Friday Fulham Stuff (11/03/16)...

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Cairney's Nomination

Tom Cairney has been nominated for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for February.

It was a fine month for the 25-year-old as he found the back of the net on no less than four occasions from midfield, with three of them absolute beauts.

After claiming an assist and poking in the third in the Queens Park Rangers victory, he demonstrated excellent technique with either foot to nab a brace as Charlton Athletic were swept aside, before slamming home a volley to open the scoring in the 1-1 draw with Leeds United.

Throughout February, he also boasted an average pass success rate of 87.7 per cent.

Cairney is up against Ipswich Town goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski, Tomer Hemed of Brighton & Hove Albion, and a potential opponent on Saturday in Bristol City's Aden Flint.

The winner will be announced on Friday.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/march/10/cairneys-nomination?

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Johnson's Fulham press conference

The lowdown from the head coach's pre-match briefing with the press.
Lee Johnson met the media ahead of Saturday's 's Sky Bet Championship trip to Fulham (3pm).

Here's what the head coach had to say.

- Korey Smith will come out of his protective boot today and will be assessed

- Johnson says Adam Matthews will benefit massively from his 70 minutes at Wolves and praises the new loanee for his performance after being "thrown straight in"

- Head coach on Scott Wagstaff's first start of the season: "He's an honest player. He's got great energy, a real busy bee."

- Johnson believes clash with free-scoring Fulham will be a high-tempo affair

On the final countdown, the head coach says: "We've got ten games to go. That's about a quarter of a season. We've got to enjoy it...it's when you separate the men from the boys."

- Johnson adds: "We must steer our mind away from it being a dogfight. We must be enthusiastic. Let's keep spirits high."

- City head coach boosted by 3,900-strong away following, adding: "That can give the players a buzz."

- Johnson says being nominated for Manager of the Month is "a good reflection on the players and the staff"

- Regarding Player-of-the-Month-nominee Aden Flint, Johnson says: "He has had a fantastic month; he's scored goals and could have had more. He can play as high as he wants."

- Johnson confirms City have made "strong enquiries" about attacking players but nothing appears imminent.


Read more at http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/johnsons-fulham-press-conference-2999427.aspx#f4RFkScjphFw2Gsk.99

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Brighton On Sale

Tickets for the Whites' trip to Brighton on Friday 15th April, 7:45pm are now on sale to Season Ticket Holders and Members.

Prices for the match on the south coast are £32 for adults, and from £10 for juniors. Full pricing is available here.

All tickets include free travel within the local area. Full details about away fan travel can be found by visiting www.seagulls.co.uk/travelguide. Parking at he ground can also be pre-booked by calling 0844 327 1901.

Tickets will go on General Sale from 10am Thursday 17th March.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/march/10/brighton-on-sale?

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Players can feed off travelling support - Johnson

Head coach believes bumper away following can set the tone for City at Fulham.
Lee Johnson believes City's bumper away following at Fulham on Saturday (3pm) can help set the tone for his team's performance on the pitch.

Just shy of 4,000 Bristolians have sold out the away end in West London for the club's first visit to Craven Cottage since 1997.

Head coach Johnson says his players will have an extra spring in their step at the start of the game as a result, which will hopefully carry them to the victory they need to edge ahead of their hosts in the Sky Bet Championship survival race.

"It's huge. It gives it that sort of 'day out' mentality," Johnson told Bristol City Player HD.

"The fans can go and enjoy themselves, but they'll enjoy themselves a lot more if we get a result.

"It works hand in hand because we've got to make sure we give them a performance, but I have no doubt they will get the lads' hairs standing up on the backs of their necks.

"It gives you a buzz which lasts for about ten or 15 minutes, but that can really set our tempo in the first half.

"If we can get our noses in front, it means the crowd can be our 12th man and keep us nice and strong."

Johnson played in front of the same supporters for six years in his playing days and is not underestimating the impact of City's away day backing.

"I don't think people realise what an effect it can have, and the positive or negative element of a fanbase," he added.

"Bristol City fans are amazing and they always have been.

"They travel in their numbers and nothing has changed this year. As a player, you want to feel like you're supported.

"If you look at the game at Charlton, for example, they never stopped singing. They earned the team the right to run around, be aggressive and get a foothold in the game."



Read more at http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/players-can-feed-off-travelling-support-johnson-2999612.aspx#h1GxwffV5xr0VvO3.99

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Come On You Whites

The boys need you to get behind them when they entertain Bristol City in a crucial game at the Cottage on Saturday.

It marks the first trip to SW6 by the Robins since December 1997, when a solitary Paul Moody strike earned the Whites a 1-0 win. Almost two decades later we're aiming for a league double following the excellent 4-1 victory at Ashton Gate earlier in the season.

Ticket prices start from just £25 for adults and £15 per person, but will increase by £5 on matchday.

City are bringing a strong following to the capital so secure your ticket today to get behind Slaviša Jokanović and his team as they aim to pull away from the bottom-three.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/march/10/come-on-you-whites?

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Craven Corner: How Fulham have improved under Jokanovic but are still not safe


Slavisa Jokanovic watches his Fulham side in action (Photo by Ker Robertson/Getty Images)

To say that it's been a tough season for the Fulham faithful, would probably be an understatement.

