Tuesday Fulham Stuff (06/06/17)...

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Fulham's Sone Aluko explains Trick Tuesday and how ex-team mates tried to use it to embarrass their friends

One of Fulham's most skillful players has been busy on Instagram this year showing his skills - we asked him how Trick Tuesday came about

Sone Aluko is one of the most skillful players Fulham possess, indeed one of the standout moments from the Championship run-in was his one touch control to kill the ball from the air against Aston Villa.

Rewatching a footballer take the ball past his opponent with a lovely piece of skill is one of the most enjoyable things fans take from watching a football game - watching Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo take the ball past their man time and time again by nutmegging him is a great past time.

But Fulham have a man who likes a trick or two, something usually results in a "meg so clean they just look at the floor" as Aluko himself says in one of his hashtags on Instagram.

You've probably seen them yourself on his page, but it started with Everton man Yannick Bolasie who encouraged Aluko to keep posting them, and eventually his old Hull team mates wanted him to put ones of him skilling their mates up just to embarrass them.

Speaking about the craze, Aluko said: "Trick Tuesday isn't actually mine, my friend Yannick Bolasie started it and then when he put one up I just put the one I had on my phone up.

"I then saw him on a Tuesday and he said 'why didn't you put another one up?' I liked yours before so then I just carried on putting ones up.

"To be fair, it was just the one people sent me before that I had on my phone still of the first two but now team mates I had before are like 'oh, put the one up you did against this person, put that up so I can message him and tag him' so I may have to come off it a bit because people want to embarrass people using me.

"A lot of the Hull boys text me and asked me to put up the tricks against Hull but we'll see about those."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulhams-sone-aluko-explains-trick-13138333

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Rangers target Scottish Championship star midfielder

Rangers have been linked with having a real interest in buying 28-year-old, 6' 2" Kevin McDonald from Fulham. He is a top Scottish midfield player who currently plays his football in London with the Championship side at Craven Cottage.

The Rangers offer would be a good move for Kevin if he wants to force his way back into being a regular Scotland player. It would cost the Ibrox club to get him, but he could well be worth the money – if they have it to pay of course!

He has featured in all of Fulham's 48 games this season and has added some steel to their team. Fulham paid £1.25 for his services and he repaid them by having another exceptional season when they were just pipped for promotion when Reading beat them 2-1 on aggregate in the 2 Championship Play-Off games.

Kevin's stats were all excellent in his first season with Fulham. He made 6 key passes, 2 really important tackles, 2 cleverly anticipated interceptions, 3 crucial clearances and 5 brave blocks – this is an average of each match played. That is indeed impressive stats, but what about his staggering pass accuracy of 86.5%.
That is phenomenal in the Championship where it is packed with really good players all over the pitch.

Now I realise why Pedro has targeted Kevin McDonald for a club like Rangers who are on a mission – to stop Celtic dominating Scottish football for the next few years, which would be a disaster for the whole of the Scottish game in general.

If the truth be told, the game up here needs a strong Rangers, Celtic and at least another 2 or 3 others to match the "Old Firm" in many games throughout each season. Any team winning too easily every season just reduces our league to be considered rubbish – and they would be right.

At 28, McDonald has become a player with a proven pedigree and experience and would be a brilliant boost for all the Teddy Bears. A midfielder who can play in several positions for the good of the team. Right, centre, left midfield or in a defensive midfield job, with meticulous pinpoint passes. He is also excellent at keeping possession and is more than capable of getting forward when the situation arises.

Kevin was born in Carnoustie and began his career at Dundee in 2005 and worked his way up quickly into the first team where he became one of their best players. So much so, that after just one season at Dens Park, Celtic tried hard with a bid to take the talented midfield star to Celtic Park.

Very wisely, the board rejected the bid immediately knowing that Kevin was going to be the mainstay of the team for the next couple of years. He played 105 games for Dundee before it was time for Kevin to eventually move on.

