Results| Sunday |
Villa | 3-4 | Southampton |
Newcastle | 2-1 | Everton |
Man Utd | 0-1 | Arsenal |
Spurs | 2-1 | Brighton |
Harry Redknapp suggests West Brom or Fulham should target Jack Wilshere
Harry Redknapp has told The Sun on Sunday (1/11; page 60) that he is shocked to see Jack Wilshere without a club, and insisted that he would be ideal for either West Bromwich Albion or Fulham.
Wilshere remains a free agent after leaving West Ham last month. His stay at the London Stadium failed to live up to expectations.
He turns 29 in January. So it is surely fair to say that his next move could represent his last chance to prove that he can get back to his best at the highest level.
Nevertheless, Redknapp claimed that he cannot believe that Wilshere remains without a club. He also suggested that the Baggies or Scott Parker's side should be open to making a move.
"When you've been in football as long as me, there isn't much left to shock – but seeing Jack Wilshere without a club certainly does," he told The Sun on Sunday (1/11; page 60).
"Jack would be ideal for someone like Fulham or West Brom, and if you were paying him on appearances, there would be no risk," he went on to add.
Signing Wilshere may be worth a gamble for the likes of West Brom or Fulham. Neither side has won a game in the league this term.
A pay-as-you-play deal therefore, could hand either club a boost. If he can get back to anything like his best, he could be a fantastic signing.
However, West Ham fans may argue that he was fit for some time before his departure. And yet, he was not in David Moyes's plans.
So he certainly has a big point to prove with his next move. Redknapp clearly thinks that he can still do the business in the Premier League.
https://tbrfootball.com/harry-redknapp-suggests-west-brom-or-fulham-should-target-jack-wilshere/
'The Player To Really Watch Is Lookman' - Fulham Insider Highlights Threat Of
Fulham insider Russ Goldman has highlighted the threat of Ademola Lookman ahead of the Cottagers Premier League clash against West Brom in London on Monday evening.
Signed from RB Leipzig on a season-long loan, the Super Eagles target has given Scott Parker's side more attacking threat and didn't waste time adapting to the Premier League having previously represented Everton.
Lookman scored a brilliant goal on his full Premier League debut for Fulham and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet in the last match vs Crystal Palace after hitting the woodwork twice.
Asked by the Express & Star to mention the big danger men to worry about in Fulham's ranks, Cottage Talk's Goldman stated : "Aleksander Mitrovic has to be the starting point and he is overdue for a breakout game.
"The player to really watch is Ademola Lookman who already has showed the quality on the ball that Fulham have not seen in years.
"If he is on his game then Fulham could be on their way to a victory."
Super Eagles defender Ola Aina and Tosin Adarabioyo are also in contention to be named in Fulham's starting lineup tomorrow, while Semi Ajayi is an option for manager Slaven Bilic at center back.
Igho Kingsley
https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=37876
Fulham v West Bromwich Albion(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/976/cpsprodpb/1802B/production/_115074389_aboubakarkamara.jpg)
Aboubakar Kamara will be banned for the visit of West Brom, having received Fulham's first Premier League red card since December 2018 last time out
TEAM NEWSFulham defender Joachim Andersen returned to training on Thursday after an ankle injury but is unlikely to be involved on Monday.Neeskens Kebano and Kenny Tete are definitely out, while Aboubakar Kamara begins a three-match ban.
West Brom defender Dara O'Shea has recovered from an ankle problem.
Midfielder Kamil Grosicki could also be part of the Baggies squad after his loan move to Nottingham Forest fell through.
LAWRO'S PREDICTIONNeither of these sides have managed a win yet so they both have to see this as a chance to get their season up and running.
That should make it a decent game because both teams will have a go.
Prediction: 2-1
(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/976/cpsprodpb/4B93/production/_115074391_mediaitem115074390.jpg)
MATCH FACTSHead-to-head Fulham are unbeaten in the past nine league meetings, although the four most recent games have all been drawn.
West Brom haven't won away at Fulham in the league since October 1967.
Fulham One draw and five defeats represents Fulham's worst start to a top-flight season after six games.
Fulham could equal their club record of five consecutive Premier League home defeats, set from April to August 2013.
They have lost their last two Premier League fixtures on a Monday without scoring.
Prior to the latest round of matches, Fulham and Sheffield United were the only teams yet to keep a Premier League clean sheet this season.
Scott Parker lost just one of his 11 Premier League matches as a player against West Brom, drawing five and winning five.
West Bromwich Albion West Brom have drawn three of their past four Premier League matches.
The Baggies could fail to win any of their first seven league games for the first time since their 2004-05 Premier League campaign.
Albion have won just one of their 14 Premier League away games played on a Monday, drawing six and losing seven.
Karlan Grant has scored four goals in his past six away league appearances.
His next league goal will be his 50th.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54687123
Premier League chiefs face added pressure to bin pay-per-view games amid second lockdown
As the nation prepares for a second lockdown Premier League chiefs are facing more calls to cancel their pay-per-view scheme as the Government consider intervening
Premier League bosses will come under renewed pressure to scrap their pay-per-view scheme because of the second national lockdown.
The 20 clubs will meet again this week with fans groups already unhappy at the £14.95 fee charged for supporters to watch some top flight games.
Government chiefs may also intervene if the lockdown continues beyond December 2 after urging the Premier League to show all games during the first lockdown, even making some free-to-air.
Premier League clubs agreed to review the pay-per-view policy after the international break which leaves them with two weekends of games - November 21/22 and 28/29 - under the second lockdown and it is likely to be back on the agenda when they meet this week.
(https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article22901095.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_GettyImages-849372186.jpg)
Fans have been angered by the pay-per-view scheme
It has become a toxic issue but the Government may feel if they allow Premier League football to continue then they want it made available without an extra charge as at least one way of keeping the nation entertained.
Premier League bosses are clearly relieved that they will be able to carry on and believe their protocols have proved to be a success, especially as last week's tests only had two positive cases.
But the new lockdown means the knock-on effect makes it certain that clubs will have to wait even longer for fans to return and that has huge implications for gate receipts, advertising and sponsorship and also the TV contracts.
EFL clubs are also anticipating no major change even though they currently do not have regular testing for Championship, League One and Two clubs.
(https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article22827381.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Liverpool-v-Arsenal-Carabao-Cup-Fourth-Round.jpg)
Football is set to continue behind closed doors beyond this year (Image: Offside via Getty Images)
That is being reviewed on a regular basis but their protocols have also largely proved successful while the Professional Footballers' Association have publicly insisted they will foot the bill on coronavirus testing.
But that is more about funding regular audits on the protocols rather than paying for tests throughout the divisions.
Football Association chiefs are likely to be told on Monday the implications for the FA Cup as there are still several clubs - Bishops Stortford, FC United of Manchester, Maldon & Tiptree, Marine, South Shields and Skelmersdale - are outside of the "elite level."
The hope is they will be allowed to play on but the FA have yet to be told while grassroots and academies are also waiting on further instructions after the new lockdown was announced.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/premier-league-pay-per-view-22940116
Notes from October meeting with FFCOn Monday 26 October at 13:00, the Fulham Supporters' Trust met with Fulham FC via video conference.The Club was represented by:
Alistair Mackintosh (CEO)
David Daly (Non Executive Director)
Carmelo Mifsud (Communications Director)
Ally Spicer (Head of Ticketing Operations – maternity cover)
Eleanor Rowland (Head of Safeguarding and Equality)
Nicola Walworth (Supporter Relations Manager)
Charlie Harris (Communications Assistant)
The FST was represented by Board Members:
Tom Greatrex (Chair)
Jerry Cope (Membership Secretary)
Hayley Davinson (Board Member)
Farrell Monk (Board Member)
HOW IT WORKS
The Trust asks any questions that it judges are of interest to supporters, as evidenced by responses from Trust Members to the advance notification of the meeting, and by generally interacting with the wider supporter base. There is no restriction placed on which questions the Trust choose to ask or points raised with the Club. These notes are then sent to Members only in advance of being posted on our website at a later date.
