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Wednesday Fulham Stuff (23/08/17)...

Started by WhiteJC, August 23, 2017, 07:04:11 AM

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WhiteJC

 
Manchester United Join The Chase For This English Sensation's Signature: Can Jose Get This Done?

If reports are to be believed, Manchester United are keen on landing Fulham FC's teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon this summer, which in all probability would ensue a huge bidding war between them and Tottenham Hotspur, yet another immense admirer of the left wing-back. The Cottagers have been successful so far in keeping their most prized asset against all odds so far but things will be tougher in the last week of the transfer month.

Of course, it goes without saying that Sessegnon won't be joining United's first team just yet with Sky Sports also claiming that the Red Devils would opt to keep him at Craven Cottage on loan for one more season before calling him up next year. However, given United's recent crisis on the left defensive flank, Sessegnon could fancy having a chance to impress the gaffer ahead of his schedule.

Mourinho has deputized Daley Blind in Luke Shaw's place for now, but the Portuguese manager knows that he cannot play a centre half in left back's role throughout the gruelling season and expect things to go his way. Same goes for Tottenham, who have Ben Davies in the left wing-back's role with Danny Rose recovering from his injury since eternity, it seems. Pochettino has the reputation of bringing up young talents to the fore like Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Eric Dier and Sessegnon could well be lured by it.

The 17-year-old is versatile on the left flank and was also a part of England's Euro U19 Championship-winning side. He has since signed a professional contract with Fulham, which had seen many impediments on its way.

The Lilywhites are expected to be the preferred destination for the youngster although Spurs have ruled out claims of them tabling a £25million bid for the England U19 international last week. However, it has discouraged Liverpool in taking any steps forward as they believe his future is decided. United would keep their interest intact as they try to make a last-minute change of mind for the player following their previous success with Romelu Lukaku this summer, who was close to joining Chelsea.

Sky Sports News have also claimed that Fulham owners Shahid Khan and his son Tony, who runs the club, remain adamant on their take of not selling the teenager and wouldn't be tempted even by a £25 million bid. Sessegnon has broken into the first team this season from the underage side and manager Slavisa Jokanovic has been seen handing him regular chances now.



http://the4thofficial.net/2017/08/manchester-united-join-chase-english-sensations-signature-can-jose-get-done/

WhiteJC

 
Jose Keen – Man Utd Seriously Looking to Sign this Player

Manchester United are interested in signing a wide player before the transfer deadline ends and a new name is in the lime light in the form of Fulham defender Ryan Sessegnon.

According to Sky Sports, Jose Mourinho is a keen admirer of the teenage starlet and Manchester United are seriously interested in hiring his services.

The British source have mentioned that Spurs are keen on signing him as well but Fulham are not ready to sell him even for an offer worth 25 million pounds.

The 17-year-old left sided player was impressive for the Cottagers in the last campaign. He started 17 league games, scored 5 goals and provided 3 assists.

This season, he has so far played 5 games in all competitions for the London based club.

As per the provided Sky link, Manchester United could be willing to loan him back to Fulham for the remainder of the season to continue his progress.

Few months back, even Liverpool were heavily linked (via Mail) with the young England international.



http://soccerisma.com/2017/08/jose-keen-man-utd-seriously-looking-to-sign-this-player/

WhiteJC

 
Harrison Helps Rovers to Victory at Fulham

Fulham F.C 0-1 Bristol Rovers

Ellis Harrison fired Rovers into the third round of the Carabao Cup with a first-half strike at Craven Cottage to knock-out the Championship hosts.

Harrison's early goal was enough for Rovers to register the win, as the striker completed a fine team move with a calm and controlled finish after a perfectly directed pass from Liam Sercombe, with Harrison on the scoresheet for the first time away from the Mem since his goal at Stamford Bridge in the same round of the competition last season.

Rovers will now wait to discover who they will face in the next stage of the competition, with the draw scheduled to take place in the early hours of Thursday morning.

