Saturday Fulham Stuff (15/03/14)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Brede Hangeland admits Fulham are getting desperate

Concerns: Brede Hangeland

Brede Hangeland admits time is running out for Fulham in their bid to avoid relegation.

The club are bottom of the Premier League and four points from safety with just nine games to go as they prepare to host Newcastle tomorrow.

Captain Hangeland  said: "We can do it but we are well aware that time is running out and we need to start picking up wins. We are desperate for points and this is a home match we need to win.

"You never know how many points you need to survive but we need better form than we have shown, everyone knows that.

"We look no further than tomorrow for hopefully a win that will kick off the rest of our season."

Hangeland was part of the Fulham team that looked doomed six years ago — they spent the first four months of 2008 in 19th place — before Roy Hodgson guided them to safety on the final day of the season.

"We were more or less relegated five games before the end of the season and we managed to stay up," said Hangeland.

"It just proves that you should never give up. It has been done before and it can be done again.

"I try to explain to everyone what we did and it is crucial to keep believing."


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/brede-hangeland-admits-fulham-are-getting-desperate-9192601.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Silence On Injuries Hints At The Chaos At Newcastle United

It all got a bit bizarre yesterday as Alan Pardew carried out his various filmed pre-Fulham press conference duties, only for straight afterwards the club to announce via Twitter the 'Breaking News' that both Loic Remy and Mathieu Debuchy were knackered and would miss the trip to Fulham.

Debuchy was said to have a groin injury while Remy had a problem with his calf, both players said to be going to miss the home matches with Palace and Everton as a minimum, along with Fulham.

The club have made a big show this week of relaunching their Twitter account under a different name and trying to use it in a slightly different way, plus giving fans more 'value' through the service. By waiting until after the manager's filmed press conference duties so that via Twitter was the first fans heard the news, has created a but of a bizarre situation.

I have seen various Pre-Fulham Press Conference video footage, including the near ten minutes or so piece that I PAY £45 to the club to have access to via their second rate TV channel, and absolutely no mention of the injuries and therefore no discussion by the manager as to how they would be dealt with.

We all know by now what little regard Mike Ashley has for the media but the fact is that it also impacts on all of us who rely on the various newspapers and tv stations to keep us updated, especially NUFC TV that I give the club £45 for to give me unique access blah blah blah.

It tells you also how stage managed the filmed  press conferences must be, with the questions agreed in advance of going on camera.

So in order to promote the club Twitter service it meant Alan Pardew wasn't asked on film about the selection conundrum posed by missing both Debuchy and especially Remy, injuries that the manager must clearly have known about when being filmed talking about Fulham.

Watching the interviews on the club's tv channel before each match, nearly every single time he is asked about what the injury situation is in advance of the game, yet bizarrely that question isn't put to him this time when there is 'breaking injury news' released straight after his press conference.

In terms of how uncoordinated the club is, they have this cloak and dagger announcement of the injuries but then nothing is done about how they are then promoting the matches both Remy and Debuchy will miss. If you go on the club website then everything relating to the promotion of our next home match against Palace, and trying to flog tickets, has Remy's face all over it.

Yes great giving a better Twitter service to the fans, but you can't just do that in isolation, and as for it then meaning the manager can't talk about the injury situation until the club gets its Twitter exclusive – well that is just an own goal.



http://www.themag.co.uk/the-mag-articles/silence-injuries-hints-chaos-newcastle-united-mathieu-debuchy-loic-remy-alan-pardew/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Darren Bent: 'Fulham still have belief'

Fulham's on-loan striker Darren Bent has insisted that the players have not given up in their battle against the drop, despite being rock-bottom with just nine games left to play.

Bent said that the players have been working hard in training to put right the defensive problems, and a win against Newcastle United on Saturday would be a huge step towards escaping.

"Football is all about different experiences and how you react to them, I maintain that," Bent told the club's official website. "The mood in the dressing room is good. Obviously we're concerned and don't want to be in the position we find ourselves in, but we share the belief that we'll stay up. You have to.

"We've had a good week of training, working on a few things that we needed to put right, and we'll go out against Newcastle in good shape - we'll be raring to go. You can go deep into tactics and game plans, but at the end of the day, it's the three points that are important and it doesn't matter how we get them."

