Friday Fulham Stuff (11.02.11)

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1356006/Fulham-v-CHELSEA-David-Luiz-make-debut-Carlo-Ancelotti-keeping-faith-forwards.html?

Fulham v CHELSEA: David Luiz to make debut with Carlo Ancelotti keeping faith in three forwards

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed £25million signing David Luiz will be given his first start for the club at Fulham on Monday.

Centre-back Luiz is expected to come in for Jose Bosingwa, who has a knock, with Branislav Ivanovic moving to right-back.

In attack, the Italian looks set to persevere with a front three of £50million former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

Team (from): Cech, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Terry, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cole, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Ramires, McEachran, Kalou, Malouda, Torres, Anelka, Drogba, Turnbull.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1356006/Fulham-v-CHELSEA-David-Luiz-make-debut-Carlo-Ancelotti-keeping-faith-forwards.html#ixzz1DfEgQZb1

[WhiteJC]

http://www.twtd.co.uk/news.php?storyid=17899

U18s at Fulham

Town's U18s are in action at Fulham's Motspur Park training ground on Saturday morning (KO 11am). The young Blues will be looking to complete a quick double over the Cottagers having beaten them 3-2 at Playford Road only a fortnight ago.

On that occasion defender Josh Meekings (pictured), Northern Irish U19 international midfielder Cormac Burke and Welsh U17 international striker Jack Simmons were on the scoresheet, and all three are in tomorrow's squad.

Fulham's website warns that "access to U18 and U16 home games is only on production of a valid season ticket or membership card".

U18s: Cody Cropper, Callum Bennett, Joe Whight, Aaron Jones, Josh Meekings, Tom Winter, Elliot Scotcher, Cormac Burke, Josh Carson, Carel Tiofack, Jide Maduako, Conor O'Donnell, Lewis Acott, Byron Lawrence, Jack Simmons.

[WhiteJC]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/11022011/58/premier-league-matchpack-fulham-v-chelsea.html?

Premier League - Matchpack: Fulham v Chelsea

TEAM NEWS
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed £25million signing David Luiz will be given his first start for the club.

Centre-back Luiz is expected to come in for Jose Bosingwa, who has a knock, with Branislav Ivanovic moving to right-back.

In attack, the Italian looks set to persevere with a front three of £50million former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

Fulham's Eidur Gudjohnsen could make his first start for the Cottagers.

The Iceland striker made his Cottagers debut as a late substitute in the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa and will be pushing for a spot in the first XI against his former club.

Dickson Etuhu (hamstring) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles) are likely to miss out again, while Bobby Zamora is still two to three weeks away from fitness after recovering from a broken leg.

MATCH FACTS
39% of Fulham's goals this season have been headers, the highest percentage in the top flight.

Clint Dempsey has scored four goals in his last six Premier League appearances.

Fulham are the only team in the Premier League who have not earned a red card in the Premier League this season.

Fulham have won their last three Premier League home matches without conceding a goal.

Chelsea have scored four goals in each of their last two Premier League away games.

The Blues have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine Premier League games on the road.

Didier Drogba has scored in three of the last four Premier League games against Fulham
Four of the last five goals Fulham have scored against Chelsea in the Premier League have been netted in the opening 10 minutes of matches.

Drogba has fired in 39 shots on target this season, more than any other player in the Premier League.

Fulham have picked up just one point from six London derbies this season.

ODDS
Fulham 4/1, Draw 13/5, Chelsea 8/11
PA Sport / Opta

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/LucozadeFansFive.aspx?

Lucozade Fans Five

Lucozade have begun their search for the country's most dedicated Premier League football fans. Working closely with Premier League clubs, they're giving you the opportunity to prove your passion and represent your club by pulling on the shirt at Stamford Bridge. It's not about your skill and footballing talent, just die-hard support and commitment to the club you love.

To enter Lucozade Fans Fives, you'll need to find a few other supporters to make up your team, head over to www.lucozade.com/fansfives and be ready to demonstrate your dedication. If your application is successful you'll be invited to take part in a Facebook 'fan-off', in which you'll battle it out to prove once and for all who is the most committed.

If your team emerges victorious you'll be in for an unforgettable experience; a VIP trip to Stamford Bridge to do battle in a 5-a-side tournament against the finest fans of other Premier League clubs. After the game, win or lose, you'll get to experience some of the finest hospitality around and stay in a London hotel.

