Saturday Fulham Stuff (28/03/15)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Kostas Mitroglou hopeful Olympiakos will end his Fulham misery

FULHAM flop Kostas Mitroglou wants the club to let him go home to Greece and end his misery for a bargain fee.


Kostas Mitroglou cost Fulham £12million

Mitroglou cost the Cottagers a £12million when they signed him from Olympiakos in the January 2014 transfer window on a four-and-a-half year contract.

The move turned out to be a disaster as the Greece forward played just three games as the club were relegated from the Premier League. He joined former Olympiakos on a season long loan in August.

Fulham want to recover as much of their outlay as possible but Olympakios are looking for a knockdown price.

Pier Isa, Olympiakos's technical director said: "Mitroglou's home is here at Olympiakos. He has scored some important goals this season for us. We always stood by him when he had problems in England. He's part of our family."

Olympiakos are understood to be paying Mitroglu's salary this year – about £2.5m – but would struggle to also pay a fee anywhere near like the amount Fulham laid out.

Mitroglou has scored 16 times for club and country in 31 appearances this season.


http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/566625/Kostas-Mitroglou-Olympiakos-Fulham-misery

[WhiteJC]

 
Dutch claims that Stekelenburg to Southampton could be on cards

The terrible injury to Fraser Forster has come as a huge blow to both the goalkeeper and his club Southampton. That the England international would be out for the rest of the current season wasn't too much of a surprise, but when it was later explained he could also miss some of next season concern grew further. Forster has been incredibly unlucky and is out of Ronald Koeman's Southampton plans for the foreseeable future.

Forster's prolonged absence will inevitably launch transfer rumours. In the worst case scenario, Southampton may not have their goalkeeper back for a year and it would be no surprise if they were to strengthen in that department. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf on Friday morning put forward Maarten Stekelenburg as someone who Koeman could look to sign for Southampton during the summer window.

It's not stated that contact had been made, a bid formulated, or anything like that but De Telegraaf seem to think the link obvious and it's already been picked up by others in the Dutch media. Koeman and Stekelenburg worked together at Ajax and with the Dutch goalkeeper currently unhappy warming AS Monaco's bench, De Telegraaf's claims aren't so outlandish.

Southampton would have to negotiate with Fulham. Stekelenburg is on loan at Monaco until June but he has a Fulham contract until the summer of 2017.


http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/dutch-claims-that-stekelenburg-to-southampton-could-be-on-cards

[WhiteJC]

 
Under-18s Visit Stoke

Fulham Under-18s travel to Staffordshire on Saturday to take on Stoke City in the Barclays U18 Premier League.

The Whites are now in the Final Stage of the league and have experienced mixed results so far. The campaign got off to a flyer with a 3-0 win over Southampton at home but last week the team suffered a setback against Blackburn Rovers. The young Whites fell to a 2-0 defeat at Rovers, and will be looking to bounce back against the Potters this weekend.

Stoke endured a tough Group Stage, finishing 11th just above bottom side Bolton Wanderers, but have started the Final Stage in more promising fashion. They recorded a 2-0 win over Bolton to get the Final Stage off to a good start and were narrowly beaten last time out at home against Arsenal, losing a 4-3 thriller.

The match takes place at Clayton Wood Training Ground at 12pm on Saturday.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/27/under-18s-visit-stoke?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss reveals reasons to add Reading and Brentford players to roster

Kit hits the loan trail for keeper and midfielder


New White: Guthrie
Fulham boss Kit Symons has stuck to his vowed intent over new faces by signing Danny Guthrie and Richard Lee until the end of the season.

The Whites boss insisted he would only be signing players from the Championship, or even leagues below, as he attempts to rebuild the squad.


Loan move: Brentford goalkeeper Richard Lee

Midfielder Guthrie arrives from Reading on loan where he is out of favour, and Lee from Brentford as cover for keeper Marcus Bettinelli.

Guthrie, whose contract expires this summer, has agreed terms with Symons' side.

The 27-year-old is expected to move away from Reading in the summer with Royals manager Steve Clarke saying the signs were clear.

He said: "It is very clear to all concerned that Danny's time at Reading Football Club is coming to an end this summer. When this opportunity presented itself it was only right to allow Danny the chance to play some matches."

Guthrie has made two appearances for the Royals so far this season and has struggled with injuries.


Bees custodian Richard Lee
Lee is out of favour with Brentford, and has not played since the 6-6 draw against Dagenham & Redbridge before the west Londoners triumphed on penalties in August. The 32-year-old has decided to retire at the end of the season.

