Friday Fulham Stuff (07/02/14)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham skipper Hangeland up for the fight

Norwegian says Cottagers have character for survival scrap


Determined: Fulham captain Brede Hangeland
Brede Hangeland insists Fulham's squad have got the stomach for a relegation fight.

The Cottagers' miserable season took another turn for the worse on Tuesday night after they were dumped out of the FA Cup by League One strugglers Sheffield United.

Rene Meulensteen's men are bottom of the table, four points adrift of safety with just 14 games remaining to haul themselves clear of the drop zone.

"We are going through a very tough time," Hangeland told the club's website. "I hope this is rock bottom because there's only one way up from here.

"Everyone can be rest assured there will be no stone left unturned in the quest to resolve this. We need to work extremely hard to put our form right and start getting results.

"It's about character now and who's up for the fight. There's a lot of good guys in the dressing room who really care about this, so I'm hoping we have enough."

Fulham have a nightmare run of fixtures that sees them face Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea in their next four games.

But Hangeland added: "We're playing tough teams in the next couple of games, but we'll go into battle and see what happens."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-skipper-hangeland-up-fight-6676350?

[WhiteJC]

 
No Room for Excuses for David Moyes If Manchester United Fail to Beat Fulham

David Moyes has developed a bad habit.

When United lost to Stoke last weekend, he took to MUTV, (h/t Manutd.com) to bemoan United's lack of good fortune. Whilst it may have been fair to wish that Jonny Evans hadn't got injured in the opening exchanges and that Phil Jones' injury hadn't subsequently forced Michael Carrick into central defence, it was not misfortune alone that meant United did not leave the Britannia with all three points.

Neither was luck the only reason United drew with Shakhtar Donestk, lost to Swansea or suffered back-to-back losses against Newcastle and Everton.

Occasionally Moyes has acknowledged that the team's performance has not been good enough to win—as it was not in any of the above listed examples—as the Guardian reported that he did following the Capital One Cup semi-final exit.

Moyes' general reluctance to lay into his team is understandable. In a dressing room full of champions, Moyes is the odd man out.

Criticising players of that calibre is a high-risk strategy. It is not a huge leap of imagination to believe that if he does attack his players, still reigning champions, they may start asking in a more public way, what exactly it is that has changed since last season.

Moyes also knows that taking too much of the responsibility for himself is also a dangerous game to play with the press.

It would not be hard to develop a narrative based around the idea that Moyes is out of his depth at Manchester United, and his methods have only succeeded in stripping confidence and ability from his talented charges.

For Moyes to take ownership of poor performances would exacerbate this problem.

After the Stoke game Moyes said "I don't know what we have to do to win," per BBC Sport. It was a statement intended to decry the fickle fates, but read out of context it takes on an entirely different aspect.

If Moyes' men lose again to Fulham and the prospect of losing at home to the team at the bottom of the Premier League is something the Moyes era has made at least vaguely realistic, the United manager needs to find a fourth way.

Blaming luck (and referees) has become tiresome and is at least partially inaccurate. Blaming the players is a high-wire act for a manager who got the job on his personal characteristics rather than his CV.

Blaming himself could be fatal for his job.

Manchester United are, in the language of the times, in "crisis." Whether it is a long-term issue or not remains to be seen. What is certain is that this season appears to be a near write off.

The title is gone, the domestic cups are gone. Whilst it is not impossible for a hugely outmatched team to win the Champions League, United would need something akin to a miracle to defeat Europe's elite and win silverware.

A defeat to Fulham would mean that the only thing United are playing for, qualification to have another go at the Champions League next season, would move yet further out of reach.

If this does happen, Moyes has really only one option, and that is to begin a PR campaign that is all about the future. If he wants to keep the job, he needs to sell the idea that he has a plan and that the plan is not just to knock the ball out wide and hump in crosses.

United fans will stand by David Moyes for a while yet regardless, but it would not hurt for him to make it a little more comfortable to do so.

Of course, United are still favourites to beat Fulham on Sunday. But they will lose again this season, and when they do, it would be very nice not to hear about how unlucky they were.

There comes a point where that is simply not good enough.



http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1950327-no-room-for-excuses-for-david-moyes-if-manchester-united-fail-to-beat-fulham?

[WhiteJC]

 
Dimitar Berbatov 'released by Fulham'

There is some confusion over the future of Dimitar Berbatov after it emerged he has been released by Fulham.

Berbatov, 33, joined Ligue 1 title challengers Monaco on the final day of the January transfer window, reportedly on loan from Rene Meulensteen's side until the end of the season.

However, with the striker's contract at Craven Cottage having been due to expire in June, the former Manchester United man has actually signed a six-month deal at the French club, rather than joining on loan.

L'Equipe reported on Thursday that the French Football League (LFP) had confirmed to the sports daily that "it is not a loan, but a normal contract."

The paper also reported that Fulham have confirmed Berbatov no longer belongs to them.

"Fulham have loaned him to us. Perhaps he has agreed with his club to end his contract by mutual consent at the end of the season," a Monaco source is reported as saying in L'Equipe.

"Anyway, it changes nothing. He belongs to us until the end of the season."



http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1706539?&cc=5739

[WhiteJC]

 
Do Fulham need a change?

It would be fair to say that most Fulham fans felt that going in to Tuesday night's FA Cup replay against Sheffield United things probably couldn't get much worse than they are right now.

Sitting rock bottom of the league and boasting a combination of the leakiest defence around and a forward line lacking anything in penetration we still expected to overcome a team struggling in League 1 fairly comfortably. Despite fielding a strong side we somehow managed to surpass ourselves in our failings and managed to not only lose to a last minute goal, but fail to offer anything in terms of a threat to the opposition for the best part of 120 minutes of football.

