Thursday Fulham Stuff (24/04/14)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Hull City: Strikers Shane Long and Sone Aluko back in the mix for Fulham clash

Strikers Sone Aluko and Shane Long are both making good progress from injury and could both be fit to face Fulham

Hull City could call upon a full complement of forwards for this weekend's vital trip to Fulham as they aim for the win that could secure Premier League survival.

Injury doubts Shane Long and Sone Aluko have both made encouraging progress in the last 48 hours to remain in contention to face the Cottagers and could join Yannick Sagbo, who yesterday escaped suspension following an FA charge.

Steve Bruce had feared missing all three players for Saturday's date in the capital.

However, with Nikica Jelavic and Matty Fryatt also available, the City boss is now hopeful of calling upon his full array of strikers.

A final decision will not be made on Aluko and Long until Friday at the earliest but the outlook for both featuring has brightened.

Aluko had previously been rated as a major doubt for this weekend after suffering a hamstring injury in the build-up to Saturday's 3-0 defeat at home to Arsenal, while Long was also considered a worry when withdrawn at half-time with a blow to the calf.

However, City now hope both Aluko and Long could return to full training either tomorrow or on Friday and be considered for a place in the travelling squad that heads to the capital.

It is unlikely Aluko would be risked from the start after Bruce suggested the forward's fitness was becoming a "worry" but Long, an ever-present in the Premier League since arriving at the KC, would be a sure starter if fully fit.

One player certain to be involved is Sagbo following the conclusion of his FA case in relation to Nikolas Anelka's quenelle celebration.

The 26-year-old was hit with a £15,000 fine and warned over his future conduct following the findings of Independent Regulatory Commission, but was relieved to escape a ban that would have left him sidelined for part of the Tigers' run-in.

Privately, City had braced themselves for a suspension when Sagbo admitted an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3 in his personal hearing last Thursday.

A post on Sagbo's Twitter account on December 28 had appeared to endorse the quenelle gesture when he wrote "Legend" alongside a picture of Anelka's infamous celebration when scoring in West Brom's 3-3 draw at West Ham hours earlier.

The anti-Semitic connotations of Anelka's actions saw him hit with a five-game ban and the Tigers had feared a perceived show of support would bring Sagbo a lesser ban of his own.

A three-man panel were instead satisfied that a compulsory education course on top of a £15,000 fine would prove sufficient, but that may not yet mean the end of the matter.

The FA have the right to appeal the findings of the Independent Regulatory Commission should they deem the punishment insufficient and that could feasibly see Sagbo still vulnerable to a suspension.

That appears improbable after declining the same opportunity to appeal Anelka's ban last month but City will await the FA's next move with interest.



Read more: http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-City-Strikers-Shane-Long-Sone-Aluko-mix/story-20998322-detail/story.html#ixzz2zjakQ0QM

[WhiteJC]

 
Philip Buckingham: 'Beat Fulham and Hull City can focus on cup, lose and pressure's still on

STEVE BRUCE: "I'm not really interested in Wembley just yet"

Philip Buckingham finds Hull City boss Steve Bruce focused on securing Premier League safety before even thinking of Wembley

IN THE wake of a comprehensive defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, Steve Bruce bristled at the notion his Hull City side could learn lessons ahead of facing the same opposition in next month's FA Cup final.

"I'm not really interested in Wembley just yet," was the unusually blunt response. "We've got to stay in this league and let Wembley look after itself in four weeks."

While City supporters have eagerly begun making plans for a return to the scene of their semi-final win over Sheffield United, the only trip to the capital occupying Bruce's mind is this weekend's date with Fulham.

Not even a six-point advantage held over the Premier League's relegation zone can placate the Tigers' boss inside the final three weeks of the season. Nor can a respectable goal difference, which is at least 15 better than any side in the bottom four.

So, even with bookmakers offering odds of 50/1 for the Tigers to be relegated, Bruce will not relax until City drag every last inch of their torso over the finishing line. Only then will he contemplate making a date with his tailor for that new Wembley suit.

Bruce wants survival rubber-stamped as quickly as possible and that means in Saturday's trip to Fulham.

In a fixture that the Cottagers must win to keep alive their fading hopes of avoiding the drop, City know a victory would light the candles on a cake already covered with an FA Cup icing.

