Monday Fulham Stuff (11/12/17)...

[WhiteJC]

Slavisa Jokanovic: 100 not out
by Dan on December 10, 2017

There's been an awful lot written about Slavisa Jokanovic over the past couple of weeks. Some of the hyberbole following last week's defeat to Brentford about how the Serbian was a few results away from the exit door seemed laughable at that time and, as I've written before, the brickbats the Fulham head coach has received simply because his side haven't found it easy to start the new campaign in the same imperious manner that they finished last season, showed a distinct lack of recognition for where he's taken the club in his two years in charge.

Saturday's victory over Birmingham, which – even accounting for that shocking second half Blues' penalty miss – was much more comfortable than the previous home win against Millwall, meant Jokanovic marked his hundredth game in charge of Fulham with a victory. He made a decisive decision after the Griffin Park debacle, bringing back Marcus Bettinelli in goal, and was rewarded with Fulham's first pair of consecutive clean sheets at Craven Cottage since the club's academy graduate started his spell between the sticks back in October 2014. The two most recent wins at the Cottage suggest that Fulham are able to grind out results, something that is vital if they are to climb one of the tightest Championship tables in recent years.

Jokanovic's landmark is also a pertinent moment to took a look back at the side he inherited when he was finally prized away from Maccabi Tel Aviv just after Christmas in 2015. That Fulham side, which had been rudderless following the sacking of Kit Symons two months earlier, hadn't won in nine games or kept a clean sheet in three months. The club was a bit of a basketcase – soon to be hit with a transfer embargo for breaching the Financial Fair Play regulations having failed to adjust to the reality of life in the Championship and an unbalanced team, dangerously dependent on the goals of Ross McCormack, flirted outrageously with relegation from the Championship until Jokanovic strung together a four-match unbeaten run to give the Whites some real breathing space.

The enormity of the job the Serbian and his staff did that summer to reshape a squad into one that could challenge at the right end of the table shouldn't be underestimated. Fulham unearthed real bargains in the shape of Sone Aluko and Scott Malone as well as borrowing Premier League pedigree like Lucas Piazon and Tomas Kalas. Giving Tom Cairney the freedom to dictate play from a central position whilst adding Kevin McDonald and Stefan Johansen created the divsion's leading midfield, whilst promoting the precociously talented Ryan Sessegnon to the senior squad at sixteen was an act of genius. Some Fulham fans outrageously label Jokanovic a failure for failing in the play-offs. Such a brutal judgement ignores both the stupendous nature of Fulham's late surge to the top six, overhauling an eleven point gap to Leeds United, as well as the mesmerising quality of the football that the men in white played.

When you factor in that Jokanovic is a head coach in every sense of the word, with decisions about recruitment clearly taken above his station by the owner's son, the job he's done is all the more remarkable, As Lydia wrote this week, the shortness of the modern manager's tenure means you're probably only ever a couple of games from the crisis. That Jokanovic even made it to a century whilst navigating one of the toughest leagues in continental football is surprising, especially when you consider that Shahid Khan has had seven managers in the three years since he bought out Mohamed Al-Fayed.

Jokanovic's century has seen some fabulous Fulham moments – from his first win which came at Loftus Road through to the late winners from Moussa Dembele at Preston and Emerson Hyndman at the Hammersmith End against Cardiff that helped kept the Whites afloat and then the humblings handed out to high flying Huddersfield and Reading by the Thames before Christmas the following year, Cairney's critical equaliser against Leeds in injury-time and the incredible wins at St. James' Park, Carrow Road and the Kirklees Stadium. But my abiding emotion from Jokanovic's time in the Fulham dugout has been the pride at the construction of a pathway from the club's award-winning academy to the first team that has seen the likes of Bettinelli, Dembele, Hyndman, the Sessegnon twins, Dennis Adeniran, Tayo Edun and now Luca de la Torre blossom at the club that gave them their footballing education. There's something very special about watching your club's brightest young talents prosper in the senior side and Jokanovic has shown no fear in offering the young men nurtured by Malcolm Elias, Steve Wigley and Huw Jennings their opportunity.

