Sunday Fulham Stuff (15/09/13)...

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FFC U18s 4-3 Man City U18s

Fulham Under-18s maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 4-3 victory over Manchester City at Motspur Park on Saturday afternoon.

Moussa Dembele grabbed a brace, with Patrick Roberts and George Williams also on target, while Marek Rodak also saved a penalty towards the end.

After Charlie Oliver was denied by Rodak early on, it was the Whites who took the lead when Dembele slotted home after connecting with Dean O'Halloran's cross from a wide position.

Rodak was in action again shortly after when he kept out a City free-kick, before Dembele doubled the lead from the penalty spot following a foul in the box on Williams.

With the second half under way, Roberts got in on the action when he finished into the far corner following good work by Dembele, although the visitors pulled one back through Jorge Intima.

The in-form Williams soon restored the three-goal advantage, though, with a fine solo effort, but when Cameron Burgess turned into his own net it ensured a nervy finale for the Whites.

It could have been even more tense when substitute Noe Baba gave away a penalty with three minutes remaining, but the excellent Rodak managed to tip the subsequent spot-kick around the post.

Thierry Ambrose did grab a third goal for the Blues in stoppage time, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation as Steve Wigley's charges held on to secure all three points.

Fulham team: 1. Rodak, 2. Sheckleford, 3. Evans, 4. Donnelly, 5. Burgess, 6. Sambou, 7. O'Halloran, 8. Hyndman, 9. Dembele, 10. Roberts, 11. Williams

Subs: 13. Norman, 14. Smile, 15. Baba, 16. Nabay, 17. Leacock-McLeod

Manchester City team: 1. Gunn, 2. Maffeo, 3. Oseni, 4. Oliver, 5. Angelino, 6. Horsfield, 7. Intima, 8. Boadu, 9. Lima, 10. Bryan, 11. Barker

Subs: 12. Assiana, 14. O'Brien, 15. Smith-Brown, 16. McHale, 17. Ambrose



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/september/14/ffc-u18s-man-city-u18s?

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Fulham 1 West Brom 1: McAuley denies end to Cottagers' dismal home run with late, late equaliser

Martin Jol hit back at the Craven Cottage boo-boys who called for his sacking after Gareth McAuley's soaring injury-time header denied Fulham a home victory for the sixth successive match.

The Dutchman insisted that four points from four games and a mid-table position were not reasons to press the panic button.

VIDEO  Scroll down to see Martin Jol's response to Fulham's disappointing result


Late, late show: Gareth McAuley (right) of West Bromwich Albion celebrates after scoring extra-time equaliser


Towering Gareth McAuley rises above everyone to score a stoppage time equaliser

'It's disappointing to hear the fans chanting Jol out,' said the Fulham manager. 'But I tell the players you cannot fight expectation.
It's not as if we're bottom of the table. We're 12th but if you expect too much you can get a shock.

'We played well but we couldn't get the second goal. When you soak up pressure at the end, there's always a chance you'll concede.'

Jol was happy with the performance of his side, bar the late lapse in concentration which led to the Baggies levelling matters.
'If you soak up pressure in the last 10, 15 minutes, it is always possible to concede a goal.

'It is always the same in football. If you score one goal and they smell blood, you have to score another one.

'I haven't experienced three offside goals in one match before, especially the one from Berbatov. I thought that probably was not offside.

'The third one with Bryan Ruiz, he should have scored. He was six or seven yards out and he hit the bar.'

Ruiz will undergo a scan to determine the extent of his injury while Berbatov went off with a hamstring problem.

Jol's opposite number, Steve Clarke, witnessed his team climb off the foot of the table with their first league goal of the season after more than 360 minutes of football.


On target: Fulham's Steve Sidwell, left, scores the first goal past West Bromwich Albion's Billy Jones


Good times: Fulham players celebrate a goal scored by Steve Sidwell at Craven Cottage

Steve Sidwell bossed central midfield despite getting forward to net Fulham's goal, check out stats from the game with Sportsmail's brilliant Match Zone


Forced to start without record signing Stephane Sessegnon, whose work permit was delayed, and the injured Shane Long, he was delighted that his team's character was rewarded.

'There were signs in the second half when we showed that we we will be a force in the Premier league again this season,' said the West Brom manager.     

Jol's men had looked like winners for most of the game, taking the lead in the 22nd minute.

Their goal came from the same corner as McAuley's equaliser and the centre-back was involved again as he challenged Philippe Senderos for Alexander Kacaniklic's cross only to the see the ball drop to Steve Sidwell, whose volley bounced through the hands of keeper Boaz Myhill.

With Scott Parker pulling the strings in midfield Fulham created opportunities.

Dimitar Berbatov twice had efforts ruled out offside.

For Albion, Nicolas Anelka lacked the finishing touch from two opportunities set up by new signing Victor Anichebe.

Clarke's team should have been finished off six minutes from time when Brian Ruiz was left unmarked ten yards out, but only managed to hit the bar. McAuley made Fulham pay as he soared to power home Chris Brunt's injury-time flag kick


Uncle Bulgaria: Dimitar Berbatov (left) is tackled by WBA'S Jonas Olsson

Cottage industry: Pajtim Kasami of Fulham (left) is challenged by Claudio Yacob of West Bromwich Albion

Ref justice: Martin Jol (left) talks to official Lee Probert after an accidental clash between Pajtim Kasami and Liam Ridgewell

Not all bad: At least Fulham fans saw the Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders perform on the pitch at half-time

No go: Dimitar Berbatov (centre) of Fulham reacts after his goal was disallowed against West Brom

If looks could kill: Fulham manager Martin Jol despairs at the late equaliser


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2420160/Fulham-1-West-Brom-1-Cottagers-dismal-home-run-continues-McAuley-equalises-extra-time.html#ixzz2ewQMTL5p
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Premier League: Gareth McAuley rescues late point for West Brom in 1-1 draw at Fulham

A late header from Gareth McAuley rescued a point for West Brom as they fought out a 1-1 draw with Fulham in the Premier League at Craven Cottage.

Chances were few and far between in the early stages of the game, but it was the hosts who opened the scoring midway through the first half when Steve Sidwell fired past Boaz Myhill on the turn after Alexander Kacaniklic's corner fell into his path.

Dimitar Berbatov found himself denied by the offside flag twice, with a marginally close call ruling out his second attempt before he almost doubled Fulham's lead with an acrobatic effort after a neat ball from Bryan Ruiz.

