Friday Fulham Stuff (26.11.10)

[White Noise]

Fulham think big with 6ft 8in striker

Published 23:00 25/11/10


By Alan Nixon



Fulham boss Mark Hughes is ready to win the £3million race for giant Ivory Coast striker Lacina Traore - who has stood out in the Champions League for Romanian side Cluj.

The towering target man is due to fly to London for a medical ahead of a move in the New Year window, with Cluj sources revealing a fee has been agreed.

Traore - also watched by Aston Villa in their midweek defeat by Basel - is just 20 and stands a stunning 6ft 8in tall. His awkward style has caught the attention of many top clubs.

However ambitious Fulham have been in talks with Cluj, whose Champions League campaign is about to end, and they are willing to do a deal.

Hughes is looking for more variety in his attack and Traore may turn out to be a bargain if he pushes the deal through quickly and gets the chance to throw him into Premier League action.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Fulham-boss-Mark-Hughes-is-ready-to-win-the-3million-race-for-6ft-8in-Ivory-Coast-striker-Lacina-Traore-of-Romanian-Champions-League-side-Cluj-article637081.html#ixzz16MwiqM

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Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed flips but backs Mark Hughes with January funds

By Simon Jones


Last updated at 3:00 AM on 26th November 2010

EXCLUSIVE

Mohamed Al Fayed has vowed to back Mark Hughes in the January transfer window after venting his fury over Fulham's humbling by Manchester City.

The flamboyant Fulham chairman was angered by his side's meek performance and voiced his frustration at manager Hughes on Sunday night following the 4-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.

However, the 77-year-old did not leave it there and took it on himself to address the firstteam squad and staff personally at training on Tuesday.



Get it sorted: Mohamed Al Fayed has backed Mark Hughes to reverse Fulham's fortunes, giving him money to spend in January


Al Fayed is understood to have scolded the players over a dip in form which has seen them plummet to 17th in the Barclays Premier League - level on points with third-from- bottom Wigan - and said that they should be building on their displays of last season when the team received rave reviews as they reached the Europa League final.

His words of warning shocked some of the squad but he was keen to show support for Hughes, 47, whom he values as a shrewd manager.

Recognising that injuries to key players such as Bobby Zamora have had an effect on the team, Al Fayed said he is willing to help Hughes strengthen the squad and bankroll a January spending spree which the former Manchester City boss believes can push them into European contention.


Plenty to ponder: Shay Given is just one potential target for Hughes


Hughes has concerns in attack, wide midfield and at goalkeeper, where Mark Schwarzer has yet to commit his future to the club and, even if he does, is likely to be missing for most of January as he joins Australia for the Asia Cup.

Hughes has made no secret of his admiration for Manchester City's Shay Given and want-away striker Roque Santa Cruz, and Shaun Wright- Phillips may also come into consideration.

He is also close to agreeing a £3million deal with Romanian champions Cluj for 6ft 8in Ivory Coast striker LacinaTraore.

The 20-year-old could have a medical next week.

Fulham scouts have been monitoring Middlesbrough keeper Jason Steele, Tranmere's teenage winger Dale Jennings and Freiburg striker Demba Cisse.

Aston Villa's Luke Young has been watched and they want a right back, despite Chris Baird's return from injury last Sunday.

Indeed, an embarrassed Baird was quick to acknowledge Fulham's inept display against City.

He said: 'We didn't do the things we were supposed to do against City, which was get in their faces early on and play in their half. We were sloppy and it wasn't like us at all.

'We have to move on and, hopefully, we can turn it around this weekend against Birmingham City. We're going to give 100 per cent and deliver a much better display. It's not nice looking at the table and seeing us in 17th place but I think we're in a false position - we're a much better team than we showed last weekend.

'I feel confident we can climb into the top half of the table and cement a position there.'

Newcastle United are being reported to FIFA by two League of Ireland clubs seeking compensation totalling £80,000 for teenage prospect Stephen Folan.



Let's head up: Fulham defender Chris Baird says the club must do better

The Premier League club refused to negotiate a deal with Galway-based Mervue United and Salthill Devon after taking the 18-year-old midfielder-cum-defender to St James' Park two years ago.

Folan joined Mervue aged 10 and left at 15. He then briefly joined Galway Hibernians, who are not pursuing a claim, before moving to Salthill.

A FIFA spokesman said they could not comment as proceedings were ongoing. Newcastle were unavailable for comment.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1333112/Fulham-chairman-Mohamed-Al-Fayed-flips-backs-Mark-Hughes--EXCLUSIVE.html#ixzz16MxAqBlC

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/7943680/Fulham-v-Birmingham-City-match-preview.html


Fulham v Birmingham City: match preview

Read a full match preview of the Premier League game between Fulham and Birmingham City at Craven Cottage on Saturday Nov 27 2010, kick-off 15:00 GMT.
      
