Monday Fulham Stuff (11/04/16)...

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'My message was confused' Fulham boss blames tactics for slow start against Cardiff


Fulham Head Coach Slavisa Jokanovic looks on (Photo by Harry Engels/Getty Images)

Slavisa Jokanovic was disappointed with hos his Fulham side fell behind against Cardiff, but pleased that the Whites were able to grab an important 2-1 victory

Emerson Hyndman marked his 20th birthday with the last-gasp winner after Scott Parker's goal had cancelled out Lex Immers' first-half opener for Cardiff.

It left Fulham on the brink of safety and seventh-placed Cardiff now have it all to do to extend their season as they remain five points behind sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday with a significantly worse goal difference as well.

Jokanovic said: "We didn't play a good football game in the first 45 minutes. That could be my mistake, maybe my message was a bit confused.

"The second half was a game we want to play. Today is (Hyndman's) birthday. It's a great present for himself and for all of us in the last moment of the game.

"He's probably one of the more talented players. I am little bit disappointed with myself that I haven't found more minutes for him this season.

"He probably needs to be a little bit stronger for the Championship. But he's a young guy and he will be a very good footballer for us.

"We need to keep going because we've had one perfect week where we've won three games but in front of us is five games more.

"Mathematically, we are 10 points ahead. It's 15 points needed, so we need five points more to be 100 per cent sure."



Read more at: http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/fulham/my_message_was_confused_fulham_boss_blames_tactics_for_slow_start_against_cardiff_1_4489230
Copyright © LONDON24

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Hyndman: Best Birthday Ever

Birthday boy Emerson Hyndman reflects on the victory over Cardiff courtesy of his dramatic winner.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/april/10/hyndman-reaction?

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Marcus Bettinelli praises Fulham resilience after dramatic Cardiff victory pushed Cottagers closer to safety

Birthday boy's winner leaves Whites goalkeeper breathing sigh of relief as Slavisa Jokanovic's men finally steer away from relegation threat


Eyes on the prize: Marcus Bettinelli

Marcus Bettinelli hailed Fulham's never-say-die attitude after Emerson Hyndman's last gasp goal propelled the Whites away from the relegation zone.

The Cottagers fell behind to a first half Lex Immers header before Scott Parker equalised less than a minute after the restart.

But the hosts looked destined to settle for a point after Ross McCormack's injury time shot was deflected onto the crossbar and over, only to score the winner from the resulting corner.

And the 23-year-old goalkeeper believes the Championship side are finally reaping the rewards for their grit and determination.

He said: "If you look back at this time last week, we were in a real different position than the one we are in now.

"It shows the resilience that we've had in the last couple of games, it has not been pretty at times.

"We didn't play great during the first half, there were times when we could have passed the ball a bit better.

"But we went in, came back out in the second half knowing what we had to do, we regrouped and started great, Scotty has scored a great goal there - he's worked tirelessly.

"We put in a lot today, we deserved a win - definitely at least a result. We're buzzing with that.

"We put in so much hard work and at times this season we haven't had the rub of the green."

The win gave Fulham a third consecutive win in just eight days after victory at Preston North End and against MK Dons at home.

The string of results showed just how big a difference a week can make, as the Whites moved 10 points clear of the drop zone as relegation rivals MK Dons and Charlton both lost.

The result leaves Slavisa Jokanovic's men all but safe with just five games remaining, a huge relief after the hosts entered last weekend one point clear of the relegation zone.

And the former England U21 goalkeeper is looking to confirm the Whites' spot in the second tier when they travel to Brighton on Friday night.

"Today was another one where it wasn't pretty at times, but you get what you put in.

"It feels great, great to be a part of and it's such a comfortable position that we're in now.

"Obviously it's not done, but we can get it done at Brighton next week.

"We're going to prepare for that in the same way as we have done the last two or three games."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/marcus-bettinelli-praises-fulham-resilience-11165015?

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3 things we learned from Fulham's crucial 2-1 win over Cardiff City

A stoppage time winner from midfielder Emerson Hyndman secured three points for Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham side as they moved ten points clear of MK Dons.



The first half did not go to plan for the Cottagers as Bluebirds' forward Lex Immers opened the scoring in the 41st minute and they had a lead going into half-time.

However, Fulham were much better in second half and captain Scott Parker scored his first goal since 2104 to level before Hyndsman, who was celebrating his 20th birthday, scored a deserved winner.

All eyes were on Fulham pair Moussa Dembele and Ross McCormack pre-match but they took a backseat as Parker and Hyndman scored to make their Championship status all but certain.

Here are THREE things we learned from the game:

1) Cardiff's play-off hopes dealt a huge blow
With sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday losing on Saturday, Cardiff would have shortened the gap to just two points had they left Craven Cottage with all three points.

However, they left empty-handed and play-off hopes are now even fainter as they sit five points behind the Owls with Carlos Carvalhal's side also having a significantly better goal difference.

Itss a big ask for Russell Slade's side to reach the play-offs, but stranger things have happened in the Championship.

2) Scott Parker leads by example
As a former England player and captain, Scott Parker's experience is invaluable for Fulham and particularly their young, up-and-coming players and on Saturday he led by example.

Its not often the veteran midfielder gets on the scoresheet but his influence on and off the field is often forgotten, but Saturday showed that he is still capable of playing at this level.

If Parker is still at the club next season, he could be crucial for whatever Jokanovic hopes to achieve.

3) Lex Immers continues to prove his worth
There was a certain degree of intrigue when Cardiff City completed the signing of Lex Immers on loan from Dutch side Feyenoord, and he has proved an inspired addition.

Immers has five goals this season since January and Slade will be desperate to sign the Dutchman on a permanent basis in the summer.

However, given their financial issues they could be priced out of a move, but he has shown that he is more than capable of playing at this level and he would be a terrific addition for a side in the Championship.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/3-things-we-learned-from-fulhams-crucial-2-1-win-over-cardiff-city/?

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Bettinelli salutes Fulham's fighting spirit
by DAN on APRIL 10, 2016

Marcus Bettinelli hailed Fulham's grit and determination after the Whites came from behind to secure a last-gasp victory over Cardiff City at Craven Cottage yesterday to move ten points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side had to recover from the severe blow of going behind to a Lex Immers header just before half-time but recovered superbly to roar back with a much improved second half display. Skipper Scott Parker levelled matters just seconds after the break and birthday boy Emerson Hyndman clinched the win with an instinctive close-range finish in the third minute of stoppage time.

The victory was Fulham's third straight win in the league that has transformed the Londoners' run-in since what looked like a mortally damaging defeat by fellow relegation rivals Bristol City at Craven Cottage a fortnight ago. The Cottagers' timely resurgence has coincided with Bettinelli replacing Andrew Lonergan in goal after a long injury lay-off but the Fulham academy graduate was far too modest to claim any of the credit himself.

If you look back at this time last week, we were in a real different position than the one we are in now. It says the resilience that we've had in the last couple of games, it has not been pretty at times.

We didn't play great during the first half, there were times when we could have passed the ball a bit better. But we went in, came back out in the second half knowing what we had to do, we regrouped and played great, Scotty has got a great goal there – he's worked tirelessly.

We put in a lot today, we deserved a win – definitely at least a result. We're buzzing with that. We put so much hard work and at times this season we haven't had the rub of the green.

It feels great, great to be part of and it's such a comfortable position we are in now. Obviously, it's not done but we can get it done at Brighton next week. We're going to prepare for that in the same way as we have done the last two or three games.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2016/04/bettinelli-salutes-fulhams-fighting-spirit/?