Thursday Fulham Stuff (02/02/17)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Results

Wednesday
Blackburn	1 - 2	Leeds
Burton	0 - 2	Fulham
Newcastle	2 - 2	QPR

[WhiteJC]

 
Richard Osman takes swipe at Fulham's penalty record - including two misses from Chris Martin

TV presenter and Fulham season ticket holder, Richard Osman, has tweeted a swipe at his club's penalty miss record this season - including Chris Martin's two recent penalty-misses.

The Pointless host, who appears to be following Fulham's game against Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium said: "Nearly 20 minutes gone in the Fulham match. I can't believe we haven't missed a penalty yet."

Martin, who is at the club on loan from Derby, missed a crucial last minute penalty in Fulham's 1-0 defeat to Reading last month, just days after a penalty miss in the clash against QPR.

The former Norwich City front man has now had three penalties saved this term, having also failed to convert from the spot in a 2-1 win over Rotherham United last month.

In total, Fulham have failed to score seven of the nine penalties they have been awarded so far this season.


Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/richard-osman-takes-swipe-at-fulham-s-penalty-record-including-two-misses-from-chris-martin/story-30105182-detail/story.html#imfE1m5z64KZIMGW.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Burton Albion 0-2 Fulham: Stefan Johansen and Scott Malone inflict more misery on hosts despite Nigel Clough's decision to stay at the Pirelli
Stefan Johansen opened the scoring, slotting home from the edge of the box
Scott Malone made his way into the box and fired past Jon McLaughlin
The three points saw Fulham climb into the top half of the Championship

Nigel Clough's head was 'all over the place' at the weekend as he contemplated the prospect of becoming the next manager of Nottingham Forest.

On Wednesday night, might-have-been was replaced by a snuffly flu bug and a fifth home defeat in a row for his Burton side.

As Fulham made an impelling case to be play-off candidates, Clough was sneezing his way back to reality.


Stefan Johansen celebrates after breaking the deadlock during the Championship clash


The ball made its way to Johansen (left), who slotted home from the edge of the box

'One of the best teams we have played,' was Clough's verdict after goals from Stefan Johansen and Scott Malone put Fulham three points off the top six.

Then he spoke eloquently about the decision to reject Forest for the relegation battle ahead.

'I think there'll be a few wishing I'd made a different decision,' joked Clough. 'Yes, my head was a little all over the place over the weekend but once we came to the decision we all felt comfortable.

'I can't tell you how appealing it was to walk back in there and change the fortunes around but the real question was leaving Burton and that's a no.'

Burton, by far the smallest club in the Championship, never make it easy for the opposition, whatever their pedigree. 


Johansen made the most of the home side's poor defending to give his side the lead


The midfielder was all smiles after netting his eighth goal of the season

True to form they were organised, disciplined and not afraid to set the Fulham defence a challenge which, ultimately, they could not sustain beyond the first half.

A sense of urgency was imparted by coach Slavisa Jokanovic for Fulham emerged full of of vim and verve.

The busy Cairney picked out Johansen in the area and the Norwegian beat Jon McLaughlin then turned and raced to the dug-out where he stopped and saluted.

The goal gave Fulham a platform to attack. Cairney pulled strings and Malone provided an outlet down the left. One gallop saw Malone charge into the area and double the lead.

'I can be satisfied with our performance,' said Jokanovic. 'I'm not talking or thinking about top six but we are playing with confidence.'


Scott Malone (centre) made his way into the box and fired past Jon McLaughlin (right)


Malone pumps his fist after doubling his side's lead at the Pirelli Stadium


Malone (centre) celebrates his goal with team-mate Ryan Fredericks (right)


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4181900/Burton-Albion-0-2-Fulham-Johansen-Malone-target.html#ixzz4XVnkpyz0
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[WhiteJC]

 
FULHAM: ON THE WHISTLE MATCH REPORT

NIGEL Clough was without two loan signings for the visit of Fulham. Christensen and Woodrow were ineligible to play against their parent club.

Deadline day signing Michael Kightly was also unable to make his Burton Albion debut due to his late registration.

Despite not seeing much of the ball in the opening exchanges it was Burton Albion that had the better of the chances. Jackson Irvine latched on to a short back pass but his effort was tipped wide by David Button before the Fulham stopper came to the rescue again when Lloyd Dyer raced through on goal after a great pass by Damien McCrory but he was denied by the legs of Button.

