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Saturday Fulham Stuff (10/11/18)...

Started by WhiteJC, November 10, 2018, 08:04:05 AM

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WhiteJC

 
FM19 sims how many of the bottom five clubs Big Sam could lead to safety

There has not been a sacking in the Premier League so far this season but with the November international break approaching, it won't be long before heads are rolling. Which is good news for Sam Allardyce.

There were five sackings in the Premier League last November alone, while Big Sam has been hired in Autumn by a struggling Premier League club in each of the last three seasons (Sunderland, Crystal Palace, and Everton), successfully avoiding the drop every time. He has become a fire-fighting specialist, which means he will almost certainly be appointed before Christmas by an anxious club owner willing to sacrifice aesthetics for Premier League survival.

But who among the current bottom five clubs, all of which could be considering a change of manager in the coming months, would be most successful with Allardyce at the helm? We took to Football Manager 2019 to find out.

Using the FM Editor we cloned Big Sam four times, putting the five men in control of Fulham, Southampton, Cardiff, Newcastle, and Huddersfield.

There's no way to artificially manufacture the real-life league table, so Allardyce takes over in late June 2018 (with transfer windows kept closed for the first summer). The game was simmed for one year, until May 13.

Here's how he got on:



Southampton – 14th, sacked on December 5 in 18th

Clearly the Southampton board never really took to Big Sam, which is fair enough when you consider fans are already irritated by the very un-Southampton-y Mark Hughes.

Saints got rid of Allardyce in early December with the club residing in the bottom three – but after a tricky run of fixtures it had looked as though Southampton were stabilising.

Allardyce can feel hard done by here. Four points from the last two matches, against Huddersfield and West Ham, made it nine from the last eight – which isn't too bad at all, especially with the club trying to rebuild confidence following defeats to Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City in their opening eight league games.

Southampton replaced Big Sam with Andres Villas-Boas, who led the team to 14th thanks to a flurry of wins at the end of the season that – adding insult to injury – relegated Allardyce's Fulham.

High point: A dominant performance and a debut goal for Danny Ings gave Southampton the perfect start with a 1-0 win over Watford. They lost their next six.

Low point: When confidence is low it can sometimes feel as if everything is going against you. In a must-win game that Southampton had dominated, Christian Benteke scored an 88th-minute winner for Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Victory here, three weeks before the sack, and Allardyce would surely have kept his job.



Fulham – 19th, sacked on May 12

Things could easily have been so very, very different. After winning 15 points from the first 10 league games Allardyce had apparently proven the doubters wrong, although Fulham fans (who had enjoyed Slavisa Jokanovic's expansive football) were obviously still aggrieved.

Then it all fell apart. A miserable 18 points from their final 28 games sealed a return to the Championship – their relegation confirmed in a 3-1 home defeat to Manchester City on matchday 36 – just two weeks after it had looked as though the great escape was on.

Fulham beat Southampton 3-0 in late April – their first win in 12 – to go within one point of Saints in 17th...only to lose their final three.

High point: A 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Craven Cottage in September, their third successive Premier League win, was vintage Allardyce. Things collapsed pretty much immediately after this.

Low point: Allardyce's 0-0 draw at home to Allardyce's Cardiff in February extended a run of four matches without scoring a goal. It was two points dropped that would ultimately cost them their Premier League status.



Cardiff – 20th, still in the job

How on earth Allardyce wasn't sacked is a mystery. Cardiff went down in spectacular fashion, with just 16 points and a host of new records.

They went 13 games without scoring. They failed to win a single home game. They were bottom of the table from matchday four and never left it. They scored 24 goals.

And yet Cardiff were clearly an Allardyce side, conceding a surprisingly low 65 goals. The Bluebirds only let in three or more goals on eight occasions in the league, generally losing by a one-goal margin.

High point: A 2-1 win at Burnley in late October finally ended fears that Cardiff would go the entire season with victory. A late Danny Ward penalty sealed the three points in a match Burnley – with more possession, shots, and chances – should have won.

The Bluebirds would win just once more, 3-1 at Huddersfield in February.

Low point: Everything else.



Newcastle – 12th, still in the job

The league table might look pretty good, but it took until the penultimate game of the season for Newcastle to secure their place in the top flight.

After winning once in their previous 13 league matches, it looked as though Allardyce's Newcastle were sliding towards relegation. But Big Sam pulled off a famous 2-0 win at home to Manchester United to avoid the drop.

That was undoubtedly the highlight after an appalling run through the middle of the campaign. Newcastle had 11 points after five matches, only to more or less collapse in on themselves until the win against the Red Devils.

High point: A 3-0 win over Burnley in September, extending an undefeated start, was the third game (out of five) in which the Magpies had scored three goals.

At that point it looked like Allardyce had finally sussed how to get Newcastle right. To be fair, they didn't drop into the bottom three once the entire season.

Low point: Weirdly, fan favourite Jonjo Shelvey failed to start a single game in any competition but made 24 appearances off the bench.

That must have been extremely annoying for everyone involved.



Huddersfield – 15th, still in the job

The most dramatic Allardyce story came at Huddersfield, where his all-but-doomed side somehow came back from the brink to survive relegation on the final day of the season.

A Nigel Pearson-esque run of 10 points from the final five fixtures boosted the Terriers up into 15th, two points above the drop zone on 39 points.

Huddersfield spent a total of 27 consecutive weeks in the bottom three, slumping in on matchday 11 and only rising above the dotted line on the final day. Miraculous.

High point: A 2-1 win at Palace on the last day did the job, courtesy of goals from Alex Pritchard and Dario Lezcano.

Low point: A 3-1 loss at Allardyce's Newcastle on the opening day was a pretty ominous sign, triggering a terrible first half of the campaign in which Huddersfield didn't record a home win until mid-December.





https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/fm19-sims-what-would-happen-if-the-bottom-five-clubs-appointed-big-sam/

WhiteJC

 
Liverpool squad vs Fulham revealed with Naby Keita raring to feature

The Reds midfield looks to be getting back to full strength ahead of their Premier League clash with the Cottagers

Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson are ready to feature against Fulham.

