Saturday Fulham Stuff (11/02/17)...

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London Stadium Tickets

West Ham United's London Stadium will host a PL2 fixture for the first time when Fulham make the trip across the capital on Monday 20th February (7pm).

The Hammers are making only a limited number of tickets available to away supporters. If there is high demand then these will be sold on a first come first served basis.

Tickets will be priced at £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.

To gauge interest, please fill in the below form if you wish to attend the fixture. Please note, this is not part of the ticket buying process.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/february/10/london-stadium-tickets

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MATCH PREVIEW: FULHAM v WIGAN ATHLETIC

Team news, facts and figures, head-to-head and ticket details ahead of the trip to face The Cottagers.

Wigan Athletic v Fulham match preview.

Latics manager Warren Joyce: "Omar is a young player who wants to improve."

Latics look to make it two league games in a row away from home.

FULHAM v WIGAN ATHLETIC
CRAVEN COTTAGE
SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11 2017
KICK-OFF 3.00pm 
TICKETS: £5 price rise on matchday, details here
WARREN JOYCE: Read the manager's thoughts prior to the game, here
AWAY INFO: All you need to know if you're travelling to Fulham, here
MR GREEN: All the latest odds with the club's new betting partner, here

PREVIEW
Omar Bogle's introduction to the Latics front line on Tuesday against Norwich City has lifted expectation that his goals can help this season and he will be looking to add to his tally as Warren Joyce takes his team to Craven Cottage and looks for a second Sky Bet Championship victory on the road in succession.

Fulham are very strong at home however, as they showed last time out against an (albeit weakened) Hull City in the FA Cup with an emphatic 4-1 victory. They haven't played a league game at home since beating Barnsley at the Cottage almost a month ago and they will no doubt be itching to get back to winning ways in front of their own fans after defeat at Birmingham City last weekend; a six point gap has now opened up to the play-off positions which Slaviša Jokanović will be anxious to reduce quickly if the Cottagers are to have any serious aspirations to get into those top six positions.

TEAM NEWS
Warren Joyce rung the changes against Norwich by bringing in Omar Bogle and James Weir in place of Will Grigg and David Perkins and injury permitting, he could opt to keep with that starting XI, although Latics were far more effective in the second half against The Canaries when Grigg played just behind Bogle and Joyce may choose that option. Joyce will also need to assess the fitness of some of the other new signings before making his final choice, although in all likelihood he will probably not try and risk upsetting the stability of his squad. He revealed Craig Morgan has a toe injury, which kept him out of the Norwich squad and will keep him out again at Fulham. Other than that he reported 'no bumps and bruises' after the Norwich game. Ryan Tunnicliffe is ineligible under the terms of his loan from Fulham.

For Fulham, Ryan Fredericks is suspended following his sending off in Fulham's last match at Birmingham and Jokanović will need to decide how much he will shuffle his pack following that defeat. Tomas Kalas has a hip problem but there could be a return for Neeskens Kebano after his time with DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations.

SEASON SO FAR
Fulham began the season in spectacular fashion by beating Newcastle United and they have since been patchy in establishing themselves just outside the play-off places. Their form away from the Cottage has been marginally better than when they have played at home, with six wins away as opposed to five at home. In terms of draws and defeats, however, their record home and away is identical, with four losses and five draws.

The conclusion to draw from a Latics point of view, then, is that although they can be a force, they are certainly not invincible and it's a case of catching them on the right day. Latics can certainly go there full of confidence after such a positive performance against Norwich.

CURRENT SQUAD, 2016-17 LEADING LEAGUE GOALSCORERS
9 - Chris Martin
6 - Stefan Johansen
5 - Tom Cairney
4 - Sone Aluko
4 - Floyd Ayite
4 - Scott Malone
3 - Kevin McDonald
3 - Lucas Piazon

HEAD-TO-HEAD
One of the few clubs we have faced in every division, plus the league cup – but never in an FA Cup encounter, however. Worryingly, from a Latics point of view, we haven't actually beaten Fulham for over 10 years, or put another way, in 16 meetings. Not all defeats, of course, but still, records are there to be broken...