In May 2008, Dundee manager Alex Rae informed the media that he would let McDonald go, but only if he received a good enough offer. English Championship side Burnley wasted no time in bidding £500,000 to get their man and take him to Turf Moor.

He played 51 games for Burnley before dropping out of the first team as an automatic first pick and he signed a short term loan deal with Scunthorpe United on a one-month loan in October 2010 where he played in all of the 5 matches before going back to Burnley. This was followed by another loan deal to Notts County from February to May 2011. Kevin played very well and featured in all of their 11 games.

For two seasons 2011-12 + 2012 -13, Kevin took his talent to Sheffield United on a free transfer deal and he really enjoyed his time at Bramall Lane. He played in 91 games for the Blades, during a successful period of his playing career.

On 14 August 2013, McDonald moved to fellow League One club Wolverhampton Wanderers, signing a three-year contract for a reported fee of £750,000. Kevin quickly became a regular in the Wolves' side that set a new League One points record winning 103 amazing points as they walked away with it by winning the league easily. At the conclusion of the campaign, he won both the Fans' as well as the Players' Player of the Season awards, having been already named in the PFA's League One Team of the Year.

Kevin showed the same form in Wolves' Championship side, featuring in all 47 games as the club just missed out on the play-off on goal difference.

Over the summer he attracted interest from fellow Championship club Fulham, who bid for the midfielder after he failed to agree a new contract at Wolves. He eventually agreed a new three-year deal and stayed at Wolves.

On 22 July 2016 McDonald did eventually sign for Fulham in a three-year deal after he had played another 35 games for Wolves during the 2015–16 season.

Ibrox Noise would love to see McDonald become a Rangers man, but can we afford his transfer fee plus his high wages?



http://www.ibroxnoise.co.uk/2017/06/rangers-target-scottish-championship.html

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What must Fulham do to ensure they finish in the top two as the bookies have predicted for next season?

SkyBet have made them second favourites to finish in the top two next season so we've had a look at what they need to do in order to prove them right

The bookies have made Fulham second favourites to win the Championship this season, just behind Steve Bruce's Aston Villa who they've made as the early favourites.

It seems that Slavisa Jokanovic and his side have really got people sitting up and taking notice of them after last season, a season where they were joint top scorers and played some of the best football in the entire division.

The fans will want the bookies to be right - after the Play-off campaign Fulham are still yet to win a game in the end of the season showpiece and will be hoping that promotion will come automatically this time round and that they can watch the teams going through the Play-offs safe in the knowledge that Premier League football is safe.

But at the moment, there's a lot of work to be done if Fulham are going to win automatic promotion next season.

Fulham need to strengthen first and foremost - the strength in depth wasn't there last season and that was evident in their attacking options, with Chris Martin being the only out and out striker the club really had.

They can't have the same problem next season if they want a place in the top two - Fulham's recruitment department has to make sure the firepower is there for Fulham to have a serious crack at the title.

Look at it this way, they finished as joint top scorers last season without a striker who was on form, imagine if they had someone up top who scored 20 odd goals a season.


Tom Cairney celebrates his equaliser against Leeds (Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

They would've been looking at automatics at lot more than they were.

Elsewhere, the defence is a key issue that needs addressing if the bookies are going to be proved right.

It got better towards the end of the season when Jokanovic changed the keepers and put Marcus Bettinelli in instead of David Button, but over the course of the campaign there was a lot of errors that cost points for Fulham.

There was also a lack of speed in the centre back department that will need to be looked at ahead of the coming season - a promotion winning team needs to be as good at the back as they are going forward.


Flourishing partnership: Tim Ream and Tomas Kalas (Photo: Paul Burgman/Press-Photos.com)

Fulham were a bit top heavy this season in that respect, they scored goals but they always looked like they would concede too and that was a problem.

The bookies prices at this moment in time also reflect the fact that Tom Cairney is still a Fulham player.

He's just been named Player of the Season and he was such a vital part of last season's team, keeping him would go a massive way towards ensuring they get that top two spot next season.

If Fulham lose him, their price with the bookies will most likely go down as he will be so hard to replace, there aren't many footballers like Cairney and his role in the Fulham team was instrumental last season, and it will be the same next year.

