Sunday Fulham Stuff (10/08/14)...

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Fulham supporter gets fantastic letter from club on his wedding day



It's been quite a day for Fulham fan Mark Wilby, who has not only got married but also received a brilliant letter from the club to celebrate his day.

The Cottagers kick off their Championship campaign this evening against Ipswich but still took time out of their busy schedule to write to Mr Wilby – if nothing else to remind him that Fulham is still his true love.

'On behalf of all the squad, management and staff, Fulham Football Club would like to wish you huge congratulations on your wedding day. We hope it's a truly memorable occasion and that you have many, many happy years with your new wife Lisa,' said the letter.

'Whilst Lisa is absolutely amazing and almost perfect (her choice of Club aside), Fulham Football Club also knows that we will always be number one in your heart. There's just no getting around it and we thought we should all just be honest about it, today of all days.

'How you'll juggle Fulham and you wife successfully is down to you, and although you've missed the glamour tie that is Ipswich Town away this afternoon, we know we'll still see you down the Cottage every other Saturday from now on!

'Once again, many congratulations and all the best.

'Yours sincerely,

'Fulham Football Club (your true love).'


http://metro.co.uk/2014/08/09/fulham-supporter-gets-fantastic-letter-from-club-on-his-wedding-day-4827033/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Monaco sign Stekelenburg on loan

Monaco have signed Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg on a season-long loan from Fulham.

Stekelenburg endured a disappointing campaign with Fulham last season as they were relegated from the Premier League and the 31-year-old subsequently failed to make Netherlands' World Cup squad.

Monaco had been expected to sign former Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes earlier this summer only to back out of the deal, and the Ligue 1 side were also reported to be close to signing Real Madrid's Diego Lopez, who now appears set to join AC Milan.

They eventually settled on Stekelenburg, who will compete with Danijel Subasic for the No. 1 spot, and Monaco's vice-president and CEO, Vadim Vasilyev, told the club's official website: "We are happy to have another goalkeeper with such international experience. He has played the final of the 2010 World Cup with the Netherlands."

Stekelenburg added: "I am happy to be a part of the project of the club. I am fully going to give myself for my new colours. I am a 'technical' goalkeeper. I like playing far from my goals and helping the team."

Prior to the confirmation of the move, Fulham boss Felix Magath had told the media: "He's a player that wants to leave and I'm not a manager who cares about players who don't identify with the club.

"That was a problem last season. I told everybody you can stay here, you can work with me, I will work with you but if you don't want to with me please leave. I don't want to work with players who have no heart for the club. They will have no chance here now."


http://www.espnfc.co.uk/story/1978938/monaco-sign-fulham-keeper-maarten-stekelenburg-on-loan?

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Ipswich 2-1 Fulham: £11m Ross McCormack fails to make an impact as Felix Magath's side struggle in first Championship game 
Daryl Murphy bursts past Shaun Hutchinson to put Ipswich ahead
David McGoldrick doubles the advantage in second half
New signing Ross McCormack substituted after 57 minutes after poor debut
Tim Hoogland pulls one back for Fulham with individual effort

Fulham were handed a harsh reminder of the realities of life in the second tier as goals from Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick gave Ipswich a comfortable opening day win.

Felix Magath fielded a side unrecognisable from the one that suffered relegation from the Barclays Premier League last season, with captain Scott Parker joined by five academy graduates and five new signings, including £11m man Ross McCormack.

But they will need some time to gel and defensive frailties were exposed here by an Ipswich side who might be an outside bet for the play-off places.

Parker is usually Mr Reliable in the heart of midfield, but he was stripped of possession by Luke Hyam just after the half-hour mark. Hyam slipped Daryl Murphy through the right-hand channel and he breezed past the lightweight Shaun Hutchinson before finishing low past Jesse Joronen.

And Hutchinson was exposed again when he only half-cleared a cross by Murphy on the hour, the ball falling perfectly for Portman Road favourite David McGoldrick, making his first appearance since February, to crash home from outside the box.

Ipswich were excellent value for their lead though they were forced to cling on after Fulham's Tim Hoogland pulled one back with a deflected effort four minutes from time that beat Dean Gerken at his near post.

A Fulham equaliser would have been undeserved, though Magath know it will take time to readjust to life in the Championship after 13 years at a higher level, especially with such an altered team.