In the build-up to the tie, Manager Darrell Clarke made three changes to the starting XI that began Saturday's victory over Bury. In came Marc Bola, Stuart Sinclair, and Byron Moore were the trio that came into the starting XI. Bola, who was making his Rovers debut, replaced Joe Partington, reverting to right-back in a defence that included skipper Tom Lockyer, Ryan Sweeney and Lee Brown.

Up front, Tom Nichols started the encounter on the bench, as Byron Moore made his first start of the season, linking up with Ellis Harrison and leading goalscorer, Billy Bodin in the Rovers attack.

In contrast, the hosts made just the eleven changes for the tie, with 'keeper Marcus Bettinelli returning in goal and Brighton loanee, Oliver Norwood included in the starting line-up for the contest.

As the open period of the game played out, the first threat on goal manifested when a ball from Neeskens Kebano from wide out right was directed into a dangerous position in behind the Rovers defence, with the ball skidding off the greasy surface towards the far-post, where Lee Brown was on hand to usher away the danger.

The hosts looked to impose themselves early on in the game, with Aboubakar Kamara breaking down the right and readjusting his run to forge a direct path to goal, but with Tom Lockyer closing the down the forward, Kamara could only prod his toe-poke wide of the target, with the ball brushing the side netting.

Rovers broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, as a fine touch from Chris Lines found Liam Sercombe, with the midfielder sliding a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Ellis Harrison, who managed to control his run and stay onside, with the striker keeping his composure as he advanced towards goal, taking the ball around 'keeper Marcus Bettinelli and calmly slotting the ball home to put Rovers ahead.

Harrison was again involved shortly following his goal, as a deep cross from Lee Brown pitted the striker in an aerial battle with 'keeper Bettinelli, with the Fulham shot-stopper failing to claim the ball, but the referee penalised Harrison for making too much contact with the 'keeper in the air.

The organised Rovers defence frustrated the home side during the opening forty-five minutes, as Fulham were restricted to few ventures into the Rovers area and forced to launch long-range attempts on goal. Sheyi Ojo took aim from outside the area a left-footed shot that bounced across the surface and had Sam Slocombe diving to his left, but the midfielder's effort flashed wide of the post.

As half-time loomed, a long-ball from the back was taken down acrobatically by Billy Bodin, who managed to knock the ball past Adetayo Edun and advance towards goal, but slightly off-balance, the forward couldn't find the target with his right-footed attempt.

Bodin's opportunity was quickly proceeded by a well-weighted set-piece into the area by Lee Brown, with the ball pinballing around the area and eventually falling to Tom Lockyer, who forced a volley towards goal that Bettinelli had to push away with a reaction save from close-range, as Rovers headed into the break in front.

Following the interval, Fulham increased the tempo in search of the equaliser, with Neeskens Kebano looking to test Sam Slocombe from a tight angle inside the box, but the Rovers 'keeper was equal to the eventual left-footed shot from Kebano.

The Rovers back-four had to endure a long-spell off pressure from the hosts during the second-half, but stood resolute, managing to block a number of threatening shots from reaching the target. Both O'Riley and Kamara saw efforts deflected away by the Rovers defence, while there was an anxious moment as an off the ball collision between Ryan Sweeney and Kamara resulting the striker falling to the floor, with both players receiving a talking to from referee for the scuffle inside the penalty box.

On the hour mark, Bodin was replaced by Nichols, with the substitute immediately involved, as a searching ball over the top by Sercombe was aimed towards the striker, but before he could control the bouncing ball the linesman on the far-side had raised his flag for offside.

Goalscorer Harrison was replaced by Gaffney, with the forward receiving a great reception from the travelling fans. Gaffney's first touch was a delightful outside of the boot pass through to Tom Nichols, who got to the ball just ahead of the advancing Bettinelli, but couldn't quite get enough control to take the ball around the 'keeper, who had advanced well outside of the Fulham area to deal with the threat.

In the closing stages, Rovers dealt with the threat of an energetic home-side, with Fulham unable to create any late opportunities to test Sam Slocombe's goal, with Neeskens Kebano blasting a late effort over the crossbar following a break into the Rovers box.

