Friday Fulham Stuff (11/05/18)...

[WhiteJC]

Anguish or Triumph?
How will you handle life as a Fulham supporter after last Sunday?

So here we are, ladies and gentleman. Something that was mostly expected will happen but it is not something that not many want coming into this past week. Fulham will once again be among the four teams hoping to be promoted to the Premier League via the playoffs.

But that was not supposed to be how the story went. Fulham were supposed to come to St. Andrew's, dominate against a weak Birmingham City club and make it through automatically: especially after learning that Cardiff City only drew with Reading. Instead, the club capitulated to a 3-1 defeat; putting an end to a historic 23-match unbeaten run. But that's the thing about unbeaten runs, especially in football at this level. They're not supposed to last that long.

But what made last Sunday sting so much was that it was an opportunity. It was knocking so loud that all of Putney Bridge, Bishop's Park and a good chunk of the River Thames felt it all week. Nobody could have cared less that Fulham only had a less than 20% chance of getting promoted automatically. So that's why this defeat hurts. That's why, in spite of the 23-match unbeaten run, ridicule towards the players and the coaching staff reverberated all day.

But hey, let's all forget what happened to them between mid-September to mid-December. During that stretch, Fulham only won five times in 15 fixtures and only picked up 19 points during that span. In other words, instead of the 88 points the club ended up getting, they were playing like a 58-point club instead: good enough for 15th best in the Championship if they played like that all season.

But the club regrouped. With Craig Kline gone, Slavisa had a larger role in the transfer market and boy did he strike gold in January with Matt Targett and Aleksander Mitrovic. The two easily became the best at their positions in the league and guided the squad to bigger and brighter things. If only they were a part of Fulham much sooner!

But here we are, one match away from destiny...until destiny was taken away from us. Fulham's defense was found wanting in the Birmingham sunshine. The attack only came with a few headers towards goal to show for it. Everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong for everyone involved. This includes one too many supporters, who did not spend a moment putting the whole season into perspective and realizing how far the players and coaches had to climb.

So what do we do now? Do us supporters continue to wallow in our own misery from an opportunity that was not taken. Or do we take advantage of another opportunity that was given to us against Derby County? Do we fear for an additional moment of agony in the club's illustrious history of such matters? Or do we revel in the fact that we are among the favorites to still come out of this with not only an appearance at Wembley, but with a "We're going up" banners being paraded around the pitch by this month's end?

An opportunity is present. You can either take it or leave it. We are given these opportunities, no matter how big or small, every day in every part of our lives, let alone for our football club. But this is why the playoffs are a miserable moment.

Especially in this day and age, we'd like things to be much simpler. We can potentially find significant others online. We can say whatever we want on the internet and face much less scrutiny for it. We can even order food without having to move a muscle as long as the device to make it happen is right on our hands. We like things simple now.

But sometimes, simplicity has to be earned. This is one of those moments. We can either feel sorry for a defeat to Birmingham and wish we can bring that easy joy back, or we can all get ready to burst with pride when our club go against another for two legs, and hopefully one additional fixture against another in the home of football. But only you can decide how to best handle this last few days before Friday.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2018/5/10/17336548/anguish-or-triumph

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Leicester and Watford among Premier League clubs rivalling Fulham for 13-goal striker



Fulham face competition in the race to sign Niclas Fullkrug from Hannover this summer, with Leicester City and Watford also interested.

According to the Mirror's Live Transfer Blog (09/05, 19:51), Fulham remain interested in Fullkrug ahead of the summer, with the striker a target of Slavisa Jokanovic.

However, the Sky Bet Championship outfit look set to face competition in the race to sign the 25-year-old, with Premier League clubs interested.

Leicester and Watford are two clubs known to be rivalling Fulham for Fullkrug.

The Hannover striker has scored 13 goals this season in the Bundesliga, helping his side away from the relegation zone, whilst also catching the eye on German boss, Joachim Low ahead of the summer's World Cup.

Fulham, Leicester and Watford don't appear to be the only clubs chasing a deal for Fullkrug, with The Sun reporting this morning that a host of other Championship and Premier League clubs are eyeing a deal.

Whilst Fulham continue to be linked with players ahead of the summer, it is not clear which division they will be playing in next season, with Jokanovic's side chasing promotion via the play-offs.

Fulham finished third in the Championship and face Derby County in the play-off semi-final tomorrow evening.

The Verdict 

The race to sign Fullkrug is gathering pace ahead of the summer, with it looking like a host of clubs will be looking to secure the 25-year-old's signature.

The likelihood is that it will be a Premier League club that land the striker's signature, which makes promotion even more vital for Fulham, who are keen.

However, Fulham's focus can't afford to drift beyond the upcoming play-off clash with Derby.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/leicester-and-watford-among-premier-league-clubs-rivalling-fulham-for-13-goal-striker/

[WhiteJC]

 
Keogh Ready For 'Special Night' Against Fulham

Richard Keogh says he's had 'special nights' under the lights at Pride Park Stadium and Derby County are looking forward to another as they 'give their everything' against Fulham on Friday.

The Rams have part of their job done for the season, finishing in the top-six in the Sky Bet Championship, however they are only just getting started.

On Friday the Cottagers will arrive at Pride Park Stadium ready to take on a confident and in-form Derby side.

Keogh told RamsTV: "Our aim was minimum was a top-six finish, that's cemented now and the play-offs is something we are all looking forward to.

"We know what the play-offs are like. It's a pressure environment, but if you look though our squad the majority of us have been through a play-off campaign, so hopefully that will help us in the lead up to this."

In fact, there are just three members of the squad that are getting their first taste of play-off action, Tom Lawrence, Jonathan Mitchell and Jamie Hanson. Although, Hanson was around the Derby squad for their 2016 appearance.

