Friday Fulham Stuff (12/05/17)...

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Travel Update

Fans who use Putney train station are advised that there are track closures this weekend.

Some lines between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction, also the lines between Clapham Junction and Barnes, will be closed all day Saturday and Sunday for maintenance and renewal work, meaning a bus replacement service is in operation.

On the tubes, the district line will be operating a full service.

For full details of South West Trains disruptions, follow the below link.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/may/11/travel-update

[WhiteJC]

 
Key points from Jaap's press conference

The manager's thoughts going into the Fulham fixtures
Watch Jaap Stam's press conference ahead of our play-off first leg against Fulham in the video above, and take a look at some of the key points below...

On being labelled as underdogs
I don't mind that they are doing that.  I'm not really reading the things that people are writing about us and Fulham, so I'm not really interested either.

I'm interested in the team and what we can do, and how we have been playing this season, how we've played against Fulham and how they have played against us.  And in finding a way to make it difficult for them to get a good result, so we can go to the final.

I don't really care about how people talk about us.  We know what we can do.  We've proven that to everybody in the league.  We're focusing on ourselves and hopefully to make it difficult for the opposition.

On the achievement of finishing third in his first season at Reading
Everybody needs to be very happy already with where we ended up, because nobody expected us to end up in the top six.  We ended up third in the league.  It's a great achievement from the players.  The only thing is, of course, when you're in the top six and need to play the play-offs, if you have the opportunity and a chance to make it to the Premier League, you want to take that and go for it.

Everybody is working very hard.  If they give it their everything and we don't make it, it's not a shame because we have done very well.  The boys have worked very hard and made a lot of progress, and we need to take this experience to the next season to hopefully do even better.

You need to learn from certain experiences and that's what we need to do in this occasion as well.

On Fulham's qualities
We know it's not going to be easy because Fulham have got a good team and quality players.  They have been looking for the moment to end up in the top six for several seasons already to go to the Premier League.

They have been in the Premier League for years before and they have got money to spend.  It's logical that they have got that ambition.  We have got that ambition as well.  There's no pressure on us to go there straight away, but if you're there and have the chance to do it, then you want to do that.  That's what we want to do.

They have their own system of how they want to play, and so do we.  We both like to have possession, and to create chances by having possession and then scoring goals.  They have been doing it very well; we've been doing it well this season too.  As you know, we are looking for a certain progress within the team and throughout the club over several seasons.

On the 'occasion' of being involved in big games
As a club, as a player and as a group you want to play certain games at a certain level.  Here we are.  And now we need to show it.

If you want to go into the final and into the Premier League, you get even better teams than Fulham.  So you need to match yourself with every team, and the best teams in the league.

We want to prove ourselves with the best teams within the league; we play Fulham, and they're one of the best.  Now we just need to do it.

They beat us at their home, we've beaten them over here.  They know that and we know that.  In the play-offs it's about two games.  In the league if you lose a game, then you can think 'there are a lot of games to go', so you can set the record straight.  Now you need to do it in two games – it's a different approach and a different type of stress.

It's about nerves and everything that comes into the game as well now; certain tactics maybe and the approach to the game.  Coolness of players – do they still have the same ability under pressure and can they still deliver the same things.  It is going to be interesting to see how this game is going to go for them and for us – we've got a mix of experience and younger players.  For a lot of players, this is a new situation.  It's going to be good and a great learning experience for everybody.

On preparation for the play-off fixtures
We're preparing in the same way.  We're looking at their games, at our own games, their last few games and how they played against us as well.  We try to get as much information as we can and give that to the players as well.  Of course you don't want to make it too difficult because during a game things can change.

But there's no reason for us to do things differently because how we have been working throughout the season everything went well.  Why change things which are going well?

We're not going to be changing a lot of things.  I can only say that within two games what sort of things are at stake in a short period, you can maybe approach the game differently.  You can maybe work together in a different way as well.  Everybody knows what to do in these two games to get results; it's about sticking together and working together, believing in each other and then hopefully with the abilities we have we can do well.




Read more at http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/key-points-jaap-stam-press-conference-fulham-play-off-3713276.aspx#ABOCAXgsIVHFderl.99

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Championship playoffs: Team-by-team guide as Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield and Fulham battle for promotion

With promotion to the Premier League worth an estimated £200million, getting into the top flight has never been more lucrative


Who will win promotion to the Premier League? (Photo: Getty Images)

The league season is over and it's everyone's favourite time of year once again as the playoffs get underway in the Championship.

With promotion to the Premier League worth an estimated £200million for the winners at Wembley on May 29, getting into the top flight has never been more lucrative.

Champions Newcastle and runners-up Brighton have already sealed their place in the top division with four more teams bidding for the final spot.

Reading, Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield and Fulham will battle it out in the end-of-season lottery as they bid to secure their place among English football's big boys.

The Royals finished in third but are unfancied by the bookies as they prepare to take on Fulham over two legs.

It is the Cottagers that lead the betting ahead of Yorkshire duo Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield who contest the other semi-final.

Here's all you need to know about each of the promotion contenders...

Reading

Stam's side finished third in the Championship (Photo: Dan Mullan)

Final league position: 3rd

Points: 85

Key player: Yann Kermorgant

Semi-final opponents: Fulham

Promotion odds: 5/1

Despite finishing third, the Royals are the outsiders to regain their place in the Premier League.

The Berkshire outfit have previously enjoyed three seasons in the top flight, finishing eighth in 2006-07 before being relegated in the following campaign.

They were promoted once again in 2011-12 but came straight back down and have reached the playoffs for the first time in that period this season.

Jaap Stam has enjoyed an impressive first campaign at the Madejski with Reading occupying a playoff spot since October 29 without ever breaking into the top two.

The Dutchman has employed a possession-based style of football, aiming to dominate teams with the ball which has served them well.

They are outsiders as they take on in-form Fulham in the semi-finals, but shouldn't be written off having finished five points clear of the Cottagers in the final table.

Reading will once again be looking towards top scorer Yann Kermorgant, who has netted 18 times this season, to fire them to the Premier League

Sheffield Wednesday

The Owls are hoping for Wembley redemption after defeat in last year's final (Photo: PA)

Final league position: 4th

Points: 81

Key player: Fernando Forestieri

Semi-final opponents: Huddersfield

Promotion odds: 9/4

Sheffield Wednesday are bidding for redemption as they look to finally regain their place in the Premier League after dropping out of the top flight in 2000.

The Owls were a surprise package in last year's playoffs but upset the odds to dump out Brighton in the semi-finals and reach Wembley.

But they were well beaten in the final by Hull as they missed out on promotion.

Carlos Carvalhal's side are much more of a known quantity these days and a top-six finish will have been their minimum requirement at the start of the season.

Despite flattering to deceive for much of the campaign, Wednesday consistently picked up results and a run of six wins on the bounce before a much-changed side lost on the final day to Fulham has them entering the playoffs with real momentum.

The Owls are slight favourites to progress against Huddersfield, 4/5 compared to 10/11 for the Terriers, and won both league matches against David Wagner's side.

Huddersfield Town

Wagner's Huddersfield side have punched above their weight (Photo: Huddersfield Examiner)

Final league position: 5th

Points: 81

Key player: Aaron Mooy

Semi-final opponents: Sheffield Wednesday

Promotion odds: 3/1

Huddersfield were undoubtedly this season's surprise package in the Championship - staying hot on the heels of Newcastle and Brighton for the top two spots for much of the season.