The Fulham gaffer is of the walk-before-you-run mentality in winning back top-flight status as he looks to rebuild the squad after a semi-disastrous campaign.

The club are not wholly out of the woods. But with an eight-point gap back to the last relegation slot following last Saturday's exciting 2-0 win over Huddersfield, bookies are now offering longer odds on Whites' demotion.

Punters can get 10-1 on the Cottage roof falling in after last season's plunge. Rotherham, one place above the bottom three, are 3-1.


Midfield boost: Danny Guthrie (R)
However, Symons reckons he won't gamble on expensive Premier League players coming down a division for the next campaign.

"For now, obviously it's the Championship at mind," he said. "We've got to get out of the Championship, and then there can be a difference between players that get you out of the Championship, and those play in the Premier League. So it's one step at a time."


Planning ahead: Kit Symons
The manager has already indicated there is to be a massive clear out of 11 players and rising if he can swing it, with the calibre of Guthrie and Norwich loan defender Michael Turner now in the manager's priority.

He said: "No point signing Premier League players, and you don't get there. We need to walk before we run. At the moment we're still in the bottom half of the Championship."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-reveals-reasons-add-8931681?

[WhiteJC]

 
Samed Yesil expected to make Liverpool return against Fulham

Liverpool youngster Samed Yeşil is expected to make his return for the U21 side against Fulham according to head coach Michael Beale.

"Samed has been back in for about 10 days now. After such a long time out, he hasn't got that core fitness. But we're hoping by the Fulham game, he'll be ready to play some minutes," Beale told the official Liverpool website.

Yeşil has returned to training after recovering from a double cruciate ligament injury and is expected to feature against Fulham next month.

The 20-year-old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament for the second time in a year in January 2014.

The Reds signed Yeşil from Bayer Leverkusen for €1 million last season but he has spent much of his time in England out injured.

Liverpool also signed Emre Can from Bayer and like Yeşil he was born in Germany to Turkish parents.

The 20-year-old is eligible to represent both his country of birth and Turkey at senior international level.

Yeşil originates from the northwestern Black Sea province of Trabzon in Turkey.


http://www.turkish-football.com/samed-yesil-expected-to-make-liverpool-return-against-fulham/?

[WhiteJC]

 
'Beyond Our Wildest Dreams'

Young entrepreneurs representing Fulham displayed their business acumen at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Monday as they won a place in this year's Premier League Enterprise Challenge (PLEC) Final.

Fulham's Harris Academy Beckenham and Chobham Academy in Newham (representing West Ham United) beat seven other teams in the third and final play-off for the right to compete at the prestigious PLEC final, which takes place at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in Westminster on 27th April.

The teams have all had to meet a brief, set by Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore, which this year challenges them to formulate ideas as to how their club can increase the number of families attending home matches.

Over the last few months the teams have worked on their proposals, producing an executive summary which includes costings and profit forecasts, and for the play-offs they had to also articulate their ideas in a presentation to a panel of judges, which at the Emirates included Steven Coates, UK Entrepreneur of the Year 2013, and Jordan Cummins, account executive at the Confederation of British Industry.

Fulham will be taking part in the PLEC final for the first time, after impressing the judges with their idea of a matchday funfair. Their Emirates win is part of a memorable Enterprise Challenge experience for the team, who prepared for the play-off by presenting to Fulham's Management Board and being taken for a tour of the Club's Training Ground.

They have also been given the opportunity to be a part of Fulham's Family Day fixture against Middlesbrough next month to find out how their idea could work.

"It's been a really inspiring experience all round," said Danielle Richards, Education and Inclusion Manager at Fulham FC Foundation. "They've worked hard but they didn't expect to win. They were convinced they didn't have a chance.

"I've seen them from the very first day when they came up with the idea, how it's grown through to the heats, presenting to the Management Board, and then to pitching at the final, I felt so proud of them in what they had achieved for themselves and the Club. After their visit to the Training Ground they said it was the best day of their lives but then to go on and win the play-off is beyond our wildest dreams."

West Bromwich Albion, Derby County, Blackpool and Wigan Athletic are also in the final after winning the other two play-offs at the Britannia Stadium and Old Trafford. Crystal Palace complete the PLEC final line-up after their PL Kicks team was selected from a group of three runners-up to be the wildcard pick.

