Thursday Fulham Stuff (01/08/13)...

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 04:55:37 AM

Fulham generously priced to outdo Southampton once again
Cottagers reliable for mid-table safety while survival remains Saints' goal

Southampton are not shy when it comes to loosening the purse strings and this, perceivably, has earned them favouritism to finish above Fulham in the Premier League this season.

However, a punt on the 6/5-rated underdogs could be the smart way to go in the quest for a long-term profit.

Mauricio Pochettino arrived in England with the frailest grasp of the nation's mother tongue and expectations of failure following his fading out at Espanyol, where he left them bottom of La Liga. Still, he managed to steer the Saints clear of the drop and record some surprise victories over Manchester City and Liverpool en route.

Still, his side's 4/6 to better the Cottagers' league place this term should be left alone.

An outlay north of £20m has seen Victor Wanyama and former Lyon defender Dejan Lovren added to their wage bill but, while their centre back issue was in dire need of addressing, they were well stocked on defensive midfielders.

Morgan Schneiderlin and Jack Cork were arguably their two star performers last term and upsetting their anchoring partnership in front of Saints' back four could spell disaster. The arrival of Wanyama hints that Pochettino could be about to do just that, unless they wish to use the Kenyan in his secondary role in the centre of defence.

After forking out such a hefty sum, though, it would seem bizarre to utilise the 22-year-old in such a way. These funds should have been invested in a centre forward to help ease the pressure on Ricky Lambert, while they're not inundated with quality out wide either.

Also, the second season in the top flight can often prove more challenging than the first and anything above 18th place after 38 games will be considered a success for Southampton.

Fulham, as mundane as they appear, can always be relied upon for consistency and, with the addition of a striker, they'll be in prime position to repeat the feat they achieved last term when they finished two places and as many points above the St Mary's side.

http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/premier-league/fulham-generously-priced-to-outdo-southampton-once-again_165957.html

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 04:56:18 AM

Increased Bid Not Enough For Bent?

Fulham have failed with two bids for Darren Bent, the latest believed to be £4m, but they'll keep pushing ahead with their efforts to land the striker.

Problem is its thought that Bent favours a move to Newcastle anyway!

What's gone so wrong with the striker's career? From an £18m signing for Villa from Sunderland two-years ago, and an England international, he's gone to a player that couldn't get a look-in at Villa Park last season that could leave for a third of the fee Villa paid.

Bent worked with Alan Pardew at Charlton (didn't he work with Martin Jol at Spurs though too?), and its reported that he prefers working with him again so no amount of increasing an offer, as much as £6m, would be enough to secure his services with the 29-year-old focused on St James Park.

If this is the case Martin focus your efforts on someone that would want to play for Fulham.

Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=326744#ixzz2agcCoLrr

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 04:56:57 AM

Williams Out On Loan Again

Ryan Williams came to Fulham with such a reputation following his arrival from Portsmouth a couple of years ago.

As yet, despite his highly rated nature, the Aussie winger hasn't managed to make a breakthrough at Fulham and has been sent out on loan a few times, as he will again this season.

The 19-year-old is heading back to League Two, having been with Gillingham last season for a spell, to join Oxford.

Williams needs football at this stage and is still very young but you would have to think that he'll need to start making inroads into the Fulham first-team within the next season or so if he's going to make an impact at Craven Cottage.

Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=326745#ixzz2agcNcnwC

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 04:57:52 AM

Free Travel With Marathonbet

First up for Fulham in the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season is Sunderland away on Saturday 17th August (3pm) and Season Ticket Holders and Members can buy tickets today.

For this marathon journey, the Club's Main Team Sponsor, Marathonbet is delighted to announce free coach travel for 200 lucky Fulham supporters to celebrate its partnership with the Club and its fans.

The first 200 supporters to book their place will be treated to a fantastic travel experience from Fulham's new Main Team Sponsor, and will be taken up to the Stadium of Light onboard our Kings Ferry coaches.

Your Marathonbet travel package will include:

Pickup from Motspur Park or Craven Cottage at 7am
Breakfast on board
Lunch en route
Gift bag filled with Fulham goodies
On board entertainment and competitions
Other surprises during the day
Return travel back to Motspur Park or Craven Cottage
Seats are limited to 200, and demand will be high, so to book your place onboard call the ticket office on 0843 208 1234 after purchasing your ticket.