Bent is on loan until the end of the season from Aston Villa.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/relegation-battle/news/bent-fulham-still-have-belief_144168.html

[WhiteJC]

 
LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Fulham v Newcastle

I feel a bit sorry for Fulham manager Felix Magath. He has been brought in to try to keep them up, and is trying to improve his players' fitness, but he does not know the Premier League.

His track record in Germany suggests he will pick up some points, but I am not sure whether it will be enough.

I am not really sure of what to expect from the Cottagers on Saturday but I don't think Newcastle will just roll over without their manager Alan Pardew, who is serving a stadium ban for his headbutt on Hull's David Meyler.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1
Ricky and Simon's prediction: With Pardew's stadium ban, maybe he can phone the players at half-time and tell them to score more goals. 0-1


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26546426

[WhiteJC]

 
Never Give Up

Brede Hangeland insists Fulham will 'never give up' in their fight for Barclays Premier League survival.

The Whites Captain leads his team out against Newcastle United at the Cottage on Saturday (3pm) as Fulham go in search of three precious points in their quest to maintain their top-flight status.

"Every match is really a cup final for us given the situation we're in," he said. "We're desperate for points as you can see in the league table and this is a home match we need to win.

"We've put ourselves in a very difficult situation. The pressure is definitely on and we have to try to deal with that and do everything we can to win the match.

"You can't go gung-ho and have every player attacking because this is the Premier League and the opposition can score goals. The balance between defending and attacking needs to be right and we know we have to go on a good run if we want to play in the Premier League next season."

The Whites are currently four points adrift of safety but, with nine games remaining, Hangeland believes all is not lost.

"You never know how many points you need to survive but we need better form than we've shown lately - everyone knows that," said Hangeland. "It would be really nice to start off with a win on Saturday.

"As long as it's mathematically possible, we can do it. We're well aware that time is running out and we need to start picking up wins so the home games are crucial. We look no further than Saturday for hopefully that win that is going kick off the rest of our season."

Fulham's current plight evokes memories of the Club's famous 'Great Escape' in 2007/08. Back then the Whites were actually one point worse off with nine games remaining but survived on the final day of the season.

"We were more or less relegated five games before the end of the season and we managed to stay up," stated Hangeland. "It just proves that you should never give up in a situation like this. It's been done before and it can be done again and it's something we're looking to replicate.

"It was the best feeling in my football career when we managed to stay up that year and I wouldn't mind trying to do that again."

He added: "I've been here for a long time and I'm probably the longest-serving player now. That connection grows stronger with every season. I try as best as I can to explain to everyone what we did and it's crucial to keep believing and work really hard as a group and use every training session and matches to go to the next level as individuals and as a team.

"We're putting in more of a physical shift on the training pitch which will hopefully prepare us to win the games."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/14/never-give-up?

[WhiteJC]

 
Felix Magath accuses Fulham of complacency in relegation fight

Felix Magath believes his Fulham players have been complacent over their Premier League survival chances.

The Cottagers, who host Newcastle on Saturday, are four points from safety with just nine games remaining.

Magath, who is Fulham's third boss this season, said: "The whole season they haven't realised that they are at the bottom of the table.

"Now they realise it's a relegation fight. It's an extraordinary situation. We have to stick together and fight."

Magath is yet to win a match as Fulham manager, having drawn 1-1 with relegation-threatened West Brom in his opening game and then lost the following two fixtures 3-1 against Chelsea and Cardiff.

The German stated that Fulham would avoid the drop when he took over and targeted six wins from their remaining 12 games at that time.

However, on Friday he questioned whether his players have the right attributes for the fight.

"At the beginning of the season nobody thought about a relegation fight," he said.

"The team was not built for a fight against relegation. We have to work with the players, to talk with them.

"The players tell me 'oh, we have 12 games left [after Magath's appointment], we have an easy schedule, we are able to manage this'.

"I think they were tempted by the situation that they are too secure. They don't say they are quite relaxed, but they say 'oh, we have 12 games, games are not so difficult'."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26588388

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham v Newcastle United: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Fulham and Newcastle United at Craven Cottage on Saturday March 15, 2014, kick-off 15.00 (GMT)

Saturday, March 15, 2014
Fulham v Newcastle United
Craven Cottage
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT.
TV: Highlights, BBC ONE Match of the Day.

Fulham (Possible, 4-4-2): Stekelenburg; Riether, Heitinga, Hangeland, Richardson; Dejagah, Sidwell, Holtby, Kacaniklic; Mitroglu, Bent.
Out: Briggs (hernia), Duff (hernia), Amorebieta, Karagounis (both muscle), Parker (knee).
Test: Dejagah (groin).