At the moment with SkyBet, Fulham are still second favourites to get automatic promotion and are 1/1 to be in the top six come May, if they do all the above they have a great chance of proving the bookies right this season.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/what-must-fulhams-ensure-finish-13138467

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Palace Set to Make Move for Fulham Boss

After losing out in the Championship play-offs, courtesy of a failure to edge past Reading at the semi-final stage, Slavisa Jokanovic suggested that the squad would be kept together.

An admirable suggestion if next season is to see Fulham emerge as genuine promotion contenders.

But, already we`ve reported on how clubs have already shown an interest in Tom Cairney, Ryan Sessegnon, Marcus Bettinelli and Kevin McDonald.

Whether any of the above are allowed to leave remains to be seen.

But the big question that now needs answering is whether the boss himself will be at the club this coming season.

The good folk over at the news source Soccer Souls, are suggesting that our London rivals, Crystal Palace, could be looking to Jokanovic as their next boss.

Palace were kept in the Premier League by Sam Allardyce but the veteran manager has now decided that it is time to retire gracefully from the game.

The Palace chairman, Steve Parish, has gone on record saying that he wants to put a manager in place who will be at Selhurst Park long-term and a manager who will grow with the club.

Is that a description that aptly applies to 48-year-old Slavisa?

Could the Serbian be tempted by a chance to show what he can do in the Premier league?

Worrying times ahead perhaps.



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=493777#ixzz4jCJEtL8X

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Do Fulham Have a Replacement lined Up for Cairney?

If Fulham manage to hang on to Tom Cairney this summer it will be an achievement and a half.

The midfielder is, without doubt, a Premier League player and it is expected that several Premier league clubs will make a move to sign the 26-year-old player who scored 13 goals and created 12 others last season.

But, if the perhaps inevitable happens, has Slavisa Jokanovic already identified a successor?

The good folk of HITC, believe that may be the case.

Our source is reporting that Fulham have previously shown an interest in the Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Almen Abdi before he made the £3 million switch to Hillsborough.

Abdi, a Swiss international, was at Watford when Jokanovic was in charge and has played top level football in both England and Italy.

His Championship pedigree is proven where in a 100 appearances he has scored 24 goals and provided 14 assists.

Remember the name of Almen Abdi, it could well become a familiar one.



Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=493780#ixzz4jCJdr6c6

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Woodrow Makes The Cut

Cauley Woodrow has been named in the England Under-21 squad for the upcoming European Championships in Poland.

The Fulham striker was in the original party of 28 for a training camp at St George's Park, and has made the cut for the Finals after head coach Aidy Boothroyd whittled that number down to 23.

The Young Lions are in Group A alongside hosts Poland, Slovakia and Sweden, with their first match on Friday 16th June.
Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn (Manchester City), Jonathan Mitchell (Derby County), Jordan Pickford (Sunderland)

Defenders: Calum Chambers (Arsenal), Ben Chilwell (Leicester City), Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rob Holding (Arsenal), Mason Holgate (Everton), Dominic Iorfa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Alfie Mawson (Swansea City), Jack Stephens (Southampton), Matt Targett (Southampton)

Midfielders: Lewis Baker (Chelsea), Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Will Hughes (Derby County), John Swift (Reading), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

Forwards: Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Demarai Gray (Leicester City), Jacob Murphy (Norwich City), Nathan Redmond (Southampton), Cauley Woodrow (Fulham)



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/june/05/woodrow-makes-the-cut

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Luca Knocked Out

Luca de la Torre's Under-20 World Cup campaign came to an end as the USA were knocked out of the Quarter-Finals on Sunday. The Stars and Stripes lost 2-1 in extra-time to Venezuela.

de la Torre played the whole 120 minutes, meaning he played almost every minute of the USA's tournament in the Korea Republic, only being subbed in injury time of previous matches.

It was all level at 0-0 after 90 minutes, with Venezuela having created the lions share of chances, but were not able to find the back of the net.

