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Wednesday Fulham Stuff (12/02/14)...

Started by WhiteJC, February 11, 2014, 07:02:52 PM

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WhiteJC

 
Fulham: An Encouraging Result (Even If Man United's Tactics Were Laughable)

Twitter was buzzing with 'parking the bus' snark but forget all that - we defended like lions and were lively on the counter... Who knew we were so capable?


Fulham: An Encouraging Result (Even If Man United's Tactics Were Laughable)

Whilst walking down Fulham Road after a horrific second-half showing against Southampton, I grabbed my dad's attention and starting to list off our next run of fixtures, and things looked alarmingly bleak to say the least. Weirdly enough, I turned to him and said there will be a few freak results between now and the end of the season, little did I know it would crop up so soon.

Had someone offered me a result at Old Trafford that didn't leave our goal difference looking more worse for wear than Mido at a buffet, I'd've ran the stretch of Stevenage Road stark naked. Luckily for the residents of the street, they were spared the horrific sight, and I was duly rewarded with rare moments of elation at a ground where success has been well and truly starved.

When the line-up was announced, those outside SW6 expected the worse for Fulham, with a number of unproven youngsters, but such a statement of intent was refreshing to say the least. To see an average age of less than 65 was encouraging, as we had started to look like an old people's home who'd won a competition.

Our intentions were clear from the off, and the old "parking the bus" saying flew around Twitter. However, when you have a back four that has resembled the organisation and anticipation of a West Surrey Youth League Under-10s game, you find it hard to adopt another game plan. Nevertheless, I discovered a startling finding, and that was that we had the potential to hit teams on the counter. Having seen games where the beginning of a counterattack was almost snail-like, we seemed to go forward in purpose, which was thanks to the way we were set up.

Lack of effort had been one thing getting the Fulham faithful annoyed, and the desire to put in 100% was more astonishing than the result itself, with players chasing everything and proceeding to block shots left, right and centre. Such intent to walk away from Manchester with something to show was the biggest positive throughout the 90 minutes, as it has given hope we can somehow beat the dreaded drop.

The duration of the game had me set 999 to speed dial as my heart was finding it hard to cope with the constant bombardment at our goal whilst protecting a lead. With holding onto a slender lead a rarity, my body was clicked backed into normal service when Man Unitd managed to break through twice in successive minutes. What followed lead me to run around my house with my shirt off. Resembling Ryan Giggs' celebration against Arsenal (without the chest hair), Darren Bent opened up the crazy in me by not only managing to score, but miraculously salvaging a point only Father Christmas or Alladin's lamp could have produced.

Lack of effort had been one thing getting the Fulham faithful annoyed, and the desire to put in 100% was more astonishing than the result itself.

It was plain to see the failures of United's ideas, with crosses pelting the Fulham area resembling militia. Once the cross count surpassed the half century, it began to become laughable. It was a joyous sight seeing the ball sail into the six-yard area and bouncing straight back out again with ease. When you are up against a defender who stands at mighty a six-foot-seven, you find it hard to understand the logic employed by Moyes. Dan Burn described it perfectly by saying he hadn't dealt with so many crosses since his days in the Conference. Food for thought David.

Stealing a point was made better by Moyes' disrespectful post-match interview and the meltdown from the Man United faithful, particularly after having bombarded me with abuse pre-match on Twitter and after Michael Carrick's world class deflected shot hit the back of the Fulham net.

The reaction of Moyes et al when the second goal went in made the last-gasp equaliser oh so sweet. It goes a long way to describe the troubles they currently find themselves in when pandemonium in the stands and touchline takes precedence at Old Trafford when a goal is scored against a team who have shipped 55 goals in 25 Premier League games and find themselves at the foot of the table.

Encouraging doesn't half describe the feeling around the club and it's fans after the shock result, and after quite a dismal week, things appear to be on the up for once. Positivity seems to be the order of the day and the chefs currently find themselves sporting quizzical looks on their faces. Manchester United fans are embroiled in a crisis, try being a Fulham fan for a day.



http://sabotagetimes.com/reportage/fulham-an-encouraging-result-even-if-man-uniteds-tactics-were-laughable/?

WhiteJC

 
LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Fulham v Liverpool (20:00 GMT)

What really impressed me about Liverpool's display against Arsenal at the weekend was not that they scored five when they could have scored eight, but the way the pressed the Gunners and kept pressing them when they had built a commanding lead.

