Friday Fulham Stuff - 06/12/19...

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Lee Johnson previews Bristol City's upcoming clash against Fulham

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson has said that his side's good recent record against Fulham is a positive to take into Saturday's game between the two sides at Craven Cottage.

The Robins go into the clash on the back of a convincing 5-2 win against Huddersfield Town last Saturday, but will have to be wary of their next opponents as Fulham have won four straight league games.

However, the BS3 side boast a favourable recent record against the West Londoners in years gone by.

Out of the last six meetings between the sides, Fulham have won just one of them, which came in February 2017. The most recent clash ended in a 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate in February 2018.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the fixture, Lee Johnson also revealed that he has family connections to Fulham.

"We've had some decent results [against Fulham] in recent history, I think the fans enjoy the day out. I've got a lot of Fulham links, a lot of my Dad's side are Fulham fans," he said.

Johnson also analysed the quality of the opposition, with the Bristol City boss clear to point out the strength of Scott Parker's side on paper.

"In terms of the quality they've got proven Championship promotion players all over the pitch. You have to look at the Fulham side and the quality they've got – it's probably conducive to winning the Championship."

The Robins boss will want his side to eliminate their recent indifferent form in the Championship, as they have drawn three of their last six league games.

The Verdict

Fulham's recent form will worry any team coming up against them in the Championship, but Bristol City have the luck of being unbeaten against their upcoming opponents in two matches.

However, Bristol City's performances against other automatic promotion contenders – notably the 4-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion last week – may draw cause for concern as Lee Johnson will not want a repeat of that scoreline on Saturday.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/lee-johnson-previews-bristol-citys-upcoming-clash-against-fulham/

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'Rubbish', 'Get lost' – Fulham fans react to West Ham supporters' social media comments regarding key figure

Scott Parker has been targeted by West Ham fans lately, but what do the Fulham faithful make of it?

In his first full season in charge of the club, Fulham's Scott Parker has had highs and lows. But right now he is on a high, with his side sitting 3rd in the Championship and going in search of a fifth-straight win in the Championship against Bristol City on Saturday.

He's quickly become one of the countries more exciting young managers and now West Ham fans want a piece of the action, with their current boss Manuel Pellegrini under growing pressure.

Many have called for the former Hammers' midfielder to be their next manager – he played 129 times for West Ham in five seasons at the club, and is one of only two West Ham players to be voted Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year, with the other being Bobby Moore.

Take a look below at what Fulham fans had to say on their London rivals' calls for their manager:

June Berry Get lost, West Ham Fans! He's one of our own. COYW

Lee Hellingsworth Paper talk. Can't see a prem side going for a manger with only 6 months experience despite how well Parker I think is doing.

Rita M. Houlton Rubbish! Far too inexperienced.

Brett Miller Parker has done an excellent job. Still plenty of Fulham fans who moan about him. No plan B and all that

Gary Bristow All cobblers imo

Jeremy Pruce Load of our fans didn't want him just a month ago!

Martin Iltis Clearly many Fulham fans are far from convinced about Parker. And many do not like the style he has us playing. Fake news!



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/rubbish-get-lost-fulham-fans-react-to-west-ham-supporters-social-media-comments-regarding-key-figure/

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Former England star Scott Parker, 39, will build £3m mansion with swimming pool, gym, cinema and staff quarters in exclusive Surrey estate near homes of ex-Chelsea teammates John Terry and Wayne Bridge

    Ex-West Ham player is building a home in the Crown Estate in Oxshott, Surrey
    The Fulham manager's house will have a games room, terrace and media area
    The 39-year-old is set to move in with his wife, Carly, and their four sons

Ex-England star Scott Parker is set to build a £3million mansion which will boast its own cinema, swimming pool and gym.

The former West Ham and Chelsea player will be neighbours with old Blues teammates John Terry and Wayne Bridge.

It will be in one of the country's most exclusive enclaves - the private Crown Estate in Oxshott, Surrey, close to pundit Jamie Redknapp's home.

Fulham manager Parker, 39 - capped 18 times for the Three Lions - will move in with wife Carly and their four sons.