Fulham played the ball neatly at the back but didn't go forward with intent until Tom Cairney gave them the spark, and provided the cross for Scott Malone on the edge of the box but his volley was sliced well over the bar.

Cairney proved to be the danger man again for Fulham as he teed up a shot from distance which deflected up in the air and landed just wide of Jon McLaughlin's right-hand post.

The Brewers did well to restrict Fulham to long-range opportunities, and The Cottagers didn't test Jon McLaughlin in he first half even when Kevin McDonald worked a shooting opportunity but the midfielder's effort was well over the crossbar.

HT: Burton Albion FC 0-0 Fulham FC

GOAL: Fulham took the lead just three minutes into the second half as Sone Aluke carried the ball to the edge of the box where Ben Turner got a foot in but the ball fell kindly to Stefan Johansen who finished into the far corner with his left boot (0-1).

Chris O'Grady missed out on Saturday's squad that travelled to QPR but he was involved tonight and made a substitute appearance just after the hour mark as he replaced Marvin Sordell.

The man on loan from Brighton could have had a goal just minutes after coming on as Lucas Akins provided the cross from the left which was directed towards goal but O'Grady, only to see his effort saved by David Button.

GOAL: Against the run of play it was Fulham that scored the next goal through the unlikely source of Scott Malone who made way down the left before lashing the ball into the roof of the net (0-2).

Luke Murphy scored his first Burton Albion goal on Saturday, but he was replaced by Tom Naylor with just over 15 minutes of the game to play.

Will Miller had suffered with a hamstring injury of late but he was given his chance when he replaced Lloyd Dyer on 78 minutes.

The Brewers were very nearly undone by a long ball up field which was well controlled by Cairney them back heeled to Piazon but his shot was well saved by McLaughlin in the Albion goal.

Chris O'Grady was presented with the last opportunity of the game as Jackson Irvine saw his header cleared off the line before the Albion striker blasted his effort over the crossbar.

FT: Burton Albion FC 0-2 Fulham FC

Attendance: 3,725

Ash's man of the match: Jackson Irvine


Read more at http://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/fulham-on-the-whistle-match-report-3551101.aspx#rpyqHVzLrYgfSoj4.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Burton 0-2 Fulham: Cottagers close on play-offs

Second-half goals from Stefan Johansen and Scott Malone took Fulham to within three points of the Sky Bet Championship play-offs as they condemned Burton Albion to a fifth successive home league defeat.

Norwegian international Johansen unerringly drilled home just three minutes into the second half, Fulham ruthlessly capitalising on some sloppy Burton defending on the halfway line. Sone Aluko intercepted a wayward pass and burst towards the box, eventually crossing low for Johansen to finish from the edge of the box.

Malone made the game safe with just under 20 minutes remaining, finishing off a rapid counter attack as the visitors outnumbered Albion, Chelsea loanee Lucas Piazon finding the full-back's overlapping run inviting him to ruthlessly lash the ball home to seal a 2-0 result.

Following their victory at QPR on Saturday, the Brewers were unable to call upon their Fulham loan duo of Lasse Vigen Christensen and Cauley Woodrow to face their parent club, whilst deadline-day signing Michael Kightly was not signed in time to be eligible to make his debut.

For Nigel Clough's men it was another opportunity squandered to register successive league wins and they remain three points above the drop zone having played two games more than nearest rivals Wigan Athletic.

Chances were sparse in the opening 45 minutes. Whilst Fulham shaded possession and looked more comfortable on the ball they failed to force home goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin into a save in the first half.

Former Burton loanee Malone twice went close to marking his return to the Pirelli Stadium with a first-half goal but two volleyed shots from the edge of the box failed to find the target before the defender finally got his goal in the second half.

Fulham beat Burton 2-0

Skipper Tom Cairney also missed with a curling effort from 22 yards, a deflection carrying his effort further off target.

Johansen went close to doubling his tally on two occasions, an arcing shot across goal missing the far post and another driven effort just tipped round the post by McLaughlin as Fulham went in search of more goals.

Piazon was denied by the legs of the Burton keeper as the visitors looked to put a gloss on the result and Cairney's audacious lob from the edge of the box landed just on the roof of the net as Burton were forced to defend more and more.

Substitute Chris O'Grady flashed a shot wide with seven minutes to go in the hope of getting the hosts back into it but Fulham, who had produced one of the best away performances seen at the Pirelli Stadium this season, never looked in any serious danger of relinquishing their control of the final result.

