Saturday Fulham Stuff (11/10/14)...

[WhiteJC]

 
U18s Visit Saints

Fulham Under-18s are on the road this weekend when they travel to Southampton in the Barclays U18 Premier League.

Kicking off at 11am on Saturday, the Whites face a side yet to taste victory in their seven league matches played so far, drawing two and losing five.

In their most recent outing, Saints doubled their points tally with a goalless draw at Arsenal's Colney training ground, securing a first clean sheet in the process.

Last season, Southampton came out on top overall in terms of the head-to-head record between the sides, taking four points from the two meetings.

In the first game at Staplewood, a late George Williams penalty cancelled out Sam Gallagher's opener, which also arrived in the latter stages of the match.

In the reverse fixture at Motspur Park, Fulham fielded a young side as the FA Youth Cup Quarter Final against Huddersfield Town followed three days later.

And Southampton's experience took its toll as the Fulham youngsters were beaten 3-1, with Stephen Humphrys' goal proving to be little more than a consolation.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/october/10/u18s-visit-saints?

[WhiteJC]

 
Kit Symons and Billy McKinlay fighting it out for Fulham job

Kit SymonsLast week caretaker boss Kit Symons appeared to have the Fulham Job wrapped up following a hat-trick of victories over Bolton, Birmingham and Doncaster (cup). However, the club's weekend defeat to Middlesbrough combined with Billy McKinlay's sudden availability, has thrown a spanner in the works, with the Cottagers seemingly no closer to appointing a new boss anytime soon.

As things stand the duo are the current frontrunners for the vacancy. Symons is now available at 11/4 with both Sky Bet and Bet Victor, whereas McKinlay is now the 6/4 favourite with the former and a best-priced 3/1 with the latter. However, it is by no means a two-horse race with the employed Chris Hughton and Gianfranco Zola hot on their heels at 4/1 and 11/2 respectively.

In the aftermath of Felix Magath's sacking Fulham owner Shahid Khan appointed a five man committee who are working together to find the German's successor at Craven Cottage. The Londoners are sit down in 22nd in the Championship with just seven points from 11 matches, however six of those points have come from their last three games, with vast signs of improvement clearly evident under Symons.

The 43-year-old is believed to be keen to step up and take charge of the club on a permanent basis, although the shock availability of former Fulham coach McKinlay, who last week backed Symons for the full-time job, may have thwarted his chances. McKinlay, who previously spent nine years coaching at Fulham, was surprisingly appointed the new Watford boss in late September. But, despite taking four points from his opening two games at the helm, the 45-year-old was bizarrely sacked after just eight days, in one of the harshest and peculiar decisions in recent memory.

Keep checking the Next Fulham Manager Market (link in opening paragraph) for all the latest odds and betting information.


http://www.thesackrace.com/news/10th-october-2014/kit-symons-and-billy-mckinlay-fighting-it-out-for-fulham-job?

[WhiteJC]

 
International Whites

We run an eye over the Fulham boys who could feature for their respective countries across the current international period.


The first man in action at senior level is Elsad Zverotić when Montenegro face Liechtenstein away from home in a European Championship Qualifier on Thursday, and they're on their travels again when they meet Austria on Sunday.

Also in Group G, Alexander Kačaniklić – currently on loan at FC Copenhagen – has earned a recall to the Sweden squad for their matches against Russia and Liechtenstein.

George Williams has kept his place in the Wales squad as they look to build on their opening win against Andorra with positive results at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus on Friday and Monday, respectively.

Defender Nikolay Bodurov is also in action on those days as Bulgaria host Croatia before travelling to Norway in Group H.

There's a recall to the full Greece squad for Kostas Stafylidis, and he'll be hoping to feature for Claudio Ranieri's side in their game against Finland in Helsinki on Saturday, and the home tie with Northern Ireland on Tuesday. He's joined in the squad by Kostas Mitroglou, who's spending the season with former side Olympiakos on loan.

