Tuesday Fulham Stuff (24/01/17)...

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LEEDS FANS URGE MONK TO RE-SIGN STRIKER, HE HAS BEEN FROZEN OUT BY HIS CLUB

Ross McCormack has been slated by Aston Villa after falling out with Steve Bruce – and Leeds fan have urged their club to re-sign him this month.

Bruce took the drastic measure of outing McCormack publicly for skipping training, bad time-keeping and a poor attitude.

The Villa manager also sensationally revealed that the Scotland international claimed he could not get to training because the electric gates of his mansion were faulty.

McCormack was dropped from the Villa squad that drew 2-2 against Preston on Saturday and appears increasingly likely to be heading out of the club in the final eight days of the January window.

Speculation of the Scotland international returning to Fulham has intensified in recent days, even though Villa paid a then Championship record fee of £12million to prise him from Craven Cottage only last summer.

Many Leeds fans believe that manager Garry Monk should look to take advantage of McCormack's almost certain availability and recruit him to bolster the forward ranks in what would be a second spell at Elland Road.

McCormack, 30, spent four goal-laden years at Leeds from 2010 to 2014 before joining Fulham for £11million.

The Scottish attacker is fondly remembered by many fans for his Elland Road exploits, scoring 58 goals and supplying 31 assists in 157 matches for the club.

McCormack has had a disappointing campaign for Villa, scoring just three goals in 20 Championship matches, a far cry from the prolific form he consistently displayed for former clubs Fulham and Leeds.

At Craven Cottage last season, the versatile front man chipped in with 23 goals from 49 appearances, including 21 strikes and 10 assists from 45 league matches.


http://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-fans-react-after-aston-villa-slate-mccormack/

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PREMIER LEAGUE MAN EARMARKED AS MONTANIER REPLACEMENT AFTER MOVE FOR FULHAM BOSS FAILS

Nottingham Forest have lined up West Bromwich Albion assistant manager, Ben Garner, as the man to fill their vacant manager's role, according to a report in Monday's Sun newspaper (page 15, Goals pull-out).

Gary Brazil has been placed in caretaker charge since Philippe Montanier's departure earlier this month, but it now seems Forest are stepping up the search for his replacement.

West Brom assistant, Ben Garner, is on Fawaz Al-Hasawi's list of potential suitors for the managerial hot-seat and the Sun believes that he is keen to speak to Garner about taking over.

The report also outlines that Forest made a move to bring Fulham boss to the City Ground whilst the takeover was still in progress.

However, with the reported take over from the American Consortium, lead by John Jay Moores, collapsing, Jokanovic was suddenly out of the picture.

With Garner working under Tony Pulis for so long, it is likely that he would bring a solid style of play to Forest, getting them organised at the back, which could be exactly what they need.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/premier-league-man-earmarked-as-montanier-replacement-after-move-for-fulham-boss-fails/

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Fulham with clear Portuguese recruitment plan as officials sent to clubs

Fulham are increasingly popping up on Portuguese scouting lists. Helpfully, in Portugal clubs release the lists of scouts attending matches, which can give an indication as to which clubs are looking to recruit from the country.

Over the weekend Fulham had someone watch Pacos de Ferreira versus Moreirense, SC Braga versus Vitoria Guimaraes, and Feirense versus Estoril. The plan seems to be to watch the smaller clubs in Portugal, hoping that a bargain can be picked up along the way.

Right now Fulham are the Championship club scouting the most Portuguese matches, and it's not often that a club from England's second tier pays so much attention in such a short space of time.

Perhaps Fulham are looking to recruit as soon as the current transfer window, and are still trying to locate the perfect target. There's not a great deal of time left for them to do so.


http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-clear-portuguese-recruitment-plan-officials-sent-clubs/

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Fulham striker Humphrys agrees deal and is set for loan

HITC Sport understands the Fulham striker has agreed a new deal before loan move to League One.

Highly-rated Fulham forward Stephen Humphrys has signed a new deal at the club and is set to join Shrewsbury Town on loan, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club.

