Wednesday Fulham Stuff (24.11.10)

[White Noise]

Stoke to offer Fulham flop a path back to England

Published 23:00 23/11/10

By Football Spy



Tony Pulis is ready to offer Stefano Okaka another crack at the Premier League.

Stoke boss Pulis has targeted a loan deal for Roma striker Okaka to boost his firepower at the Britannia Stadium.

Okaka, 21, played on loan at Fulham earlier this year and scored two goals in a three-month loan.

And Pulis will move for the Italy under-21 international in January as he bids to reach the top ten in the Premier League.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Stoke-will-offer-Stefano-Okaka-a-way-back-to-the-Premier-League-after-his-failed-spell-at-Fulham-article635209.html#ixzz16BCoQ2I5

[White Noise]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/fulham-boss-hughes-target-new-midfield-destroyer-1272771

Fulham boss Hughes to target new midfield destroyer


24.11.10 | tribalfootball.com

Fulham boss Mark Hughes has hinted he will be in the market for a new midfield destroyer.

For defeat to Manchester City, Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu were overrun by City's defensive triumvirate of Gareth Barry, Yaya Toure and Nigel de Jong and never got a foothold in the game.

"On too many occasions when we were a little bit too passive, we needed to be closing people down quicker than we did," Hughes said. "If you allow top quality players, which these Man City guys definitely are, the likelihood is that they'll make you pay.

"Obviously, we lost a little bit of belief after the first goal. One thing you don't want to do is concede early. Unfortunately, we allowed them too much time and space in which to create.

"Over the next few months we really want to put in place where we want this club to go. At the moment we're still learning about certain players. So yesterday was another wake-up call for a number of us."

[Mr Fulham]

Stoke to offer Fulham flop a path back to England

Published 23:00 23/11/10

By Football Spy



Tony Pulis is ready to offer Stefano Okaka another crack at the Premier League.

Stoke boss Pulis has targeted a loan deal for Roma striker Okaka to boost his firepower at the Britannia Stadium.

Okaka, 21, played on loan at Fulham earlier this year and scored two goals in a three-month loan.

And Pulis will move for the Italy under-21 international in January as he bids to reach the top ten in the Premier League.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Stoke-will-offer-Stefano-Okaka-a-way-back-to-the-Premier-League-after-his-failed-spell-at-Fulham-article635209.html#ixzz16BCoQ2I5

Fulham flop? :tom:

[White Noise]

Fulham and West Bromwich Albion eye Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis McGugan


By Sportsmail Reporter


Last updated at 2:11 AM on 24th November 2010

Lewis McGugan's form for Nottingham Forest is attracting attention from clubs in the top tier.

Fulham and West Bromwich Albion have both sent scouts to the City Ground to watch the midfielder.

Since knuckling down under Billy Davies, McGugan has lost weight thanks to a cycling regime and has been rewarded for that improvement in fitness with goals.



Attracting attention: Nottingham Forest's Lewis McGugan is in fine goalscoring form



Make that nine: McGugan opens the scoring in Forest's 0-2 win at Cardiff last Saturday

McGugan scored again at the weekend - the opening goal in a 0-2 win at Cardiff City - to take his tally for the season to nine, which is a superb return for a midfielder before the halfway stage of the season.

The goal poured cold water on a day of celebration at Cardiff when all eyes were on Bluebirds striker Jay Bothroyd, who had earned an England cap in midweek with an appearance against France.  

On a day when the two Premier League club's scouts will likely have been checking on the form of Bothroyd, it will have been McGugan's name that resonated in the post-match discussions.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1332474/Fulham-West-Bromwich-Albion-eye-Nottingham-Forest-midfielder-Lewis-McGugan.html#ixzz16BDXN4bI

[White Noise]

Fulham and Birmingham target Bothroyd vows to stay at Cardiff until the end of the season


By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 10:46 PM on 23rd November 2010

England striker Jay Bothroyd has vowed to stay at Cardiff for the rest of the season.

