Friday Fulham Stuff (28/02/14)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Driver on the Wing's Weather for Fulham v Chelsea

It is with a little sadness that I begin this weather report for the Fulham match as this is, almost certainly, the last I will write about Fulham for quite a while.

Next season Fulham can go back to hating Brentford and we can continue to despise Barcelona. Balance in west London will be restored and looks likely to remain restored for many years to come.

Fulham were, for all their shrill insults directed towards us, one of the first clubs to buy their way to success and with the departure of Mo Fayed, that success looks likely to depart as well. Without Premier League football, Fulham's cohort (one cannot say "army") of fans will drift away to the Stoop or spend their Saturdays pushing the baby stoller along the river banks.

Fulham's support reflects modern Fulham, a Fulham that is visible by through a short walk or cycle ride along the river.

Start in Chelsea on the Chelsea Embankment with its magnificent affluence and wonderful old houses with river views coupled with the bohemian house boats stranded upon the mud of low tide. Chelsea as it has been for decades.

Head down Lots Road and at the Lots Road Pub turn left towards Chelsea Harbour. Here we see how Chelsea has developed. Chelsea Flour Mills whose painted name I used to read as a kid as I walked across Battersea Bridge with my father anticipating the game ahead, is gone and redeveloped. New luxury flats have emerged from the industrial and mercantile past. Imperial Wharf station, a beacon to modern communication.

Chelsea combines the old with the new and is a glorious statement of modernity, tradition and affluence.

And then we move towards Fulham.

The very name Fulham derives from it muddy nature. A mud flat prone to flooding. While Chelsea was affluent from Tudor times, Fulham was distinctly working class. Posh people built houses that wouldn't be flooded. Poor people built houses where they could afford.

Across Wandsworth Bridge Road, past the PC World, and Hitchclock and King, builders' yards interspersed with terraces of small houses and council housing. Now many of those builder's yards are being readied for construction of yuppie flats and with the demise, jobs are departing.

Round the corner into Broomhouse Lane and isolated among some undistinguished buildings is a wonderful neo-Tudor folly and then on the left Hurlingham Park and on the right the wonderfully named Daisy Lane and then Sullivan Court.

Sullivan Court is what Fulham has always been about. A large estate of affordable housing for people who work. "For Sale" signs betray the impact of Right to Buy. Hurlingham Park is what Fulham has become. The rugby pitches outnumber football pitches and occasionally the park is closed for a festival of polo.

As we turn left into Hurlingham Road, Victorian terraces, gentrified over the decades and now worth millions, dominate. A solidly professional middle class bastion. The Fulham of today. The Fulham of the future.

The people who live there are City and Canary Wharf types, probably slumming it a little in Fulham so that they can also afford a weekend place in Gloucestershire of Hampshire. They were born and raised elsewhere. They spend their weekends elsewhere. They will retire elsewhere. No part of the community.

Between Sullivan Close and those edifices to modern urban affluence, is a building now threatened with demolition: The Sullivan. A primary school run by the local education authority, one of the top 2% in the country and which has won many awards and accolades. A great school giving a leg up to poorer kids from the area whose parents cannot afford private tutors and skiing holidays.

It is to be demolished to make way for a "Free School". A secondary school funded by the taxpayer and to be developed as a political experiment. While that school might be very useful and the experiment might succeed, the Sullivan is very useful and known to be useful and works well and with the Sullivan's demise, more of the heart of the area will be ripped out.

Fulham will become even more of a haven for the soulless Zoopla brigade. More 4x4s will clog the roads around Hurlingham Park and the Hurlingham Club as Tarquin and Priscilla are taken to their rugby and tennis lessons.

And the heart of Fulham's support will dwindle still further.

Fulham was, like the area it serves, a nice gentle working class club. People enjoyed football and much of their crowd comprised people who watch them on weekend and Chelsea the next. Certainly, the passion with which Fulham was supported, reflected this. Ticket prices and the ease of away travel have done much to end this and now only a few hold season tickets at both grounds.

