Wednesday Fulham Stuff (25/01/17)...

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QPR & Fulham charged by Football Association after derby clashes

The QPR and Fulham benches, along with several players, were involved in a clash in the late stages of Saturday's game at Loftus Road

Queens Park Rangers and Fulham have been charged with two breaches of Football Association rules.

The charges relate to two incidents during Saturday's west London derby, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The first was a clash between the two clubs' coaching staff in the 91st minute, with the second a melee involving players in the 94th minute.

QPR assistant Marc Bircham and Fulham's medical manager Marco Cesarini have received improper conduct charges.

All parties have until 18:00 GMT on Thursday, 26 January to respond.

Both clubs have been charged with failing to "ensure their players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion".

Fulham pair Tom Cairney and Chris Martin and QPR defender Joel Lynch were all booked by referee Keith Stroud following an off-the-ball incident in the 94th minute.


Chris Martin and Joel Lynch received yellow cards after a late melee between both sets of players


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38732514

[WhiteJC]

 
Aston Villa transfer rumour: Fulham players tell boss not to sign Ross McCormack
It seems the Craven Cottage dressing room says no

Ross McCormack won't be signing for his old club Fulham.

And according to reports today, it's because the players don't want him there.

At least that is what The Sun has reported today.

Slavisa Jokanovic had considered re-signing McCormack on loan, but his players didn't give him positive feedback.

The club sold McCormack to Villa for £12m in the summer and looked to be one of the favourites to sign him in the January window.

The paper writes: "McCormack was understood to be a disruptive influence last season, despite being the club's – and possibly the division's – best player."

Steve Bruce insists he had to axe and fine Ross McCormack for his indiscipline to avoid anarchy breaking out in the Villa camp.

The Scot was left out of the 2-2 draw with Preston North End and also stung financially after missing training too often this season,

McCormack's latest excuse was that the gates outside of his house were stuck meaning that he couldn't exit his property.

Bruce wasn't buying it and decided enough was enough and informed the £12million summer signing of his fate.


http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-transfer-news-fulham-12499893

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Aston Villa transfer deal is off after players revolt: This is brutal
FULHAM boss Slavisa Jokanovic won't be pursuing his interest in Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack, reports claim.

The Sun reckon the Cottagers boss has been warned off the Scot by the Fulham dressing room.

McCormack only left west London in the summer.

But the forward has been dealt a massive blow after his former teammates told Jokanovic they didn't want him back.

It's suggested the 30-year-old can be a disruptive influence behind the scenes despite his goalscoring prowess.

McCormack is currently training with Villa's youth team following a bust up with Steve Bruce.

"Unless his attitude to work changes, I'm going to pick people who really want to turn up and play," Bruce said.

"If it repeatedly happens, I won't put up with it.

"If I do, I'll have the lunatics running the asylum. If I let people do what they want, we'll have anarchy."

Asked why McCormack keeps skipping training, Bruce added: "The gates were stuck."

The former Hull boss told him to jump over the fence and to book a taxi.

But McCormack hit back by saying that they were getting fixed and he would try to make it in.

Unsatisfied with McCormack's explanation, Bruce drove around to his house and photographed the wall to prove it was small enough to climb over.


http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/581541/Fulham-Ross-McCormack-Aston-Villa-transfer-news

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Fulham target Werder Bremen midfielder Petsos

Fulham want to sign Werder Bremen midfielder Athanasios Petsos.

The 25-year-old Greece international has been targeted after Fulham missed out on Ibrahima Cisse.

The Whites had two bids rejected by Standard Liege for Cisse and have decided to look elsewhere.

Petsos signed for Bremen from Rapid Vienna last summer but has made only three Bundesliga appearances.

He has played four times for Greece.


http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-target-werder-bremen-midfielder

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FULHAM PLOTTING MOVE FOR 25-YEAR-OLD MIDFIELDER

Sky Bet Championship side Fulham are targeting Werder Bremen's Greek midfielder Athanasios Petsos, according to West London Sport.

In a frustrating transfer window for Fulham so far, Slavisa Jokanovic has been unable to secure his transfer targets, as he looks to strengthen Fulham's midfield for the second half of the season.

Initially, Fulham's focus was fully on Ibrahima Cisse, Fulham placed two bids for the Standard Liege midfielder, however, both were rejected.

It now appears that Jokanovic has moved on, with the Serbian manager turning his focus to Werder Bremen midfielder Athanasios Petsos.

The 25-year-old midfielder has only made three appearances in the Bundesliga for Alexander Nouri's side which suggests that he is not in the long term plans of the German club.

Having made four appearances for the Greek national side, Petsos would add extra experience and guile to Fulham's midfield as competition for Kevin McDonald.

