Saturday Fulham Stuff (20/02/16)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Manchester United lead race for Emerson Hyndman

HITC Sport understands that Fulham youngster is set to leave this summer

Manchester United are favourites to tie up a deal for Fulham midfield sensation Emerson Hyndman, HITC Sport understands.

The 19-year-old from Texas joined Fulham's academy in 2011 and made his first-team debut in 2014.

Now a regular in the first-team squad, Hyndman's performances have caught the eye of a host of clubs - but Fulham, like with Moussa Dembele, have failed to tie him down to a long-term deal and he is set to quit the club in the summer.

Hotline understands that United are currently favourites to tie up a deal for the US international, despite the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham also showing an interest.

German giants Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Wolfsburg are also keen on landing him.

A Fulham source told HITC Sport: "He looks to be on his way, we have been told of a number of clubs who want him and are offering big deals, but United look to be in the strongest position."

With Dembele also set to leave this summer when his contract expires, Fulham will be losing to of their brightest prospects for next to nothing.

United are understood to be keen on landing Hyndman with a view to loaning him out next season.


http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/02/19/manchester-united-lead-race-for-emerson-hyndman/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Chris Baird at Fulham - what he gets out of the move and what former winger Simon Davies said

Former Whites hero admits his Euro 2016 chances get a boost by taking up residence in the Cottage again while former team-mate reacts to the move


Fiery: Chris Baird at West Brom reacts against QPR last season

Chris Baird admits his move back to Fulham two-and-a-half seasons after he left them keeps him in with a shout at featuring for Northern Ireland in Euros 2016.

Left out at Derby, especially after the sacking of Paul Clement, the 33-year-old needs to be on the pitch to catch the attention of his international boss Michael O'Neill.

At the same time, coming back to the Cottage where he was hailed a hero just two weeks ago when subbed while playing for Derby adds up to a no brainer.

"It's a big part of it but I'm not concentrating solely on the European Championships," Baird, who will wear the number 22 shirt, told the official website.

"I know the situation they're (Fulham) in. I've been there a few times in my career before, so we want to get out of that as quickly as possible. We need to climb the league and try and finish the season on a high."

"I've been in the squads at Derby but I wasn't making the bench, so that said it all to me. I wanted to get out and play some football, especially with a big summer coming up for me.

"There was stuff in the pipelines before and Derby didn't want me to go, but it's happened this time around so I'm grateful and thankful that it's finally done and dusted."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chris-baird-fulham-what-gets-10913906?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham – vital fashion tips enclosed

Most years there seems to be one club which goes into freefall in the winter and drops into the relegation places from a position of apparent safety. Until last Saturday it was looking as if Fulham might be that club. Since the beginning of November their record was worse than Charlton's.  They had taken 9 points from a possible 45 (1 win, 6 draws, 8 defeats) and had dropped from tenth place to twentieth. The run had seen the demise of manager Kit Symons and the appointment in December of ex-Watford boss Slavisa Jokanovic. He watched from the stands while his team despatched Rotherham 4-1 but then supervised two draws and four defeats.  It seemed that, if Charlton could string together a win or two, Fulham might be a club they could overtake.

Last Saturday, however, they went to near neighbours QPR and beat them 3-1.  When, later the same day, Milton Keynes won at Derby and Bristol City beat Ipswich, Charlton's fortuitous point at home to Cardiff was put into perspective. We go to Craven Cottage on Saturday seven points behind our hosts. There is some hope in the fact that Fulham then reverted to type on Tuesday night losing 3-0 at Blackburn. It hasn't escaped our notice that for the QPR game Fulham fielded Scott Parker in midfield for his first game for months and that he was absent from the squad at Blackburn. He was very influential in our 3-0 defeat at Craven Cottage last season and it wouldn't be a bad thing if his absence up north was due to recurrence of injury rather than being rested.

Charlton have made seven new signings since the turn of the year but it is perfectly possible that none of them could feature in the starting line up on Saturday. The latest recruit - Yun Suk-Young - is a left back and it might be timely to give Morgan Fox a rest for the game. It is noted that Tareiq Homes-Dennis featured for the u21s earlier this week so he might also come into contention. Johnnie Jackson will be out for a fortnight and there is a question mark about Jordan Cousins so our midfield will have a new look. El Hadji Ba, although he sometimes looks disastrously error prone, can bring some moments of creativity which the team urgently needs. Sadly, it looks as if Igor Vetokele may yet again miss out through injury and Yaya Sanogo apparently has some back pain.

The burning question remains: given the home team's colours, should the well-dressed Charlton fan don a black and white scarf for this fixture? The CAS Trust Fashion sub committee has issued a statement clarifying that it sees this as a matter entirely for individual consciences and that members should be reassured that no disciplinary action will be taken whatever they decide to do. Given the way that the wind blows off the river over there, however, it is strongly recommended that some sort of scarf is worn.


http://www.castrust.org/2016/02/474009/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Football v Homophobia

February is the international campaign month of 'Football v Homophobia' (FvH) and Fulham is supporting the initiative.

