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Wednesday Fulham Stuff (13/09/17)...

Started by WhiteJC, September 13, 2017, 07:14:50 AM

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WhiteJC

 
Fulham vs. Hull City Preview: Three questions with Amber Nectar
Amber Nectar stop by to give us their thoughts on Hull City.

Hull City weren't great last year and have had two tumultuous offseasons. How do the supporters feel this is going to affect the team this year? We sit down with Amber Nectar to discuss this.

Cottagers Confidential: Teams coming down to the Championship don't have the best recent history of popping right back up, is there any reason to think Hull City could buck that trend?

    Amber Nectar: None whatsoever. City have endured their second shambolic summer in a row, and the long slog of the Championship will be too much for our thin squad.

CC: Leonid Slutsky probably is a fairly unknown manager to anyone who doesn't follow Russian football. What does he bring to the club and how would you describe his style.

    AN: It's hard to discern a style yet, as we're presently winless on the road in a year yet we've looked okay at home. The aforementioned close-season chaos means he hasn't been able to build a squad in his own image, so we aren't sure what that might even be. Nonetheless, he seems a remarkably affable man who City fans have rapidly warmed to.

CC: Which three players on Hull should Fulham fans watch out for?

    AN: Jarrod Bowen. He's a young player who may not have got much of a chance if the reviled Allam family hasn't spent July selling everything that wasn't nailed down, but he's taken his chance well. Eye for goal and a commendably combative attitude.

    Kamil Grosicki. Now, this all depends upon how arsed he can be, and his protracted sulk at not managing to join the exodus means he's often sports a questionable approach. On his day, he can destroy teams on his own at this level.

    Jackson Irvine. He has beautiful flowing locks, from his recently ended Burton days he always seems up for a fight and actually wanted to join us. What's not to like?

CC: Predicted score and lineup?

    AN: Line-up:

    McGregor

    Kingsley Dawson Hector Aina

    Grosicki Meyler Larsson Bowen

    Dicko Toral

    Prediction: We haven't won away in over a year, managing four points from 21 winless League games. Fill the rest in...




https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/9/13/16300856/fulham-vs-hull-city-preview-three-questions-amber-nectar

WhiteJC


Fulham retain Category One academy status
by Dan on September 13, 2017


Fulham have retained their Category One academy status for a fifth successive season, the club announced this morning.

Despite relegation from the Premier League in 2014, Fulham have held onto the highest academy rating under Elite Player Performance Plan since the new ratings were introduced. Fulham have produced a number of leading players from their academy into first-team football, including the new departed Patrick Roberts, Moussa Dembele, Emerson Hyndman, Lasse Vigen Christensen, Dennis Adeniran and Cauley Woodrow, who is currently on loan at Burton Albion.

Slavisa Jokanovic's current first-team squad includes Academy graduates Marcus Bettinelli and Ryan Sessegnon with Steven Sessegnon, Tayo Edun and Matt O'Riley all making senior debuts this season. Fulham's academy remains one of the most envied in English football and much of the credit for its continued success should be shared amongst chief executive Alistair Mackintosh, current academy director Huw Jennings as well as head of talent identification and recruitment Malcolm Elias and the academy's head of coaching Steve Wigley.

Jennings told Fulham's official website:

It's really important for a club for our size and standing, to be competing with the best clubs' youth development in the country. We're very proud of our Academy and we are delighted to have received further affirmation of our work.

The other thing that is critical to us is the demonstration of the fantastic support we have had from the ownership and the executive of the club. They have backed the programme with a massive injection of cash into our facility development both last season and also for the long term future with the acquisition of the former BBC ground.

When the rules relating to facilities changed, we knew that it was going to be a very tall order to first of all gain the planning consent, to build the new facilities, and to get them completed in time to the satisfaction of the Category One auditors. We managed to achieve both and I think that's attributed to a fantastic team effort. I should absolutely compliment [Chief Operating Officer] Darren Preston and his team, the facilities development programme was an outstanding achievement.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/09/fulham-retain-category-one-academy-status/

WhiteJC

 
Three Players to Watch: Matchday 7 vs. Hull City
In Fulham's first midweek game of the season, find out who they'll need to watch out for when they take on Hull City.

