Friday Fulham Stuff 14.05.15

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Fulham have Bolton defender on their radar


On the move: Matt Mills

Fulham will have to fight off Nottingham Forest if they want to go ahead and sign Bolton central defender Matt Mills.

The Bolton player is holding off signing a new contract at the Macron Stadium, and his agent is keenly sourcing a new club for the 28-year-old who made 41 appearances for the Trotters last season, scoring five goals.

Forest are also hot on the trail of the former England U19, who has a wealth of Championship experience behind him including stints with Reading and Leicester.

Waving goodbye? Mills during a lap of honour after the last match of the season

Whites tried a number of combinations in the centre of defence last season, but still leaked 83 goals - the second worst by a distance, and only eight fewer than hapless Blackpool - relegated from the Championship three weeks before the end.

Getwestlondon understands the club tried to get Mills on loan in January, but later settled on Michael Turner from Norwich instead.

Fulham have been alerted to Mills's availability, but talks are at early stage with the club taking stock of a promised raft of changes as boss Kit Symons promised at the end of a disappointing campaign.

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-bolton-defender-radar-9250085

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Symons safe at Fulham



Kit Symons will remain as Fulham's manager next season, according to a report by Sky Sports. Symons safe at Fulham The Fulham manager was widely tipped to be replaced after the London club suffered a mediocre season. Fulham were tipped by many for promotion back to the Premier League after the £11million capture of Ross McCormack, yet they finish the season disappointed in 17th position, 11 points above the relegation zone. Symons replaced Felix Magath back in September after a poor start and, despite the change, Fulham were never able to get back on track to promotion. During his playing career, Symons made 101 appearances for his first three clubs - Portsmouth, Manchester City and Fulham - before a £400,000 move to Crystal Palace in January 2001, where he made 59 appearances before retiring in 2005. - See more at: https://www.clubcall.com/championship/symons-safe-at-fulham-1769292.html#sthash.obZ7zqc6.dpuf

Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/championship/symons-safe-at-fulham-1769292.html

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Report: Fulham to battle with Nottingham Forest for free agent former Dougie Freedman favourite

It is reported that The Cottagers are also keen on Bolton Wanderers defender Matt Mills.

In February it was reported that Matt Mills might be a summer transfer target for Nottingham Forest.

The report came from Tutto Mercato Web, and it was rather vague, but since then rumours of the deal have continued to circulate.

The Bolton man is undoubtedly talented, as he has shown in the past - in particular during a spell at Reading.

Freedman knows him already from their time working together at the Macron Stadium and would therefore have no trouble contacting him and convincing him of the move.

Mills has played in the area already. He may want to forget it about it now, but he did spend time at Leicester City in what was a rather unsuccessful period.

However, with Jamaal Lascelles on his way to Newcastle United in the summer and Mills a free agent, as his contract expires with the Trotters in June, this one would appear to be a no-brainer and the reports are beginning to gather steam once again.

Now it looks like they have competition for the central-defender.

According to a report in Get West London Fulham are also on the lookout for a new central defender and Mills is on their radar.

They report that The Cottagers originally tried to get Mills on board on loan in January, but signed Michael Turner from Norwich City instead.

Nottingham Forest will surely know now that they need to move fast if they want Mills next season.

http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/05/14/report-fulham-to-battle-with-nottingham-forest-for-free-agent-fo/

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Ladies Reserves' Double



In a nail-biting end to the season, Fulham FC Foundation Ladies Reserves were crowned champions of the Surrey County Reserve Premier Division on Sunday 3rd May. This completes a brilliant maiden campaign for the newly formed side, after also winning their first ever piece of silverware in the form of the League Cup back in April.

The season was no quick win however, with the first league game being played back in September after a three-month pre-season. With much of the squad coming together in mid to late September, the reserve team coach Timo Cato had to get the players to gel very quickly in order to produce the right results.

Early season wins came against Crystal Palace and British Airways, which really galvanised the players' desires to acquire the habit of winning week in week out, helping the team to begin the campaign at the top end of what was going to be a very competitive league.

A change in coach from Timo, who went on to lead the First Team Ladies, saw the introduction of Craig Little who guided the team forward for the rest of the season. Possibly the defining moment of the season was fighting back from 3-0 down against title rivals Surrey Eagles to earn a 3-3 draw with virtually the last kick of the game.

