Saturday Fulham Stuff (02/12/17)...

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Fulham FC Submits Riverside Plans

Fulham Football Club has today submitted an application to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham council for the redevelopment of the Riverside stand at its historic Craven Cottage home.

This application follows a period of consultation and open dialogue with residents, supporters, and many stakeholders with an interest in the project and local area.

The Club secured planning permission for its previous design in 2013. The new proposal, commissioned by Fulham FC's Chairman Mr Shahid Khan, has incorporated a modern design that is sympathetic with the river and local area and best reflects the needs of the Club, community and neighbourhood by delivering a wide range of benefits both now and for future generations.

In addition to increasing the seating capacity at Craven Cottage, the Club has sought to add amenities to help transform the riverside walkway into a world-class leisure destination, both on matchdays and non-matchdays.

This new design will still allow the River Thames walkway to be opened up, an aspect of the approved design in 2013, and will incorporate bars, restaurants, and lounges—all of which will be open for business throughout the year.

The redevelopment will bring significant investments in the local community, adding new full-time jobs and further opportunities for employment.

Alistair Mackintosh, Fulham FC Chief Executive Officer, said:

'Everyone here at Fulham Football Club is incredibly excited to submit this application, and we are confident that the plans we have laid out will both upgrade the current stand and add new facilities that everyone in the community will be able to enjoy and appreciate.'

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/december/01/fulham-fc-submits-riverside-plans

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Fulham's Ryan Fredericks concentrating on promotion, not contract talks

The 25-year-old is out of contract in the summer and has confirmed that talks are ongoing between his party and the club

Ryan Fredericks insists he's not concentrating on contract talks between himself and Fulham and is instead focused on getting the club into the Premier League.

The full back is out of contract in the summer and has confirmed that talks are ongoing between his agent and Fulham on a new deal, but he's letting the people behind the scenes sort it while he concentrates on his football.

The 25-year-old arrived from Bristol City in August 2015 having spent just 26 days at Ashton Gate and has been an ever-present for the side since, becoming Slavisa Jokanovic's first choice right back and one of the first names on the team sheet.

As with any footballer, the former Tottenham man wants to play Premier League football and believes that can still be with Fulham next season.

He said: "Yeah I think there are talks going on, but at the moment I'm just focusing on taking it game by game and the relevant people are going to sort that out behind the scenes and I'm just going to focus on my stuff on the pitch.

"At the moment I'm just focusing on football and playing as many games as I can and doing as well as I can for Fulham, but whatever happens in the future happens but at the moment I'm fully focused on Fulham and trying to get into the top six and further on.

"There's 100% chance of Premier League football next season, that's what we're aiming for and what we're working on so I'm sure if we do our stuff we'll get there."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulhams-ryan-fredericks-concentrating-promotion-13980760

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Go For It Jokanovic: This £2.7m-rated Premier League Loanee Would Be Ideal For Fulham

Why Lewis Grabban Is The Right Man For Fulham

According to reports, both Wolves and Fulham are looking to tempt Bournemouth into selling striker Lewis Grabban after he went on a run of scoring 10 goals in 13 starts for struggling Sunderland. The south coast club have a recall clause in place should they need it.

Sunderland manager Chris Coleman confirmed this week that the clause exists and that he could be recalled, though he has put on record his hopes that Grabban stays on Wearside. He also claimed the player is happy and that he has shown no indication of his wish to leave. The final decision, of course, is ultimately with Bournemouth.

Both Fulham and indeed Wolves are very keen to get hold of the 29-year-old and they want him on a permanent deal when the January transfer window opens. Such a move would be a huge blow to Sunderland who are struggling badly to get out of the Championship relegation zone.

Sunderland's debt means they would be unable to match any financial deals put together by Wolves, Fulham or even Bournemouth in order to sign him permanently and so they could be fighting a losing battle here.

The £2.7m rated Grabban seems to be belatedly finding his feet at this level having started out at Crystal Palace before moving to Rotherham United and then on to Bournemouth for a £333,000 fee during the summer transfer window back in 2012.

He did do well on the south coast initially, scoring 35 goals across a two year period before moving on to Norwich City for £3.3million, though he ended up with Bournemouth again, around 18 months later.

The forward then moved to Reading on loan for the second half of last season as the Royals got all the way to the playoff final at Wembley, though ultimately he could not help them achieve promotion to the Premier League despite performing well with Yann Kermorgant.

