Monday Fulham Stuff (12/05/14)...

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Fulham continue tradition of scoring wondergoals against Palace in entertaining draw


Crystal Palace's Dwight Gayle (left) scores Crystal Palace's winner? at Fulham.
Picture: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire.

Premier League: Fulham 2 Crystal Palace 2

Dwight Gayle scored his second brace in seven days but Chris David struck a wondergoal on his senior debut to rescue a point for already relegated Fulham as they finished the season in 19th.

The former Dagenham & Redbridge man followed up his brace against Liverpool by scoring the opener when he poked Joel Ward's shot past David Stockdale as Fulham were made to pay for a catalogue of missed chances.

Fulham started the second half stronger and were on level terms when Cauley Woodrow turned Scott Dann inside and out before curling home past Wayne Hennessey to score his first senior goal.

The 19-year-old, who spent the first half of the season on loan, was clearly delighted and he has given himself a shot at regular first-team football at Craven Cottage next season in the Championship.

But Gayle struck again with a sweet free kick from 25 yards as he looked to ended Fulham's miserable season.

There was a twist in the tale as, in the dying seconds, Chris David, the 21-year-old Dutchman on his league debut, struck a sublime effort that went in off the crossbar.

It continued the theme of the two matches after Pajtim Kasami scored one of the goals of the season, Steve Sidwell struck with a beautiful volley and Philippe Senderos had the audacity to score with a scissor kick.

A draw was probably what both sides deserved in a lively end-of-season affair.

After a quiet first 25 minutes, Fulham had three chances to take the lead but, as has been the story of their season, they failed to take them.

Rodallega missed a header but the ball fell to Steve Sidwell. The former Chelsea man, who has expressed his desire to remain at Craven Cottage, lashed in a cross-shot that was half-cleared.

Kieran Richardson picked the ball up but could only curl his shot over the crossbar.

But three minutes later Palace had the lead as the home defence went to sleep.

Joel Ward unleashed a shot from 25 yards that Gayle deflected home past David Stockdale in the Fulham goal.

The Whites rallied but were unable to seriously test Hennessey in the Palace goal.

They had to wait until the second half to go close as Rodallega's header clipped the outside of the post on its way wide.

But, just after the hour mark, Fulham were on level terms and it was a moment the Woodrow family will never forget.

A ball into the box was expertly controlled by Rodallega, who then wriggled his way away from the attention of five Palace defenders.

He lad the ball out to Woodrow, who controlled the ball, left Dann on the floor before curling past Hennessey to level the scores.

But, with seven minutes left Scott Parker felled Glenn Murray to give the Eagles a free kick on the edge of the area.

Gayle stepped up and sublimely curled the ball around the wall and into the net, leaving Stockdale with no chance.

Fulham had a free kick of their own in a similar position but Rodallega's effort struck the wall – highlighting the difference in quality between the two sides.

Gayle came close to his hat-trick when Murray struck the bar with the ball cannoning back to the striker who could only guide the ball wide.

There was a twist in the tale as David picked the ball up on the right flank before unleashing a powerful effort that went in off the underside of the bar in the dying seconds.

Gayle had another chance to complete his hat-trick in the last second but his effort went over the bar before Kevin Friend called time on the season.

Fulham: Stockdale, Zverotic (Dejagah 50), Amorebieta, Parker, Heitinga, Hangeland, Kacaniklic (David 23), Sidwell, Rodallega, Woodrow, Richardson (Tunnicliffe 78).

Unused Substitutes: Joronen, Kasami, Mitroglou, Williams.

Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Mariappa, Ward, Jedinak (Dikgacoi 59), Dann, Delaney, Ince (Puncheon 71), Ledley, Chamakh (Murray 73).

Referee: Kevin Friend.

Attendance: 24,447.


http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_continue_tradition_of_scoring_wondergoals_against_palace_in_entertaining_draw_1_3595169

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Fulham 2-2 Crystal Palace: Chris David nets stoppage time equaliser for the Cottagers

Chris David's injury-time stunner ensured Fulham signed off their 13-season presence in the Barclays Premier League with a highlight in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.

