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Monday Fulham Stuff - 05/11/18...

Started by WhiteJC, November 05, 2018, 07:45:22 AM

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WhiteJC

 
Results





Sunday
Man City
6 - 1 Southampton
Chelsea
3 - 1 Palace


WhiteJC

 
Fulham U-18s v Spurs U-18s, 03.11.18
Courtesy of:- Ray Lo, and the Spurs List

       Premier U-18 League, 2018-19
    Motspur Park, Worcester Park, Surrey,
     Saturday 3rd November 2018, 11am

        FULHAM     v     SPURS
     (White/Black)     (All Blue)
        4-2-3-1         4-1-4-1

         1(0)             1(0)

       Toni Stahl  1  Joshua Oluwayemi
     Cody Dramesh  2  Brooklyn Lyons-Foster
    Tristan Cover  3  Dennis Cirkin
     Sonny Hilton  4  Harvey White
    Zico Absare(C) 5  Malachi Walcott
    Connor McAvoy  6  Luis Binks
   Harvey Elliott  7  Dilan Markanday
        Ben Davis  8  Armando Shashoua(C)
    Timmy Abraham  9  Jeremie Mukendi
   Fabio Carvalho 10  Phoenix Patterson
Sylvester Jasper 11  Rodel Richards

     Mac Chisholm 12  Jubril Okendina
                      (9)77Mins
                  13  Kacper Kurylowicz
    Riley Warland 14  Elliott Thorpe
     Terry Ablade 15  Rayan Clarke
        (9)84Mins
    Showkat Tahir 16
       (11)73Mins
    Jonathon Page 17
        (2)84Mins

Scorers:-
       Abraham 53     Patterson 65

Booked:-
                      White 31(Foul)

Sent off:-
                      Binks
                      (Professional foul)

Coaches:-
   Colin Omogbehin    Matt Wells

Referee:– L. Dyson
Assistants:– A. Lukauskis & B. Caraghin

Spurs travelled to Fulham's training ground on a chilly but bright morning seeking to continue their good run. Fulham won their last game 2-1 at Brighton and Spurs beat Aston Villa 6-1. Last season Spurs won 2-1 at Motspur Park having lost by the same score at home.

Spurs lined up with Oluwayemi in goal behind Walcott and Binks with Lyons-Foster at right back and Cirkin on the left. White anchored the midfield with Shashoua and Patterson ahead of him with Markanday on the right flank and Richards on the left in support of Mukendi up front. With the Champions League Youth game next week it was a short bench. Fulham included Tammy Abraham's younger brother who looks as tall as him, if not as deadly.

Spurs kicked off the first half attacking the West end using their pace and quick passing to put the home defence on the back foot. The home side defended well with Hilton and Davis helping out. Patterson played in Mukendi for an early chance that he put wide. Shashoua set up Patterson for an effort that he hit over. Minutes later Patterson fired over again from a ball by Markanday.

Richards dug out the ball to draw a save from Stahl after Patterson had played the ball into the area. With the defence standing up well, Markanday had a shot from distance that went over the bar. Carvalho looked like being first in the ref's book after four or five late challenges but it was White who was booked for persistent fouls after his third. Having weathered the storm Fulham created a few opportunities with Abraham missing the best.

Fulham pushed forward in the second half which caught Spurs out as Drameh fired wide. Markanday fired over having been played in by Shashoua and Patterson won a corner from a low drive that was pushed round the far post by Stahl.

Spurs defence was caught square by a through ball by Carvalho for Abraham to run onto and fire past Oluwayemi to give the home side the lead. Spurs took off Lyons-Foster for Clarke as they sought to break down the Fulham defence and with the extra man it did create more space for players.

Richards pulled the ball back at the near post for Patterson to steady himself before driving low into the far corner for the equaliser.

The game opened up more as both sides went for a second goal. Elliott drew a good save from Oluwayemi, winning a corner. Abraham was played through for a one on one with Oluwayemi but fluffed his chance going round the keeper. Shashoua played in Markanday to draw a save from Stahl. Elliott fired over from a good position while Clarke drew a save with a deflected effort.

Okendina replaced Mukendi going to right back with Richards going up front. Patterson played in Richards to draw a save before Carvalho ran onto a through ball and was pulled back by Binks. The referee was quick to award a penalty and sent off the Spurs defender. Elliott stepped up and hit the ball to the right but Oluwayemi guessed right and saved. Fulham tried to make the most of the extra man but apart from an effort by Ablade that was saved by Oluwayemi Spurs finished with a point.

Spurs play was not as slick as usual but the Fulham defence was also in top form which prevented Spurs going in front in the first half and giving them the chance to grab a goal. The draw allowed Arsenal to move to the top of the table with a win at Swansea. After the Champions Youth League game on Tuesday, Spurs have a Premier U-18 League Cup game on Saturday when Swansea are the visitors to Hotspur Way.

Ray



http://www.spursodyssey.com/1819/u18fu031118.html

WhiteJC

 
Stick together and don't panic, says Wagner as Huddersfield bid to end winless streak

Manager David Wagner insists Huddersfield must stick together and not panic as they go in search of their first win of the season against Fulham on Monday night.

The Terriers, in their second Premier League campaign, are rooted to the foot of the table having failed to win any of their opening 10 matches this term.

Huddersfield will host a Fulham side also struggling for form. Indeed, Slavisa Jokanovic will head to the John Smith's Stadium under mounting pressure following five consecutive defeats in all competitions.

For Wagner, he has not seen his side win in 14 Premier League matches, a streak stretching back to last season, while they also have not scored at home since April.

However, Huddersfield chairman, Dean Doyle, has insisted his manager will not face the axe, even if the Terriers are relegated from the top flight, and speaking on the eve of their test against the Cottagers, Wagner lauded the support from above as pivotal to standing a chance of turning their campaign around.

"Over the last three years, and the starting point that we had, this has created a relationship (with the board) where we know we can only continue to be successful if we stick together, and if we have the right thing in our head," Wagner said.

"Showing that commitment is what it is all about, and that we stay together. This is one of the advantages we have at this football club, that we stay calm even if we are ambitious.

"This is something we have shown in the past, and I'm a strong believer that when you start to get nervous or panic, then you will fail. Life will continue after Monday whatever happens, but it is a very important game."