Humphrys is highly regarded within the corridors of power at Fulham after breaking into Slavisa Jokanovic's first-team this season.

The 19-year-old has made three appearances for Fulham so far this term after making his debut against Derby County in the Championship last month.

Humphrys has been a prolific scorer for Fulham at Under-16, Under-18, and PL2 level since his arrival from Bury in the summer of 2013, which has seen him win his call-up to the first-team in recent weeks.

Humphrys signed a professional contract with Fulham in 2014 and a number of clubs have been monitoring his contract situation at Craven Cottage with his existing deal due to expire in the summer.

Fulham have moved to fend off any possible moves for Humphrys by tying him down to a new long-term contract and as reward for his rapid progress this season.

A number of Football League clubs have expressed an interest in taking Humphrys on loan and Shrewsbury are in pole position to land the striker.

Fulham are happy to loan out at Humphrys for the second half of the season so that he can continue his development by playing regular first-team football a Shrewsbury.


http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/01/23/fulham-striker-humphrys-agrees-deal-and-set-for-loan/

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Transfer gossip: Fulham's bid for Cisse reportedly rejected

Fulham have had a second bid for Standard Liege midfielder Ibrahima Cisse rejected, Sky Sports News HQ are reporting.

West London Sport recently revealed that the Whites were interested in Cisse and later revealed that a second bid, of around £2.2m, had been tabled after an initial offer was rejected.

According to Sky, that offer has also been turned down.

McCormack reportedly wants move
Sky Sports News HQ are also reporting that Ross McCormack, who has been linked with a return to Fulham, is unsettled in the West Midlands and keen to move back to London.

McCormack has failed to make an impact at Aston Villa since leaving Craven Cottage in the summer and has been criticised by boss Steve Bruce for missing training.

Sky say Villa would be willing to let McCormack leave during this month's transfer window but that no formal offers have so far been made.


http://www.westlondonsport.com/features-comment/transfer-gossip-aston-villa-ross-mccormack-cisse-bid-jan23

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Player training with youth team ahead of Aston Villa transfer: Deal expected in days

ROSS MCCORMACK is training with the Aston Villa youth team and could leave the club this month.

The £12million signing, who was publicly criticised by manager Steve Bruce at the weekend, has continued to train with the youngsters having done so last week.

Villa are expected to sell McCormack to Fulham before next Tuesday's 11pm transfer deadline.

Bruce blasted McCormack after Villa's 2-2 draw with Preston having left the forward out of the squad for the game.

The Aston Villa manager said McCormack missed training and had blamed the electric gates at his house, which the Scotland international said would not open.

Bruce, who replaced Roberto Di Matteo in November, has been critical of Villa's past spending and said at the weekend there had been too much indiscipline at the club.

McCormack joined from Fulham in the summer, in a deal that could rise to £14m, but has scored just three goals in 22 appearances.

Bruce said. "I've never done this in 20 years but if it repeatedly happens, then I won't put up with it. If I do, then I will have the lunatics running the asylum.

"If I let people do what they want, then we'll have anarchy. You're never going to create a team spirit, if they're looking round giggling at each other because he's not turned up again.

"He said he couldn't jump over a fence that was four feet six inches high."


http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/757737/Ross-McCormack-Aston-Villa-youth-team-Fulham-transfer-news-gossip

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BBC JOURNALIST DELIVERS MAJOR UPDATE ON ASTON VILLA STRIKER DEAL

Ross McCormack will not be leaving Aston Villa on loan to join Fulham, according to a reliable journalist.

In a major update to the McCormack transfer saga, BBC journalist Pat Murphy revealed on his personal Twitter account that the 30-year-old is not returning to his former side, just six months after signing for Villa from Fulham for £12million.

McCormack, who has also played for Leeds, Cardiff and Rangers, was believed to be moving back to Craven Cottage on a temporary basis after a bout of ill discipline at Villa Park.

The Scotland international was lambasted by manager Steve Bruce in front of the media after skipping training last week, due to a problem with the electric gates at his mansion.

