Friday Fulham Stuff (01/03/13)...

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Martin Jol positive Brede Hangeland will pen new deal with Fulham



Fulham boss Martin Jol hopes defender Brede Hangeland will finally end speculation about his future by signing a new contract within the next fortnight.

Hangeland has become something of a cult hero among the Fulham support thanks to his all-action displays at the heart of the Cottagers' defence.

The 31-year-old has been an ever-present in the starting line-up since he moved to Craven Cottage five years ago, but he is yet to commit himself to the west London club beyond the end of the season.

Talks about an extension began last year but both parties have so far failed to reach an agreement.

Fulham boss Jol hopes that will change soon, however. He said: "We are talking to quite a few players (about contract extensions).

"He is one of them. It's about him. But we are talking so it's a positive thing and he wants to stay here.

"That's good so there is no news now, but hopefully (there will be) in the next couple of weeks."

Mark Schwarzer, Philippe Senderos and Giorgos Karagounis are three more Fulham regulars who are out of contract next summer, and Jol would like their contracts to be extended too as their top-flight experience will prove vital if, as expected, Fulham avoid relegation.

Given that they are eight points above the drop zone, it would require a big dip in form for Jol's men to get dragged into a relegation battle, but the Dutchman is not taking anything for granted.

"We are ever so pleased to be in this situation, but on the other hand if we stay on 32 points we will be in trouble," said Jol, who takes his team to Sunderland on Saturday.

"If you look at the league over the last five or six years it's always the same situation.

"There are three or four clubs near the bottom but you always see one or two clubs getting dragged in to it and we don't want to be one of those clubs."

Although Jol possesses one of the most dangerous strikers in the league in Dimitar Berbatov, Fulham have struggled at times up front this season.

That could have been different had they beat Sunderland to the signing of Steven Fletcher, who has scored 10 times since his £12million move from Wolves last summer.

Jol concedes the Scot was on his shortlist in the close season.

"Yes (I was interested in Fletcher), but he was quite expensive," the former Tottenham manager said.

"Sunderland are well-known for getting these players in. They did that with Connor Wickham. They paid a lot of money for him. You could say Fletcher is doing well, but why shouldn't he be? He is a terrific number nine."

Jol has almost a clean bill of health for this weekend's trip to the Stadium of Light.

Simon Davies, Kieran Richardson, and Kerim Frei are all available for the game, with long-term absentee Mahamadou Diarra the only absentee from training this week.

Jol said following last weekend's win over Stoke that he feared Diarra might not play again this term, but the Fulham boss sounded more optimistic about the Mali international's fitness today.

"Diarra had a little setback a week ago, but hopefully he will be fine in three weeks," Jol said.


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/martin-jol-positive-brede-hangeland-will-pen-new-deal-with-fulham-8515385.html

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Jol not taking Fulham's Premier League survival for granted

Despite currently sitting comfortably in mid-table, the Cottagers boss is refusing to rest easy until he has secured his side's top-flight status for next season

Fulham manager Martin Jol says that he will be relieved to reach 40 points in the Premier League this season as he is wary of being dragged into a relegation battle.

The Cottagers currently sit eight points clear of relegation in 11th place but the boss is refusing to take anything for granted until his side have reached the traditional points haul required for top-flight safety.

"Like a lot of other teams, we set a target that we would like to have 40 points," the Dutchman told reporters. "Then we can relax maybe a bit more and, from then on, try to get as high up the table as possible.

"If you see the league over the last five or six years, you will see the same situation. There are three or four clubs down there but, at the end of the year, you always see one or two teams dropping into trouble.

"Wigan, for example, are almost specialists in getting out of trouble, so there will always be one or two clubs to be dragged into it and we don't want to be one of those clubs.

"Our first target was to stay in the league because that's important for the club. If you look at the resources all the clubs in the Premier League get at the end of the year, it's vital for us to stay in the league. And then even 12th or 11th would be fantastic for us."

The former Tottenham boss also revealed that Mahamadou Diarra is still a few weeks away from returning to the first team, as the midfielder struggles to come back from a knee injury that has kept him out since early December.

"Diarra had a little setback a week ago and, hopefully, he will be fine in the next three weeks but I can't have a guarantee from my medical staff so that is a problem for him and a problem for us," Jol noted.