Season Ticket Holders and Members can buy tickets today, while any remaining tickets will go on General Sale at 10am on Monday 5th August. You will be able to purchase four tickets per person.

Find out more ticket information here.

Terms and conditions apply - Under 16s have to be accompanied by an adult.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/july/31/free-travel-with-marathonbet?

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 04:59:18 AM

Top 10: Free Transfers

Following the arrival of summer recruits Fernando Amorebieta and Derek Boateng, we take a look back at 10 of the best free transfer signings that Fulham have made over the years.

Ray Houghton – June 1982
Former West Ham United reserve team manager Terry Mancini did Fulham a huge favour in the early-80s when he made a recommendation to Whites boss Malcolm Macdonald. He had a 20-year-old Ray Houghton in his side who was struggling to break into the Hammers' first team, so he suggested that Macdonald take a look. Our boss liked what he saw and, with no fee involved, made the risk-free signing. Houghton immediately became an important figure at Fulham, missing just two matches in his first three seasons, before he was sold to Oxford United for £147,000 just five games into the 1985/86 campaign.

Micky Adams – July 1994
Although he may not have enjoyed the most memorable spell at Fulham in a playing capacity, the future implications of bringing Micky Adams to the Club in the first place would be monumental. He played just 37 times for the Whites, but was top scorer in his debut campaign, with each of his 12 strikes coming from either a penalty or free-kick. However, it was in the dugout where Adams ensured his name would go down in Fulham history. Firstly he dragged us away from potential relegation out of the Football League in 1995/96, before defying the odds to win promotion on a shoestring budget the following campaign.

Mark Blake – September 1994
Mark Blake arrived at the Cottage shortly after Adams, following a spell in Hong Kong, and was a mainstay in the heart of the Fulham defence for more than three seasons. A reliable defender who was dominant in the air and confident with the ball at his feet, Blake was also the Club's penalty taker and could boast an excellent success rate from 12 yards. Player of the Season in his first year at Fulham, Blake went on to make 161 appearances for the Whites, scoring an impressive 20 times in the process.

Kit Symons – July 1998
Just three years after Manchester City had paid Portsmouth £1.6m for Kit Symons' services, the big centre-back was given a free transfer by Joe Royle. With Premiership and international experience, Symons was an attractive proposition for many clubs, but chose to continue his career in South-West London. He quickly formed a telepathic partnership with his Wales colleague Chris Coleman as Fulham strolled to the Division Two title in his first season at the Club. He followed this up with a Division One winner's medal two years later, and is now employed as our Under-21s Manager.

Andy Melville – June 1999
The Welsh contingency at Fulham swelled further ahead of the 1999/00 season when Andy Melville joined the ranks. With more than 600 career appearances already under his belt when he signed following his release by Sunderland, the 30-year-old brought valuable experience to the team and went on to be a mainstay for four seasons. Winning the Division One title and the Intertoto Cup as we successfully qualified for Europe ahead of our second Premiership campaign, Melville also wore the Captain's armband for a significant chunk of his Whites career.

Jerome Bonnissel – August 2003
He may not have racked up as many appearances as some of the others in this list, but there's no doubting Jerome Bonnissel's commitment during his time at Fulham. Following the departure of Rufus Brevett to West Ham midway through the previous season, we were a bit light at left-back ahead of the 2003/04 campaign, so Chris Coleman opted to bring in the Frenchman following his release by Rangers. In what was a transitional phase for the Football Club, Bonnissel brought stability and an attacking threat down the flank before injury robbed him of the chance to really make a name for himself. At the point he first got injured in December 2004, Fulham were fourth in the Premiership.

Carlos Bocanegra – January 2004
The injury to Bonnissel prompted Coleman to bring in another option to fill the left-back berth, with Carlos Bocanegra the man he turned to following the expiry of his Chicago Fire contract. The 24-year-old arrived at the Club with a good reputation from his time in the MLS, having been named Defender of the Year prior to his move to Europe. Bocanegra went on to become a valuable, and versatile, member of the playing staff, filling in at centre or left-back, as well as popping up in midfield when required. The United States international also had a useful knack of ghosting in at set pieces, and departed Fulham in 2008 with eight goals from his 136 appearances.

