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Sunday Fulham Stuff (05/03/17)...

Started by WhiteJC, March 05, 2017, 08:31:51 AM

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WhiteJC

 
Results
















Friday
Birmingham
1 - 3 Leeds
Saturday
Nottm Forest
3 - 0 Brighton
Blackburn
1 - 0 Wigan
Derby
2 - 1 Barnsley
Fulham
3 - 1 Preston
Ipswich
1 - 1 Brentford
Bristol City
0 - 0 Burton
QPR
2 - 1 Cardiff
Reading
2 - 1 Wolves
Rotherham
0 - 2 Aston Villa
Sheff Wed
5 - 1 Norwich
Huddersfield
1 - 3 Newcastle


WhiteJC

 
Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović was satisfied with Fulham's performance in the 3-1 victory over Preston North End, and promises his side will continue to strive towards the top-six.

Other results did not go the Whites' way on Saturday with Reading and Sheffield Wednesday both winning, but a Play-Off place is still firmly in sight with 12 fixtures still to play.

"I believe we played a good football game," Jokanović stated in his post-match press conference. "I must be satisfied with our performance. We moved the ball and created many chances.


"When Preston scored their goal we were in some trouble for a few minutes, but we found a solution and the team showed character and played bravely.

"Preston have had a very good season. They arrived at Craven Cottage with only point less than what we have in the competition.

"But my team was really focused and we played very good football and it is credit for my players how they played today, and credit to Preston how they are fighting in this competition."

He continued: "In the last five games we have won 13 points and my team are definitely playing with confidence. My team believes this is the best way for us to try and play.

"We are going to keep going and in front of us we are going to have the chance to play two of the top teams in this competition.

"We are going to test ourselves and we are going to find out where we are in this moment.

"I am not such a romantic man. I always want to win the game, and so I am always disappointed when we don't come away with three points.

"Generally where we are right now, we can be relatively satisfied as we are around the top-six. There is a gap between us and the top-six teams and it is our target to push until the end of the season. We are still in a position to keep fighting."

Sone Aluko broke the deadlock at Craven Cottage, before setting up Neeskens Kebano for the killer third goal, and his impact pleased his Head Coach.

"Sone has had a good season," Jokanović said. "He is an important part of my squad and today he played very well in the game.

"This is his normal level, I didn't ask anything different. He is working very well, he is working very hard and he scored an important goal for us.

"I believe he will keep at this same level."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/march/04/head-coach-reaction

WhiteJC

 
Chelsea loan duo Lucas Piazon and Tomas Kalas have made Fulham so strong, says Tom Cairney

Tom Cairney has hailed the impact of on loan Chelsea duo Lucas Piazon and Tomas Kalas as Fulham battle for a playoff spot in the Championship.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side head into Saturday's home game against Preston seventh in the second tier, five points off Sheffield Wednesday but with a game in hand.

Kalas and Piazon have been two of Fulham's most important contributors throughout an impressive season at Craven Cottage, the latter providing six goals in 25 games whilst the Czech defender has been a regular in a solid defence.

"I just think they have made the squad so strong," said Fulham captain Cairney, who was named EFL Player of the Year at the London Football Awards on Thursday. "Kalas has been brilliant, especially at the start of the season.

"Lucas has just got a bad injury at the weekend but he is brilliant on the ball and has done well.

"We pass out from the back. It is risky football, if you make an error, don't worry. You just have to keep on going and I think that's why as games have gotten on we have got more and more confident and we are showing that at the minute."

Piazon faces a lengthy layoff after suffering a broken jaw in Fulham's last match, a draw at Cardiff.


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-loan-duo-lucas-piazon-and-tomas-kalas-have-made-fulham-so-strong-says-tom-cairney-a3481646.html


WhiteJC

 
Maidstone Teenager Interesting Fulham

Lurking in the sports pages of a tabloid publication is a little piece of transfer tittle-tattle that mentions our fine football club.

The good folk of The Sun in their 'Football Confidential` column are of the opinion that Fulham are paying a keen interest in a young forward on the books of Maidstone United.

The youngster in question is Jack Richards, who is just seventeen years of age.

However, it seems that Fulham are not alone in admiring the teenager with our referenced source also suggesting that Burnley, Aston Villa and Gillingham are also keen to secure his services.

May the best team win, is all we`ll say!



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=482824#ixzz4aRH5mVq0

WhiteJC

 
Fulham 3 - 1 Preston North End


Sone Aluko opened the scoring with his fifth Championship goal of the season

Fulham ended Preston North End's five-game unbeaten run to boost their hopes of reaching the Championship play-offs.

Sone Aluko fired in from Neeskens Kebano's cutback to open the scoring before Chris Martin found the bottom corner to double the hosts' lead.