Grabban secured a loan move to Sunderland this past summer and despite his personal form, the club are in a dire way and the striker may not want to be part of a team which could go down to the third tier of English football, something which is looking a distinct possibility unless the new boss can turn things around.

For Fulham's part, they need a proper goalscorer after yet another failed experiment in the form of Portuguese hitman Rui Costa and see Grabban as the ideal man. This could turn out to be a great move for Fulham.



http://soccersouls.com/2017/12/02/go-for-it-jokanovic-this-2-7m-rated-premier-league-loanee-would-be-ideal-for-fulham/

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Former Fulham and Brentford manager Micky Adams sitting on the fence ahead of derby day

The 56-year-old managed both Fulham and Brentford and couldn't separate the two sides ahead of the derby at Griffin Park

Former Brentford and Fulham manager Micky Adams is sitting on the fence ahead of Saturday's west London derby between the two sides and is predicting a 1-1 draw.

Adams famously got Fulham promoted from the Third Division in the 1996-97 season before being sacked by Mohamed Al-Fayed despite his success, while his time at Brentford in the 1997-98 season ended in relegation to Division Three.

The 56-year-old believes that Dean Smith has to remind his players that this is the derby that counts on Saturday and will have to get the side's spirits back up after the disappointment of conceding two late goals in the 2-2 draw with QPR on Monday night.

But Adams has revealed that he's going to sit on the fence for this game, and is predicting a score draw between the two west London rivals.

He said: "Brentford I thought were particularly unlucky the other night against QPR, they should've won the game and will be kicking themselves they've not seen that one through.

"Can they get themselves up for another big derby game?

"I'm sure if the manager is worth his salt, he's got to remind his players that this is Fulham and this is the derby that counts.

"You'd ask me to sit on the fence wouldn't you, so I'm going to do that and go for a 1-1 draw."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-fulham-brentford-manager-micky-13980596

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Brentford defender believes Fulham's passing style will suit Bees more than QPR's direct play

Slavisa Jokanovic's side, for all their qualities, don't have a target man on their books, nor would the Serb sanction just lumping the ball into the box

Andreas Bjelland believes that Fulham's style of play will suit Brentford, moreso than the long ball sides like QPR with the Bees struggling to cope with balls lumped into the box, as exhibited on Monday night.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side, for all their qualities, don't have a target man on their books, nor would the Serb sanction just lumping the ball into the box.

Instead, the Whites look to play between the lines and have quality players all over the pitch, who are able to hurt the Bees.

But, Bjelland sees Fulham as a side that can be open at the back, and this is where the Bees will try and hurt their opponents.

He said: "Fulham play football differently and play from the back and all the way through. It'll be different from QPR.

"It suits us nicely as well. We want to play as well and also when to play a bit longer. It'll be a tough opponent. We play at home and it's a game we have to win.

"All of them are a type of player that wants to play all over the pitch. They have good players on the ball. They can be vulnerable off the ball as they can be open."

Bjelland has adapted his methods this week in order to counter with the obvious threat Fulham have but the Dane will be looking to impose Brentford's football on them, not the other way around.

He added: "QPR was just about crossing. It was about defending that and playing out. Fulham will play between the lines so we'll have to stay compact.

"They should be open when they lose the ball. We're a good team on the ball so we have to control that game as well and attack it, not really depending on what they do."

Brentford have tasted defeat once in their last 12 games, a 2-0 loss at Cardiff, and Bjelland believes the Bees can make a move towards the play-offs if they can turn draws into wins.

He explained: "We're tough to beat and we should have won the game on Monday. One defeat in 12 games, especially in this league.

"There are a lot of games. We want to win them as well to climb the table. It's a new game and a new challenge and keep it 13 and one, hopefully a win and not a draw."

The Dane added: "We've got a lot of points to play for. We've lifted ourselves in being tough to beat. We have a chance to push for the play-offs."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-defender-believes-fulhams-passing-13983852

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New deal on the horizon for Fulham defender

Fulham right-back Ryan Fredericks has revealed that he is currently locked in talks over signing a new contract at Craven Cottage according to the Express.

The 25-year-old Potters Bar born defender has played a key role in the first team for Fulham since joining the club in August 2015 and it is thought that the West Londoners are keen to hold on to the player for the long term.

With Fredericks set to be out of contract in the summer, it has been reported that the player has opened talks with Fulham over a new deal with the club and the defender is believed to be confident of coming to an agreement over his future.

The player started his career with Tottenham Hotspur but Fredericks failed to break into the senior side at White Hart Lane and was loaned to Brentford, Millwall and Middlesbrough.