So in terms of the league, this will be the 44th meeting between the sides, with Fulham having the edge historically, 18 wins to 8! At Craven Cottage, however, the record is not that clever, just two victories and six draws...

The most bizarre attendee to one of the matches must be the late Michael Jackson, who was bizarrely there as a guest of then owner Mohamed Al Fayed in April 1999 – sadly he was not able to witness a Latics goal as Fulham won that one 2-0 in what was far from a ... thriller.

To end on a positive note, we did manage one of those draws in our last visit there, in Gary Caldwell's first match as manager in April 2015. Dan Burn and Ryan Tunnicliffe both played for The Cottagers that night, with Hugo Rodallega on the bench.

SOME WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR BOTH CLUBS
Not a huge amount of connections between the clubs although three of the biggest links have just been mentioned.

Dan Burn and Ryan Tunnicliffe are current members of the Latics squad with a direct connection although the latter is still on loan and therefore won't feature. 

Rodallega has since left Craven Cottage but there are other links too between the sides. Michael Brown was signed from Fulham in 2007 while Jimmy Bullard left Latics for Fulham in 2006 and before that Geoff Horsfield played for both.

MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee - David Coote
Assistant Referee 1 - Nigel Lugg
Assistant Referee 2 - Adam Matthews
Fourth Official - Dean Treleaven


Read more at http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/match-preview-fulham-v-wigan-athletic-3565405.aspx#iCf8bXgLdGGes3jq.99

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Kick It Out

This weekend's fixture between Fulham and Wigan Athletic is Fulham FC's dedicated fixture to highlight the work of Kick It Out, football's equality and inclusion organisation, as well as the social inclusion programmes delivered by the Fulham FC Foundation.

Since 1993, Kick It Out has worked throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and campaign for positive change.

Throughout the 2016/17 season, Kick It Out is running an initiative – Call Full Time On Hate – which aims to utilise and engage the collective force of football to tackle discrimination and hate incidents at every level of the game.

The initiative also seeks to highlight the positive messages of inclusion echoed by the football authorities, clubs, players, managers and supporters' groups.

Fulham Football Club is fully behind #CallFullTimeOnHate and in addition to its support in the programme today, the club will be supporting the initiative on social media, as well as through Kick It Out resources such as posters, t-shirts and LED board advertisements inside Craven Cottage.

Fulham FC's Kick It Out Ambassador, Denis Odoi, and his team mates are looking forward to recognising the positive works carried out by Kick It Out and football clubs: "A lot of great work is done by the Fulham FC Foundation in our local community and Kick It Out through a number of programmes to promote Social Inclusion every season.

"Football is enjoyed by fans throughout the world and we all encourage a welcoming environment to all visitors to Craven Cottage."

Over the last year, Lord Herman Ouseley, Chair of Kick It Out, has reiterated with all of the football authorities his concerns on behalf of the organisation around rising levels of hate in society and believes support from professional clubs is an important step in tackling the issue.

"Our anti-hate initiative aims to build on existing positive education and awareness-raising projects supported by clubs and their Foundations in their local communities," he said.

"Football is at the forefront of helping its fans, players and young people in their local communities to understand the damaging effects of prejudice and discriminatory abuse.

"Call Full Time On Hate aims to ensure the game remains as inclusive and welcoming as possible and that it reiterates a zero tolerance approach to discrimination."

The App

The latest version of the Kick It Out app released in August 2015, allowing users to confidentially report incidents of discrimination seen or heard at a football match.

The app also offers users the ability to attach video, photo and audio evidence to complaints to aid investigations into discriminatory abuse and behaviour at matches.

Users can also report incidents of football-related discrimination to Kick It Out on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It is recommended that discriminatory posts on social media are screenshotted in case they are deleted before Kick It Out can file a report.

Reports should preferably be sent to Kick It Out in a private message to ensure the safety of those reporting the incident.

Reports can be made anonymously from all professional or semi-professional fixtures or at any grassroots game.