Now, the versatile forward is training with Villa's reserve side as he remains at loggerheads with his manager, as a move was expected to take place before the end of the transfer window.

However, a move back to his old side looks to have plummeted into doubt following Murphy's update, which could see McCormack remain at Villa Park until the summer.

The Birmingham Mail claim Villa have pulled the plug on signing Middlesbrough striker Jordan Rhodes, with Bruce potentially keeping McCormack as cover for the Midlands giants.

Football Insider verdict:

In what will come as a huge blow to McCormack, Villa now look likely to be stuck with the forward. The striker's stock is worsening every second he is with the Championship outfit, and needs to jump ship to save his career by looking to impress on loan. His reportedly aborted loan move could see the striker ostracised by manager Bruce who may force him to remain with the reserves until the summer when he will search in vain for a new club. With more than three years remaining on his Villa Park deal, McCormack is unlikely to be allowed to leave on the cheap following his huge transfer fee that saw him move in the summer from Fulham, and that could be another factor that will see him remain in claret and blue until the end of the season.


http://www.footballinsider247.com/bbc-journalist-aston-villa-halted-securing-championship-striker-deal/

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Reading v Fulham

TUE, 24 JAN 2017CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Madejski Stadium

Thick fog forced the originally scheduled game between Reading and Fulham to be abandoned at half-time

BBC coverage
How to follow:
Full match commentary on BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Radio London; live text commentary on the BBC Sport website

Reading will be without left-back Jordan Obita who is suspended following his sending off against Derby County.

Boss Jaap Stam has no new injury worries but may make changes after the Royals suffered back-to-back league defeats to drop to fifth in the table.

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic has no new injury worries following Saturday's 1-1 draw at local rivals QPR.

Forwards Floyd Ayite and Neeskens Kebano are away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Whites travel to the Madejski Stadium six points behind Reading and five points off the play-off places.

The fixture has been rearranged after the original meeting on 30 December was abandoned because of fog at half-time, with the score 0-0.

Reading manager Jaap Stam told BBC Radio Berkshire:

"Sometimes you lose a couple of games in succession, that's football. But it's about the mentality in the team. Are you mentally strong to turn it around and start winning games again?

"Fulham have got a great team, play very good possession football as well and we know that and everyone else is aware of it.

"We need to make sure we play well and try and make it difficult for them.

"There's a lot of games coming up at the moment, but after a loss, it's good to play again quickly as you have a chance to redeem yourself."

Fulham goalkeeper David Button told BBC Radio London:

"The abandonment was a bit strange. It was lucky the game was level because otherwise I'm sure it would have been a bit controversial.

"We have to show Reading respect because they are ahead of us in the table. They play a similar passing style to us, so we are wary of them.

"We are hopeful we can get in the play-offs. They are in our way to achieving what we want. We want their play-off spot and are not afraid of talking about it."

Analysis

BBC Radio Berkshire's Tim Dellor

Reading's meetings with Fulham over the last couple of years have never been dull.

Last year the two sides drew 2-2 at the Madejski Stadium. Reading's most recent trips to Craven Cottage have ended in heavy defeats. Expect goals. According to the BBC Weather forecast, we should also expect mist.

Reading go into the game having lost two consecutive Championship games for the first time since August.

Jaap Stam will want to avert any slide quickly. Defensively, Reading have looked particularly vulnerable lately.

Fulham have a play-off spot in their sights and will move to seventh with a win. The stats and the history point to this being a huge game in the context of both sides' seasons.

Match facts

Reading are unbeaten in their last three home league games against Fulham, scoring eight goals in the process (W1 D2).
The last Fulham goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet away to Reading was Kasey Keller in April 2008 (2-0).
Chris Martin has scored four goals in his last four league starts against Reading. Indeed, Martin has scored five goals in his last six Championship games for Fulham.
After a run of five straight home league wins, Reading lost their last Championship game at the Madejski (0-1 v QPR).
These two sides have the best passing accuracy in the Championship this season (Fulham 83%, Reading 82%).