Huddersfield will hope to ease their scoring woes, having found the back of the net just four times this term, against the league's worst defence.

Fulham have already conceded 28 goals on their return to the top division, winning only once, and leaving Jokanovic's position on rocky ground.

But Wagner added: "He (Jokanovic) has done an incredible job at Fulham in the last years.

"He has found a style which is, without a shadow of a doubt, very attractive, and everybody knows what a well-respected good manager he is.

"For us, it is important we make sure we are at our best, and we are at home so this has to be the atmosphere which a six-pointer deserves."



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/stick-together-and-dont-panic-says-wagner-as-huddersfield-bid-to-end-winless-streak_340563.html


WhiteJC

 
David Wagner insists Huddersfield must stick together and stay calm to avoid relegation

David Wagner insists Huddersfield must stick together and not panic if they are to climb off the bottom of the Premier League table.

The Terriers, who go in search of their first win of the season against Fulham on Monday Night Football, are rooted to the foot of the table having failed to win any of their opening 10 matches this term.

Huddersfield host a Fulham side also struggling for form with boss Slavisa Jokanovic under mounting pressure following five consecutive defeats in all competitions.

Wagner's side have not won in 14 Premier League matches, a streak stretching back to last season, but Huddersfield chairman Dean Doyle has insisted his head coach will not face the axe, even if the Terriers are relegated.

Wagner lauded the support from above as pivotal to standing a chance of turning their campaign around.

"Over the last three years, and the starting point that we had, this has created a relationship (with the board) where we know we can only continue to be successful if we stick together, and if we have the right thing in our head," he said.

"Showing that commitment is what it is all about, and that we stay together. This is one of the advantages we have at this football club, that we stay calm even if we are ambitious.

"This is something we have shown in the past, and I'm a strong believer that when you start to get nervous or panic, then you will fail. Life will continue after Monday whatever happens, but it is a very important game."

Huddersfield will hope to ease their scoring woes, having found the back of the net just four times this term, against the league's worst defence.


Slavisa Jokanovic is under pressure after Fulham's poor start to the season

Fulham have already conceded 28 goals on their return to the top division, winning only once, and leaving Jokanovic's position on rocky ground.

But Wagner added: "He (Jokanovic) has done an incredible job at Fulham in the last years.

"He has found a style which is, without a shadow of a doubt, very attractive, and everybody knows what a well-respected good manager he is.

"For us, it is important we make sure we are at our best, and we are at home so this has to be the atmosphere which a six-pointer deserves."




https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11740/11544613/david-wagner-insists-huddersfield-must-stick-together-and-stay-calm-to-avoid-relegation

WhiteJC

 
Who are the Fulham coaches supporting Slavisa Jokanovic's fight to stay in the Premier League?

There's been plenty of new faces in Fulham's backroom staff this season - here's a who's who of everyone at Motspur Park

It's been a period of upheaval in Fulham's backroom staff this season - with several changes occurring over the course of the summer and the season.

Slavisa Jokanovic's coaching staff have played an important part in his success at Craven Cottage and the head coach has always been quick to refer to Manager of the Month awards as a team effort rather than just his own.

When he was appointed back in December 2015, Jokanovic appointed three of the current coaching team to their roles - Javier Pereira, Alberto Escobar and Marco Cesarini, and they've been his trusted generals ever since.

However, Escobar has now left the club due to personal reasons, opting to return to his native Spain, while Fulham also have a new goalkeeping coach after Jose Sambade Carreira left the club in September, with Italian Luca Squinzani joining in his place, while Alastair Harris makes up the backroom staff as Head of Sports Science at the club.

And now former skipper Scott Parker is also on the coaching staff, having been appointed as one of the first-team coaches, and he is joined by Rafael Cristobal to make up the coaching team.

Here's who is who behind the scenes at Motspur Park.

JAVIER PEREIRA

Javier Pereira has worked with Jokanovic under a number of clubs, and one of the first things Jokanovic did when he got the Fulham job was to appoint Pereira as his Assistant Head Coach.

They first worked together at Watford, where Pereira was appointed under Oscar Garcia before Jokanovic was hired, but he stayed on under the Serbian, helping the Hornets to win promotion to the Premier League.

After Jokanovic left Vicarage Road, Pereira followed him to Maccabi Tel Aviv and then eventually to Craven Cottage.

His first experience in La Liga was at Levante and during his time there he saw them into the Europa League, where they managed to reach the last 16 of the competition.

Jokanovic has described Pereira as the "engineer of many things" and from watching training sessions as the club, his impact on the coaching side of things can be heard loud and clear.

MARCO CESARINI

Marco Cesarini joined Fulham a month after Jokanovic and was appointed as their Manager of First Team Medical and Sports Science, taking full responsibility for the player's fitness at the club.

He studied Osteopathy in Milan, which is a a way of detecting, treating and preventing health problems by moving, stretching and massaging a person's muscles and joints and he became one of the first osteopaths to work with a professional team in Italy when he went to Brescia.

He then went to West Ham where he became Head of Injury Prevention, before a restructure of the medical department saw him return to Italy, before his next job at Watford beckoned.


Marco Cesarini (left), Stuart Gray, Slavisa Jokanovic and his backroom staff (Image: Paul Burgman)

After that, in 2014, AC Milan legend Filippo Inzaghi called Cesarini to join him at the San Siro, which he accepted, working there for 13 months before leaving and answering Jokanovic's call to come and join him at Fulham.

Interestingly, after the arrival of Beppe Sannino at Watford, Cesarini become the head coach's translator for press conferences during his time at the club.

SCOTT PARKER

The former skipper returned to Fulham in July 2018, having spent the season after retiring coaching Tottenham Hotspur's U18 side.

Parker already has experience of coaching some of the players at the club, having helped out with the Academy during his time at Fulham and he brings some experience of top tier football to the backroom team.


Scott Parker before Fulham's Play-off semi final with Reading at the Madejski (Image: Adam Davy/ PA)

When he was appointed, Parker said: "I have first-hand knowledge of the quality and ambition at the Club since I was a player here, with tremendous work carried out by staff within the First Team set up and across all Academy age groups."

After the departure of Gray, it seems that Parker has taken on more defensive responsibilities, drilling the back four before games in the pre-match warm ups.

ALASTAIR HARRIS

A Brunel University graduate, achieving a Masters in the field of Human Performance, Alastair Harris is Fulham's Head of Sports Science and is responsible for the physical performance and conditioning of the First Team.

