Sunday Fulham Stuff (20/08/17)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Results

Friday
Burton	2 - 1	Birmingham
Saturday
Sheff Utd	1 - 0	Barnsley
Ipswich	2 - 0	Brentford
Bolton	1 - 2	Derby
Bristol City	0 - 0	Millwall
Fulham	0 - 1	Sheff Wed
Aston Villa	4 - 2	Norwich
Nottm Forest	2 - 1	Middlesborough
Preston NE	1 - 0	Reading
QPR	2 - 1	Hull
Wolves	1 - 2	Cardiff
Sunderland	0 - 2	Leeds

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday: Player ratings as Rui Fonte makes his debut at the Cottage

Fulham suffered their first defeat of the season as they went down 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday - here's how we rated the players

Steven Fletcher's second half strike gave Sheffield Wednesday victory over Fulham on a day where the Cottagers will be cursing their form in front of goal once again.

Slavisa Jokanovic welcomed back skipper Tom Cairney after his recent knee problems while new signing Rui Fonte went straight into the starting XI.

Sone Aluko shoukd've put the hosts 1-0 up in the 20th minute when Fonte's corner was knocked onto him at the back post, but the forward got underneath the ball and headed well over Keiren Westwood's bar.

Kevin McDonald had another chance just before the break when another Fonte cross found him in the middle of the box, but he also joined Aluko in heading the ball over the Wednesday bar.

But it was the away side who took the lead just after the hour mark when Adam Reach's pull back was met by Fletcher, who drove the ball home into the bottom corner of Button's net.

Here's how we rated the side:

Button 7: Was a commanding presence in the box when collecting Wednesday crosses . He could nothing about the goal but made a decent save to keep it at 1-0 late in the second half.

Kalas 7: Was solid at the back and put in a number of strong challenges through the first half. Continued through the second half but found himself and Ream stretched at times.

Ream 6: Had another good game at centre back and put in a number of solid challenges throughout the game. His tracking of the Wednesday's forwards was a particular highlight.

Odoi 6: Linked up well with Sessegnon down the left and his constant runs behind the defence caused problems in the first half. Was far more quiet in the second 45 and didn't have the same impact.

Fredericks 6: A good defensive display from Fredericks today but didn't manage to get forward as much as he usually does.

Cairney 6: Didn't look his usual self in the middle of the park having come back from injury but still looked to get Fulham going.

McDonald 6: The anchor once again, he broke up a number of Wednesday attacks throughout the game. Probably should've scored in the first half and will be disappointed to not have a goal to his name. Slowed in the second half and was replaced by Kamara.

Johansen 6: Played a few nice balls in the first half but didn't have the usual impact he has on games. Was replaced on the hour mark after receiving a knock.

Aluko 6: Had a few nice touches on the right but struggled to get into the game and was replaced by Kebano with half an hour remaining.

Sessegnon 7: Looked good down the left hassling and harrying the Wednesday back line, but should've scored when he was played through by Aluko in the second half and he will be disappointed by that.

Fonte 7: Impressed with his crossing in the first half and was unfortunate to have some assists to his name in the first 45. Was far more quiet in the second half and barely got onto the ball.

Subs -
Kebano 7: Looked good when he came on and offered a bit of skill that was missing down the right. Was always looking to be on the shoulder of the last man and was hungry for the ball.

Norwood 6: Gave away a few soppy passes within minutes of coming on but settled into the midfield more as he progressed.

Kamara 6: Tried to give Fulham another outlet up top on a day they struggled to out chances away but didn't have any chances come his way.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fulham-0-1-sheffield-wednesday-13500453

[WhiteJC]

 
Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović was left frustrated by his side's lack of cutting edge in front of goal, as Fulham fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon.

After a tense first half where the Whites had a flurry of chances to take the lead, Steven Fletcher was on hand to fire in a left footed volley to score the only goal in the match and hand Fulham their first loss of the Season.

"It's the same story," explained Jokanović."We missed a little bit of quality to score a goal and needed to be a bit more quicker with the ball.

"We had better chances than Sheffield Wednesday, but they put the ball in the net and we didn't.

"We played against one of the most experienced teams in the Championship, who know how to compete at this level."

The Whites have yet to secure three points in the 2017/18 campaign, but Fulham's Head Coach remains optimistic that they will be able to soon pick up their first win of the campaign.

"It's a frustrating situation for us, but we believe we can play better" said Jokanović. "We're not in pre-season but I'm still testing my players to find the best solution.

