Friday Fulham Stuff (08/02/19)...

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Man United at Fulham Injury Report: Rashford, Rojo, Schurrle, Mawson, Christie

Manchester United head to Fulham FC on the weekend for a clash that could serve as the final tune-up before a very challenging stretch ensues. Fulham head into this match seven points from safety, sitting second from bottom in the table and sporting a -30 goal differential. Claudio Ranieri is an elite manager, but his mission to save Fulham from the drop isn't going too well right now.

For United, this is a bit of a breather, before the back end of February comes bringing matches against Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Chelsea. Let's take a look at the team news and fitness situation for this one, starting with the hosts.

Andre Schurrle is a doubt due to a knock, having suffered the injury in the win over Brighton as a result of a nasty challenge from the opposing Dale Stephens.

Cyrus Christie, recovering from a thigh issue, faces a last minute fitness test. Marcus Bettinelli (knee) is potentially out for the rest of the season while Alfie Mawson (knee) could possibly return for the final month of the term.

Flipping over to the visitors, striker Marcus Rashford picked up a dead leg in the win at Leicester City and could he rested here, but just as a precaution. The only real injury concern for United right now is defender Marcos Rojo, who is at least now running again, indicating that he's well on the comeback trail.

Said manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ahead of the victory at Leicester: "Marcos is outside running now so I think he can see the light at the end of the tunnel."

"I think he might join in bits and bobs in training because that will help him mentally."

Manchester United at Fulham FYIs

Kick-off: Saturday February 9, Craven Cottage, 12:30pm (BST), 7:30am (EST),

Odds via Betfair: United 13/20, Draw 16/5, Fulham 9/2

Google Result Probability: United win 59%, draw 23%, Fulham win 18%

MUFC Starting XI Prediction: go to this link

Prediction: United 3, Fulham 0



https://www.thesportsbank.net/football/manchester-united/man-united-at-fulham-injury-report-rashford-rojo-schurrle-mawson-christie/

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Early team news for Fulham v United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could have a plethora of options when he selects his next Manchester United line-up, for Saturday's early fixture against Fulham in the Premier League.

One player who could be in contention to return in the clash at Craven Cottage, and therefore feature against his former club, is Chris Smalling. The centre-back has not appeared in any of the 10 games under Solskjaer, having not played since the reverse fixture against Fulham in December, which the Reds won 4-1.

Our no.12 sustained a sore foot that afternoon at Old Trafford which forced him off, but Ole said before the recent game against Burnley that Smalling had been training for a week and was ""looking good"". He added that it was a case of carefully timing the defender's return to action.

In Smalling's absence, a pair from Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones has operated at the heart of defence. Marcos Rojo is back in training after travelling to Argentina to aid his recovery from his latest injury setback.

The Reds face a huge match next Tuesday evening against Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of our Champions League last-16 tie with the French champions. We also have crucial games against Liverpool in the league and Chelsea in the Emirates FA Cup this month, as well as the second leg against PSG at the start of March.

Solskjaer has previously spoken of the importance of keeping his players fresh during this part of the campaign and squad rotation could be key throughout February.

United were boosted by the return of Anthony Martial as a substitute in last weekend's 1-0 win at Leicester City, after the Frenchman missed the 2-2 draw against Burnley with a minor injury he sustained in training.

There were also concerns ahead of the Leicester clash about Paul Pogba, who was struggling at the end of the Burnley game but he was fit to face Leicester and set up Marcus Rashford's winning goal with a sublime lobbed pass. Rashford, who scored in our win over Fulham two months ago, will be hoping to continue his excellent goalscoring form of late, having registered six goals in his last eight Premier League matches.

Solskjaer could provide an update on his squad in his exclusive interview with MUTV and pre-match press conference at the Aon Training Complex, which is set to take place on Friday at a time to be confirmed.

HOW ARE FULHAM SHAPING UP?

The Cottagers could hand debuts to midfielder Lazar Markovic and defender Havard Nordtveit this weekend. The pair joined the Cottagers on transfer deadline day but were not included in the matchday squad for last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, having signed just two days before the game.

Former Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle could return after missing the Palace game through injury, but full-back Cyrus Christie is a doubt for Saturday's match after sustaining a knock in the loss at Selhurst Park.

One man who is definitely unavailable for Claudio Ranieri's side is defender Tim Fosu-Mensah, who is ineligible to play against his parent club United. Long-term absentees Marcus Bettinelli, Alfie Mawson and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa will also miss Saturday's meeting in west London.



https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/early-team-news-for-fulham-v-man-united-9-february-2019

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Fulham vs Manchester United Preview: Can we get an Olé for Ole?

As much as it hurts me as a Liverpool fan, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deserves a tip of the hat for all he's done in little over two months at Manchester United.

The Norwegian has dramatically turned the tables around at Old Trafford. Not only has Ole improved the results but he also picked up the pieces of United's wrecked confidence and rebuilt the atmosphere, team spirit and the overall attitude within the squad.

Feel free to call me out for stating the obvious but I find it rather appropriate to focus my first-ever post about Manchester United on Twelve's blog on the effect United's former striker has had in such a short time since replacing the obsolete, antediluvian, vieux jeu, ________ (choose your own attribute) Portuguese back in December.
Fergie's back!

For an eternal football romantic – albeit a Liverpool fan – it gladdens me to see United decided to go back to their roots with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, even for a short while. Perhaps it's just me but every time I look and hear Ole speak it's like having Fergie back.

Forget the glasses, thick Scottish accent and other obvious discrepancies. Ole's self-confessed influence of Sir Alex is evident. Having spent 11 years playing under the fabled Scotsman, Solskjaer is doing what Fergie did best – transforming United into a feared animal.

