Saturday & Sunday Fulham Stuff 13.04.15 - 14.06.15

[Friendsoffulham]

Emmo's Shootout Pain



It was heartbreak for Emerson Hyndman as the United States exited the FIFA U-20 World Cup in a penalty shootout after a stalemate with Serbia.

After 120 goalless minutes, it took nine rounds of spot-kicks to separate the sides in Auckland, New Zealand, until the Europeans clinched the 6-5 shootout victory in the Quarter Final encounter.

Hyndman converted from 12 yards to give the US a 3-2 advantage but, with the scores tied at 5-5, John Requejo saw his shot saved and Nemanja Maksimovic hit the decisive strike to deny Tab Ramos' team a first U-20 World Cup Semi Final since 1989.

Serbia progress to play Mali on Wednesday, after the African nation stunned Germany in a 4-3 penalty shootout win following a 1-1 draw, while Brazil and Senegal meet in the other Semi Final.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/june/14/emmos-shootout-pain?

[Friendsoffulham]

Manchester City prepare bid for Fulham prodigy



According to this morning's Daily Mail, Premier League runners-up Manchester City are launching a bid to secure the services of Fulham's Patrick Roberts in order to boost the number of homegrown players in their squad.

The much-touted youngster has been a hot topic this summer with links already being made to Arsenal, Manchester United, and current Premier League champions Chelsea.

This high level of interest shows the potential that Roberts has and how much the top clubs believe he could be 'the next big thing', and at just 18 years of age he has plenty of time to develop.



Fulham have offered the versatile forward a new contract, reportedly around the £5,000 a week mark, but the London-born attacking midfielder is yet to sign on the dotted line at Craven Cottage.

Roberts made his senior debut in the Premier League for the Cottagers against Manchester City during the 2013-14 season and has since gone on to play a further 21 times, although the majority of those appearances have been from the bench.

Highly rated in the England international setup, the former AFC Wimbledon youngster has been capped at four age levels and is a current member of the U19 setup, for whom he has scored five goals in eight games.

http://the72.co.uk/29173/manchester-city-prepare-bid-for-fulham-prodigy/?

[Friendsoffulham]

Mitroglou to Fenerbahçe in loan exchange deal?



Reports from Turkey claim that Fenerbahçe are confident of completing a loan exchange deal that will see Fulham misfit Kostas Mitroglou join the Turkish giants whilst Nigerian forward Emmanuel Emenike moves in the other direction.

Mitroglou, who spent last season on loan at Olympiakos, does not have any future at Craven Cottage despite being chairman Shahid Khan's biggest-money signing. The Greek international striker cost around £12m when he moved from Olympiakos last January, but has only made three appearances for the club in a disastrous injury-hit spell. He returned to his former club on loan last August, helping them reach the Champions' League group stages and complete their seventeenth domestic double.

Mitroglou's manager at Olympiakos, the former Portuguese midfielder Vitor Pereira joined Fenerbahçe on Thursday and has already identified the 27 year-old as the man to solve the Turkish giant's problems in front of goal. Turkish media reports claim that club president Aziz Yildrim and director of football Giuliano Terraneo have held personal discussions with Khan and Fulham officials about a possible swap deal involving Emenike, who has apparently already bought a house in Essex as he prepares for a move to England.

The 28 year-old forward's second spell with Fenerbahçe is certain to end this summer after he became a target of the boo boys amongst the fanatical Ferne support and asked to be substituted in the derby against Besiktas in March. Emenike's goals helped fire his country to the African Cup of Nations in 2013, where he finished as the tournament's top goalscorer, and he helped Fenerbahçe win the double the following season. He was cleared of match-fixing allegations whilst playing in Turkey and is said to be keen on a move to Europe.

http://hammyend.com/index.php/2015/06/mitroglou-to-fenerbahce-in-loan-exchange-deal/?

[Friendsoffulham]

Manchester City make move for Roberts



Manchester City are planning a summer swoop for Fulham's teenage starlet Patrick Roberts, according to a report in tomorrow's Mail on Sunday.

