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3 players Fulham must offload this summer including 24-year-old with just 13 minutes of league action this season

Three Players Who Fulham Should Offload In The Summer

Fulham started this season on a slow note but lately, their performances have helped them ascend the Championship table rapidly. Placed 3rd in the league table right now, the Cottagers can make it to the Premier League via playoffs.

As far as points are concerned, they are on par with Aston Villa and with a few more games in hand, Fulham have a good chance of cementing their spot further.

In fact, if they continue their run, they might even overtake Cardiff City and get to the second spot. Slavisa Jokanovic and his players deserve equal credit for their success of late but there are a few misfits in the squad.

If they secure a promotion to the top-flight, Fulham will need to revamp their team and it might help if they offload a few players in the process. With that in mind, here are three players they should sell this summer.

Ibrahima Cisse

Having appeared just 9 times across competitions for Fulham this season, Cisse's future looks questionable. The midfielder has struggled to make it into the starting XI ahead of the club's first-choice options. Players like Kevin McDonald, Tom Cairney and Stefan Johansen have been excellent this season and Cisse's displays have not been promising enough to convince Jokanovic.

Thus, a sale could prove to be advantageous for all parties involved. At 24 years of age, Cisse has a long way to go but continuing with Fulham is unlikely to help his progress.

Aboubakar Kamara

Kamara was brought into the team for the sole purpose of scoring goals but he has failed to make an impact. In 30 appearances across competitions, the Frenchman has found the back of the net just 7 times. Jokanovic has utilised him as a substitute quite often and since Aleksandar Mitrovic's arrival, Kamara appears to have fallen further below in the pecking order.

The 23-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance but he has not been consistent. If Fulham secure a promotion, they are likely to look for a new striker and in that case, it might be best for Kamara to leave Craven Cottage.

Marcelo Djalo

Djalo has not started a single game for Fulham this term and has made just 4 substitute appearances. A central defender by trade, the 24-year-old is quite powerful and skilled. However, he has simply failed to make a name for himself. He has played for just 13 minutes in the league campaign so far and that will certainly not bode well for the player. Thus, he would be better off leaving Fulham this summer.



https://soccersouls.com/2018/04/02/3-players-fulham-must-offload-this-summer-including-24-year-old-with-just-13-minutes-of-league-action-this-season/

Ream reveals reasons for Fulham's remarkable run
by Dan on April 2, 2018

Tim Ream believes that Fulham's incredible eighteen game unbeaten run has been powered by a hard work on the training ground, a strong team ethic and an almost instinctive understanding of each other's roles among Slavisa Jokanovic's players.

The American defender, now considered as one of the first names on Jokanovic's teamsheet, has given a wide-ranging interview to today's Times where he discusses the confidence that is currently coursing through the Fulham squad, his thoughts on why American players are still seen as something close to second-class citizens when it comes to world football and how he enjoys life at Craven Cottage. As he admits, it has been quite a turnaround for the American defender – who thought he was likely to head back across the Atlantic after being told he was surplus to requirements at the end of the 2015/16 season.

Ream told the Times' Alyson Rudd that much of Fulham's pretty passing is the production both of a multitude of sessions down at Motspur Park and a unique understanding between the first-team players:

    Everybody in the team knows what's going to happen, we know where each other is going to be without having to look. We've developed that connection. It's all on instinct. When you have to think about the way you're playing, you're probably not going to play well. At the moment I'm not thinking, it's all instinct. We just know the guys are going to be where they should be.

    It's just the way we play. What does it matter? Just because they say we are attractive doesn't mean you go out and get the three points. We've won some ugly games this year. We know when we're not playing well and can dig in and get a result.

    Because we keep the ball for long periods, there are times we can sit at the back and watch things develop. You try to see things three steps ahead, see things before they happen so I wouldn't necessarily say I'm clairvoyant and can see when things are going to play out, but you can see when guys are positioned perfectly, good things are going to happen. You can definitely tell when a goal's going to come.

The former Bolton centre back identifies the disappointing defeat to Sunderland back in December as a turning point in the season, with the Fulham players having frank discussions afterwards in the Stadium of Light dressing rooms. He also concedes that there may have been a far greater hangover from the side's heartbreaking play-off semi-final defeat at the Madjeski Stadium last May.

    We all looked at each other and said, 'Well, that was embarrassing.' Very embarrassing. That malaise of losing to Reading may have played a bigger part than we thought. We dug in and it's been us against everyone else, this mentality of not getting beat.

Pressed by Rudd, Ream also opens up on the fact that American footballers are the victims of what he considers snobbery in the English game.

    People in England think the Americans are going to impose themselves, bring their language, do their own things, bring their own things, when in reality it's the exact opposite. I don't say 'soccer' any more, I say, 'football'. In the States when I'm talking to family or mates, I use English terms. I've heard it all; that Americans aren't good enough, they're not tough enough.

    There is a preconceived notion that we don't know what football is and don't know how to play. But when I'm not playing and am in the stands I hear people shouting, 'Just boot it, just kick it'. Yet people in this country think that's what Americans do, but they're just shouting out that that's what they want players to do. Is there jealousy creeping in as well?



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/04/ream-reveals-reasons-for-fulhams-remarkable-run/

 
Leeds United vs Fulham – five things to look for

For Leeds United fans the season is all but over and mid-table mediocrity seems to be beckoning. For Fulham fans it couldn't be any different – the Cottagers firmly ensconced in the play-off picture.

Leeds United started the season on a fiery streak of form and clean sheets, putting teams aside with ease and briefly topping the table. Two drops in form, with a brief respite, has seen the Whites drop to 12th – a place rescued by Friday's 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Elland Road.

Fulham meanwhile have been putting together a very decent run of late and find themselves 3rd in the table. The 72 points that they have puts them 10 points clear of 7th and firmly establishes them as a play-off side for this season's competition. Additionally, in their final seven games they'll be hunting down Cardiff who sit one place and seven points above them.

A win, for differing reasons, is something that both sides would appreciate. For Fulham it would be three points towards a deeper play-off security. For Leeds it would be three points clambered towards an increasingly futile play-off climb that is surely beyond them.

Five things to look for in Tuesday night's Fulham vs Leeds United clash
1. Impressive teen Ryan Sessegnon: It is totally acceptable and forgivable if you look at Ryan Sessegnon and allow your mouth to drop at his skillful play. It is even more acceptable to sit there goggle-eyed and mouth agape and in a catatonic state in the realisation that he is only 17. He's a youngster on fire this season – scoring 14 goals and providing five assists in an ever-present 39 games for Fulham. A right-back by trade, Sessegnon has been pushed further upfield, the figures that he is showing demonstrate this.

2. Leeds to concede a goal: It is almost a given nowadays that Leeds United will concede, often due to some defensive laxity. Leeds have gone from a side who were miserly at the back in the early part of this Championship campaign to a side who display great benevolence and charity to opposition forwards. They are also a side who are on their third starting keeper with former #1 Felix Wiedwald and back-up Andy Lonergan giving way to highly regarded youngster Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

3. Tom Cairney to have a blinder: Former Leeds United youth player Cairney always seems to do well against the club that released him as a youngster. In his last three games for Fulham against the Whites, Cairney has scored a goal in each, including an injury time equaliser last time out in March last year. Add two game for Blackburn against Leeds United, before he moved to the Cottagers, and Cairney has a further goal and two assists. Expect this run of production to be repeated come this evening.

4. Pablo Hernandez to earn his megs bonus: He still hasn't signed a new deal for the Whites, something that worries some fans, but Pablo Hernandez continues to display that creativity that has fans almost willing the pen into his hand. The diminutive Spanish playmaker has proven to be one of Leeds' most effective players this season, scoring six times and providing eight assists. He has a range of passing and acuity of vision that sets him apart from most of the Leeds United players. He's also tricky on the ball, one locus that drives the Whites forward and gets them in good positions. On top of that, look for him to earn his megs bonus and turn a Fulham player inside-out.

5. A Fulham win and three points: It's hard to say as a Leeds United fan myself, but I cannot see the Whites getting anything out of this game. Fulham play with a sense of pomp and an imperious nature that often overwhelms opponents. Leeds often start well, but once a side gets the upper hand they do shy off and are easily attacked. I am not saying this will be a footballing equivalent of Rorke's Drift, but I still can't see the Whites profiting from this evening's game at Craven Cottage.



http://the72.co.uk/99885/leeds-united-vs-fulham-five-things-look/

 
Leeds Tickets Limited

Fulham are back in action at Craven Cottage tomorrow night, Tuesday 3rd April, when they take on Leeds United (Kick-off 7:45pm).

Following Friday's victory over Norwich City, the Whites have picked up where they left off before the international break.

Make sure you're at the Cottage and guarantee your seat to watch all of the action unfold - tickets for tomorrow evening's fixture are now limited, and remain available to Season Ticket Holders, Members and supporters with a Booking History only.

Prices start from £15 for juniors and from £35 for adults and supporters are encouraged to purchase in advance of matchday.

Back the boys and secure your seat today online, by telephone on 0203 871 0810 (opt 2), or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.

On Monday 2nd April, the Fulham Ticket Office at Craven Cottage is open between 10am-2pm, with phone lines open between 10am-4pm.

COYW!



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/april/02/leeds-tickets-limited

 
MATCH PREVIEW: FULHAM V LEEDS UNITED

We look ahead to Tuesday's match.

After pipping Leeds to a Play-Off position last season in the Sky Bet Championship, Fulham were the form side of the four teams, however they were defeated by Reading in the semi finals.  After missing out on promotion last season, Slavisa Jokanovic's side were one of the favourites to go up this season.  After a slow start, Fulham are now firing on all cylinders, with their last defeat  in the division coming in mid-December.  That form has seen them rise up the table and they still have the possibility of finishing in the automatic promotion spots.

League position

Fulham: 3rd

Leeds United: 12th

Recent form

Fulham: WWWDW

Leeds United: LLDLW

Head to head

Fulham wins: 17

Draws: 15

Leeds United wins: 22

Last time Craven Cottage

Fulham 1 (Cairney 90+5) Leeds United 1 (Ream O.G. 5)

Fulham: Button, Fredericks, Malone (Sessegnon 61), McDonald (Parker 74), Kebano, Cairney, Ream, Johansen, Aluko, Martin (Cyriac 75), Kalas.  Subs not used: Bettinelli, Odoi, Madl, Sigurdsson.

Leeds: Green, Berardi, Bartley, Jansson, Taylor, Phillips, Bridcutt, Sacko (Barrow 60), Roofe (Vieira 87), Pedraza (Dallas 82), Doukara.  Subs not used: Silvestri, Cooper, Antonsson, Hernandez.

Attendance: 22,239

Tom Cairney's strike from 25 yards, which found the top left corner, denied Leeds all three points at the death at Craven Cottage.  The Whites had got off to a dream start when an own goal from Tim Ream inside five minutes gave Leeds the lead.  Neeskens Kebano was a constant threat for the Cottagers and he almost levelled when his shot hit the crossbar and bounced down, but the officials declared the ball hadn't crossed the line.  Alfonso Pedraza had a great chance to double United's lead, but he was denied by the post.  Kalvin Phillips saw red late on after picking up a second yellow card, before Cairney's strike.

Team news

Liam Cooper and Adam Forshaw who both missed Friday's win at Bolton Wanderers will both be unavailable for the trip to Craven Cottage.  Fulham have a fully fit squad to chose from.

The key battle

Tom Cairney v Ronaldo Vieira

A former youth player with the Whites, Cairney found the net for Fulham in both of our games in the Sky Bet Championship last season, both which ended in 1-1 draws.  The midfielder was on the score sheet on Friday against Norwich City and is in good form for the Cottagers.  Vieira returned to the Leeds fold on Friday and was influential in Leeds' victory over Bolton.  He will be looking to stop Cairney when the pair meet in the heart of the midfield on Tuesday.

Betting odds with Ladbrokes

Fulham: 4/9

Draw: 7/2

Leeds United: 6/1

(Odds correct at time of article published)



https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/23212/match-preview-fulham-v-leeds-united

 
Fulham v Leeds United: Cooper and Forshaw add to United's injury problems

Paul Heckingbottom will be without seven players tomorrow night with Leeds United's injury list refusing to relent....

