Fulham were robbed against Liverpool by the absence of VAR — why the Premier League must act
With 40 minutes gone during Liverpool's clash with Fulham at Anfield, a succession of decisions changed the course of the match and revealed why the Premier League must institute a Video Assistant Referee system.
Off a short corner, Tom Cairney received the ball and whipped in a cross to the far post. As Liverpool's defence stepped up to apply an offsides trap, right back Andrew Robertson was slow to react.
Aleksandar Mitrovic received the ball, unmarked, and nodded home past Alisson with ease. Yet the linesman inexplicably raised his flag and incorrectly called the Serbian offside.
Within moments, Alisson had picked the ball out of the net, rolled it forward to take the free kick, and set the Reds out on the counterattack while the ball was still moving. Less than 15 seconds later, Mohamed Salah slotted home past Sergio Rico to put the home side 1-0 up.
It was a comedy of errors and revealed the disgraceful, backwards stance of the Premier League to not use VAR in its matches.
Firstly, the Mitrovic goal would have been confirmed, albeit narrowly, by VAR. In addition, due to the review time after the ball had gone in the net, Liverpool would have never been granted an opportunity to counter so quickly. And even if they had done, VAR would have chalked off the goal due to the moving nature of the ball before Alisson pumped it forward.
Fulham were embarrassingly robbed of a valid opening goal against Liverpool, a fact which all football supporters should accept as disgusting.
Even Liverpool fans can agree the league needs VAR: the Reds saw Sadio Mane's legitimate goal called incorrectly offsides against Arsenal last week, a decision that would have been overruled by the review system.
The Premier League needs to institute VAR at the start of next season, thereby catching up with the rest of the world and moving out of the dark ages.
https://tbrfootball.com/fulham-were-robbed-against-liverpool-by-the-absence-of-var-why-the-premier-league-must-act/
Why Match of the Day 2 believe Fulham's performance against Liverpool offers something to build on
Jermaine Jenas saw enough from the first half spell to see the side have been working on the defence in training
Fulham's performance against Liverpool is something that Match of the Day 2 pundit Jermaine Jenas believes the side can build on heading into a crucial tie with Southampton.
Slavisa Jokanovic went with a more defensive line up at Anfield, playing two holding midfielders in Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Calum Chambers, while Alfie Mawson was recalled to the centre back spot with Denis Odoi.
It seemed to work for the first 40 minutes, where a resolute Fulham limited Liverpool and started to frustrate them and the away side should've got themselves ahead when Aleksandar Mitrovic nodded home, only to be ruled out for an incorrect offside decision before Mo Salah scored just 12 seconds later.
Compared to recent performances, especially the one on Monday night, it was a turn in the right direction for Fulham and Jenas saw enough from that display to tell him that things had been worked on at the training ground and that the performance is something the side can build on from here on in.
Speaking on MOTD2, he said: "I saw a 40 minute display, which was an organised display, that showed me they'd been working on a few things on the training ground that I think they can lean on, build on going into not only a huge fixture after the international break but future games as well.
"They're one of only two teams in the Football League not to keep a clean sheet and when that's the case you need to do something drastic.
"It was clear that back four today wanted to stay very narrow. Yes, you're then asking your wingers to do more work but in that first 40 minutes, before the goal happened, they made life difficult for Liverpool.
"Liverpool like to pick you apart in these areas and play through you but the gaps remained tight, the midfielders were pressing and getting into Liverpool's faces whenever they could, and I felt like Liverpool were becoming frustrated.
"Fulham can take this into games in an attacking aspect too. It looks negative and it looks defensive but when you have pace like Ryan Sessegnon in your team, Schurrle getting up there, you have opportunities on the counter to make things happen.
"I just think it's something they can build on. Finally it looks like he's getting them organised!
"First and foremost, when you're leaking the amount of goals they're leaking you need to stop leaking goals and then we can talk about playing with more flair, being expansive and being more creative.
"But if you're conceded three goals a game as they were, you're not going to win games."
https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/match-day-2-believe-fulhams-15403397
Fulham Win Premier League Cup Clash
U's beaten by top flight opponents
Colchester United U23s lost the second game of their Premier League Cup campaign on Saturday, as they took on Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The U's started strongly, but fell behind after ten minutes, when Thompson fired home from close range past Callum Coulter.
The Cottagers made it 2-0 just before the half hour mark. O'Riley slid through a pass to Atkinson, who in turn set up Santo-Clase to make it 2-0.
Sims set up Forino to head towards goal, only for Ashby-Hammond to save and keep the home side's advantage.
And two became three when O'Riley made it 3-0 as he scored on the rebound to extend the lead on the stroke of half time.
O'Riley got his second and Fulham's fourth five minutes after the break when he struck home a free kick into the bottom corner.
And he completed his hat-trick with fifteen minutes to go with a chipped effort over Coulter.
It made it two wins from two for the home side in this year's cup competition, whilst the U's have lost both to date.
https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2018/november/fulham-win-premier-league-cup-clash/
Slavisa Jokanovic: Why Fulham manager deserves more time - Alan Shearer analysisStatistically, Fulham are one of the worst teams in Premier League history - but I still believe they should stick with their manager Slavisa Jokanovic and give him a chance to turn things around.Form-wise, things are pretty grim for the Cottagers, who lost 2-0 to Liverpool on Sunday and remain bottom of the table with the worst defensive record in any of Europe's top five leagues after a sixth straight Premier League defeat - a club record.
Since the Premier League began in 1992, only two teams have had fewer points or a worse goal difference than Jokanovic's side after 12 matches, and only once has a side conceded more goals.
Premier League - worst starts after 12 games| Fewest points | Worst goal difference | Most goals conceded |
| 4 Everton (1994-95) | -26 Barnsley (1997-98) | 35 Barnsley (1997-98) |
| 4 QPR (2012-13) | -21 Derby (2007-08) | 31 Fulham (2018-19) |
| 5 Fulham (2018-19) | -20 Fulham (2018-19) | 31 Leeds (2003-04) |
Many managers have been sacked for less - and I understand why clubs panic and make changes when there is an international break - but there are still reasons Jokanovic should get more time.
He was given more than £100m to build a new team over the summer, so 12 games in seems very early to decide he is now not good enough.
