Monday Fulham Stuff (01/05/17)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Brilliant Bentley, play-offs, clappers and a special guest in the programme. What an afternoon.

Well, that was some afternoon. Brentford travelled to Fulham where a point was probably a fair result in a game we were lucky not to have gone in three or four down at half time but which ultimately ended 1-1. That they didn't win will be the least concern for our hosts . With Leeds United going three down at home to Norwich City before eventually managing a point, those results mean that barring a staggering swing in goal difference, Fulham have reached the play-offs and we've another trip to Elland Road. And off field, did anybody pick up a copy of the match day programme.....?

First up though, congratulations to Fulham. Yes. It has to be said. A full house at Craven Cottage saw a cracking game of football as the hosts set out to ensure Leeds couldn't catch them. What happened was as afternoon that will go down as on of those 'I was  there' days – for both sides.

Easily one of the best teams to visit Brentford this season (Fulham, not Leeds), Saturday saw them come flying out of the blocks as they looked to get the win they needed to secure a play off spot. With Brentford on the back foot and being carved open for fun, it was only a matter of time before the first goal. Tom Cairney grabbed it after eight minutes and that was, surely, the cue for the floodgates to open?

With the Bees rocking, chance after chance came. Floyd Aite in particular firing so very high and so very wide when clean through. A second goal would have probably been fair on the balance of play but possession, stats and chances count for jack if you can't put them away.

And sure enough, goal of the season contender Nico Yennaris stepped up. An interchange of passes with Konstantin Kerschbaumer saw the sweetest of finishes into the far corner on the diagonal from just inside the box.
1-1 and the Bees took the noise up another few decibels.

And a good thing too. The goal, obviously, but the even louder support for an already vociferous away following. Anything to drown out those infernal clackers/clappers. Those things that, if you check out the video highlights (and Sky Sports have their version up now), sound like hundreds of charity buckets being rattled.

But with Brentford having hauled themselves back in to it, charitable donations seemed to be the order of the day. How goalscorer Cairney didn't restore Fulham's lead I still have no idea. He was left totally unmarked, and I mean totally, 8 yards out but could only guide the inch perfect cross well wide of the goal. Daniel Bentley wasn't even forced into a save.

Moments later, another chance. Referee Darren Bond awarding what seemed, at the time, a totally innocuous penalty against the Bees. The ball had been crossed in and was pinging around the middle, going nowhere, when he pointed to the spot.

Even watching it afterwards, Yoann Barbet does make contact with Stephan Johansen but only as the ball had been delivered into the heart of the crowded penalty box.  Generous would seem very much the verdict on this one.

Step up Tom Cairney with another chance to let Fulham retake the lead. Step up Daniel Bentley to do his thing quite magnificently and show just why he is up there as a serious, serious contender for player of the season. Diving low to his left he not only pushed the ball clear but then made the bravest of second saves as he threw himself amongst the onrushing boots and onto the ball.

Yessss!  The away fans erupted. Again. The clackers were drowned out. Again. Fulham had seen another gilt edged chance spurned. Again. Daniel Bentley, you beauty.

And with that, half time. Checking the scores saw Leeds United 3-1 down and as good as out. Despite our best efforts in the second period, both teams had really given their all and it couldn't match the pace of the first. The highlight being a debut for Zain Westbrooke who, along side full backs Tom Field and Josh Clarke really marked a positive embrace of those who have come up from the youth set up and B team.

Sure enough, with the 90 played out and Leeds United all but shooting themselves in the foot, the hosts were happy enough to stroke it around their defence and settle for a point. Brentford fans stayed to applaud the players off (Lasse Vibe, Yoan Barbet and KK amongst those handing over their shirts and really taking in the moment – do we need to read anything into this?) before going off to settle for a pint. The fans, not the players.

Off the field, two moments of real note. Firstly, Matthew Benham taking to Twitter. Always a good thing when this happens, he put the kibosh on any prospect of Lionel Road Clackers.

Like Goal Music, another thing that will have to reside in the drawer labelled : Do not open. Ever.

And secondly, forgive a bit of self-indulgence.

Back in January, my hitherto unseen identical twin brother Brian Guest saw a tweet from Fulham, looking for home supporters to participate in the 'Your Club' section of the matchday programme. This could be amusing (he told me) and applied. One thing led to another and along with a photo of Brian sporting the Spall '87 Brentford away shirt, a series of tongue-in-cheek answers were submitted. Surely this would never get past the editor?

But it did. Brian's selection was swiftly confirmed, "A while off but appropriately enough, for the Brentford game".

Seriously? Had they actually read the answers?

