Wednesday Fulham Stuff (19/04/17)...

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Slavisa Jokanovic's remarkable Fulham rebuild reaping rewards as play-off hopes gather momentum

Fulham's victory over Aston Villa on Easter Monday underlined the remarkable rebuild Slavisa Jokanovic has overseen while turning Championship strugglers into Premier League pretenders.

The Cottagers have finished 17th and 20th in the second tier since relegation from the top flight in 2013, but Jokanovic has pushed them into the play-off picture during his first full season in west London, while maintaining an attacking flair.

Indeed, Fulham are now the Championship's leading scorers and hit three goals for the third straight game as they clambered into the play-off places with victory over Villa.

That feat is even more impressive given Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele departed before the start of the season.

"We lost 40 goals last summer and we found the solution with different players," said Jokanovic after the win.

Of the starting XI against Villa on Monday, six were signed by Jokanovic during last summer's transfer shake-up, while there were only two survivors from Kit Symons' final team before his sacking 18 months ago.

Fulham's sharp rise has reportedly earned their manager admiring glances from West Ham, though it is understood the Hammers will hold on to Slaven Bilic until at least the end of the season when the situation at the London Stadium will be reviewed.

Regardless, Jokanovic seems set on reaching the Premier League with Fulham rather than relocating across the city, and last month told Standard Sport he could stay at the Cottage "for 10 years" if successful.

The Serb has promotion pedigree after guiding Watford to the top flight in 2015, when his penchant for attacking football first brought results in England's second tier. The Hornets scored 91 goals on their way to promotion, a greater haul than nine of the last 10 teams to go up as Championship winners.

And Jokanovic can repeat the trick via Wembley after form-side Fulham took their goal haul to 78 for the campaign to shunt Leeds out of the play-off places.

"Fulham play attractive football," added Jokanovic. "It's more important to win the game, I understand perfectly.

"But we believe this is the best way for us and we try to finish this Championship in similar style."


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/slavisa-jokanovics-remarkable-fulham-rebuild-reaping-rewards-as-playoff-hopes-build-a3516536.html

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Follow Fulham Away

With Fulham back in the top-six, make sure you're there on Saturday as we try and solidify our position against Play-Off rivals Huddersfield Town.

Adult tickets are priced at just £20 for the fixture at the John Smith's Stadium, and we are also offering return coach travel for £5, making it a very reasonable day out to Follow Fulham Away!

Victory on Saturday would move us to within two points of the Terriers, so with tickets on General Sale, buy yours soon before they sell out.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/18/follow-fulham-away

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Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield and Reading have been fearing Fulham, former West Ham boss claims
Slavisa Jokanovic's side moved into the top six after they beat Aston Villa 3-1, taking Leeds United's place after they lost to Wolves

Alan Curbishley reckons the sides in the play-off picture have been fearing Fulham in recent weeks and that the Cottagers are playing without fear.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side moved into the top six after they beat Aston Villa 3-1, taking Leeds United's place after they lost to Wolves.

Ryan Sessegnon, Sone Aluko and Neeskens Kebano all scored as the Whites put in a professional victory, dominating the game with 73% of the possession and ensuring they finished an impressive Easter weekend with six points from two games.

And the former West Ham boss thinks the sides around Fulham are fearing them and doesn't see them dropping out of the play-offs now they're in it.

He told Football on 5: "They've all been fearing Fulham, I think Fulham in seventh spot, picking up these results and now Fulham have jumped in there.

"You don't see them dropping out now and someone will have to come out now.

"They seem to be the only team playing without fear and I think Leeds have been gripped by a little bit of fear recently, same as Newcastle, and one or two others in there and it's going to go right to the wire."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leeds-sheffield-wednesday-reading-been-12906834

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Fulham 3-1 Aston Villa: Sone Aluko is peaking at the right time and other things we discovered
Fulham are in full throttle at the moment as they brushed aside Aston Villa at Craven Cottage with the play-offs beckoning, here's what we learnt from the game

Fulham put on a show for the Sky cameras as they beat ten-man Aston Villa 3-1 , with Ryan Sessegnon gaining the plaudits as the 16-year-old opened the scoring at Craven Cottage.

