Wednesday Fulham Stuff (22/01/14)...

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Varsity Day At The Cottage

Watch Oxford and Cambridge battle it out on the Craven Cottage turf in the 130th Varsity football match, before the 160th University Boat Race, on Sunday 6th April.

One of the oldest regular fixtures in world football, having been played every year since 1873 - with a break for the First and Second World Wars - Varsity football returns to Craven Cottage for the first time since 2009.

The 130th Varsity football match will kick-off at Craven Cottage at 3pm on Sunday 6th April, and following the final whistle you can step out onto our great riverside location where you'll enjoy stunning views across the opening mile of the 160th famous Oxbridge Boat Race at 6pm.

Tickets can be purchased for just £15 which includes redemption of a hot item (pie or burger) and a drink (pint, wine or soft drink) from one of our kiosks.

What's more, you'll have access to our bars throughout the day, and be able to watch the remainder of the race on our terrace televisions; perfect for a family day out!

Tickets can be purchased online, on 0843 208 1234 (option 3) or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.

A number of Hospitality packages are also available to book - find out more here.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/21/varsity-at-the-cottage?

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Meulensteen keen for Sidwell to extend stay at Fulham



Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen remains hopeful Steve Sidwell will extend his stay at the club.

The midfielder is currently enjoying a rich vein of form, despite Fulham's perilous league position, scoring five goals so far this season.

But the 31-year-old's contract is up in the summer and, although the club has offered him a 12-month extension, Sidwell believes his consistent level of contribution warrants a two-year deal.

"I know he would love to stay here," Meulesteen said.

"He definitely gets the credit he deserves from us and that is the most important thing. His fellow teammates respect him tremendously and myself and the staff respect him tremendously for the player he is and what he does for us."

The Dutch manager even compared Sidwell to England's goal-scoring midfielder, Frank Lampard, who the Fulham man played alongside during a brief spell at Chelsea prior to his move to Craven Cottage.

Meulensteen said: "The important thing with Steve, and how he gets his goals, is that he does what Lampard has been so good at for so many years; you wait, you look, you watch and then bang, and that is how Steve has got some good goals for us."


Read more at http://talksport.com/football/meulensteen-keen-sidwell-extend-stay-fulham-14012176533#mKDtY7s6Z2zq33W2.99

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Transfer news: Ravel Morrison could leave for Fulham, admits Sam Allardyce


West Ham youngster appears to be edging ever closer to a switch to London rivals Fulham

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has admitted for the first time that Ravel Morrison could leave Upton Park as speculation linking him with a switch to Fulham refuse to go away.

The 20-year-old former Manchester United star is the Hammers' top scorer - with three strikes - but is unsettled in East London.

While Allardyce has been hesitant to confirm the reports, his counterpart Rene Meulensteen has been more open and appears to have forced his hand.

As the transfer window hurtles towards its final week, however, the former Blackburn Rovers manager took time out to discuss the nature of winter business.

"Well, who knows? You take each day as it comes in this window," Allardyce told reporters.

"He's a young man, and a young man with not much experience, you have to give a bit of leeway for that scenario. He's not an experienced man in life, never mind in football.

"And inexperienced young players can react in many different ways.

"It's difficult for a manager to give advice to a young player when it comes to that because they see you probably working for the club as the manager rather than working for them.

"This window creates a hysteria about the fact that people will tell you that somebody is going to come and get you. That could then turn your head, probably based on the money that people say you're going to make.

"Everybody as a human being is not all the same, some players will act and react a different way, to whatever they feel is best for them.

"I would probably think that across the country at every club there is a player unsettled because of mad January, the lunatic transfer window that creates havoc throughout the game."



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/transfer-news-ravel-morrison-could-leave-for-fulham-admits-sam-allardyce-9074293.html

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Fulham Join Tottenham Hotspur in Admiration for Belgian Midfielder Steven Defour

Fulham will be facing some stiff competition from Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa for Belgium international Steven Defour, though the Cottagers seem to be taking all the right steps.

According to Het Laatste Nieuws, Fulham CEO Alistair Mackintosh met with the FC Porto midfielder's agent Paul Stefani in London yesterday.

Fulham, who are also joined by Schalke in the transfer race, are proposing a four-and-a-half-year contract for Defour, who is currently tied down at Porto until 2016.

Defour's game time has come down significantly this season – he has made just eight league appearances – and he is keen on moving in a World Cup year.