The Tigers would be bulletproof on 39 points. Fulham would be condemned to finish beneath them and the same fate would befall the losers of Sunderland's monumental clash with Cardiff the following lunchtime. Then there is 17th-placed Norwich. Defeat for them at a beleaguered Manchester United would also leave them unable to hit 39 points. By 2pm on Sunday the last fear of relegation could be banished from the KC.

A definitive answer on City's fate would have to wait should the clash with Fulham end all square, but you can be certain Bruce would gratefully accept a point.

That would leave Fulham needing a mathematical miracle to overturn the gulf in goal difference, while also asking Sunderland and Cardiff to find eight points from their remaining fixtures.

Not impossible for a Sunderland side with three inviting home games still to come, but even in those unlikely circumstances the heat would then be on Norwich to find two wins from their remaining three games against Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. A long, long shot.

The only outcome that would encourage worry to spread would be a defeat at Fulham this weekend. The absolute worse case scenario could yet see City travelling back to East Yorkshire just three points clear of the watermark, but even then there would be another three games to make amends.

Only once all season have City gone four games without picking up a single point and if that is their realistic final aim to supplement an impressive goal difference, it is little wonder the bookies scoff at the prospect of City going down.

Bruce will not want to leave survival hanging on games against Manchester United and Everton inside the final week of the season, but the trips to Fulham and Aston Villa provide no shortage of hope.

Of their 16 games against teams currently residing in the bottom half of the Premier League, City have amassed a more than commendable 28 points.

Included in that figure are eight of their 10 league wins this season, while only four of those have ended in defeat, against Crystal Palace (twice), Norwich and West Ham.

"We are still in a wonderful position, we've just got to see it through," said Bruce.

"We've got three away games before our last home game. Against teams in and around us we've been particularly good, and that's why we're in the position we're in.

"It would be nice to get a win to put it to bed but we've still got a bit of work to do."

Fulham will be a different beast to the one tamed 6-0 at the KC in the final fixture of 2013, having been brought back to life by Felix Magath, but there is only one club under any pressure this weekend.

Bruce's office at the club's training ground has been decorated with fixture print-outs of all the club's in the bottom half of the Premier League since as far back as February. Crystal Palace, Stoke and perhaps West Ham have all done enough to find their run-ins moved from the wall to the bin.

He will hope to remove his own side's schedule come Monday morning, safe in the knowledge it has become someone else's fight. Then, and only then, will Bruce allow himself to begin preparing for the FA Cup final.



Read more: http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Philip-Buckingham-Beat-Fulham-Hull-City-focus-cup/story-20998254-detail/story.html#ixzz2zjbEKaZW

[WhiteJC]

 
Duo Draw In Helsinki

Alex Brister and Josh Pritchard were both in action for FC Honka on Tuesday as their loan side drew 2-2 away to Helsinki.

The home team went ahead when former Chelsea and Birmingham City striker Mikael Forssell netted with just five minutes played, but Honka equalised on the stroke of half-time through Roni Porokara.

Mehmet Hetemaj then gave Shefki Kuqi's side the lead eight minutes after the restart, but their advantage was short lived as Nikolai Alho restored parity moments later.

Pritchard was withdrawn with 15 minutes remaining of his debut in Finland, while Brister played the full game.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/april/23/duo-draw-in-helsinki?

[WhiteJC]

 
Steve Sidwell – Fulham's player of the year?


Steve Sidwell is Fulham's top-scorer with seven goals already this term. (Picture: AP Photo)

At the beginning of the season, I made an impassioned call to let Steve Sidwell go.

I labelled him 'useless', short of 'physicality' and claimed he blended into a background that was already full to the brim with over-aged has-beens.

But, I am happy to hold my hands up, eat my words and apologise to one of this season's best players. Sidwell, I am sorry.

For he has, in fact, been superb throughout this campaign. He might not have the creative nous of the common-or-garden Premier League midfielder – beyond Lewis Holtby, who does in this Fulham squad? – but he has made up for that through sheer graft in a year of otherwise deflating lows.

The 31 year-old has stood out as a player that never gives in, packs a punch in the tackle and, most importantly, can maraud into the box and grab seven goals in a single campaign.

