Thursday Fulham Stuff (28/03/13)...

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QPR Tickets

The Whites' next match is against local neighbours Queens Park Rangers on Monday 1st April (8pm).

Match tickets are available to buy on General Sale (maximum of 6 per person), with good availability in the neutral Putney End.

Tickets can be purchased online, by calling 0843 208 1234 (Option 1) or by visiting the Ticket Office in person.

Make sure you're at the Cottage cheering on Martin Jol and the Team under the floodlights. Buy your tickets online today!



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/march/27/qpr-tickets?

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Chelsea On General Sale

Tickets for our clash with Chelsea on Wednesday 17th April (8pm) are now available to buy on General Sale.*

The Whites are undefeated in the last four Barclays Premier League meetings with our local rivals and you could be at the Cottage to see if we can extend that run. There was a fantastic atmosphere under the floodlights in the corresponding fixture last season as Fulham fought back to claim a deserved 1-1 draw.

Supporters are advised that this match will no longer be televised live on Sky Sports, as was previously the case, so the only way to see all the action as it happens is to join us down by the banks of the Thames. Tickets are priced from £55 for adults and £22 for kids.

*Only available on General Sale in person from the Ticket Office or by calling 0843 208 1234 (Option 3).


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/march/27/chelsea-on-general-sale?

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Upcoming Events at Craven Cottage

It's not just home fixtures against the likes of Queens Park Rangers, Chelsea and Arsenal that Fulham fans have to look forward to over the coming months at Craven Cottage:

The BNY Mellon Boat Race

Watch the 159th University Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge from the terrace at Craven Cottage on Sunday 31st March. Tickets cost just £10 for adults and £5 for under-12s and will entitle you to a complimentary burger, pie, or chicken curry and rice, as well as a choice of drink.* Buy your ticket online now!

Billy on Tour

Back by popular demand! Join us on Friday 5th or Friday 12th April for an extra special Stadium Tour featuring none other than our mascot, Billy the Badger. Places are limited so book online today to avoid disappointment.

Open Training

On Tuesday 9th April from 9.30am-12pm, First Team Open Training returns to the Cottage. Tickets are free of charge for this event; to book simply call 0843 208 1234 and select Option 3 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday).

Father's Day Legend Tour and Terrace Grill

Why not treat Dad to our exciting Father's Day package this June, featuring welcome drinks, a guided Stadium Tour, a grill on the terrace, Q&A session with Fulham legend Sean Davis and a gift for your Father.
Tickets are priced at just £38 for adults, £14.50 for under-12s, and under-5s go free! What's more, Season Ticket Holders, Members and Local Residents are entitled to 10 per cent off these prices. To book, call 0207 384 4777 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday).

*Vegetarian option available. Drink choices include beer, wine and soft drinks.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/march/27/upcoming-events-at-cc?

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Fulham track rising Euro stars

Fulham, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Manchester City had scouts at this week's UEFA Under-17 section matches in Croatia.

The four Premier League clubs were joined by scouts from Juventus, Hamburg, PSV Eindhoven, Watford, Anderlecht, Werder Bremen, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Monaco, Catania, Fiorentina, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, Ajax, Parma, Red Bull Salzburg and Pescara.

Four teams played in the mini-tournament with Croatia coming out on top after wins over Spain and France while Belgium were the biggest disappointment - only registering one point from a draw against the hosts in the last game.

With so many of the Spain, France and Belgium squads already signed up by the top clubs, Fulham are bound to have been paying close attention to the young Croats who stunned favourites Spain 3-2 in the opening game, despite having two players sent off.

Dinamo Zagreb prodigy Alen Halilovic, 16, could be the main reason why so many scouts made the trip as his reputation as the best player to come out of the country since Zvonimir Boban precedes him.

Halilovic was the only player in the tournament to have already played Champions League football and has scored two goals in 11 league appearances for Dinamo this season.



http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/fulham-track-rising-euro-stars-1566674.html?

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QPR man backs Zamora and Remy to shine ahead of Fulham clash

QPR first team coach Joe Jordan believes strike duo Bobby Zamora and Loic Remy hold the key to the club's survival hopes.