The Portuguese club may not be overly eager to see Fulham's offer, but could be coerced into it should Defour persist.

Anderlecht, on the other hand, are always in the running for the title and could offer Defour more chances of being in Belgium's eye.

Stefani had recently confirmed the interest from England, saying: "Aston Villa, it can become real. And there has been interest from a few other clubs in England.

"Anderlecht have been concrete from the beginning. They have always said they absolutely want to have Steven."

Defour has been at Porto since the 2011/12 season – having moved there from Standard Liege – and has made 92 appearances in total for the Portuguese champions.



Read more at http://www.insidefutbol.com/2014/01/21/fulham-join-tottenham-hotspur-in-admiration-for-belgian-midfielder-steven-defour/123085/#ZZGpHrFvYEzZ42HF.99

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Dimitar Berbatov has Tottenham at odds over £1.5million bid to Fulham

Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood is at loggerheads with chairman Daniel Levy over a £1.5million move to take Dimitar Berbatov back to White Hart Lane.

Bulgaria international Berbatov is unsettled at Fulham and has been linked with a move to Spurs' neighbours Arsenal.

The Cottagers are adamant that they have received no enquiries about the former Manchester United striker, who is earning a reported £80,000-a-week.

A report in the Daily Mirror says Levy is keen to sign Berbatov as cover for Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado when Jermain Defoe moves to Canada to play for Toronto in the MLS at the end of next month.

But it is reported that Sherwood is not happy with the idea as he does not want to unsettle the in-form Adebayor.

'Everyone knows Berba. He is proven in this division,' the Spurs manager said. 'He is a Fulham player and I am not sure what they are thinking about that. But we have options to take us through to the end of the season.'

Berbatov hit 46 goals in 102 appearances at Tottenham after being signed by Martin Jol from Bayer Leverkusen for £10.9m in July, 2006. He was then signed by Manchester United for a record £30.75million in 2008.



http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/21/dimitar-berbatov-has-tottenham-at-odds-over-1-5million-bid-to-fulham-4271246/?

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Barclays U21s: Fulham edge Hammers to extend lead
Fulham move six points clear at top, with Liverpool second thanks to 4-2 win at Arsenal



Fulham continue to blaze a trail in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League thanks to a 1-0 win in the top-of-the-table clash with West Ham United, while Liverpool moved up to second place with victory at Arsenal, and Chelsea joined them on 22 points after an away win of their own.

Fulham 1-0 West Ham United

Pelly Ruddock's own goal earned Fulham victory over West Ham at Motspur Park on Monday evening.
After Muamer Tankovic had squandered a decent opportunity early on, the home side went ahead in the 37th minute when Ruddock sent the ball over the line as he attempted to block Lyle Della Verde's effort.

Tankovic then passed up a further chance to make the match safe before Chris David hit the crossbar as Fulham sought to make their superiority count. And it looked as though the hosts may pay the price for missed chances when West Ham applied the pressure late on, but Kit Symons' charges held on to stretch their unbeaten sequence to 12 matches in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League.
                                                 
"It was a decent game of football, competitive from both sides," Symons told the club's website. "There was some good football played by us and we created a few chances. We should have scored more than the one goal we did, to be honest, which would have made life a little bit easier for ourselves."


http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/jan/barclays-u21-premier-league-review-210114.html?

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Members Offer Deadline

Tickets for our next home game, against Southampton, are selling fast, with the best availability in the Hammersmith End.

Our Digital Members and Junior Members can buy a limited number of tickets for this match at just £20 for adults and £10 for juniors. That's a saving of £15 on the adult price and £5 on the junior price. Hurry though, as this offer will expire at 5pm on Wednesday 22nd January.

Tickets for Non-Members can be purchased from £35 for adults and from £15 for juniors. Alternatively, sign up for a Digital Membership today for £30 or become a Junior Member for just £5! Ticket Priority Members can also upgrade their Membership to a Digital Membership for an extra £10 by calling the Ticket Office on 0843 208 1234.

Buy your tickets today at fulhamfc.com or by calling 0843 208 1234.
Buy Saints Tickets


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/21/members-offer-deadline?

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Anfield interest in another Fulham starlet

Liverpool are showing interest in Fulham's Swedish Under-19 midfielder Muamer Tankovic, but face competition from Arsenal.