Tom Barkhuizen made it 2-1 on the break, but Kebano pounced to end Preston's hopes with a calm finish.

Fulham stay seventh, five points off the play-off places, with Preston still ninth, nine points adrift.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side have now won four of their last five Championship games, but Reading's 2-1 victory over Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday's 5-1 thrashing of Norwich meant they did not gain any ground.

The home side, who have a game in hand on their rivals, enjoyed 70% of possession and went ahead after 22 minutes through Aluko's well-taken finish and could have widened the deficit at the break had Tomas Kalas made the most of two chances from corners.

Kebano then struck the crossbar from a narrow angle, but goalkeeper David Button had to be alert to keep out Daryl Horgan's strike at the other end.

Martin's 10th league goal of the season, created by Ryan Fredericks' pace and vision, finally gave the dominant Cottagers a two-goal lead.

Barkuizen guided the ball underneath the onrushing Button from Aiden McGeady's clever through ball on his full debut to give Simon Grayson's side hope.

But Kebano slotted into the bottom corner from Aluko's pass to round off an outstanding personal performance and ensure that Fulham have now scored 13 goals in their last five league matches.

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic:
"We are around the top six and we now want to close the gap to the top six. This is our target and we are still in position to be fighting to play after the first week in May.

"We have taken 13 points from the last five games and my team plays with confidence.

"In general where we are now, we can be relatively satisfied."

Preston assistant manager Glynn Snodin:
"We've come up against a good side today. I felt they were different class, a step above us.

"To be fair to our players they kept going and got back in it at 2-1. They have got belief as a unit and always believe we can get something from a game.

"But Fulham are a good counter-attacking side with good footballing brains. And that's what we've been undone by today."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39086355

WhiteJC

 
OPINION: Will Chris Martin finally return to Derby County?

One of the most talked about topics at Pride Park this season has been the loan of Chris Martin to Fulham. It's fair to say that a large majority of Rams fans have never understood why he was allowed to go.

The facts are that he was going through a lean spell at Derby and the then manager Nigel Pearson didn't have Martin in his plans for the team.

He was loaned out for the season for a fee reported to be in the region of three million pounds with an option to buy for a further six million.

That is big money for a player that we signed on a fee transfer from Norwich! It's also a lot of money for a loan.

He has played a major part for the club over the past three seasons and we have learned the hard way that replacing such a player is easier said than done.

Pearson himself, may have made a monumental error in letting Martin go just as he sas bringing in Matej Vydra. Vydra struggles to play as a loan striker as his spell with Reading shows. Martin alongside him may have been a success. It could have proven to be Pearson's saving grace from the pitiful football that was on show.

What's done is done though and I'll move on to the long running saga of Steve McClaren attempting to bring Chris Martin home.

McClaren didn't waste anytime in stating that he wanted the striker to return to the club, however Martin was at the time performing very well for Fulham who naturally were non too keen on letting him come back to us.

To be quite honest the the whole episode has been quite farcical. First of all Martin allegedly not being keen to continue turning out for the London side and McClaren stating he was trying to get him home.

Now I can't speak for everyone or indeed anyone who doesn't appreciate ethical trading between two teams, but in my opinion Derby County and Chris Martin don't look very good in all of this!

If the club has approached them to end the loan early and Fulham have said no, then that really should be the end of it for the season. Instead more mischief has occurred by signing him to a three year contract extension and publicly announcing it during the last transfer window.

What was the point in this timing? I'd guess to try and force Fulham's hand. It's achieved very little but to wind Fulham up and see them dig their heels in further. Martin himself has seen himself dropped from their match day squad in recent weeks.

If Fulham continue to leave Martin out of the squad, not only will we have lost him for the remainder of the season too, but he will return short of match time.

There is also a question of what if Fulham took up their option to purchase him? Now I'm no expert in the complexities of football contracts, but it's surely not a meaningless clause? Could we indeed suffer more penalties should he refuse to sign for them?

The pursuit of Chris Martin has people wondering if our manager has any other options in his head about how to get our strike force firing again. Apart from being one dimensional formation wise, he appears to be the same regarding our number nine

I blamed our choke two seasons ago on the Newcastle distraction, maybe it's because of our over reliance on Martin as he was injured during the end of season capitulation



http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/opinion-will-chris-martin-finally-return-to-derby-county-1-8421283


WhiteJC

 
Leeds fans urge Monk to recall attacker to starting XI against Fulham

Leeds fans have taken to Twitter to urge Garry Monk to hand Alfonso Pedraza a starting role in Tuesday's clash against Fulham.

The winger was given a 17-minute runout as a late substitute in Leeds' 3-1 win at Birmingham on Friday night and responded with a superbly taken goal.

