Saturday Fulham Stuff (23/09/17)...

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Middlesbrough's unbeaten run to continue? FLW predicts the outcome of Fulham v Boro

After a week of entertaining Carabao Cup action, the Sky Bet Championship returns this weekend with a number of mouth-watering fixtures ahead. 

One of those sees Middlesbrough travel to London to face Fulham at Craven Cottage, a chance for two pre-season favourites to go up against each other.

Fulham have endured a testing start to the season, with Slavisa Jokanovic's side managing to pick up just 10 points from their opening eight fixtures, which has left them down in a lowly 14th.

Garry Monk's Boro have made a stronger start to the season, but have failed to set the pace in the Championship, as many thought they would, and currently sit seventh with 14 points from their opening fixtures.

Fulham head into Saturday's clash on the back of a surprising defeat to Burton Albion, which ended a three game unbeaten run.

Jokanovic will be expecting a reaction following that defeat, but will understand the mammoth task his side have ahead of them, with Boro beginning to find their feet under Monk.

The Teessiders are unbeaten in their last six fixtures across all competitions, and have picked up two victories over the last week, beating Queens Park Rangers in the Championship on Saturday, before progressing past Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

Despite Fulham's early season struggles, Boro will be wary of the threat they still pose and it is likely that Monk will tighten his side up for their trip to London.

There certainly won't be much between the two sides on Saturday.

Score Prediction: Fulham 1 – 2 Middlesbrough



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/middlesbroughs-unbeaten-run-to-continue-flw-predicts-the-outcome-of-fulham-v-boro/

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One Direction

From the joys of being a first-team regular with Liverpool, to the lows of months spent on the treatment table, the last two seasons for Sheyi Ojo have certainly provided mixed emotions.

After loan spells at Wigan Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers, the 20-year-old was handed his chance back at Liverpool, making 11 appearances in all competitions in the second half of the 2015/16 season.

But a back fracture suffered in the summer of 2016 ruled him out of action for several months, with the winger having to be content with a couple of run-outs in FA Cup ties with Plymouth Argyle last term.

In a bid to get regular first-team football again, Ojo was made available for loan by Liverpool in the summer. He plumped for the Whites ahead of several other interested parties, including clubs in the Premier League.

"After not playing last season, the main thing for me was to get a consistent opportunity to play," he explains in Saturday's official matchday programme. "In my opinion, Fulham play the best football in the division. That will only help me to develop as a player. It wasn't about playing in the Premier League, it was just about playing in a team that suits me and is heading in the right direction and I felt that was Fulham."

To read the full interview with Ojo, get your hands on the programme on Saturday.

Other highlights from the publication include:

    Slaviša Jokanović and Tom Cairney pen their latest columns
    Mark Crossley recalls his spells at Fulham and Middlesbrough
    Marcelo Djaló takes our nine-dart challenge
    Tony Gale talks us through a Fulham-related picture of him
    Duncan Jupp picks his Whites 'Dream Team'
    And Gordon Davies discusses everything FFC

Priced £3.50, the 100-page publication is available from various sellers on Stevenage Road from two hours before kick-off. Or order it online from Programme Master where you can also purchase an annual subscription and past editions.

For just £1.99, the programme is also available as a digital download on your iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, PC or Mac via Pocketmags from 1am on Saturday morning.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/september/22/ojo-programme-middlesbrough

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham v Middlesbrough

Of all the games to follow up a nervy and grim defeat up north to Burton Albion, playing recently relegated Middlesbrough, on an all-competitions five-game unbeaten streak, and with probably the best strike force in the league, is one you'd probably want to avoid.

Yet that is the task facing the Whites as they attempt to claim back-to-back home victories and kickstart the season into gear on Saturday afternoon.

There can be no doubt that this is going to be an arduous task, with Boro's side starting to find their own groove and a travelling fanbase who will be expecting to see their side bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Fulham, on the other hand, are coming off the back of not only a loss, but a dismal performance away at Burton Albion, and with talisman Tom Cairney out for an indefinite amount of time, are still coming to terms with life without their skipper.

Any team would struggle without a player of Cairney's talents, but with Fulham's intricate interplay so often coming through their No10, it is very much a case of learning how to walk again for a still undoubtedly highly-talented Fulham squad.

Boro haven't quite started in the emphatic fashion that the fans at the Riverside might have hoped, but there are serious signs that they are now starting to hit form, and the timing of the game will be a concern for Fulham.

