number of clubs including West Brom.

But now Fulham have been successful in their application to bring Boateng into England, as he did not automatically gain a work permit.

Boateng himself has already had a medical and his discussed personal terms, but he has now flown out to South Africa to link-up with Ghana ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Whilst Boateng is Africa, Fulham will look to finalise a deal with his club - Dnipro of Ukraine.

Talks have been ongoing, but there is no hurry for Fulham as Boateng will not be able to play until February anyway due to Ghana's participation.



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8384309/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Cottage veteran's games plea

Experienced midfielder Giorgos Karagounis is keen to play as much as possible for Fulham.

The 35-year-old moved to Craven Cottage in September as a free agent and has featured in 10 of Fulham's Barclays Premier League fixtures since.

He also made a mark on his FA Cup bow for the Cottagers by scoring a tremendous equaliser for Martin Jol's side in the third round tie at home to Blackpool on Saturday.

Karagounis, who ended a five-year stay with Panathinaikos at the end of last season, wants to be as involved as often as he can be at Fulham.

"It was a great goal. It was important," he said of his goal against Blackpool. "I wish it was the winner. I was happy with the score. I want to use it as opportunity to thank the team.

"To score in front of the home fans was great but I want to show more and allow them thanks for letting me come here. I am here to play, I feel good and I want to help us as much as I can."

Fulham now face a replay against npower Championship outfit Blackpool with a trip to either West Ham or Manchester United the reward for progression into the fourth round.


http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/cottage-veterans-games-plea-1528283.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Replay Confirmation

The Club can confirm that our FA Cup with Budweiser Third Round Replay against Blackpool will be played on Tuesday 15th January (8pm) at Bloomfield Road.

Should Fulham win the Replay, our match away to either West Ham United or Manchester United is scheduled for Saturday 26th January (3pm).

Tickets for our trip to Blackpool go on sale on Wednesday 9th January and all information can be found here.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/january/07/replay-confirmation?

[WhiteJC]

 
U21s Fixtures Announcement

The Under-21s' second phase of the Premier League – Group Tier One fixtures have been confirmed and the first test for Kit Symons' youngsters is away to local rivals Chelsea.

In the first phase of the season, the two sides won a game each when they faced each other, with Fulham winning 3-1 at Craven Cottage, before the Blues had their revenge when they won 3-0 at Cobham.

The young Whites will run out at the Cottage again this season for the visit of Chelsea on the first day of March, while other notable grounds to be visited include Villa Park and Ewood Park when the Under-21s face Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers, respectively.

The other clubs set to face Fulham are Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Everton and you can view the full fixture list here.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/january/07/u21s-fixtures-announcement?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham defender Dan Burn extends loan stay at Yeovil Town

Yeovil Town have received a double boost ahead of tomorrow's trip to Leyton Orient with Nathan Ralph returning to fitness and Dan Burn extending his loan.

Full back Ralph could make the bench for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy area semi-final at the Matchroom Stadium, whilst Fulham defender Burn will remain with the Glovers until May.

Centre half Burn first arrived at Huish Park in September on a youth loan that could now be turned into an emergency deal following his 21st birthday on May 9 if Yeovil reach the play-offs.

Manager Gary Johnson said: "We had to do a little bit of negotiating with Fulham today and sometimes that doesn't always happen when you were hoping it was.

"We had fingers crossed because we don't want to lose Dan Burn and Dan Burn doesn't want to lose us so the deal was done and he will stay on a youth loan until he's over 21.

"At that point if we do manage to get anywhere near the playoffs then touchwood we can do another deal with Fulham for an emergency loan for that period of time.

"His long term future for this season is with us, which is fantastic and we appreciate Fulham's thoughts. I think they're happy as well that he's happy and that's the main thing."

Former Peterborough United youngster Ralph last year required surgery on a cyst that tore knee cartilage and is back in contention following a bright start to life in green and white.

"It is a long time coming but he had a massive injury, it was a big tear of his knee and he had to have it re-sewn - or whatever the medical term is - and that takes quite some time to heal.

"The big thing about him is that he has worked unbelievably hard to keep his fitness so that when he came back from the injury he was still very fit.

