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Tottenham handed huge blow in hopes of signing defender


According to The Telegraph, Fulham vice-chairman Tony Khan has announced that the club has no intention to sell their youngster Ryan Sessegnon this January. Manchester United and Tottenham have been emphasized as the most likely candidates for his signing.

The 17-year-old left-back is considered as one of the most promising young prospects in English football.

Sessegnon has made his debut for Fulham last season and managed to become a regular starter ever since. His glittering performances drew attention from several important European clubs, including Paris-Saint Germain and Real Madrid.

However, Manchester United and Tottenham have both shown great desire to sign the teenager, as both Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino look to strengthen the left flank.

The Portuguese manager has been disappointed with Daley Blind and Luke Show' displays, while Argentinean expert had some troubles with Danny Rose's injuries.

A tussle for Sessegnon' signature will still have to wait for the summer because Fulham don't intend to sell him this winter.

Tony Khan, club's vice-chairman recently said: "As it's been the subject of a great deal of speculation, I'd like to announce that Ryan Sessegnon is staying with Fulham football club and will not be departing during this January transfer window."



http://futnsoccer.com/2018/01/12/tottenham-handed-huge-blow-in-hopes-of-signing-defender/

 
Ex-France international and former Fulham player indicted for rape
Steve Marlet has been placed under investigation by a court in Auxerre.

FORMER FRENCH INTERNATIONAL Steve Marlet has been placed under investigation for "gang rape" by a court in Auxerre, prosecutors said.

"A second man was also placed under investigation...and a third has been given the status of assisted witness," a prosecutor Estelle Meyer told AFP confirming a report in a local newspaper.

"At the time of the events, in 1997, the victim was a minor."

According to the Yonne Republicaine newspaper Marlet, who played for Auxerre from 1996 to 2000, "disputes the facts."

The three men appeared in court on Wednesday morning, a fourth who is currently abroad was not present.

Marlet, who turned 44 on Wednesday, played 23 times for France and had spells at Lyon, Fulham, Marseilles and Wolfsburg in addition to Auxerre. He started and ended his career at Red Star, in the Paris suburbs, and is now a coach at the third-division club.

- © AFP, 2018



http://www.the42.ie/steve-marlet-indicted-rape-3793802-Jan2018/

 
U18s Travel To Arsenal

The Under-18s travel to the Arsenal Training Centre this Saturday in an 11am kick off as they turn their attention back to the Premier League South.

The Young Whites have spent the last week competing in the Sparkasse & VGH Cup in Gottingen, Germany, where they were knocked out in the semi-final by eventual winners Manchester United.

Last time out in the Premier League South, the Young Whites suffered their third defeat of the season to Swansea City at Motspur Park in a 2-1 loss just before the Christmas break.

Fulham played Arsenal in the opening match of the season with an impressive 4-1 win at Motspur Park.

Arsenal scored just before the break, but the Young Whites responded excellently through Sonny Hilton, before Cameron Thompson sunk the Gunners with a hat-trick.

Both teams have played 12 league matches this season, Arsenal are second with 25 points and Fulham are six points behind in fifth.

Both teams have also progressed to the next round of both the FA Youth Cup and the PL Cup.

Score updates will be provided on the Club's official twitter account, @FulhamFC.




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/january/12/u18s-travel-to-arsenal

 
Slavisa Jokanovic thinks Middlesbrough are one of the favourites for the top six

Only two points separate the sides ahead of the trip to the Riverside with Boro just two points off the Play-off places

Slavisa Jokanovic reckons Middlesbrough are one of the favourites for the top six ahead of Fulham's trip to the Riverside on Saturday.

Only two points separate the sides ahead of the meeting, with Boro just two points off Leeds United and the final Play-off spot.

Tony Pulis has managed three games so far after the sacking of Garry Monk, winning twice and losing the one, but has changed the team's style, making them robust and hard to beat.

And ahead of the game, Jokanovic thinks Boro, along with Fulham, can make the Play-off places.

He said: "This is a long period and they are high, in general around the top six.

"They spend and make important investment but this competition isn't easy, only Wolves have shown over quality for this level that we are at right now.

"Everything is more or less open, they are clearly one of the favourites to be in the top six and it's been 20 games in front of us.

"It's not late for us and it's not late for them either."



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/slavisa-jokanovic-thinks-middlesbrough-one-14144432

 
'Best midfielder in Europe' – Fulham fans react to their star player's message


Fulham have been superb in recent times with them now looking on course for a possible play-off spot, and a win tomorrow will go a long way towards that.

Slavisa Jokanovic has seen his Fulham side go unbeaten in their last-four Championship encounters, as they look to mount a challenge for the play-offs.

Indeed, after thrashing Mick McCarthy's Ipswich Town last time out, they'll be hoping to replicate the dominant performance with a tough away trip to the Riverside.

Against a Middlesbrough side that are at the top of their game under manager Tony Pulis, this will be a real test for the Cottagers after producing a 1-1 draw back in September.

One player in particular who is a doubt for the weekend's encounter is attacker Tom Cairney, as he continues to suffer from a reoccurring knee-injury.

Nevertheless, after Fulham's impressive run of form at the start of 2018. Tom Cairney took to his personal Twitter account (@ThomasCairney), to show his pleasure at him and two other teammates securing the highest pass completion rate this week in the Championship.

Following the post, fans were quick to wish him a speedy recovery from injury, as they look forward to seeing him back in the side.




https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/best-midfielder-in-europe-fulham-fans-react-to-their-star-players-message/

 
Fulham have hit the woodwork the most of any Championship clubs this season

The head coach has spoken of his frustration with the lack of cutting edge in the side this season

Fulham have hit the woodwork more often than any other club in the Championship this season.

The Cottagers have hit the goal frame 12 times in league games in 2017/18 according to Opta figures.

That puts them just ahead of Norwich who have struck the woodwork 11 times so far.

Hull and Sheffield United have the next worst records with 10 times each followed by Brentford with nine.

Slavisa Jokanovic has made a lot of the side's inability to show a clinical side, with Fulham having had a diverse set of players hitting the post or crossbar with 11 different players to date.

Three Championship players have hit the woodwork three times the season - the most of any player in the division - Harvey Barnes, Nico Yennaris and Samuel Saiz.



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-hit-woodwork-most-any-14144538

 
Ex-Fulham striker Pavel Pogrebnyak skips his own club's game to watch Juventus instead

(https://images.cdn.fourfourtwo.com/sites/fourfourtwo.com/files/styles/image_landscape/public/pogrebs.jpg?itok=tPmQ-wog)

The Russian striker missed Dynamo Moscow's league match against Anzhi to watch Juventus vs Inter in Turin.

According to Russian news agency TASS, Dynamo Moscow have opened an internal investigation after the former Fulham and Reading target man took photos of himself at the Serie A contest on social media.

He is reportedly facing either a warning from his club or even risks being sacked.

The 34-year-old has made just one appearance for Dynamo this season which came off the bench against Tosno on 29 October. Leading up to the Anzhi match, he had not been included in the matchday squad for four consecutive games.



Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ex-fulham-striker-pavel-pogrebnyak-skips-his-own-clubs-game-watch-juventus-instead#Qc07G8b0gqhrbkux.99

Piazon poised for 'massive' Middlesbrough game
by Dan on January 12, 2018

Brazilian forward Lucas Piazon has described tomorrow's trip to Middlesbrough as 'a massive game' as Fulham look to close the gap between them and the Championship play-off places.

