The Championship

So I'm looking at the pictures of the grounds we'll be visiting on the club website in a series of features titled "Away Days" and I'm thinking, man, those are sure some nice looking venues. Then I look them up on our favorite internet info address wikipedia, and I discover that many, if not all, have been constructed or renovated since the mid 90's and hold about as many, if not more, than Craven Cottage.
It would seem to me that we MUST move forward with the new Riverside Stand if we have any hope of promotion back to the Premiership.
Does anybody have any new information on where the project stands? The last I read, the authorities that govern the waterway part of the plan had given the go ahead to do whatever the plan calls for in the way of clearances and equipment in the Thames.
Unlike neighborhood life, if you don't keep up with the Jones's, you WILL suffer.

 

Even Wrigley is being renovated, rooftops be damned as Ricketts realized it was necessary for the club. Hopefully the Riverside stand gets started soon.

 

Could be worse. Could be a Blackpool supporter.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/16/blackpool-pre-season-eight-players-cancel-trip

 

Beat me to it James, saw the same story and shook my head in amazement. Always had a soft spot for the Tangerine, they have to go right to the top of the list to be relegated to League 1.

http://blog.foxsoccer.com/post/91986843 ... :foxsoccer

 

They passed on Freddy Adu and the team falls apart. Get on the phone Freddy!!!

 

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/july/18/good-experience?

Good Experience

Friday 18 July 2014 10:30

Patrick Roberts and Emerson Hyndman are just two of the Club’s talented youngsters looking to make an impression this summer.

Part of the group that made the trip to Scotland, the pair have featured heavily under the watchful eye of Manager Felix Magath as they gain valuable experience with the First Team squad.

Clearly relishing their involvement and looking to establish themselves further, fulhamfc.com sat down with the young pair to discuss their time with the Academy, pre-season training, the influence of Felix Magath and their hopes for the 2014/15 season.

It’s your first summer with the senior squad, how have you found things so far?

PR: It’s been good. It’s been hard, but that’s what pre-season is all about. There’s a few of the younger players that have been brought in, and the older guys have been really good with us. Obviously we’ve had some new players come in as well, and it’s been nice to get to know everyone – it’s a really good group.

EH: It’s a young group, but that means that there is a lot of energy. Training desires that, and as a result, that will stand us in good stead. As Pat said, the senior members of the squad have really welcomed us in and I actually roomed with Scott Parker for a bit in Scotland. Obviously he’s a player with so much experience, so us younger boys can learn a lot from him. I think we have a good mix at Fulham.

This time last year, you guys were training with the Under-18s. We saw a lot of young players make a breakthrough last season – it’s been an incredible 12 months or so hasn’t it?

PR: This time last year, I’d only just started my scholarship. It was an unbelievable year really, and having done well for the Under-18s I gradually started training a bit more with the First Team squad. I made my debut against Manchester City in March and obviously that was a moment I will never forget. I’m very thankful to the Academy for helping me with my development and of course to Felix Magath for giving me my chance. I worked hard last season, and it’s been more of the same this summer.

EH: I’ve known and played with Pat for a while now, and seeing him make his breakthrough last season was exciting. It was the same with the likes of Moussa Dembélé and the others that featured, it drives the rest of us on. They showed that this is a club that is willing to give young players a chance, and hopefully I’ll follow. That’s what the coaches in the Academy have been preparing us for, and they’ve played a huge part in getting us to where we are now. I’ve been involved with the First Team over the summer and hopefully I’ve done enough to impress.

With a number of last season’s Under-18 and Under-21 squads involved with the First Team squad this summer, it must have helped make it a smooth transition for you both?

EH: Well I think the Manager and coaching staff have been great, so that certainly helps. But, as I said earlier, the more experienced players have been fantastic also. When I came in two years ago, I didn’t think I would be working with the First Team this quickly, and I’m sure the other boys would say something similar. But that’s credit to the Academy for bringing us through and to the management for giving us the opportunity.

As two players who are extremely comfortable on the ball, it’s been quite clear from our games so far that the Manager encourages the creative side of your game.

PR: The Manager loves his players to have confidence and to be positive on the ball. He wants you to do the right things out on the pitch and play the game in the right way. I’m a player that likes to get on the ball and run at defenders, and that’s been a big part of my instruction so far.

EH: I agree. For me, I’ve been encouraged to go forward from the middle of the pitch and to get on the ball as much as possible. That’s what the Manager wants, and it’s something that sticks in our minds when we go out on to the pitch. It’s all about being positive in possession and using the ball. We’re not scared to get out there and show what we can do. It’s all about having an open mind, and it’s been good to put that into practice.

And how have you found the physical side of the pre-season programme?

PR: It’s always going to be a bit different from what you are used to with the Academy, but even last summer we were worked hard. It’s been a good experience; it’s a foundation that we will build on. I feel really fit and it’s all about starting the season strongly.

EH: The Championship is a tough league, and as a young player you want to do all you can to make a difference and put yourself in a good position. The Manager has so much energy, and that’s very infectious. Yes, training can be tough, but you want to test yourself. To underline Pat’s last point, I think we’ll be in tremendous shape going into the campaign – and that could be a real factor. It’s exciting.

And as the new campaign approaches, what are your ambitions for the 2014/15 season?

PR: I just want to continue developing as a player and hopefully get some more games - that’s all you can really hope for on a personal level. As for the team, the aim is to get ourselves back into the Premier League, that’s what everyone associated with the Club wants.

EH: It’s a big season for me, it could be the one where I make my breakthrough and I’ll work as hard as I can to make it happen. I know that the opportunity is there, so it’s up to me to impress and show that I’m capable. I don’t see why the team can’t have a successful season, there have been a lot of positives this summer and as a group we’ll continue to move forward.

 

Stockers starting in goal today at home against Wednesday. Weird seeing him in that kit.

http://www.seagulls.co.uk/news/article/latest-albion-v-sheffield-wed-1814839.aspx

 

Why's that Jump? We've seen him in many other teams' kits over the last several years.

Btw, sorry about what my birds did to yours last night. : )