Saturday Fulham Stuff (03/05/14)...

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Stoke City - Fulham Preview: Visitors desperate for relegation reprieve

Losing a two-goal lead to Hull City saw the London club miss the chance to move out of the drop-zone and they now face a Potters side aiming for a record points haul

Felix Magath knows that there is no margin for error for his relegation-threatened Fulham side when they travel to Stoke City on Saturday.

The London club would have moved out of the bottom three in the Premier League had they not surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Hull City last time out.

Fulham's failure to secure three precious points ensured that they are second-bottom of the table with only two games remaining and in serious danger of dropping out of the top flight after a 12-year stay.

The Wily German was billed as a specialist at avoiding relegation when he replaced Rene Meulensteen in February but the 60-year-old is danger of losing his impressive record of never experiencing the drop as a manager.

Fulham are just a point adrift of fourth-bottom Sunderland - who travel to Manchester United on Saturday - and 18th-placed Norwich City but Gus Poyet's in-form side have a game in hand.

Aston Villa and West Brom, four and five points better off than Fulham respectively, could still be caught but their terrible goal difference ensures that they will surely not catch West Ham and Hull City.

A confident Magath, whose side face London rivals Crystal Palace on the final day, believes that the Cottagers are more than capable of winning at the Britannia Stadium.

He told the club's official website: "You have to take it as it is. For me it's a good situation because we know we have to win.

"We are used to it, in my opinion we have nothing to lose. We only can win so we have to go and win that game. The players realise it and I'm confident they will make a good game.

"For me, it [keeping Fulham in the Premier League] would be my most successful achievement. I have never been relegated and I'm a bit afraid of the situation, I don't know how it feels to be relegated. I am afraid."

Magath is hoping that key midfielder Steve Sidwell is passed fit after he suffered a kick on the knee against Steve Bruce's side though he is unsure as to whether or not £14 million striker Kostas Mitroglou (knee) is able to play any part in Saturday's crunch clash.

While Fulham are fighting for their lives, Stoke are striving to secure a top-10 finish in the Premier League for the first time.

The Britannia Stadium has remained a fortress in Mark Hughes's first season in charge, with Stoke suffering only three home defeats. One of those came against Tottenham last time out, with captain Ryan Shawcross sent off early in the second half in a 1-0 setback.

Shawcross serves a one-match ban in this match, while Robert Huth (knee) and Matthew Etherington (back) remain sidelined.


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/109696/stoke-city-vs-fulham/preview

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham set to unleash Kostas Mitroglou on Stoke

Fulham's club-record signing Kostas Mitroglou is available for Saturday's clash at Stoke having completed a full week of training.

Manager Felix Magath must decide whether to include Mitroglou, who has been sidelined by a knee injury, in his squad for the Premier League match.

Midfielder Steve Sidwell is a doubt because of a knee problem.

Provisional Squad: Stockdale, Heitinga, Hangeland, Amorebieta, Riise, Sidwell, Parker, Dejagah, Kvist, Kacaniklic, Rodallega, Stekelenburg, Zverotic, Karagounis, Kasami, Bent, Diarra, Richardson, Riether, Holtby, Mitroglou.


http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_set_to_unleash_kostas_mitroglou_on_stoke_1_3583101

[WhiteJC]

 
It's desperate for Fulham ...but Felix Magath has come through much worse

Question time: Kostas Mitroglou is fit again but still may not feature on Saturday

If Felix Magath is feeling the pressure, he is certainly not showing it. Fulham are teetering on the brink of relegation but then Magath has been here before. Only the situation was considerably worse.

Wolfsburg were drawing at Hoffenheim with 20 minutes remaining on the final day of the 2010-11 Bundesliga season. With Borussia Monchengladbach winning against Hamburg, they were in the bottom three with their survival hanging in the balance.

"I am used to these situations," chuckles Magath. "With 20 minutes to go, we were relegated." Monchengladbach then conceded before goals from Mario Mandzukic and Grafite hauled Wolfsburg out of danger.

It sums up the seriousness of Fulham's plight that Magath feels escaping relegation this season would represent a bigger achievement than keeping Wolfsburg up.

In the bottom three, Fulham are a point from safety with two games remaining. They travel to Stoke tomorrow before hosting Crystal Palace next weekend. If they are to beat the odds and stay up, Magath, who believes two wins will be enough, can expect another a final-day cliffhanger.

"I am always nervous," said the German, whose side threw away a two-goal lead against Hull last weekend to draw 2-2. "I will be nervous tomorrow because it is very important for the club. But being nervous is good.

"The players were very disappointed about what happened against Hull but we have talked about it and will stick together. The atmosphere is still very good and the players want to show everyone we can stay up."

Kostas Mitroglou is available to face Stoke but Magath insists he does not feel any pressure to play Fulham's £12million club-record signing. Mitroglou, 26, who has made just two appearances since moving to Craven Cottage in January, has been out for two months with a knee injury.

He returned to training this week but Magath said: "I only feel pressure to play the best 11 players."

Fulham could be relegated if they lose tomorrow but captain Brede Hangeland is not expecting any favours from former manager Mark Hughes. He spent less than a year in charge at Craven Cottage before leaving under a cloud in 2011.

Hughes has since said he probably made a mistake leaving Fulham and, ahead of the game, the Stoke boss has stressed he has no hard feelings towards the club. "I knew there was going to be a change of ownership," said Hughes. "I was not sure either there was going to be any money to enhance an ageing squad and so I walked because I thought I could not commit for three years. Unfortunately, about three months later I gave an interview and mentioned ambition — and got hammered for it. But there are no bad feelings towards Fulham because there is a lot of nice people there and it is a good club."

