Friends of Fulham

 
Ref Watch: Derby County Vs Fulham

Jeremy Simpson will take charge of Derby County's Sky Bet Championship fixture at home to Fulham on Tuesday.

The official has overseen 34 games so far this season, producing 145 yellows and five reds.

His last Derby game was the 0-0 draw at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on the opening day of the current season.

He will be assisted by Tony Peart and Christopher Akers on the lines, whilst Nigel Miller (replacing Stephen Martin) has been appointed as the Fourth Official.



Read more at http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/ref-watch-derby-county-vs-fulham-3652223.aspx#HeU7VfeEBIduJwJV.99 (http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/ref-watch-derby-county-vs-fulham-3652223.aspx#HeU7VfeEBIduJwJV.99)

 
One Week To Go

There's now just one week left for existing Season Ticket Holders to keep their existing seat and for all fans to take advantage of our Early Bird Season Ticket prices!

Following victory over Rotherham United this weekend the Whites moved into the coveted Play-Off positions, and as we approach the latter stages of this campaign, now is the time guarantee your place at Craven Cottage next season.

Current seats are on hold until 5pm on Monday 10th April, with our Early Bird prices also available until this date.

Be sure to secure your seat before the Early Bird deadline on 10th April, and watch the Whites at the lowest possible price in 17/18. Purchase today online, by application form, by phone on 0843 208 1234 or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.

We are London's original football club. We are Fulham Football Club.
This season's exclusive Seat Move Window is for 17/18 Season Ticket Holders only. Be sure to renew your existing seat, or purchase an available seat, and should you wish to move this will be available free of charge on Thursday 13th April.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/03/one-week-to-go (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/03/one-week-to-go)

 
Ex-Leeds United boss Neil Redfearn identifies Fulham as Championship dark horses

With Leeds United, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday stuttering, Fulham could take advantage.

You can't say Sheffield Wednesday weren't warned. After four games without a win, capped by Saturday's draw with Yorkshire rivals Barnsley, Carlos Carvalhal's Owls have plummeted out of the Championship play-off places.

And, taking their place in that coveted sixth spot, is Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham. Boosted by the second highest goals tally in the division, The Cottagers have won seven of their last 12 league fixtures - while Wednesday have stuttered, despite spending big on Jordan Rhodes and Sam Winnall in January.

As the old cliché goes, momentum is key heading into the play-offs. And, according to former Leeds United manager Neil Redfearn, the advantage now stands with The Cottagers.

"For me they are the dark horses," he told Football on 5.

"They've got themselves into it at just the right time and in that pack. Other sides in the play-offs will be looking at them with a bit of caution."

He's not wrong. Netting 67 goals in 39 Championship games, Jokanovic's free-flowing Fulham have become arguably the most fearsome side in the division.

Inspired by the majestic Tom Cairney and the effervescent Sone Aluko, Fulham dismantled league leaders Newcastle United at St James' Park while demonstrating their never-say-die attitude with a dramatic late equaliser against Leeds recently.


In fact, if it wasn't for their shaky defence, the seven point gap between themselves in sixth and Huddersfield Town in third may be a lot tighter.

Yet, with Huddersfield losing two on the bounce, Leeds suffering from a lack of creativity and Sheffield Wednesday seemingly dropping out of the picture altogether, Fulham may well head into the play-offs with confidence.

Redfearn's former club Leeds, however, can at least take solace in knowing that they performed impressively when travelling to Fulham last month. In fact, only a late Tom Cairney stunner prevented Garry Monk's side taking three points from Craven Cottage.


http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/04/02/do-ex-leeds-united-boss-neil-redfearn-identifies-fulham-as-champ/ (http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/04/02/do-ex-leeds-united-boss-neil-redfearn-identifies-fulham-as-champ/)

 
Fulham matchwinner dubbed the best at Rotherham but it's bad news for Derby loanee
Whites hero takes man of the match gong but Martin punished for miss

Fulham fans have dubbed Sone Aluko as their leading player in the 1-0 win over Rotherham United.

The winning goalscorer polled 7.8 as Fulham won ugly. Fans appreciated the grittiness of the victory with Kevin McDonald and David Button coming joint second with a score of 7.6.

Talisman Tom Cairney had a rare day where he finished off the podium with a score of 7.4, while Scott Malone and Michael Madl scored 7.2.

(http://i3.getwestlondon.co.uk/incoming/article12728837.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/JS114170479.jpg)
Into the tackle: Sone Aluko attempts to tackle Jack Colback (Photo: Lewis Arnold/The Chronicle)

Stefan Johansen was next highest as he polled 6.9 with defensive duo Tomas Kalas and Ryan Fredericks both scoring 6.8.

Substitute Floyd Ayite scored 6.5, which was just ahead of the man he replaced, Neeskens Kebano (6.3).

Tim Ream and Ryan Sessegnon, who were both brought on in second half stoppage time to shore things up at the back, scored 6.2 and 6.1 respectively.

Derby loanee Chris Martin, though, was a distant last with his missed sitter resulting him scoring just 4.3.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-matchwinner-dubbed-best-rotherham-12835898 (http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-matchwinner-dubbed-best-rotherham-12835898)

 
Jokanović's Derby Preview

Slaviša Jokanović is not getting carried away by Fulham's place in the top-six, ahead of another crucial match on Tuesday night.

Victory at the weekend, coupled with Sheffield Wednesday's dropped points, moved the Whites into the Play-Off spots, but Jokanović knows our final standing on May 7th is the only one that matters.

"It is satisfying that we got this win to move us to where we want to be," he told fulhamfc.com, "but we have seven games in front of us which we need to be fully focused and concentrated on.

"There are 21 points for us to win, and we must give our maximum every time to make sure we finish this regular season in sixth or higher."

Derby County provide a second away test in four days when Fulham travel to Pride Park on Tuesday, and Jokanović knows his side will need to be at their best to bring the points back to London.

"When we played them at our home earlier in the season, we paid an expensive price for some mistakes," he explained. "We drew a game which we should have won.

"Now they have a different manager who has had some positive results in his first games, so my players know what to expect. But every match until the end of the season will be difficult.

"Derby has some quality players, but we do too and I am full of confidence that my team can get us another three points from this game that is immediately in front of us."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/03/jokanovics-derby-preview (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/03/jokanovics-derby-preview)

 
Derby County injury news: Rams sweating on fitness of duo ahead of Fulham clash

Marcus Olsson and Bradley Johnson are both injury doubts for Derby County's Sky Bet Championship clash with Fulham at Pride Park Stadium on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

Left-back Olsson sustained a twisted ankle against Queens Park Rangers on Friday night, while midfielder Johnson injured his foot during the 1-0 home victory.

Rams boss Gary Rowett will make a late call on the duo's fitness ahead of the Fulham game

He is hoping Johnson will recover in time but admitted that Olsson could miss out.

"Olss is struggling with a twisted ankle," said Rowett. "The medical team will tell us this morning (Monday) if he's OK for training.

"Bradley took a kick on the foot against QPR, which has swelled up a bit – but hopefully he'll be OK.

"Out of the two, I'd say Olss is slightly more doubtful.

"We will take a bit longer before making a decision on both of them."

If Olsson is ruled out against Fulham, the manager could turn England Under-20 international Max Lowe or Ikechi Anya.

Another option would be moving Chris Baird to left-back and recalling Cyrus Christie at right-back.

Johnson has started Rowett's first two games as Derby boss in a central midfield partnership alongside Craig Bryson, in a 4-2-3-1 formation - with Will Hughes and Jacob Butterfield both on the bench.



Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-injury-news-rams-sweating-on-fitness-of-duo-ahead-of-fulham-clash/story-30245473-detail/story.html#TgjsOTJ6gY7ropCU.99 (http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-injury-news-rams-sweating-on-fitness-of-duo-ahead-of-fulham-clash/story-30245473-detail/story.html#TgjsOTJ6gY7ropCU.99)

 
Derby County Update

Fans wishing to attend Tuesday's fixture with Derby County at Pride Park can still purchase tickets in person from the Ticket Office or over the phone on 0843 208 1234 (option 2).

These will need to be collected from Craven Cottage in advance, or from Derby on the day of the game.

Advance tickets will go off sale at 12pm on Tuesday, although Derby will sell on the night to Fulham fans; cash only on the turnstiles with a price increase of £3 for ticket. Please see below for the advance price selling structure.

Category    Pricing    2-3 Tickets (10% Discount)
   4+ Tickets (20% Discount)
Adults    £22     £19.80     £17.60
Over 65
   £15.50
    £13.95     £12.40
Under 18
   £12.50     £11.25     £10

The Club is still offering £5 return coach travel for this fixture, but fans are encouraged to book this as soon as possible before places sell out.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/03/derby-county-update (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/03/derby-county-update)

 
Derby v Fulham: What is the best path to victory for Slavisa Jokanovic?
The Whites moved into the top six after they claimed a 1-0 win at Rotherham, coupled with Sheffield Wednesday's draw at Barnsley

Fulham can cement their place in the top six when they travel to Derby on Tuesday night.

The Whites moved into the top six after they claimed a 1-0 win at Rotherham, coupled with Sheffield Wednesday's draw at Barnsley.

With the Owls expected to beat the already relegated Millers, the contest at the iPro Stadium is a must win game for Slavisa Jokanovic's side.

Chris Martin is ineligible to face his parent club, meaning the Whites boss will be forced into at least one change from the side that won 1-0 at Rotherham.

What do you think the Fulham chief should do?

Now you can have your say with our GetWestLondon team selector. Simply drag and drop your preferred starting XI onto the graphic to generate your team.

Don't forget to share your selection on social media and see if others agree with your choices ahead of the big game.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-v-fulham-what-best-12836538 (http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-v-fulham-what-best-12836538)

 
Book Review – It's Only Banter – The Autobiography of Leroy Rosenior

By his own admission, the football career of Leroy Rosenior wasn't the most glorious or trophy-laden. The central theme of his compelling story, however, goes way beyond his achievements on the pitch and in the dug-out. It is the story of being a black footballer in 1980's England where insults, threats, prejudice and discrimination were a daily occurrence. Where racism was rife.

Title: It's Only Banter – The Autobiography of Leroy Rosenior
Authors: Leroy Rosenior and Leo Moynihan
Publisher: Pitch Publishing
Date Published: 2017
Price: £11.89 on Amazon (£16.99 RRP)

An England schoolboy, Rosenior, the footballer, peaked in the late 1980's as a top-flight goal scorer at a West Ham team that was pleasing on the eye but would suffer relegation.

A playing career cut short by injury, Rosenior's experiences in management are restricted to the lower leagues from Gloucester to Torquay and Brentford via a brief stint at International level with Sierra Leona.

Now happy immersed in his media work, Rosenior's has tried his hand at all football can offer reflecting a man with a strong work ethic, a positive attitude and huge knowledge of the game.

