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

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Match Report: Fulham add to problems at home
Fulham 1 Wigan Athletic 1: Martin Jol worried his attacking line-up can only score once while Wigan fear the worst for Ramis

Fulham used to be predictable – usually winning at home, seldom winning away.

These, though, are strange days for Craven Cottage regulars, who saw their team follow up a victory away to West Bromwich with another below-par home performance yesterday. Martin Jol's team have now recorded only one home victory in seven League matches, and only two wins anywhere in the last 13.

Yesterday they took the lead against Wigan Athletic with a spectacular strike from Giorgos Karagounis but could not add to it and paid the price. Although Fulham almost won the game late on, defeat would have been hard on a resilient Wigan side who forced the save of the match from Mark Schwarzer and deservedly climbed out of the bottom three.

Fulham are not quite in a relegation struggle yet, and Jol believes they will not be, but he admitted that two shots on target from the attacking team he had fielded was worrying. "It's always the same story," he said. "We need another goal but we can't get it. We played with seven offensive players, and it was a gamble. We have a problem with balance, but we have quality and it will see us through."

Wigan started the game well, but Fulham began to dominate possession through Dimitar Berbatov and Bryan Ruiz and it was a surprise when Berbatov failed to control Ruiz's clever chip over the defence. Mladen Petric was wasteful with two good chances, shooting high from a free-kick and then after taking Berbatov's pass inside from the left.

So it was no surprise when Fulham went ahead after 22 minutes as Karagounis took possession 35 yards out, produced a sudden burst of acceleration that fooled a defender, and hit a shot from 22 yards that sped past the right hand of the diving Ali Al-Habsi and in off the base of the post. It was the 35-year-old former Greece captain's second memorable strike at the Hammersmith End in eight days, following the dipping volley in the FA Cup third-round tie against Blackpool that had kept Fulham in the competition.

Fulham remained in control but without testing Al-Habsi, even from a series of free-kicks – since Karagounis is a dead-ball expert and had shown that he knew where the goal is, it was mysterious that Petric and Kieran Richardson were allowed to keep squandering them.

It proved costly for Fulham. Shaun Maloney fired a warning shot for the top corner after 55 minutes but Schwarzer flung himself to his left and got just enough of the ball to touch it on to the crossbar. But the save only delayed the inevitable.

In the 71st minute, Franco Di Santo cut in from the left, went past some token challenges and let fly from the edge of the penalty area, the ball beating Schwarzer high past the keeper's left hand.

The Argentinian nearly gave Wigan the lead shortly after, his low shot from the right bouncing off Schwarzer and wide, and the goalkeeper saved once more when Di Santo went through another feeble challenge.

The Fulham fans were jeering at that point, but their team could have won the match in the final seconds but for an astonishing clearance. Ruiz robbed Ronnie Stam and shot past Al-Habsi only for Maynor Figueroa to produce a diving header off the goalline.

"It was a special clearance," the Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said. "Between their goal and that action I thought we were the better side. It would have been all too easy to accept Fulham's momentum. Getting results is a question of what you do in both boxes and it's easy to see the improvements we've made."

The negative was the probable loss for the season of the defender Ivan Ramis with suspected cruciate ligament damage. "I fear the worst," said Martinez. "We will miss him."

Fulham (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Richardson; Duff (Baird, 82), Karagounis, Ruiz, Kacaniklic (Dejagah, 87); Berbatov; Petric (Rodallega, 65).

Wigan (3-5-1-1): Al-Habsi; Ramis (Stam, 90), Caldwell, Figueroa; Boyce, McArthur, McCarthy, Jones (Gomez, 65), Beausejour; Maloney; Di Santo.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg.

Man of the match: Schwarzer (Fulham)

Match rating: 6/10



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/match-report-fulham-add-to-problems-at-home-8449120.html

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Premier League match report: Fulham 1-1 Wigan Athletic


Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov sits dejected. Photo: PA

Franco di Santo's thumping effort earned Wigan a deserved point as Fulham's struggles at Craven Cottage continued.