It was a fine performance from goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann, who was forced into making eight saves.

Venezuela broke the deadlock in extra-time with a strike from Adalberto Peñaranda in the 96th minute, before their lead was doubled 10 minutes later by Nahuel Ferraresi.

The USA were able to pull one back in the 117th minute with Jeremy Ebobisse scoring his second goal of the tournament, giving his team hope.

However, with two minutes left of the clock there was not enough time to find a second and Venezuela progressed to the semi-final against Uruguay.

de la Torre showed his class throughout the tournament, scoring a hugely important goal in the USA's first game.

It was an equaliser in 94th minute against Ecuador to make it 3-3, and he now holds the record for scoring the latest USA goal at an Under-20 World Cup.

He would then go on to make three assists in his following three games against Saudi Arabia, Senegal and New Zealand.

You can see the highlights from USA v Venezuela by clicking this link.

Photos supplied by US Soccer YNT & FIFA




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/june/05/luca-knocked-out

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Fulham reject Scunthorpe's bid for George Williams

HITC Sport understands Fulham have rejected a bid for the forward.

Fulham have rejected a bid from Scunthorpe United for forward George Williams, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club.

Wales international Williams is entering the final year of his contract at Fulham and a number of clubs have been weighing up a move for Williams this summer.

Williams, who made his debut for Fulham in August 2014, is highly regarded at Craven Cottage, but he finds himself down the pecking order in Slavisa Jokanovic's first-team plans.

The 21-year-old spent the first half of last season out on loan at MK Dons, but his stint was cut short after finding his opportunities in the starting XI limited.

Williams returned to Fulham in January and the skilful attacker impressed for the club's Under-23s with 17 goals upon his return.

Williams, who was a member of Chris Coleman's Wales squad for last summer's Euro 2016 finals, could be tempted away from Fulham with the offer of regular first-team football next season.

Several Championship and League One sides have expressed an interest in Williams, but Scunthorpe are the first to firm up their interest with a bid.

Fulham have rejected Scunthorpe's opening offer and it remains to be seen if they come back with an improved offer as Iron boss Graham Alexander looks to build a squad that can win promotion to the Championship next season.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/06/05/fulham-reject-scunthorpes-bid-for-george-williams/

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Highly rated Fulham man could be open to move despite snubbed offer

According to HITC Sports, Sky Bet Championship outfit Fulham have rejected an approach from Scunthorpe United of League One for the services of attacking midfielder George Williams.

The 21-year-old returned to the Cottagers in January following an underwhelming six-month loan spell at MK Dons, where he played eleven matches in League One, scoring just once.

The Irons, who have had their bid turned down, are looking for reinforcements following a dismal end to the campaign when they lost out to Millwall in the play-off semi-finals.

However, Williams had made 23 appearances for Fulham's under-23 squad and bagged 17 goals, prompting many clubs to send their scouts to watch the former Welsh international.

Indeed, he's said to be highly rated at Craven Cottage, though could reportedly be tempted by the allure of first-team football elsewhere.

It has also been said that Scunthorpe's third-tier rivals Portsmouth, Charlton Athletic and Plymouth Argyle were showing an interest in the young talent last month; although Scunthorpe have been the only club to make an official approach it seems.

It remains to be seen whether the Lincolnshire-based team will return with a second bid to persuade George Williams away from Craven Cottage during the summer transfer window.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/highly-rated-fulham-man-could-be-open-to-move-despite-snubbed-offer/

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Rumour: Scunthorpe United have bid rejected for Charlton Athletic and Plymouth striking target

George Williams in action for Fulham

Scunthorpe United have reportedly seen a bid rejected for Fulham attacker George Williams.

According to HITC Sport, the Iron have firmed up their interest in the Welsh international with an official offer but have been knocked back with their first attempt.

Williams, who is entering the final year of his contract at Craven Cottage, has previously spent time on loan with Gillingham and MK Dons.

He made featured 15 times for MK Dons last term before heading back to Fulham in January.

