tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82647161391482019332011-07-31T08:20:16.660+01:00Twice As Bitter As Saltsmfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.comBlogger591100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-74114865142588067512011-02-21T08:14:00.000Z2011-02-21T08:14:21.759Z

Just got back from a funeral. It was a sad day. The departed was the once beautiful game of football. The pall-bearers were Bolton Wanderers FC. The service was conducted by the Reverend Stuart Atwell. Many of us witnessed the murder, watched the agonising death drawn-out over several seasons. The police may be getting involved. The F.A. are not helping them with their enquiries.

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-58389554534826168492010-04-26T08:34:00.002+01:002010-04-26T16:41:56.062+01:00

What mystery is this? Has Mr. Al Fayed, eager to find a new source of revenue, begun drilling for oil in the sedimentary rock deep beneath the London clay? Are barrels of 'Egyptian Crude' about to become a hot commodity on the international financial markets? Whatever the explanation, this curious rig has recently appeared a few metres west of Putney Bridge.

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-79393239924214598142010-04-20T07:18:00.001+01:002010-04-20T07:20:39.140+01:00

Following a heartening aggregate victory over Wolfsburg in the Europa League, the lupine theme continued with the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers, two cities that are, unfortunately, not twinned with each other. A missed opportunity by the respective city’s elders, I fear. The heat of the sun, and a common triumphing over relegation, engendered a suffocating ambience, with both teams slow to

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-82175709747500856182010-04-13T14:20:00.001+01:002010-04-14T10:09:03.719+01:00

It is evident that Liverpool’s squad is superior to Fulham’s, in both ability and market value. No debate is required on this. However, at Anfield they were resolutely equal on goals scored, and points taken. Statistically speaking, Liverpool dominated this game. They had 65% of the possession, compared to Fulham’s 35%, and a similar territorial dominance of 66% to 34%. They had 17 shots and 10

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-86119382978017546522010-04-08T09:59:00.002+01:002010-04-08T10:51:44.862+01:00

What a queer compote of the sacred and the profane ITV’s coverage of the Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich game served up last night. It began with a hushed, awe-struck, announcement that not only had Mr. Wayne Rooney been delivered from physio purgatory into the squad, but - saints preserve us! - he would be starting the game. What trickery was this? What elusive, mystical manoeuvrings had

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-64222017124183439732010-04-05T11:05:00.002+01:002010-04-12T09:13:20.979+01:00

This was a curiously airless encounter. One that began to peter out from the first whistle, and to leech from the memory soon after the final one. Gulls hung above the Riverside stand, off-white against the grey clouds drifting through the sunshine. There was only sporadic chanting from the sub-capacity crowd, many of whom were more captivated by their smart phones. In the pockets of silence,

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-23274412315307357002010-03-22T17:46:00.001Z2010-03-22T20:53:11.664Z

Sometimes, no matter how strong the desire, the body will not respond. In an understandable slump between the climactic night of passion against Juventus last Thursday, and burgeoning mental preparations for Wednesday’s FA Cup Quarter-Final replay against Spurs, Fulham, trapped within a kind of footballing refractory period, could not perform here. Only two changes were made (Murphy for Kelly;

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-30818264207470982762010-03-19T18:10:00.003Z2010-03-22T17:47:21.296Z

Mr. Paul Doleman, proprietor of the Manchester City blog, Bert Trautmann's Neck, recently invited me to dilate on Fulham, and their imminent rendezvous with his beloved team. Part One is here. And Part Two is here.

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-86307860301764585732010-03-19T11:31:00.003Z2010-03-19T13:48:17.227Z

Just as the analysis of a joke kills it, robs it of its essence, and ultimately suffocates its humour, so I hesitate to dissect this extraordinary game. I want to enshrine the totality of last night in my mind, to indemnify the texture of the events that infused the concrete details. Multiple, dispassionate, play-by-play breakdowns are available out there, no doubt. But I don’t wish to lay the

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-88467456944094713592010-03-16T13:01:00.010Z2010-03-22T15:11:51.521Z

Tactically, the constant search for an effective harmony between individuality and team ethics creates an engaging tension. Blending flair with pragmatism is an elusive alchemy. This can be seen in the non-footballing elements of players' behaviour as well. They clearly want or need to be recognised as individuals, but are inescapably bound to their teammates. Hence, a player makes a personal

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-42588642208934551232009-10-15T22:46:00.014+01:002010-03-16T15:29:51.657Z

Craven Cottage, London. 13th October, 2009.

