Monday Fulham Stuff (20/08/18)...

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Results

Sunday
Burnley	1 - 3	Watford
Man City	6 - 1	Huddersfield
Brighton	3 - 2	Man Utd
Saturday
Cardiff	0 - 0	Newcastle
Everton	2 - 1	Soton
Leicester	2 - 0	Wolves
Spurs	3 - 1	Fulham
West Ham	1 - 2	Bournemouth
Chelsea	3 - 2	Arsenal

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Despite Two Defeats Optimism Levels Remain High Amongst The Fulham Support

Two games and two defeats is not the brightest of starts to life in the top-flight of English football, but it's not the end of the world, we've still another thirty-six games in which to turn matters around.

However, despite the fact we've yet to earn our first Premier League point of the 2018 / 2019 season, optimism amongst the support remains high.



https://fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/despite-two-defeats-optimism-levels-remain-high-amongst-the-fulham-support/

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Slavisa Jokanovic: 'Tottenham Hotspur's quality told in the end'

Slavisa Jokanovic has confessed that Tottenham Hotspur had too much quality for Fulham in their Premier League clash at Wembley Stadium.

The Cottagers gave their London rivals a scare by levelling up the match at 1-1 early in the second half, only for Kieran Trippier and Harry Kane to earn Spurs a 3-1 win with their quickfire goals in the final 15 minutes.

Fulham boss Jokanovic was happy with the spirit shown by his side against last term's third-placed side, however, and hopes that lessons can be learned ahead of their upcoming matches against Burnley and Brighton & Hove Albion.

"It's a shame, we made a great effort," he told Sky Sports News. "After we equalised, we had another chance to score again and then they killed the game with one quality action and then immediately after they scored again. We didn't have the power to change the situation.

"The second goal showed the quality they have. We are a team that has been playing for a week-and-a-half, they are a team that has been playing for three years and the synchronisation of the Spurs players is better than ours.

"In front of us, we have a lot of hard work but I can be encouraged by some of our play and the spirit that we showed in our best moment at the start of the second half. We can't be depressed, I want to be positive so we can fix our problems."

Fulham have now conceded in their past 19 Premier League away games - the longest current run without an away clean sheet in the top flight.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/spurs/news/jokanovic-tottenhams-quality-told_333799.html

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Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa scouting report: New signing makes battling debut vs Spurs

The new man impressed in the holding midfield role in the 3-1 defeat to Spurs - we took a closer look at his performance

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa was handed his Fulham debut by Slavisa Jokanovic as they faced Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, with the former Marseilles man joining his new side on Wednesday.

He replaced Kevin McDonald in the starting XI who had held the anchor role in the Cottagers' midfield for the past two years since his signing from Wolves in 2016, helping the side get promoted at this very stadium only three months ago.

Jokanovic has spoken about how there can be no room for sentiment at the club as they try to thrive in the Premier League, and that was clear to see from the selection against Spurs, with only Ryan Sessegnon, Tom Cairney, Aboubakar Kamara and Aleksandar Mitrovic keeping their places from the play-off final victory.

Spurs eventually ran out 3-1 winners thanks to Lucas Moura, Kieran Trippier and Harry Kane goals, but Fulham did well in parts, getting level through Aleksandar Mitrovic in their best spell of the game.

We kept an eye on how Anguissa got on his Fulham debut at Wembley, here's what we thought.

0-15 minutes

A few early touches settled Anguissa into the game, with the Frenchman slotting in front of the back four.

Let Christian Eriksen fly past him after eight minutes, fouling the man but with referee allowing play to continue, Fulham found their back four exposed.

Did well around the edge of the box to put challenges in to try and stop Dele Alli from exploiting the space in behind the defence.


(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)

15-30 minutes

Started the find his way into the game, becoming a bit more physical on the ball and winning more challenges in that anchor role.

Started the harry and hassle whichever player picked up the ball in between the space as Fulham became more accustomed to the contest, putting in a good challenge on Lucas Moura with his back to goal.

