Re: Thursday Fulham Stuff (21/02/13)...

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Fulham U18s 3 Reading U18s 1

A Moussa Dembele-inspired Fulham Under-18s defeated Reading 3-1 at Motspur Park on Tuesday afternoon.

Dembele had put the Whites two goals up by half-time and although the Royals pulled one back, his stoppage-time strike secured his hat-trick and the points.

Dembele's first was a neat finish following a mistake by the visiting defence, whilst his second was a powerful volley after Reading had failed to clear their lines from a Fulham corner.

A Josh Passley foul saw the Berkshire side reduce the deficit but Dembele tapped in late on to maintain the Under-18s' 100 per cent record in the Elite Group.

Reading started the game brightly and had the ball in the back of the net on three minutes, but offside was given as it was headed in from a well-delivered free kick.

With nine minutes gone, Muamer Tankovic forced the keeper into a fine sprawling save with a rasping drive from range, before a gut-busting run down half the length of the pitch from Passley ended with him putting in a dangerous cross that was headed away for a corner. A goalmouth scramble followed but nobody could force the ball in and the referee ended up awarding the away side a free-kick.

The Whites took the lead on 14 minutes when a Reading defender attempted to play the ball back to his goalkeeper but could only find Dembele. The forward kept his composure to easily slot beyond the advancing keeper.

And Steve Wigley's side made it two on 21 minutes. A blistering counter attack saw Dembele play in Pat Roberts, but his left-footed effort was superbly palmed wide for a corner. Reading failed to clear the subsequent set-piece and Dembele thundered home a volley with aplomb inside the crowded penalty area.

Reading responded with a sweet free-kick which Max Oberschmidt was relieved to see fly just wide of his near post. Dembele was causing all manner of problems and he won a free-kick on 32 minutes when he was hauled down 20 yards from goal. Tankovic curled the resultant set-piece goalwards but it just clipped the bar before going over. It was a great effort from the Swede.

Fulham were dominating but Reading remained a threat and had an effort hit the woodwork themselves when their lone striker saw his low shot come back off the post, before George Williams saw an effort well saved on 43 minutes after Dembele had played him in from the left.

Reading started the second period with intent and it required a great last-ditch tackle from Liam Donnelly - a half-time replacement for Williams - to deny their right winger a clear shot on goal just inside the box.

Good play between Roberts and Emerson Hyndman down the right on 58 minutes saw the ball cut back to Tankovic but his shot was comfortably saved, and Reading had the ball in the net for the second time a minute later, but it was ruled out for a foul in the build-up. More good link-up play between Hyndman and Roberts saw the American play the winger in, only to see the keeper smother the shot that followed.

Dembele was desperately unlucky not to secure his hat-trick on 71 minutes. His pace saw him go one on one after being played in by Tankovic and his shot beat the keeper but hit the bar and bounce down onto the line. Unfortunately, the spin on the ball didn't work in Fulham's favour and it rolled away from goal rather than over the line. Hyndman was next to try his luck when he was in space eight yards from goal but he dragged his shot wide of the far post.

Reading pulled one back on 76 minutes with a penalty after Passley was adjudged to have blocked his man unfairly. Oberschmidt went the right way but there was too much power on the spot-kick.

Dembele was again denied the match ball moments later when his shot was blocked on the line by a man in yellow. And Tankovic missed a chance to sew up the points on 83 minutes, dragging his long-range effort narrowly wide after Dembele had found him with a neat flick.

Dembele wasn't to be denied altogether, though, as he secured his hat-trick in stoppage time following good play by substitute Dean O'Halloran.

The winger burst into his box and beat his man before playing across the face for the Frenchman to slide in and make it 3-1 with the last meaningful action of the game.

Fulham: 1. Oberschmidt, 2. Passley (c), 3. Evans, 4. Burgess, 5. Arthurworrey, 6. Hyndman, 7. Roberts (16. O'Halloran), 8. Sambou, 9. Dembele, 10. Tankovic, 11. Williams (14. Donnelly)

Subs (not used): 12. Granger, 15. O'Reilly, 17. Richards


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/february/20/u18s-3-reading-1?

[WhiteJC]

 
American winger tipped for Potters debut

United States international Brek Shea could be set for his Stoke City debut against Fulham this Saturday, according to assistant coach Mark O'Connor.

According to Sky Sports, the left-sided midfielder has made a big impression since his £2.5 million deadline day transfer from MLS side FC Dallas, and has pleased the management team headed by Tony Pulis.

Talent

The 22-year old featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Southampton this week, and helped steer the Potters to a 3-1 victory.

