Monday Fulham Stuff (20/02/17)...

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Head Coach Reaction



Slaviša Jokanović admitted that the better side won on Sunday afternoon, as Tottenham Hotspur claimed a 3-0 victory in the Emirates FA Cup.

England striker Harry Kane's hat-trick was the difference in a game which Fulham struggled to gain a foothold in, something which hasn't really been the case this season.

"They took the ball off us easily and they took a lot of our energy," Jokanović stated. "It's a completely different situation to what we normally find in our competition where we're the dominant team and we have possession of the ball.

"We conceded such a cheap first goal with a fast throw-in. They had us under control for 85 per cent of the game and the result is fair. The last 20 minutes they took all of our energy and we weren't solid or strong enough to push for an important change."

Asked if the tie will be a useful learning curve for his side, Jokanović replied: "Yes, it's good. Spurs showed us respect as [Mauricio] Pochettino chose a very strong starting XI.

"After two defeats, they didn't want to take so many risks. It's very clear that they came into the game to be at their highest level of concentration. They played the game like they were playing against Chelsea, and all credit to them.

"The difference between two categories was very clear, but we can learn from how they were working without the ball, how they worked all together. I was impressed with this part of the game. They didn't offer us so many chances to look for the victory today."

Fulham will be looking to bounce back next week with consecutive away trips to Bristol City and Cardiff City on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively.

"We must forget this competition, we're finished in the FA Cup," Jokanović said. "We have to rest and be ready for what is important right now which is fighting for the top-six, and the next chance for us is Wednesday night.

"We can't surrender now after one defeat at home against one of the top Premier League teams. We have to be strong enough to concentrate now on what is our principal job."

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PL2: Fulham Travel To West Ham



Fulham travel across London to play away at West Ham in the continuation of the PL2 on Monday evening. The match is being played at the Hammer's new Premier League ground, The London Stadium.

The Whites go into this fixture full of confidence, having not lost in their last eight matches in all competitions and only dropped points in one of those fixtures in a tough away fixture to Norwich.

Fulham are currently second in the PL2, chasing down table toppers Swansea City who are in the automatic promotion spot.

The Swans have had a chance for fortunate in recent weeks, losing their last two matches in the league after not dropping a point since September.                                                                           

The Whites have renewed hope of catching the Swans and Head Coach Peter Grant is focused on catching the league leaders.

"What was it, 13-16 points behind Swansea?" questioned Grant. "Now it's down to seven and all we've been doing is trying to put our house in order and trying to win our games."           

West Ham are also in the hunt for promotion, sat in the final play off position in fifth.

The Hammers are only two points above Aston Villa and will be keep their promotion aspirations alive by winning all three points on their own turf. The Hammers are seven points behind Fulham in the table and will want to keep in touching distance.

The last time these two teams faced each other was at Craven Cottage in the reverse fixture in front 441 fans. Fulham took full advantage and won convincingly in a 4-1 victory over West Ham. Stephen Humphrys, now on loan at Shrewsbury town scored a first half brace, and the match was secured with goals from Adeniran and Christensen, on loan at Burton.

It promises to be an exciting match up and all the match action will be tweeted live. 

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Spurs Confident of Winning Race for Young Fulham Ace



Tottenham are said to be optimistic about beating the many suitors already interested in signing Fulham's 16-year-old left-back, Ryan Sessegnon.

The Daily Mail's Kieran Gill has revealed the confidence Spurs have regarding their chances of acquiring one of English football's brightest young talents: "Tottenham are confident they can steal a march on their rivals by signing Fulham's 16-year-old starlet, Ryan Sessegnon. The teenager has been scouted many times—with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, City and Bayern Munich interested."

Gill's report also outlined how teenager Sessegnon has yet to sign professional terms with Championship side Fulham. The left-sided ace will turn 17 in May and end his current youth contract with the club.

Sessegnon turning 17 will be the cue for the growing list of interested parties to test Fulham's resolve to keep the burgeoning talent. Spurs have already shown how keen they are, according to recent reports.