The paper claims that City are keen to add the 18 year-old midfielder to their ranks in order to boost the number of homegrown players in their first-team squad so they can adequately satisfy the criteria ahead of next season's Premier League and Champions' League registration deadlines. Roberts is widely considered as one of the most promising young talents in the English game and Fulham have already fended off tentative approaches from Manchester United and Chelsea to keep him at Craven Cottage.

The England under-18 youth international, who made his first team debut in Fulham's 5-0 defeat at Manchester City as a substitute last March, starred as Fulham's under-18 side reached the FA Youth Cup final last season. He made twenty appearances – mainly from the bench – as the club struggled to adjust to life in the Championship – and has only a year left on his current contract. Earlier this week, Kit Symons reiterated his confidence that Fulham would be able to keep hold of one the club's prized assets.

The Mail on Sunday suggests that City would consider offering a deal that could reach up to £10m with add-ons for Roberts, although Fulham will not give up on one of their most impressive Academy graduates without a fight. Chief executive Alistair Mackintosh, who used to hold the same position at City, has offered Roberts a new deal believed to worth around £5,000-per-week and will stress the importance of continuing his development at the club that has so successfully nurtured his talent.

http://hammyend.com/index.php/2015/06/manchester-city-make-move-for-roberts/?

[Friendsoffulham]

Manchester City chasing Fulham prodigy Patrick Roberts to boost homegrown level



The 18-year-old has also been linked to Manchester United and Chelsea
Fulham have offered Roberts a new contract worth around £5,000 a week
Roberts, who made his Premier League debut as a substitute against City in March last year, would cost around £10million

Manchester City are launching a bid for Fulham's highly-rated forward Patrick Roberts.
The 18-year-old is regarded as one of the best emerging English talents and has interest from Manchester United and Chelsea too but City are pushing ahead with a deal as they look to boost the level of homegrown players in their squad.
Fulham have offered Roberts a new contract worth around £5,000 a week and want him to stay at Craven Cottage where they believe it would be better for his development.

Coaches fear a move to City would see Roberts stagnate but the England U19 international is confident he could make an impression on City's first team squad.

Fulham would want up to £10million for Roberts if he leaves although any deal is likely to be staggered on appearances and performances.
Roberts, who made his Premier League debut as a substitute against City in March last year, is a skilful player who can play out wide or as a second striker and has an eye for the odd spectacular goal as he showed for England U18s against Russia U18s this week.
He made 20 appearances for Fulham last season predominantly from the bench.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3123109/Manchester-City-chasing-Fulham-prodigy-Patrick-Roberts-boost-homegrown-level.html#ixzz3d1kDXqbC

[Friendsoffulham]

Reassessing Jazz Richards



The Welsh national football team brought out their inner dragon last night as they clinched their first win over a team in FIFA's supposed top ten. Manager Chris Coleman, formally of Fulham of course, decided to utilise a wing back system that would help cover the attacking talent at Belgium's disposal. Prospective Fulham player, Ashley Richards, started just his second international game in two years in a right wing back role. Coleman's charges defended in a fashion that looked as though it was for each and every single Welshman in the Cardiff City Stadium or across the nation.

With rumours that Swansea City had accepted a bid of £500,000 for Ashley Jazz Richards from Fulham, I took it upon myself to watch him very closely as he could well be our starting right back next season after a mixed (to say the least) spell on loan; what transpired was truly incredible. I've not seen Richards put in a performance even close to his turn out for Wales against Belgium as he was the epitome of the effort and dedication shown last night earning an eight out of ten from BBC Wales' Dafydd Pritchard. Richards was strong in the tackle, getting into Eden Hazard quickly, which forced the Chelsea man to look towards the middle and right hand side of the pitch to make an impact on the game.

