Sunday Fulham Stuff (16/12/18)...

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Results

Saturday
Man City	3 - 1	Everton
Palace	1 - 0	Leicester
Huddersfield	0 - 1	Newcastle
Spurs	1 - 0	Burnley
Watford	3 - 2	Cardiff
Wolves	2 - 0	Bournemouth
Fulham	0 - 2	West Ham

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Fulham 0-2 West Ham


Michail Antonio had time to take a touch and put the ball between Sergio Rico's legs

West Ham earned a fourth consecutive Premier League win for the first time in almost five years to keep toothless Fulham bottom of the table.

The Cottagers, who have not kept a clean sheet all season, wasted several chances in the first half while falling asleep to let the Hammers take the lead with their first two shots.

Robert Snodgrass curled the visitors into the lead from Felipe Anderson's pass, and Michail Antonio was left unmarked to double the advantage.

Anderson almost scored late on with the second half's only shot on target, but his effort was saved by Sergio Rico.

Fulham - who created very little after the break - have won once in Claudio Ranieri's five games in charge so far.

Damaging defeat leaves Fulham looking to January transfer window

Fulham's problem this season has been leaking goals - they are the only team in England's top four divisions to not keep a single clean sheet.

But their issues at Craven Cottage on Saturday were as much to do with their finishing.

Fulham had 12 shots in the first half to West Ham's two, excluding blocked efforts.

Aboubakar Kamara wasted the best chance when his one-on-one effort was saved by Lukasz Fabianski. The striker had a header and a long-range effort stopped, while the keeper also kept out Aleksandar Mitrovic's 20-yard deflected strike.

Jean Michael Seri, Andre Schurrle and Tom Cairney all missed the target with shots from outside the box.

They could have stopped Anderson in the build-up to the opening goal, and nobody picked up Antonio for the second,

Their luck appeared to be summed up when Denis Odoi and Alfie Mawson injured themselves while trying to stop Anderson, although they could both continue after treatment.

Fulham never looked like threatening any kind of comeback in the second half, and did not force any saves from the West Ham keeper.

They had won once in Ranieri's first four games - his opening match against Southampton. But that run included games at Chelsea and Manchester United - with two of the previous three defeats at Manchester City and Liverpool.

However, three of their four games before the new year - including this one - are at home, with none against the Premier League's elite clubs.

Despite conceding 42 goals in 17 Premier League games, Fulham remain only three points adrift of safety.

Having spent £100m in the summer following promotion to get them ready for the Premier League, they are likely to be able to afford more spending in January.

And, on the basis of the season so far, they could do with significant reinforcements throughout the team.

West Ham maintain impressive form

The Hammers, under Manuel Pellegrini, appear to have found their feet after a shaky run of form and are suddenly dreaming of Europe.

They had won their previous three matches, scoring three times in each, and are up to ninth in the league - two points off sixth-placed Manchester United - after their latest victory.

They were highly clinical at Craven Cottage, with Snodgrass scoring a brilliant opener and Javier Hernandez flicking on Anderson's cross to find Antonio free to double their lead.

United only had one more effort on target - Anderson's late chance - and they were relatively comfortable winners as the second half proved a non-event.

They are now enjoying their best run since February 2014, when they won all four Premier League games under Sam Allardyce.

Match stats - Hernandez's first Premier League assist in four years

    Fulham have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 21 Premier League games, conceding at least twice in 18 of those games (53 goals in total).
    West Ham have won more Premier League London derbies this season (two) than they did in the whole of 2017-18 (one).
    Snodgrass has been directly involved in five goals in his last four Premier League games (two goals, three assists), after previously going 16 games without a goal or assist in the competition.
    Anderson has been involved in more Premier League goals this season than any other West Ham player (eight - six goals, two assists).
    Hernandez got his first assist in the Premier League since April 2014, when he set up Juan Mata for Manchester United against Newcastle.

Man of the match - Felipe Anderson (West Ham)

What's next?