Any leftover positive feeling from what was certainly a very active last day of the transfer window for the club was quickly put to rest on Saturday following yet another dismal display at home to Southampton. While losing is of course a major issue, the problem at Fulham at the moment is the manner in which we go about doing so.  We continue to lack any fight or passion for the cause and the starting XI resemble a group of strangers who only met an hour before kick-off. The Fulham of old were defined by their relationships on the pitch, The Hughes & Hangeland at the back, Zamora and Gera up top, Murphy and Etuhu in the middle, but now we have none of that. Last season there were signs of a good rapport between Sascha Reither and Ashkan Dejagah although the games they have played together this season can be counted on one hand.

The fact is the warning signs for Fulham have been there for a while now and the situation we find ourselves in is representative of a lack of investment over a number of seasons. We are simply not good enough at the moment and this tough run of games we have coming up is unlikely to help matters. The small ray of hope we all have is that our new acquisitions, mainly Kostas Mitroglou and Lewis Holtby, can hit the ground running and give us a new lease of life in the coming weeks. Certainly Holtby looked decent against Southampton but I can't help but feel that our inability to secure a new left-back during January will inevitably be our downfall.

We have 14 league games to save ourselves and as a club we need to stop feeling sorry for our situation. Personally I would like to see both Ray Wilkins and Alan Curbishley removed as soon as possible given the latter has never had his role defined and both detract away from Rene being held accountable for his actions. We are all in this together but having three people pulling three different ways is not going to help the cause.

That said, a couple of wins and we are back in mid-table and another 'Great Escape' could be on...

#COYW



http://www.shoot.co.uk/do-fulham-need-a-change/

[WhiteJC]

 
Premier League: The closest relegation battle in history?

Ten teams are separated by just six points in the bottom half of the Premier League after 24 games, meaning this season's fight for survival is shaping up to be the most desperate yet.

The increased revenue from the £3bn television rights deal that came into effect this season has ensured playing in the top flight is more lucrative than ever before.

QPR received £39m after finishing bottom last season - but the prize for staying up this year is staggering, with the bottom side expected to receive more than £63m. 

Hardly surprising then that eight of the bottom 10 have broken their transfer record in the last two transfer windows - the only exceptions are Stoke and Sunderland.

But just how tight is this year's battle against relegation? What lessons can we learn from previous seasons? And who does BBC pundit Robbie Savage expect to go down?

Is it the tightest?
The Premier League was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96 - since then the average number of points separating the bottom 10 teams in the table after 24 games has been 18 points.
This year it is just six.
Only once before has there been just six points between the bottom half of the table - that was in 2008-09 when West Brom, Middlesbrough and Newcastle were relegated.
That season just two points separated the bottom five teams at this stage of the season. Right now there are four points between the bottom five.

What does history tell us?
The most important number for any club looking to avoid relegation is 39.
That is the average amount of points a team finishing in 17th has picked up and thus avoided the drop since the league was reduced to 20 teams.
There are the occasional anomalies. West Ham went down with 42 points in 2002-03, the highest in a 38-game season, while West Brom stayed up with 34 points in 2004-05.
Meanwhile, the lesson from 2008-09 is clear - expect a thrilling end to the current season.
On the last day of that campaign there were four teams that could still be relegated.
Of the bottom three at this stage of the season, two were eventually relegated. Only Blackburn managed to climb to safety.

Who is in the relegation scrap?

Stoke
League position: 11th
Top scorer: Charlie Adam (eight goals)
Robbie Savage's view: Charlie Adam has lost some weight and Mark Hughes has him playing well. I think their home form will see them survive.
Did you know? The Potters have the worst away record in the league having collected just five points from a possible 36 on the road.

Swansea
League position: 12th
Top scorer: Wilfried Bony (13 goals)
Savage's view: The sacking of Michael Laudrup comes at a bizarre time. But with Wilfried Bony's 13 goals this season, even with Garry Monk and Alan Curtis in charge, I think they will survive.
Did you know? Swansea have picked up four points from their last eight league fixtures - only Saturday's opponents Cardiff have such a poor sequence of recent form.

Hull City
League position: 13th
Top scorer: Robbie Brady (four goals)
Savage's view: Hull City made good signings in January by bringing in Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic. They are also beating the teams around them in the table and that is essential for teams in their position.
Did you know? The Tigers have the eighth best defensive record in the top flight, having conceded 30 goals in 24 games.

Sunderland
League position: 14th
Top scorer : Adam Johnson (nine goals)
Savage's view: Gus Poyet has got them playing good football in terms of passion and hard work and they also have Adam Johnson, who is in fine form.
Did you know? The Black Cats were bottom at Christmas and only one team in the Premier League has stayed up when propping up the table at that stage of the season - West Brom in 2004-05.

Norwich
League position: 15th
Top scorer: Gary Hooper (seven goals)
Savage's view: Gary Hooper is their top scorer, but they have only managed one win in the league since 7 December. They need the points on the board now.
Did you know? Former Celtic striker Gary Hooper scored five goals in eight games in November and December, but has not scored in Norwich's last six league games.

West Brom
League position: 16th
Top scorer: Saido Berahino (eight goals)
Savage's view: West Brom were 11 points better off and seven places higher in the league this time last season. I just think they will have enough to stay up but it will be close.
Did you know? The Baggies are struggling to keep clean sheets this season - they have managed just one in the league since 2 November.

Crystal Palace
League position: 17th
Top scorer: Marouane Chamakh (five goals)
Savage's view: Tony Pulis has done an amazing job since arriving in late November. He's galvanised the squad, made some great signings in the January transfer window, and they have the best fans in the Premier League.
Did you know? Crystal Palace have scored 15 goals in their 24 league fixtures - the fewest in the division. They have failed to score in half of their 24 games.

West Ham
League position: 18th
Top scorer: Carlton Cole & Ravel Morrison (five goals each)
Savage's view: If they can keep Andy Carroll fit, his impact on the team, especially with team-mate Kevin Nolan alongside him, will see them just survive.
Did you know? The Hammers were bottom of the form table at the end of December following a torrid run of four defeats and two draws in six games but have collected seven points from a possible 15 in 2014.