You might not think that is much but, as our top goalscorer this season, his input has been invaluable.

Who'd have thought it, though? Beyond the likes of Scott Parker and Brede Hangeland, Sidwell would be the most dogged and determined member of this team?


Fulham's midfielder Scott Parker (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)
And who'd have believed that, with Dimitar Berbatov and Kostas Mitroglou gracing our squad, Sidwell would be our most potent asset?

Because, quite simply, he is. And for that, he is the stand-out candidate for player of the season, regardless of what happens over these last few tense, remaining weeks.

David Stockdale would push him far, of course, but he's only played half the season at best. Holtby has suffered a similar fate.

Yet Sidwell has been consistently relentless throughout; the prominent team member in a year that could, potentially, play a huge role in our future.

Go down, and he shall be the man that fought to the very end. Stay up, and he will be nothing short of a hero.

Either way, he's deserving of our highest accolade.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/04/23/steve-sidwell-fulhams-player-of-the-year-4706308/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Cresswell Interest!
   
Newspaper speculation has Fulham linked with a defender.

The player in question is, Aaron Creswell, a left-back who is currently plying his trade with Ipswich Town.

It would appear that the Portman Road based club are about to be inundated with requests for his services with it being reported that as well as Fulham, Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion and Southampton are also keen to acquire the player.

As for a fee, well the piece of gossip I stumbled upon infers that a fee of £4 million would be required to change hands!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=356938#ixzz2zjc9NcW3

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham target certain to leave after relegation


Ochoa is set to leave the club following Ajaccio's relegation (Action Images)

Guillermo Ochoa is set to leave the club following Ajaccio's relegation from France's Ligue 1, with a host of clubs interested in the Mexican goalkeeper.

The experienced stopper was awaiting confirmation of his side's fate before making a decision and it was confirmed on the weekend that the club were relegated by rivals Bastia.

Ochoa's contract is set to expire in June later this year and is therefore allowed to leave the club on a free transfer.

Fulham have been keen on the Mexican for over a year but face competitionfrom Italian giants AC Milan as well as Olympique Marseille.

The Londoners will find it tough to lure the 28-year-old as Ochoa himself recently confessed that he prefers to stay in France and has welcomed the interest of Marseille.

"My priority is to stay in France. My agent takes care of that," he told Canal Football Club.

Fulham's chances hinge on their Premier League survival but any other outcome will not be enough to convince Ochoa of joining.


http://www.footballdirectnews.com/premier-league-news/47244-fulham-target-certain-to-leave-after-relegation.php#.U1gDrMYcKbA

[WhiteJC]

 
Breaking Brede

There are few things that are a constant when it comes to being a Fulham fan these days. The conveyer belt of managers has brought with it waves of new signings and the only thing that seems to have remained throughout the turmoil is our captain Brede Hangeland.

He has been with us since the great escape in 2008 and his pairing with Aaron Hughes was the base from which we built our Europa League run. The partnership faded with the decline of Hughes, who having lost a yard of pace, was never going to continue as a starter week in, week out. The search for a replacement saw a number of suitors come and go with Philippe Senderos coming as close as anyone to establishing himself under Martin Jol but with mixed results.

A few years down the line and with the departed Hughes a distant memory I find myself looking at Hangeland and questioning whether or not it may now be he who is the weak link in our leaky defence. I can't help but feel the decline came about when a move away failed to materialise, in some part down to his loyalty to the club a few seasons back. The realisation that Fulham was as good as it would get perhaps set in and there was no longer anyone to impress.

He will turn 33 in June and while inevitably pace will become an issue, it is the other aspects of his game that are more troubling. The rapid decline in his distribution from the back has been notable. At first I put it down to a lack of movement from what was a rather immobile frontline but now even the simple passes seem to evade him. The days of the 40-yard balls to spring counter-attacks are long gone and the need for an extra touch on the ball is there for all to see.

It would be hard to lay blame for every one of the 77 goals conceded (so far) this term on Hangeland, as we know there are plenty of frailties elsewhere. The fact that we have conceded 31 of those goals from set pieces though must surely call in to question his leadership and organisational awareness. I know it's reflective of training and set instructions but Brede is not the commanding presence of seasons past, and at times we look lost trying to pick up our markers.

