Thursday Fulham Stuff (24/12/15)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Derby Down To The Last 100 Seats For Boxing Day!

Fewer than 100 tickets remain for Derby County's Boxing Day clash with Fulham at the iPro Stadium.

Tickets for the game on Saturday 26th December (3pm) went on General Sale earlier this month and supporters have been quick to secure their seats.

The majority of seats that remain are single seats only.

Derby last played at home on Boxing Day in 2011 and Rams fans are showing their thirst for festive football by generating an unprecedented demand for seats.

Following discussions with Fulham a further thousand seats were recently made available to Rams fans in the South East Corner of the iPro Stadium at Category C prices - reducing the Cottagers' allocation to just over 1,000.

As a result, Derby are on course for what is believed to be the biggest number of home fans cheering on the side in a competitive game at the iPro Stadium.

Ticket purchases - and a full review of the prices - can be made online at WeAreDerby.com, by calling 0871 472 1884 (option 1) or in person from the Unite the Union Ticket Office.

Home Membership Holders receive 10% off their own home league ticket purchase.

Supporters can also take advantage of the 'Print At Home' option on their individual match tickets when buying online.


Read more at http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/derby-down-to-the-last-100-seats-for-boxing-day-2865410.aspx#rOO2JcrSFz8xquWa.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Derby County Flashback

Here's a game from the archives where Collins John made a big impact in the 2005 FA Cup Third Round at Derby County.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSK_ErhZy7w

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/december/23/derby-county-flashback?

[WhiteJC]

 
Cruyff may hold up Fulham naming Slavisa Jokanovic as new boss

Maccabi technical director wants replacement manager for Whites target


Wait: Slavisa Jokanovic

Jordi Cruyff could scupper Fulham plans to install Slavisa Jokanovic as new manager before the Derby clash on Boxing Day.

GetWest London's inside line suggested things were already moving painfully slow even before the latest setback, and now Maccabi Tel Aviv technical director Cruyff may demand the Whites wait until they have someone to fill the breach by Jokanovic.

The son of one of the most famous names in football is digging heels in over having a new man ready to take over the Champions League outfit, as well as compensation for the coach who left Watford in the summer over wages.

Jokanovic was incandescent when the Hornets reportedly only offered him a paltry £1,000-a-week rise for getting them into the Premier League.

Fulham are now into the seventh week since they sacked Kit Symons, but are refusing to bust their wage structure while insisting the new man has to work in tandem with chief football officer Mike Rigg.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cruyff-hold-up-fulham-naming-10642453?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jimmy Hill Tribute

The Club can confirm that we will be paying tribute to Jimmy Hill prior to Tuesday evening's game against Rotherham United, our first home match since his passing.

Hill made almost 300 appearances for Fulham during his playing days, but it was his time as Chairman which fans remember him fondest for, as he played a major role in keeping the Club afloat.

Our fixture against the Millers will be preceded by a minute's applause and a number of appropriate tributes in memory of Jimmy.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/december/23/jimmy-hill-tribute?

[WhiteJC]

 
Derby County: Rams duo ruled out of Boxing Day clash with Fulham

GOALKEEPER Scott Carson remains sidelined for Derby County's Championship clash against Fulham on Boxing Day.

Carson is still struggling with a back problem that has seen him miss the last four matches.

Lee Grant has come in and helped the Rams to two wins and two draws, and kept three clean sheets.

Craig Bryson is again absent.

The Scottish midfielder has taken a step back from first-team training after aggravating a knee problem that kept him out for three months earlier this season.



Read more: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Rams-duo-ruled-Boxing-Day-clash/story-28413359-detail/story.html#ixzz3vDvXy38f
Follow us: @DerbyTelegraph on Twitter | derbytelegraph on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham must make proper appointment sooner rather than later

A few weeks on since the announcement that the club would be appointing Stuart Gray as senior coach and seemingly being no closer to appointing anyone that mildly resembles a new manager, as a club, Fulham are taking a number of steps backwards in our progression with results on a decline.

Any evidence of the defensive improvement the former Sheffield Wednesday man was supposed to bring about certainly hasn't been reflected in points or clean sheets so far, while the team have not tasted success since the victory at Ashton Gate back on October 31st.

Gray was never going to be a popular appointment with the fans, certainly not someone you would associate with an ambitious attempt to push for promotion, as outlined by Mike Rigg in the reasoning around the departure of Symons following the Birmingham game. Had he been announced as our new manager or even head coach I would have felt a lot more inclined to at least back him to the hills and hope for the best, but instead we have been left with almost a feeling of being in limbo.

