Wednesday Fulham Stuff (25/12/13)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Ian Herbert: Dedicated coaches like Billy McKinlay are the unnoticed victims when a manager gets sacked – and face a tough battle to return


Their appetite for the game is remarkable, given the rewards are comparatively slight

For some of those football managers who find themselves out of work this Christmas, there is the consolation of new assignments up ahead. Martin Jol has Germany and the Netherlands to go at again, Steve Clarke's achievements at West Bromwich Albion ought to restore him to the Premier League, and Portugal will take Andre Villas-Boas, even though the Premier League is a closed door now.

But the landscape offers far fewer certainties for the real victims of the contagion of sackings: those coaches who have not aligned themselves to a manager and yet find themselves cast out of a club along with one when things go wrong. These people are uncelebrated, unknown and – some of their number may now reasonably conclude – unfashionable, because British coaches hardly seem de rigueur. Watford's rapid decision to replace Gianfranco Zola with Giuseppe Sannino, a journeyman Italian coach who has had 15 jobs in 17 years, was desperate. The selection of coaches appointed to work with him – Francesco Troise, Giovanni Cusatis and Paolo De Toffol – was dismal. Who are these people?

This is the landscape into which Billy McKinlay has been cast, after his decade of continuous work as coach at Fulham abruptly ended this month. McKinlay had been at Craven Cottage through a period of remarkable success but he followed Jol out of the door because the new manager, Rene Meulensteen, wanted to install his own man, Jonathan Hill, instead. McKinlay's very British reluctance to talk himself up deters him from saying that very many young Fulham players have benefited from his approach to coaching in the course of 10 years. It is an approach shaped from his years working with such different individuals as the indomitable Jim McLean, Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish, Ray Harford, Ray Lewington – and Jol.

McKinlay's talk of McLean should be enough to tell us that he is one of those people football needs to have working on the inside. This has been a year in which Sir Alex Ferguson's ethos of managerial "control" has been much discussed, though McLean's philosophy took it to another level. "It was brutal playing for him because of the intensity and expectations," McKinlay told me when we met in London last week. "His expectations were beyond reality: he used to admit that. He said 'I might not get what I'm asking for but if I get most of it then I'm happy.'"

McLean's results told their own story. He took Dundee United to incredible heights in the 1980s. The challenge when McKinlay began coaching at Chris Coleman's Fulham in 2004 was how to apply that 1980s philosophy to a modern football environment. "You would not get away with coaching and managing like that today," McKinlay says. "The money side of the game changes it, no matter what people say."

Instead, he applied emotional intelligence to adapt the McLean way. Extracting the best from the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, yet also adhering to the McLean work ethic, were not mutually exclusive concepts to McKinlay's mind. "The culture has changed but it's not changed in the way that players need to feel that the manager knows what he's taking about; he's organised; knows his subject," he says.

The development of a philosophy continued through McKinlay's work with Hodgson and Lewington at Fulham. Hodgson's meticulous methodology and repetitions – "his opinion is that you've just got to practise your job. If I'm going to ask you to do something on a Saturday, why would I not prepare you Monday to Friday to do that?" – informs McKinley's view that the contemporary move away from "big pitch practices" should be reined in a little. His discussion of the myriad components of the coach's job – quality teaching ("because that is what we are – teachers"), tactical innovation, exhaustive preparation – reveal his belief that the hallowed modern idea of a coach or manager adhering to one "philosophy" is over simplistic. "I hear people say: 'Go and express yourselves' but what does that mean?" he says. "You need to be more specific than that..."

An engaging few hours of conversation reveal that Fulham have just dispensed with an awful lot of knowledge. But there is also an unmistakable residual sense that this individual would much rather be on a windy training pitch at 9am on a Tuesday morning. The desire to be within the sport is shared by many other of the 40 coaches who, just like McKinlay, have already been dismissed this season. Their appetite for the game is remarkable, considering that their rewards do not hold a candle to what managers receive.

The assistant manager at one League Two club currently earns £16,000 a year, which makes you wonder why some of this ilk think all the aggravation is worthwhile. The League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan tells me that over 100 fully qualified coaches and managers were sacked this calendar year – of whom only 35 are back in work. We are told that Spain and Germany have many more coaches than us, who are instrumental to the way those countries have created technically superior players to our own. And we wonder why.

For all that, McKinlay is looking for the next opportunity, wherever it may lie – finding a new terrain in which to "deliver the message in the way a player will take it in, because they all receive information differently," as he says. He talks about his old club Fulham's match against Manchester City, which was four days away when we met, and intended to take in Tottenham's League Cup tie with West Ham that week. "It's my life, this," he says. "It's what I've come to know." Pity the managers out of work this Christmas. But remember individuals like McKinlay, too, because they matter even more.



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ian-herbert-dedicated-coaches-like-billy-mckinlay-are-the-unnoticed-victims-when-a-manager-gets-sacked--and-face-a-tough-battle-to-return-9023250.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham target turning form into points

Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen is looking to add points to performances as the Cottagers aim to climb out of the relegation zone over Christmas.

Trips to Norwich and Hull follow a tricky run of fixtures for Meulensteen's side in which Fulham have won just once in their last nine outings — losing the other eight.

But, following Saturday's 4-2 defeat by Manchester City, Meulensteen believes Fulham are now entering a crucial period where more points can be accrued.

"I really see those four games we have just had as four difficult ones," he said.

"Taking over somewhere just before halfway in the season is difficult enough itself and then you end up Spurs, Villa, Everton and City where three of those four teams are pushing for something.

"We knew they were difficult ones but what we are disappointed about is, on the back of the performances, we had, is that we didn't get more points out of those games.

"Now we have another block of games with different opponents — Norwich and Hull to start and then West Ham and Sunderland.

"That is now where we need to look back to these previous games and those performances and turn them into results."

