Friends of Fulham

 
Results

 
Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Fulham, Sheff Wed, Leeds and Sunderland – the ones to watch

    As foretold, the poll we've been running slipped down the front page and then off it so, although it remained – indeed remains – live, it no-one has visited recently. Before it disappeared from view we'd had over 7,000 votes cast, with well over 1,200 people taking part, from all parts of the UK and beyond.

    That's enough to provide me with a guide as to which clubs we'll report on as we try to get an idea of who's heading out of the Championship in the right direction.

    As the headline says, Sunderland's in the mix, probably only because  of the loyalty of diehard fans.

    Has that loyalty been strained too much by recent events? Or did they, perhaps, inject a dose of realism? The poll's still open, perhaps Norwich will make that jump from seventh before the season starts.

And with that season starting in a few hours, here's how the votes have been cast:

Club    Votes    % of vote
Middlesbrough    965    13%
Aston Villa    871    12%
Fulham    823    11%
Sheff Wed    711    10%
Leeds    622    9%
Sunderland    543    8%

(http://salutsunderland.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/votes3.png)

As you can see, 'Boro remain strong favourites with Sunderland lagging well behind. Between them are representatives of our two biggest cities and a couple more Yorkshire clubs.

Norwich had 465 votes, Reading 424, which when rounded up gives them both 6% of the votes. I don't think either of them will overtake Sunderland and make the top six but I might yet add them to spot graphs if the need arises

If you're amnesiac or new to the series you can revisit some of the earlier posts to see what's going on and how we'll track the progress, or lack of progress, of our chosen clubs:



http://salutsunderland.com/2017/08/middlesbrough-aston-villa-fulham-sheff-wed-leeds-and-sunderland-the-ones-to-watch/

 
Reading FC: Jaap Stam admits Fulham's Sone Aluko would be a 'perfect fit' for Royals

(http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/resources/images/6665388.jpg?display=1&htype=71&type=responsive-gallery)
Fulham's Sone Aluko has been linked with a move to Reading. Picture: Ashley Western/CameraSport.

READING FC have not given up on their pursuit of Fulham forward Sone Aluko – despite Slavisa Jokanovic's determination to keep the Nigerian at Craven Cottage.

Boss Jaap Stam admitted Aluko would be the perfect fit for his playing style as Royals look to complete a number of deals ahead of Saturday's Championship opener at QPR (3pm ko).

Aluko is one of several names linked with a switch to Madejski Stadium, but Fulham are reportedly ready to offer the 28-year-old a fresh deal to secure his future in West London.

In fact, Jokanovic claimed it would be a "big mistake" for Fulham to allow Aluko to leave after revealing the Cottagers had rejected a number of bids during the summer.

But Dutchman Stam admitted Royals are doing all they can to strengthen their squad in time for this weekend's clash at Loftus Road, despite clubs demanding huge transfer fees and players seeking hefty salaries.

Speaking about Aluko, Stam stated: "Everybody knows what type of system Sone plays in at Fulham.

"If he was here he would fit in our style of play but I don't know if we can agree a deal.

"I know his name has been mentioned, we would be very interested in bringing a player like him in, but I don't know if it can happen."

The Chronicle understands Fulham would demand a big transfer fee to allow Aluko to leave Craven Cottage.

But Stam admitted Reading are struggling to match demands for transfers and wages.

He continued: "It's how the market is.

"Teams are paying a lot of money to get players in and because of that other teams are demanding more money.

"Players are asking for big salaries so it's difficult to get players in.

"I know we have been in talks with certain players in certain positions."

The Chronicle also understands Reading will continue to push Cottagers in order to strike a deal, but Jokanovic is determined for Aluko to remain in West London for now.

He told the Evening Standard: "All I can do is fight. Around me, there is news we're thinking about selling him.

If we do this, then it will be a big mistake for my team."




http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/readingfc/15451760.Reading_FC__Jaap_Stam_admits_Fulham_s_Sone_Aluko_would_be_a__perfect_fit__for_Royals/

 
Fulham star insists he is loving life on and off the pitch after seeing off Newcastle interest

Cairney agreed a new deal earlier this summer to dispel any further transfer speculation and is dreaming of helping the Whites back to the Premier League

Fulham talisman Tom Cairney has insisted he is does not want to leave Fulham and is loving life on and off the pitch.

Newcastle made a bid in January to sign the Whites midfielder but the club's hierarchy blocked the move.

Cairney agreed a new deal earlier this summer to dispel any further transfer speculation and is dreaming of helping Fulham back to the Premier League.

"I was delighted to sign the new deal," he told the Evening Standard. "It has been the best time of my career down in London. Last season was the standout season in my career. I really like where the club are going and, hopefully, we can go one step further this season.

(http://i4.getwestlondon.co.uk/incoming/article13062984.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/GettyImages-652077510.jpg)
Tom Cairney celebrates scoring against Newcastle (Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

"Can we use last season as motivation? It is hard because it is such a long season and no two are the same. But the dream is to get Fulham back into the Premier League, where I think they deserve to be. To do it would be special.

"I love London. I do not want to move. It is a great place to live and I have settled quickly. I love life on and off the pitch and when you are happy you play your best football. You cannot put a price on happiness.

"If you are happy and you come into training with a smile on your face, you will always keep improving. It is something I did all of last season and I will look to do the same this season."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-star-insists-loving-life-13430524

 
The Sean Davis Column

I can't wait for the 2017/18 campaign to get under way this Saturday. Obviously we want to get off to a good start, winning your first game is vitally important. I can't remember too many times when we lost our first game of the season. Obviously Man United is one, but even then we bounced back and won our first home game 2-0. The way we ended last season, that's how we need to start this one. Let's make a statement. Norwich, Reading, Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday is a tough start, but what a statement it would be if we take nine or 10 points from them.

The players have more pressure on them this season because last year there wasn't really that much expected of them. Now, we expect promotion, because every season you want to improve. And I think the squad is capable of producing another great season for the Club. For me, top-two is the target, with the Play-Offs the minimum requirement. A lot of people, both Fulham fans and not, will be looking at us and expecting us to be up there. It's going to be a tough league, it always is, but especially this year with the amount of money some clubs are spending. Wolves have spent a fortune, Middlesbrough have spent £30m on forwards alone, and that does work sometimes – just look at Newcastle last season.


Keeping hold of Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon was massive in the summer. There were a lot of rumours and speculation, but tying those two down to new deals just shows the ambition of the Club. It also demonstrates how mature a head Sess has got on his shoulders, and that he's got good people around him. I know he comes from a great family who are very humble, so they will have realised this is the best place for him because he's getting regular games.

We've seen a number of new faces join the Club over the past couple of months, as well as two familiar ones. Tomas Kalas was tremendous for us last season, and it's such a boost to know he's going to be taking his place in the backline. It's also good to have Lucas Piazon back as we know he scores good goals, he's creative, he works hard and he's an honest player.

I've always liked Oliver Norwood, he's impressed playing against us for a couple of different sides. The Wolfsburg game was the first I'd seen of Ibrahima Cisse, and he looks like he can cover a lot of ground, an unselfish player who looks to break up the play and give the ball simply to other players. That's what you need in every team – I should know as that's what I used to do!


I'm pleased we've brought in a striker in Aboubakar Kamara. Against Wolfsburg I felt we were missing a number nine. Sone Aluko had a great game but I think he's at his best when he's playing off the striker, drifting into those areas where he's hard to pick up. So hopefully Kamara can settle in and score plenty of goals, and then I think we're going to be really dangerous.

Last Saturday was a pre-season friendly so you can't really read too much into it. I've been involved in pre-seasons where we've won near enough every game, feel like you're on fire, then you lose the first game of the season. Whereas there's been times where I've not felt fit enough in pre-season, but then it all clicks on opening day. Pre-season's just about getting minutes, getting strength back in the legs.

That match was a chance to see the players in the new Home Kit, and it's one I really like. The kits always look a bit tighter and more fitted compared to what we used to wear. When I see footage of us playing in that Pizza Hut kit, it was drowning me! I'd like to assure the fans that I wasn't fat enough for the shirt they stuck me in! I like our new away top too as it reminds me of when we played in the UEFA Cup for the first time. The worst one I can remember us having is that horrible green one that we had all those years ago. Anything would be an improvement on that I think!




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/04/the-sean-davis-column

 
Why Fulham's trip to Derby and home game with Cardiff are likely to be goal-fests

The new Championship season is just days away and as part of the buildup GetWestLondon have been through 11v11.com's record books to see which fixtures produce the most goals

Fulham's trip to Derby could be the game to watch as far as goals are concerned.

The new Championship season is just days away and as part of the buildup GetWestLondon have been through 11v11.com's record books to see which fixtures produce the most goals.

And when the Whites travel to the east Midlands there are, on average 3.7 goals every game.

When Fulham are at home to Cardiff, goals are also likely with an average of 3.6 goals per meeting.

Top of the pile is Brentford's visit to Burton which has produced an average of eight goals per game.

(http://i2.getwestlondon.co.uk/incoming/article13062932.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/GettyImages-649329254-1.jpg)
Tom Cairney celebrates his equaliser against Leeds (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

However, it's a fixture that's only ever been played once before, when the Bees beat the Brewers 5-3 on March 18, 2017.

When it comes to a fixture that has been played multiple times then the one to watch out for is Sunderland's visit to Brentford.

The Black Cats' nine previous away games against Brentford have seen an average of 4.1 goals scored per match.

Preston versus Brentford has the next highest average for a more than twice contest fixture at 3.9 goals per game.

That's followed by Brentford-Ipswich (just less than 3.9), Derby-Wolves (3.8) and Sheffield Wednesday-Birmingham (just over 3.7 per game).

Each Championship club's top scoring fixture:

Club | Match | Goals per game

Aston Villa | Derby (H) | 3.7

Barnsley | Preston (A) | 3.4

Birmingham City | Sheffield Wednesday (A) | 3.7

Bolton Wanderers | Sheffield United (A) | 3.5

Brentford | Burton (A) | 8

Bristol City | Reading (H) | 3.4

Burton Albion | Brentford (H) | 8

Cardiff City | Fulham (A) | 3.6

Derby County | Wolves (H) | 3.8

Fulham | Derby (A) | 3.7

Hull City | Ipswich (H) | 3.5

Ipswich Town | Brentford (A) | 3.8

Leeds United | Bolton (H) | 3.4

Middlesbrough | Sheffield Wednesday (H) | 3.4

Millwall | Birmingham (H) | 3.3

Norwich City | Burton (H) | 4

Nottingham Forest | Burton (H) | 7

Preston North End | Brentford (H) | 3.9

Queens Park Rangers | Bolton (H) | 3.4

Reading | Burton (A) | 6

Sheffield United | Birmingham (H) | 3.6

Sheffield Wednesday | Burton (A) | 4

Sunderland | Brentford (A) | 4.1

Wolverhampton Wanderers | Derby (A) | 3.8



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulhams-trip-derby-home-game-13430896

 
KONAMI announces exclusive global partnership with Fulham FC


Exciting news breaking this morning as Konami announces a new global partnership with Fulham FC! Read the full press release below:

Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. has announced it has entered an exclusive global partnership with Fulham FC, one of London's oldest and most iconic clubs, for its Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) series.

Fulham were founded in 1879 and are London's oldest professional football club. Having just missed out on promotion last season, the club are looking to the new season to build on their progress of the last few years and the club's reputation for the development of talented young players.

KONAMI and Fulham have entered an exclusive agreement that will see the club perfectly recreated within the publisher's forthcoming PES 2018. The full squad will be recreated in game with all kits and players to be perfectly replicated via Konami's full body-scanning process, while KONAMI will also have an extensive presence within the club's stadium, as part of the match day experience, and within the club's progressive youth academy.


PES 2018 branding will feature on the back of the club's new home, away, third and goalkeeping kits, and will be main sponsor of the Youth Team's kit, showcasing the publisher's support of the club's enviable talent base. KONAMI and PES 2018 branding will also be prominent across the ad boards around the pitch and within branded areas inside the ground, and on ball boy kits on match days. KONAMI will also be taking over Fulham's Family Zone area, with gaming set-ups showcasing the club's inclusion in-game available for young fans to experience. PES 2018 will also be available in the club store and online eStore with an exclusive Fulham FC slipcase, and KONAMI is committed to working closely with the club's online and social media teams to create cross-promotional campaigns including PES branding within match day team announcements and goal updates.


The agreement comes as KONAMI continues to extend the range of its in-game partners for the PES series. PES 2018 sees the publisher unveil an extensive range of new elements that build upon the previously laid foundations. Centred on the concept that PES 2018 is "Where Legends are Made", the new game has more additions than any other in the series for the last ten years, including new ways to play, a PC version to the standard of the leading console iterations, and an unrivalled gameplay experience.

"Fulham is a club with an enviable heritage and a very bright future," commented Jonas Lygaard, Senior Director – Brand & Business Development for Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. "It is a club that is on the cusp of very good things, with a policy that continues to nurture its youth prospects. KONAMI is extremely happy to be working closely with such a progressive club. We will enjoy having prominent branding position on match-days, making full use of the Family Zone, and are proud to be presented on the front of the Youth Team's kits, as well as a key sponsor to the first XI."


"We welcome KONAMI as a new partner to the on-going development of Fulham's growth," commented Casper Stylsvig, Chief Revenue Officer for Fulham. "PES 2018 is seen as the definitive football title for home systems and mobile users, and we are delighted to be so well represented within such an illustrious game. We also welcome KONAMI to Craven Cottage via its sponsorship commitments and as a new back of shirt partner for the first team and front of shirt partner for our exciting Youth Team squads."

PES 2018 will be released for PlayStation®4, Xbox One™, PlayStation®3 and Xbox360™ on September 14th. The game will also be available via Steam in a version that has undergone substantial improvements in terms of aesthetics and content, ensuring the game enjoys parity with the current gen formats.



http://www.pesfan.com/blog/2017/08/04/konami-announces-exclusive-global-partnership-with-fulham-fc/

 
Global Partnership With KONAMI

The Club is delighted to announce that it has entered into an exclusive global partnership with Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. for its Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) series.

Fulham and KONAMI have entered an exclusive agreement that will see the Club perfectly recreated within the publisher's forthcoming PES 2018. The full squad will be recreated in game with all kits and players to be perfectly replicated via Konami's full body-scanning process, while KONAMI will also have an extensive presence within our stadium, as part of the matchday experience, and within the Club's progressive youth academy.

