Monday Fulham Stuff (24/08/15)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham close to signing Cardiff keeper in loan deal

Fulham are in the advanced stages of completing a loan deal for Cardiff City goalkeeper Joe Lewis. According to Sky Sports, the former Peterborough player will join to act as cover for the injured Marcus Bettinelli.

27-year-old Lewis spent last season on loan at Blackpool and is currently third-choice behind David Marshall and Simon Moore at the Cardiff City Stadium. With Lewis keen to leave on loan to seek regular football, it is believed a deal is set to go through sooner rather than later.

Bettinelli, who made his England Under-21 debut in their 1-0 victory against the Czech Republic in March, suffered knee-ligament damage in the recent loss at Hull City and is set for an extended spell on the sidelines. Speaking after yesterday's 1-1 home draw with Huddersfield Town, where the experienced Andy Lonergan started in goal for The Whites, boss Kit Symons revealed he is in the market for a goalkeeper,

"We are looking to bring in a goalkeeper on a short-term loan deal.

have decided who that is and it is close to happening, so it will be a bit of good news.

Marcus has damaged two ligaments and we are still waiting on surgeon advice on what the procedure is going to be. But he is going to be out for a good few months no matter what."

After starting his career at Norwich City, it wasn't until his move to join Peterborough United where Lewis really made steps into the limelight. He joined the club for what was then a club record transfer fee of £400,000 and helped The Posh jump from League Two into the Championship. In 2008 he was called up to the England senior squad and was an unused substitute for the friendly matches with the USA and Trinidad and Tobago.


http://the72.co.uk/35157/fulham-close-to-signing-cardiff-keeper-in-loan-deal/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Lonners: Stick With Us

Andrew Lonergan believes the Whites' qualities will shine through and the Fulham faithful will soon see improvements on the draw with Huddersfield.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVGDsGOoQHM

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/august/23/lonners-reaction?

[WhiteJC]

 
Symons Understands The Frustrations
   
However, the Fulham boss has also said he's hopeful the injury-time equaliser against Huddersfield in the 1-1 draw will get the Whites' season up and running.

Hopefully so!

After going close to making the breakthrough Fulham went behind, once more, at Craven Cottage when Nahki Wells beat stand in 'keeper Andy Lonergan, who looks like having some competition soon enough as he fills in for Marcus Bettinelli, to see Huddersfield take the lead.

Huddersfield were on for a first win of the Championship season, something we're still waiting for, but a dramatic Cauley Woodrow equaliser denied the Terriers when he volley home in the 95th-minute!

When addressing the media post-match Symons added the form needs to get better though, which will only come with character shown like that to ensure we didn't lose on Saturday.

'I understand the frustration from the supporters, they can get restless, but I also know that from hard times you have to show some character to get better.

'The first goal was going to be key, but luckily we got back into it. Hopefully that's the result that will get us going now this season.

'We've lost games this season and should have got more out of them, but we've got to keep going. Our form needs to be a lot better.'

That first win will certainly help and the sooner the better!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=410614#ixzz3jfqU7D7k

[WhiteJC]

 
Jacksonville Jaguars Plan To Play Game In London Every Year Until 2030

The Jacksonville Jaguars "are planning to play an NFL game at Wembley every year until 2030" in a move that will finally put to rest reports that Shahid Khan, the owner of the Jaguars and Fulham FC, "might be tempted to sell the west London club and buy Tottenham Hotspur to use their proposed new stadium as a base for his American football expansion," according to Alyson Rudd of the LONDON TIMES. A proposed three-party agreement between the NFL, Wembley and the Jaguars "could mean that up to five NFL games are hosted at the national stadium each season." There was not, according to Khan, even "a kernel of truth" to the Tottenham reports. Khan: "You can't correct every rumor, but I was surprised and had to consider the morale of the people at Fulham and the people at Wembley, so we called them out on it." Khan thinks that the NFL "can absorb five games per season being played abroad, but no more, and hopes for more 'synergy' between his two football clubs" (LONDON TIMES, 8/21). In Jacksonville, Hays Carlyon reported Khan's spokesperson Jim Woodcock released the following statement. He said, "There is no agreement, but discussions have been frequent and promising. Shad and the Jaguars have been clear that the London agreement has been extremely successful and essential to the local revenue streams and long-term viability of the franchise in Jacksonville, and that an extension of the current agreement would be welcomed. That said, this is ultimately a decision that will be made by the NFL"


http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Global/Issues/2015/08/24/Franchises/NFL-london.aspx?

[WhiteJC]

 
Albion fine Dunk for refusing to play in cup-tie

Albion have fined Fulham transfer target Lewis Dunk a fortnight's wages after he refused to play for them in a cup tie.

Dunk was not in the squad for the Capital One Cup first round clash at Southend on August 11, which Albion won 1-0.

The centre-half played in the opening Championship win against Nottingham Forest at the Amex four nights earlier.


Fulham had already made two bids at that stage. It has now emerged that Dunk was fined two weeks wages by the club for refusing to play against Southend.

He was on the bench at Fulham four days later and remained among the substitutes at Huddersfield last Tuesday and for Saturday's home game against Blackburn Rovers following the signing of German central defender Uwe Huenemeier.

Fulham had two further offers for Dunk of £5 million and another in excess of £5 million rejected by Albion in recent days.

They have until 6pm on September 1, when the transfer window closes, to make another bid.

Albion have responded to the interest from Fulham and an un-named Premier League club lurking in the background by offering Dunk, 23, an improved contract over a longer term than the three years remaining on his existing deal.

It is unclear whether Dunk will start tomorrow night's Capital One Cup second round tie at Walsall.

Skipper Gordon Greer was partnered by Republic of Ireland under-21 international Glen Rea, who Albion intend to send out on loan, in the previous round at Southend. Latest centre-half signing Connor Goldson is cup-tied after featuring in Shrewsbury's first round win at Blackburn.


http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/albion/13621344.Albion_fine_Dunk_for_refusing_to_play_in_cup_tie/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Up Next: Fulham (a)

Blades-Mad takes a look at Sheffield United's next opponents. Up next is Fulham in the Carling Cup.

Sheffield United face Fulham at Craven Cottage for the first time since the epic 1-0 victory in the FA Cup in February 2014. For the neutrals, it was no entertaining match, but, with the last kick of extra-time, Shaun Miller scored to become a FA Cup hero.

We last met Fulham in the League Cup in 1961, other than tomorrow's fixture, this is the only time the pair have met in this competition.

On 13 September 1961 John Docherty's second half goal for the Blades forged a draw, and in the day of no next time, a replay at Bramall Lane twelve days later took place. In the early years of the League Cup, the first round took place in September, unlike tomorrow's second round tie. United won the replay by four goals without reply with goals from Keith kettleborough, Len Allchurch and a brace from Doc Pace.

After defeating Newcastle United and Portsmouth, the Blades were defeated in round five (replay) against Blackpool, having recieved a bye in round 4. Should there be a draw at 90 minutes tommorow, then extra-time and possibily penalties will take place.

The Manager
Former Welsh international defender Kit Symons, 44 is the man at the helm at Craven Cottage, the 1-1 draw played out last Saturday, at home to Huddersfield Town, was his 50th match in charge of Fulham.

Current Form (league games only)
Fulham: DLLD
Sheffield United: LWWW

Key Man
He has yet to hit the ground running this season, but former Leeds United forward Ross McCormack will be a big asset to the Londoners this season, which may be a battle against the drop.


http://www.sheffieldunited-mad.co.uk/roll/ed14/up_next_fulham_a_868696/index.shtml?