A reminder of the 4-0 defeat at Brentford.  Mention of the recent 4-1 home hammering administered by Stuart Dallas, Alan Judge, Jota et al. The Intertoto Cup – prestige and honour.

It went on. The wonderful Michael Jackson statue appeared. The Pizza Hut shirt. The Richard Osman / Pointless 'joke' –  something that should contractually be met with tumbleweed these days.

Surely somebody would then look at this and rumble it? Surely?

But no. Before even reaching the Cottage, one Braemar Road observer (and fellow fan of the World Polo finals – thanks!) had already been in touch. It had got through. Commentator par-excellence Mark Burridge then took to Twitter advising likewise. And on reaching the Cottage, there it was (part of which you can see below).

Big thanks Fulham. Seriously. The game may have ended 1-1 but all three points to the Bees off the field.




https://nickbruzonslastword.wordpress.com/2017/04/30/brilliant-bentley-play-off-pain-clappers-and-a-special-guest-in-the-programme-what-an-afternoon/

[WhiteJC]

 
Tomas Kalas looking forward to Premier League return with Fulham, not Chelsea

Serial loanee Tomas Kalas has everything he needs at Fulham: consistent playing time and a chance to return to the Premier League. Take a bow, Chelsea, you've driven another prospect away.

Tomas Kalas helped bring Middlesbrough into the Premier League for the 2016/17. Boro manager Aitor Karanka hoped to retain Kalas in the top flight, seeing the young Czech as an integral part of Boro's defence. Chelsea disagreed, though, and rewarded Kalas for his contribution to Boro's promotion with another season in the Championship, this time at Fulham.

Kalas leads Fulham in interceptions and is second in clearances, and has Fulham in the playoffs for the final promotion spot. If Fulham return to the Premier League, Kalas wants to ensure he goes with them.

    Getting promoted would help, but anyway, everyone knows that I'd like to stay, not because I wouldn't like to play anywhere else but because I'm playing every game and that's all I need. I'm living in an area I know, so right now it's perfect scenario for me to stay. – BBC

Tomas Kalas will occupy a special place in the Chelsea loan army hall of infamy. He has played for six different teams on loan, while only appearing in two games for Chelsea. Kalas was a regular member of the squad at Vitesse, Middlesbrough and now Fulham. At each squad he earned the trust and respect of the manager and the affinity of the fans.

Chelsea responded to his achievements by dismissing him into football limbo. He never really had a look-in at Chelsea, but Chelsea never pulled the plug so he could create a stable career elsewhere. At every stage Kalas had the talent and ambition to at least fight for a spot in Chelsea's squad. It was as if Chelsea declared he was a loan player, and would forever remain no more.

Perhaps Kalas looked at Nathan Ake's experience and saw the alternate reality that he could be in had Chelsea kept him at Stamford Bridge. Kalas' top priority is consistent playing time. He knows that is the only way he will improve and prove himself as a footballer. Ake's scenario – wearing Blue but rarely leaving the bench – is a nightmare for a young player coming into his prime years. Kalas may think he dodged a bullet by having this season at Fulham.

Tomas Kalas' situation is everything that Michael Emenalo's detractors decry about Chelsea's youth and loan army. Very few players are good enough to play at Chelsea. Fewer still are 17-23 years old – Kalas' age range during his time at Chelsea. But once Chelsea determines that a player is not on track to wear Blue, they owe it to him to let him develop elsewhere.

Neither Chelsea nor Tomas Kalas nor any of his loan clubs gain anything long-term from the current situation. For every Nathaniel Chalobah or Victor Moses there are several more like Tomas Kalas. Whenever a loan player loses interest in playing for Chelsea, the system has failed that player. Unfortunately, Tomas Kalas is not an isolated case.



http://theprideoflondon.com/2017/04/30/tomas-kalas-stay-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham are fully focused on Sheffield Wednesday and nothing else insists Slavisa Jokanovic
The 1-1 draw with Brentford virtually secured the play-offs for Fulham and now the manager is solely focusing on Sunday's game with Sheffield Wednesday

Slavisa Jokanovic insists Fulham are solely focused on Sheffield Wednesday next weekend and nothing else after his side virtually guaranteed a play-off place.

The Cottagers drew 1-1 with local rivals Brentford after Tom Cairney had given them the lead, but were pegged back by Nico Yennaris before Cairney squandered the chance to make it 2-1 by missing his penalty - the ninth Fulham have missed all season.

It's usually the team that has momentum that goes up in the play-offs, and Sunday will see two of the form sides in the division go head-to-head at a sold out Hillsborough and Jokanovic is looking forward to experiencing both Wednesday's stadium and his first play-off adventure.