Instead Fulham's support comes from the soulless yuppies who live around Hurlingham Park and beyond.

People who like a bit of sport but without passion. People who like rugby most of all. People who go to Fulham because it is Premier League football and you can see Rooney play there once a year. People who wear red trousers. People who buy half and half scarves.People who will desert the club if Rooney and Nasri are not to be seen again.

And this is why we may never visit Fulham again except if the random selection of a cup draw should send us there.

It is sad, but we will carry on.

It is going to be mild, damp but not too windy on Saturday. While it might start dry, rain will develop. Highs of 8 degrees dropping to a chilly 1 degree; a colder night than we have become accustomed to. Winds light at 7mph from the west north west.

Sunrise 06:46. Sunset 17:41, just before the final whistle. The equinox is only three weeks away.

Another day for a waterproof jacket and decent boots. Bishops Park can get rather muddy; rather like Fulham itself. Not a day for shorts. Please no shorts.

Remember, you are Chelsea and Chelsea is style.

Posted by Driver on the Wing



http://www.chelseasupportersgroup.net/2014/02/driver-on-the-wings-weather-for-fulham-v-chelsea-2/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham news: Defender heading for exit door


Fulham's John Heitinga [Action Images]

Fulham defender John Heitinga could be on his way out of the club this summer, after only joining the club from Everton in January.

The 30-year-old signed a six-month deal with the Cottagers in the January transfer window and looks certain to move on, with Newcastle United believed to be keen on the 30-year-old Dutchman..

Alongside Newcastle, Turkish giants Galatasaray have also been monitoring Heitinga in recent weeks, with the Magpies failing in a previous bid for the defender.

Heitinga was signed by former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen but the Dutchman was axed in mid-February and replaced by Felix Magath.

Despite the managerial change the Cottagers remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table and are facing a major battle to survive.

As a result a number of players are believed to be keen to leave in the summer, with Heitinga set to head the queue.


http://www.footballdirectnews.com/premier-league-news/41587-fulham-news-defender-heading-for-exit-door.php#.Uw-PX_0dObA

[WhiteJC]

 
Magpies eye Cottage stopper

Newcastle are reportedly set to pounce for defender John Heitinga this summer if Fulham are relegated from the Premier League.

The Cottagers only signed the 30-year-old Dutch stopper on a six-month deal in January following his release from Premier League rivals Everton. But with the Londoners now struggling at the foot of the table and four points adrift of safety with only 11 games remaining, the vultures are already circling. It appears Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has already expressed a desire to take Heitinga to St James' Park to bolster his side's defensive options at the end of the season, while Turkish side Galatasaray have also been heavily linked. Rene Meulensteen, who signed Heitinga for Fulham, has since been replaced by German tactician Felix Magath and if he fails to keep the Cottagers in the top flight then it is highly likely that the player will be one of several departures from Craven Cottage in the summer.



Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/magpies-eye-cottage-stopper-1715167.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Youth Cup Confirmation

Fulham's FA Youth Cup Sixth Round tie with Huddersfield Town will take place at Craven Cottage on Tuesday 18th March (7pm).

The Whites set up the tie with the Terriers after defeating Queens Park Rangers 4-1, Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 and, most recently, Manchester City 3-1 in the previous rounds – all away from home.

Huddersfield beat Luton Town 3-1 in Round Three, West Bromwich Albion 4-2 in Round Four and Manchester United 2-1 in Round Five.

Tickets for the Sixth Round clash are priced £3 Adults and £1 Concessions.

Meanwhile, Fulham Under-18s' previously postponed game at Chelsea will now take place on Tuesday 6th May (1pm) at the Blues' Cobham training ground.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/27/youth-cup-confirmation?

[WhiteJC]

 
Spurs Kick-Off Time Amended

Supporters are advised that our match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Saturday 19th April will now kick-off at the earlier time of 12.45pm.

