Wednesday Fulham Stuff (13/12/17)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Sunderland boss Chris Coleman in line for selection boost ahead of Fulham visit

Josh Maja is closing in on a return to the first team picture at Sunderland.

The 18-year-old was a star performer in pre-season before suffering a knee injury but he completed 89 minutes for the U23s against Liverpool and could return to the first team squad for Fulham. "Josh is there or thereabouts and it is a credit to all those involved in his rehab," said U23 boss Elliott Dickman. "The medical team have managed him well and moving forward the manager and first team staff will decide on where he is and what he is doing. "If he is with us then great, if he is with the first team then fantastic for the academy." Meanwhile, as revealed by the Echo, Scottish side Falkirk are set to raid Sunderland for reinforcements - with duo Andrew Nelson and Tommy Robson on their radar. Falkirk, second-bottom of the Scottish Championship, are desperate to strengthen their squad Neither were involved for Sunderland U23s against Liverpool, with Nelson missing with an ankle injury.

The 18-year-old was a star performer in pre-season before suffering a knee injury but he completed 89 minutes for the U23s against Liverpool and could return to the first team squad for Fulham. "Josh is there or thereabouts and it is a credit to all those involved in his rehab," said U23 boss Elliott Dickman. "The medical team have managed him well and moving forward the manager and first team staff will decide on where he is and what he is doing. "If he is with us then great, if he is with the first team then fantastic for the academy." Meanwhile, as revealed by the Echo, Scottish side Falkirk are set to raid Sunderland for reinforcements - with duo Andrew Nelson and Tommy Robson on their radar. Falkirk, second-bottom of the Scottish Championship, are desperate to strengthen their squad Neither were involved for Sunderland U23s against Liverpool, with Nelson missing with an ankle injury. Robson has been out of favour since he returned from a loan spell at Irish side Limerick last season and there are suggestions he may join Falkirk on a free transfer next month, while Nelson could join on loan. When asked about the pair's future, Dickman said: "Andrew had an ankle issue, that's why he wasn't in the squad against Liverpool. "Tommy was not in the squad with a view to probably looking to move on come January. "Nothing is confirmed as far as I am aware."

Speaking generally about Sunderland's youngsters going out on loan, Dickman added: "Heading out on loan is different to the U23s, [U23 football] has its purpose for players, but there are certain players who need to put themselves against men to see how they deal with it. "It is fantastic for the lads to get that opportunity wherever it may be."




Read more at: https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-boss-chris-coleman-in-line-for-selection-boost-ahead-of-fulham-visit-1-8904698

[WhiteJC]

 
Southampton Tickets On Sale

Fulham kick-off their Emirates FA Cup journey in Round Three against Premier League opposition Southampton at Craven Cottage on Saturday 6th January 2018 (3pm).

Tickets for Season Ticket Holders are priced at £20 for adults, £15 concessions, and £5 for under-18s. Prices for non-Season Ticket Holders are £5 more in each category.

Season Ticket Holders' regular seats will be held until 10am on Monday 18th December. After this time they will be released for General Sale.

Join us for FA Cup action! and secure your ticket today online, by phone on 0203 871 0810 (opt. 1) or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/december/12/fa-cup-tickets-on-sale

[WhiteJC]

 
Free Home Shirt Printing

We are offering free printing on all adidas 2017/18 Fulham Home Shirts purchased between Monday 11th and Friday 22nd December.

Secure yours today and feature your favorite player on the back at no extra cost! Or why not personalise it and have your own name and number?
Supporters can take advantage of this exciting offer online or at our brand new-look Stadium Store located at Craven Cottage on Stevenage Road.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/december/11/free-shirt-printing

[WhiteJC]

 
Defensive Improvements Give Sunderland Fans Hope Ahead Of Fulham Clash

Robbin Ruiter heaped praise on his Sunderland teammates at the weekend, as the struggling Black Cats managed to grab a gutsy goalless draw with high-flying table-toppers Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, and the Dutch stopper, who has now kept two clean sheets in his last three Championship games, will be hoping his side's defensive improvement can be the catalyst for a turn of fortunes as the north east outfit get ready for a busy festive period.

