Tag: Fulham

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NEW FOF’cast ?? Well that was a bit ‘Gull’

https://soundcloud.com/friendsoffulham/fofcast-well-that-was-a-bit-gull

On this episode of FOF’cast, we are joined by regular co-hosts Owen Smith and Gerry Pimm as we discuss the following Fulham FC related topics:

⚽ The difference between the Liverpool and Brighton games

⚽ What’s up with Ruben Loftus-Cheek?

⚽ Why is Aboubakar Kamara the go to sub?

⚽ Is West Bromwich Albion appointing Sam Allardyce a cause for concern?

⚽ Owen’s experience of returning to Craven Cottage

⚽ Saturday’s game v Newcastle United

⚽ Newcastle United predications

Thanks once again for listening, and don’t forget to subscribe to catch any future shows.

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NEW FOF’cast ?️? Five years on from Kit

“It’s a thumbs up from Kit Symons”

In this episode of FOF’cast, we are joined once again by Mike Gregg and our regular guests Owen Smith and Gerry Pimm as we discuss the following Fulham FC topics:

⚽️ 1-0 loss to West Ham United.

⚽️ The West Ham Man of the Match

⚽️ Lookman’s disastrous penalty

⚽️ Another video by Tony Khan

⚽️ The rest of the season

⚽️ 5 years on since Kit Symons was sacked.

Thanks once again for tuning in, your feedback is always appreciated to help improve future shows.

https://soundcloud.com/friendsoffulham/fofcast-5-years-on-from-kit
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NEW FOF’cast ?️? West Brom or Bust ??

Mitrovic fights for the ball in Fulham’s 2-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace ..

On this episode of FOF’cast, we are joined once again by regular guests Owen Smith and Gerry Pimm, as we discuss the following Fulham FC topics:

⚽️ The 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

⚽️ The Crystal Palace Man of the Match (Lookman).

⚽️ The recent Tom Cairney criticism.

⚽️ Joachim Anderson’s injury update.

⚽️ The Fulham supporters Trust notes from October.

⚽️ Hammersmith Bridge, and why there maybe a link to Fulham.

⚽️ How long does Scott’s Parker realistically have.

⚽️ Monday nights game v West Bromwich Albion.

⚽️ West Bromwich Albion predictions.

Once again, thanks for taking the time to listen in, and your feedback is always appreciated to improve future FOF’cast shows

https://soundcloud.com/friendsoffulham/fofcast-west-brom-or-bust

This Podcast is also available on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/fofcast-west-brom-or-bust/id1535958097?i=1000496733865

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It’s time to grab your parka, Parker

It’s very rare that I take to blogging, my forte is running Forums, however, after that pathetic performance against Barnsley today, I thought I’d give it go.

When Parker was appointed full time coach, I was slightly sceptical, and after our car-crash of a season in the Premier League, I honestly thought we’d go for a bit more experience.

Don’t get me wrong, experience doesn’t always gain you success, especially in football, but, when the owners stated that promotion was the target this season, I was once again very sceptical.

I’ve nothing personal against Parker, I’m sure he will make a good coach someday, but, with such high expectations form the owners, was it really a good idea to place this responsibility in his hands?

If Fulham were planning on spending a couple of season in the Championship, and harbouring Parker whilst he learnt his trade, then fair enough, but that isn’t the case.

I can see what the owners have tried to do, they’ve tried to build a strong team around Parker, by keeping the likes of Mitrovic, Cairney, and adding the like Cavalerio, Knockhaert, Reid etc, in the hope that quality would see us though, but, it’s not panning out that way.

Unfortunately, we all know, that you can buy a Ferrari, but if you can’t drive it properly, then you’re not going to get the best out of it, and that is the case this season.

I look at our current squad, and I see an abundance talent there, enough to be challenging for the top two spots, and blowing some teams away whilst we do it.

Frustratingly, and even though we do go on a run of unbeaten games, the team always looks disjointed, and for the quality we have up front, we always lack a cutting edge.

If it wasn’t for Mitrovic and his 20 goals so far, I’d hate to think where we’d actually be in the league, certainly not where we are today.

For me, Parker doesn’t get the best out the squad he has, we always look disjointed, players seem to play out of their preferred positions, and we play a system where Mitrovic is constantly isolated.

On top of this, we don’t press teams enough, we play the short pass all the time, knocking it around the back, and inviting pressure on to us, which leads to mistakes.

