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

[WhiteJC]

 
Jack Grimmer: Port Vale extend Fulham defender's loan stay



Port Vale have extended defender Jack Grimmer's loan from Premier League side Fulham until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old Scotland youth international joined Vale on an initial one-month loan in early January and has so far made six appearances.

Grimmer told BBC Radio Stoke: "It was a bit later than I would have liked but I am just happy it is finally sorted.

"I came here to play games and get a good run under my belt and I'm thankful to the manager for the chance."

Grimmer joined Fulham two years ago for £200,000 from Aberdeen.

But, although he has played at right-back and in midfield for Fulham Under-21s, he has not yet made the first team.

Vale currently lie ninth in League One, six points behind the play-off places.

They cross the Shropshire border for Saturday's lunchtime derby against one of their main local rivals, relegation-haunted Shrewsbury Town.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26178366?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's Newfound Resilience A Case Of Too Little Too Late
by LRCN on FEBRUARY 13, 2014

An evening game under the Craven Cottage lights against a sleeping giant who we've been pretty successful against in the last few years. Following a determined, resolute display at Old Trafford which, on another day, could've yielded three points, there was a genuine optimistic buzz among the Fulham faithful. And, while we displayed plenty of that tenacity and discipline that got us that point on Sunday (only the second time ever we haven't lost away to United, I believe?), it was ultimately a fruitless match.

We've said that a fair few times under Rene now: "We've played well but haven't taken our chances when we had them", or "Got terribly unlucky". It is at least an improvement on his predecessor, but this is a critical time for Fulham Football Club, where points are paramount. Performances don't keep you in the league, after all.

I should add that we seem to have discovered a sense of defensive discipline where there previously had been none, and this, to be fair, is cause for optimism. We have a couple of special individuals in forward positions – Holtby, who has been nothing short of 10/10 since joining, and Mitroglou, with whom we essentially lie our goalscoring hopes – and our counter attacking has been effective when we've managed it. West Brom won't be so forward with their play though, and we will still be vulnerable to counters of our own when we open up a bit, but our full backs were pushed further forward and we displayed an inventiveness and freedom which we didn't allow ourselves to against United.

Furthermore, Rene's trust in enthusiastic youth is paying off, giving way to the toxic lethargy which has been our trademark for the last 16 months or so. A special mention must be made to Burn, who's reputation as a player will reach the heights of his eyebrows at this rate, and Tunnicliffe, who has also come from the Championship to fit in seamlessly alongside our established midfielders. Bent had a really good game yesterday, in a thankless role, and Sidwell over the last two matches has been nothing short of a monster. As has Richardson for that matter, with Kvist's resolve and intelligence adding shape and discipline to our midfield.

Nonetheless, this means we've picked up just one point from our last six games in the league while being knocked out to Sheffield United at home. No matter what they might say, morale in the team must be low, especially after such a heartbreaking loss like yesterday's – and seriously, what the f*ck was Riether thinking when he made that challenge, absolutely appalling defending and having that linger over us for ten days is just as bad as losing a point.

We will need to go on a magical, sparkling run, one which we haven't done for ages, instigated by our new signings, beginning at the Hawthorns in a couple of Saturdays. And of course it can be done (who imagined West Ham would be top 10 when we kicked off yesterday from where they were a month ago?), especially if we clock that balance between defence and attack... But I can't see it happening. We've had a few false starts already this season, of 'kick starting our season', 'xx game league' 'xx cup finals', and madness would be expecting a different result. Four points behind 17th, with five needed to escape the bottom three owing to our awful goal difference, with no indication that we can pull off the wins we need... It just seems like too much.

I trust that no one else is as down as Fulham as me, because my word do the club need us to believe.

LRCN


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2014/02/fulhams-newfound-resilience-a-case-of-too-little-too-late/?

[WhiteJC]

 
I`ve a Question to Ask
   
It`s quite simple really!

Not that long ago, Rene Meulensteen was chirping on about how a certain Ravel Morrison was more than keen to come to Fulham.

In making that remark, Rene almost got himself in hot water.

However, if that was the case I`ve a simple question for someone to answer - If Ravel Morrison was so keen to sign for Fulham Football Club, why is it common knowledge, now, that the England U21 midfielder is set to join Queens Park Rangers on loan, from the 21st February?


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=349544#ixzz2tHJqHjBn

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Show Improvement But Still Need Points

Two league games, only one point, still bottom of the league. It really should seem like all hope has gone, but the performances against Manchester United and Liverpool showed signs that relegation may not be a foregone conclusion.

It's frustrating to come out of both games with only one point, especially having led in both games, but the performances showed heart, and showed that the players that Rene Meulensteen brought into the team care about Fulham and give their all for the club.

Even Darren Bent, much maligned, was the hero of the day – scoring the equaliser in injury time at Old Trafford. While he offered next to no goalscoring threat against Liverpool, he got involved with the play, and looked to make things happen. It is inevitable, however, that he will return to his position as back up to the number one choice when Kostas Mitroglou is deemed fit to start for the first team.