Fulham's chances in their St Stephen's Day clash at Carrow Road could be bolstered by the return from injury of Dimitar Berbatov.

The Bulgarian striker missed the defeat to City after picking up an injury the day before.

But Meulensteen is hopeful he with have one of his main men back.

"He has responded well to the treatment in his right abductor but we don't want to be taking any risks. Hopefully we can welcome him back for the Norwich game. He has a fairly good chance."

Meulensteen confirmed protracted negotiations to bring Clint Dempsey are ongoing but he is not getting himself involved in the paperwork to see the former Fulham man return on a short-term loan deal from Major League Soccer franchise the Seattle Sounders.

"I can confirm the medical and paperwork is still ongoing," he added.

"We'd like to have him here and he would like to come."

On Saturday champions Manchester United travel to Norfolk, but Norwich boss Chris Hughton views Fulham as the key fixture as the 14th place Canaries seek to continue their climb away from relegation.

"The most important game is Fulham because that's the next one," he said.

"United have the biggest threat in the two games, but the moment you enter a match thinking one will be easier than the other, it will smack you in the face.

"Fulham are in the area of the table we are so it's important for us."
© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved



http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/fulham-target-turning-form-into-points-253464.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Norwich fired up for Fulham clash
CHRIS HUGHTON says Norwich's Boxing Day clash with Fulham is more important than the Manchester United match three days later.

The Canaries take on both teams in a crucial Carrow Road programme.

Boss Hughton said: "United are obviously the bigger team and the bigger threat.

"But we cannot afford to think the Fulham game will be easier. If you do that you just get smacked in the mouth.

"So the Fulham game is far more important.

"They are in the group of teams around us so that's why it is the much bigger match for us."

Norwich are unbeaten in three games and Hughton admitted their revival was driven by fear.

He said: "I am still only looking at the teams below us in the table.

"We have clawed our way out of the bottom three, creeping towards a comfortable position.

"But the fear of dropping down gives you the desire you need."



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/357358/Norwich-fired-up-for-Fulham-clash

[WhiteJC]

 
Norwich City History Against......Fulham

All Competitions
Norwich City 11 wins   Fulham 20 wins   12 draws
Norwich goals 47   Fulham goals 75

League Matches
Norwich City 10 wins   Fulham 15 wins   11 draws
Norwich goals 43   Fulham goals 63

All league games at Norwich
Norwich City 5 wins   Fulham 6 wins   7 draws
Norwich goals 22   Fulham goals 23

All league games at Fulham
Norwich City 5 wins   Fulham 9 wins   4 draws
Norwich goals 21   Fulham goals 40

Cup Football
Norwich City 1 win   Fulham 5 wins   1 draw
Norwich goals 4   Fulham goals 12


Fulham were formed in 1879, turned professional in 1898, and having been champions of the Southern League in the consecutive seasons of 1905-06 and 1906-07, they joined the Second Division of the Football League in 1907-08. It was the start of a long period of time in which they played at that level, without ever really threatening to get promotion to the upper tier. In fact their highest finishing position was 4th in that very first campaign.

Norwich City of course were members of the Southern League at this time (and had played Fulham in both of their championship winning seasons), but it would be many years before they would be in the same Football League division as the Cottagers. However, the clubs did meet in the FA Cup on the 1st of February 1908, in a 2nd Round tie. It was the year Norwich had knocked holders Wednesday out of the competition in the first round. A crowd of 20,000 at Craven Cottage saw Fulham gain a two goal lead by half time, and though City managed a Tommy Allsopp goal after the break, the home side hung on for a 2-1 win.

That same scoreline prevailed in another match played between the clubs later in 1908. This time it was a friendly game, on the 1st of September, and was the first match Norwich City played at the Nest.

Football League contests started in 1928-29 after Fulham had been relegated to the Third Division South for the first time in their history. The Canaries lost the first game, away from home on the 17th of November 1928, 2-1, but managed a share of the spoils in the return game the following March. John Stephenson and Frank McKenna scored in a 2-2 draw. But this initial run of games against Fulham was not a happy one for Norwich, they failed to win any of the eight clashes up to the end of 1931-32, and lost 4-0 on two occasions (once at home and once away).

Fulham won Division Three South in 1932, so league fixtures ceased. The wait for more however was not long, as City joined them in the second tier just two years later in 1934. And in that very first season they also beat Fulham in competitive football for the first time, on the 5th of January 1935. Two goals from Alf Kirchen and another from Jack Vinall saw a fine 3-1 victory for the Canaries at Craven Cottage. This series of matches continued up until World War Two, by which time Norwich had been relegated back to Division Three South. It was a much better period for the team in yellow - two more away wins were secured, both in 1937, by scorelines of 3-2 and 4-3.

The fifties saw Fulham in the top flight for the first time, a stay that lasted three seasons. Seven seasons followed in Division Two, before another return to Division One in 1959-60. It was when they lost top flight status for the second time that a league match with Norwich next took place. The Canaries achieved the double over them in 1968-69 with a 3-1 win in London (Hugh Curran, John Manning and Ken Foggo), and a 2-0 victory at Carrow Road  (with second half goals from Charlie Crickmore and John Manning again). But at the end of the season, Fulham finished bottom of the table, suffering therefore back to back relegations.

Their stay in the third level was short. By 1971-72 they were back in Division Two - just in time to catch the Canaries, who were in the process of winning the championship. A 0-0 draw at Craven Cottage was followed by a 2-1 Norwich win, with goals from Ken Foggo and Phil Hubbard (the only one he ever scored for City). Fulham remained in the second tier for the rest of the seventies. The eighties saw them consigned back to Division Three for a long period, and the nineties included three seasons at the fourth level. Meantime Norwich were enjoying the best twenty years of their history - the only time they came into contact with Fulham in the league was in the the seasons when they suffered twelve month drops back to Division Two in 1974-75 and 1985-86.