He started at Fulham in 2010 as a sports science intern, before making his way through the ranks before taking his current role in December 2015.

He excels in the fields of load management , player recovery cycles & physical conditioning and, along with the rest of the medical staff at the club, was a big reason why Fulham suffered very little injuries throughout the course of last season.

LUCA SQUINZANI

The Italian joined Fulham's coaching staff in September after Jose Sambade Carreira resigned from his position, signing a contract until the end of the season.

He was born in Turin and has spent time in the past coaching Torino's Academy, as well as Juventus where he held the position of Academy Coach and First Team Assistant before heading to Al Sadd in Qatar, where he was the club;s Goalkeeper Coach.

He joins Harris in holding a degree, having graduated with Bachelor degrees in both PE and Sports Science, and interestingly, Architecture.

Squinzani joined the club after Carreira relinquished his role as the club's goalkeeping coach back in September when he returned to Spain due to personal reasons, following his family in moving back to his country of birth.

In his time coaching, he's seen 10 of his players called-up to international duty for various age groups, with Marcus Bettinelli becoming the latest with his call-up to the England squad.

RAFAEL CRISTOBAL

Rafael Cristobal joined Fulham's coaching staff in the summer of 2018 with the role of assistant first team coach, a role that sees him work closely with the fitness coaches at the club.

He has 18 years experience in football, having graduated from university in La Coruna with a degree in Osteopathy, the same subject that Ceserani studied, with most of those years spent in his native Spain.

In his time as a coach, Cristobal has worked at Las Palmas, from where he joined Fulham from after his second spell at the club, as well as Deportivo Alaves, Levante and Valladolid.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-coaching-staff-slavisa-jokanovic-14853572

WhiteJC

 
Jokanovic needs more bite from midfield



Adrian Clarke says Fulham head coach needs his team to protect defence better at Huddersfield

Adrian Clarke looks at tactical battles set to take place in Matchweek 11.

Huddersfield Town v Fulham

Fulham's constantly changing defence has come in for criticism in recent weeks, but it is not solely responsible for the concession of 28 goals in 10 matches.

The midfield unit in front of Slavisa Jokanovic's backline has underperformed too, not offering enough protection.

An unsettled start

While much focus has been on Jokanovic not naming the same goalkeeper and defensive unit for two matches in a row, a similar story has taken place within Fulham's central midfield too.

The Fulham head coach has experimented with six different combinations here.

He has yet to use last season's outstanding Championship midfield trio of Tom Cairney, Stefan Johansen and Kevin McDonald and has struggled to find the right blend on and off the ball combining these three and Jean Michael Seri and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.

Fulham's central midfield combinations

Opp    KM    TC    JMS    AA    SJ
CRY (H)    X    X    X         
TOT (A)         X    X    X    
BUR (H)    X    X    X         
BHA (A)    X         X    X    
MCI (A)    X         X         X
WAT (H)    X         X         X
EVE (A)              X    X    
ARS (H)              X    X    
CAR (A)    X         X         X
BOU (H)    X         X         

Lacking solidity

Too often Fulham have given their opponents an easy ride inside the middle third.

Teams facing the Cottagers have been able to pass the ball between the lines too easily, running through large gaps on the break, and enjoying too much time to look up and pick the right pass. This only adds to the problems for a vulnerable defence behind the midfield.

As a collective average Fulham's five central midfielders have each won 1.07 tackles and 1.18 interceptions per 90 minutes.

These are on the low side for players in their position.

Can they push themselves harder?

Midfielders    Sprints/90    FUL rank    Top speed    FUL rank
Seri    5.3    16    32.2km/h    10
McDonald    2.6    18    31.3km/h    15
Anguissa    5.9    14    30.9km/h    18
Cairney    1.8    19    30.9km/h    17
Johansen    7.6    11    31.2km/h    16

To make progress Jokanovic's midfielders must show more willingness to do the dirty work.

While they cover plenty of distance (all five are in Fulham's top 10) none have shown enough bite or determination.

They are not quick players, which may in itself be an issue, but I would still expect them to have made more sprints per 90 minutes.

As for closing opponents down, tracking back, or running at full speed to cover a team-mate, Fulham's midfield can do better.

Protecting the full-backs

Monday night's opponents Huddersfield Town love to get the ball into wide areas, and this has been an area of weakness for Fulham.

Eighteen of the goals Fulham have conceded have stemmed from opponents exploiting gaps behind the full-backs, or between them and the nearest centre-back.

While the Fulham back four would have benefited from better support from the midfield.

Terriers' crossing quality

If Jokanovic starts with a midfield three, the widest man to the ball must ensure his full-backs are not left in 2v1s.

If they are, the Terriers will be able to deliver quality into the box.

To limit the goals they concede Jokanovic must come up with a plan where they defend much better from front to back.



https://www.premierleague.com/news/898541


WhiteJC

 
Andre Schurrle reveals who Fulham's penalty taker will be this season - when they finally get one

Fulham news includes a look at who Fulham's penalty taker will be in the Premier League this season

Aleksandar Mitrovic will be the man handed the responsibilities to step up to the spot when Fulham eventually get a penalty this season.

The summer signing from Newcastle United has bagged himself five goals already this season for his side, continuing his fine run of form that saw him score 12 goals last season in the Championship.

Those goals this season saw him lead the Premier League scoring charts for a time, but he is without a goal in over a month now, with his last coming in the 1-1 draw with Watford at the end of September.

Fulham have yet to be awarded a penalty so far this season, but have given two away, with Mitrovic responsible for conceding one at Brighton and Hove Albion, while Timothy Fosu-Mensah gave one away in the 3-0 defeat to AFC Bournemouth.

However, team mate and fellow summer signing, Andre Schurrle, has revealed that Mitrovic is the man who will be tasked with putting away the spot kicks this season and that the Serbian striker has been practicing regularly in training.

That said, Schurrle, who is only a goal behind Mitrovic in the scoring charts at Fulham, backs himself to take the side's penalties too.


(Image: Henry Browne/Getty Images)

He told Soccer AM: "Mitrovic will be the first to give it a shot when we finally get one - until he misses.

"He's been practising a lot so he's prepared for when we get one. Maybe they don't know my stats.