This amendment is due to live television coverage of the fixture on BT Sport.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/27/spurs-ko-amended?

[WhiteJC]

 
The Harsh Reality!
   
It would appear that Felix Magath`s reported ruthless streak saw the early departure of the duo Rene Meulensteen brought in from Manchester United on transfer deadline day.

Reports suggest that Magath decided, after just one training session, Fulham could afford to dispense with the services of twenty year-old Larnell Cole and twenty-one year old Ryan Tunnicliffe who have gone out on loans, until the end of the season, to MK Dons and Wigan Athletic respectively.

I guess the point only goes to show just how ruthless a game this wonderful sport of ours can be!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=351084#ixzz2uYIchHIM

[WhiteJC]

 
International: Fulham youngster George Williams invited to train with Wales squad


George Williams: Invited to train with Wales senior squad

Sky Sports understands Fulham starlet George Williams has been called up to train with the Wales senior squad.

Highy-rated forward Williams has been invited to train with the Wales squad for the friendly with Iceland, but will not be involved in the squad for the game.

The 18-year-old has represented Wales at Under-17 and Under-19 level and he is tipped to make the breakthrough into the senior squad in the future.

Williams, who was born in Milton Keynes, qualifies for Wales through his mother and Chris Coleman is keen to involve him in the senior set-up as he wants to keep tabs on his progress.

Fulham signed Williams from MK Dons in the summer of 2012 and he is highly-regarded within the corridors of power at Craven Cottage.

Williams is the youngest-ever scorer in the FA Cup propers rounds after scoring for MK Dons.


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9187384/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Meet the former Fulham man with a Barcelona future
Vincenzo Montella is a surprise target for Barca, but is thriving as a manager.

In some deep, dark corner of the Nou Camp there is a list of potential replacements for Gerardo Martino, in case he decides to call time on his managerial career at Barcelona.

The Catalan club, according to local paper Sport, are happy to continue their working relationship with the Argentine boss, although it's thought the man himself may not be too keen.

Having come in for some criticism despite only being three points off top spot in La Liga, in control of their Champions League tie with Manchester City and reaching the Copa del Rey final, it's thought Martino could decide the hassle isn't worth the results.

In that instance Barca would be prepared, having drawn up a list of candidates to take over in the dugout.

And it's the former Fulham striker, Vincenzo Montella, who is the surprise name on their radar, although the fact he's sought after shouldn't be too much of a shock.

Currently in charge of on-pitch affairs at Fiorentina, the former Craven Cottage loanee (who scored twice in 10 appearances for Fulham) has enjoyed a reputation-building managerial career to date.

As the only team in Serie A to beat Juventus this season, Viola sit in fifth place and look well on course for another campaign of Europa League football this season.

That's after only missing out on Champions League participation on the final day of last term.

They face Esbjerg in the second leg of their last-32 Europa League clash and are sitting pretty with a 3-1 aggregate lead. They are priced up as short 2/11 favourites to win the match with bwin.

Known for preferring an attacking, possession-based style of play, Montella's love of playmaker-packed sides should suit Barcelona well.

Having never failed as a manager in his three-year career (he won seven of 13 matches as Roma caretaker before guiding Catania to their then highest-ever Serie A finish) he has all the credentials to be a Nou Camp success.

Fiorentina to beat Esbjerg @ 9/50


- See more at: http://bwinbetting.com/cups/europa-league/meet-fulham-man-barcelona-future,52450.html?#sthash.Iom0wZuC.dpuf

[WhiteJC]

 
Why Fulham fans shouldn't worry about Felix Magath's distaste for youth


Felix Magath has decided that Larnell Cole and Ryan Tunnicliffe are surplus to requirements as Fulham fight to avoid relegation. (Picure: Clint Hughes/Getty Images)

Larnell Cole and Ryan Tunnicliffe drew the short straw when Felix Magath was appointed as Fulham's new manager.