This meeting focused on the Pay Per View (PPV) arrangements, the transfer window, and on other matters sent to us by Trust members, including the Project Big Picture proposals, refunds against season ticket credits, Black History Month and the new Riverside Stand.
If any member has raised an issue that it was not possible to discuss in the time available, then please do contact us again in good time before the next meeting or alternatively we can seek to raise it between meetings if that is more appropriate.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
The following topics were raised and discussed:
Riverside Stand
Pay per View (PPV)
Transfer Window
Project Big Picture
Credit for 19/20 Season Tickets
Black History Month
Other Business
Harvey Elliott
Club app
Technical support
RIVERSIDE STAND
The Trust welcomed the recent video update posted on the Club website, and the interview with the contractor explaining recent and forthcoming activity on the construction of the new stand. Feedback from Trust members had been positive, and the Trust asked that as this was the first update for a couple of months, and that with very visible progress on site, for more similar updates in the period ahead.
With that in mind, the Trust asked what had happened with the webcam to provide real time progress that had previously been discussed. The Club explained that there is not a webcam as the Trust had previously understood, but rather provision for time lapse video (from a camera set up by the contractor) on completion of the project, but the intention was to cover ongoing updates on the website / social media as soon as they occur and milestones have been reached. The Trust encouraged the Club to provide updates as regularly as possible given the interest from supporters who are not able to see progress while attending matches.
The Trust then asked whether the whole stand was now being called the Fulham Pier, and whether in due course naming rights would be sold. We were told that Fulham Pier is the name for the whole destination, and the possibility of naming rights being sold would be considered in the future. The Trust asked that supporters be involved in any final decisions on naming the stand.
In response to questions in relation to the non-matchday uses of the stand and any update on tenants for hospitality and other units, the Club said there was no new information to share.
PAY PER VIEW (PPV)
The Trust pressed the Club on whether it had supported the £14.95 charge for recent non-televised matches. The Club was clear that its primary concern was that there should be some way of supporters viewing all the matches – the £14.95 charge was not set by the Premier League, but proposed by the broadcasters, who hold the rights to show games. Indeed because of competition law the price could not be decided by the Premier League clubs acting together.
Pressed further on the Club's stance, it was stated that Fulham had favoured showing matches on its own platform at a lower price. However, clubs were left with the choice of allowing the broadcasters to set a price or not have the games shown at all.
The Trust reiterated the level of opposition to the £14.95 charge for PPV amongst supporters of all clubs, and cited survey data from Fulham fans and donations to local charities demonstrating that it had become a point of principle for many, who were either accessing alternative streams or actively choosing not to watch their clubs' matches.
The Trust asked whether Fulham were aware of the viewing figures for our games shown on PPV to date, and the Club responded that this information had not been provided to clubs. The Trust asked whether Fulham had asked for that information, and they confirmed they had not done so. The Club also confirmed that there had been no decision made by the Premier League as to how revenue raised from PPV would be distributed.
Asked to explain the stance Fulham would take in Premier League meetings to review the PPV experience, the Club confirmed their view was that games should be made available for supporters to watch while there cannot be attendance at grounds, but it should be at a lower price.
The Trust reiterated that had the Premier League and broadcasters consulted with supporters then this episode could have been avoided, and hoped that was something that would be reflected on for future decisions impacting fans.
Note: At the Premier League meeting on 27 October, clubs agreed to continue PPV arrangements for the first weekend of November, until the international break, pending a further meeting to decide on the approach beyond then.
TRANSFER WINDOW
The Trust asked a number of questions in relation to the most recent transfer window, and the approach to player recruitment taken by the Club. Specifically, the Trust asked:
Are there plans for the Club to have a full time Director of Football, or Assistant Director of Football, to support the Head Coach?
Is the Club satisfied with business undertaken in the transfer window?
How far were Financial Fair Play regulations and recruitment of summer 2018 a limiting factor on activity in this window?
While previously stating a desire to be less reliant on loans, we have more loan players than other Premier League clubs – why is that?
Were options to sign on-loan players more obligation than option – and what is the reason for purchasing players on long term deals and then loaning them out?
Why did it take until the end of the window to sign defensive players?
Do the Club consider that we have enough cover in forward positions to cover potential injuries, suspensions, or poor form?
In discussion, the Club answered that:
The whole team, of which the Head Coach was an integral part, were pleased, with both the quality and balance of the players acquired during the window; including that the Head Coach was satisfied with his attacking options.
There were two reasons why some players came in close to the end of the window; firstly and very noticeably prices had dropped as the deadline approached so the Club got much better value for money; secondly the Head Coach had wanted to give those who had secured promotion an opportunity to show whether they could step up to the Premier League – this was important in keeping the squad united.
They had however tried to secure at least one defender earlier in the window but prices were far too high in terms of value; a number of players had failed medicals and subsequent negotiations with the selling club had not resulted in agreement; and one player who said he was going to sign changed his mind at the last moment; but they had secured defenders who were either not available earlier in the window or who were unreasonably expensive for earlier deals.
The 25 finally in the squad were chosen by the Head Coach who felt he had sufficient cover in all positions and sufficient quality to avoid relegation.
They had tried to move on some of the players not in the 25, but perhaps because of Covid, players and their families were unwilling to move to new countries, even though deals had been agreed; the only exceptions to this were players for whom the Club had managed to secure loan moves within the Championship, so they could play some football, given they might well not make the 25 player squad.
The overall approach had been a mixture of buying players at good prices that could serve Fulham well for many years, some loan players where the cost of straight purchase was too high or the losing Club just would not sell (eg Lookman), and a few players who were loaned with an option to buy, hence spreading the cost for Financial Fair Play purposes.
The Club had been constrained, in terms of Financial Fair Play, by purchases made to secure promotion, but this was not an unduly limiting consideration.
The Trust asked whether there would be a reconsideration on the need for a full-time UK based Director of Football, and whether it was intended to replace Javier Periera. The Club said that Fulham had a full-time UK based Head of Recruitment and that Javier, with his experience, had been brought in to help particularly with the push for promotion. When he understandably left to fulfil his ambition to be a Head Coach, the decision had been made to invest the saved salary in a new additional first team coach (Nathan Gardiner from Tottenham) and in some more sports science support, as requested by the Head Coach.
The Club reiterated that whilst the approach to transfers is evolving, both as a result of experience and the changing dynamics of the market, the overall "four boxes ticked" approach remains in place, with analytics, the recruitment team and the financial oversight, working closely together to meet the requirements of the Head Coach.
PROJECT BIG PICTURE
The Trust made clear its opposition to the Big Picture concept and asked for the Club view. The Club responded that they were appalled at nearly all aspects of the proposals and had voiced their concerns forcibly. Fulham did feel the Premier League needed to look at itself, and supported the inquiry being led by its Chair, albeit they had not yet seen terms of reference. A red line for the Club was the principle of one club, one vote,
Asked whether supporters should be consulted in this inquiry, or in the government inquiry that had also been promised, the Club agreed that all stakeholders should be involved.
The Club also wanted to support League 1 and League 2 clubs more, but were less sure about the level of support needed for the Championship where, on a par with the Premier League, there were a number of wealthy owners who were supporting their clubs eg in the transfer market. The Club confirmed that the year two parachute payment that was no longer due to Fulham because of promotion could usefully be added to any pot for League 1 and League 2 Clubs, but that was a matter for the Premier League collectively rather than Fulham specifically.
CREDIT FOR 19/20 SEASON TICKETS
The Trust and the Club raised the prospect of attendances being allowed before the end of the season. While the Club shared the wider disappointment that despite social distancing arrangements being prepared, supporters would not be able to attend games in the near future, they remained hopeful that this might be possible in the spring and would continue to lobby via the Premier League and football authorities for this to be permitted, subject to public health advice.
The Trust explained that some 19/20 Season Ticket holders who had opted for credit in lieu of refund when it was anticipated that season tickets would be sold had asked that refunds be offered now it seemed less likely that they could purchase tickets this season. Some had also indicated their personal situation had changed as a result of the wider economic impact of the pandemic.