Was sold, alongside Jean-Michael Seri, to a brilliant bit of skill from Dele Alli that allowed Spurs to break at the away side.

30-45 minutes

Started the half hour mark by making a lovely slalomed run into the box to try and get a shot away, but was tackled brilliantly in the end.

Took up some good positions but will perhaps feel he could've got closed to Lucas Moura to try and put pressure on him for the first goal.

45-60 minutes

Started the first half with a charging run into the Spurs half but the pass was poor and possession was lost.

Battled well to win the ball off Harry Kane and allow Fulham forward - an attack from which Mitrovic hit the post.

Started to see lots more of the ball, along with Seri and Cairney, as Fulham started to gain a foothold in the game at Wembley, with Aleksandar Mitrovic scoring the equaliser.

60-75 minutes

Really started to get to grips with the game and his team mates, especially Seri, as the midfield trio started to look like a unit for the first time.

Started to choose the right moments to push out and put pressure on Spurs' attacking midfielders with a decent success rate.

Made a vital tackle in the box to stop Spurs from having a shot on goal, almost in the same position as Oliver Norwood's block against Aston Villa in the play-off final.

Crunched Eriksen to stop Spurs from breaking through on Fulham's goal.

75-90 minutes

Was bundled over in the build-up to the third Spurs goal, with Anguissa wanting a foul for his part in it.

Continued to make a few good challenges despite the game getting away from Fulham in the last bit of the game.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/andre-frank-zambo-anguissa-scouting-15045752

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Anguissa praised for debut display

Boss Slavisa Jokanovic was thrilled with André-Frank Zambo Anguissa's debut display in a losing Fulham side against Tottenham.

The 22-year-old defensive midfielder was brought straight into the starting 11 despite only joining the squad for training on Wednesday.

But his strengths were evident despite Fulham slipping to a second consecutive Premier League defeat this season.

On the Cameroonian's performance, which saw him make the joint-highest number of tackles in the match, Jokanovic said: "Anguissa is a seven-day-old part of the team, but he showed the power and quality when combining [with Jean Michaël Seri and Ryan Sessegnon].

"It's time for us to discover each other, and how I can use them in the best way."

Anguissa's arrival meant that Kevin McDonald was dropped to the bench, with only four of those who started the Championship play-off final at the national stadium in May being restored.

And Jokanovic was keen to stress that his squad is still not quite ready to compete with the top teams in England.

He added: "We are a Premier League team in a building process, so we need time. We showed a few positive things, but we need to fix some problems without a doubt."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/jokanovic-gives-his-verdict-on-anguissa-debut

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Aston Villa transfer news: Steve Bruce plots Premier League raid for promotion-winning duo

ASTON VILLA fancy swooping Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo and Southampton left-back Matt Targett.

The Championship club have until August 31 to strengthen their squad with loan arrivals and Steve Bruce is hoping to add the Premier League duo to his squad.

Ojo, 21, and Targett, 22, spent last season on loan at Fulham, who beat Aston Villa in the Championship play-off fine.

England Under-21 international Ojo found game time difficult to come by at Craven Cottage after falling out of favour under Slavisa Jovanovic.

He was limited to 24 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals.

Targett joined Fulham in the January transfer window and played a crucial role in the Whites' club-record 23-game unbeaten run.

He also played the full 90 minutes in Fulham's Wembley triumph in May.

The Premier League new boys attempted to secure Targett's services on a permanent deal but Southampton boss Mark Hughes snubbed a £15m bid from his former club.

Hughes, however, is yet to use Targett this season and is ready to loan him out.

According to the Sunday Mirror, Aston Villa face competition from Middlesbrough from his services.

Bruce is on the hunt for a left-back after seeing Joe Bryan abandon a move to Villa Park in favour of Fulham at the 11th hour earlier this month.

The Aston Villa boss also faces competition from Championship rivals Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough for Ojo, according to The Sun on Sunday.