The Reds' scout for the south of England, Mel Johnson, watched Tankovic make his Fulham debut in their 3-0 FA Cup third-round replay win over Norwich City last week and is believed to have recommended him to Brendan Rodgers. Reports last week claimed Johnson was there to watch Fulham's French Under-19 forward Moussa Dembele, who also came off the bench late on, but he is safely under contract until 2015 with an further one-year option and the Craven Cottage outfit have no intention of selling him. The 18-year-old midfielder has been starring for the Fulham academy and under-21 teams this season and helped his club win the Premier Academy League for the past two seasons. However, he is out of contract in the summer and Fulham are desperate to persuade him to sign a new deal - accelerating his promotion to the first-team in the hope he commits to the club. Tankovic's agent is well aware of the interest from both Liverpool and Arsenal and the former Norrkoping youth teamer could be on the move in the summer.



Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/liverpool/anfield-interest-in-another-fulham-starlet-1698710.html?

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Taylor linked with Cottagers

Fulham are showing an interest in Swansea defender Neil Taylor and could be ready to offer £4million, reports claim.

Taylor is struggling for action at the Liberty Stadium as Ben Davies continues to dominate the left-back berth and the Welshman could jump at the chance to play regular football with the Cottagers. However Michael Laudrup has ruled out the possibility of Taylor leaving as it would leave him without any recognised cover for Davies for the remainder of the season. Swansea have work to do to pull away from the relegation places in the Premier League, while they also have extra fixtures to contend with for the Europa League, meaning Taylor will be needed. Even so Fulham could still test Laudrup's resolve by making a £4million offer for the Wales international, who was Swansea's number one left back until injury struck last season.




Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/swansea-city/taylor-linked-with-cottagers-1698704.html?

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Hutton Update!
   
Yesterday we reported on how the tabloid press was linking us with a move for the Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton.

This morning there`s nothing to report of any substance on that rumour except that the press is now intimating that Aston Villa would be willing to do either a permanent deal or a loan deal just to get the 29 year-old Scottish defender off of their wage bill.

It remains to be seen if Fulham, if the interest is genuine, are prepared to bring a player to Craven Cottage on that kind of salary who hasn`t featured in a single game under the Villa boss, Paul Lambert, this season!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=346412#ixzz2r732FgwH

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Fulham Close In On Deal to Sign £7m Belgian Midfielder Steven Defour



Belgian international in talks with Cottagers.

Fulham are said to be closing in on a deal to sign FC Porto midfielder Steven Defour in a deal worth around £7m, according to reports in the Metro.

New coach Rene Meulensteen has identified the Belgian international as a key figure into turning the side's season around by helping them claw clear of the relegation zone.

And source in the player's native Belgium claim that his agent Paul Stefani is in London holding talks with Cottagers chief executive Alistair Mackintosh about a possible permanent switch.

The former Standard Liege man had reportedly been a target for fellow Premier League side Aston Villa, who had been linked with taking him on loan for the rest of the season, but personal terms have apparently been agreed with the west London outfit, who have put together a deal that could see him stay with the Cottagers until 2018.

However, Porto do not want to loan him out and are even reluctant to sell him despite a dip in form recently, restricting him to just 13 appearances all season.

But Stefani said: "Steven wants to leave the club. Porto don't want to sell him and consider him as a player for the future, but with the upcoming World Cup, Steven has to play more games."

Anderlecht were also keen to take him on board, but Defour has made it known that he would rather head for the Premier League instead.


http://www.caughtoffside.com/2014/01/21/fulham-close-in-on-deal-to-sign-7m-belgian-midfielder-steven-defour/?

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Fulham could move for Man United left back on loan
With Moyes looking to add to his squad Meulensteen could land short-term deal



Relegation strugglers Fulham could be the unintended beneficiaries of Manchester United's continued search for a left back.

The champions are in real danger of failing to reach the Champions League – with a top four finish now priced at 3/1 for the Red Devils – and new boss David Moyes has highlighted the position currently held down by Patrice Evra as a priority.

While United have been linked with a host of targets – including Leighton Baines, Luke Shaw and Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao – the Cottagers will be hoping that any moves in to Old Trafford will mean that either Alex Buttner or Fabio become available.

With the latter failing to impress on loan at Fulham's neighbours QPR last term Meulensteen will hope that Buttner will fancy a trip to the capital to help stave off relegation, with Fulham just one point above the drop zone and priced at 10/11 to fall through the trap door.

