Sunday Supplement - 12/03/17

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John Pemberton: Bristol City assistant head coach sacked by Championship club


John Pemberton (right) has assisted Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson

Championship strugglers Bristol City have sacked assistant head coach John Pemberton.

The 52-year-old ex-Sheffield United and Leeds defender arrived in May 2013.

He took interim charge after former bosses Sean O'Driscoll and Steve Cotterill both departed, and had been working under current head coach Lee Johnson since February 2016.

Head of scouting Des Taylor has also left, with U23 coach Jamie McAllister promoted to the first-team setup.

Taylor, who only arrived in April 2016, and Pemberton leave with the club in 22nd following one win from 16 league games.

In November, Dean Holden was named as assistant head coach to work alongside Pemberton.

Since then, the Robins endured a new club record run of eight consecutive league losses, prompting owner Steve Lansdown to declare his "full support" for Johnson.

Analysis
BBC Radio Bristol sports editor Richard Hoskin

"Speculation that John Pemberton was leaving Ashton Gate had been doing the rounds in the city for the past 24 hours, and the general feeling is that fans are sad to see him go.

"He's been at the club since 2013, assisting Steve Cotterill during a hugely successful promotion campaign in 2015. And, when Cotterill left the club, Pemberton won many admirers for the way he steadied the ship while they searched for his replacement.

"This won't help lift the mood of supporters, who have watched their side win only two of their past 21 league matches ahead of the Norwich match.

"Bristol City's Championship status is in severe jeopardy, and 'bad news' stories like this can't help the cause."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39193960

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Cardiff City: Bluebirds announce £9.469m loss for 2015-16

Cardiff City are owned by Malaysian businessman Vincent Tan

Cardiff City Football Club lost nearly £9.5m in the year ending May 2016, compared to a £3.81m profit in 2015, according to the club's accounts.

Gate receipts, broadcasting, sponsorship, advertising and commercial income together went down from just over £37m to just over £31m.

Players' wages and salaries were reduced from £30.8 million to £25.4m.

The accounts show a loss of £9.469m, but a club statement indicated investment would continue.

"Our aim remains to attain promotion back to the Premiership at the earliest possible time," Cardiff's chief executive, Ken Choo, said.

A club statement added: "While their funding is not guaranteed, the investors have indicated that, providing the business develops as planned, they will continue to support the company in the foreseeable future and provide additional finance in order that it can settle its liabilities."

The latest accounts also indicate the club "paid exceptional costs of £2.2 million relating to the change of football and senior management, including termination costs together with payments to other football clubs in compensation for the release of employee's contracts."

Cardiff replaced manager Russell Slade with Paul Trollope in May 2016, before sacking Trollope and appointing Neil Warnock in October.

The Championship club will also face a payment of £1.75m to holders of "unsecured redeemable loan stock" if they are promoted to the Premier League, but "all other debts to this concern have been settled".

Next season will be the fourth and final campaign in which Cardiff will receive parachute payments, the sum of money allocated to clubs following relegation from the Premier League.

Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan has said he would be willing to sell the club for the right price.

No need for 'alarm'
Cardiff City Supporters Trust chairman Keith Morgan - a chartered accountant by trade - says fans should not be "alarmed" at the loss.

But he says the Bluebirds' financial situation underlines why there is "hard work" ahead for club chiefs to provide the means for manager Warnock to launch a 2017-18 promotion push.

"I think Neil Warnock has already made reference to the fact that he may have to sell players to free up cash and have a wage budget to bring in the players that he wants, that he feels with strengthen the squad," Morgan said.

"I wouldn't be at all shocked in the summer to see some fringe squad players or possibly one or more first team regulars depart the club to refresh the squad, as it were."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39191557

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Brentford: Championship club allowed to retain Griffin Park terracing

Brentford plan to move from Griffin Park in 2019

Brentford are to retain terracing at Griffin Park for the 2017-18 season after being given a dispensation by the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA).

Clubs promoted to the Championship are given a three-year period to convert terracing to all-seater arenas.

Brentford returned to the second tier in 2014, and were due for alterations.

The club said in view of its planned ground move, and good safety record, the SGSA said it could retain the Ealing Road and Brook Road terraces.

Brentford chief executive Mark Devlin said the introduction of seats would have reduced the stadium capacity by approximately 1,600.

"This is hugely positive news as this would have had a significantly damaging impact on our revenues and ability to grow our fanbase," he added.

Brentford have planning permission to build a new 20,000-capacity ground at nearby Lionel Road and hope to move in by the start of the 2019-20 season.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39193709

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Nicklas Bendtner: Nottingham Forest striker joins Rosenborg

Nicklas Bendtner scored his first goal for Forest against Fulham in September

Nottingham Forest striker Nicklas Bendtner has joined Norwegian champions Rosenborg for an undisclosed fee.

The 29-year-old Denmark international signed a two-year deal with the Championship club in September, but only made seven league starts.

The former Arsenal player scored two goals in 17 appearances in total.

He had fallen out of favour in recent weeks, with forwards Britt Assombalonga, Zach Clough and teenager Ben Brereton all starting ahead of him.

The transfer window is open until 31 March in Norway, with their season starting in April.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39187401

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Aston Villa: What next for one of England's fallen giants?

Martin O'Neill led Aston Villa to three top-six finishes, Remi Garde played a major role in their relegation and Steve Bruce has been tasked with reviving their fortunes

When Aston Villa were relegated from the Premier League in April 2016, caretaker manager Eric Black spoke of the potential for the club to fall into "anarchy".

In an attempt to halt the decline, Villa's spending in 2016-17 has exceeded £70m - more than the total paid on transfers by nine top-flight clubs - and they appointed a manager, Steve Bruce, who has won promotion from the Championship four times.

With Bruce in charge and the most expensively assembled squad in Championship history at his disposal, Villa ought to be targeting an instant return to the Premier League.

