Thursday Fulham Stuff (07/03/19)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Singer's Corner: Ranieri vs Jokanovic

In the first of a brand new column series, our stat man George Singer compares our two managers this season – and how our fortunes changed as Ranieri was given the the keys to the Cottage.

So, to the delight of many, it's finally happened: the Tinkerman has left the building, and in comes the Prince of passion Scotty Parker. The writing had been on the wall for a couple of weeks, and with Scotty at the wheel we seem to be on the right track to bring some positivity to the end of a frankly rubbish season.

Whilst I'm convinced it was the correct move to wave arrivederci to the Italian, I'm probably not alone in that I was initially excited by Ranieri's appointment. After his previous heroics with relegation-candidates Leicester City, I thought he was the perfect man to give us the solid base required to start a push up into mid table. After watching his debut – a hard-fought victory at the Cottage against Southampton – I felt confident he would find that magic blend of defensive structure and attacking freedom to start finally putting points on the table.

In the end, we all know what actually happened. His tenure was short, and relatively disappointing, and leaves us effectively (if not yet mathematically) relegated.

Inevitable comparisons will be made between Claudio and his Slavic predecessor, so I thought I'd dig into the numbers a little to come up with my own opinion. Whilst we'll never know for sure what would have happened if we'd stuck with Slavisa for the rest of the season, I wanted to try and analyse the effect that the managerial swap had on the squad, and who was the better fit for us in the Premier League.

Did Ranieri improve results?

At the end of the day, a football club is essentially a business. It has its own KPIs, and a strategy for how to improve these. And the most important one of these: points on the board. A team can play football in any way they like, but if they can't get the results they need to stay up, everything else quickly becomes irrelevant.

If we take a look at these basic stats for both Claudio and Slavisa, there's only really one winner:

Whilst he did have a slightly more favourable run of opponents (the average league position of his opponents was 10.8, compared to Slav's 10.2), the numbers do suggest that Claudio was turning the club in the right direction. We were scoring more, conceding less, and earning more points per game.

When he joined the club, Ranieri was set a clear target by the Khans: keep Fulham in the Premier League. In his first press conference, he had a clear strategy to do this:

    "As an Italian manager, the defensive way is the best method of the team. It is important to have a strong vision of how to work defensively"

These days, 40 points will comfortably keep a team up, so Claudio should have been looking to win just over a point per game to hit his target.

In reality, Ranieri wasn't really able to bring us anywhere close to what we needed, and wasn't able to shore up the defence as he promised. Whilst we were slightly more competent defensively, we still conceded 2 goals a game. In short, a bit better, but not nearly good enough.

Losing our footballing identity

Under Slavisa Jokanovic, particularly during our 23 game unbeaten run last season, we had a clear footballing philosophy at the club. We were "The Entertainers". We were the "Barcelona of the Championship". Yes, the standard of opposition wasn't always great, but we knew week in week out we would be treated to attractive, positive and productive football. Both players and fans loved it.

We all knew that this would need to be tweaked in the Premier League, to counter some of the best squads in world football, but I couldn't wait for us to take our swashbuckling football up to the Etihad, Anfield and Old Trafford.

For the first few games, this is exactly what we did. Whilst we weren't as dominant as we were in the Championship, we started the season how we finished the previous: lots of short passes, building up play slowly, and starving the opposition of the ball. We were playing well, and fun to watch, but not getting the points we needed.

Over time, the lack of results became more and more of a pressing issue. Pressure quickly started to build, and it felt like we collapsed in on ourselves at the John Smith stadium. Despite flooding the midfield with naturally gifted passers of the ball, we couldn't string two passes together, and resorted to hoofing the ball long to Mitrovic. A sign that the players had given up with Slavisa's ways?

After the loss to Liverpool, Shahid pulled the trigger. In came Claudio, and out went the brand of football we had become accustomed to. Within a couple of weeks, it felt like he'd undone 2 and a half years of work on the training ground – and our attack was reduced to getting the ball forward to Mitrovic as fast as possible. We had lost our attractive identity, and it had been replaced by a confused, direct mess of a strategy.

