Saturday Fulham Stuff (10/05/14)...

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Stoke table offer for Fulham star

Stoke City are thought to have tabled a contract offer to Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell, who is available on a free transfer in June.

Sidwell, 31, is out of contract at Craven Cottage and is considering his options - which includes staying at Fulham despite their relegation from the Premier League.

The former Reading, Chelsea and Aston Villa midfielder was signed by current Stoke boss Mark Hughes on a short-term deal in January 2011 but he quickly impressed the Welshman and earned a three-year contract later that season.

That deal is about to run out and Hughes, who left Fulham after one season in charge, is now interested in taking him to the Britannia Stadium.

Sidwell will not be short of offers though with several other Premier League clubs also likely to be interested in snapping him up after a number of fine displays this season.


- See more at: http://www.sportinastorm.com/Premier-League/Stoke-City/Stoke-table-offer-for-Fulham-star/X1Y75Z1756907?#sthash.zRzGBPVi.dpuf

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Fulham: A Cowardly, Pathetic & Disgraceful End To Our Survival Hopes

Fulham's 13-year stay came to an end with an awful performance against Stoke that summed up their season...

Is it strange to feel a sense of relief following our relegation? Whilst tears streamed down my face leaving the Britannia Stadium, I could't help but feel our horrific ordeal was finally over, despite the unsavoury outcome.

For weeks now, I have given up trying to dissect what exactly went wrong. Anyone possessing even the most distant signs of sanity would agree that we were shambolic. Luckily for the boys, it was quite the fitting act to confirm our relegation from the top flight.

This season has been nothing short of a disgrace in my eyes, and one of the benefits of falling through the trap door will be the departure of several pathetic excuses for professional footballers. We have catered for a toxic squad this season, and quite frankly, I hope it will be the downfall for many of their careers.

Darren Bent. Where do I start with this mercenary? There are many things wrong with this world, but Bent picking up a weekly pay cheque for playing football tops them all. Words can't describe my anger towards his contribution this season. Saturday's performance summed it all up really, ending with 3,000 disgruntled Fulham fans chanting "you're not fit to wear the shirt" at the striker.

Despite my hatred of abuse towards players, at that point, enough was enough. I would normally refrain from such actions, reasoning that it doesn't help the cause, but the cause was so far gone that it felt right. Bent looked like a lost child in a supermarket, and had next to no idea what he was doing on the field.

The worst incident I witnessed came at full-time, when only a select few players came over to clap and embrace the away following. It really hit home who cared, and who didn't. For me, seeing the majority of the squad swiftly filter into the tunnel was cowardly, pathetic and disrespectful. With fans spending the majority of their disposable income on miserable and abject displays throughout the season, some players didn't see fit to applaud them for their efforts. It was nothing short of ridiculous.

Our downfall this season rests in many hands, but if we are to look at it from a footballing point of view, it has been a player problem. Many people will fixate upon Jol, Meulensteen and Magath, but the bottom line is that when you sieve through three managers, and the same issues continue to prevail, it must be a player problem. A lack of concentration and desire has continued to crop up, almost like clockwork. Add the inability to defend set-pieces, stay in position, close out a game, or just defend really, and you have a recipe for disaster. There is only so much a manager can do, and when players disregard instructions and simply do not perform, then the inevitable is always going to occur.

However, with that said, Magath got it all wrong against Stoke. Seeing Dan Burn get turned inside out at right-back by Assaidi was painful. The poor youngster was played horrifically out of position and had a torrid time. When you decide to play a six-foot-seven centre-back out of position in a do-or-die fixture, then issues are bound to arise.

The way we were set up does not excuse our woeful attempt to show any form of determination. We deserve to go down this season, and it would have been a farce had we managed to maintain our status. Sunderland have shown exactly what we should have done in this predicament, but we decided to continue in the same light, and therefore have duly delivered what has been expected for a while. There was no heart, no to drive to succeed.

It's just sad to see all the hard work we have undertaken in the last few years go to complete waste. Only four years ago we were lining up against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final. Now we find ourselves relegated from the Premier League, whilst our opponents that day have a Champions League final to look forward to, along with a possible La Liga title.

We do have a lot to look forward to next season, such as many new away outings, the possibility of winning a few games, and seeing some youngsters emerge. However, you can't help but feel upset about how things have panned out. After 13 years in the best league in the world, it's hard to leave it behind. I just hope we can return one day. All the best.



http://sabotagetimes.com/reportage/fulham-cowardly-pathetic-disgraceful-end-to-our-survival-hopes/?#_

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Fulham boss casts eye over striker

Trotta has been back training with Cottagers this week following Brentford loan


Bit part: Marcello Trotta has made just three substitute appearances for Fulham

Fulham boss Felix Magath has been keeping an eye on young striker Marcello Trotta in training this week.

