Friday Fulham Stuff (18/01/13)...

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Metrolink tests to close roads for Fulham game

Supporters should be made aware that there will once again be road closures affecting the movement of traffic around the Etihad Stadium for Saturday's game against Fulham due to on-going tests on the new Metrolink service.

In addition live trams (without passengers) will be running to test the line under match day conditions.

As work is progressing to create the new Metrolink line from Manchester Piccadilly to Ashton-under-Lyne, further testing is required of the services during a typical Manchester City home match.

For that reason, the council need to temporarily close Beswick Street at its junction with Merril Street and restrict vehicular access westbound along Merril Street from Ashton New Road.

These tests will take place between 4.30pm and 6pm on Saturday 5 January 2013 and will therefore affect supporters after full-time.

The purpose of the test is to determine measures required to improve the movement of traffic in the local area following the end of football games at the Etihad Stadium.

A local signposted diversion will be in place and vehicular access will be maintained via Pollard Street.

In addition, the Citylink walkway will be closed for this match for maintenance purposes.

Key changes.

- Live trams running post match (without passengers).

- Beswick Street at its junction with Merril Street will be closed between 4.30pm and 6pm.

- Vehicle access westbound along Merril Street from Ashton New Road (heading into the City centre) will be restricted between 4.30pm and 6pm.

- All traffic heading towards the city will be directed left onto Every Street.

- The Citylink walking route from Holt Town to City Square will not be re-opened for the match.

- Pedestrian access on Beswick Street, Pollard Street and Merril Street will be maintained at all time.

- This work will affect supporters after full-time of the Fulham match on Saturday.

Supporters are also advised to take extra care on their journeys to the Etihad Stadium due to the weather conditions.



http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Club-news/2013/January/Beswick-Street-closed-for-Fulham-game?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol: Let's not paint it black


Red missed: Martin Jol regrets not appealing the ban imposed on Brede Hangeland

Martin Jol today hit back at the Fulham doom mongers who believe the club are in freefall in the Premier League and facing a fight for survival.

Jeers greeted the home draw with Wigan and the Fulham faithful, who made the long haul to Championship Blackpool for Tuesday's FA Cup third round replay, were loud in their condemnation of the team's performance before the Whites finally scraped through in extra-time.

Yet Jol insisted there are false alarms sounding over Fulham's form which has seen them win only two of their last 14 league games. They now lie just six points off the drop zone with a difficult midweek derby against West Ham and a clash with leaders Manchester United to come in the wake of tomorrow's test at City. But Jol pointed out: "We are still unbeaten in January.

"We won two away games which is good, against West Brom and Blackpool. And we got two draws against Blackpool and Wigan, so it is not alarming. It would have been better if we got all the points against Wigan, or Southampton against whom we had two draws. That was disappointing because you can't expect a team like Fulham to reckon with six points against Manchester City away and then against Manchester United. Every point we get from those two games will be a bonus, but we will fight for every point."

Significantly, Fulham's form took a dive when Brede Hangeland was sent off against Sunderland in mid-November and Jol regrets not appealing against his captain's three-match ban after Manchester City managed to overturn Vincent Kompany's red card for a similar tackle at Arsenal.

Jol, boosted by the return of Steve Sidwell tomorrow after the midfielder missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, said: "I still feel Brede's tackle was a good tackle, but I thought it wouldn't help to get an appeal in.

"My fear was instead of a three-game ban it would become four games."


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/jol-lets-not-paint-it-black-8456889.html

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Sky Sports announces 12 new live Premier League fixtures, including North London derby

Sky Sports has announced a dozen more Premier League live fixtures including the North London derby and some key clashes in the title race.

Tottenham's home clash with Arsenal will be shown live on Sky Sports on Sunday March 3, while title rivals Manchester United and Manchester City will also be in action throughout the month.

United's trip to West Ham will be shown live on Saturday March 9 (subject to FA Cup participation) and their game at Sunderland will also be on Sky Sports on Saturday March 30.

City will travel to struggling Aston Villa for Monday Night Football on March 4 and their tough test away at Everton will be screened on Saturday March 16.

Chelsea still harbour hopes of getting into the title picture and their derby clash with Fulham will be live on Sunday March 10 (subject to FA Cup involvement) and you can also see their game with Southampton on Easter Sunday.