In fact, Alan Nixon of The Sun revealed how "Tottenham have had a go for Sessegnon—who turns 17 on May 18—and know that the Cottagers want at least £8 million for the local lad."

Frankly, Tottenham's intent to sign Sessegnon is a little puzzling, considering the options Pochettino already has on the left. Danny Rose, who is currently injured, offers experience defensively and dynamism going forward, while Ben Davies qualifies as an able deputy.

In fairness, Pochettino and Spurs have made it a priority to recruit the best young and homegrown talent, having signed Dele Alli and Eric Dier in recent seasons. Adding Sessegnon, a player compared to former Tottenham standout Gareth Bale, according to Gill, would continue the trend.

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Brilliant gesture from Tottenham's Mousa Dembele as he stopped his warm up to take a selfie with a Fulham fan



When Tottenham last faced off against Fulham at Craven Cottage during an FA Cup game in 2011, Mousa Dembele not only played for Fulham, but even scored with a stunning solo effort in his side's 4-0 victory.

Six years down the line, the 29 year-old made a nostalgic return to his former club during the FA Cup's fifth round encounter yesterday, albeit in a Tottenham shirt this time.

Mauricio Pochettino's boys placed themselves on a firm footing following their 3-0 victory over the Cottagers, thanks to a brilliant Harry Kane hat-trick.

Although Dembele before the game stressed on the importance of this win, the Belgian also did not fail to respect his obligations towards his former club where he played two happy seasons before.

And during the game, in a lovely gesture, the Belgian stopped his warm up to take a selfie with a Fulham fan. The moment captured by @JackToulson12 on Twitter.

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Report: Tottenham aware of £8m asking price for Ryan Sessegnon, but now face competition


According to The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur have been told it would take £8million to sign Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon – but Manchester City are also hoping to sign him.

Sessegnon, 16, has come up through the ranks with Fulham having joined at the age of just nine, and has become one of English football's hottest young prospects.

The left back has hit four goals and two assists in 18 first-team appearances for Fulham this season, and has already racked up 15 appearances for England at youth level.

Earlier today, Sessegnon came on as a substitute for Fulham against Tottenham in the FA Cup, and his impressive cameo came after increased speculation over his future at Craven Cottage.

The Sun report that Manchester City are keen to land Sessegnon as they look to bring in more young English players, but Tottenham have already made contact over a deal – and have been informed that he would cost around £8million.

Sessegnon – who turns 17 in May – looks set to move on to a Premier League club in the near future, and he would certainly fit the bill for Tottenham on a number of levels.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has placed a strong emphasis on handing first-team football to talented young players, and a move to White Hart Lane would allow Sessegnon to stay in London.

Add in that he possesses the pace and attacking ability that Spurs lack at left back when Danny Rose isn't fit, and Sessegnon looks to be the perfect signing for Tottenham.

However, with City boss Pep Guardiola keen to add young full backs, we could see a real battle for Sessegnon's signature this summer, with City and Spurs seemingly leading the chase.

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The Next Gareth Bale? A SWOT Analysis On This Talented Fulham Starlet



Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon has been taking marauding steps in making a mark for himself on the globe. The promising defender is an exuberant talent, impressing thoroughly and already a good number of clubs are queuing up for him for luring him into their ranks in the summer transfer window. We have compiled a brief SWOT analysis of Sessegnon.

Strengths

He has raw pace in those legs, which makes it so difficult for his opponents to either mark him or track him. The 16-year-old surges forward, swings in good crosses and falls back meticulously to cater to the defensive needs of his side. His counter-attacking prowess is simply riveting and he has the capability of tearing up defences with ease.

Despite his young age, he rarely refrains from getting into physical battles or crunchy tackles which is why he has already inked his name in the good books of football fraternity. In 13 appearances this term in Championship, Sessegnon has bagged 2 goals, created 10 chances alongside making 13 tackles with a success rate of 50%, made 4 interceptions, 35 clearances and 2 blocks and no wonder why he is so highly rated.