A short series of matches took place between 1999 and 2001 in the second tier - again Fulham had the upper hand winning three games out of the four with the other drawn. This ended with them gaining promotion to the Premier League, where they have remained ever since. The clubs clashed in the top flight of English football for the first time on the 4th of December 2004, with Fulham winning courtesy of an early goal. The return fixture took place on the last day of the season. Norwich, who had looked favourites for relegation for much of the campaign, went to Craven Cottage knowing a win would secure their Premier League status for another year. Plenty of supporters turned up for the occasion, but regrettably few of the players joined them, as Fulham romped to a 6-0 triumph to send City down to the Championship.

The clubs did not meet again until Norwich returned to the top flight in 2011-12. An equaliser in the fourth minute of injury time from Simeon Jackson secured the Canaries a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road. The return game in London saw a 2-1 home win, with Aaron Wilbraham netting late on for City. In the 2012-13 season, Norwich travelled to Craven Cottage on the opening day of the campaign, and were on the end of a 5-0 drubbing for their trouble in Chris Hughton's first game in charge. In February 2013 they failed to score again in the fixture at Carrow Road - but thankfully so did Fulham.

That 1908 match is the only time the clubs have ever met in the FA Cup. Three matches have though taken place in the League Cup. A Terry Allcock goal was enough to see City home in a 4th Round tie in 1962. Fulham however won a two legged affair in 1999 - 6-0 on aggregate ! Three Anglo-Scottish Cup matches also took place between 1975 and 1977 - with the Cottagers winning twice with one drawn.

Fulham were originally called Fulham St Andrew's Church Sunday School FC but shortened their name in 1888. They are the oldest professional club in London.



Norwich league wins in :
1934-35 (a)  1935-36 (h)  1936-37 (h & a)  1937-38 (a)  1968-69 (h & a)
1971-72 (h)  1985-86 (h & a) 

Norwich cup wins in :
1962-63 League Cup (h)

Highest wins in series :
6-0 to Fulham 2004-05  3-0 to Norwich 1935-36



.   For a list of players associated with both clubs click here
.   For information on managerial associations click here
.   For a list of players who made their début against Fulham click here
.   For information on the 6-0 defeat in 2005 click here



Did You Know ?

Fulham played in at least ten different grounds between 1879 and 1896 when they moved into Craven Cottage, and historians believe there could have been other unrecorded locations at which they appeared.



To see what part Fulham have played in the history of Norwich City Football Club, just pop their name into the search facility.

Most recent games
9 Feb 2013   (Premier League)  Norwich City 0 Fulham 0
18 Aug 2012   (Premier League)  Fulham 5 Norwich City 0
31 Mar 2012   (Premier League)  Fulham 2 Norwich City 1
31 Dec 2011   (Premier League)  Norwich City 1 Fulham 1
15 May 2005   (Premier League)  Fulham 6 Norwich City 0
4 Dec 2004   (Premier League)  Norwich City 0 Fulham 1
13 Jan 2001   (Division One)  Fulham 2 Norwich City 0
28 Aug 2000   (Division One)  Norwich City 0 Fulham 1




pictured :  Zesh Rehman, who had a loan spell at Norwich City in 2006 from Fulham (picture source : The Guardian)


http://canaryseventyninety.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/norwich-city-history-againstfulham.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Merry Christmas to the Fulham Family
by CHRIS GILBERTSON on DECEMBER 24, 2013

The season of festive cheer often overlooks us football fans. While Ebenezer Pellegrini and his band of not so merry Mancunian Scrooges spoiled our comeback on Saturday, it still seems only appropriate to wish everyone connected with Fulham Football Club a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

2013 has been a year of mixed fortunes and troubled transition for our fabled football club. Too often the brief highs have been followed by conspicuous lows.

Now, after another encouraging performance, it appears that we have emerged from the period of prolonged worry and fear, and can hopefully move on into the second half of the season with renewed hope and a sense of optimism under new Head Coach Rene Meulensteen.

We are obviously a long way from safety and while we may not have turned the corner completely, we have certainly approached the bend. With festive fixtures against four fellow relegation candidates in a row to come, we will soon see if our transition translates into points on the board.

This season, the Premier League is living up to its reputation to expect the unexpected. Across the division we have seen a quarter of managers lose their jobs with that number likely to rise. Christmas cheer it seems is in short supply all around.

In the Fulham household there is a palpable sense of us all wishing for Good Saint Nick to come down the chimney clutching gifts, albeit a day late on Boxing Day. Three points on Thursday would be the present we're all craving. A defeat and we may as well be looking at a lump of coal.

With Chairman Shahid Khan at Craven Cottage last Saturday, he would have seen a motivated Fulham side playing in front of a spirited crowd. The atmosphere was tremendous. Hope has sprung its merry web amongst the Fulham Faithful.

January will prove pivotal. If the performance against Man City proved anything, it's that the squad and first team remain short on quality even with a good new coach. It is no use if our players play to the best of their ability, yet their maximum performance ceiling is still short of the level we need to escape the doldrums. Clint Dempsey's return is a great first present sitting under our tree, but Santa Khan must provide the chequebook for several more players to follow.

Regardless of the matters on the field, Fulham fans and the devoted hardworking staff at the club have had an arduous and fraught few months. With relationships and communication becoming fractious and increasingly agitated, it is splendid to see the club, its staff and fans once again unified.

Like any family at this time of year, the Fulham family has had its fair share of squabbles. Now though, we go onwards to the New Year as one; a cohesive body of collective support for the new Head Coach and his chosen charges that will undoubtedly aid our ascent from the depths of relegation candidacy.

Merry Christmas Fulham Family. Let's make 2014 memorable for the right reasons.

COYW



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2013/12/merry-christmas-to-the-fulham-family/?

