Friday Fulham Stuff (02/08/13)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Cattermole Off To Fulham

Lee Cattermole isn't in Paolo Di Canio's plans, that much has been made pretty clear.

Earlier reports this summer suggested that the midfielder would have preferred a loan exit from Sunderland but the club wanted to sell him and that's something they might now do with Fulham interested?

It's believed that the Black Cats' Premier League rivals are in talks with the midfielder over £2.5m switch to Craven Cottage.



Read more: http://www.sunderland.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=326896#ixzz2amTl91bA

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Transfers: Darren Bent & Lee Cattermole Signings Imminent?

Fulham are closing in on a double swoop for Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole and Aston Villa striker Darren Bent.

The Mirror are reporting that Cattermole has been told by Black Cats manager Paolo Di Canio that he is free to leave the Stadium of Light this summer.

Di Canio has initiated a massive shake-up at the North East club and wants rid of the tough-tackling 25-year-old who has earned the unwanted nickname "Clattermole".

The former England U-21 star is now in talks with Fulham manager Martin Jol, who has money to spend following the London club's takeover by US tycoon Shahid Khan.

Cattermole, who joined Sunderland four years ago in a £6 million move from Wigan, could be available for just £2.5 million.

And Jol also has his crosshairs locked on unwanted Aston Villa striker Bent.

The 29-year-old is inching closer to the exit door at the Midland's club, according to the Daily Mail, as Fulham and Newcastle lock horns over the former Tottenham man, who Villa signed for £24 million just two seasons ago.

Fulham look to be winning that battle with Bent and his agent left feeling unimpressed following a meeting with the Magpie's new director of football Joe Kinnear, who was only willing to offer £2 million.

Fulham have had an initial £4 million bid for the striker rejected and have responded by making an improved, £6 million offer.


Read more at http://whatculture.com/sport/fulham-transfers-darren-bent-lee-cattermole-signings-imminent.php#ry3H7ZrlmIHpBETY.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Accommodating Bryan
by barryhaylesgoalmachine



Transfer talk at Fulham has been around the need for creativity in centre midfield, lack of quality at left back and that with an injury to Dimitar Berbatov we could really struggle for goals this season.

The need for another goal scorer seems greater than that of prioritising the illusive "Dembele replacement". Our current midfield is average at best but nothing that would get us relegated especially given another forward to work with. On the other hand we could have all the creation in the world in midfield but if you don't have anyone on the end of it then it will be a long season.

The only alternative natural striker in the squad is young Italian Marcello Trotta while Hugo Rodallega and Bryan Ruiz tend to fall into the "Not quite a Striker Not quite a Midfielder" bracket. Jol has already expressed his desire to see Rodallega contribute more, setting him a challenge of 10 goals next term which to most Fulham fans seems more far-fetched than the prospect of Ruiz delivering on the glimpses of brilliance he has showed so infrequently since his arrival.

There is no doubt that fans have been willing to show patience with the Costa Rican. We understand that his abilities aren't easy to accommodate and there were signs of improvement following a rather fragile first season in English football. He scored 5 and contributed 7 assists last term compared to just 2 goals and 3 assists the year before. His willingness to shoot has improved as well having been a major criticism previously. In 2011/12 Bryan registered just 24 shots in 27 games where as in 2012-13 he hit 53 in 29.

By no means am I saying that 5 goals and 7 assists should equate to a good season for a player with his potential (And price tag) though, if anything it shows that he is not a natural choice to play alongside Berbatov as a second striker. There are certainly similarities between the 2 in their style of style of play but in terms of goal scoring that is where the comparison ends.

Bryan seemed to deal with the physical aspect of the Premier League better last year as well although still gets caught in possession enough to suggest he is not a viable option in a central midfield role alongside Sidwell or Boateng were we to play 4-4-2.

Our exploits in the transfer market in the coming weeks will be dictated more than anything by where Jol sees Ruiz playing. A change in squad number from 11 to 10 suggests that he may continue with him in behind Berbatov and buy a new central midfielder for further creativity.

As much as we could acquire another striker, any game time will be limited to playing second fiddle to Berbatov who will continue to occupy the one forward role. Given he only has 1 year left on his contract we may well wait until next summer before seeking a replacement for the Bulgarian.



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=354

[WhiteJC]

 
Get Bent!
by LRCN on AUGUST 1, 2013


Above: Darren Bent played for Martin Jol at Tottenham; will we be seeing him in a white shirt again soon?

