Saturday Fulham Stuff (14/09/13)...

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Fulham v West Brom - Premier League preview

Fulham and West Brom will be looking to atone for slow starts to the season at Craven Cottage with both teams still looking for their strongest XI.

Martin Jol has added seven players to his quad and was the first to admit it will take time for them to gel, but was particularly disappointed with their latest defeat at the hands of struggling Newcastle. They will be looking to bounce back in front of their fans and have undoubted quality in their side - the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Adel Taarabt, Damien Duff and Brede Hangeland to name just a few. If they can start to play with more confidence Fulham will be a tricky outfit this year.

West Brom currently find themselves bottom after three games - a stark contrast to their start last season. It was always going to be difficult replacing the goals and power of Romelu lukaku, but Stephane Sessegnon will be a great addition to their side. He will provide the missing link between their midfield and forwards, and with the right service can also provide a goal or two.

Keeper Maarten Stekelenburg will continue to miss out following his shoulder injury on the opening day of the season, with Kieron Richardson also certain not to feature. Aaron Hughes is carrying a thigh injury but should be able to take part.

West Brom also have keeper problems with Ben Foster still injured. Zoltan Gera, knee, Steven Reid, knock, and Matej Vydra, hamstring, will all also miss the trip to Craven Cottage. James Morrison and Graham Dorrans are carrying slight problems but are likely to be fit.


http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_0_21894_-.html#.UjP9HRa_wds

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Fulham suffer injury blow ahead of West Brom clash

Darren Bent will miss Fulham's Premier League home meeting with West Brom due to a tight hamstring.

The striker, on loan from Aston Villa, made his Fulham debut in the club's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle and manager Martin Jol is hopeful he will be back in training next week.

Defenders Matthew Briggs (hip) and Aaron Hughes (thigh) have also joined goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg (shoulder) on the sidelines but Kieran Richardson returns to the squad following a hamstring problem.

Deadline day signing Elsad Zverotic is fit and available for selection after completing his move from Young Boys.

Provisional squad: Stockdale, Etheridge, Riether, Riise, Hangeland, Zverotic, Senderos, Sidwell, Parker, Boateng, Karagounis, Kasami, Dejagah, Kacaniklic, Duff, Richardson, Taarabt, Berbatov, Ruiz, Rodallega.



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_suffer_injury_blow_ahead_of_west_brom_clash_1_2462361

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Mixed injury news for Fulham ahead of West Brom clash

DARREN Bent has been ruled out of Fulham's clash against West Brom due to a hamstring injury.

The on-loan Aston Villa frontman faces a week on the sidelines, with Dimitar Berbatov set to play a lone role in attack.

Keeper Maarten Stekelenburg (shoulder) is still sidelined, so David Stockdale will continue in goal, while Matthew Briggs (hip) and Aaron Hughes (thigh) have failed to recover in time to feature.

But Whites boss Martin Jol is boosted by the return of Kieran Richardson following four weeks out with a hamstring problem.

Summer signing Fernando Amorebieta is in the squad for the first time, while deadline-day arrival Elsad Zverotic is also included among the 18.



Read more: Fulham Chronicle http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2013/09/13/82029-33841722/?#ixzz2eqRV1gEV

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Jol searching for home comforts against West Brom

MARTIN Jol admits Fulham must address their nightmare home form to get their season on track.

The Whites have lost their past five Premier League games at Craven Cottage ahead of tomorrow's clash with West Brom, with their last win on home turf stretching back to the west London derby victory against QPR at the start of April.

And after a mixed start to the campaign, which has seen back-to-back defeats following their opening-day win at Sunderland, Jol admits tomorrow's clash is key, especially with a trip to Chelsea around the corner.

He said: "People said our away from was not good, I agreed, the only thing now is we need to get points at Craven Cottage.

"I see it as an almost must-win game, but it is for them as well.

"If we win then we will be fine then, if not there are teams around us and it's important to get out of the bottom."



Read more: Fulham Chronicle http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2013/09/13/82029-33841872/?#ixzz2eqRhjObf

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Jol's West Brom Preview

Martin Jol admits that even though we are only a few games into the Barclays Premier League season, Saturday's visit of West Bromwich Albion already takes on a considerable degree of importance.

Each side has already lost two matches of the new campaign and will be looking to take maximum points from the Craven Cottage encounter to kickstart their respective seasons.

"I think it's a very important game for us," Jol admitted. "Of course, you want more points, but we had a very good start [at Sunderland]. After that we had to play Arsenal and Newcastle United and we would liked to have at least one point from these games, but we didn't so we have to try to get back to our old habit of winning home matches.

"I see it almost as a must-win game but if you look at the other team, West Brom has got one point so it's a must-win game for them. There are a lot of key fixtures every week in the league. It's a key fixture but there are 20 or 25 key fixtures in a Premier League season."

The match against the Baggies is the first since the transfer window slammed shut last week, and our Manager is now keen for his new signings to form a quick understanding within the squad.

"I think if you've got all the players on the board then it's only a matter of gelling together and finding the right balance – that is important," he said. "We've got a lot of quality players now, so that's good. I need to leave four players in the stand on Saturday, and that is probably the first time, so we've got good players but we need the right team now.

"We had a good [training] session on Friday and hopefully it's enough. All the players came back fit from international duty; Bryan Ruiz, of course, played against America, qualified for the World Cup, so that is fantastic. And he looks fit, so that is the main thing, that they can play."

