Monday Fulham Stuff (11/03/19)...

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Scott Parker rues costly Fulham mistakes in Leicester defeat
Jamie Vardy scored twice to seal a 3-1 win for Leicester on Saturday

Scott Parker rued "costly mistakes" as Leicester pushed Fulham closer to relegation with a 3-1 win at the King Power Stadium.

Floyd Ayite cancelled out Youri Tielemans' opener, but slack defending allowed Jamie Vardy to score twice as Fulham were consigned to a 21st Premier League defeat of the season.

The Cottagers are now 13 points adrift of safety after victories for Cardiff and Southampton on Saturday, and caretaker manager Parker believes the positives of the second-half display count for very little after another self-inflicted loss.

He said: "We're in a league where if you make little errors, you get punished, and the ball normally ends up in the back of your net.

"That's happened a lot to us this year, and that's probably the most disappointing thing today because in the second half we played really well, but you forget about that when you look at the end result.

"Certainly I saw signs of encouragement in the second half. When we got it back to 1-1 I really thought we were in the ascendancy, and if any team was going to get another goal it was us. We were controlling the game pretty well, but we made a costly mistake."

Havard Nordtveit was punished for a misplaced pass as James Maddison fed Vardy for his milestone strike with 12 minutes remaining - and Fulham rode their luck at times during an opening period in which they failed to register an attempt on goal.

Ayite's scrappy leveller breathed new life into the travel-sick visitors, and Aleksandar Mitrovic was denied by Kasper Schmeichel as Fulham threatened to complete an unlikely turnaround.

Parker acknowledges that the club's chances of staging a miraculous escape are fading with eight games remaining, but the former midfielder does not expect his players to give up without a fight - starting against Liverpool next Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

"We have to keep going, driving on and raising standards," he added.

"We have to keep a belief about us and there's a longer view and a bigger picture that we need to see beyond this season. Working out where we go from here will only be seen as an improvement looking ahead to next year.

"Next season should be in the players' minds, no doubt. We are down the bottom because we've not been good enough, and the players would say the same. With eight games left, this is still massive for every one of them."



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11660246/scott-parker-rues-costly-fulham-mistakes-in-leicester-defeat

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Scott Parker outlines what pleased him about Fulham's second-half performance at Leicester City

The Cottagers were much better after the break at the King Power Stadium

Fulham are now 13 points adrift of safety after slipping to a late 3-1 defeat against Leicester City.

Drawing level just after the break with Floyd Ayite's goal cancelling out Youri Tielemans' early strike, a Jamie Vardy double in the closing stages ensured that the Foxes recorded the three points.

However, it could have been very different had Aleksandar Mitrovic's header found the bottom corner with Kasper Schmeichel pulling off an outstanding save.

Much better after the break following a really poor first half at the King Power Stadium, Scott Parker revealed after the game that he can take positives from the final 45 minutes ahead of next week's home game against Liverpool.

"We've worked all week on the way we plan and style of football we want to try and play," he told football.london . "I thought first half we were probably a little bit naive in the way we played against a side which was under a new manager in Brendan and with a front four aggressive in pressing.

"I felt it was a bit naive in the way we played and probably gave them a lift.

"We didn't give ourselves a foundation to build on, but second half that changed.

"I think the real positives second half were that we seemed more grown up really.

"We played the game in a more mature way and I don't think we did that first half.

"We didn't quite understand the moments in the game and second half that was different and that was pleasing."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/scott-parker-fulham-news-latest-15949621

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West Brom keen on Jokanovic

West Brom are keen on ex-Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic after sacking Darren Moore on Saturday, according to Express & Star journalist Matt Wilson.

The reporter claimed via his personal Twitter account on Saturday evening that Albion want a speedy appointment to replace Moore, who was axed following the 1-1 draw against rock-bottom Ipswich.

And it is understood that Jokanovic, 50, is a target, among others.

Good move for West Brom?

Jokanovic has a great track record.

He won promotion with Watford as Championship runners-up in 2014/15, and also led Fulham to a play-off final against Aston Villa last season.

The Serbian boss was sacked by Fulham earlier this term, but that does not mean that he would be a bad fit for the Baggies.

West Brom are more than likely going to finish in the play-off spots now so hiring someone who is proven in that field could be a masterstroke by Mark Jenkins.

This is Futbol rating 8/10

Likely to happen?

Jokanovic sounds like the perfect choice for West Brom, which is exactly why it's unlikely that the club will hire him.