"He has grown up, he's got bigger and he's got stronger in that time. Lewis Young is not a million miles away now either but those two have really worked their socks off and they come back stronger."



http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/story-17782818-detail/story.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham and QPR to rival West Ham for Newcastle defender's signature

West Ham face stiff competition from Fulham and QPR as they look to make a move for Newcastle defender Danny Simpson.

Simpson has been strongly linked with a move to Upton Park as West Ham boss Sam Allardyce looks to strengthen his backline in the January transfer window.

With Newcastle having completed the signing of France defender Mathieu Debuchy, Simpson's days look to be numbered with the north-east club.
The 26-year-old is believed to want a move to London so he can be closer to his girlfriend, X-Factor judge Tulisa.

Allardyce will have to move fast if he wants to sign the talented full-back as both Martin Jol and Harry Redknapp are also believed to be tracking his progress and could make their move in the near future.

Simpson is currently sidelined with a broken toe which he suffered during the 7-3 defeat against Arsenal, but is expected back in action by the end of January.



Read more: http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/130107/fulham-and-qpr-rival-west-ham-newcastle-defenders-signature-?#ixzz2HM8NJnF3
Follow us: @talksport on Twitter
Read more at http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/130107/fulham-and-qpr-rival-west-ham-newcastle-defenders-signature-?#QfXfDgLsKxU8IhIX.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham target to hold crunch talks with Roma



Fulham target Maarten Stekelenburg will hold crunch talks with Roma officials on Tuesday after falling out of favour at the Stadio Olimpico.

Stekelenburg, who featured for Holland at Euro 2012, started the current campaign as Roma's No.1 but lost his place to Mauro Goicoechea.

His agent Rob Jansen insists the goalkeeper will leave the capital club if he is not guaranteed a first-team place.

"Tomorrow we will have an interview with the board," Jansen told Voetbal International.

"If it turns out that this situation continues, we are gone. Maarten has not come to Roma to sit on the bench."

In 2011 the 30-year-old moved to Italy from Ajax, where he worked under Martin Jol.

The Fulham boss is believed to be searching for a long-term replacement for Mark Schwarzer and could seek a reunion with his compatriot.



Read more: http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/130107/fulham-target-hold-crunch-talks-roma-188757?#ixzz2HM8e4XBF
Follow us: @talksport on Twitter
Read more at http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/130107/fulham-target-hold-crunch-talks-roma-188757?#qGh5JXSpWXiX7bQE.99

[WhiteJC]

 
The 50 Cap Club: Aaron Hughes

A profile of Northern Ireland greats would be incomplete without a piece on captain supreme, Aaron Hughes.  Making a total of 84 appearances for Northern Ireland, Hughes is the seventh most capped international for his country and has captained the GAWA on 46 occasions between 2003 and 2011.

Hughes first pulled on the Northern Ireland jersey in a friendly match against Slovakia in March 1998 under then manager, Lawrie McMenemy, who also made his debut as gaffer.  At the age of 18, Hughes assisted in keeping a clean sheet on the occasion, and the game is also remembered for the cult red and white squared pattern shirt of the mid-nineties.

As Hughes continued to impress with his solid defensive displays, he soon cemented his place at the heart of the Northern Ireland defence. Making a name for himself as a reliable defender at club level with Newcastle United, he would go on to make under 300 appearances for the Tyneside club in all competitions during his 8 year spell at the Toon.

In 2002, Hughes first captained the side during an emphatic 5-0 defeat against Spain at Windsor Park. However, Aaron soon made the captain's armband his own, consistently holding the position, and captained the side during the famous victories of the Lawrie Sanchez era against England, Spain and Sweden.

In 2005, Hughes secured a move to Midlands' giants, Aston Villa, where he spent one season serving under the management of Martin O'Neill. However, in the summer of 2007, Aaron took the opportunity to move south to Fulham as previous Northern Ireland boss, Lawrie Sanchez, signed the Northern Irish quartet of Davis, Baird, Healy and Hughes himself. While at Fulham, Aaron established his place at the rock of the defence and has demonstrated his worth as one of the most reliable defenders in the Premier League, making just under 450 appearances in the the competition.

One month after scoring his first international goal against the Faroe Islands in August 2011, Hughes announced his intention to retire from international football, which would have ended his Northern Ireland tally on 79 caps. However, five months down the line and feeling rejuvenated after recovering from injuries, Hughes made the decision to return to international football in February 2012.