Jokanovic has a track record of improving after slow starts too - last November, the Cottagers were 17th in the Championship after winning only four of their first 17 games, but they went on to win promotion.
By the sounds of it, the Fulham fans are still behind him, and another encouraging thing is who they are up against in the battle to stay up.
Although Fulham look like a very poor team at the moment, there are six others of a similarly low standard at the bottom of the table - so you cannot write any of them off.
| Premier League - bottom seven | | | | | | |
| Position/Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 14. Newcastle | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -6 | 9 |
| 15. Burnley | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -6 | 9 |
| 16. Crystal Palace | 12 | 2 | 2 | 7 | -9 | 8 |
| 17. Southampton | 12 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -13 | 8 |
| 18. Cardiff City | 12 | 2 | 2 | 8 | -14 | 9 |
| 19. Huddersfield | 12 | 1 | 4 | 7 | -16 | 7 |
| 20. Fulham | 12 | 1 | 2 | 9 | -20 | 5 |
Saints game could decide Jokanovic futureIt does not help Jokanovic is that he clearly does not have a clue what his best team is yet - he has chopped and changed players for every game so far.
But you could not fault their effort against the Reds, and there were some encouraging signs in that game despite the result.
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Jokanovic has made 33 line-up changes in Fulham's 12 Premier League games this season - another of the promoted teams, Wolves, have made two. Against Liverpool, he brought Cyrus Christie and Alfie Mawson into his back-four, and recalled Calum Chambers as a defensive midfielderDefensively, they definitely looked a better side than when I have seen them before this season.
They created chances too, but it is not much good if you are doing all of that and still being beaten.
It is refreshing that no Premier League clubs have changed their managers yet, but clearly Jokanovic's future depends on results improving quickly.
He is not the only one. Fulham's next game is at home to Southampton on 24 November, and Saints boss Mark Hughes is also under pressure.
That is a massive game for both clubs and both managers and if the Fulham board are considering Jokanovic's position, then I think it is one he has to win.
At last Fulham find a formation that works?Southampton boss Hughes felt a big decision went against his side when they had a goal disallowed in their draw with Watford on Saturday and Jokanovic was also unhappy with the way his side fell behind at Anfield.
Jokanovic had a point too. The officials were right to disallow Aleksandar Mitrovic's header because he was just offside - by his shoulder - but Liverpool's goal 14 seconds later should not have stood either.
The ball was still rolling when Alisson took the free-kick to launch the attack that ended with Mohamed Salah scoring and, if we had video assistant referee (VAR) in the Premier League, that would have been spotted.
So Fulham were unlucky to fall behind, especially after looking far more solid than usual up until then, and frustrating a strong Liverpool forward line.
Calum Chambers was sitting in front of another new-look back four playing together for the first time, but looked like a more settled unit.
If Jokanovic is trying to find a formation that works defensively, then that was probably the biggest positive he can take away from the game.
At 0-0 they had some chances at the other end too, the best one falling to Ryan Sessegnon who ran clear but shot wide.
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Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic did put the ball in the net but his header was disallowed for a marginal offside decisionCreating opportunities is one thing, though, and taking them is another.
The Cottagers have now failed to score in their past four matches and scoring goals is becoming just as much of an issue for them as stopping them has been.
It is obvious they have been working on things at the back, because they made a slight improvement in that department at Anfield - now they have got two weeks to get better in attack too.
Everyone at the bottom has got their own problemsDespite their awful run, Fulham are only three points below Crystal Palace in 16th place, and everyone else down at the bottom of the table have got their own problems too.
Newcastle have had two great wins to climb the table but before then they were struggling for goals, just like Crystal Palace and Saints.
Burnley were shipping goals all over the place until their 0-0 draw with Leicester on Saturday and although Cardiff and Huddersfield are triers, they lack quality.
Looking at the table and what we have seen already this season, it is any three from the bottom seven who will be going down.
Just above them, I think Wolves, Brighton and West Ham have got enough about them to stay out of trouble, but it is going to be a real scrap for survival for the rest.
Things like confidence and momentum will play a big part, as we have seen in the past couple of weeks.
Newcastle have gone from 20th to 16th after taking seven points from their past three games - but even one win is huge when you are desperate for points.
It is the same with Cardiff's win over Brighton this weekend, and the belief that they and the Magpies have got right now is the biggest difference between them and Fulham going into this international break.
Things are even tighter at the bottom of the table than they are at the top, and this is a battle where nobody is going to be sure of safety until the very end of the season.
Alan Shearer was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46175384
Fulham's stroke of bad fortune but positives to take - Talking points from defeat to Liverpool
Here's what we took away from Anfield and Fulham's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday
Calum Chambers and his defensive midfield position
It seems that we weren't the only one surprised by the formation that Slavisa Jokanovic went for in Fulham's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool - after the game Jurgen Klopp admitted he was taken aback by a starting XI that included five defenders.
It was one that saw Alfie Mawson come in at centre back while Maxime Le Marchand was pushed out to left back, while Cyrus Christie was rewarded for his gritty performance against Huddersfield with a start at right back.
Jokanovic went for two holding midfielders to protect the back four - Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who has struggled since a big money move from Marseille in the summer, was paired with Calum Chambers in a defensive midfield pairing.
After Chambers' performances against Watford and Cardiff City, it certainly raised eyebrows, but the 23-year-old put in an encouraging display at Anfield and didn't look out of place in the holding role.
He covered the ground well and his reading of the game was good - more often than not he could see where the danger was and would make sure he was across to cover it.
Putting two defensive midfielders in meant that Fulham looked a lot more compact and solid defensively, while Anguissa looked a bit better with someone next to him in that role.
It's baby steps, but Chambers in defensive midfield offers Jokanovic an option that he perhaps hadn't thought about until now, and it's one we could see more of going forward from here.
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(Image: Barrington Coombs/PA Wire)
Ryan Sessegnon's lack of shooting boots?
Last season, the 18-year-old was lethal in front of goal and bagged himself 16 goals.
For whatever reason, he hasn't found his shooting boots yet in this campaign, scoring just the once in the 4-2 defeat at Cardiff.
Sessegnon was presented with a glorious chance at 0-0 at Anfield, being played through by a lovely Aleksandar Mitrovic knock down, but he dragged his effort wide when he went one on one.