Britt Assombalonga has 5 goals already since returning from an early season injury, and even without the injured Martin Braithwaite and Rudy Gestede, Boro have serious firepower with Patrick Bamford and Ashley Fletcher in tow.

That said, our neighbours in Shepherd's Bush put Boro under the cosh last week and scored two in scrappy fashion, so the potential to break them down and score goals is there, and if we're honest, it's going to be a case of outscoring the Teessiders rather than shutting them out, if Fulham are to take all three points.

Last 5 Championship Results:
    W: Middlesbrough 3-2 Queens Park Rangers
    D: Aston Villa 0-0 Middlesbrough
    W: Bolton Wanderers 0-3 Middlesbrough
    D: Middlesbrough 0-0 Preston North End
    L: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Middlesbrough

Fulhamish's Starting Line-Up:

We think that Rui Fonte is going to come back in, which would be a welcome sight; and he slots straight into the spearhead of our attack, to try and convert some of the chances that have been going so heavily to waste over the last few games.

The midfield three should stay the same, as we don't think that Slavisa has any real reason to bring in the physicality of Ibrahima Cisse, and the only places we feel the debates will lie is in the front three.

Sessegnon will drop back into left back, and we'd imagine that Kebano and Ayité will get the nod from the gaffer, but if it was up to us, we'd love to see Yohan Mollo out on the right hand side, allowing him to build on that excellent performance against Cardiff and the ensuing cameo versus Hull.

Key Battle:
Tim Ream v Britt Assombalonga

Fulham's American centre-half is enjoying his best spell of form in a Fulham shirt, but there's always the nagging feeling that a brilliant offensive performance could get the better of him. He looks far more assured with Tomas Kalas next to him, but this season it has been Ream who has been the standout between the two.

That said, he'll face his biggest test this year when the hulking, lightning quick Assombalonga comes to town. Scoring goals for fun in a struggling Nottingham Forest side, Assombalonga has been given a huge chance to spearhead a promotion campaign, and so far has taken that chance with both hands, banging in five goals for Boro already. When we consider that no Fulham player has more than one goal to their name, it's a big start from the No9.

Ream has experience at this level, however, and has faced Assombalonga before. If he can keep the striker in his back pocket, then Fulham's chances of winning the game will quickly become far more clear cut.

Fulhamish's Prediction:
It would be decidedly Fulhamish to lose to Burton Albion before beating league favourites Boro, so we're going to bet on it. We'll say a 3-1 Fulham win, with a late goal as Boro search for an equaliser.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2017-09-22-fulham-v-middlesbrough/

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'Middlesbrough know what they're doing, they're strong, they're favourites for promotion' - Tomas Kalas

The Czech defender made more than 40 appearances for Boro during two loan spells :: He's backing his former side for promotion this season

Tomas Kalas knows what it takes to succeed in the Championship having won promotion with Boro two seasons ago.

And as the Czech defender gets set to come up against his former side this weekend, Kalas says he once again expects to see Boro right there in the mix come May.

"They're always strong," said the 24-year-old, who is currently enjoying his second loan stint at Craven Cottage.

"They were strong two years ago. They always know what they're doing, they've always got good players and they're always going to be favourites to get promoted.

"I would agree that they've got one of the strongest squads in the league."

Kalas isn't the first and won't be the last player or boss to tip Boro this season. But while Garry Monk's side are much fancied to be challenging at the business end of the season, so too are Fulham.

After storming into the play-offs last season - before suffering semi-final disappointment against Reading - and managing to keep hold of key players in the summer, Fulham were once again expected to be one of the teams to beat.

The opening stages of the season haven't quite gone to plan, though, with the Cottagers having won just two of their eight games and languishing in the bottom half of the table.


Tomas Kalas in action for Fulham

"We need to start winning more than just one game in a row," Kalas told fulhamfc.com.

"The sooner we start doing that, the better for us.

"Then at the end of the season hopefully we won't be looking back in hindsight thinking, 'if we'd won this game or that game then things would be completely different.'

"So it will be for the best if we can begin stringing wins together as soon as possible, so let's start on Saturday."

Fulham are yet to string together two wins on the bounce this season, though did look to be finding their feet when they enjoyed a three game unbeaten run at the end of August and start of September.

That spell, though, was brought to a halt with a surprise loss at Burton last time out.

