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Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 12/11/19...

Started by WhiteJC, November 12, 2019, 08:31:56 AM

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WhiteJC

"Surprising to us" – National coach on Fulham decision to use injured player against Birmingham City

Norway face the Faroe Islands and Malta in upcoming European championship qualifiers and Lars Lagerbäck had initially included Fulham's Stefan Johansen in the squad for this month's fixtures.

On Friday, the Norwegian football association confirmed three players will miss November's international break due to injuries and the Cottagers midfielder was included in the list.

Fulham took on Birmingham City on Saturday and Scott Parker started the 28-year-old in his side's 1-0 win in the league. Johansen played the full 90 minutes a day after withdrawing from the national team squad due to injury.

The English club's decision to field the player hasn't gone down well in Norway, with Lagerbäck's assistant Per Joar Hansen left surprised.

"He has a swelling in his knee. Now we have realised that he played today. The reason he reported injured was that he was initially going to use the international break to get rid of that swelling," Per Joar Hansen told TV2.

"It is only the club that can answer why he played, but it was surprising to us that he played today."

Norway's physiotherapist Thomas Ødegaard explains Johansen's omission from the national team was a collective decision taken to allow him recover during the international break.

"The omission was a common decision between Johansen, the national team and Fulham," Ødegaard said.

"It is the best for him during this period when he has struggled with a knee that needs rest. It will benefit Johansen, Fulham and the national team in the future, so this is a decision everyone agrees on.

"Sometimes it is necessary to step in when needed. He did that today [against Birmingham]."



http://sportwitness.co.uk/surprising-us-national-team-coach-fulhams-decision-play-injured-player-birmingham-win/

WhiteJC

Academy Internationals

Five of our academy players will be jetting off to play for their respective countries in the coming international break.

Luca Ashby-Hammond and Sonny Hilton are included in the England Under-19s squad for their Euro Qualifying fixtures against Luxembourg, North Macedonia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. These will all be played in Macedonia for the first step towards the final tournament in Northern Ireland.   

Fabio Carvalho's England U18 preparation was cut short following a minor calf problem which has forced him out of the squad to face Russia, Norway and Czech Republic. However, there was a late maiden call-up to the same squad for free-scoring Jay Stansfield who has notched 18 goals for the Under-18s this season.

Terry Ablade claimed his usual call-up with Finland U19s after his impressive form at club level.

Ollie O'Neill is named in Colin O'Brien's Republic of Ireland U17 squad ahead of their three crucial Euro Qualifiers in Cork.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/november/11/academy-internationals

WhiteJC

4 key passes: Fulham's 25-y/o shows influence once again in win


Fulham boss Scott Parker will have no doubt been delighted with the manner of his side's 1-0 victory over Birmingham City this weekend, as the Cottagers picked up their first win in three games.

The game presented a potential banana skin for the Whites against a Birmingham City side who are still seeking some form of consistency this season under the stewardship of former Oxford United manager Pep Clotet.

However Parker will have been pleased to see his side stand up to the task well, as they dominated possession for long periods, and subsequently created numerous scoring chances, with Aleksandar Mitrovic once again applying the all important final touch to put the Whites 1-0 up in the 52nd minute.

The latest goal from the Serbian international striker takes his season tally to 12 goals in 16 Championship games, thus meaning he has beaten his tally from the last campaign already as he continues to be Fulham's star man.

Mitrovic's impact in the game at St Andrew's was clear for all to see, and as such it only seemed right that we take a more in-depth look at his performance in our latest FLW Spotlight piece....


The former Newcastle United man took his goal well against the Blues, with Birmingham goalkeeper Lee Camp carelessly spilling Cyrus Christie's routine cross, thus allowing Mitrovic to mop up and fire home into the unguarded net.

That goal represented one of only three shots that the towering frontman had throughout the 90 minutes, underlining his clinical nature in front of goal for the Whites, which in the most part has been found lacking by his fellow strikers so far this term.

In addition to finding his shooting boots on Saturday, Mitrovic also caused aerial chaos in and amongst the Birmingham backline, with the Serb winning a total of five aerial duels throughout the contest, again showcasing one of his many attacking strengths.

In addition to putting in a good performance in aerial situations, the 25-year-old also displayed great creative ability as a lone striker, making a total of four key passes, as he provided a strong focal point for the likes of Ivan Cavaleiro and Anthony Knockaert to play off.

Lastly, Mitrovic also showed great determination when in possession of the ball, making no less than four dribbles, using his power and strength to great effect to help push his team further up the pitch against a stubborn Birmingham City side who deployed low blocks as a means of disrupting Fulham's attacks.