With 73% of possession, and 23 shots on goal during the 90 minutes, the statistics show the dominance that Wolves possessed throughout the match, and things weren't made easier when Lee Cattermole was sent off just past the hour mark, but of those 23 shots only four were on target and Ruiter was unsurprisingly appreciative of his defensive players performances, as a point now sees Chris Coleman's men only one point away from pulling themselves out of the relegation zone.

Ruiter told Sunderland's website, "I think we played amazing, we showed great team spirit in what was a difficult game against a really good team.  We defended pretty well, and it was just too bad we didn't create a chance or two to win the game, added Ruiter.

A fine save to deny Wolves' star man Diogo Jota in the 87th minute epitomised Ruiter's turn in fortunes, which saw him add a clean sheet to his shutout against Burton Albion a few weeks ago, but the Dutchman gave a shout out to his rearguard by saying, "I kept the clean sheet and I am please with that.  Saves are easy to make if our defenders play like they did."

Having conceded a hatful of goals in the first part of the season, Sunderland have tightened up defensively, and have only conceded eight goals in their last six Championship matches, so having let in 30 goals in their previous 15 league matches then there's an obvious improvement, and a more solid unit at the back can aid their path out of the bottom three.

At the attacking end of the pitch goals have not been hard to come by with the Black Cats netting 26 goals already this season, which gives them a much better goal difference than the likes of Burton, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers and Barnsley, who all are staring at a relegation dogfight, but Coleman will be looking to continue the recent defensive improvements over the coming weeks, and with a brace of home games to come over the next few weeks then the former Welsh manager will hope his side can be out of the drop zone come Christmas day.

They welcome Fulham to the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon, but it's their clash with fellow strugglers Birmingham City on December 23 that will be the real must-win clash, as the Blues have been in dire form of late, losing three of their last four Championship matches, and Coleman is sure to be targeting points from both games, with a draw and a win most likely to see Sunderland continue their progression under the Coleman reign, and it's Ruiter and his defensive unit that can steady a turbulent time at the north east outfit.



https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/defensive-improvements-give-sunderland-fans-hope-ahead-of-fulham-clash

[WhiteJC]

 
Liverpool loanee Sheyi Ojo is starting to show why he's so highly rated - despite reservations from the Fulham fans

Fans took a while to shine to Sheyi Ojo, but now he's starting to show why he's so highly rated at Selwood

Before Sheyi Ojo got injured against QPR back in September, some Fulham supporters would've told you that they don't see why the Liverpool loanee was so highly rated by both Slavisa Jokanovic and Jurgen Klopp.

For one reason or another, Ojo just didn't click with some fans when he first arrived on loan at the club - despite what I felt were promising attacking displays from a 20-year-old.

It showed how important the Liverpool man was to the club when he dislocated his shoulder in the 2-1 win against QPR - after that Fulham looked like they lacked any real attacking threat in the final third, and despite it not all being down to missing Ojo, it certainly had an impact.

He's made 11 appearance for Fulham this season, and here's how his record stands:

Wins: Seven

Draws: One

Losses: Three

Goals: Three

Assists: Two


Fulham's Sheyi Ojo (left) celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match at Bramall Lane (Image: PA)

That's not bad by anyone's standards, and certainly not for a 20-year-old.

Fulham have a 63.6% win ratio when Ojo plays, and although I don't feel that those wins are entirely down to him (that would be unfair to place such a heavy burden on the shoulders of the young man) I do feel we are starting to see why Liverpool and Klopp rate him so highly.

I'm not entirely sure why Fulham fans took a while to warm to Ojo, maybe it was the fact he wasn't scoring like they expected him too, or that he liked to cut in from the wing to shoot instead of heading down the flank to put a cross in, but either way his attacking momentum before the injury couldn't ignored, and now he's returned we're starting to see an end product.

And I suppose that's what football fans in general want - an end product.

