Wednesday Fulham Stuff (29/07/14)...

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Simurq Factfile

This week's training camp in Austria pits Fulham against two sides we've not met before. Here's our guide to Wednesday's opponents Simurq.

Location

Simurq are based in the city of Zaqatala, one of the northern-most regions of Azerbaijan, with the borders of both Georgia and Russia within relatively close proximity. As the crow flies, Zaqatala is approximately 2,290 miles south-east of Craven Cottage.

Nickname

The Phoenixes, as illustrated on their club crest.

History

A newly-formed side, Simurq have only been around since 2005, when they entered the league system by joining the Azerbaijan First Division (second tier).

They were only there for one campaign, though, as a superb maiden season saw them win promotion to the Azerbaijan Premier League courtesy of their third-place finish.

Simurq made a solid start to life as a top-flight outfit, finishing ninth and seventh in the 14-team league in their first and second seasons respectively.

The 2008/09 term was their finest hour, though, as they secured third place in the division, landing a spot in Europe in the process. The Azerbaijani outfit entered qualifying for the inaugural UEFA Europa League competition at the first phase – eventual finalists Fulham were dropped in at the Third Round – but were defeated 4-0 on aggregate by Israel's Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv.

Their league positions have fluctuated somewhat since that season, with their finishing spots ranging from fourth to 11th. Last season they finished seventh in what is now a 10-team division.


Manager

Giorgi Chikhradze took over as Simurq manager three years ago and led the side to a top-four finish in 2012/13. A defender in his playing days, he was something of a journeyman, taking in spells with 11 sides – the most notable of which was Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk. He was capped at international level by Georgia more than 20 times and featured for his country at Wembley in a World Cup Qualifier back in April 1997 (pictured competing with Paul Ince).

Player to watch

Dragan Ćeran: An imposing striker who joined the club a year ago, Ćeran enjoyed a prosperous first season in Azerbaijan, leading his side's scoring charts with 13 goals in his 31 games played. He began his career in his native Serbia where he also took in a loan spell with Belgian outfit Westerlo, before moving to Israel with Hapoel Haifa and, latterly, Maccabi Netanya. Signed a contract extension this summer despite reported interest from clubs in the Netherlands, Denmark and Greece.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/july/29/simurq-factfile?

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Squad Builder: Fulham's Championship Journey

After a thirteen-year stay in England's top flight, Fulham will be spending this season in the Championship – and without sounding too biased, the team seems to be in good health. Despite players' criticism of the Felix Magath regime, he appears to be on a mission to get all of the old guard out (be it right or wrong) and mould the team in his own image. But how will this team line up come the opening day against Ipswich Town? What positions are still in desperate need of some new blood? Much like my previous article in which I built a squad from Blackpool's bare bones using free transfers, I will endeavour to try and put my managerial coat on once again, and give you my starting XI for The Cottagers.

FULHAM PLAYERS OUT/RUMOURED TO BE OUT
First off, Darren Bent's gone. That deserves a part all to itself.


Darren Bent, Fulham's albatross last season. football.co.uk
The majority of Fulham's old guard, such as Brede Hangeland, John Arne Riise, Damien Duff, Steve Sidwell and Giorgos Karagounis have all been released on free transfers, and the sad (but unsurprising) departure of the player behind last season's best goal, and one of my favourite players, Pajtim Kasami to Olympiakos. David Stockdale has been sold to Brighton for reasons unbeknown to myself, and Magath seems to be going towards young 'keeper Jesse Joronen as this season's first choice, with everyone expecting Maarten Steklenburg to leave too. Kieran Richardson and Philippe Senderos have both gone to Aston Villa, Ashkan Dejagah has left for a rumoured £100k-a-week in the Middle East, Hugo Rodallega could be off to River Plate and all Fulham fans are expecting the eventual departures of record signing Konstantinos Mitroglou and Bryan Ruiz, even though he travelled with the squad for a pre-season trip of Austria.