In August 2015, Fredericks moved to Bristol City however a change of heart saw the defender leave Ashton Gate just 26 days into his contract with the club to join Sky Bet Championship rivals Fulham.

Since joining The Whites, Fredericks has gone on to make 84 appearances for the club and the player is now settling down for the first time in his senior career.



http://the72.co.uk/94182/new-deal-horizon-fulham-defender/

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Brentford boss Dean Smith reveals what he expects from Fulham

The Brentford head coach is full of respect for Slavisa Jokanovic's side and admitted that he felt they'd have reached the play-off final, as well as Sheffield Wednesday

Dean Smith does not expect to see Fulham lumping balls into the box a la QPR on Monday but, instead, expects it to be a football game.

The Brentford head coach is full of respect for Slavisa Jokanovic's side and admitted that he felt they'd have reached the play-off final, as well as Sheffield Wednesday.

But, while the fans want west London derby bragging rights again, Smith just sees it as another three points.

He said: "It'll be another tough game but it'll certainly be a football game. They won't be chucking balls up there for us to defend as they don't have the players to do that.

"We had two tough games against them. They out-footballed us at home and I felt we got a fair share of the spoils of our last away game of the season.

"I'm really excited by Saturday. It's a good game for us. A local derby at home but another chance to extend our points tally."

Brentford will have to tweak their style to combat Fulham's but there won't be a dramatic shift in their approach.

Smith added: "It's one you look forward to to be honest. We don't go too far away to how we want to play.

"There are different starting points but in terms of how we want to play; that doesn't change but you have to do things differently.

"We can't defend how we would against Fulham how we would against Cardiff City."

Fulham have, arguably, underachieved this season after being the best side in the second half of last season and Smith sees a variety of factors for it, including a play-off hangover.


Ryan Sessegnon celebrates one of his three goals against Sheffield United (Image: PA)

He explained: "There can be a hangover. There were a couple of changes. They sold Sone Aluko who was a big player but Sessegnon has been playing higher.

"They've replaced and it takes time to get things right. They've had Cairney out as well. McDonald missed the game.

"They've got very good players. It shows how good I am at predictions as I thought it would have been a Fulham-Sheffield Wednesday final."

One player to watch out for is the highly rated 17-year-old Ryan Sessegnon who bagged a hat-trick at Sheffield United last month, despite only recently learning how to shave.

Smith quipped: "You have to cope with it. We've taught Rico Henry how to shave. We know how to deal with that character.

"He looks a special talent. He's played one up for a couple of games but went back to left back against Millwall. He's not dissimilar to Rico Henry."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-boss-dean-smith-reveals-13983856

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Up next: Brentford (a)
by Dan on December 2, 2017

Fulham's recent resurgence – with that amazing game at Bramall Lane still fresh in the memory – will do wonders for the Whites' confidence as they head into their second west London derby of the season at Griffin Park. Brentford will be smarting from Monday night's madness at Loftus Road, when former Fulham forward Matt Smith's stoppage-time header sparked a QPR comeback from 2-0 down in the first of the week's local skirmishes. The Bees have improved as this season has progressed under Dean Smith, putting together a ten-match unbeaten run before the international break, and will be desperate to reclaim the bragging rights this afternoon.

Lasse Vibe admitted that the hosts are in 'angry' mood after outplaying Rangers in Shepherd's Bush on Monday but someway coming away with only a point. Brentford have lost more points from a winning position than anyone else in the Championship – had they held onto the 18 points they've dropped the Bees would be in the top six – with both Andreas Bjelland and Smith discussing how to see out games in public this week. The key to adding to the discomfort in TW8 will be denying Brentford the kind of imposing start they got two years ago, when the game was effectively over inside half an hour.

The home side will give late fitness tests to Danish defender Henrik Dalsgaard, who is nursing an ankle problem, and flying winger Florian Jozefzoon – who could be sidelined by a hamstring injury. Smith will definitely have to do without Neal Maupay, who serves a one-match ban, although judging by the striker's astonishing miss at Cardiff that might be such a bad thing for Brentford. Midfielders Lewis Macleod and Alan Judge are probably not far away from making long-awaited returns but highly-rated young left-back Rico Henry is sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Given the way the Bees looked shaken by QPR's late aerial assault, Slavisa Jokanovic might be tempted to field Aboubakar Kamara, who is the closest to a physical imposing striker Fulham now possess having let Smith leave for Loftus Road. It doesn't really fit with the Serbian's way of playing – and the visitors' best way of getting their noises in front will be winning the midfield battle as they did comfortably last November. Jokanovic can pick from some of the best central midfielders in the Championship and it will be interesting to see whether Ollie Norwood, who has grown in influence of late, has done enough to keep Stefan Johansen out of the team. There is concern about the fitness of Kevin McDonald, but the Scottish schemer should be available to protect the back four, whilst his compatriot Tom Cairney won't need reminding of his memorable finish in front of the travelling Fulham faithful in the Brook Road last year. The excellent Ryan Woods, who has blossomed at Brentford after coming through the Shrewsbury youth set-up, will be a real danger and is likely to have Kamo Mokotjo and Nico Yennaris, who scored an excellent equaliser at Craven Cottage last term, alongside him.