"After his operation we thought he was better, he thought he was better, then he felt this aching pain.



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2013/02/28/3787540/-?

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Arsenal Winger Andrei Arshavin Set for Summer Fulham Switch

Craven Cottage move on the cards for Emirates Stadium attacker.


Russian wide-man Andrei Arshavin looks set to move to Fulham this summer after his agent dropped a big hint that such a switch was on the cards according to the Daily Express.

The 31 year old has played a very limited role in first team action this season, failing to make a single Premier League start, and is out of contract at the end of the season with no chance of being offered a new deal a move to another Premier League side could well tempt the experienced attacker.

Arshavin's agent Dmitri Seluk has fueled speculation of a move to Craven Cottage by stating publicly;

"Top English clubs won't take him.

"And considering the fact that he doesn't want to leave London, the next club for Arshavin will be Fulham or something like that."

Arshavin will have noted the impact Dimitar Berbatov has made at the West London club having similarly become surplus to requirements at Man United.

Arsenal spent £15m on Arshavin in early 2009 and Arsene Wenger will be bitterly disappointed at the return on the investment. The former Zenit St Petersburg man has rarely hit the heights he rose to during the Euro 2008 finals though his four goal haul at Anfield will be fondly remembered by Gunners fans.


http://www.caughtoffside.com/2013/02/28/arsenal-winger-andrei-arshavin-set-for-summer-fulham-switch/?

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Briggs Goes Out on Loan
   
One of our extraordinarily talented youngsters is dropping down a division.

Matthew Briggs, who has sampled Premier League football this season, has joined Gianfranco Zola`s promotion chasing Watford side, in the Championship.

Briggs has joined the Hornets on a months` loan and we`d like to take this opportunity to wish him well during his stay in Hertfordshire.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=310887#ixzz2MHABr2l5

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Brede heaven: Hangeland set to commit future to Fulham within next few weeks

"He wants to stay here," says boss Martin Jol


Sign on! Brede Hangeland

Brede Hangeland is set to end his long-running contract saga by sealing his Fulham future within two weeks.

Hangeland, 31, has been stalling over a new deal all season.

Martin Jol has already voiced his fears his skipper could head the exodus from Craven Cottage this summer.

Mark Schwarzer, Mladen Petric and Chris Baird, who head the list of out-of-contract stars, can walk away for nothing.

But Fulham boss Jol has made keeping the Norwegian defender his priority.

Jol said: "We are talking to a few players and Brede is one of them.

"We are talking, which is a positive thing, and he wants to stay here.

"Hopefully there will be news in the next couple of weeks."

Meanwhile, Fulham defender Matthew Briggs, 21, has joined Championship promotion-chasers Watford on a month's loan.



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/brede-hangeland-sign-new-fulham-1736380?

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Fulham will have 'big problem' unless stars sign new contacts soon, says Jol

Fulham manager Martin Jol fears his club could be heading towards a 'big problem' if they fail to tie their first-team stars to new contracts in the coming weeks.

No fewer than seven members of Jol's first-team squad are out of contract in the summer and he admitted yesterday he is worried that the uncertainty might affect his players on the home straight.

He said: 'I feel that if you have got so many players being at the end of their contract, it can be a big problem. It is something we have got to manage well. I am trying to do that.'


Key talks: Brede Hangeland is one of the players nearing the end of his contract

Jol is hopeful of concluding deals for Brede Hangeland and Philippe Senderos in the coming fortnight, but doubts linger over the futures of Mark Schwarzer, Mladen Petric, Chris Baird, Giorgios Karagounis and Simon Davies.

Of those seven, only Davies was not involved in the 1-0 over Stoke last weekend, while Jol is also at risk of losing five loan players – Stanislav Manolev, Sascha Riether, Urby Emanuelson, Eyong Enoh and Emmanuel Frimpong – in the summer.

Jol added: 'Negotiations are different with each player. For example, with Damien Duff (who signed a one-year extension last week) it was quite easy. We reached an agreement within one week.


Anxious: Martin Jol is worried that Fulham may lose players for nothing

'But we are talking to most of them and hopefully two or three will sign in the next two weeks. Hangeland is one of them. Senderos too.