Liverpool were willing to sell for £15m but failed to find a buyer.

Despite impressing in pre-season, Jurgen Klopp has admitted it is a "no-brainer" that Ojo will leave Anfield on loan.

Ojo, however, is determined to force his way into Liverpool's first team.

"Last season was a great learning experience despite the injuries and I feel like I'm a lot more mature and ready for the season," he said.

"The ideal scenario is always to stay and fight for your spot, but I've got to make a decision based on my career, on my football.

"I'm eager to play and I'm eager to show what I can do and get a consistent run of games."


Aston Villa Transfer News: Sheyi Ojo played a limited role in Fulham's promotion last season

Aston Villa, who were hit by financial problems before Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens invested, were held to a 1-1 draw by Ipswich Town at Portman Road yesterday.

Jonathan Kodjia opened the scoring before Trevoh Chalobah levelled.

Ipswich were reduced to 10 men when Fulham loanee Tayo Edun was sent off but Bruce's side failed to find a winner.

"We're all a little bit disappointed," Bruce said. "We're playing against 10 men and found it more difficult than we did against 11.

"There's a frustration, but for 35 minutes in that game I thought it's the best we've looked all season.


Aston Villa Transfer News: Matt Targett helped Fulham to promotion last term

"We've take the lead and just at the wrong time, unfortunately, have gifted them a goal.

"We have to eradicate these individual errors. It's difficult to accept and it's frustrating we've not gone on to win.

"We've had enough chances and our keeper has made some good saves.

"We dust ourselves down and get ready to go again."



https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/724236/Aston-Villa-Transfer-News-Liverpool-Sheyi-Ojo-Southampton-Matt-Targett-Rumours-Gossip

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Aleksandar Mitrovic's Fulham record is magnificent, only Mohamed Salah is better

The former Newcastle United man has proven to be a superb signing.



Serbia international Aleksandar Mitrovic has proven to be an instant hit at Fulham, playing a crucial role since his switch in January.

Originally joining the Cottagers on loan from Newcastle, Mitrovic hit 12 goals in the Championship to help propel the West London side to the top-flight and then opened his Premier League account for the club in Saturday's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Trailing 1-0, Mitrovic netted an equaliser for Fulham at Wembley seven minutes after the break and maintained an excellent record as a result – with only Liverpool star Mohamed Salah outscoring him in English football since he made his debut for the club in February.

Mitrovic never really got a look in under Rafael Benitez during Newcastle's return to the top-flight last season but the Magpies will certainly be regretting that decision, as they have seen the likes of Dwight Gayle and Islam Slimani struggle to make an impact – with both now plying their trade elsewhere.

Fulham, meanwhile, invested heavily in their squad over the course of the summer but securing Mitrovic on a permanent basis may prove to be the shrewdest deal of them all – especially as he is well accustomed to the English game and, unlike forwards arriving from abroad, will not require time to settle.

He showed that against Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham on Saturday, up against a defence that conceded just 36 goals last season – the third-best record in the Premier League behind Manchester City and Manchester United.

Fulham are empty-handed from their opening two fixtures after defeats to Crystal Palace and Tottenham but Mitrovic can provide a boost in the coming weeks during a run of winnable games, where the Cottagers clash with Burnley, Brighton and Watford over the course of the next month.



https://tbrfootball.com/mitrovic-fulham-record/

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Cottage Talk Post Match Show: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Fulham
Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.



This is our post match show of the 3-1 loss for Fulham against Tottenham Hotspur. During the show, co-hosts Reece Curtis, and Mike Gregg, who was at Wembley Stadium, analyzed the key moments to this match. On top of that, Mike shared his theory on why Kieran Trippier was given so much space during the match.

We also shared and discussed the results of the Friends Of Fulham Man Of The Match Poll.

you can listen to the podcast here...
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cottagetalk/2018/08/19/cottage-talk-post-match-show-tottenham-hotspur-vs-fulham