United have gone quite a distance in a short period of time, transforming from the Premier League's worst counter-attacking side to the best. With 25 goals scored in 10 matches across all competitions, the Red Devils have increased their goal distribution (and the expected goal ratio) dramatically.


United traversed unbearably for most of Mourinho's tenure and getting rid of the overly-defensive approach was always going to be Ole's No.1 priority. The way he liberated Paul Pogba is, well, liberating.


The Frenchman was granted licence to roam and use his instincts to get into positions to both score goals and create some for his teammates, emerging as United's most valuable player in Ole's eight league games in charge. The records he collected in Twelve's algorithm since Ole grabbed the helm are quite revealing.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Solskjaer's impact on Manchester United is the way he treats – and nurtures – Marcus Rashford. It's been quite a while since United – as a global football force, admittedly – have had a homegrown player turn into a superstar. Marcus Rashford certainly has the qualities required to replicate the success of United icons and leave the legacy of one David Beckham, Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs, to name but a few.

The 21-year-old England international forward is another player currently proving Jose Mourinho wrong. It now stands as apparent that the former manager had neither a player's experience nor the vision Ole utilised in order to transform a promising – but highly undervalued – youngster into a confident hitman.

Having played a part in every match under the caretaker manager, Rashford has bagged six goals in ten appearances and is boasting a raging record at Twelve. No wonder Barcelona and Real Madrid have started circling around Old Trafford and casting admiring glances towards the player United will hope can get close to being the new Cristiano Ronaldo.

Bursting with confidence and newly-discovered conviction in their own ability, Manchester United are not expected to have problems against the league's weakest defence. As much as I'd like the Cottagers to stop United in their tracks – for the sake of the obvious Serbian connection to the club from Craven Cottage if nothing else – 55 goals conceded in 25 Premier League games speaks volumes of Fulham's (in)ability.

Prediction: Fulham 0-2 Manchester United

Milos has selected Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba and David de Gea for Fulham vs Manchester United on Twelve's game, but who would you choose? Download our free app on Android or iOS to take him on!



http://blog.twelve.football/2019/02/07/fulham-vs-manchester-united-preview/

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Fulham face survival fight but there are good omens for Claudio Ranieri
Fulham play Manchester United live on Sky Sports on Saturday

Claudio Ranieri faces an almighty battle to keep Fulham in the Premier League but he can draw hope from parallels with the 2007/08 season, when they completed their great escape under Roy Hodgson.

Fulham sit second from bottom in the table ahead of Saturday's meeting with Manchester United, which is live on Sky Sports, having taken just 17 points from 25 games.

Ranieri needs Fulham to find form sooner rather than later, but he could do worse than to remind his players that Fulham recovered from a similar situation 11 years ago.

After 25 Premier League games of the 2007/08 season, Fulham had just 19 points on the board - only two more than they do now - but went on to win six of their remaining 13 games - including a famous run of four of their final five - to survive on goal difference.

As with Ranieri now, however, there was initially little evidence to suggest that Hodgson would be capable of saving them.

The Englishman had only won one of his first nine Premier League games in charge having taken over from Lawrie Sanchez in December of that season - an even worse start than Ranieri, who has won three of his first 13 games.

History suggests even a defeat to United on Saturday might not be fatal. Fulham may have had two more points than they do now at the same stage of the 2007/08, but they did win any of their following three games - a run which included a 3-0 loss to Manchester United.

If Fulham do manage to go on and survive this season, they would not be the first side to do it having only taken 17 points from their first 25 Premier League games.

West Brom had the same points total in 2004/05, going on to finish a point above the relegation zone under Bryan Robson, while Leicester recovered from the same position in 2014/15 under Nigel Pearson.

As Ranieri well knows, Leicester's survival that year paved the way for their extraordinary Premier League title triumph under his watch in 2015/16.

It might be a bit of a stretch to expect the same miraculous turnaround from Fulham, but there is at least hope that Premier League survival might not be out of their reach quite yet.

Watch Fulham vs Manchester United live on Sky Sports Premier League HD from 11.30am on Saturday



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11630380/fulham-face-survival-fight-but-there-are-good-omens-for-claudio-ranieri

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The games that will determine whether Fulham and Crystal Palace survive in the Premier League

There are several teams involved in the battle at the bottom of the Premier League, but who will survive?

The battle for Premier League survival is on, and Crystal Palace and Fulham are still involved with one third of the season to go.

The London rivals met in a crucial game on Saturday at Selhurst Park, with Palace moving nine points ahead of their opponents as a result of a 2-0 win against second-from-bottom Fulham.

Claudio Ranieri's men face a difficult task in their battle to avoid relegation though, with Fulham currently seven points from safety with 13 games to play, and with home fixtures to come against four of the top six sides; Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City over the next few weeks.

The Whites do also still have some crucial games to come against some of the teams still involved in the relegation battle, including against Southampton, Cardiff City and Newcastle United.

Meanwhile, 14th-placed Palace still have to play several sides below them in the table, including Newcastle United, Burnley, Cardiff City and bottom side Huddersfield Town.

The Eagles currently sit four points clear of the bottom three ahead of their London derby with West Ham United this weekend, and a win in that clash could help Roy Hodgson's side look upwards rather than over their shoulders.

However, as things stand, they still need to pick up points and defeats against teams in and around them in the league could keep them involved in the battle to stay in the Premier League.

But who will survive?

A 'supercomputer' has predicted the final positions in the Premier League this season, but you can have your say by predicting the outcomes of the remaining games, below.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/games-determine-fulham-palace-survive-15791524

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Academy Education Fair

Craven Cottage was hosting a slightly different event than normal yesterday, as it opened the doors to our academy players past and present for a careers fair. The event is designed to give our Under-18s a back-up plan, should their career come to an end through injury or other circumstances.

