Wednesday Fulham Stuff (01/11/17)...

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Results

Tuesday
Burton	2 - 4	Barnsley
Cardiff	3 - 1	Ipswich
Fulham	0 - 2	Bristol City
Hull	1 - 3	Middlesborough
Leeds	1 - 2	Derby
Norwich	0 - 2	Wolves
QPR	1 - 0	Sheff Utd
Sheff Wed	2 - 1	Millwall
Sunderland	3 - 3	Bolton
Reading	3 - 1	Nottm Forest

[WhiteJC]

 
Bowyer: Fulham Checkatrade Trophy clash a good opportunity for Charlton youngsters

Assistant Manager Lee Bowyer says that Charlton's Checkatrade Trophy fixture against Fulham U21 on Wednesday is a great opportunity for the club's young players to impress (7.45pm).

The Addicks are set to field a youthful side for the Southern Group A match and Bowyer believes that it will be a good learning curve for the academy graduates that are selected.

"This is a great opportunity for the young lads to put their names into the hat and to compete for places," he said.

"They know what they have to produce and they will be playing with some good, experienced lads as well; Jacko, Ben Reeves, Mark Marshall and Joe Aribo are all in the side.

"It will be good for them, they will learn and that is what this is all about. If it was me in their position - going to play at The Valley in front of the fans - I'd want to use it to go and say 'look, I'm here and I feel ready to play'."

As well as benefiting the youngsters, the game will also see some players in need of minutes with an opportunity to play.

Bowyer said: "We have got another game on Sunday and I'm sure they will get some minutes there too. No matter how much you run people, there is nothing quite the same as match fitness.

"Hopefully they can get through these next few games unscathed and then we will have a much stronger squad."



https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/59f89957df3c8/bowyer-fulham-checkatrade-trophy-clash-a-good-opportunity-for-charlton-youngsters

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Time is running out for Clint Dempsey to make his mark in MLS Cup playoffs

Clint Dempsey has as glittering a résumé as one can find for an American player. He remains tied with Landon Donovan for the most goals in United States men's national team history, with 57. His exploits at the club level, in particular the parts of seven seasons he spent with Premier League side Fulham, are impressive as well.

Yet there is one stage where Dempsey, 34, hasn't had things go his way. That would be the MLS Cup playoffs, and time is running out to set that right.

In Dempsey's seven previous seasons as an MLS player, the Seattle Sounders forward has scored just four goals and added three assists in 19 postseason games. While that strike rate doesn't approach Fredy Montero-like levels of futility -- the current Vancouver Whitecaps forward scored his first-ever playoff goal during the knockout round after playing more than 800 postseason minutes, most of those with the Sounders -- it is certainly well below what one might expect out of Dempsey, even against the tighter defenses seen in the postseason. Consider that his time with Fulham saw him score 50 goals in 188 league appearances.

Granted, some context is necessary in terms of Dempsey's playoff performances. He spent the vast majority of his time with the New England Revolution playing as a central midfielder in support of forwards Taylor Twellman and Pat Noonan. He played even further away from goal during his rookie season in 2004, oftentimes deployed alongside holding midfielder Shalrie Joseph. Dempsey operated out of midfield for much of his time with Fulham as well.

In Seattle, Dempsey has played more as a forward, and as such has tended to find the net with a tad more frequency. In 10 playoff appearances with the Sounders, he has three goals. Not awful, but not the kind of form that will spur a team on to a title.

But Dempsey's playoff disappointments go beyond mere numbers. He had a penalty shootout attempt saved by then-D.C. United goalkeeper Nick Rimando, which propelled DCU into the 2004 MLS Cup final at New England's expense. He was a peripheral figure in the 2005 MLS Cup final loss to the LA Galaxy. In 2006, an ankle injury limited his availability, with Dempsey forced into a substitute's role in that year's MLS Cup final defeat to the Houston Dynamo.

Then of course there was the heart ailment that sidelined Dempsey during the Sounders' run to the MLS Cup title last season. One of the more enduring images of the run-up to the final was that of Dempsey working out off to the side while his teammates went through their final paces. Dempsey was no doubt thrilled at the Sounders' victory, but it's not quite as fulfilling as being on the field, contributing to a memorable win, and letting go with a primal scream while raising the trophy. In terms of MLS success, there is still one goal for Dempsey to accomplish.