'Some of them, like Reither, we can wait until last month, so there is not pressure for all them.'

Meanwhile, Jol revealed that former England Under 21 defender Matthew Briggs has joined Watford on loan.


On-loan: Matthew Briggs has joined Championship high-flyers Watford


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2286245/Fulham-manager-Martin-Jol-says-stars-need-sign-new-contracts-soon.html#ixzz2MHBAidVu
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Senderos set to sign Fulham contract extension

PHILIPPE Senderos is close to agreeing a new deal at Fulham.

The giant Swiss defender has made 12 appearances for the Whites this season, but his contract is due to expire in the summer.

However, boss Martin Jol is keen to keep the 28-year-old at the club, along with fellow centre-back Brede Hangeland.

And the Dutchman is hopeful both players will put pen to paper over the next fortnight.

He said: "We're still talking and there's two or three in the next two weeks who will sign."

Senderos has featured 43 times for Fulham since his switch from Arsenal in 2010.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2013/02/28/82029-32900191/?#ixzz2MHBi0xP4

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U-20 World Cup to showcase Gameiro flair



Australian strikers have enjoyed a long history of success at the FIFA U-20 World Cup and now young gun Corey Gameiro is tipped as the man most likely of achieving it when the Young Socceroos take on the world's best in Turkey.

The likes of Frank Farina, Mark Koussas, David Mitchell, Jim Patikas, Mark Viduka and Scott McDonald are just some of the Aussie forwards to carve out a niche at FIFA's second biggest World Cup.

None though had quite the same impact in qualifying as newly signed Wellington Phoenix striker Gameiro whose six goals for Australia – comprising 100 percent of the team's tally - lifted the side to the semi-finals of the AFC U-19 Championship and passage to Turkey 2013.

Wollongong product Gameiro has made an immediate splash in the Hyundai A-League, where he is on loan from English Premier League outfit Fulham. The 20-year-old was duly rewarded for some typically high-energy displays with a goal in his second outing for the Phoenix last weekend against Adelaide United.

Few people are better placed to pass comment on Gameiro's burgeoning career than long-serving Wollongong-based coach Glenn Fontana.

Currently technical director with South Coast Football and the region's State League team South Coast Wolves, Fontana has overseen Gameiro's career starting at the age of just six, introducing him to senior football with the Wolves as a 15-year-old, before eventually helping pave the way for a move to Fulham.

"Corey is quite an enigmatic player, maybe frustrating for a coach as he can do nothing for 89 minutes and then do something really special," said Fontana.

"He is quick and enthusiastic with a big engine and a decent first touch."

But after failing to receive any game time two years ago at Colombia 2011, can Gameiro succeed on the world stage and help the Young Socceroos make a return to the halcyon days of the 1990s when the Aussies featured in consecutive semi-finals?

Fontana response is unequivocally in the affirmative, albeit with a proviso.

"We are looking at a new level at the World Cup compared to the Asian qualifiers where he succeeded last year," Fontana said.

"He will need the right service and the team has the capability of providing that with the likes of (Mustapha) Amini and (Terry) Antonis.

"It will be a great chance for him to show what he can do, and I'm confident he can do well with his strong running and incisive runs off the ball.

"He always had something that other players don't have, that being x-factor. He chases down lost balls and always is likely to show something special."

Like many a young Aussie footballer abroad, Gameiro's overseas expedition has been somewhat of a roller-coaster experience.

Liverpool were interested in signing the youthful Gameiro as a 15-year-old but his tender age ultimately proved too much of a hurdle. However, when the Reds recruitment manager Malcolm Elias made the move to Fulham it precipitated Gameiro linking up the Londoners.

And the Port Kembla-born Gameiro was soon turning heads at Craven Cottage helping the Academy side to success, notably winning the Premier Academy League title last year.

However a loan spell late last year at FC Eindhoven in the Netherlands proved less than successful with game time remaining limited.

Gameiro, who has a Portuguese father and English mother, is enjoying regular action at the Phoenix, although with an eye on the 24-nation World Cup in June.

After that, Fontana said, Gameiro and the Hyundai A-League would make a nice fit.

"Maybe the A-League has a future for him," said Fontana.

"Maybe he will be more settled back home and then of course Europe is always an option down the track."



http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/U20-World-Cup-to-showcase-Gameiro-flair/61950?

