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Friday Fulham Stuff (05/02/16)...

Started by WhiteJC, February 05, 2016, 08:05:45 AM

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WhiteJC

 
Fulham fancied to beat Derby

Fulham to beat Derby is one of our top tips for the Sky Bet Football League this weekend.


Fulham: Boosted by Dembele and McCormack staying

Back Fulham to beat Derby

Derby's stumble continued in midweek as a 0-0 draw at home to Preston made it six Sky Bet Championship matches without a win. The Rams now sit fourth with a five-point gap to second-placed Middlesbrough and I can't be backing them as big favourites to bag three points at Fulham on Saturday afternoon. The Cottagers need to get going quickly but nearly 3/1 looks worth considering for the home win with the big boost of star duo Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele remaining at the club after deadline day. Slavisa Jokanovic has plenty of work to do in order to keep Fulham clear of relegation trouble but this looks like a good time to back his side.


http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/10154922/-?

WhiteJC

 
Derby County: Supporters' guide to Fulham as Rams head south


DERBY County head to Fulham's Craven Cottage on Saturday looking for a much-needed win after another disappointing display against Preston North End on Tuesday night.

There are still a few tickets left for Rams supporters wishing to go to Fulham and here, thanks to the Football Ground Guide, we tell you what you should know about Craven Cottage:

The ground has a capacity of 25,678 (all seated) with away supporters housed to one side of the Putney End Stand on the river side of the ground. This stand is shared with 'neutral' supporters, with away fans being allocated around 3,000 seats, which is just under half of the overall capacity of this stand.

]An unusual feature of Craven Cottage is that the teams enter the field from one corner of the ground, by the Cottage and then make their way up onto the pitch as it is raised.
Food and drink are served from a number of outlets and stalls situated behind the stands. These areas although mostly covered are not enclosed. Expect to pay just under £4 for a steak and ale pie and £4 for a hot dog. Cans of Tetleys, Guinness and plastic bottles of Carlsberg (500ml) are available at £4, plus small wine bottles (£4.50).
If you fancy a drink before kick-off then near to the tube station is the Eight Bells which is popular with away fans while the Crabtree on Rainville Road, which is a 10 minute walk away from the ground, is also popular.
The SatNav code for Fulham's Craven Cottage is SW6 6HH. Parking close to the ground is difficult and wardens are often out in force on match-days. The nearest tube station is Putney Bridge, which is on the District Line.
A match-day programme is £3.50.


Read more: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Supporters-guide-Fulham-Rams-head/story-28671176-detail/story.html#ixzz3zHM71DPg
Follow us: @DerbyTelegraph on Twitter | derbytelegraph on Facebook

WhiteJC

 
Ref Watch: Fulham Vs Derby County

Darren Deadman will take charge of Derby County's Sky Bet Championship fixture away at Fulham this weekend (3pm).

The official has overseen 21 games across the Sky Bet Football League so far this season, where he has produced a total of 62 yellow cards and one red card.

His last Derby fixture came in the early stages of the 2014/15 season when he took charge of the Rams' 3-0 victory away at Reading.

He will be assisted by Nicholas Cooper and Andrew Turner on the lines, whilst Andy Davies has been appointed as the Fourth Official for the meeting at Craven Cottage.


Read more at http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/ref-watch-fulham-vs-derby-county-2937883.aspx#ymiuXjVtzvuTRtbB.99


WhiteJC

 
Stricken Fulham keeper reveals what it's like to be on the inside looking out - and he doesn't like it

Injured Whites shot-stopper has been handed a boost by being able to run for the first time since his night of tragedy at Hull City nearly seven months ago


Horror blow: Fulham's Marcus Bettinelli is injured at Hull

Imagine Marcus Bettinelli in the Fulham gym watching his team-mates out on the training pitch.

Frustrated? Irritated? Tough? Yes, all of these - but finally the Whites keeper can see the light at the end of a long tunnel after his cruciate injury all the way back to August.

Betts knew he had done something seriously wrong the second he collided with Matt Smith during the 2-1 defeat at Hull City.

At the time he didn't know the pair of them and defender Jack Grimmer, injured at Wycombe the week before, would soon be called the Brace Brothers as they hobbled around in supports.

The 23-year-old keeper has set no return date even though the best bet is the end of March. But is delighted he finally pulled on a pair of football boots this week and got to run on grass alongside the others.

"It's been a really long road," he told the club's website. "It feels a long time since I was being carried off on a stretcher. It has been tough. But this was the first time I was out running in my football boots.

"It's frustrating and looking out of the gym window and seeing the lads training. But when I went out I was watching it (training) more than running and with Tunners (Ryan Tunnicliffe).

