Thursday Fulham Stuff (21/08/14)...

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Fulham 0-1 Wolves: Bakary Sako strike makes it three straight defeats for Cottagers
Bakary Sako strike gives Wolves 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage
Fulham have lost all three of their opening Championship fixtures
Vocal home supporters chanted 'Felix out' following manager Magath's dismal start to Fulham's Championship campaign

Fulham's miserable return to the second tier shows no signs of improving as Bakary Sako's strike gave Wolves a thoroughly deserved win at Craven Cottage.

This was a tale of two teams seemingly heading in opposite directions. There was languid Fulham, still suffering a hangover from their Premier League demotion, and desperately lacking momentum, fluency and inspiration.

And upwardly mobile Wolves, who bossed the vast majority of the match and showed they are more than equipped to cope at this level following promotion from League One.

It was another agonising night for the Fulham faithful, who had already endured reality checks at Ipswich Town on the opening day and against Millwall on Saturday.

On this evidence, any hopes of an immediate return to the top flight are a mere pipedream and mid-table obscurity - or worse - lies in wait for them.

Frankly, they were fortunate it was just the one goal conceded. It was a smart one though, featuring the invention and imagination Fulham so sorely lacked.

'I can only ask for patience because we have a young team and I know it might be tough at the beginning of the season but I'm sure we're on the right way and it was the right decision,' Felix Magath said.

'We were one down, we tried to create chances but we were not strong enough. We had much more possession but not enough chances.'

Wolves boss Kenny Jackett, by contrast, is targeting consecutive promotions. He said: 'We are looking for one of three promotion places. Given our recent history in the Premier League and size of the support we can generate, we have to go for the top.'

A bright Wolves start was rewarded on the quarter-hour when Dave Edwards cleverly dummied a Scott Golbourne corner and Sako guided the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot.

It was an intelligently-worked set-piece and characteristic of Jackett's team, who were fast and dangerous on every attack.

They could still afford to smile despite Sako seeing a stoppage time penalty pushed on to the post by Joronen.

Fulham's American owner Shahid Khan was watching from the stands at Craven Cottage and he should be worried. After all, only crisis club Blackpool sit beneath them in the Championship standings after this.

Paying a visit after hearing of the back-to-back defeats, he would not have been too impressed by what he saw.

Magath once again shuffled his pack, making five changes from the Saturday's defeat and handing debuts to 20-year-old left-back Sean Kavanagh and summer acquisition Mark Fotheringham.

Ross McCormack, whose levels of fitness have clearly not impressed Magath since his £11m move from Leeds United, was handed another chance.

Wolves, by contrast, were unchanged from the team beaten at Rotherham United at the weekend and they set a quick tempo from the first whistle.

Dave Edwards came close early on when he flashed a fierce shot across the face of goal, before Kevin McDonald's ball over the top allowed Rajiv van La Parra to spring the offside trap. Goalkeeper Jesse Joronen raced from his line to get a vital touch.

But the bright Wolves start was rewarded when Sako found the net and the murmurs of discontent around the Cottage were audible.

Fulham had been completely bossed in the opening 20 minutes and when they did finally string enough passes together to muster a shot, Konstantinos Stafylidis blazed over.

Teenage tyro Patrick Roberts was handed his first start of the season and his bold runs at the heart of the Wolves defence offered optimism for the home fans.

On one such burst, he found McCormack wide on the right and his deep cross just evaded the head of Stafylidis. And the England Under 17 international was involved again in sparking a move that led to Sean Kavanagh's low cross being hacked clear by Richard Stearman right in front of goal.

But on the whole, it was frustrating for Fulham, with McCormack forced to drop deep in search of the ball and when a move broke down when he surrendered possession on the edge of the box, there were groans right around the ground.

Indeed, Wolves nearly doubled their lead when captain Danny Batth headed Sako's delightful whipped cross a fraction wide of the post and there were a few boos for Magath as the players went off for half-time.

Magath brought on 18-year-old Moussa Dembele for Fotheringham and he nearly made an instant impact with a driving run and low shot that Carl Ikeme turned aside.