That meeting with Finland could see the pair come up against Fulham goalkeeper Jesse Joronen who's in the squad. After the clash with the Greeks, Finland then host Romania on Tuesday.

Another Whites keeper who could also be involved in Qualifiers on Saturday and Tuesday is 90-cap Hungary international Gabor Kiraly, who's back in the national set-up for their meetings with Romania and the Faroe Islands.

Away from Europe, Mananga Jonathan Buatu is in the Angola camp for their crucial double header with Lesotho in the Africa Cup on Nations Qualifiers. Angola currently sit bottom of the four team group, and will need to pick up some positive results on Friday and Wednesday if they're to nab one of the top two spots needed to progress.

In friendly action, Bryan Ruiz is in the Costa Rica squad for their games against Oman on Friday and the Republic of Korea on Tuesday, with both matches away from home.

Emerson Hyndman could also be involved in a friendly outing, as United States Under-23s take on Brazil in Brasilia on Monday.

At Under-21 level, there are big games for Cauley Woodrow, Lasse Vigen Christensen and Marcello Trotta, as their nations compete in the Play-Offs to see who qualifies for the 2015 European U21 Championships.

Woodrow is in the England party for their meetings with Croatia, Christensen's Denmark face Iceland, while Trotta and Italy take on Slovakia. In each case, the First Leg is on Friday, followed up by the Second Leg on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Sean Kavanagh is in the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for their friendly match in Norway on Thursday.

Cameron Burgess is set for his first involvement with the Australian national side since his switch of allegiance from Scotland. He's in the Under-20 group for their AFC Championship matches in Burma against the UAE, Indonesia and Uzbekistan.

Dropping down to the Under-19s, Patrick Roberts and Moussa Dembélé are both in competitive action, with the pair potentially playing six UEFA U19 Qualifiers between them.

Roberts is in the England squad for their matches against Belarus (Friday), Luxembourg (Sunday) and Belgium (Wednesday), while Dembélé's France face Macedonia (Wednesday), Liechtenstein (Friday) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (Monday).

In the same age group, Noe Baba could feature for the Republic of Ireland for their two friendly games against Sweden on Wednesday and Friday, while Marek Rodák is in the Slovakia squad for similar matches against Israel next week.

Finally, at Under-17 level, Luca De Torre featured for the United States in all three of their Panama U17 International Tournament matches as victories over the host nation, Costa Rica and Canada secured them the title.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/october/07/international-whites?

[WhiteJC]

 
Zverotić's Montenegro Held

Montenegro were left frustrated on their travels on Thursday evening as they were unable to breach the Liechtenstein goal in their second Group G qualifier. 

Elsad Zverotić played the full 90 minutes of the encounter as the visitors relentlessly attacked Liechtenstein but, despite having 28 attempts and hitting the woodwork twice, they were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw.

After the game, Montenegro Head Coach Branko Brnović admitted his disappointment but paid credit to their hosts.

"We did not expect a draw here," he stated. "We wanted three points from this game but I have to congratulate the Liechtenstein team.

"They defended very well and deserve a point from this match. We had approximately 25 chances to score and played well but did not manage to get the goal."

Elsewhere in the group, Sweden drew 1-1 at home with Russia, with out-on-loan Fulham man Alexander Kačaniklić coming on as a late substitute.

Fabio Capello's Russia took a 10th minute lead through Aleksandr Kokorin, although Sweden could have drawn level three minutes later had Sunderland's Seb Larsson not seen his penalty kick saved.

Ola Toivonen did force an equaliser, though, four minutes into the second half, with Kačaniklić – currently on loan at FC Copenhagen – coming on in the 79th minute.

Sweden now sit fourth in Group G with two points, with Zverotić's Montenegro in second with four.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/october/10/zverotics-montenegro-held?

[WhiteJC]

 
Mark Schwarzer: Fulham had their heart ripped out but Kit Symons can rescue them

Devastated: Schwarzer made more than 200 appearances for the club in a five-year spell from 2008

The heart has been ripped out of Fulham since Mohamed Fayed sold the club and Kit Symons is the man to restore their pride, according to Mark Schwarzer.

