Friday Fulham Stuff (22/09/17)...

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Button: Let's play our way
by Dan on September 29, 2017

David Button has urged his Fulham team-mates to stick to Slavisa Jokanovic's footballing philosophy during tonight's west London derby with QPR.

The Fulham goalkeeper admits that the Loftus Road fixture is a special one and believes that Ian Holloway's side will be more physical and direct than Nottingham Forest were on Tuesday, for example, especially with former Fulham striker Matt Smith in their side. Button believes that the key to victory is continuing to play Fulham's own brand of football – even in the combative surroundings of a local derby.

Button told GetWestLondon's Ryan O'Donovan:

    This is one we're really looking forward to, night games and derbies are always special games and hopefully we can make it one to remember.

    We know about them, they'll be more physical and direct than Forest were so it's just making sure we stand up to them but also play our own game, which is getting the ball on the floor – we don't want to get drawn into playing their style of football. Hopefully we can do that and we can come out on top tonight.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/09/button-lets-play-our-way/

[WhiteJC]

 
QPR In Focus

Ahead of Friday night's West London derby, have a read of all the crucial pre-match information in our preview.

Possible opposition absentees

Jordan Cousins – hamstring injury

Nedum Onuoha – hamstring injury

Grant Hall – tendonitis

James Perch – knee injury
Tickets

Fans can only purchase tickets up until 3pm today, with NO TICKETS available to purchase on the gate.
Weather

It should be dry in West London for the game, with temperatures of around 16 degrees.
He said...

"I think they play a marvellous way and I really like their Manager. The job he has done for them has been nothing short of sensational." – Ian Holloway, QPR manager.
Live stream

As the match has been chosen for live broadcast on Sky Sports, no live stream will be available on fulhamfc.com.
Grosvenor Casinos match odds

QPR: 11/5

Draw: 49/20

Fulham: 23/20
Previous five results

Barnsley 1-1 QPR (Sky Bet Championship)

QPR 0-0 Burton Albion (Sky Bet Championship)

Middlesbrough 3-2 QPR (Sky Bet Championship)

QPR 2-2 Millwall (Sky Bet Championship)

QPR 2-1 Ipswich Town (Sky Bet Championship)
Security update

Following the recent terrorist incidents, supporters are requested to arrive at Loftus Road as early as possible. This will allow the required time for additional searches and security measures to gain entry into the ground to take place, which are likely to lengthen queuing times. All fans are also reminded, where possible, to avoid bringing bags. The terror threat remains at severe and this reminder follows the advice to all venues.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/september/29/qpr-in-focus

[WhiteJC]

 
QPR vs Fulham: Aboubakar Kamara is a doubt while Floyd Ayite misses out - who makes your starting XI?

Kamara faces a late fitness test while Floyd Ayite will miss out through injury - so who gets your nod for tonight's starting XI?

Fulham travel to Loftus Road to take on QPR in a west London derby under the lights, but who makes your starting XI?

Floyd Ayite missed the midweek win over Nottingham Forest through injury and he is set to miss out again tonight, while Aboubakar Kamara will face a late fitness test after picking up a knock late on in Nottingham.

Slavisa Jokanovic changed things round on Tuesday evening, playing both Kamara and Rui Fonte, with Stefan Johansen and Kevin McDonald sitting deeper, while Ryan Sessegnon, Sheyi Ojo and Fonte played in a further forward role - would you plump for the same formation this evening?



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/qpr-vs-fulham-aboubakar-kamara-13691581

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QPR's Sylla passed fit for Fulham game

QPR striker Idrissa Sylla has been passed fit for Friday's game against Fulham.

Sylla was unavailable for the midweek draw at Barnsley after failing to recover from a knee problem in time.

But he has since resumed training and been given the green light to rejoin the squad for the derby at Loftus Road, where Steven Caulker could retain his place in the starting line-up.

Caulker returned to the side against Barnsley and boss Ian Holloway has suggested the defender could feature again on Friday, although the fit-again Joel Lynch is also an option.