A dip in form towards the end of the campaign saw them fall away in the automatic promotion battle, but they are fully worth their place in the top six and should not be written off.

The Terriers have never plied their trade in the Premier League having last featured in the top flight in 1971-72.

They were the early-season pace-setters, sitting atop of the table as recently as October, and have not been out of the top six since December 10.

But just one win in their last five games will have fans approaching the playoffs with caution as David Wagner's side look to reach Wembley.

Fulham

Fulham are the favourites to win back their Premier League place (Photo: Dan Mullan)

Final league position: 6th

Points: 80

Key player: Tom Cairney

Semi-final opponents: Reading

Promotion odds: 17/10

They might have finished sixth - but it is Fulham who enter the playoffs as the form side and thus as favourites to get back in the Premier League.

The Cottagers finished the campaign with a six-game unbeaten run, including five wins, leapfrogging Leeds into the playoff spots.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side have played some of the most attractive football in the Championship all season, finishing the campaign as the division's top scorers along with Newcastle and Norwich on 85 goals.

Tom Cairney established himself as one of the top performers in the second tier, scoring 12 goals and laying on 10 more for his teammates.


Tom Cairney has impressed for the Cottagers (Photo: Getty Images Europe)

Fulham enjoyed 13 successive seasons in the top flight between 2001 and 2014 but could only manage finishes of 17th and 20th in their first two terms back in the Championship.

They are big favourites to see off Reading in the semi-finals, a 2/5 shot against the Royals' 7/4, and their fans will be hoping for a day in the sun at the national stadium on May 29.

Championship playoff schedule
Saturday May 13: Fulham vs Reading (5:30pm)

Sunday May 14: Huddersfield vs Sheffield Wednesday (12pm)

uesday May 16: Reading vs Fulham (7:45pm)

Wednesday May 17: Sheffield Wednesday vs Huddersfield (7:45pm)

Play-off Final: Monday May 29 (3pm)



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/championship-playoffs-team-team-guide-10395590

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Our west London Championship team of the season

An exciting campaign for Brentford, Fulham's brilliant run to the play-offs and another troubled year for QPR are all reflected in our selections for our west London Championship team of the season. Here's who we've chosen...

Alex Smithies (QPR)
Dan Bentley has been outstanding for Brentford, but QPR would have been relegated without the equally brilliant Smithies. The fact he was Rangers' best player by miles says it all about their miserable season. He won them enough points by himself to keep them in the Championship.

Maxime Colin (Brentford)
While some of his performances have been below par, particularly during the early part of the season, Colin has on the whole done a solid job for his team and impressed at right-back – an area where Fulham and especially QPR have had some problems.

Harlee Dean (Brentford)
Brentford's player of the season has improved year on year since his move to Griffin Park from Southampton in 2011, initially on loan. His game moved up another level this term, particularly during the latter part of the campaign when he was outstanding.

Tomas Kalas (Fulham)
The on-loan Chelsea centre-back has played a key role in Fulham reaching the play-offs. They have looked a long way from promotion contenders at times – usually times Kalas has not played. With him they have looked much more solid. He's made a huge difference.

Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham)
Scott Malone has served Fulham well, providing a decent attacking outlet on the left flank and chipping in with six goals. But the exciting Sessegnon has shown his vast potential since making the step up to the first team at the age of just 16. He has already scored seven goals, with two of them coming in a brilliant display at Newcastle, and has impressed both at left-back and on the left of midfield.

Tom Cairney (Fulham)
After another excellent year, Cairney looks like he would be at home in the Premier League. With fine technique and a great ability to find space, he's been one of the Whites' stand-out players once again.

Ryan Woods (Brentford)
Last season Woods showed he was capable of running a Championship midfield and he has continued to progress. At 23 and with a steely determination and nice range of passing, his potential is huge. On his day there few better midfielders in the division.

Stefan Johansen (Fulham)
What a first year in English football for the Norwegian, who has got better and better since his move from Celtic last summer. Slavisa Jokanovic pushed hard for him to be signed at a time when the head coach was at odds with the Fulham hierarchy over transfer policy – and his judgement has proved to be spot on. With a series of fine performances – and 13 goals – Johansen has been the midfield driving force in the march to the play-offs.

Jota (Brentford)
Such has been Jota's impact since his return in January from a loan spell at Eibar, the Spaniard is included despite only being with Brentford for the second half of the season. In that four-month spell he has scored 12 goals and produced moments of sublime quality, not least his classy goal in a recent derby win against QPR.

Sone Aluko (Fulham)
Another attacking player who has helped shape Fulham's excellent season. He has had a key job in his off-the-front role and has been a nightmare for defenders to deal with.

Lasse Vibe (Brentford)


Our west London Championship team of the season

By West London Sport 11/05/2017

An exciting campaign for Brentford, Fulham's brilliant run to the play-offs and another troubled year for QPR are all reflected in our selections for our west London Championship team of the season. Here's who we've chosen...
Alex Smithies (QPR)
Embed from Getty Images

Dan Bentley has been outstanding for Brentford, but QPR would have been relegated without the equally brilliant Smithies. The fact he was Rangers' best player by miles says it all about their miserable season. He won them enough points by himself to keep them in the Championship.
Maxime Colin (Brentford)
Embed from Getty Images

While some of his performances have been below par, particularly during the early part of the season, Colin has on the whole done a solid job for his team and impressed at right-back – an area where Fulham and especially QPR have had some problems.
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Harlee Dean (Brentford)
Embed from Getty Images

Brentford's player of the season has improved year on year since his move to Griffin Park from Southampton in 2011, initially on loan. His game moved up another level this term, particularly during the latter part of the campaign when he was outstanding.
Tomas Kalas (Fulham)
Embed from Getty Images

The on-loan Chelsea centre-back has played a key role in Fulham reaching the play-offs. They have looked a long way from promotion contenders at times – usually times Kalas has not played. With him they have looked much more solid. He's made a huge difference.
Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham)
Embed from Getty Images

Scott Malone has served Fulham well, providing a decent attacking outlet on the left flank and chipping in with six goals. But the exciting Sessegnon has shown his vast potential since making the step up to the first team at the age of just 16. He has already scored seven goals, with two of them coming in a brilliant display at Newcastle, and has impressed both at left-back and on the left of midfield.
Tom Cairney (Fulham)
Embed from Getty Images

After another excellent year, Cairney looks like he would be at home in the Premier League. With fine technique and a great ability to find space, he's been one of the Whites' stand-out players once again.
Ryan Woods (Brentford)
Embed from Getty Images

Last season Woods showed he was capable of running a Championship midfield and he has continued to progress. At 23 and with a steely determination and nice range of passing, his potential is huge. On his day there few better midfielders in the division.
Stefan Johansen (Fulham)
Embed from Getty Images

What a first year in English football for the Norwegian, who has got better and better since his move from Celtic last summer. Slavisa Jokanovic pushed hard for him to be signed at a time when the head coach was at odds with the Fulham hierarchy over transfer policy – and his judgement has proved to be spot on. With a series of fine performances – and 13 goals – Johansen has been the midfield driving force in the march to the play-offs.
Jota (Brentford)
Embed from Getty Images

Such has been Jota's impact since his return in January from a loan spell at Eibar, the Spaniard is included despite only being with Brentford for the second half of the season. In that four-month spell he has scored 12 goals and produced moments of sublime quality, not least his classy goal in a recent derby win against QPR.
Sone Aluko (Fulham)
Embed from Getty Images

Another attacking player who has helped shape Fulham's excellent season. He has had a key job in his off-the-front role and has been a nightmare for defenders to deal with.
Lasse Vibe (Brentford)
Embed from Getty Images

An overused cliche about stepping up to the plate definitely applies here. With Denmark international Vibe having not always convinced prior to Scott Hogan's big-money move to Aston Villa, many feared for Brentford when their star striker left in the summer. Step forward Vibe, who netted 16 goals and established himself as a forward to be reckoned with during an excellent season. Scott who?

