Sunday Supplement - 19/03/17

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World Cup 2018: New faces add intrigue to unbalanced Scotland squad

Tom Cairney has been in scoring form for Fulham from midfield

Some players compelled Gordon Strachan to select them in his squad for the friendly against Canada and the World Cup qualifying tie with Slovenia.

Only 24 hours previously, Stuart Armstrong had been the most impressive performer during his time on the pitch in the Old Firm game, scoring Celtic's opening goal in the 1-1 draw.

Ryan Fraser, too, has performed impressively since establishing himself in the Bournemouth starting line-up and playing with more confidence and sharpness since becoming leaner and fitter.

Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney also could not be left out - and all three can make viable claims to be included in the starting line-up.

It might, though, be a frustration for national coach Strachan that they are all midfielders - the area of the team where he has the most strength in depth.

The squad continues to lack balance. There are three left-backs but nobody who is playing regularly at right-back.

Russell Martin and Ikechi Anya have both performed that position in the past, but the former currently plays at centre-back for Norwich City and the latter has started only two of Derby County's last five league games, one at left-back and one on the left of midfield.

Makeshift selections will need to be made, yet Phil Bardsley has played regularly for Stoke City at right-back.

Strachan has to find the balance between the dynamics and chemistry of his squad and the merits of individual players.

Defensive concerns
Bardsley, along with the likes of Ross McCormack, the striker on loan at Nottingham Forest from Aston Villa, and Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam, is a player the manager has been reluctant to select.

Central defence remains the critical area of concern, but Strachan will be relieved to call upon the experience and defensive nous of Charlie Mulgrew, who missed Blackburn Rovers' game against Norwich at the weekend but played 13 consecutive league games before that.

They have been at left-back, but Mulgrew played often enough at centre-back for Celtic and Aberdeen to be familiar with the role.

Strachan may want to retain a midfield core of Scott Brown, Darren Fletcher and Robert Snodgrass, who have all been influential for their club sides.

Matt Phillips, with four goals and eight assists for West Bromwich Albion, would have been a likely starter but has missed the last three domestic games with a hamstring injury.

Only six players have created more Championship goals this season than Newcastle United's Matt Ritchie - who has also scored nine - but Cairney is one of them and will be pressing for a place in the starting line-up.

There are familiar faces in attack, with Steven Fletcher joined by Steven Naismith, Chris Martin and Leigh Griffiths.

It is the return of Jordan Rhodes that is interesting, since he has been keeping Fletcher out of the Sheffield Wednesday team, with three goals and one assist in the league since he joined the club on loan from Middlesbrough in January.

On form, Strachan could refresh his starting line-up and not just the squad, since Mulgrew, Armstrong, Cairney and Rhodes can all make a strong case for inclusion.

The manager might opt to be more cautious, though, even if he admits the Slovenia game is one the national team must win to keep alive their fading hopes of World Cup qualification.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39261268

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Will Derby fans appreciate the return of Chris Martin?

Chris Martin has enjoyed a successful career in the Championship after a chaotic start to his football career, but has had a mixed season with Fulham.

Signed by Derby County on a free transfer from Norwich City, following a loan spell at Pride Park, Martin scored 20 league goals in his full season for the Rams. His goals took the Rams to Wembley where they were cruelly denied a place in the Premier League by a dogged 10 man QPR side.

Derby have failed to reach the same heights but Martin has been a reliable scoring outlet for the Rams and his career statistics at the club reflect this. A total of 63 goals in 161 games is not an exceptional record by any stretch of the imagination but his role as the centre forward in the side was instrumental.

The 4-3-3 formation has been largely associated with Derby in previous campaigns and Martin's role as the focal point in attack was nothing short of pivotal. His team mates as well opposing players knew this equally.

After earning himself the title of being Derby's top goalscorer three seasons on the spin, his move to Championship rivals in a loan move on transfer deadline day in August came as a surprise to supporters.

Derby were managed by Nigel Pearson, an advocate of the traditional 4-4-2 formation and speculation on Martin's Derby future was fuelled by his visible discontent of playing in the new style of play in which Pearson was trying to implement at the club. The signs were there and the Derby faithful had become restless with the forward's general attitude and questioned his commitment towards the cause.

As Martin began to find his feet at Fulham and rekindle his goalscoring touch at Craven Cottage, Steve McClaren returned to Derby. Martin played his best football under McClaren and was keen on a reunion as Derby began their ascent towards the Championship play-offs.

In January, Martin signed a new deal with the Rams despite Fulham's option to buy him on a permanent deal in the summer. The fall out between the two clubs over this unusual scenario has been well documented. It is still not clear where Martin will be playing his club football next season.

Fulham remain adamant that they still have an option to buy Martin at the end of the season but will the Cottagers be willing to pay out a big transfer fee for a player that is arguably not fully committed to the cause? It looks likely that Martin will be back at Pride Park next season.

However with Fulham now in serious contention for promotion to the Premier League and Derby destined for Championship football, will Martin be as a keen as he was back in January to play for the Rams next campaign? And will the sacking of McClaren, in which Martin was clearly a crucial part of his plans, have any bearing on his willingness to return to his parent club under new boss Gary Rowett?