West Ham are at home to Watford next Saturday (15:00 GMT), looking to make it five wins in a row.

Fulham visit Newcastle at the same time as they continue their search for a first Premier League clean sheet since April 2014.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46491851

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Manager Reaction

Claudio Ranieri is looking for a reaction, after the Whites fell to a 0-2 defeat at home to West Ham United.

After an encouraging start to the game, two first-half goals against the run of play from the Hammers did all the damage and gave the visitors maximum points at Craven Cottage.

"I think that our half first was the best," said Ranieri.

"We created a lot of chances and shot at goal a lot. Of course, in the second half, two-nil against a team full of confidence, with experienced players, it was very difficult for us. We showed a very good will, but it wasn't enough.

"I'm disappointed about the two goals we conceded, but also when we missed chances - we shot at goal sixteen times.

"We need to be more effective and have to score. They created two counter attacks and they scored. We created something more, but we didn't score.

"I can't say anything today because they tried to do their best. Of course, when you play against a team with experience, quality and confidence, you try to do your best and we tried, but after two counter-attacks, they scored twice.

"In the second-half, it was difficult. They have experienced players and slowed down the tempo. Every time we looked to create, we became a little more nervous to score a goal.

"When you play a team who take one or two touches, it's difficult to press - we ran a lot.

"I saw my players fighting until the end, until the last second. When they slowed the tempo, took possession and moved the ball, it's not easy.

"They scored very easily, twice. We have to take time and stay calm, but we wanted to get the ball immediately which is not right. I explained during a training session, about staying calm and taking the ball at the right moment. It's one thing to do it in training, it's another to do it in a match.

"It's difficult to say our first half an hour was good because they scored twice, but if you saw our first match against Southampton and our second home match against Leicester, I think this was the best

"I need to give all my confidence to my players and continue to work hard during training. They understand where they've made mistakes.

"We need to stay together. I have a very good dressing room and the players are together. At this moment, it's important to stay calm and react."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/december/15/manager-reaction-west-ham

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Fulham eye move for Gary Cahill

Fulham have struggled to ensure consistency under Claudio Ranieri in the current campaign, which has put them in a worrying position at the bottom of the table.

The Cottagers will be desperate to improve on things with the January transfer window on the horizon, as this will provide them with the opportunity to strengthen in the right areas.

Interestingly, it appears as if Claudio Ranieri is eyeing a possible addition, as according to Sky Sports, Fulham want to sign Gary Cahill in the January transfer window.

Fulham want to sign Chelsea's Gary Cahill in the January transfer window.

Chelsea will allow the 32-year-old, who has barely played for them this season, to leave next month after seven years at Stamford Bridge.

Although, it is not clear as to whether any move would be on loan or a permanent basis but Cahill's contract expires at the end of the season.

Nevertheless, the Cottagers have struggled to ensure defensively solidity so far this season, so they simply have to go all out to secure an experienced defender like Cahill.

THE VERDICT:
The central defender, who is valued at £9 million (by Transfermarkt), has struggled to enjoy regular minutes in the side this season, which is a major problem as the 32-year-old needs to be playing regularly at this point in his career.

So, with the Cottagers eyeing a move for the former international in January, perhaps this will help them climb out of the worrying position they currently find themselves in.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/fulham-eye-move-for-gary-cahill/

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HAMMERS HITMEN Fulham 0-2 West Ham United: Happy Hammers show clinical nature in comfortable London derby win

Goals from Robert Snodgrass and Michail Antonio secured the win for the visitors

West Ham United moved into the top half of the Premier League for the first time this season thanks to a 2-0 win over Fulham.

The Hammers are just two points off Manchester United in the table after goals from Robert Snodgrass and Michail Antonio.

The hosts made a bright start at Craven Cottage, with Aboubakar Kamara forcing Lukasz Fabianski into smart saves down low on the wet pitch.

