Saturday Fulham Stuff (01/09/18)...

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'They're a bit suspect at the back' - Paul Merson backs Fulham to lose to Brighton

The former Arsenal man isn't sure of Fulham's defence ahead of their trip to the AMEX on Saturday

Paul Merson is backing Fulham to lose to Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend - and thinks the side are 'a bit suspect at the back'.

The Cottagers got their first win of the season against Burnley on Saturday, with Aleksandar Mitrovic scoring twice and Andre Schurrle and Jean-Michael Seri adding the extras, to make sure it wasn't three defeats on the bounce for the newly promoted side.

Merson branded that as 'must-win' for Slavisa Jokanovic's side and win they did, but ahead of tomorrow's trip to Brighton, the former Arsenal man and current Sky Sports pundit reckons the south coast side can beat anyone at home, having opened their home fixtures with a 3-2 win over Manchester United.

Fulham haven't kept a clean sheet this season in the league yet and have swapped and changed at the back as Jokanovic tries to find out what his best team is, but with Alfie Mawson returning in the midweek win over Exeter in the Carabao Cup.

However, Merson is predicting a third defeat of the season for the Cottagers this weekend.

In his Sky Sports column, Merson wrote: "It's a good game, this. Fulham had a massive result on Sunday, they had to win that one against Burnley.


(Image: Henry Browne/Getty Images)

"They are a bit suspect at the back, though. Brighton, after beating Manchester United, at home will be full of it.

"They could beat anyone at home, and Chris Hughton is a good manager so he will make sure they're up for this.

"If you beat United then lose to Fulham, you haven't really gained anything, so they need to get a result and win the game.

"PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/theyre-bit-suspect-back-paul-15094134

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Fulham's Jean Michael Seri shortlisted for Premier League award

The 27-year-old opened his English top-flight account with a powerful strike against the Clarets and the effort has not gone unnoticed

Fulham midfielder Jean Michael Seri has been nominated for the Premier League goal of the month for August.

The Cote d'Ivoire international opened his goal account in an audacious manner scoring the opening goal in the Cottagers' 4-2 victory over Burnley on Sunday.

After beating off his marker, the midfielder smashed home a stunning long-range strike from outside the area to help Slavisa Jokanovic's men clinch their first win of the season.

And the effort has been shortlisted along with Roberto Pereyra [Watford], Lucas Moura [Tottenham Hotspur], Callum Wilson [Bournemouth], Andre Gray [Watford], David Silva [Manchester City], and Ryan Bertrand's [Southampton] strikes for the league's prize.

Seri will hope to pick the award to crown his impressive start in the English elite division having arrived at the Craven Cottage in July from French Ligue 1 side Nice.



http://www.goal.com/en/news/fulhams-jean-michael-seri-shortlisted-for-premier-league/on999100n05n198dan4cwz20o

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Ryan Fredericks explains why his move to West Ham from Fulham in the summer was a 'no-brainer'

The right-back impressed in last weekend's defeat at Arsenal

West Ham right-back Ryan Fredericks has claimed it was a "no-brainer" to join the Hammers in the summer from Fulham.

The 25-year-old made a huge impression in the Championship last season for Slavisa Jokanovic's team, playing a huge role in helping the west London side win promotion back to the top flight for the first time since 2014.

Linked with a number of clubs in January, the ex-Spurs man elected against signing a new deal at Craven Cottage and instead signed on at the London Stadium.

Following a tough Premier League debut in the 4-0 defeat at Liverpool on the opening weekend, the right-back returned to the side last Saturday and caught the eye in the defeat against Arsenal.

Now hoping he has done enough to keep his place in the side for this weekend's game against Wolves, Fredericks has opened up on his move across the capital in the summer.

"It was always going to be tough leaving a club you've been at three years," the right-back told Sky Sports. "I've got good friends who I'm still friends with there now.

"It was a great season last season, just win after win really and I think after Christmas we only lost one game.

"It was a hard decision leaving, but football's a tough game, and you've got to make tough decisions, and that's one I made.