Slow start: Ross McCormack failed to have any real impact as Fulham fell to a defeat in their opening game

His was a bold selection, with great faith shown in the stars of Fulham's run to the FA Youth Cup final last season. Joronen, Moussa Dembele, Emerson Hyndman and Patrick Roberts were among those named in the squad. Thomas Eisfeld, the 21-year-old German talent signed from Arsenal, was named on the bench.

Joronen, was called into action early on when he pushed Christophe Berra's goalbound header over the bar after Tyrone Mings had delivered well from the left.

Fulham had a golden chance to take the lead when Dean Gerken spilt a Chris David shot at the feet of Dembele, his rebound blocked by the relieved keeper.

And they would rue that miss when Murphy opened the scoring just after the half-hour, to the delight of the 17,000-plus crowd enjoying the return of regular football on a gloriously sunny August afternoon.


Work to do: There is plenty to think about for Felix Magath and his Fulham team, who need to adapt to this level

McCormack endured a frustrating start to his Fulham career and was replaced before the hour by Cauley Woodrow. He had barely had a sniff, marked out of the game by the Ipswich defenders.

Magath afterwards admitted his expensive acquisition was some was short of the required match fitness.

Almost immediately, Ipswich doubled their lead and the stuffing looked to have been knocked out of Fulham.

To their credit, they rallied, improving massively after the introduction of tyro Roberts, who cut inside from the right to good effect.

But it was Hoogland, the right-back brought in from Schalke over the summer, who actually made that tactic work to set up a grandstand finale.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2720756/Ipswich-2-1-Fulham-11m-Ross-McCormack-fails-make-impact-Felix-Magath-s-struggle-Championship-game.html#ixzz39vcxUSih
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Sky Bet Championship: Ipswich beat Fulham 2-1 at Portman Road

Daryl Murphy scored one and made one as Ipswich got their Sky Bet Championship season off to a flyer with a 2-1 win at the expense of new-look Fulham.

The Irish striker netted a powerful opener on 32 minutes before his cross was only cleared to substitute David McGoldrick, who coolly doubled the hosts' advantage.

Tim Hoogland set up a nervous finish when his shot was deflected in with four minutes remaining, but Ipswich controlled much of the match and deserved the three points.

Fielding eight debutants, including five in their back line, nervy Fulham conceded a corner after 17 seconds as Ipswich created the early chances through Christophe Berra's powerful header and Luke Hyam shooting just wide.

After 11 minutes, Fulham finally fashioned a decent opening after Scott Parker's exquisite ball played in the marauding Hoogland.

The right-back fed Chris David but he screwed his shot wide after taking up a good position.

Ipswich remained the most likely to open the scoring, Cole Skuse volleying just over with 17 minutes on the clock.

The visitors almost capitalised on an error by Dean Gerken when the Town goalkeeper fumbled David's 20-yard shot but he made amends to deny Moussa Dembele with his legs.

Although Fulham were enjoying the majority of possession, Ipswich continued to create half chances with Skuse again finding space, if not the target, with another dipping volley.

And it was the hosts who broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when Hyam's incisive through ball released Murphy, who outpaced Shaun Hutchinson before making no mistake with a powerful finish.

Fulham were visibly deflated by the setback but they looked for a quick recovery after the interval and the impressive Konstantinos Stafylidis fizzed a 25-yard shot just over.

Ipswich were looking strong at the back and doubled their advantage at the other end on 62 minutes.

Murphy was again too strong for Hutchinson on the left wing and, while his low cross was half cleared, it fell perfectly for McGoldrick to open his account for the season.

It was now comfortable for the hosts with Fulham looking a beaten outfit well before the final whistle.

Anthony Wordsworth should have added a third 11 minutes from time when he headed over from 10 yards following excellent work from McGoldrick and Luke Chambers.

McGoldrick called Joronen into action from the corner of the penalty area after yet more tenacious play by Jay Tabb before Fulham pulled a goal back out of nothing.

Hoogland cut inside Tyrone Mings and his weak shot took a wicked deflection off the body of Tommy Smith to take it past Gerken's near post.

