Tuesday Fulham Stuff (01/07/14)...

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World Cup: Ruiz claims bragging rights over Fulham team-mates

Forward converted his spot-kick as Costa Ricans edged penalty shootout


Bragging rights: Bryan Ruiz celebrates after putting Costa Rica ahead

Bryan Ruiz claimed bragging rights over Giorgos Karagounis and Kostas Mitroglou as Costa Rica edged a nail-biting penalty shootout against Greece.

The Fulham forward thought he had done enough to win it in normal time when his 52nd-minute strike put the Central Americans in control.

Costa Rica were reduced to 10 men on the hour mark when Oscar Duarte saw red for a second yellow, and Greece eventually made the man advantage count to level at the death through Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Fulham flop Mitroglou almost snatched a dramatic winner in stoppage-time, only for Keylor Navas to spectacularly turn the striker's header over.

Mitroglou was denied again at the end of the added 30 minutes when Navas thwarted him from close range.

Ruiz and Mitroglou both converted their penalties, but Theofanis Gekas's miss proved costly as Costa Rica triumphed 5-3 on spot-kicks.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/world-cup-2014-latest-brazil-7343480?

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Away Days: Middlesbrough

Every morning for 23 days we'll be providing a bite-size profile of our upcoming opposition in the 2014/15 Sky Bet Championship season. Next up is Middlesbrough.


Date: Saturday 4th October (3pm)

Recent history: Relegated from the Premier League in 2009, Boro have been a consistently mid-table side in the Championship, finishing 11th or 12th on three occasions. The closest they came to returning to the top flight came in 2011/12, when they missed out on the final Play-Off spot by one place and five points.

The manager: Aitor Karanka, appointed November 2013

Player to watch: George Friend, left-back

Marathonbet odds for the title: 20/1

Head-to-head record: Fulham 22, Middlesbrough 26, Draw 8

Previous meeting: Middlesbrough 0-0 Fulham, Premier League, April 2009

By train: London Kings Cross – Middlesbrough [via Darlington or Northallerton] (approx. 3 hours)

Five who played for both: Mark Schwarzer, Franck Queudrue, Jonathan Greening, Mark Crossley, Alex Fraser



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/june/30/away-days-middlesbrough?

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Cohen urges Hodgson to adapt


George Cohen - World Cup winning full-back

World Cup winner George Cohen insists Roy Hodgson is the right man to take England forward, but has called on him to adapt the way his full-backs play.

FA chairman Greg Dyke wasted no time in saying Hodgson would remain in charge for the next two years immediately after England's elimination at the group stages in Brazil.

And speaking on behalf of Brother UK, Cohen, who played right full-back when England won the trophy in 1966, believes Hodgson must make defensive adjustments if England are to be successful in the future.

"I believe it is right that Roy Hodgson should stay on for another two years," he told Sky Sports.

"I've had a great deal of faith in him since I met him at Fulham. He did a tremendous job there especially in getting us to a European final but there is a problem that he needs to sort out and that is the defence.

"In my time, you were a full-back and a defender. You defended first and you attacked second.

"The only trouble I have with these youngsters (playing at full-back), who are great athletes and very skilful, is that they always seem to be in front of the ball.

"In other words, if anything happens in between them receiving it, they are on the wrong side of the play. They should be going on to the ball because if the play breaks down, they are still goal-side.

"I stress that if you go on to the ball, you can see the play and you can see what you're doing.

"If you're receiving it as a full-back, you've got to keep your eye on the ball, wait till it comes to you, control it and then you probably find that an opposing defender is on top of you.

"Then the ball is played back and you progress nowhere. I can't understand why we haven't sorted this out a long, long time beforehand.

"Roy Hodgson may change that or he may not, but I think that is one area where I think we let ourselves down. We expect too much from our full-backs quite frankly."

Cohen also admitted that he sympathised with Hodgson as he believes the 66-year-old has a limited talent pool to choose from.

"What happened in Brazil surprised me to be quite frank and a lot of my contemporaries said we could have at least made it to the quarter-finals," said Cohen, who spent his entire career at Fulham. "But we have a young team who can learn.

"I remember Sir Alf Ramsey found it very difficult to find 27 players to go to Lilleshall in 1966.

"Out of maybe 200 players in the old first division, there were a few Irishmen and Scotsmen and a few foreigners.

"Then there were those that weren't good enough, those that were too young and those that were too old, so he didn't have too much to choose from.

"Today it is even more difficult because of the number of foreign players that have come into this country. It's enormous, so I think Roy has the short end of the stick when it comes to picking international players."