He said: "I have never played in the Play-Offs, this is my first experience of this in the competition.

"It's 25% chance for all the teams.

"We are going to play against more quality teams in this competition

"But at the moment I am thinking only about Sheffield Wednesday because they are the team we are going to play last up this season.

"When it comes to it we have enough experience to play against all the teams in the Championship, but in this moment we are fully focused on our next game.

"It is always important to have momentum, at the end of the day we are going to play at a historical place like Hillsborough in front of 3000 of our supporters.

"We don't go for a joke, we are going to try and prepare ourselves, be competitive, push hard and try find our style, and try to win the game.

"With this game infront of us we can try push ourselves to a higher level."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-fully-focused-sheffield-wednesday-12965672

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham fans hail star man after playoffs confirmed – 'Take a bow', 'he's a genius'

Fulham's winning streak in the Championship came to a halt on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Brentford but the result was enough to all-but guarantee a top-six finish for the Craven Cottage outfit.

With Leeds United failing to beat Norwich City, a three-point gap between the teams and the London side having a much-superior goal difference, the Cottagers are set to contest a place in the Premier League through the play-offs.

Fulham have gone on an incredible run over the last couple of months to power their way into the reckoning, with an attractive, attacking brand of football being played in the process.

Manager Slavisa Jokanovic has worked wonders at the London club and was hailed on Twitter after the side's place in the play-offs was close to being confirmed.

The Serbian coach has transformed Fulham's fortunes since taking over in 2015 and he has given the club a chance to return to the Premier League ahead of next season.

While Reading, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday will also be vying for a place in the top flight, the Cottagers have hit good form at the right time.




https://ninetyminutesonline.com/fulham-fans-hail-star-man-playoffs-confirmed-take-bow-hes-genius/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 1-1 Brentford: Penalty woes continue and other things we learned in the west London derby
The 1-1 west London draw threw up a number of talking points, including Fulham's gameplan on Jota - here's what our reporter learned from the game

Fulham and Brentford played out a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage - a result that means Slavisa Jokanovic's side have secured their play-off place baring some mathematical miracle from Leeds on the final day.

Tom Cairney opened the scoring when the hosts carved Brentford apart with a lovely footballing move but were pegged back when the Bees responded with a goal of equal beauty when Nico Yennaris played a one-two with Konstantin Kerschbaumer to put it into the top corner.

Fulham could've gone ahead when they were awarded a penalty, but a strong save from Daniel Bentley ensured Fulham's penalty woes this season would continue.

In the end, it mattered little as Leeds' draw with Norwich pretty much ensured a play-off spot for Fulham - here's what we took from the last west London derby of the season.

Penalty woes continue

Another miss: Tom Cairney misses his penalty (Photo: Paul Burgman/Press-Photos.com)

Scoring the last two penalties in a row was a bit of anomaly and Fulham were brought back to reality with another missed penalty - the ninth of the season.

It's been frustrating for Fulham from the spot this season, if they had put away half of those misses they would have comfortably been in a play-off spot right now and you can only imagine how it feels for the players.

This starts to become a psychological thing too - the players know how many they've missed and it starts to eat away at them every time they get a penalty.

Will I miss it?'

'Will he guess right?'

You have to wonder, if any of the play-off games goes to penalties, how much of an effect will this have on the players

Fulham lacked a focal point
Once again, Fulham's need for a striker was highlighted as they struggled to put the ball past an inspired Bentley in the Brentford goal.

Floyd Ayite, for his pace and ability to cause teams problems down the flanks, is not the out and out striker a top team needs and that was clear with his squandered chances.

His one-on-one took a horrible bobble as he struck it, but he should put away at least one of the free headers he had in the first half, while he's struggled to make an impact in the second when Brentford sat on the 18-yard box and forced Fulham to knock it side to side without really going anywhere.

A striker is a must next season, whatever season the side find themselves in.

Jota didn't get much of a look in

Head-to-head: Scott Malone and Jota have words (Photo: Paul Burgman/Press-Photos.com)

There was a lot of talk before the game of what Jota could do, and for good reason, he has been in great form since his return from Spain for Brentford.

But Fulham did a job on him yesterday, with the attack minded Ryan Sessegnon and Scott Malone making sure the Spaniard did more defensive work than he did attacking.

It looked like Jota didn't enjoy the defensive work too much and Fulham got a lot of success down the left in the first half as a result of them overloading that left hand flank and targeting Jota.

As games go it was a quiet one from Jota and Fulham will be happy their game plan worked against him.

It's play-off time!
That draw and Leeds' draw pretty much secures a play-off place, and despite it being cause for celebration the job only really starts now.

