Saturday Fulham Stuff 21/03/15

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Why Fulham and Rotherham's losses keep Championship relegation battle alive

Rotherham United and Fulham both suffered midweek defeats to keep the Championship relegation battle alive.

Millwall and Wigan Athletic breathed a huge sigh of relief on Wednesday night as Rotherham United and Fulham, the two sides directly above them in the Championship, suffered defeats in their game in hand.

The Millers lost away at Nottingham Forest while the Cottagers were humiliated yet again at home as they went down to a resurgent Leeds United.

It means that Wigan remain six points from safety while Millwall's draw with Brighton & Hove Albion moved them to within eight points of their target.

With the battle for promotion looking as though it is going to go down to the wire, the relegation picture looked to have already been decided but recent results mean it isn't quite as clear.

Both Rotherham and Fulham have hit a sticky patch in contrast to Wigan, who have won their last three away league games. However, Malky Mackay's men need to improve their home form, having not won at the DW Stadium since August.

For Fulham, it is a massive fall from grace, having been a Premier League side this time last year. They are hoping to avoid two successive relegations.

Although promoted Rotherham were expected to be at the wrong end of the table, they have performed above expectations for the majority of the campaign and will be hoping not to get sucked into the drop zone in the final few games.

Fulham still have some massive, and potentially decisive, games to come, with a three-game run through the middle of April seeing them host Wigan and Rotherham and travel to rock-bottom Blackpool.

The Millers, meanwhile, will be looking at that trip to Craven Cottage and meetings with Reading and Brighton to see them safe.

http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/03/20/ts-why-fulham-and-rotherhams-losses-keeps-the-championship-releg/page/1/

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Fulham World Cup star has country sweating


Fingers crossed: Adam Taggart

Fulham are not the only ones hoping Adam Taggart finally gains a clean bill of health.

The World Cup international, yet to kick a first-team ball, is also needed by Australia to help get them to the Olympics next year.

Australian under-23 coach Aurelio Vidmar admits he's sweating on the fitness of the striker when qualifiers for next year's Rio Olympics begin later this month.

Taggart was on Monday named in a 23-man squad for the AFC Under-23 Championships in Chinese Taipei, where the Aussies will face the hosts, Hong Kong and Myanmar in Group F.

But it's touch and go, as Whites boss Kit Symons confirmed.

"Adam picked up a slight hamstring in training last week," Symons added. "It's been a stop-start time for Taggs. He's had a games for the U21s scoring at West Ham and Chelsea, but he's picked up setbacks. Fingers crossed he will be better."

But not in time for tonight's (Friday) U21 match against Norwich at the Cottage.

Vidmar is likewise fretting.

"He's had issues post World Cup and while he's had some good games for four or five weeks [after his return] now he has some soft tissue issues. We'll have to wait and see," he said.

The video below is what Whites fans are missing. These are Taggarts' goals for Newcastle Jets in season 2013-14 that saw Fulham part with a repoted £180,000 for his services.

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-world-cup-star-country-8878471

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Next Up: Huddersfield Town

The Whites go north in search of a league double over Huddersfield Town having beaten the Terriers 3-1 back in November with goals from Hugo Rodallega, Lasse Vigen Christensen and Ross McCormack.




The opposition

It was a dramatic start to the season for the Yorkshire side as they lost 4-0 at home to Bournemouth on the opening day of the season and subsequently sacked manager Mark Robins. The club did not rush into an appointment despite languishing just above the drop zone after five games but finally gave Chris Powell the job in early September.

After a three-match winless run to start his reign, Town got their first win in five in a vital clash against Millwall at the end of September and that kick-started an impressive spell as Powell's side went through October unbeaten, including grabbing a win at Wolverhampton Wanderers and coming from two goals down at Ipswich Town to take a point.

November got off to a flyer with a 3-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest, which saw them rise to 14th, but a bad run followed leaving them winless in four before beating Brentford.

The Terriers would go on to be thrashed 5-0 at Norwich the next week and their inconsistent form would continue into the New Year as they recorded an impressive win against Watford but lost at home to Leeds.

Inconsistency has been the trend in 2015, highlighted by their form in February where they convincingly beat Millwall and Reading whilst gaining a draw at Bournemouth but were comfortably beaten by Wolves and Charlton Athletic.

