Wednesday Fulham Stuff (19/12/18)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Will Be A Tough Game On Saturday – But We Must Win

Newcastle's next fixture on paper looks an easy one.

We play Fulham at home on Saturday, and the London side are bottom of the league having conceded 42 goals in their 17 games played.

That's  9 goals more than the next worst defense – which is a tie between Cardiff and Burnley.

So we should have one or two chances to score goals, and if we can do that and have the defense be resolute, then we could win our second game in a row when we really need it.

A win would take us 10 points clear of Fulham with the Premier League almost half way through after 18 games.

But things in the Premier League are never quite that easy, and we expect a hard-fought game against the Cottagers who still have a lot of spirit and skill in their side – and a new top manager in Claudio Ranieri.

Newcastle midfielder Mo Diame is clear what our players have to do this week in training and in the game on Saturday afternoon as he has this to say in the Chronicle today:

    "Now I want all the lads to start focusing right now on the next game against Fulham."

    "Because there is no point beating Huddersfield away and then losing to Fulham next week."

    "We must make sure we win at home at the weekend."  "It's another final." "But a really important one for us."

    "If we can achieve that this weekend it will be amazing as we will be on 19 points."

    "Just before Christmas, it would be very nice."

The players have been given a few days off as due reward for the battling win on Saturday at Huddersfield.

But they will know this coming game on Saturday is just as important and a win on Saturday will almost ensure Newcastle fans will have a Merry Christmas a week tomorrow.

What could be better?

Howay The Lads!!



http://www.nufcblog.com/2018/12/17/fulham-will-be-a-tough-game-on-saturday-but-we-must-win/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham hopeful of having Ryan Sessegnon fit to face Newcastle

Fulham vs Newcastle

Fulham travel to Newcastle on Saturday as they go in search of their first clean sheet this season.

After 17 games Fulham have accumulated a dismal nine points.

This puts them 20th in the table and three points away from safety.

Claudio Ranieri recently took over as Fulham boss and while he did guide them to a win in his first game vs Southampton, results have not been good since.

Fulham's biggest problem is their inability to keep clean sheets.

In 17 league games this campaign, Fulham have let in a whopping 42 goals.

Their last game saw them lose 2-0 at home to West Ham.

But despite suffering another loss at the weekend, Calum Chambers believes Fulham are improving under Ranieri.

"We've improved a lot of things over the last few weeks. Things are changing, things are looking positive.

"We feel we played alright against West Ham. We created chances but we just didn't put them in the back of the net. We've got to stay together, be positive."

Ryan Sessegnon update

Fulham could also be set to welcome back Ryan Sessegnon as they prepare for a must-win clash with 14th place Newcastle.

Sessegnon has been a key member of Fulham's squad this season and assisted two in Fulham's win over Southampton.

The 18-year-old would miss Fulham's last game vs West Ham through injury.

However, the Evening Standard are reporting that Fulham are hopeful of having Sessegnon back fit in time for Saturday's clash with Newcastle.



https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/fulham-hopeful-of-having-ryan-sessegnon-fit-to-face-newcastle/

[WhiteJC]

 
Claudio Ranieri must bring Yaya Toure to Fulham in January

The Premier League is certainly very competitive so far this season and the league is anyone's guess as to who will get relegated this season.
However, one team which looks like they are going to go down is Fulham. The Cottagers are struggling for consistency and after losing against West Ham United last weekend in the League, they remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League standings.
Aside from Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has scored several goals so far this season, the other Fulham players have struggled to score goals on a regular basis and have only recorded 16 goals all season.
The Cottagers clearly need to bring in more talent in January if they want to avoid getting relegated. One man whom they should look into signing is former Manchester City star Yaya Toure. Toure left City at the end of last season and has since joined Greek club Olympiacos.
However, he has struggled to play regularly for the Greek giants and has so far started for the club just once in the League and once in the Europa League. Per Sky Sports, Toure has "mutually agreed" to terminate his contract at Olympiakos after making just five overall appearances for the club.
Despite being 35-years-old, Toure still has a burning desire to compete at the highest level and should be able to do a decent job in midfield for Claudio Ranieri's men.
Toure possesses great passing ability, ball-retention ability and is able to effortlessly get past some of the best defenders in the game.
He is one of the players whom Ranieri should consider bringing to Craven Cottage in January.



https://www.flaminghairdryer.com/2018/12/claudio-ranieri-must-bring-yaya-toure.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham FC now powered by ChannelAdvisor Managed Marketplaces

Fulham FC is expanding its online footprint by placing a wider product selection on marketplaces.

