Monday Fulham Stuff (14/12/15)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Lino's flag saves Fulham from a pointless afternoon

But for a flag. Brentford and Fulham played out a 2-2 Championship draw as the Bees made it 8 goals and 7(seven) points from the last three league games against our West London rivals. But, being quite honest, we've left this one feeling somewhat hard done by after a rogue linesman denied Jota a late winner.

In front of almost 20,000 supporters, Brentford took the lead from the penalty spot. Jake Bidwell was tripped just inside the edge of the box, running at the touchline. He didn't look that much of a threat, if we're being honest, but...a foul is a foul. And when they happen in the box only one thing can follow.

Up stepped Alan Judge to thump it down the middle and leave a diving Andy Londergan in the Fulham goal with no chance. 1-0 and normal service resumed. Indeed, the pressure built but the Bees couldn't find a way through and, instead, with half time approaching the home side began to press.

That said, they still needed James Tarkowski to head past David Button to equalise. Hey, it wouldn't be Brentford without one of our centre-backs scoring an o.g.

The same player was beaten by Dembele as the Cottagers took a second half lead but it would transpire to be a short lived one. The man seemingly at the centre of everything, Tarks, headed Jake Bidwell's corner goalwards to find Jack O'Connell for the equaliser. The celebrations from the visiting fans at that end were immense, but not as good as they would get....

As with our first goal, it was followed by a period of immense pressure that saw Brentford desperately unlucky not to score again. Lonergan was the difference between one point and three for the Bees. And, of course, we also have the elephant in the room. Or, should that be, on the touchline?

The linesman's flag denied Jota a winning goal as he was adjudged offside when given the freedom of the penalty box to make it 3-2 to the Bees. That the Spaniard had been granted more space than a professional footballer should have any right t expect his hardly his fault.

That's the only reason I can think for his being deemed to have encroached. But he looked 'on' from where the celebrating Brentford fans were standing and television would subsequently confirm the same.

Football League Tonight was essential viewing (not a phrase I thought I'd have been using back in August) to confirm what we all knew. The goal should have stood. And so, instead of Brentford taking the lead and building, Fulham were allowed back into the game and, in the end, a draw was probably a fair result – based on chances and possession.

F. Off.... Channel 5 confirm what we all knew

But as we've said so many times – the only stat that counts is 'balls in the back of the net'. So to have a legitimate strike ruled out and a potential extra two points that would have taken us sixth, denied, rankles somewhat.

On the positive side, that's five unbeaten for the Bees and, much like Football League Tonight, considering how things looked a few months ago to be talking so positively now is just amazing. It is vindication, again, of the fact that the league is a marathon not sprint. Brentford are certainly a team who are building their momentum and the battle for sixth place, or beyond, could be a very interesting one over the next month.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEy6QDEGUJ0
The Mark Burridge infused highlights package from the club's official YouTube channel shows what a good game it was.

As for the other stuff from the game, my man of the match was Jake Bidwell although I thought Toumani also had an excellent game. Jack O'Connell continues to impress and this now presents Dean Smith with an interesting selection choice for the trip to Cardiff City on Tuesday night.

Is Harlee Dean an automatic selection, now that the three match suspension for his stupidity against Nottingham Forest has been served? And if he is, who does he replace ? Or will be quite a statement of intent from Dean Smith as to what he does when the next team sheet is handed in

Fairplay to the majority of the Brentford fans. Despite us reading about the threat of some Draconian sounding police and stewarding beforehand, everything was all very good spirited – from supporters, stewards and constabulary.

Indeed, aside from yet another flare wielding numpty (the solitary line of half-arsed Christmas lights decorating the Cottage being about the only thing more embarrassing than our yoof element) the one ejection I saw was for Fulham's own Beiber-lite in the second half.

Despite their best efforts, it's back to 'sniffer school'

It was a cracking atmosphere (at our end) and The Bees were LOUD. Moreso compared to the wall of silence that came from the rest of the ground. If we thought the Chelsea fans were quiet at Stamford Bridge, this took things to a new level. Mind you, with Bournemouth overtaking Chelsea last night in the Premier League table, Fulham might be getting another West London derby next season.

That said, it certainly seemed that anybody who could travel for this one, did. You know the winter months are upon us when 'jumper man' switches from his summer waistcoat to the world's greatest pullover.

Likewise, one supporter – who I won't name but simply refer to as "Project Coordinator for the Brentford Community Stadium project team" – was seen stumbling down the steps on the way to his seat before kick off. A seat which, I am sure, in line with stadium regulations he sat down in for the entire game.

Even the great and the good from the opposition were out and about after the game. Brentford may not have won, but we can still feel very hard done by not to have left the opposition.....pointless.

Nick Bruzon

https://nickbruzonslastword.wordpress.com/2015/12/13/linos-flag-saves-fulham-from-a-pointless-afternoon/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Lonners Reaction

Andrew Lonergan praised the Whites for bouncing back from an early setback but was frustrated to settle for a draw with Brentford.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JLlHo3oA3E

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/december/13/lonners-reaction?

[WhiteJC]

 
Sacked Swansea boss eyed by shock Championship club



Sacked Swansea boss Garry Monk could make a swift return to football in a shock move to Championship outfit Fulham, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The 36-year old was axed from his position at the Liberty Stadium earlier this week after a disappointing run of just one win in 11 game for the Welsh side.

Still, the former Swans defender had been touted as a future England manager just months ago after leading the club to 8th position and their highest ever points total during his one full season in charge.

Now, he could be set to for a quick fire return to management in the shape of the Cottagers, who are reportedly prepared to wait until the New Year while he sorts out his compensation.

The West London club have appointed Stuart Gray as senior coach as they search for a full-time replacement for the ousted Kit Symons.