They showed why pundits and fans alike are raving over the football on show at the Cottage this season as they dominated possession and showed their clinical side as both Sone Aluko and Neeskens Kebano hit the back of the net.

The win moved Fulham into the play-off places after Leeds United lost to Wolves with three games remaining in the league, here's what we learned from the game.

Ryan Sessegnon will get the plaudits, but Sone Aluko was man of the match
When a 16-year-old starts in front of the Sky cameras and bags his seventh goal of the season, people are going to talk about him and where he can go in his career.

He took the plaudits yesterday from the pundits and the entire of the Twitter universe, but for me Aluko was absolutely immense and deservedly man of the match from the game.

He was constant pain in the neck for the Aston Villa defence and his touch was absolutely superb all day - it didn't seem Steve Bruce had any idea how to stop him.

Aluko got his deserved goal with a nice acrobatic finish, albeit from a deflection, and it seems the forward is peaking along with his forward partners at the right moment.

Stefan Johansen is getting back to his best
What a game the Norwegian had yesterday.

He was absolutely immense in the middle of the pitch alongside Tom Cairney, linking defence and attack and what stood out for was how he looks as comfortable making tackles as he does threading through balls into the forwards.

His tackle set Ryan Fredericks forward for Sessegnon's goal, while his inch perfect pass to Neeskens Kebano after running out from midfield saw Fulham score their third, and it looks like he's back to his mid season best.

In recent weeks he looked tired, especially against Derby, but that seems to have disappeared again and he's getting back into form at the right time.

Fulham are thriving off the pressure
It's the business end of the season and we all know what is at stake and what pressure comes with that.

But it seems while others falter, Fulham are thriving under it and are playing some of the best football of the season - there wasn't one point in the game against Villa where they looked like they might not win it, while at Norwich they bossed the game even with ten men.

The way Jokanovic has got them ticking, they believe they can go out and beat absolutely anybody, and why shouldn't they believe that?

They play the best football in the division and can score goals for fun.

The play-offs beckon
Nine points and it's theirs.

Sounds easy when you put it like that, but Fulham now know that if they win their last three games of the season, not only do they get west London bragging rights over Brentford, but they'll also finish the season in fifth.

If they continue playing the same way they're doing, I can't seem them dropping out of the top six now and Jokanovic will definitely have his squad believing this is theirs for the taking.

The next three games are certainly going to be interesting.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-3-1-aston-villa-12906970

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Leeds United boss Garry Monk insists his team are ready to hunt down Fulham after being leapfrogged into play-off places
Fulham leapfrogged Leeds thanks to their 3-1 win over Aston Villa while Wolves defeated the Yorkshire side 1-0 at Elland Road, and Monk is now hunting down Fulham

Leeds United boss Garry Monk insists his side are ready to hunt down Fulham as they look to take back the play-off spot the Cottagers took from them over the Easter weekend.

Fulham leapfrogged the Yorkshire side into sixth place after they beat Aston Villa 3-1 , while Wolves defeated Leeds 1-0 thanks to a Nouha Dicko goal at Elland Road.

That was Leeds' third defeat in five games, a run that has seen Fulham claw their way to become level on points with Monk's side, but with a massive goal difference of 24 putting them into the play-off places.

Fulham still have to play Huddersfield, Brentford and Sheffield Wednesday while Leeds play Burton Albion, Norwich and Wigan and Monk believes that sometimes it's easier to be on the hunt.

He said: "We're disappointed with that result (against Wolves). We didn't want that to happen at this stage of the season.

"But we've had the mentality for so long where we've been in the play-offs quite comfortably and have kind of been in that protective mode of trying to stay in there.

"Now we have to change that mentality to be a team that goes on the hunt and lets it all go.

"It's still a really good situation for us. We've got no time to feel sorry for ourselves, that doesn't get you anywhere.

"This is the interesting part. We spent so long in there with the points advantage and we don't have that luxury anymore.