Although Fulham has a broad customer base, amazingly just 30% of its current merchandise sales take place online. Recognising an opportunity, particularly with international fans, Fulham has begun listing its full catalogue of products on Amazon UK and will soon launch on Amazon US, followed by other channels.

The club has turned to ChannelAdvisor to support this planned marketplace expansion and will use ChannelAdvisor Managed Marketplaces to help optimise and grow its ecommerce sales globally.

Prior to working with ChannelAdvisor, Fulham had a limited catalogue of products available on Amazon UK. Now with its full inventory live on Amazon UK with ChannelAdvisor, Fulham has its sights set on international opportunities and intends to launch on Amazon US soon.

ChannelAdvisor Managed Marketplaces streamlines time-consuming tasks into comprehensive strategies to help increase visibility and sales on Amazon, eBay, Walmart and more. ChannelAdvisor Marketplaces is a multi-channel solution equipping Fulham with technology and expertise to connect with buyers through third-party sales strategies across an extensive marketplace network across the globe.

Fulham FC will now be able to manage its entire multi-channel strategy on one platform, maximising its effort, reach and results. Additionally, ChannelAdvisor's in-depth analytics will provide a customised sales approach. Following on from a launch on Amazon US, Fulham expects to expand onto additional marketplaces in the new year.

    "The ecommerce industry is changing rapidly, and it's crucial that retail businesses can keep pace. With online marketplaces like Amazon constantly evolving, we wanted to determine not only the right strategy, but also work with the right technology partner to help us rapidly expand on this global channel. ChannelAdvisor has the perfect mix of platform, tools and expertise to support us on our growth journey and their guidance and advice throughout the process have been unparalleled. With ChannelAdvisor Managed Services we have a team of ecommerce professionals guiding our business strategy and industry insights — while leveraging the full power of the ChannelAdvisor platform. We simply couldn't have achieved that in-house."
    – Sean Davies, Head of Retail and Licensing, Fulham Football Club

Fulham is one of more than 2,800 leading retailers and brands that rely on ChannelAdvisor's solutions to drive online performance. ChannelAdvisor helps brands and retailers connect with their consumers and open up new international markets. Sitting at the heart of e-commerce for nearly two decades, ChannelAdvisor enables businesses to sell more, fulfill faster and improve customer experiences.

    "Fulham is an iconic brand and we are excited to be supporting them in their e-commerce strategy. Marketplaces can be a powerful growth-accelerator for brands around the world, and we look forward to seeing how Fulham attracts new customers and enables their e-commerce sales to grow as a result."
    – Jon Maury, Managing Director, EMEA at ChannelAdvisor



https://tamebay.com/2018/12/fulham-fc-now-powered-by-channeladvisor-managed-marketplaces.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham supporters should ignore the rumours linking Aleksandar Mitrovic to Everton

This week, reports in the Sunday Mirror claimed Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic had become unsettled at the club and Everton was interested in signing the Serbian forward.

Fulham supporters should simply ignore these rumours linking Mitrovic with a switch to Goodison Park and focus on the facts of the matter.

While Mitrovic enjoyed a well-documented close friendship with former manager Slavisa Jokanovic, the striker's dedication to Fulham goes far beyond his attachment to the Whites' ex-manager.

Jokanovic played a crucial role in coaxing Mitrovic to join the Whites in January 2017, but Mitrovic has shown a true love for Fulham that indicates the change in manager would not lead him to seek a move away from the club.

Even as a loan player, the forward revealed an uncanny passion for Fulham, notably kissing the badge after his late winner against Sunderland in April.

Under Claudio Ranieri, Mitrovic bagged a match-winning brace against Southampton that prompted his new manager to label him one of the best strikers in Europe — hardly a compliment one would associate with a want-away player.

Mitrovic was even handed the captain's armband for the recent home match versus Leicester City, another sign of a player who is strongly trusted and settled at Craven Cottage. And during that same match, the Serbian flicked on a lovely assist to Aboubakar Kamara, illustrating he can adapt to Ranieri's more direct playing style.

There have been some instances of friction for Mitrovic, such as his surprising substitution at halftime at Old Trafford, but his performances under Ranieri have largely been bright.

During the first half of the weekend defeat to West Ham United, Mitrovic and Fulham played some of their best attacking football in months — but their incisive build-up play yielded no end product.

In all, Aleksandar Mitrovic has looked far from 'unsettled' at Fulham, judging from his manager's faith in him and his performances on the pitch.

