Sunday Fulham Stuff - 26/03/17

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Owls have advantage in the Play Off race

Sheffield Wednesday hold the advantage in the Play Off race going into the final few weeks of the Sky Bet Championship season.

The Owls boast a point advantage over Play Off rivals Fulham in the table and while The Cottagers have a better goal difference, it can be argued that Wednesday have the easier run in between now and the end of the campaign.

Carlos Carvalhal's side face derby fixtures at Barnsley and struggling Rotherham United in their next two matches before entertaining league leaders Newcastle United at Hillsborough. Form usually counts for nothing in derby matches but The Owls are good enough on their day to beat their South Yorkshire rivals who are both enduring poor winless runs.

Home fixtures against Cardiff City and Derby County should provide opportunities to accrue more points while The Owls should not fear away trips at QPR and Ipswich Town.

Fulham's upcoming fixtures look a little more tricky. Like Wednesday, The Cottagers visit basement boys Rotherham United before a difficult trip to Pride Park sees The Whites face Derby County. Slavisa Jokanovic's side will be looking for three points when they face Ipswich Town at Craven Cottage but matches against Norwich City (away), improving Aston Villa (home) and Huddersfield Town (away) could really test Fulham's promotion credentials. A home derby against Brentford will also push The Whites to the limit as the race for the top six enters it's final stage.

The biggest clash of all could come at Hillsborough on the final day of the season when Fulham are the visitors to South Yorkshire in what could be a 'winner takes all' battle. Home advantage could be key in that match and while Sheffield Wednesday have not played attractive football at times this season they are capable of grinding out results and that factor may be key in Carvalhal's men finishing in the top six.


http://the72.co.uk/77892/owls-advantage-play-off-race/

[WhiteJC]

 
Who is Ryan Sessegnon?

The English league has seen some real young, raw talent come through the ranks in recent history. Most notably Gareth Bale rising through the Southampton and Spurs academy whilst Marcus Rashford is proving his worth in the United ranks. I look at another youngster giving it a real go in 16-year-old, Ryan Sessegnon.

August 2016, Ryan Sessegnon made his debut for Fulham, in a League Cup match against Leyton Orient. He impressed manager Slavisa Jokanovic, earning his first league appearance just a week later in the Skybet Championship. Playing in a left back role it is arguably one of the hardest roles to tie down in the squad, with a big, strong, experienced personality normally being preferred. Nevertheless, Sessegnon has convinced manager, fans and fellow team-mates he is good enough to play at this level despite his tender age.

He impresses at international level also. At just 16 years of age, the left back has represented England at U16, U17 & U19 level, even scoring once in his five appearances for the national side. Whilst he continues to push other youngsters his age, he is also pushing his fellow Fulham teammates. He has made 18 appearances so far for the Londoners, netting 4 times from left back. It's no secret that his raw pace is a major asset, which has helped him reach this stage, while his skills on the ball are certain to improve as the youngster develops.

Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon has a big future in the game

So what next for Sessegnon? Whether the young left back should stay at Fulham for the foreseeable future or move to a top Premier League side is hard to choose between. He could prove himself even further by staying put at Craven Cottage, becoming a first team regular and earning a decent wage in the short term. On the other hand, he could move to a top four Premier League club, play for their reserves for a year (or be loaned to the Championship or lower Premier League club) for the experience. Should Sessegnon follow the latter, he could make himself some serious money but jeopardise his playing time over the next 5 years. If Ryan gets both offers on the table by the summer, it will be a major test of character as to which he chooses. But, could you really blame a 16-year-old for making the wrong decision?

One particular player which Sessegnon could use as an example of what not to do is Scott Sinclair. Sinclair was a fans favourite at Swansea having committed 2 seasons with the Welsh side. The pacey winger was on fire for the Swans and swiftly agreed on a deal to join Manchester City, which was worth over £8million to Swansea Football Club. However, his time at City saw him make just 13 appearances in 3 years with two loan spells following shortly after. Sinclair now plays his football up north at Celtic, if only he had stayed put he could still be plying his trade in the Premier League. Sessegnon deserves Premier League offers this summer; I for one hope he progresses into a top professional having shown early signs of being a top footballer.


http://www.itsroundanditswhite.co.uk/2017/03/25/who-is-ryan-sessegnon/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham star opens up on injury woes that left him unable to eat
Piazon is still unable to eat hard foods and his mother flew over from Brazil to help look after the 23-year-old

Lucas Piazon is currently in light training with a view to maintain his fitness levels after suffering a broken jaw at Cardiff.