Cardiff City
League position: 19th
Top scorer: Fraizer Campbell (seven goals)
Savage's view: I don't think they have enough quality to stay up. I can't see who is going to score six or seven goals at this stage to keep them up.
Did you know? Cardiff's away form is one of the worst in the division, with all but one of their five wins this season coming at home.

Fulham
League position: 20th
Top scorer: Steve Sidwell (six goals)
Savage's view: They have not improved under Rene Meulensteen since he came in. Their players have not responded to a new manager like those at Sunderland and Crystal Palace, which is a massively worrying sign.
Did you know? Their goal difference of -31 is the worst in the top four English football divisions.

The new manager effect
More clubs in the bottom half of the table have changed managers during the course of the current campaign than in any of the previous six seasons.

Seven managerial changes were made by this point in 2007-08, while Michael Laudrup's departure from Swansea on Tuesday means six have made way this time.

Sunderland and Crystal Palace are the biggest beneficiaries of changing managers during the season.

Since Gus Poyet replaced Paolo Di Canio on 8 October, Sunderland have picked up an average of 1.35 points per game, while Tony Pulis is averaging 1.33 per game, a marked improvement on 0.58 prior to his arrival.

Sadly for Fulham, they are yet to experience the new manager bounce.

When Martin Jol was sacked on 1 December, the Cottagers had been averaging 0.76 points per game. His replacement, Rene Meulensteen, has only marginally improved that statistic, picking up 0.82 points per game.

Who is going down?
Savage's view: "Norwich have only managed one win in the league since 7 December and I just think they are going to go down because their last four games look extremely difficult. They play Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

"Cardiff's away form is one of the worst in the division. I think because of that they will not pick up enough points. I'd love for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to keep a Welsh team in the Premier League, but I just don't think they have enough quality.

"Finally, Fulham. They can't score goals and can't defend. They were woeful in the FA Cup in midweek and I believe they will go down.

"It is so tight at the bottom from 11th down. This season is very bizarre and the three teams that I think will go down could get a couple of wins and get out of it. I'll probably be wrong but I am going to stick with my chosen three!"
Savage's verdict: Norwich, Cardiff and Fulham



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25906151?

[WhiteJC]

 
Were Fulham wrong to make Jacko 'Beat It'?

Perhaps Fulham owner Shahid Khan take a look at the 'Man in the Mirror' for his decision to remove the Michael Jackson statue from Craven Cottage, as it has coincided with a slump in the side's home form.

Khan's predecessor Mohamed Al Fayed was close friends with the late 'King of Pop' and erected the structure in April 2011. The following weeks saw the Cottagers claim two wins and a draw on their own patch.

The first full season in the company of Jacko was a 'Thriller' as they mustered 10 home victories and five draws, while the 2012-13 campaign saw Fulham avoid defeat another 10 times, seven of which were triumphs.

Shortly after taking over the West London club, Khan oversaw the removal of the statue last September.

Since telling the American icon to 'Beat It', things have become 'Bad'.

Fulham have endured a torrid campaign which has culminated in plummeting to the bottom of the Premier League table and suffering a humiliating FA Cup exit at the hands of League One Sheffield United.

They have picked up five wins, two of which came in the domestic cup competitions, and have not drawn a single match in their own back yard.

While nothing is ever 'Black or White' in football, Khan's decision to part with Fulham's lucky charm is certainly looking 'Dangerous'.


http://www.sportsdirectnews.com/fulham-fc-transfer-news/39855-were-fulham-wrong-to-make-jacko-beat-it.php#.UvPgyf0dObA

[WhiteJC]

 
Viewers Demand Payment After ITV4 Presenter Adrian Chiles Promises £5 To Anybody Still Watching Fulham's Turgid FA Cup Loss

Adrian Chiles has found himself nervously thumbing his wallet today after several ITV4 viewers contacted the station to demand the presenter honour his pledge to send £5 to anybody who managed to watch the whole of Fulham's dismal FA Cup replay trudger against Sheffield United on Monday night.

After the game finished 0-0 after normal time and was still goalless at half-time in extra time, Chiles – taking a momentary break from his utterly tiresome "O Roy Keane u so big n scary" shtick – muttered on camera that any viewers who hadn't fallen asleep or turned over could "write in and he would send them a fiver".

Sheffield United went on to win the turgid tie 1-0 with a late goal and, at full-time, several foolhardy fans began to Tweet ITV to ask for their £5 remuneration from Chiles:

"Hi @ITV Adrian Chiles said if anyone was watching they'd get £5 sent out to them. How do I go about claiming this? Cheers"

"Adrian Chiles promises everyone still watching @itv4 £5. There are four of us watching here... ;)"

"Adrian Chiles owes me £5 for sticking with this game as promised then... I'll also claim £4.38 for having to listen to Clarke Carlisle #zzzz"

Another viewer who, for reasons unbeknownst, went the distance and watched the whole affair, Mr Peter Hyam, even went as far as emailing ITV directly, writing:

"I'm currently watching Fulham v Sheffield United on ITV4. It's an awful game. Possibly the worst I've ever seen. But I'm still persisting.

"At half time in extra time Adrian Chiles said 'if you're still watching, write in and we'll send you a fiver each'. This is obviously a stupid thing for any presenter to say – and I doubt it was on the cue cards.

"However, I'd like my fiver please. If not then I shall formally complain about your dreadful presenter lying to the one viewer.

"I'd prefer it in cash or cheque ... Alternatively a signed photo of Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield would do."

Alas, we don't think Chiles should be overly concerned about keeping up his end of the bargain – looks like it's going to cost him about £20!


http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/fail/184415/viewers-demand-payment-after-itv4-presenter-adrian-chiles-promises-5-to-anybody-still-watching-fulhams-turgid-fa-cup-loss.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Chelsea Tickets

Tickets for the SW6 derby are already on sale, with Season Ticket Holders and Members having exclusive access to up to four tickets each.