The Dutch winger drove the ball on to the underside of the crossbar and into the net from 30 yards out with just seconds of the capital derby at Craven Cottage remaining.

Dwight Gayle had struck in each half to put the Eagles on the brink of victory as they wrapped up a campaign that seemed destined to end in relegation until Tony Pulis' arrival in November.

Instead it is Fulham who will be playing in the npower Championship next season with their destiny already sealed by last weekend's 4-1 rout at Stoke.

Apart from a high-quality goal by Cauley Woodrow within a determined 15-minute spell and David's wonderfully-struck equaliser, it was a dismal end to their top flight stay that underlined the reasons for their demise.


Rejoicing: Chris David celebrates netting Fulham's late equaliser

Adulation: David celebrating his late equaliser in front of Fulham's fans

Fulham owner Shahid Khan confirmed his commitment to the club in the matchday programme, setting the target of an instant return to the Premier League.

Felix Magath was more cautious a page later, however, stressing in his manager's notes that climbing out of the Championship "may take some time".

Magath has the 'complete faith' of Khan, but that backing was issued alongside a reminder that the German has 'significant responsibility' and knows 'my expectations are demanding'.

There was no doubt who Khan blames for the club's relegation, however, after branding the contribution of some members of the squad as "simply unacceptable".

And Khan will have seen little at Craven Cottage to prompt him to reassess his opinion.

Woodrow showed tenacity to create an early chance, but having twisted and turned his way into a shooting position, his effort was cleared to safety.

Palace broke with greater purpose when given the opportunity and Tom Ince should have done better when he sprinted to the edge of the area.

Substitute David, on for the injured Alexander Kacaniklic, was making a good early impression as he teed up a tricky chance for Hugo Rodallega who just failed to reach the ball.


Netted: Dwight Gayle beating Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale for the opener

Cheers: Gayle being congratulated by team-mates Joel Ward and Marouane Chamakh

Challenge: Mile Jedinak (left) and Fernando Amorebieta challenge for the ball

Kisses: Steve Sidwell and Chamakh getting up close and personal during the first half

Missed: Hugo Rodallega misses an easy header just in front of goal
Tumble: Fulham's Alex Kacaniklic goes to ground after a challenge by Marouane Chamakh

Tumble: Fulham's Alex Kacaniklic goes to ground after a challenge by Marouane Chamakh

The action continued to escalate in Fulham's half, however, with keeper David Stockdale producing a fine save to deny Yannick Bolasie.

Palace made the breakthrough in the 28th minute when a long-range effort by Joel Ward that was bound for the arms of Stockdale, was cleverly poked home by Dwight Gayle.

Fulham ended the first half brightly with Fernando Amorebieta going close with a far-post header that was scooped aside by Wayne Hennessey, but Palace deservedly entered the interval ahead.

Somehow Rodallega managed to nod Amorebieta's wide from close range when he had the goal at his mercy and then David lofted a shot high over the crossbar.

The pendulum had swung and Fulham were now in full control, a fact underlined by Woodrow's 61st-minute equaliser.

Atoning for his earlier blunder, Rodallega somehow shielded the ball from a gang of defenders before sliding a superb pass to Woodrow who turned Ward inside out before driving home.

Steve Sidwell and Marouane Chamakh squared-up after tangling as they fell to the floor and the Moroccan was substituted seconds later.

Fulham's fightback failed to last, however, as Gayle curled a free-kick through a shambolic wall and beyond the grasp of Stockdale for his second.

But with seconds remaining, David intervened to deny Palace victory.