Stalls were set-up from scholarships to sport designed university colleges as well as coaching opportunities. Football Manager and Sports Interactive were also in attendance to give the Young Whites a sense into analytics.

Head of Education, Sean Cullen, highlighted the importance of getting the academy players into a mind-set of wider thinking when it comes to careers.

"We are always trying to get the boys thinking about the world beyond the football pitch, we know how important it is to them to make the best possible go at this shot at being a pro. However, at some point their journey will come to an end and it's important that they have some ideas in place to move onto the next step.

"Whether that's going to uni, scholarships home and abroad or coaching opportunities. We need to give them that guidance to keep their options open. Football is not just a career for these boys, for most it's their first true love and understandably that's where their heart is."

He added: "We don't want them to be blinkered either, a lot of them have interests outside of football and it's important to foster those interests. This is a competitive industry not just on the field but off it. A lot of these boys have been here since eight, nine or ten. The game can be all consuming so we need to make them well-rounded individuals."

Academy Director, Huw Jennings was keen to commend the work of his staff and is glad the boys can see the true nature in which the footballing industry has expanded.

"This approach is essential on how we ensure that all of our boys have appropriate exit pathways whenever their career ends. There was a time you'd analyse their performance and then tell them at the end 'it's not working out, you need to find a new career path'.

"This way around, we make sure that all players consider their future, I really commend the work of Sean Cullen and Lee Hagger in creating this event, and enabling not only our players, but other clubs such as QPR to visit.

"The football industry has expanded massively. You see not only opportunity in coaching, but in management, science and analysis. Then looking abroad in the US, there is such a wealth of opportunity."

Not only that, the diversity in which players found a roundabout way back into the game is something Jennings wants to keep open for the players.

"We should add that the pathway from starting at eight right through to the first team is very rare. Lots of lads will come in and out. Players exit at 18 then several years later come back as a pro. It isn't always about exiting completely, there are ways around still playing at a high level.

"I've never played Football Manager and that's no discredit to the guys who run it! I appreciate how popular it is and it's a great insight. The wealth of info that's out there fuels the game. I'm old enough to go back to a time where you'd have no more than 90 minutes streamed from a TV. For our players to be part of this dynamic helps their understanding of the game."

Showkat Tahir echoed his team mate's thoughts, acknowledging how football on the field won't last forever.

"These people can offer coaching badges, academic degrees and practical elements, so for anyone who wants to stay in the game it's an excellent opportunity. I think I'd want to be an agent if I wasn't a player, the job is interesting from a business side.

"At the end of the day, whether you make it as a pro or not, your career will end sooner rather than later, so it's good to have these offers to take it past football on the field."

Defender, Connor McAvoy was appreciative of the way in which the event opened his eyes to life beyond the pitch.

"It's very important to prepare for the future. It's good to have a back-up plan if I do end up falling out the bottom of the game. It's something that having not gone to college or anything, I could potentially get a degree and play football doing what I love.

"It's good to have a tailored approach. They know what we want to achieve in a roundabout way."

Likewise, Riley Warland was intrigued by what courses the universities and scholarship programmes had to offer.

"If you're in love with the game and you get unfortunate with an injury then you want to stay in that circle as tightly as possible. There is more stuff to do with technology nowadays which the lads are really into, so to have that alongside going to uni and scholarships is excellent."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/february/07/academy-careers

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Bairdinho Retires

Fulham favourite Chris Baird has officially retired from football.

The versatile defender became one of the Club's most useful and dedicated players during his time in SW6, with fans knowing Baird would put in a proper shift whether playing at right, left or centre-back, or further forward in midfield.

Signed by Lawrie Sanchez in the summer of 2007, it was when Roy Hodgson took over that Baird began to flourish, particularly in the 2009/10 campaign when he featured 52 times.

He was involved in 16 of our 19 UEFA Europa League matches, including when he deputised impeccably for the suspended Danny Murphy in our 4-1 win over Juventus, and the Final against Atletico Madrid.

The following season the now famous nickname of Bairdinho was coined, when he opened his Fulham account in style with two long range beauties inside the opening 10 minutes away at Stoke City to earn a 2-0 win for his side.

Baird's other two goals for the Whites came in a purple patch during the 2012/13 season, when he netted in consecutive matches; the winner against Aston Villa and in a 3-3 draw at Reading.

He departed the Club after six years of service in the summer, but returned for a spell on loan in 2015/16, featuring seven times to help Fulham pull clear of relegation trouble in the Championship.

Baird ended his career having represented the Club 165 times with distinction, while he also won 79 caps for Northern Ireland, who he helped reach Euro 2016.

Everyone at Fulham would like to thank Bairdy for his efforts at the Club over the years, and we wish him a very happy retirement.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/february/07/chris-baird-retires

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Liverpool simply must be keeping tabs on Ryan Sessegnon's contract situation at Fulham

According to a recent report from The London Evening Standard, Ryan Sessegnon's future remains somewhat unclear heading into the final 18 months of his contract. The 18-year-old currently plays his football at Premier League strugglers Fulham having come up through the ranks at Craven Cottage, with his impressive efforts for the West Londoners in the last few years seemingly attracting interest from sides in the top-flight.

And a recent report from The London Evening Standard suggests that the England Under-21 international has still yet pen a contract extension with the Cottagers despite his current one entering the last 18 months, which could spell trouble for Claudio Ranieri's side come the summer, especially if they do indeed lose their Premier League status.

And with Tottenham and Manchester United having been linked (as per The London Evening Standard) in times gone by, Fulham may struggle to keep hold of the 18-year-old, while Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is another who simply must be keeping tabs on his contract situation in a bid to move for the next Premier League star in the making.