The Guinean international got off to a flier against West Ham on the opening weekend when he lined up with James Milner and Gini Wijnaldum for the Reds - but he hasn't performed at that level since and has been hampered by injuries.

The midfielder was hurt on international duty and hasn't played for Liverpool since the 0-0 draw with Manchester City in early October.

Now though, he has posted a video on his Instagram page showing him going through the paces in full training at Melwood and highlighting the fact he is back and ready to play.

The slow-motion video shows Keita receiving the ball before controlling the pass and moving forward to then play it across to another player on the training ground.

There are hopes the No.8 has now had time to adjust to life in England and as such will be up to the pace of Premier League football - providing the solution for manager Jurgen Klopp in that well-publicised midfield conundrum.

Club captain Jordan Henderson was also pictured in training yesterday and similarly posted a picture on his own social media page showing him kicking a ball around before adding to his story a video of him characteristically waiting to receive the ball and play it away.

Klopp has now confirmed both Keita and Henderson - along with Joe Gomez - will be available for the game against the Cottagers.

"It's nothing to discuss in public to be honest," Klopp said after being asked about Henderson and Gomez being called up to the England squad. "We will see how we deal with that.

"It's different with the two boys. If there's something to talk about I will say it to Gareth (Southampton). It's better than telling you and then he has to read it or whatever!

"We will see, but for the weekend they are all available."

And Klopp offered Liverpool fans something they have been waiting to hear for a while - an almost fully-fit midfield at his disposal.

"It's good to have them back, it's probably the first time that all midfield players apart from Ox are available," he added. "That's another thing to do, make decisions on who starts with who. It's all about fitness levels, form, shape, then we will see."

Liverpool squad: Alisson, Mignolet; Moreno, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Clyne, Matip, Van Dijk, Lovren, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Milner, Lallana, Shaqiri, Mane, Salah, Firmino, Sturridge, Solanke, Origi



https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-squad-vs-fulham-keita-15391863

WhiteJC

 
Premier League the most competitive in the world? You must be joking

The top five clubs have played the bottom five 19 times this season and won every one. There is nothing to celebrate in the top flight's great divide


Clockwise from top left: Fulham, Southampton, Newcastle, Cardiff and Huddersfield have conceded 108 goals between them. Composite: Getty Images, BPI/Rex/Shutterstock, Action Images

Amid all the gloom enveloping those at the wrong end of the Premier League table, where Fulham, Cardiff, Huddersfield, Newcastle and Southampton have conceded 108 goals between them, suffered 36 defeats and registered only one victory each, there is a ray of hope. On the basis of the results so far, only 22 points will be needed to stay up this season.

Although 11 fixtures is not much of a sample size from which to calculate a points-per-game ratio, the numbers do not lie and there is no getting away from just how poor the standard is in the lower reaches of the Premier League this season. The fact that this is the first time in 27 Premier League seasons that five clubs have seven or fewer points from their opening 11 matches says it all.

Newcastle, who won last Saturday for the first time this season, are somehow out of the relegation zone despite picking up only six points from 11 games. The survival bar could hardly be set any lower and it all feels so predictable. Cast the net a little further to include Burnley, who are lying in 15th place, and a strong case could be made to say that the bottom six now will be the bottom six come May, with only their order to be decided.

A glance towards the other end of the table shows how the other half live. Manchester City, the leaders, have as many points as Fulham, Cardiff, Huddersfield, Newcastle and Southampton – a quarter of the clubs – put together. By way of comparison, the bottom five had 10 points more than the league leaders at the same juncture last season – and Pep Guardiola's team, who were also top then, were two points better off than they are now.

The numbers say much about what the Premier League has become this season, with one set of results in particular highlighting the growing divide that makes a mockery of the idea that English football's top flight should be celebrated for its competitiveness.

Fulham, Cardiff, Huddersfield, Newcastle and Southampton have faced Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal – the top five – a total of 19 times this season. The record of the bottom five clubs in those matches reads: P19 W0 D0 L19 F12 A60. To put it bluntly, what is the point of those fixtures? What is clear is that the misery at the bottom cannot be seen in isolation from the joy at the top, where the big boys are racking up points like never before.

This is the first time in the Premier League era that three clubs – Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool – are still unbeaten after 11 games. Never before have five Premier League clubs had 23 points or more at this stage.

Reeling off all the facts and figures is one thing; trying to make sense of them is quite another. The obvious conclusion to draw initially is that the top clubs are getting better and the bottom five, collectively, are as bad as we have ever seen. That, however, seems a little simplistic and is almost certainly not true.


Leroy Sané begins the celebrations after one of the six goals Manchester City scored against Southampton. Photograph: Jon Super/Rex/Shutterstock

For a start, are Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal really that brilliant? The Champions League this season suggests otherwise. Lyon, fourth in Ligue 1, beat Manchester City. Red Star Belgrade, who are hardly a European powerhouse, and Napoli, third in Serie A, defeated Liverpool, while Spurs' hopes of reaching the knockout stage are hanging by a thread.

All of which throws the spotlight back on to the Premier League and specifically what is happening outside of the top five, or the top six as the case will soon be when Manchester United, one place behind high-flying Bournemouth, get their act together domestically. In the past couple of years there has been a movement towards a two-tier league in which mid-table has almost ceased to exist, yet that is definitely not the case this season, with Brighton, Wolves, Leicester, Everton and Watford already comfortably clear (eight to 13 points) of the bottom four and, realistically, not going to seriously threaten the monopoly of the big six.

The notable shift this season has taken place lower down, where a group of clubs are in danger of being cut adrift even before the leaves have finished falling from the trees, with their plight so desperate that league victories in November are celebrated like winning cup finals in May. They are playing survival football with 27 matches remaining.

In the case of Cardiff, who punched above their weight to win promotion, and Huddersfield, who did the same to retain their Premier League status last season, it is no real surprise to see them in the bottom three. Fulham, however, expected better than to be propping up the league after spending £100m in the summer and it says little for Slavisa Jokanovic's team that the only victories Cardiff and Huddersfield have managed this season have come at their expense.

As for the others, the writing has been on the wall for some time at Southampton, who avoided the drop by the skin of their teeth last season, and Newcastle's woes feel just as predictable on the back of a summer of discontent and under-investment. Burnley and Crystal Palace are not much better off and in many years would have found themselves in the bottom three with eight points from 11 games.