After an impressive summer recruiting, adding multiple player of the season candidates from other clubs, there was high hopes surrounding the season ahead. But after the sacking of Kit Symons, and the delay in replacing him, the squad has had it's weaknesses exposed and despite a recent upturn in performances, individual errors continue to cost the club vital points.

The aim for this season is to survive and use it as a basis to have our squad trained tactically in the ideas of Slavisa Jokanovic. Fulham battled bravely once again against Burnley and in the first half proved they could compete against the best teams in this division. But, as fate would have it, an individual error allowed Burnley to receive a penalty and turn the game on its head.

That is the third penalty we have conceded in as many games, something that really has to be cut out of our game. Not only that, but we have only kept 3 clean sheets this season - an worrying stat for any club.

Despite the introduction of a 5-3-2, Fulham's individual errors at the back have only added to the defensive fragilities. Especially, when you look at how the fouls are committed, if the defender had stood the striker up and not rushed in, the penalty could have been avoided - but these lapses in concentration continually anchor our progression.

Despite being two points above relegation, we have improved under Jokanovic in terms of our style of play. The football is more attractive, with a passing and possession heavy philosophy installed and in a majority of games under Jokanovic we have been the better side.

But it's when we are countered we are unable to clear our lines safely and effectively. Fulham are the highest goalscorers in the division, yet we are only two points off the relegation places which says a lot about our defending. We can't rely on our attackers to score more than two goals a game to try and get a point on the board, and while the arrival of Michael Madl has pleased fans, Jokanovic and his coaching team need to work overtime with the whole back five to prevent us from getting relegated.

Interestingly, our January recruits, Rohan Ince and Zakaria Labyad still remain a mystery with their time on the pitch being very limited. Labyad joined the club with a strong reputation as an upcoming footballer in Dutch football, and a player that excites fans and can create chances in the final third. But the Moroccan has struggled to impress the coaching staff and hasn't stood out from the crowd during the U21's games.

Maybe, it's still too early to judge him as he is settling into the English game, but if we are going to stay up, every member of the squad has to offer something and provide strong competition in every position. Ince on the other hand, is a player that I rated highly at Brighton and thought he would fill the void Tunnicliffe left due to injury, but when the chance was offered Ince failed to deliver and in recent interviews, Jokanovic has labelled the midfielder as 'too nice' as he searches for a midfield with more passion and bite.

Our next fixture against Bristol City becomes one of our season's biggest matches, with a win taking us five points clear of them and providing the club with some safety blanket from relegation. I still expect the 5-3-2 system to play it's part, and with Kit Symon's engineering a comfortable victory in the reverse fixture, the pressure is on Jokanovic and the squad to deliver once again.


Read more at: http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/craven_corner_how_fulham_have_improved_under_jokanovic_but_are_still_not_safe_1_4451570
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Garbutt: We Crack On

Luke Garbutt is keen for Fulham to put Tuesday's disappointment behind them when they take on Bristol City on Saturday.

The Robins arrive at Craven Cottage at the weekend below the Whites on goal difference alone, and Garbutt is well aware of the fixture's magnitude.

"It's an absolutely massive game on Saturday and we've just got to crack on basically," he told fulhamfc.com. "We've got to focus on what's in front of us, and that's Bristol City. It's a massive one and I'm sure the fans will get behind us.

"Obviously they'll be feeling disappointed at the moment because results aren't going our way and performances have been indifferent on some occasions.

"The lads and the fans need to stick together and hopefully we can push on and get a big result on Saturday."

After pushing table-toppers Burnley all the way in the week, Fulham now face a side fighting for their Championship lives, but Garbutt insists the Whites will approach every match the same way.

"You've got to go in with an attitude of, 'we're not going to lose the game, we're going to be on top and win it,'" he explained. "It's as simple as that. If you go in with a mentality of looking for a draw or thinking you're going to coast it, you're not going to win games in this league.

"You've got to be 100 per cent all the time and I think first half against Burnley we showed that heart and desire, and we smashed them all over the park."

Garbutt was a constant threat on Tuesday from left wing-back, delivering the cross for Moussa Dembélé's goal and providing a constant outlet on the flank.

He even thought he'd equalised in stoppage time when his fiercely struck shot was heading in until Sam Vokes intervened before it could reach the line.

"I think it was unlucky," the 22-year-old said of the chance. "If we're on a winning run and things are going our way that probably goes in.

"But that's the game that we play, there's going to be lots of ups and downs, you've just got to keep going. The lads will do that and stay positive and, like I say, it's a massive game on Saturday.

"If we play like we did in the first half for the rest of the season there's no shadow of a doubt, for me, that we'll be absolutely fine. The lads were outstanding first half, we deserved the lead and we should have kicked on.

"When you're down there, that's your luck really. But the lads have just got to keep their heads up and keep going. Stay professional, train hard, stick together, and like I say, if we play like we did in the first half, we'll be alright."

Get behind the boys and secure your seat at Fulham v Bristol City on Saturday, with tickets available from £25 for adults and £15 for juniors.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/march/10/garbutt-we-crack-on?