FvH is a campaign uniting fans, players, communities, grassroots teams, professional clubs and the Football Authorities in opposing homophobia and prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in football.

Year round, FvH enables people to take action against prejudice and discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity in football, and to celebrate and welcome diversity in the game. This culminates in an international show of support in February to raise awareness of the issue and to join together in making a visible stand against prejudice and for inclusion.

The campaign was launched in 2010 and manages to generate global attention. In the UK there has been a massive show of support and many professional clubs take action every year. Fulham is pleased to be supporting the campaign again this season.

Homophobia and LGBT discrimination has long been an issue in football. In 1990 the first professional football player in the UK to come out as gay, Justin Fashanu, had an intense struggle with his sexuality and how it was received in the game.

More recently we have seen Robbie Rogers come out. Robbie retired briefly when he made the announcement about his sexuality. But now, following massive support from players and fans alike, he plays in the US for LA Galaxy.

In 2014 former Premier League player Thomas Hitzlsperger also came out as gay. Both of these players have talked about the challenge of being gay and working as professional footballers, and the impact that anti-gay jokes and language can have on confidence and self-esteem.

Casey Stoney, former England Women's Captain has also spoken out about her sexuality. Whilst she felt accepted within football circles, she has also spoken of her fears of stereotypes and of being judged by the 'outside world' for being gay.

More than twenty years after our first professional player came out, football is starting to show progress on the issue of homophobia in the game. However we still have some way to go. Even heterosexual players and supporters can suffer homophobic abuse, when fans and teammates think its ok to call someone 'gay' as a term of abuse or make jokes about someone's sexuality because they don't fit in with the team or simply because they're not having a very good game.

Change always starts with education and Fulham recognises it has a role to play in leading the way on raising awareness of homophobia and LGBT discrimination within the club and its community.

Fulham believes in a game where LGBT people can be seen and heard, and appreciated for their contribution to the football family. Therefore we will work to create a safe and inclusive football environment for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We want our supporters to help us achieve this, and so Saturday's game against Charlton Athletic has been designated as a fixture in support of the Football v Homophobia campaign.

This is an opportunity for our supporters to also get behind the campaign and show everyone that Fulham is no place for hate or bigotry.

Supporters can find out more about the Football v Homophobia campaign here: www.footballvhomophobia.com


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/february/19/football-v-homophobia?

[WhiteJC]

 
Get Fulham to Win at 10/1

At Fulham, we've teamed up with our Official Betting Partner Coral to provide fans with an unbeatable new customer offer.

You can now get 10/1 for us to win our Championship clash against Charlton Athletic this Saturday at Craven Cottage, exclusively with Coral!

All you have to do is sign up, deposit £5 or more into your account and place your bet on the massively enhanced odds (max bet £5). Then you can sit back and cheer the boys on to victory, which will be made all the sweeter if you make a handsome profit from it.

The last two meetings with our London rivals have ended in draws, both of which were at The Valley, but the last time we hosted the Addicks at the Cottage we ran out comfortable 3-0 winners courtesy of a goal from Scott Parker and a Hugo Rodallega brace.

Fans can take plenty of comfort in the fact that we actually haven't lost to Charlton at home in a competitive match since 1986, and we're unbeaten in all our clashes with fellow London clubs in all competitions this season.

This offer is for a limited time only and expires at kick-off on Saturday (3pm) so don't miss out on this fantastic chance to back the Whites at a massive 10/1 with Coral!

Bet now!
Promotion only eligible for supporters 18 or over. T&Cs Apply.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/february/19/charlton-coral-offer?

[WhiteJC]

 
Madl For It

From the highs of the memorable derby win at Queens Park Rangers last Saturday to the lows of the miserable defeat at Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday, it's been a week of mixed emotions for recent arrival Michael Madl.

It's a weary Madl we catch up with in midweek. The Austrian defender and his teammates had returned to London in the wee small hours of Wednesday morning after the 3-0 loss to Blackburn Rovers in Lancashire.

"It was a quiet journey home," Madl, signed on loan from Sturm Graz last month, told the official matchday programme. "Everyone was disappointed. We didn't talk much; we knew we'd played badly and have to do better.

"It was very disappointing. We showed our bad face and against QPR we'd shown our good face. We'll do our best to show our good face again when we play Charlton."

Madl left the top flight of Austria's Bundesliga to make the move to SW6, but said: "You can't compare Austria and England. It's a completely different style of football. The Austrian league is a good league but it doesn't have the same speed. It's much more intensive in England.

"England is the motherland of football and every player wants to play here, especially for a club like Fulham. When they come to you and say they want you, it's a big honour. To play in England is a great feeling for me.

"Fulham is a big club, for sure. Everyone knows Fulham in Austria, they're a big name. I wasn't able to watch too much of them in the Championship as we don't get those highlights over there very often, but I saw a lot of them in the Premier League."

To read the full interview with Madl, in which he also discusses his Euro 2016 ambitions, pick up a copy of Saturday's award-winning matchday programme.

