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Everton coach reacts to Dennis Adeniran's under-23 debut after Fulham transfer

Everton new boy featured in the weekend win.

Everton had a surprisingly quiet transfer deadline day given their need for a striker, but did manage to make one low key addition.

The Toffees swooped on Fulham's academy to sign midfield talent Dennis Adeniran, just 18-years-old.

Adeniran made his under-23 team debut for Everton at the weekend, featuring at Goodison Park as his side saw off a talented Tottenham team, winning 4-1.

It is just the start for Adeniran, but Everton's coaching staff are encouraged.

John Ebbrell, assistant coach, told Everton's official website: "Dennis is coming back from an injury so we knew it was going to be about building his fitness. But it was great to get 45 minutes under his belt.

"He will look the part for us and he is already a great member of the group. I was pleased to see him involved and I am sure he will do great for us in the future."

Everton's under-23 squad won the title last season and breaking into the team won't be simple for Adeniran.

He is a raw talent similar to Bass Sambou and David Henen, who both hope to one day step up to the first team.

Adeniran is an England under-18 international and his profile will only rise with the move to Everton.




http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/09/11/everton-coach-reacts-to-dennis-adenirans-under-23-debut-after-fu/

 
Officials - Fulham v Hull (13/9/17)


The Football League have now announced the Match Day officials that will take charge of the game between Fulham and Hull City this Wednesday.

Hull City travel to Fulham on Wednesday September 13 for the game at Craven Cottage and the match carries a 7.45pm kick off.

Referee: Tim Robinson
Assistant Refs: Ian Cooper and Robert Hyde
Fourth Official: Keith Stroud

Match Day referee Robinson has officiated eight games in 2017/18, showing 25 yellow cards and six red cards already.

He took in 44 games in 2016/17 with a return of 185 yellow cards and nine red cards.

That year his highest card count was ten yellows in the game between Portsmouth and Wycombe Wanderers. He also showed nine yellows in the game between Leyton Orient and Exeter City.

He took charge of 43 games in 2015/16 and in those games, across all competitions and football divisions, he handed out a total of 149 yellow cards and nine red cards.

He was most card happy in the match between Yeovil and Carlisle in the FA Cup on January 19 where he showed a remarkable nine yellow cards and two reds.

Robinson was appointed to the EFL Referees List for the start of the 2012/13 season, taking charge of his first game between Southend United and Accrington Stanley. He was the fourth official at Wembley for the League Two Play-Off Final between AFC Wimbledon and Plymouth Argyle in May 2016. As part of the development programme, he represented the PGMOL at the Dallas Cup 2012 and at the Nike Cup in China in 2012.

Source - EFL.

Let`s hope it`s not another repeat and more of the players edge closer to automatic bans



Read more: http://www.hull.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=504366#ixzz4sXMWXkvk

 
If Fulham do this, they will surely be dead certs for the top-six

Despite only losing just once in their opening six games, Fulham sit firmly in mid-table.

Such an impressive record is a sign of promotion form, but where Slavisa Jokanovic's side or not losing, they are also failing to win.

An incredible four draws from their opening six has stifled the West Londoners' progress, and Jokanovic must find a recipe for victory if his side are to stop dropping points.

There is only so much Jokanovic can do by tinkering his formation, but the goals must begin to come from his front men, including Aboubakar Kamara.

The new signing has struggled since joining from the French second tier this summer, and the 22-year-old was supposed to be the answer to his boss' striking headache, with Chris Martin having returned to Derby following a season-long loan.

Last semester, Fulham were the league's top scorers, scoring goal after goal in an incredible post-Christmas run which saw the club sneak into the top-six ahead of Leeds United.

Goals were distributed throughout the team, but so far, they have seemingly dried up.

Midfield pair Tom Cairney and Stefan Johansen hit double figures last year, but have struggled so far, and the departure of Sone Aluko to Reading has cut another source of goals from the side.

Lucas Piazon's early season-ending injury will also have come as a blow, but the manager cannot make excuses.

The talent is in this squad, and results will surely come, but work must be done in the forward positions if Fulham are to be considered viable promotion candidates this year.

Kamara must rediscover the form he showed at Amiens last year, where he scored 15 goals in the league, and his adaption to the English game is growing stronger with every passing game.

Fulham are proving hard to break down at the back, and once the goals begin to flow at Craven Cottage once more, Fulham will look dangerous once again.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/if-fulham-do-this-they-will-surely-be-dead-certs-for-the-top-six/

 
Sky Sports wins live EFL rights until 2024 with more matches than ever
For first time, Sky able to broadcast 80 Sky Bet Championship midweek games across interactive and digital platforms

Sky Sports has strengthened its position as the home of football with a new deal to show live coverage of the EFL until 2024, offering Sky customers more matches and more ways to watch than ever before.

The new agreement means that from the start of the 2019/20 season, Sky Sports Football will show up to 183 matches exclusively live each year in the Sky Bet Championship, Sky Bet League One, Sky Bet League Two, Carabao Cup and Checkatrade Trophy - a 26 per cent increase in the number of games on our current deal.

For the first time, Sky Sports will be able to broadcast 80 Sky Bet Championship midweek matches across interactive and digital platforms, taking the total number of potential matches available to Sky Sports customers and EFL fans to over 260, from the current 145 games. The additional midweek games will also be available across the EFL iFollow streaming service.


The agreement includes:

    More matches, up to 183 exclusive live games per season
    Further 80 midweek Sky Bet Championship games across interactive and digital platforms
    15 live matches from the Carabao Cup, including both semi-finals and the Wembley final
    Rights to offer live coverage across a range of Sky platforms, including online and on mobile

Barney Francis, Sky Sports managing director, said: "This is great news for EFL fans and our viewers, with more live games than ever before and more opportunities for fans to watch their teams live. With a new dedicated football channel, newly enhanced digital platforms, adding more games means Sky Sports is getting even better for football fans.

"Securing the EFL strengthens the Sky Sports service even further with the rights that matter most to our customers. This follows similar enhanced deals with Sky Sports becoming the exclusive home of F1 from 2019 for five years, and the only place to see England home cricket and the new domestic T20 competition live through to 2024.


"Viewing of live EFL games grew by 12 per cent year-on-year last season, and is up a further seven per cent so far this season. Fans value our live EFL coverage and we are delighted to be able to offer even more in the coming years."

EFL chief executive, Shaun Harvey, added: "Sky Sports has for many years been a hugely important and valued partner of the EFL and we are delighted to extend our relationship by a further five years. I would like to thank all those who submitted bids and we now look forward to working with the Sky Sports team as they cement their position as the broadcast home of live EFL matches.

"In agreeing a deal over five seasons, it delivers a guaranteed increase in the level of income distributed to EFL clubs from 2019/20 and long-term financial certainty was an absolute priority throughout this process. It is a partnership that as well as having mutual tangible benefits, allows the EFL to maximise reach and exposure for its competitions, alongside providing further opportunities for clubs to generate additional incremental revenues through iFollow."

Together with up to 183 live matches on Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports will continue to offer in depth coverage of the EFL across a range of platforms, including the Sky Sports App with enhanced live player, skysports.com and Sky Sports News.

With two dedicated channels, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports offers an unrivalled schedule of live football, with over 1,000 live matches every season. The two channels are part of a new look Sky Sports that also includes Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports F1.

Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Arena also offer rugby union, rugby league, boxing, netball, darts, WWE, NFL, GAA and more. Sky Sports Main Event hosts the biggest sporting events in one place, Sky Sports News and Sky Sports Mix are available for free to all Sky TV homes.

For the first time, customers have the flexibility to subscribe to individual channel packages. Or they choose to get it all, with an unrivalled schedule of sport across 10 channels.



http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11031607/sky-sports-wins-live-efl-rights-until-2024-with-more-matches-than-ever

 
New Deal For de la Torre

The Club is delighted to announce that Luca de la Torre has signed a contract extension, tying him to Fulham until the summer of 2020.

de la Torre progressed through the Academy age groups before making his First Team debut in the League Cup victory over Leyton Orient in August 2016.

He went on to make three appearances for the senior side in 2016/17.

"It's a great feeling," Luca told fulhamfc.com. "I've been at this Club for a few years now and it definitely feels like home for me.

"There are a lot of opportunities for me this year to play well for both Fulham and the USA, and I'm looking forward to grabbing the opportunity with both hands.

"I was a bit unlucky at the beginning of the season, I was injured during pre-season and I've been out since but now I'm back in training so hopefully it's onwards and upwards from here."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/september/12/new-deal-for-de-la-torre

 
Fulham youngster says he 'feels at home' after signing contract extension

De La Torre's contract extension sees his current deal extended until the summer of 2020.

Fulham midfielder Luca De La Torre has signed a new contract with the club.

The youngster's extension sees his current deal extended until the summer of 2020.

Speaking to the club's official website, De La Torre said: "It's a great feeling. I've been at this club for a few years now and it definitely feels like home for me.

"There are a lot of opportunities for me this year to play well for both Fulham and the USA, and I'm looking forward to grabbing the opportunity with both hands.

"I was a bit unlucky at the beginning of the season, I was injured during pre-season and I've been out since but now I'm back in training so hopefully it's onwards and upwards from here."

The 19-year-old came through the academy at the club before making his debut in the League Cup victory over Leyton Orient in August 2016.

He went on to make three appearances for the senior side last season.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-youngster-says-feels-home-13606993

 
Team News: Campbell Added To Squad

The Tigers have Fraizer Campbell available again ahead of Wednesday night's away game against Fulham.

Campbell has missed the last two league games with a groin problem but returns to boost Head Coach Leonid Slutsky's attacking options for the trip to Craven Cottage.

Ondrej Mazuch (knee) and Evandro (hamstring) are close to a return but not ready to feature against Fulham, while there are no fresh injury concerns in the wake of the defeat at Derby last Friday.

Abel Hernandez, Kevin Stewart, Will Keane, Moses Odubajo and Ryan Mason remain on the injury list.

Fulham will be without midfielder Lucas Piazon and defender Rafa Soares, while Tom Cairney, Rui Fonte, Neeskens Kebano and Sheyi Ojo all missed the weekend draw with Cardiff City. Deadline day signing Jordan Graham will be hoping to make his debut after being an unused substitute on Saturday.



Tickets for the game will be available at the Craven Cottage turnstiles priced £30 adults, £25 concessions (seniors aged 65+ and young adults aged 18-21) and £20 under 18s.




https://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/articles/2017/201718-fulham-a-team-news/

 
Five reasons to be optimistic ahead of Hull City's trip to Fulham

Hull City fans need some positivity after the Derby County demolition on Friday night

Hull City fans need some positivity after being on the wrong end of a 5-0 thumping against Derby County on Friday night

With that in mind here's five reasons to have hope ahead of Fulham on Wednesday.

City have a good record against Fulham
Until a 4-1 defeat in the FA Cup in January, City could be seen as the Cottagers bogey team, in fact in the league they still are.

In the last five league meetings between the two sides, the Tigers have won four, with a 2-2 sandwiched in between, as fans would have to look back to October 2009 in order to fins a league defeat to Fulham.

This is not a new phenomenon. In the 18 league meetings since 1981, City have lost just three, won eight and drawn seven.

Manucho's goal in March 2009 immediately springs to mind when City fans think of Craven Cottage and they will be hoping the famous old ground will be kind to Leonid Slutsky's side again this week.

City trio to return
Before the visit to Derby County Leonid Slutsky confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Fraizer Campbell, Ondrej Mazuch and Evandro were all fighting to be fit in time to play.

As it was, neither of them were risked at Pride Park but we could see them in action at Craven Cottage.

All of a sudden Leonid Slutsky has a squad to pick from and having all three back will give the Tigers a much-needed boost.

