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Saturday Fulham Stuff - 15/02/20...

Started by WhiteJC, February 14, 2020, 11:29:58 AM

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WhiteJC

Mitrovic to lead the line? – Predicted 4-2-3-1 Fulham XI to face Barnsley

Fulham Prediction: Probable XI to face Barnsley

Fulham welcome Barnsley at Craven Cottage hoping to bounce back to winning ways after a 1-1 draw with Millwall in the Championship on Wednesday.

After a 1-0 win at Ewood Park at the weekend, the Cottagers headed back down to the capital full of confidence. The draw with Millwall means that the Londoners squandered their opportunity to climb into the automatic promotion places at Leeds' expense, but Scott Parker's men are still level on points with the Yorkshire club.

Meanwhile, Barnsley are at the rock bottom of the table and are winless in their last five games.

Team News
Anthony Knockaert missed the game against Millwall due to illness but is expected to be back on Saturday. Maxime Le Marchand has been sidelined with a long-term injury having picked up a back injury in November last year.

Alfie Mawson has missed the last five games through a knee injury and looks likely to miss this one too. Terence Kongolo remains doubtful for the upcoming fixture.

Fulham Prediction: Probable XI
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Marek Rodak (GK)

Rodak is Fulham's first-choice goalkeeper and is expected to start against Barnsley.
Denis Odoi (RB)

Odoi has played in different positions across the backline this season but he'll keep his place at right-back.
Michael Hector (CB)

Hector has started the last six games in a row and should keep his place at the back against the bottom-placed club Barnsley.
Tim Ream (CB)

Ream has been a regular fixture since the start of the season. The American will partner Hector at the back.
Joe Bryan (LB)

Bryan has been impressive with his attacking displays down the left flank. He is a certainty to be a part of Fulham's backline against Barnsley.
Kevin McDonald (CM)

McDonald was rested against Millwall as he has played a lot of late. While he was an unused substitute at the Den, he is expected to be back into the starting XI at the weekend.
Harry Arter (CM)

Energetic and tenacious, Arter will partner McDonald in the middle of the park and look to dictate the tempo of the game.
Ivan Cavaleiro (RW)

Cavaleiro came on for the last 20 minutes against Millwall on Wednesday but couldn't make much of an impact. With six goals and as many assists, the Portuguese has been one of the most important players for Parker this term and should start this game.
Tom Cairney (CAM)

Cairney could be handed an advanced role which will give him the license to pick up pockets of spaces behind the opposition players and create openings for his teammates.
Bobby Reid (LW)

Blessed with plenty of pace and power, Reid could cause a lot of problems to Barnsley's defenders at Craven Cottage. He'll start on the left flank.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (ST)

Mitrovic is one of the deadliest strikers in the Championship and is a certainty to lead Fulham's attack against Gerhard Struber's men.




https://www.mediareferee.com/2020/02/15/mitrovic-to-lead-the-line-predicted-4-2-3-1-fulham-xi-to-face-barnsley/

WhiteJC


Up next: Barnsley (h)

Fulham get an early opportunity to put the disappointment of drawing with Millwall, offside decisions and the failure to move in front of Leeds behind them when bottom of the table Barnsley visit Craven Cottage tomorrow afternoon. The Whites will have been dismayed by their underwhelming performance at the Den on Wednesday night but in truth it could have been a lot worse for Scott Parker's side, given that Millwall might have nicked what became an even contest after Jon Dadi Bodvarsson's controversial equaliser.

Parker might have cause to reflect on his own decisions after his side failed to seize the advantage in the Championship's automatic promotion race. It may well be that Kevin McDonald, restored to the starting line-up to such devastating affect in recent weeks, might not be able to start three games in seven days any more but would this game have been a more suitable one for him to miss. Harry Arter's display in south east London was rusty at best and his petulance towards the end reminded me of the ill-discipline that saw him inexcusably sent off at Cardiff earlier in the season. The Whites' badly missed some ballast at the base of the midfield.