Burton boss Nigel Clough:
"Fulham were too good for us tonight. There was a big gulf in quality and the disappointing thing was that we gave the first goal away with a mistake and you can't afford to do that against such good players.

"We got through the first half by being solid without doing that much ourselves and we restricted them to not very much. We just needed to get 10 minutes under our belt in the second half and see how it goes but we didn't get to that point."

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic:
"I can be satisfied with our performance. We tried to play our style and move the ball from side to side in the first half but Burton closed us down. We had possession of the ball but we could not create much.

"Fortunately we tried to open the field up a bit in the second half and we got a goal early at the start of the half and that made it easier for us to win the game."


http://www.skysports.com/football/burton-alb-vs-fulham/report/358451

[WhiteJC]

 
Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović acknowledged the importance of getting a goal so soon after half-time in Fulham's win at Burton Albion.

A resolute defensive display by the hosts had frustrated his side at the Pirelli Stadium, but Stefan Johansen struck with less than three minutes played after the restart to set the Whites on their way to a 2-0 win.

"I can be satisfied with our performance," Jokanović stated. "We tried to play with our style, moving the ball from one side to the other, and creating chances.

"But to be honest, in the first 45 minutes Burton closed everything off and we had possession of the ball but we didn't create so much.

"We tried to open the field a little bit more in the second half and fortunately we scored an early goal, and that made it easier to win the game.

"We found problems in the first 45 minutes. Burton didn't cause us so many problems. They wanted to hit us on the counter attack but we avoided this kind of situation.

"After we scored they changed their structure a little bit, but we found a solution for this situation and found a second goal to finish the game."

The victory moved Fulham to within a win of the Play-Off spots, but as he has often stressed before, Jokanović is not looking any further ahead than the next fixture.

"I'm not talking about top-six, I'm not thinking about top-six" he reiterated. "On the 7th of May we are going to know where we're going to finish in this competition.

"I prefer thinking about short steps, and the next chance in front of us is Birmingham. These are three new points to fight for against Birmingham.

"I don't know what's going to happen in this game, but we need to work with energy and desire to win the game which is immediately in front of us.

"We are playing with confidence, we believe we can play good football and win the game, and let's push hard and try to find the benefit of this situation."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/february/01/head-coach-reaction

[WhiteJC]

 
Tottenham's FA Cup match at Fulham will be televised on BBC 1

Finally, an FA Cup match that Tottenham fans in England can watch!

Good news, British Spurs fans! After two rounds in the television wilderness, you'll finally be able to watch Tottenham Hotspur play in the FA Cup from the comfort of your homes. The FA released its television schedule today for the fifth round of the world's oldest cup competition, and Spurs' match against Fulham has made the cut.

Spurs will head to Craven Cottage for the match, which will be held on Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 p.m. (9:00 a.m. ET). The match will be carried on BBC 1 in the UK. Fox owns the rights to the FA Cup in the United States, and according to World Soccer Talk the match will be carried on Fox Sports 1 and streamed on Fox Sports Go & Fox Soccer2Go.

Here's the full schedule of televised matches in both the UK and USA.

Saturday, February 18
Burnley vs. Lincoln City, 12:30 pm, BT Sport 2 (7:30 am ET, Fox Sports 1)
Wolves vs. Chelsea, 5:30 pm, BT Sport 2 (12:30 pm ET, Fox Sports 1)
Huddersfield vs Manchester City, not televised in the UK (10 am ET, Fox Sports 1)
Sunday, February 19
Fulham vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 2:00 pm, BBC 1 (9 am ET, Fox Sports 1)
Blackburn vs. Manchester United, 4:15 pm, BT Sport 2 (11:15 am, Fox Sports 1)
Monday, February 20
Sutton United vs. Arsenal, 7:55 pm, BBC 1 (2:55 pm Fox Sports 1)


http://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/2017/2/1/14478130/tottenham-hotspur-fulham-fa-cup-fifth-round-television-schedule-bbc-1

[WhiteJC]

 
Burton Albion 0 - 2 Fulham the verdict: visitors class tells in Brewers' fifth straight home loss

Fulham celebrate scoring at Burton Albion

A disappointing result, if not an entirely unconvincing performance, saw Burton Albion suffer a fifth straight home defeat against an excellent Fulham side. The Cottagers were simply too good in attack on the night, with Albion unable to take any of the chances they did create but not for a lack of effort.

In truth, the Brewers lacked a consistent wide threat – perhaps that will return when Lasse Vigen Christensen – ineligible to face his former club – and Michael Kightly – not signed in time to play here – are available on Saturday.

