Tuesday Fulham Stuff (12/11/13)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Analysis: Fulham manager Martin Jol has most to fear in this Premier League season of sackings

Premier League managers beware: the sacking season is fast approaching. Those who believe there is no such thing and that a chairman's knife can be wielded at any time of year may be surprised to learn that Paolo Di Canio's dismissal by Sunderland and Ian Holloway's resignation at Crystal Palace before British Summer Time ended were early exceptions to the normal rule.

In fact, there are three main sacking "windows". The first begins towards the end of November and lasts until midway through January, allowing the new man to buy a player or two. March then brings a brief panic, before the main changeover period each summer.

Last year there were three November-January casualties (at Chelsea, Queen's Park Rangers and Southampton), after two, three and four respectively in the previous seasons. Now that the bottom two clubs have already made a change, it is those immediately above them where the incumbent must bite the bullet rather than face one.

Fulham's Martin Jol is the bookmakers' odds-on favourite to be next man out, ahead of Norwich's Chris Hughton. Both teams – and managers – have suffered a run of fixtures against the leading clubs, which in Norwich's case came to an end on Saturday with a home game against West Ham that they succeeded in turning round after deservedly trailing 1-0 at half-time.

Jol must hope for a similar break, having seen his team beaten 3-1 by Manchester United and 4-0 at Liverpool, where their performance was limp in the extreme. After the United game, the affable Dutchman claimed that there were "six or seven" worse teams than his, but Fulham supporters who travelled to Anfield must feel they would struggle to name that many.

Jol's argument against a change of manager is that "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". For two seasons he has done that comfortably, finishing ninth and 12th, but to save him – if it is not already too late – Fulham must win games against the weaker teams. Swansea visit Craven Cottage on Saturday week, after which there is a trip to West Ham. Jol has a new owner in the American Shahid Khan, who has so far preached not rushing into things; he has time now to consider them and may soon decide that decline has gone too far.

Norwich, under the benign ownership of Delia Smith and her husband Michael Wynn Jones, are not essentially a sacking club and there will be pleasure far beyond Norfolk if Hughton comes through unscathed. He had been particularly unfortunate in a crop of fixtures bringing heavy defeats by Arsenal, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs, and the concern was that the players' attitude in losing 7-0 at Manchester City nine days ago was as poor as Fulham's on Saturday.

Norwich had also failed to beat (or even score a goal against) Hull City, Aston Villa and Cardiff City, so going in at half-time a goal down at home to West Ham amid some instinctive booing from their home crowd felt like a potential tipping point. In the second half, however, the team responded to their manager's demand for greater urgency and physical pressing of the West Ham midfield, producing what he called "a very, very good reaction".

Crucial breaks – easily underestimated amid all the technical analysis – went their way too and by Saturday night there were five teams, including West Ham (where Sam Allardyce is not a popular figure), below them in the table.

"You don't veer from the things you do week in and week out, and you have to have a belief that that's going to see you OK," Hughton said. "If we're talking about pressure I'm under, then big teams in the top five or six have to take that pressure as well. The  way the game is now you're putting more into each performance and the defeats don't get any easier."

Jol will be feeling that today, as will Cardiff's Malky Mackay, who faces extra difficulties in the unpredictability of the club's owner, Vincent Tan. After the highly regarded Iain Moody, dismissed by Tan, was appointed as sporting director  by Crystal Palace this weekend, it was inevitable that Mackay would be asked about following him to the managerless south London club. "I'm proud to be the Cardiff City manager," was his diplomatic response following the 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

The former Real Madrid defender Aitor Karanka, who comes with a glowing reference from Jose Mourinho, is on Palace's shortlist, although the caretaker Keith Millen believes the job should go to someone with Premier League experience.



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/analysis-fulham-manager-martin-jol-has-most-to-fear-in-this-premier-league-season-of-sackings-8931623.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Enjoying home comforts as Fulham hand us points

Without ever quite being the fortress of old, Anfield has become quite the pleasure dome over the last 11 months.

It began with a truly dismal performance by Fulham. 3-0 at half time, a goal from Skrtel, Berbatov in his pyjamas; still, at least you can learn from your mistakes...

