Thursday Fulham Stuff (07/08/14)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Metro Bank Named Official Community Banking Partner of Fulham FC

Metro Bank, Britain's first new High Street bank in over 100 years, has joined Fulham Football Club as its Official Community Banking Partner on a two-year deal, commencing at the start of the 2014/15 campaign.

As the Club's Official Community Banking Partner, Metro Bank will be working alongside the Fulham Football Club Foundation to create the Metro Bank Football Skills Club.

This will give the children of Metro Bank customers the opportunity to access free tickets to some of Fulham Football Club's home fixtures, as well as take part in exclusive football skills sessions with certified coaches.

The programme, designed to promote a healthy lifestyle through teamwork and exercise for children, forms part of Metro Bank's wider community engagement initiatives and is part of its commitment to support the communities local to its stores.

The partnership will see the Championship Club banking with its local Metro Bank store in Fulham Broadway. It will also provide a framework for the education of Fulham's youth team players, who will be supported and encouraged to learn more about managing their finances.

Craig Donaldson, CEO of Metro Bank said: "As a community bank, we pride ourselves on building strong relationships with local people and businesses, and we're delighted to be working with Fulham FC on such an exciting and engaging partnership.

"We opened our Fulham store and became a part of the Fulham community three and a half years ago; it's a strong community that we're proud to be a part of and we look forward to continuing to support the local area."

Alistair Mackintosh, Fulham Football Club, CEO, added: "We are very excited about the prospect of a partnership with Metro Bank and are delighted to welcome them on board as we embark on the new season.

"We look forward to their involvement with our banking needs, as well as encouraging new young Fulham fans through the Football Skills programme."



http://www.fcbusiness.co.uk/news/article/newsitem=3332/title=metro+bank+named+official+community+banking+partner+of+fulham+fc?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham: Tim Hoogland wants the squad to gel quickly

Fulham's new right-back Tim Hoogland says their squad must gel quickly if they are to make an immediate return to the Premier League.

The 29-year-old is one of nine new arrivals at Craven Cottage this summer.

"I think it is always sad when you are relegated. I think Fulham is a big club and have to be in the Premier League," he told BBC London.

"We have many new players. Maybe the first games will not be the football we want to play but we have to win them."

He added: "We will do our best to be in the Premier League next year again."

Fulham's summer signings so far
Shaun Hutchinson from Motherwell (free transfer)
Kay Voser from FC Basel (undisclosed fee)
Adam Taggart from Newcastle Jets (undisclosed fee)
Tim Hoogland from Schalke (free transfer)
Ross McCormack from Leeds United (undisclosed fee)
Konstantinos Stafylidis from Bayer Leverkusen (season-long loan)
Thomas Eisfeld from Arsenal (undisclosed fee)
Adil Chihi from FC Cologne (free transfer)
Nikolay Bodurov from Litex Lovech (undisclosed fee)

Hoogland, a former Germany Under-20 international, joined the Whites on a free transfer earlier this summer after leaving Bundesliga side Schalke.

"It was easy to settle in," he said. "The team took to me very well in the first weeks and I am happy to be here at Fulham.

"It is a new experience for me. At my age I can give a very young squad some experience and always be there for them when they have questions.

"I hope we can give the fans everything and that they will be happy over the season."

Hoogland previously played under Fulham boss Felix Magath at Schalke and believes the 61-year-old's pre-season preparations - which have been heavily based around running and conditioning - will prepare the squad well for the long season ahead.

"Everyone knows his training is very tough and you have to run a lot," said Hoogland.

Hoogland believes the tough training regime is what is required to meet the demands of the Championship, adding: "I think we have done well in pre-season and we are ready for the games - 46 games is a lot.

"Magath likes discipline and wants you to give everything in every training session.

"You have to follow his way. If you do this you will be a better player."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28659925

[WhiteJC]

 
Metro Bank Joins FFC

Metro Bank, Britain's first new High Street bank in over 100 years, has joined Fulham Football Club as its Official Community Banking Partner on a two-year deal, commencing at the start of the 2014/15 campaign.

