Think it's the 'big team' squad: "Among the players now to get the chance in the A squad's Emil Krafth and Oscar Hiljemark, who previously made the A debut on January tours. The youngest member of the squad and clean debutant at A-level is Muamer Tankovic." Really great for The Tank. Less good news is that with his contract up in the summer, the Club don't seem to have made a move yet.
I just clicked on to the official site and saw the top news story was 'Tankovic's Reward', I got my hopes up thinking that it was going to be "rewarded with a new contract" but it was just news of his call up. Damn it. So close.
Biggest concern at the weekend was Jack Grimmer being stretchered off. Thankfully later reports are that the injury is not as bad as at first thought. Here is the full round-up: "Marcello Trotta and Brentford's 19-game unbeaten run in Sky Bet League One was ended by a 3-0 home defeat to promotion rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. Trotta, who played the full 90 minutes, saw the Bees fall behind just before the break when James Henry curled home. Michael Jacobs finished off a Wolves counter-attack to make it 2-0 in the 72nd minute before hitting a third late on. The result saw Brentford drop from top spot to third. In the same division, Stephen Arthurworrey played the entire game as Tranmere Rovers boosted their survival chances with a 3-1 defeat of Coventry City. Ryan Lowe opened the scoring from the penalty spot and Conor Thomas headed into his own net to double the hosts' lead. Jake Kirby slotted in Matthew Kennedy's cross to make it 3-0, before Michael Petrasso pulled one back with a low strike. The victory saw Rovers move up to 18th position. Port Vale and Jack Grimmer saw their Play-Off hopes fade with a 3-1 defeat at home to local rivals Crewe Alexandra. The Alex went ahead on 15 minutes when Mathias Pogba forced the ball over the line from close range. Chuks Aneke's second-half penalty made it 2-0 early in the second half, with Grimmer departing the action shortly afterwards. Brad Inman's low shot wrapped up victory before Vale grabbed a consolation through Tom Pope. The defeat leaves Vale nine points off the Play-Off places. In Sky Bet League Two, Marcus Bettinelli kept a clean sheet as Accrington Stanley earned a 1-0 win at relegation rivals Torquay United. Substitute Kal Naismith grabbed the winner in the 80th minute, skipping past three defenders and side-footing into the corner as Stanley moved up to 19th. Elsewhere in League Two, Ryan Williams and Oxford United conceded an injury-time equaliser to draw 1-1 at Morecambe. The U's took the lead through David Connolly's defected effort, but Robbie Threlfall poked home two minutes into added time to secure a point as Oxford slipped out of the automatic promotion places and into fourth. In the Netherlands, Bryan Ruiz was on target as PSV Eindhoven defeated NEC 2-0 on Saturday to record a fourth successive victory. Ruiz opened the scoring in the 58th minute with a low left-footed effort from the edge of the area. With eight minutes remaining, PSV made sure of the points when Memphis Depay scored from 25 yards. The victory moves PSV up to fifth place in the Eredivisie."
The pruning of the squad size hinted at by Felix may have started. Ryan Tunnicliffe has been given permission to talk with Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic about a possible loan deal until the end of the season. Mick McCarthy is keen to have him back and are favourites. Source: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9182405/ Not sure how to take this news but if he's not in the Felix plan then it is best to make sure he gets games, as the article says.
And now, Larnell Cole, who joined Fulham on deadline from Manchester United, is joining Milton Keynes Dons on loan. Source: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/9183868
Of all the January signings, Tunnicliffe and Cole were the two that looked to have Meulensteen's hand in them. Given what we now know about the plans to replace him, it does make them seem curious bits of business. That's not to say that they don't have a future with us, but it certainly seems like they don't have a present. Let's hope they flourish on loan and come back to us ready to compete for a first team place soon.
FM clearly wants experience over yooft! I though Tunnicliffe was alright. Preferred him over Parker. His stats on passes, tackles etc weren't as good as the other midfielders though. Definitely one for the future.
Neil Etheridge has also gone .. back to Crewe Alex. "Fulham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has rejoined Crewe Alexandra on loan until 13th April. 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 now returns to the Alex and is eligible to feature in Tuesday night’s fixture at fellow strugglers Stevenage. Crewe currently sit in 21st place in League One, two points above the drop zone." Source: http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/25/etheridge-rejoins-crewe PS The Club have confirmed the Larnel Cole deal http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/25/cole-makes-dons-switch
From the info I have read, Felix likes to use experienced players for relegation battles and a combination of youth and experience for non relegation seasons. It makes sense that he would send these two off on loan for now, hopefully in the summer he can bring them all together and see who he can use. Good bit of business.
