Sunday Fulham Stuff (27/10/13)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Trotta strikes as Brentford win again

Brentford 1 Shrewsbury 0

Marcello Trotta's first-half goal gave Brentford a third successive league victory.

The on-loan Fulham striker finished after being found by fellow loanee Kadeem Harris' cross early in the game.

The Bees withstood Shrewsbury's second-half fightback and the win moves them into the play-off places.

Trotta returned to the starting line-up along with goalkeeper David Button as a bumper crowd of 9,783 enjoyed Brentford's 'Pay What You Can' initiative.

They were entertained by the trickery of Harris, who superbly set up Trotta for the opener on 16 minutes.

Harris beat his man with neat step-over and crossed for Trotta to send a side-footed volley past keeper Chris Weale.

Weale then did well to deny Trotta his second of the game after he was put through by Adam Forshaw.

Button made a good save to keep out striker John Taylor's header in the second half as Shrewsbury pushed for an equaliser.

Substitute Adam Reach shaved the top of the crossbar for the Shrews but Brentford held on.

And Clayton Donaldson and substitute Sam Saunders should have done better with late chances to kill off the game.

Brentford (4-3-3):Button; McCormack, Dean, Craig, Bidwell; Forshaw (Grigg 82), Douglas, Saville; Donaldson, Trotta (Diagouraga 78), Harris (Saunders 62)
Subs not used: Lee, El Alagui, Logan, Taylor.


http://www.westlondonsport.com/brentford/brentford-v-shrewsbury-match-report-41212-html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Cup Clash Next Up

High-flying City turn their attention to the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night (29 October), with a last-16 clash against Premier League Fulham next on their agenda (kick-off 7.45pm).
A seventh straight home victory saw Nigel Pearson's men climb into the automatic promotion places in the Sky Bet Championship at the weekend – free-scoring Bournemouth their latest King Power Stadium victims.

But they will have League Cup progress on their minds in midweek, as they seek to claim the scalp of Martin Jol's Cottagers and book a place in the Capital One Cup Quarter Finals.

Wycombe Wanderers, Carlisle United and local rivals Derby County have already been seen off by the Foxes in this season's competition and the Blue Army are sure to be out in force once more to roar their team on.

Tickets prices are listed below:

Just The Ticket Areas (A1 & C2), The Kop, The Family Stand (N1, P1, P2, & P3), East Stand (L1, G1, G2, H1 & K1) & West Stand (A2 & C1)
Adults - £15
Seniors - £15
Under-22s – £10
Under-18s - £10
Under-12s - £5
Under-8s - £1
*Under-10s get FREE entry in the Family Stand*

East Stand (J1, J2 & J3) & West Stand (B1, B2 & B3)
Adults - £20
Seniors - £20
Under-22s – £15
Under-18s - £15
Under-12s - £5
Under-8s - £1

The Fosse Club
Adults - £30
Seniors - £20
Under-18s - £20

Car Parking
Season Ticket Holders - £10
Non-Season Ticket Holders - £15
Seasonal Car Parking Space holders will have their space reserved until 5pm on Tuesday 8 October, which they can purchase for £10.


Buying your tickets for the Fulham game is easy...

Online: 
Buy your tickets 24-hours-a-day from www.lcfcdirect.com.

In person from the City Fanstore:
The City Fanstore at King Power Stadium will be open 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday.

On Matchdays, the City Fanstore is open from 9am until kick-off and then for 45 minutes after the final whistle.   

Call the City Sales Centre:
Call 0844 815 5000 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.



Read more at http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/261013-fulham-cup-clash-next-up-985909.aspx?#86GmvMMk0s2ijVjl.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Southampton vs. Fulham: Final score 2-0, Saints dominate woeful Cottagers

Southampton completely dominated their game against Fulham as Martin Jol's men barely got out of their own half in a comfortable win for the hosts at St. Mary's.

Southampton continued their impressive start to the season by beating Fulham 2-0 at St. Mary's through goals from Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez.

The scoreline shows a modest win, but the Saints completely dominated an awful Fulham outfit who struggled to get out of their own half for long periods, with the hosts' energy and passing leaving Martin Jol's men unable to compete.

The game got off to a fairly dull start, mostly bogged down in midfield, but the powerful duo of Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama soon turned the screw and began to win the battle, allowing Southampton to pass and probe around their opponents' area.