With only a week left before the transfer window closes, Slavisa Jokanovic and Fulham will have to move quickly if they want to secure the Greek international's signature.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-plotting-move-for-25-year-old-midfielder/

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Fulham agree loan deal for Werder Bremen midfielder

Fulham have agreed a deal to sign Werder Bremen midfielder Athanasios Petsos on loan.

The 25-year-old Greece international has been targeted after Fulham missed out on Ibrahima Cisse.

The Whites had two bids rejected by Standard Liege for Cisse and have decided to look elsewhere.

Petsos signed for Bremen from Rapid Vienna last summer but has made only three Bundesliga appearances.

He has played four times for Greece.


http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-agree-loan-deal-werder-bremen-midfielder

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Bundesliga midfielder set for medical at Fulham

Sky Sports reports that Sky Bet Championship play-off hopefuls Fulham are focusing their attentions on signing Werder Bremen's Athanasios Petsos. The 25-year-old defensive midfielder is set to undergo a medical with the Craven Cottage club tomorrow.

The club were recently thwarted in their attempts to sign Belgian midfielder Ibrahima Cisse from Standard Liege, but head coach Slavisa Jokanovic has acted quickly to boost his midfielder options ahead of their remaining league fixtures this season.

Petsos, who has four caps for the Greece national team, has made just three appearances for his Bundesliga club in the campaign so far, his latest coming in the 2-2 away draw at Hamburg in November. With him seemingly low down the pecking order under head coach Alexander Nouri, Jokanovic wants him to become his first signing of the January transfer window.

The player, who was born in Germany, began his career at Bayer Leverkusen, enjoying time out on loan at Kaiserslautern and also having spells with Greuther Furth and Rapid Vienna as well. He only made the move to Bremen at the start of the season, but a change of manager during the season has seen him fall out of favour. Fulham therefore look set to take advantage of that situation.

He'll now provide competition with Kevin McDonald and Stefan Johansen for a place in the Whites starting eleven. Veteran Scott Parker also provides cover in this position, but he is expected to retire at the end of the season and move into coaching. Fulham also let Ryan Tunnicliffe leave on loan to link up with Wigan Athletic once again, whilst Lasse Vigen Christensen is also on the books, but has not played for some time.


http://the72.co.uk/73622/fulham-bundesliga-midfielder/

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Reading FC 1 Fulham 0: Al-Habsi saves 90th minute penalty to help send Royals up to third in Championship
The Omani spares Royals' blushes with a fine stop to earn Jaap Stam's side a much-needed win

Ali Al-Habsi produced a superb penalty save in the 90th minute to earn Reading FC a 1-0 win over Fulham at Madejski Stadium.

The Omani shotstopper denied Chris Martin at the death to send Royals up to third in the Championship table.

Reading missed a spot-kick of their own early in the second half, with John Swift seeing his effort denied by David Button.

However, Roy Beerens was the first to react, turning the ball home to score what proved to be the winning goal for his sixth goal of the season.

It was the sixth time Reading had missed a penalty this season, but the fifth time they had scored on the follow-up.

Garath McCleary, playing as a makeshift striker for the game, almost added to Royals' score but hit the bar with a curling effort from the edge of the area.

The win ends a three-game losing streak for Jaap Stam's side and means they keep the pressure on the top two spots in the league.

Royals are back at the Mad Stad on Saturday, with Cardiff City the visitors.

Reading FC v Fulham LIVE: Al-Habsi's penalty save earns Royals the points
Reading : Al-Habsi, Gunter, Blackett (Ilori 69), McShane (c), Moore, Van den Berg, Swift, Williams, Kelly (Kermorgant 85), Beerens (Evans 85), McCleary.

Fulham : Button, Fredericks, Malone (Sessegnon 68), Ream, Madl (Piazon 45), Kalas, McDonald (Parker 83), Cairney (c), Johansen, Aluko, Martin.


http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/reading-fc-1-fulham-0-12502296

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Fulham pay the penalty again as Reading take the points
Roy Beerens' goal second-half goal cemented a Royals win after John Swift's penalty, given for a foul on Liam Moore, was parried by David Button.

Fulham suffered a 1-0 defeat to Reading at the Madejski Stadium, as Chris Martin missed his second penalty in as many games.

Roy Beerens' goal second-half goal cemented a Royals win after John Swift's penalty, given for a foul on Liam Moore, was parried by David Button.

The Whites couldn't reciprocate after Martin was brought down in the box and Royals keeper Ali Al Habsi saved his last-minute efforts.

Unbeaten in their last two games, Slavisa Jokanovic's side remain five points away from the play-off places ahead of their trip to Burton Albion for their next league clash.


Missed again: Chris Martin (Photo: Getty Images Europe)

As 2,452 travelling away fans looked on, Fulham showed moments of hope but they struggled to beat home side's defence and make the most of the opportunities created.