Make sure you're at the Cottage for one of the biggest games of the season on Saturday 1st March (3pm) by purchasing your tickets today.

If you don't currently have access to tickets, you can sign up to become an Adult Member from just £20, or a Junior Member for just £5. Find out more at fulhamfc.com/membership.


SW6 Derby Hospitality

Hospitality packages remain available to buy in our George Cohen Restaurant and Haynes Lounge. Alternatively, why not take up a spot in one of our Executive Suites, where you can enjoy the SW6 derby in comfort. Full package details are available here, and supporters can buy online or call 020 8336 7555 today.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/06/chelsea-tickets?

[WhiteJC]

 
From 'bargain of the century' to Fulham: Lewis Holtby's year at Spurs

Spurs correspondent Ben Pearce looks back at Lewis Holtby's year at Tottenham following his loan move to Fulham on deadline day.

When Lewis Holtby arrived at Tottenham for £1.5million last January, it was hailed as a major coup.

At the time, Andre Villas-Boas was asked whether the Germany Under-21 captain might be "the bargain of the century" and the Portuguese replied: "Yes I think so", before comparing his creative talents to Rafael van der Vaart.

"He's recognised as an exceptional young talent and we have high expectations of the player," added Villas-Boas. "He will fill the No10 position, although he can play on the right or the left and he has also played in a holding role."

Holtby ended up playing in all of those positions during his year at White Hart Lane, but he never really found a home in the Spurs side – and just one year after his arrival, he has departed on loan to Fulham.

Holtby was certainly unfortunate that, having been told he would "fill the No10 position", his arrival coincided with Gareth Bale's switch from the left flank into the centre - no-one needs reminding of how successful that was.

Spurs' new signing therefore found himself operating in wide positions instead, and he played in 17 of Spurs' last 21 games of the season – but he ended the campaign with no goals and just two assists.

The general feeling was that Spurs fans would see the best of Holtby the following season – this season – and he seemed to feel the same way.

Speaking in July, he said: "I moved to a different league with no pre-season, and after two days I was playing my first game. It was very quick and that half-season went very quickly – it was Sunday, Thursday, Sunday, Thursday.

"With the pre-season now, it's a brilliant opportunity for me, and especially for the coach to get me where I can play best."

That suggested that Holtby was still unsure where he would fit into Villas-Boas' side, and he went on: "With my running ability I think I can play as an attacking No6 or as a defensive No6 - I can always come back to my position. I love having the game in front of me and getting on the ball a lot, and I think this position suits me.

"As you have seen probably so far, I've played every position here – on the left wing, right wing, No10, No6, No8, No9 and a half - name every number. But I think that's a good thing to have, if you can play more than one position."

Tottenham's hierarchy clearly agreed because they flooded the squad with similarly versatile players, adding Nacer Chadli, Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen to the likes of Holtby, Andros Townsend and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

The young German now had a real fight on his hands, and he was hampered by an injury – sustained at the European Under-21 Championships – which ruled him out of Spurs' pre-season friendlies and sidelined him for the start of the season.

He eventually returned in the home leg of the Europa League play-off against Georgian minnows Dinamo Tbilisi, and got his first Spurs goal in a 3-0 home win.

Jermain Defoe also struck twice that night and, with Holtby now getting his chance to play as a No10 behind the English striker, the pair built a strong relationship.

Holtby went on to play the penultimate or final pass in six of Spurs' eight goals against Tromso (3-0), Cardiff (1-0) and Aston Villa (4-0 in the Capital One Cup) in the space of six days – with Defoe scoring four of them.

The policy of pairing Eriksen-Soldado in the league and Holtby-Defoe in the cups appeared to be paying dividends - Eriksen and Soldado combined nicely to set up Sigurdsson's opener against Chelsea in the following game.

However, Villas-Boas opted to change things up – possibly to reward Holtby, who got his first Premier League start of the season behind Soldado away at Villa and played the penultimate pass in the Spaniard's goal (which remains his last strike in open play).

Holtby was now showing what he could do as a No10, and his passion, work-rate and eternally sunny disposition made him a firm favourite with the fans - and the media.

He kept his place for the top-flight fixtures against Hull and Everton – but Tottenham mustered just one goal in those games, and Holtby was partly at fault.

With frustratingly little space to operate in against Hull's five-man defence, it was noticeable that the No10 was dropping deep to get on the ball, taking it off the centre-backs and then bemoaning the lack of options in front of him – precisely the job he should have been doing as the link-man.

It was telling to note Holtby's words a few months earlier: "I love having the game in front of me and getting on the ball a lot." Unfortunately, he was being asked to perform a very different task.

Villas-Boas reinstated Eriksen for the home game against Newcastle (a 1-0 defeat), underlining the head coach's difficulty in selecting his best team, but the Dane was then injured on international duty.

Holtby consequently started away at Manchester City but he was substituted at half-time in the 6-0 defeat and was benched for the following three games, with Villas-Boas now preferring to play Paulinho off Soldado.

The new tactic didn't work away at Fulham, and Holtby was introduced at the interval, initially operating as a No10 before dropping into a deeper-lying role – and it was he who struck the winner from 20 yards.

Having previously played wide and in a central position at Spurs, he now had a new place in the side and, two games later, he was on target again in the 4-1 home win over Anzhi.

Holtby reflected: "Against Fulham I got my goal when I played in that No6 role, so I think when I come from that deeper position on the ball I can have a crack on the goal.

"If I play as No10, then their No6 takes me on, but at No6 no-one really follows you so I have so much space."

It seemed that Holtby was offering a new dimension to a Spurs team who had previously been struggling for goals – but five days later Villas-Boas was gone, following the 5-0 home defeat against Liverpool.

Suddenly there was a new manager and a new 4-4-2 formation, and it quickly became apparent that there was no room for Holtby, who made just one start under Sherwood and found the little-known 19-year-old Nabil Bentaleb ahead of him in the pecking order.