Let's hope the circle hasn't turned fully and we continue in the same vein. An improving home record could mean the extra dozen points needed to close the gap on our fellow pyrite chasers.

It is a largely neglected benefit of the Istanbul miracle that it gave miseryguts like me the right to call the Champions League a bloated, mediocrity-diluted cash cow. Beforehand all criticism was put down to onlooker's jealousy.

A win, a final and a semi later and we could say what we pleased. Maybe we'd already spoken volumes with our poor attendances at the opening group games of 2001 and 2004? We know how important the money and prestige is, but as a spectacle for the neutral, it is largely poor fare in the early stages. The new rights payment seems utterly farcical.

Most fans have defective desires to play detective, searching for clues in results or performances that shed light on the future. For now, reds are just enjoying themselves. Not every game has to prove something. If you gleaned any indication of a 2014 triumph from Saturday's stroll you're probably seeing what you want to see.

Second place and decent football are to be savoured no doubt, but we are going to need major scalps to stifle the patronising sighs of discouraging strangers. Curiously, Albion and Villa crept into the top 10 so our record in the top half of the table stands up to everyone else's for now.

Fulham certainly won't be creeping anywhere but downwards.

They were continually caught in possession and slowed to a craven crawl. Whatever the manager told them clearly wasn't heeded, always a bad sign. Replacing the dreadful Berbatov may have been Martin Jol's final act.

Gerrard pretended he was 25 again whilst Coutinho revelled in time and space, Johnson also. It was incredibly easy. We ambled about for 20 minutes before a goal opened the floodgates. Mediocrity and spinelessness seem to be the story of this league too; heads drop with unseemly haste and you even saw a little of that in our Emirates performance. We gave it a go when it was too late.

I think we're doing well but we're hardly impregnable, so it was natural to find Fulham's display rather shameful. Is a player like Berbatov so arrogant that he will take the money but think a bit of effort is beneath him? The United background never helps, but you felt the catcalls for his long overdue substitution sprang from moral nausea.

Suarez has all that skill but the will to win and the aggression (though he goes overboard sometimes!) is equally important. Still, it will be Jol who pays the ultimate price for the Fulham players' awful attitude, not themselves.

We tried to be blasé about the Chelsea score late on but when you're looking for a boost, particularly after last week, the difference between second and third can be significant. There are still questions about this team, how it always needs a goal to get the bit between its teeth. Once the visitors shot themselves in the foot, we were rampant.

Until then it had all been a bit dozy. It was as if we had turned up expecting the points. That is a big change in the landscape from a year ago, when you weren't entirely sure what you were about to watch. The shellacking we gave Fulham last season came as a surprise. This was dreary routine.

No wild predictions this week. Oh just one; if Cissokho plays at Goodison, we're screwed.



http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/terrace-talk/enjoying-home-comforts-as-fulham-hand-us-points-249223.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Josh Pritchard wants Fulham return

Welsh Under-21 international Josh Pritchard has played down the possibility of making his loan move from Fulham to Tromso IL permanent.

The 21-year-old joined the Norwegian club on a six-month deal in February, but his stay ended in disappointment as the club were relegated from the Tippeligaen.

Pritchard believes that he has gained valuable experience during his time in Norway and now wants to fight for a place in Martin Jol's first team.

"I have developed as a player here but I will be travelling back to England in December," The Express quotes him as saying.

The Stockport-born midfielder signed for the Cottagers after being released by Manchester United in the summer of 2009.



http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/transfer-talk/news/pritchard-wants-fulham-return_117185.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham youngster a target for Liverpool and Man United

Moussa Dembele is an emerging star at Fulham. The young Frenchman has enjoyed a stellar run with Fulham's Under-21 team this season and his performances have caught the eye of many big clubs.



According to reports in the Daily Mirror, both Liverpool and Manchester United are now looking at the striker. The report goes on to add that Liverpool even sent a three man team to scout the player and the feedback could only have been good with the striker scoring twice in that match.

With interest growing, Fulham are likely to try and hold on to the player, especially given the abject performances of their current first team. However, with the transfer window looming, a big money bid may just be too hard to turn down.