FULHAM PLAYERS IN
The stand-out transfer of the summer is the £9.5m signing of Ross McCormack from Leeds, a man expected to fire us back into the top flight. Our latest signing is Arsenal youngster Thomas Eisfeld, who will learn a lot working alongside Scott Parker in the middle of the park. We have signed a haul of players on free transfers and loans from Germany and Switzerland, such as Tim Hoogland, Kay Voser and Kostas Stafylidis to fill up our rather leaky back four. Our big defensive prospect is Scottish youngster Shaun Hutchinson from Motherwell, who will surely play alongside another young talent, Dan Burn. Finally, we brought in Adam Taggart from the A-League to make up a rather exciting young forward group. Also, Fulham's youth movement will come into play this season as they make the jump from the all-conquering youth structure to the first team.


New boy Ross McCormack will have Fulham promotion hopes pinned on him. Football365.co.uk

WHAT DO WE STILL NEED?
The team actually has a lot of good strength in depth, a young team with a lot to prove. Considering the Dad's Army we had at the start of the season, the fact that there will potentially be just wo players over 30 in the squad by the first game is remarkable. There are two places that need one more player to truly get the squad balance right. They will need to strengthen us in the middle of the park. We have Parker and Eisfeld, but Parker can't be expected to play every game this season.

Let's go over to a rather fruitful ground for players for us, America, via another good place for purchasing talent, Norway, and look at Mikkel 'Mix' Diskerud, a Norwegian-American central midfielder playing for Rosenborg. Good when he has time and space on the ball, creative and technically efficient and with a good range of passing; a solid £2.5m bid should pry him away, and he could work well with either Parker or Eisfeld in tow.
We also need a senior centre back to mould the younger defensive pairing and provide experienced back-up for the long slog that is the Championship season. For this, I would suggest Sean St. Ledger on a free transfer. 29 years old, with heaps of Championship experience, he would be a cheap, quality addition to the squad. Would he start many games? Probably not, but can he help when the chips are down? Absolutely.

THE SQUAD
So, here is how I would line-up Fulham on the opening day against Ipswich on August 9th.

We would have Joronen (rated by @fulham_youth to fit the number 1 jersey this season) in goal and a very capable back four of Hoogland, the experienced head alongside a youthful central defensive partnership of Burn and Hutchinson, and young Greek left back Kostas Stafylidis, who impressed so much on his debut against Crawley Town. Both wing-backs can defend and bomb forward.
The midfield sees young Ryan Williams in the right-midfield position having impressed for Oxford United last season, and he brings pace and skill down the right, perfectly complimenting a stalwart on his opposite side in Alex Kacaniklic. The middle of the park sees Parker play alongside our young midfield talent, Eisfeld. Parker brings experience and defensive solidarity, where Eisfeld can link up with the front two, and pop up with a goal too.
Up front pretty much picks itself. Big-money signing Ross McCormack will be looking to link up with Kacaniklic, Williams and Eisfield, but his strike partner is no stranger to the back of the net himself. It's time for Moussa Dembele (no, not that one) to shine in the Fulham first team. Since signing from Paris Saint-Germain, he has banged in goals for fun across the youth ranks. He finished his season with 23 goals in 17 league and cup appearances for Fulham's Under-18s. He also scored a hat-trick against DC United in Jacksonville only days ago.
The substitutes were harder to pick than the team due to the strength in depth. Marcus Bettinelli will be Joronen's understudy, with my defensive back-up pick St. Ledger on the bench. Ryan Tunnicliffe and my other transfer in, Diskerud, can easily fill in for Williams or Parker respectively and Taggart can chip in with a few goals from the bench as well as third-choice striker.
But this leaves Voser, Adil Chihi, "Mesca", Larnell Cole, Patrick Roberts, Cauley Woodrow, Chris David, Marcello Trotta and a whole host of great youth players fighting for those positions. It seems Magath is spoilt for choice when it comes to youthful wingers and strikers.

The pieces are finally falling into place for Fulham after having everything they worked hard for smashed by managerial and boardroom upheaval last season. Shahid Khan has come out swinging following his first season knockdown, and it appears he has the squad to make this stay in the Championship a relatively short one.


http://ballsybanter.com/new/recent-posts/612-squad-builder-fulham-s-championship-journey?

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Stockdale's Gone!
   
Although I recognize the fact that the squad needs to be re-shaped to comply with life in the Championship, as opposed to life in the glamorous Premier League, one deal that appears to have been concluded baffles me.

It is being reported that Fulham have sold David Stockdale to Brighton and Hove Albion, for a fee of £1 million.

Stockdale has, apparently, signed a deal that will see him tied to our fellow Championship side for three years.