The Trust had asked both its members who had opted for a credit, and the wider fanbase through a Twitter poll, and both showed that the majority were content for the credit to remain with the Club (64% of season ticket holders); 5% now wanted to donate their credit to the Fulham Foundation; but nearly a third would like to be refunded.
The Trust requested that anyone wanting a refund should now be able to have one or donate to the Foundation if they wished. The Club said that where supporters had asked for a refund, that had been provided, but agreed that given the changing situation, this was something that could be communicated to those who had previously opted for a credit.
Any season ticket holder wanting a refund, or preferring to donate to the Foundation, an option which the Club would very much welcome, should email
[email protected]BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Eleanor Rowland joined the meeting, as requested by the Trust, to set out the programme of activity to mark Black History Month. It was explained, which the Trust supported, that the activity was an important element of what was a longer term and agreed wide-ranging diversity and equality strategy, aimed at improving participation across a range of characteristics, amongst staff, supporters, and participants.
A range of activities internally and externally had been organised, including webinars, articles on the web site, discussion groups and external speakers, including Leroy Rosenior and Luis Boa Morte. These had been very well attended and received – but the key was to progress longer term change in many aspects of participation. The Club was pleased now to be working as well with Anwar Uddin from the Fans for Diversity campaign.
The Trust welcomed and fully supported the Club's approach, which complemented the Trust's own activity which was also gathering pace. Both the Club and the Trust agreed to keep in touch as ideas developed.
OTHER BUSINESS
Harvey Elliott
The Trust asked whether there was any news on the incredibly long drawn out process to secure a fee for Harvey Elliott. The Club responded that unfortunately there was no set timescale for resolution, and they too were frustrated, although it might help Fulham's case to see Harvey doing well at Blackburn Rovers, so delay was not all bad. Asked if a settlement could not be secured outside of a Tribunal the Club responded that the current offer on the table from Liverpool was a long way short of Fulham's valuation.
Club app
The Trust asked about progress with the new app. The Club responded that they anticipated a release in November, but as with all developments of this nature, this was subject to change.
Technical support
The Trust reported occasional technical problems for members eg with Fulham TV, and the Club agreed to investigate specific complaints, which were passed on by the Trust. Supporters should however address issues going forward directly with
[email protected].
The meeting closed at 1435.
https://www.fulhamsupporterstrust.com/news/2020/11/notes-from-october-meeting-with-ffc-2/
U18 Report: Saints 0-2 Fulham
Southampton Under-18s fell to a 2-0 defeat to Fulham in the Under-18s Premier League on Saturday despite playing their part in an entertaining affair.
It was the visitors who started the game in confident fashion and had the first efforts on goal after five minutes.
A low cross from the left found Oliver Sanderson just inside the area, but Saints did well to block his effort and the follow up from strike partner Mika Biereth.
Olly Wright was then forced to make his first save shortly after when Luke Harris fired a low shot from range, but the strike lacked the power to trouble the Saints goalkeeper.
As the patterns of the game became clear, an intense contest started to be played out with both sides searching for the best opportunities to press the opposing defence high in a bid to win back possession.
Saints were having to hold firm in defence as Fulham went in search of the opening goal though – Wright made another comfortable save from Ibane Bowat's header before Adrion Pajaziti bent a free-kick just wide.
The hosts looked to build on their strong defensive display and enjoyed some promising attacks in the lead up to half-time, whilst another attempt from Mika Biereth went wide to ensure the score stayed at 0-0 at the break.
Into the second-half, Saints carved out some opportunities of their own and twice went close in quick succession.
Substitute Luke Pearce's pressure caused a mistake at the back from Fulham and allowed him to go through on goal with just goalkeeper Alexander Borto to beat.
The striker looked to go round Borto to finish but a good save denied him, and then Saints captain Will Tizzard saw his header from the resulting corner loop over.
Despite the positive beginning to the second period, Fulham's next attack saw them break the deadlock when Luke Harris struck home a cutback towards the penalty spot.
This setback did not stop Saints continuing to push for a goal of their own though. Marco Rus twice went close to an equaliser but could not find the finishing touch to clever moves from the hosts.
At the other end, Olly Wright kept his side in the game with 10 minutes remaining. First, he produced an excellent tip over to deny Harris a second and then stayed alert to turn a low drive from range round the post.
Strong defending from Lewis Payne and another smothering save from Wright then denied visiting striker Biereth a breakaway goal as the match reached its latter stages.
A lively finish to a hard-fought game still saw time for Paul Hardyman's side to force some good defending from Fulham as goalkeeper Borto rushed out to clear twice, but the visitors confirmed their victory late on when Biereth finished from close range.
Saints Under-18s are in action again next Saturday when they travel to face Aston Villa, with kick-off at Bodymoor Heath Training Ground at 1pm.
https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2020-11-01/under-18-report-southampton-fc-0-2-fulham-u18-premier-league-2020-21
NEW FOF'cast 🎙️🎧 West Brom or Bust 💥💥
(http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image-1536x864.jpg)
Mitrovic fights for the ball in Fulham's 2-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace ..
On this episode of FOF'cast, we are joined once again by regular guests Owen Smith and Gerry Pimm, as we discuss the following Fulham FC topics:
⚽️ The 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.
⚽️ The Crystal Palace Man of the Match (Lookman).
⚽️ The recent Tom Cairney criticism.
⚽️ Joachim Anderson's injury update.
⚽️ The Fulham supporters Trust notes from October.
⚽️ Hammersmith Bridge, and why there maybe a link to Fulham.
⚽️ How long does Scott's Parker realistically have.
⚽️ Monday nights game v West Bromwich Albion.
⚽️ West Bromwich Albion predictions.
Once again, thanks for taking the time to listen in, and your feedback is always appreciated to improve future FOF'cast shows
This Podcast is also available on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/fofcast-west-brom-or-bust/id1535958097?i=1000496733865
http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=1512
Fulham v West Brom: Promoted pair both target their first win
Fulham and West Bromwich Albion both lie in the bottom four places, each looking for a first win of the season.
Team news
Fulham will make a late decision on Joachim Andersen (ankle) while Monday's match may come too soon for Terence Kongolo (foot). Neeskens Kebano is due to return to training next week.
Dara O'Shea has returned to training and the West Brom defender is available for Monday night's contest.
Sam Field (knee) and Hal Robson-Kanu (broken arm) will also be back in contention after the November international break.
Did you know?
This is the first Premier League meeting between these clubs since 2013/14.
Fulham are unbeaten in their last nine league meetings with West Brom, since October 2010. The last four contests have ended level.
Karlan Grant has struck 38 league goals since the start of 2018/19. Of players currently aged 23 or under, only Jarrod Bowen and Tammy Abraham have scored more in England's top four tiers in that time, with 42 and 41 respectively.
Albion have won just one of their 14 PL away matches played on a Monday.
Match officials
Referee: Simon Hooper. Assistants: Derek Eaton, Neil Davies. Fourth official: Andy Madley. VAR: Kevin Friend. Assistant VAR: Simon Beck.
https://www.premierleague.com/news/1876980
Stan Collymore takes swipe at West Brom & Fulham, predicts result of PL showdown
Stan Collymore has hit out at West Brom and Fulham ahead of the two sides' upcoming showdown at Craven Cottage.
Albion travel to the capital on Monday for a huge match against one of the teams who was promoted from the Championship alongside side them last season.
Neither team have won in the Premier League this season but the Baggies are two points ahead of the Cottagers, who sit 19th going into the Monday night showdown.
In his predictions for the Sunday Mirror [print edition, November 1], former Aston Villa and Liverpool forward Collymore has predicted that Fulham will win 2-1 against West Brom but also claims that both sides are doomed for relegation this season.
"Potentially the least watchable football match in the history of the Premier League. It's arguably a 38-pointer because it's not just the three points you get from the game but the confidence a win could bring against a relegation rival," Collymore said.
(https://www.westbromnews.co.uk/static/uploads/5/2020/11/1.png)
What makes this one of the "least watchable" matches in the Premier League, Stan?
It's two teams who earned their places in the Premier League by doing well in the Championship last season and it's two teams who will be desperate for a result against one another.