There was no Belgian threat at all really, but Richards' performance made sure there was none whatsoever down that side, whether it was Jan Vertonghen overlapping, or Eden Hazard, moving to Dries Mertens and then Kevin de Bruyne late on. Jazz was also dedicated in stopping crosses from getting into the Wales box, it was a master class in cancelling out service to strikers as both Richards and Taylor wedged themselves in between crosses, starving both Christian Benteke and then Romelu Lukaku of any form of food to digest. Ashley Richards' determination to get in the faces of word class bracket talent was admirable and hugely successful as Chris Coleman's game plan was executed to perfection.

Confident striding forward in his wing back role, Richards also displayed the poise in possession he gained coming through the system at Swansea, working with managers like Paolo Sousa and Brendan Rodgers in his early professional career. Initially, I were uneasy as towards us signing Jazz Richards, and as a fan of Jack Grimmer, I was hoping we'd give our home-grown Scot all of our faith going into the new season as we build an actual team; but this performance really changed my opinion on Richards. With the announcement that Tim Hoogland will be leaving us, I'm now somewhat excited about the possibility of watching Jack Grimmer and Ashley Richards fight to start in the Fulham back line.

All I know that is if Richards puts in similar performances to his one against Belgium in eighty per cent of our matches, then £500,000 is one hell of a steal. It's now down to Ashley Richards to be part of an improved defence with improved performances, all that jazz will be a fairly essential component in Fulham battling at the top end of the table rather than facing another frustrating inconsequential season.

http://hammyend.com/index.php/2015/06/reassessing-jazz-richards/?

[Friendsoffulham]

Hugo Rodallega among NINE players being shown the exit door at struggling Fulham



Fulham have decided not release nine players, including Hugo Rodallega
Tim Hoogland, Gabor Kiraly, Chris David, Josh Passley, Solomon Sambou, Jonathan Buatu and Noe Baba and Adil Chihi are also leaving
Kit Symons is overhauling squad following last season's relegation scare

Colombia striker Hugo Rodallega heads an exodus of nine players being released by Fulham this summer.
The 29-year-old, who arrived at Craven Cottage from Wigan in 2012, will not have his contract, which expires at the end of June, renewed by the struggling Championship side.

A statement on Fulham's official website read: 'The club can confirm that Hugo Rodallega will leave Fulham when his contract expires at the end of this month.

'Tim Hoogland, Gabor Kiraly, Chris David and Adil Chihi will also be leaving the club, as will Josh Passley, Solomon Sambou, Jonathan Buatu and Noe Baba.

Rodallega started last season in fine form with nine goals in his first 17 games, but has found the net just twice this term before losing his place to Matt Smith.
The Cottagers finished 19th in the Championship last season.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3122856/Hugo-Rodallega-NINE-players-shown-exit-door-Fulham.html#ixzz3d1lSTnGw
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[Friendsoffulham]

Cottagers boss 'very emotional' after big decision



Kit Symons will leave his role as Wales' assistant manager to focus on Fulham's 2015/16 campaign.

The former centre-back, capped 37 times for his country, has been Chris Coleman's right-hand man since January 2012 and has continued to work for his country despite being handed the managerial job at Craven Cottage.

Coleman spoke to Fulham chairman Shahid Khan before the trip to Belgium in November for permission to take their manager and Symons was involved again for the away trip to Israel and this week's victory over the Belgians.

But the Welsh boss revealed after their 1-0 win in Cardiff that he is having to say goodbye to Symons and allow him to prepare for his first full season in charge of Fulham.

"We will have a chat but I think Kit will have to stop and concentrate on Fulham," Coleman said. "It will be a shame for him to go as he has done really well, but managing a club and working with your country is very difficult to do.

"He is probably very emotional as he has represented Wales for 25 years as a player and coach and I will miss him.

"I have got his replacement, but he is in work at a club and until he puts pen to paper we cannot make it official." Symons' Fulham are currently 8/1 with the bookies to clinch promotion back to the Premier League next season but this week's developments mean their manager will have his sole focus on club football.