The lifeline galvanised Fulham and another deflection almost gave Patrick Roberts an equaliser, but Town held on to claim all three points.


http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/313772/report?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's £11m striker has day to forget at Ipswich

New look Whites lose with McCormack subbed off in second half


Sprint: Scorer Tim Hoogland beats Tyrone Mings to the ball

Ipswich Town 2-1 Fulham

What's the kind phrase? A work in progress?

Fulham boss Felix Magath reckoned his new project with emphasis on youth would take time – he's going to need it.

This looked a Whites side set up to pass well, but short of guile, thrust and not a little nervous.

Tim Hoogland netted a late consolation, and after that Moussa Dembele came closest when he stabbed into the chest of Ipswich keeper from point-blank range. But £11million Ross McCormack got nil service from anyone in white and was ignominiously subbed off in the second half.

"What a waste of money," taunted Ipswich fans in unison. We'll see, but it was difficult to see from this showing another 27 goals like the Scot hit last season.


Keeping up: Scott Parker shadows Ipswich's Jay Tabb (L)

Alongside, McCormack, nine debutants lined up and one of those, Jesse Joronen, was in demand just four minutes later to tip over a header from Christophe Berra after he connected with a curling cross from Tyrone Mings.

Joronen was full length again to watch a dipping effort from Cole Skuse graze the bar.

Before Hoogland's goal, Dembele stabbed the ball back into the grateful chest of Dean Gerken rather than the net.

A half-decent drive from Chris David was fumbled by the Ipswich keeper, and the alert Dembele could only prod against the atoning custodian who spread himself to save.

Then the Ipswich goal that had been half-threatened since the start.

Daryl Murphy should have been pocketed by Shaun Hutchinson, but was he far too easily outpaced down the right for Murphy to fire a rising shot past Joronen at his near post.

Hutchinson made partial amends when he blocked sub David McGoldrick's shot seconds after the restart.

A Parker run straight after, and a low cross that just evaded Dembele, saw new boy Kostas Stafylidis picking up the scraps and firing a sliver over the bar.


Oh dear! Daryl Murphy fires Ipswich ahead

But it almost felt like 2-0 when McCormack was replaced by Cauley Woodrow.

The real coffin nail got banged in seconds later, and as Get West London feared, it came from McGoldrick.

Hutchinson was too easily dispossessed in the right hand corner, and the subsequent cross caused confusion.

The ball spun out to the waiting McGoldrick on the edge of the box who fired low and left and beyond the charging Joronen.

OK, it's the first game, but there was a curious look to the side.

Hoogland's goal

via a deflection and it heralded a late Fulham rally, but far too late.

OK, it's the first game, but there was a curious look to the side.


Tussle: Ipswich's Balint Bajner (L) shadowed by Cameron Burgess

David looked lively in the first half, but had to make way for Thomas Eisfeld at half time, while Cameron Burgess, Emerson Hyndman and poor Hutchinson got a baptism of fire in rural Suffolk

Fulham, 4-1-3-2: Joronen; Hoogland, Bodurov, Hutchinson (Roberts 74), Stafylidis; Burgess; David (Eisfeld 46), Hyndman, Parker, McCormack (Woodrow 57), Dembele; subs not used: Bettinelli, Rodallega, Fotheringham, Burn


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fulhams-11m-striker-day-forget-7589607?

[WhiteJC]

 
Ipswich Town vs Fulham match report: Fulham face a hard climb back to top on this showing


Ipswich Town 2 Fulham 1: After 13 years in the top flight an inexperienced side find themselves outplayed by Ipswich

Fulham's first match outside the Premier League in 13 years, while it should not be regarded as definitive evidence, suggested the road back will be long and arduous. An unrecognisable young team containing eight new players were outplayed by Ipswich, who had looked almost equally lightweight in attack until the talented David McGoldrick appeared as a substitute.

Being a German coach may carry a greater cachet after this summer's World Cup but Felix Magath must know all too well what a job he has on in west London. He will have to demand patience from the traditionally easy-going Fulham crowd. It took his side almost 80 minutes to win a corner, by which time their record signing Ross McCormack had long been substituted, having achieved nothing. A late goal by Tim Hoogland, deflected in by a defender, should not give anyone the impression that the club are on their way back. Only five clubs relegated from the Premier League in the past six years have gone straight back up. Fulham are also thinking slightly longer-term, with Felix Magath believing the future lies with the Academy and some of the players who reached last season's FA Youth Cup final. "Spend less, work harder" is part of his Teutonic recipe for success and he claims they will prove to be the fittest team in the division.