Weaknesses

Before pointing out the negligible loopholes which he possesses at the moment, his age has to be considered as well. For the sake of formalities, it could be jotted down that his defensive aspects leave a bit to be desired as he isn't very qualified in marking his man. Besides, he faces inferiority complex while dealing with players physically much more strong than him and lacks that cutting edge when it comes to passing the ball around.

Opportunities

With a premium price, any top quality side could lay their hands on a starlet who could ply his trade on the left-back slot as well as on the left wing, just like Gareth Bale of Real Madrid. Apart from being a versatile player, the England U17 sensation has a willingness to polish his defensive frailties and has shown tremendous willingness to cultivate a perfect blend of speed and trickery.

Threats

At such a young age, a move away from the Craven Cottage to a much more demanding club might tarnish his colossal image which he has painted. The expectations might lead to a downfall in his performances and could only do more harm than good for his future prospects. Before he makes himself desirous of making a switch, he should analyse his destination properly and to a manager who can up his stocks.

Statistics Credits: Squawka.

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Chelsea manager Antonio Conte spotted at Craven Cottage as Tottenham beat Fulham

Read more at http://www.squawka.com/news/chelsea-manager-antonio-conte-spotted-at-craven-cottage-as-tottenham-beat-fulham/905705#t5sR7WpiF9fpXwTl.99



Chelsea manager Antonio Conte was in attendance at Craven Cottage this afternoon as Tottenham Hotspur swatted Fulham aside with a 3-0 victory to progress to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Conte, whose Chelsea side secured their place in the last eight by prevailing past Wolverhampton Wanderers yesterday, may well have been at the game in order to watch Blues loanee Tomas Kalas, with the defender playing the full 90 minutes, as reported by the Mirror.

Fulham have another Chelsea loanee amongst their ranks in Lucas Piazon, but the Brazilian attacker was an un-used substitute on this occasion.

An alternative reason for Conte's attendance may well be that he wanted to assess Ryan Sessegnon, the prodigious 16-year-old left-back who has been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge.

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Fulham boss takes aim at Bristol City and Cardiff after Spurs loss

Whites boss looks ahead after difficult afternoon against Mauricio Pochettio's side



Slavisa Jokanovic says Fulham must now concentrate on finishing in the top six after bowing out of the FA Cup in a 3-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.

A Harry Kane hat-trick secured victory for Spurs at Craven Cottage, as the home side struggled to contend with the pace of the Premier League giants.


Fulham boss Jokanovic is now looking ahead to the league, with away fixtures against Bristol City and Cardiff City scheduled in the next seven days, as the Whites aim to move up from eighth in the Championship table.

"We need to rest and be ready for what's important for us right now," Jokanovic said.

"We are in a situation where we are fighting for top six, the next chance for us is on Wednesday night.

"We cannot surrender to this one defeat against one of the top Premier League teams, in some way they put us in our realistic light and we have to be strong enough to concentrate [on the league]."

Jokanovic admitted his team were dominated by Mauricio Pochettino's strong side, who arrived at Craven Cottage following two away defeats against Gent and Liverpool.

"It's very clear that [Spurs] came into the game to be at their highest level of concentration. They played the game like they were playing against Chelsea, and all credit to them. The result is fair," said Jokanovic.  "In the last 20 minutes, they took our energy and we weren't strong enough to push for some important change."

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Cup Exit – But There's Still Plenty To Play For

https://thecravencorner.wordpress.com/

It's safe to say Fulham are entering a very strange part of their season. After a disappointing performance at home to Tottenham this weekend, what does the future hold for Jokanovic's men?

