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Sunday Fulham Stuff 15.02.15

Started by Admin, February 14, 2015, 09:33:10 PM

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Admin



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/february/14/derby-tickets


Derby Tickets

Saturday 14 February 2015 16:20

Tickets for Fulham's home match against Derby County at the end of the month (Saturday 28th February) are available for fans to purchase on General Sale.

Join us for our next and final Craven Cottage fixture of the month as the Whites aim to see off the challenge of Steve McClaren's promotion-chasing Derby.

Tickets are priced from just £25 adults and £10 juniors, and can be purchase online, in person from the Ticket Office or by phone on 0843 208 1234 (option 1).

Admin

Result: Ipswich Town survive late scare to record narrow victory over Fulham

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/result/result-ipswich-survive-late-fulham-scare_205405.html

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter
Filed: Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 17:02 UK
Last Updated: Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 17:02 UK

Ipswich Town survived a late scare to record a 2-1 win away at Fulham in this afternoon's Championship clash at Craven Cottage.



The hosts began the game in rampant fashion, Freddie Sears forcing a save from Marcus Bettinelli in the second minute and seeing another ball nearly creep in at the back post moments later.

Five minutes in, the Tractor Boys were a goal up as Daryl Murphy rose highest to nod a Jay Tabb corner into the net for his 20th goal of the season.

Ipswich continued to push forward in a bid to double their lead but had to be alert at the back as Alexander Kacaniklic forced a fingertip save from Bartosz Bialkowski half an hour in.

Fulham mustered the odd foray into the opposition's final third but soon found themselves on the receiving end of another goal, Murphy curling an elegant effort into the top corner just before the break.

Kit Symons's charges began the second half in bright fashion as Ryan Tunnicliffe clipped an effort over the bar from 20 yards out, before Hugo Rodallega headed over from a dangerous cross moments later.

Ross McCormack was next to threaten for the hosts when he lashed a free kick well over the bar on the hour mark, but Ipswich countered through Christophe Berra, who saw his header saved.

Fulham were able to halve the deficit in the 74th minute, McCormack reacting quickest to a Tommy Smith error to bundle home past Bialkowski.

However, Ipswich held out and were unlucky not to score again when Tyrone Mings's shot was cleared off the line before Berra's follow-up was held by Bettinelli.

The result means that Ipswich remain well in contention for the playoffs by climbing to fourth, while Fulham sit 19th, just five points above the drop zone.

Admin

Fulham 1-2 Ipswich: Daryl Murphy passes 20 goals for the season as Mick McCarthy's side earn important win at Craven Cottage


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2953697/Fulham-1-2-Ipswich-Daryl-Murphy-passes-20-goals-season-Mick-McCarthy-s-hold-win-Craven-Cottage.html#ixzz3Ro32T4KM

Daryl Murphy put Ipswich ahead with 20th goal this season on five minutes
The striker doubled his side's lead on the stroke of half-time
Ross McCormack poked in a consolation for Fulham in the 74th

Daryl Murphy scored twice to bring Ipswich to within two points of the automatic promotion places as they secured a deserved win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

With Middlesbrough and Derby's involvement in the FA Cup fifth round this weekend it gave Mick McCarthy's side an opportunity to apply some pressure to the sides above them.

And they managed to achieve it thanks to two strikes from Murphy in the opening half, moving the Republic of Ireland forward's tally to 21 goals so far this campaign.







Admin

Murphy's double enough to beat Fulham

http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/football-wls-fulham-lose-to-promotion-chasing-ipswich

Fulham 1 Ipswich Town 2

Fulham suffered their third defeat in four Championship matches courtesy of Daryl Murphy's first-half double.

The Championship's leading scorer nodded Ipswich in front early on and grabbed his second with a composed finish just before the break.

Fulham reduced the arrears 16 minutes from time when Ross McCormack pounced on a missed clearance to slot home.

But they struggled to break down promotion-chasing Ipswich, who were denied a third late on by a superb goalline clearance by Kostas Stafylidis.

