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Monday Fulham Stuff (14/08/17)...

Started by WhiteJC, August 14, 2017, 07:01:42 AM

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WhiteJC

 
Who should be the midfield pair against Fulham on Tuesday for Leeds United?
Kalvin Phillips had inconsistent performance against Preston after a brilliant match against Bolton

The Fulham match on Tuesday gives Leeds fans an opportunity to determine what kind of rotation philosophy that Thomas Christiansen plans on using this season at Leeds United. Unlike in years past, where the squad was often thin at most positions, the team looks to have depth in almost all positions with the exception of central defence. With a quick turnaround in league play, Christiansen will need to decide if he's going to stick with the lineup that played in both league matches or swap the players like he did for the League Cup match in midweek.

One key area that could use rotation to keep the players fresh and involve more of the squad would be the central midfield. Eunan O'Kane was one of the better performers against Bolton Wanderers in the opening match of the season, picking up where he left off in the friendly against Oxford United. He appears to have the faith of the head coach, and looks to be one of the first names on the teamsheet, in contrast to last season when he was stapled to the bench by previous manager Garry Monk.

The other central midfield position, however, seems to be up in the air. Kalvin Phillips surprised many fans and pundits by pairing with O'Kane in both the Oxford friendly and in the game away at Bolton. Of course, with his two goal outburst, Phillips showed why the new head coach had started him ahead of Young Player of the Year last year Ronaldo Vieira and former captain Liam Bridcutt. Against Preston yesterday, however, Phillips came back down to earth a bit, and while he wasn't the worst player for Leeds, he was inconsistent and was unable to perform at the same high level as he did against Bolton.

So who will Christiansen turn to against promotion favorites Fulham? Ronaldo Vieira was absolute class in the game against Port Vale last week, and he looked good against Preston in the 30 minutes he was on the pitch. Of course, both he and Samu Saiz came on the pitch when Preston were reduced to 10 men after a red card for Ben Pearson and Leeds were searching for a winner, so it's not as if the situations were identical.

Mateusz Klich looked off the pace against Port Vale and seems to be still shaking off whatever aliment he was carrying during preseason, and with Fulham in town, it might not be the best decision to have him start and try to go the full 90 minutes. Liam Bridcutt might be the best defensive midfielder that Leeds have, so perhaps Christiansen should go with the pairing that seemed to work for so much of last season, and pair Vieira up with Bridcutt in the middle.

However, given that Fulham are currently reeling after a draw against Reading FC where they were reduced to 10 men inside of the first minute, it might be best to start a revitalized O'Kane along side Ronaldo Vieira. Both of them can pass the ball into the final third and pick out attacking players, something that will likely be needed to break down the West London side's defence. Bridcutt also should be included on the bench, as his stability and defensive prowess might be needed late in the match to preserve the points if Leeds go ahead. Phillips might be good to go on the weekend, and Klich should be given a couple extra days to find his fitness.

This is a good problem to have for the head coach, however, as having options and being able to choose from a stable of midfielders will likely help with the marathon of the Championship season. It's frustrating to see the team get stuck in the quicksand of a tough, physical game by a side that at times seemed to be looking to play rugby instead of football, but a point is still a point, and several months and 44 matches still remain on the schedule.



https://throughitalltogether.sbnation.com/2017/8/13/16139744/who-should-be-the-midfield-against-fulham-on-tuesday-for-leeds-united-ronaldo-vieira-kalvin-phillips

WhiteJC


Ream 'very proud' of Fulham's resilience
by Dan on August 13, 2017


Tim Ream felt Fulham could be 'very, very proud' of their resilience after being reduced to ten men in the first minute at Reading and still emerging with a highly creditable point.

The American centre back lost his partner at the heart of the Fulham defence when Tomas Kalas was given his marching orders by referee Simon Hooper having brought down Mo Barrow. Ream told FulhamFCTV after the final whistle that the Whites had every right to be pleased with the performance and what Slavisa Jokanovic called 'a priceless point':

    It's a bit different from last Saturday! As tough as it is to come here and get a point, to do it with ten men for 90-odd minutes is something that we can all be very, very proud of.