Fulham fans aren't behind stand-in boss Stuart Gray

Is a search continuing for a new man? When will we be looking to make an appointment? Couldn't Alan Curbishley have held the fort for a few games while we find someone? These are the questions I find myself asking, but I would also expect many of the players are as well.

This may well have been the case even if we did have a new manager, but we face going in to the January transfer window with any potential incomings and outgoings being heavily dictated by Rigg and Khan, while no one of any note or power will be in the dugout to push back or say otherwise.

Given the interest in a number of our top performers, such as Moussa Dembele and Ross McCormack, I get the feeling that January may only suffice in further worsening our predicament. Kit was certainly inexperienced and if promotion really was the aim this year then I appreciate he would have likely fallen short of that milestone. However, the majority of the squad would have at least felt some affinity to him where as now, like many of us fans feel, the club seems a hollow and faceless entity that has little in the way of convincing some to stick around, let alone attract further quality in January.

I have to say I still don't believe things are bad enough for us to consider relegation, but if we are ever to continue on from Symons' period and make those tweaks to a squad with a good balance of talented youngsters and experience then an appointment must be made sooner rather than later.

Wishing all Fulham fans a Merry Christmas. Enjoy it, because we are away at Derby on Boxing day and I don't think we will all be feeling particularly festive after our trek to Pride Park. Who knows though, it could be the Christmas miracle we are hoping for.

COYW !!


http://www.shoot.co.uk/fulham-must-make-proper-appointment-sooner-rather-than-later/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Derby County: Rams' Boxing Day clash with Fulham is sold out for home fans

DERBY County's match against Fulham on Boxing Day will be played in front of a sell-out home crowd.

The final remaining tickets for Saturday's Championship encounter at the iPro Stadium were snapped up by Rams fans on Wednesday afternoon.

So, there will be a packed house to watch Paul Clement's men play their first match after Christmas.

Following recent discussions with Fulham, the visitors' allocation was reduced to just over 1,000 tickets.

That meant a further 1,000 seats were made available to Rams fans in the South East Corner of the ground.

As a result, there will be more than 31,000 home fans attending the game, which is believed to be the most for a competitive fixture at the iPro.

"It's fantastic that we've sold out for Boxing Day and I am sure we'll have a fantastic atmosphere," said Rams head coach Paul Clement.

"The fans play an important part and it will be fantastic to have so many of them behind the team."



Read more: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Rams-Boxing-Day-clash-Fulham-sold/story-28413748-detail/story.html#ixzz3vDwbD5ys
Follow us: @DerbyTelegraph on Twitter | derbytelegraph on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Youth Cup Confirmation

Fulham Under-18s will face Reading at Motspur Park in the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup on Monday 18th January (7pm).

We were due to face the Royals in the league two days earlier, but that fixture has now been rearranged for Saturday 13th February.

The young Whites advanced to Round Four of the competition courtesy of a 4-2 win against Bury, while Reading beat Sheffield United 3-1 after extra-time.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/december/23/youth-cup-confirmation?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham coach envies Sheffield Wednesday pairing as side go in search of second clean sheet at Derby

Whites coach wants defensive duties all over the pitch - just as they were when he was with the Owls


Solid: Ex-Brentford Andre Gray faces Sheffield Wednesday's Tom Lees

Fulham coach Stuart Gray would give up turkey and all the trimmings to have the same partnership he enjoyed at Sheffield Wednesday last term – and one of those was a Whites target in the summer.

Wednesday rejected a £1.2m Fulham bid for ex-Leeds defender Tom Lees, and he went on to become a mainstay in the Owls defence alongside Glen Loovens.

In fact, Gray recalled that before getting dismissed by Wednesday in the summer, the central defensive pair was pivotal to 17 clean sheets.


Defence minded: Stuart Gray

In 22 Championship games so far, Fulham have kept just one.

Gray ducked questions why the current pairing of Tim Ream and Richard Stearman have failed to hit the ground running, but hinted the rest in white were also not doing their job.

"We're scoring but we're also conceding, and that's the problem defensively, and we're not doing enough," Gray said.

"We have good players and professionals, but we need that bit of luck and we're not getting it and getting punished.

"We had 17 clean sheets at Sheffield Wednesday last season with a partnership of Louvens and Lees – as well as keeper Kieran Westwood, and the only reason for that was we defended from the front.

"There was a nice balance between those two, and it was all about training on the pitch.

"So it's not about Richard and Tim, especially as Tim's been at left-back, there's another six players ahead of them as well."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-coach-envies-sheffield-wednesday-10645732?