"Now we have to go on the hunt. Sometimes it's easier and there's less pressure when you're on the hunt. When you're in there, there's a different pressure.

"These are three of the biggest games of our lives."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leeds-united-boss-garry-monk-12907760

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Key Aston Villa man lavishes praise on top star in light of Fulham defeat

Our Aston Villa fans here in the Transfer Tavern are hopeful of a successful 2017/18 with their club looking much more stable under Steve Bruce at the moment.

Bruce himself has suffered some tough times at the club but on the whole things have been positive and it really does look as though the club will be heading into next season as one of the favourites for the Championship title.

Of course, the summer window and who Villa can bring in will have an impact on those particular chances whilst it is also important that the key men at the club stay put.

Certainly, Villa will be eager to see Mile Jedinak staying into next year and it certainly appears Steve Bruce feels that way, too


https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premiership/aston-villa/key-aston-villa-man-lavishes-praise-on-top-star-in-light-of-fulham-defeat/

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Fulham are a side buzzing with inventiveness and confidence after solid Easter weekend wins
Columnist Chris Bishop today reflects on a solid Easter weekend showing from Fulham and believes the fear of bottling big games died at Carrow Road

My Easter cup overflows. To cap a wonderful and hopeful weekend of rebirth I caught the 3-1 demolition of the Villa - on yet another rare appearance on TV in Africa.

Craven Cottage looked plump and populated once again; the sweeping, passing, football was as lush as the green turf. I saw some of the sweetest reverse passes in the book - every time I visualized what I would like the next pass to be - it was carpeted out by Fulham's tireless midfield.

Fulham fly on days like this; everyone knows their place and the quick passes make any opposition look flat-footed.

True, we had a bit of luck in the first half when Jonathon Kodjia - the lone striker for the Villa - shuffled his 15 million pound talent down the tunnel, for an early bath, for kicking Ryan Fredericks on the ground.

I thought for one terrible moment that one of the Fulham players was also going to see red in the ensuing melee, but no, for the first time in ages, the dismissed did not wear a Fulham shirt.

Fleet-footed Fredericks had the Villa defence on toast in that first half - his lethal speed is surely bodes well for the tough tests to come.


Seeing red: Jonathan Kodjia

Speaking of dismissals, Ryan Sessegnon started on the left, in for the red carded Chris Martin.

I thought he showed courage and composure and keep his place. I also think Fulham and young Ryan can do more for each other next season - no matter which league we are in - than a bigger moneybags club that is likely to put him on the bench for a couple of years. Why don't they ding their own talent ?

Then the non-stop running Sone Aluko - my Twitter mate, by the way - with the second and a sublime third from Neeskens Kebano - I think we will see a lot more from the classy right boot of the latter before the season is out.

Between the posts, the quick reflexes of Marcus Bettenelli saved an embarrassment following a sloppy Tim Ream chest back; but I reckon he was about a yard out of position when Jack Grealish lobbed him to pull one back for Villa. Watch your far post, Marcus.


Tableau of despair: Fulham celebrate as Sam Johnstone looks dejected (Photo: Paul Burgman)

Over all it could have been four five with a little but more luck. Fulham are a side buzzing with inventiveness and confidence for the nervy last games.

Any fears of bottling the big games died on the battlefield at Norwich. Fulham could have given Villa a few lessons on how to play a strong team with ten men.

The defining moment came when Tom Cairney slammed home that penalty. Norwich coming back into the game at that point and Fulham have missed more penalties this season than most teams do in a decade. That was a pressure moment for captain Cairney and it pointed the way to the stars of the promotion sky.

As for Floyd Ayite - who said he was going to be a bit player this season ? A deft dummy to round Norwich 'keeper John Ruddy - who is no mug - for the third. A nimble touch of cheek that could serve Fulham well in the intense heat of the rough games to come.

Only thing I can say against the Villa game is - a bit quiet wasn't it ? Forgive me, if this is nostalgia, but about 300 of us made more noise away at Hartlepool in 1992! We sang louder for Gary Brazil, on that dull day in the north, than anyone did on Monday for Aluko in the spring sunshine on Monday.

