Sunday Fulham Stuff (16/04/17)...

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Results

Saturday
Aston Villa	1 - 3	Reading

[WhiteJC]

 
More pain inflicted on Canary from Cottager, and not just from Chris Martin's flailing, wayward elbow

Last Saturday's win over Reading was tricky to categorise. Adjectives aplenty were thrown at it but ultimately most concluded it was a joyous one-off – one that was to be savoured for precisely what it was: a once in a life-time afternoon.

Yesterday's dismal showing was rather easier to define: a regulation defeat that epitomised in 97 agonising minutes exactly why City's finest are going to finish the season dreaming of the beach rather than a return to the Premier League.

And let's be clear – the Canaries didn't lose yesterday because Andy Madley was weak/"not fit to referee"/a "joke" [delete as appropriate] or because Fulham took professionalism and the rule-book to the extreme. They lost because, not for the first time this season, when faced with opponents of purpose, rhythm and dynamism they were found badly lacking in all three.

(For what it's worth, I thought Madley did a decent job; my only real gripe being the time it him took to crack down on Fulham's time-wasting – which he eventually did).

The sideshow that was Fulham's histrionics and the ensuing wrath (mine included) shouldn't disguise a performance level that had 'Norwich City 2016/17′ stamped right through it and if last Saturday was magical and a bit surreal, yesterday was turgid and a bit crap.

And that's generally been the story when City play sides above them in the table at home – and when they play anyone away.

As it transpires, Reading were seemingly sent by the footballing gods to put 26,000 smiles on 26,000 faces by way of an apology for a season that has frustrated and angered infinitely more than it has thrilled.

The key difference of course was that Fulham's season is still very much alive whereas the Royals were simply biding time before they embark on their play-off adventure. And it showed.

Like Huddersfield before them, yesterday's visitors were everything we would like to be but are not. And we return to those three words: purpose, rhythm and dynamism.

Understandably the talk now is of looking forward and not back – particularly with a new regime in the house that is just starting to bare its teeth – but lessons must be learned as we turn over this new page.

From a defensive perspective City have only been consistent in making the same mistakes over and over again, regardless of which permutation of defenders the manager chooses, and never again must we have a team based on what can be produced by the attacking and middle thirds at the expense of a rock solid base.

That solid base hasn't been there for several seasons. Any success has been borne of flicks, tricks and fairy dust.

But Webber knows this. We all do. And, as modern and innovative as this brave new world currently appears, the old, boring adage of building a team from the back must, and will, form the cornerstone of the new head coach's brief.

If we reach this stage next season having conceded 65 goals then questions will most certainly be asked. (They won't because we won't).

To pore over horrible, sloppy defensive errors is now futile – they'll occur again before this season comes to a sorry close – but so too is to bemoan a lack of intensity that makes us a joy to play against.

The ponderous sideways passing, the hesitancy when in possession, the poor decision-making and the general lack of oomph – all symptoms of a misfiring collection of individuals who I hesitate to call a team.

Again, while unpleasant to look back on, these are unholy traits, unbecoming of those looking for a way out of the Championship, and are to be avoided at all costs if next season is to be an improvement on this one.

Too many individuals within the current group are able to excel when the planets are aligned and the going is good but lack the wherewithal to impact on a game when the chips are down.

The stats bear this out too with their ability to come back from a losing position almost non-existent. And it's another unhealthy trait that runs right through the squad, with few exceptions.

But things are about to change.

As things stand our whole kingdom, and future for that matter, is in the hands of one man. A 33 year-old with no experience of playing professional football but one who, armed with an impressive CV, has been handed the task of producing a silk purse out of something that yesterday resembled a pig's ear.

And as things stand we have to trust him implicitly to deliver. But it's a massive weight to be placed on the shoulders of one individual. We are trusting him to axe those that need to be axed, to bring in people who are better than those who depart, and to deliver us a footballing operation that is almost the antithesis of the one that currently exists.

Fortunately the early signs are good but they're only signs. And it's an undoubtedly big ask of someone we're expecting to hire and fire with the ease of Lord Sugar, to produce much magic like David Blaine and to innovate like Richard Branson.

