Sunday Fulham Stuff - 01/09/19...

[WhiteJC]

Results

Saturday
Bristol City	2-2	Middlesborough
Birmingham	2-1	Stoke
Brentford	3-0	Derby
Leeds	0-1	Swansea
Luton	2-1	Huddersfield
Millwall	1-1	Hull
Nottm Forest	1-1	Preston NE
Reading	0-2	Charlton
Sheff Wed	1-2	QPR
West Brom	3-2	Blackburn
Wigan	0-0	Barnsley

[WhiteJC]

Harry Arter . . . The Case For And Against

Harry Arter divided opinion among Cardiff City supporters during his time on loan with the club last season – and he cleaved managerial attitudes after the Bluebirds' 1-1 draw at home to Fulham on Friday night.

Admittedly, one of those bosses is his brother-in-law, Scott Parker. But there was enough in Parker's case for the defence – after Arter's dramatic sending off – to convince the neutral he, at least, had a decent argument.

The fiery Arter was shown a second yellow card for a theatrical dive that appeared to come too late for it to be directly related to the clip of his heels by Cardiff's Sean Morrison.

The 68th minute dismissal, which came just two minutes after Parker had been booked for a scything foul on Joe Ralls, followed Arter's yellow card in his previous match against Nottingham Forest.

Last season he began the campaign for Cardiff with three bookings in his first three matches, a consistent return he was unable to maintain for the entire loan spell, although he did finish with an impressive total of 11 yellows.

It was enough for his then manager Neil Warnock to describe Arter as the kind of player, "who could get booked in training".

But Parker launched a staunch defence of his midfielder and brother of his wife – signed on loan from Bournemouth – as he felt his player had been fouled before his tumble near his own penalty area.

"I think the question that needs to be asked is, 'did he make contact with him?' and he did," said Parker.

"The first infringement is that he fouled him but we've not looked at that. We're going straight to when he has taken two steps and gone down after that. Everyone is of the same view that he got touched. He's got touched so if we're going for the first infringement, it's a foul."

Warnock insisted the sending off was the right decision, even though he admitted he still holds affection for a player he relied on heavily at times to give his team extra bite in midfield to overcome shortcomings elsewhere.

Warnock said: "It was a red. He probably should have been booked in the first half for throwing ball away.

"You know what you are going to get with Harry. He's a nightmare for the manager. He just can't change. You think the message has registered and then he does it all over again.

"But he's a hell of a lad to have in the dressing room and you'll not go far wrong with him there."

The draw- secured by Aleksandar Mitrovic's fifth goal in as many matches – edges Fulham up to fourth spot in the Championship and takes Cardiff to 10th, but left both managers feeling they should have gained more.

The goals came in rapid succession at the end of the first-half as Cardiff took the lead in the 42nd minute, only to surrender their advantage within two minutes.

Josh Murphy had put the home side ahead when he swept onto a pass threaded from centre-back Aden Flint and fired across goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli and into the far corner.

Fulham quickly carved Cardiff open down the right flank and Morrison was caught on his heels as Mitrovic turned in Ivan Cavaleiro's cross.

Warnock added: "It was an exciting game, but one minute of madness cost us the game. I couldn't see them scoring, because I don't mind them passing it around to themselves outside our penalty area.

"But their goal was poor defending. There was not enough talking, we are a bit immature in some things, naïve compared to them – especially Gavin, who was trying to stumble on and stay on his feet instead of going down.

Parker added: "We created opportunities through our movements and I felt we were in the ascendancy before the sending off. From then we showed real grit and determination, something I've questioned these players have had in the past."



http://www.dai-sport.com/harry-arter-case/

[WhiteJC]

'He fouled him': Parker defends Ireland midfielder Arter after being sent off for diving
Harry Arter was dismissed for simulation during Fulham's Championship meeting with Cardiff City.

MANAGER SCOTT PARKER has defended Harry Arter after the midfielder was sent off for simulation during Fulham's Championship meeting with Cardiff City last night.

The Ireland international was shown two yellow cards in as many minutes in the second half as the side's drew 1-1 thanks to goals from Josh Murphy and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Arter's second booking came after a coming together with Cardiff captain Sean Morrison which referee Tim Robinson judged to be a dive.

"Regarding the sending off, I think the question that needs to be asked is 'did he make contact with him?' and he did," Parker told reporters after full-time.

"The first infringement is that he fouled him but we've not looked at that. We're going straight to when he has taken two steps and gone down after that.

"I just feel like the ball is going out for a corner so they are going to get a corner. Where is the advantage to us? I don't understand."

Parker insisted there was contact from Cardiff skipper Morrison on Arter, who spent last season on loan at the Welsh side.

"If he stays on his feet, it's a corner to them so that's what's frustrating for me," the Fulham manager said.