Jokanovic's achievements, even if he has yet to repeat the promotion he engineered with Watford, and record compare favourably with his Fulham predecessors. He's secured 39 wins from that first century of games, which when you consider where the Whites were when he stepped into the building is remarkable. There's no doubt his stamped his philosophy throughout the football club and, whilst a perfectionist like the Serbian will always demand more from his players, Fulham fans have plenty to thank the head coach and his staff – including Stuart Gray, Javier Pereira, Alberto Escobar, Jose Sambede Carreira, Marco Ceserani and Ally Harris – for. This correspondent still fervently hopes they'll all be around for at least another hundred games.




http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/12/slavisa-jokanovic-100-not-out/

[WhiteJC]

 
Major development in Tottenham pursuit of Sessegnon

Tottenham have been given a huge boost in their bid to sign Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon next month, according to the Sun.

The newspaper claim that Spurs have identified the 17-year-old wide man as their first choice to replace Danny Rose.

The Sun report that Fulham have now opened the door to Sessegnon leaving by stepping up their pursuit of a new left-back in the clearest indication that the teenager could leave when the January window is underway.

It is said that Fulham have "sounded out intermediaries over which full-backs are available" next month.

It has been widely reported that Tottenham have made approaches for Sessegnon in each of the three previous transfer windows, over the summer, last January and during the summer of 2016.

He can play anywhere on the left-hand side and swaps between left-back and left midfield on almost a match-by-match basis.

Good move for Tottenham?
ll the signs are that Sessegnon is that rarity, a young English player whose potential is off the scale. The Londoner has created a lot of buzz since his debut senior campaign ended with him named in the Championship team of the season, a stunning achievement for someone who did not even turn 17 until May, at which point he signed his first professional deal. The word at Fulham since Sessegnon was 14 was that they had a player on their hands who was the best graduate yet of an academy that has also produced Moussa Dembele and Patrick Roberts in recent seasons. The youngster is one of the star players in a Fulham side that lost in the play-off semi-finals last season and his all-round ability is getting scouts all over the land very excited.

This Is Futbol rating: 9/10

Likely to happen?
There is a stampede of interest in the left-sided flyer with the world at his feet. The Sun report that Manchester United are also in hot pursuit of Sessegnon, and Tottenham will have to pay big money as well as seduce the teenager with a plan to make the most of his immense talent. Mauricio Pochettino will be key. The Argentine has a proven track record for developing young players and knows how to make stars rather than simply buy them. It is a major development that Fulham are now looking at left-back alternatives. Nevertheless, Spurs have their work cut out to get this deal done in January as they prepare for Rose's seemingly inevitable exit.

This Is Futbol rating: 7/10



https://thisisfutbol.com/2017/12/blogs/premier-league/major-development-in-tottenham-pursuit-of-sessegnon/

[WhiteJC]

The Sun's silly season starts early when it comes to Spurs and Ryan Sessegnon
by Dan on December 10, 2017

Tottenham's reputed interest in Ryan Sessegnon has made the sports section of the Sun for the third time in the last month. The tabloid seems even keener to secure a move to north London for Fulham's young starlet than Daniel Levy, as Sarah noted recently, but this piece of 'breaking news' from Mike McGrath proclaiming that Fulham are preparing for the teenager's departure in January, takes the biscuit.

The News International tabloid, never known to misrepresent, embellish or invent information of course, claims that Fulham's early inquiries about available left backs paves the way for Sessegnon's imminent exit, linking the likes of Spurs and Manchester United with another move. Before excitedly cobbling together his copy and dusting off the banner headlines, it didn't seem to occur to McGrath to consider that Fulham's move for a new full back would be entirely consistent with allowing Sessegnon to play in the left wing position from where he scored that splendid hat-trick against Sheffield United last month.

There's no space in this breathless account linking English football's most promising youngster with a move away from Craven Cottage to note the fact that Sessegnon signed a new three-year contract, when he explicitly turned down inducements from Europe's leading clubs, with Fulham in July or to include the interview he gave after those history making exploits at Bramall Lane – where he referred to his happiness at 'my club' and the debt of gratitude he feels he owes the Whites and their fans for giving him a shot at professional football.