The Brazilian sustained the injury when he fouled Kadeem Harris and the Bluebirds winger accidentally caught the Fulham forward with his boot as he went down, breaking the bone in two places.

Piazon is still unable to eat hard foods and his mother flew over from Brazil to help look after the 23-year-old.

He told fulhamfctv: "I couldn't leave the house. I was just at home and couldn't do anything and eat anything.


Challenge: Lucas Piazon battles with Jens Hegeler

"It was good to have my Mum and sister. My dad was here at the time and he's back home. They helped me a lot. My mum did all sorts of soup and juices so I don't lose much weight."

Manager of first team medical & sports science Marco Cesarini revealed the decision was taken to undergo minor surgery and the next step is to undergo non-contact training.

He explained: "The next step is for him to resume training with no contact. We'd need to see the specialists to get the green light to push forward.

"He's able to do all the fitness work so when he comes back he'll have similar fitness and only lack match fitness."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-star-opens-up-injury-12796838

[WhiteJC]

 
Clint Dempsey scores hat-trick as USA thrash Honduras 6-0 in World Cup qualifier
Clint Dempsey made a fairytale return to international duty with a hat-trick in USA's 6-0 thrashing of Honduras in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.


Clint Dempsey (left) scores getting past Honduras defender Henry Figueroa during their 2018 World Cup qualifier at Avaya Stadium in San Jose on Friday. (USA Today Sports)

Clint Dempsey made a fairytale return to international duty with a hat-trick as the United States reignited their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 6-0 thrashing of Honduras on Friday.

Dempsey, playing his first international since recovering from a heart problem that forced a six-month layoff, scored goals in each half as the Americans romped to a crucial victory at San Jose's Avaya Stadium.

"It was all about the team," Dempsey said afterwards. "We came out and played well. We started on the front foot and took the game to our opponents and when we got chances we put them in the back of the net."

The US had suffered back-to-back defeats in their opening two games of CONCACAF's final qualifying round in November, losses that led to the sacking of Jurgen Klinsmann and the reappointment of veteran coach Bruce Arena.

Arena had warned his players that nothing less than three points would do against the Hondurans and the Americans did not disappoint, producing a dominant display against the Central Americans.

Though Dempsey grabbed the headlines with his hat-trick, Borussia Dortmund teenager Christian Pulisic was the heartbeat of a scintillating US performance, scoring one goal and creating three others during the rout.

"What he can do is beat a man one-on-one and that creates a difference for us and gives us options," Dempsey said of the 18-year-old Pulisic.

"I thought he was great for us."

Los Angeles Galaxy forward Sebastian Lletget and captain Michael Bradley scored the other American goals on a night when almost everything went right for the hosts.

The US effectively sealed victory with a devastating first half-hour which saw the home side race into a 3-0 lead.

Lletget opened the scoring after only five minutes, tucking away the rebound after Honduras goalkeeper Donis Escober was unable to grasp Pulisic's low shot.

Lletget's maiden World Cup goal was soured by his exit barely 10 minutes later when he limped off injured following a rugged tackle from Ever Alvarado that earned the Honduras defender a caution.

In the 27th minute the USA doubled their lead when Bradley skipped clear of the Honduras defence before aiming an angled shot into the bottom corner for his 16th international goal on his 129th appearance.

Five minutes later and it was 3-0, with Pulisic once again the provider after lofting an exquisite pass into the path of Dempsey who held off his marker to shoot high into the roof of the net.

US climb
It got better for the hosts barely 15 seconds into the second half, when Pulisic added the fourth after being played into space by Jozy Altidore.

Three minutes later and it was 5-0, with Pulisic threading a sublime pass through to Dempsey who calmly claimed his second goal.

Dempsey completed his hat-trick on 54 minutes, making it 6-0 with a wonderful curling free-kick from the right-hand edge of the area.

The win helped the US climb off the bottom of the group into fourth place in the six-team standings with three points.

The US face a trip to Panama, beaten 1-0 by Trinidad and Tobago earlier Friday, in their next game.

"It's a good start towards working our way back into a good spot," US captain Bradley said. "We'll take it for what it is -- three points."

In Friday's other match, Mexico moved to the top of the qualification standings with a 2-0 defeat of Costa Rica.