This, however, is unlike any other Premier League season and there is not much to celebrate about that.



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/nov/09/premier-league-top-five-bottom-five-great-divide


WhiteJC


Inside Anfield

The Anfield Wrap has been nominated in the Fan Media of the Year category at the upcoming Footballer Supporters' Federation awards. We caught up with Editor Josh Sexton, who assesses where this Liverpool side ranks for him, and what he's expecting from Sunday's match with Fulham.

Unbeaten and two points off the top of the Premier League table – as good a start as you could've hoped for?

Context is a funny thing for Liverpool supporters at the moment. The cold, hard facts suggest a flying start to the season, but the truth is that The Reds haven't been at their best on anything like a frequent enough basis. It's hard to pinpoint the exact reason behind that, but we're all living in hope that we can start to build up the kind of consistency in performance that Manchester City are attaining. The main thing is we have kept in touch with City so far, which I'm sure will be a frustration for Pep Guardiola and co given we haven't been at our best. As long as the results keep coming, the performances should follow.


Where does this current Liverpool team rank compared to recent years?

Despite the groans about performances, the balance of the side is the best it has been for years and the strength in depth is there, which should make us real contenders for honours. It's probably the strongest we've been since the sides under Rafael Benitez in 2007/08 and 2008/09, which had solid foundations as well as the attacking talents of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. The 2013/14 side offered up so much entertainment but left a lot to be desired at the back, so this side probably ranks just ahead of them.

What do you make of your title chances?

I make a lot of our chances of mounting a sustained push for the title, but Manchester City look pretty unstoppable right now. There's every chance we could surpass our record points total for a Premier League season and still fall short, but I'm clinging onto the fact that both City and Chelsea have dropped points to sides outside the top six, which we haven't - as yet!

What went wrong against Red Star on Tuesday?

How much time have you got?! We started too slowly against a side full of aggression with a point to prove. The midfield lacked creativity and the game almost completely passed them by. The front three never got it going despite the changes at half-time. All round it was probably Liverpool's worst performance since losing 1-0 away to Swansea City back in January.


Who have been Liverpool's best performers so far this season?

Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk have had a massive influence on our defensive solidity, but our best player of the season so far is somebody a little less obvious - and who cost a lot less! Joe Gomez has barely had a chance in his favoured centre-back role since he signed from Charlton for £6m, and injury problems meant it took a while for him to get a chance once Jürgen Klopp took over. Last season he was mostly played at right back, losing out to Trent Alexander-Arnold towards the back end of it, but this season he has been a colossus at centre half. Van Dijk has been afforded much of the credit for that, but Gomez deserve his plaudits also. He's quick, strong, composed, good with the ball at his feet and in the air, so has all the ingredients to be the perfect option in the centre of defence for years to come.

Have you seen much of Fulham?

I think I've only watched two full Fulham games this season, against Arsenal and Huddersfield. Any other time has been via Match Of The Day, which is always hard to take anything from without regurgitating exactly what the pundits say. From what I have seen, it's hard to really judge but on paper it should be the kind of game Liverpool should be looking to find their stride in - with the utmost respect to the Whites!


Which of our players do you think could cause you problems?

I'm a really big fan of Ryan Sessegnon from what I saw of him in the Championship last season. He'd have to be a consideration (as much as anybody else in the team), along with André Schürrle who has a goal in him.

What sort of match are you expecting on Sunday?

As I said before, it should be a game Liverpool are looking to win comfortably. We've not conceded many this season and Fulham have conceded the most in the league so, although it won't be as straightforward as that, you'd expect Liverpool to pick up three points.

Can you recommend a decent away pub for Fulham fans to get a pre-match pint?

It's a tough one being an early kick off. My best advice would be to come the night before and take in a Saturday night in Liverpool city centre if possible. If not, then The Sandon or The Flat Iron aren't necessarily "away fan pubs" but they're accommodating of travelling supporters. Neither are far from the away end.


Congratulations on the nomination for Fan Media of the Year – how much of a labour of love is your podcast?

I joined The Anfield Wrap in August 2016 and it has come a long way since then. It started off in 2011 as a few supporters recording one free podcast a week in Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, and now it's a full-time job for 10 people with an office, audio and video studios on Liverpool's waterfront. It wouldn't have been possible without the help of those who have been involved in any aspect of the journey; from the lads who quit their jobs to take it full time in 2015, to the hundreds of contributors down the years who have given up their own time to come and talk on podcasts. We're proud to be recognised for all the hard work!

What score prediction are you going for?

I'm hoping it will be a much more comfortable 90 minutes than Tuesday evening, so I'm going to go with a 2-0 Liverpool win. We've been very hard to break down at home - the goal conceded against Cardiff being the first time we'd conceded in the league at Anfield since February - which should provide us with a solid foundation, but I expect Fulham to defend resolutely and, since we aren't at our attacking best, I can't see there being a glut of goals.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/november/09/inside-anfield

WhiteJC

 
Henderson and Keita fit for Liverpool v Fulham

Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita are available for Liverpool's meeting with Fulham on Sunday.

Captain Henderson has missed the Reds' last four matches, while Keita has been sidelined for five games.

However, the midfield duo have recovered from their respective hamstring problems and are in contention to face Fulham, Jürgen Klopp confirmed on Friday.

"It's good to have them back, it's probably the first time that all midfield players apart from Ox are available," said the boss.

"That's then another thing to do, making decisions, who starts with who, stuff like that. It's all about then fitness level, form, shape, whatever and then we will see."

Klopp, who reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of the weekend's Premier League fixture at Anfield, was asked about whether Liverpool had missed Henderson's influence in recent weeks.

"When Jordan is not available we always miss him," he stated.

"I would love to say Hendo would have changed the whole game [versus Red Star Belgrade], but I am not really sure about it, the whole game was kind of strange and not us or whatever and the game before was Arsenal. That was actually an absolutely OK game but we only have to admit, and maybe a few people were surprised, that Arsenal are a good football team.