Mark Schwarzer – May 2008
Mark Schwarzer needed no introduction when his signing was announced five years ago, having forged a reputation as one of the Premier League's greatest goalkeepers. After reportedly rejecting European heavyweights Juventus and Bayern Munich to join the Whites while running down his Middlesbrough contract, Schwarzer would go on to become a vital part of Fulham's success during his half decade at the Club. After winning Player of the Season in his inaugural year in SW6, Schwarzer helped his side reach the UEFA Europa League Final the following campaign, while earlier this year he became the first foreign player to reach 500 Premier League appearances.

Danny Murphy – June 2008
After enjoying a successful loan spell at the Club during the 2007/08 season – which culminated in him scoring the goal that kept us up – Danny Murphy signed a permanent contract to remain with Fulham. Additionally, following Brian McBride's departure that summer, Murphy was handed the Captain's armband by Roy Hodgson and the former England midfielder never looked back. He led Fulham to some of the most memorable moments in recent history and scored in consecutive Craven Cottage victories over Manchester United. He also shares with Alan Mullery the honour of leading Fulham out in a major Cup Final.

Zoltan Gera – June 2008
After Zoltan Gera decided against renewing his contract with West Bromwich Albion, Hodgson convinced the Hungary international to join him in SW6. After finding his feet in his debut campaign, it was the 2009/10 season where Gera really shone. He won the heart of every Fulham fan with his commitment, while his goals in the Europa League campaign proved vital. CSKA Sofia, Basel, Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Hamburg all conceded a Gera goal (or two in Juve's case) as we advanced to the Final in Germany. Zolly was subsequently voted Player of the Season by the Fulham faithful, before departing at the end of the 2010/11 campaign with a record of 17 goals from 121 games.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/july/31/top-10-free-transfers?

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 05:00:05 AM

Under 21s draw friendly fixture

Reading's under 21 side drew 3-3 in an exciting game with their Fulham counterparts.

The side contained a number of players that have been on the fringes of the first team, including fowards Gozie Ugwu and Craig Tanner. The Royals went behind just before twenty minutes, before the impressive Ugwu equalised shortly after.

Fulham retook the lead in West London on 60 minutes, but once again, the Royals instantly replied, with a Fulham defender putting into his own net. Ugwu put Reading 2-3 infront, but the hosts equalised in similarly quick fashion, so the scoreline finish level in an exciting game.

Read more: http://www.reading.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=326712#ixzz2agd9WPq2

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 05:01:32 AM

Malanda moves on as Fulham caught cold

Fulham target Junior Malanda has undergone a medical at Wolfsburg and will sign a four-year deal before being loaned back to Belgium.

Wolfsburg have confirmed that the Belgian Under-21 international, 18, was in Germany on Tuesday night to finalise the transfer that will see him loaned back to his former club Zulte-Waregem for a minimum of six months. Fulham were keen on a deal for the midfielder and were reportedly in talks with his agent until apparently going cold on the move when they discovered that he had left Zulte under a cloud. Having been told that Malanda was available on a free transfer, it appaers that Fulham were concerned by the manner in which he released himself from his contract and that allowed Wolfsburg to step in. "We have long observed the player," said Wolfsburg general manager Mike Schussler. "He is an interesting option for the future."

Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/malanda-moves-on-as-fulham-caught-cold-1611377.html?

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 05:02:53 AM

Doubts emerge over Cottagers' 'offer'

Aston Villa are still waiting for a reported follow-up bid from Fulham for striker Darren Bent.

The Cottagers appeared to be keen on the 29-year-old Villa striker last week and, after their initial suggested bid - believed to be worth £4million - was rejected, there were claims from London newspapers that they would return with a better offer. Newcastle are also said to be interested but they are yet to even make anything like an offer as Villa grow frustrated at the lack of activity over Bent. It has also been claimed that Fulham may not have actually made a formal bid yet, with reports claiming that they approached Villa and suggested what they would be prepared to pay - which did not meet the Midlands outfit's valuation. Bent appears to be remaining patient while all this plays out and he must be confident that a club will come out of the woodwork to rescue him from his Paul Lambert-imposed exile from the Villa first team. He is training away from the first team and was handed squad number 39 this month after his old number 9 shirt went to new signing Nicklas Helenius. Bent is not expected to play any part in Villa's friendly at Walsall on Wednesday night but is continuing to train at the club's Bodymoor Heath training base.

Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/doubts-emerge-over-cottagers-offer-1611380.html?

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 05:03:41 AM

Transfer News: Fulham leading race to sign Aston Villa striker Darren Bent

Sky Sports understands that Fulham are now the front-runners in the race to sign Aston Villa striker Darren Bent.

Bent was only on the fringes of the Villa first-team last season, mainly thanks to the impact made by Christian Benteke, and they have further strengthened their attacking options this summer.

The 29-year-old was reportedly the subject of a £4m bid from Fulham and they are expected to make what would be a third offer with Villa standing firm on their minimum valuation, believed to be £6m.

Cottagers boss Martin Jol is keen to sign a striker, with the main aim of taking some of the pressure off last season's leading scorer Dimitar Berbatov.

But there is competition for Bent's signature, with Newcastle also serious in their interest - one press report on Wednesday morning suggested they would be Bent's preferred option.

Newcastle's interest in him stems from last season and Bent is reported to be linking up with director of football Joe Kinnear for talks later this week.

Their boss Alan Pardew is also pursuing a potential loan deal for QPR striker Loic Remy after so far being frustrated in his attempts to sign Lyon forward Bafetimbi Gomis.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/8849121?

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 05:04:33 AM

Dimitar Berbatov's Effect on Fulham

http://www.whoscored.com/Graphics/551/Show/?

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 05:05:22 AM

FFC U18s 3-1 Bristol City

A resounding second half performance was enough for Fulham Under-18s to beat Bristol City 3-1 at Motspur Park on Wednesday afternoon.

A poor first period for the Whites saw us go behind as defensive errors gifted Bristol the lead, but a goal just before the break was followed up by a brace from substitute Wesley McDonald in the second half to seal the win.

The game started badly for Fulham as Conor Lemonheigh-Evans broke through the defence inside a minute to force a great stop with his feet from goalkeeper Marek Rodak, then Cameron Burgess gave the ball away to the Bristol striker again only to see Rodak save the day once more.

Bristol's players were pressing all over the pitch and putting us under a lot of pressure. Another defensive slip let Joe Morrell free and his pass saw a lob from Tom Fry kept out by the retreating Elijah Adebayo on the line.

Rodak was at it again in the 12th minute as Pierce Mitchell flicked the ball on from a corner, and produced a wonderful diving stop to tip the ball round the post.

The game began to settle down after Rodak's heroics and Fulham started to find a foothold. Adebayo's pace was needed to snuff out the threat of a counter-attack but then Bristol made us pay for another error. This time it was Ryheem Sheckleford who gave the ball away and Jamie Horgan burst through to receive Fry's pass and slot home into the bottom corner.

Fulham regrouped and Mekhi McLeod was released down the left flank but the winger cut inside and was closed out by defenders. Shane Elworthy's tame shot was then saved, but it looked like the Whites might get back into it before the break.

Rodak produced a comfortable save from a Bristol free-kick, then we got our equaliser as a trialist's shot found the bottom corner. Just ahead of the break, McLeod broke away and tried a shot himself, but it was easily saved.

During half-time, Elworthy was taken off and McDonald came on, with the excellent Rodak also replaced by Magnus Norman between the posts.

McDonald did not take long to make his mark as he arrived running into the box and his cool finish low down beat the goalkeeper to put us ahead.

Fulham were buzzing and McLeod's run from inside his own half soon after saw the ball squared in the box and Bristol goalkeeper Jojo Wallocott pulled off a fine stop from close range. McDonald tested the stopper moments later from 30 yards, but found him strong enough to tip the effort round the post.

Bristol were still proving dangerous on the counter and a high swung in ball from Morrell found Tyson Pollard free at the back post but Norman was able to easily gather.

Fulham then extended our lead on 60 minutes as a cross low into the area saw Wallocott push the ball back out into danger and McDonald was there to control, turn and hit it into the corner of the net.

At 3-1 up, Fulham continued to pressure as the game wore on and two corners saw us given another chance to break through: first the ball in was headed out from underneath the bar; the second found the head of Adebayo but the powerful effort flew wide.

The remaining minutes saw one shot dragged inches past the post, then McDonald almost grabbed a hat-trick as he found space in the box but was unable to find the target after he beat two men.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/july/31/ffc-u18s-31-bristol-city?