The goalkeeper made more than 200 appearances for the club in a five-year spell from 2008 as Fulham reached the Europa League Final and secured three top-10 Premier League finishes.

But Fulham have endured a torrid time since Fayed sold the club to Shahid Khan 15 months ago.

Martin Jol, Rene Meulensteen and Felix Magath have all been sacked as manager and the club were relegated from the Premier League and sunk to the Championship relegation zone.

Schwarzer — whose son is in the Fulham Academy — is devastated by the club's fall and has launched a staunch defence of Fayed, who was blamed by Khan and Magath for the decline.

And he believes Symons should be given the chance to rebuild Fulham having impressed as caretaker manager since coming in for Magath last month.

"The real essence of the club, the core of the club, the heart of the club was ripped out of it," said Schwarzer. "I feel almost heartbroken about it all. I go quite regularly as my son is involved in their academy and I saw how the club changed so dramatically in a short period of time.

"From security guards to ground‑staff, from any staff member I came across, to people in the academy, from people involved in and around the first-team, and even in the first-team, those people were really dumbfounded at how things had gone wrong at the club and were so upset about it.

"Fulham have always been such a family club and such a personal club. Everyone lived for and loved the club and had a soft spot for the club. That was ripped out of it.

"I know Kit from when I was there and he is a great guy. He has had a very successful coaching pedigree with the Under-18s and 21s and he has been about the first-team on a number of occasions.

"He is best placed within the club to take it on and try and reinstall those core values at the club. I know he has already had an immediate impact by virtue of some of the simple changes he has made since he has been there. They are on the right track going back, that is for sure."

Schwarzer lays the blame squarely at Khan's door, although he believes the decision to allow Danny Murphy — who is now one of the five-man panel selecting the new manager and has said he wants the job — to leave was symptomatic of what went wrong at Craven Cottage.

"This wouldn't have happened under him [Fayed]," said the Australian, who is now at Chelsea.

"He ran the club so successfully for such a long period and he created that environment and helped bring that back in to the club. He helped enhance that environment from when they were in League Two to the Premier League.

"As for Murph, he is someone I believe shouldn't have been allowed to leave the club in the first place.

"He would have added so much to the club over a long period of time and would still be involved now. With someone like him involved from his period as a player to his post-playing career I don't think the club would have been in this position."



http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/mark-schwarzer-fulham-had-their-heart-ripped-out-but-kit-symons-can-rescue-them-9786533.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Poole Deal Moves Closer!
   
It`s a subject we`ve covered earlier but we now have an update for you!

Previously we`ve mentioned how Fulham Football Club were showing an interest in the young Newport defender Regan Poole.

Poole, just 16 years of age, is highly rated and has impressed those who have seen him in action.

However, Fulham appear to have stolen a march on any potential rivals by taking Poole on a week long trial, during that period Poole has continued to impress those associated with youth development at Craven Cottage and it is expected that some kind of formal offer will be made to the youngster and to Newport to acquire his services on a permanent basis!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=373178#ixzz3FojSTHEy

[WhiteJC]

 
The Craven Corner: Time for the five man committee to give Kit the job?

Fulham caretaker manager Kit Symons (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Five man committee and still no permanent manager. So what should the club do?

Well, I'll be honest with you in the fact that I was hoping we'd sign a Tony Pulis or Steve Clarke type of manager. Old, experienced and builds teams up from a solid foundation of a tight defence. But, as the games have come thick and fast Kit Symons has impressed me and I can't fault what he has done in a short time. We've picked up some points and we could have snatched something from the Middlesbrough game if we had taken our chances.

The key factor that Kit has brought to our club is the happiness and enjoyment element that the players are clearly revelling in. All players have complimented the training setup and the way Kit has conducted his sessions – something we never heard about Felix. Not only that, but we finally can guess the starting 11 as it's clear we have a structure, system and spine in place under Kit Symons. This will only reap benefits for everyone involved with the team understanding how to play alongside each other forming strong working relationships. So, would it be right if we hired someone else?