The recent rumours linking him with a move away from Fulham appear to be just that: unsourced rumours seeking to foment disharmony in SW6.



https://tbrfootball.com/fulham-supporters-should-ignore-the-rumours-linking-aleksandar-mitrovic-to-everton/

[WhiteJC]

 
Aston Villa could face this familiar competition for Gary Cahill in January

AVFC are reportedly interested in their former defender in the winter window

Aston Villa could face competition from Premier League Fulham should they look to pursue a deal for Chelsea defender Gary Cahill in January.

Villa are expected to add to their back-line next month, providing cover and competition for first choice pairing James Chester and Axel Tuanzebe with little else in the current squad beyond that duo.

Villa, who have looked at another former centre-half in James Collins, were linked with a move to try and bring Cahill back to Villa Park a few weeks ago.

Cahill is free to leave Stamford Bridge - where he's been since 2012 and has made almost 300 appearances - after falling behind Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger in Maurizio Sarri's plans.

So the claret and blues, hunting a Premier League place, have been credited with an interest in a defender who spent eight years as a youngster and a first-team member at the club between 2000 and 2008 before leaving for Bolton Wanderers.

There are reports this week, though, that Claudio Ranieri could revisit his former club in an attempt to lure Cahill to Craven Cottage.

Fulham, having beaten Villa to reach the top flight in May this year, sit bottom of the league with what is comfortably the worst defensive record in the division.

The Cottagers could offer Cahill immediate regular top flight football and the opportunity to remain in west London.

Villa have also been linked strongly with Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu recently.

Latest odds

Bookmakers have revealed that Aston Villa target Gary Cahill has been backed to join his old club.

The defender looks set to leave Chelsea in January and Villa are one of the defender's possible options.

The ex Villa and England man is out-of-favour at Stamford Bridge and is expected to be granted a move ahead of his contract winding down at the end of the season.

Arsenal are favourites to sign him, and Manchester United have an interest - but bookmakers claim Villa should not be ruled out.

Betway's Alan Alger said: "We've seen money for Gary Cahill to Aston Villa. He's out of favour at Stamford Bridge and looks a good bet at 13/8 to join up with former team-mate John Terry at Villa Park."

It is 2/1 that he will stay at Chelsea beyond the January transfer window, while Italian side AC Milan are priced at 3/1, with Premier League duo Liverpool and Southampton both priced at 12/1 to sign Cahill.



https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-transfer-cahill-chelsea-15565697

[WhiteJC]

 
AWAY TICKET UPDATE: Initial Allocation For Fulham Sold Out

The initial allocation of tickets the club received for the Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie against Fulham have sold out.

Oldham Athletic are set to receive a further allocation today and the club will update supporters when these will be available to purchase.

Latics take on Fulham in the capital on Sunday, January 6, 2019 (2pm kick off).

The club received an initial allocation of 2,500 tickets and have been given a further 1,000 tickets which are set to go on sale today.

Away supporters will be situated in the Putney End.

Ticket prices are:

Advance Price
Adults: £10
Over 65's: £5
18-21 years: £5
17 & Under: £1

Restricted View Price
Adults: £8
Over 65's: £3
18-21 years: £3
17 & Under: £1

Disabled Price
Adults: £5
Over 65's: £2.50
18-21 years: £2.50
17 & Under: £1

Disabled supporters in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (higher or middle rate) or PIP payments are entitled to a complimentary carer ticket, if required.

Supporters can purchase four tickets per person.



https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2018/december/18122018-fulham-initial-allocation-sold-out/

[WhiteJC]

 
Sheffield United in transfer tussle with Derby in race to seal agreement with PL player

Sky Bet Championship duo Sheffield United and Derby County have joined Fulham in the race to sign Everton defender Mason Holgate on loan, according to reports from Sky Sports via Derby Telegraph.

The 22-year old, who signed a five-year contract with the Toffees in 2017, has fallen out of favour at Goodison Park having failed to start a league game since the end of September, with reports recently surfacing that Toffees boss Marco Silva is willing to let the youngster leave on loan in January.

In light of this recent development, latest reports claim that Chris Wilder's Sheffield United and Frank Lampard's Derby County are both interested in signing the defender, with Claudio Ranieri's Fulham also reportedly interested.

Both the Blades and the Rams sit firmly inside the playoff places at the halfway point of the Sky Bet Championship campaign, and with Holgate able to play at centre-half or right-back, his versatility would be a key asset for both sides looking to withstand the hectic Christmas period.

Sheffield United currently sit 5th in the table, while Derby sit one place above them in 4th.

The Verdict
If they can beat Fulham to his services, then Holgate would be a great signing for either club.