"I can shoot a penalty but my percentage is about 60-40. I like taking them when the opportunity is there I will shoot."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/andre-schurrle-reveals-who-fulhams-15370405

WhiteJC

 
TARGET MAN West Ham transfer news: Hammers reportedly plotting loan move for ex-Fulham striker Kostas Mitroglou

The Greek international flopped in England before, but has since rediscovered his scoring form elsewhere

West Ham United are reportedly weighing up a potential move to sign former Fulham forward Kostas Mitroglou on loan.

The 30-year-old is currently at Marseille after having rebuilt his career with Olympiacos and Benfica.

Prior to this, he flopped at Craven Cottage and suffered multiple injuries during his time at the London club.

Mitroglou has already bagged three this season, however, according to the Mail, Marseille want to streamline their wage bill and loan him out.

West Ham showing plenty of interest ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

The Hammers currently have Marco Arnautovic, Andy Carroll, Javier Hernandez and Lucas Perez as their main centre-forward options, with Arnautovic proving to be the only one scoring consistently for the side.



https://talksport.com/football/441857/west-ham-transfer-news-fulham-striker-kostas-mitroglou/

WhiteJC

 
Huddersfield Town v Fulham
MON 05 Nov 2018   Premier League
Venue: John Smith's Stadium



Huddersfield head coach David Wagner last saw his side score a league goal at home in April.

TEAM NEWS

Huddersfield could welcome back Terence Kongolo, Tommy Smith and Rajiv van la Parra from injury and Abdelhamid Sabiri after illness.

Terriers boss David Wagner has said Danny Williams is the only player definitely unavailable to him.

Fulham midfielder Kevin McDonald is eligible after he missed the League Cup defeat to Manchester City due to suspension.

Defender Joe Bryan remains on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.


VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT

Huddersfield head coach David Wagner: "Everyone feels that we are ready and that we really want to take this opportunity.

"We have to create an atmosphere on the pitch and show everyone that the Terriers are here to get something."

Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic on his future: "This kind of situation is part of football. I am not here three days, I am here three years and the board must have some kind of opinion about my work.

"From my side, I have the confidence, and believe in my job. People around me are professional and we don't try to make some crazy things.

"We know it's not an easy job ahead of us, we must be brave and encourage the team not to stop, never give up."


LAWRO'S PREDICTION

On current form, this looks like it could be a game in the Championship next season - these two teams have managed one win from their combined 20 league games so far.

Huddersfield have not scored a goal in any of their five home games this season either, but surely that has to change against a Fulham team with the worst defensive record in the Premier League?

Prediction: 2-1


MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

    This is their first top-flight meeting since Fulham beat Huddersfield 1-0 at Craven Cottage in April 1952.
    Fulham are unbeaten in the last 11 league meetings.
    The Cottagers beat the Terriers by an aggregate score of 9-1 in their two matches in the Championship in the 2016-17 season.

Huddersfield

    Huddersfield could become only the second team in English Football League history to fail to score in their first six home games of a season, after Mansfield who failed to score in their first nine in the third tier in 1971-72.
    In total, they have failed to score in their last seven home top-flight matches.
    Since they scored against Watford in April, Huddersfield have had 76 shots in home Premier League games without scoring.
    Only three teams have had a winless run of at least 11 matches from the beginning of a Premier League season and gone on to avoid relegation - Derby County (13 in 2000-01), Everton (12 in 1994-95) and Blackburn Rovers (11 in 1996-97).

Fulham

    Fulham have made their worst-ever start after 10 matches of a top-flight season (W1, D2, L7).
    They have equalled the Premier League record for most goals conceded after the opening 10 matches of a season of 28, joining Barnsley (1997-98) and Southampton (2012-13). The Premier League record after the opening 11 fixtures is 29 by the Saints.
    Fulham have conceded at least three goals in each of their last four Premier League games - only Sunderland in November 2005 have done so in five consecutive matches.
    They are one short of 300 top flight victories.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46013922


WhiteJC

 
David Wagner calls on Huddersfield Town fans ahead of Fulham "six-pointer"

"This has to be the atmosphere which a six-pointer deserves"

David Wagner has called on the Huddersfield Town fans to "create an atmosphere a six-pointer deserves" when the Terriers host Fulham on Monday night.

Both teams are struggling in the Premier League this term, with Wagner's Terriers yet to win a game in the league.

Fulham on the other hand have taken one victory from their first 10 matches, but have taken no points from their last four outings, conceding 15 goals in the process.

Both sides find themselves in the relegation zone and will be hoping to clinch three points at the John Smith's Stadium on Monday to stop them from falling behind in the race for survival.

Wagner understands the fans could play a crucial role on Bonfire Night and has called on the Town faithful to create an atmosphere fitting of the occasion.

When asked about Fulham's strengths in Friday's press conference, the head coach said: "Obviously you can see where their strengths are and this is the offence.

"They are comfortable on the ball, they like to dominate the ball and they like to play football, but if you do this, you make mistakes.

"This is the nature of the game. The more you try to dominate the ball and to play football, the more mistakes you do.

"You can see where, in the past, which makes no difference to Monday, they had some problems as well.

"For us, it is important to make sure that we are on our best and that we show exactly the performances which we have shown in the last home games and in the away games against Burnley, for example.

"This is the most important thing.

"If we are on our best then we have a chance to be successful, but first we have to be at our best.

"We play at home, we have our supporters at our back - this has to be the atmosphere which a six-pointer deserves, even if it is early on in the season.

"This is why I call on our supporters to create this atmosphere."



https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/david-wagner-calls-huddersfield-town-15365749

WhiteJC

 
2 things that have to change at Fulham to avoid Premier League relegation

Fulham's return to the Premier League has not quite been going to plan for manager Slavisa Jokanovic.

His exciting brand of football which worked so well last term has so far failed to yield the sort of results he might have expected, and it is becoming to be a bit of a worry for Cottagers fans who fear their club might well be on their way back down after one season.

However, with a big game against fellow relegation strugglers Huddersfield tomorrow, there is a big chance for the Cottagers to get a vital three points on the board and relieve some of the pressure building on Jokanovic.

With that in mind, we at the Tavern decided to take a closer look at Fulham and pinpoint TWO things we thing have to change at Craven Cottage in order for the club to avoid relegation...

