Monday Fulham Stuff (22/02/16)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Classy Cairney cuts Charlton adrift
by DAN on FEBRUARY 21, 2016

After the midweek horror show at Blackburn, this was more like it from Fulham. With the relegation zone still far too close for comfort, Slavisa Jokanovic – a man who wouldn't want to cross on a dark night – demanded his players delivered a performance to prove that last weekend's derby win at QPR wasn't merely a flash in the pan, and the class of Tom Cairney shone through as the Whites eventually overpowered a spirited Charlton side to leave the Addicks looking horribly bereft at the bottom of the Championship.

On this evidence, Cairney looks a bargain at the summer price of just over £3m. The Scottish youth international, who made waves when he broke into the Hull City side as a teenager, has always been Fulham's most eye-catching operator in a midfield that has spluttered rather than sparkled this season, but the way he ran the show from a central position, especially in the second half, makes you wonder how much success Kit Symons might have enjoyed had he made Cairney the fulcrum of his midfield from the outset. Two sumptuous finishes from set plays, either side of a fine Michael Madl header, condemned Charlton to another defeat, but they were well in the game for more than an hour and could count themselves highly unfortunate to be a goal down at half time, with the impressive Callum Harriott catching the eye.

The visitors were certainly not afraid to take the game to Fulham and carved out the game's first chance in the ninth minute. Zakarya Birgdich carried the ball down the flank and his clever cut back created the space for a powerful shot from Harriott, who was denied by a smart reaction stop from Andy Lonergan. Former Charlton midfielder Scott Parker and then Ryan Fredericks were both forced into important blocks to keep out promising attacks and it was somewhat against the run of play when the Whites took the lead shortly after the half-hour mark.

A succession of corners come to little – bar Ross McCormack forcing a couple of regulation near post saves from Stephen Henderson – before McCormack's near-post delivery caused some panic in the Charlton defence. Parker slammed a half-volley against the crossbar and Cairney reacted quickly to the rebound, guiding a fine right-footed effort into the top corner. Tall forward Simon Makienok had Charlton's best chance to equalise but he turned a fine cross from Morgan Fox well wide at full stretch – and a swift Fulham counter-attack should have increased their lead just before the break.

A sweeping Fulham move saw Cairney find Kacaniklic who marauded with purpose down the right flank, teasing Fox before pulling the ball across for Cairney and his incisive pass found McCormack in space, but the Fulham top scorer lifted his finish high into the Putney End having drifted inside his defender.

Jokanovic admitted afterwards that he had made a mistake in ditching the successful 5-3-2 system for more of a midfield diamond and two eminently defensive half-time changes gave Fulham the sort of control they failed to establish in the first 45 minutes. Madl, so impressive on his debut at QPR replaced Kacaniklic, and Chris Baird made a welcome return to the Fulham midfield in place of Jamie O'Hara. The Northern Ireland international slotted into the centre of the park like he'd never been away, composed in possession, a reassuring defensive presence and the kind of vocal organiser Fulham have been lacking for far too long.

Charlton threatened right at the start of the second period when Harriott's speculative strike from outside the box almost surprised Lonergan with its power, before Fulham replied with two rather tame efforts from Dembele, whose finishing didn't ultimately match his desire to get past the Charlton defence. Just before the hour, the home side grabbed a crucial second when Madl stole in front of his marker to glance a McCormack corner beyond Henderson for Fulham's first goal for a set-piece all season.

That calmed a few nerves and Fulham began to play with the kind of verve that suggests they should be far higher up the table. Dembele crashed a venomous strike against the crossbar and a neatly worked move between Cairney and McCormack ended with the former surging through on goal but dinking the ball over the grounded Henderson and the crossbar from five yards out. Charlton were still posing a threat themselves with former Fulham academy graduate Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson foiled by Lonergan, but the game was over as a contest a few moments later.

Charlton half-cleared a corner, but the ball dropped invitingly to that man Cairney, who met the dropping ball with a volley of the highest class from 20 yards that gave Henderson little chance. It might have been four under a minute later when Luke Garbutt, who turned in a much improved performance after his nightmare in Lancashire, sent in an inviting low cross that McCormack could only help wide to his obvious annoyance. There was time for Ryan Tunnicliffe to make a welcome return from a knee injury and demonstrate his desire almost immediately by picking up a yellow card for a robust challenge in the Charlton box and the visitors should have had at least one consolation after both Harriott and Makienok spurning glorious chances.

FULHAM (4-4-2): Lonergan; Fredericks, Garbutt, Burn, Amorebieta; Parker, O'Hara (Baird 45), Cairney (Tunnicliffe 84), Kacaniklic (Madl 45); McCormack, Dembele. Subs (not used): Lewis, Richards, Hyndman, Smith.