Meanwhile, Fulham striker Aboubakar Kamara is a doubt for the game against the R's.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/qpr-man-passed-fit-fulham-game

[WhiteJC]

 
QPR vs Fulham: Conor Washington relishes 'big games' for club and country

Conor Washington has a big week ahead of him. The 25-year-old is in line to start for QPR in their west London derby against Fulham at Loftus Road tonight and will then join up with Northern Ireland for the small matter of a World Cup qualifier against Germany next Thursday.

For Washington, the next six days serve as a reminder of the remarkable rise he has experienced, from playing in non-League for St Ives Town just five years ago.

"Hopefully, it will be a nice, convincing win tonight, with a couple of goals, and then a positive result against Germany - and I can even nick a winner," says the forward, who rose through the leagues with Newport County and Peterborough before joining QPR last January.

"Playing in these big games is something you relish. Sometimes, with games of this magnitude, you have to pinch yourself and realise how far you have come. But I feel like I deserve to be here, off my own ability and the things I have done."

Before that Germany game, though, Washington is focused on Fulham.

The forward says QPR are "looking to right a few wrongs" after some poor results against their west London neighbours Fulham and Brentford in Friday-night fixtures in recent years.

In the past two seasons, Rangers have played three times on a Friday and lost three times - 4-0 to Fulham and 1-0 and 2-0 to Brentford - in front of the television cameras.

"Historically, we have not done well in the London derbies on television and have not given a great account of ourselves," he says.

"We are looking to right a few wrongs and we feel like the way we are playing we can definitely do that. These fixtures mean a lot to the fans and the players."

Northern Ireland have secured a play-off spot for the World Cup, and Washington is targeting a place at next summer's Finals in Russia. Michael O'Neill's side face the world champions at Windsor Park before rounding off their group games against Norway on Sunday week.

Washington has not scored since the opening day of the season, and he sees tonight and next week as the perfect time to get back among the goals.

"I have gone through periods like this before and it is something I am trying to address," he says.

"I just take every day as it comes and feel proud to be doing what I am doing."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/qpr-vs-fulham-conor-washington-relishes-big-games-for-club-and-country-a3646731.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fredericks: Ready For The Fight

Ryan Fredericks has been at Fulham long enough to know what victory over Queens Park Rangers means.

The right-back has never been on the losing side for the Whites when we've faced our W12 rivals, a run he expects to keep going on Friday night.

"We go and win at QPR and it's seven points in seven days, so that's what we're aiming for and we're confident we can go and get it," he told fulhamfc.com.

"It means a lot to everyone. You always want to get the bragging rights over your local rivals.

"Everyone looks forward to derbies and it's even better when it's a night game under the lights. Their place will be rocking as we're taking a lot of fans. Hopefully we can get a result for them, we're more than ready."

Recent encounters with the Hoops have seen them try to disrupt Fulham's flow throughout the game, but Fredericks insists his side are ready for any battles that come their way.

"We don't mind that, we've got some combative players," he said. "It could be an aggressive game but we're more than ready for the fight.

"Obviously we know what they're about. They're a bit more direct than we are, they've got big Matty Smith up front and we know what a threat he can be. They play to their strengths, they're aggressive, and it's going to be a tough game."

Fulham go into the televised fixture on the back of a 3-1 win in Nottingham in midweek.

Fredericks was in good form against Forest, embarking on an incredible dribble that led to the free-kick from which Stefan Johansen scored the crucial third goal of the game.

"It was a good little run for the goal and Stefan put it away nicely," Fredericks said when pressed on his impact in the match.

"It was tough in the first half, we didn't get much of the ball so we were under the cosh, but second half we had a bit more licence to go forward.

"Obviously the result's the main thing that matters. We weren't at our best on Tuesday but we came away with a deserved win."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/september/29/fredericks-ready-for-the-fight

[WhiteJC]

Fredericks raring to go
by Dan on September 29, 2017

Ryan Fredericks says Fulham are 'ready for the fight' at Loftus Road tonight as Fulham aim to collect seven points in a week by beating QPR this evening.

