Fulham Players Out on Loan

The weekend round-up:


"Ryan Williams was on target but Oxford United’s automatic promotion hopes suffered a setback after a 2-1 defeat at home to Burton Albion in Sky Bet League Two on Saturday. Dominic Knowles put Burton ahead in the 10th minute and Zeli Ismail doubled their lead on 26. United keeper Ryan Clarke then saved a Billy Kee penalty before Williams converted David Connolly's throughball on 52 to give Oxford hope. Burton held on, though, and Oxford are now six points off the top three in sixth place.


Elsewhere in League Two, Marcus Bettinelli helped 10-man Accrington Stanley to a 3-1 win over table-topping Chesterfield. Lee Molyneux found the net with a low free-kick in the fourth minute before scoring from the rebound shortly after when Danny Webber's penalty was saved by Tommy Lee. Peter Murphy was sent off for a bad challenge on Spireites midfielder Dan Gardner before Molyneux made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time.

The visitors pulled one back when Ian Evatt slotted in from close range late on but victory for James Beattie's side moved them six points clear of the relegation zone.


Tom Richards played for just over an hour as AFC Wimbledon lost 1-0 at home to York City thanks to a 41st-minute strike by Michael Coulson. The defeat leaves Neal Ardley’s men in 16th place and eight points off the Play-Off spots.


In Sky Bet League One, Stephen Arthworrey and Tranmere Rovers saw their survival hopes take a blow after a 3-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Stevenage. Jimmy Smith struck first to put the hosts ahead, before second-half goals from Darius Charles and John Mousinho made it 3-0. Curtis Obeng's late own goal proved no more than a consolation as Stevenage moved to within a point of Tranmere in 21st place.


Marcello Trotta was a second-half substitute as Brentford defeated Bradford City 2-0 at home. Clayton Donaldson put the Bees in front just after the hour mark, with Trotta entering the fray soon after. They added a second when Trotta and Alan Judge teed up George Saville whose bobbly shot found the corner in the 76th minute. Trotta saw two late efforts saved as Brentford climbed to within a point of second-placed Leyton Orient.


Jack Grimmer played the full 90 minutes as Port Vale came from behind to beat Carlisle United 2-1 and end a run of three successive defeats. Courtney Meppen-Walter opened the scoring for the visitors on 39 minutes but Ben Williamson levelled after the break and Tom Pope headed the winner as Vale remain 10th.


Larnell Cole played the first half as Milton Keynes Dons won 2-1 at Swindon Town. Trailing to Michael Smith’s first-half effort, Antony Key levelled on 68 and George Baldock struck in injury time to win it for the Dons who jump above Swindon and into seventh place – six points off the Play-Off positions.


In the Dutch Eredivise, Bryan Ruiz was a 77th-minute substitute as PSV Eindhoven climbed up to fourth with a 1-0 win over FC Utrecht after a strike from Jurgen Locadia just after the break."

 

Very pointed that Ryan Tunnicliffe makes no mention of Fulham in this article following his home debut in Wigan’s 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday last night. I’ve posted most of his comments since they reinforce the lad’s character and beg the question why Felix let him go so quickly.


There isn’t much preparation time between Ryan Tunnicliffe’s first 90 minutes for Wigan Athletic and his return to former loan club Ipswich Town, but the combatant midfielder expects everybody in the squad to be ready for a tough test against a side he speaks of fondly.

Last night Tunnicliffe made his first start and first appearance at the DW Stadium for Latics, but he admits focus has quickly turned away from the Sheffield Wednesday victory. “If we beat Ipswich it will show a real statement of intent to the rest of the division. To win three or four games in a row in this league is a difficult achievement, so to win a sixth game in a row will send out a big message.”