Keogh, who joined the Rams in 2012, has experienced two Championship Play-Offs with the club, reaching the showpiece final at Wembley in 2014 after outlasting Brighton and Hove Albion in the semi-finals.

With a wealth of experience on the team, Keogh believes it could provide an edge in an extremely competitive field.

"It can be fine margins, you can't win it in the first leg but you can lose it," Keogh said.

"But we are definitely ready for these two legs, we are ticking along very nicely and our togetherness is really showing through.

"There are four massive teams. It is the most competitive play-offs that I have seen since I have been here, but we will just get on with our work."

Keogh hailed Fulham's lengthy unbeaten run in the latter part of the season. However, as it came down to the wire with automatic promotion on the line, the Cottagers stumbled and suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Birmingham City on the final day of the season.

"Fulham are a fantastic team, to go 23 games unbeaten, that is some record in this league," he said.

"It's a bit like when we went on our run, it builds confidence and momentum. But it's the play-offs now, it's different, the season has ended and we will give it everything.

I think they will be disappointed that they fell short at the end but they will be going in there thinking they can go all the way, like ourselves, we will be too."

Unlike Fulham, the Rams are heading into the play-offs off the back of a 4-1 victory over Barnsley that followed a string of huge results.

A change in formation ahead of the clash with Middlesbrough saw a galvanised squad. Despite the loss, a good team performance carried through to a crucial win over Cardiff City and a hard-fought draw against Aston Villa.

With the first-leg being played at home, Keogh is calling for fans to help make it a special night at Pride Park with the same vigorous support they brought to the game against Cardiff.

"It's nice playing in front of our own fans with the atmosphere that they generate but we will be ready for it anyway.

"I know these guys inside and out now and what they will bring to the table Friday, it will be an amazing one.

"The Cardiff game, with that night time feel, gave us that little bit extra. They will be up for this game just like we will be and I'm sure they will bring everything and really get us going.

I've been involved in some special nights at Pride Park and I'm hoping we can do it a few more times."



https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2018/05/keogh-ready-for-special-night-against-fulham

[WhiteJC]

 
Why half the Premier League will be rooting for Derby to beat Fulham

Derby County face Fulham in the Championship play-offs.

Derby County host Fulham in the Championship play-offs semi-final first leg this Friday and they will no doubt have the backing from at least ten Premier League clubs wishing them well.

The Rams managed to finalise their place in the top six in the final game of the season as they defeated Barnsley 4-1 at Pride Park, while Fulham had to settle for third place following their defeat to Birmingham City.

13 points separate the two sides in the table, but it is not a case of Premier League clubs hoping the supposed weaker side joins them in the top flight; their interest in the tie will revolve around several Fulham players.

The Cottagers boast a number of top quality players who have been linked with moves to the Premier League, and failure to gain promotion will certainly make it easier for top flight clubs to sign their prized assets.

Starting with 17-year-old sensation Ryan Sessegnon, a report in the Express listed Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool as top-end clubs taking an interest in him.

Sessegnon would probably benefit from remaining at Fulham for at least another year or two, but the west London club must be aware that failure to secure promotion will see them severely tested this summer.

Ryan Fredericks's contract is set to expire this summer, therefore missing out on a return to the Premier League will probably result in the coveted right-back leaving for a top-flight club.

A recent report in the Sun claimed Crystal Palace had joined Everton, Arsenal and West Ham United in tracking the player, while the latter are also said to be keen on Frederick's Fulham teammate Tom Cairney.

Cairney is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders outside the Premier League, and the Sun reports the Hammers will look to move for him should Slavisa Jokanovic's men remain in the Championship.

Another player who could end his affiliation with Fulham this summer in the event of falling short is on-loan striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, with the Serb moving to Craven Cottage from Newcastle United in January.

Mitrovic has been a hit in west London under fellow Serbian Jokanovic, but it seems he will only stay if the club secures Premier League football as his excellent form is gaining interest from elsewhere.

Championship winners Wolverhampton Wanderers are said to be keen, with the Chronicle claiming that the Magpies are looking for a figure in the region of £20 million for his signature this summer.

Fulham are the favourites to ultimately win the play-offs, but there is a huge amount of pressure on them, and supporters will know that missing out again will likely see a quite brilliant team unfortunately broken up.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/05/10/tt-why-half-the-premier-league-will-be-rooting-for-derby-to-beat/

[WhiteJC]

 
PSG 'join Manchester United and Tottenham in the race to sign Fulham wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon'

    Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon is one of the brightest prospects in European football
    The 17-year-old is a target for clubs such as Tottenham as Manchester United
    Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain are now being linked with the youngster

French giants Paris Saint-Germain have joined the race for Fulham wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon.

The 17-year-old, who won five EFL awards following another impressive campaign, is already attracting interest from a host of Premier League clubs.

The Fulham sensation is being linked with a summer transfer to the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United. And now, according to the Mirror, PSG are keen to secure his signature.


Paris Saint-Germain have joined the race for Fulham wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon (pictured)


PSG boast one of the most dangerous forward lines in football with the likes of Neymar (right)

They report that the Ligue 1 side, who secured the Treble with victory in the French Cup earlier this week, are keen to strengthen their left side.

It is from that flank that 17-year-old Sessegnon has scored 15 goals and attracted the interest of some of Europe's top teams.

PSG already boast one of the most dangerous forward lines in world football with the likes of Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe at their disposal. But they are reportedly ready to further add to their attacking options.


Sessegnon, who has 15 goals this year, has attracted interest from some of Europe's top clubs

Sessegnon could still win promotion to the top flight with his current club, however. Slavisa Jokanovic's side face Derby in the Championship play-offs, with the first leg at Pride Park on Friday night.

The two teams will then meet at Craven Cottage for the return leg on Monday, with the winner one step closer to joining Wolves and Cardiff in the Premier League.