George Cohen was speaking on behalf of Brother UK, Official Technology Partner of Fulham FC. For more information on Brother products, visit brother.co.uk.


http://www.teamtalk.com/england/9366316/-?

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Karagounis retires from international football

Giorgos Karagounis has announced his retirement from international football following Greece's FIFA World Cup exit to Costa Rica.

Greece's involvement in the tournament came to a dramatic end in Sunday's last 16 clash as 10-man Costa Rica claimed victory in a penalty shoot-out after extra time finished with the scores level at 1-1.

The defeat marked the end of a historic tournament for Greece in which they qualified for the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time.

And midfielder Karagounis has now revealed that the game will be his last in a Greece shirt, bringing the 37-year-old's storied international career to a conclusion.

"This was my last game for Greece," Karagounis said.

"We wanted to stay in Brazil another week or even longer but you can't change it now."

Karagounis won 139 caps and was part of the Greece side that claimed a stunning victory at the 2004 UEFA European Championship.

But the former Inter, Benfica and Fulham man says he is now moving aside for the next generation of Greece players.

"The national team has grown up, younger players have won invaluable experiences," he added.

"This is no small thing and as we helped the team come of age we hope it will continue to be as successful in the future."


Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/karagounis-retires-international-football#dzMrAb23v4Ty44Zl.99

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Three players Fulham should sign this summer


Ipswich Town's Aaron Cresswell would be an obvious choice to solve Fulham's left back problem (Picture: Getty Images)

It's still early days in the transfer window but Fulham have been uncharacteristically proactive.

Numerous departures have already gone through, with plenty more around the corner, while Felix Magath and co have moved reasonably quickly to snap up Shaun Huthcinson, Tim Hoogland and Adam Taggart.

With Ross McCormack expected to sign over the coming days, it's all getting really rather busy at Craven Cottage. Yet, with the holes in our squad still calling out to be filled, there is more work to be done.

Here are three potential targets that we have to pursue:

Henri Lansbury

The former Arsenal man is the type of midfielder we have been needing for so long. A young Danny Murphy-elect if you will, Lansbury fills the quite basic, yet so integral role of a visionary central midfielder.

He could be the creative linchpin to our team, without having to play in advanced position. His passing is astute and intelligent and yet he's not defensively vulnerable in the way that, say, Bryan Ruiz of Lewis Holtby are.

And at only 23 years of age, there is more to see from the Nottingham Forest player. At the price being banded about – circa £4 million – he would be a snatch and, quite possibly, solve a problem we've had ever since Murphy left.

Alvaro Gonzalez

Fulham have supposedly pulled out of a move for the Lazio midfielder already but if circumstances change, he'd be well worth going after.

The Uruguayan will have just finished competing at the World Cup where, despite his side's exit, the 29 year-old has impressed.

A central midfielder by trade, Gonzalez can also play at full back, right back or defensive midfield. He's a tough tackler and can help piece together the midfield, shielding a defence which, in our case, has been incredibly weak over the past couple of years.

Aaron Cresswell

We've been linked with the Ipswich Town defender for what seems like an eternity now and yet, when we crave a left sided full back the most, the rumours run dry.

With Kieran Richardson on his way out, and John Arne Riise and Matthew Briggs released, we have little-to-no cover at left back, and Cresswell is the best there is at Championship level.

An assured defender who is not afraid to exploit the flanks, Cresswell, only 24, has the ability to be our first choice left back for years to come.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/06/30/three-players-fulham-should-sign-this-summer-4781372/?

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Benedkit Howedes identified by Felix Magath as Germany's weak link

Fulham manager Felix Magath has publicly identified left-back Benedikt Höwedes as Germany's weak link in the country's build up to their last-16 fixture against Algeria on Monday.

Höwedes, who by trade plays as a centre-back for Schalke 04 has started all of Germany's World Cup group games in an uncommon full-back position, with manager Joachim Low preferring to stick with the partnership of Per Mertesacker and Mats Hummels in the core of defence.

The 26-year-old has struggled to find his bearings playing for Germany and has been criticised both defensively and offensively.

Several German football experts including Magath, who personally worked with Höwedes during his two year spell as the manager of Schalke between 2009 and 2011, believes that Low's decision to play the Haltern born defender out of position is "mind-boggling".

The 60-year-old personally believes that Höwedes is not offering anything to the rest of the team in the left-back position as he doesn't have the capability to press forward and give options to his midfield and attack minded comrades.

