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Championship Play-Off Final: Fulham and Brentford Lock Horns in £160 Million West London Derby

The final play-off final of the season takes place later today as Brentford and Fulham lock horns. With each side desperate for a place in the Premier League, this Championship play-off final is certain to entertain.

West London Derby Draws Attention in High-Stakes Championship Play-Off Final
Match Preview: Brentford v Fulham

367 days after the 2019-20 season began, Fulham and Brentford will meet for the campaign's conclusion at Wembley. It will be a West London derby like no other with either side fighting for the financial rewards of an estimated £160 million as a result of promotion.

Fulham hope for an immediate return to the top-flight after being relegated last season; Brentford, meanwhile, hope they will be able to call themselves a top-flight team for the first time since 1947.

The Bees have narrowly missed out on automatic promotion after an incredible conclusion to the season.

Thomas Frank's side recorded victories for nine games back-to-back, throwing themselves into the mix for an automatic promotion spot alongside West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United.

The Bees were unable to maintain the pressure, however, as two defeats in their final two matches allowed the Baggies to take the final automatic spot with Leeds.

Since the 1990-91 season, Brentford have lost in all eight of their play-off campaigns.

It would be a fitting tribute to their time at Griffin Park with the Bees set to depart their home of 116 years this summer.

The conclusion to this season has been one like no other before. Brentford fans will have been expecting to see out their final year at Griffin Park with celebrations; that party may still occur, but it could be even bigger if the promotion is achieved.

Prediction
Having come from behind to beat Swansea, the Bees will be full of confidence; Fulham, meanwhile, were pleased to have avoided any slip-up against Cardiff City.

Scott Parker has been on the losing side on each of his encounters with Brentford this season but will be keen to improve a run of just one win against in the Bees in ten matches.

Pressure will be on Parker to achieve promotion. The Cottagers were, on paper, certainly expected to be challenging for automatic promotion but supporters were aware of the difficulty in achieving promotion back at the first time of asking.

It's a tough one to call either way but with Brentford having proven their worth with nine back-to-back victories, and the added bonus of bringing top-flight football to the new stadium, I can see the Bees being well and truly fired up and determined to come out on top.

It will be close, there will be plenty of goals, but I can see Brentford edging this Championship play-off final.

Brentford 2-1 Fulham (aet)



https://lastwordonfootball.com/2020/08/04/championship-play-off-final-preview/

Fulham manager Scott Parker faces date with destiny in final test of the season
Fulham gambled their promotion hopes on an inexperienced manager - but they are 90 minutes away from an instant return to the Premier League.

Fulham manager Scott Parker will wake up today knowing he is about to face one of the biggest games of his football career.

The cruel fate of play-off football means Parker could end the day as a hero or immediately face questions from fans over his future.

Fulham set their rookie boss the aim of achieving promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

It has been noted time and time again that clubs struggle upon sinking to the second tier, while the Whites' wretched spell in the top flight meant a culture of losing had to be quickly eradicated, but a healthy budget and promising signings meant that Parker had all the ingredients to achieve the target.

Ultimately, Fulham fell short of automatic promotion.

Michael Hector's ineligibility until January coupled with a number of disappointing results to struggling teams - two defeats to Barnsley, a home thrashing at the hands of Hull and draws with Charlton - can be pinpointed as key moments but all clubs face challenges along the way.

Parker has faced criticism over the style of football employed as hopes of a throwback to the Slavisa Jokanovic era were quickly dashed. The lack of counter attacks throughout the campaign has, arguably, been an Achilles heel but the patient ability to grind out results that emerged in the second half of the season suggests an evolution in style that is gradually beginning to pay dividends.

Fulham showed both sides of their game in the play-off semi-final ties against Cardiff - the slick passing that won the first leg was replaced by a relatively steely defensive performance as the Welsh outfit threw the kitchen sink in the reverse fixture.

Brentford pose a different challenge to Cardiff, with their famed BMW frontline likely to cause plenty of problems at Wembley.

It is Parker's final test of a strange season.

If he can mastermind a route to victory against local rivals then the spoils of the Premier League await and he will go down in Craven Cottage folklore. A defeat, however, would surely leave Fulham sweating on the future of top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic and Parker with questions to answer over the failure to get back to the big time.

It has been calculated that the EFL Championship play-off final is worth £135m over three years for Fulham if they win - but there's so much more on the line than cold, hard cash.

Parker has shown enough managerial nous in recent weeks to earn a second season but it's a hell of a game for a rookie manager to round off his debut year in the dugout.



https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1318076/Fulham-Manager-Scott-Parker-Brentford-Championship-Play-Off-Final-Wembley-News

'Let's say that' - Stoke City old boy makes bold play-off final call

Brentford and Fulham go head-to-head at Wembley for a place in the Premier League

Brentford and Fulham battle it out for a place in the Premier League at Wembley tonight (Tuesday).

The West London rivals meet in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final (7.45pm) to see who joins Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in winning promotion to the top flight.

The loser will remain in the second tier along with Stoke City and 22 others, confirming the divison's line-up for 2020-21.

Former Stoke midfielder Steve Sidwell has played for both finalists.

In 2002, he was part of the Brentford side that lost 2-0 to Stoke in the Second Division (League One) play-off final - while on loan from Arsenal.

Sidwell went on to play in the Premier League with Fulham - and is backing them to come out on top in what he thinks will be an entertaining encounter.

"It's all about the attacking options," he told Sky Sports.

"(Aleksandar) Mitrovic... will he be fit (for Fulham)? (Neeskens) Kebano, he went out injured (at the end of the semi-final second leg against Cardiff). They've got (Anthony) Knockaert, he can score goals.

"But also you look at Brentford - 59 goals that front three (Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins) have scored as well.

"So it's going to be a very entertaining game, let's say that. Defence will have to be on tip top form."

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the match will be played behind closed doors.

"It's going to be a weird experience, with no day out for the fans," Sidwell added.

"Fulham obviously have the experience of playing there, with a crowd, but it's going to be different for both teams.

"I think Fulham might just edge it. Brentford are going to go into it on form but I think Fulham might just edge it."



https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-fulham-championship-playoff-final-4392170

Fulham XI vs Brentford: Confirmed early team news, predicted lineup, latest injuries for Championship play-off final

Fulham top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic is fit to face Brentford in tonight's Championship play-off final, manager Scott Parker has confirmed.

The Championship Golden Boot winner, who scored 26 goals across the regular season, was forced to sit out both semi-final legs against Cardiff with a slight hamstring problem.

However, having trained since Wednesday, the Serbian is now ready to start should Parker need him to, with the Cottagers now one step away from an immediate return to the Premier League.

Parker will also be boosted by the availability of Neeskens Kebano, who hobbled off during the second leg against Cardiff.

Harry Arter and Ivan Cavaleiro - both of whom missed the two semi-final games - are also fit.

"He's fit," Parker said when asked about Mitrovic at his pre-match press conference on Monday. "Everyone is fit for tomorrow night."

The Fulham boss now faces a tough call over whether or not to throw Mitrovic straight back into the fold for the Wembley final.

Parker could also turn to Denis Odoi over Cyrus Christie at right-back to shore up the backline in the face of Brentford's feared front three.

(https://static.standard.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2020/08/03/17/fulhamxivsbrentford0308a.png?w530)
Predicted Fulham XI (4-3-3): Rodak; Odoi, Hector, Ream, Bryan; Reed, Cairney, Onomah; Knockaert, Kebano, Mitrovic



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-xi-vs-brentford-confirmed-early-team-news-predicted-lineup-latest-injuries-championship-play-a4515766.html

What channel is Brentford vs Fulham? Play-off final time, TV and live stream information

The Championship play-off final sees Brentford take on west London rivals Fulham for a place in next season's Premier League. Here's how you can watch the 'richest game in the world'

(https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article21097067.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/2_Brentford-v-Fulham-Sky-Bet-Championship.jpg)
Henrik Dalsgaard of Brentford is tackled by Fulham's Joe Bryan (Image: Richard Heathcote)

It's a west London derby in Tuesday's Championship play-off final as Brentford and Fulham battle for the last place in next season's Premier League.

The pair finished the season third and fourth respectively, and both overcame South Wales opposition 3-2 on aggregate to reach Wembley; Brentford beating Swansea 3-2 and Fulham making the final at Cardiff 's expense.

There won't be much to choose between the two sides as they ended the season level on points, although the Bees posted a much better goal difference of +42, compared to Fulham's +16.

The Cottagers will be looking to bounce straight back into the Premier League, following their relegation in 2019, and a third stint in the competition overall, having enjoyed a successful run from 2001-2014 which included four top ten finishes.

For Brentford, victory would mean their first appearance in the top flight since 1947.

What time is Brentford vs Fulham?
Tuesday's Championship play-off final at Wembley is the only match being played that day.

Kick-off between the two west London clubs will be at 7.45pm.

The stakes can't be much higher, with a place in the Premier League - and all the financial trappings that go with it - in store for the winners.

Brentford vs Fulham TV channel and live stream
As with all matches from the EFL, Sky Sports will be broadcasting this nail-biting clash.

Both its Main Event and Football channels will be showing the game, with coverage beginning at 7pm.

The match is not on free-to-air TV, so fans will need to pay. Those who do, can stream it through their Sky Go or Now TV apps.

Odds
Brentford 23/20

Draw 12/5

Fulham 13/5

Brentford have done the double over Fulham this season - including a post-lockdown 2-0 win at Craven Cottage in June, which is why The Bees are warm favourites at 23/20 to win at Wembley.

In fact the Cottagers haven't beaten their derby rivals since November 2016. But beware, Thomas Frank's men are not infallible.

Paralysed by promotion nerves in the final two league matches of the season against Barnsley and Stoke, they lost their first leg of the semi-final in South Wales before decisively recovering to win the second leg.

And the narrow defeat Fulham suffered in Cardiff which guaranteed their Wembley place was their first defeat since losing at Leeds 10 games ago.

Fulham are big at 13/5 with thepools.com.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/what-channel-brentford-vs-fulham-22459702

Why Brentford and Fulham are playing for far more than football's biggest financial prize

The West London neighbours head north to Wembley for a game that is likely to have transformative impacts for both

(https://i2-prod.football.london/incoming/article18710362.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_GettyImages-1250958890.jpg)
Aleksandar Mitrovic of Fulham holds off Ethan Pinnock of Brentford in June. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

So it all comes down to this. Three hundred and sixty-seven days and 48 games into the season like no other, Brentford and Fulham make the short trip north to Wembley for what economists say is the biggest financial prize in football.

These neighbours share plenty of similarities beyond a desire to control possession and play on the frontfoot.

Only goal difference separated them in the table having passed up opportunities to go up automatically, they both progressed through their play-off semi-finals 3-2 on aggregate while requiring resilient defensive performances to see off Swansea and Cardiff.

But there is also a feeling that they are approaching tonight from polar opposite angles.

For Fulham, promotion would mean a 15th campaign in the Premier League, rebounding at the first time of asking after last season's relegation.

Brentford, on the other hand, have not been a top-flight team since 1947 and their budget at the start of this season was dwarfed by many of the division's big-hitters, Scott Parker's side among them.

Is there a feeling of two worlds colliding at the national stadium? "I think you can say that," Brentford's impressive manager Thomas Frank said. "I think [Fulham] have the experience, they were a Premier League club last year, they got the parachute money, have been in the play-off final.