Evra is arguably the main cause for concern at United and a new signing is likely to mean a return to his native France in the summer, with the effects of such a move potentially triggering further activity involving his understudies.

Buttner, however, would not take kindly to being demoted to third choice and having worked with Meulensteen last season would take little time to settle in at Craven Cottage.

John Arne Riise is currently occupying the slot for the Cottagers, but at 33-years-of age he is not the force he once was and a move away from west London has been mooted in recent months.

Former Manchester United winger Kieran Richardson filled in at left back last week at the Emirates Stadium, highlighting a lack of faith in emerging talent Matthew Briggs.

And while Buttner has rarely looked like making the grade in a Manchester United shirt a Man of the Match display in his debut against Wigan – in which he bagged his first Premier League goal – showed that he can play at this level and the Dutchman would relish an extended run of games.

Fellow countryman Meulensteen has his work cut out to prolong Fulham's stay in the top flight so expect the former United assistant to call in the favours this month to bolster his faltering squad.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.



http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/premier-league/fulham-look-to-take-man-united-left-back-on-loan_184506.html

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Transfer news: Abdisalam Ibrahim ready to quit Manchester City


Abdisalam Ibrahim: Hoping to resolve his future soon

Abdisalam Ibrahim is hoping to quit Manchester City and fix himself up with a new club before the transfer window closes.

City are thought to be willing to let the midfielder leave on a free transfer, although they will seek a minimal fee in training compensation for the 22-year-old.

Ibrahim joined City's academy in 2007 and was tipped as a star of the future, but he has been unable to break into Manuel Pellegrini's star-studded line-up.

The all-action midfielder caught the eye during a successful loan spell at Stromsgodset earlier this season and helped them win the Norwegian title.

The likes of Swansea, Fulham, St Etienne, Nantes, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Udinese, Fiorentina and Sevilla are all thought to be chasing Ibrahim, who made his debut for Norway earlier this month.

"I just finished with my national training camp in Abu Dhabi and it was good to get a couple of games as well under my belt," Ibrahim told Sky Sports.

"I'm hoping to sort out my future in the next seven to 10 days. I want to play for a club where I will develop as a player and work with a very good coach who will also improve my game.

"I'm very disappointed how my Man City career is finishing as I believe I wasn't given enough opportunity to play or even train with the first team.

"I wanted to stay there for the rest of my footballing career."


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9127013/transfer-news-abdisalam-ibrahim-ready-to-quit-manchester-city?

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Steven Defour is the signing Fulham have needed since Danny Murphy left


Steven Defour has been linked with Fulham. John Berry/Getty Images
It looks like the transfer window is finally starting to come good for Fulham.

Nothing is confirmed yet, but Philippe Senderos is supposedly on his way to Lazio, and Dimitar Berbatov is causing tension in the Tottenham Hotspur boardroom, with Daniel Levy plotting a £1.5 million move.

Given both players' indifferent form, plenty of Craven Cottage regulars won't be disappointed to see either of them go, despite the wholehearted belief that Berbatov has much more to offer.

That fact remains, though, that the Bulgarian has been woefully short of his best, to such an extent that it effectively drags the whole team down. In this instance, to cash in may well be the best option.

It's Rene Meulensteen's move for Steven Defour, though, that's causing the greatest stir. Terms have apparently been agreed between player and club, and only a transfer fee, a medical and a flight from Portugal stand in Defour's way.

Premier League football is the 25 year-old's dream and, for now at the very least, we are in a position to offer it.

No doubt, that lack of top flight security has played it's part in negotiations – in some quarters it has been reported that it will initially be a loan deal, with any permanent move dependent on our status – but the irony is that, without him, relegation is a far more distinct possibility.


Rene Meulensteen is keen to strengthen Fulham this month (Picture: Getty Images)
For Defour is exactly what Fulham have been after for the last year-and-a-half. A premium-rate central midfielder, with his best years still ahead of him, the Belgium international will fit perfectly into a midfield three that already boasts the more combative Scott Parker and the surprisingly prolific Steve Sidwell.

What Fulham have needed, ever since Danny Murphy left the club for Blackburn Rovers in 2012, is a midfielder who can pass with vision, is creative and yet not a burden to the team.

There have been candidates, in the prevailing months, who have covered some of those required attributes – Bryan Ruiz was creative, Giorgos Karagounis an excellent distributor – but none have ticked all the boxes.