Ones to watch next season...
Rico Henry (Brentford)
While Sessegnon looks destined for the top, Brentford have their own very promising teenage left-back. After Jake Bidwell opted to leave for QPR, in came Henry, who looks a great prospect. Like Bidwell, he spent a chunk of the season out with a shoulder injury. There the similarity ends. While the solid but always unspectacular Bidwell had a thoroughly unremarkable season at Rangers, the 19-year-old Henry is a definite upgrade by the Bees.

Sergi Canos (Brentford)
Like Jota, Canos added a touch of real quality when he was signed from Norwich in January, having previously impressed while on loan at Brentford from Liverpool. At 20, he's another fine prospect and could make a major impact over the next year or so.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/features-comment/qpr-fulham-brentford-fooball-wls-team-season

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Flex-N-Gate's Shahid Khan rises from dishwasher to Takata suitor


Flex-N-Gate owner Shahid Khan, right, who also owns the Jacksonville Jaguars, talks with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, at an NFL football meeting on March 27, 2017, in Phoenix.

Editor's note: This story was first published on Sep 28, 2016.

(Bloomberg)—The emergence of Shahid Khan, the NFL team owner who made his fortune selling car bumpers, in the race to rescue embattled Japanese air-bag manufacturer Takata Corp. pits the billionaire against more established parts suppliers and some of the world's biggest buyout firms.

Pakistan-born Khan, 66, migrated as a teenager to the U.S., where he started washing dishes for $1.20 an hour. He later built Urbana, Illinois-based Flex-N-Gate Corp. into an auto-parts supplier that ranks him among the richest Americans, with an estimated net worth of about $5 billion.

Along the way, he bought the Jacksonville Jaguars in Florida and the London-based Fulham Football Club, and landed on a cover of Forbes magazine in 2012 as the "Face of the American Dream."

Now, Khan's bumper-and-headlight maker is one of five suitors for Tokyo-based Takata, which is looking for a buyer after some of its devices ruptured and killed at least 16 people, prompting repairs that could exceed 100 million devices worldwide, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Flex-N-Gate, which doesn't make air bags, will go up against established suppliers such as Stockholm-based Autoliv Inc., Chinese-owned Key Safety Systems Inc. and Japan's Daicel Corp. Private equity firms KKR & Co. and Bain Capital, partnering with Daicel, are also said to have submitted bids.

Automakers "may prefer an established company as a buyer compared with Flex-N-Gate," said Kavan Mukhtyar, a management consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Mumbai who has advised on strategy and operations in the automotive industry. "But considering its global aspirations, Flex-N-Gate can offer better valuations. And in a deal, valuation plays a critical role."

Proposals from Takata buyers are being discussed at meetings scheduled in Japan this week between the supplier and automakers including Honda Motor Co. The central issue for the air-bag maker's customers is how those takeover bids divide up the responsibility for billions of dollars in recall costs and liabilities.

Representatives for Flex-N-Gate and Takata declined to comment on the bids. Flex-N-Gate declined to make Khan available for an interview.

TRACK RECORD
A lack of a track record in making air bags may count against Flex-N-Gate in its bid for Takata, said Koji Endo, an analyst with SBI Securities Co. in Tokyo. Air bags are "an area where the margins are relatively high and the hurdles for new entrants are also high," Endo said.

Automakers have said ensuring a stable and reliable supply of air bags is one of their top priorities, even as they seek longer-term engineering solutions and to diversify their supplier base.

Khan may be able to make up for a lack of experience in air bags with the work ethic that's propelled his career, according to Jim Womack, who's authored several books on lean manufacturing and has spoken with the billionaire about his upbringing in Pakistan.

Khan recalled playing golf with his father where fairways were lined with beggars who'd throw back errantly hit balls in exchange for tips. Womack said Khan left for America to escape a country where one couldn't lose.

'DRIVEN GUY'
"He can walk through a factory and have a real sense of what's going on, unlike a thousand CEOs I've met who've never done what some of us would call real work," said Womack, the founder of and senior adviser to Lean Enterprise Institute Inc. "He's a driven guy. Not an awful guy but he's in this to win."

Khan, whose father sold surveying equipment and mother was a math professor in Pakistan, began working for Flex-N-Gate while still an engineering student, according to a profile posted on the Jacksonville Jaguars website.

Flex-N-Gate at the time used to make auto bumpers by welding together different pieces. Khan sought and succeeded in coming up with a seamless bumper that would be easier to manufacture, Khan said on stage in 2014 at Chicago Ideas Week.

He left the company to set up Bumper Works, which designed and manufactured lightweight seamless fenders, landing General Motors as its first customer, Khan said at the Chicago forum. Two years later Khan purchased his former employer when it came up for sale and folded Bumper Works into Flex-N-Gate.

BUSINESS EXPANSION
Over the next decade, Khan led the transition of Flex-N-Gate from an after-market parts producer to an original equipment manufacturer. He expanded by acquiring businesses including mechanical assembly supplier Ventra Group Inc. in 2001, the bumper business from Meridian Automotive Systems in 2009 and a headlamps and taillights business from Ford Motor Co.

The company counts major automakers including Ford, Volkswagen AG, Toyota Motor Corp. and Suzuki Motor Corp. its customers and operates 54 manufacturing facilities globally.

For Khan, buying Takata will give him an estimated 22 percent global market share in air bags, a business that Autoliv forecasts may expand to $10.3 billion by 2018 from $9.5 billion in 2015, as emerging markets like India catch up with safety standards in developed countries.

Acquiring Takata also would allow Khan to diversify Flex-N-Gate's business of supplying front-end modules and plastic parts and into higher-margin segments dominated by a few suppliers.

Despite its troubles, Takata has "technology, long-standing relationships with clients and plays in a field with very few competitors," said Deepesh Rathore, director at Emerging Markets Automotive Advisors in London. "For Flex-N-Gate, this is a good opportunity to diversify into a new component segment."



http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170511/NEWS05/170519974/flex-n-gates-shahid-khan-owner-of-nfls-jaguars-rises-from-dishwasher

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Reading FC: Supporter Ethan Stacey is confident Royals can overcome Fulham in the play-offs

SO, Fulham it is then. A promising display at Burton Albion last weekend confirmed a trip to Craven Cottage on Saturday followed by the home leg on Tuesday evening next week.

Our record against the Cottagers is mixed, to say the least.