"They have to go to the Premier League as soon as possible. We have been building something over years. We badly want to go there. And now we are for whatever reason very level, and it is going to be a fantastic game to be a part of."

The attention towards Brentford almost makes it seem like Fulham have gone under the radar a little bit. Does Parker feel the attention, if not the pressure, being off his team could work to their advantage?

"Maybe and people are obviously looking at Brentford because they have been fantastic this year. I know how well they've done," he said.

"Brentford are being spoken about because of how they have gone about their work and probably because they had some big opportunities to have seen the season out. That's probably the case."

"The fact is we are still a small club," Frank continued. "We are. We have a minor budget, a minor stadium. We don't have the same experience. History speaks for itself - we have not been in the top tier for 70 years.

"So definitely. But the mindset in terms of how we can perform against bigger teams and bigger clubs - that has changed."

Brentford defeated Fulham twice in the regular season without conceding but required late magic from Said Benrahma at Craven Cottage in the first game post-lockdown, eventually winning 2-0 in a match that the hosts had shaded for 85 minutes.

For Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed, whose loan from Southampton expires tonight, those results mean little. "You can call us underdogs, you can call us favourites," he said. "It doesn't matter. It's about who is best on the day."

There are many subplots, too. Not least Aleksandar Mitrovic versus Ollie Watkins, the former winning the golden boot by a single goal. Watkins, if you include the play-offs, equalled that tally against Swansea while the Serbia international missed both legs of Fulham's semi with Cardiff owing to a hamstring strain.

Despite training well over the past couple of days he may not be at 100% against the division's second meanest defence.

"Aleksandar is fit so we will make our decision on him," Parker said. "He's missed a lot of football since the lockdown. He obviously had his suspension, then he had to come out of the side through a slight injury. He's top goalscorer in this league.

"He's raring to go like everybody else. Can't wait for tomorrow night, the occasion and what it brings. This is what we've all worked for.



https://www.football.london/championship/brentford-fulham-playing-far-more-18710355

A different Wembley walk for Parker

Scott Parker is no stranger to leading a team out at Wembley as he recalls the night he captained England against the Netherlands in 2012.

Parker was handed the armband by caretaker Three Lions boss Stuart Pearce, with the midfielder describing it as a 'special' night for him. It might not have been a result to remember but it is a day that will live long in the memory for the former England international.

Now he looks forward to a different stroll onto the Wembley turf, as he leads his Fulham side out in the 2019/20 Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final against West London rivals Brentford.

The football shirt and boots have been replaced by a suit and a pair of black shoes, the armband replaced by a tie to fix up his suit, but the pressure remains the same - winning is everything for Scott Parker.

"I am extremely proud of leading the team out, there are no two ways about that - but I am proud of my team and my staff for everything that we have gone through this season," said Parker.

"We have been on a journey and I am proud of every single one of them. I see a real improvement and I see people improving week-in-week-out, we have had to win a lot of football matches to get to where we are now and we have managed to do that.

"Tuesday will be a proud evening for me and like the game in 2012 - you have got a job to do, that is 90 minutes where you have to perform and that doesn't change for me now that I am the manager, we have to perform and make sure we get that win on the night."

Parker and his side finished level on points with Thomas Frank's Brentford in the final league standings, with the Bees missing the opportunity to clinch automatic promotion on the final day of the season, as relegation-threatened Barnsley took all three points at Griffin Park.

A result like that might surprise you in other league's around the world, but not the Championship. The 39 year old spent the final three seasons in his football career in England's second division and says it is one of the most entertaining league's in the world.

"I think it is a fantastic league and the entertainment that you get is up there as one of the best - the Premier League with the quality it brings and the entertainment in there as well, but in terms of the relentlessness, the Championship is huge," Parker admitted. 

"How the season ended is a perfect example of how great this league is, every team on their day can beat each other and it is entertaining, I think we can all realise that.

"There are some top, top teams in this division, a lot of established outfits that have played Premier League football for a long time, so it just goes to show how big this competition is."

Fulham were victorious the last time they took part in the Championship Play-Off Final, recording a 1-0 win over Aston Villa through a Tom Cairney effort.

With a large majority of that squad still at Craven Cottage - albeit under a new manager - Parker is confident that their experience is this fixture could give them the edge over Brentford on Tuesday night.

"The squad here have walked the walk before and I only see that as a positive, at the same time there is going to be more to this game and more to the dynamics of this game that a little bit of experience, but that experience will be helpful," he added.

"Experience certainly isn't going to be a hinderance, getting that knowledge of big games and the magnitude of those games will certainly help because you have been there and done it, smelt it and understood it.

"We have players in this football club that have done that and I can only see that as something that is going to help us, it could be a part of a big picture for us. But on the other side to that you have to turn up, and I will be making sure my players do that."



https://www.efl.com/news/2020/august/a-different-wembley-walk-for-parker/

Felix White x Fulham FC takeover


Felix White has delivered the ultimate Fulham FC Play-Off Final music selection, with a little help from the fans! The playlist is designed to get all Fulham fans pumped for the game.

Press play this Tuesday ahead of KO and spread the word. Follow and share here: https://bit.ly/FulhamFCMatchday

Felix White has completed a Q&A ahead of the game, speaking about all things Fulham!

Firstly Felix, how good is it to see your beloved Fulham in the Play-Off Final once again?
I think we all dreaded after our last relegation that it would be a similar long haul back into the Premier League. We aren't there yet, obviously but it marks a far more successful first season back in the Championship than last time regardless. To be honest though, I'm filled with dread and imminent disaster, which is the default setting for any Fulham fan.

What a season it's been for them so far – do you still watch as closely as ever?

I've followed it, of course. Since I've been young my life has been phases of going to Fulham every week, home and away, and then zoning out whilst different things in life take over then back again. It's been the latter in the last couple of weeks but I have obviously followed every single result and have been in fairly constant conversation with my mates at the Cottage.

Safe to say they're your First Love! Tell us a bit about how you became a fan and your early memories of the club?

My Dad isn't into football, so I didn't inherit a club really. I was badgering him to go to football and he took me to the Cottage. We got on the train, walked over the river, and watched Micky Adams' bottom tier side beat Barnet 2-0. I went from that moment on, five pounds to get into the turnstiles and that begun at the very front of the terraced Hammersmith end, slowly moving further back as a form of initiation over the years.

Other than following Fulham of course, tell us a bit about what you're up to these days...

I co-run a record label called Yala! Records, who are just about to put out Willie J Healey's album, which is a really special record. I record Tailenders every week still with Greg James and Jimmy Anderson, an increasingly loosely cricket based podcast for the BBC. I'm also in the process of finishing a record, a book and beginning a film score after working on The Edge last year with Barney Douglas, so there's plenty on. 

What do you make of Scott Parker and how he's got Fulham playing?

I think it's been a work in progress but massive credit has to go to the fact we've been up there all year. I was really impressed by the last half-an-hour of the Cardiff Semi-Final, where we showed a resilience missing from a lot of the season.

Aleksandar Mitrovic is still scoring goals for fun! Is he up there with your favourite Fulham players, or does someone else stand out?

Unfortunately for Mitro he has to sit on the bench in my all time Fulham team. I have too fond memories of watching Bobby Zamora, Paul Peschisolido and Dmitar Berbatov up top.

The memories of the 2018 Final are still fresh in the memory. Where did you watch that game, and where does it rank for you?

I'm still recovering from it to be honest. I was there. It was an intensely emotional day. Up there with the Hamburg Europa League Final and last day relegation survival at Portsmouth under Roy Hodgson.

How would you rate Fulham's chances in the Premier League this time around if they do go up?

No comment.

What would your message be to the players ahead of the Final?

I don't think any advice I have is going to be particularly helpful. I just hope they're as hungry as they probably were in 2018.

Finally, how do you see the Final going – let's have a score prediction!

Don't make me do that. I've supported Fulham for too long to ever do that. 



https://www.efl.com/news/2020/august/felix-white-x-fulham-fc-takeover/

Five Facts: The must-know stats ahead of Brentford vs Fulham

The Championship Playoff Final is upon and it's a West London Derby to whet the appetite. Brentford take on Fulham at Wembley as the Bees look to secure a Premier League spot for the first time in their history. Having missed the chance to go up automatically, Brentford overcame Swansea in their semi-final meeting to set up a final clash with Fulham, who got the better of Cardiff in their two-legged affair.

Ahead of the meeting that determines who joins Leeds and West Brom, we pick out five facts worth making a note of ahead the fixture at Wembley...

Brentford to get the better of Fulham on the counter-attack?

In Said Benrahma, Ollie Watkins and Bryan Mbeumo, Thomas Frank has three intelligent, speedy forwards able to get the better of any side on their day. Indeed, the trio between them have netted 59 league goals this season and will be looking to add to that record against Fulham. One of the best ways to do so will be to maximise the pace of the three players to get in behind the Whites backline, something that Brentford are capable of doing where required.

Only Leeds and Hull (both 6) have scored more counter-attacking goals than Brentford (5) in the Championship this season, while only Swansea (7) and Bristol (5) have conceded more counter-attacking goals than Fulham (4) in 2019/20. The WhoScored match forecast suggests it is Very Likely that Brentford 'will score from a fast break situation' and Frank and Brentford will be hoping this rings true at Wembley tonight.

Bees to maintain away day dominance at rivals Fulham's expense?

Only Leeds (6.86) have earned a better away day rating than Brentford (6.85) in the Championship this season. A trip to Wembley may be a daunting proposition one for the Bees as they seek to end a five-match losing run at the national stadium, yet they have been one of the best teams on the road in the Championship this season.

What's more, they are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 meetings with Fulham, including a 2-0 win at Craven Cottage when these two clashed in June. While their record at Wembley may be a mental block that needs overcoming, they can take solace from their record with Fulham to secure a Premier League spot for next season.

Fulham to punish Brentford's lapses in concentration?

It was a massive mistake that almost cost Brentford their place in the Championship Playoff Final, but Pontus Jansson's error in their second leg win over Swansea, while punished at the time by Rhian Brewster, didn't prove fatal for their promotion hopes. Yet it's these lapses in concentration that Fulham have to expose.

One of Brentford's statistically calculated WhoScored weaknesses happens to be 'Avoiding individual errors' and it's for good reason too. Only Derby (21) have committed more errors leading to an opposition shot than the Bees (19) in the Championship this season. While just seven of these were punished by opponents, Fulham have the personnel on hand to put Brentford to the sword if needed.

The impact of Mitrovic's potential absence

Aleksandar Mitrovic finished the regular Championship season with 26 league goals to his name, that enough to secure the Golden Boot. However, Mitrovic missed both semi-final leg meetings with Cardiff, though his absence clearly didn't hinder Fulham so much that it cost them a trip to Wembley.

(https://d2zywfiolv4f83.cloudfront.net/img/blog/2020%2f8%2fMitroGoals.png)

Fulham's record without Mitrovic isn't too bad, all things considered, with Scott Parker overseeing six wins from the eight league matches he has missed this season. Yet, no player has scored more away goals than the 25-year-old (12) in the Championship this season and for a Fulham side that has scored just 26 away league goals this season, his absence could be decisive.

Few goals to be scored?