The Italian under-21 international scored 13 goals in 40 games during a successful season-long loan spell with Brentford as the Bees won promotion to the Championship.

Griffin Park chief Mark Warburton wants to sign Trotta, who still has 12 months remaining on his contract at Craven Cottage, on a permanent basis.

However, the former Napoli youngster was back training at Fulham's Motspur Park headquarters this week after his loan spell in TW8 came to an end.

It is the first glimpse Magath has had of the 21-year-old, who could be handed a place in the squad for Sunday's game against Crystal Palace.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-casts-eye-over-7096839?

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LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Fulham v Crystal Palace

Fulham manager Felix Magath is staying on after their relegation which is a big plus, because it means the club can start planning for next season now.

There are a few things already sorted out, though. By the sounds of things, many of their players had relegation clauses in their contract so going down should not affect the club badly financially.

The Cottagers also have an exciting crop of young players who lost to Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup final this week, and they have started coming through into the first team. They will get more opportunities in the Championship too.

Patrick Roberts (r) is one of the Fulham youngsters who have broken into the first team

So there are reasons for Fulham fans to be optimistic, and I think they will make the play-offs next season at the very least.

Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis is also looking to the future after keeping the Eagles up and he is in a strong position to get the improvements he wants in the club's infrastructure.

Pulis has done an absolutely outstanding job since taking over in November and he is a planner, not somebody who is at a club for two years then clears off. The Palace board should let him plan and give him as much backing as they can.

Palace will finish 11th whatever happens at Craven Cottage, but there is no danger of them relaxing - we saw against Liverpool on Monday that they do not do that at any stage of a game.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1
Fatboy Slim's prediction: Obviously my heart says Fulham here because, as a Brighton fan, I don't like Palace. 2-0


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27272476

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Fulham v Crystal Palace



By Simon Brotherton
Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Sunday, 11 May

TEAM NEWS

Club-record signing Kostas Mitroglou could return to the Fulham starting XI.

But a host of players - John Heitinga, Giorgos Karagounis, Mahamadou Diarra and John Arne Riise - may play their final games for the Cottagers.

Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis should have a full-strength squad to select from.
Cameron Jerome is expected to have recovered from illness and Dwight Gayle, who came off the bench to score twice in midweek, could start.

MATCH PREVIEW

In a season full of thrilling twists, turns and unexpected outcomes, possibly the biggest of the lot for me is that Crystal Palace have not only stayed up but managed to do so with room to spare.

Even with all the changes last summer, I just couldn't make a strong case in my head for them to stay up after their return to the Premier League, and the early weeks of the season reflected that with four points from the first 11 games.

Even Tony Pulis has admitted he was "very sceptical" before agreeing to take over in late November, knowing among other things that his record of never being relegated in a long managerial career was very much at risk.

Yet he's engineered a remarkable turnaround that has taken Palace from the relegation zone to the comfort of mid-table, and in my opinion deserves to be named Manager of the Year for the scale of his achievement.

The walk from Putney Bridge tube station along the Thames to Craven Cottage is one of the more pleasant approaches to a football ground, but Sunday will be the last time I'll wander along there on Match of the Day duty for a while.

I was commentating on the Hull game two weeks ago and felt at the time Shane Long's late equaliser punctured any real hope Fulham had of escaping the drop. That chance disappeared entirely with last week's 4-1 thrashing at Stoke in which they were truly awful.

You are where you deserve to be at the end of the season, and predictably Fulham's stats reflect a relegated team. They've lost 24 games, which is more than anyone else, while conceding a whopping 83 goals in the process, 11 more than any other team.

It's all a far cry from when these two sides last met back in October, on a night when Pajtim Kasami scored a belter on the way to an emphatic 4-1 away win at Selhurst Park.

But while Fulham have slumped to ultimately lose their Premier League status, Crystal Palace have in contrast gone from strength to strength and will be back for another season in the top flight in 2014-15.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Fulham have won five of the last six meetings between the teams (W5, L1).

Fulham came from behind to beat Palace 4-1 in the reverse fixture earlier this season - it was Ian Holloway's last match in charge of Palace.

Fulham and Crystal Palace have the worst records in Premier League London derbies this season, averaging 0.67 and one point per game respectively.

Fulham
Fulham have conceded 83 goals this season, 11 more than any other top-flight team. The only team to have conceded more in a 38-game season are Derby County in 2007-08 (89). Fulham's goal difference of -45 is also the worst in the Premier League.
They have lost five of their last eight home matches.
Their tally of 24 league defeats is the worst in the Premier League.
Fulham have used 38 different players in the Premier League this season, more than any team in any previous Premier League season.
Regardless of the result in this game, this will be Fulham's lowest points tally in a Premier League season (currently 31, previous lowest was 36 in 2007-08).