The introductions of Scott Sinclair, James Morrison and Saido Berahino gave West Brom an added impetus and they eventually levelled when Gareth McAuley guided Chris Brunt's last-minute corner past a helpless Stockdale.

Fulham had looked like ending a five-match winless streak at Craven Cottage following Sidwell's first-half strike but now the run is six since the April 1 defeat of QPR.

The Baggies had been toiling up until the equaliser, but returned to the West Midlands content, while Martin Jol's hosts and their fans were left frustrated, a vocal minority even calling at the final whistle for the Dutchman to be relieved of his duties.

West Brom had not found the net since the final day of last season, but prospects of ending the drought appeared promising - on paper at least - as Steve Clarke deployed a heavyweight strike-force in Anichebe and Nicolas Anelka.

Anichebe and on-loan Marseille midfielder Morgan Amalfitano made their Baggies bows, but Stephane Sessegnon, another deadline day signing, missed out due to a delay in obtaining his work permit.

Amalfitano was part of a visiting midfield which stifled Fulham's efforts in the final third until Ruiz flashed an early effort wide after Pajtim Kasami's cross was only half cleared.

Kacaniklic's set-piece found Philippe Senderos, who held off McAuley to nod down for Sidwell to hit a shot on the turn between Youssouf Mulumbu, who was on the post, and goalkeeper Myhill.

Berbatov was clearly offside when he had a strike ruled out after 32 minutes before Brunt tried an audacious shot from 40 yards to revive Albion, but the midfielder shot wide of David Stockdale's goal.

Berbatov was adjudged to be offside once more when tucking in a Kasami pass. Had the marginal call gone in the Bulgarian's favour then Fulham would have been cruising but as it was the visitors were still in the contest.

The Baggies should have been level when Anichebe latched onto Brunt's pass and lost Brede Hangeland, but the former Everton forward's shot lacked conviction as Stockdale blocked with his legs.

Berbatov had a legitimate opportunity when making an arching run to meet Ruiz's superb pass, but Myhill was alert to save.

The same combination went close when Ruiz drifted in field and lofted a pass over which Berbatov met acrobatically, directing the ball just wide.

The visitors needed a lift and it almost came when substitute Morrison's pass was brought down and held up by Anichebe.

Ruiz hit the bar six minutes from time and substitute Hugo Rodallega netted the rebound, only for the strike to be ruled out for offside.

Fulham, who saw Ruiz depart on a stretcher after an awkward fall, were made to pay.

The Baggies won a corner and Brunt's delivery was met by McAuley, whose header flew into the net.



http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/287318/report?

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Fulham 1 West Bromwich Albion 1: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Fulham and West Bromwich Albion at Craven Cottage on Saturday Sept 14, 2013.


On target: Steve Sidwell, the Fulham midfielder, fired the hosts into a first-half lead at Craven Cottage
Photo: GETTY IMAGES

A sense of unrest is beginning to creep in at Fulham, with this latest setback greeted by a chorus of boos and even a small pocket of "Jol out" cries.

Outright revolt at Craven Cottage remains some way off, but there is certainly a growing sense of frustration among the club's fan base following a sixth home league game without a win.

After an opening day success at Sunderland, Fulham have gone three matches without victory and with a new owner, American billionaire Shahid Khan, now in place, their manager, Martin Jol, will not want any early-season malaise to extend too far.

The Dutchman does, however, feel that current criticism of him is unwarranted.

"It is not that we're bottom of the league with one point or zero points, we have four points with six or seven other teams," said Jol, who had described this as an "almost must-win" game in the build-up.

"It is a bit disappointing that there are people that probably think we should be [doing a lot better].

"I always say to the players as well, it is very hard to fight expectations and expectations can make you very unhappy.

"I would say it is the same with women as well. If you expect too much of them, you could wake up in the morning with a big shock."

Steve Sidwell had fired the hosts in front midway through the first half, with West Brom keeper Boaz Myhill unable to keep out his stinging right-foot effort, after Alexander Kacaniklic corner had dropped to him 12 yards out.

Dimitar Berbatov had two goals ruled out for offside, one was debatable, before failing to beat Myhill when clean through on another occasion, while Bryan Ruiz hit the underside of the bar in the dying minutes before being stretchered off with an ankle injury that Jol described as "quite serious".

For West Brom, the wait for a first win of the season goes on, but at least they now have their first goal.

It had looked as though their drought would extend beyond a fourth match, but Gareth McAuley ended more than 360 barren minutes, as he rose to meet Chris Brunt's corner.

West Brom manager Steve Clarke is confident his team will quickly add to their tally of two points.

"There are good signs that we are going to be a strong force in the Premier League again this season," he said.

Match details
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Stockdale 7; Riether 6, Senderos 6, Hangeland 6, Richardson (Amorebieta 67) 6; Sidwell 7, Parker 6; Ruiz (Duff 90) 6, Kasami 7, Kacaniklic 6; Berbatov (Rodallega 77) 7.
Subs: Etheridge (g), Zverotic, Karagounis, Taarabt.

West Bromwich Albion (4-4-2): Myhill 6; Jones 6, McAuley 7, Olsson 6, Ridgewell 6; Amalfitano (Sinclair 63) 7, Mulumbu 6, Yacob (Morrison 63) 6, Brunt 7; Anelka 6, Anichebe (Berahino 77) 6.
Subs: Daniels (g), Dawson, Popov, Rosenberg, Berahino.
Booked: Jones.

Referee: L Probert (Wiltshire).


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10302641/Fulham-1-West-Bromwich-Albion-1-match-report.html

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West Bromwich Albion late show by Gareth McAuley seals draw at Fulham

Fulham 1 West Brom 1

It takes more than pom-pom girls to please Fulham fans. The club's new owner, Shahid Khan, arranged for cheerleaders from his American football franchise, the Jacksonville Jaguars, to entertain the Craven Cottage crowd at half-time but a late goal for West Bromwich Albion meant the final whistle brought jeers – and, ominously for the home team's manager, scattered chants of "Jol Out".

Those were the first serious displays of discontent with the Dutchman since his arrival at Fulham in 2011. If the unhappiness spreads, then we will find out how patient Khan is. This was a fixture that was always likely to leave at least one manager under pressure.

The fans of both clubs watched in the same way the farmers contemplate the sky, seeking signs of sunnier days ahead after an inclement start to the season.

