Sunday Fulham Stuff (27/09/15)...

[WhiteJC]

RESULTS

Friday
Fulham	4	-	0	QPR
Saturday
MK Dons	1	-	3	Derby
Birmingham	0	-	2	Rotherham
Bolton	2	-	2	Brighton
Brentford	1	-	2	Sheff Wed
Burnley	1	-	2	Reading
Cardiff	2	-	1	Charlton
Hull	1	-	1	Blackburn
Ipswich	2	-	2	Bristol City
Preston	1	-	1	Wolves
Sunday
Middlesborough	-	-	-	Leeds

[WhiteJC]

 
QPR (h) - Kits Views
   
Drifting away from Craven Cottage last night, sampling the delights Bishops Park has to offer on a Friday night, there was a real buzz in the air.

We`d headed to Craven Cottage hoping that Fulham could grab the three points on offer whilst also hoping the side would produce the kind of performance we`d seen glimpses of this season.

We certainly didn`t expect the side to demolish our West London neighbours and produce what was, in effect, our best performance of the season humbling Queens Park Rangers 4-0.

Talking to the media afterwards, Kit Symons was ; how you might say, pleased with his lot last night, remarking,

'It was the best performance since I've been here and the most pleasing one.

'I wanted to make sure we had the bragging rights come tomorrow morning and Fulham fans will be crowing after that one - and rightly so.

'I was waiting for everything to click and it did tonight. We will need to kick on from this and make sure this sort of performance becomes the norm and we start moving up the table.'

The move saw Fulham climb up to eleventh in the table and only a mere three points off of a play-off place, things are suddenly looking up aren`t they!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=414908#ixzz3muygdVIz

[WhiteJC]

 
'He still comes too deep' Symons expects more from Fulham hero after QPR win

Fulham's Ross McCormack celebrates scoring against QPR (John Walton/PA Wire)

Fulham manager expects Ross McCormack to get even better after the striker starred in the 4-0 home win over QPR.

McCormack scored twice for the home side, with Mousa Dembele and Ben Pringle also on target in a one-sided Sky Bet Championship encounter at Craven Cottage.

Dembele opened the scoring in the second minute by heading home a cross from James Husband as defenders watched, Pringle capitalised on a poor pass from Alejandro Faurlin to make it 2-0 and McCormack converted either side of half-time to complete the rout.

Symons was delighted with the way his side dominated from the very first whistle, saying he had not seen a better display from his team since he joined the Cottagers.

"It was the best performance since I've been here and the most pleasing one," said Symons, whose team are now one point behind 10th-placed QPR in the table.

"I wanted to make sure we had the bragging rights come tomorrow morning and Fulham fans will be crowing after that one - and rightly so. "I was waiting for everything to click and it did tonight.

We will need to kick on from this and make sure this sort of performance becomes the norm and we start moving up the table."

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan will no doubt be pleased McCormack is scoring goals and could recall the former Leeds man for a final push for Euro 2016 qualification. "He is in a good vein of form goalscoring wise but he can get better," Symons added.

"He is playing well within a good team but he still comes too deep at times. Six in six, he can't do a lot more than that. Gordon was here the other week and saw him play so he will certainly know all about him that's for sure."



Read more at: http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/he_still_comes_too_deep_symons_expects_more_from_fulham_hero_after_qpr_win_1_4248899
Copyright © LONDON24

[WhiteJC]

 
Fredericks: Looking Up

Following a dream full debut in the emphatic win over QPR, Ryan Fredericks is sure the Whites will start to soar up the league table.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4j59l3ZBVA

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/september/26/fredericks-reaction?

[WhiteJC]

 
Kit Symons hails "best performance" since his arrival at Craven Cottage

Fulham boss Kit Symons has heaped praise on his side's display in the 4-0 triumph over Queens Park Rangers on Friday night.

Early goals from Moussa Dembele and Ben Pringle, as well as a double from Ross McCormack, moved the Cottagers up to 11th position in the Championship table, and Symons is keen for his team to build on just their third win of the season.

