Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 17/11/21...

[WhiteJC]

Under the microscope: How important is Harry Wilson for Fulham's attack?



Fulham are currently sitting in second place in the 2021-22 EFL Championship standings with 38 points from their opening 17 games. They are only two points behind leaders AFC Bournemouth and are six ahead of third-placed West Bromwich Albion. They have been a freely attacking team and have consistently scored goals this season. They have managed to score 44 goals in their 17 games this season, which is 13 more than any other team in the league. They also boast the second-best defense in the league, conceding only 14 goals in 17 games. Their attack has been strong this season, with Mitrovic scoring 20 goals in 17 games and leading the goalscoring charts for the Championship this season. Harry Wilson has also been highly impressive, as he has scored five goals and given six assists already this season. In this post, we will have a look at the attacking stats of Wilson and see how he affects the Fulham side.



The above viz shows the defensive dashboard for Wilson, who is a regular at right wing for them for the past couple of seasons. He has been giving in great performances and is a very important part of this Fulham team. The black line in the above viz depicts the average value of the particular stat for all players in the league. The viz shows that Wilson has been one of the best attacking players in all of the Championship, considering most of his stats are much higher than the average. He is a talented winger who is expected to get many more goals and assists this season.



The pass map for Wilson shows that he has been involved in all the attacks his team makes, especially from the right side. He has passed not only in the attacking third but in his half as well. He has provided six assists already this season for Fulham and has proven himself to be one of the best goal creators with 11 goal contributions in total.



The above viz shows the shot map for Wilson this season. It is visible that he has taken many shots from inside and outside the box, also scoring a couple of goals from outside the box and three from inside. In addition to his five goals, he has also provided six assists and has been very important for the Cottagers.

This season, Harry Wilson has proved himself as one of the best young wingers in the Championship, and maybe in the country as well. If he continues the same way throughout the season, Fulham have high chances of challenging Bournemouth for the title, and for Wilson to gain a big move to a much bigger club in the Premier League.



https://eflanalysis.com/analysis/under-the-microscope-harry-wilson

[WhiteJC]

Olakigbe scores for England U18s

Fulham winger Michael Olakigbe scored as England's under 18s finished the Pinatar Tournament with a 2-0 win over Portugal in Spain last night.

Olakigbe added the crucial second on the counter attack with twelve minutes left, coolly slotting between the near post and a stranded goalkeeper having been played in by Sam Mather. Fulham full back Harvey Araujo played the first 45 minutes at left back before being substituted.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/11/olakigbe-scores-for-england-u18s/

[WhiteJC]

Half Season Tickets On Sale

Join us for the second half of the 2021/22 campaign, with Half Season Tickets now on sale!

Beginning at our home fixture against Bristol City on Saturday 15th January 2022, a Half Season Ticket provides you with front-row access to Fulham's final 10 Sky Bet Championship fixtures at Craven Cottage.

Be there to celebrate every goal and see every moment live at Craven Cottage, with everything to play for as we head into an exciting 2022.  Half Season Ticket prices start from just £30 for juniors and from £190 for adults.
LIMITED TIME OFFER

Supporters who purchase their 2021/22 Half Season Ticket before 5pm on Monday 6th December will also receive a ticket to our Boxing Day fixture against Birmingham City free of charge!



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/november/16/half-season-tickets-on-sale/

[WhiteJC]

Club currently in 'frequent contact' with Fulham man's agent as transfer plans become clear

It will come as no secret to Fulham fans that André Frank Zambo Anguissa is having the time of his life at Napoli.

The Cameroon international has taken Serie A by storm since his loan move from Craven Cottage late on in the summer transfer window, and the Italians have wasted no time in letting everyone around them know they want to make the move permanent.

For that to happen, they will need to pay Fulham around €15m, and that fee is almost guaranteed to end up in the Championship club's bank account before the end of the season.

Corriere del Mezzogiorno are quite clear about it all on Tuesday, explaining that Napoli 'want to trigger the option to buy', and reveal that club are in 'frequent contact with his agent'.

This, to us, suggests a move could be made sooner rather than later, as there would be no need to be in touch with the Fulham player's representatives unless something was in the works.

For Fulham, who currently sit second in the Championship, the income would likely be a welcome one, allowing them to recoup a large chunk of the initial £22m they spent on the midfielder back in 2018.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-currently-frequent-contact-fulham-mans-agent-transfer-plans-become-clear/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham face Everton in FA Youth Cup third round

Fulham have been drawn away to Everton in the third round of the FA Youth Cup.