Crystal Palace
Palace have won five of their last seven league matches.
Tony Pulis' side have won their last three away league matches.
Crystal Palace have already won more games this season (13) than ever before in a single Premier League campaign.
Palace have lost 17 of the 20 games where they have conceded the first goal.
Mile Jedinak is the only player to have reached triple figures in terms of tackles (131) and interceptions (137) in the Premier League this season.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27273317

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Steve Sidwell v Mile Jedinak: Head-to-head analysis ahead of the clash between Fulham and Crystal Palace

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 Crystal Palace, see how the sides' players Steve Sidwell and Mile Jedinak compare.

Data and graphic provided by whoscored.com


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/steve-sidwell-v-mile-jedinak-headtohead-analysis-ahead-of-the-clash-between-fulham-and-crystal-palace-9344834.html

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Memorable moments from Fulham's 13 seasons in the Premier League


It's been emotional: Fulham's journey from the third tier to of the Football League to the Europa League final and now out of the Premier League.

Fulham's rollercoaster stay in the Premier League comes to an end on Sunday when they take on Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage.

The club were relegated last weekend and, as they prepare for life in the Championship, Standard Sport looks back at 13 memorable moments during their time at the top.

1 Promotion brings some top new signings

In the summer Fulham came up, they signalled their intent by twice breaking the club's transfer record. Holland goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar joined for £7million and France forward Steve Marlet was an £11.5m signing. Owner Mohamed Fayed's ambition was clear. Fulham also spent big on French midfielders Steed Malbranque and Sylvain Legwinski.

2 From Macclesfield to Manchester United

There were no signs of stage fright at Old Trafford when Fulham made their Premier League debut on August 19, 2001. Three years after opening their season against Macclesfield Town in the third tier, Fulham took a shock lead and were twice ahead through Louis Saha. United eventually won 3-2 but Fulham were back.

3 The legend of Zorro gives Fulham cutting edge

Facundo Sava became a cult hero by donning a Zorro mask to celebrate each of his seven Fulham goals. One of the most bizarre celebrations of the Premier League era was a tradition that started in his native Argentina and saw Sava roll down his socks and pull a black and white mask from behind his shin pads.

4 Chelsea's JT edges out Fulham in Cup semi-final

Fulham reached the last four of the FA Cup in 2002 when they faced Chelsea at Villa Park. Jean Tigana's side controlled long periods of the game but failed to make that advantage count and lost 1-0. John Terry scored the winner for Chelsea, who went on to lose against Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium.

5 Return to their spiritual home on the river

After two seasons in exile at Loftus Road while Craven Cottage was redeveloped, Fulham returned to their riverside home in 2004. The refurbished Cottage, now an all‑seater stadium with an increased capacity of 22,000, had lost none of its original charm. Andy Cole scored twice against Bolton on the opening day of the 2004-05season to ensure their homecoming ended in victory.

6 Beating the noisy neighbours

Fulham supporters invaded the pitch to celebrate the first win over Chelsea for 27 years. Luis Boa Morte scored the only goal against Jose Mourinho's team as Fulham eased their relegation worries with a crucial win at Craven Cottage. Matters briefly threatened to turn ugly when minor skirmishes broke out between both sets of fans but the situation was quickly brought under control. It remains Fulham's only Premier League win against their west London rivals.

7 Portsmouth is scene of the great escape

Fulham were sliding out of the Premier League when Roy Hodgson took over from Lawrie Sanchez in December 2007. No one gave them a hope of surviving and, six points from safety entering the final month of the season, their cause looked lost. But four wins from their last five games, including a 1-0 win at Portsmouth on a dramatic final day, saw them escape. Premier League status was preserved and Fayed rewarded his players with a Harrods hamper of caviar and smoked salmon.

8 Highest finish in the Premier League

After the drama of avoiding relegation on the final day of the previous season, Fulham made great strides under Hodgson and recorded their best Premier League finish of seventh in 2008-09. Players such as Mark Schwarzer, Brede Hangeland, Aaron Hughes, Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu had excellent seasons, while the emergence of American Clint Dempsey during the second half of the campaign helped Fulham to a record 53 points. Europe beckoned.

9 Bringing down the old lady of Turin

A famous night at Craven Cottage saw Fulham come from 4-1 down on aggregate to beat Italian giants Juventus and reach the Europa League quarter-finals. Trailing 3-1 from the first leg in Turin, Roy Hodgson's side were heading for the exit door when David Trezeguet scored after two minutes but Bobby Zamora and Zoltan Gera gave them hope before half-time. Gera scored again from the penalty spot and Clint Dempsey completed an extraordinary comeback.