Fulham boss Kit Symons had previously talked of fading play-off hopes, but after a four-match winless streak they will now be looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone again.

Ipswich, who started the day in fourth, took just five minutes to go in front. Murphy met a cross from former Brentford man Jay Tabb and his header squirmed between keeper Marcus Bettinelli and Stafylidis.

Fulham were too ponderous on the ball in the first half hour but did up the tempo for a brief period, Alex Kačaniklić forcing a near-post save from Bartosz Bialkowski.

But Ipswich continued to ask questions of Fulham's defence and Bettinelli had to make saves from Sears and Teddy Bishop.

Shortly before half-time, Murphy – whose first goal was his 20th of the season – doubled the lead as he controlled a cross before picking out the far corner with an elegantly placed shot.

The Whites needed a response after the break but Ryan Tunnicliffe's early shot, Hugo Rodallega's header and Ross McCormack's free-kick all failed to test Bialkowski.

Bryan Ruiz, whose proposed move to Levante collapsed this week, played the last quarter of the game in an attempt to inject some quality into the misfiring Fulham attack.

However it took a defensive howler to let the Whites back into the game, as Tommy Smith made a complete hash of a hopeful Stafylidis ball and McCormack stabbed the loose ball home.

Fulham pressed for an equaliser but they were almost undone again eight minutes from the end, as Stafylidis threw himself superbly at a Mings shot and Bettinelli turned the follow-up from Christophe Berra over the bar.

Fulham: Bettinelli; Richards, Bodurov, Hutchinson, Stafylidis; Parker; Tunnicliffe, Christensen (Woodrow 64); Kačaniklić (Roberts 85); Rodallega (Ruiz 68), McCormack.
Subs not used: Kiraly, Grimmer, Burn, Fofana.



Admin

Fulham booed off at half time as Ipswich do double

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fulham-booed-half-time-ipswich-8647918

Whites winless in last six as Tractor Boys plunder


Fulham 1-2 Ipswich
White out of luck: Ipswich make it 2-0 as Fulham's Scott Parker (L) looks dejected

Fulham 1-2 Ipswich

Kit Symons had to endure ringing boos at half time as his side slipped stay far too close to the bottom of the table.

The manager can not buy a win right now, and as Ipswich did the double his side looked toothless in attack. Ross McCormack stabbed a second-half consolation, and belatedly, Whites upped the gears - all to no avail.

Almost from the start, Freddie Sears's side-foot from five yards rang alarm bells. Thankfully, it was straight at Marcus Bettinelli when it should have bulged the net. Chaos then reigned as the ball was allowed to flash across the keeper's goal before being shied over the bar.

If Fulham thought they got away with it, the resulting corner left a poorly challenged Dary Murphy to head down and in - even though Bettinelli got a despairing hand to it, and the striker got a bloody nose.

Fulham wiped themselves down, and on 33 minutes Alex Kacaniklic cut inside from the right and brought a low finger-tipped save at the near post from the keeper.

Only an instinctive save saw Bettinelli rescue a mix-up in the box when the ball broke to Sears, who again fired the keeper's legs. A minute later, the busy custodian was again in the right place to grab the ball from a Teddy Bishop effot.

But he could do nothing about Murphy's second.

Kostas Stafylidis stood way too back from the Ipswich striker, and calm as you like, clipped the ball low and into the far corner from an angle.

Fulham got lucky on 74 minutes, when it was Ipswich's turn to make a mistake. A cross from Stafylidis should have been cleared all day long, but it slipped under Tommy Smith, and McCormack pounced on the gaffe to stab it past Bartosz Bialkowski.

Bettinelli came to the home side's rescue with a double save. The first he parried from Tyrone Mings, the second he smuggled over the bar from Murphy.

Even so, 4,000 in blue headed back to East Anglia in fine voice. Fulham head towards a relegation battle starting away to Millwall next Saturday.