Tom Cairney is injured
He's someone Hull City fans are more than familiar with and after his form in recent seasons they will be pleased to know Tom Cairney looks set to sit out.

The midfielder is struggling to recover from a knee injury that ruled him out of Scotland's World Cup qualifying games earlier this month.

(http://i3.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/article107070.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Tom-Cairney.jpg)
Fulham's Tom Cairney (Image: Getty)

Cairney was named the club's Player of the Season, EFL Player of the Year and was included in the EFL Championship Team of the Year last campaign. He will be missed this season.

Goal-shy Fulham
City are the league's joint-top scorers as it stands with twelve goals this season so far, level with Leeds United who battered Burton Albion 5-0 at the weekend.

They travel to Fulham who have scored just five goals this season. It is of course still early days in the Championship, but already Fulham are showing the signs of a team who struggle to make the most of their chances.

Should City nick a goal early on, the Cottagers may struggle to find their way back into the game.

It can only get better
Let's be honest, a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Derby on Friday night was the lowest of the low.

It was Hull City's heaviest defeat outside the Premier League since 1996, Leonid Slutsky's heaviest ever defeat as a manager and hopefully it was a very stern lesson to this young Tigers team.

City now have a point to prove and as such they will be eager to set the record straight against a decent Fulham side.



http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/five-reasons-optimistic-ahead-hull-460063

 
Fraizer Campbell set to return for Hull City's trip to Fulham

City's striker ready to celebrate his 30th birthday in style at Craven Cottage

Fraizer Campbell has been cleared to make his comeback from injury when Hull City travel to Fulham tomorrow night, handing head coach Leonid Slutsky a timely boost.

The striker has not featured for the Tigers since suffering a groin injury in the 2-1 loss to QPR on August 19. The setback ruled Campbell out of the games against Bolton and Derby but a return to full training ensures he will be back in contention at Craven Cottage.

Campbell, who celebrates his 30th birthday tomorrow, will add competition to City's attacking line along with Nouha Dicko and Adama Diomande.

Ondrej Mazuch (knee) and Evandro (hamstring) are still not ready to make their own comebacks but could yet be ready to face Sunderland this weekend if they can prove their fitness in the next 72 hours.

City are still without Kevin Stewart, who remains out until next month with a ankle injury, along with long-term absentees Abel Hernandez, Will Keane, Moses Odubajo and Ryan Mason.

The Tigers will be aiming to bounce back from Friday's 5-0 loss at Derby County, a result that leaves them 14th in the Championship.



http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fraizer-campbell-set-return-hull-463708

 
Tom Cairney continues to be troubled by knee and misses Fulham's game with Hull

Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney will miss out on a Sky Bet Championship reunion with former club Hull.

Cairney missed Saturday's 1-1 draw with Cardiff and continues to be troubled by a knee injury that ruled him out of Scotland's World Cup qualifiers against Lithuania and Malta earlier this month.

Loan signing Sheyi Ojo will also be absent with a swollen ankle suffered on international duty with England Under-21s, while Rafa Soares has yet to start training with the group as he also battles an ankle problem.

However, Rui Fonte and Neeskens Kebano are expected to return and bolster manager Slavisa Jokanovic's attacking options.

Hull boss Leonid Slutsky is expected to make changes after their 5-0 thrashing at Derby last Friday.

Fraizer Campbell returns to the squad after missing the last two league games with a groin problem.

Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine could make his first start for the Tigers after arriving from Burton at the end of the transfer window, while David Meyler and Adama Diomande are also in contention.

Ondrej Mazuch (knee) and Evandro (hamstring) are close to full fitness again but will not travel to Craven Cottage.



https://www.clubcall.com/hull-city/tom-cairney-continues-to-be-troubled-by-knee-and-misses-fulh-1862574.html

 
Irvine Confident Tigers Can Bounce Back

Jackson Irvine is confident that the Tigers can produce a positive response and bounce back when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.

Five days on from a horrible 5-0 defeat against Derby County, Leonid Slutsky's side will be looking to show their character and Irvine has picked up on some positive signs in recent days.

"The reaction has been positive and I think that started in the second half at Derby," said Irvine.

"It would have been easy to go into our shell and crumble again in the second half but we didn't and we at least showed some fight and created some chances.

"The first training session after that showed that we were all going to put that night behind us and focus on moving forward. We need to have learnt from the mistakes that we made against Derby and focus on the next few games.

"We've done a lot of tactical work in the last few days to get ready for Wednesday night. Fulham are a very good side and it will be tough for us going away from home again but it's a great opportunity for us to bounce back.

"It will be a tough night. I think Fulham are a side with a lot of pace and flair going forward. They've made a few changes since last season but remain a very good side technically.

"We'll be aware of all of that but we'll also be focussing on our own game plan which we want to get us over the line."

The trip to Craven Cottage continues what has been a hectic period for Irvine. Signed in the final few days of the transfer window, the midfielder was 'Down Under' a week ago as part of the Australia squad that secured a World Cup qualifying victory over Thailand.

His return to the UK brought a brief introduction to his new Tigers team-mates before a debut came from the bench against Derby. He is now settling into his new surroundings and hoping a first start in black and amber isn't too far away.

"That's the aim but it will be a difficult task to get into the side because we have a lot of very technically gifted players in the midfield area," continued Irvine.

"I may have to be patient and wait for my opportunity but hopefully the Head Coach sees me as playing a major part this season.

"It's been nice to have three or four days around the training ground now getting to know the boys and seeing how things work day-to-day around here.

"Football is all about adapting and settling as quickly as possible, and the players and staff here are helping me to do that."



https://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/articles/2017/201718-irvine-fulham-a-preview/

 
Bobby Zamora: 'Roy Hodgson's training sessions were boring... but he'll stabilise Crystal Palace'

Bobby Zamora is backing Roy Hodgson to turn Crystal Palace's season around - even if training sessions under the former England boss were 'boring'.

Hodgson is expected to be announced as the new Eagles boss imminently after Frank de Boer was sacked just four games into the season.

Zamora played under Hodgson at Fulham for two years between 2008 and 2010 and is believes his former boss is just the man to improve results at Selhurst Park.

He told Andrew McKenna and Matt Scott on talkSPORT 2: "Session wise at times I would say players would call it quite boring and at that time you think 'what is going on here? We've done this session a thousand times'.

"It's only now I look back at my time with Roy at Fulham and you realise what he was doing. I've said it a few times, I think there were times where I could have played in any position on the park because it's so regimented.

"You've done the practice so many times you know where your options are so you could almost play in any position."

He added: "You can't produce what every fan wants to see, which is total football and flair and goals, which aren't easy to come by.

"Roy will bring stability and if you say to Palace fans 'you'll stay in the Premier League with Roy Hodgson', I think they'd snap your hand off."



Read more at https://talksport.com/football/bobby-zamora-roy-hodgsons-training-sessions-were-boring-hell-stabilise-crystal-palace#es3IRMcm1sqVWS1U.99

 
American teen Luca de la Torre signs new deal at Fulham

Luca de la Torre has extended his stay at Fulham.

The American teenager has come up through the youth academy at Fulham and made three appearances in midfield for Slavisa Jokanovic's first team last season.

On Tuesday the Cottagers announced San Diego native de la Torre has signed an extension which keeps him at Fulham until 2020.

Speaking to the club website, the U.S. national team youth is now hoping to kick on after recovering from an injury in preseason.

"It's a great feeling. I've been at this Club for a few years now and it definitely feels like home for me. There are a lot of opportunities for me this year to play well for both Fulham and the USA, and I'm looking forward to grabbing the opportunity with both hands," de la Torre said. "I was a bit unlucky at the beginning of the season, I was injured during pre-season and I've been out since but now I'm back in training so hopefully it's onwards and upwards from here."

Along with USMNT defender Tim Ream, de la Torre is keeping the American dream alive at Fulham.

The heyday of Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra and Brian McBride ripping it up at Craven Cottage seems like a long time ago, but de la Torre is hoping he can break into the first team after watching fellow USMNT youngster Emerson Hydnman do the same in recent years before his move to Bournemouth.

A U.S. U-20 international, de la Torre grew up playing alongside Christian Pulisic in the youth national teams.



http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2017/09/12/american-teen-luca-de-la-torre-signs-new-deal-at-fulham/

 
Hull City In Focus

Have a read of the key matchday details as Fulham prepare to welcome Hull City to Craven Cottage on Wednesday evening.
Possible opposition absentees

Ondrej Mazuch – knee injury

Evandro – hamstring injury

Abel Hernandez – Achilles injury

Kevin Stewart – ankle injury

Ryan Mason – head injury

Moses Odubajo – knee injury

Will Keane – knee injury
Tickets

Advance tickets are priced from just £25 for adults and £15 for juniors, while Season Ticket Holders can purchase two additional tickets in any part of the ground for just £10 total!
Weather

It is expected to remain dry in Fulham throughout Wednesday, with temperatures at around the 14 degree mark at kick-off.
He said...

"It will be a tough night. I think Fulham are a side with a lot of pace and flair going forward. They've made a few changes since last season but remain a very good side technically." – Jackson Irvine, Hull midfielder.
Live stream

Overseas subscribers to fulhamfctv will be able to watch a live stream of this game. Follow this link for all available packages, and head to www.fulhamfc.com/live from 7.30pm (BST) on Wednesday to view.
Grosvenor Casinos match odds

Fulham: 10/13

Draw: 27/10

Hull: 10/3
Previous five results

Derby County 5-0 Hull City (Sky Bet Championship)

Hull City 4-0 Bolton Wanderers (Sky Bet Championship)

Doncaster Rovers 2-0 Hull City (Carabao Cup)

Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Hull City (Sky Bet Championship)

Hull City 2-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Sky Bet Championship)



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/september/12/hull-city-in-focus

 
Reading FC: Royals Under 18s let two-goal lead slip in defeat to Fulham

READING FC surrendered a two-goal lead in a 5-2 home defeat to Fulham in the Under 18 Premier League.

Royals broke the deadlock at Hogwood Park shortly before the break thanks to a fine strike from Jazz Wallace from the edge of the box.

Then Ethan Coleman stepped off the bench to double Reading's lead early in the second half with a clinical header from a free kick.

However, Fulham quickly recovered and pulled one back within 90 seconds through Nicolas Santos-Clase.

Royals were then stunned by a 19-minute hat-trick by Cameron Thompson to put the visitors 4-2 ahead.

Reece York completed the comeback with Fulham's fifth, though Reading U18 boss David Dodds put his young side's defeat into context.

"Fulham were quite a senior team, I think they had two first years (scholars) and the rest were second years," he said.

"We had the opposite, we had some Under 17s and some Under-16s in there as well.

"We got a little bit of fatigue in the second half, and then we had a really good chance at 3-2 down.

"It was a disappointing performance, it was an unusual one being 2-0 up then getting beaten 5-2, but hopefully they'll learn from it."

Reading U18s: Rosario, Elva-Fontaine, Nditi, Burley, Dorsett (Pendlebury 75'), Buchanan (Coleman 46'), Sparta, Matete (Lawless 60'), Moore, Wallace, Nolan. Subs not used: Hillson, Lawrence.



http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/readingfc/15530492.Reading_FC__Royals_Under_18s_let_two_goal_lead_slip_in_defeat_to_Fulham/

 
Introducing Seasons

Introducing Seasons, Fulham Football Club's new Wine Lounge at Craven Cottage.


Designed in a contemporary style and delivered in collaboration with BoConcept – the Danish furniture specialists whose stunning creations have long adorned the most stylish interiors – Seasons is a totally unique concept which offers stunning interiors alongside unique vistas over the River Thames, courtesy of its Riverside Stand location.