"It was a bit of a no-brainer really, when West Ham came in.

"The size of the club, the fanbase they've got, the manager they brought in.

"I felt like it was going to be best for me, to improve under this manager and having these type of players around me.

"They've brought in some class players, I'm not saying Fulham haven't got class players because they do, but I thought it was time for a new challenge for me and this is the place I'll improve best at."



https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/players/ryan-fredericks-west-ham-wolves-15095913

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Loan Deal For Thorsteinsson

The Club can confirm that Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson has joined Danish top-flight side Vendsyssel FF on a season-long loan deal.

The 19-year-old winger hit eight goals for the Under-23s in 2017/18, and will now sample first team football in Denmark.

Vendsyssel are currently 11th in the Superliga and are next in action when they travel to Aarhus Gymnastikforening on Sunday.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/august/31/loan-deal-for-jon-dagur-thorsteinsson

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Fulham v Brighton: Whites injury woes, Albion star could return

Fulham will be without Tom Cairney for the Premier League trip to Brighton.

The skipper injured his foot in last week's win over Burnley and will now spend a number of weeks on the sidelines, where he will be joined by Neeskens Kebano (ankle).

Tim Ream (knock) and Floyd Ayite also miss out as Slavisa Jokanovic is likely to revert to his strongest line-up after the midweek game in the Carabao Cup.

Provisional squad: Bettinelli, Fabri, Chambers, Mawson, Le Marchand, Christie, Bryan, R Sessegnon, S Sessegnon, Odoi, McDonald, Schurrle, Seri, Mitrovic, Rico, Fosu-Mensah, Johansen, Cisse, Vietto, Kamara, Zambo Anguissa.

Brighton captain Bruno could be in contention to feature.

The Spanish right-back has returned to training following an ankle injury sustained in the opening-day defeat at Watford.

Centre-back Lewis Dunk remains a major doubt with an ankle problem, while Colombia winger Jose Izquierdo (fitness) and Romania forward Florin Andone (groin) are definitely out.

Provisional squad: Ryan, Button, Steele, Bernardo, Montoya, Bruno, Bong, Dunk, Duffy, Balogun, Schelotto, Suttner, Bissouma, Stephens, Propper, Kayal, Knockaert, March, Gross, Jahanbakhsh, Gyokeres, Locadia, Murray.



http://londonfootballnews.co.uk/fulham/fulham-v-brighton-whites-injury-woes-albion-star-could-return/

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Matchday Preview

Brighton & Albion v Fulham - Amex Stadium - Saturday 1st September 2018 - 3pm

Brighton doubts

Florin Andone, Jose Izquierdo, Lewis Dunk, Bruno
Fulham doubts

Tim Ream, Tom Cairney, Neeskens Kebano, Floyd Ayité
Tickets

Tickets for this match have sold out.
Getting there

Falmer train station is located next to the Amex Stadium. A train to Falmer from Brighton takes 10 minutes, which is around an hour from London Victoria. Your match ticket includes free travel between Brighton and Falmer, but please arrive in plenty of time as the station can get very congested in the lead-up to kick-off.
Weather

It will be sunny and dry in Brighton throughout Saturday, with temperatures around 20 degrees.
Kit

Fulham will wearing wearing our black third strip - last season's away kit.
Dafabet match odds

Brighton: 5/4

Draw: 12/5

Fulham: 9/4

18+ Only - BeGambleAware.org

Live commentary

Tune into the App or the Match Centre for full live commentary of the game from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid.
He said...

"I think it's the same with any player that's in form. It's not just about stopping one individual, it's about making sure you have a good enough foothold in the game that enables him maybe not to have that service. But he has started the season very, very well and I think he's had the continuity from last season. He obviously feels very much at home there." – Brighton manager Chris Hughton on Aleksandar Mitrović.
Five who played for both

Steve Sidwell, Bobby Zamora, Darren Bent, David Stockdale, Aaron Hughes



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/august/31/matchday-preview

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PREVIEW: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham – 01/09/2018

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham

Date: 01/09/2018

K/O: 15:00 hours

Venue: The Amex Stadium

Referee: Lee Probert

Although each of these teams have only one victory to their name this current Premier League campaign, both Brighton and Fulham will be confident of adding another victory and obtaining maximum points from Saturday's encounter at the Amex Stadium.