The Breakdown
Ultimately, 18-year-old Sessegnon has undertaken a quite remarkable in the last few years having come up through the ranks at Fulham to become a regular first teamer, having already appeared 107 times for the West London outfit in his career – he hasn't even turned 19 yet.

And it was his exploits last season in the Championship which really opened everyone's eyes to the versatile sensation, what with Sessegnon netting 16 goals and laying on eight assists for Slavisa Jokanovic's side as they won promotion from the second tier via the play-offs – whether at left back, left midfield, or indeed left wing, the 18-year-old flourished.

And with a few goals and five assists in the Premier League this time round, the Englishman continues to prove his worth to a Fulham side desperately struggling to avoid relegation – a scenario which, coupled with no new deal having been agreed, leaves them extremely vulnerable to losing one of their most prized assets.

And Klopp's Liverpool simply must be keeping an eye on his contract uncertainty, as while they are well catered for at left back in the form of Andrew Robertson, there is little doubting that Sessegnon is a star in the making, and thus a player that could inspire the Reds for many years to come.

Ultimately, Scotland international Robertson has made the left back spot at Anfield his own in the last 12 months or so with a string of excellent performances, which thus suggests that Sessegnon would likely struggle to dispose him of that role were he to move to Merseyside.

However, the 18-year-old has been utilised much further forward to great effect in recent times to suggest that he could give Klopp another option in the attacking third of the pitch – and with the undoubted talent and potential the England Under-21 star has, he could be a Liverpool star for many years to come.

Ultimately, it looks as though Sessegnon is destined for a big move in the not-too-distant future, what with the youngster having already achieved and proven a lot by the age of 18, and thus suggesting that he is indeed the next star in the making in English football.

And with Liverpool likely seeking how they can maintain their status near the summit of the Premier League in the years to come under Klopp, something they have struggled to do in the last few decades, they simply must keep an eye on the 18-year-old's contract situation ahead of a possible move come the summer.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/liverpool/liverpool-simply-must-be-keeping-tabs-on-ryan-sessegnons-contract-situation-at-fulham/

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Fulham vs Man Utd: Lazar Markovic could make debut but Havard Nordtveit likely to miss out


New signing: Lazar Markovic could make his Fulham debut against Manchester United ( Liverpool FC via Getty Images )

Fulham could throw Lazar Markovic into action against Manchester United on Saturday, but Havard Nordtveit is set to have to wait for his debut.

Markovic joined on a free transfer from Liverpool on deadline day and has trained with his new team-mates this week ahead of the game at Craven Cottage.

Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri hopes Markovic can strike up a partnership with fellow Serbian and former team-mate Aleksandar Mitrovic to help save the club from relegation.

In their statement to announce the signing of Markovic, the club confirmed they had received "very good recommendations" from Mitrovic regarding his compatriot.

Fulham, though, are likely to be without Nordtveit.

The on-loan Hoffenheim defender, who has previous experience of English football with London rivals Arsenal and West Ham, has not played since he fractured his ankle in November.

Markovic will wear No30 at Fulham, while Nordtveit has been handed the No16 shirt.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham/fulham-vs-man-utd-lazar-markovic-could-make-whites-debut-but-havard-nordtveit-likely-miss-out-a4060526.html

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Claudio Ranieri says exactly what Spurs fans want to hear about the Manchester United job

Spurs news includes comments from the Fulham boss on who should take charge at Old Trafford at the end of the season

Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri has told Manchester United that they should appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their next permanent manager at the end of the season.

In December, Jose Mourinho was sacked by the Old Trafford hierarchy with the club's former treble-winning striker brought in on an interim basis.

Mauricio Pochettino has been regularly linked with the 20-time champions of England, and was also said to be in the frame for the job following the dismissal of Louis van Gaal in 2016.

Speculation over the future of the Tottenham Hotspur manager has seen the process to appoint the next United boss become a subject of interest for some Spurs fans.

Ahead of the visit of Solskjaer and his players at the weekend, Ranieri offered his backing to the Norwegian in his pre-match press conference.

United are still to lose under the fan favourite and have won nine of his first 10 games in charge, reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup by beating Arsenal.

They have also scored wins over Spurs and a Bournemouth side who dismantled Chelsea 4-0 in January.

After facing Fulham, Solskjaer's United will come up against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League before meeting the Blues in the next stage of the FA Cup and title-challengers Liverpool in the Premier League.

If he is able to successfully guide his team through this tough run of fixtures, the pressure on his employers to make him the permanent boss will grow, which would only be good news for Spurs supporters desperate to keep Pochettino in north London.

"The result speaks for him," said Ranieri, who lifted the Premier League title with Leicester City in 2016. "All victories and one draw, the players change their mind, more involved and they are fighting together.

"These big teams are used to more matches and now they are focused on our match and then after they will think about Paris Saint-Germain," he added.

Solskjaer came up against Ranieri as a player during the Italian's last spell as a manager in west London.

"When I played against them with Chelsea," said the 67-year-old . "He was a fantastic player, scored fantastic goals and now his career is open and I wish him all the best.

"He deserves at the moment. He shows the players are with him. Manchester has changed the mentality, why not?"



https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/claudio-ranieri-says-exactly-what-15795493

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Team news: Arnautovic fit, Lanzini tipped for Fulham return

Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that Marko Arnautovic will be in his West Ham United squad for Saturday's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.

The Austrian was ruled out of Monday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool at London Stadium after suffering a right foot injury in the defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 29 January.

However, Pellegrini said Arnautovic has worked with the first-team squad without issue this week and will be on the coach when it departs for Selhurst Park.

I think and I hope that Manu Lanzini will be ready for Fulham, at least to go to the bench, if he continues improving over the next two weeks

Manuel Pellegrini

"Marko Arnautovic and Aaron Cresswell worked the complete week without any problems, but Samir Nasri needs some more days to recover from his calf injury," the manager began. "Marko is available for the weekend. He worked the complete week without problems.

