Sunday Fulham Stuff (06/05/18)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Three Players to Watch: Matchday 46 vs. Birmingham
Can Fulham get promoted back to the Premier League?

So this is it! If Fulham were to win over Birmingham and Cardiff City were to get anything but a win over Reading, Fulham gains direct promotion to the Premier League. And they will do so off the back of 24-straight games unbeaten. On days like today, this could go down as one of the most historic days in modern club history, or it could go down in agony. The latter may be a stretch because Fulham will still be the top seed of the four heading towards the playoffs, but after going through a painstakingly unlucky two-legged affair with Reading last season, I'm sure the rest of the supporters will not want to go through those emotions ever again.

Either way, Fulham have loads to play for and they will not want to lose such a wonderful opportunity. Along with that, Birmingham has loads to play for as well as they are not that far away from relegation towards League One. These are some dark times for a club that used to be hosting Premier League opposition but have just continued to see their standing in English football since Carson Yeung's tenure as owner. Even if his imprint is no longer at St. Andrew's, Birmingham are still suffering the consequences.

With this year, in particular, they are under their fourth manager in this season alone. Out go Harry Redknapp, Lee Carsley, and Steve Cotterill. In comes Gary Monk. And in some rarified positive air on the club, Monk has been solid as a manager for the club since taking over. In his nine games in charge, Birmingham may have only been outscored 13-12, but their expected goals count has seen them put up a 15.3-10.3 advantage. As a result, a total of 13 points have been collected out of a maximum 27 during that span. That could be enough to stave them off regulation.

That being said, only three points separate them from the drop and it will be curtains for them if two teams (Barnsley and either Burton Albion or Bolton depending on how their fixture fairs) so there is no way they can go away quietly. Monk has been able to implement a 4-4-2 formation that has been a solid bandage towards their long-standing problem: being able to score goals. While their defense could be better, their attack has been the more inexplicable to figure out. From a total shots standpoint, Monk has been able to improve the squad on that side of the game where they are both 12th best in the league in both attack and defense. But from an expected goals standpoint, they still are not there when it comes to shot quality on both sides of the ball.

Until that changes with an improved roster, Birmingham will continue to be a poor Championship club that will continue to stave off relegation. Until then, all it takes in a one-game-changes-everything is for one lucky bounce to put Birmingham in euphoria and for Fulham to see their dreams crushed for one week. On that note, let's take a look at three players Fulham will have to get the better off in order to gain all three points.

Maxime Colin

First up for Birmingham is the 25-year old Brentford fullback. It has been a struggling season for Colin as his defensive contributions and his dribbling rates, two of his biggest strengths, are at career lows since his arrival to England. That being said, Colin has always been strong in the air and can whip in an accurate cross into the box.

After making his professional debut with Boulogne in 2010, he made the rise to Ligue 1 in 2012 for Troyes before moving to Anderlecht in 2014. While in Belgium, Colin experienced his only taste so far in European Club football via the Europa League before moving to Brentford in 2016. He has not looked back since then and Colin hopes to continue to bring his continental experience over to Birmingham for the three remaining years of his contract.

Wes Harding

While this season can be deemed a disappointing one, there has been one bright spot of late. Of late, Birmingham has been using the 21-year old Harding into their starting XI and he has played in their last eight fixtures. During that span, he has shown to move the ball on the dribble while being solid in the air and a solid tackle to dribbled-past ratio.

Hardings' presence has been a good one for not only Monk but also for his left-wing partner, Jota. With Harding's diversity in skills, it has allowed the former Brentford man to get more involved in the attack via the dribble.

Lukas Jutkiewicz

All data from whoscored.com

Lastly, we take a look at one of the mainstays up front this season in Jutkiewicks. It hasn't been until this past season that the former Bolton and Burnley man has finally gotten a long run of games. When he has been on, the 29-year old has been known as a volume shooter with an ever-improving shot on target ratio. However, his career 5.7% goal conversion rate is simply not good enough beyond becoming a starter for a bottom half of the Championship level club. Welp, that type of club is Birmingham and at 4 goals and 1 assist, that simply is not good enough production at center forward. Once Monk receives a good chunk for the summer transfer window, I am sure getting an upgrade at this position will be his biggest priority.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/5/6/17321360/three-players-to-watch-matchday-46-vs-birmingham

[WhiteJC]

 
Jokanovic should consider deals for this pair as a replacement for Aleksandar Mitrovic at Fulham

Fulham will be praying for a miracle when they head to St Andrew's to take on Birmingham City on Sunday afternoon, with the West London outfit praying for a slip up from promotion rivals, Cardiff City.