Alarm bells rung for Brighton fans when the team opened the 2018/19 season with a disappointingly flat 2-0 defeat at Watford, a game in which boss Chris Hughton admitted they were "second best" throughout. Yet since that defeat two encouraging performances against two of last season's top four have lifted spirits around the Brighton camp. The 3-2 win against Manchester United was expertly handled and meticulously planned for. This was followed up last weekend at Anfield where the Seagulls were extremely close to stealing a point at the death with Liverpool's Alisson denying Glen Murray a moment of glory.

Although these three opening performances will still do much to encourage supporters that the team are heading in the right direction, there is an ongoing injury situation that may yet cause Brighton immediate problems for their upcoming fixtures. Defenders Bruno and Lewis Dunk, as well as forwards Florin Andone and José Izquierdo, are all a doubt for this fixture, a problem that was compounded in Brighton's 1-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Southampton on Tuesday night; where a few members of the under 23's team had to fill into a heavily rotated starting eleven. Although the Seagulls should be entirely capable of naming a strong line-up against Fulham on Saturday, a few more injuries may tip the balance over from moderate concern into total panic.

Fulham arrive at the Amex Stadium this weekend in good spirits having registered an impressive 4-2 victory against Burnley at Craven Cottage last Sunday afternoon. The club will be hoping the result will be seen as the moment that their new-look squad really began to click, demonstrated by André Schürrle's impressive performance and Jean Michaël Seri's brilliant long-range goal early on. A lot is being expected from Fulham this season after the well-documented spending spree in the summer transfer window and the game against the Clarets gave a good glimpse as to what the club hopes to consistently achieve.

However, despite the glamour of putting four goals past Burnley, weaknesses remain in the Fulham set-up, particularly defensively where they were poor on the weekend. Burnley's first goal was practically gifted to them through a number of comical defensive errors; while the second goal, although retrospectively seen to be offside, was another example of serious disorganisation. The Lilywhites have proved that they can attack but if they are to prioritise anything when they play Brighton, it might just be to get a clean-sheet.

Team News

Brighton

As already discussed, Brighton & Hove Albion may be weaker than expected for the trip of Fulham. Lewis Dunk, Florin Andone, José Izquierdo and Bruno are all doubtful for Saturday's game, hence their absence from the second-round of the League Cup. There won't be too many changes from the side that walked out at Anfield, with Pascal Groß being the only obvious inclusion. Although they lost that game their performance was extremely solid and at home in particular Brighton will pose a real test for Jakanovic's side.

Fulham

It is becoming increasingly difficult to predict how Fulham will line-up as the season continues, with the 4-2 victory over Burnley coming with English wonder-kid and star for Fulham last season, Ryan Sessegnon on the bench. Defensively, Fulham are still waiting for Alfie Mawson to return from injury and once that happens there may be more consistency and strength in their back-four, which has shipped seven goals already this campaign. The forward options are abundant however and any of Schürrle, Vietto, Mitrovic, Kamara and Sessegnon could make up a trio at the top of the pitch.

Predicted Starting XI's:

Brighton: Ryan; Montoya, Duffy, Balogen, Bong; Knockeart, Stephens, Pröpper, March; Groß; Murray

Fulham: Bettinelli; Fosu-Mensah, Odoi, Le Marchand, Bryan; Seri, McDonald, Cairney; Schürrle, Vietto, Mitrovic.

Score Prediction – Brighton & Hove Albion 2 Fulham 1

Although the teams have identical records going into their game on Saturday, more questions than answers are present at the moment for Fulham. Despite scoring four fantastic goals against Burnley, they were facing a side who were fatigued from a Europa League trip to Greece only a few days before and yet still conceded two extremely sloppy goals. Brighton are extremely disciplined and exceedingly good in front of their own fans and for that reason they may well edge the newly-promoted side this weekend.



https://90maat.com/2018/08/31/preview-brighton-hove-albion-vs-fulham-01-09-2018/

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Three Players to Watch: Matchday 4 vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
Can Fulham make it three wins from three before the international break?


Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Within the span of a few days, things have gone quite right for Fulham. The club started off with a win over Burnley and followed it up with a mostly smooth win over Exeter City in the League Cup. But for them to really establish themselves as a solid Premier League outfit, a win over Brighton and Hove Albion is critical.

This is not an unfamiliar opponent for the Cottagers. Chris Hughton is still managing Brighton and the standout players have been around since their last season in the Championship. And even after making smart purchases to best take them to the next level of their Premier League journey, they still are the same team from seasons past. Hughton still plays with a 4-4-1-1 formation that demands solidity in the back four and attacking wide players to create the space required to let Glenn Murray bang in the goals. It sounds like a simple game plan. But like all keys to a game of football, it's about executing the game plan that makes this Brighton side so dangerous.

Last weekend, Burnley were seen as a tired bunch after trying to qualify for the Europa League group stages. This time around, Fulham will face Brighton outfit are a motivated off of an inspired victory over Manchester United at home, followed by a solid outing in defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. Now that they are no longer facing the big fish of the Premier League, they see Fulham as a perfect chance to collect all three points on Saturday.

For Fulham's perspective, will they be ready in defense and in goal to prevent any form of Brighton's attack coming in waves, even if it's just for small chunks of the game? If the answer is no, does that mean that Slavisa Jokanovic will come up with another brand new back four? With Tom Cairney out, will Jean-Michael Seri be enough of a creative spark in midfield or will we be seeing Stefan Johansen feature this time around? Will we see the same front three as we did last weekend after such a strong performance? There are plenty of questions for Jokanovic to answer and let's all hope that they end up being good enough to collect the win on Saturday.

With that in mind, here are three of Brighton's key men to watch out for.

Shane Duffy

First up has been the rock in this Brighton side since his arrival at the club from Blackburn. Since then, the central defense pairing of Duffy and Lewis Dunk has been so vital for Hughton's system that demands solidity at the back. Like Burnley, it is the foundation of which Brighton are built on and it is Duffy's workrate that is the source of that. However, Dunk has still not played a single game this season due to injury, so Leon Balogun will be in his place instead. But with his pedigree as a 22-capped Nigerian International that was a part of this summer's World Cup squad, Brighton won't be skipping a beat in defense anytime soon, let alone on Saturday.

Glenn Murray

Next up is Mr. Been There & Done That up front in the 34-year old Murray. His radar encapsulates what to expect from the former Palace and Bournemouth player as he is nothing short of a no nonsense target man that will strike the ball with might with one kick. That's not to say he lacks any skill for his advanced age. Just ask Man United. But Murray just knows what type of player he is and he knows how to be successful with the role he has. Fulham did a very good job bottling up Chris Wood (55 goals in 9,505 league minutes since 2013/14), but they will have just as tough of a task, at minimum, at doing the same with such a veteran presence with the same production (56 goals in 9,846 league minutes since 2013/14).

Pascal Groß

All data from whoscored.com

I could talk about the work rate of Dale Stephens in central midfield or the dribbling masterclass out wide that Anthony Knockaert brings every matchday. Instead, I'll go ahead and talk about Brighton's most creative player in the former German youth international. I know Brighton were probably wanting to line up in a more defensive shape, but I did find it odd to not see Groß starting instead of Yves Bissouma. The seagulls were able to stimy the Reds with just one goal conceded, but it took until Groß came off the bench in the second half for them to start showing any strong signs in attack.

