Tuesday Fulham Stuff (04/03/14)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Pajtim Kasami: 'Fulham must stick together'

Fulham midfielder Pajtim Kasami has urged his teammates to stick together while they battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Cottagers remain four points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table following Saturday's 3-1 defeat at home to Chelsea.

Despite the team's precarious position in the standings, Kasami believes that they have what it takes to stay up.

"Everyone knows what we have to do now – we have to stick together and we have to look forward," he told the club's official website.

"We can't dwell on the Chelsea game even though it's disappointing – it's important to quickly move on to the next match and put all our focus on that. We have the quality to get out of this. We have the desire."

Fulham continue their fight for survival this Saturday with a trip to fellow strugglers Cardiff City.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/relegation-battle/news/kasami-fulham-must-stick-together_142225.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Young Whites Triumph In Germany

A young Fulham team became the first English side to win a five-a-side indoor tournament in Germany in 15 years.

The Whites side, all born in 2001, were victorious in the one-day event in Arzberg, beating Bayern Munich in the Semi-Final and Hertha Berlin on penalties in the Final.

The player of the tournament went to Fulham's Anis Mehmeti.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/03/triumphant-in-germany?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss Felix Magath: I was right to drop Lewis Holtby


Left out: Lewis Holtby

Fulham manager Felix Magath has explained his surprising decision to drop Lewis Holtby against Chelsea on Saturday.

Holtby was named on the bench at Craven Cottage despite being Fulham's best player since joining on loan from Tottenham.

Fulham were beaten 3-1 by Chelsea and remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table. Holtby came on as a  62nd-minute substitute and Magath says the midfielder was left out of the starting line-up for tactical reasons.

The Fulham manager, who instead started Clint Dempsey, said: "We played against the Premier League leaders and we had to fight because they have better players. You have to prepare for a game where Chelsea will have control over the ball. Lewis is a player who is forward thinking, who is very skilful and can make good passes.

"Against Chelsea, you will not create many chances, nobody will. We fought very well in the first half... it worked as I expected it."

Magath remains confident of keeping Fulham in the Premier League despite them being four points from safety with just 10 games remaining. They face second-bottom Cardiff on Saturday and Kieran Richardson feels the game in Wales will be crucial to their survival chances. He said: "Cardiff was always going to be a big one. It will be hard going there because they are fighting for survival, too. But after a result like Chelsea you can't afford for your heads to go down."

Fulham are without a win in the League since New Year's Day but Richardson hopes £11million signing Kostas Mitroglou can score the goals to keep the club up — when he is fit.

Mitroglou, who was short of full fitness when he joined from Olympiakos in January, made his debut as a substitute against West Brom last weekend but was left out of the squad for the Chelsea game.

Magath expects Mitroglou will return against Cardiff and Richardson believes the  25-year-old can make a difference. Richardson added: "The club spent a lot of money on him and we are expecting him to do well. He is looking for his fitness but he is a good finisher. We need him as soon as possible. I hope he can make the difference for us."

Meanwhile, Fulham captain Brede Hangeland was given the all-clear  to return home from hospital on Saturday evening following a nasty clash of heads with Richardson.

Hangeland will be assessed today before a decision is made on whether he will join up with Norway for their friendly against Czech Republic on Wednesday.


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-boss-felix-magath-i-was-right-to-drop-lewis-holtby-9165502.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Defender's Rovers Stay Extended

Fulham defender Stephen Arthurworrey has extended his loan spell at Tranmere Rovers by a further month.

The towering centre-back joined Sky Bet League One Rovers on New Year's Day and has gone on to make 10 appearances for the club, featuring in three wins, four draws and three defeats. He will now stay with the Wirral outfit until Sunday 6th April.

Rovers currently sit in 18th place in League One – one point above the drop zone.

Hackney-born Arthurworrey joined Fulham's Academy at the age of 10. Before his departure for Rovers, he had made 10 appearances for Fulham's Under-21s this season.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/03/stephens-rovers-stay-extended?

[WhiteJC]

 
Cardiff Tickets Limited

Tickets for our next match against Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium are now extremely limited.

Supporters are advised to buy now to avoid missing out!

Tickets are priced at £30 for adults and £15 for concessions, with Junior Season Ticket Holders and Junior Members' tickets available for FREE when purchased alongside a paying adult.

All coach spaces are now sold out for this match.

Buy your match tickets today at fulhamfc.com/tickets or by calling 0843 208 1234.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/03/cardiff-tickets-limited?

[WhiteJC]

 
Mitroglou can make the difference, says Fulham team-mate

Richardson backs £12million striker to fire Cottagers to safety


High hopes: Fulham striker Kostas Mitroglou
Kieran Richardson reckons Kostas Mitroglou can make the difference in Fulham's battle against the drop.

