Friday Fulham Stuff - 15/11/19...

[WhiteJC]

Upcoming QPR hurdle could be crucial to season momentum: Comment

Queens Park Rangers have until next Friday to prepare for their crucial West London Derby clash against Fulham at Craven Cottage, in what will be a key game for the momentum and morale of Mark Warburton's side.

The R's have lost their way in recent weeks, and have now gone four games without a win, with their most recent result a disappointing 2-2 home draw against 22nd placed Middlesbrough.

The side from W12 have fallen from the play-off places down to tenth spot, one position behind their other West London rivals Brentford, and four places behind upcoming opponents Fulham.

There have many factors that have led to QPR's disappointing slump – but in football, the importance of psychological aspects of games are often overlooked. It is no surprise that QPR have faltered in the league after the events against Brentford in late October.

A 3-1 defeat against their rivals, which involved a dubious penalty awarded to Bryan Mbeumo, may have had a notable impact on the mentality of the players.

Add to that the growing concern with QPR's defence, who are yet to keep a clean sheet in the league, and have conceded 30 goals, the joint second highest amount in the Championship.

Injuries to Toni Leistner and Yoann Barbet have not helped their cause, but Warburton has to find a formula as he cannot expect his side to challenge for the top-six with the defensive frailties that are currently at his disposal.

A win against their neighbours, who are just over three miles down the road, will alleviate the current slump and could climb the R's up to 7th, leapfrogging Fulham in the process.

That would give the club a massive lift in many ways, so Warburton and his backroom staff have to try to do as much as they can on the training field to be prepared for the game.

It is one of those games that can be season defining for QPR, although we are only in November.

Why? Because the feeling of winning will lift spirits, and that will be heightened as it is a derby. Winning breeds confidence and positive momentum.

A loss on the other hand will see the R's continue their current slump, and record their second Derby loss of the season, which knocks the morale out of the dressing room. Football is a results driven business, in a variety of ways.

Warburton will relying on the likes of Nahki Wells, who has 8 goals to his name this season, and Ebere Eze, who has to try to replicate the form he produced at the beginning of the season.

The contest cannot be looked upon as just a normal game, there is more than just bragging rights at stake for QPR next Friday.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/upcoming-qpr-hurdle-could-be-crucial-to-season-momentum-comment/

[WhiteJC]

Saha chooses between Sunderland & Newcastle

Louis Saha appeared to suggest he felt more allegiance to Newcastle United rather than Sunderland despite playing more times for The Black Cats.

The former Magpies and Sunderland striker was asked by a fan during an interview for Four Four Two who he currently felt more allegiance to out of the two North East clubs.

Saha explained that he had a better experience at Newcastle as he didn't like what happened to him at Sunderland in terms of chances.

"I had a better experience at Newcastle," said Saha in issue 307 of Four Four Two (December 2019, page 11).

"I didn't play at Sunderland – I didn't like what happened to me in terms of chances I had there."

OPINION

While Newcastle fans won't blame Saha for picking their club over Sunderland, his remarks are a little questionable. The 41-year-old striker actually played more times for Sunderland than he did for the Magpies as he featured 14 times for The Black Cats and only 11 times for the Magpies (Source: Transfermarkt). Then again he wasn't at either club particularly long, so maybe the truth is he doesn't really feel a strong connection to either. After all, if Saha was asked to pick out of his former clubs you could probably bet on him selecting Manchester United or even Fulham FC ahead of either the Magpies or Sunderland as he had longer, more successful spells at both. Saha scored 42 goals in 124 appearances for Man United, winning the Premier League title twice with them, and racked up 36 goals in 94 appearances at Fulham to become a favourite at the London club. In comparison, Saha managed just the one goal for the Magpies and actually never got on the scoresheet for Sunderland, which is probably the real reason he didn't enjoy his time. However, then again it wouldn't be a surprise if these comments give Saha's popularity around St James Park a boost, and perhaps strengthen his ties with the club as most members of the Toon Army will just enjoy something extra to mock Sunderland fans over.



https://nothingbutnewcastle.com/2019/11/blogs/gallowgate-gossip/saha-chooses-between-sunderland-newcastle/

[WhiteJC]

This Fulham man needs to remain grounded after Parker's recent comments

Fulham manager Scott Parker heaped praise on his young goalkeeper Marek Rodak yesterday, but the Slovak needs to remain grounded to keep his spot in the starting side.