Reporting via the app is confidential, and sits alongside the organisation's well-established methods of reporting, including via email and Freephone. Supporters can contact Kick It Out on 0800 169 9414 or by emailing [email protected]

The FREE Kick It Out app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

Roisin Wood, Director of Kick It Out, urged all supporters to download the reporting app: "We want to remove discrimination from the game and we can only do this with the help and support of all fans.

"By downloading the app, you'll be able to ensure that discrimination does not go unchallenged and help Fulham FC and Kick It Out make Craven Cottage a welcoming and inclusive place for all."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/february/10/kick-it-out

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Fulham v Wigan Athletic

SAT, 11 FEB 2017CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Craven Cottage

Denis Odoi is in contention to replace Ryan Fredericks at right-back for Fulham

BBC coverage
How to follow:
Listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website

Fulham right-back Ryan Fredericks starts a three-game suspension, while centre-back Tomas Kalas is sidelined with a hip problem.

Neeskens Kebano could return to the bench after international duty with DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations.

On-loan Wigan midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe is unable to feature against his parent club.

Craig Morgan (toe) is agfain out for the Latics, but they have no new injury concerns for the game.

Analysis

BBC Radio Manchester's Paul Rowley

"This will be a tough challenge for Warren Joyce's Wigan side who began the year with a spring in their step with their first back-to-back league victories of the season, which pulled them out of the drop zone for the first time in three months.

"But since then, despite 13 signings in the January transfer window, they've failed to win, and find themselves next to bottom of the table, five points from safety, and are still the lowest scorers in the division.

"A picturesque away fixture on the banks of the Thames will be difficult. The 'Tics have secured victory just twice in 21 visits to Craven Cottage, the last in the Premier League in 2006.

"Since then they've failed to win in 16 meetings with the Cottagers. although the last four all have been drawn. Fulham are one of four clubs - Reading, Sheffield United and Blackpool being the others - that Wigan have met in all four divisions."

Match facts

Fulham have gone 16 league games without defeat against Wigan (W6 D10); their longest ever unbeaten run against a single opponent in league history.
The last four league meetings between these sides have all ended in stalemates, each by a different scoreline (1-1, 3-3, 2-2 and 0-0).
None of Fulham's last 20 Championship goals have been scored in the opening half an hour of matches.
Similarly, none of Wigan's last nine away Championship have been scored before the 40th minute - eight of them have been netted in the second half.
Omar Bogle scored his first Wigan goals in their 2-2 draw against Norwich - the former Grimsby striker has scored more Football League goals than any other player this season (21 in 29 games).



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38865828

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Academy International Call-Ups

Fulham's academy players are being recognised for their performances this season with international call ups for their countries.

Steven Sessegnon has been invited to play for Englands Under-17s in the Algarve Tournament starting on Friday, having spent the past week training at St George's Park. England face Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands in the six-day friendly tournament.

Both Marlon Fossey and Luca de la Torre have been called up to represent the USA Under-20 squad for their three-week World Cup Qualifiers. They hope to make sure that the States are heading to South Korea for the Under-20 World Cup this summer.

The qualifiers take place in San Jose and the USA will face Panama, Haiti, St Kitts & Nevis with additional matches to be confirmed. 


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/february/10/academy-international-call-ups

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Coral: Fulham To Win, 33/1

At Fulham, we're teaming up with our Official Betting Partner Coral to provide fans with an unbeatable new customer offer.

You can now get a HUGE 33/1 for us to win our Championship clash against Wigan this Saturday at Craven Cottage, exclusively with Coral! (Winnings paid as free bets).

All you have to do is sign up, deposit £5 or more into your account and place your bet on the massively enhanced odds (max bet £1). Then you can sit back and cheer on the boys to victory, which will be made all the sweeter if you win some free bets as a result.

We're back at the Cottage for the first time since our memorable 4-1 win over Hull City in the FA Cup, and a repeat of that performance (and the result) would be very welcome indeed!

This offer is for a limited time only and expires at kick-off on Saturday 11th February (3pm), so don't miss out on this fantastic chance to back lads at a massive 33/1 with Coral!