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(Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Had that been at Bramall Lane, the City Ground or any of the other Championship venues, my money would've been on him making the net ripple.
Clearly, the Premier League is a different kettle of fish to last season and for the most part, the 18-year-old has done well to adapt, but his lack of finishing this season is a bit of a sticking point for the wonderkid.
It seems to be Merseyside too - at Everton, he had a great chance to make it 1-0 when he was played through, but his effort hit the crossbar and bounced away to safety.
It's another one that you look at and think he would've most likely scored it last season.
That said, it's worth remembering that Sessegnon is still just 18 and is playing in some of the best venues in world football, and against some of the best talent too, and he's holding his own.
The goals will come, what is important is that the young man doesn't let the missed chances affect his confidence ahead of a vital game with Southampton after the international break.
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(Image: Simon Galloway/PA Wire)
Two decisions go against Fulham for Liverpool's first goal
When you're struggling down the bottom of the league, everything seems to go against you.
After a very encouraging first 40 minutes, it looked like Fulham had actually got themselves in front at Anfield when Tom Cairney's ball unlocked the Liverpool defence, with Mitrovic popping up to nod home.
It looked onside and it's a decision that Jokanovic said had 'disrespected his team' after the game, but if that wasn't enough, Liverpool went up the other end and scored just 14 seconds later after Alisson took the free kick with the ball still rolling.
Having played so well and frustrated the Reds for that amount of time, conceding like that was a real kick in the teeth for Fulham and it's one of those that shows when things are against you, they're against you.
That said, they say these things even themselves out over the course of the season, and one can only hope that's true as Fulham need a bit of a lift from somewhere.
Sergio Rico now cemented as number one
For all the talking that Fulham's three goalkeepers made people do at the start of the season, Sergio Rico has now cemented himself as the number one.
After his performance at Anfield, I don't think there can be any doubt that the Sevilla loanee is by far and away the best keeper the club have on their books at the moment, and having him between the sticks will only boost the defensive prospects of the side.
Since his debut against Bournemouth, he looks like he's getting better game by game and is improving in confidence between the sticks, pulling off some wonderful saves against Salah and Sadio Mane on Sunday.
Communication doesn't seem to be a problem either, despite it being suggested earlier in the season - he's as loud as anyone on the pitch and doesn't mind telling his players where exactly they should be.
His ability to play with the ball at his feet too is something the side have needed, it allows them an outlet from the back while his kicking doesn't find touch, but instead the head of Mitrovic.
It was a very good performance from Sergio Rico, and you feel that if Fulham will stay up this season, he'll have a large part to play in it.
An encouragement to take into the international break and Southampton
Despite it being a seventh defeat in a row for Fulham, the performance the side put in was certainly encouraging and something they can build on during this international break.
After the poor performance at Huddersfield on Monday night, Jokanovic needed a reaction from his players at Anfield and he got just that, with the squad all looking like they were pulling in the same direction for their head coach.
Fulham were never expected to win at Liverpool, but they were expected to put in some heart and some fight, and I think they did that with their performances, especially in the first half.
Southampton after the break is a massive game and it's a game that has to be targeted for three points.
They're in trouble themselves and have had changes behind the scenes, and with the game being at Craven Cottage it's a game Fulham simply have to win.
If they do, it puts them level on points with Southampton and really drags themselves back from the abyss, if not, it could spell the end for Jovanovic.
https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulhams-stroke-bad-fortune-positives-15403481
Fulham Fashion Out Now(http://ffcw001.azureedge.net/-/media/retail/2018_19/fashion/autumn-fashion-news.jpg?w=622&h=278)
The Fulham FC Autumn Winter Fashion lines are out now, with a host of new products to suit everyone, and available to purchase online and instore.
Check out the stylish new Ribbed Hoody and Pant set, or the Quilted Jacket, perfect to keep you warm in the coming winter months!
With December fast approaching, also now instore are this year's Christmas Jumpers - will you opt for the Fairisle or Christmas Tree?
With a full leisurewear range to choose from including tracksuits and hoodies, polos and FFC Retro range, shop now and show off your support for the Whites in style.
Fans can buy online or in person from the Stadium Store today. 18/19 Season Ticket Holders can also take advantage of 10% off in the Stadium Store, on production of their Season Ticket Card.
http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/november/12/fulham-fashion
Mark Schwarzer gives his thoughts on Fulham's Premier League woes
Former Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer thinks the Premier League strugglers lack continuity, cohesion and leaders.
With the Premier League campaign nearly a third of the way in, many Fulham fans are currently feeling rather anxious.
Following promotion from the Championship, the Cottagers began the season brightly, picking up a win and two draws from their first six top-flight fixtures.
Since the 1-1 draw with Watford on September 22, however, Fulham's form has taken a dive, with six consecutive losses sending Slavisa Jokanovic's side to the bottom of the table.
In those six games, Fulham have scored just three goals and conceded a worrying 18, while Sunday's 2-0 loss at Liverpool was their third league match without getting on the score sheet.
With alarm bells ringing at Craven Cottage, former Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has given his thoughts on possible reasons behind the West Londoners' downturn in form.
The 46-year-old pundit suggested that Jokanovic is unsure of his best starting XI, pointing out that Sergio Rico had only played twice prior to the defeat against Liverpool.
Schwarzer, who made 220 appearances for the Cottagers between 2008 and 2013, also claimed that the team lacks leaders and cohesion, looking more like a group of individuals than a solid unit.
"Rico has only played two games [before the Liverpool game]," the Australian told BT Sport.
"They're rotating so many players. There's no continuity. There's never any opportunity to create understanding between players.
"The thing that worries me is that every player is watching the ball. There's no leaders there. There's no one organising the defence. They're all playing like individuals.
"It doesn't work that way. You can only do that so much. You've got to have a team. You've got to work together. At the moment, Fulham aren't working together.
"It's a concern because they did so well last season. This season they look like a side that have just been thrown together to hope for the best."
https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/11/12/mark-schwarzer-gives-his-thoughts-on-fulham-premier-league-woes/
"I'll Give Up On Football" - Social Media Reacts As Alan Pardew Becomes The Shock Favourite To Manage This Premier League Club
Fulham are in all sorts of trouble at the foot of the Premier League table.