Middlesbrough, now managed by former Stoke City and West Brom boss Tony Pulis, are just two points above Slavisa Jokanovic's side in the Championship and Piazon believes this weekend's fixture could be an ideal opportunity for the Whites to show that they are capable of mounting another challenge for promotion to the top flight. Speaking to FulhamFCTV at Craven Cottage, the on-loan forward was in confident mood ahead of the journey to the North East:

    It is a massive game. It is very close, they are just two points ahead of us. We are not so far from the play-off spots, so a win there would be massive for us. After that, we have a home game so we could make it two wins in a row and, if we do that, we will be up there fighting for that spot.

    They are strong – they were just in the Premier League last season, so they have good players and playing away from home is always hard, so it's not going to be easy but we will have our chances.

Piazon feels he would be ready to start again a week after coming through his first ninety minutes after recovering from his horrific leg break against Leeds in August. The popular 23 year-old felt no ill effects from his outing against Southampton in the FA Cup and is raring to go once again:

    I played ninety minutes, my second ninety minutes of the season and my first since the injury, so it was important to see how I feel. I felt good, I think my fitness levels were good, so I'm good to go again. My leg feels stronger every day. I feel more confident, I feel better every day so I don't know if I am 100 per cent [fit], but I feel like I am very close to being 100% now.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/01/piazon-poised-for-massive-middlesbrough-game/

 
Middlesbrough In Focus

Have a browse through the key matchday details as Fulham chase a seventh win in 10 Championship outings when we head to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Possible opposition absentees

None
Tickets

Tickets can be bought in person from the Ticket Office or over the phone on 0203 871 0810 until 3pm today, while Boro will also be selling on the day, cash only, from the Visitors Office.
Weather

It will be a dry but very cold afternoon on Teesside, as it'll feel like one degree at kick-off.
He said...

"Fulham are a team with an identity, and it's lovely to watch a team who have that and know what they're trying to achieve in possession. It will be a tough game for us." – Tony Pulis, Middlesbrough manager.
Getting there

A train to Middlesbrough can take under three hours from Kings Cross, with a change at Darlington. The Riverside Stadium is then less than a mile walking.
Pre-match

The Boro Pod recommend Doctor Browns which is an away fan friendly pub, in close proximity to the ground.
Live stream

There will be no live stream on fulhamfctv as the fixture has been chosen as an international pick.
Grosvenor Casinos match odds

Middlesbrough: 21/20

Draw: 12/5

Fulham: 5/2
Previous five results

Middlesbrough 2-0 Sunderland (FA Cup)

Preston North End 2-3 Middlesbrough (Championship)

Middlesbrough 0-1 Aston Villa (Championship)

Middlesbrough 2-0 Bolton Wanderers (Championship)

Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Middlesbrough (Championship)



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/january/12/middlesbrough-in-focus

 
Middlesbrough v Fulham preview

(http://e1.365dm.com/18/01/16-9/20/skysports-rudy-gestede-middlesbrough-sunderland_4199649.jpg?20180106150745)
Middlesbrough have no fresh injury concerns

Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis will continue to assess his squad at the same time as hunting precious Sky Bet Championship points as Fulham arrive on Teesside.

Pulis has no fresh injury concerns, with Boro looking to break back into the play-off places with a third successive win in all competitions, but was denied the chance to run the rule over some of the players he inherited from Garry Monk when the Under-23s' clash with Newcastle was postponed on Monday evening.

He made three changes for last weekend's 2-0 FA Cup victory over derby rivals Sunderland with Ryan Shotton, Martin Braithwaite and Rudy Gestede replacing Cyrus Christie, Adlene Guedioura and Britt Assombalonga.

Assombalonga in particular will hope for a return with the B#15million summer signing from Nottingham Forest having managed 12 goals to date in a Boro shirt.

Fulham captain Tom Cairney is an injury doubt. The midfielder missed last weekend's cup defeat by Southampton and is rated 'touch and go' by boss Slavisa Jovanovic.

Marcus Bettinelli should return in goal after David Button got a run-out against Saints. Winger Floyd Ayite is set to miss out again with a hamstring problem.

Opta stats

---

Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last 13 home league meetings with Fulham (W9 D4), since a 2-0 defeat in March 1984.

Fulham have failed to score in each of their last four away league visits to the Riverside Stadium, since a Simon Davies goal in a 3-1 defeat in May 2007.

This will be Tony Pulis' first league meeting against Fulham outside of the top-flight since February 2000 when he was Portsmouth manager - they lost 1-0 to a goal from Bjarne Goldbaek.

Fulham have kept just two clean sheets in their last 21 league matches.

Pulis is currently winless in six home league matches as a manager (D3 L3), his worst run since August 2016 with West Brom.

No Championship side have scored more away goals than Fulham this season (22, level with Wolves).

Prutton's prediction

What a big win that was for Tony Pulis on New Year's Day as Boro came from behind to win at Preston. Two defeats from their first two league games wouldn't have been a disaster by any means, but you always want to get that first win as quickly as possible.

Fulham are creeping up quietly on the play-off places again after a good recent run and victory at the Riverside would put them right up there. I reckon Boro will have too much for them on Saturday, though.

David Prutton predicts: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)



http://www.skysports.com/football/mboro-vs-fulham/preview/374939

 
Middlesborough v Fulham
SAT 13 Jan 2018  Championship
Venue: Riverside Stadium


Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis has no new injury concerns but could turn to players who missed last week's FA Cup win against Sunderland.

Pulis has said there are a couple of players "carrying minor knocks" who will be assessed before the game.

Fulham captain Tom Cairney is a doubt with a knee injury, while forward Floyd Ayite is out with a calf problem.

Goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli and midfielder Kevin McDonald are back in training and could return.

SAM's prediction
Home win 47%   Draw 27%   Away win 26%

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

Match facts
    Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their past 13 home league meetings with Fulham (W9 D4), since a 2-0 defeat in March 1984.
    Fulham have failed to score in each of their past four away league visits to the Riverside Stadium, since a Simon Davies goal in a 3-1 defeat in May 2007.
    This will be Tony Pulis' first league meeting against Fulham outside of the top-flight since February 2000 when he was Portsmouth manager - they lost 1-0 to a goal from Bjarne Goldbaek.
    Fulham have kept just two clean sheets in their past 21 league matches.
    Pulis is winless in six home league matches as a manager (D3 L3), his worst run since August 2016 with West Brom.
    No Championship side has scored more away goals than Fulham this season (22, level with Wolves).



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42587428

 
Pulis Ponders Fulham Challenge

Tony Pulis today pondered the challenge posed by a "tough" Fulham team, who will test Boro's rest promotion credentials at the Riverside tomorrow. Can Boro keep the Pulis revival going? Kick off 3pm.

Boro face an attack minded Fulham side that will pose plenty of questions tomorrow. We escaped with a late Cyrus Christe goal down at Craven Cottage after the Londoners had tortured us with their speedy attack. It will be interesting to see what plan Tony Pulis puts in place to counter their threats and also whether we can continue having sucess ourselves. Can Traore and Downing continue to feed chances for our forward-line?

Tony Pulis mentioned that there were injury concerns for going into this game. While he didn't name names he mentioned some players were sitting out training and some could be sitting out of the first team tomorrow as a result of not being fully fit. So there could be changes in the offing.

It was stand and deliver once more as Tony Pulis addressed the media dressed in his TP top and baseball cap. The 9am Friday roll call saw him revealing that he is trying to catch up fast with his Championship knowledge, taking in the Sheffield derby tonight for instance. But he wondered whether bringing fresh eyes to the division could in some ways be an advantage.

He once again hinted there will be outs and hopefully ins in the transfer window. There have been no offers received or made as yet. Everything is at the tentative enquiry stage as yet.