Arguably it has become more noticeable since the acquisition of John Heitinga. The Dutchman has been excellent and is firmly established in my eyes at least as the best centre-back we have at the club. Given he was only signed on a six-month contract, I would hope this is something we will address as soon as possible. Fernando Amorebieta is showing signs of improvement and Dan Burn definitely needs more first team experience. No longer is it the case of who should play alongside Hangeland, but instead finding who best complements Heitinga.



http://www.shoot.co.uk/breaking-brede/

[WhiteJC]

 
Brentford Go From Hitting The Bar To Hitting The Bar

TWELVE months ago, it was tears and tantrums at Griffin Park, home of Brentford, where on loan Fulham striker Marcello Trotta's last minute penalty miss rebounding off the bar cost Brentford an automatic place in this season's Championship and the club was deflated after their Play Off Final defeat against Yeovil at Wembley two weeks later meaning the Bees would start the 2013/14 campaign in League One.

But twelve months on, Brentford clinched promotion to the Championship with another penalty, this time though, with Trotta on the bench, it was on loan winger Alan Judge who gave the Bees the three points against Preston to see the West London club promoted to the second flight of English football in over 20 years.

It was certainly party time at Griffin Park as the fans celebrated by hitting their own bar as the West London club start the 2014/15 season in the Championship buzzing...


http://www.sport.co.uk/football/brentford-go-from-hitting-the-bar-to-hitting-the-bar/4687769/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Youth Cup Tickets

Tickets for the First Leg of the FA Youth Cup Final are now available for supporters to purchase on General Sale.

Fulham Under-18s take on local rivals Chelsea in the Final of the prestigious competition, with the First Leg taking place at Craven Cottage on Monday 28th April (7.45pm).

The sides meet again on Monday 5th May (7.45pm) at Stamford Bridge.

It promises to be a thrilling tie between two of the most exciting Under-18 sides in the country, so don't miss the opportunity to see the future of Fulham Football Club battle to take home the FA Youth Cup trophy for the first time in our history!

Tickets are priced at just £5 for adults and £3 for over-65s and under-16s, and can be purchased online, over the phone on 0843 208 1234 (option 3), or in person from the Ticket Office. Tickets for the Second Leg go on sale at 9am on Thursday 24th April.

Tickets for the First Leg will be available to buy from the turnstiles on the day, but we are anticipating a strong attendance so recommend fans purchase their tickets in advance.

Chelsea will not be selling any tickets on the day so fans wishing to attend the match at Stamford Bridge must purchase their tickets in advance.
Buy Online
NB: Fans are advised that there will be a traffic management order in place for the Craven Cottage fixture which includes matchday parking restrictions. Fans travelling by car are advised to check local signs prior to parking their vehicles.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/april/23/youth-cup-tickets?

[WhiteJC]

 
Player Focus: Lewis Holtby Crucial in Fulham's Survival Quest

When Fulham made the short trip across London to face Tottenham at the weekend, they did so without Lewis Holtby. Having signed for the Cottagers on loan from Spurs in January, league stipulations denied the player from turning out against his parent club.

In his absence, Fulham succumbed to a 3-1 defeat in Saturday's early kick-off and despite the best efforts of top scorer Steve Sidwell to drag them to a positive result, Felix Magath's side lacked the tenacity that Holtby brings to the midfield. The youngster has become a prominent figure in the German's starting XI since he took over at Craven Cottage in February and Holtby is expected to play a key role in the final 3 games.

Holtby is currently Fulham's highest rated player (7.13). The club have lost all 3 of the Premier League games he hasn't started since he moved to Fulham, while they are scoring more goals per game with him in the starting XI (1.22) than without (0.67). Even though he is deployed in behind the striker, it's no coincidence that Fulham concede fewer goals when Holtby starts (1.78) than when he doesn't (3.67).

The defensive input of the 23-year-old has seen him develop a strength of 'defensive contribution' and while the Cottagers are shipping more than they should if they are looking to stave off relegation, Holtby's inclusion in the starting XI is vital in their pursuit of top-flight safety. The energy he brings to the midfield has galvanised the team and gives them a fighting chance of remaining in England's top tier, regardless of the loss at the weekend.