Newly confirmed Sky Sports Premier League live fixtures:

Sunday March 3: Tottenham v Arsenal (4pm)
Monday March 4: Aston Villa v Man City (8pm)
Saturday March 9: West Ham v Man Utd (12.45pm)
Sunday March 10: Fulham v Chelsea (1.30pm)
Sunday March 10: Liverpool v Tottenham (4pm)
Saturday March 16: Everton v Man City (12.45pm) BR>Sunday March 17: Sunderland v Norwich (1.30pm) BR>Sunday March 17: Wigan v Newcastle (4pm)
Saturday March 30: Sunderland v Man Utd (12.45pm)
Sunday March 31: Aston Villa v Liverpool (1.30pm)
Sunday March 31: Southampton v Chelsea (4pm)
Monday April 1: Fulham v QPR (8pm)

Sky Sports is showing 115 live Premier League matches during the 2012-13 season, with every match available in HD and many in 3D. Sky Sports viewers will also enjoy more than 129 live UEFA Champions League matches, 75 live games from across all three npower Football League divisions, Capital One Cup fixtures and international fixtures.

Sky Sports viewers with Sky Go will be able to enjoy all this live football, wherever they want on PC, laptop, iPhone, iPad and compatible Android phones. Support programming including Soccer AM, Gillette Soccer Saturday, Goals on Sunday and Sunday Supplement as well as Sky Sports News HD are also available on Sky Go.

For a complete list of confirmed live football on Sky Sports, including previously announced Premier League fixtures, CLICK HERE


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11709/8405322?

[WhiteJC]

 
Man City v Fulham preview
Sergio Aguero is in line to make his comeback for Manchester City against Fulham after returning to training this week from a hamstring injury, having not featured since New Year's Day.

Jack Rodwell is also in contention after recovering from a hamstring problem and Samir Nasri returns after serving a three-match suspension but City are missing Yaya and Kolo Toure and back-up striker Abdul Razak, who are at the African Cup of Nations.

Left-back Aleksandar Kolarov returned from a knee injury as a substitute against Arsenal but right-back Maicon (knee) and midfielder Micah Richards are still out.

Fulham boss Martin Jol has confirmed Dimitar Berbatov will return to his side for the trip to the Etihad Stadium.

The striker was rested for Tuesday's FA Cup third-round replay win over Blackpool but Jol has said Berbatov will be named in his team.

Steve Sidwell is also available after recovering from a hamstring problem but both Mahamadou Diarra (knee) and Kerim Frei (pelvis) are still missing.


http://www.football365.com/match/3519283/preview?

[WhiteJC]

 
Man City v Fulham



By Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Etihad Stadium Date: Saturday, 19 January

TEAM NEWS

Manchester City are hopeful Sergio Aguero will be fit to return from the hamstring injury that has sidelined him since New Year's Day.
Samir Nasri is available after suspension but Yaya Toure is at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Fulham's Dimitar Berbatov returns to the starting line-up after sitting out the FA Cup replay with Blackpool.

Steve Sidwell is fit again after a hamstring problem, but Mahamadou Diarra and Kerim Frei are out.

MATCH PREVIEW

Back when the trees had leaves and temperatures zoomed as high as, why it must have been almost 20 degrees sometimes, Fulham made their best start to a Premier League season since 2003.

All was well by the Thames; Martin Jol was jovial and rosy cheeked, Dimitar Berbatov's gloves were stowed safely in his cupboard and sometimes the Bulgarian even broke into a coltish trot.

Now in the winter chill, Berbatov's hands are mittened, Jol's exasperated breath clouds like fog in front of his troubled brow and Fulham are perhaps in danger of a lowest-league finish since they avoided relegation thanks to goal difference five years ago.

Younger readers can take it from me that old joints begin to creak when the weather turns, and seven of Jol's starting XI against Wigan last weekend are the wrong side of 30. That makes them mere slips of boys compared to me, but is there a danger that collectively they are beginning to have less horsepower than a cheap frozen beef burger.

Their cup replay at Blackpool on Tuesday, complete with extra-time, would only have tested those sinews further.
Manchester City's thoroughbreds had no such midweek commitment, and came through a footballing and psychological hurdle at Arsenal last Sunday. Unfazed by Manchester United's earlier win against Liverpool, and helped by Laurent Koscielny's red card,
City took the points they needed at the Emirates. This weekend it's Roberto Mancini's chance to apply some mental pressure by playing first, before United's Sunday tester at Tottenham. If things really go City's way a short-term 10-point gap could have been cut to just four.

