Saturday Fulham Stuff (20/10/18)...

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PREVIEW: Cardiff City vs Fulham – 20/10/2018

Cardiff City vs Fulham

Date: 20/10/2018

K/O: 15:00

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium

Referee: Kevin Friend

Cardiff City will entertain a similarly out of sorts Fulham side this Saturday as 17th faces 20th in an important clash at the bottom of the Premier League table.

The Welsh side have found life very tough in the top flight since their return and their league position just echoes this. No side has scored fewer goals than them and only one side has conceded more goals; their attack has left much to be desired with a measly four goals all season.

To put this into context, Fulham striker Aleksander Mitrovic has five himself which says a lot about how poor Cardiff's attacking outfit has been in front of goal this season. Last time out Warnock's Cardiff travelled to London to face a challenging Tottenham side and despite only conceding the once, they failed to get in on the act themselves and fell to a 1-0 defeat.

Having said this, things for Saturday's visitors have not exactly been going to plan either and Slavisa Jokanovic's men are just two points off the bottom three. Their attack has at times looked Premier League quality but their defence has shipped eight goals in the last two games and that has been a major problem which needs to be addressed. A brand of passing football has been their identity yet a shambolic defence has overshadowed that this season. Their shambolic defence leaked five goals last time out as a ruthless Arsenal side ran rampant at the Cottage.

Cardiff's focus this weekend will be moving off of the foot of the table where they are currently tied with fellow season strugglers, Huddersfield. The situation is not that dire for Fulham who do have quality players in their ranks that can help turn the tied for the London side.

Team News

Cardiff City

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing will be out for the Bluebirds as he has not recovered from a cruciate ligament problem. Influential midfielder Joa Ralls, who was sent off in the last game against Tottenham will be suspended for the fixture. Ralls has been one of the better performers for Neil Warnock this season and his absence will be keenly felt.

Having said this, Aron Gunnarsson is hopeful of making his return from injury and is a suitable candidate to fill the void left by Ralls. Full-back Lee Peltier will be sidelined as well after he dislocated his shoulder last month against Manchester City.

Aside from Ralls' absence, Warnock may name an unchanged side for the visit of Fulham. However the numerous changes in lineups already this season suggests otherwise. Callum Paterson started as the lone striker last time out yet after the Bluebirds failed to net once again, it may be one of Kenneth Zohore or Bobby Reid in the starting XI this time.

Fulham

Jokanovic will be hopeful that captain Tom Cairney can make his return and he will be assessed ahead of the weekend. He was one of the key performers last season for Fulham, and his return will be a welcomed one. Joe Bryan will be sidelined with a thigh problem, and Timothy Fosu-Mensah will also be absence due to a shoulder injury. Aside from these, Fulham have a clean bill of health ahead of the clash.

The key decision for Jokanovic ahead of the clash will no doubt be his choice of formation as he has alternated between a three-man and a four-man defence on numerous occasions this season. He has clearly not decided upon his strongest lineup yet and getting that right will be the first step to begin their rise up the table.

Predicted Starting XI's:

Cardiff City – (4-4-2): Etheridge; Bennett, Morrison, Bamba, Ecuele Manga; Murphy, Camarasa, Arter, Hoilett; Reid, Paterson.

Fulham – (4-3-3): Bettinelli; Sessegnon, Odoi, Ream, Christie; Anguissa, McDonald, Seri; Vietto, Mitrovic, Schurrle.

Score Prediction: Cardiff City 1 Fulham 2

However bad Cardiff's attack is, Fulham's woeful defence will allow a goal. But bet on their superior attack winning them a vital three points in this one.



https://90maat.com/2018/10/19/preview-cardiff-city-vs-fulham-20-10-2018/

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What these Premier League clubs currently sleepwalking towards relegation must do in January to save their season

Each Premier League side has now played eight games this season and the table is beginning to take shape. The top five sides are made up of Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur (in eighth place, Manchester United are something of an anomaly).

Watford's sparkling early form has fizzled out and they now find themselves in ninth, whilst Burnley have gotten over their horror start to climb to twelfth. Huddersfield and Cardiff City are in the relegation zone, and let's face it, that's almost certainly where they'll stay.

Of course, they're not the only clubs who should be fearing the drop. There are a number of sides currently sleepwalking towards relegation. If things don't change soon, Newcastle United, Fulham, Southampton and Crystal Palace could all find themselves in a desperate fight for survival towards the end of the campaign.

Each of these clubs could transform their seasons with a strong winter transfer window, though, so we've decided to take a look at what each of them must do in January to ensure survival this season.

Newcastle United

The Magpies' impressive tenth place finish last time out came about due to their ability to grind out results thanks to their solid defence. That reliable rearguard remains intact this season, but Rafa Benitez's squad continues to suffer from an inability to regularly find the back of the net.

The Tyneside club must find a goalscorer in January, which will likely require Mike Ashley to free up some significant funds for investment.

The summer loan signing of Salomon Rondon is not enough. A clinical, prolific finisher is desperately needed at St James' Park. They're hard to find, but without one the club could soon have to face up to another season in the second tier.

Fulham

Plenty of excitement surrounded Fulham's return to the Premier League this season and their summer transfer business certainly caught everyone's attention. The West London club introduced twelve new faces to their first team squad in the summer, which has led to a lack of cohesion and tactical stability in the opening weeks of the campaign.

Defensively, the Cottagers have been all over the shop, and have already conceded 21 goals – four more than anyone else in the division. The answer is not to bolster their defensive contingent in January. The last thing Slavisa Jokanovic's squad needs is fresh additions.

In the likes of Calum Chambers, Alfie Mawson, Ryan Sessegnon and Joe Bryan, Fulham already have the makings of a top defence, they must now just be given time to settle and gel.

Southampton

Possibly the change most in order at St Mary's Stadium is one in the dugout. However, assuming the Saints opt to stick with Mark Hughes, they have plenty to do in January if they're to make Premier League survival anything like a sure thing.

Danny Ings represents a great summer acquisition but with the likes of Shane Long and Manolo Gabbiadini in far from prolific form, the south coast club could really do with increasing their goal threat.

What's more, Hughes' side lack creativity having allowed the exit of Dusan Tadic in the summer. An inventive midfielder, capable of unpicking a stubborn opposition defence, must be top of the Saints' shopping list this winter.

Crystal Palace

At all costs, Crystal Palace must hang on to Wilfried Zaha in January. Beyond that, the Eagles have to ease the burden currently on the Ivory Coast international.

Christian Benteke is not fit to lead the line at Selhurst Park, whilst Alexander Sorloth and Jordan Ayew are unlikely to be able to produce enough goals to ensure survival.

A top class finisher is a must for Roy Hodgson's squad. If the London club could instal a prolific forward alongside Zaha and ahead of Max Meyer then relegation fears ought to diminish in a flash.



https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/what-these-premier-league-clubs-currently-sleepwalking-towards-relegation-must-do-in-january-to-save-their-season

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Albion's Paul Barber voices grassroots football fears after Khan abandons bid to buy Wembley

ALBION chief executive Paul Barber has voiced his concerns over the state of grassroots football after Fulham owner Shahid Khan's abandoned bid to buy Wembley.

