Wednesday Fulham Stuff (20/03/19)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham FC selects Lexmark for printing fleet

Lexmark has announced that Premier League football club, Fulham FC, has selected a solution from Lexmark and Workflow for its print infrastructure.

The Fulham FC administrative organisation sees a significant peak in print demand every two weeks, when Fulham FC's Craven Cottage stadium plays host to up to 25,700 fans.

In order to produce all printed material, Fulham FC staff were relying on a variety of ageing printers, distributed across three different locations, using three different brands of printer which were reaching end of life, pushing the service costs high.

Fulham FC turned to Workflow Group, a specialist document and print services company, and Lexmark business solutions partner – both of which have experience working with football clubs. After a detailed assessment, a new managed print solution was proposed, aiming to stabilise the club's print environment and provide it with the reliability it required.

"Our printer fleet was causing staff a lot of problems. Constant failures and call outs – sometimes on a weekly basis for a specific printer – meant we had almost lost our trust in office print technology. Lexmark has restored our belief in the reliability and stability of a managed print solution," commented Arturs Banks, IT infrastructure at Fulham FC.

"Fulham FC is a good example of periodic peaks in print demand and how important it is to know that you can rely on the performance of your printer fleet. We are pleased that by working with the team at Workflow, we were able to provide Fulham FC with a stable print environment that fulfils its needs," added Martin Fairman, MD of Lexmark UK.



https://dealersupport.co.uk/fulham-fc-selects-lexmark-for-printing-fleet/

[WhiteJC]

Agent's telephone 'ringing frequently', but "out of respect for Fulham" player wants to wait

Ryan Babel signed for Fulham from Besiktas in the winter transfer market, and come the summer he'll be free of contract with either club.

That means he can start negotiating a new deal with a third club, and planning the rest of his future. At 32 years of age this contract will be very important for the footballer and he needs to showcase his talent to attract the right deal.

Since moving to Fulham, Babel has made nine Premier League appearances, scoring two goals and adding two assists. If the club's position in the table is ignored, it's going reasonably well.

But with relegation looking probable for the London side, an exit becomes likelier than a new Fulham deal.

In their Tuesday edition, De Telegraaf say: 'The telephone of his agent Winny Haatrecht is ringing frequently.'

Babel himself feels his move to the club has worked, and will help prepare him for an important summer with the Netherlands. That was partly the aim of the switch, with an eye towards the UEFA Nations League finals in Portugal.

Babel told the Dutch newspaper: "Out of respect for Fulham, I'll only hold discussions later, when there is clarity about the sporting future of the club."



http://sportwitness.co.uk/agents-telephone-ringing-frequently-respect-fulham-player-wants-wait/

[WhiteJC]

 
Frank: Good To Be Back

André-Frank Zambo Anguissa is relieved to be back in action and contributing to the Fulham cause, and felt his side deserved more against Liverpool.

Sunday was only his fifth 90 minutes of the season, but he showed the Whites faithful just what he's capable of with an industrious box-to-box display, leading to a glowing review from his Caretaker Manager Scott Parker.

Speaking to fulhamfc.com after the game, Anguissa said: "Collectively, the entire team played well, which was pleasing for me, and on a personal level I was happy to be involved for a good part as it's been a while.

"I've been out with an injury and I really wanted to play and, thanks to my teammates, despite the result I think we played well.

"We need to focus on the positives and make sure that we continue to give our very best between now and the end of the season.

"For me, I'll always try to give my best. It hasn't been easy adapting, coming into a new country and a new league, and being out injured for a while hasn't helped either.

"It was great to be involved and to try to help the team, and as I've said I'm sure that all together we'll try to give our best."

Following Ryan Babel's equaliser, Fulham looked on course for what would have been an impressive point against title chasing opposition, and Anguissa believes his side were good value for the draw.

"For me, the collective is the most important and we showed against a strong side that although we lost, our performance merited a better result," he stated.

