Saturday Fulham Stuff (05/08/17)...

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Fulham boss insists he is happy with his squad as he seeks to cool transfer row

The Fulham head coach railed against the club's hierarchy after the 3-0 friendly defeat to Wolfsburg, claiming they were ignoring his targets

Slavisa Jokanovic has insisted he is happy with the squad he has at his disposal ahead of the new campaign.

The Fulham head coach railed against the club's hierarchy after the 3-0 friendly defeat to Wolfsburg, claiming they were ignoring his targets.

But, on the eve of the season, he insisted that he is happy with the ambition for the upcoming campaign.

He said: "I'm happy with my team and the players. They are working hard and we're showing ambition to try and make a good season in front of us. We are ready for the Norwich game."

Sone Aluko has been linked with a move away but Jokanovic expects the former Hull man to remain at Craven Cottage.

He added: "I believe he will. I said last week I believe he's an important player for us. I expect he'll be a part of us for the season."

Aboubakar Kamara joined the club earlier this week and Jokanovic believes his strengths will fit into Fulham's mould.

He explained: "We are talking about a striker since we were without Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele.

"Kamara is a young player with great ambition. He's stronger and fast. We expect he'll be an important player for us.

"All the people need time to adapt themselves to a different style of life and competition. It's different.

"He's a player that can attack the space behind the defenders and can be a very important player for us."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-boss-insists-happy-squad-13432543

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Fulham vs. Norwich Preview: Three Questions with Read Norwich
A new season kicks off against a familiar opponent. Can Fulham take advantage of their continuity against a Norwich team that had a ton of turnover?


Photo by Harry Hubbard/Getty Images

Daniel Emery of Read Norwich was kind enough to answer our questions leading up to the first match of the season at Craven Cottage.

Cottagers Confidential: A new season is beginning, what do you think the biggest changes going into Norwich's season have been, both positive and negative?

    Read Norwich: Well, everything has changed, virtually. We're likely to have 7 out of our 11 starting on Saturday making their debuts, along with a new head coach and backroom team. I think that's all positive. The only negative I can think of is letting go of players like Jonny Howson and Jacob Murphy. Saying that, we appear to have replaced Jonny with an excellent player in Mario Vrancic with £4m in change and Jacob wasn't sold on the cheap. The positives far outweigh the negatives, for sure.

CC: Where do you expect Norwich to finish this year? Who finishes in the top 6 and who gets relegated?

    RN: Top six. I think the new way of playing and some of the signings we have made will give us that extra boost to push into the play-offs. Top six, in no order; Middlesbrough, Norwich, Fulham, Wolves, Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa. Relegation; Barnsley, Bolton and Burton.

CC: Is this Norwich team complete or do you think there will be more changes in this window?

RN: Our Sporting Director Stuart Webber went on record today (Thursday) to say that there will be at least two more additions. We still need more CB and CM cover, although I can't see any big additions to our starting XI as it stands. That could change, though, if a big club comes in for one of our players, like Alex Pritchard, Timm Klose or Nelson Oliveira.

CC: Predicted lineup and score?

    RN: Gunn; Wildschut, Godfrey, Zimmermann, Franke, Husband; Reed, Vrancic, Maddison; Watkins, Oliveira.

    1-1.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/8/4/16094542/fulham-norwich-championship-preview-three-questions

[WhiteJC]

Bettinelli out of Fulham's opener
by Dan on August 4, 2017

Marcus Bettinelli will miss Fulham's first Championship match of the new season against Norwich City tomorrow with a pulled hamstring.

The former England under-21 international goalkeeper was substituted as a precaution having felt his hamstring tighten during last weekend's 3-0 friendly defeat by Wolfsburg. Head coach Slavisa Jokanovic revealed during this afternoon's press conference at Motspur Park that Bettinelli would not be available for selection – and his place against the Canaries will be taken by former Brentford goalkeeper David Button. Jokanovic confirmed that 'everyone else will be available'.

The Serbian was excited about the potential of French striker Aboubakar Kamara, who arrived from Amiens earlier this week.

    'We have been talking about strikers since we were without Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele. Kamara is a young player with great ambition. He's strong and fast. We expect he will be an important player for us.

Jokanovic did warn that the new signing would need time to acclimatise to the demands of Championship football.

    All the people need time to adapt themselves to a different style of life and competition. It's different. He's a player that can attack the space behind the defenders and can be a very important player for us.

Jokanovic also moved to downplay stories of a recruitment row between him and Fulham's senior executives – and insisted Sone Aluko would be staying at Craven Cottage.

    I'm happy with my team and the players. They are working hard and we're showing ambition to try and make a good season in front of us. We are ready for the Norwich game.

    I believe he will. I said last week I believe he's an important player for us. I expect he'll be a part of us for the season.

The Fulham head coach was in no doubt about the level of performance he expects from his players tomorrow.

    What's important is to play at our highest level now and pick up three points tomorrow. Our final target is promotion. Norwich is a quality team, but we're playing in our stadium, in front of our fans. We are very motivated.

    Last season is last season. The play-offs are in the past. I'm just looking at the present and the future.




http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/08/bettinelli-out-of-fulhams-opener/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham FC Will Be in PES 2018

Konami has entered into an exclusive global partnership with London's Fulham FC. The football club will now appear in Pro Evolution Soccer 2018, as all of the players have been body scanned in order to be faithfully recreated, but it's not all about the game. PES 2018 will also appear on the back of the team's kits, and will be the main sponsor for their youth team.

Check out the full announcement below:

    KONAMI and Fulham have entered an exclusive agreement that will see the club perfectly recreated within the publisher's forthcoming PES 2018. The full squad will be recreated in game with all kits and players to be perfectly replicated via Konami's full body-scanning process, while KONAMI will also have an extensive presence within the club's stadium, as part of the match day experience, and within the club's progressive youth academy.

    PES 2018 branding will feature on the back of the club's new home, away, third and goalkeeping kits, and will be main sponsor of the Youth Team's kit, showcasing the publisher's support of the club's enviable talent base. KONAMI and PES 2018 branding will also be prominent across the ad boards around the pitch and within branded areas inside the ground, and on ball boy kits on match days. KONAMI will also be taking over Fulham's Family Zone area, with gaming set-ups showcasing the club's inclusion in-game available for young fans to experience. PES 2018 will also be available in the club store and online eStore with an exclusive Fulham FC slipcase, and KONAMI is committed to working closely with the club's online and social media teams to create cross-promotional campaigns including PES branding within match day team announcements and goal updates.