All of the last four matches between West Brom and Fulham have ended in a draw but that doesn't mean the games going to be any less watchable than the utter dross we sat through last week with Manchester United and Chelsea – two of the most expensively-assembled teams in Premier League history – drew 0-0.
Either way, it's going to cost people £14.95 to watch West Brom play Fulham on Monday because of the Premier League's controversial pay-per-view scheme.
Collymore is better off saving his money if he's that certain that this game will be so awful.
https://www.westbromnews.co.uk/2020/11/01/stan-collymore-takes-swipe-at-west-brom-fulham-predicts-result-of-pl-showdown/
'Almost a six-pointer' – Exclusive: Kevin Phillips predicts outcome of West Brom clash v Fulham
We're delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he'll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns...
Kevin Phillips claims West Brom are in for a tough match against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday, dubbing the fixture as "almost a six-pointer".
Slaven Bilic's side are yet to win in the Premier League this season but have managed to draw three of their last four matches.
Fulham, on the other hand, have just one point from their opening six matches and lost 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace last week.
Both teams are going to be gunning for victory in West London on Monday but Phillips doesn't believe we'll see a winner in a must-win match.
"They have to win," Phillips told West Brom News. "It will be a tough, tough match. It's almost a six-pointer straight away, certainly for Fulham.
"I expect a really tough game down at Craven Cottage but West Brom can take a lot of confidence from going to the AMEX and getting a point against a really good Brighton team, who are similar to Fulham in the way they play.
"I'm going to go for a draw. It's another tough away match at a team down the bottom. Fulham aren't a million miles away from getting a result.
"I hope West Brom can get a result but it's a score draw for me."
Neither team will want to lose this game.
Even though we're still in the early stages of the 2020/21 Premier League season, it's likely that West Brom and Fulham will be two of the teams down the bottom by the time it finishes.
That's why Phillips believes that this game is close to being a six-pointer.
Neither have had great starts, neither are playing particularly well and neither have won a match.
As no one will want to lose, it could be quite a close, cagey affair so a draw is perhaps the right call.
https://www.westbromnews.co.uk/2020/11/01/almost-a-six-pointer-exclusive-kevin-phillips-predicts-outcome-of-west-brom-clash-v-fulham/
Scott Parker accepts Fulham will be in a relegation battle this season
Scott Parker insisted he wants Fulham to win "more than anyone" as they prepare for a crucial Premier League game against West Brom on Monday.
The Cottagers have just one point from their opening six matches and sit in 19th place ahead of their important game against the Baggies, who are also without a win this term.
Fulham finished fourth in the Sky Bet Championship last season before reaching the top flight via the play-offs but have endured a disappointing start on their Premier League return.
Parker said he was being realistic with his aims for the club this season and explained that he had set out the picture to the players and the squad before the start of the season.
He said: "I want to win more than anyone, I want us to be successful more than anyone, I want to be seventh to 10th in the league this year, but reality tells us that's going to be very, very difficult and not where we will be finishing.
"I know where we're going to be punching this year, and we're going to be punching in and around the bottom four, bottom five, bottom six, but at the same time I want my team to understand that.
"To understand the battles and what we need to do to be successful and realise the peaks and troughs along the way and stay positive, keep staying motivated and understand this is what we need to do and this is where we need to get to and with that I do actually feel that's the best way for us to come out with points and be successful this year.
"There's still a great hope, of course there is. I'm not saying that we can't end up with some good results and end up in 15th or 12th – sure we can but we end up there with a mindset and an understanding of where we are and the dips don't break us."
https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/scott-parker-accepts-fulham-will-be-in-a-relegation-battle-this-season_420740.html
Scott Parker remains realistic about Fulham's ambitions this season
Scott Parker insisted he wants Fulham to win "more than anyone" as they prepare for a crucial Premier League game against West Brom on Monday.
The Cottagers have just one point from their opening six matches and sit in 19th place ahead of their important game against the Baggies, who are also without a win this term.
Fulham finished fourth in the Sky Bet Championship last season before reaching the top flight via the play-offs but have endured a disappointing start on their Premier League return.
Parker said he was being realistic with his aims for the club this season and explained that he had set out the picture to the players and the squad before the start of the season.
He said: "I want to win more than anyone, I want us to be successful more than anyone, I want to be seventh to 10th in the league this year, but reality tells us that's going to be very, very difficult and not where we will be finishing.
"I know where we're going to be punching this year, and we're going to be punching in and around the bottom four, bottom five, bottom six, but at the same time I want my team to understand that.
"To understand the battles and what we need to do to be successful and realise the peaks and troughs along the way and stay positive, keep staying motivated and understand this is what we need to do and this is where we need to get to and with that I do actually feel that's the best way for us to come out with points and be successful this year.
"There's still a great hope, of course there is. I'm not saying that we can't end up with some good results and end up in 15th or 12th – sure we can but we end up there with a mindset and an understanding of where we are and the dips don't break us."
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/scott-parker-remains-realistic-about-fulhams-ambitions-this-season-1604269805000
Fulham handed massive blow ahead of clash v West Brom
Fulham could be without six players for the visit of West Brom on Monday night.
The Baggies are 17th in the table with three points from their opening six matches, two points ahead of 19th-place Fulham.
And Scott Parker could now have to contend with the absence of six key players.
Summer signing Kenny Tete, defender Terrence Kongolo and key attacking midfielder Josh Onomah are all set to miss out for a number of weeks, while former Lyon man Joachim Andersen is a big doubt after only returning to training this week (via Birmingham Mail).
Elsewhere, regulars Neeskens Kebano has a knock while Aboubakar Kamara is suspended.
West Brom have no fresh injury worries, with only long-term absentees Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Field expected to miss out (via Transfermarkt).
Defenders Dara O'Shea could return after recovering from an ankle injury.
Timely boost
Fulham missing up to six first-team players is a boost for West Brom, especially ahead of such an important game.
Both sides are in search of their first Premier League win of the season, and Baggies boss Slaven Bilic will know that they need to take advantage of fixtures against fellow strugglers.
Kamara, in particular, is a big miss for Fulham, as his pace in behind would have been a big threat against the ageing Branislav Ivanovic.
Fulham have a similarly poor defensive record to the Baggies, with 14 goals conceded so far this term, so the miss of Andersen, Tete and Kongolo could also prove vital.
With a fairly clean bill of health, the Baggies should look to attack Scott Parker's side, with Grady Diangana, Matheus Pereira and Karlan Grant all looking to add to their Premier League goalscoring tallies.
https://www.westbromnews.co.uk/2020/11/02/fulham-handed-massive-blow-ahead-of-clash-v-west-brom/
Pep Guardiola hints at second Premier League lockdown: "Football cannot be an exception"
Pep Guardiola saw his Manchester City side beat Sheffield United on Saturday, but was unsure whether the Premier League should continue after the game
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has cast doubt on whether the Premier League should carry on through a second national lockdown.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the restrictions on Saturday with all non-essential services to close from Thursday for a four-week period.
Elite sport has been given an exemption to continue as normal, although fans will still be prohibited from attending matches.
The Premier League paused its season when the country went into the first lockdown, resuming only when a fully-operational testing system was in place.
And Guardiola has now questioned whether it is the right decision to carry on playing this time around.
Speaking ahead of Johnson's speech, the Blues boss said: "It's difficult. I know the prime minister is taking the decision because the situation is getting worse. It happened in Spain, Germany and France. Everywhere.
"So the virus is still there. Maybe people say it is stronger. I think the world of football cannot be an exception in what is happening in society.
"So if we have to play, we will play. But we don't want to be different from the rest of society when they have to close restaurants or close whatever.
"It's a position in which I am not involved. I want to be safe. I want to keep well for myself, for my family, my friends, for all England, all of the UK. But honestly I don't know."
Guardiola urged the public to take the second wave of Covid-19 seriously - and do as asked and stay inside their homes.
"It's not a joke. It's serious," he added. "If he says stay at home, you have to stay at home. If he says don't do this, we don't do it.
"Because it's not fair for half of the population doing what we have to do and the prime minister says this, and the rest of the people do whatever they want.