It has been a rough few years since relegation - this time last year we were 20th - if ever there is a time to sing your lungs out for a talented crop of players - this is it!


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-side-buzzing-inventiveness-confidence-12907584

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Ryan Sessegnon LFC transfer with FIFA 18 rating potential

The Summer transfer window is coming along very soon and all FIFA 18 players will be very excited to see which players move to different clubs in time for the new season.

We always keep an eye on some of the big names that are mentioned and this week we can see that Ryan Sessegnon to LFC transfer rumors are top of the list with this young prospect potentially joining Liverpool FC for the 2017-18 season.

For those wondering why Ryan Sessegnon is not on FIFA 17, this is because he is only 16 years old and because he has not yet signed a professional contract EA cannot put him into the game.

This all changes with FIFA 18 of course though and we are excited to see what his rating is going to be. It's guaranteed that Ryan Sessegnon FIFA 18 potential rating will be extremely high, but could he ship with a nice silver card on Ultimate Team.



http://www.product-reviews.net/2017/04/18/ryan-sessegnon-lfc-transfer-with-fifa-18-rating-potential/

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Slavisa Jokanovic tells Fulham to 'take control' of their own destiny as they push on for the play-offs

Slavisa Jokanovic has urged Fulham to keep control of their own destiny after watching his side climb into the Championship top six on Monday.

The Cottagers beat 10-man Aston Villa 3-1 to move above Leeds on goal difference as Garry Monk's team dropped out of the play-off places for the first time since November.

Fulham's final three games include difficult trips to top-six rivals Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday, while Leeds face relegation candidates Burton and Wigan during their run-in.

But Jokanovic has told his players to ignore other results and focus on maintaining a winning habit after recording a third straight victory against Villa.

"I'm not thinking about who will be chasing us or which team we will be chasing," the Fulham boss said

"We need to concentrate on our work and the next game [against Huddersfield].

"At the end we are playing against a top Championship team who are still fighting directly for promotion. We will try and take control ourselves."

Goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Sone Aluko and Neeskens Kebano sealed the win over Villa as

Jonathan Kodjia was sent off for kicking out at Ryan Fredericks midway through the first period.

The victory saw Fulham overtake Newcastle as the Championship's leading scorers and there is confidence throughout the club that their attacking brand of football will help secure a play-off spot.

"Today was a fantastic atmosphere at Craven Cottage, my players believe, and I believe we can finish in the top six," Jokanovic added.

"We believe [attractive football] is the best way for us, and we're going to try and finish this Championship in a similar style."

"We believe in the way we want to play football. It will encourage us for the last three games."


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/slavisa-jokanovic-tells-fulham-to-take-control-of-their-own-destiny-as-they-push-on-for-the-playoffs-a3517021.html

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Former Leeds Star Worried Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday Could Lock Whites Out With Draw

Former Leeds United forward Noel Whelan is concerned that Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday could play out a draw on the final day of the season to lock the Whites out of the playoff places.

Leeds slipped out of the Championship's top six on Easter Monday after Wolves shocked the Whites by earning a 1-0 win at Elland Road, while Fulham and Wednesday both won.

Sheffield Wednesday sit in fifth spot with 75 points, while Fulham are sixth with 73 points; Leeds are seventh, kept out of the top six on goal difference.

There are just three games left, with Fulham and Wednesday meeting each other at Hillsborough on the final day, leaving Whelan concerned that if the pair only need a draw to finish in the top six then they could do just that, draw, locking Leeds out of the picture.

"What if it turns out that Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday only need a draw come the final game of the season?" a concerned Whelan said on BBC Radio Leeds.

"Will they be happy with that? Will they go all out?

"They'll both settle for a point.

"Leeds can't rely on others for results", he added.

Leeds' final three games this season see trips to Burton Albion and Wigan Athletic, both teams fighing to stay in the Championship, and a visit from Norwich City.


http://www.insidefutbol.com/2017/04/18/former-leeds-star-worried-fulham-and-sheffield-wednesday-could-lock-whites-out-with-draw/333605/

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Fulham boss issues rallying call after his team break into the play-offs

According to The London Evening Standard, Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has urged his side to "take control" in the race for the play-offs.