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-50549471465919990722009-09-30T09:16:00.006+01:002010-03-16T14:00:04.169Z

In his book, Sum, David Eagleman offers an array of different scenarios describing what might await us in the afterlife (should there be one). In the first, he suggests that after death we might immediately begin to re-live the life that has just ended, but this time around all common activities would be grouped together and experienced in discrete blocks. Hence, we would enjoy our entire life

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-5779941310587831092009-09-24T12:26:00.005+01:002010-03-16T13:52:39.744Z

Against Wolves last Sunday, Fulham contrived another depressingly anaemic performance. Being organised is honourable, but at times the players displayed the desire of automatons. Roy’s robots. And, having been excused Europa League exertions, they were unable to blame Trans-Europe excess for the lack of both craft and work that they were guilty of. It was heartening, at least, when Roy Hodgson

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-19611950723611228162009-09-18T09:16:00.009+01:002010-03-21T19:11:10.888Z

With only 2 of the starters from Sunday’s Premiership victory over Everton lining up tonight, Hodgson’s approach to Fulham’s European “adventure” could be interpreted in one of two ways: it is a liability that, subverting form, has the potential to degrade the team’s Premier League status, and thus an early exit would not be mourned; or, it is an ideal opportunity to exercise squad and academy

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-45214760324606288652009-09-16T09:12:00.013+01:002010-03-16T14:05:29.364Z

Fulham’s displays to date ensured that any expectations for this game were replaced by a curious ambivalence. With the demands of the Europa League already, apparently, exerting a deadening effect upon form, attempting predictions was a slippery pursuit. Should we anticipate another anaemic, under-powered display, the team lethargic and strangely lacking in belief or commitment? Or will the side

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-48719940744732500592009-09-10T07:38:00.010+01:002010-03-16T14:06:15.758Z

Seen on the platform of a train station on the outskirts of Paris. My only explanation is that it happened to be the East End of the city...

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-91732216935713849092009-06-25T10:09:00.011+01:002010-03-16T14:07:10.607Z

This is the facade of the Johnny Haynes Stand as of last Sunday, 21st June, enjoying a refreshing avocado face pack. It's unclear if this the beginning of the proposed corporate boxes, or merely cosmetic work...

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-32788706383360425592009-06-25T09:57:00.005+01:002010-03-16T14:08:19.203Z

I currently have a selection of Fulham Prints (together with other themes) for sale, in a range of sizes, at my site: www.photobox.co.uk/sm15 The images are also available as jigsaws, fridge magnets, t-shirts etc., ideal if you're after a small gift for a Fulham-following friend. If you find nothing suitable at the moment, please return regularly as I will be adding new images all the time. (

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-23499207831895768662009-06-23T16:39:00.005+01:002010-03-16T14:11:41.987Z

Life is all about endings and beginnings; this is about two endings with a beginning in between. In 2007-08, Fulham ended the season 17th in the Premier League with 36 points. They escaped 18th position via goal difference. In 2008-09, Fulham ended the season 7th in the Premier League with 53 points. A number of club records were surpassed. So, what spawned this revision? What elusive alchemy

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-45402795650816934672009-04-08T08:47:00.008+01:002010-03-16T14:13:04.992Z

I have been drunk many times this season. More times than I had planned. Considering that last season I was virtually teetotal, it's a worrying trend. Encouragingly though, I have yet to resort to drinking alone. I only indulge in company. Good company. My mistake lies in continually underestimating the potency of the mixture before me. Several times, supping nonchalantly from what I consider

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-75110360039093214432009-02-09T13:51:00.007Z2010-03-16T14:14:00.768Z