Ultimately Mitrovic's solitary strike proved the difference between the two sides, and the big Serb will no doubt be looking to put in a similar display in 11 days time when they take on rivals QPR in the west London derby.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/4-key-passes-fulhams-25-y-o-shows-influence-once-again-in-win/


WhiteJC

'Top professional' – Plenty of Fulham fans react to 27-year-old's update following Birmingham match

Cyrus Christie made his first Fulham appearance since August as Scott Parker's side sealed a narrow 1-0 victory over Birmingham City on Saturday afternoon.

The right-back replaced the injured Maxime Le Marchand in the 35th minute of the St Andrew's clash, and he delivered an accomplished performance as the Cottagers claimed their seventh win of the Championship season.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored the only goal of the game in the 52nd minute when he capitalised on the error of Birmingham goalkeeper Lee Camp, who had dropped Christie's testing cross into the penalty area.

Christie's key role in the winning goal will give him a boost in confidence after featuring in just two previous league matches this term, and the 27-year-old then took to Twitter to express his satisfaction after the match.

Plenty of Fulham supporters responded to Christie's tweet with many of them praising the former Derby man for his performance, while others suggested he may have now done enough to earn a starting place in Parker's side.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/top-professional-plenty-of-fulham-fans-react-to-27-year-olds-update-following-birmingham-match/

WhiteJC

Cyrus Christie shares fresh update with Fulham fans after making comeback against Birmingham

Fulham defender Cyrus Christie has taken to Instagram after playing a key role during his side's 1-0 victory over Birmingham on Saturday in what was just his third league appearance this season.

Christie started the match among the substitutes before being introduced in the 35th minute, as a result of Maxime Le Marchand's first-half injury, and the former Derby man then produced a solid performance at right-back.

The 27-year-old defended well for Scott Parker's side, while he also added an important attacking threat as his challenging delivery into the box forced Blues goalkeeper Lee Camp into an error which led to Aleksandar Mitrovic scoring the winning goal in the 52nd minute.

Christie has been used sparingly by Parker this season following his difficult time in the Premier League last campaign, but his performance on the weekend will have given the Fulham boss food for thought ahead of their West London derby against QPR after the international break.

The right-back took to Instagram after the match to share an optimistic update following his return to the side, while he also claimed he would be claiming the assist for Mitrovic's strike.

Christie has now made 42 appearances since making the move to Craven Cottage from Derby in January 2018, but he has not been named in the starting line-up since the final day of last season.

The Verdict

This was a landmark performance for Christie as he was finally able to remind Fulham of his true abilities following a prolonged spell out of the side so far this season.

The defender delivered a strong performance in both defence and attack for this side, and this must mean he will be in Parker's thoughts over the international break as he continues to push for a starting spot ahead of the QPR match.

Christie was perhaps used as something of a scapegoat for Fulham's woes in the Premier League last term, but his showing against Birmingham acted as proof that he is definitely able to make a positive impact for the London club in the second tier.




https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/cyrus-christie-shares-fresh-update-with-fulham-fans-after-making-comeback-against-birmingham/

WhiteJC

'He could help them to promotion' – Fulham linked with a move for defender: Six-Pointer

Fulham have been linked with a January move for Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala, with the Spaniard out of contract in the summer.

It's that time of year when January transfer rumours start to circulate. The latest of which is Boro's Daniel Ayala who along with Fulham, has attracted interest from Leeds United and Stoke City.

The trio are chasing the centre-back who's contract at The Riverside expires in the summer.

Ayala, 29, has played over 200 games for the club since joining in 2013.

In the latest FLW Six-Pointer, we discuss whether Fulham should move for Ayala, and whether the Spaniard would be a good fit for the club.

Do Fulham need a central defender?

Fulham haven't leaked goals this season – they've conceded 17 in 16 Championship games. But they could definitely do with an extra centre-back.

Alfie Mawson and Tim Ream have been the centre-pairing so far this season and have had their fair share of struggles in the season so far.

They got torn apart against Hull earlier in the month, a game where one of them could've done with a rest – having Ayala would allow Parker to rotate more efficiently.

Is Ayala good enough for Fulham?

Ayala has been a Championship player for most of his career now. He's been an ever-present figure in the Boro defence in that time and has consistently been one of the club's best performers.

He'd definitely do a job at Fulham, but it might not come cheap.

How much would Ayala cost?