There could be an over balance in some areas from the kind of shape he prefers.  But he says he hasn't been in place long enough to have a firm grip on the football club yet. He will be relying on the thoughts of others to help. But we are also busy arranging behind closed games to allow more opportunity to run the rule over a few players that haven't had first team game time during his short time at Boro.

But back to the game tomorrow. Tony Pulis is the first to say that he isn't a messiah and can't change everything around in a couple of weeks. But we have shown in the last two matches and also in the two matches before he took the reigns that we are no longer afraid of our opponents. We no longer fear conceding an early goal. We also no longer doubt our ability to his back from a deficit. Nor that we have the tools or the tactical know how to change tack and direction mid-match.

I cannot wait for the challenge tomorrow. Can we take down Fulham and continue to move on up? Yes, we can.

Up The Boro



https://www.fansonline.net/middlesbrough/article.php?id=5164

Kamara keen to climb the table
by Dan on January 12, 2018

Aboubakar Kamara hopes he can continue his recent rich vein of form for Fulham when they travel to the Riverside Stadium to take on Middlesbrough tomorrow afternoon.

The French striker has scored four goals in his last two league appearances for the Whites and is likely to return to Slavisa Jokanovic's starting line-up in the north east having been rested for last weekend's FA Cup tie against Southampton. The 22 year-old told FulhamFCTV that was raring to go and wants to help the club continue their impressive recent run in the league:

    I'm keen to play. I'm eager to score goals and also I want to win with the team and to try and climb the table. I think today is the moment important thing for us. We will see what happens but we are ready to play this game and try to win it.

    You shouldn't really look at the table straight away. If you win, you climb and, if you don't, you stay where you are. That's the way it is. We have to win games and then we can look at the table.

The former Amiens forward says he is enjoying the hustle and bustle of training at Motspur Park and feels that the hard work the players do during the week has been paying dividends in Fulham's recent matches.

    It was okay. It was fine. We worked hard and we will carry on doing this right to the end I hope. It was fine and we need to continue in this dynamic.

Kamara has good memories of playing tomorrow's opponents having scored his first goal for Fulham against Boro at Craven Cottage back in September. He is unworried by the prospect of a more physical encounter after the hosts replaced former manager Garry Monk with Tony Pulis.

    I'd forgotten it was my first goal against Middlesbrough but it's good that you reminded me. We will just have to see but we will carry on. Whether it's physical or not doesn't bother me. It's a football match and we will see who comes out on top.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/01/kamara-keen-to-climb-the-table/

 
Adama Traore vs Ryan Sessegnon: High speed battle of Championship's two most talked about talents

Sessegnon has recently been linked with a move to several clubs, including PSG :: He troubled Boro when these sides met earlier in the season

Come the summer and January, Slavisa Jokanovic must be so well versed in his answers to the inevitable questions that he'll be able to recite them in his sleep.

This time around, his boss did it for him.

"I'd like to announce that Ryan Sessegnon is staying with Fulham Football Club and will not be departing during this January transfer window," said the club's vice-chairman Tony Khan this week, to the delight of fans and disappointment of interested clubs.

Of which there were several, according to reports. Those keen? Manchester United. Tottenham. Even PSG. The fee? Well the numbers being discussed were in the region of £30m.

Sessegnon is 17.

"We're probably going to start talking about a similar story in the summer, but now it's a safe situation for us," said a no doubt relieved Jokanovic ahead of Saturday's game at Boro.

Indeed. While Fulham insist they won't be doing any business this month, there's every chance they could cash in for what will be a British record fee for a teenager in the summer, eclipsing the £36m Manchester United splashed out on Anthony Martial.

(https://i2-prod.gazettelive.co.uk/incoming/article14146557.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/JS140169525.jpg)
Ryan Sessegnon in action for Fulham

All this for a young man who is yet to kick a Premier League ball, but a young man who has ensured scouts from Champions League clubs have been a constant at Craven Cottage since he made his debut back in August of 2016.

In the 17 months that have followed, Sessegnon has made more than 50 league appearances for the Whites. This season alone, in 24 games Sessegnon has scored seven goals, made four and created 26 chances. This despite regularly being played as a left-back rather than a left winger.

One writer for the Mirror, following a recent trip to Craven Cottage, described Sessegnon as a "superstar in the making". Another national writer told of how Fulham fans are "enjoying him while they can". That was after the teenager had bagged a brace in the win over Ipswich Town, Fulham's last league outing. He's already bettered that once this year, having scored a hat-trick at Sheffield United back in November.

The Fulham fans will have raised a glass to their talented teen hero on several occasions already this season. Not that he'll join them, he's not old enough to enjoy a pint until May.

Boro, more specifically Cyrus Christie, have first hand experience of what Sessegnon is capable of. The youngster troubled Boro again and again and again when the sides met at Craven Cottage earlier this season, eventually teeing up the opener for Aboubakar Kamara.

(https://i2-prod.gazettelive.co.uk/incoming/article13666418.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/JS131693077.jpg)
Aboubakar Kamara of Fulham celebrates with team mates after scoring against Boro

Christie wasn't helped by Lewis Baker that day, a No.10 who looked out of position on the right side of midfield and struggled to provide the protection Christie needed.

Perhaps the best way of shackling Sessegnon is pinning him back.

Step forward, Adama Traore. And brace yourself for a high speed battle between the Championship's two most talked about talents.

Don't be fooled when you see these two going at it on the flank on Saturday afternoon, you're not watching the game in fast-forward.

Rather, you'll be watching a second tier ding dong between two gifted players who have the tools to reach the top. Tomorrow should provide further answers as to whether Tony Pulis is sharpening the rough edges of those tools where Traore is concerned.

If there's widespread admiration for Sessegnon in the upper reaches of the Premier League, the overriding outside view on Traore remains intrigue and curiosity.

Is there a world-beater trapped in there waiting to come out?

Is he uncoachable?

The early noises from Pulis suggests he certainly doesn't buy into the latter.

Football managers will always back themselves to get the best out of any individual - whether the player concerned is troubled, inconsistent or tactically naive - and Pulis will relish the challenge of turning Traore into a weekly wonder rather than a monthly match winner.

(https://i2-prod.gazettelive.co.uk/incoming/article14122063.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/JS140145686.jpg)
Adama Traore is replaced after an impressive showing against Sunderland

There'll be no switches from flank to flank so Traore is playing close to the dugout, the approach adopted by Aitor Karanka as he searched to get the best out of the Spaniard. Rather, Pulis will focus on Rockliffe repetition , as explained by Brighton full-back Liam Rosenior who, as a youngster, saw Pulis in action on the training field.

"As a 16-year-old schoolboy I used to watch Tony's training sessions at Bristol City, a club he managed while I was coming through the ranks and every day, rain or shine, he would go through his players' positioning as a unit and work on detailed set plays to the finest detail until every single player knew exactly where he wanted them in every single moment of a match," says Rosenior.

"He coached his own style of play and in turn made the players accountable for their performances owing to his extreme diligence on the training field. You got the odd complaint by players about the boredom of these repetitive practices but what they couldn't say was that they didn't know what was expected of them."

There'll be very little complaining from the stands if Traore delivers a repeat of his Sunderland show against Fulham and Sessegnon this weekend.

The outcome of that 100mph encounter on the flank may well determine the outcome of the match.

Blink and you'll miss it.



http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/adama-traore-vs-ryan-sessegnon-14145736

 
Fulham's Aboubakar Kamara and Ryan Sessegnon one of top goal-scoring double acts

We've crunched the numbers and Aboubakar Kamara and Ryan Sessegnon are one of the top scoring double acts this season in the Championship

Aboubakar Kamara and Ryan Sessegnon have been one of the Championship's top goal-scoring double acts this season.