The target for Fulham was always getting into the play-offs and they've done that, now it's time to reset the targets and go all out for promotion to the Premier League.

Confidence has to be high in that dressing room having hauled themselves into the top six and they will be believing they can go out and beat anybody, especially after smashing Huddersfield last week.

While it remains to be seen who they will play, the roar from the Craven Cottage crowd yesterday when the final result from Elland Road came through shows what this means to everyone at the club and the players will only take heart from it.

It's going to be a good few weeks.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-1-1-brentford-penalty-12965685

[WhiteJC]

 
Slavisa Jokanovic warns Fulham are the team to fear in Championship play-offs

Slavisa Jokanovic believes Fulham will be the team to be feared in the play-offs following the 1-1 draw with Brentford.

Despite being held, Fulham all but extended their season with Leeds needing a 13-goal swing on the final day of the season.

West London rivals Brentford earned a share of the spoils after Nico Yennaris cancelled out Tom Cairney's early opener.

But the Fulham manager said: "In football many strange things can happen, but I don't expect that to happen next week. We will start thinking of the play-offs but we must not stand still.

"Are we the team to fear? Yes. We are in good form and we play with confidence.

"There is no need for us to do too many different things.

"I have never played the play-offs, it is my first experience of this competitions.

"It is 25 per cent for all the teams, you will play against more quality teams and you are going to start the most important part of the competition when we start the play-offs.

"I cannot be satisfied with the result but for another side, this is what I ordered my players to do. We didn't finish some actions, we made one mistake and they punished us hard.

"We are not at Wembley right now, we need to be ready to play at Sheffield Wednesday in our final game."

Fulham led via Cairney's eighth-minute strike but missed of host of chances with Floyd Ayite the main culprit before and after Yennaris had drawn Brentford level after 34 minutes.

But Cairney missed a penalty right on half-time, Fulham's ninth failure this season, after a fine save from Dan Bentley.

And the Brentford goalkeeper continued that theme in the second half to frustrate Stefan Johansen and Cairney.

Brentford manager Dean Smith said: "It was a different performance than we have put on in recent weeks. It was fast-flowing and attacking football, but we also had to defend resolutely at times.

"As a defensive unit we gave a few chances in the first half. In the second half they troubled us from distance. So really pleased to come here unbeaten and get a point.

"We were down to the bare bones in the end. We lost Rico Henry while Ryan Woods also pulled up. So credit to the players who took their opportunity and put in a good shift.

"If you have been watching Fulham as an attacking force, they have players full of pace and trickery. It was always going to be tough.

"We are finishing the season well. We didn't want to come here and allow Fulham to have party at our expense. They have made it but with other results. The players gave me everything."



http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/slavisa-jokanovic-warns-fulham-are-the-team-to-fear-in-championship-playoffs-a3527241.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Jokanovic sends passionate message to Fulham fans after playoff success

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has sent a passionate message to the club's supporters after the London side confirmed a place in the Championship play-offs on Saturday.

The Craven Cottage outfit went into the weekend's fixture with Brentford needing to match Leeds United's result and duly did so with a 1-1 draw.

With Garry Monk's men failing to take advantage and drawing 3-3 with Norwich City at Elland Road, after being 3-0 down, Fulham are confirmed as one of the four teams to feature in the race to win promotion to the Premier League.

The Cottagers will be joined by Reading, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday in the play-offs.

Jokanovic is clearly a popular figure among the Fulham fans, with the former Watford boss transforming the London club's fortunes since taking over at Craven Cottage.

As can be seen above, the shrewd coach has thanked the club's supporters for their unwavering backing this campaign and posted a video of their celebrations.



https://ninetyminutesonline.com/jokanovic-sends-passionate-message-fulham-fans-playoff-success/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's Marcus Bettinelli believes Brentford game was all about getting over the line in play-off race
Fulham managed to get over that line thanks to theirs and Leeds' draw and the keeper believes that made the occasion of playing Brentford all the more special

Marcus Bettinelli has admitted that the Brentford game wasn't about winning or losing, but about getting over the line in the race for the play-offs.

Fulham needed to match Leeds result against Norwich to all but secure a spot in the top six thanks to their goal difference, which is 13 better than the team from Elland Road.

In the end, a 1-1 draw with Brentford was enough to see the job done after Leeds drew 3-3 with Norwich having come back from being 3-0 down at one stage, and Bettinelli believes that was the main thing from the derby.

The keeper also revealed that there were nerves in the Fulham camp before the game as a result of the occasion and said that the added extra incentive of playing Brentford with a spot in the play-offs on the line made the game all the more special.