It reminded me of vintage Liverpool performances at Anfield, where we suffocated the opposition.

If Reds boss Brendan Rodgers can get that happening on a regular basis, then that will be massive for them.

Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen has to decide how to approach this game after getting a very good draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Cottagers are at home but I don't think Meulensteen will go gung-ho - two points from those two games would be a very decent return, and he will know what will happen if he gives Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling any space. The home fans will understand that too.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1
Geraint's prediction: Fulham are bottom but picked up a great point at Old Trafford. Even so, the way Liverpool played against Arsenal, I can see them going to Craven Cottage and getting the win. 0-2


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26117493

WhiteJC

 
Liverpool Game On

Fulham Football Club can confirm, that due to the resolution of the proposed London Underground strike action, its game versus Liverpool on Wednesday night will go ahead as planned.

A limited number of tickets are still available to buy for the game, with all Season Ticket Holders and Members with six or more Loyalty Points having access. Find out more and buy online here.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/11/liverpool-game-on?


WhiteJC

 
Use United game as platform - Rene

Rene Meulensteen says Fulham's 2-2 draw at Manchester United can be "the start of a resurrection" as they look to avoid relegation.

The Cottagers remain bottom of the Premier League, four points from safety with 13 games left to go ahead of another tough test at home to in-form Liverpool on Wednesday. Meulensteen says they now must approach every game like the way they did the one at Old Trafford and use the 2-2 draw as the platform to build a successful survival bid in the second half of the season. He said: "We've been struggling as you know. That's the start of a resurrection. We've got a 14 game league. That was the first game. "A big tough away game. We defended really well, we need to be more positive when we have the ball. We've had that but not defended as well."



Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/use-united-game-as-platform---rene-1709446.html?

WhiteJC

 
René's Liverpool Preview

René Meulensteen is keen to see his side build on their impressive point at the weekend when they welcome Liverpool to Craven Cottage on Wednesday (8pm).

Fulham put in an excellent defensive display to hold off Manchester United for the better part of the game on Sunday, with a late Darren Bent equaliser ensuring they returned to London with a richly deserved share of the spoils.

"All the hard work and craft that we put in, we were in front for a long period of time, we defended well, we conceded and we came back from that, and so it's is a massive morale boost for all of us," Meulensteen said of the United result in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

"You try to build and step up every week if you can. We said [before Sunday's game] that we've got a 14-game league ahead of us, this is the first game, a big tough away game, and we came away with a point, so we're delighted.

"We defended really well but obviously what we do know now is that we need to be more positive when we have the ball. We've had that in previous games, but we haven't defended as well, so we need to gradually grow to get the right balance."

Liverpool have proven to be a real force in the Barclays Premier League in 2013/14, as was evident in their recent 5-1 win over Arsenal, and their striking options boast two of the division's most prolific frontmen in Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.

The duo have scored more than 40 goals between them this season in all competitions, while young winger Raheem Sterling has also been in good form of late, and Meulensteen admitted another brave effort will be required by his troops if Fulham are to keep them quiet.

"How do you stop them? They've had an incredible season," he stated. "With the pace and the penetration, the variety and the unpredictability, they can all score goals so it has to be all hands on deck for us to make sure we defend in a good compact manner.

"We keep communicating with each other, we don't leave gaps for them to get through and play through, but like I said, the defensive performance from Sunday was definitely a massive improvement and hopefully we can build on that.

"They're six points off the top so they might be a dark horse [for the title]. That depends if big teams stumble where you don't expect them to stumble and they can create a momentum carrying them into April, then you never know. But they've had an excellent season."

Fulham fans hoping to see Konstantinos Mitroglou for the first time will be disappointed after Meulensteen confirmed that the Greek is still not quite ready to make his Whites bow.

"We're still working very hard to get him up to speed for the Premier League," he explained. "It's important for us that we time that right, for us and for him. He's working hard, he's progressing every day, and that's how we assess him. Wednesday will be too early for him.

"Fernando Amorebieta had an injection which allows him to properly start training again from Wednesday onwards and hopefully he'll be joining back up with the squad next week and then will probably be available for West Bromwich Albion."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/11/renes-liverpool-preview

WhiteJC

 
Liverpool are title dark horses because of red-hot strikers, according to Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen

The Dutchman hopes his side can repeat the defensive heroics which earned them a point at Old Trafford as they look to stop Brendan Rodgers' side


PA
Danger duo: Sturridge and Suarez will ask major questions of the Cottagers defence

Rene Meulensteen reckons Liverpool's red-hot strikers make them "dark horses" for the title after their weekend thrashing of Arsenal.