Kalas added: "It was a disappointing result, not only for us but for the fans and for everyone.

"It was kind of embarrassing because, with all respect to Burton, that's not a game we should be losing.

"We didn't get three points against one of the sides who people thought might struggle this season, so now we have to go and do it in a fixture that is probably more difficult."



http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/middlesbrough-know-what-theyre-doing-13657994

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Former Fulham and Brentford boss on the comeback trail

Former Fulham and Brentford manager Micky Adams looks set for a comeback – at the Football League's bottom side.

Adams has been offered an advisory role at Port Vale, where he was manager twice before, but is unlikely to make a return to the dugout.

The Valiants are currently propping up League Two with just one win all season, and last week sacked manager Michael Brown.

Adams could be forgiven for thinking he had walked under a few ladders or crossed the paths of a few black cats during his time in West London.

Taking over a Fulham side sitting 91 in the Football League from Ian Branfoot in 1996, he steered the club clear of relegation before leading them to promotion the following season.


Starting out: Adams in his Fulham days

However, following Mohamed Al-Fayed's takeover of Fulham, he was sacked a few months after that promotion in favour of the higher profile Kevin Keegan.

At the time, he said: "I have to say that it was probably the right decision because look where they are now. All Mr Fayed has to say is 'there's my record'. At the time getting rid of me was a harsh decision. A director at the club told me I was going to be the Alex Ferguson of Fulham. I signed a five-year contract... and four months later I was sacked."

He soon landed a job at Brentford, via a short stay with Swansea, but lightning was to strike twice at Griffin Park.

Taking over a side which has been stripped of its best players that summer, with a squad lacking in quality which Eddie May had failed to turn around, Adams injected some life back into a Brentford team hurtling towards relegation.

Despite the Bees going down on the last day of the season, it was widely acknowledged that Adams had done a decent job with the tools at his disposal.

That wasn't enough to save his skin, however, when another supposed sugar daddy zoned in on West London, with Ron Noades installing himself as manager after buying the club.

Despite those early setbacks, Adams went to carve out a successful management career with the likes of Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Leicester, Coventry and Sheffield United.

His last job in England, however, saw Adams fail to keep Tranmere in the Football League. He has since been manager of Sligo Rovers in Ireland, but quit this summer to set up his own football consultancy business.

"I see managers on TV looking tired, and then they get the sack, and three weeks later they look 10 years younger," Adams this week told the Daily Mail while looking back on his career.

"They're striving. I see in first-time managers how badly they want it. If they fail at the first attempt they're very rarely seen again. Sometimes you build that pressure in your own mind.

"I've been there. You can't sleep, you wake up, bang, and you're on it again. You're driving along, not concentrating on the roads, thinking about what you'll say and how you'll deliver it."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-fulham-brentford-boss-comeback-13658381

[WhiteJC]

 
Rui Fonte set for Fulham return

Rui Fonte could return to the Fulham starting line-up when Middlesbrough visit Craven Cottage.

The Portuguese winger has recovered from a groin injury and was a late substitute at Burton last weekend.

Skipper Tom Cairney is still struggling with a knee injury, Lucas Piazon is recovering from a broken leg and Rafa Soares is out with an ankle problem.

Defender Tomas Kalas faces the club where he spent 18 months on loan from Chelsea.

Midfielder Adam Clayton will return to the Middlesbrough squad after sitting out the Carabao Cup victory at Aston Villa in midweek through suspension.

Clayton collected his fifth booking of the campaign during Saturday's 3-2 league win over QPR but is available once again.

However, winger Adama Traore will still be missing as he completes a three-match ban following his dismissal during Boro's league trip to Villa on September 12.

Martin Braithwaite has returned to training after being sidelined since the opening day of the campaign by a hamstring problem, although the game is likely to come too soon for him, while fellow striker Rudy Gestede continues his recovery from thigh surgery.



https://www.clubcall.com/middlesbrough/rui-fonte-set-for-fulham-return-1863610.html

[WhiteJC]

 
U18s Host Brighton

The Young Whites turn their attention back to the Premier League South this weekend, hosting Brighton and Hove Albion at Motspur Park, kick off is Saturday at 11am.

Last time out Fulham put Aston Villa to the sword in a 4-0 victory in the PL Cup, with Timmy Abraham, Jose Garrido, Elias Frei and Djed Spence all getting on the score sheet for the hosts.

The Young Whites are unbeaten after five matches in all competitions this season, having only dropped points away at Swansea.