They were the pair to suffer most – and in such swift fashion – when the German came in just under two weeks ago. They were reportedly shipped out after being afforded only one training session to impress the new setup at Craven Cottage.

Ruthless, it must be said.

But does this decision reflect a manager who has a genuine disdain of youth, as some quarters of the media will have you believe? No – this was just business.

The duo have only a smattering of Premier League experience, the majority of which came in their three weeks in South West London. They are being loaned out because, in the eyes of their new boss, they are not good enough. There is no age discrimination in that.

Magath certainly doesn't have the same zest for youngsters as Rene Meulensteen but, in truth, not many do. Meulensteen had handed five under-21s their debut in his brief reign at Fulham.

That's admirable, but hardly standard. And that's why comparing Magath to such an extraordinary regime is actually a little harsh.

In the 60 year-old's first game in charge – a disappointing 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion – Fulham reverted back to the old days, with a starting line-up riddled with experience and weary legs.

Dan Burn was dropped to the bench in spite of a string of impressive performances. This infuriated many.

Yet, it's not as if he was dropped completely. He still came on in the second half, while Muamer Tankovic was retained in the first team, even if he didn't make it onto the field.

For that, we are still light years ahead of where we were under Martin Jol, whose only progressive decisions included bringing Pajtim Kasami back into the first team fold and bowing to fan pressure by introducing Moussa Dembele in the dying moments of a dire defeat to West Ham United in November.

Magath, admittedly, isn't going to be looking to the future. His remit, for now, is merely to avoid relegation.

But that doesn't mean our great youth system is going to go unused yet again. At VFB Stuttgart, he wasn't afraid to include a trio of youngsters – Timo Hildebrand, Kevin Kuranyi and Andreas Hunkel – who eventually became first-eleven stalwarts.

There's no reason that can't happen at Fulham, too.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/02/27/why-fulham-fans-shouldnt-worry-about-felix-magaths-distaste-for-youth-4326074/?

[WhiteJC]

 
MARCELLO TROTTA ITALY UNDER-21 UPDATE

Brentford's on-loan striker Marcello Trotta scores in practice match for Italy Under-21

Brentford's on-loan striker Marcello Trotta scored for the Italian Under-21 side in a practice match earlier this week.

The 21-year-old is on loan at Brentford from Fulham for the 2013/14 season, his second spell at Griffin Park.

He was with Italy's Under-21 squad for a training camp in Rome from Sunday, February 23, until Tuesday, February 25.
That camp ended with a training match against a team from The Rome Spring.

Marcello came on at half time and scored the third for Italy's Under-21 side, who won the match 3-0.

It is the second time Marcello has played for Italy Under-21s in a non-international match and he has scored in both fixtures.

Marcello will now be part of the squad that represents Italy in a 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championships qualifier against Northern Ireland on Wednesday March 5.

Marcello will link up with Italy on Saturday March 1 for that qualifier.

Contrary to earlier suggestions, Marcello is not required to join up until Saturday evening.

Therefore he can play in Brentford's Sky Bet League One match against Carlisle United on Saturday.

Marcello has represented Italy at Under-20, Under-19, Under-18 and Under-16 level.

Italy have played five of their eight qualifying games, winning three and losing two.

Marcello has scored 11 goals in 27 games for Brentford this season.


Read more at http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/trotta-international-update-27.02.14-1386570.aspx?#8RXuDfboi40IbLff.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Premier League: Alex Kacaniklic confident Fulham can beat the drop


Alex Kacaniklic: Believes Fulham are capable of climbing away from trouble

Alex Kacaniklic believes Felix Magath is a shrewd appointment by Fulham and will guide them to Premier League survival.

The Cottagers have made their second managerial change of the season after being unable to halt an alarming slump.

They remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League table, four points adrift of safety.

Magath, a man renowned for his no-nonsense approach, has been drafted in to try and oversee a reversal in fortune, and Swedish winger Kacaniklic is convinced that the German tactician has enough quality at his disposal to steer a course away from danger.