As one would expect, Fulham's Chief Revenue Officer Casper Stylsvig was pleased with the news. "PES 2018 is seen as the definitive football title for home systems and mobile users, and we are delighted to be so well represented within such an illustrious game," said Stylsvig. We also welcome Konami to Craven Cottage via its sponsorship commitments and as a new back of shirt partner for the first team and front of shirt partner for our exciting Youth Team squads."

"Fulham is a club with an enviable heritage and a very bright future," said Konami's Senior Director of Brand and Business Development Jonas Lygaard. "It is a club that is on the cusp of very good things, with a policy that continues to nurture its youth prospects. Konami is extremely happy to be working closely with such a progressive club. We will enjoy having prominent branding position on match-days, making full use of the Family Zone, and are proud to be presented on the front of the Youth Team's kits, as well as a key sponsor to the first XI."

Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 is set to release September 14 for PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One and last-gen consoles.




Read more at http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2017/08/04/fulham-fc-will-pes-2018/#lvv48Ae8WvkYbQFW.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Sky Sports Championship Predictor: Fulham tipped for the title

Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham are tipped for the Sky Bet Championship title

The stats-based Sky Sports Predictor is back for the new season - and it's tipping Fulham for the Sky Bet Championship title.

The Cottagers, who finished sixth last season, are joined in the automatic promotion places by Sheffield Wednesday, with Norwich, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Brentford taking the play-off spots.

At the other end of the table, the Sky Sports Predictor has Bolton, Birmingham City and newly-promoted Millwall facing relegation. See the predicted table below and scroll down to see the predicted outcomes of this weekend's opening games.

How does it work?
The Sky Sports predictor is based on a system called Elo, originally set up to rate chess players. It takes into account form, who your team still has left to play, and how well a team has done in previous seasons.

The predicted results for the opening weekend in the Sky Bet Championship

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/10973907/sky-sports-championship-predictor-fulham-tipped-for-the-title

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Head Coach press conference

While promotion is the aim for Fulham this season, Slaviša Jokanović reiterated that taking it one game at a time is the best way to achieve that goal.

Plenty of bookmakers have made the Whites one of the Sky Bet Championship favourites, but our Head Coach knows the competition will be fierce this term.

"Half the Championship teams have similar intentions to us," he said in Friday's pre-match press conference. "I know this is a popular question from the press, where we're going to finish in the Championship.

"Really, I don't know where we're going to be at the beginning of May. What is important for us is to try and be at our highest level in this moment, and try and push hard to win three points tomorrow.

"These three points could be important points for us at the end of the season. We must be positive, we must believe in our possibilities, and push hard to be successful.

"The final target for us, like the final target for half the Championship, is to be a promoted team. Whether we are going to do it or not will depend on us, and we are going to know at the end of the season.

"Pressure is part of our life. I have pressure to be successful, I have pressure for my team to play better football than they played before, I have pressure to win the game.

"Everything is normal, similar pressure for other coaches in the Championship or in the Premier League, or all the coaches in the world."

The summer has seen six players join the Club, and Jokanović is satisfied with how his squad is shaping up.

"We built an identity, we built a team," he explained. "I am very happy because the Club made a great effort to sign new contracts with Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon.

"I am very happy because we brought back Tomas Kalas and Lucas Piazon. We signed some people, the transfer window is open until the end of August, I believe we are going to bring in some more for our squad.

"I am happy with my team. The players are working hard and showing ambition to try and make a good season, and we are ready for the Norwich game."

Aboubakar Kamara is the latest addition to the side, and his Jokanović is excited about what the striker can bring to the team.

"Kamara is a young player who's shown great ambition," he stated. "He's strong and fast and all of us expect he's going to be an important player for us in the future.

"All the people need time to adapt themselves to a different lifestyle, a different competition. He's really a different player, a player who can attack the space behind the defenders, and he can be a very important player for us."

Saturday's opponents Norwich City will be another outfit fighting hard to return to the top flight, and Jokanović envisages a stern test against Daniel Farke's men.

"Norwich are one of the teams, like us, who want to be a Premier League team next season," he said. "They are a quality team with many important players.

"I remember the last game we played at Craven Cottage against them and the many problems that [Cameron] Jerome gave us. We must be careful about many players.

"We checked their pre-season, they used different styles, with three at the back, sometimes four at the back. We have an idea of what we can expect tomorrow in the game.

"It's a new coach, extra motivation for the Norwich players too, but we are motivated to play in our stadium in front of our supporters. We showed them in the past we can play good football and we want to repeat that, or be at a better level if possible."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/04/head-coach-press conference

[WhiteJC]

 
The underrated Fulham player who must be offered a new deal if Jokanovic is to secure promotion

Fulham fans will be keen for manager Slavisa Jokanovic to push for the automatic promotion places in the Championship yet again this season, despite the disappointment of the 2016/17 campaign.

The Cottagers fell in the semi-finals of the play-offs last season, despite being one of the early favourites to make it back into the Premier League.

But it wasn't meant to be and moving forward, Fulham will be competing in one of the most competitive Championship division's we've seen in years.

And if they're to compete at the top with some of the big-spenders right now, they're going to need to gel together fully and some of their existing players are going to really have to step-up moving forward.

One man we think will be a huge part of this Fulham side this season is Sone Aluko, who had a seriously solid campaign last time out.

He might not be a huge goal-getter and he might not be the sort of player who will score 20 goals-a-season but in terms of build up-play, pace, playing off the striker and chipping in, he's one of the better forwards in the Championship.

Which is why, we think Jokanovic needs to do everything he can to keep him at Craven Cottage over the coming days and weeks.

He'll be a player that certain teams would love to bring in but moving forward, Jokanovic must do everything to get keep his man in London.

Aluko was a big part of the play-off push last season and you've got to give him credit for the work he put in, despite his side failing to make it all the way.

