Thursday Fulham Stuff (27/11/14)...

[WhiteJC]

 
That Man Bent?
   
This weekend, Fulham make the trip to the south-coast to take on Brighton and Hove Albion.

As well as giving Kit Symons the chance to take the three points we need to climb the table those who make the trip will be able to reacquaint themselves with David Stockdale, our keeper who left Craven Cottage in the summer to try his luck elsewhere.

However, there could also be a gremlin lurking in the works as it is being reported in the tabloid press this morning that a certain Darren Bent could be in the oppositions starting eleven.

Bent, who spent a season at Craven Cottage whereby he didn`t do himself justice, has joined the south coast club on loan.

Now whether he`ll start against us remains to be seen but surely he won`t will he!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=377971#ixzz3KFiLcGww

[WhiteJC]

 
Inside The Amex Stadium

Ahead of Saturday's meeting at the Amex Stadium, Brighton & Hove Albion season ticket holder Kel Verbiest provides some insight into his team.


It's been a tough start to the season for Brighton – what are your thoughts on how the team has fared so far?

As you've said, it's been a tough start for us this season, something that Fulham fans can relate to. The team have been struggling as of late, trying to cope with the loss of players like Leonardo Ulloa and Will Buckley, as well as adapting to a different style of play with new manager Sami Hyypia. We've had some good performances and some terrible performances in the first few months of the new season. We're just incredibly inconsistent and need to get a string of results together. Not to be too downhearted on the team, we've got players with a lot of promise and when we play well, we play really well.

What's a realistic target for you come the end of the season?

At the moment, mid-table would be a great finish but the Championship only really gets serious from December onwards. I'm not going to go overboard and say we'll end up in a Play-Off place but you never do know. I'd be happy with 10th at the moment.


Which Brighton players should Fulham be wary of?

This is a tough question to answer as I don't think there are many, if any, truly stand-out players at the moment. That said, Liverpool loanee Joao Teixeira has some incredible talent locked away in his feet. Top scorer Lewis Dunk (it pains me to mention he's our centre-back and top scorer) has been finding the net this season. Right-back Bruno is known to score from time to time and has a great defensive mind on him. An outside shout would be Sam Baldock. He's new to the club but has been making many attacking runs over the last few games, which shows he's finding his feet at Brighton and it won't be long until he starts scoring...hopefully!

And which Fulham players do you expect to cause you problems?

Hugo Rodallega. He's quick, can take on players and can blast a shot in when he wants to.


What's the best and worst things about a trip to the Amex?

The Amex is a great stadium, as many away fans have said, and we really do have great pies! Easily the worst thing about an away day to the Amex is the train there. Falmer isn't a big station and the trains are always packed to bursting point, but that's only 10 minutes of your day. Fulham fans will enjoy it for sure.

Can you recommend a good place for away fans to get a drink prior to the game?

Brighton is full of pubs, and all of them are great places to go. Most of the pubs near the station are 'Home fans only' pubs but places like The Prince Albert, just down Trafalgar Street, is open for both sets of fans. Brighton supporters are a good bunch and love a friendly chat with the opposition so I wouldn't be worried about any animosity. Most pubs in Brighton are easy to walk to – it depends on what mood you're in. If you want to drink loads and be loud, then maybe hit a Wetherspoons for cheap booze. For a decent atmosphere pre-game, there are plenty of pubs in the Laines that will cater.

What score prediction are you going for?

I think I'll go positive for the weekend and pick out a 2-1 for Brighton. I don't think clean sheets are going to happen but Brighton are going to take a lot of inspiration from the close 3-3 draw against Norwich last week and claim the win.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/november/26/inside-the-amex-stadium?

[WhiteJC]

 
CONFIRMED: Aston Villa flop Darren Bent joins Brighton on loan... and he could face Fulham!

FORMER Tottenham and Aston Villa flop Darren Bent has completed a move to Brighton on loan.

