Friday Fulham Stuff - 22/11/19...

[WhiteJC]

Ben Davis cut from Thailand's SEA Games squad, won't get to play against S'pore

The match was not meant to be.



Singaporeans looking forward to watching Ben Davis play football against Singapore in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games will be disappointed.

The 18-year-old Fulham FC footballer was eventually not named as part of Thailand's SEA Games squad, according to an announcement made by the Football Association of Thailand.

He was effectively dropped from the team.

This was despite him being called up for Thailand's provisional squad in September.

Singapore would face Thailand in SEA Games match on Dec. 1

The exclusion of Davis from Thailand's SEA games squad may come as a disappointment to some, as they may have wanted to see Davis battle against his Singapore, which he grew up in.

On Oct. 15, Singapore's Young Lions drew with defending champions Thailand in Group B for the 2019 SEA Games, which meant that Davis could potentially face Singapore.

On Oct. 31, the fixtures were announced, and it was confirmed that Singapore would face Thailand in the SEA Games on Dec. 1.

However, now that Davis has been cut from the Thailand squad, the excitement leading up to this particular match may have died down.
No regrets leaving Singapore

Davis is currently playing for Fulham FC, and made his debut in the first-team of the English club in August 2019, in a Carabao Cup match against Southampton.

Davis was declared a Singapore National Service defaulter in February 2019, after he failed to report for enlistment as required.

In October 2019, he broke his silence to the media, stating that he had no intentions of returning to Singapore, or to complete his NS obligations.

He claimed he did not regret his decision, and said succeeding in football was his first priority.
NS deferment rejected because Davis not doing it for S'pore's interest

Davis had originally applied for a deferment of his NS so that he could play for Fulham. However, his application was rejected because Davis' father was unable to commit to a date for his son to return to serve.

According to Mindef, Davis' application was also rejected because his deferment was meant to further his professional career instead of Singapore's interest.



https://mothership.sg/2019/11/ben-davis-cut-from-thailand-sea-squad/

[WhiteJC]

Two-goal Fulham attacker will surely be buzzing to prove his worth as Parker faces derby dilemma

This article is part of Football League World's 'Player view' series, this content strand is where we put ourselves in the shoes of a given player, and offer an opinion-based outlook on the perspective on the situation at hand...

Fulham have been blessed with a chance to steel a march on their fellow promotion chasers this weekend when they face QPR tonight at Craven Cottage.

Currently sat in seventh place with 16 games played, the local derby represents the chance for Scott Parker and his side to jump back into the top-six and to within two points of the automatic promotion places, with others set to play later.

However, there is quite a big problem for the Whites heading into this one; they will have to win without talismanic striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Serbian has netted 12 goals in 16 appearances so far this season, making him Fulham's and the Championship's top-scorer, and with some comfort as well.

He netted the winner in their clash with Birmingham before the international break too but also picked up a yellow card, which was his fifth of his season, leading to a one match ban.

Any team is likely to struggle when their main source of goals is taken away from them and what Parker plans to do remains somewhat of a mystery.

However, regardless of who he chooses to replace him directly in the side, there are players who the fans will be turning to to sparkle under the Craven Cottage lights tonight.

One of those is summer signing Anthony Knockaert, and he will surely be relishing the opportunity to become the main man against the R's.

The Frenchman signed on loan from Brighton during the summer and whilst he has impressed, he is perhaps yet to hit the form shown so frequently during his time in the Championship with the south-coast side.

But with Mitrovic out of the side, he will have his chance to become the match winner for his side and for the club's fans.

He is somebody who breeds excitement. When he gets his foot on the ball at Craven Cottage, it is rare that the home fans do not rise to their feet in unison.

Now, he will be keen to be the man who inspires the rest of his side, in the same way that Mitrovic often does. Of course, Mitrovic will come straight back into the side next week, but Knockaert should see this as the chance to take his season to the next level.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/two-goal-fulham-attacker-will-surely-be-buzzing-to-prove-his-worth-as-parker-faces-derby-dilemma/

[WhiteJC]

Meeseeks and destroy – Preview

While all the attention and criticism continues to focus on QPR's porous defence prior to tonight's derby at Fulham, it's the ongoing conundrum of the central midfield that is front and centre of manager Mark Warburton's mind.