He told Expressen on the changes at Craven Cottage: "It has been really good so far and I like his training sessions.

"There has been a good pace in training and you can see that we have got a new boost.

"I have got a positive impression of him. His ideas about football appeal to me.

"Everyone now has to fight and give everything all the time, as we are the ones that have been dragged into this position.

"Nobody would have believed that we would end up in trouble before the season, but we are there now.

"All of the players are determined to fight to keep us up and I am convinced we will manage to do that.

"I am working hard all the time and I hope and believe that we will get results. It is up to the coach now to select the team and I will just continue to work hard."

Another of those hoping to play a leading role in the bid to beat the drop is loan star William Kvist, with the Denmark international having thoroughly enjoyed his early experiences in England - despite a lack of positive results.

The January arrival from Stuttgart told Ekstra Bladet: "I noticed a change in pace when I moved from FC Copenhagen to Stuttgart in the past and I have noticed the same here.

"I do not believe that we are running more than in the Bundesliga, but the pace is quicker.

"The ball is played more quickly, there are fewer touches, more pressure and the ball is moved up field quickly.

"The game is more explosive and that is something I like."


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9187493/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Chelsea must be ruthless against Fulham after missing a trick against Galatasaray

A score draw away from home in the first leg of a UEFA Champions League knock-out tie is never a bad result but Chelsea will feel that they missed a trick against Galatasaray on Wednesday night and cannot afford such complacency in the Premier League if they're serious about finishing top of the pile.

Jose Mourinho's side were on top for much of the first half in Turkey and Fernando Torres was a little unfortunate not to double their lead shortly after half-time. Galatasaray are still very much underdogs for the clash and the Blues will be confident of finishing the job at Stamford Bridge and progressing into the quarter-finals, but a two-goal lead would have killed the tie and would have eased some of the pressure on the league front.

A lot has been said about Chelsea's lack of killer instinct at times this season but Torres took his goal well, although he became jaded as the game went on, but the nature in which the equaliser was conceded and the way they constantly gave the ball away is far more a cause for concern ahead of Saturday's game at Craven Cottage.

It's not always easy to maintain momentum in the league – especially after an away trip in Europe – and Mourinho has already seen his men throw away points against teams they ought to be beating, with West Ham and West Brom being the most recent examples, so there's no guarantee Fulham won't frustrate them as well.

The Chelsea attack has look ponderous lately and there's far too much for Eden Hazard to do as his team-mates haven't had anywhere near the required end product they should be offering lately.

Chelsea have done well to be in the position they are this season but cannot afford to be dropping points against table-proppers like Fulham.

The Blues need to be more ruthless, when in control, than they showed against Didier Drogba's Galatasaray.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/02/27/chelsea-must-be-ruthless-against-fulham-after-missing-a-trick-against-galatasaray-4330590/?

[RaySmith]

Those Chelsea fans are so patronising - I hope we stuff it to them tomorrow.

[epsomraver]

They are not true Filth fans Ray, that is joined up writing! 064.gif

[WhiteJC]

 
Three Key Battles: Fulham vs Chelsea

One of tomorrow's Premier League ties comes from Craven Cottage, as Fulham host Chelsea in a vital West London derby for both sides.

Felix Magath will be desperate to pick up at least another point to try and boost his new side's chances of survival, whereas his opposite number Jose Mourinho will be looking for his men to build upon their late win against Everton with another three points, to take them further adrift of their title challengers.

Despite picking up two draws in their last three games, against West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United, the Cottagers still find themselves at the foot of the table with a lot of work still to do if they want to survive, being four points off safety.

As for Chelsea, they will always have Manchester City's game in hand stuck in the back of their minds, but at least for the time being they are top; another three points in this game with pull them further away from Manuel Pellegrini's men, who will be occupied this weekend as they face Sunderland in the Capital One Cup final.

I can't really see past a comfortable away victory in this one. Even though Chelsea aren't scoring as freely as they might wish, I can't see them conceding.