Wolves had a golden opportunity to settle the contest when McDonald's tempting cross from the left was headed over by Matt Doherty at the back post with the goal gaping.

At the other end, on a rare Fulham attack, McCormack fired a couple of inches over the crossbar when the ball sat up nicely on the edge of the box.

Van La Parra then cut inside Kavanagh before finding the side netting and Wolves were always more likely to find a second rather than Fulham levelling.

Roberts did his best to ignite them, skipping a succession of Wolves challenges before over-hitting his through ball to Dembele.

It just about summed it all up as the pressure on Magath was cranked up another notch as a vocal section of the crowd chanted 'Felix out' at the final whistle.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2730236/Fulham-0-1-Wolves-Bakary-Sako-strike-makes-three-straight-defeats-Cottagers.html#ixzz3Azi0tPQa
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Fulham left pointless after Wolves' Bakary Sako strikes only goal

Pointless and ponderous, this is not how the season was meant to begin for Fulham. The club that slipped out of the Premier League in May are now joint bottom of the Championship after three matches, the latest defeat inflicted by an accomplished Wolves side who secured victory thanks to Bakary Sako's early effort.

A penny for the thoughts of Shahid Khan, the Fulham owner who watched on in the directors' box after discussions with Felix Magath pre-match. It has been a summer of upheaval at the Cottage – Scott Parker was the only player to start here who featured on the day that Fulham were relegated at Stoke – and the result has so far been disappointing.

There were glimpses of quality, not least through their prized teenager Patrick Roberts, but the new players and many youngsters have yet to gel. In the end, Sako's goal was enough but Fulham were in more danger of conceding again than scoring an equaliser, surviving a late penalty miss from Sako who hit the post in injury time after Cameron Burgess brought down Nouha Dicko.

"It is a long season, it is not a short run, the Championship," said Magath. "I am not worried. We are prepared for the Championship. Wolves were promoted from the league below, they stay together and stick together. They have good confidence, it is always a problem playing against promoted teams at the beginning of the season. I'm sorry for the defeat, I can only ask for patience."


 
It was no surprise when Wolves struck early. They had been far the superior side until the opening goal in the 15th minute, more organised and more dangerous, as Fulham struggled to settle into any semblance of a rhythm.

When it came, the goal was simple but wonderfully executed, Scott Golbourne delivering a low corner that David Edwards dummied to allow Sako room to sweep the ball into the net. It was an effort surely practised many times in training, as Fulham's defence watched on bewildered.

The early goal did at least spark Magath's side into some form of life, Roberts providing a glimmer of thrust in attack with Ross McCormack often the intended outlet from midfield. However, Fulham did not create a single chance of note in the first half.

Kenny Jackett, the Wolves manager, said: "I thought we played very well. We negated Fulham and gave them few opportunities. The penalty miss wasn't crucial but I did feel there was more goals for us.

"Our aspirations are to get Wolves back in the Premier League. We have to go for the top. In August and September we will assess where we are in the division. Already we've had quite a few different tests, to sides in Norwich and Fulham coming out of the Premier League and then we lost 1-0 to Rotherham last week who came up with us."

Moussa Dembélé had an immediate impact after being brought on in the 50th minute, the 18-year-old forward forcing Carl Ikeme into his first save of the night following a low drive from 25 yards, the goalkeeper extending his right arm and tipping the ball wide.

But while they were slowly increasing the pressure, Fulham were becoming increasingly susceptible to defensive lapses of their own. Rajiv van La Parra broke into the area and shot wide rather than trying to find a fellow gold shirt. When Burgess brought down Dicko in injury time the defeat should have been sealed, but Sako's penalty rebounded off the post.

On his discussions with Khan, Magath said: "We met not only today, but also a few days ago. We talked about the situation. He realises and knows that it might be a difficult period in the beginning of the season if you change a lot."


http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/20/fulham-wolves-championship-match-report?

