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Thursday Fulham Stuff - 02/01/20...

Started by WhiteJC, December 30, 2019, 11:29:56 AM

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WhiteJC

Results


New Years Day
Millwall
3-1
Luton
Bristol City
0-4
Brentford
Birmingham City
2-3
Wigan
Fulham
1-2
Reading
Huddersfield
2-5
Stoke
Nottm Forest
3-2
Blackburn
Preston NE
0-2
Middlesborough
QPR
6-1
Cardiff
Sheff Wed
0-1
Hull
West Brom
1-1
Leeds

WhiteJC

Fulham 1-2 Reading


John Swift's goal was his third in three and fifth in 20 league games this season

John Swift's third goal in three games helped resurgent Reading see off high-flying Fulham to earn a fourth consecutive Championship win.

Swift found the corner with a low strike from Tyler Blackett's cross to put the Royals ahead against the run of play early on.

Charlie Adam went close to adding a second with a brilliant attempt from the halfway line but the veteran midfielder did find the net soon after the break with a simple close-range finish.

Substitute Ivan Cavaleiro's classy curled effort rewarded strong home pressure and set up a thrilling final 30 minutes, but Fulham, who drop to fifth, could not find the leveller in a frenetic finish.

Cavaleiro struck just four minutes after coming on and he hit the post late on and also set up a great chance for Aleksandar Mitrovic in injury time, but the striker was denied by a combination of keeper Rafael Cabral and the woodwork as Reading clung on to extend their unbeaten run to six games.

The visitors, who are now just five points adrift of the top six, also had to withstand strong early pressure.

Mitrovic had a header blocked and Anthony Knockaert shot over before Mitrovic and Bobby Decordova-Reid forced good saves from Rafael Cabral, with Decordova-Reid then hitting the post in the same breathless passage of play.

But Reading's first meaningful attack saw Swift strike the opener on 14 minutes, to follow up his outrageous winner against QPR and the first goal in the 2-0 success away against Preston last time out.

Lucas Joao then sent a header just wide as the visitors pressed for a second, which came three minutes after the restart when Ovie Ejaria weaved into a crossing position on then left and slid the ball to Adam who crashed the ball home from six yards with his left foot.

The lively Ejaria then set up a great chance for Joao, who prodded wide and that miss looked costly when Cavaleiro fired in the first goal Reading had conceded in five games to make it 2-1.

Fulham completely dominated possession thereafter and had chances to level, notably when Cavaleiro hit the post with a low 18-yard shot and Aboubakar Kamara fired over on the follow-up before Rafael's fine injury-time save ensured an away victory.

Fulham manager Scott Parker:

"I've stood in this position many a time with the same feeling, scratching your head to think how you're one down after the first time they enter our box.

"They score a goal, we put them under immense pressure and at both ends of the pitch again today we just weren't good enough.

"I think, ultimately, you need something more sometimes than flamboyant play, nice control of a football match, possession, chances, you need something more.

"If you want to be 14th, if you want to be 10th in this division, you go along the way and you win two, lose a couple. Win three, lose one.

"If you want to be successful in this division, or you want to be a successful team and a successful football club, there's something you can't measure and it comes from within."

Reading manager Mark Bowen:

"It's a difficult place to come. We knew the way the game was going to pan out, of being under a lot of pressure, which we were.

"Fulham are a very, very good side but we took our goals very well and then showed enormous character, which we've certainly been doing since I walked in the door.

"I'm actually disappointed we conceded a goal after the run we've been on (four consecutive clean sheets), but we're in a good place now in terms of the confidence of the group and the understanding that we've got with each other and how we want to go about our business."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50908502

WhiteJC

Head Coach press conference

Scott Parker is demanding more from his players after watching Fulham begin 2020 with a 2-1 defeat at home to Reading.

The Whites dominated proceedings and fashioned numerous chances, but were left frustrated by a resolute Royals outfit.

"I've stood in this position many a time this season to be fair, with the same feeling of scratching your heads as to how you're one down after the first time they enter our box," Parker said.