Well, this is a hard situation. Obviously we take a gamble on Kit and give him a full-time position which hasn't had previously or we hire a new manager who's going to take four or five games before he chooses and decides on his eleven – which means a new system and more gambling.

Obviously there's pros and cons for keeping Kit and hiring someone else, so it has to be weighed up correctly. I think the best decision for the club is to keep Kit, he knows the youth academy like the back of his hand which is something the board want nurture over the next few years and he is getting the best out of Felix's misfits. Whoever takes over our club on a full-time basis will have an eventful January without a doubt. I expect quite a few faces to be shipped out on loan or sold to be honest.

Dino Fazlic and Tiago Casasola got run-outs in a friendly this week, so I'm excited to see if either can break into the first 11 as Fazlic looked great as the holding midfielder in pre-season and everyone knows how highly rated Casasola is. But players like Adil Chihi, Mark Fotheringham and a few of the youngsters will most likely be allowed to get game-time everywhere else. With this in mind, we may finally recruit another senior midfielder so we are not relying solely on Scott Parker.

But we have an international break now and if the committee are going to act, I predict it will be in the next two weeks. If not, Kit can work with the squad and iron out the tactics and game plan. Exciting times ahead for us.


http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/the_craven_corner_time_for_the_five_man_committee_to_give_kit_the_job_1_3802351

[WhiteJC]

 
Roberts' England Joy

Patrick Roberts played a starring role as England Under-19s kicked off their UEFA European Championship qualifying campaign with a 3-0 win over Belarus in Luxembourg on Friday afternoon.

Managed by Sean O'Driscoll – who made 175 appearances for Fulham in the 1980s – the Young Lions almost took the lead as early as the eighth minute when Dele Alli of MK Dons went close with a free-kick, although Belarus responded with a Yauheni Shauchenka effort requiring a save from Newcastle United's Freddie Woodman.

The breakthrough arrived on the half hour mark when Ruben Loftus-Cheek – who featured in both legs of the FA Youth Cup Final for Chelsea against Fulham last season – found the back of the net from close range.

Roberts went close to doubling the lead shortly before half time as he finished off an impressive run with a shot that forced a good save from Maksim Khutko, and the Whites forward was causing problems again just after the restart with a volley that flew wide.

The Belarus backline just couldn't deal with the 17-year-old and he grabbed a deserved goal on 53 minutes when he slotted the ball under Khutko.

And he was heavily involved in England's third, too, when he was taken down inside the area, with Middlesbrough's Bradley Fewster dispatching the subsequent penalty kick.

That was the final goal of the afternoon, with England next in action against Luxembourg on Sunday.

At senior level, Bryan Ruiz was involved in the full 90 minutes of a manic friendly match, as Costa Rica defeated Oman 4-3 away from home.

The visitors took an early lead through Alvaro Saborio, although they were pegged back through Raed Ibrahim Saleh's effort.

Los Ticos were back in front on the stroke of half time courtesy of a John Jairo Ruiz strike, before quick-fire goals after the restart from Juan Bustos and David Ramirez put them 4-1 up and into a seemingly unassailable lead.

But the hosts fought back through Mohammed Al-Shyabi and Emad, although they were unable to force an equaliser.

Back at Under-19 level, Noe Baba got another 90 minutes under his belt in the Republic of Ireland's 2-2 friendly draw in Sweden.

The visitors went into half-time with a firm advantage courtesy of goals from Eoghan Stokes and Ryan Manning, but they were pegged back after the interval through Shkelqim Krasniqi and Valmir Berisha efforts.

Ireland kick off their UEFA Championship Qualifiers next month.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/october/10/roberts-england-joy?