Jack Simpkin's Prediction: Fulham 0-2 Chelsea

1. Brede Hangeland vs Fernando Torres
After scoring Chelsea's only goal in their 1-1 Champions League draw with Galatasaray in the week, I fully expect Torres to retain his place in Mourinho's starting line-up for this game ahead of Samuel Eto'o. If he does, he'll come up against Fulham's recently re-called captain, Brede Hangeland.

If Torres is in the mood, he is still capable of creating goalscoring opportunities for either himself or his team-mates, so Hangeland will need to be alert throughout the game. With such talented attacking midfielders behind the Spaniard, the centre-back's decision making will be vital to his success.

If he gives players like Eden Hazard any time to feed Torres, Chelsea will punish him, so it'll be difficult but far from impossible for the Norwegian to maybe keep Torres quite, providing he gets his job right.

2. Fernando Amorebieta vs Eden Hazard
Despite being relatively quiet recently, by his own high standards, Eden Hazard is still one of the in-form players of the Premier League, and Fernando Amorebieta will have to be well aware of his tricks at left-back for the home side.

As we've seen time and time again this term, the Belgian loves to run at full-backs and take them on, so challenging Hazard fairly will be again difficult for the Venezuelan. He has already been booked four times this season so I wouldn't put a caution past him, but an early yellow in this game would be an absolute nightmare for the man formally of Athletic Bilbao.

If he has to play with a yellow card to his name for too long, he'll be too restricted mentally to deal with Hazard efficiently, making his job even more difficult, so he'll have to be sensible and precise to get this job done.

Kostas Mitroglou vs John Terry
Chelsea's man of the hour John Terry will come up against Fulham's new star striker, Kostas Mitroglou, in a game in which you would expect the Greek international to make his first senior start for the club since joining from Olympiakos in January.

For now, Mitroglou is a bit of an unknown quantity, which makes Terry's job all the more difficult. He'll have to treat him with respect, as he would any other striker, but as for the front-man, he should expect a difficult afternoon.

With much of the play expected to be in Fulham's half, Mitroglou, you feel, will have to take almost every chance he gets to give his side a chance of getting something from the game. He needs to make sure he doesn't become isolated, keeping himself involved in the game to play the important frontman role for Fulham well.


http://www.touchlinetalk.com/three-key-battles-fulham-vs-chelsea/86609/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham - Chelsea Preview: Magath faces Craven Cottage bow against Mourinho's men

The German coach takes charge of his side for the first time at their west London home, while the visitors will be looking to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League

Fulham will seek to boost their flagging survival hopes and dent Chelsea's title ambitions when the west London rivals clash on Saturday.

Felix Magath takes charge of a home fixture for the first time when Premier League leaders and neighbours Chelsea visit Craven Cottage this weekend, but the German faces a daunting task in arresting an alarming run of form.

Fulham have failed to win in the last seven league games, a run that has left them rooted to the bottom of the table and four points adrift of safety.

Magath came within four minutes of winning his first match in charge in last Saturday's visit to West Brom, only for Matej Vydra to spoil the welcome party in the closing stages and earn a 1-1 draw.

There appears to be little evidence to suggest that Magath's second game in the Fulham dugout will be any more successful, with Fulham winning just one of the 25 Premier League meetings between the sides, while Chelsea have triumphed on 14 occasions.

A large part of Fulham's problems stem from a leaky defence, with their back-line having conceded 59 times in the league this term more than any other side in the top flight.

By contrast, table-topping Chelsea have the sternest defence in the Premier League, with Jose Mourinho's men shipping just 21 goals.

Chelsea have not tasted defeat in the Premier League since a 3-2 loss at Stoke at the start of December, a run that stretches 12 matches.

The Stamford Bridge outfit are top of the table by a solitary point from second-placed Arsenal, but Chelsea needed a 93rd-minute goal from veteran midfielder Frank Lampard to defeat Everton last time out in the league.