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 05:06:17 AM

Zesh Rehman wants more British Asians involved in football

Former Fulham defender Zesh Rehman is leading a campaign to help inspire more British Asians get involved in football.

The 29-year-old is a rare success story for the Asian community having gone on to become a professional player after being born in Pakistan.

Rehman currently lives in Hong Kong where he plays for Kitchee FC, who on Monday took on Manchester United in a high-profile pre-season encounter in front of a 40,000 crowd and has set up an organisation hoping to drive others into the game.

"The whole thing is about doing rather than talking," the ex-QPR, Norwich, Brighton and Bradford player said.

"I am fully aware about the debate. What we are doing with the Zesh Rehman Foundation, in collaboration with the PFA and Premier League, is trying to get more British Asians in the game.

"It is something which I am very passionate about. Hopefully we can reduce the number of racist incidents and get more kids from different backgrounds involved because the UK is so diverse now.

"Any form of racism stems from ignorance and a lack of education. But football has an extraordinary power to bring people together. We are trying to use that in a positive way."

Working with the community departments of QPR and Chelsea, Rehman has launched an initiative called S-2-S (short for Sidelined-2-Sidelines) aiming to recruit volunteers from the British Asian community qualified as Level One and Level Two coaches.

"In the first instance we are just trying to get more numbers in more areas of the game, whether that is coaching, refereeing, attending games, in the media or finance departments," added Rehman.

"Ultimately, we want to see a greater representation on the pitch. By doing it this way, firstly what we are trying to do is make them feel they are part of a club and they are no different to anyone else.

"The next step is to change their mentality and not allow them to feel sorry for themselves or believe that their race or background is a barrier to their progression. The problem over the past couple of decades has been people have been talking about what needs to be done. Now we are doing something."

Rehman has seen what can be achieved with the strides taken by one of his former clubs.

"As captain of Bradford I was aware of the history in that area and what happened with the riots of 2001 that put a negative image on the whole thing," he said.

"Whilst I was there we had some good success in terms of the local fans starting to feel part of the club. They were starting to come to the games. The real fruits were seen earlier this year when Bradford went to Wembley twice and had several thousand British Asian kids supporting them.

"These things take patience and time but it will improve because football is such a global attraction."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8849332/?

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 05:07:04 AM

Fulham Miss Out On Midfielder

Just earlier in the day Fulham were reported as having "stolen a march" in their efforts to sign Junior Malanda, they've now missed out on him!

SportsDirect were reporting that Fulham were closing in on him, the Belgian starlet has now signed for Wolfsburg!

Mystery surrounding the manor in which the 18-year-old "released himself" from his contract with Zulte Waregem is thought to have seen Fulham "cool" an interest and this has allowed Wolfsburg to snap up the midfielder on a four-year deal.

Malanda, previously linked with Arsenal and Man United too, will now be loaned back to the Waregem.

Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=326800#ixzz2ageu7GkE

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 05:07:35 AM

Front Runners?

Contrary to morning reports that old chestnut of the "Sky Sports understands" is saying that Fulham are actually leading the way in the battle to sign Darren Bent.

Their understanding, and lets face it what they understand and what actually happens isn't always right (sometimes far from it!), is that a move to Newcastle isn't favoured at all and Fulham are in fact the "front runners" for the 29-year-old.

If Bent wants to sign, and the price is right, anything that helps burden the pressure on Dimitar Berbatov can't be a bad thing but there has to be a reason for Bent's decline in recent years so maybe Martin Jol could be better off pursing other options?

Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=326801#ixzz2agf2RNpZ

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 05:09:17 AM

Fulham emerge as frontrunners in chase for Darren Bent of Aston Villa
• Newcastle's proposal falls well short of Villa expectations
• Club still holding out for £6m for their £18m striker

Fulham have emerged as the clear frontrunners to sign Darren Bent after Newcastle United's bid to recruit the 29-year-old striker faltered. Newcastle have been monitoring Bent's position for some time, with Alan Pardew keen to bring in the former England international to bolster his forward line, although the chances of that happening appear increasingly slim on the back of preliminary talks that revealed there is a considerable financial shortfall to bridge.

It is understood that the package Newcastle are proposing would fall well short of Villa's expectations, as well as those of a player who has scored more than 100 Premier League goals and averaged one every other game in the top flight across the past eight seasons.

