Thursday Fulham Stuff (06/11/14)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Huddersfield Town boss Chris Powell gears up for Fulham trip

Defeat at Derby fuels push for a capital return at the Cottage

Chris Powell picked over Huddersfield Town's first defeat in eight games and said: "It's disappointing, but we'll dust ourselves down and bounce back."

Town dropped to 15th in the Championship after their 3-2 defeat at Derby County, where Harry Bunn and skipper Mark Hudson scored.

Derby led 1-0 through Jordan Ibe, then 3-1 through Johnny Russell, who scored in first-half stoppage time, and Simon Dawkins.

"We didn't have the greatest of starts, but we played ourselves back into it and Harry Bunn scored a really good equaliser," said Powell.

"We just needed to get to half-time on level terms. Their second looked like a controversial goal (there were claims of an offside in the build-up) but fair play to the officials, they got it right.

"It meant we went in at 2-1 down when 1-1 would have given us a good platform. We had some good chances in the second half, but it wasn't to be.

"We have been brave and gone with two strikers (Nahki Wells and Grant Holt). It could have paid off, but it hasn't.

"Now we have to respond in the right way and make sure we are ready to go to Fulham on Saturday."


http://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/huddersfield-town-boss-chris-powell-8051080?

[WhiteJC]

 
Match Officials Appointment: Fulham vs Huddersfield Town (League)

Match referee for the trip to Fulham is Andy Woolmer.



Referee: Mr Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire)
Assistant: Mr Mark Astley (Manchester)
Assistant: Mr Wayne Barratt (Worcestershire)
Fourth Official: Mr Wade Norcott (Essex)


2014/2015 Stats (per game average)
Games: 14
Yellow Cards: 41 (2.93)
Red Cards: 0 (0.00)

2014/2015 Championship Stats (per game average)
Games: 4
Yellow Cards: 15 (3.75)
Red Cards: 0 (0.00)

2013/2014 Stats (per game average)
Games: 30
Yellow Cards: 86 (2.87)
Red Cards: 2 (0.07)

Last HTAFC Match: Saturday April 21, 2012, Huddersfield Town 1-0 Scunthorpe United (League One).
Last FFC Match: No Previous Match

http://barmyarmyuk.tumblr.com/post/101852351817/14-15-officials-fulham-away?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 2-2 Blackpool: Seasiders denied as Bryan Ruiz scores straight from a corner
Blackpool were on course for their second win of the season
But Anthony McMahon was sent off with the visitors leading 2-0
Goals from Scott Parker and Bryan Ruiz earned the home side a point

Fulham fought back from two goals down against ten man Blackpool to extend their unbeaten run in the Championship to five games.

But boos accompanied the final whistle at Craven Cottage. It did not feel like a success for the home side,who dominated completely after Blackpool's Tony McMahon was sent off in the first half but failed to find a winner.

Manager Kit Symons, previously caretaker manager but enjoying his first game at Craven Cottage since being appointed on a permanent basis, conceded it was an opportunity missed.


Bryan Ruiz scores straight from a corner to earn Fulham a point late on against Blackpool


Blackpool raced into a 2-0 lead with Jacob Murphy (centre) scoring the Seasiders' second

'It's two points dropped for me,' he said, 'We threw the proverbial kitchen sink at them.'

Joe Lewis was the hero of the night for the visitors. The keeper made several vital saves to give his side their first point in five games and just their seventh of the season.

Blackpool manager Lee Clark, who faces a tough job to rescue the seasiders' season after taking over this week hailed his side's 'heroic' second half display.

'The second half my lads were heroic,' he said, 'I don't think many better teams in this league have more talent than fulham and we did amazingly well. Joe made some brilliant saves.'

But for a moment of madness from captain McMahon - who saw red for lashing out at Hugo Rodallega off the ball - Blackpool might have taken all three points.

'I'll be having a conversation with him,' said Clark, 'I've admired from afar and like him even more since I've got to work with him but even if hasn't made contact it's not good. I haven't spoken to him yet that's how he knows I'm annoyed.'

Most of the visiting fans had journeyed several hours to support their side in the bracing cold.


Blackpool's Tony McMahon (right) protests his innocence after being sent off by referee Robert Madley


McMahon leaves the pitch after being sent off and would watch his side throw away a two-goal lead


Scott Parker of Fulham celebrates scoring a goal with team-mates after reducing Fulham's deficit

But within 90 seconds they were warmed by the sight of Ishmael Miller putting the seasiders ahead. Donervon Daniels played a ball into the box which Miller controlled with his chest before coolly poking past Marcus Bettinelli into the bottom corner with his left foot.

