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

[WhiteJC]

 
We MUST start winning at Craven Cottage! Jol demands better from Fulham against West Brom, but injured Bent misses out

Martin Jol has told his players it is time to start winning at Craven Cottage with his side on their worst home run in the Premier League - even if new signing Darren Bent is out with a hamstring injury.

Fulham have lost their last five league matches in West London, dating back to the end of last season, but Jol is demanding better against West Brom on Saturday.

He said: 'Now we have to get points at home. People said our away from 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 players.


Injured: Martin Jol will be without Darren Bent for Saturday's match against West Brom

'I have to leave four players in the stand - and that is the first time I have had that.

'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, it's important to get out of the bottom.'

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.


Streak: Fulham have lost their last five league games at Craven Cottage, including two defeats by Arsenal

'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.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2420423/Fulham-v-West-Brom-Martin-Jol-says-team-start-winning-Craven-Cottage.html#ixzz2eqbeQUSy
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[WhiteJC]

 
Woes for Fulham boss Martin Jol as Darren Bent and Dimitar Berbatov miss out
FULHAM boss Martin Jol is frustrated at not being able to unleash his dream strike partnership of Darren Bent and Dimitar Berbatov on West Brom.

Bent, signed on a season-long loan from Aston Villa, is out with a hamstring injury and is only expected to recover in time to face Chelsea next week.

But Jol said: "It will be a great partnership because Berba wants to drift and drop.

"He always did that, he wants to get the ball so if you have another who plays off him you have a good partnership.

"After their first game we didn't have the focus – next time I think it will be better."

Fulham are also without keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, plus defenders Aaron Hughes and Matthew Briggs for the visit of Steve Clarke's men today.

But left-back Kieran Richardson should be fit to face his old side.

And Jol is going to need all the help he can get to prevent a sixth straight defeat at the Cottage.

He added: "We need to get points at Craven Cottage.

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


http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/338581/Woes-for-Fulham-boss-Martin-Jol-as-Darren-Bent-and-Dimitar-Berbatov-miss-out

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol has no qualms about picking Senderos

Fulham manager Martin Jol insists he is happy for Philippe Senderos to play despite the defender's recent criticism of the team.

The Switzerland international is likely to fill in for the injured Aaron Hughes in Saturday's clash with West Brom, as new signing Fernando Amorebieta has only just returned to fitness.

Senderos, 28, gave a frank assessment of Fulham's shortcomings after the recent defeat against Arsenal – which he did not feature in - and suggested he would seek a move in January if he continued to be overlooked.

But Jol, who was open to Senderos leaving last month, said: "Philippe is in the squad, so there's a big chance he will start. I am happy for him to continue in the team.

"Everybody wants games and needs games because they want to go to the World Cup, but that's not our problem – my problem is for us to win games."


http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/jol-has-no-qualms-about-picking-senderos?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham vs WBA Starting Lineups Include Ruiz and Sessegnon



An injury to on loan striker Darren Bent sees Fulham manager Martin Jol set to give Bryan Ruiz his first start of the season in support of Dimitar Berbatov as the club continue to look for the right combination up front. Berbatov and Bent combined for a goal against Arsenal in week two, but there has been little to do from the front line since then. Meanwhile a struggling West Bromwich Albion side have struggled after just three games so far this season despite the former Liverpool assistant manager Steve Clark leading the club to an unexpected eighth place finish last year. There is still much time for the Baggies to turn the ship around and the arrival of Stephane Sessegnon is certain to be a plus alongside of loaner Scott Sinclair and recent addition Victor Anichebe. A cracker of a match is to be expected in London as the Midlands club travels south. Thomas is the Managing Editor of SWOL.co, follow him @socceratz.


Read more at http://swol.co/fulham-vs-wba-starting-lineups-include-ruiz-and-sessegnon/30059?#70SYyHgWfz36yvl4.99

[the nutflush]

Kaca on the right?  Who wrote this dribble?

[JackyFulham90]

Senderos will be starting today,  Jol has practically confirmed this in the Fulham chronicle

[EJL]

Premier League Preview: Fulham v West Brom



Much has been said about Dimitar Berbatov's dip in form and the way he 'wanders about' into areas other than those of a centre-forward , but if there's one fixture the Bulgarian can score in it's this one: Berbatov has scored three goals in his only two appearances against West Brom in a Fulham shirt.