Players like Kevin McDonald and Oliver Norwood never nearly get the praise they deserve because they aren't goal scorers, they do a lot of dirty work that goes largely unnoticed, Norwood more so than McDonald.



But having had Ojo out for a period of time we're starting to see exactly what he offers the side and why Jokanovic will play him in nearly every game he can this season, especially after losing Sone Aluko in the summer.

Another thing about Ojo, and it's something you won't see on the pitch on a Saturday afternoon, is the youngster's application of himself in training, something that was evident in his rehabilitation from his shoulder injury.

The 20-year-old did extra rehab and made sure to stick to the programme the physios subscribed to him - his level of professionalism was sensational for such a young man and another reason why he'll be gracing the Premier League before long.

It was a tough summer in terms of recruitment, but Ojo's signing is a gem that Fulham did well to get - he's only going to get better as the season goes on and if he continues to click, the Cottagers will too.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-loanee-sheyi-ojo-starting-14026467

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Supporters' Trust sign Memorandum of Understanding with Fulham FC

The Memorandum of Understanding will formalise the structured dialogue between the club and the Supporters' Trust

The Fulham Supporters' Trust have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fulham Football Club - the first such document signed between a Supporters' Trust and a club.

It commits both parties to share relevant information and discuss issues of mutual concern during regular meetings and builds on the progress made since the Trust's monthly meeting with senior club officials.

The document was drawn up with the advice and guidance of Supporters Direct, the national umbrella body for Supporters' Trusts, who have been at the forefront of developing structured dialogue and successfully secured EFL and Premier League regulations mandating meetings between clubs and recognised Trusts last season.

The Fulham Supporters' Trust's dialogue with Fulham FC began prior to those regulations and has been praised in a Department, Culture and Media Sport report on strengthening the links between football clubs and their supporters.

And the recently signed MoU will formalise the structured dialogue between Fulham and the Supporters' Trust on behalf of Fulham fans - something that had existed since 2014.



Tom Greatrex, chair of the Fulham Supporters' Trust, said: "Structured dialogue between Clubs and recognised supporters' trusts is something Supporters' Direct have been integral in securing in league regulations.

"Fortunately for the Fulham Supporters' Trust, Fulham FC have been open to detailed, extensive, searching and sometimes challenging dialogue on a regular basis over the last three years.

"Signing an MoU doesn't change that - it emphasises the value that independent, democratic and representative supporters' organisations can bring in helping Clubs not only develop good relationships with their fans, but make decisions that take into account the supporter perspective.

"That the Club have become the first to sign such an MoU demonstrates, I believe, their confidence in the relationship with the Trust that we have both worked hard on and their commitment to being as responsive as possible to supporter views and priorities."

Alistair Mackintosh, chief executive of Fulham Football Club, added: "We were keen to formalise an increase in the frequency of meetings with the Fulham Supporters' Trust as their robust questioning continually makes us think and they provide a representative, educated soundboard for our own initiatives.

"As custodians of Craven Cottage and our remarkable football Club, we share goals of sustainability and success."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-supporters-trust-sign-memorandum-14026681

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's January Transfer Window: The dream scenarios for Slavisa Jokanovic's side

Fulham reporter Ryan O'Donovan has taken a look at what he thinks an ideal January Transfer Window would look like for the club

We're only a couple of weeks away before the January Transfer Window opens and clubs will start signing players they think will get them to where they want to be come May - but what would the dream scenario for Fulham be?

Everyone has their opinions, and after the summer window, where eleven new faces were added to the side but with little impact of team selection, and the whole Craig Kline debacle that saw him leave the club , there's sure to be some strong ones over the next month.

Slavisa Jokanovic thinks the side need to strengthen - his current analogy of if even Manchester United and City need to then every one does is testament to that - while most of the fans are unanimous in that a new striker needs to be signed.

With just under three weeks to go until the window opens, we've taken a look at what the dream scenarios would be for Fulham in January.

A new striker is signed
This one is pretty obvious in my books, with the recent games highlighting the fact more obviously than ever.