Steven Defour does, and as someone content in the centre of the park, not just behind the striker, he will slot happily into a system that, while not proving impeccable for Meulensteen, has seen this Fulham side improve considerably since the firing of Martin Jol.

Like every transfer rumour, this deal is no certainty, but the buzz it has helped create is representative of its importance.

If Defour arrives at Motspur Park by the end of the month, we could have an entirely different, more promising, campaign on our hands.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/21/steven-defour-is-the-signing-fulham-have-needed-since-danny-murphy-left-4271413/?

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Fulham receive boost in pursuit of Belgium midfielder



Fulham have received a boost after Steven Defour's agent suggested the player could end up in England before the close of the transfer window.

Rene Meulensteen is desperate to steer his side away from the drop zone and has now set his sights on Belgium international Defour.

The 25-year-old has managed only six league starts for Porto this term and is seeking regular first-team football ahead of the World Cup.

His representative Paul Stefani says he has received a few proposals but admits he is waiting for Porto to decide his availability.

He told TMW: "I've read numerous reports about my client but at the moment there is nothing concrete. We have three or four offers on the table that could be evaluated.

"Defour would like to play more, and therefore there may be a transfer. At the end of the season there is the World Cup and he wants to be ready."

When asked if the midfielder was bound for Italy, Stefani added: "He may be, but he could also end up in England or in another league. We are waiting for news from Porto, and then we will move accordingly.

"Even if we do not know if Porto intends to sell Defour, I think tomorrow night or the next day there could be important news."


Read more at http://talksport.com/football/fulham-receive-boost-pursuit-belgium-midfielder-14012176600#67MuACGlQKEcidpG.99

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Cup Ticket Deadline

We travel to Bramall Lane to play Sheffield United on Sunday 26th January (1pm) and tickets are available to buy online until 4pm on Wednesday.

Those supporters wishing to purchase over the phone after this time will be able to do so. However, they will need to collect their tickets from either the Fulham FC Ticket Office or from Exit Gate N at Bramall Lane on matchday (from 11.30am). No tickets will be available after 4pm on Friday and no tickets will be available to buy on the day at Bramall Lane.

Season Ticket Holders can attend the match for just £10 for adults* and £5 for under-16s, whilst non-Season Ticket Holders can buy their tickets for £15 for adults and £5 for juniors.

Supporters can purchase up to six tickets each online or by calling the Ticket Office on 0843 208 1234.

While this is a cup game, the Club will be extending the Premier League offer of free coach travel to Bramall Lane. Travel reservations will continue to be made available at the same time as match tickets and places will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis to any supporters who have purchased a ticket for the game. For more information and to book your place please call the Ticket Office on 0843 208 1234.

Buy your tickets today and get behind the team as we look to make it through to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup with Budweiser.

More Information

*NB: Season Ticket Holders can purchase their own ticket at the reduced rate of £10. Five additional tickets can also be purchased, but for these to be bought at the reduced rate, the fans they are being purchased for must be linked using our Friends and Family feature.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/21/cup-ticket-deadline?

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Transfer News: Fulham wait to hear from Swansea after making Neil Taylor bid


Neil Taylor: In action against Manchester United's Javier Hernandez

Sky Sports understands Fulham are waiting to hear back from Swansea after making an offer for Wales left-back Neil Taylor.

The 23-year-old has found first-team opportunities limited by the form of Ben Davies since breaking his ankle against Sunderland in September 2012.

Swansea turned down a £1m offer for the full-back from Newcastle in June 2011 and Taylor signed a new three-and-a-half year contract in south Wales in December 2012.

He made his return from his broken ankle, after seven months out, in defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in April last year before featuring in the final two games of the season.

He has had to settle for the role of Davies's understudy this campaign, making nine competitive appearances, the last in the famous third-round FA Cup victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford at the beginning of the month.

Taylor has made 16 appearances for Wales.



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/9127132?

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Cottagers ponder Spurs swap deal

reaking Fulham FC transfer news, match previews, match reports and stories from Fulham Football Club - updated daily with the latest Fulham FC news from Craven Cottage Stadium.

Following the latest Barclays Premier League football transfer news and stories about the Fulham squad and players including: Dimitar Berbatov, John Arne Riise and Philippe Senderos.

Fulham will ask for Tottenham Hostpur midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson in exchange if Spurs firm up their interest in Cottagers striker Dimitar Berbatov, Sports Direct News understands.