Whites; 4-1-3-1-1: Bettinelli, Richards, Bodurov, Hutchinson, Stafylidis; Tunnicliffe; Christensen (Woodrow 64), Parker, Kacaniklic (Roberts 85); Parker, Rodallega (Ruiz 68); subs not used: Kiraly, Burn, Grimmer, Fofana

Admin

Fulham boss admits next four games will be crucial after defeat to Ipswich

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-admits-next-four-8648175

Whites lacked 'composure' says frustrated manager


Lonely walk: Kit Symons

Kit Symons had to suffer a sixth winless game in a 2-1 defeat to Ipswich - and the Fulham boss knows it won't get any easier.

Four of the next five are against promotion contenders. The very next is at Millwall, fighting for their lives, as Symons fears his side will if they don't start picking up points.

The disappointed gaffer admitted his side has the cutting edge of a butter knife right now when it comes to vital last pass.

He said: "We started slowly and conceded early on. We then started to pass and create opportunities, but the final ball wasn't quite right.

"In the second half we changed the shape a bit, but it wasn't quite there, and maybe we lacked that little bit of composure. We got ourselves back into the game with a slightly fortuitous goal, but didn't quite have enough to get anything out of the game."

Confidence has also taken a hit in a youngish team, and even if Bryan Ruiz is disappointed his loan move to Levante fell through, Symons needs all the help he can get right now.

He added: "Confidence is a massive thing in football, and when it's taken a few knocks and is fragile, suddenly one misplaced pass – and it can escalate.

"It's a very tight league and it's a big game for us next week. It will be tough - and to stay away from it (relegation zone) is linked into the next three or four results.

"We get a few positive results and we're mid table; couple of poor results and you're right in it. Regards, Bryan, I'll look to use everyone at my disposal in the best way, and with a young side we need experience."


Admin

#6
Ipswich Reaction

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/february/14/ipswich-reaction

Kit Symons and Kostas Stafylidis provide their reaction to Saturday's narrow defeat by Ipswich Town at Craven Cottage.



Kit on the performance...

We didn't help ourselves. We started very slowly and conceded a really sloppy goal from our point of view from a corner. Then we started playing a little bit, had some good passages of play, some good opportunities. The final ball was not quite there for it – it was slightly over-hit or under-hit or intercepted, so we needed to take more care with that. We had some good opportunities but then conceded a second goal on the stroke of half-time which was a bit of killer blow and we left ourselves a mountain to climb. Second half I thought we showed a lot of endeavour. We certainly huffed and puffed and competed very well. Again maybe lacked that quality that we needed to break them down.
Kostas on the performance...

The first half was bad. We lost too many balls and made too many mistakes. In the second half we played better and made more chances. At half-time we said some things and tried to improve. We scored a goal but it wasn't enough.
Kit on Ross McCormack's goal...

We got ourselves back into the game with a slightly fortuitous goal to be honest, but didn't have enough to get something out of it. The ball came through to Ross and he took his opportunity very well which I would expect him to do. He's a very good finisher and he's a poacher in those situations. But we didn't have enough shots on target during the game, especially second half.



Kit on keeping an eye on the teams below Fulham...

We've always been closer to the bottom than the top at any stage since I've taken over. But we were rock bottom when I first took over, but we need to do better, we know that, and we will do.  To stay away from it is all linked in to the next three or four results really. Things can happen very, very quickly. It's one of them; we get a few positive results and we're mid-table but get a couple of poor results and you're right in it. So that's where it is and there's a few teams in that same situation so there's quite a few people who will be looking over their shoulders, the same as us.
Kit on keeping confidence up...

That's been quite tough. The initial thing was just to try and galvanise and get things back together  a little bit. And we did that and that went quite well but then once you have that period out the way, it's then a case of building and there's a lot of hard work still to be done. That's clear for everyone to see. Confidence is a massive thing in football and when it's taken a few knocks and it's a bit fragile, suddenly one misplaced pass and it can escalate.




Kostas on morale in the group...

Okay, we lost one more game but we need to stick together. We're all disappointed, it's a difficult time for us, so we need to work even harder to try and get better. The last three or four games haven't been good. We have to stay positive and try again.
Kit on Bryan Ruiz...