When we do attack, the process seems so slow, we don’t utilise the channels very well, opting for inverted wingers, and by the time we do attack, other teams have nullified us.

Parkers ability to also change games also frustrates me, his subs seem odd, and we have an inability to use a plan B if teams come and work us out early.

All in all, this seems a carbon copy of what WBA went through with Darren Moore, and, although we sit third in the Championship, I feel it’s a very false position, and if we are not careful with our up and coming run of games, we could find ourselves slipping out of the playoff positions.

I was never a fan of Parker when he was appointed, nor do I have any emotional attachment to him as a player, or a coach, but I do find his style of football boring, drab, slow, uncreative, and something that doesn’t excite me like it did with Jokanovic.

The Millwall and Barnsley games were a reflection of this, with Fulham not even testing the Millwall goalkeeper after Mitrovic’s 3rd minute goal, and Barnsley today, bottom of the Championship, totally outplaying us at home.

Will the owners dare sack Parker whilst we’re sitting in 3rd position? Highly unlikely, however, I don’t see Parker getting us promoted automatically, or through the playoffs, so I’d take a gamble on someone else, in the hope they can improve things over the final stretch of 13 games.

With the likes of Derby, Forest, Leeds, WBA, Brentford all to come, we could do with all the experience we can get.

Verdict: It’s time for Parker to grab his parka.

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Joka’s Puzzle

Joka’s Puzzle by Kent Cassandra

A nice little poem written by a member from Friends of Fulham about Slavisa Jokanovic. Have a read here, our over at the Forum

Image result for slavisa jokanovic

“Joka’s puzzle is a promise for a group of fit boys
To play attacking football with skill and poise.
In the premiership this would not be a prob,
But in the Championship, one has to play against yobs.
Even Messi would struggle in this league,
Soon succumbing to battle fatigue.
Smart fouling, cheating and up for a brawl,
Bombarding defences with the long ball. 
It’s the toughest league in the world
Refereed by black shadows from the underworld.
It’s a league that most good players try to avoid,
As the skilful ones soon get destroyed.
Teams can’t take out loans as businesses do
They are fined if too many debts accrue.
So, what is the solution to Joka’s conundrum,
It seems an almost impossible task to overcome.”

“Sometimes teams just click, like in Leicester’s year,
They were not considered good enough for the Premier.
Most Fofers say they want Joka to stay
So, we must back him to do it in his own way
From the current squad which players should he choose,
When playing against teams that ‘Mustn’t lose’?
Should he go positive to win every game?
Knowing if he loses he will get the blame.
To play joka’s way, needs a lot of support,
Cos players are human and sometimes fall short.
A factor of fail can be the rub of the green,
Injuries happen and refs can be mean.
Players lose form, trying too hard to please.
Teams can rise or fall on such things as these.
He’s trying his best to stick to his plan,
One should wait until May to judge him, if you can.”

“So, what can Fulham Fans do to help with his quest.
Give him encouragement, give bad mouthing a rest.
Dim all the ‘Gaslighters’ who have lately appeared,
For if he’s successful he will be revered.
He needs time and support from us and the bosses,
No one ever made it without some losses.
Blame is far far away from support,
Without evidence it is just like a kangaroo court.
Keep blame at bay cos if there’s too much distaste,
We will all be tainted by the toxic waste.”

Are you a member of Friends of Fulham? If not, you can register here

 

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Mike Conroy FOF’erview

Mike Conroy FOF’erview

Having interviewed Mike, Super Micky Conroy, back in 2015, we thought it’d be nice to resurrect this one, for any new members, or Fulham FC fans, that didn’t get the chance to read it. Alternatively, you can have a read over at the Friends of Fulham Forum.

Q) What was it like playing under 3 different managers between 1995 and 1998 and what were their differences?

A) Playing under 3 different managers was not really much of an issue. Obviously once Mr. Branfoot moved upstairs within the club and Mickey Adams came in I think he started planning straight away for  the following season. We managed to avoid the dreaded drop and once that was achieved he could concentrate on who he wanted and who he didn’t, I might have fallen into the latter. In fairness Mickey changed a lot of the training and also concentrated on fitness levels although Mr.Branfoot was big on fitness also. Mickey just went about it with maybe more updated training in regards to fitness work. he also had a different playing style which at the end of the day helped me in a round about way. To be honest I can’t say I spent a lot of time working with the new regime but small sided games seemed to be Kevin Keegans method.

