Friday Fulham Stuff - 27/09/24...

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How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Fulham live: Stream link, team news, prediction
Unbeaten Nottingham Forest host entertaining Fulham at the City Ground on Saturday in a clash which could see either team move into the top six.

WATCH NOTTINGHAM FOREST v FULHAM LIVE
It's still early in the season but Forest are unbeaten after five games as they fought back to draw 2-2 at Brighton last weekend. Nuno Espirito Santo's side have become very tough to beat and defensively they look solid, while they pose a huge threat on the counter and from crosses.

Fulham have become more fluid and fun in attack with summer signing Emile Smith Rowe pulling the strings and Mexican striker Raul Jimenez regaining his form. The likes of Alex Iwobi and Andreas Pereira are also dictating the tempo of games. Fulham secured a deserved 3-1 home win against Newcastle last time out as Marco Silva's side are on nine points, just one point behind Forest.

How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Fulham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday (September 28)
Venue: City Ground, Nottingham
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock

Nottingham Forest focus, team news
Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare are out injured, while Willy Boly is a doubt. Morgan Gibbs-White is suspended after his red card at Brighton last weekend and that is a big blow as his driving runs and creativity from central midfield fuel Forest's counters. The likes of Hudson-Odoi and Elanga will be asked to step up and carry more of the creative load.

Fulham focus, team news
The Cottagers only have one injury issue with Carlos Vinicius out. Raul Jimenez has nailed down the starting spot up top for now, with the Mexico star rolling back the years and looking lethal in and around the box. Smith Rowe, Iwobi, Adam Traore and Pereira have been excellent at creating chances and getting crosses into the box, while USMNT left back Antonee Robinson is having a fine start to the season.

Nottingham Forest vs Fulham prediction
This feels like a draw. Big time. Forest will have some of their creative spark missing without Gibbs-White, while Fulham will get chances on the counter.

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Fulham.



https://www.nbcsports.com/soccer/news/how-to-watch-nottingham-forest-vs-fulham-live-stream-link-team-news-prediction

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Roy Hodgson names £3m man as 'the most underrated' player he managed at Fulham
Roy Hodgson's Fulham team may be one of the most underrated in Premier League history.

Fulham aren't the most successful side in the history of English football, but, under Hodgson, they finished seventh in the league and came within minutes of winning a European trophy.

That Fulham team contained so many underrated players from Brede Hangeland to Bobby Zamora.

Speaking on the Fulham Fix Podcast, Roy Hodgson has been reminiscing about his great Fulham team, and he's named Chris Baird as perhaps the most underrated player at Craven Cottage at this time.

Indeed, Hodgson says that Baird was so underappreciated for his role at Fulham, claiming that he came good when he was needed even if he was a bench player most of the time.

Roy Hodgson says Chris Baird was very underrated
Hodgson spoke about the Northern Irishman and the role he played in his Fulham team.

"Chris Baird is another great example. He was probably the most underrated of them all. He accepted being a substitute for me for a long time only to come really good at the end when we neeed him. They were good characters, there's no doubt that to succeed in football you need good technical ability and tactical ability, but you also need character," Hodgson said.

Chris Baird was so important to Fulham
Chris Baird was never the most flashy or brilliant player, but he was so important to this Fulham team.

Let's not forget, this was the era of smaller benches and less substitutes, and Baird's versatility was so important.

The £3m man was able to play at right-back, centre-back and even in midfield, and as Fulham's fixtures piled up in that Europa League season he became more and more important.

Unfortunately, Hodgson's Fulham couldn't overcome Atletico Madrid in that famous Europa League final, but this team still goes down in history as one of the great European underdog stories.



https://tbrfootball.com/roy-hodgson-names-3m-man-as-the-most-underrated-player-he-managed-at-fulham/

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Comparing Emile Smith Rowe and Andreas Pereira

Following my statistical look at how clinical the team is last week, I thought it would be wise to delve into the stats displayed by our new starboy Emile Smith Rowe and how he's progressing compared to the man whose position he took, Andreas Pereira.

The stats

Following Pereira's positional shift, it could be anticipated that he'd be more involved in the defensive side of the game, however it's actually Smith Rowe who's far ahead on the tackling front, with nine tackles to Pereira's three. Further to this, Smith Rowe has a 78% success rate with tackles compared to Pereira's 33%, giving the Brazilian just one successful tackle. Pereira has engaged in more duels than Smith Rowe (39 compared to 32) however Smith Rowe edges the success on this front with 50% compared to Pereira's 49%. ESR has also been superior in winning the ball back this season, with four interceptions compared to Pereira's one.