Khan withdrew his £600 million offer when it became clear it would not get enough support from FA councillors.

One in six grassroots games had to be postponed last year, equating in total to 150,000 matches.

Barber, who was on the FA Board when the decision was made to build the new Wembley and was voted onto the Council in the summer as an Premier League rep, told The Argus: "Clearly the FA and Mister Khan have got to a position where they can't proceed.

"Fair enough, that's his right and their right. However, we do have to look at the significant issue of grassroots football and the pitches, the number of games being missed, the opportunity for kids to play being missed, and that sooner or later may well have an impact on all levels of the game, which we should be conscious of and concerned about.

"A kid doesn't get born into an academy. They start playing football on the park, at school, for the local club. We cannot afford to ignore the state of grassroots football because it links to us directly."

Albion manager Chris Hughton, a Cup winner at Wembley with Spurs in his playing career, said: "We've all been brought up as Wembley being the home of English football.

"I think it would have had to have been something more people bought into for it to change. There was probably more of an opinion that it wasn't such a good idea.

"It's difficult, unless you know so many of the ins and outs and the reasons why it was proposed to happen but I don't think there will be too many people disappointed that it's now back in the hands of English football and The FA."



https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/16992962.albions-paul-barber-voices-grassroots-football-fears-after-khan-abandons-bid-to-buy-wembley/

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Fulham 'studying' possibility of making offer for long term target

Premier League side Fulham could soon be making an attempt to sign the AC Milan Mateo Musacchio, according to reports from Italy.

Website Calcio Mercato claims that the Cottagers are 'studying' the possibility to present an offer. It's said that they had already made an attempt in the last summer.

This is a very short exclusive from Calcio Mercato, without many details about the chase. Since Fulham have been linked to the defender for a while now, it sounds like they want to confirm that the interest will continue.

Earlier this month, Calcio Mercato had already reported Fulham's interest, claiming that the London side would be ready to make a 'super bid' for the player. Competing with them, there would be Premier League rivals Watford.

Premier League side Fulham could soon be making an attempt to sign the AC Milan Mateo Musacchio, according to reports from Italy.

Website Calcio Mercato claims that the Cottagers are 'studying' the possibility to present an offer. It's said that they had already made an attempt in the last summer.

This is a very short exclusive from Calcio Mercato, without many details about the chase. Since Fulham have been linked to the defender for a while now, it sounds like they want to confirm that the interest will continue.

Earlier this month, Calcio Mercato had already reported Fulham's interest, claiming that the London side would be ready to make a 'super bid' for the player. Competing with them, there would be Premier League rivals Watford.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-studying-possibility-making-offer-long-term-target/

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Tom Cairney injury latest: What we know about his ankle problem and when he will be back

The skipper has only played 26 minutes since his injury in August and will miss the trip to Cardiff City on Saturday

Tom Cairney will be missing from the Fulham line up once again when his side travel to South Wales to take on Cardiff City in what is a massive game for the Cottagers.

The 27-year-old suffered an ankle injury in the side's win over Burnley all the way back in August and was forced off during that game, and since then has only featured for 26 minutes.

That came in September's 3-0 defeat to Everton, where Cairney came on as a substitute for Luciano Vietto and it seemed like he was over his ankle problem, finishing the game as his side slumped to defeat on Merseyside.

However, he was then absent from the squad that lost 5-1 to Arsenal the following weekend, with Slavisa Jokanovic confirming after the game that he wasn't working with the squad.

He said: "Yes, he [Cairney] is injured.

"He is not working with us at the moment and we are waiting, I am not a doctor, we believe he will soon be close to being back.

"Clinically he is okay but he still has many pains and is not available."

Cairney will miss Saturday's game in Cardiff too, with Jokanovic confirming at his pre-match press conference that both he and Joe Bryan are still not available for selection.


(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

So what is wrong with Cairney?

It seems that Cairney's current injury problem is similar to the one he suffered with his knee last season.

In that instance, the midfielder had recovered from the knee problem itself but still felt pain, with the medical team unable to pinpoint exactly what the problem was with it.

That meant he played a lot of last season in discomfort, although it looked like he was able to overcome the problem during the last half of the season.

This looks to be the same - his ankle has healed but there is still discomfort and pain there that no one is able to diagnose the cause of.


(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Has he been training with the team?

During the international break, Cairney was using the watt bikes at Motspur Park often, as was Bryan, in order to keep fitness levels up while injured.

He was on the fields training too without the ball, which is a sign of encouragement at the least for Fulham, but it is concerning that this is the second season in a row that he's suffered a problem like this.

When is he due back?

Unfortunately, there is no time frame set on Cairney's return as yet.


(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Like last season, when there is no actual injury to diagnose and treat it is very difficult for the medical team to actually put a time frame on a player's recovery.

Fulham will have learnt how to handle a problem like this from last season, however, meaning they won't rush Cairney back unless he himself feels 100% fit and ready.

Last year, he was playing through the pain barrier and his performances weren't what we know they can be, and Fulham will be keen to make sure he is fully fit before throwing him back into the Premier League.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/tom-cairney-injury-latest-what-15300538

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Six decades of Cardiff City v Fulham matches.

A rarity this season, as we meet a team that we have played in every league campaign since 13/14 – six questions with a Fulham connection dating back to the sixties, with the answers to be posted on here tomorrow.

60s. It was supposed to happen against Sheffield United early in the 1962/63 season for the first time for Fulham, but, instead, they had to wait a further three weeks for it when they played Sheffield Wednesday – what am I describing?

70s. This big money City signing, by their standards of the time at least, only ever made two substitute appearances for us, with the second of them coming in a home win over Fulham during this decade, can you name him?

80s. Norwich, Bournemouth, Torquay and Bath – can you name this member of a beaten City side at Craven Cottage from this decade from that list of the other clubs he played for?

90s. The two players challenging for the ball in this picture both have a Cardiff City connection – one should be pretty easy, but the other one has happy memories of the Fulham v City match he played in during his short time with us, who are the two players?

00s. Name this former club record buy by Fulham from this decade.

10s. Name the player who, after twenty years in the game, during which he won eighteen caps for his country, scored the final goal of his career in a Fulham v City game during this decade.



http://mauveandyellowarmy.net/six-decades-of-cardiff-city-v-fulham-matches-8/

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Slavisa Jokanovic: No need for Fulham to panic, we are not going to change tactics


Struggles: Slavisa Jokanovic ( AP )

Slavisa Jokanovic will stick to his attacking principles despite concerns that Fulham are too open.

Fulham were thrashed 5-1 by Arsenal before the international break and have the leakiest defence in the top flight, having conceded 21 goals in eight matches.