Despite his kind words, Hangeland has warned Hughes will not want to help his old side. He said: "Mark is a top pro and he will have his team motivated. They will be hard to beat. The next week will decide whether we stay in the Premier League or not, so we all know the stakes.

"It is do or die for us now. There is no time for feeling sorry. We have made a lot of mistakes and now is the time to really show what we are made of."

Fulham's great escape in 2008, when they stayed up on the final day after taking 12 points from their final five games, should serve as a source of inspiration to the team. When they were written off by everyone that season, then manager Roy Hodgson said: "On paper it looks very, very bad for us. The only lifeline is that football is not played on paper."


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/its-desperate-for-fulham-but-felix-magath-has-come-through-much-worse-9314988.html

[WhiteJC]

 
LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Stoke v Fulham

Fulham's problems were there for us all to see against Hull last week. The Cottagers seemed to be coasting to victory but their defensive frailties came back to haunt them.

It has been the same story all season - when the ball goes in their area, it seems they are almost waiting for the opposition to score.

A Stoke win could send Fulham down, depending on other results.

Potters boss Mark Hughes is already unpopular with some Cottagers fans after the way he left the club in 2011 and I don't see that changing much after the weekend.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1
Simon's prediction: Fulham blew it last week when they let a two-goal lead slip against Hull and it is hard to see them getting a win at the Britannia Stadium. 1-1


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27240312

[WhiteJC]

 
Volzy Returns

The Club is pleased to confirm that Moritz Volz is the latest former player to join the Fulham All Stars team for their charity match against Sealand later this month.

'Volzy' initially joined the Whites on loan from Arsenal in the summer of 2003 and was so impressive in the first half of the 2003/04 campaign that Chris Coleman had no hesitations about making his move permanent.

He ended up making 38 appearances in all competitions for Fulham in his maiden term in SW6 – helping the Club reach a record high league finish of ninth in the process – and became an instant cult hero amongst the supporters for his energetic displays from right-back.

A highlight of his Fulham career came when he scored the Premier League's 15,000th goal – in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, no less – and by the time he departed in 2009 he had made 144 appearances for the Club – a figure which would undoubtedly have been higher had he not been unfortunate with injuries.

"It will be great to see some old faces again," Moritz admitted. "We've got guys playing who have made a real impact in SW6. I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing as many fans there as possible, too."

Tickets are priced at just £12 for adults and £5 for under-16s, so secure yours today and take in a unique game of football which sees Fulham legends such as Volz, Louis Saha, Barry Hayles, Luis Boa Morte, Sean Davis and Papa Bouba Diop – amongst many others – step out onto the hallowed Craven Cottage turf where they enjoyed so much success in their careers.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/may/02/volzy-returns?

[WhiteJC]

 
Premier League: Stoke City v Fulham preview
A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at the Britannia Stadium

Fulham's quest for survival doesn't get any easier as they travel to play Stoke. Depending on results elsewhere, a defeat could see them relegated this weekend.

And after working their way through multiple managers this season, it will be a familiar – if unpopular – face greeting them from the home dugout. Stoke manager Mark Hughes spent one season at Fulham before resigning in acrimonious circumstances after questioning the club's ambition.

The Cottagers would like nothing better than to prove their former manager wrong, but they'll know that even three points from this game – the bare minimum requirement – may not be enough to save them. Fulham are teetering on the brink of relegation after a 13-year stay in the top flight, currently sitting in 19 place with 31 points – a point from safety.

As well as owning the dubious record of having the worst defence in the league, Fulham have struggled to score recently, with only seven in the last six games. Hugo Rodallega has hit some semblance of form recently, and the Cottagers will hope that he can repeat his 2010/11 final day exploits, when his header kept Wigan up against all odds – at Stoke.

But the task won't be an easy one against a Stoke side that have not conceded more than one goal in a home game since January.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS...

Fulham 1 (Bent) Stoke 0, Premier League, October 2013

Fulham 1 (Berbatov) Stoke 0, Premier League, February 2013

Stoke 1 (Adam) Fulham 0, Premier League, November 2012

STATS...

The last six league meetings between these two sides have produced a home win. The last three have all finished 1-0.

Fulham have the worst defensive record in the league this season, with 79 goals conceded – 10 more than the nearest club (Cardiff).

Stoke have only lost three games at home this season, including their last game against Tottenham. The last time they lost successive home games was at the end of the 2012/13 season.

Stoke have conceded 16 goals at home this season. Fulham have only managed to 15 goals away from home.

ODDS...

Stoke to win: 2.34

Fulham to win: 3.25

Draw: 3.6

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.20pm


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/premier-league-stoke-city-v-fulham-preview-9316416.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Stoke v Fulham

By Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Britannia Stadium Date: Saturday, 3 May

TEAM NEWS

Stoke defender Marc Muniesa should deputise for Ryan Shawcross, who is suspended after his Tottenham red card.

And winger Oussama Assaidi will be assessed on matchday after sustaining a knock to his knee in training.

Fulham's captain and top scorer Steve Sidwell has not trained this week after limping out of the draw with Hull and may not make the trip.

However £11m forward Kostas Mitroglou has stepped up his recovery from a knee injury and may play a part.

MATCH PREVIEW

Fulham joined the elite of English football in 2001. Of the current roll-call of top-flight clubs only seven can boast a longer continuous run of seasons in the Premier League - Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham.