As the Club's Official Community Banking Partner, Metro Bank will be working alongside the Fulham Football Club Foundation to create the Metro Bank Football Skills Club. This will give the children of Metro Bank customers the opportunity to access free tickets to some of Fulham Football Club's home fixtures, as well as take part in exclusive football skills sessions with certified coaches. The programme, designed to promote a healthy lifestyle through teamwork and exercise for children, forms part of Metro Bank's wider community engagement initiatives and is part of its commitment to support the communities local to its stores.

The partnership will see the Whites banking with the local Metro Bank store in Fulham Broadway. It will also provide a framework for the education of Fulham's youth team players, who will be supported and encouraged to learn more about managing their finances.

Craig Donaldson, CEO of Metro Bank, said: "As a community bank, we pride ourselves on building strong relationships with local people and businesses, and we're delighted to be working with Fulham FC on such an exciting and engaging partnership. We opened our Fulham store and became a part of the Fulham community three-and-a-half years ago; it's a strong community that we're proud to be a part of and we look forward to continuing to support the local area."

Alistair Mackintosh, Fulham Football Club CEO, added: "We are very excited about the prospect of a partnership with Metro Bank and are delighted to welcome them on board as we embark on the new season. We look forward to their involvement with our banking needs, as well as encouraging new young Fulham fans through the Football Skills programme."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/august/06/metro-bank-joins-ffc?

[WhiteJC]

 
Season Preview: Fulham

Fulham

Last Season:
Having come close on a couple of occasions since they were promoted over a decade ago the 2013-14 season was the one that finally saw Fulham drop out of the Premierleague. It was a disappointing campaign from start to finish that exposed the lack of football knowledge in the owners of the club. It had been evident for the past couple of seasons that Fulham's squad was aging. However manager Martin Jol did not address the problem over the summer and the signs of a difficult season were there for all to see. They started the season ok, but six straight defeats during November saw Jol sacked as manager and the team marooned in the bottom three. The new coaching team lead by Rene Meulensteen, his first managers job, did little to improve the situation, despite winning three games in his short tenure. He was removed in February following a 3-2 home defeat to Liverpool. Experienced German manager Felix Magath was thrown in to save the situation with 12 games to go but he could do nothing to reverse the situation and the club were relegated finally finishing in 19th. Their home form at Craven Cottage which had been the backbone of all their recent success deserted them and the team looked older than ever.

The Manager
Although he has never worked in English football Felix Magath is an extremely experienced coach having worked in a number of situations during his 19-year managerial career in Germany, including managing Bayern Munich between 2004-2007. Many expected that Magath would walk away from the Fulham job once relegation last season had been confirmed but instead it was announced that he was staying to try and return the club to the Premiership at the first opportunity. His experience will be pivotal in Fulham's promotion bid.

Transfers

In: Shaun Hutchinson (Motherwell), Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets), Tim Hoogland (Schalke 04), Kay Voser (FC Basel), Ross McCormack (Leeds Utd), Adil Chihi (FC Cologne), Thomas Eisfeld (Arsenal), Nikolay Bodurov (Litex Lovech)

Loans In: Konstantinos Stafylidis (Bayer Leverkusen)

Out: Steve Sidwell (Stoke City), Damien Duff (Melbourne City), Sascha Reither (SC Freiburg), Pajtim Kasami (Olympiakos), Kieran Richardson (Aston Villa), David Stockdale (Brighton), Ashkan Dejagah (Al-Arabi), Brede Hangeland (Crystal Palace), Matthew Briggs (Millwall), John Arne Riise, Jonny Heitinga (Released)

This Season
Whilst Fulham will be able to count of the experience of manager Felix Magath the Championship will still be alien to most of the squad. Having been established in the Premiership for so long they have very few players with experience of second tier football. The majority of their summer signings have also come from abroad. In what is likely to be a more competitive promotion race than ever, any ground lost while players are bedding in could prove costly come the end of season shake up.



Read more: http://www.watford.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=365592#ixzz39e0LJk8k

[WhiteJC]

 
Putney Bridge Update

Supporters attending our home match against Millwall are reminded that works are currently taking place on Putney Bridge.

In addition to no traffic crossing the bridge, pedestrians are also affected due to the temporary closure of the western walkway.

Fans are therefore advised to seek alternative routes, particularly after the game, due to anticipated congestion on Putney Bridge.

Visit the following page at Wandsworth Council's website for updates regarding the works.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/august/06/putney-bridge-update?

[WhiteJC]

 
Guess Your Way to Success!
   