Jokanovic has been criticised for not adapting their attractive, possession-based football to cope with the step up in level from the Championship.

But the Serb, who spent £100million in the summer, will not dramatically alter that approach and Fulham will continue to press high up the pitch.

"Four years Fulham supporters were waiting for the Premier League," he said.

"If we start to be depressed and not trust ourselves, it is not a good way. People are nervous and not especially satisfied, but it is part of the process. Our target is to improve."

Fulham, who are two points above the relegation zone, will again be without Tom Cairney and Joe Bryan for Saturday's trip to Cardiff, although Timothy Fosu-Mensah could return.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/slavisa-jokanovic-no-need-for-fulham-to-panic-we-are-not-going-to-change-tactics-a3966246.html

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Slavisa Jokanovic lays down challenge for Cyrus Christie after Newcastle legend's criticism

Alan Shearer slammed Christie's performance in the defeat to Arsenal and the Fulham head coach has challenged his right back

Slavisa Jokanovic has challenged Cyrus Christie to show his strength and not let the negative criticism he's received recently affect him at Fulham.

The Republic of Ireland international was blasted by Newcastle United legend and Match of the Day Pundit, Alan Shearer, for his performance in his side's 5-1 defeat to Arsenal, with the former player describing his defensive performance in that game as 'alarming'.

The 26-year-old played both games for Ireland during the international break and played well in an unfamiliar central midfield role, with boss Martin O'Neill leaping to his player's defence ahead of their 0-0 draw with Denmark in Dublin.

O'Neill took no prisoners with Shearer, saying: "I've asked Cyrus about this because the first thing I thought of when Alan Shearer was having a go is, 'He hasn't thought this out'. Maybe that's why he only managed eight games [himself], that might be something to do with it."

Slavisa Jokanovic has challenged Cyrus Christie to show his strength and not let the negative criticism he's received recently affect him at Fulham.

The Republic of Ireland international was blasted by Newcastle United legend and Match of the Day Pundit, Alan Shearer, for his performance in his side's 5-1 defeat to Arsenal, with the former player describing his defensive performance in that game as 'alarming'.

The 26-year-old played both games for Ireland during the international break and played well in an unfamiliar central midfield role, with boss Martin O'Neill leaping to his player's defence ahead of their 0-0 draw with Denmark in Dublin.

O'Neill took no prisoners with Shearer, saying: "I've asked Cyrus about this because the first thing I thought of when Alan Shearer was having a go is, 'He hasn't thought this out'. Maybe that's why he only managed eight games [himself], that might be something to do with it."


(Image: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

"You must be strong enough and brave enough to accept the criticism, if this situation moves you so much then it's not especially good news for any of us or any of my players.

"At the end, in football exists big names and they have different opinions, you must listen to people around you and what kind of opinion they have.

"Sometimes it's good, sometimes it isn't, but when we are talking about Christie, he is a strong man, he played well in the two games for the Republic of Ireland and I don't believe he need to be so affected by this situation.


(Image: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

"That's not only him, but any of my players - this is part of football and if you aren't available to leave with different opinions around you then it's complicated."

Christie's role for the Republic of Ireland in their games with Denmark and Wales raised some eyebrows across the Irish Sea, with O'Neill selecting him in central midfield instead of his usual right back slot.

However, he put in a good shift during the 0-0 draw with the Danes and received the Man of the Match award and had a decent performance in the 1-0 defeat to Wales that has left the side on the brink of relegation from League B in the Nations League.


(Image: John Walton/PA Wire)

But we won't be seeing Christie play in central midfield in the colours of Fulham, with Jokanovic not believing he can be useful to his side there.

He added: "I don't believe I will use him there [in central midfield]- he [O'Neill] used him because he needed players in this position.

"In this moment, I don't believe he can be useful for my team playing as an offensive or defensive midfielder on the inside.

"I must respect all the opinions but in my team I have different options for this position and I still have a problem with the position of right back."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/slavisa-jokanovic-lays-down-challenge-15301080

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Robbie Savage's Premier League predictions: Chelsea 'to beat' Man Utd, says BT Sport host

Mirror Football columnist Robbie Savage has predicted Chelsea will beat Manchester United in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.

Elsewhere, former Wales international Savage reckons Tottenham will come out on top in their London derby against West Ham .

And on the south coast, he is tipping Bournemouth to maintain their stunning start to the campaign with a win over Southampton .

Cardiff are yet to pick up a victory and Savage thinks the wait will go on for Neil Warnock's men, predicting they will be held in a 2-2 draw with fellow new boys Fulham .

But he does tip one newly-promoted side to triumph with Wolves backed to beat Watford 2-1 at Molineux.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/robbie-savage-predictions-manchester-united-13442225

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Cardiff City v Fulham
SAT 20 Oct 2018   Premier League
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium

Joe Ralls was sent off for serious foul play versus Tottenham, with Cardiff losing an appeal against the red card

TEAM NEWS

Cardiff's Joe Ralls begins a three-game ban, although the midfielder may be sidelined beyond his suspension because of a chipped bone in his knee.

A knee injury rules out Danny Ward, while fellow striker Gary Madine is doubtful with an illness.

However, Aron Gunnarsson and Alex Smithies are both available.

Tom Cairney remains absent for Fulham because of a lack of match fitness, while Joe Bryan is still sidelined by a hamstring injury.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah is close to a return from a dislocated shoulder and will be assessed.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

@Mark_Scott_: Can you have a six-pointer in October? This certainly feels like one, despite Slavisa Jokanovic begging to differ.

One thing for sure is that Cardiff couldn't ask for more generous opposition as they aim to bag their first win of the campaign. Fulham are the only side yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League this season, while the Cottagers also possess the division's worst defensive record.

A clash of two very different playing styles will make for interesting viewing, as should the fact this is a game both teams know they badly need to win.

VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock: "I think we're 4/1 on [to be relegated] and they've thrown us to the wolves.

"I wouldn't, if I was a betting man, put money on [Cardiff staying up]. But I wouldn't have put a penny on us getting promotion last season.

"I would have said 'keep your money in your pocket, don't be stupid'. But some people won quite a lot of money and might do so again this year."

Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic on the importance of this match: "The end of the game is not the end of the Premier League.

"If we win, [there is a] long period ahead of us and we will find more tough afternoons... If we lose, it's the same, there are 29 more games.

"All the games are important, it's not close to the end, this season we will finish in the middle of May."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Fulham have got a bit of a soft centre but they also have goals in their team. By being more adventurous they are a little bit more open, but I think they will come out on top in this one.

Prediction: 1-2

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

    Fulham have not kept a clean sheet in their last 21 matches against Cardiff in all competitions, although they are unbeaten in the seven most recent meetings (W3, D4).
    Cardiff won the only two Premier League encounters between these sides, which came in the 2013-14 season. Both teams were relegated.
    The Bluebirds' 3-1 win against the Cottagers on 8 March 2014 remains their most recent home victory in the top flight.
    None of the last 19 Premier League games between two newly-promoted clubs have ended in an away win (12 home wins, seven draws). The last such fixture won by the visitors was Leicester's 1-0 victory at Burnley in April 2015.