Fulham moved into the top six for the first time in a while after brushing off the challenge of ten man Aston Villa with a 3-1 win at Craven Cottage.

With Leeds United losing at home to Wolves, Fulham jumped into the play-off zone at Garry Monk's side's expense.

Now they have a place in the top six, Slavisa Jokanovic wants his Fulham players to concentrate on picking up wins rather than looking at what the other teams around them are doing.

Five teams – Huddersfield, Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, Fulham and Leeds – are competing for four places in the play-offs and the race is hotting up with just three games remaining.

Jokanovic warned his side to focus purely on their next game against high flying Huddersfield.

The Serbian said:

"I'm not thinking about who will be chasing us or which team we will be chasing.

"We need to concentrate on our work and the next game [against Huddersfield].

"At the end we are playing against a top Championship team who are still fighting directly for promotion.

"We will try and take control ourselves."


https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-boss-issues-rallying-call-after-his-team-break-into-the-play-offs/

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Will Newcastle hang on to their automatic promotion place?

Brighton and Hove Albion were able to lock up a spot in the Premier League on Easter Monday as they defeated Wigan (2-1). However, Reading and Huddersfield both have a chance of surpassing Newcastle for the second automatic promotion position.

The Magpies were defeated 3-1 by Ipswich and they're now facing the reality of losing hold of second place with only three games left to play this season. Newcastle are still in the driver's seat, though.

Rafael Benitez's men are sitting on 85 points with three matches left. They'll play Preston North End, Cardiff City and Barnsley in their remaining matches, so they should be able to hold off Reading (79 Points) and Huddersfield (78 Points), but it's their recent form of one point from their last three outings which is most alarming.

Preston North End is the toughest remaining match and they're only 10th on the table with 61 points. The team has been in poor form too. The Lilywhites have won just one of their last six SkyBet Championship matches.

Reading is the closest challenger to Newcastle and they've been in great form. Reading have won five of their last six matches, but the great form may prove to be too little too late, as they are still six points behind 2nd place.

Reading are likely going to close out the season with three more wins, as they play Nottingham Forest, Wigan and Burton Albion. All three teams have been poor all season and the highest on the table is Burton Albion (19th).

Newcastle will want to ensure they get three points this weekend because if they don't, the pressure will then be on and they won't want that despite having two easier matches coming up to finish the season.

Huddersfield are sitting 78 points, but they actually have four matches left to play, so they could still earn a possible 12 points if they can win out against Fulham, Wolverhampton, Birmingham City and Cardiff City.

All of the matches are winnable, but the upcoming match against Fulham will be the toughest. Fulham are 6th on the table and would love nothing more than to hand Huddersfield a defeat this weekend as the Cottagers fight for a play-off spot.

If Huddersfield can defeat Fulham on Saturday it would put some pressure on Newcastle, as the rest of their matches are against teams in the bottom half of the table. The toughest match after Fulham is against Wolverhampton (16th).

Are you looking to place a punt on this weekend's matches? There's a lot on the line and every team still in the mix will be playing their best football, so it's a great time to place a multi-bet with Huddersfield, Newcastle Brighton.

Brighton can lock-up first place in the SkyBet Championship with a win this weekend, so while they're guaranteed one of two spots in next year's Premier League campaign, they still have a lot to play for.

Grab one of the top Bet365 codes to add some extra cash to your balance after your first deposit.

We would expect Newcastle to hang on and qualify for the Premier League with a second place finish, but Huddersfield and Reading both have a great chance to make things interesting right until the final day of the season.

Seeing Brighton in the Premier League next season will be exciting, as they haven't play in England's top-flight league since the 1982-83 season.


http://the72.co.uk/79213/will-newcastle-hang-automatic-promotion-place/

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Foundation Call-Up

FFC Foundation's Performance Centre U15 Goalkeeper, Andrei Stanescu, has been invited to join the Romanian National U15 Team as they prepare to compete at the Gallini World Cup, Italy this coming Easter weekend.

