Friday Fulham Stuff - 04/10/19...

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Lee Bowyer delivers explanation for brave Charlton decision in Swansea defeat

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer has provided an explanation after there were a number of key omissions from his side that suffered a 2-1 defeat against Swansea on Wednesday night.

Jonathan Leko had given the Addicks an early lead at The Valley, but strikes from Yan Dhanda and Andre Ayew then condemned the newly promoted side to their third league defeat of the campaign.

The Addicks would have entered the match in buoyant mood following their impressive 1-0 victory over Leeds on the weekend, but this defeat will have provided a reality check for Bowyer's side who now travel to face Fulham on Saturday.

Bowyer made a number of significant changes for the match against Swansea with four players who started the Leeds victory missing out from the side, including defender Naby Sarr and in-form midfielder Jonny Williams.

The Charlton manager has now explained his decision-making as he claimed the midweek fixture scheduling was a key reason behind the alterations to the side that conquered Leeds.

"Had to freshen it up best I can, we've got to play Fulham Saturday," he told News Shopper.

"I watched them play last night (Tuesday), an extra 24-hour recovery and we've got to play them at 12 0'clock on Saturday, it's crazy.

"I know 100% if I played Naby Sarr tonight, Naby Sarr would've never ever be able to play on Saturday. He'd never, never recover in time.

"There's Jonny Williams, he played last Saturday, if he started tonight he'd never be able to start this Saturday."

Saturday's opponents Fulham were in action against Reading on Tuesday night, and they ran out as 4-1 winners against the Royals as they extended their unbeaten league run to five matches and moved into the play-off places.

The Verdict

Bowyer's decisions are completely understandable given the extra day Fulham have to prepare for Saturday's meeting, as the Charlton boss will have needed to take extra measures to combat this advantage.

The consequence of this was that Charlton slipped to defeat against the Swans despite racing into an early lead, and it will be frustrating for Bowyer that his side lost the game int his manner.

The only solace he could take going into the weekend is that his side performed fairly well against Cooper's side, while he now looks set to have some of his key players fully fit to face the Cottagers on the weekend.

A victory in West London could go some way to making amends for the midweek defeat as this would send out a firm message to the Championship, particularly after their result against Leeds last weekend.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/lee-bowyer-delivers-explanation-for-brave-charlton-decision-in-swansea-defeat/

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Dafabet Donation

Fulham will play with the Foundation's logo on our shirts when we host Charlton Athletic on Saturday, after Dafabet's donation of their sponsorship for the match.

The gesture comes in support of the third annual Fulham FC Foundation Matchday, a dedicated fixture committed to increasing awareness of the Foundation's impact in the community, as well as to raise funds.

The matchday campaign, 'All Together Now', asks partners, supporters, players, and staff to come together in support of the Club's Official Charity Partner.

Amy O'Brien, Head of Development & Communications at the Foundation, said: "This marks back-to-back donations from Dafabet, having offered up their sponsorship for the first time in the 2018/19 season.

"They're raising the bar this time around by selecting a televised match – a rare and commendable move from a Principal Partner. In doing so, they'll bring Fulham FC Foundation into the homes of viewers across the country, increasing awareness of our impact in the community."

John Cruces, Head of Marketing Operations at Dafabet, spoke of the decision, saying: "We're very happy to offer our support again this season. The work the Foundation does is excellent and deserves as much recognition as possible. We're pleased that we can not only help amplify awareness, but also raise funds which will go back into the community."

The Foundation has teamed up with Match Worn Shirt. Each player will sign their shirt, to be auctioned post-match at matchwornshirt.com. All funds raised go directly to the Foundation. Auction opens on Saturday 5th October at 12.30pm and closes on Wednesday 9th October, 12.30pm.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/october/03/dafabet-donation

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Charlton Athletic have slight injury doubt over attacker for Fulham derby – and labels defender's absence 'mind-boggling'

Lee Bowyer has revealed that Chuks Aneke is a slight injury doubt for Saturday's derby at Fulham.

The Addicks will be without Lyle Taylor, Tomer Hemed and Beram Kayal for the trip to Craven Cottage.

And Ben Purrington came off in last night's 2-1 loss to Swansea City with a groin issue.

Bowyer was waiting for an update from the physio when the South London Press caught up with him but said: "I'm guessing Ben is out. He came off with something wrong with his groin.