Rickie Lambert found a deserved breakthrough on the twenty-minute mark, creeping away from a corner to the back post to plant a deflected ball into the roof of the net with a well-guided close-range header. The big England striker almost doubled his side's lead shortly afterwards after finding space on the edge of the area to curl a low, creeping effort around Maarten Stekelenburg which struck the outside of the post.

Lambert soon turned provider too, deservedly helping his side to a second by heading a fine ball back across the area for the lurking Jay Rodriguez to nod home from close range.

Martin Jol's rather uninspiring solution at half-time - to replace Sascha Riether with Aaron Hughes - was never likely to provide much impetus for a comeback, and so it proved as the hosts continued to be in complete control of the game.

Jay Rodriguez looked in the mood, and had one acrobatic effort as he scissor-kicked a cross go narrowly wide before dribbling from the halfway line past the entire Fulham defence only to run out of steam as he got into the area. Yet for all Southampton failed to find a third, Fulham still offered absolutely nothing, the home fans "Ole"ing every pass after just 60 minutes.

It proved to be a fairly tame end to a game that, while dull, has pretty large implications for both sides. Southampton looked like a very, very solid side more than worth their lofty league position, while Fulham look in real danger - if they are as toothless again as they were today then Jol surely hasn't got much time left.



http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/26/5031788/southampton-vs-fulham-premier-league-final-score-result?

[WhiteJC]

 
Premier League: Southampton beat Fulham 2-0 at St Mary's

Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriquez both struck as Southampton produced a dominating display to dispatch a below-par Fulham 2-0 at St Mary's on Saturday.

Despite a summer of big-money signings, talk on the south coast of a European challenge was laughed off by most right-minded people.

However, Saturday evening's victory over Fulham propelled Southampton to third in the Premier League to make this a better start than they managed when finishing runners-up in 1983/84.

Mauricio Pochettino's side dominated from the outset, with Fulham failing to muster a single shot in a first half in which headers from Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez put the hosts deservedly ahead.

Only Maarten Stekelenburg's fine form, the goal frame and bad luck prevented Saints racking up an even greater margin of victory, as they secured a sixth clean sheet of the campaign - a far cry from the 26 goals they had conceded at the same stage of last season.

Adam Lallana scored the equaliser in last week's 1-1 draw at Manchester United and was almost involved in another goal after five minutes on the south coast.

The Saints captain dispossessed dawdling Philippe Senderos and went onto test Stekelenburg, whose parry would have been slotted home by Morgan Schneiderlin if it was not for Fernando Amorebieta's clearance off the line.

Lambert fired a tame effort straight at Stekelenburg as Saints' fine start continued, before Senderos reacted quickly to stop the England international putting Rodriguez through on goal.

Victor Wanyama flashed a left-footed 30-yard strike just wide as Pochettino's side continued to threaten an opener that arrived in the 20th minute.

James Ward-Prowse's corner from the right was flicked on by Rodriguez, with Lambert rising at the far post to powerfully head home.

Fulham had Stekelenburg to thank for stopping Southampton doubling their advantage just two minutes later.

Epitomising the confidence coursing through the hosts' veins, Rodriguez surged forwards, put the ball through Senderos' legs, only to see his strike tipped around the post by the Holland international.

Rodriguez nodded wide as Martin Jol's side continued to struggle, with Lambert hitting the post with a right-footed drive as Saints continued in the ascendancy.

Stekelenburg was soon back in action when Ward-Prowse sent a deep cross to the back post, where Lambert drifted in unmarked to force the Whites goalkeeper into a fine save, with Sascha Riether deflecting Luke Shaw's follow-up into the side-netting.

Another deep cross, this time from Lallana, found Lambert, whose looping header back across the goal was nodded home by Rodriguez.

It was one of 14 shots Southampton managed in a dominant first half, with play continuing in the same direction after the restart for which Aaron Hughes replaced Riether.

Rodriguez came close to getting a third goal in the most stunning fashion in the 69th minute, meeting a Ward-Prowse cross with an exquisite scissor-kick that whistled just wide.

Steve Sidwell attempted his own acrobatic effort as the clock wound down and, although it was wayward, it was their first and only shot of the match.



http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/287372/report?