Other highlights in the only matchday magazine that matters - which is also available to download digitally from 9am on Saturday - are:

Head Coach Slaviša Jokanović pens his programme notes
Captain Scott Parker assesses Fulham's Jekyll & Hyde week
Former Fulham and Charlton man Claus Jensen recalls his time at both clubs
George Williams answers some random questions in the 'Name Game'
Zesh Rehman looks back on his spell in SW6
Les Strong and Gentleman Jim provide their latest columns
And we continue to take a walk down memory lane to the 1998/99 promotion-winning season

Priced £3.50, the 84-page publication is available from various sellers on Stevenage Road from two hours before kick-off. Or order it online from ProgrammeMaster.

For just £1.99, the programme is also available as a digital download with added video content from 9am on Saturday, so whether you're at home or away, you need never be without it on your iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, PC or Mac via Apple's Newsstand or Pocketmags.

Or to ensure you don't miss a single copy of the official matchday programme, purchase an annual subscription. Head here for full details.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/february/19/madl-for-it?

[WhiteJC]

 
FANS' VERDICT: Our panel of pundits dissect Charlton's trip to Fulham

Charlton travel to Fulham on Saturday desperately in need of a result to stay in touch in the Championship relegation battle.

After last weekend's goalless draw with Cardiff, the Addicks are six points from safety with 15 games remaining.

With both Bristol City and MK Dons sealing shock wins, it turned out to be a calamitous weekend for the South Londoners.

Their opponents this week, Fulham, tasted victory last Saturday after making the short journey to QPR, but suffered a comprehensive defeat against Blackburn on Tuesday night.

PREVIOUS MEETING
Guy Luzon's Charlton hosted Fulham back in October and the Addicks needed a dramatic injury-time goal from Jordan Cousins to rescue a point.

The Cottagers earned a two-goal lead at the Valley through Ryan Tunnicliffe and Ross McCormack, but skipper Johnnie Jackson's late arrival turned the tide.

Jackson buried a header minutes after his introduction in the 80th minute before Cousins' back-post equaliser earned a share of the spoils.

MEET OUR PANEL
Greg Stubley - @GregStubley3

Charlton commentator and pundit | Average guitarist | May be found at the Darts

Phil Marks - @marksyboy1984

Former Charlton Life guru | West Upper veteran | Blocked by Millwall

Kyle Andrews - @KyleHAndrews

Charlton blogger | Voice of the Valley contributor | Bradley Prichard's biggest fan

Thoughts ahead of the game...

GS: Stephen Henderson said last week that he thinks we need at least six victories, this has to be one we've identified as a catalyst towards our quest for survival.

PM: It's going to be a tough game – Fulham have goalscorers, Charlton will need to step up to get the result they need. This is a season decider for the Addicks.

KA: A game that isn't impossible to win, with Fulham fluctuating between new promise and relegation worries, but calling a game winnable is impossible when you've won one in 15.

Describe last week's result in one word...

GS: Indifferent.

PM: Frustrating.

KA: Frustrating.


Charlton's key man on Saturday and why?

GS: Johann Berg Gudmundsson. Despite Charlton's form, he's still leading the way in the Championship in terms of assists.

Hopefully he can replicate his performance against Rotherham last month – the 25-year-old was superb at the New York Stadium – against a side where he was previously an academy prospect.

PM: Johann Berg Gudmundsson. When the Icelandic star is on form he can open up any team (as we saw at Rotherham) – Charlton need him to spark against Fulham.

KA: I think it's going to be a case of key men, rather than just one key man. Simon Makienok, and whoever his strike partner might be. Hopefully that will be Igor Vetokele, whose energy and attacking threat has been desperately missed since the victory over Rotherham.

Which Fulham player do you fear most?

GS: Ross McCormack. He'd walk into any team in this league. Natural goalscorer and could comfortably slot into Premier League football.

PM: Moussa Dembele. The 19-year-old is an exciting prospect with a huge future ahead of him.

KA: Ross McCormack. When you support a side who offer the opposition several clear-cut opportunities a game, coming up against a prolific goalscorer isn't much fun. You can only worry that, should the Addicks offer as many openings as they did last weekend, a forward of McCormack's potency will provide suitable punishment.

Your Charlton starting XI with a fully fit squad?

GS: Henderon | Solly, Teixeira, Lennon, Suk-Young | JBG, Cousins, Poyet, Lookman | Sanogo, Makienok

PM: Henderson | Solly, Teixeira, Lennon, Fox | JBG, Cousins, Jackson, Reza | Vetokele, Makienok

KA: Henderson | Solly, Teixeira, Lennon, Suk-Young | JBG, Cousins, Jackson, Harriott | Vetokele, Makienok

Prediction

GS: I always try to stay positive so I'm going for a 1-0 away victory. Johnnie Jackson to come on off the bench to notch the winner.

PM: It's becoming increasingly difficult to do, but I'm keeping the faith, 3-2 Charlton.

