Friday Fulham Stuff (19/01/18)...

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Report: Newcastle United could sell Jonjo Shelvey to fund Tom Cairney move

Newcastle United have been long-term admirers of Tom Cairney, and could make a move this month.

According to a report in the Northern Echo, Jonjo Shelvey could be offloaded to make room for Tom Cairney.

Fulham midfielder Cairney has been a long-term target of Rafael Benitez, and he is reportedly available this month.

West Bromwich Albion are said to be interested in the central midfielder, which could snap Newcastle into action.

Benitez's side have a limited amount of money, but West Ham United's interest in Shelvey is said to be in the Spanish boss's mind.

Benitez could now cash in on Shelvey to ensure that he has the funds available to complete a deal to bring Cairney to St. James' Park.

Cairney has been linked with a £15 move to West Brom, and Newcastle could now match that bid, if Benitez is given funds.

Shelvey has played regularly for Newcastle this season, but his indiscipline has cost his side at times.

Shelvey has been sent off twice for Newcastle this term, and refused to shake Benitez's hand after being substituted off in his last appearance.

Cairney, meanwhile, has made 17 Championship appearances this season, scoring one goal and making two assists.




http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/01/18/report-newcastle-united-could-sell-jonjo-shelvey-to-fund-tom-cai/

[WhiteJC]

 
U18s suffer FA Youth Cup defeat

Swansea City under-18s were knocked out in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup after losing 2-0 to Fulham at Landore.

The young Swans started brightly but found themselves a goal behind when Fulham winger Nicolas Santos-Clase headed home from a corner on 20 minutes.

The winger continued to cause Swansea problems down the left-hand side throughout the half and doubled his tally before half-time, calmly slotting past goalkeeper Alex Lang.

The visitors showed no signs of backing down in the second half. Santos-Clase almost bagged his hat-trick early on but his shot from the edge of the area rattled the crossbar.

The home side strived to get back into the game with substitute Jack Fox heading wide.

Mason Jones-Thomas could have pulled one back, but the winger couldn't get a shot away when through on goal.

Swansea continued to apply pressure to a tiring Fulham side but to no avail, with captain Brandon Cooper's effort blocked on the edge of the area.

This was a disappointing result for the Swans, who will look to put things right on Saturday when they face Aston Villa at Bodymoor Heath in Premier League South.

Swans U18s: Alex Lang, Joe Lewis, Matthew Blake (Cameron Evans 65), Tom Price, Ben Cabango, Brandon Cooper (capt), Mason Jones-Thomas (Jack Walsh 78), Kees De Boer, Shaquille Wynter-Coles, Oliver Cooper, Finley Hazell (Marc Walsh ht).

Subs not used: Nathan Shepperd, Daniel Williams.

Fulham U18s: Luca Ashby-Hammond, Djed Spence, Joe Felix (capt), Tyrese Francois, Steven Sessegnon, Jayden Mundle-Smith, Chris Kelly, Jayden Harris, Timmy Abraham (Dan Martin 73), Sonny Hilton (Reece York 78), Nicolas Santos Clase.

Subs not used: Julian Schwarzer, Jose Garrido, Ben Davis.



https://www.swanseacity.com/news/u18s-suffer-fa-youth-cup-defeat

[WhiteJC]

 
Burton manager Nigel Clough compares Fulham to Liverpool sides of the 70s

Nigel Clough has been very complementary of Fulham as the two look to do battle once again at the Cottage on Saturday

Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough has compared Fulham to the Liverpool sides of the 1970s after their late start to the season.

Liverpool won five league titles in the 70s as they became the dominant force in English football, winning them all between 1973 and 1980, with hitting their stride after the Christmas period one of their traits.

Fulham are somewhat similar, last season a good start was undone by a sticky middles patch before they went on a run after Christmas where they were, arguably, the best team in the league.

This season looks the same - a winless October has now turned into three defeats in 11 games - a run that has seen them jump to within one point of the Play-off places, and Clough has drawn similarities between Slavisa Jokanovic's side and that 70s era Liverpool.