The £12million January arrival from Olympiakos has managed less than 30 minutes for the relegation-threatened Cottagers and was axed from the squad for Saturday's west London derby defeat against Chelsea.

However, boss Felix Magath expects the Greek striker to get up to speed in time for this weekend's crucial clash against fellow strugglers Cardiff City.

And Richardson hopes the 25-year-old can hit the ground running and score the goals to fire them to safety.

"He's looking for his fitness but he's a good finisher," said Richardson. "The manager is working with him. We need him as soon as possible.

"I hope he's the sort of player who can make the difference for us. Hopefully he'll come in and do the business.

"The club spent a lot of money on him and we're expecting him to do well."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mitroglou-can-make-difference-says-6765815?

[WhiteJC]

 
In defence of Felix Magath – the fearsome Fulham boss with the impossible mission


Felix Magath looks on as Fulham lose to Chelsea (Picture: Getty Images)
Felix Magath – he's not that bad is he?

Well, either he's not as scary as everyone thought when he arrived in England with a fearsome reputation as a footballing tyrant, or Fulham's players have simply taken no notice.

For, two games into the German's reign at Craven Cottage, he remains winless and his team remain bottom of the pile in the Premier League.

Saturday saw the expected home defeat by Chelsea; matches against Cardiff and Newcastle this month will surely define whether Magath stands a chance of pulling off his 'mission impossible'.

He may or may not be the feared dictator he was made out to be on his arrival in London, but the truth is the 60-year-old has bitten off more than he can chew anyway at Fulham.

Endless cross-country runs and intimidating 'pep talks' are all very well but the Cottagers are so far gone – four points adrift of safety – that unfortunately even Magath's Houdini-like qualities won't save them.

He seems like a fairly innocent man in his 60s to most, but that steel, which saw him save endless Bundesliga clubs, is there below the surface. He is a man who knows how to play the media well.

There are ten games to go and Magath wants Fulham to win six – all very well but they have won only six in the first seven months of the campaign. The chances of suddenly conjuring up a winning formula seem remote, as do their survival hopes.

That doesn't mean to say that appointing the former Bayern Munich boss was not a calculated risk the club had to take.

There was a fear Shahid Khan would come to regret appointing Magath's predecessor Rene Meulensteen, and despite quickly remedying the situation, there is a chance he still might do.

Meulensteen is a fine coach but perhaps not quite management material yet – his overseeing of the £11million transfer for Kostas Mitroglou, a Greek striker who was only half-fit, ringing plenty of alarm bells.

Magath was called in as a firefighter by Khan – but surely it is too little, too late. Not even Magath's legendary escapes can surely be repeated at the Cottage: the damage was done a long time ago, allowing a big squad to become even more bloated, while signing ageing players in football terms in recent seasons.

Magath certainly represents their best opportunity of having any chance of survival. He will have his team fit, motivated and, most probably, a bit scared.

The truth is the 60-year-old has bitten off
more than he can chew anyway at Fulham

But is that a bad thing? Too often these days player power is the key force, but being scared of Sir Alex Ferguson never harmed Manchester United's sides under the Scot, although his older players would have grown to love their manager, rather than be frightened of him.

Magath is still new in England – his methods still kicking in at Fulham. But IF the club are to pull off a miracle and retain their Premier League status, it is their German manager who will be behind it, not the underachieving players who got them in this mess in the first place.

So, Fulham; be afraid, be very afraid, but as my old PE teacher used to say: It's only pain. And in this instance, it'll be for your own good...



http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/03/in-defence-of-felix-magath-the-fearsome-fulham-boss-with-the-impossible-mission-4390337/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Roberts' Algarve Trip

England Under-17s finished the Algarve Tournament with a win, a loss and a draw from their three matches, with Patrick Roberts featuring in each of the games.

The annual tournament was used by the Young Lions as warm-up preparation ahead of their European Championship Elite Round Qualifiers in the Czech Republic, and they got off to a great start on Wednesday with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands.

Roberts played just under an hour of the game, as debutant Josh Sims put England ahead three minutes into the second half, before the Southampton winger set up Joshua Onomah late on to wrap up the victory.

Our young winger started the second match on the bench and watched on as Callum Cooke put England ahead against Portugal from the penalty spot, before entering the action at half-time.

The host nation were level within three minutes of the restart when Diogo Goncalves headed home, but Roberts played his part as England seemed to have grabbed the win late on.