Magath had made his dissatisfaction with Fulham's efforts last season plain before the end of the campaign and elected to have a mass clear-out that involved almost two dozen players being released – among them Damien Duff, Kieran Richardson and Georgios Karagounis, who will not be the last – while nine were signed and a number promoted from the youth ranks.

It was still something of a risk to start with eight debutants and three 18 year-olds among a total of nine nationalities. Among that number were a whole back-four plus the goalkeeper.

The only familiar Fulham face was that of Scott Parker, the captain, whose error unfortunately led to his team falling behind. He sat deep in midfield with teenager Cameron Burgess, while Ross McCormack started up front with young Frenchman Moussa Dembele. Of Konstantinos Mitroglu, the Greek World Cup striker who cost even more than McCormack's reported £11m, and Costa Rica's Bryan Ruiz there was no sign, even among the substitutes.

Ipswich, who exited the top level just after Fulham joined it, were a good measuring stick for the London side, having finished last season just a little short of the play-offs in ninth place. In the match programme reclusive owner Marcus Evans gave a rare interview, in which he emphasised his commitment and described manager Mick McCarthy's new three-year contract as the most important thing to have happened to the club this summer. Evans also wants to reduce the advantage given to relegated clubs by £60m worth of parachute payments.

Fulham could not be accused of blowing too much of that, with McCormack the one extravagant signing. Youthful promise was exemplified by Chris David, the 21 year-old Dutchman who scored a spectacular goal with almost the last kick in the Premier League last May, earning a draw at home to Crystal Palace.

He almost replicated it midway through the first half here, Dean Gerken fumbling the shot as he cut in from the right on his left foot, but then recovering to prevent Moussa Dembele knocking in the rebound. It was Fulham's only real chance of the first half, in which they had abundant possession without any significant penetration.

They paid a price for that just after the half-hour, when Parker was caught napping by Luke Hyam, who sent Daryl Murphy through in the inside right channel. The striker evaded Shaun Hutchinson all too easily and beat goalkeeper Jesse Joronen.

To be fair, Joronen had little to do otherwise, apart from an early save from Christophe Berra's header. The home crowd were therefore happy to see the striker David McGoldrick brought on just before half-time in place on Balint Bajner, the Hungarian who had picked up an injury on his debut. McGoldrick had struck up a fine partnership with Murphy before suffering a knee injury in February from which he is only just recovering – hence McCarthy's decision not to start him here.

The pair immediately linked well and produced the second goal between them after 62 minutes. Murphy chased a ball down the left, crossed low and it was hacked away only as far as McGoldrick, who scored with a low drive from 18 yards.

Fulham had made their first change at the interval, surprisingly replacing David with Thomas Eisfeld, the midfielder who made a couple of appearances while at Arsenal, and they soon introducing Cauley Woodrow, another promising youngster, for the anonymous McCormack.

It was a shock when the visitors scored four minutes from time to give the home supporters a nervous last few minutes. Hoogland, probably their best player, had a left-footed shot deflected in by Ipswich's Tommy Smith and Patrick Roberts, a 17 year old of rich promise, had two late opportunities blocked.

Line-ups:

Ipswich (4-4-2): Gerken; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Mings; Hewitt, Hyam, Skuse (Wordsworth 72), Tabb; Murphy, Bajner (McGoldrick, 44).

Fulham (4-2-2-2): Joronen; Bodurov, Hutchinson (Roberts 74), Burgess, Stafylidis; Parker, Burgess; Hyndman, David (Eisfeld 46); Dembele, McCormack (Woodrow 58).

Referee: Stephen Martin

Man of the match: McGoldrick (Ipswich)

Match rating: 7/10


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/ipswich-town-vs-fulham-match-report-fulham-face-a-hard-climb-back-to-top-on-this-showing-9659142.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Millwall Next Up

With the 2014/15 season up and running, the Whites' first home fixture next Saturday is in sight.

Tickets for our London derby against Millwall are now on sale to supporters with a Booking History and available to purchase from £30 for Adults and £15 for Juniors.