"Ultimately, did he get contact? I've seen it twice and heard what people are saying — everyone is of the same view that he got touched.

"He's got touched so if we're going for the first infringement, it's a foul."



https://www.the42.ie/scott-parker-harry-arter-red-card-diving-fulham-championship-4790303-Aug2019/

[WhiteJC]

Harry Arter Enrages Cardiff Fans As Irish Midfielder Is Sent Off During Fulham Draw

On his return to Cardiff, Harry Arter was sent off as Fulham managed to hold on for a 1-1 draw in the Welsh capital.

Manager Scott Parker was adamant it "was a foul" post-match, telling reporters initially contact was made.

I think the question that needs to be asked is 'did he make contact with him?' and he did. The first infringement is that he fouled him but we've not looked at that. We're going straight to when he has taken two steps and gone down after that.

Two goals in the space of three minutes from Josh Murphy and Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic had the sides all level but it was midway through the second half when tempers really flared. Shortly after fouling Joe Ralls, Arter went down near the corner flag and was shown a second yellow. Cardiff fans took particular issue with their former player while Neil Warnock said post-match he should have been sent off earlier.

"It was a red card, and he probably should have been booked for throwing the ball at the linesman in the first half."



https://www.balls.ie/football/harry-arter-red-card-fulham-416541

[WhiteJC]

Fulham's fortitude is a positive sign

The overwhelming emotion after Fulham's draw at Cardiff City on Friday was one of frustration. Disappointment after a chance to take all three points from a potential promotion rival slipped away. Anger at an experienced professional like Harry Arter, whose lack of awareness moments after being booked drew him into a situation where a red card placed his side's position in doubt. Opporbrium towards another referee who appeared eager to book Fulham players, but showed a single yellow to a Cardiff man despite their sixteen fouls. Angst after Fulham played in fits and starts and never really worked up a head of steam after cancelling out a very preventable opener scored by Josh Murphy.

But strip out the raw emotion and there are some positives to be found. Mostly, in terms of the character of a side that found themselves under serious pressure, a man down in the final quarter, and remained unbowed. It was right that Scott Parker lauded the resolve of his players after the final whistle – there's no doubt that last season's Fulham side would have folded in a similar scenario. Tim Ream, Alfie Mawson and Joe Bryan were excellent in defence – whilst Aleksandar Mitrovic's ability to do unglamorous defensive work at set plays played a crucial part in the closing stages. This was a precious point to cling onto – that could so easily have slipped away.

Parker managed the game well, too, following Arter's moment of madness in the corner. He immediately recognised Fulham's predicament called for Stefan Johansen's tireless running after the Norwegian had been left out of the starting line-up. The removal of Ivan Cavaleiro and Anthony Knockaert made sense as did the decision to shore up the defence with the late introduction of Maxime Le Marchand. The Fulham manager might have voiced his frustration with how his side had used their attacking weapons in the first half, but his players saw out the game professionally in a hostile environment, limiting Cardiff to just two clear-cut chances. For a team with definite defensive frailties that was particularly encouraging.

There are, of course, still things to work on. Fulham don't move the ball as quickly as they might when probing for an opening, a point picked up on by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink during his television punditry. It certainly seemed that they didn't utilise the potency of their wingers regularly enough last night – and left Mitrovic starved of the sort of service he thrives upon. Fulham's goal was a thing of beauty, but it was too much of a rarity given the way Parker wants his team to play.

To go behind having dominated both proceedings and possession was a real kick in the teeth, but the goal was a calamity. Ream and Mawson are excellent with the ball at their feet for centre halves but the more direct ball to Cavaleiro was a risky one with Harrison Reed, who looked largely anonymous on his first start, Arter and Cairney all unavailable for a short pass. Cavaleiro surrendered possession far too cheaply on his own halfway line and the defensive line was horribly exposed, with Mawson much deeper than his colleagues. Steven Sessegnon, who looked lively at the other end of the pitch, had ventured forward leaving Josh Murphy with a run through to the penalty area, which Mawson only belated attempted to narrow. The winger's shot was not firmly into the corner by any means – and questions can rightly be asked of Marcus Bettinelli's positioning and his failure to stop the shot. Such analysis might seem harsh, but the Championship is an unforgiving league – and opponents will relish highlighting any deficiencies.

But the toughness of a team is measured in how they respond to adversity. Bettinelli answered with a magnificent reaction save to keep the deficit at one – and his team-mates went up the other end to score a goal of exquisite quality. The approach play from the back was a little more direct, both Mitrovic and Cavaleiro wandered menacingly towards the box and two lovely touches from Cairney and the Portuguese winger laid a simple finish on a plate for the Serbian striker. Fulham's frustration will have been that they weren't able to build on this platform in the second half.