Bothroyd's current deal with City expires next summer and the 28-year-old has been linked with January moves to Birmingham and Fulham.

Eyes on the ball: Bothroyd (right) has vowed to stay with the Championship side
But the Championship's leading scorer said: 'I don't want to discuss my contract during the season and I'm fully focused on achieving promotion. That is my tunnel vision.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1332467/Fulham-Birmingham-target-Jay-Bothroyd-vows-stay-Cardiff.html#ixzz169NHNRiX

[White Noise]

Dickson Etuhu wants Manchester City striker at Fulham



DICKSON Etuhu wants his brother Kelvin to join him at Fulham.

The young Manchester City striker hasn't featured since Roberto Mancini took charge, and spent last season on loan at Cardiff City.

The 22-year-old played under Whites boss Mark Hughes at Eastlands, and his big brother Dickson has urged him to make the switch to Craven Cottage.

He said: "I would encourage my brother to come here on loan. The manager knows him well.

"It's hard for him to get into the team [at Manchester City], but he has to deal with it or move on."



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/11/23/dickson-etuhu-wants-manchester-city-striker-at-fulham-82029-27696043/?#ixzz166MCT1jf

[White Noise]

Simon Davies 'included on Roy Hodgson's cut-price transfer wish-list'

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson wants to raid former club Fulham for midfielder Simon Davies as he looks for cheaper options for the January transfer window.




Could Simon Davies be persuaded to leave Fulham to be reunited with Roy Hodgson (AFP/Getty)

Davies, 31, may be available for less than £2million because of his advancing years - and Hodgson is desperate to add some guile and zeal to the wider positions in his midfield.

However, the winger only recently signed a new contract to take him up to 2013 at Craven Cottage - meaning club chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed will have significant bargaining power when negotiations begin.


Hodgson worked with Davies for three seasons in west London - reaching the final of the inaugural Europa League competition in the manager's last campaign at the club.

And the 63-year-old is keen to be reunited with Davies, who played some of the best football of his career as part of Hodgson's squad.

The player will also be well-acquainted with the Reds manager's methods - which were being singled out as a major reason for the team's poor start to life after Rafael Benitez earlier this season.

But those same criticisms now seem to have dwindled after a run of five wins in seven matches since their 2-0 defeat at local rivals Everton in October.

.

Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/847978-simon-davies-included-on-roy-hodgsons-cut-price-transfer-wish-list#ixzz168tCHmjU

[White Noise]

Reserves 4-0 Crystal Palace

Tuesday 23rd November 2010





The Reserves produced an impressive performance on Tuesday afternoon at Motspur Park, convincingly beating Crystal Palace. Goals from Kerim Frei, Lauri Dalla Valle, Cristian Marquez-Sanchez and Alex Kacaniklic secured the victory.

Fulham made a bright start to this match when an intelligent interception from Alex Kacaniklic allowed the winger to advance into space and play a low cross to Lauri Dalla Valle, who saw his shot from six yards blocked at close range.

With the Whites' defence looking solid, Billy McKinlay's men were working from a sound foundation which allowed them to expend their energies trying to find a way through Palace's rearguard.

Although chances were limited in the opening 20 minutes, Fulham looked threatening from midfield - with a number of marginal offside calls denying some of the Whites' best attacking moves.

As half-time drew closer the game grew more open in nature, which certainly appeared to suit the Whites better. Fulham's opening goal of the game came on the half-hour mark.

Cristian Marquez-Sanchez, the Spanish right-back, collected the ball on the right flank and cut inside his opponent before skirting along the edge of the Palace penalty area and attempting a left footed shot. His effort ricocheted in the area before falling to Kerim Frei, who fired accurately past the Palace keeper.

Fulham extended their lead four minutes later; again Marquez-Sanchez played a big part. His well-flighted cross was met powerfully in the air by a Lauri Dalla Valle diving header – leaving the visiting keeper with no chance.