He said: "If I was to sit here and say the lads weren't nervous at all I'd be lying - of course we were, it was a massive game and a massive occasion.


Over the line: Marcus Bettinelli (Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

"Playing Brentford is always a big occasion regardless of where we are in the league and however many games are left, but today made it a little bit more special and nerve wracking.

"Thankfully we managed to hold on and Norwich brought a good performance in away at Leeds and we matched their result, and that was the main thing.

"Today was never about winning or losing, it was about getting over the line and we've done that.

"I managed to look over at the bench and ask one of the fitness coaches what the score was and he put three fingers up each and I knew they were losing 3-1 at half time so when I heard I was like 'wow, that's not great.'

"But the longer it went on I knew we needed to see it out and play for a draw if they were drawing and hope they didn't score and thankfully that's the way it worked out.

"It gets to a point where you go listen, we want to win but the most important thing is to not lose because if we lost it would go down to the last game of the season and thankfully we managed to hold onto the draw and it was a great day."

[WhiteJC]

 
Fredericks: Job Not Done

On the back of Fulham securing a Play-Off spot, bar a 13-goal swing from Leeds United on the final day of the season, Ryan Fredericks says the journey is only just beginning for Fulham.

The Whites drew 1-1 in the West London derby with Brentford but a 3-3 draw between Leeds and Norwich was enough to trigger wild celebrations at the Cottage after the final whistle.

"The lads are buzzing, we have worked so hard for this," Fredericks told the Club's official website.

"I think six or seven games ago we were 11 points behind Leeds so we've been on an unbelievable run to make up the points.

"We will be going into the Play-Offs with confidence but we know the job is not done.

"Our goal is not to get into the top six, our goal is to get promoted so this is just the first step and the real fight starts now."

The circumstances surrounding the game and all the permutations going into it meant this was one of the most eagerly anticipated West London derbies in years but Fredericks insists the squad were kept grounded.

"It was no different to any other game, there was no talk of "We need to win this to make the Play-Offs", we just approached it like any other normal game," he said.

"We are confident we can beat anyone and we approached it exactly the same way, we trained hard all week and focussed on winning today.

"I know we didn't win but we are where we are and we are all happy."

With the significance of the result at Elland Road it was important for the players to stay focussed on the task at hand as the Whites only had to equal or better Leeds's result but some information was coming through to the Fulham players.

"Someone came in at half-time and said Leeds were losing 3-1 and then I heard one of the fans shout: 'Get a move on its 3-3 now!'.

"As a player we can't really focus too much on that, we play attacking football anyway no matter what the score is or what other scores around us are looking like," said Fredericks.

The result at Hillsborough next Sunday cannot alter Fulham's league position but Fredericks insists the team are still eager to get the win.

"We are going to approach the Sheffield Wednesday game the exact same way, we want to hit good form and build up some steam for the Play-Offs.

"We aren't going to relax all week, we are going to train hard and stay focussed on winning the game on Saturday but it will be nice knowing that no matter what, we are in the Play-Offs."

There was also a special mention to the Fulham faithful after the game as the right-back recognised the huge effort that was put in by the home crowd.

"The atmosphere was the best I've heard it, there couldn't have been a better scenario, for us to play our local rivals in a game to make the Play-Offs, I wouldn't have expected any less from these fans."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/30/fredericks-reaction

[WhiteJC]

 
Four stats that prove Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham deserve to be 'feared'

Fulham effectively sealed their place in the play-offs with an entertaining 1-1 draw against fellow west London outfit Brentford at Craven Cottage yesterday.

Slavisa Jokanovic's men have received plenty of plaudits during the current campaign for their entertaining and attractive style of football and are in a rich vein of form.

Fulham effectively sealed their place in the play-offs with an entertaining 1-1 draw against fellow west London outfit Brentford at Craven Cottage yesterday.

Slavisa Jokanovic's men have received plenty of plaudits during the current campaign for their entertaining and attractive style of football and are in a rich vein of form.

Fulham then missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time and the following period was end-to-end, but neither team could fashion a winner.
Leeds theoretically have a chance of getting in the top six, but it would require a three-point and 14-goal swing in their favour on the final day.
After the game, Jokanovic heaped praise on his side, saying that the play-off competitors will be wary of his side.

"In football many strange things can happen, but I don't expect that to happen next week," said Jokanovic, as reported by the Evening Standard. "We will start thinking of the play-offs but we must not stand still.
"Are we the team to fear? Yes. We are in good form and we play with confidence.
"There is no need for us to do too many different things."