This weekend will be a real test for the Young Whites, as even though they sit second in the table, the Seagulls are only separated by goal difference in fourth spot.

Brighton, like Fulham, have also won three league matches and drawn one against Leicester City away. They also won their PL Cup match away from home at Newcastle United.

Fulham have a goal difference of eight, and Brighton four, and it will surely make for an exciting top of the table fixture.

Score updates will be provided from the Clubs twitter account @FulhamFC.




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/september/22/u18s-host-brighton

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Fulham: Them v Us

We've been looking back at the history of our games against Fulham...

    This is our third visit to Craven Cottage in 18 months, the 61st meeting in the league and 64th overall.
    The last league game there was a 2-0 win in February 2016 when Albert Adomah and Grant Leadbitter scored to secure an important win.
    We also went out of what was then the Capital One Cup at Craven Cottage in August last year. We led with an early David Nugent goal but Julien de Sart put through his own goal to take the tie to extra time, before we lost 2-1. Nugent's goal was our 100th against Fulham.
    The previous league game, in May 2015, ended in a 4-3 defeat after we conceded two penalties and finished the game with 10 men following a red card for George Friend. That game was the first time we had scored three times and lost for more than four years, since a 4-3 home defeat by Swansea in February 2011. In both games the winning goal came four minutes into injury time.
    We have won 11 of our 30 league games at Craven Cottage with three coming in last 33 years, of which the first two were in the Premier League.
    There has only been one goalless draw in the League, on the very first meeting in 1924, and there have only been two other draws, both 2-2, in 1971 and 1986.
    11 years ago we famously fielded the Premier League's only all-English squad, with 14 of the 15 from the Academy, at Craven Cottage in the last game before the UEFA Cup final.
    The 2-0 win on our last league visit in February 2016 is the last time we scored from the penalty spot in an away league game. We have only had one other away in the league since then, at QPR in April 2016, which we missed. Patrick Bamford's at Villa Park on Tuesday was the first since then.



https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/fulham-them-v-us

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Fulham star brands Burton defeat 'embarrassing' as Middlesbrough loom large

Kalas urges his team-mates to find the consistency for a promotion push

Tomas Kalas has branded Fulham's defeat at Burton Albion last week embarrassing – as the Whites bid to bounce back against Middlesbrough tomorrow.

With Fulham amongst the pre-season favourites for promotion and Burton expected to be battling the drop, a 2-1 defeat for Salvisa Jokanovic's men last weekend was most unexpected.

But Kalas is determined that Fulham will put things right this weekend against his former loan club Boro, who like them are hot tips for a promotion push this term.

"It was a disappointing result, not only for us but for the fans and for everyone," Kalas told the cluib's website. "It was kind of embarrassing because, with all respect to Burton, that's not a game we should be losing.

"We didn't get three points against one of the sides who people thought might struggle this season, so now we have to go and do it in a fixture that is probably more difficult."

Kalas was a virtual ever-present for Middlesbrough when on loan there two years ago, helping them into the Premier League, so knows just how tough the Teesiders will be to beat.


Looking to bounce back: Tomas Kalas (Image: Lewis Darling)

"They are always strong," he admitted. "They were strong two years ago. They always know what they're doing.

"They've always got good players and they're always going to be favourites to be promoted. I would agree that they've got one of the strongest squads in the league."

The Burton defeat was typical of Fulham's inconsistent start to the season, and Kalas warned his team-mates not to be looking back at the end of it wondering what could have been.

"We need to start winning more than just one game in a row," he added. "The sooner we start doing that, the better for us.

"Then at the end of the season hopefully we won't be looking back in hindsight thinking, 'if we'd won this game or that game then things would be completely different.'

"It will be for the best if we can begin stringing wins together as soon as possible, so let's start on Saturday."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-star-brands-burton-defeat-13658722

[WhiteJC]

 
Chelsea man offers injury update after suffering horrific broken leg in Fulham's clash with Leeds last month

Loan man give the fans an update on when he will be back in training

Lucas Piazon hopes to be back training with the Fulham first team before Christmas.

The Chelsea loan man suffered a horrific leg break during the 0-0 draw with Leeds United last month.

The forward had started the season in good form for the Whites, scoring in the Carabao Cup win over Wycombe Wanderers and the 1-1 draw away at Reading.