"So we have to be conscious – the reality is tough, it's difficult. If we have to stop, we are going to stop.
"If we have to play, because they decide it's good for society or for I don't know, just be alert, be careful, take maximum consciousness of the dangers of the situation in which we are living."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/pep-guardiola-hints-second-premier-22942505
Quote from: whitejc on November 02, 2020, 08:12:29 AM
Scott Parker remains realistic about Fulham's ambitions this season
Scott Parker insisted he wants Fulham to win "more than anyone" as they prepare for a crucial Premier League game against West Brom on Monday.
The Cottagers have just one point from their opening six matches and sit in 19th place ahead of their important game against the Baggies, who are also without a win this term.
Fulham finished fourth in the Sky Bet Championship last season before reaching the top flight via the play-offs but have endured a disappointing start on their Premier League return.
Parker said he was being realistic with his aims for the club this season and explained that he had set out the picture to the players and the squad before the start of the season.
He said: "I want to win more than anyone, I want us to be successful more than anyone, I want to be seventh to 10th in the league this year, but reality tells us that's going to be very, very difficult and not where we will be finishing.
"I know where we're going to be punching this year, and we're going to be punching in and around the bottom four, bottom five, bottom six, but at the same time I want my team to understand that.
"To understand the battles and what we need to do to be successful and realise the peaks and troughs along the way and stay positive, keep staying motivated and understand this is what we need to do and this is where we need to get to and with that I do actually feel that's the best way for us to come out with points and be successful this year.
"There's still a great hope, of course there is. I'm not saying that we can't end up with some good results and end up in 15th or 12th – sure we can but we end up there with a mindset and an understanding of where we are and the dips don't break us."
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/scott-parker-remains-realistic-about-fulhams-ambitions-this-season-1604269805000
I really wish parker would be more positive in his press conferences. He's meant to be leading the team and making them think they'll be OK and can fight for the right to stay in the league.. not tell them that they're essentially going to be close to relegated or relegated from the off. That does absolutely nothing for confidence levels at all and sets the bar for motivation ridiculously low. We've got good players, a new squad who are gelling and have started to put in good performances. What we need to do is start taking more legitimate and on target shots. Our last two games we had loads of possession but took for ages to properly test the goalie. If we had done it more regularly and earlier the game could very well have been a draw. We got exposed defensively and I put that down to our tactics as we got hit on the break both times pretty much which is such a simple thing to try and not let happen against palace of all teams. Defensively, especially with andersen and kongolo coming back in actually think we could be quite solid. Now we need to shoot and shoot on target (not down keepers throat), and when crossing don't just do it for statistics sake, if there's a better pass, play the pass.. if you're going to cross make sure it's got quality on it. These things Scott really should be getting right after over a year of being our manager.
Quote from: General on November 02, 2020, 10:58:57 AM
Quote from: whitejc on November 02, 2020, 08:12:29 AM
Scott Parker remains realistic about Fulham's ambitions this season
Scott Parker insisted he wants Fulham to win "more than anyone" as they prepare for a crucial Premier League game against West Brom on Monday.
The Cottagers have just one point from their opening six matches and sit in 19th place ahead of their important game against the Baggies, who are also without a win this term.
Fulham finished fourth in the Sky Bet Championship last season before reaching the top flight via the play-offs but have endured a disappointing start on their Premier League return.
Parker said he was being realistic with his aims for the club this season and explained that he had set out the picture to the players and the squad before the start of the season.
He said: "I want to win more than anyone, I want us to be successful more than anyone, I want to be seventh to 10th in the league this year, but reality tells us that's going to be very, very difficult and not where we will be finishing.
"I know where we're going to be punching this year, and we're going to be punching in and around the bottom four, bottom five, bottom six, but at the same time I want my team to understand that.
"To understand the battles and what we need to do to be successful and realise the peaks and troughs along the way and stay positive, keep staying motivated and understand this is what we need to do and this is where we need to get to and with that I do actually feel that's the best way for us to come out with points and be successful this year.
"There's still a great hope, of course there is. I'm not saying that we can't end up with some good results and end up in 15th or 12th – sure we can but we end up there with a mindset and an understanding of where we are and the dips don't break us."
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/scott-parker-remains-realistic-about-fulhams-ambitions-this-season-1604269805000
I really wish parker would be more positive in his press conferences. He's meant to be leading the team and making them think they'll be OK and can fight for the right to stay in the league.. not tell them that they're essentially going to be close to relegated or relegated from the off. That does absolutely nothing for confidence levels at all and sets the bar for motivation ridiculously low. We've got good players, a new squad who are gelling and have started to put in good performances. What we need to do is start taking more legitimate and on target shots. Our last two games we had loads of possession but took for ages to properly test the goalie. If we had done it more regularly and earlier the game could very well have been a draw. We got exposed defensively and I put that down to our tactics as we got hit on the break both times pretty much which is such a simple thing to try and not let happen against palace of all teams. Defensively, especially with andersen and kongolo coming back in actually think we could be quite solid. Now we need to shoot and shoot on target (not down keepers throat), and when crossing don't just do it for statistics sake, if there's a better pass, play the pass.. if you're going to cross make sure it's got quality on it. These things Scott really should be getting right after over a year of being our manager.
the really worrying thing General is that he could be talking things up as far as he's concerned and that he really believes that its far worse than he's making out?
Fulham prepared for 'punching' relegation battle, insists Scott Parker
'We're going to be punching in and around the bottom four, bottom five, bottom six'
Scott Parker insisted he wants Fulham to win "more than anyone" as they prepare for a crucial Premier League game against West Brom on Monday.
The Cottagers have just one point from their opening six matches and sit in 19th place ahead of their important game against the Baggies, who are also without a win this term.
Fulham finished fourth in the Sky Bet Championship last season before reaching the top flight via the play-offs but have endured a disappointing start on their Premier League return.
Parker said he was being realistic with his aims for the club this season and explained that he had set out the picture to the players and the squad before the start of the season.
He said: "I want to win more than anyone, I want us to be successful more than anyone, I want to be seventh to 10th in the league this year, but reality tells us that's going to be very, very difficult and not where we will be finishing.
"I know where we're going to be punching this year, and we're going to be punching in and around the bottom four, bottom five, bottom six, but at the same time I want my team to understand that.
"To understand the battles and what we need to do to be successful and realise the peaks and troughs along the way and stay positive, keep staying motivated and understand this is what we need to do and this is where we need to get to and with that I do actually feel that's the best way for us to come out with points and be successful this year.
"There's still a great hope, of course there is. I'm not saying that we can't end up with some good results and end up in 15th or 12th - sure we can but we end up there with a mindset and an understanding of where we are and the dips don't break us."
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-news-west-brom-scott-parker-fixtures-results-epl-table-b1527198.html
Under-23 preview | Wolves vs Fulham
Wolves under-23s are back at Aggborough this afternoon as they take on Fulham in the hope of returning to winning ways.
James Collins' side have suffered back-to-back defeats in Premier League 2 Division 2 for the first time this season, and the head coach has called for his players to improve defensively ahead of the visit of the Cottagers to Kidderminster later today.
Their opposition are coming into the game on a string of successive losses, with the young whites falling 5-3 to Sunderland last time out and having not picked up a point in the league since a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at the end of September.
With the game to be played behind closed doors, supporters can still catch all the action live from Kidderminster on Wolves TV.
The match will be streamed online from 2pm, with Mikey Burrows providing full match commentary and available to watch on wolves.co.uk or the Wolves App.
The live match stream can be found here, while supporters can also catch download the Wolves App now on iOS here and on Android here.
WHEN
Monday, 2pm
WHERE
Aggborough, Kidderminster
LAST THREE
Wolves
1-2 vs Crystal Palace (A)
1-3 vs Aston Villa (H)
1-1p vs Bradford City* (A) PJT
Fulham
3-5 vs Sunderland (A)
1-2 vs Newcastle United (A)
2-4 vs Peterborough United* (A) PJT
*indicates first-team opposition
WHAT THE BOSS THINKS
On importance of a clean sheet against Fulham
"They're a good group of players, they've got some talent, they know the system, they know the shape, and they keep playing, so I never expect them to down tools.