Bent passed a medical at the club's training ground earlier today and is in line to make his debut against his old club Fulham, where he spent most of last season on loan.

The 30-year-old former England international has signed for the Championship outfit on an initial one-month deal.

"We are delighted to welcome Darren to the club, and I hope he will score plenty of goals for us during his time with us," Brighton manager Sami Hyypia told the club's official website.

"His record speaks for itself. He is a top-class striker with more than 100 Premier League goals with Charlton, Spurs, Sunderland and Aston Villa.

"Three years ago he was a regular in the England squad under Fabio Capello; there is no doubting his ability to score goals.

"He also wants to play regular games and that is evident in his willingness to step down from the Premier League to the Championship."

Bent, who cost Villa £18m when he moved from Sunderland in 2011, failed to score in eight appearances for Paul Lambert's side last season.



http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/540293/Aston-Villa-Darren-Bent-Brighton-loan

[WhiteJC]

 
Millwall thwarted by Fulham in fresh attempt to sign Smith

MILLWALL have failed in a fresh attempt to sign long-term target Matt Smith.

Smith was the primary focus of Ian Holloway's summer recruitment drive but a bizarre turn of events saw the striker sign a new contract with Leeds United before he joined Fulham.

But the 25-year-old has made just three appearances for the Cottagers since then – and was sent off 18 minutes into his debut in September.

Holloway has an opening in his forward department after sending Mathias Ranegie back to Watford and made contact with Fulham to enquire about a loan deal for Smith.

The deadline for loan signings in the Football League passes tomorrow.

But the west London club have refused Millwall's request because they don't want to lend a player to a divisional rival.

Smith could now join Bristol City in League One, leaving Holloway frustrated in his search for a new addition.


http://www.newsatden.co.uk/43228-millwall-thwarted-by-fulham-in-fresh-attempt-to-sign-smith.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Bristol City set to sign ex-Leeds United striker on loan

Sky Bet League One side Bristol City are in talks to sign Fulham striker Matt Smith on loan, according to FLW sources.

The 25-year-old striker signed a three-year-deal at Craven Cottage in September, and joined fellow Leeds striker Ross McCormack to the club.

The 6ft 6 striker joined Leeds United from Oldham Athletic in 2013, and he went on to make over 40 appearances for the Yorkshire club, scoring 12 goals.

Smith has found playing time somewhat hard to get at Craven Cottage, with Fulham boss Kit Symons opting for a forward partnership of Ross McCormack and Hugo Rodellega.

Bristol City are currently top of Sky Bet League One, after what has been an impressive start to the season for Steve Cotterill's men.

The League One club have been on the search for a new striker since the departure of Sam Baldock to Brighton and Hove Albion in the last transfer window., and FLW understands Cotterill is targeting a short-term loan deal for Smith before the deadline tomorrow.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/bristol-city-set-to-sign-ex-leeds-united-striker-on-loan/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Loan Round-Up

Ryan Tunnicliffe helped turn the tide as Blackburn came back from a goal down to defeat Leeds United 2-1 at Ewood Park.

With Rovers trailing their visitors 1-0 after Souleymane Doukara's 33rd minute close-range strike, Tunnicliffe was introduced for Lee Williams on 65 minutes.

Jordan Rhodes levelled the scores on 71 minutes but Tom Cairney's 82nd minute red card for a second bookable offence put Gary Bowyer's side down to ten men.

Despite the setback, the home side completed the comeback as Rhodes doubled his tally from the penalty spot on 88 minutes, taking Blackburn into the Sky Bet Championship playoff spots in sixth place.

Marcello Trotta was introduced as a 63rd minute substitute with Barnsley two goals down against Chesterfield at the Proact Stadium.

League One's top marksman Eoin Doyle netted his 15th and 16th goals of the season on 42 and 58 minutes. Trotta's arrival, in place of James Bailey, preceded Keith Treacy's 85th minute consolation but the Spirites ran out 2-1 winners.