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38501633

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Piazon: A Point Gained

Lucas Piazon doesn't want Fulham to dwell on the regret of only picking up one point at Queens Park Rangers.

The Whites fought back to draw 1-1 at Loftus Road on Saturday, but the Brazilian knows there is plenty more football still to be played as his side strive towards a Play-Off spot.

"We're disappointed we didn't win the game," he told fulhamfc.com. "I think it was an important game for us and if we could have got the three points we would have been in a great position to fight for the Play-Offs, but it went the wrong way for us and we had to chase it.

"At least we could get a point. It was hard to play on a small pitch which was in a bad condition, and they defended well. It's disappointing for us but I think maybe this one point will help us in the future.

"It was a physical game and we struggled to play our football. They had five at the back a lot of the time and they were working hard, which made it difficult for us.

"It still feels like we could have won the game but at least we didn't lose. We've got one point but it's a close league and there's a long way to go."

A return to the Madejski Stadium is next up for Piazon and co, in Tuesday evening's rearranged fixture.

"That will be a tough game as well," he admitted. "If we can play our stuff and impose our game on them, keep the ball and create chances, then we have a good chance there. A win would take us even closer to the top-six, so that's the aim."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/january/23/lucas-piazon-a-point-gained

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Transfer gossip: Fulham's bid for Cisse reportedly rejected

Fulham have had a second bid for Standard Liege midfielder Ibrahima Cisse rejected, Sky Sports News HQ are reporting.

West London Sport recently revealed that the Whites were interested in Cisse and later revealed that a second bid, of around £2.2m, had been tabled after an initial offer was rejected.

According to Sky, that offer has also been turned down.


http://www.westlondonsport.com/features-comment/transfer-gossip-aston-villa-ross-mccormack-cisse-bid-jan23

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Reading without suspended Jordan Obita against Fulham

Reading are without the suspended Jordan Obita for Tuesday's Championship visit of Fulham after the full-back was sent off in Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Derby.

In his absence, Paul McShane is expected to start, and should captain Jaap Stam's team having returned from a wrist injury in that same game. Tiago Ilori is set for his home debut, after impressing at Derby when making his full debut.

Stam is, however, without winger Callum Harriott, midfielder Stephen Quinn and striker Deniss Rakels because of long-term hamstring, knee and ankle injuries respectively. Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has no new injury concerns.

Forwards Floyd Ayite and Neeskens Kebano remain unavailable owing to international commitments at the African Nations Cup. Jokanovic's biggest dilemma will surround whether to again start Ryan Fredericks from the team that on Saturday drew 1-1 at QPR.

The full-back was substituted at half-time because of Jokanovic's unhappiness at his performance. Denis Odoi replaced him, and could yet start on Tuesday.



Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/fulham/reading-without-suspended-jordan-obita-against-fulham-1838626.html

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Boro U23s 1 Fulham U23s 2

BORO's U23s were knocked off the top of their qualifying group by a side beating them for third time this season. Writes GORDON COX from Victoria Park.
Dimi Konstantopoulos made his first appearance of the season, back on his old stamping ground at Victoria Park.

On an afternoon when it was cool when the sun was up, temperatures plummeted when it set as both sides set about ending the game on top on this qualifying group.

Konstantopoulos wasn't overworked in the early exchanges as Boro's defence dealt with lively work in front of them.

The home side almost took lead when a Niall McGoldrick header looked destined to find the target only for Joshua Smile to head off the line.

It remained a game of few chances until three minutes from the break when a cracking left foot volley from Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson flew through a crowded box and into the bottom left-hand corner of Konstantopoulos' net.

It was Boro with the first opportunity of the second half when Alex Pattison drilled in a low shot from outside the box. The effort was blocked but the ball looped up allowing Junior Mondal an opportunity to head for goal, but he couldn't get sufficient purchase to cause a problem.

It was Fulham with the next chance as Mattias Kait cut in from the left and fired low, but with not enough sharpness to bother Konstantopoulos.