Fulham will be without several key men for the game, though, with three of the players who featured in the defeat at Newcastle missing out.

"There are a few players coming back who were injured and there are a few players who are still out," Jol said. "Aaron Hughes will be out – he will be back next week, but he's got an injury to his thigh.

"Darren Bent is injured – he will be back next week – with a tight hamstring. That is not what we wanted as Darren Bent is here because we needed some pace up front and he gave us that. He scored that goal against Arsenal, he plays off the shoulder which is an advantage for other players, but he's not here now. I can't change that so I will play with Berbatov up front.

"Matthew Briggs will be out, he's got a problem with his hip. And Maarten Stekelenburg is still out with his right shoulder – it could take another couple of weeks.

"[But] Kieran Richardson is back in training and he looks good, so he's included in the squad. I'm happy that he's back."

One player set to take his place in the Fulham squad for the first time is new signing Elsad Zverotić following his arrival from Young Boys.

"He's included in the squad," Jol confirmed. "You know him because he played against England [in March] and he was Man of the Match. We were quite happy to get him on very good terms. We're quite happy to have a utility player; he can play right-back, in midfield, he can play left-back.

"We've followed him over the last two years and I think he can fill in for Sascha Riether, or even play, because you are no mug if you play in the Montenegro national team. He's similar to Chrissy Baird and I needed a player who can fill in in several positions."

The Fulham Manager was also quizzed on the fitness of Mahamadou Diarra, who has been training with the Whites since the expiry of his contract in the summer.

"We are a very good club, we look after our people so we gave him the chance to stay here and use our medical staff and try to get a new contract," Jol explained. "He's now at 70/75 per cent [fitness], he's training fully, so he needs games now and he will play, for example, with our Under-21s on Monday. Then we will see from there."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/september/13/jols-west-brom-preview?

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Fulham team news: Darren Bent ruled out with hamstring injury as Dimitar Berbatov goes it alone

Martin Jol also has Kieran Richardson available after four weeks out with a strain, while Fernando Amorebieta could feature


Out: Darren Bent won't feature this weekend
Reuters

Darren Bent has been ruled out of Fulham's clash against West Brom due to a hamstring injury.

The on-loan Aston Villa frontman faces a week on the sidelines, with Dimitar Berbatov set to play a lone role in attack.

Keeper Maarten Stekelenburg (shoulder) is still sidelined, so David Stockdale will continue in goal, while Matthew Briggs (hip) and Aaron Hughes (thigh) have failed to recover in time to feature.

But Whites boss Martin Jol is boosted by the return of left-back Kieran Richardson following four weeks out with a hamstring problem.

Summer signing Fernando Amorebieta is in the squad for the first time, while deadline-day arrival Elsad Zverotic is also included among the 18.

Fulham have lost their last five Premier League games at Craven Cottage, with their last victory on home turf against QPR back in April.


In the squad: Fernando Amorebieta
Getty Images

And after a mixed start to the season, which has seen back-to-back defeats following their opening-day win at Sunderland, Jol admits tomorrow's clash is key.

He said: "People said our away from was not good, I agreed, the only thing now is we need to get points at Craven Cottage.

"I see it as an almost must-win game, but it is for them as well. If we win then we will be fine then, if not there are teams around us and it's important to get out of the bottom."

Provisional squad: Stockdale, Etheridge, Riether, Riise, Hangeland, Zverotic, Senderos, Sidwell, Parker, Boateng, Karagounis, Kasami, Dejagah, Kacaniklic, Duff, Richardson, Taarabt, Berbatov, Ruiz, Rodallega.



Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fulham-team-news-darren-bent-2271457#ixzz2eqSFRaDB
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Boss Jol reveals Diarra is close to return

Fulham manager Martin Jol says midfielder Mahamadou Diarra is closing on a return to action.

The 32-year-old has been training with the Whites despite his previous contract at Craven Cottage expiring at the end of last season.

Diarra twice underwent surgery on his left knee earlier in the year and Fulham opted not renew his deal while his fitness was still a concern.

But Jol has indicated that the former Real Madrid man is close to earning a new contract.

"He is now at 70-75% and training fully with us," Jol explained.

"He needs games now and he will play his first game with the Under-21s on Monday."

Diarra was recently reported to be on the verge of signing for Greek club Panathinaikos, which his agent strongly denied.

Jol added: "We are a good club and we look after our people.

"He had the chance to stay here and use our medical stuff and try to get a new contract."


http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/boss-jol-reveals-diarra-is-close-to-return

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Feel the ROAR! Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders return to London for half-time show at Craven Cottage

Here's something to help you steer clear of your half-time pie. The Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders are back in London on Saturday to give a performance at Fulham's match with West Brom.

The ROAR of the Jaguars are in the capital promoting their NFL side ahead of their clash with the San Francisco 49ers at Wembley at the end of October.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders are coming to London


Capital gains: The Jaguars take in the sights , with their side playing at Wembley at the end of October


Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders are coming to London

Fans can catch up with the cheerleaders at half-time of the Premier League clash, with the girls launching their 2014 lingerie calender.

The ROAR were in London back in May to shoot their calendar taking in some of London's famous sights and landmarks.

Jacksonville Jaguars are owned by Shahid Khan, who took over from Mohamed Al Fayed as owner of Fulham in the summer.

The calendar is on sale now at the NFL Europe Shop [www.europe.nflshop.com] priced at £9.99.