With his contract expiring in the summer, Boro may not ask for a huge sum for the 29-year-old. But with competition from Leeds and Stoke, Fulham might find themselves in a bidding war.

Is Ayala too old?

For a centre-back, 29 isn't that old. Fulham could probably get a few good seasons out of him before they start to see the wear, but Parker might prefer a signing for the future, with both Mawson and Ream knocking on.

Would Ayala want to leave Boro?

He's actually said that he'd be happy to stay at The Riverside, but that might change over the course of the season.

Boro still have every chance of being relegated this season and if that comes true, Ayala could well head for the exit if he doesn't in January.

Why should Ayala choose Fulham over Leeds and Stoke?

A move to Stoke would likely seem a sideways step for Ayala, leaving Leeds and Fulham his more likely options.

Game-time at Leeds may be slightly more in contention than at Fulham, especially if they go up this season. Fulham would present Ayala's best chance at being a first-team regular, and he could even help them to promotion this season.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/he-could-help-them-to-promotion-fulham-linked-with-a-move-for-defender-six-pointer/


WhiteJC

Norwegian international side left bemused with Fulham decision

Norway international assistant manager Per Joar Hansen has stated that 'it was surprising' to see Stefan Johansen play 90 minutes for Fulham on Saturday.

The midfielder had been left out of Norway's squad for their upcoming internationals due to an injury that was said to leave him unable to play.

However, on the weekend Johansen played the whole game in the Cottagers' victory over Birmingham at St. Andrew's and it meant that hopes of promotion are looking much stronger despite last week's mauling from Hull City.

Joar Hansen has stated that he knew there was an injury, as that was the reason the midfielder wasn't called up to the international side. However, he said only the club can answer as to why and that he found it a surprise.

Talking to TV2,  Joar Hansen said: "He has a swelling in his knee. Now we have realised that he played today. The reason he reported injured was that he was initially going to use the international break to get rid of that swelling.

"It is only the club that can answer why he played, but it was surprising to us that he played today."

The Verdict

It's an interesting one this, it's quite unexplainable why Johansen played if he wasn't allowed to go and do the same for Norway in the next few days. I'm sure everyone involved in the international team will be rather confused as to why he couldn't have travelled.

It's understandable if he needs the swelling to go down on his knee, but he shouldn't be playing if that's the case, especially not 90 minutes.

It will be very interesting to see if there are any more comments on his injury throughout the international break, especially from the main manager of the Norway team.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/norwegian-international-side-left-bemused-with-fulham-decision/

WhiteJC

Fulham's character test passed after weekend victory: Comment

This article is part of Football League World's 'Comment' series, this content strand is where the author of the article issues their personal opinion on the topic at hand....

Fulham have had a rather inconsistent start to the season and will be eager to build on Saturday's impressive victory over Birmingham in the future weeks after the international break.

The Cottagers had just been thrashed at home to Grant McCann's Hull City side but they showed some really good character in the fixture at St. Andrews as they were able to come away with a clean sheet and the three points.

Parker had said his side needed to be much better after the game against the Tigers but also hit back at critics after the fixture, due to quite a few supporters criticising the passing style. Fulham like to dominate possession in their matches and enjoy passing the football which can be quite good on the eye.

However, in recent weeks they haven't been able to break through defences and have often been guilty of passing for the sake of it. Yet, they have shown significant strength in fixtures as they've been capable to keep clean sheets despite conceding a number of goals in other games.

It's about finding that consistency and being able to work on their defence throughout the season. Clean sheets away at Middlesbrough when the Cottagers have ten men is fantastic, and then Saturday's result shows the spirit that they have in the side.

If they can keep this type of character in the squad and bounce back from poor results, then they'll be right up near the top of the league come the end of the season.

Going forward, they have the quality to be able to hurt Championship sides but they have to now keep up this consistency throughout the course of the campaign.

Parker is still relatively new to management but he'll be learning bucketfuls during the period that he's currently having at Fulham. The thing that is so promising about the boss is that he's able to notice his mistakes whilst always backing his players, it's a trait that is good to have as a manager and shows that he'll always be on their side whatever the result.

If this character can be built upon, and they use Saturday's result as an example, then they have a very good chance of being promoted this season.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulhams-character-test-passed-after-weekend-victory-comment/

WhiteJC

On-loan Wolves star Cav is 'superb' and 'a matchwinner', says Fulham boss Parker

On-loan Wolves forward Ivan Cavaleiro has been told he is a 'matchwinner' and 'superb' for Fulham.