However, Claudio Ranieri's men were made to pay for their wastefulness as Felipe Anderson was released down the left and found Snodgrass on the edge of the box. The Scot curled home a beauty past the dive of Sergio Rico.

The lead was doubled 12 minutes later when Javier Hernandez flicked on Anderson's cross to find strike partner Antonio – who had the simple task of tapping home after being given the freedom of the penalty box.

Star Man – Michail Antonio
Samba star Anderson was brilliant yet again for the visitors, constantly bamboozling Dennis Odoi down the left hand side.

However, Michail Antonio showed the fruits of his labour with a brilliant performance up front all evening. Strong on the ball and pacy and powerful in behind, the Englishman is gradually showing the sort of form which earned him an international call-up.

Moment of the match
When Aleksandr Mitrovic played through Kamara in the first half, the West Ham fans looked pleadingly over to the linesman. To their horror, the flag stayed down.

The Frenchman raced through on goal with just Lukasz Fabianksi to beat, but could only muster a weak effort at the near post which the summer signing from Swansea easily saved.

The Whites were in the ascendancy at this point, and an early goal could have made this a much different game.

Next Premier League games

Fulham – Newcastle (A), 22/12

West Ham United – Watford (H), 22/12



https://talksport.com/football/461289/fulham-0-2-west-ham-united-happy-hammers-show-clinical-nature-in-comfortable-london-derby-win/

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Fulham player ratings vs West Ham: Poor performances all round for Ranieri's side

Fulham lost 2-0 to West Ham United at Craven Cottage in another poor performance for the Cottagers

Fulham were beaten 2-0 by West Ham United as defensive frailties raised their heads once more at Craven Cottage.

The home side had a good early chance through Aboubakar Kamara after he was played in on goal by a lovely weighted pass by Aleksandar Mitrovic, but the Frenchman's shot was poor and easy for Lukasz Fabianksi to save.

But West Ham got the opener as Fulham's wait for a clean sheet went on as Mark Noble's brilliant ball carved the hosts open with Felipe Anderson beating Denis Odoi and leaving him in the dust before pulling the ball back to Snodgrass who smashed home.

And defensive problems reared their head again as Michail Antonio got the second when he was free at the back post to collect Javier Hernandez' flick on and poke past Sergio Rico.

The second half was a drab affair with neither side really testing the goal - West Ham were content with their 2-0 lead while Fulham looked like they were ready for the game to end.

Here's how we rated the side:

Sergio Rico - 5

He couldn't do too much about the goals but his kicking this evening was pretty poor - something we haven't seen before in the past. Nearly fluffed up completely at the end when he missed his clearance with Anderson getting in, but he was let off big time.

Denis Odoi - 4

Was turned inside out by Anderson and was at fault for the first West Ham goal when he got beat too easily. Moved to centre half at half time to get away from the West Ham man such was his display in the first half.

Alfie Mawson - 5

Struggled against Antonio all first half with the West Ham man looking like he had the beating of Mawson.

Tim Ream - 5

Struggled in defence during the first half as horrid defending reared its head again and was subbed for Christie at half time.

Joe Bryan - 5

Some of his positioning was poor but he was one of the only players out there this evening that you could say was putting a shift in for his side.

Calum Chambers - 5

Put in a decent shift in midfield once again but was forced to clean up other's mistakes, while he was too far from his midfield partner when West Ham scored their first.

Jean-Michael Seri - 4

Endured a torrid first half once again. He gave the ball away far too easily and struggled with the defensive side of his midfield work. Had so little impact on the game and was subbed on the hour mark.

Andre Schurrle - 4

Failed to track back for West Ham's second - something which is being common for Schurrle. Got into some good positions but his shooting was erratic.

Aboubakar Kamara - 4

Spurned some glorious chances to get himself on the scoresheet in the first half. Struggled to get into any good positions in the second half.

Tom Cairney - 4

Was wasted on the right of the midfield three in the first half. He drifted inside meaning that there was nothing out right for Fulham except for Odoi, which meant he was out of position more often than not. Did very little in the second half.

