Sunday Fulham Stuff (01/12/13)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Dismal Fulham are crushed by West Ham

West Ham 3 Fulham 0

Fulham slumped to a fifth consecutive defeat, increasing the pressure on boss Martin Jol.

Mo Diame's goal shortly after the interval, aided by a defection off Whites defender Fernando Amorebieta, gave West Ham a deserved lead.

Carlton's Cole's close-range finish 12 minutes from time and Joe Cole's 88th-minute strike sealed a convincing win for the east London side, who hit the woodwork twice.

Jol's team were poor again and some of the away fans once more chanted for the Dutchman to be replaced.

With both clubs' managers needing a victory, the Hammers dominated the early stages and almost went ahead when Mark Noble's right-wing free-kick was headed against the post by Modibo Maiga.

Fulham were also relieved to see James Collins' header from Stewart Downing's corner drift wide.

Adel Taarabt started in place of the absent Dimitar Berbatov and the visitors were again without Brede Hangeland.

Taarabt looked dangerous at times as Fulham threatened on the counter-attack, but Sam Allardyce's side continued to have the upper hand and Downing brought a save from Maarten Stekelenburg with a fierce 25-yard strike.

Diame and Kevin Nolan then missed decent chances to put the hosts in front before the break.

However, Diame broke the deadlock less than two minutes into the second half

Scott Parker, playing against his former club, was dispossessed and Diame then nudged the ball away from Steve Sidwell, who should have done better, before trying his luck with a shot which struck Amorebieta, leaving Stekelenburg wrong-footed.

West Ham remained on top after the goal, with Stekelenburg denying Maiga and Downing firing over.

And they went close to doubling their lead when James Tomkins' header from Matt Jarvis' corner was cleared off the line by Darren Bent.

Pajtim Kasami dragging a shot wide was all Fulham could muster and West Ham went close again when Downing's right-wing cross ended up hitting the top of the bar.

As Fulham struggled to get out of their own half, Ravel Morrison missed a great chance shortly after coming off the bench when he headed straight at Stekelenburg.

But Carlton Cole made no mistake, scoring with his first touch after coming on as a substitute to a hero's welcome from the Upton Park crowd.

Downing got away from Kieran Richardson and the wide-man's low cross set Cole up for a simple finish.

Joe Cole, also on as a substitute, added the third, shooting beyond the exposed Steklenburg and into the corner of the net after being teed up Morrison.

Fulham (4-4-1-1): Stekelenburg; Zverotic, Hughes, Amorebieta, Richardson (Dembele 83); Duff (Ruiz 60), Sidwell (Karagounis 77), Parker, Kasami; Taarabt; Bent.
Subs not used: Stockdale, Senderos, Kacaniklic, Boateng.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/dismal-fulham-are-crushed-by-west-ham?

[WhiteJC]

 
West Ham United 3 Fulham 0: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between West Ham United and Fulham at Upton Park on Saturday Nov 30, 2013.

Martin Jol raised the question before the game of whether he could survive as Fulham manager if his side suffered defeat at Upton Park. Second-half goals from Mohamed Diamé, Carlton Cole and Joe Cole, together with another alarmingly tame display from Jol's side, ensured that he will soon know the answer.

The manner of Fulham's loss – their fifth successive league defeat – certainly did nothing to strengthen the manager's hold on his job. Coming into a game that both sides desperately needed to win if they were to reverse recent slumps and move away from the bottom three, Fulham's display paled in comparison to West Ham United's more determined effort to revive their season.

The fact that Jol was left searching for positives after a match of such significance spoke volumes. Two-thirds of the season remains, time enough for any club to turn their campaign around. Whether Jol will be given the opportunity remains to be seen.

Jol conceded on Friday that he too would be pondering the manager's position if he were Shahid Khan, the Fulham owner. The increasingly vocal discontent at Craven Cottage has been fuelled by recent results and with a second derby – against Tottenham, Jol's former club – to follow on Wednesday, the manager is under no illusions that this is a decisive period that may determine his future.

By contrast, Sam Allardyce, West Ham's manager, was justifiably upbeat after a game in which his side rediscovered how to win after five league games without victory. The result moved them three points clear of the relegation places, but there can be no complacency before Tuesday's trip to Crystal Palace.