Read more at: http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/cottagers_boss_very_emotional_after_big_decision_1_4111338
Copyright © LONDON24

[Friendsoffulham]

Rodallega leaves Fulham



The Colombian striker, 29, moved to Craven Cottage in July 2012 from Wigan and made 88 appearances, scoring 20 goals.

He started last season in fine form with nine goals in his first 17 games, but scored just twice in 2015 and eventually lost his place in the team to Matt Smith.

Boss Kit Symons is overhauling his squad following last season's relegation scare and has also released Tim Hoogland, Gabor Kiraly, Chris David and Adil Chihi along with youngsters Josh Passley, Solomon Sambou, Jonathan Buatu and Noe Baba.

http://www.football365.com/championship/9883857/Hugo-Rodallega-one-of-nine-players-to-leave-Fulham?

[Friendsoffulham]

Hugo Rodallega among nine players released by Fulham



Hugo Rodallega will be looking for another club after three years at Fulham.
Fulham have released nine players including Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega.

Rodallega, 29, joined Fulham from Wigan in 2012 but the Championship side announced that his contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of the month.

A statement on Fulham's official website read: "The club can confirm that Hugo Rodallega will leave Fulham when his contract expires at the end of this month.

"Tim Hoogland, Gabor Kiraly, Chris David and Adil Chihi will also be leaving the club, as will Josh Passley, Solomon Sambou, Jonathan Buatu and Noe Baba.

"We'd like to thank all of these players for their contributions to Fulham over the years, and wish them all the best in their future careers."

Rodallega scored 11 goals in 38 games last season for Fulham, who finished 17th in their first season since being relegated from the Premier League.

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/fulham/story/2490027/hugo-rodallega-among-nine-released-by-fulham?

[Friendsoffulham]

Rodallega one of nine out at Fulham



Hugo Rodallega heads the list of players released by Fulham this summer. The Colombian striker, 29, moved to Craven Cottage in July 2012 from Wigan and made 88 appearances, scoring 20 goals. He started last season in fine form with nine goals in his first 17 games, but scored just twice in 2015 and eventually lost his place in the team to Matt Smith. Boss Kit Symons is overhauling his squad following last season's relegation scare and has also released Tim Hoogland, Gabor Kiraly, Chris David and Adil Chihi along with youngsters Josh Passley, Solomon Sambou, Jonathan Buatu and Noe Baba.

Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/fulham/rodallega-one-of-nine-out-at-fulham-1772124.html?

[Friendsoffulham]

Fulham`s Fixtures Released Next Week

Fulham`s Championship fixtures for the coming 2015-16 campaign will be known on the all important date of Wednesday June 17.

It seems barely a moment ago we drew the curtain down on the 2014-15 campaign but with player movements and pre season friendlies being organised and announced, the time for the all important fixture day and diary planning draws nearer.

It's going to be a big year for the club and manager Fulham as we try and fight for promotion to the top flight in the new year.

We know the Championship season begins on the weekend of Saturday August 8 and the League Cup first round begins in the week commencing August 10.

The final finish date for the campaign has been listed as the weekend of May 7.

The Community Shield will be held on August 2 and the FA Cup proper begins on November 7.

Full Premiership/Football League calendar list So Far (changes more than possible!)

June 2015
17th - Fixture release day

August 2015
2nd - Community Shield
8th - Season Start
11th - Capital One Cup Round 1 & UEFA Super Cup
w/c 24th - Capital One Cup Round 2
31st (through Sept 8) - International Break

September 2015
15th - Champions League Begins
17th - Europa League Begins
w/c 21st - Capital One Cup Round 3

October 2015
5th (through Oct 13) - International Break
w/c 26th - Capital One Cup Round 4

November 2015
7th - FA Cup
9th (through Nov 17) - International Break
w/c 30th - Capital One Cup Round 5

December 2015
26th - Boxing Day Fixtures
28th - Festive Fixtures

January 2016
2nd - Festive Fixtures
w/c 4th - Capital One Cup Semi-Final 1st legs
9th - FA Cup Round 3
w/c 25th - Capital One Cup Semi-Final 2nd legs