In terms of the attacking side of the game, Smith Rowe has contributed two goals and one assist in comparison to Pereira's zero contributions. Andreas has attempted 197 passes in comparison to Smith Rowe's 169, however Smith Rowe has a 90% success rate compared to Pereira's 74%, in addition to this Emile Smith Rowe has a superior shot accuracy of 50% compared to Pereira's 29%.

The solution

Although it's seemingly very out of the ordinary for Marco Silva to drop Andreas Pereira, that proposition may be on the cards due to his performance levels. With Sasa Lukic's stellar start to the season (196 passes, 93% pass accuracy and five interceptions), many fans believe it's time to move Lukic back into the eight and Sander Berge into the six. Berge should be able to provide the defensive stability that Pereira doesn't as well as passing ability and potential attacking contributions to supplement Lukic's passing ability. Although this may draw problems including who takes set pieces, the stats suggest that this move could be necessary – if only to spark Pereira back into life to earn his place back in the team.

Despite playing about 60 minutes in each game he's featured in, Emile Smith Rowe has displayed impressive stats across the board and that should only continue if he's managed and supported well. The link-up with his former Arsenal teammates has helped the squad chemistry and we can hopefully look forward to seeing even more improvements in our new starboy.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2024-09-26-the-potential-return-of-prime-emile-smith-rowe-and-the-impact-on-andreas-pereira/

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Preview: Nottingham Forest vs. Fulham - prediction, team news, lineups
Two teams enjoying admirable unbeaten runs in the Premier League go head-to-head at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon, as Nottingham Forest and Fulham pit their wits against one another.

The Tricky Trees have had a week to recover from a chaotic 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, while the Cottagers ran out 3-1 victors over a lacklustre Newcastle United.

Match preview
South Coast chaos reigned supreme at the Amex Stadium last week, where Forest retained their unbeaten streak for the 2024-25 Premier League campaign courtesy of a four-goal stalemate, in which strikes from Chris Wood and Ramon Sosa arrived either side of Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck's efforts.

However, the on-field action paled into insignificance as tempers flared severely towards the end, where an apoplectic Morgan Gibbs-White took the walk of shame for two bookable offences, as did both managers in Nuno Espirito Santo and Fabian Hurzeler 10 minutes from time.

The upshot of last weekend's indiscretions is that Gibbs-White - the jewel in the Forest crown - will be suspended for the visit of the Cottagers, a damaging blow to the Tricky Trees' hopes of going six games without defeat at the start of the season for the first time in 10 years.

Not since the 2014-15 Championship campaign have Forest - who are flying high in eighth in the table - navigated each of their first six league games unbeaten, and they did not have any EFL Cup engagements to attend to in midweek thanks to their early elimination at the hands of Newcastle United.

The hosts have also found the back of the net in eight straight Premier League games since drawing a blank against Manchester City at the end of April, but none of their last five top-flight home matches have ended in victory, their longest winless Premier League run on familiar turf in the 21st century.

Four goals also flew into the back of the Craven Cottage nets last weekend, although three of them were for Marco Silva's rampant men, as Fulham dominated proceedings against Newcastle United on a day where Arsenal's Hale End academy was to thank once again.

Indeed, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson - the former of whom was set up by Alex Iwobi - breached the Magpies' backline after Raul Jimenez's well-taken opener, as the Cottagers ensured that Harvey Barnes's effort would prove meaningless in the grand scheme.

Nullifying Newcastle was the required response to Fulham's excruciating exit from the EFL Cup, where Preston North End emerged victorious after the longest-ever penalty shootout in the tournament's history, with 34 spot kicks required to determine the fate of the Deepdale competitors.

Now fully focused on Premier League matters until the FA Cup rolls around, Silva's men find themselves just one place and one point worse off than Forest thanks to their own four-game unbeaten run, a streak in which they have both scored and conceded in every game.

However, Fulham's trip to the City Ground last year ended in a comprehensive 3-1 defeat, albeit only after they had demolished the Garibaldi 5-0 at Craven Cottage in December, a result that hammered another nail into Steve Cooper's coffin.