Although the captain's armband is now the responsibility of Steven Davis, since arriving back in the Northern Ireland set up, Aaron Hughes has continued to play a pivotal role in defence and gave an inspired performance during the valiant draw against Portugal in Porto.

Hughes is renowned amongst the Norn Iron faithful, and has demonstrated on many occasions, that he is a model professional who leads by example. And at the age of 33, there is every chance that Hughes can still hit the 90 mark in Northern Ireland caps.



http://www.whitesidecantjump.com/northern-ireland-greats/the-50-cap-club-aaron-hughes/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Ruiz Now the Key Man for Fulham

After showing encouraging signs to turn around the bad spell of form, there's no doubt that Bryan Ruiz has stepped into the pivotal role. And since his hamstring injury against Sunderland, there was just one victory in seven games, and before his absence, Fulham had only featured two defeats when Ruiz played, which were against both Manchester sides. This says enough to demonstrate his importance to the team. Martin Jol's most risky signing has now become the key to Fulham's hopes of looking forward.

Last season, Ruiz had an inconsistent campaign, which was understandable when you consider his late arrival with no pre-season training, swift adaption to a faster league, first season without a winter break and having to play a fairly unfamiliar wide role after Mousa Dembele was the key central figure behind the striker. That had all contributed for a season to forget and while Ruiz showed flashes of brilliance, he wasn't the player that we heard good things about in the Eredivisie.

The 2012-13 campaign has revitalized his career and Ruiz has benefited from his familiar number ten role by ranking up six assists. However, during  Ruiz's absence, Fulham were a disjointed team because Berbatov was forced to drop too deep in midfield that consequently lacked goal within that side; just three goals were scored in those six games. When Ruiz plays, you can immediately notice the differences, as it's a real 4-2-3-1 shape and he connects the midfield with attack. The team benefits when Berbatov plays closer to goal and there was less pressure on the defensive midfielders to be creative.

The main concern is Ruiz's injury record: he's a lightweight player who needs to avoid aggressive contact, and his creativity is so vital for this current selection. Hence Jol could sign up a potent goal poacher like Darren Bent or another playmaker that can be a back-up to Ruiz, which Pajtim Kasami couldn't provide. The former transfer sounds more realistic and Martin Jol could find solution to play all three, despite Ruiz's main influential role is remaining central.

There haven't been many positives at Fulham lately, but Ruiz's importance to the team shows we can get back on track and regain the same spell of form that we witnessed at the beginning of the season.



http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/fulham/news/07-01-2013/ruiz-now-the-key-man-for-fulham?

[WhiteJC]

 
Matthew Briggs to get a further run out for Fulham



With all the vagaries of the festive period - rest, rotation, injury, etc - one of the things that caught my eye was that John Arne Riise was missing for Fulham. Matthew Briggs was filling in, and that looks set to continue.

MARTIN Jol has revealed John Arne Riise has been missing from Fulham's starting XI due to a dip in form.

Youngster Matthew Briggs was preferred to the Norwegian at left-back for the home defeat to Swansea last week, with Riise left out of the squad completely for the win at West Brom on New Year's Day.

The 32-year-old will be absent again for tomorrow's FA Cup third round clash with Blackpool after picking up an injury in training...

"Now John's injured and that's another situation. Maybe Briggsy will do well in the next couple of games.

I even noticed because Fulham defenders are traditionally good, if not great, fantasy options. The list included Chris Baird, John Pantsil/Paintsil, Carlos Salcido, and Riise of course.

Briggs has always been a decent fantasy option when he's seen playing time, which has been limited over the last season or so since he has been on the fringes of the first team. He played in the FA Cup against Blackpool, and Riise wasn't even on the bench. So it looks like he's set for another start this weekend, at home against Wigan. If you're looking for pieces to slot in around your Chelsea and Southampton two-gamers, you could probably do worse than Briggs.



http://www.nevermanagealone.com/2013/1/7/3846512/matthew-briggs-to-get-a-further-run-out-for-fulham?

[WhiteJC]

 
Arshavin Interest?
   
One interesting name has popped up with regards to the transfer tittle-tattle doing the rounds.