In the league this year we've won one and lost one. This was a 1-0 win after the home fixture was postponed at half-time due to fog and the defeat was a huge 5-0 loss in December.

Our overall record against Fulham doesn't make for brilliant reading – four defeats in five matches at Craven Cottage since 2007, conceding 18 goals in the process.

However, our recent league form is promising, winning seven out of our last 10 games, beating Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds in the process – teams with similar form and quality to Fulham.

There is no doubt Reading are the underdogs with the bookmakers going into the away leg of the play-off semi-finals, but that should by no means be the be-all-and-end-all.

We looked a confident team with renewed energy against Wigan and Burton in recent matches, and with the return of Tiago Illori and Paul McShane at the back, we looked solid as well.

I think if we go with a similar formation to the 3-4-2-1 employed at Burton we would have a big chance at keeping a clean sheet at Fulham and then using that as a springboard to win the tie at Madejski Stadium next Tuesday.

I would certainly go for the same back three, or five depending on how you look at it – with Illori, Liam Moore and McShane as the three centre-backs with Jordan Obita and Chris Gunter as the wing-backs.

The midfield may change and could see Danny Williams coming in for George Evans or even for Joseph Mendes and therefore bolstering the central midfield in a 3-5-1-1 line-up.

With the recent injury to Gareth McCleary it's unclear on how long he will be out for, so if we assume he's not available for at least the away leg on Saturday, I would play Roy Beerens in behind Yann Kermogant with the central midfield of Williams, Liam Kelly and Evans or John Swift.

Whatever the selection it will be tough, but without a shadow of a doubt, I think we can do it.



http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/readingfc/15280184.Reading_FC__Supporter_Ethan_Stacey_is_confident_Royals_can_overcome_Fulham_in_the_play_offs/

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Ragnar Sigurdsson and Michael Madl to miss play-off semi-final for Fulham

Fulham will be without defenders Ragnar Sigurdsson and Michael Madl for the play-off semi-final first leg against Reading.

Sigurdsson will miss out at Craven Cottage after suffering a calf problem and Madl is nursing an ankle injury.

Boss Slavisa Jokanovic does not expect either player to be fit for the second leg on Tuesday, but they might be available at Wembley should Fulham reach the final.

Jokanovic otherwise has a full-strength squad available.

Reading winger Garath McCleary is in contention despite missing the 4-2 win over Burton with a groin problem.

Skipper Paul McShane (calf) and midfielder Joey van den Berg (hamstring) played 45 minutes each against Albion to prove their fitness.

Stephen Quinn is also close to returning after a knee problem and Deniss Rakels is back in training following a broken ankle.

Winger Callum Harriott remains sidelined by a hamstring injury.



https://www.clubcall.com/fulham/ragnar-sigurdsson-and-michael-madl-to-miss-play-off-semi-fin-1851198.html

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Fulham boss Jokanovic says promotion would be best way to keep Ryan Sessegnon

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic admits keeping teenage prodigy Ryan Sessegnon at the club could depend on the Cottagers securing promotion.

Sessegnon has linked with a host of leading clubs following an outstanding debut season in the Sky Bet Championship at the age of just 16.

Liverpool, Everton and Chelsea are among the Premier League sides reported to have monitored the rookie winger's situation.

Sessegnon's sizzling form helped Fulham into the play-offs, where they will host Reading in the semi-final first leg on Saturday.

And Jokanovic knows the youngster's future may hinge on results in the next couple of weeks as Fulham chase a top-flight place.

"If we get promoted, it's the best way to keep him," he said.

"I've talked many times about him and personally I believe he is in the right place, he doesn't need to change in this moment.

"It will depend on different sides. For myself, I think we will fight to be working with him next season.

"Ryan Sessegnon is fully committed with us and is working hard."

Jokanovic insists he will have no qualms about pitching the youngster into the pressure of the play-offs.

A Wembley showdown with Sheffield Wednesday or Huddersfield awaits the winners, in a match which last season was reckoned to be worth B£170million.

"This player is a strong character, I don't have any problem putting him in the team in this game," added Jokanovic.

"He showed in the past he can play with all kinds of pressure, if he is in the team it won't be strange.

"He will be a special player in the future. Right now he is a good project and has huge space in front of him to improve.

"He works very well and is only 16 but his mind is like an experienced player. He has a bright future."

Fulham will be without defensive duo Ragnar Sigurdsson and Michael Madl through injury for Saturday's clash at Craven Cottage.




https://www.clubcall.com/fulham/fulham-boss-jokanovic-says-promotion-would-be-best-way-to-ke-1851208.html

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Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic ready to unleash 'special' teen sensation Ryan Sessegnon on Reading in the play-offs

Ryan Sessegnon is a 'good project' for Fulham boss

Slavisa Jokanovic has admitted teen sensation Ryan Sessegnon will have 'no problem' dealing with the pressure of the play-offs.

Fulham take on Reading in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-finals at Craven Cottage this Saturday.

All eyes will be on 16-year-old Sessegnon, with numerous Premier League teams sniffing around the youngster, who is expected to sign a contract with the Whites when he turns 17.

And Jokanovic expects big things from the young man in the future.

Talking during his pre-match press conference, he said: "This player is a strong character, I don't have any problem putting him in the team in this game.

"He showed in past he can play with all the kind of pressure, if he is in the team it won't be strange.

"He will be special in the future, right now he is a good project and has huge space in front of him to improve. He works very well and is only 16 but his mind is like an experienced player.

"He has a bright future."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-slavisa-jokanovic-ready-13021223

[WhiteJC]

 
Jokanović's Play-Off Preview

Slaviša Jokanović has backed his players to produce the two big performances needed to book a Wembley place.

Home and away meetings with Reading stand between Fulham and a place in the Play-Off Final, but our Head Coach anticipates a proper battle in the process.

"I am expecting a tough game," he said in his pre-match press conference. "I don't expect anybody is going to find a big advantage before the second game.

"We must first of all manage this game which is in front of us, and after prepare for the away game.

"This is some kind of a cup game in front of us, it's not a normal Championship game. We must understand the situation, I don't expect everything is going to be done after the first game, and we must be ready for 180 minutes or more against Reading.

"We must play our football game, and respect this kind of the situation that we're going to find in these two games.

"We all know there are 180 minutes in front of us, or more minutes, and we must be available for everything that we're going to find in these games.

"They know our strengths and weaknesses, we know [theirs] too. It's a special game, a really important game, and we are going to be ready, like I believe they are going to be ready too."

Fulham ended the 46-match season with a fine return of 80 points, whilst also boasting the joint-highest goal tally in the division.

The football on show has won plaudits from way beyond Craven Cottage, and Jokanović believes the team's success is a result of the belief in the squad.

"I believe they are enjoying playing this way, after they started to play with confidence and believe this is the best way to play," he explained.

"All my players are confident they can score goals, we don't have one player who is top scoring in the team, we are very dangerous from different sides with different players.

"We surprised the opposition many times, and I expect we can surprise Reading too in this game we're going to play on Saturday afternoon.

"Step by step, my team showed important promise during the season. I had confidence in them, and I was confident we could make a great job.

"At the end we arrived in the top-six, but I'm always only thinking about the next game. Now we are here, and we can be happy with the opportunity that is in front of us."

Of all the Play-Off sides, nobody is in better form than Fulham, but Jokanović insists the Royals will be favourites courtesy of their third place finish.

