Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 06/08/19...

[WhiteJC]

Why Brighton, not Fulham should have been relegated from the Premier League last season

Fulham suffered an immediate return to the Championship after top-flight relegation but new data shows a different side


Scott Parker ahead of Fulham's game with Newcastle United (Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United)

Fulham's 2019/20 campaign in the EFL started in the worst possibly fashion on Saturday, as the Cottagers lost 1-0 to newly-promoted Barnsley.

It was a huge crash down back to earth for the West London side, who are considered among the favourites for an immediate return to the Premier League after their relegation last term.

It is fair to say that Fulham's short stint in the top-flight did not go to plan as, despite heavily investing in their squad before the start of the season, the Cottagers struggled to settle and were demoted as a result.

However, new data suggests that should not have been the case and that Fulham should have in fact secured safety, with Brighton the side who should have been relegated.

The ESPN Luck Index backed by Betfair Exchange has revealed that bad luck was a deciding factor in Fulham's relegation last term and that the Cottagers should have finished with a points tally five higher.

Brighton, on the other hand, benefited hugely from luck last season to secure eight more points than they should have - and that 13-point swing would have see Fulham retain their top-flight status.

A research team working in collaboration with former Premier League referee Peter Walton analysed footage from every game of the season to see which major incidents – such as disallowed goals, incorrectly awarded penalties, improper red cards, deflected goals etc. – should have been overturned.

The full results, which can be seen here , show that only five Premier League sides had their final position unchanged by the bad luck index - with Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Southampton and Huddersfield Town retaining their spots.

While it was also identified that the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace were also unlucky, there is no denying that Fulham suffered the most due to bad luck.

All that could change this season though with the introduction of VAR, although that will not be any consolation to Fulham as the EFL remains without the technology for the foreseeable future.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-premier-league-bad-luck-16702922

[WhiteJC]

Cottage Talk Post Match Show: Barnsley vs. Fulham

Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

In this episode, we broke down the 1-0 loss for Fulham at Oakwell against Barnsley. We discussed the key moments, and the reasons why we feel Fulham lost this match.

However, to start the show, we addressed the disgusting incident involving Cyrus Christie's sister. You will hear our throughts on this dispicable act at Oakwell.


Lastly, I want to mention that you can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/8/6/20756190/cottage-talk-post-match-show-barnsley-vs-fulham

[WhiteJC]

Tottenham's prospective Ryan Sessegnon deal lauded by Alasdair Gold

This article is part of Football FanCast's Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers...

Football.London's Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Alasdair Gold is excited about the prospect of the club signing Ryan Sessegnon this summer.

What's he said?

The club are reportedly closing in on a £30m deal to sign the 19-year-old, with attacking midfielder Josh Onomah likely to go the other way in part-exchange.

Confirmation of the deal would bring to an end a long-running summer saga, with Mauricio Pochettino finally landing one of his top targets.

And Gold, who covers Spurs every single week, is excited by the prospect of seeing the teenager develop in north London.

He tweeted: "For me, Ryan Sessegnon under Pochettino's tutelage is one of the most exciting match-ups of the summer.

"Sure he didn't destroy the Premier League in a struggling team but 2 goals & 6 assists for a then 18-year-old who wasn't starting every game isn't too shabby. So much potential."

Nail on the head

Sessegnon could blossom under the tutelage of Pochettino.

Look at the likes of Harry Winks, Dele Alli and Juan Foyth; they have all become first-team stars under the management of the Argentine.

Sessegnon stuck out like a sore thumb in a very poor Fulham team last season and he could become one of the finest wing-backs in the league if he is given the right opportunities and the right management.

There can be no better coach for him than Pochettino and, while £30m may be steep, it is an investment in the future.

He can grow in north London; Gold has hit the nail on the head.



https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/tottenham/tottenhams-prospective-ryan-sessegnon-deal-lauded-by-alasdair-gold