Thursday Fulham Stuff (19/12/13)...

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D.C. United acquires Eddie Johnson
U.S. Men's National Team forward joins the Black-and-Red



D.C. United today announced that the club has picked up former Seattle Sounder FC and current United States Men's National Team forward Eddie Johnson in exchange for allocation money.

"Eddie is coming off a terrific year with Seattle and the U.S. National Team, and we are very pleased to have acquired him," said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. "He is one of the most dangerous attacking players in MLS, and we believe he will be an important contributor to our team."

After signing a Nike-Project 40 contract and entering the 2001 MLS SuperDraft, Johnson was selected in the second round, 19th overall, by the Dallas Burn. The Fla., native netted 24 goals over five seasons for Dallas and was traded to the then-Kansas City Wizards in 2006. Following an explosive 2007 season in Kansas City in which Johnson played 24 games, starting all fixtures, and netted 15 goals, the forward transferred to Fulham F.C. of the English Premier League from 2007-2008. For the 2008-2009 season, Johnson signed a year-long loan with FA Cup finalists Cardiff City, where he made 30 appearances and tallied two goals. From 2009-2010, the dynamic forward spent time between Fulham F.C. and Greek Super League side Aris FC, combining for 18 appearances and fives goals. During the 2010-2011 season, Johnson once again split time between squads, this time between Fulham F.C. and Preston North End. In his final season in Europe, Johnson featured 11 times for the English Premier league squad and 16 times for the Football League One side.

Johnson continued his professional career back in MLS, featuring regularly for Seattle Sounders FC in the 2012 season. Featuring in 28 games (24 starts), Johnson found the net an impressive 14 times while registering three assists. In 2013, the proven goal-scorer made 21 appearances, starting 20 of them, and netted nine goals through the year.

"I'm excited with this move to the most storied franchise in MLS, and I look forward to getting started with my new D.C. United teammates," said Eddie Johnson.

Currently carving out a spot for himself with the U.S. Men's National Team, Johnson appeared in 15 matches in 2013 and found the back of the net five times through both of the USMNT's triumphant journeys through World Cup Qualifying, seeing Johnson tally against Panama and Mexico, and the Gold Cup, where Johnson tallied in both the quarter final and semi final rounds. The former Sounder also scored in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina. In total, Johnson has made 59 appearances for the senior squad since 2004, netting 19 goals.



http://www.dcunited.com/news/2013/12/dc-united-acquires-eddie-johnson?

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Clint Dempsey Set for Fulham Return: Has USMNT Star Underachieved on Potential?



According to multiple sources over the past few days, The Guardian for one, USMNT star and current Seattle Sounders striker Clint Dempsey is set to return to Fulham on winter loan.

This past summer, Dempsey moved from Tottenham back to Major League Soccer after a successful seven-year run in England.

But has the American goal scorer underachieved on his potential?



The First Run with Fulham

In December 2006, Fulham FC paid MLS a then-record $4 million for the rights to Dempsey. Craven Cottage seemed like a perfect destination for the then-New England Revolution attacker as fellow Yanks Brian McBride and Carlos Bocanegra had already made their home there and at a time when few European clubs were willing to take a chance on American players.

Dempsey got off to a bit of a slow start in his inaugural campaign, scoring only one goal, but seeing that it was the goal that essentially saved Fulham from relegation—the lone strike in a 1-0 win over Liverpool—his first season has to be considered a success.

By the next season, Dempsey became a regular fixture in Fulham's starting XI and kept it that way for the next five seasons, scoring 60 goals—50 of which came in Premier League play. In his final season at Fulham, the 2011-12 campaign, Dempsey finished fourth in the EPL in scoring and notched an impressive 23 goals in all competitions.

With Fulham, Dempsey certainly achieved his potential.



The Move to Tottenham

In the summer of 2012, with one year left on his Fulham contract, rumors began to swirl that Dempsey wanted out of Fulham. He even stated, as per The Daily Mail, "it's no secret that I would like to play Champions League one day in my career."

As the summer months dragged on, however, no official move was made. Dempsey was linked with a number of clubs, most notably Liverpool—who later apologized to Fulham for "tapping up" Dempsey.