There will of course be plenty of fevered speculation about Sessegnon's future come the silly season, which used to start before Christmas and infect all football journalists throughout the transfer window. But it seems the Sun's quest to fill their football pull-out with something of interest to the glory hunters has meant they've started early this December.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/12/the-suns-silly-season-starts-early-when-it-comes-to-spurs-and-ryan-sessegnon/

[WhiteJC]

 
Transfer gossip: Speculation over Sessegnon's future continues

There continues to be speculation over the future of Ryan Sessegnon.

The Sun on Sunday claim Fulham are preparing to sell Sessegnon in the new year.

The newspaper declare that Fulham "have opened the door" to Manchester United and Tottenham by making plans to replace the teenage left-back.

Spurs have long been interested in Sessegnon and United are among other Premier League clubs to have been repeatedly linked with him.

He signed a new contract with the Whites during the summer.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-tottenham-mauricio-pochettino-manutd-sessegnon-101217

[WhiteJC]

 
Jokanovic: Fulham must be more ruthless

Slavisa Jokanovic says Fulham must be far more clinical after seeing his side waste a number of chances in the 1-0 win over Birmingham City.

They ended up grateful that on-loan Chelsea attacker Jeremie Boga missed a penalty late on.

Slavisa Jokanovic says Fulham must be far more clinical after seeing his side waste a number of chances in the 1-0 win over Birmingham City.

They ended up grateful that on-loan Chelsea attacker Jeremie Boga missed a penalty late on.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/jokanovic-fulham-must-ruthless

[WhiteJC]

 
Manchester United and Tottenham set to make move as highly rated Fulham defender to be made available

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are set to make a move to sign Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon as he is to be made available for transfer in the January transfer window according to a report from The Sun on Sunday via Teamtalk.

Sessegnon is one of the best young players in the country and is already an integral part of the Fulham first team despite being aged just 17. This has led to many of the best teams in the country being interested in signing him as they look to get the insanely talented left-back in their squad. However Fulham have been able to fend off a lot of the interest in him but it appears that they might be about to give up.

The Cottagers seem resigned to the fact that they are going to lose Sessegnon in the January transfer window and are planning to let him go should they get a good enough offer. Fulham are even starting to scout for replacements as they hope to make sure the loss of the defender isn't too much of a blow as they look to continue their chase for a Sky Bet Championship play-off place.

And with Sessegnon seemingly being available for transfer, this has alerted the teams that have been interested in him in the past. Both Manchester United and Tottenham have done well from signing youngsters from the EFL before and are reigniting their interest in Sessegnon now that he could finally be bought. Both believe he could be a great player for them and are hoping to win the race to sign him.



http://the72.co.uk/94426/manchester-united-tottenham-set-make-move-highly-rated-fulham-defender-made-available/

[WhiteJC]

Bettinelli 'buzzing' after clean sheet
by Dan on December 10, 2017

Marcus Bettinelli was 'absolutely buzzing' after keeping a clean sheet on his return to the Fulham first team as the Whites beat Birmingham to move into the top half of the Championship yesterday.

The Fulham academy graduate has waited four months for a taste of first team action but after Slavisa Jokanovic axed David Button following his mistake at former club Brentford in last weekend's derby defeat, Bettinelli stepped in to help secure Fulham's third win in four games. The popular goalkeeper paid tribute to an excellent defensive display when he spoke with FulhamFCTV after the final whistle:

    I've got to compliment the lads today. Defensively there were absolutely terrific and literally left me with nothing to do. I don't really think they had too many shots on target. Personally, I'm absolutely over the moon. I've waited a long time for my chance again this season and I'm happy to back in. Absolutely buzzing with the clean sheet.

Bettinelli also had more than a few words for the Fulham fans, with whom he enjoys a special affinity after coming through the club's youth set-up as a teenager.

    The fans have been terrific with me ever since I came in under Magath. Even when I made a couple of bad kicks today, I could still here them shouting my name. I can only try to repay them by coming out and trying my best here and show the passion. They come here and to the away games, paying their money to watch us play and – not just me – everyone in the dressing room really appreciates their support. We know how hard it is when the team's not doing well, not scoring goals. Personally, I can't thank them enough. They've always supported, even when I've not been playing. I'm just glad that we got the clean sheet today.