Upon his return to Craven Cottage, he impressed for their under-23s side.

The Iron are looking to fend off strong competition for the winger/forward with Charlton Athletic, Burton Albion, Portsmouth and Plymouth Argyle all credited with interest in the 21-year-old this summer.

Regarded as a skillful attacker, Williams was part of Chris Coleman's Wales squad at Euro 2016.

He is yet to score his first senior goal but has 16 Fulham appearances under his belt.

Iron manager Graham Alexander is yet to start his summer transfer business after his side lost out in the League One play-offs last month.



Read more at http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/scunthorpe-united-transfers-fulham-striker-bid-rejected/story-30372006-detail/story.html#z03xl1LbtCh4hK6F.99

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Fulham's Cauley Woodrow has been handed a massive chance with England - he must take it with both hands

The striker has made the final cut for the England U21 squad and now is his time to stake a claim for a place in the Fulham side for next season

Cauley Woodrow has made the final cut of England's U21 squad as they prepare for the European Championships in Poland, and now he must take his opportunity with both hands.

The 22-year-old found himself out on loan for the latter half of the season, signing for Burton along with Lasse Vigen Christensen as the side secured themselves a Championship spot for next season, something in itself which is a marvelous feat considering the size of the club.

He scored five goals in his time there, against Wolves, Norwich, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Reading, which aren't bad teams to score against when you consider where the majority of them finished the campaign.

He's now got another chance to impress Slavisa Jokanovic as he heads out to the Euros with England, and he must take it in order to continue playing football at Craven Cottage.

For whatever reason, Jokanovic didn't fancy him this season, despite Chris Martin struggling and a lack of strikers at the club, but his spell away at Burton can't be discredited when the Serb plots for next season - he went to Burton to prove he could score goals in the Championship and that's exactly what he did.

Fulham need strikers next season, Martin is gone, Gohi Cyriac was never really used and the club can't really afford to spend big money on experienced goal scorers.


Cauley Woodrow (Photo: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

The stage is set for someone to fill a void, and Woodrow can now continue to prove he can be the man to play a part next season by firing England to Euro glory.

Alongside him in the England squad he has Tammy Abraham, Demarai Gray, Jacob Murphy and Nathan Redmond - all players who have proven in some sort of capacity that they're good strikers, and playing alongside these players who have Championship and Premier League experience will help Woodrow ahead of next season.

If he scores goals in the Euros, Jokanovic can't ignore his abilities and will have to give him a chance - the space is open in the Fulham side for Woodrow, he's young and he's scoring goals.

Even if Jokanovic isn't moved and wants to sell Woodrow on, the young striker still has to take this opportunity and do the exact same as he was doing at Burton - scoring goals.

Either way, a good Euro campaign will ensure that Woodrow can go into next season knowing he has staked a claim to be playing regular Championship football, week-in, week-out.

Hopefully it's in a Fulham shirt - I think he's good enough to play for the side and Fulham need a player like him as they look for promotion - he may not be their main striker but he will score the side goals and offer something different.

England face Sweden, Slovakia and Poland in their three group games at the tournament.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulhams-cauley-woodrow-been-handed-13139741

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Win A Signed Shirt

We are offering fans the chance to win a shirt signed by the First Team squad, by recreating your favourite goal of the season.

Entries must be submitted via Twitter and Instagram to @fulhamfc, and any attempt must use the hashtag #FulhamGoals in the post to be entered into the competition.

Some of your best efforts will be shared across our social platforms including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, with the winning entry that which gets the most likes.

Show us what you've got! Send in your attempts to be in with a chance of winning!



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/june/05/win-a-signed-shirt

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Fulham priced out of move for Montpellier striker Steve Mounie with Watford and West Brom ready to pounce

The club had reportedly made an offer for the 22-year-old but his price tag looks to be a stumbling block for the Craven Cottage outfit

Fulham have been priced out of a move for Montpellier striker Steve Mounie.

The Cottagers reportedly made an offer for the Frenchman last week , but it seems that the club are after £13million for their star striker, a price tag that is too hefty for the club to consider meeting.

