Friday Fulham Stuff (31/01/14)...

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Barry Hayles column: Fulham must spend on transfer deadline day

Former Whites striker tells Lewis Deakin his old club must get it right as the clock ticks down tonight


Golden oldie: Former Whites striker Barry Hayles
It would be unthinkable for a club like Fulham to be relegated from the Premier League.

Fulham would find it tough to bounce back from relegation straight away. Quite a few of their star players would leave, because they would want to play in the top-flight.

The club would be hit by the loss of Premier League revenue they have received over the past 13 years.

On deadline day I hope Rene Meulensteen will bring some firepower into Fulham.

The club are too reliant on Dimitar Berbatov to come up with the goals'.

Olympiakos striker Konstantinos Mitroglou would certainly be welcome at Craven Cottage. Konstantinos has scored 21 goals in 23 appearances for both his club and Greece. I therefore don't believe the £11million transfer fee would put any added pressure upon him.

As a striker you tend to believe in your own abilities; and that you will get in the right positions to score goals. With the way Fulham play football: Konstantinos should hopefully get the chances that can fire Fulham to Premier League safety.

With Adel Taarabt's departure to AC Milan confirmed there is now a place for West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison at Fulham.



He is a player with a lot of potential. I don't think his bad boy image would cause the club a problem; with the right coaching – he would knuckle down and focus on his football. Ravel is a player, who can be a match-winner. I hope Rene will bring him to Craven Cottage.

Adel's departure was the right decision for both himself and Fulham. He is not the type of player Rene needs for a relegation battle. In some games Adel can be worth his weight in gold, but in most matches he needs to be carried. In a relegation battle you need players, who are willing to die for the cause.

Ray Wilkins has joined the coaching staff at Fulham. He is a man with a lot of contacts throughout football. Hopefully, Ray can help bring in a few players that can get Fulham back to winning ways.

It's very difficult as a Fulham fan and former player looking in and seeing the club struggle. I thought once the club had stabilised in the Premier League – they would grow and grow. Their form is worrying.

Hopefully, they will be able to recruit some players, who can make a difference. But Rene's men should have got something out of the Swansea game on Tuesday night. You need to stay close to the teams around you; the 2-0 defeat was difficult to take.

Throughout the campaign Fulham have picked up good results, but then they have gone on a terrible run and struggled.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/barry-hayles-column-fulham-must-6652757?

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Fulham v Southampton preview: Team strengths, tactics and stats



Check out all the vital statistics ahead of this weekend's Premier League meeting at Craven Cottage

Ahead of this weekend's Premier League meeting, between Fulham and Southampton, see how the sides compare on possession, pass accuracy, tactics and much more.

Data and graphic provided by whoscored.com



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-v-southampton-preview-team-strengths-tactics-and-stats-9099040.html

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Hughes Joins QPR

The Club can confirm that Aaron Hughes has joined Queens Park Rangers for the remainder of the season.

The 34-year-old, who made his 250th appearance for Fulham in the recent draw with Sheffield United, will join up with the Sky Bet Championship side until the end of the season.

Everyone at the Club would like to wish Aaron all the best during his time at Loftus Road.

The Club can also confirm the early termination of its loan deal with QPR for Adel Taarabt.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/31/hughes-joins-qpr?

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Lewis Holtby Set For Fulham Loan Move

Fulham have no midfield, so we're giving them a really good 1/3 of one at basically no cost. Hope it works out.

Update: Lewis Holtby's loan move now official.

Yesterday, conflicting reports appeared in the Liverpool Echo and Goal.de on Lewis Holtby's reported move to Fulham. The Echo said it was a permanent transfer for a little under £5m, while Goal.de reported a loan with no option to buy. We didn't know how to parse the difference at the time.

Now we have what looks like a clear report from Sky Sports that Holby will move to Fulham on loan. The move is so locked in, they report, that Holtby has begun training with Fulham in advance of his contract moving to their books. There is not that much to the Sky report, but they're generally pretty solid on these sorts of things.

Lewis Holtby has trained with Fulham ahead of his anticipated deadline-day loan move from Tottenham.
They do not mention whether Goal.de was correct that Fulham have no option to buy, but given that the key part of the report is confirmed, it's reasonable to be hopeful.