Ryan Williams was not selected in the Barnsley squad, in his first game back after his appearances for Australia Under-23s in a four-nation tournament in China last week.

In League Two action, Stephen Arthurworrey and Jack Grimmer both played 90 minutes in roller-coaster matches for Yeovil Town and Shrewsbury Town respectively.

Yeovil launched a late comeback at Notts County after the home side led through Michael Petrasso's 63rd minute goal, despite Gary Jones' 29th minute red card.

Arthurworrey was shown a yellow card on 70 minutes before the late drama, when Coventry City loanee Jordan Clarke struck on 84 and 88 minutes to swing the game and clinch a 2-1 victory for the Glovers.

Grimmer was on the other end of a turnaround, with Shrewbury going into half-time two goals to the good against Exeter City, through James Collins' 13th and 34th minute efforts at St James Park.

But the Grecians flipped the game on its head in the second half to win 3-2. Tom Nicholls hit back a minute after the break, David Wheeler equalised on 75 minutes and Nicholls scored again, a 90th-minute winner, to leave the Shrews facing a long trip home empty-handed.

Bristol Rovers saw a two-goal lead slip at Chester FC in the Vanarama Conference Premier after substituting Lyle Della Verde in the 66th minute for Jake Gosling.

Nathan Blissett and Tom Parkes' goals on 51 and 58 minutes gave the Pirates the advantage, but Rhys Oates and Matty Hughes' efforts on 68 and 70 minutes brought the scores back level and it finished 2-2.

On the continent, Alexander Kačaniklić featured for 90 minutes in FC Copenhagen's 1-0 victory over Silkeborg at Telia Parken.

Nicolai Jørgensen scored the decisive goal in the 36th minute. The Swedish international winger was withdrawn in stoppage time for Daniel Amartey, as the Lions held on to stay third in the Danish Superligaen.

Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was an unused substitute in AS Monaco's 2-2 draw with SM Caen at Stade Louis II.

Olympiacos return from a two-week fixture break on Wednesday as Kostas Mitroglou and co. travel to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League to play last year's finalists, with both teams fighting to qualify for the knock-out phases as first host second in Group A.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/november/24/loan-round-up?

[WhiteJC]

 
LDV Assists Rovers Winner

Lyle Della Verde played 90 minutes on Tuesday as Bristol Rovers claimed an impressive 2-1 victory over Vanarama Conference leaders Barnet at the Memorial Stadium.

Matty Taylor had put the hosts in front with just four minutes played when he collected a ball over the top and fired beyond Barnet's debutant on-loan West Ham United goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel at his near post.

Nathan Blissett almost doubled Rovers' advantage only to see his overhead kick cleared off the line by Sam Togwell, before a Della Verde run culminated in a shooting opportunity for Taylor who couldn't quite get his strike away in time.

The Pirates were made to pay for their missed chances seven minutes before the break when Luisma Villa found the net with a 30-yard free-kick.

Both sides had chances to grab all three points in the second half but it was Rovers who managed it when Della Verde's stoppage time corner was turned in by Angelo Balanta.

The result saw Bristol Rovers move up into the Conference Play-Off zone, eight points behind Barnet who remain top.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/november/26/ldv-assists-rovers-winner?

[WhiteJC]

 
Brighton Sold Out

The Club can confirm that all away tickets have now been sold for Saturday's game against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.

Fulham took the full allocation of tickets and therefore the team will be backed by more than 3,000 Whites supporters at the weekend!

On behalf of Kit and the boys, thank you, as ever, for your fantastic support.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/november/26/brighton-sold-out?

[WhiteJC]

 
Pre Match report for the Fulham game - Saturday, 29th November 2014

Brighton v Fulham

Brighton fans are BENT on a return to winning ways and face prospect of another on-loan capture doing it for us and maybe for himself again too.