The west Londoners are currently seven points adrift from safety at the bottom of the table and desperately need to give themselves a boost with a win at Fulham on Monday.

Jordan insists QPR still believe they can upset the odds and escape the drop and says Zamora's return to fitness and Remy's goalscoring form could be decisive.

"There is belief there," he told www.qpr.co.uk. "We have the players now that are capable of taking the game to the opposition.

"Bobby is back fit, Remy is back in - we have a depth there now that we didn't have.

"When we arrived here we could only really play in a certain way, but that's changed now.

"We had to defend and play on the break, whereas now we can take the game to the opposition when it's needed.

"Performance-wise, we're improving all the time and there is a belief in the camp, because we're playing well."

He continued: "The performance (at Aston Villa) last week was excellent. Going forward that was the best we've played since we've got here.

"There are eight games ahead of us and there are games we think we can win.

"Harry has been in circumstances like this before and I've worked with him during those and Harry's teams have achieved what we're asking these players to go and achieve in these last eight games for QPR.

"The possibilities [of survival] are there – we've just got to make sure we don't create our own problems. If we can play the way that we have played recently we will score goals, we've just got to make sure those goals win us games."



http://www.london24.com/sport/qpr/qpr_man_backs_zamora_and_remy_to_shine_ahead_of_fulham_clash_1_1993707

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WEST HAM AND FULHAM TO FIGHT IT OUT OVER STRIKER

After scoring 26 goals in just 24 appearances for Vitesse Arnhem this season, Wilfried Bony was bound to attract attention from outside the Dutch top flight.

Sure enough, Premier League interest in the striker has become apparent, with West Ham and Fulham leading the chase for the 24-year-old, who is reportedly being monitored by six English clubs.

The Hammers have long been keen on the Ivory Coast international, but have thus far dallied in their efforts to sign him, something they are keen to rectify this summer.

nd even after a club-record outlay of £11m on Matt Jarvis has proved anything but a shrewd investment, co-chairman David Sullivan is willing to pay more than that to secure Bony's services.

Indeed, Vitesse would ask for around £15m for the striker, and the Hammers are intent on meeting that asking price, regardless of whether or not Sam Allardyce remains at the helm next term.

As midfielder Kevin Nolan tops the club's scoring charts with six goals, Allardyce has long prioritised a move for a striker.

But it is believed that the pressing need for a forward hasn't gone unnoticed by the club hierarchy either, who will still try and push the move through even if Allardyce fails to extend his contract.

Fulham are also keen to bolster their attacking options though, and with no uncertainty surrounding Martin Jol's future, a move to a more settled Craven Cottage environment could tempt Bony.

The Cottagers' recent tendency to bring in players with Eredivisie experience also strengthens their position, amidst the arrivals of Moussa Dembele, Bryan Ruiz and Mahamadou Diarra over the past few years.

Jol is hopeful of landing a suitable foil for Dimitar Berbatov, and in the Ivorian, dubbed in some circles as the 'new Didier Drogba', he believes he has found it.

Such a player would also be ideal for a Hammers outfit set to lose Andy Carroll this summer however, and with the Upton Park outfit willing to break the bank to secure Bony's signature, they probably remain favourites to snap him up.



http://sportingpreview.com/football2012-5/2012326.php?

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AJ Off On Loan!
   
Over at Loftus Road, as our neighbours continue their annual fight to avoid relegation, one of our former players is hoping he`s shaken off an injury that has seen him side-lined for several months.

Andrew Johnson, who chose to follow Bobby Zamora down the hooped road to relegation, is, according to several news sources, set to be loaned out to Swindon Town to enable the forward to get match-fit again as Queens Park Rangers hope to add AJ to their squad for their end of season relegation plunge.

Nice to see you back Andy!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=313994#ixzz2Op1mGuMi

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Frimpong`s International Debut
   
The international break saw one of our loan players make his international debut.

Emmanuel Frimpong, on loan from Arsenal, made his Ghanaian debut with the thrilled young man exclaiming to the media ,

"It was a great day for my family and for me as a day I will cherish for the rest of my life."