PREVIEW

FULHAMVBIRMINGHAM Saturday, November 27 15:00
Premier League
Craven Cottage

   
By John Ley 6:00AM GMT 26 Nov 2010

Saturday, November 27

Fulham v Birmingham City
Craven Cottage
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT
TV: Highlights, BBC1 Match of the Day.

Fulham (Probable, 4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Salcido; Duff, Murphy, Etuhu, Davies; Dempsey; A Johnson.
Birmingham (Probable, 4-4-2): Foster; Carr, Dann, Johnson, Ridgewell; Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, Fahey; Zigic, Jerome.
Referee: Howard Webb. Matches: 11. R1 Y40.


Tale of the game

After the 4-1 defeat by Manchester City, Fulham are out of the relegation zone only by virtue of goal difference.

Mark Hughes's team have won just once of their last 10 Premier League games, taking one point from the last three.

Birmingham last won at Fulham in December 2004. But they have lost one of their last six and have taken four points off Manchester City and Chelsea.

Fulham still miss Bobby Zamora and Moussa Dembele, along with Fredrik Stoor and Philippe Senderos. Birmingham test Craig Gardner and must decide whether to keep faith with Lee Bowyer, whose goal beat Chelsea. They are still without James McFadden.

Last season: Birmingham 1 Fulham 0, Fulham 2 Birmingham 1.

Stat of the game: Fulham need three goals for 400 in Premier League football.

Betting tip: Big game for Fulham, but against an in-form Birmingham. Try 1-0 to the Blues at 8-1.

[White Noise]

http://www.fulham-mad.co.uk/news/prev/fm_preview_fulham_v_birmingham_city_27_nov_2010_602881/index.shtml

FM Preview: Fulham v Birmingham City 27 Nov 2010

By Footymad Friday, 26th November 2010


The game between Fulham and Birmingham City in the Premier League on Saturday, 27th November 2010 at 15:00 takes centre stage for FootyMad's preview analysis.



History of the Fulham v Birmingham City fixture

Fulham prepare to entertain Birmingham City at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon, and hold the advantage on previous meetings between the two. Of the 40 games played, Cottagers have recorded 15 wins, and Birmingham C. have come away with 14 victories.

The most recent encounter between these two sides at Craven Cottage was less than a year ago, in February 2010, the Cottagers carving out a narrow 2-1 victory in a Premier League match.

For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here

Recent encounters between the teams:
2009/2010 Sun 21 Feb Fulham 2-1 Birmingham C. PREM
2009/2010 Sat 21 Nov Birmingham C. 1 - 0 Fulham PREM
2007/2008 Sat 03 May Fulham 2 - 0 Birmingham C. PREM
2007/2008 Sat 29 Dec Birmingham C. 1 - 1 Fulham PREM
2005/2006 Sat 10 Dec Birmingham C. 1 - 0 Fulham PREM
2005/2006 Sat 13 Aug Fulham 0 - 0 Birmingham C. PREM
2004/2005 Sat 22 Jan Birmingham C. 1 - 2 Fulham PREM

Recent respective form guides

Fulham are not in the best of form at home, with two wins, two draws, and two defeats in their last six. The Cottagers's have scored 7 goals in these games, but conceded an alarming 8.

The away form of Birmingham C. is pretty dire, attaining just 3 draws from the previous six away games. While the Blues have hit 6 goals, 10 have hit the back of the wrong net.

Fulham are hovering perilously just above the relegation zone, with 14 points from 14 matches. Birmingham C. find themselves struggling down in 15th position in the league having picked up 16 points from their 14 matches.

For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here

Current form guides: P W D L F A P
Fulham 6 1 2 3 5 8 5
Birmingham C. 6 1 4 1 6 6 7

FootyMad's prediction ...

With Fulham only showing average form at home, the Madmen are expecting them to play out a draw. Score draw

Sequence statistics:
Fulham Failed to win in previous 2 home matches.
Not won in the 4 most recent games.

Birmingham C. Not won in previous 12 away matches.

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http://www.footballtransfertavern.com/2010/11/premiership/if-he-performs-well-on-loan-itll-drive-up-his-value-in-the-summer


'If He Performs Well On Loan, It'll Drive Up His Value In The Summer'


Date: 25th November 2010 at 2:44 pm |

Arsene's hot young English property, impressive on loan to a different Premiership club and an England future on the horizon...

...No, I'm not talking about Jack Wilshere, although that could well be the ex-Luton man's future. I'm on about David Bentley.

The man with the bright young future, left for Spurs, scored a corker in the derby and disappeared from view.

With VdV, Modric, Lennon, Bale and co, Bentley is stuck in the reserves and miles away from that England future.

Therefore, Bentley is headed for the exit door. However, whether any Premiership club would want to take the plunge financially considering Spurs can sit tight as Bentley's contract goes until 2012 meaning a transfer would cost around £5m, which is an awful lot for a guy who has hardly played.

