Wednesday Fulham Stuff (16/11/16)...

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Fulham's boss explains why he is lukewarm about January transfer window
Whites head coach has watched the ever revolving Craven Cottage door bring a pile of changes - and he's not so sure he wants too many more

Slavisa Jokanovic says transfer activity at Fulham in January will come at a premium.

Apart from wrapping up a permanent deal for £9 million rated Chris Martin, the Whites head coach says it's unlikely the club will add to the 32 comings and goings that put the Craven Cottage exit in a summer spin.

It won't be the biggest surprise.

Jokanovic complained long and loud about the lack of new faces until a flurry arrived at the last minute ahead of the August deadline.

A good August gave way to a poor September, and a mixed October finished with two fantastic wins at home to Huddersfield and away to Brentford.


Deal pending: Chris Martin

The coach is shy of a total shutdown on moves, but loans last season were a disaster, apart from defender Michael Madl, and the new laws prohibiting all but half-season deals suggest no one's going out and no one's coming in.

He said: "Generally, I don't believe we're going to buy so many in the transfer window.

"What we have to do is improve with what is here and improve on the field.

"But we check the market. The board and the owner might be looking. I'm always looking."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulhams-boss-explains-lukewarm-january-12177504?

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Ticket Details: Fulham (A)

Ticket information has been confirmed for Derby County's Sky Bet Championship fixture at Fulham...

Fulham Vs Derby County
Saturday 17th December 2016
Kick-off: 3pm
Sky Bet Championship

On Sale Dates

Away Members – Sunday 20th November 2016 (10am)
Season Ticket Holders – Sunday 27th November 2016 (10am)
General Sale – Sunday 4th December 2016 (10am)

Ticket Prices

£25 Adults
£20 Senior Citizens (65+)
£20 18-21s
£15 Under 18s

* Matchday ticket sales, if available, will incur a price increase

Booking Fees

A £1.50 per ticket booking fee will be payable for all tickets purchased online or over the phone.

A £1.00 per transaction postage fee will be payable if tickets are requested to be posted.

Disabled Supporters

Disabled supporters pay 50% of the price for the relevant age band (e.g. £12.50 for an Adult) and receive the Personal Assistant free of charge.

Ambulant disabled supporters pay 50% of the price for the relevant age band (e.g. £10.00 for a Senior) and receive the Personal Assistant free of charge.

Allocation

An allocation of 2,787 tickets has been made available for Rams fans

Club Travel

Roadrider departs the iPro Stadium at 9.30am.

Tickets are priced as follows:

Away Members - Adults £24, Under 16s £20
Non-Members - Adults £26, Under 16s £22

How To Buy

In Person: The Ticket Office at the iPro Stadium is open from 9am-5pm from Monday-Saturday (10am-5pm on Tuesdays)

Online: Simply visit WeAreDerby.com to buy your tickets online

By Phone: Call 0871 472 1884 (option 1) during the opening hours above

Collections

All collections will be available from the DCFC Ticket Office presented by Showcase Cinema De Lux.

Derby County do not offer collections from the away stadiums.

Read more at http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/ticket-details-fulham-a-3416886.aspx#ihMpB2hhZWejiy5q.99

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Chelsea starlet is setting a shining example at Fulham, says Jokanovic
Manager tells his troops on the fringes to follow Piano's example


Important player: Lucas Piazon

Slavisa Jokanovic has told Fulham's fringe players to take a leaf out of Lucas Piazon's book and work their way into his plans.

The silky-skilled Brazilian joined the Whites on loan from Chelsea on the final day of the summer transfer window, treading the same path as Tomas Kalas , but had to wait almost a month before making his Championship debut.

Since then, the 22 year old has been a mainstay of the Fulham midfield, and one of the key players in their recent revival.

Jokanovic said: "Lucas Piazon, in the last few games, has started to be a very important player for us. He is very fast and has experience playing in this competition.

"He played 23 games for Reading last season, so he didn't need a lot of time to adapt himself. We are happy with what he has offered in the last few games.

"He stayed with us during the international break, when we are not working with a complete team. Step by step, without any game, we try to detect what these players can offer us, how they can help us.