There were bright patches but clouds still abound. The draw leaves Albion bottom of the Premier League, with only two points from four games, while Fulham are 12th with only two more.

Martin Jol says calling for his head is premature. "If we were bottom of the league I would understand it, but we are 12th and unfortunate not to have six points," he said, before warning of the dangers of being too demanding.

"It is a bit like with women. If you expect too much, you could wake up in the morning and be in for a big shock."

For most of the match Fulham seemed on course for victory. Steve Sidwell had put them ahead in the 22nd minute with their first effort on target when he fired into the net after the ball broke to him from a corner by Alexander Kacaniklic.

Albion were looking short of ideas. It was easy to see why they had not scored in their first three Premier League matches. Steve Clarke had sought to solve his side's creativity problems during the transfer window but bureaucracy is no respecter of urgency and the debut of the Benin international Stéphane Sessesgnon was delayed by what Clarke termed "a technical glitch" with the issuing of his work permit.

Shane Long was also missing, having returned from international duty with a knee injury that is expected to rule him out for two weeks. However, Clarke was able to give debuts to striker Victor Anichebe and Morgan Amalfitano, the midfielder borrowed from Marseille.

Anichebe did well, his power and hold-up play posing particular difficulty to Philippe Senderos, but the closest Albion came to scoring in the first half was a 25-yard drive from Chris Brunt that hurtled narrowly wide.

Fulham were looking slicker and more inventive without ever reaching rarefied heights. Albion improved in the second period and Anichebe forced a good save from David Stockdale in the 52nd minute.

Boaz Myhill had to make a similar block at the other end six minutes later to thwart Dimitar Berbatov after a sly pass from Bryan Ruiz. That ingenious pair combined again seven minutes later, the Costa Rican feeding Berbatov, who tried to crown a sparkling move with a suitable finish but his acrobatic volley flew just over.

Fulham had three goals ruled out for offside but Albion were threatening too. However, Ruiz should have secured victory in the 84th minute but cannoned a 10-yard shot against the crossbar. Moments later Ruiz was carried off on a stretcher after damaging his ankle in a challenge with Jonas Olsson. "It looks serious," fretted Jol.

During stoppage time for that injury Albion equalised, Gareth McAuley soaring superbly to meet a Brunt corner and sending a powerful header into the net. Jol added: "That's what happens when you soak up pressure for the last 10 or 15 minutes. When you score a goal and smell blood, you have to kill them off."

Clarke saluted his players' character. "We persevered," he said, before declaring that he and Jol will do the same. "It is a difficult league and people are always going to put you under pressure but I'm sure Martin will do the same as myself: get his head down and work hard."



http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/14/fulham-west-bromwich-albion-premier-league?

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Fulham 1 West Brom 1 match report: Baggies' late leveller puts pressure on Martin Jol
Fine Sidwell strike had given the Cottagers an early lead but they couldn't hold on for their first win of the season

Fulham's new owner passed up the chance to watch his team yesterday, for which Martin Jol may be grateful. Managers are always vulnerable when a club changes hands and the Dutchman would not have wanted Shahid Khan to hear chants of 'Jol out' after Fulham threw away the chance to secure their first home win since April.

"It is disappointing," said Jol, "If we were bottom of league I could understand but we are 12, with four points, like many other teams. It is only a minority, but it is like with women, high expectations can make you unhappy."

Jol had a face like thunder when Gareth McAuley powered in a 93rd-minute header to score West Bromwich Albion's first goal of the season and avert a growing crisis for their manager, Steve Clarke. The goal rewarded Albion's strong finish but Fulham should have settled the match long before, their sporadically bright football carving out several good opportunities. Only one was taken, Steve Sidwell volleying in a loose ball from close range after Philippe Senderos and McAuley had tussled for a after 23rd-minute Alexander Kacaniklic corner. Three other goals were ruled out for offside with the last, a volley by Hugo Rodallega five minutes from time being a marginal call though as Jol pointed out, Bryan Ruiz should have scored earlier in the move but hit the bar. Fulham's miserable finale was capped when Ruiz fell awkwardly on his ankle and was taken off by stretcher. "It looks serious," said Jol, "but we have to wait for the scan"

Albion had finished last season scoring five against Manchester United, but that was when Romelu Lukaku led their front line. This season they have found goals elusive. In an attempt to rectify that Clarke spent £13m on deadline day on Victor Anichebe and Stephane Sessegnon. Anichebe made his debut yesterday but Sessegnon 's work permit application hot what Clarke called 'a glitch'. He expects it to be resolved. With Shane Long and Matej Vydra injured Clarke was grateful Nicolas Anelka had unretired. The Frenchman's heyday, however, is long gone and he squandered a brace of fine chances.

With Anichebe rolling Brede Hageland but then shooting at Stockdale, it seemed Albion would draw another blank. Then substitutes Scott Sinclair and Saido Beradino – who gave a bright cameo – forced a corner. Chris Brut delivered and McAuley sent the Albion fans into rapture. "It was", said Clarke with some understatement, "a really important goal for us".

Referee: Lee Probert.

Booked: Jones

Attendance: 25,560

Man of the match: Kasami

Match rating: 6/10


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-1-west-brom-1-match-report-baggies-late-leveller-puts-pressure-on-martin-jol-8816556.html

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Concern for injured Fulham star Ruiz

Fulham fear Bryan Ruiz suffered a serious ankle injury during their 1-1 draw at home to West Brom.

The Costa Rican winger was stretchered off late on and Whites boss Martin Jol admitted the club are fearing the worst.

Jol, whose team conceded an injury-time equaliser, said: "The injury to Ruiz looks quite serious.

"We will have to wait for a scan and see what the problem is – but it is with his ankle. We do not know how severe it is yet but we will see."

Striker Dimitar Berbatov was also forced to come off in the second half but Jol does not expect a problem with his hamstring to be serious.

"Berbatov had a hamstring problem and gave us a signal he wanted to come off," the Dutchman added.

"Hopefully we brought him off just in time. I don't think it will be serious."



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/concern-for-injured-fulham-star-ruiz?

[WhiteJC]

 
The View From South Texas — FFC v. WBA

by HatterDon

Well, That Was More Like It

Both Martin Jol and Steve Clarke described today's match as "must win." So, naturally, it wound up a draw. Both sides worked hard and, although Fulham were certainly the more unlucky in front of goal, a draw was a fair result over the run of play.

