Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 18/12/19...

[WhiteJC]

Kevin McDonald assesses recent Fulham results

Fulham's Kevin McDonald has opened up about the side's recent form after losing three-straight Championship games.

Scott Parker's Fulham won four games in a row last month but this month, they've lost all three of the games they've played.

A 1-0 defeat at now 4th-place Brentford at the weekend dropped Fulham into 6th – two points off Preston in 3rd, and 12 off 2nd-place Leeds United.

McDonald has been absent for the last three games and has only played a handful of minutes all season, having struggled with persistent injuries yet again.

Appearing on The Monday Night Fulham Fix podcast, McDonald spoke about the club's form going into the New Year, and looked ahead to the visit of Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds on Saturday:

"It's not ideal, the results we've had recently – it's not what you want after going on such a good run of winning four games on the bounce and looking strong.

"But that's the way football is, you've seen this league – three defeats is more than anyone would like, but there's no better game to recover ourselves than Leeds on Saturday."

Leeds ended a run of seven-straight wins in the Championship last weekend, after Cardiff came from back from a three-goal deficit to take a point at Elland Road.

The pair have drawn five of their last six meetings, with Fulham winning the most recent one in their promotion winning season under Slavisa Jokanovic.

The verdict

It's a long season in the Championship and though Fulham have hit a sticky patch, there's still plenty of time for them to recapture their form of last month and reassert themselves in the top-six.

McDonald is a player who Fulham fans love as well and whilst his return date is unknown, the Cottage would love to see him back in action.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/kevin-mcdonald-assesses-recent-fulham-results/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham injury and suspension list ahead of Leeds United clash

Scott Parker will be missing some key players when Marcelo Bielsa's Whites head to Craven Cottage

Having surrendered a three-goal advantage to drop points for the first time in eight games last weekend, Leeds United will be looking to ensure a return to winning ways against Fulham on Saturday.

The Whites slipped off the summit of the Championship following their draw with Cardiff City but Marcelo Bielsa will expect his men to atone at Craven Cottage.

Scott Parker's side have slumped into a rut in recent weeks, but remain inside the top six of the Championship despite three losses on the bounce.

Ahead of United's visit, LeedsLive takes a look at what players will be expected to miss out for the hosts in London.

Harry Arter - calf

The Bournemouth man joined the Cottagers on loan for the season from the Premier League and featured in 10 Championship games for them until October.

Since then, he's been struggling with a calf problem, though he is reportedly back in training now and could theoretically be closing in on a quick return over the festive period.

Maxime Le Marchand - unspecified

The Frenchman has missed his side's last few games with a mysterious issue, but his problem is thought to only be a minor one.

As such, he too could secure a return to action against the Whites, if he is closer to full fitness than believed.

Bobby Reid - unspecified

Like his team-mate, the Cardiff loanee has been missing in action due to an apparent knock, though his status as a relative fringe member of Parker's starting XI may have also played into his absence.

The Jamaica international, like the others, will hope to be fit enough to feature if the former is the case.

Denis Odoi - suspension

The one-time Belgium international was shown a straight red card for a fiery elbow during his side's defeat to Preston North End earlier this month.

He was handed a three-match ban, with his side's encounter against Leeds falling in the middle of his enforced stint on the sidelines.



https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/fulham-injury-suspension-list-ahead-17432588

[WhiteJC]

MOT View: Leeds handed three major boosts ahead of crunch clash v Fulham

Saturday's game against Fulham is huge and possibly the strangest thing about it is that it hasn't been picked for TV.

We're not complaining – a game like this playing out at 3pm on Saturday is wonderful, it's just unusual.

It's huge for both sides. Fulham desperately need a win to try and haul in the top two.

A run of three defeats has seen them drop to sixth, 12 points behind Leeds in second. That's already a big gap to close at this point in the season.

For Leeds, a win would take them 15 points clear of Fulham, seen by the bookies as their main threat to automatic promotion.

The portents are good.