They come into Saturday's game in poor form having not won this month in four attempts, although they did secure a creditable draw against Norwich City in midweek and currently sit 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
Team news

Left-back Jack Robinson has returned to parent club Queens Park Rangers after suffering a serious knee injury, while Harry Bunn (hamstring) and James Vaughan (suspended) will also be absent on Saturday. Striker Nahki Wells could come in for Vaughan after recovering from a shoulder injury.




Inside the camp

Town manager Chris Powell believes Fulham's struggles this season are the perfect example of how difficult it is to adapt once you've been relegated from the Barclays Premier League.

"If you look at them, they've had such a big turnover in terms of players and managers," he says on htafc.com. "It's been a tough time for what is normally a very steady, stable football club.

"Fulham is in a place it hasn't been in for a very long time. They have lots of history in the lower leagues, but they fought their way up and did very well. Now it's a tough time for them.

"You have to quickly get used to the Championship, as we've seen with a number of teams over the years that have gone straight from the Premier League into League One.

"It can be a rude awakening otherwise, as we've seen with the likes of Leeds, Charlton and Southampton. I'm sure Fulham will be hoping it doesn't happen to them.

"Kit Symons is a young manager that wanted the chance, but he's had a lot to sort out. He's introduced a number of younger players, but like us all they're looking for points to remain in the Championship.

"They undoubtedly have some talented players like Ross McCormack and big Matt Smith, whereas Hugo Rodallega has also played in the Premier League for Fulham and Wigan.

"I know Scott Parker really well; he is a leader of men and will need to be now. On any given day, we know anyone can beat anyone in the Championship."



Player to watch

Jacob Butterfield: Yorkshire born Jacob Butterfield is enjoying a fruitful start to his Huddersfield career having joined them last summer.  The 24-year-old was part of the youth set-up at Manchester United before he was released at the age of 15. He then joined Barnsley and made his debut in 2007 but it wasn't until the 2010/11 season that he became a regular in the side. The following season he was attracting attention from Premier League clubs and earnt a call-up to the England Under-21 squad. In the summer of 2012 Butterfield joined top flight Norwich City on a free transfer but his time there did not go as planned. He failed to make a league appearance that season and was loaned out to Bolton Wanderers and Crystal Palace. His spell in Norwich was ended the following summer as he joined Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee and was a regular last term for Boro. However, last summer he became part of the swap deal that saw Adam Clayton leave Huddersfield and venture north to the Riverside, with Butterfield heading to the John Smith's. He has five goals to his name this term from midfield having moved to the centre under Powell. A box-to-box midfielder who likes getting on the ball.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/20/next-up-huddersfield

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Kit Symons: The fight against relegation is in our hands

KIT SYMONS is looking for his Fulham side to pull themselves clear of the Championship drop zone by beating their relegation rivals.





The Whites sit 21st in the table following a run of just one win in 11 games and they travel to 17th-placed Huddersfield on Saturday.

They also have vital home fixtures against Wigan, who currently occupy the final relegation spot, and 20th-placed Rotherham in April.

Symons admits every game is important in Fulham's fight against the drop but he is pleased his side can influence their own future - starting against the Terriers.

He said: "They're all big now, every game is big. Huddersfield is the biggest, that's our next one.

"They're all massive games we've got coming up - Huddersfield, Wigan and Rotherham. We've got teams in and around it so it's in our hands very much.

"We need three wins and it's down to us to go and get them.

"Ultimately it's down to us, other people are going to do what they do and we can't affect that.

"All we can do is focus and affect what we do on a daily basis and in games."



Fulham could be missing Ross McCormack after the striker limped off with a knee injury during the 3-0 defeat at home to Leeds on Wednesday night while Kostas Stafylidis is suspended.

The SW6 side have been on a dramatic downward spiral in recent seasons.

And Symons is working to rebuild the shattered confidence within his group.

He said: "There's certainly a fragility within the group, which has been brought on from a long time of losing and not having success.

"I took over with one point from 21 so the squad wasn't in a great place.

"Things obviously picked up but it's always been a little bit fragile and that's not easy to change and it takes time.

"We've been doing a lot of work on the training field and we play some good stuff and create good chances.

"For the majority of it we defend quite well but it's isolated incidents that cost you dearly and that's been the case of our season."