The Enterprise Challenge is the highlight of Premier League Enterprise, a project which uses the hook of football and the knowledge and expertise of the clubs to engage teenagers in business activities. There are 26 Premier League and Football League clubs taking part in this year's PLEC, with more than 2,500 students involved, and is supported by BIS. By the time of the PLEC final in April, more than 10,000 young people will have taken part in the annual competition with a total of 90,000+ young people engaged in the Enterprise programme since it began in 2009.

The scheme gives the opportunity for youngsters to develop their business skills by working with their local football club. Over the years, many clubs have adopted the ideas that their teams have come up with during the Enterprise Challenge.

The focus of this year's PLEC focuses on young people who may be considered 'harder to reach' and aged 13-17. The Challenge gives secondary school students the chance to work with their local professional football clubs on a real football business challenge, and those who made through to the play-offs had already displayed their business credentials by winning regional heats for the right to represent their club.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/27/enterprise-challenge?

[WhiteJC]

 
Mark Warburton's Brentford 'ready' for the run-in

Bees boss gives his weekly update
Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said his players are ready for the final seven games of the Sky Bet Championship season as they enter the last international break of the campaign.
The Bees, along with all other teams in the top two divisions, do not have a game this weekend as there are international fixtures taking place.
They currently sit seventh in the table, one point outside the Play-Off places, six away from the automatic promotion spots and seven off the top.
The Bees went in to the break on the back of a 2-2 home draw from Millwall when they scored two goals in the final five minutes to get a point.
Mark said the break had come at a good time for his squad.
They trained Monday and Tuesday this week and will now come back in on Sunday, March 29, to prepare for their next match – the West London derby against Fulham.
"The break has come at a good time," said Mark, speaking to Bees Player earlier this week.
"We had a few tired bodies at the weekend.
"The players worked hard in training, it was the normal, tough, session.
"They deserve their four days off.
"To work hard before the break is good psychologically.
"They are in a good place.
"They can have a deserved break and then come back ready for Fulham.
"We are ready for it and looking forward to the remaining seven days."
Mark said there were a lot of good things to come from the draw against Millwall but also things to learn.
Brentford fell behind in the first half and then went two down after the break but Alex Pritchard scored a penalty and Moses Odubajo equalised at the death to give The Bees a point.
Millwall are 23rd in the table and Mark said teams scrapping for survival would provide tough opposition in upcoming games for all teams.
"We watched the game as a group," said the Brentford boss.
"There were many good things but our decision making in the final third in the first half wasn't good, we lost patience and put aimless balls in to the box.
"When we took care in the second half we had chances.
"We looked at winning first balls, picking up second balls, what we have done well all season.
"Millwall are scrapping for survival and there are no easy games.
"They are an established Championship side and we shouldn't be disappointed we didn't steamroller them.
"They pressed two up, played three high midfield players and took a risk.
"That meant if they won the ball they were in a dangerous area.
"We have to learn from that.
"I keep saying it but if you don't learn you shouldn't be playing.
"You shouldn't learn the same thing every week but you have to look at what you could do better – decision making, movement, when to release the ball.
"You always look at what you can do better."
Mark said every team in the Championship will be looking at points they could have taken but Brentford were only focussed on themselves.
The Bees fell out of the top six when Ipswich Town beat Watford last Saturday but they are still in the chase.
Mark said some Championship teams will be playing games they have to win and will play accordingly.
He said games and situations change quickly at this stage of the season and Brentford only had to worry about themselves.
"There will be some teams in the division that have to win," said Mark.
"They will throw caution to the wind, draws are no good to them.
"We will face some teams scrapping for survival and we respect that.
"We are pushing for positives at the other end but it can change quickly.
"We are one point off fifth, it is very tight.
"A late goal for Ipswich moved us down but that is the nature of things.
"We will forget everyone else and if we get the right results we will be OK.
"Every team will bemoan dropping points.
"The games turn quickly and our job is only about Brentford."
Mark said Lewis Macleod was now fit to play Development Squad football.
The midfield player joined The Bees from Glasgow Rangers during the January Transfer Window but has been out with a hamstring injury.
He has recovered and will play in the Under-21 Professional Development League Two game against Nottingham Forest at Griffin Park on Saturday, March 28.
"We can't throw someone who has been out for three months in to a Championship promotion push," said Mark.
"That would be a tough ask for anyone.
"He has trained really well, the medical team have done an outstanding job and we hope he will play for the Development Squad on Saturday.
"We have another behind-closed-doors game early next week and he will be involved in that and available for selection.
"Every injury is different.
"Lewis has come through, we have been monitoring his strength tests and speed testing.
"It has been a slow process but the welfare of the player is all important."
Brentford's next match is at Craven Cottage against Fulham next Friday, April 3.
The Bees will be looking to complete a Sky Bet Championship double over Fulham after beating them at Griffin Park in November.
In front of a sell-out crowd that night Brentford fell behind but Harlee Dean equalised and Jota struck a last minute winner.
"The players are very aware of what this game means," said Mark.
"They showed it when Jota scored that goal and the atmosphere that night was magnificent.
"We know we are taking 6,000+ fans to Craven Cottage.
"That is a magnificent effort and we have to give them a performance to send them home happy."