But he broke his fibula when he was on the wrong end of a tackle from Leeds' Conor Shaughnessy and looked set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The 23-year-old Brazilian has been undergoing treatment with parent club Chelsea, but was back at Craven Cottage for the club's photoshoot yesterday.

And fellow injured team-mate Tom Cairney was put in charge of the Whites' Snapchat account for the day offering fans a glimpse behind the scenes.

And Piazon was asked by Cairney to give an injury update.

Piazon says: "Five weeks," to which Cairney replies: "What until you're back?"

The Brazilian was clearly referring to how long he had been out already and continued: "Until I'm back? Ten weeks maybe. Ten weeks until I'm back."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chelsea-man-offers-injury-update-13658975

[WhiteJC]

 
Middlesbrough In Focus

Have a read of the pre-match details ahead of Fulham's meeting with Middlesbrough at Craven Cottage.
Possible opposition absentees

Martin Braithwaite – hamstring injury

Rudy Gestede – leg injury

Adama Traore – suspension
Tickets

Tickets are still available for fans to buy on General Sale. Purchase before Saturday to avoid the £5 price increase!
Weather

It will likely remain dry for the game, with temperatures at kick-off approximately 18 degrees.
He said...

"They've got a very good manager, and he sets them up in a really good way. It's a way that's going to test us for sure, and we have to be ready for that." – Garry Monk, Middlesbrough manager.
Live stream

Overseas subscribers to fulhamfctv will be able to watch a live stream of this game. Follow this link for all available packages, and head to www.fulhamfc.com/live from 2.45pm (BST) on Saturday to view.
Grosvenor Casinos match odds

Fulham: 5/4

Draw: 23/10

Middlesbrough: 43/20
Previous five results

Aston Villa 0-2 Middlesbrough (Carabao Cup)

Middlesbrough 3-2 Queens Park Rangers (Sky Bet Championship)

Aston Villa 0-0 Middlesbrough (Sky Bet Championship)

Bolton Wanderers 0-3 Middlesbrough (Sky Bet Championship)

Middlesbrough 0-0 Preston North End (Sky Bet Championship)



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/september/22/middlesbrough-in-focus

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham look at Tranmere starlet Drysdale

HITC Sport understands Fulham are looking at the Tranmere youngster.

Fulham are weighing up a move for Tranmere Rovers defender Declan Drysdale, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club.

Teenage defender Drysdale is highly-rated at Tranmere and he made his debut for the club last season in the National League, playing the full 90 minutes in a win against Maidstone.

The 17-year-old is regarded as one of the best prospects to emerge from Tranmere in recent years and his form for the club's first-team and youth sides has brought him to the attention of clubs higher up the football pyramid.

Fulham's Championship rivals Birmingham have expressed an interest in the central defender and Drysdale spent a week training with the Blues earlier this month.

Fulham have also invited Drysdale to train with them so that they can have a look at him at close quarters before deciding whether or not to pursue a deal for the youngster.

Drysdale has spent this week training with Fulham and the centre-back is understood to have impressed the club's coaching staff during his stint in West London.

Tranmere are reluctant to lose Drysdale at such a young age, but they are bracing themselves for offers from Birmingham and Fulham as well as a number of other clubs who are monitoring the player's position at Prenton Park.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/09/22/fulham-look-at-tranmere-starlet-drysdale/

[WhiteJC]

 
London Taxi Benevolent Association

Military veterans from World War Two will be at our fixture v Middlesbrough on Saturday, collecting for The London Taxi Benevolent Association For War Disabled (LTBAFWD), also known as the Taxi Charity.

The charity has links to the local community, formed at the Bedford Arms Pub in Fulham on 27 February 1948.

Its objective then was to help war veterans, in their homes and hospitals, throughout London and the home counties, by providing entertainment, outings and much needed specialised equipment.

The charity's aim now is to work for the benefit, comfort and enjoyment of military veterans, to the best of our ability.

For the annual Worthing outing, veterans are collected from all over London, including the Royal Hospital Chelsea and other Veterans' Homes, as well as those who still live in their own homes.

This amounts to over 300 ex-service men and women and over 130 taxis.

In order to fund these outings donations are made by the general public and organisations, and the charity also relies on volunteer London licensed taxi drivers to provide their taxis and time for free.

Veterans and volunteers from the Taxi Charity will be outside on Stevenage Road and inside the turnstiles at the Hammersmith and Putney ends prior to kick-off at the Middlesbrough match, to collect for this worthy cause.