[WhiteJC]

 
Dismal Fulham are easily beaten by Saints

Southampton 2 Fulham 0

Fulham were punished for some woeful defending in a one-sided game at St Mary's.

First-half goals from Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez secured a deserved victory for Southampton, who dominated from start to finish.

They went ahead in the 20th minute, when Dimitar Berbatov allowed Lambert to sneak away from him and head home following James Ward-Prowse's corner.

A Saints goal had been on the cards, as Fernando Amorebieta – who replaced Brede Hangeland – had cleared Adam Lallana's sidefooted effort off the line.

Once in front, they continued to press and Fulham keeper Maarten Stekelenburg denied Rodriguez before Lambert fired against the post.

So it was no surprise when the hosts doubled their lead two minutes before the break, Rodriguez heading in Lambert's cross with the Whites all over the place at the back.

In the second half, Rodriguez went close to scoring again for Southampton, whose victory moved them up to third.

Steve Sidwell's late volley wide was Fulham's only meaningful effort on goal.

Fulham (4-4-2: Stekelenburg; Riether (Hughes 45), Senderos, Amorebieta, Richardson; Ruiz (Kacaniklic 81), Sidwell, Parker, Kasami; Berbatov; Bent (Rodallega 75)
Subs not used: Stockdale, Karagounis, Duff, Zverotic.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/dismal-fulham-are-easily-beaten-by-saints?

[WhiteJC]

 
The goal that sums-up Fulham's current issues and some criticism of Dimitar Berbatov

A familiar theme on this site has become Fulham's collective attitude, especially away from home. The win at Selhurst Park aside, this set of players seems more than content to lose on the road and – week-on-week – show far too little resistance away from Craven Cottage.

"We're Fulham, we're not expected to win away'. That's not good enough.

Southampton are a good side, and their general play was, at times, outstanding tonight, but the first goal they scored this evening was wholly unacceptable from a Fulham perspective.

Dimitar Berbatov is one of my favourite players of the Premier League era, but his role in Rickie Lambert's opener was indefensible. The set-piece routine – flick from the near to the back-post – was very well-executed, but it was hardly novel and we see it dozens of times across a season. Lambert is Berbatov's man, and arguably Southampton's biggest aerial threat – how does he have that kind of space to score? And how does someone who has played the game for as long as Berbatov allow him to drift away without going with him?

It's all about attitude and concentration. That 'walking around the pitch looking disinterested and shrugging his shoulders' thing that he does? Yeah, that's excusable when he's making a positive contribution offensively and not gifting the opposition soft goals.

Berbatov was captain today, he is his side's most-gifted player, and he has to set a better example.

Not good enough – and I've written enough about him in the past which has been positive, so I have no problem in throwing him under the bus on this occasion.



http://thepremierleagueowl.com/the-goal-that-sums-up-fulhams-current-issues/

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol wants focus amid Serie A speculation

Fulham midfielder Pajtim Kasami has been urged to ignore any transfer speculation, reports Sky Sports.

The Switzerland international, who scored one of the goal's of the season against Crystal Palace on Monday night, has been linked with Serie A giants Juventus.

But manager Martin Jol is desperate for Kasami to focus on playing for the Cottagers, as they look to recover from a sluggish start to the season:

"He's still not the best player in England, but I think in two or three years he could be a big player. Then maybe Juventus can come here and pay a lot of money for him. That would be good for everyone.

"I told him to count his blessings and to be happy at that age playing Premier League football. He needs to keep his feet on the ground. He's a very level-headed boy."

Jol added on Kasami, who took a 50 per cent pay cut last season to link up with Lucerne on loan: "There will be a situation in five or six months' time that we have to talk and extend his contract.

"If he didn't score that goal it would've been a different story."

It was a much needed win for Martin Jol, who's future at Craven Cottage has been in recent doubt. But the victory has led to doubt over whether Kasami would stay in London, as the Swiss star enters the last 18 months of his contract.



http://www.footballfancast.com/football-news/jol-wants-focus-amid-serie-a-speculation?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol relieved to only lose 2-0 at Southampton

Fulham boss Martin Jol admitted his side were fortunate not to have experienced a heavier defeat as they slumped to a 2-0 loss at Southampton.