"They caused us problems, we caused them problems. We were 1-0 up, we had big chances, didn't score and so it was 1-1, that's all. But [that was] nothing to do with players in or out, it was just like it was."



https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/324615-jordan-henderson-naby-keita-fitness-injury-latest

WhiteJC

 
Jurgen Klopp makes request to Liverpool fans ahead of Fulham match on Sunday

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has made a request to Liverpool fans in his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool's Premier League clash against Fulham on Sunday at midday.

Fans are hoping that the Reds can blow Fulham away given the West London club's poor defensive record and the fact that they sit at the bottom of the Premier League.

Klopp's men will need to turn in an impressive performance against the relegation candidates, especially after falling to a shock defeat on Tuesday night to Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League.

The Reds have the perfect chance on Sunday to equal or better Manchester City's points tally so far this season, Liverpool can overtake City and take 1st place in the division if City lose to Manchester United in the Manchester derby that follows Liverpool's clash with Fulham.

Liverpool could also equal City for points if the Manchester derby ends in a draw.



https://www.caughtoffside.com/2018/11/09/jurgen-klopp-makes-request-to-liverpool-fans-ahead-of-fulham-match-on-saturday/


WhiteJC

 
Liverpool trip could be pivotal for Fulham No1 Sergio Rico as he aims to ease pressure on Slavisa Jokanovic


Difficult start: Sergio Rico has won the No1 jersey but Fulham are shipping goals at a frightening rate ( REUTERS )

If Slavisa Jokanovic is going to ease some of the pressure weighing him down at Fulham with an unexpected result at Anfield, he will probably need Sergio Rico to be in inspired form.

The goalkeeper is in for a busy afternoon and is likely to be key to helping Fulham avoid a sixth straight defeat.

It has been a difficult year for Rico, but the Spanish shot-stopper hopes a good display can help him start to revive his career after it has stalled.

Rico had established himself as a regular in the Spain squad when he helped Sevilla knock Manchester United out of the Champions League in March, and he was being tipped to go to the World Cup as third-choice behind David de Gea and Pepe Reina.

But the 6ft 4in stopper was replaced by David Soria at Sevilla at the end of last season and Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is now at Chelsea, went to Russia ahead of him. He was dealt another blow when Sevilla signed Tomas Vaclik and he was allowed to leave his hometown club after 170 appearances.

He joined Fulham on loan on deadline day, but started the season as back-up to Marcus Bettinelli and Fabri, and his lack of English made it difficult for him to settle. Jokanovic, though, has now made Rico his No1 and he needs the 25-year-old to replay that faith shown in him.

"The whole thing at Sevilla came as a blow to him," says Spanish football expert Terry Gibson. "Then, when he did not start the season as first-choice, it looked like he was on a downward spiral.

"He was hoping he'd be automatic first-choice and not in a three-way tussle to be No1. Everybody in Spain assumed he was going to have a bright future at Sevilla, but now his career is at a crossroads.

"He needs to play well for Fulham, establish himself as No1 in that team and then get himself back in the Spain squad. Sunday could be pivotal for him, Fulham and Slavisa Jovanovic."

Rico places a big emphasis on organising his defence, studying tactical work and understanding different systems. Fulham have named 14 different backlines this season, but against Liverpool Jokanovic could name the same back four who started Monday's 1-0 defeat to Huddersfield.

That consistency in selection could help Rico and Fulham, who have shipped 29 goals in 11 matches.

"His main strength is his shot-stopping," adds Gibson. "For a keeper of his size, he needs to be more physical and assertive dealing with crosses. He needs to be stronger. David de Gea was similar when he went to Manchester United. In Spain, keepers get protected more than in the Premier League. He is going to have to get used to that."

Rico missed out on facing Liverpool in the 2016 Europa League Final, when he was named on the bench, but did play in 2015, when Sevilla beat Dnipro.

"Crosses will not be an issue because Liverpool do not have that big forward who'll be a nuisance," says Gibson. "There will be plenty of shots, but his shot-stopping is really good."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-trip-could-be-pivotal-for-fulham-no1-sergio-rico-as-he-aims-to-ease-pressure-on-slavisa-a3985576.html

WhiteJC

 
In Focus: Colchester U23s

Come and show your support this Saturday as Fulham's Under-23s take on Colchester United at Craven Cottage.


The Young Whites face off against Colchester's Under-23s in the Premier League Cup, having won their opener against Birmingham City last month.

Tickets will be available on the gate priced at just £3 for adults and £1 for juniors! Entry is also free for Season Ticket Holders on production of your Season Ticket Card on the day.

Fulham Under-23s will be hoping to put the disappointing exit from the Checkatrade Trophy behind them, when they face Colchester United in the PL Cup at the revised venue of Craven Cottage.

Northampton ran out 2-0 winners on Tuesday night with two quick fire goals from Aaron Pierre and Sam Hoskins. However, the adjustment to physicality saw Fulham grow into the game.

The Young Whites kicked off their Group G campaign with a 2-1 victory over Birmingham. The other team in the pool, Reading, will face the Blues in the remaining tie in our group.

The U's were beaten 3-1 by Reading in their last game and will pose a different sort of test to the Under-23s.

United currently sit bottom of the Professional Development League South, with six points to their name after nine games.

Kick off is at the slightly later time of 1 o'clock.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/november/09/u23s-colchester-preview

WhiteJC

 
Klopp warns fans to 'stay at home' if they expect Fulham stroll

Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool supporters not to expect a thrashing of Fulham on Sunday.

Liverpool host the Premier League's bottom club at the weekend, and will hope to capitalise on potential slip-ups from Manchester City (v Manchester United) and Chelsea (v Everton) later on Sunday.

Many expect Liverpool to cruise past the Cottagers, who have conceded a whipping 29 goals in 11 league games.

We are even backing a 6-0 victory for the Reds, who will be desperate to bounce back after Tuesday's poor defeat to Red Star.

But Klopp does not want Fulham to be underestimated, and says fans expecting a stroll should "stay at home".

"I'd be an idiot if I talked about goal difference before this game," Klopp said.

"Watch Fulham's games, not just Match of the Day summaries. They caused City problems and are a really skilled team.

"If somebody expects an easy game then please stay at home.

"Maybe we want to show a reaction, that makes sense, but the right reaction.