The goalkeeper was delighted that Fulham managed to put the Griffin Park setback behind him at the first time of asking – and hopes the Whites can score more goals in the weeks ahead.

    I've been in that dressing room after Brentford away and lost a couple of times. It's not a nice place to be. We know how much that game means to the fans. The lads were gutted. We picked ourselves up this week, training's been lively and I thought going forward we were a lot better. I know we only scored the one goal, but we created a lot of chances, Stocko made a couple of really good saves and another day we could have walked away with a four or five-nil.

    Everyone knows in that dressing room what we are capable of. We just haven't shown that to our full potential yet, but it's a long season. We're going to give it a good go now, over the Christmas period there's a lot of games coming up. We've got Sunderland away next and hopefully we can get another three points. We are scary going forward, we've got lots of good players and hopefully we can get a few more goals.




http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/12/bettinelli-buzzing-after-clean-sheet/

[WhiteJC]

 
Manchester United leading January chase to land impressive Fulham man

Fulham could be set to lose star defender Ryan Sessegnon in January, with Manchester United leading Spurs in the race to sign the impressive teenager.

According to the Sun on Sunday, print edition, Sunday 10th December, the Red Devils and Spurs both want to sign the impressive defender, who has once again been in scintillating form this season.

Sessegnon burst into prominence last season, and has continued his impressive form this term, bagging a hat trick a few weeks ago in a stunning performance at Sheffield United to add further value to his already booming reputation in the Championship.

However, the report from the Sun claims that Fulham are ready to cash in on Sessegnon, and any bid in the region of £40-50m is likely to be considered by the Cottagers, who will know in their head that they cannot hang on to Sessegnon forever.

Capable of playing as a left back but comfortable further up the pitch, Sessegnon appears to have all the potential in the world to go on and become a Premier League great. With Man United actively seeking a left back and Jose Mourinho keen, a move to Old Trafford could prove too much to turn down for the youngster.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/manchester-united-leading-january-chase-to-land-impressive-fulham-man/

[WhiteJC]

 
Slavisa Jokanovic explains decision to drop David Button in Fulham's clash with Birmingham

The Fulham boss handed a first start of the season to Marcus Bettinelli for his sides' 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Birmingham City at Craven Cottage.

Slavisa Jokanovic has explained his decision to drop David Button, saying it was down to his distribution.

The Fulham boss handed a first start of the season to Marcus Bettinelli for his sides' 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Birmingham City at Craven Cottage.


(Image: LEWIS DARLING)

Explaining his decision to drop Button after the match, Jokanovic said: "We believe he can improve his distribution.

"Against another side David Button can do a great job for us, he's a great lad, and a professional kid and he has to fight for his job.

"Having a choice is better in certain situations and it's time to try a different solution for us. I tried similar last season and he must be strong and stay professional and fight."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/slavisa-jokanovic-explains-decision-drop-14019008

[WhiteJC]

 
Mike Conroy FOF'erview

Having interviewed Mike, Super Micky Conroy, back in 2015, we thought it'd be nice to resurrect this one, for any new members, or Fulham FC fans, that didn't get the chance to read it. Alternatively, you can have a read over at the Friends of Fulham Forum.

Q) What was it like playing under 3 different managers between 1995 and 1998 and what were their differences?

A) Playing under 3 different managers was not really much of an issue. Obviously once Mr. Branfoot moved upstairs within the club and Mickey Adams came in I think he started planning straight away for  the following season. We managed to avoid the dreaded drop and once that was achieved he could concentrate on who he wanted and who he didn't, I might have fallen into the latter. In fairness Mickey changed a lot of the training and also concentrated on fitness levels although Mr.Branfoot was big on fitness also. Mickey just went about it with maybe more updated training in regards to fitness work. he also had a different playing style which at the end of the day helped me in a round about way. To be honest I can't say I spent a lot of time working with the new regime but small sided games seemed to be Kevin Keegans method.

Q) How much of an effect did the boo-boys have on your confidence when you first joined us? How much of a boon or a hindrance can the supporters be when things are tough on the pitch?