Aleksandar Mitrovic - 5

Was starved of the ball again and started to drift into areas of space out right, meaning the side had not outlet in the box to aim for.

He saw very little of the ball in the second half but battled with the centre halves to try make space for himself.

Substitutes

Cyrus Christie - 5

Got into some good positions down the right after coming on but couldn't get the ball into the box for his strikers. Left a fair bit of space in behind which West Ham looked to exploit.

Stefan Johansen - 5

Didn't really have any impact on the match after coming on and struggled to get himself into the game.

Neeskens Kebano - 5

Gave Fulham some width and allowed Cairney into the middle but didn't do much when on.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-player-ratings-vs-west-15556989

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Fulham vs West Ham: Hammers cruise past Claudio Ranieri's lacklustre Cottagers

Fulham 0-2 West Ham: Fulham rarely threatened to retaliate after Robert Snodgrass and Michail Antonio's quick double, as Manuel Pellegrini's side notched their fourth consecutive win

There were carol singers and fake snow outside Craven Cottage before the match and mince pies in the media room. And Fulham's Christmas spirit continued after kick-off as they gave away three more vital points.

Showing true festive generosity, they presented West Ham with two goals, leaving Robert Snodgrass and Michail Antonio unchallenged to put the visitors two up at the interval. The Hammers did not have to play very well to win, but their quality and pace in attack was too much for the hosts and in the end their fourth successive league victory – their first such sequence since February 2014 – was achieved with some comfort.

Fulham have yet to record a clean sheet in 17 Premier League games and will, barring miracles, be in the bottom three when Santa arrives. After a victory over Southampton and a draw with Leicester City in his two previous home games in charge of Fulham, this will feel like a big setback for Claudio Ranieri, who desperately needs some points over the holiday period.

A trip to Newcastle next Saturday and a Boxing Day home bout with Wolves precede a six-pointer against Huddersfield Town and a New Year's Day visit to Arsenal.

His team were without the injured Ryan Sessegnon and suspended Andre-Frank Anguissa, but it did not show early on as they looked the more positive of the two teams. In the ninth minute, Andre Schurrle picked up possession on the left, marauded across the field and let fly with his right foot, the ball passing inches over the crossbar.

Seconds later Fulham should have been ahead. Aleksandar Mitrovic played the ball through West Ham's static back four and Aboubakar Kamara raced free. But as Lukasz Fabianski advanced, the Frenchman short hurriedly and the goalkeeper was able to drop to his right and knock the ball away.

And in the 17th minute West Ham were ahead, It seemed Denis Odoi must cut out a long pass down the left but an indecisive attempted interception allowed Felipe Anderson to recover and continue to charge forward. The Brazilian looked up and played a diagonal pass back to the edge of the penalty area, where Snodgrass, unmarked, thumped the ball first time past Sergio Rico.

West Ham, though, could be as defensively lax as their hosts. Both Mitrovic and Kamara found space for unchallenged headers but the former nodded Joe Bryan's cross into the side netting and the latter put Odoi's too close to Fabianski.

Kamara then tested Fabianski with a rocket shot from distance before Fulham caved in again with 29 minutes gone. Anderson's cross from the left was nodded on by Javier Hernandez and Antonio was in yards of space as he brought the ball down with his right foot and slotted it past Rico with his left.

West Ham had never looked remotely in control of the match but were two ahead and looked capable of more. So did Fulham and Schurrle swerved another right-foot shot marginally off-target as half time approached.

Fulham did their best to retrieve something in the second half but were unable to put together any sustained possession. In one incident, Aboubakar drew cheers from the home fans with a shuddering old-fashioned shoulder charge to win the ball from Pablo Zabaleta only to lose concentration, and the ball to Anderson. Promise but ultimate disappointment – how very Fulham.