Ali Melloul's side will make the trip to Merseyside to take on the young Toffees with the tie due to be played before Sunday 11 December. Fulham's under 18s are currently fourth in the U18 Premier League south, two points behind leaders Chelsea. Everton are in eighth position in the north division, with twelve points from nine games.

Fulham were knocked out at the fifth round stage of last season's competition, losing 1-0 to Manchester City.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/11/fulham-face-everton-in-fa-youth-cup-third-round/

[WhiteJC]

Sell or keep? Steven Sessegnon at Fulham as contract expiry looms

Steven Sessegnon's Fulham career has not progressed as he would have liked in the last few years which has led to both parties heading towards a dilemma about the 21-year-old's future.

Sessegnon impressed in a loan spell at Bristol City in 2020/21 and he was retained by the Cottagers this summer following their relegation from the Premier League.

The Londoner though has not been able to force his way into a matchday squad under Marco Silva and has been mainly involved with the U23 side in Premier League 2 this term.

With the 21-year-old's contract coming to end this summer we discuss whether Fulham should sell or keep Steven Sessegnon:

Sell

The Cottagers would recoup a transfer fee if Sessegnon is to leave at the end of his contract due to his youth.

The full back is evidently not in Marco Silva's plans and his versatility and potential, verified by his experience as an England youth international, could be better utilised elsewhere.

With Denis Odoi, Kenny Tete and Cyrus Christie are more senior to him in the pathway to the right back berth at Craven Cottage making Sessegnon's hopes of breaking into Silva's plans are extremely thin. It feels like a departure would be best for both parties.

Keep

From a financial perspective there could be value to enhance in Sessegnon's potential sale. To increase that value Sessegnon would need to prove his worth in senior football and the only way he is going to do that in the current situation is via a loan move.

If Fulham trigger their option to extend his contract until the summer of 2023 before sending the 21-year-old out on loan for the second half of this season, they give themselves a chance of increasing Sessegnon's standing in the transfer market.

Providing more security over his future could see Sessegnon kick on after the turn of the year to further prove his credentials at Championship level.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/sell-or-keep-steven-sessegnon-at-fulham-as-contract-expiry-looms/

[WhiteJC]

Games for the Weekend 20/11...
We welcome Barnsley to the Cottage for a 3 o'clock kick off.

After a struggle at Peterborough, Mitro and Rodak saved the day we managed to grind out our sixth win on the bounce. Over on the forum "Jamie88" and "Dr Know" pointed out that the last time(s) we achieved this type of run was in 2000-01 season, 11 wins, and 1998-99 when we won 8 in a row. During our fabulous 23 match unbeaten run, under Jokanovic, we "only" managed 5 wins in a row.

Mitro has now scored 20 times, to put that in some sort of perspective here's how he ranks against some the other teams in the Championship...
Mitro – 20
Swansea – 20
Reading – 20
Middlesbrough – 19
Bristol City – 19
Birmingham – 18
Preston NE – 18
Blackpool – 18
Millwall – 17
Peterborough – 17
Cardiff – 16
Derby – 13
Barnsley – 12
Hull – 11

As well as scoring for us Mitro' continues to bang 'em in for Serbia, he managed a 90th minute winner against Portugal over the weekend knocking out Cristiano Ronaldo from the World Cup.

Mitro' has 13 goal contributions in 7 games for club and country. 8 goals in 5 starts for Serbia, 20 in 17 for Fulham, better than anyone in Europe to date!

Our record against Barnsley is quite good, for some reason I thought it was bad, I tend to think of Barnsley as a boogy team?, anyhow we've 4 wins, 2 losses and 0 draws.

Odoi, having played well in previous games, for some reason struggled against Peterborough's Dembele , so much so that he was subbed for Tete, I would imagine that Tete would now retain his starting place. Tom added a bit of guile when he was introduced so therefore, assuming no injuries on international duty, my team would be...

if you want to make your own team selection you can do so on the "FoF team selection" page...
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/teamSelect2122-startS.html

COYW's

Games of Interest...
Friday 19th
QPR v Luton

Saturday 20th
Sheff Utd v Coventry
Fulham v Barnsley
Huddersfield v West Brom
M'borough v Millwall

Sunday 21st
Derby v Bournemouth

come on over to the forum and join in the discussion...
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=36.0



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=1806

[WhiteJC]

Under the microscope: The stats behind Fulham's five-game winning run after a huge defeat against Coventry City



Fulham are currently enjoying a six-match winning streak and have not looked back since their 1-4 defeat to Coventry City. Following the opening day draw against Middlesbrough, Fulham brushed off challenges from Huddersfield, Millwall, Hull, and Stoke to take an early lead at the top of the table. Going into the current international break, Fulham have won six consecutive Championship fixtures, smashing home 21 goals and conceding only once against QPR, Cardiff, Forest, West Brom, Blackburn, and Peterborough.