"Another challenge is the 12 o'clock kick off. Please go to bed early on Saturday night and come to Anfield in your best shape."



https://www.football365.com/news/klopp-warns-fans-to-stay-at-home-if-they-expect-fulham-stroll


WhiteJC

 
Opposition Camp

Jürgen Klopp has plenty of respect for Fulham as he prepares his Liverpool side for Sunday's clash at Anfield.


In his pre-match press conference, a journalist put to him that some might view it as a good opportunity to boost their goal difference considering the Whites' position in the table, but Klopp quashed any such notion.

"I would really be an idiot if I talked about goal difference before the game," he said. "It would help if you watched a few Fulham games before you asked questions like this.

"I am not sure how many [Fulham] games you watched 90 minutes, not only Match of the Day summaries. Not a lot, probably. This is a really strange situation for Fulham, I can really imagine how they feel at the moment.

"The football is good, a lot of things are really good, they caused [Manchester] City problems in the Carabao Cup. It was really good football in a lot of moments, so we have to defend them.

"They're a really skilled team offensively, entuned in doing a lot of things. The end product, the finishing, maybe was not so good often enough this season, but they scored goals.

"On the other side, they conceded a lot, but you can never score a goal against a team like Fulham with the quality they've got if you go into the game with the wrong attitude of thinking about scoring, scoring, scoring, or whatever.

"It's a big challenge, really this game is a big challenge. We have to not forget what kind of really good situation we're in, atmosphere wise.

"It's another challenge at 12 o'clock, so to all the people coming to the stadium, go to bed early Saturday night and be in your best shape at lunchtime on Sunday, and help, because if somebody goes there and expects an easy game then please stay at home.

"It's a tough job to do, and we want to show a reaction, but the right reaction."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/november/09/opposition-camp

WhiteJC

 
Paul Merson's Premier League predictions: Manchester derby previewed

Liverpool vs Fulham (Sunday, 12pm)

If there was a round of Champions League games to follow this match Liverpool may have rested some players, but with this being the final game before the international break, they could run amok. Fulham are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. They started the season scoring and letting goals in for fun, then they shut up shop at the back and never looked like scoring.

They've got to get that balance right sooner rather than later, but you couldn't have asked for a worse game than a trip to Anfield. This is the time where managers under pressure worry about the clubs using the two-week period to get someone else in. Slavisa Jokanovic will be worried, especially after losing at Huddersfield. It's game like those that are Fulham's bread and butter because they are not expected to beat sides in the top six. They are in trouble.

PAUL PREDICTS: 5-0 (11/1 with Sky Bet)



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/11547859/paul-mersons-premier-league-predictions-manchester-derby-previewed

WhiteJC

 
Steve Bruce emerges as new favourite to be Fulham's next manager, six months after his Aston Villa side lost to Cottagers

The former Aston Villa manager has leapfrogged several big names in the running to replace Slavisa Jokanovic at Fulham.

The former Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has replaced David Moyes as favourite to succeed Slavisa Jokanovic at Fulham - that is with bookmaker Paddy Power.

Sacked by Villa at the start of October, Bruce has leapfrogged Moyes in the betting - as well as, among others, Sam Allardyce, Claudio Ranieri and Chris Coleman - after seeing his odds shortened to 5/2.

The experienced boss led Aston Villa to fourth in the Championship last season, before losing to Fulham, of all teams, in the play-off final at Wembley.

His CV does, however, boast four promotions, which could come in handy should Fulham succumb to relegation this season, although he also helped to keep a string of clubs in the Premier League.

Jokanovic has lost his last five league games as Cottagers boss and, according to reports, could be relived of his duties if his side lose at Liverpool this weekend.

Meanwhile, Paddy Power have suspended betting on Bruce, who has also been linked with the Reading position since leaving Aston Villa, becoming the next Southampton manager.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/11/09/steve-bruce-emerges-as-new-favourite-to-be-fulhams-next-manager/


WhiteJC

 
Liverpool v Fulham
SUN 11 Nov 2018   Premier League
Venue: Anfield



James Milner scored his 50th Premier League goal in Liverpool's 1-1 draw at Arsenal last weekend

TEAM NEWS

Forward Roberto Firmino is likely to return to Liverpool's starting line-up after beginning on the bench against Red Star Belgrade in midweek.

Fit-again midfielders Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita will also hope for recalls, while Xherdan Shaqiri - who was excused from the trip to Serbia - comes back into contention.

Joe Gomez is available despite reports he is nursing an Achilles problem.

Fulham are expected to be without Kevin McDonald and Joe Bryan.

Both players are nursing hamstring problems.

Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is a booking away from a one-game ban.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

@Wilsonfooty: Liverpool might have found the partisan atmosphere of Red Star uncomfortable on Tuesday, but Fulham's Serbian head coach Slavisa Jokanovic was always Partizan when it came to the Belgrade divide - and may not have been celebrating Liverpool's loss.

Jokanovic will be well aware that Liverpool's players will be fired up to make amends.

Fulham play football - and should be applauded for it - but they've discovered that trying to outplay teams blessed with better players only ever ends one way.

A change in the Cottagers' approach must be in evidence at Anfield on Sunday. If not, then the current crop of Fulham players might just get a taste of how their 1986 team felt when they went to Anfield: despite Liverpool missing a penalty, Fulham lost - 10-0!


VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "The season so far-wise, points-wise in the Premier League, has been really successful.

"But it doesn't really feel like that because there are two reasons in comparison with last year: free-flowing football in a few games and Man City and maybe Chelsea and a few others play a very good season as well.

"It feels a bit like this season can only be a success if we become champions."

Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic: "In the last game we chose a really ugly way to lose. You must fight until the last moment, you must give extra effort. We didn't show the effort and we must now wake up.

"My mentality is always the same. I want to find brave people around me. We must move out of our comfort zone, push harder and be more competitive.

"After a tough two-and-a-half years in the Championship, we cannot give up now. We must show ambition and pride."


LAWRO'S PREDICTION

The Cottagers are having a disastrous run that has seen them fall to the bottom of the table, and I think they will lose for a seventh successive game on Sunday.