Four stats which underline how attacking Fulham have been this season:
81 – The number of goals they have managed in the league this season (excluding own goals), more than any other team.
693 – The number of shots they have managed, also a league high.
11939 – The number of successful forward passes, over 2500 more than Huddersfield, the next best in the division.
522 – Number of chances created, more than any other team.



http://www.squawka.com/news/four-stats-that-prove-slavisa-jokanovics-fulham-deserve-to-be-feared/940860#WZfMFvv5V4vZY3qd.97

[WhiteJC]

 
Brentford keeper: We did our homework on Fulham man Tom Cairney and it paid off
Bentley admits he has to find a psychological edge when it comes to spot-kicks

Daniel Bentley paid tribute to good homework and a bit of luck after his penalty save against Tom Cairney in Brentford's 1-1 draw with Fulham.

The Bees stopper leapt to his left to claw out the Whites' talisman's spot-kick before gathering the rebound.

And Bentley paid tribute to goalkeeping coach Simon Royce for preparing him for what Cairney would do.

He said: "Myself and Simon Royce do our homework on penalty takers and potential takers, previous penalties, form, placement and that sort of thing.

"A lot of it is intuition and what way I want to go but I'm guided by Roycey and he gives me his opinion.

"I went the right way and managed to save it. It helped the team out at an important time and that's what I meant to do."

Bentley was trying to put Cairney off ahead of the spot-kick by knocking the crossbar and it clearly worked.

He added: "I've got methods. It's all gamesmanship. I've got to get the psychological edge over a very good player in Tom Cairney.

"I know he's scored a couple recently. If I can gain one per cent then that's worth it. I've got to make the goal as small as possible. I managed to go the right way and make the save at an important time."

Cairney and Harlee Dean slid in to the rebound as Bentley gathered, leading to the goalkeeper taking a heavy hit.

He explained: "I got a couple of tramlines up my arm where someone caught me. I took a whack on the hand and shoulder but that's the life of a shoulder."

The penalty save, at 1-1 after Nico Yennaris cancelled out Cairney's opener, led to an exciting second half where both sides could have won.

Bentley said: "It was open at times. We attacked and then they attacked. There's a lot of pace on the pitch.

"We were going forward like Red Arrows and they were just as fast. At times our game management was questioned.

"When the gaffer spoke to us at half time he said we've got to manage the game better as Fulham are a strong team with a lot of quality."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-keeper-homework-fulham-man-12967172

[WhiteJC]

 
Manchester United join Ryan Sessegnon transfer race with Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City
The 16-year-old left-back has been compared to Gareth Bale at that age and, like him, may end up playing further forward


Left-sided teenage wideman named Ryan? Where have Man United fans heard THAT before...? (Photo: Getty)

Manchester United are trying to jump to the front of the queue of clubs chasing Fulham wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon.

The Old Trafford giants have become the latest top side to enquire about the 16-year-old left-back, who is regarded as one of the top prospects in the country.

Liverpool are well-established admirers and are trying to sign Sessegnon this summer, but they will face major competition.

Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham are also in the hunt for the teenager, who has been compared to Real Madrid's Gareth Bale at the same age and, like the Welsh superstar, could also end up playing further forward.


Despite his age, Sessegnon has been key to Fulham reaching the Championship play-offs (Photo: Rex Features)

Fulham have rebuffed offers from the Gunners for the player in the past and a loan-back option could appeal to the Championship club, who have secured their place in the promotion play-offs with one game to go in the regular season.

Liverpool are also in the market for a left-back in the summer, but Sessegnon may be seen as a long-term signing.

The youngster joined Fulham when he was just nine, has represented England through the age-groups and has already established himself in the Championship.

United, where England left-back Luke Shaw has struggled to convince manager Jose Mourinho since his appointment last summer, are now ready to join the battle to get him.

They hope their reputation of bringing through young players will be influential.



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-united-join-ryan-sessegnon-10329647

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham are the early favourites to win the Play Offs

Sixth placed Fulham are the early favourites to win the Sky Bet Championship Play Offs according to the latest odds provided by English Football League partners Sky Bet.

The Whites are currently unbeaten in their last five league matches, a sequence which can only be bettered by Sheffield Wednesday who ironically host Fulham at Hillsborough in their final regular season fixture next weekend.

English Football League partners Sky Bet have Fulham priced at 7/4 favourites for promotion to the Premier League. Slavisa Jokanovic's side have been playing catch up in the race for a top six place in the past few months and successfully secured their place in the Play Offs by drawing 1-1 with Brentford at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

The Whites are the top scorers in the Sky Bet Championship this season after netting 83 goals in 45 matches while the West Londoners boast a positive goal difference of 27 which is significantly higher than any of their three Play Off rivals.