Fulham (7-5-4, DLWDLW, 7th) v QPR (7-3-6, WWDLLD, 10th)

Mercantile Credit Trophy >>> Friday November 22, 2019 >>> Kick Off 19.45 >>> Weather – You'll be able to cut glass with your nipples >>> Craven Cottage, Fulham, SW6

I've ruminated for quite some time this week about whether Rick & Morty is now mainstream enough for me to base this preview around the idea of bringing in Mr Meeseeks as a defensive coach, charged with shaving two goals off our conceded-per-game ratio.

In the end, I've decided it's not, and to do so would require a complicated explanation about how Mr Meeseeks appears from a small box when summoned, completes a task as commanded by whoever brought him into the world, and then disappears. The joke in the show is that he can accomplish anything you ask of him except getting two strokes of Jerry's golf game and, well, that's where our porous defence would come into it. "Are they squaring their offside trap?" "Oh, they're trying."

Jokes are never funny when you have to explain them, and besides Mark Warburton has already revealed what he'd be asking the Meeseeks for at the recent fans forum. Given the chance to buy any player in the Championship, money no object, he didn't go for a penalty saving goalkeeper or a less accident-prone centre back or even a gamechanging 25-goal-a-season centre forward. Instead he named Romaine Sawyers, once of Brentford and now very quietly guiding table topping West Brom around the field – a bargain at £3m.

Mark, mate, Mitrovic. No? You no like?

Contrary Mark is contrary? Or could it be that the fault for our mammoth 30 goals conceded in 16 games this season really does lie away from a dishevelled backline and nervous pair of goalkeepers? Warburton pointed to a specific incident in the Leeds match where Mateusz Klich was able to steal into the penalty area unmarked but volleyed over a gaping target from eight yards out. Had it gone in, Warburton contended, the centre backs would have been singled out by the baying public once more but, in his opinion, the incident stemmed from a lost two-on-one tackle by the dug outs and was exacerbated by the central midfielders failing to track a runner into the box. With the ball he added that midfielders capable of receiving the ball in dangerous areas from the defence and linking it up to the attack were hard to find in the British game, and the need for one at QPR has been highlighted by the lack of Yoann Barbet's passing game in recent matches.

The middle of midfield has been a problem at QPR for sometime. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was frequently criticised – not unfairly – for being too negative, but he feared opening the midfield up to commit more to the attack would result in exactly what it did result in when Newcastle stuck six through us at Loftus Road. Prior to his arrival Neil Warnock had a brief caretaker spell of four games during which Charlie Austin was injured and he elected not to play with a striker at all - R Green, N Onuoha, G Hall, P Konchesky, J Perch, K Henry, A Faurlin, Yun Suk-Young, Sandro, M Phillips and L Fer the team for televised 1-0 loss up at Middlesbrough. Ian Holloway briefly had some success parking Grant Hall as a holding player in front of the back four, and later used Mass Luongo, Josh Scowen and Luke Freeman as a central three that was effective but caused numerous problems elsewhere. Steve McClaren initially brought Geoff Cameron in as a centre half to help replace the outgoing Onuoha and Robinson but quickly moved him into that Hall role in midfield to tighten things up after a disastrous start to the campaign.

Finding players both physical enough to protect the defence and good enough on the ball to move the team around the field has proven beyond us for five seasons. Several players who've been asked to anchor the QPR midfield since relegation from the Premier League have become the subject of abuse and criticism from supporters – Karl Henry and now Josh Scowen. Numerous attempts have been made in the transfer market to solve the problem and while some always looked like a bit of a punt – Ariel Borysiuk – others seemed like very sound signings on paper only to fall completely flat once they were in the building – Daniel Toszer, Jordan Cousins. It's a tough gig it seems, somewhere between an impossible job and a poisoned chalice.