BOOKED: Amorebieta, Burn, Tunnicliffe.

GOALS: Cairney (31, 78), Madl (59).

CHARLTON ATHLETIC (4-2-3-1): Henderson; Solly, Fox, Lennon, Texeira; Ba (Lookman 67), Poyet; Berg Guðmundsson, Bergdich, (Ghoochannejhad 79), Harriott; Makienok. Subs (not used): Pope, Yun Suk-Young, Johnson, Fanni.

BOOKED: Fox.

REFEREE: Kevin Friend (Bristol).

ATTENDANCE: 16,565.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2016/02/classy-cairney-cuts-charlton-adrift/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Jokanovic admits starting with the wrong system
by DAN on FEBRUARY 21, 2016

Slavisa Jokanovic admitted that he sent Fulham out with the wrong formation and was pleased to see his half-time changes deliver a more fluent performance as the Whites returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic yesterday afternoon.

The Serbian head coach ditched the 5-3-2 that had delivered such an encouraging derby win over QPR following the midweek debacle at Blackburn but reverted back to the system after an insipid first half display against the Championship struggles, when the Addicks could justifiably consider themselves unfortunate to go in a goal down. Jokanovic introduced Michael Madl, who scored the crucial second, and loanee Chris Baird at half-time and substitutions gave Fulham a far better balance.

We played good football today. In the first 45 minutes we found many difficulties and Charlton troubled us many times. It's probably my mistake; we tried to play from the middle. I killed Ryan Fredericks and Luke Garbutt and didn't find the right position for them. We scored the goal in the first 45 minutes but I wasn't so happy so decided to switch the structure and we played better football in the second 45 minutes.

After winning 3-0, after getting a clean sheet, after scoring a set-piece goal, we can be satisfied with our performance today. We can be satisfied, we can be happy with what we offered today for our supporters in our stadium. It's over and the new test is in three days [at Leeds United]. Our obligation is to try and be in this level, and Tuesday night is a new chance for us.

The victory also included Fulham's first clean sheet since mid-October and Jokanovic is determined to tighten up one of the league's leakiest defences.

It's not easy to finish the game without conceding a goal. It's great news for us and it's great news to score a goal off a set-piece. It's important, it's not easy to always score three goals to win a game, sometimes you need to win 1-0 or something similar. It's good for our confidence. At the end of this strange week we've won two London derbies and had one very poor performance at Blackburn. It's a great afternoon for us but it's over, the only important thing now is this game on Tuesday.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2016/02/jokanovic-admits-starting-with-the-wrong-system/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Cairney: Build On This

Following the impressive win over Charlton, Tom Cairney outlined the importance of stringing together a run of positive results with Leeds United on Tuesday night the next target.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/february/21/cairney-reaction?

[WhiteJC]

 
Slavisa Jokanovic: "We played good football"

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has revealed his delight after the club kept their first clean sheet in 21 league matches with a 3-0 victory over Charlton Athletic yesterday.

A brace from Tom Cairney and a first goal from January loan addition Michael Madl gave the Cottagers all three points to lift them to 18th in the Championship and nine points clear of the dropzone.

"We played good football today," Jokanovic told the club's official website afterwards. "In the first 45 minutes we found many difficulties and Charlton troubled us many times. It's probably my mistake; we tried to play from the middle. I killed Ryan Fredericks and Luke Garbutt and didn't find the right position for them. We scored the goal in the first 45 minutes but I wasn't so happy so decided to switch the structure and we played better football in the second 45 minutes.

"After winning 3-0, after getting a clean sheet, after scoring a set-piece goal, we can be satisfied with our performance today. We can be satisfied, we can be happy with what we offered today for our supporters in our stadium.

"It's not easy to finish the game without conceding a goal. It's great news for us and it's great news to score a goal off a set-piece. It's important, it's not easy to always score three goals to win a game, sometimes you need to win 1-0 or something similar. It's good for our confidence."

Jokanovic's charges are next in action at Leeds United on Tuesday night before they welcome to promotion-chasers Middlesbrough to Craven Cottage next weekend.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/jokanovic-we-played-good-football_266891.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Domestic Cup Changes For Fulham

It's being reported that the Premier League, on behalf of all clubs and Fulham, are in discussions with the Football Association over a lighter domestic Cup schedule.

ESPN earlier in the week carried a story that they claimed was fuelled by 'high ranking sources' at both the Premier League and the Football League, who had confirmed that talks were already on-going over making the FA Cup and League Cup less demanding on Premier League sides in an effort to boost both the England national side as well as the performance of clubs in European competitions.