Tomorrow night's fixture at Craven Cottage will go ahead after unions called off a scheduled strike.

And with the Reds dynamic duo of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge now joined by Raheem Sterling, the Fulham boss reckons they could yet close the gap at the top.

And he called on his side to repeat their Old Trafford heroics to stop the Premier League's in-form side.

"They might be a dark horse and if other big teams stumble where you don't expect them to and they can carry the momentum into April, you never know," said the Dutchman. "But they've had an excellent season.

"It's a good thing the striker in the middle is not an O as it'd be SOS. It has to be all hands on deck for us. We have to defend in a good compact manner. The defensive performance from Sunday was a massive improvement."

Fulham, who lost at home to League One Sheffield United in the FA Cup last week, will look to carry on the momentum from gaining the point at Manchester United. "It was the start of the resurrection," Meulensteen added.

"To score that late equaliser is a massive morale boost."

But £12.4m striker Kostas Mitroglou is still not ready to make his Cottagers debut because of a lingering knee injury.

"We are still working very hard to get him up to speed for the Premier League," Meulensteen explained. "It's important we time that right for us and for him. He's progressing every day."



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fulham-vs-liverpool-reds-premier-3133947#ixzz2t2fyCKgU
Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook


WhiteJC

 
Fulham boss assesses how to stop Liverpool's trio of terror

Fulham head coach Rene Meulensteen expects it to be 'all hands on deck' for the Whites in order to stop Liverpool's in-form strike-force of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling.

The Uruguayan is the leading scorer in the Premier League this season having scored 23 goals in 23 games so far this season, including a brace against Fulham in the reverse fixture at Anfield this season.

What makes the feat more remarkable was that he was banned for the first six games of the season after biting Branislav Ivanovic in the last campaign.

Many expected the Reds to struggle in his absence but Sturridge stepped up to the plate and scored six goals in that period.

Suarez failed to find the target on Saturday against Arsenal but it didn't matter as Sturridge scored one and Sterling grabbed two himself.

Given the early season form of the Uruguayan and the former Chelsea striker the pairing had been dubbed SAS, a title last used on Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham during their England careers.

With Sterling starting to emerge as another potent striker it could become the SASAS or the SSS but, whatever they're called, Meulensteen knows his side, who prop up the Premier League, will be in for a tough time on Wednesday night.

"It's a good thing the striker in the middle is not an O as otherwise it'd be SOS for us," he joked.

"How do you stop them? They've had an incredible season. The pace and the penetration and the variety and the unpredictability – they can all score goals.

"It has to be all hands on deck for us. We have to defend in a good compact manner, that we keep communicating with each other and don't leave gaps for them to play through.

"The defensive performance from Sunday was a massive improvement and hopefully we can build on that."

Fulham defended brilliantly at Manchester United on Sunday, but for an 80 second blip where the Red Devils scored two goals, before they came back to rescue a draw.

And Meulensteen is hoping for an even better performance at Craven Cottage on Wednesday.

"You try and you build and you step up every week if you can," he added.

"We've done some really good stuff after recent performances. We've been struggling as you know. That's the start of a resurrection if you call it that.

"We defended really well. We need to be more positive when we have the ball. We've had that but not defended as well. We need to grow to get the right balance."

One man who will have to be on his game is deadline day signing John Heitinga and Meulensteen was quick to place the former Everton man.

"[He's made a] big difference," the Whites boss said. "That was one of the reasons we wanted to bring him in.

"He's an established Dutch international. He's played for many years in the Premier League. Above all he's a leader. He talks."

Liverpool are six points adrift of league leaders Chelsea and the Dutchman didn't rule them out of winning the league, although he believes they are outsiders.

He said: "They might be a dark horse and if other big teams stumble where you don't expect them to and they can create a momentum to carry them into April, you never know but they've had an excellent season."


http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_boss_assesses_how_to_stop_liverpool_s_trio_of_terror_1_3316132

WhiteJC

 
Grimmer wants three points

Defender says Vale must put Saturday's defeat behind them

Jack Grimmer says the players must put the disappointment of Saturday's defeat to Swindon Town behind them and concentrate on tonight's game against Colchester United.