Whether you are looking to impress business clients or simply treat loved ones to a special matchday experience, Seasons Wine Lounge is the ideal venue from which to sit back and enjoy unrivalled hospitality with London's original football club.

As part of your matchday experience, you'll take in all the match action from Directors' Area seating, but not before enjoying signature tapas-style dishes and our exclusive selection of wines – all expertly hand-picked to be paired with the food on offer.

Be one of the first to experience Seasons, with places now available to purchase for Fulham's fixture against Middlesbrough on Saturday 23rd September, kick-off 3pm.

Priced at £159 per person (+VAT), secure your place online or call our Hospitality team on 0208 336 7555 today.

Seasons Wine Lounge truly delivers both on and off the pitch with the Reds flowing inside and the Whites scoring outside!



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/september/12/introducing-seasons

 
Fulham v Hull City
WED, 13 Sept 2017Championship
Venue: Craven Cottage


Fulham will again be without Tom Cairney (knee) and Sheyi Ojo (ankle).

However, Rui Fonte and Neeskens Kebano are expected to return to bolster Slavisa Jokanovic's attacking options.

Hull City boss Leonid Slutsky could make changes to the team beaten 5-0 at Derby last time out.

Forward Frazier Campbell (groin) returns to the squad while Jackson Irvine could make his first start for the Tigers after coming off the bench against the Rams.

SAM's prediction
Home win 54%   Draw 24%   Away win 22%

SAM, the Sports Analytics Machine, is a super-computer built by @ProfIanMcHale of the University of Liverpool.

Match facts
    Nine of the last 15 league meetings between these sides at Fulham have ended in draws, with both sides winning three apiece in the other six encounters.
    Hull, who picked up a victory at Craven Cottage in their last league visit there, have not won back-to-back away league games there since October 1911.
    Hull's games this season have seen 24 goals; no side has seen more goals in their games with Hull scoring 12 but also conceding 12.
    Fulham have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 12 league games at Craven Cottage, they last went on a longer run without a shutout in February 1989 (13 successive games).
    However, the Cottagers have scored in 20 of their last 21 home games in the league.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41169976

New Fulham deal for de la Torre
by Dan on September 12, 2017


Promising American midfielder Luca de la Torre has signed a new contract with Fulham – which will keep him at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2020.

The Texan attacking midfielder is considered one of the finest products to come through the Motspur Park academy in recent seasons and starred on his introduction to the first team last season. De la Torre made his debut in the League Cup during the first round victory at Leyton Orient and was an influential substitute as Slavisa Jokanovic's side put out Premier League Middlesbrough the following month.

The 19 year-old, who helped the USA's Under-20 side win their first ever CONCAF championship back in January, told Fulham's official website of his delight at extending his stay in SW6:

    It's a great feeling. I've been at this club for a few years now and it definitely feels like home for me. There are a lot of opportunities for me this year to play well for both Fulham and the USA, and I'm looking forward to grabbing the opportunity with both hands.

He is hoping to make a significant impact again this term after recovering from an untimely injury.

    I was a bit unlucky at the beginning of the season, I was injured during pre-season and I've been out since but now I'm back in training so hopefully it's onwards and upwards from here.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/09/new-fulham-deal-for-de-la-torre/

 
From Fulham heroics to England embarrassment - The highs and lows of Roy Hodgson's managerial career

Former England boss Roy Hodgson is back in the game after joining Crystal Palace. We take a look at the highs and lows of his career...

Roy Hodgson's hiatus from football is over after the 70-year-old manager signed a two-year contract at Crystal Palace, succeeding Frank de Boer following the Dutchman's sacking on Monday.

The experienced coach has been out of the game since England were eliminated by Iceland in Euro 2016's round of 16.

But for every disappointment he endured with England and other sides, there have been plenty of highlights during a long and distinguished career.

From having a major influence on Scandinavian football to enduring a difficult spell with Liverpool; we identify Hodgson's highs and lows...

THE HIGHS

Scandinavian success

After a modest playing career in England, Hodgson became manager of lowly Swedish side Halmstad in 1976 and went on to produce one of the most remarkable feats in the country's football history, guiding the team to the league title a year after narrowly escaping relegation. They won the title again in 1979.

Hodgson later took over at Malmo in 1985 and led them to five consecutive league titles, writing his name into the folklore of the club and league, while he also masterminded a European Cup victory over Inter in the first round of the 1989-90 edition.

Hodgson and his friend Bob Houghton, who is credited as being responsible for securing him the Halmstad job, are often said to have revolutionised Swedish football with their implementation of zonal marking and high-intensity strategies, and both remain revered figures.

Switzerland at the World Cup

In 1992, Hodgson and Uli Stielike swapped positions at Neuchatel Xamax and Switzerland, giving the Englishman his first national team job. He was an instant success, with the Swiss losing just one match on their way to qualifying for the 1994 World Cup, finishing second behind only eventual finalists Italy in Group 1.

Switzerland had not reached a major competition since 1966 in England and they were then drawn into a favourable group alongside hosts United States, Romania and Colombia.

Hodgson guided them through the group as runners-up before a 3-0 defeat to Spain ended their World Cup dream, but Switzerland were by no means disgraced.

Steadying the ship at Inter

Hodgson was brought to Inter early in the 1995-96 season with the club rooted to the bottom of the Serie A table and in dire form, and the Englishman orchestrated a decent campaign which culminated in a seventh-place finish.

He stayed for another season and left after seeing further improvement in the form of a third-placed finish and then-president Massimo Moratti was mightily grateful for the job he did.

Speaking in 2010, Moratti said: "Roy Hodgson was an important person in the development of Inter Milan to the point we have reached today. He saved us at the right time. When he came we were in trouble and things appeared dark. He didn't panic, he was calm and made us calm. Disaster was averted at the most important time. Everyone at Inter will remember him for that and his contribution. He is considered by us all as an important person in our history. He left an endowment to this club that's important in our history."

Fulham take on Europe

Much like Inter, Fulham were also struggling when Hodgson took over as manager in the 2007-08 season, but by the end of the following campaign things were very different at Craven Cottage, as he took them to seventh, their highest ever finish in the Premier League.

That meant Europea League football came to the Cottage in 2009-10 and, against the odds, Fulham went all the way to the final, defeating the likes of Basel, Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg along the way.

Eventually Atletico Madrid halted them in the final, with Quique Sanchez Flores' men running out 2-1 winners, but Hodgson's achievement with Fulham remained an impressive one and secured him a big move to Liverpool.

THE LOWS

Bristol City "disaster"

After initially following Houghton to Bristol as assistant manager in 1980, two years later Hodgson succeeded his friend and took the top job himself.

However, at the time Bristol were mired in financial trouble and Hodgson lasted four months in the job before being dismissed after a poor run of results.

Hodgson, speaking to BBC Sport in 2012, painted a bleak picture of the situation: "Bristol City was nothing short of a disaster in that we had only been there for a matter of weeks before the banks started to pull the rug from underneath the club. My job when I eventually took over, as caretaker manager, was quite simply to carry on in the aftermath of all the players leaving the club and just fulfilling the fixtures."

Listless Liverpool

Following his heroics at Fulham, it was no surprise to see Hodgson courted by bigger clubs and Liverpool duly came calling in July 2010 after parting company with Rafa Benitez.

But his time at Anfield looked doomed almost from the start, when it was revealed the club's hierarchy had rejected the application of club legend Kenny Dalglish in favour of Hodgson, who also faced accusations of not being able to handle Liverpool's star players.

Although he appeared to have steadied things just before the turn of the year with a run of victories, Hodgson and the club parted ways in early January, ending a turbulent period for the manager.

2014 World Cup woes

After rebuilding his reputation with West Brom in the wake of his Liverpool struggles, Hodgson landed arguably the biggest job of his career, as he replaced Fabio Capello as England manager in May 2012, on the eve of an unspectacular Euro 2012 campaign which ended with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy in the quarter-finals.

Despite that, Hodgson was given the benefit of the doubt and remained in charge, with England subsequently cruising to World Cup qualification unbeaten, but little went right in Brazil.

England failed to win any of their three group games and were dumped out before the knockout phase for the first time at a World Cup since 1958. Still Hodgson clung on to his job, however.

Euro 2016 embarrassment

Qualification for Euro 2016 was also pretty simple for Hodgson's England, winning all of their matches, and he received praise for beginning to bring through some of the country's younger talent.

But the team only just scraped through their group at the finals, with performances receiving criticism for a lack of style and perceived unpreparedness.

And the final nail in the coffin for Hodgson's time in charge of England came with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Iceland in the first knockout round, which prompted the manager to step down ahead of his contract expiring.



Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fulham-heroics-england-embarrassment-highs-and-lows-roy-hodgsons-managerial-career#hDV1VFcDdzOx2Xed.99

 
PREVIEW: Fulham v Hull City

Leonid Slutsky apologised to the fans following Friday's abysmal showing at Derby County. Just as well that match wasn't on the telly and broadcast to the whole nation... oh. Yet, Slutsky is hardly the villain of this piece. Being told 'the supermarket is shut' only to see two key members of the squad leave shortly after, tells you all you need to know about the hollow words of the Allams. For now, the Russian will be low down on the hit-list for who to blame concerning the current shenanigans going on at this club.

Indeed, the City boss has received some positive news on the injury front, as Fraizer Campbell is added to the squad that will travel to London, after he overcame a recent groin problem that was troubling the striker. Jackson Irvine will be hoping to get a full debut in midfield following his move from Burton Albion late in the transfer window, after a brief appearance from the bench during the mismatch with Derby County.

On to Fulham, then. Surprisingly, the Cottagers are yet to win a home game this season. Then, along come Hull City, right on cue... However, before we all throw our collective hands up in despair, the Tigers' record at Craven Cottage is pretty good - and we won there last time we met in the league. Ex-Tiger Tom Cairney is still missing from the team through injury, along with Sheyi Ojo. But, manager Slavisa Jokanovic is hoping to welcome back Rui Fonte and Neeskens Kebano to his selection options. 




http://www.hullcityindependent.net/?page=news&news_id=2065

Why Roy Hodgson deserves another chance
by Dan on September 12, 2017


The back of this morning's Times newspaper made Roy Hodgson out to be a senile old man. The headline to Alyson Rudd's piece on his impending appointment as Crystal Palace's successor to Frank de Boer said he would 'take [the] Palace job aged 70'. I've searched in vain for similar stories denoting Harry Redknapp's age when he aged to coach Birmingham City last season and found none. This isn't the first time Hodgson has been decried in such a manner. The back page of the Sun made fun of his speech impediment the day after his unveiling as England manager.

Of course, it is that spell in charge of the national team that garners most attention. Being beaten by Iceland, after all, is his most recent act as a football manager. That defeat cut him deeper than anybody else but, whilst it showed that international football had progressed significantly since he had seen Switzerland to their best finish at a major tournament, it also served as a timely reminder that England, once the creators of the game, were no longer a footballing powerhouse. The suggestion on a national radio station by Joey Barton that England's performances under Hodgson deserved to see him 'taken out to the garden and shot' was crass even by that particular cretin's standards.

Liverpool fans were never particularly wild about Hodgson either. He didn't fit the mould of Anfield managers or play the type of football that such a storied club desired. It is his achievements after Anfield, with West Bromwich Albion that are probably most appropriate to compare with the situation he inherits at Selhurst Park this evening. When he was appointed at the Hawthorns, the Baggies were hovering above the relegation zone on goal difference, but after five wins and five draws in their last twelve fixtures, Albion finished eleventh in the Premier League – their highest ever position in three decades. The following year, Hodgson guided the Baggies to tenth with wins over Wolves, Chelsea and Liverpool, before accepting the FA's approach to replace Fabio Capello.