The 44-year-old is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "It was the best performance since I've been here and the most pleasing one.

"I wanted to make sure we had the bragging rights come tomorrow morning and Fulham fans will be crowing after that one - and rightly so.

"I was waiting for everything to click and it did tonight. We will need to kick on from this and make sure this sort of performance becomes the norm and we start moving up the table."

Fulham's next game sees them host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/symons-hails-best-performance-in-12-months_248579.html#$$nvboy0&&2SP7SGThEeW29gqZKrvslQ$$

[WhiteJC]

 
Hoop Dreams Shattered By Rampant Fulham

Cottagers end a bleak month for QPR


ON THE MARK: Fulham's Moussa Dembele

SEPTEMBER HAS simply been an unforgiving month for QPR. The Hoops have so far failed to win a game this month, they suffered a dispirited defeat against Fulham and now Charlie Austin looks set for a spell on the sidelines.

The last time Chris Ramsey's men won in London came against Rotherham United in August, when their chances of returning to the top-flight seemed a distinct possibility.

Now, however, they have been subjected to more misery when a brace from Ross McCormack and goals from Moussa Dembele and Ben Pringle condemned them to another defeat. Star striker Austin also departed the field due to injury, which encapsulated their evening.

Fulham entered this West London derby in the middle of a barren run having lost back-to-back games against Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City respectively. As always in derby matches there was a boisterous atmosphere and it was the hosts who soaked up the home support to their advantage.

From a Fulham throw-in James Husband whipped in a delightful cross where Dembele angled an expertly-weighted header past Robert Green – to give the home side the lead within the opening three minutes.

QPR have won just one of the last eight games against Kit Symons' men, having also failed to score in six of those games.

But a scintillating team move narrowly saw them level the score. It was first touch football of the highest quality. Matt Phillips played a forward pass to leading marksman Austin, who cut it back once more to Phillips, who then played a defence splitting pass which sent Massimo Luongo marauding goalwards, but his finish was more profligate than precise.

And to compound matters for the visitors their chances of taking something from the game were dented when they momentarily switched off.

Much to his frustration, Alejandro Faurlin turned inadvertent assister to Pringle when he played a casual pass into the midfielder's path. With the QPR goal at his mercy, Pringle twisted past Nedum Onuoha and fired a shot beyond the reach of Green.

Three points already looked secured for the Cottagers when they netted their third goal past the half-hour mark. Tom Cairney played a beautifully weighted pass to McCormack to bisect the QPR defence and the Scotsman finished with an equally precise shot past a dejected Green.

"We want six" implored the Craven Cottage faithful as the hosts seeked to pounce on QPR's lack of dynamism. A substitution was required in order to turn things around and Ramsey jettisoned the ineffective Tjaronn Chery for Jamie Mackie.

But instead of sitting with his team-mates Chery walked towards the dressing room, as a sign of his discontent, with Ramsey looking rather miffed in the process.

During the half-time entertainment the person in charge of the music at Craven Cottage played Jess Glynne's hit song Rather Be, with a noticeable line from the song being 'if you gave me a chance I would take it'.

Well it appeared the Hoops wanted to be elsewhere and Fulham were the side taking their chances when they heaped more pressure on their opponents when they deservedly made it 4-0 in the 63rd minute.

Ryan Frederick bypassed Gabriele Angella and squared it to Dembele whose attempt on goal, via deflection, hit the crossbar but man of the moment McCormack turned in the rebound at the back-post, which culminated in exuberant celebrations.

It was quite simply a fantastic performance from Fulham. During the latter stages of the second-half substitute Cauley Woodrow could have feasibly made it 5-0 to the home side. But in the end the Cottagers prevailed with an emphatic 4-0 win.


http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/hoop-dreams-shattered-rampant-fulham?

[WhiteJC]

 
Grant: Attitude Is Key

Peter Grant reflects on the year so far and looks ahead to the match on Monday night against Derby County, which could feature a number of First Team players.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kw979syWAk

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/september/26/grant-derby-preview?