Cheer them on: The ROAR will be at Craven Cottage on Saturday for the match with West Brom

 
Across the pond: The official Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders are in London promoting a lingerie calender



New home: There will be two NFL games at Wembley in 2013



Import: New Fulham owner Shahid Khan (right) also owns the Jacksonville Jaguars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyXlD7GpEUY&feature=player_embedded#t=0

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2419977/Jacksonville-Jaguars-cheerleaders-perform-Fulham-v-West-Brom.html#ixzz2eqSvUZZN
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Fulham v West Bromwich Albion: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Fulham and West Bromwich Albion at the on Saturday Sep 14, 2013, kick-off 15.00 (BST).

Saturday, September 14 2013
Fulham v West Bromwich Albion
Craven Cottage
Kick-off: 15.00 BST.
TV: Highlights BBC ONE Match of the Day.

Fulham (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Stockdale; Riether, Hangeland, Zverotic, Riise; Sidwell, Parker; Kacaniklic, Taarabt, Ruiz; Berbatov.
Out: Richardson, Bent (both hamstring), Briggs (hip), Hughes (thigh), Stekelenburg (shoulder).

WBA (Possible, 4-4-2): Myhill; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Sessegnon, Yacob, Mulumbu, Sinclair; Anelka, Anichebe.
Out: Foster (foot), Gera (knee), Reid (unspecified), Thorne (match fitness), Vydra (hamstring).
Test: Morrison (groin).

Referee: Lee Probert. Matches: 2. R1 Y1.

Team News
Darren Bent will miss Fulham's Premier League home meeting with West Brom due to a tight hamstring.

The striker, on loan from Aston Villa, made his Fulham debut in the club's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle and manager Martin Jol is hopeful he will be back in training next week.

Defenders Matthew Briggs (hip) and Aaron Hughes (thigh) have also joined goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg (shoulder) on the sidelines but Kieran Richardson returns to the squad following a hamstring problem.

Deadline day signing Elsad Zverotic is fit and available for selection after completing his move from Young Boys.

Meanwhile, West Brom head coach Steve Clarke may field his transfer deadline day signings when he takes his side to Fulham.

Albion have only taken one point from their three Premier League matches so far but have since acquired Stephane Sessegnon, Victor Anichebe and Morgan Amalfitano.

The game may come too soon for Anichebe, who lacks match fitness, but fellow forward Sessegnon and midfielder Amalfitano have a good chance of starting.

Midfielder James Morrison (groin) is a doubt while goalkeeper Ben Foster (foot) and striker Matej Vydra (hamstring) are definitely missing.

Steven Reid, Zoltan Gera and George Thorne are still working their way back to full fitness.

Match Notes
Fulham's last five Premier League games at Craven Cottage have ended in defeat, but they have the perfect opportunity to end that cycle, as they face a West Brom team that are bottom of the embryonic table and still searching for their first win, as well as their first goal, of the season.

A defeat for either side here could be a worrying indication of greater trouble lying ahead.

Betting: Home 21-20, Away 5-2, Draw 5-2.

Stat of the game: For the first time in 13 years Albion have failed to score in their opening three league games.

Gordon Simpson's prediction: Fulham 1 West Bromwich Albion 0.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10292115/Fulham-v-West-Bromwich-Albion-match-preview.html

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LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Fulham v West Brom

Martin Jol doesn't know his best team yet and, like a lot of clubs just after the transfer window, Fulham are still finding their way. But they are usually good at home and they have plenty of attacking players who can cause teams trouble.

They got a good win at Sunderland on the opening day but have struggled to fire since then, so maybe it is a case of choosing who partners Dimitar Berbatov while making sure they still have some defensive balance in the side.

West Brom have had a poor start, but they recognised that and have added forwards Stephane Sessegnon from Sunderland and Victor Anichebe from Everton, so Steve Clarke will hope that has addressed their problems going forward.

I think Sessegnon is a really good player. I don't know what happened to him at Sunderland - maybe he is a player who needs to be loved.

He can be the link between midfield and the striker, he makes things happen. He is a very talented lad and he will do well at Albion, I'm sure.

Prediction: 2-0


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24063093

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Fulham v West Brom



By Steve Bower
BBC Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Saturday, 14 September

Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg could return after suffering a shoulder injury on his debut last month.
Aaron Hughes is a doubt with a thigh problem that saw him withdraw from Northern Ireland's squad in midweek, and Kieran Richardson is still out.

New West Brom signings Stephane Sessegnon and Morgan Amalfitano could well start, though Victor Anichebe lacks match fitness.
Midfielder James Morrison (groin) is a doubt.

MATCH PREVIEW

Even at this early stage, these two clubs will see this as a fixture for a potential welcome lift. This season is yet to ignite for either, after sluggish endings to the last campaign. Fulham have only won twice in their last 11 league matches and West Brom just once in their previous 12.

Three of Fulham's next four matches are at Craven Cottage, with Cardiff and Stoke following West Brom's visit. Those are the type of games Martin Jol will know he needs to get points from, to build a base to improve on last season's 12th place finish. His team have lost their last five Premier League matches at home and that needs to be addressed.

He'll hope Dimitar Berbatov can recapture some of his finer moments from last season, where he scored three times in two matches against the Baggies, and that Darren Bent can build on his debut goal against Arsenal.

The Fulham manager comes up against the club he played for 79 times, having only lost once to them in 10 meetings as a manager.