"Me, Matty and Jack Grimmer got known as the Brace brothers around the training ground. I was there for them and they were there for me.

"It was meant to be such a big year for me. But as soon as I hit the deck I knew I was done for a long time.

"I've never set a return date, but have set little targets each time - and I'm ticking them off."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stricken-fulham-keeper-reveals-what-10837749?

WhiteJC

 
Craven Corner: Why Fulham fans should celebrate keeping hold of The Magician


Ross McCormack in action for Fulham (Credit: Daniel Hambury)

Fulham enjoyed a very successful transfer deadline day and fan blogger Adam Brons-Smith was delighted with the ins and, just as importantly, who didn't find a way out of Craven Cottage.

Despite a transfer embargo, Fulham managed to have an incredibly successful transfer window after keeping in-demand Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele at the club.

After constant reports that teams from all over the country wanted to sign the Fulham forwards, Jokanovic continually stated that the players would be staying and, in even better news, McCormack is in contract talks with the club over a new deal.

It was vital for the club to keep both forwards, especially after their contribution already this season.

McCormack has already managed to notch 17 goals this season as well as creating a host of chances for the rest of the team, and Dembele's development has been paramount with his 11 goals.

If the club had sold both of those in the window, Fulham's 2016 could have been very bleak with Alexander Kacaniklic as the highest scorer left with just four goals.

In the summer there will be a summer overhaul and in reality, Fulham will lose Dembele with his contract expiring, but if he signs for another English based club, Fulham could still net £3-£4m in compensation.

AS Monaco have registered an interest in the young forward, and if he decided to move to France, Fulham would only receive £300,000 in compensation.

McCormack was the subject of £11m bids from Middlesbrough and, should they get promoted, they could renew their interest in the forward for next year's Premier League campaign.

Middlesbrough did eventually sign Blackburn's goal machine Jordan Rhodes so maybe Fulham fans can take faith in that, and believe the magical Scot will stay at Craven Cottage for at least one more season.

I've been very impressed with Slavisa Jokanovic ever since he was appointed, despite not winning a game yet with him in charge.

The Serbian has joined the club, and clearly laid out a plan for the squad and a style of football he wants to implement.

Despite the results going against us, the style of football Fulham have been playing in recent weeks has been impressive with a high press, possession based approach and in all fairness, the performances should have returned a larger points total, especially after dominating Hull City at home.

Jokanovic has also recruited incredibly well in January despite a transfer embargo and the quality of players that have joined the club are much higher than what we have previously seen from other managers.

Zakaria Labyad has joined the club on loan, who was arguably one of the hottest properties in Dutch football a few years ago and will provide plenty of pace and flair to our game.

Labyad can also operate as a winger, something that we have lacked all season so it's great to see that problem finally addressed.

I'm very excited to see what Labyad can do, and he's probably the closest player we've had that fills the void left by Ashkan Dejagah - A winger that can provide that moment of magic in the final third and isn't afraid to beat a full-back.

Jokanovic also managed to sign Michael Madl and Rohan Ince - two very highly rated players at their previous clubs.

Madl covers a lot of ground and is a very technically gifted defender who will slot into Jokanovic's ball-playing methods with ease.

Rohan Ince is a natural defensive midfielder, which we have lacked since the injury to Ryan Tunnicliffe. The young Englishman will provide plenty of energy and protection for the back four, which will be more than welcomed by the Fulham faithful.

Sadly, towards the dying moments of deadline day, the club saw a loan move for Alex McCarthy fall through due to Crystal Palace failing to secure a deal for Rob Green - but it shows that Jokanovic was trying to secure the best available players for the club and despite already having Joe Lewis and Andy Lonergan, Jokanovic wanted to improve the squad as much as he could.

Finally, Fulham recalled Fernando Amorebieta from his loan spell at Middlesbrough which could indicate that Jokanovic wants to include the Venezuelan in his first team.

After a string of impressive performances by Dan Burn, it would a shame to see him dropped especially as they are both left-footed centre backs. Burn has been an ever present in the side since Jokanovic's appointment but after recalling Amorebieta and signing Madl, we could see another defensive reshuffle this season.

Fulham face Derby at home on Saturday, but Fulham fans can be optimistic going into the fixture, after the squad would have benefited from another two weeks uninterrupted training sessions to fully understand and work with Jokanovic's ideas and philosophies.