Fulham's wonderkid Sessegnon has set up three of Kamara's goals according to data from transfermarkt.co.uk.

Only one other scorer/provider combination has produced more league goals this season.

Leo Bonatini has provided four assists to Diogo Jota's goals this season making that the top pairing.

In fact, Jota has also set up three goals for Bonatini making them the top linking pair in the division overall.

Another nine scorer/provider combinations have also resulted in three goals being scored.

They include Diogo Jota/Ivan Cavaleiro at Wolves and Albert Adomah/Robert Snodgrass at Aston Villa.

Scorer | Provider | Goals

Diogo Jota | Leo Bonatini | 4

Albert Adomah | Robert Snodgrass | 3

Famara Diedhiou | Jamie Paterson | 3

Sam Winnall | Tom Lawrence | 3

Leo Bonatini | Diogo Jota | 3

Diogo Jota | Ivan Cavaleiro | 3

Tom Bradshaw | Harvey Barnes | 3

Jarrod Bowen | Kamil Grosicki | 3

Sean Maguire | Tom Barkhuizen | 3

Lasse Vibe | Romaine Sawyers | 3

Callum Connolly | Martyn Waghorn | 3

Aboubakar Kamara | Ryan Sessegnon | 3



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulhams-aboubakar-kamara-ryan-sessegnon-14146940

 
Ross McCormack on fire; A-League defences terrified

Ross McCormack has had something of a torrid time since his big-money, £13 million switch from Fulham to Aston Villa at the beginning of August 2016.

Capably prolific for both Leeds United (58 goals) and Fulham (42 goals), the Scottish striker's 24 games for Villa have only produced three goals and one assist. However, his problems aren't only obvious in his inability to get into the opposition penalty area, they are elsewhere too.

Castigated by Villa head coach Steve Bruce for his attitude towards training, including calling in and saying he couldn't get out of his gated house due to faulty electrics, it was increasingly obvious that the Villa hierarchy had suffered enough of his antics.

A loan spell at Nottingham Forest didn't really pull up any trees either as the Villa hitman only scored once in seven games before not attending training for three weeks, effectively curtailing his loan at The City Ground. This led then Forest manager Mark Warburton to accept the inevitable that McCormack would likely not play again before the end of last season – according to The Telegraph at the time.

With there appearing to be no way back into the Villa side, the Scot was shipped off to Australia and Melbourne City. Training or not, scandal or otherwise, McCormack has definitely found his shooting boots again.



http://the72.co.uk/96413/ross-mccormack-on-fire-a-league-defences-terrified/

Williams bags brace as U23s draw with Reading
by Dan on January 12, 2018

Match report by Mark Harrison

George Williams scored twice for Fulham's under 23s as Peter Grant's side drew an absorbing PL2 game with Reading tonight at Craven Cottage and extended their unbeaten run to eight games.

The Welsh under-21 international opened the scoring just before half-time, driving in a cross from Jordan Graham to give the home side the lead. Romanian winger Adrian Popa levelled matters in the 61st minute with a magnificent long-range strike and, although Williams grabbed his second when he finished off a fine Fulham counter-attack with an expertly taken finish four minutes later, the points were shared when Popa popped up again to guide a finish under Magnus Norman after excellent approach play with twenty minutes to play.

The result leaves the Royals top of the Premier League 2 Divison Two by a single point, although they have played two more games than second-placed Middlesbrough. Fulham could consider themselves unfortunate not to have claimed all three points having created the clearer chances throughout but Grant will have to be satisfied after his side more than matched opponents who have promotion ambitions of their own in a game that swung from end to end as it went on.

Fulham began brightly at the Cottage and saw two early penalty shouts waved away by the referee before a couple of precise Graham crosses were scrambled away by the visiting defence. The Whites had two decent chances in the space of sixty seconds midway through the first half when Williams threaded a lovely through ball for Djed Spence but the full back was denied by an excellent save from George Legg and the Reading goalkeeper than clawed away Graham's strike from the bottom right hand corner.

The lively Ben House then saw a shot drift just wide of goal after taking a deflection off Moritz Jenz and the Reading striker thought he had opened the scoring from close range three minutes before the break but Spence cleared his effort off the line. Fulham made the most of that reprieve to go in front in the last minute of normal time when Graham's dangerous cross was fired in by Williams – and, on the balance of play, it was a lead the home side deserved.

The Royals came close to equalising seven minutes into the second half when defender Gabriel Osho almost found the net with an audacious curling effort from distance after Fulham had only half cleared a corner and Djed Spence blocked a speculative shot. The visitors began to pile the pressure on the Fulham goal with Norman making an excellent reaction save to prevent an own goal from Aron Davies, but Popa eventually got their merited equaliser with an unstoppable effort from distance.

Fulham went back in front four minutes later after Mattias Kait led a quick counter attack and carried the ball deep into Reading territory. The Estonian international used Graham's intelligent run as a decoy, creating the space for Williams to collect the pass and fire in his second through two Royals defenders and in off the far post to restore Fulham's lead.

The Whites couldn't hold on for the victory, however, as a flowing Reading move saw Popa played in following a succession of patient passes and Popa, who like Williams appeared at Euro 2016 for his country, kept his cool to slip a finish under Norman and equalise for a second time. The visitors mounted a late bid to snatch all three points with the Fulham keeper doing well to dart off his line and deny House before Icelandic defender Axel Andresson headed over the bar from a corner in the fourth minute of added time.

FULHAM U23s: Norman, Nabay, Spence, Davies, Jenz, Francois, Kait (Elstone 82), Francois, Kwietniewski (Andrason 83), Williams, Thorsteinsson (Pearce 53), Graham. Subs (not used): Wickens, Elstone.

BOOKED: Jenz.

GOALS: Williams (45, 65).

READING U23s: Legg, Watson (Howe 45), Osho, Andrésson, Medford-Smith, East, Rollinson, Frost (Coleman 67), House, Shokunbi, Popa (Green 87). Subs (not used): Driscoll, Nditi.

GOALS: Popa (61, 70).



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/01/williams-bags-brace-as-u23s-draw-with-reading/

Cisse 'disgusted' by lack of Fulham action
by Dan on January 12, 2018

Ibrahima Cisse has told the Belgian press that he is 'disgusted' by his lack of first team opportunities since his summer move to Fulham – and says he has received no explanation for his absence from head coach Slavisa Jokanovic.

In a strongly-worded interview with French language newspaper La Dernière Heure, the defensive midfielder expresses surprise at not featuring for Fulham's first team since his three Cup appearances last year and claims that his team-mates are baffled by his continued exclusion. The holding midfielder hasn't featured for the Fulham senior side since coming on as a late substitute in the 2-1 defeat at Villa Park in October – and his only competitive run out since then has been seventy minutes in the Checkatrade Trophy at Crawley a month later.

    I had even been picked in three Cup games and then, suddenly, I disappeared from the selection. I am a professional, so if I had done something wrong, I would know but this is not the case. Even my teammates have trouble understanding my situation. I'm still disgusted not to play anymore.

The 23 year-old says Jokanovic has not been forthcoming with the reasons for his lack of game time and believes that he has acquitted himself well both in training and friendly matches that were arranged during the international break. Cisse feels that he has been in the best shape of his career since moving to England. A frustrated Cisse told the paper of his disappointment that Jokanovic has promoted some of the club's academy graduates ahead of him:

    The coach knows me well because he was already at the club when there were touches with Fulham last winter. But he has his three midfielders and he does not want to change it too much. In recent times, he has even put young people before me. In my last match, a friendly against Southampton held in November, I gave it my all and scored a goal. But that did not change my situation. At the beginning of the season, I was really in great shape, I had never reached such a level since the beginning of my career. Unfortunately, I lost this pace because of this lack of playing time.