"All the teams have a 25 per cent chance of being promoted," he said. "Reading finished third, we are sixth, somebody's favourite – they are – but they must show on the pitch that they're a better team than we are.

"We are going to fight from our side to show something different.

"We have good momentum. We finished the last few months with the right confidence, the right desire, the right ambition. We were organised, we were more solid, and our progress is going in the right direction and I can be happy with our level.

"But the regular part of the season is over, so this is now history, and we must be ready for the game that is immediately in front of us."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/may/11/jokanovics-play-off-preview

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham have given club indication they may buy player, want to finish play-offs first

Fulham's desperate (and, let's be honest, that's not a stretch) search for a striker at the end of the transfer window eventually led them to Cyriac.

Playing for Oostende, the 26 year old joined on loan for the rest of the season. He wasn't Fulham's first choice, or perhaps even their 10th, but he was there and available when needed.

Fourteen goals last season helped build Cyriac's reputation, but he'd slipped down the pecking order at Oostende, so naturally jumped at the Fulham opportunity.

After nine substitute appearances, and 1 goal, the time has come for Fulham to make a decision. The Championship club have a redemption clause, but must use it before May 15th.

Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad report comments from Oostende's Luc Devroe, who explained Fulham have been in touch.

With the play-offs the main concern right now, Fulham have told Oostende that whilst they've been impressed by Cyriac, they'd like to forgo the buying option, and talk again once their league status for next season is finalised.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-given-club-indication-may-buy-player-want-finish-play-offs-first/

[WhiteJC]

 
Slavisa Jokanovic confident Derby loan man Chris Martin can use his experience to help Fulham in the play-offs

The striker played for Derby in the 2013-14 play-offs, losing 1-0 to QPR at Wembley and his current boss believes his experience will help his current side

Slavisa Jokanovic believes Fulham can use Chris Martin's previous experience in the Championship play-offs to their advantage as they prepare to face Reading.

The on-loan Derby man featured in his parent club's 2013/14 play-off campaign, helping the side get to Wembley where they were eventually beaten 1-0 by ten man QPR in the final.

This Fulham side are somewhat lacking in experiencing play-off football, most having never played in England before this season or any higher than mid-table Championship, and Jokanovic is hoping they can use Martin's experience to good use ahead of their play-off semi final with Reading.

He said: "All the people know what the Chris Martin situation is, at this moment is like Ryan Sessegnon.

"Chris Martin is fully committed with us and is fighting for the space in the team and I am confident he can help us, he is confident too and at the end with Martin it is a confused situation in the winter.

"Now everything is clear and he is only thinking about his teammates and about Fulham and his teammates are very happy with him and we expect he is going to be ready for these three games what we are going to play in this season.

"After, same like Sessegnon, it depends on different sides and I always have good opinion about him and believe he is one of the good players and top Championship player with some kind of the confused situation which followed him in this few months.

"In general, we are not so experienced team in this kind of situation, one of the most experienced players is Martin and he can be useful for us in this play-off games."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/slavisa-jokanovic-confident-derby-loan-13021773

[WhiteJC]

 
Both are chasing Prem return – but will Fulham or Reading make Wembley?

Our traders fancy West Londoners to prevail

11 May 2017

Huddersfield Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Fulham and Reading are preparing to do battle in the Championship play-offs for a place in next year's Premier League.

And over the next two days, we'll be assessing the chances of each side doing exactly that.

Today, we're focusing on the latter two of that quartet. Reading finished the campaign in fine form and leapfrogged this trio into third place in the table following a run of seven victories from their final nine games of the season.

But it's actually Fulham, who finished the year in sixth place, who head into the play-offs as favourites – and here's why...

Fulham – 17/10 to win the play-offs

Without any doubt, the Cottagers have been one of the most exciting sides to watch in the Championship this year.

No side in the division scored more than them over 46 matches, with Slavisa Jokanovic's men registering a staggering 85 league goals.

Only Newcastle United lost fewer games than Fulham this season, so they'll certainly be a tough nut for Reading to crack over two legs.

They hammered the Royals 5-0 at Craven Cottage back in October, although they did lose 1-0 in the reverse fixture.

Finding the net hasn't been a problem of late for Fulham. They've scored in their last 17 Championship games, and you'd fancy them to go all out and bag a few in the two upcoming fixtures.

Reading – 5/1 to win the play-offs

Get through two tricky legs against Fulham, and those odds will drop substantially.

That goes without saying, but it's worth noting Reading have been consistent all season. However, that being said, they've relied heavily on veteran forward Yann Kermorgant. He's netted an impressive 18 goals this campaign, making this his most prolific season in professional football.

That's including nine goals in as many games at the tail end of the season, so Fulham will have to keep their wits about them if they're to keep the Frenchman at bay.

This is somewhat unfamiliar territory though for the Royals in recent years – and new boss Jaap Stam has had a huge part to play in that.

Prior to his appointment, Reading had finished 19th and 17th in their last two seasons in the Championship following relegation from the top-flight.

Does this side have enough about them to complete a return to the big time? We'll find out over the coming weeks.

Of course, only one of these two sides can progress, but who do you think will do it?

Let us know in the comments section below!

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing



http://news.ladbrokes.com/football/championship/both-are-chasing-prem-return-but-will-fulham-or-reading-make-wembley.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic discusses Derby County striker Chris Martin ahead of play-off clash

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic has been discussing the role on-loan Derby County striker Chris Martin can play in the London club's bid to reach the Premier League.

Martin is on loan at Craven Cottage until the end of this season but is expected to return to Derby after the summer break.

The Scotland international could yet help Fulham get promoted via the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.

Jokanovic's men play host to Reading in the first leg of their semi-final tie on Saturday (5.30pm).

The head coach insists Martin is focused on the job in hand.


Chris Martin in action for Fulham

"At this moment, Chris Martin is fully committed with us and is fighting for the space in the team," said Jokanovic.

"I am confident he can help and he is confident too.

"He had a confused situation in the winter (when Derby tried to recall him) but now everything is clear and, in this moment, he is only thinking about his team-mates and Fulham.

"His team-mates are very happy with him and we expect he will be ready for these games.

"After, it depends on the different sides. I have always had good opinion about him.

"I believe he is a very good player - one of the top Championship players."

Martin has previous experience of playing in the play-offs with Derby - in 2013-14 and last season.

"In general, we are not the most experienced team in this situation," Jokanovic added.

"One of the most experienced players is Chris Martin and he can be useful for us in these play-off games."



Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/fulham-boss-slavisa-jokanovic-discusses-derby-county-striker-chris-martin-ahead-of-play-off-clash/story-30327283-detail/story.html#iEbMZh06qb5XZMv4.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Deloitte estimates Premier League promotion for clubs without parachute payments is worth at least £170million

    Premier League's broadcast rights and parachute payments guarantee windfall
    Brighton set for a boost having earned promotion without parachute payments
    Newcastle have returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking
    Only Fulham of the four play-off teams had a parachute payment this season

The value of promotion to the Premier League this season for clubs that did not get parachute payments will be at least £170million and could reach a minimum £290million if they avoid relegation next year.

The figures, which come from the Deloitte Sports Business Group, are based on the extra revenue the clubs will get from the Premier League's broadcast rights next season and guaranteed parachute payments for two seasons if relegated in 2018.