With a win and a clean sheet against Birmingham City last time out, Fulham went into this international break in 7th-place of the Championship, two points behind Bristol City in 6th.

It was a second consecutive clean sheet away from Craven Cottage for Parker's side and a fifth of the season, and the young Slovakian keeper has been hailed by his manager after his recent introduction to the first-team.

He made his league debut for the club in their 3-2 win over Luton Town last month but was sent off against Middlesbrough in the next. The 22-year-old returned to the starting line-up for the Birmingham game, though, and repaid his manager with a fine performance in their third away win of the season.

Aleksandar Mitrovic's 12th Championship goal of the season was the difference at St Andrew's, but it wasn't without a barrage from the home side – Pep Clotet's side had 16 shots on the day and Rodak also kept out five corners as Birmingham mounted a late siege on their lead.

Having been with Fulham since age 16, Rodak worked his way through the development squads before getting some first-team experience out on-loan. He's spent time with Welling and Accrington Stanley in the past but his best experiences came in two successive loan-spells with Rotherham United, where he played 83 league games in the two seasons before this.

He'll be elated to finally be the number one at Craven Cottage. Working his way up and plying his trade lower down the football pyramid, Rodak has already been on a footballing journey and Parker's praise will undoubtedly be a proud moment for him.

There's still over a week before Fulham resume their Championship season against QPR, and Rodak should use this time to reflect on his impact so far and realise what he needs to do to cement that number one spot.

At a young age, he still has a lot to learn about the game and a bad run in goal could see Parker favour the more experienced Marcus Bettinelli. Rodak will surely keep his spot for the foreseeable fixtures at least, and just needs to keep doing what he's doing to stay there.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/this-fulham-man-needs-to-remain-grounded-after-parkers-recent-comments/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham ace needs to start being held in his own high regard: Comment

Fulham's Steven Sessegnon is often compared to his brother, Tottenham Hotspur's Ryan. But do the comparisons need to end, and does Steven now deserve his own limelight?

A member of the England U17 squad that lifted the World Cup two years ago, Steven Sessegnon remains one of the Championship's brightest talents at 19, and was enjoying a good spell in the Fulham first-team this year.

He missed the start of the season but soon returned to the fold, and has made a total of eight Championship appearances for Fulham under Scott Parker. Sessegnon's last game was almost a month ago though with the full-back taking up a spot on the bench.

It's frustrating for fans to see him on the sidelines – his game suits Parker's modern approach to affairs at Fulham, with his pace on the flank and ability to run up and down that channel providing Fulham with a new dynamic.

Fulham only lost one of the eight games that Sessegnon played in, taking 15 points from the 24 available. It's thought that he's been carrying a muscle injury for some time now and that he can't quite get back to full fitness, at least in Parker's eyes.

He sat three games on the bench until being left out of the match-day squad altogether at Birmingham last time out, and fans are beginning to ponder the situation with the 19-year-old. One thing remains true with Fulham fans though – Steven Sessegnon is a fine young player.

Brother Ryan burst onto the scene in 2017 when he scored 16 Championship goals under Slavisa Jokanovic but in the Premier League, he didn't make the splash that he'd have hoped to with just two goals in 35 league games.

It still landed him a move to Spurs in the summer – fans widely expected him to depart after relegation, but they don't seem to be missing him all that much. Yes, his goals in their promotions season wouldn't go amiss now, but they've still got a Sessegnon and many believe that Steven will one day go on to reach the heights his brother has.