However, both Steve Bruce and Mark Hughes are very interested in bringing Bentley in. Therefore a loan deal can work out all round, they can bring Bentley in without spending an over-the-top transfer fee and if Bentley performs, it'll drive his sale price up come the summer.

Fulham may well have pole position seeing as Bentley has spent most of his career in London. However, with players like Gera, Duff and Dempsey, Bentley may be worried that he might be trading one teams reserve team for another team's bench.

[White Noise]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/47339/fulham-vs-birmingham-city/preview


Fulham - Birmingham City Preview: Nikola Zigic likely to continue in attack as Blues look to build on Chelsea win

By Alex Stamp


Fulham

Mark Hughes will be looking for his side to respond after their humiliation last weekend. His team have stagnated somewhat after a bright opening to the season, and currently lie in 17th position in the league with just 14 points from their opening 14 games, due in no small part to the long-term absence of talisman Bobby Zamora who is out until February.

His absence coupled by that of summer signing Moussa Dembele has left Hughes short of options up front, and they remain unchanged from the team soundly beaten by Manchester City with Andy Johnson continuing to shoulder the burden in attack.

Possible starting XI: Schwarzer; Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Salcido; Davies, Murphy, Etuhu, Duff; Dempsey, Johnson.

Birmingham City

Alex McLeish's team has a clean bill of health bar the long-term absence of James McFadden, as they look to build on last weekend's victory over champions Chelsea at St Andrew's.

With no fresh concerns, McLeish is likely to name an unchanged side, which will include star performers Ben Foster, Roger Johnson and Scott Dann in defence and 6ft 8in forward Nikola Zigic likely to start.

Possible starting XI: Foster; Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell; Larsson, Bowyer, Ferguson, Fahey; Zigic, Jerome.

Contrasting results

After two games of vastly contrasting fortunes last weekend, both Fulham and Birmingham City meet in an important fixture for two sides sitting close to the relegation zone.

Fulham were on the receiving end of a Manchester City onslaught as Mark Hughes' former side defeated his current one 4-1 at Craven Cottage. With his side languishing in 17th place in the league, Hughes will be desperate to put their home form right.

Meanwhile, on Saturday it was a very different story for Birmingham City who, inspired by Ben Foster and a fine rearguard display, defeated champions Chelsea courtesy of a Lee Bowyer strike.

Despite the euphoria of the previous weekend, manager Alex McLeish will be keen to build on last weekend's result, and put an end to his club's woeful away record this season with victory against one of their rivals just outside the drop zone.

Home and away fortunes

Fulham are level on points with Wigan Athletic in 18th place but have a vastly superior goal difference to the Lancashire team, but their home record this season is formidable with two wins and three draws so far this year.

However, they have lost two of their last four home games against Champions League chasers Tottenham and Manchester City but are unbeaten in their last three home games against the Blues.

Birmingham City are two places above them with just two points between them. Their away record has been a large part in their failure to rise up the table as they have yet to win away from St Andrew's this year and have lost three times on the road.

Their last victory at the Cottage came back in 2004 with a 3-2 victory coming courtesy of goals from Emile Heskey, Darren Carter and Robbie Savage.

[White Noise]

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/Fulham-v-Birmingham-City-Latest.6640734.jp


Fulham v Birmingham City: Latest team news

Published Date: 26 November 2010

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the Barclays Premier League clash at Fulham tomorrow.

Midfielder Craig Gardner's ankle problem is improving although he is not ready to return at Craven Cottage, while number two keeper Maik
Taylor is also making good progress with his shoulder problem.

He is likely to be available for the Carling Cup quarter-final with Aston Villa next Wednesday when Ben Foster's current back-up, Colin Doyle, will be cup-tied.

Striker James McFadden remains City's only long-term absentee with his knee ligament injury.

Birmingham (from): Foster, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, Fahey, Jerome, Zigic, Doyle, Hleb, Phillips, Derbyshire, Michel, Beausejour, Jiranek.


--- Fulham team news added ---
Andy Johnson is a doubt for the visit of Birmingham after picking up a slight hamstring injury in training.

Mousa Dembele (ankle) and Bobby Zamora (leg) are also out which could mean Diomansy Kamara is given his third start of the season.

Rafik Halliche (thigh), Frederik Stoor (groin), and Phillipe Senderos (Achilles) are also unavailable.

Team (from): Schwarzer, Kelly, Salcido, Hughes, Baird, Hangeland, Duff, Dempsey, Murphy, Davies, Gera, Etuhu, A Johnson, E Johnson, Stockdale, Pantsil, Kamara, Greening, Briggs.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2010/11/26/fulham-v-birmingham-brede-hangeland-looks-up-to-giant-striker-n/?