Speaking to our colleagues at the Burton Mail , Clough said: "I don't know if it's a conscious way they (Fulham) do it.

"I know that Liverpool used to do it many years ago.

"They always, from Christmas onwards, used to steamroll teams and then win the title, when they were at their best in the 1970s.

"So I don't know if it's a conscious plan - I don't think you can do that in the Championship.

"I'm sure if they had the choice, they would have been up there from day one.

"But you lose players, (other) players are still fitting in and gelling.



"The way Fulham play it takes a few games for them to click. Brentford are similar, and they have settled in now. Fulham have some exceptionally good players.

"We have to try and stop them playing and the longer we keep it 0-0 the better. If we can nick a goal it increases the pressure on them and the frustration of the home supporters. We have seen that in the last three away league games and it's not a bad tactic to employ.

"But with all due respect to the last three teams we have just beaten on the road, Fulham are a different class so it will be very difficult."



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/burton-manager-nigel-clough-compares-14170866

[WhiteJC]

 
Burton Albion Tickets

There's still time to secure your seat at Craven Cottage this Saturday 20th January, when we take on Burton Albion, kick-off 3pm.

With ticket prices increasing on matchday, supporters can secure their seat today with juniors just £1 and adults only £20 in all areas for this match.

Back the boys this weekend as the Whites look to make it five home league wins in a row.

Secure your tickets today online, by phone on 0203 871 0810 (opt. 1) or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.

COYW!



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/january/18/burton-albion-tickets

[WhiteJC]

 
'Best defender I've ever seen in a Fulham shirt' – Fulham fans react to classy message

It is ten years to the day that towering Norwegian defender Brede Hangeland joined Fulham from FC Copenhagen.

The centre-half went on to make 217 league appearances for the Cottagers, scoring eight times and making himself something of a legend among Whites fans.

He was a vital part of the team that made it all the way through to the final of the Europa League in 2010, beating the might of Juventus along the way before losing 2-1 to a star-studded Atletico Madrid side in Hamburg.

Hangeland put out a heartfelt and classy tweet to mark the occasion, showing how much he still cares about the club and crediting the vital role it played in his development.

Today marks 10 years since my move to @FulhamFC. I am forever grateful for the lessons, experiences and friendships from my time at the Club. Fulham changed my life and will always be home away from home.

Fulham fans absolutely loved the retired defender's message and reacted with a shower of praise for the 36-year-old. It is clear that he is, in the eyes of their fans, one of the best defenders, if not the best, to have taken to the Craven Cottage pitch in recent years.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/best-defender-ive-ever-seen-in-a-fulham-shirt-fulham-fans-react-to-defenders-classy-message/

[WhiteJC]

 
Manager makes comparison Fulham fans will love

Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough is preparing his side for a trip to face Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham on Saturday and has offered his upcoming opponents some very high praise indeed.

Former Liverpool striker Clough has said that Fulham come through and steamroller teams and move up the league in the second half of the season – much like his old club used to do when they were at their peak in the 1970s.

Fulham came rampaging through in the second half of last season with a staggering run of results that saw them clinch the final play-off place, only to lose to Reading in the semi finals.

They are only one point off the play-offs as it stands, in eight place, and Clough would not bet Fulham making a similar burst again this time around.

He told the Burton Mail: "I don't know if it's a conscious way they do it. I know that Liverpool used to do it many years ago.

"They always, from Christmas onwards, used to steamroll teams and then win the title, when they were at their best in the 1970s. So I don't know if it's a conscious plan.

"I don't think you can do that in the Championship. I'm sure if they had the choice, they would have been up there from day one, but you lose players, players are still fitting in and gelling."

The Verdict

The main similarity I would draw between the great Liverpool sides and the current Fulham team is the commitment to pass-and-move football.

They keep the ball on the ground and try and play good stuff – maybe that style of play takes a little bit longer to get going but can play teams off the park when it clicks.