I think he'd be of more use to Derby more than Sheffield United – Richard Keogh is aging, whilst Curtis Davies and Craig Forsyth are both out with injuries.

Lampard knows how to get the best out of young players too...



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/sheffield-united-in-transfer-tussle-with-derby-in-race-to-seal-agreement-with-pl-player/

[WhiteJC]

 
Newcastle await nightmare schedule after Fulham match

Remember the rough start to the season for Newcastle United? Well, those dark times are just around the corner once again.

Newcastle United were blessed to have back-to-back lenient opponents as it provides Rafa Benitez's men with the opportunity to claim six quick points to climb away from the relegation zone. The bad news, however, is that points will be extremely difficult to come by after this weekend.

Between December 26th and February 2nd, Newcastle will face six top ten teams, three of which are in the top three, two in the top six and one currently tenth in the standings. As we saw against Watford and Bournemouth, Newcastle should not be ruled out completely, but they will be underdogs for the next two months.

Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Newcastle are currently associated with the narrative of turning their season around, but that could change in a flash once they start facing elite teams on a regular basis in the near future. Just how brutal will the schedule be? Let us take a quick look:

    December 26th – Liverpool vs. Newcastle
    December 29th – Watford vs. Newcastle
    January 2nd – Newcastle vs. Manchester United
    January 12th – Chelsea vs. Newcastle
    January 29th – Newcastle vs. Manchester City
    February 2nd – Tottenham vs. Newcastle

From these fixtures, the only matches in which Newcastle have a chance of claiming an upset victory are against Watford and Manchester United. The other four matches are realistically an insurmountable challenge for the Magpies. The objective in those matches should be to steal a point where they can in order to maintain their current separation from the bottom three.

Importance of Fulham Match

Seeing how difficult the next two months will be shows just how significant the match against Fulham truly is. Three points against Fulham would give the Magpies 19 points before entering the new year, but a victory could also generate some momentum for Newcastle. With two consecutive victories, Newcastle can enter the match against Liverpool with some confidence.

Liverpool aside for now, Newcastle must do everything they can to defeat Fulham on Saturday. Three points will be difficult to obtain after this match and it is a rare opportunity for Newcastle to improve their goal differential.



https://newcastletoons.com/2018/12/18/newcastle-await-nightmare-schedule-fulham-match/

[WhiteJC]

 
Match officials confirmed for Fulham fixture

Martin Atkinson will referee Newcastle United's game against Fulham on Saturday (kick-off 3pm GMT).

Atkinson, who took charge of United's first game of the season - a 2-1 home loss to Tottenham - has refereed at international and Champions League level, as well as refereeing the 2011 FA Cup final and the 2014 League Cup final.

So far this term, Atkinson has been the man in the middle on 15 occasions - 14 of those games coming in the top flight, the other in the Carabao Cup. He has shown 46 yellow cards and one red.

The 47-year-old refereed a total of 33 domestic fixtures last season, including three Newcastle games. He oversaw the 1-0 defeat to Everton in November, the 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town in March and the 3-0 final-day win over Chelsea, all of which came at St. James' Park.

Over the course of the 2017/18 campaign, the West Yorkshire official showed a total of 118 yellow cards and also issued five reds.

He will be assisted by Stephen Child and Gary Beswick on Saturday, while Jeremy Simpson will be the fourth official.



https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/match-officials-confirmed-for-fulham-fixture

[WhiteJC]

 
Opening Hours

Details of the Club's Ticket Office and Stadium Store opening hours across the festive period.

Date	Stadium Store	Ticket Office
Wed 19 Dec	9am-8pm	9am-5pm
Thu 20 Dec	9am-8pm	9am-5pm
Fri 21 Dec	9am-8pm	9am-5pm
Sat 22 Dec	9am-8pm	CLOSED
Sun 23 Dec	11am-4pm	CLOSED
Christmas Eve	9am-3pm	9am-3pm
Christmas Day	CLOSED	CLOSED
Boxing Day	9am-12.30pm*	9am-Half-time
Thu 27 Dec	9am-5pm	9am-3pm
Fri 28 Dec	9am-5pm	9am-3pm
Sat 29 Dec	9am-3pm**	9am-Half-time
Sun 30 Dec	11am-4pm	CLOSED
New Year's Eve	9am-3pm	9am-3pm
New Year's Day	CLOSED	CLOSED

*Reopens at full-time until 4pm

**Reopens for one hour after the final whistle



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/december/18/opening-hours

[WhiteJC]

 
FA Cup fifth round replays scrapped from THIS season - one year earlier than planned

The FA had initially planned to scrap replays from next season but have brought it forward by 12 months

The FA have announced that fifth-round replays will be scrapped from their flagship competition THIS season.