I can see the logic in that approach. I hope he's not completely averse to youth in our current situation, as I think some of the youngsters may well have more to offer than their experienced counterparts. I'd like to see more of Tankovic in the run in, possibly coming off the bench more than starting. If Hangeland doesn't produce his best form, I'd be happy to see Burn back in the starting line up as well. Either way, it's good news that he's not completely averse to young players.
I'm getting so bored with the media bashing of Fulham at the moment. Sending a younger player on loan is better than him stagnating in the reserves and not getting a game. It's so clear to me that logic is prevailing over football romance. Although I think some of the more experienced players have let us down this season I do understand why FM is trying to create unity and team work y using the experienced players for the run in. Why can't the media see this? I do think he will use younger players in a new season.
A few of the lads had an outing last night - "Larnell Cole made his Milton Keynes Dons debut as a 59th-minute substitute in a 2-1 away win at Oldham Athletic in Sky Bet League One on Tuesday night. The visitors opened the scoring after just four minutes when George Baldock drilled an effort home, before Izale McLeod doubled their advantage just before the break. Charlie MacDonald headed in a corner to reduce the arrears on 57 minutes, with Cole then entering the fray just hours after joining the Dons on loan for the remainder of the season from Fulham. And the Dons held on for the three points to move within six points of the Play-Off places. In the same division, Neil Etheridge made his second debut for Crewe Alexandra in a 1-0 defeat at Stevenage. The goalkeeper, who has rejoined the Alex on loan until mid-April, was beaten after five minutes by Francois Zoko. Crewe dominated proceedings from there on in, although Etheridge was called into action early in the second half, saving a Michael Doughty shot from 20 yards. But the visitors couldn’t find a way through against their fellow strugglers and the defeat leaves Crewe in 20th place – two points above the drop zone. In Sky Bet League Two, Accrington Stanley and Marcus Bettinelli went down to a 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth. Jake Jervis cut in from the left and beat Bettinelli a couple of minutes into the second half to put Pompey in front. And they almost increased their lead late on but Bettinelli superbly tipped Daniel Alfei’s curling effort onto the bar. The loss saw Stanley slip down to 22nd place in the table - five points above the relegation places."
Blimey how unlucky. Neil has no sooner gone back than he's had to return with a recurrence of the previous injury. "Neil Etheridge has returned to Fulham for treatment after aggravating his thigh in the 1-0 defeat Stevenage on Tuesday night. Etheridge has not torn the muscle, which previously ended his loan spell with us back in November. Fulham cannot recall the goalkeeper for 28 days as part of the loan agreement so Etheridge will remain our player but receive treatment from his parent club." Source: http://www.crewealex.net/news/article/etheridges-injury-blow-1388149.aspx#2u9jky5mzDJrlEYJ.99
Tom Richards has gone on loan to AFC Wimbledon. " Neal Ardley has today bolstered his squad by bringing in Fulham left-back Tom Richards on a youth loan until the end of this season. The 19-year-old is highly-rated at Fulham and he has has impressed Wimbledon’s management team during matches for the Premier League club’s Under-21s this season. Tom will go straight into the AFC Wimbledon squad for tomorrow’s League 2 match at Fleetwood after the Dons received Premier League approval to make him eligible for the game. Speaking to 'Dons Player', Neal said: “With Fulham being local to us we’ve watched Tom play several times for their Under-21s. He’s been playing at left-back this season, but he has unbelievable energy up and down the left side. I went and watched the player last week in a game against Leicester and he stood out in that match. Tom is not tall, but he is quick, has great stamina and a really good left foot. He’s played left-back and left midfield both equally as well. Tom will therefore give us a lot of balance on that side as regards the wing-back role or if we wanted to change the shape slightly." Source: http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/article/tom-richards-loan-deal-1388058.aspx#fisCp3CjCHCDcWw2.99 Matt Briggs trying to make his comeback probably also had a bearing on Tom moving. Early days for Matt, who hasn't exactly made an auspicious start, but this could be good for Tom.