Now this could be a tricky one!

In fact some might suggest you`ve got a far better chance of winning the National Lottery, or Lotto as it appears to be called these days, than getting this one correct.

But what the heck, a new season is almost upon us and after the desolation experienced last May when we were relegated from the Premier League, you have to be optimistic that we can bounce straight back.

Therefore, I think it is only right we get behind Felix Magath and his rebuilt squad and give them all our support.

However with that crucial first fixture approaching, against a Mick McCarthy managed Ipswich Town; we`ve got a conundrum for you!

How many of you out there reckon they guess what Felix Magath`s starting eleven will be against the Tractor Boys?

Who`ll get me started then?


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=365604#ixzz39e0ngk5M

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham away SOLD OUT

No further tickets available
Millwall's ticket allocation of just under 4,000 for the first away Championship game of the season at Fulham on Saturday 16th August has now sold out.

Demand for the Craven Cottage clash - the first meeting between the two teams since 21st April 1999 - has been high and The Lions were allocated an additional 1,052 tickets for the game, bringing our full allocation up to 3,929.

No further tickets for this game will be made available to Millwall.



Read more at http://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/article/fulham-away-sold-out-1807419.aspx#sZvEKaKQFZct8UFg.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Welcome Tim Hoogland


Well, Clarice – have the lambs stopped screaming?

I meant to do so much more introducing the new season, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions, isn't it?

Next we're going to look at Tim Hoogland.

The Hoobs Intro Theme

First, the above is an open goal: you can't have a song about Hoobland and not use it when you have a player called Hoogland. You just can't. Football supporters are football supporters, and of course he'll either get Hangeland's thing or a variation Moritz Volz, who, lest we forget, came from Germany and ****ing hated Chelsea. Never let it be said that alternatives weren't suggested.

Hoobland/Hoogland. Honestly.

But what about on the field of play?

Tim seems to have spent a lot of time not being on the field of play, if we're honest. He 'broke in' at FSV Mainz 05, playing 84 games over three seasons. The first two were in the second level of the Bundesliga, the third in the Bundesliga itself (is that right? Or is it still the Bundesliga 1?). Here he was mainly used in right midfield, but had a meniscus injury that ended his season about halfway through. That was it for him at Mainz.

In 2010-11 he was at Schalke I think but didn't play. In 2011-12 he did play, coming on as a sub twice. In 2012-13 he was loaned to Stuttgart and didn't play there either. In 2013-14 he was back at Schalke and was reinvented as a right back. Here he played most of the second half of the season and the team did really well. So that's what aroused Fulham's interest, I imagine.

What does it all amount to? A midfielder who got injured and then struggled to find his way in the game, who then turned into a right back and seems to have done quite well.

On this basis it's hard to know what to think, but it sounds half positive, especially given the levels we're talking about here: successful in Bundesliga -> fine in the Championship, no?



http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2014/08/06/welcome-tim-hoogland/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Kostas Mitroglou strongly denies alleged comments made against Turks

Kostas Mitroglou has strongly denied rumours published by the internet site Ülkehaber and used by Turkish newspaper Sabah that he made offensive comments against Turks.


Sabah reported an article originally printed in Ülkehaber that the Fulham striker had told Greek channel Blue Sky TV that his gun shooting goal celebration in the Anderlecht – Olympiakos Champions League game was aimed at Turks.


Mitroglou allegedly responded to a question asking who the imaginary gun was aimed at by saying, "I pictured a Turk being in front of me."


The 26-year-old striker responded to the accusations via his twitter account.


"http://www.sabah.com.tr/Spor/Futbol/2014/08/06/mitroglu-turk-dusmani-cikti-1407276200This is rubbish!My close friends in Turkey informed me about it. Of course, IT'S RUBBISH! I NEVER said suchs things!" Mitroglou tweeted.


Besiktas as well as Trabzonspor have both been in talks with the Greek international and the Black Sea Storm are reported to be closing in on a deal for the Fulham striker.


Fulham signed the 26-year-old for €13 million from Olympiakos last January however, a series of injuries ruled him out for most of the season.


Mitroglou still has four-years left on his contract but there have been rumours that he could be on his way out following the Fulham's relegation to the Championship.