Cardiff City

    The Bluebirds are without a win in 12 Premier League games, losing nine of those matches - including the last five.
    They last suffered six consecutive league defeats in 1985, while playing in the third tier. It has not happened to them in the top flight since 1922.
    Cardiff's last Premier League victory came away to Southampton in April 2014.
    Their pass accuracy of 63.5% this season is the worst in the division. Opponents Fulham have the sixth highest figure (82.6%).
    Neil Warnock's side have conceded 17 Premier League goals this term, a tally exceeded only by Fulham, who have let in 21.

Fulham

    Fulham are the only side yet to keep a Premier League clean sheet in the current campaign.
    They have played 12 top-flight games since their last shut-out, which came in a 1-0 win against Norwich in April 2014.
    Fulham are also without an away clean sheet in their last 22 Premier League matches.
    They are one short of 300 wins in the top flight.
    Fulham's haul of five points from eight games equals their worst start to a top-flight season.
    The Londoners have faced 56 shots on target this term, the highest total in the division prior to the weekend.
    Ryan Sessegnon has scored in all four of his previous appearances against Cardiff.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45847412

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The next Ryan Sessegnon - The Fulham academy stars Slavisa Jokanovic will be keeping tabs on

There are plenty of talented youngsters coming through the ranks at Hotspur Park

"Who is going to be the next Ryan Sessegnon?"

Looking for the newest star always seems to be the case once a talented youngster breaks through and makes their mark on the first team - it's not different at Fulham.

Sessegnon is the Academy poster boy at Motspur Park these days having made his first team debut for Slavisa Jokanovic in the 2016/17 season, he's the one the that the youngsters coming through the gates at the training ground on a Saturday morning all want to be.

He's got 91 appearances in all competitions for Fulham at just 18 years old, scoring 23 goals - not bad going as he enters just his third year of professional football.

It's testament to Fulham's Academy that despite having such a young player holding down a regular place in the Premier League, the talk of 'who will be next' is never too far from conversations on the terraces and in the pub.

Harvey Elliott recently become Fulham's youngest ever player at 15 years and 174 days when he came on during Fulham's 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Millwall, while the likes of Steven Sessegnon, Tyrese Francois and Matt O'Riley are also on the cusp of the first team.

With that in mind, we've taken a look at the Academy stars that Jokanovic and the first team will be keeping an eye on this season - including faces you'll definitely know and some you that you may not.


(Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images))

Harvey Elliott

I thought that Fulham's youngest ever player might be a good start with this.

By now, I think most of the UK has heard of Elliott after his appearance in the Carabao Cup, with the papers the next day full of pictures of him and how he had been taking tests in the day at school before playing for the side in the evening.

We probably won't see much more of him in the first team this season - certainly the Premier League is far too soon for him, but he's playing seven years above his age group with the U23s at Fulham this season, as well as playing for the U18 side.


(Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

I don't know if it's because I'm getting older or what, but the age at which footballers start to make their marks on senior sides seems to be becoming younger and younger nowadays.

Technically gifted, able to beat players for fun and with a lovely shot on him, Elliott has the makings of a star and has been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona already.

But he's in a very good place at Fulham and everyone will be looking forward to seeing more of the 15-year-old (still can't believe I'm typing that).

Luca Ashby-Hammond

One of Fulham's most promising goalkeepers in the Academy, Luca Ashby-Hammond is a regular for the U23 side at just 17-years-old.


(Image: Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

He's trained with the first team in the past, most notably at the end of last season, and has been gained international recognition after being called up by the England U17s and, most recently, U18s.

Ashby-Hammond is everything you want in the modern keeper - he's comfortable with the ball at his feet while his distribution is one of his standout chracterisitcs.

And let's not forget his penalty taking skills - he's more than happy to step up to the spot and smash a spot kick into the top corner, doing so with both Fulham U18s last season and England U17s in the Euros.

There's a strong goalkeeping pedigree in Fulham's Academy, and Ashby-Hammond could certainly be the next to follow in the footsteps of Marcus Bettinelli.

Mortiz Jenz

A 19-year-old defender who arrived at Fulham from Tennis Borussia Berlin, where scouts noticed him after the two sides competed in the Sparkasse & VGH Cup - an indoor tournament that the Academy regularly competes in.

Jenz was with the first team during pre-season and played for the first team during the early stages of their summer schedule.

He's 6ft 2ins, strong in the air and extremely talented on the ball - he had one of the best pass completion rates for the U18s and U23s a couple of seasons ago.

Jenz could probably be called the Denis Odoi of the U23s (not for his height though) - he is comfortable playing across the back four and has featured and both right and centre back during this current campaign.

There's a lot of time for Jenz to develop, but he's certainly one to keep an eye on in the defensive side of things.

Matt O'Riley

Fulham fans will be familiar with O'Riley - he's been on the radar of the first team for the past couple of seasons and has travelled with them numerous times in the past.

He made his first team debut for the side last season against Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup and played again for the first team this season during the 3-1 win over Millwall.


Matt O'Riley battles with George Evans during the pre-season friendly between Reading and Fulham (Image: Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

He's a creative midfielder who likes to get on the ball and makes things happen - his touch is exquisite while his eye for a pass is just as good.

O'Riley suffered an injury last season that put the brakes on what was an otherwise positive campaign, and this season he'll be really looking to kick on once more.

There are high hopes for O'Riley at Fulham - he signed his first professional deal last year when he turned 17 and was another of the young guns that travelled to Murcia with the first team in September.


Matt O'Riley in possession of the ball, pressured by Oliver Norwood (Image: Darren Pepe)

Tyrese Francois

It's only right to go from a player who is over 6ft to one that is far, far shorter at 5ft 5ins.

But don't Tyrese Francois' height fool you - he's one of the most technically gifted footballers the Academy has on their books at this moment in time.

The 18-year-old likes to sit in the hole in midfield, pick the ball up from the centre backs and distribute it, much like the role that Tom Cairney plays in the first team.

He's pacy, while he has a strong reading of the game that means he is able to win the ball and be in the right place at the right time in the deep lying midfield role.

Francois impressed in two mid-season friendlies with Southampton last season and travelled with the squad to Murcia during the last international break as Jokanovic gives him more exposure to the first team, alongside the likes of Elliott and Matt O'Riley.

Riley Warland

Fulham secured Riley Warland's signature from A-League side Perth Glory over the summer after a trial spell at the club at the end of last season.

At 16-years-old, it's a massive move to make, but he's shown a maturity beyond his years and has settled in well to the U18 side at Motspur Park.


Riley Warland of the Glory sits on the bench during the round 11 A-League match between the Perth Glory and the Wellington Phoenix (Image: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images)

He's a defender by trade and is strong in the tackle while also being comfortable with the ball at his feet and has put in a number of solid showings for the U18s so far already this season.