By now he cut a frustrated figure - especially after the 2-0 home win over Palace. Leaving the ground after being an unused substitute, the German was unfortunately mistaken for the man of the moment as a journalist, who wanted an interview, shouted "Eriksen!" at him.

It was no surprise to see Holtby departing in search of first-team action last week, and his agent Marcus Noack said: "The system and philosophy how Fulham plays fits well with Lewis.

"He will have match practice in the second half of the season in his favourite position, and then we'll see how things are going by summer."

It seemed that Holtby was something of a 'jack of all trades, master of none' at Tottenham – he could play a number of positions but was rarely the first choice in any of them.

He struggled to get goals and assists out wide last season and, although he had a purple spell at No10 in the cup competitions, he was unable to maintain that form when he got his chance in the Premier League.

Then, when it seemed that the German might get a run of games in a deeper-lying role, Villas-Boas was sacked – and Sherwood clearly prefers his rivals in his four-man midfield.

The chance to play regularly as a key player at Fulham will be a relief for Holtby – and it is win-win situation for Tottenham, who cannot really lose in the long-term after paying a paltry £1.5m for his services.

Either Holtby will benefit from a run of Premier League games and force his way back into the picture at Spurs – as Townsend did after impressing with QPR last year - or he will put himself in the shop window and make a healthy profit in the summer.



http://www.london24.com/sport/tottenham/from_bargain_of_the_century_to_fulham_lewis_holtby_s_year_at_spurs_1_3287894

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham on alert over German goalkeeper


Christian Wetklo (Reuters)

Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen has been alerted to the availability of Mainz goalkeeper Christian Wetklo.

The 34-year-old's future at the Bundesliga side is very much in doubt after coach Thomas Tuchel has seemingly demoted him to a virtually permanent position on the bench, down the pecking order behind Loris Karius and Dario Kresic.

Tuchel said: "I need someone who sits [on the bench] with joy, desire and ambition. When we got Dario Kresic the ranking was clear."

Fulham have been on the look-out for someone to fill the number one spot on a regular basis and Wetklo could meet their needs and a summer bid could be in the making with Wetklo making the move to the Premier League.


http://www.sportsdirectnews.com/premier-league-news/39857-fulham-on-alert-over-german-goalkeeper.php#.UvPiAf0dObA

[WhiteJC]

 
Hangeland Calls for Unity
   
I`m probably not alone in reckoning that our poor run of Premier League form truly took hold when Brede Hangeland was ruled out with a nerve problem.

Matters went from bad to worse, results hit a new low and the rot set in.

Well now our Norwegian centre-back is back from injury and is looking for a change in fortunes, hopefully believing we`ve hit rock bottom and the only way is up.

Talking about our problems, the Norwegian has remarked,

"We are going through a very tough time. I hope this is rock bottom.

"I can understand the frustration of the supporters and hope they get behind us

"There will be no stone unturned in the quest to solve this. It`s about who is up for the fight."

I can`t help think that the last line resembles fighting talk from the Norse legend; let`s hope that words are backed up with actions!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=348642#ixzz2sZWatHdi

[WhiteJC]

 
The Mitroglou Conundrum
   
Did anyone give this one any really serious thought?

Okay, on paper, the signing of the Olympiakos striker Kostas Mitroglou might look to be a decent long-term acquisition but, with our Premier League survival the be-all and end-all of it, on a short term basis he may not be the man for the job.

It transpires that the twenty-five year old has only played; somewhere near, sixty minutes of football since the Greek season closed for its winter break. There`s also the small matter of the player having an injury when he arrived, something Rene Meulensteen has confirmed by remarking to the media,

"Kostas had an injury but we have been working hard with our conditioning staff to get him ready."

At the time of writing (or should that be typing) there are doubts that Kostas will be available for our trip to Old Trafford, for our fixture against Manchester United, a fixture few expect us to get anything from thereby leaving us rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table and, possibly, cast adrift of those immediately above us in the table.

Now I`ve always thought that January signings, with the season well past the halfway mark, were supposed to make an immediate impact, but with regards to Kostas and I should hasten to point out it is not his fault, this doesn`t appear to be the case.

Let`s hope it`s not a case of delivering the goods when it is too late!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=348643#ixzz2sZWlBu9X

[WhiteJC]

 
A Knee in the Nuts!
   
Otherwise engaged yesterday, probably sulking at our embarrassing cup exit at the hands of League One Sheffield United, this little gem slipped through without comment.

Now safe in the luxurious surroundings of Monaco our Bulgarian striker, Dimitar Berbatov, has commented about why he chose to leave West London for Monaco in the last knockings of the transfer window being open.

Berbatov politely tries to explain that he chose to move because he didn`t want to play a style of football that sends people to sleep.

Coming from somebody who was at one time this season, given the responsibility of captaining the side, those words feel like a kick in the nuts, or, perhaps, after those words Dimitar deserves a kick in the nuts!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=348644#ixzz2sZWwKXfd

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Had £5m Bid for Sporting Lisbon Star Rejected in January – Report


Fulham finally signed John Heitinga on deadline day.

Fulham tried to sign Sporting Lisbon centre-back Marcos Rojo during the January transfer window but as the Portuguese side rejected their £5m offer the English side finally opted to sign former Everton defender John Heitinga instead.

The Cottagers, who are trying to avoid relegation to the Championship, had a very busy transfer window, bolstering the squad with Olymipakos striker Konstantinos Mitroglou, Tottenham Midfielder Lewis Holtby, Everton defender Heitinga and Manchester United youngsters Ryan Tunnicliffe and Larnell Cole.

However Portuguese newspaper A Bola claimed that the London club were frustrated in their attempts to sign Rojo, who was manager Rene Meulensteen's top target to strengthen his defence.

According to A Bola, Fulham launched a £5m bid on deadline day to secure the services of the Argentinian defender but Sporting President Bruno Carvalho immediately rejected the move as they considered the bid very low.