Reading dominated the opening minutes with Button making a save at the near post before clearing the ball moment later to deny the Royals the chance of setting up a chance.

Fulham started to get into the game with Martin running the ball into the box but he failed to negotiate the Royals defenders.

Soon after Michael Madl's left-footed strike was stopped at the centre of the goal by Al Habsi, before Martin and Kevin McDonald both shot wide and Ryan Fredericks' effort was blocked by Royals captain Paul McShane.

Reading looked like they were to take the lead when Garath McCleary missed a sitter, before Swift's shot was saved by Button.

Sone Aluko had a big chance to put the Whites ahead but sent his strike over the crossbar before Stefan Johansen's attempt from outside the box also went over.

As the second half got underway, Reading were given a penalty after defender Moore was brought down in the box.

Swift's attempt from the spot was parried away by Button, leaving room for Roy Beerens to fire home for a Reading lead.

Reading looked fierce with two further chances hitting the crossbar and going wide, as substitute Lucas Piazon tried to balance the score but his shot was blocked.

The Whites had a couple of opportunities to create chances in the box but Reading's defence refused to back down as Button was employed to make saves on several occasions.

Martin was pushed over in the box leading to a penalty, which he failed to convert a penalty as Al Habsi denied an equaliser with a defiant save.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fulham-pay-penalty-again-reading-12502572

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Fulham's penalty puzzle and other talking points from the defeat at Reading
Whites beaten on the road as penalty problems continue

Fulham suffered a 1-0 defeat to Reading at the Madejski Stadium, as Chris Martin missed his second penalty in as many games.

Roy Beerens' goal second-half goal cemented a Royals win after John Swift's penalty, given for a foul on Liam Moore, was parried away by David Button.

The Whites couldn't reciprocate after Martin was brought down in the box and Royals keeper Ali Al Habsi saved his last-minute efforts.

Here are some talking points from the loss at Reading.

Fulham below their best
When the Whites are in full flow, they are one of the best teams to watch in the Championship.

But, it appears to do this they must all be in tune with each other and prepare to take risks for each other.

As an example, in the final few minutes Lucas Piazon played the ball back in towards the penalty spot. Was there anyone there to have a shot? No.

The 2,452 fans deserved more for travelling in such noisy numbers

Penalty puzzle
Fulham fans on GetWestLondon's Twitter account reacted in horror to the fact that the Whites had been awarded a penalty kick.

They have missed more than they have scored this season and it was no exception at the Madejski Stadium.

Chris Martin, who missed against QPR, stepped up again but Ali Al Habsi was on hand to deny the striker.

Maybe it's time to have penalty practice at Motspur Park?

Stuck in the mud?
Slavisa Jokanovic was unhappy with the Loftus Road pitch at QPR on Saturday.

The pitch at Reading is not up to much either, considering that London Irish play here as well.

There are several patches of mud across the pitch and it makes it difficult for Fulham to play their passing football.

Nothing that Fulham can do about it though – the away ground will always setup their pitch in a way that suits their football.

Change in formation
Slavisa Jokanovic opted to start with three at the back and try and flood the midfield.

On occasions there was some joy as both Scott Malone and Ryan Fredericks broke down the flanks but pushing the wide players forward caused problems defensively.

Michael Madl struggled with the setup and was caught out of position too often and this caused problems for Fulham.

Slavisa Jokanovic changed it at half time, bringing Lucas Piazon on in his place to revert to more of a 4-3-3.

Conceding the second half penalty had little to do with the formation change and more to do with a silly foul.

Plan B needed?
Reading were happy to start the game with an out and out striker, sit back, let Fulham have the ball and keep it tight at the back.

The strategy of slowing the game down appears to work against Fulham and Slavisa Jokanovic needs to work out a strategy of how to combat it.

The Whites boss is happy to try out new things in order to gain success but the Serbian may have to rotate personnel in order to keep things fresh.

The three at the back formation appeared to work better than Fulham's normal setup going forward so maybe some more work on that system will bring its own rewards.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fulhams-penalty-puzzle-talking-points-12502584

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Personal terms agreed, medical tomorrow: Fulham set to sign Greece international
FULHAM are set to sign Werder Bremen midfielder Athanasios Petsos.

Fulham are set to sign Werder Bremen midfielder Athanasios Petsos

The Whites have agreed personal terms with the four-cap Greece international, who will spend the rest of the campaign on loan at Craven Cottage.

He is expected to undergo a medical at Motspur Park tomorrow, according to Sky Sports.

Petsos joined Bremen on a three-year deal from Rapid Vienna last summer but has failed to make an impact at the Bundesliga club.

Fulham turned their attention to Petsos after failing to agree a fee with Standard Liege for Ibrahima Cisse.

Slavisa Jokanovic remains on the hunt for a striker before next week's deadline.

An attempt to re-sign Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack is off the table.