And so you should, here`s hoping it is the start of a long and illustrious international career.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=313995#ixzz2Op1y4Ik8

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Fulham U19s 5-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

Fulham's Under-19s have made it through to the Semi-Final of the prestigious Dr Pepper Dallas Cup following Wednesday's 5-0 defeat of Eintracht Frankfurt.

In order to progress from Group B as winners, the Whites needed just a point, having already seen off last year's champions Coritiba of Brazil 3-1 and LA Galaxy 2-1.

A goal from Cauley Woodrow, after just five minutes, set Steve Wigley's side on the way to an impressive victory, with the talented striker heading in from Ryan Williams' deflected cross.

Fulham should have had a second not long after, with Woodrow linking with Muamer Tankovic and freeing Williams. However, the Australian winger couldn't convert with the goal at his mercy.

As Fulham searched for a second, Tankovic and Charles Banya both tried their luck, while at the other end, Marek Rodak made a brave save to keep Eintracht out.

The Whites did double their lead on the half-hour mark, though, with captain Jack Grimmer smashing in from 15 yards as the German side failed to clear a corner.

The second half opened in similar fashion, and, with Fulham taking the initiative once more, Wigley's charges were rewarded with a third when Williams picked the pocket of his full-back before squaring unselfishly for Woodrow to tap home.

Wigley made a number of changes on the hour, but that didn't slow the Whites' rhythm, as Ryan Williams claimed another assist in setting up substitute George Williams as Fulham made it 4-0 on 68 minutes.

Ten minutes later, George Williams showed his composure once more, running on to the end of Emerson Hyndman's sublime 35-yard pass and finishing smartly.

Fulham remained in control until the end, as Wigley's side further underlined their Dallas Cup credentials. Since Sunday's opener, the Whites have shown that they are one of the teams to beat, turning heads following three impressive displays.

Our opponents for Friday's Semi-Final are still to be decided, however, our boys will again line-up in the famous 92,000-capacity Cotton Bowl Stadium where they kicked-off proceedings last Sunday.

Fulham U19s: Rodak; Passley (Richards 60), Arthurworrey (Burgess 60), Grimmer (Hyndman 60), Kavanagh; Sambou (Minkwitz 60), Vigen Christensen, Tankovic; R Williams, Woodrow (G Williams 60), Banya.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/march/27/fulham50frankfurt?

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Cottage buy? Fulham eye move for Crystal Palace goal machine Glenn Murray

Championship striker who has scored 30 times this season has one year left on his contract and is also on the radars of Norwich and Villa


Murray's mint: Palace have offered in-demand Glenn a new contract
Getty

Crystal Palace star Glenn Murray is a target for Fulham.

The Cottagers are among several clubs monitoring the striker, who has smashed 30 goals for the Championship club this season.

Palace have offered Murray a new three-year deal worth £1million a year in a bid to hang onto him.

They are confident that the hitman - nominated for the Championship Player of the Year award - will remain in south London.

But, as well as Palace's cross-Thames neighbours Fulham, Norwich and Aston Villa are also in the hunt for the marksman, whose strikes have put him on course to become the Championship's highest-ever scorer.

Murray's goals have also helped Palace, who face Birmingham at home on Good Friday, to mount a push for promotion.

The 29-year-old moved to Selhurst Park two years ago and has just a year left on his contract after this season.

Click here to read our interview with Murray from February, when he was European football's second-highest scorer behind some Lionel Messi.



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-transfers-glenn-murray-crystal-1788458?

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LOVELY RIETHER HAS GOT THE MOVES LIKE DEJAGAH

WORDS: DOMINIC BLISS

The narrative of Fulham's season has largely been defined by the sultry performances of Dimitar Berbatov, but while the stylish forward has been making the headlines two other former Bundesliga stars have been quietly impressing the Craven Cottage crowd with their neat combination play...



The white circle surrounded Sascha Riether and the rest of the pitch darkened slightly. He had been chosen and the viewers were about to find out why.

However, it was not the voice of the Mysterons, or some almighty deity, that spoke next – it was the melancholy Lancashire whinnying of Mark Lawrenson. He had deemed Riether's lung-busting run to set up Dimitar Berbatov for the decisive goal in Fulham's win at White Hart Lane worthy of a white circle and a dotted line.