PES 2018 branding will feature on the back of our new home, away, third and goalkeeping kits, and will be main sponsor of the youth teams' playing kit, showcasing the publisher's support of the Club's enviable talent base. KONAMI and PES 2018 branding will also be prominent across the ad boards around the pitch and within branded areas inside the ground, and on ball person kits on matchdays.


KONAMI will also be taking over Fulham's Family Zone area, with gaming set-ups showcasing the Club's inclusion in-game, available for young fans to experience. PES 2018 will also be available in the Club Store and online eStore with an exclusive Fulham FC slipcase, and KONAMI is committed to working closely with the Club's online and social media teams to create cross-promotional campaigns including PES branding within matchday team announcements and goal updates.

The agreement comes as KONAMI continues to extend the range of its in-game partners for the PES series. PES 2018 sees the publisher unveil an extensive range of new elements that build upon the previously laid foundations. Centred on the concept that PES 2018 is "Where Legends are Made", the new game has more additions than any other in the series for the last 10 years, including new ways to play, a PC version to the standard of the leading console iterations, and an unrivalled gameplay experience.

"Fulham is a club with an enviable heritage and a very bright future," commented Jonas Lygaard, Senior Director - Brand & Business Development for Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. "It is a club that is on the cusp of very good things, with a policy that continues to nurture its youth prospects. KONAMI is extremely happy to be working closely with such a progressive club. We will enjoy having prominent branding position on matchdays, making full use of the Family Zone, and are proud to be presented on the front of the youth teams' kits, as well as a key sponsor to the first XI."

"We welcome KONAMI as a new partner to the ongoing development of Fulham's growth," commented Casper Stylsvig, Chief Revenue Officer for Fulham. "PES 2018 is seen as the definitive football title for home systems and mobile users, and we are delighted to be so well represented within such an illustrious game. We also welcome KONAMI to Craven Cottage via its sponsorship commitments and as a new back of shirt partner for the first team and front of shirt partner for our exciting youth team squads."

PES 2018 will be released for PlayStation®4, Xbox One™, PlayStation®3 and Xbox360™ on September 14th. The game will also be available via Steam in a version that has undergone substantial improvements in terms of aesthetics and content, ensuring the game enjoys parity with the current gen formats.

For more information, please visit: https://www.konami.com/wepes/2018/

To view the new teaser trailer, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGgNxN0rQYw




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/04/global-partnership-with-konami

 
KONAMI, PES2018 + Fulham FC Announce Exclusive Global Partnership


Konami have just announced Fulham FC as their latest global partnership.

The deal will see the PES2018 branding on the back of the Fulham FC match day kits as well as be he main sponsor for their Youth Team jerseys.

You can read the entire press release below:


Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. has announced it has entered an exclusive global partnership with Fulham FC, one of London's oldest and most iconic clubs, for its Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) series.
Fulham were founded in 1879 and are London's oldest professional football club. Having just missed out on promotion last season, the club are looking to the new season to build on their progress of the last few years and the club's reputation for the development of talented young players.
KONAMI and Fulham have entered an exclusive agreement that will see the club perfectly recreated within the publisher's forthcoming PES 2018. The full squad will be recreated in game with all kits and players to be perfectly replicated via Konami's full body-scanning process, while KONAMI will also have an extensive presence within the club's stadium, as part of the match day experience, and within the club's progressive youth academy.
PES 2018 branding will feature on the back of the club's new home, away, third and goalkeeping kits, and will be main sponsor of the Youth Team's kit, showcasing the publisher's support of the club's enviable talent base. KONAMI and PES 2018 branding will also be prominent across the ad boards around the pitch and within branded areas inside the ground, and on ball boy kits on match days. KONAMI will also be taking over Fulham's Family Zone area, with gaming set-ups showcasing the club's inclusion in-game available for young fans to experience. PES 2018 will also be available in the club store and online eStore with an exclusive Fulham FC slipcase, and KONAMI is committed to working closely with the club's online and social media teams to create cross-promotional campaigns including PES branding within match day team announcements and goal updates.


The agreement comes as KONAMI continues to extend the range of its in-game partners for the PES series. PES 2018 sees the publisher unveil an extensive range of new elements that build upon the previously laid foundations. Centred on the concept that PES 2018 is "Where Legends are Made", the new game has more additions than any other in the series for the last ten years, including new ways to play, a PC version to the standard of the leading console iterations, and an unrivalled gameplay experience.
"Fulham is a club with an enviable heritage and a very bright future," commented Jonas Lygaard, Senior Director – Brand & Business Development for Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. "It is a club that is on the cusp of very good things, with a policy that continues to nurture its youth prospects. KONAMI is extremely happy to be working closely with such a progressive club. We will enjoy having prominent branding position on match-days, making full use of the Family Zone, and are proud to be presented on the front of the Youth Team's kits, as well as a key sponsor to the first XI."
"We welcome KONAMI as a new partner to the on-going development of Fulham's growth," commented Casper Stylsvig, Chief Revenue Officer for Fulham. "PES 2018 is seen as the definitive football title for home systems and mobile users, and we are delighted to be so well represented within such an illustrious game. We also welcome KONAMI to Craven Cottage via its sponsorship commitments and as a new back of shirt partner for the first team and front of shirt partner for our exciting Youth Team squads."


PES 2018 will be released for PlayStation®4, Xbox One™, PlayStation®3 and Xbox360™ on September 14th. The game will also be available via Steam in a version that has undergone substantial improvements in terms of aesthetics and content, ensuring the game enjoys parity with the current gen formats.
For more information, please visit: https://www.konami.com/wepes/2018/
To view the new teaser trailer, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGgNxN0rQYw



http://winningelevenblog.com/blog/konami-pes2018-fulham-fc-announce-exclusive-global-partnership/

Lydia's Season Predictions
by Lydia on August 4, 2017

I always love reading the pundits' season predictions on the various platforms not because I think they will give us an indication of what is to come, but purely for entertainment value. The Championship is too unpredictable and so many of the predictions will be way off. Although they do give us plenty of reason to get into good discussions and debates about the season ahead. I'm sure we all remember Ian Holloways statement that Fulham would finish 17th last season which provided plenty of banter and smugness amongst our fan base.

My predictions will hopefully be less of a disaster than Holloway's then so here we go-


Champions- Middlesbrough   

Dreadfully boring in the Premiership last year and deserved to go down due to their lack of firepower upfront. It's interesting to note that 4 of the bottom 7 teams in the PL last year lost more games than the Teesiders but a league low of 5 victories was the breaking point. Their backline is similar to last year's so I can't see them conceding many while Brit Assombalonga, Ashley Fletcher and Rudy Gestede amongst others will prove too much for many Championship backlines.

2nd– Reading

Urgh I hate to say it but I think Reading will go one better than last season and go up. I would be putting us here but my worry is squad depth. Our best 11 may be better than Readings, but their depth is much greater. Love it or loathe it, the style they play under Jaap Stam is effective. Not pretty, and I would hate to be watching it every week, but effective.

Play-off spots- Fulham, Villa, Wolves and Norwich (Fulham to win the play-offs)

I'll not go through them all in detail but I think that if we carry on as we played the second half of last season then we will finish in the playoff places again. Villa may have an aging squad, but they'll be much better than last season now that Bruce has had his own pre-season with them. Wolves are buying all around them, and while I don't think that they will go up automatically as some people are expecting, they will have enough to make it to the play-offs. Norwich had a disappointing season last time out but with a few decent additions they will be there or thereabouts.

Relegation- Burton Albion, QPR and Bristol City

I had originally backed Albion to stay up but with record signing Liam Boyce now set to miss the full season through injury, I can't see a happy ending for them. QPR have gone steadily downhill and I can't see them playing in the Championship in 2018/19 while Bristol City have been relying on a star striker to keep them up for the past two seasons but I reckon it's third time unlucky for them now.

Fulham specific predictions-

Finish 3rd– As mentioned above, my heart thinks (or maybe just hopes) that we will manage to finish second but our depth is still too much of a concern. Maybe we haven't finished in the transfer window yet but as of right now I think it's third for us but winning promotion through the play-offs. We can dream, eh?

Key signing- We have lot's of important ones in Kalas and Norwood but on the basis of not having signed a striker in years, I'm going with AK47 himself, Aboubakar Kamara. The 22 year-old helped previous club Amiens to promotion to the top flight in France last year and I reckon it will be two promotions in two years for him.

Will Slav stay the year- YES

We may get an occasional outburst from our head coach, but the fact that he signed a new deal when he knows how the club works tells me that he will stay. If we don't get promoted then things are less rosy, but we can worry about that next summer if we don't make it.


Will Cauley Woodrow get his chance- yes, but only here and there

I can't see Woodrow starting many games in the league barring any injuries but I do think that he will play an important role in cup competitions and off the bench. I think he will net 8-12 goals overall but won't be our main man.

Breakthrough player- Tayo Edun

I was surprised that Steven Humphries wasn't included in the First Teams' preseason this year and that suggests that he is either heading out on loan, or will stay will the U23s. Tayo Edun played an important role in the England U19 European Championship winning side and I think his class in midfield will show off the bench this year. Matt O'Riley also looks like he will be given a chance at some stage as well but a loan deal might be in the offing for now.


Most important player- Tom Cairney

I can't look past him really. After signing a new deal whenever plenty of clubs were sniffing around him shows loyalty and I reckon it'll pay off for him this year. McDonald will be close behind him though.

Top Goal scorer- Aboubakar Kamara

He is a striker. What more can I say?

So that brings me to the end of my attempt at predicting the madness ahead. I'm sure not everyone agrees with me but I'm always up for a friendly debate, so let me know what you think will happen in the coming months.

Less than 24 hours before we kick off now. Here's to a top season in Black and White.

#COYW



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/08/lydias-season-predictions/

 
Konami announces exclusive global partnership with...

Fulham.

Hot on the heels of sparkling deals with Barcelona, Liverpool and, er, Usain Bolt comes Konami's latest partnership for PES 2018.

It's a London club.

It's in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham...

It's Fulham.

Well, Craven Cottage is a stone's throw from Stamford Bridge.

Now, I don't mean to be mean about Fulham, but it's not often we see football video games make a song and a dance about licensing deals with Championship clubs. I imagine EA is quaking in its Sky Sports-branded boots right now.

Does Louis Saha still play for Fulham? Apparently not...

Anyway, here's Konami's note to press:

"Konami announces exclusive global partnership with Fulham FC. Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. has announced it has entered an exclusive global partnership with Fulham FC, one of London's oldest and most iconic clubs, for its Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) series.

"Fulham were founded in 1879 and are London's oldest professional football club. Having just missed out on promotion last season, the club are looking to the new season to build on their progress of the last few years and the club's reputation for the development of talented young players."

The upshot of this is the full Fulham squad is recreated in the game with all kits and players via body-scanning. Konami will have a presence within Fulham's stadium as part of the match day experience, and within the club's youth academy. PES 2018 branding will feature on the back of the club's new home, away, third and goalkeeping kits, and will be the main sponsor of the Youth Team's kit, "showcasing the publisher's support of the club's enviable talent base".

Konami and PES 2018 branding will also be prominent across the ad boards around the pitch and within branded areas inside the ground, and on ball boy kits on match days.

It's an interesting time for PES 2018 right now, given Neymar just ditched Barcelona for PSG in a whopping £200m transfer. Neymar featured prominently on the PES 2018 box art as a Barcelona player, and in marketing material including videos. As Neymar has been scrubbed out of Barcelona's squad list, the Brazilian superstar will have to be removed from PES 2018's box art. Not a disaster for Konami, but irritating nonetheless!



http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-08-04-konami-announces-exclusive-global-partnership-with

 
Former Fulham midfielder sets out his expectations as new season draws near

Former Fulham midfielder Sean Davis has told the club's official website that he expects his old side to finish in the top six as a 'minimum requirement' in the forthcoming Championship season, with a top two finish 'the target'.

Last season, the west London outfit went on a scintillating run of form after Valentine's Day – when no team in the second tier picked up more points – which saw them sneak into the final play-off spot, exceeding the pre-season expectations of many observers.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side were eliminated in the play-off semi finals by Jaap Stam's Reading, losing out 2-1 on aggregate and Davis expects his former club to carry on their improvement, dealing with the increased weight of expectation from both their own fans and neutral observers, backing the players to produce another 'great' season.

That means that another play-off birth is the minimum requirement, otherwise it will be seen as a season of regression for Fulham, but Davis feels that a spot in the automatic promotion spots is certainly not out of reach, even despite the heavy spending going on across the league, with divisional rivals such as Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Wolves all spending big to bolster their respective promotion bids.

By contrast, Fulham have largely focused on keeping the same core as last season, tying down captain Tom Cairney and hot prospect Ryan Sessegnon to long-term deals and sealing the return of Chelsea pair Tomas Kalas and Lucas Piazon, both on season-long loan deals.

The Verdict:
Davis is right to call on his former side to improve on their finish from last season – a season of regression, even if it is more in line with reasonable expectations would significantly dampen the mood around the club.

He is also right to claim that Fulham can get up automatically, but it depends on two factors. The first is; can they produce their late-season form of last campaign through the whole of this season? If they can, they'll be right among the promotion chasers.

Secondly, how will new signing Aboubakar Kamara settle in? Fulham made the top six last season without a reliable number nine – loanee Chris Martin angered Whites fans by requesting a return to Derby County midway through the season – so if Kamara can be a reliable source of goals, finishing the hatfuls of chances Jokanovic's attractive style of football demands, there is no reason why Fulham cannot be in the top two.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/former-fulham-midfielder-sets-out-his-expectations-as-new-season-draws-near/

 
Konami announces exclusive partnership with Fulham FC for PES 2018
Why have a champion, when you can have a championship team.


Konami has announced that it's entered an exclusive global partnership with London's oldest professional football club, Fulham FC, for its Pro Evolution Soccer series. This agreement will see the Championship club perfectly recreated in the forthcoming PES 2018. The full squad will be recreated in game with all the kits and players replicated using Konami's full body-scanning process. What a coup.

PES 2018 branding will also feature on the back of the West London club's new home, away, third and goalkeeping kits, and will be the main sponsor of the Youth Team's kit, showcasing Konami's support of the club and its acclaimed youth system. Basically PES 2018 will be prominently displayed in advertisements around the club, with the game also been sold in the club and online stores with an exclusive Fulham FC branded slip case.