Cheer: Billy the Badger out to cheer up the disappointed home supporters, after relegation last week

Support: Fulham fans unveil a huge flag before kick off

Defiant: Tony Pulis in full voice to ensure that Crystal Palace end their season on a high note
   
Spot the difference: Fulham manager Felix Magath, and a fan who dressed up as him at Craven Cottage

Held: Fulham youngster Cauley Woodrow holding off Damien Delaney

Finisher: And the youngster finds the Cottager's equaliser with a low finish

Like a prayer: Woodrow celebrating his first Premier League goal for the club

Unity: And the teenager is embraced by Kieran Richardson following his strike

All action: Woodrow challenging Jedinak in the air

Dodge: Brede Hangeland leaps over the challenge of Palace's Chamakh

Specialist: Gayle putting Palace ahead late on with a free kick

Double: Gayle celebrating his second goal of the afternoon

Hot streak: Gayle has had a brilliant week, after netting two against Liverpool last Monday

Up in the air: Thomas Ince attempts to pull out of an aerial challenge with Ashkan Dejagah

Flared: Things get a bit heated between Sidwell and Chamakh

Equaliser: David slots home Fulham's late second

Beaten: Wayne Hennessey looks on forlornly as David's effort sails into the top corner of his net


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2625454/Fulham-2-2-Crystal-Palace-Chris-David-nets-stoppage-time-equaliser-Cottagers.html#ixzz31QvN40LI
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Fulham 2-2 Crystal Palace: Youngsters provide Whites glimpse of hope for Championship

Dwight Gayle picked up a brace for Crystal Palace but relegated Fulham received a glimmer of hope as a worldly goal from young Chris David in stoppage time earned the Cottagers a point before heading down.

A 13-year Premier League run comes to an end at Craven Cottage, but the Championship will see plenty of David and fellow goalscorer Cauley Woodrow as they look to work their way back up.

The visitors, on the other hand, get a point to complete a remarkable turnaround under Tony Pulis, finishing in 11th position after being in the relegation zone for much of the season's first half.

Crystal Palace began quickly, but the first chance of the match fell to Fulham against the run of play in the sixth minute when Alex Kacaniklic lashed at goal powerfully off a corner but Wayne Hennessey saved well.

They had another on 15 minutes when young Cauley Woodrow had a go, another powerful effort looking to clean up a mess, but it was expertly blocked by David Delaney.

The chances got Fulham stuck in, and they began to steal more of the possession and pegged Palace back.

Unfortunately, the home side were forced into an early change, as an earlier yellow-card challenge from Marouane Chamakh forced Kacaniklic off with an injury in just the 23rd minute, replaced by youngster Chris David.

They continued to press, and Hugo Rodallega had a close effort saved just before the half-hour mark as Fulham saw up to 70% of possession.

Palace had a chance on a break, as Gayle slotted in Yannick Bolaise but David Stockdale made an expert one-on-one save.

But Gayle would make good moments later off the corner, as a shot from Joel Ward powered in and found the foot of an onsides Gayle who tapped past Stockdale for the lead.

Fulham continued to come close on the other end, when Fernando Amorebieta's header came in just before the break but they couldn't equalize with Hennessey in fine form and walling off the chance.

After the halftime break, Fulham continued to search for a goal.  Felix Magath brought on super-sub Ashkan Dejagah, and they came desperately close to scoring soon after as Hugo Rodallega clipped the post and out in the 54th minute.  More pressure a minute later ended with Chris David skying over.

The pressure eventually got to Palace, as Fulham found their equalizer. With Hugo Rodallega on the ball in the box but with his back to the goal and no immediate options, he found Woodrow in space at a tight angle, and he finished into the far corner.

It's a nice bit of promise for Fulham going forward into the Championship, as they will likely get a heavy dose of the 19-year-old up front next year.

As the home side pressed for a winner, they shouted for a penalty on twenty minutes to go but referee Kevin Friend waved off Chris David and replays showed he should have been booked for a shockingly embarrassing dive.

In the 83rd minute, with both sides poking and prodding at the other for a winner, Scott Parker committed a silly foul with Palace flooding towards the box. Dwight Gayle took the free kick, and he produced a howitzer through the wall and past Stockdale for the winner.

Gayle nearly had himself an accidental hat-trick as time ticked town, as a shot from Murray clattered the bar, and the powerful ricochet smacked Gayle at close range, but the unintended attempt went just wide with Stockdale on the ground.