With Aboubakar Kamara also coming, Fulham's attacking options are looking strong. With the likes of Cairney, Sessegnon and Piazon also in the ranks, there's every chance the Cottagers will be competing at the top again next season.

But keeping hold of a Aluko will be a big part of their success too. He's an underrated forward and could be very good for Fulham next season, just as he was last.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/the-underrated-fulham-player-who-must-be-offered-a-new-deal-if-jokanovic-is-to-secure-promotion/

[WhiteJC]

 
Grosvenor Casinos to make it easier to #FollowFulhamAway!

Knowing how much the support means to the team and how passionate Fulham's traveling fans are, the Club's new Main Team Partner, grosvenorcasinos.com, will be offering free away travel to and from Leeds United on Tuesday 15th August and for an additional 4 fixtures this season!

Supporters who purchase a match ticket for the game at Elland Road from the Fulham FC Ticket Office will be given the option of complimentary return coach travel. Fans who have already bought a coach ticket for this fixture will automatically be refunded.

The Club was delighted to announce our partnership with grosvenorcasinos.com last Wednesday and we're excited to reveal details of #FollowFulhamAway to ensure as many fans as possible are able to travel to support the team.

We are also thrilled to confirm that further complimentary coach travel will also be provided to the following 4 away fixtures, all courtesy of grosvenorcasinos.com:

    Sheffield United, Tuesday 21st November 2017
    Cardiff City, Tuesday 26th December 2017
    Bristol City, Tuesday 20th February 2017
    +1 specially selected fixture

The above fixtures have been selected to make it easier for fans to attend matches further afield that may prove difficult to make their way to, based on when matches are played and the destination, to give the team the best possible support on the road.

With trains not running late enough to get fans back to London after the Leeds fixture, don't hesitate in taking advantage of this excellent offer. Fans can secure their free coach travel online, over the phone, or in person from the Ticket Office.

With excitement building for the season ahead don't miss your chance to #FollowFulhamAway!



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/04/follow-fulham-away-with-grosvenor-casinos

[WhiteJC]

 
Predicted! How the Championship table will finish in 2017/18

Calling football is an ugly, humiliating business. So let's crack on! Mike Holden weighs up the evidence and tells us how the Championship will finish up

Everyone's got an opinion – heck, the table you'll see below is different to the one in our hulking magazine Season Preview (it's out now, don't you know?). But each pick is justified, and while we're very sure you won't agree with us, we'd love to know your thoughts once you've read it through. Get us at @FourFourTwo on Twitter with #PredictTheTable.   

24. Barnsley
The Tykes have lost six of their best players in 2017 and that's a lot to come back from no matter how imaginative your transfer business. Most of the new arrivals have little experience of this level and they will be expected to take up commanding roles. Paul Heckingbottom is a capable manager but this is looking like a hiding to nothing.

23. Ipswich
Things have gone stale at Portman Road and one modestly promising transfer window might not be enough to undo the damage of dealing in half measures for the past three years. You'd expect the Tractor Boys to scrap their way to survival under Mick McCarthy, but another relegation battle would probably see him depart before then.

22. Burton
Survival was a wonderful achievement for the Brewers last season, but reaching 50 points will always be a monumental task at this level. They will be competitive and their fate could be in the balance for the entire 10 months. However, they might need a bit more creativity this time around and Nigel Clough's managerial style doesn't really encourage that.

21. Bolton
The Whites are going to be severely hampered by tough new measures on teams operating under a transfer embargo, yet you get the impression that Phil Parkinson is relishing the challenge ahead of him. He has the tactical nous to reduce games to fine margins and grind out points where others wouldn't. In the final reckoning, that might just be enough.

20. QPR
Ian Holloway insists he has settled on a set formation and style of play after heavy criticism over his tinkering, but it will be interesting to see how long he remains true to his word if the early results aren't favourable. A tough season awaits either way: the defence is ropey and there's a distinct lack of individual match-winners.

19. Millwall
The Lions have a strong identity under Neil Harris and will relish being underdogs in almost every game. A shorter summer isn't necessarily a problem considering the core of the team has remained intact for the past two seasons. They've done some good business given their resources, and the quick turnarounds and heavy schedule might suit them.

18. Nottingham Forest
Mark Warburton has an obligation to play football a certain way, which he insists isn't a problem. However, a free-flowing expansive approach often needs time to bear fruit and that might not be a commodity he is granted under new owner Evangelos Marinakis. Another season of wild inconsistency would be no great surprise.

17. Reading
The Royals irritated the analytics community with a promotion charge on shot data that belonged in a relegation battle last season - but regression to the mean could see the nerds have the last laugh. Jaap Stam is no mug, but even he might struggle to energise his players once it becomes apparent that last year's exploits won't be repeated.

16. Bristol City
Lee Johnson can reward owner Steve Lansdown for staying patient last season with some promising development. There was a marked improvement in City's home form towards the end of last season, which could carry over into this campaign. The end result might not be much different but the journey itself should be more enjoyable.

15. Preston
Alex Neil has big boots to fill following the departure of Simon Grayson but he can only benefit from now being perceived as a big-name manager rather than the upstart who rocked up from Hamilton. North End have undoubtedly overachieved for the past two seasons and they might have to settle for a season hitting par while the Scotsman finds his bearings.

14. Hull
The Tigers are looking short of depth and quality. It's a situation that's likely to be addressed by the end of this window, but a tough pre-season has left them stretched and the next 10 months could be a prolonged game of catch-up with Leonid Slutsky never really getting on top of the strength and conditioning.

13. Leeds
Last season was an exception rather than the rule under Garry Monk, and though long-term prospects might have improved under new ownership, an influx of intriguing foreign captures might need a season to fully acclimatise. Thomas Christiansen is an unconvincing appointment too, having only ever managed in the UAE and Cyprus.

12. Birmingham
The signing of David Stockdale was a real statement of intent, yet it hasn't been followed up by the volume of new arrivals initially anticipated. Harry Redknapp will probably go on a mad trolley dash come deadline day but it's hard to imagine Blues generating the kind of consistency required for a promotion push.

