Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 05/02/20...

[WhiteJC]

Building the Fulham philosophy

Football moves quickly, especially in modern culture where technology allows us to have anything we want without leaving the sofa and all your entertainment is on demand. That 'on-demand' lifestyle has been dripping into the beautiful game for a few years as the length of time given to coaches and players has diminished whilst there's no room for sentiment; coaches that once accomplished great things at a club are thrown out by the very same after one period of poor form. Football has hills and valleys, especially when the squad turnover is as high as is it is now. All of this is relevant Fulham, I promise.

Javier Pereira, once of Slavisa Jokanovic's backroom staff, was a victim of sackings during our Premier League campaign as the Khans decided to move on in a desperate attempt to secure safety in the top division. Over a year has passed since Slavisa and Javier patrolled the dugout at Craven Cottage and, whilst some supporters have been nolstagic for the return of the Serbian, I don't think anyone saw the appointment of Javier Pereira as the assistant director of football operations coming.

In the announcement from the club, Javier Pereira's role was described as 'working closely with Tony Khan on football business matters including talent identification and development but his primary focus will be on embedding the Club's playing philosophy through all Fulham's teams, from youth level to the first team.' It's quite an interesting definition and you do wonder whether the 'power' of the first-team coach could be reduced by a potential buffer between them and Tony.

But my main focus for this piece was looking at the club's philosophy. Tony Khan was later quoted as saying 'We [Javier Pereira and I] share the same vision for Fulham and the same philosophy of football, and we'll work together to apply that shared vision to deliver success.' It is clear to anyone who watched Fulham under Jokanovic what this means – possession football. The approach has continued Scott Parker in a slightly different manner. Jokanovic's iteration was very much central midfield focused with 'inside-forwards' and a lot of more of the width being provided by the full-backs. Parker's vision has seen more from the wide players.

Let us take a look at the chances created. In the top five from Fulham's promotion season are three central midfielders (led by Stefan Johansen), a full back and then Ryan Sessegnon who played a good chunk of that season at left-back following the sale of Scott Malone and complete failure of Rafa Soares. It wasn't until Matt Targett was brought in that Sessegnon truly got to enjoy the role on the wing. For Parker so far this season, the top five comprises two wingers, a full back, a central midfielder and striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The model for this style is most obviously Barcelona, but, already in the two coaches who have applied their vision, we've seen the difference in how to create chances and contribute to scoring goals. Even Barcelona have evolved through iterations of their values and everyone has their favourites. For me, I most enjoyed the side that beat Manchester United in the Champions League final back in 2011 – a line-up of Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Abidal; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Pedro, Messi, Villa but I wouldn't hate you for enjoying the side that next won the Champions League (2015), with the eleven as follows ter Stegen, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar. Some may even prefer the Rijkaard era that featured Ronaldinho, Deco and Eto'o before the era of Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta broke through.

I won't delve too deeply into the history of footballing philosophies (there are some great books for those of you who are interested – including Jonathan Wilson's 'Inverting the Pyramid') but it would be criminal to link Barcelona to possession football without mentioning Johan Cruyff. Cruyff was in charge at the Camp Nou for eight years and won four titles plus the Champions League, but it was his cultural change of the entire football club that laid the groundwork of what was to come. The great La Masia academy that has records in providing the most players from one club to play in a World Cup final and also host all three finalists of the Ballon D'or was the Dutch legend's brainchild. His legacy will forever live on, not just through Barcelona, but in the shape of Pep Guardiola, who starred in Cryuff's Barcelona side, and has taken that philosophy to his own coaching career. Guardiola is just today's pinnacle of Cruyff's 'coaching tree' that is going to have so many roots as time progresses.

At Fulham, Javier Pereira's primary focus will be embedding our style of play throughout the club. How this will work is quite interesting as the academy has Ben Bartlett as the Head of Academy coaching and you imagine they will work quite closely on creating training plans that will benefit the young players and their pathway up the age groups to the first team. When you watch the highly-heralded Liverpool kids play for the senior side, you're struck by how they're near carbon copies of the players they've come in to replace. That's years of coaching building a long term identity under Jurgen Klopp and, whilst it's unknown how much time Pereira will spend on the pitch coaching, the idea is definitely beneficial for the entire football club.