Cisse says the only transfer that would interest him during the January window would be a loan move back to former club Mechelen, but Fulham and the player have rebuffed the only interest that has surfaced so far – which came from United Arab Emirates' outfit Al-Jazira.  The former Belgian youth international seemed to mock the possibility of joining a lower-league English side on loan this month:

    I could very well stay because aside from my playing time, I love Fulham. I'm in no hurry and we'll see if anything good comes to me. For the moment, I do not think about returning to the Belgian league. The only club that could convince me is perhaps Mechelen. But a loan in a club of the third division English does not excite me.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/01/cisse-disgusted-by-lack-of-fulham-action/

20 Games Left: Where are Fulham Now?
As Fulham hit the final stretch of games, are they where they need to be to make a push towards promotion?

Just when you thought Fulham were out, they pull as all back in. The good guys are now just four points off of the playoff places after a fantastic win over Ipswich Town. Now it looks like Fulham might have turned a corner and are looking to continue their run towards the top of the Championship. This is not new procedures for us supporters of the club has operated of late.

We all know how in 2016/17, Fulham got off to a sluggish start by picking up just 31 points in their first 21 games. Afterwards, they went on an absolute tear by collecting 49 points in 25 games. It seems like this season has been sharing some exact similarities.

Fulham were essentially taking a nap all the way towards the beginning of December before someone woke them up and realized that their here competing for promotion towards the Premier League. There was the whole Craig Kline fiasco that they had to deal with, but you can just call that an alarm clock that was resolved by hitting the snooze button. Still, Fulham left their latest defeat to Brentford with just 26 points in their first 20 games. Since then, the good guys have picked up 10 points out of a possible 12.

Since we had a bit of short lived FA Cup fun before the league fixture list continued, now seems to be a good time to observe where Fulham is at the moment and whether this latest hot streak will be enough to get the club over the hump.

Fulham are getting better, but they are who they are
Welp, if you are outscoring the opposition constantly, you should be getting better over time in the important statistical categories. In this instance, we're talking about goals and expected goals. However, let's observe how much of the share Fulham have had in goals and expected goals rather than their differential. That is because not all +1 goal differentials are created equal. It's one thing to outscore the opposition by playing attacking only football, but that will actually mean being much closer to a 50% share in goal scoring than it is to outscore the opposition by being sound defensively.


With that in mind, Fulham are currently sitting in a three way tie for fifth in the league by scoring 39 goals, which is no different than their expected goal output of 38.6. However, their defense is the most worrying by conceding 34 goals while 33.4 of them were to be expected. While sitting in 10th in the league, Fulham are in a better place than where they have been previously, but with just a ninth best expected goal rate of 53.6%, they really don't have much room for growth. If anything, their underlying shooting numbers, which comes from effort that produces results on both ends of the pitch has to get better.

Last season, this was a club that was leading the Championship in shot output (15.5 per 90 minutes) and thus, scoring the most out of anyone (85). And while their defense was leaky (57 against), most of that wasn't due to shot prevention alone (11.2 per 90 minutes). This year, Fulham are generating a third best shot rate (13.9 per 90 minutes), but are also conceding a tied for 13th best shot rate (12.8 per 90 minutes). Those latter two numbers have improved dramatically thanks to a 25-3 (!!!) shot advantage against Ipswich. But Fulham can't play the Tractor Boys for every game the rest of the season.

They are going to have to make these numbers better when they eventually have to play teams above them in the table. Wolves are as dangerous as any league Champions in the past. Derby County and Preston North End are ferocious at the back. Brentford and Bristol City can be as deadly in attack. The point is, Fulham have a much more difficult mountain to climb this time around for them to make the playoffs.

Marcus Bettinelli is only marginally better than David Button
Let's get back to the bottom half position in goals conceded. Loads of things are happening in this data point in which you can put the blame for the club being so underacheiving. The center of defense has worsened to a point where Michael Madl can't be trusted anymore and Denis Odoi has gotten playing time there. Until the QPR fixture onwards, the fullbacks weren't playing up to their capabilities. But plenty of those observations are via the eyetest and admittedly, statistics don't completely tell the picture as to who's most to blame for the goals conceded.

If anything, the most obvious culprits are the goalkeepers. After all, their main objective is to make sure the ball never goes past them and into their own goal. Over time, goalkeepers have been required to perform more tasks, such as delivering a good first pass to restart play and to claim balls during set pieces. Still, shot stopping will never worsen in terms of the order on the priority list of being one of the best.

In Fulham's case, it's data coming off of these numbers that we'll dive deep into the David Button vs. Marcus Bettinelli debate. One is a soon to be 29-year old who previously played from another West London club in the Championship. Another is an academy product 25-year old that has been with the club through thick and thin. Supporters will always love the latter because who doesn't like a good home cooked meal? But along with that, there seems to be the notion that Button is a significantly worse goalkeeper than Bettinelli.

I have deep dived into the last two seasons for these two controversial figures and the data has produced the following output. All columns from Goals For to Shots on Target Faced are shown on a per game rate.

Bettinelli vs. Button

So even though Button gives you more clean sheets (14 in 61 games vs. just one in 11), Bettinelli is the much better shot stopper when it comes to save and expected save percentage. However, I do want to point out that both goalkeepers are not that amazing when it comes to outperforming their expected goal counts. Still, Bettinelli comes out on top again when it comes to how much they give up per game.

However, I lastly want to point out the "run support" both goalkeepers have had. While Bettinelli is getting accolades from the fans and media, a case should be made that he is getting a much better end of the deal than whatever Button experiences while between the posts. Plenty of this is due to the small sample size of 11 games in two seasons, but who doesn't want to be between the posts when their teammates are scoring 2.64 goals per game for you? You could make the case that such matters are a chicken-and-egg situation. A strong presence in goal can lead to confidence and a care-free approach throughout all the outfield players on the pitch. Still, I don't think the gap between Button and Bettinelli is so big that Bettinelli's inclusion to the starting XI improves the defense that greatly.

Fulham's collective midfield isn't the same

All midfield stats shown are possession adjusted


What was the key to Fulham's 2016/17 campaign was how ell balanced their midfield was across the board. Whether Slavisa Jokanovic played a 4-3-3 formation or not, you could always count on Tom Cairney, Stefan Johansen and Kevin McDonald to start and contribute along the center of the pitch while the rest of Fulham's attacking players do what they do best. While Cairney and StefJo were creative forces that are among the best in the league at bombing forward, Kevin McDonald might as well have been a third center back by destroying any attacking play the opposition was trying to make. And if McDonald ran himself to the ground or if Fulham needed to be sturdier defensively, there was always 36-year old Scott Parker to come in and put in a good shift.

With Parker retired, Fulham was only in need of a midfielder that can provide good cover if injuries arise. With Cairney, Johansen and McDonald turning 27, 27 and 29 by season's end, there was little incentive to change and expect a major dropoff from either of those three. Even so, 26-year old Oliver Norwood has come in the fold with the expectations of being and underrated attacker while also being willing to contribute defensively as well.


Welp, Cairney started the season with nagging knee issues and things have not gone to plan as a result. As a result, Johansen and Norwood have had to pick up the slack offensively, especially when the club are starving for goals up front. However, it's been the Norwegian who has seemed to have lost the plot in the art of tackling. Add in the fact that McDonald has taken a step back in defensive contributions and you can see how Fulham are not getting the desired output from their midfield on both ends. It has put pressure on someone up front to actually pitch in on the goal scoring and led to a defense that is experiencing heavier waves of attack from the opposition.