Brede Hangeland, all six feet and five inches of him, often comes up short against the archetypal, big, hustling and bustling centre-forwards — the most high-profile case being Andy Carroll every time he faces the Norwegian. Despite not always being a direct scoring threat, Victor Anichebe, along with new signing Stephane Sessegnon, could prove to be Hangeland and the Fulham defence's undoing.

If Riise starts, Fulham are going to have yet more problems at defending the flanks. Shane Long is brilliant at running the channels, never stopping and supplying a more than decent final ball for a striker in wide positions. The former-Liverpool left-back has endured a torrid start to the campaign and, despite looking nailed on to leave Craven Cottage during the summer window, has started two of Fulham's first three Premier League fixtures.

Kacaniklic has played well against West Brom in the past, having won a penalty and assisted on Berbatov's home debut last season, and scoring a neat goal at the Hawthorns in January. He should really have the beating of Billy Jones going forward, but who knows. I'd say that left side will be Fulham's main threat, as long as Riise can occasionally free himself and get forward to support the Swede.

The fact that the Cottagers don't have that elusive midfield playmaker shouldn't matter too much against Mulumbu and Yacob, although they have the benefit of a strong partnership, whilst Fulham often fail to field the same two midfielders in successive matches. Jol started 11 different midfield combinations last season.
___________________________________________
Prediction: 2-1 (Berba, Sessegnon, Kacaniklic)

Fulham threat: Kacaniklic

WBA threat: Sessegnon and Anichebe partnership.

Fulham liability: Riise

WBA liability: Billy Jones

http://www.lastminutegoal.co.uk/premier-league-preview-fulham-v-west-brom/#more-436

[WhiteJC]

 
Squad sheets & stats: Fulham vs West Brom

Fulham (from): Etheridge, Stekelenburg, Stockdale, Amorebieta, Briggs, Hangeland, Hughes, Riether, Riise, Senderos, Boateng, Dejagah, Duff, Frei, Kacaniklic, Karagounis, Kasami, Parker, Sidwell, Taarabt, Zverotic, Bent, Berbatov, Rodallega, Ruiz.

West Brom (from): Camp, Daniels, Myhill, Dawson, Jones, Lugano, McAuley, Olsson, Popov, Ridgewell, Tamas, Amafilitano, Brunt, Dorrans, Gera, Morrison, Mulumbu, Sessegnon, Thorne, Yacob, Anelka, Anichebe, Berahino, Long, Rosenberg, Sinclair.

Both Fulham and West Brom will be looking to improve on their poor starts so far this season. West Brom's pursuit of victory is could be thwarted by Fulham centre half Aaron Hughes, who's managed to make a total of 32 clearances – the third most in the league.

- Hughes' impressive form is also evident in the amount of blocks he has made this season. After the opening three games his 6 blocks puts him ahead of any other player in the league.

- Controversial midfielder Adel Taarabt may have his critics, but it's clear that he'll provide Fulham with a much needed creative spark. Despite only playing 160 minutes for Fulham so far, he has made the most dribbles in their team with 6.

- Another new signing for Fulham is central midfielder Scott Parker, and, much like Taarabt, he's certainly made his mark. He completed 24 passes in the opposition half against Newcastle, and his 66 passes overall this season are more than any other Fulham player.

- Parker has also managed to average a pass in the opposition half every 2 minutes.

- West Brom's defensive efforts has much to do with the form of Claudio Yacob. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index Yacob has managed to make 19 tackles so far this season – more than any of his team mates.

- The Argentinean does need to improve on his discipline though, as he has committed 9 fouls – the second most in the league.

- Fulham may be concerned about the defensive efforts of Claudio Yacob, but they should not forget his fellow central midfielder Youssuf Mulumbu. Last weekend he made 5 interceptions, the second most in the league.

- Jonas Olsson is considered the lynchpin of West Brom's defence, and, looking at the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, it isn't hard to see why. The Swede has made a total of 38 defensive contributions so far this season (tackles, headers, blocks and clearances).

- Despite this, the young right back Billy Jones has bettered Olsson's efforts. The former Preston man has had an outstanding year, making 39 defensive contributions – the most in the West Brom team.