But hold on a second - like reports of spring in January, that forecast could be premature. Fulham have taken exactly the same number of points as City from their 10 Premier League trips to the blue half of Manchester; they might just get something again.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Manchester City's 3-0 win over Fulham at home last season was their first victory over the Cottagers at the Etihad Stadium in five matches.

In 10 visits to play Manchester City in the Premier League, Fulham have lost just three times, winning three and drawing the other four.

Manchester City
City are yet to lose a league game after opening the scoring this season (W11, D1).
The 19 Premier League goals City have conceded this season is 10 fewer than Manchester United's total of 29.
The two Manchester clubs have missed five penalties this season, only one fewer than the rest of the Premier League put together.

Fulham
They have managed just two wins in their last 14 league matches.
Martin Jol's side have kept one clean sheet in their last 15 league and cup games.
Fulham's substitutes have contributed eight league goals this term, more than any other top-flight side.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20996606?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fixture Amendments

The Club can confirm that our two West London derbies at the Cottage later in the year have been rearranged for live television coverage.

The SW6 derby with Chelsea will now be played on Sunday 10th March (1.30pm) and will be shown live on Sky Sports, while our clash with Queens Park Rangers will take place on Monday 1st April (8pm), also on Sky.

Please note that the Chelsea fixture is subject to change, should either side still be competing in the FA Cup with Budweiser at the Sixth Round stage.

Ticket information for both matches will be announced in due course.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/january/18/fixture-amendments?

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EXCLUSIVE: Fulham in £5m swoop for Malanda but Jol faces battle to sign Belgian teen star

Fulham have met Zulte-Waregem's near-£5million valuation on top transfer target Junior Malanda but still face a battle to sign him this month.

Craven Cottage boss Martin Jol wants the powerful 18-year old to strengthen his midfield and made two bids in quick succession a week ago, as revealed in Sportsmail.

Both were turned down, as the Belgian side held out for the full asking price, which Fulham have now met by offering around £3.4m up front, with the rest to follow in instalments.


Teenage kicks: Midfielder Junior Malanda is Fulham's top transfer target


Powerful: Fulham have bid £5m for Malanda (left)

But Malanda has returned to Belgium, following talks in London, and Waregem are keen to keep him for the rest of the season and only allow him to become a Fulham player in the summer.

Still in the midst of his first full season at senior level, they feel he needs more experience before being pitched into the Barclays Premier League.

Jol wants him now, though, and believes his strength and versatility, as a midfield anchor man who can operate in central defence, can help guard against any danger of being dragged into a relegation battle.

He is continuing to negotiate with Waregem in the hope of convincing them to release the Brussels-born teenager in the next few days.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2264438/Fulham-transfer-latest--5m-Junior-Malanda-bid-launched.html#ixzz2IKhJBH47
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

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Fulham Focus - Jol departure rumours sum up worrying time at Craven Cottage

After the disappointment of Fulham's 1-1 draw at home to Wigan last weekend, this week had actually seen some positive signs for the Cottagers after a difficult run of form. However, rumours that Martin Jol could be on his way out of Craven Cottage have added to the worrying times in southwest London.



Fulham did flirt with disaster during their FA Cup third round replay at Blackpool in midweek. However Kieran Richardson's last-minute equaliser, followed by skipper Brede Hangeland's winner in extra-time helped take Fulham into a fourth round tie with Manchester United. Furthermore, rumours abounded that Yann M'Vila, the French midfielder who only a year ago was on the radar of some of Europe's biggest clubs, could be set to snub a move to QPR in favour of joining Jol's men.

Then goal.com reported on Thursday morning that Jol, who has been in charge at Craven Cottage since the summer of 2011, could be about to leave the club. The Dutchman would not be the first manager to leave the Fulham hot seat citing differences with the board over its' future ambitions and transfer targets. Mark Hughes famously departed under similar circumstances.