The former Bolton Wanderers defender also shared something of insight into the thought processes of the Fulham back four after Kalas' early dismissal.

    You can't change it. You curse to yourself a little bit and then you get on with it. There's nothing you can do. We obviously couldn't change what happened and couldn't change the decision. It was a matter of getting organised and so we had got instructions from the manager and we just moved a few guys around until they brought on Denis and, like I said, you just get on with it.

    I haven't seen a replay of it yet, so I can't say for certain one way or the other. I side inside [the dressing room] that I was maybe even with the following [Reading] player and where Tomas was at. It's one of those – he could have gone either way, couldn't he? It was such a tight angle that he could obviously have had a shot on goal, but there were two or three of us that were getting back in. You can't change it, you get on with it, whether it was or it wasn't – it's not really something that we can worry about it.

Ream felt Fulham's defensive shape and a detailed plan, put together in advance of the game by Jokanovic and his coaching staff, served the visitors well.

    We obviously came here with a plan in place. I wouldn't necessarily say it got completely thrown out the window after the first minute but we came here to do a job. Obviously every game we play we want three points and today even going down a man was no different, we felt we could have our chances. For us there was no talk of revenge, it was come out here and play the way we are capable of playing and continue what we did [against] Norwich and even before that in last year's performances.

The strong defender was also full of praise for goalscorer Lucas Piazon's contributon after the game.

    That's what Lucas brings. He brings an energy and an intensity whether he's starting games or coming on. He showed it there – he latched onto a bad backpass, toed it around a guy and coolly put into the bottom of the net. We were already very confident with the way we were playing even though we were down 1-0, but for him to put that away was huge and it just gave everyone a boost to see the game out,



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/08/ream-very-proud-of-fulhams-resilience/

WhiteJC

 
Match Report: Arsenal u18s lose 4-1 to Fulham

Arsenal's u18s made a very disappointing start to the new season losing 4-1 to Fulham.

The scoreline could have been even worse for Arsenal, as a Fulham penalty was saved by Joao Virginia, who was frequently left exposed and will be disappointed to have conceded four given the number of saves he had to make.

The game started promisingly for the Gunners, who withstood first-half pressure to take the lead, Balogun scoring after Smith-Rowe's work on the wing. Smith-Rowe was making his first appearance since signing professional terms with the Gunners, and had other chances to score in the first period.

However, after taking the lead early in the second-half, it all went wrong for the youngsters. Fulham equalised only a minute later, and Cameron Thompson then went on to score a hat-trick despite missing a penalty.

To an extent, the u18 side have some excuses for not being at full strength. Players like Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson could still turn out for the side given their age, but have spent pre-season on tour with the senior side and will likely be playing most of their games with the u23s this season.

Although this removes a large portion of the side's creativity and goal threat, it doesn't excuse the poor defensive performance on show at Motspur Park.

The u18s will be hoping for an improvement in the next game against Aston Villa, especially if they hope to repeat or better their achievement of a second-placed finish in 2016/17.

Line up:

Virginia; Clarke-Olowu-Medley-Omole; Ballard-Benson; Thompson-Burton-Smith Rowe; Balogun

Subs: Saka (for Thompson, 46), Olayinka (for Ballard, 57), Smith (for Benson, 76).
Not used: Okonkwo, Dayley-Campbell.



http://dailycannon.com/2017/08/match-report-arsenal-u18s-lose-4-1-to-fulham/


WhiteJC

 
'What a team performance' – Fulham fans react to away draw with 10 men

Fulham recovered from the staggeringly early sending off of Tomas Kalas to snatch a 1-1 draw against Reading, who knocked the Cottagers out of the Championship play offs at the semi finals last season.

It is now two 1-1 league draws in a row for Slavisa Jokanovic's side, but having been on the wrong end of a late equaliser on the opening weekend of the season when they hosted Norwich, they were only too happy to grab a point yesterday.

Despite playing pretty much the whole match with ten men, Fulham held out for around 60 minutes before Liam Kelly finally broke the deadlock.

However, the Whites found something left in the tank, and equalised eight minutes from time, when Kalas' fellow Chelsea loanee Lucas Piazon made the most of a sloppy Reading backpass, to net the equaliser against his former club.