It was March and, you feel, quite possibly the first time many of the viewing public had paid any kind of attention to the German international full-back, who has been making such runs with regularity during his season-long loan at Craven Cottage, including the run and cross that led to Berbatov's stunning volley against Stoke a few weeks earlier.

Later in the same move we were treated to the briefest of mentions for the link-up play and quick feet provided by Ashkan Dejagah, another Bundesliga export who has been key to the club's transition play alongside the hustle and bustle of Damien Duff and the languid creativity of Bryan Ruiz.

Lawro and the Match of the Day 2 producers deserve some credit for managing to point out that Fulham's team is not made up of Berbatov alone, which had been the sole narrative of previous analysis of the Cottagers this season. Yet, it seems remarkable that it has taken us until March to notice that Martin Jol's side have been bolstered by two men with Bundesliga winners' medals to their names and international caps to boot.

Riether and Dejagah arrived at Fulham without the hint of a fanfare and, even when the former immediately took to his role at right-back with the reliable defensive nous you can often count on from a twice-capped German international, the plaudits were still not forthcoming. Dejagah, as you might expect from a more expressive, creative force, took time to adapt to the Premier League, but the 26-year-old has recently begun to display the technical ability that made him a mainstay for Germany at every youth level from Under-17s to Under-21s before he decided to turn out for Iran, the country of his birth, at senior level.

So should we be surprised by their performances in west London, or should the real shock be that so many of us knew absolutely nothing about these men before they were given the white-circle treatment on Match of the Day?

Liam Lee is one of that rarest of breeds – a Wolfsburg supporter in England – but, as he explains, both Riether and Dejagah played a part in the German club's 2008/09 title triumph. Lest we forget, this is a league many of us are looking at with covetous eyes right now.

Berbatov Amazing Goal Fulham 1-0 Stoke 23-02-2013

"Riether was part of a team that recorded 10 straight league victories, which at the time was an exceptional achievement," Lee informed us. "He made his mark that season by scoring the winning goal against Borussia Moenchengladbach and was a regular in the Wolfsburg starting XI at right-back. He was a favourite under Felix Magath and featured a lot. Considering he arrived for €500,000 from Freiburg, it was an excellent signing and he was one of the many key players to feature for Wolfsburg that season.

"Dejagah is a player who entertained me in his Wolfsburg days and still does now he is at Fulham," he continued. "The majority of his time at Wolfsburg, he had more time on the ball to showboat or take on the full-backs and has had to adapt his game since achieving his dream of playing in the Premier League, and is gradually looking like a half-tidy player.

"Magath wanted to keep Dejagah, but he had his heart set on a transfer to the Premier League. Since their departures, their replacements have never lived up to their standards."

Fulham supporters seem equally taken with their former Bundesliga boys and, if anything, they are glad too much attention has not been heaped on them. After all, the Whites are yet to secure a permanent deal for Riether, who is on loan from his parent club, Koln, following their relegation from the German top flight last season.

"I'm sure a few other Premier League clubs have noticed Riether this season, so if less media attention stops the price from going up, it could help us to sign him permanently," said Tony Bliss, a season-ticket holder at the Cottage.

"With his rounded shoulders, he has that slightly hollow-chested look that reminds me of Steve Finnan and he isn't dissimilar to Finnan as a player either. I am yet to see a winger outpace him and he times his tackles perfectly – he has a knack of getting his toe on the ball just as the attacking player is about to strike or cross it and that comes from having very good anticipation.

"As for Dejagah, while I would point out he is very right footed and, for someone so stockily built, a little bit timid in 50-50 situations, he has improved as his confidence has increased and he has excellent technical ability. His close control helps him a lot in tight situations and he has good feet, so he can sidestep players at close quarters and get free of them.

"It's noticeable that the pair have played together in the past because Dejagah has a good understanding with Riether down the right side. He often takes the ball forward at speed, then slows right down, leaving people wondering what he is doing, but he is actually waiting for the overlap from Riether. In fact, he did both those things for the goal against Spurs – showed good feet in a tight area and then spotted the overlap from Riether.

"Still, after all their work, Berbatov got a lot of the plaudits and the attention – not that we'd ever complain about having Berbatov because he is a fantastic player. I just sometimes feel that the rest of the team is overlooked. Other players, like Steve Sidwell and Mark Schwarzer deserve more credit for their crucial roles this season and Ruiz is a top quality player in his own right."