However, Jol has certainly not looked an entirely happy man since the departures of Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey towards the end of the summer transfer window and in recent weeks as his side's form has plummeted, the 57-year-old has cut a very frustrated figure. Very quickly, reports began to emerge from departed Fulham players of Jol's unpopularity on the training ground. Although these should of course be mostly viewed with a pinch of salt, they do also ring true with statements made in particular by Bobby Zamora after the forward departed for QPR last January.

Were Jol to leave his post, it would bring a sad end to what had until very recently looked a hugely promising season for Fulham. The signing of Dimitar Berbatov has captured the imagination at Craven Cottage, and despite the departures of Dembele and Dempsey, Fulham impressed everyone in their 3-3 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates in November to leave them in the top half of the table.

Since then however, the Cottagers have simply fallen apart both up front - in spite of Berbatov - and at the back, where speculation continues over the future of Hangeland, who himself has struggled for form at times this season. A trip to champions Manchester City this weekend will hardly see an improvement in this regard. If Jol does extend his stay at the Cottage, then new signings are a must. This is particularly the case in midfield where as well as lacking defensive fortitude, Fulham are also currently deprived of a creative spark to assist the efforts of Berbatov.


http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_0_18388_-.html

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Preview of Manchester City vs Fulham


Alex Livesey

Five keys for Manchester City for the match against Fulham.

Keys for Man City

- Get all 3 Points at Home. Unfortunately, our home record against Fulham hasn't been that good since Manchester City got promoted back into the Premier League. Out of the last 9 fixtures at home, City have won 2, drawn 4, and lost 3. That's 17 dropped points at home to a team that hasn't finished better than 7th in that time frame. Before the 3-0 win last season, City hadn't beaten Fulham at home since the 2006-2007 season.

- Squad Selection. What squad will be available to play? Sergio Aguero is marked as able to return, but will he play on Saturday, or will Roberto Mancini stick with the hot foot of Edin Dzeko, paired with Tevez? Will Kolarov get a look into the starting XI? Does Mancini try to salvage Mario Balotelli's reputation by playing him in a game where he should score? I hope to see a lineup of Dzeko, Tevez, David Silva, Milner, Barry, Garcia, Clichy, Nastasic, Kompany, and Zabaleta.

- Link Well From the Midfield. City played well against Arsenal, as Silva, James Milner, and Gareth Barry all combined well, blending in with Tevez and Dzeko to provide dangerous movement and passes into good areas. If they continue that same run of form, I think that they'll pick apart a Fulham defense that has been poor this season. The key right now is whether or not Garcia can do a serviceable job filling in for Yaya until the ACN is over.

- Isolate Berbatov. Dimitar Berbatov started out the season red hot. He scored 5 goals in the first 7 games, scoring a goal every 5 shots (20%; 5 goals on 24 shots). Since then, he has only scored 2 goals in the last 11 games. His shot conversion rate has plummeted, to 8% (2 goals on 25 shots). In some of the recent games, he hasn't even had a single shot, much less a shot on target. In recent games, it seems that he can't get any good link up play in the final third, and becomes frustrated. I wish there was a stat for "Number of Times Berbatov Rolls His Eyes At a Teammate." If Vincent Kompany can help keep the defense organized, Berbatov can be entirely removed from a game.

- Score in Bunches. Fulham have had one of the poorest defenses in the Premier League this season. The only teams that are really ahead in goals allowed are Aston Villa and Reading, and they're locked in a race to the Championship next season. They've allowed almost 30% more goals this season than they did last season. (38 goals through 22 games, 51 through 38). This is a team we should score against. A lot. If Liverpool can score 4, and West Ham 3, I hope that we can score at least 3 in this match.


http://www.bitterandblue.com/2013/1/18/3887996/preview-of-manchester-city-vs-fulham?

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Martin Jol is feeling positive despite Fulham claiming only one league win since Christmas

Fulham boss Martin Jol says he is feeling positive ahead of Saturday's Manchester City tie, despite having won just one league game since Christmas.

Jol's men head to the Etihad tomorrow to face the reigning champions, before taking on league leaders Manchester United a week later.

Placed 13th in the Premier League table ahead of the weekend's fixtures, Jol has high expectations for his Cottagers, despite only one league win this year.

"We are still unbeaten in January," he said.

"We have won two away games at West Brom and Blackpool and two draws against Blackpool and Wigan, so it is not alarming.

"The only thing is if you compare us with last season we had an unbelievable spell after Christmas and if the league had run for six months we would have finished in the top five.

