Friday Fulham Stuff (13/11/15)...

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Odds slashed on Chelsea legend to replace Kit Symons at Craven Cottage

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is as low as evens to be the new boss at Fulham.

Kit Symons was sacked on the weekend after an inconsistent start to the Sky Bet Championship season which has left the Cottagers in 12th place.

Hull boss Steve Bruce (now 20/1) was the early frontrunner to take the role but Hasselbaink, currently boss of League One Burton, has emerged as the clear favourite.

The 43-year-old former Holland international, who enjoyed a stellar career with the likes of Chelsea, Leeds and Atletico Madrid, led the Brewers out of League Two last season and they now sit in second spot in the third tier with 16 games gone.

Nigel Pearson is currently 7/2 with SkyBet to return to management at the Cottage while Alan Curbishley, who is currently taking charge of training, and David Moyes are both 10/1.

Current midfielder Scott Parker is 16/1 while the likes of Paul Lambert, Harry Redknapp, Uwe Rosler and Michael Laudrup are all seen as massive outsiders.

Fulham lost 5-2 at home to Birmingham at the weekend and are currently eight points adrift of the Championship play-offs.



Read more at: http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/odds_slashed_on_chelsea_legend_to_replace_kit_symons_at_craven_cottage_1_4307620
Copyright © LONDON24

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Dembélé's France Beat England

Moussa Dembélé played just over an hour of France Under-20s' thrilling 4-3 win against England on Wednesday afternoon in St Brieuc.

The Young Lions actually led at half-time through Swansea City's Matt Grimes, but Les Bluets turned the game on its head and stormed into a 3-1 lead courtesy of goals from Adam Ounas, Lys Mousset and Sehrou Guirassy, who came on for Dembélé in the 63rd minute.

Chelsea midfielder Charlie Colkett pulled one back on 78 before Manchester United's Ashley Fletcher equalised, but the home side bagged the winner in the closing stages through substitute Alexis Blin.

The two teams meet again in Ploufragan on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson played 82 minutes of Iceland Under-19s' 1-1 draw with Denmark.

Kasper Dolberg had given the Danes an earlier lead, but Dadi Bæring Halldorsson popped up in stoppage time to earn Iceland an important point in Group 6.

Photo courtesy of Philippe Le Brech.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/november/12/dembeles-france-beat-england?

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Fulham's injured players Bettinelli and Grimmer team up to aid recovery

How players on the treatment table help each other out in battle with injury


Team work: Marcus Bettinelli and Jack Grimmer of Fulham show their support for Servicemen for London Poppy Day at Leadenhall Market in London

The 'injured players club' is a group that no footballer wants to be a part of but Fulham duo Jack Grimmer and Marcus Bettinelli have been helping each other mentally recover from their different woes.

Grimmer is hoping to return from an ankle injury in the coming weeks, while Bettinelli has set his sights on a return in February after suffering knee ligament damage in a collision with Matt Smith.

The striker has returned from his stint on the sidelines but the three of them worked together to keep spirits up and have gone out in London.

Bettinelli explained: "I've always been born and bred in London and you take that advantage. You don't see the sights you should have.

"Jack and Matty have been injured and we've been getting each other through. We've been going out for food and that.

"We've had a good little injury group. You don't want to be a member of it but when you are you look after each other."

It goes without saying that, while at Fulham's Motspur Park training ground, the players are giving everything they've got to ensure the fastest possible recovery.

But there is no joy for a footballer to be lying on the treatment table, while your team-mates are out playing football.

So Bettinelli and Grimmer have been out and about in London during their free time in order to keep their spirits up.

Grimmer explained: "Betts and I went to the Natural History Museum. We went there and looked at the dinosaurs.

"We'd watched Jurassic World and it made us keen to see for ourselves. It's a good museum and having a day off gave us an opportunity. The Science Museum is next on the list."

Grimmer and Bettinelli were speaking on behalf of Sky Bet at the London Poppy Day in Leadenhall Market. Signed match-worn Poppy shirts from the 24 Sky Bet Championship clubs will be auctioned in aid of The Royal British Legion. To register your interest for an alert when the shirts are on sale, visit: www.skybet.com/poppy


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulhams-injured-players-bettinelli-grimmer-10429704?

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Training Ground Development Proposal

As was revealed in the Birmingham City matchday programme, at the end of October Fulham submitted a planning application to the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames to develop its Motspur Park training ground.

Motspur Park has been the Club's main training ground for its professional and development teams (Under-9 to Under-21) since 1999. In that time, 44 players have progressed from the Academy to make their debuts for the First Team.