When he is deemed fit to start, and hopefully it will be against West Brom, Fulham's push for survival should start. Rene Meulensteen's team is starting to shake off the lethargy brought in under Martin Jol.

Older players have been dropped, with Brede Hangeland and Scott Parker, previously undroppable, only being deemed worthy of a place on the bench in the last two games. Experienced professionals such as Hugo Rodallega and Clint Dempsey aren't even sit as good enough for the matchday squad.

Instead, youngsters such as Ryan Tunnicliffe, Dan Burn and Muamer Tankovic have come in. It looks like the future of Fulham is being built under Meulensteen, and they look like players who care. Dan Burn made 22 clearances against Manchester United, and he looks very comfortable at Premier League level, despite playing for Yeovil in League One this time last year.

All of Meulensteen's January buys that have started have impressed so far. Lewis Holtby brings a touch of class to Craven Cottage, with quality and effectiveness in midfield that arguably hasn't been seen since the days of Mousa Dembele. William Kvist looks a very capable holding midfielder, and has already made the position his own, enabling Steve Sidwell to bomb forward and show his goal threat. John Heitinga has looked very comfortable alongside Dan Burn – and the fact that he's keeping Hangeland out of the team shows how good he is. Ryan Tunnicliffe hasn't stopped running in the two games he's played, and he's supported for Sascha Riether well when Fulham have had their backs against the wall.

Fulham now have over a week until the next game against West Brom, which will be crucial. Hopefully, the players can regroup from a late defeat and get ready for a must-win game to have any chance of survival.




Read more: http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/fulham/news/13-02-2014/fulham-show-improvement-but-still-need-points/871276?#ixzz2tHKEiATe

[WhiteJC]

 
Seattle Sounders star Clint Dempsey struggling during loan to Fulham

Top MLS players being loaned to international clubs is a not an uncommon practice — the idea being that the player will be able to stay sharp, fit and focused all while showcasing his skills on the sport's highest level.

Stars like Landon Donovan and David Beckham have both been loaned out in recent years for the MLS offseason in order to get work on a stage that is undeniably a vast step above MLS competition. Seattle Sounders star Clint Dempsey, however, has had a rough go — to say the least — in recent weeks during his own loan to Fulham.

Demspey is no stranger to international play, scoring 50 goals in 184 appearances during his initial run with Fulham from 2007 to 2012 and 7 goals in 29 appearances for Tottenham in 2012-13.

His proven ability to hang with Champion's League competition resulted in many dubbing him the best American soccer player in the world, a distinction that can really only be debated if you put Donovan into the discussion.

After Seattle landed him in August 2013, Dempsey was unspectacular during his initial run with the Sounders, scoring one goal and generally not playing like the noticeably superior, game-altering force that most anticipated. The loan to Fulham was expected to keep him fresh as the MLS season quickly approaches.

Unfortunately, it hasn't exactly gone as planned.

There are couple of reasons for this: First of all, Dempsey isn't getting on the field. He hasn't even put on a jersey for Fulham's last two English Premier League matches, and even when he has played, he hasn't scored or been particularly effective.

But, more importantly, his team is terrible. Fulham appears to be in a state of collective disarray, going winless in its last six EPL matches. In that time, the London team also managed a 1-0 loss to Sheffield United. If you haven't heard of Sheffield United, it's probably because they compete in League One, the third tier of English soccer.

Dempsey's struggles, both personal and team-related, are by no means encouraging, but to read too much into them would probably be an overreaction. Sounders midfielder Brad Evans said it best, explaining that a player's on-field production is a more a luxury than a necessity when talking about offseason loans.

"Clint is at a different stage than all of us," Evans said according to MLSSoccer.com. "He's going to come in at midseason form almost. He's got two months under his belt at a Premier League level. Whether or not you're winning games and scoring goals, it's about coming in fit and then doing the business here."

One thing is for sure: If Dempsey's lackluster play continues into the MLS season, even more questions will be raised about what will appear to be a declining skill-set. But if Dempsey can rejoin the Sounders, perform at a high level and help the team win games, this underwhelming stint is sure to be forgotten.


http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlesports/2014/02/13/seattle-sounders-star-clint-dempsey-struggling-during-loan-to-fulham/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Golazo! New Fulham signing Kostas Mitroglou off the mark with long-range stunner v Aston Villa U21

What a hit!

Fulham's January signing Kostas Mitroglou hasn't yet officially played for the London club in the Premier League, but he's now technically off the mark in a white shirt, having scored a stunner for the U21s tonight.

The Greek striker featured for Fulham's U21s against Villa, and boshed a dipping beauty into the far corner from 30 yards.

If Mitroglou can reproduce anything like this in the Premier League, Meulensteen's relegation worries will quickly dissipate.

Aston Villa 3-5 Fulham, Barclays U21 Premier League


http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/golazo-new-fulham-signing-kosta-mitroglou-off-the-mark-with-long-range-stunner-v-aston-villa-u21-gif-video/?