"We would like to bring in one or two players in the next couple of weeks but if not I feel that we are strong enough to get points.

"We had 52 points last year but with different players. For example, Clint Dempsey was scoring all of our winning goals."

Fulham's upcoming fixtures have left Jol reflecting recent results at Craven Cottage, he said: "I have said it before - it would be better to get the points against the Wigans of this world and Southampton,for example.

"We had two draws and that was disappointing because you can't expect a team like Fulham to rack up six points against United and City, but every point we get there would be a bonus so we will fight for all the points."

Jol also risked upsetting City supporters ahead of tomorrow's meeting by claiming they were "a bit lucky" to win the title last term.

"I feel that they are in a similar position to what they were before - all of the top three clubs," the Dutchman said.

"They have to fight for everything and last year, of course, they were a bit lucky - (to win it) on the last day, in the final seconds.

"And maybe it could be the same (this season) because it was quite exciting. There is not a lot between teams like City and Manchester United.

"They are out of Europe but they can live with it and focus on the league now so that is one advantage they have got over United."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/8407526?

[WhiteJC]

 
Man City v Fulham: Hart's sheet to remain clean
Citizens well-placed to further improve a far from stellar home record against ill-travelling Fulham



Manchester City host Fulham a day before Manchester United are in action and, ahead of their title rivals' potentially difficult trip to Tottenham, they will be looking to bridge the gap at the top to four points, temporarily at least.

However, the Cottagers' surprisingly strong recent record at the Etihad suggests Roberto Mancini's men might not have it all their own way, despite their microscopic match odds of 1/4.

The west Londoners 3-0 defeat in this fixture last term was only the third time they've been on the wrong end of the result at City since both clubs shared Premier League status.

Fulham have, ergo, left unscathed from seven league visits to the Etihad which is enough to dub the home of the champions a happy hunting ground for these notoriously poor travellers.

They're gargantuan 9/1 shots for an away-day victory, while the draw is a fairly mouth-watering 5/1.

Last season's inability to find the net represented just the second time Martin Jol's men couldn't score on City's patch. They'd managed to register over 1.5 goals in three of their previous four visits and, having warmed up for the game with two successive 2-1 wins on the road (though they did require extra-time to secure the second one), the towering price of 4/1 for them to surpass this goal line once more could prove a shrewd investment.

With City very much back on form, however, Fulham will have to pull up some General Sherman-sized trees in order to rekindle any of their fond Etihad memories.

Including their FA Cup victory over Watford, City have won three on the trot without concession and Joe Hart hasn't been beaten in a home game since Robin van Persie's stoppage-time free-kick crept by him; three teams have visited the champions since.

This offers appeal to the Man City clean sheet at a not too shabby 10/11, while the home win to nil must be worth a bet based on current form and 11/10 offers a respectable payout.

The hosts' previous two home games have reaped 3-0 wins; a hat-trick of these would be very much welcomed with regards to their wavering title hopes and, at 13/2, this is the most attractive of correct score punts.



http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/premier-league/man-city-v-fulham-harts-sheet-to-remain-clean_135224.html

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Manchester City v FULHAM: Berbatov to be recalled after being rested for midweek win


Key man: Dimitar Berbatov is set to return to Fulham's attack ahead of the visit to Manchester City

Fulham boss Martin Jol has confirmed Dimitar Berbatov will return to his side for the clash with Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City.

The striker was rested for Tuesday's FA Cup third-round replay win over Blackpool but Jol has said Berbatov will be named in his team at the Etihad Stadium.

Steve Sidwell is also available after recovering from a hamstring problem but both Mahamadou Diarra (knee) and Kerim Frei (pelvis) are still missing.

Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Stockdale, Somogyi, Etheridge, Riether, Hangeland, Hughes, Senderos, Riise, Briggs, Dejagah, Baird, Sidwell, Karagounis, Kacaniklic, Duff, Richardson, Kasami, Ruiz, Rodallega, Berbatov, Petric, Davies.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2264487/Manchester-City-v-FULHAM-Dimitar-Berbatov-recalled-rested-midweek-win.html#ixzz2IKxHhpHD
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

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Fulham boss wants to keep Hull City target

MARTIN Jol insists David Stockdale is staying at Craven Cottage amid interest from Hull City.