"We put them under immense pressure, but at both ends of the pitch today we just weren't good enough. It was too easy for them to score. We put them under a lot of pressure but didn't capitalise on that, so it was disappointing overall.


"We controlled the game and we had loads of chances, but it's one of those things. Ultimately, you need something more sometimes than flamboyant play, nice control of a football match, possession, chances.

"You need something more, and certainly you need something more in this division. You need a desperation. If you want to be 14th or 10th in this division then yeah you win two, lose a couple, win three, lose one.

"But if you want to be successful in this division, then there's something that you can't measure, and it comes from within. And at times this year I don't think we've had that. And ultimately we need to change that. It's a process, and we obviously need to get to that point."

When asked how you go about getting to that point, Parker said: "There is no divine right to go into a football match and win it. It comes from somewhere a lot deeper, and at times this year I think it's been a bit too easy, and that's what we need to change.

"You have to keep driving it every single day, because you're trying to change habits, and people's habits and behaviours don't change overnight. This is not just a problem now at this football club.

"We need to understand that there's more than just controlling a football match, sometimes it needs to come from a deeper place."

With West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United facing each other in the late kick-off, New Year's Day was a missed opportunity to close the gap on the top-two.

"At times this year we are where we are because we've not been consistent," Parker said. "The teams above us have been more consistent than us. It was a big opportunity for us today and it's not gone our way.

"We need to learn from this, the players need to understand my message, they need to understand where I'm coming from and what's needed.

"We need to go again and bounce back. We've been in this position numerous times this year and we now need to bounce back again."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/january/01/head-coach-press conference


WhiteJC

Fulham star makes optimistic claim ahead of new year

Fulham signed only a handful of new players this summer, with the club having to go about balancing the books after a disastrous campaign last time out in which they were relegated to the Championship after failing to secure their Premier League safety.

One of the new men to come through the door at Craven Cottage was 26-year-old forward Bobby Reid, with the versatile attacker arriving on loan from fellow Championship side Cardiff City.

Reid has found his spell in west London to be something of mixed affair thus far, with the former Bristol City man making just 12 starts under Scott Parker.

However the forward will have taken solace in the fact that he has found the net on four occasions, whilst also laying on two assists for his teammates in some of his more bright displays in a white shirt.

Given his mixed start since arriving at the club, Reid was unsurprisingly quick to reflect on the year that has gone by in a recent Instagram post:

With his future at Cardiff seemingly unclear, Reid will surely be keen to continue going about his business in a positive fashion as he seeks to convince Fulham that the option of pursuing a permanent deal for his services is a route they should consider.

2020 is sure to be a big year for Reid as his loan spell is set to expire in June of this year, with his future performances this campaign sure to determine where his long-term future lies.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-star-makes-optimistic-claim-ahead-of-new-year/

WhiteJC

Fulham suffer home defeat against Reading

Fulham 1 Reading 2


Fulham crashed to a surprise home defeat – and dropped two places to fifth in the Championship with an unconvincing display at Craven Cottage.

Ivan Cavaleiro's second-half goal proved to be insufficient in view of earlier goals by Reading duo John Swift and Charlie Adam, with the hard-working Royals' holding on for three points.

The Whites made three changes from the side which defeated Stoke City 2-1 on 29th December, with injured Tom Cairney and Josh Onomah replaced by Stefan Johansen and Abou Kamara respectively. Alfie Mawson also dropped to the bench with Denis Odoi stepping in. Cairney's absence consequently proved to be crucial.

Fulham went tantalisingly close to opening the scoring in eight minutes. Reading goalkeeper Rafael Barbosa made an outstanding triple save to deny Aleksandar Mitrovic's initial angled drive before scooping the ball away from both Johansen and Bobby Decordova-Reid with the help of the post.