PSG, meanwhile, finish off their Ligue 1 campaign with clashes against Rennes and Caen.   



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5712783/PSG-join-Man-United-Tottenham-race-sign-Ryan-Sessegnon.html#ixzz5FAk24yF7
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Jokanovic delivers insight into Fulham's play-off preparations

Slavisa Jokanovic has delivered an insight into Fulham's preparations for their play-off semi-final in his latest social media post.

Fulham are set to travel to the Pride Park Stadium tomorrow evening to take on Derby County, as the Sky Bet Championship's play-offs get underway.

The Cottagers are aiming to join Wolves and Cardiff City in the Premier League next season, and are looking avenge last year's play-off misery.

Jokanovic has taken to his personal Twitter account to deliver a picture of one of Fulham's training sessions, alongside a caption stressing that his side will be giving their all:

Fulham were left gutted on the final day of the Championship season, as a 3-1 defeat to Birmingham City ended their hopes of securing automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

Victory over the Blues would've secured a place in the top-two, with Cardiff only managing a draw against Reading.

Fulham have to dust themselves down quickly, however, with a testing trip to Derby in the first-leg of their play-off coming tomorrow.

During the season, Fulham picked up four points from a possible six against their play-off semi-final opponents.

The Verdict 

Defeat at this stage of the play-offs last season really hurt Fulham, and Jokanovic will want to make sure his side do not suffer that feeling again this year.

Tomorrow's clash with Derby is going to be a difficult one, but Fulham will want to put last weekend's defeat behind them and pick up a positive result.

Jokanovic's first aim will be making sure his side are still in the tie heading back to Craven Cottage for the second-leg.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/jokanovic-delivers-insight-into-fulhams-play-off-preparations/

[WhiteJC]

 
Pundit questions impact defeat will have on Fulham's confidence



Derby County go head-to-head with Fulham on Friday in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final.

Fulham finished 13 points in front of Derby during the regular season, but a final day defeat against Birmingham City saw them pipped to second place by Cardiff City.

Sky Sports' pundit David Prutton is concerned that the result could affect Fulham's confidence, although he is tipping them to secure a 0-0 draw at Pride Park (9/1 with Sky Bet).

"Both of these sides had automatic promotion within their sights at one point this season, and you wonder what impact that defeat at Birmingham will have on Fulham, especially as it saw their unbeaten run come crashing to an end," he said.

"That being said, Fulham were the form side heading into the play-offs last season and they still got knocked out at the semi-final stage.

"This time they play the away leg first and you feel they'd be more than happy with a draw, which I think they'll get."

The two sides fought out a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage back in November, while Fulham ran out 2-1 winners at Derby during March.

Derby are priced at 2/1 to win the first leg, with Fulham available at 7/5 and the draw on offer at 12/5.



http://sportslens.com/pundit-questions-impact-defeat-will-have-on-fulhams-confidence/232264/

[WhiteJC]

 
If Shahid Khan pulls this off this summer, Fulham will take some stopping in 2018/19 – Agreed?

Fulham missed the opportunity to win automatic promotion after falling to a 3-1 defeat at Birmingham last time out.

With Cardiff only drawing, three points would've seen the Cottagers move up to second place, however, it wasn't to be with Blues fully deserving of the result.

That means Fulham have to settle for the play-offs where they will face Derby County in the semi-final, with the first leg at Pride Park tomorrow.

However, Slavisa Jokanovic's men are favourites to secure promotion and it's not surprising given the squad he has at his disposal.

Fulham have real quality throughout the team and if they did go up would be expected to stay up by many.

Here we look at three additions that could make the side even better in the Premier League...

Aleksandar Mitrovic

It's no coincidence that Fulham's form has been unbelievable since Mitrovic joined in January.

He was the easily the signing of the winter window and transformed the team with his ability to hold-up play and importantly to score goals.

Signing the Serbian international has to be a priority after his performances since joining.

Alfie Mawson

With Swansea relegated Fulham should be eyeing up a move for Mawson.

The Cottagers need a top centre-back and he would be the perfect addition.

Capable on the ball, which suits Fulham's style and aggressive in his play, the former Barnsley man was a standout player for Swansea. There might be other top-flight interest but Fulham may appeal to the player.

James Maddison

The Norwich City midfielder is destined to play at the top but a move to an elite club may not benefit the player now as he may not play all the time.

Instead, going to Fulham, if they're promoted, where he would regularly feature could benefit all parties.

With superb technique and real creativity, he would be a major player for the Whites.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/if-shahid-khan-pulls-this-off-this-summer-fulham-will-take-some-stopping-in-2018-19-agreed/

[WhiteJC]

 
Gary Rowett's reply when asked if Derby County picked up tips from Birmingham on how to beat Fulham?

The Blues won 3-1 at the weekend to inflict a first league defeat on Fulham in 24 matches

Derby County's play-off opponents Fulham slipped to a first league defeat in 24 matches on Sunday.

They lost 3-1 to Birmingham City at St Andrew's and missed out on automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Cardiff City drew on the final day which meant had Fulham won they would have pipped the Bluebirds for second place.

Fulham visit Pride Park Stadium tomorrow night to face Derby in a play-off semi-final first leg tie.

The West London club won 2-1 at Derby in March and the teams drew 1-1 at Craven Cottage in November.

Asked if he had picked up any tips on how to beat Fulham from Birmingham's performance, Rams boss Gary Rowett said: "Any team that plays Fulham knows you have to try to limit space because they are a good side and if you give them lots of opportunities to exploit space, they will.

"They make a lot of passes, they are patient in the way they play, they try to drag you out of position and they have got good players.

"Birmingham did really well because they were incredibly competitive against them, but Birmingham are a different side to us. I know that because I know lots of the players.

"We haven't got Kieftenbeld and Davies in midfield, we haven't got that type of destructive quality.