A) I am glad the boo boys issue was raised, something you don't forget in a hurry. I believe at the football everyone is entitled to voice their opinions, it's how that individual reacts to that sort of treatment. I was lucky that i was brought up with a never say die attitude and if things are not going the way you want them to, then you need to work harder and turn things around. My father gave me  great advice as a youngster and even to this day. I can't say it is nice but it comes and goes with the fact you are a professional footballer. Don't get overly down when things are not going well but don't get to carried away when the tables turn. What you put in you should generally get out. If you don't put in you can't expect anything out.

Q) What was the change at the club like from a players perspective when Al Fayed took over?

A) The change at the club was not dramatic but i think all playing staff and management new that it was only a matter of time. The club became so much bigger with two playing squads after Kevin and Ray came in. they started to bring players in that they wanted and the squad of 97 started to go elsewhere. Again that is the tough business of pro football. i suffered a foot injury at Millwall and that was more serious than thought and that was me finished as a Fulham player.

Q) During his period at the club who did he think was the best player he played with?

A) That is a very tough question to answer, all players played their part in gaining promotion and it's hard to compare a m/f with a striker or a defender. You had international players like Chris Coleman and players of the caliber of Paul Bracewell all be it at the end of his career. We had Gleno who played top level with Southampton. Very hard to point to one individual.

Q) Was it true Micky Adams got you to shed 2 stone, leading to your blinding performances for FFC?

A) Another good question, after a difficult first season i spoke to Mickey and he told me he was making me available for transfer as he was looking to bring in some new faces and needed to sell first. I had no problems with that, the shedding of two stone was never brought up, i never felt i was a player who had issues with his weight. I am a non-drinker, non-smoker, non-gambler and so not the type of professional who over ate at any stage. I missed a lot of pre-season the year i joined Fulham as I was up and down to my family in Lancashire, I was out looking for property to rent when at times I should have been training. I had a new 5 month old baby we had to get settled quickly but not easy to do with London rental market. Certainly not an excuse but sometimes people don't see the whole picture. In no way was there a mention of losing two stone.

Q) That goal from the half way line against Wycombe... What the heck were you thinking about????

A) The goal from the halfway line...what can I say? Miss and hit the corner flag and I am in for some stick not only from the coaches but no doubt the fans. I remember it well. Glen passed me the ball just at the edge of the circle. The centre backs had backed off and allowed me to turn, I had a quick look, then another, and noticed the goalkeeper out off his line. if you don't shoot you don't score. Luckily for me the gamble paid off this time. One goal I am very proud of but would have been just as happy to tap in from 6 yards. There is  no such thing as an easy or bad goal, not in my book.

Q) What is your best memory of the promotion winning season?

A) My best memory, happy to say I have lots of great memories during that time. Looking as far back as the game against Carlisle when we went head to head with what was thought the best team in the league, we won 1-0 in a very tough competitive game and I managed to get the goal. I remember the game against Cambridge when they were flying high and we hammered them 3-0 and I managed to get two. No complaining from me about not taking the penalty when Blakey made it three. Keep things right until the final whistle. Then we played Swansea, again they were riding the wave and we beat them 2-1 with Paul Brooker getting the second after the goalkeeper had parried my attempted lob. Obviously the day we won promotion is up there, up in a wet cold Carlisle. My mum and dad came down from Glasgow to see the game so was very pleased to get on the scoresheet and take part in another very good game of football and Rod's winner was good enough to grace any game of football.

Q) You were our leading goalscorer with 21 league goals in our promotion winning season in '96-'97 from division three, was that your most memorable season of your career?

A) It would be fair to say it was a very memorable season. I started the season on the transfer market and finished with a medal and the honor of being the first Fulham player to score 20 league goals in 20 years. Talk about football being a funny game. Certainly that season that started the ball rolling for Fulham would be a season to remember. However the Championship winning year with Burnley maybe just tops it. As I stated earlier, no Burnley player had scored 20 league goals in 26 years so to do that and actually win the league must just be the best a player can ever dream of. It is frustrating though that we had a better goal aggregate in 97 although Wigan had scored more we had a better goal difference.

