Thursday Fulham Stuff (02/01/14)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Can Clint Dempsey change Fulham and his own fortunes?

On Christmas Eve, Clint Dempsey had reached an agreement to re-sign for Fulham on a two-month loan deal, the club who provided the platform for the American's best spell of form in his career.

Dempsey netted 50 times in a six year stint at Fulham, with his final season (2011/12) culminating into scoring a staggering 17 goals in 37 league appearances. His rise was remarkable after starting his first season scoring only one. Dempsey's rise to prominence correlated with Fulham's improving league positioning, going from a side that lingered in the bottom half of the table — including narrowly avoiding relegation in the 07/08 season — to a cohesive unit, under the tutelage of Roy Hodgson, whereby Dempsey had left the team firmly in the top 10. A dream run in the Europa League in 09/10 saw Dempsey on the brink of achieving continental glory, but the ambition reached its painful conclusion as the Cottagers lost to Atlético Madrid in extra-time 2-1.

Dempsey was unfortunate never to experience winning silverware in England, whether that was for Fulham or during his spell at Tottenham. Brief moments of personal success at Spurs, such as the winner against Manchester United at Old Trafford and the critical goal + assist to keep Spurs in contention for a Champions League spot against Stoke, were overshadowed by the club's failure to reach that same, familiar goal that Spurs strive for year on year – a place in the Champions League.

A move back to MLS, this time with Seattle Sounders, was met with pure pandemonium and delirium as Dempsey, in Hollywood-like fashion, removed his hoody and revealed the rave green shirt underneath to a packed out CenturyLink Field. Mlssoccer.com rated Dempsey's return as the 2013 story of the year. The league had made their greatest statement yet to show they were not a retirement home, signing the USA International when he was fully in the prime of his career aged just 30.

Dempsey-ShoulderHowever, his half-season at Seattle had been far from successful. One goal in 13 appearances with a number of niggling injuries and international call-ups disrupting any rhythm, he was unable to help lead Seattle to an MLS Cup after crashing out to fierce rivals Portland in the Western Conference Semi-Final. Dempsey in his time in MLS has shown moments of great flair and trickery but has been unable to do what his career has been prided on – making late runs into the penalty box and scoring goals. Deuce is in need of a mini revival before the 2014 World Cup.

For at least the first two months of 2014, Dempsey will be donning the white and black shirt in West London while Seattle prepare for next season in March. Fulham is a club Dempsey believes 'felt like home'. 'Home' has become a very different place from two years ago. The owner that bought Dempsey to Fulham in 2006 – Mohamed Al-Fayed – sold the club in July 2013 to Pakistani-American Shahid Khan for a reported £200 million. Khan looks to be by no means a Vincent Tan, but could the shared nationality of Khan and Dempsey be one of the possible reasons for Dempsey's return? – for branding purposes? Signing the captain of the US Men's National Team is almost certainly going to recapture Fulham's exposure state-side after the club was once known as 'Fulhamerica'.

From a purely footballing standpoint, circumstances have certainly changed at Craven Cottage. Fulham have had a miserable start to the 13/14 season, currently lying in 18th place on 16 points with the worst goal difference in the league (-22), their last game ended in a 6-0 thrashing to Hull who are hardly known for their goal-scoring prowess. Goals for Fulham are becoming very hard to come by with Berbatov and the young Swiss centre midfielder Pajtim Kasami, who has already recorded his highest ever single-season goal tally, are currently the club's leading league goalscorers with 3 with 19 games already played. No. 10′s such as Costa Rican Bryan Ruiz and the ever-enigmatic Adel Taraabt have both endured woeful seasons thus far making it very likely that Dempsey will slot straight into recently appointed head coach Rene Meulensteen's side.


http://backpagefootball.com/can-clint-dempsey-change-fulham-and-his-own-fortunes/68186/?

[WhiteJC]

 
There's only one F in Fulham

Fulham 2 West Ham 1

At least the pre-match Powerhouse Porter is excellent in the Crabtree after a rain-drenched walk down Fulham Palace Road. Fraser eyes up the £51 South Australian chardonnay and wonders if it can compete with the Central's. We're joined by Matt and Lisa, Twickenham Irons Tim and Dave with  their sons and also my old school friend Mark who has dyed his beard claret and blue – a move he may regret in the Fulham end if they set their butlers on him.

In row ZZ there are still balls lodged from Bobby Zamora's shots and we have fine views of the rain wafting over London and the Thames threatening to inundate the stadium.

West Ham have three out-of-position centre backs in Diarra, O'Brien and McCartney plus wing-backs in Taylor and Demel. It all starts well for the Hammers. Fulham's defence looks vulnerable after letting in six against Hull and fails to deal with a free kick from Jaaskelainen. Diame is given time to turn and shoot home after seven minutes. It should be two when Diame's cross is met by Nolan, whose header is saved by the feet of Steklenberg.

But Scott Parker digs in and Berbatov and Taarabt start to show skill in the quagmire as Fulham come back into it. Maiga heads off the line from a corner. If it can wrong it will go wrong. Mark Noble pulls up after 32 minutes and has to go off with an injury. That's nine players out. Immediately after Rat comes on Fulham equalise with a simple header from a corner as Sidwell outjumps McCartney. A minute later Taarabt shows good technique to turn and hit the post.

Just as we seem be coming back into it, the game turns on Nolan's sending off. He's blocked by Amorebieta and pushes him over, possibly aiming a kick too. He doesn't appear to actually touch his face but with a referee like Clattenberg why give him the opportunity to send you off? The incident is on the halfway line and it's utterly stupid from Nolan, particularly after his needless red card at Anfield. Now we have to play the entire second half with ten men.