Warland made the bench for Perth's game against Wellington Phoenix in December of last year at just 15 years and 166 days and was only 13-years-old when he toured Malaysia with Perth's U18 side.

He's some way off Fulham's first team but it'll be interesting to watch his career develop.

Fabio Carvalho

Another youngster playing well above his age group, Fabio Carvalho is a regular for the U23s despite being just 16-years-old.

He's been capped by England at both U16 and U17 level, but also qualifies for Portugal through his family who chose to relocate to England when he was young.

A very capable number 10, Carvalho possesses a great touch as well as possessing all the necessary technical skills to flourish in that midfield role for the Fulham youth teams.

He's been tracked with some of the giants of Portuguese football, including Benfica, but he signed a scholarship deal at Craven Cottage at the start of this season to commit his future to the club.

Like Elliott, Carvalho is a very exciting prospect at Fulham.

Sonny Hilton

While we're on the subject of young, exciting prospects that are already playing for England, let's talk about Sonny Hilton.

Fulham fought off Premier League suitors to sign Hilton from Tranmere Rovers two years ago and he has impressed in the youth teams ever since.

He's now a regular at both U23 and U18 level and his ability to dictate games and grab a match by the scruff of its neck and turn it into his side's favour are real standouts.

Hilton has represented England at U16 level and is another that the club have high hopes for - he signed his first pro deal in 2017 and signed another deal in the summer of this year.

Oh, and did I mention he's a black belt in Taekwondo?



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/next-ryan-sessegnon-fulham-academy-15301416

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The Wembley sale debate misses the point – the grassroots crisis is symptomatic of today's broken society

We're not just talking about football's skewed financial model here, writes Jonathan Liew, but that of the country as a whole: the relationship between the public sphere and private enterprise, between capital and the consumer, between a society and its citizens

What was going to happen when the money ran out? That was the question the advocates of selling Wembley Stadium never quite managed to answer. Once Shahid Khan's £600m had been skimmed, parcelled off and disbursed around the country, presumably the need to maintain facilities, continue existing programmes and pay staff wasn't going to disappear overnight. So where was the Football Association going to find its next windfall? Selling off the England right-back position? Turning St George's Park into a petting zoo? Raffling Phil Neville?

Of course, in one sense this is all academic now that Khan, the owner of Fulham and the Jacksonville Jaguars, has stepped away from the sale in order to spend more time with his moustache. And yet on another level, the fury in some quarters at the loss of money that was never the FA's to spend in the first place, and the withdrawal of an offer that was only ever theoretical, betrays English football's curious and self-defeating taste for melodrama, its blindness to the bigger picture in favour of short-term solutions that may as well be borrowed from an ITV1 game show.

If this whole affair has achieved anything at all, then it is to draw a little fleeting, belated attention to the abject state of grassroots football in this country, even if the pitch of the debate has occasionally veered into the surreal. "A tear rolls slowly down the cheek of a child staring at a pitch waterlogged again," begins one particularly demented take in a respected broadsheet newspaper, blaming the FA's "blazers" for refusing to sanction the sale, betraying the nation's children and very possibly – most of it was behind the paywall, unfortunately – kidnapping their parents.

Of course, it wasn't just the blazers opposed to the Khan deal. A Football Supporters Federation poll found that only one in three fans were in favour of selling Wembley, while the FA's own research showed that only 38 per cent of grassroots footballers – the direct beneficiaries of any revenue – thought it was a good idea. The rest, like many of us, could spot a gimmick when they saw one, the unmistakable whiff of a long-term asset being flogged for short-term gratification.

We should point out, at this stage, that there is no real prestige argument to be made here. Opposition to the sale of Wembley Stadium need not be based in tradition or pointless nostalgia, and indeed one might surmise that if the pride of English football is so fragile that it can be irrevocably dented by selling off the site of the Carabao Cup Final, then perhaps it wasn't worth very much to begin with.

No, this is really about business, and more specifically football's unique and windswept position in the blisteringly ruthless economic microclimate that is the public sector in 2018. And it's hard not to feel in some important sense that the giddy, premature and subsequently punctured excitement over the Wembley windfall is emblematic of a system broken from middle to bottom (the top, of course, is doing peachily). We're not just talking about football's financial model here, but that of the country as a whole: the relationship between the public sphere and private enterprise, between capital and the consumer, between a society and its citizens.

How did we reach a point where Premier League clubs are generating nine-figure revenues and average footballers are changing hands for £25m while the vast majority of facilities in this country are scarcely fit for purpose? It happened when we became intensely relaxed about billionaires hoovering up public assets while squirrelling away their fortunes in offshore bank accounts. It happened when we stopped seeing sport as something that makes people healthy or happy, but as something you charge people for.

It happened when we tolerated the ideological cuts carried out to local government by successive Conservative-led administrations, cuts that have had a traumatic effect on grassroots sport and plenty else besides. It happened when politicians convinced us that wealth at the top would ultimately enrich us all, that the only way of ensuring the provision of vital services was to privatise, sell, pare the public sector down until it had nothing more to offer. And so to pin all this on Mino Raiola, or Richard Scudamore, or the blazers at the FA, or Richarlison, rather misses the point. They weren't the cause, just some of its many, many symptoms.

The Premier League would argue, of course, that they and their clubs generate £3.3bn in tax revenues a year, support 100,000 jobs, add £7.6bn in value to the economy. And even if you don't quite buy all that – and HMRC has been taking a much greater interest in football's opaque apparatus of player transfers, offshore banking arrangements and image rights over recent years – it doesn't change the fundamental fact of the matter, which is that over the last two decades, those with money have developed ever more intricate strategies to both keep and multiply it.

Of course, there are things you could try in the meantime. A levy on agents' fees, an idea advocated by Gary Neville in a desperate attempt to save his brother from the indignity of a forced raffle, would likely drive up transfer fees and ticket prices still higher, and would be pointless unless it also applied to intermediaries based abroad. A global Tobin-style tax on financial transactions – a levy on every transfer, or perhaps a portion of any transfer fee – would restrict freedom of movement, and disproportionately penalise smaller clubs who rely on a fluid transfer market in an unstable marketplace. And besides, it would require a certain faith in Fifa to collect and distribute the money honestly and equitably, which is asking rather a lot from an organisation you wouldn't lend your biro.

In short, then, there are no real quick fixes here, regardless of anything you may be told by well-meaning columnists or men with strange moustaches. If you want to fix the financial model of grassroots football, you need to fix the financial model of football, which means you need to fix the financial model of society, which means you need to get big multinationals to pay their taxes and give people a genuine stake in their community.

You need a shift in the culture of grassroots sport, which means you need a shift in the culture of local government, which means you need a shift in the culture of our entire political class, and the idea that sport is a public good that should be free for all, rather than a private enterprise to be exploited. You would, in short, need to sweep away virtually the entire intellectual basis of our capitalist society, which – to put it mildly – is no picnic. Small wonder, in retrospect, that many would rather just take the money and run.