The Boro goalkeeper was in the thick of the action a few minutes later when he saved what looked a certain goal when a defensive slip left Joshua Walker in front of goal. But he delayed his shot and Konstantopoulos did the rest, racing off his line to play his part as the danger was cleared.

In between the chances, Boro fans got their first look at Mikael Soisalo, the 18-year-old Finn who signed in the first week of January.

His first touches were encouraging, but it was Fulham who were next on the scoresheet when Jonathan Burn handled inside the penalty area and George Williams scored from the spot.

Jordan McGhee, set up by Soisalo, saw a low shot saved, then Boro were handed a way back into the game when the referee spotted handball in a crowded box and Arnel Jakupovic drilled straight down the middle from the spot.

The closing minutes brought chances at both ends with Konstantopoulos twice saving from Williams and Cooke seeing a thunderous shot deflected off target.

Scorers Thorsteinsson 42, Williams 75 (pen), Jakupovic 84 (pen).

Middlesbrough Konstantopoulos; McGhee, Fry, Burn, McGoldrick, Tavernier, Tinkler, Pattison (Soisalo 72), Jakupovic, Cooke (Capt.). Mondal (Maloney 60). Subs: Pears (gk); Fewster, Liddle.

Fulham Joronen; Sessegnon, Opoku, Smile (Capt.), Davies, Jenz, De La Torre, Kait, Walker, Williams, Thorsteinsson (Kwietniewski 51). Subs: Ashby-Hammond, Rodriguez.

Referee Martin Coy
Bookings
Boro Cooke 56, foul.
Fulham Davies 30, foul; Sessegnon 59 foul; Walker 90, failing to retreat.



Read more at http://www.mfc.co.uk/news/article/2016/boro-u23s-premier-league-cup-3534936.aspx#fhqhX3abB6pM3sJR.99

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Reading v Fulham predictions - Will it be joy for Stam or Slav?

Reading face Fulham on Tuesday night, and HITC pundits give their predictions on the likely outcome.

Dan Coombs

Reading 0-1 Fulham

Reading have lost their last two league games, surely they can't lose a third? Opponents Fulham are a dangerous side and might just have enough to pull off a surprise away win. They have lost just once in their last eight games and can move within just three points of Reading with a victory.

Danny Owen

Reading 1-2 Fulham

If there were any doubts about Chris Martin's commitment to Fulham's cause, his recent performances suggest otherwise. The on-loan Derby County striker is on fire at the moment and will be rather excited at the prospect of coming up against a Reading side who conceded three times to a usually profligate Derby at the weekend.

Alfie Potts-Harmer

Reading 2-2 Fulham

Fulham are fantastic on their day, and only Newcastle and Brighton have picked up more points away from home than the Cottagers this season. Reading, meanwhile, are on a run of three straight home defeats, and will be determined to take something from this one. A score-draw or a narrow home win the most likely outcome.

Vincent Ralph

Reading 1-0 Fulham

Reading cannot afford to lose again at the risk of slipping out of the play-off places and they should hold firm to beat Fulham by a single goal.

Che Thomas

Reading 2-1 Fulham

Reading lost out in a topsy-turvy match against Derby, but Jaap Stam will want to make sure a couple of defeats doesn't turn into a proper run of bad form. The Royals should edge this.

Aiden Cusick

Reading 1-1 Fulham

Are the cracks showing at Reading? The Royals slipped up again against Derby and face yet another difficult opponent in Fulham on Tuesday. The Cottagers can close the gap on Reading to three points with a win and I fancy them to at least avoid defeat in Berkshire.


http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/01/23/reading-v-fulham-predictions-will-it-be-joy-for-stam-or-slav/

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FULHAM SHOULD LOOK TO SIGN THIS MAN UNITED MAN AND THIS ARSENAL PLAYER NEXT WEEK

Fulham had a very busy summer under manager Slavisa Jokanovic with plenty of transfers coming in and out of Craven Cottage.