Captain Liam Cooper and midfielder Adam Forshaw are the latest additions to United's roll of absentees, leaving Heckingbottom with limited options for tomorrow evening's game at Fulham. Cooper and Forshaw could both miss the rest of the Championship season having succumbed to thigh and calf problems respectively. Cooper suffered a torn muscle last week, shortly after returning from a previous calf strain, and Forshaw is struggling with an injury he was carrying when Leeds signed him from Middlesbrough in the January transfer window. Left-back Laurens De Bock was already missing with a pulled hamstring and Heckingbottom has not had use of Tyler Roberts, Luke Ayling or Conor Shaughnessy since taking over as head coach at the start of February.

Kemar Roofe, meanwhile, has missed six matches with what Leeds initially believed was a minor calf strain, suffered in a 2-2 draw at Derby County last month. Heckingbottom said the forward – Leeds' top scorer across all competitions this season – was close to a return to training but would not be in contention for the clash with Fulham. "I'm hoping there's nothing new so we'll be selecting from the same group of players," Heckingbottom said. "I can't imagine any others will be back. "Roofey's in the final stages of recovery but we'll need to get him training again and see how he is. An injury we were hoping would be a couple of weeks has turned into several so we need to be careful and make sure he doesn't break down."

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic is likely to recall teenage winner Ryan Sessegnon after naming the England Under-21 international on the bench during a 2-0 win at Norwich City on Friday. Sessegnon, who made his debut as a 16-year-old against Leeds last season, has shone this term with 14 goals and five assists.



Read more at: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/fulham-v-leeds-united-cooper-and-forshaw-add-to-united-s-injury-problems-1-9093778

 
Leeds powerhouse faces last chance saloon v Fulham after shock Heck admission

COMMENT

Leeds United have had several issues to deal with this season, all of which have culminated into a bitterly disappointing campaign.

From the disciplinary problems which have seen a handful of their stars sitting out through suspension to the lack of belief running through the team during an abysmal run of form, both Thomas Christiansen and Paul Heckingbottom have had their struggles.

Many will point to their poor defensive record, with 54 goals conceded in the Championship, as a prime reason behind their unimpressive results, but the other end of the pitch has also poised a problem.

Many will point to their poor defensive record, with 54 goals conceded in the Championship, as a prime reason behind their unimpressive results, but the other end of the pitch has also poised a problem.

The versatile forward has been ruled out of the midweek clash with Fulham but could make a return versus Sunderland next Saturday, and it is Lasogga who will be in the firing line following his comeback.

The loan striker's only chance to rescue himself from being dropped is to impress against the Cottagers, a tough ask considering how the London side have been performing this season.

Still, it is the German powerhouse's last chance saloon, and it is time for him to raise his game or face the boot.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-powerhouse-faces-last-chance-saloon-v-fulham-after-shock-heck-admission/

 
Leeds Against The World: Q&A with Fulham blog Cottagers Confidential
See what the opposition has to say before tomorrow's match

Thanks to our "friends" over at fellow SBNation blog Cottagers Confidential for taking the time to get in touch with us. Andrew Beck answered our questions ahead of the big match against Leeds United in West London on Tuesday night, live on Sky TV.

Check out their coverage of everything Fulham on Twitter @CottagersC

1. How has the season gone since we last met?

Fulham are statistically the second best team in the championship for the second straight year. Unfortunately as good as they've played Cardiff keep getting results. Which has made things quite frustrating. In the last 17 games Fulham are unbeaten with 14 wins and a +28 GD. You'd think they'd be getting closer to second.

2. Fulham started slow, but are now challenging Cardiff City for the last automatic promotion spot. What happened?

It was a combination of getting healthy, not getting unlucky, and Slavisa Jokanivic figuring out his team. Bringing in another left back and allowing Sessegnon to play further forward may have been the key.

3. Does Ryan Sessegnon stay at Fulham this summer?

If Fulham get promoted, I think there's a good chance he stays. If they fall short I don't see anyway they can keep him.

4. Is there a chance that Sessegnon makes the England squad for the World Cup?

It almost seems ridiculous to talk about it, and I don't think it's very likely. If there was a realistic chance of him playing for another country, I could see it. I'm just not sure he offers that much that England can't get from more experienced players.

5. Predict the score.

Eventually Fulham is going to see this streak end. But I'm still holding out hope that they don't drop points from here on out. So I'm not going to pick against them. I'll say Fulham wins 2-0.



https://throughitalltogether.sbnation.com/2018/4/2/17188784/leeds-united-against-the-world-q-a-with-fulham-blog-cottagers-confidential

 
Newcastle should pursue McDonald

(https://cdn.thisisfutbol.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/rsz_mcdonald.jpg)

OPINION

With Newcastle United moving one step closer to Premier League survival after beating Huddersfield Town, the Magpies need to start drafting up a shortlist of transfers targets for the summer.

The Magpies defeated the Terriers 1-0 on Saturday to move seven points clear of the relegation zone.

However despite looking safe for this season, Rafa Benitez knows his side need a complete overhaul in the summer window, especially in the midfield department.

The Magpies desperately need a new central midfielder who is as good as Jonjo Shelvey, but also more consistent.

According to the Daily Mirror, the Magpies have identified Fulham's Tom Cairney as the central midfielder that want in the summer, with the 27-year-old free to leave the Whites for £20million at the end of the season if the club fail to achieve promotion to the Premier League.

However while the dazzling Championship playmaker is an exciting prospect, with a £20million price tag he is not worth taking the risk on.

Cairney's has had several knee problems this season and just when they appear to have gone away, they affect the midfielder once again.

The Magpies may be barking up the wrong tree with Cairney, but they are looking at the right club to buy from.

Benitez should sanction a summer swoop for Cairney's Fulham teammate Kevin McDonald instead.

The 6ft 2in defensive midfielder is not only a sublime passer of the ball, helping his team go on the attack, but he also offers his side's defence an extra-layer of protection.

McDonald, probably due to Cairney's injury woes, has consistently been better than his teammate this season, in the 36 appearances he has made.

The 29-year-old midfield enforcer would also cost way less than £20million, given the fact he is two-years-older and hasn't got other teams registering an interest in him as of yet.

Therefore the Magpies should forget about Cairney and swoop for the more consistent McDonald instead in the summer.



https://thisisfutbol.com/2018/04/blogs/premier-league/newcastle-should-pursue-mcdonald/

 
Fulham v Leeds preview: Championship clash live on Sky Sports Football

Ryan Sessegnon could return to Fulham's starting line-up against Leeds after being named as a substitute for Friday's 2-0 win at Norwich.

Sessegnon came off the bench in the 54th minute and helped the Craven Cottage side to a 2-0 win. Slavisa Jokanovic may also start Aboubakar Kamara and Oliver Norwood after bringing them both off the bench at Carrow Road.

Tomas Kalas could also feature after being an unused substitute following a hip injury.

Leeds will be without Adam Forshaw and Liam Cooper for their trip to west London. Forshaw will be sidelined for some weeks because of a troublesome calf after suffering the injury in the 2-1 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday.

Cooper is also set to miss a few weeks after scans revealed the centre-half has torn a thigh muscle picked up in training last week. Both players face missing the rest of the season.

Opta stats

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The last five league meetings between these sides have ended as draws, with the reverse fixture ending goalless this season.

Leeds are unbeaten in their last three league visits to Craven Cottage (W1 D2).

Slavisa Jokanovic has yet to lose against Leeds as manager, although four of his five encounters have been draws (W1).

Paul Heckingbottom, meanwhile, has lost all four of his Championship matches against Fulham, including two this season with Barnsley; the last manager to lose three Championship games against the same opponent in a season was Lee Clark in 2014/15 against Sheffield Wednesday.

Tom Cairney has had a hand in six goals in his last six league matches against Leeds (four goals, two assists), scoring exactly once in each of his last four matches against the Whites.

Leeds have lost 17 of their last 24 away league games in April (W4 D3), with their most recent victory coming in April 2016 away at Birmingham.

Prutton's prediction

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It looks as though it's going to be the play-offs again for Fulham and they'll hope to be better prepared for it now than they were last season, when they were favourites going in but slipped up against Reading.

Leeds, meanwhile, just need the season to end with as little damage as possible to allow Paul Heckingbottom the chance to build his team in the summer. This is a home win for me.

David Prutton predicts: 3-1 (11/1 with Sky Bet)



http://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-leeds/preview/375091

 
Neil Warnock's message to Wolves, Aston Villa and Fulham as Cardiff City rescue a point at Sheffield United

The Yorkshireman could not hide his delight after Pilkington's strike earned the Bluebirds a point at Bramble Lane

Neil Warnock said Cardiff City's promotion rivals will be "gutted" after the Bluebirds claimed a 1-1 draw against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Leon Clarke's deflected first half strike looked set to give Warnock's former side all three points until substitute Anthony Pilkington smashed home an equaliser in injury time.

The draw meant Cardiff's eight-game winning streak was ended, although Pilkington's goal ensured the Bluebirds stretched their unbeaten run in the Championship to 13 matches.

And Warnock admitted that the Republic of Ireland's effort at the death will have been a huge blow to the sides in the hunt for promotion.

"Let's be fair, they'll be gutted," said Warnock.

"Likewise, I'm sure people like Middlesbrough will be over the moon and people at the top end playoff wise. They'll be looking at Sheffield United because they would have gone into the top six wouldn't they.

"We're all at it. We're all looking at the top 10 and at the playoffs, and quite rightly so.

"I just feel it could be the best point of the season that, in the circumstances."

Pilkington replaced Kenneth Zohore late on in the second half in what was only his fifth Championship appearance of the season for the Bluebirds.

And he struck his third league goal of the campaign against the Blades, much to the delight of Warnock who lavished praise on the 28-year-old for his attitude this season.

"Pilks has done nothing wrong really, I just couldn't get him in the team anywhere," added Warnock.

"It's great for him, and I said that's for all of the work he's done since Christmas. He's never given me one bit of trouble.

"He's played in Under-23 games and been a credit to everybody.

"He'll enjoy it tonight and he deserves it. We've got lads not involved and some lads coming back for Friday night so we're looking forward to that now."



https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-wolves-villa-fulham-14484972

 
Fulham's striking history: A look at recent iconic forwards at Craven Cottage

With Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic hitting the headlines after firing loan club Fulham to the Championship play-off places, Dan Long takes a look at the men who've led the line for the Cottagers in the last 10 years...

Brian McBride (Jan '04 - May '08)
A fans' favourite right to the end, McBride was already a success across the pond before his move to west London in early 2004. The frontman had enjoyed a seven-year spell at Columbus Crew, amid two end-of-season loan spells in England with both Preston (2000/01) and Everton (2003) and such was his impact, both clubs failed in approaches to extend the American's stay on a more permanent basis.

Introducing himself with a debut winner against Tottenham during the Fulham's temporary spell at Loftus Road, McBride boasted a tendency to pop up with important strikes and, despite never being prolific in front of goal, his work-rate, battling nature and sheer dedication to the cause won the fans' hearts.

His influence grew each year and Lawrie Sanchez bestowed the captaincy upon him in the summer of 2007, but the honour proved to be a curse for both the striker and his team-mates. A dislocated kneecap on the opening day of 2007/08 ruled him out for the best part of six months in a season where relegation was avoided by goal difference alone.

McBride returned to the MLS for a final hurrah in the summer of 2008 and became a key figure for Chicago Fire as the Men in Red reached successive Eastern Conference finals in 2008 and 2009. At the conclusion of his contract at Toyota Park, the striker - by this point the fifth highest scorer for the USA national team with 30 goals - retired from the professional game. And following an audacious FA Cup campaign with Wembley FC alongside former professionals, including Ray Parlour and David Seaman, McBride hung his boots up for the final time.

Fulham career: 153 apps, 40 goals

Bobby Zamora (Jul '08 - Jan '12)
Already an established Premier League striker when he arrived from West Ham, Zamora is perhaps best-loved as one of the most prominent figures from the season Roy Hodgson guided the Cottagers to the 2010 Europa League final.