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/431819/Kit-Symons-The-fight-against-relegation-our-hands

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U21s' Cottage Encounter



ulham Under-21s face Norwich City on Friday evening (7pm) in the Barclays U21 Premier League, a game that will be played at Craven Cottage.

The Whites are looking for their first win in the league since early February when they beat Manchester United, with three defeats on the spin seeing them slip to 11th in the table.

Our opponents sit in sixth and are in a rich vein of form in the league, having not tasted defeat since October, a run which has included four wins and four draws. Should the Canaries win their game in hand on current leaders United they will be just two points off top.

The hosts come into the game having lost at Manchester City last time out and will be without the suspended Liam Donnelly who was sent off late on in that tie. He could be replaced by Emerson Hyndman who is back in full training after recovering from a broken collarbone suffered on international duty.

The two sides met back in December in the U21 Premier League Cup with the Norfolk side running out 4-2 winners in an entertaining tie at Motspur Park.  The away side went two up that day in the first half but Cauley Woodrow reduced the arrears from the spot on the hour. The goal only spurred the visitors on to score twice more before Chris David got a consolation late on.

Norwich will be without the services of Jacob Murphy who completed a loan move to Colchester Town last week. Twin brother Josh also made a loan switch to Wigan earlier this week. Senior player Ryan Bennett could feature again on Friday as he continues his recovery from injury.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/20/u21s-cottage-encounter

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Fulham boss reveals summer transfer plans and takes swipe at Felix Magath after Leeds United humiliation



Fulham manager Kit Symons believes his squad needs a complete revamp in the summer, with Championship players added to a Championship squad.

After relegation from the Premier League, Felix Magath added 14 new players to his squad, with only three of them having ever played in England's second tier.

Magath also allowed more than 20 players to leave in a complete overhaul of the Fulham squad and the club are paying for that now.

Six points clear of the drop zone, Fulham will only stay up because there a three teams worse than them, not on merit, and Symons knows what the issues are.

The under-pressure Cottage hero has vowed to make major changes in the summer should he still be there and knows last summer's dealings was not what was needed.

"To be successful in the Championship you need to assemble a squad for the Championship," Symons said.

"That is what I would look to do and what the club need to do this summer.

"There will be changes in the summer definitely.

"I took over with one point from 21, that is not what is needed.

"Things picked up but it has always been a little bit fragile.

"That is not easy to change. We do a lot of work at training and we play some good stuff, create good chances but it is isolated incidents which cost you dearly which is the case this season."

The Whites travel to Huddersfield tomorrow and could be without big money striker Ross McCormack who was forced off in Wednesday's 3-0 home defeat to Leeds.

http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/fulham_boss_reveals_summer_transfer_plans_and_takes_swipe_at_felix_magath_after_leeds_united_humiliation_1_4002998

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Next One Up - Huddersfield away

Huddersfield Town FC

Gaffer: Chris Powell

Ground:  The John Smith's Stadium (24,500 capacity)

Where are ya? 17th with 44 points - ten points clear of relegation

Form: LLLDD

Last time out: Fulham 3-1 Huddersfield, Rodallega 19'; Christensen 77'; McCormack 84'; Lynch 75' (8 November 2014)

One to watch: Ishmael Miller

Preview

What on earth was that?

Complete dominance against an extremely average Leeds side and still manage to lose 3-0.

We looked utterly clueless and are now being beaten comfortably by average-to-poor Championship sides even when they have an off day. Neil Redfearn admitted that he gave his team a rollicking at half-time despite being 1-0 up. Leeds then scored three minutes after half-time and Kostas got himself sent off four minutes later.

From dominating the first-half to being completely out of the game in seven minutes. Some effort that.

Fulham fan @Dezzler71  pointed out the average midfield positions during the game and it's worth looking at it again:



Now there are some mitigating factors to some of those midfield positions, Hoogland playing nearly 40 minutes at left-back for starters, but that midfield four is disgracefully bad.

Every week I bang on about our lack of width and that image personifies it. How on earth are you supposed to stretch and break down teams if the four midfielders are basically standing next to each other? Playing Hoogland, Parker and Tunnicliffe in midfield at home is incredibly negative and in many ways we got what we deserved.