Consistency in defence
It's been well documented, but Jokanovic has failed to keep the same defence in more or less every game this season, and it's proving costly.

Fulham simply need to decide on who they want to build around at the back and stick with it. Above any other position on the pitch, defensive consistency is key, and if Jokanovic can sort that out, it gives his charges a vastly increased chance of performing well in the top flight.

Get more from their key men
It's a bit of a worry that only four Fulham players have managed to hit the back of the net this term, and that simply has to change.

Alongside this, Fulham need to get the best from their key players, such as Ryan Sessegnon, and Tom Cairney, who were both instrumental last season.

Sessegnon is young and can be half forgiven, but he is still a talent, and now more than ever would be the ideal time for him to find his feet in the top flight and start adding some goals to his game.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/2-things-that-have-to-change-at-fulham-to-avoid-premier-league-relegation/

WhiteJC

 
'Miracles don't exist' but Slavisa Jokanovic accepts Fulham must react against Huddersfield Town

Fulham travel to Huddersfield Town on Monday night in what is being billed as

Slavisa Jokanovic is aware miracles don't exist as he tries to turn Fulham's season on its head - but accepts his side must make an immediate reaction to satisfy their fans.

The Whites travel to Huddersfield Town on Monday in what is the biggest game of the season so far for both teams as 20th meets 19th in an early season relegation six-pointer and it's a game that could go a long way in determining what path Fulham's season will take from here on in.

A win for Jokanovic's side would ease the pressure on him and bump them up to 16th in the table, but defeat would mean Huddersfield leapfrog Fulham, leaving them rooted to the foot of the Premier League with a daunting trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool up next.

Progress has been slow this season, but everyone connect to the club knows that the trip to Yorkshire is an opportunity for the side to show they're improving after their poor start, and while Jokanovic knows that miracles don't exist, he's expecting his side to give the fans something to make them satisfied.

He said: "I cannot complain about the supporters. I know how many, many people is around us and I know how they want us to be successful. I know our target is to do everything to win the game and make them satisfied.

"Miracles don't exist and neither does some fast work or something what you can immediately change. We need some kind of time, but time doesn't exist and I will accept that, and we must make immediately some kind of reaction.

"From another side, always in our stadium and away from home games, we feel our people push us and support the team to do a good job.

"At the moment, we didn't give them enough back but we're working in this area to make them satisfied."

It has taken Fulham's new recruits, and their Championship stars, to adapt to life in the Premier League - whether that be because of tactics, the division itself or life in a new country.

However, there are green shots appearing, with Jean-Michael Seri starting to show his ability once more, while Sergio Rico in goal is looking like a solid signing for the club.

And ahead of the Huddersfield game, Jokanovic has challenged his players to improve on the performances they put in last season to cope with the demands of the Premier League.

He added: "For many players, people need time for adaptation. People sometimes believe it's easy but it's not easy to adapt yourself for professional and personal life.

"At the end, all these people need some time to settle a little better and we are patiently waiting for this.

"New players, old players from last season need to adapt themselves on a different level, this is the Premier League, it's not the Championship. This is the difference.

"It's not enough for the players from last season to make what they made last season. Why? Because this is Premier League, one of the most competitive leagues in the world and it's the same situation with myself too.

"It's a challenge for me, it's a challenge for my players, it's a challenge for the new players too and we must be available for this opportunity."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/miracles-dont-exist-slavisa-jokanovic-15369894


WhiteJC

 
'Miracles don't exist': Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic calls for realism as his side aim to pull away from Premier League relegation zone

    Fulham are desperately trying to pull away from wrong end of Premier League
    The Cottagers have struggled to make the step up following their promotion
    They travel to winless Huddersfield for a battle of the bottom two on Monday

Slavisa Jokanovic has warned Fulham fans that 'miracles don't exist' as the club look to pull away from the wrong end of the Premier League table.

Optimism was high at Craven Cottage in the summer after promotion to the top flight was followed by 12 new signings costing in excess of £100million.

But the Cottagers have struggled to make the step up and travel to winless Huddersfield for a battle of the bottom two on Monday evening.


Fulham have endured a very torrid start to the season, sitting 19th in the Premier League

Manager Jokanovic admits the fans have every reason to feel let down by the disappointing start to the season, although he acknowledges there is no quick fix.

'I cannot complain about the supporters. I know many, many people are around us,' said the Serbian.

'I know how they want us to be successful. I know our target is to do everything to win the game and make them satisfied.

'Miracles don't exist. We need some kind of time. Time doesn't exist and we have to accept that we are going to make it immediately some kind of reaction.

'From another side, always in our stadium and away from home games, we feel our people push us and support the team to do a good job.


Slavisa Jokanovic's side have let in 28 goals in just 10 Premier League games this season

'At the moment, we didn't give them enough back but we're working in this area to make them satisfied.'

Fulham will arrive at the John Smith's Stadium having picked up just one win and five points from 10 fixtures.

The west London's club's pre-season recruitment included seven players signed from abroad and only five with previous Premier League experience.

Jokanovic, who is managing in England's top division for the first time, insists it takes time for people to adapt and called for patience.

'For many players, people need time for adaptation. People sometimes believe it's easy but it's not easy to adapt yourself for professional and personal life,' said Jokanovic.


Fulham take on winless Huddersfield in a battle of the bottom two on Monday evening

'At the end, all these people need some time to settle a little better and we are patiently waiting for this.

'New players, old players from last season need to adapt themselves on a different level, this is the Premier League, it's not the Championship. This is the difference.

'It's not enough for the players from last season to make what they made last season. Why? Because this is the Premier League, one of the most competitive leagues in the world and it's the same situation with myself too.

'It's a challenge for me, it's a challenge for my players, and we must be available for this opportunity.'

Midfielder Kevin McDonald returns to contention against the Terriers following suspension, but defender Joe Bryan remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6352587/Jokanovic-calls-realism-Fulham-aim-pull-away-Premier-League-relegation-zone.html

WhiteJC

 
Huddersfield vs Fulham: Failure to fleece six points against Terriers may signal the end for Slavisa Jokanovic

At the start of October, Jokanovic claimed there were only two types of manager: "the sacked and the ones who are about to be sacked" - a prelude perhaps to his side failing to win a single point and conceding 12 goals in three games in the month

In July, Fulham flew to Thonon-Les-Bains in France for what was supposed to be a luxuriating preseason training camp in contrast to the previous year's slog across Eastern Europe.