Four league goals in 2008/09 - his maiden campaign in white - did little to capture the imagination, but when Fulham achieved their highest-ever league finish of 7th, European qualification was secured for the following season. It was a first entry into a European competition for seven years and from the start, the odds were stacked against Zamora and Co. But 18 games after their third qualifying round victory over Vetra - a run in which the Barking-born striker netted eight times - the Whites found themselves lining up against Atletico Madrid in the finale.

Diego Forlan ultimately broke Fulham hearts, scoring twice in a 2-1 extra-time victory, but the season went down in Fulham folklore and his record of 19 goals that season earned Zamora two caps for England under Fabio Capello.

Not only that, but in September 2010 the forward's form was rewarded with a four-year contract, though a broken leg the following day marked an undeserved end to one of the most fruitful periods of his career. He was snapped up by neighbours QPR in January 2012, scored four goals as they returned to the Premier League two years later and retired after a fairytale return to Brighton in 2015/16.

Fulham career: 135 apps, 37 goals

Dimitar Berbatov (Aug '12 - Jan '14)
It was something of a coup for the Whites when they managed to attract the Bulgarian to Craven Cottage in the summer of 2012. Just two seasons prior to the move he had scored 20 league goals as Manchester United secured a record 19th Premier League title, but his influence had waned and Wayne Rooney sat atop the pile as the 'star man' once more.

But Sir Alex Ferguson's loss was Martin Jol's gain, initially anyway. Berbatov moved south in a cut-price £4m deal and led by example with a 15-goal haul in his first season - 27.8 per cent of the team's total goals - as Jol guided his side to a comfortable 12th-place finish. In the process, he became the first Fulham player to score in four consecutive games since Steed Malbranque in 2003 and despite approaching his mid-30s, the future looked encouraging.

The signs eventually proved misleading and his typically straight-faced demeanour did him no favours as rumours of a desire to leave the Cottage arose. Fulham were prepared to allow him to leave if a suitable offer was received, and when Kostas Mitroglou was signed from Olympiakos on January deadline day, Berba's days in the capital were done - he was released and crossed the channel to join Monaco the very same day.

Upon departing Stade Luis II in 2015, Berbatov joined Greek outfit PAOK and, never one to shy away from controversy, he left Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters early last month, following their failure to qualify for the play-offs, laying into head coach David James' lack of tactical nous on social media as he returned home.

Fulham career: 54 apps, 20 goals

Ross McCormack (July '14 - August '16)
Every so often in a team struggling for form you'll find a striker bucking the trend and just about managing to keep his side afloat. Take Lewis Grabban for Sunderland earlier this season, for example. For Fulham, that man was McCormack.

It was the exemplary goalscoring pedigree that generated high excitement levels when Felix Magath persuaded the Scottish frontman to leave Cardiff and head to the English capital. Though the German coach's tenure ended just weeks into the 2014/15 season, McCormack became the keystone in Fulham's first season outside the Premier League since 2001.

Criticised for poor fitness levels after making his debut against Ipswich, his goals came at intermittent intervals as the Cottagers struggled with the rigours of the second tier, but ended the campaign with seven in seven games, and 19 overall, as his team finished in 17th. He followed that up with an unprecedented 23 goals in 2015/16 as Slavisa Jokanovic's squad avoided relegation to League One by just two places.

With nine assists in his second season, McCormack added a second player of the season award to the one he achieved in 2015, but soon after, his time in the capital came to an end, departing Craven Cottage in August 2016 when he joined Aston Villa in a reported £12m deal.

His progress has halted since, however. Cast aside by Steve Bruce in early 2017 due to a persistent lateness, further claims of a lack of fitness and that infamous gate, a loan to Nottingham Forest failed to aid the rectification of his personal issues. His prowess seemed to return in a temporary spell with Australian outfit Melbourne City, where he scored 14 goals in just 16 A-League games, but that seems to have done little to convince the Villa Park hierarchy his future lies in the Midlands.

Fulham career: 100 apps, 42 goals



http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/11308410/fulhams-striking-history-a-look-at-recent-iconic-forwards-at-craven-cottage

 
Fulham v Leeds United: Heckingbottom calls on Whites to upset rivals

PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM has warmed up for a run of five consecutive games that pits Leeds United against opponents with all to play for in the Championship by urging his side to "demoralise" a few teams.

The Elland Road club head to Fulham tonight for a clash that offers the Londoners an opportunity to put pressure on second-placed Cardiff City in the race for automatic promotion.

After that, clashes with relegation-threatened Sunderland and Barnsley sandwich a double-header with Preston North End and Aston Villa as the season heads towards its climax early next month. After a dreadful run that has brought just 11 points from 15 league outings, Leeds are playing for little but pride in these final fixtures but that is not the case for the likes of Fulham.

"We are playing against teams who are all fighting for points for different reasons and we can use that to our advantage and for motivation," said Heckingbottom. "We can go and upset teams, demoralise teams. We have got to have that sort of mindset. The last thing we want to do is float through the remainder of the season. "They are a really good side and I like watching them. But I would like beating them more."

Getting the better of Fulham is easier said than done. Their last defeat was in mid-December, while their 14 league outings since the turn of the year have yielded 11 wins and three draws. That impressive run includes a 3-1 win over Heckingbottom's Barnsley at Oakwell – his penultimate game in charge before moving to Leeds.

Last six games: Fulham WWWWDW, Leeds United DWLLDLW.
Referee: P Bankes (Merseyside).
Last time: Fulham 1 Leeds United 1; March 7, 2017; Championship.

"A win at Fulham would be a big statement," he added. "Any team in the league, to go there and get a result you would be delighted and we are no different.

"They are in a patch of form now, which they have been in since the turn of the year, where they have been the best team in the league. "It is going to be difficult but it is something we are looking forward to. We can go there with that mindset - this is a real scalp if we take it." United head south with the same squad that beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1 on Good Friday. It means there is again no place for Tyler Roberts, the West Bromwich striker who is still waiting for his debut despite moving to Elland Road in January. He suffered a shin injury in training just a few days after completing his £2.5m switch and it could be next season before supporters get a glimpse of the striker.

"It is pointless us rushing him," said Heckingbottom. "It is probably touch and go about when he is fit with regards the end of the season but I would like for him and Luke Ayling to be back with the players before we break up for the summer. "For their peace of mind and my peace of mind. I have been in their position where you are injured towards the end of a season. "You just want to be back playing before the end because if you are not, in the back of your mind you are still injured all the way through June. "Forget minutes on the pitch, that is my goal with them. It is something I have spoken to them about, and Luke in particular."




Read more at: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/fulham-v-leeds-united-heckingbottom-calls-on-whites-to-upset-rivals-1-9094305

 
LUFC Peter Bankes In Charge At Craven Cottage


Peter Bankes is the man in charge of the clash between Fulham and Leeds United.

Bankes has taken charge of 35 games this season showing 120 yellow cards and 8 reds.

He has taken charge of Fulham twice previously this season. He was in charge of their 2-1 win at QPR in September and more recently, he took charge of their 2-1 home win against league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Bankes has taken charge of Leeds three times this season. He was in charge of their 4-1 win against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup back in August. In the Championship, he has taken charge of their 2-0 home win against Birmingham City and the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at Elland Road.

Referee: PETER BANKES
Assistants: Daniel Leach and Timothy Wood
Fourth Official: Craig Hicks



http://www.leeds.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=525452

 
LUFC Heckingbottom - Fulham Are Not Unbeatable

Leeds United head coach Paul Heckingbottom says his side will not be going to Fulham tonight to sit back and defend.

Fulham are the inform team in the Championship coming into the game. The Cottages are unbeaten in the league since December, a 17-game unbeaten run that has seen them climb up to third in the Championship.

The 17-game unbeaten run has seen them win 13 and draw four games. Fulham welcome Leeds tonight having scored at least two goals in all but two of the 17-games during their unbeaten run.

Leeds have managed just three clean sheets in 2018 and Heckingbottom feels he cannot pick a team that can sit back and try to defend for 90 minutes.

"With the make-up of our squad and the type of players we have, we`ve got to go there really positive and look to hurt them," Heckingbottom told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

"I don`t think I could pick a team to sit back or be defensive minded. We have to be positive when we`ve got the ball, work our socks off to stop them and control where they play their passes.

"There are plenty of teams before us who`ve said that, gone down there and come unstuck. They can be a really tough team to play against and a demoralising team to play against, with how they play. But they`re not unbeatable. We have to prepare as best we can for what they`re going to throw at us but also be really positive in what we do."

A win for Fulham tonight would lift them up to within five points of second-placed Cardiff City after Neil Warnock`s team could only claim a point at Sheffield United on Monday evening.

Following the results on Monday, Leeds remain in 12th place in the Championship but they know a win at Craven Cottage would lift them to within seven points of the play-off places. Leeds will have six games remaining after tonight with fifth and sixth place still up for grabs in the Championship, with the top four seemingly set for at least a top-four finish.



http://www.leeds.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=525466

 
£500k Victor Orta flop must continue Leeds exile v Fulham, summer sale looks inevitable

Leeds United manager Paul Heckingbottom decided to completely axe Felix Wiedwald from his matchday squad for the 2-1 win against Bolton on Good Friday and the German shot-stopper's exile must continue against Fulham on Tuesday night.

Wiedwald, 28, was bought for £500,000 from Werder Bremen last summer and is just one of a number of flops that director of football Victor Orta has welcomed to Elland Road.

The goalkeeper was clearly supposed to be the new No 1 between the sticks but as Leeds' form took a nosedive, it became apparent that he was nowhere near the quality required to mount a serious bid for promotion, leading to first Thomas Christiansen axing him for a period of games before Heckingbottom did so again in early March.

Wiedwald had been on the bench for three games while Andy Longeran was injured with academy product Bailey Peacock-Farrell named in the starting line-up

However as soon as Lonergan was back to fitness, Heckingbottom axed Wiedwald completely from the matchday squad.

That must happen again against Fulham on Tuesday because it is now beginning to look inevitable that the ex-Werder Bremen goalkeeper will be sold off in the summer transfer window.

After a very poor year in England, it's hard to see how he could move back to the Bundesliga as a No 1 goalkeeper so his agent is going to have to work very hard to get him a decent move.

Either way, Wiedwald has no future at Leeds and Orta has to admit he got this one completely wrong and sign up a goalkeeper who at least has some command of his area and can instill confidence in defenders.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/500k-victor-orta-flop-must-continue-leeds-exile-v-fulham-summer-sale-looks-inevitable/

Can Tom Cairney haunt Leeds again?

by Sarah on April 3, 2018

One of the knocks against English football in the past was that the game's leading scouts placed two much emphasis on physical characteristics from a young age. If you were looking for an example to embody the narrative, you'd do worse the day that Leeds United released Tom Cairney at the age of sixteen for being too small. The classy midfielder, arguably the best creative player beneath the top flight, openly admits that his departure from Elland Road 'crushed' him.

You wouldn't consider Cairney diminutive these days, having grown to beyond 6ft, and even if his growth spurt didn't materialise, modern football is full of precocious talents who have made the most of their low centre of gravity. Although it took him a long time to get over the disappointment of leaving Leeds, having been at the Yorkshire club's academy since the age of seven, Cairney used that rejection to spur him on, when Hull City offered him a YTS contract. Two years later, he was making his senior debut for Phil Brown's side and he finished that season with nineteen Premier League appearances to his name, which might have made for some awkward conversations at Thorpe Arch.

It's clear that he has always felt he had a point to prove to Leeds – something that has dated back to his very first return to Elland Road with Blackburn Rovers. On New Year's Day in 2014, he set up both of Rovers' goals in a 2-1 one – the first with a beautifully weighted through ball for Jordan Rhodes, before his devilish corner was headed home by Rudy Gestede. He followed that up with another goal the following year as Blackburn won 3-0 at Elland Road.

Cairney's desire to remind his first club of their costly mistake has only intensified since he moved to Craven Cottage. He curled home a sweet finish on his first trip to Elland Road with the Whites in February 2016 and then repeated the trick some six months later, celebrating with his trademark knee slide in front of the travelling fans. But perhaps the Scottish midfielder's most memorable moment against Leeds came in added time at Craven Cottage last March, when he bent home a majestic finish from outside the box before leading wild celebrations at the front of the Hammersmith End. That late, late equaliser sparked Fulham's sensational run into the top six at the end of last season – where they secured a play-off place at the expense of the Yorkshire outfit.