Depending on your thoughts on particular recent transfer speculation, you either read the title as "Get Bent!" in which case you are supportive of our reported pursuit of England international and former Spurs forward Darren Bent, or you read this as "Get bent!" in which case you are not.

Experiment over, the potential signing of Bent is a divisive matter for Fulham fans. On one hand, he's a pretty much gauranteed goalscorer with something like 103 goals in 206 starts in the last 6 years (I can't quite remember the stat off the top of my head), and even at Villa he scored 19 goals in 41 games in his first season and a half, before being mysteriously frozen out by manager Paul Lambert. On the other, he is a sell out who left a personally successful period at Sunderland to chase the money at Villa, with attitude problems, commands too high wages, no place in the squad with Berbatov and Ruiz up top, is too old and is too one dimensional. And until about a week ago I was firmly in the second camp, but I've changed my mind on the guy. It's subject to a few conditions – the reported fee of about £5-6m is alright (compare with Jordan Rhodes for £8m and Charlie Austin for £4m, nothing like the pedigree that Bent has) and we won't agree to sign him without forcing him to take a fair chunk out of his wage – but I think Darren Bent at Fulham could work out well.

First of all, Bent has an attribute which we don't currently have: pace. Now, we've banged on about this for a good season or two, but pace is such an important attribute. It can't be taught and it's rarer than you might think so if you have it you are niche, so as well as giving us more threat on the counter it's something which forces the opposition to counter it dramatically; they must drop deeper, and therefore we have more space in midfield, plus good, rapid movement can be utilised to drag defenders out of position, especially in unorganised defences. He is also, as I say, a natural goalscorer, and we are blessed with some wonderful creative players (look at the ease Berbatov played in Mesca against Werder Bremen, and Kaca and Dejagah are two direct wingers capable of beating a man and putting a ball in, supplemented of course by the talents of Ruiz) that can spot and exploit his movement. I also think the rest of his game is underrated. Yes, he is a specialised goalscorer but he's also stronger than he looks and has sharp movement, and while he is not as selfless as Andy Johnson, we missed a player of that ilk who can turn a defence and collect a long ball forward in order to hold it as others flood forward.

Signing Bent would give Jol a headache however. He will not want to drop Berbatov or Ruiz, and arguably they are are two best players in midfield and attack. But, to accommodate all three of Bent, Berbatov and Ruiz we will either have to play very offensively, with the two forwards and Ruiz in midfield, or put Ruiz out on the right wing – which, as we all know, neuters his effectiveness. I think though that if Jol is strong enough, this can be done. In games we expect to dominate, we can play all three; in games we want to keep possession, play Ruiz and Berba, and in games we want to play on the counter we play Bent with one other. I think, of the trio, only Berbatov is indispensable.

I think people would be missing the point of Darren Bent if he signs, to be perfectly honest. He is not needed because we need a goalscorer; Berbatov netted 15 in the league last season, after all. He is needed because we need something to offer us offensive balance and shape, another dimension in attack so we are not the one dimensional, confused outfit we looked like on too many occasions last season. If the price is right, go get him Jol.

LRCN



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2013/08/get-bent/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fernando Feeling Fine

Fernando Amorebieta thinks he will adapt well to the English game as he prepares for his first season in the Barclays Premier League.

The tough-tackling defender arrived on a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao in the summer and joining the rest of his teammates on the tour of Costa Rica has made sure he has quickly found his feet at Fulham.

"I have settled down very well as, when I arrived, everyone treated me very well," he told the official website. "That has helped me to adapt better and, since the first day, I have felt very welcome and everyone has made me feel very special. I think that was very important for me in my decision to come here."

The Venezuela international played 45 minutes of the first game against C.S. Cartagines, then the full 90 in the 2-2 draw (5-3 win on penalties) over Deportivo Saprissa. With match minutes under his belt, he thinks the tour was most helpful in getting him fit for the new season.

"I had a complicated season last year, so it was tough for me to get used to the rhythm," he said. "The trip to Costa Rica was so beneficial for me and, even though my English is not so good, everyone at the Club took time to understand me. The experience out there was very good and the others were very patient with me."

As a veteran of the Spanish league, Amorebieta will face familiar opposition when we take on Real Betis at Craven Cottage on Monday, and he thinks they are a dangerous side.