Recalling his time at Portman Road and the style of the team, Tunnicliffe added:
“They run, run, run and never give up. They like to run teams off the pitch and they score goals by pressing. During my time there we were one of the fittest teams in the league. My time at Ipswich was great.“


[There’s more about Ipswich in the article - the link is below. Then he turns to Wigan]


“The dressing room is a great place to be right now and I’ve come to the Club at what is clearly a very good time. If you’ve got the targets that this club has got then you all have to be in it together. We’re definitely all pulling in the same direction and it’s visible to everyone with the way we celebrated last night.”

Touching on last night’s win against Sheffield Wednesday, Tunnicliffe said it was a good feeling to make his home debut:

“It was nice to receive a good reception from the supporters, their reaction to the late goal was brilliant and there was a real buzz in the stadium. It was a tough evening, but having a battle on the pitch suits me and I do like a tackle. It felt as though I played well, but I also felt a bit rusty and a bit sloppy in the first 20 minutes. Maybe that’s because I’m playing in a new team and I’m still settling in, but I’m just delighted to get playing and for us to win”

Source: http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/a...k-on-ipswich-1418990.aspx#8qp1XKBuCz0xEFua.99

 

Here’s a quick run down on how the other lads out on loan got on midweek:


Marcello Trotta off the bench on the hourn for Brentford in their 2-0 home win against Tranmere who had Stephen Arthurworrey starting. Brentford continue their push for promotion and are in 3rd spot whereas the defeat drops Trnmere into the bottom four.

Ryan Williams scored in consecutive games to take his season tally to 6. Oxford however were held 1-1 by Cheltenham. Despite dropping points they are still firmly in the play off places in League 2.

Marcus Bettinelli had another clean sheet, as Accrington Stanley and Hartlepool drew 0-0. The point helped Stanley keep their nose just above the relegation places.

Jack Grimmer was an unused substitute for Port Vale who lost 2-0 at home to Leyton Orient

Tom Richards was an unused substitute for AFC Wimbledon who drew 1-1 at home to league leaders Chesterfield.

Larnell Cole is (I think) injured and wasn’t in MK Dons squad.

 

This weekend's round-up, with especially good days for Marcello Trotta and Ryan Tunnicliffe:


Marcello Trotta was the hero for Brentford on Saturday as he hit the only goal in their 1-0 victory over promotion rivals Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road. The Italian hit an accurate first time strike from outside the area in first half stoppage time which had enough power to beat Orient keeper Eldin Jakupovic as it flew inside the post.

Bees centre-back James Tarkowski was then sent off for a second bookable offence early in the second half, and Trotta was the man sacrificed as defender Harlee Dean came on to fill in at the back. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Brentford held on to leapfrog their London rivals into the Sky Bet League One automatic promotion places.


Elsewhere in the division, Stephen Arthurworrey played the full 90 minutes as Tranmere Rovers boosted their survival chances with a 3-2 win at home to bottom of the table Notts County. The visitors took the lead through Ronan Murray, but two goals in quick succession from Jason Koumas and Ryan Lowe put Rovers ahead. Alan Sheehan then missed a penalty as County searched for an equaliser, which did arrive on the hour mark when Sheehan made amends with a fine free-kick. But, with six minutes remaining, Steve Jennings’ long range strike found the back of the net to move his side two points clear of the relegation zone.


The following day, Jack Grimmer played the full game as Port Vale surrendered a two goal lead to draw 2-2 at Coventry City. Doug Loft had put the away side ahead after just 37 seconds and Ben Williamson looked to have wrapped up the points for Micky Adams’ men when he netted on 74 minutes. But Jordan Clarke reduced the deficit in the 81st minute, before an excellent solo goal from Callum Wilson in stoppage time meant the spoils were shared.


In the Championship, Ryan Tunnicliffe enjoyed a triumphant return to Portman Road as Wigan Athletic continued their fine form with a 3-1 win over Ipswich Town. Tommy Smith had put the Tractor Boys in front but strikes from James McClean and Leon Barnett turned the game on its head before half-time, with McClean killing the contest when he hit his second in the 77th minute.


