Tuesday Fulham Stuff (28/01/14)...

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Swansea City v Fulham: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Swansea City and Fulham at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday Jan 28, 2014, kick-off 19.45 (GMT).

Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Swansea City v Fulham
Liberty Stadium
Kick-off: 19.45 GMT.
TV: Highlights, BBC ONE Match of the Day, Wed, Jan 29.
Referee: Michael Oliver. Matches: 15, R2 Y60.

Betting: Home 7-10, Away 9-2, Draw 12-5.

Team News
David Ngog is available for Swansea's Premier League clash with Fulham.

The striker joined from Bolton until the end of the season on Monday and was registered in time to play a part against the Cottagers, although manager Michael Laudrup may opt not to throw him in at the deep end.

Nathan Dyer, Jonathan de Guzman and Jonjo Shelvey could all return as Laudrup's injury worries slowly begin to ease.

Meanwhile, Fulham are expected to make a number of changes at Swansea.

A win would take the Cottagers above their opponents in the battle to avoid relegation and Renè Meulensteen is expected to rotate his options once more after giving a number of first-team regulars a rest in Sunday's FA Cup draw at Sheffield United.

Defender Fernando Amorebieta has a knee problem and is a doubt, while John Arne Riise went off in the first half at Bramall Lane and may also be absent.

Match Notes
Fulham wil be aware that Swansea have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight Premier League games, the worst such run in the division, and after successive defeats, against Sunderland and Arsenal, they need to return tow inning ways.

Swansea's recent run, of eight league games without a win including five defeats, wil not fill Swansea with confidence as they know that a loss here and against West Ham at the weekend could drop them into the relegation zone.

Stat of the game: Fulham have gone 18 Premier League games without a draw, winning five and losing 13 of those matches.

John Ley's prediction: Swansea City 0 Fulham 0.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10598496/Swansea-City-v-Fulham-match-preview.html

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Transfer news: Fulham target Sergio Canales from Valencia as they look to avoid relegation - reports


Former Real Madrid man in Rene Meulensteen sights

Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen is keen to take Spanish star Sergio Canales on loan from Valencia, according to reports.

The highly-rated youngster could be sent out on a temporary deal by his club who are understood to want to put him in the shop window.

Canales, who has also been linked with a move to Everton, is a former Real Madrid player whose promising early career has somewhat stalled following a series of injuries.

The 22-year-old was once reportedly a target of Manchester United during Meulensteen's time at the club and it is thought that the Dutchman sees him as an excellent acquisition as he tries to avoid relegation.

Fulham currently sit one place and one point above the bottom three.



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/transfer-news-fulham-target-sergio-canales-from-valencia-as-they-look-to-avoid-relegation--reports-9088835.html

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Swansea City v Fulham preview: Michael Laudrup's men must improve — and must deliver


The Swans won at Craven Cottage earlier in the season — and how they would love to do the double over the Cottagers.

MICHAEL Laudrup has been saying for some time that Fulham's visit to the Liberty marks the start of the run which really counts for Swansea City.

So now is the moment when his team must deliver.

Now Swansea cannot grumble about their injury troubles.

Now Swansea cannot accept defeat and point to the gentler fixtures which are around the corner.

Laudrup's men have played some heavyweight sides in recent times, and there is no doubt the quality of the opposition has played a big part in their eight-game winless run in the Premier League.

But tonight's meeting with Fulham kicks off a sequence of fixtures against clubs who are in Swansea's section of the division.

After Fulham comes a trip to West Ham, then there is a South Wales derby which will carry more significance than any before.

Next up after that is a trip to Stoke City then, after Everton, Liverpool and Napoli twice in three different competitions, Swansea play host to Crystal Palace.

So five of Swansea's next six Premier League fixtures are against sides in the bottom 11, all of whom are looking down rather than up right now.

It is a pivotal period, although no-one should expect Swansea to begin pocketing points at will just because they are facing some of the top flight's lesser sides.

Swansea, after all, have failed to beat Hull, Norwich and Aston Villa in the last seven weeks, so improvements are required.

Defensively Swansea have been too loose of late, giving themselves too much to do going forward because they cannot get things right at the back.

In the eight matches since they last triumphed in the Premier League, Swansea have conceded 14 goals. That is too many.

Their last clean sheet came against Newcastle United on December 4 — the last league game they won.

In all competitions, Swansea have managed only one shutout in the last 18 matches.

That return is simply not good enough, particularly for a side who have spent much of the season searching for firepower.