Jenkins never seems to get a managerial decision right and the board are more than likely going to hire someone who isn't up for the job than someone who is clearly the right fit.

They also need to get this appointment done within the next few days preferably, and that could be an issue at the negotiating table.

This is Futbol rating 5/10



https://thisisfutbol.com/2019/03/blogs/west-brom-keen-on-jokanovic/

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Scott Parker urges his Fulham team to continue to play with pride after suffering sixth successive Premier League defeat against Leicester

    Scott Parker said Fulham must continue to play with pride after Leicester loss
    Parker urged his players to treat each of the last eight games as cup finals
    Fulham lost for the sixth successive game at Leicester to slip 13 points off safety

Scott Parker said Fulham's players must continue to play with pride, treating each of the final eight games as a cup final, even if relegation looks a foregone conclusion.

Fulham lost for the sixth successive game at Leicester to slip 13 points off safety with the Premier League's worst goal difference.

Leicester won 3-1, taking advantage of mistakes by Calum Chambers, Havard Nordtveit, and Denis Odoi, which Parker said was a story of Fulham's season.


Scott Parker said Fulham must continue to play with pride after the 3-1 defeat to Leicester

'It's going to be really, really tough,' he said of Fulham's survival prospects.  'Obviously I sit here with a realism. I understand the situation.

'The message stays the same, we're not done mathematically, but we know it's going to be real tough.

'It's been a tough year for the players, the staff and everyone. But the players have a lot to play for. For the fans, for next year, everything. Whether we're down or not, every game will be a cup final.


He urged his team to treat the last eight games as cup finals after suffering a sixth straight loss

'Individual errors have cost us the game in the end. That's probably been a massive part of this year really.

'We'd worked all week on the way we want to play. In the first half we were probably a bit naive against a side that was under a new manager and had a front four who were very aggressive in their pressing.

'We never gave ourselves a foundation to build on. In the second half that changed. We seemed a little bit more grown up really.'



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6790765/Scott-Parker-urges-Fulham-play-pride-suffering-sixth-successive-defeat-Leicester.html

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Celtic and Fulham youngsters likely to be linked with Leicester City, and why they should be transfer targets

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers will look to different scenarios regarding his squad at Leicester City. Players will be in demand from the big guns and at the same time covering those positions, possibly being left open, will be of great importance.

The club will have different tools to find the correct replacement and those analysing this will of course alert the manager so that the right decision is made. All positions must be covered and indeed if one is leaving you will try to bring in the perfect replacement, and slot him in as best as possible.

Recent rumors linking Ben Chilwell with Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City in a big money transfer, could see Rodgers finding a solution with a new recruit and allready his previous pupil at Celtic, Kieran Tierney is linked.

So why will Tierney be the one preferred. He is a full Scottish international, just 21 year of age and with around 100 league appearances for Celtic. He has already been capped 12 times, and a player with European football experience.

The fact that a move down to England and Leicester City will secure Premier League football and that he will be the player preferred, could be enough to see a move happening.

Celtic might be reluctant to a move at this moment and could price Tierney out of the market with an asking price to high to accept. We believe from the current financial situation at Leicester City, regarding FFP rules and of course a grand squad of players, will be of importance as new players are targeted.

There might be easier to lure young England U.21 international Ryan Sessegnon away from Fulham. The young left back / left winger is still only 18 years of age and has struggled a bit to adapt to Premier League football in a struggling side, after being a real sensations at Championship level last season.

Sessegnon has made an impact this season, no doubt about that, and with a year more he will be a player that could progress and go all the way and soon be challenging Ben Chilwell for that England left back / flank job. He is good going forward and knows how to score goals, which makes him a great transfer target.

With Fulham clearly going down, a move could be realistic and seen as something that can benefit both player and club. We believe that Brendan Rodgers is close to finding a path towards "the progress" that must be happening as that was what falted Claude Puel despite bringing forward great talent as we have seen this season.



https://filbertway.com/2019/03/10/celtic-and-fulham-youngsters-likely-to-be-linked-with-leicester-city-and-why-they-should-be-transfer-targets/

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Bristol City boss Lee Johnson is second favourite for West Brom job after former Fulham man

Robins head coach linked with another hot-seat elsewhere

Bristol City boss Lee Johnson is heavily in the running for the vacant West Brom post.

Media reports linked Johnson with the post last summer before Darren Moore was finally confirmed for the position but now the Robins head coach is again being talked about for the position.

Johnson ruled out interest in the position last April when Bristol Live asked the Championship tactician about a possible move to the Hawthorns but that has not stopped the bookies making Johnson the second favourite for the job.