Fulham fielded a side filled with potential scapegoats: Richardson, Ruiz, Berbatov, Sidwell, and Arch Scapegoat Senderos. West Brom decided to keep their main danger man on the sub's bench and so the answer to the big question in the run-up to the match, "Who will have to mark Sinclair?" turned out to be "Clarke" – for at least the first hour or so. Victor Anichebe did feature and, for the first half, engaged in a very entertaining duel with Philippe Senderos.

Last season, Steve Clarke was the only manager in the Premier League who didn't know that the way to stifle Fulham was to pressure our slow attackers and stop us from turning. As a result, we got six points from them that a better organized Albion might have kept for themselves. Today, Clarke's side looked a bit more proactive, and there was a right battle up and down the pitch for 90+ minutes.

Fulham featured a starting XI that included Kacaniklic and Kasami, with both Ruiz and Berbatov in "creative attacking roles." In other words, Fulham fielded a 4-6-0 at home. Unlike previous weeks however, Berbatov spent most of his time closer to the opposing keeper than to his own, and his presence, along with Kasami's strength and aggression made Fulham a difficult side to contain. Special K was either thrilling or invisible throughout the match, but he was involved in most of the good things Fulham did in attack. In the 22nd minute, Fulham won a corner after a neat overlap by Richardson. Kacaniklic took the corner and with a leaping, twisting header, Senderos put the ball in Steve Sidwell's reach, and the English midfielder's poise in front of goal rewarded Fulham's desperate supporters. 1-0 was a fair result, and it was heartening seeing the club immediately go for a second. Berbatov put the ball in the net twice more but was ruled offside on each occasion – one of them as close a call as you're likely to see.

In the second half, Anichebe's all out wrestling match with Senderos was interrupted when the Nigerian giant moved over to confront Hangeland. He easily rolled Fulham's captain but fired a weak strike that Stockdale handled somewhat less than comfortably. That was the closest West Brom had come to a convincing chance. Everything changed, though, when West Brom brought on Sinclair and McAuley in the 63rd minute. Jol had just taken off a tiring Richardson for Amorebieta [the first ever Venezuelan in the Premier League according to the International Feed's announcers], when Sinclair came on and immediately pressured our left back playing centre half.

From this point on, West Brom looked the team most likely. And so it was a surprise, really, when – on a top quality counter attack – several Fulham players contrived to get the ball to Bryan Ruiz's feet inside the Albion penalty area. Ruiz collected himself and lofted a gorgeous ball that rebounded off the cross bar and out. Two seconds later, Fulham had the ball in the net courtesy of Rodallega [who had come in for Berbatov] but AGAIN the goal was disallowed for offside. I saw the replay three times; perhaps a fourth will convince me that SOMEBODY in Fulham colors was offside on that play. Never mind. Stockdale, after an uncertain performance, delivered a spectacular save and, after a scary looking injury for Fulham's Costa Rican creator, the 90 minutes were well up.

Then came extra time – six minutes of it. West Brom were pouring it on and, after Fulham conceded a corner, Brunt found Gareth McAuley haring into the penalty area. The Albion sub beat Hangeland to the ball and headed past the Fulham defense into the net. The increased quality and creativity that West Brom showed after the double substitution of Sinclair and McAuley was rewarded.

Interestingly, after West Brom's first goal of the season – two minutes into injury time of their FOURTH match – the visitors were the hungrier to get the decider. But that never came. Points shared, and it's hard to argue that it's an unfair result – even with the three disallowed Fulham "goals."

Who looked good? Well, most everybody in white. Senderos had an excellent match in the main and mastered Anichebe. Riether did very well in defense and in attack. Ruiz was 75% wonderful and 25% rubbish. I still would like to see him in the role he plays for Costa Rica – a classic #10 pulling the strings – but that's not going to happen. I thought Berbatov had his best match for us, and despite his tendency to wander into irrelevant positions, Kacaniklic gives us a dimension we have lacked without Dejagah in the side – someone who will turn upfield with pace and menace. Kasami was somewhat uneven, but with an attack that is as languid and passive as Fulham's, he really needs to be up there – especially if we're not going to play Taarabt. For Albion, the guy that caught my eye was Morgan Amalfitano. His play on the right nicely balances Brunt's on the left. Once he's gotten his Premiership legs, West Brom could give a lot of sides a lot of trouble.

Yes, Fulham dropped two points in injury time. Yes, we gave up the first goal Albion scored this season. Yes we still give up more shots on goal than any other Premier League side. But I still think today's performance was "more like it." We defended the fortress for the most part; we attacked early and often. We played with conviction and, occasionally, some pace. I was pleased to see the way we played the damn game, okay?

HatterDon's Man of the Match is Scott Parker. I believe we have our Danny Murphy replacement, and – if we play in the manner we played today – I think he'll be good enough to keep us out of trouble this year.

Who's next? Who cares? Our home losing streak is over!



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=414

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham fans need lower expectations, blasts Jol

Audible chants of 'Jol out' greeted the final whistle after Gareth McAuley's injury-time header cancelled out Steve Sidwell's first-half volley and denied the hosts two points

Martin Jol believes Fulham fans need to get real after being booed off the pitch by sections of the home support following Saturday's home draw with West Brom.

Audible chants of 'Jol out' also greeted the final whistle at Craven Cottage, after Gareth McAuley's injury time header cancelled out Steve Sidwell's 22nd-minute volley to ensure the Cottagers have now gone six home games without a win.

Jol thinks the reaction was uncalled for after a start to the season which has seen Fulham take four points from as many matches, and called on the club's supporters to lower their expectations.

"Sometimes it can be a habit," the Dutchman said of the booing.

"If we were bottom of the league I'd understand it, but we're 13th in the league now and were a bit unfortunate – we should have had six points. It's disappointing.

"I say it to the players as well. It's very hard to fight expectations. Expectations can make you very unhappy. If you look at the players we're getting in, they're better than we've ever had before, so if all the players are available we can create something nice. If not, it's not the end of the world.

"I always say it's the same with women. If you expect too much of them you can wake up in the morning and get a big shock, but if you don't expect a lot it's fine.

"We're 13th in the league and we've got players coming back next week. We're not bottom of the league, we've got four points like six or seven other teams. Hopefully it's a minority. If not, what can I do?"

Fulham spurned a number of chances to kill the game off before McAuley's late equaliser, and afterwards Jol could not hide his frustration at two points that got away.