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Shahid Khan watches on as Fulham fans call for Magath's head after Wolves loss

Championship: Fulham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1

Under the watchful eye of Fulham owner Shahid Khan, Fulham produced an insipid performance to fall to their third straight Championship defeat – losing at home to newly promoted Wolves with fans calling for Felix Magath's head.

Bakary Sako scored the opening goal after a well-worked corner routine surprised the home side, with the striker firing home from the edge of the area.

Fulham huffed and puffed but were unable to test Carl Ikeme in the Wolves goal in the first half, with the defence putting their bodies on the line to make block after block.

It could have been worse as Jesse Joronen tipped Nouha Dicko's effort onto the post.

Wolves are certainly a club on the rise under Kenny Jackett, who has kept faith in the squad who won League One and it was clear that every member of the squad knew their roles.

That is certainly not the case at Fulham with so many changes and only four players with more than a season of senior football in the top two divisions behind them.

Although there are still 43 games left this season, Fulham sit second bottom; with only Blackpool below them by virtue of goal difference.

Unless things change quickly, the Whites could soon be forced to turn their attentions to a relegation battle.

Incredibly, just 899 days ago, Fulham emerged 5-0 winners in the Premier League over a Wolves side destined from relegation.

Since then, Wolves took the plunge into League One before fighting back as third tier champions last year, while the Whites' 13-year spell in the top flight came to an end last season.

Such is the overhaul of the two sides' squads that no members of the 18 in the match day squad in March 3 2012 were involved at all on August 20 2014 but that's not a surprise with Wolves onto their third different manager from that clash and Fulham their second.

Even the Fulham announcer was different with Ivan Berry on the microphone for the first time after the departure of David 'Diddy' Hamilton.

However, those two relegations caused Wolves to dramatically cutback on their squad, with Fulham yet to do so.

Just a look at the squad list on the back of the matchday programme illustrated that plight with Wolves having 22 listed, with Fulham boasting a remarkable 36.

Kenny Jackett has produced a squad of players who know what to do for each other while the west Londoners have turned to their academy with five of their starting XI being graduates from the youth setup

Indeed, while Jackett kept faith in the side that lost to Rotherham at the weekend, Felix Magath made five changes from the side beaten by Millwall.

Out went Thomas Eisfeld, Hugo Rodallega, Emerson Hyndman, Lasse Vigen Christensen and George Williams.

The exciting Patrick Roberts, who has been eyed by Liverpool, came into the side along with Cauley Woodrow and Ross McCormack while Sean Kavanagh and Mark Fotheringham came in for their debuts.

And the two debutants were both yellow carded inside the first 10 minutes for fouls on Matt Doherty and Bacary Sako.

Wolves, benefitting from a settled side, made the stronger start and Sako first tested Joronen from the free kick he'd earned following Fotheringham's foul – stinging the hands of the Finnish stopper.

The Fulham keeper had to be alert to deny Rajiv Van La Parra who had been played through by a ball over the top.

And it was no surprise when Joronen was beaten 15 minutes into the game as Dave Edwards' well worked corner routine fell to Sako and he fired home into the bottom corner.

Fulham recovered slightly to enjoy their first spell of pressure of the game and it was Roberts who provided the spark.

His dazzling run resulted in a dangerous cross that Konstantinos Stafylidis just could not reach.

McCormack, Stafylidis and Parker all then saw shots blocked as the Wolves defence stood firm, much like Millwall's did on Saturday.

The build-up play was impressive but fans were becoming frustrated at the lack of end product as Wolves remained organised and prevented goalscoring opportunities.

However, they were unable to build on that pressure and Wolves, who defended stoutly, started to apply the pressure again.

Sako's 38th minute free kick caused problems in the danger area and Danny Batth headed over when he should have done better.

McCormack caused problems for his own defence when he gave the ball away inside his own half with Fulham forced to concede a corner in the final minute of the first half.

After seeing his side booed off at half-time, Magath stuck with his side at the break as they looked to get back to level terms.

It didn't take long for Magath to make changes as he withdrew the poor Fotheringham five minutes into the second period to ironic cheers replacing him with Moussa Dembele.