While the two teams are more than capable of hurting one another on their day - they have scored 140 league goals between them this season - the most recent west London clashes have been tetchy affairs. Indeed, five of the last six meetings between Brentford and Fulham have seen two or fewer goals scored.

Factor in that seven of the league eight Championship Playoff Finals have seen two or fewer goals scored and tonight's clash could well prove to be a close-run affair.



https://www.whoscored.com/Articles/rbsY9xg8D02fhZqDLoBk4w/Show/Five-Facts-The-must-know-stats-ahead-of-Brentford-vs-Fulham

Parker insists Fulham don't fear Bees – who Frank says have 'nothing to lose'

Thomas Frank has declared that Brentford have "everything to win and nothing to lose" in tonight's all west London Championship play-off final.

Fulham boss Scott Parker, meanwhile, has dismissed a suggestion that his team fear the Bees after losing twice to them this season.

Parker was responding to bullish comments from Brentford midfielder Emiliano Marcondes ahead of the Wembley encounter.

Marcondes said this week that he believed Fulham "are fearing us" after losing the two previous derby clashes – both without scoring.

But Parker said: "No, I don't believe that at all. It's a play-off final and the dynamics, what's at stake, I think everything gets eradicated from previous games.

"This game is about a lot more than past experiences and previous performances.

"Of course we realise the challenge ahead of us, and that challenge is we're playing against a very good team. They're a good side, we understand that, but at the same time I fully believe in what we're doing.

"I fully believe in my squad, I fully believe in the occasion and where we're going to have to go in terms of the game to get a result. I firmly believe my players can do that."

With defeats in their final two matches of the regular season having cost them promotion, Brentford are again on the cusp of a place in the Premier League.

Boss Frank has been keen to press home the message that his players should not feel daunted by the big occasion.

And what an occasion it will be – even without fans being able to attend.

West London will have a second club in the Premier League next season.

Fulham are looking to get back to there at the first time of asking, while a place in the top flight for the first time since 1930 would be a sensational achievement for Brentford, who for so long were regarded as the area's fourth club.

"We have everything to win and nothing to lose," said Frank.

"We are in the Championship now and we will still be in the Championship if we lose.

"So we are not losing anything. We can only win something. I think it's important to know that.

"We want to leave everything out there and when we're done with the game there will be no regrets whatsoever. We're just looking forward to it.

"If you ask me if I prefer to win, then yes. But I'm very, very confident that no matter what happens in the game we will keep developing in the right direction."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/brentford/parker-insists-fulham-dont-fear-bees-who-frank-says-have-nothing-to-lose

Key Fulham figure linked with somewhat surprising summer exit

AFC Bournemouth are reportedly weighing up a move for Fulham manager Scott Parker ahead of the 2020/21 season in the Championship according to The Sun.

The Cherries are searching for a new manager after Eddie Howe left his role in charge of the club, after they were relegated from the Premier League after a forgetful season this term.

It seems as though the club are wasting no time in searching for a replacement for Howe ahead of the new league campaign, and they have Parker as one of their managerial targets.

It is also claimed by The Sun that Parker has a good relationship with Bournemouth's technical director Richard Hughes.

But any potential deal is dependent on whether Fulham are to win promotion into the Premier League on Tuesday evening, when they take on Brentford in the Championship play-off final.

It's set to be a closely-fought battle at Wembley between the two London-based teams, as they battle it out for a place in the Premier League next season.

Parker guided Fulham to a fourth-place finish in the Championship, and will be eager to cap off an impressive season to date with promotion.

The Verdict:

I think he'll want to stick with Fulham.

Parker has done well with the Cottagers, and surely he'd want to finish the project he started with them, even if they are to miss out on promotion into the Premier League on Tuesday against Brentford.

AFC Bournemouth are set for an interesting summer ahead, as they look to rebuild their squad ahead of life back in the Championship.

I think Parker would do a steady job with AFC Bournemouth, but I can't see the move happening, as I think Fulham will beat Brentford in the play-off final.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/key-fulham-figure-linked-with-somewhat-surprising-summer-exit/

Hot Off The Press: Fulham

Tom Harvey, Fulham programme editor, previews tonight's game

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Fulham booked their place in the Championship play-off final for the second time in three seasons with a 3-2 aggregate win over Cardiff. What did you make of their performance over the two legs?

It was a tale of two legs. Fulham were brilliant in the first, dominating the ball and scoring two brilliant goals. The second leg wasn't pretty, but they showed a different side to their game – one they're not necessarily associated with – of grit, determination and bravery to get over the line. It was nervy stuff, but they got the job done. 

This, of course, set up a winner-takes-all West London derby at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday. How much do you think that will spur Scott Parker's men on? 

If you can't get up for a play-off final, then you're in the wrong game. And then there's the added incentive of beating your local rivals. The majority of the Fulham squad know all about winning promotion this way, having done so two years ago and will be leaning heavily on that experience. 

How big an achievement would it be for Parker to achieve promotion in his first full season in charge of the Cottagers? 

It's easy to look at the Fulham squad and think they should have raced away with the Championship. But Parker had to change the mentality of a squad that was used to losing most weeks in the Premier League. He also needed to stamp his own style of play on his team. It's been a work-in-progress and there have been times when they seem to be playing with the handbrake on. But when they're on song, they're very hard to beat and to finish two points off automatic promotion is good going. Not going up wouldn't be a disaster, but speculation over the futures of their best players would intensify. 

The absence of Aleksandar Mitrovic in the semi-final has set tongues wagging about whether or not he'll be available for the final. Fulham coped without him, but how significant a blow would it be if he was ruled out of this one, too? 

Obviously, you want your best players available and they don't come much better at this level than Mitrovic, but Fulham have actually done really well when he has been absent this season. The defeat to Cardiff in the second leg was the first game they've lost when they've had to make do without the 26-goal striker. It would be a shame for him to miss out on the Wembley showpiece as he brings so much to the team, particularly if the in-form Neeskens Kebano (pictured above) is also ruled out after limping off against Cardiff.   

How is Parker likely to set up his side at Wembley? 

A variation of 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 is Parker's favoured way of thinking. I imagine the goalkeeper and back four will stay the same, and Harrison Reed and Josh Onomah have cemented their starting places in the middle of the park after impressive displays post-lockdown. They'll be joined by the skipper Tom Cairney, who scored the play-off final winner against Aston Villa two years ago. The attacking roles are harder to call depending on who's fit but there are plenty of options available to Parker and the recent return from injury of the powerful Aboubakar Kamara could be timely. 

What's your score prediction for the game? 

It's so tough to call and Brentford have been a bit of a bogey side for Fulham in recent years. I can't see either team running away with it and it will definitely be close. There will be goals, but I have to go for an edgy 2-1 win for Fulham.



https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2020/august/play-off-final-hot-off-the-press/

Bournemouth 'will make move for Scott Parker to replace Eddie Howe as manager'... but only if Fulham lose tonight's Championship play-off final against Brentford

    Bournemouth want Eddie Howe's successor to be in place ahead of pre-season
    Scott Parker has led Fulham to the brink of a return to the Premier League
    The Cherries want to speak to Parker if Fulham lose to Brentford at Wembley

Bournemouth are set to make a move for Scott Parker should Fulham fail to beat Brentford in the Championship play-off final.

According to The Sun, the Cherries want to appoint Eddie Howe's successor ready for pre-season training which starts on August 17.

It is claimed that Parker is a candidate for the job at Bournemouth due to his relationship with Harry Arter, who the hierarchy at the Vitality Stadium are close to.

(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/08/04/09/31542720-8591271-image-a-13_1596531553346.jpg)
Bournemouth are keen to speak with Scott Parker should he not get promoted with Fulham

Arter is currently playing under Parker at Fulham on loan from Bournemouth and is the former Chelsea midfielder's brother-in-law.

It is also stated that Parker has a good understanding with Bournemouth's technical director Richard Hughes.

Bournemouth will, however, have to look elsewhere should Fulham beat Brentford on Tuesday night at Wembley and secure their spot in next season's Premier League.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8591271/Bournemouth-keen-speak-Scott-Parker-Fulham-lose-Brentford-Championship-play-final.html

Reed hopes Wembley experience tells for Fulham

Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed says past results with Brentford count for nothing ahead of the most important game of his career, today's Championship play-off final at Wembley.

The west London rivals will do battle to decide who follows Leeds and West Brom into the Premier League.

Brentford finished the regular season in third place and were victorious in the two meetings during the campaign, winning 1-0 at Griffin Park in December and 2-0 at Craven Cottage in June.

At the weekend Bees midfielder Emiliano Marcondes insisted Fulham were "fearing us because we have won against them two times."

But Reed, on loan from Southampton, responded: "You can call us underdogs, you can call us favourites or call them favourites. It doesn't really matter what has happened earlier on in the season. It is one game now. It is who turns up and performs the best and we are full of confidence we can do that."

A win for Brentford could earn them around £160million over three years according to sports financial analysts Deloitte, while both clubs could pocket £265million over five years if they were to secure top flight survival next season.

On Fulham's side is experience of playing at Wembley, with several members of the squad part of the team to beat Aston Villa in the 2018 play-off final.

"We have lads who have experienced that and been there with the pressure and got the job done, so we can certainly use that to our advantage," Reed added.

"It will be the most important game of my career and I am just looking forward to it. I have worked all my career to play at Wembley."

Aleksandar Mitrovic featured for Fulham in their 1-0 win over Villa at Wembley two years ago but missed both of the semi-final legs with Cardiff due to a hamstring injury.

The division's golden boot winner with 26 goals has recently returned to training and was praised by team-mate Reed.

"He has been training in the last couple of days, which is great," Fulham's combative midfielder said.

"What a player he has been for us this season and to see him work off the pitch and reap the rewards on the pitch is something that is inspirational to everyone at the club.

"The amount of hours he puts in at the gym and at the training ground, it is no surprise he has won the golden boot."

    Championship play-off: Fulham v Brentford, Live Sky Sports 7.45



https://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/reed-hopes-wembley-experience-tells-for-fulham-39420092.html

Aleksandar Mitrovic gives Fulham fitness boost ahead of play-off final

ulham manager Scott Parker will have top goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic available for their Sky Bet Championship play-off final with Brentford.

The Serbian missed both semi-final legs against Cardiff with a hamstring injury, but has returned to training and is available for selection on Tuesday as the Cottagers look to secure a Premier League return.

Mitrovic scored 26 times in the Championship this season, the same as Brentford's Ollie Watkins, but clinched the golden boot ahead of his local rival after playing fewer minutes.

"Aleksandar is fit so we will make our decision on him," Fulham boss Parker said.

"I have a full squad to pick from, so it is now down to me to work out the best dynamics to obviously try and win the football match."

Parker is no stranger to Wembley and captained England there eight years ago against Holland, but is proud to have taken Fulham back to the venue in his first full season as a manager.

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Scott Parker, right, captained England at Wembley in February 2012 against the Netherlands (Nick Potts/PA)

But the former Fulham midfielder does not believe his squad will be distracted by the occasion as they look to secure promotion.

"I am excited, there is an excitement about me and I am looking forward to the game and I am very proud," Parker added.

"Of course I have been at the football club for a long time, as a player and now in my first full season of leading the club and the team to this point so I'm very proud.

