Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 05/05/26...

[WhiteJC]

Results

Monday 04/05
Chelsea	1-3	Forest
Everton	3-3	Man City

[WhiteJC]

Jack and Loz Away from the Cottage - Blog 338
Date: 2nd May 2026
Venue: the Emirates Stadium
Opposition: Arsenal
Score: 3-0
Weather: spring showers
Atmosphere: contrived
MOTM: obviously no one although a shout out to Josh for giving it everything when he came on
Moment of the Match: this is our first Moment-less match of the season. The disallowed goal should have been a turning point but it wasn't
Dinner: we had an excellent curry near Euston. We didn't have rice.

The Emirates Stadium needs no introduction. It's very big, very modern and very red. It's easier to get to than Selhurst Park, easier to get into than Stamford Bridge and in a much nicer part of north London than the Championship Hotspur stadium.

Once inside, the view from the away "end" is good although you're as far from the pitch as you are at the London Stadium. Still, at least all the seats are the same colour.

Before kick-off we noticed that the volume of the stadium speakers was almost illegally loud. After kick-off we realised that was to compensate for the lack of volume from the home fans. Still, perhaps some of them were just there to listen to the drummer.

The announcer added a rather cringeworthy ringmaster vibe to proceedings and struggled with the pronunciation of some of the Arsenal player's names. The sign language interpreter, however, was busy and cheerful.

Readers may have noticed that we're channeling Basil Fawlty and for good reason. Is it possible to write a football blog without mentioning the football?

In fact, Fulham didn't play much football in the first half. They stood back and watched Arsenal play instead. And in fairness, Arsenal looked good. Their attack consists of half the England team plus Victor Gyökeres and a bloke with a bad top-knot. They were lining up like the gunners they are to take shot after shot at the beleaguered Fulham defence. Fulham at their best might have stood a chance. The motley man-flu raddled version of Fulham who stumbled onto the pitch on Saturday were doomed to defeat.

We pride ourselves on giving credit where it's due and offering constructive criticism where we can, but both are almost impossible here. Lukić got stuck in, Raúl tried his best as usual and Calvin worked very hard. Leno wasn't at fault for any of the goals and single-handedly (in more ways than one) prevented several more.

We love Harrison but this wasn't the game for him; Samu was bad and Antonee worse. Harry's heart is now elsewhere and Emile's clearly never left Arsenal in the first place. This is bad enough most of the time but ludicrous when we're playing them!

So we were 3-0 down at half-time and hoping for some early subs. But after some truly bizarre half-time "entertainment" involving air hostesses the same Fulham eleven emerged...

...and played a bit better. Which isn't saying much. We put some attacks together, had some shots and defended nervously but effectively. The subs improved things with Josh - aggressive and determined - delivering the only good performance of the afternoon, but at least Oscar wants to be here and Jonah looked lively. In the interests of constructive criticism, we won't mention Tom or Muniz.

This was a torturous game to watch and hugely disappointing after last week's win and all the talk of Europe. While only the most glass-half-Fulham fans would have hoped to get anything from the match, the abject first half was worse than anyone could have imagined. Yes, Arsenal were sharp and clinical but we could at least have given them a game.

The man-flu perhaps explains some of the ragged performances and, of course, we are missing key players - Sess and Berge would have bolstered the team and Kevin would have given Arsenal something to think about. The squad is alarmingly thin in places and, whatever happens, a major summer rebuild is needed.

"Whatever happens" being, of course, code for whether or not we need a new manager as well as new players. It feels like we've been living through Marco Silva's midlife (and midfield) crisis for most of the season and the fan base is now split on not just whether he'll sign a new contract, but whether we actually want him to. There's still huge respect for what he's built, but it's increasingly tempered by frustration — a sense that we've stalled just when we should be pushing on.

And he needs to remember that respect has to work both ways.

Random musings:-

As disheartened as the travelling fans were, there was some very good singing. "Second again olé olé" was a highlight as was the list of increasingly unlikely people who had "left cos you're sh*t."

The ref was so starstruck by Arsenal that he let them get away with sandwiching Leno and throttling Raúl while penalising Fulham for much lesser offences

Arteta has got to be the most performative manager out there

To cap the manufactured feel to the "event", the Arsenal fans all sang a song after the final whistle. They probably thought they looked like Liverpool but it was more like the end of a Brownies meeting.

This was an afternoon to forget in more ways than one. We're back down to earth with a bump and back to being unable to score. But three winnable games await and there's still a lot to play for if the players can find some fight.

Whether a glass is half full or half empty, it can always be refilled.



https://werdsmith.com/p/xXBsyXB4ybc4X6

[WhiteJC]

"We're still working" – Raúl Jiménez on Fulham future, depends on negotiations
Fulham's Raúl Jiménez has always kept the door open for a move back to Club América.

The Mexico international graduated from the Club América's academy and spent three years with their first team.

He left the Mexican club for Atlético Madrid in 2014 and has been in Europe since then.

Since then, the striker has had spells at Benfica, Wolverhampton Wanderers and is now at Fulham.

Last May, he confirmed talks with unnamed clubs from Mexico, MLS and Saudi Arabia before signing an extension with Marco Silva's side. The same month, he also talked about his desire to return to his old club at some point in the future.