If Webber fails to deliver the whole caboodle collapses, or at the very least we end up being Championship also-rans. That's how it feels – and I can't pretend to feel totally comfortable with all of our eggs being in that one fragile basket.

But now's not the time for negative thoughts. Positivity has to be the byword and everything that's occurred behind the scenes in the last week suggests there is some forward momentum to build on. So I'll shut up.

If only 2016/17 would just hurry up and end.


http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter.com/2017/04/15/yet-more-pain-inflicted-on-canary-from-cottager-and-not-just-from-chris-martins-flailing-elbow/

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Slavisa Jokanovic says Fulham must clear their minds as they prepare to face Aston Villa
The Cottagers put in a fantastic ten man performance to beat Norwich 3-1 at Carrow Road but attention now turns to Aston Villa on Easter Monday

Slavisa Jokanovic insists Fulham must "clear their minds" after their 3-1 victory over Norwich as they prepare for Aston Villa on Easter Monday.

Stefan Johansen had put the visitors ahead after five minutes with a stunning 18-yard strike before Chris Martin was shown red for an alleged elbow, something that Jokanovic will appeal .

It looked set to be a tough second half but Tom Cairney scored a penalty immediately after the restart before Cameron Jerome got one back, but Floyd Ayite put the finishing touches on the win when he rounded John Ruddy to make it three.

Villa visit on Monday in another big game for Fulham and the boss believes they must refocus their attentions onto the visitors from Villa Park on Monday.

He said: "We played 45 or 50 minutes with one player less than them.

"It's a complicated place, they have only lost three games all season.

"In this crucial, important moment we are in right now, this situation. We believe in ourselves, we play with confidence and we are fighting for top six.

"We will continue to fight and battle. Now our focus is on Aston Villa.

"All the team arrived in the second half with a defensive mind, we know we have to be organised and support each other, but we expect we are going to find some chances in the offensive transition.

"We caught them a few times, we scored two goals - it's important for us and it's a great performance.

"In front of us is another important game. For us we must clear minds, refresh the body and be ready for another challenge in front of us."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/slavisa-jokanovic-says-fulham-must-12897134

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Was this Fulham's Blackburn 2001 moment?
by Dan on April 15, 2017

Fulham's last successful ascent from this level of English football is remembered for a dramatic April away win secured by ten men with a late, late goal. Making direct parallels between the night that Sean Davis saw off Blackburn back in 2001 and yesterday's impressive dismantling of Norwich City might be stretching the link too far – but the central point remains, gutsy backs-to-the-wall wins away from home are what gets you out of the Championship, and Slavisa Jokanovic's side answered a big question about their character at Carrow Road this weekend.

The Serbian himself said afterwards that there would be 'no surrender' in the race for a play-off place and his words were merely a stirring reinstatement of what the team had just delivered. No matter that Fernando Forrestieri had sneaked a late winner past Cardiff City at Hillsborough or that Newcastle conceded a last-gasp equaliser at home to Leeds – getting three points in adversity against a side who had lost just three times at home all season sent out a real statement to the Championship's top six. Fired up by an what appeared an unjust red card (for Rufus Brevett at Ewood Park, read Chris Martin on his old stomping ground), Fulham's ten men battled brilliantly – and produced a far more complete footballing performance than anyone could have envisaged at half time.

There have been a lot of criticisms of Jokanovic's decision to hand Tom Cairney the captain's armband. He's not a natural leader, they said – the same sort of allusion to British bulldog spirit that was thrown at David Beckham when he took over the England captaincy. Some leaders don't have to cajole and wave their arms around histrionically, they just lead by example. Cairney did that yesterday. He was everywhere – causing the Canaries all manner of problems and leading poor old Alex Tettey on a merry dance through the centre of midfield – and, when the Whites were given a penalty at the start of the second half, who stepped up to end the spot-kick hoodoo? That's right. Cairney dispatched it with a coolness that belied what must have been a beating heart – and gave Fulham precious breathing space.