As the transfer window in late August was coming to a close, Dempsey's relationship with Fulham and Martin Jol crumbled. Dempsey was left out of a pre-season trip to Switzerland and was even fined for refusing to play against Norwich.

Eventually, Tottenham Hotspur, under new manager Andre Villas-Boas, came through on deadline day to make a move for the American. With his new club in the 2012-13 campaign, Dempsey was in and out of Tottenham's starting XI, getting 22 starts for Spurs in EPL action.

He finished the season with a respectable 12 goals, including game-tying and game-winning efforts in Tottenham's two league matches against Manchester United. Dempsey's 12 goals in all competitions and seven league goals made him Spurs' third top scorer in each category behind Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe.

This summer, Villas-Boas went on a spending spree, bringing in players like Roberto Soldado, Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen. In total, Tottenham spent almost £100 million on attacking players. With players like Aaron Lennon, Emmanuel Adebayor, Lewis Holtby and Gylfi Sigurdsson already on the roster, the writing was on the wall—it was time for Dempsey to leave White Hart Lane.

Considering all of the factors involved—almost no preseason due to his summer transfer saga, a new manager in Andre Villas-Boas, being shifted in and out of the lineup and a team strategy that at most times was simply "get the ball to Bale"—finishing the season as Spur's third-highest scorer has to be considered a success.



Coming Home

When he made his move home to MLS, the prospect of seeing Dempsey play in the home league was exciting for American fans but there was a lingering feeling that he had unfinished business in Europe. He had never played in the Champions League and his goal-scoring accomplishments were downplayed by many fans outside the United States. American fans still didn't have the globally recognized world-class player they had been yearning for.

However, it's difficult to criticize Dempsey's decision to move home. He was obviously considered surplus to requirements at Tottenham and at 30 years old, nearing the end of his prime playing days.

The move to Seattle virtually guaranteed him playing time—especially important in a World Cup year—secured his families' future with a salary believed to be worth $8 million per year and made sure his wife and children didn't have to make another European move with the difficulties of finding a new home, school and potentially having to learn a new language.

On the field, however, it is difficult to argue the move to Seattle has been a success. Dempsey played 12 games with the Sounders this season—about a third of a season—but was only able to tally one goal. The Sounders were also unceremoniously dumped out of the MLS playoffs by arch-rival Portland with Dempsey struggling to impact either leg of the tie.

There are, of course, excuses to be made. Dempsey certainly struggled to find his form, in part, due to playing no games for nearly two months before the move was made. He also struggled through some minor injuries, came into a divided locker room and joined a team whose form was up and down all season long. Finally, Dempsey should be given at least a full season with the team before judgments are handed down.

Despite Dempsey's struggles in Seattle, it is unfair to say that he hasn't achieved his potential. He had six strong seasons with Fulham in what most would argue is the most competitive league in the world. He had an above-average season in his one year at Tottenham for a team that finished fifth in the EPL and made it to the quarterfinals of the Europa League. A bad third of a season in MLS doesn't wipe those accomplishments out.

Could Dempsey have done more in Europe—sure. Maybe he could have forced through a move to a bigger club earlier in his career, but even coming off a 23-goal season he had to wait for a deadline-day transfer from a last-minute suitor. With Tottenham, Dempsey and the team could have qualified for the Champions League with one more win last season, but that doesn't mean he would have stayed with the team to enjoy those games. And as this summer's transfer activity proved, Spurs likely looked at Dempsey as only a short-term player.

In the end, Dempsey did the best he could have with the opportunities presented to him. Now likely heading back to Fulham, he will once again have the chance to prove himself against the world's best.



http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1892676-clint-dempsey-set-for-fulham-return-has-usmnt-star-underachieved-on-potential?

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Fulham play down Bryan Ruiz transfer in January as relegation battle looms

Little-used Costa Rican has been linked with a move to protect his World Cup place but Cottagers need him says Meulensteen


Boris Streubel
Rene Meulensteen insists Bryan Ruiz still has a part to play in Fulham's survival fight.