"We have got technical players in there that can pass a ball as well as mix it up.

"I don't think we would ever try to be another team and just copy their game-plan, but what you try to do is look at ways you can hurt Fulham, as you would with any opponent.

"A lot of teams have done that with Fulham over 23 games and no-one seemed to find the solution.

"We know it will be a tough test, but we are really confident and we cannot wait for the game."



https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gary-rowetts-reply-asked-derby-1551180

[WhiteJC]

 
Everything You Need To Know About Derby's Play-Off First-Leg Clash

After securing their top-six finish last weekend, Derby County's Sky Bet Championship play-off campaign kicks off under the Pride Park Stadium floodlights against Fulham.

The Rams will be looking to make home advantage count against the Cottagers (kick-off: 7:45pm) and dcfc.co.uk has collated all the information you need ahead of the visit of Slavisa Jokanovic's men...

WHAT'S THE LATEST TEAM NEWS

Derby County are likely to be without Marcus Olsson when they face Fulham.

The 29-year-old left back was forced off in the first half of Sunday's 4-1 win over Barnsley with a knee problem.

And whilst there is no timeframe or concrete information on the extent of the injury, it looks as though he will be out of action for this first-leg.

Sam Winnall remains ruled out.

WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY?

Speaking to RamsTV ahead of the Rams' play-off fixtures, Gary Rowett said: "I would rather go into the play-offs off the back of some positive results than after some disappointment.

"It has no real bearing on the result. It just means you're going in with a more positive mindset.

"There are times when the team that stumbles into the play-offs without expecting to be there manages to keep rolling with that mindset, and I think that we are that team.

"We are the team that probably felt that we wouldn't be in the play-offs, but we have produced four very good performances to get there.

"That is where we are, but I don't think that it will mean anything on Friday night."

ONE TO WATCH

Aleksandar Mitrovic has proven to be a revelation for Fulham since joining on Transfer Deadline Day from Newcastle United.

A powerful, robust frontman, Mitrovic has struck 12 goals in just 17 matches for the Cottagers and played a pivotal role leading the forward line as they narrowly missed out on automatic promotion.

The 23-year-old began his career in his homeland with Serbian giants FK Partizan, making his professional debut with their affiliate club FK Teleoptik.

Despite his tender age, Mitrović was top scorer for Partizan's first team in 2012/13 as they claimed the title, and his form soon attracted the attention of Belgian outfit Anderlecht, who broke their transfer record to sign him in the summer of 2013.

His debut season in Belgium was a prolific one, as he netted 16 times to help his new employers win the domestic title.

Mitrović was in even better form the following term as he scored 23 goals, prompting Newcastle to part with a reported £13 million for his services.

He quickly endeared himself to the St James' Park faithful with his wholehearted displays and ended his first season on Tyneside with nine Premier League goals to his name in the Magpies' ultimately unsuccessful battle against relegation.

Mitrovic hit double figures for club and country last term, and also netted in his first two appearances for Newcastle at the start of this season.

In the summer of 2013 he was awarded his first cap for Serbia, and he currently boasts a record of a goal every three games, netting 11 times in 33 appearances.

HOW DO I SECURE MY SEAT

There will be no price increase on match tickets ahead of Friday evening's Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Semi-Final First-Leg against Fulham.

The fixture is closing in on a sell-out and the club is calling on supporters to ensure they secure their seat as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Tickets are available at the following prices:

Adults | £25
Over 65s | £15
Under-18s | £10
Under-12s | £5*

* The club has removed booking fees for supporters buying online and choosing to have their tickets sent to them via the Print@Home or Mobile Ticket service. Due to the anticipated high demand the Rams have moved to encourage supporters to purchase their tickets via these methods in order to minimise any inconvenience with queuing.

For matchday ticket enquiries and purchases, please visit the Ticket Office at Pride Park Stadium or call 0871 472 1884 (option 1).

Alternatively, supporters can also buy tickets online right here on dcfc.co.uk.

* Calls cost 13p per minute, plus your phone company's access charge.

MOTORWAY CLOSURE

Supporters are being warned that the M1 Southbound will be closed from 10pm – between Junction 23A and 24 – this Friday.



https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2018/05/everything-you-need-to-know-about-derbys-play-off-first-leg-clash

[WhiteJC]

 
Championship play-offs: Fulham and Aston Villa go in as favourites, but don't be surprised if neither make Wembley

Scott Minto's EFL column: Middlesbrough and Derby County have the tools to cause a surprise in what promises to be a manic pair of semi-finals


Fulham have never won a play-off game Getty

And then there were four!

What a couple of great play-off semi-finals we have in store. If a neutral could have handpicked any of the sides from the Championship to be here at this stage, then you wouldn't be surprised if they'd have picked these four. The biggest spenders last summer and a team that was in the Premier League last season, Middlesbrough, against arguably the biggest club in the division, Aston Villa. In the other semi-final, the team that seem to implode annually at this point of the season, but with the division's top scorer, Derby County, against the best passing side, Fulham. Each has their reasons as to why they believe they will go up. But each has their weaknesses.

Fulham are the most interesting one. They are the best team of the four. They play the best football, finished third and went on that fantastic 23 match unbeaten run, winning 18, before defeat to Birmingham. The record books will say that had beaten Birmingham, they would have grabbed that second automatic promotion place due to Cardiff drawing against Reading. I believe Cardiff would have stepped it up against Reading if they had needed to, but with Fulham conceding two goals in the first half, they didn't have to. It's all hypothetical, but the point is what do Fulham believe? Do they believe they blew it? Did they choke at the final game, the one that really mattered? If so, how will they perform in the cauldron of the play-offs?

Their play-off record is as bad as it gets, not one win ever since the format was introduced, although I'm not one for looking too far back when it comes to stats. But they were the form team coming into them last season and they didn't even score a goal, let alone win either leg against Reading. How are they mentally coming into this? Buoyant after one defeat in 24 with 18 victories, or very low after missing out on automatic promotion?