Frei came close to adding Fulham's third on 41 minutes after some nice one-touch build-up play on the edge of the Palace area created an opportunity for the attacker to drill a low shot towards goal, which was saved by the feet of the Palace custodian.

The Whites started the second-half showing real attacking intent, maintaining possession nicely in tight areas and always keeping the ball on the move. It came as little surprise when Fulham added their third of the afternoon on 51 minutes when Marquez-Sanchez rounded off a devastating counter-attack by slamming a 20 yard shot into the net from a Kacaniklic pass.

The visitors missed a fine opportunity to get back to within touching distance on 65 minutes when they managed to spring the Fulham offside trap and create a one-on-one situation with David Stockdale, fortunately for the Whites Stockdale had his angles covered and the shot rolled wide of his far post.

Courtney Harris replaced Kerim Frei on 70 minutes, with the substitute joining Dalla Valle leading the line. Marquez-Sanchez made way for Josh Pritchard five minutes later. Ronnie Minkwitz and Richard Peniket joined the fray for the final ten minutes, replacing Matthew Saunders and Keanu Marsh-Brown.

Alex Kacaniklic rounded off the scoring in the 85th minute, nimbly rounding the keeper before side-footing into an open goal from six yards.

Fulham: Stockdale; Marquez-Sanchez (Pritchard 75), Pierre, Toure, Smith; Saunders (Minkwitz 80), Marsh-Brown (Peniket 80), Milsom, Kacaniklic; Frei (Harris 70), Dalla Valle
.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/ReservesvCrystalPalace.aspx#ixzz168qIpOkS

[White Noise]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/postcard-europe-dempsey-keeps-fighting

Postcard from Europe: Dempsey keeps on fighting


Tight matches for Fulham, US have not kept MF from results


Greg Seltzer MLSsoccer.com November 23, 2010


(Getty Images) AMSTERDAM — Given leave from international duty last week by US national team coach Bob Bradley, Fulham attacker Clint Dempsey enjoyed some rare rest and relaxation away from a match schedule filled with gripping contests that go down to the final whistle.

If you're unsure whether that was a reference to his outings with the national team or the heavy grind that is the life of a Premier League ace, don't feel bad. For MC Deuce, these beats rock more alike than you'd generally think.

Fulham life is and has been full of meaningful games, consistently tight scrapes, the odd glimpse of championship glory and hope for another chance at it. He is often happily shuffled around the formation, but always can be found somewhere on the field when the chips are down.

That description not only aptly covers his USMNT experience, it also pretty well sums up his time with the New England Revolution. Between a pair of MLS Cup heartbreakers, successful relegation battles, a Confederations Cup roller coaster that ended with a final collapse and a loss in the first ever Europa League final, surely there are few people out there who could best Dempsey's knowledge of nail-biters – or about striving for more.

Keeping It Close

On the back of dramatic runs in the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup, Dempsey and his US teammates have been lauded for their character and their "never-say-die" attitude. But for Dempsey, nothing changes in the drama department when the American is stationed near London's West End theatre district.

In fact, before being ambushed 4-1 by Manchester City this past weekend, Fulham had spent exactly 46 minutes of game time in 13 league matches with a score differential of more than one. The one time they did manage to build a multi-goal lead, it came courtesy of a first-half Dempsey brace in an Oct. 30 win over Wigan.

It's no surprise, therefore, that the Cottagers have compiled eight draws on the season. They are not alone: Six other Premier League clubs have compiled seven ties on the youthful season.



Getty Images
"The league's tight," Dempsey told MLSsoccer.com from Craven Cottage by phone. "It's difficult to get points in the Premiership, especially away from home."

Though he feels Fulham's style is a bit more aggressive, the Texas native admits that, for both club and country, playing matches air-tight is quite by design.

"We do play an attacking style, but at the same time, pick and choose our moments," Dempsey said of the Cottagers game plans. "You can't afford to be too careless."

Another similarity to consider between playing for Fulham or for the US lies in the squad personalities. Dempsey knows he is in with two separate groups willing to slug it out until the 15th-round bell, if need be.