The Costa Rican attacking midfielder has made just one substitute appearance for the Cottagers since Meulensteen took charge and has been linked with a move to Belgium's Anderlecht or PSV Eindhoven in Holland.

But the Dutch boss insists Ruiz, who was jeered by his own fans earlier this season, is part of his plans.

He said: "Sometimes players go through a bad patch and it does not go very well for them. That was the case with Bryan.

"It is confidence that drives players on and sometimes you need to protect them a little bit. All the players have a role to play this season."



Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-play-down-bryan-ruiz-2937862#ixzz2nquCP6Bi
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TROTTA HITS INTERNATIONAL GOAL

Marcello Trotta scores for Italy's Under-21 side in friendly
Brentford's on-loan striker Marcello Trotta scored for Italy's Under-21 side in a special friendly yesterday.
The 21-year-old joined Brentford on loan from Fulham for the first half of the 2013/14 season, his second spell at Griffin Park.
He was selected for Italy's Under-21 squad for a match against an Italy 'B' side that was played yesterday afternoon, Tuesday December 17, in Avellino.
The Under-21 side won 3-0 with Marcello scoring one of the goals, the second.
Bari striker Stefano Beltrame got the other two.
It was a first Under-21 appearance for Marcello – who has represented Italy at Under-20, Under-19, Under-18 and Under-16 level – albeit he won't win an international cap.
Italy are currently attempting to quality for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championships, which will be held in Czech Republic.
They have played five of their eight games, winning three and losing two.



Read more at http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/trotta-international-18.12.13-1242171.aspx?#8oo8V1EYXObv1d4k.99

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Transfer news: Fulham striker Bryan Ruiz wanted by Anderlecht

Anderlecht have confirmed their desire to sign Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz, but admit he is not their first choice as they hope to land Porto star Steven Defour

Former Gent striker Ruiz has already admitted he would be open to the prospect of returning to the Belgian Jupiler League.

However, Anderlecht general manager Herman van Holsbeeck has admitted that whilst they like Costa Rican Ruiz, he is not their first option, which appears to be Defour.

"He is on our list. Ruiz is a good player, but not our first choice," he told Het Laatste Nieuws.

"I have a plan A, a plan B and a plan C and I'm happy my plan A hasn't been leaked yet.

"Of course we know Ruiz's qualities. We have made a list of players who will go to the World Cup, but aren't playing regularly. Ruiz is on it, but so are others."

Defour does appear to be Anderlecht's first choice, although he is believed to be a target for a number of Premier League clubs.

But Van Holsbeeck added: "Anderlecht will be a good option for him.

"Let's say he joins Fulham, then he will have to settle again.

"At Anderlecht he will be the star. If he wants to be sure of his place in the Belgian World Cup squad, then we are a perfect option. Steven is an intelligent guy. I think he knows this."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9078483/?

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Ruiz going nowhere - Meulensteen

Rene Meulensteen has ruled out a January departure for Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz, claiming he is a 'game-changer' with a role to play.

The 28-year-old Costa Rica international hinted that he would be happy to jump ship in the January transfer window with clubs in Belgium and Holland thought to be pondering a bid. Ruiz, who has played only three minutes of football since Meulensteen replaced Martin Jol as head coach, is desperate for more first-team football to ensure that he will remain in his country's squad ahead of next summer's World Cup in Brazil. But Meulensteen has told Ruiz that he will feature for the Cottagers and insisted that he has a part to play in his plans. He told the Fulham Chronicle: "Sometimes players go through bad patches and it does not go very well for them. That was the case a little bit with Bryan. "It is confidence that drives players on and sometimes you need to protect them a little bit. "Bryan is another very creative, attacking player. He is a game-changer. When he came on against Spurs he could have earned a point and that is what you want to see. "There are so many games to come and all the players will have a role to play."



Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/ruiz-going-nowhere---meulensteen-1681610.html?

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Cottagers eye French stopper

Fulham have been linked with a January transfer window swoop for Monaco defender Nicolas Isimat-Mirin.