Nottingham Forest Premier League form:

    D    W    D    W    D

Nottingham Forest form (all competitions):

    D    W    L    D    W    D

Fulham Premier League form:

    L    W    D    D    W

Fulham form (all competitions):

    W    W    D    D    L    W


Team News
As mentioned, Forest must make do without star man Gibbs-White for at least one game - there are fears that his sentence could be extended to a two-match ban - and Santo is also waiting to learn whether a touchline suspension is coming his way after being hit with an FA charge for improper conduct.

Sosa has certainly put his name in the hat to replace Gibbs-White, but the Forest boss may play it safe and just introduce Ryan Yates back into the XI, as Elliot Anderson or James Ward-Prowse push higher up the field. Sosa could still threaten Anthony Elanga's position, though.

There has been no change to the Tricky Trees' injury situation, though, as Danilo (ankle), Ibrahim Sangare (hamstring) and Willy Boly (calf) remain out of contention, although the latter is nearing a return.

It is also as you were on the fitness front for Fulham, who only ought to be without calf victim Carlos Vinicius for the trip to Nottingham, but the attacker should return within the next fortnight.

Even with a near fully-fit squad at his disposal, Silva should have no reason to shuffle the pack barring a potential midfield swap; Sander Berge came on for Sasa Lukic at half time last weekend and is pushing for a starting berth.

Nelson memorably struck two goals versus Forest for Arsenal in 2022, but the Gunners loanee has never scored away from home in the top flight and should not displace Adama Traore in the first XI just yet.


Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Yates, Ward-Prowse; Sosa, Anderson, Hudson-Odoi; Wood

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Pereira; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez

We say: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Fulham
So much of Forest's bright attacking play goes through Gibbs-White, whose absence ought to hit the hosts hard against a Fulham side boasting their own chief creator in Andreas Pereira, whose 66 chances fashioned for his teammates in 2024 is the second most in the Premier League behind Kevin De Bruyne.

Forest's defence has still packed a mean punch this season, though, so even if Santo's side cannot get over the line without Gibbs-White, they ought to be good enough for a point as their unbeaten record lives another week.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/nottingham-forest/preview/preview-nottm-forest-vs-fulham-prediction-team-news-lineups_553914.html

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Nottingham Forest lineup vs. Fulham: Predicted XI for Premier League clash
Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo will have to work around the devastating absence of Morgan Gibbs-White for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham at the City Ground.

The England international picked up two bookings in last weekend's fiery 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion and is banned for at least one match, although there are fears that his punishment could be increased to two games.

Gibbs-White will join Danilo (ankle), Ibrahim Sangare (hamstring) and Willy Boly (calf) on the sidelines for Saturday's battle at the very least, and Santo is also awaiting his fate after being charged with improper conduct in the Brighton draw, where he and Fabian Hurzeler were also dismissed.

In terms of replacements for Gibbs-White, Santo could err on the side of caution and bring Ryan Yates back into the midfield alongside James Ward-Prowse, allowing Elliot Anderson to operate in the number 10 position.

The ex-Newcastle United starlet would link arms with Chris Wood and Callum Hudson-Odoi in the final third if that is the case, but Ramon Sosa - scorer of Forest's second last weekend - is pushing to displace Anthony Elanga.

With only four goals conceded in the 2024-25 Premier League season so far, Santo should also see no need to alter the backline of Ola Aina, Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic and Alex Moreno in front of Matz Sels, who is still keeping the 6ft 8in Carlos Miguel at bay.

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Yates, Ward-Prowse; Sosa, Anderson, Hudson-Odoi; Wood



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/nottingham-forest/predicted-lineups/who-replaces-gibbs-white-forest-predicted-lineup-against-fulham_553917.html?newsnow

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Fulham Nominated At Football Content Awards

Fulham has received a Best Club (Premier League) nomination at the upcoming Football Content Awards.

The FCAs celebrate the best in online football media, recognising and rewarding all content creators and online media companies in football.

vote for fulham

Of Fulham's shortlisting, they said: "Fulham FC has truly distinguished itself in the realm of football content creation, seamlessly blending the club's storied history with dynamic and engaging media.

"The club's content strategy effectively highlights its rich heritage and current achievements through a mix of compelling videos and insightful social media updates. Their content not only provides in-depth match analysis and player insights but also offers an authentic glimpse into life at the iconic Craven Cottage.