Both as a player and manager, Rosenior is brutally honest on covering his experiences with racism, recalling incidents at Fulham, Portsmouth, Leeds and QPR, involving players and fans that will hit the reader hard. An emotional read, Rosenior goes from excitement and enthusiasm of a young player starting out on the big stage to a man lost and lonely, a man in a bubble trying to comprehend the way he is treated and questioning whether his dream of professional football is worth it?

He talks candidly about attitudes and perceptions at the time. A general apathy in the footballing world that racism in all its forms was the norm, an acceptance that it's what happens in football, it's only banter, Leroy!

Rosenior's plays tribute to those fellow black footballers that broke into the game in the 1970's / 80's and their (and his) collective contribution in changing these attitudes that have led to the multicultural game that we all enjoy today and the opportunities available to players of all ethnic backgrounds.

'It's only banter', is much more than a book about football. The first few chapters cover the challenges that his parent's faced as first generation immigrants to 1950's working class London. The book looks at how they faced a world of violence and open discrimination with humour and dignity and how they coped with a society driven by ignorance and fear against a wider political backdrop.

While tackling the serious subject of racism. There are still plenty of warm-hearted moments in the book that show the better side of humans. Rosenior looks back with fondness at his time with first club Fulham. He also recalls happy days at West Ham where he bonded with the team and fans. Chants of Leroy, Leroy, Leroy... greeting every goal as he felt part of the fabric. He was 'one of us'.

The book is also peppered with light-hearted stories that reflect Rosenior's personality particularly the chapters on his infamous 10-minute tenure as Torquay manager and his hilarious recollection of his time as Sierra Leone's national manager.

This blend of light and heavy reading works well and makes for an enjoyable read. As does the contributions from family, friends, teammates and ex-players such as John Barnes who was at the forefront of racism and changing perceptions.

Rosenior concludes his brilliant autobiography with a look at the next glass ceiling, getting more black players into football coaching, management and the board rooms. The statistics prove that there is still a significant under-representation of ethnic minorities at this level in the professional game and that preconceptions still exist in both covert and overt forms. Leroy Rosenior is an example of this himself, an exceptionally talented coach/manager who through a lack of offers has been lost to the game.

Football's loss is the media's gain.

The Rooney rule is debated, as are more recent incidents in the game and the wider implications in a post-Brexit Britain. While it is evident that much has been done since Rosenior's playing days, there still is a long way to go before true equality in football is achieved.

Rosenior is positive and hopeful that this will happen by the time the next generation of Roseniors, his son Liam, now a player at Brighton, is ready for football management.


http://www.itsroundanditswhite.co.uk/2017/04/03/book-review-banter-autobiography-leroy-rosenior/ (http://www.itsroundanditswhite.co.uk/2017/04/03/book-review-banter-autobiography-leroy-rosenior/)

 
Pearce On The Guard Ahead Of Clash With 'Dangerous' Fulham

Alex Pearce says Derby County are going to need to be well on their guard when they come up against Fulham's attacking threats on Tuesday night.

The Republic of Ireland international regards the Cottagers as one of the toughest tests the Rams have faced this term.

Go back to December, Derby travelled to Craven Cottage on the back of a seven-game winning run just before Christmas, but had to be at their absolute resolute best to keep Slaviša Jokanović's side at bay and earn a 2-2 draw.

Pearce, the 28-year-old defender, scored the equaliser on that afternoon and he labelled Fulham as the best side Derby had faced at that point.

That's a thought that has not changed as the two sides prepare to meet once again at Pride Park. He told RamsTV: "Fulham are going really strong at the moment.

"We played them earlier on in the season at their place and I thought it was one of the toughest games we've played this year.

"We know what we're going to be in for. I thought they were probably one of the better sides that we've played this year for sure.

"They were very dangerous in an attacking sense, they get a lot of men forward and they pass the ball very quickly with high tempo.

"We are going to have to be on our guard for sure but we like to think that anyone coming to our home ground will be in for a tough game."

Derby, though, go into the match on the back of a victory.

Matěj Vydra's goal proved to be enough in the Rams' 1-0 win over Fulham's West London rivals, Queens Park Rangers, last Friday as Gary Rowett claimed his first three points since being appointed as the club's new manager last month.

Pearce stated each and every Derby player stuck to their task on the night – a key factor, he believes, behind not only the win, but a much-improved performance.

And now the defender is targeting a repeat against the Cottagers, adding: "I thought we played well throughout the whole game on Friday, but sometimes it takes a bit of time to make that breakthrough.

"It's important that the supporters stick with you during that time and I thought they did that from start to finish.

"It was a good team performance, everyone did their job to a man and you saw what happened; we ended up getting a result.

"We will be looking to do exactly the same tomorrow night against a very good Fulham side and then see where we are after that.

"It's just game-by-game for us at the moment. There are seven games left – seven big tests for us – and we will take each and every one of them as they come."



Read more at http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/pearce-on-the-guard-ahead-of-clash-with-dangerous-fulham-3655775.aspx#5MHTys0Ygwgot6lt.99 (http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/pearce-on-the-guard-ahead-of-clash-with-dangerous-fulham-3655775.aspx#5MHTys0Ygwgot6lt.99)

 
How the Championship top seven would look if remaining results matched the reverse fixtures
Newcastle, Brighton, Huddersfield, Reading, Leeds, Fulham and Sheffield Wed are all going for promotion

Fulham will finish in the final play-off spot and have a play-off tie with Reading, if the remaining fixtures match the results in the reverse fixtures.

GetWestLondon has gone through the remaining games left this season and put in the outcomes, corresponding to the reverse fixture.

The Whites finish in the top six on the final day after drawing at Sheffield Wednesday.

Were results to match the reverse fixtures, Newcastle will win the league on goal difference from Brighton. The Magpies would be on +48, with the Seagulls on +44.

Reading would take the third spot on 88 points, 11 behind the top two, setting up a play-off contest with Fulham.

Were that to happen it would be the third time Whites fans have made the journey down the M4 to the Madejski Staidum. The first attempt was on December 30, which was abandoned at half time due to fog. Fulham lost the rearranged game by a goal to nil with Chris Martin winning a penalty.

Leeds claimed fourth spot with a 1-1 draw with Wigan on the final day enough to move them a point clear of Huddersfield, who lost 3-2 to Cardiff. The two sides will now face off against each other.

(http://i2.getwestlondon.co.uk/incoming/article12838458.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Championship-tablePNG.png)
How the table would look if the outcomes matched the reverse fixtures

How will the end of season play out? You can make your predictions using the tool below.

We're not recording the score though, so goal difference won't count if you predict some teams drawing level on points.

Once you're done, let us know where you have Fulham finishing via our Twitter ( @FulhamFCNews ) and Facebook pages ( FulhamNews )


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-championship-top-seven-would-12838487 (http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-championship-top-seven-would-12838487)

 
Derby County v Fulham
TUE, 04 Apr 2017Championship
Venue: Pride Park Stadium

BBC coverage

How to follow:
    Listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website

---

Derby could be without midfielder Bradley Johnson, who injured his foot in Friday's 1-0 win over QPR.

Left-back Marcus Olsson is also doubtful with an ankle problem, with Ikechi Anya or Max Lowe likely to be recalled if he misses out.

Fulham are without on-loan Rams striker Chris Martin, who is not allowed to play against his parent club.

Scott Parker (back) is likely to remain out, but manager Slavisa Jokanovic has no new injuries to contend with.

Fulham defender Ryan Fredericks told BBC Radio London:

"We're finally in the play-off places, now the main thing is we've got to stay in there.

"We haven't been beat by a team playing better football than us all season, when we've lost games it's when we haven't played too well and made sloppy mistakes.

"I think the teams around us are looking at us and know we're strong, and they probably don't think we're going to drop too many points from now until the end of the season, and we don't either."

Match facts
    Derby have lost only one of their last seven league encounters with Fulham (W2 D4).
    Fulham have only managed to win once in their last nine trips to Derby in league competition (D2 L6).
    Gary Rowett has never lost a league match as a manager against Fulham (W2 D2).
    No Championship team has taken more points in their last 10 matches than Fulham (21).


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39414110 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39414110)

 
Aluko Voted Fulham's Best Player In Win Over Rotherham


Nigerian forward Sone Aluko has been voted Fulham's Man of the Match in their 1-0 away win against Rotherham United in the English Championship on Saturday.

According to Fulham's official website on Monday afternoon, Aluko got 35.9 per cent of the votes cast by the club's fans.

Fulham's goalkeeper David Button was second with 19.2 per cent, ahead of third-placed Scott Malone (9.7 per cent).

Aluko swept in from close range in the 66th minute to give Fulham the win which also moved them into the promotion play-off zone on 64 points and in sixth spot in the league table.

The goal was Aluko's seventh goal in 38 league appearances for Fulham this season.

Aluko was impressive against Rotherham as he made three efforts on goal, the most attempted by a Fulham player.

He also won two tackles, delivered a hat-trick of crosses, made an interception and embarked on three successful dribbles.



Read more at http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/aluko-voted-fulhams-best-player-win-rotherham/#pR2lZsFlJ8hvgv64.99 (http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/aluko-voted-fulhams-best-player-win-rotherham/#pR2lZsFlJ8hvgv64.99)

 
One Goal

As the Easter break approaches, youngsters in Lambeth and Merton can look forward to two weeks of activity brought by the free L&Q One Goal programme. From football to art and design, One Goal offers a variety of sports and creative arts activities for young people aged from five to 21.

The Fulham Football Club Foundation will be leading the programme, which runs from 3 April  to 12 April at venues around the area.

One Goal is a sports and creative arts programme that motivates young people to be physically active, make healthy lifestyle choices and enjoy creative pursuits during the school holidays. It is returning after an extremely successful February half term, when more than 2,165 young people enjoyed sessions around London and the South East .

The scheme is delivered by eight professional football clubs across the capital, including Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Leyton Orient, Millwall, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham.

The project is being funded by the L&Q Foundation with a £387,000 grant, which ensures all activities are free and that there is no financial barrier for young people to get involved.

The One Goal programme sessions will include multisport and arts.

Paul Elliot, CBE, former England defender, says: "We know the power of football and what the sport means globally. Football is great at breaking down barriers and getting young people to challenge and better themselves. The programme's inclusion of many different sports and creative activities is a valuable addition, which will allow even more young people to take part."

Sadiq Khan, The Mayor of London, said: "London is world-renowned for its sport and culture. As Mayor I'm committed to helping young people lead healthier, more active lifestyles, so I am really proud to see this successful partnership between some of the capital's biggest football clubs and a valued housing partner continue for another year. I'm confident it will inspire even more young Londoners to get active and creative during their holidays."

Sean Daly, Head of Football and Sports Development at Charlton Athletic Community Trust, said: "The funding for grassroots sport and creative arts is crucial, so L&Q's investment and the delivery expertise of all involved has ensured this project has been a success and benefited the young people of London. After the success of last year, we are looking forward to kicking off Easter activities to get young people active and enjoying sport."