At the weekend, Jiménez started in the P3-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates.

Fulham player on Club América move
After the match, the 34-year-old spoke to Fox Sports in Mexico and Mediotiempo have relayed his comments.

The Fulham man first talked about the defeat to the Gunners and his aim to finish the season on a brighter note.

"We needed to start the game better; the first half was very weak, but that's the Premier League, and we can't let up. We still have three games left," he said.

"I'm aware that I need to be more... everyone, the whole team, more focused in these kinds of games. We're in the final stretch, and we still want to be in those positions."

Raúl Jiménez's contract expires in June and Fulham's plan for his future is unclear as of now.

Fox Sports specifically asked the former Wolves man whether he will return to Club América after the World Cup.

When responding to that, the player said Marco Silva's side will have a big say on his future.

"I don't know yet... we're still working on everything. There's time, and we'll see what happens in the next few games," Jiménez explained.

"It depends a lot on what Fulham decides, on negotiations, on an offer being made, and then we'll analyse what's best."

Our take: Player open to Fulham stay
Raúl Jiménez's latest comments indicate he is waiting for Fulham to make a renewal offer and then decide what to do next. Otherwise, he wouldn't have insisted "a lot" depends on the London club.

The Mexican has scored 10 goals and contributed three assists from 41 matches for Marco Silva's side.

Transfermarkt value him at €4m.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/were-still-working-raul-jimenez-on-fulham-future-depends-on-negotiations/

[WhiteJC]

'Three Significant' Offers As Crystal Palace, Fulham And West Ham Contact Star's Camp
Paris FC defender Moustapha Mbow has received 'three significant' offers from Crystal Palace, Fulham and West Ham United as the chase for his signature shapes up.

Paris FC defender Moustapha Mbow has received 'three significant' offers from Crystal Palace, Fulham and West Ham United as the chase for his signature shapes up.

He has missed just two league games so far and is vying for a place in the Senegal squad for the upcoming World Cup.

Mbow helped Paris FC win promotion from Ligue 2 last season and Jurgen Klopp even visited their promotion party.

His performances mean a move in the summer could happen as there is interest.

Premier League giants Liverpool, who require defensive reinforcements, have quietly enquired about him.

However, the most concrete interest is coming from Crystal Palace, Fulham and West Ham.

The Premier League sides have sent 'three significant' offers to Mbow's camp to tempt him into moving to England this summer, according to French radio station RMC.

Club	Apperances
Paris FC	108
RFC Seraing	27
Nimes	12
Reims	3

Appearances by club for Moustapha Mbow

Mbow remains unsure about the next step in his career and is not opposed to the idea of extending his stay at Paris FC by signing a new contract.

Paris FC, though, are yet to take steps in the direction of offering him a new deal beyond the current 2028 contract.

It, therefore, remains to be seen where the Senegalese ends up when the summer transfer window ends.

Crystal Palace, one of the clubs on the scene, have players already in the shortlist for the central defensive position.

They are set to see change in the summer when Oliver Glasner goes and could find it tough to hold on to Jaydee Canvot.

Fulham could also make for an appealing Premier League step for Mbow, but West Ham do not know which league they will be in yet.

Fulham could also make for an appealing Premier League step for Mbow, but West Ham do not know which league they will be in yet.

Mbow wore the captain's armband for Paris FC at the weekend, showcasing his leadership abilities.



https://insidefutbol.com/2026/05/04/three-significant-offers-as-crystal-palace-fulham-and-west-ham-contact-stars-camp/712321/

[St Eve]

Positive news on Raul

[gang]

Positive news on Raul

Really? I think it's time to say goodbye and sign a decent striker who consistently scores.

[ffcne]

Positive news on Raul

Really? I think it's time to say goodbye and sign a decent striker who consistently scores.

Times up for Raul.

[WindyCity]

Time for FFC to move on already.
Can't keep re-signing older players and fan favorites.
Jimenez a terrific player and story and has contributed to FFC cause, but it's time to move on.
Expect more ambition from ownership/management, but giving TC another season is waste of roster spot.
Again, loved TC, great servant to the club.
But FFC needs to look and move forward.
Part ways with Jimenez, Reed, and should have done so with TC.

[Twig]

I would be happy to see us re-sign Raul as an experienced reserve striker, provided the wage levels are right. It got nothing to do with lack of ambition, that will be determined by who the club goes after as our new number one striker. If we could get any sort of offer I'd happily let Muniz go to get his costs off the books though.

Totally disagree that the club were wrong to give TC another year and I think it's laughable to suggest that this was a waste of a "roster" slot (what a dreadful expression that is). I do agree that we should be offloading Harrison Reed one way or another and should have done so previously.

[St Eve]

I would be happy to see us re-sign Raul as an experienced reserve striker, provided the wage levels are right. It got nothing to do with lack of ambition, that will be determined by who the club goes after as our new number one striker. If we could get any sort of offer I'd happily let Muniz go to get his costs off the books though.

Totally disagree that the club were wrong to give TC another year and I think it's laughable to suggest that this was a waste of a "roster" slot (what a dreadful expression that is). I do agree that we should be offloading Harrison Reed one way or another and should have done so previously.

Fully agree with this.