"Chuks tweaked his groin a bit but that might just have been a bit of tightness, so I'm guessing he'll be okay.

"Apart from that everyone else is alright [who were involved in the Swansea match]."

If Purrington does not recover in time then it leaves Charlton without a senior fit left-back. Lewis Page has not played first-team football for 12 months due to injury issues.

"We've got Deji [Oshilaja], he can slot across," said Bowyer. "Chris Solly has played there a lot last year when Pagey was out. We have got some options. Adam Matthews has played there in the past for Sunderland."

Page had been out with a groin injury last season. He signed a new contract in the 2018-19 campaign that runs until this summer. There is a clause to trigger an extra 12 months but it is activated by playing a high proportion of Charlton matches.

"Nothing has changed on my side – I've told the physio to tell me when he's back training," said Bowyer. "I know he is out of the boot now, I saw him a couple of days ago.

"It is a conversation I'm going to have to have with the physio, because he signed a contract a year ago and he hasn't played since. It's not good.

"He is not going to hit that target [to trigger his contract clause]. It is his Achilles. He was out with a hamstring in pre-season and was meant to be out for two weeks – the same as Chuks, they both did it in the same game [at Gillingham]. Chuks came back and Pagey hasn't been back since. It's mind-boggling. I don't get it."



https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-have-slight-injury-doubt-over-attacker-for-fulham-derby-and-labels-defenders-absence-mind-boggling/

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Early Fulham team news emerges ahead of Charlton clash

Fulham boss Scott Parker has said his side has no real injury threats ahead of the Charlton Athletc game on Saturday.

Fulham have shot up the Championship table in the last few weeks, sitting fourth after back-to-back wins, first against Wigan and then a 4-1 win at Reading on Tuesday.

It takes Scott Parker's side to five games unbeaten in the Championship, having lost just one of their last nine games.

The visit of Charlton on Saturday will be another competitive match for Fulham, who will be looking to better their home record of one win in their last four.

But Lee Bowyer's Charlton will be without top scorer Lyle Taylor, along with fellow strikers Tomer Hemed and Chuks Aneke, as the injury crisis at Charlton worsens.

As for Parker, he's said today that his side have no serious injury threats ahead of Saturday.

The last time Charlton visited Craven Cottage in 2016 it finished 3-0 to the home side. This time round will be a closer contest though with Charlton being the Championship's surprise package this season.

But a 2-1 defeat at home to Swansea last night leaves the Addicks with one win from their last four games, having scored just two in that time.

The verdict

Parker will be looking to continue his side's upwards momentum on Saturday, but will have to be at their best to beat a well organised Charlton side. With the injury list at Charlton growing and goals becoming more of a rarity, it gives Fulham a good oppurtunity to seal the points on Saturday.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/early-fulham-team-news-emerges-ahead-of-charlton-clash/

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Fulham manager lifts the lid on relationship with Lee Bowyer

This afternoon, Fulham manager Scott Parker has opened up on his relationship with Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer in the Fulham manager's press conference this afternoon.

On his rival manager, Parker said: "Lee Bowyer's a couple of years older than me. He's someone I call a close friend, a good guy, who's doing a fantastic job and I'm not surprised, as he's a fighter. He hasn't been given an easy hand."

Parker and Bowyer both progressed through the youth ranks at Charlton Athletic, Bowyer a few age groups ahead of Parker, and the pair both featured for Charlton's first team together before going their seperate ways and then reuniting at West Ham United in 2007 when Parker joined the Hammers, one year after Bowyer had arrived at Upton Park.

Parker and Bowyer both featured as tough-tackling central midfielders during the era where other Premier League central midfielders were built in the same mould, such as Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira.

Both midfielders pulled on the senior shirt for England too, Bowyer donning the shirt just once back in 2002 in a friendly with Portugal, assisting a goal for Alan Smith, while Parker made his debut during 2003 in a 3-2 defeat against Denmark and even captained England once in February 2012 in a 2-3 defeat against Holland.

Parker's Fulham hosts Bowyer's Charlton on Saturday with a 12:30 kickoff, as Fulham lie in fifth place on 18 points and Charlton in eighth place with 17 points after a good start following promotion.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-manager-lifts-the-lid-on-relationship-with-lee-bowyer/

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'He has been outstanding' – Is this Fulham man proving a major summer transfer coup? The verdict

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Fulham are starting to find their feet in the Championship, with Scott Parker's side up to fifth in the table and on a run of five unbeaten in the league, ahead of the visit of Charlton Athletic on Saturday lunchtime.