"If you soak up pressure for the last 10, 15 minutes it's always possible to concede a goal," he added.

"If you score one goal and they smell blood, you have to score another one. I've never experienced three offside goals in one match. The third one with Ruiz, he should have scored but he hit the bar.

"We were unfortunate not to score the second one, then the game would have been over."

West brom boss Steve Clarke was pleased at the persistence his side showed to claim a draw, even though the Baggies remain winless in the Premier League this season.

"I thought we played well, certainly better than the last performance at home, which was disappointing," he insisted. 

"I thought we were comfortable in the game, and the goal against came from nothing – sloppy marking at a set-piece, and that rocked us a little bit.

"In the second half we played good football, and created good chances that, on another day when your confidence is higher, become goals.

"To keep going and get the goal in injury time was great, and shows the character of the players."



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2013/09/14/4261671/-?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's international scene

by Sheepskin Junior

As I sit bored out of my mind, on a free period at school, my mind drifts to the England game tonight and the international Fulham interests. I know Frankie has already written his international watch, but this is more to do with the diversity in our squad for the season.

Our 3 first team goalkeepers seems a good place to start. 2 out of the 3 are first choice internationals, with the English 'keeper yet to make an appearance. Maarten Stekelenburg has been the main Dutch number 1 since the retirement of the great Edwin Van Der Sar. Neil Etheridge, despite his age, stands between the sticks for the Philippines and unfortunately for David Stockdale, the best he has managed is the England bench.

At the back, Sascha Riether – arguably our best defender – has only made two appearances for the German national team. Something of an injustice you might say; until you remember that he's being kept out of the squad by Phillip Lahm. Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes are (or were in Hughes' case) the captains for their respective countries, Norway and Northern Ireland.  John Arne Riise has made over 100 caps for his native Norway, now retired to focus on his club performances. His left-back rivals, Kieran Richardson and Matthew Briggs, appeared for England at U21, with the former playing for the full team on a few occasions. Back in the centre, Philippe Senderos and Fernando Amorebieta have been main features of their respective Switzerland and Venezuela. Finally, our new Chris Baird, Elsad Zverotic, is a regular in the Montenegro team, appearing against England on more than one occasion.

Steve Sidwell in midfield has not received a single international call-up for England, potentially due to his poor disciplinary record. Pajtim Kasami is yet to make a full international appearance for Switzerland, but he has featured greatly in their youth set up and Olympic squad. Alex Kacaniklic has received the highest of praises from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whom he has played many times with for Sweden. Giorgios Karagounis, as I believe Frankie pointed out, will be making appearance 126 for Greece. Nothing more to say on him. Duffer has been one of the first names on the Irish teamsheet for years. Adel Taraabt has only been playing for Morocco since 2009 and has made 15 appearances. Derek Boateng isn't a Ghana regular per se, but has featured nearly 50 times. Ashkan Dejagah is an interesting one. At every youth level, he played in the German national team. Upon reaching full international status, he was pulling on an Iranian shirt instead of trying his luck getting in to the German 11. The last midfielder is the only man I would personally be proud to see wearing the captain's armband for England. He hasn't featured as much as I would think fit, but is still influential in the England team when he plays.

Up front; Marcello Trotta has played for the Italian youth set up, with the highest level being the U19s. Dimitar Berbatov, now retired, scored many a goal for his native Bulgaria. Bryan Ruiz captains Costa Rica, having featured 55 times. Hugo Rodallega plays with the Columbian team. Finally, Darren Bent is a potential call up for Uncle Woy's England.

To conclude, our internationals are:

England – 6 (only 3 of which have played)

Netherlands – 1 (played)

Philippines – 1 (played)

Norwegian – 2 (both played, 1 retired)

Switzerland – 2 (1 played full international)

Northern Ireland – 1 (played, retired)

Montenegro – 1 (played)

Germany – 1 (played)

Venezuela – 1 (played)

Sweden – 1 (played)

Greece – 1 (played, still going, amazingly)

Republic of Ireland – 1 (played)

Morocco – 1 (played)

Ghana – 1 (played)

Iranian – 1 (played)

Bulgaria – 1 (played, retired)

Costa Rica – 1 (played)

Columbia – 1 (played)

Italy – 1 (not played full international)



This is all rather diverse, but is that for better or worse?



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=412

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss Martin Jol bemoans missed chances in 1-1 draw with West Brom

Fulham manager Martin Jol believes that his side had the chances to claim all three points in their 1-1 draw with West Brom.

Steve Sidwell put the Cottagers ahead with a first-half strike before Gareth McAuley's late header ensured that the spoils would be shared, leaving Fulham with four points from their opening four games.

Jol's men had three goals ruled out for offside prior to the equaliser, but the Dutchman thinks that Fulham should have made the most of the opportunities they created.

"We have to take it as it is. We have to take it on the chest, pick ourselves up and go on," he told Sky Sports.

"It's not easy to find these high expectation levels on the other hand, we should have won this game. We should have scored the second goal, we had three or four opportunities - Berbatov had two great chances.

"The keeper did well on the first one, the second was a volley and I don't think he was offside when he scored.

"Of course there was one he should have scored from close range and he didn't so I think it was in the net three times and it didn't count.

"So we were a bit unfortunate but on the other hand, we soaked up the pressure. There's always a chance to concede a goal and that's exactly what we did."

Jol also bemoaned the manner of the equalising goal, with Gareth McAuley converting a Chris Brunt corner in the last minute.

"The corner kick - we should have done better - if you attack the ball, you don't give them the chance. It was a good leap but on the other hand, we've got good defenders, we've got all the size in the world so to concede a goal like that is very disappointing," he said.

"When you saw the last 10 or 15 minutes, we looked a bit tired. Of course we had a lot of players on international duty, but on the other hand, the main thing is to keep going and score a goal and then it's over with.

"We couldn't do that so we have to live with that result.

"I feel we played almost the same as we did against Sunderland in the first game away from home. I think the balance was better because of course, we had the new players, but even Bent was out with an injury."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8922312/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol bemoans Fulham's lack of killer instinct

Fulhm boss Martin Jol criticised his side's inability to turn dominance into a second goal as a late Gareth McAuley rescued West Brom a point in the 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.

Steve Sidwell opened the scoring for the Cottagers but Fulham were unable to double their lead as chances went begging.