That breaks down to a minimum of £95million, mostly from Premier League's central distributions, and approximately £75million in parachute payments in 2018-19 and 2019-20, as clubs relegated after one season in the top flight are now eligible to only two years of payments.

Brighton are the only current Championship team certain to earn this much in extra revenue so far, as champions Newcastle will get a smaller increase in central distributions because they received a parachute payment this season.

But only Fulham of the four play-off teams had a parachute payment this season - about £10million - meaning the potential upside for Huddersfield, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday is the same as it is for Championship runners-up Brighton.

The huge increase in revenue for clubs promoted to the Premier League is why the Championship play-off final, which takes place on May 29, is often billed as the most lucrative game in world football.

It also illustrates the growing gap between the leagues and the financial pressure to stay in the top flight once there.


Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday are both in this season's Championship play-offs


Newcastle received a parachute payment and they have been promoted as champions




Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4496990/Premier-League-promotion-worth-170million.html#ixzz4gqVWS9eP
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Tom Cairney hopes Fulham can 'deliver on the big stage' in Championship play-offs


Tom Cairney has played a starring role for Fulham this season

Tom Cairney says he can "feel something happening" at Fulham and says they will continue to play on the front foot in the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.

Fulham finished the season strongly to pip Leeds to the final play-off place in the Championship and were joint-top scorers in the division with 85 goals. Slavisa Jokanovic's side ended the campaign with five wins from their last six matches to set up a play-off semi-final with Reading, live on Sky Sports.

"I can feel something happening," Cairney told the EFL Weekly Podcast. "I always believed around Christmas we would make the play-offs because of the football we were playing.

"The results didn't always match the performances, but since the start of the year and especially in February, March and April we have turned a corner and really put teams to the sword. There is always one team that comes in late and luckily that was us.

"In the form table we are top of the league, and at times this season we have played the most attractive football in the Championship. Hopefully we can deliver on the big stage."

The first leg of the play-off semi-final takes place on Saturday at Craven Cottage, where Fulham beat Reading 5-0 in the league in December.

And Cairney said: "We will be on the front foot and looking to score goals. We won't change anything that has got us into the play-offs to start with.

"Whether they change tactics for the first leg at our place I don't know, but we will be looking to score and hopefully we can get our noses in front."

Cairney has been a key player for Fulham this season with 12 goals and 10 assists in the Championship.

However, the one area where he has sometimes struggled this season has been from the penalty spot, with the Cottagers missing nine of their 13 penalties.

"I don't think you can explain it," said Cairney. "We have had a number of takers, it's just the way it has been.

"Maybe it is a bit psychological with them now, I don't know why but we have been on such a bad run with them. Hopefully it's written in the stars for us to win on penalties at Wembley."

And who will be taking penalties in the play-offs? "I think I could still be on them, but we will see," says Cairney.




http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/10873137/tom-cairney-hopes-fulham-can-deliver-on-the-big-stage-in-championship-play-offs

[WhiteJC]

 
From a relegation battle to the playoffs: the story of Fulham's remarkable turnaround
Fulham have been in danger of relegation the last three years. This year they were good, how did it happen?

Nine long months ago, Fulham embarked on their Championship journey, unsure of what the season would entail. Preseason had brought positive results, but the summer had been weighed down by the departure of Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele. Fulham's two best goalscorers, who had essentially saved the Whites from relegation last season, were gone. Questions remained over who would fill the massive goal-scoring void.

The season also marked the start of Slavisa Jokanovic's first full season as Fulham manager. The Serbian had taken over in December 2016 and steered Fulham clear of relegation, albeit by a thinner margin than many expected. Results had improved since Jokanovic arrived, yet Fulham still finished the season in a lowly 20th; the year ended on a run of one win in five matches. It was now Slavisa's time to make his mark in SW6 and replicate his Championship success at Watford.

A warm Friday night in August marked the start of what would become a famous season. The Whites welcomed big-spending Newcastle United to Craven Cottage, a side chock-full of Premier League talent and Championship experience. To the shock of many, Fulham triumphed 1-0, thanks to a powerful Matt Smith header off a corner. Fulham were top of the league.

The Whites continued their strong start over the next month, finishing August unbeaten and in second place in the league. Yet heading into the international break and the closure of the summer transfer window, questions remained over the side's strength and depth. Fears were allayed by the deadline day acquisitions of Chris Martin and Lucas Piazon, two attacking threats who would prove vital to Fulham's success.

Yet the early-season optimism soon faded during a miserable fall. The Whites failed to record a single win in all of September, going on an abysmal run of six matches without a victory, featuring a tepid home draw with Burton and a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Bristol City. Next up came a crucial west London derby against QPR on October 1st; the Whites proceeded to miss two penalties on their way to a demoralizing 2-1 defeat.

After an October that was filled with mixed results, the final match of the month provided the first glimpse that Fulham were in the midst of a special season. Fulham played host to high-flying Huddersfield Town, who sat third in the league. Far from succumbing to one of the best teams in the league, Fulham thrashed the Terriers, emerging with a season-boosting 5-0 win. Chris Martin bagged a brace (even scoring a penalty!) with Piazon, Kalas, and McDonald chipping in with the other goals. It was a complete performance, and one that showed Fulham's true potential.

Following the superb display against Huddersfield, Fulham went on a run of only one loss in their next nine fixtures, featuring a classy 2-0 away win against Brentford and another 5-0 dismantling of a top club; this time Reading was the victim. The run culminated with a 2-0 away victory against Ipswich on Boxing Day, a result that would leave the Whites seventh, just one point outside of the playoff places. Things were looking up at Craven Cottage.

Then disaster hit. On the night of December 30th, Fulham were set to travel to the Madejski Stadium to play promotion-chasing Reading, when devastating news broke. Chris Martin, the striker on loan from Derby, had refused to be part of the matchday squad in an attempt to force a move back to his parent club. The same man who had scored and celebrated with such passion four days previously was now throwing his toys out of the pram and threatening to derail Fulham's season.

Yet the reaction of Jokanovic and the club was perfect. Jokanovic insisted that Fulham 'was not a train station,' rejecting Martin's bid to move back to the Midlands and insisting that the striker honor his contract. Jokanovic's firm response was vital in maintaining the ethos that no player is ever bigger than the club. And just a couple of weeks later, Martin returned to the starting lineup against Barnsley and scored (a penalty!) in a 2-0 win.

January came to a close with a resounding 4-1 FA Cup win over Premier League Hull City, another superb result filled with flowing, attacking football against quality opposition. Yet just a week later, Fulham suffered one of their lowest points of the season. A shock 1-0 defeat away at Birmingham City meant that the Whites were tenth, six points and four places adrift of the playoff places. The season was drawing to a close; a miracle was needed for the Whites to grab a playoff spot.

And a miracle was exactly what followed. Over the next 17 matches, Fulham won 11, drawing four and losing just twice. The Cottagers catapulted from tenth, 11 points behind Leeds, to sixth, a comfortable five points in front of the Yorkshire club. The remarkable turnaround caught the attention of the footballing world; suddenly everyone seemed to be full of praise for Fulham and their brand of pleasing, possession-based football. Over the final three months of the season, Fulham outclassed the likes of Newcastle, Huddersfield, Sheffield Wednesday, and Norwich; scoring goals for fun and playing fearless football.