The Bulgarian could reportedly be on his way back to White Hart Lane five-and-a-half years after leaving for Manchester United, with chairman Daniel Levy said to be keen to strike a deal.


http://www.sportsdirectnews.com/fulham-fc-transfer-news/38830-cottagers-ponder-spurs-swap-deal.php#.Ut9-5P0eKL8

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Fulham still have reasons to cheer

Fulham FanZoner Andy Lye looks at the club's results and performances so far in January and offers up his solutions.

Every game in recent weeks tells us something significant about our team, so this piece will be quite a lengthy analysis of those factors, with transfer window activity, or depressing lack thereof, next time.

The games around Christmas already highlighted problems with the team in terms of attitude (Adel Taarabt), a lack of will to shoot, especially against Norwich in the league, and the poor standard of our back-up defenders at Hull. That last game did at least prove to anyone who understood that we finally have a thinking manager in Rene Meulensteen, who knows what the priorities are in our situation.

The next run of games told us a lot more about the team, and gave the clearest evidence yet of the obvious deficiencies in the squad we've all been fearing and which can't continue to go unchecked.

West Ham (Premier League, home, January 1, won 2-1)

This was what we were resting the first team for at Hull, and it more or less worked, but only just. This game highlighted just what a problem the advanced age of our squad could be, and why resting them for the cup games is so important.

After going ahead early on, West Ham were poor. Had we been playing against a better side they would have drawn level or maybe even gone on to win 3-2. By the second half, at 1-1, half of our team were exhausted, practically dead on their feet. But the adrenaline generated by the need for another goal was keeping them going. Even then we were struggling to really make the extra man count after Kevin Nolan's deserved sending off.

As soon as Dimitar Berbatov tapped in that second goal (his only contribution in the last three games) the energy completely drained from, among others, Scott Parker, Fernando Amorebieta, John Arne Riise, and Steve Sidwell. For the remaining 25 minutes we were holding on, because we didn't have enough players with enough energy to do much else.

Everyone knows the team is too old, but we've been papering over the cracks for some time now. A better team would have punished us this time. Had West Ham had 11 men on the pitch, they might have done too. At some point we'll go ahead in a game but won't be physically able to keep up with the other team and we'll draw or even lose. Some players can cope with it, like Sidwell, Giorgos Karagounis and Parker. Others, like Riise, can't so well, while some, like Damian Duff, are simply not able to do their jobs anymore.

Obvious requirement: younger players.

Norwich (FA Cup, away, January 4, drew 1-1 and FA Cup, home, January 14, won 3-0)

It was absolutely the correct decision to overhaul the team and play mostly reserves and youth players in these games, especially after the evidence of the West Ham game. The romantic notion of a cup run aside, the FA Cup is of no importance to us this season. What good will it do us to win it and go down? None. At all. What good will it do in the more likely scenario that we get through a few rounds, not win it, and go down? Even less.

I'd rather have lost the away game so that everyone had just one thing to focus on, but if Rene is going to continue to play fringe and youth players in this competition, then fine. It simply must not be allowed to impact the league though.

The performances themselves were OK, but although Darren Bent finally got another couple of goals to his name, the glaring misses he once again had in both games are far more concerning than the goals themselves are comforting.

People say he should be given more time and opportunities, but this is not a young player, or a foreign player new to the league we're talking about. This is a 29-year-old experienced Premier League and international striker who shouldn't need time to adjust, and has had more than enough starts and substitute appearances to prove his worth. Time is no longer a luxury we have. He should be well and truly dropped, or better still sent back to Aston Villa. Although presumably they'd have to agree to take him, and who'd do that based on his present form?

The best thing to come out of these both games was Dan Burn convincing Rene he deserved a chance in the league as well. Fans have been calling for it for months now, and I think everyone will be pleased with how good Brede Hangeland and Burn look playing together.

Obvious requirement: at least one reliable striker.

Sunderland (Premier League, home, January 11, lost 1-4)

In case everyone getting outraged over the Hull result wasn't aware, this one was the disaster. Winning this was as vital as winning the West Ham one and somehow that importance did nothing to spur the players on. The performance was dreadful from start to finish and above anything else really highlighted how little Berbatov is prepared to do for the cause.

He did nothing except tap in a goal other players did all the work for against West Ham, and in this game he couldn't even manage that, squandering an almost equivalent chance early on. We can put up with the lack of work rate if he gets the goals, but if he's not going to hit the target either, he isn't worth having in the team.