Matthew Corbett, Assistant Director Community Investment for L&Q, said:

"The One Goal programme is hugely popular, and last year engaged more than twice the number of young people we originally hoped. L&Q and the partner clubs are all very pleased to be providing young people across London with fun and creative activities to look forward to for their holidays. Parents also get peace of mind because they know their children will be getting out of the house each day, learning new skills and making friends in a safe environment."

For more information on venues and times and to register for the free programmes, go to www.cact.org.uk/lq-one-goal (http://www.cact.org.uk/lq-one-goal)

L&Q One Goal                                                   

Monday 3 – Wednesday 12 April

Ages 5-21 years

FREE


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/03/one-goal (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/03/one-goal)

 
Three reasons Derby County will beat Fulham to keep their play-off dream alive

Derby County will know that they realistically need to beat Fulham at the Pride Park Stadium on Tuesday night if they are to keep their chances of securing a Championship play-off spot alive.

The Rams stayed in contention to secure an unlikely top six finish as they beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 at home on Friday night, with Matej Vydra scoring the goal that separated the two teams.

Fulham moved into the play-offs as they picked up a 1-0 victory away at Rotherham United, while the team that began the weekend in sixth – Sheffield Wednesday – were held to a 1-1 draw by Barnsley at Oakwell.

It means that Gary Rowett's men are eight points adrift of the top six with just seven matches left to play, but they could close the gap on the Cottagers to just five points with a win against Slavisa Jokanovic's in-form side in midweek, although they would also need to hope that the Owls slip up against already-relegated Rotherham too.

Here are three reasons Derby will secure that win to keep their play-off dream alive...

Unbeaten under Gary Rowett
Ok, so it's only been two games but Rowett will be relatively pleased with the start he has made since taking over the Rams.

While the first half in the local derby may not have been too impressive, Rowett's men bounced back with an impressive second half display and they brought that into their clash against QPR on Friday night.

They should have scored against Ian Holloway's side long before they finally did in the 70th minute, and they will be in buoyant mood as they face Fulham in front of a bumper crowd.

Record against promotion-chasing sides
While Derby's form has fallen away in recent weeks – one win in nine saw Steve McClaren sacked last month – the Rams have enjoyed some impressive results at home against the teams fighting towards the top end of the Championship table.

County beat Leeds United 1-0, Sheffield Wednesday 2-0, Norwich City 1-0 and Reading 3-2 earlier in the campaign, and if they raise their game to similar levels when Fulham visit on Tuesday night, they should get the three points once again.

They have a striker in form
With Darren Bent suffering from injury in recent weeks and David Nugent struggling to make much of a goalscoring impact following a January transfer window move from Leicester City, the Rams needed someone to step up and find the net – enter Matej Vydra.

The Czech striker was a big-money arrival when Nigel Pearson brought him to the club last summer, but when Pearson was sacked the 24-year-old fell out of favour under Steve McClaren.

However, he has hit back in recent weeks and has scored three goals in his last four matches, and that form could be crucial to his side's hopes of claiming an unlikely play-off spot.



https://www.footballfancast.com/image-gallery/three-reasons-derby-county-will-beat-fulham-to-keep-their-play-off-dream-alive (https://www.footballfancast.com/image-gallery/three-reasons-derby-county-will-beat-fulham-to-keep-their-play-off-dream-alive)

 
Derby County vs Fulham Preview: Three Questions
Fulham got back on track and into the playoff spots with their win over Rotherham. Can they keep the positive momentum going?

Nathan Morley was kind enough to answer our questions leading up to the away fixture against Derby County. Away games are never easy, but Derby has little to play for, how does he think this will affect the outcome? What's up with Chris Martin? How do you set up to defeat Derby?

Cottagers Confidential: What's up with the Chris Martin situation? Was that just McClaren being McClaren, or does the club really want him back? What do you expect to happen during the offseason?

    Nathan Morley: The Chris Martin situation is a bizarre one. First of all, it was a decision taking by then-manager Nigel Pearson who was eager to change things up in a squad used to playing in a system that made the team overly reliant on Martin putting in a good shift. It didn't pay off. Many fans and people inside the club regard it as a stupid decision; a key player who'd, for all his faults, scored goals consistently and departing to a club that could potentially be promotion rivals.

    Steve McClaren had massive success with Martin in previous seasons and all parties, understandably apart from Fulham, were keen for him to return. The striker even signed a new contract, so I expect him to be back with the Rams in the summer. Gary Rowett will probably want to see Martin in action first, I think he'll start the season with Derby, barring a major, major clearout of players.

CC: You're eight points out of the playoffs, but more importantly, there are four teams between you and sixth place. Have you given up all hope of promotion for this year and if so, what are the goals for the rest of the season?

    NM: I think most fans have given up hope, although there is renewed optimism under Rowett. But ultimately it's too much of a long shot. A strong finish is the main goal, some players will feel they've a point to prove too ahead of a possible summer shake-up. Hopefully Rowett will be given the time and space over the coming months to get the side in better shape for a top six push, this season would be too early with the team too ill-equipped.

CC: Derby has combined a very good defense with a mediocre offense this year. What kind of teams have given you trouble this season?

    NM: Scott Carson has been magnificent in goal this season and, in front of him, Richard Keogh and Alex Pearce have built a good partnership. The issue mainly is defending set pieces and having the steel to see games through. That's what Derby often lack.

    Clubs getting players behind the ball and stopping the Rams from playing is what normally prevents Derby getting the points. The Rams need an answer to it and learn to move things faster at times, as well as matching the more physical sides.

    There are points for Rowett to work on and to solve the conundrum of why the club falls to pieces in the second half of the season every year!

CC: Predicted lineup and score?

    NM: Prediction: 2-1 Rams win, continuing that new manager bounce a fresh appointment often gives!

    Line-up prediction: carson; Baird, Keogh, Pearce, Olsson; Johnson, Bryson; Ince, Vydra, Russell; Nugent (4-2-3-1)



http://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/4/3/15165248/derby-county-fulham-english-championship-preview-three-questions (http://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/4/3/15165248/derby-county-fulham-english-championship-preview-three-questions)

 
Owls set to endure a white knuckle ride says Reach

Sheffield Wednesday wideman Adam Reach believes that the club are preparing themselves for a rollercoaster ride between now and the end of the season as they chase a Play Off place in the Sky Bet Championship according to the Sheffield Star.

The Owls fell out of the division's top six following a 1-1 South Yorkshire derby day draw with Barnsley on Saturday afternoon while Play Off rivals Fulham took full advantage of Wednesday's slip up to leapfrog their way into sixth position after beating Rotherham United 1-0 at New York Stadium.

Despite at one point holding a comfortable position in the top six, a run of just one win in Wednesday's last seven league outings has handed an advantage to Fulham although finishing sixth is still very much in The Owls' hands with the club set to host The Whites in what could be a blockbuster clash on the final day of the season.

When asked about the possibility of the Play Off race going down to the wire, Wednesday star Reach admitted that it could be a nervy few weeks for him and his teammates.

"There's every chance (that it could go to the last game)" Reach admitted when speaking to the Sheffield Star.

"There's ourselves and Fulham, who we play in the last game. The other teams in and around us could get nervous as well.

"If we play anywhere near our best, I think we pick up more points than Fulham. We've got them on the last day of the season. Hopefully we will already be in the play-offs and they can't catch us.

"But, if it does come down to that at Hillsborough with a full house and a great atmosphere, I think we will have the edge."

Wednesday have the perfect opportunity to bounce back to winning ways when they face already relegated Rotherham United at New York Stadium on Tuesday evening while Fulham will travel to Pride Park to play Derby County.


http://the72.co.uk/78350/owls-set-endure-white-knuckle-ride-says-reach/ (http://the72.co.uk/78350/owls-set-endure-white-knuckle-ride-says-reach/)

 
What's On: Fulham (H)

dcfc.co.uk takes a look at what's happening in-and-around Pride Park Stadium for the 2016/17 Sky Bet Championship fixture against Fulham.

Match Tickets
Supporters can still purchase tickets for the match and a full rundown of the prices and tickets available can be viewed on WeAreDerby.com, as well as by monitoring @dcfctickets on Twitter.

Ticket Collections
Matchday ticket collections for home fans can be made from the Ticket Collection booth located towards the back of the Smith Cooper North Stand from 6pm.

Access Issues
Should supporters have any access issues entering the stadium, either with season cards or match tickets, they are advised to visit the Smith Cooper North Stand access windows.

Ticket Office
The Ticket Office will be open from 10am right up until kick-off – but will not re-open after the game.

Spot Checks
Derby County are continuing to stage age concession checks in advance of entry into Pride Park Stadium for both home and away supporters at EVERY home game this season.

The club has been made aware of adults gaining entry into the stadium on matchdays by using junior or senior season/match tickets in the past.

As a result, club stewards are instructed to check season cards and match tickets at the turnstiles in both the home and visiting supporters' areas of the ground at each fixture.

Any supporters found attempting to gain entry using a ticket category which is not for the correct individual will have their match ticket or season card confiscated, and they also run the risk of being prevented from obtaining entry to the stadium at future games.

Those with an age-related concession ticket must have suitable ID on them to prove their age, for example using a passport, birth certificate, driving license or other relevant documentation.

Should any supporters not have ID or if there is any doubt that they are not of the required age to use the ticket, then the ticket will be taken off them and they must purchase a new full priced ticket.

If supporters are in possession of an incorrect age related concession ticket, they must upgrade now from the Ticket Office at Pride Park Stadium or, if they are an away supporter, from their own Ticket Office.

It should be noted that it is a criminal offence to try and enter the stadium on a concession ticket when the supporter is not within the correct age bracket.

The Ram
Derby County's official matchday programme, The Ram, is available in and around the stadium, priced at £3 per copy. The midweek edition includes an exclusive chat with George Thorne, who speaks his lengthy spell out of action after breaking his leg at the back end of last season – as well as revealing how he's progressing on the road to recovery. There are also exclusive chats with Johnny Russell and Alex Pearce, as well as columns from Sam Rush and Gary Rowett. There's the regular 'Baseball Ground Memories' and 'Best & Worst' features, plus plenty more features, interviews and stories.

Find out more about what's coming up in the latest edition of The Ram on dcfc.co.uk.


Official Matchday Car Parks
Derby County would like to remind supporters that a number of officially licensed car parks within a short walk of Pride Park Stadium are available for all home matchdays. The official matchday car parks are operated on behalf of the club by qualified parking and traffic management specialists who maintain a security presence in the car park during the game - and are responsible for managing traffic flows away from the Pride Park area after each home match. The club requests that motorists attending home fixtures respect residents in the local areas near to the Pride Park Stadium, particularly those in Alvaston and Chaddesden, and utilise the opportunity to park in a safe and convenient environment, as suggested by the club. Supporters can find important matchday travel information - and more details - here: wearederby.com/travel/ipro.