With seven goals, eight assists and a club leading 82 key passes in 2017/18, you could understand why he is such a key figure to the side. To put things in perspective, no other Brighton player even reaches 40 key passes, let alone gets close to Groß's production. I cannot see how this man doesn't get the full 90 minutes this time around considering how both clubs will want this win heading into the International break.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/8/31/17801090/three-players-to-watch-matchday-4-vs-brighton-hove-albion

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Fulham to undergo 'mini pre-season' over international break as Jokanovic looks to cement defence

Slavisa Jokanovic will have most of his defenders remain at Motspur Park and will work with them to sure up his defensive line

Slavisa Jokanovic will put his Fulham side through their paces during the international break on a 'mini pre-season' to make up for lost time in the summer.

Most of his defence, with the exceptions of Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Cyrus Christie, will remain at Motspur Park after the Brighton & Hove Albion game during the international break and Jokanovic will use that time to work with his back line to ensure they know what he wants from them.

12 new players arrived over the summer, with five of those signing on the final day of the window, meaning Jokanovic has had to juggle competing in the Premier League with trying to find out his best XI and making sure the new faces in the squad were embedded into the side.

The new signings in the summer also meant that Jokanovic had to rebuild his back four - with Joe Bryan, Maxime Le Marchand, Calum Chambers, Alfie Mawson, Fosu-Mensah, Sergio Rico and Fabri all arriving over the summer.

With two weeks between the game with Brighton and the trip to Manchester City at the end of September, Jokanovic will use the international break to put his players through a mini pre-season to ensure that they're up to his required levels when Fulham return to Premier League action.

He said: "I made some comments about how old my team is and first of all our focus is on the game on Saturday and this international break, I will probably try to use it as a mini pre-season because I didn't have opportunity to work with many players before the Premier League started.


(Image: Henry Browne/Getty Images)

"When we check the players who will be part of the international game or not, 95% of my defensive line will stay with me.

"This is a moment where I can make extra work with them and send them some message of what we need to do to improve and make some practice in the training ground to keep going on this improvement process.

"You ask me about Mawson, all the players, not just him, need work and adaptation to our style.


(Image: Henry Browne/Getty Images)

"I know him, he know me, I need to know him better and definitely he needs to know me better too.

"This period, we are talking so much about international break and how we are working hard, in realistic life I will stay with half my team but for another side I will stay with 95% of my defensive line and this is great moment for us to try and improve this part of the team and make some kind of mini pre-season."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-undergo-mini-pre-season-15096250

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'My body is my weapon. If defenders give you a punch, give it back stronger... it's like war for me': Aleksandar Mitrovic reveals how the gym helped him stick to his strengths

    Aleksandar Mitrovic reveals his love of the gym and how it helped him in football
    He talks about life growing up in Serbia and how he came close to the wrong life
    Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic is also the perfect manager for him right now
    Mitrovic always dreamed of becoming a No 9 as Alan Shearer was his idol

Aleksandar Mitrovic has about half an hour to spare. Training and lunch are done but there is a tactical meeting to attend and then, as team-mates drift home, there will be the gym. For Mitrovic, there is always the gym.

'My body is my weapon and I have to keep it in shape, I need to feel strong,' the Fulham forward shrugs.

'I like the gym, I need the gym. On days off, too. I wake up early, work out here, have breakfast here and then come back to the family. They understand it. It's my job. I am not that fast and skilful. I am not Raheem Sterling, am I? So I know I have to use my strength and power in the box.'


Aleksandar Mitrovic reveals his love of the gym and how it helped him in the Premier League

Back in the Premier League after an uncertain spell in the top division with Newcastle three years ago, Mitrovic is joint top of the scoring charts with three goals.

His two headers in the 4-2 win over Burnley last Sunday perfectly summed up what he brings to Slavisa Jokanovic's promoted team. Strength, power, aggression, goals.

Folded into a chair at Fulham's training ground in south west London, the 23-year-old is actually a little shy, but does have the look of a powerful man.

Not super-tall but with square shoulders, his upper arms are big for a footballer. If he looks like a bit of a throwback centre forward in this age of false nines and split strikers then it's not a coincidence.


Mitrovic steered the ball beyond the reach of Joe Hart as Fulham picked up their first win



'I grew up on Alan Shearer and Didier Drogba but now the game has turned round,' he said. 'Teams want fast players. That's not me. But I know my strengths.