Fulham fans on Twitter reacted with a mixture of pride in their team's battling display, grabbing a point which is astonishing in the circumstances, but also anger with the referee for a red card they want to see their side appeal.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/what-a-team-performance-fulham-fans-react-to-away-draw-with-10-men/

WhiteJC

 
'Schoolboy defending!' – Reading fans react to failure to beat ten-man Fulham

Despite playing against ten men for virtually the entire match, Reading failed to beat Fulham, whom they defeated en route to the Championship play off final last season, on Saturday afternoon, as the match finished in a 1-1 draw.

Tomas Kalas, having conceded the penalty that allowed the Royals to secure their Wembley birth last season at the Madjeski Stadium, continued his woes at the same ground, when he was sent off within the first minute of the match.

The Royals toiled in search of a goal to break the deadlock, but finally made the breakthrough on 61 minutes, when Liam Kelly put Jaap Stam's men in front.

However, a former Royal was to deny the home side all three points as Lucas Piazon slotted home a wonderful solo goal eight minutes from time.

Reading fans on Twitter reacted to the result by calling for more signings, especially in the striking department, in order to avoid the kind of profligate finishing that saw them unable to finish off the game yesterday.

Scorn was also poured on Chris Gunter, whom some fans was at fault for Piazon's late equaliser.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/schoolboy-defending-reading-fans-react-to-failure-to-beat-ten-man-fulham/

WhiteJC

 
Royals have a two points nicked by 10-men Fulham

LUCAS Piazon came off the bench to haunt his former club after a 10-man Fulham snatched a 1-1 draw against Reading  at Madejski Stadium.

The game got off to a flyer when Fulham's Tomas Kalas received his marching orders for a clumsy foul on Modou Barrow after just 30 seconds.

Royals piled on the pressure but struggled to break the deadlock despite numerous opportunities.

But their dominance finally told when Joseph Mendes found Kelly on the edge the box after 61 minutes. Kelly made no mistake from 18-yards, drilling home his third goal of the campaign.

Reading looked certain to take all three points but a lapse of concentration at the back saw Joey van den Berg gift former Royals' loanee Piazon a one-on-one, and the midfielder made no mistake from inside the box.

Stam welcomed captain Paul McShane into the starting line-up while Modou Barrow replaced Pelle Clement and Joseph Mendes came in for Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, who picked up an injury at Loftus Road.

Fulham's Sone Aluko was expected to be the centre of plenty of attention following his link with a switch to Berkshire during the summer transfer window and Cottagers' boss Slavisa Jokanovic named the Nigerian forward as his captain.

The match got off to a dramatic start when Tomas Kalas was dismissed after just 30 seconds on the clock.

Joseph Mendes had dispossessed the defender before playing Modou Barrow through on goal, but Kalas left a leg out and bought down the former Swansea City forward.

Referee Simon Hooper made no hesitation and reached straight for his back pocket, sending Kalas for an early bath.

Royals immediately gained control with some slick passing moves and had a shout for a penalty turned down in the eighth minute.

A deep cross from Evans was cut out by Cottagers' defence, sparking appeals from the crowd for a spot-kick.

Joseph Mendes almost opened the scoring after Tiago Ilori's defence-splitting pass found Chris Gunter on the right. The Welshman cut inside before delivering a floated cross to the far post, Frenchman Mendes got his head on the ball and forced a stellar save from David Button.

Some neat skill on the left saw John Swift drift past his man before squaring the ball perfectly to the on-rushing Blackett.

The former Manchester United defender's first touch was too heavy however and Royals squandered a chance to break the deadlock.

Reading continued to pile on the pressure and the visitors were pegged back deep inside their own half but Royals lacked a killer pass in the final third.

Despite scoring twice in midweek, it was Liam Kelly who missed the most gilt-edged chance of the first-half after an awful mistake at the back by Fulham. Button's pass was picked up by the onrushing midfielder who only had the goalkeeper to beat, but Kelly's effort was tame and Button cleared the ball for a corner.

Reading continued to probe and Modou Barrow found Blackett inside the box with a delicate pass after 34 minutes. Blackett took a touch and found Swift, who tried to make space for a shot, but he was boxed out of the area.