The Greek international was part of the Greek national side who were eliminated by Costa Rica in the World Cup Round of 16.



http://www.turkish-football.com/news_read.php?id=6277

[WhiteJC]

 
Championship Preview: Martin confident of Norwich promotion push...

Russell Martin is confident Norwich City have the armoury to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

Norwich's three-year stay in the top flight came to an end last season when they were consigned to relegation along with Cardiff City and Fulham.

Their quest for an immediate escape from the Championship begins with a visit to Molineux to face newly-promoted Wolves on Monday, which will be the first time the two sides have met since they locked horns in the Premier League in March 2012.

Wolves are riding on the crest of a wave after winning the League One title, so Norwich can expect a stern test against Kenny Jackett's side.

Norwich will be out to make a statement of intent, though, and captain Martin is confident everything is in place for a promotion push at Carrow Road in Neil Adams' first full season at the helm..

"It is an exciting first game back in the Championship," he wrote in a blog for Norwich's official website.

"The aim as everyone knows is to get back to the Premier League as quickly as possible. With the squad and management we have in place we will do everything we can to achieve this."

Norwich head coach Adams has added forwards Lewis Grabban and Kyle Lafferty and midfielder Gary O'Neil to his squad ahead of the new campaign, with Robert Snodgrass and Ricky van Wolfswinkel the most high profile departures.

The Norfolk outfit are not the only relegated side who had been busy re-shaping their squad, as Fulham and Cardiff City have also been busy in the market.

Fulham forked out a reported £11million to sign last season's Championship top scorer Ross McCormack from Leeds United and manager Felix Magath will hope he hits the ground running when they visit Ipswich Town on Saturday.

Cardiff finished bottom in their first season in the Premier League, but in close-season signings Adam Le Fondre and Federico Macheda the Welsh outfit have added proven Championship firepower.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men will kick-off the season at Ewood Park when they take on Blackburn Rovers in the Championship's curtain-raiser on Friday.

Derby County attempt to forget the heartbreak of May's play-off final defeat to QPR when they welcome Championship new boys Rotherham United to the iPro Stadium on Saturday, with Steve Evans' men returning to the second tier following back-to-back promotions.

Brentford, who gained promotion via a runners-up berth in League One, host London rivals Charlton Athletic.

Blackpool will be the visitors to the City Ground on Saturday when Stuart Pearce takes charge of his first league game since returning to Nottingham Forest.

Pearce this week vowed to stay on despite revealing that goalkeeper Karl Darlow and defender Jamaal Lascelles were being sold to Newcastle United without his knowledge – a claim disputed by owner Fawaz Al Hasawi.

Blackpool have also had problems in pre-season, with new manager Jose Riga struggling to assemble a squad in time for the start of the campaign.

Wigan Athletic and Brighton and Hove Albion, beaten in the play-off semi-finals last season, start with home matches against Reading and Sheffield Wednesday respectively.

There has been a big recruitment drive at Leeds in the close-season and charismatic owner Massimo Cellino will expect a strong start from new head coach Dave Hockaday when the Yorkshire outfit visit Millwall.

Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough host Bournemouth and Birmingham City respectively, while Bolton Wanderers travel to Watford in the other opening-day fixtures.


http://www.sportal.co.nz/football/news/championship-preview-martin-confident-of-norwich-promotion-push-fulham-visit-ipswich/35samv26t8bz1l5se6bjr47r9?

[WhiteJC]

 
Ipswich Still On Sale

With the start of the 2014/15 season just days away, secure your ticket for our campaign opener before 3pm on Friday 8th August to be there when the boys take on Ipswich Town the following day.

The Whites will be looking to open the season in style when they travel to Portman Road on Saturday 9th August (5.15pm) and, with almost 1,500 of you making the trip, Felix Magath's side will have plenty of support. And you can still be part of the travelling Fulham faithful by securing the last of the remaining tickets.

Fans wishing to attend this fixture have until 3pm on Friday to secure their seat, with tickets available to purchase only from the Fulham Ticket Office, either in person or by phone (0843 208 1234 - option 1).

Supporters buying over the phone will need to collect their ticket from either the Fulham Ticket Office in advance or at Ipswich Town's Ticket Enquiry Centre at Portman Road on matchday. Be sure to state your collection preference at the time of booking.

Please be advised that this fixture is all ticket only and should be purchased in advance. No tickets will be available to purchase on match day.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/august/06/ipswich-away-tickets?