'The defenders here in the Premier League are really strong. Sometimes I feel like I am wrestling more than playing football. After the Burnley game I was really tired, more from fighting than running. But you have to show you are not afraid.

'If they give you a punch you have to give it back stronger. I try to play my game but it's like war for me. I will do everything. But always afterwards it's a handshake and wish them all the best. It's sport, after all. It's about respect.'


Watch footage of Mitrovic's goals and it's clear he undersells himself when he says he has no skill. He can score with both feet and, of course, his head.

When he scores — which he does on an average of once every two games — there is what appears to be an outpouring of emotion. This season he has started to hold his hand to his ear as he celebrates. There is no real explanation, but now he cannot stop.

'When I get home my two-year-old son Luka is doing it,' he smiles. 'So I have to carry on, don't I? Football is about passion and when I score I have so much inside me that has to come out. I need the release.'

Mitrovic has worked hard to be where he is. As a child in the Serbian town of Smederevo, 30 miles down the Danube from Belgrade, he was still small at the age of 15.

He was a ball boy at a Partizan Belgrade game where Jokanovic was manager, but a life in football seemed a long time away. 'As a kid I was never really in the teams,' he recalls.

Briefly, the wrong kind of life beckoned. He tried karate and kickboxing but could not focus and though his father, Ivica, was joking when he once said his son 'could have become a criminal' there was an incident when he was caught throwing rocks at a passing train.


Jokanovic was Partizan Belgrade boss (pictured in 2009) when Mitrovic was a ball boy

'I don't know why it happened but I was not alone,' he recalled. 'There were 100 kids who threw the rocks before us but mine went through the window and hit the driver. I was the wrong guy. My father was always nice to me but there were a few times when he kicked my ass and this was one of them. I remember it well.

'I was actually a happy kid as my parents were always behind me. They gave everything to me to keep me out of the streets, to put me on the path to sport.

'I didn't play at all at my first club, Partizan [Belgrade] youth. I passed all my school work there but I didn't play. I was small for my age so my father told me that I had to work harder than the others. Then I grew very suddenly so I played about six months in the Under 18s and then went to the first team.

'The hard work thing is still in my head. I want to be the hardest working in the room as I need to know that I did everything right in the week so that when I play the game my head is clear. I don't want to cheat myself. I have routines. This is not a dream, it's real.'

In Jokanovic, Mitrovic may now have the perfect coach. They have more than nationality in common. Both are intense and not prone to wasted words. Both are trying to make a go of a second time in the Premier League.

The Fulham striker is merely glad to be at Fulham. After Rafael Benitez decided to move him out of Newcastle last January, Mitrovic was in Belgium on deadline day coming to terms with the sudden collapse of a proposed return to his former club Anderlecht.

A move to Middlesbrough was on the table when his phone buzzed with a text from Jokanovic. 'How are you?' it asked. The next day Mitrovic was unveiled at Fulham.

'I was a bit lucky wasn't I?' he smiles. 'Now I try to pay Slavisa back because he did everything to bring me here. Sometimes I will score and sometimes I won't, but I give 100 per cent for him.'

Mitrovic scored 12 times in 15 starts as Fulham won promotion through the play-offs. Ahead of Saturday's game at Brighton, he is three from three in the Premier League. That feels like repayment in kind but Mitrovic knows he will have to wait a while for a cuddle from his manager.

'No, he is still cold like ice,' he laughs. 'He doesn't show emotions but I know he is happy with me. He tries to stay cold but we know when he is happy and when he is angry. When I was a ball boy I didn't think I would ever work with him. But that's football, I'm just happy that I am here now.'


When he was growing up, Mitrovic wanted to be a No 9, a Newcastle No 9. Shearer was a hero and still is. It must have been disheartening, then, when Shearer was critical of him during his time in the North East. 'No, not really,' says Mitrovic. 'He was probably right.'