It was planned that the change would kick in next term but the alteration has now been brought forward by 12 months.

The Professional Game Board has agreed the change which has been brought in with a view to alleviating fixture congestion.

Six Premier League sides have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League and Europa League with the games scheduled to take place in late February and March.

This year's FA Cup fifth-round will remain on the weekend of 16-17 February before moving to a midweek slot from next season.

Any matches which end in a draw after 90 minutes in this year's fifth round will play to a finish on the day with extra-time and penalties if necessary.

For this season only, any match that does end in a draw after 90 minutes will see the prize money (£360,000) split.

The side that wins the tie will receive 75 per cent of the fee, with 25 per cent going to the losing team.

This season's third round will take place over the weekend of January 5.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fa-cup-fifth-round-replays-13750329

[WhiteJC]

 
Leeds United and Fulham linked with young forward, new name for both clubs

According to a claim in the Italian media, Leeds United and Fulham are showing an interest in Foggia forward Francesco Paolo Clemente.

The young striker has been impressing for Foggia's U16s which has brought him to the attention of the two English clubs.

TMW today report Leeds United and Fulham both sent a scout to Foggia's game against AS Roma to get a lowdown on the young forward. Clemente scored a great goal in his side's 3-2 victory and also won a penalty for Foggia.

The Italian prospect will obviously be seen as one for the future by both Leeds United and Fulham, so if he was brought over to England then he would be placed in their youth academies.

There are no reports if either side will watch the youngster again but given his performance on Sunday, there's a reasonable possibility Leeds United or Fulham will follow up in their interest in the attacker.

This is a new name on the agenda of both clubs and one likely to see more reports from Italy in the future.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/leeds-united-fulham-linked-italian-forward-officials-sent/

[WhiteJC]

 
Omogbehin: Win In Style

Fulham Under-18s travel to Swansea as they look to end a run of six games without a win tomorrow morning.

The Swans sit below Fulham in the table after drawing 1-1 on the opening day of the season. Jean-Pierre Tiehi's goal secured the point and proved to be his last before a lengthy injury.

West Brom ran out 2-1 winners in our final PL Cup game, having already exited the competition following defeats to Arsenal and Everton. Sylvester Jasper's goal was in-vain as an early second half goal saw The Baggies over the line, and condemned the Young Whites to a winless PL Cup campaign.

The game marks the final academy fixture before the academy Christmas break after a hectic December schedule.

Colin Omogbehin wants his side to embrace the last fixture before Christmas and use the break as a time to reflect on the season so far.

"We were very disappointed after Saturday's defeat." He told fulhamfc.com. "We had a number of players coming into the side that haven't played for a while, and those who stayed may have been a bit hungover from Tuesday. Nevertheless, we were poor throughout.

"The ones that keep their place tomorrow are the ones who are likely to have done it on merit. We need to keep giving ourselves the best chance to win, so the players that have been in-form will earn the right to play, and the ones who aren't performing to their potential will have to wait their turn to get back in.

"Another part of youth development is winning games to drive potential. We will go to Swansea with a mind-set of securing three points.

"When we played them on the opening day we should have won the game. We have had games where we have been more ruthless since then, and we have an understanding of what everyone's job is. The objective will be to win and win in style."

The Head Coach is keen to move on from a sticky spell of games, and has offered a challenge to his boys going into the New Year.

"We've had some difficult games in this run without a win. The teams we have played have been excellent, but there are other games where we should be securing points. The game in the FA Youth Cup was an example - a host of chances for both sides and we came out worse off.

"The Festive Period is a good chance to see what we have done well and not so well. There are times we have made progress and we can return looking to finish the season strongly.

"My New Year's Resolution to the lads is to be as competitive as possible in every game they play in."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/december/18/omogbehin-win-in-style

[WhiteJC]

 
The Tony Gale Column

I had a real race against time to make the game on Saturday as I was doing the commentary at Watford-Cardiff earlier in the day. Me and Chris Kamara booked a car and ran down the road with our hoods up as it was chucking it down, but also because Kammy would have been stopped for 5,000 selfies if he'd been spotted! We jumped in on Vicarage Road and I got to the Cottage 35 minutes into the game, so I was quite happy with how quickly I got there, but wasn't expecting the score to already be 0-2 by then.