So, what does this news mean to pretty much all of us non-Fulham fans? Well, this Fulham FC deal has clearly been announced today as a worthy news story in response to the (frankly ridiculous) £198 million transfer of PES 2018 cover star Neymar from Barcelona to Paris St. Germain.

I think Konami is onto something here. Now get Sheffield United (and I suppose Sheffield Wednesday) as a global partner and we're talking.




https://www.videogamer.com/news/konami-announces-exclusive-partnership-with-fulham-fc-for-pes-2018

 
Konami signs PES partnership with Fulham FC
London's oldest football club to be recreated in this year's Pro Evolution Soccer

Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. has announced it has entered an exclusive global partnership with Fulham FC, one of London's oldest and most iconic clubs, for its Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) series.

Fulham were founded in 1879 and are London's oldest professional football club. Having just missed out on promotion last season, the club are looking to the new season to build on their progress of the last few years and the club's reputation for the development of talented young players.

KONAMI and Fulham have entered an exclusive agreement that will see the club perfectly recreated within the publisher's forthcoming PES 2018. The full squad will be recreated in game with all kits and players to be perfectly replicated via Konami's full body-scanning process, while KONAMI will also have an extensive presence within the club's stadium, as part of the match day experience, and within the club's progressive youth academy.

PES 2018 branding will feature on the back of the club's new home, away, third and goalkeeping kits, and will be main sponsor of the Youth Team's kit, showcasing the publisher's support of the club's enviable talent base. KONAMI and PES 2018 branding will also be prominent across the ad boards around the pitch and within branded areas inside the ground, and on ball boy kits on match days. KONAMI will also be taking over Fulham's Family Zone area, with gaming set-ups showcasing the club's inclusion in-game available for young fans to experience. PES 2018 will also be available in the club store and online eStore with an exclusive Fulham FC slipcase, and KONAMI is committed to working closely with the club's online and social media teams to create cross-promotional campaigns including PES branding within match day team announcements and goal updates.

The agreement comes as KONAMI continues to extend the range of its in-game partners for the PES series. PES 2018 sees the publisher unveil an extensive range of new elements that build upon the previously laid foundations. Centred on the concept that PES 2018 is "Where Legends are Made", the new game has more additions than any other in the series for the last ten years, including new ways to play, a PC version to the standard of the leading console iterations, and an unrivalled gameplay experience.

"Fulham is a club with an enviable heritage and a very bright future," commented Jonas Lygaard, Senior Director - Brand & Business Development for Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. "It is a club that is on the cusp of very good things, with a policy that continues to nurture its youth prospects. KONAMI is extremely happy to be working closely with such a progressive club. We will enjoy having prominent branding position on match-days, making full use of the Family Zone, and are proud to be presented on the front of the Youth Team's kits, as well as a key sponsor to the first XI."

"We welcome KONAMI as a new partner to the on-going development of Fulham's growth," commented Casper Stylsvig, Chief Revenue Officer for Fulham. "PES 2018 is seen as the definitive football title for home systems and mobile users, and we are delighted to be so well represented within such an illustrious game. We also welcome KONAMI to Craven Cottage via its sponsorship commitments and as a new back of shirt partner for the first team and front of shirt partner for our exciting Youth Team squads."

PES 2018 will be released for PlayStation®4, Xbox One™, PlayStation®3 and Xbox360™ on September 14th. The game will also be available via Steam in a version that has undergone substantial improvements in terms of aesthetics and content, ensuring the game enjoys parity with the current gen formats.



http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-08-04-konami-signs-pes-partnership-with-fulham-fc

 
Brighton, Celtic and West Ham chasing Ghana striker Majeed Waris

Brighton, Celtic, Fulham and West Ham are all believed to be pursuing Abdul Majeed Waris.

According to the Daily Mail, Celtic and West Ham United are both interested in signing Lorient forward Abdul Majeed Waris, with Brighton and Fulham also keen.

Waris, 25, once had trials with Manchester City during his time at Hartpury College, but he failed to gain a work permit and instead headed to Sweden, where he smashed 30 goals in 63 games before a torrid spell in Russia with Spartak Moscow.

The Ghanaian's up and down career saw him thrive on loan with Valenciennes in 2014, scoring nine goals in 16 games, but then struggled in Turkey having joined Trabzonspor after the World Cup in Brazil.

A 2015 move back to France with Lorient has brought the best out of Waris once again, hitting 21 goals in 58 games for the Ligue 1 side – and his exploits appear to have triggered interest, after his nine-goal campaign last season.

The Daily Mail claim that Brighton, Celtic, Fulham and West Ham are all pursuing Waris' signature before this month's transfer deadline, believing that he is available for a fee of just £9million.

Waris possesses blistering pace as well as versatility to play either up front or out wide, and that could fit in perfectly with what Celtic are looking for, after manager Brendan Rodgers told The Scottish Herald that he's looking for a versatile forward who can fill both roles.

However, the £9million fee may be a little beyond Celtic right now, and that could allow Premier League sides Brighton and West Ham to scrap for his signature.

Brighton are in the market for a pacey attacker having failed with a move for Gent's Moses Simon, whilst West Ham may also appreciate the versatility of Waris, especially given question marks over Diafra Sakho's future.



http://ghanasoccernet.com/brighton-celtic-and-west-ham-chasing-majeed-waris

 
Tom Cairney reveals why he never wanted to leave Fulham, despite Newcastle United's interest

Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez rates Tom Cairney but the Magpies were quoted a staggering £20m for the midfielder in January

Former Newcastle United target Tom Cairney insists he never wanted to leave Fulham for the North East because he is "settled" in London.

The Magpies made an enquiry for the midfielder ahead of the January window and were quoted a staggering £20million, while United also held an interest in the Scotland international earlier this summer too.

However, Cairney signed a new four-year contract at Craven Cottage last month, and he has since been named as the west London club's captain.

Despite being a player Rafa Benitez wanted to bring to St James' Park, Cairney is adamant he did not want to leave the capital at any stage.

"I love London, I do not want to move. It is a great place to live and I have settled quickly," Cairney told The London Evening Standard when he was asked about Newcastle's previous interest.

"I love life on and off the pitch and when you are happy you play your best football. You cannot put a price on happiness.

"If you are happy and you come into training with a smile on your face, you will always keep improving. It is something I did all of last season and I will look to do the same this season."

(http://i4.chroniclelive.co.uk/incoming/article13173391.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Tom-Cairney.jpg)
Tom Cairney of Fulham (Image: Getty Images Europe)

"For the first time in a long time I was playing in my position. A lot of managers have played me on the right-wing. I see myself as a central-midfielder.

"And playing as part of a three with Kevin [McDonald] and Stefan [Johansen] I had a lot of freedom to get on the ball and play."

Fulham lost to Reading in the Championship play-off semi-finals last summer, with the Cottagers having impressed throughout the season with their attacking style.

And now Cairney intends to use the pain of losing in the play-offs as motivation to lead the Cottagers back to the Premier League this term.

"I was delighted to sign the new deal. It has been the best time of my career down in London," Cairney added.

"Last season was the standout season in my career. I really like where the club are going and, hopefully, we can go one step further this season.

"Can we use last season as motivation? It is hard because it is such a long season and no two are the same. But the dream is to get Fulham back into the Premier League, where I think they deserve to be. To do it would be special."



http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/tom-cairney-reveals-never-wanted-13431270

 
Unfinished Business

After last season's Play-Off pain, Tomas Kalas tells Saturday's new-look matchday programme of his 'unfinished business' at the Cottage.

Kalas returned to Fulham for a second season-long loan from neighbours Chelsea last month and is the main interview for the opening day visit of Norwich City.

"Obviously there's a sense of unfinished business for me with Fulham after last season," says Kalas. "It took some time, but finally I'm here and ready for the season.


"Again, it's going to be about who can get that momentum first and keep it going for as long as they can. All the teams have good players. Hull and Middlesbrough will be strong. But anything can happen in this league."

To read the full interview with Kalas, in which he also discusses his Chelsea future, John Terry, and World Cup hopes, get your hands on the programme on Saturday.

Other highlights from the magazine include:

    Chairman Shahid Khan looks ahead to a successful season for the Whites, on and off the pitch
    Slaviša Jokanović backs his side to achieve even better things this time around
    New skipper Tom Cairney speaks of his honour at being handed the captaincy full-time
    Viv Busby revisits his spells with Fulham and Norwich
    Cauley Woodrow takes our new nine-dart challenge
    Ray Houghton picks his Fulham 'Dream Team'
    Brede Hangeland talks us through a Fulham-related picture involving him
    And Gordon Davies returns with a regular column


With more new features than ever before and a revamped look, the size of the programme has been reduced to make it more pocket friendly, while the number of pages has increased to give you real value for money. It's the essential companion to your matchday.

Priced £3.50, the 100-page publication is available from various sellers on Stevenage Road from two hours before kick-off. Or order it online from ProgrammeMaster where you can also purchase an annual subscription.

For just £1.99, the programme is also available as a digital download on your iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, PC or Mac via Apple's Newsstand or Pocketmags from 9am on Saturday.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/04/kalas-programme-norwich

 
Match Previews
In Focus: Fulham


Norwich City kick off their 2017-18 Sky Bet Championship campaign with an away trip to Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Here's a closer look at what City fans can expect from their opponents at the weekend.

Summer signings
ulham made arguably their biggest signing of the summer transfer window last week when they signed 22-year-old French striker Aboubakar Kamara from Ligue 1 side Amiens.

Kamara scored 11 goals in 29 games last season as the French club secured promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history. His £5m transfer was manager Slavisa Jokanovic's sixth summer signing, added to the arrivals of Marcelo Djalo, Lucas Piazon, Oliver Norwood, Tomas Kalas and Belgian defensive midfielder Ibrahima Cisse.

Cisse joined the club from Standard Liege for a fee of around £2.1 million in July and could make his debut for the Cottagers against City on Saturday. The 23-year-old is an U21 international with Belgium and scored in the 2016-17 Europa League for his former club when they beat Panathinaikos 3-0 in the group stages.

Key players
Floyd Ayite (below) scored the third goal in Fulham's victory at Carrow Road last season and was instrumental in their terrific campaign which almost ended in promotion. The Togo international winger grabbed nine goals and seven assists in 35 appearances last year and proved to be a hugely influential player in Fulham's best season since 2014.


Another source of Fulham's creativity last season was captain Tom Cairney. He, too, scored in the 3-1 win over the Canaries and was named EFL Player of the Year at the London Football Awards in March. Cairney made his Scotland international debut last season, five years after his previous outing on the international stage with the U21s which outlines the extent to which he impressed in 2016-17.

Fulham are also a force at the back and on-loan defender Tomas Kalas has become a real asset to Jokanovic's defence. Kalas played 36 times for the Cottagers last season and scored once, while helping his team keep ten clean sheets in games he played.

Fulham decided to take the Czech defender back on loan for this season and his place at the heart of the back four is almost a certainty ahead of the new campaign.

Canary connections
There are several connections between the two clubs, with the most relevant at the moment being City's new left-back James Husband.

Husband, 23, signed for the Canaries from Middlesbrough in July and played 17 times for the Cottagers while on loan there in 2015.

Suffolk-born Chris Martin, who made 117 appearances for City between 2006 and 2013, spent much of last season on loan from Derby County. He scored 10 times including once against the Canaries in the 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage in November. Martin was also sent off in the return fixture.

Ex-Norwich midfielder and manager Peter Grant is currently head coach of Fulham's U23s squad, who will be taking on the young Canaries at the end of October.

In the squad
Goalkeepers: Marcus Bettinelli, David Button.
Defenders: Ryan Fredericks, Ryan Sessegnon, Denis Odoi, Tim Ream, Michael Madl, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Marcelo Djalo, Tomas Kalas.
Midfielders: Kevin McDonald, Neeskens Kebano, Stefan Johansen, Tom Cairney, Oliver Norwood, Ibrahima Cisse.
Forwards: Floyd Ayite, Cauley Woodrow, Lucas Piazon, Sone Aluko, Aboubakar Kamara.



https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2017/august/inside-track-fulham/

 
Norwich In Focus

Read up on Saturday's opponents Norwich City ahead of our 2017/18 Sky Bet Championship opener.
Possible opposition absentees

Steven Naismith – suspended

Ivo Pinto – hamstring injury

Josh Murphy – calf injury

Russell Martin – leg injury

Timm Klose – leg injury

Harry Toffolo – muscle injury

Louis Thompson – Achilles injury

Alex Pritchard – ankle injury
Tickets

Tickets for this match are still available to buy, priced from £30 for adults and £15 for juniors - supporters are reminded of a £5 price increase on matchday. Fans who have yet to receive their new 2017/18 season ticket cards are advised to contact the Ticket Office to arrange for a one-off paper ticket to be printed.
Weather

The forecast predicts a 40 per cent chance of rain in the build-up to kick-off, but it should be dry thereafter. Temperatures around 19 degrees.
He said...

"Fulham have a similar philosophy to us; last season I think they had the most possession in the league. We know what type of team they are and what to expect. We are well prepared and will try to bring our ideas to the pitch." - Daniel Farke, Norwich City head coach
Grosvenor Casinos match odds

Fulham: 49/50

Draw: 5/2

Norwich: 13/5
Grosvenor Casinos special odds

Fulham to win the league: 10/1

Fulham to win promotion: 10/3
Last five results

Cambridge United 0-2 Norwich City (Friendly)

MSV Duisburg 0-2 Norwich City (Friendly)

Arminia Bielefeld 1-3 Norwich City (Friendly)

Charlton Athletic 0-2 Norwich City (Friendly)

Norwich City 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion (Friendly)



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/04/norwich-in-focus

 
Fulham star ruled out of Norwich opener with injury

The Whites stopper pulled a hamstring against Wolfsburg in their final pre-season friendly

Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has been ruled out of their season opener at home to Norwich.

The Whites stopper pulled a hamstring against Wolfsburg in their final pre-season friendly.

Although Slavisa Jokanovic had hoped he would be fit, Bettinelli has been ruled out meaning David Button is set to line up on opening day. There was better news as Tom Cairney, Neeskens Kebano and Kevin McDonald are all available.

"Right now, we're going to stay without Marcus Bettinelli. It's a massive problem. He's not available for the start of the season.

