Sunday Fulham Stuff (14/10/18)...

[WhiteJC]

 
West Ham should have signed David Moyes target Aleksandar Mitrovic this summer

Former West Ham United manager David Moyes reportedly was interested in bringing Aleksandar Mitrovic to the London Stadium during the summer transfer window, and it is being proved that the club should have trusted the Scot and still signed the striker even after deciding not to keep him on.

What's the word, then?
Well, reliable club insider @ExWHUemployee tweeted back in April that the then-Hammers boss was in attendance at Craven Cottage to watch Mitrovic in action for loan club Fulham, and it appeared as though he was ready to make a move if his own stay in east London was extended during the summer.

However, he wasn't offered a contract as the owners instead opted to bring Manuel Pellegrini to the London Stadium, with the Chilean boss bringing in new attacking players such as Felipe Anderson, Andriy Yarmolenko and Lucas Perez.

Meanwhile, Mitrovic joined the newly-promoted Fulham on a permanent deal from Newcastle United and has hit the ground running for them – and his country – this term.
How good has he been?

He has been excellent.
While the Cottagers are struggling from a defensive point of view right now, there aren't many complaints about the Serbia international following five goals in eight Premier League appearances.

He has taken that confidence and form with him when he has represented his country as well, scoring twice against Romania last month before he also netted a brace against Montenegro on Thursday night.

Pellegrini has stuck with a formation incorporating just the one centre-forward so far this season, but having played with two previously during his managerial career you have to feel that Mitrovic and Marko Arnautovic could have been a deadly duo up top for the Irons – in conclusion, Moyes was spot on.



https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/west-ham/west-ham-should-have-signed-david-moyes-target-aleksandar-mitrovic-this-summer

[WhiteJC]

 
Ghost of Aleksandar Mitrovic continues to haunt Rafa Benitez – 36 starts and 27 goals in 2018

It is 8 months, 36 starts, 27 goals, for Aleksandar Mitrovic - still haunting Rafa Benitez?

Aleksandar Mitrovic, two words Rafa Benitez will hear spoken a lot this season.

Selling the striker to another Premier League club was always going to lead to a potential situation...

Four goals in the opening four Fulham matches ensured the chatter started, especially with Newcastle picking up only one point in their opening quartet of matches and the whole team only scoring three goals.

Aleksandar Mitrovic has now got five goals in eight Premier League matches, Newcastle now on two points from 24 and only six PL goals of their own.

As Newcastle fans, we know the problem isn't so much selling a striker for £22m (rising to £27m).

It is the fact that then Mike Ashley only allowed the manager to spend £2m on a loan deal forward to replace Mitro.

I think that in the circumstances, my only/big criticism of Rafa Benitez is that if he knew Mike Ashley wouldn't let him buy like for like (spend £22m/£27m+ on a replacement), then surely it was worth giving Mitrovic a go. Especially as with Ashley refusing to allow money to be spent on buying Rondon, Newcastle then had to agree on West Brom getting Dwight Gayle for the year as part of a swap loan deal.

However, when you really drill down into the Aleksandar Mitrovic stats, his goalscoring record is absolutely extraordinary this year.

The Serbian striker has started 36 games (plus two sub appearances) in 2018 and scored 27 goals for club and country.

In fact, Mitro's first match of 2018 didn't come until February, so his 27 goals have come in only eight months, interesting to see just how many he will end this calendar year on.

His latest came on Friday night, Serbia winning away at Montenegro, Aleksandar Mitrovic getting both goals.

or the record, Aleksandar Mitrovic in 2018:

18 Championship starts (and 2 as sub) for Fulham with 12 goals

8 Premier League starts for Fulham and 5 goals

10 matches for Serbia and another 10 goals

Did Rafa Benitez make a massive mistake in selling Aleksandar Mitrovic?

Well, history is written by the victors, so it all depends on what unfolds in the rest of the season.

If Fulham stay up and Newcastle don't, then no matter how unfair it may be, the sale of Mitro will be seen as an error of judgement.



https://www.themag.co.uk/2018/10/ghost-of-aleksandar-mitrovic-continues-to-haunt-rafa-benitez-36-starts-and-27-goals-in-2018-newcastle-united/

[WhiteJC]

 
What does Paul Warne think about Marek Rodak's form this season?