The Argentina international made the Latics' pressure count in the 71st minute, cutting in from the left before unleashing a fierce drive that beat Mark Schwarzer.

Di Santo's second-half strike means the west Londoners have now failed to win in four successive home matches in all competitions, with the last victory coming against Newcastle on December 10.

It could have been so different for Martin Jol's side, who had looked on course for a back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since September.

Giorgos Karagounis last week opened his Fulham account with an exquisite half-volley against Blackpool in the FA Cup and scored another fantastic goal today, bursting through the middle to unleash a fierce drive that went in off the inside of the post.

However, the Greek veteran's moment of magic was not enough for Fulham as Di Santo ensured Wigan would return to the north west with a point.

The visitors were quicker to settle on a cold afternoon by the Thames, with Shaun Maloney getting a fourth-minute strike away despite receiving a push in the back.

James McArthur saw a fizzing 20-yard strike fly just over as Wigan returned to the attack, before the Scotland international was denied another shot thanks to fine defensive cover by Bryan Ruiz.

The hosts were struggling to contain the Latics but began to threaten at the other end as Mladen Petric curled a 20-yard free-kick over.

Ruiz almost put through Dimitar Berbatov with a fine ball, before Petric, keen to impress on his return from injury, lashed over in the 15th minute.

Dimitar Berbatov was denied by a smart Ivan Ramis block as Fulham continued to press for an opener, which came in some style after 22 minutes.

Karagounis picked up the ball 40 yards out and made a beeline for goal, jinking past James McCarthy before rifling home a low strike off the inside of the post.

It was harsh on Wigan after a bright start and they could have drawn parity four minutes later had McArthur's half volley not been straight at Schwarzer.

Alex Kacaniklic mishit a volley when the Whites returned to the attack, with McArthur booked for yanking back Ruiz as they broke forward.

While Fulham were now on top, Wigan were still getting some joy when they voyaged forward.

The visitors could have levelled as half-time approached as Emmerson Boyce found Di Santo with a fierce right-wing cross, although the Argentina striker could not direct on target.

It was not until 10 minutes into the second half that either goalkeeper was tested as Schwarzer earned his crust with a fine save.

Maloney found time and space to unleash a fine strike that was heading in via a marginal deflection until the veteran Australian superbly tipped it onto the bar.

Kieran Richardson then did well to sweep away a dangerous cross as Di Santo loitered with intent, before Maloney again tested Schwarzer.

Di Santo then expertly teed himself up before firing a volley from the edge of the box into the side-netting, leading Fulham boss Jol to bring on former Wigan favourite Hugo Rodallega in place of the ineffective Petric.

There was a goal shortly after the Colombian's introduction, although it was scored by former team-mate Di Santo.

The 23-year-old cut in from the left flank and dribbled towards the edge of the box, before unleashing a thumping right-footed effort that beat Schwarzer.

The Argentinian tested the Fulham goalkeeper soon after as Wigan pushed for another, although play was now swinging from end to end.

Fulham peppered the visitors' box with some dangerous crosses, before Rodallega saw an effort blocked by Gary Caldwell.

Di Santo struck the side-netting late on, before team-mate Ramis was stretchered off in stoppage time.

Maynor Figueroa incredibly cleared a Ruiz strike off the line as Wigan's defence struggled to cope, with the final whistle met by boos from home fans.



http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2013-01-12/premier-league-match-report-fulham-1-1-wigan-athletic/?

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Fulham flounder against lowly Wigan

Fulham 1 Wigan 1

Franco di Santo's thumping effort earned Wigan a deserved point as Fulham's struggles at Craven Cottage continued today.

The Argentina international made the Latics' pressure count in the 71st minute, cutting in from the left before unleashing a fierce drive that beat Mark Schwarzer.

Di Santo's second-half strike means the west Londoners have now failed to win in four successive home matches in all competitions, with the last victory coming against Newcastle on December 10.

It could have been so different for Martin Jol's side, who had looked on course for a back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since September.