It was Pedraza's first for Leeds since his deadline day loan move from La Liga club Villarreal.

Supporters of the promotion hopefuls are keen to see the attacker in the starting XI when Leeds host Fulham in the Championship at Elland Road on Tuesday night.

The Spain Under-21 international has struggled for game time since moving to the Yorkshire giants, starting just one match of the six that he has been available for.

He had been an unused substitute for three consecutive matches before getting his chance in the league triumph at St Andrews.

It has convinced fans that Pedraza should be given an opportunity from the start in Leeds' next match.


http://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-fans-urge-monk-recall-frozen-attacker-fulham/

WhiteJC

 
Match report: Fulham 3 PNE 1


Tom Barkhuizen scores PNE's goal at Fulham

Preston North End suffered disappointment on Gentry Day, with them going down to defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

For long spells they played second fiddle to the Cottagers, although Tom Barhuizen's goal in his first PNE start briefly gave them a way back into the game.

t put a large dent in their chances of catching the top six and it would take some run now for them to force their way into play-off contention.

Fulham's movement was impressive, with them taking the lead through Sone Aluko in the 22nd minute.

Chris Martin doubled their advantage after an hour, Barkhuizen then running clear to produce a neat finish to halve the deficit.

But Neeskens Kebano's goal 13 minutes from time clinched the three points for the home side who moved four points clear of North End.

It was a first defeat in six for Simon Grayson's men and only the second in 12 matches, spelling disappointment for the 2,821 Preston supporters who had made the trip to the capital to celebrate Gentry Day.

They came by train, coach, car and boat - 220 of them on board a hired boat which came up the River Thames to Putney Bridge.

Grayson had made one change, Barkhuizen replacing Callum Robinson.

Ben Pearson returned to the squad after missing the win over Queens Park Rangers, with the midfielder named on the bench.

PNE started in a 4-2-3-1, Barkhuizen and Horgan on the wings with Aiden McGeady playing off striker Jordan Hugill.

Greg Cunningham started at right-back, the position he had finished in against Queens Park Rangers a week earlier.

The first half was tough going for North End against a pleasing-on-the-eye Fulham side who moved the ball well and pushed players forward at every opportunity.

That said, there were a couple of half chances for the visitors in the opening spell, Hugill meeting a cross from Horgan but getting under it and putting his header too high McGeady played in Horgan down the inside-left channel, the winger getting into the box but shooting straight at goalkeeper David Button.

Fulham began to get on top, getting their full-backs high up the pitch, often overlapping the wingers.

The hosts took the lead in the 22nd minute, the ball worked inside from the left-wing to Kebano down the side of the box.

Kebano pulled the ball low into the middle for Aluko to fire on the half-turn past Chris Maxwell from eight yards.

Maxwell saved from Ryan Sessegnon, then gathered Aluko's effort which had taken a deflection off Daniel Johnson.

Kevin McDonald wasted a good chance for the home side in the 37th minute, meeting a low cross in plenty of space on the edge of the box but shooting well wide.

Five minutes before the interval, Maxwell was alert to save at his near post, keeping out Tomas Kalas' flick from a Kebano corner.

North End counter-attacked after clearing the corner which followed, Barkhuizen leading the break forward. He fed a pass out to McGeady on the left side of the box who cut inside and hit a shot which Button saved low down.

Five minutes into the second half, Kebano's shot from a narrow angle to the left of goal was helped against the bar by Maxwell's out-stretched glove.

Preston had their best chance so far in the 53rd minute, McGeady's pass inside from the left finding Horgan 20 yards out, his rising shot tipped over the bar by the keeper.

It needed a fine sliding challenge from Tommy Spurr to block a Tom Cairney shot from just inside the box.

A double substitution saw Pearson and Robinson join the action in place of Browne and Horgan in the 57th minute, North End switching to 3-5-2 with Barkhuizen and Cunningham in the wing-back roles.

Johnson curled a shot wide from the edge of the box after McGeady and Pearson had linked-up to good effect to work the ball across the face of the area. But that spell of pressure was followed by Fulham's second goal as the contest hit the hour mark.

Ryan Fredericks carried the ball in field from the right-back position before feeding a pass through to Martin on the edge of the box who took a touch before shooting low past Maxwell. Within eight minutes Preston had halved the deficit, McGeady sliding a pass between the Fulham left-back and centre-half to free Barkhuizen.

The January signing from Morecambe stayed ahead of two defenders and with the outside of his right boot, steered a low past Button.

Momentum swung back to Fulham in the 77th minute as they cut North End open to score a third goal. Aluko rode two challenges and played in Kebano down the left hand side of the box, the winger shooting first-time time across Maxwell.