Andrei currently participates in the Performance Centre, which is an invitation-only development centre run by Fulham FC Foundation. It is primarily for talented or potentially talented players we see across the community department's current networks and programmes. The aim of the Performance Centre is to provide strong grassroots footballers between the ages of 6 and 16 with the opportunity to develop their technical and tactical skills and knowledge, through a top level coaching programme.

Andrei joined the GK School programme after moving over from Romania in 2015, shortly after this he was invited to participate at our Performance Centre venue at Whitton Sports and Leisure Centre. Andrei trained once per week with our dedicated coaching team throughout the 2015/16 season. At the start of the 2016/17 season the Performance Centre programme moved to a three-night a week training programme (GK only) which saw Andrei engage with further training each week than in previous seasons. These training sessions take place at Fulham FC's First Team Training Facility at Motspur Park and with the extra 3 hours contact time a week plus a recognised games programme Andrei's development across the Fulham FC Foundation Four Corner Model has soared.

On being invited to attend the camp Andrei said, "It's a dream come true and a step forward into my football career. The training sessions at the Performance Centre were well organised and helped me improve my techniques and the games have really helped me to be a better goalkeeper.

Steve Jaye, FFCF Performance Centre Lead, commented, "We're all extremely pleased for Andrei on his call up to the National squad and are looking forward to hearing about his experiences whilst training and playing with players from across Europe. Hopefully this will further demonstrate the opportunity for young players, within our programmes, to succeed with hard work and dedication to training and practice."

At the beginning of March it was confirmed that Andrei had been selected to attend a national training camp in Timisoara, Romania in preparation to compete at the Gallini World Cup Tournament in Italy over the Easter Weekend (14th-17th April). The Romanian National Team and Andrei's progress in this competition can be found here: http://www.galliniworldcup.com/en/u15-boys-2017/



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/18/foundation-call-up

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Sone Aluko reckons Fulham's willingness to take risks is paying dividends in the Championship play-off race
Slavisa Jokanovic's side climbed into the play-offs after beating Aston Villa 3-1 and seem to be thriving under the pressure of being in a play-off race

Sone Aluko believes the way Fulham are playing compliments the pressure that comes with chasing the play-offs with three games left, something the other sides seem to be struggling with.

Fulham have climbed into the play-offs after defeating Aston Villa 3-1 at the Cottage in a game of free-flowing and confident football, while Leeds were beaten 1-0 at Elland Road by Wolves.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side also beat Norwich by the same scoreline at Carrow Road on Good Friday in what was arguably a more impressive performance after they were reduced to ten men for 45 minutes and Aluko believes that Fulham's willingness to take risks is paying off in the business end of the season.

He said: "At the end of the season, I've been there a couple times and teams start losing games - Newcastle lost and Leeds lost so the pressure comes off.


No pressure: Sone Aluko

"Teams that have nothing to play for suddenly enjoy themselves so that has a difference and it's for us to stay on our toes and win games.

"I think its the way we play, we take risks and are very open so come the end of the season maybe the other teams aren't doing that and are a bit more cagey.

"It's three really big games and three we want to win and three we believe we can win and there will be a couple more twists and turns but we'll see where we are at the end of the season

"I wasn't chasing Wednesday, I was chasing sixth or getting into the play-offs and whoever that was, whether it was Leeds or Sheffield Wednesday so be it."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sone-aluko-reckons-fulhams-willingness-12909383

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Rangers should attempt Sone Aluko reunion if Fulham season ends in heartbreak

Sone Aluko is out of contract next summer and, if Fulham don't earn a return to the Premier League, could he be tempted to rejoin Rangers?

While the majestic Tom Cairney and teen sensation Ryan Sessegnon have hogged the headlines at Craven Cottage and reduced Premier League scouts to a flustering mess, it's perhaps a little unfair that Sone Aluko has not had his share of the spotlight.

Without the 28-year-old's eight goals and 10 assists, Fulham may have found the prospect of clawing back the gap to the top six a step too far. Yet, Aluko has been in inspired form since the turn of the year and is as much a factor in their stunning run of form as Cairney, Sessegnon, Floyd Ayite or Stefan Johansen.