Q) Did you feel proud seeing Fulham in the Premier League and Europa League final? Did you feel part of the era which started all of that off?

A) It was great to see Fulham reach the Europa Final and of course the Premier League, however the Fulham I joined and the Fulham of then I have to say was a totally different club. It will always be a lovely thought to know that you played a small part in the history of such a club but very difficult to compare as the club had went through so much change within that time. I will always be very proud though that I represented such a club and knowing I was the first player in 20 years to score 20 league goals. Many good memories.

Q) Of all the teams you have played for, which one did you feel the closest affinity with, and why?

A) As you are probably aware I had my fair share of clubs throughout my career. I enjoyed every minute of every day playing for all the clubs I represented. If I had to pick one then I think Burnley would get the nod. Moving from Reading to Burnley turned out to be a fantastic move for myself. Burnley went on to be Champions of the very last 4th division and I again managed to be the first player to score 20 league goals in 26 years. I also lived in Burnley which I suppose brings you closer to everyone as you are often seen walking down the shops or just getting petrol for your car. With London being such a big city even the big stars can walk about unnoticed. Burnley as a town revolves around the Football Club and in a big way reminded me of Glasgow. The passion and love they have for their club is total and living so close to that I would have to say my closest affinity came with playing with Burnley. I had made a lot of friends while there and would have probably lived in that area if I had not moved down under.

Q) What was your most memorable goal in your whole playing career?

A) Goals, goals, goals, I loved scoring goals. Whether it be a tap in or from the halfway line or a header I loved scoring goals. Having to pick a favorite or most memorable is very difficult. i scored a nice header for Clydebank playing against Rangers in the Scottish premier league 1986 just after Souness had taken over as coach. We beat them 2-1, the first time ever Clydebank had beaten them. Being a Celtic supporter might have something to do with that! My very first senior goal for Clydebank away to Kilmarnock, came on as sub with 15 minutes to go scored with three minutes to go, I got booked for celebrating with the 30 or so Clydebank supporters who came through to Ayrshire. Then we conceded with 30seconds left. The goal against Carlisle I feel was a very important goal as I think with that result we really took a lot of confidence going into the season. 1-0 Victory at the Cottage. then there was the equalizer in the 2-1 victory on promotion day. I am sorry i can't really single one out. I loved them all and remember all.

Q) You scored a memorable hat-trick in one hour in our 7-0 win against Swansea City (who were a division higher) in the FA Cup in 1995. Do you remember the goals? Nick Cusack was your provider for two of the goals that game, were there any other players in your career you developed an understanding with?

A) If memory serves me well the goals came from Nick getting a flick on, then one came from the goalkeeper parrying and I got on the end of it with the third coming from  a corner that Nick flicked on at the near post. Can always say I scored a hatrick in the F. A. Cup. While at Burnley myself and Roger Eli struck up a very good partnership with Roger getting 14 goals the season we won the league while I got 24. I think Nick and myself were a wee bit similar but Roger complemented me with his speed while I was stronger in the air.

Q) When Al Fayed bought the club and had the money to buy players like Paul Moody, did you feel the writing was on the wall for you at Fulham, and did you feel you still had something to offer?

A) Paul Moody was actually bought by Mickey Adams if my memory serves me well. I think all the players including Simon Morgan believed the writing was on the wall. Morgs did very well to survive the cull and go on and get more success with Fulham, which in my mind could not have been more deserving to a great Fulham player who gave so much to the club. Did I have more to offer? i think goalscorers always have something to offer.

Q) Do you still visit the Cottage regularly?

A) I now live in Melbourne so don't get a chance to see any live football. I really miss being involved.

Q) What are you up to now?

A) I am now involved with the Japanese sport brand Mizuno. We do running shoes which i do at least three times a week and we are Luke Donalds club of choice. We do fantastic running shoes and golf clubs. So get on board!

And a final word from Mike...

If I could just sign off by saying that although my first season did not go down to well I still finished top goal scorer and that I always tried my best whenever selected to play. I have no issue with taking some stick as it's part and parcel of being a footballer and especially if you are a striker. It comes with the territory. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Fulham and have many happy memories that outweigh the not so happy. i would like to thank everyone for their backing during the 97 season and I hope you enjoyed watching the team as much as we enjoyed playing as a team. I feel very blessed to have played my part in the ongoing story of Fulham Football Club.