Q) How much of an effect did the boo-boys have on your confidence when you first joined us? How much of a boon or a hindrance can the supporters be when things are tough on the pitch?

A) I am glad the boo boys issue was raised, something you don’t forget in a hurry. I believe at the football everyone is entitled to voice their opinions, it’s how that individual reacts to that sort of treatment. I was lucky that i was brought up with a never say die attitude and if things are not going the way you want them to, then you need to work harder and turn things around. My father gave me  great advice as a youngster and even to this day. I can’t say it is nice but it comes and goes with the fact you are a professional footballer. Don’t get overly down when things are not going well but don’t get to carried away when the tables turn. What you put in you should generally get out. If you don’t put in you can’t expect anything out.

Q) What was the change at the club like from a players perspective when Al Fayed took over?

A) The change at the club was not dramatic but i think all playing staff and management new that it was only a matter of time. The club became so much bigger with two playing squads after Kevin and Ray came in. they started to bring players in that they wanted and the squad of 97 started to go elsewhere. Again that is the tough business of pro football. i suffered a foot injury at Millwall and that was more serious than thought and that was me finished as a Fulham player.

Q) During his period at the club who did he think was the best player he played with?

A) That is a very tough question to answer, all players played their part in gaining promotion and it’s hard to compare a m/f with a striker or a defender. You had international players like Chris Coleman and players of the caliber of Paul Bracewell all be it at the end of his career. We had Gleno who played top level with Southampton. Very hard to point to one individual.

Q) Was it true Micky Adams got you to shed 2 stone, leading to your blinding performances for FFC?

A) Another good question, after a difficult first season i spoke to Mickey and he told me he was making me available for transfer as he was looking to bring in some new faces and needed to sell first. I had no problems with that, the shedding of two stone was never brought up, i never felt i was a player who had issues with his weight. I am a non-drinker, non-smoker, non-gambler and so not the type of professional who over ate at any stage. I missed a lot of pre-season the year i joined Fulham as I was up and down to my family in Lancashire, I was out looking for property to rent when at times I should have been training. I had a new 5 month old baby we had to get settled quickly but not easy to do with London rental market. Certainly not an excuse but sometimes people don’t see the whole picture. In no way was there a mention of losing two stone.

Q) That goal from the half way line against Wycombe… What the heck were you thinking about????

A) The goal from the halfway line…what can I say? Miss and hit the corner flag and I am in for some stick not only from the coaches but no doubt the fans. I remember it well. Glen passed me the ball just at the edge of the circle. The centre backs had backed off and allowed me to turn, I had a quick look, then another, and noticed the goalkeeper out off his line. if you don’t shoot you don’t score. Luckily for me the gamble paid off this time. One goal I am very proud of but would have been just as happy to tap in from 6 yards. There is  no such thing as an easy or bad goal, not in my book.

Q) What is your best memory of the promotion winning season?

A) My best memory, happy to say I have lots of great memories during that time. Looking as far back as the game against Carlisle when we went head to head with what was thought the best team in the league, we won 1-0 in a very tough competitive game and I managed to get the goal. I remember the game against Cambridge when they were flying high and we hammered them 3-0 and I managed to get two. No complaining from me about not taking the penalty when Blakey made it three. Keep things right until the final whistle. Then we played Swansea, again they were riding the wave and we beat them 2-1 with Paul Brooker getting the second after the goalkeeper had parried my attempted lob. Obviously the day we won promotion is up there, up in a wet cold Carlisle. My mum and dad came down from Glasgow to see the game so was very pleased to get on the scoresheet and take part in another very good game of football and Rod’s winner was good enough to grace any game of football.

Q) You were our leading goalscorer with 21 league goals in our promotion winning season in ’96-’97 from division three, was that your most memorable season of your career?

A) It would be fair to say it was a very memorable season. I started the season on the transfer market and finished with a medal and the honor of being the first Fulham player to score 20 league goals in 20 years. Talk about football being a funny game. Certainly that season that started the ball rolling for Fulham would be a season to remember. However the Championship winning year with Burnley maybe just tops it. As I stated earlier, no Burnley player had scored 20 league goals in 26 years so to do that and actually win the league must just be the best a player can ever dream of. It is frustrating though that we had a better goal aggregate in 97 although Wigan had scored more we had a better goal difference.

