Sunday Fulham Stuff (10/11/13)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Liverpool 4 Fulham 0: Suarez piles more misery on beleaguered Jol

Captain marvel Steven Gerrard has consistently written off Liverpool's title chances but if he carries on performing like this, he may prove himself wrong.

Gerrard was instrumental in the four goals Liverpool scored before he was substituted to a standing  ovation, the game already won to leave Liverpool only a couple of points behind leaders Arsenal.

The 33-year-old, ranked alongside Kenny Dalglish as the club's greatest-ever player, has never won the Premier League — although if  Liverpool played Fulham every week, he surely would.


Red hot: Luis Suarez scores Liverpool's third goal

The visitors were a poor excuse for a top-flight team and with the Premier League now taking a fortnight's break, their manager Martin Jol could pay the price with his job. Jol said: 'Like every manager in the bottom six, I have to keep fighting. We made it too difficult for ourselves. Conceding two goals from set pieces isn't acceptable.'

Midfielder Scott Parker was run ragged by Gerrard. It was hard to believe Parker is four months younger than the Liverpool skipper and that Stuart Pearce gave him the England captaincy last year.

Enjoying the mismatch was Liverpool fan and Hollywood comedy actor Mike Myers who looked on approvingly despite the predictability of the script.

'We had 30 shots on goal which is pleasing,' said Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers. 'Steven's delivery is as good as it gets. I told the other player they weren't utilising his quality. I asked them to be much more aggressive getting to the ball because every week Steven puts the ball exactly where we ask for it.'

Jol, in charge since 2011, must have feared the worst following Fulham's shambolic displays against Southampton and Manchester United. On Saturday, his players did little to persuade new owner Shahid Khan to stick with the manager.


Gift: Fulham's Fernando Amorebieta deflects ball into hos own net

Agony: Fulham's Maarten Stekelenburg can't hide his frustration

Clinical: Suarez, right, scores the third goal for Liverpool

Sharp shooter: Suarez celebrates scoring their fourth goal

After 23 minutes relying on goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg to keep them level, Fulham conceded twice in four minutes — both from Gerrard set pieces.

Parker, manfully trying to make up for the deficiencies of team-mates, put Daniel Sturridge on his backside. Gerrard's whipped free-kick just evaded Luis Suarez in the penalty area but it did not matter as Fulham centre half Fernando Amorebieta got a touch to beat his own goalkeeper.

Liverpool added a second quickly, after Parker had been booked for raking a stud down the back of Gerrard's leg. Again, Gerrard's right foot did the damage, this time from a corner as he directed the ball with power and precision for Martin  Skrtel to head in.

By this stage Fulham were camped inside their own half in a 9-0-1 formation — Dimitar Berbatov 50 yards apart from his colleagues.Thankfully, Stekelenburg was in inspired form to prevent a rugby score mounting up. His tip-over from Philippe Coutinho was world-class and he saved from Suarez.

It did not matter. After 36 minutes, it was 3-0; Gerrard passing to  Jordan Henderson down the right. The ball was moved on to Suarez and the Uruguayan hit a crisp, low finish past the Dutch goalkeeper.

Jol admitted to despondency at half time. 'You would like to stay in the dressing-room but you can't, you have to go back out there,' he said.


Cover up: Suarez (right) talks to Fulham's goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg at half time

Fulham manager Martin Jol embraces Liverpool player Luis Suarez before the match

Watching on: Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher in the crowd

Concern: Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge suffered an injury scare

Liverpool could have taken their foot off the pedal but did not. Instead, Sturridge forced Stekelenburg into another wonder-save with the first attack and Suarez blazed over the rebound.

Fulham's afternoon plumbed new depths after 54 minutes when Kieran Richardson dawdled on the ball and lost it to Gerrard.

He simply toe-poked a pass through to Suarez who ran on unchallenged to score his second.

That was the signal for Rodgers to relax. Gerrard, who has minor discomfort in his hip, went off for a well-deserved rest after 65 minutes. Fulham's captain Berbatov followed, though his rest was less deserved.



'It wasn't his best day, he was isolated,' said Jol.

Fulham are perilously close to the drop zone and the smart money is on NFL owner Khan turning elsewhere to try and get out of trouble. Jol wants to lead his team out in two weeks against Swansea. 'This result wasn't the end of the world. Other games against teams around you in the table are more winnable,' he said.