Javier Hernandez and Nestor Araujo scored the goals for Mexico, who lead with seven points from three games.

The top three finishers in the six-team "Hexagonal" qualifying competition qualify automatically for next year's finals in Russia.

The fourth placed team faces a playoff against a side from Asia.


http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/clint-dempsey-hat-trick-in-usa-s-6-0-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers-over-honduras/story-K31sMmuUYQUMixbIftZr0H.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Leroy Rosenior tells of horrific story regarding Leeds fans

Former Fulham and West Ham striker Leroy Rosenior has revealed he once doubted his place in the game after receiving horrific abuse from Leeds fans in 1984.

The now 52-year-old has revealed in a book he released which is titled 'It's Only Banter' how 5,000 Leeds fans acting as though they were at a 1930s Nuremberg rally almost made him quit the game.

The experienced man has played for seven different clubs during a playing career that lasted 16 years.

He has also managed six different teams, but that may never have happened due to the hatred from the Yorkshire giants' support he received 33 years a go.

"I remember going to play at Leeds for Fulham in 1984," told Rosenior, as quoted by the Guardian.

"Playing there is never dull and on this occasion, the locals were in particularly boisterous mood. We got a throw-in down at the big Kop end that housed the fanatical home support.

"Paul Parker and I were closest and looked to get our attack back on track. As we got to the corner flag any thought of launching that attack went from our minds as we were met in the corner by thousands of fans with hate in their eyes, intent on unsettling these two young black footballers who had dared to come to their town to play a game of football.

"Usually there were the monkey chants, the "ooh-ooh-ooh" noises that all black players had been subject to at the time. There were the chants about shooting niggers and the bananas that fell from the terraces of 1980s football stadiums – local greengrocers of that era owe us black footballers a fortune if you ask me – with increasing regularity. What happened was none of the above.

"Instead, Paul and I were greeted with 5,000 or more Leeds fans with their right hands, erect to the sky, shouting "Sieg Heil" as if not attending a Second Division football match on a rainy Yorkshire afternoon but a 1930s Nuremberg rally. Paul and I looked at each other in disbelief. Maybe, despite being young, we had already become accustomed to the usual chants about our colour but this was something harder, something more political.

"Paul Parker and I were shaken by what happened at Leeds, but it wasn't spoken about in the dressing room. That wasn't football's way. It came at a time when I was doubting my place in the game after being so harshly abused and I had to deal with it internally.

"You didn't want to be seen as the victim. Had you gone to the manager or even to your team-mates you might be seen as a troublemaker, someone not focused on the team. It's only banter.

"After it happened to me, I thought about how abusive opponents would pat themselves on the back, smugly chatting about a job well done, on how they had mugged off a young striker and even somehow weakened me. I was adamant that I would pull my socks up, take the abuse on the chin and let the football do the talking. It was the only way."

Fortunately, football has massively changed since the days when Rosenior was playing and any supporters acting like this would now be a huge minority and would receive a stadium ban if caught for their actions.

Leeds fans also have a reputation for travelling well and most now would be horrified of the story Rosenior has told, showing how far football has progressed both on the pitch and off the pitch.

With the football hierarchy still aiming to remove all forms of racism from the game, stories like the one Rosenior has told will soon become rare, rather than when it was an expected during his playing days.


http://www.footballinsider247.com/leroy-rosenior-tells-horrific-story-regarding-leeds-fans/

[WhiteJC]

 
Blackburn Rovers loanee Lucas Joao would be a perfect fit for Fulham

Lucas Joao has earned himself a few admirers since arriving at Blackburn Rovers on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, and Fulham should consider making a move for the Portuguese international in the summer.

Fulham will be more than familiar with 23-year-old Lucas Joao after he scored an injury time equaliser in a 2-2 draw between the sides last week. This put a slight dent in the West London club's promotion aspirations, with the Cottagers currently sitting one point outside the final play-off spot being occupied by Joao's parent club, Sheffield Wednesday.

Since his arrival at Ewood Park, the Angolan born Joao has scored three goals for Rovers in their bid to avoid relegation. All of his goals have come off the bench but he played his first full 90 minutes for the club at the weekend. He failed to find the net but provided an assist in their 2-2 draw against Lancashire rivals Preston North End.