And the mid-table Royals – who arrived in west London having not conceded a goal in their last four games – stunned the home crowd by taking the lead in their first proper attack. It was an excellent, deftly constructed 14th minute move, involving Ovie Ejaria and Tyler Blackett on the left, before Swift eased the ball past Whites' keeper Marek Rodak with the help of a slight deflection by Tim Ream.

Fulham's troubles continued when midfielder Harrison Reid was forced to limp off just moments later to be replaced by highly-rated 19-year-old Matt O'Riley. But they found Reading to be very well organised and restricting Mitrovic and playmaker Johansen for large periods of the first half.

As it was, events were only to get far worse for Scott Parker's men shortly after the restart when Reading caught them cold in 48 minutes. Impressive Royals' playmaker Ejaria outfoxed Cyrus Christie with some intricate skill on the left side of the penalty area before sliding in a low pass for Adam to evade a static Ream and turn home from close range.

The second goal could have signalled the end for Fulham, but to their credit they battled back – and pulled a goal back on the hour. Picking up a pass from Knockaert, and creating room for himself on the edge of the area, Cavaleiro curled a shot low just inside Barbosa's far post.

Rodak then denied Swift on the counter attack before the Whites' spirited late rally took shape. The best opportunity fell to Knockaert, who blasted the ball over after Barbosa turned Cavaleiro's long range shot on to the post. The Brazilian keeper then superbly tipped a Mitrovic header on to the crossbar with the hosts becoming desperate to claw at least a point from the afternoon.

Reading held on, however – and Fulham succumbed to their fourth home defeat of the campaign. A statistic sure to concern Whites manager Parker.
Fulham: Rodak, Christie, Odoi, Ream, Bryan (Cavaleiro 56), Decordova-Reid, Reed (O'Riley 19, De La Torre 83), Johansen, Knockaert, Kamara, Mitrovic



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-suffer-home-defeat-against-reading

WhiteJC

 Fulham 1-2 Reading: Royals maintain fine run at Craven Cottage
Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash at Craven Cottage

Fulham missed the chance to narrow the gap on the Championship's top two as resurgent Reading came away with a surprise 2-1 win at Craven Cottage.

John Swift edged the Royals ahead with his third goal in as many games and Charlie Adam added a second before substitute Ivan Cavaleiro pulled one back past the hour.

A win would have seen the Cottagers move closer to the automatic promotion places, but instead they slipped from third to fifth place.

For Reading, this was their first victory on New Year's Day since 2007, when they thrashed West Ham 6-0 in the Premier League.


Charlie Adam (C) celebrates after scoring Reading's second

Fulham started brightly and were left to wonder how they did not go in front after just eight minutes.

Visiting goalkeeper Rafael Cabral produced a stunning double save to thwart Aleksandar Mitrovic and then Anthony Knockaert before stretching to deny the advancing Bobby Decordova-Reid.

Reading had won their last three games and they took the lead after 13 minutes.

Liverpool loanee Ovie Ejaria started the move with a sliding interception inside his own half before neat interplay down the left ended with Swift diverting home Tyler Blackett's low cross.

Adam then attempted the spectacular as he tried to lob Marek Rodak from the halfway line, only to see his effort drop wide.

With the home supporters becoming restless, Fulham struggled to create clear-cut chances, Joe Bryan volleying off-target and Knockaert blazing over following a sweeping counter-attack.

Instead, the visitors struck again three minutes after the restart.

Shortly after Liam Moore had headed over the bar from Swift's right-wing cross, Ejaria skipped past Cyrus Christie and drove in a cross from the byline which was turned home by Adam at close range.

Cottagers boss Scott Parker brought on Cavaleiro for Bryan and the change paid dividends as the on-loan Wolves winger scored to halve the deficit in the 61st minute.

Found out on the left by Knockaert, Cavaleiro cut inside from the flank before curling a shot beyond the reach of Cabral.

But the Reading keeper ensured his side all three points in added time with a stunning fingertip save to deny Mitrovic.

What the managers said...

Fulham's Scott Parker:
"I've stood in this position many a time this season to be fair, with the same feeling of scratching your heads as to how you're one down after the first time they enter our box.