"Ultimately how I look at it is very single-minded and very focused on what is ahead. It is another football match and my experiences have taught me that all the noise and everything else that comes with big games is exactly that – just noise.

"We have a real laser focus about us and understand the job at hand and what we need to do and I feel we are in a good place to do that."

Brentford's 'BMW' strike force of Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Watkins have contributed 59 goals during the campaign, which is only five fewer than Parker's whole team were able to manage.

But the Fulham manager added: "Going forward they are a real threat, we have seen that with the front three players scoring a lot of goals so of course we understand that.

"Like I've said many times before, we concentrate on ourselves and how we can hurt and try and punish Brentford and their flaws.

"We are playing against an extremely organised team, who have done extremely well this year and there will be challenges, but I also suspect Brentford will have some challenges and hopefully they will be greater than the challenges they cause us."

In addition to promotion, bragging rights will also be up for grabs and while Fulham lost twice to Brentford this season, they did finish level on points with the Griffin Park outfit.

Parker said: "It's amazing to think we get to the 49th game of the season and it comes down to a west London derby. It probably adds a little more.

"Even as big as the game is, it is a London derby now as well so two teams who have done fantastically well this year, separated by goal difference in the league – and hopefully it will be a very good game."



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/aleksandar-mitrovic-gives-fulham-fitness-boost-ahead-of-play-off-final-1596471014000

Scott Parker: Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic keen to make up for lost time

Aleksandar Mitrovic is eager to make up for lost time when Fulham face Brentford in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final, according to manager Scott Parker.

The ex-Newcastle striker only scored three times after football resumed, with his availability affected by a three-match ban and then a hamstring injury, but still ended the regular season as the division's top goalscorer.

Mitrovic's 26 goals came in fewer minutes than Brentford rival Ollie Watkins and the duo will go head-to-head at Wembley on Tuesday.

A lot of the focus in the build-up to the fixture has been on the Bees 'BMW' strike force of Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Watkins, but Fulham possess their own secret weapon with their talisman fit again.

"He has missed a lot of football since lockdown finished," Parker said. "He obviously had his suspension and then he has had to come out of the side through a slight injury.

"There is no bigger stage than now and 26 goals, the top goalscorer in the league, he has worked for this moment to be able to take to the field and help us achieve what we want to achieve.

"He is raring to go along with everyone else. Everyone else is in the same position, raring to go and can't wait for the occasion and what it brings.

"This is what you work for and what we've all worked for so we are all looking forward to going there and trying to perform."

Sports financial analysts Deloitte predict Brentford could earn £160million over three years if they beat Fulham and the story of Thomas Frank's young guns has captured the imagination of neutrals.

The Bees also bid farewell to their Griffin Park home last month and will move into a new ground in September, but Parker has seen his group go through a journey.

Relegation from the Premier League last season hurt Fulham, especially after they spent over £100m in transfer fees ahead of their top-flight return.

Several managerial changes later and they were back in the Championship with rookie boss Parker the man to pick up the pieces.

He added: "It was a mammoth challenge because I realised the squad was fragile and the football club was fragile and it was separate.

"The fans were distant from where the team were and there were different ways. We had a lot of signings in and the whole dynamics of the place was hard.

"I realised as much as there was an element of trying to put a stamp and identity on this football team, there was a much bigger issue and something at the forefront of my mind was to bring the club back together a little bit.

"I was trying to create an environment and culture which oozed that we would be successful because all successful clubs and businesses, it comes from a core foundation."

Fulham and Brentford, who both finished on 81 points, have one final fixture left to play to decide who follows Leeds and West Brom into the Premier League.
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Southampton midfielder Harrison Reed could be in the top flight next season regardless of what happens at Wembley, but he is desperate to help loan club Fulham get there.

"We go into this game full of confidence and we know if we turn up, we can get the job done," the 25-year-old said.

"I feel like this season has probably been the year where I've come on the most and that is down to the staff and the players I've trained with.

"Then it is down to me to go out on the pitch and perform. I am happy with my form of late, but there is still more to come."



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/scott-parker-fulham-forward-aleksandar-mitrovic-keen-to-make-up-for-lost-time-1596490251000

Report: Leeds could make second attempt to sign star Bielsa first wanted in 2018

Leeds United could make a move for Joe Bryan if Fulham don't win the Championship play off final this evening, according to TeamTalk.

Bryan was a target of Leeds back in 2018, as the Daily Mirror reported, but they failed to get a deal over the line for him then.

It seems that the Fulham man has remained on the Whites radar though, and he could potentially have caught the eye of Marcelo Bielsa in the build up to the summer.

Leeds are apparently set to move for a left-back this summer, as Bielsa prepares his squad for their first campaign back in the top flight.

The Daily Mail had previously suggested that Bryan was rated at £6 million in January, so he could prove to be a decent value for money signing at Leeds.

Bryan's attacking talents are noteworthy, and he has claimed seven assists for Fulham this term.

He could, therefore, fit into Leeds' system – as Bielsa encourages his full-backs to push forward at every opportunity.

If he was to move to Leeds he would be in competition with the likes of Stuart Dallas and Barry Douglas for a first-team place.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/08/04/report-leeds-could-make-second-attempt-to-sign-star-bielsa-first-wanted-in-2018/

160 million pounds at stake in Brentford v Fulham play-off final

Brentford stand to earn some £160 million in additional revenue over three years if they defeat Fulham in Tuesday's Championship play-off final and secure a return to the Premier League, Deloitte have said.

An estimated £85m of that sum would come from central broadcasting distributions and £75m from parachute payments over the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons if Brentford were relegated after a single campaign, it said.

If they avoid immediate relegation, their additional revenue could rise to £265m over five years, Deloitte said.

Fulham could earn £135m over three years if they are promoted, with the reduced amount due to the fact they are still receiving parachute payments following their relegation to the Championship in 2019.

"Given the recent impact of COVID-19, it is likely that the financial impact of promotion will be better received than ever before," said Tim Bridge, director in Deloitte's Sports Business Group.

"The increased revenue provides clubs with the platform from which they can develop on and off the pitch. Promotion to the Premier League provides clubs with the financial resources to make strategic investments."



https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/championship/2018-2019/_sto7825646/story.shtml

Brentford eye €175m windfall from winner-takes-all derby

Brentford stand to earn around £160million (€175m) over three years in additional revenue if they beat Fulham in tonight's Championship play-off final, according to sports financial analysts Deloitte.

The game remains the most valuable single match in world football, as it brings with it the prize of Premier League football and access to the television money afforded to top-flight clubs.

Deloitte say that if the Bees were to survive their first season the additional revenue would rise to £265m (€295m) over five years, with Championship winners Leeds benefiting to the same tune as Brentford. Fulham would receive around £135m (€150m) over three years if they beat their fellow west Londoners, a reduced amount because they are currently in receipt of parachute payments after their relegation to the Championship in 2019.

Dan Jones, partner and head of the sports business group at Deloitte, said: "This season's Championship has been temporarily interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic; however, as the season comes to a close, all eyes will be on Wembley in what still remains world football's biggest financial, winner-takes-all, prize match. Despite the disruption to the season, the league has remained extremely competitive at the top-end of the table, and yet again the play-off semi-finals have provided supporters and neutral football fans with excellent entertainment."

Deloitte said the additional £160m is made up of an estimated £85m in central broadcasting distributions, and parachute payments over the 2021-'22 and 2022-'23 seasons totalling £75m if they are relegated next summer.

The figure is slightly down from the £170m Deloitte has estimated promoted sides would earn in previous seasons, due to anticipated rebates having to be paid to broadcasters for this season's disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The director of Deloitte's sports business group Tim Bridge said: "The financial prize for Brentford or Fulham, as well as Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion, is likely to be in excess of £265m (€295m) if they survive their first season in the Premier League.

"Furthermore, given the recent impact of Covid-19, it is likely that the financial impact of promotion will be better received than ever before."

Fulham manager Scott Parker will have top goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic available for tonight's showdown.

The Serbian missed both semi-final legs against Cardiff City with a hamstring injury, but has returned to training and is available for selection as the Cottagers look to secure a Premier League return.

Mitrovic scored 26 times in the Championship this season, the same as Brentford's Ollie Watkins, but clinched the golden boot ahead of his local rival after playing fewer minutes.

    Brentford v Fulham, Live, Sky Sports, 7.45



https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/brentford-eye-175m-windfall-from-winner-takes-all-derby-39421407.html

Ex-Canaries midfielder ready for play-off final with Fulham after his best Championship season yet

Wembley awaits for former Norwich City loanee Harrison Reed this evening and the midfielder feels he has had his best Championship season yet ahead of Fulham's play-off final clash with Brentford.

Reed has made 27 appearances for the Cottagers this season despite missing two chunks of the season with a calf injury and has been a regular starter in central midfield for Scott Parker, including playing all of the 3-2 aggregate win over Cardiff in the play-off semi-finals.

This evening the 25-year-old Southampton loanee, who made 43 appearances for Norwich during Daniel Farke's first season on charge, will try to seal the first promotion of his career.

"Working under three great managers in the three years that I have been in the Championship has been huge for me," said Reed, who spent last season with Blackburn.

"I have had to deal with different challenges during those seasons and different expectations.

"I think this year has been the best for me, I feel like I have been at my best and that is down to everyone at this football club - I think there is a lot to come from me personally."

Former England midfielder Parker - who made six appearances for City when on loan from Charlton in 2000 - has been an ideal role model for the former England Under-20 international.

It has been a great experience for me," Reed continued, speaking to the EFL's website. "I speak to him every day and I have learnt a lot from him as he played the same position as me during his playing days; I listen to exactly what he says because of the knowledge that he has in that position.

"With the career that he has had, I want to learn off him as much as I can, and I think if I was to come here and not learn anything it would have been a disaster."

Fulham lost home and away to Brentford during the season as the Bees edged them into third place in the final table on goal difference

"This game is the biggest of my career so far and I am really looking forward to it," Reed added. "I have worked all my career to get to Wembley because I haven't actually played here before.

"I have had a couple of friends play there and I have spoken to them about it, but now it is my chance to do it and I hope we can come away with it with a promotion to the Premier League."



https://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/ex-canaries-midfielder-ready-for-play-off-final-1-6775907

Brentford and Fulham FC fans prepare for massive West London showdown

We spoke to one of Brentford's longest-serving supporters to find out what it means for the club

Rarely has there been a bigger game in the history of West London football.

This evening at 7.45pm, Brentford FC and Fulham FC will face off in a massive play-off final match at Wembley Stadium.

At stake is a place on football's top-flight, the Premier League.

But for these two clubs separated geographically by just four miles, it's much more than playing for Premier League prize money.

Ahead of the massive game, we spoke to Mel Collins who has supported Brentford FC for a stonking 67 years to find out what it means for fans.

Brentford FC fans said goodbye to Griffin Park stadium on a high after 116 years of history at the home ground last week, but it was still a bitter-sweet moment as crowds were unable to take their seats in the stalls for one last time.

The Bees played their last match at the historic ground, beating Swansea 3-1 earning a spot in the Championship Play-Off final on Tuesday (August 4), where the team will face Fulham for a place in the Premier League.

But sadly for fans such as Mel Collins, he had to listen to the game on the radio in his garden rather than feel the atmosphere in the stadium, due to the continued coronavirus restrictions on sports matches.