Instead, back-to-back wins over Derby on Saturday and Bristol City on Tuesday - their first of 2017 - were required to lift them to the relative heights of 15th. They remain closer to the relegation zone than the play-offs, but fears they could be involved in a relegation battle have eased, for the time being at least.

Their prospects look brighter now but a rare good week on the pitch has not been mirrored off it, as the club announced on Monday a loss of £81m for the past financial year (2015-16), more than three times the deficit from their previous accounts.

For a club whose trophy cabinet boasts a European Cup, seven top-flight titles and seven FA Cups, these are dark days.

How drastic has their decline been?
When Martin O'Neill walked out five days before the start of the 2010-11 season, he left having secured top-six finishes in each of the three previous campaigns.

Villa were preparing for a third consecutive year of European football and ought to have been looking up, focusing on how best to mount a challenge for the Champions League places.

But since O'Neill's departure - reports suggested he was unhappy at the lack of funds made available for transfers by then owner Randy Lerner - their decline has been dramatic.

In the six and a half years that have followed, Villa have collected about half the number of points amassed by Manchester City (262 compared with 521), the team that finished just one place above them in O'Neill's final season.

And they have won 197 points fewer than Tottenham, the "worst" performing side from that year's top six.

"Villa are one of the biggest clubs in the country - if it were down to size they would be in the top six in the Premier League," said Dean Saunders, who played for Villa from 1992-95 and helped them finish second in 1992-93.

"That's what their fans expect, and that is what I would expect from them too. When you think of Villa, with their magnificent support, you should be thinking of a team full of top international players that everyone knows about, pushing for trophies. They are a million miles away from that at the moment."

'They could have done a Spurs, instead they've done a Sunderland'

For Saunders, watching the club's slide has made for painful viewing. Their relegation in April with four games remaining - the earliest a team had dropped out of the top flight since Portsmouth in 2010 - was merely the culmination of years of under-investment during Lerner's time at the helm.

"The reason they aren't where they once were is there has been a lack of investment in the years since O'Neill left in 2010," he said. "It makes me sad seeing what has happened to them. I feel sorry for their fans, but it was coming.

"You can go back to the departure of players like Gareth Barry (2009), James Milner (2010) and Ashley Young (2011).

"They never replaced them, or even tried to. Until this season they tried to do things on the cheap and that lack of investment is why they have not stayed with the big-hitters - the big teams, which they are one of.

"Villa are bigger than Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and Everton.

"Compare them to Tottenham, who were trying to break into the Champions League at the same time as O'Neill was in charge, or Everton, who are trying to do it now - there is no difference in the size of those clubs. Villa are actually bigger than both of them.

"The difference is the way they have been run. That is the reason Villa have gone in the opposite direction.

"So instead of doing a Spurs, they have done a Sunderland - they were hanging on and just avoiding relegation for the past four or five years, but it was inevitable it was going to happen."

And so it proved.

Their dire form and off-field issues at the end of last season led Black, standing in following the disastrous reign of Remi Garde, to say that the club "could very easily implode".

The downward spiral was supposed to end in the summer when Dr Tony Xia took over from Lerner as owner and, following the short-lived tenure of Roberto di Matteo, appointed Bruce as manager, the surest thing there is to a guarantee of promotion from the Championship.

Wasn't Bruce the man to finally end the decline?
Despite a poor start to the season and the departure of Di Matteo after 124 days and just 11 league games, Villa were still sixth favourites for promotion with the bookmakers when Bruce was appointed on 14 October.

They might have been languishing in 19th place in the Championship, but that optimism came from Bruce's record of securing two promotions to the top flight with Birmingham, and two with Hull.

"They're one of the big clubs in this country," said Bruce, who became the sixth man in 12 months to pick the Villa team.

"I relish the challenge of trying to take the club where it wants to go and needs to be - and to try to turn around the misfortune we seem to have had over the past few years."

Unlike when Alex McLeish - another former Birmingham City manager - took over across the city just five years earlier, there was little opposition to his appointment among the club's supporters.

Bruce initially justified that faith, with seven wins from his first 12 games in charge - and only two defeats.

Since then - and despite still boasting the best win percentage of any Villa boss since O'Neill - the magic seems to have worn off.

Following the 2-1 home win over Burton Albion on Boxing Day, Villa have played 12 games, won twice (their past two matches), drawn at home to Leeds and Preston and lost the other eight.

Saunders, though, is convinced Villa have the right man in charge.

"I couldn't have picked a better manager than Steve Bruce to turn things around," said Saunders, who played under the former Manchester United defender when he was in charge at Sheffield United.

"I have managed in the Championship and it is not so much Premier League players you need, you need players who, mentally, can go to the likes of Rotherham or Burton on a Tuesday night and show the correct attitude and respect to those teams.

"It is extra hard for a team like Villa because when they play at home the crowd are waiting for a four-niller, when it does not happen like that.

"Mentally it is a war, week-in, week-out. A lot of the time these games are more like an actual battle than a football match, so you need players who can fight.

"Sometimes you have to clear the decks and start again before you can really turn things around, but that can take a couple of years. The one thing Villa need now is stability."

Villa have spent big - so why has it not worked?

Aston Villa were involved in three of the five most expensive Championship arrivals this season, with Helder Costa's £13m move to Wolves and Newcastle's £12m deal for Matt Ritchie the other two

Along with Newcastle, Villa were considered strong favourites for this season's Championship title and, unlike in some previous Premier League seasons, they have backed their managers financially.

Much of the money spent first by Di Matteo and more recently by Bruce has been used to try to improve their strikeforce, with about £24m spent bringing Bristol City's Jonathan Kodjia and Fulham's Ross McCormack to the club in the summer, while Brentford striker Scott Hogan arrived in January for a fee which could rise to £12m.

But as early as January, three of their summer signings had left the club, as McCormack (£12m) and Aaron Tshibola (£5m) joined Nottingham Forest on loan until the end of the season, while goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini (£4m) moved to Atalanta on an 18-month loan deal.

In the past two transfer windows about £40m has been recouped in player sales.