Thank you Mike!!



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=77

[WhiteJC]

Jokanovic benched Button 'to try different solution'
by Dan on December 10, 2017

Slavisa Jokanovic said he dropped David Button 'to try and find a different solution' to Fulham's defensive woes following last weekend's defeat at the hands of Brentford.

Button endured a difficult return to Griffin Park, allowing Sergi Canos' deflected strike to slip under his body and hand his former side a precious equaliser at a time when Fulham were dominating the west London derby. The former Tottenham goalkeeper, who was axed after a couple of catastrophic errors at Derby towards the end of last season, was replaced by Marcus Bettinelli, who kept a clean sheet in Fulham's narrow win over struggling Birmingham City yesterday.

Jokanovic told the press after the final whistle that picked the best option to help Fulham return to winning ways and that he has no qualms about the impact his decision will have on the benched Button:

    It was time to try a different solution for us. I did something similar last season. Having a choice of goalkeeper is good for us. My job is to choice what I believe is better in different situations for my team.

    We believe Marcus Bettinelli can improve in his distribution. Bettinelli didn't have many jobs to do today, Against another team David Button can do a great job for us, he's a great lad, a professional and he has to fight for his job. All our players, not just the goalkeepers, have to stay professional and fight [for a place in the starting line-up].



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/12/jokanovic-benched-button-to-try-different-solution/

[WhiteJC]

 
In Focus: Man United must move quickly if they want to snap Sessegnon up

According to reports in The Sun, Manchester United have received a huge boost in their pursuit of Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon with the Championship outfit stepping up their bid to sign a new left-back in the January transfer window.

What's the word, then?
Well, The Sun says that United – along with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur – are keeping tabs on the highly-rated 17-year-old, who is rated at £50m according to reports in The Sun in October, with Jose Mourinho potentially looking for a new left-back or left wing-back in the New Year with Luke Shaw's future still yet to convince the Portuguese boss that he has a long-term future at Old Trafford.

Despite only turning 17 in May, the England U19 international continues to make waves for Fulham and has been tipped for a bright future having already made 53 senior appearances for the Cottagers.

How has Sessegnon done this season?
He has once again been excellent, considering his tender years.

The 17-year-old has scored four goals and provided a further two assists in 23 appearances in all competitions for the Championship side, and he scored a hat-trick on his 50th outing for the club as they beat Sheffield United 5-4 at Bramall Lane last month, with the treble including two fine finishes with his weaker right foot.

Sessegnon can play either as left-back or further up the pitch, and that is something that is likely to have impressed Mourinho.

Would he be a good signing for United?
While he certainly has the potential and ability to be the Red Devils' first choice on the left-hand side in the future depending on what system Mourinho plans to use, it remains to be seen whether the Portuguese manager would be willing to make him a first-team regular straight away given his age and lack of top-level experience.

Will they get him?
It's difficult to say.

While Sessegnon would obviously be attracted by the chance to join a club like United, he may need assurances over how often he would play as he would perhaps be more likely to get regular game time with Tottenham given Mauricio Pochettino's tendency to give young players an opportunity.

His potential £50m price tag may also be seen as an issue.



https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/manchester-united/in-focus-man-united-must-move-quickly-if-they-want-to-snap-sessegnon-up

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Manchester United 'given green light' to press ahead in £50m race for Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon

PLUS: Mourinho branded Manchester City "lucky" - as Pep Guardiola's side opened up a commanding 11-point lead in the title race

Manchester United have been given the green light to press ahead in their £50million bid to sign Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon.

That is according to The Sun, who say the Cottagers are increasingly resigned to losing the 17-year-old in January, and have thus started looking for a new left-back.

Tottenham are also interested in Sessegnon and see him as a potential replacement for Danny Rose, who himself has been linked with a move to United.

Sessegnon, who can also play further forward, has four goals so far this season, including a hat-trick in Fulham's 5-4 win over Sheffield United.


Sessegnon is reportedly on United's radar (Image: PA)



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-united-given-green-light-11673480