The 6ft3in Miller, built like a heavyweight boxer, celebrated his goal with a solo samba dance.

He showed off his quick feet again in the 26th minute, hurtling into the box, sending Dan Burn the wrong and evading another two Fulham defenders then pulling the ball back to leave Jacob Murphy to tap in from five yards out. The 19 year old winger on loan from Norwich, impressed on his Blackpool debut. Murphy, an England under-20 international whose twin brother Josh remains at Norwich, is on a three month deal which the seasiders might be keen to extend.

Just minutes short of the interval Captain McMahon lost his head and lashed out at Hugo Rodallega off the ball and was shown red by referee Robert Madley, acting on information from his linesman. Blackpool manager Lee Clark asked for an explanation from the officials as they headed down the tunnel at half time.

Scott Parker pulled one back in first half stoppage time from a Moussa Dembele corner. A scuffed clearance by Daniels fell kindly to him and the 34-year-old former England midfielder beat keeper Lewis with a low drive into the near corner.

The cottagers dominated for most of the second half as they attempted to take advantage of their extra man against a tiring Blackpool.
Joe Lewis kept the home side out with a few blockbuster saves, notably of a powerful George Williams effort from 20 yards and to deny Nikolay Bodurov.

Eventually, Lewis could keep them out no longer. He was helpless as he punched the ball into his own net from a Bryan Ruiz corner in the 73rd minute, although he appeared to have been pushed.

'That was a definite foul for me,' said Clark.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2822644/Fulham-2-2-Blackpool-Seasiders-denied-death-Bryan-Ruiz-leveller.html#ixzz3IGlo0NQr
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Sky Bet Championship: Fulham hit back to earn 2-2 draw with 10-man Blackpool

Fulham fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 Sky Bet Championship draw with 10-man Blackpool at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.

Lee Clark came away with a first point as Seasiders boss on his return to Fulham following the draw in west London.

But the former Cottagers midfielder watched his new side blow the chance of only their second win of the season thanks to a needless red card for captain Tony McMahon.

Clark, whose side kicked off eight points adrift at the foot of the table, looked set to steal his old Fulham team-mate Kit Symons' thunder on his first home match since being named permanent manager.

Blackpool raced into a 2-0 lead courtesy of goals from Ishmael Miller and Jacob Murphy, only to go down to 10 men thanks to McMahon's moment of madness five minutes before the break.

Scott Parker pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage time, yet despite the inevitable second-half onslaught Fulham could only muster an equaliser when Bryan Ruiz's corner flew straight in.

Clark, a tenacious midfielder who played 149 games over six successful years for Fulham, was given as warm a reception as Symons on his first visit back to the Cottage as a manager.

But that welcome quickly evaporated when Miller fired Blackpool into the lead with just 90 seconds on the clock.

Donervan Daniels clipped a hopeful ball into the box and Fulham defender Nikolay Bodurov misjudged the flight, allowing Miller to control on his chest before slotting past home goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.

And the hosts found themselves two down when Miller was allowed to reach the byline before crossing for Norwich loanee Murphy to tap in a debut goal.

However, in the 40th minute the match appeared to swing in Fulham's favour the moment McMahon petulantly swung his leg at Hugo Rodallega after both contested a drop-ball.

Referee Robert Madley - seemingly on the advice of one of his assistants - stopped play after a few seconds and showed the defender a straight red card.

And as the first half entered stoppage time Fulham halved the deficit - Daniels' clearance falling to Rodallega, who played in Parker for a neat finish inside the near post.

It was predictably one-way traffic in the second half but Fulham were continually frustrated as Rodallega volleyed over, George Williams side-footed wide and Lewis made stunning saves to deny Elsad Zverotic and Bodurov.

But Blackpool's brave rearguard was breached in the 72nd minute when Lewis, under pressure from Dan Burn, let Ruiz's corner sneak straight in at his near post.

Fulham pressed for a winner but Blackpool somehow held out with Zverotic blazing over and Lewis saving Ruiz's low drive two minutes from time to ensure a point from Clark's second match in charge.


http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/313957/report?

[WhiteJC]

 
Result: Freak Bryan Ruiz goal earns Fulham draw against 10-man Blackpool

Fulham fought back from two goals down to deny 10-man Blackpool a first away win this season in the Championship, thanks to a freak Bryan Ruiz equaliser.

Blackpool were ahead after 90 seconds when a long ball from Donervon Daniels was neatly brought down by Ishmael Miller before the ex-Yeovil Town forward fired past Marcus Bettinelli.