Athanasios Petsos will undergo a medical tomorrow

The Championship club have also enquired about Middlesbrough striker Jordan Rhodes but consider his £9m price tag too steep.

And Starsport understand the club are yet to follow up their initial interest in Austria Vienna striker Olarenwaju Kayode.

Fulham are five points behind the play-off spots after losing 1-0 to Reading at the Madejski Stadium tonight.


http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/581688/Fulham-Transfer-News-Athanasios-Petsos-Werder-Bremen-Loan-Gossip

[WhiteJC]

 
More penalty woe as Fulham slip up at Reading
by DAN on JANUARY 25, 2017

Chris Martin missed another penalty as Fulham slipped further away from the Championship's top six with an agonising 1-0 defeat at Reading last night. Slavisa Jokanovic's mood would/n't have been improved by the fact that the Royals benefited from an exceedingly generous spot-kick award to end their own mini-slump – with Roy Beerens following up after David Button had saved a penalty from John Swift – but the visitors were well below the high standards they have set this season on a freezing night in Berkshire.

Referee Stephen Martin somehow concluded that Liam Moore had been fouled in the box when he appeared to have backed into Tim Ream and it appeared as though justice had been done when Button guessed the right way and foiled Swift's effort, only for Beerens to be in the right place to guide home the rebound. The Londoners still had a chance to salvage a point when Moore crudely halted a promising run by former Reading forward Lucas Piazon, only for Martin to blast his spot kick straight down the middle and see it kept out by Ali Al-Habsi. The Scottish international had seen his effort on Saturday splendidly saved by Alex Smithies and, incredibly, this was Fulham's seventh failure out of nine from the spot so far this season.

Jokanovic cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as once again, despite Fulham's domination of the possession, they lacked any real penetration or cutting edge. Al-Habsi was a spectator for the most part, holding nerve and stopping Martin's late spot-kick and apart from that was only called into action to make largely routine saves, such as fielding a speculative effort from Michael Madl and holding onto Scott Parker's audacious late chip from distance. Martin was often horribly isolated as the focal point of Fulham's attack, with Jokanovic switching from a 5-3-2 formation to the more familiar system he has adopted for most of the season at half-time.

Reading's best moments featured the lively midfielder Beerens. He swung in a dangerous cross that Swift sent dangerously towards goal, with Button doing well to palm the effort aside. Just before half-time, another Beerens cross was headed straight at Button by a disappointed Swift and then the Dutchman's jinking run culminated in a swerving shot that Button did well to hold onto. The home side continued to press after the break and got their reward after referee Martin's baffling decision to point to the spot.

Seeking to press home that advantage – and ended a run of three games without a win that had endangered their play-off place – the Royals pushed on. They almost found a crucial second when Garath McCleary nearly celebrated his recent contract extension in the grand manner, crashing a dipping effort against the crossbar after a surging run deep into Fulham territory. Tomas Kalas made two timely interventions, one of which thwarted a lively Reading counter-attack just as Swift looked set to pull the trigger from ten yards, and Fulham eventually roused themselves for a final assault on the Reading goal.

Having lacked movement in advanced areas and been ponderous in possession, the introduction of Piazon at least provided a bit of dynamism. The Brazilian probably felt he had a point to prove following his loan spell at the Madjeski Stadium last season and he had a shot bravely blocked by Paul McShane before winning the penalty that offered Fulham a glorious chance to grab a point right at the death after being sent tumbling by Moore in the box. Martin stepped forward to atone for his miss at Loftus Road, opting for pure power on this occasion, but Al-Habsi was equal to his effort – sending the ball ballooning into the air and Jokanovic's frustration was complete.

This defeat leaves Fulham a full five points behind sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday and badly needing to make up ground in their next two away matches at Burton and Birmingham City when the Championship programme resumes following Sunday's FA Cup clash with Hull City. The Whites will need to work on their ability to finish inside the 18-yard box – and I suspect they'll be plenty of penalty practice at Motspur Park in the coming days.

READING (5-3-2): Al-Habsi; Gunter, Blackett (Illori 69), van der Berg, McShane, Moore; Williams, Kelly (Kermogant 85), Swift; Beerens (Evans 85), McCleary. Subs (not used): Jaakola, Mendes, Meite, Samuel.

BOOKED: McShane, McCleary.

GOAL: Beerens (50).

FULHAM (5-3-2): Button; Fredericks, Malone (R. Sessegnon 68), Kalas, Madl (Piazon 45), Ream; McDonald (Parker 83), Johansen, Cairney; Aluko, Martin. Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Odoi, Sigurdsson, Smith.

BOOKED: Martin.

REFEREE: Stephen Martin (Staffordshire).

ATTENDANCE: 16,012.


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/01/more-penalty-woe-as-fulham-slip-up-at-reading/