But that's the problem that Steven faces – always being compared to Ryan. Although he hasn't played all that much for Fulham this season, fans know that he's a hugely exciting prospect, and deserves to be judged in his own attributes.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-ace-needs-to-start-being-held-in-his-own-high-regard-comment/

[WhiteJC]

Met Police FC sign Fulham youngster on loan while Birch return is boost

Gavin Macpherson is looking to climb the Southern League Premier South table and new signing De Havilland will help as will returning absentee Louis Birch

The return of Louis Birch to the Met Police side and the signing of Ryan De Havilland on loan from Fulham have given boss Gavin Macpherson a boost.

A heavy fixture schedule – not helped by the Blues' FA Trophy third qualifying round replay at Biggleswade Town being postponed on Tuesday (November 12) and switched to next midweek – means Met need all the players they can muster and Macpherson is delighted to have both available.

He said: "Ryan is a first year pro at Fulham and a central midfield player. It's great that the likes of Fulham and AFC Wimbledon [with Nesta Guiness-Walker last season] recognise what we do and how we do it and are happy to send us players to further their development.

"They know we are a club that's passionate about that and they know we will look after them. In Ryan's case it's his first taste of senior men's football and having to deal with that physicality we have in our league.

"Louis tweaked a knee in pre-season and hasn't played a game, so we are pleased to have him back. He was arguably our player of the year last season, even though he didn't get it [the award].

"He was our unsung hero. Having him back is going to be crucial to us because he's a trooper."

Macpherson admitted the 2-2 draw with Biggleswade at home on Saturday (November 9) was disappointing, given his side led 2-1 with seven minutes to go, only for Jeremy Arthur to concede a penalty.

"It was unnecessary and he knows that," said Macpherson. "We've got to be slightly disappointed not to win. It was end-to-end though and Biggleswade are a decent side with players who have been at higher-ranked clubs, like St Albans and Wealdstone."

Fitting in the replay because of Biggleswade's waterlogged pitch means a trip to south Bedfordshire next Tuesday, just three days after Saturday's (November 16) long trek to play second-placed Tiverton Town in the Southern League Premier South. It also means Blues' Surrey Senior Cup first round tie with Corinthian Casuals has to be rescheduled.

"After that we have trips in December to Dorchester, Poole and Taunton but that's the nature of it, it's an unforgiving league," said Macpherson. "Tiverton presents its own challenges as they are good at what they do and it's a testing pitch for those who want to get it down and play.

"However, we have beaten Weston-super-Mare and Harrow and while I wouldn't say we've turned it around, we have picked up and are becoming a side that's difficult to beat. I just want to see us keep improving as we are completely capable of winning matches. As long as we can keep it tight at the other end we can go and win games."



https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/met-police-fc-sign-fulham-17257267

[WhiteJC]

'Could kill their chances of promotion' – Fulham transfer update emerges about Mitrovic: 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 head into the international break in decent shape, with Scott Parker's side just two points off the play-off places but Parker could have another battle on his hands if he wants to hold onto top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic, with Serie A club Genoa poised to make a January move, according to Calciomercato.

Mitrovic is in excellent form for his club so far this season, having scored 12 goals in 16 appearances for the Cottagers as he's fired them up the table and into the play-off mix.

So should Fulham be doing all they can to hold onto Mitrovic?

We discuss........

Ned Holmes

"Without a doubt – you feel losing him in January could kill their chances of promotion.

"Mitrovic has been fantastic for Fulham this season and is the top scorer in the Championship, with 12 goals in 16 games.

"The striker has contributed to half of Fulham's league goals this season and for me, he is the one player in their team who is irreplaceable.

"Scott Parker's side have started to climb up into play-off contention after a shaky start to the season, so to lose Mitrovic in January would be a monumental blow."

Ben Lang

"Mitrovic has already proven this campaign that he is comfortably the most important player in this Fulham side, and it would be hugely damaging for them to lose him before the end of the season.

"The West London side have made a stuttering start to the Championship season, but Mitrovic's goalscoring record has singlehandedly ensured Parker's side are still competing for a play-off place.