We spoke to Leeds physio Rob Price at Leyland last night, where we were following the Under-23s. He said that Liam Cooper is back in training and will play against Fulham unless he suffers a setback this week.

That's a huge boost for Leeds, who are much better at the back with Cooper and Ben White in the centre.

But there were two other boosts at Leyland, too.

Eddie Nketiah finally looked back to top form after some shaky displays following his injury. He scored twice – amazingly, his first goals since returning from injury. And he looked sharp and ready to go for the first team.

But it was Jack Clarke who stole the show.

Clarke looked back to his menacing best against Bolton. It made us remember last season when we looked to Clarke to provide the creativity down the wing.

It was the best he's played since his virus last season.

Leeds have moved on since then but having Clarke on the bench in that sort of form gives Bielsa another big option if needed on Saturday.

It means that Leeds couldn't be approaching the game in better shape.



https://motleedsnews.com/comment/mot-view-three-major-boosts-for-leeds-united-ahead-of-clash-v-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham Flutter's Festive Makeover

Play the Fulham Flutter this Christmas to give the Fulham FC Foundation a festive boost!

As a thank you, online subscribers could win an exclusive prize of two half season tickets. Also available to win are a range of great prizes including cash, signed kit and Fulham stocking fillers.

Your good deed could even win you £50,000, as everyone who plays is automatically entered into the £50,000 monthly mega draw.

The Fulham Foundation run a range of projects across London and Surrey, from football coaching for young people, to education and employment initiatives. Your contribution will be vital in allowing them to continue their valuable work throughout 2020.

Buy your online ticket now

Signing up to the Fulham Flutter online means you enter every draw, whether you're at the stadium or not, increasing your chance of winning whilst becoming a regular supporter of the Fulham Foundation's work.

Please gamble responsibly. Be Gamble Aware.

16+

T&C's apply



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/december/17/fulham-flutter-festive-makeover

[WhiteJC]

Away Day Cycle

After memorable trips to Birmingham and Bournemouth, join us for the 2020 Away Day Cycle.

The challenge involves cycling 140 miles from Fulham to Nottingham on the 9th and 10th April to watch Fulham v Nottingham Forest.

Starting at Craven Cottage and finishing at the City Ground, the cycle challenge will help us raise funds for the Fulham FC Foundation's work in the community.

Why sign up?

•          Represent FFC and help raise funds for Fulham FC Foundation

•          Transport, food, accommodation and ticket costs are all covered

•          Receive a FFC cycling jersey

What's the route?

•          Craven Cottage - The City Ground (exact route TBC)

•          140 miles over two days

What's included?

•          Water stops; two per day with drinks and refreshments

•          Training rides (where possible)

•          Fundraising support

•          Lunch and Dinner on day one

•          Breakfast and Lunch on day two

•          One night accommodation at 4 star hotel

•          Ride leaders, mechanical and medical support

•          FFC Cycle jersey

•          Ticket to the Fulham v Nottingham Forest match

•          Transport back to Craven Cottage for you and your bike

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST NOW




https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/december/17/away-day-cycle

[WhiteJC]

Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford having best of both worlds with sights set on Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic
LEEDS UNITED head coach Marcelo Bielsa stood firm with Patrick Bamford during the striker's barren goalscoring run.

Ten games without netting but still starting every single league fixture in the lone striker role.

There is, after all, far more to Bamford's game then goals with Bielsa often highlighting the striker's all round contribution.

By his own admittance, says Bamford, that couldn't always be said as a youngster.

Put simply, the forward thrives on goals which are finally arriving via five in his last seven games.

The combination of strong hold up play and nine for the season has fired Leeds clear in the automatic promotion spots, one game short of the half-way stage of the Championship campaign.

And Bamford is even looking at two tables with the striker hoping both areas of his game continue to thrive and still setting his sights on the Championship'S Golden Boot award.

Bamford's double in Saturday's 3-3 draw at home to Cardiff City took the forward one short of double figures for the campaign so far and indeed only one adrift of last term's total in his first season with the Whites.