Fulham's midfield was a gaping crater of terrible, as Ted Knutson at Statsbomb recently demonstrated with  pretty charts, so this is a fantastic move for the Cottagers. Hopefully Holtby takes advantage of the opportunity and returns to Spurs Lodge over the summer ready to play the kind of consistent, Champions League quality football that his German career suggested he was capable of.


http://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/2014/1/31/5364256/lewis-holtby-set-for-fulham-loan-move-sky?

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Transfer Deadline Day: Dimitar Berbatov poised for Monaco

Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov is set to join Ligue 1 club AS Monaco.

The 33-year-old, who is out of contract this summer, has scored five goals in 19 games this season, and was linked with a return to old club Tottenham.

However, Monaco boss Claudio Ranieri said there was "nothing definite" about any deal for the Bulgarian.

The club are likely to be without striker Radamel Falcao until the end of the season after the Colombian suffered serious a knee injury.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25981420?

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Holtby's loan move to Fulham now official

We're glad this is settled.

Our month-long nightmare is finally over. Tottenham Hotspur announced this morning that Lewis Holtby will head to Fulham on loan for the remainder of the season.

As Michael pointed out earlier, Holtby has already been training with the Cottagers for a while. He should slot into their midfield nicely, along with fellow new arrival William Kvist. We're so sorry, Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell. You've had a nice run, but it's time for some big boys to step in.

Since this has already been confirmed amidst rumors of Dimitar Berbatov going to random corners of the globe, it seems safe to say that the moves were entirely independent of each other. Even if Berbatov isn't coming the other way, Spurs would like Holtby to go on loan to a Premier League team, and he probably likes that he doesn't have to move.

Hopefully, Holtby comes back a much better player, ready to compete for first team football at Spurs


http://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/2014/1/31/5364288/lewis-holtby-fulham?

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Manchester United may refuse to let academy star join Fulham permanently

Manchester United may refuse to allow Larnell Cole to join Fulham on a permanent basis, according to reports, although a loan move would still be likely elsewhere.

Larnell Cole may or may not be joining Fulham, according to reports.

The United academy star had been linked along with Ryan Tunnicliffe to be joining Rene Meulensteen at Fulham, but the Daily Mail's Adam Crafton states that he won't be allowed to leave permanently. Fulham have used up all their loan spots from Premier League clubs, so that would appear to rule that out.

Then, however, Sky Sports News contradicted that by claiming the player is at Fulham for a medical. Which couldn't be a loan, so it'd have to be a permanent deal too.

Cole was one of the brighter prospects in the United academy so it's a slight surprise that United would let him leave, but we've been here before with Mats Daehli, now at Cardiff via Molde. With Jesse Lingard ahead of him in the pecking order and United set to sign Marco Reus before bringing Ronaldo back home, perhaps he's just missed his chance. Nonetheless, we wish him well.


http://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/2014/1/31/5364284/manchester-united-transfer-deadline-day-rumours-news-larnell-cole-ryan-tunnicliffe-fulham?

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Transfer news: Tottenham midfielder Lewis Holtby completes loan switch to Fulham

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lewis Holtby has completed his loan switch to Premier League strugglers Fulham after training with his new teammates this morning.

After signing the paperwork today, the German will now be eligible to play for the Cottagers against Southampton tomorrow after beating the 12pm deadline.

It had initially seemed more likely to be a permanent switch, with Fulham apparently willing to part with as much as £8m for the 23-year-old after talk of a move for Ravel Morrison cooled.

Holtby, who trained with the squad today, will reportedly earn £70,000-a-week at his new side as Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen bids to revamp his side ahead of the final few months of the season.

The club are also hopeful of signing Leicester City striker Jeff Schlupp - who can play in both defence and midfield - despite late interest from Swansea City.

Despite continued interest from Premier League sides, Foxes manager Nigel Pearson has preferred David Nugent and Jamie Vardy to lead his attack so far this season.

The former Southampton and Hull City boss, however, has regularly insisted that no first-team players will be sold during the current window.



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/transfer-news-tottenham-midfielder-lewis-holtby-completes-loan-switch-to-fulham-9099189.html

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Losing Mitroglou?
   
If Fulham are to commit a club record fee in bringing Konstantinos Mitroglou to Craven Cottage then perhaps now is the time for us all to cross our fingers.

The reason being is that the tabloid press, this morning, are championing the fact that West Ham United might very well be about to snatch the player from right under our noses.

Although Sam Allardyce, over at Upton Park, has intimated that he`s finished with his dealing in this transfer window, the press seem to think differently.