Hodgson's methods are meticulous and repetitive, not exactly designed to appeal to the modern footballer. More than one high-profile player has decried his training sessions as devoid of entertainment and several pundits based in this country have railed against his sterile football, but Hodgson's sides are built not to get beat. His teams might be regimented but there's no substitute for organisation and discipline, qualities that can go a long way when facing modern sides who can be cavalier in their approach.

No Fulham fan will need reminding of Hodgson's miracles by the river Thames. Fulham were down among the dead men when he was appointed to replace a desperately out of his depth Lawrie Sanchez – but Hodgson was regarded as yesterday's man even then. One young journalist even asked his colleagues who Hodgson was following Fulham's unveiling – presumably having only been brought up on a surfeit of Premier League football. The Whites' great escape in 2008 was the stuff of legend – spurred on by a win at Manchester City from 2-0 down when relegation seemed a formality, Fulham went on to beat Birmingham and home and then survive courtesy of Danny Murphy's header at Portsmouth.

Hodgson was mocked for paying big money to bring in Bobby Zamora and John Pantsil from West Ham, but the following season brought a seventh place finish, with wins over Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, and a place in the Europa League, which initially appeared a distraction with its summer start. It soon became anything but. Progression through the group stages with a memorable victory in Basel seemed a real achievement, but the journey was just getting started. Fulham disposed of the holders Shakhtar Donestsk, before overturning a three goal deficit to knock out Juventus – with Chris Baird and Dickson Etuhu in central midfield – and toppling Wolfsburg and Hamburg to reach the final against the might of Atletico Madrid. His side, with no stars and a work ethic that made light of their 60 game season, were only beaten with three minutes of extra time remaining by opponents who could count David de Gea, Raul Garcia, Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero amongst their number. His fellow coaches voted him the LMA's manager of the year by a landslide margin never seen since.

Hodgson's achievements on the continent are less well-known but worth recalling given that his longevity in the game is now being used against him. He won a total of eight Swedish titles with Halmstads and Malmo in a period where he was crediting with reinventing the domestic game, reached a UEFA Cup final with Inter Milan and won the Danish double whilst coaching FC Copenhagen. Nobody in Scandinavia would hear a word said against Hodgson either. He was 'knighted' for his services to Finnish football after he stupendously almost guided the national side to Euro 2008.

There is plenty to be said about the process that led Crystal Palace to appoint de Boer and the shoddy nature of his dismissal after just four games. Much of the media reportage following the Dutchman's departure has focused on the fact that, with players paid north of £100,000 a week, the south London club can't afford to drop out of the top flight. The last time they were in trouble they opted for Sam Allardyce. He spoke on Monday Night Football last night about just how difficult it is to catch up to the rest when you are marooned at the bottom. Hodgson knows just how tough the task is. He also has a track record of securing survival. Palace couldn't have picked a better man to get themselves out of this fine mess.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/09/why-roy-hodgson-deserves-another-chance/

 
Ian Holloway hails QPR depth after former Leeds and Fulham man comes off the bench to score equaliser against Millwall

Speaking after the game, Holloway reflected on an action-packed 90 minutes, and says he is pleased that he now has the option to make effective substitutions to change games.

QPR manager Ian Holloway has hailed his side for fighting back to secure a 2-2 draw against Millwall.

Speaking after the game, Holloway reflected on an action-packed 90 minutes, and says he is pleased that he now has the option to make effective substitutions to change games.

He said: "It's a very emotional game isn't it. It's a wonderful local derby, everything's happening, everyone is getting stuck in, they scored a brilliant goal, a wonder goal. What a fantastic strike.

"It rocked us to the core then we didn't quite do what we needed to do, and then in the second half when we looked like we were going to, and then we let another one in against 10 men.

"Normally QPR would fold but I'm really pleased that we kept solid and understood where the spare man was. We didn't just launch it even when Smithy's come on, how many saves has their keeper made? I'll have to have a look at it. Unbelievable.

"We hit the bar twice and we could have had a hat-full. I'm saying, we understood where the spare man was, we worked it to the spare man with the right balance and then we've put it in the box and our bench is so strong these days that I can cause anybody problems.

"So if it's not working, keep believing, keep going and i'll make some changes and hopefully we'll have a chance in every game."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ian-holloway-hails-qpr-depth-13612067

 
Jackson Irvine says it's now time for Hull City to stand up and be counted

The Tigers are aiming to bounce back from their humbling defeat at Derby County

Jackson Irvine believes Hull City 's trip to Fulham provides an early test of character as a new-look squad aims to quickly banish the memories of their Derby County horror show.

City return to action at Craven Cottage tonight in need of a lift after seeing their campaign suffer a shuddering setback when soundly beaten 5-0 at Pride Park last time out.

A third defeat in four games leaves head coach Leonid Slutsky targeting immediate improvements and Irvine wants to help inspire a timely reaction in the capital.

"It's important to see how we bounce back from a result like that, to see the character we've got in the squad," said Irvine, who is in contention to make his full City debut tonight.

"We just have to learn from it very quickly and make sure it doesn't happen again.

"It's also important in these periods because these short burst of games between international windows leading up to Christmas can be very important to your season.

"You'd rather have the points sooner rather than later so if we can get points on the board now it stands us in good stead for later in the year. All it takes is a run of six and seven games and you can fly up the league, even less than that sometimes.

"That was only our first game with the full set of players we're going to have until January and the more time we spend together, the more we'll gel. That's the beauty of the Championship, that turnaround to put things right very quickly."

Five nights after a humbling loss at Derby, City face another tough assignment away to a Fulham side that finished in the Championship play-offs last season.

"We've had a discussion about the game and we'll just look to move on from it as quickly as possible," said Irvine.

"I remember last season Huddersfield got beat 5-0 at one point (away to Fulham) and Reading got beat 7-1 (at Norwich) at another point. Sometimes these results happen when you want to play expansive, attacking football.

"Every team in the Championship possesses the quality to punish you on the day. Hopefully we'll do that to plenty of other teams this season."

Irvine, signed from Burton two weeks ago in a £2m deal, made his first appearance for City when coming off the bench for the final 20 minutes at Pride Park.

The Australian was unable to salvage a lost cause with the Tigers already trailing 5-0 but tonight he is being considered for a first start in City's midfield as Slutsky considers changes.

"It wasn't the ideal situation to play your first game but football very rarely goes to plan," said Irvine, who scored in Burton's 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage last season.

"I don't think I've ever had a positive result on my debuts for any of my clubs so hopefully we can change things around. Fulham will be another tough game for us."



http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jackson-irvine-says-its-now-465396

 
Leonid Slutsky urges his Hull City side to embrace "serious pressure" at Fulham

Tigers search for capital gains after losing 5-0 at Derby County last time out

A year ago this week Leonid Slutsky was preparing for the start of another Champions League campaign with CSKA Moscow, joining a group where he would his pit his tactical wits against Tottenham, Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen.

Tonight's trip to Fulham in the Championship is a much less glamorous challenge for the Russian but Hull City's 5-0 defeat at Derby County last Friday ensures his managerial skills are left to face another big test.

In only his sixth league game in charge of the Tigers, Slutsky was forced to digest the heaviest loss of his professional coaching career at Pride Park. Apologies were made to supporters and promises were made that lessons would quickly be learned.

Slutsky's honesty and charm continues to see him command the universal backing of supporters but he knows the importance of bouncing back in the capital this evening.

"The match against Fulham is not only a match, it's a big test of our character and our willpower," Slutsky said ahead of leading his City troops to West London this evening.

"It's a key moment in this situation and we must show a reaction after an unbelievable defeat against Derby.

"It's a serious pressure, of course, because everybody understands that we must recover quickly in a short time.

"It's a serious pressure for each player, staff, the head coach and the supporters. It's a very difficult moment in the building of a new team."

After the opening month had concluded with an emphatic victory over Bolton Wanderers and then brought the recruitment of new boys Jackson Irvine, Nouha Dicko and Fakayo Tomori, a cautious optimism has soon been diluted by Friday's defeat at Derby.

A third defeat of the Championship season was the most dispiriting day of Slutksy's short reign and also suggested City remain a work in progress following a turbulent summer.

Slutsky will consider changes, such as starts in midfield for David Meyler and Irvine and a potential recall for Fraizer Campbell, but he wants to see a reaction carried from the training ground to Craven Cottage.

"In training always everything is good," said Slutsky. "I didn't see any problems in training sessions because each player is very professional and training very hard in each training session.

"I couldn't understand our problems because each training session I didn't have a problem with the players.

"It's a very unpredictable situation. Maybe it's better because we don't have a time to think more about the situation or maybe it will be bad because we don't have time to change some things."

Slutsky afforded himself no time for self-pity over the weekend, heading straight to the capital from Derby to witness Fulham's 1-1 draw at home to Cardiff.

A third home game without a win leaves the Cottagers level-pegging with City ahead of tonight's meeting, with both teams in need of a victory to kick-start their season.

"I went a lot of times last season and I watched the game against Cardiff on Saturday," added Slutsky, who lived in London after leaving CSKA Moscow last December.

"Fulham are more dangerous now in the counter attack, rather than the possession attack but the class of their players they can play in all kinds of situations. Last season their quality of game, they were the best in the Championship."



http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leonid-slutsky-urges-hull-city-465531

 
Patience required as Slutsky looks for the right solutions

AFTER a night as chastening as last Friday, Hull City could be forgiven for looking at tonight's assignment in the capital with some trepidation.

Fulham, joint favourites for promotion alongside Aston Villa before a ball was kicked in anger this season, may have had a slow start but there is no doubting the attacking armoury at Slavisa Jokanovic's disposal.

The Londoners were the joint top scorers in last season's Championship, meaning a defence that was cut open almost at will in the 5-0 hammering at Derby County will have to be on its guard. Slutsky's task since that embarrassing loss has been to lift spirits and instil some pride back in a group of players who left the field at Pride Park shell-shocked. "It was very difficult to explain my emotions on Friday night," said the Hull head coach ahead of taking on a Fulham side who have lost just one and drawn four of their half dozen league games this season. "No-one believes in our team but I must change that situation. "If I am speaking only about problems, that is not a good position. I must solve our problems.

"My target now is to change this situation. We need patience but we don't have too much time. We have to bounce back in our next match." Hull were beaten 4-1 at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup last season but tonight's likely XI will be very different to the one fielded by Marco Silva with only Evandro and David Meyler of the 14 players on duty that January afternoon still at the club. Jon Toral is one of those who arrived during the summer window to replace the host of big name departures and he admits there must be a response to that sorry loss at Derby in what was his full debut for the Tigers. "It was a bad result on Friday," he said. "We need to react quickly in the Fulham game. We need to be ready to put it right. "Our heads went down after the penalty (missed by Seb Larsson at 1-0). We have to react better and keep ourselves in the game. "The team and staff have been fantastic with me and I am very grateful for that. I am looking forward to putting the Derby game aside and kicking on. We have to look to Fulham and be ready." Evandro and Fraizer Campbell will be assessed after recovering from injury as Hull look to claim a first away win in the league this season at the fourth attempt.

Last six games: Fulham DDLLWD, Hull City WLLLWL.
Referee: T Robinson (West Sussex).
Last time: Fulham 4 Hull City 1; January 29, 2017; FA Cup.




Read more at: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/hull-city/patience-required-as-slutsky-looks-for-the-right-solutions-1-8750593

 
Fulham v Hull City: Patience required as Slutsky looks to find right solutions for Tigers

AFTER a night as chastening as last Friday, Hull City could be forgiven for looking at tonight's assignment in the capital with some trepidation....

Fulham, joint favourites for promotion alongside Aston Villa before a ball was kicked in anger this season, may have had a slow start but there is no doubting the attacking armoury at Slavisa Jokanovic's disposal.

The Londoners were the joint top scorers in last season's Championship, meaning a defence that was cut open almost at will in the 5-0 hammering at Derby County will have to be on its guard.