England striker Rickie Lambert opened the scoring after 20 minutes before his Saints colleague Jay Rodriguez struck two minutes before half-time as the south coast side moved up the Premier League table to sit behind only Arsenal and Liverpool.

The Cottagers had appeared to be on the way up after a thumping 4-1 win at Crystal Palace last Monday but Jol pointed to the fact they were overrun in the first half.

He told Sky Sports 1: "In the end it is very strange and awkward to say but if you look back at the first half and you come away with 2-0 you can be pleased."

The Dutchman had no complaints about the outcome and added: "No, not really.

"The only good thing is we kept it to 2-0.

"We were very disappointing in the first half, the second was a bit better.

"We still couldn't create.

"Everything we did against Crystal Palace we didn't see today."

He praised the Saints as the better team and said: "They are very strong, athletic and aggressive.

"You have to match them and if you don't you can and will lose these games.

"The most disappointing thing for me is we didn't create anything ourselves.

"If you score one goal you are back in the game.

"But we couldn't get that break or score that goal."



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/jol_relieved_to_only_lose_2_0_at_southampton_1_2934687

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol puzzled by Fulham display

Martin Jol admitted his lacklustre Fulham side got what they deserved after they crashed to a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Southampton.

The Cottagers were particularly poor in the first half and failed to recover from goals scored by Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez.

Jol's side were lucky to only be trailing 2-0 at the break and although they showed some improvement in the second half, they never looked like salvaging anything from the game at St Mary's Stadium.

The defeat leaves the London club down in 14th place and former Tottenham boss Jol was at a loss to explain their performance having travelled to the south coast with back-to-back wins under their belt.

"They (Southampton) are very strong athletic, aggressive. You have to match them and if you don't you will lose these games." Jol told Sky Sports.

"You have to be at the end of corner kicks or crosses. The boy (Lambert) scored the first goal at the back post and the second was almost the same, so that was disappointing and we should have done better.

"We did in the second half but the first we didn't do it and the most disappointing this for me is we didn't create anything ourselves.

"If you score one goal you are back in the game, of course they were the better team but if you get a goal it can be exciting. But we didn't create anything.

"In the Premier League you have to be tough and pick yourselves up, but today they were the better team and to lose 2-0 and to play like that was disappointing."



Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jol-puzzled-fulham-display#7A2WMYOR0ZdS3iGK.99

[WhiteJC]

 
The View From South Texas — Southampton v. Fulham FC

by HatterDon

Fulham Fall by the Book

The way to beat Martin Jol's Fulham is to recognize that it is an old, slow team, to recognize that its primary mode of play is to bunch the action into the middle of the pitch, and to have the discipline, talent, and determination to make Fulham uncomfortable for 90 minutes. Southampton did all of that today and came away the victors in a 2-0 match in which they really should really have scored five or six goals.

Southampton is not the same team that was in the third tier a few seasons ago. Imagine a young, speedy squad – most of them home grown – managed by Roy Hodgson. That's what Southampton are. They base everything on defensive steadiness, midfield organization, and opportunistic strikers. They play like a unit and they have a single aim. Today it was to pressure Fulham all over the pitch, to never allow them to get into a groove, and to grind them down. They did this and they did this well. How well? The last count I heard on shots taken was Southampton 16 Fulham 1.

How did Fulham react? Well, on the day there were only two Fulham players who gained notice for positive reasons, Ruiz and Amorebieta. Each of them could win a ball, find a teammate, and generally help move the team forward. Senderos and Riether were poor on defense, and neither Riether nor Richardson could get upfield to support an attack. As a result, Bent ran and ran and got nothing for it, while Berbatov recovered nicely from his 90 minutes of positive play against Palace, and was back to his pouting, strolling, gesticulating best. Parker, Sidwell, and Kasami were swarmed when they got the ball and all had nightmares. Stekelenberg wasn't at fault for either goal, and his distribution improved in that he actually got a few balls to Fulham players who immediately lost possession, rather than just punting directly to a player in red.

The goals were predictable and dead easy. Absolutely nobody marked Ricky Lambert at the far post after a corner and that was that. As someone remarked in the FulhamUSA.com chatroom, Berbatov was concentrating on a rather threatening blade of grass in our penalty area at the time. Jay Rodriguez got their second in an equally easy manner, when Riether left him unmarked in favor of marking ... well, I couldn't see anyone there. Lee Dixon, doing color for the NBC sports broadcast, blamed Senderos who was about 15 feet away. I'm sure there'll be plenty of agreement from Fulham supporters about that.