Fulham manager Scott Parker has been raving about the 26-year-old, who was back in the West Midlands on Saturday when he starred in the Cottagers' 1-0 win at Birmingham.

Cavaleiro has scored four goals in 15 Championship games so far for the Cottagers and is currently operating on the left of a three-man forward line with Aleksandar Mitrovic in the centre and former Leicester and Brighton winger Anthony Knockhaert on the right.

The Portuguese's loan is due to become a permanent move next summer for a fee in the region of £12m and Parker hinted it will be money well spent by the Londoners, for whom he has missed just one League game so far.

"He has been superb, he gives us what you see in him – he is a matchwinner on his day," said Parker.

"He gives the attack an impetus at times, one of many in our front half players who are pleasing to the eye. He has done well.

"There is more to come from everyone, it's down to me the staff and the players to keep pushing, keep driving."

Ever-present Mitrovic was superb at St Andrew's, scoring the only goal to make it 12 in the Championship so far this term, while he had another effort disallowed for offside, to help his side to seventh, one place and two points off the play-off zone.

Cavaleiro was substituted after 65 minutes for on-loan Tottenham's former Villa loanee Josh Onomah after cutting infield and crashing a fierce shot just wide on the hour.

Former Wolves midfielder Kevin McDonald has been forced into something of a watching brief at Craven Cottage as he has only made three Championship appearances this season, with just one start.



https://www.wolvesbite.com/2019/11/on-loan-wolves-star-cav-is-superb-and-a-matchwinner-says-fulham-boss-parker/


WhiteJC


Cottage Talk Post Match Show: Birmingham City vs. Fulham

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


This is our post match show of Fulham's 1-0 victory against Birmingham City.You can also listen to this show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/11/12/20960440/cottage-talk-post-match-show-birmingham-city-vs-fulham

WhiteJC

Win Tickets: Fulham v QPR

Carabao Energy Drink has teamed up with Fulhamish to give eight lucky Fulham fans the chance to win a pair of tickets to Fulham v Queens Park Rangers on Friday 22nd November.


Currently in the third year of its partnership with the EFL, which includes the title sponsorship of the Carabao Cup, South-East Asian energy drink Carabao is proud to support all 72 football league clubs for the 2019/20 season.

Carabao Energy Drinks are great-tasting, fruity low sugar and no sugar drinks that provide an energy boost for everyone, specifically adults of all ages, to get them through their day. Carabao has half the sugar of other leading energy drinks and comes in a range of flavours that taste just like soft drinks, such as Green Apple, Mandarin Orange, Original, Green Apple Sugar Free and Original Sugar Free.

Carabao is currently stocked in Asda, BP, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Spar, WHSmith, as well as a significant number of independent retailers.

To be in with a chance of winning this amazing prize, simply fill in the form below. You can find out what the secret question is by listening to this week's Fulhamish podcast.

Good Luck and Get Game Ready!



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2019-11-12-win-tickets-fulham-v-qpr/

WhiteJC

All things Ivor: From Merthyr Tydfil to Fulham legend

Gordon Davies may have written his name in Fulham history books by scoring 178 in his 450 appearances across two prolific spells, but he almost never donned the famous white shirt at all. In this exclusive interview, Ivor tells Rhys Daly how his move to Craven Cottage came about, how Les Strong gave him his famous nickname and why he had no choice but to leave the club for Chelsea in 1984.


Davies, who opted to join Fulham for the first time back in 1978, has spoken out about how he learned his trade in his native Wales, and the steps that led him to London.

He said: "I started at Merthyr, I used to come home from college and play, and then when I finished teacher training I was fortunate to go and get a job back in Merthyr.

"It was a situation of initially playing in the reserves, for a few weeks and then getting a call up to the first team as a right winger.

"Up until that point, I had been a central midfield player, but they needed a quick ball player out wide, so I started in the southern league as a right-winger, but I don't suppose you can call me a winger because I shot at goal more times than I crossed the ball.

"That showed in my stats because I scored 30 goals from the right wing. From the start of the following season, because I was only there for a season and a half. Everything went well for me during that part of the season, and I scored 35 goals by the beginning of March, and 10 league clubs were then looking with the possibility of signing me"

Davies went on to name some of the professional clubs that were desperate to secure his signature, and why a previous rejection left him shocked about the fresh interest in his services.

He continued: "The interest did come as a shock, when you're told at 16 years of age by Manchester City that you're not good enough and they release you, you tend to think that your chance of playing professional football has gone.