"We put them under immense pressure, but at both ends of the pitch today we just weren't good enough. It was too easy for them to score. We put them under a lot of pressure but didn't capitalise on that, so it was disappointing overall."

Reading's Mark Bowen: "It's a difficult place to come. We knew the way the game was going to pan out, of being under a lot of pressure, which we were. Fulham are a very, very good side but we took our goals very well and then showed enormous character, which we've certainly been doing since I walked in the door.

"I'm actually disappointed we conceded a goal after the run we've been on (four consecutive clean sheets), but we're in a good place now in terms of the confidence of the group and the understanding that we've got with each other and how we want to go about our business. Again, it paid off."



https://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-reading/report/409651


WhiteJC

Fulham miss chance to close gap on top two as Reading resurgence continues

Fulham missed the chance to narrow the gap on the Championship's top two as resurgent Reading came away with a surprise 2-1 win at Craven Cottage.

John Swift edged the Royals ahead with his third goal in as many games and Charlie Adam added a second before substitute Ivan Cavaleiro pulled one back past the hour.

A win would have seen the Cottagers move closer to the automatic promotion places, with leading pair Leeds and West Brom going head to head this weekend, but instead they slipped from third to fifth place.

For Reading, this was their first victory on New Year's Day since 2007, when they thrashed West Ham 6-0 in the Premier League.

Fulham started brightly and were left to wonder how they did not go in front after just eight minutes.

Visiting goalkeeper Rafael Cabral produced a stunning double save to thwart Aleksandar Mitrovic and then Anthony Knockaert before stretching to deny the advancing Bobby Decordova-Reid.

Reading had won their last three games and they took the lead after 13 minutes.

Liverpool loanee Ovie Ejaria started the move with a sliding interception inside his own half before neat interplay down the left ended with Swift diverting home Tyler Blackett's low cross.

Adam then attempted the spectacular as he tried to lob Marek Rodak from the halfway line, only to see his effort drop wide.

With the home supporters becoming restless, Fulham struggled to create clear-cut chances, Joe Bryan volleying off-target and Knockaert blazing over following a sweeping counter-attack.

Instead, the visitors struck again three minutes after the restart.

Shortly after Liam Moore had headed over the bar from Swift's right-wing cross, Ejaria skipped past Cyrus Christie and drove in a cross from the byline which was turned home by Adam at close range.

Cottagers boss Scott Parker brought on Cavaleiro for Bryan and the change paid dividends as the on-loan Wolves winger scored to halve the deficit in the 61st minute.

Found out on the left by Knockaert, Cavaleiro cut inside from the flank before curling a shot beyond the reach of Cabral.

But the Reading keeper ensured his side all three points in added time with a stunning fingertip save to deny Mitrovic.



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fulham-miss-chance-close-gap-top-two-reading-resurgence-continues

WhiteJC

Parker criticises players after Fulham defeat

Scott Parker questioned his side's belief in themselves and bemoaned their lack of "desperation" as Fulham slumped to a fourth defeat in seven Championship matches.

The Whites, who had lost three straight games before going unbeaten in the next three heading into the New Year's Day fixture, fell to an in-form Reading team and dropped to fifth place.

And, once again, the head coach was left frustrated by his players' inconsistency.

Parker said: "I've stood in this position many a time with the same feeling, in the sense that you're scratching your heads that you're one down. First time they enter our box they score a goal. But at both ends of the pitch today, we just weren't good enough.

"It was too easy for them to score, and at the same time we put them under a lot of pressure and we didn't capitalise on that, really, so disappointing overall."

But the former Fulham captain suggested that his main cause for concern is something deeper and more intangible than simply being sharper.

"I think we controlled the game and had loads of chances, but it's one of those things," he said.

"Ultimately you need something more than flamboyant play sometimes, nice control of a football match, possession, chances. Certainly in this division. You need a desperation.