Prediction: 3-0


MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

    Fulham's only Merseyside win in 54 away league games against Liverpool and Everton was 1-0 at Anfield in May 2012 (D11, L42).
    The Londoners have scored just four times in their last 17 matches away to Liverpool.
    The Reds have won the last four meetings, scoring a total of 14 goals.

Liverpool

    Under Jurgen Klopp, the Reds have won all eight of their Premier League home games against newly-promoted sides, scoring 25 goals and conceding just three.
    Liverpool are unbeaten in 26 top-flight games at Anfield, their longest such run since a 31-match streak from 2007 to 2009.
    If the Reds keep a clean sheet they will equal the club record for fewest goals conceded after 12 top-flight fixtures: five in 1977-78 and 1978-79.
    They had 38.2% possession against Arsenal last weekend, their lowest figure in the Premier League since February's 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
    Daniel Sturridge has scored four goals in his last three league matches against Fulham.
    Mohamed Salah has averaged a Premier League goal or assist every 66 minutes against newly-promoted teams since joining Liverpool.

Fulham

    Fulham could equal their club record of six consecutive Premier League defeats, set in 2001-02 and 2012-13. Both of those streaks included a loss against Liverpool.
    Fulham have conceded 29 goals in 11 games, the joint-highest figure at this stage of a Premier League season. Southampton let in 29 in 2012-13.
    They have taken one point from their last 18 Premier League matches against the established top six sides. That includes three defeats this season, in which they have conceded 11 goals and scored twice.
    Prior to the weekend, Fulham were one of just three teams yet to keep a clean sheet in English league football this season, along with Macclesfield and Sheffield Wednesday.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46087587

WhiteJC

 
Omogbehin: A Good Place

Fulham Under-18s will face new league leaders Arsenal tomorrow, after the Young Whites held Spurs to a 1-1 draw last Saturday, and knocked them off top spot.


Fulham rode Tottenham's insistent pressure throughout the first half, before a sweeping counter attack allowed Timmy Abraham to open the scoring. Phoenix Patterson levelled the game as Harvey Elliott saw a spot kick saved late-on.

Colin Omogbehin thinks his team are in a 'good place' as they face the Gunners on Saturday.

"The boys worked hard throughout the week to match the challenge that Tottenham would bring." He told fulhamfc.com. "I'm glad they were able to go out and execute what we worked on and did it very well.

"We looked at the way Spurs play and they have a wealth of possession based players with fluid build-up. We tried to nullify that by being compact in the final third particularly in the spaces between our defence and midfield. The counter attack we set-up was very effective, it's good education for them as there will be points in their career where they are asked to play in different systems.

"Things take time. We have a young team with boys who are still learning their trade so we do a lot of work based around unit defending. They are showing they can take these lessons on to the pitch.

"A draw was a fair result but with the chances we missed and obviously the penalty, we could have nicked it, but a positive result nonetheless.

"It's a challenge for the boys this month and another valuable lesson. The main emphasis is on the boys learning as individuals to develop and grow but we always create chances. There were two games where we performed poorly, but we are in a good place there are vast improvements."


Tristan Cover has hailed the solidity of his back four following a hard-fought draw against Tottenham. However, he insists there is still more to come from this group in a tricky run of games.

"Tottenham were a fantastic side, they had a lot of technical players who keep it well across the whole midfield. We stuck to our game plan and we could have won the game, but a couple of good saves denied us.

"When I was injured and players were chopping and changing through the back four and we didn't have that consistency. Since we've had everyone playing as a unit with consistency it has been a massive improvement defensively.

"The coaches told us how Spurs might set-up so we stuck to that plan of springing when needed. Timmy could have taken a couple of chances but their keeper had a top-notch game.

"We are strong-minded as a squad. We have had a tricky draw of fixtures this month but we have started positively and we are gradually climbing the table. We know we can beat anyone on the day.

"No game is easy. Every game is a tricky one in this league, and we will do everything we can to win it. We can achieve great things, and a lot of promising young players, the more experienced lads have helped with that. We will keep growing as a unit as Jean-Pierre Tiehi and Ryan De Havilland come back from injury to keep developing."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/november/09/u18s-reaction-and-preview

WhiteJC

 
Slavisa Jokanovic transcript: Everything Fulham boss said on his job, coping with Liverpool & more

Read everything that the Fulham head coach had to say ahead of the trip to Anfield on Sunday

Any talks about your future?

"I am here and we are not talking about my future, we are talking about my present.

"We had a conversation about finding a way to improve, to be more competitive and win the games."

Been given any targets?

"The target is to show improvement and be more competitive and win the games."

Reports over Scott Parker taking over unsettling?

"No, Scott is my choice, in the press there are many different names but right now, where we are in bottom of the Premier League, this speculation is normal situation for all the coaches in this situation.

"I don't have the time to gossip, it's part of the country and I'm not surprised."

Still confident you can find a way to change how results have gone?

"I am always confident in myself, I believe in my players and my staff and people around us.

"We are where we are, we must know where we are, this is Premier League, all of us must make steps forward and we cannot be satisfied with the start.

"This is the start, the gap between bottom teams is not so big and we must keep going forward, working hard and looking for solution."

Schurrle's comments after Huddersfield - does he have a point?

"In general the last few games there exists a way to lose the game, there are different ways.

"Last game we choose an ugly way to lose the game. You must be proud, competitive and fight at the last moment and make extra effort and same or more effort of the opposition.

"We are right now not showing this quality or effort, we must wake up and when we lose the game we must know how we lost it, we can not sell our skin so cheap, if we are available for battle we must show it.

"A few times before games I say my team is ready for the fight, but we are not showing enough effort or ambition and we must change this."

How do you change things?

"I don't need to change anything, my mentality is always the same, I want to push my team and find the brave people around me.

"We must know where we are and accept this situation and go outside our comfort zone, because this situation didn't bring us enough good results.

"We must shake our hands, push harder, be more competitive, I don't believe this is impossible.

"Behind us is a long two and a half years, or for Fulham, four years in the Championship, to give up after a few months, I will repeat, battle will be tough, we will be strong, it's the start of the battle, we didn't show enough power or weapons and we must change this.

"We must make people around us proud, when we lose people can go home satisfied but right now we're not offering that."