Newcastle (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Krul; Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Williamson, Dummett; Anita, Tioté; Sissoko, De Jong, Gouffran; Cissé.
Out: Debuchy (groin), Obertan, R Taylor (both knee), Rémy (calf), Ben Arfa (family illness).
Tests: Elliot, Santon (both knee).

Referee: Howard Webb. Matches: 23, R2 Y68.

Betting: Home 9-5, Away 7-5, Draw 5-2.

Team News
Winger Ashkan Dejagah faces a fitness test to determine if he can play for Fulham in Saturday's Premier League home clash with Newcastle after picking up an injury in last week's loss at Cardiff.

Midfielder Georgios Karagounis is out with a muscle strain suffered in south Wales, joining Scott Parker in the treatment room.

Parker could be back next week, but Damien Duff is out for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, absent Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has been dealt a major blow ahead of this game.

Pardew has a stadium ban after head-butting David Meyler and will set his team out in advance.

Leading scorer Loïc Rémy is likely to miss the next three games with a calf problem, and he will be joined on the sidelines by full-back Mathieu Debuchy, who has a groin problem and will sit out at least the same period.

Central defender Fabricio Coloccini returns after a family bereavement, but keeper Rob Elliot and full-back Davide Santon (both knee) remain doubts and midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa will not be included because of a family illness.

Match Notes
Fulham followers may find it barely believable but their side have been in even deeper relegation trouble before.

Back in 2008 they actually had one point less, with nine matches remaining, but under the direction of Roy Hodgson, escaped on the final day.

With current incumbent Felix Magath having gleaned one point from nine, Fulham's predicament is approaching terminal and even though Newcastle will be without banned manager Alan Pardew, their 4-1 spree at Hull last time out is an ominous omen.

Stat of the game: Newcastle have lost on their last four league visits to Craven Cottage.

Ben Findon's prediction: Fulham 1 Newcastle United 2



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10684929/Fulham-v-Newcastle-United-match-preview.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Scott Parker v Cheick Tiote: Head-to-head analysis ahead of the clash between Fulham and Newcastle United

Check out all the vital statistics concerning the two sides' players ahead of this weekend's Premier League meeting at Craven Cottage

Ahead of this weekend's Premier League meeting, between Fulham and Newcastle United, see how the sides' players Scott Parker and Cheick Tiote compare.

Data and graphic provided by whoscored.com


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/scott-parker-v-cheick-tiote-headtohead-analysis-ahead-of-the-clash-between-fulham-and-newcastle-united-9192842.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham v Newcastle



By Jonathan Pearce
BBC Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Saturday, 15 March

EAM NEWS

Fulham winger Ashkan Dejagah faces a fitness test after being forced off against Cardiff last week.

Giorgios Karagounis is out with a muscle problem, while Scott Parker remains sidelined by a knee injury.

Newcastle, already without suspended manager Alan Pardew, will also be missing injured pair Loic Remy and Mathieu Debuchy for the next few weeks.

Fabricio Coloccini returns after a family bereavement, but Hatem Ben Arfa has been given compassionate leave.

MATCH PREVIEW

Fulham look doomed. Their bungled season has been hopelessly managed. Deserving supporters of one of the most charming clubs in the land have been left to flounder towards the reef of relegation by a series of disastrous decisions by those at the helm.

Incredibly though, the Cottagers have escaped from straits more dire than these.

The bottom-of-the-table club are actually a point better off after 29 games than under Roy Hodgson in 2008, when they earned 16 points from the last nine matches to stay up on goal difference.

Manager Felix Magath is stoically hopeful: "We need to win all five home games. I think that could be enough."

Those remaining five home games are winnable though: Newcastle, Everton, Norwich, Hull and Palace. But do they deserve to stay up?

Previous owner Mohamed al Fayed would never have allowed this mess. Martin Jol should have gone last summer as soon as rumours began about Gus Poyet going to Fulham. Jol never seemed to have the dressing room behind him after that.

He'd also packed the side with too many luxury players and made poor signings in Amorebieta, Rodallega and Zverotic.

The Rene Meulensteen episode was bizarre. Now Felix Magath has arrived with a different, intensely disciplined style. At this late juncture, his methods seem untimely. I can't see the players relishing harsh training in March.