Warbs Warburton, well aware that QPR are only ever a week away from embarking on another six game losing streak and only ever one six game losing streak away from booting another manager out the door without a second thought for what's coming next, is at pains to point out that this entirely reshaped squad with 16 new signings is a work in progress. There's nowhere that's more the case than the deep lying midfield area, where Rangers have more often than not played with two in a 4-2-3-1 but have occasionally reverted to just one in there to accommodate two strikers further forwards or an extra centre half behind them.

The holding has been done by Geoff Cameron, who by and large has really looked his age in that position this year, or Dom Ball, who's a trier and good at keeping simple things simple but has the touch of an axe murderer when required to receive the ball or pass it on to a team mate. Josh Scowen started the season further forward at 'ten' where he finished last season so strongly, but a succession of missed chances and substandard performances early in the season have rightly seen him usurped by the far more technically gifted Ilias Chair. There's been as much good as there has bad from The Rat further back, contrary to what his critics will tell you, but it's not been much more than a 5/10 season so far. Luke Amos was probably the great white hope coming in from Tottenham, somebody who could receive the ball on the turn in tight spaces in his own half and transport it creatively and efficiently to an exciting group of attacking players, but he's struggled with hamstring problems after spending all of 2018/19 sidelined and has at times looked to lack a bit of belief. Man City's Matt Smith looked lightweight at Bristol City, and has barely been seen since, also struggling with knocks.

The defence is all over the place. Particularly at the moment with Barbet injured, Hall coming back from injury, and Cameron now suspended. I strongly suspect we'll be back in Aberdeen's ear about Scott McKenna in January. But I found it interesting that Warburton chose a physically strong, ball-playing central midfielder when asked at the forum and the success or failure of his reign at QPR may very well hinge on being able to solve a problem that has stumped all of his immediate predecessors.

Shaun Derry.

Ale Faurlin.

I've got a little bit of grit in my eye.



https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/queensparkrangers/news/51314/

[WhiteJC]

'This is an absolute no brainer' – Scott Parker facing serious Fulham selection dilemma: Six Pointer

Another West London derby awaits us tonight as Fulham welcome QPR to Craven Cottage in what looks set to be a cracking match-up.

Fulham are looking to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking and currently sit in seventh, knowing that a win on Friday night will launch them back into the top-six.

However, they will have to do it without star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic who picked up a suspension after racking up five season bookings against Birmingham last time out.

So, how can Parker deal with this absence?

Tackling today's six-pointer on the matter is FLW writer Louie Chandler...

How big a miss will Mitrovic be for Fulham?

"Oh it will be an enormous blow for them. Probably the biggest blow they could have.

"Mitrovic is as talismanic a figure as they come in the Championship so to have him missing will be a foreign situation for the squad who have always had his reliable finishing to rely on this season.

"Whoever is chosen to come in for him will have a huge job on his hands."

What should the message from Parker be in the build up to the game?

"He needs to play down the absence of Mitrovic as much as possible.

"In the time leading up to the QPR clash he needs to have been boosting the confidence of those other attacking players, such as Knockaert, Cavaleiro and Decordova-Reid to ensure that they know they are good enough to step up.

"And they certainly are."

Could any positives come from his absence?

"Absolutely they could.

"Mitrovic is the figure head in the Fulham's attack so without him there it offers the likes of Cavaleiro and Knockaert the chance to step-up and show that they can be as effective as well.

"It may even lead to a more flowing Fulham attack, who knows?"

What sort of shape should Parker be thinking of playing?

"I think he would be foolish to divert away from the 4-3-3 that has been so effective for them this season.

"The attack gets a lot of credit but so often that midfield three, with the likes of Tom Cairney and Stefan Johansen consistently performing, is crucial."

In that case, who comes in for Mitrovic?

"I think it has to be Decordova-Reid.

"The on loan Cardiff man has only played in that preferred striking role once from the start, in a League Cup clash with Southampton, and will be chomping at the bit to show he can still perform there.

"He was magnificent there for Bristol City two years ago and this is an absolute no brainer."



Another West London derby awaits us tonight as Fulham welcome QPR to Craven Cottage in what looks set to be a cracking match-up.

Fulham are looking to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking and currently sit in seventh, knowing that a win on Friday night will launch them back into the top-six.