[WhiteJC]

 
Championship – What We Learned – Fulham 4 QPR 0

t was a miserable night for QPR at Craven Cottage after a one-sided 4-0 defeat to a rampaging Fulham last night.

The Lilywhites were dominant from the outset, going ahead after just two minutes when James Husband found the head of Moussa Dembele six-yards from goal. Summer signing Ben Pringle then doubled the hosts' lead on 19 minutes, finding the bottom right from the edge of the box.

Rangers saw several chances of their own squandered, with Charlie Austin and Massimo Luongo finding themselves in space early on. The result, however, seemed inevitable when Ross McCormack made it 3-0 before the half. Chris Ramsey responded by bringing on the tenacious Jamie Mackie for Tjaronn Chery. Mackie's appearance was short-lived though, as he failed to return after half time.

Despite this, QPR appeared to start the second-half with better intentions, finding some good width on the pitch. Full-back James Perch went close from inside the box, while Paul Konchesky forced a save out of Fulham goalkeeper Andy Lonergan with a diving header. The visitors took their foot of the gas when talisman Austin limped-off on the hour mark, replaced by Daniel Tozser, struggling to recuperate and a moment later McCormack found the net again, after Gabriele Angella hit his own crossbar.

It finished 4-0 but Fulham could have put six past their West London rivals in a game the Hoops will want to quickly forget.

Ramsey makes some dubious decisions

Ramsey's tactical genius has been less than apparent of late and his response to Fulham's early lead did little to improve this status. In a game that required goals, taking-off a creative midfielder is very questionable. Mackie's ability to harass and press the play is exceptional and his introduction was definitely necessary, however, it should have been at the expense of Karl Henry instead of Chery.

Henry, whose repeated inclusion in the starting XI baffles many Rangers fans, has struggled to provide anything in the way of attack or defence recently. Yet his partnership with Ale Faurlin seems untouchable, as Ramsey consistently plays a 4-2-3-1. This inflexibility has made the team somewhat stale and predictable. Furthermore, it excludes players like Michael Doughty and Ben Gladwin, who's style of play could shake things up. On top of this, Ramsey brought on Tozser in the wake of Austin's injury, the central-midfielder's presence seemingly sent a message around the ground that QPR were now in damage control mode, instead of looking for a reply.

To his credit, Ramsey did give Leroy Fer his first senior minutes of the season, despite the fact it was in response to Mackie's injury. With both Austin and Mackie now injured, the Dutch international will be needed to pitch-in with some goals.

Defence is priority number one

QPR's defensive display here is best described as amatuer. Dembele's header to give Fulham the lead was simply done in the end, as Angella watched the ball sail into the net. The second goal was the result of a wayward pass just outside of the box. Take nothing away from Ben Pringle though, who found the corner with a lovely strike. Captain Nedum Onuoha looked poor for the Cottagers, letting McCormack shoot without so much as a lunge for a third. The sealer was perhaps a tad unlucky, with Angella knocking it into his own crossbar, although the despair on the face of Rob Green just about summed up their performance.

Derbies are tough for Rangers

With yesterday's 4-0 defeat now in the history books, Fulham have successfully beaten their neighbours in seven of their last eight encounters, Rangers' last win coming at Loftus Road in December of the 2012-13 Premier League season. Considering the depth and wealth of talent in the QPR squad over recent history, this is a surprising statistic. There is a similar record against their other rivals Chelsea, a Shawn Wright-Phillips goal provided their last win against the current Premier League champions in January of 2013. Admittedly, however the Blues are considered the better side.

QPR may have more success later this campaign when they play Brentford. Though they have not met since 2004, Ramsey's men do have the advantage historically. Yet, if their loss to Fulham is anything to go by, the Hoops could be in trouble.



http://outside90.com/what-we-learned-fulham-4-qpr-065/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Friday Night Lights
by LYDIA on SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

"It's happening again, it's happening again, Queens Park Rangers, it's happening again!"