11. Sunderland
Simon Grayson is a shrewd appointment under the circumstances but he has some significant fires to fight before he can begin to make headway. The January window could be vital with one eye looking towards next season. The extra resources at his disposal should enable the new man to match his achievements at Preston over the past two years.

10. Sheffield United
Chris Wilder is vowing to attack the division following promotion, much like Bournemouth did under Eddie Howe. It's a bold strategy that could see the Blades on the end of a few hidings before Christmas, although it might reap its rewards with a late flourish and a top-half finish. Either way, expect plenty of goals.

9. Cardiff
A positive mood has come flooding back to the Welsh capital, so you could argue the season has been a success already. You'd bank on an old master like Neil Warnock flirting with the promotion race at some point, but there are too many big hitters about for the Bluebirds to suddenly muscle their way into the top six.

8. Wolves
Wanderers are liable to be scintillating on occasions with a couple of young superstars in their ranks, but there's an imbalance of resources and a lack of maturity from the likes of Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota could prevent new boss Nuno from sustaining a promotion push.

7. Brentford
The wholesale changes that accompanied a new blueprint two years ago are now a distant memory, and the Bees boast an enviable level of stability that enables them to go about their business in a pressure-free manner. The last three seasons have all ended in top-10 finishes and they look better equipped now more than ever.

6. Norwich
Boss Daniel Farke has drawn inevitable comparisons with David Wagner, but his compatriot had seven months to survey the landscape before launching his project at Huddersfield. Farke has better players and might not need quite so much time, but the process might leave the Canaries with too much to do in the race for automatic promotion.

5. Derby
The Rams are strangely under the radar this season after several years crippled by the weight of expectation. They also have one of the shrewdest tacticians in the division as well. If Gary Rowett could get Birmingham into play-off contention on scant resources, he can certainly cement a top-six place on his budget at Pride Park.

4. Aston Villa
Villa have the personnel capable of mounting a title charge, but John Terry wasn't brought in for his mobility. Steve Bruce is wrestling with a weak dressing room mentality, which needs fixing. Ultimately, the cut-throat anxiety of the play-offs after 46 gruelling matches might be just the stage on which the former Chelsea skipper thrives.

3. Sheffield Wednesday
It's a make-or-break campaign for Carlos Carvalhal, and his tactics will surely be more positive than they were towards the end of last season. The Portuguese can navigate a path through early scrutiny to launch his first genuine assault on the automatic places, but once again he might come up short when it really matters.

2. Middlesbrough
Minor question marks hover around Garry Monk's ability outfox the shrewdest tacticians in the division without the guidance of former right-hand man Pep Clotet. But if he gets Boro operating like the well-oiled machine he created at Leeds, he has the quality at his disposal to blow away most teams and get close to 90 points.

1. Fulham
August is going to be a crucial month for the Cottagers. Providing the recruitment team come up with the goods and serve manager Slavisa Jokanovic with the options he requires, the Serbian can be trusted to build on last season's blistering finish and get the fluid Cottagers cruising much sooner this time around.




Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/predicted-how-championship-table-will-finish-201718#Ots6Mu9Kh24jEeEX.99

[WhiteJC]

 
fulhamfctv Update

The Club is delighted to announce that for the 2017/18 season fulhamfctv will deliver full matchday live coverage to its international supporters, providing overseas fans the opportunity to watch the Whites across many of our Sky Bet Championship fixtures.

Following the launch of the EFL's iFollow service, the Club will deliver its own live matchday experience that includes Gentleman Jim's exclusive audio commentary, alongside video coverage at home and away matches.

Due to broadcast restrictions, live video is unavailable to supporters in the United Kingdom and Ireland, however fans in these regions will still continue to be able to listen to the Club's live audio commentary for all 46 Sky Bet Championship matches, as well as cup competitions where permitted.

In line with broadcast regulations, the Club's live match streams will only be made available to international supporters at fixtures which have not been selected for televised broadcast. Additionally, all cup competitions are excluded from this service. The Club aims to provide supporters with live coverage of every fixture outside of those selected for broadcast*.

Subscription options for the new service include a monthly and annual package (available to all supporters), while international supporters can take advantage of an all-inclusive annual pass, or choose to stream fixtures on a match-by-match basis. Full details are listed below, and supporters are advised to ensure they purchase the package most suitable to their region.

At the time of publishing this information, the first available match that overseas fans can view will be our away fixture against Reading on Saturday 12th August (3pm BST). As previously stated, fixtures selected for live broadcast in the UK, and international picks, will not be available to view, with our season opener against Norwich City being one such example.

Fans can now purchase our monthly subscription ahead of Saturday's meeting with Norwich, to ensure you stay up to date with all the action through Gentleman Jim's live match commentary. All other subscription options will be available in the build-up to our second league fixture at the Madejski Stadium.

*As an example of how many fixtures this could include, during the regular 2016/17 season Fulham were shown live by Sky Sports or by an overseas broadcaster on a total of seven occasions, meaning that 39 matches would have been eligible to live stream.

Overseas fans

Fans outside of the UK and Ireland will be able to sign up for an annual subscription as of next week, priced at £120, in time for our away match at Reading. This entitles supporters to a live stream for all of our available league matches, as well as every piece of content and audio on fulhamfctv.

Whilst we will bring you as many games as possible over the course of the campaign, we are only able to show non-televised matches. Subscription to our annual international pass however will provide fans access to Gentleman Jim's audio commentary for all games.

For those fans abroad who would prefer to select specific matches on a one-off basis, a pay-per-view option will also be available soon:

- £5 per match with a fulhamfctv subscription 

- £10 per match without a fulhamfctv subscription

Upon initial launch, the Club's Matchday Live show will only be available on desktop websites. Access will be made via the Club's mobile app in due course, however, fans will still have access to our live audio commentary service via the Club's App during this time.

We advise subscribers that the live video streaming service is not available via mobile web browsers, i.e. iPhones, iPads and Android devices.

Please note that there are two requirements for watching the live streams; you must have an international bank account, and be located outside of the UK and Ireland during the game. EFL rules stipulate that both these conditions must be met in order for fans to gain access to the live stream.