Jokanovic's tactical decisions need saluting here as well. In the absence of Chris Martin, most managers would have opted for a big man up top – in the form of Cyriac or Lucas Piazon – but that would have gone against the Fulham head coach's possession philosophy. His side have kept the ball at close quarters all season with a brilliance that has seen football correspondents claim they are the Championship's Barcelona and, such is the confidence the players have in the plan, Jokanovic was loathe to rip it up in fifteen minutes. He pushed Floyd Ayite on as a lone forward and the man whose goals have reignited the Whites' play-off bid rose to the challenge. Ayite charged across the Norwich back line and carried the ball forward with purpose – his willing running creating the greater chances for Fulham than their opponents. When Jokanovic did introduce Piazon, the pair combined magnificently for the clinching third goal.

Tim Ream's presence on the teamsheet since the turn of the year has prompted some fierce debate and the American has picked up his far share of stick as one of the latest scapegoats, but he was a colossus at the heart of the defence yesterday. Time and time again, Norwich floated high balls into the box and Ream repelled them with excellent clearing headers. During a period where Fulham were under immense pressure, Ream's ability to play a clever pass out of the back proved invaluable and, although Tomas Kalas has received most of the plaudits this season, the former Bolton centre back's contribution to a crucial win shouldn't be understated.

Neither should that of Marcus Bettinelli. The academy graduate has had to wait an awful long time for his chance in the first team – especially following a succession of David Button blunders – but he has taken his opportunity with both hands. Bettinelli's distribution with his feet, apparently the reason the ex-Brentford goalkeeper was preferred at the start of the season in what Jokanovic concedes was 'a very difficult decision,' was exemplary yesterday and he came up with massive saves as the Canaries ramped up the pressure. Just how he clawed away Timm Klose's header before half time I don't quite know – and he two made excellent stops to deny Jacob Murphy and Alex Pritchard as well. The home fans were incensed by Bettinelli's perceived time-wasting – a special shout-out to the Norwich supporter who thought it appropriate to aggressively lambast the goalkeeper and scare the little Fulham mascot trying to get her shirt signed after the final whistle – but any gamesmanship from the visitors paled in comparison to what Reading, Sheffield Wednesday and Burton Albion, to name just three, have got away with at Craven Cottage this season.

Such a commanding victory leaves Fulham in a terrific position, with Wednesday, Reading and Leeds in all their sights ahead of another crucial clash with Aston Villa on Easter Monday. The magnitude of the win was recognised at full time when Cairney, in another moment that enhanced his leadership credentials, took the whole squad over to the travelling supporters. He was soon followed by a passionate Jokanovic who, in a rare outward show of that raw Serbian passion, clenched his fists in delight as he thanked the travelling 1,500 Fulham fans. Far from being bottlers, Fulham are keeping their composure at just the right time to make the Championship run-in very interesting indeed.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/04/was-this-fulhams-blackburn-2001-moment/

[WhiteJC]

 
Norwich City 1-3 Fulham: Slavisa Jokanovic gives a footballing masterclass and other talkings points
The Cottagers put in a gutsy backs to the wall performance at Carrow Road - here's what Ryan O'Donovan learnt from the victory

Fulham once again reminded the entire Championship why they're well in the hunt for the play-off places as they gave Norwich a footballing masterclass in a 3-1 victory.

For the most part, you wouldn't have thought they were playing the game with ten men for the entire second half (and the seven minutes added on at the end) as they controlled and dictated the tempo, apart from a 15 minute spell where Norwich really came out them.

You could've forgiven the Cottagers for going into ultra defensive mode and try and get out of East Anglia with a point, but that's not the Jokanovic way and the way his team played showed why a number of clubs are sitting up and taking notice of the Serbian.

It had the feeling of a momentous win and something that could spur the side on to greater things - here's what we had to say about the victory.

Fulham gave a masterclass in football to Norwich
When they went down to ten just before half time, I personally thought Fulham had blown it and that a point would've been a great result.

But when will I learn that this side is different to sides of old?

The penalty really helped settle Fulham after the break and for the next 20 minutes you would never have known that they were the ones with ten men - Norwich struggled to get the ball off them and build any decent attacks of their own, much to the frustration of their fans.

They did get back into the game once Jerome came on, but Jokanovic threw Ragnar Sigurdsson into the fray to shore up the defence, something that worked as the three centre backs dealt time and time again with the Norwich crosses.