10 So near and yet so far in the final

The club's greatest night since they were formed in 1879 ended in an extra-time defeat by Atletico Madrid but reaching the Europa League Final was a remarkable achievement. The club had seen off Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg along the way and only Diego Forlan's 116th-minute winner, with the aid of a cruel deflection off Hangeland, saw them fall at the final hurdle in Hamburg.

11 Thrashing the other neighbours

Fulham's 6-0 hammering of Queens Park Rangers in 2011 will live long in the memory. Andrew Johnson scored a hat-trick and goals from Murphy, Dempsey and Zamora ensured an emphatic win against their nearest neighbours. Johnson became the first Fulham player to take home the match ball in the Premier League.

12 Wacko Jacko returns to the cottage

Much to the consternation of many Fulham supporters, the Michael Jackson statue is one of the stand-out images of their time in the Premier League. A 6ft high statue of the King of Pop was unveiled in 2011 by Fayed, a close friend of Jackson, two years after the singer's death. Fayed this week said removing the statue, which was taken down from outside the Riverside Stand by Shahid Khan last summer, has brought Fulham bad luck and is behind their relegation.

13 End of an era as Shahid Khan takes over

After overseeing arguably the most successful period in Fulham's history during 16 years at Craven Cottage, Fayed sold the club to American billionaire Khan last summer. Fayed had bankrolled Fulham's rise from the third tier to the Premier League and Khan's arrival signalled the beginning of a new era. In a photocall to announce his sale, Fayed wore a comedy moustache in tribute to Khan.


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/memorable-moments-from-fulhams-13-seasons-in-the-premier-league-9345323.html

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Magath's Palace Preview

Felix Magath wants his Fulham team to put on a good performance for the fans in our last game of the Barclays Premier League season.

Defeat at the Britannia Stadium last weekend confirmed the Whites would be playing Championship football next term, but Magath is keen for his side to bow out in style.

Crystal Palace are the visitors to Craven Cottage on Sunday (3pm) and Magath was in agreement when it was put to him that Tony Pulis' side have done 'amazingly' this season.

He stated: "Amazingly is the right word so unfortunately they come to us and they have been on a good run, so you cannot promise that we leave the season with a win, but we will try.

"I ask the fans – they were tremendous over the whole season – to hold on because we will try to make a better performance than the last weeks.

"We have a strong opponent on Sunday but I think the players will be able to show they are better than before."

Despite stating to the contrary on almost a weekly basis, Magath was asked once again whether there was any possibility that he would leave the Club following relegation.

"I love it here," he said. "I like the Club, I like the English style of football and London is a nice place to live.

"It was never an idea to stop [working] here at Fulham because it was not the idea to come only for the season. It was always clear I was coming here to build up a new team.

"Before I came here it was clear to everybody that it wasn't working so well, so we had to change something. For me there was no doubt that I'd be here next season, it doesn't matter which league.

"It [relegation] was a very bad experience for me but I was realistic and I had known that it might be a possibility to get relegated.

"I'm very disappointed but it was a thing that could happen and unfortunately did, so I was prepared to build up a new team here. That was my idea for coming to Fulham and working for Fulham and that is what I'd like to do."

During his pre-match press conference, Magath put plenty of emphasis on his plans for the younger players at the Club going forward.

"In the future we will give our youth academy more attention," he explained. "In the last years there were not many players from our youth academy but in the future there will be some players who will join us in the First Team.

"We have started [doing that] and that is the good thing about this situation. The future is to come back to the Premier League and now we can make a change to younger players as the basis of the future.

"For me, I like to build up a team, to work with young players, and that is what I already talked about with our Owner. We try to build up Fulham as a club which can play a good role in the Premier League and not only play against relegation. So that is now the situation and that is, for me, a nice challenge."

He continued: "We have to look forward now. We have to change our philosophy, we have to take care of our young players and we have to work with our young players to build up a team for the future, not only for one season. I think we have to go forward and not look back.

"At Fulham we have a very good youth academy so for me it is logical to work here with young players. Look at Southampton; they do things the right way. They started with young players and now they have some international players in the team, and that is the way we want to do things."

While our Manager was keen to stress the importance of a youthful injection into the team, he is well aware that a balance of experience will also be of massive value.

"If you build up a team you need not only young players," he explained. "That is a little bit too much. To lead the young players you need experienced players, so we will have a mixed team in the future, but it will be based on the young players."

The futures of a side's playing squad always come under scrutiny whenever a club is relegated from the Premier League. And while Magath insisted that the Club are under no pressure to sell, he explained he would only be willing to work with individuals who are committed to Fulham.

"Yeah sure, that is no question," he said when asked if he had the backing of the Chairman. "We talked about it and sure we can, if we want, keep the players here. That's not the problem.