The big name departures included their top two scorers from last season including Moussa Dembele, who left for Celtic, and Ross McCormack left to join Championship rivals Aston Villa.

A lot of deadwood was cleared from the squad and Kostas Mitroglou was finally sold to Benfica.

They made some fantastic acquisitions with the loan signings of Tomas Kalas, Lucas Piazon and Chris Martin, who have been highly impressive whilst permanent transfers like Stefan Johansen and Scott Malone have been good too.

Fulham play some of the best football in the league and are one of the highest scorers with 41 goals but the defence has let them down a bit.

They  only sit 5 points off the play-offs but a couple of decent acquisitions and they could challenge for the top 6.

Here is one Arsenal player and a Manchester United player they could sign.

SADIQ EL FITOURI

Sadiq had an excellent season with Salford City, who are owned by a few ex-Manchester United players.

He earned his dream move to United in 2015 and the 22-year-old has been capped at international level by Libya.

He is quite sturdy and has been complimented on his athleticism.

With Fulham's very suspect back line, his addition could bolster them.

Mourinho isn't willing to loan out any first team player so Sadiq and Regan Poole would be Fulham's best options.

AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES

Maitland-Niles is extremely highly regarded at the Emirates and has Championship experience with Ipswich last season.

The 19-year-old played 30 times for Arsenal and scored once and has Champions League experience whilst also being a key player for the England youth teams.

He is versatile enough to play in the defence, wing and midfield and would be a useful addition for the Cottagers.



http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-should-look-to-sign-this-man-united-man-and-this-arsenal-player-next-week/

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Fulham among eight sides keen on McCormack
by DAN on JANUARY 23, 2017

Fulham are one of eight sides prepared to offer Ross McCormack a much-needed route of Aston Villa, according to a Here Is The City report this evening.

The Scottish international only left Craven Cottage in the summer but he appears to have no future at Villa Park after a bust up with Villa boss Steve Bruce over his repeated absence from training. The 30 year-old forward is reportedly keen on a return to London, where his wife and family still live, but a sensational switch back to Fulham would depend on whether his current employers would take a huge loss on the £12m they paid for McCormack in July. His former club are apparently keener on a loan arrangement – but this suggestion has been met with short shrift by Bruce himself.

McCormack, who has scored three goals in his short stint at Villa, is a target for several other leading Championship sides including current table-toppers Brighton and Hove Albion. Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Norwich City are also named as potential destinations for the striker, who has been told he can leave Villa by Bruce as long as the deal is a favourable one.

McCormack has made no secret of his desire to test himself at the top level of English football having never played in the Premier League. His opportunity could arrive if interest from Burnley and Sunderland develops into a concrete offer.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/01/fulham-among-eight-sides-keen-on-mccormack/

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Reading FC: 'Fulham is a massive game for both teams' according to John Swift

JOHN Swift has described tomorrow night's rearranged clash between Reading FC and Fulham as a 'massive game.'

Royals will be determined to put a run of back-to-back Championship defeats behind them when they host the Cottagers at Madejski Stadium (8pm ko).

But Fulham have been a major thorn in Reading's side already this season, having battered Jaap Stam's men 5-0 at home in early December.

The return fixture in Reading on December 30 was then evenly poised at 0-0 when referee James Linington was forced to abandon the match at half time due to heavy fog and poor visibility.

Now Swift has left fans in no doubt as to the size of the task facing Jaap Stam's Royals in the re-run.

"It is a massive game," he declared. "Every game in the Championship is massive because everyone wants to be up there fighting to be in the play-offs and chasing everyone that's above them.

"So it's massive for us, and it'll be massive for them as well.

"They showed what they can do against us last time so we've got to be 100% and go into the game like we do for every game. We know how we want to play and hopefully the result will follow."

Reading have slipped from third in the table to fifth following Saturday's 3-2 loss at Derby County and a 1-0 home defeat to QPR before that.

Fulham, meanwhile, arrive on a three-match unbeaten run in all competitions including a 1-1 draw at QPR last weekend.