Slutsky's task since that embarrassing loss has been to lift spirits and instil some pride back in a group of players who left the field at Pride Park shell-shocked.

"It was very difficult to explain my emotions on Friday night," said the Hull head coach ahead of taking on a Fulham side who have lost just one and drawn four of their half dozen league games this season. "No-one believes in our team but I must change that situation.

"If I am speaking only about problems, that is not a good position. I must solve our problems.

"My target now is to change this situation. We need patience but we don't have too much time. We have to bounce back in our next match."

Hull were beaten 4-1 at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup last season but tonight's likely XI will be very different to the one fielded by Marco Silva with only Evandro and David Meyler of the 14 players on duty that January afternoon still at the club.

Jon Toral is one of those who arrived during the summer window to replace the host of big name departures and he admits there must be a response to that sorry loss at Derby in what was his full debut for the Tigers.

"It was a bad result on Friday," he said. "We need to react quickly in the Fulham game. We need to be ready to put it right.

"Our heads went down after the penalty (missed by Seb Larsson at 1-0). We have to react better and keep ourselves in the game.

"The team and staff have been fantastic with me and I am very grateful for that. I am looking forward to putting the Derby game aside and kicking on. We have to look to Fulham and be ready."

Evandro and Fraizer Campbell will be assessed after recovering from injury as Hull look to claim a first away win in the league this season at the fourth attempt.

Last six games: Fulham DDLLWD, Hull City WLLLWL.

Referee: T Robinson (West Sussex).

Last time: Fulham 4 Hull City 1; January 29, 2017; FA Cup.



http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/hull-city/fulham-v-hull-city-patience-required-as-slutsky-looks-to-find-right-solutions-for-tigers-1-8750593

 
Did You Know: Fulham (a)

Get to know our next Sky Bet Championship opponents - Fulham - a little better, with six facts you may not have known about the Cottagers.

1 The Club was born when a school teacher and churchwarden formed a team for local boys at Fulham St Andrew's Church in 1879. Although cricket initially took the priority, seven years later, the team won their first silverware, the West London Amateur Cup, beating St Matthew's 2-1 in the Final.

2 Fulham's first recorded all-white kit came in 1903, and ever since then the Club has played in all-white shirts and black shorts, with socks going through various evolutions of black and/or white.

3 The first England international to play for the Club was Albert Wilkes, who joined from Aston Villa in 1907 after winning five caps. It wasn't until 1922 when a Fulham player played for England: Frank Osborne against Ireland in October.

4 The Fulham mascot is Billy the Badger, who was the winning design sent in by Kyle Jackson after an online competition run by the club. Billy the Badger wears the number 79 Fulham shirt, in reference to the club's year of founding (1879).

5 Fulham are a member of the European Club Association having qualified three times for European Competition - qualifying for the Intertoto Cup and the Europa League (twice) - and have never lost a home game in European competitions.

6 Sean Davis is the only player to have represented Fulham in all four divisions.



https://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/articles/2017/201718-did-you-know-fulham-a/

 
Category One Status Retained

The Club is pleased to announce that our Academy has retained its Category One status.

Under the Elite Player Performance Plan, Fulham has held the highest possible status since its introduction in the summer of 2012, and will now continue to enjoy the benefits that come with it.

"It's really important for a club for our size and standing, to be competing with the best clubs' youth development in the country," commented Academy Director Huw Jennings.

"We're very proud of our Academy and we are delighted to have received further affirmation of our work."


The Club recently built an indoor facility at our Motspur Park Training Ground as part of a redevelopment project funded entirely by Chairman Shahid Khan, and have further invested by purchasing the land adjacent that was previously owned by the BBC.

"The other thing that is critical to us is the demonstration of the fantastic support we have had from the ownership and the executive of the Club," Jennings added.

"They have backed the programme with a massive injection of cash into our facility development both last season and also for the long term future with the acquisition of the former BBC ground.

"When the rules relating to facilities changed, we knew that it was going to be a very tall order to first of all gain the planning consent, to build the new facilities, and to get them completed in time to the satisfaction of the Category One auditors.

"We managed to achieve both and I think that's attributed to a fantastic team effort. I should absolutely compliment [Chief Operating Officer] Darren Preston and his team, the facilities development programme was an outstanding achievement.

"The best thing for me about the facility development is that absolutely everyone at the Club and within our local community benefits."

The Club recently built an indoor facility at our Motspur Park Training Ground as part of a redevelopment project funded entirely by Chairman Shahid Khan, and have further invested by purchasing the land adjacent that was previously owned by the BBC.

"The other thing that is critical to us is the demonstration of the fantastic support we have had from the ownership and the executive of the Club," Jennings added.

"They have backed the programme with a massive injection of cash into our facility development both last season and also for the long term future with the acquisition of the former BBC ground.

"When the rules relating to facilities changed, we knew that it was going to be a very tall order to first of all gain the planning consent, to build the new facilities, and to get them completed in time to the satisfaction of the Category One auditors.

"We managed to achieve both and I think that's attributed to a fantastic team effort. I should absolutely compliment [Chief Operating Officer] Darren Preston and his team, the facilities development programme was an outstanding achievement.

"The best thing for me about the facility development is that absolutely everyone at the Club and within our local community benefits."


Asked about the role high-class facilities play in bringing through and developing players, Jennings responded: "No-one should anticipate that having a good Academy is because you have good facilities.

"You need to have a culture and environment that enables the best young players to develop and reach their full potential.

"If you look at the quality of facilities available throughout academy football, then you clearly have to be aspiring to have the best available for your own programme.

"Almost without exception people comment on the warmth of the welcome when they come to Fulham, and that starts with the reception team and goes all the way through to every member of staff who works at the Club.

"That more than anything means a huge amount to me and my team in the Academy, that the Club is fully supportive of the Academy programme.

"There is no doubt that when you build and develop facilities, and when you demonstrate you want to move the Academy forward, that is attractive for players to join the Club and, frankly, also for players to stay at the Club.

"Those things are critical to success, and in any industry you need to be demonstrating that you are moving forward and aspiring to develop your programme to be the best you can be, and we are no different."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/september/13/category-one-status-retained

 
Our Character Faces A Serious Test Now - Slutsky

Head Coach Leonid Slutsky knows his players will face a serious test of their character when they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage tonight (KO 7.45pm).

The Tigers are still licking their wounds after a 5-0 drubbing at Derby last Friday and will be looking to bounce back against the Cottagers, with Slutsky admitting the side owe their travelling fans a performance.

"This isn't just a match for us now, it is a big test for our character and for our willpower," said Slutsky.

"It is a key moment in this season and we must show a reaction after what happened at Derby and that unbelievable defeat.

"It is a serious pressure now because everybody understands that we must recover quickly from what happened. The pressure is for the players, for the staff and for the Head Coach after a difficult moment in building a new team.

"Maybe it is better that we have this midweek game because it means there isn't as much time to think about what happened at Derby, but it also means we haven't had as much time to change some things because really we want to change some very important things in the team.

"It is important that we give the travelling fans a good performance. We still apologise to those that went to Derby. We know that a Wednesday night is not the best time for fans to be travelling to a game in London, but we hope that the fans that do go to the game will be right behind the team as the support is very important to us."

Slutsky's men will come up against a Fulham side that has matched the Tigers' points tally for the season so far and the Russian is expecting a tough evening at a ground he knows well.

"I think they have changed their model a little bit since last season," added Slutsky.

"They have very fast players in attack and are very dangerous on the counter-attack. However, they don't just rely on this and the class of player they have means they are good at many different systems.

"For quality, I think Fulham were the best team in the Championship last season and they are a very dangerous side.

"I have been to Craven Cottage many times and I was there at the weekend to watch Fulham's match against Cardiff."



https://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/articles/2017/201718-slutsky-fulham-a-preview/

 
Fulham's Kevin McDonald expecting open game as Hull City visit Craven Cottage

Hull have scored and conceded 12 goals this season and the Scotsman is anticipating what could be a very high scoring game

Kevin McDonald reckons tonight's game with Hull City has the potential to be a very open game, joking that it could end up 6-6.

Leonid Slutsky's side visit the Cottage on the back of a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Derby in front of the Sky cameras on Friday night, while Fulham are still looking for their first win at home after drawing 1-1 with Cardiff City on Saturday.

Both sides have yet to find their best performances and both are in a similar position in the table having gained seven points so far, with Hull losing three games whilst the Cottagers have lost just once.

Hull have scored 12 and conceded 12, while Fulham are known for their attacking football and tonight's game has all the hallmarks of a high scoring game - something that McDonald is prepared for.

He said: "It could be about six each!

"We watched them on Friday night on the TV and we've had a meeting about them this week, but it's got the potential to be an open game but we know ourselves what we have to do to win these games."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulhams-kevin-mcdonald-expecting-open-13613028

 
Hull City's Jarrod Bowen keen to get the back on horse with a win Fulham

With four goals to his name Bowen is City's top scorer this term

Jarrod Bowen is eager to set the record straight tonight as Hull City bid to move on from their 5-0 defeat at Derby County.

The Tigers crumbled at Pride Park allowing the Rams to run riot on their home turf and extend City's winless run away from home to 21 league games, their last win away from the KCOM Stadium coming in August 2016 against Swansea City.

It also leaves City with in the bottom half of the table with one win in their last four. But just five days after they have the chance to out that behind them, something Bowen is keen to do.

City's top scorer is keen to get back on the horse at Craven Cottage and pick up three points to kick-start the Tigers' season.

"Last Friday wasn't good and we all know that," Bowen told the club website.

"As much as we all know that it wasn't really a 5-0 kind of game, we also know that you have nights like that in football and maybe one of those will go our way later in the season.

"For now, we have to forget about that game and get it out of our system. With that in mind it's a good thing that we have another game a few days later and we have to use this game against Fulham to put things right.

"It won't be easy against Fulham. We played them down there in the FA Cup last season and they were very good.

"We know what to expect from them, so we have to make sure we are on our game in order to get the three points."



http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hull-citys-jarrod-bowen-keen-468699

 
Shine On

David Button is sporting a lovely pair of black eyes - the result of an accidental training ground collision - when he walks into the communications office for his official matchday programme interview.

But you get the feeling that it would take more than a couple of shiners for Button to relinquish his starting spot between the sticks.

Having watched last term's run-in to the Play-Offs from the substitutes' bench, Button was back in for this season's opener against Norwich City and been ever-present in the league since. He's keen for that to continue.


"Looking back on last season, there were some highs and there were some lows, as is the life of a goalkeeper," concedes Button. "There are things I'd like to improve on and hopefully I'll get the chance to show everyone this season what I can do.

"Was it hard watching the run-in from the bench? Yes and no. Every footballer is desperate to play but I fully understood the reasons why I wasn't. I was behind the lads and wishing them well. It was unfortunate we couldn't get over the line so there was frustration there. But the season as a whole was a very good one for Fulham."

To read the full interview with Button, get your hands on the programme on Wednesday.

Other highlights from the publication include:

    Chairman Shahid Khan brings fans an exciting update on the Riverside Stand redevelopment
    Slaviša Jokanović and Tom Cairney pen their latest columns
    Liam Rosenior recalls his spells at Fulham and Hull City
    Kevin McDonald takes our nine-dart challenge
    Bjarne Goldbaek talks us through a Fulham-related picture of him
    Allan 'Sniffer' Clarke picks his Whites 'Dream Team'
    And Gordon Davies discusses everything FFC


Priced £3.50, the 100-page publication is available from various sellers on Stevenage Road from two hours before kick-off. Or order it online from Programme Master where you can also purchase an annual subscription and past editions.

For just £1.99, the programme is also available as a digital download on your iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, PC or Mac via Pocketmags from 1am on Wednesday morning.