Read more at http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/mark-warburton-brentford-run-in-preview-2360574.aspx#MQ2u4L5xxiPYx3Et.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Former Fulham hero Louis Saha calls on club to back Kit Symons

Former Fulham striker Louis Saha has called on the club's board to back Kit Symons in a bid to restore stability to Craven Cottage.

Fulham were relegated from the Premier League last May after 13 seasons in the top flight and went through three managers — Martin Jol, Rene Meulensteen and Felix Magath — in less than a year before Symons' appointment in September.

After so much turmoil, Saha believes Fulham must now show faith in Symons to ensure continuity returns to the club.

Saha told Standard Sport: "It is a challenging time for him [Symons]. He needs help from Fulham supporters and help from the board.

"What has happened in the last two years has been really bad for the club. The management above has been dangerous, there has been a combination of problems."

Saha said Fulham should look to the example of Manchester United, for whom he played after leaving Craven Cottage. The Old Trafford club showed faith in Sir Alex Ferguson despite his poor start and were rewarded for their patience as he won 38 trophies during his time in charge.

"You have to stick with them whether it's a smaller or a big job — you have to trust the manager," Saha added.

Fulham have struggled in the Championship this season and are in 20th place, eight points clear of the relegation zone with seven games to go.


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/former-fulham-hero-louis-saha-calls-on-club-to-back-kit-symons-10138858.html

[WhiteJC]

 
West London rivals Fulham and Brentford involved in Twitter spat after goalkeeper Richard Lee's loan move

West London rivals Fulham and Brentford exchanged jibes on Twitter a week before they meet on the pitch.

The spat started when Brentford announced the loan move of goalkeeper Richard Lee moving from Griffin Park to Craven Cottage by describing Fulham as 'Championship strugglers.'

Fulham hit back with a one word retort on their official account simply saying 'Bless'.

And Brentford then took their social media skills to the next level by posting a meme of US President Barack Obama laughing with the words 'My feelings are so hurt right now.'

Brentford are within their rights to be laughing at their local rivals and will finish the season above Fulham for the first time in over two decades.

The Bees have had an excellent season and are in with a chance of back-to-back promotions with the club sitting just outside the Championship play-off spots.


The spat started when Brentford announced the loan move of Richard Lee to Fulham

Fulham, by contrast, are in danger of successive relegations after spending 13 years in the Premier League, they are now just eight points above the Championship drop zone.

But Fulham fans may wish to point out that over the last 20 years while - Brentford have been in the bottom two divisions – The Cottagers have been involved in three European campaigns – including making the Europa League final in 2010 – and have beaten the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in the top flight.


Fulham's Ross McCormack celebrates scoring the goal that knocked Brentford out of the Capital One Cup

The pair will meet for the third time this season on Good Friday with the both clubs having won one game each.

Fulham knocked Brentford out of the Capital One Cup thanks to a Ross McCormack goal and then Brentford won the league game 2-1 at Griffin Park thanks to goals from Harlee Dean and an injury time winner from Jota in November.

The last time the pair met at Craven Cottage was back in December 1997 when they played out a 1-1 draw with Fulham's Paul Peschisolido cancelling out Nigel Gleghorn's first half goal for the Bees.


Spanish midfielder Jota scored a late winner for Brentford against Fulham in November
Goalkeeper Lee has not played for Brentford since the 6-6 draw with Dagenham back in August and announced that he will hang up his gloves at the end of the season.

Lee will compete with England U21 goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli and Gabor Kiraly for the No 1 shirt at Fulham. Kit Symons also snapped up midfielder Danny Guthrie from Reading on loan for the remainder of the season.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3014681/West-London-rivals-Fulham-Brentford-involved-Twitter-spat-goalkeeper-Richard-Lee-s-loan-move.html#ixzz3VbunwKAe
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham fined following incident in game against Leeds

Fulham have been fined £20,000 after the club admitted an FA charge of failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.