"I said to them that if this was the first-team, they've got to be careful because losing two on the bounce can become a habit again, so we've got to make sure we come out, be solid, get a nil, and if you get a nil then you build from there."
NEXT FIVE
02/11 Fulham (H)
06/11 Sunderland (A)
10/11 Doncaster Rovers* (A) EFLT
20/11 Middlesbrough (H)
30/11 Newcastle United (A)
*indicates first-team opposition
https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/under-23/20201102-under-23-preview-wolves-vs-fulham/
PPV? No, charity!
Ahead of the West Brom game, we are sharing the stories of a number of Fulham fans, and Fulham based organisations, who are raising money for charity as an alternative to the £14.95 PPV charges.
1 – David and his friends trekking 80 miles for the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity following Britain's oldest road from Swindon to Aylesbury! Go well! https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/familytrek2020
2 – Adam Farquharson, or AF, Fulhamish's Photoshop and graphics guru, has shaved off his beard for the first time in a decade(!) to grow a Mo for Movember and raise money for men's mental health charities: https://uk.movember.com/mospace/6179225
3 – Luke and friends are running 7 marathons in 7 days to raise money for Kingston Carers Network. Go well! https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/daniel-long15
4 – Coral Lutteridge will be swimming 30KM in memory of her Grandad Ted, raising money for Alzheimer's Research UK. Go well Coral!: https://swim.thetreblechallenge.org/pages/grandad-ted
5 – Eric Shadbolt is running the Thorpe and Egham half marathon in memory of his colleague Vicki and will be raising money for the Brain Tumour Charity. Go well!: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/eric-shadbolt
6 – Kieran Celaire is running the "Special K's" in November, a kilometre for every day additional day in the month, from 1 to 30KM! Go well!: https://uk.movember.com/mospace/2856473?
7 – Jake O'Dea is also running the Thorpe and Egham half marathon in memory of his Uncle, and will be raising money for St. George's Hospital. Go well!: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jake-odea
8 – Sophie Johnson is walking 20 miles along the Thames walkway for mental health charity "Mind" raising awareness for male suicide prevention. Go well!: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sophie-johnson41
9 – Julian Hare is raising money for the Coram Foundation who work with vulnerable children across the UK to give them a better future. He is attempting 1739 push-ups across October, 56 a day! Go well!: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/julianchallenge1739
10 – Gareth Davey is doing 3,000 press ups across the month of November for the Teenage Cancer Trust! Those arms are going to burn! Go well!: https://www.facebook.com/donate/399294978115964/
11 – The Huracan Foundation support grass roots football and education worldwide and were founded by Fulham fan Henry May and named after the Argentinian football team! You can donate to the cause here: http://thehuracanfoundation.org
12 – Access Adventures helps to provide sports and outdoor adventure opportunities to people with disabilities, allowing them to push their boundaries through sport: https://www.accessadventures.co.uk/
13 – The Fulham Foundation do some incredible work in the community and have helped to provide food during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can donate to the charity here, and enter an auction to win the shirt of a player of your choice here
https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2020-11-02-ppv-no-charity/
Is this the hardest year ever for promoted Premier League clubs? Fulham and West Brom deserve our sympathy
Fulham and West Brom had to improve Championships squads during the shortest, most uncertain transfer window in history
It is the pay-per-view derby. Fulham and West Bromwich Albion may have coveted the Premier League millions when they were Championship clubs last season. Now their supporters find themselves being fleeced by the top flight's greed. Or, perhaps more accurately, not watching their teams play in Monday's graveyard slot. Albion's stalemate with Burnley reportedly attracted under 1,000 paying customers. Their trip to Fulham has the potential to prove a record-breaker of sorts.
Fulham and West Brom both have more pay-per-view games than points, even if Monday's meeting offers one the chance to change that. What it might not alter is perceptions: both seem universally tipped for a swift return to the Football League.
That is not entirely their fault. There is a sense that this was the hardest year to be promoted. Leeds can camouflage and confuse that, looking an indictment of their peers as they blaze a trail with bold football. But Fulham and West Brom remain winless. They look illustrations of a growing gap between the top two divisions. That has been compounded by circumstances; the compressed close season gave them less time to prepare for a different division. But for Covid-19, Albion would have had more than three months between their last Championship game and their first Premier League match. Instead they got 53 days. That was still 14 more than Fulham had. It is little wonder they scarcely looked ready.
Then there is the financial factor. Relegation favourites and clubs with recent experience of demotion had more reason to be prudent than most. Fulham were understandably scarred by 2018's £100 million spending spree. Their expenditure now is closer to £30 million, including loan fees, but even that is deceptive: Anthony Knockaert's transfer from Brighton was seemingly triggered as part of his loan, but he has since been borrowed by Nottingham Forest. Yet with a smaller budget, Fulham ended up scrabbling around on deadline day for anyone available. It is scarcely an example of squad building at its finest and it contributed to a confused look.
They have paid bigger wages than Albion, whose expenditure in fees is greater but it is notable for three elements: buying Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana merely preserved some of last season's squad and, in the Brazilian's case, came from an option in his temporary deal; getting Cedric Kipre for a cut-price £1 million was the sort of deal where Albion cannot lose financially even if the defender does not step up to the Premier League; and Karlan Grant's £14 million fee can be spread over the six years of his contract. His arrival also gives West Brom a proven Championship scorer should they need one next season. Slaven Bilic's evident unhappiness about the decision to sell Ahmed Hegazi to Al Ittihad, removing a big earner from the books, underlined a fiscal caution which could cost Albion on the pitch but is nevertheless understandable.
It is easy to dismiss them, to suggest they are the two worst squads in the Premier League and to wonder if a lack of ambition has denied them a proper opportunity. And yet Albion have behaved responsibly while, even if Fulham's approach still feels rather more scattergun, the parameters of what is possible were altered by a unique context. Their loanees, in Ademola Lookman and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, may represent among their best chances of survival but the lasting legacy of Fulham and West Brom's business may be that they now have better Championship squads than they did when promoted. In a different world, that might be grounds for criticism. Perhaps it is not now.
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/is-this-the-hardest-year-ever-for-promoted-premier-league-clubs-fulham-and-west-brom-deserve-our-sympathy
Moyes may make a couple of changes for Fulham
West Ham have a clean bill of health after the exertions of Liverpool and will go into the match against Fulham full of confidence they are ready to start climbing the table.
Aaron Cresswell was the only player over whom there appeared to be any doubt at all looking at one point as though he may have suffered a groin problem during the match at Anfield.
But we have learned that the left back is fine and will be in training this week ready for the London Stadium clash against Scott Parker's outfit.
And it seems likely that Issa Diop – agitating for a return – will have to wait again with Fabian Balbuena currently showing very good form.
It maybe that Moyes will decide this is the ideal game to give Said Benrahma his debut – or at least a lot longer on the pitch – than he received against Liverpool.
Seb Haller may be handed another chance in the central striking role although Moyes is bound to consider starting Andriy Yarmolenko who showed far more energy than the Frenchman when he arrived as a sub at the weekend.
https://www.claretandhugh.info/moyes-may-make-a-couple-of-changes-for-fulham/
Mark Noble, Michail Antonio - latest West Ham injury news ahead of Fulham
The Hammers suffered nop new fresh injury concerns after their loss at champions Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday
West Ham appear to have come through their 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday evening unscathed as focus now switches to Fulham this weekend at London Stadium.
The Hammers took the lead in the 11th minute at Anfield as Pablo Fornals swept home to fire the visitors into a surprise lead, only to be pegged back by a Mo Salah penalty and substitute Diogo Jota's 85th minute winner on Merseyside.
It ended West Ham's unbeaten four-game stretch as they have emerged from their brutal run of fixtures to start the season with eight points and sit 14th ahead of the game against former midfielder Scott Parker's side this weekend.
Fulham have yet to win this season and have picked up just a single point so far in the campaign as West Ham will take on a side in the bottom half of the standings for just the second time so far this campaign.