The victory sees Rovers enter the hat for the third round draw, which takes place at 4:15am (yes, that you read that correct) on Thursday morning.

Fulham F.C: Marcus Bettineelli (GK), Neeskens Kebano, Michael Madl (C), Oliver Norwood, Sheyi Ojo, Marcelo Djaalo, Matt O'Riely, Adetayo Edun (81' Ryan Sessegnon), Steven Sessegnon, Ibrahima Cisse, Aboubakar Kamara.

Subs: David Button (GK), Denis Odoi, Kevin McDonald, Stefan Johansen, Rui Fonte, Tomas Kalas.

Rovers: Sam Slocombe, Marc Bola, Tom Lockyer (C), Ryan Sweeney, Lee Brown, Liam Sercombe, Chris Lines, Stuart Sinclair, Byron Moore (81' Ryan Broom), Ellis Harrison (66' Rory Gaffney), Billy Bodin (60' Nichols).

Subs: Alexis Andre (GK), Tom Broadbent,  Dom Telford.

Attendance: 6,243

Referee: D.Whitestone



https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2017/august/reportfulham/


WhiteJC

 
Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović was left frustrated by his side's final product in their Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Bristol Rovers.

The League One outfit defended admirably at Craven Cottage to earn a 1-0 win, meaning Fulham's run in the competition came to a premature end.

"Yes, it's disappointing," Jokanović admitted. "We didn't play a good enough game, we didn't create enough clear chances. 


"With the chances we did create, we weren't clinical enough. We wanted to progress in this competition, but we didn't do it.

"All we can do now is rest, then work hard and prepare for the challenge that's in front of us."

As he did for the First Round win at Wycombe Wanderers, Jokanović made wholesale changes to his side, but felt the XI he named was strong enough to win the match.

"I had a similar team and used similar players in the first League Cup game," he explained. "We played well in the first game.

"I used some new players, some players who needed minutes in the competition. I tested some players too. I used this night to win the game, to progress in this competition with some different players.

"This is our sixth game in 18 days, something like this. I am disappointed, I must think about this night and analyse what we didn't do well enough, and I must think about the game that's immediately in front of us."

The fixture in question is Ipswich Town away on Saturday. Mick McCarthy's men have won all four of their league outings so far, and Jokanović knows his side will need to up their game at Portman Road.

"The players must defend the Fulham crest," he stated. "This is enough motivation for them.

"We haven't started in the way we wanted, and in front of us is a chance for us to show something different and find a better level, and do everything to try and enjoy a first victory.

"We can work hard and improve our level. We know we are not at our best level and we must push hard to be closer to our best level.

"We know we can do better, and we must push harder still to do that."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/22/head-coach-reaction

WhiteJC

 
Fulham 0-1 Bristol Rovers: Slavisa Jokanovic's men shocked by League One side in EFL Cup

Fulham are out of the Carabao Cup after narrow defeat

Fulham were shocked tonight at home by League One side Bristol Rovers, who snatched a 1-0 win.

The visitors shocked Craven Cottage by taking an early lead, thanks to Ellis Harrison. The striker latched on to a superb blindside pass to race through, go around Marcus Bettinelli and slot into an empty net.

Sheyi Ojo nearly brought the Whites level instantly with an effort inches past the post.

Fulham failed to test Rovers stopper Sam Slocombe, and didn't really get into any stride either, with the visitors happy to sit back going into the break.

In fact, Oliver Norwood summed up Fulham's first half, shooting from long range first time on 37 minutes, only to see his effort go around 20 yards wide of the target.

The hosts began the second period extremely brightly, winning a succession of corners, but were up against a resolute Rovers outfit.

Against the run of play it was nearly 2-0 to the visitors, but Bettinelli rushed out to deny Tom Nichols.

Despite their pressing, Slavisa Jokanovic's men just couldn't break down the Rovers door for an equaliser.