"We have a lot of character in the team," he says. "No matter if we go up or down [a goal], we battle until the end and that keeps things close. That's the way things have been for a while now. Even under Roy [Hodgson, Fulham's former manager], I think we were a team that was never too far away in games and had quite a few draws."

In 2002, Fulham returned to the Premier League after a 38-year absence, and the tightly contested matches that the Cottagers have played underscore another layer of pressure: staying where the money is, the Premier League.

Dempsey's done his part. Barely six months into his Fulham tenure, Dempsey scored the most fiscally valuable goal in club history, a 1-0 winner at Liverpool in May of 2007.

The strike, which came 21 minutes from time, was Dempsey's first in the EPL, saved the club from relegation and spared them an revenue loss estimated at up to $100 million. The following season, Dempsey and Fulham had an even closer scrape, surviving on goal differential after finishing the season with three straight wins.

"We'd like wins more than draws, but a draw is better than a loss," Dempsey explaned. "You've got to get as many points as you can because the most important thing is staying in that top half and not finding yourself in the relegation zone."

Road Warriors

He says the team may soon be ready to turn some of those draws in for victories – even on the road. Notoriously bad away from Craven Cottage, Fulham have not won a league game outside it in 25 tries.



Getty Images
Along with Carlos Bocanegra and Brian McBride, Dempsey took part in snapping a 33-game road win drought in 2008. He sees improvement in their away form, and apparently so have other Fulham observers in the media and the stands.

"You know, away from home is always difficult," he said. "The fact that we got points from five of the seven [road contests thus far on the season] is positive. It's something where you don't have to worry about listening to people talk about."

Not that Dempsey is bothered much by what's written in the papers, said on the call-in show or hollered from the seats.

"At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter," he declared. "The most important thing is playing hard and working hard to get better as a team."

A Taste of Europe

In the 2008-09 season, Fulham worked hard enough to finish seventh, which offered up the Europa League invite that eventually made Dempsey the first American to play in a UEFA cup final.

He was key to the run throughout, most notably when he scored the now famous stunner to cap a rally that knocked European bluebloods Juventus from the tournament. When final foe Diego Forlán broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 116th minute, Atlético Madrid became champs and the American – who went 65 relief minutes – was so disappointed initially that he walked past press row without even remotely breaking gait.

Now that he has had time to reflect on the ride, not to mention the silver medal prize at the end, Dempsey can hardly say a bad word about the experience. It has to be said, the man has proven he knows how to use disappointment as forward-thinking motivation.



Getty Images
"It was pretty special leading up to and in the fashion that we did it, especially playing a part in it with that fourth goal in the Juve game," he stated. "It was good to play in a final.

"Obviously, we wanted to win, but the team played hard and did the best they could. Unfortunately, we came up a little short. The positive was that we were in to the very end, pushed the game to overtime after conceding early in the game."

Onward, But Not Outward

Dempsey, having gotten that first taste of Europe, does want more of it. But the Fulham man doesn't currently seem terribly interested in leaving the cozy confines of Craven Cottage to find it on a more consistent basis.

Last summer, Dempsey's agent confirmed that there were some Champions/Europa League regulars monitoring him. When considering his club road to European success, the American is quick to remind that staying at Fulham has not exactly stopped him from the chance to raise important silver.

"Well, I got to the Europa League final when I was with Fulham, so it's something that can happen here," he stated. "After this season, I'll still have two years on my contract and we'll see what happens. Right now, I'm trying to make the most of my football where I'm at – at Fulham.

"We like to play in major competitions," Dempsey admitted. "You want to try to win trophies in your career, so hopefully that's in the cards for me. But all you can do is work hard where you're at, make the most of it and see what happens."

For a man who has had to endure both the bad times and the good with his country, as well, it's easy to imagine the conviction in Dempsey's words.

