Saturday Fulham Stuff (03/02/18)...

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Fulham boss Jokanovic gives his verdict on Nottingham Forest's Aitor Karanka

Fulham host Nottingham Forest in the Championship this weekend.

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic has described Nottingham Forest's Aitor Karanka as a quality manager, as the two Championship sides prepare to meet at Craven Cottage this weekend, Fulhamfc.com report.

Karanka recently joined the Nottingham Forest on a two-and-a-half year deal following the departure of the seemingly popular Mark Warburton.

Karanka has experience in obtaining promotion from the Championship, having guided Middlesbrough to automatic promotion before leaving the Teesside club last term, and Jokanovic has admitted he is a big fan of the Spaniard.

"He's a quality manager, a manager who has experience of being promoted with Boro," Jokanovic told Fulham's official website. "He's a great man. They're not a team yet, they're still building something new."

Forest have made a somewhat inconsistent start under Karanka, putting on an excellent display as they defeated table-toppers Wolverhampton Wanderers - only to lose their next league game 3-0 at home to Preston North End.

Nottingham Forest had a positive transfer window, with six new arrivals, yet Karanka will be aware that it may take a few weeks for his new recruits to settle at the club.

Fulham head into the fixture as clear favourites, however, after winning their past four league games.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/02/02/tt-quality-manager-fulham-boss-jokanovic-gives-his-verdict-on-fo/

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Fulham v Forest; A Vital Match Preview

Aitor Karanka`s Nottingham Forest Take On Slavisa Jokanovic`s Fulham At Craven Cottage In This Weekend`s Championship Clash.

Vital Quotes:

Aitor Karanka was eerily calm after a woeful City Ground display on Tuesday, but was perhaps mindful that a ruthless cull was to follow. That defeat to Preston was clearly still in his mind at Thursday`s pre match press conference:

'You can imagine, after how I felt last Tuesday and that we were looking for a reaction from the Hull defeat, now I am expecting a good reaction. The players know that they can't sleep as there is not just another 11 players ready to play, but more who are crazy to play. I hope that the attitude is good, at least, from all of them then on Saturday we will start to build everything. I was embarrassed about what happened on Tuesday and I understood the fans that left. Now, I think the fans realise we are going in the right direction. It is not going to be easy, this is a tough league but we have to build the squad and the foundations to be successful.

Fulham are one of the best teams in the league, with Slavisa Jokanovic, they have a very good manager who knows the league - so, it will be a tough game but I don't care about them or any opponents. It is about us, and for us to grow and we have to keep working and start with a winning mentality. We need to go into the games thinking we can beat anybody; if we can beat Arsenal, if we can beat Wolves 10 days ago, then it will help us.'

Fulham Team News:

With very few injuries, other than slight doubts surrounding Tom Cairney (knee) and Floyd Ayite (calf), Slavisa Jokanovic will need to decide whether to hand debuts to his deadline day signings - Cyrus Christie and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Given their recent form, you would imagine he would stick with the team that beat Barnsley 3-1 last weekend and perhaps, leave them content with a place in the 18?
Player to watch: Ryan Sessegnon

The 17 year old is listed as a left back/left winger and surely has to be one of the hottest prospects in the Championship - with 11 goals in 32 appearances so far this season.

Pacy, confident, skillful and full of tricks - Sessegnon has bagged a brace in each of his last 2 games - so Forest`s right hand side, step up Eric, will have to try and nullify that threat - although, Fulham have plenty more!
Nottingham Forest Team News:

Following a dramatic deadline day at Nottingham Forest, with 7 confirmed departures - it easier to start with the certainties - Jack Hobbs and Chris Cohen remain absent with injury, with the latter now named as joint under 23 manager.

Daryl Murphy is back in training and could well feature for the first time under Aitor Karanka, whilst Liam Bridcutt is likely to return to the starting 11 after completing his 2 match ban.

As it stands, Forest are yet to announce whether Ben Watson has joined on a free transfer, but they did sign Costel Pantilimon, Jack Colback, Ashkan Dejagah, Adlene Guedioura, Lee Tomlin, Joe Lolley and Tobias Figueiredo. Given that the players have had little time to get to know their team mates and with some lacking match fitness - it is unlikely that all will feature.

Player to watch: Liam Bridcutt

In a season of abject mediocrity (so far), Bridcutt is certainly one of the positives. The 28 year old joined Forest from Leeds in August and certainly added much needed bite to the midfield, evidenced by collecting 10 yellows in 22 appearances.

Liam has yet to score for Forest and must be happy with the strengthening made to Forest`s often over-run centre of the park. A clean sheet (a la Wolves) would be nice!
Match Facts & Stats

Fulham are one of the Championship`s form teams and despite a shaky start a run of 7 games without defeat, 6 of those wins has seen them climb into 6th position, with 48 points from 29 games, scoring 49 and conceding 35.

The Cottagers are undefeated at home since 31st October, with play off contenders Bristol City the victors that day.

The Reds sit 15th in the Championship with 35 points from 29 games (w11, d2, l16), scoring 35 but conceding 46, including 3 in a woeful 0-3 home defeat to Preston that clearly motivated Mr Karanka to make wholesale changes to his squad.

Forest have just 1 league win in their last 8 games and have failed to score in 5 of those - although, they managed a run of 3 without defeat away from home.

Ref Watch:

Tim Robinson has been appointed as Tuesday`s Referee, which will be his 33rd game as the man in the middle this season, the previous 32 have seen him award 109 yellow and 9 red cards. Last season he officiated 44 games, brandishing 185 yellows and 9 red cards.

Mr Robinson will be assisted by Andrew Fox and Robert Hyde, with James Linington as the Fourth Official.

Match Prediction:

Former Forest man, David Prutton, has this down as a 2-0 home win, with 'The Bookies` also having Fulham odds on for a home win.

Whilst Aitor Karanka & his team performed heroics on deadline day, it is unlikely that so many new players will gel sufficiently to gain Forest anything from this match - a point would be a real bonus, but a comfortable home win seems most likely.
Next Fixtures:

Forest welcome Nigel Adkin`s Hull City Trentside on Saturday, 10th February KO 3-00pm.



http://www.forest.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchprere.asp?a=589699

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Nottingham Forest boss hails Fulham as one the best sides in the Championship

Aitor Karanka also had good words to say about Slavisa Jokanovic ahead of the game between the two at the Cottage on Saturday

Aitor Karanka has hailed Fulham as one of the best sides in the Championship - but claims he doesn't care about the Cottagers.

Nottingham Forest travel to the Cottage to face Fulham, who are on a seven game unbeaten run, after Slavisa Jokanovic's side broke into the top six last week with victory at Barnsley.

Both Karanka and Jokanovic know each other well, with the Forest boss praising the Serbian ahead of the game but has said that if his side can beat Arsenal and Wolves, then they can beat Fulham.

"They are one of the best teams in the league, they have a very good manager who knows the division and how to win promotion," said Karanka.

"I know him, he is a good man and a good manager and we are expecting a tough game.

"But I do not care about Fulham, it is about us and our desire to grow.

"Now we have the tools to keep working and, for me, it is important to start with a winning mentality. We need to go into the game believing we can beat anyone.

"If we can beat Arsenal and we can beat Wolves, with this squad, it should be special."



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nottingham-forest-boss-hails-fulham-14240304