Another massive issue with the Leeds game was the lack of coherent substitutions: Hoogland at left-back second half, subbing off a striker for a midfielder (at 2-0 down with two strikers on the bench!) as well as keeping Tunnicliffe on for 90 minutes. Symons looks like he has absolutely no idea how to fix our issues and we will be in big trouble if Wigan beat Bolton this weekend. They now have a better goal difference and I'm struggling to see where our next win can come from.



One glimmer of hope is that Huddersfield have been struggling themselves and have now gone five games without a win.

Powell thought they had claimed that elusive victory over Norwich on Tuesday but Loza netted a 98th minute equaliser for the canaries.

James Vaughan will miss the game after collecting a second yellow for over-celebrating what looked to be a late winner against Norwich. Harry Bunn will also miss the game with a hamstring injury.

Ishmael Miller and Jake Carroll went off with cramp against Norwich but both should recover in time for the game.

Top-scorer Nahki Wells has returned to full training and may feature.

Loanee Jack Robinson has returned to parent club QPR are being ruled out for up to 12 months with a serious knee injury.

Likely Fulham side

Stafylidis will miss the game after his completely brainless red card. Amorebieta may come back in or Kavanagh could slot in at left-back.

Despite taking 13 shots and not managing to score, Matt Smith looked like he could prove to be a useful player at this level.

McCormack looked to be affected by the Leeds fans and limped off late on. He is a doubt for the game so Hugo or Woodrow could come in. Let's pray the injury is not serious and we will need to rely on him heavily if we are going to get out of this mess.

Kacaniklic actually gave us some pace and a bit of width when he came on and could be due a start. Parker will surely struggle to get through three games in eight days so Fofana/Kavanagh could replace him.

Stat attack

    Huddersfield have only won once in their last nine league games. Fulham have one victory in eleven games. Something has to give
    Combined, Fulham and Huddersfield have conceded and incredible 133 league goals between them
    Fulham have won the last four games between the sides. Huddersfield last beat Fulham in 1993

Score prediction

Jeez... Two poor teams both desperate for a win. Head says 2-1 Huddersfield or a bore draw.

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Inside The John Smith's Stadium

Friday 20 March 2015 14:00
Ahead of Saturday's meeting at the John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield Town follower Dave May gives us the lowdown on the Terriers.
What's your assessment of Huddersfield's season?



A month or so ago it looked like Town would march on and finish in the comfort of mid-table, but a combination of injuries to key men and loss of confidence/form has seen them slip nearer the bottom three. Having finished 17th a season ago, it looks like a similar story this time around. That continues to be a decent achievement though, given low attendances and wage bill, in comparison to the rest of the division.
They've only won one of their last nine – are they still looking over their shoulder do you think?

I wouldn't think so. It would take a staggering combination of results to see Town get sucked in. I see them picking up sufficient points to steer clear despite a tricky run-in. At this stage, I'd say it's a straight race between Rotherham and Wigan to avoid third bottom.
Who have been Huddersfield's stand-out performers this season?



It's the midfield three of Jonathan Hogg, Jacob Butterfield and Conor Coady that's particularly strong. If Chris Powell had managed to field them as a trio more often, then perhaps they would have racked up a few more points. Injuries and changes to the formation have prevented this. The latter two arrived in the summer and are proving strong additions, whilst also at an age where they should develop. Butterfield, a tricky, technically gifted central midfielder who likes a shot from range, has filled the sizeable boots left by Adam Clayton and established himself as a firm fans' favourite. Coady arrived from Liverpool's academy after gaining valuable experience at Sheffield United last season. More of a battler, whilst also capable on the ball, Coady, at 22, is surely a future captain of the club.
What have you made of Fulham this season?

Even after the signing of Ross McCormack I never quite fancied Fulham to make an immediate return to the top flight. Unlike Norwich, who largely kept a settled squad, you made a lot of changes, which was bound to disrupt the early part of your season. Fulham appears to have a relatively young and inexperienced side, and in such a competitive and relentless division it was always going to prove tough going. Perhaps a season of transition will benefit the younger lads and stand you in good stead for a Play-Off push next year.
How do you see Saturday's game going?