Hopefully, Pereira will be able to add some tactical knowledge to the recruitment process given his understanding in what is required from every position. Though whoever is head coach will have their own flavour, keeping continuity in recruitment is vital for the long term success of the football club. Who is replacing Tom Cairney? What is it stylistically you are looking for from that player? If you can have a list of even five to ten players to replace every player of what you feel is your strongest eleven, you almost need a conveyor belt churning out talent. There's an interesting insight in Michael Calvin's The Nowhere Men on David Moyes' recruitment strategy which you can read about here but the book is worthwhile for an unparalled insight into player evaluation.

I understand this has turned into a long post, but honestly, I could probably double it. I will leave you by returning to theme that football moves quickly. Coaches just aren't given the time that they probably should be. In a similar vein to the recruitment process, the list of potential coaches to replace yours should also be in mind. Who is coaching your style of football well? If you are going to input this process, there can be no more Ranieri's. I do admire the Sean Dyche way of playing the game but that's a no go and, similarly, Chris Hughton is not an option. You have to be constantly assessing football across the world and keeping an eye on coaches that could come in and carry on the job.

Thanks for getting through that if you did, I'm more than happy to discuss in more detail in the comments or on Twitter.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/02/building-the-fulham-philosophy/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham relegation scars run deep but Scott Parker has instilled belief in his talented squad again


Bouncing back: Scott Parker is healing wounds at Fulham this season ( Getty Images )

To fully appreciate how much of a mess Fulham were in before Scott Parker took over as manager, you need only rewind to little over a year ago.

Fulham were languishing in the relegation places of the Premier League and striker Aboubakar Kamara had been arrested at the club's training ground on suspicion of actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

Fast forward 12 months and Kamara has been reintegrated into the squad and he even signed a new contract until the summer of 2024 in December.

The Frenchman's journey back emphasises how Parker has steadied the ship at Fulham since taking permanent charge in the summer in what is his first job in management.

The frustration so far, however, has been that fans have only seen flashes of brilliance from a team blessed with an abundance of quality by Championship standards.


Promotion push: Scott Parker has steadied the ship at Craven Cottage (Getty Images)

Fulham have struggled for consistency, best summed up by their 4-0 demolition of Millwall in August — where they achieved recorded possession of 84.5 per cent and completed 934 passes — being followed up by a 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest.

The team shifting from fifth to first gear has happened within games, too, and on Saturday they were 3-0 up against Huddersfield after 31 minutes, only to be hanging on 3-2 at the end.

Their third goal summed up how few of their rivals can live with Fulham when they are at their best, as Aleksandar Mitrovic finished off a 28-pass move, but too often they have struggled to hit those heights.

Unsurprisingly, Mitrovic has shone in the Championship and is the league's joint top scorer with 19 goals, which is particularly impressive, given Saturday was his first game since January 11.



That makes the Serbia striker a contender for Fulham's player of the season, although it is someone at the other end of the pitch who has equally stolen the show.

Little was known of goalkeeper Marek Rodak (left), who has spent the past two years on loan at Rotherham, before the season started, but he has been outstanding.

More often than not, the 23-year-old keeps Fulham in games and saves them points, as their defensive issues from the Premier League still linger, although Michael Hector's arrival back from loan has tightened them up at the back.

As Parked admitted in December, the scars from relegation run deep in his squad, but he is slowly healing their wounds.




https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-relegation-scars-scott-parker-instilled-belief-a4353396.html

[WhiteJC]

Televised Games

Fulham's matches vs Brentford and Leeds United in March have been selected for live television broadcast on Sky Sports.

As a result of this our meeting with Brentford which was originally scheduled to take place Saturday 14th March (3pm) will now take place on Friday 13th March (7:45pm).