Our young forward picked up possession and fed Sims who pulled the ball back across goal for Cooke to dispatch his second goal of the game. Frustratingly, though, Portugal conjured up another equaliser seconds later through Anthony Oliveira.

Germany were the opponents in the final match on Sunday, and the winner of the tie would claim the trophy as both teams went into the encounter level on four points.

Recalled to the starting line-up, Roberts impressed on the counter alongside Sims and Demetri Mitchell up top. The latter two combined to create a decent opening on 11 minutes, before Roberts stung the palms of the German keeper after letting fly from 20 yards.

Roberts made way on 57 and then, eight minutes before full-time, Germany clinched the win – and the trophy – when Benedikt Gimber poked home from close range.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/03/roberts-algarve-trip?

[WhiteJC]

 
Manchester City U18s 1 Fulham U18s 3 - match report (19/02/2014)

Blues knocked out by impressive Fulham side

FA Youth Cup
19 February 2014

City: O'Brien, Maffeo, Bossaerts, Smith-Brown, Tasende, Byrne, Intima (Celina), Ntcham (Boadu), Ambrose, Bryan, Barker
Unused: Albinson (GK), Oseni, Holland
Goals: Ambrose

This was an eagerly awaited fixture between the sides that top their respective divisions in the Premier League under 18 academy system. With City's current venue for youth cup fixtures in the early rounds (Hyde FC) having suffered from the recent poor weather the game had been switched to Oldham Athletic FC.

It was to be a very cautious opening forty five minutes, with two sides very evenly matched creating few chances. City took a few minutes to settle into the rhythm of the match, but it was the visitors who had the first real chance inside four minutes. A dangerous pin point cross from Dean O'Halloran found Cameron Burgess but he misdirected his header over the bar.

With City growing into the game, Fulham were forced to defend more set-pieces and goalkeeper Marek Rodàk breathed a sigh of relief when Mathias Bossaerts nodded wide from three yards. It was Rodàk who was soon called into action again minutes later, stopping Thierry Ambrose's cross with his legs before reacting to make a double save from Olivier Ntcham's eight-yard drive.

Rodàk reacted brilliantly again when called upon to claw Jorge Intima's jabbed six-yard shot away from his line on 55 minutes, and City paid the price for the missed opportunity moments later. It was the visitors who struck first, centre back Liam Donnelly rising the highest to head home a powerful corner from Dean O'Halloran.

City refused to let their heads drop and enjoyed their best spell of the game before eventually the pressure paid off and Ambrose glanced home a header from Tasende's left wing cross.

There was a bit of good fortune about the visitors second goal ,Roberts had thundered down the right wing to open up room between City's defenders but his pull-back from the by-line, took a deflection and left Moussa Dembélé with space to turn the ball past O'Brien.

City then pressed forward for an equaliser and gaps opened in their half and O'Halloran , despite getting away with a rash challenge on a City player, exploited the space to find Dembélé, who again showed his striker's instincts to rifle in his second of the night.

So the under 18's bowed out of the FA Youth Cup at the fifth round stage, to a side who must now be considered the favourites to win the competition.


http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?id=532#.UxTCyVwdObA

[WhiteJC]

 
See What I Mean!
   
Whilst we languish at the foot of the Premier League, with our future in the top-flight looking far from secure, I`ve a couple of statistics for you that emphasize our current plight.

1 - In our last 13 Premier League fixtures we`ve failed to keep a solitary clean sheet!

2 - That run, is our worst run without keeping a clean sheet since way back during the period October 2007 to January 2009.

3 - With regards to our home form, this season is the first season, since 1993-1994, that we`ve lost 10 home games.

See what I mean?


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=351522#ixzz2uvLBSD3A

[WhiteJC]

 
Duff Hits Milestone!
   
I`ve been informed that our very own Damien Duff has become a record breaker.

Someone pointed out that Duff, the moment Felix Magath was appointed as our third manager this season overhauled a record he shared with his fellow Irishman, Shay Given.

It seems that Damien has now played under the most bosses since the formation of the Premier League, a cool 17!

A fact almost stranger then fiction!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=351524#ixzz2uvLOKxm7

[WhiteJC]

 
Magath hands midfielder Fulham chance

Diarra back in training with the Cottagers as he bids to impress German boss


Comeback trail: Mahamadou Diarra
Fulham manager Felix Magath is having a look at midfielder Mahamadou Diarra.

The former Real Madrid star hasn't featured for the Cottagers since December 2012 due to a serious knee injury.

Diarra's contract expired last summer, but he was training at Motspur Park in a bid to prove his fitness, only to be bombed out by former boss Rene Meulensteen.

However, the 32-year-old has resumed full sessions with the Fulham first team after Magath took charge a fortnight ago.