A small town of 35,000, best recognised by the crystal blue of Lake Geneva, small stadiums are set against the backdrop of Switzerland's snow-capped mountains. The serene setting where Stravinsky wrote the Rite of Spring and Russian emigré's build summer mansions to escape London's metropolis - an apt destination for Putney's professionals to stretch their legs between Chamonix and the Valais region if there ever was one.

But rich Russians and sojourning South West Londoner's aren't the only settlers on the lake's banks, colloquially dubbed the Swiss Riviera. Lake Geneva is also the home of 'les curistes' - nourishment neurotics who visit the surrounding spas where the 'pure' water is integrated into treatments such as cling film-wrapped seaweed mousses and anti-ageing serums.

However, it was in fact there in the healer's paradise that the problem to catalyse Jokanovic's proliferation of wrinkles manifested. Fulham may have only played two preseason friendlies in East France - scoring nil and conceding seven to Fenerbache and Lyon - but those matches prompted the club's hierarchy to sign no less than eleven new players, eight of whom were defensively orientated, prior to Fulham's opening day defeat to Crystal Palace.

The supermarket rush not only destabilised the squad but unsettled the manager who has spent the first ten games of this season relentlessly tinkering with defensive combinations - six times in ten games - all of which have come to curdle.

Certainly, Fulham weren't any closer to a solution last weekend when beholding a home turf battering by Bournemouth. In fact, on current course, Fulham are only just shy of breaking Swindon Town's near quarter-century old record of conceding 100 goals in a single season.

At the start of October, Jokanovic claimed there were only two types of manager: "the sacked and the ones who are about to be sacked" - a prelude perhaps to his side failing to win a single point and conceding 12 goals in three games in the month.

Jokanovic was summoned for another follicle-weakening appointment with club owner Shahid Khan, prior to Fulham's fairly restrained defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup last Thursday evening.

No doubt the manager will have pointed to last season's promotion-winning Championship campaign where Fulham only won four out of their first 17 games before starting a 23-match unbeaten streak two days prior to Christmas. Whether Khan can be convinced to call bluff until another post-Claus miracle, having wagered over £100m on the higher-stakes green-felted Premier League, remains an altogether different matter.

It's quite the contrast to the Terriers, whose squad is indisputably inferior to Fulham's and who should in theory finish a bone's throw below. Huddersfield already performed their own miracle to reach the Premier League. Staying afloat last season with late draws against Manchester City and Chelsea was almost a matter of divine nonpareil.

For that reason alone, despite sitting two places and points below and still awaiting a first scalp of the season, there is a calm stability to the club. David Wagner, still in only his second managerial role, is a coach on the ascent and will be backed by the owners regardless even of relegation this season.

Yet at Fulham, there is an expectancy which demands more than faith. The doubts linger as to whether Jokanovic has already peaked, despite only being three years older than Wagner. There is an inevitability to his departure and failure to fleece all three points from West Yorkshire on Monday evening may well signal the end. A second victory of the season more reprieve than resurrection.

The Serb is a serially nomadic manager. Despite being in his fourth season at Fulham, the Cottagers are still the sixth club he's taken charge of in the last six years. A hit in his home country, Israel and Thailand, bust in Bulgaria and Spain, one senses his second stint in London has aged and greyed him more than any other. Perhaps, at Fulham, the last of his healing powers have been depleted.



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/slavisa-jokanovic-fulham-vs-huddersfield-preview-shahid-khan-david-wagner-premier-league-efl-a8617596.html

WhiteJC

 
Slavisa Jokanovic's muddled, uncertain Fulham find the stakes are high for visit to rock-bottom Huddersfield

Chaos and uncertainty reign at Fulham, where the excitement created by a record-breaking transfer window has drifted away with the autumn leaves. No Premier League side has ever conceded more goals in their opening 10 games, and Fulham's defending has been so haphazard that Slavisa Jokanovic, their head coach, is running out of ways to analyse it. After watching the footage of last week's thrashing by Bournemouth, Jokanovic's reaction was straightforward. "Wow," he said. "What the f*** is this?"

The situation has grown more worrying with each shot that nestles in the Fulham net. From being a side tipped to challenge for the top half of the table, Fulham are now on course to go down with the worst defensive record in Premier League history. Only Huddersfield, who are as blunt in attack as Fulham are shambolic at the back, sit below them in the league table. Monday night's meeting at the John Smith's Stadium — a clash between the movable object and the stoppable force — will therefore provide a clearer indication of just how dire the situation has become for both Fulham and Jokanovic, who may not survive another drubbing.

To get a picture of just how muddled this campaign has been, look no further than the treatment of goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli. A London lad, who has spent his entire career with the club, Bettinelli was a key figure in their promotion run last season, which culminated with him sprinting around Wembley, a smoke bomb held above his head, in celebration of their play-off victory over Aston Villa.

Come the first game of this season, though, Bettinelli had been dropped from the Fulham squad altogether. Two new goalkeepers, Fabri and Sergio Rico, had arrived as part of the club's £100 million outlay, and Bettinelli had already fallen to third choice. Except by the time played Fulham played Burnley, in the third game of the season, he was back in the side. An England call-up followed within a few weeks, and Bettinelli was promptly awarded a new contract. But then he was dropped again, two days after signing the new deal, for last week's visit of Bournemouth.

The inconsistency in team selection goes far beyond the goalkeeping position. In defence, Jokanovic has not once played the same back-line in consecutive games, instead making 14 changes to his defenders alone so far this season. New recruits like Calum Chambers and Maxime Le Marchand have been error-prone, while more established figures such as Tim Ream have struggled to adapt. The constant changing of the side has concerned the players, and there is a growing feeling of uncertainty in the dressing room.

The club would surely have known that it would take their boatload of summer signings — 12, in total — time to settle, but the obvious question is whether there was simply too much upheaval. It is a concerning fact that in three of the last five seasons, the promoted club that spent the most money in the summer transfer window was relegated at the end of the campaign.

The club decided in spite of this that major investment was required to make them competitive. There was also a sense of opportunism around their recruitment, which was led by Tony Khan, the director of football operations and son of owner Shahid. The deadline day signing of £30m midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, for example, took place at late notice as the club did not originally think he would be available from Marseille. It is understood that this change of circumstances saw them pivot away from other targets, including Jokanovic's first-choice defender, as funds were instead diverted towards the Cameroon midfielder.

