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Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 30/10/19...

Started by WhiteJC, October 30, 2019, 07:11:09 AM

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WhiteJC

Hull City injuries and suspensions - The latest team news ahead of Fulham clash

Who will miss Saturday's match against Fulham and the Tigers' other doubts

Grant McCann could be without two strikers as Hull City prepare to face Fulham on Saturday.

The Tigers go in search of a third consecutive Championship victory for the first time since April at the weekend having beaten Nottingham Forest and Derby County in their last two matches.

City's away form in the Championship this season has been encouraging, having lost just one of their last five league matches on the road.

We look at the latest City injury and suspension news ahead of their trip to Craven Cottage this weekend.

Josh Magennis

A red card sustained for a late challenge against Forest last week saw striker Josh Magennis receive a four match ban.

It came at a time where Magennis was getting himself in the goals, scoring three times for club and country in the space of a fortnight prior to his City Ground dismissal.

His omission from the win over Derby was the first of four matches Magennis will miss, with his suspension costing him a potential place for upcoming matches against Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough.

Norbert Balogh

Hungarian forward Norbert Balogh is a doubt for the weekend having sustained a calf injury during the win at Forest.

It was his debut for the Tigers, replacing Kamil Grosicki for the final portion of the win in the East Midlands last week.

McCann admitted that he did not know how serious Balogh's injury was and that they should know the full extent of the issue this week.



https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/hull-city-team-news-fulham-3477896

WhiteJC

Swansea & Preston Tickets On Sale

Tickets for Fulham's away matches against Swansea City & Preston North End are now on sale.

Fulham travel to South Wales to take on Swansea City on Friday 29th November, kick-off 7:45pm, before making the trip to Deepdale to take on Preston North End on Tuesday 10th December, kick-off 7:45pm.

Tickets for both matches go on sale to Season Ticket Holders & Members at 10am on Tuesday 29th October, with any remaining seats going on General Sale at 10am on Thursday 31st October.

Supporters are able to purchase a maximum of six tickets per person for these matches, and can secure their seats online, by phone on 0203 871 0810 (opt. 1) or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/october/29/swansea-and-preston-tickets-on-sale

WhiteJC

Aleksandar Mitrovic's message to Joelinton and Newcastle United's misfiring strikers
Aleksandar Mitrovic has backed Newcastle United's misfiring strikers to find their goal-scoring touch and keep the club in the Premier League.

Despite holding a better points total of nine compared to last season's three, much has been made about the Magpies' struggles in front of goal in the opening 10 matches.

An attacking force worth an estimated £77million consisting of Miguel Almiron, Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton has brought just six goals - a tally only worsened by bottom-of-the-table Watford.

Mitrovic, meanwhile, is in red-hot form for Fulham with his 11 goals making him the Championship's top scorer.

The Serbian, however, knows all about the pressures of leading the United frontline after a big-money move, having struggled for goals himself after his £13million move to Tyneside from Anderlecht in 2015.

That season ended in relegation, but Mitrovic is backing £40million man Joelinton and co to come good despite United hovering just above the relegation zone again.

He told The Gazette: "I'm sure they will improve.

"They have a good team and good strikers. I hope they will stay up this season."

Mitrovic returned to the North East on Saturday to play a vital part in the Fulham's draw with Middlesbrough as they played over 70 minutes with 10 men.

Asked if his return to the region brought back memories from his time on Tyneside, Mitrovic smiled and told the Gazette: "Yeah, it's freezing!

"No, it is always nice to come back. There are nice people here and big clubs here - like Newcastle.

"It is a great place to play football. I really enjoy coming back."

It was the second time Mitrovic returned to the place he called home for three years following his permanent exit.

Mitrovic cut a popular figure with the United supporters, however was frozen out by Rafa Benitez, which ultimately led to his £20million departure last year.

Nevertheless, Mitrovic still keeps in contact with those at Newcastle and revealed he had hoped to catch up with friends after the trip to the Riverside Stadium.