Now the window for Dempsey to deliver an impact postseason performance is closing rapidly, at least in Seattle, and not just because he was suspended for the first-leg draw in Vancouver last Sunday. Dempsey's contract runs through the end of this season, with the Sounders having a club option for next year. It is unclear at the moment if the Sounders are willing to bring him back and pay him a wage commensurate with the $3.89 million in guaranteed compensation he made this season.


Clint Dempsey Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

There is also the reality that this is really Nico Lodeiro's team now, especially after the performances the Uruguayan turned in on the road to last year's MLS Cup. Dempsey and Lodeiro have long seemed to be an odd fit, especially given Dempsey's penchant for dropping into midfield to get more touches. There seems little doubt that the club's direction will be led by Lodeiro.

The failure of the U.S. men's national team to qualify for the World Cup would appear to loosen the bonds even further. There will be no World Cup buzz to drive marketing and the like. And for Dempsey himself, there is no chance of participating in a fourth World Cup to drive him back into the Sounders' collective arms.

For now, Dempsey still has something left to give. His competitiveness remains white-hot, and his strike rate this season of 12 goals in 25 appearances is in line with his previous two campaigns.

Yet there is now the possibility that this Thursday's second leg against the Whitecaps could be Dempsey's last in Rave Green, which hardly seems possible. It seems like yesterday that Dempsey stunned the U.S. soccer community by leaving the bright lights of the Premier League and signing that long-term contract with the Sounders. All the more reason for Dempsey to go out with a flourish.

David Beckham got his championship sendoff. So did Donovan. It's now up to Dempsey and his Sounders teammates to create their own iconic moment.




http://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/seattle-sounders-fc/9726/blog/post/3251820/time-is-running-out-for-clint-dempsey-to-make-his-mark-in-mls-cup-playoffs

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Controversial figure Craig Kline leaves Fulham role

The assistant director of football operations has left Craven Cottage

Craig Kline has left his role at Fulham.

The controversial figure has never been far away from the spotlight at Craven Cottage.

He was brought in as a data analyst, charged with making signings based on statistics, and was thought to have vetoed transfers because they did not meet the criteria he had laid out.

Manager Slavisa Jokanovic was not a fan of the approach Fulham took to signings and the pair had a number of public fallings out, namely when the Serbian blamed the 'Moneyball man' for their lack of signings .

Kline was given a place on the board of directors in Feburary, taking the title of assistant director of football operations.

But Kline has now left his role.

A club spokesman said: "Craig Kline is no longer with Fulham Football Club. James Lovell will serve in the analyst role in the interim. Fulham is in excellent shape moving forward."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/controversial-figure-craig-kline-leaves-13839530

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Craig Kline no longer Fulham's assistant director of football operations

Fulham's assistant director of football operations Craig Kline has left the club, Sky Sports News understands.

The American joined the club in 2014 as a data analyst and was charged with sourcing players for the Sky Bet Championship club based on purely statistical analysis.

But that brought him into direct conflict with the club's manager Slavisa Jokanovic with the Serb openly criticising his "Moneyball" transfer policy last season.

Jokanovic claimed Kline gave the go-ahead for signings he did not want and failed to act on filling positions he needed to strengthen.

Kline was added to the Fulham board back in February, when he was given the title Assistant Director of Football Operations and Director of Statistical Research, working under Tony Khan, son of the club's owner Shahid Khan.

But Sky Sports News understands Kline has now left Craven Cottage, with Fulham heading into their clash with Bristol City on Tuesday night 13th in the table after reaching the play-offs last season.



http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11107581/craig-kline-no-longer-fulhams-assistant-director-of-football-operations

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Fulham data analyst leaves club after recruitment row 

The American data-analyst advocate brought into Fulham by vice-chairman Tony Khan to overhaul the club's recruitment strategy has left abruptly over the weekend having clashed with manager Slavisa Jokanovic and other senior figures at the club.

Craig Kline, a university friend of Khan, whose father Shahid bought the London club in 2013, had come under fire from Jokanovic on a number of occasions, and the Serb manager has repeatedly criticised Fulham's approach to recruitment. Kline had clashed with individuals at the Motspur Park training ground in the past but club officials were repeatedly told by Tony Khan that the data analyst had a role to play in their push to return to the Premier League.