"I think in hindsight you could argue this was always going to be a tough season given the issues the club had the previous year," said Matt Lynch, presenter of YouTube channel The Villa View.

"We needed time to restructure even the basics at Villa Park and perhaps attempting to do it over one summer was too much. I think we do have to look at people in charge of the summer recruitment though, like Roberto di Matteo. The strategy didn't pay off."

Bruce was not helped by the loss of top scorer Kodjia for a month to the Africa Cup of Nations. Nor could he have foreseen the gate-related problems that would contribute to McCormack leaving the club.

Hogan, the newest big-money arrival, failed to score in four appearances before injuring an ankle against Newcastle on 20 February, which will keep him out for up to five weeks.

Though Kodjia has arguably justified his transfer fee with 12 goals in 26 league games, Villa's big spending has not consistently translated into goals, as they have the third worst scoring record in the division.

Nottingham Forest's Henri Lansbury and Barnsley's Conor Hourihane, who leads the Championship with 11 assists, were signed in January to add creativity to the midfield, but they have provided just one assist and one goal since moving to Villa Park.

"The churn of managers has led to chronic instability and uncertainty among the players," said BBC Radio 5 live's Midlands football reporter Pat Murphy. "An average of eight new signings per season since 2010 doesn't lead to a coherent strategy.

"Villa have brought in 16 new players in the past two transfer windows, 10 of whom started their recent match against Newcastle. It's hard to expect them to bed in easily and now that the inevitable Bruce bounce of the autumn has worn off, justified questions are being asked of the players' character."

So is there any hope of an imminent Villa revival?

Henri Lansbury helped Aston Villa to their first win of 2017 on Saturday, when they beat promotion hopefuls Derby 1-0

The fear for any Premier League club relegated to the Championship is that they suffer the kind of fate that befell Leeds, whose financial and ownership issues have been a constant narrative throughout their 13 years outside the top flight.

As one anguished caller to BBC WM 95.6 said on a pre-match phone-in two weeks ago: "If even Steve Bruce can't put it right, I can't imagine who can."

So is Villa's decline irreversible? Or could they yet re-establish themselves as the force they were during the 1990s?

"I can see green shoots of optimism, believe it or not," said Murphy. "For years Villa have needed a director of football to organise a uniform style of play and to finesse recruitment worldwide. They have the right man now in Steve Round - vastly experienced, but he's only been there for five months.

"Keith Wyness is an old pro of a chief executive. He also deals directly with the fizzing ideas and energy of Dr Xia, who is very hands-on, no matter where he finds himself in the world.

"His contributions on Twitter are always welcome, albeit sometimes gnomic. Dr Xia is a laudable contrast to the lethargic leadership of Lerner in his last few years at Villa Park, where a state of permanent executive stasis existed.

"Then there's Bruce. He needs a couple more transfer windows to clear up the mess that's accumulated down the years. You don't get to be Manchester United's captain for five years under the demanding Sir Alex Ferguson without understanding and embracing pressure. Bruce should be judged at Villa this time next year."

Saunders takes solace in the presence of Round and Bruce, but is wary of the problems a long Premier League absence can cause.

"It is vital that they get up next season, before a gap opens up," said the former Wales striker. "Every season you spend in the top flight is worth £100m thanks to TV money, so every season a team like Swansea or Burnley stay up, they are going further away from Villa.

"It is so hard to get out of that division but Villa will get back up there because of the supporters who keep turning up and keep the money coming through the gate.

"They will be back - it is just a question of when."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39015629

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Derby fan Ed Wood breaks world record time for visiting every league ground

From Bournemouth to Newcastle, Berwick to Plymouth - Ed Wood has set a new Guinness World Record of 189 days to complete the 93 grounds

Completing 'the 93' is something that often takes even the most die-hard of fans years to complete.

But one supporter has managed to visit every Football League stadium in England in just over six months.

On Saturday - 22,000 miles and 189 days later - Derby County fan Ed Wood reached his final ground, League One Rochdale's Crown Oil Arena.

You would have thought the previous Guinness World Record - which includes all 92 English Football League grounds plus Berwick Rangers [who were on the itinerary when the original world record was set in 1969] - of 237 days would be hard to beat.

But Ed shaved 48 days off the last mark. So was it simply luck, or skill?

"It takes a lot of planning," said the 51-year-old, who lives in Leeds. "I did a practice run in 2015-16. I looked at the fixtures, and tried to understand how and why they move.

"Very few League One and League Two matches get moved, so you know these will take place on a Saturday and Tuesday.

"The rest fit around this, with television changes and fixture rearrangements. The games on TV, I usually know I'm going to.

"There's been some luck. Newport v Barnet was played on a Tuesday night following a previous postponement with no other games on that night, and my final match [Rochdale v Charlton] was rescheduled thanks to the FA Cup."

The Guinness World Records had strict guidelines for Ed to prove he had made history

'I wanted to break the cycle'

Wood has held the record before in the 1991-92 season, but said he was inspired to try to reclaim it.

"The biggest reason to do this again was my dad dying in 2014," he said. "I didn't just want to work, retire and die. I was working hard and just wanted to break the cycle. Wake up, work hard, and bed - that was my routine.

"I felt I could get more out of it this time. It would be a new experience and would re-energise me.

"I was given challenges by some friends, including: going to a match with someone who has the same name, having a selfie with a chairman, and getting into the changing rooms - I didn't get them all done but it made it fun."

Tour highlights
As you would expect, there have been many memories created on the tour, but from grounds to fans, which ones stood out for Ed?

The best match

"Watching Spurs beat Chelsea 2-0 at White Hart Lane," he said.

"I was given a season ticket by a man called Colin Thurlbourn, who I have never met even to this day. Colin Thurlbourn found me on Twitter, his dad had prostate cancer [the charity Wood has collected at least £5,500 for on his tour] and arranged for it all to be sorted."

"The two fans I sat with were really good fun" - Ed managed to get to White Hart Lane through a fan he's never met... even to this day

Another highlight for Ed was watching Berwick Rangers draw 1-1 with Cowdenbeath in November.