February 2016
28th - Capital One Cup Final

March 2016
21st (through Mar 29) - International Break

April 2016
3rd - Football League Trophy Final

May 2016
7th - Season Ends - Football League
15th - Season Ends - Premier League
18th - Europa League Final
21th - FA Cup Final
22nd - FA Trophy Final, FA Vase Final
28th - Champions League Final, Championship Play Off Final
29th - League One Play Off Final
30th - League Two Play Off Final

June 2016
10th - European Championships Begin

July 2016
10th - European Championship Final

Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=402609#ixzz3d1ph5MId

[Friendsoffulham]

Football League Changes - Fulham
   
The Football League Conference and AGM ratified a number of changes for the 72 Football League clubs going into the 2015-16 season.

Some will impact more necessarily than others, but for those interested and in no particular order, the Football League and member clubs have ratified our own version of the American NFL 'Rooney Rule' and plans are now in place to bring those recommendations into play for the 2016-17 season.

Clubs gave overwhelming support to Chairman Greg Clarke's plans to increase employment opportunities for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background coaches (BAME).

Following a six month process of engagement with clubs and campaign organisation it is hoped that the recommendations adopted will see an increase of open and transparent recruitment practices at clubs.



The full BAME process began back in October 2014, and Clarke's recommendations included the introduction of a new mandatory recruitment practice where in Academy level football within clubs, it would be compulsary for clubs to interview at least one BAME candidate (where an application had been received) for all positions requiring a minimum of a UEFA B coaching licence.

The recommendations hope to achieve between a 10-20% target (yet to be agreed) of BAME representations in Academy football by 2019.

Further it was hoped that a Voluntary Recruitment Code would be adopted by clubs to commit to interviewing one BAME candidate (where an application had been received) for managerial and coaching positions at first team level when applications were invited, but not when specifically approaching somebody to fulfil a vacancy from a fellow member club.

It's hoped this recommendation would be trialled by a handful of clubs in the 2016-17 season.

The recommendations also talked of creating a 'ready list' of skilled and qualified BAME candidates that would be circulated to clubs for use when recruiting as well as helping BAME candidates to network better within the game, to further improve their involvement chances.

Clarke explained at the time.

"I would like to thank our clubs for giving me a mandate to continue this important work. I'm also grateful to Dan Rooney and the NFL, as well as other well informed and intentioned stakeholders for the support they have given us during this review. It is important that The Football League takes the lead in this area as our 72 clubs will provide the majority of employment opportunities and that football's other stakeholders support our initiative. I am in no doubt, whatsoever, that our clubs make employment decisions for managerial and coaching positions on the basis of merit alone. They do so because they believe the relevant individuals are the right people to take their club forward. However, it is also apparent that this is an industry that places great value on previous experience and personal relationships which can sometimes act as a barrier to those that are less able to get a foot in the door. These proposals are intended to try and address such issues, which seem to disproportionately affect those from a BAME background, while at the same time leaving employment decisions solely in the hands of clubs, as it should always be for them to decide who they wish to employ."

Further dialogue will now be held in the hope of formalising all proposals for a formal implementation vote at the 2016 AGM ahead of the 2016-17 season.

The Premier League last November, also voted to adopt a new Equality Standard when it came to BAME candidates and overall discrimination with in the game.

In early June there was further news about solidarity payments to Football League clubs following the television deal held by the Premier League.

Prem Chief Exec, Richard Scudamore explained.

"The Premier League and our Clubs are committed to sharing a significant amount of revenue for the development of football outside of the League. The increase in Solidarity Payments to Football League clubs across seasons 2016/17 to 2018/19 is an important part of that, as is our continued support for community facilities, sports participation programmes, and other groups and projects."

With Solidarity Payments now to increase a mechanism will now be introduced also that sees such payments, tied directly to the value of Premier League broadcasting revenue going forward.

It will however see a change to Parachute Payments to relegated clubs to the Championship. Instead of now, four years of payments, the new system will see such only paid for three years - unless a club has only spent one season in the top flight before suffering relegation - in which case the Parachute Payments will only apply for two years.

