Thursday Fulham Stuff (10/11/16)...

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Fulham Duo In Team Of The Week (9/11/16)

Fulham are represented in the latest Football League team of the week that has been selected after this week's action.

The performances by Scott Malone and Tom Cairney in the two nil victory over Brentford at the weekend at the Pirelli Stadium was enough to earn them a place in the side alongside the other most impressive performers in the Football League pyramid.

I think we'll already know ourselves, and not just based on the latest performance, why the duo were selected as part of the team but explaining the choice - the FL blurb read.

Malone:

'Fulham got the Sky Bet Championship weekend under way with a 2-0 win away at rivals Brentford, and Malone starred in the success. Defensively outstanding, and always an option in an attacking sense, the 25-year-old deservedly picked up the Man of the Match honours.'

Cairney:

'Brentford claimed West London derby bragging rights a week ago against QPR, but it was Fulham's turn in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Friday night. Cairney put in a typically commanding display for the Cottagers, and rounded off the 2-0 win with a well-taken strike.'

It's always good to see the club represented in this way, and well played to both for their recognition, but the most important thing about the weekend was of course the win.

Full Team:

Adam Davies (Barnley), Scott Malone (Fulham), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Adam Webster (Ipswich Town), Luke Ayling (Leeds United), Aiden McGready (Preston North End), Tom Cairney (Fulham), Steve Sidwell (Brighton), Tom Ince (Derby County), Gareth McCleary (Reading), Jonathan Kodjia (Aston Villa).

Manager - Mick McCarthy (Ipswich Town).


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=467363#ixzz4PaZtXnHE

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's best moment of the season so far? It has to be this one
If we're talking 'moment' and not 90 minutes –the flick by full-back Denis Odoi over the head of Newcastle's Paul Dummett in the opening match does the job


Fulham first: Denis Odoi (L)

Everyone loves a football eye-catching moment.

No one can remember what happened to the cross delivered by Johann Cruyff after his famous turn - and in fact Denis Odoi's moment of magic, above, came to nothing.

But no matter.

it was a sublime piece of skill, and in the context of the game, all the more welcome to Fulham fans.

Whites were looking at a big defeat by the fallen Premier League giant.

Surely, bookies suggested, Magpies and their top-flight players would be too good for a side escaping relegation by the skin of their teeth just four months earlier?

Instead, Fulham and their newly acquired Belgian defender refused to go meekly into the dark night.

Deep into the second period, Odoi used his back to flick the ball over Dummett before running on and collecting in stride.

Needless to say, Sky cameras, watching the game live, repeated the moment ad nauseum, a bit like us, you might say.

In fact, Odoi later admitted this wasn't really him, and the moment fought against natural instincts to be efficient and less showy.

A fab bit of flair was made all the better when Matt Smith rose just before half time to head the game's only goal.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulhams-best-moment-season-far-12147328?

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Visit Florida continues Fulham Football Club partnership

Visit Florida has reaffirmed its partnership with Fulham Football Club, which is now in its second year.

Will Seccombe, president and chief executive for Visit Florida, said: "Our partnership with Fulham has long-term potential. It's not a publicity stunt. It's really trying to build on and strengthen the relationship Florida has with the Brits. And Fulham is firmly invested too. They want us to succeed as much as we want them to succeed."

He said the location of Craven Cottage on the flight path into Heathrow offered additional benefits: "When you fly into Heathrow you see our big advert on the roof of the cottage [on the left hand side]."

Building partnerships in this way is key to Visit Florida's strategy, which also extends to Goodwood Festival of Speed. The destination is keen to keep Florida front of mind throughout the UK winter, with its annual LoveFlorida campaign returning in January. Early next year the tourist board will host 10 UK-based influencers in the state. "They will be picked specifically for their potential to share moments of sunshine with everyone with the UK," said Seccombe.

Visit Florida is well on track to achieving its target for agent registrations on its first UK online training programme. Since it launched in September, more than 500 agents have registered. "We've set a target of 1,000 in 12 months so it's been a great start. We rely on other people to help sell our experiences so the more we can engage our partners at the agent level, that's really important to us."