However, they will have to do it without star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic who picked up a suspension after racking up five season bookings against Birmingham last time out.

So, how can Parker deal with this absence?

Tackling today's six-pointer on the matter is FLW writer Louie Chandler...

How big a miss will Mitrovic be for Fulham?

"Oh it will be an enormous blow for them. Probably the biggest blow they could have.

"Mitrovic is as talismanic a figure as they come in the Championship so to have him missing will be a foreign situation for the squad who have always had his reliable finishing to rely on this season.

"Whoever is chosen to come in for him will have a huge job on his hands."

Quiz: How much can you remember from Fulham and QPR's clashes down the years?
1 of 15

QPR and Fulham have 37 times in their histories, but when was the very first meeting between the two?

What should the message from Parker be in the build up to the game?

"He needs to play down the absence of Mitrovic as much as possible.

"In the time leading up to the QPR clash he needs to have been boosting the confidence of those other attacking players, such as Knockaert, Cavaleiro and Decordova-Reid to ensure that they know they are good enough to step up.

"And they certainly are."

Could any positives come from his absence?

"Absolutely they could.

"Mitrovic is the figure head in the Fulham's attack so without him there it offers the likes of Cavaleiro and Knockaert the chance to step-up and show that they can be as effective as well.

"It may even lead to a more flowing Fulham attack, who knows?"

What sort of shape should Parker be thinking of playing?

"I think he would be foolish to divert away from the 4-3-3 that has been so effective for them this season.

"The attack gets a lot of credit but so often that midfield three, with the likes of Tom Cairney and Stefan Johansen consistently performing, is crucial."

In that case, who comes in for Mitrovic?

"I think it has to be Decordova-Reid.

"The on loan Cardiff man has only played in that preferred striking role once from the start, in a League Cup clash with Southampton, and will be chomping at the bit to show he can still perform there.

"He was magnificent there for Bristol City two years ago and this is an absolute no brainer."

How do you see the match unfolding?

"I think this could be an absolute classic.

"Fulham will undoubtedly score goals and with Nahki Wells and Jordan Hugill in the QPR side, you suspect they will as well with confidence also to be taken by the absence of Mitrovic.

"However, I just about fancy home advantage to edge it for Fulham – although that opinion may change once I see the line-ups."



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/this-is-an-absolute-no-brainer-scott-parker-facing-serious-fulham-selection-dilemma-six-pointer/

[WhiteJC]

Anthony Knockaert sends final message before Fulham take on QPR in West London derby

Fulham winger Anthony Knockaert has shared a final update ahead of tonight's West London derby with Queens Park Rangers at Craven Cottage.

The clash signals the return of Championship football following the international break and the Frenchman is clearly eager to get back on the pitch as he took to Instagram on Friday afternoon.

Writing alongside a photograph of himself in training, Knockaert wrote: "Friday night football – Derby day ⚫️⚪️".

Since signing on a season-long loan from Brighton in the summer, the winger has played in all 16 of the Whites matches this season, netting twice and assisting two more in the process.

Scott Parker's side are looking to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking and currently sit in seventh, knowing that a win on Friday night will launch them back into the top-six.

However, they will have to do it without star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic who picked up a suspension after racking up five season bookings against Birmingham last time out.

Knockaert is undoubtedly somebody they will turn to for inspiration tonight having netted 35 times in just over 160 games in the second tier before.

The verdict

Knockaert will undoubtedly prove crucial tonight if Fulham are to get the better of QPR in Mitrovic's absence.

They definitely have the quality to do just that, however the R's will undoubtedly sense they have a chance following the news as well so they will need to be careful.

The Frenchman probably has not hit the heights he expects of himself just yet this season but tonight could represent the perfect chance to up his game.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/anthony-knockaert-sends-final-message-before-fulham-take-on-qpr-in-west-london-derby/

[WhiteJC]

QPR's Ilias Chair gives thoughts on Fulham derby clash

QPR attacking midfielder Ilias Chair has said tonight's derby against Fulham is "massive" and hopes the Hoops can get the result they need against their West London rivals.