So the first task tonight — and in the key games ahead over the next month or so — is for Ashley Williams and Co to give Swansea a platform on which to chalk up victory.

For a while at Birmingham last weekend, Laudrup's rearguard were getting pulled all over the place by a Championship side whose forward options were seriously limited compared to the frontlines Swansea face in the league every week.

They must do better.

It is not just about the back four, of course.

The big problem in the first half at St Andrew's was that Swansea's ball retention was as bad as it has been at any point in the Laudrup era.

Swansea continually gave possession away, and as a result Birmingham kept coming at them.

Swansea must look after the ball better tonight — as they did after the interval at Birmingham — if they are to prevent Fulham getting a foothold.

And the good news on that score is that they should have at least one genuine midfielder back in the fold, with Jonathan de Guzman hoping to return and Jonjo Shelvey in with an outside chance of playing some part.

If Swansea can get their performance right in the middle of the pitch, if Britton and de Guzman — assuming he plays — can get the better of Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell, then a long-awaited league win will be on the cards.

In Wilfried Bony, after all, Swansea have a striker who is in sparkling form.

Bony's double at Birmingham means he now has 16 goals in 30 appearances — only 23 of which have been starts — since his big-money move for Vitesse Arnhem.

That is an excellent return for a player who, according to Laudrup, has taken a while to settle into the English game and needed time to get fully fit.

Where Swansea would be without Bony right now hardly bears thinking about, for Michu has been unable to repeat the feats of last season.

With a bit of luck the Spaniard will be fit in time for Cardiff, but for now Swansea need Bony to continue firing.

"The goals you score and the goals you concede are the ones that decide your the position in the table," Laudrup points out.

Swansea yesterday signed David Ngog, yet even without new faces, Laudrup has more options now than he has had for a while.

Pablo Hernandez made his latest comeback at Birmingham, Roland Lamah and Wayne Routledge are fit and Nathan Dyer is on the brink of a return.

After some miserable fortune with injuries, Laudrup must hope the troubles on that front are easing, for Swansea need as many options as possible given the latest hectic period which lies ahead.

The fixtures Swansea face in February would ask questions of any squad and, regardless of results, the next few weeks will stretch Laudrup's side to the limit.

But Laudrup will find it much easier to steer his team through the busy spell if they can pick up a few victories along the way.

The Dane's fingers are crossed that the first success will come this evening.

Victory tonight would lighten Swansea's mood considerably.

Defeat, on the other hand, would see dark clouds gathering in Landore.



Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Swansea-City-v-Fulham-preview-Michael-Laudrup/story-20507187-detail/story.html#ixzz2rgS2qXmC

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Boss wants Taarabt out of Fulham this week – report

Fulham want Adel Taarabt to leave this week, The Sun say.

Taarabt, on a season-long loan from QPR, has failed to impress Whites boss Rene Meulensteen, who would like to send him back to Loftus Road.

Harry Redknapp has been aware for some time that Fulham do not want Taarabt, but the Rangers manager has indicated that he will refuse any request to take him back.

QPR would have to agree to a return for the Moroccan as there is no clause allowing Fulham to cut the loan deal short.

Nevertheless, Meulensteen is reported to have told Taarabt he has no future at Fulham.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/features-comment/boss-wants-taarabt-out-of-fulham-this-week-report

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Inside The Liberty Stadium

Ahead of Fulham's crucial Barclays Premier League clash at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday night, Swansea City fan Gareth Thomas gives us the lowdown on his team.


We're at the halfway point of the season - what have you made of Swansea so far this term?

There's no doubting that our results and performances haven't reached the pre-season expectations of most fans. Having spent an unprecedented amount on transfers in the summer, most thought we'd be sitting comfortably in mid-table and not looking over our shoulder at the relegation zone. Although we've showed glimpses of what we can achieve against the likes of Newcastle United and Manchester City at home, our lack of cutting edge in the final third has frustrated. Injuries to key players haven't helped; Michu, Michel Vorm, Nathan Dyer, Ashley Williams, Wilfried Bony, Pablo Hernandez, Angel Rangel and Jonathan de Guzman have all had spells out. There's definitely room for improvement in the second half of the season which I'm sure we'll see with a fit squad and one or two key additions.

Has the UEFA Europa League had an impact?

Without doubt. Fulham will be our 36th game this season, nearly the equivalent of an entire Premier League campaign and we haven't even exited January yet! Injuries aside, the constant need to rotate the squad with six or seven changes means continuity is difficult to maintain.

The January transfer window is still open – where do you feel Swansea need to strengthen?