LINEUPS:

Fulham – Stockdale; Zverotic (Dejagah 50′), Heitinga, Hangeland, Amorebieta; Kacaniklic (David 23′), Parker, Sidwell, Richardson (Tunnicliffe 79′); Woodrow, Rodallega.

Goals – Woodrow 61′, David 90+3′

Crystal Palace – Hennessey; Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward; Bolasie, Jedinak (Dikgacoi 59′), Ledley, Ince (Puncheon 72′); Chamakh (Murray 74′), Gayle.

Goals – Gayle 28′, 84′



http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/05/11/fulham-2-2-crystal-palace-youngsters-provide-whites-glimpse-of-hope-for-championship/?

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Fulham 2 Crystal Palace 2: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Fulham and Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage on Sunday May 11, 2014


The boy did good: Cauley Woodrow (second right) is congratulated by his Fulham team-mates after getting on the scoresheet
Photo: PA

Having criticised his players for "lacking fight," Fulham manager Felix Magath has promised their return to the Premier League will be achieved with players who "passionately care" for the club.

Two of those will be 19 year-old Cauley Woodrow, who scored his first Premier League goal and 21 year-old Chris David who did likewise while Dwight Gayle added another two goals to his Palace tally.

Tom Ince, rumoured to be attracting interest from Inter Milan as his Blackpool contract expires, almost curled Crystal Palace into an early lead in a rare start for the winger.

Despite the understandably flat atmosphere, both sides played with a degree of freedom and Alexander Kacaniklic soon forced Wayne Hennessey into a smart stop with the Welshman making his Palace debut as Julian Speroni was given a rest.

There were glimpses of a brighter future for Fulham with Woodrow and 21 year-old Chris David combining intelligently to tee up Hugo Rodallega who narrowly failed to convert at the back post.

Mohamed Al Fayed's theory of Fulham's luck disappearing with the destruction of the Michael Jackson statue will have had Cottagers wondering given the fortuitous circumstances in which Palace took the lead.

Dwight Gayle added to the two goals he scored to scupper Liverpool as he flashed out a leg to divert Joel Ward's harmless shot past David Stockdale.
They almost went in two-up but Stockdale saved acrobatically from Scott Dann as the defender connected strongly with Ince's free-kick.

Venezuelan Fernando Amorebieta should have levelled as the pendulum swung again but his back-post header was aimed weakly into the ground, giving Hennesey the chance to save.

After the break, Amorebieta's cushioned header across goal to Rodallega but, as the bad luck continued, the Colombian headed against the base of the post.

But, after a season of desperation, Fulham were briefly able to celebrate. Unable to convert himself, Rodallega assumed the role of provider and fed Woodrow who cut inside Ward and curled expertly past Hennessey.

Gayle looked to have brought down the curtain on a fine season for Palace and a miserable one for Fulham as he swept home a 25-yard free-kick before Glenn Murray struck the bar with minutes remaining.

But Dutch midfielder David, making his first Premier League start, gave Fulham a rare moment of cheer in stoppage time as he cut in from the right touchline and curled an exquisite shot into the top corner.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10822070/Fulham-2-Crystal-Palace-2-match-report.html

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Manager Reaction

Felix Magath believes the future is bright for Fulham after young Cauley Woodrow and Chris David scored in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

Relegated last weekend, the Whites ended the 2013/14 campaign with a point against Palace. After Dwight Gayle had put the visitors in front, Woodrow levelled with his first goal for the Club.

Gayle made it 2-1 with a free-kick but David snatched a draw for the hosts with a superb strike in stoppage time on his league debut for the Whites.

"For me, it was relief because we played well for the 90 minutes," said Magath. "The young players did a lot of work and we didn't deserve to be losing. I was very glad that Chris David scored in the last minute and made the result a little bit better for us. I think it was a sign for everybody that we are hopeful for the future. The young players played very well and today was a new start for us.

"We have a lot to do and we will. At the end, this goal will give our supporters hope that it will be better in the future."