Parker's plumping for Aboubakar Kamara didn't really come off either. The Frenchman was subdued and lethargic for much of the match. Ivan Cavaleiro impressed off the bench – but his arrival came much too late as Fulham seemed powerless to shift the tempo of a contest that suited the hosts far more than them. Congolese winger Neeskens Kebano was barely given any time at all to turn things round, but almost managed to steal three points with an athletic header from a late corner that rattled the crossbar and ran away to safety. There's a case for Kebano, always a livewire, to get a little more match action.

The biggest disappointment of this week arguably came off the pitch with the news that Terence Kongolo will miss the remainder of the season having sustained a serious foot injury in the final ten minutes at Blackburn. Kongolo's presence in the squad was a huge boost to Fulham's promotion prospects with depth in central defence severely lacking previously. Parker might well be left depending on Tim Ream and the imperious Michael Hector for the remainder of the season, given that Alfie Mawson has just undergone knee surgery. There's certainly little margin for error at the back now.

Barnsley visit the Cottage in a whole heap of trouble at the foot of the table. That sunny opening afternoon when the Tykes were good value for a narrow win at Oakwell seems an awful long time ago. They have managed just three wins in their subsequent 31 league games – and are already nine points from safety. Gerhard Struber had initially overseen an upturn in form when he arrived in south Yorkshire but Tuesday's deflating defeat by Birmingham City put another dent in a young side's already fragile confidence.

Barnsley have a track record of springing surprises against the top sides this term. They have already held leaders West Brom to two draws and former Fulham striker Cauley Woodrow, who has scored nine times in 21 appearances so far this term, would like nothing better to shine on his old stomping ground. There's always been the suspicion that Woodrow, who broke into the Fulham side as a teenager with the Whites battling against the drop from the Premier League, didn't get a fair crack of the whip under Slavisa Jokanovic – and he's been in great goalscoring form from the moment he made the move to Oakwell.

He could be paired with former Portsmouth striker Conor Chaplin in attack if Struber decides to go for broke in search of another shock success. It's not as if the Tykes don't have the talent to pose as many problems as Storm Dennis tomorrow afternoon. Alex Mowatt has been an outstanding performer at this level for many years, whilst Mike Bahre ran the show when Barnsley embarrassed Parker and Fulham on the first day of the season. Struber will need to shuffle his pack with injuries and fitness issues robbing him of the services of defender Mads Andersen, goalkeeper Sami Radlinger and midfielder Marcel Ritzmaier. It will be a tall order for them to keep Fulham's possession-based football at bay for another ninety minutes.

MY FULHAM XI (4-3-3): Rodak; Odoi, Bryan, Hector, Ream; McDonald, Onomah, Cairney; Decordova-Reid, Cavaleiro, Mitrovic. Subs: Bettinelli, Christie, S. Sessegnon, Johansen, Knockaert, Kebano, Kamara.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/02/up-next-barnsley-h-2/

WhiteJC

Former Irish national team player Jimmy Conway dies at 73

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Jimmy Conway, a former Irish international whose club career included stops with Fulham and the Portland Timbers, has died from complications of dementia. He was 73.

Conway, also the first soccer coach at Oregon State, was diagnosed with dementia in 2009 and was hospitalized in recent years. He passed away Thursday night.

The Dublin native made 20 appearances for the Irish national team between 1966-77 and scored three goals.

He spent 10 years of his club career with Fulham, scoring 67 times in 314 league games, and was a member of the team that went to the FA Cup Final in 1975. The next year he was transferred to Manchester City, where he played two seasons but appeared in just 13 games because of injuries.

Fulham will pay tribute to Conway on Saturday when the team plays Barnsley at Craven Cottage.

Conway came to Portland in 1978 to play for the Timbers of the National American Soccer League. His teammates included Mick Hoban and Clive Charles.

Conway played three seasons with the Timbers and then another two with the team's indoor team. He was also an assistant coach for the Timbers from 2000-05, and his name is enshrined in the team's Ring of Honor.

The Timbers will honor Conway on Sunday before a preseason match.