[WhiteJC]

 
LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Norwich v Fulham

Norwich picked up a good point at Sunderland at the weekend and, since they were hammered 7-0 by Manchester City, their form has been decent.

The Canaries have picked up 11 points from their last seven games and the pressure is off their manager Chris Hughton at the moment.

Again, that shows you how quickly your fortunes can change. You can quickly go from being on the verge of getting the sack to manager of the month, which makes some of the sackings you see look even more ridiculous.

Fulham, who are one of the top-flight teams to change their manager this campaign, gave City a very good game on Saturday but they have started to leak a lot of goals.

They lost 4-1 at Everton the week before and that means they have conceded eight in their last two matches without deserving a hammering on either occasion.

This will be a close one, but I'd back Norwich to nick it.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1
Guy Mowbray's prediction: I was going for a draw, but at home will take the Canaries to narrowly win. 2-1


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25488667

[WhiteJC]

 
Meulensteen: No offers for Fulham star

Dutch boss says there's been no interest in Costa Rican international Ruiz


Out of favour: Bryan Ruiz
Rene Meulensteen insists Fulham have received no enquiries for out-of-favour forward Bryan Ruiz.

The Costa Rican has made just one brief substitute's appearance since Meulensteen took charge earlier this month, and hasn't featured at all in the past three games.

Anderlecht, Genk and PSV have been linked with a January move for the 28-year-old, who cost Fulham £10.5million for FC Twente in 2011.

But boss Meulensteen said: "There have been no approaches that I'm aware of.

"Last year he had an excellent spell and was a constant attacking threat, so hopefully we can get that back because he could be important for us."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/meulensteen-no-offers-fulham-star-6443190

[WhiteJC]

 
Keeping The Faith

Aaron Hughes is firmly of the belief that if the Whites can maintain their recent levels of performance, then they will be out of the relegation zone sooner rather than later.

Saturday's 4-2 home defeat by Manchester City was Fulham's third in four games under René Meulensteen's stewardship, but Hughes insists that he and his teammates have not let their heads drop.

"We were disappointed with the result but there's still that sense that we're going in the right direction," he told fulhamfc.com. "The performances have been good so it's a strange feeling because we're going out and getting beaten but we've got faith that things will get better and things will change if we just keep going.

"So we're obviously disappointed that we haven't got anything from the City game but we're certainly not downhearted about it. It is frustrating and we keep wondering when things are going to change and when we're going to get something, and I think that if we just keep going the way we're going, then eventually we will do."

The previous three defeats have all been against sides who many would expect to finish towards the upper echelons of the Barclays Premier League table come May, whereas the upcoming four outings are all against teams in the bottom half.

That said, Hughes has enough experience to know that every game poses a stern test and that Fulham will need to be at their best to obtain some much-needed points over the festive season, starting with away trips to Norwich City and Hull City this week.

"With the timing of the fixtures, we've been up against three of the top teams in the league," Hughes stated. "But these games coming will be just as difficult, maybe just in a different way.

"We're going away to two grounds that have passionate home support and over the Christmas period everyone wants that home win to keep the fans happy at Christmas time.

"So you're battling against that as well; it's not only the quality that they have on the pitch, but the atmosphere and being away from home means they're going to be two hard back-to-back games."

Norwich and Hull have each shown a degree of inconsistency this season, but they've also turned in some highly impressive showings and Hughes knows they mustn't be taken lightly, stating: "They've shown already this season that at home they're strong and confident and I'm sure they recognise the importance of the games and the importance of getting points at this stage of the season, as do we.

"Those points will be as important to them as they are to us so it will be both teams battling to get that win. Hopefully we can come out on top."

For neutrals looking at the form book, it would appear that Fulham are going into the hectic Christmas schedule bereft of confidence having won just a solitary game in the last nine outings, but that couldn't be much further from the truth.

Head Coach Meulensteen believes his side deserved at least some points against Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and City, a notion echoed by Hughes who's sure the Whites will soon be rewarded for their consistently energetic displays.

"Obviously we can't just rely on past performances but what you take from those defeats are all the positives that you get from the game," he said. "There are lots of things that we worked on in training that you could see we've taken into the games with us.

"That gives us confidence that we can go on and keep building on that. We can't just think that we're doing okay and that if we just turn up eventually the results will come, we still have to keep working and doing what we're doing on the training pitch and what we've been doing in the last few games.

"Then, the confidence that we've taken from that and the momentum that we're picking up will hopefully carry us into the next match and on from there."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/december/24/keeping-the-faith?

[WhiteJC]

 
Berbatov faces fitness fight

Dimitar Berbatov faces a late fitness test if he is to be in contention for Fulham's Barclays Premier League clash at Norwich on Boxing Day.

The 32-year-old missed the 4-2 defeat to Manchester City with a groin injury but manager Rene Meulensteen is hopeful he will be fit for the match at Carrow Road.

It is in defence where Meulensteen has most of his worries as both Brede Hangeland (back) and Philippe Senderos (abductor) are missing as well as Matthew Briggs (hernia).

Norwich midfielder Jonathan Howson faces a late fitness test for the clash.

Howson is struggling with a back problem and is a doubt for the relegation showdown.

Defender Russell Martin missed the 0-0 draw with Sunderland to rest a sore ankle but will return against Fulham.

Teams:

Norwich (from): Ruddy, Whittaker, Bassong, Turner, Olsson, Johnson, Fer, Howson, Redmond, Hoolahan, Hooper, Bunn, Josh Murphy, Becchio, Elmander, Garrido, R Bennett, Martin, Snodgrass, van Wolfswinkel, Nash.

Fulham (from): Stekelenburg, Riether, Hughes, Riise, Sidwell, Parker, Karagounis, Dejagah, Berbatov, Kacaniklic, Kasami, Ruiz, Bent, Stockdale, Richardson, Duff, Zverotic, Vigen Christensen, Amorebieta.



http://www.sportinglife.com/other-sports/preview/article/312/9086804/-?