Furthermore, our trip to West Yorkshire to face Leeds United has been selected for live broadcast but will remain at the same date & time.




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/february/04/televised-games

[WhiteJC]

Jacksonville Jaguars to play two home games at Wembley next season amid relocation link

The Jaguars are owned by Fulham FC chairman Shahid Khan and have played seven times at Wembley in the past as the designated home side, most recently last November

It has been announced that the Jacksonville Jaguars will play two consecutive home fixtures in the next NFL season at Wembley as speculation continues to grow that they could establish a franchise in London.

The Jaguars have already played at Wembley seven times in the past, and were defeated 26-3 by the Houston Texans in November.

Their owner, Shahid Khan, is based in London, and is also the owner and chairman of Fulham FC. He has yet to commit to a move for the Jaguars, but there is a growing belief that they are the most likely team to relocate to London.

NFL reporter Tom Pelissero broke the news of the Jaguars, posting on Twitter: "The #Jaguars announced they'll play two of their home games at Wembley Stadium, connected by EE, over consecutive Sundays in London in 2020, making them the first team in NFL history to play two home games outside of the U.S. in the same regular season."

As of yet there has been no confirmation who their opponents for the two games will be, although it has been assured that the games against the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers will take place in the States.

Khan released a statement following the news, and said: "This isn't about the next season or the next few seasons in Jacksonville, but really about the next 10 years, 25 years and beyond.


Shahid Khan is the owner of the Jaguars and Fulham FC (Image: Getty)

"There is no better time than now to capitalize on the opportunity to play two home games in London, where we will continue to develop our loyal and growing fan base there and throughout the UK, during a period in which I will be focused heavily on creating a new downtown experience that we want, need and must have here."

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, added: "London is the sporting capital of the world, so I am absolutely delighted that the Jacksonville Jaguars have committed to playing two of their home games in our city from this year."



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/american-sports/jacksonville-jaguars-play-two-home-21429926

[WhiteJC]

17 free agents still available to sign for Leeds United, West Brom, Fulham and other Championship clubs

Leeds proved to be busy in the January transfer market, getting three new faces through the door at Elland Road

As we approached the closing stages of the January transfer window last week, Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa issued a stern warning, insisting that the loan signing of Jean-Kevin Augustin would be the Whites' final move in the window.

He was not lying.

After bringing Augustin in from RB Leipzig last Monday - four days before the window closed for business - there was still talk of Bielsa strengthening his squad further before the bell, but Bielsa stuck to his word. His business was done.

But even though the transfer window has now closed for business, meaning clubs can no longer sign players on permanent basis' for transfer fees or on loan, clubs are still allowed to add free agents to their ranks, should they feel it necessary or spot someone who could be the ideal replacement for an injured player.

Players are eligible to be signed as long as they left their previous clubs before last Friday's transfer deadline.

Here are a host of players that are currently without a club and are available for Championship teams to snap up on a free-transfer.

Younousse Sankhare - Age: 30 - Position: Left wing - Released by: Bourdeaux (November 2019)

Ki Sung-Yueng - Age: 31 - Position: Centre-midfield - Released by: Newcastle United (January 2020)

Tom Carroll - Age: 27 - Position: Centre-midfield - Released by: Swansea City (January 2020)

Nemanja Nikolic - Age: 32 - Position: Striker - Released by: Chicago Fire (October 2019)

Vladimir Weiss - Age: 30 - Position: Winger - Released by: Al-Gharafa (December 2019)

Ivan Strinic - Age: 32 - Position: Left-back - Released by: AC Milan (August 2019)

Martin Olsson - Age: 31 - Position: Left-back - Released by: Swansea City (May 2019)

Ignazio Abate - Age: 33 - Position: Right-back - Released by: AC Milan (May 2019)

Cheik N'Doye - Age: 33 - Position: Midfielder - Released by: Birmingham City (May 2019)

Romain Alessandrini - Age: 30 - Position: Winger - Released by: LA Galaxy (January 2020)

Ross McCormack - Age: 33 - Position: Striker - Released by: Aston Villa (May 2019)