Although the bulk of campaigns since then have come in the top-flight, it might come as a surprise to recall that Marco Silva's men are currently on Fulham's best run for over 20 years.

In a display of cut-throat attacking football, Fulham brutally drubbed 10-man Blackburn Rovers 7-0 on the fourth of November, a result that proved that Fulham can be the most relentless team in the league.



It's been somewhat of an explosive start by the Cottagers, with goals flying in from the off. With an average of nearly three goals per game, Fulham have the best attacking record in the division. Fulham arrived fresh to the Peterborough United game last week from a 7-0 midweek drubbing of Blackburn, which took their tally to 24 goals on the road this season, as the Championship's leading scorers took on the EFL's leakiest defense, which had conceded 31 times. The visitors quickly settled into their rhythm, dominating early possession, but managed just one attempt before the break as Fulham started strongly after the break.



The above visual shows us the shot map for Fulham from their last six games. The visual indicates that Fulham have had a high number of shots on goal and have managed to keep most of their shots on target.



A fifth straight clean sheet helped Marco Silva's side remain two points behind leaders Bournemouth. The consistency of Fulham's defense has also been a significant reason for their excellent start to the season. Captain Tim Reem has been a solid performer at centre-back in a defense that has kept seven clean sheets in the opening 17 games of the season. The above visual shows us the duels won by Fulham in their last six games. Fulham have won most of the duels they have attempted and have been able to deal with the attacks the opposition attempted. They have kept five straight clean sheets and have put up an impressive performance defensively. The fact that they are scoring more goals, gives breathing space to their defenders and can play without any pressure on them.



One of the main reasons for the prolific start by Fulham has been the form of Alexander Mitrovic, who hit an impressive 20 goals in his first 17 games of the season. The form of Mitrovic doesn't come as much of a surprise, as he's been scoring goals for fun in the Championship for years. However, his consistency has been much improved, which is likely to be a result of the other attacking players around him, such as Harry Wilson and Bobby Reid. The Championship goalscoring record was broken last season by Brentford's Ivan Toney, who scored 31 goals. Mitrovic has every chance of breaking the record this season.

Fulham look destined for the Premier League once more. Bournemouth are a more complete side with former Cottagers manager Scott Parker in charge, but Marco Silva is doing what he does best, entertaining all who watch, with an excellent attacking setup that defies many of the deficiencies behind it. They aren't the best team, but they are extremely good going forward, and that will only continue to serve them well soon.



https://eflanalysis.com/analysis/fulham-2021-22-efl-championship-stats

[WhiteJC]

What a difference a year makes! Aleksandar Mitrovic was to blame for Serbia missing out on Euro 2020 and he was dropped by Fulham too... now he's UNSTOPPABLE in the league and has taken his country to the World Cup with dramatic winner against Portugal

    Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is firing on all cylinders this season 
    The Serbia star had a difficult year for club and country but has turned it around
    He is Fulham's go-to man with 20 goals in 17 games after failing to fire last term
    He redeemed himself for Serbia after missing the penalty in Euro 2020 play-offs
    Mitrovic took his country to the World Cup after a late winner to beat Portugal

Not long ago, it looked like Aleksandar Mitrovic could do nothing right. Struggling to make the Fulham first team, failing to fire in the Premier League and topping it off by missing the decisive penalty against Scotland to ensure his Serbia side missed out on Euro 2020.

Just over 12 months later, it seems everything the towering striker touches turns to gold. He is already on course to smash the all-time scoring record in the Championship and Fulham are destined for an instant return to the top flight, while he has more than redeemed himself on the international stage.

Serbia went from spectators at Euro 2020 this summer to contenders at the World Cup next year thanks to their star striker as he powered home a header in the dying minutes against Portugal to seal a 2-1 win and their guaranteed place in Qatar. 