Former Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic is the 5/2 favourite to be in charge at West Brom for the first game of the 2019/2020 season.

The Serb was sacked by Fulham in December having steered the club to promotion but paying the price for poor form in England's top tier.

But then Johnson comes next in the market at 3/1, while then come ex-Huddersfield boss David Wagner at 5/1.

There has been much surprise at West Brom's decision to let Moore go with the Baggies in fourth position in the league, and now the West Midlands side seek a successor.

A draw with Ipswich proved the last straw. First-team coach James Shan fills in until a new long-term appointment is made with Johnson in that race.

Bristol City CEO Mark Ashton previously worked at the Hawthorns and could even join Johnson in a new-look set-up at West Brom should the former Premier League side they want someone with experience of the Baggies to come in too.



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-boss-lee-johnson-2628617

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Leicester City 3, Fulham 1
Meet the New Boss, Same As the Old Boss

Just when you thought positive momentum was building in this Fulham side, a real stinker was on full display at the King Power Stadium. Leicester City were just too vibrant, just too fast and just too skillful for Fulham's defense to deal with and they paid the price by game's end. If anything, it was quite surprising the scoreline wasn't greater with the way Fulham were constantly giving up the ball in the first half and the way Leicester were creating chances with ease.

But man, those opening 45 minutes were brutal. All you needed to know was that Leicester had 12 shots with four of them going on target during that period. Fulham? They put up absolutely nothing. Whether it is a pass to Calum Chambers, Kevin McDonald or Sergio Rico, the ball was either of the poorest quality for Leicester to capitalize or the home side were off the blocks hard putting pressure on Fulham's defense. That was where the vast majority of where the home side's attack came from, including their lone goal in that opening stanza.

In the 21st minute, a poor pass by Harvard Nordveit led to a turnover by Calum Chambers, who was able to spring Jamie Vardy through. While the Leicester talisman could have tried to score his 100th goal for the club, Vardy instead fed a ball to Youri Tielemens that went past Sergio Rico and the latter turned Tim Ream into the traffic cone he's been all season and tapped it from a few feet away. Really, Leicester should have had more considering the amount of effective possession they had, but it was to no avail. Harvey Barnes and Vardy were dangerous all afternoon but they wouldn't put their full mark on the contest until later on.

But first, Fulham made a trademark halftime substitution by subbing Ryan Sessegnon for Floyd Ayite. But this time around, Ayite had his most effective appearance in the Premier League after he won a long ball header and went past Ben Chillwell to dribble it towards the penalty area. From there, all Ayite needed to do was unleash the most tame shot imaginable and hope a Harry Maguire deflection would go past Kasper Schmeichel. Yeah, football can be that simple sometimes. All you really need is your very first shot to stupidly go in and that's what separates an attack being so horrifyingly inept to passable.

From there, Fulham did try to make a game of it. Aleksander Mitrovic was getting livelier and Joe Bryan was moving the ball from more advanced positions. Tom Cairney was moving the ball crisply and with real endeavor. Most importantly, the defense looked organized and weren't rushed into making poor decisions when moving the ball out the back.

But like all things good about Fulham this season, they were just blips in a historically awful season. Once Scott Parker replaced Ryan Babel with Jean Michael Seri, the shape of the team went unbalanced and the team was not the same from here on out. Fulham were playing more of a 4-2-2-2, but Ayite was so far out wide and the rest of the non-defenders played so narrowly that they any existent support in defense for the fullbacks dissapeared.

Surely enough, Leicester got back into the game with what they were doing best: taking advantage of Harvard Nordveit mistakes. This time, it was James Maddison that made the interception and fed a streaking Vardy and easily capitalized to make it 2-1. All the game needed was a cherry in Leicester's sundae and they were able to get it with another Vardy goal. This time it came from a marauding run by Barnes that put him past Bryan and fed it towards the Leicester Captain inside the penalty area. Vardy didn't get his 100th goal the first time asking, but he eventually got there and more.

So Fulham got back to their usual terrible selves. There defense continued to be awful and they can only play one system with almost an exact XI for all 90 minutes in order for it to work. That's why they'll be relegated and that's why the rest of this month will be downright miserable. Please be nice to us, Liverpool.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/3/10/18257528/leicester-city-3-fulham-1

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Going down with a fight, Ayite seizes his chance & Bryan catches the eye - Fulham talking points

Here are the main talking points from Saturday's game at Leicester City

The fight for survival

It's starting to look incredibly bleak indeed for Fulham in the fight to retain their Premier League place for next season.