His opposite number Steve Clarke returns to the ground where he suffered his first managerial defeat a year ago. His business on deadline day was necessary and he'll be quietly desperate for his new boys to hit the ground running to help them to a first goal and victory of the season.

New club record signing Stephane Sessegnon has the potential to really improve the team's goal threat. Victor Anichebe, like Scott Sinclair, will feel he has a point to prove while with Long still at the club, more to come from Anelka and the emerging talent of Berahino, they collectively have to replace the 17 league goals that Romelu Lukaku scored last season.

West Brom's last league win at Fulham came in 1967. An end to that run, would help them begin to look forward again.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Fulham are unbeaten against West Brom in their past five matches, which have all been in the Premier League (W3, D2).

West Brom have never won at Fulham in the Premier League (in seven attempts).

The Baggies last won a league match at Craven Cottage in October 1967 (a 2-1 win). However, they did beat Fulham in west London in the 2005 League Cup sixth round - 3-2 after extra time.

Fulham
The Cottagers have lost seven of their last nine Premier League matches.

They have the same record after three games as they did last season (won one, lost two) - but had scored seven last term, compared to just twice this time around.

Darren Bent is the eighth player to score for six different clubs in the Premier League. The others are Nick Barmby, Marcus Bent, Craig Bellamy, Andy Cole, Peter Crouch, Les Ferdinand and Robbie Keane.

West Brom
West Brom remain winless in seven Premier League matches and failed to score in their opening three top-flight matches of the season for the first time since 1972-73.

The Baggies claimed 33 of 49 points in the first half of the 2012-13 season, but since then have taken just 17 points from 22 games (including this season).

Steve Clarke's side have had just four shots on target in their opening three games.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23999576?

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Fulham blog: Five reasons why the Whites won't get relegated


Fulham's Maarten Stekelenburg. Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA

After a disappointing end to last season, and an indifferent start to this one, with a terrible performance up at Newcastle, fans are starting to wonder if Fulham have gone a bit stale and there is even talk of relegation. Here our blogger outlines why Fulham's place at English football's top table is not under threat.

1. Maarten Stekelenburg will save a few points

The Cottagers have got themselves a top class goalkeeper, possibly the best one outside the top seven teams in the Premier League, with the exception of Asmir Begovic, as evidenced by him keeping the excellent Tim Krul of Newcastle United and Michel Vorm of Swansea City out of the Netherlands squad.

In the lower half of the league tussle, a world-class shot-stopper is invaluable. His performances could see the Whites steal a couple of unlikely points or victories, if he can stop a bombardment of shots from a desperate opposition when Fulham are trying to hang on to a 1-0 lead. Someone reliable between the sticks is invaluable, as proven by a certain other Dutch keeper to have played at Craven Cottage in the not too distant past.

2. Flexible tactics

Fulham have a set of midfielders and attackers that allow them to play many different systems, which should make them hard to scout and figure out.

There is no question that the lack of a Moussa Dembele-type player affects the speed and link-up play of Fulham's attacks, but their tactics can be tinkered with slightly, while players are able to play in a variety of positions, such as Damien Duff and Adel Taarabt both capable of operating on the left wing. This should mean that the Cottagers can set up their team based on weaknesses of their opposition's defence, which will give them a good platform, particularly at home, and make for some entertaining football.

3. Dimitar Berbatov

Stekelenburg will gain Fulham points at one end and Berbatov will continue to win points at the other.

It could also be argued that some of the burden has been relived on him with the signing of Darren Bent and Adel Taarabt, meaning he is unlikely to get marked out of games and lose interest, which he did at times last season.

He may not score as many goals as last season, but he has the quality around him to create chances for others, rather than trying to do it all by himself, which he was sometimes expected to do last term.

Also, as Fulham are now flexible enough in attack Berbatov will relish a free role he played so effectively while at Spurs, which can only be a good thing for the Cottagers.

4. Quality of promoted sides

Compared to the likes of West Ham and Southampton last season the calibre of the teams that have been promoted is not quite up to scratch. While all have shown signs that they can be competitive in the top flight, it is not unreasonable to expect that one will go down.

For instance, the lack of Premier League experience across the club at Crystal Palace (that said, they are an extremely well run outfit) could ultimately see their heads drop and do damage beyond repair when they get stuck in a bit of a rut.

Hull City went up through plenty of one-goal victories last season, so the step in quality this year may see those victories turn into narrow defeats and the division between fans and board could have poisonous consequences, should a poor run of form set in.

Cardiff City look the best placed out of the three to survive, but Malky Mackay is a novice at this level and, despite showing his tactical astuteness in their victory over Man City, it will be interesting to see how they approach games against sides around them.

5. Stability at Fulham

Fulham has never been a club for drama and infighting. Its board and management have always been transparent with the fans and have kept them in mind when making any major decisions.

Also, being relatively content with the position they find themselves in, they are unlikely to take risks in the pointless quest to climb a couple of places in the middle of the table.

A region where this seems to happen regularly is the north-east, with archetypal crisis club Newcastle United and local rivals Sunderland both taking risky approaches to player recruitment and appointments at management level.

Sunderland look candidates to do what QPR did last season, and manager Paolo Di Canio's volatility will only add to the low confidence of his squad, should things not go their way.

Another volatile character to have somehow wormed his way back into the top-flight is Newcastle's director of football Joe Kinnear. He asked to be judged on his signings - he made one. Their threadbare squad, squabbling within the management and the disenchantment of their support could ultimately seal their fate.