Scoring goals is an evanescent delight. Most of the forward player’s playing time must therefore amount to something of a prolonged refractory period, begetting increasing frustration. When those interludes of enforced goal-scoring celibacy begin to stretch to games, and then tens of games, one can understand the impotent striker feeling like he’s gatecrashed a party and neglected to bring a

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-49759362512301480282008-12-14T11:04:00.004Z2010-03-08T13:44:53.328Z

As the January transfer window approaches, many Fulham supporters are beginning to twitch as rumours that Jimmy Bullard and Brede Hangeland may be departing gradually increase. This momentum is illusory however, and merely results from a ‘story’ being cribbed by one journalist from another as it gets peddled around the various media outlets, morphing the details through rewrites like a game of

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-71653975178497348972008-11-13T09:08:00.006Z2010-03-08T13:50:43.319Z

Roy Hodgson shares many traits with Arsene Wenger, and in recent weeks they’ve articulated remarkably similar footballing world-views. They both suggest a scholarly erudition, a measured and methodological manner informed, one imagines, by daunting text books and technical seminars. Worldly-wise and reasoned, they could both be distinguished emeritus professors crafting one last thesis. Wenger

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-29414817707874646512008-10-31T18:54:00.006Z2010-03-08T13:50:43.319Z

When Fulham won three consecutive away games at the end of last season – the first, against Reading, breaking an 18-month run without a victory away from Craven Cottage – it looked as though that particular demon had been exquisitely skewered. However, with 4 away losses out of 4 this season, and an all-too-familiar infirmity being displayed, it was beginning to look as though this ghost of

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-78909243138105989262008-10-14T09:10:00.002+01:002008-10-14T14:32:07.529+01:00

Like bluebottles buzzing around an appetising morsel, a swarm of articles about the prospective sale of Jimmy Bullard in January has emerged from between the pages of the recent press and no amount of batting away with irate backhands appears able to dispel them.All of these tales appear to be inspired by the fact the Roy Hodgson declined to renew Bullard’s contract at the start of the season.But

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-75274586605592614522008-10-09T12:23:00.008+01:002010-03-08T13:45:23.408Z

Humans crave certainty. We don’t like doubt and ambiguity. Not in important matters anyhow. And it’s a prevailing paradox that even football supporters, acolytes of a game ignited from within by it’s very unpredictability, are desperate to know how a season will play out, even in it’s preliminary stages. It’s the natural tendency of the brain to organise, to categorise, to make sense of

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-18790035373969699342008-06-09T13:51:00.002+01:002010-03-08T13:49:18.955Z

A fascinating insight, courtesy of the East London Guardian series of publications, on how multi-million pound premiership transfers are conducted these days. According to said publication, West Ham are to make a bid for Fulham’s Jimmy Bullard having apparently been alerted to his availability by a rather hopeful little paragraph in the Sunday People. The same paper that earlier in the year

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-19074196978813628582008-06-05T15:54:00.000+01:002008-06-05T15:55:08.024+01:00

So, Mark Hughes joins Manchester City as manager. Predictably, he is photographed holding up a City shirt bearing his name. It’s a fairly typical sight for a fresh signatory, but Hughes hasn’t been employed as a player-manager, so will never actually wear one of his team’s shirts. Indulging the conceit that there are people who don’t know his identity, wouldn’t it would have been more accurate to

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-59212039872755574882008-05-22T10:52:00.004+01:002010-03-16T14:16:11.986Z

Expecting little anyway, I only watched the first half of the Champions League Final last night. Up until Manchester United scored it was, to quote Katie Hopkins, “dull, dull, dull”. So, come 9.00 I switched over to watch the programme that showcased the scheming harpy’s poisonous manoeuvrings: The Apprentice. I know I was only exchanging one bunch of arch-egotists with inflated ideas of their

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-74768391819707855422008-05-03T07:08:00.004+01:002010-03-08T13:50:43.319Z

On a day like today, here are some thoughts that inspire whilst at the same time providing some context.Don't be embarrassed if you feel a few tears forming, for this encapsulates exactly why, if today is to be Brian's final appearance at Craven Cottage, he will never be forgotten.