Continued Growth



Getty Images
Of all the similarities between Dempsey's club and country, the most obvious similarity is how he's used on the pitch. With both Bradley and Fulham boss Mark Hughes, one never knows quiet where the US No. 8 – or Fulham No. 23 – shirt will pop up. But they do know it will pop up.

"I think it makes you more of a complete footballer, having an understanding of other positions," Dempsey explained. "It makes you more well-rounded, so it's something that doesn't bother me."

"Whenever I can play at any position that's going to help the team, I'm all about that. It's allowed me to stay on the field more often than not. The more flexibility you can give a manager, the more options they have to help the team do better. I give them an option, so it's a good thing."

Dempsey's flexibility on the field has been instrumental for the Nats recently, and should continued to be throughout the preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the player's third such cycle.

"We just need to keep working on the things we've been working on and try to improve," said of the US side. "I think we're moving in the right direction. We made the final of the Confederations Cup and advanced from the group stage at World Cup, taking Ghana to overtime. We were right there in the thick of the things, so hopefully we can improve on the things we were doing. I think we'll be fine."

As with the Cottagers, Dempsey figures the US play it smart in order to give themselves the most chances to win.

"You have to stay competitive at the back," he insists. "If you don't concede, then you don't lose. You try to pick and choose your moments when to get forward and try to be effective as you can. We've been able to get goals. We're a team that is dangerous on the attack and doesn't concede too many goals."

Sounding a bit like either of his coaches, he hits the point: "It always gives you a chance [to win] when you can do that."

[White Noise]

http://www.goal.com/en/news/15/germany/2010/11/23/2227676/freiburg-star-papiss-cisse-on-fulham-radar-report

Freiburg Star Papiss Cisse On Fulham Radar - Report

Freiburg attacker Papiss Cisse has reportedly attracted the interest of Fulham.
By Stefan Coerts


Nov 23, 2010 12:39:00 PM


According to a report on Sky Sports, Premier League side Fulham are considering making a move for highly rated attacker Papiss Cisse, currently under contract with Bundesliga minnows Freiburg.

The Cottagers are eager to add some depth to their front line and have reportedly watched Cisse in action on several occasions this term.

Fulham manager Mark Hughes has supposedly received positive scouting reports about the 25-year-old forward and the English side could very well decide to make an offer for Cisse in the January transfer window.

However, it appears to be very much unlikely that Freiburg are ready to cash in on their star player already. Cisse joined the German side from Metz in January 2010 for a reputed fee of €1.5 million.

The Senegal international has since developed into a key player at Freiburg and has netted 16 goals in 29 Bundesliga appearances.

[White Noise]

Christmas at the Cottage

Tuesday 23rd November 2010



Join us at Craven Cottage from 6:30pm on Tuesday 14th December for a fantastic FREE Christmas event!

The Club would like to invite our loyal supporters down to the Cottage for a festive evening with members of the First Team squad, including Mousa Dembele and Andrew Johnson.

The fun packed evening will be full of festive cheer, with a number of players taking time out to meet and greet fans in an exclusive location, only previously accessible to supporters on a Cottage Stadium Tour!

With festive refreshments, a choir and all the latest Fulham merchandise in store, you'll be able to purchase your last minute Christmas gifts from the Stadium Shop and have them personally signed by members of the First Team squad.

Keep an eye on fulhamfc.com over the coming weeks as we reveal which other players will be joining Mousa Dembele on the 14th December.

Everyone is welcome and there's no need to book:

Where: Craven Cottage
When: Tuesday 14th December
Time: 6:30pm – 8pm 

Cottage Christmas Dinner
For the truly memorable experience, why not join us in the warmth and comfort of one of our riverside lounges for an evening of Christmas merriment?

Combine a sumptuous three-course meal with a Christmas cocktail reception with Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes, enjoying exclusive photo opportunities. You will also receive an exclusive retail offer, a Fulham FC gift and entry into a Fulham FC raffle for a chance to win some fantastic prizes!