"But, for me, it is very important that the player has an identification with the Club and with the team. That is what we have to build up and therefore I don't want to work with players who are thinking there is a better club for them anywhere, so if somebody wants to go he can leave.

"He has to bring us a club which is ready to buy him and give us the money. I only take care of players who identify with Fulham, who love it here, and that is the basis to have success in the future."

Regarding those players whose contracts are up in the summer, Magath stated: "For me it was not a question until last weekend because it was more important to think about the end of the season, so I didn't make up my mind.

"The team have contracts and now we have to speak to the players which want to stay and have contracts. So we have to find out which ones will be here and which ones will leave us but it will happen in the next days."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/may/09/magaths-palace-preview?

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Fulham v Crystal Palace: match preview

Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Fulham and Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage on Sunday May 11, 2014, kick-off 15.00 (BST)

Sunday May 11, 2014
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Craven Cottage
Kick-off: 15.00 BST.
TV: Highlights, BBC ONE Match of the Day.

Fulham (Possible, 4-5-1): Stockdale; Burn, Heitinga, Hangeland, Riise; Holtby, Parker, Diarra, Sidwell, Richardson; Mitroglou.
Out: Briggs (hernia), Duff (knee), Rodallega (illness).

Crystal Palace (Possible, 4-5-1): Speroni; Mariappa, Delaney, Dann, Ward; Puncheon, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Ledley, Bolassie; Jerome.
Out: None.

Referee: Kevin Friend. Matches: 17, R1 Y55.

Betting: Home 10-11, Away 11-4, Draw 13-5.

Team News
Club-record signing Kostas Mitroglou could return to the Fulham starting line-up as the Cottagers look to salvage some pride in their final Premier League game of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Fulham were relegated after a 4-1 defeat at Stoke last weekend and Mitroglou, who had been out with a knee injury since March 8, came off the bench at the Britannia.

Long-term absentee Damien Duff has also been suffering from a knee problem and is ruled out.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis has a fully-fit squad to select from on Sunday.

Striker Cameron Jerome was unavailable for the 3-3 draw against Liverpool at Selhurst Park on Monday due to illness, but has since returned to training and is in contention to face the Cottagers.

Midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi returned from a knock in Monday night's game and suffered no adverse reaction, playing 85 minutes before being replaced by Tom Ince.

Match Notes
If Sunderland's escape was a miracle, Palace's exploits under Tony Pulis border on the supernatural with the team peering down at the strugglers from mid-table security.

After cravenly surrendering their Premier League status, the Cottagers' swansong comes against the soaring Eagles, buoyed by the updraft of Pulis' Palace coup. Michael Jackson's statue might not be re-erected any time soon but Fulham will be hoping for their own swift resurrection.

Stat of the game: Fulham have used 38 different players in the Premier League this season, the most in the division.

Tom Prentki's prediction: Fulham 1 Crystal Palace 2.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10809425/Fulham-v-Crystal-Palace-match-preview.html

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Dembele continues to attract Manchester United interest



Fulham are planning to offer Manchester United targets Moussa Dembele and Patrick Roberts regular first-team football next season in order to ward off interest from the Premier League's top clubs.

Both Dembele and Roberts are said to be attracting interest from Premier League quartet Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.

The duo are thought to be among the most highly sought-after starlets in England.

Their terrific form for Fulham's development side has led to a number of the Premier League's top clubs to ponder a move for Dembele and Roberts.

However the recently relegated west London side are determined to keep hold of the two emerging stars in hope that they can help them return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Dembele and Roberts, both 17, would find it hard to reject the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea - but could be tempted to stay put for another season if Felix Magath can guarantee they will be included in Fulham's first team squad.


http://www.givemesport.com/464165-dembele-continues-to-attract-manchester-united-interest?autoplay=on

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Fulham's forgotten man may start against Palace


Fulham's Ashkan Dejagah (left) and Konstantinos Mitroglou are left dejected after the final whistle.
Picture: Mike Egerton/EMPICS

Club-record signing Kostas Mitroglou could return to the Fulham starting line-up as the Cottagers look to salvage some pride in their final Premier League game of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Fulham were relegated after a 4-1 defeat at Stoke last weekend and Mitroglou, who had been out with a knee injury since March 8, came off the bench at the Britannia.

Long-term absentee Damien Duff has also been suffering from a knee problem and is ruled out.

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_s_forgotten_man_may_start_against_palace_1_3593819

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D-day looming for Fulham squad as Magath prepares to wield the axe

Craven Cottage chief to start reshaping his squad after relegation to Championship


Uncertain future: Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell
Felix Magath will hold talks with his out-of-contract players in the next few days as he shapes his Fulham squad for next season.