"We don't know how long. We'll assess and expect he'll be available to help us soon."

Fulham are going into the game highly fancied against a Norwich side who are seen as an unknown quantity.

Jokanovic added: "Norwich is a team like us who want to be a Premier League team next season. They are a quality team with important players.

"I remember the last time we met at Craven Cottage where (Cameron) Jerome caused us problems.

"They used a different style such as three at the back. We'll see what we can expect tomorrow.

"There's a new coach and extra motivation for the Norwich players. We have shown in the past that we play good football and want to repeat."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-star-ruled-out-norwich-13432509

 
Fulham boss insists he is happy with his squad as he seeks to cool transfer row

The Fulham head coach railed against the club's hierarchy after the 3-0 friendly defeat to Wolfsburg, claiming they were ignoring his targets

Slavisa Jokanovic has insisted he is happy with the squad he has at his disposal ahead of the new campaign.

The Fulham head coach railed against the club's hierarchy after the 3-0 friendly defeat to Wolfsburg, claiming they were ignoring his targets.

But, on the eve of the season, he insisted that he is happy with the ambition for the upcoming campaign.

He said: "I'm happy with my team and the players. They are working hard and we're showing ambition to try and make a good season in front of us. We are ready for the Norwich game."

Sone Aluko has been linked with a move away but Jokanovic expects the former Hull man to remain at Craven Cottage.

He added: "I believe he will. I said last week I believe he's an important player for us. I expect he'll be a part of us for the season."

Aboubakar Kamara joined the club earlier this week and Jokanovic believes his strengths will fit into Fulham's mould.

He explained: "We are talking about a striker since we were without Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele.

"Kamara is a young player with great ambition. He's stronger and fast. We expect he'll be an important player for us.

"All the people need time to adapt themselves to a different style of life and competition. It's different.

"He's a player that can attack the space behind the defenders and can be a very important player for us."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-boss-insists-happy-squad-13432543

 
Fulham vs. Norwich Preview: Three Questions with Read Norwich
A new season kicks off against a familiar opponent. Can Fulham take advantage of their continuity against a Norwich team that had a ton of turnover?

(https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bz_34DEwf6cbvS29JQUOG-u1kfo=/0x0:2584x3416/920x613/filters:focal(1175x495:1587x907)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56049647/824260094.0.jpg)
Photo by Harry Hubbard/Getty Images

Daniel Emery of Read Norwich was kind enough to answer our questions leading up to the first match of the season at Craven Cottage.

Cottagers Confidential: A new season is beginning, what do you think the biggest changes going into Norwich's season have been, both positive and negative?

    Read Norwich: Well, everything has changed, virtually. We're likely to have 7 out of our 11 starting on Saturday making their debuts, along with a new head coach and backroom team. I think that's all positive. The only negative I can think of is letting go of players like Jonny Howson and Jacob Murphy. Saying that, we appear to have replaced Jonny with an excellent player in Mario Vrancic with £4m in change and Jacob wasn't sold on the cheap. The positives far outweigh the negatives, for sure.

CC: Where do you expect Norwich to finish this year? Who finishes in the top 6 and who gets relegated?

    RN: Top six. I think the new way of playing and some of the signings we have made will give us that extra boost to push into the play-offs. Top six, in no order; Middlesbrough, Norwich, Fulham, Wolves, Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa. Relegation; Barnsley, Bolton and Burton.

CC: Is this Norwich team complete or do you think there will be more changes in this window?

RN: Our Sporting Director Stuart Webber went on record today (Thursday) to say that there will be at least two more additions. We still need more CB and CM cover, although I can't see any big additions to our starting XI as it stands. That could change, though, if a big club comes in for one of our players, like Alex Pritchard, Timm Klose or Nelson Oliveira.

CC: Predicted lineup and score?

    RN: Gunn; Wildschut, Godfrey, Zimmermann, Franke, Husband; Reed, Vrancic, Maddison; Watkins, Oliveira.

    1-1.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/8/4/16094542/fulham-norwich-championship-preview-three-questions

Bettinelli out of Fulham's opener
by Dan on August 4, 2017


Marcus Bettinelli will miss Fulham's first Championship match of the new season against Norwich City tomorrow with a pulled hamstring.

The former England under-21 international goalkeeper was substituted as a precaution having felt his hamstring tighten during last weekend's 3-0 friendly defeat by Wolfsburg. Head coach Slavisa Jokanovic revealed during this afternoon's press conference at Motspur Park that Bettinelli would not be available for selection – and his place against the Canaries will be taken by former Brentford goalkeeper David Button. Jokanovic confirmed that 'everyone else will be available'.

The Serbian was excited about the potential of French striker Aboubakar Kamara, who arrived from Amiens earlier this week.

    'We have been talking about strikers since we were without Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele. Kamara is a young player with great ambition. He's strong and fast. We expect he will be an important player for us.

Jokanovic did warn that the new signing would need time to acclimatise to the demands of Championship football.

    All the people need time to adapt themselves to a different style of life and competition. It's different. He's a player that can attack the space behind the defenders and can be a very important player for us.

Jokanovic also moved to downplay stories of a recruitment row between him and Fulham's senior executives – and insisted Sone Aluko would be staying at Craven Cottage.

    I'm happy with my team and the players. They are working hard and we're showing ambition to try and make a good season in front of us. We are ready for the Norwich game.

    I believe he will. I said last week I believe he's an important player for us. I expect he'll be a part of us for the season.

The Fulham head coach was in no doubt about the level of performance he expects from his players tomorrow.

    What's important is to play at our highest level now and pick up three points tomorrow. Our final target is promotion. Norwich is a quality team, but we're playing in our stadium, in front of our fans. We are very motivated.

    Last season is last season. The play-offs are in the past. I'm just looking at the present and the future.




http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/08/bettinelli-out-of-fulhams-opener/

 
Fulham FC Will Be in PES 2018


Konami has entered into an exclusive global partnership with London's Fulham FC. The football club will now appear in Pro Evolution Soccer 2018, as all of the players have been body scanned in order to be faithfully recreated, but it's not all about the game. PES 2018 will also appear on the back of the team's kits, and will be the main sponsor for their youth team.

Check out the full announcement below:

    KONAMI and Fulham have entered an exclusive agreement that will see the club perfectly recreated within the publisher's forthcoming PES 2018. The full squad will be recreated in game with all kits and players to be perfectly replicated via Konami's full body-scanning process, while KONAMI will also have an extensive presence within the club's stadium, as part of the match day experience, and within the club's progressive youth academy.

    PES 2018 branding will feature on the back of the club's new home, away, third and goalkeeping kits, and will be main sponsor of the Youth Team's kit, showcasing the publisher's support of the club's enviable talent base. KONAMI and PES 2018 branding will also be prominent across the ad boards around the pitch and within branded areas inside the ground, and on ball boy kits on match days. KONAMI will also be taking over Fulham's Family Zone area, with gaming set-ups showcasing the club's inclusion in-game available for young fans to experience. PES 2018 will also be available in the club store and online eStore with an exclusive Fulham FC slipcase, and KONAMI is committed to working closely with the club's online and social media teams to create cross-promotional campaigns including PES branding within match day team announcements and goal updates.

As one would expect, Fulham's Chief Revenue Officer Casper Stylsvig was pleased with the news. "PES 2018 is seen as the definitive football title for home systems and mobile users, and we are delighted to be so well represented within such an illustrious game," said Stylsvig. We also welcome Konami to Craven Cottage via its sponsorship commitments and as a new back of shirt partner for the first team and front of shirt partner for our exciting Youth Team squads."

"Fulham is a club with an enviable heritage and a very bright future," said Konami's Senior Director of Brand and Business Development Jonas Lygaard. "It is a club that is on the cusp of very good things, with a policy that continues to nurture its youth prospects. Konami is extremely happy to be working closely with such a progressive club. We will enjoy having prominent branding position on match-days, making full use of the Family Zone, and are proud to be presented on the front of the Youth Team's kits, as well as a key sponsor to the first XI."

Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 is set to release September 14 for PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One and last-gen consoles.




Read more at http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2017/08/04/fulham-fc-will-pes-2018/#lvv48Ae8WvkYbQFW.99

 
Sky Sports Championship Predictor: Fulham tipped for the title


The stats-based Sky Sports Predictor is back for the new season - and it's tipping Fulham for the Sky Bet Championship title.

The Cottagers, who finished sixth last season, are joined in the automatic promotion places by Sheffield Wednesday, with Norwich, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Brentford taking the play-off spots.

At the other end of the table, the Sky Sports Predictor has Bolton, Birmingham City and newly-promoted Millwall facing relegation. See the predicted table below and scroll down to see the predicted outcomes of this weekend's opening games.

How does it work?
The Sky Sports predictor is based on a system called Elo, originally set up to rate chess players. It takes into account form, who your team still has left to play, and how well a team has done in previous seasons.





http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/10973907/sky-sports-championship-predictor-fulham-tipped-for-the-title

 
Head Coach press conference

While promotion is the aim for Fulham this season, Slaviša Jokanović reiterated that taking it one game at a time is the best way to achieve that goal.

Plenty of bookmakers have made the Whites one of the Sky Bet Championship favourites, but our Head Coach knows the competition will be fierce this term.

"Half the Championship teams have similar intentions to us," he said in Friday's pre-match press conference. "I know this is a popular question from the press, where we're going to finish in the Championship.

"Really, I don't know where we're going to be at the beginning of May. What is important for us is to try and be at our highest level in this moment, and try and push hard to win three points tomorrow.


"These three points could be important points for us at the end of the season. We must be positive, we must believe in our possibilities, and push hard to be successful.

"The final target for us, like the final target for half the Championship, is to be a promoted team. Whether we are going to do it or not will depend on us, and we are going to know at the end of the season.

"Pressure is part of our life. I have pressure to be successful, I have pressure for my team to play better football than they played before, I have pressure to win the game.

"Everything is normal, similar pressure for other coaches in the Championship or in the Premier League, or all the coaches in the world."

The summer has seen six players join the Club, and Jokanović is satisfied with how his squad is shaping up.

"We built an identity, we built a team," he explained. "I am very happy because the Club made a great effort to sign new contracts with Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon.

"I am very happy because we brought back Tomas Kalas and Lucas Piazon. We signed some people, the transfer window is open until the end of August, I believe we are going to bring in some more for our squad.


"I am happy with my team. The players are working hard and showing ambition to try and make a good season, and we are ready for the Norwich game."

Aboubakar Kamara is the latest addition to the side, and his Jokanović is excited about what the striker can bring to the team.

"Kamara is a young player who's shown great ambition," he stated. "He's strong and fast and all of us expect he's going to be an important player for us in the future.

"All the people need time to adapt themselves to a different lifestyle, a different competition. He's really a different player, a player who can attack the space behind the defenders, and he can be a very important player for us."

Saturday's opponents Norwich City will be another outfit fighting hard to return to the top flight, and Jokanović envisages a stern test against Daniel Farke's men.

"Norwich are one of the teams, like us, who want to be a Premier League team next season," he said. "They are a quality team with many important players.

"I remember the last game we played at Craven Cottage against them and the many problems that [Cameron] Jerome gave us. We must be careful about many players.

"We checked their pre-season, they used different styles, with three at the back, sometimes four at the back. We have an idea of what we can expect tomorrow in the game.

"It's a new coach, extra motivation for the Norwich players too, but we are motivated to play in our stadium in front of our supporters. We showed them in the past we can play good football and we want to repeat that, or be at a better level if possible."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/04/head-coach-press conference

 
The underrated Fulham player who must be offered a new deal if Jokanovic is to secure promotion


Fulham fans will be keen for manager Slavisa Jokanovic to push for the automatic promotion places in the Championship yet again this season, despite the disappointment of the 2016/17 campaign.

The Cottagers fell in the semi-finals of the play-offs last season, despite being one of the early favourites to make it back into the Premier League.

But it wasn't meant to be and moving forward, Fulham will be competing in one of the most competitive Championship division's we've seen in years.

And if they're to compete at the top with some of the big-spenders right now, they're going to need to gel together fully and some of their existing players are going to really have to step-up moving forward.

One man we think will be a huge part of this Fulham side this season is Sone Aluko, who had a seriously solid campaign last time out.

He might not be a huge goal-getter and he might not be the sort of player who will score 20 goals-a-season but in terms of build up-play, pace, playing off the striker and chipping in, he's one of the better forwards in the Championship.

Which is why, we think Jokanovic needs to do everything he can to keep him at Craven Cottage over the coming days and weeks.

He'll be a player that certain teams would love to bring in but moving forward, Jokanovic must do everything to get keep his man in London.

Aluko was a big part of the play-off push last season and you've got to give him credit for the work he put in, despite his side failing to make it all the way.

With Aboubakar Kamara also coming, Fulham's attacking options are looking strong. With the likes of Cairney, Sessegnon and Piazon also in the ranks, there's every chance the Cottagers will be competing at the top again next season.

But keeping hold of a Aluko will be a big part of their success too. He's an underrated forward and could be very good for Fulham next season, just as he was last.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/the-underrated-fulham-player-who-must-be-offered-a-new-deal-if-jokanovic-is-to-secure-promotion/

 
Grosvenor Casinos to make it easier to #FollowFulhamAway!

Knowing how much the support means to the team and how passionate Fulham's traveling fans are, the Club's new Main Team Partner, grosvenorcasinos.com, will be offering free away travel to and from Leeds United on Tuesday 15th August and for an additional 4 fixtures this season!

Supporters who purchase a match ticket for the game at Elland Road from the Fulham FC Ticket Office will be given the option of complimentary return coach travel. Fans who have already bought a coach ticket for this fixture will automatically be refunded.

The Club was delighted to announce our partnership with grosvenorcasinos.com last Wednesday and we're excited to reveal details of #FollowFulhamAway to ensure as many fans as possible are able to travel to support the team.

We are also thrilled to confirm that further complimentary coach travel will also be provided to the following 4 away fixtures, all courtesy of grosvenorcasinos.com:

    Sheffield United, Tuesday 21st November 2017
    Cardiff City, Tuesday 26th December 2017
    Bristol City, Tuesday 20th February 2017
    +1 specially selected fixture

The above fixtures have been selected to make it easier for fans to attend matches further afield that may prove difficult to make their way to, based on when matches are played and the destination, to give the team the best possible support on the road.