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UNDER-21S FACE LOCAL DERBY TONIGHT

Our Under-21s return to action this evening when we make the short trip to take on Fulham at Craven Cottage, a game which can be seen live and exclusive on Chelsea TV.

Dermot Drummy's side beat our local neighbours 2-0 at Cobham in January courtesy of goals from Islam Feruz and Lewis Baker, but the manager is expecting a sterner test this time around.

'It's always a tough fixture,' he tells the official Chelsea website. 'When they play at Craven Cottage they sometimes put players who are on the fringes of their first team in the side to help with their fitness, which is good for us, so they will probably be stronger than when we played them at Cobham.

'It's a good pitch, a nice venue and it's not too far for us to travel. There are some players who haven't been involved that will be hungry to get into the side and that's good for competition.'

The Blues will be hopeful of getting back in the winning habit after going down 2-1 at Blackburn Rovers in our last league encounter, a game in which we'd led after Marko Marin's strike shortly after the break.

Drummy was disappointed at the manner in which we allowed the game to slip away, as he explains.

'We should have won that game,' he reflects. 'I wasn't too happy at the end because with the amount of possession we had we should have controlled the game, and we let them back in with a couple of defensive errors.

'Having said that, the boys are still performing at a very high level and I'm confident we can get back to winning ways against Fulham.'

The manager is delighted to be able to call on the services of defender Todd Kane once again, who recently returned to the club following loan spells at Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers.

He also spoke about the progress of both Nathaniel Chalobah and Billy Clifford, with the duo currently playing regularly on loan at Watford and Colchester United respectively.

'Todd was at Preston, he then played a few times for Blackburn and got Man of the Match in one of the games,' explains Drummy.

'I spoke with Gary Bowyer, their Under-21 coach, and they were really pleased with him, but Michael Appleton was honest with Todd and said he might not play as much as he would like, so he chose to come back.



'He really enjoyed his time at Blackburn, though, and he spoke very highly of the club. It's great to have him back, he's so infectious in training and his performance in Barcelona in the NextGen game was great. His energy levels give us good attacking options both on the left and right.

'It was the right time for Billy Clifford to go on loan to Colchester. They're in a relegation fight, but Joe Dunne, their manager, spoke to [Chelsea Academy manager] Neil Bath and they're really happy with him, on and off the pitch.

'Eddie Newton and myself have been to watch Nathaniel Chalobah for Watford. They're second in the Championship, they're really making a push for promotion and that's experience you can't give.'

The manager, meanwhile, expressed his delight at our Under-19s being paired with either Juventus or Rosenborg in the quarter-finals of the NextGen Series having recorded a hugely-impressive 2-0 win away in Barcelona last week.

'From our reports, Rosenborg are a very good side, and we obviously know that Juventus will be a quality outfit, so it should be a great occasion regardless of who we play,' he says.



http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3092675/title/under-21s-face-local-derby-tonight?

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O'Shea v Berbatov - The Key?

John O'Shea has warned his team-mates to beware of his former Manchester United colleague Dimitar Berbatov.

John O'Shea: "He [Berbatov] is a fantastic player and everyone knows the quality that he has, you see with the technique he showed for the volley against Stoke – he's a man we'll have to keep an eye on.

"He'll be the player Fulham will play most balls to and go through mostly, but they've still got other players who can pose a threat.

"He's got literally everything to his game - power and strength that maybe people don't associate as much with him.

"He's got the silky touches to go with it as well; he'll be linking up a lot of their play and we'll definitely have to keep an eye on him."


http://www.sunderland-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/oshea_v_berbatov__the_key_785505/index.shtml

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Sunderland Defender Says Fulham Expect Tough Task!

John O'Shea says Fulham are very much a "home team" and are not as clever on their travels.

John O'Shea: "I think as always has been the case with Fulham over the years, their home form is their main asset and they've a very experienced team as well and an experienced manager as well.

"They'll know they've got a tough game coming up to the Stadium of Light but they'll also be confident that they can cause us problems – that's something we're going to have to cope with and make sure we can keep them under long spells of pressure.

"Hopefully we can go ahead in the game rather than having to fight back.

