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Saturday Fulham Stuff (09/02/19)...

Started by WhiteJC, February 09, 2019, 05:57:42 AM

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WhiteJC

 
In the pipeline: Harvey Elliott

Harvey Elliott has already made headlines due to his exploits at Fulham.

Aged just 15, the right winger holds the prestigious honour of being the club's youngest ever player, as he made his debut as a second-half substitute in the 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Millwall earlier this season.

Elliott had an exam at school that same day, such are his tender years.

Indeed, Elliott was born in 2003, the same year that Wayne Rooney made his breakthrough for England.

And he appears to be something of a prodigious talent.

Colin Omogbehin, the club's Under-18 head coach, has been impressed with the growth and maturity shown by a player who still cannot legally drink in this country.

Speaking to BBC, he said: "From an early age Harvey's always managed to make good decisions at the right time.

"Whether that's rolling someone in with the perfectly weighted pass or scoring himself. He's real top end."

He added: "When he was 14 he played in the Under 16s against top quality opposition and he stood out. He was the best player on the pitch."

Elliott has played 13 times for Fulham's Under-18 team and has scored three goals, while laying on three assists, and has also played twice for the Under-23s.

One of those games came against Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Trophy, playing 45 minutes in a 2-1 defeat, and he has also been capped at Under-15 and Under-16 level by England. He has scored two goals for the former.

Elliott has yet to commit himself to Fulham, however, due to FA rules. He cannot sign a professional contract until the age of 17.

The London Evening Standard, perhaps unsurprisingly, report that there is subsequently interest in his services.

Barcelona, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea are all said to be keeping an eye on the teenager, who is regarded as one of the finest young talents in English football currently.

Fulham face a battle to keep hold of him but, such is his precociousness, he should thrive wherever he goes.



https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/fulham/in-the-pipeline-harvey-elliott

WhiteJC

 
Ranieri looking at bigger picture as Fulham seek survival boost against United

The second-bottom Cottagers are seven points adrift of safety.

Claudio Ranieri has told his Fulham players their battle against relegation will not be settled against Manchester United and they therefore cannot rely on one result lifting their troubled season.

Of Fulham's coming seven fixtures, three are away from Craven Cottage — they are yet to record an away league victory this season — and the other four against United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.

By the end of that run survival could be beyond Fulham's reach, with the club already seven points adrift of safety, but Ranieri is adamant they have to retain their belief if they are to have any hope of succeeding.

Given the difficulty of that run the Cottagers had been relying on victory last weekend at Crystal Palace, when they again lost, yet while that result appeared defining their manager knows it is a succession of results they require.

It was an unexpected victory at Manchester City that gave Fulham the belief to survive when they were struggling under Roy Hodgson in 2008, but perhaps acknowledging their present circumstances are considerably bleaker, Ranieri said: "We don't need one match to change the mood. We need more matches to change the mood.

"Of course, if there's a good result against United, the mood could be changed, but you have to see the next match.

"The inspiration I have is that if you continue to fight, you maybe have one opportunity to be safe.
It's not sure. But if you don't fight, you don't have that last opportunity. It's important to fight. After, if they're better than you, it's a pity, and we restart next season.

"It's contagious. Together it's easier. If you see the team, you don't see a team that's not involved in the relegation fight. No, we are fighting, but we lose some matches. Not because we don't fight; because the little details are against us."

Teenager Ryan Sessegnon has been among Fulham's most consistent performers when he has been selected, but under Ranieri he has become increasingly peripheral.

Last month's arrivals of Ryan Babel and Lazar Markovic have provided the 18-year-old with further competition for selection, and the Italian questions whether Sessegnon has the experience and physical maturity to play every week.

"He is a lad," said Ranieri, who at Chelsea oversaw John Terry's development into a first-team player. "It's his first time in the Premier League and sometimes it's not possible to stay every time at the top of your condition.

"(But) now he is getting better and then he can play on Saturday. For me he is a very good player."



http://sport.bt.com/news/ranieri-looking-at-bigger-picture-as-fulham-seek-survival-boost-against-united-S11364335153768

WhiteJC

 
Darren Moore confident Stefan Johansen can hit the ground running for West Brom

Darren Moore is looking forward to seeing what new signing Stefan Johansen can produce on the pitch for Albion.

Johansen is expected to be named in the Albion squad for the first time this weekend, following his deadline day loan from Fulham.

A central midfielder with plenty of Championship pedigree, he has impressed Moore in training during his first week at the club.

Johansen played in a midfield trio of a 4-3-3 system at Fulham last season, helping the Cottagers win promotion with eight goals and nine assists.

