Saturday Fulham Stuff (14.08.10)

[Tktd]

Please let this be true. Dear Lord, please make this happen!  :54:

+1.
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The Idea of it happening is making me happier.

[White Noise]

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2010/08/14/2070085/az-director-no-agreement-with-fulham-over-moussa-dembele


AZ Director: No Agreement With Fulham Over Moussa Dembele


No deal been reached, but the signs are positive that one will be arranged soon...


By Robin Bairner


Aug 14, 2010 9:32:00 AM

Dutch outfit AZ have denied reports that they have reached an agreement with Fulham over the transfer of striker Moussa Dembele to the Premier League club.

Reports on Friday indicated that a transfer fee of €6 million had been agreed between the two sides, but this is not the case according to the Eredivisie side's sporting director, Earnest Stewart.

"We've got a fee in our minds. At this moment the offer from Fulham isn't good enough," Stewart explained to Het Nieuwsblad, hinting that an agreement could be completed imminently.

The 23-year-old Belgium international certainly hopes to seal the move as swiftly as possible, indicating to the same source: "I expect a fast agreement. And I'm looking forward to playing in the Premier League."

Capable of playing out wide as a winger or through the centre as a more orthodox forward, Dembele has well over 100 top flight games under his belt for the Alkmaar side and appears ready to move to a greater stage.

[White Noise]

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/wanderersnews/8331854.No_easy_ride_for_Fulham__warns_Davo/

No easy ride for Fulham, warns Davo


8:10am Saturday 14th August 2010

By Liam Chronnell »

KEVIN Davies has warned Fulham to forget about matching last season's success.

Wanderers take on the Cottagers in today's eagerly-anticipated Premier League opener at the Reebok.

Fulham shocked everyone by reaching the final of the Europa League under manager Roy Hodgson last season.

But Hodgson has since joined Liverpool – and Davies expects the Londoners to struggle to replicate their European glory under new boss Mark Hughes.

"I think it will be very tough for them," said the Bolton captain. "It will be difficult for Fulham to do that again but I'm sure they have got a taste for it and will be looking to do it again.

"I think Mark Hughes will go about things a different way, although how much he can change I'm not sure.

"He won't have had much time to get things the way he wants them. The squad is pretty much the same, so it will be a tough test."

Wanderers suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Sunderland on the opening day 12 months ago – and went on to lose the next two games under former manager Gary Megson.

Davies admits the poor start put the club on the back foot from the off and is desperate to avoid a repeat performance, especially with games against West Ham and Birmingham to follow this afternoon's clash "The game against Sunderland last season set the tone for what happened later, so it's important to get off to that good start," said the 33-year-old striker.

"Regardless of whether they have a new manager, Fulham is always a difficult game and they are a hard side to play against.

"But we need to put points on the board. It gives you that belief and confidence. I think in the first three fixtures, we can look to pick up a lot of points."

And Davies is convinced the spirit in the dressing room will stand Wanderers in good stead for a successful campaign.

He said: "The dressing room is together here and you need that if you are going to be successful and for when the tough times come.

"It's going to be a big season and I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead.

"It can be achieved if you have the spirit and the togetherness, which we certainly have."

[White Noise]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/8913924.stm

Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer hands in transfer request 

Schwarzer joined Fulham in 2008 from Middlesbrough

Unsettled Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer has handed in a transfer request, manager Mark Hughes has confirmed.

Schwarzer is wanted by Arsenal, who had a £2m bid for the 37-year-old turned down in May but the Australian wants to make the move to the Emirates Stadium.

Boss Arsene Wenger has hinted he is willing to make a new bid for Schwarzer who would provide competition for Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianksi.

"My understanding is that he has handed in a transfer request," said Hughes.

Schwarzer is keen for a taste of Champions League football before the end of his career, which has led him to hand in the request.

The Australian caught the eye last season with a string of impressive performances as Fulham reached the Europa League final, eventually losing 2-1 to Seville.

Schwarzer joined Fulham in May 2008, leaving Middlesbrough after 11 years at the club and has played 100 times for the Cottagers.

"He has indicated that he would like the opportunity to leave. Obviously we haven't encouraged Arsenal to come back to the table because they haven't been back since May," added Hughes.

"If they do come back and talk to me or my chief executive, then further conversations will be had but at the moment there is no point because we are not talking to anybody because they have not come back to us."

Hughes warned Schwarzer that he would not necessarily be guaranteed first-team football at Arsenal and even admitted that he would be willing to offer the Australian an extension to his current contract, which expires next summer, in order to persuade the star to stay.

"Sometimes it is not always greener on the other side," added Hughes.

"I understand that at certain times of their careers players feel that when an opportunity presents itself, they feel they have to consider it very carefully.

"I think that is the case with Mark so I fully understand where he is coming from in that respect."

When asked about the prospect of offering Schwarzer a new contract, Hughes stated: "I am sure that is something that will be discussed. I haven't been part of that process.

"We certainly don't want Mark to leave. We want him to be happy here. We will try and ensure he will be."