"Jimmy Conway was a Timbers legend whose influence was instrumental in the growth of soccer in Oregon," the team said in a statement on Friday. "He was admired and respected as a professional for the way he conducted himself at all levels, and had a true love and passion for the game. Our thoughts are with his family and all those whose lives were touched by Jimmy on and off the pitch."

Conway served as head coach at Oregon State from 1988-1998, amassing a 97-88-14 record, most for any Beavers coach. Oregon State won a conference title under Conway in 1990.

Hoban said Conway's legacy is vast. Also the longtime director of coaching for the Oregon Youth Soccer Association, nearly everyone in the soccer community has a connection to Conway, Hoban said.

"It reaches across the Atlantic and it reaches all around the state of Oregon. And it's not just as a coach, and a player, and a clinician. He was just such a great, great ambassador for the game," Hoban said. "Whenever you mentioned his name to anybody, you'd watch them break into a smile. That's his legacy."

Conway is survived by his wife of 50 years, Noeleen, two sons, a daughter, eight grandchildren and 10 siblings. Funeral services are pending.



https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/former-irish-national-team-player-jimmy-conway-dies-at-73-021420


WhiteJC

Opposition in focus – Barnsley

Scott Parker will urge his Fulham debut to sweep away the disappointment of failing to beat Millwall on Wednesday night by seeing off Barnsley at a wet and windy Craven Cottage tomorrow afternoon.

The Fulham boss will need no reminding of Barnsley's ability to surprise after the Tykes inflicted a shock 1-0 defeat upon Parker's men in south Yorkshire on the opening day of the season. Barnsley have failed to build on that outstanding start with popular German manager Daniel Stendel, who masterminded their return to the second tier, paying for a poor run of results with his job. Although Gerhard Struber initially stitched together an excellent home run, Barnsley have mustered just four league wins all season and they are now cut adrift at the bottom of the table.

They have recorded just six points on the road all season, although both Struber and skipper Mike Bahre were in upbeat mood about their survival chances as they looked ahead to the trip to London. The Austrian coach could be pinning his escape hopes on a familiar face to Fulham fans in Cauley Woodrow, who has scored nine Championship goals this term, and has hardly stopped finding the net since he made the switch to Oakwell last year. Woodrow and the ex-Portsmouth striker Conor Chaplin have proven particularly potent up front, combing for a total of 23 goals, which represents 62% of Barnsley's total for the season.

Struber will have to do without the services of first-choice goalkeeper Samuel Radlinger, who was outstanding against Fulham at Oakwell in August. Midfielder Marcel Ritzmaier will also miss out, whilst Bambo Diaby is banned and Mads Andersen will be rested. He will hope that by juggling his side the Tykes can produce the type of dynamic display that so frustrated Parker's side on the opening day – and benefit from making a sell-out home crowd restless.

Just as it seemed that Fulham's own injury crisis was easing came the news that Terence Kongolo, who had only just broken into the side following his loan move from Huddersfield, will miss the rest of the season with a foot problem. Winger Anthony Knockaert should be ready to return having missed the trip to the Den through illness and it seems that Harrison Reed, a big miss in central midfield, could be close to full fitness after starting training again this week. Maxime Le Marchand joins Kongolo and Alfie Mawson as long-term central defensive absences.

Fulham might have missed a golden opportunity to leapfrong Leeds in south east London earlier this week, but with Marcelo Bielsa's side facing a tough test against Bristol City, a win over beleaguered Barnsley could see the Whites in the automatic promotion places. On what is sure to be an emotional afternoon after the death of Fulham legend Jimmy Conway, it might fall to the Cottage faithful to roar Parker's men on to a vital victory.

MY FULHAM XI (4-3-3): Rodak; Christie, Bryan, Odoi, Hector; McDonald, Onomah, Cairney; Decordova-Reid, Cavaleiro, Mitrovic.

MY PREDICTION: Fulham 2-0 Barnsley.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/02/opposition-in-focus-barnsley/

WhiteJC

Exclusive: Andy Couzens reveals what Leeds United need to do to shake off Fulham, Nott'm Forest & co.