Read more at: http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/craven_corner_why_fulham_fans_should_celebrate_keeping_hold_of_the_magician_1_4406097
Copyright © LONDON24

WhiteJC

 
Fulham data analyst Craig Kline sent back to the USA

American law graduate clashed with members of staff on a number of occasions over his rigid adherence to a statistical model for selecting prospective signings


Slavisa Jokanovic did not agree with Kline's data-first strategy of recruitment  Photo: REX

Fulham's American data analyst Craig Kline has been sent back to the United States, with his drive to put the Championship club on the road to an analytics-based transfer policy appearing to be over for now.

Telegraph Sport understands that the American law graduate, who was given the title "director of statistical research", was told on Wednesday that he would no longer be working at the club's Motspur Park training ground.

He had clashed with members of staff on a number of occasions over his rigid adherence to a statistical model for selecting prospective signings.

Kline, a university friend of Tony Khan, son of Fulham's billionaire American owner Shahid Khan, was employed by Tony's company TruMedia, and it is not out of the question that he might return to the club at some point. Earlier in the season, he was asked to stay away from the training ground for a month after an argument with chief operating officer Darren Preston but subsequently returned.


Shahid Khan bought Fulham in July 2013

Kline's influential role at Fulham where he claimed to have "ownership mandate" via Tony Khan, also a devotee of data analytics, was revealed by Telegraph Sport on Sunday. He wanted his data model to take precedence over more traditional scouting methods for players.

In this instance, the battle by Slavisa Jokanovic to have control of first team matters appears to have been won by the club's new manager. Jokanovic did not agree with Kline's data-first strategy of recruitment and the final decision appears to have been made by Shahid Khan who, as chairman of the club, has a hands-on approach when required.

Now the transfer window has shut, the club feel there is less of a requirement to have Kline around. He does not have to be in the UK to work on his statistical model of rating players. His challenging personality around the training ground also seems to have played a part in the decision to relocate him.

Fulham were under a transfer embargo in January and only able to sign loan players and free agents on a maximum of pnds10,000-a-week. They brought in loanees Rohan Ince (Brighton), Zakaria Labyad (Sporting Lisbon), and Michael Madl (Sturm Graz).


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/12141179/Fulham-data-analyst-Craig-Kline-sent-back-to-the-USA.html


WhiteJC

 
Fulham: numbers don't add up – analyst sent packing

If you've seen the baseball biopic film 'Moneyball', then you'll likely be up to speed with the basic idea of analytics and how it can be applied to sport to look for 'value' in players that others may overlook. This is the role that Craig Kline played at Fulham as they took the "Football Manager approach" to recruiting.

In this model, Kline, who has been known to claim "ownership mandate" in the way that his statistical model was used for recruitment, players are rated using OPTA stats and potential signings are given a 'target rating' which are then used in the weighing up of options as to whether to sign or not sign a player.

However, The Telegraph report today that data analyst Kline has been ordered back to the United States amid reports that he had "clashed with members of staff on a number of occasions" over what was termed his "rigid adherence" to the statistical model that he had developed which added statistical colour to the recruiting of potential Fulham players.

Kline, a University friend of Fulham owner Shaid Khan's son Tony Khan, was given the title of 'Director of Statistical Research' upon his appoinment with the London club. It isn't the data analysts first run-in with staff at the club, he was told to stay away from the training ground earlier this season after an altercation and subsequent argument with Fulham's Chief Operating officer Darren Preston. Kline's main purpose was said to be that his data model take precedence over more traditoinal scouting methods, something that brought him in to conflict with new manager Slavisa Jokanovic.

Today's report in The Telegraph says that the club feel that with the closing of the transfer window there is less need for Kline's 'hands-on' approach at the club and that he needn't be around the club as a whole. They also say that "his challenging personality around the training ground also seems to have played a part in the decision to relocate him."

With Kline packed off back Stateside, it seems that the immediacy of Fulham's attempts to play real-life Football Manager is on the back-burner somewhat.


http://the72.co.uk/47164/fulham-numbers-dont-add-up-analyst-sent-packing/?

WhiteJC

 
The third Dembele: Winger could be an incredible addition for Tottenham

Forget Mousa Dembele and Moussa Dembele... Tottenham need Ousmane Dembele.

Tottenham Hotspur came close to adding a second Dembele to their squad in the past transfer window, attempting to buy Moussa Dembele from Fulham.

They signed Mousa Dembele from the same side back in August 2012, and even brought his near namesake in for a medical last weekend before a deal broke down, The Guardian reported.

Spurs may well return for the Fulham striker in the summer when his contract expires, but there is another Dembele who could be the best of the lot.

Ousmane Dembele

French winger Ousmane Dembele is carving an impressive reputation for himself in Ligue 1 with Rennes.

Dembele is just 18-years-old, and has established himself as a first team player this season, scoring four goals in 11 games, providing two assists.