The house - set to be worth about £3million - will also have a games room, a terrace, a media room and a drawing room.


Scott Parker and Carly Parker together

It will also have a triple garage, a breakfast room as well as a large kitchen door and a grand entrance hall as well as staff quarters. Scott and Carly will also have their own his/her dressing rooms.


Pictured: An artist's impression of Scott Parker's new multi-million pound mansion on the Crown Estate in Surrey


Scott Parker is set to build a new multi-million pound mansion (an artist's impression is pictured) which will boast its own cinema, swimming pool and gym





https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7758893/Former-England-star-Scott-Parker-39-build-3m-mansion-close-ex-teammate-John-Terry.html

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Michael Hector shares fresh update as Fulham debut edges closer

Michael Hector is still waiting to make his Fulham debut after signing a pre-contract agreement earlier this season, but he is now just under a month away from becoming available to feature in Scott Parker's side.

The defender has been training with the Fulham squad since his switch from Chelsea was confirmed back in September, and the Cottagers' clash with Reading on New Years' Day could mark Hector's long-awaited debut for the London club.

Hector joined Fulham for a reported £8million fee after spending just over four years on Chelsea's books, but he has gained plenty of Championship experience during this time following loan stints with Reading, Hull and Sheffield Wednesday.

The most recent of these spells came at Hillsborough where he became a regular feature in the Owls' defence, and he was an integral figure during their rise up the Championship table during the second half of last season.

The 27-year-old has now taken to Instagram to share a light-hearted update as he continues to prepare for his first appearance of the campaign.

Hector looks set to feature for Fulham with Parker's side flying high in the Championship following an impressive run of form which has seen them climb up to third in the second-tier table.

The Verdict

Fulham have been in an excellent run of form of late and they will definitely receive an even further boost when Hector becomes available, as he will add some important depth to Fulham's defensive line.

The former Wednesday man arrives at Craven Cottage with plenty of quality and Championship experience, which means he looks set to become a valuable player for Fulham in the second half of the campaign.

It will be interesting to see where Hector fits in for Fulham with defensive duo Alfie Mawson and Tim Ream having been playing regularly of late, but Parker will surely be preparing to make room for Hector in the side.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/michael-hector-shares-light-hearted-update-as-fulham-debut-edges-closer/

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Fulham eye January swoop for exciting League One midfielder

Championship high-flyers Fulham are eying a January move for Ipswich Town youngster Flynn Downes according to TWTD.

The report claims Fulham's chief scout and former Ipswich midfielder, Brian Talbot, was in the Portman Road stands for the recent FA Cup tie against Lincoln City, with the Cottagers continuing to keep a close eye on the combative midfielder.

The twenty-year-old has firmly established himself in manager Paul Lambert's first-team with some impressive displays at the heart of the Tractor Boys midfield this season. He's made sixteen appearances and scored one goal in helping his side to second in the table.

Essex-born Downes is contracted to the Tractor Boys until 2022, and the club also has an option for a further season. However, the local press feels his high energy, dynamic, hard-working performances are sure to attract interest from other clubs in the not too distant future.

The TWTD report suggests Ipswich would attempt to fend off any interest in the England U20 international given his growing importance to their promotion ambitions.

TWTD also claim QPR are eyeing a move for Luke Woolfenden, another Ipswich youngster who has impressed in League One this season.

Our View

Fulham have genuine Premier League ambitions and also have a good record at developing young players, so there could be something in this one.

Downes is quality and showed last season in a struggling side he is already at least Championship standard.

We still feel Ipswich will hang onto him in January, but come the summer; they may well have another tough fight on their hands, with much depending on which league they will be playing their football.



https://therealefl.co.uk/2019/12/05/fulham-eye-january-swoop-for-exciting-league-one-midfielder/

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Fulham Partners With Walk London

Fulham Football Club is excited to announce a new partnership with Walk London Shoes, which will see the London brand join the Club as our Official Formal Footwear Partner.

The partnership will see Walk London promoted across the Club's channels, including at Craven Cottage on matchdays and throughout the Club's social media platforms.