If the first half was a demonstration of how a manager can prepare his side to capitalize on the weaknesses and counter the strengths of his opponents, the beginning of the second half showed once again, how SOME managers have no clue how to make halftime adjustments to get their team back in the game. The only substitution was for an injury and there was no discernable change in Fulham tactics.

Make no mistake, Southampton are a very good side. They not only benefit from the milk of their youth system – I say "the milk" because the cream is playing at Arsenal and Real Madrid at the moment – but they also signed some players from the lower levels that supporters of other teams routinely dismissed as "not Premiership quality." When the Saints were under-performing last season, they went out and got a boss who firmed up the defense, put some spine and discipline in the midfield, and got all the players to play as a unit. Maybe it's just me, but I think Fulham could benefit from that sort of move ... AGAIN.

The thing is, that Southampton aren't the only club out there who know how to play against Fulham. If everyone goes out with the same philosophy throughout the season, Fulham will be lucky to get 15 more points. That is, until something changes.

HatterDon's Man of the Match – Nobody

Now please tell me we aren't going to purposely tank the League Cup on Wednesday.



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=456

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol: Fulham defeat is not Berbatov's fault

Fulham boss Martin Jol has leapt to the defence of Dimitar Berbatov after his lazy display in the 2-0 defeat at Southampton.

The relaxed forward is imperious when he's at his best but too frequently he shows no interest in how his team performs and he was guilty of allowing Rickie Lambert a free header for the opening goal at St Mary's.

Berbatov was captain for the encounter on the south coast but Jol said the loss was nothing to do with the Bulgarian's showing.

Jol said: "It had nothing to do with the front four, it was to do with the defending. In the second half the shape was better because Aaron Hughes went in and stayed with his man.

"It is nothing to do with Berbatov or Bent, it has to do with the application and organisation because if you communicate with each other you come away with results."

For Lambert's header, Scott Parker told the striker he was marking the England forward but moments later the ball was nestling in the net.

"Berbatov is our spare man, normally he isn't marking. He's the spare man so maybe before the game we should have told Berbatov to go on Rickie Lambert," Jol added.

"If you play like we did today and don't talk together we looked like a team of strangers. We have worked together now for a couple of months and we have to do better

"The incident with Berbatov and Scott Parker, I think that's a good thing because you have to tell him that is what you should do, that is what you have to do and that is what happened."



Read more at http://talksport.com/football/jol-fulham-defeat-not-berbatovs-fault-13102665647#Sw7wHFOsVACv5kQR.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Gutless captain Dimitar Berbatov sums up Fulham's problem at St Mary's

It's difficult to work out just where to start when reflecting on such an abject performance.

You could begin with the abysmal defending or you could kick off with the sheer lack of desire to play anything that resembled positive, forward thinking football.

Or you could take a statistical angle, noting the one shot at goal Fulham had all game.

It all ends up with the same result, though: Fulham were an embarrassment against Southampton on Saturday evening, and something needs to be done to rectify that.

We've come accustomed to poor defending under the tutorship of Martin Jol but, naturally, the worst is usually reserved for set pieces.

Yet again, at St Mary's – the same happened last year – we were undone from a corner.

The simple things are not being done correctly in our own penalty area and it's nigh on suicidal.

It's acceptable in small doses but when it is such a consistent problem, you have to ask what is being done about it.

Does Jol simply ignore this on the training pitch? Or do his players not listen? Either way, Jol will deservedly take the flack.

The lack of defensive nous becomes somewhat ironic when you consider just how weak we are going forward. We created nothing. Not a whiff of a chance. And it is just terrible to have to endure.

SOUTHAMPTON FAN'S VIEW: If it was a boxing match the referee would have stopped it

Dimitar Berbatov was typically non-existent, donning the captain's armband a disgrace.

The only desire he showed throughout the 90 minutes was his characteristic anger at fellow team mates, which, though mostly justified, is not helped by his constant barracking.

With each game that passes, the former Manchester United forward becomes more and more of a liability.