Andy Couzens has encouraged Leeds United to forget about the chasing-pack in the Championship promotion race and focus on getting wins on the board in the coming weeks and months.

Leeds have tasted victory just twice in the last 11 fixtures in the Championship, which has allowed Fulham to draw level on points with them despite having trailed by 11 points in mid-December.

However, Leeds somehow remain second to only West Brom in the table following a midweek draw with Brentford, as Fulham and Nottingham Forest both dropped points, despite the latter entering the fixture on the back of beating Marcelo Bielsa's side.

Forest were undone by a Lyle Taylor goal against Charlton Athletic, whilst Millwall held Fulham, who Couzens is surprised have stuck around.

Speaking to Football League World's Chief Editor Sam Rourke this week, he touched on Forest's win over Leeds and following defeat, as well as Fulham.

"If you look at Forest, they go and lose the game after us, put everything into beating us, but forget about the next one," the former Leeds man explained. "I thought Fulham might've waned off a little bit, but they haven't, they're still there." 

The Championship has cramped up and only three points separate Leeds in second and Bristol City in seventh, with Bielsa's side going up against the Robins at Elland Road on Saturday.

Preston North End and Brentford are also in the mix of clubs between Leeds and Bristol City, but Couzens is urging the Whites to not think about them and only focusing on getting some wins on the board.

He continued: "If you look at the four or five teams below Leeds, they've all been a little bit stop-start, so what Leeds need to do is pick up the wins and not bother about anybody behind them.

"They need to think 'let's keep pushing forward and thinking about us' and when they get to four or five games until the end of the season, they'll know where they are.

"The pressure is on for everyone's players, not just Leeds."




https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/exclusive-andy-couzens-reveals-what-leeds-united-need-to-do-to-shake-off-fulham-nottm-forest-co/

WhiteJC

de la Torre and Carvalho secure U23s win

Two superb strikes from Luca de la Torre and Fabio Carvalho secured Fulham's under 23s first win in seven games as the young Whites saw off Aston Villa at Motspur Park last night.

After drawing a blank in not four of their last five games, teenage striker Jay Stansfield was handed his first PL2 start after scoring in his only appearance off the bench against West Ham in the 3-3 draw in early December. Stansfield, fresh from signing his senior deal last week, almost made the perfect start but his predatory finish was ruled out with Carvalho adjudged offside in the build up.

Fulham were playing adventurous football and deservedly went in front in the 34th minute thanks to an incredible solo goal from American midfielder de la Torre. The classy turn and finish straight into the top corner ended his barren run of 13 games without a goal in some style.

The hosts were well on top throughout and the talented teenager Carvalho settled the contest with six minutes to play. personally seen live on the 84th minute. Sylvester Jasper teed up the England youth international who found the top corner with a modicum of fuss.

There was a welcome return from injury for Sonny Hilton, who showed glimpses of class during his 70 minutes on the field. Striker Cameron Thompson was an unused substitute having been sidelined since sustaining a muscle injury in early August.

Scottish centre back Connor McAvoy slotted in seamlessly to the under 23 back four having played the majority of the season for Steve Wigley's U18's team. Cody Drameh was comfortably the classiest player on the pitch, with the young right back showing a great attacking threat with his frightening pace, reminding me of one Ryan Fredericks. Cody excels defensively in one on one situations and almost laid on another goal for Hilton.

Arguably the most impressive aspect of Fulham's performance was the fact that Villa were restricted to very little in front of goal. Magnus Norman was a virtual spectator – facing not even one shot on target – with Fulham completely possession. Up next for the U23s is a must win trip to Plymouth Argyle as they attempt to reach the next round of the PL Cup.

My man of the match: Cody Drameh

My player ratings: Norman(6); Drameh(9), Fossey(6),McAvoy(7), Jenz(6); De Havilland(6), Francois(6), Hilton(6); De La Torre(8), Carvalho(8); Stansfield(6)




https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/02/de-la-torre-and-carvalho-secure-u23s-win/


WhiteJC