"If you want to be 14th or 10th in this division, you go along the way. You win two, lose a couple, win three, lose one. But if you want to be successful in this division, there's something [you need] that you can't measure, and it comes from within. At times this year, I don't think we've had that, and ultimately we need to change that.

"It's understanding what division we're in. There is no divine right to go out for a football match and win. Sometimes it comes from somewhere a lot deeper, and at times this year, it's been a little bit too easy. Ultimately that's what we need to change."

When asked how he could effect this change, Parker responded: "You have to keep driving it every single day, because you're trying to change habits. Behaviours don't just change overnight. It happens every single day and during moments of adversity. You need to keep reinforcing and hopefully over time you change those behaviours.

"The players need to understand that we're a good team at times like today, when we dominate a football match and come out again with a 2-1 defeat. We are where we are because we haven't been consistent. The teams above us have been more consistent than us. It was a big opportunity for us today, and it hasn't gone our way.

"We need to learn from this. The players need to understand my message and where I'm coming from and what's needed. We've been in this position numerous times this year – we need to go again and bounce back."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/football-parker-criticises-players-after-fulham-defeat

WhiteJC

Resurgent Royals punish frail Fulham

New year, same old defensive failings. Any hope that Scott Parker might have banished the shortcomings that have haunted Fulham's underwhelming promotion push vanished as an improving Reading side recorded an impressive victory at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

The hosts would have had ambitions of cutting the gap between themselves and the automatic promotion places with a victory, but were left licking their wounds after the Royals proved both far more ruthless in front of goal and much more resilient at the other end of the field. Whilst Michael Morrison and Liam Moore kept Aleksandar Mitrovic quiet, Mark Bowen's men efficiently picked Fulham off on the counter – with well-worked goals from the energetic John Swift and the evergreen Charlie Adam leaving Fulham far too much to do, despite Ivan Cavaleiro's low drive halving their arrears just after the hour.

Parker reshuffled his pack with Josh Onomah and Tom Cairney unavailable and a rejigged midfield had to cope with more disruption once Harrison Reed succumbed to a knee injury. The Fulham head coach had handed teenager Matt O'Riley a league debut and the much-lauded academy prospect was a willing outlet for the ball throughout, before being harshly sacrificed as the hosts chased an equaliser in the closing stages. It was an act of brutality that made little sense – especially as Fulham are hoping to encourage O'Riley to stay with the club beyond the summer.

The youngster had entered proceedings at a tricky time, with his side a goal down against the run of play. Fulham began brightly, with Rafael Cabral making a stunning double save to deny both Bobby Decordova-Reid and Anthony Knockaert from close range, but allowed their visitors to take the lead from their very first foray forward. Harrison Reed played an ambitious ball that Cyrus Christie was never in a position to reach and Tyler Blackett surged down the left flank before crossing for Swift to caress a finish beyond Marek Rodak.

Reading were quite happy to operate on the break – and they could have been further in front before half-time. Adam wasn't too far away with an audacious attempt at chipping Rodak from halfway, whilst Fulham's monopolisation of the ball didn't translate in any clear-cut chances. Knockaert's composure deserted him disastrously on a couple of occasions in the final third, whilst Joe Bryan slashed wide when a corner dropped invitingly for him outside the box.

Bowen, enjoying an immensely satisfying return to the ground where he had been number two to Mark Hughes for a season, then saw his side make the perfect start to the second period. Moore typified their sense of adventure, sending a header over from Ovie Ejaria's ball in, and after O'Riley surrendered possession in the Fulham half, the Royals bounced. Ejaria sauntered past Christie far too easily and Adam arrived at the near post between two flat-footed centre halves to double the lead.

Parker sent Cavaleiro on for Joe Bryan as Fulham went in search of a dramatic comeback. It looked on when the on-loan Wolves winger took advantage of oceans of space down the left to cut inside and find the bottom corner from just inside the box within four minutes of being introduced – but the hosts' pretty passing football lacked real penetration.

