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Saturday Fulham Stuff (25/02/17)...

Started by WhiteJC, February 25, 2017, 07:59:53 AM

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WhiteJC

 
Cardiff City vs Fulham: Predicted Starting XI

The Bluebirds host play-off hopefuls Fulham at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon but who's likely to start the clash?


Last weekend's 5-0 hammering of Rotherham extended Cardiff's winning run to three games, with Neil Warnock's side in 12th place following seven wins since the turn of the year, the most of any Championship side. City are now 15 points clear off the relegation zone, which is a remarkable turnaround from when Warnock arrived in October.

However, this weekend the Bluebirds come up against Fulham, who arrive to the capital following an impressive 2-0 victory at Bristol City. Slaviša Jokanović's side are now only six points behind Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday, who face each other this weekend.

With that in mind, Fulham will see Saturday's fixture as a perfect opportunity to close the gap between themselves and the top six.

Here's the possible Cardiff City line-up for this Saturday's match:

GK – Allan McGregor
Last weekend's result saw McGregor keep another clean sheet, which is something that has been hard to come by for City this season. The Scotland international has made a good start to life with the Bluebirds, with his experience proving vital as Cardiff continue to climb up the league.

RB – Matthew Connolly
The versatile defender's performances have improved with every passing game, with Connolly formed a good partnership with midfielder Craig Noone.

This weekend will see Connolly and Cardiff come up against stronger opposition in Fulham, so it will be expected that Connolly will have a far busier day than he faced against Rotherham.

CB – Sol Bamba
The fan's favourite has been incredibly consistent alongside Sean Morrison in recent weeks. Unlike last weekend, Bamba will have a difficult afternoon up against Fulham's Lucas Piazon, who scored in Fulham's 2-0 victory at Ashton Gate on Wednesday, but Bamba is more than capable of rising up to the challenge.

CB – Sean Morrison
The captain will again lead the Bluebirds this weekend and comes into the game in his best run of form since he joined Cardiff. He is a huge threat and Neil Warnock will again look to Morrison to get on the end of any set pieces, like he did in Cardiff's 1-0 victory over Fulham in 2015.

LB – Jazz Richards
Jazz Richards will come up against his former club where he spent a year at Craven Cottage last season. Richards will be looking to prove to his old club that they were wrong to swap the Welsh international for Scott Malone in the summer. Richards is another player with renewed confidence following the excellent run of results.

CM – Joe Ralls
In the centre of midfield, the consistent Joe Ralls will likely continue in the City side. Coming up against one of the league's best midfielders in Tom Cairney, Ralls will have to continue his excellent defensive work alongside Aron Gunnarsson, as well as be an attacking threat, which has seen his score vital goals against Aston Villa and Derby in recent weeks.

CM – Aron Gunnarsson
The Icelandic international will partner Ralls in midfield, with Neil Warnock a huge favourite of the midfielder. Gunnarsson has been one of City's players of the season and his long throw will be another area City will look to benefit at like they did in the recent win at Derby.

RM – Craig No-one
Craig Noone has been revitalised in recent weeks since coming back into the fold. He looked back to his best in last weekend's win over Rotherham and he will be looking to add another screamer to his collection, following his last gasp equaliser in the same league fixture last season that secured the Bluebird's an opening day point.

LM – Kadeem Harris
The young winger has really come into his own in recent weeks, with three goals in two appearances showing he's starting to add goals to his game.

Harris is out of contract at the end of the season but Warnock has made it clear he wants to keep one of the most improved players at the Cardiff City Stadium for years to come.

CAM – Junior Holiest
Junior Hoilett will come back into the side full of confidence following his goal last weekend, and the Canadian will be crucial for giving support to Kenneth Zohore.

This comes after the disappointing news that Rhys Healey is out for at least nine months after the striker tore his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in the first half of the Rotherham victory

ST – Kenneth Johore
The Danish striker is in a rich vein of form, and his double last weekend will mean Zohore is full of confidence ahead of the Fulham game. With Fulham prone to conceding a fair share of goals, Zohore will see this as a perfect opportunity to further improve his goal tally.


http://www.insidewelshfootball.co.uk/cardiff-city-vs-fulham-predicted-starting-xi/

WhiteJC

 
Fulham Owner Makes Football Operations Appointments

Tony Khan, son of Shahid Khan, Chairman of Fulham Football Club, has been appointed as Vice Chairman and Director of Football Operations, effective immediately.