The young forward's industry changed the tune of the encounter as he forced Carl Ikeme into his first save of the night, diving low down to his right to tip the Frenchman's goalbound shot wide for a corner.

Fulham continued to push forward but they were consistently pressed by the visitors, who certainly looked the fitter side.

However, Wolves found another gear and Sako's free kick was deflected wide for a corner as the home side could not convert their pressure into goals.

Hugo Rodallega was introduced in the final 10 minutes to provide some more experience up front along with McCormack before Ryan Williams replaced Kavanagh.

Jackett has become more aggressive as a manager in his time at Molyneux; replacing the exciting Rajiv Van La Parra with forward Michael Jacobs.

Roberts enhanced his burgeoning reputation with a dazzling run down the right flank, evading tackle after tackle but his final ball just evaded Rodallega.

Wolves should have sealed the victory in stoppage time when Burgess brought down Dicko, however Joronen brilliantly saved Sako's penalty

The final whistle was met by boos and fans calling for Magath's head as the Whites' woes continued with 12 days left remaining in the transfer window.

Fulham: Joronen, Hoogland, Bodurov, Burgess, Kavanagh (Williams 84), Roberts, Parker, Fotheringham (Dembele 50), Stafylidis, Woodrow (Rodallega 80), McCormack.

Unused Substitutes: Bettinelli, Hutchinson, Eisfeld, Voser.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Ikeme, Doherty, Batth, Stearman, Golbourne, Evans, McDonald, Van La Parra (Jacobs 86), Edwards, Dicko, Sako.

Unused Substitutes: McCarey, Henry, Clarke, Ricketts, McAlinden, Ebanks-Landell.

Referee: James Linnington.



http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/shahid_khan_watches_on_as_fulham_fans_call_for_magath_s_head_after_wolves_loss_1_3734781

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Fulham vs Wolverhampton Wanderers match report: Cottagers fail to keep the Wolves from the door as Bakary Sako shows great touch

Wolverhampton Wanderers had to be relegated twice before they rediscovered what it meant to be a team. Fulham, and their owner Shahid Khan, will have watched this defeat at Craven Cottage hoping that the same is not true for them.

This was Fulham's third Championship game of the season and their third defeat. To call Felix Magath's attempts to build a team here a 'work in progress' would risk implying that they are moving in the right direction. The fans, clearly, have had enough, judging by the 'Felix out' chants at the final whistle. Magath insisted that Khan is patient - "he knows it might be a difficult period in the beginning of the season" - but precisely how much time he has is anyone's guess.

The table barely matters in August but it is still true that only goal difference is keeping Fulham off the bottom. Had Nouha Dicko scored his added-time penalty, then they would have replaced Blackpool in 24th.

Fulham desperately need a first win but their next few league games - Derby County, Cardiff City, Reading and Nottingham Forest - will all be difficult, especially if they play as aimlessly as they have done in their three games so far.

Fulham have the resources to have a good season - they fielded an £11m striker and a recent footballer of the year here - but quality is no guarantee at this level. Wolves found that, two years ago, when they dropped into this division with no real plan of how to get out, and ending up leaving by the wrong door.

That is what Wolves needed, what it took to get Kenny Jackett in, to get rid of complacent overpaid players, and to build a team that won League One. Judging by this performance, that was controlled, comfortable and confident, deserving of a heavier scoreline but not needing one, they will give the Championship a good shot too.

"I thought we played very well and negated Fulham, there was a hunger and a desire out there," said Jackett, who can aim as high as he wants this season. "You aspire to have a settled side."

That is the key point, that these two teams are at different stages of development. Wolves are settled, fielding 10 regulars from last year. Fulham are in flux, starting just one. Scott Parker is a good player but his captain's role is proving too broad even for his shoulders; cohering five youngsters and five new signings around him into a real team.

Fulham had the support of a vocal crowd, but there was too much passion and not enough precision about their play. Cauley Woodrow and Ross McCormack, the teenager and the £11million man, made an unlikely partnership who struggled to combine effectively.

The difference from Wolves was obvious. This is a team who know their own game, and they were happy to sit back, defend their own box and attack on the break. Kevin McDonald ran the midfield, and when he picked out Dave Edwards' run, the shot flew across the face of goal.