"Mitrovic has already netted an impressive 12 times this term, which makes up exactly half of Fulham's league goals, and he has certainly lived up to expectations in the division since signing a new deal in the summer.

"Fulham fans should not feel too much concern at this stage as Genoa's interest appears to be in its early days, while Mitrovic looks to be happy at Fulham currently, but it should not be understated how much of a blow it would be if the Serbian was to move on."

Jordan Rushworth

"It is essential for Fulham that they keep hold of Mitrovic during the January transfer window, if Scott Parker is going to be able to help the club earn promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking this season.

"Mitrovic's record for Fulham in front of goal has been excellent, especially in the Championship and he has already registered 12 goals in 16 matches so far this term, making him the top goal scorer in the division and also meaning he has scored exactly half of Fulham's goals so far this campaign.

"Given his form so far this term, it is not surprise to see him being linked with a move away from Fulham, but they must go all out to ensure they keep him at the club amid any firm interest, with any money they are likely to receive for him in January far less than they could get through earning promotion.

"Mitrovic's importance to Fulham was again shown on Saturday, with him scoring the only goal of the game to see Fulham secure a vital 1-0 win at Birmingham City – and his presence up front is crucial to the club's ability to come out on top during tight matches."



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/could-kill-their-chances-of-promotion-fulham-transfer-update-emerges-about-mitrovic-the-verdict/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham holding onto their prolific £20m star amidst Italian interest is a no-brainer

Why Fulham should hold on to Aleksandar Mitrovic amidst Italian links

According to Calciomercato (h/t Yorkshire Evening Post), Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is the subject of interest from Italian club Genoa, who are plotting a raid to get their hands on the prolific frontman in January.

The Cottagers have slapped a £20million price tag on their star man in a bid to fend off interest from Genoa and it remains to be seen whether the Serie A club is ambitious enough to go forward with a deal. (Calciomercato h/t Yorkshire Evening Post)

The 25-year-old is currently firing on all cylinders for the Cottagers in the Championship, with an impressive tally of 12 goals in 16 games, making him the division's top-scorer at the moment.

Mitrovic bagged a brace in the 4-1 rout of Reading and a hat-trick in the 3-2 victory over Luton Town in October while also delivering another man-of-the-match performance last weekend to propel the Cottagers to a 1-0 victory over Birmingham City.

Fulham started the campaign as one of the outright favourites for automatic promotion but the West Londoners currently sit 7th in the standings, two points adrift of the playoff spots following a hit-and-miss first quarter of the season which has seen them accumulate 7 wins, 5 draws and 4 losses from 16 games so far.

Mitrovic, though, has been at the centre of everything that Fulham have achieved so far, with the prolific Serbian international expected to be the main driving force if the Cottagers are to make a return to the top-flight at the first time of asking.

The 25-year-old, who initially joined Fulham on loan from Newcastle United for the second half of the 2017-18 campaign, bagged 12 goals in 20 Championship outings to guide the club to a promotion-winning season under Slavisa Jokanovic.

That paved the way for a permanent £22million transfer to Craven Cottage last summer and while Fulham went straight back down to the Championship after only a single season in the top-flight, Aleksandar Mitrovic once again caught the eye with his tally of 11 goals in the Premier League.

To that end, an exit from West London looked very much on the cards for the Serbian international in the summer when Fulham parted ways with several of their Premier League players in a bid to reduce the wage bills and balance the books.

However, Mitrovic stayed put, which, in itself, came as a massive boost to Fulham's promotion hopes before the start of the season, and the Cottagers are already reaping rich dividends from their decision to retain his services.

To put things into perspective, Fulham should leave no stone unturned in their efforts to keep Aleksandar Mitrovic at the club, given that he remains central to their promotion hopes, and bringing in a like-for-like replacement would cost the club a fortune in the market.