[WhiteJC]

 
Chelsea reject Fulham bid to bring Mark Schwarzer back on loan... as Petr Cech says he has 'no time to sit on the bench'
Fulham wanted to take former keeper Mark Schwarzer on emergency loan
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has rejected the Cottagers' bid
Former Blues No 1 Petr Cech has suggested he may have to leave
Belgium star Thibaut Courtois remains the club's first choice keeper

Chelsea have turned down a bid from Fulham to take veteran keeper Mark Schwarzer back to Craven Cottage.

The Australian arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2013 as reserve keeper, but has only made four appearances for the Blues and remains third in line behind Thibaut Courtois and Petr Cech.

The Cottagers have enquired about taking the 42-year-old on an emergency loan until the end of the season but Jose Mourinho has rejected the bid.


Veteran keeper Mark Schwarzer (L) has only made four appearances for Chelsea since arriving last season


Former Blues No 1 Petr Cech has hinted that he may have to leave Stamford Bridge to keep his national spot

The Chelsea boss may be concerned that he could lose former undisputed No 1 Cech in January after the Czech Republic international spoke of having 'no time' to sit on the bench if he wants to keep his place in the national team.

Speaking to a Czech radio station, Cech said: 'I have not spoken to anyone but I think they know me well enough at the club to know that the situation is definitely not the way I would imagine.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2788551/chelsea-reject-fulham-bid-bring-mark-schwarzer-loan.html#ixzz3Fokw7X13
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham youth chased by Arsenal and Liverpool stars for England U19s

Patrick Roberts was heavily involved as England beat Belarus 3-0.

Fulham youngster Patrick Roberts had a big game in England Under-19s 3-0 win over Belarus on Friday afternoon.

With the two countries kicking off their UEFA European Championship qualifying campaign, interested parties tuning in to spot who could be the next England star would undoubtedly have been impressed by 17-year-old Roberts.

The skilful youngster was a threat all game for England, scoring the second goal with a tidy finish and winning a penalty for his country's third. Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek opened the scoring for England.

The forward is likely to have been known to many spectators, having made his Premier League debut at the tail end of Fulham's disappointing relegation season earlier this year, and though the Cottagers have struggled in the Championship this season, Roberts has continued to look a real prospect.

It has meant increased interest in the player from some of the top sides in the country, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United all being credited with an interest in a young man held up as one of the country's brightest talents.

The nation's Under-19 side, managed by Fulham legend Sean O'Driscoll next face Luxembourg on Sunday, and Roberts will once more be eager to impress.


http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/10/10/fulham-youth-chased-by-arsenal-and-liverpool-stars-for-england-u/?

[ScalleysDad]

The Craven Corner: Time for the five man committee to give Kit the job?

Fulham caretaker manager Kit Symons (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Five man committee and still no permanent manager. So what should the club do?

Well, I'll be honest with you in the fact that I was hoping we'd sign a Tony Pulis or Steve Clarke type of manager. Old, experienced and builds teams up from a solid foundation of a tight defence. But, as the games have come thick and fast Kit Symons has impressed me and I can't fault what he has done in a short time. We've picked up some points and we could have snatched something from the Middlesbrough game if we had taken our chances.

The key factor that Kit has brought to our club is the happiness and enjoyment element that the players are clearly revelling in. All players have complimented the training setup and the way Kit has conducted his sessions – something we never heard about Felix. Not only that, but we finally can guess the starting 11 as it's clear we have a structure, system and spine in place under Kit Symons. This will only reap benefits for everyone involved with the team understanding how to play alongside each other forming strong working relationships. So, would it be right if we hired someone else?

Well, this is a hard situation. Obviously we take a gamble on Kit and give him a full-time position which hasn't had previously or we hire a new manager who's going to take four or five games before he chooses and decides on his eleven – which means a new system and more gambling.

Obviously there's pros and cons for keeping Kit and hiring someone else, so it has to be weighed up correctly. I think the best decision for the club is to keep Kit, he knows the youth academy like the back of his hand which is something the board want nurture over the next few years and he is getting the best out of Felix's misfits. Whoever takes over our club on a full-time basis will have an eventful January without a doubt. I expect quite a few faces to be shipped out on loan or sold to be honest.