Manchester United are known for bringing in young talent and nurturing them and they, for now, are the frontrunners given their stature. Liverpool, one feels, should now think about bringing in players who can directly slot into the first team instead of investing their limited transfer warchest on emerging youngsters.

It remains to be seen whether either club makes a move in the upcoming winter transfer window, but this is one story that is surely worth following in the coming few weeks.



http://astralfootball.com/fulham-youngster-a-target-for-liverpool-and-man-united/23509?

[WhiteJC]

 
Phil Left Frustrated

Philippe Senderos gave an honest assessment of Fulham's display against Liverpool after the Whites went down to a heavy 4-0 defeat.

The disappointing result against the Reds was the fourth successive defeat suffered by Fulham in all competitions and Senderos admits the Whites simply haven't been good enough of late.

"It was very disappointing," he told fulhamfc.com at Anfield. "We just hope we can bounce back in the next game. We have the international break now to think about something else and then we have to refocus and try and do better next time. We've had a few bad performances and it's very important we get back on track. We need to get our heads down and continue working hard.

"We need some consistency - from the beginning of the year we haven't had that. We've had little spells where we've done well but then conceded easy goals. That's something we need to learn from."

After a decent start by Fulham on Merseyside, two goals in quick succession gave the Whites a mountain to climb. Luis Suarez then added a third before the break as Fulham found themselves 3-0 down at half-time for the second week in succession.

"The first two goals killed us," said Senderos. "They were from two set-pieces and we need to do better and be a lot more consistent. Then we can start putting in performances that we're capable of and not what we did against Liverpool.

"When you're 3-0 down at half-time it's difficult and it was the same against Man United the week before. Yes, we can take positives out of the second half against Liverpool but when you've lost 4-0 there aren't many good things to take away. Our fans came all the way up to Anfield and it's tough for them and it's tough for us."

Senderos and the majority of the Fulham squad now head away from SW6 to join their respective countries for international action before reconvening ahead of a crunch clash with Swansea City at the Cottage on Saturday 23rd November.

"We'll be stewing on it [the defeat to Liverpool]," said Senderos. "We know what we did against Liverpool wasn't good enough and we need to work harder. We're all conscious of this. We need to be better at everything. It starts in training – if everyone works that little bit harder the team will get better.

"Every game has three points up for grabs so the Swansea game is a chance for us to get back to winning ways. We definitely need to play a lot better than we have in the last few games. It's a good opportunity for us to show what we're capable of which isn't something we did against Liverpool."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/november/11/phil-left-frustrated?

[WhiteJC]

 
Ha

This is interesting.  From the Daily Mirror.





http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/ha-3/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham eye Di Matteo and Petrescu to replace Jol as Dutchman considers blooding youngsters after academy bosses raise concerns

Fulham manager Martin Jol's position is under increasing pressure after club chiefs begun the process of identifying potential successors.

The Dutchman is fighting to keep his job after a difficult start to the season, but looks set to survive until at least Fulham's clash against Swansea after international break.

Nevertheless, the Craven Cottage club are already making plans for life without Jol should the Dutchman fail to halt the club's alarming form.


Tension: Martin Jol is under pressure at Fulham after a seventh defeat of the season at Liverpool on Saturday left them in the bottom three


Former Chelsea duo Dan Petrescu - currently manager at FC Dynamo Moscow - and Roberto Di Matteo are among the early contenders.

Meanwhile, moves have been made to ensure the progression of Fulham's best youngsters into the senior squad following initial tensions between Jol and the club's academy staff.

The relationship between Jol and senior members of the academy had become strained in recent weeks over the former Tottenham manager's apparent reluctance to promote youngster's into the first-team set up.


Option: Dynamo Moscow boss Dan Petrescu is under consideration for the Fulham job should the club part with Martin Jol

Familiar surroundings: Roberto Di Matteo could be tempted by a move back to west London with the Cottagers after being sacked by Chelsea last season
But there is now renewed hope that Jol is ready to look to the club's academy to halt their alarming slide down the table. 