KA: With the first 80 minutes of the Cardiff draw being more concerning, than the final ten minutes encouraging, and us having not won away in London since November 2011, I won't pretend to be confident. I do hope to be proved wrong, and the Rotherham effort to be emulated, but I'll punt for a both-teams-to-score defeat.


http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/charlton/14289070.FANS__VERDICT__Our_panel_of_pundits_dissect_Charlton_Athletic_s_trip_to_Fulham/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Charlton Athletic Factfile

Fulham have a second London derby in eight days when they welcome Charlton Athletic to Craven Cottage on Saturday (3pm).


The opposition

After an excellent start to the season that saw Charlton take eight points from their opening four matches, a run which included victory over Hull City, things have been incredibly bleak in SE7.

A sequence of nine games without a win, in which they only drew twice, saw Guy Luzon lose his job, but his replacement Karel Fraeye only fared marginally better and he was dismissed after an embarrassing 5-0 defeat at Huddersfield Town.

Former boss Jose Riga was brought back to The Valley to try and steady the ship, and although he lost his first game as Hull enacted revenge with a 6-0 triumph, they took four points from their subsequent fixtures against Blackburn Rovers and Rotherham United.

A disappointing 1-0 defeat by Bristol City followed, but they go into Saturday's game on the back of a goalless draw with Cardiff City at The Valley. The Addicks currently sit 23rd in the Sky Bet Championship, six points from safety.

Team news

Their cause has not been helped by a hefty treatment list, to which club captain Johnnie Jackson's name has just been added after he picked up an injury against Cardiff. Jordan Cousins also suffered a knock in that game, but he is still in contention to feature at Craven Cottage. Igor Vetokele missed the Bluebirds fixture altogether but could return following an assessment, while new signings Rod Fanni, Yun Suk-Young and Marco Motta will all be pushing for a starting berth at full-back. On loan Arsenal man Yaya Sanogo is a doubt, and defensive pair Alou Diarra and Patrick Bauer will definitely miss out.

Tickets

Tickets are still available for supporters to buy on General Sale, priced from £25 for adults and £15 for juniors. Prices increase by £5 on matchday.

Weather

There is a high chance it will be raining in SW6 come kick-off, with temperatures of around 12 degrees.

Coral match odds

Fulham: 4/6

Draw: 14/5

Charlton: 4/1

Get Fulham to win at 10/1 with Coral's enhanced odds when you create an account.

Last time we met

Fulham squandered a two-goal lead to draw with Charlton at The Valley back in October. Ryan Tunnicliffe tucked home his maiden goal for the Club in the first half after a Ross McCormack free-kick was spilled by home goalkeeper Nick Pope, and McCormack doubled the lead with a neat finish just before the hour mark. But Jackson headed home on 81 with his first touch after coming on as a substitute, before Cousins nodded the equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/february/19/charlton-athletic-factfile?

[WhiteJC]

 
Famous Win For Bod

Nikolay Bodurov played the full 90 minutes as FC Midtjylland claimed a famous 2-1 win over Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.

A strong United team took the lead in Denmark through Memphis Depay in the 37th-minute, but the hosts drew level shortly before half-time when Pione Sisto netted with an effort that went in via former Fulham man Chris Smalling.

Jesse Lingard then struck the crossbar as the Red Devils searched for another away goal, but it's the Danes who will take a slender advantage to Old Trafford next week after Paul Onuachu's low strike from the edge of the box beat Sergio Romero.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/february/19/famous-win-for-bod?

[WhiteJC]

 
Slim hopes at the Cottage

As they struggle to get out of the relegation places, Charlton could do without a trip to Fulham, resurgent after their 3-1 away win at QPR last Saturday. The Super Hoops have not prospered under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, but Fulham showed their quality through the triumvirate of Ross McCormack, Moussa Dembele and Tom Cairney.

Before their win at Loftus Road, Fulham had been dipping towards the relegation battle, but they are now 18th. They are three places above Charlton in the form table. Fulham have won four, drawn five and lost six at home, scoring 24 goals and conceding 24. Last year we lost there 3-0.

Yaya Sanago, a bright spark in the closing stages of last Saturday's game, has done his back in and is unlikely to take part. Igor Vetokele remains doubtful. Jordan Cousins will have a late test on a leg injury.

Charlton are likely to concede goals, and it is difficult to see where goals are going to come from, although some fans think that Johann Berg Gudmundsson might weave some magic: Fan pundits

Fulham have only failed to score in one of their last 15 games against Charlton in all competitions (W8 D5 L2). The Addicks have not won away at Fulham in the league since April 1986, during which time eight meetings have taken place (D2 L6).

Charlton have only won 45 per cent of the games in which they have taken the lead, which is a league-low percentage. Fulham are the only team in the Championship with a shooting accuracy of above 50% this season (50.55 per cent). Charlton are the only team in the Championship to have faced more than 500 shots (including blocked) this season (525).