Dino Fazlic and Tiago Casasola got run-outs in a friendly this week, so I'm excited to see if either can break into the first 11 as Fazlic looked great as the holding midfielder in pre-season and everyone knows how highly rated Casasola is. But players like Adil Chihi, Mark Fotheringham and a few of the youngsters will most likely be allowed to get game-time everywhere else. With this in mind, we may finally recruit another senior midfielder so we are not relying solely on Scott Parker.

But we have an international break now and if the committee are going to act, I predict it will be in the next two weeks. If not, Kit can work with the squad and iron out the tactics and game plan. Exciting times ahead for us.


http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/the_craven_corner_time_for_the_five_man_committee_to_give_kit_the_job_1_3802351

Surely the rollercoaster, and in some circles the circus, cannot be allowed to continue and Kit has to get his chance. The heavy cloud of gloom has been lifted off the Club, the players seem content, we have the changes we wanted and no other candidate seems to tick all the boxes. Surely we won't shoot ourselves again ................................

[alfie]

The Craven Corner: Time for the five man committee to give Kit the job?

Fulham caretaker manager Kit Symons (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Five man committee and still no permanent manager. So what should the club do?

Well, I'll be honest with you in the fact that I was hoping we'd sign a Tony Pulis or Steve Clarke type of manager. Old, experienced and builds teams up from a solid foundation of a tight defence. But, as the games have come thick and fast Kit Symons has impressed me and I can't fault what he has done in a short time. We've picked up some points and we could have snatched something from the Middlesbrough game if we had taken our chances.

The key factor that Kit has brought to our club is the happiness and enjoyment element that the players are clearly revelling in. All players have complimented the training setup and the way Kit has conducted his sessions – something we never heard about Felix. Not only that, but we finally can guess the starting 11 as it's clear we have a structure, system and spine in place under Kit Symons. This will only reap benefits for everyone involved with the team understanding how to play alongside each other forming strong working relationships. So, would it be right if we hired someone else?

Well, this is a hard situation. Obviously we take a gamble on Kit and give him a full-time position which hasn't had previously or we hire a new manager who's going to take four or five games before he chooses and decides on his eleven – which means a new system and more gambling.

Obviously there's pros and cons for keeping Kit and hiring someone else, so it has to be weighed up correctly. I think the best decision for the club is to keep Kit, he knows the youth academy like the back of his hand which is something the board want nurture over the next few years and he is getting the best out of Felix's misfits. Whoever takes over our club on a full-time basis will have an eventful January without a doubt. I expect quite a few faces to be shipped out on loan or sold to be honest.

Dino Fazlic and Tiago Casasola got run-outs in a friendly this week, so I'm excited to see if either can break into the first 11 as Fazlic looked great as the holding midfielder in pre-season and everyone knows how highly rated Casasola is. But players like Adil Chihi, Mark Fotheringham and a few of the youngsters will most likely be allowed to get game-time everywhere else. With this in mind, we may finally recruit another senior midfielder so we are not relying solely on Scott Parker.

But we have an international break now and if the committee are going to act, I predict it will be in the next two weeks. If not, Kit can work with the squad and iron out the tactics and game plan. Exciting times ahead for us.


http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/the_craven_corner_time_for_the_five_man_committee_to_give_kit_the_job_1_3802351

Surely the rollercoaster, and in some circles the circus, cannot be allowed to continue and Kit has to get his chance. The heavy cloud of gloom has been lifted off the Club, the players seem content, we have the changes we wanted and no other candidate seems to tick all the boxes. Surely we won't shoot ourselves again ................................

Well as most people on here seem to think that Khan does not know anything about football he has put in place 5 football people (well 4 and 1/2) who supposedly know Fulham's requirements and set up so well, 2 of them who most FFC supporters consider to be Legends, so whoever they decided is most suitable should be the person for the job, is this not what us supporters want?.
Although I guess whoever they suggest someone on here will be totally against it.