Fulham players looked shellshocked at the final whistle, assistant manager Billy McKinlay having to cajole them to go over and applaud the 1,200 visiting fans.

For Liverpool, life looks good.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2495068/Liverpool-4-Fulham-0-Luis-Suarez-piles-misery-beleaguered-Martin-Jol.html#ixzz2kE5ATq7t
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Liverpool 4 Fulham 0 match report: Martin Jol pleads not to be judged on dreadful performance after Liverpool rip Fulham apart at Anfield

If you want to compile a checklist of whether a manager is about to be sacked, Martin Jol ticks the boxes. Did he finish last season badly (check)? Did he bring in a lot of players over the summer (check)? Is the club run by a man who did not appoint him (check)? Is there an international break coming up (check)? Are they playing dreadfully (check and check again)?

It would be cruel to judge a Fulham manager on results at Anfield. Only one man has ever overseen a victory at Liverpool and he is the one whose big bull neck is now on the block. Logically, his fate should be decided over Fulham's next four games, all of which are in London, but logic often has very little to do with football.

Fulham's 1-0 win at Anfield in May last year was one of those that persuaded the Liverpool owner, John W Henry, that despite the two Wembley finals he had led them to, the romantic experiment of bringing back Kenny Dalglish had to end.

Jol argued, fairly convincingly, that the fixtures he should be judged by were the ones against Crystal Palace and Stoke – what he called "the ordinary teams" – rather than the recent crushing defeats by Manchester United and Liverpool. "We have to suffer during these games," he said. "But we will be fine." When he rose to leave the press conference, the sponsors' background he had been speaking behind came crashing down.

Shahid Khan, who bought Fulham and promptly removed the statue of Michael Jackson outside Craven Cottage, will have to back Jol's belief that this was not the afternoon to decide his future.

Had Jol selected the statue for this game it would have moved only marginally less than Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian, who operated as a very lone striker, was brought off to jeers and laughter, although he was among the least culpable. Liverpool's defeat at Arsenal was an injection of reality for those who imagine they are the real deal but against anything less than top-quality opposition Brendan Rodgers is in charge of a murderously good side.

But for some brilliant goalkeeping from Maarten Stekelenburg, the result might have matched the 7-0 humbling Norwich suffered at Manchester City that pushed Chris Hughton to the brink. There was one instinctive push over the bar from Philippe Coutinho in the first half and two more in the space of seconds to deny Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.

But for Steven Gerrard, the Dutchman might have had the very thin consolation of being man of this particular match. This, however, was an afternoon that showed the Liverpool captain as he has become in the autumn of his career, no longer a box-to-box midfielder but a great, creative user of a football. He had a hand in all four goals.

"I felt his delivery was as good as it gets," Rodgers said. "Nobody delivers a ball like Steven Gerrard. I told the players that they are not utilising the quality he delivers every week. When I first came here there was a nervousness, a vulnerability about the group when it came to these type of games but we are becoming relentless."

You could gauge Fulham's attitude from the kick-off, from which they played the ball back to their goalkeeper. Stekelenburg punted it up-field, Fulham promptly lost possession and, before 45 seconds were up, they had conceded a corner from which Daniel Agger almost scored.

Jol loathed the way Fulham conceded the opening two goals. The first was a Gerrard free-kick that Suarez and Fernando Amorebieta both went to meet. Suarez had a better leap, the Venezuelan had the advantage of height and turned it past his own goalkeeper. Three minutes later, Amorebieta sprinted to meet Gerrard's corner but was beaten by Martin Skrtel's shaven head.

Jol had made Berbatov captain, although Sir Alex Ferguson described the Bulgarian as a man unusually lacking in self-confidence for a centre forward when he played for Manchester United.

There was nothing remotely inspirational about his leadership and when Gerrard took the ball past him with a fabulous flick, a cheer rolled around Anfield. Jordan Henderson received a lovely crossfield ball from his captain and moved it through to Suarez. Jol, who had managed the Uruguayan at Ajax, described him as "the best penalty-area player in the world". Now he proved it and when Gerrard won the ball from Kieran Richardson after the interval, he did so in front of the Kop.