Shea, who has appeared 15 times for his country, put in a solid performance and O'Connor has now tipped him to be in line for a starting place ahead of the weekend's trip to Craven Cottage.

The young winger is perhaps one of the slightly more colourful characters in the Stoke squad, with painting being a passionate pastime of his, and shortly before his arrival at the Britannia he launched his own brand of abstract art, Left Foot studio.

Consistent

The Staffordshire club look primed for another solid Premier League finishing position, and lie 10th in the table with 33 points from 25 games in their fifth season at the top level.

Shea will hope to become a part of the success story as soon as possible, and O'Connor is certainly convinced he possesses the required skill, and after the Scunthorpe game, said, "It was nice for Brek to play another game.

"He's getting to know his team-mates and developing that understanding the more they play together.

"He comes into our thinking for Fulham. He is in the mind of the manager."


http://www.touchlinetalk.com/american-winger-tipped-for-potters-debut/32472/?

[WhiteJC]

 
No fun at Fulham; Goals at Arsenal

We're not expecting a classic in the weekend's first Premier League game between Fulham and Stoke but goals are expected in Arsenal's clash against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.

Everton and Manchester United are both expected to pick up three points as Nick Hext, David John and Ben Coley look at another very interesting day of action in the top-flight.

Fulham v Stoke (1245 GMT)

This isn't the most enticing of games for the neutral in Saturday's lunchtime offering for the television cameras. This battle between two mid-table clubs gives Stoke the chance to win a Premier League away game for only the second time this season - their only success on the road coming at West Brom on December 1 - and they will be happy to see Fulham's recent record isn't too hot. Martin Jol's men have only won one of their previous six home matches and a six-point gap to the relegation zone isn't enough to sit completely easy. There was only one goal in the Cottagers' previous two contests and it's also interesting to note that three of Stoke's previous six away matches have finished 0-0. That leads me to getting involved with the 9/1 for no goalscorer. Stoke will as always prove tough to break down and I don't think a point from Craven Cottage will be a bad return for the men from the Potteries. Get with the no goalscorer to provide yourself with some interest.

Verdict: Fulham 0 Stoke 0 (NH)


Arsenal v Aston Villa (1500)

An embattled Arsene Wenger has asked his players for a positive response after a bad week that has seen them ousted from the FA Cup and completely on the back foot after the first leg of their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. The Gunners are 1/3 to get back on track with three points as they pursue fourth place in the Premier League so the question for punters will be how far has the rot set in? Five or six weeks ago you would have expected the hosts to sweep aside Villa but there have been some signs of an encouragement for Paul Lambert with a vital three points secured against West Ham on their last outing which has seen them climb out of the bottom three. They have had some time since to freshen up to heal a few ailments and there have been little nibbles on the visitors at 10s to take advantage of Arsenal's current frailty, but even taking that into account, an away success would still be a shock to my mind. That said, Villa have managed to start scoring with 11 goals in their last six outings in all competitions and will be encouraged to keep that sort of form going against a back line that has looked little short of laughable on occasions. Wenger should get a tonic of sorts but the suggestion is to back both teams to score.

Verdict: Arsenal 3 Aston Villa 1 (DJ)



http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/315/8512937/no-fun-at-fulham-goals-at-arsenal?

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David Stockdale: We still have our feet on the ground at Hull City

HULL City goalkeeper David Stockdale insists the Tigers players have their feet firmly on the ground, despite three quick-fire wins.

The Tigers have opened up a three-point gap on third place as a terrific week at the KC Stadium brought wins over Derby, Charlton and Blackburn.

Stockdale admits it has left spirits at an all-time high in the camp, but insists the focus has already turned to continuing the run at Bolton this Saturday.

"It has been a good week but no-one is getting carried away as we still have another game to play on Saturday," said the 27-year-old stopper.

"We have a hard run-in and this is the tickly-feely bit that the gaffer talks about.

"He says we have to stand up to be counted and that is exactly what we have done in the last two weeks.

"We have won four in five and that is something to build on."

Whilst much of the recent focus has been on the goals coming from new terrace hero Gedo, City's continuing presence in the top two owes much to a solid defence, with Stockdale proving hugely reliable between the sticks.

He has conceded just six goals in his 11 appearances in two loan spells from Fulham this season.

It is a period which has brought seven wins and just two losses, and Stockdale believes City's success is built from the back.

"You need the right people in front of you as a goalkeeper and playing at their best. At the moment, the lads are outstanding," he said.

"Okay, we need to score goals, but we also need to stop them as well. All credit to all five defenders.