A month ago I would have put them to beat Derby, and easily. At the moment, not knowing how their mindset is, plus Derby looking like they are now inspired and not destroyed by their fans after scoring seven goals in the last two home games, this looks a lot closer.

In the other semi-final it's just as close. Steve Bruce has done a great job dealing with all the pressure that comes with being manager of the club with the highest expectation in the Championship. Aston Villa also finished seven points above Middlesbrough. They have so many match winners that can change a game in any moment but they undoubtedly come into their semi-final with the biggest amount of pressure of the four. That can weigh heavily at any time but especially in the play-offs.

I've thought for some time that Middlesbrough were the ones to watch out for. Tony Pulis has got them back to basics. Players have gone, the defence is more solid and in the final third they have lots of goals in them with Britt Assombolonga and Patrick Bamford. The one player who Villa have to keep quiet and could well be the star of the play-offs is Adama Traore. Pace, power, two-footed... on his day he's unplayable.

From the outside looking in, you might think it'll be a Fulham-Villa final. That may well happen. But I've got a sneaky suspicion it'll be Derby and Middlesbrough to compete in the world's richest game, worth at least £170m.



https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/championship-play-off-semi-finals-aston-villa-fulham-middlesbrough-derby-county-a8345026.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Ryan Sessegnon's Fulham future not dependent on Premier League promotion, says Slavisa Jokanovic

Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic does not think Ryan Sessegnon's future at the club rests on promotion to the Premier League.

The west Londoners face Derby in their Championship play-off semi-final with the first leg at Pride Park on Friday night, live on Sky Sports.

Fulham were defeated by Reading over two legs last season but Jokanovic insists a repeat of that failure would not see highly-rated Sessegnon, who won five EFL awards this season, depart Craven Cottage.

Asked whether the result of the semi-final would dictate the 17-year-old's future, Jokanovic said: "I don't believe it. I'm asked many times this question and right now I'm focused on our present - this is more important.


Sessegnon has played in every Championship game this season

"And at the same time Ryan is focused for trying to make it our best performance.

"I don't believe that these two games ahead of us we are worrying about Ryan Sessegnon's future; we are only thinking about this challenge and the best way to win the game."

Sessegnon, who has hit 15 league goals this season, is reportedly a target for French giants PSG and the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United, but Jokanovic remains cool over the England starlet's Fulham future.

He said: "Yesterday we are talking about Real Madrid, two days ago [we're talking] about Man Utd. This is a normal situation for us and for him too."

Fulham failed to clinch automatic promotion on the last day of the season as they lost 3-1 at Birmingham, but a victory would have seen them promoted after Cardiff failed to win.


Slavisa Jokanovic believes his side are 'ready for the play-offs'

But Jokanovic believes his side are over their final day disappointment and can use their 23-game unbeaten run, which was ended at St Andrew's, as inspiration against Derby.

The 49-year-old said of the Birmingham loss: "This game is behind us. We didn't perform well enough but we played the regular season fantastically - we showed many times our ambition, quality and self-belief.

"I see in my team this week the confidence and they're ready for the play-offs."



http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11366549/ryan-sessegnons-fulham-future-not-dependent-on-premier-league-promotion-says-slavisa-jokanovic

[WhiteJC]

 
Derby's Marcus Olsson a doubt for play-off clash with Fulham

Derby defender Marcus Olsson is an injury concern ahead of the Championship play-off semi-final first leg with Fulham.
The full-back limped off against Barnsley on Sunday with a knee problem and the club are awaiting the results of a scan to determine the extent of the damage.
Regardless of whether Olsson is fit, Rams boss Gay Rowett faces a decision about whether to play a back four or have three central defenders with wing-backs.
Matej Vydra, the Championship's leading scorer this season with 21 goals, is expected to come back into the starting line-up.
Fulham have a full-strength squad available for the tie.
Matt Targett, who had to come off at half-time against Birmingham due to illness, is fit to play.
On-loan Sheyi Ojo will return to the squad after missing the last few games with an unspecified knock, while Floyd Ayite will be hoping for a start after a recent hamstring injury.
Fulham are favourites going into the play-offs but will be aiming for their first semi-final win at the seventh time of asking.



http://www.espn.co.uk/football/preview?gameId=510429

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham, Middlesbrough, Villa Or Derby? Our Expert Tipster Gives Us His Outright Betting Preview For The Championship Play-Offs

It's pretty conclusive heading into the Championship play-offs that Fulham are the strongest of the four teams involved. Their record over the last 23 matches - playing every other team second time around - reads W17 D5 L1 and they've beaten each of the top six in the process, in most cases convincingly. The hang-up for most punters is two-fold: the timing and the price.

Once a team drops below the 2/1 mark in the outright betting, perspectives change. Aren't the play-offs supposed to be a lottery? How can any team be so short? So many things can happen; injuries, red cards, contentious decisions. Well let's crunch a few numbers to see whether the 7/4 about Slavisa Jokanovic's men stacks up.

Over the past 28 years, there have been 84 play-off campaigns under the current format across the three divisions and the highest-placed team has been promoted 31 times. That's a 37 per cent chance, roughly 17/10 in fractional terms, and thus slightly more likely than the odds generally available on the Cottagers.

In the Championship, the overall success rate is lower (32.1 per cent) but third-placed finishers appear to have imposed themselves increasingly over time with eight winners in the last 20 years and five in the last 11. So, from that, we can reasonably conclude, in terms of baseline ability, that the price matches the probability.

However, the timing is also a problem because concerns over mentality have resurfaced. A great team in round-robin format doesn't make a great team in knockout football. The stakes are higher and there's much less margin for error, which makes the pressure more intense. And Fulham, of course, have previous for not coping well under those conditions.