...but Tom Cairney is still really good


That being said, Cairney is slowly returning to full fitness. While he only has one goal and two assists to his name, you will still struggle to find a better midfielder in the Championship when it comes to chance creation and passing.

What's fascinating is what Cairney has been forced to do while playing with less than 100% health. Because of his lack of mobility to start the campaign, the Scottish International has been setting a career high long ball pass rate of 5.11 per 90 minutes. That is something that you would see Jamie O'Hara do more so than him. But once Cairney has been playing his way towards full fitness, he has been dancing more than he has ever been. While Cairney's career high 2.34 successful dribbles per 90 minutes is amazing all in itself, consider that 22 of Cairney's 37 total successful dribbles this season have all come within the past five fixtures alone! For consistency's sake, that is 4.40 successful dribbles per 90 during that span. Even when the captain is not at his best, he still finds a way to be elite.

Meanwhile, Fulham's attack is kinda meh

I leave you today with a bit of rapid fire radar evaluations for Fulham's most used attacking players. And while all of this can be done in greater detail, I do think it's important to see where each of these players are now. Plenty can change before seasons end and it will be quite fascinating to see how each of them progress. Still, it will be quite obvious to notice that if it wasn't for the hot streak of the first player to be profiled, there's plenty of uncertainty across the entire attacking trio.


First we got to talk about our machine gun of a striker in Aboubakar Kamara. Yes, the man known as "AK47" has been tearing it up of late with four goals in his last two games, and his seen his shot rate rise to 3.30 per 90 minutes. I have my doubts he can keep his hot streak up based on having only 26.5% of his shots go on targe. But if he can maintain that for the rest of the season, the 23-year old Frenchman is going to be a valuable player for Fulham in the long term.


Along with that, I love me some Sheyi Ojo. With 3.27 shots per 90 minutes, 1.90 successful dribbles and an always consistent 44.2% shots on target percentage, the Liverpool loanee has been everything Jokanovic wants of an attacking wide player. I would like to see him pass the way he did during his loan spell with Wolves (2.68 chances created per 90 minutes), but otherwise, there shouldn't be much to complain about him.


This is where I come in being negative about Ryan Sessegnon again. Again, I love how he's leading the club in minutes...at 17 years old!!! But again, Sessegnon should not be considered good at attacking play unless you think that 1.01 shots per 90 minutes is an acceptable rate. I get that his numbers have come from him playing fullback for most of the season, and his dribbling and passing should translate well in a more advanced position, but somewhere along the line, that 26.9% goal conversion rate is going to regress to the mean. Only the greatest footballers of their generation can maintain that for a career. Via the eyetest, Sessegnon has what it takes to figure it out. All I'm saying is that we shouldn't relax and expect Sessegnon to be the finished article right now.


If I have qualms with Sessegnon, it's also because I personally like Neeskans Kebano. While he certainly has been productive as a supersub these past two seasons, I would like to see him start more. Like Ojo, Kebano's passing (0.83 chances created per 90 minutes) was so much better in previous campaigns (1.54 per 90 minutes in 2016/17). Somebody has to spell relief for Fulham's midfield to provide some assists.


Sadly, I think this is the beginning of the end for Floyd Ayite. To his credit, he has been a more accurate shooter while at Craven Cottage than he ever has been while playing in France, but at 29, the potential output just doesn't look that rosy in the long term. With his contract running out in 2019, I wouldn't be surprised if he is sold in the summer so Fulham's board can balance the books just like they did when they sold Sone Aluko.

All data from whoscored.com

---

Lastly, Rui Fonte...

Personally, I've never rated him as a player Fulham should have gone after. He just didn't do enough by way of shooting output and accuracy to lead a attacking three. He's been mired out wide way too many times by Jokanovic that it has horribly stunted his career. Still, Fonte's production at this level, and as a 27 year old that has been through it all in Portugal's Liga NOS, has been non-existent. Strikers are always going to cost a ton of money because the object is to score more goals than the other team. However, Fonte came in with a £2.7 million market value before he came to Fulham and he costed the club £9 million. Especially in the lower leagues, that is bad business. Let's hope Jokanovic and new director of football operations/stats man James Lovell know what they need to do to resolve not just the issues up front, but across the rest of the team.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/1/12/16882166/20-games-left-where-are-fulham-now

 
Middlesbrough v Fulham: Tony Pulis planning changes in Boro ranks

AS well as being assigned with assessing his first-team squad and the structure of his new club in double-quick time, Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis has plenty of other items in his new year in-tray.

Alongside making decisions on the futures of some players during the transfer window, he must also quickly reacquaint himself with the Championship, having not managed at this level since 2008.

The Welshman is taking in as many games as he can when the opportunity arises with the first few months of his time on Teesside likely to be ultra-hectic. This said, the early signs of his reign are encouraging enough, although a further barometer of Boro's progress will be provided against a Fulham side who have the look of play-off dark horses.

Pulis, who is preparing the ground for some out-of-favour players to leave this month and possibly a couple of new arrivals, said: "It is fresh and it is new, and there is a lot to get my teeth into. "I am trying to get as much knowledge as I can. In some ways, it is a disadvantage and in other ways it is an advantage.

"There are vast differences between this league and the Premier League, but there are enormous differences between teams in that top division.

"But having said that, this club has everything in place to be a strong Premier League club."

"But having said that, this club has everything in place to be a strong Premier League club." Pulis has made no secret of the fact that he is busy trying to cultivate an identity among his charges, a stick which was used to beat his predecessor Garry Monk, with many supporters believing that Boro lacked a playing style under him. Pulis certainly knows enough about the Championship to identify that today's visitors Fulham definitely have a defined and successful one, with the London club being one of the most potent attacking sides in the division on their day. He said: "Fulham are a team with an identity, and it is lovely to watch a team who have that and know what they are trying to achieve in and out of possession. It will be a tough game for us."



Read more at: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough-fc/middlesbrough-v-fulham-tony-pulis-planning-changes-in-boro-ranks-1-8955829

 
MIDDLESBROUGH: Pulis - Fulham are 'further along their development' than Boro

THEY might be taking on a side two places below them in the Championship table, but when Middlesbrough entertain Fulham this afternoon, Tony Pulis claims they will be encountering a club that are further along their development trajectory than the Teessiders.

Unlike Pulis, who only took over at the Riverside on Boxing Day, Slavisa Jokanovic has been in charge of Fulham since December 2015. He has experienced some notable highs and lows in that time, losing in the play-off semi-finals last season and suffering a series of explosive disagreements with the Cottagers' board, but has steadily built one of the most accomplished squads in the Championship.

Fulham suffered a stuttering start to the current campaign, but have lost just one of their last six league matches, and Pulis expects this afternoon's game to provide a strong indication of where Boro currently find themselves as they look to force their way back into the play-off positions.

"We've got a tough game with Fulham," said the Middlesbrough manager. "They're a good side. They've got an identity and a manager that's been there for quite a while, so his footprint is firmly laid at that football club. The players will be used to what they do, and what he's asking of them.

"They've got everything in place. They've got what he wants in place to be able to play the way he wants to play. When you get that, you've got a chance.



http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough/15824523.MIDDLESBROUGH__Pulis___Fulham_are__further_along_their_development__than_Boro/

 
Photographer's appeal hits £6k after camera kit 'stolen' from Fulham FC

Micah Crook launched the GoFundMe page after his equipment was taken from the football club

A young sports photographer has raised more than £6,000 in a week after his camera equipment was stolen at a football match.

Micah Crook, from London, told Get West London his equipment disappeared from the press room at Fulham Football Club before their FA Cup third round match against Southampton on Saturday (January 6).

The 20-year-old said the theft happened at Craven Cottage, Fulham FC's ground.