"Two Berwick players were sent off, one missed penalty, a 21-man brawl and only 454 spectators there to see it, 50 of whom were attending a hen party - they weren't too concerned with the football," he joked.

The best ground

"As a Derby fan, I am inclined to say visiting Pride Park on the night of our 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest was one of the best nights," he said.

"I love a quirky ground and Newport's Rodney Parade is definitely that. They let me sell programmes and put on the mascot's outfit - something I instantly regretted."

Clubs such as Newport and Wycombe (seen here with Ed holding the match ball) helped create a greater experience. Wood said the latter was the 'friendliest club'.

Best home fans

"I'll give that one to Sheffield Wednesday. Spurs was good but I wasn't expecting the same at Hillsborough. It felt like there was singing from all sides."

"Singing from all sides"- Hillsborough was rocking when Ed watched Sheffield Wednesday beat Preston 2-1

Best away fans

"Easy. Newcastle (at the DW Stadium). They sang all the way through the game. It was arranged for me to do a collection in the home and away bars at Wigan, and once the Newcastle fans heard my speech they kept chanting my name."

Best ground-hopping

On four occasions, Wood watched two games on the same day, but nearly came unstuck when a lunchtime kick-off at Mansfield gave him little time to travel the 17 miles to Notts County.

"A man called Dean Riley helped me massively. Mansfield's match finished at 14:05 and he was waiting outside on a motorbike. Thankfully he'd done two dummy runs because he really wanted to help me out.

"There were speed cameras, traffic congestion and traffic lights everywhere. The rule is you have to watch 90 minutes of football at each ground, you can't turn up late. I got there with 10 minutes to spare."

They think it's all over...

Well, it is now. And Ed is thankful for the memories it has created.

Ed Wood completed the 93 at Rochdale

"People have made a fuss of me as this has gone on. It's gone from swearing on the pitch in front of the fans at Oldham as a sprinkler soaked me, to meeting two people who held the record in 1968-69. It's been a great achievement," he added.

Doug Male from the Guinness World Records said it was an "incredible achievement by Ed".

"The logistical challenge of assessing the fixture list and calculating appropriate routes that encompass all 93 stadiums should not to be underestimated," he added. "Taking time out from his normal life to pursue his goal shows astounding commitment to making history."

But could it be done again? Could it be done quicker?

"We always like to hope that our records are breakable," said Male. "Ed faced some trouble along the way with postponements and rescheduling. If someone with a similar analytical mind comes along, they could find a fresh approach that could gift them the record.

"On top of that, if a few cup draws go your way, you could shave a few days off here and there."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38985726

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Everton the latest Premier League club to wade into transfer scrap over Fulham whizkid Ryan Sessegnon
Director of football Steve Walsh was at Craven Cottage on Saturday to see the 16-year-old left-back shine against Preston


Sessegnon's performances for Fulham at age 16 have him on transfer radars across Europe (Photo: Reuters)

Everton have joined the race for Fulham's brilliant young left-back Ryan Sessegnon.

Steve Walsh, the Toffees' new director of football, was at Craven Cottage last Saturday to run the rule over the 16 year-old Championship defender — and Sessegnon was again outstanding in a 3-1 win over Preston.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman has been drawing up his plans to revitalise his squad with the kind of players he believes can make the Goodison club into one that can challenge for Champions League qualification.

Sessegnon will fit that bill - if Everton can prise him out of Craven Cottage ahead of a string of rival suitors.

Last month, before Fulham's FA Cup tie against Tottenham, their skipper Tom Cairney heaped praise on his teen team-mate.

He said: "His mentality is ridiculous. It does not make sense.

"Earlier in the season at Leeds I thought, 'I don't know how he is handling it all!'

"He is 16, not even nearly 17, has just done his GCSEs and is playing like he has played 100 games. It does not make sense. He is so fit, has scored four goals — ridiculous from left-back, really.

"It's amazing. I don't really understand.

"His game understanding for his age is something I have never seen before. Fulham have got a huge prospect on their hands."



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/everton-latest-premier-league-club-9984620

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Scouting Report: Chelsea face important decision over Fulham loan star Tomas Kalas' future

TOMAS KALAS is too good for the Championship.


Chelsea loanee Tomas Kalas has impressed for Fulham


The Chelsea defender has cut an impressive figure in defence for Fulham since joining on loan last summer.

Quite simply, Slavisa Jokanovic's side have a much better record with Kalas in the starting line-up than without him.

Kalas, who has represented the Czech Republic at international level, is out of contract at his parent club next year.

A permanent move to Craven Cottage makes perfect sense for Fulham but their hopes could hinge on whether they win promotion to the Premier League.

Kalas is open to joining Fulham on a full-time basis but previously admitted a decision was not imminent.

"If I get the offer, I might consider something," he said last month.

"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."


Fulham are a much better team when Tomas Kalas is fit

Chelsea's loan model suggests that Fulham would have to stump up a hefty fee to secure Kalas.

You only have to look at the prices the likes of Patrick Bamford have fetched to see that their approach is profitable.

While a competitive price would appear a no-brainer for Jokanovic, Kalas' injury record this season could worry Fulham's stats guru and new director of football operations Tony Khan.

The 23-year-old could, potentially, even be offered a contract extension before another temporary move to a club competing at a higher level than the Championship.

Antonio Conte was spotted at Craven Cottage to watch Kalas during Fulham's FA Cup defeat against Tottenham in the fifth round.

With John Terry set to leave in the summer and Conte actively looking for new defenders, Kalas could find himself in favour at Stamford Bridge.

The Chelsea boss has an important decision to make.


http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/594528/Chelsea-Fulham-Tomas-Kalas-Future-Gossip

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Cairney's magic moment shows Fulham have found their bottle
by Dan on March 8, 2017

There was a moment earlier in the season – probably around the time when Fulham fluffed so many chances in that incredible home defeat by QPR – that the fans began to question whether the Whites had enough bottle to last the pace in the Championship. Slavisa Jokanovic had packed his new-look side with a whole host of easy-on-the eye ball players, but their failure to turn possession into victories and an absence of both experience and leadership suggested that a promotion push might be beyond them.