They are a feminine team, unashamedly performance-driven. They adhere to a brand of football that is virtually unstoppable when executed well but is unrecognisable when teams find ways to disrupt their rhythm. And the trouble with being so fixated on the process, you leave yourself with little to fall back on whenever you're not in control.

To Make The Play-Off Final    
Fulham    1/3
Derby    9/4
Odds correct as of 10/05/18 15:39:42. Odds are subject to change.

Last season, the Cottagers choked at the semi-final stage against a markedly inferior Reading side. They didn't do themselves justice over those two games, so making heavy weather of big matches against Sunderland and Birmingham when automatic promotion was on the line over the final two weekends was not what punters wanted to see.

However, there have been signs in 2018 that the Cottagers are better equipped than 12 months ago. With Aleksandar Mitrovic adding a new dimension in attack, they've imposed themselves more often and lapses have been fewer. The recent 3-0 win at Millwall, in particular, felt like a breakthrough in their capacity to ride out a storm and emerge with flying colours.

The counter argument to the Sunderland and Birmingham results is that Fulham did what they had to do in the first instance and the second only mattered in the absence of a winning goal for Cardiff that more than likely would have materialised had it been required. If anything, low expectations at the start of the day were the problem.

Either way, Fulham get the nod here because there's not a lot to be excited about among the other three. Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Derby might all be masculine teams to varying degrees but they all have their own shortcomings and give the impression of being a year short of a return to the Premier League in terms of their development.

That sounds like a damning indictment on Steve Bruce, having now completed full two seasons in charge at Villa Park. But he inherited a cultural shambles and his first year was essentially a write-off. Now he has established a team he is happy to call his own but it's one that isn't fine-tuned and still buckles on occasions.

Middlesbrough started the season from a similar base but never took to the methods of Garry Monk and hit the reset button in December. The incoming Tony Pulis is a master of short-term effectiveness, taking what he has and quickly assembling a whole that justifies the sum of its parts, but only four clean sheets in 17 games is not a fully-functioning Pulis machine.

Meanwhile, the mood at Derby is infinitely brighter than it was three weeks ago when fans had all but surrendered their hopes of a top-six finish after three straight defeats, so they're just happy to be involved. But the positivity that has suddenly envelops Pride Park isn't built on solid foundations. Results have picked up but not a lot has really changed.

Recommended bet:

1pt Fulham to win promotion at 7/4 (general)



https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/fulham-middlesbrough-villa-or-derby-our-expert-tipster-gives-us-his-outright-betting-preview-for-the-championship-play-offs

[WhiteJC]

 
Derby County v Fulham
FRI 11 May 2018   Championship - Play-offs - 1st Leg
Venue: Pride Park Stadium

Gary Rowett's Derby finished 13 points behind Fulham in the regular 46-game campaign

Derby defender Marcus Olsson (knee) is a doubt for Friday's play-off semi-final first leg at home to Fulham.

But the Championship's top scorer, forward Matej Vydra, is likely to return to the Rams' starting line-up.

Visitors Fulham, who missed out on automatic promotion by two points, have a full-strength squad available.

Matt Targett is fit after an illness, while Sheyi Ojo is back following a knock and Floyd Ayite may start having returned from a hamstring issue.

Fulham have not won any of their six previous play-off games, after three unsuccessful two-legged semi-finals, including last season's 2-1 aggregate loss to Reading at this stage.

Derby are bidding to end their 10-year stay in the Championship, while Fulham have been out of the Premier League since 2014.

Derby boss Gary Rowett told BBC Radio Derby:

"People talk about Derby and this weight of expectation that always floats around and follows a club.

"So maybe this is the first time they've been in the play-offs in recent years where there is no expectation, and where we can go out and give it everything without any real fear.

"Fulham are the favourites for the play-offs, if you look at the odds, and we're probably the least-fancied team, so maybe that gives us something to prove."

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic:

"We have showed ambition, quality and self-belief many times in the regular season.

"Our season was fantastic and many teams want to be in the position we are. In the middle of December nobody believed we would be in the position to fight for the Premier League.

"We have three games ahead of us and we have great confidence. We must be ready to keep going and cross this line."

Match facts
    This will be the 62nd meeting between these two clubs in all competitions, with Derby winning 22 times (D20 L19). However, this will be first meeting between the two clubs in the play-offs.
    Derby have lost just two of their past 12 home games against Fulham in all competitions (W7 D3).
    However, Fulham did win their away league trip to Pride Park earlier this season, winning 2-1 in March.
    The team to finish sixth in the Championship has won promotion via the play-offs in just one of the past 12 seasons - Blackpool in 2009-10.
    The side to finish third in the second tier has won promotion through the play-offs (current format) on 10 occasions (34%), more than any other position.
    This will be Derby's seventh venture into the second-tier play-offs, only Ipswich Town (8) have taken part in more. They have only won promotion once in those previous six seasons in the second-tier play-offs (in 2006-07).
    Fulham will compete in the Championship play-offs for the second consecutive season after losing out to Reading in the semi-finals last term. The Whites have failed to win promotion in all three of their previous seasons in the play-offs in the English Football League (also 1988-89 and 1997-98).
    Fulham completed more passes (20,609), had the best passing accuracy (82.9%) and enjoyed a higher share of possession (60%) than any other Championship team in 2017-18.
    Derby's Matej Vydra is the Championship's top scorer this season with 21 goals from just 32 shots on target.
    Since making his Fulham debut in February, Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored more league goals than any other Championship player (12).



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44024784

[WhiteJC]

 
Where the play-off semi can be won and why Derby County can see off Fulham

The two meetings between the teams this season have been tight contests

Seeing Fulham installed as favourites to win the Championship play offs is no surprise given that they finished third behind champions Wolves and promoted Cardiff.