However, the Cottagers will bow out after 13 campaigns at the top table if they lose this game and either Norwich or Sunderland win over the weekend. Such is their plight that even if Fulham win this weekend whilst Cardiff, Norwich, Sunderland and Villa all lose, they could then go on to beat Crystal Palace on the final day and yet still be relegated.

The only upsides are that manager Felix Magath, who seems open to the idea of staying  even if the club are relegated, has sparked some definite improvement, and that the club's youngsters are highly regarded and currently hold a first leg advantage over Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup final,  with the second leg to be played on Monday.

But it's been a chaotic season down by the Thames - a new owner, three managers and 42 different first-team players have been unable to halt a gradual and seemingly inexorable slide. That's at least one too many managers and far, far too many players.

Stoke may not appear to have a lot to play for, but unfortunately for Fulham, they come up against Mark Hughes. He has never been known to allow a throw-in to go uncontested, let alone three points.

Hughes, a former Fulham manager, also has the lure of surpassing Tony Pulis' best ever league campaign as Stoke boss. Four points from their remaining two games should ensure that both the club's Premier League points record (47) and their highest Premier League finish (11th) are beaten.

That would be satisfying but ultimately not much more than a footnote on Hughes' CV.

But relegation for Fulham would leave the club at a crossroads and with an inexperienced owner wondering which route to take.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
There has not been a league draw between these sides in their last 10 meetings, and only two in the last 15.

The last three Premier League matches featuring these two teams have ended in a 1-0 win to the hosts. The home side has won the last six times the teams have played in the league.

Stoke City
Only the Premier League's top five have taken more points at home than Stoke this season - along with Tottenham they have collected 33 points from 18 games.
Stoke last finished in the top half of the top-flight table in 1980-81 (11th place).
However they have failed to win in all five of their league matches against the current bottom three this season, with three draws and two defeats.
They received their fifth red card of the season in Saturday's defeat to Tottenham - only Sunderland (seven) have been shown more.
The Spurs defeat was only their second in their last 15 matches at home (won eight, drawn five).
The Potters have conceded 299 goals in Premier League history.

Fulham
Fulham have won just 38 of their 246 Premier League away games, a win percentage of just 15%.
They have conceded nine goals in their last five league games, and have not kept a clean sheet away from home since the opening day of the season.
However, their form in April was much improved, with two wins in four matches.
Felix Magath's men have lost every game following a draw this season - they drew with Hull in their last fixture.
Fulham have conceded 31 goals from set-pieces, more than any other side. Stoke are second in this regard on 20.
The Cottagers have used 38 different players this league campaign, more than any other Premier League club.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27168529

[WhiteJC]

 
Mahamadou Diarra: Fulham must be "warriors"

Fulham midfielder Mahamadou Diarra has admitted that he and his teammates must be prepared to battle for 90 minutes plus in their away trip to Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.

Diarra said that all the Whites players are aware that they have to win at the Britannia and is confident that there is enough in the squad to be able to take the three points.

"I know the importance of the game," he told the club's official website. "We all know how crucial it is to the club surviving in the Premier League. "If we want to enjoy our summer holidays we can only do it by staying up. No-one wants us to be in the Championship.

"We are going to play against one of the stronger teams in England and it won't be easy. It's going to be a tough game but we are ready for it. We know what is waiting for us there and we'll approach the game like warriors. With a strong determination and winning mentality, we can get something there.

"It will be a battle but we are prepared. We are not scared. It's true there is a lot of pressure on us, but we can do something there – and we have to."

Fulham are currently 19th in the Premier League with 31 points.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/relegation-battle/news/diarra-fulham-must-be-warriors_152909.html

[WhiteJC]

 
The FourFourTwo Preview: Stoke vs Fulham

Premier League | Britannia Stadium | Sat 3 May | 3pm

Billed as
Big bad Stoke bash up Championship-bound Fulham.

The lowdown
The general rule is that you don't mess with Stoke on their own patch. Up until last weekend the Potters had been beaten just twice at the Britannia Stadium all season, while sending Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all leaving with tails between legs.

That was until Tottenham messed it all up. Tim Sherwood might not have showered himself in glory since taking the reins at White Hart Lane, but claiming a Stoke scalp at the Britannia is no mean feat. It didn't help the hosts that Ryan Shawcross was sent off – perhaps harshly so – especially when already a goal down to Danny Rose's first-half header. And that's how it ended.
Now the Staffordshire side, who've taken 75% of their points at home this season, have a chance to get back on the horse. They're only fighting for a top-half finish with Crystal Palace a point behind and Newcastle two ahead in ninth, but should they topple the Toon it'll be their best-ever finish since joining the Premier League in 2008.

The chances are that they'll have a good crack at doing it against Fulham this weekend. Felix Magath's men looked good value for safety after beating Aston Villa and Norwich in back-to-back games, but defeat at Spurs and then throwing away a two-goal lead against Hull last weekend means relegation is the most likely scenario again.

The Cottagers might only be a point from salvation behind Sunderland, but the rejuvenated Black Cats have a game in hand and brag a vastly superior goal difference thanks to Fulham's appalling season at the back. The west Londoners have shipped at least four goals six times this season and 79 in total, only 10 fewer than Derby's hilarious campaign of 2007/08.

There's still hope yet, though. Fulham's all-or-nothing approach on the road this season has produced four wins and just two draws (forget the 12 defeats bit). A draw isn't enough here; defeat unthinkable. Should they pull off a win against a Stoke side missing both first-choice centre-backs, their final-day visit of Palace offers a whopping opportunity to make this difficult task a reality.