Jol meets with academy director Huw Jennings every fortnight, while a clutch of the club's best youngsters - including Moussa Dembele and Buomesca Tue Na Banga - are integrated into first-team training at their Motspur Park HQ at the start of the week.

Given the club's current predicament, there's a feeling the leading academy players should be given more first-team opportunities, which so far has not been forthcoming.


One to watch: Moussa Dembele is on Manchester United's radar after impressing in an Under 21 match
Banga, 20, made his senior debut in the defeat to Chelsea in September, coming on as a late substitute, but hasn't featured since.

Fulham are in danger of losing Dembele, 17, to Manchester United, who have earmarked the teenage forward as a transfer target.

The Old Trafford club also have a strong interest in Fulham's 16-year-old Patrick Roberts, who has already been earmarked to play for Fulham's Under-21 set-up before the end of the season.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2500133/Fulham-eye-Roberto-Di-Matteo-Dan-Petrescu-replace-Martin-Jol.html#ixzz2kPAChRhs
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Fulham boss Jol rules out Stockdale exit

England keeper is needed as cover for number one Maarten Stekelenburg

Martin Jol has told David Stockdale he's staying at Fulham – unless he signs another keeper in January.

The former Darlington shot-stopper has featured nine times for the Cottagers this season in the absence of Maarten Stekelenburg, but dropped back down to the bench after the Dutchman returned to fitness.

Stockdale spent time on loan at Hull City last campaign, but with youngster Neil Etheridge as the only other cover, Jol says the 28-year-old is going nowhere for the time being.

He said: "Stockdale has played a lot of games in the Premier League and was fine at the start of the season.

"Last time [when he was dropped] he was probably not as happy as I hoped he would be, but on the other hand he's ambitious because he wants to be in goal.

"If I had another very good goalkeeper I would probably send him on loan."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-jol-rules-out-6292094?

[WhiteJC]

 
Pulis looking Fulham-bound

Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is very much in the frame at both Fulham and Cardiff City for his return to the game.

The Welshman is believed to have turned down the chance of managing Crystal Palace despite his reputation as one of the best fire fighters in the business.
He was even believed to have been the choice of the departed boss Ian Holloway but has instead decided to bide his time.

With Fulham boss Martin Jol a 2/5 favourite to be the next Premier League managerial casualty, Pulis is believed to be the choice to take over at Craven Cottage.

A source has told SportsDirect News exclusively that the club are looking for an experienced British manager to replace the Dutchman and that Pulis fits the bill perfectly.

He said: "His record at clubs in the position Fulham find themselves is almost legendary and he is a very strong fancy inside the club."

However, Cardiff City are keen too. Questioned on his position after the defeat by Aston Villa, current incumbent Malky Mackay would only comment that he was proud to be manager.

Newport-born Pulis could be attracted to nearby City but may feel that owner  Vincent Tan's reported unpredictability may cause tensions he could do without in a relegation scrap.

Highly-regarded Iain Moody was recently dismissed by Tan and has since landed the job of sporting director at Crystal Palace.
Fulham seems the more likely destination but Cardiff City cannot be ruled out.



http://www.sportsdirectnews.com/premier-league-news/35559-pulis-looking-fulham-bound.php#.UoG4WqUcKbA

[WhiteJC]

 
He Wants to Stay!
   
Over the last two decades, football has changed considerably.

The influx of foreign talent has, without doubt, improved the standard of the Premier League.

However, the influx of foreign talent has made it harder and harder fro young British talent to flourish.

Therefore, you have to admire our young 21 year-old midfielder Josh Pritchard who after a very successful loan spell in Norway, with Tromso, has opted to turn down a permanent move to Norwegian football in order to fight for a future at Craven Cottage.

With that attitude we hope he succeeds in his dream.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=338566#ixzz2kPBb3SEq

[WhiteJC]

 
Hangeland - Get Fit Soon
   
Up at Anfield our defence looked, to put it mildly, shambolic.

With the back four deprived of the talents of Sascha Riether and Brede Hangeland, we were there for the taking. Liverpool`s incisive passing and dead-ball delivery, from set-pieces, left us floundering.

Now whilst we can plan for Riether`s comeback, with the full back still having two games of his three game ban to serve, the return of our defensive rock, Brede Hangeland, is a little uncertain.