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/wembley-sale-shahid-khan-grassroots-football-premier-league-fa-jonathan-liew-a8592171.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Stats show Fulham's great potential if they sort out their defence

Fulham have had a difficult start to life back in the Premier League.

Fulham were undoubtedly one of the most exciting teams in the Championship last season as they won promotion via the play-offs.

Despite bolstering their squad with several additions worth nearly £100million, they sit just one place above the relegation zone ahead of the Premier League's return this weekend.

Fulham won only one of their first eight games, and have picked up two draws from the other seven, with a run of 14 goals conceded over their last five games highlighting the issue.

In fact, Fulham have conceded the most goals in the Premier League this season (21) and a closer look at the statistics suggest one glaring reason - no one has conceded more goals directly from a mistake than Fulham (3), while they sit joint-third on mistakes they got away with (4), according to Squawka.

That would suggest there is some work to do, but details from the other end of the pitch show exactly how promising they are.

Fulham sit seventh in terms of total shots (111) - a fine position to be in for a newly promoted club - but it is their created chances that really stands out.

The Cottagers have created the third most goal-scoring opportunities in the Premier League this season, with only Manchester City and Chelsea boasting more.

Their conversion rate of 8.1% is only good enough to be 16th best, although that is roughly where you would expect a newly promoted side to be at the start of the season (for reference, Wolverhampton Wanderers have the 15th best with 8.2%, while Cardiff are rock bottom with 4.7%).

As Fulham get more suited to life in the top flight, that conversion rate can be expected to go up and, considering the number of opportunities they are getting, there is the potential for a lot of goals at Craven Cottage this season.

Fulham just need to ensure they are all at the right end.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/10/19/ac-stats-show-fulhams-great-potential-if-they-sort-out-their-def/

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Fulham Players on International Duty: October 2018
Remember these guys? Come relive what they were doing over the past week.


Photo by Trond Tandberg/Getty Images

After some horrendous defeats and some soul searching going around Craven Cottage, it wasn't the worst idea to take a break before some real important Premier League fixtures come up. An International Break that is. UEFA Nations League and African Cup of Nations action took place within the past week.

Let's take a look at how all those at Motspur Park fared representing their countries this past week.

Senior Teams
G Marcus Bettinelli (England/0 caps)

D Cyrus Christie (Ireland/20 caps, 2 goals)

M Jean-Michael Seri (Ivory Coast/21 caps, 1 goal)

M Stefan Johansen (Norway/45 caps, 5 goals)

M Kevin McDonald (Scotland/5 caps)

M Floyd Ayite (Togo/38 caps, 10 goals)

M Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon/14 caps, 2 goals)

M Ibrahima Cisse (Guinea/2 caps, 1 goal)

M Neeskens Kebano (DR Congo/21 caps, 5 goals)

F Aleksander Mitrovic (Serbia/44 caps, 21 goals)

Once again, Marcus Bettinelli got selected for England. Once again, Marcus Bettinelli couldn't get his first cap because of how far down the pecking order he is in goal for his country. If Alex McCarthy were to get hurt or if Bettinelli can receive more Premier League experience, his time would come.

As for the rest of Fulham's UEFA Nations League contingent, Mitro continued to be on fire by scoring both of Serbia's goals (one via a penalty, another via a nice pass by Andrija Zivkovic) in a 2-0 win over Montenegro. It was the first time the two countries went toe-to-toe on a football pitch since they played as one nation in the 2006 World Cup. Mitrovic also played in his country's 0-0 draw with Romania that saw them still on top of Group 4 in League C with two games to go. Only Romelu Lukaku has as many goals as Fulham's target man in Nations League competition.

Meanwhile, Stefan Johansen continued as Norway's captain and was a part of their campaign that currently sees them top of Group 3 in League C thanks to two 1-0 wins over Bulgaria and Slovenia. Kevin McDonald continued to rack up appearances for Scotland as a starter and second half substitute in their two defeats to Israel and Portugal, respectively. Lastly, Cyrus Christie was deemed Man of the Match in Ireland's 0-0 draw with Denmark, but he wasn't able to help his county escape potential relegation after a 1-0 defeat to Wales.

Down in Africa, Nations Cup competition was taking place which saw five Fulham players competing this month. While Neeskens Kebano did not play for the Democratic Republic of Congo, it was good to see him allowed to be selected as it was a sign of his recovery from the nasty ankle injury he picked up in the League Cup earlier this season.

Meanwhile, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa played the full 90 minutes in Cameroon's 1-0 win over Malawi that saw his country still on top of Group B qualifying. Jean Michael Seri also played the full match in the Ivory Coast's 4-0 thrashing of the Central African Republic while Ibrahima Cisse scored his first ever goal for Guinea in their win over Rwanda that still puts them ahead in Group H play. Finally, Floyd Ayite played the full match in Togo's 1-1 draw with Gambia.

Youth Teams
G Marek Rodak (Slovakia Under-21s/9 caps, 1 goal)

M Jan Dugar Thorsteinsson (Iceland Under-21s/12 caps, 2 goals)

M Ryan Sessegnon (England Under-21s/5 caps)

At youth level, Ryan Sessegnon received two additional caps at Under-21 level as he played a major part in guiding England towards qualification for this Summer's European Championships. Despite not scoring, the 18-year old looked lively in attack and should be a part of Aidy Boothroyd's plans in Italy.

As for Marek Rodak, he continued to start in goal for Slovakia, and while it looked rosy with a 2-0 win over Estonia, Rodak's side was defeated by Northern Ireland who leap-frogged them to second in Group 2 and thus ending their hopes of qualification. And while Iceland sat below them in fourth place, Jon Dugar Thorsteinsson went on to score his second goal for his country at Under-21 level in their 7-2 defeat to Spain.

D Steven Sessegnon (England Under-19s/2 caps)

G Luca Ashby-Hammond (England Under-18s/1 cap)

M Fabio Carvalho (England Under-17s/3 caps)

M Harvey Elliott (England Under-17s/3 caps)

Further down the pecking order in the age group ranks saw Steven Sessegnon continue to add to his resume at Under-19 level. The twin brother of Ryan started in England's 4-1 friendly win over Portugal and will surely play a major part in Paul Simpspon's plans for next month's qualification campaign for the 2019 European Championships.

Meanwhile, Luca Ashby-Hammond recorded a clean sheet in England's thrashing of Sweden in the first of two Under-18 fixtures at St. George's park. Ashby-Hammond did not feature in their second match against the Czech Republic.

Lastly, Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho featured heavily in all three of England's matches in an Under-17 youth tournament against Brazil, the United States and Russia. England went on to go unbeaten and would score at least three goals in all three fixtures. Look for both of them to feature much more heavily with the club after their exploits at age group level.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/10/19/17993370/fulham-players-on-international-duty-october-2018

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Three Players to Watch: Matchday 9 vs. Cardiff City
Yeah, this is kind of a big game

Manager Slavisa Jokanovic can downplay Saturday's fixture with Cardiff all he wants but let's make no mistake about it. Fulham win, and their Premier League campaign gets rejuvenated. Fulham lose, and the supporters will wonder when they will ever see this beloved football win another game at this level the rest of the season. In spite of all this pressure, winning away from home is always difficult, no matter the league of opposition.