And another thing: if only away points counted this season (why would they? Yeah, we know), Fulham would be outside the relegation zone on 14, while Stoke would be in it with just 11. Ain't that a thing.
Team news
Shawcross serves his one-match ban for those two yellow cards, but other than that Mark Hughes is without only Robert Huth (knee) and Matty Etherington (back).

Fulham's injury troubles aren't too bad either; Damien Duff (hamstring) is spending the last days of his Fulham career sidelined but Steve Sidwell could return after limping off against Hull. January signing Kostas Mitroglou (anyone?) is... er, somewhere. 
Player to watch: Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham)
The Iranian came off the bench at half-time to fire a brilliant second for Fulham against Hull last weekend, and that could be enough to earn him a start here. Magath's variation of 3-5-2 has meant a place in the side is now harder to come by – but Fulham need goals now, and badly.

His goal record for the Cottagers might not be exceptional – now 5 in 20 – but in 13 starts that's hardly awful either. It makes him Fulham's second-top goalscorer behind Sidwell this season, and, taking his one-in-three average with Iran into consideration (actually it's better: 4 in 11) it would be silly not to use the 27-year-old.

Against Aston Villa earlier in the season, Dejagah was the west Londoners' best player. Nobody managed more attacking-third passes than he did (30/32), while his overall passing accuracy of 89% was impressive from the right wing. He created 3 chances from open play, meanwhile, 1 of which found Sidwell for Fulham's opener.

The managers
Hughes was disgruntled with the manner of his side's defeat to Spurs, in which they failed to secure a club record fifth straight home win. The Welshman's tutting was mainly reserved for referee Andre Marriner after Shawcross's early bath. "We put in a great performance and got no reward unfortunately," he said. "I've been involved in games with Marriner for many seasons and he's a top referee, but I thought his performance was really poor. I just think maybe his confidence is a little bit low and it affected his performance." Nothing like a reassuring arm around the shoulder, Sparky.

Magath believes his team must win both of their last two games to stay up – and insists they can. "We lost two points [against Hull] and that was not what we wanted, but as long as there is a chance we have to take it," chimed the German. "Now everyone is clear that we have to win the next game. I'm sure we can get two wins."

Facts and figures
Stoke have picked up just 1 point from the last 7 matches Ryan Shawcross has missed.
7 of the last 8 meetings between these teams have had fewer than 3 goals.
16 of Fulham's last 23 away matches have had more goals in the second half than first.
10 of Stoke's 19 home games vs bottom-half teams since start of last season have been goalless at HT.
Best Bet: Draw @ 3.50
More FFT Stats Zone facts • Find the best odds with Bet Butler

FourFourTwo prediction
A great big 'sod it' coming up from FFT... 2-1 Fulham*.



*(not really, sorry. Stoke to win 2-0.)



Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-preview-stoke-vs-fulham#WvdoZ2OGq8WlSRbX.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham winger grateful for Oxford United chance

RYAN Williams has thanked Oxford United for making him a better player ahead of his final appearance for the club tomorrow.

The winger had made just six career appearances when he arrived on loan from Fulham last summer, but has relished being a first-team regular with the U's this season.

Williams has scored seven goals in 41 games and is pleased with the way he has developed during the spell in Sky Bet League Two.

He said: "I go back to Fulham not only a better player but stronger mentally.

"I think I could do a job for Fulham and, fingers crossed, it's in the Premier League.

"I'm just going to try and play at the highest level possible."


http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/11187719._/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Marko Arnautovic v Ashkan Dejagah: Head-to-head analysis ahead of the clash between Stoke City and Fulham

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 Stoke City and Fulham, see how the sides' players Marko Arnautovic and Ashkan Dejagah compare.

Data and graphic provided by whoscored.com


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/marko-arnautovic-v-ashkan-dejagah-headtohead-analysis-ahead-of-the-clash-between-stoke-city-and-fulham-9317356.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Stoke City v Fulham: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Stoke City and Fulham at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday May 3, 2014, kick-off 15.00 (BST)

Saturday, May 3, 2014
Stoke City v Fulham
Britannia Stadium
Kick-off: 15.00 BST.
TV: Highlights, BBC ONE Match of the Day.

Stoke (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Begovic; Cameron, Wilson, Muniesa, Pieters; N'Zonzi, Whelan; Odemwingie, Ireland, Arnautovic; Crouch.
Out: Huth (knee), Shawcross (suspended).
Test: Assaidi (knee).

Fulham (Possible, 4-3-2-1): Stockdale; Riether, Heitinga, Hangeland, Amorebieta; Sidwell, Parker, Diarra; Holtby, Dejagah; Mitroglou.
Out: Briggs (hernia), Duff (knee).
Tests: Mitroglou (match fitness), Sidwell (knee).

Referee: Chris Foy. Matches: 21, R5 Y54.

Betting: Home 5-4, Away 11-5, Draw 23-10.

Team News
Stoke will be without captain Ryan Shawcross for the first time this season when Fulham visit the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

Shawcross had played every minute of every Premier League game until he was sent off in last weekend's defeat by Tottenham and must serve a one-match ban.

Oussama Assaidi is a doubt after taking a bang to his knee but fellow winger Matthew Etherington, who will leave the club in the summer, is in contention after a back problem.

Meanwhile, Fulham's club-record signing Kostas Mitroglou is available at Stoke having completed a full week of training.

