Monday Fulham Stuff (10/08/15)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Smith: Promising Start

Goalscorer Matt Smith praised the Whites' creativity in the 1-1 draw at Cardiff but voiced his frustration at not starting the season with a win.

The 26-year-old target man opened Fulham's account for the 2015/16 campaign with a stooping 51st-minute header before the Whites were pegged back by substitute Craig Noone's late strike.

"It's a feeling of disappointment I think," Smith exclusively told fulhamfc.com

"We couldn't quite hold on to that lead. Cardiff's goal, while it was a worldie finish, it was unfortunate that Ben [Pringle] slipped just before and [Craig] Noone is obviously dangerous when he cuts inside.

"It's disappointing from that point of view but, to be fair, both teams created a lot of chances and either team probably could have snatched it to be honest.

"The game opened up, certainly in the second half and both teams had very good chances to get goals.

"I think probably it was a fair result and probably both teams have come away a little disappointed they didn't take the three points."

Ben Pringle, who was was one of four Fulham debutants on the day, delivered the ball which led to the opening goal and, although it wasn't exactly what he intended, Smith was impressed with the service he received throughout the game.

"[Ben] said himself he was a little bit disappointed with the way he executed, well, I think was a cross-come-shot," Smith continued.

"It was one of those things where, he put it in a dangerous area, the keeper has flapped at it a little bit and I've just been able to pounce on it.

"It put us in a good place for the remainder of the half and we had a couple more chances, there was a good move where we got Ben in and Moussa [Dembélé] cut one back towards Ross [McCormack] at the end, so we're pleased that we created a lot of chances.

"Even in the first half, there was a couple of good balls into the box, Ross got in a couple of times, so from that point of view we're pleased.

"For a player like myself to play with the likes of Jamie [O'Hara], Ben and Tom [Cairney], who have got excellent deliveries with excellent quality and, obviously with Ross, who drifts into all sorts of positions and puts great deliveries into the box, it's a dream for a player who plays in the way I do.

"It can only be good and hopefully I can reap the benefits of that."

Although a draw was something the Whites were forced to settle for, Smith hopes the result will act as a platform for a good run, starting against Brighton and Hove Albion in SW6 next Saturday.

"It's a point on the board and it's something to build on," he added. "Hopefully it puts us in a good position to take all three back at Craven Cottage on Saturday."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/august/09/smith-reaction?

[WhiteJC]

 
Cardiff 1 Fulham 1
   
If promotion is to be a realistic aim this season then it is essential that we pick points up on the road.

Down in South Wales yesterday, against Cardiff City, Fulham almost took all three points available but, in the end, had to settle for a share of the spoils due to a late equalizer from our hosts.

After a goalless first half Fulham were the beneficiaries of an error from the Cardiff City goalkeeper.

With Simon Moore deputising for the suspended David Marshall, Moore made a hash of catching a cross under his own crossbar and Matt Smith was on hand to force the ball over the line.

Although Cardiff pressed for the equalizer Andy Lonergan, making his debut for Fulham, made several decent saves; two in particular to deny Joe Mason.

Fulham were also grateful for Jamie O`Hara, another making his debut for the Cottagers ; who made a goal-line block from Sean Morrison and then deflecting an effort from Pilkington on to the bar.

However, it should be pointed out that Fulham did create chances of their own with Ben Pringle denied a debut goal by a late block from Mark Connolly.

Unfortunately though, Fulham`s resistance was ended late on when Craig Noone scored what may be perceived as an early contender for goal of the season when he unleashed a shot from all of twenty-five yards that beat Lonergan in the Fulham goal.

A point was probably a fair reward for both sides.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=408474#ixzz3iORxgsPV

[WhiteJC]

 
Kits Views - Cardiff (a)
   
Getting off to a winning start, down in South Wales yesterday would have been a decent start to the season, but all-in-all a point against a strong Cardiff team on their own patch wasn`t too bad a result.

But, being so close to a winning start, with just minutes left on the clock when Cardiff scored their spectacular equalizer was disappointing, prompting Kit Symons to remark to the media via the official site,

"I`m disappointed and the team`s disappointed, which is a sign of the expectation in our camp.

"We knew it was going to be a tough game and we`re disappointed not to have won it - although over the whole game a draw was a fair result."

Thoughts which concur with our own, however, continuing and adding thoughts about promotion, Kit remarked,

"There is a determination and belief that we will do well.

"But we know that we can improve.

"We`re not the Harlem Globetrotters, we`re not just here to look nice, we need more cutting edge."

Hopefully that will come in the next few matches.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=408475#ixzz3iOSCvsUd

[WhiteJC]

 
Official: Fulham 2015-16 adidas Home & Away Kits

Championship outfit Fulham have officially launched their new home and away kits for the 2015-16 season.

Debuted on the opening match of the season against Cardiff City, the all new home shirt for the Cottagers has returned to a more classic design boasting solid white panels on the front, back and sleeves. Additional black trim applications are seen on the traditional styled collar and adidas three-stripes on the shoulders while new sponsor Visit Florida is coloured blue. With last season's home shirt using a unique light grey and white striped design the new home shirt for Fulham uses a much more classic and retro template.