"We showed some very good things in the game, we needed points and it's a shame we ended up with nothing because we battled hard until the very end.

"The manner in which we competed, against a very good side, was important as we showed our qualities and gave our very best."

Although Fulham finished the match with nothing to show for their efforts, the home crowd clearly appreciated the attitude and application of the players, something that didn't go unnoticed by Anguissa.

"I'm happy as it's evident that they're not giving up on us," he said. "They are behind us every day, despite the defeats.

"Really, I take my hat off to them and say a big thank you, it's beautiful to see and gives us the strength to not give up."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/march/19/andre-frank-zambo-anguissa-liverpool-reaction

[WhiteJC]

 
Watford Fixture Change

Due to Watford's progression in the Emirates FA Cup, our upcoming fixture at Vicarage Road has been rescheduled.

The match will now take place on the evening of Tuesday 2nd April, kicking off at 7.45pm.

The Hornets will be taking on Wolverhampton Wanderers in their FA Cup Semi-Final on Sunday 7th April, the day after they were originally scheduled to be facing Fulham.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/march/19/watford-fixture-change

[WhiteJC]

 
Transfer gossip: Fulham among clubs linked with defender Llorente

Fulham are among English clubs to be linked with Real Sociedad defender Diego Llorente.

Sport Witness cites a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, which claimed that Sevilla want Llorente but could face competition for his signing.

The story claims that Fulham, Tottenham, Liverpool and West Ham are all interested in the player.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/football-fulham-llorente-tottenham-west-ham-liverpool

[WhiteJC]

 
Watford (A) Tickets

Tickets for Fulham's away fixture against Watford next month will go on sale from 10am on Wednesday 20th March.

The Whites have an allocation of 2,124 tickets for the Premier League match, and following Watford's progression in the Emirates FA Cup the fixture will now be played on Tuesday 2nd April, kick-off 7:45pm.

Owing to the tight turnaround before this fixture, tickets will go on sale to all Season Ticket Holders and Members from 10am on Wednesday. Subject to availability, tickets will go on General Sale from 10am on Monday 25th March.

Tickets are priced at £30 for adults and £22 for over 65s, £18 for full-time students, and £5 for under 19s, with a number of restricted view tickets also available at a reduced rate. Full information can be found on the Watford v Fulham FC Match Centre page.

Fans will be able to purchase tickets online, by telephone on 0203 871 0810 (opt 1) or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.

Watford Tickets

All tickets are subject to availability. Terms & Conditions and booking fees apply



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/march/19/watford-away-tickets

[WhiteJC]

 
Tottenham should be wary of signing Fulham youngster Ryan Sessegnon

According to reports in the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur are preparing a big-money swoop for Fulham youngster Ryan Sessegnon this summer.

Yet despite the hype surrounding Sessegnon, Tottenham should be wary of splashing £50 million on a teenager who is still unproven in the Premier League.

There is no doubt that Sessegnon has the potential to be one of the best players in England in the future, as evidenced by his superb seasons with Fulham in the Championship.

After making his debut as a 16-year-old back in 2016, Sessegnon racked up an excellent scoring record, primarily playing as left back. And his breakout campaign truly was in 2017/18, when he led the Whites to promotion while winning Championship player of the year and bagging a team-high 16 goals — all as a 17-year-old.

But the step up to the top flight has understandably been a difficult task for the teenager. There have been flashes of brilliance from Sessegnon, such as his impact goal against Wolves and his dramatic assist against Huddersfiled, but the moments of magic have been few and far between.

Played mainly as a left winger, Sessegnon has looked isolated and off the pace for much of the Whites' dreadful season, with the disastrous reign of Claudio Ranieri doing little to improve his brittle confidence.

By no means is it a criticism of Sessegnon to say he has failed to hit the heights expected of him in the Premier League — it was a massive ask for the phenom to adapt so quickly.