Fulham could not keep up with Wolves' movement, Sean Kavanagh and Mark Fotheringham were booked, and it was no surprise at all when, 15 minutes in, the visitors took the lead with a goal whose imagination and execution was far beyond anything Fulham could muster. Scott Golbourne rolled a low corner across from the left, Edwards dummied it and Bakary Sako, unmarked in the box, smacked it in.

Once ahead, Wolves were happy to spend the rest of the half defending Fulham's rather snatched attacks. Centre-backs Richard Stearman and Danny Batth faced up to everything, blocking shots from Parker, Konstantinos Stafylidis and McCormack. Fulham had no way through and it was Wolves who should have scored before the break, Batth heading Sako's free-kick just wide.

Fulham needed a change and so, six minutes after the re-start, Magath threw on Moussa Dembele for Mark Fotheringham. With his first touch, Dembele produced more excitement and threat than Fotheringham - booking aside - did in 50 minutes, bursting through on goal and forcing Carl Ikeme into a sharp save down low to his right.

It was almost 4-2-4 for Fulham, with Roberts, McCormack, Woodrow and Dembele all attacking, with consequences at both ends. Wolves right-back Matt Doherty was far too free at the far-post, and should have headed in McDonald's delicate cross, before McCormack found space on the edge of the box and shot just over the bar.

There was almost enough encouragement for the home fans, with a few free-kicks fizzing wide, but nothing especially dangerous as the second half ticked away. Wolves knew they could sit back, wait and break. Nouha Dicko won an added-time penalty, only for Jesse Joronen to save from Bakary Sako. It was the highlight of Fulham's evening.

Fulham (4-4-1-1) Joronen; Hoogland, Bodurov, Burgess, Kavanagh (Williams 85); Roberts, Parker, Fotheringham (Dembele 50), Stafylidis; McCormack; Woodrow (Rodallega 81).

Wolves (4-2-3-1) Ikeme; Doherty, Batth, Stearman, Golbourne; McDonald, Evans; Van La Parra (Jacobs, 86), Edwards, Sako; Dicko.

Referee J Linington (Isle of Wight).


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/fulham-vs-wolverhampton-wanderers-match-report-cottagers-fail-to-keep-the-wolves-from-the-door-as-bakary-sako-shows-great-touch-9682101.html

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Championship: Fulham boss Felix Magath apologises for 1-0 defeat defeat to Wolves

Felix Magath apologised to Fulham's fans after they lost 1-0 at home to Wolves to record their third straight Sky Bet Championship defeat.

Bakary Sako's first-half strike leaves the Cottagers still searching for the first league win of the season and second from bottom in the fledgling Championship table.

Magath insists he is the man to turn things around, saying: "The message is sorry for the defeat but I can only ask for patience.

"We have a young team and I know it might be a tough beginning to the season but I am sure we are going the right way."

However the patience of chairman Shahid Khan, making a rare visit to Craven Cottage, may be starting to wear thin after his team of rookies - six starters were aged 21 or under - tasted defeat once again.

Magath added: "We met not only today but a few days ago, we talked about the situation and he knows the beginning of the season might be a difficult period if you changed a lot and have a young team.

"We need a win, sure. If we get three points it will build up our confidence. It's a long season so I don't worry about the situation now."

Wanderers, by contrast, are a settled, well-organised side who ran away with League One last season and look capable of making light work of the Championship.

They tore into Fulham from the off and took a deserved lead after 15 minutes when Scott Golbourne's low corner was dummied by Dave Edwards and allowed to run all the way to Sako, who drilled it into the bottom corner to open his account for the season.

Ross McCormack, Fulham's £11million striker, endured another frustrating night with his one sight of goal arriving just before the hour mark - and his drive from the edge of the area was always rising as it cleared the crossbar.

Instead it was Wolves who always looked like adding to their tally, with Matt Doherty and Danny Batth both missing the target with close-range headers before Sako blew their best chance in stoppage time, hitting the post with a penalty after Cameron Burgess had tripped Nouha Dicko.