In added on time, Aboubakar Kamara headed just wide, and in the end it was the League One side who progressed to the next round of the EFL Cup.

Fulham : Bettinelli, Steven Sessegnon, Madl (c), Djalo, Edun (Ryan Sessegnon 82), Norwood, Cisse, Kebano, Ojo, O'Riley, Kamara.

Subs Not Used : Button, Odoi, McDonald, Johansen, Fonte, Kalas.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-0-1-bristol-rovers-13515033

WhiteJC

 
Bristol Rovers stun sorry Fulham

Bristol Rovers shocked Fulham as a first-half strike by Ellis Harrison earned them a 1-0 Carabao Cup win.

The winner came after only 12 minutes, Harrison springing the offside trap after a through-ball by Liam Sercombe, rounding the returning Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli and slotting home from close range.

While the League One visitors settled down after their goal, Fulham, who gave a debut to Sheyi Ojo, their new loan signing from Liverpool, looked disjointed, and struggled in particular with their final ball.

Indeed, they had to call on Bettinelli to keep the deficit to one in the 43rd minute as he pulled off a fine point-blank save from Rovers captain Tom Lockyer.

The hosts put Rovers under more pressure in the second half, although they still lacked a cutting edge and gave visiting keeper Sam Slocombe relatively little trouble.

With the Craven Cottage crowd becoming increasingly agitated at the failure of their side to create any clear openings, Fulham brought on Ryan Sessegnon for Adetayo Edun with less than 10 minutes of the game remaining.

Neeskens Kabano had the best effort of the game for Fulham after 87 minutes when Aboubakar Kamara found him in space in the area, but managed to fire his shot just over the crossbar.

Rovers were able to see out the four minutes of additional time, despite Kamara heading wide late on.



https://www.clubcall.com/bristol-rovers/bristol-rovers-stun-sorry-fulham-1860530.html


WhiteJC

 
Bristol Rovers upset odds with win against Fulham to make Carabao Cup third round

Ellis Harrison carried on his good Carabao Cup record with a goal

Ellis Harrison scored a superb winner for Bristol Rovers in a memorable victory against Championship Fulham at Craven Cottage to put Darrell Clarke's side into the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Harrison's 13 minute strike was enough to give Rovers a 1-0 win and put them in the hat for the next round despite the Cottagers dominating the match during the second half. Rovers had started the stronger of the two sides however and their first half attacking performance saw them home thanks to a gritty display.

Rovers' winner came via a blistering counter attack, instigated by a well-timed interception from Chris Lines. The midfielder then picked out Liam Sercombe in the centre circle before he played a well threaded ball into the path of Ellis Harrison on the right.

The Rovers front man then did the rest as he sprinted 30 yards to round Cottagers keeper Marcus Bettinelli to put the ball into the empty net. The Welsh striker has now netted in both round of this year's League Cup and put in his strongest performance of the season at Craven Cottage.

Rovers also enjoyed the best chance of the match following their winner. A beautifully flighted free kick from Chris Lines found Harrison, who couldn't quite control the ball. But the rebound fell to the feet of Rovers captain Tom Lockyer who came close to making it two goals in four matches. But Bettinelli pulled of a remarkable reaction save to help his side go into the break just one goal down.

Fulham packed their side with youngsters as they made 11 changes to the side which lost in the league on Saturday. But it was Rovers' more experienced heads which read the game well and were able to put away their chances. Clarke made just three changes to the side which defeated to Bury at the weekend, and the confidence of the side was on show from the first whistle.

For much of the second half Rovers were forced to sit deep as the hosts besieged their goal from all angles. Somehow the Gas found a way to keep the Cottagers out. The fact that Sam Slocombe in the Rovers goal didn't have to perform anything more than a few routine saves is testament to the gargantuan defensive effort of those in front of him. Rovers were selfless in throwing themselves in front of every shot and doubled up on players on several occasions.

Fulham continued to play the ball wide and try to hurt Rovers will balls into the box but Tom Lockyer, Ryan Sweeney and Lines all made vital interceptions.