Fifth placed Huddersfield Town are the 9/4 second favourites for Wembley glory with David Wagner's side having played some superb pass-and-move football this season while Sheffield Wednesday are priced at 11/4 with The Owls looking to go one step further than last season.

Surprisingly, third placed Reading are the 5/1 outsiders for promotion. The Royals have won six of their last eight league matches which is more than any of the other three sides competing in the Play Offs and Jaap Stam's side have as good a chance as anyone to win the Play Offs.



http://the72.co.uk/79900/fulham-early-favourites-win-play-offs/

[WhiteJC]

 
Slavisa Jokanovic: Leading Fulham to the Premier League would be my greatest achievement

SLAVISA JOKANOVIC says steering Fulham into the Premier League would be his finest achievement yet.


Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic is poised to lead his team to Premier League promotion

Jokanovic's Fulham side will take their place in the play-offs barring a final-day catastrophe at Sheffield Wednesday.

They hold a three-point and 13-goal advantage over Leeds in the battle for the final spot.

Jokanovic masterminded Watford's promotion to the top-flight in 2015 before defying the odds to lead Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv into the Champions League.

But he says taking Fulham up would top the lot.

He said: "I had different experiences at the last two teams.

"For instance, at Watford they had players who were winners so it was less work.

"Here we started with this team from a low level. We brought in 14 new players and built step by step a good team.

"It's not the time for comparison, but I'm proud of my players. What is in front of us is important work.

"We want to show ambition, desire, push hard and be successful."

Tom Cairney's eighth minute opener was cancelled out by Nico Yennaris in the 34th minute in an absorbing west London derby.

But Fulham will still be wondering how they left with just a point after missing a host of chances while Cairney missed their NINTH penalty this season.

Brentford goalkeeper Daniel Bentley, who saved Cairney's first-half spot-kick, said: "We held our own against a very good Fulham team.

"With a couple of additions we can have a real good go next year."



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/610258/Slavisa-Jokanovic-Fulham-Premier-League-promotion-Tom-Cairney-Brentford

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham clinch play-off spot thanks to Norwich draw

Fulham 1-1 Brentford by Kaleem Aftab at Craven Cottage

With Leeds drawing at home against Norwich on Saturday, this result virtually assured Fulham of a play-off spot.

With the Cottagers the division's top-scorers, there would need to be a remarkable 14-goal turn-around in the final round of matches for Fulham to end outside the top six.

While manager Slavisa Jokanovic said: "Strange things can happen in football," he admits: "I will now have to think about the play-offs."

That may see him rest some players next week at Sheffield Wednesday, a team that they could be facing over two legs the weekend after.

The practical side of the manager was confirmed when he admitted that in the second half, with the score from Elland Road favouring his charges, the told his team to play for a draw.

"When we heard the score was 3-3 we decided to play our game with taking no risks."

But the truth is that Fulham should have been out of sight by half-time.

A bright opening saw Fulham take an early lead through their captain Tom Cairney on eight minutes. Floyd Ayite missed a glorious chance to double the lead when put through on goal as Fulham dominated possession.

On 34 minutes Brentford equalised against the run of play, Nico Yennaris punishing Fulham following a smart move.

The half ended with Cairney missing a penalty for the home side. It was the ninth spot kick that Fulham have missed this season.

The second half was a much tighter affair. Brentford manager Dean Smith said that after the free-flowing football his charges have shown in recent weeks that this was a more resolute, defensive performance.

"We didn't want to come here and let Fulham have a party getting into the playoffs.

"That they managed to do so, was because of results elsewhere."



http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-f477-Fulham-clinch-play-off-spot-thanks-to-Norwich-draw

[BedsFFC]

Brilliant Bentley, play-offs, clappers and a special guest in the programme. What an afternoon.

Well, that was some afternoon. Brentford travelled to Fulham where a point was probably a fair result in a game we were lucky not to have gone in three or four down at half time but which ultimately ended 1-1. That they didn't win will be the least concern for our hosts . With Leeds United going three down at home to Norwich City before eventually managing a point, those results mean that barring a staggering swing in goal difference, Fulham have reached the play-offs and we've another trip to Elland Road. And off field, did anybody pick up a copy of the match day programme.....?

First up though, congratulations to Fulham. Yes. It has to be said. A full house at Craven Cottage saw a cracking game of football as the hosts set out to ensure Leeds couldn't catch them. What happened was as afternoon that will go down as on of those 'I was  there' days – for both sides.

Easily one of the best teams to visit Brentford this season (Fulham, not Leeds), Saturday saw them come flying out of the blocks as they looked to get the win they needed to secure a play off spot. With Brentford on the back foot and being carved open for fun, it was only a matter of time before the first goal. Tom Cairney grabbed it after eight minutes and that was, surely, the cue for the floodgates to open?