Mel has been supporting Brentford FC from the sidelines for 67 years from the first ever match he attended aged eight.

Sitting in his garden - a nifty seven-minute walk from Griffin Park - with the radio on, Mel was able to listen out to Brentford fans also gathered in the pubs to hear reaction to the game.

"There were plenty of folk around, it was one of the reasons I went in the garden to... listen to the oohs and aahs," he said.

"I shouted when it was a goal about 10 seconds before the folk down the road at the pub. There is no alternative to the real thing I would argue til the cows come home."

Mel, who serves as a Brentford councillor, is registered blind and began watching local games from February 4, 1953, when pitch-side commentary for people with visual impairments was in its early years of introduction.

Councillor Collins said the added accessibility at Brentford was the first London club to do so "by a long way", although it was first instigated by Plymouth Argyle F.C.

Mel remembers going to the game with his dad, where Aston Villa lost 2-1, learning about the game and what was going on on the pitch.

"I was so into it in the first game and the rest is history," Mel said.

"What I remember was the vast crowd."

Over the years Mel's memories of the team range from attending Christmas matches at Griffin Park to travelling to Anfield to play Liverpool in the 1989 quarter final, losing 4-0.

"But the lasting memory of that is also going to be the sad one, the winners went on to play the semi-final in the Hillsborough disaster," Mel reflected.

"It was always sad to look back on that cup run."

In later years Mel's "biggest thrill" was leading the team out onto the pitch at the Braemer Road ground for his 60th anniversary of being a Bees fan.

He added: "So many wonderful memories of Griffin Park and Brentford, home and away, I have been all over the country with the Bees including the Millennium and Wembley."

The club is now looking forward to taking up its residency at the Brentford Community Stadium which is expected to host the club's next competitive game on home soil.

The 2020/21 Premier League and English Football League seasons have been announced to start on September 12.

The construction of the nearly 17,500-capacity ground was set back by coronavirus in April with club bosses confirming work was being paused due to the pandemic, and the completion date was not possible to "reliably forecast".

It had previously been expected to have the move completed in July 2020.

The new Lionel Road-based stadium, which will also be the home of London Irish rugby club, will sit near Kew Bridge Station and is part of a wider project to regenerate the area with nearly 1,000 new homes and plans for new cafes, restaurants and public spaces.

The joint venture is being delivered with Brentford FC and property developers Willmott Dixon and EcoWorld.

The club has also described the move as one of the most "significant and exciting developments in the history of Brentford Football Club," in being able to create a sustainable future for the club.

The ground will also be Premier League-compliant as the club sets its sights for promotion to the top tier in English football. It is also designed to be at UEFA-level as it will host matches including the quarter final of the UEFA Women's Euro 2021.

The grounds will also become the new home for Brentford FC Community Sports Trust.

On the move and redevelopment, Mel added: "I think for the area it can't do anything else other than be a good thing."

But first the Bees have got their eyes fixed on tonight's game, which is the closest they have ever been to reaching the Premier League.

Reflecting on the final victory at Griffin Park last week, Brentford FC manager Thomas Frank said: "We really wanted to make a final magical moment here at Griffin Park. I know the fans were not with us here, but they were with us out there, and we can hear some of them now. I guess they will go crazy tonight and in a way they were still here, they were still in the final game at Griffin Park and we made it magical, and we're now in the final and now we're going to win it."

Hounslow Council leader and Bees fan Steve Curran wished the team luck for their big moment.

"Brentford has already shown they were one of the best teams in the Championship and fully deserve to be promoted. Come on you Bees - you can do it," he said.

You can read a full preview of the game at our sister site https://www.football.london



https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/brentford-fulham-fc-fans-prepare-18711616

I'm backing Scott Parker and Mooro tonight

They call it the 'Richest Game In Football' – the Championship play-off final – the gateway to the Premier League.

This is the big opportunity  for the winners to lay claim to a share of the millions even now washing around the richest league in the world.

What's the interest then for West Ham fans in a game that features London rivals Fulham and Brentford? Fulham manager Scott Parker for starters, who was a fantastic player for us in a four year spell between 2007 and 2011 – no better illustrated by the fact during that time Scottie won the West Ham Player of the Year award in three times.

There were clearly few Hammers' fans who didn't appreciate the blood, sweat and eventual tears Parker shed in a claret and blue shirt.

A bargain £7m buy from Newcastle United, no-one gave more in the West Ham cause than Scott Parker. As captain he led from the front.

His half-time team talk when West Ham were 3-0 at the Hawthorns and looking to be heading for a real thrashing was inspirational, and is now legendary as a prelude to a memorable second half recovery that saw us eventually draw that game 3-3.

It was also his goal in a 3-2 victory over Wigan Athletic that ultimately kept us in the Premier League in 2010. Even when he left us the following season, after we finally dropped into the Championship, there were few who begrudged him the opportunity of continuing his career in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur. Everyone is allowed to make one mistake in their life.

Parker has done fantastically well in his first full season as Fulham manager. He has put the disappointment of relegation in 2019 behind him, a fate he inherited after taking over from Claudio Ranieri as caretaker manager during that season, with the club's eventual destiny already a foregone conclusion.

Now he  has guided the Cottagers to the brink of an instant return. Some suggest Parker is cutting his managerial teeth in West London as a prelude to becoming a future West Ham manager. Only time will tell on that one. For now promotion to the top flight will the only thing on his mind.

If the Cottagers were to beat Brentford tonight it would be brilliant for Scott Parker, one of our former players, but it would also be a tremendous achievement for Fulham, a club for which I have always had a soft spot for since they offered a new home to the legendary Bobby Moore, when his footballing days were winding down.

They gave the great man the opportunity to end his magnificent playing career with the dignity he deserved. For that we should all be eternally grateful. Good luck tonight Scottie – Bob will be looking down on you I'm sure!



https://www.claretandhugh.info/im-backing-scott-parker-and-mooro-tonight/

Brentford legend Lloyd Owusu fires warning to Fulham ahead of play-off final

EXCLUSIVE - Brentford take on Fulham in the Championship play-off final at Wembley tonight with the Bees looking to make it to the Premier League for the first time

Brentford can end their play-off hoodoo and bag a place in the Premier League, says club legend Lloyd Owusu.

Since the 1990/91 season the west Londoners' have failed in all eight of their play-off campaigns.

Owusu is adamant that his former club won't fall at the final hurdle against Fulham, though.

"I honestly believe they'll do it," he said. "Brentford have had so many unfortunate times over the years. You could say they've bottled it before, in a way.

"But I think with everything that's going on at the club - with the new stadium and all the quality youngsters - it's time for them to be in the promised land."

Brentford have already beaten Fulham twice this season.

However, Thomas Frank's side missed out on automatic promotion after successive defeats in their last two matches of the regular season.

Owusu - who scored 64 goals in 163 games for the club - has warned defeat at Wembley would be a hammer blow to the club.

"If they don't go up, rival teams could come in and the team gets dismantled," he added.

"But the way the club is run, there might be gems that step in to replace them.

"I look back to my era, we were pushing to go from League One to the Championship in 2002, I think there were 10 players out of contract.

"It was always going to be the case that clubs would want players who had done so well."

Ollie Watkins has been a standout performer for Brentford.

Having signed from Exeter in 2017, he's notched 49 goals - including 25 in the Championship this term. Owusu reckons the 24-year-old is the real deal.

"He's come from the lower leagues and is hungry and humble," he said. "He's ready to be the best he can be, but the great thing is how he listens.

"When I was in England I'd talk to him about being striker, as before he'd often play more on the wing. He's banged in the goals and has turned himself into a real No.9.

"What gives Watkins that x-factor is how he can play in numerous positions. He is a special type of player."



https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/brentford-fulham-play-off-final-22466368

Brentford and Fulham share pressing issue in Championship play-off final as rivals try to silence potent attacks

For Brentford, it's been a 73-year exodus, while Fulham have spent a mere 450 days outside the top-flight - but on Tuesday evening both clubs will ask their players to grab a more gilded future when they battle for a place in next season's Premier League.

Wembley is a place where the best rise to the occasion - behind closed doors or not - and in players such as Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ollie Watkins, both teams have talents ready-made for the biggest stage.

It seems likely that the chaos of the Championship will be settled at the sharp end tonight.

It was goals alone which separated the west London rivals in the final Championship standings, the Bees tighter at the back and, as a collective, more potent on the front foot, scoring 80 across 46 games, 16 more than Fulham.

With two wins and two clean sheets, Thomas Frank's side also held the upper hand against Fulham across the season.

But a play-off final is not as simple as that. Fulham have know-how on their side, having been promoted via Wembley two years ago with a significant number of Parker's current squad.

Brentford have not won at Wembley in five attempts and have failed in all eight of their play-off campaigns.

Their entire squad's collective Premier League experience amounts to a single, nine-minute substitute appearance by Sergi Canos more than four years ago.

While Brentford's 'BMW' front line of Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Watkins would strike fear into a number of Premier League defences, Fulham's returning talisman topped the scoring charts - his 26 put him one ahead of Watkins - and is tested at the highest level.

With Mitrovic back, Neeksens Kebano fit and on a run of five goals in four games, Scott Parker - whose side are at their best when dictating and flowing forward - is not cowering at the thought of facing the Bees' strike force, but plotting to press home their own plan and style.

"We'll prepare and plan for the threats they bring, but even more we will plan for how we assert ourselves on the match and how we can go about our business to win the game," said the Fulham manager.

"Of course, [they are] a team who have done remarkably well and the front three have been fluid in what they have done and scored a lot of goals.

"But they are also a team that sit on the same amount of points as us, separated by goals, so I am sure Thomas is sitting there knowing the problems we can cause, like I know them. It has got the dynamics of a good battle."

Frank will on Tuesday be pondering whether or not Parker will throw Mitrovic straight back into the starting XI after a hamstring injury forced the Championship Golden Boot winner to sit out the two semi-final legs against Cardiff.

Similarly, though, those in the Brentford ranks are more focused on getting on the front foot rather than concerning themselves with merely shackling Mitrovic.

"We don't care," said Bees full-back Henrik Dalsgaard. "That's none of our concern, we worry about ourselves. If Mitrovic is not playing, then they have another good player to play instead.

"Obviously, he's a threat, but we don't worry about that. We focus on ourselves and, if we do our things right, I'm sure we'll be alright."

Whoever reaches the Premier League tonight, you can bet they will do so with their foot firmly on the accelerator.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/brentford-fulham-pressing-issue-championship-play-off-final-silence-potent-attacks-a4516151.html

Fulham puts a poem/song in the wall why others call themselves super bees and super Brentford, and they are already looking forward from all the money they will make in 3 season, 3 SEASOSN in premier League, who they think they are? They act like they are going to be the next Liverpool hahahaha

Brentford vs Fulham: 5 talking points ahead of Championship play-off final

Brentford and Fulham face off at Wembley, with promotion to the Premier League worth up to £160million over three years in additional revenue

Brentford and Fulham will contest the Sky Bet Championship play-off final on Tuesday as the London rivals fight it out for a place in the Premier League.

The Bees (third) and the Cottagers (fourth) reached the Wembley showdown after strong, consistent campaigns, both overcoming Welsh competition in Swansea and Cardiff respectively in the semi-finals.