Nonetheless, this game is winnable on paper. Newcastle have lost four in a row at the Cottage and go there without Alan Pardew because of his stadium ban and top scorer Loic Remy because of injury.

Pardew deserved his suspension, but some of the lynch-mob calls for his head have bordered on senseless hysteria.

I have known the man for more than 25 years. He is passionate, driven and very good company. He is also a generous benefactor to charities away from football. He is fully aware that he now needs to show more generosity of spirit and less fire on the touchline.
There'll no more chances.

Earlier this season when there were calls for his sacking after four defeats on the spin, his players responded with a fine win in London - 3-1 at West Ham. I can see them repeating that.

Fulham may cling to memories of the 2008 escape. I can only see Championship football ahead for them.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Fulham have won four successive home matches against Newcastle, and six of the last seven.

There have been five goals scored in the 85th minute or later in their last five Premier League meetings.

Fulham
Fulham are without a win in their last nine league games (D2, L7).
They have lost 20 of their first 29 top-flight matches in a season for the first time in the club's history.
The Whites have the worst home record in the Premier League, earning just three wins and 10 points from 14 matches.
They have conceded 65 league goals this season - 15 more than the next-worst side, Cardiff. Thirty nine of those goals have come in the last 14 matches.
Fulham have used 36 different players in the league this season. Only Middlesbrough (37 in 2005-06) have used more in an entire Premier League campaign.

Newcastle United
Newcastle have won successive league games for the first time this calendar year. They last won three in a row as part of an eventual four-match winning streak in November.
The Magpies have lost 10 of the 11 league games in which they have been behind this season. The exception was the 5-1 home win over Stoke on Boxing Day.
Their last 61 league goals have been scored by non-English players. James Perch was the last Englishman to score in the 4-3 defeat at Manchester United on Boxing Day 2012.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26493211

[WhiteJC]

 
Under-18 Preview

Our Under-18s are back in action on Saturday (11am) when they host Southampton at Motspur Park.

On the back of two straight wins, Fulham enter the game at the top of the Barclays Under-18 Premier League as Steve Wigley's side continue to mount another successful title charge.

Last Friday they saw off Chelsea at the Blues' Cobham training centre, with Dean O'Halloran, Patrick Roberts and Aaron Redford (pictured) on target in a commanding 3-0 victory.

Fulham and Southampton have already met this term, with the two teams playing out a 1-1 draw on the South Coast last December. Sam Gallagher, who has featured for the Saints' first team, opened the scoring before a late penalty from George Williams rescued a point.

Southampton start the match in sixth place, having won 10 and drawn six of their 24 fixtures so far. Last weekend, the Saints were held to a 3-3 draw against Leicester City, with Ryan Seagar (2) and Dan Demkiv scoring the goals.

The draw came on the back of a 5-0 thumping of Aston Villa, with Seagar, Jake Hesketh, Will Wood (2) and Niall Mason all netting.

Overseen by former Saints defender Jason Dodd, Southampton's success at academy level is well documented with a number of graduates promoted to first-team duty. The current crop of hopefuls include Seagar, Hesketh, Matt Targett and Josh Sims.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/14/u18-v-soton?

[WhiteJC]

 
Player To Watch This Weekend: Lewis Holtby (Fulham)

Those who saw Lewis Holtby's post-game interview after Fulham's defeat to Cardiff last weekend will have already taken the German to their hearts. Frustrated, disappointed, and close to tears, Holtby may well be an on-loan player but his commitment to his temporary club's cause is an example some of the full-time employees would do well to follow.

Following the disaster in South-Wales, Fulham return to Craven Cottage to face Newcastle tomorrow, who themselves are in the midst of an altogether different sort of crisis. Mathieu Debuchy will be missing for the visitors, as well the hugely influential Loic Remy, and Alan Pardew begins his stadium ban for....well...being Alan Pardew.

If Felix Magath needed a win last weekend, then he really, really needs one this time – the games are running out, the fixture list isn't kind, and this is a Newcastle team who have, in effect, nothing to play for. West Brom and Cardiff will both likely lose, and Sunderland and Crystal Palace are playing each other – this is an opportunity to reclaim ground which can't be passed-up.

Holtby is not a player – not yet, anyway – who can put a side on his back and drag them up the table, but he has the kind of enthusiasm and spirit which is both infectious and vital to a team in Fulham's predicament. Couple that with his vision and technique, and you suspect that he will be integral to everything that his side do well this weekend.