The state also hopes to make more an impact in the Mice market, once Miami has finished upgrading its convention centre. It will have added capacity, more event venues, and the parking lot is being turned into a green space. Suzie Sponder, European director of media relations, said: "With as much as 25% of Miami's arrivals for business meetings, we can't function as a destination without it. It will allow us to accommodate much bigger shows and make us a stronger brand."


https://www.ttgmedia.com//news/wtm/visit-florida-continues-fulham-football-club-partnership-7743?

[WhiteJC]

 
Thorsteinsson: Good Feeling

Having beaten off competition from members of the senior Fulham side, Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson was proud to claim October Goal of the Month.

The midfielder's free-kick for the Under-18s against Aston Villa was a clear winner with more than half the votes.

"It's a good feeling," Thorsteinsson told fulhamfc.com. "I won the free-kick and tried to put it into the corner as I thought the goalkeeper was going to take a step the other way.

"Goalkeepers always take a step so I took a chance. It went in the top corner as well so it was a good free-kick, a good goal. I like to think I'm the free-kick taker in the team, especially after that goal!"

Despite Thorsteinsson adding to his tally against Villa to put the young Whites 2-0 up, they ended up losing the game 3-2 – a habit which has frustrated the 17-year-old and his teammates this term.

"It's been a good season for myself, but as a team we feel we could be doing better," he explained. "We've been losing games in the last minutes, such as against Villa.

"But it's been okay for me, I've got a few goals and assists and I've had some minutes in the PL2 as well. I also scored at that level, which funnily enough was against Aston Villa."

Since joining the Club, Thorsteinsson has shared a dressing room with a number of players who have since made the step-up to Slaviša Jokanović's team – something that serves as strong motivation.

"It's good to see that there is a pathway to the First Team," Thorsteinsson stated. "That's the aim for me.

"I know it takes time but if I keep playing well and get some more game time in the PL2 then maybe the next step will be joining in a First Team training session or something like that. I've just got to take my chances when they come."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/november/09/jon-dagur-thorsteinsson-good-feeling?

[WhiteJC]

 
3 LEAGUE TWO STARS THAT FULHAM SHOULD TAKE A CHANCE ON IN JANUARY

Fulham are looking particularly impressive this year under the management of Slavisa Jokanovic and currently find themselves lying in 8th place, after picking up 6 wins from the opening 16 games.

This has included an impressive 1-0 victory over big-spending Newcastle in the opening game of the season and a superb 5-0 win against high-flying Huddersfield.

The club look to have recruited well in the summer and are looking to mount a serious push to achieve a play-off spot come the end of the season after a couple of disappointing relegation-scrapping years.

However, if they are to maintain this early season form they may need to recruit again in January to add some much needed depth to the squad.

One place they could look to buy their players from is the lower leagues as top performers in the third and fourth tier are often able to step up and perform in higher leagues.

This article is going to take a look two players that Fulham could look to poach from League Two in January.

GRAHAM CAREY


Graham Carey has been catching the eye in League Two lately and is definitely someone that Championship side Fulham should be taking an interest in during the January transfer window.

Many teams have been linked with Carey's signature recently but Argyle have maintained that they are desperate to keep hold of their star man.

Carey signed for Plymouth Argyle at the start of last season from Scottish side St Mirren and went on to have a terrific first season with the club, netting 12 times in 46 appearances.

He has continued that form into this season and has already netted 7 times for Argyle, as well as contributing a further 6 assists.

The 27-year-old started his career with Scottish giants Celtic and has also represented the likes of Bohemians, Ross County and Huddersfield Town throughout his time in the game.

Carey is predominantly an attacking midfielder but can be utilised in a number of other roles and would add good versatility to Fulham's attacking options.

Carey looks a class above League Two and is certainly someone who could make the step up to the Championship comfortably.

KGOSI NTLHE


Young full back Kgosi Ntlhe is someone that Fulham could certainly take a closer look at in January.

Ntlhe is no stranger to the Championship as he actually appeared for Peterborough United 12 times during their Championship campaign in 2012/13.

Ntlhe made close to 100 appearances for The Posh over a 5 year spell but has lost his way somewhat in recent years and now turns out weekly for Stevenage in League Two.

However there is no doubting that the 22-year-old has bags and bags of potential; so much so that he actually has a full senior international cap to his name for South Africa which came back in 2013 during a 1-1 draw with Morocco.