One player who has certainly taken to life at Craven Cottage is Parker's brother-in-law, 29-year-old midfielder Harry Arter, who moved to the club on-loan in the summer from Bournemouth.

So is Arter already proving to be a bit of a coup signing for Fulham?

We discuss........

George Brooks

"I think Arter could be a great signing for Fulham this season. He's obviously got a lot of experience at this level and he's shown that with his performances for the Whites so far.

"He obviously feels that he's got a bit of a point to prove if he wants another chance at Bournemouth and he's certainly put in some strong performances in midfield since arriving in west London.

"He certainly isn't afraid to get stuck in on the pitch and some of his passing has been top notch.

"He could be a really good signing for Fulham and he looks like he's going to have an important role to play in their promotion push this season."

Toby Wilding

"You could probably say thatF.

"Arter has looked a strong, solid addition in the centre of the park for Fulham, which is admittedly no surprise when you consider the pedigree he has at this level.

"The fact therefore, that they have been able to bring him in this season, looks like it could be a significant boost as Fulham search for an immediate return to the Premier League, something Arter knows about doing from his time at Bournemouth.

"Much has been made about their strength in attack this season, but with the likes of Arter, Tom Cairney and Harrison Reed at their disposal, it could be argued that Fulham's options in midfield right now are just as impressive."

Dean Cooke

"He is, since his red card at Cardiff a few weeks ago he has been outstanding for Fulham and Scott Parker's side.

"They have a real opportunity to do something special this season after picking up some excellent wins already in the opening fixtures of the campaign.

"Arter has been a part of that, and on Tuesday night at Reading he was simply sublime. It also helps Tom Cairney as it allows him to move into a more attacking role which has been so successful for the player and Fulham."



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/he-has-been-outstanding-is-this-fulham-man-proving-a-major-summer-transfer-coup-the-verdict/

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Big Match Preview – Fulham away

Join Louis Mendez, Tom Wallin and Nathan Muller as they look back at the Swansea game and ahead to Fulham. They discuss the defeat to the south Wales outfit last night and hear Lee Bowyer's thoughts on the match. They also hear what the listeners made of the performance. They hear about the alleged incident involving Jonathan Leko and Leeds keeper Kiko Casilla from Bowyer and then turn their attention to the trip to Fulham

Charlton Live were nominated for the Football Supporters' Federation Club Podcast of the Year award – thank you to all who have listened to us throughout the year for making this possible.

Charlton Live is available live on Maritime Radio on Thursday and Sunday evenings from 7pm – head to www.maritimeradio.london or www.charltonlive.co.uk to listen in.

You can also hear us on the go via the tune in app – search for Charlton Live.

Our shows are available as podcasts via Acast, iTunes, Deezer and many other platforms.

To contact us – email [email protected] or tweet @charltonlive



http://www.charltonlive.co.uk/2019/10/03/big-match-preview-fulham-away/

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5 goals, 3 assists: The mercurial Fulham player that's taking the Championship by storm

Fulham enjoyed a stunning 4-1 victory away at lowly fellow Championship side Reading, with both Aleksandar Mitrovic and Tom Cairney notching two on the score sheet for the Whites in what was a dominant performance for Scott Parker's men.

It was Cairney who put Fulham ahead after just 13 minutes, before the in-form figure of Mitrovic further inflicted damage upon their Berkshire based hosts by adding a double in the 26th and 29th minute.

As they headed into the second half, Fulham further increased the misery amongst the Reading ranks, with Cairney adding his second of the game in the form of an audacious goal from well over 25 yards out.

Reading did pull a goal back through Yakou Meite in the 89th minute but it was too little too late for the Royals with the match having essentially finished as a contest when Cairney added his second.

It was another example of Cairney's stunning form this season, and as such our latest FLW Spotlight is focused on the exploits of the Fulham captain this year, here we break down his numbers in depth...

The Whites' skipper has made 10 appearances for his side this season, with the Scotsman being one of Parker's side's standout performers so far this term.

The former Blackburn Rovers man has so far netted five goals this campaign, which has included impressive long-range strikes against the likes of Wigan and as mentioned earlier, Reading, with the midfielder's goal-scoring exploits providing a key source of success for the Whites this term, his manager will no doubt be looking for this to continue.