Cottagers boss Rene Meulensteen is desperate to shore up the side's leaky defence, which has already shipped 30 goals so far this term, as they sit second-bottom in the Premier League table. And a report in France Football claims the Dutch tactician has identified 22-year-old Isimat-Mirin as the man who can bolster his squad for the second half of the campaign. The French stopper has managed only one substitute appearance in the league since joining Monaco in a £3.5m move from Valenciennes in the summer. Therefore Meulensteen could try and persuade Isimat-Mirin to make the switch to Craven Cottage with the promise of guaranteed regular first-team action.



Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/cottagers-eye-french-stopper-1681617.html?

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We Want Bryan Ruiz, But He's Not Our First Choice – Anderlecht Sporting Director Herman Van Holsbeeck

Anderlecht sporting director Herman Van Holsbeeck has admitted that Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz is on his list of potential January signings, but stressed that the Costa Rican is not his first choice.

The Belgian champions have no European football to look forward to in the new year, however are still planning to make a number of additions in the upcoming transfer window.

Ruiz has been mooted as a target and Van Holsbeeck has confirmed that is indeed the case; however the Fulham player will only be moved for if Anderlecht cannot land their first choice.

"He's on our list", Van Holsbeeck admitted to Het Laatste Nieuws.

"Ruiz is a good player, but he is not our first choice.

"I have a plan A, B and C, and I am very happy that plan A has not yet been leaked."

Anderlecht are also interested in FC Porto midfielder Steven Defour and Van Holsbeeck feels the player would do well to consider a return to his homeland to secure regular first team football.

"If he wants to be sure of his place in Belgium's World Cup squad, we are the perfect opportunity for him.

"Steven is a smart guy, so I think he knows this."



Read more at http://www.insidefutbol.com/2013/12/18/we-want-bryan-ruiz-but-hes-not-our-first-choice-anderlecht-sporting-director-herman-van-holsbeeck/113798/#FxmR4Hqsm87YLcPh.99

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Meulensteen reveals plans for Fulham's young guns

Dutch boss hopes to create a clear pathway from the academy into the senior set-up

Rene Meulensteen plans to 'drip feed' youngsters into Fulham's first-team squad as he tries to create a clear pathway from the club's academy.

Buomesca Tue Na Bangna and Moussa Dembele have both made their professional debuts this season, but former boss Martin Jol was still criticised for failing to give youth a chance.

Meulensteen included 19-year-old midfielder Lasse Vigen Christensen in the squad for the win against Aston Villa earlier this month, and the Dutchman is prepared to give more of Fulham's talented crop of a youngsters an opportunity in the senior set-up.

He said: "Everybody involved in the academy at Fulham deserves enormous credit because they do things right.

"The key now is making sure you create a pathway for those players to come through. I have been in that scenario for many years and the future looks bright in that respect.

"It is great to see the Under-18s and the Under-21s performing well and we need to start drip feeding these players into the squad."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/meulensteen-reveals-plans-fulhams-young-6417321?

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Rewind Report

Before each game we take a look back through the archives to revisit a match against our upcoming opposition. Today we recall a remarkable see-saw clash with Manchester City at Craven Cottage which ended with honours even.

22nd September 2007 Fulham 3-3 Manchester City

Danny Murphy came off the bench to grab a deserved point as Fulham and Manchester City shared a six-goal thriller in a pulsating game at Craven Cottage.

Fulham twice took the lead but could not hold onto their advantage while City will wonder how they did not close out the game after doing all the hard work in coming from behind on two occasions and eventually going ahead.

City came to SW6 for this live televised game with a spring in their step under their new boss, the former England Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. But it was Fulham who set the early pace in a game which saw boss Lawrie Sanchez pit his wits against Eriksson for the first time since he masterminded a Northern Ireland victory over England two years earlier.

Fulham went ahead after just 13 minutes when Hameur Bouazza won the ball from Michael Johnson near his own corner flag and after a slick, length of the field, passing move crossed towards Simon Davies at the near post. The Welsh international still had a great deal of work do and nipped in to head home as both Richard Dunne and Kasper Schmeichel converged on him.