The Bluebirds will secure their passage to the Premier League with a home win over strugglers Reading, leaving Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham side to tackle the play-offs.

Fulham's surge up the table following the Christmas fixture pile-up has been remarkable but their pursuit of automatic promotion appears to have been in vain.

Their upturn in results coincided with the arrival of Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic on loan until the end of the season, with the Serbian bagging an impressive twelve goals in only fourteen league starts.

However, if the Serb fails to sign on a permanent basis and Fulham secure their dream return to the top flight, Jokanovic must weight up deals for one of this pair to replace him...

Britt Assombalonga

Fulham could have a lot of money to spend this summer should they part ways with teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon and improving their attacking options in the absence of the England U21 international and Mitrovic could become the manager's priority.

Assombalonga made a big money move in the summer to Middlesbrough from Nottingham Forest and has impressed under Tony Pulis on Teesside.

For Fulham to be promoted via the play-offs, Boro would lose out, leaving the 25-year-old striker with plenty to consider should a Premier League side come calling.

Big, combative and an eye for goal, Assombalonga is in the mould of Mitrovic and would fit well into a side which adopts a philosophy of free-flowing attacking football.

He could be the man to keep Fulham up next season.

Salomon Rondon

The 28-year-old Venezuelan has done well since arriving in England from Russian side Zenit, scoring important goals that have kept West Bromwich Albion within touching distance of safety.

However, it appears the Baggies' pursuit of survival is drawing to a close and second tier football beckons for those at the Hawthorns.

Rondon is a top flight striker and in the right system, could prove to be a real menace.

Fulham play best with an outlet up front, someone who can be fed the ball before bringing others into play and that is exactly what the former Malaga man offers.

A decent finisher when the chances are laid on, Rondon possesses the capacity to reach fifteen league goals a season, something Jokanovic will feel he can draw from the player under his tutelage.

With the West Midlanders looking likely for the drop, the player could be available for an absolute steal.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/jokanovic-should-consider-deals-for-this-pair-as-a-replacement-for-aleksandar-mitrovic-at-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

 
Former Fulham RLFC owner passes away

It is with regret and deep sadness that London Broncos announce the passing of former Fulham RLFC owner Roy Close, who passed away on April 29th, at the age of 90 years old.

Roy and his wife Barbara were Fulham Football Club season ticket holders who were given free tickets for the first year of London RL, then named Fulham RLFC, for the upcoming matches to be played at Craven Cottage in 1980. Like so many others they loved the sport and actively sought to become more involved. Their earliest known involvement was to fund the signing of the player Steve Bayliss in 1982. When the team went into liquidation in 1984 they took control and Barbara went on to become the first ever female Chairman of a rugby league team.

There will be more details on this story as and when we get them and more about Roy's involvement with the club.

Our heartfelt thanks go to former kit man Steve Magee for providing the information on Mr Close.



https://londonbroncosrl.com/news/former-fulham-rlfc-owner-passes-away/

[WhiteJC]

 
Garry Monk makes three changes - the Birmingham City team to take on Fulham

BCFC boss Monk has made a trio of alterations to the side to face the Cottagers

Sam Gallagher has been brought into the Birmingham City team to fire them to safety on the final day.

The loan striker is one of three changes Garry Monk has made to the team which lost at QPR last time out and which is hoping to complete the salvage operation at home to Fulham this afternoon.

Monk has gone for an offensive 4-4-2 line-up with Gallagher taking the place of Che Adams who was ineffective at Loftus Road.

Maikel Kieftenbeld comes in for Cheikh Ndoye in midfield, and Harlee Dean is back in for Marc Roberts.

Dean will partner Michael Morrison in the middle of defence, with Maxime Colin and Wes Harding retaining their places at full-back.

Jota and Jacques Maghoma will flank Kieftenbeld and David Davis in midfield with Gallagher making his first start in nines games up front alongside Lukas Jutkiewicz.

Paul Robinson is named on the bench for what could be his final appearance in a Blues shirt. After more than five years at the club the veteran is set to leave.

BLUES (4-4-2): Stockdale; Harding, Morrison, Dean, Colin; Jota, Davis, Kieftenbeld, Maghoma; Gallagher, Jutkiewicz.

Subs: Kuszczak, Dacres-Cogley, Roberts, Robinson, Ndoye, Gardner, Adams



https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/garry-monk-makes-three-changes-14622034