Jokanovic is making more and more of a name for himself and this performance will have sent a loud message to the entire country.


Masterclass: Slavisa Jokanovic (Photo: Ker Robertson/Getty Images)

Tom Cairney was back to his best
It has been an absolute joy and pleasure to watch this man play football this season.

Every time he gets the ball he's immediately looking to make something happen, whether that be through himself or by playing in one of his team mates.

His goal yesterday took him to double assists and double goals for the season, the first Championship player to do so this season, and it's no surprise that when Cairney ticks, Fulham tick too.

After a few quiet games the 26-year-old was pulling all the strings at Carrow Road, while Stefan Johansen and Kevin McDonald's ferocious performances in the centre of the park allowed Cairney the freedom to roam forward and join Floyd Ayite and Sone Aluko in attacking the Canaries' back four.

If Fulham make the play-offs, opposing managers will be scrambling around their war councils trying to come up with ways to stop this man.

Tim Ream and the defence played their part
Fair play to Ream - he's come in for some stick from some sections of the Craven Cottage support this season, especially after Derby, but what a way to show what he can do.

It was backs to the wall at times, it wasn't pretty at times but it was gritty and that's the important thing - Ream and Tomas Kalas gritted their teeth and got stuck in to Nelson Oliveira and then into Jerome when he came on.

The pair of them put in a number of crucial blocks and tackles time and time again, frustrating the attacking threats of Alex Pritchard, Wes Hoolahan, Oliveira and the rest.

Fulham have defensive question marks hanging over them, there's no doubt about that, but yesterday's performance was one of the most solid I have seen - it wasn't comfortable, but there was an air of heroics around the back four that showed how much they want to be in the play-offs come the end of the season.

They need to produce another four performances like this to have a chance.


Colossus: Tim Ream

Four left and the feeling is good
There's only four games left and it was clear to see from the scenes at full time just how much this win meant to both fans and players - they both believe it's possible.

Only two points separate Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday, while they're only three behind Leeds United in fourth who seem to have been dragged right back into this play-off tussle.

Fulham are peaking at the right time in this race for the top six and this win has answered a lot of questions about the mentality of the side and how much they want this.

The feeling is good around Craven Cottage, and with four games left Fulham have every chance of grabbing a play-off spot.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/norwich-city-1-3-fulham-12897165

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Cottager Makes Sky Bet Team of the Day

The fine 3-1 win against Norwich City, at Carrow Road, with Fulham becoming the first team to win there in 2017, has seen one of the side rewarded with a place in the Sky Bet Team of the Day.

Although Fulham showed how lethal they can be in attack, the place in the aforementioned team went to a defender.

The player deemed worthy of inclusion in the team was Tim Ream.

The full eleven, as selected by the panel is:

Green (Leeds United)
Hunt (Sheffield Wednesday)
Lascelles (Newcastle United)
Ream (Fulham)
Dunk (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Mahoney (Blackburn Rovers)
Pack (Bristol City)
Knockaert (Brighton and Hove Albion)
McGoldrick (Ipswich Town)
Vibe (Brentford)

Out congratulations go to Tim on his inclusion.



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=488131#ixzz4eONOKgff

[WhiteJC]

 
Tim Ream hails Fulham's defensive performance in 'gritty' 3-1 win over Norwich City
The American was a colossus in defence as Slavisa Jokanovic's side rallied after having a man sent off to produce a fine display at Carrow Road

Tim Ream called Fulham's performance in their 3-1 victory over Norwich "gritty" and believes it was something the side had been lacking recently.

A goal from Stefan Johansen set them on their way, before Chris Martin was sent off, but Tom Cairney scored a penalty immediately after the break to make it two.

Cameron Jerome got one back but Floyd Ayite secured the win in the 90th minute - something that wouldn't have been possible without Ream and the rest of the back four's defensive display.

The American was outstanding all game and put in one of his best performances of the season, but he believes that going down to ten men meant the side had to rally and make themselves hard to break down.

He said: "I'd call it gritty, it was a good character performance for the team and its something that has been lacking lately.

