Wednesday Fulham Stuff (24/06/15)...

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Championship rivals Fulham target Blackburn Rovers midfielder Tom Cairney


WANTED: Blackburn Rovers midfielder Tom Cairney is attracting interest from Championship rivals Fulham

BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Tom Cairney is attracting interest from fellow Championship side Fulham.

Cairney has become a fans' favourite at Ewood Park since joining Rovers in 2013, initially on loan from Hull City before converting that move into a permanent deal.

The 24-year-old still has two years left on his contract but has gained admiration from elsewhere for his performances in a Rovers shirt.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands that Fulham have made contact with Rovers to declare their interest, as Kit Symons plans for his first full season as manager of the West London club.

Symons took charge of Fulham in September and guided the Cottagers away from relegation trouble to 17th in the final Championship table – although that was still eight places below Rovers.

Fulham are backed by billionaire Shahid Khan, who last year sanctioned the £11m signing of striker Ross McCormack from Leeds United.

Symons, who recalled loan midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe from Rovers in January, said at the end of the season that the club would be prepared to spend again this summer - providing the money was used wisely to bring in the right players.

But he also admitted that Fulham must bear the Football League's financial fair play rules in mind, as they adapt to life in the second tier following relegation from the Premier League a year ago.

Rovers have already fallen foul of those regulations and are currently under a transfer embargo, limiting their options this summer.

Cairney has been regarded as one of Rovers' shining lights in midfield since moving to Ewood, a symbol of the young side that boss Gary Bowyer has been keen to develop into a team capable of achieving promotion to the Premier League.

They would be reluctant to part with such a promising talent, although they have previously admitted that every player has a price in the club's current situation.

Rovers will need to sell players if they are to get their embargo lifted, with striker Rudy Gestede in demand after interest from newly promoted Watford.

Cairney has made 85 appearances in his two seasons with Rovers so far, scoring nine goals.


http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/13346915._/?ref=mac

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Former Arsenal midfielder reckons he is in 'limbo' at Fulham

Eisfeld unsure about staying at Whites


Doubt: Thomas Eisfeld

Thomas Eisfeld has revealed doubts over his future with Fulham.

The former Arsenal player has been on loan at VfL Bochum in Germany's second tier since February, but returned for Whites' 'Stongman' fitness tests last week as they became the first club in England to report for pre-season training.

The German was once likened to Swedish star Freddie Ljungberg at the Gunners, but got few chances to impress and never cut it at Craven Cottage either after moving across London on a two-year contract in summer 2014.


False dawn:Thomas Eisfeld scores for Arsenal against WBA in League Cup - but never again

Eisfeld was signed by deposed countryman Felix Magath, who lasted less than Eisfeld before his loan after just seven Championship appearances.

VfL finished 11th in the league with Eisfeld playing 12 times and scoring a single goal.

Now the playmaker is hoping to discover when he returns to full-time training with Fulham what boss Kit Symons has in store for him.

He said: "I am in a sort of limbo, and I have been back to Fulham just once."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-arsenal-midfielder-reckons-limbo-9506832?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham keen on Cairney
by DAN on JUNE 23, 2015

Fulham have made an approach for Blackburn Rovers midfielder Tom Cairney, according to a report in this morning's Lancashire Telegraph.

The 24 year-old midfielder is a firm favourite with the fans at Ewood Park having moved permanently from Hull City in 2013 following a successful loan spell with Rovers. Cairney has two years to run on his current deal, but with Blackburn currently operating under a transfer embargo club bosses have admitted that every player has their price.

Fulham have made an official approach to Blackburn to declare their interest in the player, according to the Telegraph report, and would be keen to sign the midfielder as part of Symons' overhaul of his squad ahead of his first full season in charge of the club. The Scottish youth international, who was voted Blackburn's player of the year in 2013-2014 by the fans, has made 85 appearances for Rovers, scoring nine goals. In four seasons with Hull, Cairney played 80 games, scoring five times. It is believed that Fulham are considering tabling an initial bid of around £3m for the ball-playing midfielder.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2015/06/fulham-keen-on-cairney/?