"A notable example of Fulham's innovative approach is their recent collaboration with 'Expired Film Club,' where they documented a Premier League match against Wolves using black-and-white 35mm film. This unique perspective offers fans a nostalgic yet fresh take on the action, showcasing Fulham's commitment to creative storytelling.

"Additionally, Fulham has demonstrated its dedication to broader community engagement through collaborations with Women in Football and Elevate on a Women's Health Summit, further highlighting their role in promoting important social causes.

"Their multifaceted content strategy and impactful storytelling make them a standout candidate for the Best Football Club category."

The winners of each category will be decided by a 50-50 split of judge and fan votes, which are now open! You can show your support by following the below link. (The Best Club category is towards the bottom of the page, and you do not have to vote in each category).

vote for fulham

Voting closes on October 13th, with the winners revealed at the awards ceremony at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a month later.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/september/26/fulham-nominated-at-football-content-awards/

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Fulham lineup vs. Nottingham Forest: Predicted XI for Premier League clash
Fulham manager Marco Silva is expected to have almost a clean bill of health for Saturday's Premier League showdown with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The Cottagers extended their unbeaten top-flight run to four games with a 3-1 beating of Newcastle United last weekend, where Carlos Vinicius (calf) was the Cottagers' only absentee.

The one-time Tottenham Hotspur striker should only be out for another couple of weeks at the very most, but even if he was passed fit for Saturday's game, he would not get a look-in over Raul Jimenez.

Indeed, the Mexican bagged his second goal of the campaign last weekend and will spearhead an attack also comprising Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe, who combined for the latter to score against the Magpies.

Another Arsenal product - Reiss Nelson - rounded off the scoring last weekend as a substitute, but he has gone 24 games without scoring away from home in the top flight and will likely lose out to Adama Traore, who has three assists and two goals to show from his last six top-flight games.

The one possible alteration from Silva could come in the middle of the park, as Sasa Lukic made way for Sander Berge at half time against Newcastle, and the Norwegian is now a contender to appear from the first whistle alongside Andreas Pereira.

Joachim Andersen, meanwhile, has seamlessly slotted back into the Fulham rearguard, and the Dane is set to join forces with Kenny Tete, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson and Bernd Leno once more.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Pereira; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/predicted-lineups/one-change-from-silva-how-fulham-could-line-up-against-forest_553918.html?newsnow

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Callum Wilson to Fulham: A match made in heaven?
Newcastle are reportedly going to cash in on striker Callum Wilson in January and the Cottagers are said to be one of the interested parties, but is it a match made in heaven?

Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson has been identified as a potential January transfer target for Fulham this week.

According to The Sun, the Cottagers will battle neighbours and bitter rivals Brentford for the England international's signature.

The 32-year-old's current contract is set to expire in June 2025.

Raul Jimenez has enjoyed a recent upturn in form that has seen him net in back-to-back games against West Ham and Newcastle United respectively.

However, Jay Stansfield's shock Deadline Day departure to Birmingham and Rodrigo Muniz's goal drought seems to have planted a seed of doubt into the mind of Marco Silva regarding the firepower of his striking options.

A prolific goal scorer, Wilson has netted 88 times in 221 Premier League appearances.

The forward's six-year stint at Bournemouth (2014-2020) was where he enjoyed red-hot form and garnered a reputation as one of the deadliest strikers in English football.

In the 2018-19 season alone, he scored 14 goals and contributed nine assists.

When the striker made the switch from the south coast to Tyneside in September 2020 for £20 million, he was joined just over a year later by former Cherries manager Eddie Howe following the Saudi takeover.

While Wilson would find the back of the net on 20 occasions for Newcastle, it was an injury-hampered first two years for the Magpies. Hamstring and calf issues would ultimately restrict him to 39 matches, 51% of the total available.

Concerned, and justifiably so, Newcastle completed the statement signing of Alexander Isak for a club-record fee of £63 million in August 2022; however, Wilson refused to give up his starting spot with a whimper.

In that campaign, the Englishman would register an impressive 18 goals and five assists in only 21 starts, bolstered by a really good expected goals of 16.45.

He was also taking almost double the number of shots compared to the previous year, 73 as opposed to 35, and had the most touches in the box since his days playing in red and black down south, 138.

Wilson was ageing like fine wine at the not-so-tender age of 30.

The main takeaway from the attacker's success in 2022-23 was except for missing four games at the beginning of the campaign owing to a hamstring problem, he had largely been injury free and subsequently able to apply his trade.