Aleksandar Mitrovic is riding a wave this season after some superb form for club and country


He was mobbed after scoring a dramatic winner against Portugal to qualify for the World Cup

As Portugal's big name stars stood motionless in dejection, Mitrovic wheeled away - with the entire Serbia squad and substitute bench in pursuit, and the 27-year-old ended up at the bottom of a 23-man bundle by the corner flag.

An image can speak a thousand words, but that footage of pure ecstasy summed up how highly he is regarded in his country and by his team-mates, despite enduring a tough year.

Worshipped on the pitch and in the stands - as a clip after the game showed an over-the-moon Mitrovic making his way back onto the turf in his underwear, draped in the Serbian flag before running over to the supporters who stayed behind in a tiny corner of the Estadio da Luz to praise their hero.

Mitrovic pumped his fists in the air, danced wildly before bowing down to the fans. That respect is more than mutual. He has eight goals in eight World Cup qualifying games and has been integral in helping them reaching their second major tournament since 2010.


The 27-year-old did not start the game but has redeemed himself on the international stage


He w width=550as an unconsolable figure after missing the decisive penalty in Serbia's shootout loss to Scotland last year that saw them miss out on Euro 2020

I just want someone to love me like Serbs love Mitrovic. pic.twitter.com/2f3m6qGdWb

— Serbian Football (@SerbianFooty) November 14, 2021

The incredible thing was that he didn't even start the game - with the in-demand Dusan Vlahovic leading the line instead.

Mitrovic was thrown into the action by coach Dragan Stojkovic at half time with the score level at 1-1, coming on for defensive midfielder Nemanja Gudelj, and he ensured the boss did not regret his tactical gamble.

His jubilant scenes in Portugal make quite the contrast from the inconsolable figure that had to be helped off the pitch following his miss in the shootout loss to Scotland that sent Steve Clarke's men through and dashed their hopes on home soil. There might have been some resentment towards him on that night, but not anymore.

In Serbia, Mitrovic is practically a religion, and that's proving to be the case in west London too off the back of his sensational goalscoring form for Fulham.

With an incredible haul of 20 goals in just 17 games for Marco Silva's men this season, Fulham are in good hands as far as promotion is concerned with the striker in their ranks.


He is on fire in the Championship this season with 20 goals in 17 games and Fulham are well on course to go up with him in the team

ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC - WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES

Mitrovic	2020-21 (Premier League)	2021-22  (Championship)
Games played	17	17
Minutes played	987	1471
Goals	2	20
Mins/goal	494	74
Shots	40	74
Shot conversion	5%	27%
Big chance total	6	23
Big chance  scored	2	14
Big chance  coversion	33.3%	60.9%

While he was in and out of the line-up under Scott Parker last season, he's now the go-to man - starting all 17 games in the Championship this season, with 1,471 minutes under his belt compared to just 987 at the same stage in the 2020-21 campaign.

At that point he had netted just twice in the Premier League - with 494 minutes per goal - as Fulham endured a rocky start. Now he averages a goal every 74 minutes, with a big chance conversion of 60 per cent - up from 33.3 per cent last year.

He is producing more shots shots too - 74 in total, with a 27 conversion rate, up on 40 shots and a 5 per cent conversion rate from his first 17 Premier League games.

He's even thrown in five assists to make him the complete forward. Incredibly, his manager Silva still thinks he can get better despite watching him smash a hat-trick past West Brom last month.


Mitrovic struggled for regular goals and starts for Fulham in the Premier League last term

The former Everton boss knows Fulham are lucky to have the big striker but doesn't think he is the finished article yet and wants to keep working on his tactical awareness.

'Are there things he can improve? Definitely, there are things he can improve,' he said after Mitrovic inspired the 3-0 win over the Baggies.

'All the best players have something to improve. Mitro has to be there to finalise – he has the same (favourite) spot in the box where he is strong, (but) we are working with him on his position in the box.

'We are working with him to attack more at not just the far post but other areas as well. It's up to us to get the best for him and keep him improving.'

Silva stressed that Mitrovic's unbelievable numbers this season were special and that he 'doesn't need to speak to him' when he's in this rich vein of form, and also hailed him for making an impact defensively with his height to help them keep clean sheets this season.


Now his confidence has returned - helping the west London outfit at both ends of the pitch


His boss Marco Silva has hailed his form but still doesn't think he is the finished article yet

'Strikers that score 18 goals in 15 games, I think the numbers are there. They speak for themselves,' he added after the victory over West Brom.