It was Albion's first match since manager Nigel Clough turned down the chance to manage Nottingham Forest after their approach a week prior, and the Brewers boss was forced into two changes from the side that beat Queens Park Rangers 2-1 on Saturday.

John Brayford had been forced off after just four minutes of that game with a knee injury one that will keep him out of action for at least four weeks, and his replacement John Mousinho started this match alongside Ben Turner at centre-back.

Tom Flanagan goes in for a challenge

Tom Flanagan and Damien McCrory continued as the full-backs, behind a central midfield pair of Matt Palmer and Luke Murphy. The second change saw Lucas Akins return to the starting line-up in place of the ineligible Christensen, unable to play against his parent club, as was striker Cauley Woodrow.

Akins was part of an advanced midfield trio, with Jackson Irvine central and Lloyd Dyer left, behind lone striker Marvin Sordell. The first half was interesting enough to watch from a tactical perspective, as Albion kept their defensive line solid with Fulham's forward four seeing plenty of the ball.

On-loan Derby County striker Chris Martin – hardly out of the news pages in recent weeks – led the line for the Cottagers but saw little of possession in the opening 45, Albion dealing with Martin's clear physical threat as they did when he was marked out of the game by the Brewers' defence back in August, when Albion beat the Rams 1-0.

Tom Cairney, as the No 10, was a sporadic threat for the visitors but was largely restricted to pot-shots from the edge of the box. Albion in fact had the better chances of the opening 20 minutes. A poor header back to goalkeeper David Button was almost intercepted for a goal by Irvine, who did get a nick on the ball but could only hit it against the Fulham stopper, who turned it over a corner.


Read more at http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/burton-albion-0-2-fulham-the-verdict-visitors-class-tells-in-brewers-fifth-straight-home-loss/story-30106067-detail/story.html#zZpWU1K1FbMi3Xfm.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Johansen and Malone seal Fulham win at Burton
by DAN on FEBRUARY 2, 2017

On the night that the Fulham faithful unveiled a catchy new terrace ditty saluting Scott Malone, the rampaging full-back added another chapter to his impressive first season at Craven Cottage by scoring the crucial second as Slavisa Jokanovic's side successfully passed a tough test at battling Burton Albion and edged closer to the Championship play-off picture. The visitors upped the tempo after a largely undistinguished first half and, after Stefan Johansen struck shortly after the restart, a cleverly taken goal from Malone effectively ended the contest – and left Fulham just three points off the top six.

Much of the discussion following a relatively quiet transfer deadline day at Motspur Park would be how Fulham's promotion push could be reignited in the absence of additional attacking recruits. Cyriac, who arrived on loan last night, was not part of the matchday squad and, despite another earnest display from Chris Martin, it initially appeared as though Jokanovic's men could struggle to stretch a well-organised and disciplined Burton. For all of the visitors' dominance of possession, they failed to force Jon McLaughlin into a save throughout the first half. Malone, showing the attacking intent that has underlined the adventurousness of this Fulham side, sliced a volley over the bar from a deep Tom Cairney cross and a marauding Kevin McDonald run culminated in the midfielder lifting a shot over the bar, but, barring a few explosive runs from Ryan Fredericks, Burton's defensive shape served them well.

It was actually the home side who had the clearest opening of the first period. David Button bailed his defence out when Jackson Irvine nipped in to intercept a short backpass by tipping the winger's shot wide and the Fulham goalkeeper saved smartly with his feet when Lloyd Dyer sprinted into the box after being released by Damien McCrory's clever pass down the left flank. Several times throughout the first half, Slavisa Jokanovic cut a frustrated figure on the touchline, throwing his hands up in the air at another moment of sloppiness, and it didn't take long for Fulham to heed his half-time instructions.

The opening goal arrived barely two minutes after the interval. Sone Aluko surged across the box with the ball at his feet, but even when Ben Turner stopped the Nigerian forward's run on the edge of the box, Fulham remained patient. Cairney's short pass invited the effervescent Johansen to stride onto the ball and drive a low effort into the bottom right corner with his left foot. Fulham had the ball in the net again six minutes later when Martin swept home the loose ball at the back post after another trademark run from Malone, but the Scottish striker was flagged offside. Johansen might have fashioned his second when another late burst in the box saw him test McLaughlin with a low drive, but the keeper got enough before that effort.