Walk London, established in 2013, is a family run label which delivers high-quality fashionable men's shoes, boots and loafers to a global audience, with customers in over 128 countries and counting.

With a fine attention to craftsmanship and materials, Walk London provide footwear to keep you looking great all day long.

The brand was founded by lifelong Fulham supporter Alex Di Mambro who runs the business with his two sons, Adam and James. All three have been Fulham Season Ticket Holders in the Johnny Haynes stand for many years.

The partnership coincides with the launch of the brand's online store, but Alex, Adam and James were also keen to join forces with the Club as it looks to retrace its steps back to the Premier League. A journey they wanted to ensure Fulham fans looked the part for.

Fulham CEO Alistair Mackintosh commented: "Given Walk London's heritage in London and the strong affinity the brand's directors have with the Club it feels like a very natural fit, particularly given the ambitious plans we both share".

Walk London Founder Alex Di Mambro said: "Fulham has been my passion since I was a very young man and for the Club to be partnering with our brand is truly special. Walk London and the London Originals feels like the perfect fit and we are proud to be an official partner of Fulham FC."

View their full footwear collection at walklondonshoes.com.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/december/05/fulham-partners-with-walk-london

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Bristol City injuries ahead of Fulham clash: Tomas Kalas latest, Jay Dasilva's return, more

Head coach gives updates on several Robins carrying knocks

Bristol City have just a few injury worries left as they approach a congested part of the season, with six league games over Decemeber.

Fortunately, most of the squad are fit and there are currently no suspensions.

Tomas Kalas is nearing a return and full-back Jay Dasilva is not too far away either, as both look to return to action while Taylor Moore resumed first-team action with his involvement from the bench last weekend.

And speaking at the pre-Fulham press conference, head coach Lee Johnson gave updates on a number of players.
Tomas Kalas

The centre-back is near to a return and could well be involved on Saturday.

Johnson explained that Kalas has returned to the grass and could be in contention for Bristol City this weekend after a niggling knee tendinitis problem.

However, Johnson was also at pains to point out that the Czech Republic international may have to bide his time returning given the form of the other defenders and the good result against Huddersfield.

"He's getting stronger all the time. He trained a bit part of the session on Wednesday. We'll see how he reacts," said Johnson.
Jay Dasilva

Another player who is not too far away though he has yet to return to full training, instead undertaking rehabilitation on the grass.

Bristol Live understands that Dasilva is not expected to play until January now.

"He's not bad. He's in controlled conditions at the moment due to the timing of the fracture. He hasn't integrated back with the boys yet," explained Johnson.

"He hasn't ever really felt too much pain - it's not like a knee or an ankle where you're not quite sure - the stress fracture didn't really hurt him - it was just an ache.

"He'll be chomping at the bit and I expect him, once he's integrated with the squad, to be ready pretty quickly," the head coach added.
Nathan Baker

The centre-back was withdrawn on Saturday in the second half with a dead leg.

Johnson confirmed that the former Aston Villa man will be assessed ahead of the weekend.

"We'll just have to assess that one," said Johnson pointing to the competition at the back for places in the back line.
Callum O'Dowda

Another player nursing an impact injury. We bumped into O'Dowda at the weekend and he was in pain walking up the stairs.

However, that was believed to be due to his dead leg and he should quickly return to action too.



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-injuries-ahead-fulham-3611252

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Ken Coton – Forever Fulham



Fulham is a club rich with history – it is part of the character of the place – and that history comes with some iconic images. The chances are if there is a Fulham picture you recall over a period of close to fifty years, dating from the late 1950s to the early part of the 21st century, it would have been taken by Ken Coton.

Growing up watching Fulham, both at home and around the country, Ken was a familiar figure to many, without necessarily having ever exchanged a word with him. The hat, glasses, and studied pose, poised to catch the action, was both an enigma and a comfortingly familiar sight. The product was oftentimes spectacular – very few photographers had the knack of getting the timing of the image of goals quite so spot on as Ken Coton's Picture Pages down the years.