The rain and gloomy sky match our mood at half-time. West Ham lack belief throughout the second half and it's all Fulham. Jaskelainen produces fine saves from Riise and Taarabt before Parker's mishit shot turns into a pass to the unmarked Berbatov who pokes the ball home.

"How poo must you be we're winning at home!" chant the Fulham fans. The West Ham fans respond with "You're nothing special, we lose every week!"

The Irons show an alarming lack of technique, even if it is the squad players, with passes being hoofed into touch and there's open mutiny among the away fans. When Diame is taken off for Downing Allardyce is serenaded with "You don't know what you're doing!" and there are chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning! and "love off Sam Allardyce!" - which don't appear to be cockney banter.

There's a bloke in front is us going absolutely mental: "That's it Allardyce, bring on another left back! Just stand there being fat and waving your arms around. This is f***ing rubbish! That's right, keep it down for the goal difference look at your f***ing stats!" Must be a vicar's son.

There's a late rally in the last ten minutes as a header goes wide and Hammers force a corner. But it's all too late and we've lost another six-pointer. Apart from the rain, terrible conditions, sending off and defeat everything else has gone well. Can Allardyce survive this? It's starting to look desperate.

Team Ratings: Jaaskelainen 7, Demel 5, McCartney 5, Diarra 5 O'Brien 5, Taylor 4, Noble 6, Diame 6, Nolan 3, Collison 4, Maiga 5.



http://hammersintheheart.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/theres-only-one-f-in-fulham.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+HammersInTheHeart+(Hammers+in+the+Heart)

[WhiteJC]

 
Arsenal Away Sold Out

All tickets for our trip to Arsenal on Saturday 18th January 2014 (3pm) have been sold.

No further tickets will be available on the day.

Supporters who have already booked tickets still have time to take advantage of free coach travel. Find out more here.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/02/arsenal-away-sold-out?

[MOR :]

There's only one F in Fulham

Fulham 2 West Ham 1

At least the pre-match Powerhouse Porter is excellent in the Crabtree after a rain-drenched walk down Fulham Palace Road. Fraser eyes up the £51 South Australian chardonnay and wonders if it can compete with the Central's. We're joined by Matt and Lisa, Twickenham Irons Tim and Dave with  their sons and also my old school friend Mark who has dyed his beard claret and blue – a move he may regret in the Fulham end if they set their butlers on him.

In row ZZ there are still balls lodged from Bobby Zamora's shots and we have fine views of the rain wafting over London and the Thames threatening to inundate the stadium.

West Ham have three out-of-position centre backs in Diarra, O'Brien and McCartney plus wing-backs in Taylor and Demel. It all starts well for the Hammers. Fulham's defence looks vulnerable after letting in six against Hull and fails to deal with a free kick from Jaaskelainen. Diame is given time to turn and shoot home after seven minutes. It should be two when Diame's cross is met by Nolan, whose header is saved by the feet of Steklenberg.

But Scott Parker digs in and Berbatov and Taarabt start to show skill in the quagmire as Fulham come back into it. Maiga heads off the line from a corner. If it can wrong it will go wrong. Mark Noble pulls up after 32 minutes and has to go off with an injury. That's nine players out. Immediately after Rat comes on Fulham equalise with a simple header from a corner as Sidwell outjumps McCartney. A minute later Taarabt shows good technique to turn and hit the post.

Just as we seem be coming back into it, the game turns on Nolan's sending off. He's blocked by Amorebieta and pushes him over, possibly aiming a kick too. He doesn't appear to actually touch his face but with a referee like Clattenberg why give him the opportunity to send you off? The incident is on the halfway line and it's utterly stupid from Nolan, particularly after his needless red card at Anfield. Now we have to play the entire second half with ten men.

The rain and gloomy sky match our mood at half-time. West Ham lack belief throughout the second half and it's all Fulham. Jaskelainen produces fine saves from Riise and Taarabt before Parker's mishit shot turns into a pass to the unmarked Berbatov who pokes the ball home.

"How poo must you be we're winning at home!" chant the Fulham fans. The West Ham fans respond with "You're nothing special, we lose every week!"

The Irons show an alarming lack of technique, even if it is the squad players, with passes being hoofed into touch and there's open mutiny among the away fans. When Diame is taken off for Downing Allardyce is serenaded with "You don't know what you're doing!" and there are chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning! and "fcuk off Sam Allardyce!" - which don't appear to be cockney banter.

There's a bloke in front is us going absolutely mental: "That's it Allardyce, bring on another left back! Just stand there being fat and waving your arms around. This is f***ing rubbish! That's right, keep it down for the goal difference look at your f***ing stats!" Must be a vicar's son.

There's a late rally in the last ten minutes as a header goes wide and Hammers force a corner. But it's all too late and we've lost another six-pointer. Apart from the rain, terrible conditions, sending off and defeat everything else has gone well. Can Allardyce survive this? It's starting to look desperate.

Team Ratings: Jaaskelainen 7, Demel 5, McCartney 5, Diarra 5 O'Brien 5, Taylor 4, Noble 6, Diame 6, Nolan 3, Collison 4, Maiga 5.



http://hammersintheheart.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/theres-only-one-f-in-fulham.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+HammersInTheHeart+(Hammers+in+the+Heart)

I'm sure Stockdale was our keeper & not Steklenberg...