Before the goal was scored, PNE had been waiting to bring on Stevie May, the Scotsman making a delayed arrival in place of Hugill. MKaxwell saved well low down from an Aluko shot in the 81st minute as the game got stretched.

Fulham: Button, Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Sessegnon, McDonald, Johansen (Parker 80), Aluko (Odoi 88), Cairney, Kebano, Martin (Cyriac 84).
Subs (not used): Malone, Madl, Sigurdsson, Bettinelli.

PNE: Maxwell, Cunningham, Clarke, Huntington, Spurr, Horgan (Robinson 57), Browne (Pearson 57), Johnson, McGeady, Barkhuizen, Hugill (May 79).
Subs (not used): Makienok, Gallagher, Boyle, Lindegaard.

Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)
Attendance: 20,205 (2,821 PNE)



Read more at: http://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end/match-report-fulham-3-pne-1-1-8421425

WhiteJC

 
Fulham 3-1 Preston North End: Goals from Sone Aluko, Chris Martin and Neeskens Kabano give Fulham victory
A strong performance from Slavisa Jokanovic's side ensured they kept pace with the top six while denting Preston's hopes of a play-off spot


Goal-time: Sone Aluko

Goals from Sone Aluko, Chris Martin and Neeskens Kabano were enough to dent Preston's play-off hopes, despite a Tom Barkhuizen goal giving the away side a lifeline.

David Button was a lucky man early on when his botched clearance fell to the feet of in-form man Aiden McGeady, but the Irishman's strike was weak and Tim Ream was able to clear the ball before it reached its intended destination.

Fulham had their first decent chance on 11 minutes when Ryan Fredericks' ball in ricocheted around the Preston box, hitting Sone Aluko before eventually bouncing into the arms of Chris Maxwell in the away side's goal.

But it would be the hosts who got ahead first when some lovely skill saw Neeskens Kebano turn his man to make space for the pullback to Aluko, who slotted the ball into the net from seven yards out.

Kevin McDonald should have perhaps hit the target when he was teed up on the edge of the area by Stefan Johansen, but the midfielder pulled his strike just wide of the left hand post with seven minutes left in the half.

Tomas Kalas then went close when his flick on hit the post from a Kebano corner before Preston broke, with Button on hand to make an easy save from a McGeady strike.

The Cottagers started the second half as they finished the first and came close when Kebano unleashed a fierce drive which Maxwell had to push onto the post and away for a corner.

The home side had their second on the hour mark when Fredericks played Martin in with a lovely ball - the striker finding himself with time and space which allowed him to slot it under Maxwell and double the advantage.

It only took Preston eight minutes, however, to halve the deficit when Barkhuizen found himself through one-on-one with Button, making no mistake about sitting the ball into the bottom left hand corner.

But Fulham then got their two goal cushion back when Aluko turned provider to play in Kebano, who slotted the ball home to send the Cottage into raptures.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fulham-3-1-preston-north-12691767


WokinghamWhite

Sounds like McClaren might no longer flavour of the month at Derby. They're not going to make the playoffs - he's delivered another season of treading water. And the result of McClaren turning Martin's head when Derby came to Craven Cottage is that nobody trusts McClaren to stick to agreements and they'll get back a fat, out-of-condition player who hasn't seriously played football in months. You can take the brolly from the Wally but he's still a Wally.

WhiteJC

 
Martin back on the scoresheet as Fulham keep up play-off push with Preston win

Chris Martin marked his return to the Fulham line-up with his side's second goal in a 3-1 victory over Preston to keep Slavisa Jokanovic's men in the hunt for a

Martin, who was in dispute with Fulham in January after indicating he wanted to return to parent club Derby, was omitted from the squad for last weekend's trip to Cardiff.

But back in the starting XI, the striker doubled Fulham's lead on the hour with his 11th goal of the season after Sone Aluko had given the hosts a first-half lead.

Tom Barkhuizen brought Preston back into the game when he marked his full debut with a 67th-minute strike but Neeskens Kabano wrapped the win with a Fulham's third 12 minutes from time.

Victory, which keeps the Cottagers in seventh place, five points adrift of the top six , was the perfect way for Fulham manager Jokanovic to mark his contract extension that will keep him at the club for the next two seasons.

But for Preston, defeat was a blow to their own hopes of making the play-offs with Simon Grayson's side now nine points off sixth spot.

Fulham looked the more convincing side as they totally dominated the first half and should have reached the interval with more than Aluko's goal to show for their efforts.

The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute after a well-worked move on the left-hand flank that saw Ryan Sessegnon release Kabano inside the area.

The Fulham midfielder worked his way to the byline before pulling a low cross back towards Aluko who produced a clinical first-time finish to send the ball beyond keeper Chris Maxwell.