Steve Sidwell, John Heitinga, John Arne Riise, Damien Duff and Mahamadou Diarra are among those who see their current deals expire at the end of the campaign.

Magath is keen to retain top scorer Sidwell, while Riise has pledged to stay at Craven Cottage despite relegation to the Championship.           

But with the Whites chief promising an injection of youth next season, Magath may decide to let go some of the more experienced members of his squad.


Out of contract: Mahamadou Diarra's deal expires in the summer
He said: "For me it was not a question until last weekend because it was more important to think about the end of the season, so I didn't make up my mind.

"The team have contracts and now we have to speak to the players which want to stay and have contracts.

"So we have to find out which ones will be here and which ones will leave us but it will happen in the next days."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/d-day-looming-fulham-squad-magath-7098752?

[WhiteJC]

 
A Fulham postmortem

After 13 seasons in the Premier League, Fulham will play the 2014-15 season in the Championship.

Relegation confirmed after 37 games and a hollow final fixture this Sunday with Crystal Palace that must conjure mixed emotions for the Fulham faithful. The curtain comes down on the Whites' 13-year run in the Premiership against another London side I was convinced would finish the season below Fulham.

There is no denying the magnitude of what manager Tony Pulis has achieved with a Palace side Fulham whipped 4-1 last October. It would have required some readjustment in my perception of Pulis to have embraced the Welshman as successor to former Fulham boss Martin Jol last autumn, but there is no denying he has delivered the goods while the Fulham board has made a monstrous string of poor calls. A number of P45's should be handed out at Motspur later this month as a consequence.

Those whom the gods wish to punish they first make mad. Every follower of London's oldest club saw the writing on the wall as the team stumbled inexorably from the heights of Hamburg to the humdrum of trips to Huddersfield and Millwall. I reproduce here lines after the first home game of the season against Arsenal.

"All the usual networks and forums I monitor after matches were running hot. I've not seen such determined Jol bashing before. It is enormously frustrating to keep coming on here lamenting the same old woes. The only question worth putting, is how come the manager can't see it when 25,000 people at the game so obviously can"?

There is a damning psychology of always coming second at Fulham Football Club that has shrouded the club like mist off the Thames for far longer than I have been following the team. It goes right back to days between the wars and we saw the latest manifestation of it Monday night as the club's plucky kids failed to see it through at Stamford Bridge in the FA Youth Cup final.

All long-term supporters recognise this psyche and in some perverse way even embrace it as part of the journey of believing in this idiosyncratic little club. Is it a very British thing, I wonder, to espouse pessimism and self-deprecation, to take comfort in the certainty that life inevitably will kick you where it hurts sooner or later?

I certainly feel Fulham have been kicking me from pillar to post and toying with my emotions all my life. I am angry for the mis-management that has brought relegation upon us, but no bitterness. And I shall be back for more self-flagellation next season.

Senior players have this week admitted that they feared the worst before a ball was kicked. Fans have suffered the worst football played at the Cottage in nigh on 20 years. Now we must hope for a period of stability and evolution to turn things around. It is time to lose that mentality of also-rans. Owner Shad Khan has a bigger task than he could ever have envisaged when he bought into Fulham.

But is manager Felix Magath really the man for the job? He swore repeatedly Fulham would beat the drop. Another in the line of delusory managers? What does he know of football in the Championship? Where will he look for the players needed for regeneration? Will we squander the promise flowering in the ranks of youth by exposing them too soon to the toughness required for first team football?

Right now, ahead of our curtain call, there are far more questions than answers. Society loathes a vacuum. The team selected for Sunday's game may provide some clues as to future direction. Please let the boys not leave the stage with a whimper. Last week's performance at Stoke was a disgrace. Fans may not wish to embrace the side Sunday as they leave the field. But please allow a kiss of the badge with pride one more time before whatever comes next.

This writer only has a couple more blogs left. THANKS to all who have followed my musings and contributed since 2010. It has been an honour and a pleasure.

twitter@fulhamphil


http://www.espnfc.com/blog/_/name/fulham/id/2105?&cc=5739

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Relegated Premier League stars perfect for Liverpool, Arsenal and more

Steven Caulker – Cardiff City

he former Tottenham defender only joined the Bluebirds last summer, but is expected to be one of the most sought-after players of the relegated teams. Already linked with moves to Liverpool and Southampton the 22-year-old reportedly has a relegation clause in his contract that could see him leave for far less than the £8m Cardiff paid for him. Despite a tricky season, Caulker is considered to be one of English football's most promising defenders

This weekend sees the conclusion of the Premier League season, with talkSPORT on hand to bring you all of the final day drama.

While the destination of the title largely dominates the headlines, at the bottom of the table relegation looms large, with Cardiff City and Fulham already down and Norwich City set to join them in the Championship, barring a miracle.