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-vs-west-ham-result-score-live-goals-match-report-highlights-michail-antonio-robert-snodgrass-a8685356.html

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West Ham's Felipe Anderson underlines Claudio Ranieri's problems at Fulham

Claudio Ranieri's reign at Fulham has been less "new manager bounce", more the dull thud of the reality that he has inherited a squad not suited to the Premier League. Four points from the five matches he has presided over is not a collection rate that will keep Fulham from the Championship.

The Italian pronounced this the best performance of that short reign but his statistical read-out of the game pinpointed where West Ham had won the match. "We shoot at goal 16 times," said Ranieri. "They created two counterattacks and they scored. Our counterattack was not good." Another pair of bald statistics are that Fulham stayed bottom of the Premier League and have not kept a clean sheet in their last 21 top-division matches.

Felipe Anderson was the difference, supplying the key passes that turned those counterattacks into West Ham's two goals. For the first, smashed in by Robert Snodgrass from the edge of the box in the 17th minute, Anderson's turn of foot and change of pace left the Fulham right-back Denis Odoi for dead, allowing him time to lay up Snodgrass to score. For the second, 12 minutes later, with Odoi again left chasing shadows on the touchline, Anderson's cross teed up Javier Hernández to flick the ball on for Michail Antonio to slot in.

Both goals came against the run of play. Fulham were on the attack throughout the first half, with Aboubakar Kamara having the best of the chances, but were unable to beat Lukasz Fabianski; the Polish goalkeeper is another big reason for West Ham being on their upward curve.

The spirit Ranieri had hailed in his programme notes appeared to have been extinguished by half-time. As the sodden conditions the game was played in turned to ice, so did the game. West Ham saw out the second 45 minutes with ease, bar one hurried clearance from Fabián Balbuena after Tom Cairney had escaped to the byline. Fulham's previous bustle had been extinguished.

As Declan Rice strolled through midfield the home team were accepting of their fate. Anderson had a chance to score the goal his performance deserved but his header was weak.

With four wins from their last four matches, the club's best run since February 2014, Pellegrini has his team playing something along the mythical lines of the "West Ham Way". They are scoring goals and also likely to concede at any moment even if they did see out this London derby with a clean sheet collected with efficiency.

After the painful austerity under Slaven Bilic and David Moyes last season the away fans' audible enjoyment suggested a club happy in its own company. That has rarely been the case since they moved to the London Stadium in the summer of 2016.

The noisy contingent from east London even sang their manager's name for the first time, which Pellegrini said he was "very happy" to hear. "When we started the season so bad I never felt any negative reaction," he said, in reference to West Ham losing their first four matches. "We know last season was not easy so I think they deserve this."

They ended the day just two points off sixth-placed Manchester United. And in Anderson the Hammers may have a new hero in the club's classic mould; his brilliance cannot always be counted on but he is a player capable of a hot streak. Pellegrini spoke of Anderson delivering "four or five decisive performances" before then preaching characteristic caution.

"It was important for him to learn what the Premier League is," said the Chilean. "And Felipe still needs to improve a little." With Marko Arnautovic absent until the new year, and Andriy Yarmolenko out longer still, a considerable burden has fallen on Anderson but he appears capable of shouldering it.

Ranieri has no such luxury. The habit of his long career has been to bolt his teams' back door but he is working with a group of players incapable of doing that.



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/dec/15/fulham-west-ham-united-premier-league-match-report

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Fulham 0, West Ham United 2
The same old problems keep them from victory

Here's the story all season for Fulham. We know their defense is terrible. And it will probably continue to be terrible regardless of who gets picked there. But if the football club can't capitalize with their chances at all, which was the foundation of how this squad was built, you might as well kiss Premier League football goodbye. And once again, that is what happened at Craven Cottage as Fulham continued to show their worst qualities against a now white hot West Ham side.

