Transfer deadline updates

Midnight - The transfer window is shut at last...phew!

23:54 - Now saying the Seol deal is for three years...details about the Murphy deal still unclear at this stage...

23:50 - Interview with Nicky Hammond, Reading's director of football, who says he is "absolutley delighted" to sign Rosenior as he brings "versatility to the side". Seol, he says, did a fantastic job for them at the beginning of last season but the move suits him and his family...

23:41 - Danny Murphy has signed from Spurs on a one year loan deal apparently...still waiting for confirmation it's a loan rather than permanent signing...

23:29 - Sky going on about how much we have spent...but overlooking the fact that a huge number of players have actually been sold...

23:28 - Seol Ki-Hyeon/Liam deal is completed...apparently no money has changed hands and Seol is joining us on a two year deal...

23:24 - Still waiting on news...Sky reporting that Liam swap deal is imminent...

22:46 - We sign Crystal Palace striker Shefki Kuqi on loan until January...news on the Murphy signing and Liam/Seol swap still awaited...

22:13 - Reading say everything tied up for the Liam for Seol Ki-Hyeon swap deal...just waiting on paperwork at the Fulham end apparently...

21:24 - Diop has apparently signed on a three year deal for Pompey...still awaiting news on arrivals with Danny Murphy tipped to sign...

Three new players could be in before midnight!

Well, that was an interesting interview with Sanchez on the official site...He is apparently in the hunt for three more players before the deadline closes at midnight and seems virtually certain that at least one of them will sign.

My guess is that it will be a striker as he made it clear he needs a partner for Healy now that McBride is out until around Christmas. The question is who? My preferred option would be Bobby Zamora. A big, useful presence in the box and capable of turning on the class in front of goal - as was illustrated by last night's goals of the 2005/06 season special on Sky.

We've already had one bit of good news today - the arrival of Dejan Stefanovic - who i'd imagine is almost guaranteed a place in the starting line-up against Spurs tomorrow. Please let him bring some stability to the back four - or at least wake everyone else up when there's five minutes left on the clock.

A more controversial rumour is the proposed arrival of Sean Davies from Pompey in a swap with Diop. I have heard nothing to suggest this is anything other than speculation but i, for one, would welcome him back with open arms. I was very upset when he went off to Spurs as he seemed the obvious candidate at that time to assume the captaincy and press ahead to gain England caps. His career has stagnated over the last three (four?) seasons since his departure and we could be the ideal place to help kick-start it for him.

Any views?

Interview: Paul Smith of Spurs Odyssey

We asked Paul Smith, who runs the Spurs Odyssey website (http://www.spursodyssey.com/), for his views on Tottenham's season so far and to give his predictions for how the match will play out tomorrow. Cheers Paul.

What do you make of the season so far for Spurs?
Pre-season we (and many pundits) had Spurs marked down as the best bet to break the current top four cartel. Personally, i think that our poor commitment in the first two games has blown that idea out of the water, and we already have a battle to match the last two years of reaching fifth place. We improved and beat Derby emphatically, and despite the loss at Old Trafford, our performance was one to restore some of our hopes for the season ahead.

What's your view on the Martin Jol situation?
I would have been calling for his head, had we lost against Derby. That didn't happen and he did make adjustments to the team and playing style that were not just dictated by the injuries. This led to an early rush of goals, and a thoroughly relaxing game for Spurs fans to watch, which is still a rare commodity, despite our second successive qualification for Europe through the League.

Martin Jol is a sincere, humble, honest and amiable guy, who in my view (and that of countless Spurs fans) has not deserved the degree of pressure that has been put upon him by the club's board, and the resulting media coverage. The board are entitled to make contingency plans, but failed to keep their activities quiet, and then when faced with press exposure also failed to reduce the resulting furore with weak explanations.

In conclusion, in my view, Martin Jol should be given more time this season to match the ambition of the fans and the club's board. Some fans will be happy if we manage to win a trophy or again make the UEFA Cup, but I must admit, I want Spurs in that top four!

Who should we be fearing the most on Saturday?
Berbatov hasn't hit his greatest form yet, but hopefully any transfer speculation will be truly out of the way, and he can give us one of his stylish and enthralling performances. He showed a flash of such quality at Old Trafford, with a pull-down of a high ball, control, turn and curling shot that had Van Der Sar beaten, but went just over the stanchion.

Gareth Bale made his debut last Sunday and was Spurs' man of the match, playing most of the game in front of Young-Pyo Lee on the left.

You saw in the FA Cup last season how players such as Robbie Keane can show great class, and if Spurs produce that sort of football again, you should be very scared!