"Playing Benedkit Höwedes as a left-back remains one of our weak-points," he said in an interview with German newspaper Bild. "He is not able to offer anything in the way of attack as he is a football-player who doesn't have a left foot."

The defender was publicly criticised for his performance in Germany's slim 1-0 win against the USA with Höwedes failing to deliver crucial passes in the American half, whilst he was also judged to be giving the ball away to easily.

Whilst Magath feels that this problem will continue to go unnoticed by Low and the rest of the managing staff in Monday's last-16 tie against Algeria, he believes that a team like France, a team that Germany could meet in the quarter-finals could expose this weak link.

He added: "In our upcoming games against much stronger opponents we are going to be too calculable, especially in the offensive area because we don't have an additional option.

"That can be a problem, not in the second round, but presumably a lap later with France laying in waiting."

Magath, who has also managed the likes of VfL Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich believes the decision to play both Höwedes and Jerome Boateng as full-backs is a tactical one in ensuring that the back-line becomes more defensively compact.

"The fact that Low played four centre-backs in his defensive line in the last group game gives an idea of his strategy for the rest of the tournament," he explained. "It gives the impression that the team will collectively get better from game to game."

The Schalke captain, who is expected to start for Germany against Algeria on the left side of defence has stated that he never stepped forward to play in this position, but will be happy to continue playing in other areas of the field if it has a positive impact on the rest of the team and their chances in Brazil.

"I have never voiced my opinion that I am a gifted left-back," said Howedes. "However, if it helps the rest of the team, and we are successful then I am happy to play in this position."

Despite openly criticising his country's tactical decisions at the tournament, Magath believes that Low's team will only go from strength to strength, and are serious contenders to win their fourth World Cup.

"You don't play for the world title in the group games, but you play for progression. I expect this team to improve, and it will."

DISCLAIMER: This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article. GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.


http://www.givemesport.com/481087-benedkit-howedes-identified-by-felix-magath-as-germanys-weak-link?autoplay=on

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Why it was an embarrassing kit launch for an average Fulham kit



New kits are pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of things; nothing more than a money-spinning ploy to generate a little extra income.

And yet, oddly, they bring out a strange set of emotions among fans and are revealed by clubs with almost as much pomp and circumstance as a new star striker.

It's no different at Fulham where, from Tuesday onwards, we will be able to invest around £50 into our new home strip, a pretty dull affair laced, quite outlandishly, with dashes of orange, or, to be more precise, 'Adidas infrared'.

Rather unsurprisingly, opinion is split. It's a pretty awful-looking kit in reality – the Marathonbet logo looks like it was drawn by a Blue Peter badge winner - but you also get the feeling that there is potential there; that it could grow on you. Just like a new star striker.

The orange elements – the collar and arms are seemingly neon on colour – are brash but at least add vibrancy to a kit that, otherwise, would simply be white and grey.

What stung a few people, though, was the marketing ploy. Fulham have said the kit has 'captured our unique past, but added a touch of the future'.

If the future is bright orange, I'm not sure I'd like to see it. And if our past is best represented by a betting sponsor and a foreign manufacturer, then some questions need to be asked behind the scenes.

It truly is a strange one. The club have released a scarcity of teaser images, all shot in black and white in some vain attempt to add some traditional value. It has been lost on almost everyone.

Taking on its own brand name, 'new originals', you can only hope the oxymoron was intentional. If not, this has to be one of the most embarrassing kit launches ever seen.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/06/30/why-it-was-an-embarrassing-kit-launch-for-an-average-fulham-kit-4780545/?

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Leeds United: Fulham lead race to sign McCormack

ULHAM are leading the race to sign Leeds United captain Ross McCormack and could finalise a deal to sign the Scottish international this week.

The Scot didn't travel with his team-mates to United's pre-season training camp at Santa Cristina in northern Italy this morning amid fresh speculation regarding his future, having reportedly told owner Massimo Cellino of his desire to leave the club at a face-to-face meeting last week.

The Cottagers saw a bid in the region of £5m turned down for the 27-year-old in the middle of June, but were fully expected to improve their offer in their quest to land the prized forward, who has also been linked with a move to Norwich City.

The Canaries, with money to spend following relegation and with their transfer kitty set to be swelled further by the impending sale of ex-United winger Robert Snodgrass to Hull City, are in the market for another frontline striker, despite the seven-figure signing of Lewis Grabban from Bournemouth.

West Ham are believed to have retained a level of interest, despite seeing a bid to sign McCormack rebuffed in January, with Newcastle United having also been linked with the 27-year-old this summer.