Fulham v Birmingham Preview: Brede Hangeland Looks Up to Giant Striker Nikola Zigic

Fulham are eager to get their 4-1 defeat to Manchester City out of their system. Manager Mark Hughes, for one, failed to accept their display, given that it was against his former club.

The Whites have had their fair share of injury problems but when they were trailing City 4-0 by the 56th minute, Hughes must have been fearing the worst. Zoltan Gera's 70th minute goal was scant consolation and Fulham will need a better performance to beat Birmingham.

The Blues will still be on a high having beaten Chelsea 1-0 in their last match, plus their goalless draw with Manchester City before that.

Their recent run of improved results has helped Alex McLeish's side up the Premier League table, leapfrogging Fulham in the process.

Key Match-up: Brede Hangeland v NIkola Zigic It will be like Land of the Giants when these two go head to head. At 6ft 8ins tall, Birmingham striker Zigic has a three inch advantage over the Fulham defender. But while Hangeland may be shorter in stature, he has an incredible leap for a tall player. Normally, when defenders are so tall, they have little need to work on their jumping, yet Hangeland has the ability to get off the floor and win crucial headers in the air.

What also makes this match-up interesting is that both strikers are powerful. Neither will give their opponents and inch when it comes to 50/50 challenges and it should be like a heavyweight boxing contest.

Form Guide: Fulham have not won since they beat Wigan 2-0 last month, a run stretching back four games. However, during those matches, they have drawn twice and their two defeats came in matches where perhaps they were not expecting to pick up points anyway - away at Chelsea and Manchester City at home. Birmingham's weakness this season is similar to Fulham in that they have been unable to turn draws into wins. Having said that, their last victory over Chelsea will have increased their confidence of getting a result against Fulham.

Odds: Fulham Evens, Birmingham 3-/, Draw 23/10


FULHAM:
Hughes confirmed club chairman Mohamed Al Fayed addressed the players this week, making clear his frustrations at the manner of the defeat to City.

"He came down," said the manager. "He is obviously the chairman of the club and takes a real active interest in the club and team and he's at all the home games and chats with the guys so it was good to see him. It was good that they heard his views of the performance at the weekend.

"We had obviously already discussed what we felt about the game as a group of players and management so his input was noted and obviously we want to build on what we feel we have achieved this season in terms of performance level."

Chris Baird admits Fulham fell below their expectations against City and has targeted an improvement against Birmingham.

The Northern Ireland international, who is currently playing at right back for the Whites, says his team mates' focus is on helping the club move out of the bottom half of the Premier League table.

He told Fulhamfc.com: "We didn't do the things we were supposed to do against Manchester City, which was get in their faces early on and play in their half.

"They're some of the things we didn't do and they took full advantage of that. We were sloppy and it wasn't like us at all.

"We have to move on and hopefully we can turn it around this weekend against Birmingham City. It's a massive game for us and hopefully we can get three points. We're going to give 100 percent and deliver a much better display.

"It's not nice looking at the league table and seeing us in 17th place but it's still early days. I think we're in a false position - we're a much better team than we showed last weekend. I feel confident that we can climb up into the top half of the table and cement a position there."

Strategy: Hughes is likely to opt for the 4-4-2 system, even though it did not work sufficiently well against Manchester City. Diomansy Kamara and Clint Dempsey will provide the attacking threat, although Gera is pushing for a place after his goal last weekend. Mark Schwarzer will continue in goal, despite growing speculation about his future at the club as we near the January transfer window.

Injury Update: Andy Johnson is out after picking up a minor hamstring problem against City while Moussa Dembele faces a two week absence with an ankle problem. Both Bobby Zamora (broken leg) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles) are long-term casualties.

BIRMINGHAM CITY:
Seb Larsson has played a major role in Birmingham's recent revival and manager McLeish is determined to finally end the uncertainty over the Swede's future.

Larsson has been in protracted contract negotiations at St. Andrew's since the end of last season and can speak to foreign clubs in the New Year, with his current deal expiring in the summer.

But McLeish has revealed that persuading the midfielder to commit himself to a new deal is a top priority, ahead of a scheduled meeting with vice-chairman Peter Pannu later this month.

He said: "I think it's possible for a positive conclusion. There's no doubt he's been at a big level this season and has kicked on from last season.

"I really don't know where we are in terms of how close to signing. We haven't spoken to the agent for about a month or so. We need to get things done before January because he can then talk to foreign clubs and we are aware that date is on the horizon.

"I've got a meeting with Peter in the next few weeks and Seb's contract is high up on the 'to do' list. You always want to keep your better players and he is undoubtedly one of them."

Strategy: Confidence is sky high after the win over Chelsea last weekend but McLeish insists games like this are the ones Birmingham must focus on to preserve their Premier League status.