What's your impression of Fulham this season?
I haven't seen too much of your team, but the results clearly indicate close calls, and of course you suffered through a referee's decision (or should that be lack of decision) in your game against Middlesbrough. Shame you didn't hold on against the gooners!
Lawrie Sanchez looks like being a breath of fresh air for you, and I fancy there might be a touch of the Northern Ireland v England spirit this Saturday.

What do you reckon the score on Saturday will be?
We always have to ask "Which Spurs side will turn up?" Equating this to Fulham and our poor record in recent away league games against you, will it be the side that scraped a 1-1 draw in the League, or the one that demolished you 4-0 in the FA Cup? I think it could be somewhere in between and I'll take Spurs to win a hard-fought game 2-1. It could go either way though!

The transfer window deadline is approaching...fast

I hate the last few hours of the transfer windows as there is always the fear of a shock exit that you didn't see coming. I remember how choked I felt when I heard on the car radio that Rufus Brevett was heading to West Ham...now there was a tough defender!

A player who won't be wearing the white shirt, sadly, is Thomas Graveson, who has decided to return to Everton after mini-stints at Real Madrid and Celtic. This is a real shame as he would have added some much needed steel to the team.

On a more positive note we have already made one capture in the last 24 hours - a 20-year-old defender from Charlton Athletic called Nathan Ashton who has been in the U17 England squad - but he seems to be one for the future rather than an instant addition to the first team.

Lots of talk last night that Pompey's Dejan Stefanovic is due to complete his move to the Cottage today which, if true, will be great news. Although hardly a young charger, he has bags of experience and, let's face it, we desperately need some steady hands at the back.

Still nothing concrete on Rosenior or Diop, although Sunderland are now apparently leading the race for the latter's signature. To be honest i'm not too worried about the big fella going as his performances have been mixed to say the least. The next Viera? Yeah, right. Liam, on the other hand, I have always rated and I am genuinely confused as to why he's not part of our plans.

I will be back on later with a preview of tomorrow's match against Spurs at the Cottage, including an interview with one of their blog owners who gives us his take on what's been happening at the Lane this year and shares his opinion on the new-look Fulham side.

Curse of the captain's armband

I'm beginning to seriously think that the Fulham Captain's armband is cursed...Just about everyone who has worn it over the past 10 years has either been sold while in situ or suffered a serious injury. If you don't believe me, look at the list below. If i've missed anyone out - or you think I've made any mistakes - please let me know...

1. Chris Coleman - suffers badly smashed leg in car crash back in January 2001
2. Andy Melville - sold to West Ham while captain
3. Lee Clarke - departed the club while captain, ending up at Newcastle
4. Boa Morte - suffered a broken cheek bone - later sold to West Ham
5. * Zat Knight - took over from Boa, then had his jaw broken a week later
6. Michael Brown - sold to Wigan while still club captain
7. Brian McBride - suffers serious knee injury

* never officially club captain, only vice captain

Basically our captain needs to be someone we either want to get rid of - or who we wouldn't miss so badly if they got injured! Any suggestions?

Zat Knight - in The Sun

er, just in case you haven't heard, Zat is in The Sun today...

The morning rumour mill

I just thought I'd write an update on the rumours doing the rounds about the players which might be on their way to the Cottage - and those going the other way.

Potential arrivals gate
We are apparently interested in the following:
Jason Roberts, striker, Blackburn
Dejan Stefanovic, defender, Pompey
Sammy Traore, defender PSG
Bobby Zamora, striker, West Ham
Steve Howard, striker, Derby

Sitting in the departure lounge
Liam Rosenior to Reading (possibly in exchange for midfielder Seol Ki-Hyeon)
Papa Bouba Diop to Everton or Portsmouth

I don't know what you think but there seems to be precious little in the way of big central defenders - and time is running out now.

It's confirmed - Zat has gone

Yes, the big man has gone to Villa - as confirmed by the official site. I must admit to not having seen this coming at all - especially since he signed a contract extension a short while ago - as well as mixed feelings. As frustrating as Zat could be - and there's been plenty of times he's left me biting my knuckles in frustration, with Spurs at home in the cup a particular horror show - it leaves us drastically short of central defenders. It's over to Sanchez to get a replacement in pronto...

Zat Knight - A Villa fan's view

Damian, who runs the AVFCblog.com, kindly agreed to give us his take on the prospect of Villa signing Zat Knight:

"He's a central defender and nobody at Villa will disagree that a central defender is needed at the club. Some Villa fans are going to question spending £4mn. on a squad player.

However, it's not really about the money, it's about the player and
Villa fans will be divided on this.