[WhiteJC]

 
Inside Carrow Road

Boxing Day sees Fulham face Norwich City at Carrow Road – a ground we haven't lost at since 1986. We caught up with Canaries fan Jim Allen to get his take on the festive encounter.

It's probably fair to say that your results this season have been a bit inconsistent – what have you made of the campaign to date?

It has been quite a difficult season for fans this year. With record signings in the summer, there was a sense of excitement around the city, but so far very little progress has been made. At times, we've struggled to score goals and been very leaky at the back, which is very frustrating for the fans. We have the best squad we've had in years, so with a bit of confidence and consistency, there's a lot to come from this Norwich team. Hopefully we can strengthen the problem areas in January and really push on in 2014, start playing some entertaining football and getting results, which is every fan's dream!

You touched on it there that the team is finding goals a bit hard to come by – is that a surprise considering how much was spent on strikers in the summer?

To an extent, yes. Spending a record fee on Ricky van Wolfswinkel, and with the addition of Gary Hooper, I did expect goals to be a bit more free flowing! We were unlucky losing Hooper to injury in pre-season which is obviously not the ideal way to settle into a new club, and a new league. Then RVW picked up a knock and our squad wasn't strong enough to cover those two. It's pleasing that a couple of the midfielders have stepped up and added a few goals. But ultimately we haven't got that spark in midfield that will provide chance after chance for the forwards, meaning they have to put away the one or two opportunities they get in the 90 minutes. And it is rare to find a centre forward that adjusts to the rigours of the Premier League quickly, so I think give Hooper and RVW some time and they'll soon adapt.

Speaking of transfers, what have you made of the new arrivals so far?

Overall, they've been very pleasing. Hooper looks very tidy, has a great first touch, knows where the back of the net is and does the simple stuff very well. RVW hasn't really got going in terms of goals, but he isn't short of effort or talent; he has bags of potential. Leroy Fer looks like a quality signing by Chris Hughton; he seems to be strong, fast, clever and cheap! Nathan Redmond has a lot of work to do, but one day he could be a very important asset for Norwich, and England. Johan Elmander, on the other hand, has struggled somewhat. I can see why CH brought him in, to be the big battering ram up front to replace Grant Holt, but hasn't really set Carrow Road alight as yet.

Which Norwich players will Fulham have to be wary of?

Hooper has found his touch in the last few weeks. He's very intelligent off the ball and has a natural eye for goal, so Fulham's back four will need to be on their toes to keep him quiet. Robert Snodgrass is due a good game too. He's recently back from injury and has been quoted this week as being fully fit and eager to get playing regular football again.


And, likewise, which Fulham players would you like in the Norwich team?

On his day, Dimitar Berbatov is one of the best footballers to have played in the Premier League. He has fantastic technique, with unquestionable talent. Darren Bent will always be a threat with his pace, if he can find his shooting boots, but I'm hopeful that Sebastien Bassong and Michael Turner can deal with that former Tractor Boy! I also think Steve Sidwell is a great all-rounder, with plenty of talent and energy - an impressive asset to any squad.

Have you seen much of Fulham recently? What do you make of the side?

I saw more of Fulham last season, and was very impressed with the squad, so it's a shame to see them struggling this year. Many neutral fans have great respect for Fulham after their journey from the bottom to the top of the English League pyramid. It would be terrible if your 13 years in the Premier League came to an end this season. I think the Whites have had similar away difficulties as Norwich, but unfortunately Fulham's home form hasn't been stable enough to climb the table. If René Meulensteen can fix the home form, Fulham's squad and individuals are too good to go down!

We have had a bit of a resurgence under Meulensteen – is that a concern for Canaries fans?

New managers always inject a bit of confidence back into a club, but I'm hoping the honeymoon period might be over. Meulensteen will be looking at Fulham's next three games looking to get some points on the board, so yes, I think René will be going all out for the win. I'm just pleased it's at Carrow Road as we've looked pretty solid there in the last few weeks. It'll be interesting to see how he performs in his first transfer window. We'll see if he learnt anything from Sir Alex Ferguson. With a new Head Coach and a new owner, this could be a very exciting transfer window for FFC. Thankfully this fixture comes before he can get to work.

What's a realistic target for Norwich this season?

At the start of the season, I was hoping for a top-half finish, to at least improve on last term's 11th, but judging on our first half of the campaign, I would be pleased with anything above 17th! I do hope that a bit more money is spent on a creative midfielder and then we won't have the worry of relegation hanging over our head come April/May.

Where's a good place for away fans to go before the game for a pint?

There are plenty of pubs in Norwich seeing as it is a student town, but I tend to see away fans in The Compleat Angler as it is a stone's throw from the train station and an easy 10-minute walk to the ground.

What's one song we're bound to hear you sing during the game?

'On The Ball City' will be echoing around Carrow Road on Thursday. Norwich's anthem is a fan favourite and you'll be able to hear the Carrow Road faithful in full voice on Boxing Day!

What score prediction are you going for, and why?

2-0. I think Hughton will be keen for a strong defensive performance, and importantly a clean sheet to build on our recent home form. Hopefully the three points will be staying in Norwich.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/december/24/inside-carrow-road?

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Norwich City - Fulham Preview: Meulensteen must shore up league's leakiest defence

Despite a minor improvement in his first two games in charge, the new Cottagers boss has seen his side concede eight to Everton and Manchester City ahead of their Boxing Day trip

Rene Meulensteen will look for an improved defensive showing from his Fulham side when they face Norwich City at Carrow Road on Thursday.

The Dutchman's first two games in charge saw the Premier League's leakiest defence show signs of improvement as they were denied a point late on against Tottenham before shutting out Aston Villa to win 2-0.