Magath admitted there will be plenty of work ahead as he shapes a team capable of returning to the top flight at the first time of asking.

"Before such decisions, we have to discuss and analyse the situation and the team," he stated. "Our Owner has given us support and confidence and we have to discuss with him how we go on next season. Then we can talk about new players.

"We have to take care of our money. You have two ways to be successful – you spend more money than anybody else or you spend less and work harder. Everybody knows which way I prefer.

"It's not the time to talk about aims for next season. As I said, we have to talk with the Owner about a budget and then we'll see what we can do."

With Academy winger George Williams on the bench, Magath vowed to give youth a chance next term, continuing: "The team I selected today was a sign that we will change something in the future – that we don't rely on older players. We have a good youth academy but they haven't appeared much in our team. I will take care of the young players and bring them into the team."

Asked where he felt it had gone wrong this season, Magath concluded: "We had too much upheaval and changes in one season. We had no team which really was Fulham. That was a big problem. I'm sorry to say such things but we didn't fight as a team."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/may/11/manager-reaction?

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Magath puts faith in Fulham's young guns

Craven Cottage chief to inject ageing squad with youth next season


First Fulham goal: Youngster Cauley Woodrow scored against Palace
Felix Magath plans to inject youth into his ageing Fulham squad in the summer.

The Craven Cottage chief will rely on the club's talented crop of teenagers coming through the ranks to lead their Championship charge next season.

Nineteen-year-old Cauley Woodrow and Chris David combined to earn the Whites a deserved point in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace as they bid farewell to the Premier League.

Magath said: "I was very glad Chris David scored in the last minute as it was a sign that we are hopeful for the future that young players can step up and play well.

"For me it was the first day of a new season. I was giving you a sign that we will change some things in the future.

"We won't rely on older players. I will take care of our youth and will bring academy players into the team."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/magath-puts-faith-fulhams-young-7104029?

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Fulham Premier League season review for 2013-14
Report and verdict on Fulham's 2013-14 season, including best and worst moments, results, stats, transfers, quotes and players


Laughing stock: Fulham's third manager of the season, Felix Magath, was likened by the club's supporters to cartoon character Penfold
Photo: ACTION IMAGES

Final position: 19th

Verdict
Three managers and relegation is not a good start for Fulham owner Shahid Khan, who bought the club from Mohamed Al Fayed last summer. Fulham used to be one of the better-run clubs in the Premier League. They are no longer well run or in the Premier League.

Best moment
Victories over Aston Villa and Norwich gave Fulham a glimmer of hope that they could pull off an escape act, but it proved to be too little, too late. The youth team's run to the FA Youth Cup final was a bright point.

Worst moment
The 4-1 defeat at Stoke meant that Fulham went out with a whimper and were relegated from the Premier League for the first time in 13 years.

Player of the year
There are not a lot of candidates for this award. In fact, this particular correspondent, having seen Fulham on a number of occasions this season, can't think of anybody worthy of the title.

Transfers rated 0/10
Fulham's January transfer business was utterly disastrous. Striker Kostas Mitroglou was signed for £11 million from Olympiakos on transfer deadline day in January and has started just one game and is yet to score a goal. Ryan Tunnicliffe and Larnell Cole joined from Manchester United and were loaned straight out. Shambolic.

Best quote
Fulham's third manager of the season Felix Magath laughed off comparisons to cartoon character Penfold by saying: "I don't have the impression I am being mocked here." Er ...

This summer they must...
Start running the football club properly again. There must be a clear strategy based around Fulham's excellent academy that sees the club put their faith in youth and clear out the biggest earners.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/10810612/fulham-premier-league-season-review-2013-14.html

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Bournemouth defender Steve Cook a target for Fulham

AFC Bournemouth could possibly be losing defender Steve Cook to Fulham in the summer according to the Fulham Chronicle.

The 23-year old centre-back has impressed in his third season with Bournemouth whilst playing in 38 league games and scoring five times. The Englishman can also play as a right back and is a versatile member of the Bournemouth defence.