Cairney was distraught to have to miss the trip to Elland Road, a dour scoreless draw in August, due to the troublesome knee problem that has so disrupted his current campaign – but it looks as though he's gradually getting back to his best form at a critical point in the season. He scored Fulham's second at Carrow Road on Good Friday, following up recent strikes against QPR and Sheffield United since his return following another injury lay-off, and Cairney will be desperate to land another telling blow against Leeds this evening.

The 27 year-old's outstanding displays at the heart of Slavisa Jokanovic's midfield have earned him an international recall as well as plenty of plaudits. Cairney was named in the PFA's Championship team of the year last season – and although Fulham haven't seen the best of his undoubted ability this term, he's intent on making up for lost time. Cairney's maturity since he took on the club captaincy as well as his phlegmatic response to opponents targeting that knee with plenty of robust challenges has been impressive. He'll be desperate to put remind Leeds just what they've missed out on again this evening. Based on his record, you wouldn't bet against Cairney playing a starring role.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/04/can-tom-cairney-haunt-leeds-again/

 
Ronaldo Vieira must start v Fulham after Bolton performance

The England youth international answered many critics with his Bolton display.

Leeds United take on Fulham this evening in the championship, looking to build on their Good Friday win over Bolton Wanderers. The West Yorkshire side took all three points in the clash, with what was only Paul Heckingbottom's second win since taking over from Thomas Christiansen.

One man who has surely played himself into a starting role against the Cottagers has to be midfielder Ronaldo Vieira. There is no doubt his season took an upward turn last week. After receiving something of a shock recall to the England under-20 squad, he was then handed his first start for Leeds since the February clash with Derby County.

Vieira has had a tough campaign so far but against Bolton, he looked like the young midfield maestro who had burst onto the scene at Leeds last season.

Energetic and mobile he added a new dimension to the heart of Leeds' midfield, which has been a major problem area this season.

His energy in midfield allowed Eunan O'Kane to focus on the better areas of his game and once the match was over Leeds fans poured onto social media to commend the youngster.

At just 19-years-old a lot of pressure has been put on to Vieira's shoulders this season and a struggle with tendonitis has not helped him in his bid to be a regular starter under Christiansen or Heckingbottom.

But this performance spoke volumes about Vieira's character. It showed that when the cards are on the table and his back is against the wall, the teenager will fight for his starting place.

Leeds need that embattled mentality in the middle of the park if they are to get anything against high-flying Fulham at Craven Cottage this evening.

After the way he answered his critics against Bolton, Vieira has surely made himself the first name on the Leeds team-sheet for this evening's clash.



https://tbrfootball.com/ronaldo-vieira-must-start-v-fulham-bolton-performance/

 
Leeds United boss hopes to upset and demoralise 'best team in the league' Fulham

He believes the Yorkshire side can grab an upset however

Leeds United boss Paul Heckingotham has called on his side to beat 'the best team in the league at the moment'.

The Yorkshire side have had a disappointing season following a run of 11 points from 15 league outings that has left them in 12th, 10 points behind sixth placed Middlesbrough.

Nevertheless Heckingbottom wants to have a say in the final stages of the season by upsetting teams like Fulham, Aston Villa and Preston.

He said of Fulham: "Yeah, the best team in the league at the moment. I like that ground. As I've said, we're playing against teams now who are all fighting for things, points for different reasons.

"We can use that to our advantage and our motivation, we can go and upset teams, we can demoralise teams, give teams heartache.

"We've got to have that sort of mindset. The last thing we want to do is float through the remainder of the season. We know it's going to be tough, we know they're going to be a really good side and I like watching them. But I like beating them more. "

The Cottagers seem set to finish in the play-off places as Cardiff extended their lead over Slavisa Jokanovic's side to eight points on Monday night but Heckingbottom believes the fight for fifth and sixth place in the Championship shows how difficult the league is.

He reflected that his side may have underachieved: "It shows how competitive this league is. They'll be lots of teams think they've underachcieved.

"They'll be lots of teams who think they've overachieved but there's such a sort of tough, un-level playing field how different every team is but how closely matched they are but it makes this an intriguing league and a frustrating one at the same time."



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/leeds-united-fulham-championship-upset-14485331

 
Leeds United In Focus

Get yourself clued up on all the pre-match information as Fulham prepare to welcome Leeds United to Craven Cottage on Tuesday evening.
Possible opposition absentees

Kemar Roofe - calf injury

Liam Cooper - thigh injury

Adam Forshaw - calf injury

Tyler Roberts - shin injury

Luke Ayling - ankle injury

Laurens De Bock - hamstring injury

Conor Shaughnessy - ankle injury
Tickets

A limited number of tickets remain on sale for this fixture, available to Season Ticket Holders, Members and supporters with a Booking History, only.
Weather

It will be a dry and fairly mild evening in SW6, with temperatures remaining as high as 11 degrees at kick-off.
Pre-match

Fans can pick up a pint of Carlsberg or Somersby for £3.50 (usually £4.80) up until 6.45pm in the Hammersmith, Riverside and Johnny Haynes Stands.
Live stream

Because this fixture has been selected for live coverage on Sky Sports, we are unable to stream it on fulhamfctv.
He said

"Fulham can be a really tough team to play against and a demoralising team to play against, with how they play. But they're not unbeatable." - Paul Heckingbottom, Leeds manager
Grosvenor Casinos match odds

Fulham: 4/9

Draw: 18/5

Leeds: 21/4
Previous five results

Leeds United 2-1 Bolton Wanderers (Championship)

Leeds United 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday (Championship)

Reading 2-2 Leeds United (Championship)

Leeds United 0-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Championship)

Middlesbrough 3-0 Leeds United (Championship)



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/april/03/leeds-united-in-focus

 
In Safe Hands

It's easy to forget that Marcus Bettinelli, who joined the Whites at the age of 14, barely played for Fulham last season.

Aside from cup fixtures, he only reclaimed his spot for the final eight games of the campaign. An injury suffered in pre-season then saw his chances of starting this term in goal scuppered until he forced his way past David Button in December.


"Last season, I thought my Fulham career was over," he tells Tuesday's official matchday programme for the visit of Leeds United. "I sat on the bench for 40 games and it was only with six regular matches to go that I got back in.

"It's been a frustrating couple of years for one reason or another, but when I was on loan at the likes of Dartford and Accrington, if someone had said I'd have played nearly 90 games for Fulham by the age of 25, I'd have snapped their hands off.

"Back then, Fulham were in the Premier League and I never really thought I'd get an opportunity here. I always thought Fulham would be a ladder that I'd make my career off. But thankfully, I got an opportunity a couple of years ago. It's a privilege to play for this club every time I put the shirt on. It's a fantastic club to be at and I'm grateful to have played so many matches."

To read the full interview with Bettinelli, pick up a programme on Tuesday.

Other highlights from the publication - named Programme Monthly's 'Championship Programme of the Season' - include:

    Slaviša Jokanović, Tom Cairney and Gordon Davies pen their latest columns
    David Healy recalls his stints at Fulham and Leeds
    Tim Ream takes our nine-dart challenge
    We recall the time the great Pelé was a scout at Fulham
    Darren Freeman looks back at a Fulham-related photo of himself
    And we remember Stan Brown, with tributes from Alan Mullery and John Dempsey, following his death last month


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 past editions and take out a half-season subscription.

For just £1.99, the programme is also available as a digital download on your iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, PC or Mac via Pocketmags from 1am on Tuesday morning.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/april/03/marcus-bettinelli-leeds-united-programme

Up next: Leeds United (h)
by Dan on April 3, 2018

Fulham's promotion push faces another serious test with the visit of Leeds United to Craven Cottage this evening, with Paul Heckingbottom urging his players to use the remainder of the season to spoil a few parties and show the sort of quality and spirit that has been lacking from their displays to date to this term. Nothing would match the new Leeds' manager's words more than ending the Whites' extraordinary seventeen match unbeaten league run – something which would probably end Fulham's own hopes of catching second-placed Cardiff City.

Heckingbottom has arguably been one of England's most impressive young managers over the past few years, on account of his achievements with Barnsley. In his second spell as caretaker manager at Oakwell following Lee Johnson's departure in 2016, Heckingbottom – a popular former defender who spent two years with the Tykes – won the club's first cup final in more than a century by beating Oxford in the Football League Trophy at Wembley and then repeated the feat at the national stadium against Millwall, earning the Tykes promotion from League One. He promoted a number of the talents he had nurtured as Barnsley's youth development coach to the first team and saw his young charges finish ninth in an impressive return to England's second tier.

Heckingbottom's move to Elland Road, given the dysfunction that has characterised Leeds' own woes in recent years, might have been something of a surprise but if he is given the team and resources that have been afforded to few of his predecessors that this impressive coach is capable of guiding one of the country's sleeping giants back to the top flight. He had an immediate impact at Leeds, inspiring a comeback from 2-0 down against play-off chasing Bristol City in his first game in charge, but only ended a run of six points from their last 24 on Good Friday with a 2-1 win over Bolton, where he switched to a 4-4-2.

That success ended a run of four games within a win and Leeds will travel to London in good heart, especially as they are unbeaten in their last three visits to Craven Cottage. Heckingbottom is currently battling a hefty injury list – and his side will be somewhat patched up this evening, with seven first-teamers missing. Captain Liam Cooper could well miss the remainder of the season having torn his thigh muscle last week, whilst former Brentford midfielder Adam Forshaw's Championship campaign could be over as well after he suffered a recurrence of the calf problem that bedeviled his 2017/2018 season before he joined Leeds from Middlesbrough in the new year.

Full back Lauren de Bock is sidelined with a hamstring problem and Heckingbottom hasn't been able to call upon the likes of Tyler Roberts, Luke Ayling or Conor Shaughnessy since taking over at Elland Road two months ago. He is hopeful that Roberts may make an appearance before the end of the season, but won't be rushing one of the club's most exciting January signings back into action. Similarly, Kemar Roofe won't be risked despite returning to training after missing six games with a calf complaint.

Heckingbottom has insisted that his side won't try and sit back at Craven Cottage, fearing being passed to death by what he describes as 'the league's best team at the moment'. The visitors will surely be combative, as they currently lead the Championship in terms of tackles made, and the large travelling contingent will be hoping to see the prodigiously talented Rolando Vieira blunt Fulham's fluent football in the centre of the midfield. He could reprise Saturday's successful partnership with Eunan O'Kane and striker Caleb Ekuban will be looking to kick on after breaking his Championship duck against Bolton. Samuel Saiz, impressive in the reverse fixture at Elland Road back in August, could be in line for a start having returned from a hamstring problem as a second-half substitute at the weekend.

Leeds' desire, as well as their squad of technically-gifted players, could pose a real threat to Fulham's lengthy unbeaten run. Pablo Hernandez will be a real threat on the left of a likely midfield four, whilst German striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga – a real hit since his loan move from Hamburg in the summer – will be eager to add to his ten goals that see him lead Leeds' scoring charts. The 26 year-old could prove particularly dangerous in the air and from set plays, although he's far from limited with the ball at his feet.

Slavisa Jokanovic suggested that his side looked a little lethargic at Carrow Road after their international exertions of the past week. He could freshen up his starting line-up by recalling Tomas Kalas at centre half, with the Czech Republic international now fit again after being laid low for a month by a hip problem. That might be harsh on Denis Odoi, who put his costly error against QPR firmly behind him with a composed display in the clean sheet at Norwich. The Fulham boss is likely to restore teenager Ryan Sessegnon to the left wing berth he has made his own since January – especially after the youngster stretched the game to great effect after his entrance in the second half on Friday afternoon.

Aboubakar Kamara will also be eager to earn a recall, although Jokanovic is unlikely to drop his compatriot Aleksandar Mitrovic, despite the on-loan Newcastle striker looking a little sluggish in East Anglia on Friday. The Serbian striker might not have scored for two games – but he certainly gives the opposition centre halves a serious workout. As Sarah's already suggested, Tom Cairney will be hoping to line up another special display against the side who let him go aged sixteen on account of his slender build. What a colossal blunder that looks like now.