Colchester's game against Rotherham was called off at the weekend, so does that mean they have an advantage this evening at Vale Park?

Jack is not sure, he said: "It can work either way, you can either find yourselves losing in your run of games or you can play Tuesday/Saturday and get a run going and pick up points every couple of day.

"But their game was called off at the weekend and at this stage of the season that will help any team, getting the extra rest.

"I just think, with the pitches how they are, it has evened itself out and hopefully we can get he result that we need.

"I think every team wants to beat every team, nobody shies away from that. We haven't picked up the points we have been after in our last couple of games.

"But it is good to have another game so soon after Saturday so everyone can dig in and get a result.

"As disappointed as everyone was after Saturday, you need to get that out of your system as soon as you can because a couple of days later you have got to get yourselves up for another game.

"All of the players have been there before, it is something that comes with football, you need deal with disappointment as well as dealing with the highs in football.

"Nobody is getting carried away, we are looking at it game by game, we will take it as we can and pick up points whenever we can."



Read more at http://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/article/20140211-grimmer-wants-three-points-1353048.aspx?#up6wy0D44Zkt7AwI.99

WhiteJC

 
Premier League: Rene Meulensteen gives up pursuit of West Ham's Ravel Morrison

Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen has admitted defeat in his bid to lure West Ham's Ravel Morrison to Craven Cottage.

The Hammers striker appears surplus to requirements under Sam Allardyce following the return of Andy Carroll, and Morrison is widely expected to be loaned to Championship promotion-chasers QPR.

Rangers boss Harry Redknapp revealed he is hoping to recruit the former Manchester United forward for the remainder of the season, and QPR would be favourites to sign Morrison outright if they return to the Premier League.

The Hammers rejected a bid for Morrison from Fulham in January and then accused the west London club of making an illegal approach.

Meulensteen insisted Morrison wanted to join Fulham when speaking after his side's 3-0 FA Cup replay victory over Norwich on January 15, sparking West Ham's grievance.

"There's not very much we can do at this time, and what other clubs do we can't affect," said Meulensteen.

"The only thing I can affect is what we're doing at Fulham."

Fulham host Liverpool on Wednesday night with confidence substantially higher after snatching a 2-2 draw at Manchester United on Sunday.

Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have been in devastating form this season, and Meulensteen believes trying to shut down the Reds strikers will be one of the biggest challenges of the season.

He said: "How do you stop them? They've had an incredible season, the pace and the penetration, the variety and the unpredictability in the way they can all score goals.

"So it has to be all hands on deck for us to make sure that we defend in a good, compact manner, that we keep communicating, don't leave gaps for them to get through and play through.

"But the defensive performance from Sunday was definitely a massive improvement, and we can build on that."

Meulensteen still holds veteran Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in high esteem and added: "In my opinion he is a top player, definitely. Brendan is looking at the players available and where he will best slot in as well.

"If Lucas would be fit, then probably Lucas would play a bit deeper and Gerrard a bit freer.

"But he probably thinks Gerrard is the best to play the deeper role now, it suits him, he's got the range of passing to do it, so he's still a very important player for Liverpool."


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9161617/?


WhiteJC

 
Fulham again without January recruit Kostas Mitroglou for Wednesday night's visit of Liverpool

The Greek striker moved to Craven Cottage on deadline day but is yet to make his debut as he continues to struggle with a knee problem


Sidelined: Mitroglou will miss the visit of Liverpool with a knee injury
Kostas Mitroglou will have to wait to make his Fulham debut, after he was ruled out of Wednesday night's clash with Liverpool.

The 25-year-old is struggling with a knee problem, which has kept him out since he arrived at Craven Cottage on deadline day last month.

Defender Fernando Amorebieta also remains sidelined for the Cottagers, with boss Rene Meulensteen expected to name a similar side to the one that picked up a dramatic point at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Darren Bent - who scored the late leveller against Manchester United - will be hoping he has done enough to earn a starting berth.

Provisional squad : Stekelenburg, Riether, Burn, Heitinga, Riise, Tunnicliffe, Sidwell, Jorgensen, Richardson, Holtby, Bent, Hangeland, Kaciniklic, Stockdale, Duff, Parker, Tankovic, Cole



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fulham-team-news-kostas-mitroglou-3134339#ixzz2t2hMGcGb
Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook

WhiteJC

 
Rene Meulensteen: 'All hands on deck against Liverpool'

Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen has told his players that they will need to be 100% focused during Wednesday's Premier League clash with Liverpool.