The confidence-crushed Cottagers have scraped only five points since they returned to the top-flight, and the future of boss Slavisa Jokanovic is dangling dangerously by the smallest of threads after his troops suffered their seventh straight defeat in all competitions over the weekend in a 2-0 loss at Liverpool.
The struggling Serb remains the short-priced favourite to become the first victim of the Sack Race, but should he survive the international break, a failure to beat relegation rivals Southampton in two weeks time would surely seal his fate.
However, it's fair to say that the Next Fulham Manager Market does not exactly make for great reading for Fulham fans.
Claudio Ranieri aside, there's some absolute stinkers in the mix, perhaps none more so than Alan Pardew who was quite remarkably installed as the odds-on favourite for the post over the weekend, ahead of Ranieri, David Moyes, Big Sam, Steve Bruce and Chris Coleman.
As you'd expect, this hasn't gone down particularly well with the Fulham faithful, while football fans in general have taken to social media to have their say on this shock market move.
Hold on, pardew is 1/2 to be next fulham manager ffs (@shane16dav)
How the hell is Alan Pardew odds on favourite for the Fulham job? How is he even being linked to premier league teams still? (@mikeenglishcfc)
No chance it's Pardew. Could see us going for one of the "usual suspects", but it'd be Big Sam or Moyes. If Pardew gets another Prem job after his WBA stint (especially the Fulham one) I'll give up on Football. (@JckGrg)
Pardew to Fulham? Outstanding scenes. They'll stay up comfortably, he'll be the messiah for a few months and by Christmas 2019 they'll be wanting to set his house on fire. Rinse and repeat.(@wheelerdeeler)
Roy would have sorted this lot out defensively in no time, and imagine what Rafa could do with a budget. Though I do wish we had some more young managers to choose from. As for Pardew, just shoot me now. (@TheMixedUpBrit)
https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/i-ll-give-up-on-football-social-media-reacts-as-alan-pardew-becomes-the-shock-favourite-to-manage-this-premier-league-club
West Ham United Tickets(http://ffcw001.azureedge.net/-/media/tickets/2018-19/west_ham_united/west_ham_news_mem.jpg?w=622&h=278)
Join us for our third home London derby of the 18/19 campaign on Saturday 15th December.The Whites take on West Ham United at Craven Cottage with kick-off at 5:30pm and tickets are now on sale to Members and supporters with Booking History. Season Ticket Holders can also purchase up to four additional tickets each.
Tickets are priced from £30 adults and £20 juniors and are available online, by phone on 0203 871 0810 or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.
Supporters are advised that any Memberships must have been purchased before 10am on Tuesday 6th November to be eligible to purchase tickets to this fixture.
http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/november/12/west-ham-on-sale
Pablo Fornals rejects West Ham, Fulham offers
Villarreal midfielder Pablo Fornals has rejected approaches from West Ham United and Fulham, say reports in the Spanish press.
The talented Spanish central midfielder does not want to 'abandon his team in the situation in which it is currently', according to a report in Cadena Ser.
The 22-year-old joined the Yellow Submarine from Malaga last summer and his performances helped lead the team to a top five finish last campaign.
However, this season has taken a turn for the worse at the club and they lie just one point above the drop zone in Spain after the opening 12 rounds of fixtures.
Fornals has a €30m release clause at the Madrigal with both London clubs willing to trigger this in January but the player himself has no intention of moving before the end of the campaign.
Villarreal are said to be hopeful of a new deal which will heighten the midfielder's release clause.
https://www.football-espana.net/75507/pablo-fornals-rejects-west-ham-fulham-offers
Liverpool match 'turned' due to 'mistakes': Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic demands more help from referees
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Controversial call: Aleksandar Mitrovic's header is ruled out ( Action Images via Reuters )
Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has joined Southampton's Charlie Austin in demanding more help for Premier League referees, after his header was ruled out in Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Anfield.
Replays showed Mitrovic appeared to be level with Liverpool's Andy Robertson before beating goalkeeper Alisson with a header but it was disallowed for offside. Mo Salah opened the scoring 12 seconds later after a quick counter-attack which Alisson began while Fulham players were celebrating.
The decision followed Austin's furious rant over his disallowed goal in Saints' 1-1 draw against Watford on Saturday.
"If this is the best, most-watched League in the world, then give them [the officials] all the help they need. It is a joke," said Austin, who called for the English top flight to introduce the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Mitrovic echoed Austin's sentiments as he told Standard Sport: "Like Charlie said, this is the best League in the world, the most expensive League, the most watched League. A lot of money is invested in this League and small details like that can change a game.
"Mistakes happen, but they [referees] need more help. Don't get me wrong, they're human beings — they make mistakes — but they need help to avoid situations like this.
"I've seen it [the incident] back — I was onside but the referee didn't think so. In my opinion, he made two mistakes: first for the goal and then, afterwards, for the counter-attack.
"The ball was moving [when Alisson took the free-kick following the disallowed goal]. These mistakes shouldn't happen. The big teams don't need this kind of help and this moment turned the game.
"After [the decision], I was trying to adjust quickly. I didn't see the ball was moving at the time but I saw after on the replay. You cannot allow that. If we had scored before half-time, it would have been a different game. We had our chances, we played good. Defensively we were good, stayed in shape, played as a team. But they scored that first goal at the worst time for us and then the second goal finished the game."
Liverpool doubled their lead after the break, when Robertson crossed for Xherdan Shaqiri to volley home.
Slavisa Jokanovic said the decision to rule out Mitrovic's header had "shown disrespect to my team, myself and Fulham supporters", comments which may interest the FA. The defeat cranked up the pressure on the Serbian, whose side remain bottom of the Premier League after six straight defeats.
Mitrovic is backing Jokanovic to turn things around. "We're all under pressure," he said. "True, it's him first, but we're all under pressure. We were all behind him together when we were promoted and now we're in a bad situation we're all together.
"There were positive signs but after defeat nobody is happy. The feeling was that we wanted it a lot more than the last game [a 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield]. We were close, we had chances."