The German chief has turned to the club's old heads as he bids to steep them to safety, with Brede Hangeland and Scott Parker having been restored to the side.

And Diarra is hoping to do enough to earn a new short-term deal with the Premier League strugglers for the final few months of the campaign.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/magath-hands-midfielder-fulham-chance-6766866?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham: Not Good Enough Against Chelsea But There's Still Hope

After being outclassed by Chelsea, Fulham's next fixture could determine their Premier league future...


Fulham: Not Good Enough Against Chelsea But There's Still Hope

Second-half capitulation has become a worrying trait upon the banks of the Thames. Once again, a positive first 45 minutes was followed by a tired, lacklustre second 45 which mirrored the efforts of Peter Kay on a treadmill.

Weirdly enough, we had gone into the break looking an attractive prospect, with only our frequent inability to convert opportunities restricting us from having a slender lead to show for our efforts. Nevertheless, we had matched a Chelsea side who were still feeling the effects of Wednesday night, but the worry was that our current pattern would follow suit.

To no surprise, we were treated to just that, with three goals conceded in the space of 15 minutes, completely sucking the life out of the game. The body language from the boys resembled a kid being told his dog had been sent to a farm, which lead to the din falling silent instantaneously.

I'll be honest, I didn't expect anything out of this game, and felt walking away with something to show would have me brimming with elation. However, I left with a heavy feeling of dejection due to the manner of our defeat. Chelsea's quality prevailed, but we were once again undone by our inability to maintain the high standards of our first half showing.

Our lack of killer instinct upfront was painfully evident, with Darren Bent gambling about like a gazelle on ice and timing jumps to the vicinity of a gap year student on acid. It was clear to see our outlet for goals was about as reliable as Harry Redknapp's transfer policy. Whilst our £12million star studded striker was struggling to obtain match fitness at Motspur Park, we were treated to a masterclass in hoofing the ball up to a striker who thrives on service on the floor. Puzzling doesn't half describe it.

Clint Dempsey's contribution was borderline damaging, in that had he of left midway to relieve himself in the Cottage toilets, we would of been none the wiser. His performance pretty much described his dreadful second spell in SW6, with the American looking like his abilities had aged a few decades, such is the current quality in the MLS. Fulham fans were hopeful of a farewell that would be remembered for years to come, but that was about as likely as Leonardo DiCaprio winning an Oscar (too soon?).

Brede Hangeland's early departure due to concussion was a key point, with his replacement, a young Dan Burn, enduring his first notably poor performance. He looked like he was on another planet, and it would be fair to say he played a part in the conceding of all three goals. Burn seemed horrifically out of place, and would have been more suited to his previous job pushing trolleys at Asda. I'm being harsh on the man, but that is due to the high standards he has set himself upon his return from spell at Birmingham City. He gave the impression that he wasn't mentally prepared for the encounter, having been named a substitute, and that is one thing you cannot afford to risk as a professional footballer.

One incident which is still fresh in mind was that of Ashkan Dejagah tangling his legs together and slipping over at the crucial moment. Those around me sighed and broke into hysterics, as it was the perfect act to sum up our luck this season. All it needed was Darren Bent to lose footing whilst through on goal, and Giorgios Karagounis to fall over after touching the ball to complete the scarily accurate portrayal.

If we are to focus on the positives, it's fair to say that most results this weekend swung in our favour, and we still only find ourselves four points adrift. My nerves surrounding the Cardiff game this Saturday are already beginning to brew, and it's fair to say it is do or die for Fulham. A loss, and our tenure in the top flight will slowly begin to fizzle out.

Crunch time begins now, and with a stretch of winnable games facing us in the next few weeks, we need to start picking up maximum points. No win since New Year's Day is more than concerning, and we don't want to end this season contemplating on what ifs. I must be the only sane person to still have faith in the boys, and hopefully my toxic mixture of bias and hope is rewarded come May.


http://sabotagetimes.com/reportage/fulham-not-good-enough-against-chelsea-but-theres-still-hope/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham game is biggest yet, says Cardiff's Ben Turner

Cardiff City host Fulham on Saturday – 19 v 20 – and Cardiff defender Ben Turner admitted that the importance of this game exceeds anything that has gone before this season.

"If those were must-win games," Turner said, looking back on recent home games with West Ham, Norwich, Aston Villa and Hull, "then our game with Fulham is whatever is more than a must-win." Cardiff have won one game this year and Turner knows they need to improve. "We definitely have to have the belief and to win our home games. We have to beat Fulham and then look for four wins after that."



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-game-is-biggest-yet-says-cardiffs-ben-turner-9166915.html