The Reds travel to Craven Cottage on the back of a devastating 5-1 win over Arsenal at the weekend.

"How do you stop them? They've had an incredible season, the pace and the penetration, the variety and the unpredictability in the way they can all score goals," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"So it has to be all hands on deck for us to make sure that we defend in a good, compact manner, that we keep communicating, don't leave gaps for them to get through and play through."

Fulham are currently four points adrift of safety at the bottom of the Premier League table.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/relegation-battle/news/meulensteen-urges-fulham-focus_137136.html

WhiteJC

 
Premier League team news: Fulham v Liverpool

New recruit Kostas Mitroglou misses out on making his Fulham debut against Liverpool on Wednesday night due to injury.

The Greek striker is struggling with a knee problem while defender Fernando Amorebieta remains sidelined for Fulham's Barclays Premier League home meeting with the Reds.

Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen is expected to make few changes from the squad that pulled off an impressive 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Liverpool defenders Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson both returned to training this week but Wednesday's game may come too soon.

Agger (calf) has missed the last six matches while Johnson has been out since mid-January with ankle and groin problems.

Portugal Under-21 midfielder Joao Carlos Teixeira could be included in the travelling party to freshen up the squad after training with the first team recently.

Fulham squad: Stekelenburg, Riether, Burn, Heitinga, Riise, Tunnicliffe, Sidwell, Jorgensen, Richardson, Holtby, Bent, Hangeland, Kaciniklic, Stockdale, Duff, Parker, Tankovic, Cole.

Liverpool squad: Mignolet, Flanagan, Skrtel, Toure, Cissokho, Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling, Coutinho, Sturridge, Suarez, Jones, Kelly, Allen, Alberto, Aspas, Moses, Ibe, Teixeira.



http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2014-02-11/premier-league-team-news-fulham-v-liverpool/?


WhiteJC

 
Fulham missing two for Liverpool visit

New recruit Kostas Mitroglou misses out on making his Fulham debut against Liverpool on Wednesday night due to injury.

The Greek striker is struggling with a knee problem while defender Fernando Amorebieta remains sidelined for Fulham's Premier League home meeting with the Reds.

Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen is expected to make few changes from the squad that pulled off an impressive 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Provisional squad: Stekelenburg, Riether, Burn, Heitinga, Riise, Tunnicliffe, Sidwell, Jorgensen, Richardson, Holtby, Bent, Hangeland, Kaciniklic, Stockdale, Duff, Parker, Tankovic, Cole.


http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_missing_two_for_liverpool_visit_1_3316253

WhiteJC

 
Youth Cup Update

Fulham's Under-18s will travel to Manchester City in the Fifth Round of the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday 19th February (7pm).

The clash with City will take place at Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park.

The Whites booked the date with the Citizens after wins at Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur in the previous two rounds.

Fulham currently sit top of the South Group of the Barclays U18 Premier League, with City leading the North Group.

Admission on the night is £3 Adults and £1 Concessions.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/11/youth-cup-update?

WhiteJC

 
Five Fulham fledglings who can save their troubled season
The Cottagers will have to rely on these young stars to secure their Premier League survival.

A hard-earned draw at Manchester United was just cause for Fulham celebration's in their last Premier League outing, but they remain rooted to the bottom of the table with 13 games remaining.

However, their under-21 side have provided far more levity this season and are currently leading the standings in the group stage of their Premier League competition.

Dan Burn's recent run in the team has shown Rene Meulensteen's willingness to give youth a chance at Craven Cottage and these five other youngsters might prove the key to Fulham making good on their 39/20 odds to avoid the drop.

Muamer Tankovic
Handed his first start at Old Trafford, the Swede was taken off at half-time and the Cottagers' cautious approach gave him little chance to shine.

His record of eight goals in 12 under-21 appearances – which puts him top of the competition's scorer standings – suggests he should be retained in Fulham's first team at least until Kostas Mitroglou is match-fit.

Mesca
A left-winger who has also shone for the under-21s, notching three goals and two assists in eight games, the 20-year-old has already played 18 minutes for the senior side in the league.

Larnell Cole
Signed from Manchester United on deadline day, the midfielder scored three times for the Red Devils' youth side this term.
Cole made his debut against his former club, laying on a chance in his ten-minute cameo.