"Going down to ten men just before half time and then getting the pen just after and then really having to dig in and defend as an entire team was something that we discussed at half time and it was a gritty, hard fought three points "and it was nice to get the third goal at the 90th minute there.

"He (Jokanovic) told us to calm down, I think guys were a little amped up trying to figure out whether it was or wasn't.

"Everyone was shouting out instructions trying to keep each other focused and he came in and said calm down, we're going to have to do things a little differently in the second half and it was nice to get the decision our way just after half time and then from there it was keeping our shape and preventing them from having too many clear cut chances.

"Whenever you can get a goal just after half time, especially to put us up 2-0, it definitely helped settle everyone down and gave us a good platform to stand on.

"I felt for the most part we did very well being down to ten and we made it hard to break us down and hard to beat."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tim-ream-hails-fulhams-defensive-12898410

[WhiteJC]

 
Ream revels in 'gritty' Fulham win
by Dan on April 15, 2017

Tim Ream was delighted after Fulham coped with both being reduced to ten men and a barrage of Norwich City pressure to record a crucial win at Carrow Road yesterday afternoon.

The American centre half felt Fulham's 'gritty' performance was a marked change from recent weeks, as he told GetWestLondon's Ryan O'Donovan after the final whistle. The former Bolton Wanderers defender was himself in excellent form – delivering a dominant display at the heart of the Fulham back four after being recalled in place of the injured Michael Madl.

    I'd call it gritty, it was a good character performance for the team and its something that has been lacking lately. Going down to ten men just before half time and then getting the pen just after and then really having to dig in and defend as an entire team was something that we discussed at half time and it was a gritty, hard fought three points and it was nice to get the third goal at the 90th minute there.

Ream also hailed head coach Slavisa Jokanovic's reassuring words during the half-time individual that helped Fulham's players focus on the task at hand and lay out a path towards victory with ten men after the shock of Chris Martin's sending off.

    He told us to calm down. I think guys were a little amped up trying to figure out whether it was or wasn't [a red card]. Everyone was shouting out instructions trying to keep each other focused and he came in and said calm down, we're going to have to do things a little differently in the second half and it was nice to get the decision our way just after half time and then from there it was keeping our shape and preventing them from having too many clear cut chances.

    Whenever you can get a goal just after half time, especially to put us up 2-0, it definitely helped settle everyone down and gave us a good platform to stand on. I felt for the most part we did very well being down to ten and we made it hard to break us down and hard to beat.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/04/ream-revels-in-gritty-fulham-win/

[WhiteJC]

 
New Fulham works from Art of Football
Fulham often get left out when people make cool football art. This time they weren't.

I love showing off my love of Fulham. I have Fulham pins on my laptop bag. I have a piece of Dempsey art and Fulham scarves on my desk at work. My golf bag has Fulham head covers on the clubs. I own a Fulhamerica shirt. All that means that this new art from Art of Football is right in my wheelhouse.

The new Fulham collection has one of the most iconic images in Fulham's history, Dempsey's chip against Juventus.

The big decision on my part is do I want a shirt, or a print?

The second piece is equally as cool, even though it lakes the nostalgia of the Dempsey Chip only because I'm not old enough to remember George Cohen at all. There's no doubt however that Cohen was one of the best and most important players to ever suit up for the club. How many other Fulham players can say they have a World Cup Winner's Medal?

In case you're wondering, we aren't being compensated at all for highlighting these things. We just think they're really cool. If I see anyone wearing one of these shirts in the wild, be prepared for me to come up to you and start a conversation about Fulham.


http://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/4/15/15312740/new-fulham-works-from-art-of-football

[WhiteJC]

 
'Togetherness' took Fulham to victory, says Kalas
by Dan on April 15, 2017

Tomas Kalas felt Fulham's 'togetherness' was key to their vital victory over Norwich City yesterday – and that the squad fully believes they can go on a winning run to secure a Championship play-off place.

The Czech Republic international saluted Fulham's character and determination as they outplayed the Canaries with ten men and stood firm despite having lost Chris Martin before half-time. Speaking to FulhamFCTV after the final whistle at Carrow Road, Kalas was adamant that the visitors fully deserved the three points:

    It would be difficult even if we played eleven against eleven and, especially when you play the whole second half ten against eleven, it's even harder but we showed some character, some togetherness and still I think that there was just one team on the pitch who deserved to win.