With Olympiakos keen to cash in on the striker who has scored 17 goals this season, the deal has every chance of becoming a cash-cow with the highest bidder winning.

Will it be us?

We`ll know come 23:00 hours, at the latest, today!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=347807#ixzz2rzeMUCMq

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LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Fulham v Southampton
Southampton have had their sticky patch and have turned things around of late. They played very well in their draw against Arsenal on Tuesday and will fancy their chances of going to Craven Cottage and winning.

Fulham have the worst defence and worst goal difference in the Premier League and have not won in the league since New Year's Day.

But the Cottagers are at home and they could have a couple of new faces in their team by kick-off because William Kvist has joined on loan from Stuttgart.

Loanee Adel Taarabt has joined AC Milan and Dimitar Berbatov looks like he is on his way out, so you can see why Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen is trying to get another striker, Konstantinos Mitroglou, from Olympiakos.

I thought Fulham would have turned the corner by now, but defensively they are still very poor - and very porous. A draw on Saturday would be a big step in the right direction for them.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1
David's prediction: 1-3


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25961894?

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Kvist Eager to Seize the Opportunity
   
Now that William Kvist has put his name to a contract at Craven Cottage, it`ll be very interesting to see how the Danish international gets on.

He certainly has the pedigree to be a success and with the prospect of a permanent contract, in the summer, he has every reason to give his all.

Speaking to the media, the player also seems pleased that he has made it to the Holy Grail of football - the Premier League, with William remarking in the media,

"I`ve heard a lot of good things from Brede Hangeland."

"This is the biggest league in the world and the biggest challenge you can get - it is the motherland of football."

"When I was just a child I used to watch English football on television so it`s amazing being here."

Let`s hope he isn`t awe-struck when it comes to him making his debut as we`ll need him to be up and running pretty quick!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=347808#ixzz2rzespBG5

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Lescott Stays at City!
   
If Fulham had ambitions of landing the Manchester City centre back, Joleon Lescott, in a late deal, the word disappointment could become very prominent.

The 31 year-old centre back, told by Manchester City that he can leave the Etched Stadium as long as Manchester City recruit a replacement, had been linked to a move to either Upton Park or Craven Cottage.

Unfortunately for us and West Ham, Lescott has decide dot remain at Manchester City for the remaining six months of his contract and then see what option are available to him come this summer.

In my opinion it`s a crying shame as a central defensive partnership of Hangeland and Lescott could have done us wonders in our mission to avoid relegation!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=347809#ixzz2rzf1wtSY

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Holtby verdict
As the January transfer window reaches a crescendo of activity, Sky Sports runs the rule over the high-profile movers in the Premier League. Hit or miss? Read our assessment and offer your own verdict here...



Lewis Holtby


To: Fulham
From: Tottenham
Fee: On Loan

Age: 23
Position: Midfielder
Nationality: German

Bio

Holtby, the Germany international with the English name, began his professional career with Alemannia Aachen before making the move to Schalke in 2009. He enjoyed a successful loan spell at Mainz before returning to Gelsenkirchen, where he earned senior international honours in November 2010. A transfer to Tottenham in January 2013 has not worked out as planned and new manager Tim Sherwood was happy to let Holtby join Fulham on loan.

He says



Speaking to Bild in December: "At the moment, from a sporting perspective, there are constant ups and downs. Despite the great competition and my relatively few games, I have also achieved nine assists and three goals so far this season. That's a good rate. However, I am itching to start more games and reluctant to keep coming back to the warmth of the substitute bench."

They say

"Fulham is a very well-run club with an excellent manager Rene Meulensteen. The system and philosophy how Fulham play fits well with Lewis. He will play games in his favourite position. Then we'll see how things are in the summer. A move to the Bundesliga was shattered by circumstances beyond our control." - Holtby's agent Markus Noack

Hit?

What's not to like? A member of Germany's golden generation heralded as a superb capture for Tottenham just one year ago now finds himself at lowly Fulham. This has coup written all over it. Already handed the prized No 10 shirt, it seems Meulensteen has big plans for Holtby and is willing to build the team around him. That's the sort of attention that Holtby was denied at Spurs and could see him bounce back to his best. He's only 23, after all.

Miss?