Mike Myers, the man who gave the world Austin Powers, and who paraded around the directors' box before kick-off, would have loved it. His parents' home in Toronto was "a shrine to Liverpool" and he was "jazzed to be here". Fulham were rather less so.

Liverpool (4-4-2): Mignolet; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Cissokho (Luis Enrique, 61); Henderson, Lucas Leiva, Gerrard (Allen, 66), Coutinho; Suarez, Sturridge (Moses, 76).

Fulham (4-4-1-1): Stekelenburg; Zverotic (Hughes, 61), Senderos, Amorebieta, Richardson;  Dejagah, Sidwell, Parker; Sidwell, Kacaniklic (Ruiz, h-t), Kasami; Berbatov (Karagounis, 83).

Referee: Mike Jones

Man of the match: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

Match rating: 6/10



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/liverpool-4-fulham-0-match-report-martin-jol-pleads-not-to-be-judged-on-dreadful-performance-after-liverpool-rip-fulham-apart-at-anfield-8930589.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Liverpool 4 Fulham 0: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield on Saturday Nov 9, 2013.

Luis Suárez's irrepressible form continued apace here but, against a Fulham defence that conceded three first-half goals for the second successive week, it said as much about the opposition as it did his goalscoring prowess.

Suárez scored twice, possibly three times depending on an own goal adjudication, as Brendan Rodgers' team moved into second place with a result that leaves the job security of Martin Jol under a darkening cloud.

Jol, who managed Suárez at Ajax, had waxed lyrical about his former player, only to find that the Uruguayan had a funny way of repaying the compliment.

"Luis took his goals well but him and Daniel Sturridge could have had one or two more," said Rodgers, still refusing to discuss his team's title credentials. "Our appetite was outstanding, there was a real hunger to get the ball. We had around 30 shots on goal so it was a dominant performance.

"We are taking it game by game. But the evidence we have shown in the seven games we have won, and tag that on to the form since January, shows we are collecting points. When I first came here, there was a real vulnerability and nervousness in games like this. Now, the focus and mentality is good and we are becoming relentless in this type of game. That's what Liverpool is about."

The fact that the first two goals emanated from Steven Gerrard set-pieces, appallingly defended, underscored the weaknesses that have left Fulham planted deep in the early-season relegation frame.

The first, after 23 minutes, was a free-kick from the right of the pitch which Suárez converted with a header that took a kindly deflection off the shoulder of defender Fernando Amorebieta and which, initially at least, was credited as an own goal.

Three minutes later, and in almost identical fashion, Gerrard's right-wing corner found the unmarked Martin Skrtel, who steered a stooping header past Maarten Stekelenburg.

Impressive Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho could count himself unfortunate not to add his name to the scoresheet with a series of fine long-range shots, one of which drew a stunning acrobatic save from Stekelenburg.

But, after 36 minutes, any vague notion of a Fulham recovery was removed when Gerrard's sweeping pass found Jordan Henderson. His threaded pass, in turn, played in Suárez, whose low finish was as technically perfect as it was predictable.

It was becoming – and would continue to be – an unspeakably poor performance from Fulham, whose only shot of the game came after 21 minutes, with the game scoreless, when Dimitar Berbatov's effort with the outside of his foot offered Simon Mignolet no concerns as he gathered.

"There is no defence," said Jol of the first-half display. "If you go to Liverpool or Man United, you have to fight not to concede goals and to concede the first two to set-pieces, we made life difficult for ourselves.

"At half-time I just said the same as last week, we like to get results against the Crystal Palaces, the Stokes, the Sunderlands, but against Man United and Liverpool you hope for a result but couldn't get it. It's not the end of the world.

"Before Southampton away, we had three out of four against 'normal' sides and this is what we have to do, try and get the points against those teams.

"Every manager of any team in the bottom six or seven has to keep fighting. At the end of the day I think we will be fine but we have to suffer during these games."

Suárez made it 4-0 after 53 minutes. Again it came courtesy of shoddy defending as Kieran Richardson was dispossessed by Gerrard, who played in Suárez for yet another excellent finish and his eighth league goal in six games.