Both Davies and David Healy then tested Schmeichel with decent efforts, but the scores were level on 35 minutes when Fulham lost possession cheaply in City's half, allowing the visitors to counter attack quickly. Martin Petrov embarked on a penetrating run at the Whites' defence with the Bulgarian winger darting towards Chris Baird, cutting inside the full back and firing under Antti Niemi with the outside of his left foot.

For the rest of the half City were the better team, playing bright, counter attacking football but Fulham remained resolute and took control again after the break - the introduction of Diomansy Kamara for Davies having an immediate positive effect.

Two minutes into the second half, Kamara won a free-kick 25 yards out and Bouazza exploited a weak City wall by smashing a left-foot effort home to put the home side in front again. However, the visitors were not finished and almost immediately went up to the other end and equalised. Elano's shot was only parried by Niemi and the advancing Emile Mpenza made no mistake with his follow up.

City then took the lead for the first time in the game on the hour - and again Niemi shouldered some of the responsibility when he was beaten by a near post shot from Petrov after a clever one-two with Elano.

Sanchez then introduced both Murphy and Seol Ki-Hyeon and the gamble paid off when the former England midfielder equalised on 74 minutes with virtually his first touch. Again the defending was sub-standard as Murphy was left unmarked in the box to calmly slot home a flick on from Niemi's long kick forward.

And Murphy could have clinched a sensational winner a minute later when he wriggled free but shot narrowly over from 22 yards with Schmeichel desperately flinging himself across the goal.

Stoppage time was just as frantic as normal time, with Schmeichel punching a deflected shot, and Geovanni firing over Niemi's bar. Petrov then whipped a dangerous ball across the face of goal with no success as the whistle went to bring the curtain down on a breathless and highly entertaining evening by the Thames. The teams left the pitch to the apt strains of 'They Call It Madness' over the PA system.

From the archives

The Observer - Sunday 23rd September.

'Petrov spares Sven from more misery against Sanchez' by Arindam Rej

The last people Sven-Goran Eriksson needed reminding about was a Northern Ireland team of two years ago, who defeated his England side to produce the most humiliating result of his career. Unfortunately, their manager that day, Lawrie Sanchez, and four of his players from that occasion featured in the Fulham team who gave Eriksson a difficult time again last night.

It made for an all-action contest that included a scuffle between Micah Richards and Clint Dempsey that could have seen worse punishment than a booking apiece.

"If you are watching the game, it's entertaining," said Eriksson. "But if you're in my clothes, then you are not happy with some of the decisions we took when defending."

"I'm not sure how to feel," said Sanchez.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/december/18/rewind-report?

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Transfer news: Dinamo Moscow say no contact has been made over Balazs Dzsudzsak


Balazs Dzsudzsak: Linked with move away from Dinamo

Dinamo Moscow chief Guram Adzojev says that Premier League clubs Fulham and Liverpool have not contacted them over winger Balazs Dzsudzsak.

Liverpool, Fulham and Italian giants Inter Milan have all been strongly linked with Dzsudzsak in recent weeks.

But sporting director Adzojev says he has not heard anything from any of those clubs in regards to the Hungarian.

He told Nemzeti Sport: "This is the first time I hear the name of these teams in connected with Balazs.

"There are interested teams, but at such a big club as Dinamo it's not a surprise. It's very busy during the winter and the summer transfer window but I can say we haven't received any detailed offers for the winger."

Adzojev says a decision to sell Dzsudzsak could only be made by coach Dan Petrescu.

"It's the coach - this time it's Dan Petrescu - who decides about the movements in the squad," he added.

"If a player is approached by a club who makes an offer then the coach can decide to let him go or not.

"If he needs the player, then he stays, if not then the paperwork can begin."

Asked if Dzsudzsak was good enough to play for a team like Liverpool, he responded: "Difficult question. I think he would be good.

"In our squad we have only players who are above the average and Balazs Dzsudzsak is one them. His left foot and his long runs are very valuable and it's nice to see his crosses."


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/9078793?

[WhiteJC]

 
U18s Face Saints

Fulham Under-18s head to Southampton on Wednesday afternoon to play their final game of 2013.