The visitors' riposte was encouraging. After a shaky start at Barnsley, Fulham have put together a decent opening month. Today's games will adjust the early league table somewhat, but ten points from six games gives Parker, still a remarkably inexperienced manager lest we forget, something to build upon. He has clearly sought to go back to the Jokanovic playbook in a bid to loose the shackles on Fulham's most adventurous players and there will still be a lag time in terms of getting his ideas across.

But Fulham, notoriously slow starters to Championship seasons, have shown enough of that silky football to suggest that they can feature heavily in the promotion picture. And if Parker can align that flowing football with the sort of steel shown in the second half in Wales last night then the results could be worth watching as autumn gives way to winter.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2019/08/fulhams-fortitude-is-a-positive-sign/

[WhiteJC]

Elections to the Board

The Fulham Supporters' Trust has opened nominations for Board members, following the adoption of a new elections policy at our last AGM.

The Trust will elect, from within its membership, up to 13 individuals to form the Board, and the elected Board is able to co-opt up to 5 additional members should they wish to do so.

You can read the announcement here and find more details of the nomination process here. The period for nominations is open from 31st August 2019 until 14th September 2019.



https://www.fulhamsupporterstrust.com/news/2019/08/elections-to-board/

[WhiteJC]

Club in advanced talks with Fulham winger, trying to reach agreement over personal terms

According to Transfer Merkez, Turkish Super Lig side Goztepe are in advanced talks with Fulham's Jonathan Ayite as both sides try to reach an agreement over personal terms.

It's reported the Izmir based club have offered Ayite a one-year deal but the 30 year old wants a contract for two seasons.

After losing their opening two games, Goztepe are looking to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes on Monday and Ayite could be a good addition to their squad.

The Togo international has only played 16 minutes so far this season for Scott Parker's side and could leave the Championship club to get regular first-team football.

Ayite has been on the books of Fulham since 2016 when he arrived from SC Bastia for €2m and is under contract with the London club until June 2020.

It's also worth noting the Fulham player's brother Jonathan Ayite is popular in Turkey following his spells with Alanyaspor, Yeni Malatyaspor and Samsunspor.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-advanced-talks-fulham-winger-trying-reach-agreement-personal-terms/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham have taken a step in the right direction by loaning out this promising 19-year-old academy ace

Fulham's decision to loan out Toni Stahl is a step in the right direction

As confirmed via Fulham's official website, Fulham academy goalkeeper Toni Stahl has completed a move to German lower division outfit Energie Cottbus on a season-long loan deal.

The 19-year-old, who made his move to West London from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig last summer, has impressed for the Cottagers' academy side over the past twelve months, whilst also making a solitary appearance for Germany at the U-18 level.

The talented shot-stopper featured on a number of occasions for Scott Parker's senior side in the pre-season friendlies but he has now completed a temporary switch back to Germany to further his development.

Stahl has also represented Fulham at the U-23 level in Premier League 2 but he wasn't really in the first-team picture, with the Cottagers already pretty well-stocked in their options between the sticks in the Championship.

Having already bolstered their ranks with some quality additions this summer, the decision to loan out a promising prospect like Stahl for the entirety of the campaign apparently looks like a good move for the Cottagers.

Sergio Rico, who was Fulham's first-choice between the sticks in the Premier League last season, departed the club earlier in the summer upon the expiry of his loan spell from Sevilla.

Parker, though, opted against bringing in a replacement for the Spaniard, with Fabri and Marcus Bettinelli already in the ranks to compete for the No.1 role.

Former academy graduate Bettinelli has been given the nod ahead of Fabri in the first five games of the Championship by Parker and it is expected to stay that way throughout the campaign if the Englishman continues to put in consistent displays over the coming months.

Young Slovakian goalkeeper Marek Rodak started in the club's 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the League Cup, with another academy product Magnus Norman deputising on the bench.

Hence, it is pretty clear that Parker has plenty of options at his disposal when it comes to goalkeepers and Stahl was pecking down the pecking order.

To put things into perspective, Fulham need to strive towards polishing the gems in their academy by ensuring that the youngsters are handled in the best possible way and a loan deal for the 19-year-old German starlet seemingly suits the interests of all parties perfectly.

Stahl is held in high regard by the youth coaches but he needs to play regularly in order to work on the flaws in his game and mature as a footballer, something which wouldn't have been possible had he chosen to stay put at Craven Cottage.

Energie Cottbus are playing in the German fourth-tier this season and, while the level of competition over there is nowhere close to the EFL Championship, a successful loan spell could pave the way for a more significant role in the first -team in the future.

Moreover, the youngster is likely to feel more settled upon his return to familiar surroundings in his homeland, something which should work in favour of his development.

With that in mind, it is easy to see that the Cottagers have, indeed, done the right thing by sending the German starlet on a loan spell back to his native land.



https://soccersouls.com/fulham-have-taken-a-step-in-the-right-direction-by-loaning-out-this-promising-19-year-old-academy-ace/