Match details
Liverpool (4-4-2) Mignolet 6; Johnson 7, Skrtel 7, Agger 7, Cissokho 7 (Enrique 75, 6); Henderson 7, Lucas 7, Gerrard 8 (Allen 66, 6), Coutinho 8; Suarez 9, Sturridge 6 (Moses 75, 6).
Subs Jones (g), Alberto, Sakho, Sterling.

Fulham (4-4-1-1) Stekelenburg 8; Zverotic 5 (Hughes 60, 5), Senderos 5, Amorebieta 4, Richardson 4; Dejagah 5, Parker 6, Sidwell 5, Kacaniklic 4 (Ruiz 45, 5); Kasami 6; Berbatov 5 (Karagounis 82).
Subs Stockdale (g), Taarabt, Boateng, Bent.
Booked Parker.

Referee M Jones (Chester)



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10436847/Liverpool-4-Fulham-0-match-report.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Struggling Fulham are thrashed at Anfield

Liverpool 4 Fulham 0

Fulham capitulated with yet more woeful defending as they slumped to another defeat.

They conceded three goals inside a disastrous opening 36 minutes, with Fernando Amorebieta heading into his own net to gift Liverpool an opener.

Defender Martin Skrtel nodded home Steven Gerrard's corner to double the Reds' lead and then Luis Suarez slotted into the far corner before half-time.

The Uruguayan added his second just after the break and Liverpool could have had more, with Fulham's defenders no match for the home forwards.

The Whites' defending from set-pieces has been a real concern this season and they conceded three goals inside 22 minutes against Manchester United last week.

Amorebieta, continuing in place of Brede Hangeland who failed a late fitness test, headed aimlessly past his own goalkeeper from a Suarez free-kick on 23 minutes.

Skrtel rose unmarked to head in a second three minutes later before Suarez slotted home the third when he latched onto Jordan Henderson's through-ball.

Suarez added Liverpool's fourth when he was put through by Gerrard just after the break.

Fulham (4-4-1-1): Stekelenburg; Zverotic (Hughes 61), Senderos, Amorebieta, Richardson; Dejagah, Sidwell, Parker; Kacaniklic (Ruiz 46); Kasami; Berbatov (Karagounis 83)
Subs not used: Stockdale, Boateng, Taarabt, Bent



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/liverpool-v-fulham-match-report-22117255?

[WhiteJC]

 
Liverpol vs. Fulham: Final score 4-0, Reds run riot over diabolical Cottagers

Liverpool stayed second with an easy win over the horrific Cottagers.

Are Fulham even a Premier League team right now? They're certainly not playing like it. Granted, going to Liverpool and getting a result is a very tough ask these days, but as the Reds' loss to Arsenal last weekend rather comprehensively demonstrated, Brendan Rodgers' side are hardly immortal. But immortal is just what they looked like against the Cottagers, who utterly annihilated in a 4-0 rout.

The match was basically a parade of Liverpool chances. Fulham defended like a gaggle of small schoolchildren, and it didn't take long before the hosts grabbed the lead. Fernando Amorebieta apparently had an idea what was coming and wisely defected to the winning side, heading a free kick past his own goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

Liverpool's second arrived in more conventional fashion, albeit from another set piece. A corner was whipped in, Fulham's defenders ran away, and Martin Skrtel was on hand to nod past Maarten Stekelenberg. Luis Suarez added to the visitors' woes ten minutes later with a well-taken finish.

The game was already over by the time the second half rolled around, which gave Suarez and striker partner Daniel Sturridge the opportunity to compete for a place in the pantheon of how-did-he-miss-thats. Eventually Suarez got bored of wasting chances and completed the scoring with a close range finish following a neat pass from Steven Gerrard.

It's difficult to overstate just how poor Fulham were. They were outshot 32-4. They looked like they had no idea what a football was, let alone how to play it. Surely, these are the final days of Martin Jol's reign. That was diabolical.

Liverpool starting lineup (4-4-2): Simon Mignolet; Aly Cissokho, Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel, Glen Johnson; Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Leiva, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson; Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez.

Fulham starting lineup (4-4-1-1): Maarten Stekelenberg; Kieran Richardson, Fernando Amorebieta, Philippe Senderos, Elsad Zverotic; Alexander Kacaniklic, Scott Parker, Steve Sidwell, Ashkan Dejagah; Pajtim Kasami; Dimitar Berbatov.



http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/11/9/5084056/liverpol-vs-fulham-final-score-result?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham news: Cottagers were atrocious - Le Tissier

Ex-Southampton striker Matt Le Tissier expressed his shock at the poor performance of Fulham against Liverpool in the Premier League today.

