Thursday Fulham Stuff 09.07.2015

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Former Fulham star has 'unfinished business' with Chesham

Hayles wants to show what he can do after spurning cub three years ago
 


Barry Hayles insists he has unfinished business at Chesham United – having finally signed three years after rejecting their advances.

The former Fulham striker, who has more than 100 Premier League and Football League goals to his name, first pulled on a Chesham kit as a trialist in 2012, having drifted into non-league football with Truro City two years previously.

However, he instead signed for Chesham's Southern Premier rivals, St Albans, as his good friend David Howell, was manager at Clarence Park.

But last month, via two more spells at Truro, plus a brief stay at Arlesey Town, Hayles finally signed on the dotted line for Chesham as the club's new player-coach.

 He said: “Me and the manager at St Albans went way back. He said I needed to come and play for him and that was it. Andy Leese (Chesham manager) understood, but I feel like I have unfinished business here, and I'm looking forward to it.

“I've played in the Southern League for the past four years, so definitely know what it's all about, and I feel I know what Chesham are all about from playing against them.

“They have always been a good passing side who create chances, and last season they did the double over us (Truro), which not many teams did.

“I know the squad had a big shake up, but I hope to bring a lot of experience to the side. Sometimes you need an older head to tell the younger players what to do and feed them the right ideas.

“I've enjoyed doing bits and pieces of coaching but I'm looking for permanent role where I can help develop players, and I've heard good things about what they do at Chesham.”

Another familiar face returning to The Meadow is midfielder Bruce Wilson, who this week re-signed for the club after spending last season with St Neots.

Boss Andy Leese has also moved to bring in much-travelled former Reading Maidenhead, Bishop's Stortford, St Albans, Boreham Wood, Tamworth, Yeovil, Crawley, Hayes & Yeading, Tonbridge, Slough Town, Weston-super-Mare, Halesowen and Hednesford defender Curtis Ujah.

Meanwhile, Chesham have been drawn away to Billericay Town in the FA Trophy preliminary round, to be played on October 31. Elsewhere, Holmer Green will play at Newport Pagnall Town in the FA Cup extra preliminary round on August 15, and host Wellingborough in the FA Vase first qualifying round on September 5.

http://www.getbucks.co.uk/sport/football/news/former-fulham-star-unfinished-business-9620759?

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Scouting Report: Cairney

Paul Wheelock, Blackburn Rovers reporter for the Lancashire Telegraph, gives us the lowdown on former Ewood Park favourite Tom Cairney.



How would you describe Tom Cairney in one sentence?

A left-footed, creative midfielder who is very comfortable on the ball and can score spectacular goals.

What sort of player have Fulham signed?

Someone who is very adaptable. He can play wide on the right, cutting in onto his left foot, from deep, taking the ball off the centre-backs and starting attacks, or in the ‘hole’, playing forwards in.

Where do you see his best position?

I think he was most effective for Rovers wide on the right but his natural position is in the middle. I always liked him in a ‘three’ – some of his best performances for the club came there, particularly against Premier League opposition in the FA Cup.

What was the Blackburn fans’ reaction to his departure?

Disappointment. They voted Tom their player of the year in his first season at the club, and while he did not hit the same heights in the second, when he admits himself he could and should have scored more, he still won their goal of the season award. He was a firm fans’ favourite, as evidenced by the reaction on social media after his departure.

What are his main strengths?

His composure on the ball, his eye for a pass, and his ability to shoot from range.

What’s he like as a person?

A really nice lad and, from a journalist’s perspective, a great interviewee. He gave thought-out answers and, when the time was right, was up for a laugh. I think his Twitter messages to Blackburn fans after he left the club said a lot about him.

How do you think he’ll fare at Fulham?

I’m sure he’ll be a big success.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/july/09/scouting-report-cairney?