International Prices

International Annual subscription

   

PPV (fulhamfctv subscribers)

   

PPV (non-subscribers)

£120

   

£5 per match

   

£10 per match


UK and Ireland subscribers
With exclusive behind-the-scenes access, player features, live audio commentary from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid and much more throughout the season, fulhamfctv is the best way to stay close to the action at Fulham Football Club.

In 17/18 we will also be showing more live PL2 matches from Motspur Park and Craven Cottage featuring the Club's Under-23s side.

Furthermore, there will be occasional features with Club legends as we catch up with some of the Fulham greats from seasons past.

Please note that from 31st August 2017, the monthly subscription cost for fulhamfctv will be £4.49, which is the minimum price the EFL allow us to offer this service. If you currently subscribe to this option, your next automatic payment after 31/08/17 will be at the new price.

Due to demand, we no longer offer a six-month package option, as fans will instead soon be able to enjoy an annual subscription, priced at just £45. Fans currently subscribed to the six-month option will have to purchase a new subscription when their current period comes to an end. 

Prices

Monthly subscription

   

12-month subscription

£4.49**

   

£45

**From 31st August 2017



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/04/fulhamfctv-update

[WhiteJC]

 
Stam Confirms Reading Interest In "Perfect Fit" Aluko

Reading coach Jaap Stam has confirmed the club's interest in Fulham forward Sone Aluko, who the former Manchester United defender describes as "the perfect fit" for the Championship club.

Aluko is one of several names linked with a switch to Madejski Stadium, but Fulham are reportedly ready to offer the 28-year-old Nigerian a fresh deal to secure his future in West London.

"If he was here he would fit in our style of play but I don't know if we can agree a deal," Stam told the Reading Chronicle.

"I know his name has been mentioned, we would be very interested in bringing a player like him in, but I don't know if it can happen.
"It's how the market is.

"Teams are paying a lot of money to get players in and because of that other teams are demanding more money.

"Players are asking for big salaries so it's difficult to get players in.

"I know we have been in talks with certain players in certain positions."

If the Nigerian is willing to leave, Fulham would demand a big transfer fee to discourage Aluko from leaving Craven Cottage.




Read more at http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/stam-confirms-reading-interest-perfect-fit-aluko/#f2oLIhMXQJOChhE2.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss not feeling the pressure as Norwich test awaits

The Whites are seen by many as a side that is expected to be finishing in at least the top six and challenging for the title

Slavisa Jokanovic knows that the Fulham faithful are hoping for promotion this season but he is not feeling any additional pressure.

The Whites are seen by many as a side that is expected to be finishing in at least the top six and challenging for the title.

Having been seen as a surprise package last season, there is now attention on what Jokanovic is doing at Craven Cottage with their season opener against Norwich on Saturday afternoon.

"Pressure is part of our life and I have pressure to be successful. I have pressure for my team to play better," he said.

"I have pressure to win the game and everything is normal. It's the same for other coaches in the Championship and around the world."


(Image: Lewis Darling)

Jokanovic may have aired his frustrations about Fulham's recruitment policy but he will certainly be happy to still have Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon at the club, while Tomas Kalas and Lucas Piazon returned to Craven Cottage from Chelsea again this season.

The Serbian added: "I'm happy the club agreed new contracts with Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon.

"I'm happy to have Tomas Kalas and Lucas Piazon back with us. We've signed some players. The transfer window is open until the end of August and we'll look to add more to our squad.

"We must be positive and believe in ourselves. We'll be pushing hard to be successful.

"The final target for half the Championship is to be promoted. It'll depend on a lot of things. We'll know at the end of the season."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-not-feeling-pressure-13434635

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West Ham among four clubs chasing Lorient striker Majeed Waris

Lorient striker Abdul Majeed Waris is attracting plenty of interest from the United Kingdom, according to a recent report.

According to a report by The Daily Mail, West Ham United are one of four clubs considering a move for Majeed Waris this summer.

Waris is also wanted by Celtic, Brighton and Hove Albion and Fulham this summer.

The former Manchester City academy player currently plays for Lorient but he may be looking for an exit after his side were relegated from Ligue 1 last season.

Playing mainly as a winger, the Ghana international scored 21 goals in 58 games for Lorient but might move on rather than stay in the second tier of French football.

The former Spartak Moscow man also plays as a striker and is renowned for his pace and strength.

If West Ham want to sign him as a winger, he could be a good addition if Sofiane Feghouli and/or Robert Snodgrass departs.

In terms of strikers, West Ham could probably do with a back-up option.

Chicharito will start for the Hammers but back-up duo Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho are injury prone.

Toni Martinez is also available up front but he is still young and inexperienced.

A second choice striker would be a handy purchase but £9m is a steep price for someone who does not have a proven track record at Premier League level.



https://westhamworld.co.uk/west-ham-among-four-clubs-chasing-lorient-striker-majeed-waris/

[WhiteJC]

 
Former Derby County manager Steve McClaren on wanting to get Chris Martin back from his Fulham loan

Martin spent the majority of the season at Craven Cottage, with McClaren failing to get him back in January


Chris Marin for Derby against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (Image: Andy Clarke)

Former Derby County manager Steve McClaren thinks Chris Martin could have made the difference between mid-table and the play-offs last season.

Martin spent the majority of last season on loan at Championship rivals Fulham.

However McClaren, who replaced Nigel Pearson following his sacking, tried to get Martin back from his loan spell in January.

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic dug his heels in over the saga and despite Martin effectively going on strike for three games, he remained at Craven Cottage.

McClaren then lost his job at Derby for a second time in March, was replaced by Gary Rowett and the Rams missed out on the play-offs.

The former Newcastle United boss insists that might not have been the case had Martin returned.

"He scores goals," McClaren told Sky Sports ahead of Derby's game at Sunderland. "He's a main focal point.

"When we played 4-3-3 your defensive midfielder is very important, but your target man is just as important.

"Chris Martin, when we had him, he was a revelation, a focal point and all the balls went up to him.

"He assists, he scores, he's a character.

"With him coming back I wish we would have got him back in January – you never know, we might have finished the season off better than we did."



http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-derby-county-manager-steve-284296

[WhiteJC]

 
Three Players to Watch: Matchday 1 vs. Norwich City
In the first installment of many this campaign, let's look at three football radars from Fulham's first opponents in the Championship.