"We have to win our home games, especially – Fulham are on the back of a good home win against Stoke, but Stoke missed a penalty during the game as well.

"But we know with the likes of Berbatov, [Bryan] Ruiz, and [Damien] Duff that they've got good attacking players and we'll have to be on our guard."



http://www.sunderland-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/sunderland_defender_says_fulham_expect_tough_task_785506/index.shtml

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Fulham Preview (H) - March 2
   
SUNDERLAND take on Martin Jol`s Fulham at the Stadium of Light this Saturday with neither side in desperately menacing form and both looking to build some kind of momentum.

Martin O`Neill`s Black Cats are four games without victory, whilst the Whites have only put together back-to-back victories once this season - that sequence coming way back in mid-September.

Whilst the Cottagers home form has been impressive - picking up 21 of their 32 points at Craven Cottage - their away form has held them back somewhat, with only two wins recorded and 15 goals scored, the joint-third lowest tally in the Barclays Premier League.

A win against Stoke City last Saturday was Fulham`s second in four games, and after a winless run of five matches, Jol`s side do appear to be getting back towards the form which had them among the Europa League contenders earlier in the season.

The combined loss of Clint Demspey and Moussa Dembele was a blow, but in their places others have stepped up for the Hammersmith side, who are certainly enjoying the best of Dimitar Berbatov.

Berbatov, 32, got Fulham`s winner against the Potters with a sweet volley on the stroke of half-time a week ago, taking his tally for the season to nine league goals from 21 starts.

Deemed something of a luxury player at Old Trafford during his four-year stint at Manchester United, the Bulgarian striker still helped himself to 49 top-flight goals in 82 appearances, albeit he was never truly entrusted by Sir Alex Ferguson.

With an air of arrogance and more than a dash of lazyness about him, the 6`2 forward is not everybody`s cup of tea. The numbers however, speak for themselves: 86 Premier League goals from 166 starts mean that the lackadaisical frontman has a 0.51 strike rate - marginally better than one in two.

Alongside the not insignificant skill of Berbatov, is the equally precocious talent of Costa Rican international, Bryan Ruiz.

The 27 year-old attacker set the Cottagers back some £10.6m last term, and although he struggled to make an impact initially, the talent was evident.

A slight man in spite of his 6`1 frame, the former FC Twente winger-cum-forward has made 32 Premier League starts during his 18 months in England, scoring five times, including one sublimely-deft lofted effort against Everton last term.

For Jol, the key is unlocking the kind of technical aptitude that the Central American playmaker so clearly has in abundance, on a more regular basis.

Fulham could be without former Sunderland utility man Kieran Richardson, who is a doubt for Saturday with a calf injury.
Midfielder Karim Frei (groin) and Mahamadou Diarra (knee) are both likely to miss out too.

Black Cats` boss O`Neill will have to ponder making changes to his backline with Kader Mangane coming through 90 minutes for the U21s on Monday night.

Titus Bramble`s head appears to be the one on the chopping block, whilst Lee Cattermole should return.

Danny Rose is still sidelined with a hamstring injury meaning Jack Colback will start at left-back in a 4-4-2 once more.

Predicted line-ups:

Sunderland: Mignolet; Gardner, O`Shea, Mangane, Colback; Sessegnon, Cattermole (c), N`Diaye, Johnson; Graham & Fletcher.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Riether, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise; Dejagah, Sidwell, Karagounis, Duff; Ruiz & Berbatov.

Referee: Mr M Halsey.


Read more: http://www.sunderland.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=310929#ixzz2MHDJwsBz

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Davies offered Fulham lifeline

MARTIN Jol has challenged Simon Davies to earn a new deal at Fulham.

The 33-year-old midfielder has been dogged by injury problems during the past two seasons, restricting him to just seven appearances for the Whites.

But Davies is back in full training and ready to play his part for the remainder of the campaign as he tries to prove his fitness to his boss.

The Welshman is out of contract in the summer, but Jol has refused to rule out the prospect of the winger extending his six-year stay at Craven Cottage.

He said: "The situation with Simon is that we would like players to be productive, and he's been injured half of the time, maybe more.

"Hopefully he can stay fit and I've got an idea that he can still prove himself again.