With trains not running late enough to get fans back to London after the Leeds fixture, don't hesitate in taking advantage of this excellent offer. Fans can secure their free coach travel online, over the phone, or in person from the Ticket Office.

With excitement building for the season ahead don't miss your chance to #FollowFulhamAway!



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/04/follow-fulham-away-with-grosvenor-casinos

 
Predicted! How the Championship table will finish in 2017/18


Calling football is an ugly, humiliating business. So let's crack on! Mike Holden weighs up the evidence and tells us how the Championship will finish up

Everyone's got an opinion – heck, the table you'll see below is different to the one in our hulking magazine Season Preview (it's out now, don't you know?). But each pick is justified, and while we're very sure you won't agree with us, we'd love to know your thoughts once you've read it through. Get us at @FourFourTwo on Twitter with #PredictTheTable.   

24. Barnsley
The Tykes have lost six of their best players in 2017 and that's a lot to come back from no matter how imaginative your transfer business. Most of the new arrivals have little experience of this level and they will be expected to take up commanding roles. Paul Heckingbottom is a capable manager but this is looking like a hiding to nothing.

23. Ipswich
Things have gone stale at Portman Road and one modestly promising transfer window might not be enough to undo the damage of dealing in half measures for the past three years. You'd expect the Tractor Boys to scrap their way to survival under Mick McCarthy, but another relegation battle would probably see him depart before then.

22. Burton
Survival was a wonderful achievement for the Brewers last season, but reaching 50 points will always be a monumental task at this level. They will be competitive and their fate could be in the balance for the entire 10 months. However, they might need a bit more creativity this time around and Nigel Clough's managerial style doesn't really encourage that.

21. Bolton
The Whites are going to be severely hampered by tough new measures on teams operating under a transfer embargo, yet you get the impression that Phil Parkinson is relishing the challenge ahead of him. He has the tactical nous to reduce games to fine margins and grind out points where others wouldn't. In the final reckoning, that might just be enough.

20. QPR
Ian Holloway insists he has settled on a set formation and style of play after heavy criticism over his tinkering, but it will be interesting to see how long he remains true to his word if the early results aren't favourable. A tough season awaits either way: the defence is ropey and there's a distinct lack of individual match-winners.

19. Millwall
The Lions have a strong identity under Neil Harris and will relish being underdogs in almost every game. A shorter summer isn't necessarily a problem considering the core of the team has remained intact for the past two seasons. They've done some good business given their resources, and the quick turnarounds and heavy schedule might suit them.

18. Nottingham Forest
Mark Warburton has an obligation to play football a certain way, which he insists isn't a problem. However, a free-flowing expansive approach often needs time to bear fruit and that might not be a commodity he is granted under new owner Evangelos Marinakis. Another season of wild inconsistency would be no great surprise.

17. Reading
The Royals irritated the analytics community with a promotion charge on shot data that belonged in a relegation battle last season - but regression to the mean could see the nerds have the last laugh. Jaap Stam is no mug, but even he might struggle to energise his players once it becomes apparent that last year's exploits won't be repeated.

16. Bristol City
Lee Johnson can reward owner Steve Lansdown for staying patient last season with some promising development. There was a marked improvement in City's home form towards the end of last season, which could carry over into this campaign. The end result might not be much different but the journey itself should be more enjoyable.

15. Preston
Alex Neil has big boots to fill following the departure of Simon Grayson but he can only benefit from now being perceived as a big-name manager rather than the upstart who rocked up from Hamilton. North End have undoubtedly overachieved for the past two seasons and they might have to settle for a season hitting par while the Scotsman finds his bearings.

14. Hull
The Tigers are looking short of depth and quality. It's a situation that's likely to be addressed by the end of this window, but a tough pre-season has left them stretched and the next 10 months could be a prolonged game of catch-up with Leonid Slutsky never really getting on top of the strength and conditioning.

13. Leeds
Last season was an exception rather than the rule under Garry Monk, and though long-term prospects might have improved under new ownership, an influx of intriguing foreign captures might need a season to fully acclimatise. Thomas Christiansen is an unconvincing appointment too, having only ever managed in the UAE and Cyprus.

12. Birmingham
The signing of David Stockdale was a real statement of intent, yet it hasn't been followed up by the volume of new arrivals initially anticipated. Harry Redknapp will probably go on a mad trolley dash come deadline day but it's hard to imagine Blues generating the kind of consistency required for a promotion push.

11. Sunderland
Simon Grayson is a shrewd appointment under the circumstances but he has some significant fires to fight before he can begin to make headway. The January window could be vital with one eye looking towards next season. The extra resources at his disposal should enable the new man to match his achievements at Preston over the past two years.

10. Sheffield United
Chris Wilder is vowing to attack the division following promotion, much like Bournemouth did under Eddie Howe. It's a bold strategy that could see the Blades on the end of a few hidings before Christmas, although it might reap its rewards with a late flourish and a top-half finish. Either way, expect plenty of goals.

9. Cardiff
A positive mood has come flooding back to the Welsh capital, so you could argue the season has been a success already. You'd bank on an old master like Neil Warnock flirting with the promotion race at some point, but there are too many big hitters about for the Bluebirds to suddenly muscle their way into the top six.

8. Wolves
Wanderers are liable to be scintillating on occasions with a couple of young superstars in their ranks, but there's an imbalance of resources and a lack of maturity from the likes of Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota could prevent new boss Nuno from sustaining a promotion push.

7. Brentford
The wholesale changes that accompanied a new blueprint two years ago are now a distant memory, and the Bees boast an enviable level of stability that enables them to go about their business in a pressure-free manner. The last three seasons have all ended in top-10 finishes and they look better equipped now more than ever.

6. Norwich
Boss Daniel Farke has drawn inevitable comparisons with David Wagner, but his compatriot had seven months to survey the landscape before launching his project at Huddersfield. Farke has better players and might not need quite so much time, but the process might leave the Canaries with too much to do in the race for automatic promotion.

5. Derby
The Rams are strangely under the radar this season after several years crippled by the weight of expectation. They also have one of the shrewdest tacticians in the division as well. If Gary Rowett could get Birmingham into play-off contention on scant resources, he can certainly cement a top-six place on his budget at Pride Park.

4. Aston Villa
Villa have the personnel capable of mounting a title charge, but John Terry wasn't brought in for his mobility. Steve Bruce is wrestling with a weak dressing room mentality, which needs fixing. Ultimately, the cut-throat anxiety of the play-offs after 46 gruelling matches might be just the stage on which the former Chelsea skipper thrives.

3. Sheffield Wednesday
It's a make-or-break campaign for Carlos Carvalhal, and his tactics will surely be more positive than they were towards the end of last season. The Portuguese can navigate a path through early scrutiny to launch his first genuine assault on the automatic places, but once again he might come up short when it really matters.

2. Middlesbrough
Minor question marks hover around Garry Monk's ability outfox the shrewdest tacticians in the division without the guidance of former right-hand man Pep Clotet. But if he gets Boro operating like the well-oiled machine he created at Leeds, he has the quality at his disposal to blow away most teams and get close to 90 points.

1. Fulham
August is going to be a crucial month for the Cottagers. Providing the recruitment team come up with the goods and serve manager Slavisa Jokanovic with the options he requires, the Serbian can be trusted to build on last season's blistering finish and get the fluid Cottagers cruising much sooner this time around.




Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/predicted-how-championship-table-will-finish-201718#Ots6Mu9Kh24jEeEX.99

 
fulhamfctv Update

The Club is delighted to announce that for the 2017/18 season fulhamfctv will deliver full matchday live coverage to its international supporters, providing overseas fans the opportunity to watch the Whites across many of our Sky Bet Championship fixtures.

Following the launch of the EFL's iFollow service, the Club will deliver its own live matchday experience that includes Gentleman Jim's exclusive audio commentary, alongside video coverage at home and away matches.

Due to broadcast restrictions, live video is unavailable to supporters in the United Kingdom and Ireland, however fans in these regions will still continue to be able to listen to the Club's live audio commentary for all 46 Sky Bet Championship matches, as well as cup competitions where permitted.

In line with broadcast regulations, the Club's live match streams will only be made available to international supporters at fixtures which have not been selected for televised broadcast. Additionally, all cup competitions are excluded from this service. The Club aims to provide supporters with live coverage of every fixture outside of those selected for broadcast*.

Subscription options for the new service include a monthly and annual package (available to all supporters), while international supporters can take advantage of an all-inclusive annual pass, or choose to stream fixtures on a match-by-match basis. Full details are listed below, and supporters are advised to ensure they purchase the package most suitable to their region.

At the time of publishing this information, the first available match that overseas fans can view will be our away fixture against Reading on Saturday 12th August (3pm BST). As previously stated, fixtures selected for live broadcast in the UK, and international picks, will not be available to view, with our season opener against Norwich City being one such example.

Fans can now purchase our monthly subscription ahead of Saturday's meeting with Norwich, to ensure you stay up to date with all the action through Gentleman Jim's live match commentary. All other subscription options will be available in the build-up to our second league fixture at the Madejski Stadium.

*As an example of how many fixtures this could include, during the regular 2016/17 season Fulham were shown live by Sky Sports or by an overseas broadcaster on a total of seven occasions, meaning that 39 matches would have been eligible to live stream.


Overseas fans

Fans outside of the UK and Ireland will be able to sign up for an annual subscription as of next week, priced at £120, in time for our away match at Reading. This entitles supporters to a live stream for all of our available league matches, as well as every piece of content and audio on fulhamfctv.

Whilst we will bring you as many games as possible over the course of the campaign, we are only able to show non-televised matches. Subscription to our annual international pass however will provide fans access to Gentleman Jim's audio commentary for all games.

For those fans abroad who would prefer to select specific matches on a one-off basis, a pay-per-view option will also be available soon:

- £5 per match with a fulhamfctv subscription 

- £10 per match without a fulhamfctv subscription

Upon initial launch, the Club's Matchday Live show will only be available on desktop websites. Access will be made via the Club's mobile app in due course, however, fans will still have access to our live audio commentary service via the Club's App during this time.

We advise subscribers that the live video streaming service is not available via mobile web browsers, i.e. iPhones, iPads and Android devices.

Please note that there are two requirements for watching the live streams; you must have an international bank account, and be located outside of the UK and Ireland during the game. EFL rules stipulate that both these conditions must be met in order for fans to gain access to the live stream.

International Prices

International Annual subscription

   

PPV (fulhamfctv subscribers)

   

PPV (non-subscribers)

£120

   

£5 per match

   

£10 per match


UK and Ireland subscribers
With exclusive behind-the-scenes access, player features, live audio commentary from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid and much more throughout the season, fulhamfctv is the best way to stay close to the action at Fulham Football Club.

In 17/18 we will also be showing more live PL2 matches from Motspur Park and Craven Cottage featuring the Club's Under-23s side.

Furthermore, there will be occasional features with Club legends as we catch up with some of the Fulham greats from seasons past.

Please note that from 31st August 2017, the monthly subscription cost for fulhamfctv will be £4.49, which is the minimum price the EFL allow us to offer this service. If you currently subscribe to this option, your next automatic payment after 31/08/17 will be at the new price.

Due to demand, we no longer offer a six-month package option, as fans will instead soon be able to enjoy an annual subscription, priced at just £45. Fans currently subscribed to the six-month option will have to purchase a new subscription when their current period comes to an end. 

Prices

Monthly subscription

   

12-month subscription

£4.49**

   

£45

**From 31st August 2017



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/04/fulhamfctv-update

 
Stam Confirms Reading Interest In "Perfect Fit" Aluko


Reading coach Jaap Stam has confirmed the club's interest in Fulham forward Sone Aluko, who the former Manchester United defender describes as "the perfect fit" for the Championship club.

Aluko is one of several names linked with a switch to Madejski Stadium, but Fulham are reportedly ready to offer the 28-year-old Nigerian a fresh deal to secure his future in West London.

"If he was here he would fit in our style of play but I don't know if we can agree a deal," Stam told the Reading Chronicle.

"I know his name has been mentioned, we would be very interested in bringing a player like him in, but I don't know if it can happen.
"It's how the market is.

"Teams are paying a lot of money to get players in and because of that other teams are demanding more money.

"Players are asking for big salaries so it's difficult to get players in.

"I know we have been in talks with certain players in certain positions."

If the Nigerian is willing to leave, Fulham would demand a big transfer fee to discourage Aluko from leaving Craven Cottage.




Read more at http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/stam-confirms-reading-interest-perfect-fit-aluko/#f2oLIhMXQJOChhE2.99

 
Fulham boss not feeling the pressure as Norwich test awaits

The Whites are seen by many as a side that is expected to be finishing in at least the top six and challenging for the title

Slavisa Jokanovic knows that the Fulham faithful are hoping for promotion this season but he is not feeling any additional pressure.

The Whites are seen by many as a side that is expected to be finishing in at least the top six and challenging for the title.

Having been seen as a surprise package last season, there is now attention on what Jokanovic is doing at Craven Cottage with their season opener against Norwich on Saturday afternoon.

"Pressure is part of our life and I have pressure to be successful. I have pressure for my team to play better," he said.

"I have pressure to win the game and everything is normal. It's the same for other coaches in the Championship and around the world."

(http://i2.getwestlondon.co.uk/incoming/article13143820.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/at-Fulham-FC-v-Derby-FC-Fulham-Football-Club-Craven-Cottage-Fulham-on-17-12-2016-CREDIT-LEWIS.jpg)
(Image: Lewis Darling)

Jokanovic may have aired his frustrations about Fulham's recruitment policy but he will certainly be happy to still have Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon at the club, while Tomas Kalas and Lucas Piazon returned to Craven Cottage from Chelsea again this season.

The Serbian added: "I'm happy the club agreed new contracts with Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon.

"I'm happy to have Tomas Kalas and Lucas Piazon back with us. We've signed some players. The transfer window is open until the end of August and we'll look to add more to our squad.

"We must be positive and believe in ourselves. We'll be pushing hard to be successful.

"The final target for half the Championship is to be promoted. It'll depend on a lot of things. We'll know at the end of the season."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-not-feeling-pressure-13434635

 
West Ham among four clubs chasing Lorient striker Majeed Waris

Lorient striker Abdul Majeed Waris is attracting plenty of interest from the United Kingdom, according to a recent report.

According to a report by The Daily Mail, West Ham United are one of four clubs considering a move for Majeed Waris this summer.