According to the reports, the Portuguese side are willing to let Rojo leave the team this summer, but they wanted to keep the player in January as his value is likely to increase after the 2014 World Cup.

The 23-year-old Argentina international is one of the most promising players in Portugal and is set to make the trip to Brazil next summer after being part of the national team in recent friendlies.

When Rojo's deal failed, Fulham finally decided to complete the signing of Everton centre-back John Heitinga on a free transfer to replace Philippe Senderos, who joined Spanish side Valencia on deadline day.

Apart from the departure of Senderos, Brian Ruiz left Craven Cottage to join PSV Eindhoven, Aaron Hughes joined Queens Park Rangers and Dimitar Berbatov completed a loan move to Monaco.

Fulham are currently on the bottom of the Premier League after their latest 3-0 defeat against Southampton at Craven Cottage.



http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/fulham-had-5m-bid-sporting-lisbon-star-rejected-january-report-1435378?

[WhiteJC]

 
Meet the man who can save Fulham's miserable season



Fulham's deadline-day signing of Greek striker Kostantinos Mitroglou is already causing a stir. But is it a stroke of genius from the Cottagers, or a huge risk on an unproven player? George Tsitsonis sheds light on the man Rene Meulensteen's men are banking on, ahead of his likely debut against Manchester United...
Fulham's pursuit of Kostas Mitroglou ended with a deadline-day deal which saw the London side get their man for a club record £12.4 million.

The 25-year-old comes to England with strong pedigree in Greek football, but questions about his suitability for a Premier League relegation scrap are already in the air. Fulham are struggling at the bottom of the league, after all, and will need goals from their new man immediately to stand a chance of avoiding the drop.

Mitroglou's switch to Craven Cottage was a surprise. Many top level clubs on the continent had shown an interest in snapping up the Greece man, including Arsenal, Liverpool, and Borussia Dortmund, but it seems Mitroglou's move to west London was driven by one thing above all else: playing at the top level. Those close to the striker insist it's the player's greatest motivation, and at Fulham he is guaranteed the chance to prove himself. A brief glance at his past proves the importance of first-team football to him.

This won't be Mitroglou's first time playing away from his homeland. The player known as 'The Pistolero' for his gun-toting celebrations, was born in Greece but began his playing career in Germany after his family emigrated there when he was two years old. The striker made inroads as a youngster at MSV Duisburg, before moving on to Borussia Mönchengladbach four years later, where he impressed in die Fohlen's second string.

Although eligible to play for Germany, Mitroglou quickly pledged allegiance to his birth country. A superb showing for Greece at the 2007 U19 European Championship saw him net three goals and lead his country to the final, where they lost to Spain. On the way, Mitroglou led Greece past the semi-finals against a Germany side which included the likes of Mesut Özil, Jerome Boateng, Benedikt Höwedes and Sidney Sam.

Having lit up the U19 Bundesliga with Gladbach, his progress was monitored by several Greeks clubs, and Olympiakos signed him in 2007. The talented youngster was tipped for big things with the Greek giants, but things didn't quite work out as planned. Initially he enjoyed a solid first season for the Piraeus club, and played his part in their title-winning campaign of 2007/08 with seven goals. Then, [current Athletic Club boss] Ernesto Valverde took the reins in 2008 - and the Spaniard's first impression of the player was not a good one. Mitroglou missed a penalty in a Champions' League qualifier away to Anorthosis, having defied the coach's orders for a different player take the spot-kick.

It proved the start of the pair's uneasy relationship. Valverde enjoyed success with the club over two spells (2008-09 and 2010-12), but Mitroglou played only sporadically. Suddenly there were questions about the player's character and his commitment to training. Mitroglou's time at Olympiakos looked to be running out.

Two loan spells in consecutive seasons revitalised the striker's career. When Mitroglou joined Panionios in January 2011, the Athens-based side were rooted to the bottom of the table. Four months later they finished a respectable 10th in the league, 10 points clear of the drop. Fulham supporters will be glad to know that the catalyst for that remarkable turnaround was their new man, eight goals in 11 matches for 'Mitrogoal' saving the club from near-certain relegation.

Still, though, the Greek's goalscoring exploits weren't enough to convince Valverde. A season-long loan to Atromitos followed, and Mitroglou continued his fine form by leading his new side to third with 16 league goals, second only to current Everton forward [and then-Olympiakos man] Kevin Mirallas.

The two loan stints showcased Mitroglou's greatest strengths. First was his finishing - the calmness with which he could find the net from any position - and, just as important, his ability to create chances for himself. Mitroglou's creativity and one-on-one moves in the box were responsible for many unassisted goals.

Upon his return, with Valverde gone at the 2011/12 season's end, Mitroglou finally got his real chance with Olympiakos. The goal-getting hitman snatched the opportunity too, finishing the season with 20 goals from just over 40 matches. It was the precursor to this season, and his true breakthrough year. The statistics speak for themselves:  23 goals in 25 matches, top scorer in the Greek Super League, a hat-trick against Anderlecht in the Champions League (the first Greek player to do so), and six goals for Greece, including three crucial strikes in the two-legged World Cup qualification play-off against Romania that put his nation in the pot for Brazil.

Greece boss Fernando Santos probably encapsulated Mitroglou's rise to prominence best when he said: "The Mitroglou I see now is much different than the one I first saw with the national team. He has changed as a player, but also as a character. He is much more calm and it shows with his play on the pitch."

What you see is not exactly what you get with Mitroglou. While his numerous tattoos and facial hair point to an extrovert, the truth is that Mitroglou is a humble star ill at ease in front of cameras and during interviews. In Greece he was sometimes criticised for not being completely fluent, but this is a player who prefers to do his talking on the pitch.

Coming from a league of a lower standard, it's only natural that some are yet to be convinced that he can do the business in England. But Mitroglou's improvement over the last three years has been down to his insatiable hunger to become a top player in Europe. The Premier League could be the perfect place to show off his skills. Mitroglou's size, strength and combination play make him an ideal target man, but he is more than just a good hold-up player. He should endear himself to Fulham supporters with his creativity in attack and impressive range of his goals, as a player equally at home in the penalty box as he is operating outside the area.