Marek Rodak has justified Fulham's decision to send him back to Rotherham, boss Paul Warne says.

The Slovakian goalkeeper is enjoying a second successive season-long loan at the Millers and has impressed in the Championship this term.

Only Cameron Dawson at Sheffield Wednesday has made more saves than Rodak and – barring two uncharacteristic errors in the defeat at Birmingham – has been a solid last line of defence.

The Premier League side were always keen to allow him to develop at the AESSEAL New York Stadium and Warne reckons they will be pleased with what they will be seeing.

"I think he is performing really well, if we were in League One it would have been difficult to get him back," Warne said.

"I think Fulham are happy because he is playing every week, unless he is going to go back to Fulham and play there is a good chance he is going to stay here for the season.

"Or someone from higher up the division might come in for him but that's out of my control.

"He is having a really good season so far and the more the back five can play together the better.

"He is obviously going to have an error in him. You watch Match of the Day you see errors all the day. He is pretty safe and confident."

Rodak, who is currently away on international duty with Slovakia Under-21, has also won the fans over after they initially took some convincing in his early days in the side, with some unsettled by his tendency to punch routine crosses.

But Warne has always loved that side to his game and is also impressed by his humility.

"I loved his character," the boss said.

"Someone might sign him after us and say he had the courage to go to Accrington in League Two, he then went to Rotherham in League One, he then played for Rotherham in the Championship, he is not a football snob.

"The reason I signed him was because I want my goalkeepers to be cavalier, I want them to punch things, I don't want them to flap at things obviously.

"I want them to be brave and I think it is a dying art, it is hard to be that brave and when he first came in, fans were dubious.

"We can't sign a 25-year-old Premier League goalkeeper so every signing we make has a little bit of risk, but we have to sign people with potential. I definitely saw the potential in Marek."



http://itsmillerstime.co.uk/what-does-paul-warne-think-about-marek-rodaks-form-this-season/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's top brass want tactical changes

Fulham have been a huge disappointment this season after such a dominant promotion-winning campaign in the Championship last time out.

The Cottagers splashed the cash during the summer transfer window, so it comes as some surprise that they've failed to ensure any consistency so far this season. And, it appears as if the club's hierarchy aren't too pleased, as according to The Mirror, Fulham chiefs want changes after the international break.

Indeed, the pressure is growing on Slavisa Jokanovic at promoted Fulham.

Worryingly, the Cottagers were ripped apart in front of home support prior to the international break as they suffered a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal.

And, there are concerns at the club that despite investing over £100 million during the summer, they are playing a brand of football that's too open and that Jokanovic has not adapted his tactics to cope with the step up in class.#

THE VERDICT:
ulham have looked defensively vulnerable in the current campaign so it comes as no surprise that the club's chiefs are demanding changes after a poor start to proceedings, with changes definitely required.

Indeed, the Cottagers could face relegation trouble if they don't start to improve in the near future as they haven't looked comfortable so far this season.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/fulhams-top-brass-want-tactical-changes/

[WhiteJC]

 
Comparing this Serbian powerhouse to the best Premier League strikers – How good is this £22m superstar?

Comparing Mitrovic with Aguero and Kane: How good is the Fulham man?

When Aleksandar Mitrovic joined Newcastle United in 2015, a lot was expected from the towering Serbian centre-forward. He had a remarkable scoring record for Anderlecht, having scored 36 goals in 69 appearances but he never fulfilled his promise at Tyneside. Even when Newcastle were relegated to the Championship, he couldn't muster more than 4 goals in the 2016/17 season and soon fell out of favour at St. James' Park.

He was a forgotten figure in English football until Fulham signed him on loan in February this year. Things finally fell in place for Mitrovic at Craven Cottage and he helped the Cottagers secure promotion to the top flight with 12 goals in the Championship.

The Serbian rediscovered his mojo as a prolific goal-scorer and as a result of his fine performances, Fulham made his stay permanent for a fee of £22million.