Steve Wigley's table-topping side were last in Barclays U18 Premier League action in late November when they won 4-0 at home to Norwich City thanks to goals from Elijah Adebayo, Dean O'Halloran, Cameron Burgess and Liam Donnelly.

Last week, the Whites advanced into the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup with a convincing 4-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

Emerson Hyndman got things going for Fulham, before O'Halloran doubled the lead with a neat finish. Rangers then pulled one back but the Whites went into the break 3-1 up courtesy of a George Williams strike, with Jordan Evans adding a fourth in the second half.

Wednesday's opponents Southampton, a side Wigley once managed on two separate occasions in the top flight, currently sit in eighth place in the table, with 18 points from 13 games.

Their last match saw Jason Dodd's side go down to a 2-0 defeat at Norwich. However, in their previous encounter they thrashed rivals Portsmouth 7-0 in the Third Round of the FA Youth Cup. Sam Gallagher (3), Jake Hesketh (2), Niall Mason and Mark Irvine grabbed the goals for Saints.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/december/18/u18s-face-saints?

[WhiteJC]

 
'One Step 4-1, Two Steps Back' - Analysis of Fulham's Recent Form

At face value, it is perhaps a challenge to take positives from losing a football match 4-1, as Fulham did to Everton on Saturday. However, as someone who once plucked out the word 'euouae' when faced with a rack of only vowels in a game of Scrabble, I declare myself fit to attempt such a task.

Firstly, Fulham didn't lose 4-1 away to Macclesfield; the Toffees are living up to their name this season, producing sweet, smooth football under Roberto Martinez this season, and have lost just once in the league - giving opposing managers something difficult to chew on. Although Fulham only partly turned up in the first half, Meulensteen's team talk spurred the team on to grab another Berbatov penalty to equalise. The team was showing the sort of attacking intent and - like Metallica - heavy mettle that was witnessed under Martin Jol only by fans having delirious hallucinations after eating a questionable half-time pie.

To some extent, the match statistics back this up. Although Everton had 58% possession, few teams in the league could go to Goodison Park and expect to keep the ball more than the home team. And, although Martinez's men rifled off 22 shots, Fulham still managed a credible 16 - a marked improvement from the zero shots this same team managed away at Southampton earlier in the season. In the end, the scoreline somewhat flattered Everton, who despite being the better team were given a real game of it by the Cottagers.

Of course there are other downsides to the defeat; the form the final scoreline took meant Fulham's goal difference plunged to -15, taking them down a place below Tony Pulis and the 'Crystal Palace Revival Experience' - all the more ironic after Fulham's goals galore 4-1 defeat of Palace at Selhurst Park in Holloway's final game in charge. It means Fulham go into a tricky set of Christmas fixtures (Man City at home, followed by trips to Norwich and Hull, before a crucial home game against West Ham United) languishing in the bottom three, despite a trinity of vastly improved performances under Rene Meulensteen. This said, the team seems to be heading in the right direction, especially relative to the static and striker-less West Ham, and the crumbling and coach-less West Brom. Fulham fans may not be expecting any Christmas crackers, but maybe, just maybe, now have reason to believe in a New Year's resolution at the Cottage.

HIGH POINT OF THE WEEK (Sponsored by Ben Nevis): Other teams lose by a more catastrophic scoreline than Fulham; Tottenham 0 - 5 Liverpool provided a pleasant, if momentary, diversion of attention for Fulham supporters.



ALL-TIME LOW POINT OF THE WEEK (Inspired by Baltimore pop-punk band, All Time Low): The news that Brede Hangeland is out for another six weeks with injury. Fulham have really missed their captain, and he's surely a major factor in the fact that it's been seven defeats in the last eight outings. Fulham's defence just don't seem to be able to do the Brede and butter stuff with out the big Norwegian.

STATISTICALLY ACCURATE CHART OF THE WEEK: Berbatov's League Goals 2013/14 (Please see attached picture)



http://efootballnet.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/one-step-4-1-two-steps-back-analysis-of.html

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Southampton U18s 1-1 Fulham U18s

A late George Williams penalty earned Fulham Under-18s a richly deserved point at Staplewood as the Whites were held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton on Wednesday.