Roger Brown Heads Promotion (Photo : Ken Coton)

Taking photographs at football grounds also lends itself to the quirky, the characterful, the ramshackle and the spectacular backdrop. The human aspect of players and managers, caught in moments of triumph or reflection were also a part of Ken's stock in trade. All of this he consistently achieved at a time when so much of what is now commonplace in photography simply didn't exist.

No ability to check your shots before processing the film, no digital enhancement, and long range lenses that seem positively primitive today. The consistency of the quality of the work means Fulham is fortunate to have a vast and impressive archive of images of key moments, which in latter years have lent themselves to a burgeoning collection of high quality books on the history of the club.


Two of the many books featuring Ken Coton's iconic photography

It is not undeserved, therefore, for the contribution to and quality of the historic image archive to be recognised by Fulham this weekend – with the presentation of a Forever Fulham award to Ken Coton, hitherto reserved for former players having played more than one hundred first team games for Fulham.

But it is also richly deserved, because of Ken as a person. Not just by dint of the perseverance and commitment of having been around taking those pictures for many years, but also his modesty, decency and good nature. Time and again there are examples of how he has helped fans out with locating that image for a special gift, or to relive a particular memory, without any desire for praise or attention. Despite various previous incarnations of the powers that be perhaps not quite appreciating the gem they had, he has been a loyal and consistent part of Fulham, even when it may have been easier to walk away.

Having photographed it so often, and with such skill, Craven Cottage obviously means a lot to Ken. That is why, back in 2003, the Trust (then Back to the Cottage) asked Ken if he would exhibit some of those iconic images, to help raise funds for, and awareness of, the campaign to get Fulham back from Loftus Road. My memories back then were of a courteous, helpful and generous man who helped pick some great images – wanting to do his bit to support our objectives.


Black and White Years poster (Photo : Tom Greatrex)

The exhibition, at the old Riverside Studios, brought out some Fulham names and garnered some good publicity for BTTC along the way. I will always remember how, at the launch, Ken didn't want to speak or be lauded, but was happy to see his work being admired and appreciated.


Ken with Les Strong (Photo : Bill Plummer)

The only complaint we had was that all of the pictures had sold out within a couple of hours, so keen were so many to have their own bit of Ken's archive for posterity.



https://www.fulhamsupporterstrust.com/news/2019/12/ken-coton-forever-fulham/

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Pundit names the Championship's two best sides as there's praise for Fulham

Ian Holloway, the former Crystal Palace and Blackpool manager, believes West Brom and Leeds United are the two outstanding sides in the division, but he's increasingly impressed by Fulham

The Championship table is taking shape.

West Brom, Leeds United and Fulham were among those who were expected to be there come the end of the season, and that's indeed how they line up at the peak of the league ladder as we approach the halfway stage.

QPR, Preston, Bristol City and Swansea have all come close in the first period of the campaign, while other clubs like Hull and Brentford are being tipped to still be in the mix come May.

Then there is Nottingham Forest, who won't go away and look to be a fixture in the play-offs, at the very least.

At this stage, just as the Christmas schedule prepares to accelerate, many are tipping the top three to be the trio who fight it out for the top two spots.

Ian Holloway, the former Championship manager and pundit, believes Albion and Leeds are the best in the division but he has plenty of time for Scott Parker's Cottagers, too.

"Leeds are doing so well," Holloway told the Mirror . "They and West Brom are absolutely flying, Fulham look good as well after four wins in a row.

"The division is so tight, a couple of wins and you can jump up the table.

"We knew how good Fulham were going forward with [Ivan] Cavaleiro, [Aleksandar] Mitrovic (who is on fire again at the moment) and [Aboubakar] Kamara coming in off the right. They look a really good side. I was impressed with them last week.

"There wasn't much between them and Swansea but the keeper Morak Rodak had a brilliant game and Mitrovic had two chances and took them both.

"I like the way they are playing. You can see in the way they are moving the ball about again that they have their identity back.

"Scotty Parker has got them motoring, although the best two sides in the division, the two at the top, are quite outstanding."



https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/west-brom-leeds-fulham-promotion-17368581

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Parker: Two Attacking Teams

Scott Parker is wary of the threat posed by an attacking Bristol City side on Saturday afternoon.