[WhiteJC]

 
Parker wants to hit ground running

Fulham midfielder Scott Parker believes a positive start to life in the Sky Bet Championship is crucial in their bid to return to the Barclays Premier League.

The Cottagers kick-off their season with a trip to Portman Road against Mick McCarthy's Ipswich, before clashes with Wolves, Derby and Cardiff, all within the first month of the campaign. The former England international told the club's official YouTube channel: "If we can get off to a good start, then it will put us in good stead to push on. "Ipswich is a tough first game, away from home too. They have a very good squad, they've been in this division for a while now and they're under a very good manager. We hope to get a positive result which can springboard us on to carry on doing well. "It's been a tough pre-season but the excitement is building now. There's been a lot of training sessions but they have got us to where we are now in the few days before the start of the season." After relegation from the top tier, Felix Magath has let over 20 players leave the club, bringing in Championship pedigree, including last season's top scorer in the division, Ross McCormack, from Leeds. Magath also arrived at Fulham with a reputation of making training sessions extremely testing. Parker, who has over 450 professional career appearances, added: "The fitness work has been hard at times but everyone has pulled through it, we're all fit and it has put us in good stead for the new season. "The squad's practically different from last year's, there are a lot of new faces. Everyone's getting to know each other now, that's been helped by our two tours to Scotland and Austria so we've spent a lot of time in each other's company so it's going well. "The lads are just raring to go now and looking forward to what will be a tough campaign."



Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/fulham/parker-wants-to-hit-ground-running-1735374.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
The 2014-15 Football League Championship preview

The Championship season gets underway this weekend and as ever, it is extremely unpredictable. Promoted Leicester City, Burnley and QPR have been replaced by last season's relegated Premier League sides Fulham, Norwich City and Cardiff City while at the other end Wolves, Brentford and Rotherham United take the places of relegated Yeovil Town, Doncaster Rovers and Barnsley.

It promises to be a thrilling campaign in a division which always throws up major surprises at the top and the bottom of the table. This season, 18 of the 24 sides in the Championship have played in the top flight before, meaning it is arguably the most competitive the league has ever been. Boasting average attendances that rank amongst the top five of all leagues in Europe, the Championship promises to be as enthralling as ever this season.

Let's preview the upcoming season, predicting the promotion battle, the relegation drama, who will take the title of top goal-scorer and the potential surprise packages of the division.

Promotion favourites
As ever, the relegated clubs from the Premier League are among the favourites to make an immediate return to the 'promised land'.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Cardiff are the bookmakers favourites, probably because they have experience of a long promotion battle and plenty of firepower in their attack. A few of their starting line-up from last year may have left but the core of the squad remains and any Championship attack including Kenwyne Jones, Adam Le Fondre, Nicky Maynard and Federico Macheda is an extremely dangerous one.

Likewise, Fulham, managed by the organised Felix Magath, are expected to make a swift return after their 13-year stay at the top table came to an end last season. Top level experience such as Scott Parker, Hugo Rodallega and Fernando Amorebieta has been joined by players from the Cottagers' impressive youth system and the Championship's most expensive ever player Ross McCormack, who they bought for £11million from Leeds.

Norwich have a very impressive squad for this level. They may have lost Robert Snodgrass to Hull City, with talented players such as Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Nathan Redmond and Leroy Fer likely to follow the Scot out of Carrow Road, but it still a talented team. Lewis Grabban has been brought in from Bournemouth to bolster an already strong front-line including Gary Hooper. The Canaries should be there or thereabouts come May.

Derby County will once again be contenders. The play-off runners-up from last year have managed to keep their exciting, youthful squad together, after star midfielders Craig Bryson and Will Hughes signed new contracts this summer.

2013 F.A Cup winners Wigan Athletic are also amongst the favourites. Only Jordi Gomez has left for pastures new this summer and the Latics have added James Tavernier, Oriol Riera and Don Cowie to an already strong squad.

Perhaps the most impressive team in the transfer market this summer have been Watford, who have re-signed Matej Vydra on loan from Udinese alongside the likes of Heurelho Gomes, Juan Carlos Paredes, Lloyd Dyer and Craig Cathcart. If they can hold onto star striker Troy Deeney, a promotion push is definitely on the cards.