The recall of fan favorite goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli to the starting lineup had worked wonders. After the Derby loss in which David Button made a fool of himself, Bettinelli returned between the sticks; Fulham are unbeaten since.

Fulham's turnaround has been startling; a team that struggled against the drop last year are now clear favorites for promotion. Jokanovic deserves immense recognition for this massive turn in fortunes. Many tipped Fulham to struggle after the loss of McCormack and Dembele; not only have Fulham's attack thrived, they scored the most goals in all of Championship (19 more than last season).

But with the focus on the Whites' sparkling attack, some have lost sight of how impressive their defence has been. A constant fixture of Fulham over the past five years has been their defensive fragility, leaking goals left and right, riddled by their chronic inability to defend set pieces. Yet this season Fulham conceded just six goals from set pieces; the lowest number in all of the Championship. The stellar centreback partnership of Kalas and Tim Ream has marshalled the Fulham backline with authority, owing to perhaps the most remarkable of turnarounds.

The Cottagers enter the playoffs on a searing run of form, playing the best football in the Championship, buoyed by a dynamic attack and a resurgent defence. Reading awaits in the playoff semifinals, yet no matter what the playoffs hold, this season will have been a smashing success for Fulham. From 20th to 6th and a shot at return to the promised land of the Premier League; it truly has been a stunning season by the banks of the Thames.




http://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/5/11/15623652/from-a-relegation-battle-to-the-playoffs-the-story-of-fulhams-remarkable-turnaround

[WhiteJC]

 
View From The Town End: Fulham
What do our play-off opponents make of our semi-final matchup?

Andrew from fellow SB Nation site Cottagers Confidential gives us the Fulham view ahead of Saturday's first leg with Reading at Craven Cottage.
How would you sum up Fulham's season?

On one hand this season has gone about as well as we could hope. Before the season we predicted that Fulham would be a solid top ten team that could make the playoffs if everything broke right. Instead Fulham played closer to the top two than they did to the team in 7th. With a little better luck (Fulham missed more penalties than most teams have even attempted), Fulham could already be promoted. So it depends on how you look at things. Either they overperformed expectations and this season is a success, or the results underperformed the underlying statistics and it is a little disappointing.
The media and bookmakers seem to have loved you throughout the season, what's behind the hype?

Fulham led the league in shots, goals, pass success, possession, key passes, and shots in the penalty area. Fulham have seven players in the top ten of pass completion. Nine guys have scored at least five goals. Five guys have at least five assists. They were the best offense by expected goals and ended the season with a +28 GD. In games decided by more than one goal they were 14-3 with a +27 GD. So if there is one team that might take a big lead into the second leg of their semi-final, it would probably be Fulham. Unlike in previous seasons this team isn't a defensive nightmare either. Only three teams allowed fewer shots per game. Fulham didn't allow a single counter attack goal all season. They gave up the fewest goals on set pieces. No matter how you look at things, Fulham is really good.
You seem to have made the top six without too many big names, who've been the stand out performers?

If there is one player who has been the key for Fulham, it's probably Tom Cairney. He led the league in passes per game and pass completion. He was top 10 in shots, scored 12 goals, led the league in key passes, and was tied for second in assists. I'm not sure what else you would want your main creative force to do.
What have you made of Reading this season?

Reading has been the most confusing team this season. By expected goals, you should be battling for relegation. Your goal differential isn't good. Your defense has given up a ton of goals, and you could still argue that they should have given up more. No team has won promotion with a goal differential as bad as you have or having given up as many goals as you have, and you're trying to do both at one time. It was so hard to wrap my head around, I did a deep dive into searching for answers. What we've discovered is that the things that set Reading apart are their ability to win when they score first. They went 25-1-1 in games where they scored the first goal. It's probably not sustainable to win those games at they high of a rate, but it does explain some of the reason expected goals and shot ratios don't favor Reading, as you spend a lot of time defending leads. Combining this with the fact that you overperformed in close games, and underperformed in games decided by multiple goals, at least gives us some understanding of how you got to where you did.
Score prediction for the two legs?

I think Fulham win 3-1 at home and battle for a 1-1 draw at Madejski. Fulham vastly outperformed Reading at Craven Cottage this year and the game at Reading was basically even and only wasn't a draw due to a late missed penalty by Fulham. I think Reading will struggle when they come up against a team that has a similar possession based style, that simply is better at that style than they are.
Who are you tipping to win through and earn promotion?

6) I hate saying it, because it feel like a jinx, but I think Fulham are the favourites. If the regular season involved just the four teams in the playoffs, Fulham would have been 4-1-1 with a +13 GD. Reading would have been 4-0-2 with a -1 GD. Sheffield Wednesday would have been 2-1-3 with a -1 GD. Huddersfield would have been 1-0-5 with a -11 GD. When Fulham struggled this year, it tended to be against teams in the lower half of the table. To illustrate this, if the playoff teams had only played against the top 6 teams, here are the results:

    Reading 4-2-4 -7 GD

    Sheffield Wednesday 4-1-5 -1 GD

    Huddersfield Town 3-0-7 -11 GD

    Fulham FC 6-1-3 +14 GD

Where Fulham have struggled is against the teams at the bottom. Lets show the same table, but against the bottom 6.

    Reading 10-1-1 +16 GD

    Sheffield Wednesday 9-1-2 +9 GD

    Huddersfield Town 5-3-4 -1 GD

    Fulham FC 6-4-2 +5 GD

Fulham isn't the worst against the bottom six, but they dropped the second most points and their GD isn't as good as it should be. Thankfully for Fulham though, the bad teams aren't in the playoffs.



http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2017/5/11/15625840/view-from-the-town-end-fulham-fc-reading-fc-efl-play-offs

[WhiteJC]

 
Full transcript: Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic's pre-Reading press conference

The boss was in the hotseat ahead of Fulham's play-off semi final with Reading - here's EVERYTHING he had to say ahead of the game

How is the squad looking?

Ragnar Sigurdsson and Michael Madl are going to be outside of the squad, but other people are available for Saturday's game.

I don't believe they will be available for both games, if we pass this game and have opportunity to play in Wembley they may be available for this game.

At what point during the season did you believe that a place in the play-offs was possible?

I try explain I am not thinking about final achievement, I am thinking about step by step.

My team showed important qualities during the season and I was confident with them and I was confident we can make great job at the end we arrived in top six but it's simple to try explain, I am thinking step by step and I am thinking always about the next day and now we are here and we can be happy with the opportunity that is in front of us.

How do you assess the way you finished the season?

It's good momentum for us, we finished in last few months and we play with confidence and right desire, and ambition.

We are organised, we are solid and it's our prophecy to always go in the right direction and in this moment I can be happy with our level but regular part of the season is over and this is part of the history and we must be ready for game what is in front of us.

You finished sixth, some may see you as outsiders, do you?

Generally I believe we are 25% - all the teams have a chance to be the promoted team, if you want Reading finished third and we are six and if somebody is favourite then they are, but they must show in the pitch they are a better team than we are.

We are going to fight for our side to show something different.


Fulham take on Reading in the play-offs (Photo: GetWestLondon)

You beat Reading 5-0 in December, how encouraged are you by that?