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-42070801492957623562008-04-20T13:42:00.006+01:002010-03-08T13:49:18.955Z

The Work section of last Saturday’s Guardian carried a profile of Nigel Reo-Coker, a professional footballer with Aston Villa.He comes across as a dedicated, somewhat intense, fellow who appreciates the rewards of his profession, and acknowledges that he leads “a very privileged life.”He describes his typical ‘working’ week:Monday: A “warm-down training session. You’d probably be out there on the

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-46478610114431697142008-04-08T08:30:00.005+01:002010-03-08T13:49:18.956Z

This beautifully-rendered punch to the solar plexus of the hysterical, self-important, overwrought 'guardians' of world sport, is similar in thrust to my recent lament about football stadia. It deserves to be read by everyone concerned about the rampant hi-jacking of sporting events for marketing, moralising, and general middle-class arsing around.

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-64759696799179367252008-03-31T14:45:00.004+01:002008-03-31T14:53:42.552+01:00

My rather inarticulate ejaculation below managed to arouse a brief exchange over at Mr. Rich's Craven Lounge. I'd like to take the liberty of quoting a line from one the comments, as it encapsulates my wayward thoughts with a delightfully unapolegetic thrust. Thank you, JamieR:"Part of me is looking forward to being in a league where perhaps football is seen more for what, 90% of the time, it is:

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-46313834939207913152008-03-30T09:10:00.001+01:002010-03-08T13:49:18.956Z

An off-the-shelf corrugated shortbread tin, with a building society and a Starbucks coffee outlet embedded.It could have been Middlesbrough; could have been Middlesbrough’s stewards. It could have been Leicester. It could have been...A Subway and a Frankie & Benny’s on one side, a Kwik-Fit on the other. All encircled by identical shoebox offices with smoked-glass windows - home to endless ‘data’

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-65713463110587364462008-03-15T09:54:00.002Z2010-03-08T13:33:35.233Z

Converted As in, “Berbatov stepped up and coolly converted the penalty.” A term wilfully appropriated from rugby (as opposed to, presumably, american football), and transplanted with the subtlety of the proverbial ear upon a mouse’s back, onto a footballing incident. Many other sports-based phrases have swum their way, salmon-like, upstream against the tide of good style to seed themselves

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-50838358468815908372008-03-13T10:09:00.010Z2010-03-08T13:49:52.188Z

Over at the esteemed House of Craven t’other day, Mr. Rich was tickling the underbelly of the role of randomness in football.Without sidestepping into an oblique treatise on Brownian Motion, I thought I’d give the screw cap a slight twist and allow a few aerated bubbles of my own to make their bid for freedom. Please consider the impending hiss of escaping gas as an affectionate addendum rather

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-3091440015650807812008-03-04T16:09:00.006Z2010-03-08T13:33:50.539Z

Dispossessed As in, “Titus Bramble has been dispossessed on the edge of his own area.” I always thought that the word dispossessed referred to a class, typically human beings, that were no longer owned, nor taken responsibility for, by the system in question’s patriarchs; for example, a society’s homeless population. Martin Luther King’s reference to “the tired, the poor, the huddled masses...

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-28433061140665497582008-02-27T10:28:00.002Z2010-03-08T13:34:08.376Z

Stonewall As in, “Andy Johnson is not a diver, it was a stonewall penalty.” Stonewall, according to the OED, means “to delay or block by refusing to answer questions or by giving evasive replies.” That doesn’t really fit in with common football usage. Perhaps it’s a covert reference, or subtle tribute, to either the eponymous riots in New York in 1969, or the gay rights group that formed in

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-57914542673824332182008-02-25T11:13:00.003Z2010-03-08T13:34:22.321Z

Game On! As in, “Game On!” Principally used during commentary on matches involving “big” teams, as these are guaranteed to produce higher-quality and more exciting football. This will usually have been confirmed via the preceding weeks’ television build-up. The phrase "Game On!" will be ejaculated, with masculine triumphalism, not upon commencement of the game, nor even when the first goal is