One source has Fulham showing an active interest in Arsenal`s Andriy Arshavin.

Arshavin, now 31 has fallen out of favour at the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal wouldn`t fight too hard too keep him.

According to the source we stumbled upon, Jol has been a long time admirer of the player and fancies adding his skills to the likes of Ruiz and Berbatov in our front line.

Will it happen?

We`ll soon find out!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=304857#ixzz2HM9dNPnH

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham confident over signing Ghana's Derek Boateng from Dnipro
• Defensive midfielder has had medical at Craven Cottage
• Fee should be agreed before end of Africa Cup of Nations


Ghana's Derek Boateng beats Brazil's Ronaldinho, left, to the ball in 2011 during a friendly at Craven Cottage, a ground he will become more familiar with if he signs for Fulham, as expected, this month. Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

Fulham are confident they will have reached agreement with Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk over the signing of the Ghana international Derek Boateng by the time his participation at the Africa Cup of Nations draws to a close.

Martin Jol's interest in the 29-year-old is long established, with the Fulham manager having come close to securing the defensive midfielder on loan last summer. Boateng has already undergone a medical at Fulham, who have secured a work permit for him, and talks between the clubs are ongoing.

A fee of about £2m has been mooted to sign a player who cost more than double that when joining Dnipro from Getafe back in 2011, but has since fallen out of favour and has made only two league starts in the first half of the season.

Boateng, who had enjoyed spells in Greece, Sweden, Israel and Spain before moving to Ukraine, is currently in Abu Dhabi with the Ghana squad preparing for the tournament in South Africa – they will depart for the finals on 16 January.

It remains to be seen whether Jol will also pursue his interest in Tottenham Hotspur's Tom Huddlestone as he seeks to secure significant reinforcements in the midwinter window after the team's recent inconsistent form.

The Turkey goalkeeper Sinan Bolat, who had been training with the Cottagers, has returned to Standard Liège but Jol is still mulling over whether to sign him. Bolat, who won three caps for his national side in 2011-12, is seeking to re-establish himself after suffering a cruciate ligament injury but he is not expected to win his first team place back at Liège.



http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jan/07/fulham-confident-signing-ghana-derek-boateng?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham-bound Boateng committed to Ghana's AFCON campaign

Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng says his expected move to Fulham has not affected his desire to play at this month's Africa Cup of Nations.

The 29-year-old underwent medical at Craven Cottage and has agreed personal terms with the English Premier League side.

There were earlier reports that Fulham would block him from playing at the Nations Cup but the FC Dnipro has joined the team's pre-tournament training in Abu Dhabi.

Boateng told the official Ghana Football Association website he is 'fully committed' to the Black Stars.

"Since I arrived here I have left behind all the thoughts of Fulham and concentrating on how to help the Black Stars win the trophy," Boateng told Ghanafa.org.

"Those reports that I have reached a deal to skip the Nations Cup are not true otherwise I won't be here training with my colleagues.

"I am fully committed to Ghana and currently I am only thinking about the Black Stars and how to do something special for the country."

Boateng will be making his third Africa Cup of Nations appearances after playing in 2002 and 2012 finals.



http://www.ghanasoccernet.com/fulham-bound-boateng-committed-to-ghanas-afcon-campaign/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 5 Under-18s 1

Having not played a League game since 8th December, MK Dons Under-18s travelled to Premier League side Fulham last weekend for a friendly match, in which they beaten 5-1.
Without Dele Alli, Brendan Galloway and Giorgio Rasulo who had all travelled to Hillsborough with the first team for the FA Cup Third Round clash against Sheffield Wednesday, Mike Dove's side took advantage of the free weekend by taking on a strong Cottagers team, which included former Dons scholar George Williams.

Schoolboy duo Jay Taylor and Lawrence Vaughan were handed their first starts for the Under-18s while Dove also named fellow Under-16s Luke Tingey, Kyran Whiltshire and Ben Tilney in his starting XI, in what was a very youthful Dons side.

Despite a strong start by the Dons, it was the hosts that drew first blood after their number 9 was able to latch onto a deep cross from the right and head home unmarked at the far post.