David Moyes' side lost Mark Noble to injury in training last week as he was not named in the squad for the loss at Anfield though that injury is not expected to sideline him for too long and he could be in contention for a return on Saturday.
Michail Antonio watched on from the stands at Liverpool as his teammate splugged away only to be denied late on. He is expected to miss this weekend's game against Fulham but there is cautious optimism the striker won't be out for as long as initially thought.
Aaron Cresswell also appeared to suffer a groin problem at Anfield that needed treatment though he completed the rest of the game and football.london understands he will be available for selection this weekend.
Apart from that, the injury situation isn't too bad in east London. There will have been knocks and niggles from the defeat on Saturday but Moyes should have most of his players available for the home game in Stratford this weekend.
In light of Antonio's injury, Moyes was asked about the number of soft-tissue injuries players are suffering this season which has risen rapidly after such a quick turnaround between the 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns and also, the amount of matches being played early in this campaign.
"It is as if nobody is willing to give anything up at all in the programme and because of that the players are the ones who are struggling with it," Moyes said.
"Nobody would give up the Carabao Cup for example. We couldn't change the Champions League, we couldn't change the Europa League, we are not going to change the Premier League. Nobody is willing to give anything up.
"The only people who will really, well not suffer be because the players are well paid for the job they do, but if you talk about injuries the players will get injured more often.
"Maybe more reason why the squads this season will be up and down is because of how compact the whole season is."
Here is the latest injury news from the Hammers heading into this weekend's clash with Fulham.
Michail Antonio
Type of injury: Hamstring
Date of injury: October 24
Potential return date: November 22
Comments: "We've already got him on the bike and he's moving, which for the type of injury we're really pleased with. He had another scan and an ultrasound as well. He's in a good place."
Mark Noble
Type of injury: Knock
Date of injury: N/A
Potential return date: November 7
Comments: Noble picked up the injury in training and football.london understands he was not risked for the defeat at Anfield
https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/players/mark-noble-michail-antonio-latest-19205258
West Brom Predicted XI: Fulham (A)
West Brom will travel to Craven Cottage this evening looking to pick up a first win of the Premier League season.
Slaven Bilic's side have struggled since returning to England's top flight but they face a Fulham side who are in a similar boat, having also found the going tough since promotion from the Championship this summer.
Sam Field, Hal Robson-Kanu and Dara O'Shea are all unavailable as they continue to recover from injury, whilst Ahmed Hegazi is no longer at the club having moved to Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad last week.
With three draws, the Baggies sit 17th in the Premier League table but despite such poor form, Bilic could name the same starting XI which faced Brighton last Monday.
https://readwestbrom.com/2020/11/02/west-brom-predicted-xi-fulham-bilic/
O-Zone: Bitter end
JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it ...
Marcus from Jacksonville
I don't know enough about either league to have an informed opinion on this, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts. I heard someone on the radio talking about the difference in the way Shad Khan treats the Jaguars and his Premier League team, Fulham. Khan has been much quicker to change leadership at Fulham than he has with the Jags, with the former having eight different managers in his seven years as owner. In the Premier League there is a system of promotion and relegation. If your record is bad, you get relegated to the Champions League, and the money you make in the Champions League is far less. In the NFL, the TV money is divided evenly among all the teams, so whether your record is 0-16 or 16-0, you're going to make at least that much money. Certainly, you can make more money as a winning team, but that $250 million is guaranteed no matter what. The theory is that Shad Khan is much quicker to change leadership at Fulham because their losing affects him more on the bottom line, while the Jags losing doesn't have such a significant impact. Is there any merit to this theory, or are the two things so different that they can't be compared?
There's no merit to the theory, though it is a convenient "take" for those who fervently want to believe that Khan cares more about money than winning. Those who believe this conveniently – or lazily – ignore the money and effort Khan has spent trying to improve what by any measure was an out-of-date NFL stadium when he purchased the Jaguars in 2012, and they also ignore the reality that Khan has spent in a big way on free agents. In short, Khan has done pretty much what an NFL owner can do: he has spent whenever and wherever possible with the idea of giving the team the best chance to win. Khan has been more measured in his moves at general manager and head coach with the Jaguars than he has with Fulham because he believes – rightly so – that the NFL is a league about continuity and long-term building. Snap-judgement, quick-trigger changes in leadership and coaching lead to a lack of direction and rarely produce desired results; such moves typically hurt in the long run. I don't know as much about the Premier League as I do the NFL, but my understanding is coaches are changed more in that sport than in the NFL because a coaching change can have a more pronounced and tangible effect. Here's something to remember: Khan wants to win with Fulham and he wants to win in the NFL. Both are competitive leagues. He hasn't achieved his desired results. But that doesn't mean the desire to win isn't real.
Renee from Jacksonville
John, so it comes out that Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II has stress fractures and a strained ligament of his thumb ON HIS THROWING HAND. Gardner was missing throws that he made with relative ease at the beginning of the season the last several games. If I could see it, the NFL world was seeing it. What is it with the NFL letting players play when obviously they are hurt and are going to give a subpar performance? Someone has to first think of the player and that leads to having the team doing better. Sigh ... go Jags.
There's little – if anything – a team can do to know a player has a hurt hand if the player doesn't mention it. There's also little risk involved to the player from playing through such an injury, so I don't know that the team was negligent in not "thinking" of the player in this instance.
Rob from Orange Park, FL
Is there really something wrong with Minshew's hand? If so, is it his throwing hand? If so, when did it happen? Some of his throws in the last game reminded me of former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles' ball flight, so could that be the result of an injury?
Yes, though the extent is uncertain. Yes. A few weeks ago. Yes, the throws in the last game could have been the result of an injury.
Jeff from Atlantic Beach, FL
If the Jaguars cleaned house after last season and the new general manager and head coach made the exact same moves with the exact same results, how different would this year feel?
For many observers? Very. Rightly or wrongly, that would change a lot of the perception around this season.
Sam from Orlando, FL
You seem to infer quite a bit that Tom Coughlin being Executive Vice President got us to this point. But he also got us competitive for the first time since 2007-2008. Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell was abysmal before him and after him. At the very least, with Tom Coughlin, we had an identity and an agenda. You don't get to pick a quarterback in the top five, watch him fail, cut him and keep your job anywhere else except in Jacksonville. Coughlin had to go because of all the NFLPA stuff. No doubt. But Dave Caldwell absolutely had to go, too. They aren't making bumpers for cars. They are running a football team and failing.
Tom Coughlin was the executive vice president of football operations and therefore the final decision-maker on football decisions from 2017-2019. Caldwell was the general manager from 2013-2016 and is now again the general manager. A lot happened during all time periods that led to not only the 2017 season but to the Jaguars being in the situation they currently find themselves. I'm not inferring anything by this. How you interpret it is up to you.
Rob from Ponte Vedra, FL
This summer I asked sarcastically "#freeJakeLuton? I now ask again but very seriously, with a 1-6 team and rumors of a hurt thumb, is it time to #freeJakeLuton?
FreeJakeLuton
Paul from Duval
Anyone associated with Jaguars – myself included – that doesn't identify this as a waste of time is deluded and has no appreciation of anything in life, literature, art, hope, love, loss, hate. Except for Shad Khan who gets free money to build the Landing. God, I hate this team.
It's sports, Paul. It's not life and death. But there are a lot of people who read this column every day and a lot of people who follow the team on a daily basis because they enjoy it. Hate what you want. Love what you want. But don't insult the readers of this column by making a blanket statement that by doing so – or by being interested in this team – they are wasting their time or somehow aren't as smart as the Mighty Paul from Duval.
Neil from Jacksonville
John, you mentioned soft zone recently. Is this a type of zone where there is a cushion given? Can you educate us on how soft zone differs from regular zone coverage? Thanks as always.
It's basically two-deep zone designed to take away long throws over the top and force quarterbacks to throw between safeties and cornerbacks – and over dropping linebackers.
David from the Island
If Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence doesn't want to get picked first in 2021, he could just play college ball another year and then get picked first in 2022. Waiting a year and missing out on millions of dollars doesn't make a lot of sense. Unless of course he has Yann's agent.