Relegation candidates
Blackpool's much publicised problems off the pitch have made them strong favourites to be relegated this season. After a recent spree of signings, they currently have just 15 players on their books but have finally signed a new goalkeeper. The sheer lack of squad depth at Bloomfield Road means that they must surely be considered relegation favourites before a ball has been kicked.

Ian Holloway's Millwall side may not be the most fashionable but they know how to scrap for points. Although they are likely to be overpowered by the wealthier clubs, they will shock a few favourable teams. The Lions are pre-season relegation candidates but the acquisitions of Ricardo Fuller and Magaye Gueye offer some hope. The former Blackpool boss will set his side up to frustrate most opponents but Millwall are likely to struggle to stay in the division as they do lack quality in key areas.

Love him or hate him, Steve Evans has done a fantastic job at Rotherham. This time two years ago they were in League Two and now they are in the second tier of English football. If it wasn't for Blackpool's problems, they would be favourites for relegation but holding onto star man Kieran Agard and the signings of Matt Derbyshire, Kirk Broadfoot and Jordan Bowery offer them hope of survival.

After penalty heartbreak against Doncaster just one year previously, Brentford finally made it to the Championship in the second automatic promotion spot. They will be carrying plenty of momentum off the back of last season's success but the fact is their squad isn't as strong as many of the leagues heavyweights.

Birmingham will just be glad to still be in the Championship after a Paul Caddis equaliser away at Bolton saw the Blues survive on the final day. Lee Clark has managed to add eight free transfers to his squad despite a lack of funds but it remains to be seen if they have enough quality to avoid another relegation fight.

Who could be top goalscorer?
There are many strikers in the Championship who are looking to fire their side to the top flight or impress potential suitors from the Premier League. Last season, Danny Ings was the man to make a name for himself, finishing with 22 goals in Burnley's promotion season. Let's take a look at this year's main contenders.

Ross McCormack was last year's top scorer as he notched up a staggering 29 goals, which equated to 49% of all Leeds United's strikes. The Scot's record move to Fulham means that the pressure is on him to retain his personal crown.

Jordan Rhodes almost guarantees goals at this level. He backed up the 26 he scored in his first season at Blackburn with 25 last time around. Having signed a new contract this summer, Rhodes will be hoping his goals can fire Rovers back to the Premier League.

Should 24-goal forward Troy Deeney move to the Premier League as expected, Matej Vydra will be tasked with scoring Watford's goals. The Championship player of the season from 2012-13 will be looking to return to Vicarage Road with a bang after an unsuccessful spell at West Brom.

Adam Le Fondre's move to promotion favourites Cardiff from Reading means that he is in with a big shout whilst Norwich striker Gary Hooper is proven at this level despite bagging just six times in the top flight last season. Middlesbrough have splashed around £3million on Kike from Real Murcia, if he can live up to his price-tag and match his 23 goals from last season, the Spaniard could be a dark horse to finish as top scorer.

Surprise packages
Last season, Burnley surprised everyone with their run to a second placed finish in the league despite having an extremely limited squad. There are several sides vying to emulate the Clarets this time around, here are a few potential surprise packages.

Promoted Wolves are considered many people's dark horses for back-to-back promotions. Kenny Jackett has managed to keep together his title-winning squad, adding Tommy Rowe to it for good measure.

Charlton Athletic have bought well this summer. Backed by their rich Belgian owner, new boss Bob Peeters has been able to bring in the likes of Johann Berg Gudmundsson, who scored a phenomenal hat-trick in Iceland's World Cup qualifier in Switzerland last year, the experienced Tal Ben-Haim and several free transfers to bolster an already strong squad.

Anyone armed with the fire-power of Rhodes has a chance of mounting a serious play-off push. Blackburn have other talents but there is no doubt that the Scot is their key. Middlesbrough are another side to have bought well, with Matthew Lowton, Emilio Nsue, James Husband and Tomas Mejias joining Kike at the Riverside next season.

There is no doubt someone from the pack will surprise us with how well, or badly, they perform. Although teams such as Ipswich, Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Bolton, Leeds, Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, Bournemouth and Huddersfield aren't considered favourites at either end of the table, it wouldn't be the Championship without some uncertainty. Expect twists and turns galore over the next nine months and it all kicks off on Friday night.



http://www.squawka.com/news/the-football-league-championship-preview-2014-15/153042?