What a night at Craven Cottage last night. I'll admit that I haven't been to the Cottage that much having grown up in Belfast and now living in Glasgow. This was only my third visit and, as a friend pointed out before the match, I haven't had the best of experiences having watched a defeat to Swansea in 2011 and then a humbling to Brentford in our last West London derby at home last April. However, now I can finally say that not only have I seen a win at the Cottage, but I got to see one of the best performances Fulham have put in over the last number of seasons!

We controlled things right from the beginning and played like a team brimming with confidence. Fulham look to finally have a squad that has both depth and quality. The additions that have been made over the summer have shown that Kit Symons has a very good understanding of this league. Yes, he still has a lot to learn tactically but he has put together a very solid squad. If the tactics are right this season surely Fulham will be challenging for one of the top six spots come May.

There are some things that I made note of last night. First of all Fulham's retention of the ball was much better that it was last season. Too often the team give the ball away so cheaply or else just punt it up the pitch aimlessly. Last night they pinged the ball about the pitch right from the defence to the attack. Fulham looked very comfortable playing possession football and it was great to watch. We also played at a very high tempo and got a reward for it in the amount of chances that were created. All of the goals came from good team work and the third in particular came from a lot of short, fast passes with movement that just completely opened up the QPR defence.

Secondly, Fulham are playing high pressure football when the opponent has the ball. I vividly remember the Brentford game last season were pretty much all of their goals came from not closing down players and continuing to step off. Whether you are a striker, midfielder or a defender, if you continue to step off your opponent than you make it very easy for them to attack. Last night Fulham played it perfectly in that any time QPR had the ball, no matter where they were on the pitch, they had one or two Fulham players giving them no space or time on the ball. If you give teams space then you are asking for trouble and it was too often the case last season. The second goal last night was a classic example of how successful high pressing can be. Giving the defenders no time on the ball resulted in a mistake that Ben Pringle gleefully took advantage of.

Thirdly, Fulham are showing the kind of determination that we used to see under Roy Hodgson. Even at 4-0, we were pushing forward and trying to add to the score. McCormack looked like he was on a mission for a hat-trick while both wing-backs were continuing to make runs forward into injury time. Admittedly, the game had a bit of a training game feel to it for periods in the 2nd half but whenever the opportunity arose both Husband, Fredericks and then Voser showed the desire to make something happen.

Fourthly, Fulham finally have players who can put a good delivery into the box. Both Husband and Fredericks showed that they have the ability to find the likes of Dembele and McCormack in front of goal while Cairney and O'Hara both have the vision to thread balls through the defence. We aren't a one dimensional team anymore, we have options to play the ball through patiently or to play with pace from the wing-backs and put the ball on to the head of one of our strikers. This sort of versatility will be hugely important for a promotion push.

Finally, Fulham have found a thriving partnership up front in McCormack and Dembele. How good was Dembele last night? He was completely unplayable, just as he was throughout the first half of the Blackburn game. The QPR defence just couldn't handle him. He even showed his ability to know when to drop deep and put a tackle in and when to sit high and be a focus for attack. We can't take away any importance from his early goal, it could have been a different outcome if he hadn't given us a lead after two minutes. Given his age, it is likely that he is just going to continue to get better, especially if he gets a proper run in the side and learning from McCormack. McCormack also had a great game. We saw the poacher side to him last night again, particularly with his second goal. He was probably disappointed in himself after a few costly misses on Tuesday night, but he made up for it against QPR. What was great to see was that he showed the fans exactly what it meant to him getting those goals, fist pumping before signalling to the crowd to keep the noise up. It was so encouraging to see.

In general it was a superb performance that was enjoyed throughout the club by Shahid Khan, the Kit Symons, the players and the fans. We couldn't really have asked for more on the night and the bragging rights are finally back where they belong. Roll on Tuesday night were hopefully another 3 points awaits against Wolves and Fulham can continue to rise up the table.

COYW


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2015/09/friday-night-lights/?