The Fulham number two made five appearances during a loan spell with the Tigers before Christmas, only to have his spell at the KC cut short due to an injury crisis in SW6.

Stockdale played three times after Mark Schwarzer was sidelined with a neck problem, but was relegated back to the bench when the Aussie returned to fitness.

Jol is reportedly interested in signing Roma keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, while Hull are keen to bring Stockdale back for another spell at the Championship club.

But the Whites boss insists the 27-year-old is going nowhere.

He said: "I need Stockdale and Schwarzer so at the moment no [he's not going out]."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2013/01/18/82029-32630113/?#ixzz2IKxYyNBw

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Martin Jol insists Fulham form is not 'alarming'
Cottagers have slipped close to the relegation zone and take on Manchester City this weekend

Fulham boss Martin Jol does not feel his side are suffering a dip in form despite having won just one Barclays Premier League game since Christmas.

Jol's side visit the Etihad Stadium tomorrow to take on champions Manchester City before facing leaders Manchester United twice in a week - either side of a home game against West Ham.

The Cottagers head into the weekend 13th in the table, but Jol reckons the team are doing well and hopes they kick on in the new year - just as they did last season.

"We are still unbeaten in January," he said.

"We have won two away games at West Brom and Blackpool and two draws against Blackpool and Wigan, so it is not alarming.

"The only thing is if you compare us with last season we had an unbelievable spell after Christmas and if the league had run for six months we would have finished in the top five.

"We would like to bring in one or two players in the next couple of weeks but if not I feel that we are strong enough to get points.

"We had 52 points last year but with different players. For example, Clint Dempsey was scoring all of our winning goals."

The chance of Fulham picking up a good haul of points in the next fortnight looks slim, with an FA Cup fourth-round trip to Old Trafford also providing a stern test next weekend.

The forthcoming fixtures have left Jol ruing recent results at Craven Cottage.

"I have said it before - it would be better to get the points against the Wigans of this world and Southampton, for example," he said.

"We had two draws and that was disappointing because you can't expect a team like Fulham to rack up six points against United and City, but every point we get there would be a bonus so we will fight for all the points."

Jol also risked upsetting City supporters ahead of tomorrow's meeting by claiming they were "a bit lucky" to win the title last term.

"I feel that they are in a similar position to what they were before - all of the top three clubs," the Dutchman said.

"They have to fight for everything and last year, of course, they were a bit lucky - (to win it) on the last day, in the final seconds.

"And maybe it could be the same (this season) because it was quite exciting. There is not a lot between teams like City and Manchester United.

"They are out of Europe but they can live with it and focus on the league now so that is one advantage they have got over United."

Former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola had long been linked with a move to the Premier League following his self-enforced year-long sabbatical, with City and Chelsea among the favourites to clinch his signature.

However, Guardiola has decided his immediate future lies in the Bundesliga and he will take charge of Bayern Munich in the summer.

Jol spent a year in Germany as coach of Hamburg and can understand why Guardiola has chosen to move to Bavaria.

"Don't underestimate the German league," he said. "It is nearly the same and it will be one of the biggest in the next five years, for sure.

"Bayern Munich is an amazing club, a big club so I can understand his move there."

PA


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/martin-jol-insists-fulham-form-is-not-alarming-8457675.html

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Hull City transfer talk: Bruce confirms QPR contact over DJ Campbell as David Stockdale set to return

Steve Bruce has confirmed Hull City are talking to Queens Park Rangers about signing DJ Campbell.

The former Blackpool striker has moved to the top of the Tigers' hit-list after Cardiff hi-jacked a move for Sunderland's Frazier Campbell.

Bruce has history with DJ Campbell, having brought him to Birmingham in 2006.

Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy appears to have accepted Campbell will not be returning to East Anglia, where he excelled on loan earlier this season.

But Crystal Palace are still chasing his signature.

Meanwhile, Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale is set to return to the KC Stadium on loan.

As long as the paperwork is completed on time, Stockdale should be in the side to face Peterborough tomorrow.

Having inspected the London Road pitch this lunchtime, The Posh are hopeful Saturday's game will go ahead as planned. But with more snow forecast this evening, a postponement has not been ruled out, and another pitch inspection will be held tomorrow morning.


http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/story-17894236-detail/story.html?