    We were trying to stay together and, when the whole team is together, then it's easier to defend. We've done it properly, we've done it well and the result was that we conceded just one and we could score more goals from counter-attacks.

The on-loan centre back said there was no room for doubts after he won an early second-half penalty following a brainless challenge from Norwich's Ryan Bennett – and his faith in skipper Tom Cairney was well founded.

    Easy. That we should score. We can't be missing any more. That was clear and I think TC's done it brilliantly. He would have taken it even if he wasn't captain. We knew he was going to take it and I think he knew was going to score.

Kalas, who won promotion from the Championship last season with Middlesbrough, believes the victory was vital to maintain the pressure on Sheffield Wednesday and the other occupants of the play-off places but the on-loan defender insisted his team-mates were confident that they could string together a run of results to extend Fulham's season.

    That we are not five points behind Sheffield Wednesday, but we are still two points behind and if we win all our games until the end of the season, we are going to get into the play-offs. If we didn't believe, we don't have to even play. That's what everyone in this squad believes and we know that we are the best playing team in this league and if we keep up with it, then obviously we can do it.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/04/togetherness-took-fulham-to-victory-says-kalas/

[WhiteJC]

 
Cameron Jerome left envious of Fulham's situation – and he knows Norwich City only have themselves to blame for being left to watch the Championship promotion battle from the outside


Cameron Jerome heads home what proved to be just a consolation goal against 10-man Fulham at Carrow Road. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images

The rebuilding task ahead was emphasised again as Fulham turned Good Friday into a painful precursor to Easter Monday's trip to Preston, and left striker Cameron Jerome lamenting what should have been.

The Cottagers are two points outside the top six, frantically chasing the play-off pack – although if they repeat their Carrow Road performance for their remaining four games, they will surely extend their season.

"Obviously you envy them for being in that position, and we've only got ourselves to blame for us not being in the same position," said Jerome.

"But we've still got a job to do. We've still got fixtures to fulfil and we owe it to ourselves to be professional, we owe it to the fans and to everyone associated with the club.

"We're playing for our own futures as well, so we've got to be professional and try to win games.

"We went out here with every intention of trying to win, but we just came up short again. Key moments changed the game and we couldn't get that breakthrough when we had the advantage in the second half."

City's 3-1 defeat leaves them 12 points off the top six with only 12 points to play for – meaning everyone's focus is switching to what happens come the summer.

"It's not up to me (if others are given a go at Preston)," added Jerome. "It's up to Alan (Irvine). It's whatever team he thinks is best equipped to win the game.

"There are players who are contracted further than this year. There are a lot of players whose futures are probably up in the air with being out of contract or options, so there are going to be wholesales changes.

"We're aware of that, and there probably needs to be. I think there needs to be a freshening of personnel and that will be up to the powers that be, the new management team and the people that make those decisions.

"As a player you can only state a case for you wanting to be a part of the club going forward. I think there are a lot of players in there who want to be there, so there will be decisions to make. But that won't be down to any of us – it will be up to people above."


http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/cameron-jerome-left-envious-of-fulham-s-situation-and-he-knows-norwich-city-only-have-themselves-to-blame-for-being-left-to-watch-the-championship-promotion-battle-from-the-outside-1-4977230

[WhiteJC]

 
The Boss: Bruce on Reading loss, mistakes, Taylor absence and Fulham

Steve Bruce spoke to the media after the 3-1 defeat to Reading.

His verdict is below.

On the result...

We have made far too many mistakes and it's turned into one of those awful days.

We have made more errors today than we have in the past two months.

Unfortunately we never recovered.

It got worse as the afternoon wore on. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb in the first half and we then did it again straight from the kick-off.

Reading punished us.

On the penalty appeal...

I have seen them given.

I think the referee has obviously looked at it and seen it as ball to hand.

We think it is a penalty. It would have been a big turning point in the game.

On mistakes...

The one thing we have prided ourselves on in this good run has been our ability to keep a clean sheet.

All of a sudden that has gone out of the window with some awful, awful mistakes.

On Neil Taylor and Mark Bunn absence...