McFarland's Bar
Tickets for McFarland's Bar @ The Pedigree Suite are still available to purchase – with places costing £3 per person.

Away Fans
Fulham are expected to bring a following of around 500 supporters for the game. Ticket collection and sales are available from the Away Ticket Booth from 6pm.

Fans Park
The Derby County Fans Park, located next to the Clough/Taylor Statue, will be open before the game with alcoholic beverages and food available to supporters in the lead-up to kick-off, with music provided by a DJ pre-game.

Charity Collection
The charity collection for this game is Autism Awareness Derby UK.

Autism is a disorder of neural development characterised by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behaviour. These signs all tend to begin before a child is three years old.

There are a variety of different organisations that set out to help those with Autism including Autism Awareness Derby.

It was officially World Autism Awareness Day on Sunday 2nd April, the day itself aims to brings individual autism organizations together all around the world to aid in things like research, diagnoses, treatment, and overall awareness for those with the disorder.

To find out more information please visithttps://www.facebook.com/AutismAwarenessDerbyUK or [email protected]


Rammie & Ewie's Play Pen
There's plenty going on in Rammie & Ewie's Play Pen ahead of the game – including Rammie's Tuck Shop and handouts from the Community Trust for their Easter Holiday Coaching Courses.


Family Area
There are lots of activities taking place in the Smith Partnership Family Area for youngsters to enjoy ahead of kick-off and at half-time, with Rammie's Tuck Shop in operation.


Matchday Supporter Liaison Officers
For the 2016/17 season, Derby County will have matchday supporter liaison officers (MSLOs) working in and around the stadium to help do their best to answer supporters' queries, questions or problems. They will be visible in Blue Jackets, so please do not hesitate to make contact with them.


First Time Rams
If you're new to Derby County and are planning your first trip to Pride Park Stadium, the First Time Rams website is designed to give you the confidence to come down and give the Rams a try. It aims to give you the information you need to make your first trip to the club easy to arrange, hassle free from start to finish and so rewarding that you'll want to come back on a regular basis. Visit wearederby.com/fans-first/first-time-rammie to find out more.


DCFCMegastore
The DCFCMegastore, located at Pride Park Stadium, will be open from 9am through to kick-off. The DCFCMegastore stocks a wide range of Derby County merchandise for supporters of all ages and you can browse the items available by visiting dcfcmegastore.com.


Matchday Travel
Derby County's Travel Website has all the details required for fans heading to Pride Park Stadium, including transport and parking information for home and away supporters: WeAreDerby.com/travel.



Read more at http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/whats-on-fulham-h-3656909.aspx#D6IJKk0CrAhZVzzL.99 (http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/whats-on-fulham-h-3656909.aspx#D6IJKk0CrAhZVzzL.99)

 
G.M's Match Preview: Rams Must Win To Turn Dreams Into Reality

Derby County welcome Fulham to Pride Park tonight, in what is shaping up as an interesting and entertaining fixture.

With Derby still having a mathematical chance of getting in the play offs, a win for Derby could close the gap on Fulham to five points. However, they will have competition as Norwich, Preston and Sheffield Wednesday will also be looking to close that gap.

Olsson is a doubt for the Rams with a twisted ankle so Max Lowe may have to deputise while Johnson took a knock after a few hefty challenges last Friday, but Rowett is hopeful the combative midfielder can shake it off and start the game.

Injuries permitting, Derby are likely to start with an unchanged team having played well and deservedly beat QPR. Although the victory was well earned, it was nearly a case of Deja vu for the seventh time this season when QPR hit the post in injury time with a header from a corner. On closer inspection, it looked like it was Darren Bent's man who nearly sunk the Rams.

The back four will remain much the same with Keogh captaining the side from centre back, Olsson attacked well from left back against QPR on Tuesday and will look to do the same again against the London side if he is fit to play. Baird will have to keep a very close eye on teenage sensation Sessegnon who, if he starts, will play wide left.

Johnson and Bryson will look the win the battle in midfield. Johnson has been particularly good in recent weeks at breaking up play and putting a foot in. However, he needs to time his headers better as he often jumps a little too early. If Bradley misses, then Will Hughes may be given the opportunity to impress his new boss.

Vydra will play just behind Nugent. His energy, intelligence and goal threat enables Derby to link up play quite well from the midfield. However, he may need to drop back a little more into midfield to help out for this game, as Fulham are very good at quickly exploiting any space.

Ince and Russell will provide the width for The Rams. Russell has admitted his performances have not been good enough this season. It's hard to criticise someone who works hard for the team every game and seems like a genuine guy, but his lack of quality and decision making in the final third is just not consistently good enough if Derby want to get promoted.

Derby's opponents Fulham are a little bit of a surprise package this season, but they have a good manager and are a huge threat going forward having scored 67 goals this season.

One of their main goal threats, Chris Martin is ineligible due to his loan agreement. At times, the whole Martin transfer/loan agreement saga became farcical with the two clubs trying to put their own spin on the story.

Fulham possess other good attacking threats in Sigurdsson, Aluko and Ayite. Going forward, they have a good balance of pace, power, intelligence and finishing quality, hence the number of goals they have scored.

They also have a good balance of players who are good on the ball and work hard. These come in the form of Malone, Johansen and new Scotland international Cairney.

Fulham have delivered mixed results recently. They brilliantly beat Newcastle away 3-1, lost 3-1 at home to Wolves, drew with Blackburn and beat Rotherham away on Saturday 2-1.

Match Prediction:

Quite simply, if Derby want to turn a Premier League dream into reality, then they must win this game. It will be a tough fixture and much will depend on which Fulham team turn up.

Will it be the one that battered Newcastle or the team that lost at home to Wolves? Let's hope for the latter of the two.

Derby needs to be very aware of the way Fulham attack on the break. If Derby can force Fulham on the back foot and break up their attacks on the half way line, then The Rams have a good chance.

Dream or Reality?!

Derby to win 2-1 with Vydra and Ince to score.


- See more at: http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/derbycounty/news/45417/#sthash.o7CAgxXC.dpuf (http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/derbycounty/news/45417/#sthash.o7CAgxXC.dpuf)

 
Derby County recap: Latest Rams news and views ahead of Fulham clash

It's match day, as Derby County take on Fulham in the Sky Bet Championship at Pride Park Stadium tonight (7.45pm).

It was another busy day at the Rams on Monday. Manager Gary Rowett and defender Alex Pearce facing the media during the club's pre-match press conference.

Before that, Derby had released their latest financial figures, for the 2015-16 campaign.

The Rams reported a loss of £14.7m for that period but still fell within Financial Fair Play (FFP) guidelines.

The figure for the year ending June 30, 2016, was up £4.6m on the £10.1m loss the previous year and the wage bill increased by almost 50% from £21.8m to £32m.

For FFP purposes, the club's loss was £9m.

This figure falls £4m within the £13m threshold that clubs were allowed to lose. The threshold had gone up from £6m the previous season (2014-15).

Derby's turnover was up £1.1m to £22.6m - the club's best-ever Championship turnover in a non-parachute payment year.

Signings made in the summer window of 2015 and January window 2016 increased balance sheet "intangible assets" from £7.5m to £33.5m.

Derby say there is no external debt and the club remains debt free.

President and chief executive Sam Rush said: "The 2015-16 season was a landmark year for us as it was the first season in which Mel Morris joined us as owner and chairman.

"Mel's tremendous commitment to Derby County enabled the Board to make significant strategic investments across all aspects of what is an exceptionally vibrant club.

"We have now laid the foundations for the club to build for many years to come."

Rush also addressed the rising wage bill, adding: "It has gone up through a clear strategic plan to invest.

"We broke the previous transfer record three times that summer. We were working with a base where it was an opportunity to invest in a way we hadn't invested previously.

"Of course, the wage bill is for the whole club, not just the playing side.

"It did go up quite significantly through the investment from our owner Mel Morris but costs have been kept under control and the club is in good shape."

As for player recruitment, Rush believes Derby added rising assets during 2015-16.

"We have now laid the foundations for the club to build for many years to come."

Rush also addressed the rising wage bill, adding: "It has gone up through a clear strategic plan to invest.

"We broke the previous transfer record three times that summer. We were working with a base where it was an opportunity to invest in a way we hadn't invested previously.

"Of course, the wage bill is for the whole club, not just the playing side.

"It did go up quite significantly through the investment from our owner Mel Morris but costs have been kept under control and the club is in good shape."

As for player recruitment, Rush believes Derby added rising assets during 2015-16.

"We have now laid the foundations for the club to build for many years to come."

Rush also addressed the rising wage bill, adding: "It has gone up through a clear strategic plan to invest.

"We broke the previous transfer record three times that summer. We were working with a base where it was an opportunity to invest in a way we hadn't invested previously.

"Of course, the wage bill is for the whole club, not just the playing side.

"It did go up quite significantly through the investment from our owner Mel Morris but costs have been kept under control and the club is in good shape."

As for player recruitment, Rush believes Derby added rising assets during 2015-16.

A dozen players arrived and transfer fees were paid in the summer for Bradley Johnson, Tom Ince, Jacob Butterfield, Jason Shackell and Andreas Weimann.

Nick Blackman, Marcus Olsson and Abdoul Camara were bought in January 2016.

Looking back at the season, Rush said: "Ultimately, we were top of the League at the half-way stage and so those players did well, but we were not able to sustain that through the season.

"We have created a situation where the club has been in the play-offs in two of the last three years. It has been competitive and very much in the top half of the League for five or six years now.

"So I think the money that has been spent has been spent wisely on assets that are rising."

Rowett has had his say on the club's finances, too, reiterating that he intends to reduce the size of the squad this summer.

"We have had a period as a club where we have pushed incredibly hard financially to try and get into the Premier League, both on the off the pitch," said the manager.

"We have just got to try perhaps have a more sensible approach and I think that will be natural anyway.

"When you have signed quite a lot of players without as many going out of the door then at some point you have to balance that of in terms of numbers.

"It is interesting because I would do that anyway.

"It doesn't mean to say we are not going to be as ambitious, it doesn't mean to say we won't be signing players, it means perhaps we are not going to have 30 players in the first-team squad."

Meanwhile, the Rams have already sold around 19,000 season tickets for the 2017-18 campaign.

The "Early Bird" deadline passed on Sunday and Rush has been delighted with the sales so far.

"The last two years we have been around the 19,000 mark at the Early Bird deadline stage, and we are right on that again," he said.

"So for three years we have had those numbers, which really are the envy of the League.

"We are delighted with the numbers and I would like to say thank you to all of the supporters who have showed incredible loyal support for the football club and have got right behind the club."

Rams duo Marcus Olsson and Bradley Johnson are both injury doubts for the visit of Fulham.

Olsson (ankle) and Johnson (foot) picked up knocks during Friday night's 1-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

Derby striker Chris Martin will not be eligible to play for Fulham under the terms of his loan deal.

Ahead of the game, former Fulham striker Leroy Rosenior slammed Martin's decision to "go on strike" earlier this season as "disgusting".