His displays have won rave reviews, with former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre comparing him to Cristiano Ronaldo.

He told France Football: "He can win the Ballon d'Or. I saw Cristiano Ronaldo get the same age at Manchester United and Ousmane has features that remind me of the young Cristiano."

The Sun reported in December that Dembele is being scouted by Chelsea, but it is at Tottenham where he would get a better shot of first team football, with head coach Mauricio Pochettino determined to give young players opportunities.


http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/02/04/the-third-dembele-winger-could-be-an-incredible-addition-for-tot/?

WhiteJC

 
EXCLUSIVE: TOTTENHAM STRIKER TARGET REJECTS CONTRACT THAT WOULD QUADRUPLE HIS SALARY

Moussa Dembele has rejected a contract offer from Fulham that would quadruple his salary, Football Insider sources understand.

The striker's proposed transfer to Tottenham fell through in the final 24 hours of the transfer window after he had completed a medical.

Dembele has now been offered a four-year deal by the Championship club to replace his existing agreement, which expires in the summer.

A source close to the situation has told Football Insider that the contract is worth £20,000-a-week, which is four times Dembele's current salary of £5,000-a-week.

But the Frenchman will not sign and will press ahead with plans to find a new club, despite his move to Spurs falling through because the two clubs could not agree the terms of the deal.

Fulham were adamant that Dembele returned on loan for the rest of the season, while Tottenham were said to be keen for the forward to immediately link up with Mauricio Pochettino's team.

Monaco and Juventus retain an interest in the 19-year-old, and are now the favourites to sign him, while Liverpool and Manchester United are also monitoring his situation.

Dembele, the namesake and former team-mate of Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele, has scored 11 goals this season for the Championship strugglers, including nine in 26 league games.

Fulham are in a delicate position as they could receive only a paltry compensation fee if the teenagers signs a pre-contract with a foreign club.

Fulham would only recoup the £300,000 fee they paid for Dembele in 2012 if he moved overseas in the summer but, were he to stay in England, they would be entitled to a far higher fee under Premier League rules.

Should the Londoners and the buying club from England not agree a fee, it would be settled by a tribunal, as in the case of Danny Ings when he joined Liverpool last summer after his Burnley contract had expired.

Dembele signed an initial three-year contract when he joined Fulham from Paris Saint-German. The deal was extended by a further 12 months last summer when both parties decided to trigger the option of a 12-month extension.


http://www.footballinsider247.com/tottenham-striker-target-dembele-rejects-contract-that-would-quadruple-his-salary/?


WhiteJC

 
Derby County: Back where it all began, to Fulham, for Paul Clement. Steve Nicholson reports

PAUL Clement returns to the club where he got his first big break in football this weekend, hoping for a win that would re-ignite Derby County's promotion challenge.

The Rams travel to Craven Cottage to tackle Fulham, who handed Clement his first full-time role in football back in 2002.

He has happy memories of his time with the West London club.

"I started there in 2002 and had seven years at the club, all based in the academy," said Clement, who was at Chelsea in a part-time capacity before joining Fulham.

"At Fulham, I was able to see Jean Tigana working at very close quarters.

"He managed the side at a time that they went up as First Division champions playing excellent football and scoring a lot of goals.

"They had Steed Malbranque in the team and Louis Saha was the striker. I learned a lot from a coaching point of view because it was my first real look at a foreign influence working.

"Then Chris Coleman took the team on again in the Premier League. Yes, I had seven really good years there."

Fulham are the last team Derby beat in the League.

A 2-0 home victory on Boxing Day took the Rams to top spot in the Championship but they have slipped to fourth.

Fulham are down in 19th place and only three points above the drop zone.

Clement expects an open contest.

"I think it will be. There will be chances and, absolutely, a win would give us the confidence we need at the moment," he said.

"The majority of the more open games this season have been away from home and a big reason for that is the way teams come and defend at the iPro."

Derby are without a win in six League fixtures but they will be backed by 4,000 fans at Craven Cottage.

"The away support has been fantastic, and the home support as well," said Clement.

"The turnout week in, week out is absolutely fabulous.

"I understand completely the frustration of the supporters with the performances we are showing, particularly at home, but they can really help us get through this difficult period."



Read more: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-began-Fulham-Paul-Clement-Steve/story-28673035-detail/story.html#ixzz3zHR7hQek
Follow us: @DerbyTelegraph on Twitter | derbytelegraph on Facebook

WhiteJC

 
Derby County Flashback

Watch the highlights from our 2-0 triumph in March of last season as the Whites derailed the Rams' promotion push at Craven Cottage.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/february/05/derby-county-flashback?