Joao was one of Carlos Carvahal's first signings when he arrived at Sheffield Wednesday back in 2015 as a highly-rated centre forward who made his name for Portugese side Nacional. But despite his glowing reputation, Joao only managed to score six goals for the Owls.

His deadline day move to Blackburn was sanctioned when Wednesday secured the signings of Jordan Rhodes and Sam Winnall. With his first-team chances looking limited, he has managed to show glimpses of the talent that helped secure his move to Hillsborough.

Fulham's two centre-forwards at the club, Chris Martin and Cyriac, are only on loan at the club. With Martin looking likely to go back to Derby and Cyriac struggling to make an impact, that potentially leaves Fulham with just Sone Aluko left who can operate in the centre forward role.

If Joao continues to impress in a struggling Blackburn side until the end of the season then a move to Craven Cottage would be a shrewd piece of business by Fulham boss Slaviša Jokanović. His height (6ft 3in) would make him an ideal candidate to play the lone central striker role that has been implemented by Jokanović.

With Wednesday's wealth of attacking options, a potential deal for Joao could be completed and without it breaking the bank.


http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/03/22/blackburn-loanee-lucas-joao-would-be-a-perfect-fit-for-fulham/

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Former Fulham favourite reflects on the club's biggest day
The Whites had produced an amazing comeback against Juventus before reaching the final by beating Hamburg

Former Fulham captain Danny Murphy was trying to keep his team-mates calm ahead of their Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.

The Whites had produced an amazing comeback against Juventus before reaching the final by beating Hamburg.

However, Atletico proved to be a step too far as Diego Forlan's goal broke Fulham fans' hearts two minutes from penalties.

"It was the most devastated I've ever been," he told Sky's The Fantasy Football Club. "I didn't do a big rousing speech.

"My philosophy when I was in the big games was trying to keep them calm. Sometimes you see them drift away in the corner. I wanted them to stay calm.

"Mark Schwarzer did a rousing speech - he was good at that. I was telling them to trust in our system."


Calling it a day: Former Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy

Forlan had given the Spanish side the lead before Simon Davies equalised soon after.

Penalties were looming but the former Manchester United man struck with two minutes left on the clock to give Atletico the trophy.

Murphy reflected: "We did get a bit unlucky in the final, coming up against Aguero or Forlan so we couldn't go after them.

"Andy Johnson was injured. Bobby was playing with a bad Achilles. It wasn't meant to be. Two minutes away from penalties and I fancied us with Schwarzer in goal."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-fulham-favourite-reflects-clubs-12798096

[WhiteJC]

 
Neil Redfearn picks his Championship top six - Fulham in

Leeds United, Newcastle United, Sheffield Wednesday, Brighton and Hove Albion, Huddersfield Town and Reading make up the Championship top six at the moment.

Former Leeds United head coach Neil Redfearn has been quoted as saying by Inside Futbol that Fulham will finish in the top six of the Championship this season.

Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion are first and second respectively in the Championship table at the moment.

Huddersfield Town, Leeds United, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday currently occupy the four playoff spots.

Fulham are seventh in the standings with 61 points from 38 matches, just a point behind sixth-placed Wednesday.

Former Leeds head coach Redfearn believes that five of of the current clubs in the top six will make the playoffs, with Fulham replacing Wednesday.

"I think it's the five, with Sheffield Wednesday out of it and Fulham in for me," Inside Futbol quotes Redfearn as saying. "That makes up the six.

"I think when they [Fulham] say go, they go. I think they are the one [side outside the top six to get in there]."

Newcastle and Brighton look set to clinch the two automatic promotion places, and it would be a surprise if Huddersfield or Leeds drop out of the playoffs.

Reading have exceeded expectations so far this season, and the Royals should be able to end up in the top six.

Wednesday have a better team than Fulham, but the Cottagers' recent form and momentum means that they could push the Owls until the final day of the season.


http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/03/25/neil-redfearn-picks-his-championship-top-six-fulham-in/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham slap £20million price tag on in-demand midfielder Tom Cairney
The Scotland international was the subject of an enquiry by Newcastle United during the last transfer window


Cairney has impressed in the Championship this season (Photo: Getty Images Europe)

Fulham have slapped a massive £20m price tag on the head of midfielder Tom Cairney.

The Scotland international was the subject of an enquiry by Newcastle United during the last transfer window.

But Rafa Benitez was staggered at the fee being demanded for the 26-year-old.

Cairney has flourished since joining the Cottagers from Blackburn Rovers two seasons ago.