MY FULHAM XI (4-3-3): Bettinelli; Fredericks, Targett, Kalas, Ream; McDonald, Johansen, Cairney; Ayite, R. Sessegnon, Mitrovic. Subs: Button, Odoi, Christie, Norwood, Kebano, Fonte, Kamara.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/04/up-next-leeds-united-h/

 
Cairney: Apply Pressure

Tom Cairney wants Fulham to focus on themselves going into the final seven fixtures of the season.

Cardiff City's late draw on Monday night meant they extended their lead over the Whites to eight points, but Cairney insists his side will not give up on the possibility of automatic promotion.


"Don't get me wrong, it's a big ask," he admitted. "I'm a realist, it is a lot.

"If they win three games it's over, more or less, but what's on our side is that they have a bit of a tough run-in coming up.

"If they lose one of them, mentally it can affect you a little bit and you start looking behind you and stop concentrating on yourself.

"All we can do is apply pressure. We're 17 games unbeaten now – a new Club record – so all we can do is keep winning. If we do catch them it will be one hell of a story.

"We're not playing for the Play-Offs. When we're out there we're playing to catch the top-two. That's our mentality and that's what drives our performances on."

Leeds United are next up at the Cottage on Tuesday night, and Cairney says his teammates will take the game to a side that he has never failed to score against when he's faced them for Fulham.

"We're going out to win the game and it will be fairly attacking from us," he stated. "Leeds had a great start to the season but had a bit of a wobble of late and brought in a new manager.

"But they've got decent players so we'll have to be on it, like we were on Friday, to come out with three points."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/april/03/tom-cairney-apply-pressure

 
Pundit eyeing 11/1 bookie-basher as Fulham face Leeds United


David Prutton believes Leeds United are in for a difficult evening when they visit Fulham in the Championship on Tuesday.

Both sides head into the game on the back of victories on Good Friday – Leeds winning 2-1 at home to Bolton Wanderers, while Fulham triumphed 2-0 at Norwich City.

Fulham have drawn five and lost one of their last six meetings with Leeds, but the Sky Sports' pundit has tipped them to record a 3-1 victory tonight (11/1 with Sky Bet).

"It looks as though it's going to be the play-offs again for Fulham and they'll hope to be better prepared for it now than they were last season, when they were favourites going in but slipped up against Reading," Prutton said.

"Leeds, meanwhile, just need the season to end with as little damage as possible to allow Paul Heckingbottom the chance to build his team in the summer."

Fulham are currently eight points behind second placed Cardiff City with seven games to play, but they will still believe they can catch the Welsh club.

Cardiff face Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa in their next two matches, while Fulham follow up the Leeds game with fixtures against Sheffield Wednesday and Reading.

The points gap could be significantly reduced over the next week and odds of 10/3 for Fulham to finish in the top two could be worth an interest.



http://sportslens.com/pundit-eyeing-11-1-bookie-basher-as-fulham-face-leeds-united/228482/

 
Fulham v Leeds: Six things you need to know

Here are six key things you need to know ahead of Tuesday's Championship clash between Leeds and Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Leeds are unbeaten in their past three league visits to Craven Cottage, with the last victory in West London coming in March 2015 (0-3).
Slavisa Jokanovic has yet to lose against Leeds as manager (five games).
Paul Heckingbottom has lost all four of his league matches against Fulham, including twice this season with Barnsley.
The past five league meetings between the two teams have ended in a draw.
Midfielder Tom Cairney has been involved in six goals in his past six league matches against Leeds (four goals, two assists).
The Whites have lost 17 of their past 24 away league games in the month of April.




Read more at: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/fulham-v-leeds-six-things-you-need-to-know-1-9095169

 
Leeds United must regret letting go of Tom Cairney after seeing his record against them

A hand in six goals in his last six league games against the Yorkshire outfit - Cairney seems to love playing against Leeds

Tom Cairney seems to love playing against Leeds United.

Last season, the Fulham skipper sent the Hammersmith End, and indeed the rest of Craven Cottage, into absolute raptures when a last-minute equaliser, curled into the top corner of the Leeds goal, equalised and set the side well on their way to the play-offs.

As if that wasn't enough for Leeds fans to be sick of the sight of the skipper, his stats against the Elland Road outfit make for some really interesting reading.

Cairney was released by Leeds at the age of 16, something that hurt him a lot as a youngster, but it seems to be the 27-year-old who is getting the last laugh now.

The skipper, and arguably the best creative midfielder in the Championship, has had a hand in six goals in his last six league matches against Leeds (four goals, two assists), scoring exactly once in each of his last four matches against the Whites.

Here's how that looks on paper:

    March 7, 2017, Fulham 1-1 Leeds - GOAL
    August 16, 2016, Leeds 1-1 Fulham - GOAL

    February 23, 2016, Leeds 1-1 Fulham, GOAL
    4 April, 2015, Leeds 0-3 Blackburn, GOAL
    1 January, 2014, Leeds 1-2 Blackburn, ASSIST, ASSIST

It's some record, and one that Fulham fans will hope continues on Tuesday night when Cairney and his side welcome Paul Heckingbottom's side to the Cottage.

On another note, the Leeds United boss has lost all four of his Championship games against Fulham, while Slavisa Jokanovic has never lost to Leeds.

The last FIVE league meetings have ended as draws too, in case you were wondering.



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leeds-united-regret-tom-cairney-14481384

 
Last chance for Ekuban as Roofe nears Leeds return?

Caleb Ekuban opened his Championship account for Leeds on Friday.

It has been a tumultuous first season in English football for Leeds United striker Caleb Ekuban. A number of foot injuries and a chance in manager has somewhat affected his progression at Elland Road.

The 24-year-old, though, finally found the back of the net on Friday afternoon against Bolton Wanderers in a 2-1 win at Elland Road with a well-placed strike in the fourth minute after good work from Pierre-Michel Lasogga.

But that was his only Championship goal of the season in 14 appearances, and his display on Good Friday posed more questions than answers over whether he is capable of starring at this level.

The Italian, who joined the club from Serie A side Chievo in the summer, missed a hatful of chances including numerous one-on-ones. It saw fans become frustrated with his prowess in front of goal despite his first league strike.

Ekuban has a chance to show fans and Paul Heckingbottom just what he can do against Fulham on Tuesday night, but it may well be his last chance for a while to do just that.

Kemar Roofe, who earns £6,000 a week at Elland Road according to the Daily Star, is set to return to training imminently, which could make him available against Sunderland on the weekend.

Unless Ekuban can restore faith among fans in his ability, Roofe is likely to return ahead of him in the pecking order.

With Tyler Roberts also returning from injury, Tuesday night against Slavisa Jokanovic's in-form Fulham side could pose Ekuban's final chance in the starting line-up to show he has what it takes to become a first-team regular.

Ekuban must add to his solitary goal, or he could find himself way down the pecking order with the summer transfer window less than three months away.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/04/03/last-chance-for-ekuban-as-roofe-nears-leeds-return/

 
PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM: WE HAVE TO BE POSITIVE

Head coach on Fulham.

Leeds United head coach Paul Heckingbottom spoke to the media ahead of Tuesday's trip to Fulham.

The Whites travel to Craven Cottage, looking to inflict defeat on Fulham who are unbeaten since mid-December in the Sky Bet Championship.

Heckingbottom is looking forward to the test against the in-form side in the division and has urged his side to be positive.

"We will be selecting from the same group of players that we did against Bolton Wanderers, we are not expecting anybody else to be back," said Heckingbottom.

"Fulham have shown how tough they are, but we have to go to Craven Cottage really positively and look to hurt them.

"They can be a tough team to play against and a demoralising team to play against with how they play, but they are not unbeatable.

"We have to be positive when we have the ball and work our socks off to stop them.

"Any team in the league who goes to Craven Cottage and gets a result would be delighted and we are no different.

"They are in a patch of form, which they have been in since the turn of the year, where they have been the best team in the division.

"It is going to be difficult, but it is something we are looking forward to and we can go there with the mindset, that it is going to be a real scalp if we can take it.

"We are playing against teams now who are all fighting for things for all different reasons and we can use that to our advantage and upset teams."



https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/23216/paul-heckingbottom-we-have-to-be-positive

 
This is exactly how many points Cardiff City now need to officially be promoted and end Fulham and Aston Villa's hopes

The Championship automatic promotion race is hotting up

Last night's dramatic point against Sheffield United felt like a big moment in Cardiff City's promotion bid.

The winning streak may have stalled in the ninth game, but Anthony Pilkington's late strike ensured the Bluebirds have not lost a league game since New Year's Day.

Neil Warnock's side sit eight points clear of third place Fulham in the automatic promotion places with just seven games left.

But what exactly do Cardiff need to secure promotion back to the Premier League?

And when could they achieve that?

So what do they need?

14 is the magic number as far as Cardiff are concerned - that's the number of points they need to pick up to be absolutely sure that Fulham cannot catch them.

That would take them to 94 points for the season - Fulham, presuming that the Cottagers pick up maximum points in their last seven games, can only get to 93.

Aston Villa are even further back - only able to reach 91 points - meaning four Cardiff wins consigns the Villains to the play-offs so they can effectively be ruled out of contention.

It's highly unlikely that Fulham will win all of their remaining games - but you'd bank on Cardiff needing to pick up somewhere close to those 14 points to go up.

The average points tally for second place in the Championship in the past decade is around 85 - Cardiff are on 80 at the minute.

But given the form Fulham are in, Warnock's side are probably going to need to pick up more than five points to ensure they are back in the top flight next season.

However, there are other historical statistics that point towards Cardiff going up.

No team has missed out on automatic promotion from the Championship after achieving 80 points or more after 39 games since before three points were brought in for a victory in 1981.

And the 11 teams who have managed to surpass Cardiff's 80 points by this stage of the season in the past 20 years have all gone up - with seven of them winning the league.

So the signs are good. Very good.

When could they secure promotion?

Going on the fact that Cardiff need 14 points, then the earliest they can secure promotion regardless of Fulham's results would be, ironically, the rearranged fixture against Derby on April 24.

That is presuming that Cardiff pick up maximum points against Wolves this Friday before also beating Aston Villa, Norwich and Nottingham Forest.

Given the bad taste that was left by Derby's postponement due to snow last month and the suggestions that calling the game off favoured injury-hit Derby, there would be a delightful bit of schadenfreude in Cardiff securing promotion at Pride Park.

Failing that, there will be two more opportunities to reach the 94-points mark at Hull and then Reading at home to finish the season.

Of course, the likelihood of Fulham gaining the full 21 points from their remaining games is slim - so there is the chance that Cardiff could go up before that Derby game.

But that seems unlikely as Fulham's run-in doesn't look as difficult on paper compared to Cardiff.

Presuming they beat Leeds tonight, the gap will be down to five points - albeit with Fulham having played a game more.

Cardiff are in the driving seat, but Fulham's run-in means this is far from over.

The remaining fixtures

Cardiff City: Wolves (H), Aston Villa (A), Norwich (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Derby (A), Hull (A), Reading (H).

Fulham: Leeds (H), Sheffield Wednesday (A), Reading (H), Brentford (H), Millwall (A), Sunderland (H), Birmingham (A).

Aston Villa: Reading (H), Norwich (A), Cardiff City (H), Leeds (H), Ipswich (A), Derby (H), Millwall (A).



https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/exactly-how-many-points-cardiff-14485432

 
How much promotion is worth to Wolves, Cardiff, Fulham, Aston Villa, Derby County, Middlesbrough and Bristol City

And how much they will get if they miss out

The Championship promotion race is heating up, and not only do clubs get the glory of playing against some of the biggest clubs in world football week-in, week-out, if they claim a spot in the Premier League, but they also earn a financial payday akin to winning the lottery - several times.

Wolves look dead certs for a return to the Premier League next season, sitting top of the table ahead of Cardiff City who also have a seven point lead over the rest of the chasing pack.

But competition for the play-offs is a much closer affair.

It is more than fair to say that each point gained over the remaining six weeks of the regular season will be worth millions of pounds to the club who reach the promised land.