Sceptics will look at Holtby's non-existent impact at Spurs and wonder what will be different at a struggling Fulham side. Such is the malaise at the west London club, it is a huge ask for Holtby to have a transformative effect on their fortunes. Will he thrive in a relegation battle? Or will he flitter around the midfield for a few months before getting the summer move to the Bundesliga that it seems he pined for in January?

Verdict

A great signing for Fulham and while the player has not ruled out a permanent move, it would be no surprise if he moves on to bigger and better things elsewhere in the summer. In the meantime, he might just keep the Cottagers in the Premier League.



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11096/9143286/holtby-verdict?

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Heitinga set for Fulham switch

John Heitinga is reportedly holding talks with Fulham over a proposed switch to Craven Cottage before the transfer deadline, possibly on loan.
Rene Muelensteen is looking at reinforcements after Aaron Hughes sealed a move to QPR and is eyeing Heitinga who is looking for regular first-team football.

Reports in the Netherlands suggest that Valencia have also emerged as potential suitors for the 30 year-old.

File under: Seems likely



http://www.toffeeweb.com/season/13-14/rumour-mill/26708.html?

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Swansea City admit Neil Taylor could be off to Fulham as Michael Laudrup eyes deadline day replacement

Taylor looks set for a £5m move to the Cottagers, but only if Laudrup can find a replacement today

Swansea City could cash-in on £5m Wales star Neil Taylor – but only if they get a replacement left-back before tonight's transfer deadline.

Fulham are understood to have returned with an improved offer for the 24-year-old having seen a £4m bid rejected last week.

That bid was not believed to be £4m up front and it remains to be seen whether they have restructured the offer, as well as upping the valuation of the highly-rated defender.

Craven Cottage chief Rene Meulensteen admitted he is a long-term admirer of the ex-Wrexham man who has told Swans boss Michael Laudrup of his frustrations at losing his regular No.3 berth to compatriot Ben Davies.

Laudrup admits he has sympathy with the player who returned from a horror injury last year to figure in Europa League and FA Cup action this season, but his lack of Premier League action has alerted rival clubs.

And with Fulham thought to have tested the water, Taylor's future at the Liberty could depend on whether Laudrup can land left-back cover.

Swansea are thought to be weighing up making a second bid for 21-year-old Jeffrey Schlupp of Leicester after having an initial £2.5m bid rejected for the winger who can cover defence.

And Reading's former Nottingham Forest defender Garath McCleary has also been mentioned as a potential target.

But it was clear Laudrup was ruling nothing out when asked on Taylor, although stressed the imminent arrival of his second child after his wife Jenna-Lea went into labour.

Asked about a second bid, Laudrup played coy and said: "I don't want to comment on that. When I talk about facts it is when something is done one way or another.


http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/swansea-city-admit-neil-taylor-6653768?

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Transfer news: Fulham return with improved offer for Neil Taylor after Swansea reject £4m bid

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup has revealed Neil Taylor could make a deadline-day exit from the Liberty Stadium.

The 24-year-old left-back has found opportunities limited after a broken ankle suffered last season allowed Ben Davies to take his place.

Fulham have already had a bid of £4million rejected for the Wales international, but are believed to have made a new offer.

Laudrup made it clear Swansea will not sell Taylor unless he can bring in a replacement, and Press Association Sport understands the Welsh club have had a bid of £2.5million rejected for Leicester's Jeffrey Schlupp.

"Neil is here now and I don't want to go into discussion if he's staying or leaving because you can never know that," Laudrup said.

"What I've said about Neil is that I fully understand his position, especially after going what he's been through.

"But we will only sell him if we can get a replacement.

"Until midnight, everything is possible. That's why I don't want go into all the rumours."

A potential complicating factor in any move is that Taylor is currently with his wife, who is in labour.

But Laudrup would not confirm whether a second bid has been made by the Cottagers.

"I don't want to comment on that," he said. "When I talk about facts it is when something is done one way or another. We cannot inform you every time."

Swansea are also known to be interested in Norwich duo Anthony Pilkington and Wes Hoolahan, while a deal to bring Falkirk youngster Jay Fulton to south Wales is set to be completed.

PA


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/transfer-news-fulham-return-with-improved-offer-for-neil-taylor-after-swansea-reject-4m-bid-9099500.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Transfer news: Fulham return with improved offer for Neil Taylor after Swansea reject £4m bid

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup has revealed Neil Taylor could make a deadline-day exit from the Liberty Stadium.