The Reds ran riot against Martin Jol's Fulham notching up four goals and attempting 32 shots at goal - a new record for the Premier League season.

Speaking on Soccer Saturday, Le Tissier gave his thoughts after the final sounded at Anfield. He said: "It was so one-sided it was ridiculous. I think Liverpool had something like 17 attempts in the first half alone"
"If it had gone in 5 or 6 nil, Fulham couldn't have complained. I can't remember Mignolet making one save in the first half"
He concluded: "It really was a mauling from start to finish. Based on that performance, they're (Fulham) in trouble"
Jol finds himself under increasing pressure as the Cottagers linger just above the dreaded relegation places.



http://www.sportsdirectnews.com/premier-league-news/35470-fulham-news-cottagers-were-atrocious-le-tissier.php#.Un859qUcKbA

[WhiteJC]

 
Woodrow stays on at Southend

Southend United have extended the loan deal of Fulham teenager Cauley Woodrow for the rest of the season.

Woodrow joined Southend in September and the striker has yet to score in nine appearances in League Two.

The 18-year-old did net a brace in 5-2 defeat by Dagenham & Redbridge in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy last month and Southend boss Phil Brown is happy to be keeping Woodrow.

Brown told the club's official website: "It's great news that Cauley will be here with us until the end of the campaign.

"He's worked extremely hard since joining on loan initially for a month and then a further month.

"As a young striker it's important to get games and goals. Cauley has got a couple in the cup and I'm sure when he does get that first league goal he'll kick on from there.

"Extending this until the end of the season means he can settle here, work hard and improve as a footballer with us."



http://www.sportinglife.com/football/league-two/news/article/422/9016090/-?

[WhiteJC]

 
Time for Jol era to end

You cannot defend the indefensible. Is it possible for this Fulham side to sink any lower? We have just witnessed the most gutless display from the Whites in their Premiership history and there can be only one course of action for the board now in the coming days.

Therein lies the problem.

After this latest capitulation, with three quick fire goals again killing Fulham off before half-time for the second week running, the fundamental issue is not on the pitch but in the boardroom.

Owner Shad Khan could not have envisaged his new project unravelling so quickly. That it has, means he must grasp the nettle and start making executive decisions. There is a power vacuum at the top of the club hierarchy. As a consequence, the Cottagers have become a rudderless ship.

Martin Jol manipulates the situation to cling to his job while the whole of football see him as a spent force. The oft repeated quotes, as Fulham stagger from defeat to defeat, that "we will be fine" are spoken as much for the owner's ears as the fans.

Here in London chief executive Alistair Mackintosh is the man who personally jetted to Amsterdam convinced our Dutch coach was the man to take Fulham forward. A side that, despite the connotations of his departure, Mark Hughes left in decent shape.

So the CEO has nailed his colours to Jol's floundering craft. None of Mohamed Al-Fayed's old crew of advisors are around any longer. Jol thinks he's bulletproof with the backing of Mackintosh and Khan out of the picture.

Our new owner sits in Florida, knowing nothing of English football by his own admission, and dealing with the far bigger meltdown of a franchise that is 0-8 in the NFL. To date he's cautiously suggested he might become more proactive in the January window.

Well, I'm sorry Shad, but the Premiership campaign is not going to sit back and wait for you. Your special advisor bridging the Atlantic needs to deliver a report in the strongest possible terms that Fulham Football club, your 200 million pound investment last August, is sinking like a stone.

I was moved to tweet at half-time today how I now feel ashamed of this team.

During a second half where Liverpool decided to sit back and treat us as a training exercise, I felt sullied by the spectacle. I hold no truck with bear baiting, cock fighting or mocking the afflicted. What we witnessed at Anfield today was no longer a contest. I really do not wish to be a spectator to a bound and blindfolded team being flayed alive.

The display today from this Fulham side has caused me to break with my modus operandi since 2010 by blogging on the final whistle -- such is the depth of my despair. There is no need to wait for Sunday's papers to read the universal criticism that even as I type is raging across all media in the UK.