Some will say he's not good enough, especially after the club set our expectation levels very high at the end of last season with the promise of 'top class' signings and some will say he's a decent defender who has England caps, who just needs the motivating skills of Martin O'Neill to make him a great central defender.

Me, I'm all for giving the lad a chance. I've seen better and honestly think we had as good if not better in Ridgewell, but he defected. I'm also a little disappointed that it appears to be a straight swap for Davis; I'd have thought Davis worth double Knight. But again, it' s not my money.

If he does sign though, regardless of views on the player, he will be supported; after all he is a Villa fan who has finally realised a life long dream (probably) to walk out at Villa Park wearing the claret and blue. I'd do it for £50 a weekend!"

Cheers Damian, much appreciated.

Fulham in for Stefanovic

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has been quoted as saying that we are after their defender Dejan Stefanovic, but that Glasgow Rangers are also apparently interested. Sanchez needs to move fast to secure additions to our already beleaguered defence so he could be a decent addition. I will do some digging on his past record and report back later…

Shrewsbury media round up + Zat Knight

Before we look at what everyone is saying about us this morning, I just wanted to thank Chopper at Hammy End Chronicle who kindly gave us a link to his superb blog.

Right, on with the blog...Thankfully my prediction was totally wrong as we managed to ease past Shrewsbury into the next round of the Carling/Milk/League cup as Diomansy Kamara opened his account for the season. Considering the newspapers are full of the giant-killing acts of Luton and Blackpool, which saw Sunderland and Derby, respectively, crash out of the competition, this is one morning i don't care about our general lack of press coverage!

Reading the reports, it's clear that journos at the game were divided on the question of whether or not we were made to work for the victory. Phil Shaw, writing in the Telegraph, acknowledged that Fulham were the first visitors to win at New Meadow, Shrewsbury' £15 million stadium, but added they "were made to toil for nearly an hour before the £6 million summer signing from West Bromwich Albion broke the resistance of the under-strength League Two hosts".

Chris Moore in the Daily Mail agreed. The pacy Chris Humphrey troubled Fulham keeper Tony Warner in the second minute, he reported, before Jimmy Ryan twice came close to snatching a surprise lead for the home side. "First he almost embarrassed Warner from long range, then the keeper saved Ryan's 25-yard effort."

However, BBC.CO.UK saw it differently. The website reported that Carlos Bocanegra fired wired as the visitors "dominated the early stages".

The Daily Mirror agreed. While accepting Shrewsbury were not fazed by the fact that Fulham were 61 places above them in the league, the paper insisted "a giant killing rarely looked on the cards from the moment Kamara thumped an early header against the bar".

Now to Zatzinhio....The Independent and Football365 are both running prominent stories today about his likely departure for Aston Villa. The Indy's John Curtis says the defender was due to have a medical at Villa last night and, if there weren't any problems, would become Martin O'Neill's fourth signing of the summer at a cost of £3.5m.

The Football365 site quoted O'Neill saying he expected Knight to sign this morning (Wednesday) with just paperwork needing to be sorted out Fulham's end. "He is a Birmingham lad and I understand Villa is his club," he is reported as saying. "The deal is good for him and good for us."

I've got a feeling his departure won't be lamented by most fans. His flashes of brilliance - well, okay-ness anyway - were often overshadowed by his lapses, although there's no doubt that he became an easy target for people during the last couple of years when even his good performances weren't acknowledged.

I will post more on Zat (if) when the news is officially confirmed.

Banana skin ahead!

Tonight we trek up to Shrewsbury for what, on paper, should be a comfortable victory for us, but what, in reality, is likely to be a potential disaster. Maybe it's the depression surrounding our defeat at Villa Park that's colouring my mood today, but I fear we could come totally unstuck tonight. Therefore, with a heavy heart i say we'll go down 3-2....if so, at least we can start spouting the "well, it gives us a chance to concentrate on the league" tosh tomorrow morning! Fingers crossed i'm wrong.

By the way, a big thank you to our friends at the excellent Craven Cottage Newsround blog for giving us a mention this morning. Much appreciated guys, thanks very much.

Media reaction to Villa defeat

Here is a rundown of how the major newspapers saw our defeat at Villa Park.

Fulham have now led three times this season before conceding points to late goals, pointed out Chris Moore in the Mail on Sunday, and to add insult to injury they were denied a very probable penalty when Craig Gardner handled Diomansy Kamara's shot on the half-hour mark.

It was certainly a major talking point, agreed Ian Edwards in The People, who also noted that Lawrie Sanchez is now "so fed up with getting the wrong end of crucial decisions" that he is planning to raise the issue with referees' supremo Keith Hackett.