Fulham will arrive on the back of a thoroughly disappointing home defeat to Leeds, with Town also suffering a bitter taste after conceding an equaliser to Norwich in the eighth of five additional minutes in their last match! Town also have injury and suspension worries. Jack Robinson and Harry Bunn will miss out, while Joe Lolley is a doubt and Nahki Wells hasn't featured for almost a month. James Vaughan will serve a suspension after his shirt antics in midweek. The Terriers are also winless in five. With all that considered, you'd have to think it was a good time to travel to the John Smith's.
What score prediction are you going for?

I fancy a low scoring draw, which both sides would just about take. Best the neutrals avoid this one, I think it will end 1-1. Ross McCormack seems to enjoy scoring at the John Smith's so if he features I think he'll get the opener, with a Jacob Butterfield equaliser from distance towards the end.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/20/inside-the-john-smiths-stadium

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Kit's Huddersfield Preview





Having had a couple of days to reflect on Wednesday's 3-0 home defeat to Leeds United, Fulham boss Kit Symons is still scratching his head at the loss after watching his side dominate proceedings, but is keen to avoid an overreaction ahead of the weekend trip to Huddersfield.

"It's one of those bizarre ones," he told fulhamfc.com. "We will look at the goals and how they were conceded, but you've got to look at the chances we created and the way we played overall.

"It's a case of getting a balanced view, not a case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, it's about staying level headed. I'm still adamant it was a good performance and on another day, if we were mid-table or getting a little bit of luck, we would have won 3-0, simple as that."

The Whites missed a number of chances in the first half before the visitors broke the deadlock and Symons highlighted the importance of that first goal, but remains confident that the results will come if the team stick at it.

"The first goal is often crucial and we more than warranted at least one goal in the first 35-40 minutes but unfortunately didn't get it," he said. "When you're playing badly you can't expect to win games of football but when you're playing well you deserve to get your share of points. I'm convinced if we keep playing well enough we'll get the points.

"We've got to keep doing the right things and keep faith in what we're doing and keep believing."

Fulham head north to the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday to take on a Huddersfield side who are winless in four, but Symons – who revealed Ross McCormack and Scott Parker are doubts for the trip – will not be taking the Terriers lightly.

"Chris Powell is a very good manager and they'll be very strong and set up well, we know that," he stressed. "So they won't be underestimated.

"We're not in a good run of form, we've been playing alright but not getting the results we need, so what I've said to the players is we need to get the results we deserve."

Despite the lack of victories of late, Symons insists that morale in the group remains high, commenting: "The spirit around the camp is good, around the whole training ground it's upbeat.

"There's clubs in and around us that are in quite a low place. The atmosphere here has been good but when all's said and done we still need to get the points. If it's a horrible game at Huddersfield and we win with a deflected goal in the last minute I'll take it all day long.

"The time has gone for worrying about silky soccer – it's about getting points on the board. We'll still try and go about doing the right things and playing the right way, you're more likely to get the win if you do that, but a little bit of luck wouldn't go amiss on Saturday, and hopefully it's our turn."

The Whites defence are likely to come up against Ishmael Miller at the weekend. The striker scored for Blackpool at the Cottage earlier in the season and Symons is well aware of the threats he poses to the Fulham backline.

"He played really well midweek against Norwich," he explained. "He's a physical presence but has good pace as well and that's a good combination to have as a player, he'll be a real threat."

Last time the two sides met the Whites ran out 3-1 winners at the Cottage, but Symons insists the game wasn't as easy as the scoreline suggests.

"The first goal is always key," he stated. "I remember [Harry] Bunn went through and put it just wide of the post at 0-0. That was probably the defining moment, and that's the difference.

"We came out looking comfortable winners but if that goes in for them it's very different. It's the same as the other night, you look at the scoreline and you think Leeds were comfortable winners but if we score one of our numerous chances in the first 40 minutes it's a very different story.

"That's football and that's why we all love it. But that's where we are, we need to make sure we get that first goal, make sure we get that slice of luck. You can make it happen and we need to make sure we do that."



Having had a couple of days to reflect on Wednesday's 3-0 home defeat to Leeds United, Fulham boss Kit Symons is still scratching his head at the loss after watching his side dominate proceedings, but is keen to avoid an overreaction ahead of the weekend trip to Huddersfield.

"It's one of those bizarre ones," he told fulhamfc.com. "We will look at the goals and how they were conceded, but you've got to look at the chances we created and the way we played overall.