This never say die spirit was embodied again in the County Cup Final against Crystal Palace. Going in 1-0 down at half-time, the coaching team of Craig, Dave Newland and Matthew Weller instilled belief in the players for the second half. A strong attacking display from the team and two second half goals from Kayley O'Neil saw the Ladies run out eventual 2-1 winners.

After a gruelling 20-plus game season, spanning from September to May, the Reserves won the league with a hard fought win over British Airways Ladies. The final league standings saw our Ladies finish ahead of local rivals Surrey Eagles FC by just two points, with Crystal Palace Ladies FC Development Reserves finishing two points behind in third.

The First Team have been on the hunt for promotion from the London and South East Regional Women's Premier League all season and have their last game against London Corinthians on Sunday 24th May. Well done to the Reserves and good luck to the First Team.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/may/14/ladies-reserves-double

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Sean Bean's All Star Preview

Watch Sean Bean lay out his plans to stop the Fulham All Stars and reveal which manager he aspires to be like.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwoMMf

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Bettinelli is Fulham's Unsung Hero of the Season

In what has been another rather forgettable season for everyone associated with Fulham Football Club, there were very few standout performers warranting praise, let alone anyone who could perhaps be seen as an "unsung hero".

The price-tag that has been associated with Ross McCormack since he joined last summer has followed him around ever since but, with hindsight, the Scotsman is still deserving of the Player of the Season award. His creativity, work-rate and the 19 goals scored justify the price in a division where identifying and attracting a forward at that level leaves you with perhaps three possible candidates all likely to set you back a fee north of £10m.

There can be no doubt that without McCormack our situation would have been a lot worse come May, but the same would have to be said for our young English goalkeeper – Marcus Bettinelli. As a product of our Under-21 side, Bettinelli is one of a handful of players to be thrown in at the deep end this season and come out the other side with honours. There have certainly been times where the young stopper has shown his inexperience, but the positives outweigh the negatives by a long way. For every slip-up such as the one against Sunderland, there are numerous examples of vital saves made to win the odd point or three. Of the 39 appearances he has made this season there were a total of eight clean sheets. Certainly nothing to write home about but considering the conveyor belt of an ever-changing back four and the general incompetence of the players in front of him, I think it is, at worst, respectable.

March 27 this year also saw Bettinelli make his England Under-21 debut away in the Czech Republic, so clearly his development has not gone unnoticed outside of the club either. In fact, if paper talk is to be believed then there is already interest from Premier League clubs clambering to make up the quota of home-grown players. Given he would likely only be playing second fiddle in the top-flight at present though, it would make sense for him to continue his development at the club where he is now firmly established as first-choice.

Of all of the younger players to have broken through this year, Bettinelli has been the success story. Lasse Vigen Christensen would be close behind although injury put paid to his contribution during the second half of the season. The likes of Woodrow, Kavanagh, Grimmer and Dembele have all played their part, although I would doubt if any of those would automatically be in Fulham fans' preferred starting XI unlike Bettinelli, who picks himself.

In reality Bettinelli has hardly been an unsung hero, given that as fans we have had very little to sing about and in turn the few players who have deserved praise this season have had it lavished on them at any given chance. Putting things into perspective it is probably those who have decided to renew their season tickets, gluttons for punishment, that are the real unsung heroes.

The next few months will likely see more upheaval and change at Craven Cottage, but the emergence of a young and talented goalkeeper has been a ray of hope in this rotten season.

COYW!

http://www.shoot.co.uk/category/news/bettinelli-is-fulhams-unsung-hero-of-the-season/

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POTS: Deadline Today



Supporters have until midday this afternoon to cast their vote for Fulham's 2014/15 Player of the Season.

It may not have been as prosperous a campaign as we were all hoping for at Craven Cottage, but there have been numerous positives to take, from breakthroughs from the Academy to sensational goals, and some excellent individual performances along the way.

Supporters can vote for any member of the Whites squad who featured on at least 10 occasions in 2014/15.
Not sure who to vote for? Have a watch of the below video to see who some of the squad would opt for.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/may/15/pots-deadline-today

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