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_blog_five_reasons_why_the_whites_won_t_get_relegated_1_2464309

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Fulham manager Martin Jol has high hopes for new signing Elsad Zverotic


Elsad Zverotic: Joined Fulham on transfer deadline day

Martin Jol was thrilled to have signed Elsad Zverotic on transfer deadline day, and the Fulham manager expects the Montenegro international to play a key role at Craven Cottage this season.

The 26-year-old utility player joined the Cottagers from Swiss club Young Boys of Berne and he could make his Fulham debut at home to West Brom on Saturday.

Jol said: "He is included in the squad, you know him because he played against England and he was man of the match in that game.

"We were quite happy to get him on very good terms and I'm quite happy to have a utility player.

"We followed him over the last two years, he can fill in for Sascha Riether or even play. He is always in the (Montenegro) line-up.

"He can play in midfield, in front of the defence and he was a left-back - I needed a player who could fill in several positions."

As for the match against bottom-of-the-table Baggies, he added: "I see it as an almost must-win game.

"It is for them as well. If we win then we will be fine, if not there are teams around us and it's important to get out of the bottom."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/8919588?

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STAT PACK: Sinclair offers fear factor

Facts and figures on Saturday's trip to Craven Cottage (ko 3pm)

THE Baggies travel to London for the first time this season to take on Martin Jol's Fulham tomorrow (ko 3pm), so our friends over at WhoScored.com take a look at the numbers ahead of the Craven Cottage clash and analyse another Hawthorns new boy.

Steve Clarke has the chance to showcase his great many new signings this weekend, with plenty of exciting, attack-minded players joining late in the transfer window.

At a ground where the home side have lost each of their last five Premier League matches, this will be a great opportunity for them to hit the ground running with their new club.

The Cottagers have conceded 17 goals in those 5 matches - running across the end of last season and the beginning of this - and look like they could well continue to ship goals early on this term.

They have allowed their opponents 64 shots in only three matches this season; a figure at least 16 greater than any other team, and while that has meant no goalkeeper has made more saves this season than Fulham's David Stockdale (14), it also shows that chances are regular for their opposition.

The likes of Victor Anichebe and Stéphane Sessegnon will join Nicolas Anelka and Shane Long in trying to find the Baggies' first Premier League goals of the season this weekend. Another will be Scott Sinclair, who was at Swansea in 2011/12 when they failed to score in any of their opening four matches but went on to only just miss out on a top half finish, so Albion fans shouldn't be too disheartened by the slow start this campaign.

Sinclair was so impressive that year that he won himself a big-money move to champions Manchester City at the end of the season.

That move didn't quite work out, however, but given sufficient game time, Sinclair proved at Swansea that he is undeniably Premier League quality. With 8 goals and 4 assists he was second in both tallies in the Swansea squad, directly contributing to 30 per cent of their 40 Premier League goals.

A pacey winger who is keen to run at full-backs, Sinclair both dribbled past an opponent 1.7 times per game and was fouled 1.7 times per game as defenders could do little but watch or take to dirty tactics to stop him.

His 86.2 per cent pass accuracy is something to be proud of, and even more so given his advanced position and the resultant crowded areas he occupies. Likely to start against Fulham this weekend, Sinclair has a fantastic record against them, having picked up a goal and two assists in as many meetings in 2011/12.



*WhoScored.com is a unique website and one of the fastest growing in the sports industry, specialising in the in-depth analysis of detailed football data. Provided with unique stats, they compile and create comprehensive analysis on the major European divisions, including live match stats and player ratings. Follow @WhoScored and their editor-in-chief @alitweedale on Twitter.

All-time results record (League, FA Cup and League Cup)


P   W   D   L   F   A   GD
HOME   41   22   9   10   87   45   +42
AWAY
39   14   8   17   34   55   -21
TOTAL
80   36   17   27   121   100   +21

Interesting facts

The Baggies have not won at Fulham in the league since October 1967. Tony 'Bomber' Brown and Jeff 'The King' Astle scored the goals in a 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage.

Cottagers boss Martin Jol played for Albion between 1982 and 1984, making 67 appearances.

This game will be played on exactly the same weekend as the corresponding fixture last season. Fulham overcame Albion 3-0 on Saturday, September 15, 2012.


Last time out

HOME: Barclays Premier League, Saturday, January 1, 2013, Albion 1 (Lukaku 49) Fulham 2 (Berbatov 39, Kacaniklic 58)

AWAY: Barclays Premier League, Saturday, September 15, 2012, Fulham 3 (Berbatov 32, pen 45, Sidwell 89) Albion 0


Form guide (last six league matches)

FULHAM: LLWWLL
ALBION: LLDLDL


Last league match line-ups

ALBION (v Swansea – home L 0-2): Myhill; Jones, McAuley, Olsson (c), Ridgewell; Mulumbu, Morrison (Dorrans HT), Yacob (Rosenberg 75); Long, Anelka, Sinclair (Berahino 75). Subs not used: L Daniels (gk), Lugano, Dawson, Brunt.


FULHAM (v Newcastle – away L 1-0): Stockdale; Riether (Briggs 73), Hughes, Hangeland, Riise; Ruiz, Sidwell (Rodallega 89), Parker, Kacaniklic; Berbatov, Bent (Taarabt 82). Subs not used: Etheridge (gk); Karagounis, Duff, Boateng. 