Needing a miracle to stay up anyway after trailing Southampton by 10 points ahead of the Leicester defeat, the 3-1 loss, coupled with wins for Saints, Cardiff City and Brighton & Hove Albion, means the side are now a huge 13 points adrift with eight games remaining.

It doesn't get any easier for Scott Parker's team with Liverpool and Man City up next either side of the international break.

That means the Cottagers will have to win all six of their remaining games to even stand a chance of staying up, although defeats in the next two weeks and it could be pretty much over at the start of April if results go the way of their relegation rivals.

Parker looked resigned to the drop in his post-match press conference at the King Power but his Fulham team will continue to fight for him in the coming weeks as they bid to make the most miraculous recovery.

That sunny day at Wembley last May now seems so far way and attention will soon turn to returning to the top flight as soon as possible.

However, as proved by their previous relegation, it could be some time before they are back playing in the Premier League again.

That second-half performance

The Foxes could have been out of sight in the first half at the King Power as they controlled the game from the very first whistle.

Sergio Rico was out quickly to deny Jamie Vardy prior to Youri Tielemans' opener, with Havard Nordtveit and Joe Bryan also making crucial blocks to stop the striker from adding to Leicester's lead.

Fulham didn't even threaten in the opening 45 minutes but they were a totally different side after the break.


Ricardo Pereira battles for possession with Ryan Sessegnon (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Parker introduced Floyd Ayite in place of Ryan Sessegnon and he made an instant impact.

Taking down Nordtveit's excellent long-range pass, the winger cut inside past Ben Chilwell and found the back of the net via a deflection off Harry Maguire.

Having been well off the pace in the first period, whatever Parker said to his team at half-time worked as they took control of proceedings.

In fact, they were very unlucky not to take the lead with Aleksandar Mitrovic seeing his brilliant header from Bryan's pinpoint cross pushed around the post by Kasper Schmeichel.

It proved to be a big turning point as the Foxes regained the lead through Vardy's low strike, before he then grabbed a second shortly after following some good play by Harvey Barnes down the wing.

While a point may have made very little difference in the fight for survival come May, it would have given the team a big confidence boost ahead of next weekend's game against Liverpool.

The Reds are expected to take all the points in west London but it's imperative Fulham repeat their second-half display and make sure they go down with a real fight in the coming weeks.

Bryan catches the eye

One Fulham player that stood out in the defeat against Leicester was Bryan.

Things haven't exactly gone as planned for the left-back, as well as the team, over the course of the season following his move from Bristol City.

The 25-year-old was one of the team's shining lights in the defeat against the Foxes and he certainly deserved more from the game.

Given a tough task up against Demarai Gray and Ricardo Pereira, who constantly looked to bomb on and cause the visitors problems, Bryan defended extremely well against the pair and often came out on top throughout the encounter.

Producing an excellent block to stop Vardy from adding to the score prior to half-time, the left-back also caught the eye further upfield, notably after Fulham had restored parity through Ayite.

Mitrovic wasn't given a sniff all game but he was presented with a golden opportunity after a stunning cross from the left by Bryan as the visitors looked to gain an unlikely lead.

However, Schmeichel ensured the ball didn't creep in at the far post as he flicked the ball wide for a corner at full stretch.

Hopefully there is more to come from Bryan over the coming weeks as he could prove to be a key player for the club next season.

Ayite takes his chance

Ayite has had to be very patient this season to get his chance in the Premier League after helping the team to promotion last season.

Making 10 league appearances this campaign, with all of those coming off the substitutes' bench, the 30-year-old was summoned by Parker at half-time with Sessegnon really struggling against the Foxes.


Floyd Ayite and Aleksandar Mitrovic after Fulham's equaliser against Leicester City (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

You always want your substitutes to make an instant impact when they come on the pitch and that's exactly what he did.

Nordtveit spread the ball over to the right and the winger took the ball down before making his way into the box and finishing past Schmeichel.

That was about as good as it got for him but it could have proved a vital contribution had the team managed to hang on and register a point or even snatch a late win.

Given Sessegnon made very little impact in his 45-minute showing, Ayite may well get his first ever Premier League start next Sunday against Liverpool.

He's certainly done his chances no harm at all following a positive cameo against Brendan Rodgers' team.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-news-leicester-city-parker-15950229

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Ayite writes his name in the history books & Mitrovic blasts teammate - Fulham moments missed

Did you spot these moments at the King Power Stadium?