I don't think anyone was truly expecting Neeskens Kebano to start as the lone forward against Spurs, and in fairness it was a massive ask considering he has rarely featured all season. The game plan was obvious from the opening fifteen minutes with the midfield hitting long-balls hoping to get the Congolese attacker in behind Alderweireld and Vertonghen, but it didn't have much luck. With the side lacking much creativity in the final third, Spurs began to dominate the game and time after time the left-hand side of the defence in Scott Malone and Tim Ream looked vulnerable. While, I'm a big fan of the style of football Slavisa Jokanovic has brought to the team, we still suffer defensively. Our full-backs aren't good enough going back, and even though Malone has scored plenty of goals this season, he's in the side to keep clean sheets more than anything and needs to make sure he does the basics right. Although, Denis Odoi didn't have the best of games, he was the better performing full-back for Fulham on this afternoon.

But this is where we need to look towards a 'Plan B', something that Jokanovic has struggled to do implement all season. Even though we have the level of quality to out-pass teams in this division, there has been too many times this season where we have simply got to the final third and passed the ball sideways. Without, Chris Martin in the side we lack a focal point, and when Fulham get to the opposition's area, they are trying to play too cute between the lines rather than getting it wide and delivering the ball for the forward in the box. Against Spurs this happened time after time, and our attacks were easily snuffed out and Spurs regained their tempo. On the upside, we'll never face a team as good as Spurs unless we get promoted, but it was a learning curve for all involved on how to play 'stylish football with attacking full-backs'. But, we shouldn't be afraid to adopt an 'ugly' approach if things aren't going our way. If that means we have to play more structured and direct football then so be it, teams don't get awarded points for style, and if we want to improve, sometimes we have to win a game by trying something new.

What hasn't gone unnoticed in our recent fixtures is the lack of Chris Martin and although I've mentioned his presence in the paragraph above, he still has a vital role to play in this side. Yes, he has been a controversial character since Christmas, but considering the club allowed Cauley Woodrow and Matt Smith to leave this winter, Martin is our only viable target man in the squad – He gives us another dimension in attack. Martin has the ability to hold the ball up and bring our attacking midfielders into play, and it's this system that brings the best out of our midfield. This dimension to our attack is lost, if we play with a smaller forward or an attacking midfielder as our number 9. While, the likes of Floyd Ayite, Neeskens Kebano and Cyriac may be talented athletes, they are a complete different style of forward to Martin, and love him or hate him, we're a better side with the Scot leading the line. When Martin is playing with his back to goal, we're much more efficient and if that isn't working, then Jokanovic should look at switching to a two forward formation to help provide some support upfront. With a more diminutive forward playing alone, we are forced to try and turn centre-halves or hit the ball to too long, which in all honesty, hasn't worked whenever it has been tried.  With Fulham crying out for a 'Plan B', the club need to come together surrounding the situation with Martin, and forget about it as we have a very good chance of being promoted, if we accept the qualities of what we've got. Martin was the best option on the bench in recent games and has gone unused. Yes, we've won our last 2 league games 3-2, but they are both fixtures we should have won by a more comfortable margin.

In the last few entries of this blog, I've stressed the importance of the next 4-6 months at the club. We have an incredibly tough set of fixtures between now and the end of the season and a lot could change depending on where the club finishes this year. If we are promoted, then we'll have to go on an impressive run and luck must be on our side. Even then, if we got promoted, a host of new contracts would have to be offered to key figures and at least £30-50m would have to be invested into the side.

But, at the start of the year I stated that if we finished in the top 10 it would have been a successful season. Now, many of the readers may think I'm being pessimistic or they make think differently, but we are a club in transition. We must remember that Slavisa Jokanovic joined us just over a year ago, and we've had to completely change personnel from the squads built by Felix Magath & Kit Symons, so we are still settling.

Development of Motspur Park has been completed and the plans for a stadium expansion are still underway with Shahid Khan continuing to improve the club's assets. While we didn't 'splash the cash' in January, it will be an incredibly important summer should we remain in the Championship. Slavisa Jokanovic still has a lot to prove, despite the upturn in performances this season, but with contract talks ongoing with himself and the board, sorting his future sooner rather than later will be a great boost to everyone involved. It will also allow more time for the board to prepare for the summer business, working with the manager to highlight targets and where the squad can be improved depending on our finish.