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Fulham Keeper Goes Out on Loan!
   
Moving on players Fulham bought whilst a Premier League club, players that were supposed to herald the dawn of a new era, is proving to be difficult.

The Dutch keeper, Maarten Stekelenburg is a typical example.

Signed to be our first choice keeper, Stekelenburg didn`t quite match up to expectations with the Dutch keeper having difficulty with the physical aspects of the game.

After the club was relegated, in May 2014, Stekelenburg didn`t fancy life in the Championship, however Fulham were unable to find a buyer and the Dutchman was, subsequently, loaned out.

Returning to Craven Cottage after that loan spell expired Fulham were faced with the same old question - what to do with Maarten Stekelenburg, a keeper with a couple of years left on his contract?

As it turns out, a solution to the problem appears to have materialized with reports filtering through overnight that the Premier League side, Southampton, are set to take Stekelenburg on a season long loan, thereby delaying that same old question for another year.

But then again, we`ll worry about that next summer shall we!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=403441#ixzz3dxfOxAbS

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Is Mitroglou Finally Going?
   
Close your eyes and imagine, in your dreams, a free-scoring striker hitting the net for Fulham.

Wait for him to raise his arms in delight and when he turns around read the name on the back of his shirt.

I bet if doesn`t read MITROGLOU does it!

Despite an investment of £10 million being paid for the services of Kostas Mitroglou, even in your wildest reams you can`t visualize the player scoring a goal can you?

Let`s face it, when Kostas Mitroglou arrived at Craven Cottage, for that rather large fee, we bought a dud, a dud that not only failed to score (the job he was paid to do) but couldn`t, for one reason or another, even get in the side.

Since that realization hit us firmly between the eyes, Fulham Football Club have been looking to get his name of our accounts but without success.

Today though something akin to a miracle might be about to take place. It appears that the Italian side Sampdoria are convinced he is the man for them and are said to be very interested in acquiring the player.

Would it be too much too hope that they want to offer us some cash, some solid cash for him so that Kit Symons can go out and buy somebody who does know where the onion bag is?


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=403442#ixzz3dxfcXWYd

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Fulham linked with Manchester United full-back
by DAN on JUNE 23, 2015

Fulham are among a number of clubs linked with a loan move for Manchester United full-back Reece James.

The 21 year-old spent last the final two months of last season on loan at Huddersfield Town and manager Chris Powell is keen to extend the loan arrangement into the new campaign. James, who has made a single appearance for the Old Trafford club, is seen as Powell's primary target to continue filling Huddersfield's vacant left back spot but it remains far from clear whether United manager Louis van Gaal will be willing to let him out on loan again.

If United decide that James, who is highly rated at Carrington and signed a new contract in February, it seems that there will be plenty of competition for his services. Newly-promoted Watford are said to be interested in offering him a taste of top flight football, whilst Fulham and QPR are also rumoured to be interested. Kit Symons has little cover for Sean Kavanagh at left back having seen Greek international Kostas Stafylidis return to his parent club Bayer Leverkusen.

Jones, who scored one goal in eight appearances for Huddersfield last season, has also spent time on loan at Carlisle United and Rotherham United in recent seasons.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2015/06/fulham-linked-with-manchester-united-full-back/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Eintracht Frankfurt announce Fulham friendly
by DAN on JUNE 23, 2015

Eintracht Frankfurt have announced that they will play Fulham in a pre-season friendly during their Austrian training camp on 25th July.

The match will be Fulham's second friendly of their brief summer tour of Styria after Hertha Berlin confirmed that they would also be playing Kit Symons' side in a friendly on 22 July.

Eintracht finished ninth in the Bundesliga last season with attacking midfielder Alex Meier finishing as the league's top scorer with nineteen goals in 26 games. The club also drew the sixteenth highest attendance in European football.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2015/06/eintracht-frankfurt-announce-fulham-friendly/?