For my part, I expect Fulham to end up just outside the play-offs this time around – Tom Cairney is massive for them and he hasn't quite fired this season.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/manager-makes-comparison-fulham-fans-will-love/

[WhiteJC]

 
Burton Albion In Focus

A fifth consecutive home win is the target on Saturday. Here's all you need to know as we welcome Burton Albion to Craven Cottage.

Possible opposition absentees

Will Miller - knee injury
Tickets

Junior fans can attend this game for just £1 in all areas of the ground, while adult tickets are £20. Prices increase on matchday.
Weather

It will be a dry day in SW6 with highs of around six degrees.
Pre-match

Fans can pick up a pint of Carlsberg or Somersby for £3.50 (usually £4.80) up until 2pm in the Hammersmith, Riverside and Johnny Haynes Stands.
He said...

"With all due respect to the last three teams we have just beaten on the road, Fulham are a different class so it will be very difficult." – Nigel Clough, Burton Albion 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 2.30pm (GMT) to view..
Grosvenor Casinos match odds

Fulham: 4/11

Draw: 4/1

Burton Albion: 13/2
Previous five results

Burton Albion 1-3 Queens Park Rangers (Championship)

Birmingham City 1-0 Burton Albion (FA Cup)

Sheffield Wednesday 0-3 Burton Albion (Championship)

Burton Albion 0-0 Norwich City (Championship)

Burton Albion 1-2 Leeds United (Championship)



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/january/18/burton-albion-in-focus

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham must get double figures from their next four games to set them up for their five colossal top-six battles

Four winnable games followed by five against the top six - this is why double figures from the next four are so important for Fulham's season

It's a huge couple of months for Fulham and their aspirations for play-off football.

The next four games, on paper at least, look very winnable, especially for a team that has won eight of their last 11 games in the league and one that is hoping to start mounting a serious play-off charge.

Burton, Barnsley, Nottingham Forest and Bolton.

From the reverse fixtures, Fulham took seven points, losing to Burton, beating Barnsley and Forest and drawing with Bolton, but if Slavisa Jokanovic's side want to seriously be in the play-off race come the end of March, those seven points need to be in at least double figures.

Forest are the highest placed side out of them at 15th, and Fulham put in one of their best performances of the season with a 3-1 victory at the City Ground back in September, and despite new management with Aitor Karanka, the Cottagers should be able to beat them all.

But, the position of those teams isn't what makes getting 10+ points the minimum.

It's the five monumental battles Fulham face after that.

Once they take on Bolton, they face Aston Villa (4th), Bristol City (5th), Wolves (1st), Derby (2nd) and Sheffield United (6th).

You couldn't write it, and those five fixtures are the making of where the side will finish this season, and having a solid base to go into those games is vital.

10 points, which means Fulham going unbeaten in nine games since that loss at Sunderland, would certainly put them amongst the contenders for the play-offs and would give the side untold confidence going into those five six-pointers.


Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic (Image: Evening Gazette)

There's no reason why Fulham can't get results against any of those five either, except Wolves perhaps, and a return of seven points from that period, added to the ten minimum we've set for the next four would put the side in a fantastic position for the run in.

It's an interesting position that the side could find themselves in too - ten points would almost certainly see them go into those five games in the top six, a position that Fulham haven't really been in since dropping down to the Championship.

How would they cope being the ones shot at, instead of being the ones shooting at the top?

I think they'd do quite well with it, Fulham are a side that play on confidence, as we've seen with their winless run this season and their current good run of form - if the side went into those five games having taken 10 points and in the play-offs, who's to say they won't live off that confidence and go from strength to strength?

It's a vital run, these four games have the ability to make or break the season and put Fulham right in amongst it - they have the take this opportunity and come March, we might see the side in heights we didn't imagine they would be come the middle of October.



https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulhams-must-double-figures-next-14171295

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham to make fresh move for Gayle

Newcastle United could look raise funds by selling their first-team players this month, as Fulham prepare to come in with a new bid for striker Dwight Gayle according to the Northern Echo.