The Dons, who struggled to cope with their physical and experienced opponents from set-pieces early on, were made to pay after nine minutes when, after a clever short corner, a Fulham striker was able to divert the ball just past the outstretched hands of Charlie Burns in the Dons goal from 12-yards.

The 2-0 scoreline, though, was somewhat unfair on the Dons, who continued to keep possession and dictate the tempo as they looked to frustrate their top division counterparts as they searched for a way back into the match.

The Cottagers however, looked deadly on the counter-attack and they grabbed a third by doing just that in the 18th minute – their towering centre-forward lashing home from a tight-angle after meeting a clever pass which cut through the Dons back-four.

It was from another set-piece that Fulham scored their fourth goal of the game, after Burns was beaten to a near-post corner as he came out to punch clear.

Trying their best not to be too disheartened, especially having dominated for large parts, the Dons went in search of a consolation and found it five minutes before the interval following some terrific play from Captain Mason Spence (pictured).

Bringing the ball out from the back, Spence spotted the run of Tilney on the right and found him with a delightful cross-field ball with the outside of his boot, which allowed the young Dons wide-man to lay-on for Whiltshire who confidently slotted home.

Director of Youth Dove was keen to stress to his players at the break that despite the scoreline there were a lot of positives that they could take from the first half, having matched their Premier League counterparts in terms of effort and possession.

The Dons, who never seemed to lack confidence throughout, managed to hold the strong Fulham side to very few chances in the second half, but were beaten for a final time in the 85th minute when the Cottagers right-winger was allowed enough space to rifle home a fierce effort from 30-yards.

Dove's team will now look ahead to reigniting their League campaign this coming Saturday, when they travel to local rivals Luton Town in search of a second straight League win.



http://www.mkdons.com/news/article/fulham-5-under-18s-1-585697.aspx?

[WhiteJC]

 
Espinoza targets Fulham clash

Roger Espinoza says it could be a blessing that he missed out against Bournemouth and is hoping to make his debut against Fulham.

The Honduran started the FA Cup third-round clash against the Cherries on the bench and remained there as Latics fought out a 2-2 draw down on the south coast.

A lack of training with the rest of the Latics squad was probably behind Roberto Martinez's thinking as the player had only arrived in England late on Thursday afternoon.

However with a full week on the training ground under his belt, there is every chance he could figure against the Cottagers.

"I was ready to play but, at the same time, it might turn out to be a good thing that I didn't get on," Espinoza told the Evening Post. "I'd not even managed to practice for a full day with the rest of the squad, so it wouldn't have been ideal.

"Obviously if the circumstances had been different, and we'd been two or three goals up, it might have been a different story. But it wasn't to be and it's meant I can spend this week further acclimatising myself into the club ahead of the Fulham game."



http://www.clubcall.com/wigan-athletic/espinoza-targets-fulham-clash-1528564.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Meet The Ref - Fulham v Latics - Mark Clattenburg

The Fulham v Latics game on Saturday will be refereed by Consett official, Mark Clattenburg

The 37 year old has been in the news quite a bit recently, though I don't feel there is any need to dwell on that here

Clattenburg has handed out the highest number of red cards in the Premier League so far this season, 5 in 12 games, quite some going! Let's hope it's a bit quieter on Saturday

This will be the first time that the Geordie boy has officiated in a Latics game this season, his last Latics match was our away win at Blackburn on the 7th May which saw the Rovers relegated and us retain our Premier League status

Clattenburg's hair is one of life's great mysteries. A couple of years ago the old cat's arse was creeping in, but suddenly there appears to be a bit of re-growth, I always thought when it's gone, it's gone, obviously not.

Baldy, baldy ref


When he first got to the top of the refereeing world Clattenburg gave an interview, considering what went on this season, it now makes interesting reading:

What skills do you think you need to become a professional Referee?

You need courage, personality and have a fitness which can sometimes match the players.

Who has been the biggest influence in your career and why?

My dad, he give me the opportunity and also supported me through the bad times of my early refereeing career. I would have packed up during the troubled times if there was no one to support me and listen to me.

In your opinion who is/was the best Referee?

The person I looked up to was George Courtney. His personality and the way he controlled a match was a joy to watch.

A bit of trivia, Clattenburg comes from Consett, where's that? I hear you cry, well say Consett in a Geordie accent and you'll not be too far off, (again in a Geordie accent) it's in County Durham, like.