A special human-being, and a special player who has all the tools to unlock the visitors tomorrow.


http://thepremierleagueowl.com/player-to-watch-this-weekend-lewis-holtby-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham squad 'not used' to relegation fight, Magath claims

Fulham's players are ill-suited to a relegation fight according to manager Felix Magath.

The Whites are bottom of the league and have only picked up one point in the German's three matches in charge.

They are in a position where they almost have to win against Newcastle on Saturday and Magath is hopeful that they are up for the battle.

"The players are not used to a relegation fight," he said. "They are players, particularly if they came from teams that were in another situation [challenging at the top of the table] so the players have got to get used to it so they are not quite sure how to do it."

John Heitinga said that it would take a 'miracle' for Fulham to stay up, but the manager disagrees with that assessment.

"I don't agree that we need a miracle to stay up," he added. "We need 100 per cent willingness.

"Then I'm convinced we can win a few games in the last nine and I don't rely on miracles and luck. I prefer to work for it and it should work."

Newcastle will be missing manager Alan Pardew from the sidelines as he starts a stadium ban for his headbutt on Hull's David Meyler.

And Magath believes that the Magpies will be weaker without their manager on the side.

"Sure, every team has its manager," he added. "Normally – it's not usual and it could be a chance for us. You have to take the chance."

Fulham will be without Damien Duff, Giorgos Karagounis and Scott Parker while Ashkan Dejagah requires a fitness test. William Kvist is fit to play.


http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_squad_not_used_to_relegation_fight_magath_claims_1_3434562

[WhiteJC]

 
Felix Magath: Fulham "don't need a miracle"

Fulham manager Felix Magath has denied that Fulham need a "miracle" to escape the drop this season, despite being rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table with just nine games to play.

The Whites host Newcastle United on Saturday and the German admitted that taking the three points is a chance that Fulham simply have to take.

"We don't need a miracle, we need 100% willingness," Magath said in his pre-match press conference.

"I'm convinced that we can win games. I don't rely on miracles or luck. We have a chance to beat Newcastle tomorrow and we have to take that chance."

A win on Saturday would still see Fulham remain bottom of the league.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/relegation-battle/news/magath-fulham-dont-need-a-miracle_144194.html

[WhiteJC]

Fulham vs Newcastle United – matchday preview

Newcastle travel to Craven Cottage on Saturday aiming to make it three wins on the spin since November.

Alan Pardew will be vacant from the stadium as he begins his seven match ban and a further blow for caretaker boss John Carver as Loic Remy (Calf) and Mathieu Debuchy (Groin) will both miss the match and are expected to miss the following games against Crystal Palace and Everton.

Club captain Fabricio Coloccini who had a family bereavement does return to the side after missing the victory last week over Hull City.

Hatem Ben Arfa is a doubt and Carver will be hoping to use the Frenchman tomorrow as Ben Arfa has scored in his last three meetings against 'The Whites'

Felix Magath has yet to taste victory since taking over from Rene Meulensteen and the Fulham boss is without several key players.

Midfielder Ashkan Dejagah is a doubt with a knock he picked up during the defeat to Cardiff City meanwhile midfielder Scott Parker has a knee problem.

William Kvist could struggle to shake off a hamstring problem and looks likely that former Newcastle midfielder Damien Duff will miss the remainder of the season. The good news for Magath is Fernando Amorebieta is in line for a return to the line up following a muscle injury.

The London side are currently bottom of the league and four points adrift of West Brom who are 17th and have lost 14 of their 18 home games this season, They do however have the advantage over their opponents winning four out the last five meetings.

Newcastle meanwhile will want to not only gain ground on Everton and Manchester United but also start a getaway from Southampton who are creeping up behind Pardew's men on 42 points.


http://www.nufcfans.co.uk/2014/03/fulham-vs-newcastle-united-matchday-preview/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Why Fulham can stay up if they beat Newcastle United this weekend

If Fulham beat Newcastle United on Saturday, will the belief return to Craven Cottage?

Or is the despair that is encircling the club and its fans so vast that, no matter the result, relegation will still be a mere inevitability?

You'd like to hope for the former but the reality is that most fans are resigned to the worst possible fate and no resurrection will change that.

But the fact is, defeating Newcastle, and playing with a smattering of cohesion along the way, would change the whole dynamic of our season, even though it would still leave us bottom.