"It was one of those situations when you're trying to get into a better league and better yourself, suddenly my name was mentioned in some Sunday papers linking me to various clubs."

Davies, now 64, went on to discuss the fixture than changed his life forever and the dilemma he faced as his career took a dramatic turn.

"The interest came to a head when we played away at Kidderminster in the Southern League, when after the game I was told by my manager that there quite a few league clubs had been watching me during the game, and that they now wanted to speak to me.

"It turns out that there were ten league clubs that wanted to have a chat with me that evening, and they were all on a time limit of five minutes each and had lined up outside the changing room door.

"I can't think of them all but there was Plymouth, Notts County, Lincoln, Torquay, Fulham, Cardiff, Swansea, and a few others.

"They all had five minutes, it was a whirlwind hour and although it was agreed that I wouldn't sign anything that night, some of them tried to seal a deal there and then."

Davies then spoke about his thought process as he prepared to make what could have been the biggest decision of his career, and why he eventually chose to join Fulham.

He continued: "I had the chance to go home and chat to my family and some of the ex-pros that I knew, and it took a couple of weeks to make my decision, after which I phoned Fulham and told them I was happy to sort out a deal.

"After I had sorted out a contract with Merthyr they were able to have a chat with Fulham and agree a fee of £3,000 initially and £1,000 after 10 games and £1,000 after 20, there was another clause that I didn't know about at the time – and they asked Fulham to take a team down to Merthyr to play in a sort of testimonial game."

In what turned about to be a crucial day for the career of the forward, Davies revealed that he had offers on the table from two of the biggest clubs in English football, shortly after he agreed a deal with Fulham.

He said: "This was before the days of mobile phone, so the day I traveled to sign for Fulham, the Merthyr chairman tried to contact me because two first division clubs had just asked him about me.

"Only my Grandmother was home, and she didn't know where me and my father had gone, and asked her to tell me to call him as soon as I was back.

"Of course that day I went to see Fulham and signed for them, but the time I got home I get the message, and the chairman said 'please say you haven't signed for anybody' when I told him I had, he swore in Welsh and I heard a big thud, I thought I'd given him a heart attack!

"He said that he was pleased that I had signed for somebody, and then revealed that Tottenham and Liverpool had been in contact with him earlier in the day basically offering a blank check.

"Of course you look back and think about what might have been, but it could have gone totally wrong for me.

"You never know how things may have worked out, but looking back on the career that I had, especially that I had at Fulham, I wouldn't change a thing."

In what would turn out to be a pivotal moment in his playing career, Davies made his full Fulham debut against Blackpool in 1978, and had a nightmare start to his time at the club.

He revealed: "I didn't even know I was going to be playing and the boys who did the kit didn't either, because they forgot to bring any of my boots.

"When Bobby Campbell announced the team I had to try and find boots that would fit me and ended up having to wear two pairs of socks in a pair that were a size too big!

"Unfortunately, I gave away a penalty after six minutes.

"Our then captain, Ray Evans, then came across to me and was nose to nose shouting at me and I was shaking like a lead, I didn't touch the guy and he fell over my legs.

"Anyway, the skipper told me that for the rest of the game I shouldn't come back across the half-way line, and he said if you don't score, I will chin you after the game.

"To tell you the truth I could've crumbled there, but as luck would have it, I laid on the equalizer for Les Strong of all people, and then Les crossed the ball to me, it fell nicely and I hit a left-foot volley into the bottom corner and that was the start of the loving relationship with the supporters."

Davies has also spoken out about a transfer that has become infamous among Fulham supporters, which was his move to Chelsea in 1984.

He said: "The move came about because I had been having contractual conversations with the club for months and we had almost agreed everything, but the talks broke down over appearance money.

"Most of the first team were getting it, but when I asked for it to be put in, it wasn't. And by the end of the season I had come to the end of my contract.

"What the club did, was make be sign a week-to-week contract so I could play in the new season, I had to go in every Friday and sign up for the next week.

"I did that throughout August, September and the first few weeks of October, and I was the leading goalscorer at the time.

"The club still weren't happy about putting that one clause in, so it got to a point where after ten weeks I couldn't see the end to that situation apart from me leaving.

"I got a bit of stick for joining Chelsea, but at the time that was my only option. They were the only club to come in for me, and they wanted to take it to tribunal.

"It did go to that because I was out of contract, and it was decided that the fee would be £100,000.

"They remained the only club to come in for me, and I agreed the contract the following week, it was a move that I looked forward to, not because it was Chelsea but because it was the first division.