However, since then Fulham have conceded eight goals - falling to defeats against Everton and Manchester City - meaning that they have now shipped 34 in 17 top-flight matches.

Norwich have scraped just 15 goals in 17 league games this season and, if the Cottagers can keep the likes of Gary Hooper and Ricky van Wolfswinkel at bay, they could move out of the relegation zone before Saturday's visit to Hull City.

In what has been a frustrating, injury-hit start to his maiden campaign as a Norwich player, club-record signing Van Wolfswinkel is now pushing for his first start since September following a toe problem and is eager to hit his full stride by the time 2014 gets under way.

"After 13 weeks with the injury I was so happy to get back playing on Saturday," he told reporters. "The toe is 100 per cent right now - I feel great and I'm raring to go."

Fulham have a strong recent record against Norwich, especially offensively, having won three and drawn two of their last five meetings, with two of those victories yielding 11 goals for the Londoners.

That said, Norwich will likely pose a stern test to Meulensteen's charges as they are unbeaten in four home leagues games - conceding just twice in that time.

Jonny Howson's back injury will be assessed by the club's medical staff, while manager Chris Hughton confirmed on Monday that Russell Martin will return from an ankle injury. Alex Tettey and Elliott Bennett, both long-term absentees, will not feature as the Canaries boss looks ahead to what he envisages will be a tough fixture.

"It's been a difficult period for Fulham but we want to make sure it's about us and that we get the result we want," Hughton remarked. "It's a busy time but, at the moment, we have to look at our first game against Fulham as the most important one."

Meulensteen is hopeful on the return of striker Dimitar Berbatov following a groin problem, while Hugo Rodallega could also come into the reckoning after a similar complaint, but captain Brede Hangeland remains out with a back injury.



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/109413/norwich-city-vs-fulham/preview

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Who has been Fulham's star of the season so far - and who could they buy in January?



Story so far Shahid Khan's takeover seemed to signal exciting times on the horizon at Craven Cottage but a dismal start to the season cost Martin Jol his job and leaves Fulham in a relegation scrap. Khan finally lost patience with Jol after six consecutive defeats and things have improved since Rene Meulensteen was given the job until the end of the season. There is now energy and optimism among players and supporters that was missing in the final weeks under Jol. There is a belief that Meulensteen can get Fulham, who are one point from safety, out of trouble. Performances in recent weeks, notably in the 2-1 home defeat by Tottenham, suggest they can survive and star man Dimitar Berbatov is finally showing signs of life having looked disinterested for much of the season.

A run of six consecutive defeats brought to an end Martin Jol's 30-month tenure at Craven Cottage and performances have benefitted from adjustments to the managerial set-up.

With former Manchester United assistant manager Rene Meulensteen now in charge, Standard Sport assesses the west Londoner's season to date, their star performer, and takes a look ahead at what business needs to be done to make sure the Cottagers retain their Premier League status for a 13th consecutive season.



http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/who-has-been-fulhams-star-of-the-season-so-far--and-who-could-they-buy-in-january-9022783.html

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Fulham boss fears defensive crisis after Senderos added to injury list

Meulensteen has just two fit centre-backs for the trips to Norwich City and Hull


Protection: Aaron Hughes is one of just two fit centre-backs at Fulham
Rene Meulensteen is wrapping Aaron Hughes and Fernando Amorebieta in cotton wool in a bid to avoid a defensive crisis at Craven Cottage.

Injuries to skipper Brede Hangeland and Philippe Senderos leaves Fulham with just two fit centre-backs for the Boxing Day clash at Norwich City.

And boss Meulensteen is keeping his fingers crossed Hughes and Amorebieta, who has just returned to the side following a hamstring problem, come through the next few days unscathed ahead of trips to Carrow Road and Hull in the space of 72 hours.

He said: "Philippe won't be fit for the Norwich and Hull games. We need to assess him to see if he will be available to face West Ham.

"I really hope nothing will happen to Aaron and Fernando against Norwich because that could cause problems against Hull.

"We've got one or two back-up options with players who could do a job there, like John Arne Riise, but then if something happened to Aaron Hughes we would have two left-footed centre-backs, which is not ideal."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-fears-defensive-crisis-6444666?

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Norwich midfielder doubtful for Fulham clash

Norwich midfielder Jonathan Howson faces a late fitness test for the Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham on Boxing Day.

Howson is struggling with a back problem and is a doubt for the relegation showdown.

Defender Russell Martin missed the 0-0 draw with Sunderland to rest a sore ankle but will return against Fulham.

Provisional Squad: Ruddy, Whittaker, Bassong, Turner, Olsson, Johnson, Fer, Howson, Redmond, Hoolahan, Hooper, Bunn, Josh Murphy, Becchio, Elmander, Garrido, R Bennett, Martin, Snodgrass, van Wolfswinkel, Nash.



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/norwich_midfielder_doubtful_for_fulham_clash_1_3146419

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REVEALED: Arsenal and Spurs face Turkish threat for Dimitar Berbatov

ARSENAL and Tottenham face competition from Turkish giants Galatasaray as they bid to prize Dimitar Berbatov from Fulham.

Speculation is mounting over Berbatov's future ahead of the January transfer window after his agent revealed earlier this month that he was looking to leave Craven Cottage.

Express Sport understands that Berbatov has interest from Premier League sides Arsenal and Spurs.

However, Galatasaray are hoping to beat the North London duo to land the Bulgarian hit man.

Berbatov's contract at Fulham expires at the end of the season, but he could move in a cut-price deal in January.

Arsenal are seeking back-up to French frontman Olivier Giroud, while question marks remain over Spurs' strike trio of Roberto Soldado, Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor.