Last season, during our descent into the Championship, Stockdale played twenty-one times. Throw into the mixer the fact he has experienced life in the Championship before, with Hull, and it would seem that we were ideally suited between the sticks.

Furthermore, the keeper who joined us from Darlington in 2008, was (once) on the verge of international honours until he picked up an injury.

It`s no wonder the Brighton manager, Sami Hyypia, is crowing,

"It is a transfer we have been working on for a long time."

"David is a goalkeeper with excellent pedigree."

He certainly is and someone, at Craven Cottage, has made an almighty gaff in allowing the move!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=364809#ixzz38tCoj1QD

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Remember Diomansy?
   
Well we should do!

The centre forward may not have had a Fulham career that might give him the status of a legend but some the goals he scored were instrumental in Fulham staying in the Premier League during the season dubbed the Great Escape.

Diomansy Kamara`s Fulham career may have ended some time ago but he`s still playing his part in the professional arena.

At 33 years of age it is being reported that Kamara has rejoined the club he left some thirteen years ago to begin his football journey by returning to US Catanzaro who participate in the Italian third tier.

Or perhaps another way of describing the move is that he`s gone full circle!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=364811#ixzz38tCyFkHZ

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Fulham poised for Sane

According to the Daily Express, Fulham are in pole position to Bordeaux's Senegalese centre-back Ludovic Sane.

Capped six times by Senegal, Fulham boss Felix Magath views him as the ideal replacement for former captain Brede Hangeland who was released by the club in June.

The 27 year-old can play in both defence and midfield, offering versatility to the recently relegated London club.

Sane has been with Bordeaux since 2009 and has made 115 appearances for the French club. The defender has been heavily linked with a move away from the former French champions this summer.

Last summer the defender was linked with a move to the Premier League with West Ham, Newcastle, Southampton and Everton all reported as suitors for Sane. This summer has seen the Senegal international linked with RC Lens but it has been suggested that he prefers a move to England.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-poised-for-sane/?

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Squad Numbers

The Club can now confirm the players' squad numbers ahead of the 2014/15 Sky Bet Championship campaign.

Having undergone a summer of transition in SW6 there was plenty of scope for squad number changes, and six of the vacant numbers from one to 11 have now been occupied.

As was hinted by their presence in the shirts during pre-season, full-backs Tim Hoogland and Konstantinos Stafylidis will wear numbers two and three respectively. Two has not been allocated to a player since Stephen Kelly's departure 18 months ago, with Hoogland taking the shirt that was so proudly filled by his compatriot Moritz Volz for several years.

Elsewhere in the Whites defence, Shaun Hutchinson becomes the third centre-back this year – after Philippe Senderos and John Heitinga – to don the number four jersey, while Fernando Amorebieta switches from 35 to five; the squad number he wore with such success as Athletic Bilbao.

New arrival Thomas Eisfeld has been handed the number seven shirt, previously occupied by last season's top scorer Steve Sidwell. A similar goals return for the young German would be most welcome in the Championship.

Scott Parker will now wear his preferred eight shirt – the same number he wore when he captained England in 2012. It is also the squad number he adopted at London rivals West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Following David Stockdale's departure, the 13 shirt has now been taken by Elsad Zverotić, while Kay Voser will wear 15 – the same shirt he donned during his entire FC Basel career.

After making his debut wearing 26 last term, Patrick Roberts will be seen with 14 on his back this season. Steed Malbranque was a popular former occupant of that shirt, and we've already seen that Roberts shares a similarly impressive dribbling ability to that boasted by the Frenchman.

Cauley Woodrow is another Fulham debutant from last season who has swapped numbers, with the 19-year-old becoming the first ever striker to wear the 16 shirt - one which was represented with distinction by Damien Duff for the previous five years.

Woodrow will be competing with Adam Taggart for a spot in the frontline, with the arrival from Newcastle Jets taking number 17 – the squad number which was given to fellow Oceania native Simon Elliott ahead of the 2006/07 campaign.

Lasse Vigen Christensen has been given number 21 – a shirt previously worn by his former Fulham Under-21 teammate Kerim Frei, with Jack Grimmer taking his now vacated 37 jersey.

The defender's switch came about following the signing of his fellow Scot Ross McCormack who has an emotional attachment to the number 44 shirt which he wore when scoring for fun at Leeds United last season.