Manager Felix Magath must decide whether to include Mitroglou, who has been sidelined by a knee injury, in his squad for the Premier League match.

Midfielder Steve Sidwell is a doubt because of a knee problem.

Match Notes
This is a story about one team with everything to play for and another team with nothing.

Fulham will be relegated this weekend if they lose to already safe Stoke and Sunderland record a victory at Manchester United.

Stoke's home form is better than any side outside top six and equal to Tottenham's in fifth, while Fulham's away record reflects their position in the league, being third worst.

Stat of the game: Stoke are one goal short of conceding 300 in the Premier League.

Si Hughes' prediction: Stoke City 1 Fulham 2.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10796369/Stoke-City-v-Fulham-match-preview.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Five reasons why Fulham deserve to stay in the Premier League

There's still hope yet; two wins could do it for Fulham.

This relegation dogfight is all very up in the air, naturally, but, out of the current candidates, have we really earned the right to stay in the Premier League?

Here are five things that suggest we have:

Bright future

With an academy that is churning out quality players left, right and centre, there is much to look forward to for this club.

Our youth policy has changed dramatically over the course of this campaign. We have gone from a club that openly refrained from using youngsters under Martin Jol to one that has granted numerous teenagers first team débuts.

With our grade one academy, that is no surprise. Next year, you'd have to suspect that two or three of our graduates – Cauley Woodrow, Dan Burn and Moussa Dembele are probably the most likely – will hit the first team with a more permanent presence.

Players of their calibre deserve a Premier League stage.

People's club

At the risk of this sounding like a a charity piece – we are a lovely club. We have a quaint ground, unique from any other modern, duplicated stadium.

The club understands and listens to the fans; our season ticket prices, for example, have dropped by £100 for next year. Yes, we may well be in the Championship, but that still represents wonderful value.

Above all, we are a club that portrays everything that is good about a sport that is otherwise tarnished, constantly, by scandal. Ask anyone, and you'll struggle to find a person who doesn't like Fulham.

Fulham remain in danger of relegation (Picture: AP)

Part of the furniture

We have been a Premier League club for 13 years now and are something of a permanent fixture. Yes, we may have come accustomed to mid-table mediocrity, but we've represented England at European level and done so admirably.

To most people, we are a team that is otherwise disregarded among the elite of the league but, in reality, we've been here longer than most. That feat shouldn't be underestimated.

Spirit of the battle

Two months ago we were down and out, if the press was to be believed. But we've shown, yet again, that we are a club of great spirit and determination; one that never gives up.

We're not over the line yet – we might not ever be – but to get to this stage, where survival is still a distinct plausibility, we have done superbly. That deserves credit.

Better under Magath

Quite simply, we are a different team under Felix Magath. Better organised, more disciplined, sharper.

The role he has played in our turnaround is critical and in spite of the disappointment against Hull City, we look a Premier League side.

Let's hope we remain one.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/05/02/five-reasons-why-fulham-deserve-to-stay-in-the-premier-league-4716677/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Mark Hughes: I will NOT cry for Fulham

MARK HUGHES says he will not shed a tear if he relegates Fulham - his old club.

Defeat at Stoke and wins for either Sunderland (today) or Norwich (tomorrow) will end Fulham's 13-year stay in the Premier League.

Hughes, who has had a successful debut season as Stoke manager, had one year in charge at Fulham and took them to eighth in 2010-11. But then he quit saying the club lacked ambition.

He admits that, with hindsight, it was a hasty decision and he got it wrong - but it will not stop him celebrating if Stoke win today and equal club history in the process.

"When I was at Fulham as manager I couldn't commit to another three years," said Hughes. "There was talk of a new owner - which I knew about - and having been manager at Manchester City when a new owner came in I didn't want to go through that situation again.

"That Fulham team was ageing and it needed a lot of investment just to stand still. Not long after I'd gone Fulham were spending £10million on a striker - so maybe I should have stayed. Maybe with hindsight it was too soon for me to leave.

"But you make decisions based on the situation at that time and I thought it was the right one.

"I have a lot of time for Fulham. It was a good season there, I've no grudge against them and a lot of people I worked with are still there doing a great job. But if we win and beat Fulham I'll celebrate as normal. It's our last home game and we want to put on a performance for our fans.

"We're looking to get the job done for ourselves. That's our motivation and we've got the opportunity against Fulham.

"If we finish in the top half, I'll be happy with that. A lot of people were asking at the start of the season whether we would stay in the league.But we've done it quite comfortably."

Stoke's record Premier League points total is 47 and they will match that by winning today, with one more game left to set a new record.

Hughes also wants Stoke to finish in the top 10 for the first time, building on the work Tony Pulis did at the club and fashioning things his way in the process.

In contrast, Fulham are on their third manager this season in Felix Magath, who is facing an unwanted record - the first time he has ever been relegated - have used 42 players and have the worst defence in the league.

Hughes thinks 10-goal Peter Crouch can exploit that weakness, so much so that if he continues his current form into next season, Crouch will get a new contract offer.

Crouch, 33, has one year left on his current deal and, far from cashing in now and getting maybe £4m for him, Hughes is looking for him to extend his caree at Stoke.

"He has had a great season and I've been pleased with what Crouch has produced," said Hughes. "Crouch has another year and we're not looking to capitalise any value that's in him.

"I am comfortable - and the club's comfortable - to keep the status quo and see what happens next year. It's my intention that we keep Crouch and I won't encourage any interest in him."