Oliver Norwood nearly returned to Madejski in style with a stunning effort from 25-yards out. The midfielder hit the ball first-time and forced a stunning fingertip save out of Vito Mannone.

A mix-up at the back then gifted Floyd Ayite with a chance to put the Cottagers ahead but skipper McShane was on hand to deal with the danger.

McShane then had his heart in his mouth when he saw his defensive header narrowly drift past Mannone's near post on the brink of half-time.

Reading almost broke the deadlock within moments of the restart when Swift produced a magnificent save by Button.

Supporters were already cheering when Swift's curling effort from the edge of the area looked destined for the top-corner, but Button produced a finger-tip stop to deny him.

Liam Kelly then charged towards the Cottagers' defence before finding Barrow on the right. Barrow's neat cross was aimed towards Mendes but Fulham managed to clear for a corner.

The visitors looked sharp on the counter-attack but Royals' defence managed to hold firm. Aluko was allowed to cut inside on his favoured left-foot but the shot was well wide of Mannone's post.

Sessegnon continued to threaten Royals' right-hand-side with his blistering pace. The youngster delivered a dangerous cross with 58 minutes played but captain McShane was on hand to cut it out.

But Royals eventually took the lead through Kelly, he scored his third goal in the space of five days.

Some neat work down the left saw Barrow play the ball to Mendes, the Frenchman laid the ball off to Kelly who crashed his shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

And Mendes should have doubled Reading's lead within seconds when Blackett's delivery fell perfectly onto his head. However, the striker's connection was poor and the ball looped out harmlessly for a goal-kick.

Kelly meanwhile was brimming with confidence and could have doubled his tally with 65 minutes played. He picked up the ball on the edge of the area and sent a curling shot towards goal but Button was able to smother.

Fellow midfielder Swift could have doubled Royals' lead when he picked up the ball unmarked at the far-post. The 21-year-old opted to turn his man instead of hitting the ball first time and allowed Fulham to clear the ball for a corner.

Royals looked certain to hold on to their first three points of the season a lapse in concentration at the back gifted Fulham the equaliser through former Royal Lucas Piazon.

The Brazilian midfielder was allowed to pounce on van den Berg's mistake and run clean through on goal before slotting the ball past Mannone.

The visiting fans were left outraged when Moore looked to have tripped Aboubakar Kamara. Referee Hooper blew his whistle for a foul but Moore escaped without punishment.

The pressure was then on Reading to restore their lead with just minutes remaining on the clock. Swift had an effort from 25-yards but the ball sailed well high of Button's goal.

Fulham supporters were incensed when Moore appeared to handle the ball inside the six-yard box. Referee Hooper deemed the former Leicester City player used his chest however and awarded the Cottagers a corner.

Pelle Clement teed up Mendes inside the box and the Frenchman went for glory with an optimistic overhead kick but snatched at the ball with seconds remaining.

Fulham seemed all too happy to sit back and defend for the seconds of the match and the game finished 1-1.

Reading face Aston Villa next on Tuesday (8pm).



http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/sport/football/football_reading/15470385.Royals_have_a_two_points_nicked_by_10_men_Fulham/


WhiteJC

 
Fulham legend admits he never really got over being denied Arsenal move

The Australian became a fans' favourite at Craven Cottage, spending five years at the club between 2008 and 2013 after spending the past 11 at Middlesbrough

Mark Schwarzer has revealed that Fulham refused to let him sign for Arsenal in 2010.

The Australian became a fans' favourite at Craven Cottage, spending five years at the club between 2008 and 2013 after spending the past 11 at Middlesbrough.

His reliability had impressed Arsene Wenger and the Gunners were keen to bring him to the Emirates Stadium in 2010.

The 44-year-old said on MOTD2 Extra: "It happened to me, when I was at Fulham there was a lot of talk about Arsenal coming in for me.

"I was adamant I wanted to go and the club just refused to let me go and it took me two or three months at least to get over it, and even then I still never really got over it."

When asked 'did you feel resentment', he jokingly replied: "Oh gosh yeah, to anyone and everyone!