That being said, the injury woes returned last season, and Wilson was unavailable for 23 games across league and cup competitions. This meant that he featured 20 times in black and white, starting a mere nine.

Despite the minimal starts, the honorary Geordie still managed to score nine and increased his efficiency in front of goal with 21 out of his 35 shots on target, 60%.

They were also respectable efforts at an xG of 8.11, albeit over a smaller sample size.

Given that 2023-24 was another injury-stricken season for Wilson, it is important to look at the stats per 90, that way the data provides an accurate comparison to other strikers based on what they can do when actually on the pitch.

The Coventry-born forward averaged 0.81 xG per 90, of players who played under 1000 minutes he ranks in the 94.6% percentile.

In terms of shots on target, he also ranked extremely highly, his 1.92 enough for the 92.9% percentile.

While Wilson is confident from the spot, a valued skill in itself, he still platforms a non-penalty xG of 0.67, 92.9% percentile.

Along with that, the attacker is a huge threat in the penalty area, for touches in the opposition box he rated in the 89.3% percentile and most of his shots were inside the box with all nine goals in and around the six-yard box.

What's more, under Howe Newcastle set up in a 4-3-3 attacking, which is only slightly different to Silva's preferred 4-2-3-1.

In the former, the ball tends to drift wider as it advances whereas in the latter the attack is pinched centrally, potentially this could benefit Wilson who will be more involved.

Defending will have to improve, Silva demands his attackers to drop back and help force the turnover, Wilson's saving grace was that he was dribbled past just 0.37 times a match and won 60% of his tackles.

However, he left a lot to be desired for recoveries and possession won in the final third.

Therefore, it is no surprise that Wilson is grouped in the 34% percentile on defensive actions compared to similar players.

Currently, the Newcastle striker is sidelined with a back injury sustained over the summer.

Speaking last week on the injury, Howe said:

"With Callum, we're looking at a situation where we're hoping to have him back in full training by the next international break, ready for the games following.

"Any injury to the hamstring is potentially complex. The back injury is there, but it was connected (to the hamstring issues). There's been no re-injury, it's just been a case of readjusting the timescales depending on how he felt.

"We've had to listen to his body when he's delivered the work, and he's also been rescanned.

"It's maybe not healed as quickly as we'd hoped, so there's been a slight adjustment, but hopefully, we'll have him back fully fit and firing for the next group of games."

Wilson will provide the Whites with a more reliable goalscorer and a suited profile of player, the real challenge for the West London club will be navigating his fitness issues.

As long as the experienced forward can stay fit, the 32-year-old on a cut-price fee would be excellent business.



https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2024/09/25/premier-league/1197648-callum-wilson-to-fulham-a-match-made-in-heaven.html

[WhiteJC]

Whether Nuno Espirito Santo will be allowed on the touchline for Nottingham Forest vs Fulham after sending off
Nottingham Forest have been handed a major boost ahead of a return to Premier League action at the City Ground this weekend.

Forest face Fulham looking to right a few wrongs on home soil and take three points for the first time at the City Ground this season.

The Reds are yet to taste defeat this season in the Premier League, winning twice and drawing three of the five fixtures played so far.

Last weekend's game saw Forest draw 2-2 with Brighton in a game that saw controversy override a dogged Reds performance.

Nuno Espirito Santo refused to come out and do the media afterwards, instead sending his assistant boss, Rui Pedro Silva.

The controversy surrounded Morgan Gibbs-White and his dismissal for a second yellow card 10 minutes from time.

Rob Jones – the referee – doesn't have a game this weekend, whilst an independent commission ruled in Gibbs-White's favour earlier this week.

Exciting news about Nuno Espirito Santo emerges ahead of Forest vs Fulham
This comes from Sky Sports reporter Danyal Khan who was at the City Ground today for the press conference of Espirito Santo.

Much like Fabian Hurzeler, Espirito Santo will be allowed to be on the bench this weekend and won't be serving a one-game suspension after his red card.

The Forest head coach and exciting aren't normally words used in tandem but he's more than earned his coin this season so far.

In two challenging away games at Liverpool and Brighton, he's used his bench to its maximum, with his substitutions combining in both games to earn points.

As a result, it's a huge bonus that Forest will have their head coach on the touchline for the visit from Fulham at the weekend.

Forest can send early statement with win over Fulham
Beating Liverpool away should have done this but if Forest can go to 12 points from six games it would be a huge step.