Season Ticket Holders and Members can also purchase two tickets for this match. Memberships can currently only be purchased through the Fulham Ticket Office, either in person or by phone on 0843 208 1234 (option 2).

Be there for Fulham's first home game of the Sky Bet Championship campaign by securing your ticket today.
Millwall Tickets


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/august/09/millwall-next-up?

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Boss explains why he subbed £11m Fulham striker at Ipswich

McCormack not fully fit claims Magath

Fulham striker Ross McCormack was subbed 57 minutes into the 2-1 defeat at Ipswich – with home the derision of home fans ringing in his ears.

The Championship's top scorer last season cost the Whites £11million, but his manager reckons he might play a few more cameos before he lasts 90 minutes.

Felix Magath explained: "He has a lack of fitness. He did not have a pre-season with us. He is a striker and he has to score, but he is not on the level like the other players.

"When will he be fully fit? It will take time, but it's not a problem. After all, there are 45 more games to go."

Another debutant, Tim Hoogland scored a consolation, but Ipswich held out.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/boss-explains-subbed-11m-fulham-7589753?

[WhiteJC]

 
The View From South Texas – Ipswich Town FC v. Fulham FC

Suffolk Shakedown Cruise

No fewer than eight Fulham players made their first-team debut today at Portman Road as Fulham played their first match in the second tier of English football for 13years. With so many new players playing in a new league with a fairly new manager, it was to be expected that there would be some rough spots in Fulham's first competitive match.

And there were.

With Burgess and Parker appearing to be responsible for supporting the defense, and David and Hyndman setting up as the attacking portion of the midfield, it was clear that only one pairing was working as planned. David looked especially lively early on, playing with confidence and no little style. Hyndman looked competent and made good use of space to keep himself open. Having said that, it was the connection with Parker/Burgess and the new CB pairing of Budurov and Hutchinson that never quite clicked over the 90 minutes.

Although he was to be faulted for neither of Ipswich's goals, Young Keeper Joronen looked well out of his league. He made a very classy save early on, but he was woefully hesitant in his area and demonstrated the worst distribution I have seen from a Fulham keeper in a very long time. A lot of this is, of course, inexperience. It was his first-team Fulham debut, and his first match at this high level period. Inexperience can be overcome and confidence will make him more in charge of his area, but his most glaring inadequacy may take many years to correct: He is completely one-footed. With modern goalkeeprs acting as sweepers, he's outmatched. Several times his kicks went directly into touch because he was in no position to use his left foot, and he has neither capability within or confidence in his right. This is troublesome.

As a matter of fact, the times when I was most concerned during the match was when the ball was at the feet of Joronen, Hutchinson, or Budurov.

McCormack started today and was the first player subbed off. The television guy [and how nice to have only ONE voice in the box again] seemed to think that it was due to his ineffectiveness. I disagree. I think it was due to his lack of pre-season pitch time. I generally liked what I saw from him. As for his strike partner, I'm willing to bet that Moussa Dembele has never had a less effective 90 minutes on a pitch in his life. He couldn't keep possesion, couldn't turn, couldn't find a teammate, and – most problematical for the near future – couldn't bring either his strength or quickness to bear on Ipswich's defense.

The match turned around when young Mr. Roberts came on. The ENTIRE TEAM went into attack mode and the Tractor Boys found themselves on their back heels for the rest of the match. Some will be shouting "ROBERTS MUST START NEXT WEEKEND," but again I disagree. He's 17, and I think we'll be seeing him in the role we saw him in today for a few more months.

Of the new boys, the one who impressed me most was Stafylidis. Fulham might actually have a left back that can attack and defend. Also handy was his RB partner Hoogland, although not so much on the defensive end.

So, Fulham opened the season with a defeat, and it took 75 minutes to get hold of the match. It's early days, though. Here's what I'm hoping that Felix noted today.
1. Fulham have to take control of the match. By my count, the very first corner – and the first set piece of the match came in the 77th minute. This will not do.
2. Fulham have to realize that the Championship is the Land of the Giants. Hoofing the ball upfield from defense to moderately tall strikers is not going to work. Fulham have an advantage in ball skills, quickness, and fitness. The quick on-the-ground movement we saw after the Roberts substitution should be our prime mode.

HatterDon's Man of the Match? Well, I was ready to give it to David after the first half, but there was that substitution. So, instead, it goes to Patrick Roberts, and may it be the first of many.