Bryan Ruiz was similarly unimpressive but, in fairness, it'd be harsh to single out individuals when the whole team were shambolic. Maarten Stekelenburg can come out content, at least, while Steve Sidwell at least tried.

As for the rest, though, they didn't seem to care.

And that's half the problem at Fulham right now – the passion isn't there. It's difficult enough for Jol to blend this squad of very distinct individual talents but, with the added problem of zero commitment, his task is just short of impossible.

Unfortunately for him, it's unlikely that such an argument will save his job.



http://metro.co.uk/2013/10/27/gutless-captain-dimitar-berbatov-sums-up-fulhams-problem-at-st-marys-4162442/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Southampton 2 Fulham 0

The rise of Southampton continues and the question now is how high can they go? They have never started a top-flight season as well as this – 18 points from their first nine matches surpasses even the tally amassed in 1983-84 when, under Lawrie McMenemy, the club went on to achieve their best finish, runners-up in the league to Liverpool. They stand third in the table and this display suggested that no one is going to bring them down easily. They were far too good for feeble Fulham.

Giddy dreams are dancing into the heads of Southampton supporters and whereas many managers would try to tame them, Mauricio Pochettino is happy to talk up his team's chances. "The sky is the limit for us," said the Argentinian. "I want to congratulate the players for this extraordinary performance. The most important thing is to keep on learning, keep on improving and keep on playing as a team."

Martin Jol's team are not the sort of side who would seek to stifle their hosts, striving instead to outscore them, a bold approach against a defence that under Pochettino has been transformed from the most porous to the most solid in the Premier League.

By contrast, Fulham have been defensively flaky all term and, faced with the hosts' fervid pressing, they quickly cracked. They were caught attempting to play their way out from the back in the fifth minute and fortunate to be saved by Fernando Amorebieta, who cleared a Morgan Schneiderlin shot off the line. Southampton looked fitter, slicker and eager to confirm their superiority with a goal.

Fulham began erecting human barricades around their box so effectively that Southampton did not worry Maarten Stekelenburg again until the 17th minute, when Victor Wanyama unleashed a shot from 20 yards. It flew just wide. Three minutes later Fulham's resistance was broken in a predictable manner.

Their slackness from set pieces has been a persistent problem this season and it resurfaced here, as Jay Rodriguez was allowed to flick on a James Ward-Prowse corner at the near post and Rickie Lambert was left free to head into the net at the back post. Since the summer arrival of the Italy striker Daniel Osvaldo, Lambert is no longer guaranteed a regular start at the club but, after being left out for last week's draw at Manchester United, he returned here, thanks partially to an injury to Osvaldo, and showed that he is still a vital player for club – and perhaps his country, too. "He is an amazingly important player for this club," said Pochettino. "Hopefully he can keep putting in performances like this and [England] will more than likely take him to Brazil."

Southampton almost doubled their lead immediately, Rodriguez skipping through Fulham's defence from half-way – notably nutmegging Philippe Senderos en route – and then poking a shot towards the bottom corner. Stekelenburg tipped it wide. Lambert then beat the goalkeeper with a ferocious low drive from 20 yards but it bounced back off the butt of the post. Lambert tried again in the 38th minute but Stekelenburg saved his close-range header. Southampton's inevitable second goal arrived just before the break. Lallana sent the ball to the back post where Lambert had again eluded the defenders and he headed back across goal for Rodriguez to nod into the net.

Jol adjusted his defence at half-time, replacing Sascha Riether with Aaron Hughes, but within a minute of the resumption Southampton threatened again, Lambert prodding just wide from a Luke Shaw cross.

As for Fulham attacks, there were rumours they might mount one but it was difficult to see how they could. The paradox of Jol's team is that they play with a sense of adventure bordering on the reckless but at a pace close to leisurely. Southampton suppressed them with ease. By the hour mark the St Mary's crowd were belting out jubilant olés as their team popped the ball through the opposition almost at will. Rodriguez almost added to the merriment in the 70th minute but his flamboyant scissors-kick hurtled inches wide. "The first half I felt we could have been on the end of a hammering, so to come away with a 0-0 in the second half was the only good thing," groaned Jol.



http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/26/southampton-fulham-premier-league

[Nero]

Jol: Fulham defeat is not Berbatov's fault

Fulham boss Martin Jol has leapt to the defence of Dimitar Berbatov after his lazy display in the 2-0 defeat at Southampton.