Last Saturday, Fulham came away with some addition to their small point total in the Championship despite being under-strength against the league's best team. Today, they return to Craven Cottage and turn their attention to an under-achieving Hull City side that is also struggling off the field.

Even if Hull City won't be among the best teams Fulham face in the Championship, it's not like the Cottagers are looking invincible at the moment. Their attack has only been able to score five times and generate 0.089 expected goals per shot. That is a massive downgrade to the 0.110 expected goals per shot rate Fulham had last campaign and plenty of players that were responsible for such a deadly attack are either injured or no longer with the club.

While Neeskans Kebano looks set to return to the starting XI, Tom Cairney and Sheyi Ojo are still not healthy enough to make the team sheet. Along with that, Rui Fonte's injury status seems up in the air as Fulham have struggled mightily to find stability at center forward. Slavisa Jokanovic has done a brilliant job with what he has got and luck does play a massive part in deciding fates of each club. Still, Fulham is running out of time to start making an impact on their 2017/18 campaign.

While Hull City may look like a vulnerable side thanks to their most recent 5-0 defeat to Derby County and shipping in 12 goals in six games, the underlying numbers paint a different picture. If you take that 5-0 loss out of the equation, the Tigers would approximately match their expected goal outputs this season (11.5 expected goals for, 7.8 expected goals against). If anything, Hull City's biggest problem has been giving up quality chances as evidenced by their 0.127 expected goals against per shot. Along with that, only Nottingham Forest have given up more set piece goals than Hull's four. You would think over time, set piece marking and overall goalkeeping will even itself out as the season rolls along, but like Fulham, the luck needs to turn around fast.

That all being said, Hull will be one of the most dangerous attacks Fulham face all year. Unlike Cardiff who relies so much on their attacking quartet to do all the work, manager Leonid Slutsky implements an aggressive pressing game to win the ball back and spring their attack. This is evidenced by their sixth best rate in the Championship in tackles (18.3 per 90 minutes) as well as their third best rate in interceptions (14.7 per 90 minutes) while keeping the ball 50.6% of the time this campaign. When the press works, it comes off like a charm. When it doesn't, it either leaves the center of defense exposed or over-aggressive fouls that lead to previously said set piece issues.

Both sides will really hope to show their best foot forward in what will be a critical three points on the line. If Hull were to win, here are the three impact players that are the most likely to see them through.

Michael Hector
All data from whoscored.com


All the talk in defense will be surrounding captain and holder of 512 first team appearances Michael Dawson. But at 33, the former England International is showing signs of age and it has actually been the much younger Michael Hector that is putting all the grunt work this campaign.

The 25-year old has been on loan an astonishing 14 times while under Chelsea's and Reading's books. Such adventures have included Aberdeen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Irish Premier League side Dundalk and Hellenic League side (9th-10th tier of English football) Bracknell Town. It's certainly a strange way to get to 254 career first team appearances, but here we are.

If anything, Hector may finally be coming of age and is playing some of his best football under Slutsky being the go-to presence in his pressing game. This is evidenced by leading the team in interceptions and tackles per 90 minutes at 6.01. Fulham will certainly try to poke at Dawson's lack of pace tonight, but they will have to get around Hector first.

Ola Aina
All data from whoscored.com


Another Chelsea loanee that is performing well is the 20-year old Aina. The England youth international has displayed his full range of skills in his first six games with Hull City. Like Hector, Aina is among the best on the team in defensive actions (5.32 interceptions plus tackles per 90 minutes). If anything, it would be interesting to see what he could do if has the ball more at his feet. While Aina is a great dribbler as a fullback at 2.00 per 90 minutes, he has only attempted 14 crosses while bombing forward. By already being such an accurate passer, it's just scary how else Slutski can implement his attack.