The Norwegian is currently side-lined with a sciatic nerve problem and the inference in the press is that he could be side-lined for several more games, with Martin Jol quoted as having remarked,

"I don`t know how long he will be out for. It`s not easy with nerve problems."

With the current duo of Senderos and Amorebieta occupying the central defensive areas, I`m probably not alone in hoping that Hangeland can shake off his sciatic problem and pull the side out of the lethargy it is currently displaying.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=338567#ixzz2kPBjNcDf

[WhiteJC]

 
Dembele - More Interest!
   
Yesterday we reported on how Manchester United were keen on our 17 year-old player Moussa Dembele.

We reported on how several of the United scouting and coaching staff were blown away by his performance when watched recently.

Well it now transpires that Liverpool are also keen to snatch the former Paris St Germain youngster with Brendan Rodgers making overtures about taking him to Anfield either very soon or somewhere down the line after the player scored twice when watched recently.

Although still only 17 years of age, Dembele continues to impress in the U21 side and Martin Jol has already rejected several overtures for him to go out on loan to a Championship club, here`s hoping he can reject similar overtures from the leading Premier League clubs.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=338568#ixzz2kPBv9elX

[WhiteJC]

 
EXCLUSIVE: Brooklyn Beckham plays for Fulham U15 side in behind-closed-doors match as his search for a club continues

Brooklyn Beckham has taken another step towards following in his father's footsteps by training with Fulham.

Beckham Snr only hung up his boots in May following a glittering professional career, but now David's 14-year-old son could continue the family's footballing legacy.

The teenager, accompanied by mother Victoria, played in a behind-closed-doors training match for Fulham's Under-15s against Southend on Sunday.


Trial: Brooklyn has spent time with the Fulham Under-15s

Family: Beckham poses with his sons Brooklyn (left), Cruz (centre) and Romeo during his time at LA Galaxy
Beckham will continue to train at the club's Motspur Park HQ, which is the closest Premier League training ground to the family home.

The youngster seems keen on carving out a playing career for himself following several other stints at other English clubs.

He appeared at Manchester United's training ground at the end of last month with a view to impressing the club's academy coaches.

Beckham Jr has also spent time training with Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers this year.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2500297/Brooklyn-Beckham-joining-Fulham-plays-closed-doors-Under-15s-match.html#ixzz2kPCRisLW
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Pulis Cannot Replace Jol at Fulham

After last Saturday's 4-0 loss to Liverpool, there is little doubt that Martin Jol will be leaving Fulham. It not seems a question of when rather than if the Dutchman departs. His contract is up at the end of the season and it's hard to see him staying. For whatever reason, it hasn't worked out at Craven Cottage for Jol.

Fulham need to learn from Crystal Palace's mistakes and have someone properly lined up before getting rid of their manager.

Palace are still searching for Ian Holloway's replacement nearly 3 weeks after his departure. While it would be foolish rushing into an appointment, not appointing anyone would be just as bad.

When Jol does leave, Fulham simply cannot appoint Tony Pulis. Not only were Fulham almost an anti-Stoke during his time with the Potters, but he was also Gillingham manager on that day when Fulham fan Matthew Fox was killed outside the Priestfield Stadium. No Fulham fan would accept someone linked with Gillingham on that day being manager at Craven Cottage.

The three other bookies favourites are Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Malky Mackay and Roberto di Matteo. All three would be better options than Pulis, but there are limitations with each of them.

Solskjaer has no management experience in England, but Fulham have a reputation for appointing managers that may be risky, such as Roy Hodgson and Jean Tigana. He had great success in his first two years at Molde, winning the title for two successive years. However, this season they finished in sixth place, 19 points off the title winners, Strømsgodet.

Malky Mackay is more experienced in English football management, having spent his whole managerial career, just over four seasons, in English football – at Watford and currently at Cardiff. His trusted ally Iain Moody was replaced at Cardiff by unknown 23-year-old Kazakh Alisher Apsalyamov who only months earlier had been painting walls at their stadium. Mackay has had success in his short managerial career, getting Cardiff promoted, but his Cardiff team aren't renowned for their flowing football – they are much more of a set piece team. If he was appointed, hopefully he could sort out Fulham's issues on defending set pieces though.