There was much to satisfy Allardyce after his side displayed an impressive appetite and overcame the frustration of failing to convert first-half dominance into goals by taking the lead through Diamé immediately after the restart and then completing a convincing victory in the final eight minutes after spurning a succession of chances.

Carlton Cole's goal, scored a minute after coming off the bench, was the forward's first since returning to the club after being released at the end of last season while Joe Cole's 88th-minute strike was the perfect response to being replaced during the first-half of last weekend's home defeat by Chelsea.

"The only disappointing thing for me today was that we didn't score more before the subs came on," said Allardyce. "That was something I was getting pretty nervous about, because we all know at 1-0, the way we are at the minute, Fulham could capitalise on something they didn't deserve.

"When the subs came on and finished the game for us, it's great for you as a manager, that you've got the victory you were searching for. Results and goals have been difficult to come by and we scored three, could have scored more.

"We got performance and result today. Everyone goes home happy and we're a bit more comfortable about our position. But we can't rest on our laurels."

Though relieved, Allardyce had sympathy for his opposite number. "In our game you feel for each other, it is a lonely old job when you try to find a solution to poor results," said the West Ham manager. "People find it hard to understand what we go through because they haven't experienced it.

"We talk to ourselves and people we interact with have to help. We are in a position where we take heat and if it goes bad you have to take responsibility."

Jol had recalled the unpredictable Adel Taarabt in place of Bryan Ruíz, the target of much recent criticism, while Dimitar Berbatov's absence through illness gave Darren Bent a start. It soon became clear, however, that it would take much more to inject verve and confidence into the struggling side.

Allardyce also made changes and could draw satisfaction that his shake-up had the greater impact.

The decision to drop Ravel Morrison was unexpected while the inclusion of Modibo Maïga up front meant the Hammers started with a recognised forward for the first time in four league games and whatever soul-searching was done in the wake of the Chelsea loss had the desired effect.

The opening goal eventually came when the Fulham midfielders Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell both lost possession in their own half allowing Diamé to advance from near halfway before sending a deflected shot past Maarten Stekelenburg.

Fulham's response was ineffectual and West Ham's grip on the game was never threatened. Carlton Cole added a close range second for the home side a minute after making his second Hammers debut before Joe Cole killed off the game with a right-foot shot from 16 yards two minutes from time.

Match details
West Ham United (4-5-1): Jaaskelainen 6; Demel 6, Collins 7, Tomkins 7, McCartney 6; Downing 9, Diame 8, Noble 7, Nolan 6 (Morrison 76, 7), Jarvis 7 (J Cole 68, 7); Maiga 6 (C Cole 81, 7).
Subs not used Adrian, Collison, Taylor, O'Brien.

Booked McCartney, Tomkins, Diame.

Fulham (4-4-2): Stekelenburg 7; Zverotic 5, Hughes 6, Amorebieta 5, Richardson 4 (Dembele, 86); Kasami 5, Sidwell 6 (Karagounis 76, 6), Parker 6, Duff 6 (Ruiz 65, 6); Taarabt 7, Bent 4.
Subs not used Stockdale, Senderos, Kacaniklic, Boateng.

Booked Richardson, Sidwell.

Referee M Atkinson



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10483891/West-Ham-United-3-Fulham-0-match-report.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Premier League: Martin Jol coy on sack rumours after Fulham lost to West Ham

Under-pressure Fulham boss Martin Jol refused to be moved on speculation surrounding his job after his side fell 3-0 to West Ham.

Heading into the match without a league win in four games and sitting 18th in the table, Jol would perhaps have looked at the crunch clash at Upton Park against a struggling West Ham side as a chance to relieve some pressure.

Not so however, as the home side looked comfortable for large periods of the game, rarely threatened by an insipid travelling side who will be thankful that the two sides above them - Sunderland and Crystal Palace - also lost.

As a result, Jol's already endangered post as Fulham manager will come under heavier criticism from the fans and neutrals alike, as the Cottagers were dropped deeper into the relegation mire.

Jol seemed unfazed however, telling Sky Sports: "That is of course out of my hands. I'm a fighter, and hopefully that will rub off on the players.