When the players have been brought in for a particular style of football, and are being told to play in a completely opposite fashion, they're not going to be at their best. They're going to be confused as to what they need to do, and frankly this is understandable. Claudio, on arrival, was praised on his ability to build a tactical system around his players. In reality, he tried to squeeze our square players into round holes – and it never really worked.

So... Slavisa or Claudio?

In football, as in many areas of life, things are not black and white. Things are complex, don't have a definitive answer, and the key in reality is finding the right balance. For us, this meant we needed to find the right balance of both enjoyable footballing identity and results. In practice, our two managers were only able to bring one each, and both left in disheartening fashion.

Don't get me wrong, clearly both men are quality managers. After all, Slavisa did get us promoted, and Claudio won the League with Leicester. They could both be stubborn, and could isolate fan favourites, but talented men nonetheless.

The main issue I have here is the stark difference in footballing styles between them. The whole purpose of having a sporting director, is that they employ a head coach to deliver a style of football which runs through the veins of a club. This should flow through from the top to the bottom of the club, and shouldn't significantly change with a new manager coming in.

Thinking back, the managers we reportedly spoke to before hiring Claudio were Quique Sanchez Flores, Arsene Wenger and Andre Villas Boas. Big names, yes, but no consistent style of football. In reality, all of them would have had teething problems adapting the team to their style, and would have resulted in a similarly disappointing tenure.

The solution? Have a style of football and stick to it. Less time needed to adapt to a new style, less need for new players, and fewer disgruntled players. Something for the Khans to think about when they make their next appointment.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2019-03-06-singers-corner-ranieri-vs-jokanovic/

[WhiteJC]

 
'Lee Johnson in line for a new contract at Bristol City amid Fulham links'

Our latest Robins On The Wire podcast is out now

Bristol City boss Lee Johnson is heading for a new deal at Ashton Gate - that's according to Sky Sports' Michelle Owen and our Robins writer.

The duo discuss recent speculation linking Johnson with Fulham and opine that Johnson - who is contracted until summer 2020 - needs to be tied down longer with the good work happening at Ashton Gate.

It's all in episode 67 of our Bristol City Robins On The Wire podcast, which sees our regular hosts chew over the last week concerning the Robins.

First off, there's that good point won at Deepdale, and an instant impact from highly rated young forward Antoine Semenyo. The two discuss just how good the 19-year-old Chelsea target was against Preston and what the future holds.

They also look at the form of several other Robins and debate if Callum O'Dowda has been distracted by interest from elsewhere.

Also: some team called Leeds United are heading to Ashton Gate - and we preview Saturday's visit of Marcelo Bielsa's side at what looks to be a sell-out crowd at Ashton Gate.



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/lee-johnson-line-new-contract-2614552

[WhiteJC]

 
Games for the Weekend 9/03
This weekend we travel to the East Midlands to take on Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

So after Scott's first game in charge there's a renewed sense of togetherness at Fulham, we all know that we're almost certainly going to get relegated but the game against Chelsea showed more of the 'old' Fulham spirit.
With Tom and Ryan playing in their preferred positions we looked far effective going forward. We still have issues at the back but with Stuart Grey back in charge on defensive coaching we might get a little tighter? fingers crossed

With both teams having changed their managers, this will both Scott and Brendan Rogers 2nd game in charge, and coincidentally both loosing their 1st games 2-1, I'm sure they will both want to get a positive result this weekend.

Vardy went off injured at the end of Leicester's game against Watford so they could struggle in front of goal? clutching at straws I know.

Games of interest...
Saturday 9th
Palace v Brighton
Cardiff v West Ham
Huddersfield v Bournemouth
Leicester v Fulham
Newcastle v Everton
Southampton v Spurs

Sunday 10th
Liverpool v Burnley

come on over to the Friends of Fulham forum and join in the conversation...
http://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=1.0



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=629

[WhiteJC]

 
Sorting out the defence would make Scott Parker a Fulham hero

Scott Parker has landed himself the temporary role of captain of the sinking Fulham ship, and in traditional nautical style will likely sink with them to the murky depths of Championship football. But what can the once Premier League Player of the Year do to earn himself the permanent role?