Kamil Grosicki
All data from whoscored.com


Despite being such a lethal goal scoring side, it's a bit odd that I'm only highlighting one player on that side of the pitch. I could highlight Academy graduate Jarred Bowen who is leading the club with four goals or Premier League veteran Frazier Campbell. I could even bring up new signing Jackson Irvine who will do what he can to bring attacking flexibility in central midfield. However, I've decided to highlight the 52-capped Polish international who is having a career season.

While everyone else is retrieving the ball, Grosicki is more like the first receiver who will spring an attack from anywhere. He leads the club in key passes (14) and in scoring contribution (two goals, three assists). Even while center forward Abel Hernandez out injured from a ruptured ankle, Grosicki has stepped up and led the club in shots as well with 18. Bowen, Irvine and Campbell may be on the end of some of Grosicki's dangerous tricks and all three can pose threats to Fulham's defense on their own. Just don't ignore the man that started it all.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/9/13/16293198/three-players-to-watch-matchday-7-vs-hull-city


WhiteJC


Up next: Hull City (h)
by Dan on September 13, 2017


After the frustrating concession of another lead late on against Cardiff City on Saturday, Fulham have an almost immediate opportunity to put matters right when Hull City visit Craven Cottage this evening. For a perfectionist like Slavisa Jokanovic, his side's emergence as the Championship's early draw specialists will really rankle, especially when you factor in the sloppy defending that seems to have snuck back into Fulham's game. He will certainly want to arrest a run of twelve league games without a clean sheet at Craven Cottage – the worst period of defensive generosity since Ray Lewington, now installed as Roy Hodgson's number two at Selhurst Park, was at the helm in February 1989.

There is a school of thought that picking up a point against the league leaders, who previously boasted a 100% record, with four key players missing at the weekend shouldn't be sniffed at. Given that Tom Cairney, Sheyi Ojo, Neeskens Kebano and Rui Fonte can between them summon up a significant amount of creativity, the performance against Cardiff was far more complete than many might have expected after consulting the teamsheet. But Jokanovic would give such a view short shrift when assessing just how close the Bluebirds came to tasting defeat – and the fact that his side once again failed to kill off a game they had under their control.

The Serbian head coach offered an interesting aside during Saturday's post-match press conference, claiming that it would be fruitless to attempt comparisons between the team that charged into the Championship play-offs with such relentless at the tail end of last season and the one he is currently trying to mould. Fulham were certainly far luckier with injuries throughout the whole of the last campaign than they have been this term and, as their first six fixtures have pitted them against sides who are all considered to be among the contenders for the promotion places, any doom and gloom seems somewhat misplaced. There are still 120 points to play for – and Fulham's new signings have barely hit the ground yet.

Just for morale purposes, three points would be very welcome this evening. Leonid Slutsky won't be arriving in a munificent mood, however, after Hull's horrid capitulation at Derby on Friday night. The Russian has endured a difficult introduction on Humberside with his side currently sitting in fifteenth in the early table and he certainly didn't need his defence to malfunction after Seb Larsson had ballooned a penalty high over the bar at Pride Park. Slutsky watched Saturday's draw with Cardiff from the Riverside – believing Fulham to be 'the best team in the Championship last season' – and has demanded a reaction from his own players, calling this contest 'a test of character'.

He is still sending out a makeshift side with the likes of Abel Hernandez, Kevin Stewart, Will Keane, Moses Odubajo and Ryan Mason all long-term absentees and Czech defender Ondrej Mazuch as well as midfielder Evandro not yet ready to feature at Craven Cottage this evening. Hull will have Fraizer Campbell, who has scored twice at Fulham previously in his career, available after a groin injury saw him miss the last three weeks of action and can count on in form-forward Jarrod Bowen, who has scored four times already this term, as a source of goals.