More importantly, there are a host of players we need make sure stay at this club for the next 2-3 years. The likes of Tomas Kalas (albeit on loan), Tom Cairney, Ryan Sessegnon, Stefan Johansen, Kevin McDonald & Ryan Fredericks to name a few who are probably our most valuable assets and fixtures of our team's core and spine. If we can keep the majority of this squad together for at least the next 18 months, there's no reason why we can't get promoted from the Championship and return to the Premier League. We are blessed right now we some outstanding talent and with the right managerial setup and backing from the board, Fulham could have a very bright future on the horizon.

After being knocked out of the cup by Tottenham, Fulham have to make sure that they bounce back with an away victory at Bristol City on Wednesday. With Bristol City possessing the likes of Tammy Abraham, a goal machine at this level, Fulham need to record their third straight league win and put pressure on the chasing pack for promotion. Despite our cup exit, there's still plenty to be optimistic and excited about at Craven Cottage. So keep the faith and let's see if we can make something special from this season.

[WhiteJC]

 
Kane sparks Spurs stroll
by DAN on FEBRUARY 19, 2017

It was as if the FA Cup had enough of giantkillings after a Saturday sprinkled full of shocks. Mauricio Pochettino certainly wasn't messing around, ditching his heavily-trailed plan of rotating his side following Thursday's defeat in Belgium, in order to field what was closest to his strongest side to avoid any surprises at Craven Cottage. Harry Kane started at the top of a fluid, attacking line up and Fulham had no answer to the England striker's prowess in front of goal, failing to recover from the body blow of conceding an early goal after a bright start and losing a second – which had a hint of offside about it – shortly after the restart.

Kane, who loves scoring against Fulham, was back to something approaching his irrepressible best up front but the verve and panache that characterised this performance would have cheered Pochettino as his Spurs side have appeared worryingly listless at times in recent weeks. Slavisa Jokanovic's side could do little to constrain the flowing football their visitors produced once Kane had prodded them into a 16th minute lead, with the fluidity of their effervescent midfield proving far too much to handle. Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen drifted into the spaces that Kevin McDonald was at least theoretically supposed to guard, but the Fulham defence was so frequently overwhelmed it would be harsh to single out just one culprit.

Scott Malone, who has been a revelation at left back since arriving from Cardiff in the summer, certainly had an afternoon to forget. The enduring image of his traumatic ninety minutes will be the way he fell to earth in almost comical slow motion having been befuddled by the sheer speed of Eriksen as he latched onto Kieran Trippier's throw. Kane darted effortlessly between the Fulham halves to volley emphatically past Marcus Bettinelli from close range – and Tottenham didn't look back.

Indeed, the visitors could easily have been out of sight by half-time. They certainly didn't look like a side who hadn't found the net from open play in more than six hours with Alli, Son Heung-min and Eriksen rampaging forward at will, but Kane snatched at a couple of chances from fiendishly acute angles and Bettinelli did well to narrow the angles and deny Alli only a matter of minutes after the Tottenham opener. The home side were almost the architects of their downfall three minutes before half time when Bettinelli played the ball straight to Kane, only for a splendidly timed tackle from Stefan Johansen to save the day.

There was little sign of the pretty football that has become the hallmark of Jokanovic's impressive turnaround at Craven Cottage. Tottenham quickly closed down the space afforded to Tom Cairney, pressing the Fulham playmaker into submission, and Neeskens Kebano was horribly isolated as a lone striker, with the solidarity tactic of playing the ball into the space behind Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld failing as Fulham were unable to put the ball into the same postcode as the Congolese forward. Their best moments came right on the cusp of half time, with Johansen striking wide from 20 yards, a Malone cross narrowly eluding Floyd Ayite and Sone Aluko's surge down the right culminating a chip that Michel Vorm gathered smartly.