Vurnon Anita - Age: 30 - Position: Full-back - Released by: Leeds United (May 2019)

Diafra Sakho - Age: 30 - Position: Striker - Released by: Rennes (January 2020)

Ondrej Mazuch - Age: 30 - Position: Centre-back - Released by : Hull City (May 2019)

Sebastian Prodl - Age: 32 - Position: Centre-back - Released by: Watford (January 2020)

Yohan Croizet - Age: 27 - Position: Attacking midfield - Released by: Sporting Kansas City (September 2019)

Diogo Amado - Age: 30 - Position: Centre-midfield - Released by: Al-Gharafa (November 2019)

Benoit Poulain - Age: 32 - Position: Centre-back - Released by: Kayserispor (January 2020)

Ross Wallace - Age: 34 - Position: Right wing - Released by: Fleetwood Town (September 2019)

Giuseppe Rossi - Age: 33 - Position: Striker - Released by: Genoa (July 2018)

Jordon Mutch - Age: 28 - Position: Midfielder - Released by: Gyeongnam (July 2019)

Alan Hutton - Age: 35 - Position: Right-back - Released by: Aston Villa (July 2019)




https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/17-free-agents-still-available-17685606

[WhiteJC]

2 flaws that could damage Fulham's promotion bid

Fulham look set to challenge for an immediate return to the Premier League this season.

With last season's disappointment – all that wasted money on signings, three different managers at the helm and their inevitable relegation, this season was always going to be tough.

But Scott Parker, in his first full season in football management has so far proved a lot of people wrong.

His job has been called into question at times this season but, with 16 games of the campaign left to go he finds his side 3rd-place of the Championship table – four points off the leaders West Brom and with a very real chance of automatic promotion.

Add to that their impressive January transfer window. They arguably had the best window of any team in the top-six right now, bringing in five players and making the loan-stays of both Ivan Cavaleiro and Bobby Reid permanent.

Hitting form at the right time as well, it's set Fulham up for what should be a hugely exciting and prosperous second-half of the season. But they're not over the line yet, far from it, and here we take a look at two flaws that could put their promotion party on hold:

Reliance on Mitrovic?
Aleksandar Mitrovic – 19 Championship goals this season and 30 for club and country, he's once again proving to be one of the hottest strikers outside of the Premier League.

There's no denying his ability and importance to Fulham, but do they run the risk of becoming over-reliant on him?

Certainly, in the earlier stages of the season they were. Parker was still implementing his style on the team and it was very centred around the Serb, but they showed at times last month that without Mitrovic, they can be just fine.

Fans will just hope if he goes missing again they'll be able to deal with it.

Conceding silly goals
Fulham's last outing against Huddersfield summed them up – three goals in the first half-hour gave them a 3-0 lead, but the game finished 3-2 after Huddersfield were allowed to score two easy goals in the first-half.

For all of their attacking prowess there are still defensive cracks in this Fulham side. The arrival of Michael Hector has benefited the side massively but he can't solve all their problems on his own.

When they come to welcome one of the top-six sides, who knows how many goals they might concede?

Huddersfield are right down there in the Championship table and even they managed to score twice at the Cottage – cheap, silly goals will keep them in the league if anything.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/2-flaws-that-could-damage-fulhams-promotion-bid/

[WhiteJC]

Why Kevin McDonald is massive for Fulham

Kevin McDonald is 31 and has three league starts. He's also signed a new contract until 2021 for basically being a good lad. Marco De Novellis explore the man, myth and legend that is KMac.

In an age where the connection between fan and footballer is about as distant as Felix Magath's Stakhanovite training regime is from the Instagram addicts who inhabit the modern day dressing room, Kevin McDonald's contract renewal at the end of last month should bring a warm fuzzy feeling to all Fulham fans.

For Kevin's extension is not based on his outstanding fitness levels or recent upturn in form (he's only started three times in the league this season). Instead, it seems, the club have signed Kevin up for what he does when he's not playing football.

It all started in Vegas...