Martin missed three matches over the Christmas period after reportedly making himself unavailable for selection, while the Rams tried to cut his loan stay short.

In the end, the Scotland international remained at Craven Cottage, while signing a new long-term contract with Derby.

"I've watched it from afar," said Rosenior. "The thought of a player going on strike is totally alien.

"While Chris Martin is on loan to this football club, he is a Fulham player. It's as simple as that.

"Players and agents think they can control – why did he sign the contract in the first place?

"To go on strike from playing football is a disgusting thing because playing football is an honour."

Johnny Russell has been speaking about his lack of goals this season.

The Rams forward has found the net only once in 32 appearances so far.

"I don't know what it is at the minute," said Russell, who scored 10 times last term.

"I've not had a goal in a while and I'm just snatching at things.

"I know it will come, I know it will - it's just trying to get that first one and then it will flow from there."

Russell has been critical of his own form this season but was defended by Rowett, who hailed his work ethic as "invaluable" to the team.



Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-recap-latest-rams-news-and-views-ahead-of-fulham-clash/story-30246150-detail/story.html#GFbVMAVitRySZmTr.99 (http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-recap-latest-rams-news-and-views-ahead-of-fulham-clash/story-30246150-detail/story.html#GFbVMAVitRySZmTr.99)

 
Three reasons Derby County's play-off dream will come to an end vs. Fulham

Derby County manager Gary Rowett will know that his side must take all three points to keep their play-off dream alive when they host sixth-placed Fulham on Tuesday night.

The 10th-placed Rams moved to within eight points of the top six with a 1-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers on Friday night, and they know that they could conceivably close that gap to just five points with victory at the Pride Park Stadium.

Of course, that would rely on an out-of-form Sheffield Wednesday – who are one point adrift of the Cottagers – slipping up at already-relegated Rotherham United too.

While Rowett's men will be in confident mood following their victory against QPR, Slavisa Jokanovic's side are certainly no pushovers themselves and they fully deserve their spot in the top six after some fantastic performances this season.

Here are three reasons Derby's play-off dream will come to a premature end against Fulham...

Their home record
While Derby have picked up some impressive wins at home against the likes of Leeds United, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday this season, they have also been beaten by Blackburn Rovers, and drawn against Burton Albion, Bristol City and Wigan Athletic.

While that may suggest that they up their game against the teams at the top, the Rams have failed to take all three points in 11 of their 20 Championship home games this season – that will be a worry for Gary Rowett going into this must-win match.

Fulham's away record
The Cottagers actually have a worse home record this season than their opponents on Tuesday night, and it is their form on the road that is currently helping them in their quest to snatch a play-off spot at the end of the campaign.

Only Championship leaders Newcastle United have picked up more points on their travels than Fulham's 33 this term, with Slavisa Jokanovic's men taking 10 points from the last 12 available away, including a brilliant 3-1 win at St James' Park.

Fulham's firepower
The Cottagers have become renowned as a side that can score bundles of goals in the Championship, but also tend to concede lots too.

While they have netted 67 this term – only leaders Newcastle United have scored more – their defensive record is slightly better this time around and that is the reason they find themselves in sixth spot.

With the likes of Sone Aluko, Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon finding the net in recent weeks, there is plenty of Fulham firepower for Derby to be afraid of on Tuesday night.



https://www.footballfancast.com/image-gallery/three-reasons-derby-countys-play-off-dream-will-come-to-an-end-vs-fulham (https://www.footballfancast.com/image-gallery/three-reasons-derby-countys-play-off-dream-will-come-to-an-end-vs-fulham)

 
Fulham interested in National League side Chester FC defender
Scouts have been present at the side's games for several weeks with Fulham being extremely keen on the 19-year-old defender in the early stages of the season

(http://i2.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/article12350019.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/Action-1-4.jpg)
Chester defender Sam Hughes win a header against Liverpool's Harry Wilson (Photo: Terry Marland)

Fulham are interested in Chester FC defender Sam Hughes.

The 19-year-old right back has been in stunning form for the National League side this season and is wanted by several Championship and Premier League clubs, and Slavisa Jokanovic's side are one of the forerunners for his signature, according to our friends at the Chester Chronicle .

Hughes, who is an academy graduate, is out of contract in the summer but has been offered a new deal by the club, although he looks set to leave in order to ply his trade further up the league pyramid.

Fulham have sent scouts to watch the young right back all season and were extremely keen on making him their man early on in the season, but interest has cooled slightly since the turn of the year.

That said, scouts have been present in recent weeks and were there to see him score the winner in a 1-0 victory at Torquay where his attacking mentality at fullback is exactly what the Cottagers want from their defenders.

As Hughes has been offered a new contract and he is under the age of 24, a fee would have to be agreed and if not, the deal would go to a tribunal.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-interested-national-league-side-12840944 (http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-interested-national-league-side-12840944)

 
Millers To Mount The Next Challenge

We've been saying it for quite some time but it's being proven that every game is crucial and for many tonight is the crux of that feeling. After the Wednesday swapped places with seventh placed Fulham on Saturday evening the test ahead of Carlos Carvalhal's men at the New York Stadium tonight could well prove to be.

Rotherham United lost their fight to stay in the Championship for the 2017/18 season when they lost to the aforementioned Cottagers last weekend and Wednesday need three points against their hosts tonight and hope that Derby County do the Owls a favour by not succumbing to Fulham and the game of musical chairs in the top six in the Championship will go on for another week.

The Owls are possibly in their worst slump in terms of points gained currently, we have taken just five points from a possible 21 and no matter how you spin that it's not good enough for a playoff chasing side. But despite the Millers now knowing that they'll be back in the third tier next season there's going to be no let up from Paul Warne's men. It's their derby day, the one they need to win and now the pressure is off we need to fear the wounded animal.

Owls News....
The Wednesday will be without the services of Almen Abdi and Sam Hutchinson tonight in Rotherham, the midfield pair are injured but with differing levels of severity. It's not really new news for some but Abdi is missing for the remainder of the season after having surgery but Hutchinson will have to at least sit out tonight following the reoccurrence of his recent injury which saw him leave the field at Oakwell on Saturday.

That would mean that David Jones will likely continue in the heart of the midfield against the Millers alongside Barry Bannan, the back four almost picks itself and we expect it to be similar to the weekend but up front it's anyone's guess if Sam Winnall and Jordan Rhodes will continue their partnership or the likes of Steven Fletcher, Gary Hooper or recent international goalscorer Atdhe Nuhiu will get a chance.

Carvalhal Comment....
The Wednesday Head coach spoke to the assembled press on Monday afternoon about the game at Rotherham and said that thingscan change very quickly in the Championship, and highlighted that a boost of some injured players potentially returning by the weekend, things could get very interesting.

"The teams up above us are not guaranteed the position and the teams that are below us are not out of the fight.

"I think we can achieve a better position if we go in good shape and recover players and start playing better football. If you don't start winning, of course, the teams below are not far away from us. But we are optimists and believe we can go up in the positions. This is our target.

"People ask me sometimes why we have changed a little the style of last season.

"When we look to the team of the final of the play-off, we have been a long time without Tom Lees, Ross Wallace, Kieran Lee, Sam Hutchinson, Fernando Forestieri and Gary Hooper.

"These players have been out a lot of time. With different players, you can't play the same football, even though they have quality.

"These are players that connect things, everyone knows Kieran Lee connects the midfield and attack, Gary Hooper links midfield and attack, Forestieri is a linker also and we need these specific points to play the football we like and the fans like.

"But when we miss these kind of links, we must change the face of the team and be more compact, more solid, more realistic and try to achieve points and win."

Millers News....
The home side are sweating on the fitness of Lee Frecklington ahead of kick off against the Owls tonight, he picked up an injury in the weekend defeat to Fulham and faces a late test. Also a doubt for the Millers is striker, Danny Ward, the player who was linked with a move to Hillsborough back in the transfer window also picked up a knock at the weekend and Tom Adeyemi is missing due to a calf problem.

One piece of good news for the home side is that Ban Purrington is expected to be fit to face the Wednesday and we could see former Owl, Joe Mattock, return to the starting line up for Rotherham after he recently sat out two games through suspension.

Millers Comment....
Rotherham's caretaker manager Paul Warne made so secret of his desire for the team to win against the Wednesday and he knows how much it means to everyone else too.

"They are good games to play in and I said to the lads if you score in these games you'll be a legend. I think for the sponsors and everyone involved in the club, a win is just a beautiful thing.

"I think when I came here as a player it was the same. It was a much bigger event than I remember and the grounds were fuller than normal games.

"I enjoyed playing in those games but I enjoyed them a lot more when we won. I enjoyed watching Darren Garner running the length of the pitch and I enjoyed Richie Barker living off that header for 15 years or whaetever it is."

"I think we're the underdogs going into the game but I've thrived off having a life of being underdogs and that's fine with us and I'll get the lads ready for it,"

Some Stats V Rotherham....
Tonight's game at the New York Stadium will be the 42nd time Wednesday have faced the Millers, and unsurpsingly it's the Owls who have the advantage in those clashes. 22 wins to 12 is the record in favour of Wednesday with seven games being drawn.

Wednesday have a very good recent record over Rotherham at their home, our of the last five games the Owls have won four of them and have only lost ONE of the last ten visits into this particular part of South Yorkshire in competitive games. That was the League Cup clash between the sides in August 2013 when the hosts won 2-1.

Goals. Expect them. It's 41 years since the Wednesday didn't score a goal when they played at the home of the Millers and there hasn't been a 0-0 draw in games between the sides in Rotehrham since the fourth meeting between the teams back in October 1921!!!

Last Time At S60 1AH....

Wednesday dominated the game and took three points with Fernando Forestieri in bullish mood as Carlos Carvalhal's men won 2-1...

Final Thoughts....
Yes, I was gutted at the weekend although the result was a fair one. Not because of dropping out of the top six alone, but mainly by again the failure to take the game by the scruff of the neck when things were going the way of the Wednesday. THAT has happened far too often this season, the inability to dominate, overpower and control things has arguably been the one thing which has meant the Owls sit outside the top six as things stand.

A game V Rotherham isn't a derby for me, although I lived just outside the boundaries of the town for quite some time. What matters to me is three points. We're almost desperate for them. When we thumped Norwich a month or so ago everyone was up for it, positivity flowed through the veins and now those arteries seem to have run dry. I'm beginning to sound like a broken record about each game being crucial but they are.

Stand up Wednesday, be counted, the fans are doing their bit.. It's over to you.

Prediction....

Rotherham 0 Wednesday 2.


https://owlsonline.com/?page=news&news_id=1758

 
Derby County boss Gary Rowett ready for different challenge posed by Fulham

Gary Rowett says Derby County will have to be at their best to get a result against promotion hopefuls Fulham tonight (Tuesday).

The teams drew 2-2 at Craven Cottage in December and they meet again at Pride Park Stadium (kick off 7.45pm).