United face league leaders Manchester City on Saturday evening with first-team boss Rafa Benitez hoping that he will have some money to spend to help keep their side in the division.

Owner Mike Ashley is appearing very stubborn in this situation ahead of the proposed takeover talks and is not budging over a lack of funds.

Fulham are set to make a fresh approach for the Newcastle forward Gayle after they tried to sign the player during the summer.

Benitez has been a long-time admirer of Fulham's star man Tom Cairney which could prove to be a swap deal with Gayle which both sides would be happy with during this month.

A number of other players are wanted by other clubs but the North East club are reluctant to sell unless the price is correct particularity in the case of Gayle.



http://readnewcastle.com/2018/01/18/fulham-make-fresh-move-gayle/

[WhiteJC]

 
Plymouth Argyle's next FA Youth Cup opponents have been decided

Swansea City and Fulham met in the fourth round to decide who would travel to Home Park

Fulham will visit Plymouth Argyle in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup, it was confirmed last night.

The Cottagers inflicted a 2-0 defeat upon Swansea City's under-18s in South Wales to put themselves through to the next round with Kevin Hodges's youngsters waiting.

Seventeen-year-old Spanish forward Nicolas Santos Clase was the hero of the hour with a brace at the Swans' Landore Training Ground.


Paulinho and Steven Sessegnon in action during the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 semi-final match between Brazil and England at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan stadium on October 25, 2017 in Kolkata, India. (Image: Tom Dulat - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Led by coach Colin Omogbehin, the young Fulham side plays in the southern section of Premier League U18 against the best young players in the country.

Among their ranks are Mark Schwarzer's son Julian, Ryan Sessegnon's twin brother Steven and Tammy Abraham's brother Timmy.

The match must be played before Saturday, February 10, but no date or time has been assigned for the match at Home Park yet.

The winner will progress to the last eight of the historic competition, which was won by Chelsea last season.



http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/plymouth-argyle-fulham-youth-cup-1083320

[WhiteJC]

 
Tom Cairney comments on his future, amid links with Newcastle United

Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion are both interested in signing Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney.

Tom Cairney has told the Express and Star that he wants to stay at Fulham, despite links with both Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion.

The Northern Echo have suggested that both Newcastle and West Brom are interested in the midfielder this month.

However Cairney, who turned down the chance to move away from Fulham in the summer, insists he remains happy at Craven Cottage.

"I had it last summer [transfer speculation]." he said.

"I signed a contract extension in the summer and I can't do much more than that to commit my future to the club.

"I'm happy here, I love it here, and I want to stay here."

The comments are further bad news for Newcastle, in what has been a very frustrating transfer window for Rafael Benitez's side so far.

Newcastle have missed out on a whole host of targets so far, and it seems that Cairney is another name who won't be moving to St. James' Park.

The Northern Echo suggested that Newcastle would have had to sell Jonjo Shelvey to raise the money to buy Cairney anyway, who was valued at around £20 million.

West Brom, meanwhile, were said to be prepared to bid £15 million for Cairney - but the Scottish midfielder appears to want to see the season out at Fulham.

Fulham are currently in eighth place in the Championship table, and are lurking just outside the play off spots.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/01/18/tom-cairney-comments-on-his-future-amid-links-with-newcastle-uni/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham stadium expansion plan includes new river walk and 4,000 more seats

Fulham are planning a huge expansion to accommodate thousands more fans while creating a new riverside walkway along the Thames.

The Championship side will demolish its Riverside Stand and rebuild with two tiers of seating, while creating shops, cafes and nine short-stay luxury apartments. Capacity at Craven Cottage will increase from 25,700 to 29,600.

The walkway would open a currently closed section of the riverbank and allow people enjoying the Thames Path to continue strolling by the water.

However, it will encroach on to the Thames by up to 11 metres, with the new stand above it - sparking opposition from some locals who say a "quiet and beautiful" stretch could be destroyed. They warn it paves the way for other developments to edge into the river.