The Robins, along with Fulham, are the second-highest scorers in the Championship, and arrive in SW6 on the back of an impressive 5-2 victory over Huddersfield Town.

"They're a good footballing side," Parker said. "They play in a certain way, they're an athletic side with good legs, and they're a threat going forward.

"They play with two men up top, they changed it around last time and came away with a very good result against Huddersfield where they had a comfortable win and looked very good.

"We've gone through it this week, we know the problems they're going to give us, but at the same time we'll look to try and cause them problems as well."

City have been something of a bogey team for the Whites at Craven Cottage, having triumphed on their previous four trips.

"They've had a bit of success against us over the last few seasons," Parker admitted. "Psychologically it's not something we'll want to dwell on, but they've come to the Cottage and got some good results.

"They're a very good side, with a manager who's been in and around this division for some time now, and a squad of players that's been assembled for some time.

"They have a good squad of players, with good quality, and like you've seen this season, they can cause many a team problems. That's suggested by where they are in the table, and they deserve to be there.

"It will be a tough game for us, we understand that, but we want to take as many points off as many teams as possible, and especially the ones around us."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/december/05/scott-parker-two-attacking-teams

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Lee Johnson's view on Fulham and meeting ex-Bristol City men Joe Bryan and Bobby Reid

Head coach on a tough challenge at Craven Cottage

Bristol City head to West London looking to make it five wins on the trot in SW6 at the weekend. This has often been a joy-filled away day for the City fans over the last years, hence the clamour for tickets for the match with the Robins' website selling out quickly.

A tough game awaits at the weekend with Fulham riding high in third place in the league, and two familiar faces to possibly come up against.

Ahead of the mouthwatering clash - the 61st meeting with the Robins looking for a 22nd win across all competitions - Lee Johnson has given his opinion on the Cottagers, including explaining how much of his family are followers of Fulham (Lee Johnson was an Arsenal fan when younger).

Johnson still keeps in contact with both Bobby Reid and Joe Bryan, high profile academy graduates from BS3.

"Yeah I think so," said Johnson as we asked if Scott Parker's side are in the same bracket as West Brom and Leeds United - two of the three sides to beat Bristol City this season (Luton Town the only other).

"In terms of quality they've got proven Championship players all over the pitch. And back-ups. It's interesting because the quality they've got in the forward areas is almost conducive to winning the Championship, but then you're considerably off balance when you go to the Premier League because you won't have so much of the ball.

"And that's probably what they found last year. We've had some decent results in recent history and we travel well to West London and the fans enjoy a day out there up on the train whether to QPR or Fulham with a few bevvies and they'll hopefully enjoy a good performance."

Johnson has Fulham links. In fact, the whole Johnson family does. Dad Gary and his side are big supporters of Fulham and the Johnson clan will travel to the game en masse on Saturday, taking up a decent portion of one of the stands.

A cousin has worked there, and aunties too and there are people also in the academy related: "most Johnsons are Fulham fans".

Meanwhile, Johnson has spoken to both Bryan and Reid a few times since they departed BS3.

Bryan and Reid were both sold during the summer of 2018, to Fulham and Cardiff, but the former Robins and close friends have been reunited at Craven Cottage this season.

Bryan has started 18 of Fulham's 19 games this season and re-established himself as one of the best left-backs outside of the Premier League but Reid has found minutes a little harder to come by, the forward has made nine starts with a further seven appearances off the bench.

"(I sent a message) to Bobby, to congratulate him for his first Premier League goal and certain examples like that and Joe - actually we were trying to meet up for a coffee all summer but our diaries didn't connect in the end," he said.

"I've got a lot of respect for those two players. And in fact another player there that I managed, Alfie Mawson. He was my captain at Barnsley after signing him from Brentford.

"I'm pleased that they're at a good club performing at a high level week in and week out and they've all had their shot at the Premier League.

"Obviously though we're going there and those personal relationships and friendships with myself will wait until after the game, and then win, lose or draw, we'll make sure that we shake their hand and have a drink whatever that drink may be," added Johnson.