"For us, it's important to keep going and to improve.

"Like always, we're optimistic. We'll push to play at a better level against Ipswich and continue to fight for our first three points of the season."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/19/owls-head-coach-reaction

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham vs Sheffield Wednesday Match Report
Fulham vs Sheffield Wednesday Match Report

First Half

No real action for the first seven minutes of the game, but David Button was called into action once to swipe away a David Jones through ball. In the eighth minute, Tim Ream had a fantastic block which denied Hopper a chance at goal. Five minutes later, Kalas was on call to clear a dangerous Wednesday cross. In the 19th, Rui Fonte delivered a beautiful corner that Aluko nodded just over. Fonte was involved again two minutes later, he put in a beautiful ball that was just ahead of Sessegnon. On 24, Stefan Johansen went close with a spectacular volley that just missed the crossbar. After about 20 minutes of dominance from Fulham without a real chance, another beautiful Rui Fonte cross, from a free kick won by Dennis Odoi, was headed just over by kevin McDonald.

Half-Time Thoughts:

Rui Fonte was extremely impressive for the first forty five minutes and looked ready to score, or create a goal any minute. The midfield was great as always, but Cairney was having to drop a little deep to be effective in the final third. The defense has been rock solid the whole game, Kalas picked up a knock on his elbow, but he was able to shake that off quickly. The finishing needed a little help, but we looked to be getting closer as the game went on.

Second Half:

Fulham started brightly having a lot of possession and snuffing out the Wednesday attack. David Button went down holding his knee, but he was able to continue. Stefan Johansen was given a great chance to feed a cross into Fonte, but he put the cross over the bar. Fulham then had a great attacking spell, but we were unable to get a real chance. Ryan Sessegnon made a great run to get on a through ball but he was unable to put his shot on target. Bannan had a sweetly struck shot from range, and Steven Fletcher put it in the back of the net, but he was offside. Johansen went down under a challenge from Barry Bannan, but he was able to continue. On 61, Sone Aluko went off for Neeskens Kebano, and Oliver Norwood came on for Stefan Johansen. Reach had a great cutback to Fletcher, and the experienced striker made no mistake to give Wednesday the lead. Sessegnon delivered a ball across the six yard box, but it was behind Fonte. Kebano with some nice skill got a good shot off that Westwood saved. McDonald was booked for stopping George Boyd from getting forward. On 75, Aboubakar Kamara came on for Kevin McDonald. Steven Fletcher had a shot well saved by David Button. Fernando Forestieri came on for Gary Hooper in the 81st minute. On 90, Nuhiu on for Fletcher. In stoppage time, George Boyd came off for Liam Palmer. Jack Hunt flops over to the ground and somehow Kebano is penalized, incredible. Final whistle.

Full Time Thoughts:

We were so poor in the saecond half and in defense. Nobody marking Fletcher for the goal. Wednesday did not deserve a win, but they are quality enough to take one when you hand it to them. Work needs to be done and improvements made to the team. Sessegnon was not good enough today and should be dropped for Ipswich. Aluko looked like his mind was elsehwere, if he wants to go to Reading, I say ship him out after that.




https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/8/19/16173296/fulham-vs-sheffield-wednesday-match-report

[WhiteJC]

 
Slavisa Jokanovic hopeful over Fulham form despite Sheffield Wednesday defeat

Slavisa Jokanovic refused to press the panic button after Sheffield Wednesday condemned his Fulham side to a 1-0 defeat.

Steven Fletcher struck in the 64th minute to end the Owls' winless league run at the fourth attempt.

But Fulham, who have scored just twice in their opening four games, are still to break their duck and manager Jokanovic said: "Our lack of goals is a worry. It was the same story that we have had before.

"We were the better team but we couldn't put it in the net. We couldn't get the quality opportunities.

"I believed we created more chances than Sheffield Wednesday but they scored and we didn't. I felt we deserved more than no points.

"We play against one of the top Championship teams who have been two or three years together.

"We are still looking for our best team. We have to keep going and improve with each game. We are missing a little bit of speed with the ball.

"That would make a difference and it's something we must work on. We played against an experienced team who knew how to defend once they scored the goal.

"We can play better. But we are optimistic that we will push hard to improve and get that win."

Fulham dominated the first half but Sone Aluko was guilty of missing two chances.

Ryan Sessegnon continued the trend after the break before striker Fletcher met Adam Reach's cross to fire the Owls to a win in a poor game between two of last season's defeated play-off semi finalists.

Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal was relieved to get their Championships season up and running, and said: "I was very calm even when we were not winning games. There's expectations and pressure here but I believe we will achieve our results.

"We had played well before this in our other games and hadn't won, so didn't need to change anything. I have always slept well. There was no panic.

"Results are important and this win makes us happy, but I always believed we were would achieve a victory playing the way we were. It was good to get a win against one of the strongest teams in the league and away from home in their stadium.

"Sometimes we don't play better than our opponents and didn't win. We have in our last games. Here we might not have been for periods but we are happy to win.

"We corrected some things at half-time. We pushed further forward and pressed them higher up the pitch. It was crucial to change.



https://www.clubcall.com/sheffield-wednesday/slavisa-jokanovic-hopeful-over-fulham-form-despite-sheffield-1860245.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Bristol Rovers Tickets

Fulham are next in action at Craven Cottage on Tuesday 22nd August (7:45pm) as they take on Bristol Rovers in Round Two of the Carabao Cup.

Watch the Whites under the lights with tickets starting from just £10 adults and £5 juniors.

Season Ticket Holders yet to secure their seat are still able to enjoy a £5 discount when purchasing in advance and all fans are advised that they will receive a paper ticket for this game.

Secure your seat online now, by phone on 0203 871 0810 (opt. 1) or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.

COYW!

Ticket Office open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/19/bristol-rovers-tickets

[WhiteJC]

 
Jokanovic 'looking for the solution'

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic admits he is still experimenting with his squad to try and find a winning formula four games into the season.

Jokanovic's side lie sixth from bottom of the Championship table after following three draws with a 1-0 home defeat by Sheffield Wednesday.

"We're not in pre-season but I'm still testing my players, looking for the best solution," said the Whites boss.

"I still need to test some players and find what is my best option for winning the game. It's important to keep going and improve ourselves.

"We believe we can play better and we are optimistic of pushing hard for a better level next time we play."

Fulham have found the net just twice in their opening four fixtures and forced only a single save from Owls goalkeeper Keiren Westwood during Saturday's clash at Craven Cottage.

Steven Fletcher netted the only goal of the game, in the 64th minute, volleying home Adam Reach's cross to secure Wednesday's first win of the campaign.

"It's the same story – we create the chances, but cannot find a clear way to finish," added Jokanovic, whose team are back in action on Tuesday at home to Bristol Rovers in the Carabao Cup.

"I believe our chances were better than Sheffield Wednesday made, but they put it in the net. We cannot complain because we didn't score the goal."



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-boss-im-still-experimenting

[WhiteJC]

Fletcher fires Wednesday to first win at Fulham
by Dan on August 19, 2017

Steven Fletcher's first goal of the season was enough to earn Sheffield Wednesday their first win of the new campaign as Fulham endured another frustrating afternoon at Craven Cottage. The optimism of the past week, epitomised by the arrival of debutante Rui Fonte from Braga, evaporated after Slavisa Jokanovic's side put in another patchy performance undermined by familiar failings in both boxes.

Fletcher helped ease the pressure on Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal by clinically dispatching the visitors clearest chance of the contest on 63 minutes. Kevin McDonald uncharacteristically surrendered possession and Adam Reach burst down the left flank towards the by-line. His cut back found Fletcher in acres of space and he sent a low volley beyond the reach of David Button – a strike that left Fulham winless in their first four Championship games.

In one respect it was harsh on the home side. They had made much of the running in the first half and still carried a threat after the break. But Fulham were punished for failing to take any of their chances. Sone Aluko spurned two glorious chances from set pieces – the first when he inexplicably failed to head home from close range after Denis Odoi nodded on Fonte's flag kick and, then, from another corner, when he couldn't divert lower cross home from less than six yards out. Stefan Johansen sent a rasping drive fractionally over Kieren Westwood's crossbar and, right on the stroke of half time, McDonald powered a header over from seven yards out having been expertly found by Fonte's free-kick.

Wednesday threatened sporadically on the counter, growing into the game as Barry Bannan and David Jones established a foothold from the centre of midfield. The visitors fashioned a couple of good chances from set-plays with Gary Hooper heading over from a corner and Fulham also scrambled the ball away from Fletcher's feet after fine approach play from Jack Hunt. Carvalhal's side were much more positive after the break and Hunt's low cross caused palpitations in the Fulham defence as it fizzed across cross goal before Tim Ream slid in to divert the ball behind. Fletcher was foiled from the ensuing corner – and Fulham were soon on the front foot again.