Cairney's contribution this season isn't just limited to goals, the Fulham playmaker has also laid on three assists for his teammates this term, with the 28-year-old averaging at least 2.4 key passes per game, it is clear how important he is in terms of creating chances for Fulham's front three of Cavaleiro, Mitrovic and Knockaert.

In addition to key passes, the Scottish international also contributes heavily to maintaining possession for his side, with the Cottagers man averaging 55.5 passes per game, yielding a pass success rate of 91.5% indicating his importance to the side's possession-based football which is centred around keeping the ball in their own half before playing penetrating passes forward to break through the opposition's defensive lines.

To conclude, it is clear how crucial Cairney will be to Fulham achieving their target of an instant return to the Premier League, with the Whites captain leading by example so far this term, Parker will be hoping his form continues.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/5-goals-3-assists-the-mercurial-fulham-player-thats-taking-the-championship-by-storm/

[WhiteJC]

Craven Cottage win overdue

It is thirty three years since we won at Craven Cottage.

April 22nd 1986 was the date when a meagre crowd of 5,590 witnessed the two goals from Mark Stuart and one from John Pearson that consigned a dismal Fulham team to relegation to Division Three. A week later we beat them again -  2-0 at The Valley - and then went up to Carlisle to seal our promotion to the top tier for the first time in thirty years.

Since then our record at Craven Cottage (and Loftus Road) is: Played 12, won 0, drawn 3, lost 9. Scored 4, conceded 23. We have lost the last five games with an aggregate of 2-14.

Fulham are joint (with Preston) top goal scorers in The Championship with 18 goals (Charlton 14), and they have the best goal difference (+10). According to EFL Championship Stats they have had 149 shots so far this season which compares very favourably with the 86 shots Charlton have mustered (which is the lowest in the division). However, this of course means that we have a vastly superior conversion rate...

Danger men for Fulham will be Aleksandar Mitrovic, Anthony Knockaert and Tom Cairney.

Mitrovic has scored seven already this term which means he has 19 goals for Fulham in 27 Championship appearances, plus 11 in 37 last year in The Premier League. The Serbian, who has 51 international caps (28 goals) signed a five year contract with Fulham in July having joined for a fee which could rise to £27m. Knockaert, who has joined on loan from Brighton, is one of those players not quite good enough for The Premier League (5 goals in 77) but more than useful at Championship level (35 in 157). Cairney has been at Craven Cottage for four years and, although he only netted once in 31 Premier League outings, he has scored 30 in 128 for Fulham in the second tier.

We believe this is the first match ever to be played in which both managers are products of the Charlton youth system. In addition, both team will be fielding a Charlton academy graduate as Parker's brother-in-law Harry Arter is now at Craven Cottage on loan from Bournemouth for the season.

This is going to be a really tough game for Charlton who may well kick off without a specialist left back and with Jonathan Leko and Macauley Bonne as their only fit forwards. Furthermore, while Fulham coasted against ten man Reading on Tuesday evening, Charlton put in an exhausting shift against Swansea on Wednesday. Those twenty four fewer hours of recovery time could be very telling indeed.



https://www.castrust.org/2019/10/craven-cottage-win-overdue/

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Five Thoughts: Reading 1-4 Fulham

That wasn't a result 4 every1, but if you were a Fulham fan that witnessed the brutal Berkshire bloodbath, I guarantee it was an occasion that stimulated the mind, body and soul. After the unjust Play-Off semi-final heartache of 2017, that was heartily refreshing to say the least.

Mission accomplished. We served up a chilling slice of redemption and the Royals choked. Within half an hour, the hosts were down to 10 men following John Swift's idiotic dismissal and trailing by 3 goals. A half-empty Madejski, stunned and silenced. A much needed victory, signed, sealed and delivered.

To all of you Scott Parker naysayers, hold your tongue. We have a hungry leader in the dugout that will not rest until Fulham's philosophy has achieved outright perfection and he's primed for a crusade. Charlton Athletic have a booze cruise booked. Not a splash compared to HMS Piss the League, mind.

Aleksandar's Attacking Assault
Particularly in the first-half, Reading's penalty area resembled an all you can eat buffet in Aleksandar Mitrovic's eyes, with the clinical Serb lapping up two expertly crafted opportunities from close range. The hungry hitman's textbook brace elevated his tally to 7 goals in 10 domestic outings, a commendable return indeed, and whilst Mitro's primary objective, of course, is to beat the keeper at all costs, the dogged 25-year-old offered the Whites so much more than just deadly firepower.