With the 2017/18 season starting on Saturday for Fulham, they will be facing an opposition that is also looking for a return back to the Premier League in Norwich City. The Canaries will come to Craven Cottage under a new and up-and-coming manager in Daniel Farke. The 40-year old comes from Germany by way of Borussia Dortmund's reserve team. In his two seasons with that squad, plus the six years as a manager and sporting director of SV Lippstadt, Farke has developed his sides into a well-rounded force thanks to his implementation of the 4-1-4-1 formation.

While competing in the Regionalliga West division (part of Germany's fourth tier of club competition), Borussia Dortmund II only totaled 57 and 54 goals, respectively, under Farke's regime. That may not seem like a lot of goals in a 34-game campaign, but those were usually enough to put them in the top seven in the league in that category. It was Farke's defense that was why Norwich's board were keen on hiring him as his sides finished in the top two in both seasons (36 goals against in 2015/16 and a league-leading 25 goals against in 2016/17).

Back at Carrow Road, Norwich was a wonderful attacking outfit, but their shambolic defense was why they were only able to finish eighth in the Championship one season after competing in the Premier League. That has led to many changes within the club in hopes that they will be solutions to bringing the club back into the top flight. Let's take a look at three specific players to look at when watching Fulham vs. Norwich City.

Nelson Oliveira

Since Farke's system only allows for one out-and-out striker, the talk has been that the 26-year old Oliveira has been favored over the veteran Cameron Jerome. Despite receiving interest from Fulham as being a Chris Martin replacement, Jerome has had plenty of detractors throughout his career as being a man that can only do one job: score goals. Even that isn't of a high-enough caliber rate while playing for clubs looking for stability in the Premier League. In fact, the 31-year old has only racked up 0.22 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes in 10,828 minutes of Premier League play since 2009/10 while putting up 0.51 non-penalty goals per 90 in 6,057 minutes in the Championship. This is why Norwich fans are looking to Oliveira to be a much better upgrade.

But when you look at his outputs over the years, the 16-capped Portuguese international is not one to give something completely different than what Jerome brings. He gets dispossessed more than three times as much he successfully dribbles and only once has he produced above the tenth percentile in key passes.

However, 2016/17 was Oliveira's best season thanks to his 11 goals in league play and 0.64 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes. That is an elite level of production at any league, but one has to wonder if he'll be able to produce this while being in the starting XI for a full season. The most minutes Oliveira has played in a league campaign was 2,071 during his one season on-loan at Nottingham Forest in 2015/16.

Oliveira has always been known for having high shot rates (4.11 per 90 minutes last season vs. 3.93 per 90 since 2012/13) and having a high percentage of his shots go on target (43.8% last season vs. 41.5% since 2012/13), but his goal conversion rate was well out of proportion than usual (15.6% of his shots hit the back of the net in 2016/17 vs. 7.4% since 2012/13) and is seen as a continued trend with the rest of the Canaries attack last season. According to Ben Mayhew at Experimental 361, Norwich's shots resulted in an expected goal total of 68.5 in comparison to the 85 they scored.

I'm not saying Oliveira will be definitely terrible this season. He is still young enough to improve his game, but historical evidence shows that Farke will have his work cut out for him to get the best out his striker.shows that Farke will have his work cut out for him to get the best out his striker.

Wes Hoolahan

One player that can help the Canaries churning offensively is the ageless Irish attacking midfielder. There have been reports of Farke dwindling Hoolahan's playing time ala how Fulham handled Scott Parker during his final years, but to have his role in the club decimated could be quite premature.

Even while playing almost 2,500 minutes and 30 starts in league play last season, Hoolahan had career highs in successful dribbles almost bettered his career high rates in shots and key passes all while being 34 years old. He too caught the scoring bug like the rest of his Norwich colleagues (14.9% conversion rate vs. 11.2% since 2011/12), but the notion that his career is over sounds like a bit of a farce when you consider so many former Premier League mainstays that have played in the Championship until they almost turn 40 (good evening Emile Heskey).

Farke's dependence on his formation is something to watch this campaign for Hoolahan as he was best suited as a number 10 under Alex Neil. Will he be better off out wide and continue to open defenses with his dribbling and crossing (30.7% success rate last season on those type of balls) or will he have to play in the center of midfield where Hoolahan is setting career lows in defensive actions (1.54 interceptions and tackles per 90 minutes in 2016/17 vs. 2.43 per 90 since 2011/12)? Either way, I rate Hoolahan and I think it will be a mistake for Farke to not use him to his full capabilities.

Mario Vrancic

While I have mentioned two Norwich mainstays from the previous campaign, there are some new additions to the club. I could bring up Marley Watkins as he will further develop his reputation as an attacking midfielder while at a club that is demanding promotion this campaign. I could bring up Manchester City loanee and England Under-21 goalkeeper Angus Gunn along with defenders Christoph Zimmermann, Marcel Franke and ex-Cottager James Husband to see if they have what it takes to improve the backend of Norwich's XI. I could also bring up Southampton loanee Harrison Reed to see if he can do the same from a holding midfield position, but if there's one player that can determine the fate of Farke's time at Norwich, it could be the blonde Bosnian from Darmstadt.

The 28-year old Vrancic signed a three-year deal with the club after three seasons as a key player in the lower tiers of the Bundesliga. Amazingly, there was not one year where he played for a club that kept the ball at 46% or better of the time throughout the course of the season. Despite that, Vrancic was able to deliver very high rates of long-ball and key passes. Stylistically, Oliver Norwood, Jonjo Shelvey and Jamie O'Hara are types of players that are comparable to Vrancic when looking at his radar alone.

He will have to be a much better overall passer of the ball, but playing for a better club in relation to the league will be good for the Bosnian. Along with that, it seems like Vrancic's game is better suited playing further back into midfield ala Andrea Pirlo during his heyday versus bringing the ball forward like Tom Cairney does. His style of play in Farke's system and/or how he evolves for the betterment of the club will determine how successful Norwich will be. I'll certainly be fascinated to see what Vrancic's outputs look like at seasons end.




https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/8/4/16093878/three-players-to-watch-matchday-1-vs-norwich-city

[WhiteJC]

 
Slashing blade is not Daniel Farke's style at Norwich City, ahead of Fulham debut

Daniel Farke will not let emotion cloud his judgement as he prepares for a first brush with English football's gruelling Championship.