Fulham operates its Category 1 Status Academy at the Motspur Park site. The Club is delighted to inform fans of a number of proposed improvements that are essential in maintaining Fulham's Category 1 designation.

The vision for the Academy is: "To create a world leading, productive, sustainable elite development programme, that inspires every player to achieve their individual potential, by growing a culture around them of hard work, performance, honesty and humility to build an innovative Academy that delivers life enhancing experiences and success."

Excerpts from the planning application for the proposed improvements to the Motspur Park facility include:

1. One floodlit outdoor Artificial Surface (FIFA recommended 2 Star rating under the FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf) pitch measuring 105m by 68m;

2. One indoor Artificial Surface pitch measuring a minimum of 77m by 56m. In order to provide game realistic training a minimum indoor clearance height of 11m is proposed;

3. Permanent floodlighting Arena pitch and a covered spectator area to accommodate an additional 250 spectators to ensure a minimum covered capacity of 500 people;

4. An overflow car park for 61 spaces and separate highways access to create separate ingress and egress for use in the evenings;

- The new indoor pitch facility would be located on the existing all-weather pitch and would cover approximately three quarters of the area. The existing floodlights and fencing around the all-weather pitch and associated generator building would be removed;

- The indoor facility will be a rigid fabric structure. The indoor area will be lit but will not be heated. As such, there is no need for an ancillary building to house a generator. It is intended that the lower half of the building would have a green finish to blend in with the surrounding landscaping and the upper half of the building would have a white finish. A 1.2m high fence is proposed to be erected around the building for health and safety and security reasons and this would have a green finish to match with the lower half of the structure. The structure would have a maximum ridge height of 13m;

- The floodlit all-weather pitch will not have fencing around it but will be floodlit. The floodlighting is designed to ensure an average light level across the pitch of 250 lux. It is proposed to use modern LED luminaires which are designed with internal reflectors and optics, as well as an adjustable visor, to help control light and minimise spill and glare. This will mean that within 30m of the site lux levels will be below 5 lux;

- It is proposed that the cut off for the use of the floodlights and the indoor facility would be 9pm. This is in line with the current planning permission for the all-weather pitch but an hour earlier than the air hall permission. The Club would like to extend this time once a week to 9:30pm to allow the all-weather pitch to be used by Fulham's Deaf FC;

- The floodlighting for the Arena pitch will be identical in design to the floodlights proposed for the all-weather pitch. It is intended that the Arena pitch floodlighting will only be used on match days with an identical cut-off time of 9pm;

- An overflow car park comprising 61 spaces is proposed, bringing the total number of spaces up to 103 including four disabled spaces and four electric charging points;

- In addition to the above-mentioned proposals it is also intended that the scheme will feature landscaping to enhance the existing mature landscaping across the site;

- The proposed facilities are required to provide the quality of facilities required to support the Academy and retain Category 1 Status. The enhanced facilities will not result in the size of development teams increasing or the number of spectators watching games at U21 or U18 increasing. It will also allow the Club to bring back some of its community functions as well as providing increased opportunities for local schools to use the facilities for educational purposes.

FFC would welcome your comments on and support for the scheme. Please email [email protected] copying your email to Kingston Council at development.management@kingston.gov.uk Please quote FFC Motspur Park (reference 15/15210/FUL) in all correspondence.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/november/12/training-ground-development-proposal?

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Stuart Pearce keen on Fulham manager's job

Former England U21 manager Stuart Pearce is interested in becoming the new Fulham manager, according to Daily Mail reporter Sam Cunningham.

Since the sacking of Kit Symons many names have been tossed around and now Pearce has had his name thrown into the hat.

Pearce played as a defender for Nottingham Forest and made over 400 appearances and earned the nickname 'Psycho' due to his temperament on the pitch, and Fulham could do with a bit of that flare in the dugout – he also has 78 England appearances and is very experienced as a player.

He is also a very experienced manager and his first venture was as caretaker manager for Nottingham Forest but after he retired in 2002, he stayed as part of Manchester City's coaching staff and became caretaker manager when the City manager Kevin Keegan left.

He put together a good run of form and nearly earned a UEFA Cup spot but Robbie Fowler's missed penalty on the last day of the 2004/5 season cost them this, but this success earned Pearce the job on a permanent basis.

But two dismal seasons followed and he was sacked in May 2007 after two low positions, but earned a reputation for honest interviews and touted as a future England manager.

And he became full time manager of the England U21's in July 2007 and initially enjoyed great success but his failure in the 2013 European Championships convinced the FA to not extend his contract. He has also managed the Great Britain Olympic team and was caretaker boss of England for a short time when Capello left.