Rui Fonte and Aboubakar Kamara were signed in the summer as the striking options but neither have filled the criteria that Fulham are crying out for - Fonte has struggled while Kamara shows signs of his raw potential, but it's clear he isn't ready to lead a promotion chasing line.

In an ideal world, a goal scoring forward would be signed by Fulham in January, one that doesn't need time to settle and can hit the ground running.

The club wanted to sign Dwight Gayle in the summer as a "bonus" signing, but now, in January, this "bonus" must be a priority and someone like Gayle would still be perfect.

The problem with Gayle is he's now playing and scoring for Newcastle, so it looks unlikely to happen, but someone of the same mould as the 27-year-old is a must.

Fulham bolster the defence with a centre back
A centre back was high on Jokanovic's list of positions the club needed to add depth to in the summer, and despite the arrival of Marcelo Djalo, they didn't really do that.

An ideal January would see the arrival of a new centre back, one that can depth to the side and could challenge Tomas Kalas and Tim Ream for a regular starting place in the heart of defence.

Despite doing well when called on, Denis Odoi isn't the answer to the centre back problem if one of the two regulars get injured, and with Djalo playing a few more minutes in recent weeks as a sub, it's clear that Michael Madl isn't favoured by Jokanovic any longer.

A strong, ball winning and fast defender would certainly add strength to Jokanovic's side and allow them to progress in the second half of the season.

Ryan Sessegnon ignores transfer talk and stays
There's been a lot of reports linking Sessegnon to Tottenham and Manchester United in recent weeks, like there were over the summer too, and an ideal January would be for none of it to happen.

The 17-year-old signed his first professional deal in the summer and has played regularly for the club this season at left back, but it's further forward where he's looked better.

Obviously, he has a long way to go before he's the finished article, but keeping someone of Sessegnon's ability at the club, and playing him further forward, would certainly be a good January.

That leads onto...

A new left back!
So, Rafa Soares arrived on loan in the summer amidst huge expectation, despite being injured.

Since then, he's made two appearances in the league, both as subs, for a combined total minutes of 50.

I think it's fair to say it isn't quite working out for him, and if you've been able to see him play in the U23s you'd notice he isn't the speediest of left backs - meaning it takes him a while to get up and down the flanks in the way Fulham like playing.

It's come to the stage where Jokanovic will rather play Sessegnon, who he knows is better further forward, at left back or he will play Odoi, if circumstance allows it.

A new left back that offers the same on the left as Ryan Fredericks offers down the right will only help Fulham, allowing the side to attack down both flanks like they do down the right, as well as freeing up Sessegnon to play a more attacking role.





http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulhams-january-transfer-window-dream-14027009

[WhiteJC]

 
Chelsea loanee Lucas Piazon returns to first team training with Fulham

The 23-year-old suffered a horrible leg break in the 0-0 draw with Leeds in August but has now returned to first team training

Chelsea loanee Lucas Piazon has returned to training with Fulham after recovering from a broken leg.

The Brazilian suffered the injury in the 0-0 draw with Leeds back in August having re-signed from the Premier League champions on a season-long loan deal.

Piazon looked to be chomping at the bit for Fulham in his first two appearances, scoring against Wycombe in the Carabao Cup before netting the equaliser against former side Reading.

The 23-year-old was a big part of Slavisa Jokanovic's plans for the season and the head coach will be delighted to have him back, although he is not yet expected to return to first team action as he continues the next stage of his recovery.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chelsea-loanee-lucas-piazon-returns-14028616

[WhiteJC]

 
Why Sunderland have to toughen up mentally if they are to end home hoodoo against Fulham

Sunderland are back at the Stadium of Light on Saturday against Fulham and the question the fans are asking is can Sunderland finally get that home win so desperately needed or will the players find yet another ridiculous way to throw it all away?