But Fulham have stolen a significant march on their rivals and are expected to beat off competition to sign him.

Meanwhile, Paddy Kenny's future is also away from Leeds, with the veteran goalkeeper not travelling out to Italy for their pre-season training camp.

Kenny has a year left on his contract at Elland Road and is expected to consider his options in the coming weeks before deciding on his future, with United strongly linked with a move for Italian custodian Marco Silvestri, 23 once their transfer embargo is lifted.

The former Italy U-20 custodian made his Serie A debut in April while on loan at Cellino's former club Cagliari, with his playing rights owned by Chievo and he is believed to be close to sealing a move to Leeds.

Hockaday says he is confident Leeds will be able to bring in 'two or three' players shortly, with the club working on getting their transfer embargo lifted with their bank account no longer frozen.

The summer transfer window formally opens on July 1, with the club continuing to be linked with several other players in the Italian media.

Hockaday said: "What I do know in football is that until pen is put to paper officially and things are recognised and registered, it would be unprofessional of me to comment on anything."

A total of 20 United players flew out to Italy on Monday morning, with the other notable absentee along with McCormack and Kenny being Rudy Austin, although the club and player are hoping he will be able to join the group in the coming days.

Also missing from the trip are injured duo Alex Mowatt and Scott Wootton, with youngsters Lewis Cook, Jake Skelton, Chris Dawson and Lewis Walters included in the party.

United will head straight into training this evening at Santa Cristina and over the next fortnight will be faced with three sessions a day.

During their time in Italy, United will play two games against local sides, fielding a totally different starting XI in the first half and second half of each game – with every player getting 90 minutes under their belts.

Pleased with the response of players to him in training so far, head coach Dave Hockaday added: "We have cranked it up. Their attitude on the first day (Thursday) was a little bit of uncertainty, as it would be on the first day with a new head coach. But the first day was super. And on the second day, there was a big lift for me; we've made massive strides in the two days, but we've a long, long way to go."


http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds-united-fulham-lead-race-to-sign-mccormack-1-6702707

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McCormack stays home as Fulham prepare to swoop on Leeds star

FULHAM are leading the race to sign Leeds United captain Ross McCormack and could finalise a deal to sign the Scottish international this week.

The United captain did not travel out to northern Italy with his team-mates for the start of United's two-week training camp in Santa Cristini yesterday, prompting renewed speculation over his future, with Fulham expected to win the race to sign him.

Both the Cottagers and United are not commenting on speculation suggesting that the 27-year-old – top-scorer in the Championship last season with 28 goals – is poised to join, but it is understood a deal, rumoured to be worth around £10m, is close to being finalised.

Fulham saw a £5m offer for McCormack turned down by Leeds in the middle of last month, but have maintained their interest in the Scottish international and were fully expected to increase their bid with boss Felix Magath keen to add some proven Championship experience to his squad.

United owner Massimo Cellino insisted that the club would only sell McCormack if a 'big team' in the top-flight came calling, but he and McCormack are believed to have held a face-to-face meeting last week in which the Scot expressed a desire to leave Elland Road.

Norwich City are also known admirers of McCormack, who has also been linked with Derby County this summer, with the striker also linked with several other clubs including Newcastle United and West Ham this calendar year.

The Hammers saw a bid for the frontman turned down towards the end of the January transfer window, while the Magpies were forced to deny talk they had tabled an offer earlier this summer after Cellino stated the club had rejected a bid from the north-east club.

News that McCormack is set to join a growing list of leading United players in recent seasons to head elsewhere, with the likes of Jonny Howson, Luciano Becchio, Robert Snodgrass and Jermaine Beckford having all left since the club returned to the second tier, would represent a further blow to Whites fans.

Meanwhile, McCormack's strike partner last season, Matt Smith, admits he would be devastated if the Scot left the club, with the big targetman rating his colleague as the best player in the Championship.

Speaking at the club's kit launch on Saturday, he said: "I don't think there is anyone more desperate for me than him to stay. As a fellow strike partner, he's nothing but an absolute pleasure to play up front with.

"For me, he's the best player in the division and an absolute magician to play up front with. So I would be devastated if he was to leave as I'd love to have another season with him because I think we are a good foil for each other.

"It's the traditional big-man, little-man combo. The more we got used to each other, the more

rewards we got out of it. We got something like 42 goals between each other and 15 or 16 assists between us. It worked well.

"Ross is a very experienced Champonship footballer who has been at this level for a number of years now and is very established.