Mark Warburton's side have not won in their last four Championship games, and are yet to keep a clean sheet in the league this season.

A disappointing 2-2 draw at Loftus Road against the struggling Middlesbrough before the international break was QPR's last league game, and Warburton and his players will not want to lose a second consecutive West London Derby in succession.

The Hoops come up against a Fulham side just two points ahead of them in the league in 7th, and a QPR win will take them above their rivals.

In an extensive interview with talkSPORT, the Belgian-born Moroccan made it known how important the clash at Craven Cottage is for QPR's players.

"For us as players this game is massive. We know how much it means to the fans," he said.

"It wasn't good enough against Brentford last month [3-1 loss]. We need the right the wrongs of that defeat and collectively step up as a group. We owe our supporters a result."

22-year-old Chair has featured 17 times for Rangers this season in all competitions, providing three assists and scoring once for his side in the process.

The Verdict

It will be a positive for QPR fans to know how much tonight's game means to the players, as they will want to pile the pressure on Fulham and Scott Parker with a win under the lights at Craven Cottage.

With the 3-1 defeat to Brentford at Loftus Road still fresh the minds of the players, the team will want to prove a point against their neighbours, who will be without Aleksandar Mitrovic who serves a one-game ban.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/qprs-ilias-chair-gives-thoughts-on-fulham-derby-clash/

[WhiteJC]

Sunday: Fulham vs Dulwich Hamlet

Our Women's team are away to Fulham this Sunday in the League

Following Sunday's 11-0 victory over Haringey Borough in the Capital Senior Cup, Dulwich Hamlet return to action in the League against Fulham. This fixture will be played at the club's training ground at Motspur Park, with kick off at 2.30pm.

The event is all-ticket and Fulham have requested that tickets should be purchased in advance of matchday and fans will be required to present their booking confirmation on entry to Motspur Park.

Tickets for the game can be bought here and cost £2 for adults and free for under-18s.

The team plan to wear Rainbow Laces as part of the Come Out Active for LGBT equality in sport campaign, which runs from 22 November to 8 December. More details about the campaign can be found here.

A reminder that the team have also set up a GoFundMe page for Farouk Menia, their coach who recently passed away. Any donations raised will help to provide support for his two young children during this difficult time. This can be found here.

There will also be a celebration of his life after the upcoming match against QPR on Sunday 8th December at the clubhouse. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.



https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dulwichhamlet/news/sunday-fulham-vs-dulwich-hamlet-2489147.html

[WhiteJC]

Despite leading the team in key category, QPR won't miss defender against Fulham – Opinion

It could be a blessing in disguise.

Whilst Fulham are missing one of their key man in Aleksander Mitrovic through suspension, QPR are going to be in the same situation tonight as they will be without central defender Yoann Barbet, as Mark Warburton revealed in his press conference ahead of the game that the game has 'come too soon' for the Frenchman.

Barbet has been injured since before the Brentford game back in late October, and although Warburton didn't give an exact date for his return, the way he spoke about it gives the indication that it will be sooner rather than later.

Whilst it might seem like a bit of a blow for QPR to be without someone who was more or less and ever-present in the early stages of the season, and who has led the team in terms of interceptions with 2 per game and in terms of average passes played per game with 57.8 (via WhoScored), it actually plays into QPR's hands that he won't be available tonight.

It sort of touches on what I was saying earlier about Matt Smith, certain games call for a certain style of player, and a game like this wouldn't have suited Barbet's style and it really comes down to one aspect of his game.

Given that he averages 7.3 long passes per game, which is more than goalkeeper Joe Lumley who averages 5.8 (via WhoScored), this is a game where the team are going to have to be more controlled and keeping hold of possession rather than giving it away up the field. Given that Fulham lead the league in terms of possession with 62.5% (via WhoScored), the second Rangers give the ball away, they might not get it back, and with QPR's porous defensive record, that could very much spell danger.

If we are to win tonight, Warburton's men are going to have to play them at their own game, and the longer we hold onto the ball, the better.



https://qpr.vitalfootball.co.uk/despite-leading-the-team-in-key-category-qpr-wont-miss-defender-against-fulham-opinion/