In League Two, Tom Richards replaced the injured Barry Fuller after half an hour as AFC Wimbledon earned a late point at Burton Albion. Prior to Richards’ introduction, Burton had taken the lead through Billy Kee’s penalty, but the Dons snatched a draw when Darren Jones turned in from a corner six minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game.


Meanwhile, Ryan Williams played the entirety of Oxford United’s disappointing 3-0 defeat at league leaders Chesterfield. The Spireites were ahead after just eight minutes when Olly Banks scored from close range, before the division’s Player of the Year Gary Roberts doubled the advantage soon after from the penalty spot. Roberts was on the scoresheet again in the 90th minute, with the defeat leaving the U’s in sixth spot, eight points off the automatic promotion places.


Accrington Stanley were left stunned as Rochdale came from behind to secure a 2-1 win at Spotland. Marcus Bettinelli was in goal for the visitors and he saw teammate Piero Mingoia volley his side into the lead from distance in the 72nd minute. But Rochdale were back on level terms in fortuitous style five minutes later when an attempted clearance hit Matty Lund in the face en route to finding the back of the net. And Lund was on hand again in stoppage time to head home a dramatic winner.


In the Netherlands, Bryan Ruiz played 90 minutes as PSV Eindhoven closed the gap on second placed Vitesse Arnhem in the Eredivisie. PSV took the lead early on when Jurgen Locadia tapped in following a mistake by the goalkeeper, although Vitesse where level when Zakaria Labyad curled home an emphatic equaliser. After half an hour, PSV were awarded a penalty and although Memphis Depay’s spot-kick was saved, the winger headed in when Park-Ji Sung nodded the loose ball back into

 

A couple of the lads were on duty last night -


Ryan Tunnicliffe was a 68th-minute substitute as Wigan Athletic played out a six-goal thriller in a 3-3 draw with Yeovil Town in the Sky Bet Championship on Tuesday night.

Jordi Gomez had a first-half penalty saved before Nick Powell headed the Latics into the lead in the 56th minute when James McArthur steered Callum McManaman’s cross back towards the far post. Tunnicliffe entered the action 12 minutes later ahead of what proved to be a crazy end to the game. Ishmael Miller struck twice on 82 and 85 to put Yeovil in front but McArthur levelled 60 seconds later and a Byron Webster own goal gave Wigan the lead with two minutes remaining. Luke Ayling then bundled in a last-minute equaliser from a Tom Lawrence corner as relegation-threatened Yeovil denied Wigan a ninth straight win in an action-packed finish. The draw leaves Wigan in fifth place in the table.


In Sky Bet League Two, Marcus Bettinelli was in goal as Accrington Stanley eased their relegation fears with a resounding 5-1 thumping of mid-table Morecambe.

Lee Molyneux put Stanley ahead in the fifth minute, with Kal Naismith's penalty making it 2-0 soon after. Dean Winnard's close-range tap-in on 59 minutes increased their lead and defender Tom Aldred's header put the hosts four goals to the good. Padraig Amond bundled in a consolation from a corner with six minutes left, but Molyneux had the final say in injury time.

Stanley are now 15th in the table and six points clear of trouble

 

Trotta on target, again, as was Bryan, again. Here's the full weekend round-up -

Marcello Trotta was on target again at the weekend as Brentford came from behind to defeat Coventry City 3-1 in Sky Bet League One. Callum Wilson gave the Sky Blues the lead from close range early on at Griffin Park, with Alan Judge missing the chance to level soon after when his penalty was saved. The Bees did draw level fairly promptly, though, when Clayton Donaldson poked home, before Trotta fired his side ahead from the edge of the box on 20 minutes. Alan McCormack grabbed a third soon after the restart to establish a two-goal lead that Brentford maintained until the end of the game, with Trotta playing the full 90 minutes of the encounter.


Elsewhere in the division, Fulham teammates Jack Grimmer and Stephen Arthurworrey were on opposite sides as Tranmere Rovers almost fought back to claim a draw at Port Vale.