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/september/13/button-programme-hull

 
Fulham v Hull City preview: Team news ahead of Craven Cottage clash

Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney will miss out on a Sky Bet Championship reunion with former club Hull at Craven Cottage on Wednesday.

Cairney missed Saturday's 1-1 draw with Cardiff and continues to be troubled by a knee injury that ruled him out of Scotland's World Cup qualifiers against Lithuania and Malta earlier this month.

Loan signing Sheyi Ojo will also be absent with a swollen ankle suffered on international duty with England U21s, while Rafa Soares has yet to start training with the group as he also battles an ankle problem.

However, Rui Fonte and Neeskens Kebano are expected to return and bolster manager Slavisa Jokanovic's attacking options.

Hull boss Leonid Slutsky is expected to make changes after their 5-0 thrashing at Derby last Friday.

Fraizer Campbell returns to the squad after missing the last two league games with a groin problem.

Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine could make his first start for the Tigers after arriving from Burton at the end of the transfer window, while David Meyler and Adama Diomande are also in contention.

Ondrej Mazuch (knee) and Evandro (hamstring) are close to full fitness again but will not travel to Craven Cottage.

Opta stats

---

Nine of the last 15 league meetings between these sides at Fulham have ended in draws, with both sides winning three apiece in the other six encounters.

Hull, who picked up a victory at Craven Cottage in their last league visit there, haven't won back to back away league games there since October 1911.

Hull's games this season have seen 24 goals; no side has seen more goals in their games with Hull scoring 12 but also conceding 12.

Fulham haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 12 league games at Craven Cottage, they last went on a longer run without a shutout in February 1989 (13 successive games).

However, the Cottagers have scored in 20 of their last 21 home games in the league.



http://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-hull-city/preview/374694

 
Match Pack: Fulham (a)

Get the lowdown ahead of tonight's Sky Bet Championship clash away at Fulham...

THE MATCH
Fulham vs Hull City
Tuesday 13th September 2017 (KO 7:45pm)
Sky Bet Championship
Craven Cottage

TEAM NEWS
The Tigers have Fraizer Campbell available again for the trip to Craven Cottage. Campbell has missed the last two league games with a groin problem but returns to boost Head Coach Leonid Slutsky's attacking options.

Ondrej Mazuch (knee) and Evandro (hamstring) are close to a return but not ready to feature against Fulham, while there are no fresh injury concerns in the wake of the defeat at Derby last Friday.

Abel Hernandez, Kevin Stewart, Will Keane, Moses Odubajo and Ryan Mason remain on the injury list.

Fulham will be without midfielder Lucas Piazon and defender Rafa Soares, while Tom Cairney, Rui Fonte, Neeskens Kebano and Sheyi Ojo all missed the weekend draw with Cardiff City. Deadline day signing Jordan Graham will be hoping to make his debut after being an unused substitute on Saturday.

PRE-MATCH TALK
Leonid Slutsky knows his players will face a serious test of their character when they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage tonight (KO 7.45pm).

The Tigers are still licking their wounds after a 5-0 drubbing at Derby last Friday and will be looking to bounce back against the Cottagers, with Slutsky admitting the side owe their travelling fans a performance.

"This isn't just a match for us now, it is a big test for our character and for our willpower," said Slutsky.

"It is a key moment in this season and we must show a reaction after what happened at Derby and that unbelievable defeat.

"It is a serious pressure now because everybody understands that we must recover quickly from what happened. The pressure is for the players, for the staff and for the Head Coach after a difficult moment in building a new team.

"Maybe it is better that we have this midweek game because it means there isn't as much time to think about what happened at Derby, but it also means we haven't had as much time to change some things because really we want to change some very important things in the team.

"It is important that we give the travelling fans a good performance. We still apologise to those that went to Derby. We know that a Wednesday night is not the best time for fans to be travelling to a game in London, but we hope that the fans that do go to the game will be right behind the team as the support is very important to us."

Jackson Irvine, meanwhile, is confident that the Tigers can produce a positive response and bounce back when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.

Five days on from a horrible 5-0 defeat against Derby County, Leonid Slutsky's side will be looking to show their character and Irvine has picked up on some positive signs in recent days.

"The reaction has been positive and I think that started in the second half at Derby," he said.

"It would have been easy to go into our shell and crumble again in the second half but we didn't and we at least showed some fight and created some chances.

"The first training session after that showed that we were all going to put that night behind us and focus on moving forward. We need to have learnt from the mistakes that we made against Derby and focus on the next few games.

"We've done a lot of tactical work in the last few days to get ready for Wednesday night. Fulham are a very good side and it will be tough for us going away from home again but it's a great opportunity for us to bounce back.

"It will be a tough night. I think Fulham are a side with a lot of pace and flair going forward. They've made a few changes since last season but remain a very good side technically.

"We'll be aware of all of that but we'll also be focussing on our own game plan which we want to get us over the line."

OPPOSITION VIEW
Fulham midfielder Kevin McDonald is expecting tonight's clash at Craven Cottage to be an open game.

Both sides have yet to find their best performances and both are in a similar position in the table having gained seven points so far. The Tigers have scored 12 and conceded 12, while Fulham are known for their attacking football, suggesting tonight's game has all the hallmarks of a high scoring affair - something that McDonald is prepared for.

He said: "It could be about six each! We watched them on Friday night on the TV and we've had a meeting about them this week, but it's got the potential to be an open game but we know ourselves what we have to do to win these games."

FORM GUIDE

Hull City's Last Five Results
L0-5 vs Derby County (a)
W4-0 vs Bolton Wanderers (h)
L0-2 vs Doncaster Rovers (a)
L1-2 vs QPR (a)
L2-3 vs Wolves (h)

Fulham's Last Five Results
D1-1 vs Cardiff City (h)
W2-0 vs Ipswich Town (a)
L0-1 vs Bristol Rovers (h)
L0-1 vs Sheffield Wednesday (h)
D0-0 vs Leeds United (a)

STATS
Nine of the last 15 league meetings between these sides at Fulham have ended in draws, with both sides winning three apiece in the other six encounters.

The Tigers registered a 1-0 win on their last league visit to Craven Cottage and are chasing back-to-back league wins there for the first time since October 1911.

Fulham have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 12 league games at Craven Cottage, they last went on a longer run without a shutout in February 1989 (13 successive games).

OFFICIALS
Tim Robinson will take charge of the Tigers' Sky Bet Championship trip to Fulham on Wednesday night.

Robinson has manned eight matches so far this campaign, dishing out 22 yellow cards and six red cards along the way.

Assisting Robinson will be Ian Cooper and Robert Hyde, while Keith Stroud will be on fourth official duty.

HISTORY
This will be the 93rd competitive meeting between these two sides. The Tigers have won 35 of those games, drawing 27 and losing the other 30. In away fixtures against the Cottagers, the Tigers have won 11 of 46 in all competitions, with 15 draws and 20 defeats.

LAST TIME OUT
The Tigers endured disappointment on their previous trip to Craven Cottage as the home side inflicted a 4-1 defeat on Marco Silva's side to progress the fifth round of the FA Cup.

The hosts took the lead as Sone Aluko volleyed in against his former club before Evandro levelled on 49 minutes.

Chris Martin restored the hosts' lead five minutes later, with further goals Ryan Sessegnon and Stefan Johansen completing the scoring.

Marcus Bettinelli saved two Abel Hernandez penalties in two minutes, before producing an excellent stop to deny substitute Josh Tymon late on as Fulham deservedly reached the fifth round for the first time since 2011.

TICKETS
Tickets are no longer available to purchase in advance. Fans can pay at the turnstiles Craven Cottage this evening (cash only), but please note that prices will rise by £5 for those paying on the night.

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Don't worry if you can't make it to Craven Cottage for whatever reason, as we'll be keeping you right up to speed with events during today's game. Our social media channels will keep you up-to-date on events during the 90 minutes, and take you behind-the-scenes at the home of the Cottagers.

Follow us on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram

And don't forget to join us on Snapchat - TigersOfficial. By adding us on Snapchat you'll get to see exclusive behind the scenes content and videos throughout the night.



https://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/articles/2017/201718-fulham-a-match-pack/

 
Three key battles Hull City must win in order to get a result at Fulham

The Tigers are looking for their first league win on the road since August 2016

(http://i1.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/article469701.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/Untitled-design-96.png)
Michael Hector has his work cut out with Floyd Ayite

Hull City travel to Craven Cottage tonight to play a Fulham team who are without a win at home this season.

The Tigers know they must bounce back after the humiliation of a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Derby County last time out.

Daniel Jefferson looks at the key battles City must win in order to register their first away win of the season.

Nouha Dicko vs Tomáš Kalas
Dicko will be looking to offer more of an attacking threat tonight. The Mali international found himself isolated for long periods of the game at Pride Park and struggled to make an impact as a result.

Kalas will be the one likely to try and stop Dicko in his tracks. Now 24, the Chelsea loanee has gained a lot experience after previous loan spells at Vitesse Arnhem and Middlesbrough. The centre back was one of Fulham's stand out performers last season and he will be hoping he can quash the Tigers' attacking potency, as it stands City have the second deadliest attack in the league.

(http://i4.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/article130115.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Tomas-Kalas.jpg)
Tomas Kalas, in action for Fulham against Hull City in January, was a summer target for the Tigers (Image: Getty Images)

With Abel Hernandez injured, Fraizer Campbell just recovering from injury and Adama Diomandé usually being used an impact substitute, this is Dicko's chance to make a real statement and shine in black and amber.

David Meyler vs Kevin McDonald
After a terrible midfield showing on Friday, Leonid Slutsky may look to ring the changes against Fulham. The midfield trio of Markus Henriksen, Jon Toral and Sebastien Larsson failed to show any cohesion and as a result they were ran ragged against their Derby counterparts.

Meyler will offer that steal in midfield that was desperately missing last weekend and offer defensive cover. The Irishman must keep up his high tempo style of play to get a stranglehold of the midfield and nullify McDonald.

Meyler will be key at breaking up play and getting the City attacking players into the game. It is also important that he continues running himself into the ground if he wants to stem McDonald's passing ability as he will look to play in the likes of Ryan Sessesgnon, Floyd Ayité and Yohan Mollo.

Michael Hector vs Floyd Ayité
After a calamitous performance against Derby, Hector will be looking to rectify his errors and show why he was one of the signings of the summer transfer window.

The defender was at fault for the fifth goal in the 5-0 defeat being closed down as he dallied on the ball close to his own box. His deflected clearance fell to Bradley Johnson on the edge of the area who curled the ball into the bottom corner past Allan McGregor.

Fulham's attacking front three will offer a similar threat to Derby and Hector will need to look out for Ayité. The makeshift striker managed to find the back of the net nine times last season. He's fast, skilful and has an excellent turn of pace so Hector will need to be at his best to keep Ayité at bay.



http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/three-key-battles-hull-city-469721

 
£2.7m-rated star in attack, still no place for Norwood: The Fulham XI Jokanovic should play against Hull City tonight

The Championship action may be all but over for this round of mid-week fixtures but Fulham and Hull still have to do battle later tonight at Craven Cottage.

The men from west London have had a pretty frustrating start to their season with them drawing more games than winning and therefore they are not as high in the table as they perhaps should be.

For sure, then, the Whites need to be that bit more clinical this season but they should be able to find such form with them displaying some fine attacking football last year and at times this time around too.

And, against a Hull side that shipped five goals last time out, they'll feel as though they are going to get chances to put this game away.

For sure, then, the onus will be on the home side to attack and we reckon Slavisa Jokanovic should go with the same attacking trio as he did against Cardiff at the weekend.

Indeed, Ryan Sessegnon and Yohan Mollo should be going down the wings whilst £2.7 million-rated striker Floyd Ayite needs to be leading the line.