The Fulham full-back, fresh from a rampaging run from right back that turned a tight contest at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night, knows just how important a victory in the west London derby is to the fans. Fredericks told the club's official website:

We go and win at QPR and it's seven points in seven days, so that's what we're aiming for and we're confident we can go and get it. It means a lot to everyone. You always want to get the bragging rights over your local rivals.

Everyone looks forward to derbies and it's even better when it's a night game under the lights. Their place will be rocking as we're taking a lot of fans. Hopefully we can get a result for them, we're more than ready.

Fredericks knows that Ian Holloway's QPR might pose more of a physical test that some of Fulham's previous opponents but believes the Whites are more than prepared for a more robust encounter.

We don't mind that, we've got some combative players. It could be an aggressive game but we're more than ready for the fight. Obviously we know what they're about. They're a bit more direct than we are, they've got big Matty Smith up front and we know what a threat he can be. They play to their strengths, they're aggressive, and it's going to be a tough game.

The former Tottenham trainee was rather modest about his match-changing contribution at the City Ground, when he stormed deep into Forest territory and won a free-kick that Stefan Johansen converted to put Slavisa Jokanovic's side in front at a crucial point in the game.

It was a good little run for the goal and Stefan [Johansen] put it away nicely. It was tough in the first half, we didn't get much of the ball so we were under the cosh, but second half we had a bit more licence to go forward. Obviously the result's the main thing that matters. We weren't at our best on Tuesday but we came away with a deserved win.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/09/fredericks-raring-to-go/

[WhiteJC]

 
Midfield battle will be crucial – Holloway

Ian Holloway has told QPR's website he believes the midfield battle will be crucial in tonight's derby against Fulham.

Rangers have performed better than many expected this season and the midfield trio of Luke Freeman, Massimo Luongo and summer signing Josh Scowen has been a success so far.

And R's boss Holloway said: "Through their midfield area they are as good as anyone in the division but I'm very pleased with our midfield areas as well.

"That's why I am so excited about this game. Games are won and lost with your strikers and with clinical finishing, but really it's in that engine room.

"We are going to need to be at our best but, if we are, I believe a win against this lot could start a little fire again for us."

Idrissa Sylla has been passed fit to rejoin the Rangers squad after missing the draw at Barnsley in midweek with a knee problem.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/sport/holloway-thinks-qpr-fulham-derby-might-decided

[WhiteJC]

It's a big London derby tonight: But which team's actually bigger, QPR or Fulham?

There's a couple of interesting derbies this weekend in the Championship and that begins with a London one as QPR and Fulham meet at Loftus Road tonight.

Indeed, there's also Sheffield Wednesday against Leeds to look forward to this weekend as they face off on Sunday afternoon but tonight is where our focus is at the moment.

And, with both sides looking as though they could be potential play-off candidates this season, we're expecting a typically competitive game between two sides vying for local pride.

With the R's at home, then, you might expect them to be the favourites but Fulham are coming off the back of a fine win against Nottingham Forest and so Slavisa Jokanovic's men will surely fancy a victory of their own.

It should, then, be a good game to watch and whilst we wait for kick-off we've been wondering, here at Football League World, about who might just be the bigger side of the two.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/its-a-big-london-derby-tonight-but-which-teams-actually-bigger-qpr-or-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Up next: QPR (a)
by Dan on September 29, 2017

Tonight's west London derby is an intriguing tussle between two sides desperate, not only for bragging rights, but for a route out of the Championship. Ian Holloway's return to Loftus Road has breathed new life into QPR, who started the season splendidly, and there is a new belief about Rangers – as evidenced by Luke Freeman's blistering late leveller at Barnsley in midweek. They are playing far more football than many expected ahead of Holloway's second coming and the manager will ensure that his players won't lack for motivation this evening. Fulham might have ground out a gutsy win at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday but Slavisa Jokanovic's side have struggled for consistency and fluency in what has been a disappointing opening to the campaign – something they will badly won to put right in Shepherd's Bush tonight.