Having watched the match back, the first half was a tale of taking chances. Fulham actually had the better openings and if Aboubakar Kamara finishes that one-on-one while it's still goalless, then it's a different ball game. It not only gives you something to defend but it also changes the outlook of the other manager as the game progresses. It was two defensive lapses for the goals I would say. Snodgrass' was a decent goal but it still could have been prevented, while the second one was not a good goal to concede at all. I saw Tim Ream after the game in Les Strong's lounge and he was, as you'd expect, a bit down. I told him to keep his head up, which is what he and the rest of the lads need to do.

We've got Newcastle away next and although they had a good win at Huddersfield last time out, it looked like they nicked it. Rafa Benitez is playing the way he has to with the players he's got. He's keeping it tight and he's trying to nick results, and I think we might go similar up there against them. They're not the strongest side ever so it's a great chance for us to come away with a point or three, if we play the game correctly. But you can't give that crowd something to cheer because they can make a noise up there. We've got to stay in the match as long as we can and make it happen for ourselves.

We're leading into three massive games now. Wolves have had a decent start to the season but they're three winnable games, so we want to get at least two wins out of these I think. The congested festive period can go one of many ways; you could find yourself cut adrift, or you can find yourself right in the pack. I've got faith that the latter is going to be the case. We then head into January where Claudio may decide he wants to strengthen, so I'm sure he'll be having conversations with Shahid and Tony Khan to discuss his options.

Players might think the Christmas period is busy now, but on more than one occasion I played on consecutive days around this time of year. The funny thing was, players hardly missed them. If you look at the line-up on one day, it was probably identical the next day. That kind of scheduling would never, ever happen now. It was hard. People think we weren't that professional back in those days, but we were. It's not like we'd have too much pudding or go out for drinks after the game when we had another one the next day. I never did. You had to prepare properly. You'd have aches and pains from the day before, so it was hard graft.

I still love that there's so much football on at the end of the year. If we were to have winter breaks, that would be taking entertainment away from the people. I know I work in the media and television scheduling sometimes doesn't help, but what do people want over Christmas? They want entertainment. Do you want to watch Oliver for the 400th time, or do you want to watch a game of football? You want to watch a game of football! And if you don't go to a match, you want to watch it on the telly. I'm not for winter breaks. It's a great time to play and the boys will have plenty more Christmases when they're done!

This is my final column of 2018, so I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all the Fulham fans a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Keep the faith in these upcoming matches and beyond. Let's get behind the team.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/december/18/the-tony-gale-column

[WhiteJC]

 
Southampton eye Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli as they prepare for possible exit of Alex McCarthy

    Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has attracted interest from Southampton
    The Fulham shot-stopper has lost his place in the starting XI to Sergio Rico
    Southampton believe that goalkeeper Alex McCarthy is a target for other clubs

Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli is being tracked by relegation threatened Southampton.

Despite having Alex McCarthy and Angus Gunn already on their books, Saints chiefs have a growing interest in Bettinelli.

Southampton believe McCarthy is attracting interest from a number of their Premier League rivals and have begun the process of identifying potential replacements.


Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli (right) is attracting interest from Southampton


Saints are looking at Bettinelli with the prospect of Alex McCarthy (left) possibly leaving

The Fulham shot-stopper has lost his place in the starting XI to Sergio Rico in recent weeks and the uncertainty surrounding his future has alerted a number of Premier League clubs.

And Southampton are showing a keen interest in the 26-year-old. The fact the keeper meets the Premier League's homegrown regulations makes Bettinelli an interesting proposition for potential suitors.

Bettinelli's excellent start to the season at Craven Cottage resulted in an England call-up in September and he kept his place in Gareth Southgate's party for the following internationals.

But there is a realisation Bettinelli - who signed a contract extension earlier this season - may have to leave west London to ensure he stays in the international fold if he does not play in the near future.


Bettinelli's early season form at Fulham saw him earn call-ups to the England squad



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6508897/Southampton-eye-Fulhams-Marcus-Bettinelli-prepare-possible-exit-Alex-McCarthy.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham forward discusses Ranieri change and how move to Craven Cottage came about

While not the most prolific player around, Aboubakar Kamara still has a role to play at Fulham, finding the back of the net 11 times in 46 appearances, including two in his last three appearances.

Used in each of the past five games by Claudio Ranieri, the 23-year-old has seen his status increase since the Italian arrived at Craven Cottage, a move the forward feels is headed in the right direction, even if the results still aren't ideal.

Speaking to ActuFoot, he discussed how things were going in England for him.

He said: "Rather well, I'd say. We're fighting to stay up. We're currently struggling, but with the arrival of the new manager, I can already feel a better cohesion in the team."