Fulham team news

Martin Jol is hoping to welcome back goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg who suffered a shoulder injury on debut last month. Defender Aaron Hughes is a doubt with a thigh problem which saw him withdraw from Northern Ireland's squad in midweek. Former Baggies loanee Kieran Richardson remains sidelined after picking up a hamstring injury on the opening day.



Ref watch

Lee Probert will referee tomorrow's game. The Wiltshire official last oversaw the Baggies in their 3-2 defeat by Wigan at The Hawthorns in May. He dished out 105 yellow and six red cards in 34 games last term.


Betting

Selected odds from Sky Bet:

Fulham to win: 11/10

Albion to win: 5/2

Draw: 12/5

Dimitar Berbatov to score first: 11/2

Nicolas Anelka to score first: 15/2



Read more at http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/stat-pack-sinclair-offers-fear-factor-1051234.aspx?#eEFOg5Oqwqhoy3gl.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Stockdale ready for keeper fight

David Stockdale is aiming to use his chance of playing first-team football at Fulham to prove he should be the regular number one.

The 27-year-old is embarking on his sixth season as a Cottagers player having been brought to the club from Darlington back in summer 2008. However, having had Mark Schwarzer ahead of him in the pecking order for all those years, Stockdale has been used to playing out on loan on several occasions. He hoped Schwarzer's summer exit to Chelsea on a Bosman free transfer would boost his first-team chances at Craven Cottage but boss Martin Jol then snapped up Maarten Stekelenburg from Roma on a four-year deal. But the Dutch custodian suffered an injury in the season-opening win at Sunderland which has paved the way clear for Stockdale to take over the number one jersey in his absence. And he is now aiming to show he deserves to play even when Stekelenburg returns to full fitness, while acknowledging that Neil Etheridge is also breathing down his neck to play. He told the club's website: "I keep my head down and hopefully I can fight for the number one spot. I'm just trying to use these games as a point proving exercise; I must show people that I can perform at a consistent level and that I am capable of doing it week in, week out." He added: "Whenever Maarten comes back, hopefully it's a speedy recovery because he's a good guy and it was an unfortunate incident when he was having a good game. "I welcome the competition and if I keep the jersey, I need to work harder than him to keep it."



Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/stockdale-ready-for-keeper-fight-1631716.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Just three games into the season, Fulham manager Martin Jol labels West Brom game 'must-win'
The Cottagers have lost their last two games after opening day victory against Sunderland

Fulham may have only played three Barclays Premier League games so far this season but manager Martin Jol believes Saturday's clash with West Brom is almost in the 'must-win' category.

A win at Sunderland on the opening day has been followed by a home defeat to Arsenal and a 1-0 loss at Newcastle, meaning the Cottagers have three points going into the match.

Although Steve Clarke's side sit bottom of the table having collected just one point, Jol believes his team need to register more points with games against Chelsea and Everton on the horizon.

"I see it as an almost must-win game," he said. "It is for them as well. If we win then we will be fine, if not there are teams around us and it's important to get out of the bottom."

If Fulham are to pick up their second league victory of the campaign they will have to win their first home game since the beginning of April.

But the five consecutive defeats at Craven Cottage since a 3-2 win over local rivals QPR on April 1 do not worry Jol as he searches to strike the right balance in his side.

"If you look at the teams they were Chelsea and Arsenal twice, the only very disappointing defeat was against Reading," he said.

"On the other hand we played three away matches and conceded one goal, we beat Swansea and Sunderland and then lost in the final stages of the game at Newcastle.

"People said our away form was not good, I agreed, the only thing now is we need to get points at Craven Cottage.

"If you get all the players on board it is only a matter of gelling together and finding the right balance.

"We have a lot of quality players now and that is good. I have to leave four players in the stand - and that is the first time I have had that. We have good players but we need to find the right team now."

Despite having belief in his squad, Jol will not be able to call upon a number of players who have been sidelined in recent weeks.

On-loan striker Darren Bent will miss out with a hamstring injury whilst defensive duo Aaron Hughes and Matthew Briggs will also be absent.

They join goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg on the sidelines but Jol will have deadline day signing Elsad Zverotic available.

The Montenegro international joined from Young Boys as the transfer window drew to a close and Jol is delighted to have the 26-year-old as an option.

"He is included in the squad, you know him because he played against England and he was man of the match in that game," Jol said.

"We were quite happy to get him on very good terms and I'm quite happy to have a utility player.

"We followed him over the last two years, he can fill in for Sascha Riether or even play...he is always in the [Montenegro] line-up.

"He can play in midfield, in front of the defence and he was a left-back - I needed a player who could fill in several positions."

PA


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/just-three-games-into-the-season-fulham-manager-martin-jol-labels-west-brom-game-mustwin-8815215.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Back Berbatov for Fantasy Football points against West Brom


Fulham's Dimitar Berbatov plays against Arsenal during their English Premier League soccer match at Craven Cottage, London, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013. AP

Fulham face one of Dimitar Berbatov's favourite opponents this weekend and so he is the statisticians at WhoScored.com's recommended purchase for week four.

17th host 20th at 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon at Craven Cottage, but neither Fulham nor West Brom is likely to be battling relegation come the end of the season, and wins will start to come more easily as the season rolls on.

Only one victory and two goals between them so far, however, does not bode well for either team this weekend.