[WhiteJC]

 
Ross McCormack and the Ghost of Christmas Future
by CHRIS GILBERTSON on DECEMBER 23, 2015

When the Ghost of Christmas Present makes its way to Mike Rigg's house tomorrow night, a picture showing the importance of Ross McCormack will be painted.

Given the other headlines at Fulham at the moment it is easy to ignore the importance of someone we already have. Ross McCormack has been indispensable for Fulham this season and it is important that this fact is not lost in our current managerless mire..

His 12 league goals lead the team. Strike partner Moussa Dembele is in 2nd place with 9 goals but is potentially leaving the club in January having yet failed to sign a new contract. With this in mind, Ross' goals will likely become even more critical as the season wears on.

It is not just goals though, McCormack leads the team with 6 assists and 34 chances created. With our defence more porous than an industrial sized colander, McCormack has been the main reason our offence has stayed alive, and thus kept Fulham afloat in the process.

Put another way, McCormack has scored in all of our five league victories and in three draws. His 6 assists have also all come in games we scored points (spread across 1 win and 4 draws). His free kick at Bolton last Saturday was just the latest in a long list of examples of Ross carrying us on his own back since his arrival at the club 18 months ago.

We live and die by the performance of our talismanic Scot. When he has off days, and he does have them, the team as a whole suffers. Within our five victories, only one of his goals was actually the Game Winner. When he plays well so does the rest of the team.

When he doesn't play well the team struggles. In the games without a McCormack goal or assist, Fulham have only amassed 6 out of a possible 33 points available.

So whilst our new manager must sort out our defensive struggles, keeping and getting the best out of Ross McCormack must also be a priority.

With our on-going underperformance and being still without a manager, the upcoming transfer window looms ominously just around the corner. Should McCormack decide he has had enough, the grim reaper would have Fulham in his sights. For all of our sakes, let's hope that when the Ghost of Christmas Future reaches Mr Rigg, the vision includes Ross McCormack.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2015/12/ross-mccormack-and-the-ghost-of-christmas-future/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Derby County: We must be on guard against Fulham, says Paul Clement

PAUL Clement says Derby County must be on their guard when they face the Championship's top scorers Fulham on Boxing Day.

Fulham will arrive at the iPro Stadium in 18th position and without a win in eight matches.

They have scored 36 goals in 22 games – three more than Derby – but they have conceded 39 – 26 more than the Rams.

"They are a very good attacking side," said Clement.

"They are the highest scoring team in the division. They have got goalscorers particularly from the front two positions in Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele but they have conceded a lot as well and that is why their position is where it is.

"Fulham are going to be a threat and we are going to have to be very strong defensively, as we have been in many games."

McCormack (14) and Dembele (10) have scored 24 goals between them this season.

Derby have lost only one of their last 17 games.

"We arrive in a good moment, full of confidence, defending well and scoring goals. We have to keep that going," said Clement.

Rams' goalkeeper Scott Carson remains sidelined for the Boxing Day clash.

Carson is still struggling with a back problem that has seen him miss the last four matches.

Lee Grant has come in and helped the Rams to two wins and two draws, and kept three clean sheets.

Craig Bryson is again absent.

The Scottish midfielder has taken a step back from first-team training after aggravating a knee problem that kept him out for three months earlier this season.



Read more: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-guard-Fulham-says-Paul-Clement/story-28415114-detail/story.html#ixzz3vDyRu799
Follow us: @DerbyTelegraph on Twitter | derbytelegraph on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Derby v Fulham

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: IPro Stadium Date: Saturday 26 December Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website

TEAM NEWS
Derby have an unchanged squad for the visit of Fulham.

Rams head coach Paul Clement is not short of options with Chris Baird, Alex Pearce, Ryan Shotton, Jeff Hendrick, Darren Bent and Andreas Weimann all vying for recalls.

Fulham may rest midfielder Scott Parker, who only recently returned to action following an ankle injury.

Defender Jack Grimmer has not played since August due to an ankle injury but is close to a return.

MATCH FACTS
Derby have won only three of their last 16 matches played on Boxing Day (D5 L8).
The Cottagers have won just one of their last 10 Boxing Day fixtures (D4 L5), versus Norwich in 2013.
Derby have scored in 22 of their last 23 home league clashes with Fulham.
The Rams are unbeaten in six league matches, a run only Middlesbrough can equal currently (W4 D2). They have kept five clean sheets in this run.
Since the start of the 2013/14 season, Ross McCormack has been involved in 79 goals (57 goals, 22 assists) more than any other player in the Championship.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35139097