Fulham arrive occupy a top-six spot after winning at bottom club Rotherham on Saturday.

They have lost just one of their last 10 league games (six wins and three draws) and the gap between themselves and Derby is eight points with seven games to play.

Derby have collected four points from six under new manager Rowett, who is expecting a different test to the one the Rams faced in beating Queens Park Rangers on Friday night.

"It will be, and we'll see how we handle it," he said.

"Perhaps they (Fulham) will have less of a physical presence up front in terms of that first ball and so we might not have to screen quite as obviously as we did with (QPR striker) Matt Smith, which I thought Bradley Johnson did fantastically well.

"You have to block the middle of the pitch up because that is where Fulham want to get all of their bodies.

"They have always been a very good passing team, always very fluid in their approach, and they like to try and dominate possession of the ball.

"I think this season they have struck a better balance in terms of being a little bit more sound defensively because I think last seaosn they were the highest scorers and I think they conceded the most as well.

"No team can have that balance and get into the top six. I think they have struck a better balance in terms of attacking and defending.

"It will be a slightly different game but we are at home, we need to win games. It is pretty clear for us.

"Yes, we have to contain the opposition but our main aim is for the opposition to try and contain us, and that will be our main focus.

"We will have to be at our very best to get a result."



Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-boss-gary-rowett-ready-for-different-challenge-posed-by-fulham/story-30246279-detail/story.html#ckUy4SbfRbSbAUMf.99 (http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-boss-gary-rowett-ready-for-different-challenge-posed-by-fulham/story-30246279-detail/story.html#ckUy4SbfRbSbAUMf.99)

 
Rowett Tells Rams 'No Point In Being Tentative'

Gary Rowett has challenged Derby County's players to back up their victory against Queens Park Rangers with an even better display when they face Fulham on home turf tonight (7:45pm kick-off).

The Rams will take on the Cottagers in their second home Sky Bet Championship fixture under the Pride Park Stadium floodlights inside five days.

Matěj Vydra's second-half strike secured a 1-0 victory against Ian Holloway's side on Friday to earn Rowett his first win as Derby's new boss.

The 43-year-old was impressed with his side's showing against the Hoops, but believes they will need to be even better this evening.

Fulham occupy the final play-off spot after they claimed a 1-0 success at bottom of the table Rotherham United on Saturday, leapfrogging Sheffield Wednesday into sixth place.

Rowett wants Derby to avoid being cautious in their approach as they look to dominate from the word go.

He told RamsTV: "It's important that we approach the game in the same way, but we're going to have to play better than we did on Friday.

"We will need to have to show the same energy and more, as well as take our chances when they come.

"It's a great challenge and we want to win every game we go in to. There's no point being tentative, we need to go and dominate games of football."

Discussing tonight's opponents, who he watched in action at Rotherham, Rowett added: "Fulham are a good team and we've seen them a few times.

"They have a style of play that is very fluid possession-based football, with some very good technical players in there.

"Away from home, and I watched them at Rotherham on Saturday, it allows them to sit in and break into those spaces without making a game."

Looking back on the win against Queens Park Rangers, Rowett felt the win was important for several reasons.

As well as being pleased to get three points on the board and secure his first win in charge, Rowett believes the victory was significant in backing up the messages that are being put across to his players.

Another key factor for the Derby boss was maintaining the positive feel-good factor around the club.

He said: "It was important to get that first win and it certainly adds extra credence in terms of the messages we're putting across to the players.

"It always backs things up nicely, like the way we're asking them to play, when you get a victory.

"It's good that they can see some value for what we're looking to do and it was also good for the crowd too.

"With a new manager comes a new start and a different feel to things.

"To get the win in the way that we did adds to the positive feeling that we've got so early in our tenure; it can only serve us well."



Read more at http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/rowett-tells-rams-no-point-in-being-tentative-3655333.aspx#QGKvY7tA0uJtRVgV.99 (http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/rowett-tells-rams-no-point-in-being-tentative-3655333.aspx#QGKvY7tA0uJtRVgV.99)

 
Derby vs Fulham: Team news and all you need to know ahead of the game at Pride Park
Fulham travel to Derby in the play-off places after their result at Rotherham on Saturday - here's all you need to know ahead of tonight's game

Fulham travel to Derby tonight buoyed by their recent breakthrough into the top six after victory at Rotherham on Saturday, but this won't be an easy test.

Gary Rowett's side still have hopes of a play-off finish themselves, despite being eight points adrift of Slavisa Jokanovic's side and will be hoping they can start clawing at the top six with a win tonight.

What's more is that Rowett has never lost to Fulham, winning twice and drawing a further two times, but the Cottagers are confident of their abilities having leapfrogged Sheffield Wednesday into the play-off places after they drew with Barnsley in the early kick off on Saturday.

A win tonight would really go a long way to boosting the confidence of the Fulham players just that little bit more as the Championship season winds down.

Here's all the key information ahead of the game.

When and where?
The game will be played at Pride Park in a 7.45pm kick off.

Team news
Derby: Rowett's side could be without both Bradley Johnson and Marcus Olsson after both sustained injuries in Friday night's 1-0 victory over QPR.

Fulham: The Cottagers will be without Chris Martin who cannot play against his parent club, while Scott Parker and Lucas Piazon both look set to miss out once again as they continue their recoveries.

Manager views
Gary Rowett : "They're a good team and we've seen them quite a few times, sometimes their style of play, which is a very fluid possession based football - great movement and some really good technical players.

"Away from home sometimes, we watched them at Rotherham on Saturday, it allows them to sit in and break out into various spaces without worrying too much about making the game so I think it's important we approach the game in exactly the same way.

"We're going to have to play better than we did on Friday night, we'll make that clear to the players and we're going to have to show the same energy and if not more, and take some of those chances."

Slavisa Jokanovic : "It is satisfying that we got this win to move us to where we want to be but we have seven games in front of us which we need to be fully focused and concentrated on.

"There are 21 points for us to win, and we must give our maximum every time to make sure we finish this regular season in sixth or higher."

Match stats
    Derby have lost only one of their last seven league encounters with Fulham (W2 D4).
    Fulham have only managed to win once in their last nine trips to Derby in league competition (D2 L6).
    Gary Rowett has never lost a league match as a manager against Fulham (W2 D2).
    No Championship team has taken more points in their last 10 matches than Fulham (21).

Fancy a flutter?
Match winner

Derby: 6/4

Draw: 12/5

Fulham: 17/10

First goal scorers

Derby: Thomas Ince 5/1, Darren Bent 11/2, Dave Nugent 6/1, Matej Vydra 7/1, Mason Bennett 8/1

Fulham: Sone Aluko 13/2, Gohi Cyriac 13/2, Tom Cairney 17/2, Floyd Ayite 17/2, Stefan Johansen 9/1

Match officials
Referee: Jeremy Simpson

Assistants: Tony Peart and Christopher Akers

Fourth official: Stephen Martin



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-vs-fulham-team-news-12841178 (http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-vs-fulham-team-news-12841178)

 
Derby County must be on their guard against 'dangerous' Fulham

Derby County will have to be on their guard against a "dangerous" Fulham side, according to Rams defender Alex Pearce.

The Rams take on Slavisa Jokanovic's men at Pride Park Stadium on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

Fulham climbed into the Sky Bet Championship play-off zone at the weekend, after consigning rock-bottom Rotherham United to relegation with a 1-0 win at the New York Stadium.

Derby are eight points behind in 10th place, with seven fixtures of the campaign remaining.

They have a chance to cut the gap - but will be wary of the threat posed by their visitors.

Fulham have netted 67 goals in the Championship this season - 25 more than the Rams. Only leaders Newcastle (72) have scored more.

The West London outfit also have the third best goal difference in the division - plus-20, compared with Derby's plus-four.

When the sides met at Craven Cottage in mid-December, Pearce's 75th-minute header earned the Rams a 2-2 draw.

"They are a very good team and I was very impressed with them when we played them at their place," said the centre-back.

"I thought they were probably one of the better sides we have played this season, for sure.

"They are very dangerous in an attacking sense. They get a lot of men forward and pass the ball very quickly, with high tempo.

"So we are going to have to be on our guard against them.

"But I also think that anyone coming to our home ground will be in for a tough game.

"We will be looking to impose ourselves on the game and, hopefully, get the three points."

If results go their way, the Rams could be only five points off a top-six spot by the end of Tuesday night - but Pearce is not thinking about that.

"We just look at this as the next game," he said.

"We had a good result against QPR on Friday night. We did what we needed to do and it's a case of going out there and doing exactly the same.

"They are where they are in the table and we are where we are. I'll let you guys speculate about what happens if we win this, or lose, or whatever.

"It's down to us as players to go out and be professional, and do the job."



Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-must-be-on-their-guard-against-dangerous-fulham/story-30245798-detail/story.html#wqdHklmg3WVyp4eH.99 (http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-must-be-on-their-guard-against-dangerous-fulham/story-30245798-detail/story.html#wqdHklmg3WVyp4eH.99)

 
Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic believes they will beat Derby County

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic is fully confident his team will take three points from Derby County.

The West Londoners make the trip to Pride Park Stadium on the back of a 1-0 victory at Rotherham United.

That result, coupled with Sheffield Wednesday's draw at Barnsley, moved Fulham into the play-off spots.

But Derby are unbeaten in the two games since manager Gary Rowett has been at the helm and would move just five points behind their opponents with a victory.

The pair drew 2-2 at Craven Cottage in December, with Alex Pearce's late header earning a point for the Rams.

Tom Ince had given Derby a first-half lead only for Floyd Ayite and Stefan Johansen to turn it round.

"When we played them at our home earlier in the season, we paid an expensive price for some mistakes," Jokanovic told fulhamfc.com.

"Now they have a different manager who has had some positive results in his first games, so my players know what to expect.

"But every match until the end of the season will be difficult.

"Derby has some quality players, but we do too and I am full on confidence that my team can get us another three points from this game that is immediately in front of us."



Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/fulham-manager-slavisa-jokanovic-believes-his-side-will-beat-derby-county-at-pride-park-stadium/story-30247811-detail/story.html#vZgj1XFpROsC85SF.99 (http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/fulham-manager-slavisa-jokanovic-believes-his-side-will-beat-derby-county-at-pride-park-stadium/story-30247811-detail/story.html#vZgj1XFpROsC85SF.99)

 
Can Chris Martin play against Derby County for Fulham tonight?

Derby County striker Chris Martin will not be facing his parent club this evening (Tuesday).

Martin is currently on loan at Fulham, who take on the Rams at Pride Park Stadium in the Sky Bet Championship (7.45pm).

However, the Scotland international is not eligible to play in the match under the terms of his loan deal.

The same applied when the sides met earlier this season, when Derby claimed a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage.

Martin has scored 11 goals in 29 appearances for Fulham since joining them on transfer deadline day in August.