"I am not one for individual praise. I am just glad we are defending as a team. If they feel confident in front of me, then all well and good."

Heading to Bolton on Saturday, Stockdale reveals it is the final part of a four-game period identified by the Tigers as key to their promotion hopes.

Other results helped City's case on Tuesday, as leaders Cardiff and promotion-chasing rivals Leicester both slipped to surprise defeats.

However, Stockdale says City will only continue focusing on their own performances and results, and will avoid scrutinising the league table and fixtures of those sides around them, if possible.

"I never like to say too much about other results. If you do or start looking at what points were needed last year then you get distracted," he said.

"It can become a fixation. We just want to get points on the board. Leicester had two games in hand but we weren't thinking about if they win them."

With 13 games remaining, City's fate is in their own hands, with a belief in the camp that six more wins could see them home.

"If we win our games, it doesn't matter what anyone else does. That is the mentality we come into it with," Stockdale added.

"There is a confidence running through the club, but we must be ready for a good team like Bolton as anything can happen in this league.

"This run of four games was something we always thought could be a defining part of our season so we have to be satisfied with three wins so far. But there is still work to do if we are to make it maximum points.

"No-one is getting ahead of themselves. Or thinking too far ahead.

"We won't get too carried away with all these games to play. But the gaffer did say seven wins (after the Charlton win) might be enough so we have one of them.

"We are just thinking about getting the next win. No-one seems to expect much of us so we just go out in front of our great fans and do well for them."



Read more: http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/story-18209322-detail/story.html?#ixzz2LY1A7oMO
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Fulham match move

The Under-21s next home match has been brought forward 48 hours.
Gary Bowyer's side were due to face Fulham on Sunday March 10th at Ewood Park, but with Rovers' involvement in the FA Cup quarter-finals the game has been moved.

The match will now take place at Ewood Park on Friday 8th March, kick-off 7.00pm.

Season Ticket Holders can gain free admission on production of their Season Ticket Card. General admission prices are £4 Adults, £2 Concessions.



http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/fulham-match-move-669031.aspx?

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Belgian Midfielder Watched
   
A former Fulham target is still being tracked, with Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe watched by scouts at the weekend according to reports.

Fulham first tried to sign the Brugge midfielder around year ago but this proved unsuccessful with Everton also failing to bring the 24-year-old to the Premier League previously, with them also linked with him again in January.

Billed as "the new Marouane Fellaini" Odjidja-Ofoe is regarded as one of the best talents in Belgian football, however scouts from all over Europe also watched him when Fulham scouts did on Sunday.

It's believed scouts from Ajax, FC Twente, Borussia Dortmund, Benfica, Villarreal, Nurnberg, Sochaux and Chievo Verona were present so The Cottagers face a fight to land him!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=310013#ixzz2LY1u9Ovl

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham: Jol's band of brothers need to bond

A look at any of Fulham's recent teamsheets would leave you with inspiration for winning a game of Scrabble.

Ashkan Dejagah, Alexander Kacaniklic, Giorgos Karagounis, Urby Emanuelson and Stanislav Manolev have all made appearances for the Whites in recent weeks, and whilst we are yet to see midfielder Eyong Enoh in action, football writers can only breathe a sigh of relief at the fact that reserve goalkeeper Csaba Somogyi hasn't got further than the bench yet.

Regardless of the names, what has been apparent is the changing nature of the Fulham team.

Now incredibly reliant on Dimitar Berbatov, Martin Jol's side appears to be built solely to get the best out of the Bulgarian.

Gone the days of a resilient Fulham based on the consistent performances of the likes of Danny Murphy, Clint Dempsey and Bobby Zamora, the current side is set up solely for their forward. The results have been mixed.

Berbatov has scored just three goals in his last 14 Premier League games, and almost as a direct result Fulham have only won three of their last 18.

Currently six points above 18th-placed Reading, Jol and his 12th-placed side have work to do in order to join the teams who already appear to have done enough to secure Premier League survival – namely those from West Bromwich Albion in ninth and up.

Relying on the enigmatic talents of Berbatov is always going to produce both good and bad days, and Fulham have had plenty of those during a season in which they've once again shown themselves to frequently be soft touches on the road. They've won just two of 13 away games.

As the season heads towards its climax Jol will be looking to his unlikely band of brothers to offer Berbatov more help, to become more than just new names on those Fulham teamsheets and to step into their own limelights.

The apparent returns of old heads such as Mahamadou Diarra and Simon Davies in the matches to come will certainly help matters, but it is those players around Berbatov who really need to step up.