Architects Lichfields cited Tottenham Hotspur's expansion and West Ham's move to the London Stadium, saying: "The ambition is to return to the Premier League as soon as possible. The stadium has to match this ambition.

"The river walk can only be provided by cantilevering out, beyond the line of the river wall, with water flowing under the walkway. Fulham FC need to improve stadium capacity and facilities. To achieve this the riverside stand has to be larger." The walkway would shut on matchdays. The flats would be used by Fulham's American billionaire owner Shahid Khan and new players.

Pensioner Jane Swithinbank, who has walked the 215-mile river from its source, said: "This is a very quiet and beautiful stretch. I'm appalled - Fulham not only want to keep the land but take more by cantilevering out over the river. This would set a very dangerous precedent for other developers."

Local author Eivor Martinus said: "We are blessed with rich bird life thanks to the [Barnes] Wetland Centre and greenery on both sides. A colossus reaching well into the river would ruin this."

Amanda Lloyd-Harris of Friends of Bishops Park said the walkway "will be a cliff-like structure which will block wind and threaten use of the river for sailing, and be a safety hazard."

Comments on the planning application are open until tomorrow. If Hammersmith and Fulham council grants permission the club hope to start work by May next year and finish in 2021.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-stadium-expansion-plan-includes-new-river-walk-and-4000-more-seats-a3743621.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Omogbehin: Rose To The Challenge

Fulham's Under-18s beat Swansea City 2-0 in the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday evening with an impressive display in South Wales.

"We 100% deserved the result," said Under-18s Head Coach Colin Omogbehin. "After a slightly shaky start for the first five or 10 minutes, we controlled the game from then on in."

"If I'm honest 2-0 probably flatters Swansea a bit, we created so many chances which we would have put away on another day."

The win was made even more impressive by the manner they won in very difficult conditions, with rain and wind hammering the pitch for the full 90 minutes.

"It was certainly an experience for the boys and we did speak about that before the game.

"Playing under floodlights in this competition, that sometimes makes teams anxious. However, I think we rose to the challenge and dealt with it very well."

Spanish winger Nicolas Santos-Clase scored a first half brace, both goals ended up making the difference.

"He scored from a set piece," Omogbehin commented. "That's something that is becoming an improved part of our game.

"That's the third set piece we've scored in our last two games. I was happy for him, I thought his second goal was exceptional, a great individual goal.

"To get his head up and to be calm in the last moment and to find the slot was magical. Those are the type of finishes we look at and work hard at, so a very good performance."

Fulham have played the Swans twice already this season, however with one draw and more recently a loss a win in the Cup put that right.

"A win's a win for us. Every team is entitled to play their style of football and we try to be expansive, creative, to try take risks with the way we play.

"Swansea are quite the opposite, they're compact and like to be difficult to play against. So from our point of view, our style of football won today and that's the way forward."

Coming into this tie the Young Whites knew that if they won, Plymouth Argyle would be waiting for them in the Fifth Round at Home Park.

"It will definitely be a hard fixture, they knocked out a very strong Manchester City side so they won't be push overs.

"They will be difficult, we will look at what they have done and what they will be doing, we'll put our plan in place and be ready for them. We look forward to it."




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/january/18/omogbehin-rose-to-the-challenge

[WhiteJC]

 
Kyle McFadzean and Burton Albion full of confidence heading to Fulham after last season's last-gasp 'suckerpunch'

McFadzean was suspended for last season's 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage

Kyle McFadzean has never played at Fulham's Craven Cottage before - but he says he and his Burton Albion teammates will travel there full of confidence this weekend.

The Brewers will take on the in-form Cottagers on Saturday (3pm) and bid to secure a fourth successive away victory in the Championship.

They will also be keen to avoid the late drama that saw them denied two points at the same venue last season, when Ryan Sessegnon's 94th-minute leveller cancelled out Jackson Irvine's strike in a 1-1 draw.