If personnel is one issue, the system is another. Jokanovic is committed to the expansive style of football that achieved promotion, but it is leaving them vulnerable. The return to fitness of captain Tom Cairney, a controlling presence in midfield, could therefore be crucial. Cairney has not been fit enough to start since their 4-2 win over Burnley in August, and Fulham have not won a league game since.

The squad has been built to play this type of football, though, and Jokanovic is unlikely to change his ways. Ultimately, this may prove his undoing, even if Shahid Khan has insisted he has "all the confidence" in his head coach. It should not be forgotten that Rene Meulensteen received "100 per cent" backing from Khan only 11 days before he was replaced in 2014. After a murky start, it is increasingly clear that the omens are not good, and that the stakes are high on Monday.




https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/11/05/slavisa-jokanovics-muddled-uncertain-fulham-find-stakes-high/


WhiteJC

 
No goals in his last four matches: Fulham must get Aleksandar Mitrovic involved against Huddersfield


Fulham travel to Huddersfield Town tonight in a massive clash between the league's bottom two sides, with both clubs starting the season in terrible form.

The Whites must get star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic involved heavily against the Terriers, as the Serbian international has been starved of service and goals after his red-hot start to the year.

Mitrovic bagged five goals in his first six Premier League matches, yet has since endured a four-match match goalless drought.

And when the 24-year-old is kept quiet, Fulham simply don't score — the Cottagers have bagged just three goals in the past 360 minutes.

The last four defeats cannot be attributed to Mitrovic, as Fulham's lack of attacking creativity left the striker stranded up top, with minimal service and deliveries into the box.

This frustrating isolation even led the Serbian to drop deeper and deeper into his own half against Bournemouth last week, getting stuck in defensively in order to singlehandedly launch attacks.

As admirable as his actions were, they are the last thing Slavisa Jokanovic wanted his striker to do, and blame must lie on the centre of midfield and wingers for failing to provide Mitrovic with scoring opportunities.

Nevertheless, it is not all doom and gloom for the Whites, as the anticipated return of Tom Cairney to the lineup will spark the attacking fire of Slavisa Jokanovic's side.

With Cairney operating in midfield to revitalise Fulham's possession-style of play, the Whites must seek to get Aleksandar Mitrovic involved in the match in order to take advantage of his early-season form.



https://tbrfootball.com/no-goals-in-his-last-four-matches-fulham-must-get-aleksandar-mitrovic-involved-against-huddersfield/

WhiteJC

 
Match preview


Huddersfield Town are targeting their first victory while Fulham are seeking to end a run of four straight losses as two of the bottom three teams meet at the John Smith's Stadium.

Team news

Huddersfield Town welcome back Rajiv van La Parra and Hamid Sabiri following illness and have only Danny Williams (knee) unavailable for selection.

Joe Bryan (hamstring) is out for Fulham, who otherwise have no injury concerns with captain Tom Cairney (ankle) fit again.

Did you know?

This will be the first top-flight meeting between these sides since April 1952, when Fulham won 1-0 at Craven Cottage.

Since scoring against Watford in April, Huddersfield have had 76 shots in Premier League home matches without finding the net, with 17 different players registering efforts on goal in that time.

Fulham are unbeaten in their last 11 league meetings with the Terriers and beat them by an aggregate score of 9-1 in their last two showdowns in the 2016/17 Championship.

Ryan Sessegnon, who scored his first PL goal in Fulham's last away match at Cardiff City, could become the youngest player to score in consecutive PL away matches since Wayne Rooney in 2004. He will be 18 years 171 days old on Monday.

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn
Fourth official: Jonathan Moss



https://www.premierleague.com/news/894155

WhiteJC

 
Why Huddersfield's survival rests on next five games

Huddersfield Town rightly earned plaudits from all sides for surviving the 2017/18 Premier League season against the odds. David Wagner's team finished four points clear while working with one of the top flight's lowest budgets. Ultimately, a one-goal draw led to celebratory scenes in the North of England. The next match against Arsenal at the John Smith's Stadium was a party in the stands. Joyful fans saluted the team and manager for their achievements.

Fast-forward five months and the feeling around Huddersfield has something to do with frying pans and fires. The Terriers rest at the Premier League table's bottom. When Newcastle beat Watford on Ayoze Perez's 65th-minute header on Saturday, Town became the only club without a win in the Premier League. They can correct that tonight against Fulham but, going on their body of work to date, it won't be easy.

Huddersfield own a league-low four goals while also conceding 21, more than two per game. A 3-0 defeat last week to the same Watford side Toon dispatched on the weekend sent them to the bottom. Preseason concerns the club would face a relegation fight are being realised.

While the view is bleak, a glance at coming fixtures offers optimism. Huddersfield's opening games included battles against Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as a trip to take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium that should have been attended by Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon. All three opponents remain unbeaten. The Terriers also faced Tottenham, Everton and Leicester, all teams in the top ten this season and last.

While the difficult start is not ideal for any club, the Terriers' next five games comprise Fulham, West Ham, Wolves, Brighton and Bournemouth.  All are contests from which players, staff and fans should feel they can take points.

Fulham come first and, just above Wagner's side in the table, are arguably most important. If Huddersfield can pick up their season's first win against the Cottagers, it may serve as a springboard going forward.

Afterwards, Huddersfield can build momentum. Last season saw them pick up six points in their return fixtures against West Ham, Brighton and Bournemouth. If they can repeat that this season, as well as taking valuable points from newly promoted Fulham and Wolves, they'll be in a much better position going into the Christmas period.

If they fail to take three points from Fulham, the pressure increases in the following matches. The longer the Terriers go winless, the harder it will be to break their duck. In addition to external pressures, the squad's confidence will erode. Wagner cannot afford for his team to remain bottom when this stretch is complete.

In order to record that much-needed first win, play in the two important areas, the final third and their own box, must improve. Wagner must focus his squad on the small details that paint a picture where the team is scoring and not conceding.