Championship experience: Piazon was at Reading last season

"After some kind of experience working with him, we detect he's a player who can give us a different thing from what we have in our squad.

"Generally, his case can encourage other people who still don't have enough minutes or participate so much. Show the right character and confidence, push hard and wait for the right chance.

"This competition is tough and long, and I'm sure some players not in my first plan now will soon be in this situation. They have to understand to be professional and push hard, and be ready when they get a chance."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chelsea-starlet-setting-shining-example-12178176?

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FULHAM IN CONTACT WITH EUROPEAN CLUB REGARDING DEAL FOR MIDFIELDER

Fulham are eyeing a move for Villarreal midfielder Alfred N'Diaye, according to Spanish outlet Don Balon.

N'Diaye joined Villarreal in the summer from fellow Spanish club Real Betis over the summer of 2016, but has appeared just 5 times for his new club, making just 1 start.

The 26-year-old has fallen out favour at Villarreal following their managerial change which saw Fran Escriba appointed as the new man in charge at Estadio El Madrigal.

If the Senegalese man was to join Fulham, it wouldn't be his first taste of English football.

Alfred N'Diaye played in 16 games for Sunderland in 2013 before departing for Turkish side Eskisehirspor in August 2014.

The midfielder has also played for Bursaspor and French side Nancy during his career.

Fulham have had a good start to their 2016/17 campaign, they sit just outside the play-offs having lost only 4 of their first 16 Championship fixtures.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side look as though they could challenge for a top six finish this season, and he may look to reinforce his squad in January to help achieve this.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-in-contact-with-european-club-regarding-deal-for-midfielder/?

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Previous POTM Winners

Following Sone Aluko's recent accolade, we look back at the last two times a Fulham man won Player of the Month.

Mark Schwarzer was Fulham's most recent Player of the Month winner, after he kept an impressive five clean sheets in February 2010.

Four of those came from five Premier League fixtures, as Fulham took 11 points from a possible 15, beating Portsmouth, Burnley and Birmingham City at Craven Cottage, and taking goalless draws away from Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland.

In fact, the only time he conceded in that spell was when Chris Baird headed into his own net. The unbeaten run earned Roy Hodgson the Manager of the Month accolade, too.

Another shut-out came in the 4-0 FA Cup triumph over Notts County, while Schwarzer also demonstrated inspired form across two legs as the Whites defeated holders Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2 on aggregate in the UEFA Europa League.

"I'm still a little bit shocked to have won the award," Schwarzer said at the time. "I think it's been a tremendous achievement from everybody at the Club over the last five to six weeks.

"No one could have imagined it would have gone so well over that period of time and I think any number of players in the team could have won the award.

"I think we've defended very well and we've gone back to how we defended consistently well last season. In February we were outstanding all over the field from front to back and that's what has been the key."

Prior to Schwarzer, Louis Saha was the previous individual to claim the honour, when his blistering start to Premiership life with Fulham was aptly rewarded with the August Player of the Month award in 2001.

The Whites' first appearance in the top flight since 1968 couldn't have begun better, with Saha plucking Sean Davis' superb ball out of the air before lobbing compatriot Fabien Barthez with ease. 

That was cancelled out by David Beckham's free-kick, but Saha restored the lead after the break when he collected Steed Malbranque's pass before gliding away from Gary Neville and placing an accurate finish across Barthez and inside the far corner.

Crushingly, a quick-fire brace from £19m debutant Ruud van Nistelrooy spoiled the party.

Three days later that first win did arrive, though, with Saha on target once again. Barry Hayles had eventually broken the deadlock against Sunderland at the Cottage with 20 minutes to play, with his strike partner making the points safe late on with a deflected strike.

Saha was unable to find the net in our final August fixture – a goalless draw with Derby County – but his displays in his first two outings were enough to see him named Player of the Month nonetheless.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/november/15/previous-potm-winners?

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Walking Football

Fulham FC Foundation constantly strives to improve the health and wellbeing across all ages in the community. We are currently delivering projects around dementia, physical inactivity and healthy eating and we are now excited to introduce our new Fulham Legends Walking Football programme.