And, on his day, there are few players more exhilarating outside of the Premier League. Blessed with rapid footwork and mesmeric dribbling ability, Aluko reminds on a weekly basis just why Scottish Premiership giants Rangers were so keen to sign him in 2011 – and why they were so disappointed he left after their demotion to the bottom tier a year later.

After leaving Aberdeen at the end of his contract, Aluko embarked on two trials six summers ago. However, rather than putting pen to paper on an extraordinary move to Juventus, Aluko instead joined rivals Rangers, as reported by STV.

One superb season, the most prolific of his career thanks to 12 goals in 23 games, meant that Hull City did not wait around to snap him up amid the exodus of 2012.

However, Aluko is only now hitting the form that made him such a fans favourite at Ibrox. And, with his contract expiring next summer, it's not ridiculous to suggest Rangers could attempt a reunion if Fulham miss out on promotion to the Premier League.


http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/04/18/rangers-should-attempt-sone-aluko-reunion-if-fulham-season-en/

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Dual curse stands between Sheffield Wednesday and top-six finish

Sheffield Wednesday face Derby County and Ipswich Town before May's final day showdown with Fulham.

A second successive Championship play-off campaign is well within Sheffield Wednesday's grasp, as the Owls head into the final three games of the regular season.

Win the first two of those and Carlos Carvalhal's side would require only a point against sixth-placed Fulham at Hillsborough on the final day to secure their place, assuming the Cottagers - and Leeds United - match Wednesday's results until then.

While the Owls' other two opponents no longer have anything left to play for, their supporters should know better than to write off Derby County and Mick McCarthy, the Ipswich Town manager.

Wednesday haven't beaten Derby since May 2006 - a run spanning 17 matches - while Barnsley native McCarthy has avoided defeat in 14 of his 15 encounters with the side from down t'road - his only loss coming in the first of those while manager of Millwall in 1995.

Both sides have already beaten the Owls this season and one suspects at least one of those results will need to be avenged if the Yorkshire side are to still have a chance come Fulham's visit.

Win both and it could be the biggest clue yet that Sheffield Wednesday are, indeed, on their way back.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/04/18/dual-curse-stands-between-sheffield-wednesday-and-top-six-finish/

[WhiteJC]

 
UNDER-23 MATCH REPORT: Blackburn Rovers 3 Fulham 2

BLACKBURN Rovers Under-23s beat play-off rivals Fulham 3-2 in an entertaining Premier League 2 encounter at the County Ground in Leyland, writes Sam Jones.

Damien Johnson's side made it five wins in their last six league outings to move in to the Division 2 play-off spots with one game remaining.

George Williams' second-half strike gave the away side the lead, but Lewis Mansell hit back soon after. Defender Joe Grayson scored his first goal of the season to put Rovers in front, before Willem Tomlinson's strike secured all three points, despite Williams grabbing a consolation deep in to injury time.

It was the visitors who created the opening chance of the game after 10 minutes. Mattias Kait ran down the right and crossed for Elijah Adebayo, whose back-heeled effort was saved by Andrew Fisher.

Adebayo kept Fisher busy as he smashed a shot towards the near post that the Rovers stopper was down low to parry out for a corner. Lively left-back Adetayo Edun then got in behind the Rovers backline, but drilled his shot wide.

On the stroke of half-time Stephen Hendrie fashioned Rovers' best opportunity of the first half as he fired a shot towards the top corner, but Magnus Norman was on hand to tip it over the bar.

Rovers were much improved in the second period, but they fell behind on 53 minutes when George Williams was played through on goal and rounded Fisher before placing the ball into an empty net.

However, Rovers responded two minutes later as Hendrie's low cross picked out Mansell, who finished first time for his fifth league goal of the season. 

The chances continued to flow at both ends as Fisher was out quickly to deny Kait, who was foiled once again by the Rovers 'keeper when his powerful shot was heading for the bottom corner.