The charge related to an incident in or around the 51st minute of the game against Leeds United on 18 March 2015.


Read more at http://www.thefa.com/news/governance/2015/mar/fulham-fined-after-misconduct-charge-found-proven?#SvZJ0wIdMLa7rXBU.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham fined £20,000 by FA for failing to control players

The Football Association has fined Championship side Fulham £20,000 for failing to control their players during a recent match against Leeds United.

The Cottagers were charged after a number of their players surrounded the referee after Konstantinos Stafylidis was sent off in the 51st minute.

Fulham eventually suffered a 3-0 defeat to Leeds at Craven Cottage on March 18.

A statement from the FA read: "Fulham have been fined £20,000 after the club admitted an FA charge of failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion."

Fulham are 20th in the league table.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/fulham-fined-gbp20000-by-fa_213664.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Ready For The Challenge

Danny Guthrie is ready to battle for a spot in Fulham's midfield after completing his loan switch from Reading on Thursday.

The 27-year-old has joined the Whites for the remainder of the campaign from the Royals and will now compete with the likes of Scott Parker, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Emerson Hyndman, Seko Fofana, Bryan Ruiz and Lasse Vigen Christensen for a place in the middle of the park.

"That's the way it should be," Guthrie told the official website. "No one has any given right to play in the team. But competition is part of the game and I really look forward to training and earning my right."

Shrewsbury-born Guthrie's switch to SW6 from Berkshire was something of a whirlwind.

"I literally had a phonecall on Thursday morning off my agent," he said. "I had a training session with Reading in the early afternoon, got pulled out halfway through, hopped in the car and came down here. It was that quick.

"Fulham have got something to play for. It's a good challenge and I'm really looking forward to it. And obviously the main objective is to be safe as soon as possible. And personally I want to play as many games and minutes and do well for this football club.

"Speaking to some of the staff, the squad is quite young so if I can add any sort of experience and knowledge then that will be great. And obviously from my point of view I just want to play and enjoy my time here."

Guthrie, who took part in his first training session for Fulham on Friday, began his career at Liverpool before joining Newcastle United, for whom he scored a screamer at Craven Cottage in January 2012.

After four years on Tyneside, he joined Reading and has made 69 appearances for the Royals, featuring alongside a couple of former Fulham faces.

"I spoke to the likes of Steven Kelly and big Pav [Pavel Pogrebnyak] before coming here," explained Guthrie. "They've all spoken highly of the Club so it's something I'm really looking forward to.

"I played a few times against Fulham in the Premier League. I scored when Newcastle got beat 5-2 so I've got mixed emotions from that day. But I always loved playing down here. It's a lovely pitch and I'm looking forward to getting out there."

Guthrie's new club currently sit eight points clear of the relegation zone – a gap he's keen to increase during his time at the Cottage.

"It's obviously a nice gap as it could be a lot worse, a lot tighter," he added. "But there's obviously that uncertainty so hopefully a winning run is something we can put together as soon as possible."

Guthrie could make his Whites bow when Fulham host Brentford at the Cottage on Good Friday 3rd April (3pm). Tickets for the clash with the Bees are still available, priced from £30 Adults, £25 Concessions and £5 Juniors.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/27/guthrie?

[WhiteJC]

 
Change For U21 Fixture

Fulham's Barclays U21 Premier League clash with Norwich City has been moved to a new date.

Orginally scheduled to be played on Monday 4th May, the game will now take place this coming Wednesday 1st April at Carrow Road (7pm).

Peter Grant's side were last in action on Friday 20th March when their opponents were Norwich at Craven Cottage. Two Ange-Freddy Plumain goals earned Fulham a 2-1 win that evening.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/march/27/change-for-u21-fixture?

[WhiteJC]

 
A Ray of Sunshine on the Horizon!
   
Okay, so it has been a disappointing season.

Thoughts of an immediate return to the Premier League after our relegation last season have proven to be somewhat foolhardy.

Instead we`re still embroiled in a battle to make sure that we don`t get sucked into a relegation battle, the last thing we need.

However, there is a ray of sunshine on the horizon when you take a look at the England U21 team selected for their fixture tonight:

England U21 XI: Bettinelli, Chambers, Keane, Moore, Targett, Ward-Prowse, Forster-Caskey, Redmond, Carroll, Pritchard, Woodrow.

Not one but two Fulham youngsters in the line-up.

Here`s hoping they do themselves and Fulham Football Club proud.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=394270#ixzz3VfKx0jU1