Rangers boast their best home record since December 2015. They are unbeaten in their last six fixtures at Loftus Road, winning four of them, and Holloway seems to have hit upon a formula that has surprised plenty of Championship sides already this term. The 4-3-2-1 system has given Freeman, outstanding over the last three seasons with Bristol City, the freedom to influence games either as or as a meandering number ten, assured of the quality of Josh Scowen, who looks like one of the bargains of the summer having arrived on a free transfer from Barnsley, and the combative Massimo Luongo, operating behind him. Whether it is Conor Washington, Fulham old boy Matt Smith, Idrissa Sylla – scorer of the winner at the Cottage last term – or Jamie Mackie who leads the line, Rangers will pose a real threat going forwards and the Whites have been more than prone to conceding sloppy goals so far this season.

Holloway's side have real dynamism in the wide areas, as well. Mackie can operate on either flank, whilst Pawel Wszolek, former Blackpool wide man Bright Osayi-Samuel, and the impressive David Wheeler, recruited from Exeter during the last transfer window, all have the ability to both find the net and provide accurate crosses. When you consider that Jake Bidwell, youth product Darnell Furlong and Alex Baptiste all like to venture forward as well, there's more than enough attacking outlets to demand Fulham's concentration. Holloway might hand Jordan Cousins a first start of the season after he came through a reserve outing on Monday, whilst Steven Caulker continued his heartwarming return from mental health problems with a composed display at Oakwell.

Cliche dictates that the formbook goes out of the window in on derby night, but there's little to choose between these two sides six weeks into the new season, in any case. Fulham's win at the City Ground inched them above their neighbours but, more than ever this season, this is a league where anybody can beat anyone else. Coming away from Loftus Road with all three points this evening will require a defensive solidity and fluency in Fulham's football that was lacking for much of the first half in Nottingham – and Slavisa Jokanovic will know that he won't be able to count on QPR being as profligate in front of goal as Mark Warburton's men were.

The fact that Aboubakar Kamara, who turned in an electric performance on Trentside, has to have his hamstring complaint assessed prior to kick-off poses a selection conundrum for the Serbian head coach. The French forward has scored two in two and hassled and harried experienced centre halves throughout Tuesday's encounter, but his deployment as a lone striker pushed the peerless Rui Fonte onto the periphery. Too often the Portuguese striker, who showed his predatory instincts with that fine finish at Ipswich last month, was too far from the opposition's penalty area to hurt Forest – and Fulham can't afford to have one of their best finishers linking the play in midfield when chances could be at a premium.

Jokanovic's bold sacrificing of a central midfielder to field both of his big-money forwards did cede the initiative to Forest to begin with on Tuesday, but the hosts were unable to make their possession count. Fulham's foothold in the contest grew stronger when Ollie Norwood was introduced after half-time – and it would be a real gamble to switch away from the established 4-3-3 for a second game in succession. That would mean a tough decision about who to deploy in the wide areas, especially after Neeskens Kebano and Yohan Mollo came off the bench to excellent effect at the City Ground. Sheyi Ojo's pace and power could be pivotal during a derby – but has the Liverpool loanee done enough to retain his place for this fixture?

Fulham haven't gone three games without a win against QPR since May 1983, when a 3-1 win for Terry Venables' side secured the Second Division title for Rangers. After some pathetic penalty taking and a more than generous backpass from Kevin McDonald last term, that winless streak could be matched tonight in W12. After stumbling at Burton and folding badly against Middlesbrough, Jokanovic will not want to see Tuesday's step forward followed by two steps back at Loftus Road.

MY FULHAM XI (4-3-3): Button; Fredericks, R. Sessegnon, Kalas, Ream; McDonald, Norwood, Johansen; Ojo, Kebano, Fonte. Subs: Bettinelli, Madl, Odoi, Cisse, Mollo, Graham, Kamara.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/09/up-next-qpr-a/