Maxwell had to be alert to prevent Tomas Kalas adding a second five minutes before the break when the defender met Kabano's corner with a near-post flick.

On that occasion Preston reacted positively, immediately breaking through Barkhuizen with Aiden McGeady capping the move by drawing a rare save from Fulham keeper David Button.

It was clear Preston needed to improve dramatically if they were to get anything from the game but the second half started ominously for the visitors when Kabano's snap-shot was pushed onto the bar by Maxwell.

Daryl Horgan did manage to threaten Button's goal as the visitors finally got onto the front foot but hopes of a comeback disappeared when Martin added a second Fulham goal on the hour.

The Scotland international was sent clear inside the Preston area by Ryan Fredericks' pass and produced a neat, right-foot finish to place the ball beyond Maxwell.

Preston's response was impressive with Barkhuizen reducing the deficit seven minutes later after running in behind the home defence to collect McGeady's through-ball before keeping his nerve and beating Button with a precise, low shot.

But Kabano settled any home nerves when he collected Aluko's pass and stabbed his shot through Maxwell's legs.

Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/preston-north-end/martin-back-on-the-scoresheet-as-fulham-keep-up-play-off-pus-1843918.html

WhiteJC

 
Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic challenges his side to show their promotion credentials after Preston win
Goals from Sone Aluko, Chris Martin and Neeskens Kebano ensured Fulham took all three points ahead of two tough ties against Leeds and Newcastle United

Slavisa Jokanovic has challenged his side to show their promotion credentials after they beat Preston 3-1 in a strong performance at Craven Cottage.

Sone Aluko, Chris Martin and Neeskens Kebano all netted as Fulham put breathing space between themselves and their rivals from Lancashire in the race for that last play-off spot.

Tom Barkhuizen gave the visitors a lifeline at 2-1 but Kebano's goal made sure that the west Londoners would be taking all the points - only the second side to do so against Preston in 2017.

Fulham now face fourth placed Leeds on Tuesday before travelling to face Newcastle on Saturday at St James' Park and the Cottagers boss has challenged his team to go and show their promotion credentials against "two top teams."

Speaking after the 3-1 victory, Jokanovic said: "My team played with great character today and put in a brilliant performance.

"We are going to keep going. We now have a chance to play against two top teams - it will show where we are.

"We can be relatively satisfied with where we are at the moment - We are around the top six but we can push on until the end of the season."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-slavisa-jokanovic-challenges-12692890


WhiteJC

 
Chris Martin situation is 'normal' says Fulham boss as Derby striker scores for loan club

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has insisted the situation with on-loan striker Chris Martin is "normal", despite the striker sitting out the last few games for the London club.

Martin had not started since the victory over Wigan Athletic on Feburary 11. He was on the bench for the next three games, before being omitted from the 18 against Cardiff.

However, the Scottish international returned to the match-day XI for the Championship clash with Preston North End - and scored the second goal in a 3-1 win.

"The situation is completely normal, he (Martin) is working hard to try and improve himself and very soon I believe he will be at the optimal level to be a big part of the team and help us."


Chris Martin now has 12 goals for Fulham this season

Jokanovic has now challenged his side to prove their play-off credentials before Tuesday's visit of Leeds United.

He told getwestlondon: "My team played with great character today and put in a brilliant performance.

"We are going to keep going. We now have a chance to play against two top teams - it will show where we are.

"We can be relatively satisfied with where we are at the moment - We are around the top six but we can push on until the end of the season."

Martin will return to Derby at the end of the season after signing a new contract with the Rams in January.



Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/chris-martin-situation-is-normal-says-fulham-boss-as-derby-striker-scores-for-loan-club/story-30179882-detail/story.html#0SqqyyZYeYVf912S.99

WhiteJC

 
Kebano inspires Fulham to victory over Preston

Fulham 3 Preston 1


Neeskens Kebano netted his third goal in five games as Fulham strengthened their play-off challenge.

The Congolese forward set up Sone Aluko's opener before Chris Martin made it 2-0 and, although Tom Barhuizen reduced the deficit, Kebano's left-foot strike sealed Fulham's win.

It was the Whites' fifth success in their last seven Championship games and left them breathing down the necks of the top six ahead of Tuesday's home clash with fellow challengers Leeds.

There were a couple of early scares for the home side, with Aiden McGeady unable to take advantage of a mistake by David Button, and Jordan Hugill heading over.

But Slavisa Jokanovic's side went ahead midway through the first half after Kebano gave his marker the slip and cut the ball back for Aluko to slam first time into the bottom corner.

Fulham dominated from that point on, pressing the visitors inside their own half, and Ryan Sessegnon, Tomas Kalas and Kebano all forced saves from Chris Maxwell.