He does not yet have the Premier League pedigree of the recently departed Dimitar Berbatov, but his deft touches and inventiveness in the penalty box will remind some of the Bulgarian. Surely, the Greek's work-rate will succeed that of his predecessor, and those taking in matches at Craven Cottage will see no shortage of effort from a true two-footed finisher who is also strong in the air.

Keeping up with the speed of the English game is something the striker will have to prove, but first get used to. Though not exactly slow, a lack of obvious pace may be an issue. There will also be questions of his stamina over 90 minutes in the cut and thrust of English football.

Still, the positives seem to outweigh the negatives and Fulham obviously trust the player's abilities. It is worth remembering that Mitroglou's admirers over the last six months have included the likes of Arsene Wenger, who labelled him "a true finisher who can't be ignored", and Jürgen Klopp, who travelled to Romania for the second leg of that World Cup play-off and reportedly liked what he saw.

Mitroglou's former Olympiakos team-mate Roy Carroll believes Fulham are onto something special with their Greece international. The former Manchester United goalkeeper likened the striker to a player who left an indelible mark on the English game: "He is 25 and is hungry and passionate for football. Eric Cantona was a superb player, one of the best. I used to watch Cantona hold the ball up high. Mitroglou is that type of player. He is very strong too."

Only time will tell if Carroll's comparisons are wide of the mark, or whether they possess some degree of truth. But knowing Mitroglou's journey from unappreciated loane to established star, Fulham fans can expect full commitment from their new man in troubled times.



Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/meet-man-who-can-save-fulhams-miserable-season#B7liEi7P55LBbAwK.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Why Fulham could be relegated before April


Fulham will need to find inspiration from somewhere. (©GettyImages)

Fulham may only be four points from safety with 14 games to play, but they'll be lucky to still be a Premier League club on April Fool's Day.

Made to look foolish a few weeks early against Sheffield United on Tuesday night. Crashing out of the FA Cup, 1-0 at home to the League One outfit, looked like a scary preview of what's to come over the next seven weeks.

So just when three points would serve as a light relief to Rene Meulensteen, his boy's next outing is at Manchester United. Old Trafford has hardly been a fortress this season, but Fulham will not be as fortunate as others.

United are coming off the back of an 'unlucky' defeat to Stoke, in David Moyes words, and cannot afford any more slip ups if they want to finish in the top four. Though he may rest one or two for the trip to Arsenal three days later, Moyes could send any pair from Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Juan Mata or Adnan Januzaj onto the pitch Sunday to spark a routine win.

In truth, no one goes to Old Trafford expecting to gain points, so Meulensteen may have written this one off and looked towards next week instead. The visit of Liverpool. Oh.

Their following six games don't really get any easier either. An away day at West Brom presents a hopeful chance of a much-needed victory, before a London derby against in-form Chelsea at Craven Cottage. Away at Cardiff and home to Newcastle may be their chance to pick up some more points, before heading to the Etihad to face Manchester City, then finally hosting high-flying Everton in their last game in March.

It's not impossible for Fulham to spring a few upsets, after all, clubs fighting relegation often step up their game. That's why it may be worrying that their two games against teams from the bottom half and also staving off relegation, are both away from home.

And, while Fulham may feel the fixture list is conspiring against them, they need to look closer to home. They've lost their most classy player, in Dimitar Berbatov, to Monaco, and while some may say he's not the sort of player you want in a relegation scrap, neither Cardiff, West Ham or Crystal Palace would have turned him away in this moment.

Their most promising and proven goalscorer, Darren Bent, has made most of his Premier League bows from the sub's bench, although he's only managed two goals all season. His attitude has been questioned, however his goalscoring ability cannot be. He just needs a start. Though Fulham fans will hope new signing, Konstantinos Mitroglou, may be able to shoulder some of the scoring burden.

At the other end of the pitch, the Cottagers have leaked 53 goals this season, 12 more than the next worse team, Cardiff. Yet Fulham chose to mostly strengthen their team in offensive positions in the transfer window. Bringing in Lewis Holtby and Clint Dempsey, as well as Mitroglou.

They did however bring in Johnny Heitinga, after losing long-serving defender, Aaron Hughes. His experience may do something for the cause, however his World Cup Finalist friend, Maarten Stekelenburg, must be wondering why he swapped Rome for West London.

Only six points separate the Lilywhites from Stoke in 11th, their performances are going to need to improve, against considerably better opposition than Sheffield United, or risk being too far adrift by time they travel to Aston Villa on the 5th of April.

Fulham are going to have to pull together to get out of this hole and avoid their first relegation from the Premier League. Their saving grace may be that due to things being so tight down the bottom, they may need a smaller total than 40 points to survive.

Write for GiveMeSport! Sign-up to the GMS Writing Academy here: http://gms.to/1a2u3KU

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http://www.givemesport.com/428027-why-fulham-could-be-relegated-before-april?autoplay=on

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Roberts' Pro Deal

The Club is pleased to announce that Patrick Roberts has signed a professional contract with the Club, tying him to Fulham until at least the summer of 2016.

Having dazzled as Fulham Under-18s won the league last season, the attacking midfielder has continued his form this time around, notably when he recently scored a hat-trick in the 3-2 FA Youth Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

Capable of playing out wide or in the hole behind a central striker, Roberts' progress has been excellent and he was duly rewarded with a debut for the Under-21s earlier in the campaign, aged just 16.

His form has not gone unnoticed at international level, either, and he has made a number of appearances for England Under-17s this season.

"Pat has made excellent progress and we're pleased with the performances he has been showing," said Academy Director Huw Jennings. "He knows that he has to continue to work hard, but if he shows the same application, desire and determination there's no reason why he can't be very successful.