In the final third, when our creative components were scheming, Mitro's intelligent movement dragged Liam Moore and Michael Morrison out of kilter, forging gullies and margins between the centre-half pairing and the fullbacks for his teammates to exploit with piercing, incisive through balls. Committed to the club's possession-based philosophy, the bustling striker also ventured deep to relieve pressure, acting as an additional outlet in the midfield for his teammates to appropriate, a function which is familiar and and profitable.

Within his natural sector of the pitch, Mitro' is an unbearable force that opposing defenders simply can't quell, but even whilst chipping in defensively for Fulham, he's still indomitable. Reading winched lofted free-kicks into the Whites' 18-yard box, hoping that the visitors' could be breached aerially, although Mitro' towered highest on a number of separate occasions whenever the ball sailed his way, banishing danger with meaty headers. An enforcer in every sense of the word, Mitro's iron-fisted impact mercilessly dethroned the Royals.

Reid Rattles Reading
I, for one, am a huge admirer of Bobby Reid's seamless adaptability. Roaming freely across the breadth of Reading's trembling back four, the versatile 26-year-old is quite clearly comfortable wherever he's placed, and as the season rumbles onward, his resourceful skill set will undoubtedly bail Fulham out of sticky perturbing patches. He's our offensive answer to Denis Odoi, and that's one of the greatest compliments any accomplished professional could ever wish for.

On the flanks, as part of a midfield trio, operating behind Mitro', Reid conducts himself exceptionally so, and with a host of credible playmakers in support, the Jamaica international terrorised Reading's ill-prepared rearguard with an unyielding purpose. Combining with Stefan Johansen, Harry Arter and company, he was untraceable, elusive and totally unstoppable in his quest to tamper with José Manuel Gomes' disorientated set-up.

Reid isn't the strongest of attackers, but he'll invest his entire being to the cause. Batted off the ball, muscled out of the picture, the Cardiff City loanee tussled for possession tirelessly, and if he'd been dispossessed, he'd do his damnedest to retrieve the ball, or at least get goal side without delay to impede Reading's progression. That, ladies and gentlemen, is precisely how you make the cut at this level.

Captain Cairney's Chip
Never stop being you, Tom. The gift that just keeps on giving, Cairney made a mockery of Reading, swatting them aside with delicate flicks, surging runs and expertly-dispatched net stretchers. We'll explore his industrious application a little later – let's talk about his harmful prowess in front of the target once more, shall we? In our previous edition, I challenged TC to work on his neglected right foot, but with a left peg like that, I really wouldn't worry too much. When it swings, top bins cower.

Opening the scoring in the 13th minute, TC chalked his 5th goal of the campaign with another customary wallop, a tremendous thump that thundered past a powerless Rafael Cabral Barbosa. Fulham's 4th, in the 67th minute, also resulted from the skipper's pioneering left, and what a sumptuous masterstroke it was, too. 30 yards from a vacant goalmouth, Cairney's go-go-gadget pitching wedge chipped Barbosa and the ball duly skipped home in front of a jubilant away following.

Now, back to his industriousness. Nobody, I repeat, nobody is able to manipulate and mistreat opponents like TC, it's unadulterated sorcery. Interlinking with Mitro', Anthony Knockaert, every member of the present XI, in fact, the exalted craftsman set the tempo and was central to Fulham's mesmerising sequences as per. Midfield metronome. Dead on their feet, Andy Rinomhota and Oviemuno Ejaria stood rooted as Cairney briskly carved through Reading's depleted spine without being shackled or, thankfully, bludgeoned to a pulp. He's that flash git with personalised boots that you went out of your way to crunch, but couldn't get anywhere near.

Fine Fullback Fettle
Last season was a complete travesty in more ways than just relegation, with our fullbacks being quite possibly the worst to have ever graced Craven Cottage and beyond in a Fulham jersey. Limp, fragile, unsure, we were persistently fleeced along the flanks but this season, I'm optimistic and contented with our defensive cover and resolve, as we have capable options on board that are secure Championship wardens.