But Galatasaray boss Roberto Mancini could offer Berbatov the opportunity to play alongside Didier Drogba in Istanbul.



http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/450341/REVEALED-Arsenal-and-Spurs-face-Turkish-threat-for-Dimitar-Berbatov

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Aaron Hughes: 'Fulham going in right direction'

Fulham defender Aaron Hughes has insisted that the team is heading in the right direction under new manager Rene Meulensteen.

The Cottagers are currently one point adrift of safety in the Premier League table following eight defeats in their last nine games.

However, Hughes is confident that the West London club can climb out of trouble in the coming months.

"The performances have been good so it's a strange feeling because we're going out and getting beaten but we've got faith that things will get better and things will change if we just keep going," the Northern Irishman told Fulham's official website.

"It is frustrating and we keep wondering when things are going to change and when we're going to get something, and I think that if we just keep going the way we're going, then eventually we will do."

Fulham continue their Premier League campaign on Boxing Day when they face Norwich City at Carrow Road.



http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/relegation-battle/news/hughes-fulham-going-in-right-direction_126393.html

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FULHAM PREVIEW

A comprehensive preview of our Boxing Day clash with the Cottagers
NORWICH CITY v FULHAM
Barclays Premier League
15.00 kick-off
Carrow Road
Thursday December 26, 2013

THE traditional Boxing Day fixture this year sees Chris Hughton's Canaries welcome Fulham to Carrow Road as the first of two home matches in three days.

After the double-header concludes, the Premier League season will have reached its halfway stage and as usual the points spread between the majority of teams occupying the middle ground of the table will be negligible.

City can do themselves a festive favour, however, with victory over Rene Meulensteen's Cottagers – not just for the reason of extending the gap between one of the sides below them but also to carry momentum into the Manchester United clash 48 hours later.

Meulensteen took charge of Fulham at the beginning of the month, and although the general perception has been that he's overseen an upturn in performance levels, they have only three points to show for it since his arrival.

A run of nine defeats in their last ten matches in all competitions – punctuated only by their 2-0 home victory over Aston Villa – doesn't make happy reading.

City have never beaten Fulham in the Premier League, however, with the matches in the corresponding fixture since the Club's return to the top flight in 2011 ending in two draws.

The overall head-to-head reads in the visitors' favour, too, with Fulham having won 18 of the 40 meetings. Norwich have won 11 times, while there has also been 11 draws.

MOST RECENT COMPETITIVE MEETINGS...
NORWICH CITY 0-0 Fulham – 09/02/2013 – Premier League
Fulham 5-0 NORWICH CITY – 18/08/2012 – Premier League
Fulham 2-1 NORWICH CITY – 31/03/2012 – Premier League
NORWICH CITY 1-1 Fulham – 31/12/2011 – Premier League
Fulham 6-0 NORWICH CITY – 15/05/2005 – Premier League

LAST TIME AROUND... Norwich City 0-0 Fulham, February 9 2013 – Premier League...
The Canaries winless run extended to nine matches after a poor game ended 0-0 between the two sides at Carrow Road back in February.

New signing Luciano Becchio started for Chris Hughton's side and had arguably the game's best opportunity after just five minutes, shooting straight at Mark Schwarzer.

Elliott Bennett and Bradley Johnson both had half-chances as the game drew to its conclusion, but in the end both teams had to settle for a point.

Hughton said after the final whistle: "Fulham have a lot of quality in their side, but we are disappointed because we are at home and the emphasis was to look to get three points.

"We did not have enough in the final third and lacked that bit of quality, but it is a point and if you cannot win these games, you certainly have to make sure you do not lose them.

"The (lack of goals) is a concern, and it has to be, but we also have to look at the positives.

"We have managed to stop a poor run, albeit not with wins."

CANARIES' FORM...
D – 0-0 v Sunderland (A) 21/12/2013 – Premier League
D – 1-1 v Swansea City (H) 15/12/2013 – Premier League
W – 2-0 v West Bromwich Albion (A) 07/12/2013 – Premier League
L – 1-5 v Liverpool (A) 04/12/2013 – Premier League
W – 1-0 v Crystal Palace (H) 30/11/2013 – Premier League

COTTAGERS' FORM...
L – 2-4 v Manchester City (H) 21/12/2013 – Premier League
L – 1-4 v Everton (A) 14/12/2013 – Premier League
W – 2-0 v Aston Villa (H) 08/12/2013 – Premier League
L – 1-2 v Tottenham Hotspur (H) 04/12/2013 – Premier League
L – 0-3 v West Ham United (A) 30/11/2013 – Premier League

LAST NORWICH CITY XI (4-4-2 v Sunderland)...
John Ruddy; Steven Whittaker, Michael Turner, Sebastien Bassong (c), Martin Olsson; Nathan Redmond, Leroy Fer, Bradley Johnson, Robert Snodgrass; Johan Elmander, Gary Hooper.

LAST FULHAM XI (4-3-3 v Manchester City)...
Maarten Stekelenburg; Sascha Riether, Philippe Senderos, Aaron Hughes, John Arne Riise; Scott Parker (c), Giorgos Karagounis, Steve Sidwell; Ashkan Dejagah, Kieran Richardson, Adel Taarabt.

REFEREE – Jonathan Moss...
West Yorkshire official Jonathan Moss last took charge of a Canaries match back in November, when Chris Hughton's side defeated West Ham United 3-1 at Carrow Road.

That is one of 16 games he has refereed this season, in which he has dished out 51 yellow cards and two red cards.

His most recent appointment was at the Hawthorns last Saturday, when he oversaw West Bromwich Albion's 1-1 draw with Hull City.