Last year's FA Cup tie, where Marcus Bettinelli saved two spot-kicks in a minute, has little relevance given that both squads have changed so much in the intervening period. Slutsky still has plenty of Premier League pedigree to pick from, including Scottish international Allan McGregor in goal, the leadership qualities of Michael Dawson at centre back, the creativity of Kamil Grosicki, who Hull managed to hold onto in August, alongside Larsson in midfield as well as summer signings like Jackson Irvine, who scored here for Burton Albion last term, and former Arsenal midfield Jon Toral. It won't be an easy ride for the hosts.

Jokanovic's team selection might not be finalised until very late this evening. Cairney, who made his name as an energetic young midfielder at Hull, is still struggling to shake off his meniscus tear and won't be risked, whilst Ojo's sore ankle will also be rested ahead of the trip to the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday. Fulham could welcome back Rui Fonte, whose intelligent runs and predatory instincts were missing against Cardiff, as well as Kebano, who delivered a virtuoso performance at Portman Road prior to what was – for him – an immensely frustrating international break.

Cairney's absence will hand Kevin McDonald another opportunity to captain the side – and the Scot's leadership qualities will be sorely needed should Fulham want to lay down a marker to the rest of the division. They were far too passive having taken the lead against Neil Warnock's charges at the weekend and any such hesitation will be pounced upon by Slutsky's hungry Tigers tonight. Jokanovic will demand a return to the high-tempo, slick passing football that prised open many a resolute rearguard last term – although the visitors will prove a tough nut to crack.

MY FULHAM XI (4-3-3): Bettinelli; Fredericks, R. Sessegnon, Kalas, Ream; McDonald, Norwood, Johansen; Ayite, Kebano, Fonte. Subs: Button, Madl, Odoi, Cisse, Mollo, Graham, Kamara.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/09/up-next-hull-city-h/

WhiteJC

 
Fulham team news: Tom Cairney a notable absentee for Hull clash at the Cottage


Cairney blow as Fulham look for lift off Harry Trump/Getty Images

Fulham will still be without Tom Cairney when they bid to kick-start their season against Hull at Craven Cottage tonight.

The skipper is struggling with a knee problem that has restricted him to three appearances this term.

Fulham drew 1-1 with Cardiff on Saturday and have just one win from their opening six matches in the Championship. But victory tonight will take them to within two points of the early  pace-setters in a congested division. They face a Hull side who have also made a slow start to the season under new Russian manager Leonid Slutsky and lost  5-0 to Derby in their last game.

Ryan Sessegnon fears a response to that defeat, saying: "Whenever you get beat like that you want to show that it was just a one-off, so they will be coming for us."

Rui Fonte and Neeskens Kebano are available for selection after injury, while American midfielder Luca de la Torre has signed a new deal tying him to Fulham until 2020. He said: "There are a lot of opportunities for me this year to play well for Fulham and the USA and I'm looking forward to grabbing the opportunities."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-team-news-tom-cairney-a-notable-absentee-for-hull-clash-at-the-cottage-a3634221.html

WhiteJC

 
Fulham handed welcome bonus as they strive for Premier League return

The Championship action may be mainly over for this set of mid-week fixtures but Fulham and Hull still have their chance to try and make some important ground in the play-off chase.

Both will have their eyes on the top six this season but both also need to get on a good run of form with the Cottagers drawing too many games and the Tigers getting battered at Derby 5-0 last Friday.

Work to do for both, then, as they aim to get back into the Premier League but the men from London have at least received a boost in maintaining their top level facilities away from the pitch.

Indeed, as per the club's Twitter and on their official site, the club has kept its category one classing for its academy:

Certainly, with Fulham trying to get back into the top flight this will come as a welcome boost as they will still be able to bring through some top players.

The like of Ryan Sessegnon is the most recent star to come through the youth system at the club and keeping this status will only allow the club to potentially generate more like him.

The Verdict

This is great news for Fulham with them one of the best sides for bringing through top talent both in the Championship and further afield.

They may not have the riches of some of the other clubs in the division – though they are not poor – and so keeping this status will only help them compete over the coming years.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-handed-welcome-bonus-as-they-strive-for-premier-league-return/