"Betis is a team who like to play attacking football," he said. "They play very well on the counter attack and always look to be dangerous in that way. If they find you sleeping a bit, they take full advantage of that."

The 28-year-old is also sure he will be able to bed into the English game well, and thinks that his style is well suited to the Premier League.

"The main difference between La Liga and England is the rhythm," he said. "Here it is more direct than in Spain, but I think I will adapt very well to the Premier League. My style is beneficial for the English game, otherwise I wouldn't have made the move.

"The English style is a style of football that I have always loved, and I have followed it for a long time. I think it is the right decision for me to have made the move here. This season I want to concentrate on adapting to the team and adapting to the game over here. If I do that then I am sure I can show everyone what I can do."

See Fernando and his teammates take on Real Betis on Monday evening (8pm), with advanced tickets priced at £10 for adults and £5 for juniors.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/august/01/fernando-feeling-fine?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Starlet Kerim Frei Ready To Use Craven Cottage As Springboard To Bigger Things

For Turkey Under-20 international Kerim Frei, Fulham is merely a springboard towards "better teams", even if he is biding his time with a steady rise through the Craven Cottage ranks.

Frei's international career took a major twist when, as a teenager, he switched from playing for his adopted country of Switzerland to playing for the country his father hails from.

By his own admission, Turkey has been good to him, and he took part in this summer's Under-20 World Cup, but he had already started another chapter of his career three years ago.

Fulham came calling in 2010 and his progression through the age groups saw him make the senior squad in 2011/12, and he is now hoping he can push on even further.

"Every player wants to wear the shirt of the world's best teams; these are always the best targets", he told Turkish newspaper Milliyet.

"My ambitions are big. For now I want to give my best performance in every match that I play for Fulham. And if I am successful, that will be a good platform from which to get a chance to play for better teams.

"I want to improve my performance in every match. Only then will the opportunities come before me."

With 23 Premier League games under his belt, Frei has thanked both club coach Martin Jol and fellow midfielder Damien Duff for their help, especially given the progress he has made through injuries.

"I'm trying to learn something from [Duff]", Frei added. "It is a great opportunity to be in the same team as an experienced and valuable player like him.

"Seeing his training methods and his professionalism is very important in order to improve myself.

"I have to also thank Martin Jol for his contribution. He trusted me enough to let me play in the Premier League. He is always honest and forthright regarding the player-coach relationship."



Read more at http://www.insidefutbol.com/2013/08/01/fulham-starlet-kerim-frei-ready-to-use-craven-cottage-as-springboard-to-bigger-things/93873/#F08tfuzZFfHVSJoB.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham confident of £5m deal for Aston Villa's Darren Bent
• Newcastle United intent on landing QPR's Loïc Rémy
• Martin Jol keen on securing partner for Dimitar Berbatov

Bent to Fulham

Fulham are confident of closing a £5m deal for Darren Bent with Newcastle United, who have also chased the Aston Villa striker, now intent on taking Loïc Rémy from Queens Park Rangers, initially on loan but with the option to buy.

Martin Jol, the Fulham manager, is keen to sign a partner for Dimitar Berbatov with pace, the ability to stretch defences and goal threat. He has come to consider Bent, with whom he worked briefly at Tottenham Hotspur, as the solution.

The 29-year-old cost Villa a club record £18m rising to £24m when they took him from Sunderland in 2011. He has two years to run on his contract.

Fulham are aware of the need to close the deal quickly or face the prospect of missing out and they hope to see progress on Friday. They have had two offers – the second of £4m – rejected by Villa. Newcastle's target, Rémy, is training away from the first-team group at QPR, with the club ready to sell him. The France striker's deal has an £8m buyout clause. David Hytner



http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/01/football-news?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham linked but no quick exit for Cattermole

LEE CATTERMOLE is not expected to depart the Stadium of Light imminently, despite the midfielder being linked with a £2.5million switch to Fulham.

The Cottagers have emerged as the most serious suitors for Cattermole so far this summer, with Sunderland's willingness to part company with their skipper becoming increasingly clear.

Premier League new boys Hull City have been linked with Cattermole for several weeks, but ex-Black Cats boss Steve Bruce is not thought to be keen on taking the 25-year-old to the KC Stadium.

Fulham are a far more viable proposition, yet any talks are still at a preliminary stage, with Cattermole not thought to be on the verge of leaving the club.