Waris is also wanted by Celtic, Brighton and Hove Albion and Fulham this summer.

The former Manchester City academy player currently plays for Lorient but he may be looking for an exit after his side were relegated from Ligue 1 last season.

Playing mainly as a winger, the Ghana international scored 21 goals in 58 games for Lorient but might move on rather than stay in the second tier of French football.

The former Spartak Moscow man also plays as a striker and is renowned for his pace and strength.

If West Ham want to sign him as a winger, he could be a good addition if Sofiane Feghouli and/or Robert Snodgrass departs.

In terms of strikers, West Ham could probably do with a back-up option.

Chicharito will start for the Hammers but back-up duo Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho are injury prone.

Toni Martinez is also available up front but he is still young and inexperienced.

A second choice striker would be a handy purchase but £9m is a steep price for someone who does not have a proven track record at Premier League level.



https://westhamworld.co.uk/west-ham-among-four-clubs-chasing-lorient-striker-majeed-waris/

 
Former Derby County manager Steve McClaren on wanting to get Chris Martin back from his Fulham loan

Martin spent the majority of the season at Craven Cottage, with McClaren failing to get him back in January

(http://i1.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/article253565.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/martin-hoffenheim.jpg)
Chris Marin for Derby against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (Image: Andy Clarke)

Former Derby County manager Steve McClaren thinks Chris Martin could have made the difference between mid-table and the play-offs last season.

Martin spent the majority of last season on loan at Championship rivals Fulham.

However McClaren, who replaced Nigel Pearson following his sacking, tried to get Martin back from his loan spell in January.

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic dug his heels in over the saga and despite Martin effectively going on strike for three games, he remained at Craven Cottage.

McClaren then lost his job at Derby for a second time in March, was replaced by Gary Rowett and the Rams missed out on the play-offs.

The former Newcastle United boss insists that might not have been the case had Martin returned.

"He scores goals," McClaren told Sky Sports ahead of Derby's game at Sunderland. "He's a main focal point.

"When we played 4-3-3 your defensive midfielder is very important, but your target man is just as important.

"Chris Martin, when we had him, he was a revelation, a focal point and all the balls went up to him.

"He assists, he scores, he's a character.

"With him coming back I wish we would have got him back in January – you never know, we might have finished the season off better than we did."



http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-derby-county-manager-steve-284296

 
Three Players to Watch: Matchday 1 vs. Norwich City
In the first installment of many this campaign, let's look at three football radars from Fulham's first opponents in the Championship.

With the 2017/18 season starting on Saturday for Fulham, they will be facing an opposition that is also looking for a return back to the Premier League in Norwich City. The Canaries will come to Craven Cottage under a new and up-and-coming manager in Daniel Farke. The 40-year old comes from Germany by way of Borussia Dortmund's reserve team. In his two seasons with that squad, plus the six years as a manager and sporting director of SV Lippstadt, Farke has developed his sides into a well-rounded force thanks to his implementation of the 4-1-4-1 formation.

While competing in the Regionalliga West division (part of Germany's fourth tier of club competition), Borussia Dortmund II only totaled 57 and 54 goals, respectively, under Farke's regime. That may not seem like a lot of goals in a 34-game campaign, but those were usually enough to put them in the top seven in the league in that category. It was Farke's defense that was why Norwich's board were keen on hiring him as his sides finished in the top two in both seasons (36 goals against in 2015/16 and a league-leading 25 goals against in 2016/17).

Back at Carrow Road, Norwich was a wonderful attacking outfit, but their shambolic defense was why they were only able to finish eighth in the Championship one season after competing in the Premier League. That has led to many changes within the club in hopes that they will be solutions to bringing the club back into the top flight. Let's take a look at three specific players to look at when watching Fulham vs. Norwich City.

Nelson Oliveira

Since Farke's system only allows for one out-and-out striker, the talk has been that the 26-year old Oliveira has been favored over the veteran Cameron Jerome. Despite receiving interest from Fulham as being a Chris Martin replacement, Jerome has had plenty of detractors throughout his career as being a man that can only do one job: score goals. Even that isn't of a high-enough caliber rate while playing for clubs looking for stability in the Premier League. In fact, the 31-year old has only racked up 0.22 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes in 10,828 minutes of Premier League play since 2009/10 while putting up 0.51 non-penalty goals per 90 in 6,057 minutes in the Championship. This is why Norwich fans are looking to Oliveira to be a much better upgrade.

But when you look at his outputs over the years, the 16-capped Portuguese international is not one to give something completely different than what Jerome brings. He gets dispossessed more than three times as much he successfully dribbles and only once has he produced above the tenth percentile in key passes.

However, 2016/17 was Oliveira's best season thanks to his 11 goals in league play and 0.64 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes. That is an elite level of production at any league, but one has to wonder if he'll be able to produce this while being in the starting XI for a full season. The most minutes Oliveira has played in a league campaign was 2,071 during his one season on-loan at Nottingham Forest in 2015/16.

Oliveira has always been known for having high shot rates (4.11 per 90 minutes last season vs. 3.93 per 90 since 2012/13) and having a high percentage of his shots go on target (43.8% last season vs. 41.5% since 2012/13), but his goal conversion rate was well out of proportion than usual (15.6% of his shots hit the back of the net in 2016/17 vs. 7.4% since 2012/13) and is seen as a continued trend with the rest of the Canaries attack last season. According to Ben Mayhew at Experimental 361, Norwich's shots resulted in an expected goal total of 68.5 in comparison to the 85 they scored.

I'm not saying Oliveira will be definitely terrible this season. He is still young enough to improve his game, but historical evidence shows that Farke will have his work cut out for him to get the best out his striker.shows that Farke will have his work cut out for him to get the best out his striker.

Wes Hoolahan

One player that can help the Canaries churning offensively is the ageless Irish attacking midfielder. There have been reports of Farke dwindling Hoolahan's playing time ala how Fulham handled Scott Parker during his final years, but to have his role in the club decimated could be quite premature.

Even while playing almost 2,500 minutes and 30 starts in league play last season, Hoolahan had career highs in successful dribbles almost bettered his career high rates in shots and key passes all while being 34 years old. He too caught the scoring bug like the rest of his Norwich colleagues (14.9% conversion rate vs. 11.2% since 2011/12), but the notion that his career is over sounds like a bit of a farce when you consider so many former Premier League mainstays that have played in the Championship until they almost turn 40 (good evening Emile Heskey).

Farke's dependence on his formation is something to watch this campaign for Hoolahan as he was best suited as a number 10 under Alex Neil. Will he be better off out wide and continue to open defenses with his dribbling and crossing (30.7% success rate last season on those type of balls) or will he have to play in the center of midfield where Hoolahan is setting career lows in defensive actions (1.54 interceptions and tackles per 90 minutes in 2016/17 vs. 2.43 per 90 since 2011/12)? Either way, I rate Hoolahan and I think it will be a mistake for Farke to not use him to his full capabilities.

Mario Vrancic

While I have mentioned two Norwich mainstays from the previous campaign, there are some new additions to the club. I could bring up Marley Watkins as he will further develop his reputation as an attacking midfielder while at a club that is demanding promotion this campaign. I could bring up Manchester City loanee and England Under-21 goalkeeper Angus Gunn along with defenders Christoph Zimmermann, Marcel Franke and ex-Cottager James Husband to see if they have what it takes to improve the backend of Norwich's XI. I could also bring up Southampton loanee Harrison Reed to see if he can do the same from a holding midfield position, but if there's one player that can determine the fate of Farke's time at Norwich, it could be the blonde Bosnian from Darmstadt.

The 28-year old Vrancic signed a three-year deal with the club after three seasons as a key player in the lower tiers of the Bundesliga. Amazingly, there was not one year where he played for a club that kept the ball at 46% or better of the time throughout the course of the season. Despite that, Vrancic was able to deliver very high rates of long-ball and key passes. Stylistically, Oliver Norwood, Jonjo Shelvey and Jamie O'Hara are types of players that are comparable to Vrancic when looking at his radar alone.

He will have to be a much better overall passer of the ball, but playing for a better club in relation to the league will be good for the Bosnian. Along with that, it seems like Vrancic's game is better suited playing further back into midfield ala Andrea Pirlo during his heyday versus bringing the ball forward like Tom Cairney does. His style of play in Farke's system and/or how he evolves for the betterment of the club will determine how successful Norwich will be. I'll certainly be fascinated to see what Vrancic's outputs look like at seasons end.




https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/8/4/16093878/three-players-to-watch-matchday-1-vs-norwich-city

 
Slashing blade is not Daniel Farke's style at Norwich City, ahead of Fulham debut

Daniel Farke will not let emotion cloud his judgement as he prepares for a first brush with English football's gruelling Championship.

The City head coach takes an injury-ravaged squad to highly-fancied Fulham on Saturday looking to get his reign off to a positive start.

Farke left Borussia Dortmund this summer to become the Canaries' first overseas managerial appointment, but the German insists he must avoid getting caught up in the significance of the occasion.

"We are all human beings. We all feel it in our hearts. We love this game otherwise you can't do this job so I am excited but as a coach you don't perhaps have the same excitement," he said. "I am looking forward to standing on the pitch at Fulham. The players can be more emotional and passionate. You think more about perhaps the problems and the injuries and what can happen. The coach has to have solutions and think with his head. Football is always the same. I am too long in business and I have this situation before when I have joined a new club and we are looking forward to the first game with new guys and new surroundings. I am not so excited about it. For sure, it is a little bit special to have this first game in England and feel the stadium atmosphere."

Farke is well aware of his new club's wretched winless run at Craven Cottage, that stretches back to 1986, but there will be no major motivational speeches on the eve of battle.

"Normally you concentrate on the main topics and remind the players of those but you also have to reach the heart and the head," he said. "The first game they will be nervous and highly motivated so probably you have to calm them down a little bit. It is a spontaneous thing. You have to feel what they need in the moment.

"It is important not to be predictable so it will differ. I have had coaches who were there with the knife before kick-off and cut something to say, 'You have to be sharp like this knife'. I like the emotion and passion but you don't have to be too ridiculous."

Fulham rival Slavisa Jokanovic is wary of the Canaries.

"Norwich are one of the teams, like us, who want to be a Premier League team next season," he said. "They are a quality team with many important players.

"I remember the last game we played at Craven Cottage against them and the many problems that (Cameron) Jerome gave us. We must be careful about many players. We checked their pre-season, they used different styles, with three at the back, sometimes four at the back. We have an idea of what we can expect.

"It's a new coach, extra motivation for the Norwich players too, but we are motivated to play in our stadium in front of our supporters. We showed them in the past we can play good football and we want to repeat that, or be at a better level if possible."



http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/slashing-blade-is-not-daniel-farke-s-style-at-norwich-city-ahead-of-fulham-debut-1-5136250

 
View from the opposition: Squad sticking together has kept play-off hopes high at Fulham ahead of Championship opener against Norwich City

Boxing journalist STEVE LILLIS, of BoxNation, is feeling confident that Fulham will be able to reach the play-offs in the Championship again this season – and that Norwich will as well.

Things are looking good for Fulham aren't they?

The only real spend has been on Aboubakar Kamara, the striker who came in a few days ago. The rest has been guys like Oliver Norwood who's in on loan, Ibrahima Cisse was pretty cheap, so I wouldn't say they've been spending, it's been about as much as the players who have gone out.
The team has pretty much stuck together apart from Scott Malone and Chris Martin, who's gone back to Derby and never really made any impact at Fulham, got off to a bad start with the fans. So it's pretty much as you were from last season for Saturday but I think there are one or two injury worries.

The big one has been keeping manager Slavisa Jokanovic though hasn't it?

eeping the manager was vital, there were still rumblings the other day that he's not happy, I've heard one or two things and even now I would still be surprised if he's still there at Christmas because he has nothing to do with the players that are coming in now. He still has a say on who can go, like he authorised Scott Malone leaving for Huddersfield, which was great business for Fulham, getting £5million for a player that you got on a free transfer a year earlier in a swap deal with Cardiff for Jazz Richards.
But the problem is he's got nothing to do with the incoming players and it's well known he still isn't happy with the size of the squad – and in the friendly against Wolfsburg on Saturday, he only had six substitutes and two of those were goalkeepers!

It must be a pre-season thing because we've had a bit of that at Norwich as well. City fans hate going to Fulham because it's so long since they've won there, how do Fulham fans feel about coming up against Norwich on the opening day?

I'm an old man so I can go back to Norwich losing to Fulham 4-0 in 1974 when Kevin Keelan was in goal and Duncan Forbes was the captain, so that's how far back I'm going, but I think they've won once there since. Every year you think they've got to go to Fulham and win there but you go back to the 6-0 and if you go back to last year, if Norwich were ever going to win at Fulham it was going to be last year. 
They were 2-0 up at half-time, they played fantastically, that was the best team I saw in the Championship last season for that 45 minutes. But as good as they were in the first 45 minutes, they were as bad in the second 45, Fulham got a draw and could have won the match at the end.

So who do you think will finish higher this season out of Norwich or Fulham?

I think Fulham will win on Saturday and will get in the play-offs this season. Norwich will be there or thereabouts but I think the teams you've got to look at in terms of outright promotion, you've got to look at Villa, Middlesbrough and it will be interesting to see what Wolves will do, I think they're buying players to sell on for more money with their transfer dealings there.
I think Middlesbrough will be the team to beat but, let's be honest, it's a poor division and it's not going to take a lot to get into the play-offs. You see the run that Fulham came in on from that Norwich game, when they were struggling, to get into the play-offs comfortably in the end.
I don't think it's going to take a lot for teams like Fulham or Norwich to make the play-offs this year, even though Norwich are rebuilding. I really like the look of James Husband, the left-back, when he turns up at Craven Cottage there will be some jealous Fulham fans because he was very popular when he was on loan at the club a couple of years ago



http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/view-from-the-opposition-squad-sticking-together-has-kept-play-off-hopes-high-at-fulham-ahead-of-championship-opener-against-norwich-city-1-5135161

 
Fulham boss insists he has full confidence in much-maligned David Button

The former Brentford man is set to start against Norwich City after Marcus Bettinelli was ruled out and Fulham fans are not keen on the stopper

Slavisa Jokanovic has insisted he has full confidence in goalkeeper David Button.

The former Brentford man is set to start against Norwich City after Marcus Bettinelli was ruled out and Fulham fans are not keen on the stopper.