The Tangerines, who came into the game with only six points to their name, almost doubled their advantage on five minutes as Miller found space amongst a shell-shocked Fulham defence, but his shot was cleared away.

Fulham forward Hugo Rodallega and Moussa Dembele did bring saves out of keeper Joe Lewis, but the visitors managed to extend their advantage midway through the first period when the ever-threatening Miller set up debutant Jacob Murphy, who scored from close range.

Blackpool looked to have built a comfortable lead, but faced a tough task to hold on when Tony McMahon was given a red card for fighting on 41 minutes.

His sending-off appeared to change the course of the game as Fulham pulled a goal back before the half-time whistle through captain Scott Parker.

After the restart, Fulham dominated possession and almost found an equaliser, but Lewis was on hand to keep out efforts from Elsad Zverotic and George Williams.

The Cottagers did get back on level terms with 17 minutes remaining through a freak goal as Ruiz's in-swinging corner deceived Lewis in flight and landed in the Blackpool net.

Fulham continued to pile pressure on the Tangerines' defence as they sought a winning goal, but Zverotic and Ruiz were both denied by Lewis and Blackpool held on for a point.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/result/result-freak-ruiz-goal-earns-fulham-draw_186747.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham and Blackpool bosses agree on game-changing sending off after thrilling draw


Blackpool manager Lee Clark alongside Kit Symons (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
Lee Clark laid the blame for Blackpool's failure to pick up only their second win of the season squarely at the foot of his captain Tony McMahon.

Championship bottom side Blackpool were 2-0 up at Fulham thanks to goals early from Ishmael Miller and Jacob Murphy.

But five minutes before half-time McMahon was needlessly sent off for aiming a petulant kick at Hugo Rodallega as both contested a drop-ball.

That ridiculous swing of the boot seemed to swing the game in Fulham's favour, especially when Scott Parker pulled one back in first-half stoppage time.

But the 10 men were breached only once in the second half when Bryan Ruiz's corner flew straight in as Blackpool held out for a 2-2 draw, their first point since Clark took over as Seasiders boss.

Nevertheless, former Fulham midfielder Clark blasted: "I've seen the footage and Tony had a lash out. I don't know if he's made contact but if the referee sees that he's left with no option. It was a killer for us really, we were in control of the game.

"I haven't spoken to him yet - that's how he knows I'm not happy. We'll be having a conversation. He's an experienced player, he's the captain and he can't get involved in that, even if he hasn't made contact.

"It's difficult to say we would have gone on to win, but we were controlling the game so you'd like to think there was a strong possibility. But the performance is key for me, we have started building blocks now and we have got a point."

Fulham were caught napping with just 90 seconds on the clock when Nikolay Bodurov misjudged the flight of the ball, allowing Miller to control on his chest before slotting past home goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.

And the hosts found themselves two down when Miller was allowed to reach the byline before crossing for Norwich loanee Murphy to tap in a debut goal.

However, following McMahon's moment of madness Fulham halved the deficit when Rodallega played in Parker for a neat finish inside the near post.

Blackpool goalkeeper Joe Lewis performed heroics for his side, making stunning saves from Elsad Zverotic and Bodurov.

But their brave rearguard was breached in the 72nd minute when Lewis, under pressure from Dan Burn, let Ruiz's corner sneak straight in at his near post.

Clark felt Burn had fouled his keeper while opposite number Kit Symons, in his first home match since being named permanent Fulham manager, was also frustrated at the outcome.

"I would say the sending-off changed the game," said Symons.

"But we couldn't have been as bad in the second half regardless. The first half was probably as bad as we have been since I took over.

"But with them being down to 10 men and us pulling one back at half-time we should have gone on to win the game. It's definitely two points dropped for me."


http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/fulham_and_blackpool_bosses_agree_on_game_changing_sending_off_after_thrilling_draw_1_3835502

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham vs Blackpool match report: Bryan Ruiz rescue for Fulham after Lee Clark takes lead



Fulham 2 Blackpool 2

After the Championship's October cull of managers, Fulham, Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers have been thriving anew while Blackpool continued to struggle.

Lee Clark oversaw a small change of fortune for the bottom club, although when they led 2-0 inside 25 minutes even greater things seemed possible.

In a dramatic few minutes just before half-time, however, they had captain Tony McMahon sent off and conceded a goal to Scott Parker, after which it was only ever a question of hanging on. Unsurprisingly the home side dominated the second half, without managing more than an equaliser by Bryan Ruiz. It left Kit Symons's side a point above the relegation places with Blackpool still nine points behind them.