The City head coach takes an injury-ravaged squad to highly-fancied Fulham on Saturday looking to get his reign off to a positive start.

Farke left Borussia Dortmund this summer to become the Canaries' first overseas managerial appointment, but the German insists he must avoid getting caught up in the significance of the occasion.

"We are all human beings. We all feel it in our hearts. We love this game otherwise you can't do this job so I am excited but as a coach you don't perhaps have the same excitement," he said. "I am looking forward to standing on the pitch at Fulham. The players can be more emotional and passionate. You think more about perhaps the problems and the injuries and what can happen. The coach has to have solutions and think with his head. Football is always the same. I am too long in business and I have this situation before when I have joined a new club and we are looking forward to the first game with new guys and new surroundings. I am not so excited about it. For sure, it is a little bit special to have this first game in England and feel the stadium atmosphere."

Farke is well aware of his new club's wretched winless run at Craven Cottage, that stretches back to 1986, but there will be no major motivational speeches on the eve of battle.

"Normally you concentrate on the main topics and remind the players of those but you also have to reach the heart and the head," he said. "The first game they will be nervous and highly motivated so probably you have to calm them down a little bit. It is a spontaneous thing. You have to feel what they need in the moment.

"It is important not to be predictable so it will differ. I have had coaches who were there with the knife before kick-off and cut something to say, 'You have to be sharp like this knife'. I like the emotion and passion but you don't have to be too ridiculous."

Fulham rival Slavisa Jokanovic is wary of the Canaries.

"Norwich are one of the teams, like us, who want to be a Premier League team next season," he said. "They are a quality team with many important players.

"I remember the last game we played at Craven Cottage against them and the many problems that (Cameron) Jerome gave us. We must be careful about many players. We checked their pre-season, they used different styles, with three at the back, sometimes four at the back. We have an idea of what we can expect.

"It's a new coach, extra motivation for the Norwich players too, but we are motivated to play in our stadium in front of our supporters. We showed them in the past we can play good football and we want to repeat that, or be at a better level if possible."



http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/slashing-blade-is-not-daniel-farke-s-style-at-norwich-city-ahead-of-fulham-debut-1-5136250

[WhiteJC]

 
View from the opposition: Squad sticking together has kept play-off hopes high at Fulham ahead of Championship opener against Norwich City

Boxing journalist STEVE LILLIS, of BoxNation, is feeling confident that Fulham will be able to reach the play-offs in the Championship again this season – and that Norwich will as well.

Things are looking good for Fulham aren't they?

The only real spend has been on Aboubakar Kamara, the striker who came in a few days ago. The rest has been guys like Oliver Norwood who's in on loan, Ibrahima Cisse was pretty cheap, so I wouldn't say they've been spending, it's been about as much as the players who have gone out.
The team has pretty much stuck together apart from Scott Malone and Chris Martin, who's gone back to Derby and never really made any impact at Fulham, got off to a bad start with the fans. So it's pretty much as you were from last season for Saturday but I think there are one or two injury worries.

The big one has been keeping manager Slavisa Jokanovic though hasn't it?

eeping the manager was vital, there were still rumblings the other day that he's not happy, I've heard one or two things and even now I would still be surprised if he's still there at Christmas because he has nothing to do with the players that are coming in now. He still has a say on who can go, like he authorised Scott Malone leaving for Huddersfield, which was great business for Fulham, getting £5million for a player that you got on a free transfer a year earlier in a swap deal with Cardiff for Jazz Richards.
But the problem is he's got nothing to do with the incoming players and it's well known he still isn't happy with the size of the squad – and in the friendly against Wolfsburg on Saturday, he only had six substitutes and two of those were goalkeepers!

It must be a pre-season thing because we've had a bit of that at Norwich as well. City fans hate going to Fulham because it's so long since they've won there, how do Fulham fans feel about coming up against Norwich on the opening day?

I'm an old man so I can go back to Norwich losing to Fulham 4-0 in 1974 when Kevin Keelan was in goal and Duncan Forbes was the captain, so that's how far back I'm going, but I think they've won once there since. Every year you think they've got to go to Fulham and win there but you go back to the 6-0 and if you go back to last year, if Norwich were ever going to win at Fulham it was going to be last year. 
They were 2-0 up at half-time, they played fantastically, that was the best team I saw in the Championship last season for that 45 minutes. But as good as they were in the first 45 minutes, they were as bad in the second 45, Fulham got a draw and could have won the match at the end.

So who do you think will finish higher this season out of Norwich or Fulham?

I think Fulham will win on Saturday and will get in the play-offs this season. Norwich will be there or thereabouts but I think the teams you've got to look at in terms of outright promotion, you've got to look at Villa, Middlesbrough and it will be interesting to see what Wolves will do, I think they're buying players to sell on for more money with their transfer dealings there.
I think Middlesbrough will be the team to beat but, let's be honest, it's a poor division and it's not going to take a lot to get into the play-offs. You see the run that Fulham came in on from that Norwich game, when they were struggling, to get into the play-offs comfortably in the end.
I don't think it's going to take a lot for teams like Fulham or Norwich to make the play-offs this year, even though Norwich are rebuilding. I really like the look of James Husband, the left-back, when he turns up at Craven Cottage there will be some jealous Fulham fans because he was very popular when he was on loan at the club a couple of years ago



http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/view-from-the-opposition-squad-sticking-together-has-kept-play-off-hopes-high-at-fulham-ahead-of-championship-opener-against-norwich-city-1-5135161

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss insists he has full confidence in much-maligned David Button

The former Brentford man is set to start against Norwich City after Marcus Bettinelli was ruled out and Fulham fans are not keen on the stopper

Slavisa Jokanovic has insisted he has full confidence in goalkeeper David Button.

The former Brentford man is set to start against Norwich City after Marcus Bettinelli was ruled out and Fulham fans are not keen on the stopper.

Indeed, after it was revealed that Bettinelli was absent, fans reacted angrily and called for Marek Rodak, with one fan even suggesting Denis Odoi, to go between the sticks. Jokanovic, though, insisted he has every faith in Button.