The relaxed forward is imperious when he's at his best but too frequently he shows no interest in how his team performs and he was guilty of allowing Rickie Lambert a free header for the opening goal at St Mary's.

Berbatov was captain for the encounter on the south coast but Jol said the loss was nothing to do with the Bulgarian's showing.

Jol said: "It had nothing to do with the front four, it was to do with the defending. In the second half the shape was better because Aaron Hughes went in and stayed with his man.

"It is nothing to do with Berbatov or Bent, it has to do with the application and organisation because if you communicate with each other you come away with results."

For Lambert's header, Scott Parker told the striker he was marking the England forward but moments later the ball was nestling in the net.

"Berbatov is our spare man, normally he isn't marking. He's the spare man so maybe before the game we should have told Berbatov to go on Rickie Lambert," Jol added.

"If you play like we did today and don't talk together we looked like a team of strangers. We have worked together now for a couple of months and we have to do better

"The incident with Berbatov and Scott Parker, I think that's a good thing because you have to tell him that is what you should do, that is what you have to do and that is what happened."



Read more at http://talksport.com/football/jol-fulham-defeat-not-berbatovs-fault-13102665647#Sw7wHFOsVACv5kQR.99

So we dont plan on who's going to mark the oppositions centre forward at set pieces and wonders why we concede from set pieces the guy is clueless

[bobby01]

Jol: Fulham defeat is not Berbatov's fault

Fulham boss Martin Jol has leapt to the defence of Dimitar Berbatov after his lazy display in the 2-0 defeat at Southampton.

The relaxed forward is imperious when he's at his best but too frequently he shows no interest in how his team performs and he was guilty of allowing Rickie Lambert a free header for the opening goal at St Mary's.

Berbatov was captain for the encounter on the south coast but Jol said the loss was nothing to do with the Bulgarian's showing.

Jol said: "It had nothing to do with the front four, it was to do with the defending. In the second half the shape was better because Aaron Hughes went in and stayed with his man.

"It is nothing to do with Berbatov or Bent, it has to do with the application and organisation because if you communicate with each other you come away with results."

For Lambert's header, Scott Parker told the striker he was marking the England forward but moments later the ball was nestling in the net.

"Berbatov is our spare man, normally he isn't marking. He's the spare man so maybe before the game we should have told Berbatov to go on Rickie Lambert," Jol added.

"If you play like we did today and don't talk together we looked like a team of strangers. We have worked together now for a couple of months and we have to do better

"The incident with Berbatov and Scott Parker, I think that's a good thing because you have to tell him that is what you should do, that is what you have to do and that is what happened."



Read more at http://talksport.com/football/jol-fulham-defeat-not-berbatovs-fault-13102665647#Sw7wHFOsVACv5kQR.99

So we dont plan on who's going to mark the oppositions centre forward at set pieces and wonders why we concede from set pieces the guy is clueless

Jol: Fulham defeat is not Berbatov's fault

Fulham boss Martin Jol has leapt to the defence of Dimitar Berbatov after his lazy display in the 2-0 defeat at Southampton.

The relaxed forward is imperious when he's at his best but too frequently he shows no interest in how his team performs and he was guilty of allowing Rickie Lambert a free header for the opening goal at St Mary's.

Berbatov was captain for the encounter on the south coast but Jol said the loss was nothing to do with the Bulgarian's showing.

Jol said: "It had nothing to do with the front four, it was to do with the defending. In the second half the shape was better because Aaron Hughes went in and stayed with his man.

"It is nothing to do with Berbatov or Bent, it has to do with the application and organisation because if you communicate with each other you come away with results."

For Lambert's header, Scott Parker told the striker he was marking the England forward but moments later the ball was nestling in the net.

"Berbatov is our spare man, normally he isn't marking. He's the spare man so maybe before the game we should have told Berbatov to go on Rickie Lambert," Jol added.

"If you play like we did today and don't talk together we looked like a team of strangers. We have worked together now for a couple of months and we have to do better

"The incident with Berbatov and Scott Parker, I think that's a good thing because you have to tell him that is what you should do, that is what you have to do and that is what happened."