It's the same system the Baggies have played since November, and Moore is hoping the 28-year-old will fit in seamlessly.

"We hope he can hit the ground running," said Moore. "He's a talented boy, a really good player, that's why we brought him here.

"We feel he's a player that can fit into out system and style of play. He can bring us something more.

"Players we bring in have to improve the team and Stefan is certainly one. Stefan knows the league and we hope to provide a platform for him to perform and play.

"He looks really good in training, he's got a wonderful appetite and he's a lovely character which is always pleasing.

"That's what we want at the club. The only thing left to see is his performances."

Johansen is captain of Norway, and in the prime of his career at the age of 28.

Moore also hopes the all-action midfielder will be leader on the pitch for the Baggies.

"He seems like that in and around the building," added the head coach. "I've seen him in training and his level of performance and quality is great to see. He understands what we're trying to do here.

"Being the skipper for his country shows there's leadership qualities in him. All that's left to be seen is him having the opportunity to perform."

Johansen picked up 12 yellow cards for Fulham last season, and Moore was asked if he had a nasty streak Albion had been lacking.

"We'll wait and see," he said. "One thing we have seen is a genuine quality from him which is wonderful. He'll help with the balance of the team.

"He's had a week to train so he's got a good feel for us and the club. They all want to play and he's no different."



https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2019/02/08/darren-moore-confident-stefan-johansen-can-hit-the-ground-running-for-west-brom/


WhiteJC


Three Players to Watch: Matchday 26 vs. Manchester United
Yeah. This May Not be Fun

So, we're back to the very beginning of Fulham's problems. They simply can't get out of their own way to play a style that doesn't suit the players at all. Against Manchester United, a team that has been filled with goals galore under new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the incentive will once again be to sit back with all Craven Cottage behind the ball before springing the counter-attack. I beg to differ.

In short, everyone around the world expects Fulham to lose 5-0, heck, maybe even 10-0. So why not go for it in attack? Why on Earth, in 2019, would you not want to play your best formation that fits the players? Why not play a system that allows Tom Cairney and Jean Michael Seri, Fulham's two most well-rounded players, to work well together? Most importantly, why should we be told by the opposition how to play?

Yes, there are great sides that have adapted to every game of football and are able to succeed, but this club was told to play one way for years. There are some adjustments along the way, but that comes after trying to put their best foot forward with the style the club would like to play. Just look at tomorrow's opponents as further proof of that.

We all know that their defense and midfield is Europa League at best without Paul Pogba, and that is unforgivable for Manchester United's standards. But their array of attacking talents are endless and they are being unleashed by Solskjaer's tactics. Add all that together from the disastrous Mourinho era and it's amazing to see United sitting third in the Premier League in expected goals scored at 46.5. The thing is though, United don't get better in defense by being more defensive. They keep the ball and tell every opposition to do your best to take the ball away from them.

That's how Fulham rolled under Slavisa Jokanovic and Claudio Ranieri has continued to ignore the past in spite of losing every part of the identity this club has built for so long. Tony Khan is no where out of the woods on this either, but the thing is, whoever dictates the tempo will not only win this game, but put in the proper margin of victory. There is a chance that plenty of big names could sit next week out for United due to their fixture against Paris Saint Germain in the UEFA Champions League next week. However, I seriously doubt their depth won't be lacking enough quality to affect the outcome of next week's game. Let's just hope Fulham even bother to give it a go and put their best foot forward.

On that note, here are three key players for United that have broken out under Solskjaer.

Marcus Rashford

You knew Marcus Rashford was a talent ever since making it to the Euros in 2016 for England. The question was always going to be how he was going to usurp Romelu Lukaku, a World Cup semifinalist and a world-class star at the prime of his career in his own right, from his starting position. Amazingly, Rashford has done that in his age-21 season and he has torn up the Premier League to pieces in the process. His nine goals are already a career high for him in any league campaign and his six assists and total xG Chain of 11.97 have him second only to Pogba. He is due for some regression on the assist count, but with United not having a true creative force that starts week-in-week-out, Rashford might as well be the closest thing. Now Lukaku could start on Saturday just to get his confidence going while the youngster goes back to playing out wide, but why not have him with Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial or even Alexis Sanchez up front. Should I mention that Juan Mata is also in this squad? Yeah, United are that deep in that area of the pitch and it will be downright miserable to mark any of them for a full 90 minutes.