They were made to pay for their profligacy and Jol said: "I'm gutted we lost two points today. It was a good game of football.

"I think we should have scored a second goal and then the game is over with but we didn't do that.

"At the end we looked a bit tired and then there's a corner kick and that's normally the easiest one to defend but we didn't engage and attack the ball and then they scored the equaliser."


Read more at http://talksport.com/football/jol-bemoans-fulhams-lack-killer-instinct-13091460085#JouScI982i4DW9Kr.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol blasts Fulham boo-boys after West Brom stalemate

MARTIN Jol cannot understand why some sections of the Craven Cottage crowd were calling for his head at the final whistle of this afternoon's stalemate with West Bromwich Albion.

Chants of 'Jol out' could be heard at full-time as Gareth McAuley headed in a dramatic injury-time equaliser to cancel out Steve Sidwell's first-half strike for the hosts.

The draw means Fulham are still waiting for their first home win of the campaign and leaves the Whites in 13th position in the Barclays Premier League.

Fulham manager Jol was surprised to hear the boos ring out in SW6 and believes a reality check is needed and warned of the negative effects the chants can have on the team.

Jol said: "Sometimes [booing the team] can be a habit. If we were bottom of the league I would understand it but we are 12th and a bit unfortunate – we should have had six points.

"They are disappointing these people [who boo the team]. I always say to the players it is always hard to fight expectations.
Expectations can make you very unhappy.

"If you look at the players I have got in – good players and better players than ever before – if all the players were available we could create something nice. If not then it is not end of the world.

"We are 12th in league - it is not a big problem with the quality we've got. We played against Arsenal, Sunderland away we got a good result.

"Today we should have won but okay we are not bottom of the league with zero points. It's disappointing that there are some people that think otherwise."

The games keep coming and don't get any easier for Fulham with a tricky looking derby clash with Chelsea to follow this draw with the Baggies.


http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2013/09/14/82029-33846306/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham sweat over Ruiz injury

BRYAN Ruiz will have a scan to determine the extent of an ankle injury picked up in this afternoon's stalemate with West Bromwich Albion.

The Cost Rica international was carried off moments before Gareth McAuley headed in an injury-time equaliser to cancel out Steve Sidwell's opener at Craven Cottage.

Ruiz looked in considerable pain as he went down on the halfway line under the challenge of Liam Ridgewell and Fulham are now sweating on the fitness of the forward.

Whites bos Martin Jol said:"[Bryan] Ruiz's [injury] looks quite serious so we have to scan him and wait and see what the problem is.

"It is with his ankle. I have no idea of the severity of it but we will see.

Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov, who had two goals chalked off for offside, was also withdrawn but Jol is more is more optimistic over the frontman's fitness.

He added: "Berbatov had a hamstring [problem]. I don't think that is serious. He gave us signal that he wanted to be substituted and hopefully it was just in time."



Read more: Fulham Chronicle http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2013/09/14/82029-33846305/?#ixzz2ewVzerm8

[WhiteJC]

 
Martin Jol's Postmatch Comments are Sickening

I've been on the #JolOut bandwagon for a few weeks now, and the manager has been slowly losing fan support for months.

Today, it reached a very ugly, very disturbing new low.

We'll take a look at some of the things Jol said following Fulham's 1-1 draw with table bottomfeeders West Brom.  Here's the full comments, and we'll break them down after:

"If we were bottom of the league I'd understand [the booing], but we're 13th in the league now and were a bit unfortunate – we should have had six points. It's disappointing. I say it to the players as well. It's very hard to fight expectations. Expectations can make you very unhappy. If you look at the players we're getting in, they're better than we've ever had before, so if all the players are available we can create something nice. If not, it's not the end of the world. I always say it's the same with women. If you expect too much of them you can wake up in the morning and get a big shock, but if you don't expect a lot it's fine. We're 13th in the league and we've got players coming back next week. We're not bottom of the league, we've got four points like six or seven other teams. Hopefully it's a minority. If not, what can I do?"

Oh my word.....

Not only has Martin Jol disrespected not only the fans but the club's expectations of growth by telling us not to expect much, but he did it with such idiocy and illogical arguments that I don't even know where to begin. Let's break it down.

"If we were bottom of the league I'd understand [the booing], but we're 13th in the league now and were a bit unfortunate – we should have had six points."

It's idiotic for Jol to be looking at our table position after four matches.  The fact we're in 13th place means nothing – absolutely nothing. Table-watching after four matches is beyond stupid. He should be focusing on results, and those have been non-existent.  We won't get to play poor sides like West Brom at home or Newcastle when they try to hand us the match – those chances for points have been lost.

"It's disappointing. I say it to the players as well. It's very hard to fight expectations. Expectations can make you very unhappy. If you look at the players we're getting in, they're better than we've ever had before, so if all the players are available we can create something nice. If not, it's not the end of the world."

This is the bit where he says the fans are expecting too much. Apparently it's too much to expect to beat a terrible West Brom team that hasn't even scored a goal yet this season. A team with zero points in three matches. If we shouldn't expect to beat the team with zero points and zero goals at home, who should we expect to beat, Martin?

And why is he grading the team on the players he has and not how they're performing? According to this quote, the team on paper is what matters and results on the pitch don't count.  And what is that last part all about? If we can't "create something nice" it's "not the end of the world?" So basically, he's saying if we win, great! If not, oh well.  WHAT?? So wins are BONUS? It's not the end of the world if we don't get points? OUR MANAGER DOESN'T REALLY GIVE A CRAP IF WE WIN OR NOT. That is like, literally the opposite of ambition.

"I always say it's the same with women. If you expect too much of them you can wake up in the morning and get a big shock, but if you don't expect a lot it's fine."

This is laughable.  He's basically saying Fulham are the acne-infested nerdy kid in school, and if you can't sleep with the hot girls, just sleep with the ugly ones instead! How in ANY WAY does this apply? I'm going to just ignore this as silliness.  It's not even close to the worst part of this mess, so we'll move on...

"We're 13th in the league and we've got players coming back next week. We're not bottom of the league, we've got four points like six or seven other teams. Hopefully it's a minority. If not, what can I do?"

What can you do? What can you do???? YOU CAN DO YOUR JOB AND GET RESULTS. We've got four points in four matches, including two incredibly beatable clubs at home. That's not acceptable, and it's not hard to see that.  But for some reason, our manager can't see that. Instead, he'd rather throw his arms up, make excuses, and actually tell fans there's NOTHING HE CAN DO ABOUT IT. Wait.......so you're in charge, Martin, you're the manager, and you're asking the fans "what can I do?" You're paid a large amount of money to know what to do!!