After the international break, Fulham face Austin's Southampton in a crunch clash at Craven Cottage. Saints moved into 17th place, three points clear of Fulham, following the Hornets draw and Mitrovic is in no doubt about the significance of the fixture.
"It's massive game," he said. "They're a good team but we're at home. It's the biggest game of the season so far."
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-match-turned-due-to-mistakes-fulham-striker-aleksandar-mitrovic-demands-more-help-from-a3987681.html
Slavisa Jokanovic refuses to listen to 'gossip' over his future as he prepares for Southampton
Fulham's defeat at Liverpool was their seventh in a row but Jokanovic is full of confidence after the 2-0 loss
Slavisa Jokanovic is refusing to listen to 'gossip' over his Fulham future and is focused only on improving his team ahead of a crucial game with Southampton.
His side lost for the seventh game in a row in all competitions at Anfield on Sunday, but it was a much improved performance, particularly defensively, than what we've seen in recent matches from his team.
To sack him after that would be extremely harsh, despite Fulham being bottom of the Premier League table and now three points from safety.
There are still no plans to do so from Shahid Khan and Jokanovic will be in charge for the Southampton game after the international break, although losing that may well change Khan's mind on whether the Serbian is the right man to get Fulham out of the situation they find themselves in.
Jokanovic, however, is full of confidence and insists he isn't affected by what he calls 'gossip' over his future at Craven Cottage.
He said: "I am not talking about my situation, I am talking about situation of my team.
"I don't know exactly what you want to ask me, my team need improvement and they showed some positive steps today.
"If you ask me about my positive situation, about my work, I am generally thinking about my team and I am full of confidence.
"We pushed hard with my team and that's it, I am not thinking about gossip or rumours for one coach who is bottom of the Premier League after X games with five points.
"Everything is normal, people are talking about whether I will stay or not, I am really not affected and only focused on trying to find way to support and help my team."
https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/slavisa-jokanovic-refuses-listen-gossip-15403819
Is Now The Time To Axe Jokanovic?
Twelve games into the new season and these are worrying times for Fulham supporters.
The cheer that greeted our promotion, back to the top-flight, last May, has been replaced by the fear that our return will be just one season long.
The twelve Premier League games Fulham have played have resulted in just one win with the side accumulating a miserly five points from the thirty-six available, in plain English it is, undoubtedly, relegation form.
With the third international break of the season upon us, there are two weeks before we play our next fixture.
Do we persevere with Slavisa Jokanovic as our boss or do we cut our losses and look elsewhere?
Although we're rooted to the bottom of the table, all is not lost, we are just three points from lifting ourselves out of the relegation zone, but is Slavisa the man to orchestrate our survival?
Here at Vital Fulham, we'd like you to participate in our latest poll which asks a very direct question:
Let's see if the support is with Jokanovic or have turned against him.
COYW's
https://fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/is-now-the-time-to-axe-jokanovic/
Ref Watch: Were Liverpool vs Fulham decisions at Anfield correct?
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher analyses all the big decisions from the weekend, including two controversial calls in Liverpool's win over Fulham and more.
Jurgen Klopp's side were struggling to break down the bottom-of-the-table team at Anfield on Sunday when forward Aleksandar Mitrovic thought he had headed the visitors into a shock first-half lead.
However, the Serb's 'goal' was ruled out for offside, with the hosts then immediately breaking upfield to open the scoring through Mohamed Salah. However, there were questions about whether the ball was moving when Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson took the free kick to start that move off.
What does our refereeing expert think though? Here is Gallagher's view on that incident, as well as a whole host of other debatable calls from the weekend's Premier League action...
Liverpool 2-0 Fulham
INCIDENT: Fulham forward Mitrovic has a goal ruled out for offside.
VERDICT: Correct decision, offside.
DERMOT SAYS: The line shows that he is just offside, so what you would say is it is a fantastic decision by Adrian Holmes. It is just offside and it is very difficult to criticise someone when he has got the decision right.
INCIDENT: Salah opens the scoring against Fulham, but was the ball moving when Alisson started the move with a quick free kick?
VERDICT: Hard to say precisely without a microscope.
DERMOT SAYS: What Alisson does is he spins the ball so it is going to stop. If it is moving, you have to put the microscope on it and look at it. It is moving so minimally that I do not think the referee could have spotted it.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11552384/ref-watch-were-liverpool-vs-fulham-decisions-at-anfield-correct
Fulham next manager odds: Ex-West Brom and Newcastle boss set to replace Jokanovic
Pardew, who was sacked by WBA in April, is leading the Fulham next manager betting market
Fulham's seventh consecutive defeat in all competitions has only served to ramp up speculation about Slavisa Jokanovic's position as manager.
Reports ahead of the weekend suggested that a loss at Liverpool may trigger the Serbian's sacking with Fulham's owners running out of patience after a dismal start the season.
The Whites were beaten 2-0 at Anfield - albeit in perhaps unfortunate circumstances after a vastly-improved performance - a result which leaves them rock bottom of the Premier League and three points from safety.
Jokanovic got Fulham promoted last season but the bookies are now taking bets on who might replace him - although football.london report that he will be in charge for the next game against Southampton after the international break.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-next-manager-odds-ex-15405143
Fulham fans thought things were bad...Alan Pardew now odds-on favourite to be new manager
Alan Pardew now odds-on with the bookies to be next Fulham manager - Supporters now desperate to give Jokanovic more time...?
Alan Pardew is the odds-on favourite with the bookies to be the next Fulham manager.
Going into the international break, Slavisa Jokanovic and his team find themselves rock bottom of the table with only five points from 12 games.
However, he is expected to at the very least get one more chance to keep his job.
The next round of games sees Fulham at home to fourth bottom Southampton.
Alan Shearer believes the Fulham boss deserves more time (see below), pointing out Jokanovic was backed with £100m when choosing players in the summer and that he got the Cottagers promoted last season despite only winning four of the first 17 matches.
When Fulham fans see the bookies favourite as to who would be likely to replace the current manager, I have no doubt most of them will be willing to give Jokanovic more time as well.
A certain Alan Pardew the hot favourite.
The Paddy Power odds on identity of next Fulham manager:
8/11 Alan Pardew
4/1 Claudio Ranieri
11/2 David Moyes
7/1 Sam Allardyce
14/1 Steve Bruce
22/1 Chris Coleman
Fulham next play on Saturday 24 November and by that date a year ago, five Premier League managers had already been sacked.