Still, Cardiff are also having a horrid time at the Premier League themselves. This was quite predictable after Neil Warnock instilled a counter-attacking sytem that saw them have the worst passing and possession levels in the Championship. However, Cardiff had the likes of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Junior Hoilett and Kenneth Zohore constantly running down opposition defenses whenever they bypassed midfields and bagged in plenty of goals that guided them towards automatic promotion. Love them or not, this was an efficient system that worked at England's Second tier and the underlying numbers agreed with this sentiment.

This season, Cardiff face a true reality check that their best players weren't good enough for this level. Even with plenty of reinforcements coming in, the Bluebirds just didn't seem to grab any from a talent pool that was demanded to survive at this level of competition. It's just too difficult to imagine 33-year old Sol Bamba and 31-year old Sean Morrison handling Premier League attacks the exact same way they did in the Championship. It's also been a while since a now 29-year old Junior Hoilett was running rings around Premier League defenses. As a result, only Huddersfield has scored as few as Cardiff's four goals in their eight Premier League fixtures.

That being said, their expected goals tallies sees them only as the fourth worst attack (7.44 expected for) and the fifth worst defense (13.68 against) according to Understat. That may not sound like much, but the key here is survival and that is why the same analytics website sees Cardiff as a club playing not only be better than Fulham, but also as one that should be sitting 15th in the league.

That is why it is downright unacceptable for supporters, players and coaches to take this Cardiff side lightly. They know who Fulham is quite well and will surely have a game plan to beat them coming off of an International Break.

With that said, here are the three players to watch when these two sides meet in Wales.

Bruno Ecuele Manga

Morrison and Bamba will be getting all the attention as they are the center back pairing that continues to be strong in the set piece and the bedrock in Warnock's conservative defensive schemes. But if you are looking for an energetic defender that can just get it over with and break things up quickly, Bruno Ecuele Manga is your guy.

The Gabon International seems to be one of the few Cardiff players to not have his radar look significantly worse than his career totals, but that doesn't mean we haven't seen this edition of Manga before. We all know he's a center back being told to play fullback in a very defensive manner and he plays it very well. That said, Cardiff have little to no outlets to push the ball forward when they can and Manga's passing just doesn't cut it for when he needs to make plays up and down the pitch. Either way, Manga's production constantly gives food for thought as to how Cardiff can utilize him in his back line that already lacks ball progression types.

Harry Arter

Next up is a 29-year old midfielder that was previously with a club that he has been through thick-and-thin and helped launch his Premier League career. But once Bournemouth were in need of strengthening the rest of the squad, Harry Arter was deemed surplus to requirements and signed with Cardiff over the summer.

With Joe Ralls out due to a red card suspension, it will be up to Arter to make up for his absence in the center of midfield. Only Ecuele Manga and Ralls has more defensive actions in the league than him and with Warnock constantly experimenting how to set up his midfield, Arter has shown in the past he can fulfill the job. Along with that, he is also fourth in the club at xG Buildup at 0.12 per 90 minutes. That doesn't sound like much at all, but in a Cardiff side lacking creativity, Arter will do. Whether or not he can be able to play a focal role on Saturday could determine the result in Saturday's contest.

Josh Murphy

All data from whoscored.com

We've already talked about how Cardiff struggle mightily to score goals. As a result of that harsh statistic, not a single player has been able to score more than one goal for the club. However, if there is one player that looks the closest to being Cardiff's leading scorer by seasons end, it could be the former Norwich City man.

At 24, Josh Murphy has been everywhere in attack, and I mean that in positive terms. His 3.47 shots per 90 minutes is a very strong output, no matter where they've been taken. Proof of that is that his 0.41 combined expected goals and assists per fixture is only bettered by super-sub Callum Paterson, at 0.49. With all the numbers behind this kid, even if he only has one goal to his account so far, you will struggle to find a better attacking outlet wearing Bluebirds Blue than him.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/10/19/17997170/three-players-to-watch-matchday-9-vs-cardiff-city

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Match officials for Cardiff v Fulham

Referee: Kevin Friend
Assistants: Matthew Wilkes, Derek Eaton
Fourth official: Andy Davies

Leicestershire official Kevin Friend officiates his second Cardiff City game of the season this weekend. He was the man in charge of Bournemouth v Cardiff on the opening day back in August.

Friend, in his career, has taken charge of the Community Shield and a League Cup final. This season he's issued 30 yellow cards in nine games and no red cards.



http://www.footymad.com/cardiff-city/news/tmnw/match_officials_for_cardiff_v_fulham_919046/index.shtml

[WhiteJC]

 
'There's nothing tragic in my life' - Slavisa Jokanovic shrugs off Fulham sack talk

There have been rumours the boss is under pressure but Jokanovic isn't fazed by those suggestions

Slavisa Jokanovic isn't fazed by suggestions that he's under pressure at Fulham - but does admit his side are desperate to win against Cardiff City.

The start to the season hasn't been one that everyone connected to the club dreamed of after securing promotion back to the Premier League - Fulham sit in 17th having just won once and have conceded the most amount of goals in the entire division with 21 hitting the back of their net.

It's that concern about the defence that has raised the suggestions that Jokanovic is under pressure to go back to basics and sort out a leaky defence after Fulham spent £100million to get the side ready for the top flight.

However, the ice-cool Serbian shrugged off those suggestions ahead of his side's crunch tie with Cardiff on Saturday, insisting that pressure is part of the business and that he hasn't got time to go knocking on doors at Motspur Park asking if people still support him.

He said: "This is part of this profession. I started 12 years ago, to coach different teams, and at the end I'm focused on my work.

"I believe in myself and my staff and I believe in the players I'm working with. At the end the solution is in my head; I don't have to time to think about these things or for crying about my situation.

"This is part of this business; I must manage these kind of situations, nothing more.

"There's nothing tragic in my life – I am really satisfied in my life and with my job. This process can never stop, and I'm strong and brave enough to keep going and trust in myself and my players. Always in my 12 years.

"I'm focused on my business. You'll have to ask in a different office if they support (me).

"I don't have the time to go and knock and ask 'Do you support me or not?'.

"I'm focused on those immediately around me; I need to organise how they're going to work. I need to work with the team, fighting, and find the solution, and that's it."

Fulham will see the trip to Cardiff as the chance to kickstart their season against their fellow promoted side - last season the Whites came away from the Cardiff City Stadium with a 4-2 win and will be hopeful of getting a similar result.

That said, Jokanovic knows that Neil Warnock, a man that he described as "great" in the build up to the game, will see the game in the exact same way and that Cardiff will be looking to use it to get their first three points of the campaign.