David Ngog has signed and that's an interesting one. A couple more new faces and keeping all our first-team players would be a successful window for us.

What about your summer signings – how have they fared?

The biggest signing has been the most successful – Bony. It took him a bit of time to get up to speed after not having a full pre-season, but we're now finally getting to see what £12m buys you. Having divided opinion across fans when he signed, Jonjo Shelvey has also proved to be a good deal. Jose Canas looks a solid addition in midfield and the young Spanish pair of Alejandro Pozuelo and Jordi Amat look like real stars of the future. Alvaro Vazquez is probably the only one that hasn't really worked out thus far.

What do you feel is a realistic ambition for the Swans this season?

Obviously staying in the Premier League would be the first aim, but having spent the money we have and building on the previous finishes, we should be aiming for that mid-table area (10th-13th). Also, a good run in the Europa League, although Napoli is one of the toughest draws we could have had, and a decent FA Cup run would be a successful season for us.

Which players have impressed you for Swansea this term?

Although Bony has been grabbing the headlines similarly to how Michu did last year, I have to say Pozuelo is the one who's impressed me most. He offers something a bit different from what we have, always looks to go forward and has exceptionally quick feet. He seems a natural successor to Michu in the attacking midfielder role if we were ever forced to sell our prize asset.

Which Fulham player will you be most wary of at the Liberty?

I would have to say Dimitar Berbatov. Although he can divide opinion between genius and lazy, on his day and if he's in the mood, his class can show and he can punish you.

What one song are we bound to hear the home fans sing?

'Come on Wilfried Bony, score some goals for Swansea, we'll go wild, wild, wild!' (to the tune of 'Cum On Feel The Noize')

Where's the best place for away fans to grab a pint before the game?

The Coopers Arms on Neath Road, a short walk from the Liberty Stadium, is often used by away fans who drink alongside home supporters in a friendly atmosphere.

Finally, what's your score prediction for the match?

Having played five of the top seven in the last six matches, we're now in the key game stage of the season and, dare I say it, must-win territory! Predicting the result of Swansea games this season, let alone the score, has been difficult but I fancy us to make this one count so I'm going for a 2-0 win to the Swans.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/28/inside-the-liberty-stadium?

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Scouting Report: Can Fulham Save Former Real Madrid Wonderkid Sergio Canales?

Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen's latest plan to avoid relegation is to request a loan for Valencia centre attacking midfielder Sergio Canales, per Alan Nixon at the Mirror, so here is a scouting report on the 22-year-old fallen star.

Canales Was Meant To Be La Liga's Next Superstar

As a prodigious talent at Racing Santander, Canales, then an 18-year-old, established himself as one of La Liga's brightest prospects.

"Right now my preference is for Racing [Santander]," Canales said on January 14, 2010, per Marca (h/t Rupert Fryer at Goal.com). "They are the ones who have given me the confidence to play."

A month later, Canales agreed to a six-year contract with Real Madrid.

The move to Real was meant to catapult Canales into Galactico status, instead, it pushed him into irrelevance.

His first season at Real coincided with Cristiano Ronaldo elevating himself into extraordinary territory.

Playing a free-roaming role on the left wing, Ronaldo scored 40 La Liga goals and created 11 goals as Real led La Liga in goals (102 in 38 league games).

On the right wing was the pacey Angel Di Maria, who ranked sixth in La Liga for assists (11) that season.

Meanwhile, Canales' preferred No. 10 role was occupied by Mesut Ozil, a star for Germany at the FIFA 2010 World Cup, who accumulated 17 assists in his debut La Liga season.

What a career-ruining decision by Canales to move to Real with Ozil at the club, right? Yes and no.

Yes, because Canales did not heed to the free advice given to him by former Barcelona great and manager Johan Cruyff, per El Periodico (h/t ESPN FC):

I don't know if he will end up signing for [Real] Madrid or not, or for any other big club. The only thing that I hope is that, being so young, he isn't ruined.

With the youngsters at Ajax who excelled in the first team and who were the targets of big clubs outside of Holland, my advice was always the same: Stay at least until you are 21, and if you stay until 23, then even better.

At 18, you have so much to learn, as a person and as a footballer, so if you leave for a big club too soon your development isn't complete and you could end up going backwards.

So much so that you could end up being ruined. There are exceptions, yes, but that's what they are, exceptions.

No, as Canales' thought-process was a calculated risk at the time.

The only valid criticism of Canales was naivety: He did not think Real president Florentino Perez would sign another centre attacking midfielder as Kaka had yet to live up to his €65.8 million evaluation.