De Boer (Palace), Shakespeare (Leicester), Koeman (Everton), Bilic (West Ham) and Pulis (West Brom).
Ironically, it was Alan Pardew who then replaced Pulis on 29 November 2017 and was a complete disaster, winning only one of 18 PL matches and losing his final eight games.
Surely nobody would give him another chance...?
https://www.themag.co.uk/2018/11/fulham-fans-thought-things-were-bad-alan-pardew-now-odds-on-favourite-to-be-new-manager-newcastle-united/
FA Youth Cup Draw(http://ffcw001.azureedge.net/-/media/fa_youth.png?w=622&h=278)
Fulham Under-18s have been drawn to face Leicester City in the FA Youth Cup third round.
The tie will take place at Leicester City's Training Ground, having already been beaten 3-1 by the Foxes earlier this season.
Chelsea have held the trophy for five consecutive seasons, having beaten our Under-18s 7-6 in the 13-14 season finale.
The Blues were also the architects of our demise in last season's competition, knocking the Young Whites out in the quarter final stage.
Information on the confirmed date of the game will be released in due course.
http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/november/12/fa-youth-cup
Talking Points: Liverpool 2 Fulham 0 – Pressure mounts at the Cottage following easy Reds win
Goals from Mohamed Salah and Xherdan Shaqiri either side of half-time led Liverpool to a 2-0 victory over a struggling Fulham at Anfield on Sunday night.
The Reds were limited to just a few half chances in the opening stages, with a long range strike from Shaqiri and a powerful Salah volley the pick of the bunch as the hosts were frustrated by a sturdy opposition defensive setup.
Ryan Sessegnon spurned a golden opportunity to give the visitors a shock lead when the Liverpool defence went to sleep on a routine long ball that was flicked on by Aleksandar Mitrovic, but the young Englishman dragged his shot wide.
Mitrovic again thought he had put Fulham in front when his header flew past Alisson and into the net, but the linesman's flag halted any celebrations, and from the subsequent free kick it took two passes for Salah to be played through and open the scoring for Jurgen Klopp's men.
Shaqiri gloriously and deservedly doubled his tally in his new colours when Liverpool reworked a cleared corner that saw Andy Robertson's deep cross volleyed home expertly by the Swisse No.23 at the back post just after half-time.
From then on, Liverpool were largely on autopilot as they held possession without Fulham posing any real threat to their goal, allowing them to claim another three points and bounce back from their Serbian horror show during the week.
Shaqiri continues to shine
Signed for a bargain from relegated Stoke City in the summer, Shaqiri has made a wonderful early impact at Anfield and is expressing himself as a key member of Klopp's team.
Many would have naturally thought that his signing would be one with the intention of increasing squad depth and providing backup to any potential injuries across the front three, however, the form that the Swiss maestro is in suggests that he has forced his way into Klopp's best XI.
In recent subpar performances, many have cited the lack of a player that can get between the lines and create chances for the Reds, and Shaqiri presents himself as the very name to fill this role, with his skill, technique and vision in attacking areas shining through in his displays thus far.
He has already struck up a tremendous partnership with Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino in the final third for the Reds, and he is completely buying into the system in which Klopp wishes for him to fit in – with his work rate and energy all over the pitch particularly impressive.
Pundits and even former teammates at Stoke have slated his effort and tenacity on the pitch in the past, but Shaqiri is proving all the doubters wrong as he continues to build momentum in the Liverpool shirt.
Concern mounts for the Cottagers
After what was a tumultuous away trip to Huddersfield last weekend, Slavisa Jokanovic was adamant that it was the players that needed to lift and that his credentials as a manager in the Premier League should not be questioned.
This defeat makes it now six in a row for the newly promoted side, a period in which they have scored just three times, and have failed to find the net in each of their last three appearances.
Granted, no team has won a league game at Anfield since April 2017, however, the manner in which some of these losses have come about has led to some questions being asked of their suitability to the top flight of English football.
For the first 45 minutes it looked as though they were in with a chance of stealing something from the match, yet coming out of half-time they were sluggish and looked a side that was beaten and down-trodden.
With a net spend of over 100 million pounds in the summer, things are not all going quite as planned at Craven Cottage in Fulham's return to the Premier League, and Jokanovic could well soon be facing some trying times in the manager's seat.
Still unbeaten, yet far more to come
Liverpool fans are still yet to experience a defeat in the Premier League thus far, but strangely there is the feeling that there is a whole extra level that they can reach in terms of performance.
Last season they played some of the most attractive and electrifying football in Europe, scoring goals for fun and suffocating teams with their gegenpressing gameplan, however, this season a more conservative and diplomatic approach has been substituted in.
The reduction in speed and intensity of Liverpool's attacking play seems to have coincided with a slight fall in quality on the ball, with the team at times struggling to find the final pass or the proper first touch control that would have allowed them a chance at goal.
While this has given birth to a new found defensive solidity for the Merseyside club, it is apparent in Liverpool's performances this season that there is something missing from their game and that they are yet to truly push the boundary of what they are capable of producing on a football pitch.
As they continue their almost impossible quest to dethrone Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table and vie for silverware on multiple fronts this season, Klopp will be hoping to see greater consistency and a certain ruthlessness in his team.
https://dailyfootballshow.com/talking-points-liverpool-2-fulham-0-pressure-mounts-at-the-cottage-following-easy-reds-win/
Former Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce tipped to land shock Premier League job
Bruce was sacked by Aston Villa and is now in the running for Fulham job according to the betting
Fulham's seventh consecutive defeat in all competitions has only served to ramp up speculation about Slavisa Jokanovic's position as manager.
Reports ahead of the weekend suggested that a loss at Liverpool may trigger the Serbian's sacking with Fulham's owners running out of patience after a dismal start the season.
The Whites were beaten 2-0 at Anfield - albeit in perhaps unfortunate circumstances after a vastly-improved performance - a result which leaves them rock bottom of the Premier League and three points from safety.