Johnnie Jackson has said that Charlton avoiding relegation would be like 'winning a trophy': Skipper

Odds: Fulham 4/6, Draw 14/5, Charlton 4/1.


http://addickschampionshipdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/slim-hopes-at-cottage.html

[WhiteJC]

 
PREVIEW | Fulham v Charlton

Read an in-depth preview ahead of Charlton's Championship clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday

Olly Groome reports

After two consecutive home games, Charlton go back on the road when we face Fulham in a London derby at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon (3pm).

With the Addicks six points from safety, José Riga's men will be hoping to recreate the performance shown on our last away day which ended in an emphatic 4-1 victory over Rotherham United last month.

After the disappointment of a 1-0 loss to Bristol City at The Valley, a far more promising performance earned a point against Cardiff City last Saturday, which will give the reds a degree of confidence going into tomorrow's encounter.

Our West London opponents sit precariously close to the Championship's drop zone themselves and after slumping to a 3-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers in midweek, Slaviša Jokanović's side's inconsistent form sees them looking over their shoulder in 19th position




Team news

Igor Vetokele could be involved again after sitting out of the last two games with a groin complaint, while Riga is hoping Jordan Cousins will recover in time after limping out of last weekend's clash with the Cardiff.

He will, however, be without skipper Johnnie Jackson who is set to need two weeks to recover after he too was forced off against the Bluebirds.

New arrivals Marco Motta and Yun Suk-Young could be involved for the first time, although Yaya Sanogo is likely to miss out after suffering with a back problem during the week, while the trip to Craven Cottage may come too soon for January signing Rod Fanni.

Patrick Bauer, Alou Diarra and Ahmed Kashi remain sidelined with their respective longer-term ailments.

Meanwhile, Fulham could hand a debut to defender Chris Baird who re-signed for the club on loan from Derby County on Thursday, while former Addick Scott Parker could return to the starting XI against his former side.

The hosts will be without Lasse Christensen, who was forced off with a hamstring injury during their recent victory over Queens Park Rangers, and Cauley Woodrow, who is out with a broken metatarsal.



Widget Previous meetings

Charlton will be hoping to earn their first win at Fulham in 12 attempts on Saturday.

Our last victory came courtesy of a 3-0 win on April 22nd, 1986 with John Pearson's goal adding to Mark Stuart's brace to earn the points.

Since then, 11 league and cup games have come and gone at Craven Cottage (and Loftus Road) without success, although our head-to-head record against Fulham sees the Addicks triumphing on 21 occasions in total.

The Whites, meanwhile, have tasted victory 24 times, while 23 games have ended in a draw.

Our last three points over the West Londoners came during the 2004/05 season at The Valley when Jerome Thomas and Talal El-Karkouri netted in a 2-1 win.



Widget Ref watch

Kevin Friend will take charge of Saturday's Championship clash at Craven Cottage.   

So far this season, he has officiated 21 matches, primarily in the Premier League, in which he has dished out 65 yellow cards and four red. 

He last officiated Charlton when the Addicks beat Blackpool 3-0 at Bloomfield Road on the final day of the 2013/14 season.



Widget Coverage

Supporters can follow all the build-up to the game on Charlton's official Instagram account, official Twitter account, official Snapchat account and on the the CAFC Wall.

Live commentary of the clash will be available on the club's Matchday Live service on CAFC PlayerHD.

Supporters can follow live updates and have your say by using the CAFC Wall. An in-depth match report and full match reaction will be available shortly after the final whistle, while supporters can watch extended, multi-angle highlights onCAFC PlayerHD.
Tickets prices for the Fulham clash are as followed: adult £25, over 65s and under 22s £20, and under 17s £15. 

Seats will be on sale (cash only) on the day from Craven Cottage, though ticket prices will be subject to a £5 price increase.



Read more at http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/charlton-fulham-championship-preview-2963012.aspx#GhsGFaTz6iJBTHPb.99

[WhiteJC]

 
AWAY FANS' GUIDE | Craven Cottage

Read a guide to Craven Cottage and its surrounding areas ahead of Saturday's Championship clash with Fulham
Ian Cartwright reports

After various treks up north, a far more local trip for us to quite familiar ground in the form of Craven Cottage to face Fulham, another club that know only too well what fun groundsharing is...

Tickets

We have been supplied with a an allocation of 2,789 seats for the game and tickets will be available to buy for cash on the day priced: adult £30, over 65s and under 22s £25, and under 17s £20 (a £5 increase on pre-match sale price).

Turnstiles

We are situated in the Putney End of the stadium which is the traditional away end of the ground, save a couple of seasons when we were relocated to what was then the Stevenage Road, now the Johnny Haynes Stand.

Since Fulham's return to Craven Cottage, the old open terrace has been replaced by what, albeit, still feels like a temporary structure from the inside, but the addition of a roof gives a greater feel of permanence - the only downside being that there is a massive great pole right down the middle of it.

This does not prove that much of a bother as we are situated to the left of the stand as you face the pitch, therefore we are also right beside the River Thames so it can get a bit chilly if the wind gets up. Next to us is the infamous Neutral Area...