This enthusiasm in the middle of the park means Holtby is able to charge across the pitch, not only in pursuit of playing a pass that will create a goalscoring opportunity, but to win possession for his side. As a result, only Sidwell (3.2) is averaging more tackles per game than Holtby (3.1) of every Fulham regular this term. Moreover, the Germany international is committing a low number of fouls per match (0.6); this return highlighting how successful he is when robbing the opposition of the ball.

The midfielder's relatively slight stature means he is never going to be a physically dominating performer in the mould of a Yaya Touré or Mile Jedinak, who utilise their power to break up play. Rather, Holtby's impressive reading of the game means he can win possession without conceding potentially harming free-kicks.

This in turn allows for him to control proceedings in the heart of midfield in his own way. Holtby's greatest asset is his passing ability, with the player boasting statistically calculated strengths of 'key passes' and 'through balls'.

Granted, he doesn't have the best pass success (75.3%) for the Cottagers in the league this season, but this could simply be down to his attempts to execute a more daring pass instead of looking to keep it simple. As a result, Holtby is playing the most key passes per game (1.9) at Fulham, while no player has registered more assists than the midfielder (3) despite the fact he has only been playing for them for a few months. A lack of goals may be problematic for a player in his position - Holtby has netted just once for Fulham - but he's evidently more effective at creating than he is scoring.

His average number of shots per game (1.7) is bettered by only 2 players currently at the club - Kostas Mitroglou (3.5) and Pajtim Kasami (2). This highlights the confidence in his ability to test the opposition goalkeeper, perhaps stemming from his match-winning goal from distance for Spurs earlier in the season, that coincidentally coming against Fulham.

While Holtby isn't quite the finished package, he's clearly improving with playing time. His utilisation by Magath is allowing him to display his qualities to the watching world and undoubtedly has Spurs fans rubbing their hands with excitement for his return to White Hart Lane once the season reaches its climax.

Until then however, the midfielder will undeniably give his all for the good of the club in order to maintain their Premier League status, in the process maintaining Magath's record of having never been relegated in his managerial career. Be it defending or attacking, the avidity he is bringing to the team hugely improves their chances of remaining in England's top tier, in turn showcasing his talents to those that have doubted him in the past.


http://www.whoscored.com/Articles/HouibFU55EGR8Lc0UEaKzQ

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham starlet to Finnish season on loan

Fulham youngster Josh Pritchard has joined Finnish outfit FC Honka on loan until the end of May.

The midfielder, who can also play in defence, heads out for some first-team action in Finland and joins fellow Cottagers player Alex Brister Honka, who are managed by ex-Fulham striker Shefki Kuqi, have been securing some top young talent from England this season and it is hoped Pritchard will get some decent game-time away from the Cottage. Pritchard spent time on loan earlier this season at Norwegian FC Tromso and has made 10 league and cup appearances for Fulham's Under-21s this term.


Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/fulham-starlet-to-finnish-season-on-loan-1722779.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
World Cup: Jurgen Klinsmann believes Clint Dempsey's loan at Fulham has paid off in MLS

Clint Dempsey may have endured a difficult loan spell at Fulham this winter, but US national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann believes the player's hard work at the relegation-threatened club is paying off now.

Klinsmann, speaking about several USMNT-related topics on Wednesday, discussed his captain's impact so far this MLS season with the Seattle Sounders, where he's scored six goals and three assists in five appearances.

"[I'm] very happy that Clint has picked up the rhythm and find his confidence and is part of almost every goal that Seattle scores. That's really a good sign, it's great for us going into the final weeks before we hit the preparation for the World Cup knowing that he's building his confidence more and more and more," he said.

"And it's due to his hard work that he put in for January, February, being at Fulham. It was not a successful time, but he built a foundation for the months afterward so he seems to now at the right time, at the right spot."

The US boss also discussed the tricky balance in the weeks leading up to the World Cup between protecting players from injury and ensuring they are at peak fitness in Brazil.

"You hope that everybody stays healthy," Klinsmann said. "You always forgive a bad performance. Bad performances, everybody has those, everybody can have a bad day. But first and foremost you want them to stay healthy from now on because if a new injury now happens, you have pretty much no chance to recover any more before the World Cup.