Full-back Ryan Fredericks created the Whites' second goal on the hour mark with a bustling run across the field to release Martin, who slotted home from close range.

Preston appeared to be back in contention seven minutes later when McGeady's pass split the Fulham defence and Barkhuizen ran through to beat Button.

But Kebano wrapped up the points 12 minutes from time, latching onto Aluko's pass and firing across Maxwell to make it 3-1.

Fulham: Button; Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Sessegnon; McDonald, Johansen (Parker 80); Aluko (Odoi 88), Cairney, Kebano; Martin (Cyriac 84).
Subs not used: Bettinelli, Malone, Madl, Sigurdsson.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/kebano-inspires-fulham-victory-preston

WhiteJC

 
Fulham set for battle over impressive non-league man

Fulham are one of a host of clubs interested in signing Maidstone youngster Jack Richards, according to a report by Vital Fulham, via an article in the Sun.

The 17-year-old has impressed for the non-league outfit, and his talent has not gone unnoticed, with Fulham joining the likes of Aston Villa and Gillingham in being interested in securing his services.

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic is bound to be interested in securing young and exciting talent in the summer months, and someone like Richards could fit the bill perfectly.

The last few season have seen a shift in clubs taking a chance on talent from outside of the top four divisions, with the likes of Jamie Vardy and more recently Che Adams prime examples of how this can pay off for clubs.

Fulham are sitting just outside the playoff places in the Championship, and will be hoping to mount a late run to dethrone Sheffield Wednesday from sixth spot come the end of the campaign.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-set-for-battle-over-impressive-non-league-man/


WhiteJC

 
Fulham Fans Applaud Aluko Off The Pitch After Scoring Against Preston

Sone Aluko was on target in Fulham's 3-1 win over Preston North End on Saturday afternoon at Craven Cottage.

The London team led 1-0 at the break courtesy of Aluko's goal in the 22nd minute, his sixth goal of the season and fifth in the Sky Bet Championship this season.

A cross from the byline found the Nigeria international who slotted home at the near post, and he was involved in the build-up play to the third goal scored by Kebano that put the game to bed in the 77th minute.

On 88 minutes, Sone Aluko was replaced by Denis Odoi and the Fulham fans appreciated his efforts by applauding him off the pitch.

The 28-year-old recorded his 36th appearance of the season in all competitions against The Lilywhites.

Igho Kingsley


http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=22265

WhiteJC

 
Slavisa Jokanovic hails Fulham star after Preston win and speaks out on Chris Martin

FULHAM boss Slavisa Jokanovic was delighted with Sone Aluko's contribution in the 3-1 win against Preston.

Aluko opened the scoring on 22 minutes before creating Neeskens Kebano's all-important third goal.

"Sone has had a good season," he added. "He is an important part of my squad and today he played very well in the game.

"This is his normal level, I didn't ask anything different. He is working very well, he is working very hard and he scored an important goal for us.

"I believe he will keep at this same level."

Chris Martin returned to the starting XI after being left out of the squad for last weekend's draw at Cardiff.

The on-loan Derby striker has attracted criticism from Fulham fans after signing a contract extension with his parent club but he received a standing ovation for his goalscoring performance.

"The situation of Chris Martin is completely normal," Jokanovic said.

"He's working with us. He's available for the fight and that's it.

"He's a part of Fulham and I expect he will score more goals."

The result leaves Preston nine points adrift of the top six but they still have Derby, Reading, Leeds and Huddersfield to play before the end of the season.

Asked if they can stay in the play-off shake-up, assistant manager Glynn Snodin said: "Yeah, of course. Why not?

"We go to Derby on Tuesday and pick a fight there and see where that takes us.

"After that we'll look at Reading. We'll still keep going until it's impossible."


http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/593689/Slavisa-Jokanovic-Fulham-Sone-Aluko-Chris-Martin-Preston-Gossip

WhiteJC

 
Kebano clinches another crucial Fulham win
by Dan on March 4, 2017


If Slavisa Jokanovic was seeking a statement of intent from his Fulham side in the immediate aftermath of committing his future to the club, then this was it. The Whites swept aside one of their closest rivals in the race for a top six spot in the Championship with a performance that combined energy, verve and critically a cutting edge to fire a winner to those sides above them occupying the play-off places.

Fulham were on the front foot from the off as the occasion might have demanded. Preston, roared on by a raucous travelling support – numbering in excess of 3,000 on Gentry Day, were physical and well-drilled by their experienced manager Simon Grayson but the home side, emboldened by Jokanovic's three changes that introduced the in-form Kebano alongside the returning Chris Martin and the precocious talent of teenage full-back Ryan Sessegnon, whose determined raids down the left posed real problems throughout the afternoon.