Upon accepting his new role at Fulham, Tony Khan made two immediate appointments by promoting Brian Talbot as Assistant Director of Football Operations and Chief Scout, and elevating Craig Kline to Assistant Director of Football Operations and Director of Statistical Research. Talbot and Kline will each report directly to Tony Khan.

Tony Khan is an owner of both FFC and the Jacksonville Jaguars, a National Football League team based in the United States where he holds the title of Senior Vice President, Football Technology & Analytics.

He is also the owner and chairman of TruMedia Networks, a Boston-based engineering firm specialising in sports analytics solutions for leagues, franchises, and media partners across the sports industry.

"Today's appointment brings a formal structure and recognition to the role that Tony has recently played on the football side of our Club and especially since the conclusion of last season," Shahid Khan said.

"Tony has served the Club quietly but faithfully and extremely well during that time. He brings new practices to what we're doing but not at the expense of what would be considered traditional and proven methods.

"It's important to remember there is no industry in the world that is succeeding today by doing things exactly the same way as they did yesterday, yet there are also some basic principles of success that are timeless.

"Tony has respect for the old and new, and that's what we need to achieve the goal of returning to the Premier League in a manner that is responsible and sustainable for a long time.

"Tony also understands the scrutiny and responsibility that will come with this assignment."

In 2015, Tony Khan created the statistical research department at Fulham, where his aim was to complement classic scouting methods by analysing football player performance and developing proprietary football performance metrics to aid the Club's efforts to gain promotion back into the English Premier League.

He broadened his scope of responsibilities in 2016 when he actively immersed himself in all facets of the football operations at Fulham, including working with Head Coach Slaviša Jokanović and the entire football staff during the summer transfer period to build the current FFC squad.

"I have to applaud our current team and the strides our Club has made in less than a year, and there is no doubt in my mind that we will compete for a play-off position because we have the talent to achieve that and we have extraordinary leadership in Slav," Tony Khan said.

"I'm very optimistic. Our team should be optimistic as well. I am sure they are.

"The biggest thing for me is I'm also extremely excited for our long-term future at Fulham. I'm really lucky to see the commitment of our staff, day in and day out, and better than anyone I know the commitment of our ownership.

"I have quite a responsibility ahead and am proud to accept it. I know all eyes will be upon me, and I'm ready for that. No one will want and work harder for long-term success for Fulham more than I will."


http://www.fcbusiness.co.uk/news/article/newsitem=4794/title=fulham+owner+makes+football+operations+appointments

WhiteJC

 
Friday Results




Burton
1 - 1 Blackburn
Wolves
1 - 2 Birmingham



WhiteJC

 
Chelsea loanee would consider permanent switch to Fulham
The Czech defender has impressed Whites fans during his temporary switch from Chelsea and they would be keen to see him remain with the club


Tomas Kalas (Photo: GetWestLondon)

Tomas Kalas would consider making his loan deal at Fulham permanent in the summer if an offer was on the table.

The Czech defender has impressed Whites fans during his temporary switch from Chelsea and they would be keen to see him remain with the club.

However, the centre back did admit it would depend on 'many factors' but is happy at Craven Cottage.

He said: "If I get the offer, I might consider something but obviously it's still quite early and we'll see what comes at the end of the season.

"We'll see if we're going to chase promotion or not. It depends on so many factors but I'm quite happy now."

In the 23 games Kalas has played, the Whites have conceded 23 goals, including three in the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham. In the 10 he has missed, the club have conceded 18.

The defender added: "It's a nice statistic but we lost games with me in the side. It's not about me. I don't know.

"You'll have to ask someone else why. I'm always trying to do my best and if it leads to those stats then I'm satisfied."

Fulham travel to Cardiff tomorrow as their hectic schedule, brought about by their FA Cup run, continues.