This is part of history too, the Championship is over and after this game we lost the away game and in this moment this is not so important.

We must be ready for first of all our home game, we concentrate and be strong and interpret what is going to happen around us and keep going.

In this moment only what is important is first game, what is in front of us 180 minutes or more and we must be available for everything what we are going to find in these games.

What did you do right in that game?

I forget, I try explain this - we play very well, first goal was own goal and after they lost one player and we find many benefits in this game

We play with confidence and I don't suspect something similar will happen, I expect this will be tough game and I don't expect anybody will find big challenge before the second game and at the end of we must manage first of all this game what is in front of us - I must prepare for away game.

Ryan Sessegnon - can he cope with the pressures of playing in the play-offs?

This player is a strong character, he is only 16 but I don't have any problem putting him in the team in this game.

He showed in the past that he can play with all the kind of pressure and it won't e strange if he is in the team in this game or in the Wembley if we win this game.

I believe he will be special in the future, right now it's a good project for the Fulham player, he has huge space in front of him to improve himself, this player is working very well and he's only 16 but his mind is like some experienced player and his capacity to learn is huge and in the future I expect a really bright future in front of him.


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

Is getting promoted the best way of keeping him?

Yes, for us if we get promoted or not the best way for us is to keep him and I am talking may times about him and I personally believe he is in the right place right now.

He don't need change in this moment, the club, this is my personal opinion, it will depend on different sides, for myself I think we are going to fight it for working with this player next season and in this moment this is less important news - it is good news for us that Sessegnon is fully committed with us and is working hard and he is ready for games what we are going to play immediately.

What happens with Chris Martin in the summer?

"All the people know what the Chris Martin situation is, at this moment is like Ryan Sessegnon.

"Chris Martin is fully committed with us and is fighting for the space in the team and I am confident he can help us, he is confident too and at the end with Martin it is a confused situation in the winter.

"Now everything is clear and he is only thinking about his teammates and about Fulham and his teammates are very happy with him and we expect he is going to be ready for these three games what we are going to play in this season.

"After, same like Sessegnon, it depends on different sides and I always have good opinion about him and believe he is one of the good players and top Championship player with some kind of the confused situation which followed him in this few months.

"In general, we are not so experienced team in this kind of situation, one of the most experienced players is Martin and he can be useful for us in this play-off games."


Back in form: Chris Martin (Photo: Paul Burgman/Press-Photos.com)

You've scored 85 goals, what is it about your team that gives you the ability to score so many?

I believe they are enjoying playing this way after they start playing with the confidence and start believing this is best way for theirself.

At the end, all my players are confident they can score the goal - we don't have one player who is top scorer of the team, we are very dangerous for different side with different players and I expect we surprise many times the opposite and I expect we can surprise Reading too.

Should you have scored more goals and scored more penalties?

We created many chances and missed many chances and penalties and our job is practice in the training everything and I am sure we are going to score next time when we have opportunity for the penalty

In this games at the end this can happen and we must find last solution from the penalty sport, we miss many many many penalties during the season and probably if we are in this situation next time we will be succesful.

You've had to prepare your team to face Reading three times, how helpful is that?

This is normal work for us at the end, right now there isn't may secrets for us or for them too - they know what is our strengths and weaknesses and we know too.

It's a special game and it's really important game and we are going to be ready like I believe they will be too.

What are your thoughts on playing at home first?

I don't what is traditional whether to play home or away first, but we know we are finishing in the place where we finished and we knew we would start with the first game at home.

We are happy and confident and I don't believe this is most important thing in this situation where we are.

How hard is to strike a balance when preparing a team for this huge match?

We don't need to be intimidated in this kind of situation, we are organised and worked this week like normal and what we are doing before.

I expect I don't need to make any regulation for this game, they know what they must do during this one football game and more or less it will be similar for the game what we are going to play against Reading.

We must be quiet, concentrated and motivated and make normal things and this is what they made before many things I expect they can repeated against Reading and if possible try and find our best performance because this kind of the game needs to bring us to our highest level of concentration, we don't need to make mistake and interpret and understand in all the moments what is happening around us.

Is it fair to say you come into the play-offs with everyone enjoying their football?

First of all, players enjoy when you find a way to win the games and at the end we have choice, one style and for us it's clear what each player must do during the one game.

Its easier for my players because they aren't confused and in different moments they are prepared to try and take best decision in this direction and I believe they are enjoying it because they are prepared and they can find it during this game and it's enjoying or easier for them.

I am sure they are confident with this style that we use in this last period in regular part of the Championship.

Are you tempted to be deviate from Fulham's principles?

This is like a cup game in front of us, it's not normal Championship game and we must understand the situation.

I don't expect everything will be done after first game and we must be ready for 180 minutes in front of us against Reading and at the end we must play football and respect this kind of situation.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/full-transcript-fulham-boss-slavisa-13021955

[WhiteJC]

 
An open letter to beIN Sports
Analyzing beIN Sports' baffling decision to not televise Fulham's upcoming Play-Off semifinal

Dear beIN Sports,

You should be ashamed of yourself. As the sole American network that has rights to the EFL Championship, you have a duty to your consumers to show the best matches to the subscribers who shell out their hard-earned money to buy your service. And to be honest, the decision to not televise the Play-Off match between Fulham and Reading on May 13 is a disgrace.

In case you don't know (and it's clear your network's knowledge of soccer is next to nothing) the Play-Offs are one of the most exciting and meaningful matches in all of English football. It pits the teams who finished between 3-6 in the league against each other in a four team tournament of sorts for a chance to compete in the Premier League, the top flight of English soccer. The Play-Offs, which culminate in the final at Wembley, have been called the "richest match in football" due to the financial incentive of playing in the Premier League.

It is clear to all who have an iota of knowledge about sports that the Championship Play-Offs are an enthralling affair, full with excitement and drama; the perfect ingredients to a great TV event. Yet your network has laughably decided to schedule the match not live on beIN Sports USA, but instead on beIN sports 4. That's right. Not even beIN Sports 2, nor beIn sports 3, but beIN Sports 4. It's embarrassing how low this match ranks on the totem pole.

And what colossal sporting event, you may ask, is demoting the Playoff semifinals to beIN Sports 4? Is it Real Madrid versus Barcelona? Is it the Super Bowl? Is it the World Cup Final? The answer would be no to all of those: it is the massive, blockbuster sporting event that is the FIM World Superbike Championship.

Seriously. A motorcycle race. BeIN Sports clearly cares more about grown men racing their motorized bikes than it cares about one of the most important matches of the Championship season. And that is a truly depressing fact.

Sadly this is not the first time the appalling channel that is beIN sports has let down Fulham supporters. Just a few short weeks ago, the beIN "90 in 60" highlight segment promised to show the Fulham Aston Villa match. Instead, to many Fulham supporters dismay, the Newcastle Ipswich match was shown instead.

However, the decision to not show the first leg of Fulham's Play-Off semifinal live on beIN Sports is a new low. New has arisen that match will be available to stream; but does such a pivotal match really deserve to be relegated to the obscurities of the beIN Sports website? The Play-Off semifinal should be televised: it's what Fulham and Reading's American fans deserve.

Sincerely,

Fulham's American supporters




http://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/5/11/15627350/an-open-letter-to-bein-sports