From 2016-17 onwards.

Year 1: 55% of the equal share of broadcast revenue paid to Premier League clubs
Year 2: 45% of the equal share of broadcast revenue paid to Premier League clubs
Year 3: 20% of the equal share of broadcast revenue paid to Premier League clubs

Clubs only in the Premier League for one year have a breakdown of.

Year 1: 55% of the equal share of broadcast revenue paid to Premier League clubs
Year 2: 45% of the equal share of broadcast revenue paid to Premier League clubs

In terms of the Solidarity Payments, moving forward they will be in 2016-17.

Championship clubs will each receive 30% of the value of a Year 3 Parachute Payment
League One clubs will each receive 4.5% of the value of a Year 3 Parachute Payment
League Two clubs will each receive 3% of the value of a Year 3 Parachute Payment

The Football League include an example of the new deal, compared to the existing one.

Solidarity Payments to FL clubs, based on agreement with Football League (with no existing formula/mechanism) for 2013/14-2015/16:
FL Championship clubs: £2.3million/season
FL League One clubs: £360,000/season
FL League Two clubs: £240,000/season

Illustration of Solidarity Payments to Football League clubs if new agreement (from 2016/17) were in place now. Based on a % of Year 3 Parachute Payments
FL Championship clubs: £3million/season
FL League One clubs: £450,000/season
FL League Two clubs: £300,000/season

With the new mechanism in place, any increase in the value of broadcasting rights in the future, will automatically lead to an increase in the applicable club Solidarity Payment.

There has also been a change to the way that Insolvency and Administration will be handed in the coming 2015-16 season.

Any club going into Administration from next season onwards will no longer suffer a ten point penalty, that has been increased to an immediate 12 point sanction and now once appointed, an Administrator will be required to market the club for a period of at least 21 days to entice potential bidders.

During this period the Administrator must also meet with the club's Supporters' Trust and provide that vehicle with an opportunity to bid for the club.

The Football League have also removed the requirement for the purchaser to achieve a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), so a club's share in the Football League will now be passed to the Administrator's preferred bidder subject to compliance with other League requirements.

It's hoped these changes will see a reduction in the profession cost of the process, and also reduce the insolvency period for clubs who find themselves in this position in the future.

Additionally, it's hoped this will grant a greater return to creditors in the future and also prevent the Administration process from being controlled by a club's previous owner who may only be partly able to achieve a CVA.

The new changes also require a new purchaser of a club in these circumstances to pay creditors a minimum of 35p in the £1 over the next three years (or 25p on transfer of share).

Failure to do this will see the club face a further 15 point deduction ahead of the start of the season proceeding the insolvency event.

Football League Chief Executive Shaun Harvey explained.

"The League has now gone two full seasons without a club suffering an insolvency event which is an encouraging sign. The use of Financial Fair Play regulations in all three divisions, the requirement for new owners to demonstrate the source and sufficiency of their funding and the ongoing monitoring of club's tax affairs have helped us bring more stability to club finances. However, we cannot be complacent and this is the right time to strengthen our Insolvency Policy and also refine its effects, so that it is as fair as it can possibly be for clubs, creditors and supporters."

Clubs also agreed to strengthen the concussion and heart screening policies with the Football League, and from 2015-16 the final decision on whether a player can train, play or be ordered to rest, will lie with the Team Doctor or another medically qualified practitioner certified by the FA when it comes to concussion.

Clubs will also now conduct mandatory heart screening on all players aged 16 or over and these tests will have to be reviewed by an experienced sports cardiologist. Results will also be retained by the club for comparison throughout the years.

Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=402608#ixzz3d1q513xE

[Friendsoffulham]

Fulham in for Bolton Keeper
   
The last time I looked, in detail, at the situation, it seemed that Fulham were looking at bringing the Millwall keeper, David Forde, to Craven Cottage.

In fact it was being suggested by some that talks were already in progress.