His loss of kit prevented him from covering the match and could stop him from going to Australia to cover the Commonwealth Games in April.

Mr Crook, an AFC Wimbledon supporter, worked as a freelance photographer for the Dons between March 2015 and September 2017.

The theft meant he was unable to photograph Wimbledon's match against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley the next day.

It could also affect his studies as he requires his equipment for his course at Falmouth University, where he is studying press and editorial photography.

If his equipment is not returned or replaced, he will also miss out on photographing the Commonwealth Games this April in Brisbane, Australia.

Mr Crook, who funded his camera kit by working on a fruit stall since he was 15-years-old, has set a target of £8,000 to pay for new equipment.

The community has quickly backed his appeal, donating an incredible £6,220 of the £8k goal, in just six days.

The Islington resident spoke about the theft. He said: "I got there at 1.30pm and went into the ground.

"I signed in at the media desk, went into the photographers' room and dropped all my camera gear in there because it's safe and secure, and went to grab a bit to eat.

"I went back to the photographers' room to get my gear and set up pitch-side and I couldn't find my gear.

"Someone's moved everything round I thought.

"So I checked around the room and it's not there. At that point there's a sort of urgency about the room, there's a massive panic.

"I got told 'maybe someone's taken it out on the pitch' because everyone's got the same massive camera suitcase.

"So I frantically ran round the pitch looking at everyone's gear and it's not there, so I let the media desk know."

The sports photographer has praised Fulham FC for their help following the incident.

He said: "In the aftermath of what happened Fulham have been absolutely amazing.

"The surveillance man who was looking at the footage took time finding the CCTV clips and playing them to me.

"There were three lenses in there, a couple of teleconverters, two camera bodies, a flash gun, memory cards and my laptop which is devastating.

"Thankfully all my images have been backed up so I haven't lost my whole archive of images.

"The support I've been getting is really amazing."

The hardworking student, who didn't have insurance for his camera equipment, said he was reluctant to set up a GoFundMe page but is grateful to those who have supported his appeal.

He continued: "I'm in full-time education and working but you can't just save up £8,000 to afford equipment so easily.

"It was naive of me not to have insurance. I know there are some people who think that it's possibly wrong for me to ask people as I'm aware no one owes me anything.

"I'm so grateful to everyone who has funded me, who has supported the campaign.

"AFC Wimbledon have supported the campaign and have raised awareness. A few of the players donated as well as fans from across the world.

"It is truly touching."

"Another person to thank is Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal Football Club's club photographer, who has donated a camera body," Mr Crook said.

"To have them donate me a camera is truly amazing and remarkable and I can't thank Arsenal Football Club, but in particular him, enough."

If you would like to donate to Micah's appeal, click here.

Fulham FC have been contacted for comment and the theft has been reported to Met Police.



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/photographers-fundraising-appeal-hits-6k-14150219

Up next: Middlesbrough (a)
by Dan on January 13, 2018

After the disappointment of what still seems a rather tame exit from the FA Cup at the hands of a subdued Southampton last weekend, Fulham return to league action with what appears a pivotal clash with Middlesbrough this afternoon. After the Sheffield derby stalemate at Bramall Lane last night, Slavisa Jokanovic's side are just four points off the top six with a game in hand and could leapfrog today's hosts with a win at the Riverside Stadium. Both Aboubakar Kamara and Lucas Piazon have talked up this contest as 'massive' and, for once, this isn't the hyperbole that so often infects modern football.

It will be far from easy for Fulham on Teesside, however. Tony Pulis, whom the Craven Cottage faithful have rightly refused to forgive following his disgraceful remarks in the aftermath of the death of Matthew Fox at Gillingham, has his sights set on an immediate return to the top flight and you can already see the imprints of the former Stoke City and West Brom manager on his new charges. His impact was illustrated by the manner in which Boro came from behind to secure a vital win at Preston North End on New Year's Day and Pulis wasn't about to waste that precious momentum. He took the FA Cup seriously last weekend – unlike so many other managers – and a motivated side took Sunderland apart. It isn't difficult to believe Danny Higginbotham went he describes his old manager's ability to make his players 'feel 10ft tall' and Fulham will have to be prepared for a thorough examination of their own promotion credentials, which may well be robust and physical, today.

Middlesbrough sit a couple of places and points above Fulham in the Championship table and that was one of the reasons they made the decision to ditch Garry Monk and move for Pulis, who has a proven track record of securing promotion in domestic football. The Welshman has been candid enough to admit his still assessing much of the squad that he has inherited on Teesside, although Pulis has indicated a desire to trim his player resources by the end of the month. That could mean moves for the likes of Adam Clayton, Fabio, Patrick Bamford or Ashley Fletcher over the course of the window – but Pulis is still left with a very strong first team squad at his disposal.

Boro have won four of their last five and head into this afternoon's fixture full of confidence. They certainly possess plenty of pace and power up front – the presence of Britt Assombalonga is one of the reasons why Pulis might be prepared to let such a glut of attacking talent leave the Riverside during January. The Congolese striker, who pushed Felix Magath to the brink with a devastating hat-trick at the City Ground back in 2014, seems to have overcome the injuries that had disrupted his career after such a bright introduction to life in the Championship and already has twelve goals to his name this season. With service likely to be provided by the experienced Stewart Downing and Adama Traore, one of the brightest talents in the division, you can expect that former Middlesbrough defender Tomas Kalas and Tim Ream will be kept busy this afternoon.

The midfield battle might well be where the game can be won – and Fulham could well be without the services of skipper Tom Cairney, who showed signs of experiencing more trouble in his knee after requiring treatment in the warm-up before Fulham's first win of the new year against Ipswich. Pulis could well pair the formidable Adlene Guedioura with creative hub Jonny Howson in front of the defensive shield Grant Leadbitter as a talented midfield trio, who will look to get a grip of the contest early on. If Cairney does miss out later today, it is vitally important that Ollie Norwood rediscovers the form of earlier in the campaign – rather than the iffy passing that blighted his last outing in the Cup against Southampton.

Fulham's record at the Riverside is far from encouraging. The Whites have never won at Middlesbrough's not-so-new home, with Boro enjoying an unbeaten run of thirteen home fixtures. You have to go back to the final day of the 2006-2007 season, when Lawrie Sanchez's side had already secured safety following Clint Dempsey's winner over Liverpool a week earlier, and a Simon Davies strike in a 3-1 defeat for Fulham's last goal at Middlesbrough. The Whites haven't won on Teesside since a 2-0 win in March 1984 – with the high points since then being when Jean Tigana's side scored two stoppage-time goals through Sean Davis and Facundo Savage to salvage a point from 2-0 in 2002 and a painstaking point achieved by Kit Symons' side in 2015.

Jokanovic has already indicated that he will give Cairney the best possible chance of proving his fitness before deciding on his starting line-up but he does have dilemmas elsewhere in the line-up. Marcus Bettinelli has returned to training following the hefty blow he took in conceding Ipswich's opener ten days ago and could replace David Button in goal, whilst Kevin McDonald should continue at the base of the midfield having missed some training following the FA Cup exit. Jokanovic's big call will be whether to entrust the in-form Kamara with the responsibility of leading the line at Riverside – although with four goals in his last 135 minutes of league action, that should be something of a no-brainer for the Serbian, surely?

MY FULHAM XI (4-3-3): Bettinelli; Fredericks, Odoi, Kalas, Ream; McDonald, Norwood, Johansen; Ojo, R. Sessegnon, Kamara. Subs: Button, S. Sessegnon, Djalo, de la Torre, Kebano, Piazon, Fonte.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/01/up-next-middlesbrough-a/

 
Sky Sports pundit predicts another defeat for Fulham as they face Middlesbrough

David Prutton has predicted yet another defeat for Fulham as they head to the Riverside this Saturday

Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has predicted yet another defeat for Fulham as they take on Middlesbrough this weekend.