The home side played plenty of pretty passing football, encapsulated by the way in which Tom Cairney sent Ryan Fredericks surging clear down the Fulham right – only for no white shirt to be arriving in time to touch home the full-back's low cross. North End signalled that they certainly weren't interested in getting men behind the ball when Jordan Hugill mistimed a jump at the back post and propelled a Daryl Horgan cross over the bar. The latter man drew the first save of the afternoon when David Button gathered his speculative effort, but that only seemed to galvanise the home side.

Captain Tom Cairney was becoming increasingly influential but his first sight of goal was foiled by a block from Paul Huntingdon and a smart save from goalkeeper Chris Maxwell, but Preston's reprieve didn't last long. Fulham's opening goal arrived midway through the first half. A fine flowing move from a left-wing throw in saw Neeskens Kebano reach the byline from a Sessegnon throw and the Congolese winger delivered a perfectly weighted cross that Sone Aluko powered into the bottom corner with aplomb.

Jokanovic's charges could have doubled the lead when some tricky feet from Cairney carried him away from at least three yellow shirts and the midfielder, voted London's Championship player of the year in midweek, had the presence of mind to play in the overlapping Sessegnon, who drove a right-footed effort towards goal but Maxwell smothered the shot. Cairney soon created another opening for the rampaging Kebano, who also stung Maxwell's palms with a placed drive.

Some of Fulham's football towards the close of the first period was sensational and the hosts squandered a couple of excellent opportunities. The lively Kebano skipped away from a few tacklers and Stefan Johansen located the forward run of Kevin McDonald, only for the Scot to miscue a drive from the edge of the box. Maxwell was called upon to push away a Tomas Kalas header from a corner, but North End served notice of their potency on the break when a swift-counter attack following the set-play culminated in Aiden McGeady's low drive that brought a good save by Button.

Fulham began the second half in ambitious fashion when Kebano, whose confidence has shot up since his successful return from the African Cup of Nations, smashed in a shot from an incredibly tight angle that Maxwell did well to save. From the ensuing corner, Kalas appeared favourite to reach a Sessegnon set-play but Tom Clarke diverted the ball away from danger. Moments later, a lightening Fulham break saw Johansen work an opening from Cairney, only for Huntingdon to throw himself in front of the shot – and the ball rolled away to safety.

The two Preston centre backs had their hands full in dealing with the recalled Martin and had largely nullified the on-loan Derby striker – only to leave him horribly free in the 57th minute. The Scottish international finished his opportunity with consummate ease, tucking a measured finish into the bottom corner, but the goal owed much to Ryan Fredericks' sense of afternoon. The Fulham full back surged forward and, taking encouragement from the fans, cut inside to drive towards the edge of the box before playing a wonderful through ball that doubled Fulham's lead.

The visitors had already been enlivened by the arrival of Callum Robinson off the substitutes' bench and they grabbed a route back into the contest. The peerless McGeady collected the ball down the right and ran at Fulham's retreating back four, but the Irish international took his time and picked out substitute Tom Barkhuizen, who raced through on goal and shot clinically across a largely helpless Button. Grayson urged his side forward and they caused Fulham a few hairy moments, none more so than when Robinson jinxed his way towards the penalty area only to shoot high in the Putney End from fully 20 yards.

Just as things seemed set for a nervy finish, Fulham put the contest beyond Preston. The tricky triumvirate of Sessegnon, Aluko and Kebano worked their way through a tired North End defence with the Nigerian threading a ball down the left side of the box, before Kebano fired a third through Maxwell's legs from a terribly acute angle to secure another precious three points to fire Fulham's promotion push.

FULHAM (4-1-2-3): Button; Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Ryan Sessegnon; Cairney, McDonald, Johansen (Parker 80′); Sone Aluko (Odoi 88′), Kebano; Martin (Cyriac 84′). Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Malone, Madl, Sigurdsson.

GOALS: Aluko (22), Martin (60), Kebano (77).

PRESTON NORTH END (4-4-1-1): Maxwell; Cunningham, Clarke, Huntington, Spurr; Tom Barkhuizen, Browne (Pearson 57), Johnson, Horgan (Robinson 57); McGeady; Hugill (May 81). Subs (not used):  Lindegaard, Boyle, Gallagher, Makienok.

BOOKED: Pearson, Cunningham.

GOAL: Barkhuizen (68).

REFEREE: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire).

ATTENDANCE: 20,205.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/03/kebano-clinches-another-crucial-fulham-win/


WhiteJC

 
Jokanovic feels Fulham can make play-offs
by Dan on March 4, 2017


Slavisa Jokanovic feels Fulham can make the Championship play-offs if they can replicate their recent form between now and May.