A lot of questions are yet to be answered and it will be interesting to see where all parties stand on this matter come the end of the season. If Martin is to return to Derby then supporters will be hoping to see a rejuvenated Chris Martin hungry to help fire the side into the Premier League. If he is to rediscover his best form in a Derby County shirt then Derby fans will be more than happy to have their number nine back leading the line.




http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/03/17/will-derby-fans-appreciate-the-return-of-chris-martin/

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Links with clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal make Ryan Sessegnon work even harder, according to his Fulham boss
Teenager does not let talk about his future affect him on the training pitch, in fact, it just makes him better


Gaining attention: Ryan Sessegnon in action against Leeds United (Photo: Darren Pepe)

While many managers complain that speculation linking their star players with moves away harms their squad, Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic says it has the opposite effect on Ryan Sessegnon.

The 16-year-old has been the subject of plenty of talk since breaking into Fulham's first team this season, with the latest report from Football.London suggesting he's on his way to Liverpool.

Whether or not that is true remains to be seen, although it is clear that many top clubs are keeping a close eye on the teenager's development.

But it has no impact on Sessegnon in training, according to his boss, who says it just encourages him to keep working hard and improving.

When asked what impact it has on him, the Serb said: "He's better for it!

"It's because this kid shows a great thirst for learning and for working.

"I don't believe it's affected him, everything that is around him [in terms of transfer talk].

"It's positive news. It is not a factor. I believe all this news encourages him and makes him work harder."

The teenager's brace in the victory at Championship high-flyers Newcastle United last week further catapulted him into the public eye, and Jokanovic will be hoping he can produce a similar performance against Wolves.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/links-clubs-like-liverpool-arsenal-12759662

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Mark Warburton: Nottingham Forest 'risk' is worth taking

New Forest boss Mark Warburton has previous Championship experience from his time in charge of Brentford

Mark Warburton says the stature of Nottingham Forest and the potential at the club means becoming the 26th man to take charge since Brian Clough left in 1993 is a risk worth taking.

The ex-Rangers manager is the 10th appointment made by owner Fawaz Al Hasawi in less than five years.

Forest are just two points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

"The size, quality, expectation and tradition of the club must excite you," Warburton told BBC Nottingham Sport.

"I know there is a job to be done but there is no doubt about the potential here. Our job is to add some stability."

Warburton, 54, who has been out of work since leaving Rangers on 10 February, insisted he was "comfortable" with the assurances he has been given by the owners at the City Ground despite the ongoing upheaval.

Al Hasawi has twice tried to sell the club since last summer, but Warburton said he was not put off by the uncertainty and owner's reputation for sacking managers.

"You take everything into consideration," he added. "It's a pleasure and privilege to be here.

"You have to take risks; you can't always play safe - far from it. I'm confident we are moving forward and we have the support from the board we need to have."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39297923

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Ryan Sessegnon agrees four-year contract – Times

Fulham teen sensation Ryan Sessegnon has agreed a four-year professional contract with Fulham, according to a report.

The Times claim that the wonderkid will sign the deal with the Championship club when he turns 17 on 18 May.

It is said that Sessegnon, along with his twin brother Steven, who is also on Fulham's books, has committed to the agreement despite a stampede of interest from Premier League clubs.

The Times report comes days after Football Insider revealed on Monday that Sessegnon had signed a pre-contract with Fulham as the club moved to protect themselves from Premier League predators ahead of the summer window.

The deal, which will replace the 16-year-old's current apprentice contract, will apparently run until the summer of 2021.

This will enable Fulham to hold out for a higher fee in the future for Sessegnon, who is attracting strong interest from Liverpool as well as Tottenham and a number of other top clubs.

Sources have told Football Insider that the north Londoners have been closely tracking the teen sensation since he was 14.

The youngster, who can play at both left-back and on the left wing, has made huge strides this season as well as demonstrating a genuine eye for goal.

He has scored six goals in the campaign, including two in Fulham's stunning 3-1 win at Newcastle last Saturday, and also weighed in with three assists, remarkable tallies for a player who is not only foremost a defender but also one who is so young.

Football Insider verdict:

There is not so much a queue to sign Sessegnon, as a stampede. Ridiculously talented and precocious, he would be a marvellous signing for any club whose manager is willing to put his faith in youth and hone them on the training pitch. Liverpool or Tottenham would be sounds moves for Sessegnon. Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino are renowned for their development of outstanding young players, and there appears no limit to what Sessegnon can achieve. Fulham have known for some time they have a remarkable young player on their hands and the big boys have been beating a path to the Cottage to try and persuade the youngster to up sticks. A huge sum could still pass hands to push the deal through, but for a team crying out for a long-term left-back option, this could be a fabulous signing for Liverpool or Spurs.



http://www.footballinsider247.com/deal-all-but-done-teen-sensation-on-tottenham-radar-to-pen-four-year-contract-report/

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