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=490

[WhiteJC]

 
Ipswich 2-1 Fulham

Before the game we all agreed we had no idea what to expect, but really that went exactly as we'd have expected, had we had any expectations.

The home team and favourites looked pretty good.  Someone said 'functional', which does Ipswich a disservice, but this was a fully realised team in a way that Fulham aren't.  Ipswich won't have worried at all that Fulham had almost all the ball for much of the first half, Fulham's play being too far from goal and lacking a bit of something.  The front two of Dembele and McCormack looked nifty on occasion but was really too far away from a midfield that flickered in and out. For all the good possession there wasn't much of a killer instinct.

There didn't need to be, of course.  As the away side, enjoying most of the ball, Fulham will have felt okay about the world until they went behind.  I've spoken of Glenn Hoddle's multiple mistake theory of goal concessions before, but here was a good example.  Some untidiness around a bouncing ball in midfield, Scott Parker erred in waiting for the ball to settle of its own accord, which it didn't, and suddenly Ipswich had turned on the jets and Fulham were in trouble. A quick pass to Murphy, who had it all to do, but then he burst forward past a bemused Hutchinson.  The latter presumably felt he was about to slow Murphy down while help arrived, but Murphy had other ideas and charged in on goal.  Joronen was probably down a bit early and Murphy finished well.  Four mistakes of varying seriousness and Fulham were losing.

The whites' best chance came when Chris David stung the hands of Gerken, the Ipswich 'keeper. The ball popped loose and Dembele reacted quickly, but Gerken redeemed himself with a smart block.

David was withdrawn at half time.  Eisfeld replaced him, like-for-like.

Fulham didn't offer much in the second half until Patrick Roberts came on.  At that point they were two down, Hutchinson capping a day he won't want to remember by being shouldered off the ball near the corner flag. Town swept the ball infield and McGoldrick powered home the loose ball.

With 15 minutes left Fulham brought Roberts on and suddenly the game was transformed.  Roberts was by some distance the best player on the pitch and managed to transcend the mediocrity around him.  He slipped Eisfeld through with one good ball, and his play brought a directness and intelligence heretofore missing.  It was he who slipped Hoogland through down the right for what would become the Fulham consolation, Hoogland overlapping, cutting in, then shooting home via a deflection.  And it was he who had half an opening late on, the ball not quite going where it needed to go.  He'll do a lot of damage cutting in from the right.  Sooner rather than later Fulham need to take off the cotton wool and let him play from the start.

So yeah, probably the right result.  One team knew itself, the other finding its way.  Understandable: this is a new team full of new combinations. It really will take time for this team to get going.

Setup, players, etc

Joronen got the start in goal and did okay. Not at fault for either goal and made a couple of nice saves.  6/10

Hoogland played as an energetic right-back and appeared capable of playing the role well. He was up and down and didn't appear to be caught upfield at all.  I didn't really get a sense of his defensive prowess, nor of his crossing, but he scored and had a couple of other dangerous runs so gets 7/10 for now.

Bodurov had a good debut as best I could tell.  One tackle in the second half impressed particularly.  Bears watching but so far so good. 6/10.

Hutchinson will be better than this. He'll hate how his debut went but made a couple of decent interventions and it wasn't all bad by any means.  A thrown-together team is probably hardest for the defence and they'll need a while to get a sense of what's happening and where.  I hope Magath's style isn't to throw players in and out with every iffy performance. 4/10.

Stafylidis did what it says on the tin with some good bursts forward and some robust defending.  Like everyone else, it seems, I like the look of him. 6/10.

[it must at this point be noted, somewhere, that both of our full-backs had ponytails and beards - a first?]

Parker – I don't want to seem like I'm picking on him but as the squad's senior man I expected more.  It's like he was trying to be "the man" a bit, but I got cross with him eschewing the obvious pass time and again, overlooking teammates who could have taken the ball, and twirling around before passing somewhere no better than option 1.  The result was a general slowing of Fulham's approach work to no obvious advantage.  Scott Parker knows more about passing than I do, but he wouldn't be the first 33 year old to completely lose the ability to play football and I'm more inclined to think that he'll do a Danny Murphy in the championship than not. The Premiership exposed his lack of range and waning physicality and perhaps we simply saw a continuation of it today.  Put another way, when Fulham needed an equaliser did you want Parker anywhere near the ball?  4/10

Burgess was used in a sort of Busquets role in which he dropped deep out of possession but moved up with it.  Now it's true that we've been desperate for that unselfish Etuhu role since Dickson last donned a Fulham shirt, but it didn't really feel as if Burgess was the answer.  I mean, he did what he did well enough, particularly as an 18 year old playing his first game in a tricky away match with a completely new team in a completely new position, but... no, there can't really be a but can there?  5/10.