And he hasn't disappointed the fans this season. Mitrovic has taken the Premier League by storm and is currently one of the top goal-scorers in the competition with 5 goals to his name. As the Serbian continues to reach new heights at Craven Cottage, let us compare him to the best in the Premier League.

Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero have both scored five goals apiece and are level with Mitrovic. While drawing comparisons, let us take a look at Mitrovic's strengths and weaknesses and how he has fared this season.

Standing at 6ft 2in with a burly frame, Mitrovic is an out-and-out centre-forward whose main strengths are his physicality and aerial ability. He has the instincts of a poacher and a target man and is a good weapon to have inside the box.

The Serb likes to get in behind the defenders with subtle runs and uses his heading skills to good effect during set-pieces. He has the presence of mind and the awareness to get on the end of crosses and rarely seems to miss the target with his headers.

Mitrovic often holds the ball in the attacking third and waits for the correct time to release his teammates into open spaces. He shields the ball well and combines effectively with his teammates.

However, Mitrovic is neither the quickest nor the most mobile striker in the Premier League. His technique is not as good as Kane's or Aguero's and he tends to let himself down with a heavy first touch. The Serb's close control is also not of the highest quality.

As seen from his stats, Mitrovic doesn't have an assist to his name so far. He is not the fastest mover on the pitch and sometimes makes life easy for the defenders with his predictable movements.

On the other hand, Aguero and Kane are more dynamic attackers. Unlike Mitrovic, they add a different dimension to their team's attack. Although Kane is a clinical finisher, he tends to drop deeper at times when he doesn't get enough supply from his midfielders.

In fact, he is capable of engineering attacks with short, quick and incisive passes and can also hold the ball for his teammates to make runs. Kane has a better technique and looks more comfortable with the ball at his feet than Mitrovic and shows a better presence of mind to time his runs perfectly.

Apart from that, he is good with his headers as well. To sum it up, Kane is a complete forward and is capable of carrying the bulk of the workload on his shoulders.

Aguero is another prolific goal-scorer in the Premier League who has the ability to rip apart any defence in the world. To be honest, he is a lot more dynamic than both Kane and Mitrovic.

Mitrovic stays confined within the box but Aguero is definitely a more mobile and agile striker, who can drop back and play as a No.10 to good effect. He also tends to drift wide and uses his dribbling skills to cut inside from the flanks.

Aguero is a far better dribbler when compared to Kane and Mitrovic. The Argentine maestro has a wonderful technique and he combines it with his low centre of gravity to keep exceptional close control in tight areas. Although Mitrovic is a better header of the ball and excels with his physicality, Aguero is a better all-around striker.

To conclude, Mitrovic is quite a one-dimensional striker and he must add a lot more to his game to truly compete with the likes of Kane and Aguero. He has scored 5 goals so far and three of them have come from headers inside the box. He should work towards sharpening his technique and mobility to not only to score more goals but to also add greater value to his team.



http://www.mediareferee.com/2018/10/14/comparing-this-serbian-powerhouse-to-the-best-premier-league-strikers-how-good-is-this-22m-superstar/

[WhiteJC]

 
2.3 tackles, 3.9 clearances – Fulham must beat Watford to sign this Argentine defensive beast

Fulham should beat Watford to sign Mateo Musacchio from AC Milan

According to Football London, AC Milan centre-back Mateo Musacchio is on shopping lists of Fulham and Watford. Both mid-table teams must look to bolster their options at the back when the transfer window opens in January.

The Hornets have been a long-time admirer of the Argentine international and Fulham were also interested in signing him in the summer but had a bid turned down by the San Siro giants. (h/t Football London)

Musacchio began his professional career with Argentine outfit River Plate and moved to the La Liga in 2009 with Villareal. After racking up 247 appearances for the Spanish club across all competitions, Musacchio joined AC Milan in 2017.

Although he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in the 2017/18 season, he has been Milan's first-choice centre-back this season and has made 7 appearances in the Serie A this season.

Along with Cardiff City and Wolves, Fulham earned promotion to the Premier League after an impressive season in the Championship last year. Manager Slavisa Jokanovic resorted to extensive transfer activities to bolster his squad ahead of the season and as a result, the Cottagers made headlines with the big signings of Jean Michael Seri, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Andre Schurrle.