Every quality player at my disposal I'm going to use to the full. Bryan's back with us now and he'll crack on, knuckle down and he'll certainly be available and is a good option for us to have. We've got a very young squad so any senior players with experience are going to be very helpful to us. I'll look to use everyone at my disposal in what I feel is the best way.
Kit on the fans' reaction to the defeat...

I understand. I want us to be higher up the table than we are as well. I'm as frustrated as anyone so I understand people's feelings and people's reactions. It was always going to be tough and we did get things galvanised and everyone pulling together but there's no getting away from the fact that this is a very tough league, and this is a very young squad with a lot of inexperience. So you can't expect miracles but I want it to be better and it will get better.
Kostas on next weekend's match...

We have a big London derby next weekend at Millwall and we have to win. We're a good team and we need to go and prove it.








Admin

Fulham 1-2 Ipswich Town

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/english-league-championship/match/395232/fulham-ipswich-town/report

Daryl Murphy scored twice to bring Ipswich to within two points of the automatic promotion places as they secured a deserved win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

With Middlesbrough and Derby's involvement in the FA Cup fifth round this weekend it gave Mick McCarthy's side an opportunity to apply some pressure to the sides above them.

And they managed to achieve it thanks to two strikes from Murphy in the opening half, moving the Republic of Ireland forward's tally to 21 goals so far this campaign.

Fulham grafted manfully in the second half and were rewarded when Ross McCormack scored his 12th goal for the club since making his £11million move from Leeds over the summer.

After an inconsistent run of results in recent weeks, McCarthy will feel that this away victory will underline Ipswich's promotion credentials having bounced back from a defeat at Rotherham with a mid-week victory over Sheffield Wednesday before securing a successive victory here.

Fulham will now feel concerned that they are being dragged back into a relegation scrap and by the time they visit Millwall next Saturday, they will have been without a victory in a month.

Ipswich looked like a side sat fourth in the Championship table from the off, with Freddie Sears shooting straight at Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli from 10 yards out after good work down the left from Murphy.

A Sears cross from the right then had to be lifted over his own bar by defender Shaun Hutchinson.

Jay Tabb whipped in the resulting corner and Murphy rose highest and directed his fifth-minute header towards the far post before it squirmed in off Bettinelli.

Fulham grew restless in their pursuit of an equaliser and only succeeded in going close when Scott Parker curled just over the bar from the edge of the box.

And Murphy struck his second with just seconds remaining of the opening 45 minutes as the impressive Tyron Mings crossed from the left and he found space to the right of goal to place his curled effort into the bottom left corner with such precision that Bettinelli did not bother moving.

Fulham looked sharper immediately after the break but failed to channel their enthusiasm into creating any chances of major note, with Hugo Rodallega stretching to head an angled cross from Christensen just over the bar.

However on 74 minutes they were back in the game as Ipswich defender Tommy Smith took an almost inexplicably wild swipe at Konstantinos Stafylidis' cross and McCormack was left with a simple finish from eight yards out.

But it was Ipswich that looked more likely to add get a fourth goal of the game with a miraculous flying goal-line clearance from Stafylidis denying Christophe Berra's close-range drive.


Admin

Bryan Ruiz and Real Salt Lake would be a perfect match. It'll never happen.



Bryan Ruiz, the Costa Rican hotshot, is the name on American fans' lips after he said he might end up playing in MLS in 2015.

Fans of every team are reckoning that their sides should be the ones to sign him — after all, he's one of the best players from CONCACAF, and he's been playing at a high level for a number of years. He's been very good for Fulham since joining them, and he scored a few goals during his time.

Not an excessive amount, mind, with his strike rate about one in every seven matches. His assists are right around the same level. And even though he's playing in the Championship now, his English Premier League time showed he was more than capable at that level, and he also did particularly well in that World Cup thing.