Read more| or book your place| for just £69 per person now
.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/ChristmasattheCottage.aspx#ixzz16BNsFh1x

[White Noise]

http://www.footballtransfertavern.com/2010/11/premiership/city-spurs-set-to-clash-over-fulham-winger


City & Spurs Set To Clash Over Fulham Winger



Date: 23rd November 2010 at 4:54 pm


Manchester City and Tottenham: two teams bursting with home-grown English talent, and each blessed with a right-winger who will one day hope to claim to England's number 7 spot for his own.

However, City's Adam Johnson and Spurs' Aaron Lennon cannot afford to rest on their laurels, after it emerged that Fulham's Keanu Marsh-Brown may soon be set to provide competition for one of them at club level, and for both at international level.

Marsh-Brown currently plays in Fulham's reserve side, but due to a lack of first team opportunities has refused to sign a new contract at Craven Cottage and now looks certain for a move to another Premiership club in January, in search of a regular starting role to establish his England credentials.

Both Harry Redknapp and Roberto Mancini are known admirers of the winger, and are thought to be prepared to offer up to £500,000 to secure his services.


And while Lennon may not be too worried about the arrival of another winger as yet, the news will certainly be unwelcome to Johnson, who has already made clear his frustration at a lack of first team action.

Were Johnson to fall further down the pecking order at Eastlands, he may have no choice but to push for a transfer, and would almost certainly be joined in the hunt for a new club by Tottenham's Niko Kranjčar, who himself looks set to leave after languishing on the bench this season.

[White Noise]

Arsene Wenger's gamble on Cesc Fabregas's fitness backfired horribly last night when the Arsenal skipper was forced off with yet another hamstring problem as Braga snatched a Champions League victory.

He faces three weeks on the sidelines, and could miss Barclays Premier League games against Aston Villa, Fulham and Manchester United on December 13.

Chelsea, meanwhile, struggled to overcome MSK Zilina but secured top spot in Group F.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1332487/Cesc-Fabregas-gamble-backfires-Arsene-Wenger-captain-faces-weeks-hamstring-problem.html#ixzz16BP1IPN9

[FatFreddysCat]

Stoke to offer Fulham flop a path back to England

Published 23:00 23/11/10

By Football Spy



Tony Pulis is ready to offer Stefano Okaka another crack at the Premier League.

Stoke boss Pulis has targeted a loan deal for Roma striker Okaka to boost his firepower at the Britannia Stadium.

Okaka, 21, played on loan at Fulham earlier this year and scored two goals in a three-month loan.

And Pulis will move for the Italy under-21 international in January as he bids to reach the top ten in the Premier League.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Stoke-will-offer-Stefano-Okaka-a-way-back-to-the-Premier-League-after-his-failed-spell-at-Fulham-article635209.html#ixzz16BCoQ2I5

Fulham flop? :tom:

Well he hardly set the World alight whilst here. Then again anouther weird signing by Woy who dosen't like anyone under 30.

[simplyfulham]

Stoke to offer Fulham flop a path back to England

Published 23:00 23/11/10

By Football Spy



Tony Pulis is ready to offer Stefano Okaka another crack at the Premier League.

Stoke boss Pulis has targeted a loan deal for Roma striker Okaka to boost his firepower at the Britannia Stadium.

Okaka, 21, played on loan at Fulham earlier this year and scored two goals in a three-month loan.

And Pulis will move for the Italy under-21 international in January as he bids to reach the top ten in the Premier League.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Stoke-will-offer-Stefano-Okaka-a-way-back-to-the-Premier-League-after-his-failed-spell-at-Fulham-article635209.html#ixzz16BCoQ2I5

Fulham flop? :tom:

Well he hardly set the World alight whilst here. Then again anouther weird signing by Woy who dosen't like anyone under 30.

[SmithyFFC]

Stoke to offer Fulham flop a path back to England

Published 23:00 23/11/10

By Football Spy



Tony Pulis is ready to offer Stefano Okaka another crack at the Premier League.

Stoke boss Pulis has targeted a loan deal for Roma striker Okaka to boost his firepower at the Britannia Stadium.