Jokanovic got Fulham promoted last season but the bookies are now taking bets on who might replace him - although football.london report that he will be in charge for the next game against Southampton after the international break.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-steve-bruce-fulham-15405744
Premier League clubs set to make huge vote on VAR this week
After numerous controversies in recent weeks, the Premier League are set to vote on when VAR will finally be introduced into the top flight
This could be the week that Premier League clubs pledge to launch VAR for next season.
Following countless errors in recent weeks, the clubs in the top flight must now be starting to see the benefit of VAR.
Last weekend Wolves lost 3-2 to Spurs and had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside with Liverpool's Sadio Mane suffering the same fate against Arsenal .
Aleksandar Mitrovic and Charlie Austin had goals wrongly ruled out for offside in the last round of fixtures before the international break.
Watford 's Nathaniel Chalobah and Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks were also denied penalties which proved costly for both sides as Watford drew 1-1 with Southampton and Bournemouth lost 2-1 against Newcastle .
A rule change will be debated on Thursday to decide if VAR will be used from next season but, under Premier League rules, at least 14 of the 20 clubs must agree in order for the change to go ahead.
During a meeting in April where all 20 clubs voted, it was decided that VAR would not be introduced in the Premier League for the 2018/19 season. The clubs agreed that advanced testing should continue until the end of the current season so further improvement could be made to the system.
The league want VAR to be used more in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup during this campaign and hope this will help iron out issues with the system, namely the lack of communication with the fans in the stadium during a match.
During a meeting in April where all 20 clubs voted, it was decided that VAR would not be introduced in the Premier League for the 2018/19 season. The clubs agreed that advanced testing should continue until the end of the current season so further improvement could be made to the system.
The league want VAR to be used more in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup during this campaign and hope this will help iron out issues with the system, namely the lack of communication with the fans in the stadium during a match.
"People go about VAR, they clearly need help."
Hughes and Austin will be hoping that at least 13 other clubs agree with their views on VAR when the vote takes place on Thursday.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/premier-league-clubs-set-make-13578874
Why now is the time for Fulham to back not sack Slavisia Jokanovic
Fulham news includes a look at the former keeper's comments and why sacking the head coach would be the wrong step
After a seventh defeat in a row, former Fulham great Mark Schwarzer is the latest man to claim that the side need to sack Slavisa Jokanovic.
A 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at the weekend left them adrift at the bottom of the Premier League, with both Cardiff City and Newcastle United picking up vital three points in their games on Saturday.
Schwarzer was a pundit on BT Sport for the loss at Anfield and after the game claimed that changes needed to be made at Craven Cottage.
"They seriously have to be considering it, there's no doubt whatsover," he said.
"After you've invested over £100million in a side once you've been promoted, and results don't go your way, but it's not just about the results. It's more about the performances.
"Today was a better performance, particularly in the first half, but I don't think it was enough. Changes have to be made."
But in my eyes, I have to respectfully disagree with him.
Anyone who watched Fulham's drab performance at Huddersfield Town on Monday night will tell you that Sunday was much, much better.
That first half was a performance we haven't seen from the side so far this season, at least in a defensive sense.
Bringing Alfie Mawson into the heart of the defence added some solidity, while having Calum Chambers in a defensive midfield partnership added more.
They looked compact and organised, while going forward they had chances to hurt Liverpool – especially with the goal that gets ruled out for offside.
If they score that, they go in 1-0 up and then who knows?
I think saying this performance wasn't enough is very harsh – Liverpool were never a team that was targeted for points but to play the way they did was encouraging and gives Jokanovic something to build on over the international break.
The international break.
Lots has been made of this two-week period between the loss at Liverpool and the crunch tie with Southampton at the Cottage, with a fair few I've spoken to saying this would be the best time to bring a new man in.
It's something that Schwarzer also picked up on in his post match comments, saying: "The positive is that there has been an improvement today but I don't think the improvement has been significant enough and I think that having the two week break leading up to the next game against Southampton at home, if you're going to make change now it's the ideal time to do it with the new manager coming in and implementing any changes he wants to make."
People say the break is a good time to get a new head coach in, but after Sunday's performance, where the players have clearly taken on board what Jokanovic said after Huddersfield, what would that do for a side looking to haul itself back to where they could be?
A new man brings in new ideas, yes, but if you're saying Jokanovic hasn't been able to find his best team having had the team for 12 games after being handed 12 new players, how will a new manager do it in a two-week period?
He can't, so now isn't the best time, and I don't think it can said that there ever will be.
This international break, the last before March, gives Jokanovic time to drill the players that will be left behind more ahead of the Southampton game, a game where continuity will give them the best chance of winning, not disruption.
Jokanovic has been panned for making too many changes, so having a new manager come in and make more is the perfect preparation for a must-win game against Southampton? No chance.
Unlike Schwarzer, I saw enough from the Liverpool game that tells me the players still want to work with Jokanovic and that there are positives there to build on.
More defensive cohesion is one - they frustrated a Liverpool side full of players like Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino and it took a lucky counter attack goal to get them in front.
It wasn't the most attacking performance we've seen from Fulham, but it showed they returned to basics at Motspur Park and that Jokanovic has put an emphasis on cutting out the sloppy mistakes and easy goals.
It's something that Jermaine Jenas agreed with, saying on Match of the Day 2: "I saw a 40 minute display, which was an organised display, that showed me they'd been working on a few things on the training ground that I think they can lean on, build on going into not only a huge fixture after the international break but future games as well."
Ryan Sessegnon and Aleksandar Mitrovic had chances, but the attacking side can be worked on after the defensive issues are erased - you don't lose matches if you don't concede goals.
In respect to Schwazer's comments on needing a change, if Fulham's new defenders are finally looking better together under Jokanovic, how would getting rid of him now and giving a new man a week or so to re-organise it ahead of Southampton produce anything better?
He went on to say: "You're running out of games. You've still got 26 games to go however if a manager comes in with a new way of playing that takes time to adjust to.
"It's all about whether the confidence is still there in the manager at the club - the hierachy, the people in charge making those decisions. I'd be surprised if they still think he's the right man."
This is where the recruitment should be called into question.
Can anyone, be it Jokanovic, Jose Mourinho or Sir Alex Ferguson, know what his best team and best system is when he's been given 12 new players over the summer, with nine of those in the space of a week before the season starts?
Absolutely not – it's an impossible task.