Thomas Frank's Brentford side have become one of, if not the most entertaining sides to watch outside the top flight, while Scott Parker's Fulham team are attempting to make an immediate return to the Premier League at the first time of asking following their relegation last season.

Here, Mirror Sport takes a look at some of the talking points ahead of the match.

Brentford back to their best

Questions were asked of Brentford after back-to-back defeats to Stoke and Barnsley in the final week of the season saw them blow their chances of automatic promotion.

Concerns grew after they were then beaten by Swansea in the first leg of the play-off semi finals.

However, the Bees were back to their old selves in the second leg, overturning the deficit and signing off the last game at Griffin Park in style.

Frank was confident his side would do it and his side responded with a performance that will see them make the short trip to Wembley brimming with confidence.

"BMW" reaching top speed

Brentford's forward line rediscovered their scoring form in the second leg against Swansea, after going three matches without a goal.

Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins have scored 59 Championship goals between them this season after Watkins and Mbeumo found the back of the net at Griffin Park.

Benrahma's eye-catching ability on the ball has brought him to the attention of Premier League clubs while Watkins, who played out on the wing last season, has demonstrated he is a top-flight forward in the making this season.

Centurion Mitrovic could emulate Saha

Fulham have their own goal machine in the shape of Aleksandar Mitrovic, who finished the campaign as the Championship's leading scorer.

With 26 goals the Serb became the first Fulham player to win the golden boot since Louis Saha in 2001.

Saha fired the Cottagers to the Premier League that year with 27 goals but Mitrovic has that target in his sights as he prepares to make his 100th appearance for the club at Wembley on Tuesday night.

It remains to be seen whether the 25-year-old will be fit enough to start given that he missed both semi-final games against Cardiff with a hamstring problem, although Fulham boss Scott Parker remains hopeful that he will recover in time.

Bees at the double

Brentford got the upper hand over their west London neighbours during the regular season by winning both matches.

Mbeumo scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win at Griffin Park in December while, most recently, late goals from Benrahma and Emiliano Marcondes saw the Bees do the double with a 2-0 victory at Craven Cottage following the restart in June.

Recent history also favours Brentford, with Fulham having won only one of the last 10 league meetings between the club going back to 2014. The Bees have six victories during that time.

Wembley experience

Fulham have been there and done it.

Nine members of the squad that beat Aston Villa in the same game two years ago are still at the club.

That includes Tom Cairney, who scored the winner as the Cottagers sealed their spot in the Premier League.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/brentford-vs-fulham-5-talking-22465658

Match Preview: Brentford vs Fulham

The lowdown on tonight's Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley


The stage is set perfectly for tonight's Sky Bet Championship Play-Off final as we take on Fulham at Wembley for a place in the top tier of English football. Below you will find all the details ahead of the biggest of West London derbies.

THE OPPOSITION
Level on points at the end of the 46 game season, both then progressing through 3-2 on aggregate in the Play-Off Semi-Finals, there's not been much to separate us and our West London rivals this campaign.

The Whites looked to have the job done against Cardiff City after their 2-0 first leg victory in South Wales but Neil Harris' side gave Fulham more than their fair share of nervy moments at Craven Cottage last Thursday. As it turned out, Neeskens Kebano's first-half goal did the trick as, despite a 2-1 defeat on home soil, Scott Parker's side booked their spot at Wembley.

The Whites have previous under the Wembley arch, beating Aston Villa 1-0 in the 2017/18 Play-Off final to book their spot back in the top flight.

THE MANAGER
Fulham Chairman Shahid Khan named Scott Parker Caretaker Manager in February 2019, and Parker impressed sufficiently in the role to be named permanent Head Coach prior to the final game of the Premier League season. After replacing Claudio Ranieri in what was initially an interim capacity, Parker oversaw an upturn in form which included three consecutive clean sheets and wins in April, which saw him nominated for Manager of the Month.

As a player, Parker began his career at Charlton Athletic, making 145 appearances before moving to Chelsea. After a two-year stay at Stamford Bridge, Parker took in spells with Newcastle United, West Ham United, and Tottenham Hotspur before spending the final four years of his career at Craven Cottage. That career also saw the midfielder pick up 18 caps for England.

TEAM NEWS
Thomas Frank has a full squad to pick from for tonight's Play-Off final with everybody coming through Wednesday's Second Leg win over Swansea City.

Scott Parker declared yesterday that Fulham had a fully-fit group meaning top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic has recovered from the hamstring issue that kept him out of both legs against Cardiff City. Neeskens Kebano went off injured on Thursday night but is now expected to be available.



https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2020/august/fulham-match-preview/

'This wouldn't surprise me' – Club set to make enquiry for key Fulham figure: The verdict

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

AFC Bournemouth are set to enquire about Scott Parker's services if Fulham are unable to win promotion to the Premier League tonight, according to The Sun's Tom Barclay.

The Cherries are on the lookout for a new manager following the departure of Eddie Howe, who has recently left the club after their relegation from the Premier League.

It is now claimed, though, that Bournemouth are set to enquire about Fulham boss Scott Parker, should the Cottagers fail to beat Brentford in the Championship play-off final tonight.

Parker has guided Fulham to within touching distance of the Premier League following their relegation last term, and at 39, he looks to have a promising future in management ahead of him.

Can we see him leaving Craven Cottage for Bournemouth should the opportunity arise? Here, the FLW team have their say...

Sam Rourke

I've got a feeling Fulham may change direction in-terms of management if they don't go up tonight, thus meaning this wouldn't surprise me.

Parker has done a good job at Craven Cottage and has got the side playing some neat and tidy football, whilst getting them firmly in the mix for promotion.

Naturally, this fully depends on tonight's result and Parker may be tempted by a fresh challenge on the south coast with Bournemouth if he was relieved of his duties at Fulham.

There is a lot to work with in-terms of playing personnel at the Cherries though Parker would need assurances on finances for transfers as the current global situation combined with relegation from the Premier League will not have been healthy for Bournemouth's purse-strings.

It's an interesting link, and one I can see logic behind.

Ned Holmes

I'm not sure he'd jump ship to join a fellow Championship side, particularly one that has just come down.

We've seen how difficult it can be for the newly relegated sides to bounce straight back in the past and leaving Fulham where he has begun to shape a squad and impose his ideology would be a strange move for me.

Particularly as you don't yet know which of their top players will be leaving the club before the start of the 2020/21 Championship season.

If they miss out and a Premier League job were to come up, I could certainly see him leaving to take it but I don't think that's going to happen for him just yet.

George Dagless

I don't think so.

If Fulham do stay down, Parker may well feel he's got unfinished business – it's his first season in the job still and he'll have learned so much.

Obviously, it depends on what he can do in the transfer window and Bournemouth might try and offer him a bigger budget but I think the Fulham project is one you'd only walk away from if a Premier League club came calling right now.

For me, he'd be better off staying at Craven Cottage regardless of result tonight – providing the club still wants him of course.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/this-wouldnt-surprise-me-club-set-to-make-enquiry-for-key-fulham-figure-the-verdict/

Head Coach press conference

Scott Parker is counting down the moments until he can lead his Fulham side out at Wembley Stadium.

The Championship Play-Off Final will mark the end of his first season in management, when the Whites do battle with local rivals Brentford for a place in the Premier League.

It's often coined "the richest game in football," but Parker insists his team will not be focusing on that when they step out under the arch.

"In terms of the money behind the game and what that brings, it's something that we can't control," he said. "What we can control is how we go out there tomorrow night and perform.


"We'll go about our business in a professional way, play our way and really put a stamp on the game, and give yourself an opportunity to win the match. That's what we'll be doing.

"We're extremely excited about tomorrow night's game. I'm certainly excited, I'm looking forward to it, and I'm very, very proud as well.

"I spent a long time here as a player, since I've been here there's been a lot of downs, probably more than there have been ups, so in terms of that I'm very proud to lead the team. It's been a long, hard fought season to get to where we have, to take it to the final game.

"The one disappointing factor is that the fans cannot share this moment with us. When you get to a Final at Wembley, if there's one time the fans deserve to support us then it's at these moments.

"I'm disappointed for them, but that's the current world we live in. But the players see their support through social media, and that's much needed."

There is plenty of pre-match media activity ahead of such a big fixture, with one Brentford player suggesting that Fulham will go into the tie "afraid" having lost both our meetings this season.

It's a notion that Parker quashed completely.

"No, I don't believe that at all," he stated. "It's a Play-Off Final, and the dynamics of a Play-Off Final, the dynamics of the stadium, what's at stake, I think everything gets eradicated from previous games.


"That's exactly how I see it. This game is about a lot more than past experiences and previous performances.

"Of course we realise the challenge ahead of us, and that challenge is we're playing against a very good team, a team that finished on the same amount of points as us this season and were divided [from Fulham] by goal difference.

"They're a good side, we understand that, but at the same time I fully believe in what we're doing, I fully believe in my squad, I fully believe in the occasion and where we're going to have to go in terms of the game to get a result.

"I firmly believe my players can do that, so that's exactly how I see the dynamics of this football match panning out.

"This game has been our focus throughout the whole of this year. This is not a game that all of a sudden has just sprung up on us.

"Our aim was to get promoted. We realise that you can get promoted from this division via the top two, if not then we'll go via Wembley if we can.

"We always knew that goal and that journey and where that journey was going to bring us. We were very clear and had a laser focus about us."

Parker also revealed in his press conference that he will have a full squad of players to choose from going into the game, which will be music to the Fuham faithful's ears after Aleksandar Mitrović missed both legs of the Semi-Final.

"We're full strength," he confirmed. "Everyone's fit for tomorrow night.

"I've got a full squad to pick from so now it's down to me to work out the best dynamics to try and win the football match.

"But in terms of injuries, and where the squad is, everyone's fit, everyone's trained over the last few days, so we're all good."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/august/03/head-coach-press conference

'It's going to be so close' – Pressure mounts as Fulham and Brentford get ready to clash: The verdict

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

It's the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final this evening as Brentford face off against Fulham at Wembley.

Both teams have enjoyed excellent 2019/20 campaigns and 90 minutes now stands between one of them securing a lucrative spot in the Premier League.

Both teams have no major injury doubts and look to be at full strength so it's all set to be an enthralling clash between the west London rivals.

So, who is going up tonight then?

The team here at FLW have their say.....

George Harbey

I think Brentford will go up.

The Bees have an abundance of quality in every area of the pitch, but I just think that that big Wembley field will suit their energy, their passing and their skill on the ball.

The movement of the front-three, Said Benrahma, Ollie Watkins and Bryan Mbuemo could be key for Brentford tonight, and the vision and guile of Josh Dasilva and Mathias Jensen could also prove to be massive in their most important game of the campaign.

Fulham, for me, are not the greatest defensively and they conceded two sloppy goals in the play-off semi-finals against Cardiff, and despite Aleksandar Mitrovic set to return to the side from his spell on the sidelines through injury, I think Brentford's quality will edge this one.

Fulham do have a lot of experience in that team, though, and the likes of Tom Cairney and Kevin McDonald have been there and done it before, but Brentford are on fire and will be full of confidence after coming from behind to beat Swansea City.

George Dagless

It's going to be so close.

You've got both sides boasting top attacking talent, great midfields and solid defensive units, I think we're looking at a game decided by the finest of margins.

For me, it could just be the added level of experience that Fulham have got that wins it on the night.