Hyndman looked terrific to me, absolutely terrific.  Bold, busy, intelligent, technically able.  Very impressed.  Brendan Rodgers will buy him. 7.5/10.

David/Eisfeld played the central attacking role the team needs to knit together what might become quite a broken team when Roberts isn't playing.  They both showed glimpses of class and both seem perfectly able.  Mad as it might seem, giving them half a game each for the rest of the season wouldn't be the worst thing that's ever happened, but on this evidence, if you were choosing one of them it might be Eisfeld, who looked more polished and intelligent in his 45 minutes.  As with everyone, their play will improve as they get to know their teammates. 6/10.

Dembele – I'll be honest, I have no idea what all the fuss is about.  I'm conscious that he's only young and that in time he could be a beast, but to me he just looks clumsy and out of his depth. Against that I guess he had the one big chance, which speaks of an ability to be where he's meant to be, but letting the ball run under his boot as time ran down kind of summed him up for me.  I'll look ridiculous when he's hitting 30 a season for AC Milan in 5 years but there we are.  4.5/10.

McCormack has apparently not been 100%, which is a big shame as you can see the class in his work and how he will score the goals.  6/10.

Subs: Woodrow does have that terrific energy, doesn't he?  It does presumably make him nice to play with as he's always trying to show for the ball.  I don't doubt that in time Dembele will be the better player but I think Woodrow's more useful to us now.  (6/10).

Roberts I thought was terrific.  A different game with him on the pitch.  The hype will swirl around and he'll go large sooner rather than later, but let's maximise his time on the pitch while we have him. 7.5/10.

9/8/2014

Wind: 10mph SW

Temp: 21C

Ipswich Town: Gerken, Chambers, Berra, Smith, Mings, Hewitt, Hyam (Bru 82), Skuse (Wordsworth 70), Tabb, Bajner (McGoldrick 44), Murphy.
Subs: Bialkowski, Henshall, Marriott, Nouble.

Goals: Murphy 32, McGoldrick 61.

Booked: Hyam, Mings, Berra.

Fulham: Joronen, Hoogland, Hutchinson (Roberts 74), Bodurov, Burgess, Stafylidis, David (Eisfeld 46), Parker, Hyndman, Dembele, McCormack (Woodrow 57).
Subs: Bettinelli, Rodallega, Fotheringham, Burn.

Goal: Hoogland 86.

Referee: Stephen Martin


http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/ipswich-2-1-fulham/?

[Fulham1959]

Fulham supporter gets fantastic letter from club on his wedding day



It's been quite a day for Fulham fan Mark Wilby, who has not only got married but also received a brilliant letter from the club to celebrate his day.

The Cottagers kick off their Championship campaign this evening against Ipswich but still took time out of their busy schedule to write to Mr Wilby – if nothing else to remind him that Fulham is still his true love.

'On behalf of all the squad, management and staff, Fulham Football Club would like to wish you huge congratulations on your wedding day. We hope it's a truly memorable occasion and that you have many, many happy years with your new wife Lisa,' said the letter.

'Whilst Lisa is absolutely amazing and almost perfect (her choice of Club aside), Fulham Football Club also knows that we will always be number one in your heart. There's just no getting around it and we thought we should all just be honest about it, today of all days.

'How you'll juggle Fulham and you wife successfully is down to you, and although you've missed the glamour tie that is Ipswich Town away this afternoon, we know we'll still see you down the Cottage every other Saturday from now on!

'Once again, many congratulations and all the best.

'Yours sincerely,

'Fulham Football Club (your true love).'


http://metro.co.uk/2014/08/09/fulham-supporter-gets-fantastic-letter-from-club-on-his-wedding-day-4827033/?
 

Needs a comma after 'staff', in the original letter . . .