"It's a case of getting a balanced view, not a case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, it's about staying level headed. I'm still adamant it was a good performance and on another day, if we were mid-table or getting a little bit of luck, we would have won 3-0, simple as that."

The Whites missed a number of chances in the first half before the visitors broke the deadlock and Symons highlighted the importance of that first goal, but remains confident that the results will come if the team stick at it.

"The first goal is often crucial and we more than warranted at least one goal in the first 35-40 minutes but unfortunately didn't get it," he said. "When you're playing badly you can't expect to win games of football but when you're playing well you deserve to get your share of points. I'm convinced if we keep playing well enough we'll get the points.

"We've got to keep doing the right things and keep faith in what we're doing and keep believing."

Fulham head north to the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday to take on a Huddersfield side who are winless in four, but Symons – who revealed Ross McCormack and Scott Parker are doubts for the trip – will not be taking the Terriers lightly.

"Chris Powell is a very good manager and they'll be very strong and set up well, we know that," he stressed. "So they won't be underestimated.

"We're not in a good run of form, we've been playing alright but not getting the results we need, so what I've said to the players is we need to get the results we deserve."

Despite the lack of victories of late, Symons insists that morale in the group remains high, commenting: "The spirit around the camp is good, around the whole training ground it's upbeat.

"There's clubs in and around us that are in quite a low place. The atmosphere here has been good but when all's said and done we still need to get the points. If it's a horrible game at Huddersfield and we win with a deflected goal in the last minute I'll take it all day long.

"The time has gone for worrying about silky soccer – it's about getting points on the board. We'll still try and go about doing the right things and playing the right way, you're more likely to get the win if you do that, but a little bit of luck wouldn't go amiss on Saturday, and hopefully it's our turn."

The Whites defence are likely to come up against Ishmael Miller at the weekend. The striker scored for Blackpool at the Cottage earlier in the season and Symons is well aware of the threats he poses to the Fulham backline.

"He played really well midweek against Norwich," he explained. "He's a physical presence but has good pace as well and that's a good combination to have as a player, he'll be a real threat."

Last time the two sides met the Whites ran out 3-1 winners at the Cottage, but Symons insists the game wasn't as easy as the scoreline suggests.

"The first goal is always key," he stated. "I remember [Harry] Bunn went through and put it just wide of the post at 0-0. That was probably the defining moment, and that's the difference.

"We came out looking comfortable winners but if that goes in for them it's very different. It's the same as the other night, you look at the scoreline and you think Leeds were comfortable winners but if we score one of our numerous chances in the first 40 minutes it's a very different story.

"That's football and that's why we all love it. But that's where we are, we need to make sure we get that first goal, make sure we get that slice of luck. You can make it happen and we need to make sure we do that."



Having had a couple of days to reflect on Wednesday's 3-0 home defeat to Leeds United, Fulham boss Kit Symons is still scratching his head at the loss after watching his side dominate proceedings, but is keen to avoid an overreaction ahead of the weekend trip to Huddersfield.

"It's one of those bizarre ones," he told fulhamfc.com. "We will look at the goals and how they were conceded, but you've got to look at the chances we created and the way we played overall.

"It's a case of getting a balanced view, not a case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, it's about staying level headed. I'm still adamant it was a good performance and on another day, if we were mid-table or getting a little bit of luck, we would have won 3-0, simple as that."

The Whites missed a number of chances in the first half before the visitors broke the deadlock and Symons highlighted the importance of that first goal, but remains confident that the results will come if the team stick at it.

"The first goal is often crucial and we more than warranted at least one goal in the first 35-40 minutes but unfortunately didn't get it," he said. "When you're playing badly you can't expect to win games of football but when you're playing well you deserve to get your share of points. I'm convinced if we keep playing well enough we'll get the points.

"We've got to keep doing the right things and keep faith in what we're doing and keep believing."

Fulham head north to the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday to take on a Huddersfield side who are winless in four, but Symons – who revealed Ross McCormack and Scott Parker are doubts for the trip – will not be taking the Terriers lightly.

"Chris Powell is a very good manager and they'll be very strong and set up well, we know that," he stressed. "So they won't be underestimated.

"We're not in a good run of form, we've been playing alright but not getting the results we need, so what I've said to the players is we need to get the results we deserve."