Quite how there can be a favourite given the history and unpredictable nature of the end-of-season four-team shoot-out is another matter, but Fulham's quality has been well-documented and deserving of praise.

Their run of 23 league matches unbeaten was a wonderful achievement, as was Derby County's sequence of only two defeat in 24 earlier this season.

Fulham, Derby, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough are all strong teams in their own right, as their top-six finishes suggest.

This is not about who is viewed as the best team, nor is it based on momentum. This will be about who handles the games and the occasions.

There is little too choose between the four although there is a feeling that facing Fulham rather than Villa or Middlesbrough, or Cardiff, which was possible up to the final day, might just suit Derby because of the way in which Slavisa Jokanovic's side is set up and plays.

They can be clever and incisive in possession, they constantly look to play out from the back, they can dominate the ball and push their full backs on, and their movement, passing and pace can open up defences at will.

A dangerous team, yes, a talented team, but a team that can be pressed high up the pitch and a team that can offer opponents avenues in which to counter and chances to score. We saw this in some of their recent matches against Leeds, Sunderland, Birmingham and in the first half at Millwall.

The matches between Derby and Fulham this season have been tight contests. It finished 1-1 at Craven Cottage in November while Fulham won 2-1 at Pride Park Stadium in March.

Fulham were the better side on that March afternoon. They had 58% possession, but Derby played a full part in a fast, lively game. Both teams registered four efforts on target and Derby had six more attempts than the visitors.

The Rams started on the front foot, they worked on preventing Fulham playing out from the back and had Andreas Weimann held his run for a split second his effort after only four minutes would not have been ruled out for offside.

Fulham then scored twice through Aleksander Mitrovic and Ryan Sessegnon in a clinical 13-minute spell. Tom Huddlestone cut the deficit and Derby were a touch unlucky not to have snatched a late equaliser as Tom Lawrence, Matej Vydra and Richard Keogh were all denied.

Derby are in a different place now as a team and many of the players are in better form than they were two months ago, and this is why they can progress from the play-off semi-final tie.

To do so, they will need to maintain the standard they have shown in recent games. They will need to do the basics well and also stick to their strengths.

Birmingham ended Fulham's impressive long unbeaten run at the weekend. They were competitive, and they ruffled Fulham out of their usual eye-catching, fluid stride.

Birmingham are a different side to Derby, as Gary Rowett has pointed out but the Rams should look to keep the tempo high and in turn this will keep the crowd very much involved.

They will also need to win the key battles, where possible.

Given time and space, Fulham can hurt opponents especially if midfielders Tom Cairney and Kevin McDonald take a grip on the game.

Ryan Fredericks likes to bomb up and down from right back, supplementing attacks with his pace while Sessegnon is a threat on the left.

Derby must patrol these areas effectively and counter any space offered through the likes of Tom Lawrence, Andi Weimann and Matej Vydra.

It will be interesting to see if Rowett goes with three centre backs and wing backs in the new-look 3-4-2-1 or with a flat back four. Having said that, he has used both formations during recent games and it is good to have options.

A dozen goals in 17 appearances makes Mitrovic a key man for Fulham. He got the better of Derby's defenders in the last meeting and that is an area in which the Rams must do better this time.

But it also very much about what Derby do.

They are in a positive place and in a confident mood while Fulham have to go again after narrowly missing out on automatic promotion.

It should be a fascinating tussle over the two legs.



https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/play-semi-can-won-derby-1553775

[WhiteJC]

 
Derby County In Focus

Team news, ticket information, weather forecast, and important travel updates ahead of Fulham's Play-Off First Leg at Derby on Friday.

Possible opposition absentees

Marcus Olsson - knee injury

Sam Winnall - knee injury

Ikechi Anya - calf injury
Tickets

Tickets are available to purchase on General Sale (up to six per person) until 1pm on Friday. Tickets can then be collected from either Craven Cottage or Pride Park.
Weather

It is expected to remain dry in Derby until full-time, with highs of around 15 degrees.
Getting there

A train from St Pancras to Derby takes just 90 minutes, with the ground walking distance from the train station.
Getting back

It is feasible to return to London by train the same evening, but you would need to book separate journeys via Birmingham New Street. If you are driving, please be aware of a closure on the M1 (Junction 24-23) from 10pm onwards - follow this link for full details.
Live stream

Because this fixture has been selected for live broadcast on Sky Sports, we are unable to stream it on fulhamfctv.
He said

"They are an excellent side, Jokanović is an excellent manager and he's been around for a few years now, they are a very good passing team and they can cause problems with the way that they move the ball." - Gary Rowett, Derby County manager
Grosvenor Casinos match odds

Derby County: 9/5

Draw: 47/20

Fulham: 7/5
Previous five results

Derby County 4-1 Barnsley (Championship)

Aston Villa 1-1 Derby County (Championship)

Derby County 3-1 Cardiff City (Championship)

Derby County 1-2 Middlesbrough (Championship)

Burton Albion 3-1 Derby County (Championship)



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/may/10/derby-county-in-focus

[WhiteJC]

 
Derby v Fulham preview: Championship play-off semi-final first leg live on Sky Sports Football

Derby defender Marcus Olsson is an injury concern ahead of the Championship play-off semi-final first leg with Fulham.

The full-back limped off against Barnsley on Sunday with a knee problem and the club are awaiting the results of a scan to determine the extent of the damage.

Regardless of whether Olsson is fit, Derby boss Gay Rowett faces a decision about whether to play a back four or have three central defenders with wing-backs. Matej Vydra, the Championship's leading scorer this season with 21 goals, is expected to come back into the starting line-up.

Fulham have a full-strength squad available for the tie. Matt Targett, who had to come off at half-time against Birmingham due to illness, is fit to play.