For him to talk about coming to MLS now spells out some of the more exciting parts of this league. Yeah, he's a player from the region and Costa Ricans have sometimes done very well here (cough, cough, Alvaro Saborio), but he's a player that could make it in Europe without any trouble. Is he looking for a payday? Probably not, but who knows, right? Maybe he's looking to find a spot to play the next three or four years that won't have the uncertainty of promotion and relegation. Maybe he's just ready to be closer to home. (He did say he could also play in Scandinavia, so it's probably not that one.)

Whatever his rationale, MLS would be excited to have Ruiz at one of their 20 teams.

We think Real Salt Lake should be that team. Now, there are some fairly obvious reasons why that's the case, but let's spell them out anyway.

    Bryan Ruiz is good. Like, really pretty good.
    Bryan Ruiz is Costa Rican. Alvaro Saborio is Costa Rican. Maybe that's something we could form a connection around.
    Bryan Ruiz plays on the right flank frequently as an attacking midfielder. We just began a transition to a 4-3-3 (or something like it) and a great right-sided player wouldn't hurt. He and Sebastian Jaime or Joao Plata could be amazing on both flanks.

But for all those exciting qualities, there's probably no way he comes here. Let's spell out some of those exceedingly obvious reasons, too.

    Unbalancing the squad with a $1m-plus salary is a difficult proposition, and Ruiz would have to fully buy in to the system for it to work.
    RSL is well-stocked with forwards, even ones that can play out wide. Sebastian Jaime, Joao Plata, Olmes Garcia, and even Sebastian Saucedo are good options.
    Somebody out there probably has a discovery claim on Ruiz. (That's a little weird because, well, who didn't know about Ruiz in and around CONCACAF?) So in order to sign him, Real Salt Lake would have to negotiate for that. It's utterly ridiculous, honestly. (Maybe discovery claims can go by the wayside in the next CBA, yeah?)
    He wouldn't make the big splash here that he might elsewhere. That's not on us, that's on MLS — we'd just be getting another really good Costa Rican. Another team might be getting the star of their system.

Real Salt Lake almost certainly won't be in the running for Bryan Ruiz — but if they are, and if he does come, let's all just pretend I predicted it here and be done with it. Regardless, Ruiz would probably be as good a signing as we could hope for.
Small_rslsoapbox.com.minimal
More from RSL Soapbox

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    Five things Real Salt Lake should do with a new formation
    Why RSL and Monarchs should follow LA Galaxy's lead in offering youth player college funds
    John Stertzer could be a key figure in RSL's 2015 search for silverware
    What Real Salt Lake can learn from the Ambroise Oyongo contract fiasco
    Four RSL players that with potential US national team futures


Admin

Fulham boss takes aim at Millwall after Ipswich defeat

http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/fulham_boss_takes_aim_at_millwall_after_ipswich_defeat_1_3956774



Fulham boss Kit Symons is already turning his attentions to next Saturday's clash with Millwall after his side made it six games without a win as they were beaten 2-1 at home to Ipswich Town.

The Cottagers sit just five points clear of the relegation zone after their latest defeat, which came after first half a brace from Ipswich striker Daryl Murphy.

Ross McCormack pulled one back when he pounced on an error by Tommy Smith on 74 minutes, but the Whites failed to get back on level terms and Symons admits they are in a relegation battle.

Fulham host the Lions at Craven Cottage in their next outing, and Symons knows they need a win to pull themselves away from danger.

"It's very tight. This league has always been very competitive and it's a big game for us next week [against Millwall].

"It will be tough and to get away from it [a relegation battle] and it will be linked to the next three or four results really. Things can happen very, very quickly but if you get a few positive results then all of a sudden you're mid-table.

"It's that close but a couple of poor results and you're right in it. There are quite a few teams in that situation and people that will be looking over their shoulders the same as us."

Admin

Fulham manager Kit Symons disappointed with lack of chances created

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/symons-we-didnt-do-enough_205479.html

Fulham manager Kit Symons has said that his side didn't create enough chances in the second half, after they lost 2-1 at home to Ipswich Town.