Lasse Vigen Christensen
The classy midfielder has played every minute of the under-21 side's campaign and has also been a key part of the Danish youth setup for several seasons.

Christensen made his debut for the first team in last year's FA Cup, but could be set for a more prominent role this time around.

Ryan Tunnicliffe
Another player signed from Manchester United in January, the 21-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan at Championship side Ipswich.

He logged two assists in his spell at the Tractor Boys, playing 27 times for Mick McCarthy's promotion hopefuls.

Fulham to avoid relegation @ 39/20


- See more at: http://bwinbetting.com/leagues/premier-league/fulham-fledglings-save-troubled-season,51819.html?#sthash.CeyoFGc1.dpuf


WhiteJC

 
Rene Meulensteen: How do you stop Liverpool's Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge?

FULHAM will host Liverpool on Wednesday night after clinching a 2-2 draw at Manchester United on Sunday, but Cottagers boss Rene Meulensteen claims defending the Reds 'SAS' will be the ultimate challenge.


Meulensteen not looking forward to defending Suarez and Sturridge [GETTY]

Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have formed the best striking partnership in the Premier League this season, accumulating 38 goals for the Anfield club already.

And Meulensteen believes limiting the attacking duo's chances will be one of the biggest challenges of the season for his side, who sit rockbottom of the table.

He said: "How do you stop them? They've had an incredible season, the pace and the penetration, the variety and the unpredictability in the way they can all score goals.

"So it has to be all hands on deck for us to make sure that we defend in a good, compact manner, that we keep communicating, don't leave gaps for them to get through and play through.


http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/459210/Rene-Meulensteen-How-do-you-stop-Liverpool-s-Luis-Suarez-and-Daniel-Sturridge

WhiteJC

 
Serie A duo keep tabs on Fulham striker

AC Milan and Inter Milan could look to pounce for Fulham's Dimitar Berbatov in the summer transfer window, SportsDirect News understands.

The 33-year-old looks likely to leave Craven Cottage at the end of the season, having made a loan move to Monaco for the second half of this campaign in a bid to leave the struggling club.

It remains to be seen if Monaco will try to keep Berbatov on a permanent deal, but his clear desire to leave Fulham looks to have put a number of clubs on alert, with the Milan pair believed to be among his main suitors.

Both sides are in need of strengthening upfront after disappointing seasons, and Milan in particular could be in trouble in that position if star striker Mario Balotelli leaves in the summer.

Inter also missed out on some of their January targets for the attack, with a move for Mirko Vucinic falling through, and Berbatov could be a good, cheap backup option for them if he is made available.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United man had looked like staying in England, though Arsenal now look to have cooled their interest in the player.


http://www.sportsdirectnews.com/premier-league-news/40301-serie-a-duo-keep-tabs-on-fulham-striker.php#.UvsCvv0dObA

WhiteJC

 
Is Darren Bent really the most prolific visiting striker at Old Trafford?

"I read somewhere that Darren Bent has scored more goals at Old Trafford than any other opposition player in Premier League history," says Henry Reed, coughing slightly. "Surely this can't be true? Any of Fernando Torres, Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer, Frank Lampard, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch etc must surely be able at least to match that?"

Bent scored a last-gasp equaliser for Fulham on Sunday to take his tally against Manchester United at Old Trafford to four, the others being: one in Tottenham's 5-2 defeat in April 2009, one for Sunderland in another 2-2 draw in October the same year and one for Aston Villa in a 3-1 loss in February 2011. Having double-checked the records, we can confirm that Sandra Redknapp can't top that.

And neither can anyone else, for that matter, unlikely as it seems (especially since Bent has managed his four in just under five years and we opted to include all competitions, not only the league). Torres and Lampard have both scored three goals at Old Trafford, Torres scoring twice for Liverpool and once for Chelsea between March 2009 and September 2011, while Lampard has scored two there for Chelsea since his first, for West Ham, in January 1999. Robbie Fowler has also scored thrice at Old Trafford, scoring both goals in a 2-2 draw in October 1995 and later scoring once in a 4-2 defeat for Manchester City in February 2004. Kevin Phillips is another one on three, having scored twice in a 3-2 defeat for Southampton in January 2004 to add to the one he scored in a 4-1 defeat for Sunderland two years earlier. Matt Le Tissier bagged three goals too, scoring twice to help Southampton secure a 3-3 draw in September 1999 after scoring once in a 2-1 defeat earlier that year. Others to score three are Emmanuel Adebayor (two for Arsenal, one for Spurs), Gabby Agbonlahor (all for Aston Villa), Eidur Gudjohnsen (all for Chelsea), Steven Gerrard, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Danny Murphy and Mark Viduka.