Until Sunderland finally end that winless run, it will hang heavily over the players adding to the pressure, as they know every time they step out at home and fail they will just be further breaking an unwanted record we already own. Fulham are another team in mid-table that should be a winnable game for Sunderland but they will come to Wearside and expect at least a point. Why shouldn't they, as like every other club they will be well aware of Sunderland's home hoodoo and the players' fragile confidence in front of their own fans. I really thought in the last home game against Reading – Chris Coleman's first in charge at the Stadium of Light – he would be able to change the mindset but the madness continued with a needless Callum McManaman sending off costing Sunderland dear. So now, hopefully, Chris has learned what he is up against and gets things right in his second home appearance. It really is time the players started showing the mental strength and resolve they have shown on the road as game after game, limited opposition has turned up on our own patch and haven't had to do a great deal to leave with at least a point – or more usually three – and I still don't believe that teams like Millwall, QPR, Bolton, Reading etc have better players, yet we still can't get that elusive home win.



Read more at: https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/why-sunderland-have-to-toughen-up-mentally-if-they-are-to-end-home-hoodoo-against-fulham-1-8904548

[WhiteJC]

 
Sunderland boss discusses midfield options ahead of Fulham as Paddy McNair returns to training

Paddy McNair is back in training and could return to the squad against Fulham, though Chris Coleman is conscious of carefully managing the midfielder.

The 22-year-old, who was out for 10 months after rupturing his cruciate ligament, returned at the end of October and made five appearances before a groin injury. McNair pulled up in the warm-up before Reading and wasn't involved against Wolves last weekend. Sunderland are without Lee Cattermole this weekend after his red card at Molineux but Coleman's midfield options are set for a boost. Coleman has confirmed Northern Ireland international McNair is back training while Didier Ndong isn't far away, though Coleman admits he may need a run-out in the Under-23s to build his fitness. "Paddy trained today," said Coleman. "He looked good, he has had a bit of time out. "You have to manage it carefully. We tread a fine line. "Paddy was out a long time [with his knee injury], Paddy has a programme, his training schedule is slightly different. We are always looking after him and his knee.

"It is a fine balancing act. We also know we need our strongest team on the pitch. Whether that is Paddy having an hour or coming off the bench. "Same for Didier Ndong, who needs minutes, probably in the Under-23s because he has been out for four or five weeks. It is a long time. "But then we might need to use Didier because there is no one else! That is where we are. "Whoever comes back into this team, or this squad, the bar has been set by the players fit in terms of attitude and mentality."

Coleman also had praise for Darron Gibson's performance at Molineux, his best yet in a Sunderland shirt. Coleman added: "The players need to be street smart on the pitch and I thought all our players did that Saturday. "It is not just about running around. You have to be smart, think smart, see what is happening and make good decisions consistently and Darron Gibson has been doing that. "We know he is a very good passer. We need a certain job from our midfielders, whether it is Gibbo, Catts, Paddy or Didier. It may change game to game and they need to exercise the gameplan. "Him and Catts did that, obviously we lost Catts and Gibbo was in there with young George [Honeyman] and Lynden [Gooch] and we controlled them really well.

"Gibbo did well and I had no worries putting Elliot Embleton on [for his debut]. "Gibbo spoke to him, told him where to be. Elliot has that assured confidence, you need a bit of arrogance, not too much. "He was calm and composed, looked like he had been there before and I was really pleased for him."



Read more at: https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-boss-discusses-midfield-options-ahead-of-fulham-as-paddy-mcnair-returns-to-training-1-8906723

[WhiteJC]

 
Forget Tom Cairney: Here Are 2 Quality Replacements For Fulham To Sign If He Moves To Newcastle

2 Quality Replacements For Cairney Who Fulham Can Sign If He Moves To Newcastle

Despite contrary reports, Newcastle United still appear keen on signing Fulham's Tom Cairney after a £20million bid was rebuffed last January.

A year down the line, Cairney has continued to improve but has not necessarily been helped out by the changes to the formation that have been deployed this season by manager Slavisa Jokanovic, which have seen Cairney play in a slightly right or left of the middle in 4-3-3's, rather than right down the middle as he did in last season's regular 4-2-3-1.