- Both Fulham and West Brom have impressive defensive records this season.



http://threeandin.com/?p=27035

[WhiteJC]

 
STATS: Hughes' blocks for Fulham vs Yacob's tackles for West Brom

Fulham vs West Brom, 15:00
- Both Fulham and West Brom will be looking to improve on their poor starts so far this season. West Brom's pursuit of victory is could be thwarted by Fulham centre half Aaron Hughes, who's managed to make a total of 32 clearances – the third most in the league.
- Hughes' impressive form is also evident in the amount of blocks he has made this season. After the opening three games his 6 blocks puts him ahead of any other player in the league.
- Controversial midfielder Adel Taarabt may have his critics, but it's clear that he'll provide Fulham with a much needed creative spark. Despite only playing 160 minutes for Fulham so far, he has made the most dribbles in their team with 6.
- Another new signing for Fulham is central midfielder Scott Parker, and, much like Taarabt, he's certainly made his mark. He completed 24 passes in the opposition half against Newcastle, and his 66 passes overall this season are more than any other Fulham player.
- Parker has also managed to average a pass in the opposition half every 2 minutes.
- West Brom's defensive efforts has much to do with the form of Claudio Yacob. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index Yacob has managed to make 19 tackles so far this season – more than any of his team mates.
- The Argentinean does need to improve on his discipline though, as he has committed 9 fouls – the second most in the league.
- Fulham may be concerned about the defensive efforts of Claudio Yacob, but they should not forget his fellow central midfielder Youssuf Mulumbu. Last weekend he made 5 interceptions, the second most in the league.
- Jonas Olsson is considered the lynchpin of West Brom's defence, and, looking at the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, it isn't hard to see why. The Swede has made a total of 38 defensive contributions so far this season (tackles, headers, blocks and clearances).
- Despite this, the young right back Billy Jones has bettered Olsson's efforts. The former Preston man has had an outstanding year, making 39 defensive contributions – the most in the West Brom team.


http://www.byfarthegreatestteam.com/posts/stats-hughes-blocks-for-fulham-vs-yacobs-tackles-for-west-brom/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's Sascha Riether can fire at 40/1 for long shot punters
Fanciful full-back to show West Brom strikers how to find the back of the net at a gigantic price.

Lurking at the bottom of the first goalscorer market, Sascha Riether will be an unfamiliar name to many of you.

However, all you need to know are two things: he plays for Fulham and he's a sensational value bet at 40/1 to score first against West Bromwich Albion.

The German's dynamic bursts from right-back are set to leave the Baggies in a spin.

Despite the plethora of talent within Fulham's ranks – Dimitar Berbatov, Adel Taarabt and Darren Bent – Riether, despite being a defender, is responsible for a huge chunk of their attacking menace.

To an extent that 43% of Fulham attacks have come down his right flank this season.

Riether, who racked up over 100 points in fantasy football last season due to his escapades in the final third, has quick feet, a sharp attacking mind and scary creative skills for a defender.

West Brom's makeshift left-back Jonas Olsson was given the run around by nippy winger Wayne Routledge against Swansea two weeks ago in West Brom's 2-0 defeat, highlighting his lack of flexibility in adapting from his usual role at centre-back.

Routledge created four good chances for his teammates and missed two of his own.

Olsson's clear weakness at dealing with a direct winger will be an area that the tactically shrewd Fulham manager Martin Jol will be targeting, with Riether at the forefront.

He'll fancy his chances against the cumbersome Swede and although he has only ever scored one goal for Fulham, his chances of netting first against the Baggies are much stronger than 40/1.

Prices likes these don't come around often: act on it.

Jol's men, who can be backed at 11/10 to grab the three points, can only boast a smash-and-grab away win at Sunderland to their name this season as defeats at Newcastle and at home to Arsenal have blunted their progress.

Including last season, Fulham have only won twice in their last 11 league matches and have been a shambles at Craven Cottage, losing five on the bounce.

The Baggies, a 12/5 shot for a much needed away win, are in a similar slump of form, winning just once in their last 12 Premier League games and taking just one point from their opening three outings this campaign.

Worryingly for their followers, they have also yet to find the net in those three games.

Riether can show the West Brom striker how it's done at 40/1.