"As well as that, we were very close friends away from the pitch as well and I think that's a massive help.

"He didn't necessarily put an arm around me, but was brilliant for me and I was always be grateful for that, with it being my first season at this level."

United also flew out to the continent for training yesterday minus goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, who is expected to also leave for pastures new later this summer.

Kenny, who has stayed behind in West Yorkshire, has a year left on his United deal and will consider his options fully in the coming weeks before deciding upon his next move.

Meanwhile, sources close to the club have suggested that Cameron Stewart will not be joining United, who say the player has declared himself as a free agent after his deal expired at Hull City yesterday – with no full contract awaiting him at Leeds.

The club have confirmed that a total of 20 players made the trip to Italy on Monday morning, with the other significant absences alongside McCormack and Kenny, former skipper Rudy Austin and defender Marius Zaliukas.

Due to administrative issues, the Jamaican international has not yet joined up with his team-mates in Santa Cristini but is expected to do so in the coming days. Also missing from the trip are injured duo Alex Mowatt and Scott Wootton who will be working on their rehabilitation back at Leeds.

Included in the travelling group were youngsters Lewis Cook, Jake Skelton, Chris Dawson and Lewis Walters.

Hull have signed Scotland international Robert Snodgrass from Norwich.

The clubs agreed a fee for the 26-year-old former Leeds United winger on Thursday, understood to be a one-off payment of £7million, and personal terms have now been settled on the winger's switch to the KC Stadium.

It is the second major signing of the close season for the Tigers, after last week's £8m capture of Jake Livermore.



http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-utd/mccormack-stays-home-as-fulham-prepare-to-swoop-on-leeds-star-1-6702710

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Ross McCormack set to sign for Fulham in £10 million deal

Leeds United striker Ross McCormack is set to sign for Fulham, according to the Daily Mirror Journalist David Anderson's Twitter account.

McCormack has been linked with a move away from the troubled Yorkshire club for several months now, and recently relegated Fulham are set to pounce in a £10 million deal.

The 27 year old added more fuel to the ever increasing fire after it emerged that he did not travel with the squad for the pre-season training camp in Italy.

The Scottish striker is said to be wanted by several clubs, including Premier League sides West Ham United and Newcastle United, who have both had recent bids rejected.

Leeds owner Massimo Cellino stated last week that he wants at least £12 million for his prized striker, who scored 28 League goals for Leeds last season.

However it now appears that Fulham are leading the way, and hope that the lure of London can convince McCormack to sign for the Craven Cottage outfit, and lead their promotion charge.



http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/ross-mccormack-set-to-sign-for-fulham-in-10-million-deal780/

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Transfer news: Mark Schwarzer signs new deal at Chelsea

Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has signed a new one-year deal to keep him at Stamford Bridge for the 2014/15 season.

Schwarzer joined the Blues last summer on a one-year deal and served as Petr Cech's understudy for most of the campaign.

With the 41-year-old's deal expiring this month, Chelsea have moved to tie down the former Fulham keeper to a new 12-month contract.

Schwarzer made 12 starts and one substitute appearance during his first season at Chelsea, featuring in the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid after Cech picked up a shoulder injury which ruled him out for the final few weeks of last season.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have confirmed Henrique Hilario has left the club following the end of his contract after eight years in west London.


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9367372/transfer-news-mark-schwarzer-signs-new-deal-at-chelsea

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Transfer news: Fulham in talks with Leeds about a deal for Ross McCormack

Ross McCormack: Looks set for Fulham move

Fulham are holding talks with Leeds United about a move for striker Ross McCormack, Sky sources understand.

Leeds rejected a bid from Fulham for the Scotland international last month, but the Cottagers appear to be edging closer to a deal.

Negotiations are ongoing although a fee is yet to be agreed for McCormack, who stayed in England while his team-mates headed off for a pre-season trip to Italy.

Norwich, Derby, West Ham and QPR have also been linked with the 27-year-old after he scored 28 goals for Leeds last season.

United owner Massimo Cellino has suggested that McCormack would only be sold to a 'big team', but they are now prepared to let the player join their Championship rivals.

Strike partner Matt Smith admitted he would be devastated if his team-mate departs Elland Road.

He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "For me, he's the best player in the division and an absolute magician to play up front with. So I would be devastated if he was to leave as I'd love to have another season with him because I think we are a good foil for each other."



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11715/9367360/transfer-news-fulham-in-talks-with-leeds-about-a-deal-for-ross-mccormack