"No it was the manager (Mark Hughes) and above, definitely, because they were the people who didn't let me go.

"I was 37 years old so it was a different situation [to Philippe Coutinho], and at the end of my career."

Schwarzer signed for Chelsea in 2013 and was given a replica Premier League winners' medal in 2015 before repeating the feat at Leicester City a year later.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-legend-admits-never-really-13471140

WhiteJC

 
Fulham vs Reading Match Report
My Match Report of Fulham vs Reading.


First Half:

We got off to a dreadful start, with Kalas being shown a straight red card for taking down the last attacker. Later replays would show that perhaps Ream was behind Kalas, and a red was incorrect. Because of the red card, Kebano came off for Dennis Odoi, whop played as a makeshift center back the whole game. Reading had two quickfire chances in the 11th and 12th minutes, but Button was on call for the first, and the second went over the bar. After that, there was an injury scare for Fulham as David Button went down, but he was back up and able to continue. Through the next 8 minutes, Reading continued to press Fulham, and we were unable to keep the ball. Norwood sold David Button short and Kelly looked to give Reading an advantage, but Button saved his effort. McShane and Johansen were involved in a scuffle, but both were given a verbal warning. Norwood then went close for Fulham on the counter with a beautiful curling effort that was tipped over the bar by Mannone. Illori should have been booked for multiple fouls as Fulham looked to break, but all he gets is a talking to. Fulham had a good spell which culminated in a corner, but no true chance, and the referee blew for halftime.

Halftime Thoughts:

Good resistance shown by the Fuham team, as we had defended very well, and Reading have had few good chances. Kalas's sending off was questionable, but it is another case of us getting into trouble trying to pass it out from the back. In my opinion, I would have liked to see Kamara go up top alone, as I think his work rate could be very beneficial.

Second Half:

Piazon had a good chance in the early stages, after he had come on to replace Ayite due to injury, but his backheel, intended for Sessegnon, was cut out. Evans came off for Van den Berg in the 56th minute, and the substitute really gave Reading a boost. Kelly gave Reading the lead with a nicely struck shot after some hold up play by Mendes. Nothing David Button could have done would have kept his sweetly struck shot out of the net. Fairly pedestrian play for the next 8 minutes as no team was close to scoring. Illori and and Liam Moore were both booked in quick succession for cynical fouls as Fulham looked to break. Illori was removed and Pelle Clement came on. Later, John Swift went into the book for a cynical challenge again as we looked to counter. Aluko carried the ball past Clement, but we were unable to get any sort of chance from that. Kamara came on for Johansen as Jokanovic looked to get something from the game. Fulham had been looking better after Kamara came on, and Fredericks was getting into the game more. Lucas Piazon leveled the game after a mistake at the back from Reading. Gunter let the ball get away from him and Piazon was there to sprint onto the loose ball and slot it home. piazon was ecstatic to have scored, and let the Reading fans know. Kamara was sent through by Norwood, and Moore brought him down, but by some miracle, the referee didn't give Moore a second yellow and send him off. Norwood had a fantastic block to deny Liam Kelly, and Swift then put an effort over the bar. Furthermore, McDonald had a chance to take the lead but Moore came flying across and blocked it. The referee was absolutely woeful, a minute later, Kamara went into the book for exactly what Moore had done to him seconds earlier. The referee blew the final whistle, giving a good point to Fulham.

Three Points from the Match.


    A Top Class Performance by the Defense: Tim Ream was a wall in defense today earning my man of the match. But if the man of the match could be given to multiple players, I would give it to the whole back line, Kevin McDonald, and Oliver Norwood. All players contributed hugely to the effort, but Tim Ream stuck out as our best player.
    A Testament to our Quality: Through the whole game, we were never completely out of it, and continued to try to play our game. Although it did not give us our goal, as the game wound down, we looked to be passing the ball about very well for a side with 10 men. If someone were to have scored in the final minutes after Piazon, I would bet it would have been Fulham.
    Piazon Loves Fulham: Piazon's eccentric celebration after delivering us the goal that secured a well earned draw, showed his passion for the club. Hopefully Ayite's injury isn't to serious, but if it is, Piazon looks able to slot right into the squad. His goal should give the whole squad a lift as we head into the game against Leeds on Tuesday.