Slaviša Jokanović's side sit ninth in the table and will close the gap on Reading to just three points if they win tomorrow night's clash.

Stam will be forced to tinker with his team as Jordan Obita picked up a one-match suspension for his sending off at Derby, with Tyler Blackett likely to step in.

Swift added: "We'll play the way we want to play and do our thing in training, and if we can take that with us onto the pitch then hopefully we can walk away with three points.

"I wasn't out there when we played that 45 minutes against Fulham as I was on the bench that game.

"But the gaffer and his staff will put together our tactics and get us using them on the training pitch, and we'll take that into the game."

Reading FC is reminding supporters that they must actively redeem their free tickets if they were at the original fixture (with the exception of Season Ticket/Half Season Ticket holders) before 5pm on matchday. Tickets for the original game will be invalid.


http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/readingfc/15042381.Reading_FC___Fulham_is_a_massive_game_for_both_teams__according_to_John_Swift/

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Fulham make it plain where they stand on Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack
Whites veto any romantic return for former Cottage hero after he falls out with Steve Bruce

There will be no Fulham return for Ross McCormack - despite rumours he could be on his way back.

Even though Whites need another striker and the former hitman is struggling at Aston Villa, his old side don't want him back either, GetWestLondon has learned.

Villa boss Steve Bruce is unhappy with the Scot's weight and attitude, and although Fulham are on the hunt for a forward to augment Chris Martin - it's not this one - even on loan.

McCormack scored 23 goals last season in 51 appearances for a struggling Fulham last season, and was implored to stick with the Cottage in the summer.

Instead, he made a £12million Midlands move, where things have gone south.

McCormack has only three goals from 22 appearances and has been banished to play in the Villa U23s after a row with Bruce.

Fulham have changed styles of play since last season where everything was designed to get the ball to him at the front, and the current set-up would have to change again to accommodate any Mac return.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-make-plain-stand-aston-12496549

[WhiteJC]

 
Ahead of the game: A home clash with the Cottagers

All you need to know in our match preiview as the Royals host Fulham...

Reading v Fulham
Madejski Stadium
Sky Bet Championship
Tuesday 24th January 2017, 8pm

The Royals will be looking for a return to winning ways in the league when they host Fulham under the lights at Madejski Stadium in our re-arranged fixture.

Last time the two teams met in Berkshire on the 30th of December we only made it to half-time, with heavy fog meaning the game was abandoned at the interval. 

Reading manager Jaap Stam will be looking for a response from his side after an unfortunate 3-2 defeat away at Derby on Saturday afternoon despite his side performing well at Pride Park.

Fulham, who sit six points behind the Royals on 9th, managed to take a point away at QPR at the weekend and will be looking to try and close the gap on Reading.


http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/fulham-preivew-sky-bet-championship-madejski-stadium-3535195.aspx

[WhiteJC]

 
Ticketing Emails

The Club is aware that supporters may have received automated emails overnight regarding historical ticket purchases. Please be advised that this was due to a system error following work carried out by our ticketing provider, and we kindly ask fans to ignore these messages.

We would like to assure supporters that they have not been charged again for any of these purchases, and that their details have not at any stage been compromised.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and thank you for your understanding.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/january/24/ticketing-emails

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham could overtake Derby in Championship with win at Reading

Chris Martin celebrates scoring for Fulham

Derby County could drop to eighth in the Championship table - if Fulham win at Reading tonight (8pm).

The Rams are currently seventh following a 3-2 victory over the Royals at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday. Darren Bent, Tom Ince and Will Hughes scored for Steve McClaren's side.

Fulham, who drew 1-1 at Queens Park Rangers - thanks to a Chris Martin goal, have a better goal difference than Derby. A win would see them overtake Derby on goal difference.

Brighton & Hove Albion would return to the top with a win over Cardiff City in the Championship's other fixture (7.45pm). The Seagulls will be without leading striker Glenn Murray, who is suspended.

Meanwhile, Leeds United host troubled Nottingham Forest at Elland Road on Wednesday evening (7.45pm).


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