Indeed Wanderers currently look far more likely to challenge for a return to the Barclays Premier League.

Wolves boss Kenny Jackett said: "I thought we played very well. There is a good hunger and desire to get a result in the squad.

"I'm pleased with how we've started, we've won two out of three and played well in the one we lost, so we feel it's looking promising going forward this season.

"We are all looking for one of those three promotion places, and with the size and history of this club our aspirations are to get Wolves back in the Premier League."


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9432016/championship-fulham-boss-felix-magath-apologises-for-1-0-defeat-defeat-to-wolves?

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Magath has message for Fulham fans after 'Felix Out' chants followed Wolves loss

Felix Magath apologised to Fulham supporters after the Whites lost their third game out of three in the Championship as Wolves emerged the victors at Craven Cottage.

Supporters booed the side off and called for the German manager to leave the club as Fulham lie second from bottom in the embryonic Championship table.

And the Whites boss called on the supporters to be patient with the him and the club as they look to adjust to second tier football with such an inexperienced squad.

Magath said: "Sorry for the defeat again but it will not change the situation.

"I can only ask for patience as we have a young team and I know that it might be tough at the beginning of the season.

"But I'm sure we're on the right way and I'm sure it was the right decision, especially for the club, for Fulham."

Owner Shahid Khan was present at Craven Cottage and spoke to Magath ahead of the game and the German insisted that the Jacksonville Jaguars owner understood the situation.

"We met, not only today but a few days ago as he was here for a few days," the German explained. "We talked about the situation and the team. He knows that it might be a difficult period in the beginning of the season if you have a new team and a young team. It is always a problem.

"I don't remember a club which had a lot of changes. I told the fans today about Liverpool – it was the same.

"They had all those problems in the beginning of the season. At the moment, we're conceding early goals so we can't build up confidence."

Magath was referring to the Liverpool side under Brendan Rodgers.

The German wrote on the club's official website ahead of the game: "I would like to give you an example of a team that was in a similar position to ourselves, although in the Premier League.

"Liverpool started the 2012/13 season with a new trainer, a new philosophy and many young players.

"At the start of that season, they only managed their first win after five games and it took them eight games to win at home.

"They managed to end the season in seventh position, but look what happened the following season, they almost won the title, and probably should have.

"This is what can be accomplished with young, talented and ambitious players."

Wolves manager Kenny Jackett kept faith in the side that won promotion from League One and the Fulham boss believed that gave his side the advantage.

Magath explained: "It is different if you have a team like Wolves – they were promoted from League One and stuck together.

"They are very confident and it is always a problem to play against a promoted team at the beginning of the season so we met a very good Wolves team today.

"They played very well. It was a good game in the first half and it was an open game.

"Sure, the Wolves are more confident. If you concede a goal in the first minutes it brings them up it's normal."

Fulham are nowhere near gelling and it does not help that only four of the 18 have experience of regular top level English football – Ross McCormack, Scott Parker, Hugo Rodallega and Mark Fotheringham.

And the same mistakes were made at the back as Wolves scored the only goal of the game through Bacary Sako.

Magath said: "We conceded an early goal that we did not want to happen. After the corner kick, it was a good performance from Wolves and so we were 1-0 down.

"We tried to go forward and create chances. In the first half we were not strong enough and didn't have the right last pass for scoring and so, here we have a lot more possession but not much chances.

That said there is plenty of time to turn things around and Magath believes that his side can develop into a force in the division.

"It's a long season," the Fulham boss said. "It's not a short run in the Championship so I don't worry about the situation and I followed the Championship last season and I have Peter Grant – an excellent Scottish coach and he knows everything about the Championship so we are prepared for the Championship.

"We know that we have not the strongest team but that was not the idea. It was to have a team that can play. We are not able to play better than the opponents."

Magath confirmed that Fulham are in the market for three new players, with a defender the priority but incredibly ruled out those signings having any Championship experience.


http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/magath_has_message_for_fulham_fans_after_felix_out_chants_followed_wolves_loss_1_3734801