As Fulham have been relegated into the Championship their budget is limited and they see Cook as an ideal signing having scouted him for the past few weeks.

The 23-year old joined Bournemouth in 2012 from Brighton for £150,000 on a three and a half-year deal following a successful loan spell at the club the season prior. He has gone on to make 106 appearances for the club and has developed season after season into a strong and rather reliable defender.

Fulham need reliable defender and a summer move to the London club could very well happen for Cook as they seek to take a more youthful approach in the future as part of their re-building plan.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/bournemouth-defender-steve-cook-a-target-for-fulham/?

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Season To Forget For Relegated Fulham

Fulham 2 Crystal Palace 2
by Kaleem Aftab
at Craven Cottage

Dwight Gayle was again the hero as Crystal Palace ended the season in 11th spot. The draw saw Fulham end the season second bottom.

When Fulham beat Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park at the end of October, it was the Palace fans believing that they would be arriving at Craven Cottage in the Championship.

That game was the signal for Ian Holloway to resign and the appointment of Tony Pulis.

That Palace came to the Cottage guaranteed of a top-half finish have led many to call for him to be named manager of the year.

Dwight Gayle, having effectively ended Liverpool's dreams of winning the league, showed a goal poacher's instinct when he put a tow out to turn home Joel Ward's shot on 27 minutes.

On 83 minutes he curled in a fabulous free-kick to potentially win the game.

Fulham's season could not have been any worse.

Since their victory over Palace they have hired and fired two managers.

The short reign of Rene Meulensteen was a disaster. Chris David came off the bench to become the 39th player Fulham have used this year, an unwanted Premier League record.

While they showed some signs of improvement under Felix Magath, the one silver lining for Fulham is the emergence of a number of youth players.

One of them, Cauley Woodrow's scored his first goal for the club.

This was followed in the final minute with debutante David scoring with a fabulous left-foot strike. 


http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-a30a-Season-to-forget-for-relegated-Fulham#.U3BG58YcKbA

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Magath to speak to Khan over squad and gives Holtby, Bent & Parker update

Felix Magath will sit down with Fulham owner Shahid Khan to make decisions on how to revamp the squad for Championship football next season.

The Whites were relegated after defeat to Stoke in their penultimate league game and waved goodbye to the Premier League with a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.

There is set to be a rebuilding phase at Craven Cottage, as there always is after relegation and the German will focus on bringing the young players through.

He said: "Before decisions are made, I will have to discuss and analyse the situation and the team and make sure we have to discuss with our owner how we go on for next season.

"That is ahead of us and then we can talk about old or new players. The team I selected gave you a sign that we change something in the future.

"We don't rely on older players. We'll go on with younger players and I will take care of your youth players.

"In the last years they didn't play often here. That I will be changing.

"I will be taking care of the academy players and bring them into the Fulham team. We have to buy one or the other young player also."

The loans of Lewis Holtby and Darren Bent are up and Magath expects the pair to return to Tottenham and Aston Villa respectively.

He added: "I think they go back because they're not only loan players but players with high quality and high wages.

"We have to look at the money and take care of the money. I think we're not able to pay such players.

"We are looking for young players and you have two ways to be successful. One way is spend more and the other is spend less and work harder."

Magath was reluctant to talk about aims for the next campaign but did reveal that former England captain Scott Parker would stay at the club.

He said: "I can't tell you that we'll buy him but I tell you that we take care of our youth academy and we look for one or the other young player that will join us but we have some players here who are playing today who will stay like Scott Parker."


http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/magath_to_speak_to_khan_over_squad_and_gives_holtby_bent_parker_update_1_3595365?usurv=skip

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Relegated Norwich, Fulham and Cardiff face up to grim reality

LONDON - After one of the tightest Premier League relegation battles for years, the stark reality for Norwich City, Fulham and Cardiff City is that a difficult task awaits them on and off the pitch in their quest to get back to the top flight.

Such are the financial rewards for playing among the elite that a 2013 report by the Sports Business Group at Deloittes estimated promotion could be worth up to 120 million pounds ($202.1 million), much of that from broadcast rights.