He added: "We are desperate to win too. This is football.

"At the end we consider it as another great opportunity for us to fight for three points and I believe they will be thinking similar to us and will consider it a great chance for them too.

"In the end they know us, we know them, they know how we play and we know how they play too.

"We are going to make it tough for them and it's another chance for us.

"I don't feel any extra pressure or situation. They need the points, we need the points and this is not especially big news for us or them."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/theres-nothing-tragic-life-slavisa-15300739

[WhiteJC]

 
Cardiff v Fulham. Match preview

Cardiff City v Fulham
Cardiff City Stadium
Saturday 20th October 2018, ko 3:00pm.

Early team news:

Fulham skipper Tom Cairney is nearing a return but won't be ready for this weekend.

Cairney's ankle problem flared up in the defeat to Everton and he won't be risked while Joe Bryan is remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

However, Timothy Fosu-Mensah could be back in the fold despite dislocating his shoulder last month.

Meanwhile for Cardiff, Aaron Gunnarsson is in line for a return from his knee injury but Warnock's men will be without the suspended Joe Ralls after his red card against Tottenham.

The Managers:

Neil Warnock:

"There's no panic, but I wouldn't say I'm enjoying not winning a game in eight, because that's not me. Yeah, I said 'let's enjoy it' before the season, but I don't want the players to enjoy it now. This is the time to be ruthless and get points."

Slavisa Jokanovic:

"Cardiff is Premeir League team like us, they arrive before us in the Premier League too and we know how they play, it's not easy to play against this kind of team and we take the decision to not avoid our style, we need to adapt things for the Premier League and we know what we will find.

"It's true, probably we will have possession because Cardiff are not so interested about this kind of battle, but they have important weapons in this squad and we must take care about set pieces, about the second phase, long throws, flick ons and running behind us.

"They use the weapons very well, these weapons they have in the squad and we know them, they know us and we are ready to fight for three points like always."

Match Stats:

    Cardiff City and Fulham have met in the Premier League twice previously - the Bluebirds won both games against the Cottagers during the 2013-14 season.

    Fulham are without a clean sheet in their last 21 matches against Cardiff in all competitions - however, they haven't lost any of their previous seven games against the Bluebirds (W3 D4 L0).

    Fulham are the only team that Cardiff have beaten more than once in the Premier League (two wins) - in the top-flight, they've won four of their six meetings with the Cottagers (P6 W4 D1 L1).

    In the last nine meetings between Cardiff and Fulham in all competitions, the side scoring first has gone on to win just twice (W2 D5 L2).

    Cardiff are winless in their last 12 Premier League games (D3 L9), losing the last five in a row. They last lost six consecutive games in league competition back in November 1985.

    Cardiff are winless in their last eight Premier League home games (D2 L6), shipping 22 goals in that run. The last side they beat in the competition at the Cardiff City Stadium were Fulham (3-1 in March 2014).

    Fulham have conceded 21 goals in the Premier League this season, four more than any other side. The last team to concede more in their first eight games of the season were Southampton in 2012-13 (24).

    Fulham have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 22 Premier League away games. The last team to concede in more consecutively were Queens Park Rangers (23 between October 2011 and November 2012).

    Cardiff manager Neil Warnock has won just one of his last 10 matches against Fulham in all competitions (P10 W1 D4 L5).

    Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon has scored in all four of his matches in all competitions against Cardiff for the Cottagers, scoring a goal in each match.

The Officials:

Referee: Kevin Friend
Assistants: Matthew Wilkes, Derek Eaton
Fourth official: Andy Davies



http://www.footymad.com/cardiff-city/news/tmnw/cardiff_v_fulham_match_preview_919048/index.shtml

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham team news: Jokanovic could have key man miss crucial Cardiff test

Fulham will head to Wales to take on Cardiff City in the Premier League on Saturday, however, they will have some injury doubts ahead of the game, according to the club's official website.

The Cottagers have found their return to the top-flight tough this season, having only picked up five points from their first eight games.

However, their opponents on Saturday have found it even tougher, having yet to record a win in the division and sitting rooted to the bottom of the table.

Slavisa Jokanovic will know that his side needs to start picking up points soon and the trip to the Welsh capital could be exactly what his side needs to build momentum.

However, the west London outfit could be without a number of their players for the journey west.

Skipper Tom Cairney is still considered a doubt for the game against Cardiff after his ankle injury.

The midfielder is thought to be edging nearer to a return, however, the issue flared up against Everton prior to the international break and it remains to be seen on whether he is risked or not.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah is also a doubt for the game as he has been on the sidelines for the last month with a dislocated shoulder, although he has returned to training and could feature.

Joe Bryan will definitely miss out for the Craven Cottage outfit, as he continues to sit on the treatment table with a hamstring injury.



https://ninetyminutesonline.com/fulham-team-news-jokanovic-could-have-key-man-miss-crucial-cardiff-test/

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Jokanovic 'desperate' for win but plays down speculation over his future

Slavisa Jokanovic has warned Cardiff that Fulham are "desperate" for victory on Saturday – but not because he fears for his job as manager.

Hosts Cardiff will pursue their first win of the Premier League season against their fellow strugglers and in the knowledge that, should they do so, they could climb out of the relegation zone at Fulham's expense.

A total of two points from eight games means Neil Warnock's team has already been widely dismissed as certainties for relegation, but where there was once optimism surrounding Jokanovic's side, the Serbian knows they need to build consistency and momentum.

Saturday's fixture between the two promoted sides is the first of three for Fulham in the league – they then play Bournemouth and Huddersfield – that could transform their fortunes, and while dismissing the prospect of feeling pressure, Jokanovic recognises the significance of securing three points.

It was reported during the international break that the 50-year-old is at risk of the sack unless results swiftly improve, but he insists he has not sought assurances from Fulham's hierarchy about his future.

Knocking on the table in front of him to imitate doing so on an office door, Jokanovic cut a relaxed figure as he said: "I don't have the time to go and knock and ask 'Do you support me or not?'

"I'm focused on those immediately around me; I need to organise how they're going to work. I need to work with the team, fighting, and find the solution, and that's it.

"I'm focused on my business. You'll have to ask in a different office if they support (me).

"This is part of this profession. I believe in myself and my staff and I believe in the players I'm working with. I don't have to time to think about these things or for crying about my situation.

"This is part of this business; I must manage these kinds of situations, nothing more. There's nothing tragic in my life – I am really satisfied in my life and with my job. I'm strong and brave enough to keep going and trust in myself and my players."

Asked if last-placed Cardiff would be desperate for victory, he responded: "We are desperate to win too. This is football. At the end we consider it another great opportunity for us to fight for three points and I believe they will be thinking similar to us."

Joe Bryan and the influential Tom Cairney remain Fulham's only significant absentees. Timothy Fosu-Mensah could yet be available following a dislocated shoulder.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/jokanovic-desperate-for-win-against-cardiff-but-plays-down-speculation-over-his-future