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES...
Hull City v Manchester United (12.45)
Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
Cardiff City v Southampton
Chelsea v Swansea City
Everton v Sunderland
Newcastle United v Stoke City
NORWICH CITY v FULHAM
Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion
West Ham United v Arsenal
Manchester City v Liverpool (17.30)



Read more at http://www.canaries.co.uk/news/article/fulham-h-preview-1254153.aspx?#laBPDbY2H4fv1kFg.99

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Weary travelling Fulham to pilfer three points from Norwich
Canaries will embrace the season of giving by gifting relegation foes three points

The Rene Meulensteen revolution begins in earnest at Carrow Road, when he takes his Fulham side to face Norwich in a crunch relegation clash.

The Cottagers' recent record in this fixture bodes well for their 11/4 match betting price, with the west Londoners undefeated against this adversary in their four meetings since Chris Hughton's side returned to the top flight ahead of the 2011/12 campaign.

The hosts are rated as 1/1 favourites for the win, largely down to the fact that their next opponents have been bested in four straight Premier League away games, as well as once after extra-time at Leicester in the Capital One Cup.

Focussing solely on the league games, they've failed to score in three of these four reverses, bagging just one goal and shipping 13.

These rather unflattering statistics point in the direction of a home win, but the Norfolk club aren't exactly boasting the jagged dentures required to rip apart such feeble travellers.

Aside from their 3-1 triumph against West Ham, Norwich haven't scored more than once on their own patch in the league since the opening day of the season, drawing blanks against Aston Villa and Cardiff. The best they could do against the riper defences of Crystal Palace and Swansea was a single goal too.

A bit of resilience from the visitors could go a long way here, with a win to nil, just as Palace unexpectedly achieved at Hull a few weeks ago, not out of the question.

Fulham have conceded just one goal in the four games they've prevailed this season, shutting out three teams, one of which came on the road. At 5/1 then, the away win to nil may well appeal to those keen on taking a walk on the wild side.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication's time and date



http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/premier-league/weary-travelling-fulham-to-pilfer-three-points-from-norwich_181860.html

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Norwich v Fulham

By Dan O'Hagan
Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Carrow Road Date: Thursday, 26 December

TEAM NEWS

Norwich midfielder Jonny Howson missed the draw at Sunderland with a back injury and is a doubt to face Fulham.

Russell Martin has overcome an ankle problem, while fit-again striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel is pushing for a start.

Fulham forward Dimitar Berbatov is an injury doubt as he continues to struggle with a groin strain.

It is in defence where manager Rene Meulensteen has his biggest problems, with both Brede Hangeland (back) and Philippe Senderos (abductor) ruled out.

MATCH PREVIEW
There's no doubt this is a deliciously unpredictable Premier League season at the top of the table, and I doubt it's ever been more intriguing towards the less desirable end either.

Norwich, for me, are one of this season's great mysteries. Have the Canaries ever in their history had a squad so full of genuine attacking quality?

Van Wolfswinkel, Hooper, Elmander, Redmond, Becchio. On paper, it's a squad which should be wreaking havoc in the attacking third yet Norwich are averaging less than a goal a game.

That concerns the fans greatly, who long to see a less risk-averse team with the handbrake finally released. Facing a team in the bottom three is surely the ideal time for that.

Carrow Road is special for me - it's where I made my Match of the Day debut, nine years ago to the day. City failed to score then (losing 2-0 to Spurs), and have never actually scored a home Premier League goal on Boxing Day.

Fulham's Premier League longevity has never been based around a good away record, but right now they need to start picking up points regardless of the venue. A run of three points from a possible 27 suggests a malaise which will test Rene Meulensteen's credentials to the absolute limit.

The new manager's start has been undermined by injuries - especially defensively. The losses of Brede Hangeland and Phillipe Senderos for the Christmas mini-season will hit hard.

Dimitar Berbatov may return at Carrow Road, but his output of just three Premier League goals offers some insight into why Fulham will have taken their Christmas turkey in the bottom two.

Historically, mind you, this has proved a fruitful fixture for Fulham. Norwich haven't won this game in any competition since 1986.

This meeting will doubtless prove anxious, tight and edgy. Winning it may come down to which manager is bold enough to risk losing it.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Fulham are unbeaten in their last 12 matches against Norwich in all competitions (W9, D3). They have scored 27 goals during this period and conceded just four.

Norwich have only lost three of 17 league games at Carrow Road (W6, D8, L3) this calendar year.

Fulham's joint-biggest win in Premier League history was 6-0 against Norwich in May 2005, a day that saw the Canaries relegated.

Norwich
Norwich are unbeaten in their last three league matches (W1, D2) - it's their longest run without defeat this season.
Chris Hughton's side have kept six clean sheets so far this season; only Everton, West Ham (both eight) and Tottenham (seven) have more.
This is the Canaries' fifth Premier League fixture on Boxing Day. They failed to score in any of the previous four (D1, L3).
Gary Hooper has scored four goals in his last seven matches, including three in his last three appearances at Carrow Road.

Fulham
It is just three points from a possible 27 for Fulham (W1, L8).
Fulham have only won one of their previous 11 Premier League matches played on 26 December (W1, D6, L4); a 2-0 win at home to Southampton in 2003.
Dimitar Berbatov has scored five goals and contributed five assists in six Premier League appearances on 26 December.
Berbatov is one of only five players in Premier League history to score a hat-trick on Boxing Day (Manchester United v Wigan in 2011).



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25442183?

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Berbatov Winning Fitness Battle
   
Following the loss to Manchester City last weekend, our seventh defeat in eight Premier League games, the pressure is on Fulham to get a result against Norwich next time out.

For the Manchester City fixture we were without Dimitar Berbatov with the influential Bulgarian striker missing the game with a groin problem, an injury that wasn`t common knowledge in the build-up to the fixture.

But it is being reported, today, that Dimitar is winning his battle for fitness and it is looking very likely that he will be able to play at Carrow Road, against a side that have yet to beat us in the Premier League.

Let`s hope what we are hearing is true as the Boxing Day fixture is one in which we just have to get a result!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=342859#ixzz2oT6aIEeI