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/lee-johnsons-view-fulham-meeting-3611938

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The reason FA Cup third round ties will kick-off one minute late this season

The traditional January matches will be slightly delayed for an important reason as Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham enter the competition in the FA Cup third round

Clubs from across the Premier League and the Football League will face each other in the FA Cup third round in January.

Ties were drawn on Monday December 2 as 44 teams from the top two tiers enter the competition this season.

Arsenal have lifted the FA Cup a record 13 times and will face Leeds United while Chelsea are set to take on Nottingham Forest in the same round that sees Tottenham Hotspur play away against Middlesbrough.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, will welcome Derby County to Selhurst Park. West Ham are away to Gillingham.

In the Championship, London clubs Brentford, Fulham, Charlton Athletic, Millwall and QPR take on Stoke City, Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion, Newport County and Swansea City, respectively.

Wimbledon and Leyton Orient were knocked out before reaching the third round.

Matches in the FA Cup third round will take place on the weekend of 3-6 January.

Every match will kick off one minute after the usual slot, such as 12:31pm, 3:01pm, 5:31pm, following an announcement by the Football Association.

This is part of a team-up with the Heads Up campaign, with a one-minute delay encouraging supporters to think about their mental health.

During the delay, fans will 'Take A Minute' to think about the positive impact 60 seconds can have on their own wellbeing or in supporting a friend or family member.

The FA's Chief Executive Mark Bullingham said: "Whilst delaying kick-off times by 60 seconds is a simple idea, it provides a powerful platform for us and our Heads Up charity partners to deliver a really important message on mental health.

"We know that men, in particular, can be reluctant to talk about the subject, so it is important that we use football as a vehicle to stress the importance of mental fitness."

Spearheaded by HRH The Duke of Cambridge, the Heads Up campaign harnesses the influence and popularity of football to encourage more people to feel comfortable talking about, and taking action to improve, their mental health, recognising that mental fitness is just as important as physical wellbeing.

Chair of the Heads Up campaign Godric Smith said: "It is fitting that the first big Heads Up campaign moment should be linked to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round - a signature moment in any football season.

"The Emirates FA Cup is a competition for everyone - for clubs big and small - and we want to use its power to help show that we all have mental health and that we can all take a minute to focus on how we can start to improve it.

"We are very grateful for all the support from right across the football family, from our mental health charities - and to Public Health England's Every Mind Matters for their fantastic partnership."

Heads Up is partnering with Public Health England's Every Mind Matters across the third-round weekend to draw attention to the steps people can take to look after their mental health and well-being.

Tonight's draw will be live on BBC2 at 7pm with former Arsenal captain Tony Adams and ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards pulling out the balls at the Etihad Stadium, home of current FA Cup holders Manchester City.

For more information on the Heads Up campaign visit – TheFA.com/HeadsUp and headstogether.org.uk/heads-up.



https://www.football.london/premier-league/fa-cup-kick-off-times-17349677

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Bobby Decordova-Reid and Joe Bryan: Friends reunited at Fulham

"We did notice they were close quite early on," says Fulham midfield Tom Cairney.

Bobby Decordova-Reid and Joe Bryan grew up together at Bristol City, playing together through the club's academy after meeting at the age of eight.

They briefly went their separate ways in the summer of 2018, but now find themselves back together at Craven Cottage, after Decordova-Reid joined on loan from Cardiff in the summer.

"I just said he's an idiot and I don't like him at all, and they signed him anyway so what chance have you got?" jokes Bryan, who initially left Bristol City for Fulham in 2018, before being joined by his old friend a year later.

"I was buzzing because I knew he'd fit in well here, I knew his style of football and as a person, I was excited. Obviously you don't want to get too hopeful about things like that, but when I heard there was a chance it was definitely a positive."

Reid replied: "If I've got any problems or anything I can go straight to Joe, I can ask him how things work at the club. I could really get settled quicker than I would usually.

"I think we want to get promoted, that's the main aim, we've got to take it game by game, I really believe that we can do it, I think we've got a great squad here, I think if we work hard and I think we can beat most teams in the league."

While Bryan adds: "Hopefully we carry on and get promoted and play in the Premier League together."