Ander Herrera

Next up is the next best thing to Pogba in midfield, who clearly is head and shoulders better than any United player over there. However, Ander Herrera just puts in the hard yards whenever its required of him. Add in the horrible aging of Nemanja Matic and the loss of Marouane Fellaini to China and the Spaniard's role within the club grows even more. He's always involved in challenges and he'll do his best to connect the defense into attack. That latter part is perfectly seen with his club leading 0.55 xG Buildup per 90 among players playing over 500 league minutes. Now Herrera will be 30 by the opening weekend next season and his contract runs out this summer. He may not be a good enough midfielder to guide United to the juggernaut they were under Sir Alex Ferguson, but he has been enough of a cult hero during his time at the club that he won't be completely forgotten.

Luke Shaw
All data from whoscored.com

Lastly, let's talk about Jose Mourinho's whipping boy because this fullback has been proving doubters wrong all season. To be blunt, Luke Shaw has been the best defender for United all season by miles. It's as if we all have forgotten that he is still 23 years old with plenty of football left in him. However, the gruesome injuries have put him so far behind schedule in his development that he might as well be 28 or even 30. But now that Shaw is making up for lost time, we might as well get ready for him to have more amazing seasons to come as long as he is being managed properly. He's certainly getting that now under Solskjaer and I expect him competing the starting left back spot for England.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/2/8/18216691/three-players-to-watch-matchday-26-vs-manchester-united

WhiteJC

 
Claudio Ranieri says Fulham cannot rely on one result lifting their troubled season

Claudio Ranieri has told his Fulham players their battle against relegation will not be settled against Manchester United and they therefore cannot rely on one result lifting their troubled season.

Of Fulham's coming seven fixtures, three are away from Craven Cottage – they are yet to record an away league victory this season – and the other four against United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.

By the end of that run survival could be beyond Fulham's reach, with the club already seven points adrift of safety, but Ranieri is adamant they have to retain their belief if they are to have any hope of succeeding.

Given the difficulty of that run the Cottagers had been relying on victory last weekend at Crystal Palace, when they again lost, yet while that result appeared defining their manager knows it is a succession of results they require.

It was an unexpected victory at City that gave Fulham the belief to survive when they were struggling under Roy Hodgson in 2008, but perhaps acknowledging their present circumstances are considerably bleaker, Ranieri said: "We don't need one match to change the mood. We need more matches to change the mood.

"Of course, if there's a good result against United, the mood could be changed, but you have to see the next match.

"The inspiration I have is that if you continue to fight, you maybe have one opportunity to be safe.

It's not sure. But if you don't fight, you don't have that last opportunity. It's important to fight. After, if they're better than you, it's a pity, and we restart next season.

"It's contagious. Together it's easier. If you see the team, you don't see a team that's not involved in the relegation fight. No, we are fighting, but we lose some matches. Not because we don't fight; because the little details are against us."

Teenager Ryan Sessegnon has been among Fulham's most consistent performers when he has been selected, but under Ranieri he has become increasingly peripheral.

Last month's arrivals of Ryan Babel and Lazar Markovic have provided the 18-year-old with further competition for selection, and the Italian questions whether Sessegnon has the experience and physical maturity to play every week.

"He is a lad," said Ranieri, who at Chelsea oversaw John Terry's development into a first-team player. "It's his first time in the Premier League and sometimes it's not possible to stay every time at the top of your condition.

"(But) now he is getting better and then he can play on Saturday. For me he is a very good player."



https://sport360.com/article/football/english-premier-league/317924/claudio-ranieri-says-fulham-cannot-rely-on-one-result-lifting-their-troubled-season

WhiteJC

 
Confirmed: Man Utd squad to face Fulham

Manchester United are set to face Fulham at Craven Cottage in today's lunchtime Premier League kickoff.

This will be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 11th game as United caretaker manager with the Norwegian having won nine of his first 10.

Fulham are down in 19th position in the Premier League table, having lost four of their last five, conceding 12 during this run.

With the first leg of our Champions League second round tie against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, the boss is expected to rotate his squad today.

One first team regular who has not travelled down to West London is Victor Lindelof. The Swedish centre-back has been left at home to remain fresh for our important midweek clash. Ole has Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo all available to him at centre-back.

Exciting teenager Tahith Chong has travelled down with the first team squad and could make his Premier League debut later this afternoon. The winger made his Manchester United debut as a substitute in our 2-0 win against Reading in the FA Cup at the start of January.

Chong faces competition for playing time with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Alexis Sanchez, Anthony Martial and Juan Mata all included in our matchday squad for the 12:30 kickoff.

The full Manchester United squad that have travelled to Craven Cottage, confirmed by the Manchester Evening News, is as follows:

David de Gea, Sergio Romero, Lee Grant; Diogo Dalot, Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Luke Shaw, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling; Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Paul Pogba; Tahith Chong, Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Alexis Sanchez, Anthony Martial



https://redrants.com/confirmed-man-utd-squad-to-face-fulham/