However, with United preparing to host Wolves less than 24 hours later, the 25-year-old headed straight back to the Fulham team coach.

He said: "Of course I have friends here in Newcastle but can't catch up them because they are all busy.

"But I always look forward to coming back and playing here. Hopefully next time."



https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/aleksandar-mitrovics-message-joelinton-and-newcastle-uniteds-misfiring-strikers-821491


WhiteJC

Player could be set for return to Fulham in January

Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim has reacted after his side's loss to Besiktas on Sunday and he's reportedly planning a 'massive operation' in January, which could mean parting ways with some of club's underachieving players.

The Turkish champions have only won three games in all competitions this season and currently sit seventh in the table after nine games.

Subsequently Fotospor report Fulham loanee Jean Michael Seri could leave the club in January following a disappointing start to the season with Gala.

Seri's mistake in the Real Madrid game proved costly and at the weekend he was dropped to the bench for the game against Besiktas.

The Turkish website report Gala could offload the Fulham player in the January transfer window and former West Ham United winger Sofiane Feghouli could also follow him out the door.

Seri has made nine appearances for Galatasaray so far this season and scored one goal.

What Fulham would make of a return isn't explained.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/player-set-return-fulham-january/

WhiteJC

Championship Team of the Month for October


We take look back at the top performers from the Championship in October, with 11 clubs represented in WhoScored.com's Team of the Month.

Goalkeeper: Kiko Casilla (Leeds) - 7.28

Leeds lost just once in October and conceded three goals in five matches as they maintained their push for automatic promotion. Casilla was vital between the sticks as he made 18 saves and kept more clean sheets (three) than any other goalkeeper.

Right-back: Matthew Cash (Nottingham Forest) - 7.45

Nottingham Forest faltered last month, yet Cash continued to impress at right-back. The 22-year-old made 22 tackles and interceptions combined for Forest, with an additional 16 clearances.

Centre-back: Sean Morrison (Cardiff) - 7.40

Cardiff's October started well then faded, culminating in a 1-0 loss at rivals Swansea, yet it was another month that saw Morrison shine. The centre-back notched his first goal of the season in the 3-0 win over QPR and he made a total of 28 clearances.

Centre-back: Christopher Schindler (Huddersfield) - 7.39

Following a shambolic start to the season, Huddersfield's fortunes have turned and having gone through October unbeaten, winning three and conceding three, Schindler partners Morrison at the heart of the defence. The German bagged his first goal of the season in the 2-1 win over Barnsley at the weekend and was aerially dominant, making 19 headed clearances over the month.

Left-back: Antonee Robinson (Wigan) - 7.29

Rounding off the defence, Robinson won his second WhoScored.com Man of the Match award of the season in October with a star showing in Wigan's 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest. The American was defensively sound, chipping in with 17 tackles and and more interceptions (18) than any other player.

Right midfield: Jed Wallace (Millwall) - 7.42

Only a handful of players had a direct hand in more Championship goals than Jed Wallace (three goals, one assist) in October as the winger excelled for Millwall. A star-man performance in their 2-0 win over Stoke over the weekend helped pushed his rating up.

Central midfield: Izzy Brown (Luton) - 7.64

No player registered more assists than Brown (three) in the Championship in October, while his 21 key passes were the most in the league last month. The 22-year-old's 11 accurate crosses were also the second most in the division.

Central midfield: Matheus Pereira (West Brom) - 7.53

Like Wallace, Pereira had a direct hand in four goals in October, scoring two and assisting two. In fact, his lowest WhoScored.com rated performance was a solid 7.36 in the weekend's 2-2 draw with Charlton. He made nine key passes and had 12 shots during the month.

Left midfield: Eberechi Eze (QPR) - 7.95

Eze is our Championship player of the month. An assist in QPRs 3-1 defeat to Brentford on Monday night meant the winger had a direct hand in a goal in all but one of QPR's five league outings in October as he scored three and assisted two. No player won more WhoScored.com Man of the Match awards than Eze (two), who completed more dribbles (18) than any other Championship player.