Walking football, it's exactly what it what it sounds like: a standard game of football where players walk instead of run. The game is designed to help people get fit or maintain an active lifestyle no matter what their age and fitness, as well as support people getting back into football if they have given it up due to age or injury. Current players have seen many benefits by participating in this new format of the game, including reducing lower heart rates, blood pressure, weight loss and better mobility.

And it's not just health benefits; Walking Football also offers social benefits by meeting new people and visiting new places through the game.

All Walking Football sessions consist out of two parts. The first part of the session is a social activity where you can meet the other players, introduce new players and discuss day to day life or the last Fulham FC game. The second part of the session will be practical on the pitch where sessions consist of fun warm up activities, football practise leading to a walking football game.

WHEN: Every Tuesday, 12-1pm

WHERE: Motspur Park Training Ground, KT3 6PT

Please note, you cannot just turn up and play, and must register with the Health Coordinator at Fulham FC Foundation prior to attending. You can register your interest with Hugh Thompson by email at [email protected] or by phone 07475047201.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/november/15/walking-football?

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Next Up: Sheffield Wednesday

Tickets for Fulham's meeting with Sheffield Wednesday at Craven Cottage this weekend are available for supporters to buy on General Sale from just £25 for adults and £15 for juniors.

With convincing wins against Huddersfield and Brentford secured prior to the international break, Slaviša Jokanović's side will be looking to pick up from where they left off on Saturday (19th November, 3pm).

A number of Hospitality packages are also available for the game, where you can relax in the comfort of our lounges, and watch all the action from the best seats in the house from just £75 (+VAT).


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/november/15/next-up-sheffield-wednesday?

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CAN THIS STOKE CITY STRIKER BE A CATALYST IN DERBY COUNTY'S PROMOTION PUSH?

Following the loan selling of Chris Martin to Fulham it begs the question of whether Derby County should draft in 35-year-old striker Peter Crouch.

The striker is craving first-team following, and has only played 129 minutes for the Premier league outfit so far this season.

It can be argued that Derby County's most in-form striker at the moment is Chris Martin – who is on loan at Fulham.

The striker has scored four goals in his last five appearances for the Cottagers. McClaren, a huge fan of Martin would ideally still want him at the club.

Fulham are able to make the strikers move a permanent one if they wish too, and considering the form that Martin has possessed over the past few games there doesn't seem to be any reason why Fulham won't make the move a permanent one.

However if the move does go through, Steve McClaren may turn his attention to Crouch.

It also appears that Peter Crouch will suit Derby's style of play as they have a tendency to play with the one striker up top.

McClaren also managed Crouch in his hapless spell as England manager – and he seemed to be one of the players who thrived under him, scoring a total of eight goals in thirteen appearances.

It would show great initiative with Crouch's contract up in the summer and the Potters plans to sign Lee Grant on a permanent basis.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/can-this-stoke-city-striker-be-a-catalyst-in-derby-countys-promotion-push/?

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THESE 2 FULHAM PLAYERS NEED TO LEAVE TO FULFIL THEIR POTENTIAL

Under Slavisa Jokanovic, Fulham have survived what many thought would be definite relegation, and have come out the other side to currently sit in eighth position in the Championship this season.

They are just two points off the play-offs, but have a tricky run in until the end of December.

They play Sheffield Wednesday, Brighton and Reading twice, all teams above or around them, whilst also facing tests against Wolves, Derby and Ipswich.

The one remaining game they have is the visit of bottom club Rotherham.

However, they have some tremendous talent in their squad and will believe that they are able to give any side a game, especially after beating surprise package Huddersfield 5-0 recently.

After many thought Jokanovic's side would go down after losing key players over the summer, his team have surprised a lot of people and could yet win promotion back to the Premier League at the third time of asking.

Here, in the opinion of FootballLeagueWorld writer Ryan Evans, are TWO Fulham players that should leave to fulfil their potential.

CAULEY WOODROW


The 21-year-old was expected to be one of the brightest starlets at Fulham, and many were looking for him to replace the goals they lost over the summer from the sales of Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele.