Anyway, the view is not bad on the whole and there is good legroom. However, if it is quite well populated, as was the case in our FA Cup game in 2012, it gets a bit cosy and the stewards seemed to operate a sit anywhere policy, so forewarned is forearmed.

Also, its temporary feel means that it generates a fair bit of noise when people stand up, but rest assured, although it feels a bit weird it is perfectly safe.

Entrance is via some rather ornate turnstiles on Stevenage Road onto an open concourse that runs the length of the stand. There is some cover between the stairwells leading to the seating area and the toilets are unfortunately of the portaloo variety and there are no TVs. there is a bookies booth, however.

To get to the seating area, it's a case of up the stairs, enter virtually at the top and then down the stairs, which are quite steep.

Food

There are both portable and "permanent" outlets in abundance inside the stadium along the concourse which sell pretty much what one would expect but do the job, as do the ones immediately outside.

There are plenty of places to eat on Putney High Street on the opposite side of the Thames, both take aways and more bijou outlets - indeed, you are pretty close to Kings Road should you want to go to really plush places - I'll stick with the pie, personally, it was fine!

Refreshment

Of course, London games give people the opportunity to go a little further afield away from the ground then make the journey in, but in the immediate vicinity, as you emerge from Putney Bridge Underground station, just around the corner is the Eight Bells which is fine though can get a bit crammed, especially if it is raining.

There is also an O'Neill's nearby just after Bishop's Park, which is the main approach to the ground, along with a nice place on the right-hand side.

There is also plenty of choice on the opposite side of the River, the Duke's Head overlooking the Thames being nice and does good ales.

Also, there are a couple of Wetherspoons up Putney High Street as you walk away from the Thames, a nice sports bar and a couple of pubs set back - plenty of choice in reasonable walking distance.

Travel

As with all London games, I won't recommend a route and would suggest that at least the final leg of the journey, if possible, is done by public transport.

The Post Code is SW6 6HH but parking is a at a premium and there are loads of resident schemes in operation to the point where it is effectively an exclusion zone.

If coming by tube, the closest is Putney Bridge on the District Line, from where the ground is a fifteen minute walk, or so, at a leisurely pace.

Come out of the station, aim at Putney Bridge itself, cross the road by the church and follow Bishops Park all the way along the pathway. Fans should, however, make note that the pedestrian underpass from Putney Bridge to Bishops Park is closed.

The ground is soon visible and our end is the closest. Alternatively, if you prefer the overground, Putney station is served from Waterloo and is about half an hour's journey. Come out of the station, turn right, just keep walking down Putney High Street (with appropriate pit stops en route to cater for all needs), cross the bridge then again follow the park as per the tube station.

Trivia

There have been lots of players that have represented both clubs, but perhaps the most famous globally is George Best, as no doubt many older readers will recall.

Yes, it was back in the 1970s that he and Rodney Marsh arrived at Craven Cottage in a blaze of glory, but latterly he turned out for the Addicks in 1985 at Les Berry's testimonial against Arsenal.

With all due respect to the others, he was still the best player on the field by a country mile!



Read more at http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/charlton-fulham-away-fans-guide-2963220.aspx#m8PIDZEfOkeMIzWz.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham v Charlton: Double injury blow for Whites ahead of vital relegation battle

Slavisa Jokanovic reveals the very latest training news from the club's Motspur Park training base as club gears up for vital six-pointer


Hamstring: Dan Burn

Fulham are set to miss out on Dan Burn ahead of tomorrow's crunch meeting at home to Charlton - and certainly Lasse Christensen - ruled out for for five weeks with a hamstring problem.

The Danish U21 international lasted a mere six minutes in the 3-1 win at QPR last weekend, and a chronic history of injuries over the last 18 months has done for him again.

Central defender Burn also has a hamstring strain, and is being assessed ahead of the Addicks clash where a Fulham win would put a hefty chunk of daylight between two strugglers at the foot of the Championship.

Boss Slavisa Jokanovic admitted he's been trying to patch up a badly beaten at Blackburn on Tuesday night following the euphoric victory at Loftus Road.


Five weeks out: Lasse Vigen Christensen

"Last Tuesday was bad and a wake-up call," said the gaffer. "We're going to have to change our spirit and mentality: this is our job. The schedule is tough but it's our obligation."

Jokanovic also revealed he tried to bring loan signing Chris Baird to the club in the January transfer window, but suggested the holding midfielder role will revert to Scott Parker - rested for the Rovers reverse.

Striker Ross McCormack revealed they badly missed the former England international at Ewood Park, but his boss was having none of it.

"It's not about just one player: it's not tennis," Jokanovic added. "We need to be organised and we need desire. If we have the right mentality we can give the supporters the performance they deserve."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-v-charlton-double-injury-10916348?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jokanović's Charlton Preview

Slaviša Jokanović is pleased Fulham have an opportunity so soon to right the wrongs from Tuesday's defeat by Blackburn Rovers.