Over the weekend, however, Kline, whose title was assistant director of football operations, finally left the club and although he has taken periods of absences in the past – following arguments with key personnel – it is understood that this decision on his future is final.

He worked closely with Tony Khan refining the data system for the latter's sports analytics solutions company TruMedia. According to the system created by the two men, the club operated what they called a "both boxes ticked" approach to player recruitment. Any potential signing had to satisfy Kline's data requirements and also be approved by the club's scouting department, led in recent months by Brian Talbot, who has the same title as Kline.     

In February, when the club was challenging for promotion from the Championship, Tony Khan was named as vice-chairman of the club and director of football operations. It was then that Kline's position was made official having first joined the club as director of statistical research in October 2014. Despite difficult relationships with senior figures at the club, he retained the support of Tony Khan until this weekend when it was felt that Kline's position at the club was no longer viable.

The long-serving chief executive Alistair Mackintosh remains in charge, having been one of those with whom Kline disagreed fundamentally on the way in which the club was run. Having reached the Championship play-offs last season, Fulham finished the weekend in 13th position. The club have kept established first team players like Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon but there have been misgivings over missed signings, and others like Spanish defender Marcelo Djalo, which have not worked out.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/10/31/fulham-data-analyst-leaves-club-recruitment-row/

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Kamara sent off in Fulham home defeat

Fulham's woes continued with a dismal defeat as they played out the last half an hour with 10 men after a straight red for Aboubakar Kamara.

Home fans booed loudly when their team trooped in 2-0 down at the break and appeared to offer little sympathy for Kamara, who was punished for an off-the-ball tangle with Bailey Wright – Bristol City players indicating a stray elbow may have been involved.

By then, the task was already stiff, with the confident and energetic visitors taking the lead on 29 minutes when top scorer Bobby Reid slid home a cross from Josh Brownhill.

They then doubled it after 40 minutes when Korey Smith ended another slick counter-attack by tucking home a Callum O'Dowda pull-back.

The evening might have taken a different turn had Ryan Sessegnon's angled drive on 22 minutes found the net rather than the top of the crossbar, following great work from Stefan Johansen.

And Kevin McDonald almost got the 10-men back in contention when he had a close-range effort kept out by keeper Frank Fielding.

But in truth, too much of Fulham's play was ponderous and unthreatening and it is now one win in eight Championship matches at the Cottage – none since the visit of Hull in mid-September.

Fulham: Button; Fredericks, Odoi, Kalas (Norwood 46), Ream; McDonald, Johansen (Soares 67), Cairney; Ayite (Fonte 46), Kamara, Sessegnon. Subs not used: Bettinelli, Kebano, Djalo, De La Torre.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-beaten-home-bristol-city

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Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović was frustrated that a tactical switch failed to pay off against Bristol City on Tuesday evening.

The Fulham Head Coach opted for a wing-back formation with three central defenders to try and solidify things, but his side found themselves two goals down at the break.

"That wasn't the best version of us," he admitted. "To be honest, Bristol City played better football than us. They played at a different pace.

"I changed the shape to try and find a solution and get a clean sheet and be a little more solid from the back. This plan didn't work well and it's completely my responsibility.

"We were a bit confused in the first 45 minutes. We tried to be a little bit more solid, a little bit more confident, in our box, but we didn't find the solution.

"In the second half we tried something different, but after the sending off we lost the chance to come back."

The incident he refers to went unnoticed by the majority inside Craven Cottage, as Aboubakar Kamara was given his marching orders following an off the ball incident.

"I didn't see on the pitch but when I checked the match analysis, Aboubakar pushed him in the chest," he explained.

"This kind of challenge happens many times in the Championship, but from another side he made the mistake of giving the referee the chance to show him a red card.

"We are going to appeal because we believe sending him off wasn't the right action. This was a crucial moment, but in all the game we weren't at our best, and Bristol City deserve these three points."

The result leaves the Whites sitting 15th in the standings, but Jokanović knows there is a lot of football still to be played.

"I'm the Head Coach and I take all the responsibility for today's defeat," he said. "We've got two points less than we did after 15 games last season.