Liverpool's potent attack - how do you cope with that? Changing formation?

"I didn't find best four at the back, or find best XI - I am not trying to find best players, I am finding the best team who have possibility to win the game.

"I didn't find good results, it's not question about best players, it's question about what is best team.

"Liverpool are important team in the Premier League, they are dangerous with important weapons, we must work altogether and show people we are the team and must be available to go in the battle and be brave.

"We must defend, at the end this is the efforts, I need people sprint to attack space, I need to sprint to regain the ball, be strong to win the challenge and sprint to recover my team mates, and this is the way for finding solution and improvement.

"If we are jogging on the field and people think we will get a present, this is the wrong way and we must show more effort."

Players have not been putting in the effort?

"I use this word, but what I try explain is we need more, to be available for the the fight.

"No presents exist, last game against Huddersfield we find 25 times in a situation 3 vs 3 and we didn't win any challenge and after winning the ball we didn't win any second phase.

"They were always more strong than us, the effort wasn't strong enough.

"We didn't make enough effort, normally you lose the game and this defeat is ugly, because we can do more things and we didn't do enough."

Talk of future distracting?

"No.

"This is not a distraction, it's part of the business and it's not the first time in my life as a coach or player and it's not new situation for different coaches.

"If I think about gossip, I will lose focus.

"I think about improvement and my work."

Is the Liverpool game a free hit of sorts?

"Liverpool are coming from a defeat and are hurt, we are hurt more than Liverpool and they will show some different imagination than the last game they lost against Red Star.

"We need to be more motivated and be ready for a fight, be ready for battle, don't give up and in our plans there exists a way to win the points.

"My people will be available for the fight and make our supporters proud.

"Okay, the result is more important and points, but if you are not available and don't catch this level to win the points, there exists a way to lose the points.

"We need to immediately improve way to win the game.

"If we are confused, scared and play like kids, it's not easy for any team."

Boost to have more time to prepare?

"I have the team three months and Jurgen Klopp has it a few years.

"I didn't believe they are so affected from last game, it's normal for a big club like Liverpool - they have enough quality."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/slavisa-jokanovic-transcript-everything-fulham-15394343


WhiteJC

 
Slavisa Jokanovic still yet to find his "best team" ahead of Fulham's trip to Liverpool

Struggling Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has admitted he is still searching for his "best team" as he seeks a big result at Liverpool on Sunday.

The Cottagers have won just once in the Premier League this season, heading into the weekend rooted to the bottom of the table with just five points from 11 games.

This comes with Jokanovic having used 22 different players so far, of which 21 have started at least once in the English top flight, including three different goalkeepers.

Only backup forward Floyd Ayite hasn't featured from the start, while Jokanovic has used five different formations as he searches for the right fit.

As pressure mounts on the Serbian ahead of a clash with the league's fourth-most prolific side, he faces a difficult task to plug a defence that has conceded more than any other (29).

And regardless of the personnel he fields, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Jokanovic urged his players to give their all at Anfield:

    "I don't look for the best four [individuals] at the back, or find the 'best' XI.

    "I am not trying to find best players, I am finding the best team, who have possibility to win the game.

    "So far we haven't had good results. It's not a question about the 'best' players, it's a question about what is the best team.

    "Liverpool are an important team in the Premier League, they are dangerous with important weapons.

    "We must work together and show people we are a team and must be available to go into battle and be brave.

    "We must defend, at the end of the day this is the aim.

    "I need people to sprint to attack space, I need people to sprint to regain the ball, be strong to win the challenge and sprint to cover their team-mates, and this is the way to improve and find solutions.

    "If we are jogging on the field and people think they will get a present, this is the wrong way and we must show more effort."

Jokanovic, who was bullish is responding to questions over his future, paid respect to opposite number Jurgen Klopp, and rejected the prospect of facing a weakened Liverpool side.

Despite the 2-0 loss to Red Star on Tuesday, Jokanovic insisted he "doesn't believe they are so affected from the last game," again stressing that Fulham need to "fight":

    "Liverpool are coming from a defeat and are hurt, but we are hurt more than Liverpool and they will show some more imagination than the last game they lost against Red Star.

    "We need to be more motivated and be ready for a fight, be ready for battle, don't give up and in our plans there exists a way to win the points.

    "My people will be ready for the fight and to make our supporters proud.

    "OK, the result and the points are more important, but if you are not available and don't meet this level to win the points, there only exists a way to lose the points.

    "We need to immediately improve in a way to win the game.

    "If we are confused, scared and play like kids, it's not easy for any team."

Fulham arrive at Anfield on the back of six consecutive losses in all competitions, with their last win coming away to Millwall in the League Cup in September.



https://www.thisisanfield.com/2018/11/slavisa-jokanovic-still-yet-to-find-his-best-team-ahead-of-fulhams-trip-to-liverpool/

WhiteJC

 
Former Premier League Winner Storms Into Frame For Fulham Job As Slavisa Jokanovic Nears Sack

A whole host of managers with Premier League experience are in the running for the Fulham job as many believe Slavisa Jokanovic could be coming to the end of his time in charge of football.  He is the current favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave and with a trip to Anfield hanging over Fulham this weekend, a heavy defeat could spell the end of his time in charge.

Despite achieving promotion last season, Fulham have lost their last six games in all competitions, scoring just three goals in that time. This has put Jokanovic under a serious amount of pressure as Fulham were targeting a top half finish this term, similar to something that Wolves are aiming to pull off.

Now many other managers are in the running to take over, if Jokanovic is dismissed this weekend. The current favourite is former Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce, followed up by former Manchester United manager David Moyes.

Moyes dragged West Ham out of trouble last season and could be entrusted with a similar task in London this year. Next in the betting is an exciting name in former Leicester boss and Premier League winner Claudio Ranieri. Having been let go by Leicester, he then had a spell in Ligue 1 with Nantes before leaving in the summer.

One name that could be of interest is firefighter for relegation-threatened clubs, Sam Allardyce. Big Sam would love another chance to jump into Premier League football and the Fulham job could be perfect for him. At 10/1 he could be the value bet to take over the reins at Craven Cottage.