Mitrovic blasts Odoi

Denis Odoi really had a tough time of it at the King Power Stadium up against Harvey Barnes.

The defender was turned inside and out multiple times as Leicester dominated proceedings in the first half.

Although it was Fulham who were the better side after the break as Floyd Ayite's goal sparked them into life, Barnes once again got the better of the Belgian as Vardy scored the Foxes' third goal in the closing stages.

With things not going right when he was trying to nullify Barnes, things didn't go much better for Odoi when he had the ball in the first half.

Aleksandar Mitrovic face said it all following a poor throw by Odoi early on, before then having a proper go at his teammate shortly after when he gave the ball away cheaply on 30 minutes.

Clearly frustrated after barely getting any service in the first half with Leicester in full control, the ex-Newcastle man took it all out on Odoi as he gifted possession back to the hosts.

Ayite writes his name in the history books

Ayite may well have played his way into the Fulham team to face Liverpool next Sunday after a promising display against Brendan Rodgers' side.

Ryan Sessegnon was not having a good time of it at all and Scott Parker elected to replace him with the 30-year-old.

The ex-Bastia man had only been on the pitch six minutes when he restored parity after finishing well after cutting in from the right wing.


Floyd Ayite during the defeat against Leicester (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Netting four goals for the Cottagers last season in their successful promotion campaign, it proved to be a memorable day for the player as it was his first goal in the Premier League.

His strike now means he is only the second Togolese player to score in the top flight after former Arsenal and Spurs man Emmanuel Adebayor.

He now only needs another 97 Premier League goals to become his country's all-time top scorer in the league!

Calum Chambers' secret weapon

Calum Chambers didn't have the best first half against Leicester.

Fulham's midfield was overrun time and time again with Wilfred Ndidi and Youri Tielemans running riot in the middle of the park.

The Arsenal loanee was then involved in the first goal of the game as he was robbed in possession by the former, with the latter then having a simple finish after Jamie Vardy had squared the ball to him.

As much as Chambers did struggle in the first half, he did make one eye-catching pass towards the end of the opening 45 minutes that was quite simply sublime.

It first appeared that his lofted ball to Ryan Babel on the left flank was overhit and heading out of play but it was actually pinpoint.

Certainly not known for his long-range passing, it was certainly a welcome surprise to many Fulham fans at the King Power.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-leicester-city-ayite-mitrovic-15950217

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West Brom to continue talks with  Slavisa Jokanovic as former Fulham manager heads four-man shortlist

West Bromwich Albion will have further talks with Slavisa Jokanovic on Monday as they pursue a new head coach, following the dismissal of Darren Moore.

Albion have made an approach for Jokanovic, the former Fulham manager, and he is understood to be the leading contender on a shortlist of four at the Hawthorns.

Jokanovic guided Fulham to the Premier League last season via the Championship play-off final before leaving the Cottagers in November.

The 50-year-old Serbian also earned promotion to the Premier League with Watford in 2015 and is a free agent, so no compensation would be required.

West Brom's board are also considering David Wagner, the former Huddersfield manager, and Preston North End's Alex Neil as they have also earned promotion from the Championship.

Carlos Carvalhal, the former Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday manager, has also informed Albion he is interested in the post and is an option.

While Albion are determined to explore all possibilities, negotiations will continue with Jokanovic over the next 24 hours with a view to making him Moore's replacement.

Moore was sacked on Saturday evening after the 1-1 draw with the Championship's bottom club Ipswich Town, despite the club sitting in fourth place.

The club's former defender secured only four wins from the last 12 games and there were concerns within the boardroom that Albion may slip out of the play-off places.

While Albion are determined to explore all possibilities, negotiations will continue with Jokanovic over the next 24 hours with a view to making him Moore's replacement.

Moore was sacked on Saturday evening after the 1-1 draw with the Championship's bottom club Ipswich Town, despite the club sitting in fourth place.

The club's former defender secured only four wins from the last 12 games and there were concerns within the boardroom that Albion may slip out of the play-off places.



https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/03/10/west-brom-continue-talks-slavisa-jokanovic-former-fulham-manager/

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

This is our post match show of the 3-1 loss for Fulham against Leicester City. During the show, co-hosts Max Cohen and Yannis Tjanetis shared their views on the match, On top of that, at the end of the episode, we had a discussion on the recruitment this season under Tony Khan.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/3/10/18259034/cottage-talk-post-match-show-leicester-city-vs-fulham