That would see Forest averaging two points a game and perhaps it might not be long before the season expectations start to shift.

Nobody is expecting much from Forest but it would be a huge plus if that first home win could be ticked off soon and the season can really start.

It's a tough school in the Premier League. A good run of results can soon fizzle out but Forest will want to make sure that doesn't happen just yet.

With Chelsea away to come next, Forest would dearly love to take some of the pressure away from that game and three points against the Cottagers would do just that.



https://www.nottinghamforest.news/2024/09/26/whether-nuno-espirito-santo-will-be-allowed-on-the-touchline-for-nottingham-forest-vs-fulham-after-sending-off/

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Marco Silva sees silver lining as Fulham travel to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League
Hosts without key man Morgan Gibbs-White after sending off against Brighton

Fulham boss Marco Silva is pleased his team will not have to face Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White this weekend.

The England international's red card last weekend ruled him out of Saturday's Premier League clash at the City Ground.

Gibbs-White was shown a second yellow card in their 2-2 draw at Brighton on Sunday following a heavy challenge on Joao Pedro.

The attacking midfield player, who has scored once this season, has featured in all of Nuno Espirito Santo's league XIs this season, including a start during Forest's 1-0 victory at Liverpool earlier this month.

Fulham are searching for back-to-back wins after the 3-1 win over Newcastle last week at Craven Cottage and a victory would end Forest's unbeaten start to the new campaign.

Speaking ahead of the clash, Silva told reporters on Thursday: "It's not my problem, it's more for Nuno, as you know.

"But I have to be honest...Nuno prefers to play with Gibbs-White. And if you ask me, I prefer to play them without Gibbs-White, it's simple.

"They're a very good side. We'll see who they play in Gibbs-White's position, (Elliot) Anderson's very good, they have quality out wide with (Callum) Hudson-Odoi, (Anthony) Elanga and they have a striker with a good moment so they can punish any side."

Record signing Emile Smith Rowe signed for the west London club for a club-record £34million fee in the summer and the 24-year-old has settled to life under Silva, with his poked finish past Nick Pope helping Fulham to their second win of the season.

Silva, who lauded Smith Rowe on Thursday, added: "He's a top lad, for me I pushed the club to sign him.

"We felt in April or May that there was a window for him to leave (Arsenal) and we started to be strong in getting our target, he was the player we wanted.

"It's fantastic for me when I heard of his desire to come, he wanted a new chapter and with the meetings we had I felt from the first moment the desire was there from him to be part of the process - and it's a good project.

"He's a talented player and is different to what we have had (in the) last few seasons. He can arrive in the box, score goals and has everything in that position. He's not played enough in the last two years because the competition there (Arsenal) is tough but there's a lot to come from him.

"He's shy in a good way, I want him to express himself on the pitch. I think he's in a much better position now, he's a complete midfielder, we will see good things from him."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/marco-silva-fulham-fc-news-nottingham-forest-premier-league-2024-b1184423.html

[WhiteJC]

'Several enquiries' made over Al Fayed Fulham reign
Lawyers representing some of Mohamed Al Fayed's accusers say they have received "several enquiries" relating to Fulham Football Club during the late billionaire's 16 years of ownership.

Al Fayed was accused by more than 20 female ex-employees of sexual assault or rape in a BBC documentary which aired last week.

The Harrods boss, who died last year aged 94, was chairman of Fulham between 1997 and 2013, and a spokesman for the group of barristers, Justice for Harrods Survivors, said more individuals have now come forward.

In a news conference last week, the group said he was a "monster" who threatened his sexual abuse victims to stay silent.

Fulham say the club "remain in the process of establishing whether anyone at the club is or has been affected by the reports concerning Mr Al Fayed".

A spokesperson for the Football Association added that they are "aware of the reports and will remain in contact with Fulham FC to monitor the matter".

Last week, a former manager of Fulham's women's team told BBC Sport that extra precautions were put in place to protect female players from the club's late owner.

Gaute Haugenes, who managed the team from 2001 to 2003, said members of staff became aware Al Fayed "liked young, blonde girls".

In a news conference on Thursday ahead of Fulham's game at Nottingham Forest this weekend, men's manager Marco Silva was asked the negative headlines concerning Al Fayed, though this was prior to the development about the enquiries to barristers.