In that scenario, Canales believed he could beat out Kaka and statistically, Canales' chances were great.

He scored and created a combined 10 league goals for 16th placed Santander, compared to Kaka's 14 for Real during the 2009-10 season.

Canales agreed a move to Real on February 13, 2010, per UEFA.com, effective from July 1.

When Real signed Ozil from Werder Bremen on August 18, 2010, per Sid Lowe at the Guardian, you can imagine the anguish and doubt that started to plague Canales' mind.

Here is a quick summary of Canales' first season at Real: Warmed the benches from start to finish seven times in La Liga. Every single one of his league games were sub-affected. Did not score a single league goal. Endured a grade II external lateral ligament sprain of the left ankle, per RealMadrid.com.

In Real's final league game of the season, a 8-1 win over Almeria, Canales watched the entire game from the bench: Ronaldo scored twice (no surprise) but a hat-trick of assists was a pleasant surprise. Jerzy Dudek received an emotional send-off. Esteban Granero replaced Kaka. Joselu scored within two minutes of coming on as a sub.

The expression: "Being kicked to the curb" described how Canales probably felt.

He could not even get minutes in a meaningless game for Real.

"It looks like a lost season," Canales said, per AS (h/t Alex Soares at Goal.com). "I think with time, I'll see how positive this year was."

You could interpret the latter quote as Canales using his bitter debut season at Real as a motivator to break into Jose Mourinho's squad.

Nope. In hindsight, it may have been Canales' way of saying: "Next season, I'll be a success somewhere else."

Canales was loaned to Valencia, managed at the time by Unai Emery, who had once called Mourinho a "cry-baby", per FourFourTwo. 

Amid three consecutive La Liga starts and a goal against Granada under Emery, Canales was looking like the Santander version again.

Then in a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao, he "sustained [an] anterior cruciate ligament" injury, per Sky Sports.

He salvaged his season by making a mid-season return against Rayo Vallecano.

But in his fifth-game back, Canales' knee gave away against Atletico Madrid, per FIFA.com.

He experienced emotional distress at Real by going from Spain's next big hope to a squad player.

On loan at Valencia—Los Che later made the deal permanent—Canales was racked with physical and emotional pain.

Scroll back up to Cruyff's opinion on Canales: "If you leave for a big club too soon your development isn't complete and you could end up going backwards. So much so that you could end up being ruined."

That is the story of Canales' career so far.



Canales To Fulham?

Canales has sleek ball-control, he is technically proficient and who knows what type of player he would have turned into if he had not suffered two ligament injuries.

Now Fulham can take advantage of his pedigree.

Canales has predominantly started in the No. 10 position and has seen game-time as a left-attacking midfielder.

His best moments this season have been speeding down the left flank and sending in precise ground-balls for his teammates.

In the 1-0 win over Granada, he raced past Granada's Alvaro Garcia and squared the ball to Jonas, who scored a dramatic 93rd minute winner for Valencia.

In the 2-2 draw against Real Valladolid, Canales was afforded time and he punished Valladolid by finding Sofiane Feghouli, who finished past Valladolid goalkeeper Diego Marino.

There are two positives for Fulham: Those two assists indicate that Canales still can get evade opposing defenders even after his two career-debilitating injuries.

Secondly, Canales can play centrally and out wide for Meulensteen.

Though, both of Canales' assists were under former Valencia manager Miroslav Djukic, who was sacked, per BBC Sport.

Canales has struggled to assert himself under Djukic's successor, Juan Antonio Pizzi, who was blunt in his assessment of the former Santander prodigy, per Inside Spanish Football:

About Canales, the only thing I'll say is that he's always trained well, that he has certain key qualities for a leading team.

When I don't see it as the right time or think it's not the right time [for Canales to start], it's not a matter of saying: 'I'm not playing and now I'm going.'

In this profession, a footballer has responsibilities and one of them is fighting against adversity.

There's no possibility as of today, that we'll let go of any players. The squad is very small and the need for everyone we have is absolute.

Why would Fulham be interested in Canales?

He could be the transfer alternative to Ravel Morrison, whose club West Ham United, are refusing to sell him to Fulham, unless a £10 million bid is lodged, per Matt Law at the Telegraph.

English Premier League clubs are only allowed four loans in one season, per EPL rules, temporary transfers, page 194, v.7.5: "The maximum number of temporary transfers to any one club registrable in the same season shall be four."