Indeed, after it was revealed that Bettinelli was absent, fans reacted angrily and called for Marek Rodak, with one fan even suggesting Denis Odoi, to go between the sticks. Jokanovic, though, insisted he has every faith in Button.

The Whites boss said: "I have a fantastic relationship with David Button. I trust him and used him 40 times. Many times, he did a very good job for us.

"I am fully confident in him. When Marcus Bettinelli is available, he'll fight him for the position."

(http://i3.getwestlondon.co.uk/incoming/article13405581.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/GettyImages-824240626.jpg)
Watch out: David Button is dispossessed by Mario Gomez (Image: Harry Murphy/Getty Images)

Button has been jeered by supporters at Craven Cottage and has had an error-prone pre-season which suggests confidence is low but Jokanovic accepted some of the responsibility for those mistakes.

The Serbian added: "He is a professional football player. It's clear what I expect for a player who plays in this position.

"It's my responsibility sometimes. I put my keepers in some sort of trouble. We play a bit different and I want to start playing from the keeper.

"It's more simple to kick the ball to the strikers as it'd give him more opportunity to be comfortable in the goal.

"He has all my confidence. Sometimes, when he makes a mistake it's partly my responsibility as well.

"I used this player many times and remember many quality games that he has offered us at Craven Cottage and in away games."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-insists-full-confidence-13434616

 
Fulham v Norwich: The odds... but first some facts

Fulham v Norwich City

Craven Cottage, 3pm

Ok, before we get to the betting odds for this afternoon's game, let's bring you a few figures.

Here are the facts: City haven't won at Craven Cottage in their last 10 visits – eight in the elague, two in cup competitions. Of those games they have won eight.

The last time they won at Craven Cottage was on January 1, 1986 in the old Division Two, when a goal by Kevin Drinkell earned them the points.

Last time...

Fulham 2 Norwich City 2

(October 18, 2016)

Almost felt like a victory this given the formbook... and it should have been. City were 2-0 up at half-time thanks to two goals by Graham Dorrans – a 17th-minute penalty and a second four minutes before the break. City fans were pinching themselves, but reality bit inside 11 minutes when Stefan Johansen pulled one back in the 55th minute and then former Canary Chris Martin levelled. In a "Oops, we did it again" verdict, Alex Neil said: ""We lost concentration for 15 minutes and didn't defend well enough to absorb the pressure we were under."

So, to the game...

Referee: James Linington – Curiously, the Newport official was in charge of the 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage last season. Last time he saw the Canaries was when they beat Reading 7-1 at the back end of last season. He booked Jacob Murphy that day.

Weather forecast

Looks like a few showers will be hanging around

Betting

(SkyBet)

Fulham win: Evens

City win: 13/5

Draw: 13/5

First scorer

Fulham: Aluko, Kamara 11/2, Ayite, Woodrow, Johansen 6-1, Cairney 7-1.

City: Jerome 6-1, Oliveira 13/2, Watkins, Wildschut 8-1, Murphy 9-1.

No scorer: 12/1

Or...

2-2 draw is 12-1, Fulham to win 5-0 is 80-1, City to win 5-0 is 250-1.



http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/fulham-v-norwich-the-odds-but-first-some-facts-1-5134725

 
How the bookmakers rate Brentford, Fulham and QPR's chances in the Championship


The new Championship season is upon us and fans are scrawling last-minute betting slips with their team's name on it, hoping their optimism pays off come May.

It promises to be one of the most competitive seasons for some time, with as many as eight teams priced up by the bookies between 5/1 and 12/1 to lift the title.

Fulham are among them, while Brentford are backed for another mid-table finish and QPR are tipped to struggle.

Comparison site Oddschecker – which lists prices from 27 different bookmakers – has provided West London Sport with the best prices for our three sides in a variety of markets.

The figures are correct as of Wednesday August 2nd, but for up-to-date odds, visit Oddschecker's Championship page.

Winner
Fulham 10/1; Brentford 25/1; QPR 150/1

Fulham are the third most-backed team in the Championship by punters with 8.4% of bets. Odds suggest the Whites have a 9.1% chance of winning the title compared to just 3.7% for Brentford. QPR are given next to no hope with odds of 150/1.

Promotion
Fulham 3/1; Brentford 7/1; QPR 28/1

Odds of 3/1 imply the bookies think the Whites have a 25% chance of promotion, while odds of 7/1 suggest the Bees have a 12.5% chance. QPR are given just a 3.4% chance.

Top six finish
Fulham 5/2; Brentford 9/2; QPR 12/1

The playoffs is probably the highest QPR can realistically aim for this season and priced at 12/1 this implies a probability of 7.7%.

Top west London club
Fulham 2/3; Brentford 9/4; QPR 15/2

The bookmakers have Fulham as the favourites to hold the bragging rights come the end of the season, giving them a probability of 60% to finish above their rivals. Brentford at 9/4 hold a 30.8% chance of upsetting the Whites while QPR are given just an 11.8% chance by bookies to be the top club in the area.

Championship top scorers (team)
Fulham 9/2; Brentford 6/1; QPR 100/1

Fulham are the favourites at 9/2 to be the highest-scoring team in the Championship, after netting an impressive 85 goals last season, the same as title-winners Newcastle. One bookie however has Brentford as the runaway favourites at an extremely short 9/4, implying a probability of 30.8% to score the most goals in the league. Once again the odds make QPR the outsiders of the three.

Championship top scorer (player)
Fulham

Aboubakar Kamara 25/1; Sone Aluko, Tom Cairney, Ryan Sessegnon, Cauley Woodrow 100/1; Floyd Ayite 125/1.

New signing Kamara is the joint eighth favourite to finish top of the pile while Ayite (pictured) is as short as 40/1 with one bookmaker.

Brentford

Neal Maupay 50/1; Sergi Canos 66/1; Jota 100/1

Young winger Maupay, who scored 11 goals in the French second tier last season, is the Bees' best hope, according to his best price of 50/1. But while you can get 100/1 on Jota, he is as short as 30/1 elsewhere.

QPR

Matt Smith 125/1; Idrissa Sylla 150/1; Jamie Mackie 275/1

None of the bookies really fancy any of Rangers' strikers to be the leading scorer this season, with Matt Smith a longer price than Fulham's Cauley Woodrow. And you would have a spectacular night out on your winnings if Jamie Mackie gets 20-plus goals this term.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/bookmakers-rate-brentford-fulham-qprs-chances-championship

 
Fulham v Norwich

So, here we go....

I'm fricking nervous. I SOOOOO want us to win today. I want us to score a couple of goals, not concede, Angus Gunn to make a diving one-handed save etc.

I'm nervous, becuase as much as I have liked what I have seen over the past few weeks - I'm sure the Fulham fans are seeing and feeling exactly the same thing. Their team have made changes, brought in new faces, looked good in pre-season. Every fan up and down the country in filled with nervous anticipation.

Last night's season opening between Derby and Sunderland was a stark reminder of what we had...Just read the opening paragraph from the BBC:


Notice anything about those names?

We've sold on these players, making a tidy profit into the bargain and yet we're expecting we'll beat these teams with a squad of players most of us had never heard of before 5 weeks ago.

No matter how much searching we do on Twitter, YouTube and Google we're all a bit in the dark on the players and their relevent strengths...

So, with just a few hours to go until kick off on another season all everyone can say from Vital Norwich is good luck to everyone involved with the club, to all the fans across Norfolk and round the world.

OTBC!



Read more: http://www.norwich.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=499448#ixzz4orxAPv6M

 
Partnership Agreed With GameTime Hydration

Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce a partnership with GameTime Hydration who will become the Club's Official Energy Drink Partner for the 2017/18 & 2018/19 seasons.

GameTime Hydration is a new sports drink on the market and the only sports drink which uses 7.5 alkaline water for ultimate hydration.

Making significant strides in professional sports around the world, GameTime has already established an impressive portfolio of athletes endorsing its range of drinks.

As part of the deal, the GameTime Hydration brand will appear on the back of the playing shorts of the First Team's home, away and third kits and their energy drink will be available to Fulham fans on matchdays at Craven Cottage.

The Club's First and Under23s squads will be provided with Game Time Hydration energy drinks throughout the term of the partnership, including the newly released Alkaline Water.

Casper Stylsvig, Chief Revenue Officer at Fulham FC said:

"We are delighted to partner with GameTime Hydration for the next two seasons and welcome them to our historic Craven Cottage home. GameTime Hydration has chosen Fulham FC to broaden their exposure within European football and we are looking forward to working together and building a strong relationship for many years to come as Game Time Hydration expands into new markets."

Norman Simmons, founder and Marketing Director of Game Time Hydration said:

"We are thrilled to be joining Fulham FC as the Club's Official Energy Drink Partner. As a new brand in the UK it was crucial we partnered with a well-known and respected team and Fulham FC is just that. We are hugely grateful to the Club for this opportunity to introduce our delicious and innovative range of sports drinks to Fulham fans and the wider footballing audience in the UK and beyond. We hope that with the help of our range of drinks, including the first alkaline water sports drink, we can help the team to go one step further this season and be back where the Club belongs, in the Premier League."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/05/partnership-agreed-with-gametime-hydration

Jokanovic backs Button
by Dan on August 5, 2017


Slavisa Jokanovic has backed David Button ahead of this afternoon's Championship opener against Norwich City – and the Fulham head coach suggested that he is partly to blame for putting his 'keepers in some sort of trouble'.

Button, who lost his place to Marcus Bettinelli at the tail end of last season after a series of mistakes, will be between the sticks this afternoon after the Fulham academy graduate injured his hamstring in last weekend's friendly against Wolfsburg. Jokanovic admitted that his play-out-from-the-back style places extra pressure on Fulham's goalkeeper, but made it clear he has now qualms about starting with Button.

    I have a fantastic relationship with David Button. I trust him and used him 40 times. Many times, he did a very good job for us. I am fully confident in him. When Marcus Bettinelli is available, he'll fight him for the position.

    He is a professional football player. It's clear what I expect for a player who plays in this position. It's my responsibility sometimes. I put my keepers in some sort of trouble. We play a bit different and I want to start playing from the keeper.

    It's more simple to kick the ball to the strikers as it'd give him more opportunity to be comfortable in the goal. He has all my confidence. Sometimes, when he makes a mistake it's partly my responsibility as well. I used this player many times and remember many quality games that he has offered us at Craven Cottage and in away games.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/08/jokanovic-backs-button/

 
2017/18 Diving Ban Panel Announced


Following on from the news that the Football Association would look at retrospective action for diving this season, the all important panel responsible for reviewing footage after each match day has now been named.

A three person panel will be chosen each week from a pool of 13 former players, managers and match officials and will review footage of a Monday to look for match effecting incidents of diving or feigning injury where the clear aim was to gain an advantage through an act of deception.

Players unanimously found guilty will be banned in future, but this will only occur in cases where the offending player's team were awarded a penalty or saw the opponent sent off.

Yellow cards or red cards will be automatically rescinded in such circumstances.

The exact wording from the FA is 'successful deception of a match official' and applies to the following cases.

...the offending player`s team has been:-
awarded a penalty; and/or
an opposing player has been sent-off where the act of simulation and/or feigning injury led to a straight red card or caused one of the two cautions that led to the dismissal.

The panel pool are:

Former Players/Managers:

Nigel Adkins
Rachel Brown-Finnis
Terry Butcher
Lee Dixon
Alex McLeish
Danny Murphy
Chris Powell
Trevor Sinclair

Former match officials:

Keren Barratt
Steve Dunn
Mike Mullarkey
Alan Wiley
Eddie Wolstenhome

They will only review footage where there is an obvious case to answer and given any conflicts of interests, clubs played for or managed will be factored into which pool member gets the call.

With a number of pundits on the panel, it'll be interesting to watch post match comments for indications.



Read more: http://www.bristolrovers.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=499391#ixzz4oryS2XR2

Perhaps we should put our new commercial director in charge of player recruitment. He appears to have no trouble getting deals completed.

 
Jokanovic confirms Fulham man out of Norwich clash, talks up new signing

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has stated that the London side will be without goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli for their Championship 2017-18 opener against Norwich City on Saturday.

The Cottagers played an exhilarating brand of attacking football last season and were unlucky to be eliminated from their promotion push in the playoffs.

Returning to the Premier League will be the key objective for Fulham and Jokanovic again this term, but Saturday's opponents Norwich will also have similar lofty ambitions.

Bettinelli started eight Championship games for the Craven Cottage last season but will miss the clash with the Canaries due to a muscle strain, with David Button set to take his place in goal for the hosts.

Goalkeeper remains an area that Fulham could potentially strengthen this summer and the supporters will hope that their side can keep a clean sheet in the campaign opening fixture.

The Cottagers have been busy in the transfer window over the summer, bringing loanees Tomas Kalas and Lucas Piazon back from Chelsea for a second consecutive season.

Northern Ireland international Olivier Norwood has also been added on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion and could make his Fulham debut on Saturday.

However, it is new striker Aboubakar Kamara that Jokanovic has been praising in the lead-up to the game with Norwich.

The 22-year-old has moved to London this summer after scoring 10 Ligue 2 goals for Amiens last season in 21 starts, with the Craven Cottage supporters hoping to get a glimpse of their new centre forward this weekend.

"Kamara is a young player who's shown great ambition," Jokanovic told the club's official website.

"He's strong and fast and all of us expect he's going to be an important player for us in the future.

"All the people need time to adapt themselves to a different lifestyle, a different competition. He's really a different player, a player who can attack the space behind the defenders, and he can be a very important player for us."

Both Fulham and Norwich will be keen to record victory in the opening game of the fixture, which features two sides that are expected to be in the reckoning for the top six in 2017-18.

The corresponding fixture last season ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw, while Jokanovic's men won the game at Carrow Road 3-1.



https://ninetyminutesonline.com/jokanovic-confirms-fulham-man-norwich-clash-talks-new-signing/

 
Jokanovic - Take It One Game At A Time


Slavisa Jokanovic has reiterated that although promotion to the Premier League is clearly Fulham's aim this season, it's a one game at a time approach to our ultimate aim.

With plenty of bookmakers putting Fulham in as one of the Championship favourites for promotion this season, Jokanovic knows that there will be plenty of other sides who fancy their chances this campaign and with the sides in the second tier, it's going to be a very tough season.

Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media earlier today to preview tomorrow's Championship opener against Norwich City, the gaffer explained.