"We are four points behind the top-six and the challenge for us is to be brave, confident, and I am sure we're going to come back and fight for the top of the Championship table this season."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/october/31/head-coach-reaction

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Fulham 0-2 Bristol City

Bobby Reid's goal was his 10th of 2017-18 in all competitions and his ninth in the league

In-form Bristol City produced a superb counter-attacking away performance to win at Craven Cottage and extend Fulham's winless run to four matches.

Bobby Reid and Korey Smith both netted from swift breakaways by the visitors in an open first half of high quality.

After half-time, Fulham went down to 10 men when Aboubakar Kamara was dismissed for shoving Bailey Wright off the ball.

The hosts' best effort had come at 0-0, but Ryan Sessegnon's strike hit the bar and City were comfortable late on.

Victory gave Lee Johnson's confident side a third consecutive away win and kept them unbeaten on their travels since 12 August.

Reid moved to double figures in a season for the first time in his career with the opening goal as he slotted home to complete a well-worked counter, and Smith's first league goal for the club soon followed in similar style.

Fulham had looked dangerous in the first half but their chances were hampered when Kamara was shown a straight red for his clash with Wright, shortly after the Australian saw a third Robins goal ruled out for offside.

Defeat left last season's play-off semi-finalists with just one home win so far this term, while Carabao Cup quarter-finalists Bristol City have lost just two Championship games so far this term, a figure matched only by Cardiff.

Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic:

"Bristol City played better football and at a different pace. I tried to change the shape (to 3-5-2) to try to find a clean sheet or be a little more solid at the back but it didn't work well.

"It's completely my responsibility. We looked confused in the first 45 minutes.

"In the second half we tried something different but after the sending off we lost any chance to come back."

Bristol City assistant coach Jamie McAllister:

"It's a tough division and every game is difficult.

"Fulham are a very good side with great quality and some good players so this was another great win, and another clean sheet, our eighth of the season.

"Our pressing was excellent and we scored two great goals. Both were really good moves. We play with high energy and work together as a unit, with no passengers.

"We're in a good place at the moment with good spirit and have bounced back well after the home defeat by Leeds."



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41730389

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham news: Kamara red card to be appealed, Jokanovic accepts responsibility for defeat
FULHAM will appeal striker Aboubakar Kamara's red card in the defeat to Bristol City.

Kamara, a summer signing from French club Amiens, was sent off for violent conduct after off-the-ball incident with City skipper Bailey Wright.

Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic believes Kamara's clash with Wright was the sort of challenge that happens "many times in the Championship".

And he said: "[Kamara] made a mistake and gave the chance for the referee to show him a red card.

"We are going to appeal because we believe it's not an option to send him off, but this moment is one of the crucial moments."

Bobby Reid and Korey Smith were on target in the first half to condemn Fulham to defeat at Craven Cottage.

Jokanovic, who cut a disappointed figure after the game, attempted to spark a comeback with a double substitution at half-time but Kamara's sending off put paid to the Whites' hopes.

When asked what he said after the final whistle, Jokanovic joked: "Stay with 11 players on the field!

"After the first 45 minutes, I tried to be quiet and I tried to change the shape.

"One of the more important things is to finish the game with 11 players. We gave the referee the chance for this and that's it.

"We must be clever in games that are in front of us. I don't believe it's a red card but we gave him the chance to show a red card."


Fulham striker Aboubakar Kamara is shown a red card

Jokanovic ditched his tried-and-tested 4-3-3 formation for a 3-5-2 system at the start of the game, but his plan backfired.

The Serbian claimed to have been working on the formation for two years in training, and accepted full responsibility for the defeat.

He said: "We tried a second time to try and find a solution with playing the diamond with two strikers to try and change the situation, similar to [the] Preston [draw earlier this month].

"It didn't work especially so well in the 50 minutes when we played 11 against 11.

"After the sending off we didn't show enough power to change our situation.

"First of all, I'm head coach. I want to take all the responsibility for today's defeat.

"On another side we are two points less than last season after 15 games. We are four points behind the top six.

"The challenge for us is to be brave, confident and show we are going to come back and fight for the top of the table in this season.

"I understand we didn't show enough quality today, Bristol played better football."

Fulham face Championship leaders Wolves on Friday night.




http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/873866/Fulham-FC-News-Aboubakar-Kamara-Red-Card-Slavisa-Jokanovic-Bristol-City-Championship

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