Prior to his move to Fulham, the forward enjoyed a similar role to his current one at Amiens, the same club where the likes of Nicolas Pépé and Tanguy Ndombélé went to develop, but it was his decision to go to England, even if Fulham wasn't a specific target of his.

He explained: "The English league has always attracted me. Everyone wants to play there. I'd seen a few games and I felt it was a good challenge to go over there. It's an intense league, physical and one that requires good mental strength. As for the choice of going to Fulham, you'd have to ask my agent."

Kamara also made it clear that what happened with Jokanovic wasn't solely the Serbian manager's fault, claiming it was tough for 'both him and us, the players' and it was only the results that got him the sack rather than anything else behind the scenes.

Fulham's next game comes on Saturday, as they travel to Newcastle in what could be a very important game for Ranieri going forward.

A loss could see them slip further behind Huddserfield, who welcome Southampton at home.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-forward-discusses-ranieri-change-move-craven-cottage-came/

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7 goals in 17 games – Everton snapping up this in-form PL star would boost their bid for a top six finish

Why Aleksandar Mitrovic could solve Everton's goalscoring woes

According to a report from the Sun, Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has become unsettled at the club since the departure of head coach Slavisa Jokanovic.

The 24-year-old had enjoyed an outstanding run of form under Jokanovic last season, with the striker's goals helping Fulham achieve promotion to the Premier League. However, Jokanovic was replaced by Claudio Ranieri last month following the Cottagers' dismal run of results and as per the report, that has led to Aleksandar Mitrovic becoming unhappy with life at west London.

Now the Serbian's situation at Fulham has put a number of clubs, including Everton, on alert ahead of the January transfer window, claims the Sun.

Aleksandar Mitrovic has been a rare bright spark for Fulham so far this season, netting 7 goals in 17 league appearances. So considering the Serb's form, Everton should make a move for him in January.

Everton are desperately lacking a presence up top, with Cenk Tosun frequently omitted from the squad after his struggles in front of the goal. Despite some tireless work rate and unrivalled effort, Tosun, signed from Besiktas in January, has struggled to score goals in the Premier League.

Due to the Turkish international's failure to produce the goods, Richarlison has been forced to play through the middle. Despite Richarlison being the Toffees' top-scorer with 8 goals, he is not a natural No.9 and performs at his sublime best when played on the left. Meanwhile, Gylfi Sigurdsson is the second top scorer with 7 goals while Tosun has just 2 and Theo Walcott has 3.

With Everton clearly struggling for goals, Silva should take a punt on Mitrovic. The Serbian would finally give Everton a focal point which they have lacked throughout the season. Granted, he is not the fastest of strikers but the 24-year-old could make an instant impact at Goodison Park given that he is Premier League proven.

Not only is Mitrovic adept at holding on to the ball and losing his marker with clever runs but he also has the vision and the awareness to set up goals for his teammates with incisive passes. He is excellent in the air and has the ability to bully defenders in the box and score bullet headers. His presence up front would be a treat for the likes of Sigurdsson and Bernard, who are very good crossers of the ball.

That said, signing Mitrovic could solve Everton's goalscoring woes and also give the club a push in the second half of the season in their bid for a top-six finish.



https://soccersouls.com/2018/12/19/7-goals-in-17-games-everton-snapping-up-this-in-form-pl-star-would-boost-their-bid-for-a-top-six-finish/

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Despite not scoring in over a year, this Wolves star could solve Fulham's goalscoring woes

Why Fulham should make a move for Leo Bonatini in January

Leo Bonatini has not scored a league goal for Wolverhampton Wanderers since netting against Birmingham City in December 2017.

The Brazilian, 24, spent the 2017/18 season on loan at Wolves from Al-Hilal. He made 29 starts and 14 substitute appearances in the Championship for Wolves last season, scoring 12 goals and supplying 5 assists in the process.

Leo Bonatini started the 2017/18 season on fire but his form drastically faded in the second half as he failed to score a single goal for Wolves. Yet, Wolves handed him a four-year contract before the start of this season and as things stand, his goal drought for Wolves stands over a year.

It's a remarkable drought for a centre-forward who spearheaded Wolves' promotion charge for half of last season. Come January, Wolves should consider cashing on Bonatini.

Bonatini is clearly struggling at Molineux and maybe a change of setting could help him regain his scoring touch. The Brazilian is a talented player and the ones who witnessed Wolves last season would be aware of the striker's qualities. That said, Fulham must make an audacious January swoop for Bonatini.

Fulham were beaten 2-0 by West Ham on Saturday evening, leaving them at the bottom of the Premier League. Claudio Ranieri is the man who has been tasked with the big job of saving Fulham from the drop and regardless of a change in manager and system, the defensive performance has still been the same as it has been all season.