Many of the squad from the last play-off final are still about whilst in Aleksandar Mitrovic they have the ultimate big-game player.

I'm sure we'll see Brentford's key men rise to the occasion this evening, too, but I just feel in the most crucial moments of the match, Fulham will get it right.

I'll back the Lilywhites after extra time.

Ned Holmes

It looks to me like we're going to see Brentford win and secure promotion to the Premier League.

They've got all the momentum coming off their 3-1 win against Swansea City and I think they've got the quality to get the job done at Wembley this evening.

Add to that the fact that they've beaten their west London rivals twice already this year and I think you have to have the Bees as heavy favourites.

If Mitrovic is back, I think there is a chance that the Serbian striker could help inspire the Cottagers to victory but you'd imagine they'll need very strong displays from Rodak, Hector et al. if that is going to happen.

For me, Brentford are going to have too much quality for Fulham and will come away with another 3-1 victory.

Alfie Burns

I've backed Fulham from the start, so I'll stick with them, They've been in terrific form post-postponement.

Look, I can't deny that Brentford are a fantastic side and their front-three are going to give Fulham so many issues, but I just feel experience will pull Scott Parker's side through.

Tom Cairney, Harrison Reed and Josh Onomah were particularly impressive in the two legs against Cardiff, so if they can have another big evening at Wembley, it should result in another Fulham win.

Add Aleksandar Mitrovic's reported return, with Anthony Knockaert, Neeskens Kebano and co, there's firepower to match Brentford too.

It's going to be close, but Fulham, in my eyes, will just edge it 2-1.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/its-going-to-be-so-close-pressure-mounts-as-fulham-and-brentford-get-ready-to-clash-the-verdict/

The Sean Davis Column

I went to the Golden Lion on Thursday to watch the Second Leg with all the proper, hardcore Fulham fans, who were very welcoming with me. I didn't actually have a reservation, but they managed to squeeze me in, so big up to the Golden Lion! (They'll be buzzing to be in the column.) That game, I always thought it was a case of just getting the job done whichever way we have to. We had to grind it out a bit, but the lads have shown character all season. The Championship is a tough, tough, tough league, and the boys have been in the promotion fight until the end. This Fulham team ain't no pushovers. I know we play good, controlled, possession football, but when the going gets tough we can dig in, we've shown that. Hopefully that, plus the experience of having been there and done it all before, will get us over the line at Wembley.


For me it was always going to be a Fulham-Brentford Final. Being a local derby, it makes it the best Final ever if we win, but the worst if... (I'm not actually going to say the words!) Brentford seem to be the media darlings at the moment, but it's definitely going to be a 50/50 game. We finished on the same number of points, we both won our Semi-Finals 3-2 on aggregate. They do have players who, on their day, can hurt any team. But so have we. Plus I do think having that experience of the pressure of a Play-Off Final could be a key factor in the game. Brentford have had a fantastic season and would have gone up automatically if they hadn't lost their last two, but – and I know I'm completely biased - I do just think we've got enough to come out on top.


The atmosphere at Wembley two years ago was insane, so you do feel so sorry for the fans that they can't be there this time. Especially as it's a local derby in the Final, it would have been an electric atmosphere. It's such a shame as we would have packed our entire end out. That said, I think fans would be hurting more now had we not made it to Wembley in 2018. Hopefully the fact that most of them have been there and done it recently will mean that they're not missing it quite as much as they would've done. For Brentford it will be a real kick in the teeth that they're not there.

The form Josh Onomah has been in of late, I think he could be integral on Tuesday night. I remember seeing him when he was a young lad at Spurs and you could tell he was a special talent. He's had a good run in the team now and he looks fitter, he looks sharper, and Fulham are reaping the benefits. The talent was always there, but now we're starting to really see what he's capable of. (His goal in the First Leg was a great example.) Scott Parker has so much belief in Josh, which makes the world of difference, it gives you a lot of confidence as a player. It was the same with myself and Jean Tigana, as soon as he came in he played me and had that trust in me. He played in a similar position so he was always on me with ways I could improve, and I'm sure Scott is the same with Josh.

I saw those quotes from the Brentford lad saying how Fulham would be afraid of them going into the Final. My message to our boys would be to eat those comments up, pin them up in the dressing room. I love stuff like that. Be the favourites if you want, the pressure's all on you then, you've got to win the game now mate. I just feel it's all talk really, it's what some players do. I think we're more a side who does their talking on the pitch.


There's a massive incentive for all the boys going into this game; you score the goal that wins Fulham the Play-Off Final against Brentford, and you become a legend. No matter what you do for the rest of your life, the fans are going to forever recognise you and love you. You'd never have to pay for a drink in Fulham again!

I want to sign off with a word on the job Scott Parker has done. Scott knows the game inside out, and it's not always the case that a great player will make a great manager, but I think he's on course to be very successful. He's played under some top managers where he will have learnt a lot and picked up stuff he can use himself. But for me the key thing is having the respect of the players and for them to buy into what you're trying to do. You don't get to the Play-Off Final if the players aren't buying into the manager and what he's doing. Not a lot of managers could have done what he's done this season, and this is his first season in management, so I take my hat off to him. Again, I'm biased, because I like Scott, he's a good guy and I've always got on with him. I just wish him nothing but success on Tuesday night and in the future with Fulham.

Fulham is our team. Let's finish the job.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/august/04/the-sean-davis-column

Quote from: KilianG on August 04, 2020, 12:22:29 PM
Fulham puts a poem/song in the wall why others call themselves super bees and super Brentford, and they are already looking forward from all the money they will make in 3 season, 3 SEASOSN in premier League, who they think they are? They act like they are going to be the next Liverpool hahahaha

Wasn't that referring to the money that they will receive because of potential promotion? In the minimum sum, 2 seasons of parachute payments are included, hence the 3 season thing refers to a situation in which they are relegated at the first try. Just like our current situation in which we have one more season of parachute payments left should we not be promoted.

Quote from: Sting of the North on August 04, 2020, 02:43:10 PM

Quote from: KilianG on August 04, 2020, 12:22:29 PM
Fulham puts a poem/song in the wall why others call themselves super bees and super Brentford, and they are already looking forward from all the money they will make in 3 season, 3 SEASOSN in premier League, who they think they are? They act like they are going to be the next Liverpool hahahaha

Wasn't that referring to the money that they will receive because of potential promotion? In the minimum sum, 2 seasons of parachute payments are included, hence the 3 season thing refers to a situation in which they are relegated at the first try. Just like our current situation in which we have one more season of parachute payments left should we not be promoted.

Maybe it was that, the article said at least, so probably they are counting on the parachute, but they are still thinking they are super bees and getting promoted today, Fulham approach is much humble

Brentford and Fulham line up for winner-takes-all £135m shoot-out

August 4 – Tonight Brentford and Fulham will play in the most valuable match in world football, in fact any match in world sport, as they bid for the third promotion spot to next season's Premier League.

If Fulham win the Championship Play-Off final they will benefit by about £135 million. If Brentford win they will benefit by about £160 million across the next three seasons, according to

analysis from Deloitte's Sports Business Group.

The additional revenue could rise to about £265 million over a five-year period if they avoid relegation in their first season in the Premier League.

Dan Jones, partner and head of the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, commented: "This season's Championship has been temporarily interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, however as the season comes to a close, all eyes will be on Wembley in what still remains world footballs biggest financial, winner-takes-all, prize match.

Fulham are looking to bounce straight back into the Premier League having been relegated at the end of the 2018/19 season. Brentford have not played in the top flight for 73 years.

Brentford would benefit more significantly from the win as unlike Fulham they do not currently receive parachute payments, and would forgo any future payments upon promotion to the Premier League.

Tim Bridge, director in Deloitte's Sports Business Group, added: "The financial prize for Brentford or Fulham, as well as Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion, is likely to be in excess of £265 millioj if they survive their first season in the Premier League. Furthermore, given the recent impact of COVID-19, it is likely that the financial impact of promotion will be better received than ever before. The increased revenue provides these clubs with the platform from which they can develop on and off the pitch."

Bridge added: "Promotion to the Premier League provides clubs with the financial resources to make strategic investments. While this typically includes increased expenditure in on-pitch playing talent, it still remains important that promoted clubs are committed to their longer-term financial responsibility."



http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2020/08/04/brentford-fulham-line-winner-takes-135m-shoot/

Marcondes: Fulham fear us ahead of 'magic' Wembley night

Emiliano Marcondes says Fulham fear Brentford and he wants to cast a spell over Scott Parker's side on a magic Wembley night.

Thomas Frank's side meet Fulham in the Championship play-off final with a near £170million prize pot up for grabs, as Brentford target clinching a historic place in the top flight for the first time in 73 years.

Marcondes sparkled the last time the two teams met and reckons the Bees' rivals are running scared ahead of the richest game in football.

"I think Fulham fear us because we have won twice against them and they haven't scored so I think it's going to be a magic night," Marcondes, one of seven Danish players in the Brentford squad, said. 

"I don't feel pressure but I think we are the favourites - they are a bigger club but we have played very well against them. 

"I'm very confident because I know we are the better team.

"I think most of Denmark will watch it! I heard it's the first Danish team going to the Premier League.

"I've watched the Premier League since I was a little boy. I think it's the best league in the world and it would put us on a seat with some of the best teams in the world."

Marcondes, 25, came off the bench when the two sides met at Craven Cottage in June to score late on and help clinch a 2-0 win.

And he scored once again as Brentford engineered a brilliant turnaround in their play-off semi-final second leg against Swansea, netting the hosts' second between goals from top scorer Ollie Watkins and the red-hot Bryan Mbeumo.

Fulham beat Cardiff in their semi-final duel and finished level on points with the Bees - with an inferior goal difference - and are now the side standing between Brentford and a first shot at the big time since 1947.

Parker's men have enjoyed recent spells in the Premier League and got relegated last season, having won the play-off final against Aston Villa back in 2018.

Frank piled the pressure on the 'bigger club' and wants his side to channel their 'big dreams' and ambitions on a historic night in the capital.

"They are a bigger club than us. This is not a mind-game, this is a fact," the Dane said.

"They got relegated from the Premier League last year and have the parachute money. They have experience from the final two years ago and they have more experience in their squad to play a game like this than us.

"Yes, we beat them twice [this season] and that can maybe give us a bit of confidence. But the final is another story."

"We have big ambitions and big dreams. We believe in ourselves but need to go to Wembley confident but humble." 



https://www.ealingtimes.co.uk/sport/18627041.marcondes-fulham-fear-us-ahead-magic-wembley-night/

Club in talks to sign Fulham player – Tonight's result could determine his future

Turkish TV channel A Spor report Fulham have told Galatasaray their aim is to sell Jean Michael Seri this summer.

Seri spent last season on loan with the Turkish club, where he impressed with his performances during the second half of the campaign.

A Spor report Gala are in talks with Fulham to loan the player once again, but the London side have informed them their priority is to sell Seri, especially if they don't achieve promotion to the Premier League tonight.

If they do return to the top flight, A Spor claim they could keep the 29 year old.

Gala need to make a decision regarding the player as they could be priced out of a move for him should other interest show up. Subsequently A Spor say they could now give up on keeping the Ivorian midfielder and start to look at alternatives, which sounds a little rash at this stage.