However, we`ve heard nothing else bout a deal being completed.

But, on the day where the regular understudy to Marcus Bettinelli, Gabor Kiraly, has been released, it looks very much as if Fulham will be offering a contract to Andy Lonergan.

Lonergan, 31-years of age, is a free agent after being released by Bolton Wanderers after three years at the club, during which he made sixty-two appearances.

A former England U21 international, Lonegan has spent a vast proportion of his career at Preston North End, making 232 appearances for the Lancashire club.

We`ll endeavour to confirm when / if the deal is completed.

Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=402607#ixzz3d1qcfkt1

[Friendsoffulham]

Fulham Release Nine Players

With our first season in the Championship not ending as we`d all hoped back in August, Kit Symons has had the unenviable task of deciding how to shape his squad for next season.

With it being patently obvious work needs doing on the squad to see Fulham mount a promotion challenge next season but also doing it within a prescribed budget, Kit has had to let nine of the current squad go, with a couple of them being high profile names.

The players being released are:-

• Hugo Rodallega
• Tim Hoogland
• Gabor Kiraly
• Chris David
• Adil Chihi
• Josh Passley
• Solomon Sambou
• Jonathan Buata
• Noe Baha

Here at Vital Fulham we`d like to wish all nine every success in the future whilst also thanking them for their contribution to the Fulham cause.

Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=402606#ixzz3d1qv6rfp

[Friendsoffulham]

Fulham Seeded In Capital One Cup First Round
 
Fulham have found themselves seeded for the opening round of the 2015-16 Capital One Cup.

The draw for the first round takes place on Tuesday June 16 and the Round One Draw will be announced at 10am.

The seeded teams will be split into two regional groups - predominantly a North/South split - and those teams will be drawn against an unseeded team from an equivalent pot on a random home/away basis.

2014-15 Premier League sides Burnley, Hull City and Queens Park Rangers are amongst the top seeds for this coming campaign as they return to the Championship, whilst Conference promoted Barnet and Bristol Rovers return to the competition, unseeded, on their return to Football League Two.



First Round ties for the League Cup will be played in the week commencing August 10th.



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=402604#ixzz3d1rK2pVU

[bobby01]

Mitroglou to Fenerbahçe in loan exchange deal?



Reports from Turkey claim that Fenerbahçe are confident of completing a loan exchange deal that will see Fulham misfit Kostas Mitroglou join the Turkish giants whilst Nigerian forward Emmanuel Emenike moves in the other direction.

Mitroglou, who spent last season on loan at Olympiakos, does not have any future at Craven Cottage despite being chairman Shahid Khan's biggest-money signing. The Greek international striker cost around £12m when he moved from Olympiakos last January, but has only made three appearances for the club in a disastrous injury-hit spell. He returned to his former club on loan last August, helping them reach the Champions' League group stages and complete their seventeenth domestic double.

Mitroglou's manager at Olympiakos, the former Portuguese midfielder Vitor Pereira joined Fenerbahçe on Thursday and has already identified the 27 year-old as the man to solve the Turkish giant's problems in front of goal. Turkish media reports claim that club president Aziz Yildrim and director of football Giuliano Terraneo have held personal discussions with Khan and Fulham officials about a possible swap deal involving Emenike, who has apparently already bought a house in Essex as he prepares for a move to England.

The 28 year-old forward's second spell with Fenerbahçe is certain to end this summer after he became a target of the boo boys amongst the fanatical Ferne support and asked to be substituted in the derby against Besiktas in March. Emenike's goals helped fire his country to the African Cup of Nations in 2013, where he finished as the tournament's top goalscorer, and he helped Fenerbahçe win the double the following season. He was cleared of match-fixing allegations whilst playing in Turkey and is said to be keen on a move to Europe.

http://hammyend.com/index.php/2015/06/mitroglou-to-fenerbahce-in-loan-exchange-deal/?

Is this not compounding one error of judgement with another?

[Friendsoffulham]

Symons to step down as Wales assistant



Kit Symons is to step down as Wales assistant manager in order to fully concentrate on Fulham's forthcoming Championship campaign.