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11878451/bobby-decordova-reid-and-joe-bryan-friends-reunited-at-fulham

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Preview: Fulham vs. Bristol City - prediction, team news, lineups

Scott Parker's high-flying Fulham welcome Bristol City to Craven Cottage on Saturday as they look for their fifth win in a row.

Lee Johnson's Robins picked up a resounding 5-2 win over Huddersfield Town last time out and they are currently fifth in the table, two places and three points behind their West London opponents.

Match Preview
The Cottagers have really hit their stride in recent weeks, winning four on the spin and another victory on Saturday will help them keep pace with Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion in the race for automatic promotion.

Parker has introduced a possession-heavy style of play since taking permanent charge and Fulham's sheer dominance of the ball is evident, especially when you consider that they have had 92 attacks this season featuring more than 10 passes that culminated in a shot or touch in the box - 48 more than any other side in the division.

That style has ensured that Aleksandar Mitrovic gets regular service and the big Serb's brace against Swansea City last weekend took him to 15 for the season.

However, one downside to Fulham's style of play is that they are very susceptible to being hit on the counter, something that has been a strength for City in this campaign.

One key to Bristol City being so effective on the counter has been their use of a 3-5-2 formation, which allows them to work a low block before springing forward with pace in the wide areas.

They did opt for a more traditional 4-4-2 against Huddersfield but given Fulham's approach and home advantage, Johnson is likely to switch to three at the back for Saturday's game.

The Robins have not been particularly consistent this season but they can record back-to-back wins for the first time since August if they triumph at the weekend.

Despite Fulham's impressive form of late, their recent record against City implies that the away side will have more than a good chance on Saturday; Johnson's men have won their last four trips to Craven Cottage in all competitions.

Fulham recent form: DLWWWW

Bristol City recent form (all competitions): DDWDLW

Team News
Fulham have a mostly fit squad for Saturday's game, although Harry Arter, Maxime Le Marchand and Bobby Decordova-Reid are all doubts.

Should none of them be fit enough for a first team return, Parker is likely to field a similar side to that which beat Swansea last time out.

Bristol City are definitely without Benik Afobe, who is a long-term absentee, while Tomas Kalas and Jay Dasilva are both still a couple of weeks away from being able to start.

Nathan Baker is also a doubt, having gone off in last weekend's game with a dead leg.

As aforementioned, Bristol are likely to opt for a 3-5-2 on Saturday, with Ashley Williams probably being partnered by Taylor Moore and Bailey Wright in defence.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Odoi, Mawson, Ream, Bryan; Johansen, Cairney; Knockaert, Onomah, Cavaleiro; Mitrovic

Bentley; Wright, Williams, Moore; Eliasson, Brownhill, Massengo, Nagy, Rowe; Weimann, Diedhiou.

We say: Fulham 2-1 Bristol City

Although Bristol City have the resources and the nous to take something from this game, Fulham's superior form and home advantage should help them secure a fifth straight league win.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/preview/preview-fulham-vs-bristol-city-prediction-team-news-lineups_381878.html

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How a goalless draw against Fulham 37 years ago helped Bristol City rebuild under Roy Hodgson

Richard Latham looks back on a pivotal match against the Cottagers


Bristol City manager Roy Hodgson pictured in 1982

Elation and massive relief were the overriding emotions at Ashton Gate when a new-look Bristol City team took the field to face high-flying Fulham in a Third Division clash on February 6, 1982.

The week leading up to the game had brought the darkest day in the club's history when eight senior players were forced to tear up contracts and pack their bags to save City from going out of business.

Four of them – Jimmy Mann, Trevor Tainton, Gerry Sweeney and Peter Aitken – had played in the 1-1 draw at Newport County the previous Saturday, while Geoff Merrick, Julian Marshall, David Rodgers and Chris Garland had all made first team appearances earlier in the season.

Without their sacrifice, the rescue package launched by local businessmen Deryn Coller and Ken Sage, with the support of Les Kew and Ivor Williams, would have been making repetitive replies that aren't funny!  to failure.

City's finances were in ruin less than two years after the club had spent their fourth successive season in the top flight of English football. Only by unloading the contracts of their highest-paid players could the Robins hope to stay in existence.