Only seven clubs have been in the Premier League longer than Fulham, but even a win at Stoke might not be good enough for them to continue as members of that exclusive club.

While Hughes will try and buy a 15-goal striker in the summer to team up with Crouch, Fulham's forgotten £12m man, Kostas Mitroglou, is fit and hoping to play.

But Magath has found a balance to his side and Greek international Mitroglou is only likely to be on the bench.

"I feel pressure only to pick the best 11," said Magath. "Mitroglou wants to play and will help us but you never know if he has not played, how he will realise his abilities in the game.

"He has been out for a long time but he is part of our team now, he is available, he has no injuries so we have to see."


http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/473709/Mark-Hughes-I-will-NOT-cry-for-Fulham?

[WhiteJC]

 
FELIX MAGATH: Don't worry Fulham, I've been in a relegation fight before and kept Frankfurt up on the last day

The last dictator in Europe is not sounding terribly dictatorial.

Felix Magath was once described as such by a former player. But Fulham's manager is not extolling the virtues, fist clenched, of discipline and hard graft. Or explaining the value of driving one's players to the brink of exhaustion like some tyrannical drill sergeant.

On the contrary. Magath is talking about his passion for chess and his love of football clubs; a deep love that grew from the sense of belonging that a junior team once gave to a young boy, brought up by a single working mother in the German town of Aschaffenburg.


Leader: Felix Magath was once referred to by one of his players as a dictator

He talks too of his desire, as a young man, to one day have a  family 'of at least three children'. Twice married, he ended up having six. 'I was eager,' he says.

Back in the early 1960s, life could have been difficult for Magath. He was the son of an American soldier of Puerto Rican descent.
'People think I spend my life on a sun bed but this is me,' he declares. 'And when the sun comes out I go very brown.

'But I didn't feel I suffered from any prejudice as a young boy because from an early age I played football. And because I was good I was accepted.'

He took comfort from being part of a club, the family he didn't have. It is the club and what it represents that Magath considers more important than anything in football.

'My father left within the first month I was on Earth, so I was more or less alone as a young boy with my mother working,' he says. 'She had to work late. She would be home eight, 10 o'clock at night.


Task: The German was handed the unenviable task of keeping Fulham in the Premier League

All smiles: Magath has always enjoyed being part of the setup of a football club

'So I joined, as soon as I could, a football club and that is what makes it so easy to identify with a club, with Fulham. I like it. My whole life I've been living in a club. I love the atmosphere of the club, of being part of a team.

'It is not about the owner, the manager or players. The club is most important.'

It was in solitude that he discovered his other passion. In 1978 he contracted a form of hepatitis, and during a 10-week stay in hospital he began to study chess.

He is modest about his achievements as a chess player, even if he did once take on the great Garry Kasparov.

'I started playing in 1978 and then I took a teacher in an effort to improve,' he says. 'Then I joined a chess club in Hamburg. But the playing days were Tuesday and  Friday. The problem was I could often not make the Friday because it would be the night before a game and on a Tuesday we had very hard training. I would be tired. It became too much.'

He encountered Kasparov in 1985, a few months before the then 22-year-old Russian would defeat Anatoly Karpov to become world champion.


On the run: The Fulham boss during his days as Bayern Munich coach in 2005

By then Magath was a Germany international, a box-to-box midfielder who had played alongside Kevin Keegan at Hamburg and won European titles.

He scored the winner in the 1983 European Cup final and went on to be Germany's No 10 on the day Diego Maradona wore the same number for Argentina in the 1986 World Cup final.

In Hamburg 13 months earlier, Magath was one of 30 chess players Kasparov took on simultaneously as part of an exhibition.

With an aggressive attack on Kasparov's king, Magath survived for 34 moves before he fell, like 29 others that day, to the finest chess player in history.

'Kasparov was a nice guy who likes football and he let me play 30 moves or something,' Magath says with a smile.

'I'm keen on chess. But I'm not a good chess player compared to the best. I went to the world team chess challenge in Leipzig. I always tell people that football is the best game in the world and the second best is chess.

'Chess is like football. If the pieces, like the players, can work together it becomes an effective team. That's what I am always looking for in football.

'The board is the field. It is the same strategy, and the same  tactics. The good thing in chess is the fact that nothing is left to chance. There is no unfortunate bounce of the ball, or a poor refereeing decision. In chess there is no outside influence. There is more purity but, still, the two games are very similar.'

Magath has a passion for life. He's 60 but has a Facebook page. And he rides a bike round London, in particular to Fulham's Motspur Park training ground, 'because the bad traffic means it's the fastest way to get around'. He began by using a Boris bike but now the club have bought three mountain bikes for Magath and his two German assistants.

I express my concern about safety on London's busy roads, particularly when he dismisses the need for a helmet. 'I am comfortable riding to Sloane Square,' he insists.


At the table: Magath plays chess with former world champion Garry Kasparov in 1985

He is comfortable in the role of what he regards as the English version of a manager.

In Germany he operated in two spheres, sometimes as coach, sometimes as general manager. He began as general manager at Hamburg before moving into a series of coaching roles that saw him secure three Bundesliga titles.

'At Bayern Munich I simply worked as a coach,' he says.

'But then at Wolfsburg they asked me to come as (general) manager. I said fine, but I don't know which coach can manage the team other than me. I didn't really see it as two jobs. I think it's similar to how it works with managers here. (Sir Alex) Ferguson was not a coach. He was a manager. It's not just about  football. It's the effect you have  on the whole club. How you inspire the club. And to lead the biggest clubs you need that power and influence.