The Whites boss said: "I have a fantastic relationship with David Button. I trust him and used him 40 times. Many times, he did a very good job for us.

"I am fully confident in him. When Marcus Bettinelli is available, he'll fight him for the position."


Watch out: David Button is dispossessed by Mario Gomez (Image: Harry Murphy/Getty Images)

Button has been jeered by supporters at Craven Cottage and has had an error-prone pre-season which suggests confidence is low but Jokanovic accepted some of the responsibility for those mistakes.

The Serbian added: "He is a professional football player. It's clear what I expect for a player who plays in this position.

"It's my responsibility sometimes. I put my keepers in some sort of trouble. We play a bit different and I want to start playing from the keeper.

"It's more simple to kick the ball to the strikers as it'd give him more opportunity to be comfortable in the goal.

"He has all my confidence. Sometimes, when he makes a mistake it's partly my responsibility as well.

"I used this player many times and remember many quality games that he has offered us at Craven Cottage and in away games."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-insists-full-confidence-13434616

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham v Norwich: The odds... but first some facts

Fulham v Norwich City

Craven Cottage, 3pm

Ok, before we get to the betting odds for this afternoon's game, let's bring you a few figures.

Here are the facts: City haven't won at Craven Cottage in their last 10 visits – eight in the elague, two in cup competitions. Of those games they have won eight.

The last time they won at Craven Cottage was on January 1, 1986 in the old Division Two, when a goal by Kevin Drinkell earned them the points.

Last time...

Fulham 2 Norwich City 2

(October 18, 2016)

Almost felt like a victory this given the formbook... and it should have been. City were 2-0 up at half-time thanks to two goals by Graham Dorrans – a 17th-minute penalty and a second four minutes before the break. City fans were pinching themselves, but reality bit inside 11 minutes when Stefan Johansen pulled one back in the 55th minute and then former Canary Chris Martin levelled. In a "Oops, we did it again" verdict, Alex Neil said: ""We lost concentration for 15 minutes and didn't defend well enough to absorb the pressure we were under."

So, to the game...

Referee: James Linington – Curiously, the Newport official was in charge of the 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage last season. Last time he saw the Canaries was when they beat Reading 7-1 at the back end of last season. He booked Jacob Murphy that day.

Weather forecast

Looks like a few showers will be hanging around

Betting

(SkyBet)

Fulham win: Evens

City win: 13/5

Draw: 13/5

First scorer

Fulham: Aluko, Kamara 11/2, Ayite, Woodrow, Johansen 6-1, Cairney 7-1.

City: Jerome 6-1, Oliveira 13/2, Watkins, Wildschut 8-1, Murphy 9-1.

No scorer: 12/1

Or...

2-2 draw is 12-1, Fulham to win 5-0 is 80-1, City to win 5-0 is 250-1.



http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/fulham-v-norwich-the-odds-but-first-some-facts-1-5134725

[WhiteJC]

 
How the bookmakers rate Brentford, Fulham and QPR's chances in the Championship

The new Championship season is upon us and fans are scrawling last-minute betting slips with their team's name on it, hoping their optimism pays off come May.

It promises to be one of the most competitive seasons for some time, with as many as eight teams priced up by the bookies between 5/1 and 12/1 to lift the title.

Fulham are among them, while Brentford are backed for another mid-table finish and QPR are tipped to struggle.

Comparison site Oddschecker – which lists prices from 27 different bookmakers – has provided West London Sport with the best prices for our three sides in a variety of markets.

The figures are correct as of Wednesday August 2nd, but for up-to-date odds, visit Oddschecker's Championship page.

Winner
Fulham 10/1; Brentford 25/1; QPR 150/1

Fulham are the third most-backed team in the Championship by punters with 8.4% of bets. Odds suggest the Whites have a 9.1% chance of winning the title compared to just 3.7% for Brentford. QPR are given next to no hope with odds of 150/1.

Promotion
Fulham 3/1; Brentford 7/1; QPR 28/1

Odds of 3/1 imply the bookies think the Whites have a 25% chance of promotion, while odds of 7/1 suggest the Bees have a 12.5% chance. QPR are given just a 3.4% chance.

Top six finish
Fulham 5/2; Brentford 9/2; QPR 12/1

The playoffs is probably the highest QPR can realistically aim for this season and priced at 12/1 this implies a probability of 7.7%.

Top west London club
Fulham 2/3; Brentford 9/4; QPR 15/2

The bookmakers have Fulham as the favourites to hold the bragging rights come the end of the season, giving them a probability of 60% to finish above their rivals. Brentford at 9/4 hold a 30.8% chance of upsetting the Whites while QPR are given just an 11.8% chance by bookies to be the top club in the area.

Championship top scorers (team)
Fulham 9/2; Brentford 6/1; QPR 100/1

Fulham are the favourites at 9/2 to be the highest-scoring team in the Championship, after netting an impressive 85 goals last season, the same as title-winners Newcastle. One bookie however has Brentford as the runaway favourites at an extremely short 9/4, implying a probability of 30.8% to score the most goals in the league. Once again the odds make QPR the outsiders of the three.

Championship top scorer (player)
Fulham

Aboubakar Kamara 25/1; Sone Aluko, Tom Cairney, Ryan Sessegnon, Cauley Woodrow 100/1; Floyd Ayite 125/1.

New signing Kamara is the joint eighth favourite to finish top of the pile while Ayite (pictured) is as short as 40/1 with one bookmaker.

Brentford

Neal Maupay 50/1; Sergi Canos 66/1; Jota 100/1

Young winger Maupay, who scored 11 goals in the French second tier last season, is the Bees' best hope, according to his best price of 50/1. But while you can get 100/1 on Jota, he is as short as 30/1 elsewhere.

QPR

Matt Smith 125/1; Idrissa Sylla 150/1; Jamie Mackie 275/1

None of the bookies really fancy any of Rangers' strikers to be the leading scorer this season, with Matt Smith a longer price than Fulham's Cauley Woodrow. And you would have a spectacular night out on your winnings if Jamie Mackie gets 20-plus goals this term.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/bookmakers-rate-brentford-fulham-qprs-chances-championship