A lack of goals remains the perennial problem for Birmingham, with only 15 goals scored in the Premier League this season - eight of which have come away from home.

McLeish added: "Sticking the goals in always has been the more difficult thing since I've been here. But we are making chances and we've been aggressive, playing two up against City and tried to be aggresive against Chelsea. We haven't been short of making chances but we're looking for a hero to find that finish."

Injury Update: Craig Gardner is still out with an ankle injury and is not expected to be back in training until the end of next week. Reserve goalkeeper Maik Taylor is still struggling with a shoulder injury while James McFadden (knee) is a long-term casualty.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1333308/FULHAM-v-Birmingham-Diomansy-Kamara-ready-step-struggling-Andy-Johnson.html?

FULHAM v Birmingham: Diomansy Kamara ready to step in for struggling Andy Johnson

Fulham striker Andy Johnson is a doubt for the visit of Birmingham after picking up a slight hamstring injury in training.

Mousa Dembele (ankle) and Bobby Zamora (leg) are also out which could mean Diomansy Kamara is given his third start of the season.

Rafik Halliche (thigh), Frederik Stoor (groin), and Phillipe Senderos (Achilles) are also unavailable.
Team (from): Schwarzer, Kelly, Salcido, Hughes, Baird, Hangeland, Duff, Dempsey, Murphy, Davies, Gera, Etuhu, A Johnson, E Johnson, Stockdale, Pantsil, Kamara, Greening, Briggs.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1333308/FULHAM-v-Birmingham-Diomansy-Kamara-ready-step-struggling-Andy-Johnson.html#ixzz16OwM8OEi

[WhiteJC]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9219996.stm?

BBC: Fulham    v    Birmingham

TEAM NEWS
Fulham are facing a striker shortage, with Bobby Zamora and Moussa Dembele sidelined and Andrew Johnson a doubt with a slight hamstring strain.

Diomansy Kamara could make just his third start of the season, alongside Clint Dempsey, if Johnson misses out.

Birmingham are still without top scorer Craig Gardner, although Lee Bowyer proved an able deputy last week with the winner against Chelsea.

Goalkeeper Maik Taylor and forward James McFadden are long-term absentees.

Fulham
Doubtful: A Johnson (hamstring)
Injured: Dembele (ankle), Halliche (thigh), Senderos (Achilles),
Stoor (groin), Zamora (leg)

Birmingham
Injured: Gardner (ankle), McFadden (knee), M Taylor (shoulder)

MATCH PREVIEW
Fulham's encouraging start to the season has been undermined by a run of four defeats from their last seven league games. Mark Hughes' men also tamely succumbed to his former side Manchester City last weekend to leave them in a season-low position of 17th.

Birmingham, on the other hand, have lost just one of their last six league games - just the tonic for boss Alex McLeish, who celebrates his third anniversary at the helm on Sunday. He will be hoping his side can deliver him the present of a west London double, with the Blues' trip to Craven Cottage coming seven days after a first win over champions Chelsea for 30 years.

McLeish's first game as City manager was a last-gasp 3-2 win at Tottenham - the Blues have not won a Premier League game in the capital since. Birmingham may have ultimately been relegated at the end of McLeish's first season in charge but he has brought them back up a stronger and more compact unit, as last season's ninth-place finish demonstrated.

Summer signing Ben Foster excelled against Chelsea last weekend, and now McLeish is looking to his other pre-season recruits to start showing signs they have settled in. Striker Nikola Zigic has scored just three times in 16 appearances for the club, while Alexander Hleb is yet to replicate the sparkling displays he demonstrated in three seasons at Arsenal.

Fulham striker Andrew Johnson is another man looking to return to the form of yesteryear. He completed his first 90 minutes since January last weekend as he continues his recovery from knee and shoulder injuries. The 29-year-old started his career at Birmingham, and was part of the Blues' squad that was promoted to the Premier League after a 16-year exile in 2002.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• The two sides have drawn 15 of their combined 28 Premier League games this term.
• Fulham have won their last two home league games against Birmingham, but they needed a last-minute winner from Bobby Zamora to secure all three points last season.
• Birmingham's last win at Craven Cottage was in December 2004. Emile Heskey and Robbie Savage were both among the Blues scorers that day in a 3-2 win.

Fulham
• The west London side are on a four-game winless streak.
• Fulham have won just twice in the league this season, against Wigan and Wolves, sides below them in the table. It's their equal fewest number of wins at this stage of a season in their top-flight history, alongside their 1966/67 and 2007/08 campaigns.
• Mark Hughes' side have conceded 14 of their 17 goals in the first half of matches.
• Zoltan Gera will be making his 150th English league start if picked.
Birmingham
• The Blues are yet to win in seven away league matches this season, an unwanted record shared only by Fulham, Wolves and West Ham. Their last win on their travels came at Portsmouth during March.
• Alex McLeish's side are yet to concede inside the opening 20 minutes of a league game this term.
• Cameron Jerome (17) has been caught offside more times than any other player in the Premier League this season.