"Of course, it is good news for us. He is a player who makes a difference and is important for our team. He needs to recover his best shape after a long time without playing and with his last injury, so I hope he will be a very important player for us over the last part of the season."

The manager also revealed that Argentina playmaker Manuel Lanzini could make a welcome return to his matchday squad for the home fixture with Fulham on Friday 22 February after recovering from a long-term knee injury, while Paraguay centre-back Fabian Balbuena could also come into contention after overcoming the knee problem he suffered in the home defeat by Watford just before Christmas.

However, Pellegrini also told the media he has doubts over the availability of Jack Wilshere this season as the midfielder prepares to step up his rehabilitation following ankle surgery.

"Jack will finish his eight weeks he needs after his ankle surgery next week," the manager disclosed. "He will return to different work and we will see how he feels.

"Not only Andriy Yarmolenko [will not return this season], but Carlos Sanchez will also not be ready and I don't think Winston Reid will be ready. Jack Wilshere, I have some doubts if he will be ready, so there are a lot of players who will continue recovering from their injuries.

"I think and I hope that Manu Lanzini will be ready for Fulham, at least to go to the bench, if he continues improving over the next two weeks, Ryan Fredericks is OK working with us and Fabian Balbuena will be ready in a couple of weeks.

"So, for the last weeks of the season, those are the players who must make the difference."



Read more at https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2019/february/07-february/team-news-arnautovic-fit-lanzini-tipped-fulham-return#3zdWA0JErzT9eT5g.99

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Claudio Ranieri says Fulham's players need to be soldiers ready to fight

Claudio Ranieri called on his players to be soldiers as Fulham battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Fulham welcome Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United to Craven Cottage on Saturday, with Ranieri's side seven points from safety with 13 games remaining.

"We know where we are, we know it's a very tough moment," said Ranieri. "We need soldiers who will fight until the end; that is my opinion, my philosophy.

"We know we are playing a very big team. They are fighting for the Champions League and also to achieve the Champions League for next year, but we are ready to fight in every moment."

Solskjaer has won nine of his ten games as United manager, the only blemish on his report card a 2-2 home draw with Burnley.

Ranieri was full of praise for the Norwegian, saying he was impressed with the way Solskjaer has turned the club's fortunes.

"The results speak for him," said Ranieri. "The players changed their mind, they are more involved and are fighting together.

"At the moment he deserves the job, he has shown the players are with him, Manchester United has changed its mentality."

Fulham face a challenging run of home fixtures, with their next four games at Craven Cottage against sides in the top six, as they welcome Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City following the United visit.

But Ranieri said that this would not stop his player going for points, saying results against the top teams are crucial.

"We know these teams are very strong, but I think it's much better to play at home than away and in these matches we have to get some points," Ranieri said. "It's very important to get points against these teams.

"Big teams are used to playing match by match. They are very focused on the match against us and afterwards they will think about PSG [in the Champions League].

"I had to motivate the players, be positive to give positivity to my players. I hope also our fans at home give us something more to be solid and concentrate until the end."

The Italian was largely upbeat about his side's chances, but admitted that as United have such a vast array of talented players to draw upon, getting a result will be a challenge.

Ranieri brought Anthony Martial to Monaco when he was managing in France, before the player was snapped up by Manchester United.

"I signed Martial for £5m - I think for Monaco it was good business," said Ranieri. "He was a fantastic player, I watched him in an U21s match against Monaco U21s.

"I was so impressed with him and when there was a chance to by him, I said 'take this guy'.

"He's a very good player, he can dribble, he is a strong character, he can score goals, he is fast, but there are so many good players there - Pogba, Rashford, Lukaku, Mata, Sanchez, so many.

"We must be concentrated, strong and positive to show our personality during the whole match."



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11630611/claudio-ranieri-says-fulhams-players-need-to-be-soldiers-ready-to-fight

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Manager press conference

Claudio Ranieri knows Fulham need to start taking points from the Premier League's elite if we are to maintain our top flight status.

Our next four home fixtures see Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City visit Craven Cottage, and our Manager is aware that these matches need to yield a points return.

"We have to take points wherever, against I don't care who," he stated. "It's not important the name, it's important we take points against these big teams.

"I know it will be very difficult but I believe in my players and I am very confident with them.

"I have to motivate them, I have to give my positivity to my players. And I hope also our fans at home give us something more to be solid and keep us concentrated until the end.

"We know these teams are very, very strong but I think it's much better to play these teams at home than away, and in these matches we have to make some points.

"It's very, very important to achieve points against these teams."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brings United to SW6 having taken 22 points from a possible 24 since taking over on a caretaker basis.

Three days after their trip to Fulham, the Red Devils host Paris-Saint Germain in the UEFA Champions League, but Ranieri is not expecting that to have any impact on their performance at the Cottage.

"These big teams are used to playing match by match," he explained. "Now they are very, very focused on the next match against us, and then after they will think about PSG.

"I think the results speak for themselves. All victories and just one draw. The players changed their mind, they're more involved and they are fighting together.
"We are in a bad moment but our confidence is high and we continue to fight. Sooner or later they have to lose a match, no? Why not against us?"



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/february/07/manager-press conference

[WhiteJC]

 
Curious case of Ryan Sessegnon's role in Fulham's survival bid

Journey back to August and the sense of optimism and excitement around Craven Cottage was palpable.

Fulham, back in the Premier League after a four-year absence, approached the new season with much loftier ambitions than merely retaining their top-flight status.

Buoyed by an impressive showing in the transfer market, spending close to £100million on the likes of Jean Michaël Seri, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Aleksandar Mitrović, Alfie Mawson and Joe Bryan in addition to completing a series of impressive loan deals including André Schürrle, Luciano Vietto, Sergio Rico and Calum Chambers, they looked in pretty good nick.