Relegation will also bring with it the threat of losing players, as the top-flight's clubs start to eye-up cup-price deals.

Here is a handful of the top talent that could be up for grabs.

Leroy Fer – Norwich
Leroy Fer has experienced a mixed debut season in England, occasionally showing glimpses of his true talents, although far too rarely. Prior to joining Norwich, the Dutchman was closely linked with Everton, but a move fell apart over fitness concerns. Any fears have surely been allayed this season, after Fer played 29 times in the Premier League. With Norwich on the precipice of playing Championship football next season, he could be once again be in line for a move to Merseyside, especially with Gareth Barry's loan deal set to expire.

Ashkan Dejagah – Fulham
Arguably one of the few Fulham players to emerge with any credit this season, Dejagah could be a man in demand when the transfer window opens this summer. Likely to feature in the World Cup with Iran, the 27-year-old has been tentatively tipped with a move to the Bundesliga, although with Premier League experience, a English side could be tempted into a bid.

Gary Medel – Cardiff City
Cardiff's record signing and the captain of Chile is perhaps the likeliest player to leave the Welsh side this summer, with a handful of European sides reportedly interested. Alongside Steven Caulker, Medel's relegation clause has been activated following the club's struggles and as such he has been linked with moves to Turkey (with Besiktas) and Spain (with Valencia), but surely there are more established Premier League teams who need a tenacious midfielder? Arsenal perhaps?

Maarten Stekelenburg – Fulham
The Dutch international endured a horrendous debut season in England, eventually losing his place to David Stockdale, but with Fulham preparing for the Football League it's hard to imagine him staying at Craven Cottage. An experienced 'keeper who could be going to the World Cup this summer, he would be an ideal signing for a number of Premier League sides as a second choice.

Nathan Redmond – Norwich
While he has struggled for consistency at Norwich this season, Nathan Redmond remains an intriguing prospect for many clubs. At 20 years old, he is still progressing as a player and always exhibits great talent for a player so young. Prior to joining Norwich, he was tentatively linked with some of the top flight's bigger sides, and now the Canaries are staring down the barrel of relegation he could prove to be a smart signing.



Read more at http://talksport.com/football/relegated-premier-league-stars-perfect-liverpool-arsenal-and-more-14050990512#J6ESc70hei7CQKxY.99

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Palace boss set to unleash full strength side onto Fulham

Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis has a fully-fit squad to select from as the Eagles round off their Premier League campaign at Fulham on Sunday.

Striker Cameron Jerome was unavailable for the 3-3 draw against Liverpool at Selhurst Park on Monday due to illness, but has since returned to training and is in contention to face the Cottagers.

Midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi returned from a knock in Monday night's game and suffered no adverse reaction, playing 85 minutes before being replaced by Tom Ince.

Provisional squad: Speroni, Hennessey, Ward, Delaney, Mariappa, Parr, Dann, McCarthy, O'Keefe, Puncheon, Dikgacoi, Ledley, Jedinak, Ince, Bolasie, Chamakh, Jerome, Murray, Gayle.


http://www.london24.com/sport/crystal-palace/palace_boss_set_to_unleash_full_strength_side_onto_fulham_1_3594017

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Magath looks to youth to shape Fulham future

Felix Magath will look to Fulham's youth academy to shape the future of the club as they face the reality of Premier League relegation.

The Craven Cottage outfit have spent the last 13 years in the top flight, but will return to the second tier next season after last weekend's 4-1 thumping at Stoke City confirmed their demotion.

Magath is the third man to take charge at the club this season, after the departures of Martin Jol and Rene Meulensteen, and the German has handed first-team opportunities to the likes of Cauley Woodrow, Patrick Roberts and Moussa Dembele in recent weeks.

The club's youth team reached the FA Youth Cup final before going down to local rivals Chelsea, and Magath feels more focus is needed on the academy to blood young stars into the first-team set up.

"In the future we will give our youth academy more attention," he said.

"In the last years there were not many players from our youth academy but in the future there will be some players who will join us in the first team.

"We have started (doing that) and that is the good thing about this situation. The future is to come back to the Premier League and now we can make a change to younger players as the basis of the future.

"We have to look forward now. We have to change our philosophy, we have to take care of our young players and we have to work with our young players to build up a team for the future, not only for one season.

"I think we have to go forward and not look back. At Fulham we have a very good youth academy so for me it is logical to work here with young players.

"Look at Southampton; they do things the right way. They started with young players and now they have some international players in the team, and that is the way we want to do things."



Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/magath-looks-youth-shape-fulham-future#i8FzoPPMAjWABgdA.99

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Sidwell May Have to be Sacrificed!
   