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-8910496883795245872008-02-23T18:56:00.003Z2010-03-08T13:43:36.121Z

A blunt, impotent and tactically bemusing performance saw Fulham surrender meekly to a West Ham side that required little more than a modicum of application and functionality to secure a 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage. The declamatory cry of “every game’s a cup final” appeared merely mock-heroic folly as it dwindled away, consumed by bemused post-match silence, simmering frustration, and no

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-73813821616320859892008-02-22T12:04:00.003Z2010-03-08T13:34:40.486Z

Mazy Run As in, “Giggsy is off on another one of his mazy runs.” Mazy doesn’t appear in the OED. Presumably, it’s being employed here as an adjective to describe something that resembles a maze. Like a run. Via this phrase, then, the commentator is suggesting that the player in question, whilst in possession of the ball (one would hope), appears, by virtue of their non-linear progression, as

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-61080826063906793492008-02-21T10:56:00.004Z2010-03-08T13:34:53.934Z

A toe-dip into the strange argot of the modern-day football commentator. Big Ask As in, “Jamie, can you possibly suppress your familial loyalties for the sake of professional impartiality when conducting your near-forensic level analysis of games involving Super Pompey?” Jamie: “It’s a big ask, Richard.” A surreal notion, this one. Its origin is unknown to me, but it’s presumably a

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-60850031246330314982008-02-03T18:49:00.002Z2010-03-08T13:43:36.122Z

re·viv·al  (r-vvl) n. 1. a. The act or an instance of reviving. b. The condition of being revived. 2. A restoration to use, acceptance, activity, or vigor after a period of obscurity or quiescence. Synonyms: reactivation, rebirth, renaissance, renewal, resurgence, resurrection, resuscitation, revitalisation, revivification *** “I copped one across the bugle, no problem.“ Indeed, a

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-10794311291571400472008-01-19T08:46:00.001Z2010-03-08T13:39:59.690Z

Inspirational, and amusing, piece on Jimmy Bullard in today's Guardian, here. And reports of a hitch with Marlon King's knee, here.

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-58839376028064379662008-01-12T20:25:00.002Z2010-03-08T13:43:36.122Z

Despite Fulham taking an early lead through a Simon Davies free-kick, West Ham’s efficient and industrious team struck back twice to gain a deserved victory at the Boleyn Ground. Jimmy Bullard's last game for Fulham was an away win against Newcastle. He was stretchered off with severe trauma to his knee ligaments that required the skill of a world-leading surgeon to repair. After 15 months of

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-28921488911837923772008-01-06T20:35:00.001Z2010-03-08T13:43:36.122Z

Based on previous cup outings, Fulham made predictably hard work of obtaining a draw with League One side Bristol Rovers, after twice going behind. Before they had even had time to start playing poorly they conceded, their opponents clearly more motivated and alert than they were. Within three minutes, a failed clearance was stabbed at from 6 yards by Coles and deflected past the stranded

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-34934320896840340982008-01-01T17:20:00.001Z2010-03-08T13:43:36.123Z

With Fulham earning a deserved first-half lead from a Danny Murphy penalty, Ray Hodgson had the opportunity to become an instant cult hero as he began his tenure as Fulham manager with a game against local rivals Chelsea. However, it was not be, as Chelsea emerged from the break to overpower a tiring Fulham team, and proceeded to grind out an efficient victory with goals from Kalou and Ballack.

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-45004285975436163602007-12-29T21:50:00.001Z2010-03-08T13:43:36.123Z

Fulham’s tendency this season to always be a goal shy and a half short was again their undoing today as they faced fellow relegation scrappers Birmingham at St. Andrews. Despite securing a well-deserved first-half lead, they once more proved unable to sustain form throughout 90 minutes, and succumbed to the burden of their away record. Indeed, they ended up a player short, frantically battling to

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-89915713935066365942007-12-28T16:43:00.001Z2010-03-08T13:40:18.168Z

Step forward, Roy Hodgson. For the uninitiated, Wikipedia summary here. And an encouraging piece from Saturday's Guardian here, that includes reference to his ability to instil "discipline, defensive resolve and a team ethic." Double portions please, Mr. Hodgson.