Striker: Tom Barkhuizen (Preston) - 7.58

Four of the five goals Tom Barkhuizen has scored in the Championship this season came in October as the 26-year-old found the net in positive results against Barnsley, Leeds and Blackburn to contribute towards a WhoScored.com rating of 7.58. An additional assist meant Barkhuizen had a direct hand in five of the 10 league goals Preston netted in October.

Striker: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) - 7.57


Rounding off the XI is Fulham forward Mitrovic. The Serbian striker scored more goals (six) than any other Championship player last month, which included a crucial hat-trick in a Man of the Match display against Luton, while no player mustered more shots than him (24).



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11848405/championship-team-of-the-month-for-october

WhiteJC

Parker's Humble Beginning

Almost 6 months after an immediate dismissal from the Premier League, the Whites sit seventh in the Championship, a league with which Fulham supporters have become disappointingly familiar.


With 14 of 46 games played, Fulham appear primed for promotion but have clear faults that need fixing. It seems that for each game in which they dominate, there is a mediocre performance consisting of stagnant play and dropped points to go with it – ever so clear with the spineless display against Stoke this past weekend. Nonetheless, only two points separate Fulham from the automatic promotion places.

For most, this would be cause for celebration. However, the Whites are only just starting to emulate the standards they set during their 13-year stay in the Premier League. That stay was substantial enough to convert fans who never dreamed of seeing their small club reach such heights into believers that their team consistently belong amongst England's top twenty. The support base grew an entire generation of Fulham fans who knew nothing but the top division. The Championship has become a league no longer acceptable for this team – only the world's most elite competition will do.

Fulham's (still relatively fresh owners) the Khan's share this sentiment. In the Summer prior to Fulham's brief return to the Premier League, they spent upwards of £100 million in a highly unsuccessful effort to improve the team. However, now back in the second tier and having seen the outcome of such hasty efforts, they have decided to take a different route. Loaning in demonstrated talent such as Anthony Knockaert, Ivan Cavaleiro and Bobby Decordova-Reid has lessened the strain on the club's financials by eliminating hefty transfer fees and no longer committing to unproven players.

Despite this investment in attacking players, it's the defense that has exceeded expectations. With a run of 3 points out of a possible 12 during August and September, the quality of the players on the pitch appeared little like the talent listed on the team sheet. Without a quick tactical improvement and a bringing together of personalities, this season looked like it was slipping towards disappointment early on.

But it hasn't come to that. Fundamentals have been restored and a cohesion has been built necessary to conquer the brutal burden that the English Championship presents. This recourse has come straight from the efforts of our new manager and recent midfield general – Scott Parker. While the ability and experience of the squad appears to be enough to return to the top flight, in a league as tough as the Championship, it will be Parker's tactical implementation, disciplined playing philosophy and charismatic player management that will funnel the abundant quality on his hands back into the Premier League.

What's more invigorating than a Jurgen Klopp-engulfing hug? A Scott Parker fist in your face. Harry Arter experienced the full force of his manager's desire against Sheffield Wednesday when his on-field antics quickly became too much. After the Cardiff loanee clamped down on several Wednesday players and worked up a loud home crowd, Parker called over his hard-working midfielder. Most likely expecting a composed word from a usually subdued Parker, Arter must have been taken aback when Parker took a fistful of his jersey, looked him dead in the eye, and demanded that he calm himself.

A spectacle rarely witnessed from a man as calm and collected as Parker, this shot of emotion was just what the Fulham support would have loved to see. Parker's fistful of jersey is a wonderful display of how the former midfielder regards the seriousness of this job. Parker is determined to bring this team back to the forefront of English football and to do that he will have to excel with the relationships between himself and his players. With a collection of individual stars, creating and maintaining these connections will be imperative. This early season display can be a positive sign that he has the personal touch to do so.

Parker's recognition of his own failed tactics and restoration of fundamental football will find Fulham success. After the opening day misstep, a 4-0 destruction of Millwall which saw the Whites hold 85 percent possession – an English record – made it look like every team from then on would be cleanly swept aside.