Kalas explained: "I prefer this kind of playing just games. You don't have to train then and as a young player I need to play as much as I can and if this is the way I shall do it, I shall do it. This league is the best to gain experience."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chelsea-loanee-would-consider-permanent-12649700

WhiteJC

 
Cardiff City v Fulham

SAT, 25 FEB 2017CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium



Cardiff City have picked up 21 points in 2017, the most in the Championship alongside Huddersfield

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


Cardiff City striker Rhys Healey will be out for nine months with a serious knee injury, while Rickie Lambert (back) remains sidelined.

Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock has agreed a new contract for next season, and is aiming for an eighth win of 2017.

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic, who signed a new deal until 2019 this week, has no new injury worries.

The Whites are looking for their fourth successive victory as they look to close the gap to the play-off places.

MATCH FACTS
Cardiff are unbeaten in three home games against Fulham in the league, winning two and drawing the other.
Fulham have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 15 league encounters with the Bluebirds.
Fulham have already enjoyed a victory at Cardiff in 2017, defeating them 2-1 away in the FA Cup third round in January.
The Bluebirds have won exactly half of their league games under Neil Warnock (22 games, 11 wins). In the 22 league games before he arrived, they had won just five games.
Cardiff will be looking to win four successive league matches for the first time since New Year's Day 2013.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39011729

WhiteJC

 
New Deal For Warnock Ahead Of Fulham

Manager Neil Warnock has confirmed he has agreed a new contract with Cardiff City as he held his pre Fulham press conference earlier today.

Having won 11 of his 23 games since he came in as Paul Trollope's replacement in October, speaking to Sky Sports in his pre Fulham media meet and greet the 68 year old confirmed that he had agreed a new deal keeping him with us until the end of the 2017/18 campaign and the aim for that campaign would be to 'have a go' at promotion to the Premier League once again.

'I'm pleased to say I've agreed everything. We've not put pen to paper but we've agreed an extension for next season. We're singing from the same hymn sheet. We're desperate to do well, we all want the same thing. My objective is to be as popular here in 12 months time as I am now because we don't know what's around the corner.'

Warnock went on to thank owner Vincent Tan and chairman Mehmet Dalman for being 'nothing but supportive' since he came into the job and he said plans were in place for 'four or five' signings come the summer to boost our chances of achieving his aim.

'We've had to show them what we can do. It's a trust thing between a manager and an owner, we all want the same thing, nobody's guaranteed but with their support we can give it a good try. We'll be up against a lot of clubs with a lot of money. But it's easy for a manager to commit to a club when the fans want you. I'll be here as long as the fans want me because if they want me I'll be doing a good job. If my health is good there's no reason why I won't be here for a couple of years. We'll just have a go next season and see where we are.'

As for Fulham itself, Warnock said we had no fresh injury concerns, only existing ones. Wales Online have him saying.

'No new injuries, the same ones. Rickie is having treatment on his back after seeing a specialist. Rhys is got to have an operation in a couple of weeks when everything`s calmed down. Manga has trained - not fully - and is doing quite well and is not that long looking at him.'


Read more: http://www.cardiff.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=481747#ixzz4ZgNcfiHB


WhiteJC

 
Piazon: A Great Game

Fulham ran out 2-0 winners at Ashton Gate on Wednesday night with goals from Lucas Piazon and Tom Cairney. The two linked up for the first goal as a deft Cairney ball fed through to Piazon in the box was slotted neatly past the keeper.


"It was a great play from everyone," said Piazon reflecting on his own effort that found the back of the net. "We were trying to find a space to get a shot off and TC played me a great ball and I could finish well.

"It was a great pass, I think I was just one on one with the keeper so I had a great chance to score, and yeah, I try to score goals too and work to help the boys. Players from my position like to score goals so I'm happy with it.

"This one was not the hardest one I've had, I could see the goalkeeper coming, I could see the space; I am Brazilian so I like the ball, I like to play, I like to make combinations and the way the team plays helps me as well."


Asked about whether they can make this a season to remember, Piazon said: "Yes I think so, we still believe.

"We can play some football, the boys can play, we can create chances and we just have to be strong and solid and keep playing well to see if we can get a shot at the Play-Offs."

The second goal came from a City mistake and Cairney rifled a shot into the top corner out of reach of the Bristol City goalkeeper.