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Fulham inch closer to more signings - Kit Symons

Five-way call triggers more Whites transfer biz



Kit Symons has revealed he is closer to more Fulham signings to go with the five in the bank already.

Kevin McDonald at Wolves is a known target, while the club are desperate to keep teen star Patrick Roberts out of Manchester City and Paris St Germain clutches, while the future of young striker Moussa Dembele remains uncertain.


As Symons and the squad prepare for a training friendly against Aston Villa in the Algarve on Saturday night, Symons was merely a fifth of a conference call in Portugal designed to press forward with pre-season business.

Balancing act: Cauley Woodrow in action with Wolves' Kevin McDonald
On the other end were chairman Shahid Khan, chief executive Alistair Mackintosh, chief football officer Mike Rigg, and Khan’s right-hand man in the USA, Fulham director Mark Lamping.

Symons explained: “We had a rundown on potential signings and anyone going out.

“It’s constant and regular communication. Everyone pulls together and sings off the same hymn sheet. Given the way things have been done, we’ve given ourselves every chance of being successful."

Fulham have signed defender Jazz Richards, midfielders Ben Pringle, Jamie O’Hara and Tom Cairney, and keeper Andy Lonergan, while Bryan Ruiz is the latest high profile name to leave the Cottage.

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-inch-closer-more-signings-9622353?

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Fulham and QPR live on the telly - all you need to know

Championship west London viewing from your sofa or the pub
 


There are five live TV games that will feature either QPR or Fulham on Sky up to the start of October.

For those unable to get to games, Rangers take on Cardiff City on August 15 at 5.30pm, and then face a lunchtime 12.30pm kick-off against Nottingham Forest on September 12.

A day later on Sunday, September 13, Fulham also face a high noon shoot-out with Blackburn Rovers at Craven Cottage.

The big one, however, has to be the switch to Friday night, September 25 when Whites take on Rs at the Cottage, 7.45pm, for the first time since April 2013 when Fulham edged out Hoops, 3-2

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-qpr-live-telly---9623214?

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Taggart In Great Shape



After a deeply frustrating 2014/15 season, Adam Taggart is ready and raring to go for the new campaign.

Due to a persistent groin injury, the Australian striker didn’t play one minute of First Team football for the Whites last term following his move from Newcastle Jets in the summer of 2014.

But the forward has enjoyed a productive pre-season thus far and hopes he can finally play a part for the Whites when the new term gets under way in August.

Speaking from the Club’s training camp in Portugal, Taggart told the official website: “A lot of people dread all the running of pre-season but it’s been fantastic for me, which sounds a bit weird.

“I was obviously struggling last season with my groin but now I’m in the best condition I’ve been in for a long time. Mentally and physically, I’m in great shape. It’s a progression I’m hoping to continue.

“My body is 100 per cent now and I can progress and develop, get the shooting boots back on and contribute for Fulham this season. I had a good base of fitness the last few weeks and now it’s about getting the little details right – your finishing, your touches.”

Taggart featured as Fulham played a practice match with Millwall earlier this week in Portugal, a game that ended in a 0-0 draw.

“It was good to get back into the rhythm of a match and put all of our hard work of the last few weeks into a game scenario,” continued Taggart. “It was hard work in the heat but it was important to get that under our belts and back into the swing of things.

“It reminds me a bit of Australia because most of our season is played in the summer. I enjoy being out in the sun and it’s nice for pre-season. It’s a little bit harder than being in the cool air so in the end it will be good for us.

“I’ve got used to the fresh air in London but definitely out here it brings back memories of playing in Australia so it’s probably a bit easier for me to adapt.”

A similar practice match awaits Fulham on Saturday when the Whites face Aston Villa, and Taggart said: “The last few weeks were hard physically and it’s another step up on Saturday.

“Hopefully we’ve got all the rustiness out of us against Millwall and it’s a fresh start when we play Villa. I’m hoping I can show what I can do.”

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/july/09/taggart-in-great-shape?