"There's more managers than me under pressure, but we all need the points.

"West Ham had a problem today, and they'll be out of that situation now.

On the demoralising first goal - via a deflected Mohamed Diame effort just after the break - Jol said: "I didn't see it coming.

"I felt we dealt with their strategy well, but we couldn't exploit the situation and score.

"The first goal killed us off, then the last two goals came in the last minutes which sums it up.

"It was disappointing, but if you saw us in training we've done well.

"It was very unfortunate we couldn't exploit the situation."

Fulham are now without a league win in five, and are in danger of being cut off from the chasing pack as they are now three points off Cardiff, who are 17th.

Jol continued to be bullish in the face of criticism, however, issuing a rallying cry to his Fulham charges.

"Of course confidence is low, especially if you concede a goal like the first.

"It's a hammer blow, but you still have to be strong, fight and be mentally tough.

"Even before today we had a great spirit. We have to try to be strong, and we should have been stronger today."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11685/9050951?

[WhiteJC]

 
Martin Jol: Fulham were "unfortunate" to lose

Fulham manager Martin Jol bemoaned bad luck following his side's 3-0 defeat to West Ham United in the Premier League.

Jol's strugglers were well beaten at Upton Park, but the Dutchman thought that his side were "unfortunate" in the game.

"We were unfortunate because of the timing of the goals really," Jol told Sky Sports News.

"The first goal killed us, it was 46 minutes and the other two were 82 and 88 so that sums it up really. We wanted Kieran Richardson to come off but we couldn't [make the change] and he couldn't sprint 100% up the line for the goal.

"Moussa Dembele also pulled his hamstring for the first time in his career after 30 seconds, so that sums it up really."

The defeat leaves Fulham in the relegation zone in the Premier League.



http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/west-ham-united/news/jol-fulham-were-unfortunate-to-lose_121234.html

[WhiteJC]

 
West Ham 3-0 Fulham: Pressure mounts on Martin Jol after Cottagers thrashed by Hammers

Mohamed Diame, Carlton Cole and Joe Cole goals seal a much-needed win for the home side

Somebody needs to tell Fulham's American owner Shahid Khan about relegation.

It might not matter too much that Khan's ­Jacksonville Jaguars lose game after game in the NFL – nothing happens when they finish bottom of the standings.

So far this year, the Jaguars have won just two of their 11 contests.

The Cottagers have secured a paltry one more victory than that.

The key difference, of course, is that Fulham are going down, as things stand, and will consequently lose a fortune.

Maybe Khan will start to twig, when somebody talks him through the numbers.

His attempt to stick with manager Martin Jol has, in many ways, been ­admirable.

But enough is enough.

Quite simply, Fulham are dreadful and Jol has to carry the can.

It is now five Premier League defeats in ­succession and 16 losses in the last 24 games.

That record may well get worse before it gets any better.

The way in which Fulham conceded the opening goal summed up exactly where Jol has gone wrong.

Scott Parker played a terrible pass to Steve Sidwell and he was robbed by Mohamed Diame, who scored with a deflected shot.

Parker and Sidwell are too old and too slow to play together in the centre of midfield.

They lose possession too easily and they offer nothing going forwards.

There was no energy or drive in Jol's Dad's Army team at Upton Park and Dimitar Berbatov was missing, with a mystery illness.

Berbatov had the captain's armband taken off him last week and may not have started in any case against West Ham.

But, of course, that had nothing to do with his absence.

When Jol made changes in the second half, he sent on Bryan Ruiz and ­36-year-old Giorgos ­Karagounis.

The Dutchman has really done himself no favours, whatsoever.

It wasn't until the Hammers' substitute Carlton Cole had put the scoreline beyond doubt that striker Moussa Dembele was thrown on – far too late to make any impact.

And it got even worse for Jol when another substitute Joe Cole fired in the third goal.

The Dutchman simply sat on the bench with his head in his hands, in the knowledge that his players are simply not fighting for him.

West Ham could easily have scored five, as Modibo Maiga headed against the post and Stewart Downing hit the crossbar.

Fulham could be summed up by their two efforts on goal.