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-32849312261631772962007-12-26T20:16:00.001Z2010-03-08T13:43:36.123Z

With his tenure at still less than a week in length, this was Ray Lewington’s second game as caretaker manager of Fulham, and it showcased further evidence of his attempts to rehabilitate his team as a passing side. However, a combination of attacking impotence and a porous defence, allowed Spurs to nullify his efforts with ease. Line-Up and Formation Changes The starting line-up revealed

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-79401182801557075022007-12-23T11:03:00.001Z2010-03-08T13:49:52.188Z

There’s little to be gained from turning the earth on a grave once someone has been buried, but here are a few sources that provide some illumination upon life under Fulham's former manager. The first is drawn from comments in today’s Observer newspaper – I’ll allow you to be the judge of their credibility - and the second is a transcript of Clint Dempsey’s post-match interview with the BBC.

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-3670968946172365552007-12-22T19:23:00.001Z2010-03-08T13:43:36.124Z

Fulham’s first game under caretaker manager Ray Lewington saw them fight back to earn a draw against Wigan after a dominant first half had failed to yield any rewards. Despite the creation of a slew of early chances, it was left to Clint Dempsey to equalise with his 5th goal of the season, after Marcus Bent had put the visitors in front. A New Beginning The departure on Friday of Lawrie Sanchez

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-42228048972965389132007-12-18T10:54:00.000Z2010-03-08T13:44:24.400Z

2001-2004Steed Malbranque2004-2007Papa Bouba Diop2007-?Shefki Kuqi

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-28011912079669110532007-12-15T21:53:00.001Z2010-03-08T13:43:36.124Z

After an insipid first half of football, Fulham’s improved application after the break was undone by a 90th minute Newcastle penalty, and condemned them to the relegation zone. A “winnable” game? Before this match, Lawrie Sanchez had earmarked it, and the 3 games to follow (Wigan at home, Spurs and Birmingham away) as “winnable”. He hoped that the points acquired from the Christmas spell would

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-66624548854635613302007-12-04T22:14:00.002Z2010-03-08T13:43:36.125Z

This game was most notable for showcasing the continuing rehabilitation of Moritz Volz for Fulham, and Ledley King for Spurs. King was instantly recognisable by virtue of his physique, being one of several imposing Spurs players on show, compared to the comparatively small stature of the Fulham team: only Leijer carrying any kind of physical presence. The quality of play was dubious in the

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-49087921570181924062007-11-27T09:18:00.001Z2010-03-08T13:49:52.188Z

The riddle of Diomansy Kamara continues to convolute. Against Blackburn on Sunday he spawned perhaps his most infuriating performance so far. He has had adequate time to “acclimatise”, to “gel”, and to “find his feet”. What he has failed to thus far, is “click.” At Sunday’s game there was a conspicuous sense of patience running out amongst the Fulham supporters. He does not appear to be a

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-81342439586098701872007-11-26T10:36:00.001Z2010-03-08T13:43:36.125Z

Recently, Fulham have become somewhat notorious for their custom of conceding goals in the last 10 minutes of matches, together with the fact that their half-time scores alone would place them at the top of the Premier League table. The more generous observers attending this game at Craven Cottage might therefore deem congratulations in order, as Lawrie Sanchez’s team successfully avoided adding

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-72728358084676276742007-11-24T10:49:00.001Z2010-03-08T13:41:02.154Z

Today's edition of The Guardian carries a candid and rather moving feature on Clint Dempsey. It can be found here. Please take a look.

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8264716139148201933.post-50693397499450828332007-11-20T12:25:00.001Z2010-03-08T13:49:52.189Z

When Lawrie Sanchez first joined Fulham, he suggested that Reading and Blackburn were potential role models for his team. Mindful of the resources he had at hand, this seemed a sensible and logical approach. Both of these teams had achieved decent finishes (Reading 8th, in their first post-promotion season; Blackburn 10th), despite having limited funding and an absence of “name” players. As such,

smfifteenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468550163136140715noreply@blogger.com0