However, between Millwall and Reading, five games passed with only 6 points gained. Arguably worse than the results, Fulham's play was languid, boring to watch, but most criminal: timid. Center-backs Tim Ream and Alfie Mawson completed upwards of 50 passes per game just between each other; keeping the ball became less about breaking down the opponent and more about reaching a high score.

This string of underwhelming displays necessitated a tactical intervention that Parker was willing to lead. A 4-1 destruction of Reading and the second half of a 2-2 draw with Charlton saw the White's exhibit a tactical mastery that allowed each player to capitalize on their strengths. Against Charlton, Parker reversed his inverted winger's positions, leading to more crosses earlier in possessions. This allowed Mitrovic to make a much greater impact on the game, including scoring the team's second equalizer. Most importantly though, parker told his side to have fun. It's ok to lose the ball – make runs, play a killer pass, trust your execution and trust your defense to win the ball back for you. Parker has done what few other managers have had the humility to do – to admit fault and correct one's own mistakes.

With the Whites sporting a front five that rivals Premier League sides and a so-far solid back line, Parker's task of gaining promotion sounds easier than what other managers have on their plate – just let the boys play, and they'll be good enough to get the job done, right? Wrong. Very wrong. Last weekend's Stoke matchup proves exactly that. The pressure will continue to build as the season progresses, testing his discipline and ability to keep his relationships with his players as tight as possible. In the coming weeks we will see if Parker has what it takes to lead his team to the highest league in the land. My bet – he does.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2019-10-29-parkers-humble-beginning/


WhiteJC

Games for the Weekend 02/11
This Saturday we're back at the Cottage and welcome Hull City for a 3 o'clock kick off
Hull manage to beat Derby 2-0 so they'll be full of confidence and after playing with 10 men for most of the game we managed to hold on for the draw, also we kept a clean sheet!, let's see if we can finish the game with 11 men this weekend and we might get the result we want?

Surprisingly? we've not got a good record against Hull with 6 losses, 2 draws and only 3 wins, lets see if we can improve that this weekend.

COYWs

Games of Interest
Friday 1st

Barnsley v Bristol City

Saturday 2nd
Wigan v Swansea
Brentford v Huddersfield
Cardiff v Birmingham City
Derby v Middlesbrough
Fulham v Hull
Leeds v QPR
Reading v Millwall

Sunday 3rd
Charlton v Preston NE


come on over to the forum and join in the discussion...
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=1.0



https://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=967

WhiteJC

'Undoubtedly better than Mitrovic' – Fulham fan pundit issues verdict on the quality of former star

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 was quick to heap praise on club legend Dimitar Berbatov, as the Cottagers fan answered several questions on the exploits of the Bulgarian striker during his time at Craven Cottage.


Berbatov of course is well known to English and international football fans alike, with the towering centre forward having turned out for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Fulham during his spell in England, whilst the 38-year-old having scored 243 goals in 605 games, in a career which including 20 goals for the Whites.

Jones was quick to voice his opinion on whether Berbatov was overrated during his time with the Cottagers, with our fan pundit replying:

"If we're looking at the grand scheme of things over his whole career I don't think you can call him overrated.

"He's a Premier League Golden Boot winner and one of the most unique footballers to ever play in this country.

"However, if we're strictly talking about his time at Fulham I think you have to say he was rated about right.

"He scored 15 league goals during his first campaign at Craven Cottage, and he filled a massive void after we lost Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele.

"I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that Berba was the most technically gifted player we've had over the past two decades, it's just a shame that we couldn't have seen more of it."

Jones was then asked whether he would've been open to bringing the Bulgarian back to the club if he was still playing and in his prime right now, to which he replied:

"Berbatov was undoubtedly a better player than Aleksandar Mitrovic, but if I was to say which player I'd rather have leading the line at Fulham right now I'd have to go for Mitro.

"The Serbian scored 11 times in the Premier League for us last term in one of the worst seasons the club has ever had in the top flight, while Berbatov netted 15 in a season where we comfortably avoided relegation.