As long as Riether and Dejagah are combining well down the right flank, it is fair to say Fulham supporters will be happy enough, but perhaps it would be nice if the pundits' white circle drifted a little more often to the unsung heroes who make their teams tick.

Dominic Bliss is editor of TheInsideLeft and, despite his fondness for the club, he is not a Fulham supporter. You can follow him on Twitter @Dominic_Bliss



http://theinsideleft.com/riether-dejagah-fulham/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=riether-dejagah-fulham

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A surprise in fourth and a shock relegation: We predict the rest of the Premier League season

Thursday 28 March 2013 08:30



The end of the international break sees focus return to club football for the remaining two months of the season. If you're anything like us, you're probably wondering how the laugh-a-minute madness of the 2012/13 Premier League season will pan out.

Well, we've run through the rest of the Premier League season's results to calculate what will happen. At least one of the current bottom three won't be relegated; at least one of the current top four will end the season with very little to show for their efforts.

We haven't skewed the results or gone for wacky 'what ifs' – this is what is going to happen. Probably.
First, a reminder of the table as it is now...



WEEK 31 (Saturday, March 30 – Monday, April 1)
There's immediately change at the foot of the table as Aston Villa fall into the drop-zone by losing to Liverpool, after Wigan climbed out with a 2-1 home win over Norwich (possibly thanks to the ball rebounding in off the victim of a neck-high two-footed challenge).

The top seven all win to keep the European places plus ça change, Arsenal and Manchester United seeing off Reading and Sunderland respectively by four- and three-goal margins. Things look increasingly drastic for the Royals, seven points from safety – as are Queens Park Rangers after opening April with a controversial defeat to Martin Jol's Fulham. "The referee was a right April Fool," says Harry Redknapp to nobody in particular.



WEEK 32 (Saturday, April 6 – Monday, April 8)
New Reading boss Nigel Adkins gets a further taste of the job at hand, as his new charges throw away the lead not once but twice to only draw a six-pointer with his former employers, Southampton, at the Madejski. There's also another setback for QPR, with a narrow reverse to relegation rivals Wigan condemning the R's to the bottom. Redknapp refuses to admit survival is beyond even he, but the eight-point gap between his side and 17th looks all but unassailable, even with Nwankwo Kanu brought in on a free transfer and £120,000 a week.

Sunderland's run of difficult games gets off to a bad start as they lose at Stamford Bridge, leaving them just one place and point above the relegation zone.

At the other end of the table, a Marouane Fellaini header secures a vital 1-0 win for Everton at White Hart Lane, putting David Moyes' men within touching distance of the Champions League places. With Arsenal dropping points at The Hawthorns, Tottenham stay fourth – for now.

There's less spice about the Manchester derby than last year, but a goal apiece within the first 10 minutes livens the atmosphere.

Much against the run of play, City prevail 3-2 thanks to two Yaya Toure strikes and close the gap on the leaders to a mere 12 points. Game on!



WEEK 33 (Saturday, April 13 – Wednesday, April 17)
Southampton climb to 12th by beating West Ham and Manchester United thump Stoke 1-0 at the Britannia despite a 10-minute cameo from Michael Owen in which he doesn't touch the ball.

Meanwhile, it's a bad weekend for teams in blue and white hoops: QPR and Reading suffer Merseyside misery against Everton and Liverpool respectively. To make matters worse, Aston Villa claim a valuable win over sad travellers Fulham and Sunderland nick a potentially vital point in the Tyne-Wear derby.

Going into midweek, Wigan's artistic little renaissance is revealed to be a false dawn painted by a cut-price impostor. Or, in football terms: they lose 3-0 to Manchester City. Turns out their fabled end-of-season form isn't miraculous but entirely plausible when you're facing Newcastle, Norwich and QPR. Manchester United beat West Ham, who have now taken one point from five games; Chelsea, their weekend fixture postponed by three days due to their FA Cup run, take a firm hold on third with a 4-2 victory over Tottenham.