Dejagah was a Bundesliga champion with Wolfsburg in 2009. Kacaniklic was highly-rated during his youth career at Liverpool. Karagounis was a European champion with Greece in 2004 and has played in a string of Champions League games for clubs of the quality of Panathinaikos, Inter Milan and Benfica. The same can be said of Emanuelson at Ajax and AC Milan, whilst Manolev has played 29 times for Bulgaria.

These are not rookies.

These are players who have the experience and the quality to step up and perform for the team, and when added to the efforts already put in by the likes of Mark Schwarzer, John Arne Riise, Brede Hangeland, Aaron Hughes, Steve Sidwell and Damien Duff then a solid platform should be assembled. Bryan Ruiz and Mladen Petric add quality, whilst Berbatov is their matchwinner.

Results need to be picked up sooner rather than later though, as Fulham strive to avoid becoming that one team who everyone waits to see get sucked into the relegation mire in the coming weeks.

On paper they have names to ensure that doesn't happen, but games aren't played on paper, they'll be played against Stoke and Sunderland in the coming week and a half; two matches which look crucial to Fulham's hopes of pulling away from any danger.

To do that plenty of Jol's players will have to become more than just multinational names on a teamsheet, and instead become names that the Fulham fans can remember and trust that they can lead their team to safety.

They should do just that, although football does have a habit of making fools of us all – just like Scrabble.


http://fantasyyirma.com/2013/02/21/fulham-jols-band-of-brothers-need-to-bond-2/?

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Brek Shea in line to make Stoke debut against Fulham
New players from FC Dallas may feature at Craven Cottage

Brek Shea and Marc Wilson are both set to feature in Stoke's squad for the Barclays Premier League trip to Fulham this weekend, manager Tony Pulis has confirmed.

Shea, signed last month from FC Dallas, was eligible to make his Potters debut in the 2-1 win over Reading on February 9 and, after opting not to include the United States winger, who has been recovering from a foot operation, in his 18-man party on that occasion, Pulis has indicated he is now ready to get him involved on a matchday.

Republic of Ireland full-back Wilson has also been working his way back to fitness, having not made a senior appearance since breaking his leg in Stoke's 0-0 draw with Sunderland last October.

The pair were in action in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Scunthorpe on Monday.

Pulis said: "The two of them will be in the squad - whether or not I start with them, we will have to wait and see.

"I think Brek has been out for three or four months with an injury, so this is almost like a pre-season for him, but he is a fit lad I have to say.

"The work we have done with him has shown that he is very mobile and athletic, and very willing as well. So he is not far away.

"I think Willo is close. Willo is on the launchpad, ready to go - he is just waiting for the opportunity, and he will go."

Forward Cameron Jerome is expected to be fit for selection, despite picking up a knock to his knee in the Scunthorpe match.

But striker Michael Owen, who had come through the contest apparently unscathed, subsequently felt a problem with his thigh in training which makes him doubtful for the Craven Cottage clash.

Pulis said: "Michael actually trained really well on Tuesday after the game on Monday, but he felt his thigh and I'm not sure he is going to be fit for Saturday - we will wait and see."

PA


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/brek-shea-in-line-to-make-stoke-debut-against-fulham-8504694.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Preview: Fulham vs. Stoke City

Fulham host Stoke City on Saturday with both sides aiming to get to the magic 40-point mark as quickly as possible.

Fulham were held to a stalemate by Norwich City two weekends ago after their unfortunate 1-0 loss to Manchester United, which has left them without a Premier League win in February.

Stoke won their first game of 2013 last time out, beating Reading 2-1 to move them on to 33 points.

For Martin Jol, Mahamadou Diarra remains sidelined and Eyong Enoh is not expected to be fit enough to make his debut. However, Sascha Riether should return at right-back.

Stoke have said that Brek Shea is unlikely to start the game, but could make an appearance at some point. Marc Wilson is edging towards fitness, but the Fulham game might be too soon for him.

Recent form

Fulham: WDLWLD

Stoke: LLLDLW

Possible starting lineups

Fulham: Schwarzer; Riether, Senderos, Hangeland, Riise; Duff, Sidwell, Frimpong, Emanuelsen; Ruiz; Berbatov

Stoke: Begovic; Shotton, Shawcross, Huth, Wilkinson; Kightly, N'Zonzi, Whelan, Etherington; Walters, Crouch

Sports Mole says: 1-0


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/preview/preview-fulham-vs-stoke-city_70473.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham unearth Dembele's replacement... and his name is Moussa Dembele

Mousa Dembele has won plenty of admirers since his move from Fulham to Tottenham in the summer.