The Baggies are the only team in the top five European leagues yet to have found the net this season and significant attacking investment was made towards the close of the transfer window, so Fulham will have to be wary, particularly considering that they have conceded 64 shots already this season; a tally 16 higher than any other team.

However, they have their own ammunition going forwards, and Berbatov will strike fear into the West Brom defenders once again. The Bulgarian has scored five goals in just seven appearances against the Baggies and has never been on the losing side, winning on six occasions. Although he is yet to score this season, he has three goals in his two games in Fulham colours against the Midlands club, and the opportunity this weekend may mean an end to his goal drought.

Berbatov's class has been clear to see and even more obvious since his move to Fulham, and it will only be a matter of time before the goals start flowing again. With the arrival of Darren Bent, there will be slightly less pressure on Berbatov to provide goals, but that isn't to say that his sometimes overly selfish play will be written out of his game.

Fulham have won six of their seven home Premier League games against West Brom, scoring a total of 19 goals and conceding only two. Furthermore, the Baggies have failed to score in five of their last seven games on the road, a run stretching back to their visit to Chelsea in March, and that form seems to have permeated into this campaign too.

Steve Clarke needs to stop the rot as soon as possible; defeat at Craven Cottage will mean the club's worst ever start to a Premier League campaign to follow up what was their best last term. His club have only won four of their previous 39 trips to London since the inception of the Premier League, so this weekend looks an ominous one for West Brom, which Dimitar Berbatov could well reap the benefits of in the Fantasy Football stakes.

All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings.


http://metro.co.uk/2013/09/13/back-berbatov-for-fantasy-football-points-against-west-brom-3984724/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Baggies must overcome unwanted records to beat Fulham

West Brom travel to Craven Cottage on Saturday still looking for their first Premier League win of the season, but to do so they will have to overcome a couple of unwanted records that they have picked up.

Every team has bogey sides and one of the teams Albion always seem to struggle against is Fulham, particularly away from home. In the seven Premier League games West Brom have played at Craven Cottage, they have managed to pick up only one point which came through a late Somen Tchoyi equaliser during the 2011-12 season under Roy Hodgson.

In those seven games, Albion have scored twice and conceded 19 goals, including a 6-1 hammering in the 2005-06 season under Bryan Robson. You have to go back to the 1967-68 season to find West Brom's last away win against Fulham, club legends Tony Brown and Jeff Astle the goal-scorers.

Last season was no different, Fulham winning 3-0 with Peter Odemwingie being sent off for West Brom and Dimitar Berbatov scoring twice on his debut. Berbatov was also superb for Fulham when they won 2-1 at the Hawthorns on New Year's Day to complete a double over West Brom.

Berbatov is a player who Albion always seem to struggle to defend against, as demonstrated by the three goals he scored against The Baggies in two games, while he also created the winner at the Hawthorns. Berbatov almost always drops deep to receive the ball, in between the defence and the midfield, but West Brom can never deal with that movement; Michu had similar success for Swansea in West Brom's previous game.

The issue seems to stem from mis-communication between the centre backs and the centre midfielders. It seems that Gareth McAuley and Jonas Olsson don't want to rush out of position to man mark Berbatov, as that would leave space in behind for someone like Darren Bent to exploit. But then Claudio Yacob and Youssouff Mulumbu in the defensive midfield positions fail to stay tight to Berbatov and get caught the wrong side of him.

This then allows Berbatov, or players of his ilk, the opportunity to run at the central defenders, either fashioning a chance for himself, a team-mate or getting fouled by Yacob or Mulumbu after they let Berbatov get goal-side of them. For West Brom to have any chance of success at Fulham, it is imperative that either Yacob or Mulumbu is always around to keep tabs on Berbatov, not allowing him the time and freedom he had in Albion's two games with Fulham last season.

In addition to this, this game comes at a bad time for Albion, after an international break. Last season, West Brom only managed to win one game after an international break compared to four losses, with the 3-0 reverse at Fulham being one of these games.

It is one of the disadvantages of Albion having a multi-national squad, as they have players flying away to all parts of the globe and some returning later than others, often carrying injuries. This game is particularly difficult as it is the first since Deadline Day, where West Brom brought in three players to strengthen their squad.

Only one of these, Stephane Sessegnon, has been away on international duty, but many of the players at the club were away on international duty, which meant there has been very little time for Steve Clarke to implement Victor Anichebe and Morgan Amalfitano into the group. In an ideal word, I expect Clarke would have liked to pick a tried and trusted team for this weekend's game, but injuries look set to force his hand in some cases.

James Morrison is a doubt for the game with a groin injury -- he also missed Scotland's two World Cup qualifiers. This should mean a debut for at least one of Sessegnon or Amalfitano in the most advanced midfield role if Clarke goes with a 4-2-3-1. Both could make their debuts from the start as I don't expect to see Shane Long employed out wide again, but Clarke does have options in that area now, particularly with the form of young Saido Berahino.

The youngster has been one of few positives to emerge from Albion's start to the season. Berahino scored a hat trick against Newport from a wide forward position and has continued his run of scoring with the England U21s, scoring against both Moldova and Finland. With form like that, it may prove tough for Clarke to leave him out for this game.

In the longer term, Clarke and the club are left with somewhat of a dilemma regarding Berahino's situation. While he may start on Saturday, he may find his path to the first team a bit more difficult when the rest of the squad get up to full fitness, especially with the number of additions Albion made in the forward areas this summer.