An Elsad Zverotic ­free-kick sailed miles over the bar and a Kieran ­Richardson set-piece also troubled fans in the top tier.

Jol's men did not manage a single shot on target, let alone force Hammers keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to make a save of note.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce had also been under pressure going into a game dubbed by some as 'El Sackico'.

Credit should go to Allardyce for inspiring a vastly improved second-half display that secured a ­valuable three points for his men.

Maiga's ninth-minute header against the post had been as good as it got in the first period, but the Hammers came steaming out of the blocks after the break.

Just two minutes into the second period, Diame made the most of poor play from Parker and Sidwell to send a shot past Maarten ­Stekelenburg, via a ­deflection off Fernando Amorebieta.

Downing then curled a shot against the bar, as West Ham dominated their hapless opponents.

But it was the late ­substitutions that did the trick for Allardyce, as Carlton Cole found the back of the net 55 seconds after stepping off the bench.

The goal was simple - Downing crossed and the striker slid the ball into the back of the net.

Joe Cole then got in on the act just a minute before the final whistle.

Khan already knows what it feels like to lose.

If he's not careful, he'll be far more familiar with exactly what relegation means.



Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/west-ham-3-0-fulham-pressure-2812091#ixzz2mDDoYglw
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[WhiteJC]

 
Shahid Khan must end the misery of Fulham fans by sacking Martin Jol

'It's not in my hands', said Martin Jol when pressed about the likelihood of staying in charge at Fulham this week.

To the optimists among us – and there are very few left given our form of late – this is a signifier to Jol's hasty retreat from the Craven Cottage dugout. Hallelujah.

Saturday's dismal 3-0 defeat to fellow strugglers West Ham was just the saddening tip to a sharp decline that has seen the Whites fall from European contenders to Premier League no-hopers.

Jol has been the one constant in this brutal deterioration, though it would be somewhat harsh to suggest there were no intervening factors.

Mohammed Al Fayed's understandable hesitance to spend  over his last couple of years with the club has played its part. Khan's similar prudence has hardly helped either, as his admirable – if a little naive – quest for sustainability continues to hold the club back.

Maybe that is being too kind on our beleaguered boss, though. It's not as though he has nothing to work with in terms of outright quality. The talent is there, he has just failed to use it.

So surely his time has come? Surely, come Wednesday evening, when the Cottage plays host to Tottenham Hotspur, there'll be someone different in the technical area.

Someone different setting the tactics. Someone different that can, at the very least, inject a mere morsel of energy, enthusiasm and ingenuity in our currently tepid style of play.

If that is the case then there will be collective relief among fans but, also, I suspect, an underlying irritation that nothing was done earlier to stop this monstrous rot.

For months now, we have bemoaned the lack of cohesion and balance in this team and, for months, in return, we have been treated to Jol's infuriating, imperious retorts; we're lucky to have him, apparently, and we've invariably played well for at least a half in each game.

Superb. Much appreciated. Congratulations on your fantastic work.

Now please clear your desk. We're done with you and I'm quite sure you'd be pleased to see the back of us.



http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/30/shahid-khan-must-end-the-misery-of-fulham-fans-by-sacking-martin-jol-4208471/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Agents' Fees

Payments to Agents – 2012/13

Total amount paid to agents in the period 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2013: £3,790,115

Explanatory Note:
The amount shown is the aggregate of all payments made to agents during the reporting period for agency activity, including payments made by the club on behalf of players.




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/november/30/agents-fees?

[WhiteJC]

 
West Ham debacle

This is getting to be a cruel joke.

Martin Jol has it in his power to end all this but for whatever reason is not doing so.  And his employers?  At this juncture it's not entirely clear what they are waiting for.

Honestly, I can see an argument why a Jol/Meulensteen partnership would be a good idea.  But that's ignoring the present predicament in which the team is absolutely destroyed.  We have nothing, nothing at all.  The players are probably not that bad as a group but are a collective shambles.  They know it, everyone knows it.  Presently there appears no way out.

Things, then:

Stekelenberg, like Stockdale before him, played well, but was given plenty to do.  Victor Valdes of Barcelona doesn't get this many shots in a month.  Our man did what he had to but still let in three against a team struggling mightily.