Think that you and your mates have what it takes to prevail in the ultimate test of commitment to your club? Prove it at www.lucozade.com/fansfives. 

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/LucozadeFansFive.aspx?#ixzz1DfFmlhtv

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=231547

Fulham - Double-Digit Dempsey?
Though we certainly have a long way to go, it can be said that most Fulham fans are breathing a sigh of relief with our recent good-form elevating us to 12th in the Premier League table.

This is due to improved tactics from Mark Hughes, a better overall effort from the squad as a whole, but most significantly to a return to health and form of Andrew Johnson and Damien Duff; both of whom have scored in recent weeks.

It's timely productivity from the two veterans, indeed, as Clint Dempsey's nine goals have accounted for a third of our PL goals this season (27 scored by Fulham squad; 1 Scott Carson OG).

Brede Hangeland sits second on the teams in League scoring with three. When one of your central defenders is second on your squad in scoring this late in the season, it is quite revealing.

To say that Dempsey has carried the squad this season is a bit of an overstatement, but you can't dismiss the fact that he has shouldered the goal-scoring load for us.

To most (myself included), this highlights a glaring weakness in the squad, but the return to form of Andrew Johnson and Damien Duff, the signing of Steve Sidwell and Gael Kakuta, and the impending return of Bobby Zamora will hopefully see an overall increase in scoring and a greater contribution from other members of the squad.

Depending on one player for most of your scoring is just asking for trouble; especially this season as parity reigns and more than half the clubs not yet safe from the drop. That being said, as long as we keep winning, who cares from whom the goals come, right?

One more goal will see Dempsey reach double-digits in Premier League scoring. No big deal, right? Well, it is for Fulham. We've not had a double-digit Premier League scorer since Collins John (11) and Brian McBride (10) in the 2005/06 season.

Most of the larger clubs will laugh at us for heralding such a feat, but for us it's significant and worthy of applause. Let's hope Dempsey reaches double-digits on Monday versus Chelsea while helping us claim three-points from our West London rivals for the first time since March 2006.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=231547#ixzz1DfeqQxRj

[WhiteJC]

http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/dans-the-man-and-will-be-for-a-few-more-years?

Dan's the man – and will be for a few more years
Mark Hughes puts his faith in midfielder veteran Danny Murphy

Fulham boss Mark Hughes believes the contract extension veteran Danny Murphy recently signed will not be his last.

Hughes was delighted when 33-year-old former Liverpool midfielder Murphy signed a new deal to keep him at Craven Cottage until summer 2012.

And the Cottagers' chief is in no doubt that, because of the former England man's dedication and fitness, he should be still around looking to stay on beyond 18 months' time.

On Murphy, who joined Fulham in 2007 after a failed switch to Tottenham, Hughes told the club's website: "He's a fit guy and looks after himself, which is really important.

"As you get older you understand your body more than you possibly did as a young player. You know what you can do and what you can't do.

"Danny has that knowledge of what he needs to do, in terms of preparation and recovery, and I'm sure that will add to the longevity of his career."

[White Noise]

http://www.fsf.org.uk/news/Fans-travel-an-average-1,970-miles-a-season.php?id=


Fans travel an average 1,970 miles a season


11th February 2011


Football fans are going the distance in support of their team - and it's an average 1,970 miles a season for domestic games across the Premier League and Football League, according to Virgin Money's Football Fans' Inflation Index.

The most miles a season are clocked up by West Bromwich Albion fans who claim to put in 3,290 miles a season going to league matches - an average of 86 miles for every Premier League game beating the 2,471 miles - or 65 miles a game - clocked up at Manchester City. Across the city Manchester United fans put in 2,238 miles a season or 58 miles a game.

Premier League fans travel an average 1,920 miles a season compared with 1,854 miles a season in the Championship and 2,072 miles a season in Football Leagues 1 and 2. That works out at 52 miles a league game in the Premier League, 45 miles a game in Football Leagues 1 and 2 and 42 miles a game in the Championship.