Steve Clarke has already rejected the position at Craven Cottage, who are ready to offer Monk the job once his severance deal is agreed upon.


Read more at http://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/swansea-city/sacked-swansea-boss-eyed-by-shock-championship-club#q8TS7sGb1QMTHyg2.99

[WhiteJC]

 
3 things we learned from the 2-2 draw between Fulham v Brentford

Fulham and Brentford played out an exciting 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage yesterday.

Fulham are still searching for a new manager to take the helm, although Stuart Gray has taken over on a temporary basis, and there are some positives to be taken from the draw with West London rivals Brentford on Saturday.

The game was end to end, and it was the visitors that took the lead through an Alan Judge penalty after 18 minutes.

Brentford also scored the next goal, although defender James Tarkowski inadvertently headed into his own net to give Fulham an equaliser.

Both sides spurned further chances and went into the break level.

Yet it was Fulham who took the lead midway through the second half through the talented Moussa Dembele, who was set up by a wonderful deft pass from Ross McCormack.

Both sides continued to attack but it was the visitors who managed to grab a second goal to draw level, when Anthony O'Connell turned a flick in from Tarkowski.

Both teams continued to press for the winner, but it finished 2-2, extending Brentford's unbeaten run to five games, while leaving Fulham six points clear of the bottom three.

FootballLeagueWorld writer Anthony Yeo identifies three things that we learned from yesterday's entertaining encounter...

1) Fulham need the new manager before January

Fulham have no trouble in scoring goals – McCormack was a threat all afternoon as was Dembele.

Holding on to a lead is a problem though, and if Fulham get the new man in charge before January he could assess the squad and make the necessary adjustments.

On yesterday's evidence, Fulham can still mount a serious challenge for promotion if they find a way of hanging on to leads.

2) Draws can be entertaining

This was an exciting game to watch.

Both teams had plenty of chances, although sometimes the defending was very questionable.

Both teams could have won the game, and the Championship is that open you would not guess that Fulham are 17th and Brentford are 10th.

The Bees could have been in a play-off spot had they won at Craven Cottage yesterday.

3) Ross McCormack could play in the Premier league

McCormack was the stand out player at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

He caused the Brentford defence problems all afternoon, and could easily have scored himself.

Undoubtedly, he can play in the Premier League, and there are a few teams that have problems in their forward line which McCormack could go some way to helping.


Read more at http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/3-things-we-learned-from-the-2-2-draw-between-fulham-v-brentford/?#ZsMWEQs47mx01xHo.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Jaap Stam fancies Fulham job as he admits he cannot wait to work in England

The former Manchester United defender is coach of Ajax's reserves but has just completed his UEFA licence and is willing to take a job in the Championship


Big Jaap: Could be heading to a dugout near you

Jaap Stam wants to return to English football - as manager of Fulham.

Ex-Manchester United defender Stam is believed to have told Cottagers chiefs he is open to holding talks over the vacant post.

The Dutchman, 43, is currently coach of Ajax's reserves but hopes to make the step up into a hot-seat.

Stam has just completed his UEFA licence and is willing to take a job in the Championship.

Fulham have placed Stuart Gray in temporary charge while they search for Kit Symons' full-time replacement - and he began with a 2-2 draw in a home derby against Brentford on Saturday.


Gray area: Former Wednesday boss has joined as a senior coach

Chief football officer Mike Rigg's search has hit a brick wall after being knocked back back by three managers.

He is under pressure to find the right man with fans becoming increasingly restless as Fulham flounder below mid-table.

Stam said: "As soon as I get the opportunity to work in England, I will go for it."

Fulham sacked Symons in early November after just over a year in charge, while Gray lost his job at Sheffield Wednesday over the summer in favour of Portuguese manager Carlos Carvalhal.

Rigg told Fulham's official website last week: "The search for a permanent head coach goes on, but it is important to ensure we focus fully on getting results back on track while this process continues.

"With that, I'd like to welcome Stuart Gray, who has joined the club as senior coach and has already begun working with the first team to prepare for Saturday's home match against Brentford.

"Alongside Stuart will be Steve Wigley, who has assisted Stuart in training and will continue in that capacity while joining him in the dugout on match days."


http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jaap-stam-fancies-fulham-job-7006317?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham continue to struggle

Fulham 2-2 Brentford
by Kaleem Aftab
at Craven Cottage

Stuart Gurr was the new face in the Fulham dugout on Saturday, yet nothing changed on the pitch as Fulham's hara-kiri defence undid the work of their attacking prowess in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage.

Given that Gurr is only a temporary fix, is it fair to expect anything else? "As far as I know, I did the game today and am here on Tuesday," he said.

Chairman Shahid Khan used his programme notes to defend the length of time it has taken to replace Kit Symons.

So long in fact that under-21 coach Peter Grant abandoned his temporary position, which is why Gurr has arrived.

Khan took to the programme notes to explain the situation. "Had we considered managers who are only out of work, indeed we would have wrapped this up weeks ago," wrote Khan.

The search has also gone to Europe. The haphazard backroom situation was replicated with the lack of a game plan on the pitch, and once again it was the prowess of Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele that ensured Fulham got something from the game.

How the right appointment can make a huge difference was also on show at the Cottage, where Dean Smith has got Brentford playing as the unit that was so effective under Mark Warburton last season.

Quick incisive passing put the visitors in the ascendancy after an even first half, in which they took the lead through Alan Judge's penalty before defender James Tarkowski headed into their own net.

Brentford were bossing matters until a Fulham breakaway saw Dembele score against the run of play on 64 minutes, but it only took Jack O'Connell seven minutes to level matters.


http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-ce70-Fulham-continue-to-struggle?#.Vm5yt0vkolc