Di Matteo is probably the only chance Fulham would ever get at appointing a manager who's won the Champions League. However, he has been out of management for nearly a year and Champions League aside, he wasn't great at Chelsea. A club like Fulham may be more suited to him, and he had success at West Brom, winning promotion to the Premier League. Yet, he was sacked from The Hawthorns after having a run similar to Fulham's current predicament, of one win in ten matches.

Whoever is appointed, it has to be taken into account that they won't be a world beater, but a change has to happen. Jol seems unable to motivate the players, and more often than not seems to have written off his own team before the game has even started.


Read more: http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/fulham/news/11-11-2013/pulis-cannot-replace-jol-at-fulham/855784?#ixzz2kRkXhgja

[WhiteJC]

 
At Last a Smile!
   
It`s been a tough few weeks for our new owner, Shahid Khan.

As well as Fulham going through a tough time, on the field of play, the American Football Club he owns, the Jacksonville Jaguars have also been struggling badly.

The Jaguars season makes ours look a decent one!

But the poor start to their season could be coming to an end with the Jaguars finally winning at the weekend beating the play-off hopefuls, Tennesse, 29-27.

So whilst Shahid was down in the dumps after the loss to Liverpool, at least he had something to cheer him up a few hours later!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=338582#ixzz2kRkpG6Rs

[WhiteJC]

 
Laugh? I Almost Bought a Round!
   
I know we shouldn`t laugh, especially in times whereby some are questioning our place in the Premier League, but something happened at Anfield that made me laugh!

With Martin Jol attending the post-match press conference and trying his best, in a somber atmosphere, to dodge questions about holding on to his position as the manager of Fulham Football Club, a lingering reporter from the Daily Mail fell backwards through two Liverpool backdrops.

The clatter broke the ice and by the time Martin finished his press conference there were still many a reporter trying to stifle their fits of the giggles!

It was one of those moments that, in my opinion, don`t happen enough!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=338583#ixzz2kRkxjiD8

[WhiteJC]

 
Manager Reaction

Martin Jol was left to rue defensive errors after seeing his side go down to a heavy 4-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

Fernando Amorebieta turned a Steven Gerrard free-kick into his own net before Martin Skrtel added the second soon after he lost the Venezuelan at a corner to head home. A brace from Luis Suarez either side of the break simply rubbed salt in the wounds.

"You know if you go to Liverpool or a top side – and Liverpool are a top side this season – you have to try not to concede," said Jol. "On the ball we looked okay for the first 20 minutes but then we conceded from a set-piece. The second goal was also from a set-piece and we made it too difficult for ourselves to get a result.

"When you're down 3-0 at half-time the main priority is to try and keep the score down. It's a cliché to say we have to show character in the second half. You'd like to stay in the dressing room but you have to go out and try and do something. We did but it wasn't enough to get a result after being 3-0 down.

"We've got wins against Crystal Palace, Stoke City and Sunderland but against the strength and quality of a side like Manchester United or Liverpool you hope for a result but we couldn't get one. It's not the end of the world but it would have been great if we'd done the same as two years ago when we beat Liverpool home and away."

Fulham have now slipped to four successive defeats and Jol is keen to see his side return to the form they showed earlier this season.

"Just before Southampton away we'd had a good spell where we'd won three out of four games," said the boss. "So that's what you have to try and do – keep cool and try and get points from the teams around you. Hopefully in the next seven or eight months we'll pick up points against the top sides too like we used to do."

The result leaves Fulham just outside the bottom three places and Jol continued: "Every manager in any team in the bottom six or seven has to keep fighting. I think we'll be fine but we have suffered in these recent games. There are a lot more teams for us to try and get results in."

Not for the first time this season conceding from set-pieces was Fulham's Achilles heel and Jol mused: "If you see the work we try to do in training, I thought we'd be fine today. Fernando is good in the air so to concede two goals like that is disappointing. The first thing you should do is not give them too much space for manoeuvre but we gave them too much respect. I hope we'll do better in the future and Fernando knows that."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/november/09/manager-reaction?