Consett has a population of just 27,000 but there are a few famous people to have sprouted out of the town, Mark Clattenburg, obviously, Rowan Attkinson (Black Adder and Mr Bean), Alun Armstrong, renowned actor, very ugly, you know the one, he was in Braveheart and that TV retired coppers thing, New Tricks with Dennis Waterman

England cricketer Paul Collingwood, and actress Denise Welch who was in Corrie and is married to Tim Healey. Also Consett is famous for Phileas Fogg crisp and providing the steel that built Blackpool Tower.

Well there you go, not only did you meet the ref, but also got a little trivia on a small town in the North East

Fulham v Wigan Athletic
Referee M Clattenburg
Assistants S Beck, S Child
4th Official M Oliver

Mak Clattenburg Card Watch 2012/13

Games - 17
Yellows - 54
Reds - 5



Read more: http://www.wigan.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=304912#ixzz2HOmug7Tq

[WhiteJC]

 
Cottage ace set to miss Mali mission

Martin Jol claims Fulham midfielder Mahamadou Diarra is unlikely to feature in the African Cup of Nations for Mali because of injury.

The Cottagers' boss has been unable to call upon the influential player since December 1 as he has been battling to recover from a problematic knee injury.

However, that has not stopped Mali calling Diarra up to their squad for the upcoming tournament in South Africa.

The country's medical staff will assess Diarra before making a decision on whether he will be fit to play any part for them, but Jol feels the African Cup of Nations is coming too soon.

On the player, who has only featured eight times for the Cottagers all season, Jol told the Chronicle: "Diarra is still injured.

"He can't play for us and I don't think he will be available for them. They will look at him and make an assessment."



http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/cottage-ace-set-to-miss-mali-mission-1528580.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Kids for a Quid

Barclays Premier League action returns to Craven Cottage this weekend and match tickets are still available.

Martin Jol's Whites take on Wigan Athletic on Saturday 12th January (3pm) and there's still time for supporters to secure their seats.

Tickets for Under 16s start from just £1 when purchased in advance and adult tickets are on sale from just £30.

Fulham Members can also save £5 on up to two tickets in all areas of the stadium if they purchase before midday on Wednesday 9th January.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/january/08/kids-for-a-quid?

[WhiteJC]

 
LDV Returns To Fulham

Lauri has returned to Premier League side after successful loan spell

The Finnish striker Lauri Dalla Valle has returned to Fulham after his latest loan deal expired after the weekend, but boss Steve Davis has not ruled out re-signing the goal poacher before the end of the window. Dalle Valle scored five goals in his 10 appearances for the club and he became a firm favourite with the Crewe Alexandra supporters due to his incredible work-rate for the team.

Davis was full of praise for the former Liverpool man, but says that he needs to give his own players, AJ Leitch-Smith and Max Clayton a chance to stake their claim for a regular place in the team.

Steve told crewealex.net: "Lauri has returned to Fulham but that is still left open with Fulham. We could revisit that again before the end of January.

"I just felt that we need to give AJ and Max a go. Lauri has done very well for us and scored some really important goals. He has scored a goal every other game which is a decent record.

"We could look at it again in two or three weeks time, if our own don't produce. They have to live with that pressure and I have had a chat with them about what I expect. All footballers play under pressure and they have to cope with it."



http://www.crewealex.net/news/article/ldv-returns-to-fulham-585908.aspx?

[WhiteJC]

 
Roma's Stekelenburg Could Be On His Way To Fulham

Fulham could be ready to offer Maarten Stekelenburg a way out of Roma.

The Dutchman has found himself on the bench more often than not this season as Giallorossi coach Zdenek Zeman favours Mauro Goicoechea.

According to the Daily Mail, if Stekelenburg isn't guaranteed first team football he will ask to leave the Stadio Olimpico.

"I'll have talks with Roma on Tuesday," Stekelenburg's agent Rob Jansen told Voetbal International. "The goalkeeping situation at the club is not very clear.

"If this situation was to persist then we would evaluate other avenues. Maarten didn't come to Roma to sit on the bench."



http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2013/01/romas-stekelenburg-could-be-on-his-way-to-fulham/?