"TC had a great game," Piazon commented. "But I think we all worked hard until the end, the pitch was big and we had to run a lot so it was a great game from everyone.

"We have some sharp players up-front, we have good skill players as well. So it's hard to get a place in the team but I'm just trying to do my best for the boys."

The Whites take on Cardiff away in their next match on Saturday.

"It's a tough game, they've been in a great run the last few games", Piazon acknowledged. "We played against them in the cup but it's a completely different game, we need points so it will be a good battle.

"I think in this league when you go on a run you can go up, you can win some positions and that's what we are trying to do now.

"We have shown a lot of quality this season, we have played many great games and some we were unlucky not to win or not to get any points but I think it would be great for us and my opinion is we deserve to be in the Play-Offs."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/february/24/piazon-a-great-game

WhiteJC

 
Play At Craven Cottage

Saturday 4th March marks the Official Charity Match benefitting Fulham FC Foundation's adult health programmes, including Fulham Memories, Fulham Legends Walking Football, and fanActiv.

In celebration, we're inviting two lucky Whites fans to join the Foundation on the pitch for a walking football 5-a-side match at half-time! Do you know a Whites fan who has spent a lifetime supporting the Club? You could help them win their way onto the pitch.

It's as easy as 1-2-3:

1.Nominate yourself or someone you know


The opportunity to play is available to Whites fans aged 30+. Nominate yourself or someone you know by emailing Amy O'Brien ([email protected]) with the following details:     

Your Name

Nominee's Name

Nominee's Email

Nominee's Telephone

No more than 150 words explaining why you/your nominee should be selected to play

The deadline to submit your nominations is Tuesday 28th February at 11:59 pm.

2. Cast your vote


Fulham Foundation will shortlist four candidates. Each nominee will be featured on Twitter (@FulhamFCFound) on Wednesday, 01 March and fans are asked to vote for two individuals. Voting will close on Thursday 02 March at 12 noon. 

3. Claim Your Place


Two winners will be announced on Thursday, 02 March (PM) and will join Fulham FC and the Fulham Legends Walking Football participants at the Charity Match on 04, March, 2017.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/february/24/play-at-craven-cottage

WhiteJC

 
Fulham vs Cardiff City Preview: Three questions with Inside Welsh Football
Jamie Kemble from Inside Welsh Football stop in to talk about Cardiff's season and how they match up to Fulham.

Cottagers Confidential: Cardiff City are far enough ahead of the relegation places to not have to worry too much about dropping down. Conversely, the playoffs are quite a few points away, and the number of teams between them and the playoffs makes it almost impossible to reach them. What exactly will Cardiff be playing for the rest of the year?

Jamie Kemble: City have come a long way since Neil Warnock's arrival both on and off the pitch. We were 23rd when he took over and four months later sit 12th, closer to the top six than the bottom three. Some fans haven't given up on the play-offs, but although it's still possible, it would require a huge swing and another very good run. Of course, it's unrealistic so I think the target is to finish as high as possible - perhaps top eight - end the season on good form and go again next year, hopefully with Neil Warnock. Under him, City have proved they can beat anyone in the division, but it seems he was a month too late to keep the play-offs a realistic target.
CC: Fulham have forged a strong identity with their style of play this year. What is the identity of this Cardiff squad if any?

JK: Fulham have been one of my favorite teams to watch this season, and indeed in years past but in recent times, as you know you have just been far too leaky at the back. Jokanovic seems to have found more of a balance and with the likes of Cairney in midfield, I have to say you're a joy to watch.

We begun the season under Paul Trollope who brought in a few Welsh players and wanted to play exciting football, but it just didn't work out. Warnock hasn't spent any money so he largely has the same squad but there's a big difference. City are an open, attacking side but as far as an 'identity' goes, I'd say they just do what they have to in order to get three points, in typical Neil Warnock fashion. The identity really is based around hard work rather than any sort of tactical pattern.
CC: Both teams are entering the game on a hot streak. What makes you think Cardiff will win? What makes you think they will lose?

JK: This is set up to be a very exciting clash and based on the way both teams play, you would expect it to be very open, much like the 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage earlier this season. You can't read into the FA Cup meeting though, because Cardiff fielded a side with around 5 or 6 changes and there's been a lot of improvement since then, as the league table will tell you.