Mourinho's team have had a quick turnaround in fixtures, having secured a 1-1 draw at Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday.

But if the Portuguese's charges make a slow start, the visiting fans have no need to panic as Chelsea have recovered more points from losing positions than other side in the Premier League, collecting 14 when going behind.

Fulham have no fresh injury worries ahead of the match, while Chelsea are likely to be without David Luiz who has a muscle injury.



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/109591/fulham-vs-chelsea-fc/preview

[WhiteJC]

 
Thanks Fulham! Trotta's (independent) trade pays dividends for Brentford.

Are you going to Carlisle with Brentford tomorrow? One person whom we can say should be is Marcello Trotta after the club broke the habit of a lifetime and commented on speculation, telling us that:

" Contrary to earlier suggestions, Marcello is not required to join up until Saturday evening.

Therefore he can play in Brentford's Sky Bet League One match against Carlisle United on Saturday."

This can only be good news for The Bees. Since returning from Fulham for a second loan spell, Trotta really has found form. Previous criticism leveled about the Italian's perceived 'laziness' has been well and truly dispelled.

The player affectionately known to the Griffin Park faithful as 'Rodney' can now be seen putting himself about with more energy than the Duracell Bunny on a Red Bull binge. More importantly, the net has been bulging on a regular basis and he is now up to double figures in the league.

There was genuine worry amongst supporters that Fulham, (what is it  – three managers now in the six months of this season?) desperate to stay afloat in the Premiership and allowing Dimitar Berbatov to join Monaco, would recall the free scoring front man when his loan expired in January.

Instead, the opposite has happened and after a few days of 'heart-in-mouth' for most of us, Warbs and team were able to sign him up for the end of the campaign. Surely just another reason for us to be thankful of the managerial instability at The Cottage, where there have been more comings and goings than a public toilet.

Given the hostile reaction from an element of our support when Herr Rösler first brought Marcello back in September, it's testament to his strength of character and purpose that he has fast become a terrace hero. And with a goal for the Italian U-21s whom he has spent the week with, it is clear he is still on form.

Just the man we need for Brentford to demonstrate some of that famous bouncebackability at Carlisle after finally losing a game, to Wolves, last Saturday.

Equally pleasing is the club's clarification on earlier suggestions – I do sympathise with them for needing to keep things factual. If they published something every time an outside source ran a 'story' on players we were alleged to be signing (are you reading, Rob Kiernan?), selling or making a double swoop on then there'd be no room for any other news on the club site.

More to the point, I can't imagine Mr Warburton being overly pleased with his plans being splashed all over the internet.

That said, there are times e.g. Simon Moore's visit to Cardiff beach or Farid's move to Dundee United where, with most other news outlets – including his new club – even publishing a picture of him in the famous orange shirt, that we could help ourselves rather than stick to the exact letter of the law when something is such open public knowledge.

Perhaps I'm living in happy-clappy land but would it hurt, in those circumstances such as Cardiff's Malky Mackay shouting his mouth off to the BBC, to make some sort of holding comment?

Then again, I guess that's why I'm a humble supporter rather than a journalist.

So thanks to Chris Wickham for confirming the news about Marcello's availability. Whilst a simple fact, it has probably put a few people's mind at ease.

Mine, certainly.



http://nickbruzonslastword.wordpress.com/2014/02/28/thanks-fulham-trottas-independent-trade-pays-dividends-for-brentford/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Burning Bright

Shahid Khan, Felix Magath and Dan Burn take centre-stage in Saturday's official matchday programme against Chelsea.

In an exclusive column, Chairman Khan explains his decision to bring in Magath as the Club's new First Team Manager.

The publication also sees Magath pen his first programme notes for the Club, whilst Burn is the cover star and main interview as he reflects on his rise from non-League football to the First Team at Fulham.