The big midweek match is Arsenal v Everton, and Spurs fans are delighted to see them share the points – but it's still enough to relegate Spurs to sixth in the table. Liverpool are only four points off a Champions League spot, which Brendan Rodgers calls "not an ugly target to be splintered with money-poisoned arrows but a proud meadow in a dying spring, within physical reach but emotionally unattainable, at least until Daniel Sturridge recovers from his latest setback".



WEEK 34 (Saturday, April 20 – Monday, April 22)
Sunderland start the weekend in the relegation zone for the first time this season – and end the weekend out of it. A goalless draw at the Stadium of Light ensures that much, frustrating visitors Everton, who reflect on an opportunity lost as top-four nemeses Arsenal and Tottenham both drop points (though Spurs are happy to draw with Manchester City).

On Monday night, Manchester United get their hands on the Premier League trophy by sauntering into an unassailable 17-point lead over City. The Red Devils seal the deal in style, yawning their way to victory over a valiant but vulnerable Villa.

Down at the bottom, drop-dreading QPR attempt to breathe life into a putrefying corpse with a deserved win over Stoke, in spite of Jonathan Walters sewing up Goal of the Season with a bicycle kick (later revealed to be assisted by ropes and pulleys). Wigan are right back among the dirty business thanks to a dreadful performance in a 2-0 defeat to West Ham, who take that and party.

Saturday also sees wins for West Brom, Swansea and Norwich, before Chelsea see off Liverpool on Sunday.



WEEK 35 (Saturday, April 27 – Tuesday, April 30)
Hope! QPR beat Reading to give themselves the slimmest of chances of dodging the drop – while mathematically relegating the Royals and their manager, Michael Appleton.

Despair! Sunderland's 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, the scoring opened by a superb volley from Christian Benteke, leaves the stunned Black Cats three points from safety with three games to play. Martin O'Neill spends most of the post-match press conference tearing out his hair.

Glory! Manchester United begin what is essentially a lap of victory now with a 3-1 victory over a tame Arsenal outfit. The highlight of the match is a bizarre own goal as Per Mertesacker literally sighs the ball into his own net.

Disaster! Tottenham, still tired from their Europa League exploits on Thursday, see their top-four ambitions take a pounding as Wigan shock them 1-0 for the second time this season (and the fourth time in five years).

Result! Chelsea's 5-0 shellacking of Swansea, minor revenge against their League Cup woe and ball boys everywhere, means they are mathematically assured of a top-four finish. Rafael Benitez mentions this 16 times to journalists after the match.

Draws! The Baggies nab two points on the road at Southampton and then Man City; Norwich stay above Stoke with a hard-fought draw in the Potteries.

Other games! West Ham lose at the Etihad, Newcastle surprise Liverpool with a competent, effective, Gallic performance, and Everton see off Fulham 1-0 to go fourth – and three points clear of Arsenal.



WEEK 36 (Saturday, May 4 – Wednesday, May 8)
Normal service is resumed: home wins for Tottenham (over Southampton), West Brom (over Wigan), West Ham (over Newcastle) and Fulham (over hapless Reading). Manchester United vs Chelsea, a fixture beginning to occur even more frequently than el Clasico, finishes just as predictably: 0-0.

QPR are relegated at Loftus Road with a defeat to Arsenal, who not only turn up but play rather well. Sunderland's goalless draw with Stoke fully earns its last slot on Match of the Day – in fact, Gary Lineker questions to camera whether anybody wants to watch the game's alleged 'highlights' at all – but it does drag Sunderland and Martin O'Neill, by now completely bald, one point closer to safety. Nonetheless, it's an opportunity missed for the North East club, not least as Stoke are forced by an injury crisis into playing Robert Huth as a lone striker.

Elsewhere, there are victories on the road for Manchester City and Aston Villa, who overcome Norwich 2-0 thanks to goals from Christian Benteke (again) and Gabby Agbonlahor. A thrilling Merseyside derby ends 2-2, helping Arsenal and Tottenham to close the gap on Everton. On Wednesday, Chelsea beat Fulham at Craven Cottage.

It didn't look that way in March but somehow, both Aston Villa and Wigan – who scrape a win over Swansea in midweek – are now almost guaranteed safety. Southampton are in the biggest danger of being overtaken by Sunderland but incredibly, as we go into the final fortnight there are eight teams who could still take the single remaining ticket to the Championship.