As well as that one single senior cap he was also capped 5 times for the South Africa under 20-squad.

Ntlhe is comfortable playing full back on either side and definitely has the potential to be a success in the Championship one day.

CONOR CHAPLAIN


Another young talent currently earning his spurs in the lower leagues is Portsmouth forward Conor Chaplin.

The young man has been at the club since the age of 6 and has already made over 50 appearances for the club despite being only at the tender age of 19, racking up an impressive 17 goals in the process.

Chaplin plays predominantly as a striker but is comfortable playing in a variety of positions and would add versatility to Fulham's attacking options.

He impressed last year for Pompey as he netted 11 times in 38 appearances, mainly from the sub's bench.

He has a very mature head on very young shoulders and plays with a calmness and composure associated with experience seasoned professionals.



http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/3-league-two-stars-that-fulham-should-take-a-chance-on-in-january/?

[WhiteJC]

 
THESE 2 FULHAM STARS REALLY OUGHT TO BE PLAYING IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Slavisa Jokanovic has guided his Fulham side to 8th in The Sky Bet Championship as they seek a top six finish this season.

Jokanovic has got Fulham playing some really good football and they are showing signs that they could be serious promotion contenders – something that Fulham fans are ecstatic about.

They feel as though their side have been out of the top flight for too long and that a return could well be on the cards.

Fulham have some quality players in their ranks, some of whom will be crucial if they are to maintain their promotion push.

Jokanovic has built up a good side over the past year and he has developed some players into top players in his time at Fulham, who, before he came in, were just average players.

Fulham may have a hard time keeping hold of some of their players in January and here I will look at two of their players who should be playing in the Premier League.

Tom Cairney


Cairney is someone who has really excelled under Jokanovic, establishing himself as a first team regular and a crucial player in Fulham's success.

Cairney is playing some of the best football of his career in centre midfield at Fulham; he is very comfortable on the ball and never panics when in possession, something Jokanovic demands of his midfielders.

He also provides Fulham with some creativity going forward, which Premier League clubs like their midfielders to do.

Cairney could easily play for one of the lower Premier League sides and he has all the qualities needed to become a success in the top flight.

RYAN SESSEGNON


Sessegnon is one of Fulham's brightest young talents at the moment and has already been linked with a move to the Premier League.

At just 16 years of age, Sessegnon would be more of a development player for most Premier League clubs but there is no doubt that someone will take a chance on him in the hope he flourishes and breaks into the first team.

Sessegnon is solid defensively and offers a threat going forward and he has already scored two goals this season – a good return for a left back.

Sessegnon has bags of potential and should be playing for a Premier League club to continue his development, before hopefully breaking into the first team.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/these-2-fulham-stars-really-ought-to-be-playing-in-the-premier-league/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Aluko Nominated

Thursday 10 November 2016 06:00
Sone Aluko's fine form in October has seen him nominated for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award.

The attacker helped his side to two wins and a draw in October, scoring our crucial second equaliser before half-time en route to victory in Barnsley, before setting up three goals in the 5-0 triumph over Huddersfield Town.

The judging panel comprises Sky Sports' EFL expert Don Goodman, League Managers' Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery, with the winner announced on Friday morning.

See below for a full rundown of the award and its nominees:

Ali Al Habsi (Reading)

A stellar month for the 34-year-old Oman international, flying across his goal to make stunning save after stunning save. A series of reaction stops preserved clean sheets in the wins over Rotherham and Nottingham Forest.

Sone Aluko (Fulham)

Back to his dynamic best, mesmerising defenders with his dribbling ability and taking them on both inside and out. Scored with a lovely solo effort against Barnsley, then had a hat-trick of assists in a memorable display against Huddersfield.

Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion)

A model of consistency at the back, his influence was evident as Brighton conceded just three goals in five games. Scored with a towering header against Norwich and set up the winner at Sheffield Wednesday with an exquisite flicked pass.

Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United)

Wearing the famous number '9' jersey at St James' Park clearly suits him. Four goals from four October games showcased his speed, direct running and finishing prowess as he bagged two apiece against Brentford and Barnsley.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/november/10/sone-aluko-nominated?