Pearce then became manager of former club Nottingham Forest and led them on an incredible unbeaten run and to the top of the table. But a dismal run in the new year left them in 12th and he was sacked.

So now he is interested in the Fulham job which may be enticing for Pearce and he is clearly very experienced in management with Championship experience and international experience.


Read more at http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/stuart-pearce-keen-on-fulham-managers-job/?#dLfbM40vMSiFZrT2.99

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Fulham manager shortlist includes Nigel Pearson and Paul Lambert

Fulham have drawn up a shortlist of five names to fill their vacant head coach role, according to Sky sources.

Paul Lambert, Nigel Pearson, former Watford manager Slavisa Jokanovic, Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett and current Rangers boss Mark Warburton are the names under consideration by the Cottagers.

Fulham parted ways with manager Kit Symons on Sunday following a 5-2 home defeat to Rowett's Birmingham and Sky Sports News HQ understands the club are looking for a manager with a proven track record in the Championship to replace him.

Welshman Symons, who was previously the club's head of academy, became the fourth manager in less than two years to be dismissed by the Whites, who currently sit 12th in the table and eight points adrift of the playoffs.

Lambert, whom Sky sources understand has already held initial talks with Blackburn and QPR over their vacant manager positions, has been out of work since being sacked by Aston Villa in February following nearly three seasons in charge while he led Norwich from League One to the Premier League during his time at Carrow Road.

Pearson parted ways with Leicester City in June despite leading them to a 14th-placed finish in their first season back in the Premier League after claiming the Championship title in 2013/14.

Jokanovic led Watford to second place in the Championship last season and promotion to the top division but left the club in the summer and is now in charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Rowett left Burton Albion in October 2014 to take over as Birmingham City manager and the Blues currently sit sixth in the Championship table, six places ahead of Fulham.

Warburton took over as Rangers manager in June and is enjoying a highly-successful debut campaign with the Gers winning 12 of their 13 Scottish Championship games this season - he led Brentford to the play-offs last season after promotion from League One in 2013/14.


http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/10064590/fulham-include-paul-lambert-on-five-man-head-coach-short-list?

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London's Original In McBride's

Take a look at this short video that highlights what is on offer at London's Original in McBride's at Craven Cottage. A truly unique matchday experience awaits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iAU7tyNLD0

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/november/12/londons-original-in-mcbrides?

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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink not on Fulham's managerial shortlist?

Fulham reportedly have no intention of discussing their managerial vacancy with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

As far as many of the leading bookmakers are concerned, the current Burton Albion boss is the favourite to replace Kit Symons at Craven Cottage following his sacking at the weekend.

However, according to BBC Sport, owner Shahid Khan has insisted that only managers with experience of at least the second tier of English football will be considered for the post.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports News has claimed this afternoon that Khan has drawn up a five-man shortlist.

Currently unemployed Paul Lambert and Nigel Pearson are said to have been included, as have Slavisa Jokanovic, Gary Rowett and Mark Warburton.

It is believed that the West Londoners are eager to make an appointment before the end of next week.


Read more at: https://tr.im/YYi72

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Spurs Ready To Land Championship Ace

Tottenham could be ready to land one of the hottest properties outside of the Premier League after it was revealed they are keeping tabs on Moussa Dembele.

The Fulham youngster has impressed this season and has bagged five goals in as many appearances recently, with eight goals in 18 appearances. His ability in front of goal has attracted interest from a number of clubs, with the Standard claiming Everton and Feyenoord are also potential suitors.

Dembele is out of contract at Craven Cottage in the summer and the article claims that Fulham are desperate to tie the 19-year-old down to a new long-term deal, although the attraction of the glitz and glamour of the Premier League could be too much to turn down.

Spurs already have one player with the same surname in Mousa Dembele, who was a teammate of the Championship star before the Tottenham man moved to White Hart Lane for £15million.

With the experienced Dembele impressing in north London this term with a number of standout performances, Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping for something similar should he secure a deal for the youngster.


http://www.sportsvibe.co.uk/news/football/spurs-ready-to-land-championship-ace-43363/?

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Alan Curbishley a 'perfect fit' for Fulham job, says Tony Gale

Sky Sports pundit Tony Gale has backed Alan Curbishley to become the next permanent manager of Fulham.

The former Charlton and West Ham boss is currently in charge of first-team duties at Craven Cottage, following the sacking of Kit Symons last weekend.

Gale told Sky Sports Now  that Curbishley would be the "perfect fit" for the Londoners, but admits the owners are likely to look elsewhere.

"Alan is as good as anyone. He took the training on Monday morning," said Gale. "This is the type of guy you need. He has been out of the game a while, in terms of being a manager, but he knows people.