https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/8/13/16138152/fulham-vs-reading-match-report

WhiteJC


Ream's resolution reflects his remarkable transformation
by Dan on August 13, 2017


The biggest compliment you can pay Tim Ream is that Fulham fans are now sweating over who will partner him at Elland Road on Tuesday night. The American centre back, a thinker about the game and one of the more cerebral voices in the dressing room, would freely acknowledge that he didn't have the smoothest of starts to life at Craven Cottage but his assured displays now make him an indispensable member of Slavisa Jokanovic's back four. Ream was outstanding in the second half of last season but nothing encapsulated the transformation in his own fortunes better than his peerless performance as the organiser of the back line at Reading on Saturday.

With confidence on the ball and an excellent reading of the game, Ream's attributes fitted seamlessly into the play-it-from-the-back style that Jokanovic wanted his Fulham side to play. But it wasn't until he built on an impressive pre-season with a run of games alongside Tomas Kalas that he became a figure that the Serbian head coach could count on. In many ways, Ream – with a confidence on the ball and as a naturally left-sided centre halve – was an obvious fit from the beginning but after playing alongside a plethora of partners during his early months at the club, as well as filling in at full back, it was understandable that the demands of a new system, with its punishing high tempo and extra demands on ball-playing centre backs, seemed to weigh heavy on his shoulders.

That is no longer the case. Fulham fans were treated to the sort of consistency that made him a firm favourite at Bolton Wanderers and a regular face in the American national squad for more than seven seasons. As a largely unflappable individual, Ream is just who you want at a high pressure moment, such as when Kalas was gone in thirty seconds at the Madjeski Stadium yesterday. His reaction to FulhamFCTV afterwards – 'there's nothing you can do ... you just curse at yourself for a moment, and then get organised' – was the perfect summary of a man who has always prepared himself for his next challenge ahead of them.

The word from inside Motspur Park was that Ream was deeply frustrated with his indifferent start to his Fulham career and sought out Jokanovic in the summer of 2016 to understand what he needed to do to improve. Ream's lack of recovery speed – something which the new breed of centre back is supposed to have in abundance – sometimes means he can get punished for getting too tight to a nippy forward, but his positioning was spot on when he was called upon after Christmas. Such was the quality of his appearances alongside Kalas that many Fulham fans almost forgot about Ragnar Sigurdsson during the run-in.

Ream's levels have only gone up during the embryonic stages of this campaign. He was outstanding at the Madjeski Stadium, even ready to sprint back towards goal as Kalas went to ground in that now infamous incident. Ream's innate composure would have had a lot to do with the way Denis Odoi slotted in almost effortlessly alongside him – and his attention to detail meant Joseph Mendes and Mo Barrow barely had another sight of goal in the entire first half. The 29 year-old used all of his experience and great spring to head away countless crosses and bravely blocked two shots that looked like they might have beaten David Button.

Ream has that quality that also marks out first-class defenders. Like Aaron Hughes, an equally unheralded member of an excellent Fulham back four, he loathes committing himself to a challenge. Going to ground is a move of last resort and he relies on an excellent football brain to get himself in the best possible position to retrieve possession for his team. The St. Louis native only went into a single tackle against the Royals, which is remarkable given all the pressure ten-man Fulham were under for 99 minutes, and emerged victorious. A sign of his emerging confidence was a mazy dribble to give his forwards something to work with that actually launched a very promising counter-attack.

Ream was constantly talking to his team-mates, coaxing Ryan Sessegnon through another demanding game at left back and you could see the teenager's confidence surging in the second half as he utilised his exceptional engine to great effect, appearing several times as an auxilliary left winger. Ream was happy to drift out the Reading right wing channel to offer cover and slot back into his natural position as and when the reinforcements shifted across. At a time during the second half when the visitors appeared camped in their own half, it was Ream who was headed the ball away from danger and bringing the defensive line up. Ream's was a performance etched in professionalism and delivered in his understated manner that, in another striking similarity to Hughes, means many may miss the pivotal nature of his contributions.