Tom Cairney, although clearly one of the club's most gifted footballers, has always had a couple of question marks about him. One surrounds the fact that his right foot seems to be solely for standing on – something he disarmingly admits himself – and the other is that he isn't necessarily the same player in a losing side that he is when things are going well. Jokanovic himself put it nicely after Cairney's victory in the Championship player of the year category at last week's London Football Awards:

    He's improved and grown up with us and this Fulham team have grown up with him too – he helped myself and my staff to develop this style we play football with.

Cairney has clearly thrived on the leadership role he has assumed from Scott Parker over the course of the season and, although he is not the archetypal English captain full of shouted commands and waving his arms about, the classy midfielder has began to lead by example. In the last three home games, he has advanced into more forward positions of his own accord as the opposition has began to assert themselves and, last night in the dying embers of an absorbing encounter with play-off rivals Leeds, Cairney took it upon himself to change the course of the evening.

Never mind that Fulham were behind to the sort of freakish own goal that can knock the stuffing out of you or the fact that Neeskens Kebano's perfectly good goal was ruled not to have crossed the line by the officials. Forget too about the pressure that a defeat to Garry Monk's side would have ended Fulham's fine recent run and perhaps fatally shrunken their path towards the play-offs. Cairney, who had been shackled effectively by his boyhood club all evening, saved his customary goal against Leeds for the last possible moment – a sumptuous curler from distance of precisely the quality necessary to beat Rob Green after he had been inexplicably allowed to cut inside on his left foot.

That patch of grass outside the right angle of the penalty area at the Hammersmith End has delivered some memorable moments in recent years. It was from there that Chris David unleashed an unstoppable shot to ensure Fulham didn't leave the top flight defeated by Crystal Palace three years ago and Cairney's own dramatic intervention was from around the same spot that Clint Dempsey unforgettably chipped Fulham to that incredible victory over Juventus back in 2010.

The delirious celebrations were perhaps some of the most frenzied at the famous old ground since the night the Old Lady was brought so staggeringly to her knees. Cairney's delight was to be expected but to see Ryan Sessegnon and Ryan Fredericks clambering on top of the goalscorer in joyous exaltation showed just how much the rescued point meant to a Fulham side who might just be believing they can extend their season by a couple of weeks. Certainly Jokanovic has instilled a never-say-die attitude into a team that would have rolled over only eight months ago and this was typified by another tempo-altering cameo from Parker, who galvanised Fulham for one last push when he came off the bench.

The season still has plenty of chapters to be written yet. The tantalising nature of some of Fulham's fixtures, starting on Saturday at Newcastle but also including trips to Huddersfield, Derby and Norwich, means that it might still all be up for grabs when the Whites head to Hillsborough for a final day showdown with Sheffield Wednesday. Fulham are no longer a fair weather football time – they are schooled in the special Serbian art of street fighting and can't be counted out any longer.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/03/cairneys-magic-moment-shows-fulham-have-found-their-bottle/

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Everton and Tottenham set to go head-to-head for Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon
Everton director of football Steve Walsh has scouted the left-back.

Everton and Tottenham are poised to battle it out for the signature of Fulham wunderkind Ryan Sessegnon. The 16-year-old left-back has been a revelation for Slavisa Jokanovic's men this season and has delivered some outstanding performances for the Championship outfit as they attempt to make the play-offs.

Everton's director of football Steve Walsh attended Fulham's 3-1 victory over Preston North End on the weekend, according to The Mirror, and watched Sessegnon put in another impressive performance at Craven Cottage.

The Everton hierarchy are keen on luring some of the best young British talent to Goodison Park this summer, but they will face competition for Sessegnon, who has recently taken his GCSEs, from Tottenham. The Daily Mail claims that Mauricio Pochettino's men are confident of beating the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal to the signing of the starlet, who was recently branded 'amazing' by his Fulham teammate Tom Cairney.

"His mentality is ridiculous. It does not make sense," Cairney said. "Earlier in the season at Leeds I thought, 'I don't know how he is handling it all!' His game understanding for his age is something I have never seen before. Fulham have got a huge prospect on their hands."

Sessegnon has not yet signed a professional contract with Fulham and will not be able to do so until he turns 17 in May. The Cottagers have told their young prodigy that he can make his own mind up about his future but would unsurprisingly like him to stay in west London and can promise him regular first-team football, something that may not be on offer at Everton or Tottenham.


Sessegnon does not turn 17 until May.Getty Images

In Danny Rose, Tottenham have arguably the best left-back in the Premier League, while Ben Davies is a more than able deputy in reserve and is close to signing a new deal at White Hart Lane.

Everton have the excellent Leighton Baines currently occupying Sessegnon's position, but the 32-year-old has little competition for his place on Merseyside and could hypothetically act as a mentor for the coveted teenager, who has made 21 appearances for Fulham this season.



http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/everton-tottenham-set-go-head-head-fulham-starlet-ryan-sessegnon-1610472

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Top 5 moments where American footballers have set the Premier League alive

With the Premier League increasingly becoming a global brand, it's little surprise to see a growing number of American players make waves in the division after crossing the pond to play in it. Rather excitingly indeed, with football on the rise stateside, we're likely to see more of a crossover of USMT stars landing on these shores.

Indeed, any one who does will find himself in some rather esteemed company. American stars have a strong presence throughout Premier League history. Since John Harkes became the first American player to play in the division with Sheffield Wednesday back in the early 90s, there have been a number of top class players to follow suit.

Visit Britain are looking to find the biggest Super Football Fan in the world, people to watch the USMNT stars strut the stuff in the Premier League over the years. While you weigh up whether or not you think you have what it takes, here's a closer look at some of the stars we've been talking about.

Clint Dempsey vs Sunderland

One of the most prolific American players to have starred in the Premier League, former Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Clint Dempsey will be fondly remembered for his time in both west and north London.