Despite being camped in their own half for most of the second period, Rovers still managed to create the best chance of the second half. Rory Gaffney making an instant impact as a sub with an outlandish ball with the outside of his foot into the path of Nichols. But the striker was unable to beat the onrushing Bettinelli.

The draw for the third round will see the seven Premier League teams in European competition enter the draw. It is scheduled to take place at 4.15am UK time in Beijing on Thursday morning.

Bristol Rovers: Slocombe; Brown, Lockyer, Sweeney, Bola, Sercombe, Sinclair, Lines, Bodin (Nichols 60), Moore (Broom 82), Harrison (Gaffney 68)

Subs (not used): Andre, Burn, Broadbent, Telford.

Fulham: Bettinelli, Kebano, S Sessegnon, Madl, Norwood, Djalo, O'Riley, Edun (R Sessegnon 82), Ojo, Cissé, Kamara

Subs (not used): Button, Odoi, McDonald, Johansen, Fonte, Kalas

Scorer: Harrison (13)

Attendance: 6,243

Referee: D Whitestone



http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/bristol-rovers-upset-odds-win-365976

WhiteJC

 
Slavisa Jokanovic rues lack of quality from Fulham

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic was left to rue his side's lack of quality as they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Bristol Rovers.

The League One outfit progressed through to the third round thanks to Ellis Harrison's 12th-minute strike.

The Cottagers had enough time to get back into the game but not the quality to breach Rovers' resolute defence.

Jokanovic told the club's official website: "It's disappointing. We didn't play a good enough game, we didn't create enough clear chances.

"With the chances we did create, we weren't clinical enough. We wanted to progress in this competition, but we didn't do it.

"All we can do now is rest, then work hard and prepare for the challenge that's in front of us."

For Rovers the prospect of one of the big boys in the next round is looming large and assistant Marcus Stewart was pleased with how his side won the game at Craven Cottage.

"The game plan went well. To go 1-0 quite early on helped," he told Rovers' official site.

"I thought we defended great and with the ball today it was difficult to put some passes together.

"It was one of those days where you have to win a game a different way and we did that by being resolute and getting an early goal.

"Let's not beat about the bush, they will beat a lot of Championship teams this season so to come here is great. They put out a few young lads and their bench from the weekend but the fans were on our side."



https://www.clubcall.com/bristol-rovers/slavisa-jokanovic-rues-lack-of-quality-from-fulham-1860550.html

WhiteJC


Harrison leaves Fulham running out of Gas
by Dan on August 22, 2017


August is fast becoming a month of disappointments for Slavisa Jokanovic. The Serbian coach's furrowed brow at the final whistle said it all after Ellis Harrison's first half strike proved enough for League One Bristol Rovers to send Fulham crashing out of the Carabao Cup at the second round stage – and leave the questions piling up for the Whites ahead of Saturday's trip to in-form Ipswich Town.

Harrison's timing was impeccable as this was his first Rovers goal away from the Memorial Stadium since he scored in Fulham in the same competition last season – against Chelsea. The lively forward, a menace all evening, kept his composure after collecting a clever reverse pass from the excellent Liam Sercombe to go through on goal, rounded a helpless Marcus Bettinelli and slid the simplest of finishes into an empty net. The former Exeter and Oxford skipper was clearly three yards offside when he surged onto a Chris Lines pass to continue a swift Rovers counter-attack, but the flag stayed down and the visitors profited.

This was far from a smash and grab raid from Darrell Clarke's impressive side who fully merited their victory. Billy Bodin might have made it two when he bundled past Tayo Edun and into the box but miscued his strike and captain Tom Lockyer squandered a great chance from a corner just before the break when, after a bout of pinball in the Fulham area, his powerful shot was repelled by a fine reaction save from Bettinelli, who should have been given little chance from point-blank range.