"That's what he did in the past because he's a big player for Fulham Football Club."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2013/03/01/82029-32900738/?#ixzz2MHDaY6gO

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Fulham winger set to make comeback against Chelsea


Buomesca Tue Na Banga

FULHAM youngster Buomesca Tue Na Banga has been pencilled in for his first appearance in more than six months in tonight's U21 clash with Chelsea.

The 19-year-old burst onto the scene during pre-season and boss Martin Jol had hoped the former Chelsea winger could force his way into his first-team plans at Craven Cottage.

However, the Portuguese winger was dealt a massive blow after he was rocked by a cruciate ligament injury.

However, 'Mesca' is back in full training and is set to feature in the development game against the Blues.

"I took him straight into the first team because he's an exciting talent," said Jol.

"He will be involved for the first time after six or seven months out.

"You saw in pre-season [what he can do] and he came on and scored against Nice. He's got everything to be a very big player for us.

"The main thing for him now [is to stay fit] because you don't want a young player to have a problem with his knee.

"He tells me he's stronger than before. He's quick and strong and he will come on in the last 30 minutes."

Kerim Frei has also been included in the squad as he steps up his recovery from a groin injury.



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2013/03/01/82029-32900332/?#ixzz2MHDv9s4s

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With a sideswipe at Stoke, Fulham fan warns SAFC to beware the 'strolling Bulgar'

Philip Mison likes to strike a controversial note in his ESPN blogging about Fulham. Mr Tony Pulis's boys are dismissed as Stoke Rugby Club, Bramble and O'Shea are identified as Sunderland weak links Fulham can exploit and Martin O'Neill is seen as "looking less than secure in his job".

First, though, some historical context: this is how he summed up Sunderland at the start of last season, when Steve Bruce was still the manager:

SUNDERLAND: Super stadium, slightly fickle fans, s**** manager. Another side like Stoke who served up a false dawn to their supporters to New Year, then ended up in relegation trouble. Awful when we breezed to victory up there in spring. Four points from them last year, same again this. Bruce has been spending big time, but is not the manager to take the Black Cats on. I always enjoy watching Gyan though. Have overpaid on Wickham and isn't it often the case, away from Old Trafford ex-United players can sometimes appear, well ... ordinary. Can Bruce get so many new faces to gel? No. See the Mackem turn sour – some of them up there are dreaming of top 5!

Sunderland as a play: Les Miserables

with the arrival of his e-mail setting the scene for SAFC v Fulham. Philip cautions against any Sunderland optimism that despite his cracking finish against Stoke, Berbatov's namby-pamby, glove-wearing ways means he's likely to be far too cold and uncomfortable Oop North to bother.

Here we go again, with both clubs more or less where we left them last November.

I said Sunderland would end up 14th – they picked up that bonus win at our place when everything went against the Whites – Hangeland's contentious red card, the CB claiming a very soft 2nd with a preventable header when we had 10 on the park and Sessegnon pulling out a 'worldie' from the wing. Where's that ridiculous expression come from Redknapp?

That fixture set FFC off on a precipitous run of awful form. I've given Jol plenty of flak on the blog, and he still has a way to go in my book to redeem his reputation from a largely disappointing season. A narrow 1-0 win over Stoke Rugby Club does not mean we have turned a corner.

But we are better than six weeks ago, so be warned. Away from home we remain a very timid outfit though some defensive discipline has returned.

With MoN having 3 genuine centre-forwards to pick from now in Fletch, Sess and DG you should be moving on up, but I always think we're in with a shout when Bramble and O'Shea are in the back four.

Guess you see your season in similar vein, with Martin looking less than secure in his job too?


My reply:
I thought the red harsh at the time it happened though Hangeland seemed from his susbequent demenaour to accept it as less contentious than you feel.

I had no doubt that we deserved to win but it is true that we had some luck. Johnson's pass and Fletcher's control for the first goal were of the highest quality, though it came when you had nine, not 10, on the field. And Sessegnon rarely finishes as well as he did for the third. If he could, of course, he'd not be playing for us.

As usual, I have nervous feelings about Saturday. We are in the midst of another poor run. The commentary I heard from Craven Cottage suggested almost one-way traffic in Fulham vs Stoke. But if Berbatov has to wear gloves in London, I can but hope he'll be far too cold to be interested in the North East.