However, he's not scored in the league from his five appearances, and hasn't even been able to muster a place on the bench since September.

Whilst the England under-21 international seems to be more at home in the cup, with two goals and an assist from three EFL Cup games, he's not reproducing that form in the league and that is a worry for Jokanovic.

Chris Martin is finally scoring some goals in recent weeks and Matt Smith is seemingly the second choice striker, meaning Woodrow's days at Fulham may be numbered.

He has a contract that runs until June 2018, but the player may want to try moving on to different surroundings or even drop down a division, get some game time and try to get back in the habit of scoring goals.

MARCUS BETTINELLI


Moving to the other end of the pitch, Bettinelli joined the Fulham youth team back in 2011, enjoying loan spells at Dartford and Accrington Stanley before breaking into the Cottagers' first team.

During the 2014/15 season, he made 39 appearances and conceded on average almost two goals a game, and spent most of last season on the substitutes bench.

However Bettinelli did come back to replace Andy Lonergan in the starting XI for the last nine games of the season, of which Fulham won four.

He hasn't had a look in this season though, making just a single appearance for the club's under-23 side in Premier League 2.

At 24-years-old, the goalkeeper has plenty of time left in his career, so it may be a wise decision for him to move on as soon as possible if he wants to live up to what many are sure he's capable of.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/these-2-fulham-players-need-to-leave-to-fulfil-their-potential/?

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FULHAM SHOULD LOOK TO SIGN 1 OF THESE 3 PL FRINGE PLAYERS IN JANUARY

It has been a steady start to this season's Sky Bet Championship campaign for Fulham, with Slavisa Jokanovic setting the platform for a possible promotion challenge.

Fulham currently sit 8th in the league, on 24 points, and they are just two points adrift of the play-off places.

This year proves to be one of the most competitive yet with the majority of the teams in this division harbouring hopes of a promotion push and a play-off spot.

Fulham are no exception and they have started promisingly.

There is a talented core of players at Fulham, who Jokanovic will be desperate to keep at the club in January.

Tom Cairney is the standout star man but Sone Aluko, Tomas Kalas and Lucas Piazon have all been performing well too.

With a few new faces arriving in the January window, Fulham could really challenge for a promotion back to the Premier League.

Here are three suggestions of top flight peripheral players who Jokanovic could look to add in January.

BENIK AFOBE


Benik Afobe has proven that he can score goals in the Championship during a number of spells – most noticeably at Wolves – but he has struggled to get much game time at Bournemouth.

The 23-year-old has only featured seven times for the Cherries in the Premier League this season, mainly off the bench.

The Arsenal academy graduate is quick, strong and well-suited to the Championship, where he should return for some regular playing time.

Afobe, who has just been called up to represent DR Congo, knows where the net is and would score plenty of goals for the Cottagers.

RYAN FRASER


Another Bournemouth fringe player who would be a great addition for a Championship side is Ryan Fraser.

The winger, who is capable of playing on either side, was an integral part of Bournemouth's side when they were in the Championship and had a successful loan spell at Ipswich last season.

The 22-year-old has only managed five league outings for the Cherries so far this season, though, and could be set for another Championship stint.

Fulham could benefit from having the Scotland under-21 international providing good service for the forwards and putting in exciting displays down the flanks.

JORDON MUTCH


Crystal Palace midfielder Jordon Mutch is out of favour at Selhurst Park and needs to move away.

With just eight minutes of Premier League football under his belt this campaign, Mutch might opt for a move to the Championship to get more game time.

Fulham would be a suitable destination for the 24-year-old as he would improve the midfield ranks if he arrived.

The former England youth international is a combative and technical central midfielder who could go to Fulham to get more game time.



http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-should-look-to-sign-1-of-these-3-pl-fringe-players-in-january/?

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Big move is on the horizon for Celtic's Moussa Dembele, according to Killie boss Lee Clark
Moussa Dembele has impressed since joining Celtic from Fulham
Dembele scored a hat-trick in the 5-1 demolition of Rangers at Parkhead
He also bagged a brace against Manchester City and continues to thrive 
Celtic striker also scored two superb goals for France U21s in a 3-2 victory

Since arriving in the east end of Glasgow for a bargain £500,000 fee in the summer, former Fulham forward Moussa Dembele has quickly graduated from an English Championship striker into a Champions League sensation.