But Tottenham must lay off splashing the cash on Ryan Sessegnon this summer, as another year of development in the Championship will do him a world of good.

Another season spent toiling away in the top flight, with the added pressure of a large price-tag would only harm Sessegnon's development, and Spurs must not sign him come May.



https://tbrfootball.com/tottenham-should-be-wary-of-signing-fulham-youngster-ryan-sessegnon/

[WhiteJC]

 
West Ham reviving their £20m pursuit of this prolific 28-year-old midfielder would add cohesion to the club's overall game

West Ham Opinion: Why the Hammers should make a move for Tom Cairney

Back in June 2018, a report from the Sky Sports claimed West Ham had a £20m bid turned down for Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney in the summer transfer window.

Tom Cairney, 28, played a significant role in getting Fulham promoted to the Premier League, most importantly going on to score the goal that sent the Cottagers up. But it hasn't been a season to remember for Cairney, with no goals and just an assist coming in the Premier League this term.

Fulham find themselves at the wrong end of the table and look very likely to head back to the Championship. Relegation for the west Londoners could see them lose a lot of quality players, including Cairney and despite the 28-year-old failing to live up to the expectations in the top-flight, West Ham should snap him up in the summer.

After a dismal start to this season, West Ham have recovered very well and stand a chance to finish best of the rest outside the Big Six.

They are just two points adrift of seventh-placed Wolves, although Manuel Pellegrini's side have played a game more. Nevertheless, the Hammers will look to battle until the final game of the season to finish seventh and claim a place in the Europa League play-offs.

While they have recovered from the issues that plagued the club, Pellegrini needs to make reinforcements. An area that needs through addressing is the midfield, with Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez on the sidelines almost from the start of the season.

The likes of Declan Rice and Mark Noble have had to play regularly due to lack of options in the middle of the park.

However, there is a certain limit until the ageing Noble can perform and that's exactly why the Hammers should add Tom Cairney.

Cairney's versatility to play in a double-pivot, in a midfield three and as an advanced playmaker makes him such a valuable asset. But when used in his preferred no.10 role, the 28-year-old really flourishes.

A creative midfielder by trade, the Englishman really excels in unlocking defences. He uses his incredible ability to pick a pass, vision to set up attacks and intelligence to get into goal-scoring positions. While his defensive nature of the game would make him a great partner for Rice, it's the former Blackburn Rovers ace's offensive abilities that will help West Ham.

Cairney will challenge the likes of Felipe Anderson and the fit-again Manuel Lanzini for a place in the team, whereas his versatility would give Pellegrini an opportunity to rest Noble when required.

Verdict

West Ham need reinforcements in the summer, especially in the midfield and which is exactly why adding a creative force like Cairney will help them in their ambitions next season.



https://www.mediareferee.com/2019/03/20/west-ham-reviving-their-20m-pursuit-of-this-prolific-28-year-old-midfielder-would-add-cohesion-to-the-clubs-overall-game/

[WhiteJC]

 
Former Fulham striker criticised after saying 'it's laughable when a black player represents Russia'
Vladimir Putin's human rights advisor, Mikhail Fedotov, has hit out at recent comments made by Pavel Pogrebnyak.

A RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT official has condemned former Fulham striker Pavel Pogrebnyak over comments he made in a newspaper interview claiming that it is "laughable" for a black footballer to represent Russia.

Vladimir Putin's human rights advisor, Mikhail Fedotov, said Pogrebnyak's comments "smelt of racism" after the Ural Yekaterinburg forward spoke out against the number of naturalised Russians representing the national team.

The 35-year-old, who played for both Fulham and Reading during a three-year stay in England, represented Russia 33 times, and played at the European Championship in 2012.

He made the controversial remarks in an interview with a local tabloid in the central Russian city of Yekaterinburg, saying: "I don't see the point of this. I do not understand at all why Ari (Brazilian-born Ariclenes da Silva Ferreira) received a Russian passport.