A speedy break saw Aluko bustle into space on the edge of the Wednesday box before slipping a lovely pass through to the rampaging Ryan Sessegnon. The teenager kept his head down and dragged his shot across Westwood and wide with Fonte unmarked in the middle. You got the feeling that miss might prove crucial – and it eventually did, even if Wednesday's warning went unheeded when Fletcher smashed home the loose ball after Bannan had drawn a top save from the former Brentford keeper and the Scottish international was flagged offside.

Fulham's reprieve proved only temporary with Fletcher's clinical finish only adding to a sense of injustice amongst the home fans after Johansen had been chopped down on the edge of the penalty area. Carvalhal's charges were happy to sit back on their lead and absorb the Fulham pressure, which never really looked like overwhelming them. Westwood made a fine reaction save to push away Neeksens Kebano's drive after he turned dangerously inside the penalty area and the Fulham substitute also forced the Wednesday keeper to hold a powerful shot at his near post.

Jokanovic threw on Aboubakar Kamara for the final quarter of an hour in a bid to salvage a point but Fulham could never quite build up the head of steam that a comeback against a well-drilled Wednesday side was going to muster. The hosts enjoyed plenty of possession, but lacked the penetration required even if a phalanx of forwards on the pitch by the time that clocked ticked over into injury time. In fact, it was the visitors who nearly sealed their smash-and-grab with a second but Button saved well from Fletcher at his near post.

This wouldn't have been the debut that Fonte envisaged or the sort of start that Jokanovic had desired. Whilst it remains early in the new season, four winless league games leaves the Whites well behind the early pace-setters with one of the early season's surprise packages, Ipswich Town, limbering up as their next Championship opponents.

FULHAM (4-3-3): Button; Fredericks, Odoi, Kalas, Ream; McDonald (Kamara 75), Johansen (Norwood 62), Cairney; Aluko (Kebano 62), R. Sessegnon, Fonte. Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Djalo, Cisse, Ojo.

BOOKED: McDonald, Fredericks.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (4-4-2). Westwood; Hunt, Lees, Pudil, Fox; Boyd (Palmer 90), Jones, Bannan, Reach; Hooper (Forestieri 81), Fletcher (Nuhiu 90). Subs (not used): Wildsmith, Wallace, Abdi, Rhodes.

GOAL: Fletcher (64).

REFEREE: Stuart Attwell (Nuneaton).

ATTENDANCE: 20,165.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/08/fletcher-fires-wednesday-to-first-win-at-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Jokanovic tires of 'the same story'
by Dan on August 19, 2017

Slavisa Jokanovic bemoaned Fulham's failure to find a cutting edge in the final third as his side slumped to their first defeat of the season against Sheffield Wednesday at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

The Serbian head coach described a disappointing afternoon as 'the same story' as last season after the Whites were punished for failing to take a number of clear-cut chances by Steven Fletcher's 64th minute half-volley. He cut a frustrated figure in his post-match press conference:

    It's the same story. We missed a little bit of quality to score a goal and needed to be a bit more quicker with the ball. We had better chances than Sheffield Wednesday, but they put the ball in the net and we didn't. We played against one of the most experienced teams in the Championship, who know how to compete at this level.

    It's a frustrating situation for us, but we believe we can play better. We're not in pre-season but I'm still testing my players to find the best solution. For us, it's important to keep going and to improve.

    Like always, we're optimistic. We'll push to play at a better level against Ipswich and continue to fight for our first three points of the season.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/08/jokanovic-tires-of-the-same-story/

[WhiteJC]

 
Jaguars Insider: Fournette or not, run game needs to find better stride


Jaguars tailback Chris Ivory found the going difficult Thursday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Jaguars gained only one yard on seven first-half rushing attempts. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Entering Saturday, 10 teams had played two preseason games and the Jaguars ranked third in rushing yards (264), behind only Seattle (286) and Baltimore (273).

So why does it feel like the Jaguars' running game has no tread on the tires?

Sure, Leonard Fournette (foot) missed Thursday's loss to Tampa Bay but even during his appearance at New England on Aug. 10, there wasn't much room.

With the first-unit offensive line on the field ...

New England (Josh Wells instead of Jermey Parnell at right tackle): Eight rushes for 34 yards.

Tampa Bay: Twelve rushes for 17 yards.

That adds up to 51 yards on 20 rushes (2.6 average).

