Friday Fulham Stuff (09/12/16)...

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Match Day Officials v Fulham (10/12/16)

The Football League have now announced the Match Day officials that will take charge of the game against Fulham this weekend.

Wolverhampton Wanderers host Fulham on Saturday December 10 for the game at the Molineux and the match carries a 3pm kick off.

Referee: Darren Bond
Linesmen: Jonathan Hunt and Matthew McGrath
Fourth Official: Scott Duncan

Match Day referee Bond has officiated 16 games in 2016/17 with a return of 41 yellow cards and four red cards.

He took in 36 matches in 2015-16 and in those games, across all competitions and football divisions, he handed out a total of 106 yellow cards and three red cards.

He was most card happy in the match between Bristol City and MK Dons on October 3 with a total of eight yellows being shown.

Bond comes from a footballing family. After taking up the whistle at 15, he has progressed to the Select Group 2 referees list armed with 20 years of refereeing experience, which included a year as an assistant referee in the Premier League.

Source - EFL.

Let`s hope it`s not another repeat and more of our players edge closer to automatic bans.



Read more: http://www.wolves.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=471146#ixzz4SKCICZFu

[WhiteJC]

 
The Tony Gale Column

It was great to get the win on Saturday against Reading, but to do it in the manner which we did was terrific, and can only be good for morale. We've beaten a good team there, one that's in form and one that I think will be in and around the same position as us come the end of the season. So it was important to win, not just because it got us three points, but because it stopped them getting any points.

I think it's fair to say that not putting our chances away has cost us so far, so it was fantastic to see us being so clinical at the weekend. That's what it's all about. All season we've had the same problem, in the final third. Addressing that, which it looks like we have now, could be the difference between getting in the Play-Offs or not. At the moment we're handily placed going into a busy period of games.

The tactic from Slaviša was quite clear, don't give Reading any time on the ball. That's the way to go in the modern game, and I think the fact there was so much emphasis on that on Saturday was due to the fact that Reading like to play out from the back. When teams play longer it might not be the way to go and it might be that we have to change that slightly, but we got it right for that game. You can maximise on their mistakes, rather than us having to build up all the time.

We're off to Wolves this weekend, and I'm expecting a different game as we're playing a side at the other end of the table. Their confidence won't be as high and I think they'll play a bit more direct. They picked up their first win in a long old while in their last match, but I don't particularly see that working against us. Yes that will have given their confidence a little boost but I still think they're a side that probably deserve to be where they are.

Paul Lambert has recently taken over at Molineux, and although he didn't have the most prosperous of spells at Blackburn, he's one who knows his way around the division. They'll be a very organised side, there's no doubt about that, but they haven't really got the individual threats that we've got. So if we're on our game, we should take all three points, but that's easier said than done. They will do to us what we tried to do against Reading. They know we're a footballing side so they'll want to try and nick the ball off us high up the pitch.

It's then just a few days until we welcome Rotherham to Craven Cottage, and I'm going to be there doing the in-vision for Jeff Stelling's show. They don't normally let me do the Fulham matches, but I kept asking and they finally said yes! So I'm looking forward to coming to see some friends, and also looking forward to seeing us play in a game which we should win. Rotherham are having a terrible time of it, so nothing less than three points will do.

Going into the weekend, they've taken just one point from a possible 36, so it's a game that we've got to earmark as a victory. The Championship's a horrible league in terms of anyone can beat you, but against these two sides below us in the table, we should be getting a minimum of four points. Nothing less than that over this period will do, for me. You can't beat third place 5-0 and then lose against lesser teams by not carrying that form on. This is what makes a good team; you treat each game the same. These two coming up will be tough, but ones where we should be getting at least four points. And I think we'll get them.

December is a busy month with a lot to play for, and I see no reason why we can't be in the Play-Off positions come the start of the New Year. That's where you want to be. The top-six are all playing each other this weekend so it's a good time to make up some ground, and we've got to capitalise on that. If we do break the top-six in the near future, then we've got to maintain it. It's always the old adage of one game at a time and that's how you've got to take it, but this could be a good period for us to get some serious points on the board.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/december/08/the-tony-gale-column

[WhiteJC]

 
Wolves told by Fulham boss what they're missing since Kevin McDonald joined Whites
Cottagers may have hiccuped on their way to 10th in the Championship - but one consistent factor has been the £1.25m former Scotland U21 international


Tough puff: Kevin McDonald (L) grapples with Reading's Roy Beerens

Slavisa Jokanovic has praised summer recruit Kevin McDonald for the way he settled into the Fulham side.

The Whites boss is impressed with the way the Scot has played to his strengths since making himself a pivotal part of the midfield.

It might not be the same for all the new recruits, but the gaffer is sure at least one of his squad has hit the ground running.