After missing 21 games with two separate knee injuries, the forward was pleased with last season's return.

Staying injury free was always the first priority for his second campaign which began with four goals in his first five games.

Yet after bagging United's third in the 3-0 win at Stoke City on August 24, Bamford had to wait 11 weeks and through two international breaks before netting again when holding his nerve to convert from the penalty spot in the 2-1 success at home to Blackburn Rovers on November 9.

Throughout it all, Bielsa stayed loyal and the striker was asked about his head coach's support after quickly following his penalty against Blackburn with a strike in the 2-1 win at Luton Town in the very next game.

"He said that it was a cunning case," said Bamford last month.

"A unique case because normally if a striker is not scoring it's because he's sh*t or because he's not playing but with you it's neither of them so it's a unique case that I don't understand so I am sure you should be scoring every game."

That, though, remains the striker's aim with Bamford delighted and relieved that his previously lesser-famed attribute of strong hold up play is now being accompanied by goals.

"It's weird because throughout my career, since I was young I was always looked at for my goals and my all-round game wasn't very good," said Bamford.

"It was something t I had to work on and since coming to Leeds my all-round game - well, last year write it off because of injuries and stuff - but this year my all-round game has been really, really good I feel.

"Then I'm missing chances which I know I should be scoring and that's been frustrating for me.

"But to put them both together, if I can keep putting these together, it can be a good year."

Bamford's seasonal best return came in 2013-14 when netting 25; 17 on loan from Chelsea at MK Dons in League One and another eight on loan at Derby County as the Rams made the Championship play-offs.

Bamford was then loaned to Middlesbrough the following season and netted a Championship best return of 19 to also help the Riversiders to the play-offs.

After subsequent loan spells in the Premier League at Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Burnley, Bamford then joined Middlesbrough permanently in January 2017 and after the Riversiders were relegated, 13 goals were notched the following Championship campaign.

But two years on and with last season's injury troubles behind him, there is every chance of Bamford recording a best ever Championship haul at Leeds this term and the striker is shooting for the very top.

Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic currently leads the division's goal scoring charts on 16 and Bamford readily admits he takes a big interest in the Golden Boot race.

"I pay quite a bit of attention to it," admitted the Whites no 9.

"Every striker in the league wants to be at the top of it and whilst he is still quite a away ahead I still believe he is catchable. It's something that I look at it but without getting trying to get too far ahead of myself.

"I have just got to concentrate on trying to score in each game that comes along and then come the end of the season we will see what the charts say."



https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/latest-leeds-united-news/leeds-united-striker-patrick-bamford-having-best-both-worlds-sights-set-fulhams-aleksandar-mitrovic-1343319

[WhiteJC]

Parker set to be handed imminent opportunity to silence Fulham critics: Comment

Fulham host Leeds United in the Championship this weekend, as Scott Parker's side look to rectify three-straight league defeats.

Four-straight wins for Fulham last month, now they stare down the barrel of a fourth-straight defeat as they host 2nd-place Leeds United on Saturday.

Last weekend's defeat at Brentford was a narrow one but nevertheless it's restored the pressure on Parker, who's had mixed views from Fulham fans all season.

His side currently sit in 6th with only two points separating all four teams in the play-off places – miraculously, Fulham remain in said spots even after three defeats.

After the win away at Swansea at the end of last month, their fourth in a row in the Championship, Fulham sat in 3rd and it looked like their season was back on track – Parker was happy again and getting the best out of his players, and the fans were quietly mulling over the possibility of an immediate return to the top-flight.

But as is football, a couple of bad games and the context completely changes – now it seems that a top-six finish alone would be a success and even then, Fulham fans themselves would probably admit that they're currently the weakest team in that top-six.

It was always going to be harder for Parker though. Coming in and overseeing their relegation from the Premier League, which was in no way his fault, and then taking them back into the second-tier after a summer of frustration and panic in the transfer market – they were forced to loan out the likes of Zambo Anguissa and Jean Michael Seri and could only really loan players in.