The hope was that, under the tutelage of Slaviša Jokanović, the new arrivals would gel seamlessly with the existing squad and challenge, maybe, for a place in the top half of the table.

Six months later, the optimism has been replaced by angst and disaffection. Jokanović is gone and the club, now under Claudio Ranieri, are fighting for their lives, seven points adrift of safety of safety at the time of writing.

Not only have several of the new faces struggled to make an impression, but a clutch of the club's star performers also have failed to emulate the form that lifted Fulham to promotion via the play-offs in May.

Captain Tom Cairney, outstanding in the Championship last season, has found life difficult in the Premier League, largely due to injuries, while the woes of Tim Ream – Fulham's reigning Player of the Year – have been laid bare in the last two games, substituted after 27 and 45 minutes against Brighton and Crystal Palace respectively.

Then there is Ryan Sessegnon, whose scintillating form throughout the 2017/18 campaign led to calls for Gareth Southgate to include him in England's World Cup squad.

Despite winning the Championship Player of the Year after 15 goals and six assists, the 18-year-old did not make the cut for Russia.

Eight months on and Sessegnon is still to make his England debut, a fact made all the more frustrating for him when he looks at those of a similar age – Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho – who have broken onto the international scene since the end of last season.

Sessegnon's main concern for now, however, must be breathing new life into his club career, for the hype train surrounding the teenager has well and truly stalled.

This time last year, Sessegnon was graciously swerving questions about reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur. Now, though, his ambitions have been scaled back; his main focus is re-establishing himself at Craven Cottage.

Of course, there have been moments where the winger has produced flashes of quality, moments that have, like last season, changed games and won points.

In November, Sessegnon provided two assists to help Fulham beat Southampton 3-2 at the Cottage in Ranieri's first game in charge.

His first, for Schürrle, came after blitzing Cédric Soares and skimming a sensational cross into the German's path at the far post. The second was much different, showing fine composure to flick his header into Mitrović's path for the winner.

However, after struggling in the 4-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, Sessegnon made his impact in the next two games from the bench, netting the opener in a draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers before teeing up another Mitrović winner three days later, this time against Huddersfield Town.

Unfortunately, these impactful cameos have not been enough to nail down his spot under Ranieri. Some tipped the youngster to be the Italian's super-sub during the run-in but, with Fulham chasing the game away to Burnley recently, Sessegnon started and was then sacrificed at half-time and has since been usurped on the left wing by January recruit Ryan Babel.

The Dutchman, back in the Premier League eight years after leaving Liverpool, has impressed for the Cottagers so far and, while some may look at the 32-year-old's arrival on loan as a potential hindrance to Sessegnon's progress, it may prove beneficial in the long-term.

Babel's presence in the line-up provides genuine competition for Sessegnon, who has enjoyed being one of the first names on the teamsheet for the last two years.

Bringing in Babel, a player of considerably more experience, may be an effective motivational tool for a clearly gifted player still searching for consistency in his debut season in the Premier League.

The next few months may be crucial in Sessegnon's career. The immediate challenge is reclaiming his spot on the left wing. Do that and he can be a key figure in Fulham's fight to stave off relegation.

If that scenario fails to materialise, it's unlikely that he will readily drop back down the second tier. But even though interest in him in the past has been strong, there is no guarantee of a move to a bigger club. And, even if there was, competition for places is just as fierce at clubs like Tottenham and Manchester United, and stalling on a contract extension in the hope of sealing a move elsewhere would inevitably fray his relationship with Fulham fans.

Sessegnon has reached an interesting juncture. He won't celebrate his 19th birthday for another three months and, while he remains a player of extraordinary promise, how he responds to the challenge of Babel and Fulham's possible change in status will tell us a great deal about him.

He has already proven his talent and, by many accounts, is an old head on young shoulders. Now it's the time to show that and reaffirm his importance to Fulham.



https://www.footballwhispers.com/blog/ryan-sessegnon?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=news-now

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham v Manchester United
SAT 09 Feb 2019   Premier League
Venue: Craven Cottage

Mike Phelan and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have given Manchester United plenty to smile about

TEAM NEWS

Fulham's Andre Schurrle and Cyrus Christie have shaken off injuries but Timothy Fosu-Mensah is ineligible against his parent club.

New signings Lazar Markovic and Havard Nordtveit could make the bench.

There are likely to be changes to the Manchester United team with Tuesday's Champions League tie in mind.

That could mean Marcus Rashford, who has had a dead leg, is rested, while Chris Smalling could feature after recovering from a foot injury.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Jonathan Pearce: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has certainly restored smiles - and the best of form - to United players who were so down at heel under Jose Mourinho. The return of Mike Phelan has been equally inspired. The fans have their club back.

But PSG in midweek, then Chelsea and Liverpool will be the acid test. If he wins all three, they'd be mad not to give him the job.

Unless Aleksandar Mitrovic is at his best, this looks routine. Fulham have conceded more league goals than anyone in Europe's 40 leading top divisions!

In the last 15 years, only two of the nine Premier League teams with 17 points or fewer at this stage have escaped relegation.

Fulham is a lovely club. But it'll take a miracle beyond even the 2008 escape to stay up.

VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT

Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri: "We know where we are, we know it's very tough and then we need soldiers who have to fight until the end.

"We are ready to fight. I have to motivate them and give my positivity to our players. It's much better to play at home than away."

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

    Fulham have won just three Premier League matches against Manchester United, losing 19 times.
    United are unbeaten against Fulham in their past 11 meetings in all competitions (W9, D2).