He is expected to return to the Rams next season, having recently signed a new long-term contract.


http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/can-chris-martin-play-against-derby-county-for-fulham-tonight/story-30246357-detail/story.html (http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/can-chris-martin-play-against-derby-county-for-fulham-tonight/story-30246357-detail/story.html)

 
Opposition: We Need To Be At Our Maximum

After breaking into the play-offs, Slaviša Jokanović has warned that Fulham need to be at their maximum every week if they are to maintain their position – starting tonight against Derby County.

The Cottagers broke into the Sky Bet Championship's top six as they made the most of Sheffield Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Yorkshire rivals Barnsley by beating Rotherham United 1-0 at the weekend.

Jokanović, the Fulham head coach, is far from getting carried away. He told Fulham's website: "It is satisfying that we got this win to move us to where we want to be, but we have seven games in front of us which we need to be fully focused and concentrated on.

"There are 21 points for us to win, and we must give our maximum every time to make sure we finish this regular season in sixth or higher."

Pride Park is their next destination on Tuesday evening (kick-off: 7:45pm) and Jokanović says he and his players are fully aware of what they should expect from a Derby side enjoying an upturn in fortunes.

In Gary Rowett's first two games in charge, the Rams have drawn 2-2 with Nottingham Forest, whilst Matěj Vydra's goal was enough for them to overcome Queens Park Rangers last Friday.

Looking ahead to tonight's latest Championship outing, Jokanović added: "When we played them at our home earlier in the season, we paid an expensive price for some mistakes.

"We drew a game which we should have won.

"Now they have a different manager who has had some positive results in his first games, so my players know what to expect. But every match until the end of the season will be difficult.

Derby has some quality players, but we do too and I am full of confidence that my team can get us another three points from this game that is immediately in front of us."


http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/opposition-we-need-to-be-at-our-maximum-3657525.aspx (http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/opposition-we-need-to-be-at-our-maximum-3657525.aspx)

 
PCUK Awareness Fixture

Saturday's match against Ipswich Town at Craven Cottage has been designated as Fulham's 2016/17 Prostate Cancer UK awareness and fundraising fixture.

Members of the Fulham2Amsterdam team, who are cycling to the Dutch capital in the summer, will be putting in the miles on exercise bikes outside the ground prior to kick-off, so please give generously if you spot a Whites fan in their FFC Prostate Cancer UK training gear!

Whatever money is raised on Saturday will be matched by both Fulham Football Club and the Jacksonville Jaguars, so many thanks to both for their generosity!

Any change you can spare would be hugely appreciated, but if you aren't one for carrying loose money around you can still donate to this worthy cause through our text service. Simply text FULH99 and the amount (£1-5) you would like to donate to 70070. See picture for an example.

Half-time on Saturday will see Sean Davis and members of the Fulham2Amsterdam team take to the pitch to take part in further fundraising activities, and discuss with Ivan the importance of raising money for Prostate Cancer UK.

Sean is leading the Fulham team of riders cycling the 145 miles to Amsterdam from East London in June, and you can help them reach their £10k target by donating here: justgiving.com/fulham2amsterdam.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/04/pcuk-awareness-fixture (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/04/pcuk-awareness-fixture)

 
Grant: Learning Curve

The PL2 continues on Monday with the Under-23s away at Newcastle United. It's a race to the Play-Offs now with three games left, and in second Fulham are looking to finish with a flurry and secure a home tie.

The players will have gone three weeks without a match, and last time out somehow lost on penalties after the game dramatically finished 5-5 against Norwich City in the last-16 of the PL Cup.

"It's impossible to score five goals away from home and not win the game," reflected Head Coach Peter Grant. "The goals we lost, every single one of them was down to our own ineptitude.

"We tried to play out from the back, people make errors, we understand that, but there's also a period in the game when you've scored a few minutes from full-time and extra-time to go through and all of a sudden you end up losing a goal again.

"I thought that in the first half we were ordinary, we went 2-0 up without doing anything really and it could have been more, and then all of a sudden we find ourselves 3-2 down."

He continued: "So the first half I was very disappointed in but the second half we adjusted a little bit. We changed the shape of the team a little bit and the personnel, and then I think we played really well from then on.

"We knocked the ball about well, we created chances, we defended better, and we did that because we used the ball better, we didn't turn the ball over as often so that was pleasing. But to concede the goals we did was very, very disappointing.

"It was even more galling in the respect that there was not one goal where we got carved open or any good play from Norwich, it was just bad play from us in the wrong areas of the pitch so, we got punished for it and you've got to give Norwich credit for that, but it was a big, big disappointment for us."

Asked whether a defeat in this manner was good experience towards the players' development, Grant responded: "It's good for them in the respect of the pressure of taking penalty kicks. If we are going to miss them I don't mind, like Foday Nabay's hitting the bar.

"Hopefully it's an experience they will never want to go through again because no matter how long they're in football it's still very galling coming away from a game like that.

"I must admit it took me a few days to get over it and the disappointment that we lost five goals more than anything else. We had to work hard for every goal we scored and every goal Norwich scored we gave them.

"In possession of ball, especially in the second half onwards we were very much in control but when the ball turned over we gave too many chances away in stupid areas and we paid the ultimate price for it.

"I expected us to go there and win the game and unfortunately that wasn't the case. Hopefully we do learn from it, and we don't want to feel again like we did after that particular performance."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/04/grant-learning-curve (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/04/grant-learning-curve)

 
Derby boss talks about the different challenge ahead of play-off six pointer

The Derby Telegraph are reporting that Gary Rowett is aware of the different challenge that Fulham will pose tonight.

After Rowett's side narrowly beat a physical Queens Park Rangers team 1-0 last Friday, Rowett believes that the approach against Fulham will be completely different.

The Derby boss explained that Fulham like to crowd the middle of the pitch and play fluid football.

The former Birmingham manager also praised Jokanovic's defensive improvements, saying that Fulham were much better balanced this season with their defensive solidity.

On tonight's opposition, Rowett said:

"Perhaps they will have less of a physical presence up front in terms of that first ball and so we might not have to screen quite as obviously as we did with Matt Smith, which I thought Bradley Johnson did fantastically well.

"You have to block the middle of the pitch up because that is where Fulham want to get all of their bodies.

"They have always been a very good passing team, always very fluid in their approach, and they like to try and dominate possession of the ball."

This game is also vitally important for Derby County in their hunt for the play-off spots.

With Fulham currently occupying sixth spot, they are the target for the Rams to catch.

Derby are currently eight behind with seven games to play but they could narrow that gap to five points with a win.

However, a loss and Derby's play-off hopes will be all but over, with eleven points separating them from the top six.

Talking about the magnitude of tonight's game, Rowett added:

"It will be a slightly different game but we are at home, we need to win games.

"It is pretty clear for us.

"Yes, we have to contain the opposition but our main aim is for the opposition to try and contain us, and that will be our main focus.

"We will have to be at our very best to get a result."


https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/derby-boss-talks-about-the-different-challenge-ahead-of-play-off-six-pointer/

 
This is the team Fulham fans want to see Slavisa Jokanovic name at Derby County
The Scotland international, who courted controversy earlier this season, is ineligible to face the Rams, due to the terms of his loan agreement

Fulham fans want to see Gohi Cyriac replace the ineligible Chris Martin in the Whites' starting line-up at Derby.

The Scotland international, who courted controversy earlier this season, is ineligible to face the Rams, due to the terms of his loan agreement.

Fulham ground out a win at Rotherham on Saturday with a strong defensive performance as the Millers were relegated.

Scott Malone keeps his place at left back with wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon left out of the side.

(http://i4.getwestlondon.co.uk/incoming/article12843161.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Fulham-team-to-face-Derby.png)
Choice: Team to face Derby

Michael Madl is retained in the Fulham line-up and he partners Tomas Kalas in the centre of the Whites' defence, while Stefan Johansen, Kevin McDonald and Tom Cairney will look to run the show in the middle.

The trip to Derby is Fulham's second venture up north this week and they are back in action at Craven Cottage on Saturday when they take on Ipswich Town.

Fulham: Button, Fredericks, Kalas, Madl, Malone, Johansen, McDonald, Cairney, Aluko, Cyriac, Ayite.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/team-fulham-fans-want-see-12843512 (http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/team-fulham-fans-want-see-12843512)

 
Jokanovic is not getting carried away

Fulham Coach Slavisa Jokanovic is not getting carried away by Fulham's place in the top-six, ahead of another crucial match on Tuesday night.

Victory at the weekend, coupled with Sheffield Wednesday's dropped points, moved the Whites into the Play-Off spots, but Jokanovic knows our final standing on May 7th is the only one that matters.

"It is satisfying that we got this win to move us to where we want to be," he said, "but we have seven games in front of us which we need to be fully focused and concentrated on.

"There are 21 points for us to win, and we must give our maximum every time to make sure we finish this regular season in sixth or higher."

Derby County provide a second away test in four days when Fulham travel to Pride Park on Tuesday, and Jokanovic knows his side will need to be at their best to bring the points back to London.

"When we played them at our home earlier in the season, we paid an expensive price for some mistakes," he explained. "We drew a game which we should have won.

"Now they have a different manager who has had some positive results in his first games, so my players know what to expect. But every match until the end of the season will be difficult.

"Derby has some quality players, but we do too and I am full of confidence that my team can get us another three points from this game that is immediately in front of us."


http://www.fulhamweb.co.uk/news/jokanovic-is-not-getting-carried-away.aspx (http://www.fulhamweb.co.uk/news/jokanovic-is-not-getting-carried-away.aspx)

 
Derby County v Fulham: Three to watch

Derby County continue their pursuit of the play-offs tonight as Fulham visit Pride Park (7.45pm).

Both teams come into this game on the back of wins; Matej Vydra's goal for the Rams against QPR on Friday night was Gary Rowett's first win as Derby boss.

Fulham, meanwhile, beat Rotherham United 1-0 on Saturday. Sone Aluko scored his eighth goal of the season after a Sunday League-style scramble inside the Rotherham six-yard box to condemn the Championship strugglers to league one.

Here, as the two sides prepare to go head-to-head at Pride Park, we look at three players that Derby will need to keep tabs on:

Tom Cairney
Arguably Fulham's best player this season, the 26-year-old has made 27 Championship appearances with nine goals and nine assists.

Gordon Strachan has recognised the centre midfielder's form and, last month, he made his Scotland debut against Canada. If Fulham do not get promoted this season, it wouldn't be a surprise to many to see the player leave for a Premier League club - with Championship leaders Newcastle United linked with Cairney.

Sone Aluko
The Nigerian international will be Fulham's main goal threat. The pacey winger/forward is Fulham's fourth top scorer with eight this season.

The 28-year-old scored in Fulham's previous fixture to relegate Rotherham United and will be looking to boost the Cottagers' promotion hopes tonight.

Ryan Sessegnon
At just aged 16, Sessegnon surprised the football world last month when he came on to score two goals for Fulham against Championship high-flyers Newcastle United.