Read more at http://talksport.com/football/jol-fulham-defeat-not-berbatovs-fault-13102665647#Sw7wHFOsVACv5kQR.99

So we dont plan on who's going to mark the oppositions centre forward at set pieces and wonders why we concede from set pieces the guy is clueless

This article says it all, Jol has lost the dressing room, no-one listens to him, Berba is still brilliant and can do no wrong as is Ruiz, these two were totally disinterested yesterday with half hearted attempts at closing down and when the ball is passed beyond them just stand and watch. I have thought for a long time that Berba has a must play clause in his contract, now I also worry that we have a new owner who accepts poor performance and losing if the Jaguars are any thing to go by. If Jol does not go we Will be relegated and will never get back.

[alfie]

Jol: Fulham defeat is not Berbatov's fault

Fulham boss Martin Jol has leapt to the defence of Dimitar Berbatov after his lazy display in the 2-0 defeat at Southampton.

The relaxed forward is imperious when he's at his best but too frequently he shows no interest in how his team performs and he was guilty of allowing Rickie Lambert a free header for the opening goal at St Mary's.

Berbatov was captain for the encounter on the south coast but Jol said the loss was nothing to do with the Bulgarian's showing.

Jol said: "It had nothing to do with the front four, it was to do with the defending. In the second half the shape was better because Aaron Hughes went in and stayed with his man.

"It is nothing to do with Berbatov or Bent, it has to do with the application and organisation because if you communicate with each other you come away with results."

For Lambert's header, Scott Parker told the striker he was marking the England forward but moments later the ball was nestling in the net.

"Berbatov is our spare man, normally he isn't marking. He's the spare man so maybe before the game we should have told Berbatov to go on Rickie Lambert," Jol added.

"If you play like we did today and don't talk together we looked like a team of strangers. We have worked together now for a couple of months and we have to do better

"The incident with Berbatov and Scott Parker, I think that's a good thing because you have to tell him that is what you should do, that is what you have to do and that is what happened."



Read more at http://talksport.com/football/jol-fulham-defeat-not-berbatovs-fault-13102665647#Sw7wHFOsVACv5kQR.99

So we dont plan on who's going to mark the oppositions centre forward at set pieces and wonders why we concede from set pieces the guy is clueless

Jol: Fulham defeat is not Berbatov's fault

Fulham boss Martin Jol has leapt to the defence of Dimitar Berbatov after his lazy display in the 2-0 defeat at Southampton.

The relaxed forward is imperious when he's at his best but too frequently he shows no interest in how his team performs and he was guilty of allowing Rickie Lambert a free header for the opening goal at St Mary's.

Berbatov was captain for the encounter on the south coast but Jol said the loss was nothing to do with the Bulgarian's showing.

Jol said: "It had nothing to do with the front four, it was to do with the defending. In the second half the shape was better because Aaron Hughes went in and stayed with his man.

"It is nothing to do with Berbatov or Bent, it has to do with the application and organisation because if you communicate with each other you come away with results."

For Lambert's header, Scott Parker told the striker he was marking the England forward but moments later the ball was nestling in the net.

"Berbatov is our spare man, normally he isn't marking. He's the spare man so maybe before the game we should have told Berbatov to go on Rickie Lambert," Jol added.

"If you play like we did today and don't talk together we looked like a team of strangers. We have worked together now for a couple of months and we have to do better

"The incident with Berbatov and Scott Parker, I think that's a good thing because you have to tell him that is what you should do, that is what you have to do and that is what happened."



Read more at http://talksport.com/football/jol-fulham-defeat-not-berbatovs-fault-13102665647#Sw7wHFOsVACv5kQR.99

So we dont plan on who's going to mark the oppositions centre forward at set pieces and wonders why we concede from set pieces the guy is clueless

This article says it all, Jol has lost the dressing room, no-one listens to him, Berba is still brilliant and can do no wrong as is Ruiz, these two were totally disinterested yesterday with half hearted attempts at closing down and when the ball is passed beyond them just stand and watch. I have thought for a long time that Berba has a must play clause in his contract, now I also worry that we have a new owner who accepts poor performance and losing if the Jaguars are any thing to go by. If Jol does not go we Will be relegated and will never get back.

The trouble is that Berbatov and Bent were trying to close them down but had no support whatsoever, it was easy for the defence to just pass around them, i am no great fan of berbatov but you could see he was getting frustrated that nobody came to help.