"It is laughable when a black player represents the Russian national side. Mario Fernandes is a top player. But we also have Igor Smolnikov in his position. We could make do without foreigners as well."

Responding to Pogrebnyak's claims, head of Russia's presidential Human Rights Council, Fedotov told TV channel Moscow 360: "I believe that any football player who plays well and has Russian citizenship has a right to represent the Russian national side.

"The colour of their skin, eyes, hair and everything else has no significance. This should be obvious to anyone."

Both Ari and Mario Fernandes have represented Russia in the last 12 months after receiving passports, with Fernandes scoring the last-minute goal against Croatia in the World Cup quarter-final that sent the match to penalties.

The Russian Football Union had said it intends to investigate Pogrebnyak's remarks before deciding whether to take action against the former international.

The striker could face a fine or a ban from playing if found guilty of having committed an infringement.

Russia has been dogged by controversy surrounding the treatment of black footballers playing in the country's domestic league.

In 2011, fans of Russian Premier League side Lokomotiv Moscow displayed a banner in reference to Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie featuring a banana saying 'Thank you, West Brom' after the player left to join West Bromwich Albion.

More recently, the RFU was fined £22,000 by FIFA in May 2018 after fans made monkey noises at France players during a friendly in Moscow in the build-up to the World Cup.



https://www.the42.ie/former-fulham-striker-embroiled-in-racism-controversy-4551031-Mar2019/

[WhiteJC]

 
Newcastle signing this 25-year-old Fulham star would be a massive coup and Benitez must get him – opinion

Newcastle United opinion: Should the Magpies go for Joe Bryan?

Newcastle United's issues this season have been prominent but the addition of Miguel Almiron has turned things around. A club-record signing from the MLS (Guardian), the 25-year-old has brought about hope and an injection of creativity that the Magpies have missed all season.

Yet, their luck with injuries and various other issues could still put them in trouble at the end of the season. At the moment, Rafael Benitez and company sit in 13th place with 35 points to their name but they are only seven points above relegation.

The club are on a decent run, having won three out of their last five games, with just one loss. Yet, despite all that positivity, the Magpies struggle with depth.

They have no second left-back to back up Paul Dummett while Javier Manquillo has struggled when called upon. Sean Longstaff's season-ending injury too has changed things.

The 21-year-old was in fine form before the injury, but it was met with the timely return of Ki Sung-Yeung from an injury. Hence, Newcastle United need reinforcements in the summer and one man they must target is Joe Bryan.



The Fulham left-back has adjusted brilliantly to the Premier League, unlike his side who are all but relegated. At the moment, the Cottagers sit at 19th place, having lost nine of their last ten Premier League games.

However, Bryan has been a bright spark after his move from Bristol City after rejecting a chance to sign for Aston Vila (Football London).

A very physical left-back, the 25-year-old is versatile enough to play as a midfielder as well, but his preferred position is as a left-back. That combined with his defensive nuance make him a great move for Newcastle United.

For a struggling Fulham, Bryan has averaged 2 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, 2.8 clearances and has only conceded 0.9 fouls per game according to Whoscored. This shows just how solid a defender Bryan is, but that's not where his weakness lies.

It's his offensive ability that lets him down, with the 25-year-old struggling to take on the Premier League defenders. However, the fact that he's playing for a struggling Fulham could be the reason.

At Bristol, the left-back was a force of nature, finishing his final season with seven goals and three assists to his name.

Conclusion

If Newcastle United keep this form going until the very last week of the season, then their status as a Premier League club would be all but confirmed. However, if they want to survive or even thrive next season, then they'll have to add Joe Bryan among others.

The 25-year-old has already shown his adaptability and skills in his first season, and it's up to the Magpies to make full use of it.



https://soccersouls.com/why-newcastle-united-should-make-a-move-for-joe-bryan/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham fans discuss Rafa Benitez, Salomon Rondon and whether to take £40m for Aleksandar Mitrovic

Aleksandar Mitrovic has had an interesting season with Fulham.