Villa are holding out for £6m for Bent, who has two years remaining on his contract and cost them a club-record £18m rising to £24m when they signed him from Sunderland in January 2011.

Newcastle, however, were hoping to sign Bent for less than the £4m bid that Fulham have already had rejected in one of two offers submitted by the west London club.

With Bent's personal terms also a major stumbling block for Newcastle, the north-east club will have to come up with a vastly-improved offer if they are to re-enter the race for the centre-forward, who is also attracting strong interest from Crystal Palace.

The latest development will increase the pressure on Joe Kinnear, Newcastle's director of football, who has yet to make a signing since his controversial appointment earlier this summer. Newcastle have failed with a bid worth almost £7m for Lyon's Bafétimbi Gomis, who has only 12 months remaining on his contract, while they are continuing to explore the possibility of taking Loïc Rémy on loan from Queens Park Rangers after the London club's relegation to the Championship. Bent, though, was known to be one of Pardew's prime targets.

It is expected that Fulham will now return with a third bid for Bent, who was marginalised at Villa following Paul Lambert's appointment last summer and has spent this pre-season training away from the first-team squad.

Martin Jol, the Fulham manager, has long admired Bent's attributes, having briefly worked with him during his time in charge of Tottenham Hotspur.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jul/31/fulham-darren-bent-aston-villa?

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 05:11:32 AM

Newcastle United hoping to lure QPR striker Loïc Rémy to St James' Park after Darren Bent deal collapses
Newcastle United must hope they can put the finishing touches to a loan deal to bring Queens Parks Rangers' Loïc Rémy to Tyneside after a move for Darren Bent collapsed on Wednesday night.

Bent and his agent are understood to have been far from impressed following a meeting with Newcastle's Director of Football Joe Kinnear, who suggested he would only offer Aston Villa £2m for the England international.

Newcastle were also well adrift of the player's wage demands and Bent will now almost certainly join Fulham as they have already offered double what Newcastle were prepared to pay and are willing to offer him close to the £65,000-a-week he earns at Villa.

Crystal Palace are also interested, but Fulham appear to be the clear favourites to land the 29-year-old with manager Martin Jol preparing to make a third bid which will bring them close to Villa's £6m valuation.

Newcastle's manager, Alan Pardew, has been attempting to ease fears they could fail to land any of their transfer targets, despite being the only top flight club to have not signed a player this summer.

Having spent the last few weeks exerting subtle pressure on Kinnear, to bring in the players he has asked for, he now seems to have resorted to trying to buy his boss time.

Newcastle's main priority has been to bolster a forward line that lost Demba Ba in January and was far too reliant on the goals of Papiss Demba Cisse as they narrowly avoided relegation.

But despite making no secret of their interest in Lyon's Bafetimbi Gomis, Rémy and Bent, Newcastle have been unable to make a breakthrough.

Kinnear did authorise a £7m bid for Gomis last weekend, but that was rejected by Lyon and reports in France claim the player is not willing to agitate for a move as the Magpies had anticipated.

A loan deal for Rémy with an option to buy would be a good signing given the impact he made in a poor QPR side, although the Frenchman will have some making up to do.

The striker was supposed to sign for Newcastle from Marseille in January, before changing his mind on the day he was due to have his medical when QPR offered to double the wages offered by the Magpies.

The 26-year-old was arrested on suspicion of rape back in May and will have a court case to worry about if police decide to charge him with an offence.

Pardew has been trying to stay positive in public, despite the frustration that must be building up as his relationship with Kinnear already begins to show clear signs of strain.

"They are all very much on the radar," said Pardew, when asked about the three strikers he has been linked with after his side-s 2-0 friendly win over St Mirren on Tuesday night. "We will pursue them until we get them.

"I'm not concerned about any of them slipping away. I think that we are in the market still. We will pay what we think is the right price.

"We've done that ever since we have been here. We have always managed to get somebody over the line and I think we will this time."

That final statement will not sit too well with supporters who can remember recent failings in the summer window.

In the summer of 2011, Newcastle failed to sign a striker to replace Andy Carroll, who had joined Liverpool for £35m more than six months earlier, while last year they only brought in one new player, midfielder Vurnon Anita, from Ajax.

That backfired badly as Newcastle's Europa League campaign drained them domestically and they signed five players in the January window to rectify their mistake.