'You can see how difficult it has been at United since Ferguson left. Every club needs someone at the top like that. You need one opinion, because if you have that you will have success.'

For a second he sounds like something of an autocrat. But then comes an explanation of his wider philosophy.


Silverware: Magath (right) helped Hamburg to win the European Cup in Athens in 1983

'The team is much more important than the individual,' he says. 'That is what I believe. I don't like to be dependent on one player. I am convinced the team will make the players. Atletico Madrid are a very good example of this.

'Team spirit is important and if you buy the wrong players that too can become a problem. It was a problem for previous managers at Fulham.

'Look at Bayern Munich this season. The first who started the team-building was Louis van Gaal. What you have seen from Bayern over the last three years depended on Van Gaal. Jupp Heynckes  continued that.'

Magath is not afraid to challenge the opinion some players seem to have about him. Opinions formed by stories of players collapsing with exhaustion; of Magath limiting access to water during gruelling workouts and fining players for wearing headphones.

'I cannot understand how I have gained this reputation as a dictator,' he says. 'This was the word of a player I had at Frankfurt. He called me "the last dictator in Europe".


Tangle: Magath challenges Argentine great Diego Maradona at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico

'If my training was hard, every player has survived until now. Nobody is dead.

'And if you ever ask the players who were successful under my training, they will tell a different story. But I don't find it that funny because the headlines can create a picture of me that is not true.'

He does believe in working hard but, again, it is all about the team ethic. At Fulham he asks the  players to eat breakfast as well as lunch together, either side of his training sessions. 'I believe in that,' he says. 'In unity. I am a sports man. I like sports. I like football. But I'm 60, not 40. I don't worry so much about my career. Most of it is behind me now.

'I don't feel I have anything to prove. I have managed different clubs and for 10 years in a row I took the clubs I worked at into European football. Other teams I saved from relegation. I'm fine with how I work.

'When I went to Wolfsburg, they were fighting relegation. In two years we had won the title.

'I like to be in the Champions League but I like football so it doesn't matter if it's in the first league or  second league. I like to build a team up.

'That was the reason I came here. I know Fulham are struggling but I also know they have a good youth set-up, and therefore it was the right place for me to build a team that can play at the highest level.


Task: Fulham have a mountain to climb to avoid relegation after throwing away a 2-0 lead against Hull
'Also, I always had a desire to work abroad, and the German and  English leagues are the most  competitive. I say that even though two Spanish teams are in the Champions League final. The opportunity to become the first German manager in the Premier League also appealed.'

He relishes the challenge of trying to keep Fulham in the Premier League. A crushing draw against Hull last weekend, after his side had been 2-0 up, makes it that much more difficult, but he remains positive going into Saturday's match against Stoke.

'I've been in this situation before,' he says. 'At Frankfurt we avoided relegation on the last day.

'A year later Frankfurt sacked me in the January. In the February I took over at Stuttgart and that season Stuttgart stayed up at the expense of Frankfurt. Then at Wolfsburg we almost went down. With 20 minutes of the season to go we were down but we survived and two years later we won the championship. So I know this situation. I know how it feels. I have told the players. We have to win a game.'

Perhaps that strength in adversity comes from his upbringing.

'I was 14 or 15 when I finally saw my father,' he says. 'He came to Germany to visit me and my mother and after that I visited him every year — in the Virgin Islands when he was still working and then Puerto Rico when he was older. Every year I went for my holidays.'

His mother, he is delighted to report, will be 89 this month. His father sadly died two years ago.

'People in Germany sometimes find it difficult to understand me,' he says. 'I am German but I am  also Caribbean, and the two don't  usually go together. But that's my story. This is me.'



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2619026/FELIX-MAGATH-Dont-worry-Fulham-Ive-relegation-fight-kept-Frankfurt-day.html#ixzz30daX5Beb
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Magath On Mitroglou

Felix Magath may be able to call upon Kostas Mitroglou in his quest to keep Fulham up, but our Manager would not divulge his intentions for the striker this weekend.

Mitroglou arrived in London with a reputation as a clinical finisher but injuries have limited his impact to just two appearances for his new Club – although he could double that figure before the season is over.

"He's been out for a long time," Magath stated. "He joined us from the beginning of this week and he's part of our team now. He's available, [but] he had a period of injury, so we have to see."

Magath did go on to express his opinion that Mitroglou's return to fitness has coincided nicely with an improvement in Fulham's attacking play – something which he believes could work in the Whites' favour.

"He's a player who is very dangerous in the box," he explained. "You see, when I was here at the beginning we didn't come into the box so it was not the right situation for him. Now, we create some chances and we come into the box, and he is very good in the box.

"He wanted to play and he will help us. If he has not played you never know how he will realise his abilities in the game. You can try in training sessions but it's not the same situations as in games."

Saturday's trip to Stoke City is the epitome of a must-win match as anything less could consign Fulham to relegation depending on results elsewhere.

Throughout his tenure at the Club, Magath has always stressed his belief that the Club would secure survival – a standpoint he continues to back.

"I know it's a difficult situation but I'm confident I can manage it," he explained. "I worry a little bit about the last result [against Hull City] but I'm confident we can make it better on Saturday.

"It's a game where we have to win – we have no choice, we have to win, and that's all. You need not think about it – we have to win. I will be nervous on Saturday because it's very important for the Club."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/may/02/magath-on-mitroglou?