Giorgos Karagounis last week opened his Fulham account with an exquisite half-volley against Blackpool in the FA Cup and scored another fantastic goal today, bursting through the middle to unleash a fierce drive that went in off the inside of the post.

However, the Greek veteran's moment of magic was not enough for Fulham as Di Santo ensured Wigan would return to the north west with a point.

The visitors were quicker to settle on a cold afternoon by the Thames, with Shaun Maloney getting a fourth-minute strike away despite receiving a push in the back.

James McArthur saw a fizzing 20-yard strike fly just over as Wigan returned to the attack, before the Scotland international was denied another shot thanks to fine defensive cover by Bryan Ruiz.

The hosts were struggling to contain the Latics but began to threaten at the other end as Mladen Petric curled a 20-yard free-kick over.

Ruiz almost put through Dimitar Berbatov with a fine ball, before Petric, keen to impress on his return from injury, lashed over in the 15th minute.

Dimitar Berbatov was denied by a smart Ivan Ramis block as Fulham continued to press for an opener, which came in some style after 22 minutes.

Karagounis picked up the ball 40 yards out and made a beeline for goal, jinking past James McCarthy before rifling home a low strike off the inside of the post.

It was harsh on Wigan after a bright start and they could have drawn parity four minutes later had McArthur's half volley not been straight at Schwarzer.

Alex Kacaniklic mishit a volley when the Whites returned to the attack, with McArthur booked for yanking back Ruiz as they broke forward.

While Fulham were now on top, Wigan were still getting some joy when they voyaged forward.

The visitors could have levelled as half-time approached as Emmerson Boyce found Di Santo with a fierce right-wing cross, although the Argentina striker could not direct on target.

It was not until 10 minutes into the second half that either goalkeeper was tested as Schwarzer earned his crust with a fine save.

Maloney found time and space to unleash a fine strike that was heading in via a marginal deflection until the veteran Australian superbly tipped it onto the bar.

Kieran Richardson then did well to sweep away a dangerous cross as Di Santo loitered with intent, before Maloney again tested Schwarzer.

Di Santo then expertly teed himself up before firing a volley from the edge of the box into the side-netting, leading Fulham boss Jol to bring on former Wigan favourite Hugo Rodallega in place of the ineffective Petric.

There was a goal shortly after the Colombian's introduction, although it was scored by former team-mate Di Santo.

The 23-year-old cut in from the left flank and dribbled towards the edge of the box, before unleashing a thumping right-footed effort that beat Schwarzer.

The Argentinian tested the Fulham goalkeeper soon after as Wigan pushed for another, although play was now swinging from end to end.

Fulham peppered the visitors' box with some dangerous crosses, before Rodallega saw an effort blocked by Gary Caldwell.

Di Santo struck the side-netting late on, before team-mate Ramis was stretchered off in stoppage time.

Maynor Figueroa incredibly cleared a Ruiz strike off the line as Wigan's defence struggled to cope, with the final whistle met by boos from home fans.



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_flounder_against_lowly_wigan_1_1790656

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Martin Jol fumes after Fulham were held 1-1 at home by Wigan in Premier League

Fulham manager Martin Jol was left fuming after his team were pegged back to a 1-1 draw by Wigan at Craven Cottage.

The Londoners have now gone four successive home matches without a win in all competitions, with the last victory coming against Newcastle on 10 December.

Giorgos Karagounis' fantastic first-half strike put Fulham ahead but Franco di Santo levelled in equally impressive fashion for the Latics in the 71st minute.

"It is always the same story," Jol said. "You go one up and you need another goal but cannot score another goal and then you are vulnerable.

"It is easier said than done but when you are 1-0 up you still have to dominate the game. We had a little problem to contain them and they had players in the pockets but we are a big team at the back.

"But we needed a second goal and we did not score a second goal. It was the same against Southampton when we needed a second goal and didn't score and they scored an equaliser.

"We have a problem in our balance but we have quality and that will pull us through but we have to score two goals. Last year, if we scored one goal it was decisive. This year most of the time, it wasn't decisive."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/8393266?