- See more at: http://bwinbetting.com/uncategorized/fulhams-sascha-riether-fire-401-long-shot-punters,44848.html?#sthash.MfRALfjN.dpuf

[WhiteJC]

 
Trotta can be a major player for Brentford says manager Uwe Rosler

MANAGER Uwe Rosler believes on-loan striker Marcello Trotta can play a big role in Brentford's promotion challenge.

The 20-year-old Italian has re-joined the Bees from Fulham in a deal that runs to January and is lined up to play against Tranmere at Prenton Park today.

Trotta scored nine goals in 29 appearances while on loan at the League One club last season.

However, he missed a last-minute penalty in their final game against Doncaster, which effectively cost the west London club automatic promotion.

"I think human nature is that people always try and focus on negative things instead of positive things," Rosler said.

"A lot of people are judging Marcello's loan spell last season on the missed penalty against Doncaster.

"I judge his loan spell on the fact he joined us on the 24th of November and after that we went 10 games unbeaten and seven of them we won.

"Marcello played every game. He had a massive impact at that time and started our momentum."

Trotta's first game back with the Bees this season was cut short when he was substituted after 27 minutes in the 4-0 defeat at Bradford last Saturday after goalkeeper David Button was sent off.

Rosler said: "We have to give him time to settle in again as he didn't have the greatest pre-season at Fulham."

Brentford, big spenders in the summer, have been busy in the loan market this week.

They signed Sheffield Wednesday defender Martin Taylor. The 33-year-old has not featured for the Owls this season.

The former Blackburn and Birmingham man moves to Griffin Park on a one-month deal but that could eventually be extended.

Brentford fought off competition from Serie A side Bologna to sign Liverpool youngster Joao Carlos Teixeira.

The Portugal Under 20 international cost the Reds around £1million from Sporting Lisbon last year after he impressed playing against them playing in the NextGen Series.


http://www.wirralnews.co.uk/tranmere-rovers-fc/tranmere-rovers-fc-news/2013/09/14/80491-33842916/?

[WhiteJC]

 
PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW – FULHAM V WEST BROMWICH ALBION



West Brom have made a sluggish start to the season, failing to score in the process of collecting just a single point from three matches. Steve Clarke has reacted by bringing in the attack-minded trio of Morgan Amalfitano, Victor Anichebe and Stephane Sessegnon, but history shows that the Baggies have not recorded a league victory at Fulham since October 1967.

Martin Jol's men have been in woeful form on their own patch, suffering five consecutive defeats, though they have fallen victim to the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. The visitors have lost nine times in 14 top-flight trips themselves, so the Cottagers start as strong favourites (51%) as they attempt to get back to winning ways and move up the table.

Meetings between two teams searching for form can often be low-scoring affairs and we are therefore backing under 2.5 goals (55%) here. This has been the case in five of the previous eight West Brom away fixtures, whilst Fulham have been held to one goal or less in nine of their most recent 12 games on home soil. Do not expect both teams to score (52%), as this has happened just once in the Baggies' last eight trips.



Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals (55%) at 24/25 with Betfair (best odds available at time of writing)

Please be aware when betting that it usually takes a few games for things to settle down at the start of a new season.



http://www.kickoff.co.uk/7293/premier-league-preview-fulham-v-west-bromwich-albion/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Example: 'Fulham have the most chilled out front line

Singer and Fulham fan Example joined the Weekend Sports Breakfast to discuss the new arrivals at Craven Cottage and the release of his latest single 'All The Wrong Places'.

The 2012 Brit nominee says he's been impressed by the arrivals of players such as Scott Parker, Darren Bent and Adel Taarabt this summer but believes the team lack a man to link up play.

He said: "Berbatov's amazing when he wants to play and when he seems in the mood. But even with Bent, Taarabt and Berbatov up front - I don't want to use the word 'lazy' so I'm going to go with the words 'chilled out' - but with them three we have the most chilled out front line in the Premier League."

Example added his new album, expected to be released in March, has 'more of a 90s feel to it' and is influenced by the likes of The Prodigy and Chemical Brothers.



Read more at http://talksport.com/football/example-fulham-have-most-chilled-out-front-line-13091460004#WoZq3xhX8Qtc0xj0.99