Last week I saw encouraging signs brought about by a sensible team selection (read: Derek Boateng played) but today was appalling.  Sidwell was back in the side and again we reverted to tripe. Duff and Taraabt came in to see what difference they might make but of course they achieved nothing.  We can say that Taraabt looked bright and maybe he did, but the team didn't get a shot on target all game so, you know.  Needless to say, Berbatov and Ruiz weren't playing but their absence curiously failed to turn us into Brazil 1970.  Maybe they are important players....

In the same way, the back four was able to be terrible without Senderos, suggesting that he wasn't actually to blame.

You can read the last two points and conclude that it really doesn't matter who plays, the whole squad is so bummed out, nothing will happen.  We're playing at about 60% capacity for some reason.  I always felt with Roy that his team had some kind of weird multiplier effect, they made each other better.  Now we have the reverse, like some grand mansion built with bricks but not mortar.

We can only conclude that nobody knows what they're supposed to be doing.

This is unforgivable in this day and age.

I can't even be bothered to talk about Darren Bent.  I think he and Stekelenberg are about the only ones free of blame but I know not everyone agrees.

Sigh.



http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2013/11/30/west-ham-debacle/?

[Me-ate-Live, innit??]

The original has flow charts ................

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/nolan-and-fulham-face-drop-and-other-things-we-learned-west-ham




Nolan and Fulham face the drop, and other things we learned at West Ham

12 hours ago
Ben Welch's picture
Ben Welch

TOPICS
STATS ZONE, WEST HAM UNITED, FULHAM, MARK NOBLE, JOE COLE, CARLTON COLE, RAVEL MORRISON, SCOTT PARKER, KEVIN NOLAN, ADEL TAARABT, DARREN BENT, PREMIER LEAGUE
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West Ham eased past Fulham 3-0 at Upton Park, and FourFourTwo's Ben Welch drew a few conclusions for you...
West Ham's heartbeat is home-grown
If Mark Noble wasn't out on the pitch in the claret and blue, he'd be in the stands wearing it. You only have to watch 90 minutes at Upton Park to see that. Like a passionate supporter he chases every ball, throws himself into challenges and busts a lung to support a team-mate in possession.

Against Fulham the East End boy recovered the ball 11 times – matched only by team-mate Mohammed Diame. Both players were also the game's top tacklers as they attempted 8 challenges apiece, with Noble winning 5 to Diame's 7.

But the Senegalese midfielder couldn't match Noble's use of the ball. Only Scott Parker used it more effectively than the former England under-21 international over the 90 minutes. Noble completed 54 of his 69 attempted passes, 20 of which came in the attacking third – 7 more than his closest rival Stewart Downing. Collecting the ball from the back four, he knits the team together and keeps possession. The Hammers' No.16 fights like fan and plays like a pro.


Big Sam's substitutions made all the difference
The Hammers weren't playing badly before Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Ravel Morrison came on, but they hit top gear when the trio entered the fray.

Up until Joe Cole's introduction in the 68th minute, the home side had put in 32 crosses, but only 8 had found an intended target – a success rate of just 25%. The man charged with converting these crosses – Modibo Maiga – was doing OK (by his standards), winning 10 of his 20 aerial battles. West Ham were a goal ahead and in control, thanks to a deflected shot from Diame, but lacked a cutting edge.

Then Joe Cole came on and he provided a new dimension to the attack. The former England international displayed the guile and intelligence of a top player, one capable of changing the course of a game – and that's exactly what he did. His movement made him more difficult to shut down than Matt Jarvis. The former Chelsea man knew when to tuck in or cut inside, whereas Jarvis stuck to beating his man on the outside. Joe Cole had two shots – one which was saved, one that found the back of net to make it 2-0.

Nine minutes later, captain Kevin Nolan was replaced by Morrison. With a point to prove after being dropped, Morrison showed his precocious talent. In 13 minutes he caused havoc. He created three chances, including an assist for Joe Cole's goal, and completed four successful dribbles.

Morrison also played a deliciously weighted pass to Downing who picked out the third and final substitute – Carlton Cole. Sam Allardyce re-signed the striker in October on a three-month deal, but has used him sparingly despite the team's lack of firepower. Within a minute of coming on for Maiga he made a striker's run into the box and turned in Downing's brilliant cross. Time to give him a starting berth, Sam.