Able to operate either in midfield or attack, the Seattle Sounders man scored 57 goals during his time here, including this fine effort against Sunderland.

Joe Max-Moore lights up Liverpool

Back in the late 1990s, Everton took New England Revolution forward Joe Max-Moore to England on a trail and he impressed so much, the Toffees made his move across the Atlantic a permanent affair.

While injury may have hampered his time on these shores, no one will be in any rush to forget the fact he managed to score FIVE goals in his first FIVE appearances for the Goodison Park club. Few will have had better starts to life in the Premier League.

Brian McBride – a London legend

Though there have been more prolific strikers in the Premier League, former Everton and Fulham striker Brian McBride is one of the most loved cult-heroes who've made a move across the pond. This goal against Manchester United is a career highlight, though his time at Craven Cottage is still talked about to this day.

His hard-working approach to the centre-forward role has seen Fulham name a bar after him outside the ground, while he was also asked to chime in on a managerial appointment for the club back in 2014.

Carlos Bocanegra breaks Blues hearts

Continuing in the Fulham trend, defender Carlos Bocanegra had spells with the Cottagers, as well north of the border with Rangers, and proved a popular figure with those in west London. Perhaps his best moment came against bitter rivals Chelsea, where his last minute equaliser ensured their noisier neighbours didn't take home all the bragging rights.

Tim Howard defies physics

The Premier League is littered with great 'keepers, with Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel joining Tim Howard as legendary figures between the sticks. Former Everton and Manchester United stopper Howard gave around 10 years of service to the Premier League, with few better saves than this one over his decade here.


http://www.footballfancast.com/football-virals/top-5-moments-where-american-footballers-have-set-the-premier-league-alive

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Fulham star Lucas Piazon set to return to squad ahead of schedule after jaw injury
The Brazilian fractured his jaw against Cardiff but has been given some good news after seeing a specialist on Thursday

Lucas Piazon is set to return to the Fulham squad ahead of schedule after the Chelsea loanee saw a specialist regarding his jaw injury today.

The Brazilian has been out injured since the start of the month when he fractured his jaw as a result of a challenge on Cardiff City's Kadeem Harris during the 2-2 draw in South Wales.

Initially, Piazon was meant to be out for six weeks but after seeing a specialist, he will return to fitness training on Monday before being able to return to full training with the squad in two-three weeks.

Speaking about Piazon, his manager, Slavisa Jokanovic today said: "He is a big loss for us, Piazon was very important but it is part of football and we expect he can be available for some of the final games in the Championship, or if we push ourselves into the top six he will be ready for the play-offs."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-star-lucas-piazon-set-12718926

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Danny Murphy delivers verdict on Fulham's play-off chances

The former Fulham midfielder hopes his old side can break into the Championship's top six.

Former Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy

Former Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy has delivered his verdict on his old side's play-off chances.

The Cottagers are the best-positioned of the Championship's chasing pack, sitting five points behind sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday and four above eighth-placed Norwich City, with a game in hand.

Slavisa Jokanovic's men are also one of the division's form sides, having won four of their last six league matches.

And when asked if the west London side, with whom Murphy reached the 2010 Uefa Cup final, will break into the top six this season, the 39-year-old told Talksport: "I've got a feeling they might, yeah. They play really good football and they play quite high-risk. What I mean by that is they have a good go - throw men forward, play good football and try and win games, which the fans are really enjoying.

"There's a better vibe down there now that's for sure. I'm hearing some really positive stuff. Some good young players.

However, it's not only Murphy whose attention Fulham's brand of football has captured this season, with the former England man adding: "Actually the biggest compliment I can give them is a couple of friends of mine who've played against them for other Championship sides have said: '(exhales) they're a good side.' So I really hope so and I think they might just do it."

Fulham's fate will likely be decided by how well they fare against top-six sides Newcastle United, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday, who welcome the Cottagers to Hillsborough on the season's final day.

Tom Cairney strike helped Fulham to a draw against Leeds United on Tuesday

Play-off outsiders Derby County, Norwich City and Aston Villa are also yet to face Fulham for a second time this campaign.


http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/03/09/danny-murphy-delivers-verdict-on-fulhams-play-off-chances/

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Why didn't it work out? These 2 players have really thrived since leaving Fulham

Fulham are definitely surpassing all expectations of their season so far with the club challenging for a play-off finish, although they do have to make up a six point difference between themselves and Sheffield Wednesday at the very least.

The Cottagers have completed numerous transfer negotiations over the last 12 months to enhance their performances on the pitch, both incomings and outgoings, and not many fans can complain of the result as the former Europa League finalists strive for a return to Premier League.

If they fail to finish inside the top six then they certainly can't blame the manager or certain individuals in the first-team, after all it is some of the recent signings that have taken Fulham from Championship uncertainty to almost challenging their promotion rivals.

Although there are some mistakes that any club will make and that can be who they decide to let go.

Here are TWO players who have thrived after leaving Fulham....

Konstantinos Mitroglou
It might feel a while since Konstantinos Mitroglou last made a competitive appearance for the west London outfit, in fact his final appearance for Fulham came three years ago, but the Greece international only departed Craven Cottage last summer.

The 28-year-old initially joined the then Premier League side for a fee of £12 million but played in less than ten matches for the club before leaving on loan, and eventually permanently in August.
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Mitroglou has shone for Benfica in the Portuguese top division, becoming their first choice striker and his 13 league goals has helped guide his team to a current first position.

It is fair to say that the forward has thrived in the Mediterranean and probably will never leave, in the near future anyway.

Adam Taggart
The Australian attacker enjoyed two years at Fulham before calling it quits, and switching England for down under when he put pen-to-paper on a deal at Perth Glory in Australia.

Adam Taggart had previously began his career at his current employee before signing on at Newcastle Jets, and eventually moving to Craven Cottage.

Injuries didn't help the 23 year-old's time in this country but was still not given a run of games which resulted in Taggart considering his future, subsequently moving back to his former club.