Fulham

    Fulham have lost four of their last five Premier League games but they have won two of their last three at home.
    Fifteen of their 17 points this season have been earned at Craven Cottage.
    The Cottagers have their worst record after 25 matches of a league season: W4, D5, L16.
    They have kept just two clean sheets in this season's top flight, half as many as any other team.
    Fulham have lost 22 of their last 23 Premier League meetings against established top-six sides since March 2013, with the only exception being a 2-2 draw at Manchester United five years ago.
    Bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield are the only side to fail to score at Craven Cottage in this season's Premier League.
    Aleksandar Mitrovic's 10 goals account for 40% of Fulham's total in this season's Premier League - the highest proportion of a team's goals by any player in the top flight.

Manchester United

    Manchester United have won seven of their past eight matches, the best record of any Premier League side over that spell.
    They have taken 22 out of 24 possible points since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over and are the only unbeaten club in the Premier League during that time.
    United are looking to win six consecutive away games in all competitions for the first time since May 2009.
    Paul Pogba has been directly involved in 11 goals in eight Premier League appearances under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, scoring six and setting up five.
    Solskjaer scored one goal in his five Manchester United appearances against Fulham in all competitions. That came in a 1-1 Premier League draw at Loftus Road in October 2002.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47099269

[WhiteJC]

 
Premier League predictions: Lawro v A Private War stars Paul Conroy and Jamie Dornan

Liverpool were knocked off the top of the Premier League by Manchester City's win at Everton on Wednesday, but is the Reds' recent dip in form down to them feeling the pressure in the title race?

BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson says: "Much has been said about how Liverpool have lost their heads and all those kind of things - but they haven't lost it, they are just having a spell where they are not playing particularly well.

"City have had the same, and nobody said they were bottling it when they lost games, did they?

"There are so many Liverpool fans panicking about the way the team is playing when I just think the more sensible supporters are thinking 'hold on a minute, win our game in hand and we are three points clear'.

"I think Saturday's game against Bournemouth might help to calm everyone down, with a 'back to business' type of performance and result."

Lawro is making predictions for all 380 top-flight matches this season, against a variety of guests.

This week he is up against actor Jamie Dornan and photo-journalist Paul Conroy, who have worked together on new film A Private War, the story of acclaimed war correspondent Marie Colvin.

Dornan plays Conroy, who was Colvin's long-term colleague and was with her on her last assignment when she was killed by an airstrike in Syria in 2012. Conroy was badly injured in the same blast but survived.

Dornan and Conroy became close friends while the film was being made, but as Conroy told BBC Sport: "Paul and I get on very well, until it comes to football."

Dornan, who grew up in Belfast, said: "There are a huge amount of Liverpool and Manchester United fans all over Ireland but it is United for me, mainly down to George Best - our airport in Belfast is named after him - and through my dad."

Liverpool fan Conroy said: "When I was growing up in the 1960s and 70s, our house backed on to Anfield. We would go down to the entrance, Bill Shankly would be coming out and we would yell, 'All right, Bill' at him - and he would yell something unprintable back.

"Kevin Keegan used to have a TR7 car and we used to go, 'Can we mind your car, Kev?' with a little bit of extortion and menace, and he would kind of go, 'All right, lads' and hand over the money.

"They were very different times. Shankly used to walk down the road with his wife and get on the bus after the match."

"You don't get that now," added Dornan. "But I think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is probably cool enough to get the bus home."

LAWRO'S PREDICTIONS
Fulham v Man Utd (12:30 GMT)

Manchester United are flying at the moment and it surely is only a matter of time before Solskjaer gets the manager's job permanently.

I can only see one outcome here - another United win, which would be his 10th victory in 11 games as interim boss.

That is a brilliant run, but I don't agree with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola that United are back in the title race. They are not in the running for that at all.

I worry for Fulham, who followed up their impressive 4-2 win over Brighton with a pretty limp defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend - when I thought they would dig in and get a draw.

The Cottagers are now seven points adrift of safety and it seems like they cannot string two results together, which is a big problem for a team in their situation.

I am not sure Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri has many cards left to play to try to change things around, and they are running out of games too.

Lawro's prediction: 0-2

Jamie and Paul's prediction(Jamie): Fulham are my second favourite team - I love going to Craven Cottage and I want them to stay in the Premier League... but this result isn't going to help them do that. 1-4

Jamie on United: We are playing much more attractive football now under Solskjaer than we were under Jose Mourinho. I don't want to point the blame anywhere but Solskjaer is getting the best out of the players, which wasn't happening previously. The last 10 games have been a very exciting time to be a United fan again.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47157527

[WhiteJC]

 
Tottenham must target Fulham talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic this summer



Amid Fulham's disastrous season, the commandeering performances of Aleksandar Mitrovic have provided one of the few bright spots at Craven Cottage.

Mitrovic's superb strength, passion, and goalscoring record shows the Serbian would excel at a top club — Tottenham Hotspur should swoop for the forward this summer.

Regardless of Fulham's final league position, Mitrovic will surely be attracting interest from Champions League quality teams after his sterling form over the past year.

Ever since initially joining the Whites in January 2018, the striker has scored for fun and never looked back.

A perfect example of Mitrovic's strengths occurred against Brighton last Tuesday, when he scored two powerful headers and facilitated the Fulham attack amid a four goal comeback.

For Tottenham, a lack of top-class depth in the centre-forward position has harmed the club in the frequent injury absences of Harry Kane in the past year. Fernando Llorente has underwhelmed when called on to deputise, and with his advanced age, the Spaniard is surely looking at the end of his Spurs career.

Aleksandar Mitrovic would be an ideal solution to Tottenham's striking conundrum, with the Serbian offering his predatory instincts and aggression to a Spurs side crying out for quality depth to challenge for titles.



https://tbrfootball.com/tottenham-must-target-fulham-talisman-aleksandar-mitrovic-this-summer/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham 140th Anniversary Shirt Revealed



News from the English Premier League as a special limited edition Fulham 140th Anniversary shirt has been officially revealed.