McDonald is headed back to Molineux this weekend – the place he called home for three years before moving to west London – and he could receive a hostile reception given his former side's recent struggles.

Speaking about his central midfielder Jokanovic said: "Kevin is an experienced player. He didn't need much time to adapt to us. He's shown his quality and personality.

"We signed him because we believe he can help us and at the beginning of the season he did a very good job. We all have weaknesses and strengths and he tried to cover his weaknesses and try and show his strength of the players to meet the plan.


Jump: Kevin McDonald (R) controls under pressure from Brentford's Nico Yennaris

"This is the situation for all of us."

But despite heaping praise on the 28-year-old the Serbian manager said no one is guaranteed a starting berth even on the back of a 5-0 thumping dished out to Reading on Saturday.

He added: "The situation is similar to all the other players not playing. There are only 11 places in the starting line-up.

"For different reasons, some of those players aren't in my first plans at the moment.

"We signed 14 players and I can't start 14. If they play, then others are outside. Tickets to the team aren't sold out. They need to push themselves and earn enough in the training to put themselves on the bus."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolves-told-fulham-boss-what-12290794

[WhiteJC]

 
Jokanovic lauds McDonald's 'personality'
by DAN on DECEMBER 8, 2016

Slavisa Jokanovic has hailed midfielder Kevin McDonald's impact at Fulham – as the Whites prepare to return to his old club Wolves for a crucial Championship clash on Saturday.

McDonald, who had been a long-term transfer target for the Londoners, finally made the switch to Craven Cottage in the summer and has seamlessly fitted into Jokanovic's shape. Such has been his competence as a defensively-minded presence in the Fulham midfield, the Serbian head coach has felt comfortable enough to tweak his favoured system to allow Tom Cairney to play as an advanced playmaker – and the move has been one of the reasons for Fulham's recent improved form.

Jokanovic was effusive in his praise of the former Sheffield United man's impact at his new club, telling GetWestLondon:

Kevin is an experienced player. He didn't need much time to adapt to us. He's shown his quality and personality.

We signed him because we believe he can help us and at the beginning of the season he did a very good job. We all have weaknesses and strengths and he tried to cover his weaknesses and try and show his strength of the players to meet the plan. This is the situation for all of us.

The Fulham head coach admits that the arrival of so many new players – and their successful introduction to a new-look side gives the club a real sense of competition for first team places that they have lacked in recent years.

The situation is similar to all the other players not playing. There are only 11 places in the starting line-up. For different reasons, some of those players aren't in my first plans at the moment.

We signed 14 players and I can't start 14. If they play, then others are outside. Tickets to the team aren't sold out. They need to push themselves and earn enough in the training to put themselves on the bus.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2016/12/jokanovic-lauds-mcdonalds-personality/

[WhiteJC]

 
Transfer talk: Derby County striker Chris Martin to join Fulham in £9m deal?

Derby County striker Chris Martin is set to join Fulham in a permanent deal worth £9m, according to reports.

Martin is currently on a season-long loan at Craven Cottage after joining from the Rams on transfer deadline day at the end of August.

Fulham are believed to have already paid a loan fee of around £2.5m to £3m - and have the option to buy the Scotland international, either in January or at the end of the campaign.

The Daily Record claims that the Cottagers will move to activate this clause, which would take the fee up to £9m.

Martin has scored six goals in 14 appearances for Fulham, including a brace in last weekend's 5-0 thrashing of high-flying Reading.

Manager Slavisa Jokanovic has urged the club to secure the player's services full-time, adding that the decision is not in his hands.

"My opinion is we need to sign a permanent deal with him," said Jokanovic.

We have previously reported that Martin could be recalled by Derby in January but for that to happen, all three parties - the two clubs and the player - would have to agree to it.


Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/transfer-talk-derby-county-striker-chris-martin-to-join-fulham-in-9m-deal/story-29968569-detail/story.html#vy2EpbRkE5S29bkc.99

[WhiteJC]

 
The Craven Corner: Consistency, not Complacency
Fulham Columnist, Adam Brons-Smith discusses Fulham's recent fixtures and looks at the run-in to Christmas


Chris Martin; A natural goalscorer and key focal point for Jokanovic's Fulham

When Fulham are on form, there's not a team in this league that can beat us on our day. Bold statement? Yes. Is it fair? Probably.

Going into the fixture last weekend, most fans would have taken a point before the kick off. Reading went into the game on a run of five straight wins, and were the in-form team in the division. Jaap Stam had got them playing some decent football and pushed them up into third in the league, while we had been going through an inconsistent patch and in the Brighton game we had dominated until second half where we capitulated.