He has now bagged 11 goals in 17 appearances for Perth and doesn't look like he'll be returning to Europe anytime soon.

That form has ensured his current time on the other side of the world has been thriving.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/why-didnt-it-work-out-these-2-players-have-really-thrived-since-leaving-fulham/

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Fulham boss misses out on Manager of the Month award - but is it a blessing in disguise?
Slavisa Jokanovic lost out to Huddersfield Town gaffer David Wagner, but has he also missed out on the curse that goes hand-in-hand with the award?

Slavisa Jokanovic has missed out on February's manager of the month award after the judging panel awarded Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner the accolade, but is it a blessing in disguise?

We all know about the so-called curse associated with this award, the one where the side whose manager wins it struggles the following month and plummets down the league quicker than a rock in water.

Wagner was awarded the gong for his Huddersfield side picking up 16 points from five games, including three home wins against promotion rivals Brighton, Reading and Leeds and the curse could already be having an affect on his side after they were beaten comfortably by Newcastle at start of March.

Tom Cairney has already said what a pivotal month March is going to be for Fulham - they play their game in hand next Tuesday against Blackburn in what is essentially a must-win game for the Cottagers, while a trip to Newcastle tomorrow and a home tie against Wolves complete the month.

It would've been nice for Jokanovic to have won the award and to be rewarded for what was a stunning February, where Fulham picked up 13 points from six games to climb to seventh, but maybe from a superstitious point of view it's better that he didn't win so the curse couldn't have an impact on his side's run to the play-off?



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-misses-out-manager-12714754

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Everton watched Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon - but have more interest in twin brother Steven
Exclusive: Blues keeping an eye on both of the Sessesgnon brothers


Fulham's Steven (left) and Ryan Sessegnon (right)

Everton's director of football Steve Walsh has made a personal check on Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon - but the Blues have greater interest in his twin brother.

Steven Sessegnon is being tracked by Everton who are actively trying to bolster their Academy ranks.

The 16-year-old plays mainly as a right-back for Fulham's under-23s but can operate at centre-half and in defensive midfield.

Brother Ryan, who is attracting interest from Liverpool and a host of other Premier League clubs, plays as left-back for Fulham's first-team.

And Walsh was in London last weekend to watch the highly-rated teenager as Fulham faced Preston.

But Steven is understood to be a firmer target for Everton's director of football as the Blues look to add quality teenagers to their next batch of first-team hopefuls.

Everton have also been scouting Bury wonderkid Callum Styles in recent weeks with chief u-23s scout Jamie Hoyland spotted at Gigg Lane.


http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-watched-fulhams-ryan-sessegnon-12724484

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Is Heerenveen's Sam Larsson the perfect target for Championship clubs?

The Swedish winger could be the perfect recruit for sides like Derby County, Fulham and Leeds United.

Sam Larsson takes a freekick for Sweden

With the Championship season slowly grinding towards the end, it's very likely that clubs are already putting together lists of potential summer transfer targets, as they build for next season. Some teams in the Championship won't know for sure just yet as to whether or not they're going to even be in the Championship next season, with the race for promotion still wide open.

That being said, wherever potential deals may appear, teams will be interested, and one exciting prospect in the Dutch Eredivisie is Heerenveen's Swedish winger, Sam Larsson. Arriving at the Abe Lenstra Stadium in 2014 after signing from IFK Goteborg, Sam Larsson has emerged as a bright young talent over the last season.

Playing mostly as a left-sided midfielder, who can function in both a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1, Sam Larsson has scored 22 goals in 81 games for the Dutch side, and can often be seen cutting inside onto his right-foot, causing defenders nightmares.

So which teams might Larsson suit the best? HITC Sport have drawn together a list of three possible destinations for the Swedish midfielder, but have we missed anyone out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Derby County
After floundering towards the end of the season this year, Steve McClaren will likely be wanting recruits in the summer to aide Derby County's promotion push next season. One of the major positions the Rams could do with strengthening is the left-side of midfield, and after utilising both a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1 recently, Sam Larsson could well be the perfect fit. The Rams need another talented, goal-scoring winger on the left, to match the efforts of Tom Ince on the right.

Fulham
With promotion still a possibility, Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic could well be preparing for Premier League football next season. However, with Sheffield Wednesday just out of reach, Fulham would be wise to look at potentially cheaper options for next season. Sam Larsson would likely fetch a much cheaper price than recruitments from the Premier League/Championship, and could add some flair and goals to an already talented attacking front line.

Leeds United
Garry Monk may also be preparing for Premier League football next year, but that doesn't change the fact that Leeds United could do with another left-sided midfielder. Stuart Dallas, Kemar Roofe and a number of others have filled that role for the Whites this season, and despite the side's success, Garry Monk will likely be feeling his side could do with adding some goals from midfield. Further wingers were brought in on loan in January, signifying Monk's intent to improve that position. Sam Larsson's record is evidence enough to prove he could fill that role, and might add some flair to a Leeds United side who could be playing in either the Premier League or the Championship next season.


http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/03/09/is-heerenveens-sam-larsson-the-perfect-target-for-championship-c/

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Norwich City: Manager Alex Neil sacked by Championship club

Alex Neil won 45 of his 108 games in charge of Norwich City

Norwich City have sacked manager Alex Neil after just over two years in charge at the Championship club.

Neil, 35, helped the Canaries earn promotion to the Premier League after joining the club in January 2015, but they suffered relegation last season.

City had failed to win in five games under the former Hamilton boss, leaving them nine points outside the top six.

First-team coach Alan Irvine will take charge of the team for Saturday's game with relegation-threatened Blackburn.

A club statement said: "The board has taken the tough but unanimous decision, believing it is in the best interests of the club for a new manager to be in place through a crucial summer transfer window."

Norwich were second in October, but have won just seven of their last 24 Championship games and dropped to eighth.

They were thumped 5-1 at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday - their 10th away defeat of the season - and drew 1-1 with lowly Bristol City on Tuesday in Neil's last game in charge.