Joe Bryan featured heavily last term and was picked off by the Premier League's elite, although in England's second-tier, the buccaneering 26-year-old is revered as one of, if not, the best left-back in the business. Inexhaustibly darting up and down the length of the touchline, supplying a regular stock of ammunition, again, shadowing Reid in advanced quadrants, Bryan excelled expectation and proved his worth. Replaced by Maxime Le Marchand in the 76th minute, Bryan's confidence should be sky high after his recent string of splendid performances.

Odoi, for that matter, is now Steven Sessegnon's deputy, but let off the leash against Reading, the convertible Belgian mashed Omar Richards, Ejaria and Lucas Boye down into finely-ground dust with a robust, reliant outing. He's a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast, so perhaps he'll craft artisan crema from the remnants. Not a clue where that thought's going, but in essence, Odoi governed the right channel like a virtuoso that's gained promotion before and, lucky for us, he has. Depth, a rearguard with actual, plausible, experienced depth.

Press, Probe, Punish
Senor Jarman pencilled a terrific article regarding Fulham's languid passing style, an approach that severely lacks intensity. Sampling the article, I honestly couldn't concur more with the underlying tenor: take risks. Evidently, Parker and his coaching team also revised Ben's perceptive words of wisdom, because the Whites employed a high press that strangulated Reading, coercing them into detrimental mistakes at the back.

Knocky caused substantial problems, setting the cat amongst the pigeons with immeasurable provocation. He's the pantomime villain everyone loves to hate. Camping in the Royals' defensive quarters, Mitro', Reid, Cairney and StefJo hemmed the hosts back in their own 18-yard box, and as Reading's passing game is pretty pony, they thrashed possession in frantic, dithering episodes. Nobody wanted the ball. Cairney's daring dink represented the direct benefits of squeezing and condensing. It works because Championship defences are not equipped or designed to withstand crippling, relentless pressure.

We monopolised possession, not an anomaly, but there was a genuine purpose behind procedure. We wanted to bombard Reading and spotlight their deficiencies. Our attack is slick, vigorous, irrepressible and if they pressed as a pack, they'd gut Reading without remorse. Structured, methodical, Fulham engulfed the final third and feasted upon the Biscuitmen's innards. A touch of complacency tainted the Whites performance in the latter stages of the encounter, with the pace slackening in our sequences, but it was a meticulous collective production that throttled Reading senseless. We want more.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2019-10-03-five-thoughts-reading-1-4-fulham/

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'His numbers are incredible' – Fulham fan pundit reacts to player's sparkling form this season

This article is part of Football League World's 'Regular Punter' series, where we gather original opinions from select, passionate fans of the clubs concerned on matters surrounding their team and share them with a wider audience...

Football League World's Fulham fan pundit Charles Jones has provided his thoughts on the performances of Whites captain Tom Cairney, who has been in sparkling form so far this campaign, scoring five and assisting a further three for Scott Parker's side.
The 28-year-old playmaker has been in fine form for the Craven Cottage outfit, playing in a slightly withdrawn role in Parker's midfield three, which has left the former Blackburn Rovers player with the task of supplying creativity for the Fulham front three of Anthony Knockaert, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ivan Cavaleiro, all of whom have been in great form for the west Londoners.

Given the influence of their front three, Fulham fans could be forgiven for overlooking how key Tom Cairney has been to proceedings so far this season, however Jones does not count himself in that number, with our fan pundit waxing lyrical about the Scotsman's influence so far this season, after he was asked about how he would assess the player's start to the season, to which he replied:

"Tom Cairney has been absolutely fantastic since the start of this season. His numbers are incredible, scoring five and assisting three, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Fulham are the possession kings in the Championship and there may not be a better passer of the ball in the division.

Our front three are so deadly, but that wouldn't be possible if Cairney wasn't pulling the strings in the midfield."

Before being asked about where he felt Cairney's best position in the midfield was, to which he stated:

"I'd say he plays better in an advanced role. However, that may be a bi-product of the opposition he's allowed that freedom against.

"He's able to get further forward when we're dominating games, so of course, he'll look better and score more when we're attacking more. However, that isn't to say that he's not fantastic when he drops a bit deeper.

"Naturally, he'll play further forward when we're playing weaker sides, which in turn means he scores and assists more, but perhaps he wouldn't have that same impact if he was playing like that against every team in the division."