Rovers turned the game around courtesy of Lewis Hardcastle's corner, which was lashed in by Joe Grayson from close range mid-way through the second half. 

They made it 3-1 with a quarter of an hour to play as Willem Tomlinson converted Connor Thomson's cut back. And Rovers could have added to their lead had Daniel Butterworth found the net from another Thomson cross, but the striker's effort went just over the bar.

But in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Fulham got a goal back. Kait's shot was parried by Fisher into the path of Williams, who couldn't miss from five yards out.

But Rovers continued their impressive form to move in to the top five ahead of their game against Aston Villa next Monday (7pm) at Ewood Park, a prequel to the first team game between the sides five days later.

ROVERS: Fisher (GK), Travis, Hendrie, Tomlinson, Magloire, Grayson, Thomson, Hardcastle, Mansell, Butterworth (Mols; 89 mins), Rankin-Costello.

Unused Subs: Doyle, Powell, Wright, Thompson.


http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/15231371.UNDER_23_MATCH_REPORT__Blackburn_Rovers_3_Fulham_2/?ref=mac

[WhiteJC]

 
Journey Of This Underrated Fulham Gaffer Who Might Manage In Premier League Next Season

Slaviša Jokanović is not a familiar name in coaching circuit as of now, but the Serbian has earned a lot of attention in recent months following his surprise ascent in Championship football. His previous success story remained largely unnoticed when he earned a Premier League promotion with Watford a couple of years back. However, he left the managerial role after failing to agree to a new deal and the appointment of high-profile Quique Sánchez Flores made him 'the forgotten one'. But the former Watford boss silently made a return to English football six months later with a struggling Fulham side and managed to avoid relegation by one place in the extremely adverse situation.

Fulham, a top Premier League force a few years back, have struggled in Championship since being relegated in 2014. They went through several managerial alterations and failed to retain most of their key players, but the appointment of Jokanović helped them to reconstruct their squad as the 48-year old former Yugoslavia international brought back a rhythm as well as toughness amongst the Cottagers. They are now sixth in the league table with 3 more games remaining in their impressive campaign and very much in contention to secure a playoff spot in order to keep their promotion hopes alive.

Jokanović had a successful playing career as well. He made 64 appearances for FR Yugoslavia and featured in 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000. The defensive midfielder had an impressive spell with Spanish outfit Deportivo de La Coruña and played a big part in their first ever league triumph. After only one season with Depor, he joined Premier League outfit Chelsea and spent a couple of seasons there.

After hanging up his boots following a three-month spell with Spanish second division side Ciudad de Murcia, Jokanović concentrated on his coaching career and appointed as the head coach of Serbian outfit Partizan – the club with whom he won Yugoslav First League as a player in his early days. He had an extremely successful phase with them and won back to back doubles (Serbian SuperLiga and Serbian Cup) before bidding farewell.

He then had another title-winning season with Thai outfit Muangthong United F.C. but failed big time with Bulgarian team Levski Sofia and later with Spanish Segunda Division outfit Hercules CF who eventually got relegated at the end of the season. But he revived his career with Watford after successfully guiding them to Premier League promotion and then led the Israeli outfit Maccabi Tel Aviv FC to the group stage of the prestigious Champions League competition for the first time in 11 years ousting Basel.

He then agreed to have a second spell in Championship football and his presence has uplifted Fulham who are dreaming once more to restore their lost pride with a Premier League return. His excellence earned him a long-term contract back in February that tied him down with the Cottagers until 2019.

Recently, Premier League outfit West Ham United have set their eyes on the Serbian who might be targeted if they decide to part ways with Slaven Bilic who is struggling in the ongoing campaign following a seventh-place finish last year in his debut Premier League season.

Jokanović, however, is not baffled by the rumours as he is eyeing for greater glory with the greater London outfit,

"I am absolutely committed, always, I will repeat that I have a year and a half on my contract with Fulham – I am happy with my club and I will push hard to be a Premier League coach with Fulham in the future, either in a few months or a little bit longer."


http://the4thofficial.net/2017/04/journey-underrated-fulham-gaffer-might-manage-premier-league-next-season/