In only the second minute the burly, much travelled striker Ishmael Miller chested down a long cross from Donervon Daniels and was allowed to turn and poke a low shot past Marcus Bettinelli.

After 25 minutes Miller received even less opposition as he ambled to the byline and prodded over a low cross for Jacob Murphy to tap in. But the Thamesside tide turned in the four minutes before half-time when McMahon was dismissed for appearing to lash out at Hugo Rodallega,

Symons felt the first half was the poorest Fulham had played since he took charge of the first team and that against ten men they should have gone on to win the game.

"The goalkeeper had an inspired game but we had enough quality to have taken some more chances," he said.

His former Fulham team-mate Clark was upset with his captain McMahon for a loss of discipline. "He's an experienced player and we can't get involved in stuff like that.

"We were in control of the game and it was a killer for us. Tony had a lash out and I don't know if he made contact but it probably left the referee with no option.

"But in the second half my lads were heroes."


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/fulham-vs-blackpool-match-report-bryan-ruiz-rescue-for-fulham-after-lee-clark-takes-lead-9842815.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss slates worst performance since taking over

Manager angry with poor showing against Lee Clark's side

Kit Symons admitted it was the worst performance since he took charge after Fulham were held by basement-boys Blackpool.

Goals from Scott Parker and Bryan Ruiz rescued a point for the Cottagers against the struggling Seasiders, who blew a 2-0 lead after skipper Tony McMahon's red card.

Fulham dominated the second-half but were unable to find a winner as Lee Clark's side held on for a deserved draw.

Symons said: "The first-half was as poor as we've played since I took over. The defending for the goals was poor to say the least and we didn't pass the ball with any tempo.


Point saver: Bryan Ruiz scores
"The sending-off changed the game. Second-half we were on the front foot and threw the kitchen sink at them. We have enough quality to be converting those chances. It's two points dropped."

Fulham have leaked 10 goals in their last three outings and Symons knows they have to shore up a leaky defence to climb the table.

He added: "It's something we want to address and cut down. As a former centre-half and a manager you certainly wouldn't be pleased."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-slates-worst-performance-8058710?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss Kit Symons up for Championship Manager of the Month award

Fulham boss Kit Symons has been nominated for October's Manager of the Month award in the Championship.

The Welshman, who was recently given the role on a permanent basis after a successful spell as caretaker manager, guided the Cottagers to three wins from five matches last month.

Bournemouth's Eddie Howe is also among the nominees as four consecutive victories - including an 8-0 thrashing of Birmingham City - established the Cherries as serious promotion contenders.

Huddersfield Town manager Chris Powell takes his place on the shortlist as an unbeaten month saw the in-form Terriers pull themselves away from danger and towards the top half of the standings.

Finally, Blackburn Rovers's Gary Bowyer completes the group of nominees after steering his side towards the top six thanks to two wins and two draws from four matches.

The winner is due to be announced on Friday morning.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/symons-up-for-manager-of-the-month-award_186414.html

[Mince n Tatties]

Huddersfield Town boss Chris Powell gears up for Fulham trip

Defeat at Derby fuels push for a capital return at the Cottage

Chris Powell picked over Huddersfield Town's first defeat in eight games and said: "It's disappointing, but we'll dust ourselves down and bounce back."

Town dropped to 15th in the Championship after their 3-2 defeat at Derby County, where Harry Bunn and skipper Mark Hudson scored.

Derby led 1-0 through Jordan Ibe, then 3-1 through Johnny Russell, who scored in first-half stoppage time, and Simon Dawkins.

"We didn't have the greatest of starts, but we played ourselves back into it and Harry Bunn scored a really good equaliser," said Powell.

"We just needed to get to half-time on level terms. Their second looked like a controversial goal (there were claims of an offside in the build-up) but fair play to the officials, they got it right.

"It meant we went in at 2-1 down when 1-1 would have given us a good platform. We had some good chances in the second half, but it wasn't to be.

"We have been brave and gone with two strikers (Nahki Wells and Grant Holt). It could have paid off, but it hasn't.

"Now we have to respond in the right way and make sure we are ready to go to Fulham on Saturday."


http://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/huddersfield-town-boss-chris-powell-8051080?

Welcome back JC...Doesnt their Badge make our one look even more ridiculous.
Wish we would go back to the old one.

[Cottage Industry]

Thursday Fulham Stuff

In the days that you have been absent from this message board you have been sorely missed by many of us, and I am sure I speak for nearly everyone.
Thank you for your magnificent coverage and the research that goes with it.

Cottage Industry

[Neil D]

Idem.