Any hope of a second half comeback was swiftly extinguished. The impressive Harry Winks teamed up with Trippier down the right – where they appeared to have oceans of space all afternoon – and Kane appeared from behind Tim Ream to guide home his second. Fulham were rightly incandescent that the goal had stood, given that the scorer appeared to be more than a yard offside, but in truth a second was the least Spurs' prolonged dominance deserved. Kane wastefully lifted a finish over the bar after being released by a fine slide-rule ball from Alli, but he wasn't to be denied his hat-trick for long. Once again his England team-mate provided the assist, deliciously dissecting Kalas and Ream with the pass, and Kane, who had enough time to glance across to check the assistant was again keeping his flag down, whipped a fine finish beyond Bettinelli.

This was a chastening reminder of the gulf between a side scrapping to make up ground on the Championship's play-off contenders and a team firmly established towards the top of the Premier League. Fulham perked up once Cyriac added a more conventional forward threat and, had McDonald steered a free header underneath the bar from a corner before Kane notched his third, it might have set up a grandstand finish. As it was the game petered out with a period of reminiscence for both sets of fans as Scott Parker and Mousa Dembele returned to face their former sides from the bench to rapturous receptions, but Bettinelli remained focused to the last – making fine reflex saves from Moussa Sissoko and Victor Wanyama.

FULHAM (4-1-2-3): Bettinelli; Odoi, Malone, Kalas, Ream; McDonald (Parker 74); Johansen, Cairney; Aluko (Cyriac 66), Ayité (Ryan Sessegnon 56′), Kebano. Subs (not used): Button, Madl, Piazon, Martin.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-2-3-1):  Vorm; Trippier, Davies, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Winks (Dembélé 79), Wanyama; Eriksen, Alli (Onomah 86), Son Heung-Min; Kane (Sissoko 75). Subs (not used): Pau-Lopez, Winner, Carter-Vickers, Janssen.

GOALS: Kane (16, 51, 73).

REFEREE: Robert Madley (Birmingham).

ATTENDANCE: 22,557.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/02/kane-sparks-spurs-stroll/

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WOODROW DELIGHTED TO HAVE GOT OFF TO A FLYING START

ON-LOAN striker Cauley Woodrow has expressed his delight at the way his Burton Albion career has started.

The 22-year-old, who is on loan from Fulham, also praised the work-rate of his teammates in their 2-1 win over Norwich City.

The striker has made an excellent start to life under Nigel Clough, winning in each of his three appearances since joining on loan from Fulham, scoring in each of his two starts.

The striker netted Burton's opener against the Canaries, before playing a key role in the build-up to Michael Kightly's stunning winner.

The England under 21s striker is pleased with the way his loan spell has begun, but hopes to improve his fitness. Woodrow also says that the team's success is his chief concern.

"It has been a good start for me so far, but the main thing is that we got the win and I am really pleased. The lads are buzzing in the changing room and hopefully that can continue.

"It is tough out there, Norwich are a really good side and they've got some great players and yeah, when I came off I was really tired and I also haven't really played much for Fulham at the start of the season and that is only my second start since I have come here.

"If I can just keep working then the fitness will come, but, all in all the lads were brilliant and we really worked hard for that result."

Woodrow and the rest of the Burton side now turn their attention to Tuesday night's clash with local rivals Derby County. Burton know that a win could send them as high as 16th, with the Brewers currently four points clear of the drop zone in 20th place.



Read more at http://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/woodrow-delighted-to-have-got-off-to-a-flying-start-3584493.aspx#Tjf4CsXbqGelDbtj.99

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'We've got the squad to do some damage' - John Pemberton on Bristol City selection ahead of Fulham

John Pemberton believes Bristol City's recently revamped squad will come into its own during the next month....

Wednesday's home clash against Fulham is the first of seven Championship fixtures City are required to negotiate in a hectic 24-day spell in the run-to to the next international break.

Short on numbers last season, Lee Johnson's side have addressed their manpower issues during two transfer windows in which a total of 19 new players have arrived in BS3.

And the recent addition of Fabian Giefer, Jens Hegeler, Milan Djuric, Bailey Wright, Matty Taylor and Dave Cotterill have served to create the kind of competition for places not seen at Ashton Gate for several seasons.