[WhiteJC]

 
AC Milan make €3m offer for former Fulham youth Kerim Frei

AC Milan have made a €3 million bid for Beşiktaş winger Kerim Frei according to Fanatik.

The report states that the Italian giants are also willing to offer Hachim Mastour in addition to the transfer free as a part-exchange deal.

The Turkish international joined Beşiktaş on a €3.5 million move from Fulham last season and managed to break into the first team under Bilic.

Frei was first spotted by Swiss side Grasshoppers aged 13 and was snapped up by Fulham just three years later.

After rising through the youth ranks the Fulham starlet was given his Premier League debut on 10 December 2011, in an away match against Swansea City aged just 18.

The 21-year-old scored four goals and one assist in 43 appearances in all competitions for the Black Eagles this season.

The Beşiktaş youngster is one of the most highly rated youngsters in the Süper Lig and still has three years left on his contract.


http://www.turkish-football.com/ac-milan-make-e3m-offer-for-former-fulham-youth-kerim-frei/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham XI, August 1st (PSF, H)

Information regarding our friendly against the Cottagers.

Opposition: Fulham XI
Venue: Weston Homes Community Stadium
Date: Saturday, August 1st
Kick Off: 3.00pm
Opposition Website: http://www.fulhamfc.com

Tickets are due on sale soon for the U's home friendly game against a Fulham XI.                 

Prices will be confirmed soon. 

Tickets will be able to be bought by visiting the Ticket Office or by calling 0845 437 9089. You can also buy online at www.colutickets.com.

We also now offer a PRINT AT HOME option, allowing fans to print their own tickets. Instructions on how to print at home can be found HERE.   
   
* Please note that tickets sold at the disabled rate are available to those with proof of mid/high DLA. Please also note that those eligible for a senior concession will be 65+

Getting to the game
Don't forget, we have an extensive range of travel opportunities for you to get to the game and, with the A12 junction right next to the stadium, it really is very simple to get to the Weston Homes Community Stadium for a U's matchday.                 

For our full matchday travel information, click HERE.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Weston Homes Community Stadium soon.



Read more at http://www.cu-fc.com/news/article/colchester-united-take-on-fulham-on-august-1st-2503798.aspx#Gl7MYOWpgXmBPQeu.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham save themselves £1.2million as keeper becomes a Saint - thank heavens!

Stek heads for Southampton

Maarten Stekelenburg went Dutch and saved Fulham around £1.2 million in wages after he joined Southampton on a season-long loan.

The Holland 2010 World Cup international links up with Saints boss Ronald Koeman as cover for the injured Fraser Forster.

Koeman solved a dilemna for Whites manager Kit Symons who was bracing himself to tell Stekelenburg he was also behind the pecking order at Craven Cottage as well.

The keeper, capped 54 times by his country, spent last season on loan at Monaco following Fulham's relegation to the Championship.

But Stekelenburg, 32, made only four appearances for Monaco as he failed to dislodge first-choice Danijel Subasic, and is now hoping to do better at St Mary's under his fellow countryman.

However, Fulham are going to have to do this again next summer. Stek's contract runs to 2017.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-save-themselves-12million-keeper-9512248?

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Stadium Store Closed

Supporters are advised that the Stadium Store and the Stadium Café will be closed on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/june/23/stadium-store-closed?

[WhiteJC]

 
Blackburn reject Fulham enquiry for midfielder

Blackburn Rovers have rejected an enquiry from Fulham for midfielder Tom Cairney, reports the Lancashire Telegraph.

The 24-year-old arrived from Hull City on loan in 2013 and ended up making the move permanent in January 2014 for an undisclosed fee.

He's impressed again for Rovers this year in a disappointing season for Gary Bowyer's men, scoring three times and making six assists in 39 appearances.

He has been linked with a move away from Ewood Park in the past, but Blackburn are keen to keep their key players at the club as they're under a transfer embargo from breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

Fulham were one of those interested and have targeted Cairney as one of those to bring in as part of their squad overhaul.