LEADING GOALSCORERS
Fulham
Dempsey: 5 goals (4 league); Dembele: 3 goals (2 league); Gera & Zamora: 3 goals (1 league)

Birmingham
Gardner: 4 goals (3 league);
Jerome & Ridgewell: 3 goals (3 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Howard Webb
Assistant referees: John Flynn & Andy Garratt
Fourth official: Roger East

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Fulham (L1-4 v Man City, h): Schwarzer, Baird, Hangeland, Hughes, Salcido, Davies, Murphy, Etuhu (Kamara 64), Duff (Gera 46), Dempsey, A Johnson. Subs Not Used: Stockdale, Kelly, Pantsil, Dikgacoi, Greening

Birmingham (W1-0 v Chelsea, h): Foster, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, Fahey, Jerome, Zigic (Hleb 72). Subs Not Used: Doyle, Phillips, Derbyshire, Michel, Beausejour, Jiranek

[WhiteJC]

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/47389/Cottagers_desperate_to_get_out_of_rut.aspx

Cottagers desperate to get out of rut

Fulham and Birmingham City go head-to-head at Craven Cottage with three massive Premier League points on the line.

Both sides have struggled in recent times and respective managers Mark Hughes and Alex McLeish will be doing all they can to avoid a disappointing setback this weekend.

With the hosts sitting in 17th spot and Birmingham occupying 15th place, the pressure is starting to show.

The two clubs enjoyed a remarkable campaign last season, but things have proved tougher this time of asking.

They have collected just five wins between them and questions are now being asked as they look to consolidate their positions in the top-flight.

Both clubs have undoubted talent to call on with the Cottagers boasting Clint Dempsey, Andrew Johnson, Danny Murphy and Carlos Salcido while the Blues can count on Keith Fahey, Nikola Zigic, Alexander Hleb and Cameron Jerome.

The Cottagers have won just one of their last ten league fixtures, a dreadful run that must be halted if they are to avoid a relegation dogfight this term.

They were thumped 4-1 at home to Manchester City on Sunday, a performance and result that will have left Hughes bitterly disappointed.

Birmingham should go into this one with some confidence after they landed a startling 1-0 victory over champions Chelsea last weekend.

Lee Bowyer's strike proved to be enough at St Andrew's as they picked up their first win over the Pensioners for 30 years and they had on-song goalkeeper Ben Foster to thank after he claimed the man-of-the-match honours after making a number of top-class saves.

Prior to the victory, the Midlanders had collected just once in 11 and McLeish will know a poor run of form may just be around the corner again.

On the injury front, Fulham must select their team minus the services of long-term absentees Bobby Zamora (broken ankle) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles).

The visitors will be without cruciate ligament sufferer James McFadden and McLeish has an otherwise full-strength squad to choose from.

In last season's meeting between the two sides in London, Fulham grabbed a 2-1 success in February.

An early Chris Baird own goal handed the visitors the initiative, but Duff levelled on the hour, setting up a frantic finale.

The game looked set to end all-square, but Zamora swooped in stoppage-time to secure all three points for the hosts.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/InjuryNews.aspx?

Team News

Fulham will be without strikers Andrew Johnson and Mousa Dembele for Saturday's game against Birmingham City at the Cottage (Tickets on General Sale).

After his long injury lay-off Johnson has played back-to-back games against Newcastle and Manchester City in recent weeks and Hughes is keen to protect the striker as he returns to competitive action.

"We've struggled with injuries to key forward players this season and we're actually likely to be without Andy Johnson on Saturday unfortunately," Hughes told fulhamfc.com.

"He's [Johnson] got a little bit of an irritation at the bottom of his hamstring and we have to be careful with him because he's had to back-to-back games after a long period out. There's a likelihood he'll get these little niggles as he comes back. We anticipated these things would happen and we're trying to protect the boy and look after him. We don't want to compromise him so we're erring on the side of safety.

"It's important we do that so in the long term he's fine. We think it's more of a mechanical thing and he probably had a little spasm at the bottom of his hamstring so we have to be careful. He's been out for a significant length of time and it's about making sure we manage his re-introduction as carefully as we can, and that's what we're trying to do."

Hughes now has the misfortune of missing three key strikers through injury. Bobby Zamora, Andrew Johnson and Mousa Dembele are all currently out of action but Hughes was keen to stress on Friday afternoon that despite the Club's injury predicament, the Whites have the depth and quality to cope with such a situation.

"We've still got players that can come in and make an impact," said Hughes. "Ideally you would want your first choice team on every occasion but we haven't had that this season but we'll make the best of it. You always get injuries and you have to cope – it's about using your 25 man squad and the resources you have."