It's hardly a new suggestion to be fair with a lot of talk about the heavy fixture list for successful clubs, when compared to their European compatriots and the regular excuses offered saying that the England side could always be more fatigued and less sharp than others in major tournaments, and ESPN were quick to point out that whilst joint plans exist to try and improve the situation - nothing has yet been agreed and nothing is on the table for agreement either.

It's very much the case of tentative talks so far.

It is however the first time there has been a consensus between the two bodies that something definitely needs to be done.

The outlet went on to say that up for discussion would be the abolition of weekend FA Cup games that take precedence over the League fixtures, as well as removing replays and the two legged League Cup semi-final schedule - with more games going to penalties if required to get a decision on the night.

Whilst any future agreements would no doubt be staged in and be medium to long term changes, the fact England is one of few countries to have a second domestic League Cup competition, it won't be long before it's speculated that the League Cup could be turned into a Football League only competition and maybe request for entry from Premier League sides not in Europe - but I can only assume that with the two authorities saying that nothing will be off the table when it comes to potential ideas.

As well as obvious reference to the number of injuries in the Premier League - despite Football League clubs having more games in the League list - there was also a suggestion that some poor darlings from abroad hadn't wanted to join clubs because of the 'intensity' of the playing year and that's why they preferred Real Madrid and Barcelona as destinations.

Nowt to do with money, glory and the sun!

Moving swiftly on.

Yes, you can see the sense in doing away with replays for clubs competing in Europe (from a tiredness perspective I'm sure Championship, League One and Two clubs would agree with that with a heavier league fixture list to begin with), but what about clubs who aren't in Europe - and those Premiership clubs who find themselves lucky to have a second bite at a Cup cherry and get it right at the second time of asking?

Clubs in Europe generally carry a bigger squad to cope anyway, and the Premier League was already trimmed down on clubs so 'top' players had more of a rest - so how far do we protect the status quo and make changes to ensure richer, more heavily stocked clubs get a better deal?

Also, having mentioned Premiership sides who need a replay to get through - how do you then adequately reward smaller clubs with the replay pay day in Cup competitions - if games subject to one would now go to penalties?

Contrary to the Sky belief, not all fans just want to watch football against the so called Top 4 and with success comes the reward of money to cope with what these days are presumed as less glamorous competitions.

Many Premier League squads have a tendency to bring in youngsters or more fringe players anyway these days?

With Wembley based semi finals being a great money spinner, what about the magic of the League Cup semi finals and a chance to taste a semi (oh er) at your home ground and play your part in roaring your side on?

We won't go back to neutral grounds for FA Cup semi's - it would be at Wembley with a nice price rise again.

Higher level clubs are already favoured with staggered entry to avoid the fixture build up - why not agree to just let clubs decide if either Cup is important for them and then let them deal with the fans if they deem it not to be, instead of trying to find a fix all solution where the truth of the matter is every year it effects a handful of clubs - usually the same ones - so let them find their own solutions.

Shrewsbury Town manager Micky Mellon, explained it perfectly in his own response to the suggestion.

'That would kill us. Absolutely we could lose clubs. Replays keep clubs afloat. I don`t know many clubs at this level making money. We wash our own face and teeter on and make sure we`re not in any debt. To get that extra money in will only help us improve our football club.'

Adding.

'That`s the dream for anybody at this level, to go and play and prove you can function at those levels. If you give us less of a chance of doing that it takes a massive part of the romance out of the cup. I want this to be what it is, it`s a massive day for us. If you take away that chance of playing at those big stadiums, English football loses a massive thing.'



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=435996#ixzz40sl2uTmf

[WhiteJC]

 
Jol to return to management with Al Ahly

The former Fulham, Ajax and Tottenham boss has met with the Egyptian club's president, Mahmour Taher, in London and is expected to sign a contract with the Cairo-based team

Martin Jol is set to return to management with a move to Egyptian club Al Ahly, Goal understands.

Jol has been out of work since he was sacked as Fulham boss in December 2013 following a run of six successive defeats.

But Goal has learned that Al Ahly president Mahmoud Taher is in London to finalise negotiations and agree terms with the Dutchman.

After spells in charge of Roda JC and RKC Waalwijk in the Netherlands, Jol moved to England to become assistant coach at Tottenham before replacing Jacques Santini in 2004.

Jol was sacked by Spurs in 2007 and went on to manage at Hamburg and Ajax before returning to London with Fulham.

Al Ahly currently sit top of the Egyptian Premier League, five points clear of Zamalek after 18 games, with coach Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Shafy currently in charge on an interim basis.


http://www.goal.com/en/news/13822/news/2016/02/21/20581442/-?