Both teams go into this one on the back of three consecutive wins which makes it interesting, and that probably makes it one of the most likely games to finish in a draw this weekend.

I really can't see Cardiff losing after the recent run and how impressive things have been at home of late, but equally, Fulham will present a very stern challenge, Warnock knows that.

I think this will be quite an open game but I do expect both defences to into it with a very clear game plan. I think Cardiff are the more likely winners, simply because it's at the Cardiff City Stadium, but I'll go 1-1.

Team:

McGregor
Richards
Morrison
Bamba
Connolly
Harris
Ralls
Gunnarsson
Noone
Holiest
Zohore



http://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/2/24/14725618/fulham-cardiff-city-preview-english-championship-inside-welsh-football


WhiteJC

 
The key Fulham players to keep an eye on this weekend

Cardiff will be looking to extend their winning run to four games on Saturday with victory over Fulham.


The Cottagers have enjoyed a decent season so far and are currently one place outside the playoff's.

And they have enjoyed three successive wins themselves in the last few weeks, meaning they come int this one with real confidence.

The two sides have already met twice this season with Fulham winning the FA Cup meeting, and the clash at Craven Cottage finishing 2-2.

We take a look at Fulham's key men:

David Button
The 27 year-old Goalkeeper joined from fellow London side Brentford in the summer and he has firmly established himself as the Cottagers number one since his arrival.

Button has featured in all 32 of Fulham's league games this season and has kept 10 clean sheets in the process.

Cardiff fans may remember Button for being caught off his line and allowing Alex Revell to loft the ball over him in the Bluebirds 2-1 win over Brentford in March 2015

Scott Malone- The left back needs no introduction to Cardiff fans after joining Fulham in a swap deal for Jazz Richards this summer.

Malone has impressed since arriving at Craven Cottage and has featured in 27 games and has scored four goals so far this season.

His final ball seems to have improved since linking up with Fulham and he is now a real threat down the left.

Ian Holloway named Malone in his pre-Christmas team of the season and so far it looks like Fulham have had the better part of the swap deal.

Kevin McDonald
McDonald joined Fulham from Wolves this summer after being a long-term target for the cottagers.

He had been the mainstay of the Wolves midfield for the last few seasons and he adds a lot of Championship experience to the Fulham side.

The 28-year-old had played 32 times for Fulham this season and has scored three goals including one against Cardiff in the 2-2 draw in August.

McDonald usually plays at the base of the Fulham Midfield which allows Tom Cairney to push forward.

Sone Aluko
Aluko has featured in all but one of Fulham's league games this season and has scored five goals to date.

The 27-year-old joined from Hull in the summer after he spent a successful four years at the KCOM stadium. Aluko won promotion to the Premier League twice with the Tigers and Fulham will be hoping he can repeat the feat with them this season.

Aluko always provides an attacking threat and if given the opportunity he knows where the back of the net is.

Star man – Tom Cairney
The 25-year-old joined from Blackburn in the summer of 2015 and is a good all round midfielder.

He has assists and goals included in his game and he scored eight times in 41 appearances last year.

Cairney scored a superb long-range goal against Cardiff for Blackburn in the opening game of the 2014/15 season at Ewood Park.

Cardiff will have to close him down quickly and not grant him much space – He loves to shoot from distance.


http://www.insidewelshfootball.co.uk/key-fulham-players-keep-eye-weekend/

WhiteJC

 
Fulham January target explains why transfer fell through despite 'very good' offer

Towards the end of the transfer window, we covered in detail Fulham's attempts to sign Sergi Enrich from Eibar, as the London club were trying to bring in an extra striker to Craven Cottage.

The 26-year-old was the subject of a €10m offer from Slavisa Jokanovic's side, matching his release clause, but with the Spanish club unwilling to see their star go, the only way for the transfer to go through would be for the player himself to trigger his release clause.

This would have added an extra €4m to the deal, and Sport Witness were informed this all became 'too complicated' for transfer deadline day.