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/february/10/coral-fulham-to-win-331

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Jokanović's Wigan Preview

Slaviša Jokanović has seen enough from Wigan Athletic in their last two outings to know the threat they'll pose on Saturday.

The Latics were unfortunate to lose 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday a week ago, while they drew 2-2 with Norwich City on Tuesday.

"It's a competitive team," Jokanović stated. "I had a chance to watch their last two games against Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich.

"Against top Championship teams they were [playing] at a similar level. They're a very organised team.

"In the second half, Sheffield didn't have any shots against them. Norwich only shot three times, too.

"They're compact, strong. It's not an especially creative team, but they're fast, direct and can be very dangerous for us."

Deadline day arrival from Grimsby Town Omar Bogle opened his account for his new club with a well taken brace against the Canaries, but Jokanović will not be focusing solely on one individual.

"It's not a question about one guy at the end," he stated. "It's a player who came from the lower level of English football but showed in a few minutes that he can be very important in this level, and we have to be careful about him, as well as all the Wigan players.

"They have two strikers [Bogle & Will Grigg] with similar characteristics. Both are fast, strong and looking for the space behind. We have to take care about these players and all the team.

"Our job is to have a complete picture of what to expect from them, how we can put them under stress, and how they can be a danger to us."

With Ryan Fredericks serving a three-game ban following his red card against Birmingham City last time out, Denis Odoi seems the likely replacement at right-back.

Jokanović has backed the Belgian to serve his side well, but also revealed that he'll be without Tomas Kalas for the visit of Wigan.

"Tomas Kalas has a hip problem and he's not going to be available for tomorrow," he explained. "Ryan Fredericks is suspended, and everyone [else] is available for tomorrow's game.

"Denis is an experienced player and I expect he will do a good job or us."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/february/10/slavisa-jokanovics-wigan-athletic-preview

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Fulham without defensive duo for Wigan clash

Fulham will be without Tomas Kalas when they host Wigan on Saturday.

The on-loan Chelsea centre-back has been ruled out with a hip problem, having earlier missed eight games of the season with a hamstring injury.

The Whites will also be without right-back Ryan Fredericks, who starts a three-match ban after his sending off against Birmingham last time out.

Winger Neeskens Kebano may be involved for the first time since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Wigan will not be able to field midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe, who is on loan from Fulham and therefore ineligible to play against his parent club.


http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-without-defensive-duo-wigan-clash

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Ryan Fredericks suspended for Fulham's clash with Wigan

Fulham full-back Ryan Fredericks is suspended for the visit of Wigan.
Fredericks starts a three-match ban for his red card in the defeat at Birmingham which will also rule him out of the FA Cup clash with former club Tottenham next weekend.
Denis Odoi is likely to step in at right-back in place of Fredericks.
Scott Malone is pushing to return to the starting line-up at left-back after dropping to the bench at St Andrew's.
Wigan boss Warren Joyce still has a host of January recruits awaiting their Latics debuts.
Omar Bogle scored a brace on his maiden start in the 2-2 draw with Norwich, while James Weir was also named in the starting line-up for the first time.
But the likes of Matt Gilks, Mikael Mandron, Gabriel Obertan, Jack Byrne, Josh Laurent and Alex Bruce have been striving for match fitness.
Alex Gilbey and Reece James (both ankle) could be in contention but Nick Powell (hamstring) and Donervon Daniels (knee) are out.


http://www.espnfc.co.uk/preview?gameId=452854

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Pet Sounds

One of two new arrivals at the Cottage during last month's transfer window, Thanos Petsos is no stranger to the big stage.

In Saturday's matchday programme, the Greece international discusses his switch to SW6 and how he's bidding to emulate a Fulham cult hero and compatriot.

"I was born in Germany, but I have a Greek heart," he says. "I feel very proud that a club like Fulham had been tracking me. They had wanted to bring me to Craven Cottage in the summer, but I had already joined Werder Bremen by that time. Now I'm happy to be here."


To read the full interview with Petsos, pick up a copy of the programme on Saturday.