The play-off final is nicknamed 'the biggest prize in football' for a reason - promotion is currently estimated to be worth 'a minimum £190m' and victory catapults the winners straight into the world's top 30 richest clubs.

But how does that huge payday break down? Let's get the calculators out and work it out.

How much is promotion worth?

Whether you go up automatically or via the play-offs you still get a ticket on a gravytrain that is heading towards a whopping £200m.

Even a doomed Premier League campaign is worth a fortune. As an example, Middlesbrough finished 19th in 2016/17 but were handed a cheque for a £98,820,976 by the Premier League.

That covers all the TV deal payouts, performance payments based on league position and a share in the central advertising pool from the lucrative slogans flashed up on the electronic hoardings during television games.

Here's how that figure broke down:

£35,501,989 - equal share of the domestic broadcast deal

£39,090,596 - equal share of the overseas broadcast deals

£17,785,769 - facility fees for 13 live games over the season

£3,883,213 - merit payment for final place in the table

£4,759,404 - equal share of central commercial deals

On top of that promoted clubs generally have a huge uptake in attendance and make large commercial gains with extra revenue from larger merchandise sales.

How much are the parachute payments worth?

Even if you go straight back down again, the payouts are massive. The gold-lined cash cushion of the parachute payments are designed to help clubs support their wage bills in the toxic shock transitional years of vastly reduced revenues after relegation.

If teams opt to keep a well-paid top flight squad together and fail to go back up they can be left with a massive burden of players they can't sell because they are on Premier League wages.

The system changed last season, now in year one relegated teams get 55% of what they would have received from the central prize pool had they stayed up.

In year two they will get 45% and in year three it is 20% providing a team has spent more than one season in the top flight. If not they only get the first two payments.

To put that in figures a relegated club last season got around £48m in parachute payments and will get £38m next season - unless they get promoted.

The Premier League riches

The new TV deal to start in 2019-20 is currently being thrashed out and it looks as if a slight dip in domestic rights cash will be made up by an increase in overseas income.

The current domestic rights deal with BT Sport and Sky Sports, which started in 2016-17 was worth a hefty £5.1 billion, a 70% increase on the previous contract. That translates into £81m a season to each of English football's top 20 clubs.

In total, over 95% of domestic TV revenues will go directly to clubs.

Sky paid £4.2bn for five of the seven TV packages while rival BT paid £960m for the other two in the rights auction.

Premier League clubs currently spend around 70 per cent of their overall income on wages, meaning £3.42bn of the money from the current deal will end up with players and their agents.

The overseas right include a $1bn six-year package in the USA with NBC and there were new deals with Hong Kong, China, India and Scandinavia totting up to £3.2bn over the 2016-19 cycle.

So promotion this term will bring an income more or less the same as last year with even a relegation bringing £100m.

What if clubs stay in the Championship?

Boom or bust is a dangerous way to run a football club so a sensible board of directors will have to budget for the possibility of another Championship campaign. What does that entail? What are the revenues like?

There is a massive gulf between top flight and second tier income but the Football League payments are not to be sniffed at and are vital lifeblood for clubs, and unlike the Premier League is not dependent on position.

Every Championship club will receive the same fixed Basic Award from the TV deals and a Solidarity Payment, which is part of a trickledown agreement with the Premier League.

Each Championship team will get a basic £2.3m plus a £4.5m solidarity payment.

Championship clubs also get paid for hosting TV games. The facility fee is £100,000 for Friday night and Saturday games, £120,000 for a Sunday game and £140,000 for a Thursday.

For example Bristol City have been on tv a lot this season, having seven Championship games shown live so far.

Lee Johnson's side only appeared once between August and December but were on TV regularly throughout December and January.

Three of City's seven matches on TV have come at Ashton Gate against Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That means Bristol City's coffers have been boosted by at least £340,000 from Sky Sports this season.

Bristol City also appeared on TV three times in their run to the Carabao Cup semi-finals against Manchester City. The Man United and Man City games mean extra money for the Robins with the TV revenue split between the clubs.

So that means Bristol City will get a minimum of £7.15m from the Football League this season.

When compared to Premier League budgets the seems like peanuts but is the bulk of the operating budget for most clubs.

The club will also have their own income to play with: gate money, retail and commercial.



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/championship-promotion-worth-money-villa-1385888

 
Bookies stop taking bets on Wolves winning promotion as money comes in for Fulham - Championship odds

The latest odds from the Championship as the promotion race hots up

Following a highly successful first half of the season, Bristol City became the team everyone was talking about.

With a solid start in the Championship, a giant killing against Manchester United and a valiant showing against European giants Manchester City in the League Cup, everything seemed to be working out for Lee Johnson's side.

Sadly, for City fans, results have worsened of late seeing them drop from second to seventh.

With most of the Championship teams still having six matches to play (Derby and Cardiff have one extra after their game was postponed), and the pressure for a place in the top six increasing, there is still plenty of time for some shifts near the top of the table.

So, what are the odds for promotion at this stage?

Thanks to Oddschecker, we can look at an average based on multiple major betting sites.

Bristol have now fallen to 16/1 after their 1-0 home defeat to Brentford on Easter Monday.

Preston have gone from 18/1 to 33/1 following their two defeats over Easter while the big movers are Millwall who are now 25/1 in eighth place.

Odds are no longer available on Wolves winning promotion following their 2-0 success at the weekend with Cardiff now 1/6 to join them in the top flight after their 1-1 draw with Sheffield United.

Wolves were available at 1/100 and 1/250 before the odds were removed. They hold a 13 point gap to Fulham with seven games to go and need to win three matches to confirm promotion.

Thanks to Oddschecker, we can look at an average based on multiple major betting sites.

Bristol have now fallen to 16/1 after their 1-0 home defeat to Brentford on Easter Monday.

Preston have gone from 18/1 to 33/1 following their two defeats over Easter while the big movers are Millwall who are now 25/1 in eighth place.

Odds are no longer available on Wolves winning promotion following their 2-0 success at the weekend with Cardiff now 1/6 to join them in the top flight after their 1-1 draw with Sheffield United.

Wolves were available at 1/100 and 1/250 before the odds were removed. They hold a 13 point gap to Fulham with seven games to go and need to win three matches to confirm promotion.



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/promotion-odds-wolves-championship-villa-1362740

 
Leeds must unleash Tom Pearce to try and outshine Ryan Sessegnon

Leeds United should give Tom Pearce an opportunity this evening.

Leeds United have a huge task on their hands when they take on in-form Fulham at Craven Cottage this evening.

Fulham boast talented youngster Ryan Sessegnon, who has scored 14 goals already this season at the age of just 17.

He is rated at £50 million amid growing interest from Premier League sides [The Mirror]

Leeds United's best option may be to fight fire with fire, and give an opportunity to their own blossoming talent, Tom Pearce.

Pearce made his Leeds debut last month against Sheffield Wednesday and should be under consideration amid ongoing injury concerns with defender Laurens de Bock.

Like Sessegnon, Pearce is a left-back with the ability to play further forward, and his attacking instincts could help the Whites out against Fulham.

Leeds' alternative is to play the experienced Stuart Dallas at left-back, but Pearce is the bolder choice.

Dallas played 90 minutes in the win over Bolton on Friday and this is one argument for him to continue, but Pearce by the same token is fresher.

This is a real chance for Leeds boss Paul Heckingbottom to put his faith in a young player and give him the stage to try and outshine Ryan Sessegnon, who is one of the best teenagers in Europe.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/04/03/leeds-must-unleash-tom-pearce-to-try-and-outshine-ryan-sessegnon/

 
We're Coming To Hurt You, Leeds United Boss Paul Heckingbottom Tells Fulham

Paul Heckingbottom insists that Leeds United will approach this evening's Championship clash against Fulham in a positive frame of mind and look to hurt the Cottagers.

Leeds picked up a confidence boost on Good Friday by beating Bolton Wanderers and Heckingbottom is now looking for the Whites to finish the season strongly.

But a trip to promotion contenders Fulham is a tough task for Leeds, with the Craven Cottage outfit in third spot and looking to close a seven-point gap to second placed Cardiff City.

Fulham have scored 16 goals more than Leeds in 39 Championship games this season, but Heckingbottom is sure that the Whites can hurt the hosts and insists they will try to do just that.

"Fulham have shown how tough they are, but we have to go to Craven Cottage really positively and look to hurt them", the Leeds boss told his club's official site.

"They can be a tough team to play against and a demoralising team to play against with how they play, but they are not unbeatable.

"We have to be positive when we have the ball and work our socks off to stop them.

"Any team in the league who goes to Craven Cottage and gets a result would be delighted and we are no different", he added.

The two teams played out a 0-0 draw at Elland Road earlier this season, part of a pattern which has seen the last five encounters between Fulham and Leeds finish in draws.



http://www.insidefutbol.com/2018/04/03/were-coming-to-hurt-you-leeds-united-boss-paul-heckingbottom-tells-fulham/371707/

 
Sky Sports pundit delivers his verdict as Leeds United gear up for tough test at Fulham

Leeds United face arguably the toughest task in the Championship tonight with a daunting trip to Craven Cottage to take on in-form Fulham.

Slavisa Jokanovic's men are unbeaten in 17 league games and have won nine of their last ten on their own patch.

And, with Cardiff dropping two points last night at Sheffield United, the Londoners know they can close the gap on the second-placed side with a win against Paul Heckingbottom's men.

However, Leeds will be slightly more confident after a much-needed win against Bolton last time out.

Yet, despite that, former Whites midfielder David Prutton is predicting another away-day defeat for his former club.

The EFL pundit went for a 3-1 home win tonight in his regular Sky Sports column.

Prutton added that Heckingbottom's focus will be on building a side for next season, whereas the hosts are firmly in with a chance of making the top two in the current campaign.

Leeds may take some comfort from the fact they have not lost at Craven Cottage in their last three visits and they held Fulham to a draw earlier in the season as well.

The Verdict

You can't really argue with Prutton's prediction, as this does look a home banker.

Fulham have much more to play for, they're in much better form and know a win will close the gap on Cardiff City at the top.

However, Leeds will be backed by another big following and will relish the role of underdog, even if a win looks unlikely.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/sky-sports-pundit-delivers-his-verdict-as-leeds-united-gear-up-for-tough-test-at-fulham/

 
Fulham star delivers ambitious update fans will love

Fulham will look to cut the gap to Cardiff City tonight when they host Leeds United at Craven Cottage.

The men from West London are surely the most likely side to beat one of Wolves or, more likely, Cardiff to a top two place this season with them on a fine run and looking like a very strong team.

Whether or not the gap is too big to reel in remains to be seen but Cardiff have a tough bunch of games coming up and the Lilywhites know that they can beat anyone on their day so there is still hope.

Indeed, whilst some might wonder whether the side is going to start thinking about the play-offs instead, midfielder Tom Cairney has said that the club only has eyes for the top two – and that is something fans of the club will love.

Here is what has been said by the influential Lilywhites star:

The Verdict

We should expect nothing less from a player like Cairney because he is top class and, similarly, Fulham look a hungry and determined unit right now.

They need to be careful they don't blow themselves out for the play-offs if they do end up in those spots but, right now, it makes sense to be eyeing the Welsh side.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-star-delivers-ambitious-update-fans-will-love/

 
An Interview with TWO Rivals... Fulham

Ahead of tonight's clash with Fulham, Keith Ingham spoke with two Fulham fans from different eras about the club they love.

How long have you been a Fulham fan?

Neil Sturton: I've been a Fulham all my life (born in 1970). My dad is one of 5 boys and is the eldest so needless to say I have a lot of cousins and the split of teams is Fulham, Brentford or Chelsea. My dad is an identical twin and he and his twin brother who were born in 1943 always watched Fulham at Craven Cottage one week and the Chelsea at Stamford Bridge the other Saturday as Fulham and Chelsea never play at home on the same Saturday for obvious reasons. My dad and his twin brother were split between whether they were Fulham or Chelsea until 1957 when Chelsea sold Jimmy Greaves to Italy (either Inter or AC Milan) and that was their turning point!! They were so disappointed that they both decided that their allegiance was with Fulham and I can only thank Chelsea for making that decision otherwise I might have become a Chelsea fan and that thought makes me very nauseous!!!