Moussa Dembélé has followed in Woodrow's footsteps by taking his number 25 shirt from last season – a number worn most prolifically by fellow striker Bobby Zamora during his time at Fulham.

Emerson Hyndman shared a room with Parker during their time in Scotland in pre-season, and the American has now taken his recently available 28 shirt.

George Williams was handed a squad number before the final game of last season, but his number 52 shirt now reads 27, while his namesake Ryan has been allocated 39.

That is the first time Ryan Williams has been given a squad number at the Club, and left-back Sean Kavanagh has been given the same recognition in the form of the number 32 shirt – as previously worn by fellow defenders Brede Hangeland, Rafik Halliche and Elliott Omozusi.

Cameron Burgess is another who has been allocated a number ahead of the new campaign, with the tall centre-back given the 38 shirt which he has done so well in during pre-season.

Adil Chihi will wear 34, whose previous occupants include Chris Baird, Carlos Bocanegra and Kagisho Dikgacoi, while young goalkeeper Marek Rodák has dropped five digits from 47 to 42.

Head over to our online store now to secure your Fulham shirt with your favourite player's name and number on the back.

Full list of Fulham squad numbers

1. Maarten Stekelenburg

2. Tim Hoogland

3. Kostas Stafylidis

4. Shaun Hutchinson

5. Fernando Amorebieta

7. Thomas Eisfeld

8. Scott Parker

10. Bryan Ruiz

11. Alexander Kačaniklić

13. Elsad Zverotić

14. Patrick Roberts

15. Kay Voser

16. Cauley Woodrow

17. Adam Taggart

18. Kostas Mitroglou

19. Ryan Tunnicliffe

20. Hugo Rodallega

21. Lasse Vigen Christensen

25. Moussa Dembélé

27. George Williams

28. Emerson Hyndman

29. Marcello Trotta

30. Chris David

32. Sean Kavanagh

33. Dan Burn

34. Adil Chihi

36. Buomesca Tue Na Bangna

37. Jack Grimmer

38. Cameron Burgess

39. Ryan Williams

40. Marcus Bettinelli

41. Jesse Joronen

42. Marek Rodák

44. Ross McCormack


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/july/29/squad-numbers?

[WhiteJC]

 
Dejagah's Qatar Move

The Club can confirm that Ashkan Dejagah has joined Al-Arabi on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.

The winger departs Fulham for Qatar following two years in South-West London, during which time he made 49 appearances and scored six goals – several of which were spectacular efforts in last season's battle against relegation.

Upon Dejagah's departure from the Club, Manager Felix Magath said: "Having spoken with Ashkan, we decided in the best interest of both Fulham and himself, that he would leave the Club. During his time with us, he made some good appearances and scored some memorable goals. However, we decided to part ways. It will always be our policy to have players who are committed to the Club and have a desire to work for the common goal.

"We wish him very much luck for the future at Al-Arabi."

Everyone at Fulham would like to thank Ashkan for his efforts during his time at the Club, and wish him the best throughout his career.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/july/29/dejagahs-qatar-move?

[WhiteJC]

 
World Cup stars Ruiz and Mitrogolou given Fulham lifeline

Duo are both allocated squad numbers by Whites along with keeper Stekelenburg ahead of Championship season, writes Justin Guthrie

World Cup stars Bryan Ruiz and Konstantinos Mitroglou may have been given Fulham lifelines after the club gave them squad numbers for the coming season.

Maarten Stekelenburg and Fernando Amorebieta join Ruiz and Mitroglou on the list despite question marks over their futures.

But Ashkan Dejagah has not been assigned a number ahead of his expected move to Qatari club Al Arabi, while Larnell Cole has also been omitted from the list after his January move from Manchester United.

Costa Rica captain Ruiz, who has been allocated the number 10 shirt he wore for Fulham prior to a loan spell with PSV Eindhoven, has been recently linked with a £5m transfer to Besiktas.

Greek striker Mitroglou, who has been given his number 18, has also had a move to the Turkish club mooted.

Stekelenburg's position as the club's only senior goalkeeper following David Stockdale's move to Brighton seems to indicate that the former Dutch international will be staying in West London and has been given the number one jersey.

Likewise, Amorebieta swapping shirts from 35 to the number five jersey he wore with distinction at Athletic Bilbao suggests the Venezuelan may yet remain at Craven Cottage.