2019 marks the 140th anniversary since the club were formed back in 1879 by Revered John Henry Cardwell from the Fulham St. Andrews Church. The reverend set up a Sunday school team known as Fulham St. Andrews who ten years later become Fulham Football Club.

The new Fulham shirt is a twist on the first ever kit worn by the club and uses the famous black and white colours first introduced in 1889.

The 2019 Fulham 140th Anniversary shirt has a half and half design that sees the right side of the shirt coloured black with the left side coloured white, although the sleeve is black.

The collar and cuffs are white as are the Adidas stripes on the shoulders and the Adidas logo on the right breast. A Fulham 140th Anniversary crest is placed on the left breast.

Only 1879 limited edition Fulham shirts will be be available to buy from the club with each one being individually numbered and certificated.

Fulham will wear the commemorative jersey in a pre season fixture later in 2019.



https://www.thekitman.co.uk/fulham-140th-anniversary-shirt-revealed/

[WhiteJC]

 
Chambers flourishing in new midfield role



Adrian Clarke says Fulham's loan signing has grown in importance since moving forward in front of the defence

Adrian Clarke looks at a key tactical battle in Matchweek 26. Calum Chambers is enjoying a breakthrough campaign during his loan spell at Fulham, where he has been playing in a new position.

Previously regarded as a central defender or full-back, the 24-year-old has started his last 12 matches in a central-midfield berth.

While Fulham's results have been indifferent, Chambers' reinvention has been a success.

Showing energy and excellent ball-winning skills, he has proved that he has the qualities to shine in top-flight football as a defensive midfielder and will return to his parent club Arsenal at the end of the season with an enhanced reputation.

King of the interception 
Chambers has always been a bright reader of the game, and this attribute has certainly come to the fore at Craven Cottage.

Anticipating passes intelligently, he has regularly broken up play for Fulham.

In fact, no player in the Premier League makes more interceptions per 90 minutes than Chambers.

This helps him to pick up a lot of loose balls in central areas.

Statistically, he also makes the fourth-most ball recoveries of any outfield player in the division, matching the exploits of the highly-rated Declan Rice and Ruben Neves.

Given he is sometimes vulnerable on the turn as a full-back, or caught short of raw pace in central defence, the role of an all-action midfield dynamo seems to suit Chambers best.

Not just a ball-winner

While it is Chambers' principle job to win the ball back for his side, he brings an array of additional skills.

Excellent at switching the ball wide to Fulham's wing-backs, he is a natural "quarterback" in central areas.

This penchant for longer passes towards the flanks has impacted his passing accuracy, which is only 75.2 per cent, but it remains a real positive for the team.

One by-product of this positional switch is Chambers' desire to score goals.

He recently found the net for the first time in a Fulham shirt, at home against Brighton & Hove Albion, with a superb strike from outside the penalty area.

Increased threat

That goal had been coming.

Across his last 10 starts for the Cottagers, Chambers has had 19 shots, many of them struck ambitiously from distance.

His main task at home against Manchester United will be to screen a vulnerable three-man defence, but do not be surprised if he also makes a vital contribution with the ball.

Chambers' stock is definitely on the rise, which is good news for Fulham and Arsenal fans alike.



https://www.premierleague.com/news/1049308

[WhiteJC]

 
Why Fulham should do everything in their power to keep hold of their experienced 28-year-old German star

Why Fulham should keep hold of Andre Schurrle beyond the summer

According to a report in German outlet Kicker, German international winger Andre Schurrle has declared that he will leave Premier League strugglers Fulham if they are relegated by the end of this season.

Although as per the report in BBC, the player has rejected these claims and has urged the fans to get behind the team as they seek to stay in English top-flight football, a year after they got promoted from the Championship. On the other hand, there can be no flame without fire!

Andre Schurrle signed for the Cottagers last summer from Borussia Dortmund on a two-year loan deal, hence, he can stay with the London club till the end of 2019/20 season. However, things can of course change in the coming summer.

Here's why Fulham should keep hold of Andre Schurrle beyond this season:

Schurrle's quality is crucial to the team

Fulham spent a fortune to bring quite a lot of players last summer after getting promoted to the Premier League. However, things haven't worked in a way they would have anticipated in many ways. Slavisa Jokanovic got sacked very early and it became a situation where Claudio Ranieri was brought in to save them from the drop.

Truth be told, the Italian has done an admirable job thus far, but more work needs to be done before this team get out from the bottom-three and play top-flight football next season.

While they have shipped in 55 goals this season so far – which is the worst in the league, the attack hasn't really fired in the same vein. They have just managed to score 25 goals from 25 games, which doesn't sound enough for a team that is conceding over two goals a game on an average.

Out of an ordinary bunch, only Andre Schurrle and Aleksandar Mitrovic can hold their heads up high. The former has scored six goals and created many good moments up front playing on either wing for the Cottagers.

Schurrle and Mitrovic do look like a combination that can join and create an opening in the opposition defence. The 28-year-old German has attempted 2.4 shots per game, whilst supplying key passes at the rate of one per game. His off the ball work ethic is also decent – with a tackling rate of 1.2 so far. (Whoscored.com)

Hence, the Dortmund man has been a positive addition to the Fulham squad this campaign. If they do manage to survive in the league, his contribution would be massive to it.

Thus, the Cottagers should make sure they stay up, which will attract the Schurrle to complete his loan spell, otherwise, potential suitors could come and take him away, let alone his parent club.



https://soccersouls.com/2019/02/08/why-fulham-should-do-everything-in-their-power-to-keep-hold-of-their-experienced-28-year-old-german-star/