[WhiteJC]

 
John Arne Riise unsure over Fulham future

Norwegian considering his options after failing to cement a regular place in the side

John Arne Riise will weigh up his options in January if he fails to force his way into Martin Jol's starting XI.

The Fulham defender has made just two Premier League starts for the Cottagers this season, with Kieran Richardson preferred at left-back.

Riise was told he could leave the club in the summer, but a move never materialised and he remained in SW6.

However, the 33-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the campaign, will assess his options when the transfer window reopens.

He said: "I speak to the gaffer all of the time. We both know how I'm thinking. I'm obviously not happy not playing.

"I feel fit and if I get a chance I'm ready. If not, then we'll look somewhere else to see if I can get a move.

"I'll remain professional, whether I'm going to leave or not. I always give 100 per cent in training and if I play, the gaffer knows that.

"I'll work hard until January and see what happens. If it doesn't happen, then I'll work hard until May.

"I'm never going to be a player who moans. I want to keep fit, work hard every day and be ready if I'm needed. If not, I will look elsewhere."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/john-arne-riise-unsure-over-6294348

[WhiteJC]

 
Were Liverpool great or were Fulham just poor?

Inevitably when one team plays well, some will say another has played badly. So how did Liverpool and Fulham perform against each other?

Liverpool have been winning yet more plaudits after bouncing back from their disappointing defeat to Arsenal last weekend with a comprehensive victory over Fulham this time around. Though 4-0 will suggest a good performance from the men in red, the visitors didn't help themselves.

It actually took a little while for Liverpool to get going, but when they got going they punished the Cottagers. Early on in the game there was a bit of fight about Fulham but they seemed to be set up all wrong, their defence was worryingly deep from the off as Liverpool played through the midfield with relative ease – the only time they seemed to be stopped was because of poorly time challenges from Scott Parker.

But as soon as Liverpool broke the deadlock in a fortunate manner courtesy of an own goal from Fernando Amorebieta, it was all downhill from there. Soon after one Steven Gerrard set-piece led to a goal, another followed courtesy of Martin Skrtel. The marking was non-existent as the Slovakian ran into a gaping hole to double Liverpool's advantage.

Liverpool took advantage of some slack play there, but there was no need for them to be at their best.

The third was probably the best goal of the game as Gerrard played the ball to Henderson who threaded it through to Luis Suarez, but by this time Fulham had accepted defeat. In the introduction of Bryan Ruiz at half time failed to spark any life into the game, then followed a fourth which came from Liverpool's good pressing.

Liverpool did press well as they went through the gears but there was no real response from the visitors. There was no apparent shift in intensity, and even when Gerrard was withdrawn from the action for Joe Allen to take his place, Liverpool went through a period of play where they managed to string around 30 passes together with relative ease.

Were Liverpool good? Of course, they controlled the game, pressed well and could have scored more given they had over 30 shots on goal, but Fulham's display was poor given the amount of experience their side possesses. If they continue with more performances like that they're in serious of danger of falling through the relegation trap door.



http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2013/11/11/ib-just-how-good-were-liverpool-and-how-poor-were-fulham-at-the/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Bundesliga duo join chase for Kasami

Bundesliga duo Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke could be set to join Juventus in the chase for highly-regarded Fulham youngster Pajtim Kasami, SportsDirect News can reveal.

The 21-year-old has really caught the eye for Martin Jol's side this season, despite the team's poor overall results, and could be on his way out of the club as several top European sides continue to monitor his situation.

Kasami notably scored a superb solo goal in a recent win over Crystal Palace, and looks like a player with great potential who would be unlikely to remain at Craven Cottage if they become part of this season's relegation fight.

Leverkusen are somewhat short of attacking midfield options and would be keen to add Kasami to their squad, while Schalke are also looking to improve as they hope to challenge for a top four spot in the Bundesliga this season.

Both sides are also competing in this season's Champions League, and Kasami could welcome the possibility to make this step up in his career.


http://www.sportsdirectnews.com/premier-league-news/35617-bundesliga-duo-join-chase-for-kasami.php#.UoJOI6UcKbA