A late goal from Ross McCormack couldn't stop Fulham sliding to their third defeat from four games, as a Darryl Murphy brace gave the Tractor Boys victory.

Symons told the club's official website: "We got ourselves back into the game with a slightly fortuitous goal to be honest, but didn't have enough to get something out of it.

"The ball came through to Ross and he took his opportunity very well which I would expect him to do. He's a very good finisher and he's a poacher in those situations. But we didn't have enough shots on target during the game, especially second half.

Fulham next travel to Millwall next week.

Admin

Kit Symons hopes to pull away from relegation zone in the next four games

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/symons-looks-ahead-to-important-games_205485.html

Fulham manager Kit Symons has said that the next four games are crucial to shaping his side's season, as they look to avoid a relegation scrap.

The West London side lost 2-1 at home to Ipswich Town, in a result which leaves them 19th in the Championship standings after Darryl Murphy scored a first-half brace for the Tractor Boys.

Symons told the club's official website: "We've always been closer to the bottom than the top at any stage since I've taken over. But we were rock bottom when I first took over, but we need to do better, we know that, and we will do.

"To stay away from it is all linked in to the next three or four results really. Things can happen very, very quickly. It's one of them; we get a few positive results and we're mid-table but get a couple of poor results and you're right in it."

Fulham travel across London to face Millwall next week.


Admin

Symons keen to avoid relegation scrap

http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-fulham/symons-keen-to-avoid-relegation-scrap



Fulham boss Kit Symons believes the next four matches could determine whether his side achieve mid-table security or be involved in a relegation scrap.

The Whites suffered their third defeat in four league games on Saturday when they were beaten by Ipswich, leaving them only five points clear of the drop zone.

They travel to fellow strugglers Millwall next Saturday before games against promotion-chasing Wolves, Derby and Watford.

And Symons believes the league table in a few weeks' time will give a clearer picture.

He said: "It's very tight, without a doubt. To stay away from it, it's all leading into the next three or four results really. Things could happen very quickly.

"If you get a few positive results, you're mid-table but a couple of poor results and you're right in it.

"Confidence is a massive thing in football. Sometimes all it can take is a scrappy goal off someone's backside to win a game and it's amazing how the belief can start to soar again then.

"I don't care how the next win comes but I want it sooner rather than later."

Symons also admitted the timing of Ipswich's two goals left his team with a mountain to climb, with Ross McCormack's strike proving only a consolation.

He said: "Conceding the goals when we did – the first five minutes and last minute of the first half – we're always giving ourselves a lot to do.

"In the second half I thought we showed a lot of endeavour, people dug in and battled but maybe lacked that little bit of composure.

"We got ourselves back into the game with a slightly fortuitous goal but didn't quite have enough to get something out of it."








Admin

Match Report: Fulham 1 - Ipswich Town 2

http://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2015/2/15/8039557/match-report-fulham-1-ipswich-town-2


Ross McCormack feels the same as everyone else does

Uh oh. Again!

A heartbroken (See how good my Valentines Day puns are?) Fulham lost their third game in a row today after a second half goal from Ross McCormack didn't provide enough momentum for an equalizer against Ipswich Town.

The game kicked off quite badly, with Fulham giving away a chance to Ipswich forward Freddie Sears in the first minute of action, however it was luckily saved by Marcus Bettinelli. A corner in the 5th minute, taken by Jay Tabb, connected with striker Daryl Murphy, whose header sailed straight into the back of the net, giving the visitors the lead. Jazz Richards was almost given a chance in the 15th minute of the game due to some decent attacking, but unfortunately the right back missed his shot. Alexander Kačaniklić's low shot around the near post forced Ipswich keeper Bartosz Bialkowski into action, however, the attempt was saved.

With Fulham at attacking pace, a second goal was almost given to Ipswich when Scott Parker's clearance deflected off Konstantinos Stafylidis and sailed into the sight of Freddie Sears whose shot was luckily saved by Bettinelli, who was again forced into action minutes later after a cross from the left had found its way towards the Ipswich man.