Vale went three goals up through Tom Pope, Billy Knott and Ben Williamson, but two goals in three minutes from Ash Taylor and Jason Koumas brought Rovers back into the tie, although an equaliser proved elusive. Grimmer was involved for 90 minutes, while Arthurworrey was substituted with quarter of an hour remaining.


In League Two, Marcus Bettinelli was in goal as Accrington Stanley and Plymouth Argyle played out a 1-1 draw at the Store First Stadium. Bettinelli had already denied Reuben Reid once with a good save by the time the striker put the visitors ahead just after the half hour mark, and he was in good form again after the interval when he prevented Conor Hourihane from doubling the away side’s lead. And it proved to be an important save, as Tom Aldred powered in an equaliser for Stanley with less than 10 minutes remaining.


Elsewhere, Tom Richards played 54 minutes of AFC Wimbledon’s thrilling 4-3 win at home to Cheltenham Town. The visitors went two up through Troy Brown and Jermaine McGlashan, but the Dons scored three goals in as many minutes from Danny Hylton (2) and Jake Nicholson, before Jason Taylor levelled almost immediately. It looked set to end all square but Jack Midson won it for the London side deep into injury time when he hit the back of the net from close range.


On Friday, Ryan Williams was withdrawn after just 37 minutes of Oxford United’s match with Hartlepool United after taking a knock on the ankle. The U’s went on to win the game 1-0 courtesy of David Connolly’s 78th minute effort.


In the Eredivisie, Bryan Ruiz scored for PSV Eindhoven as they moved up to second after beating Roda JC 3-1

A composed finish from Jurgen Locadia set the hosts on their way early on, but Roda pulled level when Mitchell Paulissen netted from a tight angle. Ruiz put PSV back in front shortly after the hour mark when he kept his composure to level from close range after his teammates had seen two shots blocked, before Jeffrey Bruma headed in a third on 75 minutes. Ruiz played the full 90 minutes.

 

Bryan loves it in Holland! Shame he didn't do it here! Lightweights.

 

Oh, I can't wait for him to come back and meet Felix. (Rubs hands in anticipation).

 

Most likely won't get the chance. We'll be keen to get rid of him and PSV will want to keep him. He'll be sold before pre-season starts.

 

Ryan Williams came off the bench last night but a dfeat for Oxford sees them slip down the table -


Ryan Williams was a 55th-minute substitute as Oxford United suffered a 3-0 away defeat at Southend United on Monday night in Sky Bet League Two.

The hosts went ahead in the ninth minute when Jamar Loza's cross found former Fulham midfielder Michael Timlin whose miskick was turned in by Will Atkinson. Lee Barnard slotted the second from the penalty spot in the 17th minute after Loza was fouled by Oxford goalkeeper Ryan Clarke.

Williams entered the fray shortly after the restart but Loza made sure of the points for the hosts when he beat two men to score with four minutes remaining.

The result leaves Oxford – under new boss Gary Waddock – in sixth place in the table.

 

Last night's outings:


Brentford suffered a blip in their automatic promotion ambitions in Sky Bet League One on Tuesday when Play-Offs hopefuls Rotherham United earned an impressive 3-0 home win. The in-form Marcello Trotta played 75 minutes for the Bees and could have brought his side level with a low shot that was saved, after Kieran Agard had put the hosts in front from the penalty spot. The same man doubled the advantage, though, seconds before half-time after being sent through by Ben Pringle. And on-loan Newcastle United midfielder Haris Vuckic netted a third at the death to condemn Brentford to a first defeat in six games.


There was no better luck for Jack Grimmer elsewhere in the division as Port Vale suffered a 5-0 defeat at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate. The defender was one of three players taken off at the interval in a tactical reshuffle after City had established a four-goal lead; Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (2), Nyron Nosworthy and Sam Baldock the scorers. Carl Dickinson was then sent off for Vale after the restart, before Baldock grabbed his second and City’s fifth.