....................ok now that I'm back from banging my head against the wall, let's assess the damage.

Our manager doesn't care that we just lost to potentially the worst team in the league at the moment (not overall, but West Brom are playing at the moment like the worst team in the league).  Our manager doesn't want us as fans to expect to win, he sees points as a bonus, and doesn't even know what to do if the results aren't there.  As long as we have a good team on paper, we'll be ok!!

Are we/I expecting too much? This team was in the Europa League FINAL a few years ago.  Obviously things ebb and flow, and that was a season that blew away expectations.  But all we're asking for is steady growth.  Sustainable growth.  Isn't that what Shahid Khan is asking for as well? Well, we're going in the opposite direction, and our manager refuses to acknowledge that.

Forget about the below-par on-field tactics and the poor recent man management. Isn't it about time we made a change and brought in someone who cares about the product on the field and not on the lineup card?



http://fulhamsfinest.com/2013/09/14/martin-jols-postmatch-comments-are-sickening/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham WBA reaction

Ruiz hits the bar, the underside of the bar.  If that's a centimeter lower it's a 2-0 win, a well deserved 2-0 win.

Or what about Berbatov's second disallowed goal. Nothing in it.  That would've give us a 2-0 win too.

There's nothing Martin Jol can do about these incidents.

Fulham did more than enough to win the game and generally, through bad luck, failed to do so.

It is a non-negotiable point that in football you don't always get what you deserve in any single match.   Fulham deserved to win this.

Against Sunderland Fulham won undeservedly. Against Arsenal Fulham lost deservedly. Against Newcastle the defeat was fair.  So in four games, from which a return of three total points might reasonably have been expected, we have four.  We've not been playing well in these four games but today we did.  There is no real doubt in my mind about this.  We didn't steamroller WBA but we played pretty well and ordinarily would have scored more than a single goal.  That we didn't was not Jol's fault and was mainly bad luck.

So by booing here, by getting angry here, what are you saying? That Fulham are not good enough under Jol?  Because the evidence suggests that this isn't the case: Fulham are getting perfectly normal points returns under Jol.  Yes, it's frustrating that the team seems to blow hot and cold, that sometimes there appears to be a lack of tactical tightness, but the crucial point is this: no Fulham team in recent years has looked good losing.  Fulham at the moment have a trickish start to the year and have looked like they've had a trickyish start to the year.  Today was an easier game but even then you don't always win easier games.  We know this.  We're grown ups, we've seen football: Fulham often don't win games we think they should.  NOTHING NEW HERE.

Martin Jol's a good manager.  Football managers tend to be very good, in which case they get their teams to overachieve, good, in which case their teams generally do what they should, or less good, in which case teams struggle.  The very good managers are exceedingly rare and we may currently have one.  If not, we're still comfortably in the middle ground.   Get rid of Jol and almost any replacement would do about the same or worse than Jol.  That's almost non-negotiable.  So what are we saying?  That we want to change anyway, that we want a new manager to come in and spend a fortune changing players because that's what new managers do?  Or, here's an idea, do we SHOW SOME ******* PATIENCE?



http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2013/09/14/fulham-wba-reaction/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 1 - West Bromwich 1: Martin Jol suffers backlash after another loss
FULHAM fans demanded boss Martin Jol's head as they failed yet again to win at home this season.

Gareth McAuley scored Albion's first goal of the season to earn them a shock point at Carven Cottage.

His headed goal three minutes into six of added time from Chris Brunt's corner meant the Baggies climbed off the bottom of the table.

But it was touch and go.

Fulham had the ball in the net three other times but had them ruled out for offside.

It meant they are still to win at home and the pressure on boss Jol is mounting.

Cottagers fans booed and spewed their anger after a game they should have won comfortably.

Jol said: "It is not nice to hear boos at the end, particularly after so few games – and we are in 12th place. It would be different if we were bottom.


West Broms' Gareth McAuley scores with a header [GETTY]

"But for me it is not a big problem. We will overcome this.

"And we have players coming back next week, ready for our big game with Chelsea."

To be fair, Fulham had most of the play with Scott Parker again pressing his England claims and Dimitar Berbatov showing his old bones don't creak as much as Albion's equally ageing veteran striker Nicolas Anelka, who was a sad, lonely figure at times.

Bertbatov twice had the ball in the net only to be ruled offside, and then had another effort blocked by Boaz Myhill and sent a scissor-kick whistling just inches over.

Parker orchestrated most of the Fulham attacks, looking a decent player once more, although you always worry about how he copes with injuries.

But if he keeps playing at this standard, England boss Roy Hodgson has a bonus going into next month's vital World Cup qualifying matches.

Fulham had gone ahead thanks to Steve Sidwell's 21st-minute strike following a corner.

Alexander Kacaniklic swung over an in-swinger from the left and when the ball broke loose, Sidwell calmly drove it low into the net from 10 yards.

Albion are gutsy if nothing else and Anelka had David Stockdale diving full length to deny a long-range effort in the 74th minute.

But Fulham still looked the more likely scorers and they kept the linesman busy as they had a third effort ruled offside when Bryan Ruiz struck Albion's bar in the 85th minute and sub Hugo Rodallega put the rebound in the net – only to be ruled offside.

It was the last effort by Ruiz, who was then stretchered off after landing badly in a harmless-looking collision with two minutes remaining.

And the delay worked in Albion's favour when McAuley headed in the late equaliser.

Baggies boss Steve Clarke said: "For us it was a really important goal but I was always confident.

"The last few games have not gone well for us but in the second half here, we were good.

"On another day we could have won. Our belief was good and the character in the side is good.

"Hopefully Sessegnon will be available to play for us next week. Unfortunately we have to go through a permit process even though he has played in this country before."fulham: Stockdale 6; Riether 6, Senderos 6, Hangeland 6, Richardson 6 (Amorrebieta (67th) 5); Kasami 6; Ruiz 6, (Duff 89th), Parker 7; Sidwell 6; Kacaniklic 6; Berbatov 6 (Rodallega 77th)

WEST BROM: Myhill 6; Jones 6, Olsson 6, McCauley 6, Ridgewell 6; Amalfitano 5 (Sinclair (62nd) 5), Mulumbu 6, Yacob 5 (Morrison (62nd) 5), Brunt 5; Anelka 5; Anichebe 5 (Berahino 78th)

Star Man: Scott Parker

Ref: L Probert



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/338710/Fulham-1-West-Bromwich-1-Martin-Jol-suffers-backlash-after-another-loss

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol hits out at unrealistic fans

Fulham boss Martin Jol believes the displeasure which greeted his side's 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at home to West Brom was a result of unrealistic expectations from the home fans.