Verdict

Ivan Cavaleiro and Anthony Knockaert, who are on loan from Wolves and Brighton respectively, have chipped in with some valuable goal contributions, while Tom Cairney has also been a key contributor with goals and assists from the midfield, but Mitrovic continues to be the go-to man for Scott Parker.



https://soccersouls.com/why-fulham-should-hold-on-to-aleksandar-mitrovic-amidst-italian-links/

[WhiteJC]

Riverside Update

Local residents were provided with an update on the Riverside works last week. Please see below download link for the information that was provided.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/november/13/riverside-update

[WhiteJC]

'His season hasn't got going' – Fulham fan pundit reflects on 24-y/o's campaign so far

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 David Gadd has given an analysis of Aboubakar Kamara's performances so far this season for the Cottagers, with the striker having been largely underused by Scott Parker.

The French forward has only appeared in eight Championship games this term, with almost all of them coming from the subs' bench, as Parker has preferred to utilise the in-form Aleksandar Mitrovic as a lone striker for much of this campaign.

Kamara has also so far failed to find the net for the Whites, perhaps suggesting that he will continue to be left out of the starting eleven if he continues to be profligate in front of goal for the west Londoners.

We caught up with Gadd earlier this week and here is what our Fulham fan pundit had to say about Kamara's season so far:

"His season hasn't got going.

"Only time we've really seen him was first game of the season and he wasn't particularly good, plus in the cameo appearances he's made off the bench in the last 10 minutes of games, he hasn't made much of an impact and it's fair to say he isn't really part of Parker's plans.

"He hasn't done anything to be worthy of starting a game."

However, Gadd doesn't see Kamara's long-term future at the club being under any immediate threat, with the Fulham fan stating:

"He definitely won't leave in January.

"However if he does go it will leave us very short in forward areas, so in my opinion it would be very silly to sell him midway through the season."

Kamara will simply have to bide his time for now, with Mitrovic clearly the main man under Parker this season.

However the 24-year-old will surely have a chance to get off the mark in their upcoming game against west London rivals QPR, with the Serbian international set to miss the tie after picking up a booking against Birmingham City last weekend, meaning he will be suspended for the derby clash.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/his-season-hasnt-got-going-fulham-fan-pundit-reflects-on-24-y-os-campaign-so-far/

[WhiteJC]

Mitrovic double keeps Serbia in Euro 2020 contention

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia kept alive their hopes of reaching next year's European Championship after a first-half brace from Aleksandar Mitrovic helped them scramble a 3-2 home win over Luxembourg in a Group B qualifier on Thursday.

The result left Serbia third in the group on 13 points from seven games. They are one point behind holders Portugal who romped to a 6-0 home rout of Lithuania and six adrift of already qualified Ukraine.

In order to advance, the Serbians must beat Ukraine at home in their final game and hope Portugal fail to win in Luxembourg on Sunday. Should they fail, Serbia could still qualify via the Nations League playoffs in March.

Fulham striker Mitrovic headed Serbia into an 11th-minute lead and made it 2-0 with a spectacular shot into the top corner in the 43rd, with the home side missing several chances in a lively first half.

Nemanja Radonjic restored Serbia's two-goal advantage with a piledriver from 20 metres after Gerson Rodrigues had pulled one back, but the home side endured a nervy finish as David Turpel headed Luxembourg's second in the 75th minute.

Mitrovic missed a late chance to grab a hat-trick when he hit the post from close range.



https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-euro-srb-lux-report/mitrovic-double-keeps-serbia-in-euro-2020-contention-idUKKBN1XO2Z5?rpc=401&;

[ScalleysDad]

Riverside Update

Local residents were provided with an update on the Riverside works last week. Please see below download link for the information that was provided.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/november/13/riverside-update

And for all our friends overseas and in the colonies this is what we know as a 'statutory tea break'.

[MikeW]

Some very odd observations in the Sessegnon and Mitro articles.  Have the authors ever watched either play?

[MikeW]

Riverside Update

Local residents were provided with an update on the Riverside works last week. Please see below download link for the information that was provided.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/november/13/riverside-update

And for all our friends overseas and in the colonies this is what we know as a 'statutory tea break'.

They didn't drive that crane down Harbord Street did they?