Please feel free to give any spare change as you arrive at the ground on 23rd September, for more information please visit: https://www.taxicharity.org



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/september/22/london-taxi-benevolent-association

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham's growing pressure, a missing talisman and a side struggling to shake off play-off hangover

We spoke to Fulham reporter Tom Moore to get the lowdown on Boro's opponents on Saturday

Beaten in last season's play-offs, a top-six finish is the minimum aim for Fulham again this season - but the Cottagers have endured a mixed start to the campaign.

What kind of challenge will Slavisa Jokanovic's side pose tomorrow? We asked Tom Moore, of GetWestLondon, to find out more.

A play-off hangover

"There's been a bit of a hangover from the way last season ended, I think that's fair to say.

"Fulham have signed some new players but there's been a power struggle between Slavisa Jokanovic and the board over who signs off on new signings.

"It seems that the manager wanted certain players but the club thought otherwise, so that's been rumbling on behind-the-scenes.

"Losing talisman Tom Cairney through injury also hasn't helped the cause - he's the one player who can turn a game on a sixpence, and Fulham haven't got another creative spark of his quality in the squad."


Tom Cairney will be missing for Fulham against Boro

Notorious slow-starters

"In the second half of last season, Fulham were the best side in the Championship by some distance - and the expectation was that they could kick on this season.

"So there's a bit of frustration amongst the fans, but they were in a similar situation last season. They started slowly and didn't really click until the end of October.

"On this weekend last year, Fulham were beaten 4-0 at home by Bristol City and there were boos around Craven Cottage - but then the team got it together and went on a great run.

"It seems they're stuck in second gear at the moment, but a win against Boro could provide the springboard."

Key player for Saturday

"In Cairney's absence, I think Kevin McDonald takes on a big responsibility. He's the screen in front of the back four and gets them ticking.

"He's been captain in recent weeks, he has the respect of his teammates and is a big personality in the dressing room.

"So McDonald has to play well this weekend for Fulham, and so too does Ryan Sessegnon - who looks like he could become a top player."


Ryan Sessegnon in action for Fulham

Pressure on the hosts?

"There is a bit of pressure on Fulham. This is the year when their parachute payments stop, and by keeping Cairney and Sessegnon in the summer, the feeling was that Fulham were going to have a real push for promotion this season.

"So that's a factor, and the fans know it. They know this has to be the year for Fulham to get the job done, and that's why there's been an element of frustration about their start."

Possible Fulham XI (4-3-3): Button; Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Sessegnon; McDonald, Norwood, Johansen; Ojo, Ayite, Fonte.



http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulhams-growing-pressure-missing-talisman-13658688

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham fans will love the reason why Sheyi Ojo signed for the club

It was a hectic summer for Liverpool's Sheyi Ojo, who after helping England to win the U-20 World Cup, had to decide on his future.

The talented winger had featured for Jurgen Klopp in various cup games towards the end of last season, but knew he wouldn't be able to feature regularly for the star-studded Reds.

Newcastle were said to be seriously interested in acquiring him, whilst Middlesbrough were one of several clubs who wanted him to join on loan.

In the end, he opted for Fulham and made it very clear why he chose the West London club.

"In my opinion, Fulham play the best football in the division. That will only help me to develop as a player," he told the club's official site.

"It wasn't about playing in the Premier League, it was just about playing in a team that suits me and is heading in the right direction and I felt that was Fulham."

After an unsuccessful loan to Wolves last year and previous spell at Wigan, Ojo is now accustomed to life in the Championship.

The 20-year old has yet to score his first goal for the club, but will no doubt hope to do it against one of the sides that courted him this summer when Boro visit the Cottage tomorrow.

The Verdict

Sheyi Ojo is clearly a very talented player and did seem ideal for the way that Slavisa Jokanovic has his side playing.

The Cottagers fell just short last season but have added more depth to their squad now as they look to go one better.

As the season progresses, Ojo is sure to play a key role as he looks to demonstrate his quality on a much more consistent basis.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-fans-will-love-the-reason-why-sheyi-ojo-signed-for-the-club/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham v Middlesborough

SAT, 23 Sept 2017 Championship
Venue: Craven Cottage

Tom Cairney has not played for four weeks due to injury.

Fulham captain Tom Cairney is still struggling with a knee injury while defender Rafa Soares is out with an ankle problem.