Pages two and three of the match programme for the Fulham game starkly outlined the dramatic transformation that had taken place to ensure the game went ahead and City had a future.

Under the heading B.C.F.C. (1982) Ltd. the directors were listed as Coller, Kew, Sage and Williams, a new board for a new company that would eventually take City forward after several more hurdles were overcome.

Below their names was that of the 'Acting Manager', a certain Roy Hodgson, assistant to previous boss Bob Houghton, who had been sacked a month earlier.

In only his fifth game since taking over, Roy now found himself in charge of a group of players stunned by the departures of teammates they knew and admired.

Hodgson's programme notes referred back to the previous game. He wrote: "Last Saturday's match at Newport came at the end of one of the most traumatic weeks in the history of Bristol City. The events off the field overshadowed the normal week's training.

"Everyone at the club was uncertain about the future and the game at Newport was played under the shadow of redundancies and closure of the club.

The opposite page carried a statement from the new directors, which insisted: "This could be the start of a new era. The last few weeks have been most traumatic for everyone concerned with Bristol City Football Club... but at the deadline hour of 12 noon on Wednesday 3rd February the players co-operated and have given this great club a real chance of survival."

The concluding lines read: "There is nothing to be gained by looking at the past – we have to look to the future and for the first time for many years this is as bright and glowing as it has ever been. However, let there be no complacency, the club is dependent on your support."


Fulham manager Malcolm Macdonald at Craven Cottage

Attendances at Ashton Gate had dwindled to below 5,000 following two successive relegations. Another was in prospect as City went into the Fulham game 22nd in Division Three.

But, with the spectre of liquidation banished, along with the nightmare prospect of not having a club to support, a crowd of 9,228 assembled to see the promotion-chasing Londoners, managed by former England striker Malcolm Macdonald, take on a home side featuring three debutants, with another on the bench.

The coaching skills, which were to carry Hodgson to the top of his profession as England boss and ensure he remains a Premier League manager today at the age of 72, have never been set a tougher test.

Somehow, he had to raise the morale of a decimated dressing room and integrate teenagers Wayne Bray, Jon Economou and Rob Newman into his starting line-up to face opponents occupying second place in the table.

That City emerged with a goalless draw, which was greeted like a victory, was down to a mixture of Hodgson's preparation, the natural exuberance of youth and supporters prepared to cheer every tackle.

Fulham, whose team included a future City manager in Sean O'Driscoll, won the corner count 9-1. Yet such was the tenacity of the fresh-faced team in red that Macdonald's men managed just one shot on target, an 84th minute volley from Peter O'Sullivan, comfortably dealt with by Jan Moller.

Midfielder Bray, at the tender age of 17, twice had the confidence to test Fulham keeper Gerry Peyton from distance, while Newman (listed as Bob Newman in the teams on the back of the programme) had a first-half free-kick deflected just over.

Russell Musker and Ricky Chandler went close to scoring for City, while Gary Williams, son of former City favourite Alan Williams and suddenly one of the older hands in the side at 18, excelled at the back.

Economou, who sadly passed away recently after a long battle with cancer, impressed in midfield, and when Mark Smith replaced Newman 10 minutes from time a fourth young Robin had made his debut.

The final whistle was greeted with celebration by home fans. Newman, now a key figure in Manchester City's European scouting operation, emerged from the dressing room with what became a trademark broad grin to tell me: "The crowd may have been 9,000, but they cheered so loud it felt more like 30,000.

"Every time I was flagging the fans got right behind us and I felt I could run for ever."

A cautious Hodgson wisely counselled against "getting carried away". Within a couple of months he too had departed and City completed a third consecutive relegation season with former player and youth coach Gerry Sharpe in caretaker charge.

Bristol City: Moller, Stevens, Hay, Newman (Smith, 80), Williams, Nicholls, Musker, Bray, Chandler, Harford, Economou

Fulham: Peyton, Lock, Strong, O'Driscoll, Brown, Gale, Tempest, Wilson, Coney, O'Sullivan, Lewington. Sub: Reeves.

Referee: Malcolm Heath (Staffordshire)



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