He did the best thing he could by committing to Fulham last winter; however, it seems now that overall, the club has slipped slightly and may offer even lesser chance of promotion to the Premier League. So he may very well be tempted by a move.

Should he go, Fulham would need to replace him quickly and here are two players capable of filling his role:

James Maddison (Norwich City)

Just how receptive Maddison would be to a move down to Fulham is open for question, though one thing is for sure and that is that he is of an equal standard to Cairney.

Maddison has apparently been another option looked at by Rafa Benitez at Newcastle and so you could say he'd be a straight swap, though once again he may not be entirely happy with Jokanovic's tactics this season, as just like Cairney the Norwich man wants to play right down the middle, usually in a 4-2-3-1.

He'd be quite a catch though to be fair, though the likelihood is that if Maddison is moved away from Norwich, it would likely have to be to the Premier League.

Sammy Ameobi (Bolton Wanderers)

Having been allowed to leave Newcastle, Ameobi has found his feet now and in fact, he may end up back in the Premier League.

Ameobi had injury problems which needed special attention, something he received at Cardiff City when on loan rather than at Newcastle and now has been playing his best football when allowed to play down the right, cutting in on to his left foot.

He was not deployed in this position at Newcastle and it seems they didn't get the best out of him, though given Jokanovic's penchant for a 4-3-3 now, Ameobi may be a decent replacement for Cairney as he would be more than happy playing off-centre so to speak.

Bolton need cash and are willing to sell Josh Vela in January, so maybe they'd be receptive to a move for Ameobi too?



http://soccersouls.com/2017/12/13/forget-tom-cairney-here-are-2-quality-replacements-for-fulham-to-sign-if-he-moves-to-newcastle/

[WhiteJC]

 
Risky business for football fans: Fulham FC plugs investments where more than 80% of people lose money

London's oldest football club is plugging high-risk investments where more than 80 pc of people lose money.

Second-division Fulham this month signed a sponsorship deal with ICM Capital, which offers risky investments called contracts for difference (CFDs).

These allow savers to bet on the rise and fall of currencies, metal and stocks. But the complex way they work mean savers can lose a lot more than they put down.

The sponsorship deal allows ICM to advertise its services around Fulham's Craven Cottage ground.

Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham, Watford Southampton and Everton all have similar deals with CFD websites.

The City watchdog says anyone without 'sophisticated knowledge of financial markets' should avoid CFDs.

Fulham and ICM refused to comment.

[email protected]




Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/investing/article-5172823/Fulham-FC-plugs-ultra-high-risk-investments.html#ixzz517eLCnsE
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

Piazon back in training after broken leg
by Dan on December 12, 2017

Fulham forward Lucas Piazon returned to first-team training today at Motspur Park after almost four months out following a horrific leg break at Leeds at the start of the season.

The popular Brazilian has battled back from another serious injury ahead of schedule giving a huge boost to Slavisa Jokanovic's squad when he joined them for his first taste of training at the club's New Malden base today. He looked delighted to be back among his team-mates – and came through his first session with no problems. Piazon, who returned to Craven Cottage on a second season-long loan after the success of his first temporary switch down the King's Road last term, made a terrific start to the campaign – scoring at Wycombe in the League Cup and coming back to haunt former employers Reading by rescuing a point for ten-man Fulham as a substitute at the Madjeski Stadium.

The versatile 23 year-old looked set to be more of a regular starter for Jokanovic than at the beginning of his loan spell last year, before a robust challenge from Leeds' Conor Shaughnessy at Elland Road abruptly ended his rich vein of form. Piazon, who returned quicker than expected to play a part in the Whites' end of season surge after fracturing his jaw at Cardiff last term, will not be available for selection at Sunderland on Saturday as he builds up his fitness. He will instead step up his training regime once Jokanovic's squad returns from the Stadium of Light with a view to featuring at the tail end of Fulham's festive fixture programme.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/12/piazon-back-in-training-after-broken-leg/

[filham]

Window opens in three weeks time, perhaps then we can look forward to a new signing in about seven weeks time.

[Bassey the warrior]

Anyone seen Soares play for u23's?