Stephen has extended his loan spell at Tranmere Rovers by a further month. He has now made 10 appearances for Tranmere; three wins, four draws and three defeats. He'll stay with the Wirral outfit until Sunday 6th April. Source: http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/march/03/stephens-rovers-stay-extended
Bryan on a roll, Tunnicliffe and Richards make good starts with their new clubs. For the rest of the lads not so good results this weekend, especially Jack Grimmmer who made a surprisingly early return from injury. "Bryan Ruiz continued his good form for PSV Eindhoven on Saturday when he hit a 90th-minute winner against Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie. Jarchinio Antonia had given the Eagles the lead inside 60 seconds, with Erik Falkenburg doubling the advantage in the 25th minute. But PSV rallied after half-time as strikes from Memphis Depay and Jurgen Locadia levelled the scores, before Ruiz hit his third goal in as many games to secure the points for his side. Back in the UK, Ryan Tunnicliffe made his debut for Wigan Athletic as they comfortably beat Nottingham Forest 4-1 at the City Ground in the Sky Bet Championship. Martyn Waghorn scrambled in the opener for the Latics, although Jamie Paterson equalised early in the second half. Emmerson Boyce and James McArthur then netted in quick succession to put the away side firmly in control of the tie. Tunnicliffe replaced Waghorn in the 78th minute and helped his side see the game out, as Jordi Gomez added some gloss to the scoreline late on with a curling strike. Marcello Trotta played 72 minutes as Brentford lost ground in the Sky Bet League One title race after drawing 0-0 at Carlisle United. The stalemate, coupled with victories for both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leyton Orient, leaves the Bees three points off the pace at the top of the table. As it happens, Wolves’ victory came at the expense of Jack Grimmer’s Port Vale, with the young defender unfortunate to deflect Bakary Sako’s long-range strike into the net to open the scoring shortly after the restart. Two goals in three minutes from Nouha Dicko then wrapped up a 3-0 win for Wolves, although the striker squandered the chance to claim his hat-trick when he saw his late penalty saved. Stephen Arthurworrey was at the heart of the Tranmere Rovers defence as they twice came back to secure a point at home to Oldham Athletic. James Wesolowski had given the visitors the lead but Jason Koumas restored parity just after the half-hour mark with a deflected strike. An own goal from Liam Ridehalgh then put Oldham back in front in the second half, but Ryan Lowe’s header ensured the spoils were shared. Larnell Cole and Milton Keynes Dons suffered a setback in their attempts to reach the League One Play-Offs as they lost 1-0 at home to Sheffield United. A first half Stefan Scougall effort proved the difference between the sides, with Cole playing 53 minutes of the encounter. In League Two, Tom Richards made his professional debut in AFC Wimbledon’s goalless draw at Fleetwood Town. The left-back played the full 90 minutes of the encounter and won praise from Dons boss Neal Ardley. “We switched to four at the back and Tom probably thought he’d be galloping down the left side playing wing-back,” Ardley said. “But 20 minutes in he was covering for the centre-backs in a back four and he did really well. He learned on Thursday that AFC Wimbledon wanted him and then he’s in training with us for the first time on Friday. He had to sing his initiation song for the lads in the hotel." “He has a wonderful left foot and loves galloping down the left wing. I thought he was steady today and he’ll get better as time goes on.” Elsewhere in the division, Ryan Williams played just under an hour as Oxford United suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the home of promotion rivals Rochdale. Scott Hogan had hit a brace by the time Williams made way for Dave Kitson, and the same Rochdale player wrapped up his hat-trick shortly after."
Bryan Ruiz continued his good form for PSV Eindhoven on Saturday when he hit a 90th-minute winner against Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie. Jarchinio Antonia had given the Eagles the lead inside 60 seconds, with Erik Falkenburg doubling the advantage in the 25th minute. But PSV rallied after half-time as strikes from Memphis Depay and Jurgen Locadia levelled the scores, before Ruiz hit his third goal in as many games to secure the points for his side. What an absolute W**KER that man is. God I hope he comes back, I really do. Give him the full Felix.
Josh Passley, Lasse Vigen Christensen and Ange-Freddy Plumain, who have all featured this season under Rene Meulensteen, are now being lined up to go out temporarily with Felix keen for his youngsters to play regularly. Felix said: "I think that young players must play - they need practice. They need to be involved in game situations, so I prefer to loan them to other clubs." Source: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-boss-magath-plans-loan-6775319