So on the face of it, one game off the midway point of the season and Fulham are in the play-offs, few can argue the good work that Parker has so far done.

The visit of Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds on Saturday won't excite fans but Parker and his side, this should really rev them up for a winning return – what better way is there to reassert your presence in the league than by ending a losing streak against one of the favourites for promotion?

It's a game that Parker would've relished as a player and as a manager, it should be no different. He'll have his boys in a good shape of mind going into Saturday and a much-needed win would relieve a lot of pressure on Parker, and get their season back on the right tracks.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/parker-set-to-be-handed-imminent-opportunity-to-silence-fulham-critics-comment/

[WhiteJC]

Christmas Hours

Opening hours for the Stadium Store over the festive period, including late night shopping this week.

Date	Opening hours
Mon 16 - Fri 20 Dec	9am - 8pm
Sat 21 Dec*	9am - 5.45pm
Sun 22 Dec	11am - 4pm
Mon 23 Dec	9am - 5pm
Christmas Eve	9am - 3pm
Christmas Day	CLOSED
Boxing Day	CLOSED
Fri 27 Dec	9am - 5pm
Sat 28 Dec	9am - 5pm
Sun 29 Dec*	1am - 5.45pm
Mon 30 Dec	9am - 5pm
New Year's Eve	9am - 5pm
New Year's Day*	11am - 5.45pm

*Matchday



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/december/17/christmas-hours

[WhiteJC]

Loan Round-Up


There were some more impressive performances put in by our loanees this weekend as we checked-in on their progress.

André-Frank Zambo Anguissa continued to strengthen his reputation in Spain with another stellar performance in Villarreal's 2-1 win over high-flying Sevilla. Anguissa's side still sit marooned in mid-table after their much needed result.

Jerome Opoku is making a name for himself in Accrington as he claimed an assist in their impressive 4-1 win over Portsmouth. The three points moved Stanley up to 17th after the big defender's return from injury.

Toni Stahl helped Energie Cottbus' march up the table with a 3-1 win as they moved top of the Regionalliga North East with another 90 minutes between the sticks. The German side have now won five on the spin.

Jean-Michaël Seri and Fabri missed out on Galatasaray and Mallorca's draws respectively.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/december/17/loan-round-up

[WhiteJC]

MOT View: Bielsa to drop player who's made 9 starts – Predicted Leeds starting XI v Fulham

Saturday afternoon brings the biggest game of the season so far for Leeds United.

They travel to Fulham, who are the biggest rivals for automatic promotion for Leeds according to the bookies, despite being on a run of three straight defeats.

Why so big?

Leeds are already 12 points ahead of Fulham. A win would leave them 15 points clear approaching the midway point of the season. It would take a monumental collapse to lose that in the second half of the season.

A defeat would let the chasing pack catch up a little bit.

Despite the disappointment of losing a three-goal lead against Cardiff, Leeds are in brilliant form. Unbeaten in 11 games and the last loss shouldn't have happened after Gaetano Berardi was wrongly sent off against Millwall and a penalty awarded against him.

Scotland international Liam Cooper should be back too, which is a massive boost for Leeds.

He's missed the last three games and he and Ben White can resume their brilliant partnership in the centre of defence. That's important with Aleksandar Mitrovic providing the menace for Fulham.

Gaetano Berardi – who's played really well in the nine starts he's made this season – will drop out.

Fulham play a 4-3-3 so Marcelo Bielsa will likely play his preferred 4-1-4-1 with Stuart Dallas on the left and Luke Ayling on the right of defence.

Gjanni Alioski can carry on being our super sub.

There are no other injury issues and even if Adam Forshaw, Jamie Shackleton and Tyler Roberts are declared fit, they won't make the starting XI.

The line-up is solid at the moment, with Patrick Bamford up front, Jack Harrison and Helder Costa chipping in with goals from the wings, and Mateusz Klich and Pablo Hernandez in the middle.

Bielsa has options off the bench if needed. Both Eddie Nketiah and Jack Clarke scored for the Under-23s on Monday and both looked back to peak form.