"When I joined the Club in 2011, I started out with a plan; to spend my first season playing with the Under-21s, my second in League One and my third in the Championship," said Burn. "The idea was to push for a place in the First Team next year, so I'm a bit ahead of schedule in that respect.

"I haven't felt out of place, though, I like to think I've fitted in well and have shown that I'm capable of playing at this level. But it's a difficult time to come in and establish yourself. I came off the bench against West Bromwich Albion last weekend and if needed on Saturday I'll continue to give my all."

Read the full interview with Burn on Saturday.

Other key content in the only matchday magazine that matters - which is available to download digitally from 9am on Saturday - include: 

Hugo Rodallega takes the Fulham 50 challenge
Mark Crossley recalls a famous win over Chelsea at the Cottage
Former Chelsea star Pat Nevin assesses the Cottage encounter
Labour MP and Whites fan Andy Slaughter on life following Fulham
And former skipper Brian McBride reacts to being included in the US National Soccer Hall of Fame
Priced £3.50, the 84-page publication is available from sellers on Stevenage Road from two hours before kick-off. Fans can also order copies directly from www.programmemaster.com

The programme is also available as an app with added video content from 9am on Saturday via Apple's Newsstand or Pocketmags. You can subscribe for the whole season for the digital edition or buy a single issue for £1.99.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/28/programme-plug?

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Magath can repeat Wolfsburg wonders, says Fulham winger Ashkan Dejagah

Iranian international confident new boss can keep Cottagers up


Up for the fight: Ashkan Dejagah
Ashkan Dejagah is confident Felix Magath can pull off the great escape and keep Fulham in the Premier League.

The German coach was denied a winning start at West Brom last weekend, leaving the Cottagers bottom of the table and four points adrift of safety heading into tomorrow's west London derby against Chelsea.

Dejagah was part of Magath's Wolfsburg side that beat the drop from Germany's Bundesliga by the skin of their teeth in 2011, with three wins from their final four games steering them to safety.


On the touchline: Fulham manager Felix Magath
And the Iranian winger reckons the 60-year-old can repeat the feat with the Whites.

He said: "I know him well. He's a manager with a lot of experience and has worked with a lot of big teams in Germany. He's the right man for the job and hopefully we can come out of this situation.

"I won the title with him and we also had the same situation as we are in now at the bottom of the table. We stayed up on the last game, so anything can happen in football."


New man in charge: Felix Magath
Magath has been criticised for his brutal training methods, and earned the nicknames 'The Torturer' and 'Saddam Hussein' in his homeland.

However, Dejagah has defended his boss, adding: "Every manager has a different style. His is to work hard and be disciplined.

"I think that is good for the team and hopefully we can stay up. Every one has taken it on board in the last week and wants to fight for this club."


Late leveller: Darren Bent stoops to earn Fulham a draw at Old Trafford
Fulham take on league leaders Chelsea at Craven Cottage tomorrow, and Dejagah says they can take confidence from their recent displays against Manchester United and Liverpool.

"It's a big game and a derby, so we know how important it is," he said. "Chelsea are playing well and I think they are the best team in the league at the moment.

"We have played well against big teams recently, so we can take confidence from that."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/magath-can-repeat-wolfsburg-wonders-6753191?

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LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Fulham v Chelsea

This should be a lively local derby and Fulham will make Chelsea fight for everything.

But, of all the teams in the title race, I think Jose Mourinho's side are best suited to these sort of scraps. They are good at winning this sort of game.

After his side's draw with West Brom last week, Fulham boss Felix Magath said Fulham will beat Chelsea. They won't.

Magath is a firefighter, and he has a great record in Germany, but taking charge of the bottom side in the Premier League at this stage of the season, after the mess that has gone on before him, and expecting him to keep them up is asking for a miracle.

Good luck to him.

Lawro's prediction: 0-2
Tim's prediction: It feels like Fulham are all over the place. Now that Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o has been called elderly by his manager Jose Mourinho, I think he is going to be furious. He will get three so it is a question of what the others add on to that. 0-4


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26323506