One of Mitrovic's problems in Newcastle was discipline and this, in part, was Shearer's issue. Signed by Steve McClaren for £13million in 2015, Mitrovic was booked in the first minute of his debut and sent off against Arsenal four games later.

He was carded seven times in his first 14 games of Newcastle's relegation season and sent off again on the final day.

Benitez was in charge by then and as the Spaniard plotted a return to the Premier League it was clear the big Serbian was not for him. By the time Mitrovic eventually left St James' Park eight months ago, it felt like a transfer well overdue.

Benitez's team were criticised for playing defensively at home to Chelsea last weekend and Mitrovic says: 'Benitez plays defence and counter-attack. I tried to give my best but it wasn't me.

'I was just running and getting in the team shape. He told me what he wanted and I tried but I am 90 kilos and if I run so much defensively I have no power left when I am in the box. He knew I couldn't play in that style and I felt it too.

'Defensively he was one of the best and you can see that when they play, but personally I like to be close to the opponents' box. I need crosses and service. But Benitez is a great person and in the end I shook his hand.

'Newcastle is a big club but they have problems with the owner. Everyone knows Mike Ashley. They have taken large steps forward but also to go back. I do wish them success.'

Mitrovic has the No 9 shirt at Fulham now and still studies Shearer's goals on YouTube. The two men lived on the same road in the North East but didn't meet. When Newcastle fans turned up seeking autographs, it tended to be the younger man's door they knocked on.

'Shearer is still my hero and it's his job to do analysis,' he says. 'He was most of the time right, of course. My father says the same. I know myself when I play bad anyway. He is still a legend and I don't think England will ever have a striker like him again.'

In London, he and partner Kristina are living in a flat by the Thames with young Luka and baby daughter Nada. It is a quieter life.

'It's different to Newcastle as when I go out I don't need a hat for disguise,' he says. 'Here I have my own peace and I can go with my kids on the street. Nobody cares about me or stops me. It's nice.'

For the big, quiet Serbian such welcome anonymity should maybe be treasured. If Mitrovic continues this season the way he has started, the quiet will not last long.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6120219/Aleksandar-Mitrovic-reveals-gym-helped-football-shedding-light-childhood.html

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Loan Deal For Fonte

The Club can confirm that Rui Fonte has joined French side LOSC Lille on a season-long loan deal, subject to approval by the French Football authorities.

Lille are currently 3rd in Ligue 1, and are next in action when they travel to Angers on Saturday.

Fonte will be joining his brother José at Lille this campaign, and everyone at the Club wishes him all the best for the season.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/august/31/loan-deal-for-fonte

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Rui Fonte joins Lille from Fulham on season loan

Fulham forward Rui Fonte has joined LOSC Lille on a season-long loan, the Premier League club confirmed on Friday.

Fonte made 27 appearances for Fulham in the Sky Bet Championship last season but has not featured in the club's opening three top-flight games this campaign.

The London club are currently 11th, having recorded one win and two defeats, while Lille are third in Ligue 1.

The move is subject to approval by the French Football authorities and would see the 28-year-old Portuguese join his brother Jose Fonte, who has previously played for Crystal Palace, Southampton and West Ham.



http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11813/11487322/rui-fonte-joins-lille-from-fulham-on-season-loan

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Mitro bangs them in, Mawson shows his class, 7 points: Fulham's dream September

Fulham had a tough start to life back in the top flight, but a strong 4-2 win against Burnley will have settled the nerves of the Craven Cottage outfit. Going into September, Slavisa Jokanovic will be hoping to build on the Burnley success.

Fulham signed big Serbian forward Aleksandar Mitrovic from Newcastle United in the summer for a fee of £22m. 'Mitro' could be the key to a dream September for the Whites. The 23-year-old has already netted three goals in three Premier League appearances, and if he continues in his rich vein of form, it could be a profitable September for Jokanovic's outfit. Capable with his feet and a real aerial threat, Mitrovic is a threat to any defence in the Premier League.