Neil held his usual pre-match press conference on Friday, just hours before he was sacked, and told BBC Radio Norfolk that the Canaries had not lived up to expectations this season.

"There was an expectation for us, from the squad, from the management, from the fans, from everybody connected with the club, that we would have a better season than we've had," he said.

"All I can do is work as hard as I can to make it better. Sometimes you need to take a step back to take two or three steps forwards, and we are doing everything we can but there isn't a solution that's going to happen tonight and it's not going to happen next week.

"It's going to take a period of time and then things will improve."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39232229

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Championship round-up: Fulham maintain playoff charge


Tom Cairney scored a long-range screamer to help Fulham beat leaders Newcastle at St James' Park.
Photo: PA

In-form Fulham's pursuit of the play-off pack received a huge boost as they won at joint leaders Newcastle.

The Cottagers are the biggest threat to the current top six and underlined their menace with a 3-1 success.

Tom Cairney got them going with another long-range stunner before 16-year-old sensation Ryan Sessegnon weighed in with a double from left-back.

Daryl Murphy pulled one back for the home side but Sessegnon could have had a hat-trick when he won a stoppage-time penalty but Tim Ream took it ahead of him and missed.

The gap between Fulham in seventh and Sheffield Wednesday in sixth is now two points, with Fulham having played a game less.

The Owls were beaten 2-0 at Aston Villa, Jonathan Kodija at the double on an afternoon when Vincent Sasso and boss Carlos Carvlhal were both sent off for the visitors.

Newcastle's loss will boost top-two candidates Huddersfield whose own run of brilliant results continued at Brentford.

Rajiv van La Parra scored the only goal in a 1-0 win to put the Terriers six points behind Newcastle and Brighton with a game in hand.

Leeds missed the chance to really cement their place in the top six as they were held 0-0 at home by QPR, but it was a better afternoon for them than it was for Reading who were hammered 3-0 at Preston.

Tom Barkhuizen scored twice for North End, either side of a Daryl Horgan goal.

Alan Irvine took charge of Norwich after the Friday sacking of Alex Neil but was unable to steady the ship with a win as they drew 2-2 at home to improving Blackburn.

Cameron Jerome put City ahead but Mitchell Dijks was then sent off and 10-man Norwich could not last 70 minutes without him as loan striker Lucas Jaoa scored twice.

Jerome then bailed the Canaries out with his second.

Burton won the battle of the midlands clubs as they saw off Nottingham Forest 1-0 thanks to Cauley Woodrow, while Tom Lawrence earned Ipswich a point with a last-minute leveller as they drew 1-1 at Barnsley.

Former Ipswich target Marley Watkins had put the Tykes ahead.

Lukas Jutkiewicz scored with a minute to go, cancelling out Joe Ralls' penalty, as Birmingham drew 1-1 at Cardiff.

At the bottom of the table, Wigan are in big trouble after losing 1-0 at home to Aden Flint and Bristol City, while Rotherham lost again, this time at 1-0 Wolves, as they head towards the drop.

Wolves missed a penalty through Helder Costa but won it through Andreas Weimann.


http://www.itv.com/news/2017-03-11/championship-round-up-fulham-maintain-playoff-charge/

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Paul Merson says anybody watching Fulham match would never believe Newcastle are top

Paul Merson "If you didn't know football you would never in your wildest dreams think Newcastle were 15/20 points ahead of Fulham."

Paul Merson couldn't believe what he was watching today.

Saying that Newcastle just didn't get going whereas 'Fulham started very well', then they went on and controlled the match.

So poor were the home side that Paul Merson declared 'If you didn't know football you would never in your wildest dreams think Newcastle were 15/20 points ahead of Fulham.'

Newcastle started the day 20 points ahead but now it is 17 points between themselves and Fulham, the West London side moving to within two points of the play-off spots.

As for NUFC, they are ahead of Brighton only on goal difference and six ahead of Huddersfield, who have a game in hand.

It might stick in the throat to agree with Paul Merson but when he says 'Newcastle just don't start quick enough, you want them to bombard teams and get on top of them', not many supporters would disagree, certainly in home games.

Paul Merson speaking to Sky Sports:

"Newcastle just didn't get going.

"You get days like that in the Championship, or any place, but it wasn't good. Just didn't get going.

"I thought Fulham started very well and it just didn't happen for them (Newcastle).

"You are watching the game and if you didn't know, you'd be thinking how are they top of the league? How are they top?

"Their main players like Shelvey and Ritchie didn't do anything, you know what I mean? It wasn't good.

"Cairney picks it up 25 yards out and Darlow doesn't stop that.

"Fulham are a good team and they just kept breaking away.

"Ryan Sessegnon – I wouldn't mind being his agent.

"Fair play to the crowd, they stayed virtually right to the end. It wasn't like '60 minutes – see you later'.

"Newcastle just don't start quick enough.

"You want them to bombard teams and get on top.

"The longer this goes on the other team are thinking 'fifty thousand people, this is lovely'. Passing it around, every game is a cup final (for Newcastle).

"If you didn't know football you would never in your wildest dreams think Newcastle were 15/20 points ahead of Fulham."

Stats from BBC Sport:
Newcastle 1 Fulham 3
Goals
Newcastle: Murphy 76

Fulham: Cairney 15, Sessegnon 51, 59

Possession was Fulham  62% Newcastle 38%
Total shots were  Fulham 11 Newcastle 11
Shots on target were Fulham 4 Newcastle 4
Corners were  Fulham 7 Newcastle 5

Referee: James Linington

Newcastle United:
Darlow, Anita, Lascelles, Clark (Gamez 64), Dummett, Colback, Ritchie, Shelvey, Atsu, Diame (Murphy 61), Gayle (Gouffran 74)

Unused Subs
Elliot, Hanley, Perez, Mitrovic

Crowd: 51,903



http://www.themag.co.uk/2017/03/paul-merson-says-anybody-watching-fulham-match-never-believe-newcastle-top-newcastle-united/