There was some positive injury news on Friday, with Hughes revealing that Rakik Halliche is likely to return to First Team training next week after a recent operation, whilst Mousa Dembele is expected to return in two weeks time.

Get behind the Team on Saturday at the Cottage as they take on Birmingham City - Tickets are on General Sale.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/InjuryNews.aspx?#ixzz16OxvBAHx

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/HughesMovingForward.aspx

Moving Forward

Fulham will be looking to bounce back against Birmingham City at the Cottage on Saturday following last weekend's defeat to Manchester City. On Friday, Manager Mark Hughes spoke of the need to convert a good performance into points on Saturday and maximise the advantage of playing on home territory, and Hughes is expecting a positive response this weekend after highlighting the mistakes made against City.

"It was a case of just getting everyone together and making my feelings known in terms of what we didn't do on the day [against Manchester City]," Hughes told fulhamfc.com. "We didn't execute our game plan and when it isn't followed through there is the likelihood you will lose games.

"We discussed those things and it was really positive. We know exactly what we need to address on Saturday and we're just looking forward to the game now. We're looking for an improvement [on Saturday] and it's fair to say the vast majority of our performances this season have been really pleasing. That's the first time we've let ourselves down and the key thing is we've got another opportunity very quickly to put things right and that's what we intend to do.

"We want to get more wins on the board and the league is really tight this year. That's the reason it's so compact and a couple of wins can very quickly shoot you up the table. Our intention is to get back to winning ways. It's important our home form stays strong. It's been good in terms of performance but we need three points on the board at the weekend."

Birmingham City will arrive at the Cottage on Saturday in confident mood following their impressive victory over Chelsea last weekend, but Hughes is solely focused on his Team delivering the right result for the fans and Club at the Cottage this weekend.

"They've [Birmingham] had a couple of good results and performances so they'll be on a high. It's not an easy game for us but when is there an easy game in the Premier League? It's another test but we've got an opportunity to get back to winning ways.

"We've got scope to move forward and we've all got ambitions for the club this year and our aim is to have a successful season. We still feel very much in those terms and its well within our capability.
I think we've performed really well in the vast majority of them, but we haven't been able to convert those performances into points and that's the order of the day. That's what the game is and that's what we have to fulfil for the fans and everyone connected with Fulham. Good performances are all well and good but you have to marry them to gaining points as well and that's what we have to improve."

Tickets for Saturday's game are now on General Sale. Back the boys at the Cottage on Saturday! (KO 3pm)



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/HughesMovingForward.aspx#ixzz16OyDxUmI

[WhiteJC]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/mark-hughes-happy-with-mohamed-al-fayeds-fulham-training-ground-rant-2144570.html?

Mark Hughes happy with Mohamed Al Fayed's Fulham training ground rant

Mark Hughes insists that Mohamed Al Fayed had every right to deliver a dressing down to the Fulham squad after their 4-1 defeat to Manchester City last weekend.

The flamboyant Fulham owner vented his fury at the players at the club's training ground on Tuesday - their first day back following the humiliating defeat against Hughes' former employers.

Al Fayed has been no stranger to controversy since he bought the club in 1997.

He slammed former manager Roy Hodgson for joining Liverpool after guiding the team through arguably its most successful period in history and once said FIFA was run by "idiots".

But the Egyptian, who is a regular at Fulham games, was not meddling in first-team affairs according to Hughes, who hopes the ticking off will inspire his team to a much-needed victory against Birmingham tomorrow.

"Yes, he (Al Fayed) came down to the training ground," Hughes confirmed.

"He is obviously the chairman and takes a real active interest in the club.

"He's at all the home games and chats with the guys so it was good to see him.

"It was good that the players heard his views of the performance at the weekend.

"We had obviously already discussed what we felt about the game as a group of players and management so his input was noted and obviously we want to build on what we feel we have achieved this season in terms of performance level.

"We hope it helps us win tomorrow's match."

The defeat, in which Fulham were comprehensively outplayed, left the Londoners outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

Hughes admits the performance against City was disappointing and has already started making plans to bolster the squad in January.

He is aware, however, that he must not waste any of the limited resources he will be given in the transfer window.

"Things have been discussed already," Hughes said.

"If opportunities present themselves and they are within our means then we will try to add to the quality of the club.

"You can't make changes just for the sake of it though.

"Sometimes the players you need to bring in in those positions aren't available."

Hughes denied that CFR Cluj striker Lacina Traore is on his wish list and hinted that acquiring the likes of Shay Given, Roque Santa Cruz and Shaun Wright-Phillips, who have all been linked with the club in media reports this morning, would be beyond his means.

"We get linked with a lot of players here," the former Manchester United striker said.

"There were a number in the press today. More often that not they are wide of the mark and that's what I would suggest is the case with some of the names that have been mentioned this morning."