Only two points separate Slavisa Jokanovic's and Tony Pulis' sides as they head to the Riverside on Saturday, with both teams knowing a victory would put them right in the hunt for the Play-offs.

Middlesbrough are two points off 6th, while Fulham are four, and if results go their way the Cottagers could be within touching distance of Leeds United in that final play-off spot.

But Prutton is backing them to lose, again, in a 2-1 defeat in the north east.

In his Prutton Predicts column, he said: "What a big win that was for Tony Pulis on New Year's Day as Boro came from behind to win at Preston. Two defeats from their first two league games wouldn't have been a disaster by any means, but you always want to get that first win as quickly as possible.

"Fulham are creeping up quietly on the play-off places again after a good recent run and victory at the Riverside would put them right up there. I reckon Boro will have too much for them on Saturday, though.

"Prutton predicts: 2-1"



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sky-sports-pundit-predicts-another-14145454

Fulham mull move for Norwich striker Oliveira
by Dan on January 13, 2018

Fulham are considering making a January move for Norwich City striker Nelson Oliveira, according to a report from the Sun this morning.

Slavisa Jokanovic has highlighted the addition of attacking reinforcements as a priority during the transfer window after Fulham's big money summer signing Rui Fonte has struggled for both form and fitness following his move from Braga. The Whites are keeping a close interest in Oliveira's availability, especially after the Canaries knocked back a bid believed to in the region of £8m for the Portuguese forward from Derby County.

Oliveira has been out of favour under new Norwich boss Daniel Farke despite starting the season with a late equaliser that earned the Canaries a point at Craven Cottage in August. The 26 year-old has scored eight times in 23 appearances for the Carrow Road outfit this term, finding the net on 18 occasions since his move from Benfica in August 2016.

Fulham won't be short of competition for the Portuguese international's services should they follow up their interest with a formal offer. It remains to be seen whether Derby will return with another bid, but Swansea City, where Oliveira spent six months on loan in 2015, are mulling a move to take the 6'1" striker back to the Liberty Stadium. Jokanovic is keen to add striking options to his squad as Fulham try and resurrect a promotion push in the second half of the season.




http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/01/fulham-mull-move-for-norwich-striker-oliveira/

 
Report: Fulham tracking Norwich City's Nelson Oliveira after £8 million bid rejected

The Norwich City hitman is a reported transfer target for Fulham.

The Cottagers are lining up a January bid for Canaries hitman Nelson Oliveira, according to the Sun, as Slavisa Jokanovic looks to bolster his attacking options at Craven Cottage.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed a reasonably successful campaign with Norwich this season, scoring seven goals in 20 Championship outings thus far, with six of those appearances coming from the substitutes bench.

Fulham currently sit in 10th spot in the Championship table, and will be looking for an injection of goals this month, as they look to begin their assault on the top six.

The Sun claim that the west London outfit are closely monitoring Oliveira's situation at Carrow Road, after Derby County had an £8 million bid rejected for the Portuguese.

The Canaries hitman would undoubtedly offer Fulham something extra in the final third, but it is unclear whether the Norfolk side have any interest in selling him.

Norwich are just five points behind Fulham in the table, so it is unlikely that they would sell one of their key men to a rival this month, although stranger things have happened.

With the January transfer window now open for business though, this will certainly be one for Fulham fans to keep a close eye on.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/01/13/report-fulham-tracking-norwich-citys-nelson-oliveira-after-8-mil/

Report – Amaechi and Burton strike as Arsenal U18s come from behind to draw with Fulham

U18 Premier League

Arsenal 2 (Amaechi 58, Burton 80) Fulham 2 (Garrido 20, Abraham 32)

Arsenal U18s saw their winning run come to an end with a 2-2 draw at home to Fulham today but Kwame Ampadu's side still showed impressive spirit to come from behind and earn a point courtesy of goals from Xavier Amaechi and Robbie Burton.

The young Gunners went into this game having won their last seven matches in a row across all competitions and were determined to extend their run.

Coach Kwame Ampadu made seven alterations to his team, with Vontae Daley-Campbell, Zech Medley, Tobi Omole, Burton, Amaechi, Emile Smith-Rowe and Tyreece John-Jules all coming into the side.


Fulham started impressively and opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Jose Garrido found the net before doubling their tally 12 minutes later courtesy of Timmy Abraham, the brother of Chelsea loanee Tammy.

Arsenal lacked cohesion in the first half but they were rather more impressive after the interval and reduced the deficit courtesy of a fine strike from Amaechi, who was teed up by Trae Coyle.

Ampadu's side were determined to at least take a point from the game and then did just that as Burton scored with a spectacular strike to give Arsenal a point.

Next up for Arsenal is a trip to face Liverpool next weekend in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.



https://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2018/01/13/amaechi-and-burton-strike-as-arsenal-u18s-come-from-behind-to-draw-with-fulham/

 
Transfer saga takes a twist as Fulham enter the race for Derby County target

Norwich City striker Nelson Oliveira is attracting a lot of attention this month, with The Sun today reporting that Fulham had joined Derby County in the race for the Portuguese international.

Rams boss Gary Rowett had launched an £8 million bid in an attempt to bring the player to the club, but now Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic could be set to act upon his admiration for the player by launching an offer of his own.

The former Benfica man linked up with the Canaries in 2016 following loan spells with Swansea City and Nottingham Forest, and has scored eighteen goals during his eighteen month spell in East Anglia.

Fulham are in desperate need for new striking options, having seen another Portuguese man in Rui Fonte
struggle since his arrival from Braga in the summer.

The Verdict

With a World Cup on the horizon, Oliveira will know that a place in the Portuguese squad alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and co is well up for grabs, and a move could provide the 26-year-old with the spark to secure his Russia 2018 dream.

Fulham need a striker, and if they have the funds to spend, should certainly look to use them on Oliveria. The player is entering the peak years of his career and will only get better, and should Jokanovic convince Norwich to sell and beat Derby to the punch, the Cottagers must be considered serious dark horses for a late playoff push.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/transfer-saga-takes-a-twist-as-fulham-enter-the-race-for-derby-county-target/

 
Middlesbrough vs Fulham team news: Tom Cairney on the bench as Slavisa Jokanovic makes three changes

The head coach makes three changes for the trip to the Riverside, with the skipper only fit enough for a place on the bench

Fulham will be without Tom Cairney as they take on Middlesbrough this afternoon, with the skipper only fit enough for a place on the bench.

Slavisa Jokanovic has made three changes from the side that went out of the FA Cup to Southampton last week, recalling Marcus Bettinelli who missed that loss through injury.

Sheyi Ojo and Aboubakar Kamara are also recalled to the line up in place of Tomas Kalas and Rui Fonte, both of whom drop to the bench.

Ryan Sessegnon is at left back, with Jokanovic opting to use Odoi at centre half in place of Kalas, while the midfield three of Oliver Norwood, Kevin McDonald and Stefan Johansen continue.

Up top, Kamara is flnaked by Ojo and Lucas Piazon, who starts his second game in a row.

Fulham: Bettinelli, Fredericks, Ream, Odoi, Norwood, McDonald, Johansen, Piazon, Kamara, Ojo and R Sessegnon

Subs: Button, Kalas, S Sessegnon, Cairney, Edun, Kebano and Fonte




https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/middlesbrough-vs-fulham-team-news-14151147

Yes, I said from the beginning how Oliviera would be a fantastic signing. Hope they can make that happen. He deserves first team football.