Another big signing for the South-West London club was Alfie Mawson from relegated Swansea City. Mawson has missed the first three Whites' games through injury, but he played the first 75 minutes of Fulham's Carabao cup fixture against Exeter City. If he is fit throughout September, his presence will be a major bonus for the club. The deal for Mawson could cost up to £20m, but the 24-year-old centre-back will be worth every penny if he can stay fit. Mawson will win everything in the air and is also a very good ball-player.

In terms of points, fixtures against Brighton and Watford are both very winnable. Manchester City and Everton represent much tougher challenges, and a point against either of these sides would be good going. If Fulham can take seven points from their September fixtures, it will be a truly dream month for the club. Considering they spent over £100m in the summer, this should be an achievable outfit for the Cottagers.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/fulham/mitro-bangs-them-in-mawson-shows-his-class-7-points-fulhams-dream-september/

[WhiteJC]

 
Brighton boss Hughton not jealous of Fulham's spending

Brighton boss Chris Hughton insists he does not envy Premier League managers who are given more money to spend.

Albion splashed more than £60million on new players during the summer but were outspent by Fulham, who face the Seagulls later today.

Slavisa Jokanovic's Cottagers travel to the Amex Stadium on Saturday after recruiting 12 new players for in excess of £100m.

Hughton, however, says he does not resent rival clubs having bigger transfer budgets.

"No, not at all," he said. "The best way always to manage is that you work at a club, you have a good relationship with the owner, the chairman, the money people at the club, and in your head you know what is right for your club.

"There can be times when a manager feels that you don't need to spend so much. So, certainly no envy.

"You work around what is the correct way for your club and work with the players who you think are the right players."

Fulham's spending spree included the arrivals of defender Alfie Mawson, midfielders Jean Michael Seri and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Cottagers have also secured the high-profile loan signings of Germany forward Andre Schurrle, Arsenal defender Calum Chambers, and Argentinian striker Luciano Vietto.

While Hughton has been impressed with the west London club's recruitment, he thinks they have been forced to pay over the odds because of the inflated transfer market.

"If I looked at the spending power of Fulham and Wolves, they probably got promotion two years later than they would have liked," he said.

"We have seen in the last two years, and in particular the last year, the fees for players have gone dramatically higher.

"We are looking at players now who two years ago or even a year ago would have been, for instance, £10m, these players are now £20m.

"I'm quite sure that, even with Fulham and Wolves' spending, players they have bought, a year ago would have been a lot less."



http://londonfootballnews.co.uk/fulham/brighton-boss-hughton-not-jealous-of-fulhams-spending/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham team news: Key man ruled out vs Brighton, possible debut, trio unavailable

Fulham make the short journey to the Amex Stadium to take on Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon but they face the trip without a couple of key players, according to BBC Sport.

The Cottagers head to Sussex in search of back-to-back wins to take into the international break after securing their first victory since they returned to the Premier League, when they held off Burnley at Craven Cottage last weekend.

Alfie Mawson made his Fulham debut in the Carabao Cup win over Exeter City in midweek, and he is expected to get his first league start for his new club in this contest, but that might be as good as it gets from a team news perspective for Slavisa Jokanovic.

The former Watford manager is expected to be without his captain Tom Cairney. He sustained a foot injury in the victory over Burnley last weekend, and that is likely to keep him out of the trip to the Amex and indeed the upcoming internationals, where he was expected to be part of the Scotland squad next week.

He is not the only first-team Fulham player who faces spending this match on the sidelines. Tim Ream is also absent through injury, while Floyd Ayite and Neeskens Kebano are two other men who will not be available for the promoted side down in Sussex.

Were Fulham to pick up the three points at the Amex, it could be enough to see them move into the top half of the table should other results go their way, and that would see them handily placed heading into the international break.

This if the first time the Londoners will have played Brighton in the top flight, and the visitors will be hoping that brings about a change of fortunes against the Seagulls, as Chris Hughton's men won the last five clashes between the two when both competed in the Championship.



https://ninetyminutesonline.com/fulham-team-news-key-man-ruled-out-vs-brighton-possible-debut-trio-unavailable/