The Fulham supporter who has done the Who are You? interview this time thinks 1-1 is a possibility and I think he may be right. But no result would surprise me.

See also: the Fulham 'Who are You?': out with sausage rolls and pies, in with sushi and wine, says an Aussie Cottager (is it OK to say that? – ed)

My response to Philip produced a further exchange:

Philip:
My mind is furring up with the cold snap – of course, after Petric popped in the leveller we were indeed down to nine at the time...

Now I was full of admiration for Sessegnon last season – what's gone wrong this?

Are Sunderland supporters just kinda sullenly wishing the season over asap a bit like Fulham?

And don't be lulled by the 'strolling Bulgar' – he's scored half his goals away from home.

Enjoy the game, too far for me!

Me:
Sess shows glimpses of astonishing skill but disappoints with end product. I love flair players and am happy to see him start despite the incompleteness of his game. Fletcher is good but his score rate has slowed down considerably. We have little to offer in midfield and the central defence is slow and vulnerable.

After half a century, I'm fairly philosophical. But there is a bit of disenchantment about. I know lifelong home-and-away supporters who will not pay QPR's scandalous prices for our next game after you (£45, all of £5 off for pensioners) and one or two who are so cheesed off with the dull football we've played most of the season that they may not renew their season tickets.

That said, they probably will anyway, and QPR will just laugh at the refuseniks knowing the allocation will probably still be taken.

I would settle for ending the season where we are now in the hope that O'Neill has a compelling plan for next season.

Unintentionally, I had given Philip his cue. This is how he ended his preview at ESPN:

There's your team talk Martin (Jol). Blow it up and stick it on the dressing-room wall. This is definitely a game we can get something from. As with a lifetime of following the Whites though, it's all about wishing and hoping.

So I'll return the favour. Martin O'Neill may care to blow up the following words, taken from above without the surrounding context, and use it as his team talk:


- See more at: http://salutsunderland.com/2013/03/with-a-sideswipe-at-stoke-fulham-fan-warns-safc-to-beware-the-strolling-bulgar/?#sthash.QapcEzsf.dpuf

[WhiteJC]

 
LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Sunderland v Fulham

Sunderland just do not look like a Martin O'Neill team to me. They do not get in the opposition's face, or press them to make them hurry - and I don't know why.

It could be that he is missing not having his usual right-hand man John Robertson alongside him in the dug-out but, whatever the reason, they look like a run-of-the-mill Premier League team which is most unusual under O'Neill.

I would have expected the Black Cats to be playing like they were at a similar stage last season when they went on a bit of a charge after he first took over.

We have not really seen that sort of thing at all this season, which is strange, and I am sure it is just as mystifying to him.

I would still expect Sunderland to beat Fulham, however. The Cottagers have picked up of late under Martin Jol but when they are on the road they let other teams play and I cannot see them getting anything in the north-east.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21618258

[WhiteJC]

 
Ex-Blues youngster set to face former side

Fulham youngster Buomesca Tué Na Bangna, known as Mesca, is set to start against his former side Chelsea in an Under-21 match at Craven Cottage this evening.

The 19-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury in September but has been given the green light to return to action.

"Mesca will be involved for the first time after a big injury. I am ever so happy he can start for us," said Fulham manager Martin Jol.

"The main thing is for him to stay fit and strong. He tells me he feels stronger than before and I believe him, so he will start.

"He's an exciting talent. He's got everything to be a big player for us."

Kerim Frei will also be involved after recovering from a pelvic injury.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/ex-blues-youngster-set-to-face-former-side

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol wants Frimpong back next season

Fulham manager Martin Jol says he would jump at the chance to take Emmanuel Frimpong on loan again next season.

The Arsenal midfielder, 21, joined the Whites in January and has made only one appearance for them so far.

But he impressed in the recent 0-0 draw with Norwich and Jol is a long-term admirer of the Gunners youngster.

"He is getting better and better and he is now fully fit. He can play from the start if I want and he did well against Norwich," said Jol.

"I have been impressed with Frimpong since the start – since I saw him play for Arsenal two years ago.

"He is the type of player you would like as a midfielder. He is versatile, he has this mentality and he can play, also."