Eventually, the club managed to get 26-year-old Cyriac on loan from KVV Oostende, and that was that.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo on Friday, Sergi Enrich was asked about his failed transfer to Fulham, and explained why he felt it for the best to stay in Spain.

He said: "Man, when a team want to pay your release clause, it makes you think a lot of things. Financially, it was also a very good offer for me, but when things are going well somewhere, there's no point in changing them.

"You only change them when they go badly. I'd also like to say the club did a lot to keep me here".

The forward went on to explain that he felt his place was with Eibar, but it wasn't for fear of failure in England, it was just that he didn't want to leave.

Enrich has been in good form for Betis this season, scoring 10 goals and picking up four assists in 26 games.


http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-january-target-explains-transfer-fell-despite-good-offer/

WhiteJC

 
Fulham defender believes Tottenham target is better off at Craven Cottage
The 16-year-old, who will sign his first professional deal at the club when he turns 17 on May 18, has made 19 appearances for the Whites this season, scoring four goals


Pace: Jazz Richards (L) gets reminded ho quick Ryan Sessegnon is

Fulham defender Tim Ream believes highly rated Ryan Sessegnon is better off at Craven Cottage where he is playing first team football than in a Premier League academy.

The 16-year-old, who will sign his first professional deal at the club when he turns 17 on May 18, has made 19 appearances for the Whites this season, scoring four goals.

This included a magnificent performance against Saturday's opponents Cardiff in the FA Cup third round.

While the Fulham full back, who has been tipped to be the next Gareth Bale, has not played as much as an academy player would do, those appearances have come in first team football, which Ream believes is better for him.

The American said: "He may be playing every week in the academy but he's playing with the reserve team or under 18s.


Lukas Jutkiewicz battles with Tim Ream (Photo: Birmingham Mail)

"Here, he's fully involved in first team football. He may not be playing every week but he's training every week and being around the first team.

"He's definitely more mature than a 16-year-old. He's a quiet kid and it's safe to say him being here is a better situation than going to a big glamorous club and not being involved in the first team.

"It's the perfect place for his development and he's developed quickly and made the first team at 16 which is scary as he's closer in age to my son than he is to me.

"It's scary to think about but he's got a long time in the game and a bright future."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-defender-believes-tottenham-target-12649701


WhiteJC

 
If Fulham miss promotion this season, next season could be theirs

Slavisa Jokanovic has masterminded a complete turnaround at Craven Cottage, with the club looking top drawer.

Fans of Fulham will be feeling doubly blessed after the last few days, which has seen the Whites defeat Bristol City 2-0 - their third straight league victory - and tie down manager Slavisa Jokanovic to a new deal.

Fulham currently sit in seventh in the table, six points behind sixth placed Sheffield Wednesday, but with a game in hand, and have wowed both Fulham fans and neutrals this season with their football.

The style of football Jokanovic has instilled at Craven Cottage is breathtaking to watch, with Fulham creating chances galore in every match they play in, and treating the ball in a way a top Premier League side would.

What lets them down is a lack of a ruthless finisher in the side. As brilliantly talented as midfielder Tom Cairney is, he can't do it alone, and if Fulham had a Jordan Rhodes type goalscorer in their side, they'd be much higher.

The season is far from over though, and with several play-off rivals still to play, Fulham have more than an outside chance of gatecrashing the top six.

If they don't do it this year however, next season with Jokanovic at the helm, Fulham could well push for automatic promotion.


http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/02/24/if-fulham-miss-promotion-this-season-next-season-could-be-the/

WhiteJC

 
Huddersfield Town boss only focused on Barnsley FC – not a Championship Play-off gap
David Wagner was unaware his side are currently 12 points clear of seventh place Fulham FC going into this weekend's fixtures

Head coach David Wagner says he is unaware his Huddersfield Town side are 12 points ahead of seventh-placed Fulham before this weekend's encounter at Barnsley.

The German boss takes his side to Oakwell looking for a seventh consecutive SkyBet Championship win which would give the club their best league run since November 1982.

But Wagner is unconcerned with both this latest statistical record or the gap to the seventh-placed Cottagers – merely focusing on claiming another crucial victory in South Yorkshire.

On potentially breaking another record in an already record-breaking season, Wagner said: "Of course we are on a great run but we have broken so many records this season this is just the latest one for the stats freaks.