Picking up wins over the coming weeks may very well decide where Huddersfield plays in 2019/20.



https://www.itsroundanditswhite.co.uk/articles/huddersfield-town-must-be-terriers-in-november-to-escape-premier-league-relegation-battle


WhiteJC

 
Why Fulham's midfield trio of Cairney, Anguissa and Seri is vital to club's survival chances

Fulham news includes a look at the midfield trio and why they hold the key to the club's Premier League survival hopes

Fulham's midfield hasn't been the machine it was last season just yet in the Premier League, but with Tom Cairney's return it provides an opportunity for Slavisa Jokanovic to start to change that.

Thursday night's 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup saw the midfield trio of Cairney, Jean-Michael Seri and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa play together for the first time since the second game of the season and the 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.

That particular game saw Anguissa thrust into the side having only joined training during the week, and it showed, with the Cameroonian struggling in the defensive areas of the midfield.

Seri, another big money arrival in the summer, has also failed to live up to the hype surrounding his arrival so far too - since the 4-2 win over Burnley, the Ivory Coast man has coasted through games and not had anywhere near the impact we saw from him in those first handful of games.

While the defence is getting all the negative headlines thrown its way for the amount of goals conceded, it's important to point out that Fulham's midfield has also struggled, with Stefan Johansen not quite up to the standards of the Premier League, while Kevin McDonald has also found difficulty in dominating the midfield area like he did last season.

But against City we finally saw the trio that looks like it will be Fulham's base to build on this season, with Anguissa, Seri and Cairney all playing there for only the second time - and the difference between that performance and the last time they played together was vast.

And that trio will be vital in dragging Fulham out of the relegation battle they currently find themselves in.

We already know what Cairney brings to the team, while Seri alongside the skipper looks far more comfortable - he's allowed to play his game on the edge of the box and not have to worry about being the creative part of the midfield from deep.

What we have yet to see is the capability that Anguissa has to dominate the midfield, but we saw glimpses of that against Manchester City.

It's tough for the 22-year-old coming from France and learning to adapt to the English game, but that's been made all the more difficult as a result of him never playing as the only defensive midfielder before.

We already know what Cairney brings to the team, while Seri alongside the skipper looks far more comfortable - he's allowed to play his game on the edge of the box and not have to worry about being the creative part of the midfield from deep.

What we have yet to see is the capability that Anguissa has to dominate the midfield, but we saw glimpses of that against Manchester City.

It's tough for the 22-year-old coming from France and learning to adapt to the English game, but that's been made all the more difficult as a result of him never playing as the only defensive midfielder before.

Fulham midfield partnerships this season

Crystal Palace: McDonald, Seri, Cairney

Tottenham: Cairney, Seri, Anguissa

Burnley: McDonald, Cairney, Seri,

Exeter: Anguissa, Cisse, Johansen

Brighton: McDonald, Seri, Anguissa

Man City: McDonald, Seri, Johansen

Watford: McDonald, Seri, Johansen

Millwall: McDonald, Anguissa

Everton: Seri, Anguissa

Arsenal: Seri, Anguissa

Cardiff: McDonald, Seri, Johansen

Bournemouth: McDonald, Seri

Man City: Cairney, Seri, Anguissa

"We tried, for another side, to teach him to be available to support the team, he has some kind of the quality and he can be a useful player for us in the future."

Part of the reason that Fulham have conceded so many goals this season is the gaps between the midfield and defence, something the holding midfielder is responsible for.

But as Anguissa develops in training and learns how to play that role, as well as developing a relationship with both Cairney and Seri, I think we'll start to see the foundations of a solid midfield unit that can start to have more of a say on games than we've seen in the past recently.

At times on Thursday night against City, you could see the potential this midfield trio had.

Cairney, as we know he can do, split open the back four with a few passes, whilst Fulham's overall ball retention was far better than it has been in previous games.

Seri, meanwhile, was given the license to roam, allowing him to link passages of play and to get about the pitch, try and break up and play and generally put himself about, something I've previously mentioned we've seen little of since Cairney's injury.

But for me, Anguissa is the key.

While there were mistakes in his game, some sloppy passes or a broken tackle, he looked far better than he has done in a Fulham shirt so far and covered more ground across the front of the back four, something he needs to be doing more of in that role.

He's got the ability, getting to the Europa League final with Marseille last season shows that, and once he learns and gets more experience of playing as a single defensive midfielder, we'll start to see more and more of him.

Against Huddersfield Town this evening, this midfield trio will be vital.

Fulham won't enjoy more possession against a lot of teams this season, but tonight will be one of the games where they will, and with Cairney, Seri and Anguissa starting to form a strong midfield unit, the way they perform will have a huge say on whether or not their side take three points back to west London.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulhams-midfield-trio-cairney-anguissa-15370900

WhiteJC

 
Fulham chief Shahid Khan gets his wish as returning Tom Cairney bids to give strugglers their mojo back


Comeback king: Cairney played the full 90 minutes against City last week ( Getty Images )

During his visit to London last month, Fulham owner Shahid Khan made a personal plea to Tom Cairney to get back from injury as fast as he could.

Cairney had been out for two months with an ankle problem and Khan knew Fulham were missing their captain.

"He said we need a bit of our mojo back and he said get back as soon as possible," said Cairney. "He was trying to lift spirits. He was always around the players, wanting to know how we were. It was good to have him around."

Khan's plea was answered, as Cairney returned as a substitute against Bournemouth last weekend. Fulham lost 3-0 but the sight of Cairney back in action provided a lift for the team and under-fire head coach Slavisa Jovanovic.

Cairney then completed 90 minutes against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup last Thursday and on Monday he is set to lead out Fulham at Huddersfield.

Fulham have failed to win in the seven Premier League matches since Cairney got injured against Burnley in August. He is crucial to the way Fulham play, so his return to fitness is a timely boost for Jokanovic as he battles to turn things around.

"It has been so frustrating," said Cairney, who scored the winner in the play-off final at Wembley in May to get Fulham into the Premier League.

"The hardest thing is when you feel like you cannot do anything to help. The win against Burnley was positive and we looked good, and then watching from the sidelines since then we have not been ourselves.

"I am going to have to get on the bike again and get up to where I was as quickly as possible."

Fulham need Cairney back in the sort of form which has reportedly led to Gareth Southgate considering him for an England call-up. Cairney, born in Nottingham, is a Scotland international but his two caps have been in friendlies so he could switch to England.


https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-chief-shahid-khan-gets-his-wish-as-returning-tom-cairney-bids-to-give-strugglers-their-mojo-a3980621.html