Waking up in Vegas
Picture the scene. You're sat by the pool in Las Vegas. On your left, Tony Khan swigs champagne on a sun lounger. On your right, Lucas Piazon revs up the Europop. Marcelo Djaló has just given you a bearhug. Fredericks was around, but he's just snaked off somewhere.

You've played a bit of pool. You've played a bit of table football. You'll be on the golf course later. Then, the blackjack table. Maybe another club night. You sunbathe; you swim. You drink; you dance; you bubble.

You've just won promotion to the Premier League after a win at a sun-drenched Wembley. You've played very well, in fairness. You scored a 25-yard screamer in a crunch game at Millwall. You've been the core of the Fulham midfield all season. When you close your eyes, you can still see John Terry cry.

Now, your eccentric director of football has flown you and the boys out to the US and it's your time to shine. This is your moment. Can life get any better than this?

It does. After the Las Vegas trip, there's another Las Vegas trip; a stag do; a wedding; golf; more golf; countless Fortnite sessions and nights out in Wimbledon with Stefan Johansen. But then, like a shot from an angry AK47, the post-holiday blues hit.

It's August 11th; it's the Premier League; it's Crystal Palace at home; it's 25 degrees.

You can't run anymore; you can't track back. You've got a yellow card; you're playing next to Jean Michael Seri. You're hot and tired. You've just been called up to play for bloody Scotland.

All you want to do is be back on that sun lounger.

Hangover cure
The McDonald Vegas hangover was a heavy one. The shakes, the self-doubt, and the lethargy lasted long after the splitting headache of post-playoff final day.

It continued throughout the 2018-19 season. It continued at Barnsley at the start of this campaign. But, despite his struggles, there'll be no referendum on McDonald's Fulham tenure in 2020.

The boy from the Barry Burn, the kid from Carnoustie, the sesh leader, the man with more than 100 Fulham appearances under his belt, Kevin David McDonald, is here to stay.

"I'm delighted," Kevin said on his recent contract extension. "I had a good chat with Tony [Khan], Alistair [Mackintosh] and Scott [Parker] and we worked out where we wanted to go." Presumably to the Golden Lion for a round of Jaegers and a cider black.

"They were keen for me to stay around," he continued, "And, although I've been out with a little knock recently [lengthy hangover], they know I'm a big influence off the pitch and in this dressing room [aforementioned sesh leader].

"The main thing for me is that the team is doing well. And if that happens—with or without me in the team—then I'm happy."

Kevin's words are a testament to the man himself—a selfless Scottish legend who is quite happy to take our money and live out his days on the bench. And who can blame him?

For from those taunting celebrations, slow turns on the halfway line, laboured runs, and constant piss-taking of his colleagues at work, comes the strong realisation that, really, he's just like one of us.

Glorious future
At the time of writing, we've just beaten Aston Villa in the FA Cup, and got a pair of clean sheets in 1-0 wins at Hull and at home against Middlesbrough. Kevin is back: imperious, faultless, smiling and waving his arms around in the air. Finally, he's brought some semblance of Championship normality back to our midfield.

But the story of the Kevin McDonald contract renewal has another protagonist to it. Outside the negotiation room, as Kevin pens his contract, there's a young man waiting in an oversized baseball cap.

"Pourquoi moi?" He ponders, thumbing his phone nervously. "Did I speak out of turn to Mitro again? Was there something wrong with my lotus pose? Is my ridiculous French music too loud? Do I need to absolutely stop using Instagram?"

It's a relief when he enters. Tony is smiling. Aboubakar Kamara, a professional footballer who was arrested, banned, and transported to Turkey last season, grasps the pen from Tony's outstretched hand and signs a new Fulham deal until 2024.

And, with that pen stroke, Fulham re-sign two players who have both proved themselves singularly unable to cope with the demands of the Premier League. With that, we prepare ourselves, not for promotion, but for the impending, glorious inevitability of another year in the Championship.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2020-02-05-why-kevin-mcdonald-is-massive-for-fulham/