Okaka, 21, played on loan at Fulham earlier this year and scored two goals in a three-month loan.

And Pulis will move for the Italy under-21 international in January as he bids to reach the top ten in the Premier League.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Stoke-will-offer-Stefano-Okaka-a-way-back-to-the-Premier-League-after-his-failed-spell-at-Fulham-article635209.html#ixzz16BCoQ2I5

Fulham flop? :tom:

Well he hardly set the World alight whilst here. Then again anouther weird signing by Woy who dosen't like anyone under 30.

Dont know about anyone else but I'd have him back ahead of AJ.....

[Lighthouse]

In case anybody wants to relive the Sunday carve up it is on BBC i player MOTD 2

[WhiteJC]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/11/23/2228591/fulham-midfielder-zoltan-gera-insists-squad-will-not-panic?

Fulham midfielder Zoltan Gera insists squad will not panic over lowly league position
Hungarian calls for team to "stick together"

Fulham's Zoltan Gera has admitted that panicking over his team's current Premier League position will do nothing to help the club.

The Cottagers suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City at Craven Cottage at the weekend, which has left them above the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes has not had the most positive start since taking over from Roy Hodgson in the summer, however Gera believes that this season's Premier League is too close to call.

"I am sure we will not panic," he told Sky Sports.

"If we do that it is not good for the team.

"We need to stick together. The league is so tight at the moment, we still have time to pick points up and get out of this zone.

"I am confident. We know we can do much better and we will do much better in the next two games."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/fulham-boss-hughes-target-new-midfield-destroyer-1272771?

Fulham boss Hughes to target new midfield destroyer

Fulham boss Mark Hughes has hinted he will be in the market for a new midfield destroyer.

For defeat to Manchester City, Danny Murphy and Dickson Etuhu were overrun by City's defensive triumvirate of Gareth Barry, Yaya Toure and Nigel de Jong and never got a foothold in the game.

"On too many occasions when we were a little bit too passive, we needed to be closing people down quicker than we did," Hughes said. "If you allow top quality players, which these Man City guys definitely are, the likelihood is that they'll make you pay.

"Obviously, we lost a little bit of belief after the first goal. One thing you don't want to do is concede early. Unfortunately, we allowed them too much time and space in which to create.

"Over the next few months we really want to put in place where we want this club to go. At the moment we're still learning about certain players. So yesterday was another wake-up call for a number of us."

[WhiteJC]

http://hammyend.com/index.php/2010/11/gatesys-weekend-roundup-4/?

Gatesys Weekend Roundup
by GATESY on NOVEMBER 8, 2010

Where would we be without the heads of Norwegians? The popular music group A-Ha would be less popular I suspect, We'd be living life like cave men without the cheese slicer and the whites would be a point worse off after Hangeland's last gasp headed equaliser against Villa.

By all rights Villa should have pottered back up the M1 will all the points, but their lack of strikers told as they failed to kill of the game. The game turned into a midfield battle for long periods until three minutes before the break when Albrighton latched onto a lovely ball from Bannan, cut inside the Mexican defender and dispatched his shot.

With Villa playing counter attacking football and getting men behind the ball for the second period it took till the dying moments of the match and a Danny Murphy Free kick for us to equalise.

Worryingly both our full backs hobbled off with injuries during the game. Salcido's looks the more serious of the two with Sparky not happy with the tackle from Luke Young.

"I've seen the tackle on video and the lad's gone over the top and I would imagine it's ligament damage.

"I don't want to say how long but it'll be a number of weeks."

Only Man Yoo and that lot down the road have lost fewer games than us this season, yet as the draws pile up rather than victories, and the newly promoted sides picking up wins it wont be long before we are widely touted as relegation candidates.

Thankfully for us though we have West Ham and Wigan in the division. After racing to a two goal lead at St Andrews West Ham managed to bottle it and allow Brum back to grab a draw. Piquionne and Valon Behrami scored for the Hammers before they crumbled come the second half. Perhaps the sponge like defence of Green and Upson were made extra spongy with the water sprinklers inexplicably coming into life mid way through the first half? Jerome and Ridgewell scored for the home side.