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Ruiz Reflects

Bryan Ruiz saw three points flash before his eyes in the last minute of stoppage time against Wigan Athletic.

With Fulham locked at 1-1 with Wigan, the creative Costa Rican broke through the Latics backline on 95 minutes and drove his shot across the helpless Ali Al Habsi's goal. But, somehow, Maynor Figueroa scrambled back to agonisingly hook the ball off the line.

Starting out in a more withdrawn central role, Ruiz was able to dictate play from deep and the Whites were in control when his midfield partner Giorgos Karagounis fired us into a half-time lead on 22 minutes.

But the visitors upped their game after the interval and struck back through Franco Di Santo on 71 minutes, and the match culminated with both sides striving to snatch all of the points.

"I think that we had the better of the first half and they came back and played better than us in the second half, so a draw is probably a fair result," Bryan told the official website.

"But a draw is not what we want when we are playing in our own house. We want to get more points at the Cottage to improve our league position and maybe we could have won the match.

"In the last minute of extra time I had a chance from a narrow angle, where I came inside and aimed to hit the ball inside the second post but I don't know how Figueroa kicked the ball off the line.

"It was difficult to say exactly what changed in the second half. We are still missing Mahamadou Diarra and Steve Sidwell from the midfield, who are very important players for us.

"It meant the Manager asked me to play in a different position, which was not easy for me because I am not used to playing there, so it was a challenge.

"We did well at the start of the match with myself and Karagounis playing in the centre, he covers a lot of ground, but Wigan are very well organised and they caused us problems in the second half.

"It was a very good goal by Karagounis to put us 1-0 ahead and we were happy with the performance at half-time. In the second half Wigan came at us and made it difficult for us to play."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/january/12/ruiz-reflects?

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Worrying Times?
   
Two more dropped points, at home, has Fulham supporters anxiously looking over their shoulders.

What looked like being a comfortable season is now in danger of becoming an anxious one.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Wigan this afternoon, Martin Jol didn`t appear to be the happiest of men, remarking in his after match press conference,

'If you are 1-0 up you have to score a second goal and we were very sloppy. We lost the ball and kept them in the game. We've had two disappointing results but we have to take it."

'I wouldn't say we're in a relegation battle but we need the points. We don't have all of the millions to spend but you have to be creative. Sometimes you could do with one of two quality players and hopefully we will do something.'

Are these worrying times or just a blip?



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=305398#ixzz2HqPBqiEF

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Martin Jol respects opinion of booing Fulham fans

Fulham manager Martin Jol said that he understands why some supporters were booing after the 1-1 draw against Wigan.

His side took the lead at Craven Cottage when Giorgos Karagounis opened the scoring but Franco Di Santo levelled the scores.

Jol believes the frustration of the fans also comes because of their perception of the quality the team possesses.

"They feel we are a good team and that we're probably better than we are and sometimes we probably look better than we are," said the Cottagers boss.

"We have a few problems this year because of players leaving and also injuries so we had to make a few changes in this match.
"Hopefully the fans will understand but if they don't understand that's ok. They've paid to watch so they have the right to have an opinion."



Read more: http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/130112/martin-jol-respects-opinion-booing-fulham-fans-189137?#ixzz2HqPcsILG
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Read more at http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/130112/martin-jol-respects-opinion-booing-fulham-fans-189137?#mJXY6tKv3SeTkbmk.99

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Craving Cottager: Schalke want Fulham boss Martin Jol to be their next manager

Cottagers boss is well regarded in Germany after his time in charge with Hamburg and he could be tempted by Champions League football

Schalke are keen to make Martin Jol their next manager, writes the Sunday People.

The German club are looking for a successor to sacked head coach Huub Stevens – and have put youth team boss Jens Keller in charge until the end of the season.

They are taking their time to draw up a list of candidates but Fulham boss Jol is high on their agenda.