Lucas Piazon is recovering from a broken leg but striker Rui Fonte could return to the starting line-up.

Middlesbrough have no new injury concerns, with Rudy Gestede the only long-term absentee.

Forward Martin Braithwaite is back in training but manager Garry Monk says the trip to Fulham could come too soon.

SAM's prediction
Home win 40%   Draw 27%   Away win 33%

SAM, the Sports Analytics Machine, is a super-computer built by @ProfIanMcHale of the University of Liverpool.

Match facts
    None of the last 10 league meetings between the teams at Craven Cottage have ended level, with Fulham winning seven and Middlesbrough three since a 2-2 draw in September 1986.
    Middlesbrough haven't won back-to-back league games at Craven Cottage since April 1958.
    Fulham haven't kept a home clean sheet in any competition in their last 17 matches at Craven Cottage, since a 2-0 win over Barnsley in January.
    In fact, none of Fulham's last 129 home league games have ended goalless, since drawing 0-0 with Aston Villa in August 2011.
    Garry Monk has led Middlesbrough to three consecutive away clean sheets (all comps) - the first time Monk has achieved this in his managerial career.
    Britt Assombalonga's only previous Football League hat-trick came against Fulham for Nottingham Forest in September 2014 - they are the only three goals he's scored against Fulham in four league appearances.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41289622

[WhiteJC]

 
"It's all coming together nicely" – Fulham summer signing delighted at club's 'trust' in him

Signed from Standard Liège in early July for just over £2m, Ibrahima Cissé is slowly but surely finding his feet at Craven Cottage, sporadicly starting for Fulham in the league and prominently featuring in the cups.

Slavisa Jokanovic appears to be easing him in to English football, a stark contrast to what he was used to in Belgium, which the player admitted in an interview with Le Soir on Friday.

Speaking to the Belgian newspaper, the defensive midfielder opened up about various topics, including why he chose Fulham and his reasons for leaving his home country.

He said: "I still need to get used to this league's rhythm that consists of, mostly, teams who have played in the Premier League. You don't have time to think on the pitch here, it goes that quickly. That's what I needed to progress".

Admitting that he chose Fulham because of its location (London), Cissé is making sure he doesn't rush anything, wanting to eventually become a key cog in Jokanovic's plans.

He continued: "Today, physically, I'm back to my best. What I need is to play four or five games in a row in order to become a regular, even if the manager has made it a habit of rotating his team.

"That time will come. I feel like they trust me here and that everything is coming together nicely".

Already wanted by Fulham back in January, the young midfielder saw a move to Craven Cottage collapse towards the end of that window, blocked by Standard Liège, which played on his mind for a while, feeling like there was a lack of respect from the Belgian side, choosing a centre-back to play in his stead.

With 10 U21 caps for Belgium under his belt, Cissé hasn't given up on playing for his country's first-team in the future, but he understands that before this happens, he will need to help Fulham return to the Premier League to get the necessary exposure.

If that doesn't happen, he has the chance of being able to fall back on playing for Guinea, who have already enquired about his availability.

First, however, it's all about breaking through at Fulham.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/coming-together-nicely-fulham-summer-signing-delighted-clubs-trust/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham to battle it out with Birmingham City for defender

Tranmere youngster has been impressing Championship duo


In demand: Declan Drysdale

He's only made one professional appearance – but Declan Drysdale could be on his way to Fulham if reports are to be believed.

The Tranmere Rovers youngster is highly rated on Birkenhead, despite his only first team action being 90 minutes against Maidstone last season.

But it's been his performances for the National League side's youth teams which have earned the 17 year old defender rave reviews.

Drysdale is believed to have spent some time training with Birmingham City at the start of this month, and he has this week spent some time training with Fulham too.

While Fulham are understood to have been impressed with the youngster, they could yet face a battle with Birmingham for his signature.

Drysdale was offered his first professional contract by Tranmere at the end of last season, following their play-off final defeat to Forest Green Rovers.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-battle-out-birmingham-city-13660517

[WhiteJC]

 
Shahid Khan: "The harvest is now growing"

Ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars' return to Wembley on Sunday aftertnoon Fulham chairman Shahid Khan appeared on Talksport's afternoon show. Whilst much of the chat was related to the Jaguars and the NFL, Khan did answer some Fulham related questions.