Fulham's desperation was encapsulated by Mitrovic's booking for simulation as he attempted to win a penalty and they struggled to fashion a serious opportunity until five minutes from time. Again, Cavaleiro was the outlet, an immaculate bit of close control giving the Portuguese winger time to drive a low shot against the base of post before Aboubakar Kamara miscued the rebound horribly.

Cavaleiro almost created an equaliser in the first minute of stoppage time but Cabral did superbly to claw a dipping Mitrovic header on to the frame of the goal. Reading hung on for a fourth consecutive victory that their organisation and desire probably merited, leaving Fulham to reflect on why their consistent inconsistency has so undermined Parker's progressive philosophy.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Christie, Bryan (Cavaleiro 57), Odoi, Ream; Reed (O'Riley 19, de la Torre 83), Johansen; Knockaert, Kamara, Decordova-Reid, Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Bettinelli, Mawson, McDonald, Harris.

BOOKED: Bryan, Cavaleiro, Mitrovic, Knockaert.

GOAL: Cavaleiro (61).

READING (4-2-3-1): Rafael Cabral; Gunter, Blackett, Morrison, Moore; Pele, Adam (Rinomhota 63); Meite (Miazga 68), Ejaria, Swift; Joao (Baldock 86). Subs (not used): Walker, Obita, McCleary, Boye.

BOOKED: Pele, Joao, Morrison.

GOALS: Swift (14), Adam (48).

REFEREE: Geoff Eltringham (County Durham).

ATTENDANCE: 18,575.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/01/resurgent-royals-punish-frail-fulham/


WhiteJC


Fulham 1-2 Reading: Happy New Year

The Royals carry on their terrific run from the end of 2019 into 2020 with a hard-fought win at Craven Cottage.

What. A. Win. Not to rest on their laurels after an impressive away win at Deepdale to round off 2019, Reading pulled off an even better victory at Craven Cottage to kick off 2020.

Again, before the game I really didn't think Reading had a win at such a tough away ground in them, but again I underestimated this side. The Royals are now unbeaten in their last six games - having conceded only twice in that period - and have every right to dream about where this season could take us.

That we pulled off this result with the same team that's been pushed hard over the Christmas period - and again had to chase the ball for much of the game while Fulham threw the kitchen sink at us - speaks volumes about the character of this team. Reading are pushing themselves that bit more and running that extra yard to get the points.

Mark Bowen will quite rightly take a huge amount of credit for the recent run of form, but the way the players have stepped up to the task in recent weeks has been remarkable. With Blackpool coming to the Mad Stad in the FA Cup on Saturday, the players have more than earned a break.

A little surprisingly, Bowen opted to send Reading out unchanged at Craven Cottage, going for consistency - and possible rising fatigue - over rotation. That meant sticking with a 4-2-3-1/4-1-4-1 formation that's looked solid defensively and dangerous going forwards. After a few weeks of struggling in the absence of Ovie Ejaria and John Swift, then experimenting with different formations to replace the old 3-5-2, Bowen's struck upon the right formation.

Normally, at this point I'd go through how the game progressed from start to finish. But, in this case, the pattern of the match was very straightforward: Fulham dominated the match in terms of possession and territory for most of the afternoon, often leaving Reading camped in their own third. It was a real backs-to-the-wall job - even more so than against Preston North End, who had also had much more of the ball than the Royals, albeit with less cutting edge in the final third than Fulham.

That was particularly true early on, when Rafael made a string of top saves in quick succession to prevent the Cottagers from taking the lead, and late on when - with Reading's lead halved to 2-1 - they threw the kitchen sink at the Royals in search of an equaliser.

Mark Bowen said after the Preston match that he wanted his team to enjoy defending, and for me that was again a key reason for Reading holding out for their win. Although the team's discipline, organisation and the manager's impact were all crucial, the Royals' defence and midfield really relished doing a top rearguard job.