It will then have to be decided whether Clarke feels Berahino is better than some of his options or if his opportunities will be limited. The youngster needs game-time, whether that be at Albion or with another club. If Clarke feels Berahino isn't quite ready, then I'd expect Berahino to be loaned out to a Championship club, probably up until the January transfer window. This would allow The Baggies to review the situation, particularly as one or two players could be moved on in that window.


http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/westbromwichalbion/id/789?&cc=5739

[WhiteJC]

 
Cottage Ticket Access

Season Ticket Holders are reminded that they must use their 2013/14 Season Ticket Card to enter Craven Cottage for Fulham vs. West Bromwich Albion. Previous cards are no longer valid and will not allow entry into the Stadium.

Also, unless they have received a paper ticket, Members with a ticket to this match are reminded to bring their new 2013/14 Membership Card to access the Stadium this weekend. Membership Cards from last season are no longer valid.

You should already have received your new card in the post, however if you have not, please contact the Ticket Office on 0843 208 1234 (Option 3). Lines will be open on Saturday from 9.30am until 12.30pm.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/september/13/cottage-ticket-access?

[WhiteJC]

 
Crunch time at the Cottage

Neutrals scanning the fixture list for an engaging Premiership battle this weekend will find little to excite them with a match-up at the Cottage between Fulham and West Bromwich Albion. On paper the clash has the signs of an early season relegation battle between two struggling sides. But for the two sets of supporters this is has all the makings of a crunch game, with the outcome giving meaningful pointers to the season ahead for both camps.

Only three games in, but the Baggies will be smarting at their slow start after such an enterprising campaign last time out. They journey down to London propping up the table. Fulham have an excellent home record over their opponents, and we all pray that continues, but on the evidence of what we've seen to date, the current team continues to trade in the currency that had us tearing our hair out for much of last season.

Of the two managers under the spotlight, Martin Jol, I fancy, is the one more likely to find a vulture perched on his shoulder Saturday night with defeat. For a start, the Whites have not won a home game since the start of April, against Championship-bound QPR, and the natives, Martin, in case you are deaf to the clamour, are in restless mood.

There lurks a serpent of simmering resentment at the style of play presented in the frankly shambolic way the side has been set up to play thus far -- especially with the feeble performances at both Burton and Newcastle. A repeat of that lethargic, one-paced sterility this Saturday on home soil will simply not be tolerated.

Tolerant and well-mannered as Fulham's core supporters are, I sense we are one more misfiring show away from resentment at the manager's tactics being echoed from the stands. Should the worse happen, and the Baggies finally claim a win in SW6, Jol surely will have to come up with more than his usual post-match platitudes. (viz: at Newcastle -- 'we lacked energy.')

We all know this is the gaffer's third season in charge, but for the past 18 months we have inexorably been going backwards. Even when Clint Dempsey and the Pog were banging in goals for fun, the good ship Fulham was heading for the rocks as we failed to rebuild the oldest side in the Premiership.

Still, the average age of the side fails to come down. Still, we patiently await the arrival in the first team of the brightest ingenue from our talented all-conquering youth teams. Still, we seem to be also-rans in the transfer market when it comes to closing in on quality signings.

You only have to contrast our activity on the final day of the latest hugely under-whelming transfer window (financial common sense at last finally coming to the fore?) to that of our opponents. Three games without a win and Steve Clarke had seen enough. Romelu Lukaku had left a gaping hole up front, and Matej Vydra's injured, so in come Scott Sinclair, Stephane Sessegnon and Victor Anichebe on transfer deadline day.

The team news thus far is that the Baggies are also without Scottish international James Morrison, while we must pray Clarke's new signings don't hit the ground running and that we're hearing that old chestnut 'this team will take time to gel'at the final whistle after Fulham's customary win. Ben Foster's absence further undermines their cause.

Of course, our own leader could just as easily be pulling the same cliche out for the MOTD audience. But we are now entering a run of games which inspires my heading above. Martin, you are the man now responsible for this side. You alone are responsible for the tactics. Only you know what message the side leaves the dressing room with.

If this Fulham team continues to lose, we bleed. This is all we have. We are chained to the club's fortunes for life. The message boards are full of negativity and frustration at present because we care. We do not have the luxury of a sky-high salary and the option of walking away from it all when the going gets tough.

In 2011 Fulham couldn't find a win till October. Jol called it his toughest spell in management. Lose Saturday at home to the bottom side and prepare to find out just how bad it can really get. We did the double over the Baggies last season, and Dimitar Berbatov scored in both games. He needs to do it again as he is likely to be our lone striker for Saturday. Here's why.

Fulham's quest to win back the fan's confidence must be done without Darren Bent (hamstring) and Maarten Stekelenburg is still to recover from his problem shoulder, so another outing for David Stockdale. Aaron Hughes and Matthew Briggs are crocked but Kieran Richardson is over his hamstring strain picked up at Sunderland. Any bets on how long he lasts? Fernando Amorebieta had a long flight back from South America this week but is in the squad for the first time and must be itching to play. Expect new signing Elsad Zverotic to sit this one out.

Shall we finish on some plus points? WBA have managed just four shots on goal this term so far, so in that department they're as bad as us. They have managed just one win in the last 12 and have not savoured a win at Craven Cottage since 1967. If you're going along, let's get behind the team and hope we give it a real go! As Jol says, this is a must win game. COYW!

twitter@fulhamphil


http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/fulham/id/1316?&cc=5739