Burton discovered more of a cutting edge once Chris O'Grady had replaced former Fulham trainee Marvin Sordell and the former Sheffield United striker almost had an immediate impact. He turned the impressive Tim Ream to send a shot goalwards only seconds after coming on and Button then had to be alert to collect his flicked near post header, but the home side's best spell of pressure culminated in a speedy Fulham break that saw McLaughlin deny Aluko as the visitors offered a timely reminder of their counter-attacking threat.

Jokanovic's side wrapped up the points with the vital second in the 71st minute. A cleverly worked move saw Lucas Piazon and Martin release Malone down the left flank and, just when the Burton defenders were preparing to show the former Cardiff defender wide to prevent a dangerous cross, he surprised McLaughlin by lashing a drive into the roof of the net from what appeared an improbable angle. The Londoners then created further opportunities to extend their lead, with Piazon latching onto a pass from Johansen and seeing a low shot beaten away by McLaughlin, before an impudent Cairney chip landed on the roof of the net.

Burton kept on battling until the end, delivering the sort of commitment that mirrors Nigel Clough's own desire to continue his outstanding work with a club very close to his heart, and might have made stoppage time a little more intriguing had O'Grady not snatched at a half chance when Fulham failed to clear a corner. As it was, Clough admitted that 'a gulf in class' between the sides eventually told when the visitors moved the ball a little quicker than the pedestrian pace that had been the predominant feature of a listless first-half display.

BURTON ALBION (4-2-3-1): McLaughlin; Flanagan, Mousinho, Turner, McCrory; Palmer, Murphy (Tom Naylor 74); Akins, Irvine, Dyer (Will Miller 78); Sordell (O'Grady 63). Subs (not used): Bywater, Barker, Williamson, Myers-Harness.

BOOKED: O'Grady.

FULHAM (4-1-2-3): Button; Fredericks (Odoi 90), Malone, Kalas, Ream; McDonald; Johansen, Cairney; Piazon, Aluko (Ayite 85), Martin. Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Madl, R. Sessegnon, Parker, Petsos.

GOALS: Johansen (48), Malone (71).

REFEREE: Tony Harrington.

ATTENDANCE: 3,725


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/02/johansen-and-malone-seal-fulham-win-at-burton/

[Twig]

Tottenham's FA Cup match at Fulham will be televised on BBC 1

Finally, an FA Cup match that Tottenham fans in England can watch!

Good news, British Spurs fans! After two rounds in the television wilderness, you'll finally be able to watch Tottenham Hotspur play in the FA Cup from the comfort of your homes. The FA released its television schedule today for the fifth round of the world's oldest cup competition, and Spurs' match against Fulham has made the cut.

Spurs will head to Craven Cottage for the match, which will be held on Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 p.m. (9:00 a.m. ET). The match will be carried on BBC 1 in the UK. Fox owns the rights to the FA Cup in the United States, and according to World Soccer Talk the match will be carried on Fox Sports 1 and streamed on Fox Sports Go & Fox Soccer2Go.

Here's the full schedule of televised matches in both the UK and USA.

Saturday, February 18
Burnley vs. Lincoln City, 12:30 pm, BT Sport 2 (7:30 am ET, Fox Sports 1)
Wolves vs. Chelsea, 5:30 pm, BT Sport 2 (12:30 pm ET, Fox Sports 1)
Huddersfield vs Manchester City, not televised in the UK (10 am ET, Fox Sports 1)
Sunday, February 19
Fulham vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 2:00 pm, BBC 1 (9 am ET, Fox Sports 1)
Blackburn vs. Manchester United, 4:15 pm, BT Sport 2 (11:15 am, Fox Sports 1)
Monday, February 20
Sutton United vs. Arsenal, 7:55 pm, BBC 1 (2:55 pm Fox Sports 1)


http://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/2017/2/1/14478130/tottenham-hotspur-fulham-fa-cup-fifth-round-television-schedule-bbc-1

Good news for British Fulham fans too, I woudl have thought?

[toshes mate]

Good news for British Fulham fans too, I woudl have thought?

Well spotted, Twig.  The PL-centric media with total ignorance of anything outside it.  Mercenaries all.

[Woolly Mammoth]

Good news for English Fulham fans too, I woudl have thought?

Well spotted, Twig.  The PL-centric media with total ignorance of anything outside it.  Mercenaries all.

Yes indeed, I cannot remember the last time I bothered to watch a PL match if it's being shown on the box. It's the Sam old egotistic crap, and the fawning of pundits over certain managers and players has caused me to order on line a brand new sick bag.