Harris Shaikh: I've been following Fulham since I was 5, when I first started properly getting into football. As a 16, nearly 17 year old I make this my 12th year as a fan. As there was no family team, this became the viable option due to the closeness of both the training ground (which is closer) and Craven Cottage to my house. I am at the end of my fourth year as a season ticket holder.

What has been your favourite and worst era supporting the club?

Neil Sturton: As a Fulham fan it's very difficult to name my favourite season but it's a toss up between our 1982 season when Malcolm McDonald took Fulham from the old 3rd division to the 2nd division. I was 12 years old and our penultimate game that season was at home to Lincoln City. We were 3rd and Lincoln City were 4th. We needed one point to secure promotion and we drew the game 1-1 in front of 24,000 at Craven Cottage.

This might seem ridiculous to a Leeds United fan whose fan base was around 50,000+ but just bear in mind that I was used to crowds of 4 to 5 thousand!!! After this I was well and truly hooked. The other season that obviously stands out was Fulham's return to the top league (Premier League as it's now called) in 2001 under Jean Tigana and Mohammad Al Fayed's £93M investment.

Harris Shaikh: My favourite era was the Roy hodgson. Years. From keeping us in the premier league one season, when we were mathematically relegated at Manchester City, being 2-0 down at half time, then securing our highest ever finish (7th) in the premier league the year after, and qualifying for the Europa league the season after. Obviously most fans know about our Europa league run the season after. Despite losing in the final, to most Fulham fans it felt like we'd won just being there. I will always be thankful to Roy for what he did for us.

Most older fans may go back to the days of being 91st in the football league, but obviously being only 16 I wasn't around for those.

Neil Sturton: The worst season for me as a Fulham fan might well surprise you all. It wasn't the season Fulham got relegated to The Championship (2014) but it was Fulham's first season in the Championship after 13 years as a Premier League club. The 2014-2015 season in the Championship very nearly saw Fulham do a "Portsmouth" and go down in consecutive seasons. Thankfully that never happened!!!

Harris Shaikh: My worst era has to be the first 3 seasons of our relatively new owner, Shahid Khan's ownership. Being relegated from the premier league was bad enough, but having 2 seasons when we were nearly relegated again was agony. Luckily, from the start of last season we seem to have changed and recruited a lot better since then.

Who has been your all time favourite player?

Neil Sturton: My all time favourite Fulham players are Johnny Haynes (albeit before my time my dad has always said he was Fulham's greatest player), Gordon Davies in the 80's, Louis Saha when we went to the Prem and more recently it's Tom Cairney. Fulham's youngest ever captain and the best midfielder in this league.

Harris Shaikh: For me, my favourite all time player has to be Brede Hangeland. Having joined in the season previously mentioned when we stayed up under Roy, Brede was a key part of that whole era, plus continuing to play after that. He was given club captain after the departure of Danny Murphy to Blackburn, and still played for the fans. Since retiring he's come back to the Cottage a few times and got great receptions each time.

Your stand out player this season and your opinion of Slavisa Jokanovic's current coaching team?

Neil Sturton: I honestly think that Fulham's manager, Slavisa Jokanovic, is the best manager Fulham have ever had. He's such a great tactician and has got Fulham playing the best football I've seen for many years. When we bought Kevin McDonald from Wolves, Stefan Johanssen from Celtic and Tom Cairney most Fulham fans didn't really know what he'd spent his money on. Not one Fulham fan thinks that now!! Jokanovic is an incredibly astute manager and has put together a team that has become in my opinion the best footballing team in this league.

Furthermore he has identified an absolute gem in Ryan Sessegnon and the way in which he has protected and nurtured him is a stroke of pure genius. Jokanovic gave Sessegnon his debut as an unknown 16 year old last season and clearly knew what this kid could achieve.

Harris Shaikh: It's easy to look at players such as Sessegnon being key for us this season, and while his goals have been vital, for me Tim Ream at centre-back has been immense. His ability to defend is matched by his ability to pass out of the back, which perfectly suits Jokanovic's style. Without him, there's so many games we wouldn't have won and some of the things he's done have been crucial in gaining vital points. My player of the season so far.

I quite like Slav. His style of football is great on the eye, and now it's started to get results. There was a part this season when we would pass it around the back without much direction, and he wasn't changing the system or anything. We were 17th having lost to teams such as Burton (still their last home win) and not playing any differently. At that stage I was questioning whether he was the right man for the job, but now I know he is, and this recent run we've been on has been great!

Can you name us a rising star of the future?

Neil Sturton: Ryan Sessegnon is not only had an incredible impact on Fulham's resurgence but I think we seem to forget how young he is. This kid is not like Theo Walcott, Raheem Sterling, or Dele Ali all of which got their breaks very early in their careers. Ryan Sessegnon plays with the attitude and confidence of a player that's been at the top of his game way beyond his years. Watch this space and he should definitely be on the plane to Russia!!

Harris Shaikh: Hmmmmmmmmmmm. Rising star? Do I go obvious or try and pick one no one knows? Obvious EVERYONE knows about Ryan Sessegnon, who will undoubtedly have a great future, however our academy has so many young talent waiting to break through. I'd also draw fan's attention to midfielder Matt O'riley, who's played a handful of cups games in centre-mid this year and not looked out of place. One year younger than Sessegnon, I expect him to get more minutes next year and along with Sess, has the potential to become an England international in the future.

Last season you've stood tall against 'the pack' and come out looking like promotion challengers. Is it a case you start bad or has there been a significant turnaround?

Neil Sturton: Last season Fulham came out of nowhere to gate crash the play offs but this year we've done it earlier. Fulham had another slow start this season and it's difficult to pinpoint why but Tom Cairney's early season injury played a major part. Cairney is at the heart of everything we do and his absence early on is why Fulham are not sitting in pole position in the Championship today.

Harris Shaikh: To tell you the truth, I think Slav's teams always seem to be slow starters. When he took Watford up, I seem to remember they started quite slowly and had a late charge up the table, much like we're doing now. I think Slav's style takes time for new players to master, however when they get it, I works well which I think is a big reason. Certain players, for example Stefan Johansen didn't start well this year at all, but now everyone seems to be playing well, and in my opinion, there's no reason we can't go unbeaten for the rest of the season.

Name two to take the promotion places and one to win the playoffs?

Neil Sturton: My prediction this season for the top two is Wolves as champions, Fulham in 2nd and Boro to win the play offs. Hats off to Cardiff City as right now they keep on winning but they're run in is where Fulham will capitalise. Fulham have just played and beat the entire top 6 and that is undoubtedly promotion form whereas Cardiff have some tricky fixtures (Wolves and Villa spring to mind).

Harris Shaikh: The two to go up will be Wolves as first and Cardiff is second (sigh). Then I think Villa will win the playoffs (double sigh). For some reason I can't see us winning a playoff match. Fulham never have.

Name three who are destined for League One football?

Neil Sturton: My prediction for the three relegated teams are Burton Albion, Sunderland and Birmingham.

Harris Shaikh: Three going down will be Burton, Birmingham and Barnsley. Not sure on the order.

Can you name a player on the Leeds squad you'd like to have in yours?

Neil Sturton: Please don't take this personally but right now there really isn't any player in the Leeds squad that I'd replace with any of Fulham's starting XI. A season or two ago Ross McCormack was making big waves but jumping ship to Villa was his biggest mistake yet

Harris Shaikh: Either Pablo Hernandez or Saiz are players I've admired and would fit our system well. Both quite skilful and dangerous players.

Prediction and Scorers for the match?

Neil Sturton: Fulham 3-0 Leeds - Mitrovic with two and Sessegnon

Harris Shaikh: 2-0 Fulham . We look sharp, and the international break will only make us more fresh. By the looks of things your form seems to be poor recently so I can only see us winning.

We'd like to thank Neil and Harris for both of their views which may contrast on age factors but show the feeling is good for Fulham right now.

We wish them luck for the remainder of the season as there Fulham continue their well deserved promotion push.

By Keith Ingham



http://www.weallloveleeds.co.uk/latest/an-interview-with-two-rivals-fulham

 
Marcus Bettinelli can push for first England call-up if he helps propel Fulham back to the Premier League

    Marcus Bettinelli has impressed for Fulham this season in the Championship
    The 25-year-old Fulham shot-stopper has caught the eye of England scouts
    But he must prove himself in the top flight before totally convincing England
    Fulham currently sit third in the Championship with seven matches remaining

Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli will move onto England's radar if he can help propel the Craven Cottage club back to the Premier league.

The 25-year-old has impressed for the Cottagers this season and has caught the eye of England scouts.

But Bettinelli must prove himself in the top-flight before totally convincing England that he has international potential.

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/04/03/15/4AB361AA00000578-5573979-image-a-34_1522767047657.jpg)
Englishman Marcus Bettinelli has impressed this season for Fulham in the Championship

The keeper has played a key role in Fulham's promotion push this season, conceding just four home goals all season having taken over the gloves since David Button sustained an injury.

And Bettinelli, who has the highest distribution accuracy out of any keeper in the Championship, has kept his place, establishing himself as Slavisa Jokanovic's first choice keeper.

The Fulham shot-stopper has played for England Under-21 and will push for senior honours provided the west London club can complete their Premier League return.

The goalkeeper position has been a headache for Gareth Southgate this season; the England manager still not 100 percent sure who his No 1 will be for the World Cup.

Southgate's spies are keeping an eye on the talent in the Championship as they look for future goalkeeping options.

Aston Villa's Sam Johnstone - who is on loan from Manchester United - is another keeper that has caught the eye of England scouts.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5573979/Marcus-Bettinelli-push-England-call-helps-propel-Fulham-Premier-League.html#ixzz5BcmFgYAl
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The highest disribution accuracy by Marcus,well done Marcus.

 
Three Players to Watch: Matchday 40 vs. Leeds United
Another Tuesday. Another midweek fixture.

Welp, that was a nervy three points in the bag. With the first 45 minutes being more of a feeling-out process and Norwich really going for it the first 15 ticks into the second half, it genuinely didn't look like Fulham's day. But all it took was a towering header by the man of the winter, Aleksander Mitrovic, to be saved sheepishly by Angus Gunn only for Stefan Johansen to tap in the rebound for the good guys to join in on the fold. Fulham may have been outshot 14-10 on the day, but Norwich were wasteful with their attempts and only got 0.9 expected goals to show for it. Thanks to their goals from inside the box, Fulham ended getting their usual tier of efficiency of 1.1 expected goals.

Now the numbers guy in me would prefer for Fulham to return to their days where they held onto possession throughout the entirety of the 90 minutes and found a way to rack up 20 shots per fixture. But I'm sure all football fans couldn't care less how it gets done as long as the club have the quality from the top down to get the job done. That is certainly what Fulham have at the moment.

Salvisa Jokanovic was able to come away from Carrow Road with three points without Ryan Sessegnon, Tomas Kalas in the starting XI or Neeskens Kebano on the bench. Most importantly, not a single injury was reported after last Friday's fixture so the squad should be ready to go and continue their expected rotation against another vulnerable side in Leeds United.

Since we last faced them, the historic club from Yorkshire have done their usual dance of flirting with promotion, followed by such a cold spell that they struggle to recover. While this season's rut happened much earlier, that still didn't give new ownership enough reasons to sack Thomas Christiansen, who wasn't even managing the club for more than a season. In comes longtime Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom and you can't help but feel like this is a desperation hire.

The results really haven't gone the club's way and it certainly doesn't help that major injuries are preventing them from hitting their full potential. Add in the fact that their attack has been among the worst in the league based on their meager 11.8 shots per fixture and you're looking at a not-so-confident bunch coming to Craven Cottage tonight.

Still, Fulham are only sitting two points above Aston Villa for third place while seven points separate fourth through 11th. Anything at the top of the Championship table is still up for grabs and that alone should be a good reminder for Fulham to not take their foot off the gas pedal.

On that note, let's see who the key men are left standing that will do a shift for Heckingbottom's squad.