"I had scored goals in third and second division football, but trying to see if I could do it regularly in the best league was something I had to do.

"Despite it being Chelsea, I couldn't let the rivalry make me turn it down, I had to take the opportunity because there was no way Fulham were going to give me the contract I thought I had earned."

Davies, who has been fondly referred to as Ivor by fans during his fourty-year association with Fulham, has now revealed the true origin of the name, and how supporters took it on from his fellow players.

He said: "The supporters picked up on it because the players were looking for a nickname for me from the day I joined!

"At some point just before the evening news, Ivor the Engine came on the television, a little Welsh train, I walked in the following day, and Les Strong and John Mitchell seem to have had a chat and they shouted out 'Ivor'.

"I turned around, because I thought another Welsh lad might have signed, and as soon as I did, they said 'that's it'

"I think the fans heard it while I was on the pitch, and the chant started 'IVOR, IVOR'.

"Even now the fans come up to me and say 'Ivor, can I get an autograph or a selfie, and I answer to it because as far as football is concerned, that it what people know me by.

"Even because of the program, it says Ivor above Gordon Davies, even youngsters use it, and from my point of view, it's nice to have a good nickname rather than something worse!

"Even the first day I went to Chelsea, Micky Droy walked in, I looked him straight in the eye, and he said: 'Ivor! Welcome to Chelsea, hope it all goes well for you!'

"Even for Manchester City, Wrexham and for Wales, you'd get the odd 'Gordon' but on the most part it was Ivor, and that stuck with me throughout my career."

Davies, who now works for the club in hospitality, still regularly attends Fulham home fixtures, and recently gave his thoughts on why things are looking positive at the Cottage.

He said of Scott Parker and his team before the win over Luton: "Scott is learning, in a game where it is results based, we're only six points off the top and we haven't played really well consistently yet.

"Scott need to be given time to find his best formation and team.

"We have the squad to finish in the top two and we have the squad to do it, we just need to find that formula to finish teams off in the final third."



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2019-11-12-all-things-ivor-from-merthyr-tydfil-to-fulham-legend/


gerrys

#12
Quote from: whitejc on November 12, 2019, 08:39:31 AM
'He could help them to promotion' – Fulham linked with a move for defender: Six-Pointer

Fulham have been linked with a January move for Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala, with the Spaniard out of contract in the summer.

It's that time of year when January transfer rumours start to circulate. The latest of which is Boro's Daniel Ayala who along with Fulham, has attracted interest from Leeds United and Stoke City.

The trio are chasing the centre-back who's contract at The Riverside expires in the summer.

Ayala, 29, has played over 200 games for the club since joining in 2013.

In the latest FLW Six-Pointer, we discuss whether Fulham should move for Ayala, and whether the Spaniard would be a good fit for the club.

Do Fulham need a central defender?

Fulham haven't leaked goals this season – they've conceded 17 in 16 Championship games. But they could definitely do with an extra centre-back.

Alfie Mawson and Tim Ream have been the centre-pairing so far this season and have had their fair share of struggles in the season so far.

They got torn apart against Hull earlier in the month, a game where one of them could've done with a rest – having Ayala would allow Parker to rotate more efficiently.

Is Ayala good enough for Fulham?

Ayala has been a Championship player for most of his career now. He's been an ever-present figure in the Boro defence in that time and has consistently been one of the club's best performers.

He'd definitely do a job at Fulham, but it might not come cheap.

How much would Ayala cost?

With his contract expiring in the summer, Boro may not ask for a huge sum for the 29-year-old. But with competition from Leeds and Stoke, Fulham might find themselves in a bidding war.

Is Ayala too old?

For a centre-back, 29 isn't that old. Fulham could probably get a few good seasons out of him before they start to see the wear, but Parker might prefer a signing for the future, with both Mawson and Ream knocking on.

Would Ayala want to leave Boro?

He's actually said that he'd be happy to stay at The Riverside, but that might change over the course of the season.

Boro still have every chance of being relegated this season and if that comes true, Ayala could well head for the exit if he doesn't in January.

Why should Ayala choose Fulham over Leeds and Stoke?

A move to Stoke would likely seem a sideways step for Ayala, leaving Leeds and Fulham his more likely options.

Game-time at Leeds may be slightly more in contention than at Fulham, especially if they go up this season. Fulham would present Ayala's best chance at being a first-team regular, and he could even help them to promotion this season.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/he-could-help-them-to-promotion-fulham-linked-with-a-move-for-defender-six-pointer/

Have they done their homework? No mention of Hector and Mawson "getting on"?