Other highlights from the matchday magazine include:

Head Coach Slaviša Jokanović and skipper Scott Parker pen their respective columns
Maik Taylor recalls his eventful spell at Fulham
Dan Burn looks ahead to his Cottage return
Lucas Piazon dishes the dirt on his Whites teammates
Australian Paralympian Chad Perris discusses his love of Fulham
We continue our countdown of '100 Memorable Moments' in the Club's history
And John Fraser picks the best XI he played with during his stint at the Cottage

Priced £3.50, the programme is available along Stevenage Road from two hours before kick-off. Or order it online from ProgrammeMaster.

For just £1.99, the programme is also available as a digital download on your iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, PC or Mac via Apple's Newsstand or Pocketmags from 9am on Saturday.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/february/10/petsos-programme

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Fulham missing two against Wigan - as Slavisa Jokanovic sets new signing a challenge
Whites hope Wigan is a bounce-back game as boss sets Ivory Coast striker a target

Fulham plan to bounce back against Wigan tomorrow after defeat to Birmingham last week - but they must do so without Tomas Kalas and Ryan Fredericks.

Kalas has sustained a hip problem, and the right-back is suspended after being shown a straight red, 20 minutes from the end at St Andrews.

Boss Slavisa Jokanovic has also made it plain he wants new signing Gohi Cyriac to challenge Chris Martin for the lone striker's role over the next few weeks.

He said: "Generally he (Cryiac) is a fast player who attacks the space, and I see him as someone as the first attacker like Chris Martin.

"I'm going to try and use him in this position, and maybe in the wide position too."

"Tomas Kalas has some hip problem - and Ryan Fredericks is suspended, so neither can play against Wigan."

Jokanovic hopes Wigan will be less of a physical challenge than found at Birmingham, where captain Tom Cairney complained about the rough stuff meted out by those in blue.

"I'm really disappointed that after they kick and kill us, we finish the game with one player less. I really don't prefer to make comments about refs," he aded.

"If I take some action, it will be crazy."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-missing-two-against-wigan-12589362

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WIGAN BOSS JOYCE NOT WORRIED ABOUT FULHAM

It's been a while since Latics fans have had an away day to cheer at Craven Cottage.

The early morning cans on the train and re-learning the hang of swiping tube tickets in just the right way at the barriers make for a great 'Northerners On Tour' day out.

But it's fair to argue that a sleepy journey back to North Western with three points to smile about is overdue.

Not since Henri Camara's winner in October 2006 has that been the case – not that Warren Joyce appreciated the reminder.

"Thanks for that," he laughed when given the history lesson.

"But every game has got its own set of problems.

"You just look to win it and I don't think statistics have anything to do with that.

"They have a way and method of playing that we've got to be able to adapt to and stop and they've all got their weaknesses that we look to exploit, so every game's the same for me really."

Latics arrive in the capital for this afternoon's game with renewed confidence, especially given the performance of new signing Omar Bogle against Norwich last Tuesday.

Okay, so Latics lost their grip on a 2-1 lead to drop two points in their survival fight, but given the Canaries' position – they could probably touch the play-offs with their fingertips – most Wigan fans would have taken a point before kick-off.

And discounting the Sheffield Wednesday defeat just over a week ago, Latics' league form looks promising.

Their structure looks more solid, there's just the nagging worry that time is not quite on their side in the race to climb free of the trap door before it swings shut.

But Joyce says there are 'plenty of games' to ensure a survival bid is successful, and he'd be right given his side's current form.

With two wins and a draw from the last four, keep that up and 17 games should be plenty to make ground on the sides above them in the safety zone – a gap currently standing at five points.

And Joyce isn't worried about 10th-placed Fulham, though he acknowledges the test from Slavisa Jokanovic's side, reeling from last week's 1-0 loss to Birmingham, will be stern.

"They've got a lot of talent," he explained.

"They're a good side with a good stadium and a lot of fans.

"It's another good test for us and one we're relishing."


http://www.fulhamweb.co.uk/news/wigan-boss-joyce-not-worried-about-fulham.aspx