The Dutchman added: "If I had the opportunity to take him on loan again next season then I would do. It would be a nice position to be in.

"Loans are a good way of doing things because he would be expensive [to sign permanently]."

On-loan Ajax midfielder Eyong Enoh – another player attempting to recover full fitness – has also impressed Jol.

He said: "Enoh hasn't featured for three or four months but it is good to have him around because he's a very good player.

"He lacks a bit of match fitness, but he is better than before and I'm happy with him and Frimpong."


http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/jol-wants8-frimpong-back61-next-season

[WhiteJC]

 
Sunderland - Fulham Preview: Black Cats hoping to end three-game winless run at home
Martin O'Neill's side have been in woeful form of late but face a visiting side who have failed to win in nine of their last 10 games away from Craven Cottage

PROBABLE LINEUPS

SUNDERLAND
Mignolet
Gardener, O'Shea, Cuellar, Colback
Sessegnon, Larsson, N'Diaye, Johnson
Fletcher, Graham

FULHAM
Schwarzer
Reither, Senderos, Hangeland, Riise
Dejagah, Kacaniklic Sidwell, Duff
Ruiz
Berbatov,

Martin O'Neill is unlikely to make drastic changes to his team, despite the Mackems suffering defeat against West Brom last time out.

Danny Rose (hamstring), Lee Cattermole (knee) and Wes Brown (knee) all remain sidelined, with their returns expected to be a couple of weeks away.

And so the Black Cats' line-up should have a familiar feel, with Danny Graham and Steven Fletcher tasked with grabbing the goals up top.

Fulham, meanwhile, should name an unchanged back four having kept a clean sheet up against the aerial threat of Stoke in their last game.

Kieran Richardson is expected to be in the squad which travels to the Stadium of Light, the home of his former club, but it is unlikely he will start the game.

Simon Davies will also return from injury in time, but long-term absentees Kerim Frei (knee) and Mahamadou Diarra (groin) remain unavailable.

   DID YOU KNOW?
Sunderland have won only one of their last six meetings with Fulham.

A win for the home side would see them go level on points with the Cottagers in the Premier League.

Sunderland have lost their last three top-flight games, the first time they have done so this season.

Fulham have failed to win nine of their last 10 away games.

The last time Martin Jol's side won back-to-back Premier League games was in September.

Sunderland have failed to win any of their last three games at the Stadium of Light in all competitions.

Dimitar Berbatov (pictured right) is 9/2 to score the first goal with bet365.


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/81115/sunderland-vs-fulham/preview

[WhiteJC]

 
Boss targeting strong finish

O'Neill looking to Fulham game as catalyst.
Martin O'Neill wants to use Saturday's game against Fulham as a springboard for a strong finish to the season.

Sunderland notched a big 3-1 victory at Craven Cottage earlier in the campaign and the Black Cats boss says a league double would provide a big boost ahead of the final 10 games of the campaign.

"The win at Fulham earlier in the season was an important one in the context of things at that particular time," he explained.

"Now, following the Wigan game we were on a high but had a stodgy game against Swansea at the Stadium of Light followed by three fixtures I feel we should have got something from.

"It's a big game. There's a lot of games still to be played, but it's an important fixture for both teams."

Fulham sit three points ahead of Sunderland following a 1-0 home win over Stoke City last time out.

O'Neill says Martin Jol's side will head north full of confidence and looking to kick on – a challenge he's also setting his own side.

"Fulham had a great win last weekend and afterwards I heard their manager saying it was an important one as they have been looking over their shoulder," he said.

"Any side in the bottom half of the table should still be doing that.

"One result can inspire confidence and they will feel they are capable of taking on anyone, but it really is up to us.

"We have the wherewithal and the drive and determination to see this last third of the season through as strongly as possible.

"That necessitates winning some matches."

Meanwhile O'Neill is looking for a finishing touch this weekend after seeing his side carve out a host of chances during the defeats to Arsenal and West Brom.

"I think you can be genuinely unlucky," he said.

"If we continue to carve out the chances we have been doing – I know it doesn't reflect on the scoreboard – then I will be reasonably pleased.

"If we can create the same number of decent chances against Fulham, then we just have to hope that little bit of luck and finesse doesn't elude us and we can score a few goals."


http://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2013/february/mon-on-fulham?