Fair.
Roger from Houston, TX
Trevor Lawrence might be a bust. He's no Peyton Manning.
Any quarterback might be a bust until he gets into the NFL and proves otherwise. And sure ... Lawrence might not be as good as Manning. But remember: Manning was the NFL Most Valuable Player five times and one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. Maybe a guy can help turn a franchise around and not be a bust and not be quite as good as that.
John from Cape May Courthouse, NJ
I'm with you that's it's players not plays. If I were head coach and my quarterback was Tom Brady, I'd be picking out my bust for Canton. But how much responsibility, if any, do you put on coaches developing players? Or is it more a matter of either the player has got what it takes, or just doesn't?
Players certainly can be developed to some degree, but I would lean far more toward the player either having it or not than coaches having the ability to make so-so players great.
Sprinkle from Jacksonville
Hey, O. This is a tough time. Just wanted to thank you and all the great Jaguars fans who are still fanning. There's a lot of hope for America's underdog team in the near future, and this city will continue to support our guys to the bitter, bitter end. Looking forward to seeing this young team's fight for the remainder of this season. One more thing ... ahem ... DUUUUUUUUUVAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!!
DUUUUUUUUUVAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!!
https://www.jaguars.com/news/o-zone-bitter-end
It's already crunch time for Fulham and Scott Parker
Matches considered a "must-win" rarely come around as early as seven games into the season.
But as the desperation for a first Premier League win sets in for Scott Parker and his Fulham side, there is no doubt tonight's meeting with fellow strugglers West Brom is potentially monumental.
Should Fulham fail to get anything at Craven Cottage, only two teams in Premier League history will have made worse starts to a season. One of those sides did survive, but that will be of little comfort to Parker, with next week's game at a much-improved West Ham followed by a nightmare run against Everton, Leicester, Manchester City and Liverpool.
Ahead of tonight's game, Parker said: "Every game is going to be massive for us this year, but you're right in saying this one's got a little bit extra.
"We are only six games in, but at the same time it's a big, big game for us."
The two sides last met in July as Championship rivals, when a 0-0 draw represented a decent result for Fulham against a side on the cusp of promotion.
It also marked a fourth successive clean sheet, but that Parker's men have not kept one in a league game since speaks volumes. Fulham's leaky backline is not the manager's only concern: star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has so far scored in just one League match this season but has shouldered much of the blame for their bad start. No team in the top flight had conceded more goals coming into this weekend's fixtures.
Immediately after last season's Play-Off Final, Parker vowed the club would learn the lessons following their disastrous season in 2018-19, when an expensive and ultimately failed recruitment drive led to relegation. But after conceding 10 goals in their first three games back in the top flight, similar flaws have been laid bare.
Director of football Tony Khan's tweets following a 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa in September were unhelpful and riled Parker, but they at least showed the club's hierarchy were aware of the pressing need for reinforcements.
The result was a similar influx of late signings like two years ago. Six defenders arrived before the window shut, as well as goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, but this time on the cheap.
"There have been 10 or 11 new players coming into the building," Parker said. "A lot of young players. We've brought players here with massive potential but who don't have a lot of Premier League experience. These players are going to need to come with a mindset that they need to improve.
"This league's a fast league, things are happening much quicker, at a quicker pace than they have had for large parts of these players' careers."
It is hard not to feel a degree of sympathy for Parker over his defensive woes. Kenny Tete made an encouraging start after signing from Lyon, then got injured. Joachim Andersen, who has played in the Champions League, arrived and was also sidelined, while Terence Kongolo, a player with Premier league experience, is yet to feature this season as he works towards full fitness.
There is still hope for Fulham. They are far from being the division's only strugglers. Finishing above three of them is all that matters. "This year, our league is our mini-league," Parker added. "We're two points off being top of our mini-league. They are the facts. Fourth from bottom for us is going to be a huge success. That's our aim."
Tonight's early-season six-pointer would be a good place to start.
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-news-scott-parker-west-brom-b40286.html
Quote from: whitejc on November 02, 2020, 12:51:07 PM
Quote from: General on November 02, 2020, 10:58:57 AM
Quote from: whitejc on November 02, 2020, 08:12:29 AM
Scott Parker remains realistic about Fulham's ambitions this season
Scott Parker insisted he wants Fulham to win "more than anyone" as they prepare for a crucial Premier League game against West Brom on Monday.
The Cottagers have just one point from their opening six matches and sit in 19th place ahead of their important game against the Baggies, who are also without a win this term.
Fulham finished fourth in the Sky Bet Championship last season before reaching the top flight via the play-offs but have endured a disappointing start on their Premier League return.
Parker said he was being realistic with his aims for the club this season and explained that he had set out the picture to the players and the squad before the start of the season.
He said: "I want to win more than anyone, I want us to be successful more than anyone, I want to be seventh to 10th in the league this year, but reality tells us that's going to be very, very difficult and not where we will be finishing.
"I know where we're going to be punching this year, and we're going to be punching in and around the bottom four, bottom five, bottom six, but at the same time I want my team to understand that.
"To understand the battles and what we need to do to be successful and realise the peaks and troughs along the way and stay positive, keep staying motivated and understand this is what we need to do and this is where we need to get to and with that I do actually feel that's the best way for us to come out with points and be successful this year.
"There's still a great hope, of course there is. I'm not saying that we can't end up with some good results and end up in 15th or 12th – sure we can but we end up there with a mindset and an understanding of where we are and the dips don't break us."
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/scott-parker-remains-realistic-about-fulhams-ambitions-this-season-1604269805000
I really wish parker would be more positive in his press conferences. He's meant to be leading the team and making them think they'll be OK and can fight for the right to stay in the league.. not tell them that they're essentially going to be close to relegated or relegated from the off. That does absolutely nothing for confidence levels at all and sets the bar for motivation ridiculously low. We've got good players, a new squad who are gelling and have started to put in good performances. What we need to do is start taking more legitimate and on target shots. Our last two games we had loads of possession but took for ages to properly test the goalie. If we had done it more regularly and earlier the game could very well have been a draw. We got exposed defensively and I put that down to our tactics as we got hit on the break both times pretty much which is such a simple thing to try and not let happen against palace of all teams. Defensively, especially with andersen and kongolo coming back in actually think we could be quite solid. Now we need to shoot and shoot on target (not down keepers throat), and when crossing don't just do it for statistics sake, if there's a better pass, play the pass.. if you're going to cross make sure it's got quality on it. These things Scott really should be getting right after over a year of being our manager.
the really worrying thing General is that he could be talking things up as far as he's concerned and that he really believes that its far worse than he's making out?
Ultimately as a leader of a people-centric and athlete performance point of view he's being very naive - you need to take the lead in the way the conversations are had about the team, give them the outlet for positivity and hope they need as some players are more than competent of playing and succeeding at this level, in fact you could argue almost all of, if not all of our new signings, plus a few extras like Mitro (for example). If he excudes negativity in his position and a player isn't that strong minded or needs something to base their levels of optimism on, having a head coach/manager who's downplaying chances, isn't exactly inspiring.... If being a manager hasn't got an awful lot to do with man management then I must be very out of touch, as I'm of the understanding it's a huge part of the game.
I understand Parker has brought in psychologists to work with the players on their performances levels, but can't help but think that's distracting from the main point of the fact that managers are normally expected to take the lead and have their own psychological views and insights into leadership and man management.
I really wish parker would be more positive in his press conferences. He's meant to be leading the team and making them think they'll be OK and can fight for the right to stay in the league.. not tell them that they're essentially going to be close to relegated or relegated from the off. That does absolutely nothing for confidence levels at all and sets the bar for motivation ridiculously low.
[/quote]
Totally agree!!!! We've seen some of SP's Debbie Downer comments already, earlier in the season. Just does not inspire or provide confidence to the players and everyone associated with the squad. Sure, everyone knows and can see that FFC will have a difficult time this season in the prem. But why is the head coach always talking so negatively? That's really NOT what I want in my head coach.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/El1MX-IX0AEUIYb?format=jpg&name=large)