A lot was expected from the Cottagers after signing such high-profile players in the summer but they have failed to live up to the expectations so far. With 5 points from 8 eight games, Slavisa Jokanovic's side currently sits 17th in the standings, just above the relegation zone.

Considering the levels of promise Fulham have shown, it is quite disheartening to watch them struggle like in the Premier League. To be honest, the Cottagers have looked brighter than many of the other mid-table teams but their main problem lies at the back.

Fulham currently have the worst defensive record in the Premier League and have shipped goals at an alarming rate, having conceded 21 goals with a goal difference of -12. This could come back to bite the Cottagers if the relegation battle goes down to the wire in the latter half of the season.

Watford, on the other hand, made a wonderful start to the season with four wins out of four but the Hornets just lost the plot in their last four games. Javi Gracia's side hasn't managed to win any of their last four games, ending up with a loss on three occasions. Watford were absolutely outplayed by Bournemouth last weekend as the Cherries registered an emphatic 4-0 victory after centre-back Christian Kabasele was sent off following a second bookable offence.

While Kabasele and Craig Cathcart have done a good job for the Hornets at the back, they do not have quality options in their reserves to cover for possible injuries and suspensions. On the contrary, Fulham have had a torrid time at the back and none of their central defenders – Calum Chambers, Denis Odoi, Maxime Le Marchand or Tim Ream – have put their hands up.

In fact, Fulham have been exposed far too much at the back and consequently, Jokanovic has been forced to field different combinations for every alternate game.

As things stand, both teams need a quality centre-back. And Musacchio, 28, is a ball-playing centre-back and his superior technical abilities allow him to carry the ball comfortably from the back. He also has a good range of passing and excels with his ball distribution abilities and can play vertical passes to set up attacks.

He is not the most physical centre-back and does not tend to dominate the opposition aerially. However, he overcomes his lack of physicality and aerial ability with his appreciable game-reading skills and sensible decision-making. Musacchio is blessed with good positional sense and is adept at cutting out the attacks with crucial interceptions. In fact, he has averaged 2.3 tackles, 1 interception and 3.9 clearances per game this season.

Suffice to say, he is a high-quality defensive beast and should be a perfect fit for both Fulham and Watford. However, the Cottagers should not leave any stone unturned in their efforts to land the Argentine centre-back since he has the ability to help them achieve a better defensive record.



http://www.mediareferee.com/2018/10/14/2-3-tackles-3-9-clearances-fulham-must-beat-watford-to-sign-this-argentine-defensive-beast/

[WhiteJC]

 
Why Fulham should take the step to shore up their midfield using this out of favour Chelsea starlet

Why Fulham should make a move for Ruben Loftus-Cheek in January

Fulham have so far failed to live up their standards from last season after making it to the Premier League in inspirational fashion. The Cottagers have made a dreadful start to their season, having mustered a total of 5 points from their opening 8 games of the season.

Manager Slavisa Jokanovic has consistently tinkered with his team and has so far been unable to bring the best out of his men. Fulham did bring in a couple of new signings in the summer, though most of them are yet to find their feet.

The Cottagers should add one or two more players when the January transfer window opens soon. One man Slavisa Jokanovic could take a look at is Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

According to the Daily Star, the Blues midfielder has been told he is free to leave the club in January. The 22-year-old hasn't been a regular feature under new manager Maurizio Sarri so far and a move away would favour his chances of playing regular football.

Loftus-Cheek has been making a name for himself in the last two years after impressing for both club and country. The Chelsea youth graduate made his way into the senior team during Jose Mourinho's reign and seemed to be a regular pick under the Portuguese.

But Sarri seems to have other ideas in mind, playing a three-man midfield so far and giving Loftus-Cheek minimal chances to make an impact. However, the youngster can definitely make that impact at Craven Cottage. Generally classified as a central midfielder, Loftus-Cheek is also comfortable playing on the right or left-hand side.