It is clear from our fan pundit's glowing reference that Cairney is held in such high regard by both the fans and management team at the club, and both factions will no doubt be hoping that their midfield dynamo can continue his early form long into the season as they seek to make an instant return to the top flight at the first time of asking.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/his-numbers-are-incredible-fulham-fan-pundit-reacts-to-players-sparkling-form-this-season/

[WhiteJC]

Charlton must keep an eye on Fulham duo Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic

This article is part of Football FanCast's The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Charlton make the trip across London this Saturday to take on Fulham at Craven Cottage, where they'll be looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Swansea in midweek.

In stark contrast to the Addicks' result, the Cottagers steamrolled Reading on their own turf with a 4-1 win, a match where Scott Parker's side were 3-0 up at half-time.

Fulham – who were relegated from the Premier League last season – have a side littered with individual talent, and find themselves 5th in the table, just three points off 1st-place Swansea.

While there are a number of players in the Cottagers' ranks who Charlton must keep an eye on, let's take a look at two men who are arguably their biggest threats...

Tom Cairney
The 28-year-old impressed hugely in Fulham's last season in the Championship, scoring six goals and recording five assists as he helped them earn promotion via the play-offs with the winning goal at Wembley.

After a disappointing Premier League stint – he scored just once – the Fulham No.10, valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, is back to his best in the second tier and Charlton simply have to keep an eye out for him this Saturday.

Cairney has scored five goals and recorded three assists in just 10 league appearances so far this term, taking 1.3 shots and completing 2.4 key passes per game on average.

Aleksandar Mitrovic
Like Cairney, Mitrovic also thrived in Fulham's promotion campaign with 12 goals in just 18 games, and he too has started the season in fine form.

The physically-dominant forward has scored seven goals in his 10 Championship starts so far this term, and looks likely to be a real handful for Bowyer's men to contend with seeing as he takes an eye-catching 3.7 shots per game.

Charlton's centre-backs will also have to bring their A-game in the air, as the 51-cap Serbian international wins 3.2 aerial duels per game on average.



https://www.footballfancast.com/championship/charlton/charlton-must-keep-an-eye-on-fulham-duo-tom-cairney-and-aleksandar-mitrovic

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Scott Parker discusses Charlton days ahead of Fulham clash this weekend

Fulham boss Scott Parker has claimed he holds Charlton in "nothing but high regard" ahead of his side's clash with the Addicks on Saturday afternoon.

The Cottagers will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Championship to six matches when they welcome to Lee Bowyer's side to West London in Saturday's lunchtime fixture.

Fulham initially made a steady start to life back in the second tier but they are currently in a rich vein of form and enter the match against Charlton on the back of an emphatic 4-1 victory over a disappointing Reading side on Tuesday.

However, their upcoming opponents did not see such midweek success as the Addicks failed to build on their weekend victory  over Leeds by suffering a 2-1 home defeat against league leaders Swansea City.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Parker has now paid tribute to Charlton after he started his playing career at The Valley and represented the club at senior level for seven years before he sealed a move to Chelsea in 2004.

The 38-year-old claims he owes much to Charlton for helping him develop as a footballer in the early days of his career, while he also believes the club helped instil core values in him that he still holds today.

"I went and watched Charlton last night against Swansea...going back to The Valley and seeing some old faces there," he said on the Fulham club website.

"This is a club that was a large part of my life and a club which I owe so much to. It gave me the opportunity to become the player I did.

"It gave me that opportunity to show what I could do under Alan Curbishley. It nurtured me and gave me some of the core values I have today. I hold Charlton in nothing but high regard."

Parker made 145 senior appearances for the Addicks between 1997 and 2004, while he scored 10 goals from midfield during that time.

The Verdict

Parker clearly holds fond memories from his time at Charlton during the early part of his footballing career, but there will certainly be no room for sentiment on Saturday with his side desperate to continue their unbeaten run.

The Fulham boss will be under no illusions that his side will face a tough test against Bowyer's side, who have already shown their ability to compete this season through their impressive victory over Leeds last weekend.

Parker's men hold something of an advantage ahead of this meeting as they will have had an extra day to recover from their midweek exploits, with Charlton having played their match against Swansea on Wednesday.

The West London side should be considered as favourites ahead of this match, but Parker will be well aware that his side will need to dig deep against a resolute Charlton side in order to win the three points.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/scott-parker-discusses-charlton-days-ahead-of-fulham-clash-this-weekend/