Cattermole has resumed full training at the Academy of Light this week after knee ligament damage restricted him to just an hour of first-team football in 2013.

But as the Echo reported last week, Paolo Di Canio has refused to confirm whether Cattermole has a future at the club and the player is braced for the exit door.

Sunderland realise though that the problem with offloading Cattermole is his wages after he only penned a new three-year contract at the Stadium of Light in October.

Given his injury record during his four year stay on Wearside too, Sunderland face an uphill task to sell a player who is yet to feature under Di Canio.

If Cattermole does make the move to Craven Cottage, he could be part of a contingent of ex-Sunderland players.

Kieran Richardson made the move to West London last summer, while Fulham are now firm favourites to sign Darren Bent from Aston Villa, with Newcastle reportedly now out of the running.

Fulham remain the likeliest destination for Cattermole's Sunderland team-mate Phil Bardsley too.

Bardsley has been forced to train with the club's Under-21s throughout pre-season, yet the Cottagers are still keen to land the full-back in a cut-price deal.



http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/sunderland-afc/fulham-linked-but-no-quick-exit-for-cattermole-1-5914434

[WhiteJC]

 
Arsenal Tickets Update

Martin Jol's Whites face Arsenal at the Cottage in our first home match of the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season on Saturday 24th August (12.45pm), so save your seat.

Tickets are now available to supporters with a previous booking history as well as Season Ticket Holders and Members.  These supporters can now purchase up to four tickets.

Ensure you're at the game and buy your tickets online or by calling 0843 208 1234 today.

If you don't have a previous booking history, you can still get access to tickets by purchasing a Membership from £20 adults and £5 juniors at fulhamfc.com/membership.

Alternatively, you can sign up for a Season Ticket from £449 adults and £220 juniors which will secure your seat at all 19 home games this season! Find out more at fulhamfc.com/seasontickets.
Inside the opposition

Historically one of the most successful clubs in the Premier League, Arsenal have established themselves as the longest-running side in the top flight - having been there since 1919. They have won the First Division/Premier League title on 13 occasions and also went the entire 2003/04 season unbeaten.

Their first period of success came in 1930 under Herbert Chapman, when they won five titles and two FA Cups, then claimed the league and cup double in 1970/71. Under manager Arsene Wenger, who arrived in 1997, the club picked up two more doubles: 1997/98 and 2001/02.

Despite a rich history of success, there has been something of a barren spell in recent years as they have not won trophy for eight years – the last being the 2005 FA Cup. However, with a commitment to attacking football and one of the finest youth programmes in the world, the Gunners remain a fearsome prospect.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/august/02/arsenal-tickets-update?

[WhiteJC]

 
Pardew Watches On As Kinnear Ruins Transfer Deal!

Darren Bent is pinning his hopes on Fulham to resurrect his Premier League career and his World Cup hopes after Newcastle United's decision to end their interest in signing the striker.

Bent's future now rests on Fulham making an official bid of £6 million, which is expected to happen in the next couple of days, after his preferred move to the North East collapsed on Wednesday.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew wanted to link up again with the player he first managed at Charlton, but it appears the attitude of director of football Joe Kinnear has now ended all hopes Bent had of a reunion.

According to reports Bent and his agent are understood to have been far from impressed following a meeting with Kinnear, who suggested he would only offer Aston Villa £2m for the England international.

Villa are understood to be holding out for at least £6m, after reducing the £10m price tag they placed on the player who cost them £24m from Sunderland in 2011, but so far the only official offer they have received of £4m from Fulham has been rejected.

Bent's £65,000-a-week wages at Villa are also believed to have been a major stumbling block in any proposed move to St James' Park, with Newcastle prepared to offer only half of that figure.

He is currently training away from the first team squad at Villa, after being told he has no future at the club under manager Paul Lambert and his hopes of returning to the Premier League spotlight this season now rest on Fulham.

Crystal Palace have also registered a tentative interest, but Villa's asking price appears to be out of their budget. Fulham have had further discussions with Villa after their first offer was rejected and it is understood they are preparing to make a second bid.

Fulham are also in a position to come closer to Bent's wage demands and are hopeful that, with Newcastle out of the running, they will be able to reach a successful conclusion to their pursuit of the striker.