Gareth McAuley scored West Brom's first goal of the Premier League season in stoppage time to cancel out Steve Sidwell's strike and extend Fulham's winless streak at Craven Cottage to six games, since the April 1 defeat of QPR.

Dimitar Berbatov had twice netted when offside and Bryan Ruiz, who went off on a stretcher with an ankle injury, hit the crossbar before McAuley met Chris Brunt's corner with an emphatic header.

The draw prompted a vocal minority of Fulham fans to call for Jol to be relieved of his duties at the final whistle.

"If we would have been bottom of the league I would have understood it," Jol said.

"But we are 12th in the league now ad we were a bit unfortunate.

"We should have had six points, so that is a bit disappointing that people boo.

"I always say to the players as well, it is very hard to fight expectations and expectations can make you very unhappy.

"It is the same with women as well. If you expect too much of them, you could wake up in the morning with a big shock.

"If you don't expect a lot of things... I think we are 12th in the league so for me it is not a big problem.

"It is a bit disappointing that there are people that probably think we should be (doing a lot better)."

Jol was happy with the performance of his side, bar the late lapse in concentration which led to the Baggies levelling matters.

"If you soak up pressure in the last 10, 15 minutes, it is always possible to concede a goal," Jol added.

"It is always the same in football. If you score one goal and they smell blood, you have to score another one.

"I haven't experienced three offside goals in one match before, especially the one from Berbatov. I thought that probably was not offside.

"The third one with Bryan Ruiz, he should have scored. He was six or seven yards out and he hit the bar."

Ruiz will undergo a scan to determine the extent of his injury while Berbatov went off with a hamstring problem.


http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/jol-hits-out-at-unrealistic-fans-29580551.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Manager Reaction

Martin Jol was understandably disappointed after seeing his side concede a stoppage-time equaliser in Saturday's 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

Steve Sidwell put the Whites in front, before Fulham saw three efforts disallowed for offside. And the lack of a second goal came back to haunt the hosts when Gareth McAuley powered home a header in the second minute of six minutes of added time.

"If you soak up pressure in the last 10 or 15 minutes, it's always possible to concede a goal," said Jol afterwards. "If you've only scored one goal, you need another one or they smell blood.

"But saying that, I haven't experienced three offside goals in one game. The second one from Dimitar Berbatov wasn't offside and then Bryan Ruiz probably should have scored when he hit the bar. So we were a bit unfortunate not to score a second as then the game would have been over.

"They added six minutes of time and we were tired. Then the corner kick was not a special one, he hit it with his laces and we didn't attack the ball which was disappointing."

Boos could be heard from a small section of home fans at the final whistle but Jol said: "Some times it can be a force of habit. If we'd have been bottom of the league I would have understood it but we're 12th and we should have had six points. So that was disappointing to hear but I always say to the players that it's very hard to fight expectations; expectations can make you very unhappy.

"It's not a big problem, with the quality we've got and players coming back... we're not bottom of the league with zero points. What can I do? It's a small minority."

Jol had several injury absentees for the match but was pleased with the players that came into his starting XI, singling out Pajtim Kasami for particular praise.

He continued: "I don't think we missed anybody. We played better than before. Kasami did very well and we did okay. We looked a bit tired at the end but for a lot of players it was a third game in seven days."

To add to his problems, however, Bryan Ruiz will seek further advice on an ankle injury suffered late on, while Berbatov came off as a precaution after complaining of a hamstring strain.

"Ruiz's injury looked quite serious," confirmed Jol. "We'll have to scan him and wait and see what the problem is. I think it's his ankle. Berbatov had a hamstring. I don't think it's serious. He gave us a signal that he wanted to be substituted and hopefully it was just in time."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/september/14/manager-reaction

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham fan's view: Patience needed as Cottagers start showing signs of a resurgance

The pressure has probably never been greater on Martin Jol since he joined Fulham in 2011. As the 1-1 home draw with West Bromwich Albion came to its conclusion, boos seeped through the air while a more vocal minority made their displeasure apparent through the simple, to-the-point chant of 'Jol out'.

The disdain is understandable. Craven Cottage hasn't hosted a home victory since April and Jol's assertion that four points from four games is acceptable should rile a few. On that form, we'd end the season on 38 points – a tally akin to relegation.

Attractive football has been at a premium too, despite the positive tag Martin Jol has always carried around with him. We expected progressive, stylish football, with a focus on technique and power. We got the long-ball days of Lawrie Sanchez instead, though.

We could very easily be on the cusp of an upward curve that could change the fortune of both this club and its manager.

But let's not be hasty. Let's not jump to conclusions. Jol has not become a bad manager overnight.

He has simply inherited a club that is still in the process of a quite radical evolution. Fulham are moving from the successful Hodgson era – one which relied on experience and tactical consistency – to one in which youth is being promoted (believe it or not) and funds for player investment are running dry. Shahid Khan wants sustainability, not quick fire loss with short term gain.   


Martin Jol is coming under increasing pressure after Fulham's poor start to the season (Picture: AP)

Jol has to work with that, and it's no mean feat. Trying to build a reputable squad on a sparse budget, incorporating youngsters and handling an array of egos in the dressing room cannot be easy.

And based on the actual performance against West Brom, rather than the result, he's doing a respectable job. Not wonderful, but respectable.

Fulham were the dominant force on Saturday and only a last minute goal spoiled the show. Bryan Ruiz was dazzling, as was Pajtim Kasami. Passing in the final third was crisp and, more importantly, commonplace. We were playing football in the way we always thought it would be under Jol.

Time can only make things better. We could very easily be on the cusp of an upward curve that could change the fortune of both this club and its manager.

A 1-1 draw against a club with little momentum and genuine relegation fears is by no means celebratory. But if you look at the finer details, maybe life isn't so bad.


http://metro.co.uk/2013/09/15/fulham-fans-view-patience-needed-as-cottagers-start-showing-signs-of-a-resurgance-4001650/?