The 24-year-old left-back has found opportunities limited after a broken ankle suffered last season allowed Ben Davies to take his place.

Fulham have already had a bid of £4million rejected for the Wales international, but are believed to have made a new offer.

Laudrup made it clear Swansea will not sell Taylor unless he can bring in a replacement, and Press Association Sport understands the Welsh club have had a bid of £2.5million rejected for Leicester's Jeffrey Schlupp.

"Neil is here now and I don't want to go into discussion if he's staying or leaving because you can never know that," Laudrup said.

"What I've said about Neil is that I fully understand his position, especially after going what he's been through.

"But we will only sell him if we can get a replacement.

"Until midnight, everything is possible. That's why I don't want go into all the rumours."

A potential complicating factor in any move is that Taylor is currently with his wife, who is in labour.

But Laudrup would not confirm whether a second bid has been made by the Cottagers.

"I don't want to comment on that," he said. "When I talk about facts it is when something is done one way or another. We cannot inform you every time."

Swansea are also known to be interested in Norwich duo Anthony Pilkington and Wes Hoolahan, while a deal to bring Falkirk youngster Jay Fulton to south Wales is set to be completed.

PA


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/transfer-news-fulham-return-with-improved-offer-for-neil-taylor-after-swansea-reject-4m-bid-9099500.html

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Fulham v Southampton – Premier League preview

Fulham host Southampton on Saturday looking to end a run of three straight Premier League defeats. The Whites currently sit inside the relegation zone and two points from safety, with their last win coming at Craven Cottage against West Ham on New Year's Day.

After going through a bit of a sticky patch, Southampton have seemingly turned a corner and are unbeaten in their last five games. Mauricio Pochettino's side come into this game off the back of an encouraging 2-2 draw against Arsenal at St Mary's, which should have ended in a win for the Saints.

When these two sides met earlier in the season, Southampton beat Fulham 2-0 in a very comfortable match for the South Coast side. Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez were on the scoresheet that evening and both England forwards will be looking to add to their goal tallies.

History favours Fulham when it comes to ties with them and Southampton at the Cottage. The Saints last won a league match at Fulham in 1947 and since then have been unsuccessful in 15 attempts – eight of which have been defeats.

Rene Meulensteen's side are 3.60 to get a crucial win in their fight to stay up while the visitors are 2.25 to grab a win.

Team news

New loan signings William Kvist and Lewis Holtby might play a part for Fulham. Fernando Amorebieta is in line to return after a knee injury.

Lambert and Victor Wanyama could both return for Southampton.

[WhiteJC]

 
Valencia set to hijack Fulham Heitinga move

John Heitinga's move to Fulham on loan for the rest of the season could be hijacked by Valencia according to Dutch news outlet da Telegraaf.

Heitinga's future has been cast into doubt at Everton and his move out of the club has been said to decide whether new players sign for the Blues or not.

The Dutch international signed for Everton in 2009 from Atletico Madrid but has fallen down the pecking order at the club with youngster John Stones being given the nod ahead of him on several occasions this season.

A move to Fulham still looks likely to be the most viable option, but Valencia could come in with actual money which would be much more preferable to Everton.


Read more: http://www.nsno.co.uk/everton-news/2014/01/valencia-set-to-hijack-fulham-heitinga-move/#ixzz2rzha1XXx
Follow us: @nsno on Twitter | nilsatis on Facebook

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Swansea's Neil Taylor's wife goes into labour on the day Fulham try to sign him

Neil Taylor's wife has gone into labour at the most inconvenient time – with Fulham desperate to sign the Swansea left back before the 11pm transfer deadline.

Taylor has not attended Swansea's training ground today with wife Genna is about to give birth to their second child.

Fulham, who attempted to sign the Wales left-back earlier in the transfer window, have returned with an improved offer believed to be in the region of £4million.

Taylor, who joined Swansea from Wrexham three years ago, has seen his progress at the Liberty Stadium hampered by injury and the emergence of Ben Davies.

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup, who has named the 24-year-old in his provisional squad for tomorrow's trip to West Ham, insisted: 'We will only sell him if we can get a replacement. Until midnight anything is possible.'

Meaanwhile, Jacks striker Rory Donnelly has joined League One side Coventry on loan until the end of the season.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/31/swanseas-neil-taylors-wife-goes-into-labour-on-the-day-fulham-try-to-sign-him-4285557/?