Fulham fans may be used to a free-flowing football under Jokanovic, but if they want results and to stay in the Premier League, they may have to swap style for substance and Jokanovic for Allardyce.



https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/former-premier-league-winner-storms-into-frame-for-fulham-job-as-slavisa-jokanovic-nears-sack

WhiteJC

 
'Stop playing like kids!' Slavisa Jokanovic calls for fight as Fulham prepare for Liverpool test

Fulham were beaten by Huddersfield Town on Monday night and head to Liverpool desperate for three points

Fulham need to stop being scared and playing like kids in matches if they want any chance of taking three points, according to Slavisa Jokanovic.

The Whites head into the game at Anfield on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Huddersfield in what was billed as a must-win game, with the players putting in a more than below par performance at the John Smith's Stadium.

That has seen pressure increase on Jokanovic, with speculation over his future at Craven Cottage only increasing after the side slumped to the bottom of the Premier League with the most goals conceded this season.

Jokanovic has spoken of the need for his players to be ready for battle in games now as they hunt for three points, but with Liverpool up next, any chance of getting a win at Anfield looks very slim.

Fulham's players have yet to perform to the required standards this season, and Jokanovic believes if they play likes kids it won't be easy for them to find their next victory.

He said: "Liverpool are coming from a defeat and are hurt, we are hurt more than Liverpool and they will show some different imagination than the last game they lost against Red Star.

Fulham's players have yet to perform to the required standards this season, and Jokanovic believes if they play likes kids it won't be easy for them to find their next victory.

He said: "Liverpool are coming from a defeat and are hurt, we are hurt more than Liverpool and they will show some different imagination than the last game they lost against Red Star.

"We need to be more motivated and be ready for a fight, be ready for battle, don't give up and in our plans there exists a way to win the points.

"My people will be available for the fight and make our supporters proud.

"Okay, the result is more important and points, but if you are not available and don't catch this level to win the points, there exists a way to lose the points.

"We need to immediately improve our way to win the game.

"If we are confused, scared and play like kids, it's not easy for any team.

"I use this word [effort], but what I try to explain is we need more, to be available for the the fight.

"No presents exist, last game against Huddersfield we find 25 times in a situation 3 vs 3 and we didn't win any challenge and after winning the ball we didn't win any second phase.

"They were always more strong than us, the effort wasn't strong enough.

"We didn't make enough effort, normally you lose the game and this defeat is ugly, because we can do more things and we didn't do enough."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/slavisa-jokanovic-playing-like-kids-15394511


WhiteJC

 
Fulham's Slavisa Jokanovic: I'm a fantastic coach – my team must work harder
• Manager tells players to show more effort at Liverpool
• Jokanovic dismisses 'gossip' that he may be sacked

Slavisa Jokanovic has come out fighting amid speculation that he is close to losing his job as Fulham manager, describing himself as a "fantastic coach" and claiming the club's slide to last place in the Premier League has been down to a lack of effort and application by his players.

Fulham travel to Liverpool on Sunday, having lost their past five Premier League games, the most recent being Monday's 1-0 reverse at relegation rivals Huddersfield. It is a woeful run underpinned by consistently poor defending and has put Jokanovic under mounting pressure less than six months after he led Fulham to promotion via the play-offs.

The club's former captain and current first-team coach, Scott Parker, has been linked with the manager's job should Jokanovic, as has been reported, be sacked during the international break that follows Fulham's trip to Anfield. The Serb dismissed such talk as "gossip" on Friday before going on the offensive.

"After the Huddersfield game, I told them [the players]: 'Listen, I am a fantastic coach. I did a fantastic job with my staff and the analysts because everything we expected, we found it during the game,'" said Jokanovic. "But we did not stay with any ball, we did not run the space, we were not available for second phase. So the message is clear: we must make effort to fight for the result. We must show the spirit, we must push all together. This is the way to be positive and find the solution.

"My job is to organise the team, it's not screaming at people to make them run and sprint and attack the space. I know they feel a little hurt after my words but they must be adult people and take responsibility. We cannot sell our skin so cheap."

Fulham go to Anfield without Kevin McDonald and Joe Bryan, both of whom have hamstring injuries, and with the worst defensive record in the Premier League having conceded 29 goals in 11 games. That is hardly ideal for what is sure to be a testing afternoon against players such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino.

But Jokanovic, having seen Liverpool lose to Red Star Belgrade in midweek, insists Fulham can also overcome them and secure Fulham's first victory at Anfield since May 2012. The 50-year-old also delivered a somewhat pointed message to the club's hierarchy, led by the owner Shahid Khan, should they be considering dismissing him.

"I am working many years with this team, the board of the club know how I am working and they know I never surrender and that I am never scared about speculation," he said. "I am not happy about going to any place, any stadium and being a victim and not having an opportunity to win the game. To the players I say: 'Give me an opportunity to win by being brave and pushing hard, and independent of the result you will make me proud and make yourself and your family proud.'"



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/nov/09/fulham-slavisa-jokanovic-players-work-harder-sack-liverpool

WhiteJC

 
Fulham and Newcastle United in French trip, both keen on in-form forward

It's that time of the year again when scouts are sent across Europe to watch some Europa League and Champions League games, keeping an eye on their manager's targets ahead of the January transfer window.

Back in September, Newcastle and Fulham were both touted to be interested in Bordeaux's Francois Kamano, who had stepped his game up to fill the void left by Malcom's departure to Barcelona.

The 22-year-old has scored seven goals in his first 12 games in the league, with a total of 10 in 21 appearances in all competitions.

This form clearly caught the eye of the recruiting staff at St James' Park and Craven Cottage, and they've been following him throughout the campaign.

Thursday night was no different, as Girondins4Ever revealed prior to their game against Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League that scouts from both Newcastle and Fulham would be present.

As well as Kamano, the Cottagers could have also been keeping an eye on an old target: Maxime Poundjé.

Last season, when his contractual situation was up in the air, the player decided not to pursue Fulham's interest in his services, as he 'didn't want to leave for the sake of it'.

He put pen to paper on a three-year contract a few months later.

That doesn't necessarily mean Fulham will have given up hope of signing him, though.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-newcastle-french-scouting-trip-keen-form-forward/