Fulham do not play Total Football
Under the guidance of a Dutchman you'd expect Fulham to play fast, free-flowing football, but they actually play slow, predictable football. The visitors attempted 403 passes on the day, completing just 308 – a success rate of 76%.

When they won possession in their half and launched a counter-attack, it was all too laboured. Their top passer – Scott Parker – was accurate with his distribution (90% found their target), but conservative. Many of this passes were sideways, rather than forwards. More worryingly, Fulham didn't hit the target with any of their 10 shots at goal over the 90 minutes. 


Kevin Nolan doesn't do much
Nolan is at his best working off a target man and making late runs into the box, but in the absence of a striker his role has changed.

In previous games the captain has been charged with leading the line himself and against Fulham he had to shoulder much of the responsibility with the out-of-form Maiga up front on his own. This rendered him ineffective. He only made 16 passes in the entire game – 17 players had more influence with the ball. He had two chances to add to his tally of just one goal this season, but failed with both attempts.

In his defence, he did create three goalscoring opportunities. However, when he was replaced by the more dynamic Morrison the game changed. The England under-21 international got on the ball and made things happen as he played his part in two goals to put the result beyond doubt. With Andy Carroll out injured, Nolan might be better placed on the bench.


Fulham need more from Adel Taarabt and Darren Bent
Taarabt's talent is not in question, but his decision-making cancels out his ability. Time and again the Moroccan chooses to dribble when he should pass. He attempted 13 take-ons – more than any other player – but lost the ball 7 times, often in promising positions.

He attempted 20 passes in the attacking third, but just 12 found their target – that's a completion rate of just 60%. He failed to create one goalscoring opportunity. When you're in a relegation battle, you need your match-winners to make a difference, but Taarabt is all style and no substance.

Bent, a proven goalscorer at this level, is lost in this Fulham side. He didn't manage one shot on goal and only completed 73% of his attempted passes. The former Aston Villa hitman is most effective when he plays on the shoulder of the last defender. When he did peel off his man and make a run the pass never came.

Instead, Fulham pumped the ball forward for Bent to compete with James Collins and James Tomkins. Inevitably he lost 11 of his 12 aerial duels. Bent is a poacher, not a target man.

[Me-ate-Live, innit??]

Fulham boss Martin Jol won't walk away despite West Ham thrashing

FULHAM boss Martin Jol refused to quit last night despite his own prediction that a pointless trip to West Ham yesterday could cost him his job.
The defiant Dutchman vowed he would stay and fight to stay in the post after his Fulham flops crashed to their sixth defeat on the trot. But he admitted that his ultimate fate was now "not in my hands".
Looking pale and despondent, Jol still managed to put on a brave face last night. He said: "I've had more than 650 games as a manager – three points on Wednesday (against Spurs) could give you a different picture."

His fate could be decided today after a transatlantic inquest by owner Shahid Kahn.

If the American billionaire does delawielding the axe, however, then Wednesday's clash with Jol's former club Spurs at Craven Cottage will be his last chance, with new head coach Rene Meulensteen favourite to take the reins if Fulham fail again.

Jol did concede, however, that the rot had set in at the club long before yesterday's disappointment at West Ham.

"Over the last couple of months we have just not been mentally strong enough," he added.

"And this has been my worst run.


http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/446066/West-Ham-3-Fulham-0-Martin-Jol-won-t-walk-away

[WhiteJC]

 
More speculation over the future of former Fulham star Dempsey

Stoke City have joined Fulham in the apparent race to sign Tottenham's Clint Dempsey on loan, the Sunday Mirror say.

The former Whites star, 30, left Tottenham to join Seattle Sounders during the summer and has been tipped to make a short-term return to the Premier League.

Spurs have first option on Dempsey but are believed to have decided not to bring him back to White Hart Lane.

Everton and West Ham are reported to be keen on him and it is claimed that Stoke are now also showing an interest.

Dempsey played under Mark Hughes at Fulham when the Potters boss was in charge at Craven Cottage.

The People also say Whites boss Martin Jol faces the sack in the wake of Saturday's 3-0 defeat against West Ham at Upton Park.