Goals from Roberts and Pedersen moved Big Sam's Blackburn side out of the bottom three after taking three points from local rivals Wigan, with Athletic replacing them in 18th place.

Also in the leaving it late theme Man Yoo, after having late goals scored against them by ourselves and Everton, were on the other end of that stick this weekend. A Last gasp goal from Park helped United close the gap to just two points at the top of the table.

Arsenal became the first out of the Big Four© side to lose at home to two of the three newly promoted teams as they went down one nil to Newcastle, as they secured their first win at the Gooners since 2001. The Barcodes used the sensible tactic or aiming high balls at Flapihandski and he duly floundered around in mid air allowing the ball to hit Carols head and then the back of the net. Although playing a lot of tippy-tappy football and one-twos a plenty around the box, Arsenal were unable to find a way back into the game, though if it hadn't been for hitting that pesky woodwork a couple or three times it may have all been very different.

After a brief break from being footballs version of Zippos circus, Spuds went up norf and came back after giving us all a good old laugh. A Zat Knight inspired Bolton beating the norf London outfit, which included bestest player in the world ever Gareth Bale, 4-2. Even with no-neck Huddlestone attempting to pound players into the turf using only his considerable bulk, they came home pointless. Redknapp claimed he hadn't seen the stamp and with the Ref doing likewise the FA are investigating today. 'Arry told the Daily Mail:

"I've not seen it...I will see it on the TV and if you call me up in the morning, I'll tell you exactly what happened,

"Did he jump on him or something? I swear I followed the ball and never saw what happened. I don't know what happened. That's the God's honest truth.

"But Tom's tame. He's a good footballer, isn't he? He's not aggressive."

It remains to be seen if he'll escape this time as he somehow escaped retrospective punishment for swinging an elbow into the face of Marc Janko during the Champions League tie against Twente earlier this season.

The win took Bolton up to fifth place, and above Spurs, in the table although they have only won three games so far.

Elsewhere, Sunderland's record signing and world cup star Asamoah Gyan scored a brace on his first start for the club in their two nil win over Stoke, who probably were a little hard done by by the referee, but that serves them right in my opinion. The score could have been greater had not former Fulham midfielder Steeeeed Malbranque not missed a first half penalty.

Pulis bleated on as usual saying:

"The decision was a game-changing decision. That's the sixth in 11 games that we have had given against us.

"It's handball, everybody will agree it's handball, Cattermole gets sent off, you hope you score the penalty and it's then 11 Stoke City players against 10 Sunderland players with 20 minutes to go.

I'm sure he went on, but after hearing this week in week out from him I nodded off a little bit.

Uncle Roy is back in the good books up in Liverpool. As is Torres. To be honest, I'm fairly happy with them too. After lolloping around for a few weeks in the bottom half and looking like they needed putting out of their misery, suddenly they have a couple of league wins on the bounce and are level on points with Spuds. Torres burst back into life with a couple against that lot down the road, keeping up his impressive scoring record against the title holders of five in five. Uncle Roy chipped in:

"I'm pleased with the performance and I'm pleased Fernando will get the plaudits because he's taken his fair share of criticism, some of which has been grossly exaggerated and certainly not fully deserved,"

You have to wonder how much the Blues'll be looking to bounce back come Wednesday night though...

The Blue half of Liverpool picked up a draw away at Blackpool, while Man City traveled to the Hawthorns and returned with all three points and a red card. Balotelli looks like a cracking signing. He looks useful on the pitch and also appears a mad as a bag of lightbulbs. Just returned from injury and starting to play for the team, recently stopped by police late at night and asked why he had a big pile of cash in his pocket, he simply told them he was a footballer so why shouldn't he? And then back in Italy he attempted to break into a woman's prison 'just to see inside'. I love him already and look forward to his next adventure.