Meanwhile, in midfield, we're expecting Oliver Norwood to once again start on the bench despite coming on in the draw with Cardiff at the weekend whilst Jokanovic should also keep his back five the same for this intriguing clash.

Here's the line-up we reckon Jokanovic must go with, then:




https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/2-7m-rated-star-in-attack-still-no-place-for-norwood-the-fulham-xi-jokanovic-should-play-against-hull-city-tonight/

 
Ream: We're Ready

Tim Ream is ready for a Hull City reaction under the Craven Cottage floodlights on Wednesday evening.

The Tigers were heavily beaten in their previous outing last Friday, as a rampant first half display from Derby County culminated in them running out 5-0 victors at Pride Park.

And while Ream knows that will serve as extra motivation for a side who were playing top flight football last term, he's backing his Fulham teammates to rise to the challenge.


"You look at any team that's come down from the Premier League," he explained, "and they're going to come with something to prove.

"And obviously on the back of a heavy defeat at Derby their motivation is going to be 10-fold. It's a challenge that the squad's really looking forward to."

The Whites go into the midweek encounter having lost just one league match all season.

And although we have only taken three points on one occasion as well, Ream believes the group has enough in their locker to start stringing some wins together.

"If you look at the end of last year and the run we went on, it was all about momentum," he stated.

"That's what the Championship is all about, so if we can get a win against Hull and really kick on from there, then we definitely have the squad to do big things this year, and hopefully get promoted."

Make sure you're at the Cottage as the Whites host Hull, with tickets priced from £30 for adults and £15 for juniors.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/september/13/tim-ream-were-ready

 
Fulham v Hull City - Early Team-News

Tonight those who frequent Craven Cottage, will be hoping Fulham can register a first home win of the 2017 / 2018 season.

Tonight, the Cottagers face Hull City, a side who lost their Premier League status when they were relegated last May.

Ahead of the game we have some early team news for you.

Starting with Fulham:

Slavisa Jokanovic will again be without two of his squad with Tom Cairney and Sheyi Ojo affected by knee and ankle injuries respectively.

But, on the positive side, Fulham are expected to welcome back Rui Fonte and Neeskens Kebano, both of whom have been declared fit.

Continuing with Hull City:

The Tigers new manager, the Russian Leonid Slutsky, could make changes after his side were thrashed, at the weekend, 5-0 by Derby County.

Amongst the changes being suggested are Jackson Irvine making his first start for the club and the return of Frazier Campbell who has been struggling with a groin problem.

COYW`s




Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=504595#ixzz4sZHbAOlH

 
Can Hull City carry on their impressive record against Fulham? We take a look at the last five meetings

The Tigers have won three of their last five games against the Cottagers

Hull City make the trip to west London this evening to face Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham.

The Tigers are looking to get back to winning ways after a rather lacklustre performance at Pride Park last weekend. But could City's record against the Cottagers be a positive omen?

Dan Jefferson takes a look at the last five meetings between the two clubs.

December 28 2013: Hull City 6-0 Fulham, Premier League

Hull produced their highest every scoring win in the Premier League after they beat Fulham 6-0 to go seven points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

The Tigers scored six second half goals without reply with Ahmed Elmohamady scoring the opener inside the box.

Robert Koren then scored after he finished Yannick Sagbo's cross and George Boyd got the third with a delightful finish.

Tom Huddlestone grabbed a fourth, which was his first goal since April 2011 and the goal which finally got him that haircut. Huddlestone had been growing his hair for charity and would cut it after scoring his first goal in two years.

Matty Fryatt got in on the act with City's fifth before Koren finished off the rout with a close range finish to complete a brace.

Hull City line-up: McGregor, Rosenior, Figueroa, Livermore, Chester, Davies, Elmohamady, Huddlestone, Sagbo, Koren, Boyd.

Fulham line-up: Stockdale, Zverotic, Riise, Sidwell, Hughes, Amorebieta, Ruiz, Karagounis, Rodallega, Kasami, Dejagah.

Attendance: 23,925

April 26 2014: Fulham 2-2 Hull City, Premier League

Hull City staged superb fight back from two down to seal a draw at Craven Cottage and all-but resign Fulham to Championship football.

The Cottagers took the lead through Ashkan Dejagah as the Iranian curled in a shot past the helpless Steve Harper.

Fernando Amorebieta then put the home side 2-0 up thanks to his headed effort, which was also his first goal for the club.

Fulham though couldn't hold onto the lead as the Tigers finally woke up. An attempted clearance from Sascha Reither hit his own crossbar via a touch from David Stockdale and Nikica Jelavic was there to pounce and head the ball into the net.

The comeback was complete when Shane Long met Sone Aluko's cross to score his fourth goal for City since his January switch from West Brom.

Fulham line-up: Stockdale, Rether, Riise, Amorebieta, Hangeland, Heitinga, Parker, Sidwell, Rodaellaga, Holtby, Diarra.

Hull City line-up: Harper, Elmohamdy, Rosenior, Davies, Bruce, Chester, Livermore, Meyler, Jelavic, Long, Huddlestone.

Attendance: 25,700

August 15 2015: Hull City 2-1 Fulham, Championship

Hull City went joint-top of the Championship after a narrow victory over Fulham. Egyptian international Ahmed Elmohamady opened the scoring for the Tigers when he met Andy Robertson's cross to head in from close range.

Former Tiger Tom Cairney then brought the KC Stadium to silence when he produced a stunning strike from 20 yards straight into the top corner to equalise

But his efforts were in vain as City asserted their dominance and managed to grab a winner four minutes from time. Jelavic headed the ball down to Aluko who put the ball past Marcus Bettinelli in the visitors' goal.

The win meant that Hull kept up their early season form and showed why they would be one of the promotion candidates.

Hull City line-up: McGregor. Odubajo, Dawson. Davies, Robertson, Elmohamady, Meyler, Huddlestone, Aluko, Akpom, Hernandez

Fulham line-up: Bettinelli, Richards, Hutchinson, Bodurov, Voser, Cairney, Chistensen, O'Hara, Pringle, McCormack, Smith.

Attendance: 16,579

23 January 2016: Fulham 0-1 Hull City, Championship

The Tigers went back to the top of the Championship table after a narrow victory away to Fulham.

Abel Hernandez, the Tigers' top goal scorer, scored the only goal of the game, tucking away a neat penalty after Moses Odubajo was brought down by Lasse Vigen Christensen.

Allan McGregor tipped away a late free-kick from Jamie O'Hara to keep the victory safe and kept Hull City's promotion hopes alive.

This was the Tigers' fourth straight league win. While Fulham had only won once in their previous 14 games meaning manager Slavisa Jokanovic was still seeking his first win in charge of the Cottagers.

Fulham line-up: Lonergan, Richards, Burn, Ream, Garbutt, Kacaniklic, Parker, O'Hara, Christensen, Cairney, Dembele.

Hull City line-up: McGregor, Odubajo, Maguire, Davies, Dawson, Robertson, Snodgrass, Livermore, Hayden, Clucas, Diame, Hernandez.

Attendance: 16,935

29 January 2017: Fulham 4-1 Hull City, FA Cup fourth round

Marco Silva's side were dumped out of the FA Cup fourth round at the hands of Fulham. The Cottagers ran out 4-1 winners and Abel Hernandez amazingly missed two penalties for Hull within two minutes.

Former City player Aluko opened the scoring but Evandro pulled the game level in the 49 minute.

Derby loanee Chris Martin restored Fulham's lead just five minutes later before Ryan Sessegnon and Stefan Johansen rounded off the game to take Fulham into the fifth round.

Fulham defender Tomas Kalas upended Hernandez but he produced a tame effort from the resulting penalty and it was saved, the ball then fell into the feet of Hernandez again and he was fouled once again. The Uruguayan then stepped up and missed.

Fulham line-up: Bettinelli, Odoi, Kalas, Ream, Sessegnon, Johansen, McDonald, Aluko, Cairney, Piazon, Martin

Hull City line-up: Jakupovic, Elabdellaoui, Huddlestone, Davies, Robertson, Meyler, Clucas, Markovc, Evandro, Diomande, Hernandez

Attendance: 15,143



http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/can-hull-city-carry-impressive-470436

 
Fulham vs. Hull City Preview: Three questions with Amber Nectar
Amber Nectar stop by to give us their thoughts on Hull City.

Hull City weren't great last year and have had two tumultuous offseasons. How do the supporters feel this is going to affect the team this year? We sit down with Amber Nectar to discuss this.

Cottagers Confidential: Teams coming down to the Championship don't have the best recent history of popping right back up, is there any reason to think Hull City could buck that trend?

    Amber Nectar: None whatsoever. City have endured their second shambolic summer in a row, and the long slog of the Championship will be too much for our thin squad.

CC: Leonid Slutsky probably is a fairly unknown manager to anyone who doesn't follow Russian football. What does he bring to the club and how would you describe his style.

    AN: It's hard to discern a style yet, as we're presently winless on the road in a year yet we've looked okay at home. The aforementioned close-season chaos means he hasn't been able to build a squad in his own image, so we aren't sure what that might even be. Nonetheless, he seems a remarkably affable man who City fans have rapidly warmed to.

CC: Which three players on Hull should Fulham fans watch out for?

    AN: Jarrod Bowen. He's a young player who may not have got much of a chance if the reviled Allam family hasn't spent July selling everything that wasn't nailed down, but he's taken his chance well. Eye for goal and a commendably combative attitude.

    Kamil Grosicki. Now, this all depends upon how arsed he can be, and his protracted sulk at not managing to join the exodus means he's often sports a questionable approach. On his day, he can destroy teams on his own at this level.

    Jackson Irvine. He has beautiful flowing locks, from his recently ended Burton days he always seems up for a fight and actually wanted to join us. What's not to like?

CC: Predicted score and lineup?

    AN: Line-up:

    McGregor

    Kingsley Dawson Hector Aina

    Grosicki Meyler Larsson Bowen

    Dicko Toral

    Prediction: We haven't won away in over a year, managing four points from 21 winless League games. Fill the rest in...




https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/9/13/16300856/fulham-vs-hull-city-preview-three-questions-amber-nectar

Fulham retain Category One academy status
by Dan on September 13, 2017


Fulham have retained their Category One academy status for a fifth successive season, the club announced this morning.

Despite relegation from the Premier League in 2014, Fulham have held onto the highest academy rating under Elite Player Performance Plan since the new ratings were introduced. Fulham have produced a number of leading players from their academy into first-team football, including the new departed Patrick Roberts, Moussa Dembele, Emerson Hyndman, Lasse Vigen Christensen, Dennis Adeniran and Cauley Woodrow, who is currently on loan at Burton Albion.

Slavisa Jokanovic's current first-team squad includes Academy graduates Marcus Bettinelli and Ryan Sessegnon with Steven Sessegnon, Tayo Edun and Matt O'Riley all making senior debuts this season. Fulham's academy remains one of the most envied in English football and much of the credit for its continued success should be shared amongst chief executive Alistair Mackintosh, current academy director Huw Jennings as well as head of talent identification and recruitment Malcolm Elias and the academy's head of coaching Steve Wigley.

Jennings told Fulham's official website:

It's really important for a club for our size and standing, to be competing with the best clubs' youth development in the country. We're very proud of our Academy and we are delighted to have received further affirmation of our work.

The other thing that is critical to us is the demonstration of the fantastic support we have had from the ownership and the executive of the club. They have backed the programme with a massive injection of cash into our facility development both last season and also for the long term future with the acquisition of the former BBC ground.