Tom Richards enjoyed a more prosperous night’s work in League Two as he played 90 minutes and provided an assist in AFC Wimbledon’s 2-2 draw away at Northampton Town. The 19-year-old delivered a fine cross in the 19th minute for George Francomb who finished well. But the game was turned on its head just before the half-hour mark when Dons striker Jack Midson was adjudged to have handled on the line. Midson was dismissed and Darren Carter converted from the spot, with the same man firing his side in front for what looked like the winning goal in the 79th minute. The London side earned a valuable point deep into stoppage time, though, when Sammy Moore got on the end of Alan Bennett’s cross.


Marcus Bettinelli helped Accrington Stanley to a goalless draw at Dagenham & Redbridge. Both sides had chances to win the game, with Bettinelli called upon several times, making four saves to earn a clean sheet.

 

I think you can take this as a "No" from Bryan:


Ruiz says he decided on the loan switch because he needed to ensure he was playing ahead of this summer's World Cup but he has not ruled out making a return to London for next season. He told Het Nieuwsblad, "Martin Jol, the manager who signed me, was sacked and I asked his successor, Rene Meulensteen, if he still needed me. I was thinking about the World Cup. I had to play, but Meulensteen made me feel as though I wasn't part of his plans."

"I thought I could still help the team, but he had other thoughts - although I still rate him as a manager." Ruiz admits his future remains up in the air but he insists he has no regrets about making the move to Craven Cottage. He added: "Was Fulham the wrong choice? No. My first year was difficult but I played well in my second season. This season the whole team was struggling."

"I still think I am a player built for the Premier League. I can't say that Fulham didn't play the football I prefer, but I can't say the opposite either. But if you are fighting against relegation, sometimes you forget to play football. Then you get typical English football, which suits me less. It was the right decision to join PSV. It is going well and after the World Cup I will weigh up my options. I don't exclude a return to Fulham, as they can still save themselves. London is a fantastic city."

 

Ruiz can stay away... We are paying the price of tourists. Yes Bryan we know that London is a fantastic city and you can visit any time you want! But not under the capacity of a Fulham player!!

 

I still don't think that Ruiz was the problem. We saw enough good stuff from him to see that he could have worked out better. There is an issue over his work rate when we don't have the ball, but he got a lot more flack for that than Berbatov did. If the rest of the team was set up in the right way, with Bryan playing in front of a well matched midfield pairing and behind a hard-working centre forward, he would shine.

That said, from what we've learned about Felix so far, Bryan really doesn't seem like his kind of player, so I'd be surprised to see him back at the club whatever division we're playing in next season.

 

Not a brilliant weekend for the lads out on loan, except for Marcus Bettinelli who kept yet another clean sheet:


Ryan Tunnicliffe returned to Wigan Athletic’s starting XI as the Latics earned a point in an eventful 1-1 draw at Bolton Wanderers in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday. The hosts looked to be heading for victory after Lukas Jutkiewicz’s 31st minute effort. Tunnicliffe made way just before the hour mark and Wigan snatched an equaliser with four minutes remaining when Nick Powell smashed home. The visitors could then have won it when Callum McManaman was fouled in injury time by Alex Baptiste in the area but Adam Bogdan saved Jordi Gomez's penalty. The point keeps Wigan fifth.


In League One, Brentford and Marcello Trotta lost ground on leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers after a 0-0 draw at Oldham Athletic. Trotta was introduced in the 62nd minute but the Bees couldn’t find a way through as the game finished goalless. Brentford remain second but have fallen six points behind Wolves in the chase for the title. However, the Bees are now four points above Leyton Orient in third.


In League Two, Dagenham & Redbridge dented Oxford United and Ryan Williams' Play-Off hopes after with a late 1-0 win. Williams should have put the visitors ahead but he fired over after meeting Josh Ruffels' cross. Williams then departed the action in the 76th minute and saw Daggers grab an injury-time winner when Luke Howell’s deflected effort looped in.