The former Welsh international defender has been number two to his close friend – and fellow former Fulham team-mate – Chris Coleman since November 2012 and had continued to work with the national team during their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign despite being promoted to succeed Felix Magath at Craven Cottage.

Coleman had consulted with Fulham chairman Shahid Khan to gain the club's permission to retain Symons services once he had been installed as first team manager in September and the Whites boss was heavily involved again during this international break, which saw Wales record a crucial win over Belgium in Cardiff on Friday. But, speaking after the game, Coleman revealed that he would soon be announcing Symons' replacement and allowing him to concentrate on his first full season in club management.

We will have a chat but I think Kit will have to stop and concentrate on Fulham. It will be a shame for him to go as he has done really well, but managing a club and working with your country is very difficult to do.

He is probably very emotional as he has represented Wales for 25 years as a player and coach and I will miss him. I have got his replacement, but he is in work at a club and until he puts pen to paper we cannot make it official.

http://hammyend.com/index.php/2015/06/symons-to-step-down-as-wales-assistant/?

[Friendsoffulham]

Jazz Richards gives Swans food for thought with outstanding Wales performance – Should he stay?




Posted By: TheSwanseaWayon: June 14, 2015In: Breaking, First Team, First Team News, News, OpinionNo Comments
For any regular readers of this website it'll be no surprise that I rate Jazz Richards highly. His stop-start Swansea career has never quite taken off, but in my opinion he's shown on numerous occasions that he has all the necessary attributes to be a solid Premier League right-back. Decent first touch, good passing with both feet, athleticism...these are all qualities a full-back should have, and Jazz doesn't disappoint.

The main question mark seems to surrounding a "rabbit in the headlights" tendency which, if we're looking at it objectively, has been the case far less than it hasn't. He's put in solid shifts on a number of occasions but every now and again there's been a few nervy moments which, it seems, have a section of the fanbase convinced he won't be able to cut it at Premier League level.

And yet. We saw in Wales' victory over Belgium that he has what's needed. He shut PFA & Football Writers Association Player of the Year Eden Hazard up for the entirety of the match, and if he's capable of doing that for Wales why not Swansea? The main difference, I feel, is how he views his long-term chances of progression in each respective setup.


For Wales Jazz knows he's there or thereabouts, and barring an influx of talented youngsters he'll continue to pick up caps for a long time yet (especially if he performs like he did against Belgium). For Swansea it's a very different situation with Kyle Naughton & Angel Rangel both ahead of him in the pecking order, and even before Naughton's arrival there seemed limited opportunities for the Bonymaen product.

That's not to say the Swans have done anything wrong. It's simply been unfortunate timing that, while Jazz has needed regular football to develop, he's had (for what now seems like forever) Angel Rangel in his way – and rightly so if we're honest. These things happen in football sometimes, and it is truly sad that Jazz has never been able to secure an extended run in the team.

For an example of the difference regular games can make you only have to look at Ben Davies. Unlike Jazz – who's known any time he's stepped out at the Liberty that one bad performance would likely see him benched for another option – Davies came into the side following an injury to Neil Taylor, and knew that if he performed solidly he'd be afforded an extended run in the team. The result? An impressive growth curve which resulted in a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

That can't be further from Jazz's experiences so far, and echoes my long-held belief that first-team football is absolutely critical in developing young players. Knowing there are regular games to be had provided you perform is essential in allowing young players to perform to their potential, and this is thankfully a line of thinking which Garry Monk is keen to build within the club.

With talk of an impending move to Fulham on the cards – and for just £500k at that – it's currently unclear where Jazz will be playing his football next season. If he does move on, it will – for me at least – always be a case of "what if" for the Wales man, who has the talent to perform at the top level. Whether he's given the opportunity to show it is a very different question.

http://theswanseaway.co.uk/2015/06/jazz-richards-gives-swans-food-for-thought-with-outstanding-wales-performance-should-he-stay/?