They were out through injury.

Neil has a groin problem and Mark has a knee issue.

We will see how they are on Sunday.

On Fulham...

We have been asked to play twice in 48 hours which is a huge disadvantage.

We will deal with it. We don't want to start making excuses.

We have Fulham, who are arguably the form side at the moment.

We have to make sure we are ready and be in the best physical condition that we can.

On squad rotation...

The lads have picked themselves over the last few weeks because they have put a hell of a good run together.

We will see what they are like on Sunday.

I want us to finish strongly. I don't want the season to peter away.

We have the derby with Blues coming, the potential champions Brighton on the last day of the season...so it's all still to play for.


https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2017/04/15/the-boss-bruce-on-reading-defeat-fulham-next-up

[WhiteJC]

 
Exclusive: West Ham to sack Slaven Bilic and replace him with this Championship boss
WEST HAM UNITED will make a move for Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic when they ditch Slaven Bilic at the end of the season.

The former West Ham defender saved himself from the immediate sack after last Saturday's home win over fellow strugglers Swansea City ended a run of five successive defeats.

But it won't be enough to stop the Hammers from sacking him this summer and they have decided that Jokanovic is the man they want to turn around their flagging fortunes.

Slaven Bilic is set to leave West Ham this summer

West Ham have stumbled from one disaster to another on and off the field since they left Upton Park for the Olympic Stadium which was supposed to catapult them to a whole new level.

Jokanovic only recently signed a new contract to keep him at Craven Cottage until 2019 but has impressed since turning around Fulham's fortunes this season.


Slavisa Jokanovic has been a big hit at Fulham

Hammers co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan hope that the former Yugoslavia international who took Watford into the Premier League in 2015 will be able to do the same for them.

Fulham are just two points outside of the Championship play-offs places after placing an emphasis on promoting players from the academy in his 15 months at the club.


http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/792354/West-Ham-News-Slaven-Bilic-Fulham-Slavisa-Jokanovic-Championship-Premier-League

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham star Tom Cairney taken aback by first international experience with Scotland: 'I didn't know what to expect but it was a week to remember'

    Fulham's Tom Cairney made his international debut for Scotland last month
    Chris Martin got the winner against Slovenia as Cairney watched from the bench
    Now the midfielder is desperate to get back in the squad to play England

Joy, tension, confusion and relief. Four words that offer a potted description of Tom Cairney's first week-long experience as a full international player.

From the delight shared with family upon earning his first cap through the tangible pressure in the air at team meetings with Gordon Strachan, Cairney admits he experienced rare levels of excitement during his maiden stretch with the squad.

The Fulham midfielder admits to being baffled when Chris Martin was jeered onto the pitch at Hampden but immersed himself in the release of emotion when his 'roomie' went on to score the winning goal in the World Cup qualifier against Slovenia just a few minutes later.


Tom Cairney thoroughly enjoyed his first week-long experience as a full international player

The 26-year-old took time out from Fulham's hectic Championship schedule to explain how the Scotland experience left him giddy with emotion and hungry for a call-up for the team's next engagement against England in June.

Named in an enlarged squad by Strachan, Cairney made his debut against Canada at Easter Road last month. Although part of what was effectively a reserve side, Cairney drew favourable reviews for his showing in central midfield and was probably Scotland's best player in the 1-1 draw.

Strachan made nine changes for the Slovenia game and Cairney admits it was an eye-opener to be within the inner sanctum ahead of a game where nothing less than victory would maintain the country's qualification hopes.

'I didn't know what to expect but it was a week to remember,' says Cairney. 'It was great to get my first cap and, although I didn't get on against Slovenia, it was great just to be involved, even better that Chrissy should get the winner for us.


Named in an enlarged Scotland squad, Cairney made his debut against Canada at Easter Road

'I did feel there was a bit of tension all week. Even in team meetings there was an edge. You don't normally get players and manager coming out and continuously saying this is a must-win game but that was the message all week.

'I haven't experienced anything quite like that before. For it to be that way in my first week was actually quite exciting.'

If Cairney felt at all inclined towards disappointment at not getting the call on the Sunday evening, his mind was swiftly distracted by the boos that greeted Martin's arrival as an 82nd-minute sub as the game drifted goalless.