Fulham already have Adel Taarabt (Queens Park Rangers), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders) and Darren Bent (Aston Villa) on loan, so Canales could be the Cottagers' fourth and final loan—their last chance saloon.



http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1938834-scouting-report-can-fulham-save-former-real-madrid-wonderkid-sergio-canales?

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Swansea City v Fulham: Meulensteen hopes rested players can plug the gaps

Fulham have been sucked into troubled waters following a promising start under Rene Meulensteen and there are some worrying signs at Craven Cottage.

They are without a Premier League win since New Year's Day and sit one point above the relegation zone ahead of tonight's trip to Swansea.

Meulensteen will be concerned that the club, who have picked up only nine points from nine games since he took over, have conceded 22 goals in their last six Premier League fixtures.

Fulham have now let in 48 this season, 10 more than any other team, and must stop shipping goals if they want to survive.

They have kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 League games going into a potentially pivotal month of fixtures.

The importance of securing a result tonight against a struggling Swansea side is made greater by a difficult run of games. Fulham host Southampton on Saturday before facing Manchester United, Liverpool and West Brom.

Meulensteen (above) remains confident of survival but a low points return from February will leave Fulham in serious danger heading into the final three months of the season. Meulensteen is unhappy that the game at the Liberty Stadium comes only two days after his team's FA Cup draw at Sheffield United.

The head coach made 11 changes for the fourth-round tie to keep key players fresh but Swansea manager Michael Laudrup has  no complaints.

"When you are playing twice in 48 hours I can understand that," Laudrup said. "If they have a game Tuesday, why should they play Sunday? This game against us should be on Wednesday. This is the only place in the world where you play two games in 48 hours."

Meanwhile, Swansea winger Pablo Hernandez is desperate to get the club back on track after a run of eight games without a win.

The Spaniard said: "The next three or four League games are  the most important of the season for us."


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/swansea-city-v-fulham-meulensteen-hopes-rested-players-can-plug-the-gaps-9090605.html

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Fulham to launch fresh move to sign Ravel Morrison from West Ham



The Hammers midfielder wants to move to Craven Cottage but is likely to be disappointed as the club continue to demand £10m for a deal before the transfer window closes on Friday

Fulham will make a final move to sign Ravel Morrison from West Ham before the transfer window closes on Friday night.

The Cottagers value Morrison at around £6 million and will make an improved bid after their initial £4m offer was rejected earlier this month, but the west London club are pessimistic about their chances of landing the midfielder.

West Ham have told Morrison that he will not leave this month unless a club meets their £10m valuation, which would trigger a clause that states the Hammers must increase his earnings to £60,000-a-week.

Fulham will test the Hammers' resolve with a fresh bid but co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan are reluctant to do business with Fulham after reporting their relegation rivals to the Premier League for an illegal approach to the player.

West Ham were furious when Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen claimed that Morrison wanted to move to Craven Cottage, as first reported by Goal earlier this month.

The controversial England under-21 international is keen to re-unite with Muelensteen, who he knows from his time at Manchester United, and is keen for more playing opportunities having found himself on the fringes of the West Ham side.

Morrison, 20, could also expect a significant increase on his current £15,000-a-week salary if he joins Fulham, with West Ham making no progress in offering him a new deal, even though his contract expires in the summer of 2015.

There are concerns within West Ham about Morrison's drop in attitude since Fulham's interest emerged and the club accept that the attacking midfielder remains likely to leave in the summer, when Newcastle may revive their interest.

Morrison is a notoriously difficult character and was sold by Manchester United to West Ham by United in January 2012 after a series of off-field misdemeanours threatened to ruin his chances of making it as a professional footballer.

After a loan spell with Birmingham last season, Morrison has broken in to the West Ham side this campaign and made 21 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals while also starring in his three matches for England under-21s.



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2014/01/28/4576275/-?

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Fulham Boss Meulensteen Ready To Oust Moroccan Midfielder Taraabt's

Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen is ready to end of the loan of QPR midfielder Adel Taarabt.

The Sun says Taarabt has been told he has no future at Fulham.

The Moroccan is on loan from QPR but has fallen out of favour under Meulensteen and the Cottagers reportedly want him off the wage bill by the end of the week.


http://www.afrikansoccer.com/2014/01/fulham-boss-meulensteen-ready-to-oust-moroccan-midfielder-taraabts/?

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Chelsea Tickets On Sale Wednesday

http://www.fulhamfc.com/-/media/Gallery/Matches/2013-14/Premier%20League/Away/Chelsea/Gallery%2003.ashx?w=350&h=250

Tickets for Fulham v Chelsea on Saturday 1st March (3pm) are available to buy from 10am on Wednesday 29th January.