The contest could also turn on how effective Ryan Fredericks, who credits a brief loan spell with the Bees as helping him adjust to the unrelenting pressure of senior football, and Ryan Sessegnon prove to be on either flank. When Fulham are really firing, Fredericks is flying down the right flank – and the combination of the former Tottenham full back and the in-form Sheyi Ojo – could prosper if they are able to blunt Brentford's ambition early. Jokanovic likes pace in the final third and, when you watched the Whites frighten the life out of the Blades a couple of weeks ago, you can see why. In the build-up this week, Bjelland advanced the theory that Fulham's pretty football will play into Brentford's hands – but the Whites' probing and patient possession is one of the main reasons why they have turned into one of the division's most successful sides on their travels.

Both sides have great difficulty in keeping the ball out of their goal – and there hasn't been a goalless draw between these local rivals in 23 years. It should be an attractive encounter with both teams committed to playing open, attractive football but referee Bobby Madeley will need to be decisive in the first twenty minutes or when the usual slew of tasty tackles mirror the fans' passion. Fulham will need to keep their cool – Fredericks especially – and earn the opportunity to express themselves in what will be a frenzied atmosphere.

The fans have experienced the full range of derby day emotions in recent years. Brentford, always the big boys a division or two ahead when your correspondent was growing up, had that famous win in the last minute, but less regularly recalled in Hounslow was the League Cup earlier that season – the first meeting between the sides since Paul Moody's brace in April 1998 – where Marcus Bettinelli kept a clean sheet on his debut and Ross McCormack fired home the winner, his first goal for Fulham. McCormack was visibly chastened by the reaction of the visiting fans as his side trudged off for half-time 3-0 down in 2016, but Jokanovic's boys were spot on in a clinical display in front of the television cameras thirteen months ago. We're all hoping for more of the same this afternoon.

MY FULHAM XI (4-3-3): Bettinelli; Fredericks, Odoi, Kalas, Ream; McDonald, Norwood, Cairney; Ojo, R. Sessegnon, Fonte. Subs: Button, Soares, Djalo, Johansen, Kebano, de la Torre, Kamara.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/12/up-next-brentford-a/

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Familiar Faces: Fulham

A look at those who have played for both sides ahead of this afternoon's west London derby

Today's Fulham squad includes two players who have swapped red and white for black and white in west London.

David Button spent three years at Griffin Park as number one, making 141 appearances. The tall stopper played 45 games, keeping 20 clean sheets, during our 2013/14 promotion season. He followed that up with 49 appearances as Mark Warburton's side then reached the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off's the following year. During his final season with The Bees he added another 47 appearances before moving on to Fulham in July 2016. An injury late on in the season saw him lose the number one shirt just before last season's Play-Offs but he has played every minute in the league this campaign.

Also returning to Griffin Park this afternoon is Ryan Fredericks. The pacy full-back spent two months on loan with The Bees in the autumn of 2012, making just four appearances. He returned to his parent club Tottenham Hotspur and spent further loan spells with Millwall and Middlesbrough before signing for Bristol City in the summer of 2015. Homesickness brought him back to London just 25 days later and he has been with Fulham ever since, notching up 84 appearances.

David and Ryan are just two of 98 players who have represented both sides. Among those famous names to have played for both include Jimmy Hill and Marcello Trotta. Hill spent his entire playing career with the two clubs, making more than 350 league appearances, before making his name post-retirement as an administrator, manager, broadcaster, and chairman. Despite playing just 69 times for The Bees, Trotta's legacy comes from his infamous penalty miss against Doncaster Rovers which denied Uwe Rosler's side automatic promotion. However, the Italian frontman returned the following season, scoring 14 goals, including the vital winner away at Leyton Orient, as automatic promotion was secured 12 months later. 




https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2017/december/familiar-faces-fulham/