[WhiteJC]

 
Magath experience can save Fulham

Fulham manager Felix Magath said he is confident his experience in relegation battles will help the Londoners survive the drop.

The Craven Cottage outfit remain in the bottom three, one point shy of the safe Sunderland, who also have a game in hand.

Fulham have to play Stoke City at the Britannia on Saturday, before a final-day clash at home to Crystal Palace.

Magath said his experience in steering Wolfsburg to safety in the 2006-07 Bundesliga campaign was among the reasons why he can ensure Fulham remain in the English top flight for a 13th consecutive season.

"I've been in this situation before," he said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.

"At Frankfurt (in 1999-2000) we avoided relegation on the last day.

"A year later Frankfurt sacked me in January. In February I took over at Stuttgart and that season Stuttgart stayed up at the expense of Frankfurt. Then at Wolfsburg we almost went down.

"With 20 minutes of the season to go we (Wolfsburg) were down but we survived and two years later we won the championship.

"So I know this situation. I know how it feels. I have told the players. We have to win a game."

Magath said his experience as a manager, dating back to 1995 when he took control of Hamburg, has changed vastly.

He alluded to Manchester United's struggles this season down to a lack of inspiration from the gaffer David Moyes, after legendary figure Sir Alex Ferguson vacated the role.

"At Bayern Munich I simply worked as a coach," he said, of his stint at the Allianz Arena between 2004-07.

"But then at Wolfsburg they asked me to come as manager. I said fine, but I don't know which coach can manage the team other than me. I didn't really see it as two jobs. I think it's similar to how it works with managers here (in England).

"Ferguson was not a coach. He was a manager. It's not just about football. It's the effect you have on the whole club. How you inspire the club. And to lead the biggest clubs you need that power and influence.

"You can see how difficult it has been at United since Ferguson left. Every club needs someone at the top like that. You need one opinion, because if you have that you will have success."



Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/magath-experience-can-save-fulham#5lKqYGT7C7uBrgdX.99

[WhiteJC]

 
4 REASONS WHY STOKE CITY WILL DO FULHAM NO FAVOURS – PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW

1.) STOKE STRONG AT HOME
Mark Hughes' men (64%) have won five of their previous seven top-flight matches on their own patch.

2.) TRAVEL SICKNESS
Fulham have been woeful on their Premier League travels in recent months, losing 12 times in 17 trips.

3.) FAST-STARTING POTTERS
Stoke have scored first (57%) in seven of their last ten home games at this level, going on to win five and draw two of these encounters.

4.) EXCITEMENT APLENTY
Be aware that five of the Cottagers' previous six top-tier away matches have served up over 2.5 goals (54%).

Highest Percentage Bet: Stoke to win (64%) @ 2.38 with 188 Bet. Simply click the link to place the bet.

Kickoff Recommended Bet: Stoke to score first (57%) @ 1.83 with Paddy Power.

Kickoff predictions for this fixture, along with the best available odds, can be found in the betting panel at the top of the page. Click on the odds to place a bet and click on the arrows to see the stats.


http://www.kickoff.co.uk/18860/4-reasons-why-stoke-city-will-do-fulham-no-favours-premier-league-preview/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Day Of Destiny
by LRCN on MAY 3, 2014

I normally like to open with an image, but this new WordPress update is impossible to navigate. Boo.

Anyway, today is the first day of the season where Fulham can officially be relegated. If we lose to Stoke and Sunderland or Norwich win, then we are down, and that'll be the end of our first Premier League stint. And, even if we draw, realistically with Sunderland's run in we can expect them to accumulate a healthy enough number of points to send us down at least. It speaks volumes of their renaissance that we are now looking to catch Villa and West Brom on 35 and 36 points respectively (we are on 31, a single point behind Norwich and Sunderland) with two wins. Their outstanding results at City and Chelsea must be applauded and respected, however bitter a taste it leaves in our mouths, and I'm sure if they hadn't achieved those results we would be a lot more confident heading in to our 37th game. Anyway, there is no doubt that this match is the must-wins of all must-wins (until next week anyway).

But so was last week. And the way we threw away a two goal lead was just entirely reflective of where we are as a football team right now. A fundamental inability to defend completed with a complete lack of confidence (the way the game turned 180 degrees after Hull's first was quite incredible) compounding with a symptomatic ill discipline and lack of fitness. The fact is though, as disappointing as it was there was a great deal of inevitability about it.

However, we can somewhat amend that result with a win up at Mark Hughes' Stoke. The man who left us citing a lack of ambition has lead Stoke to a comfortable mid-table finish, and they'll be pushing for a top 10 spot as well. It would feel awful if this is the person that sent us down, even if he admits it was a mistake leaving Fulham. With the teams around us picking up surprising wins, our team has absolutely failed to do so this season. A single point is all we've managed in 16 games against the top 8 this season. One point. That's borderline disgraceful.

We need to approach Stoke with the battling qualities of the Spartans but the cool, analytical heads of Grandmasters. It's going to be an incredibly difficult match, and I worry that we have a profound lack of quality that even if we play well, all Stoke need to do is match us because, at the end of it all, they are quite simply a better team than we are.

There is a better, more suitable time to try and analyse quite why we are where we are at, so for now, today is our day of destiny – and hopefully the 11th of May is our day of destiny too. With another 3000 fans going up to Stoke today, hopefully we can be inspired to another famous victory.

There's also a great interview with Magath in the otherwise reprehensible Daily Mail, which makes me feel a little better.

COYW!

LRCN


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2014/05/day-of-destiny-2/?