"At the same time you also want to play with the right intensity, with the right seriousness and sharpness and you don't want them to hold back, because there's no way [when] we go into camp to hold back in the training session because it's going to be all full speed and intense so you want them to be prepared in the best way possible and the best way is to play at your maximum potential," he added.

Along with the preparations for the full senior team, taking the lion's share of the spotlight this year, for good reason, Klinsmann and US Soccer are already laying the groundwork for future US national team development with the establishment of the U-21 age group, who are first looking to the 2016 Olympics.

"It's exciting to see the future Olympic team come together [for] the first time," he explained. "We call them right now the U-21 cycle because officially it's not the Olympic team cycle yet, but it's really, really important that we get our hands around these guys, telling them where their path should lead to. Obviously the big goal is Rio de Janeiro in 2016, and then also their path towards the senior national team."

Though U-20 head coach and senior team assistant coach Tab Ramos is taking the lead with the U-21s, Klinsmann indicated he is involved in conversations with the younger players already.

"I told them, 'Listen, from now on going forward you're observed by us, you're watched by us and we're always connected, so whenever you have a question, call, text or whatever. You're always free to connect [to] us or contact us directly.' I think it's important for them to understand at that age, 19 or 20 years of age, that they start to take things in their own hands and they're not just waiting until people tell them what they should do next.

"So I told them, 'Listen, you've got to step it up if you want to be part of the national team program and the national team program is about the elite players of a country, then you've got to do more than anybody else in your environment.' So they get a couple of bullet points on their way over the next few days and we coaches, we're just excited that we have the first opportunity to work with them."


http://www.mlssoccer.com/worldcup/2014/news/article/2014/04/23/world-cup-jurgen-klinsmann-believes-clint-dempseys-loan-fulham-paying-now-ml?

[Steven Ageroad]

Breaking Brede

There are few things that are a constant when it comes to being a Fulham fan these days. The conveyer belt of managers has brought with it waves of new signings and the only thing that seems to have remained throughout the turmoil is our captain Brede Hangeland.

He has been with us since the great escape in 2008 and his pairing with Aaron Hughes was the base from which we built our Europa League run. The partnership faded with the decline of Hughes, who having lost a yard of pace, was never going to continue as a starter week in, week out. The search for a replacement saw a number of suitors come and go with Philippe Senderos coming as close as anyone to establishing himself under Martin Jol but with mixed results.

A few years down the line and with the departed Hughes a distant memory I find myself looking at Hangeland and questioning whether or not it may now be he who is the weak link in our leaky defence. I can’t help but feel the decline came about when a move away failed to materialise, in some part down to his loyalty to the club a few seasons back. The realisation that Fulham was as good as it would get perhaps set in and there was no longer anyone to impress.

He will turn 33 in June and while inevitably pace will become an issue, it is the other aspects of his game that are more troubling. The rapid decline in his distribution from the back has been notable. At first I put it down to a lack of movement from what was a rather immobile frontline but now even the simple passes seem to evade him. The days of the 40-yard balls to spring counter-attacks are long gone and the need for an extra touch on the ball is there for all to see.

It would be hard to lay blame for every one of the 77 goals conceded (so far) this term on Hangeland, as we know there are plenty of frailties elsewhere. The fact that we have conceded 31 of those goals from set pieces though must surely call in to question his leadership and organisational awareness. I know it’s reflective of training and set instructions but Brede is not the commanding presence of seasons past, and at times we look lost trying to pick up our markers.

Arguably it has become more noticeable since the acquisition of John Heitinga. The Dutchman has been excellent and is firmly established in my eyes at least as the best centre-back we have at the club. Given he was only signed on a six-month contract, I would hope this is something we will address as soon as possible. Fernando Amorebieta is showing signs of improvement and Dan Burn definitely needs more first team experience. No longer is it the case of who should play alongside Hangeland, but instead finding who best complements Heitinga.



http://www.shoot.co.uk/breaking-brede/

Very interesting, only yesterday I found an old Sunday Times predictions pull out for the Premier League dated August last year where they analyse the teams for the coming season. One of the sections was the "Weakest Link" in the team and Brede Hangerlands was the name mentioned, they even pridicted us finishing 14th!