Season Ticket Holders and Members will be able to buy up to four tickets each online at fulhamfc.com or by calling 0843 208 1234.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/28/chelsea-tickets-on-sale-wednesday?

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Sympathy for the board

I have some sympathy for the powers that be at Fulham.  Here are a few reasons why:



1)     We need a lot of improvements.  Like five good players.  You're not going to find those players now at a price we can afford.  Good players cost at least 10m and if we spend that we expect them to play like Ronaldo. And we need a few of them.

2)     Finding the right player a bit down the scale isn't easy.  I mean, everyone knows who the superstars are.  Everyone knows who the next big things are.  When you're shopping at our level nobody's perfect and while of course good players are bought at <10m, I think it's probably a bit harder to find consensus internally, find money, get a bid accepted, then get the deal done.

3)     Because why's this player going to come to Fulham?  We're threatened by relegation.  The thing is money, of course, and I suspect that's why we nearly landed Defour from Porto, who may have got a nice payrise despite leaving a Champions League club.

4)     But there aren't that many players who are young, better than what we have, clearly good players (e.g. not risks), and who are available.  There just aren't.

5)     This probably goes a long way to explaining why we always do what we do.  Low risk known quantities are available and cheaper so it's what we end up with.

6)     I doubt very much that these are Plan A, ever.  But if we want a CM and have a list of 5, I bet often the option 5 is the safe, last resort player, and I bet we frequently get that player (over the years I mean).

7)     I suspect they're trying to be more careful than ever now, given how previous recruitment has gone.

8)     This will probably be complicated by what appears to be a 'several – not necessarily too many – cooks' scenario.

9)     Wilkins, Curbs and Rene all probably have different ideas.  When you have committees it's harder to please everyone.

10)  It might very well lead to inertia.

11)  Added to which, football is football.  In the real world we all think "if I have to get something done in January I start in December so that there's no silly rush at the deadline" but the way agents, players and clubs are all tied to this silly window means you can't very well just say "we want Steve Striker, pay them 5m in December and sign him January 1st" because if it was that simple teams would do it.  Contrary to the received wisdom our leadership team isn't stupid – there's a reason they spend hours on end working around the clock in January.  As Morrissey said: these things take time.

12)  Added to which, you're not just trying to buy, you need to sell to clear wage money/squad places.

13)  I bet lots of teams are desperate for Fulham players at the moment, eh?

14)  So it's tricky isn't it?

15)  Our best resource is still probably the youth team.  Not just in terms of players but in terms of getting things done.  If we want a Tom Cleverly (to name a stupid made up rumour) we have more chance of getting this done if we send Manchester United a coveted young player.  We do have coveted young players at the moment and it's arguable that they might be most useful to us in swap deals.  This is very American in outlook – it doesn't really happen here, does it? – but might be the key to getting the kind of talent we're so desperate for.  There is no tomorrow for a lot of Fulham's staff: get 2014 wrong and they're looking for a new job.



http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2014/01/28/sympathy-for-the-board/?

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The Sean Davis Column

I watched our FA Cup match at Sheffield United with interest. We dominated the game but could only come away with a 1-1 draw. Obviously we'd have liked to have gone through at the first time of asking but at least we're still in it and I'm confident we can beat them in the Replay at the Cottage.

René Meulensteen saw the game as an opportunity to blood some of the young players and that will give everyone a lift at the Club from the Academy upwards. It's good to know we've got these young players coming through and that was the main positive to take from the game.

All the youngsters did themselves proud. It can be a nerve-wracking moment when you play in the First Team but they all looked confident and assured on the ball. The athleticism of them was fantastic which I know is a big thing that they work on in the Academy. Now they've got a taste of it they'll have extra motivation to keep working hard and try and cement a place in the team.

It shows that if you're doing well under René, he'll give you a chance. Obviously he had an excuse to rest certain players but I'm sure if he thought one of the young lads played really well then he'd consider keeping him in the squad.

We head to Swansea City on Tuesday for a Barclays Premier League fixture. Personally, I think playing away on a Sunday and then again on a Tuesday is ridiculous – something's got to be sorted with that because it's not on.

Like Fulham, Swansea aren't doing too well this season – obviously they've had their European commitments as well. We lost 2-1 at home to them earlier this season so the lads will be looking to make amends at the Liberty Stadium. Swansea aren't as strong as they have been but it's going to be a tough game away from home nonetheless. Hopefully the players who didn't feature on Sunday have rested up well.

