Monday Fulham Stuff (06/01/14)...

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Meulensteen lauds 'Banks-like' Stockdale



Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen hailed David Stockdale's "Gordon Banks-like" save in the 1-1 draw at Norwich City in the FA Cup third round.

The visitors took the lead in the 40th minute as Darren Bent headed a cross past Mark Bunn, who had erred off his line.

They were not ahead for long, however, as Robert Snodgrass levelled matters on the stroke of half-time with a diving header following excellent wing play from 18-year-old Josh Murphy.

Norwich dominated the second half and they looked set to take the lead when Ricky van Wolfswinkel met Javier Garrido's cross with a powerful header, but Stockdale pulled off an acrobatic save that clearly impressed his manager.

"David Stockdale had a Gordon Banks-like save to keep us in the game," the Dutchman said.

"It was definitely one of the best saves I have seen. It was a fantastic cross by (Javier) Garrido and a great leap by Van Wolfswinkel.

"I honestly thought it was in but it was a fantastic save. That's what makes football so exciting sometimes."

However, Meulensteen was disappointed that his side will now face a replay with Norwich, admitting that having to play another match while embroiled in a relegation battle is less than ideal.

"Before the game all the managers would say, especially the positions we're in (fighting relegation), it's not an ideal scenario but when you're handed one you have to deal with it.

"We came here to get a result, simple as that. We wanted to progress. We both made changes but it was still a very entertaining game.

"I think it was a bit silly to give away that goal just before half-time through our own mistake in midfield. I think we could have held onto the 1-0 at half-time, then we probably could have got away here with a 1-0 (victory)."

Striker Dimitar Berbatov missed the clash at Carrow Road, but Meulensteen insisted that the Bulgarian was rested rather than injured.

"Berbatov's not injured," he said. "But because of him coming back from injury and being able to play the 90 minutes against West Ham we thought it was better for him to recuperate and be ready for the Sunderland game."



Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/meulensteen-lauds-banks-stockdale-save#iZRUwMORaqo0mfsw.99

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Bright Future

As one of four Fulham players to make their debut against Norwich City, Dan Burn believes Saturday's game was a good test for the Club's young players.

Dan Burn: Good Test For Youngsters


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/05/burn-norwich

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FA Cup: Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen defends changes for Norwich clash


Rene Meulensteen: Good to blood new players

Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen has defended his decision to give debuts to four players in their 1-1 draw with Norwich in the FA Cup.

The Dutchman blooded 18-year-old French midfielder Ange Freddy Plumain and 19-year-old Lasse Vigen Christensen in the third round tie at Carrow Road.

Chris David and Dan Burn were also given their chance to impress, with 17 changes made in all by Meulensteen and his opposite number Chris Hughton from the teams they put out on New Year's Day.

But in the wake of comments from Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert that most Premier League managers 'could do without' the competition, Meulensteen was keen to explain his decision.

"The FA Cup is a great competition to be in and it is a competition where you want to utilise the squad," he said. "It gives you opportunities to bring other people into the fold.

"Four players made their debuts, four young players, which in my opinion is the biggest bonus.

"It's a breath of fresh air in that respect so that was a big positive for us."

The return of a senior player also offered some cheer to Meulensteen, who welcomed former player Clint Dempsey back to the club for the first appearance of his two-month loan spell from MLS side Seattle Sounders.

"I'm very pleased with him. I'm glad he's part of our squad now," he added.



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9102961/fa-cup-fulham-manager-rene-meulensteen-defends-changes?

[WhiteJC]

 
Whites Draw Blades

Fulham or Norwich City will face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup with Budweiser.

The match is due to take place the weekend of 25/26 January.

Our Replay against the Canaries is on Tuesday 14th January at Craven Cottage.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/05/fa-cup-draw?

[WhiteJC]

 
Clint Dempsey gets his first minutes in second run with Fulham

Fulham loanee Clint Dempsey started his second run with Fulham successfully on Saturday, doing his part as the Cottagers earned a third-round FA Cup replay back in West London with a 1-1 draw with Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Dempsey started along the left in Fulham's 4-2-3-1 and went the full way for his temporary home – which was once his permanent residence as he broke into the Premier League.

Dempsey is on two-month loan from Seattle. He was available for the team's Jan. 1 match but was not named to René Meulensteen's squad.

Even though he is new to the scene, he was one of the more experienced men Saturday as Meulensteen trotted out quite a few youngsters. The Fulham manager will now have one more chance to deploy his American loanee; the same teams will meet in the replay on Jan. 14.

Dempsey, by the way, wore No. 32. His preferred No. 23 jersey, the number he wore previous at Craven Cottage, is no property of Fulham midfielder Derek Boateng.

Here's how Meulensteen lined up his 11 from Fulham for  Saturday's road match:





http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/04/clint-dempsey-gets-his-first-minutes-in-second-run-with-fulham/related/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Striker Trotta is set to return to Fulham

Marcello Trotta will report for training at Fulham on Monday after his loan at Brentford expired.

The Bees remain keen to re-sign him until the end of the season, but his future remains undecided so he will return to Craven Cottage for the time being at least.

His representatives have suggested that other League One clubs as well as teams from Italy's Serie B have been showing an interest.

Meanwhile, Wigan's former Brentford boss Uwe Rosler, who has been linked with a possible move for several Bees players, has not made an approach.

Rosler's successor boss Mark Warburton is set for talks with Fulham to renew Trotta's loan, and the Italian has previously spoken of his desire to stay at Griffin Park.

Trotta has scored seven goals in 20 appearances for the Bees this season - his second loan spell at Griffin Park.

He scored nine goals in 30 outings for them last term but was involved in a controversial penalty incident that cost the club promotion to the Championship.


http://www.westlondonsport.com/brentford/striker-trotta-is-set-to-return-to-fulham?

[WhiteJC]

 
It`s Sheffield United in Round 4 If..........
   
With our FA Cup 3rd round tie, against Norwich ending all square, we have a replay to negotiate before we can consider who we play in the 4th round.

But, if we can edge past Norwich in the reference replay, we will face Sheffield United, away, in round four.

United produced one of the giant-killings of round three when they won 2-1 against Aston Villa, at Villa Park.

The tie will be played over the weekend 2th / 26th January.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=344377#ixzz2paltBEeU