Q) Did you feel proud seeing Fulham in the Premier League and Europa League final? Did you feel part of the era which started all of that off?

A) It was great to see Fulham reach the Europa Final and of course the Premier League, however the Fulham I joined and the Fulham of then I have to say was a totally different club. It will always be a lovely thought to know that you played a small part in the history of such a club but very difficult to compare as the club had went through so much change within that time. I will always be very proud though that I represented such a club and knowing I was the first player in 20 years to score 20 league goals. Many good memories.

Q) Of all the teams you have played for, which one did you feel the closest affinity with, and why?

A) As you are probably aware I had my fair share of clubs throughout my career. I enjoyed every minute of every day playing for all the clubs I represented. If I had to pick one then I think Burnley would get the nod. Moving from Reading to Burnley turned out to be a fantastic move for myself. Burnley went on to be Champions of the very last 4th division and I again managed to be the first player to score 20 league goals in 26 years. I also lived in Burnley which I suppose brings you closer to everyone as you are often seen walking down the shops or just getting petrol for your car. With London being such a big city even the big stars can walk about unnoticed. Burnley as a town revolves around the Football Club and in a big way reminded me of Glasgow. The passion and love they have for their club is total and living so close to that I would have to say my closest affinity came with playing with Burnley. I had made a lot of friends while there and would have probably lived in that area if I had not moved down under.

Q) What was your most memorable goal in your whole playing career?

A) Goals, goals, goals, I loved scoring goals. Whether it be a tap in or from the halfway line or a header I loved scoring goals. Having to pick a favorite or most memorable is very difficult. i scored a nice header for Clydebank playing against Rangers in the Scottish premier league 1986 just after Souness had taken over as coach. We beat them 2-1, the first time ever Clydebank had beaten them. Being a Celtic supporter might have something to do with that! My very first senior goal for Clydebank away to Kilmarnock, came on as sub with 15 minutes to go scored with three minutes to go, I got booked for celebrating with the 30 or so Clydebank supporters who came through to Ayrshire. Then we conceded with 30seconds left. The goal against Carlisle I feel was a very important goal as I think with that result we really took a lot of confidence going into the season. 1-0 Victory at the Cottage. then there was the equalizer in the 2-1 victory on promotion day. I am sorry i can’t really single one out. I loved them all and remember all.

Q) You scored a memorable hat-trick in one hour in our 7-0 win against Swansea City (who were a division higher) in the FA Cup in 1995. Do you remember the goals? Nick Cusack was your provider for two of the goals that game, were there any other players in your career you developed an understanding with?

A) If memory serves me well the goals came from Nick getting a flick on, then one came from the goalkeeper parrying and I got on the end of it with the third coming from  a corner that Nick flicked on at the near post. Can always say I scored a hatrick in the F. A. Cup. While at Burnley myself and Roger Eli struck up a very good partnership with Roger getting 14 goals the season we won the league while I got 24. I think Nick and myself were a wee bit similar but Roger complemented me with his speed while I was stronger in the air.

Q) When Al Fayed bought the club and had the money to buy players like Paul Moody, did you feel the writing was on the wall for you at Fulham, and did you feel you still had something to offer?

A) Paul Moody was actually bought by Mickey Adams if my memory serves me well. I think all the players including Simon Morgan believed the writing was on the wall. Morgs did very well to survive the cull and go on and get more success with Fulham, which in my mind could not have been more deserving to a great Fulham player who gave so much to the club. Did I have more to offer? i think goalscorers always have something to offer.

Q) Do you still visit the Cottage regularly?

A) I now live in Melbourne so don’t get a chance to see any live football. I really miss being involved.

Q) What are you up to now?

A) I am now involved with the Japanese sport brand Mizuno. We do running shoes which i do at least three times a week and we are Luke Donalds club of choice. We do fantastic running shoes and golf clubs. So get on board!

And a final word from Mike…

If I could just sign off by saying that although my first season did not go down to well I still finished top goal scorer and that I always tried my best whenever selected to play. I have no issue with taking some stick as it’s part and parcel of being a footballer and especially if you are a striker. It comes with the territory. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Fulham and have many happy memories that outweigh the not so happy. i would like to thank everyone for their backing during the 97 season and I hope you enjoyed watching the team as much as we enjoyed playing as a team. I feel very blessed to have played my part in the ongoing story of Fulham Football Club.

Thank you Mike!!