"This is something we're not too bothered about - we just want to keep this run going for as long as possible.

"Nothing is better than points and wins over this busy period."

And with Huddersfield Town's recent momentum bringing impressive league wins over fellow promotion-chasers Brighton & Hove Albion, Leeds United and Reading FC, Town find themselves comfortably entrenched in the top six.

With 14 games to go and 42 points still to play for, Wagner's men are four victories ahead of seventh-placed Fulham who sit just outside the play-off places.

The West Londoners also have a tricky run-in involving away clashes at Newcastle United, Derby County, Norwich City and Sheffield Wednesday, as well as a home game against Leeds United and a trip to the John Smith's Stadium on April 22.

However, Town's boss was quick to refute claims his side were nearly over the line in guaranteeing a play-off berth.

"I have never thought about it and, to be honest, I didn't even know we were 12 points ahead of seventh place," said Wagner.

"For me it is only Barnsley in my head and how we can beat them.

"It makes no sense to focus on what is nearly over the line or not, because the table only counts after 46 games."

Wagner will be buoyed by the return of Harry Bunn to training for the encounter, while Izzy Brown has also recovered from the illness which forced him off in the 1-0 midweek victory over Reading.

In comparison, Barnsley have been beset by a number of player sales during last month's transfer window after a flying start to their return to the Championship.

After gaining promotion from League One via the play-offs last May, manager Paul Heckingbottom's side marked their return to the second-tier by being as high as third in the opening month's of the current campaign.

But a loss of form and the sale of prized assets Alfie Mawson (to Swansea City), Sam Winnall (to Sheffield Wednesday) and Conor Hourihane (to Aston Villa) has resulted in them dropping down to ninth in the table.

However, Wagner believes the Tykes still have enough to pose Town problems if his side are not on their game.

"Where they have come from I think you could say they are a surprise package this season," said Wagner.

"But after seeing how well they play and how hard and intelligent the manager is working it is not as surprising.

"They have a great dynamic style – they are young, energetic with hungry players and a real fighting spirit."


http://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-town-boss-only-focused-12654443

WhiteJC

 
Fulham Extend Their Manager's Contract: A Deserved Move?

Fulham were a team in complete disarray in the month of December last season as they were breathing gingerly with a slender lead of merely three points from falling into the clutches of the relegation zone when Slaviša Jokanović inherited the command of the club from Stuart Gray. Under him began an era of revolution, the birth of something spectacular which was missing in their veins. As a result, the London-based outfit finished 20th in the league table, eleven points above the dropout places. One might wonder as to why the former Maccabi Tel Aviv manager gave his consent to a move to the English soil.

More than anything else, it was the romanticism which prevailed at the Craven Cottage which appealed Jokanović to the core. In his first full season at the helm, the 48-year-old has made a massive overhaul by bringing key players and at the same time, letting a mass exodus of the ones he deemed as inappropriate and unwanted to his ambition.

Venturing into a place beside the river Thames after six job spells in Serbia, Thailand, Bulgaria, Spain, Israel and England, Jokanović bolstered the squad, has been shrewd in his tactical nous, and not to mention the charismatic brand of attractive and attacking brand of football that he engineered, have all played a pivotal part in Fulham's resurgence.


Chairman Shahid Khan wasn't unaware of the imminent danger of losing the manager who was attracting admirable glances across the continent and the fact that he has become a fan-favourite at Fulham. His contract was to expire this summer and thus, it was a quick yet calculated move from Khan to extend his contract and to tie him down at the Craven Cottage until 2019.

The Black and White Army have won three games on the trot in the Championship, including a 2-0 away win against Bristol City, to silently crawl up to the seventh spot. After 32 games this term, Fulham have accumulated 52 points and their play-off spots aspirations aren't really a far-fetched at the moment. They trail Sheffield Wednesday by 6 points but do have a game in hand.

At this point of time, showering a sense of trust is likely to yield huge dividends going into the business end of the season. He was the architect in Watford's uplift in 2015, so is there another promotion on the cards to boost his CV? Only time will tell.


http://the4thofficial.net/2017/02/fulham-extend-managers-contract-deserved-move/