Seri made 37 appearances for Galatasaray in all competitions last season, scoring two goals, and providing four assists. His contract with Fulham will expire at the end of June 2022.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-talks-sign-fulham-player-tonights-result-determine-future/

PNE fans want Brentford in Premier League with a play-off final win over Fulham

The Premier League awaits for one of the London clubs tonight

Preston North End fans will find out soon which other team they will lock horns with in the Championship next season.

London neighbours Fulham and Brentford meet at Wembley on Tuesday night with a place in the top flight at stake.

It's a 7:45pm kick off as the Cottagers are back in the play-off final, two years after beating Aston Villa 1-0 to earn promotion.

Thomas Franke's Bees saw off Swansea in a thriller of a semi-final and could welcome Premier League football to their new stadium next season.

The victors will join Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League next, following a game which is often termed as the 'richest' in football owing to the riches of the top flight which it brings and has only increased over time due to rising TV and broadcast revenues.

North End beat both sides at home in the regular campaign, but lost to both away.

Who would PNE fans prefer to see go all the way this evening? Here are the thoughts off social media.

Gaz: I think Brentford deserve it more beginning of season they was terrible went on an amazing run, good luck Brentford.

Beckley: Brentford deserve it, but I want to see their new ground next year.

Aidan: In two minds really, both are brilliant away days and I want go to Brentford's new ground, but also really wanna see Brentford in the Premier league. And what a first season it would be for their new ground.

Paul: Brentford they deserve it. Superb form, good players to build on and an amazing stadium to go to.

Sean: Fulham then we get some money out of it as there parachute payment gets divided between the league.

John: Brentford they deserve it. Best team by far.

Philip: Brentford because like Preston they have never been in the Premier League!!! Come on Brentford!!!!

Neil: Fulham, then we have a new ground visit next season.

Rachel: Brentford because I love the PNE ferry tradition at Fulham.

Mark: I want to go to Brentford's new ground next season so Fulham to win.

Rose: Brentford. Nice club good set of fans come on you Bees.

Tom: Brentford because they play attacking football.



https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/pne-fans-want-brentford-premier-18714996

Arter keen to figure for Fulham in £100m Championship showdown with Brentford

Fulham manager Scott Parker has confirmed that his leading scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic is fit to take on Brentford in tonight's Championship play-off final showdown at Wembley - a game that is worth upwards of £100m for the victors.

The Serbian striker blasted 26 goals to propel Fulham's promotion challenge, but he missed both legs of their semi-final win against Cardiff with a hamstring problem and Parker has been sweating on his fitness in recent days.

Yet his importance to the Fulham side means he will take to the field against Brentford, even if though he may not be able to play the full 90 minutes.

"Aleksandar is fit so we will make our decision on whether he starts or not," Fulham boss Parker said. "I have a full squad to pick from, so it is now down to me to work out the best dynamics to obviously try and win the football match."

Brentford finished just ahead of Fulham in a tight race for Premier League promotion and Parker is respectful of the side blocking his path to a return to the top flight at the first time of asking.

"Going forward they are a real threat, we have seen that with the front three players scoring a lot of goals so of course we understand that," said Parker.

"Like I've said many times before, we concentrate on ourselves and how we can hurt and try and punish Brentford and their flaws. We are playing against an extremely organised team, who have done extremely well this year and there will be challenges, but I also suspect Brentford will have some challenges and hopefully they will be greater than the challenges they cause us."

Parker's brother-in-law Harry Arter is not fully fit as he recovers from a groin problem, but he is keen to play a part in what could be his final game for Fulham in what has been a successful loan spell from Bournemouth.

"We wanted one of those automatic promotion places and got quite close in the end, but the play-offs looked like the best chance we had and now we have to get over the line," said Arter.

"Brentford have been very good this season. They deserved to finish in the top three and might have deserved a top-two finish, from what I've seen of them. They score lots of goals and have beaten us twice this season so we know we are up against a top side."

Ireland's under-21 captain Jayson Molumby played against Fulham and Brentford in the Championship during his loan spell at Millwall and he admits the unpredictability of the league ensures this game on Tuesday is tough to call.

"I have no idea who will win this play-off final," said Molumby. "It will be so close between Fulham and Brentford, like every game is in the Championship.

"It's a crazy league, as we have seen all season. Anyone can beat anyone on their day and when you are playing without a crowd, you don't even have fans to influence the mood of a game.

"It was my first experience of the Championship and I couldn't believe how unpredictable it was. Every game was hard to call and it meant you had to be at your best all the time because teams at the bottom were more than capable of getting points off the top teams."

Brentford are moving to a new stadium next season after waving farewell to their Griffin Park home after the second leg of their play-off semi-final against Swansea, with manager Thomas Frank delighted with his side's efforts in a season when they far exceeded expectations.

"Everybody said before the season Brentford in the top-six would be a fantastic result, but we fought for the top two. Now we have one last chance to get promoted. We have to grab it," he said.



https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/arter-keen-to-figure-for-fulham-in-100m-championship-showdown-with-brentford-39422607.html

Who should Chelsea fans root for in the Championship Playoff final?

The Championship Playoff final is a few hours away, but which west London club should Chelsea fans be cheering on in the big match?

Fulham and Brentford will meet Tuesday in an all-west London Derby to decide the last promotion spot. The Championship Playoff final winner will join Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League next season. For Chelsea, this means the Blues will play yet another London Derby next season, but who should fans root for in the match?

On the surface, this is a match between Fulham—a perennial yo-yo club—and Brentford, who has yet seldom played in the top flight during its history (two seasons since the Second World War). For those who do not really care about a so-called Cinderella story, or the narratives around either club, the choice of who to cheer for is relatively simple. Chelsea fans want to see Fulham win and the answer why is two-fold.

First and foremost, Brentford's failure to secure promotion will almost certainly lead to Said Benrahma's exit. Benrahma and Ollie Watkins have been the Bees' players of the season thus far. Simply put, they're too good to hang around another year in the second-tier of English football. Both will presumably make the jump to a top tier, be it the Premier League or elsewhere. Chelsea—linked with Watkins last season—has kept an eye on Benrahma for quite awhile. Brentford's stay in the Championship would lower his price as the Blues are looking to secure the services of another winger.

Further, the Blues have dominated the Cottagers in meetings between the two, so the points are always welcome. Fulham hasn't defeated Chelsea since 2006, with the Stamford Bridge club taking 40 points from its west London foes in that span. Chelsea has only lost one of its 36 west London derbies against Fulham in league play in the last 40 years. Of all the in-town opposition, the Blues have enjoyed the most success against its near neighbors, so much so the rivalry is not thought of as such any longer. The rivalries each club has built with other clubs in London—in addition to Chelsea's one-sided success against Fulham—has led to the opposition only fueled solely by location.

On all accounts, Fulham coming up to the Premier League again would benefit Chelsea. The Blues don't have a sour relationship or heated rivalry with either club, so there is not much of a competitive reason to root for either. Regardless, Chelsea will be keeping a close eye on the Championship Playoff final for a few reasons—and probably rooting for Fulham.


https://theprideoflondon.com/2020/08/04/chelsea-fans-root-championship-playoff-final/

Separated by four-and-a-half miles or a three-day car journey

(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/21f376ff92d511af33d345f5fd4fc6192d2dd264/0_177_4447_2669/master/4447.jpg?width=620&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=5a3efa8d76bd37233fc7d5d27a6c56cd)
Aleksandar Mitrovic: big and cuddly. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Bearing in mind all the excitement that West Ham and Crystal Palace have served up over the years, the Fiver was surprised to learn today that the Premier League is still accepting admissions from London. Thanks Nottingham Forest! Thanks Wales! Owing to victories over Cardiff and Swansea, and Forest's devotion to the sitcom format, Fulham and Brentford will contest the Championship playoff final at Wembley. It's in the calendar, there's no avoiding it.

The west London clubs are local rivals of long standing, separated from each other by just four and a half miles or a three-day car journey. As if the satisfaction of belching fumes of despondence all over their neighbours' optimism is not motivation enough, the Londoners go into Tuesday's clash knowing that victory will earn them in the region of £160m. You don't need to be infatuated with Brentford's number whizzes to know that sort of money could buy at least two semi-detached pads in west London, and you're probably not still employed by Fulham if your first thought is to put that sum towards six André-Frank Zambo Anguisssas.

As for who is going to get their hands on the prize, don't ask the Fiver. The teams finished the regular season level on points and, although Brentford prevailed in their two face-offs so far this term, any prediction that relies even slightly on reasoned modelling of the interaction between Pontus Jansson and Aleksandar Mitrovic simply has too many variables to be considered sound. But it's definitely a good thing for fun lovers that Fulham's top scorer has regained his fitness in time for a hugely tense clash.

"I think Fulham have the experience, they were a Premier League club last year [before they waved goodbye with a 4-0 home defeat by Newcastle], they got the parachute money and have been in the playoff final before" said Brentford manager Thomas Frank. "They have to go to the Premier League as soon as possible. We have been building something over years."

Yes, they have. And Fulham boss Scott Parker thinks that means the pressure is on Brentford. "Brentford are being talked about because of how well they have gone about their work and probably because they had some big opportunities to see the season out," ventured Parker, praising his opponents before politely reminding them of how they bottled previous attempts to secure promotion. This one is coming nicely to the boil.



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/04/brentford-fulham-championship-playoff-final-the-fiver-football

'Ridiculous': Some Leeds fans react to attacker's comments ahead of play-off final

Leeds United fans think Brentford are making the same mistakes once again as Emiliano Marcondes claimed that Fulham are 'fearing' them ahead of the Championship play-off final tonight, as he told Sky Sports.

The Whites faithful pointed out how Thomas Frank made similar comments about Marcelo Bielsa's side back in February [Leeds Live], and that came back to bite them.

Leeds earned promotion to the Premier League by becoming champions of the Championship, and at one point, it seemed as though Brentford would join them in finishing in the automatic places.

The Bees were on a charging-winning-run when football restarted, but during the last few games of the season, the pressure hit the London side and they remained in the play-off places after suffering back-to-back defeats.

Whilst Leeds may not have won that game at Griffin Park following Frank's comments, they still picked up a vital point and they didn't lose the game. It also has to be remembered that the Yorkshire club were on a pretty bad run back then.

For Frank's men, and especially Marcondes, who will be expected to do the business for his side tonight, there are no draws on the table and if they are to lose then others will be keen to remind them of their comments pre-match.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/08/04/some-leeds-fans-react-to-brentford-mans-comments/

Hammers windfall if Fulham win play off final

West Ham's board will no doubt be rooting for Fulham when they take on Brentford in the Championship Play off final this evening (KICK OFF 7.45).

And that is not because the Cottagers squad is managed by former Irons favourite Scott Parker who aims to bring the club back to the top league at the first attempt.

Instead it's about grabbing a share of the Craven Cottage parachute money the Hammers will receive – along with the other Premier League clubs – should they make it against the Bees.

Fulham were due to receive three years parachute money as a result of their relegation last season but should they achieve promotion they surrender what is due and that is spread among the 19 other clubs.

Victory i would be worth £135m to Fulham and about £160m to Brentford over the next three years.

The Bees finished third in the table, one place above Fulham on goal difference, and won both league meetings during the regular campaign.



https://www.claretandhugh.info/hammers-windfall-if-fulham-win-play-off-final/