"For me it would be a perfect fit, but you sense they will go elsewhere. They do not want a manager, they want a coach."

Curbishley has previously refused to rule himself out of the running for the Craven Cottage vacancy, describing it as an "attractive job".

Burton Albion manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is the bookmakers favourite to replace Symons having taken his side to second place in the League One table after winning promotion last season.

Former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson, in the running to succeed Chris Ramsey at Queens Park Rangers, is another hotly tipped to be the next Fulham boss.

But Gale, who played 277 times for the Whites between 1977 and 1984, believes Curbishley would have a good effect on the players.

"I would go for Alan as he knows what's in and around the club," he said. "He would be a good impact manager. But if they are going long-term then they may not choose him."

Fulham sacked Symons following a 5-2 home defeat to Birmingham City that left the club 12th in the Championship table, eight points off a play-off place.

Gale also admits the Welshman's sacking was very harsh, adding: "There was a huge overhaul of players at the start of the season with 10 players in.

"It was a little bit quick for me. I don't like the way it's being done. He got them out of a bit of turmoil. I mean the previous manager [Felix Magath] was a disaster, and put them back about two years."

Fulham are aiming to appoint a new manager before their next Championship game at MK Dons on November 21.


http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/10064729/alan-curbishley-a-perfect-fit-for-fulham-job-says-tony-gale?

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Parker and Smith get minutes under their belt in friendly

Scott Parker and Matt Smith each played 90 minutes as Fulham beaten 1-0 by Watford in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Thursday.

Kay Voser, Shaun Hutchinson, Nikolay Bodurov, Luke Garbutt, Ben Pringle and James Husband also lasted the whole game, alongside youngsters Magnus Norman and Josh Smile.

Keeper Norman made a good early save from Steven Berghuis's volley, but he was beaten by the only goal of the game midway through the first half.

Bodurov gave away a free-kick and former Italy international Alessandro Diamanti found the net from the edge of the box.

Parker, who has yet to play for the first team this season due to injury, Garbutt and Sakari Mattila all had efforts from distance saved.

Watford – who also fielded Ben Watson, Ikechi Anya and Troy Deeney – had three good chances in the second half, all falling to Berghuis, but he saw one blocked, one saved and another fly over.


http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/football-wls-fulham-pair-get-vital-match-fitness-in-watford-friendly

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Alex McLeish set to battle with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to become the next Fulham boss
ALEX McLEISH has thrown his hat into the ring to become Fulham's new boss.

The former Birmingham and Nottingham Forest boss is eyeing a return to management in English football after a year in Belgium with Genk.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink remains the favourite to replace Kit Symons at Craven Cottage while Paul Lambert, Nigel Pearson, Uwe Rosler and Oscar Garcia all remain under consideration.


FUTURE BOSS?: McLeish is in the mix for the Fulham job

Fulham's chief football officer Mike Rigg said: "There's been a lot of interest but we have to find the right man."

The Championship side currently sit 12th in the league with just five wins from 16 games.


http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/475341/Alex-McLeish-Fulham-Championship

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Report: Warburton linked again with Fulham job

Rangers fans will be aware of the news linking Mark Warburton with the Fulham job following the recent dismissal of Craven Cottage boss Kit Symons.

Sky Sources revealed the London side were looking at around five potential replacements for the outgoing boss, with The Magic Hat among them, and with other potential suitor Paul Lambert holding talks with both QPR & Blackburn, it reduces the odds.

However, supporters concerned about the possibility of Warburton upping sticks and returning to London might take some comfort in the fact that when out of work he completely dismissed Fulham last summer, rubbishing any notion of talks with them, and praised Rangers instead, admitting Ibrox was a job that anyone would want.

Speaking earlier in the summer, before signing up with David Weir in Govan, Warburton said:


"From my point of view they are a massive club. I have huge respect for the size of the club and the fan base at Rangers. Who wouldn't? I am well aware of the tradition and history of the club so I would never be anything other than absolutely respectful of a club of that stature."

And this followed one week earlier his dismissal of taking the Cottagers' position:

"I find these reports disrespectful. There's no truth in them whatsoever. Kit Symons has done a fantastic job at Fulham and I'm disappointed to see these allegations. I have not spoken to Fulham at all."

With Sky Sources putting him in a shortlist for the same position, now that he has a three year contract at Ibrox, it would astonishing if a man of his dignity, stature and honour was to quit the project he has started with Rangers to take a job he was not even interested in last summer.


http://www.ibroxnoise.co.uk/2015/11/report-warburton-linked-again-with.html?