When the rules relating to facilities changed, we knew that it was going to be a very tall order to first of all gain the planning consent, to build the new facilities, and to get them completed in time to the satisfaction of the Category One auditors. We managed to achieve both and I think that's attributed to a fantastic team effort. I should absolutely compliment [Chief Operating Officer] Darren Preston and his team, the facilities development programme was an outstanding achievement.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/09/fulham-retain-category-one-academy-status/

 
Three Players to Watch: Matchday 7 vs. Hull City
In Fulham's first midweek game of the season, find out who they'll need to watch out for when they take on Hull City.

Last Saturday, Fulham came away with some addition to their small point total in the Championship despite being under-strength against the league's best team. Today, they return to Craven Cottage and turn their attention to an under-achieving Hull City side that is also struggling off the field.

Even if Hull City won't be among the best teams Fulham face in the Championship, it's not like the Cottagers are looking invincible at the moment. Their attack has only been able to score five times and generate 0.089 expected goals per shot. That is a massive downgrade to the 0.110 expected goals per shot rate Fulham had last campaign and plenty of players that were responsible for such a deadly attack are either injured or no longer with the club.

While Neeskans Kebano looks set to return to the starting XI, Tom Cairney and Sheyi Ojo are still not healthy enough to make the team sheet. Along with that, Rui Fonte's injury status seems up in the air as Fulham have struggled mightily to find stability at center forward. Slavisa Jokanovic has done a brilliant job with what he has got and luck does play a massive part in deciding fates of each club. Still, Fulham is running out of time to start making an impact on their 2017/18 campaign.

While Hull City may look like a vulnerable side thanks to their most recent 5-0 defeat to Derby County and shipping in 12 goals in six games, the underlying numbers paint a different picture. If you take that 5-0 loss out of the equation, the Tigers would approximately match their expected goal outputs this season (11.5 expected goals for, 7.8 expected goals against). If anything, Hull City's biggest problem has been giving up quality chances as evidenced by their 0.127 expected goals against per shot. Along with that, only Nottingham Forest have given up more set piece goals than Hull's four. You would think over time, set piece marking and overall goalkeeping will even itself out as the season rolls along, but like Fulham, the luck needs to turn around fast.

That all being said, Hull will be one of the most dangerous attacks Fulham face all year. Unlike Cardiff who relies so much on their attacking quartet to do all the work, manager Leonid Slutsky implements an aggressive pressing game to win the ball back and spring their attack. This is evidenced by their sixth best rate in the Championship in tackles (18.3 per 90 minutes) as well as their third best rate in interceptions (14.7 per 90 minutes) while keeping the ball 50.6% of the time this campaign. When the press works, it comes off like a charm. When it doesn't, it either leaves the center of defense exposed or over-aggressive fouls that lead to previously said set piece issues.

Both sides will really hope to show their best foot forward in what will be a critical three points on the line. If Hull were to win, here are the three impact players that are the most likely to see them through.

Michael Hector
All data from whoscored.com

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All the talk in defense will be surrounding captain and holder of 512 first team appearances Michael Dawson. But at 33, the former England International is showing signs of age and it has actually been the much younger Michael Hector that is putting all the grunt work this campaign.

The 25-year old has been on loan an astonishing 14 times while under Chelsea's and Reading's books. Such adventures have included Aberdeen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Irish Premier League side Dundalk and Hellenic League side (9th-10th tier of English football) Bracknell Town. It's certainly a strange way to get to 254 career first team appearances, but here we are.

If anything, Hector may finally be coming of age and is playing some of his best football under Slutsky being the go-to presence in his pressing game. This is evidenced by leading the team in interceptions and tackles per 90 minutes at 6.01. Fulham will certainly try to poke at Dawson's lack of pace tonight, but they will have to get around Hector first.

Ola Aina
All data from whoscored.com

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Another Chelsea loanee that is performing well is the 20-year old Aina. The England youth international has displayed his full range of skills in his first six games with Hull City. Like Hector, Aina is among the best on the team in defensive actions (5.32 interceptions plus tackles per 90 minutes). If anything, it would be interesting to see what he could do if has the ball more at his feet. While Aina is a great dribbler as a fullback at 2.00 per 90 minutes, he has only attempted 14 crosses while bombing forward. By already being such an accurate passer, it's just scary how else Slutski can implement his attack.

Kamil Grosicki
All data from whoscored.com

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Despite being such a lethal goal scoring side, it's a bit odd that I'm only highlighting one player on that side of the pitch. I could highlight Academy graduate Jarred Bowen who is leading the club with four goals or Premier League veteran Frazier Campbell. I could even bring up new signing Jackson Irvine who will do what he can to bring attacking flexibility in central midfield. However, I've decided to highlight the 52-capped Polish international who is having a career season.

While everyone else is retrieving the ball, Grosicki is more like the first receiver who will spring an attack from anywhere. He leads the club in key passes (14) and in scoring contribution (two goals, three assists). Even while center forward Abel Hernandez out injured from a ruptured ankle, Grosicki has stepped up and led the club in shots as well with 18. Bowen, Irvine and Campbell may be on the end of some of Grosicki's dangerous tricks and all three can pose threats to Fulham's defense on their own. Just don't ignore the man that started it all.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/9/13/16293198/three-players-to-watch-matchday-7-vs-hull-city

Up next: Hull City (h)
by Dan on September 13, 2017


After the frustrating concession of another lead late on against Cardiff City on Saturday, Fulham have an almost immediate opportunity to put matters right when Hull City visit Craven Cottage this evening. For a perfectionist like Slavisa Jokanovic, his side's emergence as the Championship's early draw specialists will really rankle, especially when you factor in the sloppy defending that seems to have snuck back into Fulham's game. He will certainly want to arrest a run of twelve league games without a clean sheet at Craven Cottage – the worst period of defensive generosity since Ray Lewington, now installed as Roy Hodgson's number two at Selhurst Park, was at the helm in February 1989.

There is a school of thought that picking up a point against the league leaders, who previously boasted a 100% record, with four key players missing at the weekend shouldn't be sniffed at. Given that Tom Cairney, Sheyi Ojo, Neeskens Kebano and Rui Fonte can between them summon up a significant amount of creativity, the performance against Cardiff was far more complete than many might have expected after consulting the teamsheet. But Jokanovic would give such a view short shrift when assessing just how close the Bluebirds came to tasting defeat – and the fact that his side once again failed to kill off a game they had under their control.

The Serbian head coach offered an interesting aside during Saturday's post-match press conference, claiming that it would be fruitless to attempt comparisons between the team that charged into the Championship play-offs with such relentless at the tail end of last season and the one he is currently trying to mould. Fulham were certainly far luckier with injuries throughout the whole of the last campaign than they have been this term and, as their first six fixtures have pitted them against sides who are all considered to be among the contenders for the promotion places, any doom and gloom seems somewhat misplaced. There are still 120 points to play for – and Fulham's new signings have barely hit the ground yet.

Just for morale purposes, three points would be very welcome this evening. Leonid Slutsky won't be arriving in a munificent mood, however, after Hull's horrid capitulation at Derby on Friday night. The Russian has endured a difficult introduction on Humberside with his side currently sitting in fifteenth in the early table and he certainly didn't need his defence to malfunction after Seb Larsson had ballooned a penalty high over the bar at Pride Park. Slutsky watched Saturday's draw with Cardiff from the Riverside – believing Fulham to be 'the best team in the Championship last season' – and has demanded a reaction from his own players, calling this contest 'a test of character'.

He is still sending out a makeshift side with the likes of Abel Hernandez, Kevin Stewart, Will Keane, Moses Odubajo and Ryan Mason all long-term absentees and Czech defender Ondrej Mazuch as well as midfielder Evandro not yet ready to feature at Craven Cottage this evening. Hull will have Fraizer Campbell, who has scored twice at Fulham previously in his career, available after a groin injury saw him miss the last three weeks of action and can count on in form-forward Jarrod Bowen, who has scored four times already this term, as a source of goals.

Last year's FA Cup tie, where Marcus Bettinelli saved two spot-kicks in a minute, has little relevance given that both squads have changed so much in the intervening period. Slutsky still has plenty of Premier League pedigree to pick from, including Scottish international Allan McGregor in goal, the leadership qualities of Michael Dawson at centre back, the creativity of Kamil Grosicki, who Hull managed to hold onto in August, alongside Larsson in midfield as well as summer signings like Jackson Irvine, who scored here for Burton Albion last term, and former Arsenal midfield Jon Toral. It won't be an easy ride for the hosts.

Jokanovic's team selection might not be finalised until very late this evening. Cairney, who made his name as an energetic young midfielder at Hull, is still struggling to shake off his meniscus tear and won't be risked, whilst Ojo's sore ankle will also be rested ahead of the trip to the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday. Fulham could welcome back Rui Fonte, whose intelligent runs and predatory instincts were missing against Cardiff, as well as Kebano, who delivered a virtuoso performance at Portman Road prior to what was – for him – an immensely frustrating international break.

Cairney's absence will hand Kevin McDonald another opportunity to captain the side – and the Scot's leadership qualities will be sorely needed should Fulham want to lay down a marker to the rest of the division. They were far too passive having taken the lead against Neil Warnock's charges at the weekend and any such hesitation will be pounced upon by Slutsky's hungry Tigers tonight. Jokanovic will demand a return to the high-tempo, slick passing football that prised open many a resolute rearguard last term – although the visitors will prove a tough nut to crack.

MY FULHAM XI (4-3-3): Bettinelli; Fredericks, R. Sessegnon, Kalas, Ream; McDonald, Norwood, Johansen; Ayite, Kebano, Fonte. Subs: Button, Madl, Odoi, Cisse, Mollo, Graham, Kamara.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/09/up-next-hull-city-h/

 
Fulham team news: Tom Cairney a notable absentee for Hull clash at the Cottage


Fulham will still be without Tom Cairney when they bid to kick-start their season against Hull at Craven Cottage tonight.

The skipper is struggling with a knee problem that has restricted him to three appearances this term.

Fulham drew 1-1 with Cardiff on Saturday and have just one win from their opening six matches in the Championship. But victory tonight will take them to within two points of the early  pace-setters in a congested division. They face a Hull side who have also made a slow start to the season under new Russian manager Leonid Slutsky and lost  5-0 to Derby in their last game.

Ryan Sessegnon fears a response to that defeat, saying: "Whenever you get beat like that you want to show that it was just a one-off, so they will be coming for us."

Rui Fonte and Neeskens Kebano are available for selection after injury, while American midfielder Luca de la Torre has signed a new deal tying him to Fulham until 2020. He said: "There are a lot of opportunities for me this year to play well for Fulham and the USA and I'm looking forward to grabbing the opportunities."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-team-news-tom-cairney-a-notable-absentee-for-hull-clash-at-the-cottage-a3634221.html

 
Fulham handed welcome bonus as they strive for Premier League return

The Championship action may be mainly over for this set of mid-week fixtures but Fulham and Hull still have their chance to try and make some important ground in the play-off chase.

Both will have their eyes on the top six this season but both also need to get on a good run of form with the Cottagers drawing too many games and the Tigers getting battered at Derby 5-0 last Friday.

Work to do for both, then, as they aim to get back into the Premier League but the men from London have at least received a boost in maintaining their top level facilities away from the pitch.

Indeed, as per the club's Twitter and on their official site, the club has kept its category one classing for its academy:

Certainly, with Fulham trying to get back into the top flight this will come as a welcome boost as they will still be able to bring through some top players.

The like of Ryan Sessegnon is the most recent star to come through the youth system at the club and keeping this status will only allow the club to potentially generate more like him.

The Verdict

This is great news for Fulham with them one of the best sides for bringing through top talent both in the Championship and further afield.

They may not have the riches of some of the other clubs in the division – though they are not poor – and so keeping this status will only help them compete over the coming years.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-handed-welcome-bonus-as-they-strive-for-premier-league-return/