But fans of the west London club who are missing the Belgian forward need to not worry as they have a ready-made replacement - Moussa Dembele.

Fulham have struggled for parts of this season in front of goal, but they might need to look no further than their youth team to find the answer to their goalscoring problems.

   
Write caption here

Dembele is part of the Fulham Academy and scored a hat-trick for the U18s against Reading in a 3-1 win earlier this week.

Despite having the same name, the younger Dembele is French forward who signed from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, while the older is a Belgian international plays in midfield.

The 25-year-old midfielder became a fans' favourite at Craven Cottage during his two seasons at the club.


Showing his skills: Dembele has impressed for Fulham's U18s this season following his move from PSG

He scored five goals in 62 appearances and has netted once in his time at White Hart Lane.

But it was his creative play and passing that convinced Spurs to meet the buy-out clause in his contract, reported to be £15million.


Earning admirers: Dembele has been one of the stand out players for Spurs this season

Whether the young striker will go on to make the same impact as his namesake remains to be seen, but he has made a good start having already scored three hat-tricks this season,

And the young striker will continue to fine tune his talents with the U18 squad, but how long will it be before the name Dembele is seen on the back of a Fulham first team shirt again?



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2282246/Moussa-Dembele-Fulhams-new-Mousa-Dembele.html#ixzz2LY3AgqHu
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Fulham v Stoke

By Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Saturday, 23 February

TEAM NEWS

Kieran Richardson could return for Fulham after a five-week absence with a calf injury.

Mahamadou Diarra and Kerim Frei are long-term absentees.

January signing Brek Shea and defender Marc Wilson have recovered from long-term injuries and are both named in the matchday squad.

Cameron Jerome is expected to overcome a knee problem, but fellow striker Michael Owen is a doubt with a thigh injury suffered in training.

MATCH PREVIEW

Martin Jol and Tony Pulis share a birthday (16 January) - if not a philosophy on football.

The Fulham manager risked his Stoke counterpart's ire after the teams met in November by going down the Arsene Wenger route of likening the Potters to "a rugby team".

Yes, it was said in frustration at a 1-0 defeat, AND Jol did point out his admiration for Stoke's style, but it prompted Pulis into a curt dismissal of the idea that Fulham had "been bullied" by his side.

A reminder of those exchanges might inspire something better than we're used to seeing from Stoke away from home. Their travelling fans have seen just one win in their last 22 Premier League road trips, with the team often a shadow of the one seen at the Britannia Stadium. Actually 'reflection' might be a better word, with away form of W1 D6 L6 this season being a mirror image of home results.

Results in general haven't been clever for Fulham for a long time, with only three wins from 18 league games since October. They've not been talked about as being one of the teams in trouble, but a gap of six points to the bottom three isn't enough for anyone at Craven Cottage to feel comfortable.

Having failed to score in three of their last four league games, Fulham need Dimitar Berbatov to hit form quickly, starting with this - his 200th Premier League match. The Cottagers are unbeaten in the six games in which he's scored for them, and need to continue that with an improved return before the season's end.

One big (tall, huge, towering) factor for Fulham is Brede Hangeland being available to combat Stoke's set-pieces. He missed the November defeat due to suspension, having been sent off against Sunderland by referee Lee Probert - also in charge of this one. I can't decide whether the word for that is coincidence or irrelevance.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
This is the 70th league meeting between the clubs. Fulham lead by 28 wins to 26, with 15 draws.

Stoke's only win in their last seven visits to Fulham came in May 2010 when Matthew Etherington scored the game's only goal.

Fulham
Fulham have only earned nine points from their last 10 matches (W2, D3, L5).
They have won just three of their last 18 league games.
The west London side kept their first clean sheet in 12 league games in their last fixture, a goalless draw against Norwich.
Martin Jol's side have surrendered 18 points from winning positions - only Reading (20) and Southampton (24) have fared worse.
Dimitar Berbatov is set to become the first Bulgarian to make 200 Premier League appearances. He has scored 83 goals in the division.

Stoke
Stoke ended a six-game winless run with victory over Reading last time out.
The Potters have gone eight league games without a clean sheet, conceding 18 goals. They kept nine clean sheets in their opening 18 league games.
Their only victory in the last 22 Premier League away matches was at West Brom in December.
They have scored the highest percentage of goals from set pieces in the top flight this season (58%), and the highest proportion from corners (27%).
Robert Huth's tally of 13 Premier League goals for Stoke since August 2009 has only been bettered by one defender (Leighton Baines, with 15) during that time.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21482931?