Fulham, who changed their eleven entirely after Saturday's first defeat of the campaign against Sheffield Wednesday, made little impression in the first period. The disappointing Neeskens Kebano, who did little to suggest that Jokanovic had been wrong to use him only as an impact player in the opening games of the season, sent a low cross towards the back post from a promising position but Lee Brown cleared the danger under pressure from Aboubakar Kamara, who was too often isolated up front – but also opted for intricacy instead of precision when the openings presented themselves.

The home side were restricted to hopeful efforts from distance by a disciplined and well-organised Gas defence. Liverpool loanee Sheyi Ojo sent one skidding wide from just outside the box on his Fulham debut, whilst Oliver Norwood – who laboured in a deep-lying playmaking role at the base of the midfield – saw a deflected side easily fielded by Sam Slocombe right on the stroke of half-time.

Fulham found more energy and carried a greater threat after the interval but couldn't turn their plentiful possession and pressure into more clear-cut chances. Kebano fashioned the first opening for himself, cutting inside onto his right foot from the left angle of the box, but drove a rather tame effort straight at Slocombe when he could have shot across the goalkeeper. Young Matt O'Riley and Kamara saw efforts blocked at source, whilst referee Dean Whitestone inexplicably failed to card Ryan Sweeney for raising his hands to the French forward and pushing him over inside the box after an off-the-ball scuffle.

The visitors might have made the game safe when substitute Rory Gaffney sent Tom Nichols haring through on goal with a delightful outside of the foot through ball that represented his first touch after replacing the goalscorer Harrison. Gaffney got to the ball before Bettinelli, but the Fulham goalkeeper – making his long-awaited first start of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury – made himself big and got a vital touch to the ball with his body after advancing outside the box and Nichols was eventually crowded out.

Jokanovic sent on Ryan Sessegnon for the final ten minutes as Fulham finally put the Rovers goal under some concerted pressure, but the visitors held firm. Kamara bundled his way through a host of physical challenges and through sheer persistence found Kebano in the box, but the Congolese winger's venomous shot clear the crossbar. It was Kamara who wasted the best chance at the death – sending a free header from Kebano's cross agonisingly wide of the far post in stoppage time.

FULHAM (4-3-3): Bettinelli; S. Sessegnon, Edun (R. Sessegnon 81), Madl, Djalo; Norwood, Cisse, O'Riley; Ojo, Kebano, Kamara. Subs (not used): Button, Odoi, Kalas, McDonald, R. Fonte.

BRISTOL ROVERS (4-3-3): Slocombe; Bola, Brown, Lockyer, Sweeney; Lines, Sercombe, Sinclair; Bodin (Nichols 61), Moore (Broom 81), Harrison (Gaffney 68). Subs (not used): Andre, Burn, Telford, Broadbent.

BOOKED: Gaffney, Slocombe, Sweeney.

REFEREE: Dean Whitestone

ATTENDANCE: 6,243




http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/08/harrison-leaves-fulham-running-out-of-gas/


WhiteJC

 
Man United showing strong interest in signing promising 17-year-old – report
Manchester United are showing strong interest in signing Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham this summer, say reports

Manchester United are showing strong interest in signing Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham this summer, according to reports in the British media.

Sky Sports is reporting that the Red Devils have joined Tottenham in the race to sign the 17-year-old defender from Fulham as both Premier League clubs eye defensive reinforcements.

The same story says that Tottenham remain "firmly" interested in signing Sessegnon, but the Lilywhites have been warned that it would take a huge bid to tempt Fulham into a sale.

Now, the article is also claiming that Jose Mourinho is a keen admirer of the young defender and that Manchester United are ready to rival Spurs in the race to sign the teenager.

The story also claims that Manchester United could be willing to sign Sessegnon and then immediately loan him back to Fulham for this season.

However, the article also says that Fulham do not want to sell the defender, even if a bid of as much as £25m is received.

Manchester United have signed three players so far this summer, after having tied up deals for Victor Lindelof, Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic.

The Red Devils will take on Leicester City in their next Premier League game at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.




http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2017/08/man-united-news-ryan-sessegnon-fulham-update-transfers/