I've not even got to Reading's goals yet: two composed finishes to cap off well-worked moves that say two key things about the Royals' attack:

    Despite how good defensively we are at the moment, we're still capable of scoring some really lovely team goals.
    Earlier in the season, Reading were letting some big chances go begging. As Steven highlighted on New Year's Eve, we're now much more clinical in front of goal.

The first of those goals was a carbon copy of the opener at Deepdale. Ejaria again getting involved in a central area, drawing a few defenders to allow Tyler Blackett to get in around the back with a delayed run - before his pinpoint pull back was converted by a deft finish from Swift.

As much as he's won deserved praise this season as a creator, Swift's demonstrated in the last few games just how dangerous he can be when he's playing higher up the pitch. Three goals in his last three - one screamer from outside the box and two more cutter finishes from close range - show he sure knows how to finish.

The same can also be said for Charlie Adam who scored his first goal from open play of the season. Ejaria was again involved in the build-up, this time more directly by taking on Blackett's role of getting in around the back and sliding a low cross back that begged to be converted. Adam, who's been rolling back the years in recent weeks, obliged.

Cue the ~2000 away fans, packed into one corner of the Putney End, exploding with joy.

The atmosphere in that away end was really quite something. On a high after a particularly enjoyable last few weeks, the Royals' travelling contingent made a racket all afternoon, and went wild each time a Reading goal went in. We've been up against it the last few times we've gone to Craven Cottage, so the relatively unlikely goals we've scored - Jordan Obita in 2017, plus Swift and Adam on New Year's Day - felt that bit more special than most goals.

There's nothing quite like those moments of ecstasy when the ball hits the net, you almost fall into the row in front of you, the guy next to you screams into your face and you hug about four different strangers.

This period of revival isn't just about Reading getting better on the pitch - it's also about improving morale in the fanbase too. The support improved a lot in 2019 after a fairly miserable 2018 that left many feeling apathetic and detached, but more matches like that glorious 2-1 win at Fulham will take it even further.

It's been so long since I last heard chants about promotion from Reading fans who weren't just taking the piss. But, at Craven Cottage, we had "EIEIEIO" and "pump it, the Royals are going up" among others, and boy was it fun.

It really feels like something special is happening at the moment. Reading are coming together on and off the pitch - who knows where it could take us?

EIEIEIO indeed...



https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2020/1/1/21045632/fulham-1-2-reading-fc-happy-new-year-royals

WhiteJC

Chelsea's forgotten man who gave Frank Lampard an £8m transfer boost as first January exit

Centre back will be available for Fulham's FA Cup game against Aston Villa at the weekend


Michael Hector (Image: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Michael Hector is in line to make his Fulham debut against Aston Villa in the FA Cup this weekend after finally completing his £8million move from Chelsea following the opening of the transfer window.

The 27-year-old from East London agreed to make the short journey from Stamford Bridge to Craven Cottage in September having been told that he would not be part of Frank Lampard's plans.

While the deal was agreed and announced by the Sky Bet Championship club in September, Hector is not eligible until the third round meeting with Villa because the final paperwork had to be completed within the window. As a result he was not part of the Fulham squad that lost 2-1 to Reading this afternoon.

Hector has been allowed to train with his new club, however, and played in a couple of friendlies behind closed doors.

Speaking in September, he said: "It was an easy decision to make. My mum's from Fulham, so it's nice to join a club that some of my family support. It's good to now be a part of the setup here. Hopefully things can work out well and we can get promoted."

He signed for Chelsea from Reading in 2015 but did not make a single competitive appearance for the first team, heading out on four separate loan moves.

The centre back, a Jamaica international, was a regular for Sheffield Wednesday last season, having previously had spells at Hull, Eintracht Frankfurt and back at Reading.

Following today's 1-1 draw away to Brighton & Hove Albion, Lampard, who has a £150m kitty this month, indicated that he will be tight-lipped regarding Chelsea's transfer plans this month.

"If we have to do business we will do it in the way we see fit to try and make us better and that's behind closed doors as opposed to just announcing who we might want to bring in," he said.



https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/chelseas-forgotten-man-who-gave-17499849