So what happened against Reading then? Ryan Fredericks returned to the starting eleven, which was the correct tactical move and we continued to press and try to kill off the game when in control – something that we didn't do against Brighton in that second half. Fulham have a terrific squad this season, and we're at our best when we are going forward; getting the full-backs in the attacking third and doubling up in vital areas. As soon as we turn off or decide to sit back, we no longer dictate the tempo and as we've seen so many times this season, it costs us. We took the foot off the accelerator in the second half when we were leading, and Brighton got more of the ball, and then two lapses in concentration saw a 0-1 lead turn into a 2-1 defeat, and we have to make sure we continue to play for 90 minutes.

Against Reading, we continued to attack at every opportunity and that dominance lead to an impressive performance and a statement of intent from the club. With the likes of Chris Martin, Stefan Johansen, Tom Cairney, Sone Aluko & co in the final third, we have some of the best attackers in this division. With Martin leading the line, we have one of the most prolific target men in this league, as long as we keep attacking and providing chances for him, he'll finish. Yes, some people will miss McCormack when we have been goal-shy, but McCormack moved on, and we became a better side because of it. Martin is a focal point in attack, while Ross tried to drop back and get the ball, leaving a gap further up the field. As long as Martin is leading the line, the ball will stick – the potential issue is that the supporting attackers don't get close enough. But if we continue to press, there will be willing runners from midfield supporting the target man.

While there are issues around consistency with the team, what has been clear in recent weeks is the quality and reliance on midfield trio, Stefan Johansen, Kevin McDonald & Tom Cairney – all of which, compliment each other. McDonald at £1.25m and Johansen at £2m seem to be the best investment by any club this summer. Recruiting that level of quality at those basement prices in today's market is a master stroke and the board deserve a round of applause for securing both. While McDonald isn't the fastest to cover ground, he is becoming more and more disciplined and his range of passing is terrific. He has the ability to architect a move from a deeper position while his understanding of the game and predicting the pass is something that is vital to his game. This is then complimented by Cairney and Johansen ahead of him. Cairney is given free reign to float about and cause problems where it matters in an advanced playmaker role, while Johansen has a bigger engine than most military vehicles. Johansen doesn't stop running and being able to be a box-to-box midfielder for 90 minutes makes him a key player and his goal against Reading shows his class -the finish was of the highest standard.

Now, if we can manage to find a level of consistency, Fulham can achieve a top six finish position this season. This is the test now: To make sure we don't get complacent and aim to kill the game out when we've been in control. We've dominated every game in terms of possession, now we just need to keep going until the game is out of sight. That's not winning 5-0 every week, but that's getting at least a two goal cushion when we are on top. 1-0 Isn't a safe score line these days, and if we find that level of consistency there's not another club in this division that should stop us on our day.

We now have 5 games before the end of the year, and there's no reason why we shouldn't aim to at least win 3 or 4 of those. Wolves, Derby, Ipswich, Rotherham & Reading await us, but if we replicate the form against Reading, we could force ourselves into the top six at Christmas. These aren't the easiest fixtures coming up, but they are the type of games we need to win to be top six material. Let's get consistent, not complacent.

Thank you for reading and your ongoing support of the blog.

Please share the article and feel free to contact me on Twitter: @ABronsSmith


http://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2016/12/8/13881994/the-craven-corner-consistency-not-complacency

[WhiteJC]

 
A Cottagers Contemplation: Can Fulham secure play-off position?
With the strongest line up of recent years, is it time for Fulham to finally push for the play-offs?

The Championship is arguably the most gruelling league in professional football. 46 games, countless midweek fixtures and finally rounded off with the possibility of heartache of falling at the final hurdle at the play-off final; a cruel way to end a triumphant season.

Fulham appeared to be a club in decline, financially reckless, throwing around large sums of money in hopes to muster up a team that would ultimately regain their highly desired Premier League status.

Quietly going about his business, Slavisa Jokanovic is slowly building a dynasty at the West London club.

The Cottagers have proven their capability of tussling with the 'big boys' of the league, beating Newcastle United on the opening night of the season was a statement of intent of the clubs ambitions.

The side valiantly battled back to secure a draw against Norwich City, who at the time sat at the summit of the table.

However Fulham's true character was portrayed as The Whites trounced over both Huddersfield Town and Reading, winning both games by a 5-0 margin, the two teams situated in 3rd place at the time of playing them.

Besides Fulham's recent revival in form, the strength in depth at the club provides valuable weapon in the clubs pursuit of promotion.

With Sone Aluko and Chris Martin supplying the flair and firepower in the attacking line, the squad is made up of Premier League calibre recruits and top tier Championship players.

In recent seasons Fulham had provided prolific strike partnerships, however Slavisa Jokanovic has tightening up the squad defensively, the club now have seemingly produced the perfect balance they require to make a challenge for top 6 after years of trying.

With strength in depth and experience of league throughout the squad, can Fulham realistically secure promotion come May?


http://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2016/12/8/13884604/a-cottagers-contemplation-can-fulham-secure-play-off-position-english-championship