However, since the turn of the year things have really fell apart for the former Newcastle striker and his team.

Up to the end of December they were still very much in contention to stay up.

Mitro had scored eight Premier League goals and after beating Huddersfield on 29 December with an injury time winner from the Serbian, Fulham were only one point off safety.

However, in 2019 they have lost 10 of their 11 matches, the exception being a 4-2 win over Brighton, Aleksandar Mitrovic getting two more goals and the only game he has scored in since December.

Now just waiting to go down, Fulham fans have been debating the merits of Mitro and whether or not they should sell him for £40m in the summer to help fund a promotion push.

Rafa Benitez and Salomon Rondon end up in the discussion as well...

Fulham fans comment via their top Friends of Fulham and Fulham Web message boards:

'Interesting snippet in The Times that if (!) we're relegated and Mitro decides to go we'd ask for £40m.

He has 4 years left on his contract and no release clause.

Also says that Seri, MleM and Schurrle have relegation pay cuts built in to their contracts and would want to go.'

'I would not want to see Mitro leave, but we can cover for the loss of the other three, although Seri has something about him, but maybe too lightweight, for the rigours of the Championship.,'

'Mitro is Premiership quality and lets face it. If we'd have managed to stay up bigger clubs would be in for him and we'd be starting a second season without him.

Take the profit now keep the rest unless we can recoup fee and wages and see if we can find another goal scorer to get us out of the Championship. Last time we went down there were wholesale changes and that nearly saw us drop twice in two seasons.'

'Mitro is a fine player but it is totally unproven he is PL quality. He has been pretty average this season and does not look fit enough.
£40m .... Kerching! That is 6 decent C-Ship players.'

'As a thank you for last season, if Mitro really desperately wanted to leave I would hope we allow him to.'

'My understanding is Tottenham already offerred £43m for Mitro (£27m for Fulham and the £16m for Mitro over 5 years) in the winter transfer window.

If he really wants to go now, he can take the pay cut to £3m so Fulham get £40m. If I was Mitrovoic, I'd hang around at least half a season, because if we are mid-table Fulham will be happy to sell him without a pay cut.'

'So was Rafa right to offload Mitro and replace him with a cheaper centre forward?

Rondon seems to have fitted quite nicely into Newcastle system, not only contributed more goals, his all round team play is quite impressive.'

'You have to be up early to get the better of Rafa.

Having said that we did so well against Newcastle and look what happened re them and us.'

'Now that's a risk free manager if ever there was one.

He gets every ounce of ability out of his players and moves then on if they don't comply.

He has plan a,b,c and d.

Might be a little dull sometimes but Newcastle fans adore him, he is worth at least 15 points a season to that club.'

'Our overrated centre forward has been carried all season. Fulham have been playing with 10 men in most of their games.

He does not press or chase for the ball. He is clearly too lazy for modern day football.

Yes he has scored a few times this season, but he has failed his team mates. McDonald could have done a better job at centre forward and worked harder. Anyway well done to all the others who have tried their best.'

'Not been at his best last few games, lack of pace a worry, but carrying him all season very harsh, works hard up front on own.'

'So last season Mitro was the greatest thing since sliced bread, and now according to you, the breads gone stale. What absolute rubbish.

Even Sane wouldn't be able to score goals with little or no support up front. Mitro has scored 10 goals this season, and that is remarkable in this set up, and whatever we do next season, we must not let him go, as he will be a real handful, for any Championship defence, and without him we could be in real trouble up front.'

'I have argued these points about Mitro all season. Fair enough, he is the hold-up man,he is up-front on his own, no pace, etc,etc. The cheap option was to keep hold of Kamara? Parker doesn't like Kamara, and most fans don't like him. Jan window has come and gone. We should have solved that problem and get a pace-man in, but we messed up yet again! We take in another player Markovic with an injury.