Not that McFadzean - who was suspended for that game - would turn down a share of the spoils against a Fulham side who have won four of their last five matches and are on an upwards curve towards the top six.

"I'm looking forward to it, because I've never played there," said the Burton defender.

"I've been suspended or injured, so I'm looking forward to it.

"I travelled last year, and we were unlucky there.

"We conceded late on, and I thought we deserved to win that game.

"We defended really well, and it's always a suckerpunch when you concede in the 94th minute.

"But you still take a point away at Fulham.

"We will be going there full of confidence, and hopefully we can build on another win.

"They have won their last couple and they've hit a bit of form.

"Fulham are a good team, they've got a lot of good, attacking players."

The Brewers' success on the road this season has been built around their ability to stifle the opponents' attacking qualities, and then capitalise when the game opens up.

Since the 5-0 thrashing at Leeds United on September 9, Nigel Clough's side have conceded only five goals on the road, taking 15 points in that time.

So is the prospect of nullifying and frustrating the attack-minded Cottagers one that Albion are relishing this weekend?

"We look forward to it every game," added McFadzean.

"At the minute, we're probably set up away from home better than we are at home.

"I don't think think it's anything to do with formations at home.

"It's just that, away, our mentality has been a little bit different, and I think we need that mentality at home sometimes.

"We are looking forward to it at Fulham. They've got good attacking players and they've spent a bit of money."



https://www.burtonmail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kyle-mcfadzean-burton-albion-full-1084794

[WhiteJC]

 
Palace interested in Fulham keeper Button

Crystal Palace are interested in Fulham goalkeeper David Button.

The Eagles want to sign a new keeper during this month's transfer window and their first choice is Getafe's Vicente Guaita.

Palace have identified a number of other possible options, including Button and Ipswich's Bartosz Bialkowski, and have made enquiries about both men.

Button, 28, recently lost his place in the Fulham side to Marcus Bettinelli and has been on the substitutes' bench for their past seven league games.

He has made 60 Championship appearances for the Whites since joining them from Brentford in the summer of 2016.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/crystal-palace-interested-whites-keeper

[WhiteJC]

 
Premier League side show interest in Fulham player (Not Cairney)



Crystal Palace are interested in signing Fulham goalkeeper David Button who has lost his place as the Cottagers number one in recent weeks.

The 28-year old began the season as first-choice for Slavisa Jokanovic however Marcus Bettinelli has been preferred since the Whites lost 3-1 at Brentford at the start of December.

Since then, Fulham have gone on a fine run and are now just one point outside the top six.

Whilst Button did feature in the FA Cup game against Southampton, Fulham lost, meaning his season could effectively be over unless injury hits.

Therefore, Jokanovic may consider cashing in on his keeper who, according to west London Sport, is attracting interest from Palace.

The Eagles are known to be very keen on signing a new number one and have been heavily linked with a move for Getafe's Vicente Guaita although that seems to have stalled over the past week.

Another player Roy Hodgson is monitoring is Ipswich Town stopper Bartosz Bialkowski and the report suggests that Palace have made an enquiry for him, as they have done with Button.

The Verdict

This will all depend on the fee for Fulham if Palace do firm up their interest with a bid.

If Jokanovic needs to sell to raise money for a striker then it's a no-brainer to let Button go and search for a cheaper back up.

Obviously the deal has to be right for the Cottagers but it's something that could suit all three parties.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/premier-league-side-show-interest-in-fulham-player-not-cairney/

[WhiteJC]

 
West Brom readying improved bid for Fulham midfielder

West Brom are set to make an improved offer of £15m for Fulham's star midfielder Tom Cairney, according to Ed Aarons of The Guardian.

Albion had an initial £12m bid rejected by the Cottagers and believe that a bid of £15m could tempt Fulham into selling their star man.

During the summer Fulham rejected a £20m bid from Newcastle United for Cairney, but could sell him this month in order to raise funds for a new striker.