"We just have to make sure we're on-point with our assignments," right guard A.J. Cann said before practice Saturday. "There were a few things here and there we weren't exact on assignment-wise. We have to make sure we're in our playbooks and on the same page because for a few plays, we weren't as a group. And we have to stay on our blocks."

Said left guard Patrick Omameh: "We as a team and as an offense, when it comes to game time, we have to throw the first punch and it just didn't feel like we did that [Thursday]. It has to be something we have to focus on and improve on in a big way."

FULHAM FOR SALE?
rom the Times of London on Saturday: "Fulham's determination to keep hold of the highly-rated Sessegnon twins – Ryan and Steven – is being influenced by the owner [Shad] Khan giving serious consideration to selling the club."

The Times added that Khan "let it be known he would be interested in a sale towards the end of last season," when Fulham was contending for a promotion to the Premier League, but the search was put on hold when Fulham remained in the Championship flight.

The report said Fulham rejected a $25 million bid from Tottenham Hotspur for Ryan Sessegnon. He and his 17-year old brother are viewed as Fulham's most valuable assets.

Khan purchased Fulham in July 2013 and his son, Tony, is the club's vice chairman and director of football operations.

FAN OF MCCARDELL
Former NFL executive Michael Lombardi has never been a fan of Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles. But during a recent podcast for The Ringer, he expressed admiration for the playing career of Jaguars receivers coach Keenan McCardell.

In a discussion about the pass-catching ability/hands of the Giants' Odell Beckham, Lombardi said of McCardell: "He might have had the greatest hands I've ever seen. Not Cris Carter-type hands, but close. We were so stupid. We let Tom Coughlin come into our [Cleveland] practices and let him evaluate before the Jaguars became a team and he stole Keenan McCardell from us and went on to a very good career. He had hands. Hands like McCardell's or Carter's are rare to find."

BOWANKO ON CHARLOTTESVILLE
Jaguars center Luke Bowanko played at Virginia, whose campus is in Charlottesville, the small city thrust into the national spotlight for the last week. A man is alleged to have driven his car through a group protesting the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and other groups involved with a white supremacist demonstration. A 32-year old woman, Heather Heyer, was killed when she was hit by the car.

Bowanko closely followed the news coverage during the week.

"It's hard to miss something like that when it happens in a place so near and dear to your heart and where you have memories that don't necessarily coincide with the news and what's happening there," Bowanko said. "The thing I know about Charlottesville is they are a city that thrives on being progressive and inclusive and not just the university but the town as a whole.

"It's clear [the city] wasn't what we thought it was as far as there being some people that don't necessarily think or agree with the majority of the people there and they made their voices heard. Going forward, it's the right place to find some kind of resolution and grow not only as a city but as a country as a whole."

FINAL DRIVE
Jaguars nose tackle Abry Jones on facing center Brandon Linder in practice the last three weeks: "I love going against Linder. He's a phenomenal football player and there is no slacking. We have a great time going against each other. When I do something good, he asks what I was trying to do and when I mess up, he tells me what he saw."

We asked linebacker Telvin Smith recently about the status of any contract talks with the team. "I've answered that; I'm good on that," Smith said, referring to his off-season program comments. Asked if he can separate his future and present, he said: "Ball is ball. So many people try to put too much emphasis on that. When you [focus on football], everything will work out."



http://jacksonville.com/sports/jaguars/2017-08-19/jaguars-insider-fournette-or-not-run-game-needs-find-better-stride

[WhiteJC]

 
To the rescue – Player to have Fulham medical today, flew in on Saturday

Rafa Soares flew to England on Saturday ahead of signing for Fulham, report O Jogo in their Sunday edition.

Assuming he didn't fly straight back out again after watching Fulham beaten 1-0 at home by Sheffield Wednesday, the Portuguese newspaper claims Soares will today have his medical and move a step closer to joining the London club.

Soares is arriving at Fulham from FC Porto, and as long the medical throws up no unexpected problems for the transfer, 22 year old Soares will then complete his loan move and take part in the next Fulham training session.

O Jogo present Soares arriving, not long after Rui Fonte joined from SC Braga, as something of a Portuguese rescue act for Fulham.

With the club currently down in 19th place, they certainly need a Championship boost and to actually get a win on the board.

The Portuguese newspaper believe their compatriots are going to be important additions to help Fulham turn a corner.

http://sportwitness.co.uk/rescue-player-fulham-medical-today-flew-saturday/