Friday Fulham Stuff (01/02/13)...

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U18s Host Saints

Fulham's Under-18s will look to put the disappointment of their FA Youth Cup exit to Arsenal behind them when they host Southampton at Motspur Park on Saturday (11.30am).

The Whites were beaten 2-1 by the Gunners after extra-time in the Fourth Round of the competition at Barnet's Underhill on Tuesday night.

The Gunners took an early lead when Anthony Jeffrey struck after just nine minutes. But Fulham levelled when Muamer Tankovic swept in from Solomon Sambou's run and pass.

With extra-time needed, a penalty shoot-out was looming until the hosts found the breakthrough in the 108th minute as Austin Lipman slotted home.

Academy Director Huw Jennings said: "We'll bounce back and we've got a lot to look forward to. We want to continue the success we have shown in the league and that starts with an exciting game against Southampton this weekend."

The clash with the Saints is Fulham's first game of phase two of their Barclays Premier League Elite Group. Southampton have already played twice, drawing both of their fixtures.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/february/01/u18s-host-saints?

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Evans back for Craven Cottage clash

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hopes to be able to call on defender Jonny Evans for the Fulham clash, but the game comes too soon for Ashley Young.

Jonny Evans could return to the Manchester United squad for the trip to Fulham.

The centre-back has been sidelined with a hamstring injury but is due to return to training on Friday and could be in contention for the Craven Cottage encounter.

However, Ashley Young has still not recovered from his knee problem.

"Ashley is still not available but hopefully Jonny will train today, which will give us another option. That is good news," said Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson intends to make changes and Rio Ferdinand has been lined up for a start, which means Phil Jones might get a rest.

Jones was at the head of a group of players with senior England caps who was selected for Under-21 duty yesterday when the respective squads were announced for next week's friendlies.

As part of Roy Hodgson's squad at Euro 2012, it could be seen as a bit of a climbdown for the former Blackburn man.

Indeed, there have been suggestions Ferguson is unhappy at the prospect.

If that is true, the Scot was giving little indication of it this morning.

"I have not really paid much attention to it," he said.

"I am a bit surprised he was in the Under-21 squad and not the full one.

"I think the main difficulty with players dropping down is that once they get into the full squad it makes them feel they have achieved something.

"But Phil is only 20 and maybe the idea is to get as good an Under-21 squad as they can."

Meanwhile, Ferguson confirmed the Old Trafford pitch, which has been the subject of so much criticism recently, will be ripped up at the end of the season.

"It has never recovered from the deluge we suffered over Christmas," said Ferguson.

"Before that it was fine. It has been down for nine years now and it needs to be replaced."



http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-defender-jonny-evans-1284460?

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QPR are top transfer window spenders as Premier League clubs splash out £120m

Premier League clubs' spending in January topped £120million - well below 2011's record total of £225million.

Despite the imminent arrival of new riches in the form of the £5billion-plus TV deals that come on stream in August, there was generally more restraint among top-flight clubs.

QPR emerged as the biggest spenders, splashing out £22million, along with Liverpool and Newcastle. Both QPR and Newcastle were among the top-three spenders in January last year as well.

Analysts believe UEFA's financial fair play rules, which start to take into account club's finances from this year, and the likelihood of Premier League clubs agreeing to their own spending controls next week, have had an effect.

The picture is not as restrained as last year however, when only £60m was spent, but is below 2011, as well as the £170m in 2009 and £175m in 2008.

Dan Jones, partner in the sports business group at analysts Deloitte, said: "There were relatively few active spenders in the winter window, with over half of this January's total transfer spending coming from three clubs.

"Winter window activity tends to be driven by the on-pitch competition at the upper and lower ends of the Premier League table.

"Premier League clubs have been relatively restrained in their player transfer fee spending, in spite of the upcoming uplift in their broadcasting revenues of between £20m and £30m each from next season.

"Whilst the clubs' total spending was £120m, after taking into account transfer income, the Premier League clubs' net transfer spend was £70m.

"Clubs are now in a reporting period that will count towards the first assessment of UEFA's financial fair play break-even requirement for international competition and Premier League clubs are also considering the implementation of additional cost control regulation at a domestic level."


http://www.london24.com/sport/arsenal/qpr_are_top_transfer_window_spenders_as_premier_league_clubs_splash_out_120m_1_1849465

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Transfer Window Ins and Outs
   
So exactly what business did our club do during the January transfer window?

Here are the lists of Ins and Outs (as far as we can make out)

Ins

-Chris David (FC Twente)
-Emmanuel Frimpong (Arsenal - loan)
-Urby Emauelson (AC Milan - loan)
-Stanislav Manolev (PSV Eindhoven - loan)
-Eyong Enoh (Ajax - loan)

Outs

-David Stockdale (Hull-loan)
-Stephen Kelly (Reading)


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=307464#ixzz2Jf1o8arT