In the first half though, Fulham looked great. They were constantly attacking Lukas Fabianski's net and generated 12 shots as a result. There were a few highlights from Aboubakar Kamara where he split the defense and put himself alone with only the keeper to beat. But knowing how clumsy the Frenchman can be, he surely put the ball near post for a comfortable diving save by the Poland International. Joe Bryan also put in a few teasing crosses and one did fall to a streaking Aleksander Mitrovic only for him to start so far back and for him to miss his header so late that it fell wide of right-hand post.

But while Fulham kept huffing and puffing, Felipe Anderson was West Ham's release valve for everything. Surely enough, a move that was started by him on the left hand side continued as a result of a swing-and-a-miss tackle by Denis Odoi, who continues to be assigned play fullback for no logical reason at all. Surely enough, Anderson kept his run going and found a trailing Robert Snodgrass who had all the time and space he needed to put a curling left-footed shot past Sergio Rico. Jean-Michael Seri bluntly should be covering the midfield instead of staying with the back four (except Joe Bryan was no where to be found) but shots from that far away by Snodgrass shouldn't go in with ease either.

Rico had a poor game where not only could not make desperation saves when it mattered. His decision making and execution for when to come out of the box and clear lines was only just one degree better than Fabri's performance against Crystal Palace. But along with that, time-and-again Tim Ream keeps getting picked at center back, and time-and-again keeps making the worst decisions possible. Surely enough, West Ham's second goal came from another Anderson cross into a box with just two center backs covering the two West Ham forwards. Surely enough, the ball was flicked on by Javier Hernandez after beating out Alfie Mawson and a very ignorant Ream who decided to cover him instead of a now horrifyingly wide open Michail Antonio. Surely enough, Antonio was inches in front of Rico and goal and he tucked it passed him so calmly, he might as well have have done it while sipping a Piña Colada to boot.

From there, Fulham simply looked spaded and neutered before the halftime whistle blew. Tom Cairney did his best to create something in attack but no one was streaking with speed for the exceptions of Kamara and substitutes Neeskens Kebano and Cyrus Christie. Even when Kamara was trying to break the defense, he was caught offsides in the most obvious ways imaginable. André Schürrle continued to do André Schürrle things by shooting far and wide and Cairney himself had a go three times as well. In the end, Fulham are still one of the most inefficient attacks you'll see in England's top flight and if that doesn't change, they will stay bottom of the table.

Newcastle had a gutsy win over Huddersfield and will come into next week's contest with Fulham feeling quite confident. Not many players can put their hands up and say they had a good game today on both sides of the ball. Ryan Sessegnon's pace was truly missed, but there was no guarantee that he would have affected tonight's result. The collective has to do better with how to beat teams with their ball movement and speed. Can they do that against a Rafa Benitez, Nuno Santo or even David Wagner coached side that will emphasize a resolute defense? If Fulham have no answers to either of them this month, consider their fate sealed.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/12/15/18142221/fulham-0-west-ham-united-2

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Claudio Ranieri frustrated with 'soft' goals Fulham conceded to West Ham despite special training plan


Ranieri's side stay bottom of the league after latest defeat. ( AFP/Getty Images )

Claudio Ranieri criticised his Fulham side for conceding "soft" goals they had specifically trained for following a 2-0 defeat to West Ham that leaves them moored at the bottom of the Premier League.

Robert Snodgrass and Michail Antonio scored to extend West Ham's winning run to four Premier League matches whilst Fulham have just nine points from their first 17 matches back in the Premier League, in which they have conceded 42 goals and scored just 16.

Both West Ham goals came from the same source, Felipe Anderson driving at Denis Odoi from the left and finding an unmarked team-mate to slot home.

"Were the goals soft? Of course," said Ranieri. "They score very easily twice.

"It's counter and we must stay calm, take our time because with time we play with a difference and we want to get the ball immediately and that is not right.

"We made a training session about this, stay calm, to reflect and at the right moment to go and take. One thing is to do, one thing is to play it."

Fulham had had their chances before Snodgrass' opener, Aboubakar Kamara spurning a one-on-one with a tame finish at Lukasz Fabianski and Andre Schurrle flashing a powerful shot just over the bar.