Fans are forgiven for blindly hoping that the extensive problems suffered at Craven Cottage would be solved by the appointment of Claudio Ranieri back in November 2018.

The former Leicester man orchestrated one of the most iconic Premier League title victories in history after all. He was the master of achieving the impossible; Fulham was just another 'impossible' project – right?

Wrong.

The Italian managed a dismal three wins in the 17 games whilst in charge, cementing the Cottagers position in 19th place and dragged them ever closer to the dreaded drop.

Now, with nowhere else to turn, Fulham have placed their faith in former captain Scott Parker to change their all but certain fate.

If Parker manages to save his club from the drop and pull off something truly special he deserves a place in the history books; or, at the very least, the permanent job.

So what two things can he do to make this happen?

Defence

Parker needs to find a way to address his side's defensive frailties.

Conceding 65 goals (so far) in a single campaign is appalling. No two ways about it: that kind of record is begging for relegation.

Fulham invested big in the summer but were incredibly naïve when recruiting at the back.

Alfie Mawson may have been one of the few decent players at Swansea last year but where did they end up? We understand that newly promoted teams rarely have the same sort of privileged access to talent as the more established sides, however it is bewildering when the fate of the club is left in the hands of someone who has recently suffered the thing you are trying to avoid, relegation.

As for the rest of the players, what have they achieved? Chambers is an Arsenal reject, Le Marchand made his way over from one of the weakest leagues in Europe, Tim Ream needs no comment, and Bryan has recently arrived from the Championship, and recent acquisition Nordtveit flopped at West Ham.

There is a phrase about not being able to polish something and that rings true in Fulham's case.

Parker has experience as a defensive player, so he may be able to put that to use, but even with that, he may find too difficult to solve.

The curious case of Ryan Sessegnon

Whether Ryan Sessegnon was not the player we all thought he was, or he has just been poorly managed is a debatable topic.

The England youth international has been the subject of interest from all the top sides for some time now for very good reason.

Sessegnon managed 16 goals and eight assists in all competitions last year helping his side to Premier League promotion but has since struggled at the top-level.

With ability, he possesses everything positive should be going through him. He is their star man, their talisman, and by all means their last hope.

Parker desperately needs to instil a sense of confidence in the player if he wants his team to start producing the goods in the forward positions.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/fulham/sorting-out-the-defence-would-make-scott-parker-a-fulham-hero/

[WhiteJC]

 
Michael Jackson statue: National Football Museum removes artwork

A statue of Michael Jackson has been removed from the National Football Museum in Manchester.

Its removal comes as sexual abuse allegations against the singer are detailed in a new documentary film.

The statue was commissioned by Fulham's then chairman Mohammed Al Fayed following Jackson's death in June 2009.

The National Football Museum (NFM) said the statue had been taken off display as part of "ongoing plans" to "better represent" football's stories.

Two men, James Safechuck and Wade Robson, allege in the Channel 4 documentary, Leaving Neverland, that they were sexually abused by the superstar.

There have been reports of radio stations dropping Jackson's music from their playlists, while some fans on social media have said they are boycotting the star.

An NFM spokesperson said: "Plans have been under way for a number of months to remove the Michael Jackson statue from display as part of our ongoing plans to better represent the stories we want to tell about football.

"As a result of this, the statue has now been removed."

Mr Al Fayed installed the statue outside Craven Cottage in 2011 but new owner Shahid Khan had it taken down in September 2013.

The artwork was originally due to be erected at Harrods before Mr Al Fayed sold the Knightsbridge store.

His decision to place the Jackson statue outside Fulham's stadium was unpopular, with supporters saying it made the club a "laughing stock".

Mr Al Fayed robustly defended the statue, saying: "If some stupid fans don't understand and appreciate such a gift this guy gave to the world, they can go to hell."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-47468074

[WhiteJC]

 
VOTE | Cauley Woodrow nominated for PFA monthly award!