Related West London Sport story: Jol: My future is out of my hands

And the Sunday Express report that Fulham's John Arne Riise is set to return to his native Norway and could join his brother Bjorn Helge at Lillestrom.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/features-comment/stoke-competing-with-fulham-west-ham-and-everton-to-sign-dempsey-on-loan-report-wls-football

[WhiteJC]

 
Coming Home?
   
One Sunday tabloid seems pretty insistent that Clint Dempsey is coming back to Craven Cottage.

The 30 year-old American is seeking a temporary return to the Premier League, whilst the NLS takes a break.

Spurs, being his former club, had first option but declined the offer of taking Dempsey back on loan whilst Stoke City and ourselves apparently showed genuine interest.

It`s intimated that Dempsey has decided that a return to Craven Cottage is his preferred option rather than linking up with Mark Hughes, a manager he played under during his time at Fulham.

Of course, we await official confirmation.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=340496#ixzz2mDhjm7KR

[Forever Fulham]

Agents' Fees

Payments to Agents – 2012/13

Total amount paid to agents in the period 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2013: £3,790,115

Explanatory Note:
The amount shown is the aggregate of all payments made to agents during the reporting period for agency activity, including payments made by the club on behalf of players.




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/november/30/agents-fees?

Is this correct?  I thought this amount was the increase in agents' fees paid over the same period of time preceding it.

[WhiteJC]

Agents' Fees

Payments to Agents – 2012/13

Total amount paid to agents in the period 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2013: £3,790,115

Explanatory Note:
The amount shown is the aggregate of all payments made to agents during the reporting period for agency activity, including payments made by the club on behalf of players.




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/november/30/agents-fees?

Is this correct?  I thought this amount was the increase in agents' fees paid over the same period of time preceding it.

follow the link

[WhiteJC]

 
Club Statement

Shahid Khan, Chairman of Fulham Football Club, this afternoon announced that Rene Meulensteen will run First Team duties, effective immediately, taking over for Martin Jol.

"Today I spoke with Martin to thank him for his efforts on behalf of Fulham Football Club over the past three seasons and, in particular, since my becoming Chairman earlier this year," Khan said.  "Martin was very gracious and I appreciate his understanding of the situation. There is no question Martin is an excellent football man and he has my utmost respect for the commitment he made to our Club.

"However, our poor form and results this season are undeniable, and Fulham supporters deserve better. With more than half the season still ahead, an immediate change was necessary."

Jol expressed appreciation on Sunday for his time at Motspur Park and Craven Cottage since arriving at Fulham in 2011.

"It was a privilege to manage Fulham, one of the great clubs in the Premier League or anywhere in the world," Jol said.  "I am disappointed in this season but know there are better days ahead for Fulham and its supporters.  I will always treasure my experience here and want to thank Mr. Khan and everyone at Fulham for the opportunity."

Meulensteen was appointed as Head Coach of Fulham Football Club on the 13th of November after working at Manchester United, where he worked alongside Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford between 2007 and last summer.

"Rene Meulensteen was brought to Fulham to assist Martin and today was offered the challenge and opportunity to step in for Martin," Khan said. "I thank Rene for accepting and now we move forward.  I have great confidence in Rene and high expectations for our squad to respond."

"I appreciate the faith Mr. Khan has put in me and will do my very best to honour his trust," Meulensteen said.  "We aim to get Fulham back on track, starting Wednesday night."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/december/01/club-statement

[Forever Fulham]

Agents' Fees

Payments to Agents – 2012/13

Total amount paid to agents in the period 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2013: £3,790,115

Explanatory Note:
The amount shown is the aggregate of all payments made to agents during the reporting period for agency activity, including payments made by the club on behalf of players.




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/november/30/agents-fees?

Is this correct?  I thought this amount was the increase in agents' fees paid over the same period of time preceding it.

follow the link

You're right.  This is Fulham-only data.  It took me 20 minutes to get the link open.  A lot of traffic what with the Jol announcement.  http://sports.yahoo.com/news/english-premier-league-clubs-pay-160-million-agent-011007964--sow.html;_ylt=AwrTWfyWbZtSwSgAbWVNbK5_