The Whites went into the Ewood Park encounter full of confidence after their blistering away win against Queens Park Rangers, but an abject display saw them leave Lancashire with a 3-0 defeat.

There's little time to dwell on that disappointment, though, as Charlton Athletic make the short trip across South London on Saturday.

"Generally in the last month and a half we made important, positive steps," Jokanović said in his pre-match press conference. "On Tuesday we had a bad night, we didn't give enough in the game, we weren't competitive enough.

"It's a wake-up call for us. I believe we're going to change our spirit, we're going to find our mentality, and tomorrow is a great day for us to fix these problems.

"The schedule is tough; we're going to play a third game in a week, but this is our obligation, we're professional players, I'm a professional football coach. Our supporters deserve more and we know we can do better things.

"Six days ago [at QPR] we showed a fantastic performance and we showed fantastic levels of spirit. This is what we need to replicate right now and the best chance for us is tomorrow afternoon."

The scintillating nature of the Whites' victory at Loftus Road made the Blackburn horror show all the more surprising, but Jokanović is keen to banish those memories when the Addicks visit the Cottage.

"When I arrived here I said I'm not magic," he explained. "I expected that we could find some difficulties in the process we're in right now.

"I understand we made important steps but we have to be honest and accept we had a setback on Tuesday night and we took one step back. The players know they can play better football than they did on Tuesday night.

"Now it's important for us to be positive, clear our mind, and offer our best performance tomorrow when we're going to play against Charlton, and this is the best way to fix the problem."

The manner of the victory in West London last Saturday demonstrated just what Fulham are capable of when they're on song – something our Head Coach wants to see mirrored at the weekend.

"I'm a positive man and I believe first of all we need to concentrate on our game," he stated. "Our obligation is to recuperate our spirit, our organisation and our desire to offer our best face.

"Actually right now we're thinking step by step and there are many steps in front of us until the end of the season. I agree completely that the more important step for us right now is the Charlton game tomorrow.

"If we play to our level, if we have the right mentality and if we are concentrated, I believe we can offer the performance that we expect and that our supporters expect of us."

Tickets are still available for supporters to buy on General Sale, priced from £25 for adults and £15 for juniors. Prices increase by £5 on match day.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/february/19/jokanovics-charlton-preview?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jimmy Bullard reveals how Hull City overpaid him millions by mistake

Former footballer Jimmy Bullard has revealed how a typo in his Hull City contract earned him millions of pounds.

Bullard, now 37 and retired, made a £5 million club record transfer to Hull in 2009 from previous club Fulham but struggled with injuries after signing his four-and-a-half-year deal with the Tigers.

After leaving Craven Cottage, then boss Roy Hodgson revealed how the west London club couldn't compete with the lucrative contract Hull City were prepared to offer, it just turns out even Hull didn't realise how lucrative that contract would actually become.

Speaking on his Magic Sponge football podcast, Bullard was discussing the infamous Seth Johnson deal that saw Leeds United pay the midfielder double the wages he was actually asking for.

'A similar thing happened to me at Hull. I was doing my contract with my dad but I had my agent there,' Bullard said.

'We had the chat before with the club, he's obviously gone away to talk to the club, and the contract was £40,000 a week. And I was like 'yeah, blinding contract, let's sign it.

'I've gone to sign it, I see on the paperwork it says £50,000. So I've passed it under the table to my agent, my agent's gone: 'yeah, that's a misprint, sign it.

'As I've signed it, I blew it dry, and then I read under it as well, another £5000 or £6000 appearance, whatever it was.

'And he's said: 'yeah, just sign it, just sign it', and blew it dry,' he added.

'This club is chucking it away like confetti, that's a joke. So I was on £55,000 a week from £40,000.

'Amazing contract, amazing. And I'm celebrating to this f***ing day. Thank you Hull City for changing my life. I'm dropping cash everywhere, I'm bleeding cash.'


Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/19/jimmy-bullard-reveals-how-hull-city-overpaid-him-millions-by-mistake-5706716/#ixzz40h5QP0WJ

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham v Charlton Athletic

BBC coverage
How to follow:
Listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website

TEAM NEWS

Fulham could give defender Chris Baird a first appearance since he re-signed on loan from Derby.

Lasse Christensen (hamstring), injured in the win at QPR, and Cauley Woodrow (broken metatarsal) are both out.

Charlton could have Igor Vetokele back after two games out with a groin injury and Jordan Cousins will have a late test on a leg injury.

Captain Johnnie Jackson is out for two weeks but new signings Marco Motta and Yun Suk-young could make their debuts.

MATCH FACTS
Fulham have only failed to score in one of their last 15 games against Charlton in all competitions (W8 D5 L2).
The Addicks have not won away at Fulham in the league since April 1986, during which time eight meetings have taken place (D2 L6).
The Cottagers have only won one of their previous seven Championship games (D2 L4).
Charlton have only won 45% of the games in which they have taken the lead, which is a league-low percentage.
Fulham are the only team in the Championship with a shooting accuracy of above 50% this season (50.55%).
Charlton are the only team in the Championship to have faced more than 500 shots (including blocked) this season (525).