As ever, Khan was very measured in his responses, promoting the word 'sustainable' as often as he possibly could. There was an interesting hint towards the development of the Riverside Stand, plus he also spoke of his strategy should Fulham reach the Premier League.

When asked about Fulham's new additions he said that he's "very optimistic" about them, and when asked about last season he was pleased at how Fulham had achieved 6th place whilst still spending less than other clubs.

The interview as a whole did make it quite clear that Shahid has quite a hands-off approach with the club, instead entrusting others to make decisions with his backing rather than being involved at every level.

You can read the full transcript below:

Shahid on his strategy as chairman.
"I think you've got to have a sustainable model. For me, Fulham was there way before my time and it'll be here way after I'm gone. So what makes it sustainable shouldn't be someone's bottomless bank account. It's developing the players, the academy – huge investment in that, maintaining the category one status and the development."

"We enjoy a great location in the city, and [developing] the riverside stand so there's more money that can be invested in the squad. My approach is that I don't want to come and make a small fortune by spending a large fortune. There's been a huge amount of investment and there will be in the future, but it's something that will be sustainable."

Shahid on last season's success
It was a good season, and if you look at it financially we spent a lot less than other clubs. The whole team except two players is back, they wanted to move on and thats ok. We've added a bunch of players who strengthen the squad and I'm very optimistic.

Shahid on his strategy if Fulham are promoted
Clubs might think they're richer [by getting promoted] but with the contracts they're not going to stay rich too long. So getting spending money, getting promoted and going down is certainly not my strategy. For us we want to get promoted and have a strategy where we stay there for the long haul, and do it in a sustainable manner so it's there long after we've gone

Shahid on being involved in team selection
I have a day job, almost 30,000 full-time employees in autoparts and obviously this is a responsibility to a football club. But my model is that I want to find the best people, you want to give them the resources and you want to empower them and hold them accountable. So if I thought if I could do a better job on which formation to play or which player should be starting I should be coach. I don't think I'm helping the football club by doing that. Basically we're planting the seeds, and the harvest is now growing.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2017-09-22-shahid-khan-the-harvest-is-now-growing/

[WhiteJC]

 
Craven Cottage development: Residents and Fulham FC fans urged to have their say on new Riverside Stand

The club is looking to submit planning permission for its new stadium plans by the end of the year

Fulham FC has hired the team which drew up plans for the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium to help its Riverside Stand design at Craven Cottage.

The announcement comes ahead of public exhibitions at the stadium which will take place in October to allow fans and local residents to view the plans.

As well as better seating and facilities for fans, the club announced last week that it aims for the new stand to include "riverside pubs and restaurants, event facilities and green spaces", as well as improving the riverside walk.

Architects from Populous are currently finalising plans for the revamped stand, also drawing on their experience building the Olympic Park for London 2012 and Arsenal's Emirates stadium.

Fulham fans had their first inkling of the type of change they can expect on September 13, when the club chairman wrote in the programme ahead of their game against Hull.

Shahid Khan said: "We are a club with ambition to grow, but to grow you must protect and never damage your roots."

He has pledged that a new stand would be "iconic and beautiful", blending history and modernity.

"It won't be long before we'll be sharing some of the architectural elements and designs," he added.

Fulham FC will be consulting Hammersmith and Fulham Council about its plans, which it aims to submit before Christmas.

Once a formal application has been submitted local residents will be able to tell the council what they think about the club's plans during the formal consultation period after Christmas.

Craven Cottage currently holds 25,700, with the current riverside stand housing the VIP seats and corporate hospitality, the camera gantry and dugouts.


A drawing of the proposed new Fulham FC stadium (Image: UGC TMS)

The Stevenage Road stand opposite the riverside stand was designed by Edwardian stadium specialist Archibald Leitch and listed in the 1980s to protect it from developers.

Also listed was the famous two-storey pavilion dating from 1905 at the corner of the ground – built as an afterthought by Leitch when he realised he'd forgotten to include changing rooms in his original design.

Fulham is one of four west London clubs looking to make big changes at their home.

Earlier this year Chelsea was given planning permission for a new cathedral-style ground at Stamford Bridge , while QPR is exploring the possibility of moving to nearby Linford Christie Stadium .

Brentford has also been granted planning permission to build a new stadium .

Public exhibitions are planned at Craven Cottage for fans and residents on October 12 from 2pm to 8pm and October 14 9am to 1pm, ahead of their home game with Preston North End match.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/craven-cottage-development-residents-fulham-13662109