[WhiteJC]

 
What are Fulham's chances of bouncing back from Premier League relegation at the first attempt?

We look at the stats to see what the likelihood is of the Whites being promoted from the Championship

Fulham will be hoping to quickly bounce back to the Premier League this season, otherwise they risk a long stay in the Championship.

Felix Magath's side will have their eyes on promotion at the first attempt - but according to history what are are their chances of doing so?

We've delved back through the years and the records show that if the Whites are unable to make an immediate return to the elite league then they risk languishing in the second tier for quite some time.

Since the start of the Premier League, 27 per cent of relegated teams have managed to win promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking.

However, the amount of relegated Premier League teams to go up at the second attempt was just 11 per cent.

This dropped even further in the third season following relegation to just three per cent of teams.

Since the start of the Premier League, there have been a total of 64 relegations.

Exactly half of those have been promoted within the first five years, just 13 per cent any time after five years, but 38 per cent have yet to come back up at all.

X.1,% of relegated teams promoted
1st season after relegation,27
2nd,12
3rd,4
4th,6
5,5
+5 seasons after relegation,17
Yet to be promoted,38


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/revealed-how-long-until-relegated-7574740?

[WhiteJC]

 
Ross McCormack: I want to be remembered for winning promotion with Fulham - not how much I earn
Scottish striker looking forward to new challenge at Fulham
Ross McCormack left Leeds in the summer after scoring 29 goals last season
McCormack enjoying life under Felix Magath at Craven Cottage

Ross McCormack says he is motivated to help Fulham return to the Premier League at the first attempt and not by his earnings from his big money move from Leeds.

McCormack scored 29 goals for Leeds last season, but quit the club in the summer after claiming his and the club's ambitions were moving in opposite directions.

The striker is getting used to his new surroundings at Fulham and says he is enjoying life under new manager Felix Magath.


Ready to go: Ross McCormack took part in Fulham's open training session alongside fellow summer signing Thomas Eisfeld

Speaking to club sponsors Marathonbet.com, McCormack said: 'When I had a chat with the manager and the chief executive in the summer it was all about me coming here and being part of the squad that gets Fulham back to the Premier League.

'People talk about footballers being motivated by money but I would like to look at it at the end of my career and put my finger on this point where I helped Fulham get back to the Premier League. I will remember that more than what I was earning.

'Obviously the club paid a bit of money to get me here, so it is always nice for another club to want you that much.


Up for the challenge: McCormack says he is motivated to get Fulham back into the Premier League

'With me and Leeds our ambitions were going in different directions.

'I felt as if my time was up there and I was lucky to have a club like Fulham just coming down from the Premier League who wanted me that much.'

There has been a huge turnover of players at Craven Cottage this summer with a lot of older players like John Arne Riise, Giorgos Karagounis and Brede Hangeland all leaving the club and Magath promoting players from the successful youth academy, and McCormack has been impressed with what he has seen.


Always wanting more:

The striker added: 'We have a lot of good kids, Pat Roberts is a special talent.

'George Williams has surprised me more than most because I did not really know much about him before I came here, but he is a fantastic little player, he'll play a big part during the season.

'Moussa (Dembele) will score a few goals and then you have got the obvious like Scott Parker, the captain, who has been around and is a good influence on everyone.'


Special talent: McCormack is impressed with England youngster Patrick Roberts

Surprise package: George Williams could play an important role for Fulham this season

German manager Magath is well known for his tough training techniques and putting the emphasis on fitness, but McCormack has no complaints.

He added: 'He is always trying to improve us. He is always on our backs to keep doing more, and if you feel you have no more to give he is trying to find another gear still so it is pretty good to have a manager motivating you that way.

'Everything has been about professionalism since I have been here, from the training, coming down for meals at the same time and everyone wearing the same gear so it is just professionalism.'



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2718226/Ross-McCormack-I-want-remembered-winning-promotion-not-I-earn.html#ixzz39e4ZtgzR
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Championship: Fulham's Scott Parker eyeing a positive start to the season

Fulham midfielder Scott Parker believes a positive start to life in the Sky Bet Championship is crucial in their bid to return to the Barclays Premier League.

The Cottagers kick-off their season with a trip to Portman Road against Mick McCarthy's Ipswich, before clashes with Wolves, Derby and Cardiff, all within the first month of the campaign.