The Fulham winger had the first real opportunity of the match with 20 minutes on the clock when he fired wide from Dean O'Halloran's pass, before Sam Gallagher missed the target at the other end.

Gallagher's lob at the end of the first half just lacked the accuracy needed to break the deadlock, with Patrick Roberts squandering a chance to open the scoring four minutes after the restart when his 20-yard effort flew just wide.

Mekhi Leacock-McLeod then saw his strike deflect behind, before Williams, Josh Smile and Liam Donnelly all tried their luck as Fulham turned the screw.

But it was the home side who drew first blood as the imposing Gallagher rose highest to head in the opener in the 81st minute – although their lead was short-lived when Williams was upended in the area by goalkeeper Harry Isted.

Williams planted his spot-kick into the top corner to ensure the Whites didn't leave Hampshire empty handed as his side ended 2013 on a three-game unbeaten run. They are next in action at home to Arsenal on Saturday 4th January.

"It wasn't our best performance but in the second half we got on top," Academy Director Huw Jennings told fulhamfc.com. "We conceded against the run of play, but certainly justifiably got a draw with the penalty about five minutes before the end.

"It's another solid result away from home and keeps our consistent run going in terms of results. It's nice for the lads to have a breather now as they've been working hard since July so I think it's very important for them to have a break."

Fulham: Norman, Donnelly, Adebayo, Burgess, Evans, Baba, Smile, Sambou, Roberts, Williams, O'Halloran.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/december/18/southampton-u18s-1-1-fulham-u18s?

[WhiteJC]

 
Ruiz Going Nowhere?
   
Rumours appeared in the media, last weekend, Bryan Ruiz might be tempted to leave Fulham, to move to Anderlecht, to ensure he gets the first team football he craves to ensure that he makes the Costa Rican squad for the 2014 Brazil World Cup.

Ruiz has had a difficult season and has taken some stick from the Craven Cottage faithful. However, far from agreeing that the Costa Rican could be shipped out, our new gaffer, Rene Meulensteen is of the opinion that he`s just going through a bad patch and that his form will return.

Talking about the situation with the media, Meulenstee has remarked,

"Sometimes players go through a bad patch and it does not go very well for them. That was the case with Bryan."

"It is confidence that drives players on and sometimes you need to protect them a little bit."

"All the players have a role to play this season."

Reading between the lines then, I`d suggest Ruiz is going nowhere!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=342242#ixzz2nqyk1cId

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Dempsey lines up loan return to struggling Fulham during MLS off-season

Fulham are pinning their hopes of avoiding relegation on re-signing former fans' favourite Clint Dempsey.

The American, 30, was in London on Wednesday trying to finalise a two-month loan deal at Craven Cottage during the Major League Soccer off-season.

Dempsey, who joined the Seattle Sounders last summer, favours a return to the Premier League over spending January and February training with his USA team-mates in Brazil and Southern California.


Return: Clint Dempsey is set to rejoin Fulham on loan during the MLS off-season

The forward negotiated a clause in his contract with the Sounders to allow him to go on loan from January 1 until the end of February, with general manager Adrian Hanauer admitting the move looks likely.

The MLS season ended in late October and does not start again until March 8.

Dempsey joined Fulham from New England Revolution in January 2007 and scored 50 Premier League goals in  five-and-a-half years before agitating for a move in the summer of 2012. He joined Tottenham for £6million, spending a year at White Hart Lane — but not before Fulham had accused Liverpool of tapping him up.

West Ham have also expressed an interest in signing Dempsey but Fulham, with whom he reached the 2010 Europa League final, is thought to be his preferred destination.

The forward's versatility, work ethic and eye for goal could play a crucial role in the club's relegation fight, particularly if Dimitar Berbatov forces a move in January.


Fans' favourite: Dempsey was a popular figure during his time at Craven Cottage

American dreamer: Dempsey left Fulham for Tottenham before joining Seattle Sounders



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2526055/Dempsey-lines-loan-return-struggling-Fulham-MLS-season.html#ixzz2ntC4ebi4
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