Patrick Roberts (number 14 from 26), Cauley Woodrow (16 from 25) and Moussa Dembélé (25 from 30) are among the youngsters to be assigned numbers for the Championship campaign.

New arrivals Thomas Eisfeld has been handed the number seven shirt while Adil Chihi has been granted number 34.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/world-cup-stars-bryan-ruiz-7528074?

[WhiteJC]

 
Ashkan Dejagah: Iran winger leaves Fulham for Al-Arabi

Championship club Fulham have sold Iran international Ashkan Dejagah to Qatari side Al-Arabi for an undisclosed fee.

The 28-year-old winger joined the Whites from Wolfsburg in summer 2012 and made 49 appearances during his time at Craven Cottage, scoring six goals.

"Having spoken with Ashkan, we decided in the best interest of both Fulham and himself, that he would leave the club," Fulham boss Felix Magath said.

"We wish him very much luck for the future at Al-Arabi."

The German boss added: "During his time with us, he made some good appearances and scored some memorable goals.
"However, we decided to part ways.

"It will always be our policy to have players who are committed to the club and have a desire to work for the common goal."

Dejagah featured in all three of Iran's games at the World Cup in Brazil.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28549658

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham in "pole position" for Ludovic Sane



Fulham just sold a player for about £5. Now they're linked to another player of about the same price. Coincidence?

According to the Daily Express, Fulham are in the lead to bring on Senegalese center back Ludovic Sane from Bordeaux. This is a move that makes a lot of sense. He'd strengthen the back line and give it more experience. He also can play as a right back in certain situations, or more importantly as a central defensive midfielder.

The squad is a little thing at both areas. In central defense, the only "veteran" players are Shuan Hutchinson and Fernando Amorebieta. And there is still a chance that Amorebieta doesn't remain with the team for the year, much less to start the season. Hutchinson is a veteran, but he's still only 23 and is moving up a league. Bringing in more experience can only help.

At CDM the club is really thin. Scott Parker is going to be the nominal starter. But at his age, can you expect him to play a full 90 week in and week out? The Championship schedule is grueling and I wouldn't count on him to be ready all the time. After that you drop to players out of position and/or very young. However, if Magath really does play the diamond, the responsibilities of the CDM are quite different. He rarely has to get forward. And since width is mainly going to come from the fullbacks, he's very often going to be dropping back to act as a third defender with the center back pair. that means players like Tim Hoogland and Eslad Zverotic could be called on to play there. Jack Grimmer might be another option.

Which leads us back to Ludovic Sane. He has experience at both center back and CDM. And in the diamond might be a perfect player to slot into that position as backup or a late game sub to lock down leads. This is a move I like. Or at least a move I like as much as one can without ever actually seeing the player play in person.


http://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2014/7/29/5948211/fulham-in-pole-position-for-ludovic-sane?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham attacker Ashkan Dejagah seals switch to Qatari club Al Arabi
The Iran international played in all of his nation's games at the World Cup
He was one of Fulham's best players last season, scoring six goals
Craven Cottage side were relegated to the Championship under Felix Magath
Dejagah has chosen to pursue a career in Qatar rather than play in England's second tier, having joined Al Arabi for an undisclosed fee

Ashkan Dejagah has left Fulham for Qatari club Al Arabi after an undisclosed fee was agreed for the Iran winger.

Dejagah was one of the few players to impress at Craven Cottage last season but Fulham have been unable to retain him following their drop into the Sky Bet Championship.

The 28-year-old made 49 appearances, scoring six goals, in his two years at Fulham and manager Felix Magath admits his departure was the only option open to club and player.


International: Fulham's Ashkan Dejagah (right) was one of Iran's star during the World Cup this summer

'Having spoken with Ashkan, we decided in the best interest of both Fulham and himself, that he would leave,' Magath told the club's official website.

'During his time with us he made some good appearances and scored some memorable goals. However, we have decided to part ways.

'It will always be our policy to have players who are committed to the club and have a desire to work for the common goal.'


On the move: Dejagah (right) scored six goals for Fulham last season, but it was not enough to avoid relagation



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2709862/Fulham-attacker-Ashkan-Dejagah-seals-switch-Qatari-club-Al-Arabi.html#ixzz38vEdKGn6
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