Jol, 56, has coached in Germany before, enjoying a successful year with Hamburg before moving on to boss Dutch giants Ajax.

Champions League outfit Schalke, who face Galatasaray in the knockout stages next month, believe Jol could be tempted to take on the challenge of leading them forward from the end of the season.

Jol has been in charge of Fulham since 2011 and the club told him in November they would take up an option to extend his
contract from the end of this campaign and keep him for an extra year.

But Schalke are expected to make an approach to discover how much it would cost to take him to the Bundesliga – if he is interested.


Brede winner: Hangeland is yet to sign a new contract
Neville Williams

Better news for the Cottagers is that injury-hit winger Simon Davies will return to training this week.

The 33-year-old former Wales ­international has been ­sidelined with knee and hip problems and has made just seven first-team ­appearances in the past 18 months,

Davies came through a midweek reserve team outing unscathed as he steps up his fight for fitness.

The ex-Tottenham winger knows he needs to hit the ground running if he is to earn a new deal at Craven Cottage.

He is among a crop of Fulham players, which also includes captain Brede Hangeland, whose contracts expire in the summer.

Manager Jol said: "Simon is almost a project and it will be good to have him back.

"We will ease him back in slowly as he is still a few weeks away from ­rejoining the first team.

"He has been so unlucky. Fingers crossed he can now stay injury-free."

Meanwhile, Fulham boss Jol will make an £8million offer for France midfielder Yann M'Vila.



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/schalke-want-fulham-boss-martin-1532112?

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Yann hunt: Fulham join QPR and Newcastle in £8m chase for M'Vila

Martin Jol is prepared to pay up for the France international after talks over Tottenham's Tom Huddlestone stalled


Bad boy: M'Vila's attitude has put off some clubs
Getty

Fulham boss Martin Jol will make an £8million offer for France midfielder Yann M'Vila, in bid to snatch him from under the noses of QPR and Newcastle, writes the Sunday People.

Hoops boss Harry Redknapp flew to France last night to watch M'Vila play for Rennes, but the 22-year-old is reluctant to sign for the Loftus Road club.

Jol has had his scouts watching M'Vila and is keen to sign him after negotiations over Tom Huddlestone stalled over Tottenham's asking price.

M'Vila was tracked by Arsenal and Spurs after a memorable performance for France against England in 2010, but has a bit of a bad-boy reputation.

He is currently banned from international duty until the summer of 2014 after an unauthorised night out while on Under-21 duty in November.

Fulham are not prepared to meet Tottenham's £7million valuation for England midfielder Huddlestone but are ready to bid higher for M'Vila.



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-join-qpr-and-newcastle-in-8m-1532057?

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Redknapp makes flying Rennes visit to scout Fulham target

Transfer news: Harry Redknapp flew to Rennes last night to watch midfielder Yann M'Vila and try to pip Fulham and a host of other clubs to his signature.

The French Ligue 1 outfit lost 2-0 to Bordeaux but before he boarded a plane the manager saw his QPR draw 0-0 with Tottenham at Loftus Road in yesterday's lunchtime Premier League kick-off.

He admitted afterwards he needs to strengthen his squad despite taking four points from their last two home games.

Redknapp has kept M'Vila on his radar since he was manager of Spurs but he was coy about the nature of his trip across the Channel.

"I'm going to watch a game in Rennes, there will be a lot of good players on show," he said.

"I'm going to watch a game, just looking at players really to see if there is anything out there to improve us and strengthen the squad."

Rangers' west London rivals Fulham are thought to be keen on the French bad boy, who has been banned from playing for the national side until 2014 after an unauthorised night out while on international duty.

One sticking point for Redknapp could be QPR's lowly position at the foot of the English top flight.

"He [M'Vila] is an interesting player, I tried to sign him when I was at Tottenham and is someone I have watched five or six times in the last year," said Redknapp.

"It is difficult because when you're at the bottom it is harder to attract people to the club."


http://www.london24.com/sport/qpr/redknapp_makes_flying_rennes_visit_to_scout_fulham_target_1_1790840