The research - which showed fans travelled 1,899 miles a season in 2009 and 2,031 miles in 2008 - underlines the expense of attending matches as outlined by Virgin Money's Football Fans' Inflation Index. It shows the average match day cost for fans is now £101.67 after a 4.2% rise in the past three months with the increase being driven by costs outside the clubs' control, including petrol and train tickets.

Virgin Money say football clubs have cut costs –  with average ticket prices across all divisions said to be £24.32 while replica shirt costs have dropped to £32.54 - but petrol prices are at near record highs, while rail ticket prices also continue to rise. The average distance travelled by fans doesn't tell the whole story - Virgin's research with the Football Supporters' Federation shows 15% of fans travel more than 4,000 miles a season and a hardcore 4% put in more than 10,000 miles a season.

Grant Bather, spokesman for Virgin Money, said: "Football fans literally do go the extra mile supporting their club and it's good to see that clubs are doing what they can to keep costs down. But travelling to games is a major cost for fans whether it is in a car or on trains. When you add in the travel problems the whole country has suffered in the snow, it's impressive that supporters clock up as many miles a season as they do and that's without counting in any European travel."

Malcolm Clarke, chair of the FSF, commented: "These travel figures show the incredible commitment of match-going fans in supporting their teams - a commitment which is essential not only for the live game but for the television product as well. With both fuel prices and rail fares recently rising to unprecedented levels, it will become even harder for fans to maintain this commitment, and clubs should recognise this in their ticket pricing policies."

PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB - AVERAGE MILES TRAVELLED PER SEASON

West Brom - 3,290 miles
Manchester City - 2,471 miles
Chelsea - 2,416 miles
Liverpool - 2,262 miles
Manchester United - 2,238 miles
Newcastle United - 2,234 miles
Sunderland - 2,161 miles
Wolves - 2,071 miles
Everton - 2,048 miles
Blackpool - 2,021 miles
West Ham United - 1,837 miles
Tottenham Hotspur - 1,722 miles
Arsenal - 1,662 miles
Stoke City - 1,636 miles
Aston Villa - 1,567 miles
Birmingham City - 1,483 miles
Fulham - 1,344 miles
Wigan Athletic - 1,323 miles
Bolton Wanderers - 1,323 miles
Blackburn - Rovers 1,312 miles

The Virgin Money Football Fans' Inflation Index, which measures the match day costs, shows the average price of going to a live game is now a hefty £101.67 compared with £97.50 in August 2010 but still below the high of October 2008 when it hit £106.21. The match day costs include a pint of lager, a match ticket, a replica shirt, and a match programme as well as some travel expenses.

Virgin Money's Football Fans' Index has tracked the cost of football since January 2006 and is aimed at helping supporters keep track of the rises and falls in the costs of supporting their team. The company identified the match day essentials fans buy and keeps tabs on increases and decreases. At the launch of the index in 2006, the so-called "match day basket" cost £77.95.  However the most recent analysis puts the cost at £101.67 - a rise of £23.72 since 2006.

The figures are taken from a survey carried out by the FSF between 30th November and 15th December 2010 which questioned 4,150 football fans.

[White Noise]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/11/squad-sheets-fulham-chelsea



Squad sheets: Fulham v Chelsea


guardian.co.uk, Friday 11 February 2011 17.46


This time last week, Chelsea were crowing after spending £76.5m to sign David Luiz and Fernando Torres from Benfica and Liverpool respectively. Then came last Sunday's visit of Liverpool, a 1-0 home defeat and a horrendous debut for Torres against his old club – proof, perhaps, that accommodating the Spaniard alongside Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka in the srtating lineup will not be easy for Chelsea's manager. With Fulham enjoying a fine run of form, Ancelotti must discover a solution sooner rather than later. Jacob Steinberg

Venue Craven Cottage, Monday 8pm

Tickets Sold out

Last season Fulham 0 Chelsea 2

Referee Mike Dean

This season's matches 20 Y75, R2, 3.85 cards per game

Odds Fulham 4-1 Chelsea 4-5 Draw 11-1


Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic

Fulham
Subs from Etheridge, Stockdale, Kelly, Salcido, Riise, Halliche, Greening, Gudjohnsen, Etuhu, Gera, Dikgacoi, Kamara, A Johnsen, Dalla Valle

Doubtful Etuhu (hamstring)

Injured Briggs (hamstring, 20 Feb), Senderos (achilles, 20 Feb), Zamora (match fitness, 27 Feb)