The appalling statistics from this 0-4 loss, Mr Khan, where we forced not one save from the home keeper, tell their own story. You cannot have built a billion dollar fortune without firing those along the way who failed to deliver. It is time Mr. Chairman to do the right thing.

Act NOW and there is time to save our season. Delay and watch your investment halve in value by May 2014.



http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/fulham/id/1527?&cc=5739

[WhiteJC]

 
Liverpool 4 Fulham 0: Martin Jol convinced he remains the man to lead Fulham, while Brendan Rodgers hails 'outstanding' Liverpool performance


The home side were 3-0 up by half-time

Manager Martin Jol insists he remains the man to lift Fulham out of their current slump after a 4-0 defeat against Liverpool increased the pressure on the Dutchman.

A Fernando Amorebieta own goal was followed by strikes from Martin Skrtel and Luis Suarez as the Cottagers found themselves 3-0 down at the break.

Suarez added his second to make it eight in the league this season and had it not been for goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg the scoreline would have been a whole lot worse.

Fulham are 16th with only 10 points from 11 matches but Jol will defiantly soldier on despite increasing speculation about his position.

"I think every manager in every team in the bottom six or seven has to keep fighting," said the Fulham boss, who admitted he had not spoken to owner Shahid Khan about his future.

"At the end of the day, I think we will be fine. We have to suffer during these games.

"I think you have to be an expert if you are in the bottom four or five to keep teams up and I don't think there are a lot of experts.

"If you go to Liverpool or Manchester United or all the top teams you have to try not to concede goals.

"On the ball we looked okay for the first 20 minutes and then we conceded a goal from a set-piece, then a second from a set-piece and you make it too difficult to get a result.

"It's not acceptable. The only thing I say is you make it too difficult if you concede cheap goals like that against the top teams.

"I feel conceding goals from set-pieces, which is the easiest way to defend, is unacceptable.

"On the other hand, you see it happening all the time at clubs.

"It is a cliche to say you have to show character. You would like to stay in the dressing room but you can't so you have to go out there and try to do something.

"I feel that is what we did but it is not enough to get a result after being 3-0 down."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers saw his side bounce back from last week's defeat at Arsenal, their second of the season, in resounding fashion.

"I thought we played very well. Our appetite for the game was outstanding," he said.

"We had a hunger to get the ball and we had more than 30 shots on goal, it was a real dominant performance, very pleasing."

The Reds boss also paid tribute to captain Steven Gerrard who, after being criticised for not being able to influence the game at Arsenal, had a hand in all four goals.

"Steven's delivery is as good as it gets. No-one delivers a ball like Steven Gerrard," he said.

"I felt that the other players were not utilising the quality we had in the team in his delivery and so I asked them to be more aggressive when they attack the ball and to get across their defender.

"Every week I tell him where I want him to put the ball and he puts it there.

"You saw with two of our goals - the free kick and the corner (for the own goal and Skrtel's header) - there was incredible quality on his deliveries."

Gerrard was restricted by a hip problem at the Emirates and he was withdrawn after 67 minutes with the game won against Fulham but Rodgers does not think it will be an issue for the forthcoming England internationals.

"He obviously has had an issue with his hip," he said.

"Where I can rest him I will and we obviously had enough control of the game to do that.

"I think he is obviously a modern, seasoned professional at the top level so where he can get those little breathers it is important to get them.

"I haven't spoken to the medical people but he should be fine."

PA



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/liverpool-4-fulham-0-martin-jol-convinced-he-remains-the-man-to-lead-fulham-while-brendan-rodgers-hails-outstanding-liverpool-performance-8930796.html

[WhiteJC]

 
What does Martin Jol need to do to be sacked by Fulham?

Just what does Martin Jol need to do to get sacked by Fulham?

By most people's standards, he'd have been ousted a while ago, and by the patient person's standard, the 4-3 defeat to Leicester City would have been his last with the club.

But no, Jol has had the good fortune to reign over two further losses, two further gutless performances, two further displays of utterly embarrassing proportions.

Jol being Jol, though, he has the good humour to carry on through the strain.

It was put to him, post Liverpool, that his side concede an unnatural amount of goals from set pieces. His witty retort? We don't concede them in training.

The only problem there is, of course, he isn't joking. That is his genuine response to what is, let's face it, an ever concerning problem with our defence.