Ipswich managed to make it 2-0 in the 44th minute, when a cross from the left found an unmarked Murphy, who took a touch of a ball and curled the ball through to net his 20th goal of the season, increasing the lead just before the halftime whistle.

The second half kicked off with the Cottagers on the attack, with Ryan Tunnicliffe and Hugo Rodallega missing their shots on goal, the former's attempt from the edge of the box going just wide, while the Colombian's diving header was just off target. Christophe Berra recieved the first booking of the game in the 59th minute for pulling Kačaniklić  back as he attacked toward goal. Ross McCormack took the resulting free kick, which ended up, well, in the Hammersmith End.

The Cottagers managed to get a goal back in the 74th minute, when Ipswich defender Tommy Smith screwed up his clearance, which McCormack slotted into the net with an easy finish to make the score 2-1. Kit Symons decided to use all three of his substituions in this half, bringing Cauley Woodrow on for Lasse Vigen Christensen, Bryan Ruiz for Hugo Rodallega, and Patrick Roberts for Alexander Kacaniklic.

With Fulham searching for an equalizer, a flurry of misses from both sides occured in the final 10 minutes of the game. Kačaniklić made it to the edge of the box, however his shot flew over the net. Ipswich centre back Tyrone Mings' shot was cleared off the line by Stafylidis, while Bettinelli then saved yet another shot from Murphy, denying a hattrick. A collision between Hutchin and Ipswich sub Stephen Hunt mean that both teams had to play through injury time with 10 men, but a final burst of attacking momentum didn't lead to anything, and Fulham slipped down to 19th (uh oh) place.

Fulham face Millwall at The Den on the 21st of February. COYW!









Admin

Felix Magath: One Year On

http://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2015/2/15/8040775/felix-magath-one-year-on



On Valentines Day 2014, Fulham FC signed Felix Magath. What followed was 7 months of pure madness.

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It was one year ago today that Fulham FC hired Felix Magath. On Valentine's Day 2014 a breaking story shocked the football community. Felix Magath, a hardened German manager, had been installed as manager of Fulham. No mention was made of Rene Meulensteen, and the confusion prevailed for over a week. In the end Meulensteen had been sacked and Magath was given the job along with his backroom staff. Fulham were about to embark on one of the most turbulent and challenging periods in their history, with madman Magath at the helm.

The timing had surprised nearly everyone. Unexperienced manager Rene Meulentseen had been put in temporary place after the sacking of Martin Jol in November 2013, and was handed the permanent job shortly thereafter. Meulensteen endured a tough start to life, losing 3 of his first 4 matches in charge. However, an inspired performance away at Norwich gave Fulham all 3 points on Boxing Day, and he was given money to spend in January by Shahid Khan. Fulham signed Kostas Mitroglou and Lewis Holtby in the window, and the Cottagers looked to be on the up. After two straight awful performances at home against Southampton and Sheffield United, the pressure looked to be on. And with Manchester United and Liverpool to come, Meulensteen's future looked bleak.

On February 9th Fulham travelled to Old Trafford. In one of the bright points of the season, we took the lead early on through Sidwell and silenced the crowd. For the next hour we weathered attack upon United attack, and cracked with two goals conceded in two minutes. But in injury time Darren Bent nodded home to snatch a famous draw and galvanize the troops. Three days later we took the lead twice against Liverpool, but ended up being defeated by a stoppage time Gerrard penalty. The team suddenly looked like it had belief, and we were going to fight until the death. It finally looked like Meulensteen had turned Fulham's fortunes around. The lively wing play of Kieran Richardson and the midfield magic of Lewis Holtby were breathing new life into a previously lethargic Fulham squad.

And yet two days later Meulensteen was shown the door. Magath was installed in an odd decision that had many scratching their heads. Magath enjoyed great success in the Bundesliga, winning the Bundesliga three times with Bayern and Wolfsburg. But he had absolutely no experience in England, and didn't seem to be set out for a relegation dogfight. Meulensteen lashed out at the Fulham ownership claiming they had "hit the panic button". Looking back, that statement was quite prophetic.