Manager Slavisa Jokanovic signed two strikers in the summer, with Aboubakar Kamara and Rui Fonte joining the club. However, neither have hit the ground running and with just seven goals between them, they may look to strengthen this area once again.

West Brom boss Alan Pardew is desperate for new signings this month with the club currently sat 19th in the Premier League.

The former Crystal Palace boss has prioritised adding extra creativity and goals to his side this month, something which Cairney could bring.

After being released by Leeds United at the age of 16, Cairney joined the youth setup at Hull City. He signed up to a youth scholarship deal and made his debut at just 17, opening the scoring in a 3-1 victory over Southend.

During his time with the Tigers he played 70 times, scoring on two occasions. In August 2013 he joined Blackburn Rovers on an initial loan deal, before making the move permanently in January.

In his first season with Rovers he was voted the clubs player of the year, after scoring six goals in 40 appearances. Cairney spent just one more season at Blackburn before joining current club Fulham in June 2015 for a reported £3m.

At the beginning of last season, Cairney was elected as the new club captain of Fulham. He established himself as one of the divisions most prolific goalscoring midfielders, scoring 13 times to help the club finish 6th in the Championship.



http://the72.co.uk/96938/west-brom-readying-improved-bid-fulham-midfielder/

[WhiteJC]

 
Forget Cairney: Pardew should be looking to bring classy Fulham teammate to West Brom ASAP



West Bromwich Albion are in big trouble at the bottom of the Premier League, with Alan Pardew's side firmly rooted in the relegation zone as we head deeper into the second half of the season.

Fans here in The Transfer Tavern are extremely concerned for their side's survival, and told our landlord over a cold pint that big changes were needed at The Hawthorns this month if the Baggies are to have any chance of escaping the bottom three. Despite their tricky situation, the club lie just two points behind seventeenth-placed Southampton, and a win this weekend could see them rise out of the doldrums. However fans want change, and with reported interested in Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney, a new middle man is high on their January wishlist. Fulham will fight tooth and nail to maintain hold of their key man ahead of their push for the Championship playoffs, and could play hardball with the Baggies.

However should this happen and their asking price for Cairney spiral out of control, Pardew should instead target a move for his teammates, Stefan Johansen. The Norwegian international has been solid enough this season, scoring four goals and adding two assists from his role in the middle of the park, but the 27-year-old truly exhibited his quality last year. The player bagged eleven goals and eight assists in thirty-seven league starts to emerge as one of the strongest midfielders in the division, with the former Celtic man looking like a Premier League man.

Fulham's form as a squad has curtailed this year meaning Johansen's stats have dwindled, but the player remains instrumental in this Cottagers side. Should Cairney be valued too highly, then switching their attention to his Scandinavian teammate would not be the end of the world for the beleaguered Baggies.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premiership/forget-cairney-pardew-should-be-looking-to-bring-classy-fulham-teammate-to-west-brom-asap/

[WhiteJC]

 
Sigurdsson Update

The Club can confirm that Ragnar Sigurdsson's loan spell at FC Rubin Kazan has terminated, and that he has joined FC Rostov on a permanent deal.

Sigurdsson joined Fulham several games into the 2016/17 season, and went on to make 18 appearances for the Whites, scoring once in a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

Everyone at the Club would like to thank Ragnar for his efforts during his time here, and wish him the best of luck during his future career.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/january/18/ragnar-sigurdsson-update

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Ragnar Sigurdsson: Iceland defender joins FC Rostov from Fulham

Ragnar Sigurdsson played every minute of Iceland's games at Euro 2016

Iceland defender Ragnar Sigurdsson has joined Russian Premier League side FC Rostov on a permanent deal from Fulham.

The 31-year-old joined Fulham in the summer of 2016 from FC Krasnodar and went on to make 18 appearances.

Sigurdsson joined Rubin Kazan on loan from the Cottagers earlier this season but the deal has been terminated to allow him to join rivals Rostov.

At Euro 2016, Sigurdsson scored against England in Iceland's 2-1 win in the knockout stages of the competition.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42740550