We hope they don't get on the pitch – it will mean a victory for Leeds. However, they're great weapons to have if Leeds do need them.

We'd obviously kill for a win on Saturday but a draw against Fulham wouldn't be so bad.

Let's just keep that unbeaten run going.



https://motleedsnews.com/comment/mot-view-bilesa-to-drop-player-whos-made-9-starts-predicted-leeds-starting-xi-v-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Walk And Talk

New Year's Eve 2019 is set to be different this year for a group of determined football fans as they descend on the Madejski Stadium to embark on the fifth Walk and Talk between Fulham FC and Reading FC. They will walk 40 miles through the night, arriving at Craven Cottage for the game between the two rival clubs on New Year's day, all in aid of men's mental health.

Christmas and New Year can be a difficult and lonely time for people, and this group want to open up the conversations on mental health, raise awareness, and prevent male suicide. The last Fulham to Reading fan walk took a mammoth 19 hours. In that time, 9 men in the UK will have committed suicide. The team are compelled that the shocking statistics have to change.

Lee Adams, Founder of Walk and Talk MMH, said:

"I went through a difficult period some time ago. I felt alone, isolated, with nowhere to turn, and was close to taking my own life. Five years ago I started walking to Fulham FC away games, to raise awareness that 1 in 4 of us may suffer at some point in our lives, and I soon understood I wasn't alone. I became motivated to turn my experiences into a positive to help and support others who felt the same as I had. People started to join me, and now this has become a huge movement of fans coming together from many teams, to let other men know that it's ok to talk."

The group believes that football has the power to help men who find themselves in a position of loneliness and isolation. Adams also added; "Something as simple as companionship can save lives. 2019 has given us so many successes with Walk and Talk. Stories of people who joined us on walks, who during subsequent depressive, and often suicidal episodes, reached for their phone and contacted the group, rather than a rope or a blade. In 2020 we intend to build on those success stories by creating a community dedicated to look after each other."

Alistair Mackintosh, CEO of Fulham FC, also added:

"Lee Adams has shown immense dedication in continuing to encourage men to talk about their experiences of mental health, on the numerous charity and awareness walks to matches. He has brought supporters of clubs together, all in the name of a worthy initiative. Everyone at Fulham Football Club wishes him and the Fulham and Reading fans taking part in the 40-mile walk from the Madejski stadium to Craven Cottage on New Year's Day all the very best. This will be the 5th walk between the two clubs which shows his huge passion for the cause."

The team are keen for people to join them at Griffin Park, for the last stretch of the walk and talk at 11.00am on New Year's Day; to show a strong message of unity towards male suicide prevention, and encouraging openness of the battles with mental health. So don't hesitate, get in touch with the team via twitter @walkandtalkMMH or Instagram @walkandtalk_MMH.

You can donate to the team fundraising page and follow their progress using the hashtag #WalkAndTalkMMH



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/december/18/walk-and-talk

[WhiteJC]

Fulham's Festive Giveaway - Day 2

As Fulham's Festive Giveaway continues, we're pleased to announce today's limited time prize is a pair of signed Aleksandar Mitrovic boots!

To get involved with the festive Fulham fun and to be in with the chance of winning, please fill in the form below.

The competition closes at 11.59pm on Thursday 19th December, and the winner will be contacted on Friday 20th December.
Full terms and conditions can be found online here.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/december/18/fulhams-festive-giveaway---day-2

[OdecaMynoT]

Fulham's Festive Giveaway - Day 2

As Fulham's Festive Giveaway continues, we're pleased to announce today's limited time prize is a pair of signed Aleksandar Mitrovic boots!

To get involved with the festive Fulham fun and to be in with the chance of winning, please fill in the form below.

The competition closes at 11.59pm on Thursday 19th December, and the winner will be contacted on Friday 20th December.
Full terms and conditions can be found online here.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/december/18/fulhams-festive-giveaway---day-2

A Xmas gift for Leeds............3pts