'When a striker is scoring and scoring, I don't need to speak to him. His job is done, I have to work on other things with him because his confidence is high.

'When you have a player like him that creates so many chances and we have a player with his capacity and his ability to score goals of course he's important and he'll keep being really important for this football club.

'The second goal is something we are working on with Mitro. The way he switches on in that moment is really important for us because he can't just be there to score goals. He is really important to us and is helping us to clean sheets as well.'

Everyone loves a fairytale turnaround in football and Mitrovic is riding a wave. His goal now will be to overtake Ivan Toney's record of 30 Championship strikes, take Fulham up and then take the top flight by storm before dazzling in Qatar.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10203393/Aleksandr-Mitrovic-taken-Serbia-World-Cup-form-Fulham-difficult-year.html

[WhiteJC]

Fulham U23s held at Colchester

Fulham's under 23s were held to a goalless draw by a spirited Colchester United side in their latest Premier League Cup group fixture this evening.

Steve Wigley's side, disrupted by several international call-ups, made much of the early running but were denied the advantage their enterprising play merited by a string of superb saves from Colchester goalkeeper Ted Collins. The U's custodian used his feet to deny Jean-Pierre Tiehi after a quarter of an hour and then got fingertips to a low Sonny Hilton strike as the visitors threatened just before the interval. The hosts' clearest opening came courtesy of Chay Cooper who latched onto a clever ball from Bryan Ifeanyi but shot wide of goal.

Fulham began the second period on the front foot with a brilliant sliding challenge from full back Emmanuel Martins preventing Hilton from converting Tiehi's cross. Collins saved with his legs again to deny Kieron Bowie when the former Raith Rovers forward appeared poised to put the Londoners in front from another Tiehi cut back before Dibley-Dias, so impressive on his first start for the under 23s at Burnley last week, crashed a venomous drive against the crossbar from 25 yards.

Hilton hit the post with a low drive from distance and Tiehi nearly scored with the follow up, but Colchester weren't clinging on for dear life by any means. The introduction of substitute Tom Stagg seemed to enliven the hosts as he came close to converting a dangerous cross from Al-Amin Kazeem and then saw a deflected shot drop just wide of the past. Fabri was called into action with five minutes to play as Dave Huzzey's men finished strongly – the Spaniard palmed away a long-range drive from Martins – and Marley Miranda drove fractionally over deep into stoppage time.

The stalemate means Fulham remain top of Group H on seven points from three games, with the U's in second place on five points.

COLCHESTER UNITED UNDER 23s (4-5-1): Collins; Kazeem, Martins, Cracknell, Beadle; Cornish, Miranda, Ifeanyi (Trialist 63), Cooper, Thomas; McCoulsky (Stagg 63). Subs (not used): Terry, Lowe, Johnson.

BOOKED: Miranda.

FULHAM UNDER 23s (4-2-3-1): Fabri; Williams (Tanton 69), Larkeche, Odutayo, C. Robinson; Pajaziti, Lanquedoc; Hilton, Dibley-Dias, Bowie; Tiehi. Subs (not used): McNally, McCoy-Splatt, Wildbore, Sanderson.

BOOKED: Larkeche, Bowie, Odutayo, Hilton.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/11/fulham-u23s-held-at-colchester/

[WhiteJC]

O'Neill scores on Irish U21 debut

Fulham midfielder Ollie O'Neill scored on his debut for the Republic of Ireland's under 21s as the boys in green kept their hopes of reaching the European Championships alive with a last-gasp win over Sweden in Dublin tonight.

The talented teenager was summoned from the substitutes' bench with eight minutes remaining as Jim Crawford, gambled in search of a winner against the league leaders. O'Neill delivered with the last kick of the game – finding the bottom corner from the left side of the penalty area after being played through by Conor Coventry.

O'Neill told RTE after the final whistle: 'It's probably the best feeling I've ever had. I had Covid in the last camp – it knocked me out of that, I barely played a minute. To come and get a goal tonight was unbelievable. It was such a big game for the qualifiers as well. It was just an amazing moment.

'A loose ball broke in the box. I felt I should have hit with my left when I was in. I took a touch, I was quite calm actually – I think everyone else was screaming! I cut inside, reversed it. It's just that moment when it goes in – it is unbelievable. It is the best feeling ever. It's like a fairy tale!'



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/11/oneill-scores-on-irish-u21-debut/