Reds hot-shot nominated after another outstanding month in front of goal.

With four goals in five appearances through February, no player scored more times than Cauley in Sky Bet League One last month.

Voting for the Bristol Street Motors PFA Fans' Player of the Month award is now open, and closes tomorrow, Thursday 7th March at 8am.



https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2019/march/woodrow-pfa/

[WhiteJC]

 
Lee Clark Exclusive: Tigana (& great signings) transformed Fulham



Lee Clark has explained how Fulham transformed themselves from cellar dwellers into Premier League mainstays.

Clark signed from Sunderland in the summer of 1999, and two seasons later under French manager Jean Tigana, helped the club win promotion to the top-flight for the first time since 1967/68.

Several talented players soon arrived at Craven Cottage, including Louis Saha from Metz, Lyon star Steed Malbranque and Ajax's legendary goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. Those massive changes culminated in a ninth-placed finish in the 2003/04 season.

Some inconsistent seasons followed, but Fulham would once again establish themselves as a successful club under Roy Hodgson, finishing runners-up in the 2009/10 Europa League final.

The Cottagers' 14-year streak in the top-flight finished in the 2013/14 season.

Clark captained the club at the start of the millennium and he believes their early success was down to an amalgamation of management, recruitment and opportunism.

He told TribalFootball.com: "We had success because of a few things. Firstly a tremendous manager who was ahead of the game at the time, Jean Tigana, who had us all supremely fit.

"We had a core group of senior British players, but he added that with some foreign signings and some British players of his own. We complemented really well with each and had unbelievable work ethic and tremendous fitness program, the staff were meticulous with the work that we done.

"As we progressed into the Premier League we were then getting established and being from the west of London we could attract some of the top players, we had van der Sar who was unbelievable signing for us at the time and came in and proved to be brilliant, and then players who went on to bigger and better things.

"The club was growing every year and we finished ninth in the Premier League which at the time was Fulham's highest ever top flight finish.

"We got to the semi final of the FA Cup, competed in the Europa League, and all things at the time showed the club were getting stronger and stronger. And the fans traveled with us on that journey and they were brilliant, the time we had together was fantastic."



Read more at https://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/lee-clark-exclusive-tigana-great-signings-transformed-fulham-4271603#Fdx0mDE0mgb9ZrzU.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham fans will be shocked by Roma's reported interest in Claudio Ranieri

Last week, Claudio Ranieri was sacked by Fulham after a terrible tenure that culminated in the Whites being cut adrift in their fight for survival in the Premier League.

Yet the Italian manager is now being linked to the Roma job according to Il Romanista, news that will come as a massive shock to Fulham supporters.

Ranieri undoubtedly has a prestigious managerial career, with success in both Italy and England, with his title-winning feat at Leicester City standing unparalleled.

But it is clear to any observer that Ranieri's best days are far behind him. His spell at Fulham was a difficult assignment, but the manager ended up making the situation at Craven Cottage far worse.

In the end, Ranieri's tactics, man-management, and overall handling of the squad were revealed to be horribly outdated. Fan favourites Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon were banished and treated unfairly, Ranieri prided spineless experienced players over younger and hungrier options, and his constant chopping and changing of the lineup failed to produce any meaningful change.

Of course, if Ranieri does take over at Roma after the potential sacking of Eusebio Di Francesco, he will have a far different task at hand and will be at a considerably better club.

Nevertheless, strolling into the job in Rome so soon after his tortured time at Fulham would surprise fans who suffered under his disappointing reign.



https://tbrfootball.com/fulham-fans-will-be-shocked-by-romas-reported-interest-in-claudio-ranieri/

[WhiteJC]

Cottage Talk: The Player Ratings Show With Special Guest Ryan O'Donovan
Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

This feature on Cottage Talk focuses on player ratings. Special guest Ryan O'Donovan from Football. London had his own player ratings for Fulham against Chelsea and we reviewed them. On top of that, we discussed Ryan's talking points from the match.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/3/6/18253478/cottage-talk-the-player-ratings-show-with-special-guest-ryan-odonovan