The U's are now seventh, level on points with eighth-placed York City.


There was better news for Marcus Bettinelli and Accrington Stanley who won 1-0 at Exeter City to move nine points clear of the relegation zone. Kayode Odejayi bundled home the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time and Bettinelli wasn’t tested until late on when he saved Liam Sercombe's free-kick. The result saw Stanley move up to 14th and boss James Beattie said: “The players will surprise a lot of people but they don't surprise me. They never know when to lie down and they’re a tremendous bunch. It makes me very proud to be their manager.”


Tom Richards started as AFC Wimbledon went down to a 1-0 defeat at Mansfield Town. Adam Murray’s free-kick gave home side the lead in the seventh minute, with Richards substituted just after the break. The result sees the Dons drop to 16th, eight points clear of the relegation zone.


In the Dutch Eredivisie, Bryan Ruiz and PSV Eindhoven lost 3-2 at home to Groningen. Memphis Depay put PSV ahead in the third minute but the visitors soon levelled through Richairo Zivkovic and Filip Kostic put them in front on 20. Jurgen Locadia's penalty drew the home side level before the break after Ruiz was fouled in the box, but Tjaronn Chery made it 3-2 in the 67th minute. Ruiz made way with 12 minutes remaining as PSV drop down to third.

 

Marcello Trotta played the full 90 minutes for Brentford in their eventual 0-0 draw at Sheffield United in Sky Bet League One on Tuesday night.

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Trotta had seen a shot blocked early on and then thought he’d won the Bees a penalty when he was brought down by Kieron Freeman who was dismissed just after the half-hour mark. However, after consulting with his assistant Mark Dwyer for a full five minutes, referee Eddie Ilderton rescinded the red card and gave a drop ball.

Brentford manager Mark Warburton said: "I’ve never seen anything like that in my life before. He has brandished the red card and given the penalty and all of a sudden we end up with a drop ball. It was absolutely bizarre."

The Bees stay second in the table, five points clear of third-placed Leyton Orient.

 

Neil Etheridge has been recalled:


"Fulham have recalled goalkeeper Neil Etheridge from his loan spell at Crewe Alexandra.

The 24-year-old made three appearances for the Sky Bet League One Railwaymen earlier this season, featuring in one win and two defeats. The Philippines international then returned to the Alex in February and made one appearance, the 1-0 defeat at Stevenage."

Source: http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/april/04/etheridge-recalled


Probably because he's not getting games. Unless someone has picked up an injury in training or Stelelenburg has had a sulk, like he did at Roma. There have been stories that he's off in the summer regardless of the season's outcome -

"Winnersports can reveal that Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg will be leaving Fulham in the summer irrespective of whether the club retain their Premier League status.

While relegation is still a big possibility for the Cottagers, Winner Sports can reveal that the Stekelenburg and Fulham have to agreed to part ways in the summer irrespective of whether or not the club can retain their status in the English top flight. It is clear to see that Stekelenburg is not entirely happy at Craven Cottage and the 31-year old seems to have regressed as a player during his time at the club, which has seen him lose his place in the Dutch National team as well.

With the Dutchman believed to be one of the top earners at the club, Fulham are also keen on cutting their losses and move the goalkeeper along in the summer.

It is believed that Stekelenburg is hoping to earn a move back to his boyhood club Ajax in the summer in a bid to revive his career but it remains to be seen whether the Dutch would take their former star back due to the presence of two fine young goalkeepers in Jasper Cillessen and Kenneth Vermeer currently in their ranks."

 

No great loss. He wasn't the player I had hoped he would be, I must say. Far too inconsistent. World-class saves one minute, complete howlers the next. And quite injury prone.

 

I understand Alex Brister has gone on loan to FC Honka in Finland who are managed by none other than Shefki Kuqi. They start the season at MyPa today with Brister starting. No idea how long the loan is, the club have said nothing.

 

Club name of the week - FC Honka.