The Cottagers are very shaky at the back and look likely to concede in every game they play. A central defender has to be Ranieri's priority in the January transfer market but the Italian tactician shouldn't ignore reinforcing his attack, which has lacked the cutting edge in the final third.

Aleksandar Mitrovic, since moving to Fulham permanently from Newcastle United earlier in the summer, has done very well. He may lack the pace and mobility but the sheer strength and aerial ability he brings make him a handful for every Premier League opposition. But the big Serb simply cannot score goals all on his own.

He needs support, which the likes of Aboubakar Kamara, Andre Schurrle and Luciano Vietto have failed to provide.

Leo Bonatini, another striker in the target-man mould, could help Fulham solve their goalscoring woes. The 24-year-old has a decent turn of pace, agility and power to outmuscle defenders inside the box and score. He is clinical in front of the goal but is just suffering from a lack of confidence at the moment.

Fulham desperately need another striker to provide competition up front and also offer depth for the Cottagers continue fighting for Premier League survival. Signing Bonatini would give Fulham another strong presence in the box and the Brazilian could combine well with the likes of Mitrovic and Schurrle in the final third.

The Brazilian would not just add goals but his overall style of play and attributes should make him fit into Ranieri's style of play. Therefore, landing Bonatini in January would be an excellent addition for the goal-shy Fulham.



https://soccersouls.com/2018/12/19/despite-not-scoring-in-over-a-year-this-wolves-star-could-solve-fulhams-goalscoring-woes/

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Fulham should plot an ambitious swoop for this 23-year-old Belgian World Cup sensation to solve lack of creativity in the final third

Adnan Januzaj can help Fulham avoid relegation this season

Adnan Januzaj is a name familiar to the Premier League fans, particularly, the Manchester United fans around the world. A youth product of Anderlecht, the Belgian starlet joined the Red Devils back in 2011 and had his breakthrough in the 2013-13 season where he accumulated 4 goals and 3 assists from 27 appearances in the Premier League.

Despite impressing in his debut season, he fell out of favour in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons and spent time on loan at Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland, neither of which proved to be particularly fruitful for the youngster. Having lost his place in the Manchester United first-team, Januzaj shifted bases to the La Liga and joined Real Sociedad in the summer of 2017.

Januzaj had an impressive debut season in the La Liga, accumulating 3 goals and 5 assists and his performances were enough to earn him a call-up to Belgium's 2018 World Cup squad. The 23-year-old has hit the ground running this term as well, registering a couple of assists from 7 appearances.

A technically-gifted and tactically versatile attacking midfielder, Januzaj is a left-footed player who can play in multiple positions in the final third. While he can operate as an inverted winger down the right and as a conventional winger down the left, the Belgian is also capable of playing in a No.10 role as the playmaker behind the striker.

Known for his sharpness, agility and acceleration, Januzaj is a player with an incredible vision who can spark that creativity in the final third and play the centre-forward in behind the backline with defence-splitting through balls. An intelligent footballer and a flawless passer, he knows how to pick the right pass and at the right time.

Januzaj combines his excellent close control with his sharpness, agility and instant acceleration to create space for himself. In other words, he is an all-around exponent of a creative midfielder who can turn the game on its head with moments of sheer brilliance. Furthermore, he is capable of producing spectacular goals with the outside of his magical left foot. Januzaj has averaged 3.4 dribbles, 1.3 key passes and 1.7 shots per game this term in the La Liga.

To put things into perspective, he would be an ideal buy for Fulham in January. Despite spending a fortune in the summer to bolster their attack, the Cottagers haven't hit the ground running and have managed to score only 16 goals so far.

While they have conceded goals at an alarming rate this season, Fulham's attacking play has been rather one-dimensional. In fact, they have paid the price for their overreliance on Aleksandr Mitrovic. The Serb has scored a brace in each of Fulham's two victories in the Premier League but they need to find an alternative when he doesn't fire. Andre Schurrle has chipped in with a few goals but his overall contribution to the build-up play has been less than impressive.

In other words, they need a playmaker to spark the creativity and work the spaces in the final third along with Tom Cairney. And a player like Adnan Januzaj certainly ticks all the boxes to add spark to Fulham's rather dull and boring attack.

That said, they should break the bank to sign the Belgian in January as a desperate measure to avoid the drop this season.



https://www.mediareferee.com/2018/12/19/fulham-should-plot-an-ambitious-swoop-for-this-23-year-old-belgian-world-cup-sensation-to-solve-lack-of-creativity-in-the-final-third/