Every week we are trying to get the ball up to Mitrovic and Mitrovic is trying his best to turn and shoot. We've tried Sessegnon on left and right to service balls in. Christie, a waste of time. Vietto miss-a-lot. Babel is our bestest buy, but at age 34, is sometimes on it and other times not so on it, age taken into account.

I would love Mitro to stay in Championship but i doubt he will, a sad state of affairs. Even old man Defoe would have been good for 4 or 5 goals but we didn't even inquire or show interest. We get what we deserve and we are where we are because we have Numpty's running our club...'

'His dip in form has been since Jokanovic moved on. I imagine having a manager that spoke your language, was probably a bit of a father figure means a lot, then he gets lumbered with Ranieri who didnt know how to get anything out of him probably didnt make him feel as important as he was and the lack of service has to be a major factor!!

I think he will leave in the summer, we should get at least £30m for him but will probably let him go on loan or something stupid like that. Let him go an bring in Che Evans from Birmingham and Charlie Austin from Southampton.'

'Mitro and Babel would do well in tandem if they only got some, any, service. They don't. Anguissa, Seri, McDonald, Vietto all missing in action every game and that's one of the main problems and a heavy burden Mitrovic has to bear, losing his friend and mentor under dubious circumstances definitely hasn't helped.'

'The worry over Charlie Austin is his fitness. We don't need any more propping up the injury list.

Even though i have some doubts about the pace of Mitrovic, he does play week in and week out. Will Charlie Austin give us that???'

'Saha played lone striker in championship and premier league, probably a bit unfair but no comparison to Mitro.

Saha went on to win the World Cup and banked around 10million for Fulham before picking up premier league titles and champions league, doubt Mitro could touch him.'

'Saha was an excellent player, so was Pele, but we don't have either. We do have Mitrovic and I really hope we can keep him.'

'Why slag off Mitrovic?

From what I see, he is not getting the service when the midfield is bogged down in helping the defence and when there is a breakaway Mitrovic is on his own. Not easy with the the team very low on confidence.'

'Mitro overrated and being carried by the team? Seriously? If you are a season ticket holder George I suggest you apply for a location change. That must be some restricted view you have there.'

'Hope we can cash in on Mitro. Sad to see him go. The rest can go asap including Seri.'

'I love Mitro...but if you get 40 million for him you can bring in a quality replacement striker with a bit more pace.'

'Mitrovic hasn't done a lot for a while now and it may seem good business to cash in on him come the end of the season.
But just stop and think, there just isn't a replacement in sight and remember how we were struggling for a striker before he arrived.'

'Benitez was right, Mitro is not a PL striker.

He has some strengths but at this level the defenders are big, strong and mobile, something Mitro struggles with. He will play a tune for us again next season in the championship, but if someone wants to offer £40m then we should bite thier hand off.'

'For me, even if Mitro is not top 4, he is good premier league standard.'



https://www.themag.co.uk/2019/03/fulham-fans-discuss-rafa-benitez-salomon-rondon-and-whether-to-take-40m-for-aleksandar-mitrovic-newcastle-united/

[WhiteJC]

 
Cottage Talk Post Match Show: Fulham vs. Liverpool

This is our post match show of the 2-1 loss for Fulham against Liverpool. During the show, co-hosts Max Cohen and Yannis Tjanetis shared their views on the match. We also debated if Liverpool deserved a penalty.


you can listen to the podcast by following this link...
https://www.spreaker.com/user/11083314/cottage-talk-post-match-show-fulham-vs-l_1

[jarv]

One headline is incorrect, it should read ""Sessegnon should be wary of signing for Tottenham"" not the other way round.

[One Martin Thomas]

Loving the news about Fulham picking Lexmark !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[I Ronic]

Loving the news about Fulham picking Lexmark !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Copy that, OMT"