Ream's renaissance at the heart of a much-improved Fulham defence had a lot to do with their sensational run into the top six at the back end of last season and, over the course of a truly searching examination yesterday, the Fulham number thirteen didn't put a foot wrong. He'll face another battle against Chris Wood at Leeds in midweek – but the prospect won't faze him. Indeed, Ream will relish the contest. That's just the type of fierce competitor he is.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/08/reams-resolution-reflects-his-remarkable-transformation/


WhiteJC

 
Who Is This £9million Former Arsenal Forward That Fulham Are Chasing? – Here's Everything You Need To Know


Scout Report – Rui Fonte
Fulham are still chasing a striker and may well have given up on self-important Diego Rolan, quite rightly in my view. They have however been told to stump up £9million for Braga man Rui Fonte, who is the latest subject of their overtures and here is what we know about the Portuguese forward to date.

History
Born in Penafiel, Portugal, Fonte started his youth football career back in 1998 at Sacavenense before being picked up by Sporting Lisbon.

An impressive 7 years with the Portuguese giants brought him to the attention of English Premier League side Arsenal, where he landed in 2006, though he never managed a first team appearance. He was given 10 first team games by Crystal Palace though while on loan, without scoring a goal.

Having returned to Portugal with Sporting, he was sent out on loan once again, this time to Vitoria Setubal but once more, he did not score and failed to truly establish himself. He had more success in Spain with Espanyol's B team, netting 8 times in 22 games but he could not replicate that in their first team as he yet again drew a blank in an 11-game spell in 2010/11.

Two years spent at the Catalan club resulted in just one goal in the league before a free transfer back to Portugal beckoned, with Fonte signing for Benfica and joining up with their B team.

Although still a slow-burner, things are going much better now and Fonte finally planted his flag last term playing for Braga, scoring 14 goals in 31 domestic games for the club and seeing his transfer value suddenly sky rocket.

Style Of Play
Fonte is tall and rangy but does not always need to play in an out-and-out number nine position. He can play just as comfortably as a second striker but now that he has found his goal touch it would be no surprise to see him want to play as a centre-forward more often.

A decent finisher, Fonte has now matured and does not need so many chances to score a goal, though Fulham's open, attacking style would suit him down to the ground.

Fonte's Future
He is 27 now and doesn't have more than four or five years of top class football ahead of him, though he is one who can take advantage, now that he has finally matured into a rounded footballer. A big money move is surely there for him. If that move is to Fulham, he would probably jump at the chance to go.




http://soccersouls.com/2017/08/14/who-is-this-9million-former-arsenal-forward-that-fulham-are-chasing-heres-everything-you-need-to-know/

WhiteJC

 
Reading 1 Fulham 1: Lucas Piazon insists point was deserved

LUCAS PIAZON reckoned ten-man Fulham deserved their unlikely looking point at Reading.


Lucas Piazon thinks Fulham deserved their point against Reading

Tomas Kalas saw red after just thirty one seconds, for a professional foul on Modou Barrow.

Bit Fulham's defence was all at sea after Liam Kelly struck before sub Piazon levelled late on.

With Fulham fans celebrating their draw almost like a win, the Brazilian said: "Sometimes ten minutes is difficult with ten men, so it was very tough.

"The boys fought very hard, to take one point home is a positive.

"We knew to defend for ninety minutes if we were 1-0 down would be tough, we knew at some point they would get chances.

"I was on the pitch for about 25-30 minutes so I think I had a little bit more legs than everyone else.

"I was just trying to push a little bit higher up the pitch, and tried to get the ball as we were 1-0 down."

Reading looked to be on their way to victory after Kelly fired past David Button.

But they failed to kill the game off and let Fulham back in with Piazon's goal.

Despite seeing their team start slowly, Reading fans have already warmed to Gambian Barrow.

The 24-year old forward joined this month from Swansea on a four year deal.

And he said: "Kalas was pulling me as well, I stole the ball so it was going to be like one against one with the keeper, but he held my shirt and kicked me.

"We felt like we had control of the game, we had a couple of chances to kill the game as well."



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/637079/Lucas-Piazon-Fulham-Reading-Championship