FULHAM last six seasons; (7, 12, 8, 9, 12, 19 @ Premiership) - Whites took 11 points from their last 9 matches, unbeaten in the final 4 versus top-half clubs.
14/15 ODDS from go; title 9/1, promotion 3/1, relegation 33/1 - anybody who took up the long shot (against the drop) is sitting tight well into 2015.
EXPECTATION; owner Shahid Khan has tasked the squad with securing a top-six finish.
That requires an average of 2pt/gm until end of the season - equivalent to automatic promotion type results.

KIT SYMONS has gotten Cottagers up from foot of the table and into the drop zone scrum, so in some ways has tasted success already. As their U21 coach he took over from failed Bundesliga winner Felix Magath.
Symons said, +the poor start we had, taking just one point from 21, gives us a lot of work to do+

INS; Matt Smith, Ross McCormack (Leeds), Adam Taggart, Tim Hoogland (Schalke), Shaun Hutchinson (Motherwell), Kay Vosser (Basel), Konstantinos Stafylidis (Leverkusen loan), Adil Chilhi (Cologne), Thomas Eisfeld (Arsenal), Nikolav Bodurov (Litex).

CUP RECORD; Capital One Cup R4, lost at home to Derby 2-5. R3, beat Doncaster 2-1 (H). R2, won @ Brentford 0-1. R1 - bye.

14/15 AWAY FORM; P9 W1 D2 L6 F14 A26 Po17 = 0.55pt/gm - projecting this right thru to May gives approx merely 13pts.
REVERSE SEQUENCE; ldd lwl lll - well, the only way is up for ongoing future series. It has to be, the division is so concentrated. A change of coach has revealed a change in results.

BRENTFORD 2-1, this new west London derby was going to the ex-elite outfit, when up-river upstarts twice netted very late to land the big fish.
WIGAN 3-3, Kit Symons said, +to be 3-2 down and a man light inside the last 10 minutes, you would take a point, so that is what we will be focussing on+
ROTHERHAM 3-3, in a free-scoring contest, the metropolitan mob equalised three times within five minutes of going behind - finally restoring parity in stoppage.

MIDDLESBRO 2-0, KS said, +we had three gilt edged chances at 1-0 and at least one would have gone in on another day+
BIRMINGHAM 1-2, striker Hugo Rodallega said, +this is important because in the last two or three months we did not feel good. Now Kit Symons has come in and we are getting better+
FOREST 5-3, Felix Magath said, +this result was a catastrophe for us+ He was right - and duly sacked afterwards!

READING 3-0, FM said, +I care for the fans. They support us very well but it was terrible what happened today+
DERBY 5-1, +I am certain I can do this job. But circumstances can change in football and it is results that will change them for a manager+
IPSWICH 2-1, +it was tough for the young players we had on the pitch. We conceded unnecessary goals but I was pleased with the performance+


HUGO RODALLEGA said, +last season everyone was down about relegation. Now it is different and we have to carry on winning and try to move up the table, that is the objective. I have always played in the Premier League. I want to come back, so does everyone in the team+

KIT SYMONS said, +the top six is possible. It is a big ask where we come from but my aim is to improve every week. If we can do that then who knows where it will take you. The league is wide open. For us to get there we need to go on a good run which is a monumental task. People have had a tough time for different reasons and Hugo is one of them. The response from everyone has been fantastic. I preach to them about trust, honesty and belief. We have got some good players and some of the link-up play is a joy to watch at times+


When you compare Kit Symons with Sami Hyypia, in terms of the target they are both required to aim for, there appears little difference overall.
Both are attempting to turn around flagging fortunes, so perhaps the discrepancy is; that problems were of ones own making, whilst the other inherited perceived negativity.
Motivating their men will further be required and you wonder if residual influence of previous harsh Germanic regimes is still apparent, or in rehab as delivering English league football from now on.

Fatmanslims


http://www.brightonfans.com/NewsNow/reports_page.php?id=23&pre=yes