Korey Smith and Adam Matthews are set to return to action following injury-enforced spells on the sidelines and assistant head coach Pemberton insists each and every player can expect to be called upon in some capacity during the next four weeks.

Mark Little, meanwhile, faces at least a month out with a grade two hamstring tear, while Tammy Abraham is still being assessed by parent club Chelsea after he picked up a groin problem in the loss to Leeds last week.

Pemberton said: "We have a big squad and, for sure, we are going to have to use it during this busy run of games. The secret is to be able to read the players and evaluate when best to take certain ones out of the team.

"Changing the team and leaving certain players out might not be popular, but it's about understanding what we need for any given game.

"We look at everything when we pick a team and a squad. If we think we are going to have a lot of the ball, we want to pick players who can hurt the opposition. If we think we are going to be out of possession for long periods, we want people who have energy and can get around the pitch."

While squad rotation has become part and parcel of professional football in England in recent years, Pemberton preferred to play as often as possible during his playing days with Sheffield United, Leeds and Crystal Palace.

He explained: "I'm a bit old school and when I hear Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker on Match of the Day saying players should be able to play three times a week, I agree with them.

"I remember when I was at Leeds United and the squad was so strong that you didn't like to miss any match. If you did that, you ran the risk of losing your place and not getting back in.

"It's a personal thing, but I liked to play every single game if I could, and I know lots of players who are like that.

"But the game has speeded up a lot since then and it is just about impossible for anyone to play every game throughout the season. There are inevitably going to be injuries and fatigue, simply because of the fixture list and the pace and intensity of the modern game."


Read more at http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/we-ve-got-the-squad-to-do-some-damage-john-pemberton-on-bristol-city-selection-ahead-of-fulham/story-30146116-detail/story.html#L2lYhibqFARiKuH5.99

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TOTTENHAM CONFIDENT OF BEATING SIX SUPER CLUBS TO SIGNING OF LEFT-SIDED FLYER – REPORT

Tottenham are confident of winning the race to sign Fulham wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon, according to a report.

The Mail claim the north London club are closely tracking the 16-year-old left sided flyer following his eyecatching emergence at Craven Cottage.

It is said there is strong belief in the White Hart Lane corridors of power that that the club can steal a march on their elite rivals to the signing of Sessegnon.

Super clubs Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, City and Bayern Munich are interested in the teenager but the Mail report that Spurs are in pole position to land him just 24 hours after the Sun claimed the London giants "have had a go" at already prising him from Craven Cottage.

Sessegnon is still on a scholarship contract at Fulham and cannot pen a professional deal until he turns 17 in May.

The three-month wait leaves Fulham vulnerable to a Premier League or European big hitter making the England Under-19 international an offer he can't refuse.

Sessegnon was a second-half substitute in Fulham's 3-0 FA Cup defeat to Tottenham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

His side were already 2-0 down when he entered the fray on what was his 18th senior appearance of a highly impressive season.

Fulham have an excellent reputation for developing young players, with Celtic's Moussa Dembele and Manchester City's Patrick Roberts among those who have graduated from one of the most impressive academies in English football.

Sessegnon is the latest young gun to make the big clubs sit up and take notice, and he has been widely scouted by the elite clubs.

In August, the London-born ace became the youngest scorer in Championship history and he has continued to make huge strides as well as demonstrating a rare eye for goal from a full-back.

He has scored four goals this season and also weighed in with three assists, remarkable tallies for a player who is not only foremost a defender but also one who is so young.

Football Insider verdict:

Ridiculously talented and precocious? Yes. Destined for the top? Absolutely. Assuming his body stays strong, there appears no limit to what Sessegnon can achieve. Fulham have known for some time they have a remarkable young player on their hands and the big boys have been beating a path to the Cottage to try and persuade the youngster to up sticks before he turns 17. It will take the promise of big cash for Fulham to cave in. History tells us they eventually will – the Dembele and Roberts exits are proof of that – but a huge sum could first pass hands.


http://www.footballinsider247.com/tottenham-confident-beating-six-super-clubs-signing-wonderkid-report/

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