The difficult thing about playing Swansea is they keep possession really well – if you end up chasing the ball by yourself, rather than as a team, you'll get picked off, you'll get destroyed. I think the main aim is to go there with a gameplan and to shut them down as a team, limit the space in between the midfield and the defence and then hopefully keep the ball ourselves when we get it and try and create as many chances as possible.

If we play like we did against Arsenal recently, then we'll give ourselves a chance. Okay, we lost 2-0 but for a long spell in the game, we were the better side. It was by no means an embarrassing defeat – it was a result that most people predicted but we left with our heads held high.

The transfer window closes on Friday and I'm hoping Fulham will make a couple of signings. January's not always the ideal time to buy but sometimes if you bring in a player it can freshen up the squad. And if they're an exceptional player, as well, it lifts everyone.

After Swansea, we're back at the Cottage on Saturday with a home fixture against Southampton. Saints had a really good start to the campaign but they've had some funny results of late, which over a long season happens. But, as I've often said in this column, Fulham need to get back to winning ways at Craven Cottage. That's really given us the platform to be an established Premier League side in previous years – Craven Cottage was a hard place to come to.



But Saturday will be a very, very tough game. I've been very impressed with Southampton, I like the way they press the ball high up the pitch. They've got a lot of young players in there; Luke Shaw, the left-back, Adam Lallana, Jay Rodriquez, and I do like the look of Corky's [Alan Cork] son Jack. Every time I've seen him play I've been really impressed with him. He'll be a player to watch out for because he hardly ever gives the ball away and he's got great energy. So it's going to be a tough game but hopefully our experience will be enough to see off their youthfulness.

I think the target for this week should be four points minimum; always try and win your home games and get at least a point away from home. It doesn't always work out that way but four points would definitely be a good return from the next two games.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/28/the-sean-davis-column?

[WhiteJC]

 
Five Days Left!

Whites fans have until the end of the week to enjoy our buy one, get one free offer on adidas 2013/14 Replica Shirts!

Add to your 2013/14 adidas Replica Shirt collection with this fantastic offer which is valid on Home, Away and Third Shirts. That's two junior shirts for £34.99 or two adult shirts for £49.99. Or you can take one of each and get the lowest-priced item free.

To take advantage of this limited time offer online, simply add your chosen two Replica Shirts to your shopping basket and the discount will be added at the checkout.

Shop today online, direct on 0843 208 1223 or at the Stadium Store.

And don't forget that we're currently offering FREE UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £75!


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/28/copy-of-great-save?

[WhiteJC]

 
Milan confirm Taarabt talks

Milan's official television station confirmed negotiations with QPR and Fulham to swap Cristian Zaccardo with Adel Taarabt.

The news was announced on Milan Channel this afternoon, though a deal is not yet complete.

Taarabt had been linked with a move to the Rossoneri last year, but was not taken any further for the Moroccan international.

According to Sport Mediaset, Zaccardo would join Fulham in a straight exchange for Taarabt, even though he is on loan from QPR.

Taarabt is a 24-year-old who can play in any of the supporting roles required for Coach Clarence Seedorf's 4-2-3-1 system.

Zaccardo is a 32-year-old centre-back who has made eight appearances in all competition for Milan this season, but has been a bit-part player since arriving from Parma in January 2013.


http://www.football-italia.net/44451/milan-confirm-taarabt-talks?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's beating heart


Michael Regan/Getty Images
Rene Meulensteen's Fulham side face a big test against struggling Swansea.
Doctors report little change in the patient's condition. London's oldest club remains on the critical list, and the next few days may be pivotal for chances of a full recovery.

For their second game of three this week, Rene Meulensteen takes the strongest side available to him for a massive encounter with fellow strugglers Swansea. It is one thing to shrug off expected defeats at places like Arsenal, but folding up in such alarming fashion at home to Sunderland earlier this month has left a sour taste that will not go away.

Sunday's Cup escapade up to Sheffield through the driving rain did nothing to raise spirits. Fulham could easily have lost to a side scrambling to save themselves dropping into League Two. Yes, Meulensteen made eleven changes and threw in the kids -- sensibly resting his senior stars ahead of the showdown with Swansea, but I had no issues with the team selected.

But as a barometer of how far this club has declined since 2011, this "C" team barely managed to contain 10-man United at Bramhall Lane. There were senior players out there in blue with enough international caps between them to have effectively covered the playing surface from the incessant rain. Players, on huge wages, who in their time ascended the mountain to European finals, promotion medals, Cup glory and fan adulation, and on Sunday they played and looked like a pub team from the local Yorkshire league.