Scoring a hat-trick in a 5-1 filleting of Rangers at Parkhead in September saw him really burst into public consciousness for the first time.

A double against Manchester City - the most expensive squad to ever visit Celtic Park - and another goal against Borussia Monchengladbach brought his precocious talents to an even wider audience.


Moussa Dembele is set to have a big price tag on his head, according to Killie's Lee Clark

Dembele's value soared again on Monday night when he scored a terrific brace for France Under-21s in their 3-2 win over England.

Afterwards, the Celtic forward was hailed as the next French global superstar by his Parkhead team-mate, the former Arsenal and Liverpool defender Kolo Toure.

If English clubs were initially slow to recognise young Dembele's talent, the 20-year-old's meteoric rise has come as no surprise to Kilmarnock boss Lee Clark.

An ex-Fulham player himself, Clark has been a huge admirer of Dembele since the youngster helped save his old club from relegation last season.


Dembele scored two goals as France's U21 side beat England 3-2 on Monday evening

He believes the Celtic forward will one day be snapped up by one of Europe's biggest clubs.

But, after watching him bag a double in last month's 6-1 win over Killie in Glasgow, Clark is praying that his side don't help one of Europe's hottest young strikers add to his showreel when he visits Rugby Park on Friday night.

'I know Moussa Dembele well from my links with my old club and it has not surprised me how well he's done up here,' said Clark.

'I saw him at close quarters at Fulham and I did a lot of TV work down south when he was partnering Ross McCormack up front.

'Ultimately, it was his partnership with Ross that saved my old club from relegation, given the amount of goals they scored between the two of them.

'I wasn't surprised Celtic were able to entice him up here because they and Rangers are massive clubs.

'But I was surprised there were not a lot more clubs down south fighting for him.

'However, that might have had to do with the fee they needed to pay if he stayed in England due to cross-border transfer rules.

'But I think a big move will be on the horizon in a few years as there will certainly be big clubs interested in Moussa.

'As soon as he signed I told my staff that Celtic were getting a fantastic, all-round, young player who is still developing.

'I watched the France Under-21s game against England the other night and I saw a player with immense ability who is playing with a lot of confidence.


Clark knows what it's like to play in the Premier League and believes Dembele has what it takes

'And he is young and working under a good manager, Brendan Rodgers, so he is only going to get better and better.

'We will have to try and cut out the supply to a talent like Moussa. We have to try and stop Celtic making chances for him at source.'

Meanwhile, Clark has urged his strikers to fill the void left by Kris Boyd after a thigh injury picked up on the training ground ruled Killie's veteran talisman out of action for the next two months.

Ivorian forward Souleymane Coulibaly, 21, has scored nine goals for the club this campaign, while former Nottingham Forest striker Nathan Tyson, 34, has seven. Kosovo-born Flo Bojaj, 20, is another contender after impressing Clark since his arrival from Huddersfield Town.

But Clark admits the loss of former Rangers and Scotland frontman Boyd, who has scored three goals so far this campaign, is a major setback.

'It's a huge blow to lose Kris – not only for his impact on the pitch but the impact he has off it, too,' he said.

'To lose him for that length of time is really disappointing. It was a nothing incident in training and he has not had many injuries through the course of his career.

'Kris has been a huge positive for me since I have come through the door here.

'I think he has enjoyed his football and that has shown in his attitude in training where he has helped push my ideas onto the younger players.

'It's a huge blow for any team when you lose a player with Kris's personality, reputation and what he has achieved in the game.

'But it's an opportunity for Nathan Tyson and Flo Bojaj - who is coming on strong and is very close - and for Soulemayne to come back into his natural position. Those guys can now stake claims to be one of the main strikers at the club.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3940418/Big-horizon-Celtic-s-Moussa-Dembele-according-Killie-boss-Lee-Clark.html#ixzz4Q9nEk3sc
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