Thursday Fulham Stuff (03/01/19)...

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Cottage Talk Post Match Show: Arsenal vs. Fulham
Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

This is our post match show of the 4-1 loss for Fulham against Arsenal. During the show, co-host Yannis Tjanetis analyzed the key moments of this match. This is another super sized episode as we had much to say about this match.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/1/2/18165209/cottage-talk-post-match-show-arsenal-vs-fulham

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Rangers Eyeing This Fulham Midfielder If They Fail To Land Southampton Target: What Should Be Gerrard's Play?

Latest reports from the Daily Record indicates that Steven Gerrard has kept Fulham's Kevin McDonald as an alternative option if they fail to land Southampton's Steven Davis in the ongoing transfer period. The former Rangers midfielder is heavily linked with a second stint and Southampton are even willing to let him leave for free this month.

All Rangers need to do is finalise the personal terms and it is believed that Davis wants a two year deal at Ibrox. The midfielder currently earns £60,000 a week, and it remains to be seen what kind of offer Rangers are going to make to him. In case a deal does not materialise, Fulham's McDonald could be eyed as a backup option.

It is believed that Fulham are willing to let the midfielder leave as he has fallen down the pecking order ever since Claudio Ranieri took over. The 30-year-old has also managed to break into Scotland's national team off late. McDonald has his contract until 2020 with the Cottagers.

We highly doubt that Rangers would mess up a deal for Davis as everyone involved looks willing to make this work as Southampton, Rangers and the player himself are on the same page. As for agreeing on personal terms, even McDonald would be on high wages given that he plays for an English top flight club.

The Bears should look to bring someone who has a connection with the fans. Davis can also provide that creative spark in midfield, and he will add that much-needed experience in the middle of the park. The Southampton man has experience of winning big titles with the Gers, and he was also part of the Rangers team which made it to 2008 UEFA Cup final.

McDonald, on the other hand, is a slightly more defensive minded midfielder and the Gers have the likes of Ross McCrorie and Ryan Jack who can play that role. Not to forget, Fulham aren't going to be as generous as the Saints as Cottagers would definitely demand a decent amount of transfer fee for McDonald whereas someone like Davis can come for free this month.

So its a no-brainer for us that Rangers should look to do everything they can to land Davis. Even if they fail to get him, we would advise Gerrard to go for a more creative midfielder instead of a conservative one like McDonald. It's true that Davis isn't too attacking himself, but he can definitely do a job in that kind of role when required.



https://the4thofficial.net/2019/01/rangers-eyeing-this-fulham-midfielder-if-they-fail-to-land-southampton-target-what-should-be-gerrards-play/

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Get him Ranieri – This 6ft 2in giant would easily fix Fulham's leaky defence that has conceded 47 goals already

Why Fulham must beat Galatasaray to sign Jeffrey Bruma in January

According to a report from FotoMac, Turkish giants Galatasaray are interested in Wolfsburg defender Jeffrey Bruma.

Jeffrey Bruma, 27, joined Chelsea's youth setup from Feyenoord at the age of 15. He failed to break into Chelsea's senior squad, managing sporadic appearances before leaving the club for PSV Eindhoven in 2013. After spending three years with PSV, the Dutchman signed for Wolfsburg in 2016 and has become a refined central defender.

However, Jeffrey Bruma is yet to make a single appearance for Wolfsburg this season despite recovering from a knee injury, as manager Bruno Labbadia has preferred the likes of John Brooks and Robin Knoche ahead of him.

With the Dutch defender yet to play this season in the Bundesliga, Fulham must beat Galatasaray to Bruma's signature in January.



Following a dismal start to the campaign that led to the sacking of Slavisa Jokanovic, new Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri has already shown his desire to improve the defence.

Ranieri had asked for a clean sheet and that wish was duly granted as, for the first time in the Premier League this season, the Cottagers' defence kept things tight at the back and drew 0-0 with Newcastle United.

And they were close to getting their second clean sheet of the season on Boxing Day against Wolverhampton Wanderers, only for Romain Saiss' goal five minutes from time saw both teams share the spoils.

Given Fulham have conceded an eye-watering 47 goals in 21 games since promotion, a new centre-back should be at the top of Ranieri's January transfer list. That said, the west London outfit could do a brilliant job by signing Jeffrey Bruma.

Standing tall at 6ft 2in, Bruma is a robust defender who can dominate the attackers with his physical prowess. He is a very good reader of the game who is capable of bringing the ball out from the back and is excellent in tackling.

The Dutch international can also initiate attacks from the back, and with his game reading abilities, Bruma would certainly enhance a defence that has looked far too open all season.

A leader at the back and also comfortable playing in a three-man defence, Bruma's experience would be handy for Fulham. For all his attributes, he perfectly suits Ranieri's pragmatic style of football at Craven Cottage.

Hence, Fulham should go all out to sign Bruma from Wolfsburg in January.



https://soccersouls.com/2019/01/03/get-him-ranieri-this-6ft-2in-giant-would-easily-fix-fulhams-leaky-defence-that-has-conceded-47-goals-already/

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Fosu-Mensah should take Odoi's place at the heart of Fulham's defence

The right of the three centre halves in Claudio Ranieri's system looks tailor made for the Manchester United loanee.

Claudio Ranieri was brought to Fulham to engineer defensive improvement, without which the club were destined to make a swift return to the Championship.

The Italian has belatedly done exactly that; switching to a five-man defensive style, which protected by two holding midfielders and aided by the no-frills style that has replaced Slavisa Jokanovic's passing approach.

Their first two clean sheets of the season have followed, and Fulham at least have a foundation on which a survival bid can be made.

But further improvements are needed and one player who has struggled slightly to get to grips with the standard required in the top flight is Denis Odoi; a hugely popular player, who was a key part of last season's promotion campaign.

He is currently playing as part of a central defensive trio, but that role looks tailor made from Timothy Fosu-Mensah, who can play at both centre half and right back.

He struggled under Jokanovic – but so did the entire defence – and Ranieri should give him a second chance because of his superior athleticism and one v one defending.

The Dutchman has great potential and on his best form, he would be a better bet than Odoi, who was at fault for Wolves' equalising goal at Craven Cottage on Boxing Day.



https://tbrfootball.com/fosu-mensah-should-take-odois-place-at-the-heart-of-fulhams-defence/

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Fulham, Watford and West Ham Keen On Serie A Striker

Fulham, Watford and West Ham United are all showing interest in snapping up striker Gregoire Defrel in this month's transfer window.

Defrel is currently on loan at Sampdoria from fellow Serie A outfit Roma, with the deal including an option to buy for Samp.

His exploits at Sampdoria, with six goals in Serie A so far this season, have put him on the radar of a trio of English clubs.

And according to Sky Italia, the clubs showing interest in the 27-year-old are Fulham, West Ham and Watford.

All three Premier League sides are looking to make additions to their squad this month and Defrel could be tempted by the prospect of moving to England.

It is unclear how a move may unfold, but the Frenchman is hot property.

Roma snapped up Defrel from Sassuolo, initially on loan, but he struggled to make an impact in the Italian capital.

Defrel netted twice against Napoli this season, along with scoring against Roma.



http://www.insidefutbol.com/2019/01/02/fulham-watford-and-west-ham-keen-on-serie-a-striker/404308/