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35566791

[WhiteJC]

 
Ross McCormack calls on Fulham to show character

Ross McCormack has scored 18 goals in 34 appearances for Fulham this season

Fulham captain Ross McCormack says the squad's attitude will be crucial in their bid to move away from the Championship relegation zone.

The Whites have won just one of their last seven league games and sit 19th, six point above the bottom three.

"We are in a dogfight and we need to show some character," the 29-year-old told BBC Radio London.

"It is important for the experienced boys in the squad to pull together and give the younger lads guidance."

Fulham's campaign has been marred by inconsistency, with the west London side registering back-to-back league wins on just two occasions this season.

The Whites are the joint third highest-scorers in the second tier, with 47 goals in 31 games but also have the third-worst defensive record, having conceded 53 times.

Moreover, Slavisa Jokanovic's team have not kept a clean sheet in 21 games in all competitions - a run stretching back to the goalless draw with Middlesbrough in October.

"We are a team that can't really put two or three similar performances together in a row," Scotland international McCormack added.

"If we are to get through this it is time we start doing that."

Fulham welcome strugglers Charlton to Craven Cottage on Saturday (15:00 GMT) and, with the Addicks six points adrift of safety, in 23rd place, McCormack has called on his side to play to their potential.

"Charlton are below us in the table and we intend to keep them there," he said.

"We are at home and we need to take the game to them. If we can reach the levels we know we are capable of it will take care of itself.

"We need to show we are good enough to pull away from the relegation zone.

"Fitness-wise things are not going to be a problem. It is more mental."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35613770

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic could shuffle his pack

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic is expected to make changes to his team when they host Charlton in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday.

They lost 3-0 at Blackburn on Tuesday, having previously won 3-1 at QPR, but Chris Baird has since rejoined the club on loan from Derby and is likely to start.

Dan Burn remains a doubt, owing to a hamstring injury, but could yet feature.

Jokanovic is, however, definitely without Cauley Woodrow, because of a broken metatarsal, and Lasse Christensen, who injured a hamstring at Blackburn.

Igor Vetokele and Jordan Cousins face late fitness tests before Charlton manager Jose Riga decides whether to include them in his squad.

Vetokele missed last weekend's draw against Cardiff with a hamstring injury and Cousins was taken off after 73 minutes with a knock.

Johnnie Jackson also went off injured against the Bluebirds and Riga said he will be out for "around two weeks".

New signings Marco Motta and Yun Suk-young are nearing first-team fitness and Riga is hopeful Alou Diarra (foot) and Patrick Bauer (groin) will be available in the next few weeks.


http://www.espnfc.co.uk/english-league-championship/match/423124/fulham-charlton-athletic/preview

[WhiteJC]

 
Slaviša: Best Foot Forward

Head Coach Slaviša Jokanović wants Fulham to show the fighting spirit which inspired the derby win over QPR when Charlton come to SW6 on Saturday.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/february/19/jokanovic-preview?

[WhiteJC]

 
Slaviša: Baird Can Help

Slaviša Jokanović was pleased to bring 'a familiar face' on board this week with the acquisition of Chris Baird.

A popular figure in these parts after making 165 appearances for the Club from 2007-13, Baird rejoined on loan from Derby County for the remainder of the season on Thursday, but his new Head Coach revealed that he attempted to get him through the door some time ago.

"We tried to bring him here in the January transfer window," Jokanović admitted. "We didn't have an opportunity in that moment to make this step. Fortunately now he's with us.

"He's a familiar face here at Fulham. He's very happy because he's with us, and we're happy because he's with us too. I hope he's going to be an important player for us and he can help us in these games that we have in front of us right now."

While discussing Tuesday's defeat at Blackburn Rovers in his pre-Charlton Athletic press conference, Jokanović was asked how badly his side felt Scott Parker's absence at Ewood Park.

Fulham's Captain was rested for that fixture having put in a phenomenal shift at Queens Park Rangers three days earlier, but Jokanović insists his team can't be relying on individual players to secure results.

"It can be true but football is a collective sport, it's not about one player," he explained. "Another 10 players were part of it the game before [at QPR].

"He's an important player for us, he's going to be in the squad tomorrow and with him we can replicate this kind of spirit. But I repeat, it's not a question of only one player, this isn't tennis, this is football.

"It's not even a question of 11 players, we have 20-something players in the squad and I expect, and the supporters expect too, the right performance in all the games that we compete in."

The Blackburn display was the polar opposite of the performance put in at Loftus Road, but Jokanović believes things are still heading in the right direction.

"I'm always confident," he said. "For me it's normal steps, we're in a normal process and we made some positive steps.

"I'm not thinking about bad things, I'm thinking about building a stronger team than we actually have right now, I'm thinking about finding better results than what we're making right now.

"It's one long-term process in front of us which I expect will be successful for Fulham, for my team and for myself."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/february/19/slavisa-baird-can-help?