On-loan Sheyi Ojo will return to the squad after missing the last few games with an unspecified knock, while Floyd Ayite will be hoping for a start after a recent hamstring injury. Fulham are favourites going into the play-offs but will be aiming for their first semi-final win at the seventh time of asking.

Opta stats

This will be the 62nd meeting between these two clubs in all competitions, with Derby winning 22 times (D20 L19). However, this will be first meeting between the two clubs in the play-offs.

Derby have lost just two of their last 12 home games against Fulham in all competitions (W7 D3).

However, Fulham did win their away league trip to Pride Park earlier this season, winning 2-1 in March with first half goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ryan Sessegnon securing the points.

The team to finish sixth in the Championship has won promotion via the play-offs in just one of the last 12 seasons - Blackpool in 2009-10.

The side to finish third in the second tier has won promotion through the play-offs (current format) on 10 occasions (34%), more than any other position.

This will be Derby's seventh venture into the second tier play-offs, only Ipswich Town (8) have taken part in more. They've only won promotion once in those previous six seasons in the second tier play-offs (in 2006-07).

Fulham will compete in the Championship play-offs for the second consecutive season after losing out to Reading in the semi-finals last term. The Whites have failed to win promotion in all three of their previous seasons in the play-offs in the Football League (also 1988-89 and 1997-98).

Fulham completed more passes (20609), had the best passing accuracy (82.9%) and enjoyed a higher share of possession (60%) than any other Championship team in 2017-18.

Derby's Matej Vydra is the Championship's top scorer this season with 21 goals from just 32 shots on target.

Since making his Fulham debut in February, Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored more league goals than any other Championship player (12).

Prutton's prediction

Both of these sides had automatic promotion within their sights at one point this season, and you wonder what impact that defeat at Birmingham will have on Fulham, especially as it saw their unbeaten run come crashing to an end.

That being said, Fulham were the form side heading into the play-offs last season and they still got knocked out at the semi-final stage. This time they play the away leg first and you feel they'd be more than happy with a draw, which I think they'll get.

David Prutton predicts: 0-0 (9/1 with Sky Bet)



http://www.skysports.com/football/derby-vs-fulham/preview/389232

[WhiteJC]

 
Gary Rowett explains why he can't follow Birmingham City's Fulham blueprint

Ex-BCFC boss has to find his own way if DCFC are to progress in play-offs

Gary Rowett admits his Derby County side won't be able to use the same tactics against Fulham as those which served Birmingham City so well.

Rowett's Rams face the Whites at Pride Park on Friday night, in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final.

They face opponents who have just had their 23-game unbeaten run demolished at St Andrew's on the final day of the regular season.

Blues steamrollered Slavisa Jokanovic's men 3-1 and denied them automatic promotion.

But Rowett knows he won't be able to approach the game in the same way.

Asked if he had picked up any tips on how to beat Fulham from Birmingham's performance, he told the Derby Telegraph : "Any team that plays Fulham knows you have to try to limit space because they are a good side and if you give them lots of opportunities to exploit space, they will.

"They make a lot of passes, they are patient in the way they play, they try to drag you out of position and they have got good players.

"Birmingham did really well because they were incredibly competitive against them, but Birmingham are a different side to us. I know that because I know lots of the players.

"We haven't got Kieftenbeld and Davis in midfield, we haven't got that type of destructive quality.

"We have got technical players in there that can pass a ball as well as mix it up.

"I don't think we would ever try to be another team and just copy their game-plan, but what you try to do is look at ways you can hurt Fulham, as you would with any opponent.

"A lot of teams have done that with Fulham over 23 games and no-one seemed to find the solution.

"We know it will be a tough test, but we are really confident and we cannot wait for the game."

Rowett has taken Derby back to the play-offs having missed out last season. He also spent two years as Blues manager, guiding them away from relegation and to consecutive tenth-placed finishes.

During that time he signed Maikel Kieftenbeld and made David Davis a central part of his team.

Indeed he tried to re-sign Kieftenbeld for Derby last August only for the deal to fall through.



https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gary-rowett-derby-fulham-birmingham-14641592

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham may have dropped the 'first set', but we're ready to bounce back insists Jokanovic

After missing out on promotion on the final day, Jokanovic has likened the play-offs to a tennis match and is backing Fulham to bounce back

Slavisa Jokanovic believes Fulham will head into the Derby County game with confidence after getting into a position that no one thought they'd be in.

Back when the two sides first met, a 1-1 draw saw the Whites drop to 17th position in the Championship table, with most not giving them any chance of making the play-offs, let along challenging for automatic promotion.

A run of 24 games with just one defeat has now seen them into the end of season showpiece, with Derby the opponents in the play-off semi final, with the first leg at Pride Park on Friday night.

And despite that one loss coming last week against Birmingham City, where a win would've seen the side automatically promoted, Jokanovic compared it to a game of tennis, where his side have dropped a set but must now bounce back.

He said: "I repeat, our season was fantastic and many teams want to be in this position.

"Nobody believed in us in the middle of December, nobody believed we'd be in position to fight for the Premier League.

"Now, we are in situation with three games ahead of us and we are with great confidence and we have great chance to be the team in the Premier League.

"This is our target and like in tennis, we lost one set and we must be ready to keep going and be ready to cross this line."

It would be easy for a team that came so close to promotion, only to fall short at the final hurdle, to drop their heads and lose confidence in themselves, but Jokanovic insists that isn't the case for his Fulham stars.

Like tennis players have to recover from dropping sets immediately, he believes his side have shown great attitude on the training ground ahead of tomorrow.

He added: "I try make some comparison and at the end important champions have important champions mentality and that's it.

"In this profession you must be ready for everything and don't have the time, I try compare the things, these people have few seconds to recover the mentality and be ready for next step.

"Behind us is a few days and I see my team completely ready with great attitude on the training ground and I observe them ready for the play-offs."



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-dropped-first-set-were-14641089