Of the names Mr Reed (and several other emailers) mention, Shearer scored twice at Old Trafford, in two matches that Newcastle lost in 2002, while Henry scored Arsenal's only goals in a 6-1 defeat in February 2001 and a 1-1 Community Shield meeting in 2003. Steve Stone, Michael Owen, Yakubu, Mario Balotelli and numerous others, from Darren Ambrose to Gianfranco Zola, also have two to their name. Crouch's goal at Old Trafford in October was his first, as far as we can tell. Oh, and while we're on it, Les Ferdinand scored against United playing for four different clubs, as Bent has done, but he didn't score them all at Old Trafford. And his strike for Soccer Aid in 2006 doesn't count, since he was playing for the home side.


http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/feb/12/the-knowledge-darren-bent-most-prolific-old-trafford?


WhiteJC

 
Fulham's Rene Meulensteen says the dentist scares him more than Suarez & Sturridge
RENE MEULENSTEEN claims visiting the dentist scares him more than the prospect of facing Liverpool's SAS.

In-form Liverpool have the bit between their teeth with Brendan Rodgers' two front men powering his side's title charge.

Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have been drilling holes in opposing defences all season, scoring 38 goals between them.

Meulensteen admits Fulham are braced for an assault from Liverpool's attack at Craven Cottage tonight.

But he insists facing the Merseysiders' and all their firepower doesn't worry him as much as sitting in the dentist's chair.

Meulensteen said: "I don't get nervous. The last time I was nervous I had to go to the dentist.

"I have an excellent dentist but it used to be scary because your first impressions are always the everlasting ones.

"I can tell you mine wasn't a good one. I don't think they had these modern drills and anaesthetics at that time.

"Tie a piece of string around a door handle? It was that sort of thing.

"As much as you try to set up your team in the best possible way you can't walk away from the talent you're up against.

"At times you see them produce an excellent piece of football. You need to limit it as best as you can."

But Meulensteen insists he won't go overboard watching Liverpool's 5-1 demolition of Arsenal so he doesn't unnerve his players too much.

He said: "You need to prepare them but not overdo it. You might put something into it that unsettles."

Rock-bottom Fulham go into the clash against Liverpool after a positive result of their own, a shock 2-2 draw at Manchester United.

But Meulensteen admitted he may have to drop some of Fulham's Old Trafford heroes after the mammoth amount of work they put in to nick a point at

the champions.

Meulensteen said: "I'll be looking at that because they put a big shift in.

"When you play a lot of games in a short period of time I need to have a look at how the players feel."



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/365029/Fulham-s-Rene-Meulensteen-says-the-dentist-scares-him-more-than-Suarez-Sturridge

WhiteJC

 
Fulham's Rene Meulensteen fears lively Liverpool

RENE MEULENSTEEN admits he is more nervous about a trip to the dentist than the visit of Liverpool's formidable strike-force tonight.


WORRY: Meulensteen knows that Liverpool will attack from the off [GETTY]

With the London tube strike called off yesterday, Fulham, bottom of the Premier League, host Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling at Craven Cottage, just four days after the fearsome trident demolished Arsenal 5-1 at Anfield.

Yet Meulensteen claims he has had more hellish experiences in his lifetime than facing on Brendan Rodgers' impressive attacking unit, which has yielded 43 league goals this season.

The Dutchman said: "I don't get nervous. The last time I was nervous I had to go to the dentist. I have an excellent dentist, but they can really hurt you. Your first impressions are the everlasting one. My first impression wasn't a good one. I don't think they had the modern drill back then.

"It [facing Liverpool] is definitely a challenge you relish. As much as you try to set up your team in the best possible way, you can't walk away from the talent you're up against.

"At times you see them produce an excellent piece of football but you need to limit it as best as you can.

"The Premier League has shown us time and time again that there are surprises. They went to West Brom in between of beating Everton and Arsenal and got a draw. You can't take anything for granted."



http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/459246/Fulham-s-Rene-Meulensteen-fears-lively-Liverpool