We would be on 24 points, some distance short of escaping the drop zone. Our goal difference would still be embarrassing, a depressing reflection on a year's worth of defensive ineptitude.

But we would have won a match. Felix Magath would get his tenure started, the players would be reinvigorated, the confidence, across some of this depleted squad at least, would return.

This is all just small talk, though. A win would be nice but it's by no means likely.

Our opponents are a top 10 side, brimming with individual quality, while the lack of a manager on the sidelines on Saturday isn't going to effect the proceedings in the slightest.

Yet, you'd like to think that, with very little for Newcastle to play for, our commitment will outweigh theirs.

And – though it is a particularly bold claim – perhaps the defeat at Cardiff City has eased the pressure a little on us. There is less expectancy now and you get the sense that many of our current group of players work better in such an environment.

We need to get things absolutely right on the day, however. Magath needs to blend the creativity that has gone missing under his tutorship with a defensive solidity that has been absent for even longer.

It's no mean feat, but it's certainly possible.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/14/why-fulham-can-stay-up-if-they-beat-newcastle-united-this-weekend-4574226/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Magath's Newcastle Preview

Hard work and a willing attitude is what it will take for Fulham to avoid relegation from the Barclays Premier League, according to Whites boss Felix Magath.

Last week's defeat to Cardiff City left his side rooted to the bottom of the table but, when asked if a miracle would be needed to survive, Magath stated: "I don't agree. We don't need a miracle, we need 100 per cent willingness. I'm convinced that we can win a few games in the last nine. I don't rely on miracles or luck, I prefer to work at it.

"We are all hopeful that we win games. The most important thing is to win one game [to start with] to give the team and the players more confidence. We didn't take the chance, three times [against West Bromwich Albion, Chelsea or Cardiff], so we now have to take the chance in the home game against Newcastle.

"For us, it would have been important to have a win last week to give confidence. We are all disappointed because against Cardiff, the team which is close to us, it would help us but a win is all we need.

"Now we have five home games left so I think it is possible to win the home games and we can take a win from the away games too."

Magath took many by surprise when he handed 19-year-old Cauley Woodrow a debut in South Wales, but the Fulham boss explained that team changes are inevitable when results are not going our way.

"When things have not worked so well, you have to change something," he said. "If things go well you don't need to change but now we have no results so we have to change things.

"I'm manager for all the players the Club has given me so I have to give everybody his chance. Darren Bent had his chances, as well as the other strikers. Why shouldn't I give Cauley Woodrow a chance? If we don't do so well I'll give other players a chance to show how good they are."

Newcastle United arrive at Craven Cottage on Saturday but Fulham will be without former Magpies midfielder Scott Parker for the game, although Magath is confident he will be available for our trip to Manchester City.

"Scott Parker is injured and will not join us but William Kvist is able to play," he confirmed. "It was a problem for us that Parker is injured but I think next week he will come back to the team and for the next game he will be ready.

"Giorgos Karagounis had a muscle problem since last Saturday at Cardiff. And Ashkan Dejagah also has a problem from last Saturday. Ashkan will have a test on Friday and maybe he can join us, but Karagounis will be out of the squad for Saturday."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/14/magaths-newcastle-preview?

[WhiteJC]

 
Magath hopes to take chance
Felix Magath hopes Fulham can capitalise on the absence of banned Newcastle boss Alan Pardew in Saturday's Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.

Felix Magath hopes Fulham can capitalise on the absence of banned Newcastle boss Alan Pardew in Saturday's Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.

The Cottagers are four points adrift of safety with nine matches to play, beginning at home to the Magpies, who are without Pardew for the first of seven matches due to his ban for headbutting Hull midfielder David Meyler.

"Every team has his manager beside normally, so it's not usual. It could be a chance for us. (But) always you have to take the chance," Magath said.

"Everybody makes mistakes. He was punished. That's it."

Magath has called on his players to wake up to their predicament at the bottom of the table and seize their chance against Newcastle.

"The most important thing is to win one game to give the players and the team more confidence," said Magath, who has one point from his three matches in charge.

"We didn't take the chance three times. Now we have to take the chance tomorrow in the home game against Newcastle.

"We've got the chance to take three points. If we can realise that I think we have a good chance (of survival)."

Magath targeted six wins from 12 games on his appointment, but is still chasing his first.

He believes results at Craven Cottage will be key, with the Magpies, Everton, Norwich, Hull and Crystal Palace still to come, and thinks six wins is still achievable.