The new home kit is completed with black shorts and hooped black and white socks. The new away shirt uses the Campeon 2015 adidas Jersey Template and features an all new yellow and black halved design with the dotted mesh design coloured black on the rounded crew-neck collar, sleeve cuffs and hem. Yellow shorts and hooped black and yellow socks complete the new away design.

http://www.football-shirts.co.uk/fans/official-fulham-2015-16-adidas-home-away-kits_34141?

[WhiteJC]

 
Preview: Wycombe Wanderers v Fulham
   
Wycombe Wanderers entertain Championship side Fulham on Tuesday evening in a League Cup first-round tie.

The Chairboys got their season off to an excellent start on Saturday with a 3-0 home win over York City.

Three summer signings featured in the starting eleven, defender Anthony Stewart, midfielder Luke O'Nien and forward Garry Thompson.

Stewart bagged the opener on his second debut at the club and Aaron Amadi-Holloway rifled home a second before pressuring York's Stephane Zubar into scoring a spectacular own goal for the Chairboy's third.

It was a comfortable victory although the Minstermen did fashion three or four free headers on goal that a more clinical side may have converted.

The only surprises in manager Gareth Ainsworth's team selection came in midfield. The back five almost picks itself, and it's clear that the attacking triumvirate of Hayes, Holloway and Thompson will be a real handful for any defence in League Two.

Midfield is the area likely to cause most debate among Wycombe fans this season, and it could just as easily have been Harriman, Rowe, Banton or McGinn who were given the nod to start Saturday`s game.

On this occasion Ainsworth opted for Bean, O`Nien and Wood, but with only 17 outfield players currently on the books, the others are likely to be given a chance to shine sooner rather than later.

More good news for Wycombe lay in the attendance figure. Although August is never a bumper month for crowds, an attendance of 3,688, including 376 from York, meant 3,292 home fans made it to Adams Park.

That`s over 17% more Wycombe fans than the 2,811 who turned up to the first home league game last season which had an attendance of 3,121 including 310 from Carlisle.

More fans, a cracking atmosphere and a 3-0 win was a great way to kick-start the season ahead of a 'nothing to lose` crack at Championship opposition under the powerful new floodlights at Adams Park.


Fulham opened their Championship campaign on Saturday with a 1-1 draw at Cardiff City in front of a crowd of 15,429.

Kit Symons' side opened the scoring with a Matt Smith header after 47 minutes following a fumble from Cardiff keeper Simon Moore.

A left footed curler from substitute Craig Noone after 77 minutes rescued a point for the hosts.

The Cottagers enjoyed only 46% possession and managed 1 shot on target from 8 attempts on goal

Five summer signings started for Fulham, Andy Lonergan, Ben Pringle, Tom Cairney, Jazz Richards and Jamie O'Hara.


Here's a look at how the two sides fared last season...


Fulham's Cup Record

Lg Cup Round Two......Brentford (A)...............Won 1-0

Lg Cup Round Three....Doncaster Rovers (H)...Won 2-1

Lg Cup Round Four......Derby County (H).........Lost 2-5

FA Cup Round Three....Wolves (H).................Drew 0-0

FA Cup Round Three....Wolves (A)..................Won 3-3 (5-3 on pens)

FA Cup Round Four......Sunderland (A)...........Drew 0-0

FA Cup Round Four......Sunderland (H).............Lost 1-3


Wycombe's Cup record

Lg Cup Round One........Millwall (A)..................Lost 0-1

JPT Round One.............Coventry City (H)........Lost 0-1

FA Cup Round One.........Barnet (A).................Won 3-1

FA Cup Round Two........AFC Wimbledon (H).....Lost 0-1


Fulham's League Record

Home....W:9....D:5.....L:9....GF:36 - GA:38 - Pts:32

Away.....W:5....D:5....L:13...GF:26 - GA:45 - Pts:20

Total.....W:14...D:10...L:22...GF:62 - GA:83 - Pts:52

Final position: 17th in Championship


Wycombe's League record

Home....W:10...D:7....L:6...GF:30 - GA:25 - Pts:37

Away.....W:13...D:8....L:2...GF:37 - GA:20 - Pts:47

Total.....W:23...D:15...L:8...GF:67 - GA:45 - Pts:84

Final position: 4th in League Two


Previous Meetings

In 10 previous meetings there have been 4 wins for Fulham, 2 for Wycombe and 4 draws.

At Adams Park the tally is 1 win for the Chairboys, I for the Cottagers and 2 draws.

1997/98: Lgcp Wycombe 1 Fulham 2

1997/98: Lg1: Wycombe 2 Fulham 0

1998/99: Lg1: Wycombe 1 Fulham 1

2001/02: FAC Wycombe 2 Fulham 2

The last time the two sides met was in September 2006 at Craven Cottage when goals from Jermaine Easter and Tommy Mooney were enough to give the Chairboys a 2-1 win in the League Cup second round, en-route to a two-legged semi-final against Chelsea.


The Man In The Middle

Tuesday's referee is Gavin Ward from Surrey who was promoted to the National List of Referees in 2007. His last Wycombe game was a 1-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon in August 2013. During the 2014/15 campaign he issued 9 red and 121 yellow cards in 33 appearances. So far this season he's issued 1 yellow card in 1 game.


Prediction

Wycombe 1 Fulham 2


Read more: http://www.wycombe.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=408585#ixzz3iOTLPz00