"Mitrovic could easily be a 15-goal striker in the top flight one day if he's put into a marginally better team, so I think I'd have to say that I wouldn't have Berbatov back if he was in his prime, no."

It is fair to say from our fan pundit's comments that Berbatov was clearly rated highly by Fulham fans, however the enigmatic Bulgarian himself would probably admit that he was not at the peak of his powers during his time at the Cottage.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/undoubtedly-better-than-mitrovic-fulham-fan-pundit-issues-verdict-on-the-quality-of-former-star/

WhiteJC

Report: Stevenage 1-1 Fulham U21s (4-2 pens)

With Halloween a few days away, Stevenage survived a fright against Fulham U21s with a penalty shootout victory over Fulham to wrap up their Leasing.com Trophy Group Stage campaign...

Charlie Carter's first half header looked to set Boro on their way to a comfortable victory over what appeared to be an overmatched Fulham side, but a strong second half from the visitors had Stevenage on the backfoot throughout. Just when it looked like Sampson's side had got away with it, Timmy Abraham headed home from close range to send the tie through to penalties.

After being one of the heroes on Saturday in his first league game, Bastien was once again Stevenage's main man as he played a spectacular second half before saving a crucial Whites penalty to add a further 2 points to Boro's Leasing.com tally, taking it to 5. Wycombe Wanderers will need to win both their remaining games in the group to deny Boro qualification.

Mark Sampson named seven changes from the side that beat Morecambe on Saturday as Sacha Bastien, Dean Parrett, Kelland Watts and Tyler Denton were the only players to keep their place, with Charlie Carter, Joel Byrom, Emmanuel Sonupe, Noor Husin, Arthur Iontton, Craig Mackail-Smith and Michael Timlin coming into the side.

During the Stevenage enjoyed the majority of possession and territory against a young Fulham team. It took until 18 minutes though for the first shot on goal to be registered, as Michael Timlin struck Mackail-Smith's lay-off over the bar.

There was a scare two minutes later, as Carvalho broke through the Boro defence before feinting inside and sending Bastien the wrong way. Thankfully for the Stevenage fans in the stands, the goal was ruled offside.

Another two minutes later, Mackail-Smith was next to try his luck as he fired over the bar from the edge of the box but on 34 minutes, Charlie Carter made it count as he headed home from Joel Byrom's free-kick to put Stevenage ahead.

Parrett should have doubled Boro's advantage shortly after, when he was played in on goal after a deft lobbed pass put him one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his rash effort flew high into the South Stand seats.

At half-time, Parrett was replaced by Cowley and 10 minutes later, Rollinson came on for Carter.

The second half was far from a stroll as Fulham had the better of the play by far. Bastien was forced into a number of superb stops as De La Torre, Hilton and Carvalho all had shots denied inside the opening 20 minutes of the half.

Kelland Watts had a goal of his own disallowed on 64 minutes and then with 15 minutes to go, he denied Taylor-Crossdale with a last-ditch block that appeared destined to level the scores. Stevenage's final change saw Emmanuel Sonupe replaced by Jamie Fielding and there was a further scare on 81 minutes as Taylor-Crossdale was again denied by a goalline block, this time by Iontton who put his body on the line in the nick of time.

Then, in added time, Abraham headed in from close range to send the match to penalties, where goals from Mackail-Smith, Cowley, Byrom and Watts scored to give Stevenage a superb chance of making it through to the knockout stages of the competition.



https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2019/october/match-report-stevenage-vs-fulham-u21s-leasing.com-trophy-efl-tuesday-29th-october-2019/


WhiteJC


Cottage Talk Post Match Show: Middlesbrough vs. Fulham

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

This is our post match show of the 0-0 draw for Fulham against Middlesbrough. Yannis Tjanetis and Max Cohen disccussed their thoughts on the red card for Marek Rodak, along with the other key moments in the match.


Lastly, you can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/10/29/20939180/cottage-talk-post-match-show-middlesbrough-vs-fulham