Kit Symons has supposedly been given a £10 million transfer budget to bring in the players needed to get Fulham back to the Premier League, following a shocking return to the Championship last year.


Read more at http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/blackburn-reject-fulham-enquiry-for-midfielder/?#UrMcBQ8bpJHbEBWZ.99

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Liam Rosenior: Brighton sign former Hull City defender

Brighton have signed defender Liam Rosenior on a three-year deal.

Rosenior, 30, was released by relegated Hull City at the end of the season after a five-year spell with the club.

The former England Under-21 international has also played for Fulham, Reading and Bristol City.

"He's a terrific professional, has a wealth of experience and showed a great desire to join us despite some attractive options elsewhere," Seagulls boss Chris Hughton said.

"He's played a lot of games in the Premier League, is an extremely versatile defender and can play at left or right full-back," he added.

Rosenior is the son of BBC football pundit Leroy Rosenior and played under his father in a loan spell at Torquay while at Fulham.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33250420

[WhiteJC]

 
Fully fit Taggart targeting breakthrough year

Socceroo Adam Taggart has returned to Fulham training a week early and is hoping a full pre-season can kick-start his stalled career in the 2015-16 season.

Taggart, 22, didn't play once for the Cottagers last term after a year ruined by a pelvic injury.

He made several appearances for the club's under-21s – and bagged a few goals – after the turn of the year, but was never fully over the injury.

The 2013-14 A-League golden boot winner returned to Perth in early May where he spent four weeks working with a pelvic specialist, building up strength and regaining his muscle memory, power and speed.

Taggart cut short a holiday in Bali afterwards to return to Fulham last week, hoping to impress manager Kit Symons in pre-season and win a first-team spot.

"I had a chat to Kit the other day to let him know my body is back to full fitness now and I want to be fighting for a position," Taggart told FourFourTwo.

"I wanted to come back here a week early to get back into the swing of things. I wanted to make sure I was in good stead for pre-season and to make sure people understand I'm taking this year seriously.

"I'm wanting to do, this year, originally what the club brought me here for and that's to score goals for Fulham.

"I couldn't do that last year due to injury. I need to make sure I'm not forgotten about after 12 months of injury problems."

Fulham are hoping to return to the Premier League after a disappointing first year back in the second tier, where they finished 17th after an awful start under Felix Magath.

The club has allowed several players to leave in the off-season, including forward Hugo Rodallega – who was a regular last term – and that could open the door for Taggart to break into the first team.

"I don't see why not," Taggart said, when asked about cracking the first team.

"There's competition here, they're good players but I don't see why I can't get myself in there and fight for a position.

"There's also a lot of games in the Championship. Even if you're not a starting XI player, you'll get that opportunity and once you're in there, if you bang in a few goals, you never know what can happen."

Taggart added that he felt refreshed following his first true off-season in three years after participating at the 2014 World Cup and 2013 Under-20 World Cup.

"It was nice mentally to have a break where I could sit down and really understand where I want to be heading," he said. "It was a good time to reflect and get away from football."

And it's clear in his mind he wants to be at Craven Cottage.

In January, he was linked with a loan move away, while there has been A-League interest in him in the off-season.

Taggart rebuffed such talk and said any loan switches would be a "last resort".

"At the time in January was when I'd just come back from injury and we had a few discussions about it," he admitted.

"But at the moment I'm 100 per cent focused on getting myself in at Fulham. I came to this club to play for them. I didn't come here to go out on loan.

"Being away has helped me understand what I want to do and that's play for this football club.

"Going on loan is going to be last resort in my eyes.

"At the moment, there's an opportunity to fight for a position and that's my only focus.

"Until the day where it's 100 per cent I won't be playing, then I'll be fighting every day for that position at Fulham."



Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/fully-fit-taggart-targeting-breakthrough-year#TTYUV6YM6mFlUMBH.99

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