WEEK 37 (Sunday, May 12 – Wednesday, May 15)
Sunderland have done it: they've pulled off a massive, titanic, gargantuan 1-0 win over Southampton to leapfrog Mauricio Pochettino's men and climb out of the relegation zone, if indeed you can leap and climb at the same time. The Saints are staring down the barrel of a gun without a paddle to their name, and try as they might, Newcastle just can't scrabble clear from the danger zone and its trapdoor (stop now – Ed). The Magpies lose a five-goal thriller to QPR, who play as if they have nothing left to lose but all their players over the summer.

There are wake-up calls for Wigan and Villa, battered 4-1 and 4-0 by Arsenal and Chelsea, reminding them that although it'd take a miraculous series of events, one of them could still go down on goal difference. Chelsea's victory comes on Wednesday, having beaten Millwall 4-0 in the FA Cup Final at the weekend.

Tottenham have the Europa League final to look forward to but that's all: a draw away to Stoke takes them out of the running for qualification to the Champions League (and, indeed, the Europa League unless they win the final). Everton are still favourites having beaten West Ham 2-0 – but they face a trip to Stamford Bridge.



WEEK 38 (Sunday, May 19)
All to play for. Chelsea could finish second; Everton and Arsenal both want fourth; one of five teams (Southampton, Sunderland, Newcastle, Aston Villa or Wigan) will be relegated. It's Super Duper Pooper Sunday!

Both Manchester teams wrap up their seasons with victories, City thrashing Norwich 3-0 and United prevailing 3-1 over West Brom, while Liverpool finish on a high by beating QPR with ease. Reading also win, surprising everybody at Upton Park, not that it matters much as they walk off into the Championship sunset.

Fulham overtake Swansea in the table by beating them at the Liberty and Wigan and Villa draw 0-0 to ensure safety – albeit a misfiring one – for them both.

Sunderland's joy at exiting the relegation zone is short-lived. They go down 2-1 to Tottenham, who lost to Benfica in Amsterdam just days before to round off another frustrating season. But Southampton still need to win to stay up – and they do, scrapping to a 1-0 victory over Stoke. Cue celebrating people in red-and-white shirts and crying people in red-and-white shirts.

But the real drama is for fourth. In the dying minutes Arsenal are trailing 2-1 at St James' Park and know that with Everton losing at Chelsea, they could snatch fourth if they can just equalise. Players are thrown forward in a very un-Wenger-like manner until they win a corner in the 93rd minute. Szczesny goes up... but it's headed clear and Newcastle run up the other end to score.

It's all over. Everton have qualified for the Champions League; Arsenal have missed out for the first time under Arsene Wenger.

Sunderland have been relegated, along with QPR and Reading.

Who saw that coming?





http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/fourfourtwoview/archive/2013/03/28/premier-league-prediction-2012-13.aspx?

[WhiteJC]

 
The Ex-Files

Former Fulham and Queens Park Rangers striker Dean Coney experienced plenty of highs and lows during his time in football.

The Dagenham-born striker progressed through the ranks at Fulham to make his debut in a 2-1 home win over Newport County in the (old) Division Three in March 1981. He would go on to score three times in seven games that term.

"I left school and went to Fulham," he told the official website. "They were good times when I first got in the side under Malcolm Macdonald in 1980. We got promoted in my first full season and did well for a few years."

It was the 1981/82 campaign that really saw Coney come to fruition, as he helped the Whites to promotion with a haul of 13 league goals and 19 in all competitions.

Nicknamed 'Dixie', the skilful target-man developed an excellent partnership with Gordon Davies, creating a steady stream of chances for his teammate.

The goals dried up somewhat after that, but Coney continued to give his all for the cause. He found his shooting boots once again in the 1985/86 season and was Fulham's top scorer with 12 goals - but the Whites were relegated back to the bottom tier.

With Fulham in all sorts of financial difficulties, Coney and Paul Parker made the short move to QPR in June 1987 as part of the deal that enabled the cash-strapped Whites to reform as Fulham (1987) Ltd. In total he scored 73 goals in 250 appearances for the Whites and earned four England Under-21 caps during his stint in SW6.