Newcastle, though, have always prided themselves on being unflinching negotiators under owner Mike Ashley and that does not seem to have changed, despite the departure of former managing director Derek Llambias and the extra money brought in by the new Premier League television deal and their record shirt sponsorship agreement with Wonga.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/10215191/Newcastle-United-hoping-to-lure-QPR-striker-Loic-Remy-to-St-James-Park-after-Darren-Bent-deal-collapses.html

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 05:12:51 AM

Hating the idea of Darren Bent at Fulham

I've made this point before, so I'll keep it brief: Darren Bent is not a good fit for Fulham.

Various reports are suggesting that Bent is set to chose a move to Craven Cottage ahead of Newcastle, and that's not something that would thrill me if I was a Fulham fan.

There are two major issues with Bent: his limitations as a forward, and his personality – and both perpetuate each other.

From a playing perspective, he does nothing outside the penalty-box and has, throughout his career, shown a tangible apathy towards anything which occurs beyond the goal-scoring process. Modern forwards, as a breed, have adapted their games to make themselves relevant to other parts of the game: channel-running, link-play, holding the ball – but Bent hasn't.

"But he scores goals..."

Yes, that's true – if presented with an opportunity, he's shown over his career that he's capable of taking it. But that's only when he's on-form, and when his state of mind is in the right condition, and that's a neat segue to the second issue – wherever he plays, at whatever club, he needs his ego to be stroked and he needs to feel like he's the dominant forward.

At Fulham, that's just not going to be the case, because everything that Martin Jol's side do well invariably goes through Dimitar Berbatov – rightly so.

That, roughly, is how Fulham tended to look last season, with Berbatov playing as an outright forward, and Bryan Ruiz given the attacking-midfield position. Beyond a formation change, and the sacrifice of one of those two deeper midfield positions – which isn't going to happen, there's no natural place for Bent – he's obviously not going to be taking the place of either Berbatov or Ruiz, and shifting the latter to a wider position and dropping the former into the whole to make space is completely counter-productive.

So Bent's designated role, by default, at Fulham, is that of an impact sub – or at least, that's realistically what he's going to end up being.

...and that's when his character issues come back into play. With his attributes, he should be a fantastic second option from the bench, but without continuity in selection his form evaporates and his potential for goals or providing match-altering contributions goes with it.

I do see the positives in him, but not in this situation, with this club, at this time.

http://thepremierleagueowl.com/hating-the-idea-of-darren-bent-at-fulham/

WhiteJC · August 01, 2013, 05:14:04 AM

Fulham in transfer talks with Sunderland's Lee Cattermole over bargain move

Midfielder and ex-skipper who cost Black Cats £6m is not part of Paolo Di Canio's plans and could go for around £2.5m

Ful pelt: Cattermole's tough tackling could soon be on display in London
Getty

Fulham are closing in a swoop for Sunderland's midfielder and former captain Lee Cattermole.

Cattermole has been told by manager Paolo Di Canio that he can leave the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats' no-nonsense Italian manager has initiated a huge shake-up this summer and wants rid of the red-card-magnet midfielder nicknamed 'Clattermole'.

The former England Under-21 international is now in talks with Fulham boss Martin Jol, who has cash to spend following the west London club's takeover by US tycoon Shahid Khan.

Sunderland paid Wigan £6million for Cattermole in 2009, but are now set to let him go for around £2.5m.

Last month, we revealed that flop Sunderland striker Danny Graham was being farmed out on loan to Prem new boys Hull as part of Di Canio's extensive remodelling.

Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-transfers-lee-cattermole-sunderland-2110348#ixzz2aggeASx8
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jarv · August 01, 2013, 05:26:09 AM

Couple of comments....does windbag Kinnear not read the papers, offered 2 mill for Bent. Given all the rumours I don't think Villa will bite his hand off. Laughable.

For all you Sidwell haters, Cattermole will give you something to criticise and vent over (if true). Still, it will take the pressure off Sidders.

Herman_MunsterRd · August 01, 2013, 05:32:06 AM

Shame about Ryan Williams...really wanted him to go on and do a Frei. Heard him interviewed from the latest U20 world cup and he was saying he hoped that his performances helped him move up the ranks at Fulham (as opposed to being a shop window for a transfer). Oh well...he could have a good year and earn a new contract yet I suppose.