Despite the lack of victories of late, Symons insists that morale in the group remains high, commenting: "The spirit around the camp is good, around the whole training ground it's upbeat.

"There's clubs in and around us that are in quite a low place. The atmosphere here has been good but when all's said and done we still need to get the points. If it's a horrible game at Huddersfield and we win with a deflected goal in the last minute I'll take it all day long.

"The time has gone for worrying about silky soccer – it's about getting points on the board. We'll still try and go about doing the right things and playing the right way, you're more likely to get the win if you do that, but a little bit of luck wouldn't go amiss on Saturday, and hopefully it's our turn."

The Whites defence are likely to come up against Ishmael Miller at the weekend. The striker scored for Blackpool at the Cottage earlier in the season and Symons is well aware of the threats he poses to the Fulham backline.

"He played really well midweek against Norwich," he explained. "He's a physical presence but has good pace as well and that's a good combination to have as a player, he'll be a real threat."

Last time the two sides met the Whites ran out 3-1 winners at the Cottage, but Symons insists the game wasn't as easy as the scoreline suggests.

"The first goal is always key," he stated. "I remember [Harry] Bunn went through and put it just wide of the post at 0-0. That was probably the defining moment, and that's the difference.

"We came out looking comfortable winners but if that goes in for them it's very different. It's the same as the other night, you look at the scoreline and you think Leeds were comfortable winners but if we score one of our numerous chances in the first 40 minutes it's a very different story.

"That's football and that's why we all love it. But that's where we are, we need to make sure we get that first goal, make sure we get that slice of luck. You can make it happen and we need to make sure we do that."

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/20/kits-huddersfield-preview

[Friendsoffulham]

U18s' Blackburn Trip



Fulham Under-18s head to Lancashire on Saturday to take on Blackburn Rovers in the Barclays U18 Premier League.

The Whites have entered the final stage of the league where they now face teams from the north of the country as well as some of the southern sides they competed against in the first stage of the league.

Fulham got the final stage off to a flyer on Saturday, putting Southampton to the sword and running out 3-0 winners at Motspur Park with goals from Aaron Redford, Stephen Humphrys and an own goal, all within the opening half an hour of the tie.

Rovers, who finished in 10th place of the northern section, also got their final stage of the season off to a good start with a 1-0 win at Newcastle United, thanks to a goal from Under-16 attacker Trey Pemberton.

The match takes place at Brockhall and kicks-off at 11am.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/20/u18s-blackburn-trip

[Friendsoffulham]

Boat Race On Sale




Watch the 161st Varsity Boat Race from Craven Cottage on Saturday 11th April.

Make a day of it at the Cottage, with our great riverside location offering you stunning views across the opening mile of this famous race.

Supporters will be able to enjoy the event on our Riverside Terrace, providing arguably the best vantage point in the Fulham reach, and the main Race beginning at 5.50pm.

Terrace Tickets can be purchased for just £10 per person. All tickets include redemption of a hot item (pie or burger) and a drink (pint, wine or soft drink) from one of our kiosks.

What's more, you'll have access to our bars throughout the afternoon, and be able to watch the remainder of the race on our terrace televisions; perfect for a family day out!

Hospitality for the event is also available to purchase, with formal dining and relaxed lounge options available and priced from £50 per person (+VAT).

Tickets can be purchased online, on 0843 208 1234 (option 3) or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/20/boat-race-on-sale

[Friendsoffulham]

All Change at the Cottage!

With our form in free-fall, the trip to Yorkshire today to play Huddersfield Town isn`t one I`m looking forward to.

In fact, it`s fair to say that all I`m really looking forward to is the final whistle on the final day of the season and then praying that Fulham Football Club are still in the Championship and have not slipped into League One.

If that is the case I`m fairly certain we can expect a huge summer clear-out as the club prepares for next season.

Ahead of the trip to Huddersfield, Kit Symons has spoken about the clear-out that has to happen, remarking,

"There will be changes in the summer, definitely. I took over with one point from twenty-one, that is not what is needed.

"Things picked up but it has been a little bit fragile. To be successful in the Championship you need to assemble a squad for the Championship. That is what I would look to do and what the club need to do this summer."

Harsh words but true, it remains to be seen who stays and who goes though!

Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=393497#ixzz3V1HUQDvz