Despite the fact the relegated teams will each receive parachute payments of about 60 million pounds over four years, there is no guarantee that income will ensure a safe passage back to the promised land.

Wolverhampton Wanderers went down to the Championship in 2012 and a year later dropped into League One (third tier).

Fulham, whose relegation after a 13-year stay in the Premier League was confirmed with a 4-1 defeat at Stoke City last weekend, are already preparing for life in the second tier next season under former Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath.

"Today was the start of the new season," German Magath told reporters following Fulham's 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage on Sunday. "We work now for our comeback, we have a lot to do and we will do.

"The team I selected today has given you a sign that we change something in the future. We don't rely on older players. We go on with younger players and I will take care of our youth players.

"We have to look at the money and we have to take care of the money. We take a step back and we are looking for young players.

"You have two ways to be successful: one way is to spend more money than anyone else, or you spend less and work harder - everybody knows which way I prefer."

Adams confident

Norwich's relegation was confirmed on Sunday with a 2-0 home defeat by Arsenal but, despite returning to the second tier for the first time since 2011, interim manager Neil Adams is confident the Norfolk club can bounce back to the Premier League due to their financial position.

"The club is in good health going forward, they have cleared the debt and now the focus has to be on getting back in the Premier League," Adams, who replaced the sacked Chris Hughton in April, told the BBC.

Norwich said in a statement that they expected to name their manager for next season within a week, with Adams "one of a number of candidates the board is talking to."

Basement side Cardiff, relegated after losing 3-0 to Newcastle United last weekend, finished the campaign with a 2-1 home defeat by Chelsea.

But owner Vincent Tan, criticized by the fans this season, has vowed to get the club back to the promised land after their spell in the Premier League lasted just one season.

"I will not quit while we are in this situation. I am not a quitter, nor a loser. A quitter never wins; a winner never quits," the 62-year-old businessman told the BBC.

"I won't walk away and let it go bust because if I want to walk away I must go and look for a new owner to take my place." - Reuters


http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/360668/sports/football/epl-relegated-norwich-fulham-and-cardiff-face-up-to-grim-reality

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Duo heading for Fulham exit

Bent and Holtby to return to their parent clubs after loan deals expire

Fulham boss Felix Magath has ruled out permanent deals for loanees Darren Bent and Lewis Holtby.

The pair failed to even make the bench for Sunday's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace as the German boss started his squad rebuilding early.

Bent scored just three goals during his season-long loan switch from Aston Villa, while Holtby has faded since his January move from Spurs.

"I think they go back because they're not only loan players but players with high quality and high wages," said Magath.

"We have to look at the money and take care of the money. I think we're not able to pay such players.

"We are looking for young players and you have two ways to be successful. One way is spend more and the other is spend less and work harder."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/lewis-holtby-darren-bent-heading-7104877?

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Report card: Cottagers' campaign collapses amid confusion and chaos

Fulham's 13th consecutive top-flight season was (un)comfortably their worst, writes Nick Ames...

The lowdown
They probably had it coming, Fulham hadn't finished below 12th in the Premier League in five seasons, and had only ever troubled the bottom five twice, but this campaign seemed ill-starred from the beginning.

Fulham had ended 2012/13 badly, losing six of their final eight. Martin Jol's response was to enlist experience, Scott Parker, Darren Bent and Maarten Stekelenburg joining an already ageing side, while adding Adel Taarabt to a maverick set of attacking options that already included Dimitar Berbatov and Bryan Ruiz.

It says enough that, by the end of January, Jol's trio of dilettantes had moved on. The manager, too, was long gone. Fulham's season – which had begun semi-acceptably with three wins in their first eight – had quickly unraveled into a plan-averse mess. Six consecutive defeats, culminating in a 2-1 home reverse to Spurs, rooted them in the bottom three.