There`s no doubting that life in the Championship will be a challenging experience.

All those clubs who fall through the relegation trap-door have aspirations of climbing straight back up, but very few do, despite being entitle to parachute payments, from the Premier League, for a couple of seasons.

The division is packed with clubs that scrap their hardest to climb back into bed with the elite, unfortunately, relegation brings about changes to a club, revenue streams are reduced, affected by a drop in attendances and a drop in television money.

Therefore it is essential that the club cuts its cloth accordingly which is why, despite Steve Sidwell wanting to stay and assist the club in its quest to get back into the top-flight, the finances to do such a deal might well be the wrong side of that cloth Fulham are preparing to cut!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=358604#ixzz31IY1CNBg

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West Ham could pounce for Arsenal target

Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Mandatory credit: Action Images.

Exclusive

West Ham United are weighing up a summer bid for Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, [football] direct news understands.
The 31-year-old Dutchman has only been at Craven Cottage for one season after signing from Roma last summer, and the player already looks likely to be leaving the club after they suffered relegation from the Premier League.

The likes of Arsenal have been linked with the Netherlands international in the past, and it has been suggested that they could be interested in him again if he is available this summer, though West Ham are also seemingly in the hunt for a new goalkeeper.

Hammers manager Sam Allardyce has rotated between Jussi Jaaskelainen and Adrian in goal this term, and is not altogether convinced by either player as his long-term number one.

Allardyce will now hope Stekelenburg's desire to return to the top flight and ensure he remains a candidate for his national team will help him land the player as his first choice for next season.

It could be a long summer for relegated Fulham, who also face some doubt over the future of players like Dimitar Berbatov and Steve Sidwell after they dropped to the Championship.


http://www.footballdirectnews.com/premier-league-news/48925-west-ham-could-pounce-for-arsenal-target.php

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Mohamed Al-Fayed and Rene Meulensteen got us into this mess - Fulham's Felix Magath
FULHAM boss Felix Magath blames former owner Mohamed al-Fayed and previous boss Rene Meulensteen for the club's relegation.

But he has vowed to stay and sort it out - with the help of Fulham's promising kids.

The German says he knew the transfer upheaval under Meulensteen in January would give him an uphill task.

"For me, the biggest problem was the decision to bring eight new players in January," Magath said.

"Some foreign players, some young players, it was very difficult.

"Too many new things - a new owner (Shahid Khan), two new managers. I think it was too much.

"I had the same experience in Wolfsburg so I knew it was a problem to bring new players into a team that doesn't work so well.

"If I had been responsible I would have avoided it but it was a decision of the manager."

He claims the squad was looking threadbare beacause Al-Fayed, who sold to Khan in July 2013, had not invested when he should have done.

"Mistakes you make when you are successful will bring the most problems," Magath added.

"What I've heard is that the last owner didn't want to invest in the team so they sold well-performing players and looked for players without fees.

"In every club, if you don't invest in the team it is difficult to have success."

Fulham say goodbye to the Premier League at home to Crystal Palace tomorrow and then Magath says he will look to blend the best of the club's experienced players with the youngsters who narrowly lost the FA Youth Cup Final to Chelsea.

"I came here to build a team and there was always no doubt I would be here next season, it doesn't matter which league," he said.

"We have a good academy so for me it is logical to work with young players.

"But if you build a team, you need not only young players. To lead them you need experience so we will have a mix."



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/378212/Mohamed-Al-Fayed-and-Rene-Meulensteen-got-us-into-this-mess-Fulham-s-Felix-Magath

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Fulham youngster coy over future after Brentford loan ends


Marcello Trotta is on loan from Fulham. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)

Young Fulham striker Marcello Trotta is unsure what his future holds after his loan spell at Brentford came to an end.

The Italian scored 13 goals in 40 games as the Bees won promotion to the Championship.

His future at Fulham is unclear after the Whites' relegation with both teams set to face each other in a west London derby next season.

"I don't know anything about my future," he said. "I'll be going home, rest for a while and start again. I'll be watching the World Cup."

Trotta has been pleased with his efforts this season and admitted there was some disappointment in not winning the league.

"I think it's gone all right. A lot of highs and a few lows," Trotta added. "I think I've improved a lot such as in the defending.

"We'd prefer to be champions but we'll take runner up."

The Italian has represented his country at youth level and he is enjoying the thrill of representing the Azzurri.

"It's going really well," he explained. "We've got a few tough games coming up in September for the qualifying.

"We're trying to do our best and get in position for the qualifying."

Trotta paid tribute to the supporters and called on them to come back stronger next season.

He explained: "I think they've been great all season but next year we've got a big step so I think we need them even more next year."


http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham_youngster_coy_over_future_after_brentford_loan_ends_1_3593404