Nothing from the trip north now matters because Meulensteen got away with it. Hugo Rodallega's one glimpse of quality secured the draw that sees the Whites live to fight another day back at the Cottage. Fulham will now progress to another home tie in Round 5, by which time the club may start taking the FA Cup more seriously.

But the clear message from Sunday's mud bath was how ruthless and deep the cull come May must be. This difficult week now demands full focus on taking points from games with Swansea and Southampton. Because, as I said on this week's ESPNFC podcast, staying among the Premier League elite is all that matters.

Since Sunday, I've been increasingly asked, "Can Fulham stay up?" Want to quantify how important the coming few days are to Fulham's survival hopes? If no points are taken from the next two games -- and should we find it impossible to land any new recruits in the transfer market, I think we fans must prepare for the drop. The current side is nowhere near good enough, and that has been transparently obvious now for a year. Having been televised, plenty of armchair neutrals Sunday took to Twitter deriding the club as no longer fit for the Premiership. Hard to argue with that.

Beat Swansea, a side on a run even worse than Fulham's, and take a point from Southampton and suddenly the table takes on a whole new slant. Pray with all your might that the club also land a couple of the myriad names they've been linked with.

Draw comfort too from the dire straits many of the sides around Fulham find themselves in -- the subject of a recent blog: rumours of frustration at Stoke, tension between manager and board at both Palace and Swansea, massive fan disenchantment with managers Chris Hughton and Paul Lambert; major question marks still over Gus Poyet and Sam Allardyce.

Advice to Meulensteen: Get back that mojo we saw from your first games in charge. The side clearly raised their game against Spurs four days after the disastrous Martin Jol was sent packing, and were well worthy of a draw on the night. Then the team had an excellent all round display to see off Aston Villa, easily beaten at the Cottage.

I really do have concerns over the inexplicable addition of Alan Curbishley and Ray Wilkins (especially) to the management team; that can only blur the lines and deflect Meulensteen from his own purpose and vision for progressing the squad. Just ask yourself one question, Rene, every morning you stand before the mirror: Would your old mentor Sir Alex Ferguson have had either of these two anywhere near his club?

Here are the facts and figures ahead of the trip to the Liberty Stadium. Can we repeat the win there on the final day of last season? Laudrup has a long injury list and the smallest squad in the league. Fulham are at full strength and well rested.

Key man for Swansea: Wilfried Bony -- could give Fulham's porous back line real problems.

Key man for Fulham: Steve Sidwell -- must keep disciplined and cut out the needless fouls in dangerous areas. Never short on confidence, always looking to grab a goal.

Prediction: Too scary to call! Neither side seems capable of keeping a clean sheet.

Whichever side you support, digest the pre-game fact file, then pour yourself a stiff drink!

Swansea have no win from eight, their longest-ever run in the Premier League without a victory. The Swans have won just two of their last 16 Premier League home games. No clean sheet in their last eight league games, the worst such run in the top flight. And they have kept just one in their last 13.

The Swans have conceded the opening goal in their Premier League fixtures 14 times this season; Fulham can actually better that by one. Fulham are not great at coming from behind.

Fulham have gone 18 matches without drawing in the league, winning five and losing 13.

The Cottagers show just three wins from their last 14 top-flight matches. Villa, Norwich, West Ham. Fulham have managed just one clean sheet in the last 15 Premier League matches.

Want to sum up the season to date? The Whites have allowed 141 shots on target against this season, more than any other team in the top flight.

And the host on Monday's podcast led off by asking me, "So where do you see Fulham's problems at the moment? COYW!



http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/fulham/id/1780?&cc=5739

[WhiteJC]

 
Adel Taarabt 'in talks over AC Milan transfer with Cristian Zaccardo headed to Fulham'

AC Milan's official television channel has reported that the club are in negotiations to take Adel Taarabt from Fulham.

The Moroccan playmaker, who is only on loan at Craven Cottage from QPR, would be Milan's third signing of the transfer window, following the arrivals of Keisuke Honda and Adil Rami.

It what seems like a complicated deal, Fulham would presumably agree to relinquish their rights on the agreement with QPR for Taarabt and, according to Sport Mediaset, could even land defender Cristian Zaccardo, 32, as part of the package.



http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/28/adel-taarabt-in-talks-over-ac-milan-transfer-with-cristian-zaccardo-headed-to-fulham-4280914/?