It doesn't stop there, though. The excuses continue to reel off his tongue, as if he is missing the part of his brain that tries its darnedest to avoid humiliation.

'It's not the end of the world,' he said, as though his team's ineptitude really didn't matter. 'On the ball we looked okay for the first 20 minutes,' he continued.

It would be funny if it weren't all so real.

Yet, it is, and nothing is being done about it. There is no word, not even a whisper, that Jol's job is under any kind of threat. But why? What has he done to deserve such inerrable backing?

He's resided over the steepest regression the club has endured since Lawrie Sanchez.

We were frequent visitors to the top half before he arrived, capable of holding our own against the bigger boys – the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United, both of whom have breezed past us at a canter over the last two weeks – and now we are relegation fodder. Incapable of scraping together a decent performance that can last a full 90 minutes.

I can plea all I want with Shahid Khan, though, and it will get me nowhere.

We will just have to put up with it a little longer.



http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/09/what-does-martin-jol-need-to-do-to-be-sacked-by-fulham-4180304/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Sack race betting suspended

Sky Bet have suspended betting on the next Premier League manager to lose his job with Fulham's Martin Jol under serious pressure.

Jol saw his side produce a lifeless display in a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday and the Leeds-based firm saw no option but to close betting.

"Losing 4-0 at Anfield isn't good, but it's not a disaster," commented Sky Bet's Sandro Di Michele. "However, the manner of Fulham's defeat was once again the big issue and it may well be that change is required."

Fulham are now 2/1 to be relegated, behind only Crystal Palace (1/12) and Sunderland (8/15) in the betting.

Cardiff were cut to 9/4 following their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa, who were eased to 25/1 alongside Swansea and West Brom.

The latter were unfortunate to be denied all three points at Chelsea, with a last-gasp penalty preserving Jose Mourinho's unbeaten league run at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea find themselves as 7/2 third-favourites for the Premier League title, however, with Arsenal considered more likely winners for now at 3/1.

Liverpool were cut to 8/1 after their Fulham win, in which Luis Suarez scored two to join Daniel Sturridge and Sergio Aguero at the top of the Premier League scoring charts.

Suarez is clear favourite at 2/1 for the Golden Boot.



http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/312/9018707/-?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol on the brink of the sack! Fulham boss faces crisis talks with new owner Khan

Martin Jol was on the brink of becoming the third Premier League managerial casualty of the season after Fulham's humiliating 4-0 defeat at Liverpool.

The 57-year-old Dutchman was bracing himself for talks with Fulham's new owner, Shahid Khan, after his side suffered their third defeat in a row.


Joking: Darren Bent and Adel Taarabt sat behind Martin Jol laughing as Fulham fell four behind

Head in his hands: Fulham manager Jol can't bear to look as his crashed to defeat

Losing out: Jol had no excuses for poor performance at Liverpool

Fulham are hovering just above the relegation zone and Khan, the flamboyant owner of NFL franchise Jacksonville Jaguars, is considering using the two-week break in the Premier League to make his change.

Former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo and former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, impressive in his first managerial job with Norwegian club Molde, would be serious contenders if Jol meets the same fate as Paolo Di Canio, at Sunderland, and Crystal Palace's Ian Holloway.


Happier times: Now Fulham owner Shahid Khan (right) could axe Jol

Red hot: Luis Suarez scores Liverpool's third goal

When questioned about his future, Jol snapped: 'I haven't spoken to the owner yet.'

Khan was not at Anfield to see Fulham's collapse and Jol admits there is little mitigation as his side were outplayed.
'There's no defence for that performance,' he said.


Deadly: Suarez may have put the final nail in the coffin of his former boss at Ajax

Cover up: Suarez (right) talks to Fulham's goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg at half time



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2496043/Martin-Jol-brink-Fulham-sack-Crisis-talks-Shahid-Khan-loom.html#ixzz2kEAHZXm1
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Martin O'Neil's Irish job saves Martin Jol
MARTIN O'NEILL was a strong candidate to replace Martin Jol at Fulham until his appointment as Republic of Ireland boss.

Jol's position as manager at Craven Cottage is in doubt. And it's a job which, it is understood, would have interested former Sunderland boss O'Neill.