It was certainly more than they created in a second half that largely passed them by and in which Lukasz Fabianski did not have a single save to make.

"I think our first half was the best, we created a lot of chances and shots at goal," Ranieri said.

Fulham had had their chances before Snodgrass' opener, Aboubakar Kamara spurning a one-on-one with a tame finish at Lukasz Fabianski and Andre Schurrle flashing a powerful shot just over the bar.

It was certainly more than they created in a second half that largely passed them by and in which Lukasz Fabianski did not have a single save to make.

"I think our first half was the best, we created a lot of chances and shots at goal," Ranieri said.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/claudio-ranieri-frustrated-with-soft-goals-fulham-conceded-to-west-ham-despite-special-training-plan-a4018506.html

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Cottage Talk Full Time: Fulham Go Down Badly 2-0 To West Ham At Craven Cottage
Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

In this episode, we shared our "initial reactions" to Fulham's 2-0 loss to West Ham at Craven Cottage. Co-host Emilio Di Nello was at the match, and he shared his view on this terrible loss.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/12/15/18142528/cottage-talk-full-time-fulham-go-down-badly-2-0-to-west-ham-at-craven-cottage

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Claudio Ranieri insist Shahid Khan understands something must be done to save Fulham

The manager believes it's too early to talk about new players but knows something must be done

Claudio Ranieri and Shahid Khan are under no illusions that Fulham must 'do something' in January after their 12th defeat of the season, according to the Italian.

Robert Snodgrass and Michael Antonio both struck in the first half for West Ham to make it 17 games without a clean sheet and to keep the side rock bottom of the Premier League table with just nine points to their name.

They face a crucial Christmas period with games against Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town coming up with the side knowing they need to start picking up points against those teams around them.

With the January Transfer Window just around the corner talk is quick becoming about who and where Fulham need to strengthen with several names being thrown into the rumour mill at Craven Cottage.

Gary Cahill and Danny Drinkwater are but two of those names and while the manager believes it's too early to think about what players may come in, he has said that owner Khan knows they must do something if they are to stay up.

He said: "I think now I have these people and must continue with these people and give them all my confidence and of course continue to work hard during training.

"They understand when they make mistakes because now they think how they have to move together.

"Now is too early to speak about this. I am honest, I speak with my owner and he understands we must do something."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/claudio-ranieri-insist-shahid-khan-15557720

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Alan Shearer delivers a damning verdict on Fulham's defending after defeat against West Ham

Match of the Day pundit says Fulham will need to improve massively if they are to survive this season

Alan Shearer has been scathing in his criticism of Fulham's defending after a 12th defeat of the season in the Premier League.

The Whites lost out 2-0 at home against West Ham yesterday (Saturday), taking their tally of goals conceded so far this season to 42 from 17 games.

And the former Newcastle United striker says that Fulham have to "improve massively" if they are to survive in the top flight this season.

"They were hopeless at the back, and they have conceded 42 goals now in 17 games; miles more than anyone else," he said, speaking on BBC programme Match of the Day.

"They are 1-0 down at home and trying to impress a new manager, have a look at this second goal and the way they have defended it.

"It is not good enough. [Denis] Odoi has to try and stop the cross, he is standing ten yards off of him, inviting him to put the ball in.

"[Alfie] Mawson can see [Javier] Hernandez, he looks at him and does absolutely nothing. You have got to close him down, but it was a free cross in and the defenders are all over the place, [Tim] Ream and Mawson, it is a good touch and a good finish, but look at the space he has got.

"They have to improve massively defensively if they are going to get out of trouble, because they were very, very poor again."

Meanwhile, Shearer reckons Fulham will need to spend again in January, despite spending more than £100m in the summer to recruit 12 new players following promotion from the Championship.

"They need different personnel and the problem Fulham have got is their recruitment has been poor," he said.

"They have spent a lot of money, but their recruitment has been poor."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/shearer-damning-verdict-fulham-defending-15557956