He recalled: "Things went downhill at Fulham. We came close to a second successive promotion in 1982/83 but then players started leaving and we got relegated. I was there for a long time and Fulham were keen for me to stay when my contract came to an end in 1987 but QPR came in for me and I wanted to try and play in the top flight. You want to be at the top in any job and that was my chance."

Coney spent just two years at Loftus Road, scoring only seven goals in 48 league appearances. He admits his time with Rangers never really worked out.

"I had a lovely time at QPR but I never quite made the standard of what they wanted," said Coney. "But I wasn't a real goalscorer, I was more of a hold-up man who would bring others into play. But I thoroughly enjoyed it there."

Coney was transferred to Norwich City in 1989 for a fee of £350,000 but had an unhappy spell with the Canaries, scoring just once in 17 league games. He was then forced to retire from league football in 1991 due to cruciate ligament problems.

After a period in the Far East with Hong Kong-based Ernest Borel, he returned to England to embark on spells with Farnborough Town and Carshalton Athletic. He retired in 1998 and joined Farnborough as a coach, later spending time with the club as caretaker and assistant manager. He was also assistant manager to Jim Stannard at Redbridge in 2005.

Now 49, Coney is no longer involved in football.

"I've just started a new job as a manager at Ladbrokes," he said. "I've been self-employed as a labourer for many years but I've had a few problems with arthritis in my fingers and I couldn't do any more heavy lifting."

Coney continues to keep a close eye on events at his two former West London clubs and he believes Rangers will struggle to get out of their current predicament at the foot of the Barclays Premier League as the season draws to a close.

"Fulham have had a bit of strange season," he stated. "It's been very low key with good and bad spells. They've never really been in any trouble, though. There were a couple of times this season when they were looking over their shoulder but then they'd get a win and edge away. With Dimitar Berbatov there, he's a confident man, and he's got goals when Fulham have needed him to.

"QPR have had a bit of a bad one, let's be honest. I can't see them getting out of relegation trouble, but I hope they do. I don't know why they've struggled as they've got the players there. It's a weird one when you look at it and I can't really understand why they're down at the bottom but I guess they conceded too many goals early doors and they weren't scoring enough."

He continued: "When Harry Redknapp went to QPR, you thought if one man was going to get them out of it then it was him. He's turned it around a bit and brought some new players in, but it could be too little, too late. Harry has targeted five wins out of the last eight and you wouldn't put it past him as he's done it before. You'd never say never with Harry, but I think they're running out of time, that's for sure."

The Bank Holiday Monday (8pm) clash between the sides at Craven Cottage is a fixture Coney is particularly keen to catch.

"We've already mentioned Berbatov and if you've got him in your side then you've got half a chance," said Coney. "Defensively, Fulham haven't conceded many of late, especially at home. They've built their success in recent years on a solid defence and the big man at the back, Brede Hangeland, is a good player. They're a very steady side when he's playing.

"For Rangers, Loic Remy got injured at a bad time for them. He looks like he's a handful and he can score goals. If they keep him fit, you never know. Bobby Zamora's not been fit for most of the season and that's been a blow. I love watching him play; he holds the ball up well and brings others into play. He doesn't hide when things are going badly either and they're the sort of players you need in your side.

"Adel Taarabt got both goals against Fulham in the 2-1 win at Loftus Road in November but he's found himself on the bench in recent weeks. He can be a world beater but maybe when you're in a scrap, he can go missing. He's got bags of talent, though, and he can certainly have an impact, either from the start or as a substitute."

Coney feels Fulham will go into the derby full of confidence after extending their recent unbeaten run to four games with a superb 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

"I imagine Fulham would have liked to have been a bit higher in the table, but I'm sure they'll be fairly happy with where they are," said Coney. "They'd probably have taken finishing in the top 10 at the start of the season and they're on course to do that.

"It was a brilliant result at Tottenham. No-one really saw that coming as Fulham's form on their travels isn't great and Tottenham have been flying. But if one player was going to score, it was going to be Berbatov on his old ground. It happens a lot in football. He apparently said he was going to score beforehand, and he did."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/march/28/the-ex-files