The London club had started well, said Anna Kessel of The Observer. "Fulham had looked convincing in attack, despite missing Brian McBride and Hameur Bouazza, and took an early lead with a Clint Dempsey goal," she reported. Kamara "slipped the Villa defence" with a ball to Dempsey who "seeing Scott Carson off his line", hammered home.

This was a dream start for the visitors, said Brian Power in the News of The World, as Dempsey's "cool sixth minute strike" had Fulham "dreaming of a first top flight win since Nancy Sinatra was No1. with These Boots Are Made For Walking in 1966".

Unfortunately, it wasn't to last.

Harry Pratt, writing in the Sunday Express, said Villa were "unquestionably" a different proposition after the break and "dominated the second 45 minutes".

The Independent on Sunday's James Corrigan saw Ashley Young's "piece of magic in the 51st minute" as a major turning point. "The winger stole in on the byline and somehow beat the angle to find the inside of Kasey Keller's far post," he reported.

Fulham then suffered a run of problems, which began when they were forced into a defensive substitution as (Zat) Knight limped out of the action (to be replaced by Ian Pearce), said Football365. "Then the visitors were reduced to 10 men with 20 minutes remaining as (Chris) Baird picked up a second yellow card for a challenge on Young just outside the box".

The home side then sank the dagger in late-on, said the Sunday Times, when substitute Shaun Maloney, "a bit part player since signing from Celtic last season" took centre stage "to win three valuable points for (Martin) O'Neill, with the winning goal in the 91st minute".

Devastating

Well, I got the score right - just the wrong way round. Heatbreakingly, we lose 2-1 in the last minute, having played for a large chunk of the second half with ten men after Chris Baird was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Unfortunately, I was unable to be at the match today so will have to wait until I can watch this evening's 'highlights' before passing my verdict. From what we know so far, it doesn't sound good. Despite going ahead in the sixth minute through Clint Dempsey, Knight scored an own goal (and was substituted soon afterwards with what appears to be a knee injury). We then lost Baird, Villa had what sounded like a perfectly good goal ruled offside, then they got the winner.

Absolutely devastating.

A prediction for today

Feeling very confident today. I reckon we will record our first victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park since that fantastic 2-0 FA Cup win on Saturday January 23rd, 1999. My prediction is a 2-1 victory with goals coming from Healy and Kamara.

Talking about that victory eight years ago spurred me on to get the programme out. As you will remember, we were in the second division at that time (the third tier for younger readers) and Villa were flying high at the top of the Premiership.

The Villa programme was full of praise for us. In a five page feature it labelled the team as 'no ordinary second division side' and highlighted how chairman Mo was 'bankrolling a soccer revolution on the north bank of the Thames'.

As a mattter of interest our 16-strong squad was listed as follows: 1. Maik Taylor; 2. Steve Finnan; 3. Rufus Brevett; 4. Simon Morgan; 5. Chris Coleman; 6. Kit Symons; 7. Barry Hayles; 8. Paul Bracewell; 9. Geoff Horsfield; 10. Paul Peschisolido; 11. Steve Hayward; 12. Gus Uhlenbeek; 13. Andre Arendse; 14. Neil Smith; 15. John Salako; 16. Dirk Lehmann.

The first post

Welcome....As this is my first 'blog' i thought it best to introduce myself and give my take on the season so far....

My name's Rob, I'm in my early 30s and have a season ticket in the Hammersmith End. My first game at The Cottage was on Friday May 21st, 1982, watching Fulham play England! To be honest my recollections of that match are pretty limited although the programme on my wall tells me it doubled as a warm up for the World Cup finals in Spain and Les Strong's testimonial.

I've decided to set this blog up for a few reasons: To keep a record of my feelings during the course of a season; to give my take on news and rumours circulating and, perhaps most importantly, to help spread the word about London's finest football team.

Right, now for my take on the first couple of weeks. Despite two defeats in our opening three matches I still feel more upbeat about our prospects than I have done since we first got promoted to the Premiership. Call it naive optimism, but I truly believe we have the makings of a very good, solid team under Sanchez.

The major positive for me so far has been David Healy. This boy is simply sensational. A great signing whose stature and speed in the box has echoes of Michael Owen when he's on form. With the honourable exception of Jimmy Bullard and Geoff Horsfield, I can't think of another player in the last 10 years that has become such an instant crowd favourite.

On the negative side is the sickening injury to Brian McBride. In my opinion this could be a season-changing event - similar to losing Bully last year - and Sanchez must make good on his promise to give Healy a new partner with Brian likely to be missing until at least Christmas.

Right, that's it from me. As I say, this was only a quick introduction. Will post again tomorrow.