'When Chrissy came on, I wondered what was going on. Were the fans really booing him and why? I just didn't understand it. But it was funny because a few of the lads on the bench said right away that it was a stick-on he would score the winner.

'He is my roomie at Fulham, so I was especially delighted for him. He's like my dad in that he's the sensible one, with the kids at home and all that. He's quite quiet and reserved and just has an older head on his shoulders.

'He was buzzing when he came in afterwards and every player went up to congratulate him.'

The boos that broke out as Martin replaced James Morrison against Slovenia were a result of both frustration at the manager and the fact the 12-times capped forward has not convinced the support he possesses the game to lead the line for Scotland.

Strachan is fond of describing certain players as being a 'good team-mate' and, while that's a view to which Cairney would subscribe, he is also appreciative of the work he does as an outlet for Fulham.

'I know Chris is there to score goals but he does a lot more work than people realise,' insists Cairney. 'He has a very clever brain. It doesn't sound much but his hold-up work, bringing the rest of us into play, is top-notch.

'Whenever I lift my head he is there. He is a big, strong man and it's easy to hit his feet or his chest. He's a great target man.

'Yes, he will be judged on goals but international football is the top level and that's not easy.'

If Slovenia represented Martin's moment, then four nights earlier Cairney experienced his own occasion to remember. Although he is Nottingham-born, Cairney's father Ian hails from Uddingston and a healthy contingent travelled from Lanarkshire for his big night in Edinburgh.

'I had the family there for both games, I'd say 12-15 of them. I think Easter Road was quite an emotional night for my dad.

'I've always wanted to see if I could play at international level. I've now got that under my belt but I'd now like to get a few caps if I can.

'Gordon Strachan spoke to me one-to-one, he just wanted to know about my background and then told me to go out and do exactly what I'd been doing for Fulham. I knew I needed to get on the ball and play passes but it's always that little bit harder when you're playing in a new team.

'I think I held my own in training and felt comfortable alongside guys like Darren Fletcher and Robert Snodgrass against Canada, even if the pitch wasn't great — I haven't played in conditions like that for a long time. But I managed to show glimpses of what I've been doing for Fulham.

'I just wish Chrissy had helped me out by sticking away his chance when I put him through. Clearly, I was just warming him up for the Sunday!'

Both Fulham players' focus has now switched to domestic matters and the ongoing bid to secure a top-six finish in the Sky Bet Championship.

Martin was red-carded and Cairney scored his tenth goal of the season in Fulham's 3-1 victory over Norwich on Friday and the latter at least will be back in action against Aston Villa tomorrow as the London club look to strengthen their claims for a play-off spot.

'That's the aim,' he continued. 'We keep hopping in and out of the top six but that's just the way this league goes. It's heart-attack material.

'All being well, we'll make the play-offs and I'll be up to speed when the next Scotland squad is announced.'

Fulham play their final league fixture on May 7, when they travel to face Sheffield Wednesday, the team currently placed two points ahead in that coveted sixth-place berth.

Failure to make the play-offs would leave Cairney with more than a month's downtime before the England game but he refuses to countenance an empty summer.

'I've not even thought about holidays,' he says laughing. 'Who wouldn't want to be involved in Scotland v England? Hopefully, I've done enough to suggest I can be around the squad but the manager didn't give me any indication of that.

'The Slovenia game was everything and the overwhelming feeling at the end of the week was one of relief. It wasn't the time to be asking about myself.'

Having added a full cap to the six he collected under Billy Stark for the Under-21s, Cairney would now like to establish himself in the senior squad. Now in double figures for both goals and assists, he has been the most consistently creative midfielder in England's second tier.

Promotion would enhance his prospects but, regardless, he hopes he made enough of an impression to warrant selection for the June showdown with the Auld Enemy.

'People had been asking me about Scotland for the last few seasons and I got a bit tired answering the question,' he admits. 'When it finally came, it was a great feeling. I'm hungry for more.

'Being on the bench for a qualifier at Hampden was quite an experience. Stuart Armstrong had a great debut and set up the goal, so I've no complaints about not playing.'



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