Felix Magath came with a reputation. Players in Germany called him 'Qualix', which in German means someone who runs people to death. His strict style of coaching and obsession with fitness were infamous, and was known to demand the most from his players. However, some thought that this no nonsense brand of management could propel Fulham to safety.

His first match in charge came away at West Brom, a must win match away at a fellow relegation challenger. Ashkan Dejagah struck first, but we were pegged back by a Baggies equalizer in the final ten minutes. More disappointment was to follow, as successive 3-1 losses to Chelsea and Cardiff put us in deep trouble. A nervy win against Newcastle followed, but two more losses against Everton and Man City beckoned. But the Whites looked to replicate the heroics of the 2008 Great Escape with the next two crucial wins. With well over 3,000 travelling fans in attendance at Villa Park, Rodallega headed home to give the Whites a superb 2-1 win. A crucial home win over Norwich, courtesy of Hugo again, granted us precious momentum heading into the final stretch. The Magath doubters were being silenced.

The final four games were key. It was what separated Fulham from the grandeur of the Premier League and the abyss of the Championship. Spurs away, Hull home, Stoke away, and Palace home. We needed at least two wins, and seven points would probably be enough. A 3-1 away loss to Spurs was expected, and the focus then shifted to the final three gigantic, season defining matches.

What came next was the most heart wrenching moments of my Fulham supporting life. Hull City came to the Cottage in relative safety with little to play for, while we had quite the opposite. After a cagey first half, Dejagah and Amorebieta struck within 3 minutes in the second half to give Fulham a 2-0 lead. We were cruising, and with 15 minutes left everyone just began to sense safety creeping in. But Jelavic scored from a horrible defensive mistake, and in the 87th minute Shane Long finished from close range to deny us all three points. Just like in countless other matches under Magath, Fulham let up a late goal and threw away vital points. We now had the unenviable task of having to win our final two games and hope for the best.

An away match at the Britannia would decide our fate. But a move of pure madness by Magath summed up his reign perfectly. In the biggest match in recent Fulham history we couldn't afford to slip up. We needed a solid backline and quick counterattacks to get the win. So naturally for someone as mentally unstable and sadistic as Felix Magath, he started Dan Burn at wingback. The 6'7 hulking centre back was played on the wing, and forced to defend tricky wingers such as Oussama Assaidi and Marko Arnautovic. Predictably, Burn was hung out to dry and Fulham put in the worst performance imaginable, slumping to a 4-1 defeat and crashing out of the Premier League. We were down. The enduring memory of that abysmal season was Dan Burn getting slaughtered by Assaidi's pace on the wing, through no fault of his own. Madman Magath had struck again.

Even more surprisingly, Khan decided to stick with Magath to steer us out of the Championship. It seemed like stupidity to reward the man who brought us down with another chance and full control of transfers. And Magath bought indeed. After a large exodus by Fulham's aging Premier League squad, he bought a grand total of 13 players. From big money striker Ross McCormack to anonymous Mark Fotheringam and Adil Chihi, it looked like an odd assortment of players. And they didn't hit the ground running by any means. We lost 6 out our first 7 league games, leaving us dead bottom with 1 point from a possible 21.

Magath was sacked in September after yet another defeat, this time away at Nottingham Forest. Possibly the worst manager in Fulham FC history, he got our proud club relegated after more than a decade in the Premier League. He was known for his sadistic training techniques and odd medicinal advice, such as using cheese to treat Brede Hangeland. The demanding training sessions led to fatigue and numerous late goals conceded. His strong personality clashed with club legends Danny Murphy and Brede Hangeland, angering fans.

Felix Magath ruined this club, and Kit Symons is still dealing with his bizarre decisions today. In a crazy spell characterized by odd signings, dreadful performances, clueless substitutions, and angry supporters, Fulham fans can be comforted by one thing: the knowledge that no manager, no matter how hard they try, will ever be worse than Felix Magath.