That match was the first under Rene Meulensteen, who had been brought in to assist Jol three weeks previously but, with jarring predictability, was soon invited to jump into his grave. Meulensteen called for the cavalry, signing eight players and splurging £13 million on Kostas Mitroglou alone. Results picked up at first but, by early February, Fulham were rock bottom and had lost to Sheffield United in the FA Cup.

A reshuffled side's draw at Old Trafford, secured through one of the season's more remarkable smash-and-grabs, hinted at an upturn – but that was as good as it got. Valentine's Day saw a terse statement announce the appointment of Felix Magath – with Meulensteen out on his ear after 16 games.

Despite the odd timing, Fulham seemed a reasonable bet for a great escape under the German, renowned for his uncompromising approach. In practice his impact was moderate; although successive April victories against Aston Villa and Norwich offered reasonable hope of salvation, a late comeback by Hull and an unforgivably weak surrender at Stoke burst the optimism and sealed a deserved fate. From 12 games, Magath earned 12 points – not much of a new-boss bounce, and not enough to save Fulham.

It's not all bad news: Fulham have a host of talented youngsters waiting in the wings, several of whom were called upon. But three managers and 38 players used in a single Premier League season tell their own story. Try as you may, it's hard to identify exactly what Fulham were trying to do at any point in the campaign.

Would they have taken this in August?
Of course not. A few warning signs were there, but a bit of freshening-up looked as if it should see them right.

Would they have taken this in January?
No. Two points adrift of safety at the month's end, and with the prospect of a dynamic attacking spearhead in Mitroglou, survival seemed well within reach.

High point
Bent's late equaliser at Old Trafford was great fun and seemed to have set the stage for a Meulensteen-led revival, but the apex of Fulham's season probably came 19 minutes into their eighth game. Pajtim Kasami's chest and volley on the run, levelling things up at Crystal Palace, might have been the most technically difficult goal scored in the Premier League all year – and Jol subsequently placed it above 'that' strike by his compatriot Marco van Basten. Fulham strode clear to win 4-1, Palace parted company with Ian Holloway, and the two sides seemed on different enough paths.

Low point
Where to start? There was the pitiful capitulation at Stoke that confirmed relegation, or perhaps January's 4-1 home reverse to a then-stricken Sunderland, but it was the 6-0 trouncing at Hull on December 28 that said Fulham wouldn't be getting out of this any time soon. You just don't ship half a dozen to Steve Bruce's side, and you certainly don't bleed them all in 35 second-half minutes. "I've asked myself what happened and I've asked the players. I didn't see this coming," said Meulensteen, and it wasn't the last nasty surprise he'd be in for.

Hero of the season
Creaking legs were a big issue for what was too often a sluggish Fulham outfit, particularly in the first half of the season, but Steve Sidwell was neither symptom nor cause. On an individual level, the 31-year-old had his best season since Reading's 2006/07 campaign, top-scoring with seven league goals while showing the impetus and initiative that most of his team-mates lacked. A player who had seemed to be on the decline will now be on a few shopping lists this summer.

Villain of the season
Chairman Shahid Khan, who took Fulham's ownership from Mohamed Al Fayed last summer, has plenty to answer for after a first season whose strategy boiled down to a series of increasingly desperate rolls of the dice. If the Jol-Meulensteen-Magath merry-go-round seemed farcical, the installation and subsequent removal of Alan Curbishley and Ray Wilkins in different roles were no better. Al Fayed pointed the finger at Khan's removal of his beloved Michael Jackson statue as the primary driver behind Fulham's relegation – which at least suggests a degree of awareness that he left the club in inadequate hands.

The season in microcosm
You can pick any number of games that showed Fulham weren't good enough, but as a representative example let's plump for February's 3-0 home reverse against Southampton. Yet another shuffling of the pack saw Meulensteen make four changes from an insipid defeat at Swansea, but none of them made much impact as, after a passable enough first half, his team was picked off by a hungrier, slicker and far more energetic visiting side.

FFT grade
F. Fulham couldn't have played things much worse on or off the pitch, and the transition from experience to youth will have to be managed expertly if they're to be back any time soon.



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