Pierre-Michel Lassoga

As has been stated already, Leeds will be a side that will make you feel like they poach goals from nowhere instead of having you concerned from minute one. But if there is one player that will give complete effort in attack, it will be the 26-year old loanee from Hamburg with 10 goals and 3 assists to his account. Like Mitrovic, Lassoga is a hulking presence at 6'2.5" and he will be an intimidating presence in the air and on the ground. Add in the fact that this is a player that has been called up to the German national team and has almost 130 Bundesliga appearances under his belt and you realize why he cannot be ignored under any circumstances.

But if he ends up getting bottled up, rest assured that it is almost curtains for Leeds United's offensive output. Once you pass Lassoga's 3.7 shots per 90 minutes, the next man up in this leaderboard that has been getting a consistent run of games of late has been Samuel Saiz's 2.3 per 90 minutes. No other regular has been getting more than 1.2 shots per 90 minutes. Kemar Roofe has been either out of form or out injured as has Pablo Hernandez. Even the previously white hot Ezgjan Alioski hasn't been getting a run of games of late. These are grim times for a Leeds side that just needs somebody to step up in that department.

Samuel Saiz

As for Saiz, he has certainly been a useful player for the club after signing from Huesca in Spain's second division. The former Real Madrid academy product has mainly played in the center of the of the attacking midfield trio in Leeds' 4-2-3-1 and has mainly been a solid creator for the players around him to attack. However, Saiz has mainly been implemented right behind the striker and not necessarily in the box-to-box midfielder role that Tom Cairney has.

This is all fine when you have the players around you that can be just as threatening at and towards goal as Saiz can be (5 goals and 6 assists). But if it doesn't work the way it should, it creates a chain reaction of negativity towards the rest of the team on both sides of the ball. Either way, Saiz is not one for Fulham to sleep on and he has a good array of skills to put anyone in a mental funk as to how to best mark him.

Gaetano Berardi

Lastly, we take focus on one of Leeds' remaining defenders left standing. Pontus Janssen is still in the fold, but Luke Ayling and club captain Liam Cooper are not. As a result, a unit that has build a solid reputation in goal prevention recently has now given up 17 goals in their past nine games. Add in the fact that Eunan O'Kane (who has gotten worse every season since he's left Bournemouth) and Kalvin Phillips (a 22-year old youth product that just hasn't fully completed his development) are just simply not a good enough double pivot in the center of midfield and you certainly have a back four that is stretched more than usual.

That's certainly not to say that the 28-year old Berardi is not blameless here. His interception rate is down and any semblance of attacking has been non-existent from him all season long. But you would also be afraid too when you have five attacking players that have to put so much effort to create so little and the rest of midfield not be able to prevent counter-attacks from happening. The truth is, individual data in football very rarely are that simple to explain. Context is everything, especially for the never-ending chaos going down at Elland Road.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/4/3/17191840/three-players-to-watch-matchday-40-vs-leeds-united

 
EFL Awards 2018

Fulham will have a considerable presence at the 2018 EFL Awards, with Ryan Sessegnon, Tom Cairney and Ryan Fredericks all recognised.


The trio have all been named in the Championship Team of the Season, alongside John Ruddy, Conor Coady, John Terry, Ruben Neves, James Maddison, Albert Adomah, Bobby Reid and Matej Vydra.

Cairney and Sessegnon are also in contention for the main event of the evening; Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season. Their competition comes in the form of Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Neves.

Managers of every club voted for these accolades in their respective divisions, as they did for EA Sports Young Player of the Season – a category in which Sessegnon is also in the final three. Neves again provides the competition, alongside Norwich City's Maddison.

Sessegnon could end the evening with four awards, as he is in contention for LFE Championship Apprentice of the Year. He was put forward for this by the Fulham Academy, and is up against Alex Hunt of Sheffield Wednesday and Reading's Danny Loader.

The ceremony will take place at the London Hilton on Park Lane on Sunday 15th April.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/april/03/efl-awards-2018

 
Match Preview: Fulham v Leeds United - Can Whites hold firm to deny rampant Cottagers?

After recording a rare victory over Bolton Wanderers at Elland Road on Good Friday, Leeds United face promotion aspirants Fulham at Craven Cottage tonight...

For Leeds United, Good Friday was most pleasurable. Caleb Ekuban's first goal of the season, scored in the juvenescence of a competitive duel, sent the Whites on their way to a rare victory as they defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-1.

However, joy in football is ephemeral. The victory, welcome though it was, was not a panacea for the myriad ailments of the Elland Road club. Leeds remain anchored to midtable, and the chain is one seemingly adamantine, and one wrought by their own careless hands. One victory does not transform the middling into the marvellous - Caleb Ekuban can hardly be anointed a goal-poaching prodigy after one strike against a floundering Bolton - and myriad issues still require resolution. With his contract due to expire, what is to become of Pablo Hernandez? Also, what is to become of Pawel Cibicki and his ilk, given that he ostensibly has no future at the club?

Those issues merit swift and decisive action, but will most likely seen to once the Championship season has concluded. For now, matters on the pitch take on greater precedence, particularly in the minds of the supporters. Tonight's trip to Fulham promises to be an eminently tricky one. The Cottagers are third in the table, and find themselves in a propitious position as they bid to avenge last season's defeat in the play-offs to Reading. When United hosted them at Elland Road in August, the end result was a goalless stalemate, but one feels that repeating the feat tonight is a rather more arduous task.

For Fulham, since a 1-0 defeat away to Sunderland in December, have perchance been the division's most proficient team. That worsting by the Mackems is their most recent in Championship football. Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa, Sheffield United and Derby have since been vanquished by Slavisa Jokanovic's charges, who plausibly play some of the most aesthetically gratifying stuff in the country. Spearheaded by Ryan Sessegnon, Alexander Mitrovic and Lucas Piazon, they play progressively and seamlessly through the thirds, with mouthwatering adroitness, passing and probing and carving opponents asunder with technical brilliance. Promotion, as it was last season, is within their grasp and, after letting it slip so ruefully last season, Fulham will be keen to take that next step this time around.

Will Leeds put a dampener on the Cottagers' aspirations of promotion? Or will Fulham exert further pressure upon Cardiff City with yet another victory?

Have your say by leaving a comment below!

Team News

Fulham

Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic has a full complement of players from which to select his matchday squad for this clash.

Alexander Mitrovic is expected to work in tandem with Ryan Sessegnon and Lucas Piazon in attack, whilst Tim Ream is likely to partner Denis Odoi in central defence.

Leeds United

Leeds United head coach Paul Heckingbottom must be regardful of a burgeoning injury list when selecting his side for this match.

Metronomic midfielder Adam Forshaw is the member of the squad at Elland Road to be ailed by injury, and Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper, Conor Shaughnessy, Tyler Roberts, Kemar Roofe and Laurens De Bock are all also sidelined with injury.

After scoring his maiden Championship goal to hand United the lead against Bolton on Good Friday, Caleb Ekuban is expected to partner Pierre-Michel Lasogga in attack again here.

Predicted Lineups

Fulham (4-3-3): Bettinelli; Fredericks, Odoi, Ream, Targett; Johansen, McDonald, Cairney; Piazon, Mitrovic, Sessegnon.

Leeds United (4-4-2): Peacock-Farrell; Dallas, Jansson, Pennington, Berardi; Saiz, Vieira, O'Kane, Hernandez; Lasogga, Ekuban.

Recent Form

Leeds enter this match having recorded, after a tortuous wait, only their second win since Boxing Day after defeating Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at Elland Road on Good Friday, bur the Whites are in otherwise egregious form.

Meanwhile, Fulham will be highly confident of narrowing the gap between themselves and Cardiff City, the occupants of second place, having not lost a Championship match since December.

Fulham: WWWWDW

Leeds United: WLLDLW

Team Statistics

Fulham (3rd)

Record: 20 wins, 12 draws and seven losses.

Scored: 68.

Conceded: 41.

Top Goalscorer: Ryan Sessegnon (14).

Most Assists: Ryan Fredericks (7).

Shots Per Game: 13.7.

Average Possession: 57.2%.

Average Pass Completion: 82.8%.

Average Aerials Won: 16

Leeds United (12th)

Record: 15 wins, eight draws and 16 losses.

Scored: 52.

Conceded: 54.

Top Goalscorer: Pierre-Michel Lasogga (10).

Most Assists: Pablo Hernandez (8).


Shots Per Game: 11.8.

Average Possession: 50.1%.

Average Pass Completion: 72.4%.

Average Aerials Won: 22.

Kick-Off and Coverage

The game is scheduled to begin at 19:45 (GMT), and coverage shall be available via BBC Radio Leeds from 19:00.

Officials

Referee: Peter Bankes, who has officiated 25 Championship fixtures this season - showing 90 yellow cards and five reds.

Assistants: Daniel Leach and Timothy Wood.

Fourth Official: Craig Hicks.

Writer's Verdict: A tough night is in prospect for middling United

Good Friday's victory over Bolton Wanderers was most certainly a welcome one. It was, beyond peradventure, a pleasant day. A packed Elland Road, with a febrile atmosphere within. Caleb Ekuban netting his first league goal for the club and then grinning like a Chesire cat as he wheeled away to celebrate. Pablo Hernandez's winning goal. Three points.

It was a pleasurable afternoon, with more positives to celebrate than negatives to lament.

But, then again, it was only Bolton. I try to refrain from being pejorative, but Phil Parkinson's team, on the day, were easy pickings. Their impotence in attack served to perfectly explain their being embroiled in a relegation battle. The final scoreline, 2-1, flattered them. Had Ekuban been less profligate in front of goal, it might have been 4-1.

Tonight's match against Fulham will be immeasurably more difficult. Slavisa Jokanovic's team are rampant. They will most certainly enjoy a hegemony of possession. They will most certainly fashion chances. They will most certainly force Leeds to weather an attacking storm or two.

Which begs the question: can Leeds hold firm and secure a result that would confound all expectation?

I suspect not. I anticipate a comfortable victory for the hosts, but I would implore fellow supporters to be temperate in that event. The focus must be the bigger picture. Whilst it would be nice, while Heckingbottom gets the lie of the land, to pick up a few wins here and there, what we all really want is for this season to end and summer to begin.

Prediction: Fulham 3-1 Leeds United



https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/leedsunited/news/47841/

 
Fulham vs Leeds United LIVE: Confirmed team news and match updates from Craven Cottage

Join Ryan O'Donovan and Scott Trotter for live updates as Fulham take on Leeds at Craven Cottage

Another day, another match.

This time, Fulham welcome Leeds United to Craven Cottage as they aim to build on the 2-0 victory over Norwich City on Good Friday that saw the side consolidate their place in third.

A last-minute equaliser saw Cardiff City take a point last night, but Slavisa Jokanovic's team can respond by picking up three points against Leeds at the Cottage this evening.

Last season, Tom Cairney's last-gasp equaliser sent the fans into raptures, but Fulham will be hoping to take all three points from the tie tonight as they look to keep pressure on Cardiff.

Kick off is at 7.45pm, but we'll have live team news and match and goal updates right here.



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-vs-leeds-united-live-14487852

 
Fulham vs Leeds TEAM NEWS: Ryan Sessegnon returns to the starting XI

Just the one change for Fulham this evening as their 17-year-old wonderkid returns to the starting XI

Ryan Sessegnon returns to the Fulham starting XI for today's tie with Leeds United in the only change from the 2-0 victory over Norwich City.

Slavisa Jokanovic had named the 17-year-old on the bench for the trip to Norfolk, but has decided to recall him in place of Lucas Piazon for the visit of Leeds this evening.

Elsewhere it's as you were for the Whites, with Denis Odoi continuing to start at centre back alongside Tim Ream, with Chelsea loanee Tomas Kalas having to settle for a place on the bench once more.

Aleksandar Mitrovic leads the line once again, flanked by Sessegnon and Floyd Ayite, while Player of the Year contender Tom Cairney lines up alongside Stefan Johansen and Kevin McDonald in midfield.

Meanwhile, Neeskens Kebano returns to the Fulham squad and finds a place on the bench.

Fulham: Bettinelli, Fredericks, Odoi, Ream, Targett, McDonald, Cairney, Johansen, Sessegnon, Ayite and Mitrovic

Subs: Button, Kebano, Norwood, Piazon, Christie, Kalas and Kamara



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-vs-leeds-team-news-14488613