He added: "Now we have five home games left. I think it is possible to win the home games and take a win from the away games, too."

Winger Ashkan Dejagah faces a fitness test to determine if he can play after picking up an injury in last week's loss at Cardiff.

Midfielder Georgios Karagounis is out with a muscle strain suffered in south Wales, joining Scott Parker (knee) in the treatment room.

Parker could be back next week but Damien Duff (knee) is out for the rest of the season.

Pardew will set his team out in advance but leading scorer Loic Remy is likely to miss the next three games with a calf problem, and he will be joined on the sidelines by full-back Mathieu Debuchy, who has a groin problem and will sit out at least the same period.

Central defender Fabricio Coloccini returns after a family bereavement, but keeper Rob Elliot and full-back Davide Santon (both knee) remain doubts and midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa will not be included because of a family illness.

Newcastle skipper Coloccini insists Pardew has the full support of his players as he prepares for his enforced exile.

The 52-year-old boss will begin this three-match stadium ban and will subsequently spend four matches watching from the stands as part of his punishment for headbutting Meyler.

Pardew has also been fined a total of £160,000 and left in little doubt that his behaviour at the KC Stadium, where his side won 4-1, was unacceptable.

However, while the contrite Newcastle manager readies himself to deal with the consequences of his actions, Coloccini has confirmed that he has the backing of the dressing room.

The 32-year-old Argentina international said: "Of course we are behind him. He's the manager and he is like our team-mate. The players and the club support him.

"He knows what he did. It's finished. All of us can do something wrong.

"After these seven games, he is going to have the chance to show to everyone it was a mistake, and no more than that."

Pardew will give his team-talk at the hotel before handing over the reins to assistant John Carver as the players board the bus for Craven Cottage, and will be helpless from that point on.

But he has faith in Carver, who worked under Sir Bobby Robson at St James' Park and led the club to a 3-0 Barclays Premier League victory over Blackburn as caretaker manager in September 2004.

And the players share that trust.

Coloccini said: "He's an experienced man. He was here for the best years when Sir Bobby Robson was here.

"It's nothing new for him. He has all of our help."


http://sport.bt.com/sportfootball/football/englishfootball/barclayspremierleague/barclayspremierleaguenews/magath-hopes-to-take-chance-S11363884599857?

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Newcastle Tickets Sold Out

Tickets for Saturday's match against Newcastle United are now sold out! Supporters are advised to check other options, such as our Official Ticket Marketplace partner viagogo.


Hospitality still available

An extremely limited number of Matchday Hospitality packages are still available to purchase, with prices starting from just £125 (+VAT) per person.

To book your package, buy online today.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/14/newcastle-sold-out?

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Magath craves Cottage industry to take advantage of Newcastle in Pardew's absence

Felix Magath hopes Fulham can capitalise on the absence of banned Newcastle boss Alan Pardew in Saturday's Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.

The Cottagers are four points adrift of safety with nine matches to play, beginning at home to the Magpies, who are without Pardew for the first of seven matches due to his ban for head-butting Hull midfielder David Meyler.

'Every team has his manager beside normally, so it's not usual. It could be a chance for us. (But) always you have to take the chance,' Magath said.


Training day: Felix Magath (L) has challenged Fulham to take advantage of Alan Pardew's enforced absence

Still waiting: Magath is yet to win a Premier League game since taking over at Craven Cottage
'Everybody makes mistakes. He was punished. That's it.'
Magath has called on his players to wake up to their predicament at the bottom of the table and seize their chance against Newcastle.

'The most important thing is to win one game to give the players and the team more confidence," said Magath, who has one point from his three matches in charge.

'We didn't take the chance three times. Now we have to take the chance tomorrow in the home game against Newcastle.

'We've got the chance to take three points. If we can realise that I think we have a good chance (of survival).'

Magath targeted six wins from 12 games on his appointment, but is still chasing his first.

He believes results at Craven Cottage will be key, with the Magpies, Everton, Norwich, Hull and Crystal Palace and thinks six wins is still achievable.

He added: 'Now we have five home games left. I think it is possible to win the home games and take a win from the away games too.'


Squeaky bum time! Fulham are four points off safety after losing to Cardiff in their last game
Magath disagreed with defender Johnny Heitinga's assessment that Fulham need a 'miracle' to survive, but says the players are not accustomed to their lowly position.

'I am convinced that we can win a few games in the last nine and I don't rely on miracles or luck, I prefer to work,' Magath said.