He became the first-ever player born in 2000 to score a goal in a first-team game in the English leagues and has has scored four goals in 18 league appearances this season.



Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-v-fulham-three-to-watch/story-30248463-detail/story.html#EwZI670xDEXBW1ZW.99 (http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-v-fulham-three-to-watch/story-30248463-detail/story.html#EwZI670xDEXBW1ZW.99)

 
Supporting Fulham from Africa is tough but this season has been a pleasure to follow from afar
Chris Bishop is the Founding Editor of Forbes Africa and has been a supporter of Fulham for 28 years having stood in the rain and snow at Exeter and Hartlepool

(http://i4.getwestlondon.co.uk/incoming/article12841416.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/GettyImages-632997104.jpg)
Good season: Fulham are enjoying a strong year (Photo: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

On Sunday evening I felt that sense of relief that only a Fulham fan can feel this deeply.

Bottom-of- the- table team in terrible form on All Fools Day?

Fulham is one of the few clubs in the world where fans fear the worst.

Look at Wolves at home the other week; even I, a long suffering fan for 28 years had it down for a home win.

Think again.

If Wolves were bottom of League 2 and Fulham were top of the Premiership we would lose to them and Dave Edwards would score. It is just the way we do things at Craven Cottage.

I am one of the host of Fulham exiles scattered around the world and there are not many of us –even fewer have stood in the rain and snow at Exeter City,Huddersfield and Hartlepool.

Even when we were in the top half of the Premier League the answer I got from most people across Africa was: "What is that?"

One of the few times I have run into a fellow Fulham fan on this continent was one afternoon playing football in my Fulham shirt in Johannesburg. My opposite number, who was the head of Africa for Reuters, stopped in his tracks, shook my hand and there was two minutes of smiling and:

"You are kidding."

"No, YOU are kidding."

So when I tell you I couldn't bear to listen to the Rotherham game on Saturday, you must understand that Fulham are almost never on cable TV here and I pay a monthly prescription to gentleman Jim McGullion.

I think I once went on a boat with him from Putney Bridge to Greenwich about 25 years ago for an away game against Leyton Orient (1-0, Sean Farrell headed the winner from a rebound 15 minutes from the end).

Not only that, I always appreciate his enthusiasm, as a fan, and the fact that he doesn't herald a last gasp goal against us, with : "What a beautiful strike, what a fantastic goal ...blah, blah." Rather the more tactful and dry: "As you can hear..(sigh) they've scored the winner."

I even smile at the odd: "Get up! Get up ! That was a dive!"

Anyway, it has been a pleasure to tune in to Jim this season, after three very barren years, as he describes the flowing, passing, game that Fulham's talented side is making their own; the kind of flair and attacking football not seen since the cavalier days of Jean Tigana nearly 20 years ago.

I think Slavisa Jokanovic is tough, has a plan, and every chance of driving Fulham out of the division.

Just think of the despair and threat of relegation just a year ago and how Jokanovic has turned it around.

I will be listening to the Derby County game on Tuesday late in the African night (Our clocks are one hour ahead). After that I could pronounce on promotion hopes. Until then, I will be using the Fulham fan's friend – prayer.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/supporting-fulham-africa-tough-season-12841363 (http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/supporting-fulham-africa-tough-season-12841363)

 
Rowett: This is what Derby County need to do tonight

Speaking to Derby County's official website, Gary Rowett has praised Fulham's possession based football, but encouraged his Derby side to go out and "dominate" when the two clubs meet in the Sky Bet Championship.

Derby welcome Fulham to the Pride Park Stadium, where Rowett is looking to record back-to-back victories for the first time as Rams' boss following Friday's 1-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

Rowett's side will face a difficult test, as Fulham currently sit sixth in the Championship table and look set to challenge for promotion to the Premier League.

Fulham have built up a reputation as one of the Championship's best footballing sides, enjoying large spells of possession in most fixtures.

While Rowett acknowledges it would be difficult, he encouraged his side to try to dominate: "It's a great challenge and we want to win every game we go in to. There's no point being tentative, we need to go and dominate games of football."

Rowett's side are currently tenth in the Championship table, eight points behind tonight's opponents, who occupy the final Play-Off spot.

If the Rams are to stage a late surge for the top-six, it is vital they pick up three points this evening.


https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/rowett-this-is-what-derby-county-need-to-do-tonight/

 
Ex-Nottingham Forest man predicts Derby defeat v Fulham

Former Nottingham Forest midfielder David Prutton thinks that Derby County will lose their Championship clash with play-off hopefuls Fulham tonight.

Prutton, who played over 150 games for the Reds, is now working as a pundit for Sky Sports.

And although he admits that the Rams have improved lately, he's still going for a 2-1 Fulham win at Pride Park.

He said: "Derby have looked better under Gary Rowett in their games against Nottingham Forest and Queens Park Rangers. This will be a tough test though.

"Fulham are going to have to deal with the realisation of being in the top-six now. There's a bit of pressure on them to keep Sheffield Wednesday where they are. That could be used as an extra motivation though. I can see an away win."



Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/ex-nottingham-forest-man-predicts-derby-defeat-v-fulham/story-30248724-detail/story.html#Gf57YqMBYWhbaVrP.99 (http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/ex-nottingham-forest-man-predicts-derby-defeat-v-fulham/story-30248724-detail/story.html#Gf57YqMBYWhbaVrP.99)

 
Derby County: Rowett on Russell, Fulham team news; George Thorne update

We're less than two hours away from kick-off but, to get you in the mood for Derby County's Championship game against Fulham, here is what has been happening.

Rams boss Gary Rowett has responded to Johnny Russell's self-criticism of his performances saying that his comments are "closure".

Russell said: "It's not been a great season for myself. I've fallen far from what my standards are and what the standards should be to play at this club. It's up to me to put things right."

His manager added: "His comments, for me, were maybe a little bit of closure on what had happen previously, his way of putting it to bed and now saying 'I now need to kick on and improve'.

"There has been lots of speculation about him leaving and maybe he feels like he has got an opportunity to really make one those front three positions behind the striker his own."

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic is confident of taking all three points against the Rams. The two sides shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage back in December.

And Alex Pearce, who scored the second equaliser against the London side, has called for the Rams to be on their guard to stand any chance of all three points.

He said: "They are a very good team and I was impressed with them when we played them at their place."

Gary Rowett is well aware of the danger posed by Fulham, who have lost just one of their last 10 games in the Championship.

Rowett said: "They have always been a very good passing team, always very fluid in their approach, and they like to try and dominate possession of the ball."

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic is a confident man going into tonight's game.

He said: "Derby has some quality players, but we do too and I am full on confidence that my team can get us another three points from this game that is immediately in front of us."

Midfielder Craig Bryson, who made his 200th appearance for Derby in the 1-0 defeat of QPR, is hoping for a fresh start under Rowett.

He said: "Sometimes, with managers, it just doesn't work out for you.

"But now there's a new manager, a clean slate, and it's up to me to try to get in the team."

Meanwhile, a top six finish is still possible for Derby County - the Rams could even finish as high as third in the Championships table.

There are lots of 'ifs' and 'buts' however, a win against Fulham tonight would see the Rams move to within five points of the top six.

Away from the pitch and there is an injury update on midfielder George Thorne.

Thorne, who broke his leg in the final game of the 2015-16 season, is aiming to be fit for Derby's pre-season campaign. And the 24-year-old admits that he has found recovery "tough".

"There's a bit of light at the end of the tunnel for me and I am looking forward to being in a good position for pre-season.

"It's been a long old slog and a very difficult time – but I am in a very good place right now."



Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-rowett-on-russell-fulham-team-news-george-thorne-update/story-30248886-detail/story.html#zwk0ExUGDEbS2uCP.99 (http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-rowett-on-russell-fulham-team-news-george-thorne-update/story-30248886-detail/story.html#zwk0ExUGDEbS2uCP.99)

 
Derby County team news: Rams boss Gary Rowett names side to face Fulham

Derby County boss Gary Rowett has named his team to face Fulham in Tuesday night's Sky Bet Championship clash at Pride Park Stadium.

Rowett has named an unchanged starting line-up following Friday's 1-0 home victory over Queens Park Rangers.

Left-back Marcus Olsson (ankle) and midfielder Bradley Johnson (foot) have both been passed fit to play, having recovered from injuries sustained during the QPR match.

The Rams bench is also unchanged.

Jason Shackell (back), Nick Blackman (knee), Craig Forsyth (knee) and George Thorne (leg) all remain sidelined by injury.

Derby will field the same starting XI for the third match running, since Rowett was appointed as manager.

He is expected to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation he has used in his opening two fixtures.

Fulham have made three changes to the side that won 1-0 at Rotherham United on Saturday.

Tim Ream, Lucas Piazon and Floyd Ayite come in for Michael Madl, Neeskens Kebano and on-loan Derby striker Chris Martin, who is not eligible to face his parent club.

DERBY COUNTY: Carson, Baird, Keogh, Pearce, Olsson, Johnson, Bryson, Ince, Vydra, Russell, Nugent. Subs: Mitchell (gk), Christie, Hughes, Butterfield, Anya, Camara, Bent.

FULHAM: Button, Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Malone, McDonald, Johansen, Aluko, Cairney, Piazon, Ayite. Subs: Bettinelli (gk), Ream, Sigurdsson, Petsos, Cyriac, Sessegnon, Kebano.



Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-team-news-rams-boss-gary-rowett-names-side-to-face-fulham/story-30249433-detail/story.html#0FgKm4g0zUmvSA51.99 (http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-team-news-rams-boss-gary-rowett-names-side-to-face-fulham/story-30249433-detail/story.html#0FgKm4g0zUmvSA51.99)

 
Derby County vs Fulham: Confirmed team news from Pride Park as Lucas Piazon starts for the visitors
The teams are in at Pride Park and it's three changes for Fulham as Piazon starts at Pride Park

Lucas Piazon starts his first game back from injury in tonight's game with Derby,

That is one of three changes for Slavisa Jokanovic's side as Neeskens Kebano drops out, while Tim Ream replaces Michael Madl and Floyd Ayite replaces Chris Martin.

Gary Rowett has the upper hand over Fulham having never lost to them, beating them twice whilst drawing twice but Jokanovic will be hoping to put an end to that this evening.

Martin isn't allowed to be involved tonight as per the conditions of his loan deal and the striker hasn't travelled with the side to Derby this evening.

Fulham: Button, Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Malone, McDonald, Johansen, Aluko, Cairney, Piazon and Ayite

Subs: Bettinelli, Madl, Sigurdsson, Sessegnon, Petsos, Kebano and Cyriac

Derby: Carson, Bryson, Keogh, Russell, Ince, Baird, Johsnon, Pearce, Vydra, Nugent, Olsson

Subs: Mitchell, Christie, Anya, Bent, Butterfield, Hughes, Camara


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-vs-fulham-confirmed-12845385 (http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-vs-fulham-confirmed-12845385)