Villa chairman Randy Lerner is in no rush to allow Bent to leave on the cheap and remains relaxed about the situation, but would prefer a resolution to the impasse which would allow all parties to move on.

Bent is fully prepared to move to Fulham and has told close friends he wants the situation resolved as soon as possible. With less than three weeks to go before the start of the Premier League season, Bent feels he needs to be training flat out with a new team to give himself the best chance of starting in prime condition.



http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/pardew_watches_on_as_kinnear_ruins_transfer_deal_801502/index.shtml?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham - Is the best yet to come this transfer window?

Fulham have a new owner but he is yet to bank roll a shopping spree...

Since Fulham made a surprise - but deserved - appearance in the 2010 Europa League final, the club could only go one way. While the fall from grace has not been too severe, there is still rebuilding to do following the departures of two of the club's leading lights: Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele, both to Tottenham Hotspur.

Under Martin Jol, the Cottagers finished in an underwhelming but steady 12th Premier League place last season. While eccentric long-running owner Mohamad Al Fayed will no longer be waving his scarf around before kick off every other Saturday at home, the club have a new owner, Shahid Khan, a Lahore-born American who also owns NFL side Jacksonville Jaguars.

Players signed:

Player   Position   From   Signed   Fee
Sascha Riether   Defender   Cologne   May 16   £1.3 million
Fernando Amorebieta   Defender   Athletic Bilbao   May 22   Free
Derek Boateng   Midfielder   Dnipro Dnipopetrovsk   May 22   Free
Maarten Stekelenburg   Goalkeeper   AS Roma   June 4   £4.0 million
Ange-Freddy Plumain   Midfielder   Lens   June 4   Free
Players/positions needed:

Someone quick, as Fulham can sometimes appear one-paced.

Players linked with:

Darren Bent has been linked with Fulham over 20 times in the newspaper press, usually with a £6 million cited in the rumour. Other players speculated with a transfer to West London include Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole and Roma forward Pablo Osvaldo.

Possible outgoings:

Perpetually loaned out glovesman David Stockdale could be sent away again, to Hull City, who are familiar with the big man, or West Ham United. Galatasaray are said to be interested in Dimitar Berbatov while promising teenager Patrick Roberts has allegedly attracted the attention of Manchester United and Liverpool.

Budget remaining?

With a change in top brass, particularly to wealthy foreign owners, can come a backing in the transfer market - something that has not really kicked off for Fulham yet. Furthermore, the club should have more license in the summer market as Al Fayed conveniently converted loans into equity and thus eliminated much of the debt.

Analysis:

If Fulham were to make a couple more additions, primarily to their attack, then they will possess a neatly balanced squad.

Berbatov has already proved a bargain buy for £5 million and Martin Jol may make a similar coup this summer should he land consistent 1:2 goals per game striker Darren Bent, a pacey front-man who could relish the service provided by silky Berbatov and one who would prove more reliable than the irregular form of occasionally spectacular Bryan Ruiz.

Bilbao bruiser Amorebieta is a towering centre back, like Brede Hangeland, and will likely be his partner at the back. However, he is also confident on the ball. The only question mark over the Venezuela international is if he can quickly become accustomed to defending the pace of attacking football in England.

Boateng, of Dnipro, meanwhile, will likely add some guile and menace to the middle of the park. With both Amorebieta and Boateng seemingly slotting straight into the first XI, and both arriving on a free transfer, it looks like Jol has produced strong, and effective, transfer business.

Grade so far:

C+



http://hereisthecity.com/2013/08/02/ad-how-have-fulham-fared-in-the-transfer-window-so-far/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Transfer news: Fulham make improved offer for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent

Sky sources understand that Fulham have made an improved offer for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent.

Cottagers boss Martin Jol is desperate to land a striker who will take some of the pressure off last season's leading scorer Dimitar Berbatov.

Bent was reportedly the subject of a £4m bid from Fulham last month, which was rejected by Villa, but they are believed to have made an improved offer of around £5m.

Newcastle were also linked with the 29-year-old but their interested has cooled, with Alan Pardew linked with a move for QPR's Loic Remy.

Bent was a peripheral figure for Aston Villa last season, mainly due to the impact made by Christian Benteke, and they have further strengthened their attacking options this summer.

Bent cost Villa a club-record £18m - rising to £24m - when they signed him from Sunderland in 2011. He has two years remaining on his contract at Villa Park.


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/8851067?