'Half the Championship teams have similar intentions to us. I know this is a popular question from the press, where we`re going to finish in the Championship. Really, I don`t know where we`re going to be at the beginning of May. What is important for us is to try and be at our highest level in this moment, and try and push hard to win three points tomorrow.'

He went on to explain that opening the season with victory would of course be the best way to kick the campaign off.

'These three points could be important points for us at the end of the season. We must be positive, we must believe in our possibilities, and push hard to be successful. The final target for us, like the final target for half the Championship, is to be a promoted team. Whether we are going to do it or not will depend on us, and we are going to know at the end of the season. Pressure is part of our life. I have pressure to be successful, I have pressure for my team to play better football than they played before, I have pressure to win the game. Everything is normal, similar pressure for other coaches in the Championship or in the Premier League, or all the coaches in the world.'

With six players joining the club so far this summer, Jokanovic also spoke about his delight at how the side was coming together.

'We built an identity, we built a team. I am very happy because the Club made a great effort to sign new contracts with Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon. I am very happy because we brought back Tomas Kalas and Lucas Piazon. We signed some people, the transfer window is open until the end of August, I believe we are going to bring in some more for our squad. I am happy with my team. The players are working hard and showing ambition to try and make a good season, and we are ready for the Norwich game.'

Looking to Norwich a little bit more specifically, he went on to say.

'Norwich are one of the teams, like us, who want to be a Premier League team next season. They are a quality team with many important players. I remember the last game we played at Craven Cottage against them and the many problems that Cameron Jerome gave us. We must be careful about many players.'

Adding.

'We checked their pre-season, they used different styles, with three at the back, sometimes four at the back. We have an idea of what we can expect tomorrow in the game. It`s a new coach, extra motivation for the Norwich players too, but we are motivated to play in our stadium in front of our supporters. We showed them in the past we can play good football and we want to repeat that, or be at a better level if possible.'



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=499311#ixzz4orzsqpCu

 
Slavisa Jokanovic dismisses thoughts of a Fulham play-off hangover

The west Londoners were seen as favourites going into their game with Reading but the Royals outthought them to reach Wembley, where they were beaten by Huddersfield

Forget about Fulham suffering a play-off hangover at the start of the season; Slavisa Jokanovic has forgotten who the Whites were beaten by last term.

The west Londoners were seen as favourites going into their game with Reading but the Royals outthought them to reach Wembley, where they were beaten by Huddersfield.

It is not uncommon for teams to stutter at the start of the season, given the later finish to the campaign but Jokanovic isn't thinking about that.

"We play-off against Sheffield? I forget," the Fulham head coach joked before adding: "It's not important. It was last season. We were stressed three days after but I'm not thinking about the play-off games.

"It's only the present and future for us. On Saturday, we're going to start at 3pm. I don't have time to look behind and how we didn't do enough there.

"It's only what we can do now. Last season is over. We offered some interesting things. We've built a style and we're trying to grow up and be better this season."

Some teams, though, come out with a renewed determination and Jokanovic believes his team will be more like Brighton than Derby were last campaign.

He added: "They look like they're ready to go. You can find bad examples and good examples. Sheffield Wednesday finished in the top six the last season in the top six.

"I'm sure they're looking to be promoted. I am not thinking about the Reading game. We're going to face them in the second game and we'll fight them once more in a new season and a new situation.

"Last season is over. We have some memories and we have to be focused on the competition in front of us."

Sheffield Wednesday is clearly a side that Jokanovic believes will be fighting for promotion but he believes there are 10 others in that hunt.

He explained: "This is complicated. I explained that I believe half the Championship will start the season aiming for promotion.

"Remember last season, nobody bet on us being at the top of the table and then saw us as a surprise when we finished in the top six.

"It wasn't enough to be promoted. I expect some surprise. Every year there's a team or club that you don't believe to be ready to be at the top of the table finishing at the top.

"We saw that from Huddersfield. They are enjoying the Premier League experience and wish them all the best."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/slavisa-jokanovic-dismisses-thoughts-fulham-13434621

 
Fulham v Norwich City preview: Dream big is Daniel Farke's mantra

Daniel Farke may not have a magic wand but he wants Norwich City fans to dream big this season.

The Canaries' head coach made it clear during an unbeaten pre-season any success over the coming months will be hard-earned. Farke, however backs his squad to handle the weight of expectation that comes with wearing the green and yellow.

"It would be unrealistic to think it can happen straightaway," he said. "We lost a lot of experienced players and there was a big change and we have a situation with injuries right now, but we don't play football just to reach realistic goals. Sometimes you want to do something unrealistic and extraordinary and special. It is football, a game. We need a great togetherness to help each other. We have a pretty young team, there will be mistakes and we need that support. There will be problems and setbacks, even in the 90 minutes at Fulham, but we need that atmosphere in difficult times inside the club and especially the relationship with our fans. If we stand together and face whatever happens then we have chances to do some unrealistic things.

"It is always 11 versus 11, two goals and we try to score and not concede. For sure, away from home is more of a challenge mentally. There are many more supporters for the home team, but hopefully a lot for us. We know we have to face a Fulham opponent who is really strong and has high expectations. We know it is probably one of the most difficult games in the league but we want to bring our ideas to the pitch."

Farke gives short shrift to the perception he and his German coaching staff are in for a Championship culture shock.

"Not at all. It is always the same. You are concentrated on your team and on your league. It is the same when you work in a different league in Germany," he said. "You had to get used to different teams and players and that is no different in England. First, I had to watch many games to learn about my players and then you get used to other teams because you have watched a lot. Then we had a really long pre-season, so we get used to Fulham and all the opponents. We have guys in the analysis department and we are really well prepared. We know what to expect at Fulham, what type of team they are, their strengths and maybe weaknesses. We have some problems with injuries but when we have 11 guys on the pitch we always will fight for points and give our best."

City's head coach is delighted at the way his players have embraced his philosophy.

"It is quite normal when pre-season is over and the hard fitness work is done that the players are content. Now the real work starts you could say," he said. "They are excited. The mood is good. We have brilliant characters and a great atmosphere. We had good results and performances in pre-season and to be unbeaten helps.

"Norwich wanted me to bring my ideas, my philosophy and my working style here, and it is a little bit more difficult really for the players to get used to my ideas than it is for me."



http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/fulham-v-norwich-city-preview-dream-big-is-daniel-farke-s-mantra-1-5136408

 
Why I won't be getting too excited about City – just yet

Spud's Teaser

Between 1986 and 2015, Norwich went 18 games without a win against Fulham. Which club have a longer run without losing to us?

Happy New Year to all Canary fans everywhere! We wake up this morning with the excitement of another year of the rollercoaster that is being a Norwich City fan.

At the end of the month, it will be 35 years since my first game – a 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City on the opening day of the 1982/83 season. And I still get the same buzz for a new season as I did as a seven-year-old back in 1982.

The buzz starts once the fixture list is released in the middle of June – even if it reveals that the first game is Fulham (A). All the build-up with, more often not, new signings and good pre-seasons, leaves me feeling very optimistic and saying, normally over a pint before the game, "I've got a good feeling about this season" – only for us to produce a Colchester 7-1 or a Fulham 5-0 to bring me back down to earth.

Before it all begins for real I do like to try and take in some of the pre-season games. I like a balmy evening in the sun, catching up with fellow Canaries friends who you only see whilst watching us entertaining Norfolk's other fine teams such as Dereham or King's Lynn, or the best team in Suffolk, Lowestoft.

In the past I've been to couple of Scotland tours and a few tours to Belgium and Holland, and they have been great fun. A mini holiday, taking in the sights with football the excuse. I've seen grounds that I wouldn't normally. I've also seen things like Robert Green swapping his goalkeeper's gloves to play up front for Norwich in a friendly against Cambuur Leeuwarden in the summer of 2003. How I would loved to have gone to Germany last month.

In the past, I've allowed pre-season friendlies to form my opinion for the season. Back in 1988 after defeats to lower league teams Hereford, Mansfield and even Ipswich in the Hospital Cup I feared the worst, only for us to nearly win the old Division One title.

In 2009, we had an impressive unbeaten pre-season, winning six out of the seven games, including beating then Premier League Wigan 3-2 with players like Simon Whaley and Goran Maric standing out, only to lose 7-1 at home to Colchester. Whaley and Maric played a few games before heading for the Carrow Road exit a few months later.

So this year I'm not going to fall for the pre-season excitement of being unbeaten or thinking we've signed some impressive players, not just yet – even if I have been impressed by some of them, especially Marley Watkins and Harrison Reed.

I was sad to see some of the players go over the summer – from a couple of Player of the Season winners to certain players who played their part in promotion to the Premier League, with one being a part of two promotions.

But while I was sad to see some go, I suppose we must move on to new chapters at Carrow Road. I believe we will have an exciting new chapter some time soon – maybe not this year, but I think we will in the next few years.

I think our football will be the continental style similar to Jaap Stam's Reading last season – apart from the 7-1 defeat against us, I think they did very well, only to just miss out on promotion. I feel our attacking threat is far better than Reading's so I think we're in for a promising season.

So here we go for another exciting new year. I just hope by 5pm today I have not got that hangover feeling, thinking, 'we're in for another long season'.

Spud's teaser answer: Man City (22 games, 1964-1981)




http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/why-i-won-t-be-getting-too-excited-about-city-just-yet-1-5133098

Up next – Norwich City (h)
by Dan on August 5, 2017


Even as the close season gets shorter with pre-season tours, summer tournaments and the sensationalist madness of the transfer window, the two and half months between Fulham's play-off heartbreak and the start of a new campaign has seemed like an eternity. Rumour-mongers suggested, with varying degrees of certainty, that first Slavisa Jokanovic, then Ryan Sessegnon and Tom Cairney would leave the Cottage before another ball was kicked – and, thankfully, all of that proved untrue. That Fulham have kept together the nucleus of the side that surprised everyone by sneaking into the top six after a superb second half of the season means there is certainly optimism in the air to accompany the traditional early August nerves.

Much of the feelgood factor is brought by Jokanovic himself. He's a perfectionist and demonstrably a winner, who doesn't mind pushing the regular boundaries of head coach – as seen by the way his post-match comments have challenged the board to acquire the players he craved. The Serbian has also reinvented the way Fulham play – sometimes with dangerous consequences, as he admits this morning – and made them one of the most attractive sides in the country to watch. It's no surprise that the Craven Cottage faithful yearns to sing his name, although we should bin the 'He comes from Serbia' song. It implies something about Jokanovic – and, indeed all his compatriots – that coach doesn't appreciate – and anyone in any doubt as to its validity as a terrace anthem should consult Nemanja Vidic's autobiography.

There have been criticisms of Fulham's recruitment this summer: most notably over the time it has taken to bring in players and Jokanovic's lack of options at centre forward. Whilst everyone would have liked to assemble the squad at the start of July and give the head coach six weeks to drill them in his philosophy, agents and players don't want to commit to a move that early – preferring to hang on until the end of the window, when the frenzied August activity is ramped up. Just ask Diego Rolan. The point about a lack of strikers is fair – especially given that Jokanovic agrees with Jean Tigana that you probably need at least four forwards to get out of the Championship – until you remember that the sum total of his striking options last August was Matt Smith and Cauley Woodrow.

Largely down to the way Jokanovic set up his side, brimming full of adventure and creativity, Fulham still finished joint top-scorers at the end of the last campaign. Woodrow has seen his stock rise following a successful stint at Burton Albion that saw the Brewers avoid relegation, whilst the Whites have welcomed the rapid French forward Aboubakar Kamara into their ranks this week. People scoffed when it was suggested that Neeskens Kebano, Floyd Ayite and Sone Aluko could perform as false nines following the January transfer window – but Fulham's best football during the run-in came when this was tried following Chris Martin's suspension after he was sent off against Norwich City.

Jokanovic's selection dilemmas are not profound. David Button will step in for the injured Marcus Bettinelli and Ryan Sessegnon should start from left back, whilst Kevin McDonald, Tom Cairney and Stefan Johansen will reform the central midfield unit that made Fulham purr last year. The only mystery is in the combination of the front three and whether Jokanovic would be willing to throw Kamara in from the off after four days training at Motspur Park. It would be a bold move – and Fulham might prefer to use his electric pace as an impact option against tiring defenders later in the game.

The Canaries will be hoping for a far better season under new coach Daniel Farke, recruited from Dortmund in May, and what better way to lay down a marker for their promotion push than recording their first league win at Fulham since 1986. The early signs are encouraging – Norwich were unbeaten in their eight pre-season outings – and Farke has brought in three players from Germany as well as adding useful Premier League loanees in the shape of Angus Gunn and Harrison Reed. Marley Watkins is an excellent capture from Barnsley having starred at this level last year, whilst Fulham fans will need no introduction to James Husband, who enjoyed a couple of excellent loan spells at the Cottage recently.

The side that Norwich start with this afternoon will be far from Farke's first choice eleven, however. Harry Toffolo, Jamal Lewis, Alex Pritchard, Louis Thompson and Timm Klose are all ruled out through injury and Steven Naismith is suspended. Josh Murphy and Russell Martin will undergo late fitness tests on calf and leg problems respectively, but creative hub Wes Hoolahan will be back on the bench having missed much of the pre-season programme through injury. Jokanovic hinted during his press conference at the tactical flexibility that Falke, as a fellow continental coach, has used both previously in his career and during the summer.

While Scott Malone, who conceded two penalties in an entertaining draw with the Canaries in October when Alex Neil's side were setting the Championship pace, has moved on to pastures new, the referee who generously awarded those spot-kicks will take charge again this afternoon. Let's just hope we are talking about an intriguing game of football come 5.30pm rather than an even performance from James Linington. Like a little kid before Christmas, I can't wait.

MY FULHAM XI (4-3-3): Button; Fredericks, Sessegnon, Kalas, Ream; McDonald, Johansen, Cairney; Aluko, Ayite, Kamara. Subs: Norman, Odoi, Cisse, Norwood, Piazon, Kebano, Woodrow.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/08/up-next-norwich-city-h-2/

We seem to be patting ourselves on the back for retaining Cairney and Aluko but of course the Window remains open for a few more weeks yet so there is nothing to stop anyone coming in with a very attractive offer for them at the last moment.
Remember how Spurs took Dembele and Dempsey from us late in the window leaving us with no time to replace them.