"He's the type of player that is exciting to watch, and he's had a very good 12 months for both Fulham and England. We hope that he will be one of the standard-bearers for our Academy for many years to come."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/06/roberts-pro-deal?

[WhiteJC]

 
A Modified Approach?
   
More mumbo-jumbo?

Old Trafford isn`t the best of places to have to visit when you consider our current predicament.

But then again it isn`t the fortress it once was!

As we contemplate a trip to the north-west to try and get something from a game many suspect we won`t, Rene Meulensteen is looking towards the recent January transfer window signings to turn things around at the club with Rene remarking,

"Hopefully the new players coming in can help."

"We are trying hard to get out of it but there is not a quick fix."

"Am I looking for more fight?"

"Absolutely. There`s no two ways about it.

"The only way to get out of this mess is to have a stack of totally committed players who want to work and do the necessary job.

Because of where we are, the job has to change slightly

We have to be more disciplined defensively, more organized, instead of just flying forward."

Or to put it in terms many would understand a lot better - let`s get some bloody points on the board no matter how we do it!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=348675#ixzz2sZZNy0go

[WhiteJC]

 
Inside Old Trafford

Ahead of Sunday's trip to Manchester United, Red Devils fan James Bridges provides us with the lowdown on his team.



Following Sir Alex Ferguson's departure and the subsequent arrival of David Moyes this was always likely to be a season of transition for United. What's your assessment of the campaign to date?

We've never really got going. I applaud Moyes for making his own judgement on players and not being steered by others, it shows that he's a strong person. I think it's been a learning curve for him, as it's a completely different job than the one he was used to at Everton.


It's fair to say, like Fulham, January was a bit of a testing month for you guys...

It didn't start well following three defeats, but things looked better against Swansea City in the league. Five defeats in seven games isn't good enough, but it's onwards and upwards now hopefully. So the month of January was a little up and down to say the least.


With 14 games remaining, what's the target now for United?

It's very simple, we need to win all 14 games. I'm sure fans of rival clubs have already written us off but, as United supporters know, it's never over until it's over.


Fulham go in search of what would prove a vital win when they make the trip to Old Trafford. What sort of game do you anticipate?

Fulham need the points as they're determined to move off from the bottom. I'm surprised by their position in the table, and Sunday's game could be tough for us. With the season we've had so far, it's a difficult one to call.


René Meulensteen, our Head Coach, obviously spent time at Old Trafford. The United fans were disappointed to see him go weren't they?

René was seen as a big loss, as he was very popular with both the players and the fans. I'm sure he's relishing the chance of overseeing a Fulham win at Old Trafford. With the exception of a few that have come in since his departure, he'll know all about the United players.

We signed two young players from your club last week, Larnell Cole and Ryan Tunnicliffe - what can you tell us about them?

Cole was a regular for our Under-21 side, and he scored some important goals at that level. He was highly-rated, but it's a good chance for him at Fulham. Tunnicliffe is a local Manchester lad and someone that plays with real grit. He was part of the Under-18 side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2011 and impressed during loan spells at Peterborough United, Barnsley and Ipswich Town, according to reports. They were signed with one eye on the future, and hopefully they'll do well at Craven Cottage.

Juan Mata came in for United during the recent transfer window, what does he bring to the team?

While he may not be the quickest player in the league, he's certainly one of the most skilful; he's inventive and uses the ball well. He creates chances, and that's what we've been really lacking. With Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie feeding off him, it should be the dream ticket.

Mata lined up alongside Van Persie and Rooney in the match against Stoke City. Although the result wasn't what you had hoped for, that attacking trio is one of the best in the league isn't it?

It is, and if it they click they could prove to be a devastating mix. We're talking about three tremendous talents and each one brings something different to the team. It may take a few weeks to get going, but I'm confident United fans will see a return of some excellent attacking football.

Which United players have stood out for you this season?

Rooney was brilliant before his injury, and Adnan Januzaj has emerged as a genuine talent - the youngster has been a real bonus this season. It was no secret that he was going to be a good player, but Moyes has done well to bring him in and give him the confidence to play. The youngster was given a chance, and he's certainly taken it.


Which visiting players do you think could prove the biggest threat to your chances on Sunday?

The loan signing of Lewis Holtby is a good move and, while I haven't seen a great deal of him, the lad from Olympiacos, Konstantinos Mitroglou, is well regarded. If he does make his debut for Fulham at Old Trafford, then I'd certainly mark him down as a threat. Thanks for signing him, though, as he can't play in the UEFA Champions League when we face his former team!

Can you recommend a good place for the Fulham fans to grab a pint before the game?

I was only talking about this the other day. Over the years there has been a rapid decline in the number of pubs around Old Trafford and now most are for 'home fans only' so the away fans will have to make do with one of the pubs or bars in the city centre, where there will be plenty of choice.

Do you have a stand-out memory from games between United and Fulham of the past?

We've got a good record against Fulham, barring a couple of exceptions at Craven Cottage. I'd probably say my stand-out memory would be Cristiano Ronaldo's 88th-minute winner in a 2-1 victory in London in February 2007. It was a goal that moved us nine points clear at the top.

Can we move you into making a score prediction for the match ahead - how will this one finish?

Afraid not, I just never make predictions on United's games - I don't want to jinx anything!



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/06/inside-ot?

[WhiteJC]

 
Premier League: Patrick Roberts signs first Fulham deal


Patrick Roberts: Professional deal at Fulham

Fulham youngster Patrick Roberts has signed his first professional contract with the club.

The attacking midfielder only turned 17 on Wednesday but he has already impressed at Craven Cottage, helping the Londoners secure the U18s league title last season.

The England U17 international recently scored a hat-trick in the 3-2 FA Youth Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur and that has seen him rewarded with a first deal until at least 2016.

"Pat has made excellent progress and we're pleased with the performances he has been showing," academy director Huw Jennings told the club's official website.

"He knows that he has to continue to work hard, but if he shows the same application, desire and determination, there's no reason why he can't be very successful."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9153454/?