Jokanovic has gone a long way in the past 12 matches to start finding out who fits where and how people play, sacking him now and bringing someone else in just restarts the whole process.
"I'd be surprised if they still think he's the right man." is the line that gets me here from Schwarzer.
12 matches ago, having got them to the Premier League, he was the best thing to have happened to Fulham, playing good, attacking football with a settled squad.
It's the heirachy that have given him those 12 new players and expected him to come out with a fully formed team in months.
For me, if they don't think he's the right man any more, they're the ones who have signed his P45 with the signings they brought in for him in the summer.
If they didn't think then he was the right man, why spend £100m on new players for him, only to sack him 12 matches later?
In my view, the worst possible thing Fulham could do now is sack Jokanovic.
There's no easy way out of this, the team and management will have to fight tooth and nail for every single point and will have to learn how to get the best out of one another.
Bringing in a new head coach makes no promises that the team won't continue to struggle, but what it does confirm is that there will be even more upheaval, something they cannot afford at such a crucial point in the season.
And at the moment, the man that brings the most stability and the best chance of getting them out of this mess is Jovanovic.
https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-back-not-sack-jokanovic-15406105
Solution to their defensive woes? Fulham would bag a massive coup by signing this three-time capped Dutch ace
Jairo Riedewald would be an ideal solution to Fulham's defensive woes
According to Football London, Crystal Palace defender Jairo Riedewald has emerged as a transfer target for Turkish giants Galatasaray who are looking to bolster their defensive options in January.
The 22-year-old Dutch international made his move from Ajax to Crystal Palace last season to reunite with his former Ajax manager Frank de Boer. He wasn't used as a regular last season but produced some impressive performances after Roy Hodgson took over as the new manager. Riedewald made only 12 appearances for the Eagles last term, eight of which came from the bench.
Riedewald, who has been capped by the Netherlands thrice, has found regular minutes hard to come by in the Premier League this term. Hodgson has preferred the centre-back pairing of James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho. His involvement this season has been limited to the Carabao Cup only, where he has made three appearances.
The former Ajax man is a tactically versatile centre-back who is also capable of playing as a central defensive midfielder due to his superior ball distribution ability. He has a good technique which allows him to run comfortably with the ball at his feet.
In fact, he averaged 60.2 passes per game with an accuracy percentage of 92.4 back in the 2016/17 season when he was plying his trade for Ajax. A good accurate long passer, Riedewald averaged 4.5 successful long balls, which speaks volumes of his ability as a ball-playing centre-back.
He is also a good reader of the game and uses his anticipation to make crucial tackles and interceptions, averaging 1.1 tackles and 2.2 interceptions in the 2016-17 season. Standing at just over 6ft, Riedewald is not particularly tall for a centre-back and is not recognized for his aerial prowess but he makes up for it with his body strength and reflexes.
To put things into perspective, he would be a good addition to Fulham's squad. The Cottagers have struggled to make an impact in the Premier League this season, losing 9 out of their first 12 games.
Slavisa Jokanovic's men are in the bottom of the Premier League standings and are shipping goals at an alarming rate, having already conceded 31 with a goal difference of -20. Quite clearly, Fulham need a quality ball-playing centre-back to suit Jokanovic's philosophy of playing out from the back and Jairo Riedewald ticks all the boxes.
To be honest, Fulham have been far too exposed at the back in all the games this season. The manager has tried out different combinations in the heart of the defence but none has worked out so far. Tim Ream, Maxime Le Marchand, Alfie Mawson and Denis Odoi have all played in central defence but have failed to provide stability to the backline.
That said, Fulham should hijack Galatasaray's move for the Crystal Palace man as he might be the perfect solution to their defensive woes.
https://www.mediareferee.com/2018/11/13/solution-to-their-defensive-woes-fulham-would-bag-a-massive-coup-by-signing-this-three-time-capped-dutch-ace/
Liverpool could launch double transfer raid on Fulham
Reds would do well to strengthen their squad with pair from the Cottagers
Fulham might be struggling at the bottom of the Premier League but a couple of their players really caught my eye on Sunday and I wouldn't mind Liverpool coming in with a bid for either of them.
They weren't the worst team that's come to Anfield this season by a long way.
They created three good chances and looked to have a bit of a go and on this showing I fail to see why they're bottom of the league.
Andy Robertson has been an absolute revelation since he came to Anfield and solved the long-standing left-back issue but I'd still like Liverpool to reignite their interest in Ryan Sessegnon who can play in that position but was being deployed further up the left flank against the Reds.
He's still only 18 but has almost played 100 senior games already.
I know a lot of clubs are interested in him but he can play at either full-back or in midfield and you can see he'll go far that lad.
I was also impressed with Aleksandar Mitrovic. He's the type of player you'd want coming off the bench, he's big, strong and scores goals.
He gives you something that little bit different and I like him as a squad player.
The way Liverpool play they could do with someone who provides a bit of diversity and a Plan B.
Maybe it's not Mitrovic himself, but I think they could really benefit from having someone like that, a target man who can bring others into the game.
For whatever reason, Dominic Solanke has just fallen away a little bit.
He can come again, he's still only a young lad, but we'll have to just wait and see.
Somewhere down the line I think Liverpool should be looking to strengthen in that department.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-could-launch-double-transfer-15408052
Southampton Man Set potential For Fulham Return
Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand picked up his fifth yellow card of the 2018/19 Premier League campaign last Saturday during our unfortunate draw with Watford.
Our skipper has been an ever-present since taking the armband under manager Mark Hughes, but with five cards reached he will now miss the trip to Fulham's Craven Cottage as he serves an automatic one game ban.
That could open the door for youngster Matt Targett to finally get a fifth appearance on the pitch himself.
The 23-year-old Academy graduate last featured in the game against Everton at the beginning of October, and should he get the nod for this one, it would be fitting given his loan with Slavisa Jokanovic's side last season as they won promoted via the Play-Offs from the Championship into the Premier League.
With plenty of interest in him during the summer transfer window, fans were largely pleased to keep him with us so hopefully, he can make a point to Hughes and get a bit more regular game time now given how highly rated he is at the club.
https://southampton.vitalfootball.co.uk/southampton-man-set-potential-for-fulham-return/