With the Bees rocking, chance after chance came. Floyd Aite in particular firing so very high and so very wide when clean through. A second goal would have probably been fair on the balance of play but possession, stats and chances count for jack if you can't put them away.

And sure enough, goal of the season contender Nico Yennaris stepped up. An interchange of passes with Konstantin Kerschbaumer saw the sweetest of finishes into the far corner on the diagonal from just inside the box.
1-1 and the Bees took the noise up another few decibels.

And a good thing too. The goal, obviously, but the even louder support for an already vociferous away following. Anything to drown out those infernal clackers/clappers. Those things that, if you check out the video highlights (and Sky Sports have their version up now), sound like hundreds of charity buckets being rattled.

But with Brentford having hauled themselves back in to it, charitable donations seemed to be the order of the day. How goalscorer Cairney didn't restore Fulham's lead I still have no idea. He was left totally unmarked, and I mean totally, 8 yards out but could only guide the inch perfect cross well wide of the goal. Daniel Bentley wasn't even forced into a save.

Moments later, another chance. Referee Darren Bond awarding what seemed, at the time, a totally innocuous penalty against the Bees. The ball had been crossed in and was pinging around the middle, going nowhere, when he pointed to the spot.

Even watching it afterwards, Yoann Barbet does make contact with Stephan Johansen but only as the ball had been delivered into the heart of the crowded penalty box.  Generous would seem very much the verdict on this one.

Step up Tom Cairney with another chance to let Fulham retake the lead. Step up Daniel Bentley to do his thing quite magnificently and show just why he is up there as a serious, serious contender for player of the season. Diving low to his left he not only pushed the ball clear but then made the bravest of second saves as he threw himself amongst the onrushing boots and onto the ball.

Yessss!  The away fans erupted. Again. The clackers were drowned out. Again. Fulham had seen another gilt edged chance spurned. Again. Daniel Bentley, you beauty.

And with that, half time. Checking the scores saw Leeds United 3-1 down and as good as out. Despite our best efforts in the second period, both teams had really given their all and it couldn't match the pace of the first. The highlight being a debut for Zain Westbrooke who, along side full backs Tom Field and Josh Clarke really marked a positive embrace of those who have come up from the youth set up and B team.

Sure enough, with the 90 played out and Leeds United all but shooting themselves in the foot, the hosts were happy enough to stroke it around their defence and settle for a point. Brentford fans stayed to applaud the players off (Lasse Vibe, Yoan Barbet and KK amongst those handing over their shirts and really taking in the moment – do we need to read anything into this?) before going off to settle for a pint. The fans, not the players.

Off the field, two moments of real note. Firstly, Matthew Benham taking to Twitter. Always a good thing when this happens, he put the kibosh on any prospect of Lionel Road Clackers.

Like Goal Music, another thing that will have to reside in the drawer labelled : Do not open. Ever.

And secondly, forgive a bit of self-indulgence.

Back in January, my hitherto unseen identical twin brother Brian Guest saw a tweet from Fulham, looking for home supporters to participate in the 'Your Club' section of the matchday programme. This could be amusing (he told me) and applied. One thing led to another and along with a photo of Brian sporting the Spall '87 Brentford away shirt, a series of tongue-in-cheek answers were submitted. Surely this would never get past the editor?

But it did. Brian's selection was swiftly confirmed, "A while off but appropriately enough, for the Brentford game".

Seriously? Had they actually read the answers?

A reminder of the 4-0 defeat at Brentford.  Mention of the recent 4-1 home hammering administered by Stuart Dallas, Alan Judge, Jota et al. The Intertoto Cup – prestige and honour.

It went on. The wonderful Michael Jackson statue appeared. The Pizza Hut shirt. The Richard Osman / Pointless 'joke' –  something that should contractually be met with tumbleweed these days.

Surely somebody would then look at this and rumble it? Surely?

But no. Before even reaching the Cottage, one Braemar Road observer (and fellow fan of the World Polo finals – thanks!) had already been in touch. It had got through. Commentator par-excellence Mark Burridge then took to Twitter advising likewise. And on reaching the Cottage, there it was (part of which you can see below).

Big thanks Fulham. Seriously. The game may have ended 1-1 but all three points to the Bees off the field.




https://nickbruzonslastword.wordpress.com/2017/04/30/brilliant-bentley-play-off-pain-clappers-and-a-special-guest-in-the-programme-what-an-afternoon/

Aaah. How sweet. They all had a lovely day. Good for them.