'The players are not used to a relegation fight. They are players who came from teams which were in another situation.


Top boyo! Steven Caulker wheels away after scoring against Fulham in a relegation six-pointer
'The players don't get used to it, so at the moment they are not quite sure how to do it.'

On-loan Aston Villa striker Darren Bent was overlooked in favour of under-21 forward Cauley Woodrow at Cardiff.

Magath added: 'I'm manager for all the players. I have to give everybody his chance.

'Darren Bent had his chances, as well as the other strikers. Why shouldn't I give Cauley Woodrow another chance?


Reputations count for nothing! Darren Bent was overlooked for youngster Cauley Woodrow against Cardiff
'If we do not so well I will give other players a chance to show how good they are.'

Winger Ashkan Dejagah faces a fitness test to determine if he can play against Newcastle, but midfielder Giorgos Karagounis is out with a muscle strain suffered in south Wales, joining Scott Parker (knee) in the treatment room. Parker could be back for next week's match at Manchester City.

Magath added: 'I think he will come back to the team for the next game.'



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2581177/Felix-Magath-urges-Fulham-advantage-Newcastle-Alan-Pardews-enforced-absence.html#ixzz2w0yLSFWK
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

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FULHAM BOSS' JOB HINGES ON NEWCASTLE TIE?

PROBABLE LINEUPS:
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg, Riether, Heitinga, Hangeland, Riise, Sidwell, Karagounis, Dejagah Richardson, Holtby, Mitroglou

The rock bottom Premier League side will need nothing short of a miracle to survive the drop.  Form is also not on their side, having collected only two points from a possible 27 in their last nine games. Head coach Felix Magath is however still optimistic of avoiding relegation, hammering his team with defensive drills during the week.  Hangeland will continue to partner Heitinga in center back while Kostas Mitroglou should get the nod over Darren Bent to lead the Cottagers' attack.

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Krul, Debuchy, Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Santon, Anita, Tioté, Sissoko, de Jong, Gouffran, Remy

A inspired Moussa Sissoko performance earned Newcastle an emphatic 4-1 away win over Hull City and Alan Pardew's men will be hoping for a similar performance.  Pardew himself, however, will serve a seven game ban for his 'headbutt' on Hull's David Meyler. Yanga-Mbiwa deputized for the injured Fabricio Coloccini last time out but Steven Taylor could very well partner Mike Williamson at the heart of defence against the Cottagers. Loic Remy is a doubt but should be fit for the journey to London.

WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING...
In 2012 Fulham ended a run of 7 games without win against Newcastle. Let's do it again this Saturday with Steve & Hugo! #coyw FFC 2-1 NUFC

— Ernie Klutz (@ErnieKlutz) March 12, 2014



Pardew starts his stadium ban this Saturday v Fulham at Craven Cottage. Fulham praying the ban extends to the whole Newcastle squad.

— Andrew Liu (@AndrewLiu5) March 12, 2014



Well thats the Sunday papers sorted. 'Fulham fail to beat Newcastle who have no manager in the stadium'

— MJG (@1966MJG) March 11, 2014


ANTASY FOOTBALL DANGER MAN
heitinga

Felix Magath has been putting his side through defensive drills all week and if he wants to start his climb out of the bottom it must begin now.  With Loic Remy possibly out injured, we're backing John Heitinga – who also has a goal and an assist in his last two games – to lead his back-line to a Craven Cottage shutout.

STATS TO GET YOU HEAD AROUND...
Fulham vs. Newcastle United: An Alternative Preview

Fulham have won the last four Barclays Premier League home games against Newcastle.

Hatem Ben Arfa has scored in each of his three Barclays Premier League appearances against the Whites.

Fulham have used 36 different players in the Premier League this season; six more than any other side.

There have been five goals in the 85th minute or later in the last five Premier League games between Fulham and Newcastle.

There have been four penalties (all scored) in the last five Premier League meetings between Fulham and Newcastle at Craven Cottage.

Fulham have lost 14 of their last 18 Premier League home matches (W3 D1 L14).

Fulham have scored nine goals from corners this season, more than any other side.

Newcastle are the only Premier League team for whom an Englishman hasn't scored this season.

Newcastle United have won four of their last five Premier League games in London.

Cheik Tiote will be looking to avoid being booked in three or more successive Premier League games for the fifth time.



http://www.footballfancast.com/match/695193?