"To hear that is really sad for us, and for myself, as a manager, of course I have empathy for that situation," he said.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cdd42gel0mmo

[WhiteJC]

Paul Merson says £60,000-a-week player is finally 'showing his class' after leaving Arsenal
Paul Merson knows what it feels like to leave Arsenal.

The 56-year-old made 401 appearances for the Gunners from 1985 to 1997 after emerging from Hale End in 1985, winning two First Division titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup and many other pieces of silverware before departing for Middlesbrough.

Now, Paul Merson has praised two players who left Arsenal during the summer transfer window...

Paul Merson commends Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson
The man from Harlesden has now spoken about how Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson are faring at Fulham.

In case you missed it, the latter moved to Craven Cottage on loan for the 2024/25 campaign on transfer deadline day, although the Cottagers hold no option or obligation to buy the winger next year.

At one point, Nelson actually looked set to join Ipswich Town before Fulham hijacked negotiations.

In regards to Smith Rowe, the England international moved to west London permanently, signing a £60,000-a-week contract after Arsenal accepted a £35m bid.

The Fulham No.32 has already scored two goals and provided one assist in five Premier League appearances under Marco Silva.

Writing about the pair of Hale End graduates for Sportskeeda, Merson stated: "Emile Smith Rowe is showing his class since joining Fulham. Just like him, even Reiss Nelson, who scored last weekend, could not get into the Arsenal team. It feels like they're on a path to revive their careers."

Arsenal were smart not to give Fulham a purchase clause with Reiss Nelson
The time felt right for Arsenal to sell Smith Rowe – who only managed to start three Premier League games last season – especially for a sum of £35m.

That represented good business, and Arsenal were also wise not to allow Fulham an option or obligation to buy Nelson for a fixed sum.

Nelson has the potential to be worth roughly the same as his £35m Fulham teammate, or the £30m Eddie Nketiah – who moved to Crystal Palace – with one strong season under his belt.

Given the fact Mikel Arteta only handed the 24-year-old one Premier League start last season, Arsenal perhaps only would have received £10m from a permanent sale over the summer, but the loan to Fulham with no fixed sum of money agreed in the background gives Nelson a chance to increase his value significantly.



https://tbrfootball.com/paul-merson-says-60000-a-week-player-is-finally-showing-his-class-after-leaving-arsenal/

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Fulham boss Marco Silva makes Morgan Gibbs-White admission ahead of Forest clash
Fulham boss Marco Silva has admitted he is pleased that Nottingham Forest will be without Morgan Gibbs-White for Saturday's Premier League clash.

The Cottagers will travel to the City Ground in a positive mood after avoiding defeat in each of their last four league matches.

After beating Leicester City, Fulham went on to play out consecutive 1-1 draws against Ipswich Town and West Ham United before claiming a 3-1 win over Newcastle United last weekend.

Silva's side will now go in search of back-to-back victories, and their hopes of clinching maximum points have been boosted by the fact that Forest will be unable to call upon one of their key players.

Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo will have to cope without the services of Gibbs-White following his dismissal against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Gibbs-White was given his marching orders in the 83rd minute of the 2-2 draw after receiving his second yellow card of the contest.

Silva makes Gibbs-White admission
After receiving the second red card of his senior career, the England international will serve a one-match ban, ruling him out of Saturday's Premier League clash.

With Fulham out to end Forest's unbeaten start to the season, Silva has admitted that he is pleased that Gibbs-White will be unavailable this weekend.

"It's not my problem, it's more for Nuno, as you know," Silva told reporters at Thursday's pre-match press conference.

"But I have to be honest, Nuno prefers to play with Gibbs-White. And if you ask me, I prefer to play them without Gibbs-White, it's simple.

"They're a very good side. We'll see who they play in Gibbs-White's position, Elliot Anderson's very good, they have quality out wide with Callum Hudson-Odoi, Anthony Elanga and they have a striker with a good moment so they can punish any side."

Silva lauds Smith-Rowe's impact
Silva also took time to praise the impact of Fulham's club-record signing Emile Smith Rowe, who has scored two goals and provided one assist in five league matches following his summer arrival from Arsenal.

The Fulham boss said: "He is a talent and different than what we had in the last few seasons. Emile has everything in that position. He didn't play enough in the past few years - that is tough.

"He will get more minutes and there is more to come from him. He is a shy and normal guy. I want him to express himself on the pitch."

Smith Rowe is expected to retain his starting spot for Saturday's contest, and he will try to help Fulham clinch their first away win of the Premier League season.



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