Suspended None

Ineligible Kakuta (terms of loan)

Form guide DWLWDW

Disciplinary record Y30 R0

Leading scorer Dempsey 9

Chelsea
Subs from Hilário, Turnbull, Bruma, David Luiz, Ramires, Mikel, Ferreira, Kalou, Borini, McEachran

Doubtful Bosingwa (unknown)

Injured Alex (knee, 19 Feb), Benayoun (achilles, Apr), Zhirkov (calf, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide LWWWLD

Disciplinary record Y36 R1

Leading scorers Drogba, Malouda 9

Match pointers
• Fulham have won only one of their past 15 meetings with Chelsea at Craven Cottage in all competitions


• Chelsea have the most woodwork strikes this season (13) while Fulham have the fewest (one)


• Fulham have picked up one point from six London derbies this season


• Chelsea have kept one clean sheet in their past nine Premier League matches away from home


• 39% of Fulham's goals this season have been headers – the highest proportion in the top flight

[White Noise]

Ancelotti: Luiz will start against Fulham

Published 17:25 11/02/11


By MirrorFootball



Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed £25million signing David Luiz will be given his first start for the club at Fulham on Monday.

Centre-back Luiz is expected to come in for Jose Bosingwa, who has a knock, with Branislav Ivanovic moving to right-back.

In attack, the Italian looks set to persevere with a front three of £50million former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

Team (from): Cech, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Terry, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cole, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Ramires, McEachran, Kalou, Malouda, Torres, Anelka, Drogba, Turnbull.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-Chelsea-team-news-Luiz-to-start-after-Bosingwa-suffers-knock-Torres-Drogba-Anelka-will-play-up-front-again-article695253.html#ixzz1DgGVBUFa

[White Noise]

Gudjohnsen set for Fulham start against Chelsea

Published 17:25 11/02/11


By MirrorFootball




Eidur Gudjohnsen could make his first Fulham start in the Barclays Premier League match against Chelsea on Monday.

The Iceland striker made his Cottagers debut as a late substitute in the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa and will be pushing for a spot in the first XI against his former club.

Dickson Etuhu (hamstring) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles) are likely to miss out again, while Bobby Zamora is still two to three weeks away from fitness after recovering from a broken leg.

Provisional squad: Schwarzer, Stockdale, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Baird, Briggs, Davies, Riise, Murphy, Sidwell, Duff, Dempsey, Gudjohnsen, Kakuta, Kamara, Gera, Dembele, Salcido, Greening, Johnson, Halliche.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-Chelsea-team-news-Gudjohnsen-could-make-first-Fulham-start-against-Chelsea-but-Zamora-Etuhu-Senderos-still-out-article694999.html#ixzz1DgHEBIG4

[White Noise]

http://www.sportingpreview.com/matches/10112027.php


FULHAM v STOKE



BIG MATCH STATS AND FACTS


SportingPreview.com: 11 February 2011


Clint Dempsey has scored four goals in his last six Premier League appearances.

• Fulham are the only team in the Premier League who have not earned a red card in the Premier League this season.

• Fulham have won their last three Premier League home matches without conceding a goal.

• Fulham have beaten Chelsea just once in the last 28 league and cup meetings, spanning 31 years. That solitary success was 1-0 at Craven Cottage in March 2006, when Luis Boa Morte got the only goal.

• Didier Drogba has scored in three of his last four Premier League games against Fulham.

• Chelsea have scored four goals in each of their last two Premier League away games.

• The Blues have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine Premier League games on the road.

• Didier Drogba has scored in three of the last four Premier League games against Fulham.

• Four of the last five goals Fulham have scored against Chelsea in the Premier League have been netted in the opening 10 minutes of matches.

• Fulham have picked up just one point from six London derbies this season.

• Fulham have won their last three Premier League home matches without conceding a goal.

• The Cottagers have picked up just one point from six London derbies this season.

• They are the only team in the Premier League who have not earned a red card in the Premier League this season.

• The next goal Chelsea score will be their 150th in the Premier League under Carlo Ancelotti.

• The Blues have kept only one clean sheet in their last nine Premier League away games.

• Branislav Ivanovic will be hoping to celebrate his new contract with his 100th appearance for the club.