In this game we really looked like a team going down. It was hard to find any positives, or any evidence that the players in the side were even capable of keeping us up. Calling it a "blip" is all very well, but in desperate situations, "blips" against teams like Sunderland, at home, are unacceptable.

A result like this against this kind of opposition cannot happen again, and the key reasons for it happening this time must be dealt with swiftly. Rene has proven he's not bound by the same blind spots as Martin Jol was, but he does still favour Berbatov despite a string of sub-standard performances. He owes Berba nothing, so if selling him is the solution, then get on with it, lest we find ourselves in the Dembele/Dempsey situation all over again with no time to sign a replacement.

Obvious requirement: sell Berbatov before his contract expires and he goes on a free anyway, and do it sooner rather than later.

Arsenal (Premier League, away, January 18, lost 2-0)

There is of course no shame at all in losing at Arsenal, especially this season. We probably should have given ourselves a better chance of holding on to the draw though.

Being pleased with going in at half-time level at 0-0 is all well and good, but with the excellent possession we had in the first half, the chances we either created or were there begging to be created, should have led to at least one goal. Our final ball, or a finish, was always lacking, from everyone, including the only solution we've tried so far in Clint Dempsey, who was anonymous throughout and is clearly short of full sharpness.

Berbatov spent plenty of time getting frustrated with other players, but he was just as guilty of mistakes and losing the ball, spending yet another 90 minutes basically not contributing. The one really good thing he did was to play the perfect ball for an advancing Alex Kacaniklic, who had run most of the length of the pitch, only to see Alex take such a heavy touch that he handed the ball to the 'keeper when he should have scored.

If we'd managed to go in ahead, we might have got a draw out of it, because Arsenal were always going to find the extra gear they needed in the second half, and we were always going to struggle to deal with it. Still, the performance was admirable, Dan Burn proved his worth in a very difficult league game and should now be the permanent first choice partner for Hangeland, and our lack of finishing was highlighted again. It can't be ignored any longer.

Obvious requirements: players who can play final balls and finish in attacking midfield or up front, or both, and make sure Dan Burn is tied down to a long contract before "bigger" clubs start sniffing around like they're already doing with Muamer Tankovic.

By Andy Lye, FanZone's Fulham blogger. Follow him on Twitter at @jukeboxmetal - and don't forget to follow @FanZone too!


http://www.teamtalk.com/fulham/9127274/Fulham-still-have-reasons-to-cheer?

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Fulham switch attention to Steven Defour after baulking at West Ham's Ravel Morrison price
FULHAM are looking at Belgium star Steven Defour as an alternative to Ravel Morrison.


Could Belgium midfielder Defour be set for a switch to Craven Cottage? [GETTY]

The Premier League launched an investigation into Fulham's £4m pursuit of Morrison after receiving an official complaint from West Ham.

The Hammers are holding out for a £10m fee, but the Cottagers are unlikely to pay that for a player with 18 months left on his contract.

So Fulham have now opened talks to sign Porto midfielder Defour, who could be available either on a loan or in a £6.5m transfer.

Defour is not getting enough playing time in Portugal and fears for his place in Belgium's World Cup squad unless his situation improves.

Fulham favour a permanent switch, but Porto would rather send him out on loan as they still regard him as a key part of their future.

Defour has 41 caps for his country and is also on Aston Villa's radar, but Fulham are now favourites to sign him.


West Ham say Morrison can leave Upton Park for £10m, but Fulham's valuation is some way short of that [GETTY]
Boss Rene Meulensteen is a long-time admirer of the 25-year-old, who was once a target for Manchester United during the Dutchman's time at Old Trafford.

Meulensteen wants more energy and creativity in the Fulham midfield - but is also keen to tie veteran Steve Sidwell down on a long-term deal.

he 31-year-old is out of contract in the summer and turned down a new one-year deal earlier this season.

But he has just scored three goals in four games and the two sides are back in talks about extending his stay at Craven Cottage.

Meulensteen said: "It's clear that Steve would love to stay here. He's doing very well here so I hope we come to a suitable solution.

"He will definitely get the credit he deserves from us. His fellow team-mates respect him, as do the staff, for the tremendous job he does for us."



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/361686/Fulham-switch-attention-to-Steven-Defour-after-baulking-at-West-Ham-s-Ravel-Morrison-price