The young midfielder was also very impressive in his loan spell with Crystal Palace last season. Loftus-Cheek picked up 2 goals and 3 assists for the Eagles in 24 league appearances. He is excellent at picking up the ball from deep areas and surging forward to create chances or have a go at the goal. (Stats courtesy – Premier League)

The Chelsea midfielder's impressive performances last season also saw him get rewarded with a spot on Gareth Southgate's England team that finished fourth at the World Cup this summer. Fulham have looked quite lacklustre in the middle of the park this season, and a number of players have been unable to find their feet.

The likes of Jean Michael Seri and Tom Cairney will definitely benefit with Ruben Loftus-Cheek on their side. Slavisa Jokanovic should definitely make the move for the Chelsea midfielder in January. Fulham are in dire need of some results and acquiring Loftus-Cheek could considerably reduce their issues.



https://soccersouls.com/2018/10/14/why-fulham-should-take-the-step-to-shore-up-their-midfield-using-this-out-of-favour-chelsea-starlet/

[WhiteJC]

 
Shad Khan Needs to Personally Shut Down London Rumors

Over the past week, rumors have begun swirling that Shad Khan could move the Jacksonville Jaguars to London. To be clear, that's just what they are; rumors. A former employee of Khan's soccer team, Fulham FC, stated that Khan is being untruthful about his plan for the Jaguars and his pending purchase of Wembley stadium. While these are claims from a disgruntled former employee, the Jaguars fanbase deserves to hear a response from the owner himself.

Shad Khan Needs to Personally Shut Down Rumors the Jacksonville Jaguars Could Move

The Rumors
Over the years there have been rumors that the Jaguars could move to another city. They have always been unfounded rumors. But the current one alleges that Jaguars owner Shad Khan could move the Jaguars to London.

The English Football Association (soccer), is looking into the claims as Khan's purchase of Wembley is pending. In the above article, Khan makes a statement reaffirming his commitment to both Jacksonville and London. There have also been various outlets this week to display questions about how a permanent home team in London would even work. This is especially true for teams on the west coast. It's a long trip. This doesn't even factor in what a London team would entail for the players of that team. Would players want to move to London? Who knows.

Of course, the rumors by the former employee of Khan are not specific enough to warrant credibility. But Khan would be wise to realize that the fans take such claims seriously and they want to keep their team in Jacksonville. Khan is a businessman and it's curious what his proposals mean for the Jacksonville Jaguars future.

Shad Khan's Ambitious Proposals
Jaguars owner Shad Khan is an ambitious businessman. In fact, Khan's proposal to buy Wembley Stadium isn't the only one he has right now. Khan also wants to transform downtown Jacksonville.

Tad Dickman is the Jaguars Director of Public Relations. He released the above tweet after the Jaguars "State of the Franchise" briefing earlier this summer. Khan has made more than one proposal to help transform downtown Jacksonville. But will the city take action? Jacksonville has long been a slow-moving city in terms of growth. That will likely continue. The question is, will Khan grow tired of the slowness of Jacksonville's city government? It's too early to tell, but this is exactly why Khan should publicly shut down rumors that the Jaguars will move.

Businessmen probably like to keep pending plans quiet while they are still pending. It's possible that Khan doesn't plan to move the Jaguars to London. It's been reported by First Coast News (and other outlets) that four games a season could be home games in London for the Jaguars. Those reports are just speculation right now. But they are coming to the attention of fans as Khan's Wembley plan continues to unfold. Jaguars fans, especially season ticket holders, would not be happy if this were a reality.

The Last Word on Shad Khan's Plans
At this time, speculation reigns supreme on Khan's plan for the Jaguars future in Jacksonville and London. Khan shouldn't be expected to update the fan base at every turn, but he should reassure Jacksonville of his commitment to the city. Khan obviously has plans in both Jacksonville and London. Let's hope Jacksonville doesn't lose out.



https://lastwordonprofootball.com/2018/10/13/shad-khan-needs-to-personally-shut-down-london-rumors/

[WhiteJC]

 
Christie upbeat after Republic draw with Denmark

Republic of Ireland midfielder Cyrus Christie says the 0-0 Nations League draw with Denmark gives the team confidence for Tuesday's game against Wales.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/45853245