But O'Neill was excited about the prospect of managing Ireland, where he has appointed another ex-Sunderland boss
Roy Keane as his No.2



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/349964/Martin-O-Neil-s-Irish-job-saves-Martin-Jol

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's Josh Pritchard won't switch to Norway permanently

Josh Pritchard has shunned a permanent move to Norway in a bid to make a Fulham breakthrough.

Pritchard, 21, has starred during his loan spell with Tromso.

But the Wales midfielder will head back to Craven Cottage next month to force his way into Martin Jol's plans.

Pritchard said: "I have developed as a player here but I will be travelling back to England in December."



http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/442148/Fulham-s-Josh-Pritchard-won-t-switch-to-Norway-permanently

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham raise white flag to rampant Reds
Liverpool 4 Fulham 0

Luis Suarez's irrepressible return from suspension continued apace but, against a Fulham defence that conceded three first-half goals for the second successive week, it said as much about the opposition as it did his goalscoring prowess.

Suarez scored twice, possibly three times depending on an own-goal adjudication, as Brendan Rodgers's team moved into second place with a result that leaves the job security of Martin Jol under a darkening cloud.

Jol, who managed Suarez at Ajax, had waxed lyrical about his former player, only to find that the Uruguayan had a funny way of repaying the compliment.

"Luis took his goals well but him and Daniel Sturridge could have had one or two more," said Rodgers, still refusing to discuss his team's title credentials.

"Our appetite was outstanding, there was a real hunger to get the ball. We had over 30 shots on goal so it was a dominant performance.

"We are taking it game by game. But the evidence we have shown in the seven games we have won, and tag that on to the form since January, shows we are collecting points.

"When I first came here, there was a real vulnerability and nervousness in games like this. Now, the focus and mentality is good and we are becoming relentless in this type of game. That's what Liverpool is about."

The fact that the first two goals emanated from Steven Gerrard set-pieces, appallingly defended, underscored the weaknesses that have left Fulham planted deep in the early-season relegation frame.

The first, after 23 minutes, was a free-kick from the right of the pitch which Suarez converted with a header that took a kindly deflection off the shoulder of defender Fernando Amorebieta and which, initially at least, was credited as an own-goal.

Three minutes later, and in almost identical fashion, Gerrard's right-wing corner found the unmarked Martin Skrtel, who steered a stooping header past Maarten Stekelenburg.

Impressive Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho could count himself unfortunate not to add his name to the scoresheet with a series of fine long-range shots, one of which drew a stunning acrobatic save from Stekelenburg.

But, after 36 minutes, any vague notion of a Fulham recovery was removed when Gerrard's sweeping pass found Jordan Henderson. His threaded pass, in turn, played in Suarez, whose low finish was as technically perfect as it was predictable.



http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fulham-raise-white-flag-to-rampant-reds-29741257.html

[WhiteJC]

 
The view from the Lighthouse
by Lighthouse

Well as there isn't any View from Texas from Hatter as frankly he has a life to lead. I thought I would filll in the gap.

I couldn't be bothered to watch any sort of stream of the game. Listened to radio Five Live which did have the game on live. Turned over to watch a few minutes of the awful Star Wars film. Went back to find we were three nil down.

The usual plaudits for Liverpool but mixed in were now comments about how awful our defending and our attitude was. The same comments that some on this MB have been saying for some time now.

It is not the score line. It is not even that some of our players make the same mistake week in week out. It's not just the lack of investment. Its simply that as a fan and supporter for more than forty years. I know I will be bored watching us play. I don't care anymore. When we beat Palace we knew the wonder goals hid the truth.

So win or lose I shall always have a place for Fulham in my heart. It has been a big part of my life. But while we play to bore. My view is simply this. I used to be proud of Fulham. My club, win or lose, I moaned but I loved the club. Now I am bored by them. Not sure I will ever forgive the club or the manager for making me feel like this.

Fulham on the telly? Wonder what's on the other side. And before people tell me to go off and support somebody else. I can't like the game anymore and so have stopped watching games or highlights. I am wishing for a time when Fulham, win or lose, become fun to watch and moan about.
Until they do, we will continue to say the same things over and over again.

Fulham you are boring. Now let's have somebody to make us worth watching
We may still not win. But not winning and still being dull and boring. Just too much.


http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=458