Fulham's preparations for tomorrow's match at Craven Cottage have been dealt a blow by the news that Andy Johnson has joined fellow strikers Bobby Zamora (leg) and Mousa Dembele (ankle) on the sidelines.

The 29-year-old, who has just returned from a nine-month layoff, injured his hamstring in training but Hughes played down fears that the hitman is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

"Andy has a bit of irritation at the bottom of his hamstring," Hughes explained.

"We have to be careful with him obviously because he's had two back to back games after a long time out so we don't want to compromise him so we're erring on the side of safety."

The Welshman is not concerned with the club's slide towards the relegation zone despite having not won in four matches.

"At the moment we are alongside a number of clubs where a couple of wins shoots you up the table so we need to do that," Hughes said.

"We are better than our position in the league suggests. We need to get points on the board to prove that."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/FranckQueudrue.aspx?

The Inside Track

After almost a decade of experience in top flight English football, including spells with Fulham and Birmingham City, Franck Queudrue will be watching Saturday's game at the Cottage with particular interest from across the Channel.

The French defender now plies his trade back where it all began, in the Pas-de-Calais department with RC Lens, but fondly remembers his time with both clubs, who will be fighting for three crucial Barclays Premier League points this weekend.

"I had a great time at Fulham, especially under Chris Coleman," said Franck of his time in SW6. "My best memory from my time at Fulham is when we beat Liverpool 1-0 to stay in the Premier League. We were nearly relegated and it was a big victory with Clint getting the vital goal. I still keep in touch with a few former Fulham teammates, including Carlos Bocanegra who is now playing for Saint-Étienne.

"I was then at Birmingham for three seasons. Both clubs are very different but they are both well organised. I didn't play too much in my first season at Birmingham but in the games I played, I did alright. I played a lot in the second season in the Championship and was voted the Player of the Year.

"Then, like I say, 'that's football', the manager has a decision to make and you have to respect that. I've definitely got happy memories of my time playing in England but I wanted to come back to France and I'm very happy here."

Queudrue certainly has split loyalties when it comes to Saturday's contest but the defender was objective when it came to highlighting the key areas which could prove decisive.

"I played for both teams so I want to see a good game of football with some goals," said Queudrue. ""But I know both teams will not want to concede. I'm going to say I expect it to be a 1-1 draw. It will be a very tricky but interesting game on Saturday and the key battle will be in midfield. Fulham are a good playing side whilst Birmingham are dangerous in possession.

"Fulham haven't travelled that well away from home this season but home advantage may play a part. There's a lot of height in both teams and I think set pieces will be instrumental on Saturday. Fulham are very dangerous from set piece moves but Birmingham have the likes of Liam Ridgewell, Roger Johnson and Nikola Zigic. What I will say is that you have to work for everything against them [Birmingham City]. If Fulham want the three points they're going to have to work hard because Birmingham won't give it away."



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/November/FranckQueudrue.aspx?#ixzz16OzH1YrP

[WhiteJC]

http://www.soccerway.com/news/2010/November/26/fulham-face-striker-shortfall/?

Fulham face striker shortfall

Fulham must take on Birmingham City on Saturday amid a striker shortage after Andrew Johnson picked up a hamstring problem.

Mark Hughes is already without first-choice forwards Bobby Zamora and Mousa Dembele, while Johnson, only just back from a 14-month injury lay-off, is now doubtful for the clash at Craven Cottage.

But Hughes is refusing to use his lack of strikers as an excuse.

"We have struggled obviously with injuries to key forward players," Hughes said.

"We are likely to be without Andy Johnson so that has compounded that situation. But we'll make the best of it. A lot of teams have injuries."

"Johnson has a bit of irritation at the bottom of his hamstring. We have to be careful with him obviously because he's had two back to back games after a long time out so we don't want to compromise him and we're erring on the side of safety. Dembele will be another two weeks."

Hughes, who took over in the off-season, enjoyed a solid start to life at Craven Cottage and stayed unbeaten for his first seven games in charge.

But, since their home defeat to Tottenham on October 16, Fulham's season has gone sour.

They currently sit one place above the relegation zone, have only won once in six games and are reeling following a 4-1 thrashing by Manchester City last weekend.

But Hughes is confident his side are ready to put a run together and drag themselves away from trouble.

"The league this year is really tight," Hughes said. "That's the reason it's so compact and a couple of back-to-back wins could shoot you right up the table so that's our intention."

"Birmingham have had a couple of good results and good performances and they will be on a high in that regard so it's not an easy game for us but when is there any easy game in the Premier League?"

"We need to get back to the level we have performed at this season this weekend and there's no reason why we can't do that. The players now have an opportunity to put a few things right that we have discussed that we didn't do at City."

As well as those injuries to Zamora (leg), Dembele (ankle) and Johnson (hamstring), defender Rafik Halliche is still at least a week away because of his thigh injury.