The former England international told the club's official YouTube channel: "If we can get off to a good start, then it will put us in good stead to push on.

"Ipswich is a tough first game, away from home too. They have a very good squad, they've been in this division for a while now and they're under a very good manager. We hope to get a positive result which can springboard us on to carry on doing well.

"It's been a tough pre-season but the excitement is building now. There's been a lot of training sessions but they have got us to where we are now in the few days before the start of the season."

After relegation from the top tier, Felix Magath has let over 20 players leave the club, bringing in Championship pedigree, including last season's top scorer in the division, Ross McCormack, from Leeds.

Magath also arrived at Fulham with a reputation of making training sessions extremely testing.

Parker, who has over 450 professional career appearances, added: "The fitness work has been hard at times but everyone has pulled through it, we're all fit and it has put us in good stead for the new season.

"The squad's practically different from last year's, there are a lot of new faces. Everyone's getting to know each other now, that's been helped by our two tours to Scotland and Austria so we've spent a lot of time in each other's company so it's going well.

"The lads are just raring to go now and looking forward to what will be a tough campaign."


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/9408709?

[WhiteJC]

 
Felix Magath was in the Mr Men

Mr Lazy to be precise.


http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2014/08/06/felix-magath-was-in-the-mr-men/?

[Tom_FFC]

Parker reveals why he turned down QPR for Fulham

Scott Parker has 'no regrets' signing for Fulham instead of QPR - even though he would be in the Premier League rather than on Saturday's bus to Ipswich.

Rewind a year, and the England international nurtured outside hopes of inclusion in this summer's World Cup.

He now smiles ruefully at the thought of second tier football for the first time that includes the delights of a Tuesday trip to Rotherham in October.

Down and out: Parker gets that sinking feeling as Fulham are relegated at Stoke
The 33-year-old turned down Hoops to stay in the top flight, and after the 'worst season' in his career will attempt to atone by getting Whites back to the big time.

"I'm not one to look back, and sure, QPR was an opportunity for me - but I made a decision and I stick by it," he said.

"I signed a contract and unless anybody high up tells me different, I'm here and I'll try my hardest to push the club in the right direction.

"When a club gets relegated, there are a lot of changes, and it's in the back of the mind the call will come that the club are looking to move you on, but that hasn't been the case here."

Instead, Parker and manager Felix Magath have discussed the midfielder's new unofficial role as mentor to a young squad.

Fulham are priced 10-1 with some bookies for promotion, and although Parker uses the word 'overhaul' to describe close season activity, it's a bit like calling a trip on the Titanic eventful.

In fact, forward Hugo Rodallega could be last man standing from an 18-man squad that won 1-0 at Sunderland on opening day 2013 when Fulham line up at Portman Road.

Early promise, and cut to fade: Pajtim Kasami (C) celebrates after scoring against Sunderland
From Sunderland it was downhill on greased skates to relegation and a hefty rebuild that could see 30 changes by the end of August.

"There's a lot of kids, and I'm there to help them and pass on my experience. There are six or so who have never played much more than youth football, but it's up to them to grab the chance," Parker added.

"When the season ended initially everybody was very disappointed, but practically it's a brand new squad and there are probably a lot of players not carrying the scars over from last year."

Parker insists the club shouldn't be in this plight, but three different managers was the determining factor in a torrid campaign, he reckons.

Martin Jol, followed by Rene Meulensteen, and then Felix Magath tumbling through the revolving door did nothing for morale despite depth on offer.

"I left Tottenham and a year down the line I never envisaged I would be playing in the Championship," Parker said.

"I agree that with the squad we had: the Taarabts, the Berbatovs, Hangelands, Duffs and Sidwells – we had massive experience and very good footballers.

"But when you're involved in a relegation battle, things affect people in different ways. When you're down, there are stresses, and without wanting to go on too much, when a new manager comes in he brings a new playing style, philosophy and coaches and new structures. To adapt to that as quickly as possible is sometimes very difficult."

Scummy water under a distant bridge, Parker hopes with Ipswich first up.

"They've got a nice ground, a good manager and a well-organised team, and it's a tough start, and with Millwall at home as well next week. But we hope to get a good start and snowball from there," he added.

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/parker-reveals-turned-down-qpr-7573298?