Wednesday Fulham Stuff (09/05/18)...

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Referees confirmed for Derby County v Fulham Championship play-off semi-final tie

The Rams will be in action at Pride Park Stadium on Friday night and Craven Cottage on Monday evening

The match officials have been confirmed for both legs of Derby County's Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final against Fulham.

Roger East will be the referee for Friday night's first leg at Pride Park Stadium (7.45pm).

The Wiltshire man will be assisted by Constantine Hatzidakis and Adrian Holmes, with Kevin Friend named as the fourth official.

East has dished out 92 yellow cards and three red cards in 28 matches this season - many of them in the Premier League.

He took charge of Derby's 1-1 draw with Birmingham City at Pride Park in September.

Chris Kavanagh will referee the second leg of the Rams' play-off semi-final, at Craven Cottage on Monday evening (7.45pm).

The Lancashire official has shown 96 yellow cards and four red cards in 28 games so far this term.

He has not taken charge of a Derby game in 2017-18 but oversaw three of their matches last season.

They were the 3-0 home win over Nottingham Forest, the 3-0 defeat at Birghton & Hove Albion and the 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Pride Park.

On Monday, Kavanagh will be assisted by Dan Cook and Marc Perry. Stuart Attwell has been named as the fourth official.



https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/referee-derby-fulham-championship-playoff-1546331

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West Ham should sign Aleksandar Mitrovic who just can't stop scoring

The 23-year-old has 12 goals in 13 appearances since his Championship arrival.

With the likes of Andy Carroll and Javier Hernandez being linked with moves away from East London, West Ham should look no further than to their London neighbours for reinforcements in attack, with Fulham loanee striker Aleksandar Mitrovic firing on all fronts for the Cottagers since his January move.

According to the Daily Mail, Mitrovic's parent club Newcastle have stated they are willing to sell the striker, with Rafa Benitez hopeful of securing a significant fee that he can reinvest.

Mitrovic cost the Magpies £13 million when he initially joined but the North East side want to make a healthy profit, while the player himself is keen on a move away from St James' Park.

The Serbian striker has been a revelation at Craven Cottage and Slavisa Jokanovic's use of his fellow countryman has seen the 23-year-old striker become prolific on all fronts in the Championship.

Mitrovic joined on the final day of January's transfer window and has scored 12 goals in his last 13 games, helping Fulham cement an automatic promotion chase.

Despite missing out on the final day after their 3-1 defeat to Birmingham City, Mitrovic can still fire Fulham to the Premier League via the play-offs and showcase why he is deserving of a second chance in the Premier League.

Reports from the Daily Star suggest that David Moyes is to be given a hefty spending spree for the summer and Mitrovic could prove to be the perfect transfer target.

Marko Arnautovic has proved a success in his debut season for the Hammers, registering 10 goals in the league to see him the club's top-scorer this season.

However, the Austrian international is not an established out-and-out striker and the arrival of a forward partner could see the 29-year-old replicating the form of this season.

The signing of Javier Hernandez has not proved successful since his summer move from Bayern Leverkusen, reported by BBC Sport to be in the region of £16 million.

The former Manchester United striker has been left frustrated on the bench and has even been linked with a move back to his former club Chivas, as confirmed by ESPN.

In the case of 29-year-old Andy Carroll, the club must look to sell him as quickly as possible.

With only eight starts to date this season, he has not made more than 18 starts in a single season since he joined the club on loan in 2012/13, meaning the Hammers are crying out for more options up-front.

Moyes' side sits 15th in the league, on 38 points, with home games against Manchester United and Everton rounding off what has been a very mixed season.

Poor early results led to Slaven Bilic being replaced by Moyes back in November and pitch invasions and discontent in the stands during a loss to Burnley in March threatened to further sour the season.

Fans have been fuming about the club's move to the London Stadium and a lack of investment on the pitch. This could call for real investment in the summer.

Mitrovic has proven his worth through his miraculous revival at Fulham and deserves the chance to showcase his talents in the top-flight.



https://tbrfootball.com/west-ham-aleksandar-mitrovic/

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Gary Rowett delivers message to Derby County players ahead of play-offs

The Rams face Fulham over two legs in the semi-final, with a trip to Wembley and promotion up for grabs

Derby County will face Fulham twice in four days in their Championship play-off semi-final tie.

The first leg is at Pride Park Stadium on Friday night (7.45pm) and the second leg is at Craven Cottage on Monday.

And with only a few days between the games, manager Gary Rowett has told the players that the squad will be needed.

"We know in two play-off games quite close together that we are going to need more than the 11 that started against Barnsley," said the Rams boss.

"We are going to need to use those options well and make sure everybody is ready to play their part."

Derby's 4-1 victory over Barnsley on Sunday showed the value of having options on the bench.

Substitutes Matej Vydra and David Nugent each scored, and Nugent also set up a goal for Tom Lawrence.

The Rams have netted more goals courtesy of substitutes than any other side in the Championship this season.

Victory over Barnsley secured a top-six finish and set up a showdown with Fulham in the play-offs.

Aston Villa take on Middlesbrough in the other semi-final.

The two winners will face each other in the final at Wembley on Saturday, May 26, for a place in the Premier League.



https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gary-rowett-derby-fulham-playoffs-1544371

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Matej Vydra hoping Derby County can capitalise on Fulham 'frustration'

The Rams take on the Cottagers in the Championship play-offs after Slavisa Jokanovic's men missed out on automatic promotion

Matej Vydra is hoping Derby County can capitalise on any disappointment and frustration Fulham may be feeling after just missing out on automatic promotion.

The Rams take on the Cottagers in the Sky Bet Championship semi-final over two legs.

The first leg is being played at Pride Park Stadium on Friday night (7.45pm), with the second leg at Craven Cottage on Monday evening.

Derby go into the tie on a three-match unbeaten run which helped clinch their top-six place.

They beat Cardiff City 3-1 and draw 1-1 at Aston Villa before booking their play-off spot thanks to a 4-1 victory over Barnsley on Sunday.

Fulham had to settle for third place after being pipped to the second automatic promotion spot by Cardiff.

Cardiff were held to a goalless draw by Reading but Fulham were unable to take advantage as they lost 3-1 at Birmingham City.

"Fulham will be disappointed and it will be tough for them because they were here last season as well," said Vydra.

"They were close to automatic promotion but lost their last game, so maybe they will be frustrated and we can use this against them."

Fulham's defeat to Birmingham ended an excellent unbeaten run of 23 league games.

Slavisa Jokanovic's men took four points off Derby during the regular campaign, winning 2-1 at Pride Park and drawing 1-1 in West London, where Vydra was on target.

"It will be tough but in the play-offs, it doesn't matter who you play," said the Rams player of the year.

"We have to be ready and just play our football. Anything can happen at this stage.

"I think we will have more confidence after the last game.

"We have more confidence on the ball, which showed out there against Barnsley.

"I think now we can play even better.

"I think we can do it. We have a good squad, they have a good squad, so I'm sure it will be nice football for everyone.

"We will give 100% to beat them and get to the final."



https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/matej-vydra-derby-fulham-playoffs-1545845