The Whites recorded their fifth win out of their last seven games with an enthralling 3-1 victory over Preston North End at Craven Cottage this afternoon thanks to goals from Sone Aluko, Chris Martin and Neeskens Kebano. Jokanovic's side are still seventh in the table, some five points behind sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday with a game in hand, but the Serbian head coach is confident his side can't be counted out just yet.

    In the last five games, we won 13 points and my team definitely played with confidence. We can be relatively satisfied we are around the top six.

    A gap exists between us and the top six teams but this is our target – we are pushing for the end of the season. We are still in position for fighting to play after the first week in May.

    When Preston scored a goal, they began to play more aggressively and we were in trouble for a few minutes but we found a solution. We played with character. We scored three and I believe we can score more.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/03/jokanovic-feels-fulham-can-make-play-offs/

WhiteJC

#19
 
Cottage comforts power Fulham's promotion push
by Dan on March 5, 2017


It wasn't long ago that Slavisa Jokanovic was bemoaning the vast disparity of his side's performances at Craven Cottage and away from home. Back in those sweaty September days, it seemed as though the side the Serbian had built over the summer was far more suited to playing on the break than playing through packed defences and the brilliant home record that sustained Fulham's thirteen years in the top flight seemed eons away. Fast forward to March and a string of superb home displays, full of possession-based football, is firing Fulham's late charge towards to the Championship play-off places.

Yesterday's convincing victory over an in-form Preston outfit that hadn't suffered a league defeat in 2017 was Fulham's fourth home straight league win and represented the first time that the Whites had put together such a home run since April 2011. Whats more impressive than the mere figures is the manner of the victories – two of those wins were gutsy, scrappy results when Jokanovic's side were well below their best [against Wigan Athletic and Nottingham Forest], whilst some of the football that swept aside Simon Grayson's side on Saturday was simply sublime.

When Fulham's ball-players are at their best, there is an effortless effervescence about their football that hasn't been down by the banks of the Thames since the days of Jean Tigana. The change in the footballing philosophy since Jokanovic had a first full transfer window in charge has been remarkable – the way both Tim Ream and Tomas Kalas strode purposefully over the halfway line yesterday demonstrated the confidence that is now percolating through this time – and the addition of Stefan Johansen's energy to compliment the class of Tom Cairney has been crucial.

Preston's assistant manager Glynn Snodin was the latest opposition figure to pay tribute to Fulham's flawless football after his side had been put to the sword:

    I thought for 90 minutes they were fantastic. How they play, the players they have and the budget they have got you know what to expect. They were on their 'A' game and today we needed a little bit of luck where your shots go in and where Maxi puts in a ten out of ten performance, but unfortunately that wasn't the case.

Some of the movement down Fulham's left, with the rampaging teenager Ryan Sessegnon making the most of his recall to the side, was a joy to behold. Even a regular right back would have struggled up against the skill and trickery of Sone Aluko never mind Neeskens Kebano's industrious running so it seemed as though poor old Greg Cunningham appeared to paying for sins committed in a previous life by being thrown in on the wrong side of the defence. Kebano had already produced a perfect cross for Aluko to fire in Fulham's first, but the Congolese winger's boundless energy made him a constant threat and he fully merited another goal, which came from the tightest of angles after he had left two North End defenders trailing in his wake.

Not to outdone, Ryan Fredericks surged forward down the right in his usual rumbustious fashion. The full-back's direct running has also been a feature of his football since he burst onto the scene two seasons ago, but he showed both intelligence and an eye for a pass when he cut inside to devastating effect to lay on Fulham's vital second for Chris Martin. Fredericks changed his running line, taking advantage of Preston's back four expecting him to head on the outside, to surge through the centre before producing a peach of a ball to pick out an unattended Martin, who gave Maxwell the eyes, and tucked home his tenth goal of the season with the modicum of fuss.

Fulham being Fulham, there was still time for a significant wobble, sparked by Grayson's introduction of January transfer window target Callum Robinson and a finely taken goal from fellow substitute Tom Barkhuizen, but what was encouraging was the way Jokanovic's side resolved not to sit on a two-goal lead. In this regard, Cairney's leadership was crucial. The midfielder is not natural leader in the traditional mould of English football captains, preferring to let his football to do the talking rather than bawl out his team-mates – but recognising the need for his side to play the game in Preston's half, he pointed his colleagues forward and made a significant number of surging runs from deep to keep the pressure on the visitors.

More than twenty thousand fans packed into the Cottage to see Fulham's latest success – and there is a real belief fizzing through this football club. Tuesday's visit of Leeds, who looked imperious at times on Friday night against Birmingham City, will represent the sternest examination of Fulham's Cottage comforts, but there's no doubt Jokanovic's side are now a significant threat to the teams directly above them as the season enters its business end.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/03/cottage-comforts-power-fulhams-promotion-push/