He was rewarded with a promotion to the senior Scotland side by Gordon Strachan and made his debut this week during the 1-1 draw against Canada.


Cairney was the subject of interest from Newcastle in January (Photo: Getty Images Europe)


Cairney in action earlier this season (Photo: Getty Images Europe)

Cairney still has two years left to run on his deal – with a further option in Fulham's favour – and the club is under no pressure to sell.

Cottagers' chief Slavisa Jokanovic has already said that he 'guarantees' Cairney will be staying put – and the £20m asking price has been set to deter would-be predators.


http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-slap-20million-price-tag-10099762

[WhiteJC]

 
Piazon remains in light training

Fulham forward Lucas Piazon is currently in light training with a view to maintain his fitness levels after suffering a broken jaw at Cardiff.

The Brazilian sustained the injury when he fouled Kadeem Harris and the Bluebirds winger accidentally caught the Fulham forward with his boot as he went down, breaking the bone in two places.

Piazon is still unable to eat hard foods and his mother flew over from Brazil to help look after the 23-year-old.

He told fulhamfctv: "I couldn't leave the house. I was just at home and couldn't do anything and eat anything.

"It was good to have my Mum and sister. My dad was here at the time and he's back home. They helped me a lot. My mum did all sorts of soup and juices so I don't lose much weight."

Manager of first team medical & sports science Marco Cesarini revealed the decision was taken to undergo minor surgery and the next step is to undergo non-contact training.

He explained: "The next step is for him to resume training with no contact. We'd need to see the specialists to get the green light to push forward.

"He's able to do all the fitness work so when he comes back he'll have similar fitness and only lack match fitness."


http://www.fulhamweb.co.uk/news/piazon-remains-in-light-training.aspx

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham place £20m price tag on Cairney
by Dan on March 25, 2017

Fulham have reaffirmed their desire to keep playmaker Tom Cairney at Craven Cottage by placing a £20m price tag on the Scottish international, according to the Sunday Mirror.

It was widely rumoured that the Londoners had successfully warded off persistent interest from Championship leaders Newcastle United by quoting a potential fee of that magnitude in December – and the Magpies boss Rafa Benitez was flabbergasted by Fulham's hefty valuation of their prized asset. Perhaps the Spanish coach would have realised why Slavisa Jokanovic rates the 26 year-old midfielder so highly after he opened the scoring with a 25-yard screamer at St. James' Park in the Whites' 3-1 win earlier this month.

The Sunday Mirror reports that Fulham have reiterated that it will take an offer in the region of £20m to even consider the prospect of Cairney, who made his international debut in Scotland's 1-1 draw with Canada in midweek, leaving Craven Cottage. Head coach Jokanovic, who penned a two-year extension to his Fulham contract last month, has long earmarked Cairney as the key member of his current squad, handing him the captain's armband on a regular basis this season in the absence of veteran Scott Parker.

Cairney last week told journalists that he felt he was in the form of his life and demonstrated his skills on the highest stage by turning in a man of the match performance after finally being selected for international honours by beleaguered Scottish coach Gordon Strachan. The left-footed midfielder, who has scored nine goals in 42 appearances for Fulham this season, has thrived in a pivotal central role as Fulham's switch to Jokanovic's preferred possession-based philosophy has sparked a late surge towards the Championship play-off places.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/03/fulham-place-20m-pricetag-on-cairney/

[WhiteJC]

 
One reason why Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs target Ryan Sessegnon has been able to thrive at Fulham
At just 16, the left sided player has lit up the Championship and has been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham in recent weeks

Ryan Sessegnon has found adapting to life as a senior football player easier thanks to his Fulham team-mates, according to Slavisa Jokanovic.

At just 16, the left sided player has lit up the Championship and has been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham in recent weeks.

GetWestLondon, though, understands that Sessegnon will sign a professional contract at Fulham when he turns 17 and Jokanovic believes the likes of Scott Malone and Scott Parker have been integral to his development.

The Whites boss said: "He's got good team-mates. Ryan is a man who wants to learn and is capable of a lot of things.

"Around him, there are people who want to help him and these people, from another side are very happy to support him as well.

"At the end, he's a player who is in a learning process and adapting himself at this level. The experienced players like Scott Malone or Scott Parker are able to adapt and help him."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/one-reason-arsenal-liverpool-spurs-12798219