Mounie scored 15 goals in 37 appearances in Ligue 1 last season and is contracted at the club until 2019, and it's those two key things that are warranting a fee in excess of £13million for the 22-year-old.

He also wants a move to the Premier League and it looks likely that West Brom and Watford are in the driving seat to secure his services next season, with a move to London his preferred choice.

Elsewhere, George Williams has been linked with a move to Scunthorpe , although Fulham remain keen on keeping him at Craven Cottage.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-priced-out-move-montpellier-13141669

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Premier League elite chase Fulham star Ryan Sessegnon: Liverpool make transfer decision

LIVERPOOL have cooled their interest in Fulham defender Ryan Sessegnon, according to reports.


Ryan Sessegnon has impressed at Fulham this season

The Craven Cottage sensation, 17, has had an impressive season in west London.

He made 30 appearances for Fulham, netting seven goals and chipping in with three assists.

And his impressive form hasn't gone unnoticed amongst the Premier League's elite.

Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City and the Reds have all been sniffing around.

He also could be signed for meagre £2m compensation fee.

However, according to The Times, Kop boss Jurgen Klopp has now cooled his interest.

The news could be a huge boost to his rivals with the Anfield heavyweights out of the running for his signature.

Klopp is closing in on other transfer targets, though.

Southampton star Virgil van Dijk has been touted as a potential arrival.

Reports today suggest the Dutchman is keen to work with Klopp.

The charismatic German is also set to sign Roma forward Mohamed Salah.

The ex-Chelsea ace failed to make much of an impression in the Premier League during an underwhelming stint at Stamford Bridge.

He spent two seasons in west London between 2012 and 2014 and only made a handful of appearances.

But since leaving, initially to Fiorentina, he's dazzled in Serie A.




http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/620067/Jurgen-Klopp-Ryan-Sessegnon-Liverpool-transfer-news

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Graham Alexander must have seen something in George Williams to make a bid for Welsh international

Scunthorpe United are still looking for their first signing of the summer despite not surprisingly plenty of rumours flying around.

The Iron, understandably due to a third-place finish last season, have been linked with a number of players since the end of last season.

Matt Crooks has been one of the players heavily linked with a return to Glanford Park after a successful loan spell at Scunthorpe earlier in the season.

Graham Alexander has been up to Rangers to talk about Crooks and has publicly said he is trying to find out the situation regarding the midfielder following the injury he picked while with the Iron towards the end of last season.

The latest player to be linked with Scunthorpe is Welsh international striker George Williams and Scunthorpe have already had a bid turned down for the Fulham player.

It is hard to really know what to make of Williams such has been his limited game time over the past couple of seasons.

He signed for Fulham in 2012 but since then has only made 17 appearances for the Championship club and is entering the last year of his contract at Craven Cottage.

He has spent two separate spells on loan at MK Dons and one a t Gillingham but has struggled to make an impact at either, only making a handful of appearances at both clubs and not managing to find the net.

He only managed 15 appearances last season for the Dons in the first half of the season and many of those were as a substitute.

He has found himself down the pecking order at Fulham but impressed for the under-23 side when he returned to Craven Cottage in January, when he scored 17 goals.

But there must be some potential in the 21-year-old as it is reported a number of clubs including Scunthorpe are showing an interest in him.

Although his goal return may be nothing to write home about, Alexander must have seen something in the youngster that has persuaded him to make a bid for him.

The United manager has proved a shrewd operator in the transfer market and there were not many who had heard of Josh Morris or Duane Holmes when they joined in the summer but both proved their worth over the season.

So although on the face of it, Williams goal return is not great, indeed his only professional goal came in an FA Cup tie against Nantwich Town for MK Dons, it could change if he is offered the chance of regular first team football, something he has not had so far in his career.




Read more at http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/graham-alexander-must-have-seen-something-in-george-williams-to-make-a-bid-for-welsh-international/story-30372796-detail/story.html#O6RUVDB8HAVrlBPJ.99